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NATURAL HISTORY SURVEY OF ILLINOIS, ) oH

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PART I, DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE, ‘
By ROBERT RIDGWAY. (

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Published by Authority of the State Legislature. d
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SPRINGFIELD, ILL.
H. W. Roxker, Printer snp BinveEr,

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CONTENTS|

PAGE ’

Order GALLINZ—The Gullinaceous Birds............0esessseceeecsceceeteenecececeeeees $A 3 yell

Suborder Phasiana, 3—Family Phasianide (The Phisasantsl! ee aamaily Metraonides
(The Grouse, Partridges, and Quails), 6.

Order Luxconm—The Shore Birds....... en Ppsclan Say Sree ee A's ae CMR
va Family Aphrizidz (The Turnstones), 20.— Family Charadriide (The Plovers), 23.— }
rs Family Scolopacide (The Snipe Family), 32.—Family Recurvirostride (The Av-
> ocets and Stilts), 74.—Family Phalaropodide (The Phalaropes), 77.
Order ALECTORIDES—The Cranes, Courlans, Rails, Gallinules, and Coots.......... saa seeps
‘Suborder Ralli, 83. -Family Rallidw (The Rails, Gallinules, and Coots), 83.—Family
; _ Gruidz (The Cranes), 98. ;

i Order HezopionEs—The Herons, Storks, [bises, €fC........0eesseeveeeseeeeeerees woeegacveslOL™

Suborder Ibides (The Spoonbills and Ibises), 101*—Family Plataleida (The Spoon-
; bills), 102*,—Family Ibididz (The Ibises), 106*.

mas Suborder Ciconiw (The Storks and Wood Ibises), 113*.—Family Ciconiide (The
‘ Storks and Wood Ibises), 113*.

Suborder Herodii (The Barone 4 and Boatbills), ue". —Family Ardeidz (The Herons), rin
ae 117*. fe
Order ANSERES—The Tasielisoateal RWIDIMIOPS ssi nswiowpeWaev har cecascue’ Mile Mausioangisaiteede AUm

Family Anatide (The Swans, Geese, and Dueks), 103,

* Order StecaNopopEs—The Totipalmate Swimmers.......... A eorerAn reed RUA can eave) 198
Family Pelecanid& (The Pelicans), 195.—Family Phalacrocoracide (The nGemseaatal,
-:202.—Family Anhingidz (The Anhingas), 207.

Order Lonerpennes—The Long-winged Swimmers .........:seseseeeeeeeeeeeeseeee ecenesae BO
Family Stercorariide (The Skuas and Jaegers), 211.—Family Laridw (The Gulls and
Terns), 219.
Order PyaupopEes—The Diving Birds..........-.ssseeeeeee sgceensaccupeceeossevesscesveces see O51

Family Urinatorid (The Loons), 252,—Family Podicipide (The Grebes), 258

ere tel,

Wh he (CONCLUDED.) —

A DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE

OF THE

By ROBERT RIDGWAY.

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f ORDER GALLINE—THE GALLINACEOUS BIRDS. 3

OrpER GALLINZ.—THE GALLINACEOUS Birbs.

The following families of Ga/line are represented in Illinois:

A, Tarsi spurred, and head partly naked.
1. Phasianide.,

B. Tarsi without spurs, and head entirely feathered, except, sometimes, a bare space
over eyes,

2. Tetraonide,

SusorDER PHASIANTI.
Famity PHASIANIDZ.—Tue PHEASANTS.

Car. Hind toe short and elevated,as in Tetraonidw. Tarsi spurred. Head partly
naked. Tail often vaulted or arched.

Two subfamilies of Phasianide are represented in the Illinois
fauna, one of them (Phasianinw), however, only by introduced
species. Their characters are as follows:

Phasianine. Head mostly feathered, except round eyes. Tail elongated, graduated,
arched, or yaulted. Plumage of sexes widely different, the female much smaller
than the male and without brilliant coloring. (Introduced species only.)

Meleagrine, Head entirely naked, or else with only small hair-like feathers or short tufts
of imperfect feathers. Tail moderate as to length, flat, rounded, the feathers broad
and nearly truncated at tips. Sexes essentially alike in plumage but females duller
in color than males.

SuBPAMILY MELEAGRIN Z4.—TuHeE TurKeEys.

Car. Head unfeathered, the skin wrinkled and often warted, the forehead witha
more or less developed extensile fleshy appendage (smaller in females). Nasal fossie bare.
Tail moderately lengthened, rounded at end, not vaulted nor arched, the feathers (more
than twelve) broad and nearly truncated at tips. Hind toe elevated; tarsus armed with
spurs inthe male. Plumage of the sexes essentially alike, but females somewhat duller in
color than males.

The subfamily Meleagrine, or Turkeys, belongs to that branch
or section of the great gallinaceous Order (Ga//inw) to which

Professor Huxley has given the name of Alectoropodes, and
which have been later named Gallinw Alectovopodes by Messrs.

TRENT ae coe Se a

4 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Sclater and Salvin. To the same suborder belong the common
domestic fowl, the Guinea-fowl (Nwnida meleagris), the Old
World Phasianide, or Pheasants, and all of the Grouse and
Partridge families (Zetraonidw and Perdicide). To the other
suborder (known as Gallinw Peristeropodes) belong the tropical
American Cracide (Curassows, Guans, and Chachalacas) and the
Australian MZegapodide (Mound-Fowl or Brush-Turkeys).

The Meleagrine, as at present known, include a single genus,
Meleagris, which is peculiar to eastern and southeastern North
America, its southern limit being the Peten district of Gua-
temala and parts of British Honduras, where (as also in Yuca-
tan) occurs the JZ. ocellata (the Ocellated or Honduras Tur-
key)—a magnificent bird, almost rivaling the Impeyan Pheasant
and Peacock in the brilliancy of its colors.

GENUS MELEAGRIS Linnxuws.

Meleagris Linn. Syst. Nat. ed. 10, 1758, 156. Type, Meleagris gallopavo LINN.

Gen. CHAR. Legs with transverse scutelle before and behind; reticulated laterally.
Tarsi with spurs. Tail rounded, rather long, usually of eighteen feathers. Forehead with
a depending fleshy cone. Head and the upper half of the neck without feathers. Breast of
male in one species with a long tuft of bristles.

The two species of this genus (one of them with two very
strongly marked geographical races) may be distinguished as
follows:

1. M, gallopavo. Breast of the male with a tuft of long, coarse, hair-like black bristles.
Tail bright umber- or dull ferruginous-brown, narrowly barred with black, and crossed
near the end with a broad subterminal band of black. Spurs moderately developed.
Female much smaller and duller colored than the male.

Qa. gallopavo. Tip of tail and all of the upper tail-coverts dark chestnut; prevailing
hue of metallic reflections coppery. Hab. Eastern United States and Canada.

p. mexicana. Tip of tail and all of the upper tail-coverts white or pale buff;* prevail-
ing hue of metallic reflections greenish. Hab. The common domesticated bird,
derived from the wild Mexican race; the latter ranging from southern Mexico north
to mountains of Arizona, New Mexico, southern Colorado, and western Texas.

2. M., ocellata, Breast of male without tuft of bristles. Tail ash-gray, narrowly barred
with black, broadly tipped with refulgent copper-bronze, and ornamented with large
subterminal eye-spots or ocelle of brilliantly metallic steel-blue, bordered with velvety
black; longer upper tail-coverts similarly adorned, and body barred with richly lus-
trous golden-bronze, steel-blue, green, ete., and velvety black. Spurs greatly devel-
oped and very sharp in the male. Female decidedly smaller than the male but scarcely
less brilliant. Hab. Yueatan, Peten district of Guatemala, and adjoining portions of
British Honduras.

* Some varieties, due to domestication, are wholly black, cream-colored, or tawny.

PHASIANIDE— THE PHEASANTS.

Meleagris gallopavo (Linn.)

WILD TURKEY.

Meleagris gallopavo Lr. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 156; ed. 12, i, 1766, 268—AuD. Orn. Biog. i,
1831, 1, pls. 1, 6; v, 1839, 559; Synop. 1839, 194; B. Am. v, 1842, 42, pls. 287, 288—Nurr.
Man. i, 1882, 630.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 651; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 457.—B. B. & R.
Hist. N. Am. B. iii, 1874, 404.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 310.—RipGw. Man. N. Am.
B. 1887, 207.

Meleagris americana Bartr. Travels, 1791, 290.

Meleagri- gallopavo var. americana Cougs, Key, 1872, 232; Check List, 1874, No. 379 a; B.
N. W. 1874, 391.

Meleagris gallopavo americana Ripew. Nom. N. Am. 1881, No. 470 a.—Cours, 2d Check
List, 1882, No. 554.

Has. Eastern United States, north to southern Minnesota and Dakota, Ontario, ete.—
formerly to Massachusetts and Vermont, but now extinct in most parts of the northeast-
ern States; south to the Gulf coast (including Florida); west to Iowa, eastern Kansas, In-
dian Territory, and eastern Texas.

Sp. Cuan. The naked skin of the head and neck is blue; the excrescences purplish red
and whitish. The legs dull red. The feathers of the neck and body generally are very
broad, abruptly truncate, and each one well defined and scale-like; the exposed portion
ecoppery bronze, with a bright coppery reflection in some lights, most brilliant on the under
parts. Each feather is abruptly margined with velvety black, the bronze assuming a
greenish or purplish shade near the line of junction, and the bronze itself sometimes with
a greenish reflection in some lights. The black is opaque, except along the extreme tip,
where there is a metallic gloss. The feathers of the lower back and rump are black, with
little or no coppery gloss. The feathers of the sides behind, and the coverts, upper and
under, are of a very dark purplish chestnut, with purplish metallic reflections near the end,

yy and a subterminal bar of black; the tips are of the opaque purplish chestnut referred to.
q The concealed portion of the coverts is dark chestnut, barred rather finely with black, the
a black wider than the interspaces. The tail feathers are dark brownish chestnut, with nu-

merous bars of black, which, when most distinct, are about a quarter of an inch wide and
about double their interspaces; the extreme tip for about half an inch is plain chestnut,
lighter than the general color; and there is a broad subterminal bar of black about two
inches wide on the outer feathers, and narrowing to about three quarters of an inch to the
central ones. The innermost pair scarcely show this band, and the others are all much
broken and confused. In addition to the black bars on each feather, the chestnut inter-
spaces are sprinkled with black. The black bands are all most distinct on the inner webs:
the interspaces are considerably lighter below than above.

There are no whitish tips whatever to the tail or its coverts. The feathers on the middle
of the belly are downy, opaque, and tipped obscurely with rusty whitish.
[JThe wing-coverts are like the back; the quills, however, are blackish brown, with numer-
. ous transverse bars of white, half the width of the interspaces. The exposed surfaces of
be the wing, however, and most of the inner secondaries, are tinged with brownish rusty, the
4 uppermost ones with a dull copper or greenish gloss.

The female differs in smaller size, less brilliant colors, absence generally of bristles on
the breast and of spur, and a much smaller fleshy process above the base of the bill.
5 Male. Length, 48.00 to 50.00; extent, 60.00; wing, 21.00; tail, 18.50. Weight, 16 to 40 lbs.
| Female. Weight, about 12 lbs.; measurements smaller in proportion.

Once abundant throughout the State, the Wild Turkey is now
exterminated in some sections and reduced in numbers elsewhere.
In some densely wooded districts of the extreme southern coun-
ties it is still common, but is becoming less so every year.

6 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Famity TETRAONIDA.—THE GrRovusE, PARTRIDGES, AND
QUAILS.

CHAR. Hind toe small (much less than half as long as lateral toes), and inserted above
the level of the anterior toes. Tarsi without spurs. Head entirely feathered (in American
species) except, sometimes, over eyes. Tail not vaulted or arched,

The following subfamilies of Tetraonide have usually been
given full family rank, but almost without doubt are more
closely related.

Tetraonine. Tarsi with at least the upper half feathered; sides of toes with decidu-

ous comb-like pectinations (falling off in summer).

Perdicinw. Tarsi entirely-naked, and toes without pectinations at any season.

SuBFAMILY TETRAONIN 2.—THE GRovsE.

CHAR. Gallinaceous birds with the margins of the toes distinctly pectinated*, the tarsi
at least half feathered, the nasal foss@ densely filled with feathers (so as to completely en-
close and partially conceal the nostril). Sides of neck often with an inflatable air-sac. A
bare (usually red or yellow) space over eyes.

The TZetraonine are very strongly characterized among galli-
naceous birds by the peculiarities of structure named in the
above diagnosis. In addition, the following characters (not
always present) may be mentioned.

The superciliary region is usually more or less bare, and some-
times (notably in the Ptarmigans) adorned with a comb-like,
or ciliated, erectile process, of a brilliant red or yellow color
during the breeding season. The tail is extremely variable in
development and form, and may be either short and rounded
(as in Tympanuchus and Lagopus), rather lengthened and fan-
shaped (as in Dendragapus and Bonasa), very short and grad-
uated, with the middle feathers lengthened and nearly truncate
( Pediocetes), or considerably lengthened and much graduated,
with the feathers acute ( Centrocercus). Some genera have an in-
flatable air-sac on the side of the neck, while ornamental tufts
of feathers on the neck are possessed by others, Zympanuchus
and Bonasa.

*These pectinations, however, are wanting in summer,

TETRAONIDE—THE GROUSE, ETC. 7

The subfamily is most numerously developed in North America,
its other representatives belonging to the colder portions of
Europe and Asia. Of the genera included in the following ana-
lytical table all but one are to be found either within or very
near to the geographical field of the present work.

A. Legs feathered to and on the basal membrane of the toes, which are bare. No ruff
on the side of the neck, which, however, has an extensible bare space.
Dendragapus. Tail broad, nearly even, or truncate, and rounded laterally, two thirds
the wing. Nasal foss scarcely half the culmen.
Centrocercus. Tail excessively lengthened and cuneate; longer than the wings, the
feathers acuminate. Nasal fosse two thirds the culmen. Shafts of feathers on the
lower throat very spinous in the male.
Pediocetes. Tai] very short, but graduated, and with the two middle feathers (per-
haps tail-coverts) lengthened beyond the rest, and two thirds as long as the wing;
the next longest half the wing. Nasal fossz not half the length of culmen. Shafts
of throat feathers normal.

B. Legs feathered to the lower end of tarsus.
Tympanuchus. Tail very short, truncate, but laterally seddadsind: half as long as the
wings. Sides of neck with long, narrow, and rather stiff feathers. Nasal fosse
scarcely one third the culmen.

C. Legs feathered to the claws.
Lagopus. Tail about two thirds the wing, truncate, of sixteen to eighteen feathers.
Most species becoming white in winter; none of the other genera exhibiting this
peculiarity.

D. Lower half of tarsi bare, with two rows of scutelle anteriorly.
Bonasa. Sides of neck with ruff of broad, truncate, soft feathers. Tail very broad,
square or slightly rounded, as long as the wings.

Genus BONASA SrePHENS.

Bonasa STEPHENS, Shaw's Gen. Zool, xi, 1819,298, Type, Tetrao bonasia Linn.

Tetrastes Keys. & Buas, Wirb. Europ. 1840, p. Ixiv.

Gen. Cuan. Tail fan-shaped, its feathers very broad, soft, as longas the wings; eighteen
in number. Tarsi naked for the lower half; covered with two rows of hexagonal scales
anteriorly. Sides of toes strongly pectinated. Side of neck with a tuft of very broad soft
feathers. Portion of culmen between the nasal foss about one third the total length. Top
of head with soft crest.

Although but one species of this genus has been detected in
North America, this has a very extensive range, embracing nearly
the entire continent; all the wooded portions, in fact, excepting,
perhaps, the extreme southern parts. As is often the case with
birds whose range covers a large extent of territory, this species
varies remarkably in color in the different portions of its habi-
tat; northern specimens and those from the Rocky Mountains
having almost invariably ash-gray tails, with the whole plumage
of a decidedly grayish cast, while specimens from the grandly tim-
bered and reekingly moist region of the northwest coast (Oregon
to Sitka) have the tails dark ferruginous, while rich rusty

8 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

and chestnut tints prevail in the plumage. Specimens from the
more southern districts of the eastern United States, where the
rainfall is abundant and the country (formerly at least) thickly
forest-clad, are much like those from the last-mentioned region,
having always rufous tails, but the general coloration is decid-
edly paler. As we proceed northward (to New England and the
British Provinces), and also in the mountain districts of the
Middle States, the birds become gradually grayer (many New
England specimens having distinctly gray tails) until finally, in
the interior provinces of British America the extreme gray type
(B. umbelloides Dougl.) is reached.

A single species of this genus, the Hazel Grouse (B. bonasia),
inhabits the northern portions of the Old World, from western
Europe to Japan. It bears a general resemblance to B. wnbel-
Jus, but is decidedly smaller, lacks the conspicuous neck-tufts
(which, however, appear to be present in a rudimentary condi-
tion), and has the throat black.

Bonasa umbellus (Linn.)

RUFFED GROUSE.

Popular synonyms. “Partridge” (in New England); “Pheasant” (in southern and western
States); Ruffled Grouse; Drumming Grouse.

Tetrao umbellus Linn. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 275.—Wrs. Am. Orn. yi, 1812, 46, pl. 49.—Nurr.
Man. i, 1832, 657.—Avup. Orn. Biog. i, 1831, 211; v, 1839, 560, pl. 41; Synop. 1839, 202; B.
Am. v, 1842, 72, pl. 293.
Bonasaumbellus SterPH, Gen. Zool. xi, 1819,300.—Batrp. B. N. Am. 1858, 630; Cat. N. Am.
B. 1859, No. 465.—Cours, Key, 1872, 232; Check List, 1874, No. 385; 2d ed. 1882, No. 565;
B. N. W. 1874, 420.—B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. iii, 1874, 448, pl. 61, figs. 3, 9—Rmew,
Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 473; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 197.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886,
No. 300.

Has. Eastern United States, south to the Gulf coast (?). [Replaced from Manitoba,
northwestward, and also in the Rocky Mountains, by a gray race, B. umbellus umbelloides
(Doug].), and on coast of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia by the dark rusty B.
umbellus sabini (Dougl.)]

Sp. CHar. Above ochraceous-brown finely mottled with grayish; the scapulars and
wing-coverts with pale shaft-streaks, the rump and upper tail-coverts with median cordate
spots of pale grayish. Tail ochraceous-rufous, narrowly barred with black, crossed termi-
nally with a narrow band of pale ash; then a broader one of black, this preceded by another
ashy one. (In specimens from the Alleghany Mountains and New England States, the tail
usually more or less grayish to the base, sometimes entirely destitute of rufous tinge.)
Throat and foreneck ochraceous. Lower parts white (ochraceous beneath the surface),
with broad transverse bars of dilute brown, these mostly concealed on the abdomen. Low-
er tail-coverts pale ochraceous, each with a terminal deltoid spot of white, bordered with
dusky. Neck-tufts brown or black. Length, 18.00; wing, 7.20; tail, 7.00. Female smaller,
and with the neck-tufts less developed, but colors {similar. Young (No. 39,161, St. Stephen's

Vad et ed ee he os 7“) a ee

TETRAONIDE—THE GROUSE, ETC. 9

N. B.; G. A. Boardman): Brown above, and dingy white beneath; a rufous tinge on the
seapulars. Fea‘hers of the jugulum, back, scapulars, and wing-coverts with broad median
streaks of light ochraceous, and black spots on the webs; jugulum with a strong buff tinge.
Secondaries and wing coverts strongly mottled transversely. Head dingy buff, the upper
part more rusty; a postocular or auricular dusky patch, and a tuft of dusky feathers on the
vertex. Chick: Above light rufous, beneath rusty white; uniform above and below; a
dusky postocular streak inclining downwards across the auriculars. Bill whitish.” (Hist.
N. Am. B.)

The Ruffed Grouse or ‘Pheasant’ as it is popularly known,
is found throughout the State in wooded districts, becoming
more rare southward. It is uncommon in the vicinity
of Mount Carmel, and is growing less so as the woods become
cleared,

The Ruffed Grouse is a constant resident in the districts
where it occurs, and, as a general rule, is in no sense migratory,
though it is stated by Audubon that in some regions where
they are very abundant they perform partial sorties at the ap-
proach of autumn. These only occur in mountainous regions, in
which during the winter months there is an insufficiency of food.

“The flight of this Grouse is low, straightforward, and rarely
protracted more than a few hundred yards at a time. It is
somewhat stiff, and performed with frequent, almost continual,
beatings of the wings. When it is flushed from the nest, or is
suddenly startled from the ground by a dog, it rises with a
long whirring sound, which noise, however, is not made when
the bird rises of its own accord. Its movements on the ground
are very stately and graceful, except when it is approached too
near, When it runs in a rapid’ manner, lowers its head and
spreads its tail, and either seeks shelter or takes to flight.
When it hides in the bushes, it usually squats and remains
close.” (BREWER.)

On few matters pertaining to our birds has there been greater
difference of opinion than as to the manner in which the drum-
ming sound of this ‘species is produced. In the American Sports-
man for February 21, 1874, the writer gave a general review of
what had been published on the subject, supplemented by some
original information received from Mr. H. W. Henshaw, which
were to the effect that the sound was produced by hard strokes
of the wings, both downward and forward, but without touching
the body of the bird.

—2

10 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Genus LAGOPUS Brisson.

Lagopus Briss. Orn. i, 1760, 181. Type, Tetrao lagopus LINN.

GEN. CHAR. Nasal groove densely clothed with feathers. Tail of sixteen or eighteen
feathers. Legs closely feathered to the claws. Plumage snow-white in winter.

The Ptarmigans inhabit the northern regions of both hemi-
spheres, and with the Arctic fox and hares, the lemmings, and a
few other species, characterize the Arctic zone. They are of rare
oceurrence within the limits of the United States, though farther
north they become abundant. The species all change to white
in winter, except Z. scoticus, which is permanently dark rusty
brown, and inhabits the uplands of Scotland and England.

Lagopus lagopus (Linn.)

WILLOW PTARMIGAN.
Popular synonyms, White Ptarmigan; Willow Grouse.

Tetrao lagopus Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758 159. ’
Lagopus lagopus Stern. Proc. U.S. Nat Mus. viii, 1885, 20.—A. O. U. Gheck List, 1836,
No. 301.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 199.
Tetrao albus GM. 8. N.i, pt. ii, 1788, 750.
Lagopus albus Aub. Synop, 1839, 207; B. Am. v, 18/2, 114.—Nurr. Man. 2d ed. i, 1840, 816.—
Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 467. Cougs, Key, 1872, 235; Check List, 1874, No.
386; 2d ed. 1882, No. 568; B. N. W. 1874, 429.—B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. iii, 1874, 457, pl.
62, figs, 1, 2,3.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 474.
Tetrao saliceti TeEM™M. Man. ii, 1820, 474—Aupb. Orn. Biog. ii, 1834, 528, pl. 191.

Has. Northern North America, south, in winter, to northern border of United States
(northern New York, Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, northern Illinois?, ete.). Also found
in northern parts of the Old World. “

Sp. CHAR. Bill very stout; high as the distance from the nasal groove to its tip.. Tail
always black, narrowly tipped with white; wing (except upper coverts) pure white.

“Summer. Male (No. 43,505, Fort Anderson, September 8; R. MacFarlane): Head,neck,
and jugulum deep cinnamon-rufous: whole upper parts (except wings) paler, more fulvous
brown, broadly and closely barred with black. Top of head spotted with black, and the
jugulum and neck with seattered bars of the same, Wing, 7.50; bill, .40 from nostril, and .35
deep. Female (No. 53,526, Fort Anderson, June, 1865; R. MacFarlane): Entire plumage (ex-
cept wings, tail, a legs) fulvous-buff, heavily spotted and. barred with black. Wing,
7.20; bill, .40 by .

“Winter. Ponds plumage, except the tail (which is black with white tip), immaculate
snowy-white; shafts of primaries black. Male (No. 34,968, Northwest R., Labrador; D.
Smith): Wing, 7.50; bill, 42 by .45. Female (No. 50,060, Nulato, Lower Yukon, April 12, 1867;
W.H. Dall): Wing, 7.50; bill, .42 by.42.

“Ohick (No, 2,648, Fort Anderson, July, 1864). Prevailing color greenish buff, tinged
with sulphur-yellow on the throat and abdomen, and washed with fulyous on the upper
parts. A large oval vertical patch of chestnut-rufous, bordered allround by a black line,
which, from the oeciput, is continued down the nape in a broad distinct stripe of black. On
the upper part of the back this stripe bifurcates, and continues in two broad parallel stripes
to the lower part of rump, where they again unite. A black stripe across the wing and one
through the eye and auriculars.” (Hist. N. Am. B)

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7

_

TETRAONIDE—THE GROUSE, ETC. 11

The propriety of including this species in the fauna of Illinois,
is exceedingly doubtful. Mr. Kennicott gave it in his list of the
birds of Cook county, with the remark that it was ‘‘sometimes
found in the timber along Lake Michigan”; but Mr. Nelson
thinks that this note was based ‘‘upon the capture of two
specimens, December, 1846, near Racine, [Wisconsin] as noted
by Dr. Hoy (Wis. Agr. Rep., 1852).”

Genus TYMPANUCHUS Gtocer.

Tympanuchus GLOGER, Handb. Vég. Deutschl., 1812. Type, Tetrao cupido LINN.
Oupidonia RetcH. Av. Syst. Nat. 1850, p. xxix. Same type.

Gen. CHAR. Tail of eighteen feathers, short, half the length of wings; the feathers
stiffened and more or less graduated. Bare inflatable air-sac of the neck concealed by a
tuft of long, stiff, lanceolate feathers; an inconspicuous crest on the vertex. 'Tarsi feathered
only to near the base, the lower joint scutellate. Culmen between the nasal foss@ scarcely
one third the whole length.

The genus, so far as known, ‘is entirely peculiar to North
America, where there are three species, all confined to the eastern
water-shed of the United States. The two occurring west of the
Alleghanies may be distinguished as follows:

Common CHARACTERS. Ground-color above yellowish brown, tinged with grayish and
reddish; beneath white; whole upper and lower parts variegated with transverse bands,—
those beneath regular, broad, sharply defined, and plain grayish brown, or dusky, those
above more broken, broader, and deep black. Head buff, with a broad vertical stripe, a
broad one beneath the eye from bill to ears,and a patch on lower side of auriculars, brown-
ish black.

T. americanus. Tarsi clothed with long hair-like feathers, the bare posterior face
entirely hidden. Dark bars above, .30 or more in width, deep black; those beneath, about
.20 wide, and dark brown. Top of head nearly uniformly blackish; face-stripes dusky-
black. Bill, .40 deep, .50 long; wing, 9.00. Hab. Prairies of the Mississippi Valley; south
to Louisiana and eastern Texas.

T. pallidicinctus. Tarsi clothed with short feathers, the bare posterior face conspicu-
ously exposed. Dark bars above less than .20 in width, dark grayish brown; those beneath
about .10 wide, and pale grayish brown. Top of head with only a slight spotting of black-
ish; face-markings reddish brown. Bill, .35 deep, .55 long, from nostril; wing, 8.30. Hab.
Southwestern prairies (middle and western Texas, ete.).

Tympanuchus americanus ([teich.)

, PRAIRIE HEN.
Popular synonyms, Prairie Chicken; Chicken (in prairie districts); Pinnated Grouse.
Tetrao cupido Wis. Am. Orn. iii, 1811, 104, pl. 27 (nee Loyn.)—Nutr. Man. i, 1832, 662.—
Aun. Orn. Biog. ii, 1534, 490; v, 1839, 559, pl. 186; Synop. 1839, 204; B. Am. v, 1842, 23, pl.
26.

Cupidonia cupido Barry, B. N. Am. 1838, 628;. Cat, N. Am. B.1859, No. 464.—Cours, Key,
1872, 234; Check List, 1874, No. 384; 2d ed. 1882, No. 563; B. N. W. 1874, 419.—B. B. & R.
Hist. N. Am. B. iii, 1874, 449, pl. 61, figs. 1,7.—Rrpew. Nom. N. Am. B, 1881, No«477.

Cupidonia americanus Rercu. Syst. Av. 1852, p. xxix,

Tumpanuchus americanus Ripaw. Auk, Jan. 1886, 133; Man. N. Am, B. 1887, 203.—A. O.
U. Check List, 1886, No. 305.

Cupidonia pinnata Brewster, Auk, ti, Jan, 1885, 82.

OTe TPR eae a

4

> a

12 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Has. Prairies and open cultivated districts of the Mississippi Valley.

“Sp. CHAR. Male (No. 10,006, Tremont, Illinois; W. I. Shaw): Ground-color above ochra-
ceous-brown, tinged with grayish; beneath white, the feathers of the jugulum dark rusty-
chestnut beneath the surface. Head mostly deep buff. Upper parts much broken by broad
transverse spots, or irregular bars of deep black, this color predominating largely over the
lighter tints. Primaries and tail plain dusky; the former with roundish spots of pale ochra-
ceous on outer webs, the latter very narrowly tipped with white. Lower parts with regular,
continuous, sharply defined broad burs, or narrow bands, of clear dusky brown. A broad
stripe of plain brownish black on side of head, beneath the eye, from rictus to end of
auriculars; a blotch of the same beneath the middle of the auriculars, and the top of ‘the
head mostly blackish, leaving a broad superciliary and maxillary stripe, and the whole
throat immaculate buff. Neck-tufts 3.50 inches long, deep black; the longer ones uniform,
the shorter with only the edge black, the whole middle portion pale buff, shading into
deep reddish rusty next to the black. Wing, 9.00; tail, 4.50; bil’, .40 deep by .50 long, from
nostril; tarsus, 2.10; middle toe, 185. Female similar, but with shorter and inconspicuous
cervical tufts. Young (No. 25,998, Rockford, Illinois; Blackman): Above, including tail,
yellowish brown; feathers with conspicuous white shaft-streaks and large blotches of deep
black. Outer webs of primaries with whitish spots. Top of head rusty-brown with a black
vertical and dusky auricular patch. Lower parts yellowish white, with irregularly defined
transverse, grayish brown broad bars; anteriorly more spotted, the jugulum tinged with
brown.

“Ohick (No. 25,989, Rockford, Ill.). Bright lemon-buff, tinged on sides and jugulum with
reddish; upper parts much washed with rusty. A narrow auricular streak, blotches on the
vertex and occiput, a stripe across the shoulder, and blotches down the middle of the back
and rump, deep black.” (Hist. N. Am. B.)

To describe in a work intended especially for Illinois readers
the habits of the Prairie Chicken, seems almost as superfluous
a proceeding as “carrying coals to Newcastle; hence we omit
further reference to this species than the following brief account
of its nesting, from //istory of North American Birds.

“This bird nests, according to the locality in which it is met
with, from the beginning of April to the last of May. In Ken-
tucky Audubon has found their nests with eggs early in April,
but the average period there was the first of May. Their nests
he describes as somewhat carelessly formed of dry leaves and
grasses, interwoven in a tolerably neat manner, and always
very carefully placed among the tall grass of some large tuft in
the open ground of the prairies, or in barren lands at the foot
of a small bush.”

GENUS PEDIOCZETES Bairv.

Pediocwtes Barry, B. N. Am. 1858, 625. Type, Tetrao phasianellus LInn.

“GEN. CHAR. Tail short, graduated; exclusive of the much lengthened middle part,
where are two feathers (perhaps tail-coverts) with parallel edges and truncated ends, half
the full rounded wing. Tarsi densely feathered to the toes and between their bases. Neck
without peculiar feathers. Culmen between nasal foss@ not half the total length.”

TETRAONIDE—THE GROUSE, ETC. 13

Pediocztes phasianellus campestris Ridew.

PRAIRIE SHARP-TAILED GROUSE.
Popular synonyms, Spike-tail, Pin-tail, or Sprig-tail Prairie Chicken.

Pediocetes columbianus Exxutot, Proc. Phila, Acad.1862, 403,and Monogr. Tetraon. (part).
Pediocetes phasianellus var. columbianus, part, Auct. (allreference to specimens from
east of the Rocky Mountains within the United States).
Tetrao phasianellus (nec LINN.) AUD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 569, pl. 382; Synop. 1839, 205; B.
Am. vy, 1842, 110, pl. 298. '
Pediocetes phasianellus Barry, B,. N. Am. 1858, 626 (part).
Pediocetes phasianellus campestris Ripew. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. ii, Apr. 10, 1884, 93;
Man. N. Am. B.1887, 204.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 308D.

Has. Plains of the United States, from eastern slope of Rocky Mountains, in Montana,
Wyoming, and Colorado, to the prairies of the Missouri Valley, and more sparingly, into
Wisconsin, southern Michigan, and northern Illinois.

Sussp. Cuan. Differing from P. phasianellus columbianus in rather lighter and much
more ochraceous coloration above, with the black bars narrower and less regular, and hay-
ing the V-shaped markings of the lower parts much less distinct (never deep black).

Types, Nos. 76,743, male ad., Illinois, and 19,173, female ad., Rosebud Creek, Montana.

In the Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club for October, 1882, p. 233, Mr. Brewster
alludes to differences between specimens of the Sharp-tailed Grouse from Fort Walla
Walla, Washington, and others from eastern localities, but concludes that the differ-
ences noted “probably have only a local significance.” This was formerly my opinion also;
but many additional specimens subsequently received at the National Museum show con-
clusively that two very different styles of this bird inhabit the regions west and east of the
Rocky Mountains, respectively. P. phasianellus columbianus is represented in the collee-
tion by specimens from Washington, Oregon, northern California,and Nevada; and P.
phasianellus campestris by examples from Montana (east of the mountains), eastern
Wyoming and Colorado, Nebraska, Dakota, and Ilinois.

P. phasianellus campestris is the form described and figured by Audubon (B. Am. y, p.
112, pl. 298), under the name Tetrao phasianellus.

This species, so much like the Prairie Chicken in its appear-
ance and habits as to be quite generally confounded with it, is
apparently confined to the northern portion of the State, where
it seems to be of rather uncommon occurrence, at the present
time at least. Mr. Nelson (p. 121 of his list) says:

“Tf this species now occurs it is extremely rare. Mr. Kennicott
notes if as ‘not uncommon formerly.’ At present it is re-
stricted to the northwestern portion of the State. The last
record of its occurrence in this vicinity is furnished by my friend
Mr. T. H. Douglas, who informs me that in the fall of 1863 or
1864, while two gentlemen were shooting prairie chickens near
Waukegan, they found and secured a covey of these birds, num-
bering fourteen individuals. These had, in all probability, been
raised in the immediate vicinity.”

inte hirer

aw

14 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Regarding its former occurrence in considerable numbers, we
find in Forest and Stream for October 9, 1879, p. 705, the fol-
lowing confirmation of Mr. Kennicott’s record:

“HABITAT OF SHARP-TAILED GROUSE.—Warietta, Ga., Septem-
ber 29. Your correspondent in the issue of September 25, writ-
ing of the sharp-tailed grouse, thinks that it Bes never been
found south of latitude 43°.

“In 1840-"45 this specie swas abundant in southern Wisconsin
and northern Illinois as far south as Chicago (latitude 42°),
always frequenting the timber, which gave it the local name of
burr-oak grouse. We used to consider its flesh of finer flavor
than that of its congener, the prairie hen.”

SupraMILty PERDICIN2.—TuHE PARTRIDGES.

CuHar. Tarsi and toes entirely naked, nasal foss unfeathered, protected by a naked
seale. Sides of toes without pectinations at any season. Sides of neck without an inflatable
air-sac, and no bare space over eyes.

The Partridges differ from the Grouse in the bare legs, and
naked nasal fosse. They are much smaller in size and more
abundant in species. They are widely distributed over the sur-
face of the globe, a large number belonging to America, where
the subfamilies have no Old World representatives whatever.
The head seldom, if ever, shows the naked space around and
above the eye, so common in the 7Z?etraoninw; and the sides of
the toes do not exhibit the peculiar pectination formed by a
succession of small scales or points.

Group Odontophoree.

CHar. Bill stout, the lower mandible more or less biden tate on each side near the end.

The Ortygine of Bonaparte, or Odontophorine of other au-
thors, are characterized as a group by the bidentation on either
side of the edge of lower mandible, usually concealed in the
closed mouth, and sometimes scarcely appreciable. The bill is
short, and rather high at base; stouter and shorter than what
is usually seen in Old World Partridges. The culmen is curved
from the base; the tip of the bill broad, and overlapping the
end of the lower mandible. The nasal groove is short. The
tail is usually rather broad and long.

TETRAONIDE—THE GROUSE, BTC. 15

Four genera are found in the United States, but only one of
these occurs east of the Mississippi River, the remainder belong-
ing to the southwestern border and the Pacific coast. Some of
the western species are strikingly elegant birds, especially the
Mountain Quail (Oreortyx pictus) and Valley Quail (Lophortyx
californicus) of the Pacific coast. The genera Callipepla and
Cyrtonyx belong to Mexico and contiguous border of the United
States, each having a single species within our limits.

GENus COLINUS Lessov.

Ortyx STEPHENS, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xi, 1819. Preoccupied. Type, Tetrao virginianus
Linn.
Colinus Lxss. Man. ii, 1828,190. Same type.

Gen. CHAR. Bill stout. Head without crest. Tail short, scarcely more than half the
wing, composed of moderately soft feathers. Wings normal. Legs distinct, well developed,
the toes reaching considerably beyond the tip of the tail; the lateral toes short, equal, their
claws falling decidedly short of the base of the middle claw.

The genus Col/nus embraces numerous species, all more or less’
resembling the well-known Bob-white of the United States. They
are chiefly confined to Mexico, Central America, and the Greater
Antilles. North America and the West India Islands contain
but one species, and this is so variable in plumage that it
is only at extreme points of its range that differences acquire
sufficient constancy to be considered worthy of special no-
tice. The regions of its extremes of variation are the north-
eastern, southeastern, and southwestern limits of its range: the
modifications attaining in Cuba and in Texas sufficient value
to have been deemed of specific importance. But comparing:
even the three extremes of plumage, the differences are found
to consist only in a varying amount of the several colors,
specumens from intervening regions forming the connecting
links.

Colinus virginianus (Linn.)

BOB-WHITE.

Popular synonyms, “Quail” (in New England and most portions of the Mississippi Val-
ley); “Partridge” (in southern States and parts of the interior); American Quail;
, Virginia Quail; Partridge or Colin.
Tetrao virginianus Linn. 3. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 161; ed. 12, i, 1766, 277.
Perdiz virginiana Latx. 1790.—Wis. Am, Orn. vi, 1812, 21, pl 47.—Aup. Orn. Biog. i,
1831, 388; v, 1839, 561, pl. 76.—Nurr. Man. i, 1832, 646,

1. oe peer

16 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Ortyx virginianus JARD.—AUD. Synop. 1839, 199; B. Am. vy, 1842, 59, pl. 289.—Barrp. B. N.
Am. 1858, 610; Cat, N. Am. B. 1859, No. 471.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 236; Check List, 1874,
No. 389; 2d ed. 1882, No. 571; B, N. W. 1874, 431.—B. B. & R. Hist. N. Am. B. iii, 1874, 468,
pl. 63, figs. 1,2—RipGw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 480.

Colinus virginianus StEsN. Auk, Jan. 1885, 45.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 289,—Ripew.
Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 188.

Has. Eastern United States, north to Massachusetts and Ontario, south to Georgia, Ala-
bama, Louisiana, and eastern Texas (?), west to the edge of the Great Plains. Replaced in
Florida by the smaller and much darker C. virginianus floridanus Coues, and in central
Texas, north to western Indian Territory by the much lighter colored (. virginianus tex-
anus (Lawr.).

Sp. CHAR. Adult male: Pileum and stripe on side of head mixed black and rusty, the
former prevailing; broad and distinct superciliary stripe, chin and throat white. Upper
parts mottled rusty and grayish, the scapulars and tertials spotted with black, the latter
with inner webs broadly edged with ochraceous. Jugulum mixed rusty, black, and white;
abdomen white, with irregular V-shaped bars of black; sides rusty, streaked with black
and white. Adult female: Similar to the male, but superciliary stripe and throat ochraceous
and pileum, together with stripe on side of head, mostly rusty. Young: Pileum and auricu-
lars dull dark grayish; superciliary stripe and throat dull dirty whitish; jugulum and
breast dull grayish brown, with whitish shaft-streaks, abdomen plain dull white. Back rusty
brownish, with whitish shaft-streaks and black spots. Downy young: Head dingy buff,
with an elongated dusky auricular spot; and on the crown an oblong patch of chestnut-—
rufous.

Total length (fresh specimens) 9.50-10.50; extent, 14.00-15.50.

The common Quail or Partridge, as this fine bird is variously
known in our State, is a bird of very general distribution, and its
habits are so familiar that any detailed description is here
unnecessary. The farmer has no better friend than this species,
which devours “ bugs” of all sorts in large quantities, and is par-
ticularly fond of the Colorado potato beetle. During severe win-
ters farmers would do well, only their own interests being.consid-
ered, to feed the quail on their farms to prevent their dying of
starvation.

This species can be easily tamed, and breeds very readily in
confinement. (See /orest and Stream, Vol. XIX., Nos. 9 and 10,
September 28 and October 5, 1882, pp. 164, 165, 185, and 186.)

In former publications we have given C. virginéanus floridanus
as an inhabitant of southern Illinois, and Mr. Nelson, coincided
in this opinion. Under this name, Mr. Nelson (in Bull. Exsex
Inst. 1X., 1877, p. 48), says:

“The prevailing form in the bottoms, where the typical »/7-
gintanus is comparatively rare. The specimens obtained are
typical of the variety, some having even larger bills than any
Florida examples seen, while the other proportions are equally
small, and the colors fully as dark. A remarkable characteristic

ns Cota ee SEY ee ae Pe wall y, ot ae he Bd tN

TETRAONID.E—THE GROUSE, ETC. nly

of this form in southern Illinois is its arboreal habits. The
males are repeatedly found uttering their song from the tops of
tall trees in densely wooded portions of the bottoms, and when
a flock becomes scattered its members would almost invariably
take to the trees, and soon their call notes would resound
through the forest. Mr. Ridgway’s observations regarding the
habits of this form in the vicinity of Mt. Carmel coincide with
mine, and in his collection also are extremes of the var. flori-
danus.”

Subsequent consideration of the matter, in the light of much
new material, has convinced us that these small, deep-colored,
and large-billed quail cannot properly be referred to the Florida
form. It is true that some specimens are, as stated above,
equally small, as dark colored, and with even larger bills than
the typical Florida birds; but the latter are constantly differ-
ent in their much less rusty color above, and some other minor
particulars as regards plumage. Were the small, dark-colored
birds the prevailing form in southern Illinois, they might with
propriety be separated from both the typical wirginianus and
the jloridanus type; but the average style is apparently so
nearly intermediate between the two that such separation seems
quite unnecessary.

—3

18 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

ORDER LIMICOLZ.—THE SuHore-BirpDs.

CHARACTERS. Precocial wading birds, usually of small size; distinguished from the Hero-
diones by precocial habits and many striking differences of structure, and from the Paludi-
cole (Oranes and Rails) by their lengthened, usually pointed, wings and small or rudimentary
hind toe, the latter member being sometimes wanting.

The Limicole constitute the large assemblage of small waders
known to sportsmen as ‘“‘shore-birds”’, and include the different
groups distinguished (or, rather, confused) in popular nomen-
clature by the terms snipe, plover, curlew, etc.

The clear definition of the several families composing the order
is a matter of some difficulty, the variations of structure within
each family being very great. The following, however, may answer
for the separation of those occurring in North America.

A. Bill much longer than tarsus, excessively compressed, deepest through the middle
portion.

Hematopodide. No hind toe; a well-developed web between outer and middle toes
at the base; front of tarsus covered with hexagonal scales. Size very large.

B. Bill about equal to or shorter than the tarsus, moderately compressed, deepest
through the base.

Aphrizide. A well-developed hind toe, with claw; no trace of web between outer
and middle toes; front of tarsus covered by a row of transverse scutelle. Size
small.

C. Bill variable, but never longer than the tarsus; more or less depressed in the middle
portion, the terminal portion of the culmen being more or less arched; never ex-
panded laterally to the end. Hind toe usually absent.

Charadriide. Size largeto very small. Billslender or small, straight, always shorter
than‘the tarsus.

D. Characters much the same as given for section “C,” but toes, including the hallux,
exceedingly lengthened, the claws also very much lengthened: scutellation of legs
much as in the Rallide.

Jacanide, Size medium or rather small. Claws very long and compressed, nearly
straight, that of the hallux equal to or longer than its digit, linear, and slightly
recurved. Bend of the wing (head of metarcapus) armed with a sharp conical
horny spur.

E, Bill exceedingly variable,—short or long, straight, slightly recurved or decidedly de-
curved, but more or less expanded laterally at the end, which is more or less sensitive.
Hind toe usually present, rarely absent.

Scolopacide, Tarsus rounded in front, where clothed with a single row of transverse
seutella,

19

tahoe usually lobed, margin. Plumage peculiarly soft and compact for this order,

resembling greatly. in this respect that of the Longipennes. Tarsi compressed, the

_ anterior edge sharp.

‘ ~ Phalaropodide, Size small; tarsi nd bill rather short, or but moderately lengthened;

toes edged with a lateral, usually scalloped, margin. -

- Reourvirostride, Size large; tarsiand bill very long; toes partly webbed, and without
scalloped margin. é

20 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Famity APHRIZIDZA.—TuEe TuRNSTONES.

CHAR. Rather small, plover-like birds, differing from the true Plovers (Charadrtide)
chiefly in the more robust feet, without trace of web between the toes, the well-developed
hind toe, and the strong claws; the toes with a lateral margin, forming a broad flat under-
surface (especially in Aphriza); the bill of one genus (Arenaria) peculiar. The two genera
may be distinguished by the following characters:

Arenaria. Bill compressed and pointed terminally, somewhat upturned at the end, the cul-
men straight or even slightly concave; tarsus not longer than the bill; tail slightly
rounded.

Aphriza, Bill slightly swollen terminally, the terminal portion of the culmen decidedly
convex; tarsus decidedly longer than the bill; tail slightly emarginated.

Genus ARENARIA Brisson.

Arenaria Briss. Orn. v, 1760, 132. Type, Vringa interpres LINN.
Strepsilas Inu1GER, Prodromus, 1811,268. Same type.

Cuar. Form robust, the head small, neck short, wings long and pointed, feet stout.
Bill straight along the culmen (or else slightly concave above), somewhat upturned termi-
nally, compressed toward the end and pointed. Wings reaching beyond the tail, the first
primary longest, the tertials not reaching to the end of the primaries. Tail slightly rounded.
Tarsus decidedly longer than the middle toe, the latter shorter than the bill.

Arenaria interpres (Linn.)

TURNSTONE.

Popular synonyms. Calico-back; Brant Bird; Chicaric (Plymouth Bay, Mass.).

Tringa interpres Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 148; ed. 12, i, 1766, 248.—Wis. Am. Orn. vii,
1818, 32, pl. lvii.
Strepsilas interpres Inurea. Prodr., 1811, 263,—Swatns. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 371—Nurr. Man.
Water Birds, 1834, 30.—AuD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 31, pl. 304; Synop. 1839, 227; Birds Am.
y, 1842, 331, pl. 323.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 701; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 515.—Cougs,
Key, 1872. 246; Check List, 1874, No. 406; 2d ed. 1882, No. 598.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B,
1881, No. 509.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 119.
Arenaria interpres Vintuu. Gal. Ois. ii, 1834, 102.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 283.—
Ripew. Man. N. Am. B, 1887, 180.
Morinella interpres StEIN. Proce. U. 8. Nat. Mus. iv, 1882, $2.
Tringa morinellus LINN. 8. N. i, 1766, 249 (young).
Strepsilas collaris Tem™. Man. ii, 1820, 553.
“Charadrius cinclus PALLAS” (BAIRD, 1. ¢.)
Has. Sea-coasts of pearly all countries; in America, from Greenland and Alaska to

Chili and Brazil; in the interior, more or less common along the shores of the Great Lakes
and larger rivers.

APHRIZIDE—THE TURNSTONES. 21

Sp. Coan. Adult: Chin and throat, a large loral patch, another covering terminal half
of the auriculars, border of the pileum, and large transverse patch on each side of the jugu-
lum, white; stripe from the frontlet to the eye, squarish patch beneath the eye, malar
stripe, side of the neck, jugulum, and sides of the breast uniform black, all these markings
confluent and sharply defined. Remainder of the lower parts, upper part of the rump,
upper tail-coverts, and ends of secondaries, pure white. Breeding plumage: Upper parts
dusky blackish, the wing-coverts lighter, more brownish gray, the feathers showing darker
centres; back and scapulars little, if at all, varied with rufous; crown dusky, uniform, or
streaked. Spring (or winter) plumage: Upper parts mixed black and bright rufous, the
latter color occupying chiefly the middle of the back (longitudinally) and the wing-coverts;
the seapulars and tertials mixed black and rufous. Pileum more streaked with white, and
markings about the head and neck more sharply defined than in the summer dress. “Bill
black; iris hazel; feet deep orange-red, claws black.” (AUDUBON.) Young: Head chiefly
mottled grayish, without well-defined markings; black of the jugulum and breast indicated
by mottled dusky, occupying the same area, but not sharply defined; upper parts grayish
dusky, the feathers bordered terminally with buff or whitish.

Total length, about 9 inches; wing, 6.00; tail, 2.50; culmen, .80-.90; tarsus, 1.00; middle

_ toe, .75.

The Turnstone occurs in Illinois only as a migrant, and is

chiefly confined to the shores of Lake Michigan. There, accord-

> ing to Mr. Nelson (pp. 123, 124 of his list), it arrives “May

15th in full breeding plumage and is found until the first week

in June. Returns early in August, still in breeding plumage,

which is‘exchanged for that of winter during the last of the

month. Departs about the 20th of September. While here they

are generally found in company with flocks of the smaller species
of sandpipers.”

i :
="ors. = °F "™

22 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Famity CHARADRIIDA.—TuE PLOVERs.

CHAR. Small or medium-sized shore-birds (scarcely waders), with rather short, some-
what pigeon-like bill, large round head, short neck, long and pointed wings, and moder-
ately lengthened legs, the hind toe usually absent.

The Plovers are quite distinct in their structural characters
from the Sandpipes and other Scolopacide, being more nearly
related to the Turnstones and Oyster-catchers, notwithstanding
the fact that the latter are so different in appearance. Instead
of wading about in the shallow ponds or the margins of streams,
as is the custom of the Scolopacidw, they frequent meadows and
sandy tracts, where they run swiftly along the ground, in a
peculiarly graceful manner.

The North American genera may be distinguished as follows:

A. Size large (wing more than eight inches); head more or less crested; plumage
more or less metallic above. Occiput with a slender recurved crest; a well-de-
veloped hind toe, with claw; wing rounded, first quill shorter than fourth.

1. Vanellus. Wing unarmed, or with rudimentary spur; tarsus not more than
twice as long as the middle toe.

B. Size medium or small (wing less than eight inches); head without crest, and
plumage without metallic gloss above.
ec, Wing more than six inches; plumage much speckled or spotted above; lower

parts chiefly black in summer.

2. Charadrius, A well-developed hind toe, without clay........ Subgenus Squatarola
3. No trace of hind toe; otherwise very similar to Squatarola, but smaller and
More HlONAEL.= co. shea s Mh acpeeaeees sede nau os desl voet Messer Subgenus Charadrius,

d. Wing less than six inches; plumage nearly or quite uniform grayish or
brownish above (the rump ochraceous in subgenus Oxyechus}, the lower
parts chiefly or entirely white at all stages.
4. Hgialitis.
el, Tail very long (half as long as the wing, or more), extending half its
length beyond tips of closed wings; rump and upper tail-coverts pale
rufous or ochraceous in the American species. . .
Bill slender, about equal in length to the middle toe; tarsus decidedly
Jess than twice as longas middle toe; rump and upper tail-coverts
rufous or ochraceous (except in O. tricollaris) ........ Subgenus Oxcyechus.
e*, Tail short (less than half as long as the wing), reaching little, if any, be-
yond ends of closed wings; rump concolor with the back.
Bill variable, but usually shorter than middle toe, or, if longer, very
slender; tarsus less than twice as long as middle toe. Subgenus -# ialitis.

CHARADRIIDE—THE PLOVERS. : 23

Bill very large (as long as, or longer than middle toe), the terminal half of
the culmen much arched, the base of the gonys forming a decided angle;
tarsus about one and one half times to nearly twice as long as middle

OG tae sass RE yee eek ame am eki Ac pein meaviss cc dase Subgenus Ochthodromus
r Bill slender, wide at base, much longer than middle toe; tarsus more than
' twice as long aS Middle tOO....... cece cece eee e teen eee eeeees Subgenus Podasocys.

Genus CHARADRIUS LINN .xus.

M SupeeNnus Squatarola CuvIER.

Squatarola Cuvier, Rog. Anim. i, 1817, 467. Type, Tringa squatarola LINN.

‘ CHAR. A rudimentary hind toe. Legs reticulated with elongated hexagons anteriorly,
of which there are five or six in a transverse row: fewer behind. First primary longest.
Tail slightly rounded.

But a single species of this subgenus is known, this being the
well-known ‘“Beetle-head’”’ or “Bull-head”’ Plover of eastern
gunners, a bird of nearly cosmopolitan distribution.

Charadrius squatarola (Linn.)

BLACK-BELLIED PLOVER.

Popular synonyms. Beetle-head or Bull-head; Plover of castern gunners and sportsmen;
Boitle-head; Black-breast.

Tringa squatarola Linn. S. N. ed. 10, 1758, 149; ed. 12, 1766, 252.
Charadrius squatarola Naum. Vog. Deutschl. vii, 1834, 250.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886,
No. 270.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 175.
Tringa helvetica Linn. 8. N. ed. 12, 1766, 250.
Squatarola helvetica Cuv.—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 697.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B.
1859, No. 510.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 243; Check List, 1874, No. 395; 2d ed. 1882, No. 580; Birds

N. W. 1874, 448.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am, B. 1881, No. 513.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, :
, 1884, 132. ; a
Charadrius helveticus Licut.—Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 26. AUD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 280, pl. ;

334; Synop. 1839, 221; Birds Am. y, 1842 199, pl. 315.
Charadrius apricarius Wiison, Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 41.

Has. Nearly cosmopolitan, but chiefly the northern hemisphere; breeding in the ex-
treme northern parts of its range, migrating in winter to southern portions, extending, in
America, as far as Brazil and Colombia. Bermudas, and throughout the West Indies,

Sr. Cuan. Bill and legs strong; wings long; a very small rudimentary hind toe. Sum-
mer plumage: Around the base of the bill to the eyes, neck before, and under parts of
body, black; upper parts grayish white, nearly pure and unspotted on the forehead; sides -
of the neck and rump tinged with ashy, and having irregular transverse spots of brownish
black on the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts; the brownish black frequently predomi-
nating on those parts, and the rump also frequently with transverse bars of the same.
Lower part of the abdomen, tibia, and under tail-coverts, white. Quills brownish black,
lighter on their inner webs, with a middle portion of their shafts white, and a narrow longi-
tudinal stripe of white frequently on the shorter primaries and secondaries, Tail white,

P with transverse imperfect narrow bands of black. The black color of the under parts gen-

i erally with a faint bronzed or coppery lustre, and presenting a scale-like appearance; the
brownish black of the upper parts with a greenish lustre. Billand legs black; iris brown.

Younger and winter plumage: Entire upper parts dark brown, with circular and irregular

small spots of white, and frequently of yellow, most numerous on the wing-coverts; upper

24. BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

tail-coverts white. Under parts white; with short longitudinal lines and spots of dark
brownish cinereous on the neck and breast; quills brownish black, with a large longitudi-
nal space of white on-their inner webs and also on the outer webs of the shorter pri-
maries. Young: Upper parts lighter, and with the white spots more irregular or scarcely
assuming a circular shape; narrow lines on the neck and breast more numerous.

Total length about 11.50 inches; wing, 7.50; tail, 3.00: culmen, about1.10; tarsus, 1.95;
middle toe, 1.15, ‘

In general coloration this species resembles very closely the
Golden Plover (Charadrius dominicus), but, besides being much
larger and stouter built, may. always be distinguished by the
blackish axillars, these feathers being smoky gray in the Golden
Plover. ;

This species, the largest of our Plovers, is more or less com-
mon during the migrations. In Cook county, according to Mr.
Nelson, it “arrives in full breeding plumage the last of May and
after lingering a few days the majority pass north. A few re-
main during the summer and undoubtedly breed. Returning
early in September in fall plumage, they remain until well into
October. While with us in the migrations this species is gen-
erally solitary, sometimes a half dozen individuals joining com-
pany, or a single specimen will be found leading a miscellaneous
company of sandpipes and small plovers.”’

SUBGENUS Charadrius LINN &vs.

Charadrius LINN. 8. N. ed. 10, 1758, 150; ed. 12, 1766, 253. Type, C. apricarius LINN.

Cuar. Similar to Squataro/a, but without any trace of hind toe. Plumage also very
similar, but form rather more slender.

Only two species of Charadrius proper are known; one peculiar to the Palwaretic
Region, but occurring accidentally in Greenland; the other spread over the remaining
portions of the world, including the greater part of America, the islands throughout the
Pacific, and the coasts of Asia. They differ chiefly in the color of the axillary feathers and
the lining of the wings, which are white in C. apricarius, smoky gray in 0. dominicus.

Charadrius dominicus (Miill.)

AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER.

Popular synonyms. Green Plover; Squeeler (Plymouth Bay, Mass.).

Charadrius dominicus MULLER. Syst. Nat. Suppl. 1776, 116.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881
No. 515; Man. N. Am. B., 1887, 174.—Covrs, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 581.—B B. &
R, Water B. N. Am, i, 1884, 189.—A. O. U., Check List, 1886, No. 272.

Charadrius pluvialis W1uson, Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 71, pl. 50, fig. 6. (nee Linn.)—Swarns.
& Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 369.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 16—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 623.

Charadrius virginicus “BOECKHAUSEN and Broustern,” Licnt. Verz. Doubl. 1823, No.
29.—Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 690,—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 503.

CHARADRUDHE—THE PLOVERS. 25

Charadrius fulvus var. virginicus CouEs, Key, 1872, 243; Check List, 1874, No. 326; Birds
N. W. 1874, 449 (synonymy).
Charadrius marmoratus WaGu.—Aupb. Orn. Biog. vy, 1839, 575, pl. 300; Synop. 1839, 222;
Birds Am. y, 1842, 203, pl. 316.

Has. America in general, from the Arctic coast (including Greenland) to Paraguay and
Chili; breeding in the arctic and subarctic districts, winter migrant to southern localities.

“Sp. Cuar. Bill rather short, legs moderate, wings long, no hind toe, tarsus covered be-
fore and behind with small circular or hexagonal scales. Summer plumage: Upper parts
brownish black, with numerous small circular and irregular spots of golden yellow, most
numerous on the back and rump, and on the upper tail-coverts assuming the form of trans-
verse bands generally; also with some spots of ashy white. Entire under parts black, with
a brownish or bronzed lustre, under tail-coverts mixed or barred with white. Forehead,
border of the black of the neck, under tail-coverts, and tibiz, white; axillary feathers cinere-
ous; quills dark brown; middle portion of the shafts white, frequently extending slightly to
the webs and forming Jongitudinal stripes on the shorter quills; tail dark brown, with
numerous irregular bands of ashy white, and frequently tinged with golden yellow; bill
black; legs dark bluish brown. Winter plumage (young and adult): Under parts dull ashy,
spotted with brownish on the neck and breast, frequently more or less mixed with black;
many spots of the upper parts dull ashy white; other spots, especially on the rump, golden
yellow. .

“Total length, 9.50 inches; wing, 7.00; tail, 2.50; culmen, .92; tarsus, 1.70; middle toe, 90.

“Specimens vary in the relative amount of the black and golden on the upper parts, in
the width of the white on the forehead, and other details of coloration. Careful measure-
ments of twenty-six specimens afford the !ollowing results:—Eleven specimens in summer
plumage: Wing, 6.80-7.35, average, 7.11; culmen, .85-1.00, average, .91; tarsus, 1.60-1.85,
average, 1.73; middle toe, .85-1.05, average, .91. Six adults in changing plumage: Wing, 6.90-
7.30, average, 7.12; culmen, .90-1.00, average, .96; tarsus, 1.65-1.82, average, 1.70; middle toe,
.80-.95, average, .90. Seven specimens in winter plumage (mostly young): Wing, 6.80-7.20,
average, 7.03; culmen, .80-1.00, average, .91; tarsus, 1.55-1.75, average, 1.66; middle toe, .85-.95,
average, .87. Average of the whole series: Wing, 7.09; culmen, .91; tarsus, 1.70; middle
tee, .90." (Water B. N. Am.)

In Cook county, this species is, according to Mr. Nelson, “a
very abundant migrant,” arriving “in large flocks early in April,
and at this time the black of the breeding plumage has just be-
gun to mottle their white breasts. Frequents wet praries until
the last of the month, when it generally departs. Sometimes a
few remain as late as May 5, and are then in perfect breeding
dress. Returning early in September, with the fall plumage just
appearing, it remains until October.”

; Genus ZHGIALITIS Boir.

SupGenus Oxyechus Rwicheneacn.

Oxyechus Reicu., Av. Syst. 1853, Introd. p. xviii. Type, Charadrius vociferus LINN.

Cuar. Bill small, slender, about equal to the middle toe (without nai!); tarsus nearly
twice as long as middle toe; tail long (about two thirds as long as the wings), reaching half
its length beyond the ends of the primaries, graduated, the lateral feathers about .75 shorter
than the middle pair; rump different in color from the back.

ar

se eee a ee er Pee

26 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

The single North American species of this subgenus differs con-
spicuously from the Plovers usually included together under
Aygialitis in the broad, lengthened tail, and, so far as coloration

_is concerned, in the ochraceous rump and the pair of black
bands across the breast. It may be remarked, however, that
coloration alone is of slight importance as a character in this
group.

The Old World species appear to Walon here rather than with
true Zyialitis, namely, € Charadrius tricollaris VrEtLL., of South
Africa, and (. négrifons Cuvier, of Australia. The former is
much like a miniature Killdeer Plover, having two black pec-
toral bands, like O. vociferus (though their relative width is
reversed, the posterior one being broader); the proportions and
details of form are quite the same, but the rump and upper
tail-coverts are concolor with the back. The Australian species
agrees essentially with the above in size and proportions,. but
has broader and acuminate rectrices, and the tail is more nearly
even, while the plumage is handsomer and more varied than in
any other species of the group, the scapular region being adorned

with a patch of rich maroon- chestnut, the upper tail-coverts
rufous-chestnut, etc.

4Egialitis vocifera (Linn.)

KILLDEER.
Popular synonyms, Kill-dee; Killdeer Plover.

Charadrius vociferus Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 150; ed. 12, i, 1766, 253.—Wins. Am. Orn.
vii, 1813, 73, pl. 59, fig. 6.—Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 22—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 191; v, 1839,
577, pl. 225; Synop. 1839, 222; B. Am. vy, 1842, 207, pl. 317.
Egiahtis voiferus Bonar. 1838.—Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 692,— Barrp,
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 504.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 244; Check List, 1874, No. 397; 2d ed.
1882, No. 584.
igialitis vocifera A. O. U. Cheek List, 1886, No. 273. Rrpe@w. Man. N, Am. B. 1887, 174.

Oxyechus vociferus RercuH.—Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 516.—B. B. & R. Water
B. N. Am. i, 1884, 148.

Has. The whole of temperate North America, migrating in winter into tropical Amer-

ica as far as Colombia; West Indies in general; Bermudas; River Avon, England (fide Scu.,
Ibis, 1862, 275; one specimen taken April, 1857).

Sp.CHar. Adult. Pileum and upper parts generally, grayish brown, melining to
umber; rump and upper tail-coverts ochraceous-rufous, lighter on the latter. Forehead
and broad superciliary stripe, throat, nuchal collar,and lower parts, white. Fore part of the
crown, loral stripe, continued toward occiput, collar round neck, and band across breast,
black. Primaries dusky, the inner quills marked on outer webs with white. Tail chiefly
pale ochraceous-rufous, variegated with white, dusky, and grayish, chiefly toward the end.
Bill black; iris dark brown; eyelids (in lifé) orange-red or searlet; legs and feet pale pinkish
grayish, or pale grayish yellow.

a Pd tt

‘CHARADRUDE—THE PLOVERS. 27

-

“Young. Similar to adult, but feathers of the upper se more or less conspicuously
margined with pale rusty, or fulvous.

“Downy Young. Upper parts generally, including ftssuon gah grayish brown, the two
areas of this color bounded all around by black, a wide collar of which crosses the jugulum,
and, extending across the nape beneath a broad white collar, completely encircles the
neck; a broad bar of velvety black down the middle of the. humeral region, and a narrow,
more interrupted stripe of the same down the rump. Forehead, throat, lower parts gener-
ally, “hand-wing,” and posterior border of the humerus, pure white, the flanks and crissum
more isabella-color; a narrow black line running from the rictus to the eye.

Total length, about 10 inches; extent of wings, 20.50; wing, 6.50; tail, 3.50.

This common. and well-known bird is found throughout the
State, and is decidedly the most numerous member of its fam-
ily except during the season of migration. It is a great nui-
sance to the gunner, being usually the first to take alarm at
his approach, and starting up all birds in the vicinity by its
loud cries.

“Like most of its race, this Plover passes much of its time
on the ground, over which it moves with great rapidity. It
can run with such swiftness that—according to Audubon—to run
“like a Kildeer” has in some parts of the country passed into
a proverbial phrase. The bird is also equally active on the
wing, and mounts at pleasure to a great height in the air with
a strong and rapid flight, ‘which can be continued for a long
distance. Sometimes it skims quite low over the ground, and
at other times mounts to a great height; and during the love
seasons it is said to perform various kinds of evolutions while
on the wing.

“Tts note consists of two syllables, resembling in sound ////-
dee, rapidly enunciated; and occasionally, when the bird
much excited, only the last syllable is repeated after the first
utterance of the double note. Generally it is sounded in a loud,
clear tone, and as a signal of alarm. It not unfrequentlv
startles other birds and puts them on their guard, this habit
rendering the Kildeer an object of dislike to the gunner. Dur-
ing the summer—especially when it is breeding, and afterward,
even when its young are fully grown—the Kildeer is a noisy
and restless bird, and is disturbed by the near approach of
man. It will offen squat until one is close upon it, and will
then suddenly fly up or run off, startling the unwary intruder
by a loud and clear cry. According to Audubon, during the

28 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 5

winter it is an unusually silent bird. At this season it is
found dispersed over the cultivated fields in Florida, Georgia,
the Carolinas, and other Southern States, diligently searching
for food.” (BREWER.) ; 5

.

SUBGENUS A#gialitis Born, d

Agialitis Bors, Isis, 1822; 558. Type, Charadrius hiaticula LINN.

Cua. Similar to Oxyechus, but the species of smaller size, with shorter and less gradu-
ated tail (less than half as long as the wing), and rump concolor with the back (grayish). 5

The numerous species of this subgenus vary greatly among themselves in the details of
structure, although there is a general similarity of coloration throughout the group. The
North American speciestmay be distinguished as follows:

A. Nape crossed by a more or less distinct white collar.
a. Bill decidedly shorter than middle toe, very stout (except in @. dubia), the basal
half light colored (orange or yellow) in adults, except in 4B. dubia.
a’. A distinct web between base of inner and middle toes.

1. #E, semipalmata. Above, grayish brown; forehead, ring round neck, and lower
parts white. In swmmer, fore part of crown, lores, and broad pectoral collar
(continued round back of neck, below the white nuchal collar) black or dusky.
In winter, these black markings replaced by grayish brown, like the back, ete.
Young, like winter adults, but bill wholly black, and feathers of upper parts
margined narrowly with buff. Wing, about 4.50-4.75; culmen, .45-.50; depth of
bill at base, .20; tarsus, .95; middle toe, .65-.70. Hab. Nearly the whole of
America.

a’. No web between base of inner and middle toes.

2. ZH hiaticula. Similar to 2. semipalmata, but pectoral band broader. Wing,
about 5.00; culmen, .50-.55; depth of bill at base, .20-.22; tarsus, 1.00; middle toe,
.60-.65. Hab. Palearctic region and portions of Arctic America.

3. #E.dubia.. Similar to 2. hiaticula, but smaller and much more slender, espe-
cially the bill, which is entirely black; middle of crown crossed by amore or less
distinct whitish bar, immediately behind the black patch. Wing, 4.35-4.70; cul-
men, .50-.52; depth of bill at base, .15-.18; tarsus, 1.00-1.05; middle toe, .55-.60.
Hab. Palearctic region generally; accidental in California and Alaska.

4, JE. meloda. Above, pale brownish gray; forehead, lores, nuchal collar, and
lower parts white. Jn swmmer, a band across fore part of crown, and one
across each side of breast (the latter sometimes connected, so as to form a con-
tinuous pectoral band), black or dusky. Jn winter, these black markings
replaced by light brownich gray, and the bill almost entirely, or wholly, black.
Young, like the winter plumage, but feathers of upper surface with distinetly
paler terminal margins. Wing, 4.50-4.80: culmen, .45-.50; depth of bill at base,
.20-.22; tarsus, .85-1.00; middle toe, .55.

a. meloda. Black pectoral band wholly or partially interrupted in the mid-
dle portion, Hab. Atlantic coast of United States.
p. circumcincta. Black pectoral band continuous. Hab. Missouri River
region of United States, straggling eastward.
b. Bill much longer than the middle toe, very slender, wholly black.

5. JE. alexandrina. Above, light brownish gray; forehead superciliaries, nuchal
collar, and lower parts white. Jn summer, fore part of the crown, a transverse
patch on each side of breast (and sometimes a loral streak), black or dusky;
pileum sometimes (especially in adult males) buffy or rufescent. Bill, legs,and
feet, black or dusky. f

.

‘ CHARADRIIDE—THE PLOVERS. 29

@. alexandrina. Lores always crossed by a dusky stripe. In summer,
pileum brownish gray or dull buff. Wing, 4.40; culmen, .55-.10; tarsus,
1.02-1.12; middle toe, .55-.60. Hab. Europe, ete.

f. nivosa. Lores usually entirely shite (never with a continuous or distinct
| dusky streak). In swmmer, pileum pale brownish gray or grayish buff.
Wing, 4.20-4.30; culmen, .90; tarsus, .90-1.05; middle toe, .55-.60. Hab.
. estern America; Yucatan; Cuba.
B. Nape without trace of white or dusky collar.
a. Culmen equal to or longer than the middle toe, the bill slender.

6. H. mongola. In swmmer, whole breast and nape clear cinnamon-rufous, and
top of head tinged with the same; lores, suborbital region, and auriculars
black, the former bordered above by a white line, sometimes meeting over the
forehead; chin, throat, foreneck, belly, and crissum pure white; upper parts
brownish gray. Jn winter, the rufous entirely absent; forehead and lower parts
white, the breast crossed by a faint grayish brown bar, carkening into a dusky
patch on each side; auriculars and loral streak somewhat dusky. Wing, 5.15-

4 5.40. Hab. Asia in general, breeding northward; Choris Peninsula, Alaska.

re

ZEgialitis semipalmata (Bonap.)

SEMIPALMATED PLOVER.

Popular synonyms. Semipalmated Ring Plover; American Ring Plover; Ring-neck;
Beach Bird.
Tringa hiaticula Wiison, Orn. vii, 1813, 65, pl. 59, f. 3 (nee LINN.).
Charadrius hiaticula Orp, ed. Wils. vii, 69.
Charadrius semipalmatus Bonar. Comp. List. 1838, 45.
gialitis semipalmatus Cas. 1856.—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 694.—Barrp, Cat
N. Am. B. 1859, No. 507.—Covgs, Key, 1872, 244; Check List, 1874, No. 399; 2d ed. 1882,
No. 586.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 517. . a
Agialitis semipalmata B. B. & R, Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 154.—A. O. U. Check List, ‘
1886, No. 274.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 176.

Has. North America in general, breeding in the arctic and subarctic districts, migrat-
ing south in winter throughout the tropical regions, as far as Braziland Peru. Bermudas;
whole of West Indies; Galapagos.

“Sp. Cuan. Small; wings long; toes connected at base, especially the outer to the
middle toe. Front, throat, ring around the neck, and entire under paris white; a band of
deep black across the breast, extending around the back of the neck below the white ring.
Band from the base of the bill, under the eye, and wide frontal band above the white
band, black. Upper parts ashy brown; quills brownish black, with their shafts white in
middle portion, and oceasionally a lanceolate white spot along the shafts of the shorter pri-
maries; shorter tertiaries edged with white; greater coverts tipped with white. Middle
feathers of the tail ashy brown, with a wide subterminal band of brownish black, and nar-
rowly tipped with white; two outer tail feathers white, others intermediate, like the mid-
dle, but widely tipped with white. Bill orange-yellow at base, black terminally; legs pale
flesh color. Female similar, but rather lighter colored. Young with the black replaced by
ashy brown, the feathers of the upper parts bordered with paler. Downy young. Above,
pale grayish brown, mottled with black; a frontal crescent, broad nuchal collar, and entire
lower parts white.

“Total length, about 7 inches; wing, 4.75; tail, 2.25.”

“Common during the migrations, generally in small flocks. In
spring the migrations extend from April 25th to May 30th, and

in fall from July 31st to the last of October. The 2d of July,
1873, I obtained several specimens of this species near Chicago.

Vane.

30 _ - BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

From the condition of the abdomen and ovaries of one speci-
men, and the presence of several recently fledged young, I came

to the conclusion that they had nested in the vicinity. It is
barely possible however, that these birds were unusually early
arrivals from more northern breeding grounds, although the
arrivals from the north generally begin about the last of the
month. My suspicions that the species either breed in this state,

or at no far distant point, were strengthened the following sea- — ~
son when several females examined the last of May contained —~
eges which would have been deposited within a short time.”
(NELSON. )

4égialitis meloda circumcincta Ridew.

BELTED PIPING PLOVER.
Popular synonyms. Ringed Piping Plover; White Ring-neck.

Agialitis melodus var. circumcinctus Rripew. Am. Nat. viii, 1874, 109.
Egialitis meloda var. cirewmeincta Cours. Check List, 1874, App. p. 133, No. 400a;
Birds N. W. 1874, 455.
Egialitis melodus cirewmcinctus Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B.1881, No, 520a.—Coves,
Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 588.
Agialitis meloda, b. var. cireumcincta B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 160. A
ABgialitis meloda circumeincta A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 277 a.—Ripew. Man. N.
Am. B. 1887, 178.

Has. Chiefly the Missouri River region, but also contiguous parts of the interior of
North America,

“Sp. Coar. About the size of 2. semipalmata; bill short, strong. Adult male: Fore-
head, ring around the back of the neck, and entire under parts, white; a band of black in
front above the band of white; band encircling the neck before and behind, black, imme-
diately below the ring of white on the neck behind. Head above and upper parts of body
light brownish cinereous; rump and upper tail-coverts lighter, and often nearly white;
quills dark brown, with a large portion of their inner webs and shafts white; shorter pri-
maries with a large portion of their outer webs white; tail at base white, and with the outer
feathers white; middle feathers with a wide subterminal band of brownish black, and
tipped with white. Bill orange at base, tipped with black; legs orange-yellow. Femaie:
Similar to the male, but with the dark colors lighter and less in extent. Young: No black
band in front; collar around the neck ashy brown.

“Total length, about 7 inches; wing, 4.50; tail, 2inches.” (Water B,. N. Am.)

“Very common summer resident along the lake shore, breed-
ing on the flat, pebbly beach between the sand dunes and shore.
Arrives the middle of April and proceeds at once to breeding.

“From a specimen shot the 24th of April, 1876, at Wauke-
gan, I obtained a_ perfect ege, and the abdomen of several
females obtained the same day exhibited unmistakable signs
that they were already breeding, as did, also, the actions of
the birds. Some thirty pairs were breeding along the beach at

| u: a2

CHARADRUDA—THE PLOVERS. } 31

this place, within a space of two miles, and I afterwards found

the birds as numerous at several points along the shore.

a)

.

Every effort was made to discover their nests but without suc-
cess, although the birds were continually circling about or
standing at a short distance uttering an occasional note of

alarm. The first of July, the year previous, Dr. Velie obtained

young but a very few days old at this same locality, showing
that there is considerable variation in the time of breeding.
This was also shown by specimens obtained the last of May,—
which I think were later arrivals than those found breeding: in
April,—having the ova just approaching maturity.

“Departs the last of September. The larger portion of the
specimens examined show the complete ring of e/rewmncincta,
while others exhibit but little more black than in me/oda, or
have the complete ring of the former indicated by faint black
tips to the feathers across the breast.’’ (NELSON.)

ee ee

32

BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Famity SCOLOPACIDA).—TxHeE SnriPe FAMILY.

The characters of the family Scolopacidee having been given in
sufficient detail on p. 18, in the analysis of the families of Limi-
cole, it is unnecessary to repeat them here. The Scolopacide
are among the most widely dispersed of birds, a large propor-
tion of the genera being nearly cosmopolitan. They embrace a
very great variety of forms, from the diminutive “ Peeps”
(Actodromas and Ereunetes), smaller than a Sparrow, to the
large Curlews, of Ibis-like stature and appearance. The bill
may be either straight, bent upward, as in the Avocets (e. g.
Limosa and Terekia), ov strongly decurved like a sickle; nar-
rowed at the end, or widely expanded into a paddle-shaped
form (Hurynorhynchus). The legs may be short and stout (as

in Arquatella, Calidris, etc.), or of almost stilt-like length (as in

Micropalama, Totanus, etc.). Between these wide extremes of
form, however, there are others possessing characters interme-
diate in almost every conceivable degree—so much so as to
render it extremely difficult to tabulate the characters of the
numerous genera. The following is an attempt at a diagnostic
table of the North American genera.*

A.
B.

Cc.
D.

Bill longer than the tarsus and middle toe, straight.

Bill shorter than the tarsus and middle toe, straight or slightly curved (either
up or down); wing lengthened, pointed. ;

Bill widely expanded laterally at the end.

Bill much longer than tarsus, decidedly decurved or arched.

A. (Scolopacine.)

a. Tibiw completely feathered.

1. Scolopax. Outer quill longest, broad, like the others.
2. Philohela, Outer quillshorter than the sixth, the three outer primaries
abruptly much narrower than the rest.

b. Tibiz partly naked.

3. Gallinago, Toes all cleft to the base.
4. Macrorhamphus. A well-developed web between anterior toes, at base.

B. (Tringine.)

a. Feathers of the forehead not reaching to the nostril; anterior toes all

webbed at the base.

‘There are but two additional genera of this family in South America; viz., Phegornis

Gray (type Leptopus mitchell Fraser), and Rhynchewa.

mies ality

SCOLOPACIDE—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 33
t
oe 5. Micropalama. Bill and legs much elongated, the former much com-
a pressed, except af end; tarsus twice as longas middle toe; size medium; <
6. Ereunetes. Bill and legs moderately elongated, or rather short, the ,
former scarcely, if at all, compressed; tarsus much less than twice the
middle toe; size small. t
b. Feathers on the forehead not reaching to the nostril; anterior toes all cleft
. to the base.
as §. A well-developed hind toe.
a Viale 7. Tringa.
7 < Nar Tarsus one third its length longer than the middle toe and claw; toes
i , } stout, the middle about half as long as the bill; bill stout, straight.
. 4 Middle pair of rectrices not longer than the rest. Size rather large
. RWI INOTG LAAIBO, OUe om vacGkssic¥er ec cccancccesvsarcersbecceses cece Subgenus Tringa.

Tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw; toes slender, the middle
* ; two thirds or three fourths as long as the bill; bill slender, much com-
’ pressed, straight, or very slightly decurved at the end; size medium
= Pay NMIGRE HAIy G.00)i 22. a5 ke saver cancels ies asses cnar see's eects Subgenus Arquatella. ’
‘ Tarsus about equal to the bill; bill straight, moderately slender; toes
‘ slender, the middle one decidedly shorter than the tarsus; size medium
RIE PUMANIRINID ota e Lidl rant aahhie’s ccierecls ub b's cece ein cedees Dawe, Subgenus Actodromas.
Bill very long (nearly as long as the tarsus and the middle toe), decid-
edly decurved terminally; toes slender, the middle one decidedly shorter
MEAT DG RATAN: cra sepsdap ets auiducledeedescn Subgenera Pelidna and Ancylocheilus.
> §§ No hind toe. ’
. 8. Calidris, Size rather small; bill short, straight, expanded at end.
ec. Feathers of forehead not reaching to nostril; a web between outer and
middle toes at base (between allin Symphemia).
1.’ Gape not extending back of the culmen.
9. Limosa. Size large (wing 8.00 or more); bill much longer than tarsus,
tapering toward the end, where slightly but decidedly upturned, the
lateral groove extending nearly to the tip.
1.” Gape extending decidedly back of the base of the culmen.
2.’ Lateral groove of the maxilla extending scarcely more than half way
to end of bill.
3.’ Back of tarsus covered with transverse scutella, as in front.
10. Totanus. No web between inner and middle toes; size medium to large
(but wing always less than 8 inches).
Middle toe not more than half as long as tarsus............... Subgenus Totanus.
Middle toe nearly as long as tarsus ...... EE ee .....Subgenus Helodromas.
ll. Symphemia. A well-developed web between base of inner and middle
toes; a large white patch on base of primaries; size large (wing more
than 8 inches),
3." Back of tarsus covered with small roundish scales.
12. Heteractitis. No web between base of inner and middle toes; size
medium (wing less than eight inches).
2.” Lateral groove of maxilla extending nearly to tip of bill.
13. Pavoncella. Size large (wing 7 inches or more); tail short (less than half
the wing), rounded. Adult male with the neck ruffed and anterior por-
tion of head bare.
M4. Bartramia. Size large (wing nearly 7 inches); tail lengthened (more
than half the wing), graduated. Adult male without ruff, the anterior
part of the head normally feathered.
15. Actitis. Size small (wing less than 4.50); tail rather lengthened (more
than half the wing), graduated.
d. Feathers of the forehead reaching to and partly enclosing the nostril; an-
terior toes all cleft at the base.

—5

34 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

16. Tryngites. Size small (alittle larger than A ctitis); vill small and slender
(shorter than the head, about equal to the middle toe), the lateral groove
reaching nearly to the tip; gape reaching back of the culmen; middle toe
more than half as long as the tarsus; inner webs of quills and under
primary-coverts beautifully speckled.

Cc.

17. Eurynorhynchus, Size small (among the smallest of the family); bill
widely expanded laterally at the end; otherwise, much as in Acto-
dromas.

D. (Numenine.)

18, Numenius, Size large to very large (wing 7 inches or more); bill long

(much longer than tarsus), decidedly decurved or arched.

Of the above, the following genera are not represented, so far
as known, in the bird-fauna of Illinois: Scolopaxv, embracing
the European Woodcock (8S. rusticola), which is merely acci-
dental in the Atlantic States; //eteractitis, which embraces
two species of Wandering Tatler (//. ‘ncanus and H. brevipes),
belonging to the shores and islands of the Pacific; and Auryno-
rhynchus, including only the remarkable Spoonbill Sandpiper
(E. pygmeus), abird of eastern Asia, which has occurred accidental-
ly in Alaska.

SUBFAMILY Scolopacine.

Cuar. Bill straight, longer than the tarsus and middle toe; back of tarsus with a con-
tinuous row of transverse scutell#. Ears situated directly underneath the eyes; tip of up-
per mandible thickened, with cutting-edges brought near together; plumage the same at
all stages and seasons.

Genus PHILOHELA Gray.

Philohela Gray, List Genera, 1841, 90. Type, Scolopax minor GMEL.

CHAR. Body very full, and head, bill, and eyes very large. Tibia short, feathered to
joint. Toes cleft to base. Wings short, rounded, the three outer primaries very narrow
and much attenuated; the fourth and fifth equal to the longest. Tarsi stout, shorter than
the middle toe. Hind claw very short, conical, not extending beyond the toe. Tail of
twelve feathers. :

The present genus, embracing a single species, the American Woodcock, is much like
Scolopax, with the European Woodcock as type, in color and external appearance. The

- most striking difference is seen in the wings, which are short, rounded; the fourth and
fifth primaries longest and the outer three abruptly attenuated; while in Secolopax the
wings are long, the first primary longest, and none attenuated.

Philohela minor Gmel.

AMERICAN WOODCOCK.

Popular synonyms, Bog-sucker; Mud Snipe; Blind Snipe.

Scolopax minor GMEL. 8. N. i, 1788, 661.—Wins. Am. Orn. vi, 1812, 40, pl. 48, fig. 2—
Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 474, pl. 268.

SCOLOPACID£—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 35

Rusticola (Microptera) minor Nutr. Man. ii, 1834,194.
Philohela minor Gray, Genera B. 1841, 90.—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 709.—
Barry, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 522 —Covgs, Key, 1872, 251, fig. 162; Check List 1874,
No. 412; 2d ed. 1882, No. 605; Birds N. W. 1874, 472.—Rmpew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881,
No. 525; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 150.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 183.—A. O.
‘U. Check List, 1886, No. 228.
Microptera americana Aub. Synop. 1839, 250; B. Am. vi, 1843, 15, pl. 352.

Haz. Eastern Province of North America, north to the British Provinces and west to
Dakota, Nebraska, and Kansas; breeding throughout its known range; no extra-limital
record, except the Bermudas. %

Sp. CuHar. Bill long, compressed, punctulated near the end; upper mandible longer
than the under, and fitted to it at the tip; wings moderate, three outer quills very narrow;
tail short; legs moderate; eyes inserted atan unusual distance from the bill. Adult: Occiput
with three transverse bands of black, alternating with three much narrower ones of pale
yellowish rufous; upper parts of body variegated with pale ashy, rufous, or yellowish red
of various shades, and black; large space on front and throat reddish ashy; line from the
eye to the bill, and another on the neck below the eye, brownish black; entire under parts
pale grayish rufous, brighter on the sides and under wing-coverts. Quills ashy-brown; tail
feathers brownish black, tipped with ashy, darker on the upper surface, paler and frequent-
ly white on the under; bill light brown, paler and yellowish at base; legs pale brownish.
Downy young: General color light reddish buff or isabella-color, uniform on the lower
surface. Line from bill to eye, a large, somewhat elliptical patch covering forehead and
fore part of the crown, a patch on the occiput (connected with that on the crown by a nar-
row isthmus), and a narrow mark behind the eye, with an oblique one below it, very dark
chestnut; broad stripe down the rump, also dark chestnut; stripe down the nape, and vari-
ous large blotches on the back, wings, etc., rather light snuff-brown.

Total length about 11 inches; wing, 4.80-5.70; tail, 2.25; bill, 2.50 to nearly 3.00; tarsus, 1,25;
middle toe, 1.37.

The American Woodcock is found throughout the State, in
suitable localities, and though known chiefly as a summer res-
ident remains throughout the year in well-sheltered places es-
pecially in the more southern districts.

“In its habits the Woodcock is nocturnal. It never flies vol-
untarily by day only when forced from its retreats, usually
keeping in close and sheltered thickets, and resorting at twilight
to its favorite feeding-places. It feeds almost exclusively dur-
ing the night, as its sight is very imperfect by day. Its eye
is remarkably large and handsome, but unfit to bear the glare
of the sun, its full and almost amaurotic appearance plainly

1 suggesting the crepuscular habits of the bird. During the greater
portion of the day the Woodcock remains closely concealed in
marshy thickets or in rank grass, but in the early morning
or evening, and also on moonlight nights it seeks its food in

4 open places, but during the day-time in dark and dense covert.

“The favorite places of resort of this species are low marshy
grounds, swamps, and meadows with soft bottoms. During
very wet seasons it seeks higher land—generally corn-fields

ce mney sie

36 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

—and searches for food in the soft ploughed ground, where
its presence is indicated by the holes made by its bill. In
seasons of excessive drought the Woodcock resorts in large
numbers to tide-water creeks, and the banks of fresh-water
rivers; but so averse is it to an excess of water, that after
continued or very heavy rains it has been known suddenly to
disappear over widely extended tracts of country.”’ (BREWER.)

A curious habit of the Woodcock, and one which is compara-
tively little known, is that of carrying its young in order to re-
move them from danger. This has been attested by so many
reliable observers that there can be little doubt as to its
truth.

Genus GALLINAGO L&Eacu.

Gallinago LEAcH, Cat. British Birds, 1816, 31. Type, Scolopax major LINN.

CHar. Lower portion of the tibia bare of feathers, scutellate before and behind, reticu-
lated laterally, like the tarsi. Nail of hind toe slender, extending beyond the toe. Bill de-
pressed at the tip. Middle toe longer than tarsus. Tail with twelve to twenty-six feathers
Plumage the same in winter and summer; young like the adult in colors and markings.

The more slender body, longer legs, partly naked tibia, and other features, distinguish
this genus from Scolopax and Philohela, and the cleft toes from Macrorhamphus.

The species of Gallinago are quite numerous, about fifteen be
ing recognized, this number nearly equally divided between Amer-
ica and various portions of the Old World. Of the seven Ameri-
can species, North America claims but two, the common Wilson’s
Snipe, or, as it is perhaps more popularly known, the ‘“ English
Snipe,’ from its very close resemblance to the Common Snipe
of Europe, and the latter species itself, which has been taken in
Greenland. With a few exceptions, the various species resemble
one another very closely in colors and markings,—in some cases
so much so that it is necessary to resort to the rectrices in
order to discover tangible points of difference.

The single species peculiar to North America has Late six-
teen rectrices, of which the outer is not notably narrower than
the rest; its nearest relative, the European (. gallinago, has
usually but fourteen tail-feathers, of which the outer pair are
differently marked from those of G. delicata; and the several
South American species possess from fourteen to eighteen rec-
trices, of which the outer pair are very narrow.

af

SCOLOPACIDE—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 37

Gallinago delicata (Ord).
WILSON'S SNIPE.

Popular synonyms. English Snipe; American Snipe; Gutter Snipe.

Scolopax gallinago Wiuson, Am. Orn. vi, 1812, 18, p). 47, f, 1 (nee Lrnn.).

Scolopaz wilsoni Tem. Pl. Col. v, 1824, livr. xviii (in text)—Sw. & Ricw. F. B.-A. ii,
1831, 401.—Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 185.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 322; v, 1839, 583, pl. 243;
Synop. 1839, 248; B. Am. v, 1842, 339, pl. 350.

Gallinago wilsoni BonaP. 1838.—Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 710.—Barrp, Cat. N.
Am. B. 1859. No. 523.—Covss, Key, 1872, 262; Check List, 1874, No. 414; 2d ed. 1882,
No. 608; Birds N. W. 1874, 475.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 188.

Gallinago media wilsoni Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 526.

Scolopax drummondi Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 400.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 190.—AuD.
Orn. Biog. y, 1839, 319; Synop. 1839, 240; N. Am. vi, 1843, 9.

Scolopaz douglasii Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A, ii, 1831, 400.—NutTr. Man. ii, 1834. 491.

Scolopaz leucurus Sw. & Riou. 1. ¢. 501.—NuTv. l. ¢, 617.

Scolopasx delicata Oxp, Wils. Orn. ix, 1825, cexviii.

Gallinago delicata Ripew. in A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 230; Man. N. Am.
B. 1887, 150.

Has. The whole of North and Middle America, breeding from northern United States
northward, migrating south in winter as far as Colombia and throughout the West Indies;
Bermuda; accidental in England.

Sp. Cuar. Billlong, compressed, flattened and slightly expanded toward the tip, punc-
tulated in its terminal half; wings rather long; legs moderate; tail short. Entire upper
parts brownish black, every feather spotted and widely edged with light rufous, yellowish
brown, or ashy white; back and rump transversely barred and spotted with the same; a
brownish white or pale buffy line from the base of the bill over the top of the head. Throat
and neck before, dul] reddish ashy; wing-feathers marked with dull brownish black; other
under parts white, with transyerse bars of brownish black on the sides, axillary feathers,
under wing-coverts, and under tail-coverts; quills brownish black; outer edge of first pri-
mary white; tail glossy, brownish black, widely tipped with bright rufous, paler at the tip,
and with a subterminal narrow band of black. Bill brown (greenish gray in life), paler at
base and darker toward the end; legs dark brown (light greenish gray In life).

Total length, about 10.50 to 11.50 inches; extent, 16.50 to 17.00; wing, 5.00 to 5.60; tail, 2.60;
bill, 2.50 to 2.70; tarsus, 1.25.

In a very large series of specimens from all parts of the con-
tinent north of Panama, no variations are noticeable other than
what appear to be of a purely individual character, and these
are seldom very pronounced.

This well-known bird is abundant, at the proper seasons,
throughout the State. In Cook county, according to Mr. Nel-
son, it is “abundant during the migration and not a very rare
summer resident. Arrives the first of April and nearly all are
gone by the first of May. Returns in fall the first of September
and departs by the first of November. Mr. T. H. Douglas has
obtained its eggs near Waukegan, and while there in the spring
of 1876, I found several pairs during the breeding season, in
various portions of the marsh near that place.

ae

38 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

“Morning and evening and throughout cloudy days in the
early part of the breeding season the male has a curious habit
of mounting high overhead, then descending obliquely for some
distance, and as it turns upwards strikes rapidly with its wings,
producing a loud whistling sound with each stroke. This ma-
neuvre is repeated again and again, and appears to be per-
formed for the same purpose as is the “booming” of the night
hawk. Besides this sound the Wilson’s Snipe has a peculiar,
sharp cry during the season, which is uttered when the bird is
disturbed. I first became acquainted with the note in May, 1876,
when, while walking along a marshy strip of land, I was sur-
prised to hear a loud ka-ka-ka-ka-ka, uttered with great force
and in a rather loud, harsh tone. Turning quickly I was still
more astonished to find the author to be one of these birds. It
was flying restlessly from post to post along a fence and showed
the greatest uneasiness at my presence, the notes being repeated
at short intervals. Although its nest was probably near, I could
not discover it.” 2

SuBFAMILY TRINGINZ.

Cuar. Ears situated decidedly posterior to the eyes; tip of upper mandible thin, with
cutting edges far apart; plumage very different in winter and summer, and young different
in color from adult.

GENus MACRORHAMPHUS Leacnu.

Macrorhamphus LEAcH, Cat. Brit. Birds, 1816, 31. Type, Scolopax grisea GMEL.

CuHar. General appearance of Gallinago. Tarsilonger than middle toe; ashort web be-
tween the base of outer and middle toes. Plumage very different in winter and summer;
young different from the adult.

The membrane at the base of the toes will at once distinguish this genus from Gallinago,
though there are other characters involved.

The two North American species of this genus* are character-
ized as follows:

CoMMON CHARACTERS. About the size of Gallinago delicata, or larger. Bill long, com-
pressed, flattened and expanded toward the end, where (in dried specimens) punectulated
and corrugated. Shaft of first primary strong, pure white. Axillars, tail-coverts, and lower
part of rump, white, barred, or transversely spotted, with slate-color; upper part of rump
white, usually immaculate. Tail slaty or dusky, barred with white (or, in summer adult,
with pale cinnamon on the middle feathers). Adult in summer: Head, neck, and lower
parts light cinnamon (the abdomen sometimes whitish), the foreneck and sides of breast
speckled, the sides and erissum barred or speckled with dusky. Upper parts mixed black,
light cinnamon, and white, the former prevailing. Adult in winter: Belly and anal region
white, usually unspotted; rest of the plumage nearly uniform ash-gray, somewhat inter-

*A third species, M. semipalmatus BLYTH, occurs in eastern and southern Asia. It is
much larger than its American relatives, and belongs to the subgenus Pseudoscolopax
BLYTH,

SCOLOPACIDE—THE SNIPE FAMILY. ; 39

mixed with white on the breast and sides; wing-coverts bordered with whitish; a whitish
superciliary stripe. Young, first plumage: Back, scapulars, and tertials, variegated black
and light clay-color, the latter chiefly on the edges of the feathers; lower parts dirty white,
soiled with dull buff or pale clay color, especially across the breast; jugulum and sides us-
ually indistinctly speckled with dusky. Total length, about 10 to 12.50 inches; extent, 17.50
to 20.25; wing, 5.30-6,00 (5.73); culmen, 2. 00-3.00; tarsus 1.25-1.75 (1.53); middle toe, 90-1. 10 (1.00).

1. M. griseus. Wing, 5.22-5.90 (5.65); culmen, 2.00-2.55 (2.30); tarsus, 120-155 (1.35 ; middle
toe, .20-1.05 (.95).* Adultin summer. Abdomen whitish; breast and sides speckled
with dusky. Hab. Eastern Province of North America.

2. M. scolopaceus, Wing, 5.40-6.00 (5.74); culmen, 2.10-3.00 (2.72); tarsus, 1.30-1.75 (1.58); mid-
dle toe, .95-1.15 (1.01). Adultin summer. Abdomen uniform cinnamon, without
markings; breast speckled (usually scantily), and sides barred with dusky. Hab.
Mississippi Valley and Western Province of North America, from Mexico to Alaska.

Macrorhamphus griseus ((unel.)

DOWITCHER.
Popular synonyms. Gray Snipe; Gray-back; Dowitch; Driver (Plymouth Bay Mass.).

Scolopaz griseus GMEL. 8. N. i, 1788, 658.
Macrorhamphus griseus Lracu, Syst. Cat. Brit. Mam. & B. 1816, 31—Cass. in Baird’s
B. N. Am. 1858, 712.—Batrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 524.—Covugs, Key, 1872, 253; Cheek
List, 1874, No. 415; 2d ed. 1882, No. 609; Birds N. W. 1874, 476—Ripew. Nom. N. Am B.
1881, No. 527; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 151.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 231.
Scolopaz (Macrorhamphus) grisea BONAP. 1828.—NutTv. Man. ii, 1834, 181.
Macrorhamphus griseus, a, griseus B. B., & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 196.
Scolopaz noveboracensis GMEL.—WIts. Am. Orn. vii, 1815, 45, pl. 68. fig.1.—Sw. & Rion.
F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 398.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 388, p1.399; Synop. 1839, 249; B. Am. vi,
1843, 10, pl. 351.

Has. Eastern Province of North America (breeding in the region about Hudson's Bay ?).

Sp. CHar. About the size of Gallinagodelicata. Shaft of the first primary strong, pure
white; axillars, tail-coverts, and lower part of rump white, barred or transversely spotted
with slate-color; upper part of rump white, usually immaculate; tail slate-colored or
dusky, barred with white, (or, in summer adult, with a pule cinnamon on middle feathers).
Adult in summer: Head, neck, and more or less of lower parts, light cinnamon, the abdo-
men whitish, breast and sides speckled with dusky, the head and neck streaked with the
same; upper parts mixed black, light cinnamon and white, the first prevailing. Winter
plumage: Belly and anal region white, usually unmarked; rest of plumage nearly uniform
ash-gray, somewhat mixed with white on breast and sides; a whitish superciliary stripe,
and wing-coverts bordered with white. Young: Back, scapulars, and tertials, varied with
black and light clay-brown, the latter chiefly on edges of the feathers: lower parts dull
whitish, soiled with dull buff or clay-color, especially across breast, the jugulum and sides
usually indistinctly speckled with dusky. “Bill dark olive; iris reddish hazel; feet light
yellowish olive; claws black.” (AuDUBON.)

Wing, 5.25-5.90 (5.65); culmen, 2.00-2.55 (2.30 ; tarsus, 1.20-1.55 (1.35); middle toe, .90-1.05 (.95).

Comparatively little is on record respecting the habits of this
species. It is apparently more abundant along the Atlantic
coast than in the interior, but its presence in Illinois is attested
by specimens in the National Museum collection, received from
Mr. H. K. Coale, and collected by him near Chicago. Along the

* Extremes and average of eighteen fully adult specimens.
+ Extremes and average of forty fully adult specimens.

i. ¥ \ ‘ : ed ap J

40 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

coast it is known to sportsmen as the Dowitcher, Dowitch, or
Gray-back, and in the latter part of summer, when the immense
flocks move southward, it is a favorite game bird.

Macrorhamphus scolopaceus (Say).

LONG-BILLED DOWITCHER.
Popular synonyms. Greater Long-beak; Greater Gray-back; Red-bellied Snipe.
Limosa scolopacea Say, Long's Exped. ii, 1823, 170.

Macrorhamphus scolopaceus Lawr. Ann. Lye. N. Y. v, 1852, 4, pl. 1 (Long {sland).—
Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 712.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 525.—A. O. U.
Check List, 1886, No, 232.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 151.

Macrorhamphus griseus var. scolopaceus Cougs, Check List, 1874, No. 415a.

Macrorhamphus griseus scolopaceus RipGw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 527a.—CovEs,
2d Check List, 1882, No. 610.

Macrorhamphus griseus, b, scolopaceus B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 196.

Scolopax longirostris BEtu, Ann. Lye. N. Y. v, 1852, 3.
Macrorhamphus griseus (part) Cougs, Key, 1872, 253; B. N. W. 1874, 476.

Has. North America in general, but chiefly the western portions of the continent; east
to the Mississippi Valley, north to Alaska, and south to South America and the West Indies.
Occasional along the Atlantic coast of the United States during migrations.

Sp.CHar. Adultin summer: Similar to M. griseus, butabdomen pale cinnamon, like rest
of lower parts, and without markings, the breast scantily speckled and the sides barred
with dusky. Winter plumage and young: Distinguishable from the corresponding stages
of M. griseus only (?) by larger size.

Wing, 5.40-6.00 (5.74); culmen, 2.19-3.90 (2.72); tarsus, 1.35-1.75 (1.58); middle toe, .97-
1.15 (1.01). :

So far as known the habits of this species are essentially the
same as those of the JZ griseus. We have at present no means
of knowing which is the commoner form in Illinois, but in all
probability the present one is that which predominates. It is
rather a straggler along the Atlantic coast, where, however,
many specimens have been taken.

GENUS MICROPALAMA Bairp.

Micropalama Batrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 726. Lype, Tringa himantopus Bonar.

“CHAR. Form slender, the legs very long, the bill long and much compressed, the an-
terior toes all webbed at the base. Tarsus nearly twice as long as the middle toe, which is
a little shorter than the bare portion of the tibia, this scutellate before and behind, like the
tarsus. Bill slender, straight, about equal to the tarsus, greatly compressed, except at the
end, which is decidedly expanded laterally. Tail nearly even, but the central and exterior
feathers usually perceptibly longer than the rest. Wings long and pointed.

“The present genus with a basal membrane to all the anterior
toes, as in Ereunctes, has this a little more deeply emarginate;
the bill and legs much longer; the former more curved. The
bare portion of tibia is covered before and behind by transverse
scutelle, like the tarsus. The tail is nearly even, with a double

SCOLOPACID/—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 41

emargination. The middle toe is not two thirds the length of
the tarsus, and about equal to the bare portion of the tibia.
The bill is much pitted at the end in the dry skin.

“In many respects this genus approaches the Snipe, and its
true place is probably very near JMJacrorhamphus. The legs,
however, are much longer, and equal to the bill, instead of much
shorter.” (Water B. N. Am.)

Micropalama himantopus (Bonap.)

STILT SANDPIPER.
Popular synonyms, Long-legged Sandpiper; Frost Snipe (coast Connecticut).
Tringa himantopus Bonar. Ann. Lye. N. Y. ii, 1826, 157.—Sw. & Ricw. F. B.-A. ii, 1831,
380.—AuD. Orn. Biog. ii, 1838, 332, pl. 3384; Synop. 1889, 235; B. Am. v, 1842, 271, pl. 334.
Tringa (Hemipalama) himantopus Bonap. 1827.—NuTv. Man. ii, 1834, 138. ¢
Micropalamazhimantopus Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 726; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 536.—
CovuEs, Key, 1872, 253; Check List, 1874, No. 416; 2d ed. 1882, No. 611; Birds N. W.
1874, 480.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 528; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 152.—B. B. &
R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 201—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 233.
Tringa douglasii Sw. & Rioux. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 379, pl. 66.
Tringa (Hemipalama) douglasii Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 141.
Tringa (Hemipalama) auduboni Nutt. |. ¢. 141.

Has. Eastern Province of North America, Middle America, and greater part of South
America; breeding north of the United States and visiting the southern localities in
winter; Bermudas; West Indies, in general; Brazil; Peru. Not recorded from west of the
Rocky Mountains.

Sp. CHar. Adult, summer plumage: Above, variegated with black, whitish gray, and
pale buff, the first prevailing on the back and seapulars; wings rather dark gray, the
feathers edged with paler; primaries dusky slate; rump grayish, the feathers with darker
centres; upper tail-covers white, the longer ones barred, the anterior ones longitudinally
marked, with dusky. Middle tail-feathers light gray, the others varied longitudinally with
white and pale gray. Pileum dusky, streaked with whitish; a dark brown loral stripe, from
base of maxilla to the eyes; auriculars and patch on each side of the occiput, light cinna-
mon-rufous. Lower parts dirty white, the throat and jugulum streaked, other portions
transversely barred with dusky. Lining of the wing, and axillars, white, the latter slightly
marked with gray. Adult in winter: Above, uniform ash-gray, the upper tail-coverts, tail
and wings as in the summer plumage. Superciliary stripe and lower parts white, the
jugulum, sides of neck, and crissum, streaked with gray. Young: Back and scapulars
blackish, all the feathers widely bordered with buffy white; the middle of the back tinged
with rusty; wing-coverts bordered with pale buff and white; upper tail-coverts nearly im-
maculate white. Pileum streaked with dusky, pale buff, and grayish; nape nearly uniform
ash-gray. Lower parts soiled white, the breast and sides more or less strongly suffused
with buff, the jugulum, sides of the neck, and flanks, indistinctly streaked with grayish.
“Bill black; iris brown; feet dull yellowish green, claws black.” (AuDUBON.)

Wing about 5.00-5.25; culmen, 1.50-1.75; tarsus, 1.50-1.75; middle toe, .80-.85.

We have no data at hand regarding the abundance of this
species in Illinois, but it is in all probability a more or less
common migrant.

“Tt moves in compact flocks, and often when about to alight, or
after being disturbed, it inclines the body to either side, showing

pA a we Ms es

42 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

alternately the upper and the lower parts. On foot it moves more
like a Curlew than a Zringa, and is more sedate in its motions
than the true Sandpiper. At times, on being approached, it
will squat on the ground after the manner of the Esquimaux
Curlew. Its flesh is said to be extremely delicate. In the
stomachs of those he killed he [Audubon] found small worms,
minute shell-fish, and vegetable substances, among which were
hard seeds of some unknown plant. He found great differences
in the color of the plumage of those he killed. He adds that
its passage through the United States is very rapid, both in
spring and in autumn. A few are said to spend the winter in
lower Louisiana, but nearly all pass on southward beyond Texas.”

GENUS TRINGA Linnxvs.

SuBcenvus Tringa.

Tringa Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, 1758, 148; ed. 12, 1766, 247. Type, 7. canutus LINN.

CHAR. Body robust; bill and legs short, the former straight, widened terminally, and
scarcely longer than the head; tarsus about equal to the bill; or a little shorter; middle toe
about two-thirds the tarsus. Wings long and pointed, reaching beyond the end of the tail.

The above characters separate at once this subgenus from
Arquatella, the one most nearly related, but which has the bill
much more compressed, slightly but decidedly decurved toward
the end, and much longer than the tarsus; the latter scarcely,
if any, longer than the middle toe; the wings shorter, ete.
The single species, 7: canutus, is the largest of American Sand-
pipers.

Tringa canutus (Linn.)

KNOT.
Popularsynonyms. Robin Snipe; Knot Sandpiper; Red-breast(adult); Gray-back (young).
Tringa canutus LINN. 8S. N. ed, 10, 1758, 149; ed. 12, 1766, 251.—CaAss, in Baird’s B. N. Am.
1858, 715.—BArrRD, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 526.—Cours, Key, 1872, 256; Check List,
1874, No. 426; 2d ed. 1882, No. 626; Birds N. W. 1874, 490.—_Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, 529;
Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 153.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 211.—A. O. U. Check
List, 1886, No. 284.
Tringa cinerea BRUNN. Orn. Bor. 1764, 53.—Wiis. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 36, pl. 57, fig. 2—
Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 387.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 125,
Tringa islandica GuEL, S. N. i, 1788, 682.—AuD, Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 130, pl. 315; Synop.
1839, 232; B. Am. v, 1842, 254, pl. 328.
Tringa rufa Wiis. Am. Orn. vii, 1818, 43, pl. 57, fig. 5.
Has. Chiefly northern portion of the northern hemisphere, but occasionally visiting
the southern hemisphere during winter migration; chiefly littoral, but occurring also on
the larger inland waters. Brazil; Australia; New Zealand.

hive! 4 - ») 8 dh hee ~ Ch ae 4

SCOLOPACIDE—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 43

Sp. Coan. Largest of American Sandpipers (7ringine). Billstraight, rather longer

than the head, widened terminally, slightly compressed basally; tarsus about equal to the

bill, or alittle longer; middle toe about two thirds the tarsus; toes flattened beneath, with a

‘ rather wide lateral margin; lower third of the tibia bare, but the tips of the feathers reach-

ing tothe joint. Wings long and pointed, extending beyond the tail, which is short, and

slightly graduated. Adult in summer: Above, mixed black, light gray, and paie rusty‘

these colors varying in relative extent with the individual, but the grayish usually prevail-

ing; rump and upper tail-coverts white, with narrow bars and spots of blackish. Lower

parts, and a distinct superciliary stripe, uniform vinaceous-rufous, or pinkish cinnamon,

paler on the middle of abdomen; crissum, flanks, axillars, and lining of the wing white,

usually with spots and bars of dusky. Primaries dusky, with white shafts; tail-feathers

plain grayish, edged with whitish, and sometimes with a sub-edging of dusky. Young:

Above light ash-gray, darker on the back, each feather bordered with whitish and marked

with a sub-edging of dusky; upper tail-coverts white, marked with dusky crescents. Lower

parts whitish (nearly pure white on the abdomen), the neck and breast marked with streaks

and flecks of dusky, the sides with dim crescentic and irregular spots of the same. An in-
ss distinct whitish superciliary stripe. “Bill and feet black; iris dark hazel” (AUDUBON).
Total length, about 10 inches; wing, 6.50; tail, 2.50; bill, from gape, 1.50; tarsus, 1.25.

Adult specimens vary individually in the relative extent of the
black, gray, and reddish colors on the upper parts; gray usu-
ally predominates in the spring, the black in midsummer.
Sometimes there is no rufous whatever on the upper surface.
The cinnamon-color of the lower parts also varies in intensity.

So far as known, the occurrence of the Knot in Illinois is con-
fined to the shores of Lake Michigan, but it no doubt some-
times visits the shores of the larger rivers. Mr. Nelson says:

“This is another of the so-called ‘maritime species’ which
regularly visits its breeding grounds by way of the Great
Lakes, as well as along the coast. It is not a common but a
regular migrant, passing north during May. It returns early in
September and remains until October. I have never observed it
away from the vicinity of the lake shore, where it is generally
found in company with one or two others of the same family”

Supcenus Arquatella Barrp.

Arquatella Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 717. Type, Tringa maritima BRUNN.

Cuar. Form very compact or robust, the legs especially. Tarsus shorter than the
middle toe, with claw, the latter two thirds to three fourths as long as the bill, which is
slender, much compressed, straight, or very slightly decurved at the end. Size medium
(wing less than 6 inches).

- Although three species of this subgenus belong to North
America, only one of them is known to visit the eastern United
States, the other two occurring in the extreme northwest, one
of them, (A. ptilocnemis Coues), confined mainly to the Prybilov
Islands.

Toe a SE ee

44 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Tringa maritima Briinn.
PURPLE SANDPIPER.
Popular synonyms. Winter Snipe (Maine); Rock Snipe.

Tringa maritima BRuNN. Orn. Bor. 1764, 54.—Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 382.—Nurr. Man.
ii, 1844, 115.—AvuD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 558, pl. 284; Synop. 1839, 233; B. Am. v, 1842, 261,
pl. 330.—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 717.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 528.—
Cougs, Key, 1872, 255; Check List, 1877, No. 423; B.N. W. 1874, 488.—A. O. U. Check
List, 1886, No. 235.—Ripe@w. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 153.
Arquatella maritima Ripew. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, v, July, 1880, 162; Nom. N. Am. B.
1881, No. 530.—Couns, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 620.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am.
i, 1884, 217.

Has. Northeastern portions of North America, breeding in the high north, and migrat-
ing southward in winter to the Middle States, the Great Lakes, and shores of the larger
streams in the Mississippi Valley. Bermudas? Also, the northern portion of the Palx-
arctic Region.

Sp. CHar. Adult, breeding plumage: Above, dusky slate, the scapulars and inter-
scapulars nearly black, and faintly glossed, the edge of each feather notched or indented
with ochraceous or dull buff, the terminal portion bordered with dull white or pale buff;
rump, upper tail-coverts, and middle tail-feathers glossy dusky-black, the feathers of the
rump sometimes faintly bordered with grayish; remaining rectrices uniform grayish, with
white shafts, the shade of gray becoming gradually lighter to the exterior feather. Lesser
and middle wing-coverts bordered terminally with grayish white or pale ash; greater coy-
erts tipped with pure white, forming a distinct bar across the wing; secondaries narrowly
tipped with white and faintly edged with light ashy, the three or four feathers adjoining the
tertials mostly white; primaries with white shafts, the inner quills edged, especially toward
the base, with white. Pileum dusky, streaked with pale grayish buff (these streaks some-
times nearly obsolete); a conspicuous superciliary stripe of grayish white, streaked with
dusky; a broad grayish dusky streaked stripe across the lores, from the bill to and beneath
the eye, and continued rather indistinctly across the auriculars; cheeks, lower part of throat,
and foreneck grayish white, streaked with grayish dusky; chin, and sometimes upper part
of throat, unstreaked white; jugulum similarly but more broadly streaked; breast grayish
white or pale ashy, irregularly spotted with dusky, these spots occupying chiefly the cen-
tral portion of each feather; remaining lower part white, the sides irregularly streaked and
spotted with grayish; crissum narrowly streaked with dusky; axillars and lining of the
wing pure white, the latter bordered externally with grayish. “Bill brown, yellow at base;
tarsi and toes dusky yellow; iris brown.” (KuMmurEen, MS.) [Bill and legs dusky in dried
skins.*] Winter dress: Above, uniform smoky plumbeous, the scapulars, interscapulars,
rump feathers, and upper tail-coverts, darker centrally, where glossed with purple; wings
and tailas inthe summer plumage. Head and neck uniform smoky plumbeous, darker
immediately before the eye, and, to a less extent, on the crown; the chin and upper part of
throat, lower eyelid, and supraloral space, white; jugulum and breast light smoky plum-
beous,squamated with white; remaining lower parts white, the sides broadly streaked with
light brownish gray; crissum with narrow mesial streaks of dusky. Young,jirst plumage:
Above, quite similar to the breeding adult, but the dorsal feathers lacking the lateral ochra-
ceous indentations, and the light borders to the feathers rather more regular, and more
creamy in tint, the light borders to the wing-coverts also broader, and pale grayish buff
instead of white or pale ashy; nape and cheeks uniform smoky plumbeous; lower parts
much as in the summer adult. Downy young: Above, brown, lighter and more gray-
ish on the nape; the brown irregularly marbled with black; the wings, back, and rump
thickly bespangled with whitish downy flecks on the tips of the down-tufts. Head pale
fulvous, variously marked with black, the crown deep brown, variegated with black.
Beneath, entirely grayish white.

Total length, about 9 inches; wing, 4.85-5.40 (5.06); culmen, 1.10-1.45 (1.20); tarsus, .90-1.00
(.99); middle toe, .83-.95 (.90). [Extreme and average dimensions of 18 adults.J

*Audubon says: “Bill deep orange, toward the end dusky; edges of eyelids gray; iris
orange; feet light orange, claws dusky.”

Poa is. & > ye 7 > - eee

SCOLOPACIDA—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 45

This is another of the ‘‘maritime,” or, more properly littoral,
species, which visits the shore of Lake Michigran, in Illinois. Mr.
Nelson says that it is a ‘“‘very rare migrant during migra-
tions,’ and that ‘‘a fine adult male obtained on the Lake shore,
near Chicago, November 7th, 1871, is in the collection of Dr. J.
W. Velie. When first seen it was in company with a flock of
Sanderlings.” ‘“This,” adds Mr. Nelson, “is the only instance of
the occurrence of this species of which I have learned.”

Supgenus Actodromas Kaur.

Actodromas Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 37. Type, Tringa minuta LEISL.

Heteropygia Cougs, Proc. Phila. Acad. 1861, 191. Type, Tringa bonapartei SoHLEG.=7'
Suscicollis VIErLL.

Leimonites Kaup, 1. ¢. Type, Tringa temmincki LEIsu,

Delopygia Couns, Proce. Phila. Acad. 1861, 190 (=Heteropygia).

Cuar. Size medium to very small (smallest of the family); form graceful, legs and bill
slender, the latter straight, and little, if any, longer than the tarsus. Tarsus decidedly
longer than the middle toe with its claw; toes slender, completely cleft. Wings long and
pointed, their ends when closed reaching beyond the tip of the tail.

Although the species of this subgenus vary greatly in size,
they all agree very closely in the details of structure. Besides
the American species included in the following synoptical table,
there are several Old World <Actodrom/, among which may be
named Zringa minuta Leisu., 7. damacensis (Horsr.)*, and 7.
albescens, TEMM., all nearly allied to, though quite distinct
from, our A. minutilla. The American species may be distin-
guished as follows:

A. Size large (wing more than 5.50).

1. A, cooperi, Tail even, the middie feathers scarcely narrowed at the end, and not
projecting notably beyond the rest. Lower parts white, the jugulum, breast, and
sides longitudinally flecked with dusky. Above (in adult), brownish gray, the
feathers marked centrally with black, producing conspicuous spots on the back
and scapulars, streaks elsewhere. Upper tail-coverts white, with irregular sagit-
tate marks of dusky. Wing, 5.80; culmen, 1.25; tarsus, 1.20; middle toe, .80. Hab,
Long Island.

B, Size medium (wing less than 5.50 and more than 4.00),

2. A, fuscicollis, Tail as‘in A. cooperi, but middle feathers slightly narrower at end
and more projecting. Colors of adult as in A. cooperi, but more tinged with light
rufous on crown, back, and scapulars. Young: Back and scapulars mixed black
and rusty, the feathers conspicuously bordered terminally with white; upper tail-
eoverts white, in marked contrast with the dusky rump; breast light grayish-
brown, streaked with dusky. Wing about 4.90; culmen, .90-1.00; tarsus, .95-1.00;
middle toe, .70-.75. Hab. Eastern North America; South America in migrations.

3. A. bairdii, Tail asin A. fuscicollis. Upper tail-coverts dusky, only the lateral ones
whitish. Adult in summer: Back and scapulars black, irregularly variegated
(spotted and edged) with dull buff. Jugulum white, streaked with dusky. Adult

*This species has been taken in Alaska since the above was written.

46 ! BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

c.

in winter: Above nearly uniform grayish brown, tinged with clay-color ; jugulum
and sides deeply suffused with clay-color or dirty buff, the former very indistinetly
streaked. Young: Above, light buffy brown, streaked with dusky, the feathers of
the back and the seapulars blackish, conspicuously bordered terminally with dull
white; wing-coverts dark grayish, also bordered terminally with white or light
buff. Jugulum suffused with buff and indistinctly streaked. Wing, about 4.75-
5.00; culmen, about .90; tarsus, .90; middle toe, .70. Hab. Western America, from
the arctic regions to Patagonia; straggler in eastern North America.
4. A,maculata, Middle tail-feathers wedge-shaped at the end and projecting a
quarter of aninch or more beyond the rest. Upper tail-coverts dusky, like the
rump, the outer feathers whitish, marked with dusky. Jugulum and breast light
elay-color, stréaked with dusky. Adu/t: Above, without white markings. Young:
Scapulars bordered terminally with white. Wing, about 5.00; culmen,1.10; tarsus,
1.00-1.10; middle toe, .90. Hab. America in general, breeding in the arctic
regions.
A, acuminata. Similar to A. maculata, but with the middle tail-feathers still nar-
rower and more pointed, the bill smaller, the jugulum and breast scarcely
streaked; lower tail-coverts marked with shaft-streaks of dusky (entirely absent
* in maculata); pileum deep rusty, in strong contrast. Adult in winter: Upper
parts brownish gray, the feathers marked centrally with blackish; jugulum and
breast pale grayish buff, very sparsely streaked; pileum cinnamon-brown
streaked with blackish. Young: Above, rusty fulvous, the feathers of the back
and the scapulars black centrally, the larger feathers edged terminally with white;
pileum bright rusty rufous, in very sharp contrast with a whitish superciliary
stripe, and streaked with black ; throat immaculate white; jugulum and breast
deep rusty ochraceous, the former narrowly streaked anteriorly. Wing, about
5.00; culmen scarcely 1.00; tarsus, 1.20; middle toe, .85. Hab. Australia, ete.;
abundant in autumn on coast of Alaska.
Size very small (wing less than 4.00).

6. A. minutilla. Middle tail-feathers slightly projecting, narrow and somewhat
pointed at end in summer, broader and rounder in winter plumage. Upper tail-
coverts blackish, the lateral ones white, marked with dusky. Adult in summer:
Back and scapulars black, the feathers bordered and irregularly barred with
rusty ochraceous; tertials bordered with the same. Jugulum dull white, streaked
withdusky. Adultin winter: Above uniform brownish gray, the feathers with
indistinct dusky mesial streaks, most distinct on the back. Jugulum pale grayish
indistinctly streaked. Young: Similar to the adult in summer, but the seapulars
and exterior feathers of the back bordered terminally on outer webs with white
and lacking the concealed ochraceous bars. Jugulum yery indistinctly streaked
as in the winter plumage. Hab. North America, migrating into South America
in winter,

on

Tringa maculata Vieill.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER.

Popular synonyms, Jack Snipe; Grass Snipe; Marsh Plover; Meadow Snipe; Creaker.

Tringa maculata VreLu. Nouy. Dict. xxxiv, 1819, 465.—CAss.in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858,
720.—Batrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1850, No. 531.—Couns, Key, 1872, 255; Check List, 1874, No.
420; B. N. W. 1874, 486.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 239.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B.
1887, 156.

Actodromas maculata Couns, Proe. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1861, 179, 230; Check List.

2d ed. 1882, No. 616.—Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 534.—B. B. & R. Water B. N.
Am. i, 1884, 232.

Tringa pectoralis Say, Long's Exp. i, 1823, 171.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 111.—Aup. Orn.
Biog. iii, 1835, 601; v, 1839, 582, pl, 294; Synop. 1839, 232; B. Am. vy, 1842, 259, pl. 329.

SCOLOPACID.2—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 47

Has. The whole of North and the greater part of South America, ranging south in
winter to southern Brazil and Chili; West Indies in general; Bermudas; frequent in
Europe; North China? (Swxyu. Ibis, 1863, 97.)

Sp. CHar. Adultin summer: Above,light clay-color,the crown, back,scapulars, and
tertials washed with light rufous or rusty orchraceous; the feathers black centrally, pro-
ducing conspicuous streaks, which widen into spots on the scapulars and back; rump and
middle upper tail-coverts brownish black; lateral upper tail-coverts white, with dusky
shaft-streaks. Middle tail-feathers dusky, edged with lighter; other rectrices pale brown-
ish gray, bordered with white. Wing-coverts light grayish brown, with paler borders and
darker centres; a light superciliary stripe, and a darker loral one. Cheeks, sides of the
neck, whole jugulum, and breast, pale clay-color or light grayish buff, streaked with dusky;
sides sparsely streaked. Remaining lower parts immaculate white. “Basal half of bill
dull greenish yellow.» (NELSON, MS.) Adult in winter: Similar to summer plumage, but
the rusty tint above almost or wholly absent, and the black markings less sharply defined.
Young, first plumage: Quite similar to the summer adult, but the scapulars and outer
interscapulars conspicuously tipped externally with white, the breast, etc., more distinctly
buff, and rather more narrowly streaked.

Totallength, about 9.00 inches; wing, about 5.00; culmen, 1.10; tarsus, 1.00-1.10; middle
toe, .90.

This well-known Sandpiper is one of the most abundant spe-
cies of its family during its migrations. In the northeastern
portion of the State, it is, says Mr. Nelson, a very abundant
migrant, “sometimes uniting into large flocks containing sev-
eral hundred, and frequenting wet prairies or marshes. At other
times it can only be found singly, scattered over the same ter-
ritory. March 25th to May 10th, and the middle of Septem-
ber to the first of November. A few remain through the sum-
mer, but whether they breed or not I have been unable to decide.”

Tringa fuscicollis Vieill.

BONAPARTE’S SANDPIPER.

Popular synonym. White-tail Stile (Plymouth Bay, Mass.).

Tringa fusciollis Vieux. Nouv. Dict. xxxiv, 1819, 461.—Cours, B. N. W. 1874, 487.—A. O.
U. Check List, 1886, No, 240.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 157.

Actodromas fuscicollis Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1882, No. 536.—B. B. & R. Water B. N.
Am. i, 1884; 227.

Tringa schinzii Bonar. Synop. 1828, 219; Am. Orn. iv, 1833, 69, pl. 24, fig. 2.—Nurr. Man.
fi, 1834, 109.—Sw. & Rrou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 384.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1833, 529, pl. 278;
Synop. 1839, 236; B. Am. v, 1842, 275, pl. 335.

Tringa bonapartei Scuuiec. Rey. Crit. Ois. Eur. 1844, 89.—Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am.
1858, 722 (part). —Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 533.—Covugs, Key, 1872, 255: Check
List, 1874, No. 421.

Actodromas bonapartei Cours, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 617.

Has. Eastern Province of North America, breeding far northward; in winter, the
whole of Middle America, South America, and the West Indies; Falkland Islands; occa-
sional in Europe.

Sp. Onan. Adultin summer: Above, light brownish gray, much tinged, particularly
on the crown, back, andinner seapulars, with light rusty buff or ochraceous, all the feathers
black centrally, these markings largest and somewhat V-shaped, or sagittate, on the

48 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

scapulars, streak-like elsewhere, the streaks broadest on the crown and back; rump dusky
blackish, the feathers bordered with light gray; upper tail-coverts pure white, in marked
contrast, some of the feathers having irregular sagittate, mostly concealed, spots of dusky.
Tail brownish gray, the middle feathers blackish, and all slightly edged with whitish.
Wing-coverts and tertials brownish gray, lighter on edges and dusky centrally, the shafts
nearly black. Superciliary stripe and entire lower parts pure white; auriculars light buff,
indistinctly streaked: sides of head and neck, foreneck, jugulum, and upper part of breast,
streaked or dashed with dusky; sides and flanks with larger irregular,markings of the
same. Adult in winter: Wings, rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail as in summer plumage;
rest of upper parts continuous brownish gray, relieved by rather indistinct mesial streaks
of black; streaks on jugulum, etce., less sharply defined than in the summer plumage.
Young, first plumage: Back and scapulars black, the feathers bordered terminally with
pure white, and laterally with ferruginous, those of the middle of the back also tipped with
this color; feathers of the pileum and rump, as well as the tertials, also: bordered with
rusty; wing-coverts bordered with pale grayish buff. Otherwise asin the winter plumage,
but breast, jugulum, ete., suffused with pale fulvous.
Total length, about 7 inches; wing, 4.90; culmen, .90-1.00; middle toe, .70-.75.

Specimens from South America are exactly like northern ones,
among which there is the usual amount of individual variation.
In midsummer the black of the back and scapulars increases in
relative extent, partly by the wearing away of the rusty borders
to the feathers, until, in some examples, the dorsal aspect is
chiefly black.

The habits of this species are, so far as known, so much like
those of the Pectoral Sandpiper that we shall not enter into
detail concerning them. It is comparatively a rare species in
Illinois, Mr. Nelson referring to it as follows: ‘‘ Rather uncom-
mon migrant. Dr. Hoy writes ‘that it was formerly abundant
during the migrations, but is now rare,’ (at Racine). June 9th,
1876, I obtained one specimen and saw quite a number of others
upon the Lake shore near Waukegan. Mr. R. P. Clarke informs
me that he has taken it late in autumn upon the Lake shore
near Chicago.”

Tringa bairdii (Coues).
BAIRD'S SANDPIPER.

Actodromas bairdii Cougs, Proc, Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1861, 194; Check List, 2d ed. 1882
No. 615.—Ripew. Nom. Am. B. 1881, No. 587.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 230.”
Tringa bairdii Scu. P. Z. 8. 1867, 332 (Chili).—Coungs, Key, 1872, 255; Check List, 1874, No.
419; Birds N. W. 1874, 484.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No, 241.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B.

1887, 157.

Has. Ameoricain general, but chiefly the interior of the northern and western portion
of the southern continent; ranging from Alaska to Chiliand Argentine Republic; rare in the
Eastern Province, and not yet recorded from the Pacific coast of the United States; acci-
dental in southern Africa.

“SMP yee ae

SCOLOPACIDE—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 49

8p. CHar. Adult in summer: Above, variegated with black and grayish buff, the former
prevailing, in the form of irregular, somewhat diamond-shaped spots on the back and
scapulars, the buff occupying most of the border of the feathers, and sending indentations
toward the shaft; elsewhere, the black forms distinct streaks, widest on the crown and
anterior part of the back; rump and upper tail-coverts dusky brownish black, feathers bor-
dered with dull clay-color, the anterior ones of the latter chiefly white, with irregular
U-shaped markings of dusky. Taillight brownish gray, the middle feather nearly black,
all narrowly edged with whitish. Wing-coverts and tertials grayish brown, with lighter
edges and darker centres; remiges dull slate. Lower parts white, the sides of the head
and neck, the jugulum, and anterior portion of the sides, streaked with dusky. Adult in
winter: Above, continuous grayish clay-color, the feathers with darker mesial streaks:
rump and middle upper tail-coverts dusky, the feathers bordered terminally with dull clay-
color; lateral upper tail-coverts brownish white, Beneath, brownish white, the jugulum,
breast, sides (anteriorly), and sides of the neck, deeply suffused with clay-color or buff.
Young, first plumage: Above, grayish clay-color, the seapulars and interscapulars black-
ish centrally, and conspicuously bordered with whitish terminally; the feathers of the
crown and nape streaked with dusky. Wing-coverts, rump, ete., much as in the winter
plumage; sides of the head and neck, the jugulum, and breast, pale clay-color, rather indis-
tinetly streaked with dusky. Other lower parts white.

Total length, about 7.00 to 7.50 inches; extent, about 15.00; wing, about 4.75; culmen,
usually less than 1.00 inch; tarsus, nearly 1.00; middle toe, about .70. Bill black; iris dark

' brown; legs and feet slate-black.

This species, like Bonaparte’s Sandpiper, is one of the less
abundant of the Limicole in Illinois. Mr. Nelson says that it
is “a rather uncommon migrant during the middle of May, and
the last of August and first of September. It is generally found
in small parties or singly, with other species of Sandpipers, but
if sometimes occurs in large flocks.”

Tringa minutilla Vieill.

LEAST SANDPIPER,

Popular synonyms, Peep; Ox-eye; Bumble-bee; Wilson's Sandpiper.

Tringa minutilla Vier. Nouv. Dict. xxxiv, 1819, 452.—Cours, Key, 1872, 254; Check
List, 1874, No. 418; B. N. W. 1874, 482.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 242.—Rmpew.
Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 158.

‘ Actodromas minutilla Bonar. 1856.—RipGw. Nom. N. Am, B. 1881, No. 538.—Covegs,

) Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 614.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1834, 236.

Tringa pusilla Wits. Am. Orn. v, 1813, 32, pl. 37, f. 4 (mee Linn.).—Sw. & Ric. F. B.-A.
ii, 1831,386.—AuD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 180, pl. 320; Synop. 1839, 237; B. Am. v, 1842, 280,

S pl. 337.

: $ Tringa wilsonii Nur. Man. ii, 1834, 121.—Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 721—Barep,

4 CatyN. Am. B. 1859, No. 532.

7

>

Has. The whole of America, but breeding (so far as known) only north of the United
States; accidental in Europe.

d

‘ Sp. Cuan. Adult, summer plumage: Back and seapulars black, the feathers bordered

and somewhat barred (not continuously, and mostly beneath the surface) with rusty ochra-
ceous, the tips of some of the feathers often whitish; ramp and middle upper tail-coverts

} brownish black; lateral upper tail-coverts white, with wedge-shaped markings of grayish;

. middle tail-feathers dusky, with paler edges;! other rectrices {light brownish gray, with

f

,

—f

" oN ae es, ee ye
~ ; , ~
ce 7 i pas

50 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

white shafts. Crown light grayish fulvous or ochraceous, heavily streaked with black;
wing-coverts brownish gray, with darker centres and paler edges, the shafts blackish; ter-
tials edged with ochraceous; primaries dusky. A light superciliary stripe, and a darker one
on side of the head; neck and jugulum very pale grayish fulvous or fulyous-ashy streaked
with dusky; sides and crissum narrowly streaked; other lower parts immaculate white.
Adult in winter: Above, rather dark brownish-gray, the feathers with indistinctly darker
centers; rump, etc., as in summer plumage. Superciliary stripe and lower parts white,
the jugulum light ashy, indistinctly streaked. Young, first plumage: Very similar to the
summer plumage of the adult, but many of the scapulars and interscapulars tipped with
white, these feathers without any bars; wing-coverts bordered with ochraceous. Jugulum
suffused with pale fulvous, and indistinctly streaked.*

Total length, about 5.50 to 6.50 inches; extent 1] to 11.50; wing, about 3.50 to nearly 4;
culmen, about .75 to .92; tarsus, .75; middle toe, .60. Bill dull black; iris dark brown; legs
and toes dusky.

This abundant and extensively diffused little species resembles
very closely, both in its small size and in its colors, at all sea-
sons, the equally common and widely distributed Semipalmated
Sandpiper (Zrewnetes pusillus). It may be immediately distin-
guished, however, by the completely cleft toes, the other species
having all the anterior toes webbed at the base.

Little need be said about the habits of so common a bird as
the present species, especially since it so much resembles its con-
geners in this respect. Mr. Nelson refers to its occurrence in
Cook county as follows:

“Common migrant. Not so numerous as the preceding [ 47ev-
netes pusillus|. Arrives the Ist of May and remains until the
last of the month; returns with the preceding. The 5th of June,
1875, I found one of these birds building its nest near the
Calumet River. When first observed it was busily at work in
the midst of a small bunch of grass, but upon my approach it
ran a few feet to one side and watched my movements. The
nest was nearly finished, and was a shallow depression in the
center of the tuft of grass, formed by the bird, which had just
commenced lining it with small straws. Unfortunately work
was not resumed upon the nest after my visit, but the birds
were noticed several times in the vicinity, and they probably had
a nest in some safer spot. Several Least Sandpipers were ob-
served near Waukegan, the first of July, 1875, by Mr. Rice, who

”

is certain they had nested in the vicinity.’

*Some young specimens in the collection, apparently of the same age and almost cer-
tainly the same species, differ very strikingly from the a>oove description in the less
amount or total absence of rufous above, the feathers having merely narrow ochraceous
borders, and scarcely any white on the ends of the feathers; the whole plumage being thus
very much duller.

SCOLOPACIDE—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 51

SupGenus Pelidna Cuvier.

Pelidna Cuv. Rég. Anim. 1817, 490; ed. 2, 1829, 526. Type, Tringa alpina Linn.

CxHak. Bill slender, longer than the head, deep through the base, compressed, scarcely
or not at all expanded at the tip, and decidedly decurved terminally. Tarsus shorter than
the bill, longer than the middle toe. Wings reaching beyond end of tail.

The subgenus Pe//dna includes two well-known Sandpipers, both
of which are common to North America and Europe, although
one of them, the Curlew Sandpiper, P. ferruginea, can scarcely
be considered as more than a straggler here. The other is repre-
sented in the two continents by distinguishable races. The char-
acters of the species and races of /e/idna are as follows:

1. T. alpina. Upper tail-covertsdusky. Adult in summer: Belly black, other lower parts
whitish. Winter plumage: Noblack beneath; above, uniform brownish gray. Young:
Belly and breast spotted with black. ;

@. alpina. Wing, 4.30-4.75; culmen, 1.15-1.40; tarsus, .85-1.00; middle toe, .70-.75. Hab.
Europe, ete.

A. pacifica, Wing, 4.60-4.95; culmen, 1.40-1.75; tarsus, 1.00-1.15; middle toe, .70-.75.
Hab. North America and Eastern Asia.

2. T. ferruginea. Upper tail-coverts white. Adult in summer: Beneath, including belly,
deep cinnamon-rufou’. Winter plumage: Beneath, white, indistinctly streaked on
the jugulum; above, brownish gray. Young: Belly and breast unspotted ~*r
Paiwarctic Region: occasional in northern and eastern North America.

Tringa alpina pacifica (Coues).

RED-BACKED SANDPIPER.
Popular synonyms. Stile (Plymouth Bay, Mass.); American Dunlin.

Tringa alpina Wis. Am, Orn. yii, 1813, 25, pl. 56, fig. 2 (nec Linn.).—Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. ii,
1831, 383.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 106.—Aup. Orn, Biog. iii, 1835, 580, pl. 290. Synop. 1839,
234; B. Am. v, 1842, 266.
Tringa cinclus Wis. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 39, pl. 57, fig. 3 (nec Linn.).
Tringa alpina var. americana Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 719.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am.
B, 1859, No. 530.—Covegs, Key, 1872, 256; Check List, 1874, 424; Birds N. W. 1874, 489.
Pelidna alpina americana Ripew. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. 1881, 200; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881,
No. 539a.—Coves, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 624,
Pelidna pacifica Covers, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1861, 189 (in text).
Tringa alpina pacifica Ripew. in A. O. U. Check List, 1886,JNo. 243a; Man. N. Am. B. 1887,
160.

Pelidna alpina, p. pacifica B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 242.
Has. North America in general; breeding far northward; eastern Asia.

Sp. Cuan. Adult in summer: Crown, back, scapulars, rump, and upper tail-coverts,
light rufous, the crown streaked, other parts spotted with black; wing-coverts brownish
gray,the greater broadly tipped with white. Head (except crown), neck, jugulum, and
breast, grayish white, streaked with dusky; abdomen black; sides, flanks, anal region,
crissum, and lining of the wing, pure white, the sides, flanks, and crissum sparsely
streaked. Adult and young in winter: Above, entirely plain ash-gray, sometimes with
very indistinct dusky shaft-etreaks; indistinct superciliary stripe and lower parts white,

52 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

the neck and jugulum indistinctly streaked with grayish, the sides, flanks, and crissum
sometimes sparsely streaked. Young: Back and scapulars black, the feathers broadly
bordered with rusty ochraceous, this becoming paler, or even white, on the ends of some of
the feathers; lesser and middle-wlng coverts bordered with buff; rump plain brownish
slate; upper tail-coverts darker, tipped with rusty; crown light rusty, streaked with black.
Head and neck (except crown and throat) dull dingy buff indistinctly streaked with dusky;
remaining lower parts, including throat, white, the breast and belly with numerous irreg-
ularly cordate spots of black, the flanks, crissum, and lining of the wing immaculate. “Bill
and feet black; iris dark brown.” (AUDUBON.)

Total length about 8.50 inches; wing, 4.60-4.95; culmen, 1.40-1.75 tarsus, 1.00-1.15: middle
toe, .70-.80.

There is a considerable amount of individual variation in this
species, especially noticeable in the extent and continuity of the
black abdominal area, the distinctness of the black markings
above, and the depth of the rufous tint; not unfrequently the
latter is mixed with grayish. In the winter plumage some ex-
amples have the sides and crissum narrowly streaked, while in
others these parts are immaculate.

The Red-backed Sandpiper is an abundant species during the
spring and fall migrations. Mr. Nelson records it as “‘a very
abundant migrant” in Cook county, and says that it “arrives
in full breeding plumage the last of May, and is found about
muddy pools and flats near the Lake until the 5th of June.
Returning in winter dress during September it remains well into
October. At this season it is generally found in small parties,
while in spring the flocks often contain hundreds of individuals.”

GENUS EREUNETES ILt.icer.

Ereunetes InL1IGER, Prodromus, 181], 262. Type, 2. petrificatus InuiG.,=Tringa pusilla
Linn.

CHAR. Size small; anterior toes webbed at the base; a well-developed hindtoe. Bill
about as long as or a little longer than the head, straight, somewhat expanded at the end,
about as long as the tarsus; middle toe more than half as long as the tarsus; bare portion
of tibia nearly equal to the middle toe.

The bill of Zrewnetes is quite stout and considerably expanded,
by which it is really distinguished from 7Zr/nga minutilla inde-
pendently of the semipalmated feet. The tarsus and middle toe
are about equal; the tibia denuded anteriorly for about two
thirds the length of tarsus. The basal membrane of toes is
more scalloped out interiorly than exteriorly; the notch exter-
nally not quite as deep as to the first joint, although the

SCOLOPACIDEH—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 53

membrane extends-beyond the second. There is a tendency to
hexagonal subdivision in the bare portion of tibize anteriorly.
The tail is doubly emarginate.

Two species are known, the common Semipalmated Sand-
piper or “Peep,”’ and a northwestern relative.

-

Ereunetes pusillus (Linn.)

SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.

Popular synonyms. Peep; Ox-eye; Bumble-bee.

Tringa pusilla Linn. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 252.

Ereunetes pusillus Cass. Proce. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. xiii, 1860, 195.—Covugs, Key, 1872,
254; Check List, 1874, No. 417; 2d ed. 1880, No. 612; Birds N. W. 1874, 481 (part).—
Rmew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 541; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 161.—A. O. U. Check
List, 1886. No. 246.

Ereunetes pusillus, a, pusillus B. B, & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 205,

Ereunetes petrificatus Inuie. Prodr. 1811, 262 (Bahia).—Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858,
724 (part).—Barep, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 535.
Tringa semipalmata Wis. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 131, pl. 63, fig. 3.—Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A.
ii, 1831, 381.—-Aup. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 111, pl. 408; Synop. 1839, 236; B. Am. v,
1842, 277, pl. 336.
Tringa (Heteropoda) semipalmata Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 136,,

Has. The whole of North and Middle, andaconsiderable portion of South America;
throughout the West Indies, Bermuda; south to Colombia and Brazil; breeding chiefly, if
not exclusively, north of the United States.

Sp. Coan. Adult, breeding plumage: Upper surface light grayish brown, the sides of the
pileum and edges of some of the scapulars and interscapulars tinged with pale buffy cinna-
mon, but this sometimes almost wholly absent; pileum heavily streaked, and dorsal region
heavily spotted with black, the latter color occupying the central portion of each feather.
A streaked white superciliary stripe, and dusky loral space, the latter usually very dis-
tinetly defined along its upper edge, the lower part broken into streaks, which extend back-
ward across the cheeks; auriculars streaked grayish brown, Lower parts pure white, the
jugulum and breast tinged with ashy and streaked with dusky. Winter plumage: Above
brownish gray, relieved by dusky shaft-streaks; superciliary stripe and lower parts pure
white, the jugulum faintly streaked. Young: Similar to the summer adult, but jugulum
tinged with pale grayish buff, and without well-defined streaks or spots, the scapulars and
interecapulars bordered terminally with white, and the brown usually less rusty. Downy
young: Forehead dingy white, divided by a mesial line of black; crown light chestnut,
marbled posteriorly with black and white; occiput mottled whitish. A distinct loral line of
black, forking just before the eye, the upper branch running toward the anterior corner of
the eye, the other inclining downward. Throut fulvous-white; other lower parts whitish,
nearly pure on the abdomen. Upper parts pale fulvous-brown laterally, black centrally,
the whole surface thickly bespangled with fine white tufts, terminating the down-filaments.

Wing, 3,50-4.00 (3.88); culmen, .68-.92 (.77); tarsus, .80-.95 (.86); middle toe, .55-.65 (61),
(Eighteen summer adults measured.)

This is perhaps the most abundant of the Sandpipers during
the migrations, when several hundred may sometimes be seen
in a single flock. Its habits are so much like those of other
species that no special descrxption is required.

54 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Ereunetes occidentalis Lawr.

WESTERN SANDPIPER.

Ereunetes occidentalis LaAwk. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1864, 107.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886,
No. 247.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 162.
Ereunetes pusillus var. occidentalis Cours, Check List, 1874, No, 417 a.
Ereunetes pusillus occidentalis Ripcw.Nom.N.Am. B. 1881, No. 541 a.—CovEs, Check
List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 713.
Ereunetes pusillus, b, occidentalis B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 205.
Ereunetes pusillus

lareetesmebriientie t Auct. (citations of western localities).

Has. North America in general, except portion east of the Rocky Mountains north of
the United States boundary. Breeding along western coast of Alaska (Bering’s Sea, Nor-
ton Sound, etc.), and thence southward for an undetermined distance; migrating chiefly
through the Western Province, but frequently straying to the Atlantic coast of the U. 8.
(Massachusetts, Virginia, Georgia, etc.); Curacoa, Venezuela, and some of the West Indies
in winter.

Sp. CHar. Adult, breeding plumage: Upper surface bright rusty cinnamon, the
feathers spotted centrally with black, the cinnamon sometimes nearly uniform along the
sides of the crown; a white superciliarly stripe streaked with dusky grayish, this bordered
below by astripe of light rufous or rusty on the side of the head, from the bill across the
lores, and beneath the eyes across the auriculars; remainder ofthe head white, streaked, ex-
cept on the throat (where also sometimes finely flecked) with grayish dusky. Lower parts
pure white, the jugulum and breast thickly marked with broad streaks of dusky, these
broadest and of triangular form on the sides of the breast; sides marked with sagittate
dusky spots. Adult, winter plumage: Not distinguishable from £. pusillus in the same
stage, excopt by greater average length of bill and tarsus. Young: Similar to young of
pusillus, but with rusty ochraceous prevailing on the dorsal region and pileum. Downy
young: Similar to the same stage of Z. pusillus, but the rusty areas of the upper parts
more extended and more castaneous.

Wing, 3.60-3.90 (3.74); culmen, .85-1.15 (.95); tarsus .85.-95 (.89); middle toe, .55-.65 (.60).
{Eighteen summer adults measured.]

This western species is not uncommon during the migrations,
usually mixed in with flocks of the # pusi/lus, but sometimes
in small companies by itself.

GENus CALIDRIS Cuvier.

Calidris CuvreR, Anat. Comp. i, 1799-1800, tabl. ii. Type, Tringa arenaria LINN.

Cuar. General characters of Tringa, but hind toe entirely absent. Bill straight,
rather longer than the head, slightly expanded or spoon-shaped at end. ‘Toes short, the
middle one scarcely two thirds the tarsus.

wine y

SCOLOPACIDH—THE SNIPE FAMILY.

or
co

Calidris arenaria (Linn.)

’ SANDERLING.
Popular synonyms. Skinner (Plymouth Bay, Mass.); White Snipe.

Tringa arenaria Linn. 8. N. ed.12,i,1766,251.—Avp. Orn. Biog. iii,1835,231; Synop. 1839, 287;
B. Am. v, 1842, 287, pl. 338.
Oalidris arenaria LEACH, Syst. Cat. Brit. Mam. & B. 1816, 28.—Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A, ii, 1831,
366.—Nut?T. Man. ii, 1834, 4—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 723.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am.
B. 1859. No. 534.—Covss, Key, 1872, 257, fig. 167; Check List, 1874, No. 427; 2d ed. 1882,
No. 627; Birds N. W. 1874, 492.—Rrpaw. Nom. N. Am.-B. 1881, No. 542; Man, N, Am.
B. 1887, 162.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 249.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No.
248,
Charadrius calidris Linn. 8. N. ed. 12,i, 1766, 255.—Wais. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 68, pl. 59, fig 4.
Charadrius rubidus GMEL. 8. N. ed. 13, i, 1788, 688.—Wis. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 129, pl. 58, fig. 3.

Has. Nearly cosmopolitan, but breeding only in the Arctic and Subarctic districts; in
America migrating south to Patagonia and Chili. Chiefly littoral, but frequenting also the
larger inland waters.

“Sp. Coan. No hind toe; front toes moderate or rather long, flattened underneath, dis-
tinctly margined with a membrane. Bill rather longer than the head, straight, rather thick;
edge of upper mandible flattened; nasal groove deep and nearly as long as the upper man-
dible, not so distinct in the lower; both mandibles widened and flattened at the tip; aper-
ture of the nostril large and covered with amembrane. Wing long; tail short, with the
middle feathers longest; under coverts Jong as the tail; legs moderate; lower third of the
tibia naked. Lower parts white, immaculate on the belly, sides, flanks, axillars, anal region,
and crissum; greater wing-coverts broadly tipped with white, and inner primaries white
at base ofouter webs. Adult in summer: Above, light rufous, broken by large spots of
black, the feathers mostly tipped with whitish. Head, neck, throat, and jugulum, pale cin-
namon-rufous, speckled below and streaked above with blackish. Adult in winter: Above
very pale pearl-gray (the lesser wing-coverts darker anteriorly), relieved only by faint
darker shaft-streaks of the feathers. Throat and jugulum immaculate pure white. Adult
in spring: Above, light grayish, with large black spots (streaks on the crown), here and
there mixed with rufous; jugulum speckled with dusky ona white ground. Young: Above
pale gray, spotted with black and whitish, the latter on tips of the feathers; jugulum im-
maculate white, faintly tinged with dull buff. “ Bill and feet black; iris brown.” (AUDUBON.)

“Total length, about 7.75-8.00 inches; wing, 4.70-5.00; culmen, .95-1.00; tarsus, .90-1.05;
middle toe, .55-.60. (Water B. N. Am.)

The Sanderling is not uncommon in Illinois during the migrat-
ing seasons, but is chiefly confined to the shores of the larger
bodies of water. Near Chicago, Mr. Nelson says that it is an
“abundant migrant along the Lake shore,” and adds the fol-
lowing: “Arrives in full breeding plumage—which varies greatly
with individuals—about the 20th of May, and is found in flocks,
numbering: from five to seventy-five, along the shore, until June
10th. Returns the first of August, still wearing its breeding
dress, which is changed the last of the month for the duller
garb of winter. Departs for the south by the 20th of October.
This species, with 42 meloda, is found almost exclusively along
the bare sandy beach, where it would seem an impossibility for
it to obtain a living.”

_ SP oF ~ *, ee Td eee

56 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Genus LIMOSA Brisson.

Limosa Brisson, Orn. v, 1760, 261. Type, Scolopax limosa Lrxn.

CuHar. Billlengthened, exceeding the tarsus, slender, and curving gently upwards,
grooved to near the tip, the latter not attenuated. Tarsus with transv°rse scutell# before
and behind, reticulated laterally. A short basal membrane between the middle and outer
toes. Bill much longer than head, nearly equaling tarsi and toes together, curving gently
upwards from the base, where it is elevated and compressed, depressed, however, at the
end. The grooves on sides of bill and beneath extend nearly to the tip; the tip of the upper
mandible is thickened, and extends a little below the lower. The gape is slight, not exceed-
ing beyond the base of culmen; the feathers on the side of the bill reach forward to about
the same point, those on the chin a little farther. Tarsus more than one and one half times
the toes, twice the bare part of tibia; hind toe lengthened; outer toe webbed as far as end
of first joint, inner toe with only a short basal web. Tail short, even, two fifths the wings.

In some respects the bill of this genus resembles that of J/acro-
rhamphus, the chief apparent difference being the upward curve
of the one and its straightness in the other.

But two species are known to occur in Illinois. Two others
are included in the North American fauna, one, LZ. /iimosa
(Linn.)—the Black-tailed Godwit—by reason of its accidental
occurrence in Greenland, the other, Z. lapponica bauert (Naum.)
—the Pacific Godwit—occurring abundantly on the coasts and
islands of Alaska. Since the occurrence of either of these species
in Illinois is very unlikely, it is not thought worth while to in-
clude them in the following synopsis:

1. L. fedoa, Tailnarrowly barred; axillars and lining of wing ochraceous. Prevailing color
ochraceous, the head and neck streaked, the remaining upper parts barred with brown-
ish dusky; axillars and lining of the wing deep cinnamon-ochre. Wing, 8.50-9.00; culmen,
3.50-5.00; tarsus, 2.75-3.00; middle-toe, 1.40.

2. L, hemastica, Tail black, with white base and tip; axillars uniform smoky blackish.
Upper tai!-coverts crossed by a wide band of pure white; longer upper tail-coverts, en-
tire rump, and axillars, uniform dusky; lining of wing dusky, spotted with white out-
wardly. Summer plumage: Beneath, chestnut barred with dusky; above, mottled black-
ish. Winter plumage: Beneath, whitish, without markings, the breast and jugulum gray-
ish; above, uniform brownish gray, except rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail. Young:
Beneath, light grayish clay-color, darker on breast; above, brownish gray, feathers
bordered with ochraceous, and somewhat spotted with dusky. Wing, 8.10-8.60; culmen,
2.85-3.45; tarsus, 2.25-2.50; middle-toe, 1.15-1.30.

SCOLOPACID.E—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 57

- Limosa fedoa (Linn.)

MARBLED GODWIT.

Popular synonyms. Marlin; Straight-billed Curlew.
Scolopar fedoa Linn. 8S. N.i, ed. 10, i, 1758, 146; ed. 12, 1766, 244.—Wris. Am. Orn. vii, 1813,
30, pl. 56, f. 4. ;
Limosa fedoa ORD, ed. Wilson, vii, 1824,30.—Sw. & Rieu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 395.—NuTTv-.ii, 1834"
173.—AupD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 287; v, 590, pl. 238; Synop. 1839, 246; B. Am. v, 1842, 331,
pl. 348.—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 740.—Barrp, Cat N. Am. B. 1859, No. 547.—
CovEs, Key, 1872, 257; Check List, 1874, No. 528; Birds N. W. 1874, 492.—B. B. & R.
Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 255.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 49.—Ripew. Man. N. Am.
B. 1887, 163.
Limosa fedaRiwew. Nom N. Am. B. 1881, No. 543.—CoveEs, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 628.

Has. North America; breeding in the interior of the continent (Missouri region and
northward), wintering southward to Yucatan and Guatemala; Cuba.

Sp. Coan. Bill long, curved upwards; both mandibles grooved; wings long; tail short;
legs long; tibia with its lower half naked; toes rather short, margined and flattened under-
neath; the outer and middle toes united by alarge membrane. Entire upper parts varie -
gated with brownish black and pale reddish, the former disposed in irregular and confluent
bands, and the latter in spots and imperfect bands; in many specimens the black color pre-
dominating on the back. and the pale reddish on the rump and upper tail-coverts. Under
parts pale cinnamon, with transverse lines of brownish black on the breast and sides; under
wing-coverts and axillaries darker cinnamon; outer webs of primaries dark brown, inner
webs light cinnamon; secondaries light cinnamon; taillight blackish brown; iris brown;
feet bluish gray. (AUDUBON.)

Total length about 18.00 inches; wing, 9.00; tail, 4.00-5.00; tarsus, 3.00 inches. *

The plumage of this bird is in some stages wonderfully similar
to that of Nwmenius longirostris; in fact the resemblance is so
great that were if not for the conspicuous generic difference it
would be rather difficult to distinguish them specifically. Both
have precisely the same tints of color, and also a nearly identi-
cal distribution of the markings. The main differences appear
to be the following: In Vuimen/us the black bars of the upper
parts are connected by broad stripes along the middle of the
feathers, while in Z/mosa these bars are all isolated and nar-
rower, as well as of a less deep black. The longitudinal streaks
on the head and neck are much less conspicuous in Liémosa; in
the latter there is also oftener a tendency to transverse bars on
the crissum, and less often to streaks on the foreneck.

This fine bird is a rather common migrant in Illinois, known
to sportsmen by the names of Marlin, Godwit, and Straight-
billed Curlew. We have nothing special to offer concerning its
habits.

* A series of ten specimens, including an equal number of males and females, shot by
Mr. Franklin Benner, in Minnesota, between June 5th and 10th, was carefully measured,
with the following results: Males. Total length, 16.50-17.62, average, 17.00; extent, 30,50-
31.50, average, 31.10; bill, 3.66-4.00, average, 3.81. Females, Total length, 18.12-19.62, aver-
age, 19.10; extent, $2.00-33.87, average, 32.82; bill, 4.54-5.06, average, 4.77, (See “Bull. Nutt.
Orn, “Leal g Jan. 1880, p. 18,)

on
oa

BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Limosa hzmastica (Linn.)

HUDSONIAN GODWIT.

Scolopax hemastica Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 147.

Limosa hemastica CovEs, B.N. W. 1874, 760; Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, 1880, 100; Check
List, ed. 2, 1882, No. 629.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 545; Man. N. Am. B.
1887, 164.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 260.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 251.

Scolopax hudsonica Latu. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 720.

Limosa hudsonica Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 396.—Nutt. Man, ii, 1834, 175.—AupD.
Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 426; v, 592, pl. 258; Synop. 1839, 217; B. Am. v, 1842, 335, pl. 349.—
Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 741.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 548.—CovEs,
Key, 1872, 258; Check List, 1874, No. 429; Birds N. W. 1874, 494.

Has. Eastern North America and the whole of Middle and South America. No West
Indian localities recorded except Cuba. Breeds only northward.

Sp. CHar. Smaller than L. fedoa. Summer adult: Above, blackish brown, irregularly
spotted and barred with pale ochraceous, the rump plain brownish black; upper tail-coverts
immaculate white; wing-coverts and shorter quills plain dark brownish gray; primaries
brownish black, their shafts white. Lower parts chestnut-rufous, narrowly barred with
brownish black, the feathers of the belly, etc., often tipped with white. Tail black, with the
base and tip (narrowly) white. Lining of wings and axillars plain smoky black. Winter
plumage: Above,plain dull brownish gray; beneath, white, the breast shaded with brown-
ish gray. Other characters as in summer dress. Young: Somewhat like the winter plum-
age, but each feather of dorsal region marked with a subterminal dusky crescent and a
narrower terminal one of dull ochraceous; beneath very pale drab, or dull light buff, the
abdomen whitish, and the jugulum more grayish. “ Bil! grayish yellow, dark brown along
the ridge of the upper mandible, and blackish towards the tips of both; iris brown; feet
light grayish blue.” (AUDUBON.)

This species resembles somewhat the European JZ. /imosa,
having the tail marked much the same as in that species. The
latter, however, has two white patches on the wing (which in
the present bird has no white at all, except the shafts of the
primaries), and the axillars pure white instead of brownish
black. There are also other differences of coloration, while the
proportions are quite different, Z. /imosa having the bill and
legs much longer.

South American specimens are quite identical with northern
ones.

This species is an abundant migrant in our State, making its
appearance both in April and October. Like the Marbled God-
wit it is fine eating, and on account of its size is, like that
species, much sought by gunners.

SCOLOPACID£—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 59

; Genus TOTANUS BeEcustTEIN.

Supcenus Totanus.

Totanus BEcusT. Orn. Taschenb. 1803, 282. Type, Scolopax totanus LINN.

CHar. Bill usually slender, and slightly upturned terminally, the lateral groove of the
maxilla extending about half way to the tip. No web between the middle and inner toes.
Tarsus about twice as long as the middle toe.

The subgenus TZodtanus is very closely allied to Helodromas
(see page 62), but differs as follows:

, Totanus. Middle toe not more than half as long as the tarsus; bill decidedly shorter
than tarsus. F

Helodromas. Middle toe nearly or quite as long as the tarsus; bill longer than tarsus.

The two North American species of Zotanus, while resembling
each other minutely in coloration, are very different in size and
_ proportions, as the following comparative measurements will

show:

1. T. melanoleucus. Size large—wing more than7 inches. Terminal half of bill slightly
recurved. Wing, 7.40-8.00; culmen, 2.05-2.40; tarsus, 2.35-2.70; middle toe, 1.25-1.50.

2. T. flavipes. Size small—wing less than7inches. Terminal half of bill not perceptibly
recurved. Wing, 6.10-6.65; culmen, 1.30-1.55; tarsus, 2.00-2.15; middle toe, 1.00-1.15,

Totanus melanoleucus (Gmel.)

GREATER YELLOW-LEGS.

Popular synonyms. Big Yellow-legs; Stone Snipe; Tell-tale; Big Cucu (Plymouth Bay,
Mass.); Yelper.

Scolopar melanoleuca GmeEu. 8. N. ed. 13, i, 1788, 659.
Totanus melanoleucus VretLu. Nouv. Dict. vi, 1816, 398.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 68, pl.
308.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 268; Check List, 1874, No. 432; 2d ed. 1882, No. 6338; B. N. W.
1874, 496.—RipGw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 548; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 165.—B. B. & R.
Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 269.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 254.
Gambetta melanoleuca BonaP. 1856.—Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am, 1858,731.—Barrp, Cat. N.
Am. B. No. 539.
Scolopax vociferus Wiis. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 57, pl. 58, fig. 5.
Totanus vociferus VIEILL. 1816.—Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 389.—Aupb. Synop, 1839, 244;
B. Am. y, 1842, 316, pl. 345.

Has. America in general, but breeding only in cold-temperate and subarctic climates
of the northern continent; in winter, south to Chili and Argentine Republic.

Sp.Cuar. Adult,summer plumage: Above, variegated with slate-black, pale gray, and
white, the former predominating, the latter in the form of spots along the edge of the feath-
ers, including the wing-coverts and the tertials; crown and hind neck grayish white, widely
streaked with dusky; upper tail-coverts white, irregularly barred with dusky; primaries
plain blackish slate; tail white, all the feathers barred with dusky, the middle feathers

: grayish, barred with dusky, the latter sometimes obsolete. Head, neck, and lower parts

ee ea
j Me 2

60 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

white, only the abdomen and throat immaculate; lores, cheeks, malar region, auriculars,
and neck (all round), st: eaked with dusky; breast, sides, and flanks, barred or transversely
spotted with dusky, the bars more sagittate on the crissum. Winter plumage: Aboye,
rather light ash-gray, without the black, but with the white spotting of the summer dress;
foreneck and jugulum more narrowly streaked; breast nearly or quite immaculate, and
sides and flanks faintly and irregularly marked with grayish. Young, first plumage: Simi-
lar to the winter dress, but darker and more brownish above, the white spotting tinged with
light brownish buff; lower parts asin winter adult. Bill black; iris brown; legs and feet
deep yellow (tinged with olive in young).

Total length, about 14 inches; wing, 7.50-7.75; culmen, 2.20-2.30; tarsus, 2.50-2.75; middle
toe, 1.35-1.50.

“A common migrant and regular summer resident. Breeds.
Arrives about the middle of April, the larger portion passing
north early in May. Returns September first, and remains until
the last of October. In June, 1875, I found several pairs of
these birds about the Calumet Marshes, where, from their ac-
tions, I was. certain they were breeding, but was not fortunate
enough to find their nests. The 10th of June, 1876, Mr. Rice
observed a pair about a prairie slough, near Evanston. A few,
days later a set of four eggs were brought him from a similar
situation a few miles northwest of that place, and from the
description of the parent bird—driven from the nest—he decided
they must belong to this species. I perfectly agree with Mr.
Rice’s decision, for the prominent characteristics noticed by the
collector are obviously applicable to this bird.

“The nest was situated in a slight depression at the base of
a small hillock near the border of a prairie slough, and was
composed of grass stems and blades. The eggs measure respect-
ively 1.70x1.30; 1.72x1.81; 1.74x1.32; 1.80x1.38 inches. The
ground color is a deep grayish white, marked on three eggs with
spots of dark brown, and on the other egg with spots and
well-defined blotches of a considerably lighter shade of the same.
In addition there are shell markings and obscure spots of lilac.
The markings are disposed quite abundantly over the surface
of the egg, but are more numerous about the larger end.”
(Netson, Bull Essex Inst. VIII., 1876, pp. 128, 129.)

SCOLOPACIDE—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 61

Totanus flavipes ((mel.)

YELLOW-LEGS.

Popular synonyms. Yellow-leg Snipe; Little Oucu (Plymouth Bay, Mass.).

Scolpaz flavipes GMEL. 8. N. ed. 13, i, 1788, 659.—Was. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 55, pl. 58, fig. 4.
Totanus flavipes VrEILL. Nouy. Dict. vi, 1816, 410.—Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 390.—
Nort. Man. ii, 1834, 152—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 573; v, 586, pl. 228; Synop. 1839, 243;
B. Am. vy, 1843, 313, pl. 344.—Couns, Key, 1872, 259;_Check List, 1874, No. 433; 2d ed. 1882,
No. 634; Birds N. W. 1874, 497.—Ripaw. Nom. \. Am. B. 1881, No. 549; Man. N. Am B.
1887, 166.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 273.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 255.
Gambetta flavipes Bonar. 1856.—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 732.—Barkgp, Cat. N.
'— Am. B. 1859, No. 540.

“Has. The whole of America, breeding in the cold-temperate and subarctic districts of
the northern continent; migrating south in winter to Argentine Republic and Chili. Much
rarer in the western than in the eastern province of North America. Accidental in Europe.

“Sp. Coan. Very similar to 7’. melanoleucus, but smaller and more slender. Bill rather
longer than the head, straight, slender, compressed; wing long, pointed; tail short; legs
long, lower half of the tibia naked; toes moderate, slender margined, the outer and middle
united at base.

“Adult, summer plumage. Above, ashy, mixed with ragged blotches of black, this hay-
ing a tendency to form regular transyerse bars on the secondaries and seapulars. Crown
and nape with longitudinal streaks of black on a grayish white ground; upper tail-coverts
pure white, with transverse bars of dusky; tail white, the middle feathers ashy, and all
with transverse, rather narrower, bars of ash. Primaries and their coverts plain dusky
black, Lower parts white, the jugulum and breast densely streaked with blackish, and the
sides marked with more transverse markings of the same color.

“Winter plumage. Above, ashy, sometimes nearly unbroken, but generally slightly
variegated, especially on the scapulars and wing-coverts, with transverse spots of dusky,

* and whitish edging and dots along the margins of the feathers. Streaks almost absent from

the head, neck, and jugulum, which are nearly uniform light ashy; the chin, throat, and
supraloral stripe white, In other respects like the summer plumage. Young. Like the
winter adult, but the light markings above more or less tinged with pale brown or dull
ochraceous.

“Total length about 10.50-11.00 inches; extent, 20.00-21.00; wing, 5.50-6.50; culmen, 1.30-1.55;
tarsus, 2,00. Bill black; iris dark brown; legs and feet bright yellow.” (Water B. N. Am.)

This species is exceedingly similar to 7. melanoleucus in plum-
age, but differs in the following particulars: in the summer
adult the upper parts are more transversely spotted, with a less
amount of black, while the lower parts are without well-defined
transverse spots or bars of black; in the winter plumage, the
head, neck, and jugulum are nearly uniform ashy, instead of
distinctly streaked.

This species is essentially a “small edition” of the Greater Yel-
low-legs, or Tell-tale (7. melanolevcus) so far as appearance is
concerned; and in its general habits is not conspicuously dif-
ferent.

wee bys eee ae ay erro fe

eae Cte ee eo eae el
. ; ty sa* =
‘ i.

62 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Mr. Nelson refers to it as being much more numerous in
northeastern Illinois than the 7. melanoleucus. He adds that
it “frequents the same localities. Arrives a few days later and
departs earlier for the south. A few breed. I obtained the
young, barely able to fly, near a prairie slough the first of
July 1874, a few miles from Chicago, and have since observed
several pairs during the breeding season about the Calumet
marshes.”

SuBGENuS Helodromas Kavp.

Helodromas Kaup, Nat. Syst. 1829, 144. Type, Tringa ochropus Linn.

Cuar. Similar to Tofanus, but smaller, and with middle toe ne irly as long as tarsus.

There is but one American species of this subgenus, and this
has a single Old World representative,—the 7: ochropus (LINN.),—
which differs chiefly in larger size and pure white rump.

Totanus solitarius (Wils.)

SOLITARY SANDPIPER.

Popular synonyms. Peet-weet; Wood Snipe or Sandpiper; Pond Peet-weet or Tiltup.

Tringa solitaria Wis. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 53, pl. 58 fig. 3.
Totanus solitarius Bonar. Jour, Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. v, 1825, 86—AupD. Synop. 1839,
242; B. Am. vy, 1842, 309, pl. 343.—Covuss, Key, 1872, 259; Check List, 1874, No. 435; Birds
N. W. 1874, 498.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 256.—Ripe@w. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 166.
Rhyacophilus solitarius Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 733.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B.
1859, No. 541.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B, 1881, No, 550.—Covurs, Check List, 2d ed. 1882,
No. 637.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 278.
Totanus chloropygius VrEruu. Nouy. Dict. vi, 1816, 40—Sw. & Rion. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 393.—
Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 159.—AupD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 576; v, 1839, 583, pl. 289,

Has. The whole of Northand Middle America and the greater part of South America,
ranging south to Brazil and Peru; breeding throughout temperate North America, but
chiefly northward; accidental in Europe. =

Sp. CHar. Adult in summer: Above olivaceous-slate, rather sparsely speckled with
white, the crown and nape indistinctly streaked with the same; outer upper tail-coverts
barred with white; primaries and primary coverts plain slate-black. Tail white (the mid-
dle feathers dusky), allthe feathers widely barred with dusky, these bars most numerous
on outer webs, where extending to the base of the feathers. Eyelids, supraloral stripe, and
lower parts white, the sides of the head, neck (all round), and jugulum streaked with
brownish slate; remaining lower parts immaculate. Lining of wing and axillars slate-
color, regularly barred with white. Winter plumage: Similar to the summer dress, but
dark ashy above, less distinctly speckled, and foreneck very indistinetly streaked, or
simply washed withashy. Young: Above, grayish brown (lighter and more olivaceous
than the adult), thickly speckled with buff; crown and nape plain brownish gray; cheeks
and sides of neck nearly uniform gray; foreneck streaked, as in the adult.

SCOLOPACIDA—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 63

Total length, about 8.00-8.50 inches; extent, 15.50-16.50; wing, 5.00-5.40; culmen, 1.15-1.30;
tarsus, 1.25-1.30; middle toe, 1.00. Bill greenish brown (in life), dusky terminally: iris brown;
legs and feet olive-green in adult, more grayish in young.

With the exception of the Spotted Sandpiper this is the only
species of the smaller Scolopacidw which breeds throughout the
State. Yet, notwithstanding this fact, its eggs have never yet,
so far as is known to the writer, been taken.*

“In Long Island, according to Giraud, it is not very abund-
ant, yet by no means rare. It is distributed singly or in pairs
along such creeks as are reached by the tide; and it is also ob-
served about pools and rivulets more remote from the sea. It
seldom visits the beach, and is very rarely met with in the salt-
marshes on the bays. It often takes up its abode near the
habitations of man, preferring his society to that of the numer-
ous species of shore-birds frequenting the seaside. It is not con-
sidered game, and is not hunted, and thus becomes quite famil-
iar. When nearly approached it flies but a short distance before
it re-alights, to resume its occupation of probing the soft mud
for worms and minute shellfish, which abound in its favorite
haunts. It also resorts to decayed logs for the purpose of pro-
curing grubs, and from this peculiarity of habit it is by some
known as the “Wood Tatler.’ When surprised it utters a
sharp whistling note, raises its wings, and runs nimbly over the
miry ground. If closely pursued, it retreats to the opposite side
of the pond, arranges its feathers, and soon-resumes its usual
gentle manners. This bird is very active on the wing, and may
sometimes be seen darting after winged insects, which it is very
expert in catching; and when flying, its long and gracefully
curved wings add greatly to the effect of its neat plumage. It
arrives on Long Island in May, and is not seen there after Sep-
tember.

“Wilson states that this species is found in the summer in
damp meadows among our highest mountains, from Kentucky
to New York, on the mossy margins of mountain springs. He
found it unsuspicious, and permitting a near approach without
appearing to be in the least alarmed; he had no doubt that
these birds regularly bred on Pocono Mountain, near Easton,

*Itis not improbable that this species, like its European relative, the Green Sandpiper
(7. ochropus), deposits its eggs in deserted nests of other birds, such as the Wood Thrush
and other species which nest in moist woodlands.

64 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

though he could never find their nests. He notes its resemblance,
both in manners and markings, to the TZotanus ochropus, or
Green Sandpiper, of Europe.

‘Nuttall states that a pair frequented, very familiarly, the
small fish-pond in the Botanic Garden in Cambridge, attracted by
larvee that fed on the water-lily. They would trip over thesinking
leaves with all the lightness and agility of the Rail.”” (BREWER.)

In Cook county, Mr. Nelson says that it is a ‘‘common mi-
grant,” arriving the first of May and remaining until about the
25th, when the majority go farther north. He says: ‘‘I have
several times taken young of this species just able to fly, and
have observed the adults throughout the breeding season. I do
not think there is the slightest doubt of its breeding in this
vicinity. Departs for the south in August and September.”

Genus SYMPHEMIA RaAFinesQue.

Symphemia RAFINESQUE, Jour. de Phys. vii, 1819, 418. Type, Scolopax semipalmata GMEL.

CHAR. Bill compressed, very thick, the culmen rounded. The lower mandible scarcely
grooved the upper grooved to about the middle. Culmen slightly convex; gonys ascend-
ing. Bill cleft but little beyond base of culmen. Feathers of sides of both mandibles fall-
ing short of the nostrils, the lower rather farther forward. Chin-feathers reaching to mid-
dle of nostrils. Bill longer than head; about equal to tarsus, which is more than one and
one half times the middle toe. Both toes webbed; the emargination of inner web as far
forward as the middle of basal joint of middle toe, the outer reaching nearly to the end.
Bare portion of tibia rather less than middle toe without claw. Tail nearly even, or a little
rounded, not half the wings.

Symphemia semipalmata ((imel.)*

WILLET.

Scolopax semipalmata Guru. 8. N. ed. 13, i, 1788, 659.—Wis. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 27, pl. 56,
fig. 3.

Totanus semipalmatus TEMM., 1828.—Sw. & Rion. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 388, pl. 67—Aup. Orn.
Biog. iii, 1835, 510; v, 1839, 585, pl. 574; Synop. 1839, 245; B. Am. y, 1842, 324, pl. 347.—
Cougs, Key, 1872, 258; Check List, 1874, No. 481; Birds N. W. 1874, 44.

Totanus (Catoptrophorus) semipalmatus BONAP. 1827.—NutTr. Man. ii, 1884, 144.

Symphemia semipalmata Hart. Rey. Zool. 1845, 342.—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858,
729.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 537.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 552;
Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 167.—Cougs, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 682.—B. B. & R. Water B.
N. Am. i, 1884, 285.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 258.

Has. Temperate North America, south to Brazil; West Indies. Accidental in Europe,

Sp. CHar. Largest of American Scolopacide, except genera Numenius and Limosa.
Primaries black, with nearly the basal half white, producing a very conspicuous patch on
the spread wing Summer adult: Above, light brownish gray, streaked on head and neck,

*The western birds have recently (Auk, iv, April, 1887, p. 145,) been separated by Mr.
Brewster as S. semipalmata inornata. This form occurs in Illinois, but whether the true
S. semipalmata does also, I am not at present able to state.

SCOLOPACID— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 65

and spotted and barred on the back, ete., with blackish; beneath, white, tinged with ashy
on foreneck and with buff along sides, the former, with jugulum, spotted with dusky, and
the latter barred with the same; upper tail-coverts white; tail ashy, more or less distinctly
mottled transversely with a deeper shade of the same; wing-coverts plain ash-gray; axil-
lars and lining of wing plain sooty'black. Winter plwmage: Above, plain ash-gray; beneath,
immaculate dull white, the foreneck shaded with grayish. Young: Above, brownish gray,
the feathers margined with pale ochraceous: sides much tinged with the same, and finely
mottled transversely with grayish. Bill black; legs and feet grayish. In life, “bill light
blue, dusky toward end; iris brown; feet light blue, claws black.” (AuDUBON.)

Total length, about 15.00-17.00 inches; extent, 25.00-30.00; wing, 8.00-9.00; culmen, 2.30-2.60;
tarsus, 2.40-2.85; middle toe, 1.35-1.40. ’

“The Willet,” says Dr. Brewer, ‘‘is one of the most extensively
distributed of North American birds. It is not only found along
the entire Atlantic coast from Nova Scotia to Florida, and
along the entire Gulf coast, but is equally abundant on the
Pacific and through nearly all the marshy regions of the in-
terior; it also occurs throughout Central and South America
as far south as the Pampas, where it breeds in large numbers.”

“Mr. Nelson refers to this species as being a rare summer resi-
dent in the marshes and on the wet prairies of northwestern
Illinois, where it arrives the last of April, leaving by the first
of October. The same writer afterward found it abundant on
the shores of Salt Lake, in company with Avocets, where its
clamor made it a perfect nuisance to the sportsman. Captain
Bendire also noticed it as an abundant summer resident in
southeastern Oregon, where he procured several sets of its eges,
which began to be laid about the 10th of May. These birds
were quite as abundant in the higher mountain valleys, at an
altitude of six thousand feet, as they were in the lower regions,
apparently frequenting all marshy localities. Dr. Bryant found
this to be an abundant species in the Bahamas, where it was
also resident, breeding in all suitable localities, and being
known as the ‘Duck Snipe.’”? (Brewer.)

Genus BARTRAMIA Lesson.

Bartramia Lesson, Traité d’Orn. 1831, 553. Type, B. laticauda Less.,=Tringa longi-

cauda BECHST.

Cuar. Upper mandible grooved laterally to within the terminal fourth, the lower not
quite so far. Culmen concave to near the tip, where it is slightly decurved; gonys straight.
Mouth deeply cleft, almost as far back as the anterior canthus of the eye. The culmen only
about two thirds the commissure, shorter than the head or tarsus, and about equal to middle
toe, without claw. Feathers extending much farther forward on the upper jaw than on the
lower, although those of chin reach nearly to end of nostrils. Tarsus one and one half
times middle toe and claw; the bare part of tibia not quite equal to the middle toe above;
outer toe united at base as far as first joint; web of inner toe very short. Tail long, gradu-
ated, more gy half the wings.

66 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Bartramia longicauda (Bechst.)

BARTRAM’S SANDPIPER.

Popular synonyms. Bartramian Tatler; Field Plover; Upland Plover; Prairie Plover.

Tringa longicauda Becust. Uebers. Lath. Ind. Orn. ii, 1812, 453.

Bartramius longicaudus Bonar. Rey. et Mag. Zool. xx, 1857, 59.

Bartramia longicauda Cougs, Bull. N. O. C. Apr. 1880, 100; Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No.
640.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1882, No, 555; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 169.—B. B. & R.
Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 296.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 261.

Tringa bartramia Wiis. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 63, pl. 59, fig. 2—Aup. Synop. 1839, 231; B.
Am. v, 1842, 248, pl. 327.

Tringa (Luliga) bartramia Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 168.

Totanus bartramius Tem. 1820.—Sw. & Ricw. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 391—Avupb. Orn. Biog.
iv, 1838, 24, pl. 303.

Actiturus bartramius Bonar. 1831.—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 737.—RAIRD,
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 545.—Covugs, Key, 1872, 260; Check List, 1874, No. 438; Birds
N. W. 1874, 502.

Has. Eastern Province of North America, migrating south to Brazil and Peru, and ex-
tending north to the interior of Alaska and to Noya Scotia. Breeds throughout its North
American range. Occasional in Europe.

Sp. Coan. Bill about as long as the head, rather wide and flattened at base, slightly

curved at the tip; nostril with a large membrane; nasal groove long; wing long; tail long
for this group; legs moderate or rsther long; lower half of the tibia naked; toes moderate,
the outer and middle united by a membrane, inner and middle free to the base, hind toe
small. Adult: Above, grayish brown, the feathers paler and more ochraceous toward
their edges, spotted and barred with black; head and neck (except throat) streaked with
blackish; crown blackish, divided by a mesial line of buff; throat, belly, and crissum plain
buffy white; axillars pure white and clear dusky slate in regular bars of nearly equal
width; tail feathers (except middle pair) creamy buff, broadly tipped with white, crossed by
a broad subterminal black spot, and withafew irregular narrow bars anterior to this;
outer webs of primaries plain dusky slate, the inner webs with wide transverse bars of white
on the outer quill, on the others broken into a confused mottling. Rump and upper tail-
coverts nearly uniform blackish, the lateral feathers of the latter with their outer webs
partly white. Young: Similar to the adult, but the buff of the head, jugulum, wings, ete.,
much deeper, the streaks on the foreneck and jugulum much less distinct, and the back
plain black, the feathers bordered with buff. ‘Bill yellowish green, the tip dusky, the
edges toward the base yellow; iris dark hazel; legs and tarsi light yellowish gray, toes
rather darker, claws brownish black”. Downy Young: Above coarsely and irregularly
mottled with black on a grayish-white ground, tinged with light rusty. Lower parts buffy
white, with about three blackish spots on the flanks, one beneath the eye, a smaller one on
the lores, about half-way between the bill and the eye, anda large, nearly vertical, one
back of the ears.

Total length, about 12 inches; wing, 6.50-7.00; culmen, 1.10-1.15; tarsus, 1.90—1.95; middle
toe, .90-1.05.

To the residents of the prairie districts of our State, the “Up-
land Plover,” or ‘Field Plover,” as this bird is usually named,
is as familiar a bird as the Prairie Chicken or Meadowlark.
The following observations by Mr. Nelson, will apply to almost
any portion of the State with reference to this species:

SCOLOPACID.E—THE SNIPE FAMILY. 67

\
“Very common summer resident. Arrives early in April and

departs in September. Frequents in greatest abundance the
borders of marshes and half wild prairies. Quite difficult to
approach when it first arrives, but during the breeding season
becomes perfectly reckless, and hovers oyer head or follows
through the grass within a few yards until if has escorted the
intruder well off its domain. The presence of a dog in the
vicinity of its nesting place is the signal for a general onslaught
by all the birds in the vicinity, which hover over the dog, and
with loud cries endeavor to drive it away. Being but little ap-
preciated as game it is seldom hunted in this vicinity.”

Genus ACTITIS Inuicer.

Actitis Inu1cEer, Prodr. 1811, p. 262. Type, by elimination, Tringa hypoleuca Linn.
Tringoides BonaP. Saggio di una dist., ete., 1831, 58. Same type.

CHar. Upper mandible grooved to the terminal fourth; the bill tapering and rather
acute. Cleft of mouth only moderate; the culmen about five sixths the commissure.
Feathers extending rather farther on side of lower jaw than upper, the former reaching as
far as the beginning of the nostrils; those of the chin to about their middle. Bill shorter
than the head, straight, equal to the tarsus, which is of the length of middle toe and claw.
Bare part of tibia half the tarsus. Outer toe webbed to first joint; inner cleft nearly or
quite to the base. Tail much rounded, more than half the wing.

Actitis macularia (Linn.)

SPOTTED SANDPIPER.

Popular synonyms. Sand Snipe; Sand Lark; River Peet-weet or Tip-up; River Snipe.

Tringa macularia Lun. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 249.—Waiis. Am. Orn. vii, 1815, 60, pl. 59, fig. 1.

Totanus macularius TEMM. 1815.—Nurt. Man, ii, 1834, 162.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv, 1839, 81, pl.
310; Synop. 1839, 242; B. Am. v, 1842. 303, pl. 342.

Tringoides macularius GRAY, 1849.—Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 735.—Batrp, Cat. N.
Am. B. 1859, No. 543.—Coves, Key, 1872, 260; Check List, 1873, No. 346; 2d ed. 1882, No.
638; B. N. W. 1874, 501.—RipGw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, 557.—B. B. & R. Water B. N.
Am. i, 1884, 301. ’

Actitis macularia Naum. Vog. Deutsch. viii, 1836, 34.—A,O. U. Check List, 1886, No.
263.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 170.

Has. The whole of North and Middle America, and South America as far as Brazil;
occasional in Europe; no Greenland record. Breeds throughout temperate North
America.

Sp. CHAR. Small, bill rather longer than the head, straight, slender; long grooves in
both mandibles; wing rather long, pointed; tail medium, rounded; legs rather long; lower
third of the tibia naked; toes long, margined, and flattened underneath, the outer con-
nected with the middle toe by a large membrane, the inner very slightly connected to the
middle toe, Adult: Upper parts greenish ashy, with a somewhat metallic or bronzed luster
and with numerous sagittate, lanceolate, and irregular, mostly transverse, spots of brown-
ish black, having the same lustre. Line over the eye and entire under parts white, with
numerous circular and oval spots of brownish black over the whole surface, smaller on the

68 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

throat, largest on the abdomen. Primaries plain dusky; tail dark ashy, the outer feathers
with dusky and white transverse spots on their terminal portion; axillars immaculate
white. Young: Above, greenish ashy, the wings with narrow transverse bars of black and
buffy most numerous on the coverts. Beneath, white, without any spots, and with
an ashy suffusion across the jugulum. Downy chick: Above, yellowish gray, with a nar-
row black dorsal stripe from the bill to the tail; a narrow black line through the eye. Be-
neath, dull white.

Total length, about 7.75 inches; extent, 13.00-14.00; wing, 4.05-1.30; culmen, .90-1.00; tarsus
-90-1.05; middle toe, .70.-80. Mandib’e and edge of the maxilla pale wax-yellow (in life); rest
of bill black; iris dark brown; tarsi and toes pale grayish olive.

This is probably the most generally distributed species of the
family, since it is to be found along the banks of nearly every
stream, large or small, in the land.

In Cook county, the Spotted Sandpiper is, according to Mr.
Nelson, a ‘“‘very common summer resident.’ Mr. Nelson’s note
concerning it continues as follows: ‘Arrives in April and departs
late in autumn. Breeds in abundance among the small sand
hills, along the Lake shore. Near Waukegan, the first of June,
1876, I saw Mr. T. H. Douglas secure over two dozen of their
eges in considerably less than an hour. The nests were generally
placed under a small shrub or in a thin tuft of grass and the
eggs could be seen several yards away.”

Grenus TRYNGITES Capants.

Tryngites Cas. Journ. fur. Orn, 1856, 418. Type, Tringa rufescens VIEILL.,—=7. subru-
ficollis VIRILL.

CuHar. Upper mandible grooved to about the terminal fourth; the lower not quite so
far. Culmen and gonys about straight. Mouth deeply cleft more than half way to the eye;
the culmen about two thirds the commissure. Culmen much shorter than the head, and
about equal to middle toe without claw. Tarsus about one and one sixth as long as middle
toe andclaw. Bare part of tibia decidedly shorter than middle toe without claw. Toes
cleft to the base, with only a very rudimentary web. Upper jaw feathered to the nostrils;
the side of the lower, and beneath, feathered much farther, or to the end of the nostrils; the
interspace of the rami entirely filled. Tail somewhat graduated, not half the wing.

Tryngites subruficollis (Vieill.)
BUFF-BREASTED SANDPIPER.

Tringa subruficollis VIEILL. Nouy. Dict. xxxiv, 1819, 465.
Tryngites subruficollis Ripew. Proce. U. 8. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 356; Man. N. Am. B.
1887, 169—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 262.
Tringa rufescens Vreruu. Nouv. Dict. xxxiv, 1819, 470 (Louisiana)—Nutr. Man. ii, 1834,
113.—AupD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1885, 451, pl. 265; Synop., 1839, 235; B. Am. v, 1842, 264, pl. 271.
Tryngites rufescens CABAN. J. f. O. 1856, 418 (Cuba).—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858,
739.—Batrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 546.—Cours, Key, 1872, 260; Check List, 1878, No.
439; 2d ed. 1882, No. 641; B. N. W. 1874, 506.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 556.—B.
B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 305,
Actidurus nevius HEERM. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vii, 186, 178; Pacifie R. R, Rep. x,
pt. vi, 1859, 20, pl. 6 (Texas).

SCOLOPACIDE—THE SNIPE FAMILY. ; 69

Has. North America in general, especially the interior; breeding chiefly in the interior
of British America and the Yukon district; migrating south to Peru and Uruguay. Fre-
quent in Europe. No West Indian record, except Cuba.

Sp. Cuan. Bill shorter than the head, straight, compressed, narrow at the point; nasal
groove long; wings very long, first quill longest, the tertials rather shorter; tail moder-
ate or longer than usual in this group; legs rather long, lower third of the tibia naked; toes
free at base, flattened underneath, and slightly margined; hind toe small. Upper parts pale
and dull ochraceous, with an ashy tinge; every feather with a large central, lanceolate,
crescent-shaped, or oblong spot of black, frequently with a glossy green tinge, especially
on the back and shorter tertials. Under parts light ochraceous or p le fawn-color, many
feathers tipped with white, and paler on the flanks and abdomen, on the breast with par-
tially concealed small spots of black; axillary feathers white. Quills white, their outer webs
light brown, inner webs ashy white marbled with black and narrowly tipped with white;
middle tail-feathers brownish black; outer feathers lighter, with transverse waved lines of
black on the terminal half, and tipped with white; under primary-coverts beautifully
marbled with black. Bill greenish black; legs greenish yellow. Young. Generally simi-
lar, but the upper parts with the black and fawn-color less sharply contrasted, and each
feather with a conspicuous terminal border of white. Marbling on inner webs of primaries
and on under primary-coverts much more minute and delicate than in the adult. “Bill dull
olive-green, dusky toward the point; iris hazel; feet dull yellowish green, claws dusky.”
(AUDUBON.)

Total length, about 7.50-8.00 inches; wing, 5.10-5.50; culmen, .75-.80; tarsus, 1.15-1.30;
middle toe, .75-.85.

This handsome species is, so far as we know, one of the rarer
migrants in Hlinois. Mr. Nelson mentions a single specimen ‘‘in
the collection of Mr. R. P. Clarke, obtained upon the Lake
shore, at Chicago, September 4th, 1873,” and is inclined to
doubt Dr. Hoy’s statement (Wis. Agr. Rep. 1852) that it is
“quite common” near Racine, Wis., from September 15th to
October 10th. It may be, however, that it is not so rare as
Mr. Nelson supposes, but has escaped his observation, since in
other portions of the Mississippi Valley it is very abundant.

SupraMity NUMENINZ.

Cuar. Back of tarsus covered with small hexagonal seales ; bill much longer than tar-
sus, decidedly decurved or arched.

Genus NUMENIUS Brisson.

Numenius Briss. Orn. vi, 1760, 311. Type, Scolopax arquata Linn.

CHar. Legs covered anteriorly with transverse scutellm, laterally and behind with
small hexagonal scales. Bill very long, exceeding the tibia, and curved downward for the
terminal half; the culmen rounded. Tip of bill expanded laterally and elub‘shaped.
Grooves of bill not reaching beyond the middle. Tertials as long as primaries.

Bill variable in length, always longer than tarsus, sometimes exceeding tarsus and toes.
It is nearly straight at the base, then decurving quite rapidly to the tip, where the upper
mandible is thickened downward beyond and over the lower. Lateral grooves occupying

70 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

only the basal half or third of the bill; under mandible not grooved beneath. Cleft of
mouth extending but little beyond the base of culmen. Feathers of head extending about
the same distance on both mandibles; those of chin to opposite the anterior extremity of
the nostrils. Tarsi nearly twice as long as middle toe, rather more than twice the bare part
of tibia, It is covered behind by hexagonal scales larger than the lateralones. Outer toe
webbed atits basal joint; inner for half this distance. Tail short, nearly even, not quite
half the wings.

Of the genus Wuwmenius several species are found in North
America, none of them occurring revuwlarly in the Old World, as
is the case with so many of the Zringine.

The three species occurring in eastern North America may be
distinguished as follows:

1. N. longirostris, Wing, 10.00-12.00; culmen, 3.80-5.90; tarsus, 2.25-3.50; middle toe, 1.30-
1.55. Lower parts pale cinnamon; axillars deep cinnamon, without distinct bars;
crown uniformly streaked, without median stripe. Hab. Temperate North America
south to Guatemala, Cuba, Jamaica, and Brazil (?).

2. N.hudsonicus. Wing, 8.00-10.25; culmen, 3.00-4.00; tarsus, 2.25-2.30; middle toe, 1.35-
1.40. Lower parts pale buff, the breast marked with linear streaks; inner webs of
primaries spotted with buff toward edges; axillars deeper buff, distinctly barred
with dusky; crown uniform dusky, divided by a median stripe of pale buff. Hab.
The whole of America, including West Indies, but breeding only in the colder
regions; Greenland.

3. NN. borealis, Wing, 8.00-8.50; culmen, 2.25-2.50; tarsus, 1.70-1.80; middle toe, 1.00.
Very similar to V. hudsonicus, but breast with V-shaped dusky markings, axillars
pale cinnamon, barred with dusky, inner webs of primaries uniform dusky, the
whole crown streaked, and without distinct median stripe. Hab. Northern and
eastern North America, and southern South America; no West Indian record;
Greenland; occasional in Europe.

Only two others are known to occur in the New World. One
of these (4. femoralis), which has been taken in Alaska, is dis-
tinguished by having the thighs ornamented by long bristles,
the tail and its coverts ochraceous, the latter crossed by nar-
row bands of dusky brown; the size and general coloration
much as in WV. hudsonicus. WV. pheopus, an Old World species
which occasionally visits Greenland, is still more like WV. hud-
sonicus, from which it differs chiefly in haying the rump pure
white.

Numenius longirostis Wils.

LONG-BILLED CURLEW.

Popular synonyms, Sickle-bill, or Sickle-bill Snipe or Curlew; Snipe (Salt Lake Val-
ley); Big Curlew.

Numenius longirostris Wis. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 24, pl. 64, fig. 4—Sw. & Rion. F, B.-A.
ii, 1831, 376.—Nutrr. Man. ii, 1834, 94.—AupD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 240; v, 1839, 587, pl. 231;
Synop. 1839, 254; B. Am. vi, 1848, 85, pl. 855. —Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 743,—

ie

. SCOLOPACIDE—THE SNIPE FAMILY. yal

Barry, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 549.—Covugs, Key, 1872, 262; Check List, 1873, No. 441;
2d ed. 1882, No. 643; Birds ,N. W. 1874, 508—Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No, 558;
Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 170.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 311—A, O. U. Check List,
1886, No. 264.

Numenius occidentalis Woonvu. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vi, 1852, 194; Sitgreaves’ Rep.
1853, 98, pl. 6 (= young; Albuquerque, N. M).

Has. Temperate North America, migrating south to Guatemala. Cuba; Jamaica;
Brazil (?).

Sp. Cxar. The largest American species of this genus. Bill very long, much curved;
upper mandible longer than the under, somewhat knobbed at the tip; wing rather long;
legs moderate; toes united at base. Entire upper parts pale rufous, tinged with ashy;
every feather with transverse and confluent bands of brownish black, most numerous and
predominating on the back and scapulars; secondary quills, under wing-coverts, and
axillars, cinnamon-rufous; primaries with their outer webs brownish black and their inner
webs rufous, with transverse bands of black. Under parts pale rufous, with longitudinal
lines of black on the neck and sides; tail rufous, tinged with ashy, transversely barred
with brownish black. Bill brownish black; base of under mandible reddish yellow; legs
biuish brown. Specimens vary to some extentin the shade of the rufous color of the plum-
age, and very much in the length of the bill. Therufous color is probably more distinctin
the young. Total length, about 25.00 inches; extent, about 40.00; wing, 10,00-11.00; tail, 4.00;
bill, 2.30 (immature individual) to 8.50; tarsus, 2.25. Bill blaek, becoming dull light lilac-
brown on basal half of the mandible; iris brown; legs and feet gray.

Downy young. Very pale ochraceous with a tinge of sulphur-yellow, rather deeper be-
low than above. Upper parts marbled coarsely and rather irregularly with black. Bill
straight, about 1.40 inches long.

This bird appears to vary in size quite materially, and in the
length of bill in different specimens so much so as to be quite
perplexing; in fact, the bills of scarcely any two specimens are
of the same length. In color, also, there is considerable
variety, but the species can readily be distinguished.

There are in the National Museum collection specimens which
are undoubtedly 1. occidentalis, Woodhouse, as above cited.
The clear rufous of the plumage and the shorter bill, as given
by Dr. Woodhouse, are present in these specimens; but the rufous
color is very probably characteristic of young age, while in the col-
lection almost any length of bill can be produced, the extremes
being about 2.30 and 8.50.

The Long-billed Curlew or ‘‘Sickle-bill” is more or less com-
mon, according to the locality, during the migrations. Mr.
Nelson refers to it in his list (p. 180) as follows:

“Formerly very abundant during the migrations and a com-
mon summer resident. Now rather uncommon in the migra-
tions and a very rare summer resident. A pair nested on the
Calumet Marshes the spring of 1573. More numerous on the
large marshes in central Illinois. Arrives the last of April and
departs in October.”

72 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. 4

Numenius hudsonicus (Lath.)

HUDSONIAN CURLEW.

Popular synonyms. Jack Curlew; Short-billed Curlew.
Scolopax borealis Wis. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 22, p]. 56, fig. 1 (wee ForsTER 1772).
Numenius borealis Ord, ed. WILSON, 1825.—BREWER, ed. WILSON, 1840, 473 (excl. syn.).

Numenius hudsonicus Lats. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 712.—Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 377.—
Nur. Man. ii, 1834, 97—Aub. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 283; v, 1839, 589, pl. 237; Synop. 1839,
554; B. Am. vi, 1843, 42, pl. 356.—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. A. 1858, 744.—Batep, Cat. N. Am.
B. 1859, No. 550.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 262; Check List, 1873, No. 442; 2d ed. 1882, No. 645;
Birds N. W. 1874, 509.—Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 559; Man. N. Am. B. 1887,
171.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 315.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 265.

Numenius intermedius Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 100.

Has. The whole of America, including the West Indies; breeds in the high north, and
winters chiefly south of the United States. Greenland.

Sp. CHar. Adult. Crown dark sooty brown, divided longitudinally by a mesial stripe
of buff; a narrow dusky stripe on side of head, from bill to anterior angle of the eye, con-
tinued back beneath the eye and along upper edge of auriculars, separated from the dusky
of the crown by a wide, well-defined superciliary stripe of light buff, the chin, throat, and
abdomen immaculate; other portions, including cheeks, entire neck, jugulum, and breast
marked with linear streaks of dark brown; axillars pinkish buff or dilute cinnamon, barred
with dark brown. Upper parts spotted with dark sooty brown and light buff, the latter pre-
vailing on the wing-coverts, the former on the back; rump and upper tail-coverts similarly
spotted; primaries dusky, the inner quills spotted with buff.

This species is much rarer than the Long-billed Curlew, and
never remains within the State during the breeding season. We
are unfortunately unable to present any information of partic-
ular interest respecting its habits.

Numenius borealis (l‘orst.)

ESKIMO CURLEW.

Popular synonyms, Little Curlew; Dough-bird; Futes (Long Island).

Scolopaz borealis Forst. Phil. Trans. lxii, 1772, 411, 451 (Albany Fort).

Numenius borealis Lars. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 712.—Sw. & Rien. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 378, pl.
65.—Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 101—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii. 1835, 69; v, 1839, 590, pl. 208; Synop.
1839, 255; B. Am. vi, 1843, 45, pl. 357.—Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 714.—Barrp,
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 551.—Couns, Key, 1872, 262; Check List, 1873, No. 448; 2d
ed. 1882, No. 646; B. N. W. 1874, 510.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 188], No. 560; Man.
N. Am. B. 1887, 171.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884,318.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886,
No. 266.

Has. Eastern Provin:e of North America; breeding in Aretic districts, where extend-
ing from the Prybilof Islands (not breeding) to Greenland: migrating south to extremity of
South America (Falkland Islands, Patagonia, and Chili); no West Indian record,
but noted from Bermuda and Trinidad (Leotaud). Occasional in Europe. Not recorded
from western North America.

Sp. Coan. Adult. Crown dusky, streaked with buff, but without distinct mesial stripe;
a dusky stripe of aggregated streaks on side of head, from bill to and behind the eye; rest
of head, neck, and entire lower parts light buff, the cheeks and neck streaked, the breast,

SCOLOPACIDE— THE SNIPE FAMILY. 73

sides, flanks, and crissum with V-shaped markings of dusky brown; axillars and lining of

the wing pale cinnamon, the former narrowly barred with dusky. Upper parts spotted
dusky and buff, the wing-coverts more grayish brown, with dusky shaft-streaks; primaries ,
including their inner webs, plain brownish dusky. Rump and upper tail-coverts spotted
dusky and light buff. Tail brownish gray, barred with dusky.

In plumage, this little Curlew closely resembles NW. hudsonicus, but has the inner webs
of the primaries either plain dusky or else finely and confusedly mottled, instead of being
marked with very distinct and regular ochraceous spots; the breast with transverse
V-shaped markings instead of linear, longitudinal streaks, while there are other differen-
ces, besides the important one of size, which serve to readily distinguish them.

The Little Curlew or “Dough Bird” is of rather common oc-
currence in Illinois during the migrations, arriving, according
to Mr. Nelson, a little later than WV. hudsonicus, passing north
with short delay, and returning the last of September and in
October. While lingering with us it frequents chiefly the wet
prairies, in company with the Golden Plover.

—10

Ke foe eye aie aed

74 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

FAMILY RECURVIROSTRIDZ.—THE AvoceTs AND STILTS.

The Recurvirostride, in addition to the features already men-
tioned (see p. 19), are characterized by the excessive length of
the legs, with very long slender neck and subulate, elongated
bill. The plumage has the same dense, soft character as that
of the Phalaropodide, Fulicine, and Longipennes.

GENERA.

A. Hind toe present.
1. Reeurvirostra. Anterior toes all webbed; bill recurved.
B. Hind toe wanting.
2, Himantopus. No web between middle and inner toes, and web between outer and
middle toes quite small; bill slightly upturned from the middle, cylindrical or
scarcely depressed; tarsus much longer than the bill.

GENUS RECURVIROSTRA Linnxvs.’

Recurvirostra Linn. Syst. Nat. ed, 10, i, 1758, 151. Type, R. avosetta Linn.

CHAR. Hind toe rudimentary, but distinct; anterior toes united by a much emarginated
membrane. Bill depressed, decidedly recurved, extended intoa fine point, which is slightly
decurved, Tail covered by the wings.

The species of Avocet are few in number, there being one pe-
culiar to North America, South America, Australia, and Europe
respectively.

Recurvirostra americana (mel.

AMERICAN AVOCET.
Popular synonyms. White Snipe (Salt Lake Valley); Yelper; Lawyer; Scooper.

Recurvirostra americana GMEL. 8. N. ed. 13, i, 1788, 693.—Wrson, Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 126,
pl. 68, fig. 99—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 75.—Aup. Orn, Biog. iv, 1888, 168, pl. 518; Synop. 1839, 252;
Birds Am. vi, 1843, 24, pl. 353—Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 703; Cat. N. Am. B. 189, No.
517.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 147; Check List, 1878, No. 407; 2d ed. 1882, No. 600.—Ripew.
Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 566; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 146.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i,
1884, 341.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 225.

Recurvirostra occidentalis V1G. Zool. Jour. iv, 1829, 356 ; Zool. Voy. Blossom, 1939, 28, pl
12,—Cass. Illustr. B. Cal., Tex., etc., 1855, 282, pl, 40 (=winter plumage!),

-RECURVIROSTRIDE—THE AVOCETS AND STILTS. 75

Has. Temperate North America; north to the Saskatchewan and Great Slave Lake,
south (in winter) to Guatemala, Cuba, and Jamaica. Much rarerin the Eastern than in the
Western Province.

Sp. CHar. Wings (except secondaries, terminal half of greater coverts, and inner
secondaries), inner scapulars, and adjoining feathers of the back, brownish black; lower
parts, rump, outer scapulars, and middle of the back white; tailashy white or pale ashy.
Adult in summer: Head, neck,and breast, light cinnamon, becoming white around the bill
and fading gradually into the white of the body. Tertials brownish gray. Adult(and young)
in winter: Head, neck, and breast, white, more or less tinged with pale bluish gray, especi-
ally on crown and nape. Young: Primaries slightly tipped with whitish; scapulars and
feathers of back tipped or transversely mottled with pale fulvous or buff. Crown dullgray-
ish; nape tinged with light rufous. Total length, about 17.00 to 18.75inches; extent, 30.00
to 36.00; wing, 8.50-9.00; culmen, 3.40-3.65; tarsus, 3.70-3.80; middle toe, 1.60-1.70. Bill deep
black; iris, deep brown; legs and feet ashy blue.

The intensity of the cinnamon-color on the head and neck varies
with the individual; sometimes there is a dusky gray suffusion
around the eye, this being especially characteristic of younger
birds.

Mr. Nelson says that in the northeastern portion of Illinois,
the Avocet “generally occurs in small parties the last of April
and first of May, and during September and the first of Oc-
tober,’ and that it “frequents the borders of marshy pools.”’

Genus HIMANTOPUS Brisson.

Himantopus Briss. Orn. vi, 1760, 38. Type, Charadrius himantopus LINN.

CuHar. Hind toe wanting; outer and middle toes connected at the base by a short web;
the inner toe completely separated from the middle. Bill subulate, deeper than broad,
slightly upturned toward the end. Legs excessively lengthened, the bare part of the tibia
about half as long as the tarsus, which greatly exceeds the bill in length, the latter being
nearly twice the length of the middle toe,

The Stilts have much the same range as the Avocets, but the
species are more numerous, there being at the present time about
seven recognized by authorities. Like Recurvirostra, the genus
TTimantopus is represented in America by two very distinct spe-
cies; one belonging to North, Central, and northern South
America, the other peculiar to the southern portion of the
southern continent.

1 ee Pa ey | be RINT ee ek
f mys fade > oF

76 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Himantopus mexicanus (Miill.)

BLACK-NECKED STILT.

Popular synonyms. Lawyer; Long-shanks; Rink-stockings.

Charadrius mexicanus MULLER, 8. N. Suppl. 1776, 117.

Himantopus mexicanus ORD, ed. WILSON, vii, 1824, 52.—Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 54.—
Riwew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 567; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 147.—Covrs, 2d Check
List, 1882, No. 601.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 345.—A. O. U. Check List,
1886, No. 226.

Recurvirostra himantopus Wis. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 48, pl. 58, fig. 2.

Himantopus nigricollis Vir. 1817.—Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 8~AupD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838,
247, pl. 328; Synop. 1839, 252; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 31, pl. 354.—Barrp, Birds N. Am.
1851, 704; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 518.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 247; Check List, 1874, No.
408; Birds N. W. 1874, 462.

Has, The whole of temperate North America, Middle America, and northern South
America, south to Peru and Brazil; Galapagos; West Indies in general, and Bermudas;
north, on the Atlantic coast, to Maine. More generally distributed and more abundant in
the Western than in the Eastern Province.

Sp. CHar. Adult male: Forehead, a large postocular spot, lores, entire lower parts,
rump, and upper tail-coverts white. Remainder of the head, whole nape, back, scapulars,
and wings (both surfaces), glossy black, with a greenish blue reflection. Tail pale grayish-
Bill black; iris crimson; legs and feet lake-red or beautiful pink in life, yellowish in the
dried skin. Adult female: Similar to the male, but back and scapulars brownish slate, and
the black of other portions duller. Young, first plumage: Similar to the adult female, but
the feathers of the back, the scapulars,and tertials bordered with deep buff or whitish, the
black of the head and nape finely mottled withthesame. Downy young: Above light ful-
yous-grayish, mottled with dusky,the back and rump relieved by several large black
blotches. Head,neck, and lower parts fulvyous-whitish, the crown, occiput, and nape gray-
ish, the crown with a mesial black streak, the occiput with coarse spots of the same.

Total length, about 14-15.50 inches; extent,27-30; wing, 8.50-9.00; culmen, about 2.50; tar-
sus,4.00; middle toe,1.37. Bill deep black; iris rosy carmine; legs and feet fine rose-pink
or delicate pale lake-red (in life).

Adult specimens in high breeding plumage sometimes have the
white of the breast, etc., tinged with soft creamy pink.

While on record only as a summer visitant to Illinois, the
Stilt undoubtedly breeds in some portion of the State. Mr. Nel-
son says that it is ‘‘an exceedingly rare visitant’’ to Cook county,
and mentions the fact that there is in the collection of the Illi-
nois Natural History Society, at Normal, a fine specimen taken
in McLean County. He also says that Dr. P. R. Hoy, of Racine,
Wisconsin, records the occurrence of a small flock near that place
in April, 1847.

-1
ta |

PHALAROPODIDE—THE PHALAROPES.

Famiry PHALAROPODIDZ.—THE PHALAROPES.

CuHar. Small birds of Sandpiper-like appearance, but with very full, compact plumage
like that of the Coots, Gulls, and Petrels; the tarsus greatly compressed, and the toe partly
webbed as well as fringed by a lateral, sometimes scalloped, margin.

The Phalaropes are small northern birds combining’ the habits,
as well as to a certain extent the appearance, of the Waders
and Swimmers. The two recognized genera may be distinguished
as follows:

Crymophilus, Bill flattened, broad, the nostrils sub-basal; web between outer and
middle toe extending to beyond second joint of the latter; lateral membrane of all
the toes deeply scaJloped.

Phalaropus. Bill subulate, the nostrils strictly basal.

Subgenus Phalaropus. Feetasin Crymoph lus.
. Subgenus Sleganopus. Web between outer and middle toes not reaching to second
joint of latter; lateral membrane to all the toes narrow and scarcely scalloped.

Genus CRYMOPHILUS Viemnor,

Orymophilus Vier. Analyse, 1816, 62. Type, Tringa fulicaria Lin.

Cuar. Bill flattened, broad, the nostrils sub-basal; web between outer and middle toes
extending to beyond second joint of the latter; lateral membrane of the toes broad and
deeply scalloped.

Crymophilus fulicarius (Linn.)

RED PHALAROPE.

Tringa fulicaria Lixn. 8. N. ed, 10, i, 1758, 148; ed. 12, i, 1766, 249.

Phalaropus fulicarius Sw. & Ricn. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 407.—Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 236.—Aup.
Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 404, pl. 255; Synop. 1839, 239; B. Am. v, 1842, 291, pl. 330.—Cass. in
Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 707.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 521.—Covegs, Key, 1872,
248; Check List, 1874, No. 411; 2d ed. 1882, No. 604; B. N. W. 1874, 471.—Ripaw. Nom.
N. Am. B, 1882, No. 563.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 326.

Crymophilus fulicarius Stes. Auk, ti, 1885, 183.—A. O. U. Cheek List, 1886, No, 222.~—
Rimew. Man. N. Am. B, 1887, 144.

Has. Northern portions of the northern hemisphere, breeding in very high latitudes,
and migrating southward in winter; chiefly maritime; in America, recorded from as far
south as Ohio, Illinois, and Cape St. Lucas.

;
.

~ Se FH 4S a

78 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Sp. CHar. Adult, summer plumage: Entire lower parts deep purplish cinnamon; sides
of head white. Back and scapulars light ochraceous or buff, striped with black; wing-
eoverts deep bluish plumbeous, the greater widely tipped with pure white; remiges plum-
beous-dusky. Lining of the wing white, bordered exteriorly with dusky grayish. Male:
Crown and nape streaked, like the back; white on side of head not well defined. Female:
Crown uniform plumbeous-black or dark plumbeous, the white on side of the head sur-
rounding the eyes, and abruptly defined, the nape unstreaked cinnamon and plumbeous,
Adult and young in winter: Head, neck and lower parts pure white, the occiput and a
space partly or completely surrounding the eyes dark plumbeous. Upper parts uniform
fine pearl-gray or light bluish plumbeous, the remiges slate-color. Young, first plumage:
Crown, nape, back,and scapulars dull black, the feathers edged with ochraceous; wing-
coverts, rump, and upper tail-coverts plumbeous, the middle coverts bordered with pale
buff, the tail-coverts with ochraceous. Head (except crown) and lower parts generally,
white; the throat and jugulum suffused with brownish buff. Downy young: Above, bright
tawny-buff, marked with broad irregular stripes of black; superciliary stripe bright tawny
buff, the two of opposite sides separated only by a narrow and sometimes interrupted
dusky streak; pileum bright raw-umber brown, bordered exteriorly with black; chin and
throat light fulvous-buff, changing to smoky buff on jugulum; rest of lower parts dull
whitish.

Total length, about 7.50 inches; wing, about 5.25-5.50; culmen, .80-.95; tarsus, .8-.85;
middle toe, .75-.80. 2

The Red Phalarope occurs in Illinois as a rare migrant. Its
summer home is in the Arctic regions, which it leaves after the
assumption of its winter plumage, which is so unlike that of
summer as to give the bird a totally different appearance.

GENUS PHALAROPUS Brisson.

SUBGENUS Phalaropus.

Phalaropus Briss. Orn. vi, 1760,12. Type, by elimination, Tinga lobata Linn.
Lobipes “ Cuv. Reg. Anim. 1817.” Type, Tringa hyperborea Linn.,=T lobata Linn.

CHAR. Similar to Crymophilus, but bill subulate, and the nostrils strictly basal.

Phalaropus lobatus (Linn.)

NORTHERN PHALAROPE.

Tringa lobata LINN. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 148; ed. 12, i, 1766, 249,
Lobipes lobatus B. B. & R. Water B.N. Am. i, 1884, 330.
Phalaropus lobatus Str. Auk, ii, 1885, 183.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886. No. 223.—Ripew.
Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 145.
Tringa hyperborea Linn. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 249 (bused on Faun. Suee. 179; Edw. 143; Will.
270; Ray, 182.—Phalaropus cinereus Briss. Orn. vi, 5).
Phalaropus hyperbvboreus (male) Latu. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 775 (excl. syn.; supposed female
=0. fulicarius).—Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 239.—Aupb. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 118; v, 1839, 595,
pl. 215.—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 706.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 520.
Lobipes hyperboreus Ouy. Rég. Anim. i, ed. 1829, 582—AuD. Synop. 1839, 240; B. Am. vy, 1842,
295, pl. 340,—Cours, Key, 1872, 48; Check List, 1873, No. 410; 2d ed. 1882, No. 603; B. N.
W. 1874, 469.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1882, No. 564.

PHALAROPODIDE— THE PHALAROPES. 79

Has. Northern portions of the northern hemisphere; breeding very far north, and not
penetrating far within the tropics in winter; chiefly, but not strictly, maritime. In America,
recorded from the following southern localities: Bermudas; Duefas, Guatemala; Isthmus
of Tehuantepec.

Sp. Coan. Adult: Above dark plumbeous, the back striped with ochraceous; wings
dusky, the greater coverts widely tipped with white; lower parts chiefly white, the neck
with more or less rufous. Female, with the sides of the neck and jugulum uniform cinna-
mon-rufous, the plumbeous above pure und continuous. Male, with the rufous confined
chiefly to the sides of the neck, the jugulum being mixed white and grayish, tinged with
rufous; plumbeous above duller and less continuous than in the female. Young, first plum-
age: Crown plumbeous-dusky, with or without streaks; back and seapulars black, dis-
tinctly streaked with buff or ochraceous; wings as in a'‘ult, but middle coverts bordered
with buff or whitish. Forehead, supra-auricular stripe, lores, and lower parts white, the
jugulum and sides of breast sometimes suffused with dull brownish; auriculars dusky.
Downy young: Above, bright tawny, the rump with three parallel stripes of black, enclos-
ing two of lighter fulyous than the ground-color; crown covered by a triangular patch of
m *ttled darker brown, bounded irregularly with blackish; a black line over ears, not reach-
ing to the eye; throat and rest of head light tawny-fulvous; rest of lower parts white, be-
coming grayish posteriorly.

Total length, about 7.00 inches; wing, 4.00-4.45; culmen, .80-.90; tarsus, .75-.85; middle toe,
-65-.75, ;

This species, which is a rather rare migrant in Illinois, is es-
sentially similar in its habits and distribution to the Red Phal-
arope. Mr. Nelson’s record concerning it is as follows:

“Rather rare migrant the first of May, and the last of Sep-
tember and first of October. Frequents slow streams or marshy
pools, where, swimming gracefully from one patch of floating
weeds to another, it obtains its food. It is quite gentle and
unsuspicious, and I have approached in a boat within five yards
of one without its showing the least concern.’

SubGenus Steganopus VIeILLor.

Steganopus View. Nouv. Dict. d'Hist. Nat. xxxii,1819, 136. Type, S. tricolor Vier.

Cuar. Bill slender and subulate, with strictly basal nostrils, as in Phalaropus ; web be-
tween outer and middle toes not reaching to second joint, the lateral membrane of all the
toes narrow and scarcely scalloped.

Phalaropus tricolor (Vieill.)

WILSON’S PHALAROPE.

Phalaropus lobatus Wis. Am. Orn. ix, 1825, 72, pl. 73, fig. 3 (mec Tringa lobata Liny).
Phalaropus wilsoni Sanine, App. Frankl, Journ, 1823, 691.—Sw. & Rion. F. B.-A. ii, 1832,
405, pl. 69.—Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 245.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iti, 1835, 400, pl. 254.—Cass. in
Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 705.—Barnp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 519.
Phalaropus (Holopodius) wilsoni Bonar. Synop. 1828, 342.—Nurr. Man. ji, 1834, 245.
Lobipes wilsoni Aun, Synop. 1839, 241; B. Am. v, 1842, 299, pl. 341.

aw

te ed ie eee Do aia 2 Me

80 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Steganopus wilsoni Cougs, Ibis, Apr. 1865, 158; Key, 1872, 248; Check List, 1874, No. 409;
2d ed. 1882, No. 602; B. N. W. 1874, 467—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 565.—B. B. &
R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1854, 335.
Steganopus tricolor Vint. Nouv. Dict. xxxii, 1819, 136.
Phalaropus tricolor STEIN. AUK, ii, 1885, 183.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 224.—Ripew.
Man. N. Am. B, 1887, 145.

Has. Temperate North America, chiefly inland; north to eastern Oregon, Saskatche-
wan, and Nova Seotia; south, in winter, to Brazil and Patagonia. (Not recorded from the
Pacific coast of North America.)

Sp. CHar. Adult female in summer: Forehead and crown pale pearl-gray, the
former with a blackish line on each side; oeciput and nape white, changing io plumbeous-
gray onthe back and seapulars. Stripe on side of head (chiefly back of the eye), and con-
tinued down sides of neck, deep black, changing on lower part of the neck into rich dark
ehestnut, which extends backward, somewhat interruptedly,on each side of the interscapu-
lar region; outermost scapulars marked witha similar stripe. A short stripe above the
lores and eyes (not reaching to the bill), cheeks, chin, and throat, pure white; foreneck and
chest soft buffy-cinnamon, deepest laterally and posteriorly, and fading gradually into
creamy buff on the breast; remaining lower parts white. Wings brownish gray, the
coverts and tertials margined with paler; rump brownish gray; upper tail-coverts pure
white. Adult male in summer: Smaller and much duller in color than the female, with
the beautiful markings of the latter usually but faintly indicated. Adult and young in
winter: Above plain light ash-gray; upper tail-coverts, superciliary stripe, and lower
parts, white, the chest and sides of breast faintly tinged with pale ashy. Young: Crown,
back, and seapulars blackish dusky, the feathers conspicuously margined with buffy; upper
tail-coverts, superciliary stripe, and lower parts white, the neck tinged with buff. Downy
young: General color bright tawny, or tawny-brown, paler beneath, the belly nearly
white; occiput and nape with a distinct median streak of black, on the former branching
laterally into two narrower, somewhat zig-zag lines; lower back and rump with three
broad black stripes; flanks with a black spot, and caudal region crossed by a wide sub-
terminal bar of black.

Female. Length, about 9.40-10.00 inches; wing, 5.20-5.30; culmen, 1.30-1.35; tarsus, 1.30-
1.35; middle toe, .90-1.00.
Male. Length, about 8.25-9.00; wing, 4.75-4.80; culmen, 1.25; tarsus, 1.20-1.25; middle
toe, .90.
This beautiful bird, the adult female of which is by far the

handsomest of our small Waders, is a common summer resi-
dent in the prairie districts of Illinois.

Mr. Nelson publishes an interesting account of the peculiari-
ties, or characteristics, of this species, in his catalogue of the
Birds of Northeastern Illinois (p. 124), which is as follows:

“Very common summer resident in this vicinity. Found in
abundance about damp prairies and on grassy marshes. Arrives
about the middle of May and remains until into August. I
have found its nest from-the 25th of May to June 25th. The
young usually appear about the middle of June and commence
to fly the first of July. The breeding plumage of the female of
this species is much brighter and richer than that of the male,
as has been recently announced by Mr. A. L. Kumlein (/%eld
and Forest, July, 1876). The male builds the nest and attends
exclusively to the duties of incubation, it alone possessing the

PHALAROPODIDE—THE PHALAROPES. 81

naked abdomen during the breeding season. The female always
remains near, and shows great solicitude upon the nests’ being
approached. The first plumage of the young, described by Dr.
Coues on page 467, ‘‘ Birds of the Northwest,” is retained until
they depart for the south, the last of July or early in August.
The adults assume the winter plumage during July. This plum-
age is much like the breeding plumage of the male, except
that there is a hoary cast over the back and neck caused by
grayish tips to the feathers, and the female has a greater amount
of dull chestnut on the sides of the neck. * * *

“The nest is a simple structure of fine grass blades placed in
a small saucer-shaped depression, generally in a perfectly open
situation, where but slight concealment is afforded by the few
surrounding grass blades. Sometimes the eggs are deposited
directly upon the ground, without any nest other than the
slight hollow. The eggs usually number four and are very
dark. Their general appearance is much like that of a small
killdeer’s egg, with an unusual amount of dark markings.”’

Ui ak chad i as q Se aoe oe Sar Pe ae ai

82 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

OrDER ALECTORIDES.—TueE CRANES, CouRLANS, RAILs, GAL-
LINULES, AND Coots.

The Alectorides are a tolerably well-defined group of birds,
related somewhat closely to the Zimicolw, but very distinct
from the //erodiones, to which some of the forms (more es-
pecially the Gruwidw) bear a teleological resemblance. Typical
families of this Order are the Gruidw (Cranes), Aram/dw (Cour-
lans), and Rallidw (Rails), all represented in North America.
In addition to these families, South America possesses several
others which have been placed here, but whether rightly or not,
we cannot say. These extralimital families are the Hurypygide
(Sun Bitterns), Carcamidew (Cariamas), and Psophiide (Trum-_
peters).

The typical members of the group are precocial and ptilopedic.

The North American families are the following:

A. Size small or medium; head normally feathered or with a frontal shield; middle toe
nearly as long as the tarsus; hallux well developed (nearly as long as the first joint
of the middle toe), nearly incumbent. (Ralli.)

Rallide. Size medium to very small; outer primary longer than the sixth, very broad;
second nearly or quite equal to the longest. Rectrices almost rudimentary, soft,
nearly hidden by the coverts. Billnot curved to one side at tip (usually shorter
than the tareus).

Aramide, Size medium or rather large; outer primary shorter than seventh, the inner
web very narrow, except at end; second quill much shorter than the longest
(fifth). Rectrices well developed, firm, twelve innumber. Bill curved to one side
attip, equal to or longer than the tarsus; inner secondaries broad, reaching to
end of primaries, their webs partially decomposed.

B, Size large; head partly naked (except in young), or with ornamental plumes; middle
toe less than half the tarsus; hallux small, much eleyated, (@rues.)

Gruide, [Characters as'aboye.]

RALLIDE—THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 83

SusporpER RALLI.

Faminry RALLIDA.—TuHE Rais, GALLINULES, AND Coors.

Cuar. Small or medium-sized wading or swimming birds, with compressed body,
very long toes, which are sometimes (in the Coots) lobed along the edges, short, rounded,
concave wings, and very muscular thighs.

The brief diagnosis given above is sufficient to distinguish
the Rails, of whatever subfamily, from the Courlans and Cranes,
their only near allies. The typical Rails (Ra/line) are of very
small to medium size, the typical genus, /a//us, being charac-
terized particularly by a lengthened slender bill, while other gen-
era, as Porzana and Crev, have this member comparatively
short and thick. The Coots and Gallinules have the base oi

_ the culmen continued upon the forehead, where it widens out

into a more or less gibbous or expanded plate or frontal shield.
The Coots, however, are peculiar in having the toes fringed with
scalloped flaps or lateral lobes.

The three subfamilies occurring in North America may be
thus distineuished :

Ralline. No frontal process; toes without lateral lobes ; size variable ; bill sometimes
much elongated.

Gallinuline, A frontal process, as in Fulicine ; toes without lateral lobes; size large.

Fulicine, A frontal process, asin Gallinulinw; toes witha lateral lobed margin; size
large.

The several subfamilies having thus been defined, the North
American genera may be characterized as follows:

SupraMity RALLINZ.—Tue Rarzs.

A. Bill slender, equa) to or longer than the tarsus.
1. Rallus, (Page 89.)
B. Bill stout, not more than two thirds the tarsus (usually much less).
2. Porzana, Middle toe about equal to or slightly longer than tarsus; base of gonys
not forming a decided angle; middle of culmen decidedly depressed or concave.
(Page 92.)
3. Crex. Middle toe shorter than tarsus; base of gonys forming a decided angle;
middle of culmen searcely appreciably depressed. (Not yet found in Illinois.)

SuspraMity GALLINULINAl.—TuHe GALuINuLEs.

4. Ionornis, Nostril small, oval; middle toe shorter than tarsus; toes without trace
of lateral membrane ; inner posterior face of tarsus witha single row of large
quadrate scutella.

5. Gallinula. Nostril elongated, slit-like: middle toe longer than tarsus; toes with a
decided indication of lateral membrane; inner posterior face of tarsus covered
with several irregular rows of small hexagonal scales.

84 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

SuBFAMILY FULICINA.—THE Coors.

6. Fulica, Nostrils,and proportionate length of toes and tarsus, as in (allinula;
toes bordered with a very wide, scalloped, lateral membrane; inner posterior face
of tarsus covered with small scales, as in Gallinula.*

SuBFAMILY FULICIN ZA.

Genus FULICA Linnzxus.

Fulica Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, 1758, 152; ed. 12, i, 1766, 257. Type, F. atra Linn.

CHar. Very similar to Gallinula, but the toes margined by a broad, deeply scalloped
lateral membrane. Bill shorter than the head, straight, strong, compressed, and advancing
into the feathers of the forehead, where it frequently forms a wide and somewhat project-
ing frontal plate; nostrils in a groove, with a large membrane, near the middle of the bill.
Wings rather short, second and third quills usually longest; tail very short; tarsus robust,
shorter than the middle toe, with very distinct transverse scales: toes long, each haying
semi-circular lobes, larger on the inner side; hind toe rather long, lobed.

Almost the only difference between Fulica and Gallinula consists in the single character
of the toes, as pointed out above. The two genera are, however, quite distinct, since there
appears to be no species known that is intermediate in the character of the feet.

Fulica americana Gmel.

AMERICAN COOT.

Popular synonyms. Mud-hen; White-billed, or Ivory-billed, Mud-hen; Crow Duck.

Fulica americana GMEL. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 704.—Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 404.—Nurr.
Man. ii, 1884, 229.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 291; v, 1839, 568; Synop. 1839, 212; B.
Am. y, 1842, 138, pl. 305.—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 751.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B
1859, No. 559.—Couss, Key, 1872, 275; Check List, 1873, No. 474; 2d ed. 1882, No. 686;
Birds N. W. 1874, 541.—Ripew. Nom. N. A. B. 1881, No. 580; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 142.—
A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 221.

Fulica wilsoni STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. xii, 1824, 236.

Fulica atra Wiis. Am. Orn, ix, 1825, pl. 73, flg. 1 (mee LINN.).

Has. The whole of North America, Middle America, and West Indies; north to Green-
Jand and Alaska, south to Veragua and Trinidad.

Sp. CHarR. Adult: General color uniform slate-color or slaty plumbeous, the head and
neck and anterior central portion of the crissum black; lateral and posterior portions of the
crissum, edge of wing, and tips of secondaries white. (In winter the belly suffused with
whitish.) Bill milk-white, more bluish terminally, each mandible with a spot of dark brown
near the end, bordered anteriorly with a more or less distinet bar of reddish chestnut;
frontal shield dark chestnut, or liver-brown, the culmen just in front of this tinged with
greenish yellow; iris bright crimson; legs bright yellowish green; the tibizw tinged behind
and above with orange-red; toes light bluish gray, tinged with yellowish green on scutelle
of basal phalanges.? Young: Similar, but lower parts more gray, and much suffused.

1 A South American genus, Porphyriops PUCHERAN, belonging to the Gallinuliney, is
much like Gallinula, but has the lateral margin to the toes more decidedly developed the
gonys very short, and much ascending terminally, the culmen very straight and the front-
al shield small and very pointed.

2 Fresh colors of an adult male killed at Wheatland, Indiana, April 15, 1881.

~~ S/S.

1
.
F
“

RALLIDE—THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 85

with whitish, especially on the throat and belly; bill dull flesh-color, tinged with olive-
greenish, the frontal shield rudimentary; iris brown. Downy young: Prevailing color
blackish plumbeous; head, neck, and upper parts relieved by numerous crisp, elongated,
somewhat filamentous bristles, these sparse, light orange-buff and white on the upper
parts, but dense and deep salmon-orange on the head and neck, where the dark plumbeous
down is almost or quite concealed; these colored filaments entirely absent from the whole
pileum, which is mostly bald toward the occiput, elsewhere covered with closely appressed
black bristles; lores densely covered with short, stamen-like, orange-red papille. Bill
orange-red, the tip of the maxilla black; feet dusky (in skin).

Total length, about 14 inches; wing, 7.25-7.60; culmen (to commencement of frontal
shield), 1.25-1.50; tarsus, 2.00-2.20; middle toe, 2.45-2.65.

The Coot is an exceedingly abundant summer resident in the
more northern portions of the State. Mr. Nelson, in his list of
the birds of Cook and adjacent counties (Bull. Esser Inst. VIIL.,
1876, pp. 135, 136), says the following concerning it:

“Exceedingly abundant. Summer resident in large marshes,
and it is far from rare in any marshy situation. Arrives the
last of April and remains until the last of November. Nests at
the same time as the Florida Gallinule, but shows a greater
preference for reed patches, in which its nests are usually located,
often in from two to four feet of water. The nests are gener-
ally larger than those of gallinules, and rarely composed of
other material than the dry stalks of reeds. Dr. Coues’s descrip-
tion of the nidification of this species will answer for most of
the cases I have observed, and I have examined a large number
of nests. (See ‘‘Birds of the Northwest,’ p. 542.) As winter
approaches, and the marshes and shallow pools become covered
with ice, these birds congregate in immense flocks on the rivers
and small lakes, and remain until the cold weather closes the
streams.

“This bird has a curious habit when approached by a boat
in a stream, rising often before the boat is within gunshot, and
flying directly by the boatman, generally so near that it may
be easily brought down. The abundance of ducks and other
game birds has caused the birds of this family to be but little
molested, until within a few years, when the amateur sportsmen
from Chicago, finding the ducks difficult to obtain, and ‘“mud-
hens,” as coots and gallinules are called, conveniently tame,
have turned their batteries upon them and have caused a dimi-
nution in their numbers about the Calumet Marshes. But in
the more retired marshes they still breed in undiminished num-

bers.”

86 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

SuspFAMILyY GALLINULINZ.

Genus GALLINULA Brisson.

Gallinula Briss. Orn. vi, 1760,3. Type, Fulica chloropus LINN.

Cuar. Bill shorter than head, compressed, its vertical outlines convex terminally,
straight or slightly concave opposite the nostril; nostril elongated, longitudinal, slit-like;
forehead covered by an extension of the horny covering of the bill (rudimentary in the
young). Middle toe longer than the tarsus; toes with a slight lateral membrane or margin.

The above characters will serve readily to distinguish the
species of this genus from the American genera, /onornis and
Porphyriops, the former having the nostril small and oval, the
middle toe shorter than the tarsus, and the toes without trace
of lateral membrane, while the latter (an exclusively South
American genus) has the frontal shield small and conical, and
is, moreover, composed of birds of small size. Two American
species of Gallinula are known, one of them (4. garmani ALLEN)
peculiar to the basin of Lake Titicaca, Peru. Both are more
nearly allied to the G. chloropus of Europe than to any other
species, but are very distinct from that, as well as from each
other.

Gallinula galeata (Licht.)
FLORIDA GALLINULE.

Popular synonyms. American Gallinule; Scarlet-fronted Gallinule; Red-billed Mud-hen.

Orex galeata Licut. Verz. Doubl. 1823, 80, No. 826.

Gallinula galeata Bonar. Am. Orn. iv, 1832, 128.—NuTT. Man. ii, 1834, 221.—Cass., in
Bairds B. N. Am. 1858, 752.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1859, No. 560.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 275;
Check List, 1873, No. 472; 2d ed. 1882, No. 684; Birds N. W. 1874, 540.—Ripew. Nom.
N. Am. B, 1881, No. 579; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 141.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 219.

Gallinula chloropus Bonap. Synop. 1828, 336 (nee LaTH.).—AuD. Orn, Biog. iii, 1835,
330, pl. 224; Synop. 1839, 210; B. Am. v, 1842, 132, pl. 304,

Has. The whole of tropical and temperate America, from Canada to Brazil and
Chili.

Spe. Cuan. Adult: Frontal plate large, obovate, truncated or slightly convex posteri-
orly, flat and smooth, or tumid and corrugated. Bill shorter than the head, rather thick,
compressed. Head, neck, and entire lower parts dark plumbeous, with a bluish cinereous
east, frequently nearly black on the head and neck, and generally lighter (in autumnai and
winter specimens quite white)on the abdomen. Crissum white, the middle feathers black;
feathers of the flanks widely edged with white, producing broad stripes; edge of the wing
and edge of outer primary white. Upper parts dark russet, or sepia-brown, darker on the
rump. Bill and frontal shield bright vermilion in life, the end of the former greenish yellow
or bright yellow; iris brown; legs and feet yellowish green, the joints ashy blue; upper

kee ee eee nS ee

ag RALLIDE—THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 87

- part of the naked tibie scarlet. Young: Similar, but frontal shield rudimentary, the bill .
prownish, paler at the tip; the whole lower parts suffused with whitish, and the head

mixed with the same, particularly the throat, which is sometimes wholly white. Stripes

on the flanks less distinct or nearly obsolete. Downy Young: Glossy black, the median

lower parts fuliginous; throat and cheeks interspersed with silvery white hairs; bill yel-

7 lowish (red in life?) crossed about the middle by a dusky bar.

Total Jength, about 12.00-13.00 inches; extent, 20.00 to 21.00; wing, 6.85-7.25; culmen (to end
of frontal shield) 1.70-1.85; tarsus, 2.10-2.30; middle toe, 2.50-2.60.

This species much resembles the Moor-hen, Water-hen, or Gal-
linule of Europe (G@. chloropus), but is larger, has the frontal
shield truncated instead of pointed posteriorly, and is other- ;
wise different. It likewise resembles other exotic species, par-
: ticularly G. garmani of the Peruvian Andes, but is quite dis-
. tinct. Specimens vary a great deal in the size and shape of the
frontal shield, and in the amount of white on the abdomen.
These variations are by no means dependent on locality, how-
ever, but upon the individual, having doubtless some connec-
tion with age and season, the white on the abdomen being
more marked on winter specimens.

Although in most places less numerous than the Coot (/w-
lica americana), the Florida Gallinule is, in favorable localities,
a common summer resident throughout the State. Mr. Nelson
bears witness to its abundance in Cook county, and in his ex-
cellent list gives us the following information concerning: it:

“Abundant summer resident everywhere in marshes and the
larger prairie sloughs. Arrives the last of April or the first of
May. Generally has a full set of eggs, numbering from seven
to twelve, the first week of June. Its nests are placed wherever
fancy dictates; on low ridges a rod or more from the water;
in perfectly bare situations on the borders of marshes, or in
the midst of bulrushes or wild rice growing in several feet of
water. The material used varies with the situation, from fine
grasses to the coarsest rushes and fragments of wild rice stalks.
In the latter case the nest often floats in the water and is held
7 in place by the surrounding reeds. The young possess the
j usual black down and disproportionate feet of members of this
family at an early age, but the basal two thirds of the bill is
: bright red, the tip only being yellow. I have placed eggs under
a hen, but the young, unless removed as soon as hatched,
would scramble out and manage to get away, At this age
they have a clear metallic peep, quite unlike that of a chicken.”

:

88 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Genus IONORNIS ReIcHENBACH.

? Porphyrula BuytH, Cat. B. Asiat. Soc. 1849, 283. Type, P. chloronotus BLYTH. !

Ionornis REICHENB. Syst. Avy. 1853, p. xxi. Type, Fulica martinica LINN.

CHAR. Similar to Gallinula but form more slender, nostrils small and oval, middle toe
shorter than the tarsus, and the toes without trace of lateral membrane. Colors very hand_
some (chiefly opaque blue, purple, and green).

Whether the American species, to which the generic name
adopted above is properly applicable, is congeneric with the old
world species (Porphyrio chloronotus BuyTH, nee VIEILLL.), which
is the type of the genus Porphyrula BuyvH, is at present un-
certain. [Cf D. G. Exuior: ‘The Genus Porphyrio and its
Species;”’ separate pamphlet, from ‘Stray Feathers,” pp. 1-20.]

Ionornis martinica (Linn.)

PURPLE GALLINULE.
Popular synonyms. Blue Coot; Blue Peter; Blue Mud-hen.

Fulica martinica Linn. 8. N. i, 1766, 259.

Gallinula martinica LATH. 1790.—NutTT. Man. ii, 1834, 221.—AuD. Orn. Biog. iv. 1838, 37,
pl. 305; Synop. 1839, 210; B. Am. v, 1842, 128, pl. 303.—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858,
753.—BatrD, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 561.

Porphyrio martinica Goss, Birds Jam. 1847, 377.—Couss, Key, 1872, 275; Check List,
1873, No. 473.

TIonornis martinica Rricu. Ay. Syst. 1853. 21—Ripew. Proc. U.S. Nat, Mus. iii, 1881,
202, 227; Nom. N. Am. B,1881, No.578; Man. N.Am. B. 1887, 141.—Cours, Check List,
2d ed. 1882, No. 685; A. O. U. Check List 1886, No. 218.

Gallinula porphyrio Wiis. Am. Orn. ix, 1824, 69, pl. 73.

Has. The whole of tropical and warm-temperate America, south to Brazil; north, cas-
ually, to Massachusetts, Maine, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Missouri. Ber-
mudas and throughout West Indies. Not recorded from any part of the United States
west of the Rocky Mountains.

Sp. Cuar. Adult: Head,neck, and lower parts slaty bluish purple, darker (sometimes
nearly black) on abdomen and tibiew; erissum pure white; upper parts bright olive-green,
changing to bright verditer-blue toward the purple of the lower"parts, the sides and lining
of wing also greenish blue; wings brighter green than the back,and shaded with bright ver-
diter-blue. Frontal shield bright blue in life (greenish or olivaceous in dried skin); bill
bright red, tipped with yellow; iris crimson; legs and feet yellowish. Young: Above, light
fulvous-brown, tinged with greenish on wings; beneath, fulyous or buffy, the belly whitish;
frontal shield smaller than in adult, dusky (in skins); bill dull yellowish. Downy young:
“Entirely black,” (AuDUBON). Total length about 12.50 inches; wing, 7.00-7.50; culmen (in-
cluding frontal shield), 1.85-1.95; tarsus, 2.25-2.50; middle toe, 2.25-2.35,

Specimens vary remarkably in the size and form of the frontal
plate. In 36,785 Ceara, Brazil, it is broader than long, and its
posterior margin rounded; usually it is longer than broad, and
its posterior extremity an angle—sometimes acute. There is also
much difference among individuals in the intensity of the colors.

1 Tho interrogation mark here implies the doubt as to whether the Indian bird is con-

generic with the American species. Should such prove to be the case, which we do not re-
gard probable, our bird would stand as Porphyrula martinica.

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RALLIDE£—THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 89

All these variations appear, however, to be purely individual
(perhaps partially seasonal), or at least entirely independent
of locality.

This essentially southern species is comparatively a rare bird
in Illinois, though it may be more common than the records
show. According to Mr. Nelson, a male specimen was taken in
May, 1886, by Mr. C. N. Holden, Jr., near Chicago, and he was
informed by Dr. Hoy that a specimen had been captured at
Racine. Its general habits are much like those of the Florida
Gallinule (Gallinula galeata).

SusBFrAMILY RALLINZ.

Genus RALLUS Linn vs.

Rallus Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, 1758, 153; ed 12, 1766, 261. Type, R. aquaticus LINN.

Cuar. Bill longer than the head, rather slender, compressed; upper mandible slightly
eurved; nostrils in a long groove, and with a large membrane; wings short; tertiary quills
long, frequently longer than the primaries; tail very short; legs moderate; tarsus shorter
than the middle toe, and covered on all sides with transverse scales; toes long and rather
slender; inner toe rather shorter than the outer; hind toe short and weak.

This genus contains numerous species, inhabiting all the tem-
perate countries of the world. They are very similar in their
habits, and frequently in appearance. Their long toes enable
them to run over and climb amongst aquatic plants with great
facility.

Synopsis of the North American Species.

Common CHaARAcTERS. Above olive or ashy, with more or less distinct broad longitudi-
nal stripes of darker; beneath concolored anteriorly, variegated with bars on the flanks and
crissum. Breast more or less reddish; flanks and crissum with brownand white transverse
bars; a supraloral light stripe. Wing-coverts usually more rufescent than back.

A. Size large (wing more than five inches).
a, Axillars and flanks dusky, with wide white bars (bars about .15 of an inch wide on
flanks).

1. R. elegans. Back and scapulars ochraceous-olive or yellowish drab, sharply and
conspicuously striped with black; breast deep cinnamon. Wing, 5.90-6.80; cul-
men, 2.10-2.50; least depth of bill, .22-.85; tarsus, 1.90-2.40; middle toe, 1.70-2.10. Hab.
Fresh-water marshes of eastern North America.

». Axillars and flanks brownish gray, with narrow white bars (bars about .10 of an inch
wide on flanks).

2. R. crepitans. Back and scapulars brownish gray or ashy, obsoletely striped
with brown (in Gulf coast specimens distinctly striped with dusky); breast pale
buff (in Gulf coast specimens dull cinnamon). Wing, 5.20-6.00; culmen, 2.05-2.50;
least depth of bill, .22-.35; tarsus, 1.85-2.10; middle toe, 1.75-2.00. Hal. Salt-water
marshes of eastern United States.

B. Size small (wing less than 4.50 inches).

8. R. virginianus, Similar to R. elegans, but rather more deeply colored. Hab.
North and Middle America.

—12

90 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Rallus elegans Aud.

KING RAIL.

Popular synonyms. Red-breasted Rail; Great Red-breasted Rail; Marsh Hen; Sedge
Hen; Mud-hen.

Rallus crepitans Wits. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, pl. 62, fig, 2 (fig. but not deser. Not R. crepitans
GMEL.).—(?) ALLEN, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zo6l. iii, 1872, 182 (Great Salt Lake, Utah).
Rallus elegans Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 27, pl. 203; Synop. 1839, 215; B. Am. v, 1842, 160,

pl. 309.—Batrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 746; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 552.—CovugEs, Key, 1872,
273; Check List, 1873, No. 466; 2d ed. 1882, No. 676; Birds N. W. 1874, 535.—Ripew.
Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 569; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 188.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886,
No. 208.

Has. Fresh-water marshes of the Eastern Province of the United States, north, casu-
ally, to Massachusetts, Maine, and Ontario, regularly to the Middle States and northern
Tliinois; west to Kansas (Great Salt Lake, ALLEN?*). Replaced in the salt marshes along
the Atlantic and Gulf coasts by representative forms of R. crepitans.

Sp.CHar. Adult: Above, yellowish olive or ochraceous-drab, very conspicuously and
sharply striped with black; crown dark brown; asupraloral streak of brownish white, con-
tinued to the occiput in a broader stripe of brownish gray; lores and suborbital region
brownish gray or dull brownish; chin and throat white; remainder of head and neck, in-
eluding chest and breast, light cinnamon; flanks and sides dark brownish or blackish
dusky, barred with white, the white bars averaging about .10-.15 of an inch in width, the in-
terspaces more than twice as wide; crissum mixed dusky and white, the lateral feathers
almost immaculate white; middle of the abdomen considerably lighter than the breast,
sometimes quite white; axillars and lining of the wing similar to the flanks, but white bars
narrower, and less distinet. Wing-coverts rusty brownish, sometimes inclining to chest-
nut, and not infrequently more or less barred with reddish white; tertials widely striped,
like the scapulars: remiges plain umber brown; rectrices raw-umber, witha dusky medial
stripe. ‘Lower mandible and edges of upper brownish yellow; ridge of upper, and tips or
both, deep brown; iris bright red; feet yellowish brown, tinged with olive; claws of the
same color” (AUDUBON). Downy young: Uniform glossy black; bill dusky, the end, andin-
complete wide band near the base (enclosing the nostril), pale yellowish or whitish (in the
skin); legs and feet brownish (in skin).

Total length, about 17 inches; wing, 5.90-6.80; culmen, 2.12-2.50; depth of bill in middle,
-27-.35; tarsus, 2.20-2.40; middle toe, 1.80-2.10.

The individual, variation in this species is very considerable,
both as regards coloration and the proportions; but it may
always be readily distinguished from the allied forms by the
characters pointed out above, the very conspicuous, sharply-
defined, and broad black stripes above, upon an ochrey brown
or yellowish olivaceous ground-color, combined with the cinna-
mon breast and dark flanks, being the prominent distinctive
features. The chief variation in colors consists in the degree of
ashiness on the side of the head (some examples being distinctly
ashy, as in most specimens of 2. crep/tans), and in the precise
shade of the ground-color of the upper parts, which, however, is
never ashy.

1 May possibly be R. obsoletus.
2 No specimens seen: may possibly be A, obsoletus.

RALLIDE—THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 91

This fine bird, the largest of the American true Rails, is a
common summer resident, in suitable localities, throughout the
State. In Cook county it arrives, according to Mr. Nelson,
“the last of April and departs in October.”

A

Rallus virginianus Linn.

VIRGINIA RAIL,

Rallus virginianus Linn. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 263,—Waixs. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 109, pl. 62, fig. 1.—
Norv. Man. ii, 1834, 205; Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 41; v, 1839, 573, pl. 205; B. Am. v, 1842, 174,
pl. 311.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 748; Cat. N. Am. B, 1859, No. 554.—Covgs, Key, 1872, 273;
Check List, 1873, No. 467; 2d ed. 1882, No. 677; Birds N. W, 1874, 586—Ripew. Bull. Nutt.
Orn. Club, v, No.3, 1880, 140; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No, 572; Man. N. Am. B, 1887, 138.—
A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 212.

Has. The whole of temperate North America as far as the British Provinces, south to
Guatemala and Cuba; winters almost to the northern limit of its range.

Sp. CHar. Adult: A miniature of R. elegans, but more deeply colored. Above oliva-
ceous, heavily striped with black; wing-coverts chestnut-rufous; remiges plain dusky;
crown and nape dusky, sometimes uniform, usually indistinctly streaked with olive; a
brownish white supraloral line; side of head uniform plumbeous (sometimes obscured
with a brownish wash); malar region, foreneck, chest, breast, sides, and abdomen, some-
times throat also, cinnamon, the middle of the belly lighter (sometimes whitish); flanks
(not sides) and axillars dusky, barred with white; lining of wing dusky, the feathers tipped
and bordered with white. Downy young: Glossy black; bill scarlet or orange-red in life
(whitish or pale yellowish in the skin), slightly marked with blackish in front of the nostril
and on the base of mandible. Young (first plumage): “Topand sides of head, neck behind,
back anteriorly, rump, breast, and sides, dull dead black. Interscapular region black, with
a few of the feathers margined with brownish olive. Wing-coverts and wings nearly as in
adult, a little duller and darker, perhaps. Superciliary line obscure ashy. Throat ashy
white, finely spotted with black. Central region of lower breast and abdomen, with a few
of the feathers on the sides, tinged with white. Anal region and crissum dull reddish
chestnut. In my cabinet, from Cambridge, Mass., August, 1875. Several other specimens
of corresponding ages agree closely with the one above described. A male, however (Cam-
bridge, Aug. 9, 1875), differs in having a faint reddish wash over the white on the breast and
abdomen.” (BrewsTER, Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Jan, 1879, p. 45).

Total length, about 7.50 inches; wing, 3.90-4.25; culmen, 1.45-1.60; tarsus, 1.30-1.40;
middle toe, 1.20-1.40. “Bill dark brown, the lower mandible and edges of upper yellowish
brown; iris bright red; feet yellowish brown tinged with olive; claws more dusky.” (Au-
DUBON.)

This species is very much like 2. elegans in miniature, being
exceedingly similar to that species in coloration. Close exam-
ination. however, reveals several important differences, the more
obvious of which are the following: The whole plumage is
darker; the sides of the head more uniformly and distinctly
plumbeous; the sides and abdomen are cinnamon, like the
breast, instead of being respectively barred, like the flanks, and

1A specimen was sent by Captain Bendire to the National Museum from Walla Walla,
Washington, which was shot Jan, 16, 1879, when the snow was more thana foot deep!

»

92 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. ~

plain buff or whitish; the lining of the wings is not barred like
the flanks, but has dusky and white irregularly mixed, the
latter color being on the margins and tips of the feathers. There
is apparently more of individual variation in this species than
in any of the larger species, scarcely two examples being closely
alike. The chin and throat may be distinctly white, or the cin-
namon may extend forward entirely to the bill; some specimens
have the lores decidedly dusky, others, clear plumbeous, like
the auriculars; the crissum is sometimes plain cinnamon, the
concealed bases of the feathers dusky, but oftener is white,
tinged with cinnamon.

Almost the same general remarks will apply to this miniature
of the King Rail (7. edegans) as to its larger relation. It is a
common summer resident in Illinois, especially northward. In
Cook county, Mr. Nelson says it arrives and departs with the
F. elegans. He adds: “I have obtained nests with eggs from
the 6th of May until the middle of June. This species is found
in almost any place where it can find suitable food. I have
often flushed it in thickets when looking for woodcock, as well
as from the midst of large marshes. The nest can rarely be
distinguished from that of the Carolina Rail in form or struct-
ure, and is generally placed in a similar location, with the ex-
ception that the present species shows a greater preference for
dense tufts of grass. I have never seen more than nine eggs in
a nest of this species.”

Genus PORZANA VIEILiorT.

Porzana VikEIuu. Analyse, 1816,61. Type, Rallus porzana Liyn.—Cass. in Baird's B.N.
Am. 1858, 748.
Creciscus CABAN. Jour. fur. Orn. 1856, 428. Type, Rallus jamaicensis GMEL.
Coturnicops Bonar. “Compt. Rend. xliii, 1856, 599." Type, Fulica noveboracensis
GMEL.
CHAR. Bill shorter than the head, compressed, straight; nostrilsina wide groove, with
a large membrane; wings moderate; primaries longer than tertials; tail short; tarsus
about the length of the middle toe; toes long; inner toe slightly shorter than the outer.
General form compressed and slender; legs rather robust.

This genus contains very numerous species, inhabiting both
temperate and tropical regions, frequenting marshes and bor-
ders of rivers. In the spring and autumn several species migrate
in large numbers.

RALLIDE—THE RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 93

We have not at hand the required material for defining the
exact limits of the genus Porzana, so far as its American repre-
sentatives are concerned. Without, therefore, considering any
of the extralimital species, it may suffice to say that of the
three which occur in North America, one (P. carolina) is a very
near relative of the type of the genus (7. porzana of Europe),
while the other two are perhaps sufficiently different to justify
generic separation. The three species which occur in eastern
North America may be distinguished as follows:

A. Above russet-olive, with black blotches and irregular, partly longitudinal, streaks of
white. (Porzana.)

1. P. carolina. Neck and breast without white specks; throat blackish, and sides of
head and neck plumbeous in adult; throat white, sides of head and neck, with
chest and breast, fulvous-olive, in young; flanks broadly barred with white and
slate-color. Wing, 4.15-4.30; culmen, .75-.90; tarsus, 1.25-1.35; middle toe, 1.30-
1.45. Hab. North and Middle America,

B. Above ochraceous, with broad black stripes and narrow transverse white bars; sec-
ondaries white, forming a conspicuous patch on the extended wing. (Coturni-
cops.) : ’

2. P. noveboracensis. Head, neck, and breast ochraceous; flanks dusky, barred with
whitish; crissum cinnamon; lining of wing and axillars white. Wing, 3.00-3.60;
culmen, .50-.60; tarsus, .95-1.00; middle toe, .90-1.00. Hab. North America.

C. Above blackish brown, speckled with white. (Creciscus.)

8. P. jamaicensis, Nape dusky chestnut or sepia-brown; lower parts slate-color or
dark plumbeous (the throat sometimes whitish), the posterior portions narrowly
barred with white. Wing, 2.50-3.20; culmen, .50-.60; tarsus, .75-.90; middle toe,
.85-.95. Hab. Temperate and tropical America.

Porzana carolina (Linn.)
SORA,

Popular synonyms. Sora Rail; Carolina Rail; Common Rail; Ortolan (Potomac River).

Rallus carolinus Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 153; ed. 12, i, 1766, 263.—Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A.

ii, 1831, 408.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1535, 251; v, 1839, 572, pl. 233,

Rallus (Crex) carolinus Bonar. Obs. Wils. 1825, No. 230.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 209.

Ortygometra carolina BonaP. List, 1838, 53.—AupD. Synop. 1839, 213; B. Am. vy, 1842, 145,
pl. 306, ;

Porzana carolina Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 749.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. No.
555.—Covues, Key, 1872, 273; Check List, 1873, No. 468; 2d ed. 1882, No. 679; Birds
N. W. 1874, 538.—Rrpew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 574; Man. N. Am. B., 1887, 139, —
A. O. U., Check List, 1886, No. 214.

Has. The whole of temperate North America, but most common in the Eastern Proy-
ince; West Indies in general; whole of Middle America, south to Colombia and Venezuela;
accidental in Greenland and Europe; Bermudas (numerous in migrations). Breeds chiefly
in the northern parts of its range.

94. BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Sp. CHar. Adult: Above bright olive-brown, with longitudinal spots of black, some
of the feathers edged with white; top of head with a long longitudinal stripe of black; ante-
rior portion of head, with chin and throat, black; sides of head and neck (except as de-
scribed), chest, and breast light plumbeous; abdomen white; anal region and crissum
ereamy white or pale buff; flanks sharply barred with white and slate-color. Young:
Similar, but lores and superciliary stripe brownish, the chin and throat whitish; rest of
neck, with chest and breast, light brownish. Bill greenish yellow (more orange, espe-
cia!!y at base, insummer adults); iris brown; legs and feet greenish. “Downy stage—chick
afew days old: Bill short, exceedingly depressed, high at base, rapidly tapering, the tip
deflected. The whole body densely covered with dull black down, beyond which are
produced abundant long, glossy, black hair-like filaments. Upon the throat is a tuft of stiff,
coarse bristle-like feathers of a bright orange-color. These are directed forward, and give
the bird a most singular appearance. (From a specimen in my cabinet collected at Cam-
bridge, Mass., June 24, 1874.) This bird, although the only specimen of the kind nowat hand,
is one ofa large brood which was attended by the female parent. Several of the others
were distinctly seen and closely examined atthe time. All hadasimilar orange tuft upon
the throat.” [BrewsTeER, in Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, January 1879, p. 48.) .

The most abundant and most universally known bird of its
genus inhabiting the United States, and variously known as
the “Rail,” “Sora,” or “Ortolan,”’ according to locality. It is
especially numerous along the creeks and rivers on the Atlantic
during the autumnal migration, when excursions for obtaining
it are a favorite amusement of gunners and sportsmen. It
appears to inhabit the entire temperate regions of North
America. There is apparently little, if any, geographical varia-
tion noticeable in a large series of specimens, and the principal
individual variation consists in the extent of the black on the
throat, which in some examples extends back as far as the middle
of the abdomen.

Mr. Nelson thus describes the nesting habits of the Sora:

‘““Exceedingly abundant summer resident in all marshy situa-
tions. Arrives the first of May and departs in October. Nests
along the borders of prairie sloughs and marshes, depositing
from eight to fourteen eggs. Their nest may often be discovered
at a distance by the appearance of the surrounding grass, the
blades of which are in many cases interwoven over the nest,
apparently to shield the bird from the fierce rays of the sun,
which are felt with redoubled force oi the marshes. The nests
are sometimes built on a solitary tussock of grass, growing: in
the water, but not often. The usual position is in the soft,
dense grass growing close to the edge of the slough, and rarely
in grass over eight inches high. The next is a thick matted
platform of marsh grasses, with a medium-sized depression for
the eggs.”

RALLID£ THE—RAILS, GALLINULES, AND COOTS. 95

Porzana noveboracensis ((imel.)

YELLOW RAIL.

Popular synonym. Little Yellow Rail.
Fulica noveboracensis GMEL, 8. N.i,pt. ii, 1788, 701. 3
Ortygometra noveboracensis STEPHENS, 1824.—AUD. Synop. 1839, 213; B. Am. vy, 1842, 152,
pl. 307.
Rallus noveboracensis BONAP. 1827; Am. Orn. iv, 1832, 136, pl. 27, fig.2.—Nurvr. Man. ii,
1834, 215.—Sw. & Ricu. F. B. A. ii, 1831, 402.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 251, pl. 329.
Porzana noveboracensis Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 750.—Barrep, Cat. N. Am. B.
1859, No. 557.-CovEs, Key, 1872, 274; Check List, 1873,No. 469; 2d ed. 1882, No. 680; Birds
N. W. 1874, 539.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 575; Man. N. Am. B, 1887, 140,— A.
O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 215.

“Porzana jamaicensis (?)" (error) RipGw. Orn. 49th Par. Exp. 1877, 613 (Nevada and
Utah).

Has. Eastern North America, north to Hudson’s Bay, Nova Scotia, west to Utah and
Nevada. No extralimita] record except Cuba and the Bermudas.

Sp. Cuan. Adult. Yellowish ochraceous, very glossy above, where broadly striped
with black, the black intersected by narrow bars of white; belly whitish; flanks dusky
narrowly barred with white; eFissum light cinnamon; axillars, lining of wing, and exposed
portion of secondaries, white. “Bill greenish black, with the base dull yellowish orange;
iris hazel; feet and claws light flesh-color” (AupDUBON). Total length about 6.00 inches;
wing 3.00-3.50; culmen, .50.55; tarsus, .90-1.00; middle toe, .90.

‘There is considerable individual variation, both in size and
markings, even among specimens from the same locality.
Although very rarely seen, on account of its skulking habits
and extreme reluctance to take wing, the little Yellow Rail is
not an uncommon bird in Illinois. Mr. Nelson gives it as “not
very rare” in Cook county, where it arrives early in May. Sey-
eral specimens, he says, are taken each spring, before the grass
becomes sufficiently high to effectually conceal them. The
National Museum possesses its eggs from Winnebago, taken by
Mr. J. W. Tolman, thus proving that it breeds in the northern
part of the State.

1The small Rail referred by me, with great hesitation, to P. jamaicensis, in
my “Report of the Ornithology of the Fortieth Parallel Expedition" (Vol. 1V., Pt. iii, p. 613),
was undoubtedly this species, which is the only one showing white along the hinder margin
of the wing—a peculiarity noted of the birds observed. The apparently “blackish color"
was due to imperfect observation.

aay £

ek

avira ts

96 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Porzana jamaicensis (Gmel.)

BLACK RAIL,
Popular synomym. Little Black Rail.
Rallus jamaicensis GMEL S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 718—AuD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 359, pl. 349.
Ortygometra jamaicensis “STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zool."—AupD. Synop. 1839, 2i4; B.
Am. v, 1842, 157, pl. 308.

Porzana jamaicensis Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858,749.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No-
556.—CouEs, Key, 1872, 247; Check List, 1873, No. 470; 2d ed. 1882, No. 681; Birds N. W.
1874, 539.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 576; Man. N. Am. B, 1887, 140.—A. O. U.
Check List, 1886, No. 216.

Has. Temperate North America, north to Massachusetts, northern Illinois (breeding),
Utah, Nevada, and California; south through western South America to Chili; Cuba;
Jamaica; Bermudas.

Sp. CHar. Smaller than P. noveboracensis, and the smallest of North American Ral-
lide. Adult: Head, neck, and lower parts dark plumbeous or slate-color, darkest, and
often nearly black, on the pileum; abdomenand crissum brownish black, marked with
transverse bars of white; nape and back dark chestnut or reddish sepia-brown, the other
upper parts brownish black, with small dots and irregular transyerse bars of white; prima-
ries immaculate dusky, or with small spots of white. Young: Similar, but lower parts dull
ashy, the throat inclining to white, and the crown tinged gyith reddish brown. Downy
young: “Entirely bluish black” (Cassin). Bill black; irisred; “feet bright yellowish green”
(AuDUBON)). Total length, about 5.00 inches; wing 2.50-3.20; culmen, .50-.60; tarsus, 85-.90;
middle toe, 80-1. 00.

Like its relative, the Yellow Rail, the present species is
much more numerous than one not familiar with its habits
would suppose. Mr. Nelson’s memoranda concerning it (Au//.
Essex Inst., VIIL., 1876, pp. 134, 135) are as follows:

“Tike the preceding, of not very rare occurence. Breeds, Dur-
ing the spring of 1875 I saw three specimens in the Calumet
Marshes. The first was observed early in May. On the 19th of
June, the same season, while collecting with me near the Calumet
River, Mr. Frank DeWitt, of Chicago, was fortunate enough to
discover a nest of this species containing ten freshly laid eggs.
The nest was placed in a deep cup-shaped depression in a per-
fectly open situation on the border of a marshy spot, and its
only concealment was such as a few straggling carices afforded.
It is composed of soft grass blades loosely interwoven in a cir-
cular manner. The nest, in shape and construction, looks much
like that of a meadow lark. The following are its dimensions
in inches: Inside depth, 2.50; inside diameter, 3.25; outside
depth, 3.50; outside diameter, 4.50. The eggs are a cream-white

1 Inan adult male, killed June 6, 1879, near Washington, D. C., the fresh colors of the

“soft parts” were as follows: Bill entirely deep black; iris bright brick-red; legs and feet
brown, much the same color as the wing-coverts.

97

RALLIDE—THE RAILS, SEL EYESER, AND COOTS.

ead of clear white, as I stated in a recent article (Bull. Nutt.
wn. Club, Vol. 1., p. 48), and average 1.00 by .81 inches. They
re nearly perfectly oval, and are thinly sprinkled with fine
ddish-brown dots, which become larger and more numerous at
_ one end. ‘Minute shell markings in the form of dots are also
isible. Owing to the small diameter of the nest, the eggs were
n two layers.”

_—

a

98 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Famity GRUIDZZ.—THE CRANES.

The diagnosis of this family has already been given on page
82. The species are all of very large size, and inhabit grassy
plains, as well as marshes. The bill is moderately long; the
nostrils broad and pervious, the nasal groove extending but
little beyond them. The legs are long, but the toes are short;
the hind toe is very short and much elevated, the claw scarcely
touching the ground.

The genera are few in number, but one, Gris, belonging to
North America.

GENUS GRUS PALuas.

Grus Pau. Mise. Zool. 1766, 66. Type, Ardea grus LINN.

Cuar. Bill lengthened, straight, the upper mandible only slightly decurved at the ex-
treme tip; the commissure and other outlines straight. Nasal groove very large and open,
extending over the basal two thirds of the bill. Nostrils broadly open, pervious; the ante-
rior extremity half way from the tip of bill to eye. The upper half of the head naked, warty,
but with short hairs.

Legs much lengthened; toes short, hardly more than one third the tarsus. Inner toe
rather longer, its claw much larger than the outer. Hind toe elevated, short. Toes con-
nected at base by membrane. Tarsi broadly scutellate anteriorly. Tertials longer than
primaries, decurved; first quill not much shorter than second. Tailof twelve feathers.

Synopsis of Species.

A. Adult plumage white, the primaries black;cheeks naked. Bill very thick, the gonys
strongly convex.

1. G, americana.

B, Adult plumage grayish or plumbeous, the primaries slate-color; cheeks always feath-
ered. Bill slender, longer than middle toe; gonys straight.

2. G,canadensis. Wing, 17.75-19.00 inches; culmen, 2.90-3.70; tarsus, 6.70-8.00; middle toe
2.80-2.95. Hab. Alaska to New Mexico and Texas, breeding (exclusively?) far
northward.

38. G, mexicana. Wing, 22.00 inches; culmen, 5.00-6.00; tarsus, 10.00; middle toe, 3.50 or
more. Hal. Western United States and Gulf States from Washington to
Florida.

“—

q

GRUIDE—THE CRANES. 99

Grus americana (Linn.)

‘i WHOOPING CRANE.

Popular synonym. Great White Crane.
Ardea americana Linn. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 234.—Wies. Am. Orn, viii, 1814, 20, pl. 64, fig. 3.
Grus americana Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 372.—Nurr. Man. 1834, 34.—Aup. Orn.

Biog. iii, 1835, 202, pl. 226; Synop. 1889, 219; B. Am. v, 1842, 188, pl. 313—Barmp, B. N. Am,
1858, 654; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 478.—Covuss, Key, 1872, 271; Check List, 1873, No.
462; ed. 2, 1882, No. 668; Birds N. W. 1874, 530. Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 582;
Man. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 582.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 204.

Grus hoyanus, DUDLEY, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vii, 1854. 64 (young).—STmmpson,
Mem. Chicago Acad. i, 1868, 129, pl. 19.

Has. The interior of North America from Texas and Florida to the Fur Countries,
and from Colorado to Ohio; south to Guanajuato, Central Mexico?! Formerly found,
casually, in the Atlantic States.

Sp. Coan. Adult: Whole crown and occiput covered by a warty or granulated skin
almost bare on the oeciput, but covered anteriorly by black hair-like bristles; the color
of this skin reddish in life. Lores and malar region. including a narrow angular strip
extending from the latter down each side of the throat, also naked, and similarly bristled,
the bristles denser anteriorly. Color entirely pure white, excepting the primaries and
their coyerts, which are uniform slate-black, and a patch of plumbeous on the upper
part of the nape, adjoining the bare skin of the occiput and extending downward for
the distance of about two inches. “Bill wax-yellow; iris gamboge-yellow; bare skin of
head dull orange-color; legs blue-black.” (Sw. & Ricu. |. ¢c.) Young: Head completely
feathered. Generalcolor white, with large patches here and there, especially above, of
light cinnamon, the head and neck almost continuously of this color. The primaries
and their coyerts uniform dull black, as in the adult, Bill dull wax-yellow, the terminal
portion blackish; legs and feet blackish. Immature: Bare portions of the head indicated
by feathers of a harsher texture and darker color than elsewhere, occupying the areas
which are naked in the fully adult. Plumage much stained with pale cinnamon, as in
the first plumage.

Total length, about 52.00 inches; extent, 92.00; wing, 24.00; culmen, 5.35; tarsus, 12.00;
middle toe, 4.25,

Once an abundant migrant, and in some localities a common
summer resident, this grand bird is now rare in most parts of
the State, and is becoming yearly more so. Mr. Nelson remarks
of it: “Along the Illinois River and more thinly settled portions
of the State it is still common during the migrations, and a few
pairs breed upon the large marshes in central Illinois.”’

Grus mexicana (Miill.)

SAND HILL CRANE,
Popular synomym, Brown Crane.
Ardea (grus) mexicana Miu. 8. N. Suppl. 1776, 110 (ex Briss. Orn. vy, 380),
Grus canadensis, §. mexicana B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 407.
Grus mexicana Ripew. Proc. U.S, Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 356; Man. N. Am. B, 1887, 185,.—
A.O,U. Check List, 1886, No, 206,

' Fide Professor A. Dugés, in epist.

=o:

VIC Seas e er ene eo ee ne

100 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Ardea canadensis, var. p + Lata. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 676 (Mexico).

Grus pratensis BARTR, Travels, 1791, 144, 218.—Couns, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 670.

Grus fusca (part) VIEL. Nouv. Dict. xiii, 1817, 558,

Grus canadensis Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 38 (nec Ardea canadensis LINN.).—BArgpD, B. N.
Am. 1858, 655; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 479.—Couss, Key, 1872, 271; Check List, 1873, No. 463;
B.N. W. 1874, 532.—HrensH. Zo6l. Wheeler’s Exp. 1875, 467.—Ripew. Orn. 40th Par.
1877, 611; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 583.

Grus americana (supposed young) AuD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 441, pl, 261; Synop. 1839,
219; B. Am. v, 1842, 188, pl. 314.

Has. Southern half of North America, but now very rare along Atlantic coast north of
Georgia; south to central Mexico; breeding in Florida and Cuba, and from the States im-
mediately west of the Mississippi River to the Pacific coast; winters in the Gulf States and
in Mexico,

Sp. CHar. Adult: Entire pileum, including lores, covered with a bare, granulated skin
(reddish in life), interspersed with scattered fine blackish hairs; the posterior margin of
this bare skin divided medially, on the occiput, by an angular projection of the feathers on
the upper part of the nape. General color of the plumage continuous and nearly uniform
slaty gray, this frequently stained or overlaidin places by a rusty wash, the primaries
slate-colored, with whitish shafts. Cheeks and throat sometimes distinctly whitish. Legs
and feet blackish; bill blackish, paler at tip; iris crimson? Young: Head entirely feath-
ered. Plumage much as in the adult, but of a lighter and more brownish gray, and always
conspicuously stained, especially on upper parts, with tawny-cinnamon or rusty.

Sandhill Cranes usually arrive in Illinois on their way north-
ward during the latter half of March, and return in October or
November. Formerly, large numbers remained within the State
to breed, but so thickly has the country become settled, that
those which now do so are very few indeed—at least in com-
parison with former years. As long ago as 1876, Mr. Nelson
stated that, while formerly nesting abundantly on all the large
marshes, but few then bred except on one or two large marshes
in the central part of the State, where he was informed they
were ‘‘still quite numerous”. Just where the large marshes in
question are located, Mr. Nelson has not told us.

During their migrations they pass high in the air, often be-
yond the limits of sight, but making their presence known by
their sonorous, rattling, trumpet-like notes, which have been
aptly compared to the sound ‘“‘made by the blocks and ropes
when hoisting sail on a vessel’.

Unlike the Great Blue Heron, which usually passes under the
name of ‘“‘crane’’ or ‘‘blue crane,’ the Sandhill Crane feeds more
in meadows, prairies, and plowed fields than in marshes, and
its food, instead of being chiefly frogs, crayfish, and fishes, con-
sists largely of field-mice and other small mammals, grasshop-
pers, succulent roots, seeds, ete., potatoes, and especially sweet

GRUIDE—THE CRANES. 101

ta Bststes, being greatly relished. In fact, it is practically om-
hes

_nivorous; and when domesticated will devour almost anything
_ eatable that is presented to it. Like the heron, however, it is
extremely wary, and cautious indeed must be the hunter who
approaches within gunshot.

‘The nest of the Sandhill Crane is placed on the ground among

_ vegetation, which conceals it, sometimes in a marsh, but often

on dry spots. The eggs are usually two in number, their average

size being about 3.98 by 2.44 inches, and their color some shade
of pale olive-brown, or drab,'spotted with darker brown, red-

. : _ dish brown, and purplish gray. The young are at first covered

with a soft dense down, bright rusty on the upper parts and
pale grayish on the lower, and are said to be unable to fly until
they become nearly as large at their parents, whom they follow

about until able to take wing, before which time they elude pur-_

suit by swiftly running and then hiding among the grass and
weeds. Taken when quite small, they are very easily domesti-
cated and become most amusing pets; but are somewhat dan-
gerous on account of their propensity to use their sharp bills,
thus endangering the eyesight of persons who allow them to
become too familiar,

ee ee ae

——

+

TOW BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Orprr HERODIONES.—TuE Herons, Storks, [BisEs, ETC.

CHARACTERS. Altricial ptilopedic Grallatores, with the hallux lengthened and
nearly or quite incumbent; palate desmognathous; carotids double; habits more or less
arboreal,

The Order Herodiones includes several distinct groups, which
may be defined as follows:

al, Sides of upper mandible with a deep narrow groove extending uninterruptedly
from the nostrils to tho tip.......0...ecsseseescccccecscessescceesssess Suborder Ibides.
a. Sides of upper mandible without any groove.

b1. Hind toe inserted above the level of the anterior toes; claws broad and flat,

resting on a heavy pad or shoe, the middle one not pectinated.
Suborder Ciconie.
b?. Hind toe inserted on the same level as the anterior toes; claws narrow,
arched, the under surface free, and the middle one with its inner edge
POCHMALCA.... oracccccseceserssevccevcccssencencecseseccescss ene SUUOLGEr MErOOL.

SuBORDER IBIDES.—THE SPOONBILLS AND IBISES.

Families.

a, Bill very broad and excessively flattened, greatly widened toward end, only the ex-
treme tip decurved........seeeeeeceeeees SosbackbrewoeResbbn lasses anne ws usc asennnee
Bill slender, nearly eylindrica!, or even narrower than deep toward end, gradually
but decidedly decurved for nearly whole length.......secccseseesescees cesses LDIMide.

eee eee ee ee eee

ie

a. + *

PLATALEID£—THE SPOONBILLS.

Famiry PLATALEID2As.—TueE Spoonsi.1s.

-CHar. Large-sized Ibis-like birds, with the bill greatly flattened and expanded term-
finally. Bill deep through the base (the culmen ascending), but immediately flattened; nar-
rowest across the middle portion, the end widely expanded, the tip rounded and decuryed.
Nostrils superior, longitudinal, without surrounding or overhanging membrane; nasal
foss prolonged forward in a narrow, continuous groove to the extreme tip of the bill (as
in the Ibises), its course nearly (or in some genera quite) parallel with the lateral outline
of the maxilla; approximate surfaces of maxilla and mandible with one or two rows of
more or less prominent tooth-like papillm along each side. Tarsus longer than middle
toe, and with small longitudinal hexagonal scales in front; outer toe decidedly longer than
inner, its claw reaching to the base of the middle claw; hallux nearly incumbent, about
equal to the basal phalanx of the inner toe; bare portion of tibia longer than outer toe;
web between inner and middle toes well developed.. Wings ample, reaching about to the
end of the tail, the primaries a little longer than the tertials. Tail short, even, of twelve
stiff, broad, round-ended feathers.

The Spoonbills are closely related to the Ibises, but differ con-
spicuously in the flattened, paddle-shaped bill, as well as in
some other minor characters. They belong chiefly to the east-
ern hemisphere, where six or seven species, representing three
genera, occur, the western hemisphere possessing but a single
species, of different generic type from those of the Old World.

Genus AJAJA ReIcHENBACH.

Ajaja Retcuens. Handb. 1851, xvi. Type, Platalea afaja Lx.

Gen. Cuan. Bill much expanded and excessively depressed terminally, the tip de-
eurved, much broader than deep at the base, the middle portion contracted to considerably
less than one half the width of the terminal “disk.” Nostrils sub-basal, superior, near to-
gether, longitudinal, and without adjacent membrane. Head completely bald in the adult
(feathered almost to the billin the young). Legs comparatively short, the tarsus but little
longer than the middle toe, covered in front, as well as all round, with small, longitudinal,
hexagonal seales. Plumage of the neck short, downy.

1A special modification of the trachea farther distinguishes the genus Ajaja from
Platalea, according to Professor Gannon (P. Z. 8. 1875, p. 299, fig. 2), who describes this
organ as “simple, straight, of uniform calibre, and peculiarly short, extending only two
thirds the neck, where the uncomplicated syrinx is situated,and the bifurcation of the
bronchi occurs.” In Platalea, on the other hand, the trachea is “convoluted within the
thorax,” etc. (See YaRrenu, Hist, Brit, B. vol. ii, p. 604)

103* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Ajaja ajaja (Linn.)

ROSEATE SPOONBILL.
Popular synonym. Pink Curlew (Florida).

Platalea ajaja Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, 1758, 140 (ex SLOANE, B. Jam. ii, 316; Marcer.; Ray); ed.
12, i, 1766, 231.—Wus. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 123, pl. 62 Gmmature).—NoutTv. Man. ii, 1834,
79.—AuD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 188; B. Am. vi, 1843, 72, pl. 362 (adult).—Cass. in
Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 686.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 501.—Couzs, Key,
1872, 264; Check List, 1873, No. 448.

Ajaja ajaja Bouc. Cat. Av. 1876, 54—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 183.—Ripew. Man.
N. Am. B. 1887, 123. :

Platea mexicana (“WitLouGHEBY”) Gams, Jour. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. Ser. 2, 1, 1849, 222
("San Francisco”),

Ajaja rosea (ex Platea rosea Briss.) RetcuH. “Nat. Syst. 16"—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881,
No. 505.—Covuss, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 653.—B, B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 102,

Has. Whole of tropical and subtropical America; north regularly to Gulf coast of the
United States; formerly ranging northward in Mississippi Valley to southern Dllinois.

Sp. CHar. Adult: Head entirely bare. Neck, back, and breast, white; tail orange-buff,
the shafts of the feathers deep pink, the inner webs inclining to pale pink. Rest of the
plumage pale rose-pink, the lesser wing-coverts’ region, and upper and lower tail-coverts,
brilliant, intense carmine. Chest with a tuft of light carmine, somewhat twisted, or
curled, narrow plumes. Sides of the breast, at base of the wings (concealed by the latter),
pale creamy buff. “Bill yellowish gray at the base, mottled with brownish black, in the rest
of its extent pale greenish blue, light on the margins; base of margin of lower mandible
greenish yellow; iris bright carmine; feet pale lake; claws brownish black; head yellowish
green; space around the eye and the gular sac orpiment-orange; a band of black from the
lower mandible to the occiput” (AUDUBON). Immature: Like the adult, but lacking the
brilliant carmine of the lesser wing-coverts’ region, tail-coverts, ete., these portions being
pale peach-blossom pink. Tail delicate peach-blossom pink, instead of orange-buff.
Nuchal and pectoral colored tufts absent. Young: Head completely feathered, except im-
mediately around the base of the bill. Head, neck, back, and anterior lower parts white, in
some specimens more or less tinged, especially above, with orange-buff;! wings, tail, and
posterior part of the body delicate pale peach-blossom pink, the shafts of the remiges and
rectrices deeper pink. Outer webs of alule, outer primary-coverts, and wide borders to
outer primaries (principally on outer webs), clear snuff-brown.

[Norg. We have not seen the young in down, nor when first feathered. The latter is
described by Audubon as follows: “The young, . . . whenabletofly, . . . are
grayish white. The billis then quite smooth, ofa yellowish green color, as are the legs
and feet, as well as the skin on part of the head. Young birds in their second year have
the wings and the lower wing-coverts of a pale roseate tint, the bil] more richly colored,
and the legs and feet dark brownish red or purplish. Atthis age they are unadorned with
the curling feathers on the breast; but in the third spring the bird is perfect, although it in-
creases in size for several seasons after.”]

Length, about 28,06-35.00 inches; expanse of wings, 48.00-53.00; wing, 14.10-15.30; tail,
4,20-5.20; culmen, 6.20-7.15; width of bill, 2.0U-2.20; tarsus, 3.75-4.65; middle toe, 2.95-3.35;
bare portion of tibia, 2.80-3, 20,

Although, like the Carolina Parrakeet and Ivory-billed Wood-
pecker, the Roseate Spoonbill may not now be found in Illinois,
I was informed, in 1879, by a taxidermist? whom I have every

1Qu. An accidental stain?

2 Mr. Alexander Wolle, Sr., of Baltimore. Md. (See Bull. Nutt. Orn. Clud, vy, Tan. 1880, p.31.)

PLATALEIDE—THE SPOONBILLS. 104*

reason to believe reliable, thati some twenty years previously,
or about 1859, he shot several specimens about some ponds in
the Mississippi Bottoms, below St. Louis. More recently, I have
received: a letter from Mr. R. E. Kirkman, of Richmond, Indiana,
giving the information that a specimen was shot in Jay Co.,
that state, July 14th, 1889.

“According to Audubon the Roseate Spoonbill is to be met,
with, for the most part, along the marshy or muddy borders
of estuaries, the mouths of rivers, on sea islands, or keys par-

tially overgrown with bushes, and still more abundantly along

the shores of the salt-water bayous so common within a mile
or two of the shore. There it can reside and breed, with almost
complete security, in the midst of an abundance of food. It is
said to be gregarious at all seasons, and that seldom less than
half a dozen may be seen together, unless they have been dis-
persed by a tempest, At the approach of the breeding-season
these small flocks collect together, forming immense collections,
after the manner of the Ibis, and resort to their former breed-
ing-places, to which they almost invariably return. Their moult
takes place late in May; during this time the young of the pre-
vious year conceal themselves among the mangroves, there
spending the day, and returning at night to their feeding-grounds,
but keeping apart from the old birds, which last have passed
through their spring moult early in March. Like the severai
species of Ibis, this bird is said occasionally to rise suddenly on
the wing, and ascend gradually, in a spiral manner, to a great
height. It flies with its neck stretched forward to its full length,
and its legs and feet extended behind. It moves in the manner
of a Heron, with easy flappings, until just as it is about to
alight, when it sails over the spot with expanded wing, and
comes gradually to the ground. It flies in a confused manner,
except when on one of its extended movements.

“Tt is usually found in the company of different Herons, whose
vigilance apprises it of any danger. It can usually be ap-
proached, when feeding, with proper care. When one is wounded
in the wing it usually makes for deep water, and swims for
some distance without attempting to dive. lf the wing is un-
injured, this bird, even though mortally wounded, will fly until
it drops dead. It is as nocturnal as the Night Heron, and its

“
eT ae ee ee ee ee ee ee i ee

105* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS. :

principal feeding time is from near sunset until daylight. In
procuring its food the Spoonbill usually wades up to the ©
tibee, immerses its bill in the soft mud, with the head, and even
the whole neck, beneath the surface, moving its partially opened
mandibles to and fro laterally, munching the small fry—insects
or shell-fish—before it swallows them. Where many are together,
one usually acts as a sentinel. He did not see it feeding in fresh
water, though he was told that it does so occasionally.

“It can alight on a tree and walk on the large branches with
all the facility of a Heron.” ( Water Birds of North America, Vol.
L., pp. 105, 106. t

€
—

IBIDID/—THE IBISES.

Famity IBIDID.2.—Tue Isises.

Cran. Wading birds of medium to rather large size, the bill much elongated, more or
less attenuated toward the end, and bent downward, more or less decidedly, in sickle-
fashion, like that of the Curlews (Numenius). Nostrils sub-basal, latero-superior, with
more or less of a membrane above and behind; nasal foss# continued forward to the very
extremity of the maxilla in the form of a deep, narrow, continuous groove. Hallux almost
incumbent; claws slender, projecting far beyond the ends of the toes,

The true Ibises form an eminently natural group of wading
birds, distinguished from their nearest allies by the above char-
acters. The species are moderately numerous (about twenty-six
being known), and are dispersed over the warmer regions of the
the earth—America possessing a larger number than any other
country (ten species, all but one of which are peculiar, or
more than one third of those known). Of the exotic species,
Africa possesses about nine (two of them in common with south-
ern Europe), Asia five, and Australia two. A very great diver-
sity of form and plumage is to be seen among the various
species, some being trim and graceful in their build, and others
uncouth, with Vulture-like head and neck—some plain in colors,
while others are among the most brilliant of birds. The scarlet
plumage of Guara rubra is not surpassed in nature for pureness
and intensity of color, and the beautiful decomposed tertial
plumes of Jhis wethiopica are scarcely excelled in gracefulness.
The species of Molybdophanes, Theristicus, and Cercibis, however,
possess but little beauty.

The family is divisible into two well-defined sections, which may
be termed subfamilies, distinguished mainly by the character of
the tarsal scutellation. They may be defined as follows:

Subfamily Ibidine, Front of the tarsus covered with hexagonal scales.
Subfamily Gnarine, Front of the tarsus with largo transverse scutellm, arranged
in a more or less continuous single series,

107* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Both of the above subfamilies are represented in America, but
only the latter in the northern continent. The North American
genera may be recognized by the following characters:

SupramMity GUARINZ.

Guara, Head of adult wholly naked anteriorly. Feathers of the pileum short, close,
and blended, and those of the neck not distinctly lanceolate. Colors plain white or red,
with black wing-tips, in adults; dull gray and white in young.

Plegadis, Head of adult wholly feathered, except the lores; feathers of the pileum
distinctly lanceolate and slightly elongated, forming a slightly rounded crest when erected.
Colors highly metallic, of varied tints; motallic greenish, bronze or purple above; neck
and under parts chestnut in adults; neck streaked with white and under parts grayish
brown in young.

Genus GUARA REICHENBACH.

Eudocimus Wau. Isis, 1882, 1232 (nee Hudocima BruLBERG, 1820). Type, Scolopar
rubra LINN.

Guara REICH. Syst. Av. 1852, p. xiv. Type, Scolopax rubra LINN.

Leucibis Rrtcu. Syst. Av. 1852, p. xiv. Type, Scolopaz alba Linn.

Gen. CHAR. Bill moderately slender, attenuated toward the end, strongly decurved;
bare portion of the tibia equal to or rather shorter than the outer toe; middle toe, with
claw, shorter than the tarsus; inner toe (without claw) reaching to or alittle beyond the sub-
terminal articulation of the middle toe; outer toe reaching to or beyond the middle of the
subterminal phalanx of the middle toe; hallux about equal to the basal phalanx of the inner
toe; claws short, moderately curved, that of the middle toe more or less bent outwardly to-
ward the tip, its inner projecting edge convex. Anterior half of the head bare (in the adult)
including the forehead, lores, orbital and malar regions, chin, and more or less of the throat;
in the young, this bare skin more restricted. Foathers of the head and neck dense but
rather soft, with rather distinct outlines, but with somewhat truncated tips. Primaries ex-
tending alittle beyond the tertials, the second and third quills longest and nearly equal,
first a little shorter than the fourth; inner webs of outer four slightly sinuated toward their
ends. Adults with the plumage entirely uniform white or scarlet, except tips of the longer
quills, which arejglossy black. Young, uniform dark brownish gray, the belly white.

Species.
a, Adult, pure intense scarlet, the tips of the longer primaries glossy blue-black. Young,
dark brownish gray, With belly White .........ccccececesccsecccccccscceccessss+Qe FUDIA.

a?, Adult, pure white (sometimes tinged with pink in the breeding season or in freshly
killed specimens), the tips of longer primaries glossy greenish black. Young, gray-
ish brown, the rump, tail-coverts, base of tail, and under parts white.........G, alba.

Both the Scarlet and the White Ibises are peculiar to the warmer
parts of America. They are in a measure complementary to one
another in their distribution, for, while their respective ranges
overlap in Central America the former is found chiefly in the
northern parts of South America and the latter in the more
southern United States and in Mexico. So similar are these spe-
cies in size, proportions, and pattern of coloration, and to a cer-

IBIDIDE—THE IBISES, 108*

tain extent in color also, that the question has been raised,!

whether they are not really offshoots from a common ances-
tral stock, which, like a species of eastern Asia (dis nippon)
and certain herons, was at one time ‘‘dichromatic.”

Guara alba (Linn.)

WHITE IBIS,

Popular synonyms. White Curlew; Spanish Curlew (Florida); Gray Ibis, Brown Ibis
(young); Coco (Cuba); Ibis blanco (Mexico).

Scolopaz alba Linn. 8. N. i, ed. 10, 1758, 145.

Tantalus albus GMeL. 8. N. i, 1788, 651.—Wins. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 43, pl. 66. _

Ibis alba Vreru. Nouy. Dict. xvi, 1817, 16.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 86.—AuD. Orn. Biog. iii,
1835, 178; v, 1839, 593, pl. 222; Synop. 1839, 257; B. Am. vi, 1843, 54, pl. 360.—Cass.in
Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 684.—Barep, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 499.—Cougs, Check List,
1873, No. 446.

Eudocimus albus WaGt. Isis, 1832, 1232.—RipGw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No.501.—Covgs,
Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 651.

Guara alba StesN. Stand. Nat. Hist. iv, 1885, 9—A. O. UO. Check List, 1886, No. 184.—

“ Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 13, 1887, 123.

Tantalus alber Linn. 8. N. i, 1766, 242.

Tantalus coco Jacq. Beitr. 1784, 13.
Tantalus griseus GMEL. 8. N. i, 1788, 653 (young).
Eudocimus longirostris WaGt. Isis, 1829, 760.

Has. Warm-temperate eastern North America, West Indies, Middle America, and
tropical South America; north to Connecticut, eastern Pennsylvania, Lllinois, and Great
Salt Lake, Utah; south to Brazil.

S8p.CHAr. Adult: Terminal portion (beyond the emargination) of three to fiye? outer
primaries, glossy greenish black, with a bright metallic green lustre. Rest of the plumage
entirely pure white. Bill, bare skin of the head, legs and feet, bright carmine in the breed-
ing season; at other times paler, or orange-red; iris fine pearly blue (AUDUBON).? End of

1See The Auk, vol. i, 1884, pp. 239, 240.

2 According to Audubon, ‘There is a curious, though not altogether general, difference
between the sexes of this species as to plumage,—the male has five of its primaries tipped
with glossy black for several inches, while the female, which is very little smaller than the
male, has only four markedin this manner. On examining more thana hundred individ-
uals of each sex, I found only four exceptions, which occurred in females that were very
old birds, and which, as happens in some other species, might perhaps have been under-
going the curious change exhibited by Ducks, Pheasants, and some other birds, the females
of which, when old, sometimes assume the livery of the males.” This supposed sexual
difference we have been unable to verify with the series before us, though it is very pos-
sible that some specimens may not have the sex correctly determined.

*“Bare parts of the head [in the adult male] light orange-red; bill the samo, but towards
the tip dusky. Iris of a fine pearly blue. Legs and toes paler than the bill; claws dusky,
tipped with horn color.

“After the first moult, the bill is pale yellowish orange, toward the base greenish; the
naked parts of the head are pale orange yellow, inclining to flesh-color; the eye dark
brown; the feet pale blue,

“The change in the coloring of the bill, legs, and feet of this bird, that takes place in
the breeding season, is worthy of remark, the bill being then of a deep orange-red, and
the legs and feet of a red nearly amounting to carmine. The males at this season have the
gular pouch of a rich orange color, andsomewhat resembling in shape that of the Frigate
Pelican, although proportionally less. During winter these parts are of a dull flesh color.
The irides also lose much of their clear blue, and resume in some degree the umber color
of the young birds. Iam thu; particular in these matters, because it is doubtful if any one
else has ever paid attention & them.” (AUDUBON.)

—B. .

109* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS,

the bill sometimes blackish. Young: Uniform, rather dark, grayish brown, the rump,
upper tail-coverts, basal half of tail, and entire lower parts, including axillars and tining of
the wing, continuous white; head and neck streaked with dusky or grayish brown on &
grayish or dull whitish ground-color. Feathering of the head extending forward almost
to the bill.

Length, about 24.00-26.00; expanse, about 40.00; wing, 10.30-11.75; tail, 4.00-5.00; culmen,
4.15-6.30; depth of bill, .60-.72; tarsus, 3.10-4.00; middle toe, 2.15-2.70; bare portion of tibia,
2.00-2.80.

Downy young. ‘‘The young birds are at first covered with a thick down of a dark gray
color.” (AUDUBON.) :

Immature specimens show, according to age, all possible
stages of plumage intermediate between the pure white adult
and gray young.

I have very little information respecting the White Ibis in
Illinois, having observed it but once, a flock of seven or eight
examples, all in the gray plumage, having been seen by Mr.
William Brewster and myself about the 8th of May, 1878, ave
ing along the Wabash River, at Mt. Carmel.

Genus PLEGADIS Kauvp.

‘‘Falcinellus BEcustT.” AucT. (nee BECHSTEIN).
Plegadis Kaur, Skizz. Entw. Gesch. 1829, 82. Type, Tantalus falcinellus LINN.
Tantalides WaGu. Isis, 1832, 1231. Type, Tantalus falcinellus Linn.

Gen. CHAR. Billshallow through the base, moderately tapering, and gently curved;
the base not turgid, and the basal outline of the maxilla deeply concaye; bare portion of
tibia equal to or longer than outer toe; middle toe about three fourths the tarsus; inner toe
reaching past the subterminal articulation of the middle toe; hallux about equal to the
basal phalanx of the inner toe. Forehead and orbital, malar, and gular regions completely
feathered, the lores and interramal space only being naked, the feathering on the chin
forming an acute angle which advances to as far as the middle of the nostrils; feathers of
the pileum elongated, lanceolate, and distinct, forming, whon erected, a sort of full, round-
edcrest; those of the occiput and nape, and uppex half of the neck all round, also distinet
and lanceolate. Plumage chiefly metallic green above; the adults with head and upper
part of neck chestnut, and lower parts chestnut (autwmnalis and guarauna) or violet-
blackish (ridgwayi); the young with head and‘upper part of neck streaked grayish brown
and white, the lower parts grayish brown (autwmnalis and guarauna) or violet-dusky
(ridgwayi).

This genus differs conspicuously from Guara in the complete feathering of the head
(exeepting only the lores and the space between the mandibular rami) and in the brilliantly
metallic plumage.

There are two species in North America, one, P. autumnadlis,
inhabiting the eastern portion, and identical, apparently, with
the Old World species, the other, P. guarauna, replacing it in’
the western parts of the United States and southward through

IBIDIDE—THE IBISES. 110*

"Mexico and Central America and over the greater part of South
_ America. A third species, P. ridgwayi (ALLEN 1) inhabits the
highlands of Peru.

~The two North American species are almost exactly alike in
‘ Pinte. and probably cannot be distinguished with certainty

in the immature stage. When fully adult, however, they may
readily be recognized by the following characters:

a, Feathers around base of bill blackish; lores greenish in life, and bill and legs green-
ish, or at least not red. aces) - Co e E aed kv sbabankwahaesasinateos secs seatep AUSOIMNELIN,

at, Feathers around base of bill white; lores lake-red in lite; bill more or less reddish,
Poprranidd lege WAKO-TOd. ..<0..00< 0c. scccpepssccconsocsscenevccessssocsscessengcerscek s PUATAUDA’.

P. quarauna very \ikely occurs occasionally in Illinois, having

been taken in Nebraska, Kansas, and other States immediately

- west of the Missouri River; but so far as I nie it has not been
detected within our limits.

Plegadis eae aaaia lie (Hasselq.)

GLOSSY IBIS,

Popular synomyms. Bay Ibis; Green Ibis (young); Black Curlew.

Tringa autumnalis HassExa. Reise nach Palast. Deutsche Ausg. 1762, 306,
Plegadis autumnalis Stzs¥. Stand. Nat. Hist. iv, 1885, 160.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886,
No. 186.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 124.
Tantalus faleinellus Linn. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 241.
Ibis faleincellus Vrewu. N. D. xiv, 1817, 23.—Bonap. Obs. W1xs. 1825, No. 19).—NutTrT.
Man. ii, 1834, 88.—AuD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 608, pl. 387; Synop. 1839, 257; B. Am, vi,
1843, 50, pl. 358 (adult).
Plegadis falcinellus “Kavup.” Frrrson, Vig. Eur. 1869, Taf. 43, fig.3, p.378.—Rmpew. Nom.
N. Am. B. 188), No. 503,—Coves, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 649,—B, B. & R. Water B.
: } N. Am. i, 1884, 94.
na Tantalus castaneus Muu. 8. N. Suppl. 1766, 112 (adult).
—s- Pantalus viridis GueL. 8. N. i, 1788, 648 (young).
Tantalus igneus Gmeu. 8. N. i, 1788, 649 (adult).
Falcinellus igneus Gray, Gen. B. ed. 2, 1841, 87.—Exxro7, P. Z. 8. 1877, 503,
Tantalus mezicanus (nec GMEL.) ORD., Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. i, 1817, 52.
Ibis ordii Bonar. Comp. List, 1838, 49.—Cass. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 635 (part). —Barep,
2s Cat. N. Am, 1859, No. 500.
y Ibis falcinellus, var. ordii Cougs, Key, 1872, 263; Check List, 1873, No. 445; B. N. W.
1874, 517.

1Faleinellus ridgwayi ALLEN, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zo6l. fii, July, 1876, 355 (vicinity of
, Lake Titicaca, Peru).—Plegadis ridgwayi B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 94,
‘ *Scolopaz guarauna Linn. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 242.—Plegadis guarauna Ripew. Proo,
U.S. Nat. Mus, i, Oct. 2, 1878, 163,

6
os

ee a Ye Se

6, te tee. Sel 4h

111* _ BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Ibis guarauna (nec Linn.) OABoT, Proc, Bost. Soc. H, 1850, 313, 332,
Numenius longirostris (nec Wiis.) Gossz, B. Jam. 1847, 348.
Tantalus bengalensis “Licut.” BonAP. Consp. ii, 1855, 158.

Ibis peregrina “Mutu.” Bonar. Consp. ii, 1855, 159.

Haz. Warmer parts of the eastern hemisphere; West Indies, and eastern United States.
Of irregular distribution and only locally abundant in America.

Sp. Cuan. Adult. Feathers bordering the base of the bill all round, blackish,
Pileum, cheeks, and chin glossy greenish black, with purplish reflections. Hinder part of
head, whole neck, anterior portion of back,and anterior half of lesser wing-covert tract rich
reddish chestnut, darkest on back. Lower parts, except under tail-coverts, axillars, and
under wing-coverts, uniform bright reddish chestnut, lighter, brighter, and less purplish
than neck. Upper parts (except as described), under wing-coverts, axillars, and under tail-
coverts, glossy metallic dark purple, green, and bronze; the posterior portion of back, pos-
‘terior scapulars, wing-coverts, tertials, rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail nearly uniform
dull violet-purple, changing to bottle-green in certain lights; alule, primary-coverts, pri-
maries,and lower secondaries brighter bronze-green; upper secondaries more bronzy, with
a purple shade in certain lights. ‘ Under surface of wings and tail more burnished, metallic
green, bronze, and purple, the tint varying with the inclination to the light; axillars less
shining, and more violaceous; crissum violet-purple and green, like the rump. Bill black;
bare loral space greenish or bluish; legs and feet greenish blackish.?

Young (changing from first to second plumage): Head and neck distinctly streaked
with dusky brown and white, the dusky streaks wider and more blackish on the pileum,
the whitish streaks gradually becoming more indistinct below. Entire lower parts plain
snuff-brown, with a soft purplish tinge, especially on the breast and tibiw; crissum, metal-
Hic green and violet. Upper parts dark, metallic violet-purple, green and bronze, the first
‘largely predominating, the last in traces; the back darkest and most uniform, the rump in-
terspersed with bright dark green feathers. A few dark chestnut feathers interspersed
over the anterior portion of the lesser wing-covert region (No. 57,003, Greece). Young
(changing from second to third plumage): In general appearance much like the preceding,
but breast, abdomen, and tibiz mostly reddish chestnut, and the anterior portion of the
back and scapulars mixed with many feathers of the same color; head and neck much
tinged with chestnut, the streaks indistinct (No. 17,493, female, Hungary).

[Norr. The Zantalus viridis of GMELIN (Syst. Nat. ii, pt. i, p. 648, No. 8, based on Green
Ibis of LarHam, Synopsis, iii, pt. i, p. 114, No. 13) seems to be this species in incomplete first
plumage, or still retaining the downy covering of the head and neck.) P

Length, about 25 inches; expanse, 42; wing, 10,20-11.85; tail, 4.30-4.50; culmen, 4.30-5.45;
depth of bill, .50-.60; tarsus, 2.90-4.30; middle toe, 2.10-2.80; bare portion of tibia, 1.70-3.10,

The young of P. autumnalis closely resembles that of P. guarauna, but is rather darker
colored, the upper parts being much more violaeeous, and the lower parts less grayish.

The Glossy Ibis, like its white relative, is an irregular sum-
mer visitor to Illinois, and is not known to breed within our
limits. Mr. Julius Hurter, of St, Louis, Mo., took one speci-

1 Audubon says: “Bill black; bare part of head grayish blue; iris hazel; feet grayish
black, claws brown.”

ey [BIDIDA—THE IBISES. 112*

and s saw two others at a small lake in Madison Co., seven pe
from St. Louis, on February 27, 1880.1 ee

‘Bull Nutt. Orn. Club, vi, April, 1831, p. 124. This specimen was kindly sub-
itted to me for examination by Mr. Hurter, and I identified it as P. autwmnalis in
Piaciciure Plumage, but I now fear that my identifleation is open to question. I have ae
"just re-read a letter from Mr. Hurter (dated April 12, 1881), in which he describes the
i 4 colors of the soft parts as follows: “Iris reddish; bill slate-color with a very

ht reddish tint; legs slate with also a reddish tint on the upper parts; bare skin
“a front of the eye brownish red.” (Italics my own.) The presence of a reddish tint to
2" 2! = the ‘soft parts point rather to P. guarauna, and the specimen should be carefully Lee

~

ia Hal ale
ah 7

ee BIRDS OF ILLINOIS,

SuborpDER CICONIZ.—TuaE StorKs AND Woop IBIsEs.

Famity CICONIIDA.—Tue Storks anp Woop Isises.

Cuar. Large, Heron-like birds, with bill much longer than the head, thick through the
base, and more or less elongate-conical; the nostrils sub-basal, more or less superior, and
bored into the bony substance of the bill, without overhanging or surrounding membrane;
maxilla without any lateral groove. Legs covered with small, longitudinally hexagonal
scales; claws short, depressed, their ends broad and convex, resting upon horny, crescentic
“shoes;” hallux with its base elevated decidedly above the base of the anterior toes.

The above characters are sufficient to define this family, which
is related to the Ibises (Jé¢didw) and Spoonbills (Plataleide) as
well as to the Herons. There are two well-marked subfamilies,
with the following characters:

Subfamily Ciconiine. Bill elongate-conical, acute, compressed, the end not decurved,
though sometimes recurved. Nostrils rather lateral than superior. Toes very short, the
middle one much less than half the tarsus (only a little more than one third); lateral toes
nearly equal; claws short, broad, nail-like.

Subfamily Tantaline, Bill elongated, subconical, subcylindrical, the end attenuated and
decurved, with the tip rounded; nostrils decidedly superior; toes long, the middle toe one
half or more the length of the tarsus; lateral toes unequal, the outer decidedly longer than
the inner; claws normal, moderately lengthened, rather narrow.

SuBpramMiLy TANTALIN2Z.—TuHE Woop IsisEs.

Genus TANTALUS Linnavs.

Tantalus Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 140; ed. 12, i, 1766, 240. Type, 7. locelator Linn.

Tantalides RELICHENB. Hand-b. 1851, p. xiv. Same type. (Not of WAGLER, 182,—Plegadis
Kaur.)

Tantalops Couns, Key, 2d ed. 1882, 658. Same type.

Gen. CHAR. Large, Stork-like birds, with long legs, neck, and beak, the latter attenu-
ated and decurved terminally, much as in the true Ibises. Bill much thickened at the base,
both vertically and laterally, much attenuated terminally, where almost abruptly, but no
greatly, decurved. Nostrils bored directly into the bony substance of the bill, the maxilla
destitute of any trace of a nasal groove. Legs covered with small longitudinally hexagonal
seales, Toes long, very slender, the middle one about, or a little more than, half the length
of the tarsus, the outer one reaching to the middle of the subterminal phalanx of the middle
toe, the inner much shorter, not reaching the subterminal articulation of the middle tee;

CICONUIDA—THE STORKS AND WOOD IBISES. 114*

_hallux about equal to the inner toe and claw; bare portion of the tibia longer than the mid-
dle toe, the upper third, or more, without scales, and smooth; web between inner and mid-
dle toes well developed, but smaller than the outer web. Plumage compact above, loose

_ below, the feathers of the neck small, their webs somewhat decomposed. Remiges well

: developed, the tertials reaching to the end of the primaries, the latter hard, coneave be-
neath, the outer four with their inner webs deeply sinuated at or anterior to the middle
portion; second, third, and fourth quills nearly equal, or longest. Tail short (shorter than

_ bill or tarsus), even, of 12 broad, stiff feathers. Adult, with the whole head and upper half
of hind neck bare, covered with a hard, scurfy, and more or less corrugated skin. Young,
with the whole head and neck, except the chin and forehead, feathered.

Tantalus loculator Linn.

" WOOD IBIS.

Popular synonyms. Wood Pelican; Gannet (Florida); Colorado Turkey (Arizona); Sowewies,
Negroscopes (Brit. Guiana); Tagarote, Galambas, Garzon (Mexico).

ie Tantalus loculator Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 140, No. 1 (ex Kier, 127; CATESBY, i, $1); ed. 12,
uA . 1766, i, 241, No. 1.—Wixs. Am. Orn. viii, 1814,39, pl. 66, fig. 1.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834,82.—
- Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,128, pl. 216; Synop. 1839, 259; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 64, pl. 361
f (adult).—Cass. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 682—Barrp, Oat. N. Am. B. 1859, NO. 497.
Covzs, Key, 1872, 262; Check List, 1873, No. 444; 2d ed. 1882, No. 648; Birds N. W. 1874,
513.—_Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 500; Man. N. Am. B, 1887,125.—A. O. 0. Check
a List, 1886, No. 188.
Tantalus plumicollis Sprx, Av. Bras. pl. 85 (young).
y “Ibis nandasson; I. nandapoa, Viet.” (Gray & BonaP.)
Wood Pelican CatesBy, Carolina, pl. 81.
Re Le Guriaca de Cayenne Burr. P|. Enl. 1770-84, pl. 868 (adult).
; Wood Ibis Penn. Arct. Zool. ii, 1785, 458, No. 360.
Tantalus ichthyophagus, the Gannet, BARTRAM, Travels, 1791, 293,

Has. The whole of tropical and most of warm-temperate America; north to New York
(casual), Ohio, Indiana, Wisconsin, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California; south to Ecua-
Ae dor and Argentine Republic.

Sp. Cuan. Adult: Head and upper half of the neck naked, and covered with a hard,
' _seurfy skin, of a dusky color; the vertex covered by a somewhat shield-shaped horny plate,
of a lighter color, the neck with transverse, somewhat ovate, bark-like, rugose scales, Pium-
age in general uniform white, the primary-coverts, remiges, and rectrices black, with me-
tallic purple, bronze, and green reflections. Under wing-coverts pale rose-pink in breed-
ing season. “Bill dusky yellowish brown, the edges yellow; sides of the head dark bluish
purple, upper part of the head horn-color, or dull grayish yellow, the rest of the bare skin
“ of the same tint, many of the scales anteriorly blue; iris deep brown, ata distance seeming
black; tibia and tarsus indigo-blue; toes above black, on the lateral and hind toes, however,
many of the scutell# bluish gray, the webs pale yellowish flesh-color; claws black” (AuDU-
BON). Young; Head and neck covered with rather scant, somewhat “woolly,” feathers, ex-
cepting the forehead, anterior part of the crown, lores, anterior portion of malar region,
chin, and anterior part of throat, which are covered with a smooth skin. Head and neck
grayish brown, darkest on the occiput (where dark sooty), growing gradually paler below.
Rest of the plumage as in the adult, but the black feathers of wings and tail less metallic.)
. Immature: Head bare and corrugated, as in the adult; neck feathered, as in the young.
Total length, about 35,00-45.00 inches; extent of wings, 62,00-70.00;iwing, 17.60-19.50; tail,6.10-
7.30; culmen, 7.55-9.80; depth of bill through nostril, 1.55-1.90; tarsus, 7.00-8.50; middle toe,

a 3,854.30; bare part of tibia, 5.00-6.25;* weight 11% lbs.

1 According to Audubon, “the young are dusky gray all over, the quills and tail brownish
black; the head all covered with down, excepting just at the base of the bill. After the first
moult, the bare space extends over the head and cheeks; the downy feathers of the hind
head and neck are dusky; the general color of the plumage is white, the quills and tail as in
the adult, but with less gloss,”

2 Ten adults measured,

>) a ae. ee ee ee,

ae 2

Vl) ae AL ee ee ey

ala Da }e" BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

This remarkable bird is an irregular summer visitor to Illi-
nois, particularly the more southern counties, where it occurs,
usually in small flocks, about the secluded, forest-hemmed ponds
and sloughs. It probably breeds in the extreme southern portion,
though oftenest seen during the latter part of summer, when
small companies, composed chiefly of young birds, straggle
northward. As described by Bartram, itmay often be seen stand-
ing listless and alone on the topmost limb of some tall dead
cypress, its neck drawn in upon its shoulders, and its enormous
bill resting, like a scythe, upon its breast. The writer has fre-
quently seen it soaring majestically in broad circles over the
Wabash River, at Mt. Carmel, its large size and pure white color
rendering it at such times very conspicuous.

Audubon describes its flight as heavy on rising from the
ground; its neck is then deeply curved downward, its wings flap
heavily, and its legs are not stretched out behind until it has
proceeded several yards. It then ascends with great celerity,
generally in a spiral direction, in silence unless alarmed; if
frightened, it utters a rough guttural croaking note. It pro-
ceeds in a direct flight, with alternate flapping and sailing, the
latter being more prolonged. It alights on trees with more ease
than the heron, and either stands erect, or crouches on the
branch in the manner of a wild turkey. When at rest it places
its bill against its breast, while the neck seems to shrink be-
tween the shoulders. In this position one may sometimes see
fifty on the same tree. In the spring months it collects in large
flocks before returning to its breeding-place. When a breeding-
place has been once chosen, it is resorted to for many years in
succession, and the birds are with difficulty made to abandon
it. The Wood Ibis feeds largely on fishes, but also devours frogs,
young alligators, wood-rats, various kinds of young birds, crabs,
snakes, turtles, and the like. It is very tenacious of life, and if
wounded resists vigorously, and is dangerous to approach. It
is very tough and oily, and unfit for food.

THE HERONS AND BOATBILLS,

at Bill lance-shaped, or compressed, narrow, and pointed, its lateral outlines nearly
< straight, the gonys several times longer than the width of the under mandi-

Jee a? Bill shaped like a broad inverted boat; its lateral outlines much bowed, and the gonys
apy): te ie Dee Anes ee Wa Of eeAer TNANGIDO sore acscencscatsccsvacccssecnpedess Cochleariidz,

“The Cochleariide are not represented in our fauna, being
Peierls to tropical America,

ee. are = ee

HLL he BIRDS OF ILLINOIS, ’

Famity ARDEID@.—Tuae Herons,

Cnar. Altricial waders having the bill compressed, pointed, all the outlines nearly
straight; the lores and orbits naked; the rest of the head (except, sometimes, the malar
region, or part of the throat) feathered, the occiput, also lower foreneck, back, or scapu-
lars, frequently with ornamental plumes. Plumage generally handsome and variegated.
Two to three pairs of powder-down tracts. Other characters variable.

The Herons are among the most widely diffused of birds, one
species, the common Night Heron (Wycticorax nycticorax) being
nearly cosmopolitan. Many of the Old World forms have not
been examined in the present connection, but there is good
reason for believing that the number of subfamilies here reccg-
nized as represented in America can be consistently increased.

Ardeine. Tail-feathers 12, more lengthened, and decidedly more stiff than the coverts;
outer toe as long as or decidedly longer than the inner; claws comparatively short
and strongly curved.

Botaurine, Tail-feathers 10, very short, scarcely more stiff than the coverts; outer toe de-
cidedly shorter than the inner; claws lengthened, slightly curved.

SuBFAMILY ARDEIN.A.—THE True HERONS AND EGRETS.

ANALYSIS OF GENERA.

a. Billcomparatively long and narrow, the culmen longer than the tarsus, and eqnal to at
least five times the greatest depth of the bill; plumage of the yoting not conspicu-
ously different in pattern from that of the adult. .......c.s.seeceeeeeseeecececes s+ -APdea,

a2 Billcomparatively short and thick, the culmen not longer than the tarsus, and equal to
not more than four times the greatest depth of the bill; plumage of the young con-
spicuously different in pattern from that of the adult ......0..eceeseeeeee+-NOtioorax,

ARDEIDAX—THE HERONS.

wey Genus ARDEA Linnevs.

Ardea Lryn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 141. Type, by elimination, A. cinerea LINN.

ANALYSIS OF SUBGENERA

ae a Culmen decidedly shorter than tarsus, the latter more than one and a half times as long
: ‘ as the middle toe, without claw.
; _ ' Tarsus much less than twice as long as middle toe, without claw.
= t c! Wing more than 13 inches.

; with compact webs; head crested, the occiput, during pairing season,
" with two or more long, slender, compactly webbed plumes; plumes of
es lower neck stiffened, narrowly lanceolate, or acicular............+... Ardea.

'
, d? Wing less than 17 inches. Adults in nuptial plumage with the seapular

Y : d@ Wing more than 17 inches. Adults with scapular plumes narrowly lanceolate,

plumes excessively elongated, reaching far beyond the tail, their shafts
thick and stiffened, their webs decomposed; head without crest or
plumes, and feathers of lower neck (in American species) soft, broad, and
#7 not lengthened; color, always wholly pure white................-.Herodias.

-. c? Wing less than 11 inches.

d' Adults with occipital, jugular, and scapular plumes greatly developed, with
much decomposed webs (occipital and jugular plumes with compact webs
in exotic species); the scapular plumes extending to or beyond end of
tail and recurved at tips; color of plumage always wholly pure white.

, Garzetta.

d@? Adults with jugular and scapular plumes much elongated; the former nar-
rowly lanceolate, with compact webs, the latter also narrow, but more
loosely webbed, and often extending far beyond the tail; color of plumage
varying from uniform dark slate-blue, with maroon-colored head and
neck (in most adults), to pure white with only the tips of some primaries
bluish (in young); adults sometimes mixed white and bluish..... -- Florida.

b? Tarsus twice as long as middle toe, without claw. Adults with feathers of entire
head and neck, except throat and upper foreneck, elongated and narrowly
lanceolate, especially on occiput and lower foreneck; scapular plumes much
elongated, extending beyond end of tail, with shafts straight and stiffened, and
webs decomposed, but the hair-like fibrille rather close together; color of plum-
age uniform bluish and reddish, uniform white, or pied.......... Dichromanassa.

a* Culmen equal to or longer than tarsus, the latter less than one-and a half times as long
as middle toe without claw.

b! Wing more then 8 inches; culmen and tarsus more thanSinches. Adults with an
occipital tuft of several moderately lengthened, lanceolate, compactly webbed
feathers; jugular plumes broadly lanceolate, with compact webs; scapular
plumes greatly elongated, extending to beyond end of tail, straight, hair-like;
color of plumage mixed grayish or bluish and white, never entirely white,

Hydranassa.

b? Wing not more than 8 inches; culmen and tarsus less than3inches. Adults with
seapular plumes and feathers on top of head moderately lengthened, lanceolate,
with compact webs; jugular plumes broad, soft, and blended; color of plumage
more or less metallic, in adults, on upper parts, grayish or rusty beneath; never
WLR) chave Radoes come dauedssgsdnteesdvascap eves onsdenet Rilitdslagacecsepalt acces Butorides,

Ds
oo

ee ae ee ee

119* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Seyeral of the above are unquestionably good genera; but
having announced my determination to follow the A. O. U.
classification and nomenclature in this work I am obliged to
do so in this case. With the exception of Dichromanassa and
Hydronassa (which are related most nearly to Demiegretia, of south-
eastern Asia, Polynesia, etc.) and //orida, all the groups are
cosmopolitan, being represented in different regions by distinct
species, all agreeing minutely in structural characters, Butorides,
for example, has, besides the North American species, one in
Cuba, another in South America, a third in the Galapagos Archi-
pelagzo, and several others in various parts of the eastern hem-
isphere.

Susncenvus Ardea LINN«ZUS.

Ardea Linn. 8, N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 141. Type, by elimination, A. cinerea Linn.

SuBGEN. CuHar. Herons of largest size (of Stork-like stature), the adults distinguished
by lengthened, narrowly-lanceolate, acute jugular and scapular plumes (the former rather
rigid, the latter overhanging the wings and rump); a tuft of broad feathers on each side the
breast (having a different color from adjacent parts), and, in the breeding season, by the
presence of two or three extremely lengthened, narrow, pendant, « ecipital plumes.

Culmen almost straight; gonys ascending, slightly convex, about equal in length to
the mandibular rami; upper and lower outlines of the bill parallel for the basal half. Mental
apex anterior to half-way between point of bill and anterior angle of the eye; frontal apex
a little posterior to the nostrils and a little anterior to the malar apex.* Middle toe more
than half the tarsus, and about equal to bare portion of tibia; outer toe reaching to about
the middle of the penultimate phalanx of the middle toe; inner toe decidedly shorter,
reaching only to the second articulation of the middle toe; hallux a little longer than the
basal phalanx of the outer toe; claws rather short, strongly curved. Front of tarsus with
broad, transverse scutell, in single series, for upper half. Pileum crested, the feathers of
the crown and occiput being elongated, lanceolate, and decurved. Primaries reaching de-
cidedly beyond tertials. Second, third, and fourth quills nearly equal, and longest; first
longer than fifth; inner webs of outer three slightly sinuated near ends,

Synopsis of Species.

a, Color of plumage entirely pure white. Hab. Southern Florida..........A. occidentalis.
a3, Color of plumage chiefly bluish or grayish.

61, Adult with head entirely white, except (usually) black or dusky streaks on fore-
head, or (rarely), a blackish pateh on sides of crown or occiput, beneath edge of
erest; more white on under parts, edge of wing, etc. Hab. Southern Florida;
accidental in southern Illinois .,...... nb sucuwacbeltewaqnecaswexeupes A. wuerdemannii.

62, Adult with top of head, including occipital plumes, black, with a large white patch
covering forehead and center of crown; more black on lower parts and more
rufous on edge of wing.

cl, Larger, with legs and feet yellowish brown or olive-yellowish; total length, about
48 to 54 inches; wing, 19.50-21.00; exposed culmen, 5.90-6.90; tarsus, 7.85-8.40.
Hab. Frida ...ccccvevcccvesvesssescesen caccccccussoutsctasecseecssectscedis WATGE

* The terms “mental apex”, “malar apex”, and "frontal apex” are here employed to de-
note tke apices, or points of the feathering of the head at the base of the bill.

ARDEIDE—THE HERONS. 120*

= oF,
eae
9 es c?. Smaller, with legs and feet black or dusky, only the tibi~ yellowish; total length
¥ ; A about 40 to 48 inches; wing, 18.00-19.50; exposed culmen, 5.45-5.95; tarsus, 6.75-
ai 7.85. Hab. Whole of temperate North America and parts of tropical Amer-
= MRA emrec ee tadexs > pas aparsedeasoe watt asiana ress skcdescesnc cn acgpassaces A. herodias.
ff)

> A

The relationship between these four species or races is very
puzzling, and no one, apparently, fully understands the case-
While each of the four forms is easily recognized by the char-
acter given above, and while a large majority of specimens are
typically either one or the other of them, intermediate examples
not unfrequently occur. The only apparent difference between
A. herodias and A. wardi consists in general dimensions and in

_ the color of the legs; but in both respects there seems to be a
-complete intergradution among Florida specimens. On the
other hand, A. wardi, A. wuerdemannii, and A. occidentalis agree
q minutely in measurements and in the color of the legs; and the
first two unquestionably intergrade. The writer has already
. expressed the hypothesis that A. wuerdemannii and A. occidentalis
i are merely dichromatic phases of one species, corresponding to
a the colored and white phases of the Reddish Egret (A. rufescens
e and A. ‘‘pealei’’). This hypothesis he would now modify by sug-
gesting that <A. wardi is the perfect colored phase of A. occ/-
dentalis, and that A. wuerdemannii is merely an intermediate
phase,—a suggestion prompted by the circumstance that A.
wuerdemannii varies more in coloration than either of the others,
_ the variations moreover tending toward both A. wardi and A.
occidentalis. Whether the intergradation between A. wardi and
A. herodias is the result of hybridization or an evidence of their
specific identity remains to be determined, if it be possible to
determine it. The whole question is indeed so complicated that
much patient research will be necessary before we can hope to
know more about it.

——~
em ellie om

a“. =
~
. 4

;

# ite a ‘a rer

Ardea wuerdemannii Daird.
WUERDEMANN’S HERON,

Ardea wirdemannii Barnp, B. N. Am. 1858, 669, ed. 1860, atl. pl. 86; Cat. N. Am. B, 1859,
No. 488.—Coves, Key, 1872, 267; Check List, 1873, No, 450.—Nrxs. Bull. Essex Inst.
Dec, 1876, 151.
Ardea wuerdemannii A.O. U. Check List, 1886, 351 (“Hypothetical List,” No. 9).—Ripoew.
Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 128, 588; Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. x, 1887, 112-115 (critical). —Scorr,
Auk. Jan, 1889, 15-17 (description, ete.).

NW ope dk

121* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Ardea occidentalis (supposed colored phase) Ripew. Bull. U. 8. Geol. & Geog. Surv.
Terr. iv, No.1, Feb. 5, 1881, 227-237 (descriptive and critical); Nom. N. Am. B. 1881,
No. 486 (part).—Couns, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 656; 2d Key, 1884, 658.—B. B. & R.
Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 6.

Has. Southern Florida; Cuba; Jamaica; accidental in southern Illinois.

Sp. Cuan. Adult: Entire head, including occipital crest, pure white; the forehead
streaked with black (the feathers edged with black, the median stripe being white). Abdo-
men and under tail-coverts pure white, the former sparsely streaked with black (these
streaks on the inner edge of the feathers, and broader anteriorly), the latter immaculate.
Neck deep violaceous-drab (darker and more violaceous than in A. herodias,and ending
almost abruptly against the white of the head); the throat witha narrow series of black and
rufous dashes on a whjte ground; plumes of the lower neck white, most of them edged
with black, but the longer without grayish tinge. Lateral jugular tufts blue-black, with
wide median stripes of pure white. Upper parts exactly as in A. herodias, except that the
outermost wing-coverts have conspicuous median streaks of white, while the edge of the
wing from the carpus backis white, tinged with rufous, instead of wholly rufous. Tibial
feathers paler rufous than in 4. herodias, growing almost white next the body on the in-
ner side. Naked tibie yellow; under side of toes yellow; rest of legs and feet yellowish
olive. Young: Similar to young of A. herodias, but lesser wing-coverts widely tipped
with bright ferruginous, producing thereby a conspicuous spotting of this color; all the
more exterior wing-coverts, large and small, with a large, terminal, wedge-shaped spot of
white. Forehead and crown dusky slate-color, most of the feathers with whitish shafts;
occipital plumes all whitish at the base, only the ends being dusky.

Total length, about 48 to 54 inches; wing, 18.75-21.00; tail, 6.25-8.00; exposed culmen,
5.75-6.70; tarsus, 7.30-8.75; middle toe, 4.20-5.20.

The habits of this bird are essentially the same as those of
the Great Blue Heron. Its right to a place in the Ilinois fauna
may seem questionable, in view of the southern location and
restricted area of its proper range, but a single specimen was
seen on several occasions by the writer from September 11 to
22, inclusive, in the Wabash River, at the Grand Rapids, near
Mt. Carmel. Even at a distance which rendered it secure from
gunshot, it could at once be distinguished, by its white head
and greater size, from individuals of the common species, from
which it kept aloof. Untortunately it could not be secured.

Ardea herodias Linn.

THE GREAT BLUE HERON,

Ardea herodias Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 143; ed. 12, i, 1766, 237.—Wrns. Am. Orn. viii, 1814,
28, pl. 65, fig. 5—Sw. & Rrow. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 873—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 42—Aup.
Orn. Biog. ii, 1835, 87; v, 1839, 599, pl. 211; Synop. 1839, 265; B. Am. vi, 1843, 122, pl.
369.—Barrp B. N. Am. 1858, 668; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 487.—Coves, Key, 1872,
267; 2d ed. 1884; Check List, 1878, No. 449; 2d ed. 1882, No. 655; Birds N. W. 1874,527.—
Rivew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 487; Man. N. Am. B., 1887, 129.—B. B, & R. Water
B. N. Am. i, 1884, 13.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 194.

Ardea hudsonias Linn. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 238.

Ardea lessoni WaGu. Isis, 1831, 531.—RercHEen, J. f. O., 1877, 265,

ARDEIDZ—THE HERONS. 122*

Has. The whole of North ard Middle Amorica, excepting Arctic districts; north to
Hudson's Bay, “Fur Countries,” and Sitka; south to Colombia, Venezuela, and the
Galapagos; Bermudas, and throughout the West Indies.

Sp. Car. Adult: Length, about 42.00-50.00; extent, 72.00; weight, 5 to 8 pounds.
Forehead and central feathers of the crown pure white; sides of crown and whole of the
~ occiput, including the long plumes, blue-black. Chin, throat, and malar region pure
eM) white. Neck lavender-gray, fading gradually above into the white of cheeks and throat.

_ Foreneck with a narrow median series of black and ferruginous dashes mixed with white;
lower neck-plumes pale lavender-gray. Lateral jugular tufts uniform blue-black; breast
and abdomen black, almost uniform laterally, but the middle feathers with broad median
stripes of white. Under tail-coverts white, sometimes edged with rufous. Tibial teath-
ers deep chestnut-rifous, not growing conspicuously paler toward the body. Upper

_ ‘parts fine slate-blue, the dorsal and scapular plumes paler, more pearl-gray—the lightness
of the tint proportionate to the length of the plume; remiges black, the inner secondaries
growing gradually more slaty, so that the innermost are scarcely darker than the tertials. nM
Tail deep slate-blue, a shade darker than the tertials. Entire border of the wing, from the M
armpit to the metacarpo-phalangeal joint, rich purplish rufous, scarcely mixed anywhere
with white, and much the widest at the bend. Bill olive above, the culmen blackish; lower
mandible wax-yellow, brighter terminally (sometimes wholly yellow); iris bright yellow:
bare loral space cobalt-blue in spring, olive-greenish or yellowish after breeding season. ;
Legs and feet dusky-black, the tibiew paler, more olivaceous, sometimes tinged with yellow-
ish. Young: Above slate-gray (less bluish than in the adult), destitute of any penicillate
plumes; anterior lesser wing-coverts bordered terminally with light rufous; border of the
wing (broadly) white, more or less tinged with rufous, especially at and near the bend,
where this color prevails. Entire pileum, including all the occipital feathers, blackish-
slate, with a narrow median crest of more elongated darker-colored feathers, with pale ful-
vous shaft-streaks. Cheeks dark grayish; malar region, chin, and throat only, pure white.
Neck dull gray, sometimes tinged with rufous, some of the feathers with indistinctly
lighter shaft-streaks; foreneck with a narrow longitudinal series of black, rufous, and
whitish dashes, much as in the adult. Breast and abdomen broadly striped with dark
cinereous and white, in nearly equal amount (sometimes suffused with rufous). Tibiw i
very pale rufous, sometimes almost white; crissum white. »-Upper mandible black, paler,
or horn-color, along the tomium; lower, pale pea-green, deepening into clear horn-yellow |
on terminal half; eyelids and horizontal space on lores light apple-green; iris gamboge
yellow; tibiw and soles of toes, apple-green; rest of legs and feet black. ‘

Wing, 17.90-19.85; tail, 7.30-8.00; culmen, 4.30-6.00; depth of bill, through middle of nos-
tril, 0.85-1,10; naked portion of tibia, 3.50-5.00; tarsus, 6.00-8.00; middle toe, 3.50-4,50,
(Extremes of 17 adult specimens.)

The Great Blue Heron is a common bird throughout the
State, except in localities far removed from streams or ponds
which furnish its food supply. It sometimes winters in the ex-
treme southern counties, but it is usually a migrant, returning
from the south in February, March, or early April, according to )
the latitude. )
Solitary and wary, this bird may be seen standing in shallow
water, often in mid-stream, but it requires great caution and
skill on the part of the person who, with gun in hard, can ap-
proach within killing distance of an adult bird, the young being

123* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

more easily stalked. More often the heron first sees the in-
truder, and startles him by its harsh squawking cries as it flies
from its feeding place.

Breeding colonies of this species were formerly common in
many parts of the state, but they are becoming scarce in con-
sequence of wanton persecution by squirrel hunters and others.
They usually select the largest trees and build their bulky nests
of sticks on the highest branches, a dozen or more nests some-
times being built in one tree.

The food of this bird consists of fishes, frogs, crawfish, etc.,
large quantities of which must be sacrificed to appease its
voracious appetite, as many as ten ‘‘@ood-sized”’ fishes having
been disgorged at one time by a heron that was in haste to get
away.

SUBGENUS Herodias Bolg.

Herodias Botr, Isis, 1822, 559. Type, by elimination, Ardea egretta LINN.

SusGeEn. CHar. White Herons of large size, and without plumes, except in the breed-
ing season, when ornamented simply (in most species) by a long train of straight feathers,
with thick shafts, and long, sparse, decomposed, slender barbs, which growfrom the dorsal
region and overhang the tail. Bill moderately slender, the upper and lower outlines al-
most parallel to near the end, where gently curved, the culmen more abruptly so than the
gonys, though the curve is quite gradual. Mental apex reaching a point about midway be-
tween the tip of the bill and the eye; malar apex decidedly anterior to the frontal apex, and
extending to beneath the posterior end of the nostrils. Toes very long, the middle one
about two thirds the tarsus, the hallux much less than one half the former. Tibia bare for
about one half their length, or for about the length of the middle toe. Anterior scutelle of
tarsus large, distinct, and nearly quadrate. Nuptial plumes confined to the anterior part of
the back, whence spring numerous long, straight, and thick shafts, reaching, wher fully
developed, to considerably beyond the end of the tail, each stem having along each side
very long, slender, and distant fibrilla, Tail even, of twelve broad feathers. Lower hind
neck well feathered. Plumage entirely pure white at all stages and seasons.

This subgenus, like Ardea, Garzetta, etc., is nearly cosmopoli-
tan, being wanting only in the islands of the South Pacific
and in the colder latitudes of other regions. It contains but
a single American species, which has a more extensive range
than any other of the American herons, excepting only the
Night Heron, its regular habitat extending from the United
States to Patagonia.

ARDEIDAZ—THE HERONS,

Ardea egretta Gmel.
THE AMERICAN EGRET.

Popular synomyms. Great White Egret; White “Crane;” Garza blanca grande (Mexico).

_ La Grande Aigrette d A merique Burr. Pl. Enl. 1770-86, pl. 925.
Great White Heron Latu. Synop. iii, 1785, 91.
«Great Egret Latu. t. c. 89 (based on Pl. En). 925).
uA ~ Ardea egretta GmEL. 8. N. i, 1788, 629, No. 34 (based on Pl. Enl. 925, and Lath. t. ¢.).—W1Ls

4 geet Am. Orn. yii, 1813, 106, pl. 61, fig. 4.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 47.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv,
nM 1838, 600, pl. 386; Synop. 1889, 265; B. Am. vi, 1813, 132, pl. 370.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 267;
+ . Check List, 1873, No. 452; Birds N. W. 1874,519.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 196.—
, Rimew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 130.
Herodias egretta Gray, Gen. B. iii, 1849.—Batrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 666; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859,
No. 486.—Rrpew. Orn. 40th par. 1877, —.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1881, 23.—
. Cougs. Check List, ed. 2, 1882, No. 658.
x Herodias alba, var. egretta, Ripew. Ann. Lye. N. Y. Jan. 1874, 386.
a fz Herodias alba egretta Ripew. Bull. Essex Inst. Oct. 1874, 171; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 489.

Herodias egretta, var. californica Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 667; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 486 a.
be Arden leuce “Inu1GER,” Licur. Verz. Doubl. 1823, No. 793.
‘ Ardea alba, subspec. galatea, REICHENOW, J. f. O. 1877, 272.

Hes t Haz. The whole of temperate and tropical America, from Nova Scotia, Ontario,
4 Minnesota, and Oregon, to Patagonia; throughout the West Indies.
‘ Sp. Cuan. Length, about 37.00-39.00; extent, about 55.00-57.00; wing, 14. 10-16. 80; tail,
rs 5.60-7.30; culmen, 4.20-4.90; depth of bill, .70-.80; tarsus, 5. 50-6,80; middle toe, 3.50-4.30; naked
at portion of tibia, 3.50-4.50; weight, about 244 lbs. Color entirely pure white at all seasons
; and atailages. Bill and lores rich chrome-yéllow (the latter sometimes tinged with light
‘ green), the culmen usually black near the tip, sometimen nearly the entire maxilla black;
: id iris naples-yellow; legs and feet entirely deep black.
Having specimens before us from all parts of its range, we

a are unable to detect in this species any variations of a geograph-
icdl nature. The chief difference between individuals consists in
the amount of black on the maxilla, this being sometimes al-
most ni, while again the maxilla may be entirely black. That

4 this variation has no relation to season is shown by the fact
that in a considerable series shot from one “‘rookery” in Florida,

and all bearing the nuptial train, the extremes are presented by

different individuals, others being variously intermediate.

The Great White Beret is either a summer resident or visitant
in almost every portion of the State. While no doubt breeding:
iy in many localities it usually occurs as a visitor late in summer,
% in August and September, when it may be seen, either singly or
in small groups, sometimes in large numbers, wading about in
shoal places in the rivers or ponds. Professor Forbes informs
me that it is abundant all summer on the [Illinois River as far
north as Peoria; but he does not state whether it is known to
breed there.

—D.

Ba dei iy a Se dit ciate Dail Bley
!

125* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Supcenus Garzetta KAup.

Garzetla Kaur, Nat. Syst. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 76.—Bonap. Consp. ii,.1855, 118. Type,
Ardea garzetta LINN.

SuBGEN. CHAR. Small white Herons, crested at all ages and seasons, and inthe nuptial
season adorned with jugular and dorsal plumes. Bill slender, very little compressed, the
culmen decidedly curved for the terminal half, somewhat depressed for the basal half, the
gonys nearly straight, but ascending; the lower edge of the mandibular rami sfraight or
appreciably concave. Mental apex falling far short of reaching half-way from the middle
of the eye to the point of the bill; malar apex reaching just as far as the frontal apex, and
falling far short of the posterior end of the nostrils. Toes short, the middle one but little
more than one half the tarsus, the hallux about one half its length; bare portion of tibia
nearly three fourths as long asthe tarsus. Tarsal scutelle asin Herodias.

Nuptial plumes adorning the occiput, jugulum, and back; these, in the American species,
all of similar structure, having decomposed webs; butin the Old World species, those of
the occiput and jugulum narrow and with compact webs. Dorsal plumes (in all species)
reaching but little beyond the tail, and strongly recurved at ends.

Ardea candidissima Gmel.

THE SNOWY HERON.

Popular synonyms. Little Egret; White-crested Egret; White Poke; Black-legged Gaulin
(Jamaica); Garza blanea chica (Mexico).

Ardea nivea Jaca. Beitr. 1784, 18, No. 13 (not of S. G. Gmel. 1770-1774) —Latx. Ind. Orn. ii,
1790, 696 (part).

Little White Heron LAtH. Synop. iii, 1785, 93.

Little Egret LatH. Synop. iii, 1785, 90 (part; includes also G. nivea).

Ardea candidissima GMEL. 8. N.i, pt.ii, 1788, 633, No. 45.—Wrius. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 120, pl @,
fig. 4.—Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 49.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 317; v, 1839, 606, pl. 242;
Synop. 1839, 267; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 163, pl. 374.—Cours, Key, 1872, 267; 2d ed. 1884;
Check List, 1873, 89, No. 453; Birds N. W. 1874, 521.—Re1cHENow, J. f. O. 1877, 273.—
A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 197.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 130.

Garzetta candidissima BonaP. Consp. ii, 1855, 119.—Barrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 665; Cat.
_N. Am. B. 1859, No. 485.—RipGw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 490.—Cougs, Check List,
2d ed. 1882, No. 659.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 28.

Ardea oula GMEL. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 633 (Chili).

Ardea thula Latu. Ind. Orn. ii, 1791. 688.

Ardea carolinensis ORD, ed. Wils. vii, 1825, 125.

Ardea lactea “Cuy.” Less. Traité, i, 1831, 575 (Cayenne).

Has. The whole of temperate and tropical America, from the northern United States
to Chili and Argentine Republic; summer or autumnal visitant only at the northern and
southern extremes of its range. West Indies.

Sp. Cuan. Plumage entirely pure white, atall ages and seasons. Bill black, the basal
portion of the under mandible (sometimes one half) yellow or otherwise pale-colored; lores,
iris, and eyelids yellow or orange-yellow; tibia and tarsi black, the lower portion of the
latter, with the toes, yellow; claws blackish. Z

Nuptial plumes slender-shafted and loose-fibred, those of the back reaching to or
slightly beyond the end of the tail, and, normally, recurved terminally; those of the occiput
sometimes exceeding the bill in length; those of the jugulum slightly less developed. In
the young theso are all absent, except on the occiput, where they are but slightly de-
veloped; in the adults the occipital plumes appear to be permanent, the others assumed
only during the breeding season,

=~

: Tatal length, about 20.00-27.25; expanse of wings, about 36.00-40.00; wing, 8.20-10.50; tail,

3.00-4.80; culmen, 2.08-3.05; depth of bill, .40-.55; tarsus, 3.15-4.50; middle toe, 2.20-3.20; bare

portion of tibia, 1.70-2.75; weight, about 10-14 ounces.

This beautiful egret occurs during summer in various parts

of the State, but probably not abundantly except in the more

_ southern portions.

: Supcenus Dichromanassa Ripaway.

Dichromanassa eta: Bull. U. 8S. Geol. & Geog. Survey, Terr. iv, No. 1, Feb. 5, 1878, 246.
7 Type, Ardea rufa Bodd., =A. rufescens GMEL,

SuBpGEN. Cuan. Medium-sized Herons, of uniform white or plumbeous plumage, with
(adult) or without (young) cinnamon-colored head and neck; the form slender, the toes very
short, and the legs very long; the adults with the entire head and neck (except throat and
foreneck) covered with long, narrowly lanceolate, compactly webbed feathers, which on the
oeciput form an ample crest, the feathers of which are very narrowly lanceolate and
decurved.

Bill much longer than the middle toe (about two thirds the tarsus), the upper and lower
outlines almost precisely similar in contour, being nearly parallel along the middle portion,
where slightly approximated; the terminal portion of both culmen and gonys gently and
about equally curved. Mental apex extending toa little more than one third the distance
from the middle of the eye to the tip of the bill, or to about even with the anterior end of
the nostril; malar apex about even with that of the frontal feathers. Toes very short, the
middle one less than half the tarsus, the hallux less than half the middle toe; bare portion
of tibia more than half as long as tarsus; scutellation of tarsus, ete., as in Herodias, Gar-
zetta, and al'ied subgenera.

Plumes of the adult consisting of a more or less lengthened train of fastigiate, stiff-
shafted feathers, with long, loose, and straight plumules, and extending beyond the tail; in
addition to this train, the scapulars and the feathers of the whole head and neck, except the
throat and foreneck, are long and narrow, distinctly lanceolate, and acuminate, with com-
pact webs, and on the occiput are doyeloped into an ample decurved crest.

There is only one species belonging to this subgenus, the di-
chromatic Ardea rufescens GMEL., the white phase of which was
formerly considered a distinct species, under the name of Peale’s
Egret (Ardea pealei Bonar.).

Ardea rufescens Gmel.

REDDISH EGRET,
Popular synonyms, Russet Egret; Peale's Egret.

a. Colored Phase,

L' Aigrette rousse, de la Louisiane Burr. P). En). 1777-1784, pl. 902 (adult),
Ardea rufa Bopp. (nec Scop. 1769) Tabl. P. E. 1783, 54 (based on PI. En!. 902),—Coves, Key,
1872, 268; Check List, 1873, No. 455.—RE1cHENow, J. f. O. 1877, 269.—A, O. U. Check List,
~ 1886, No. 198.—Ripow. Man. N. Am, B. 1887, 151.
Demiegretta rufa Barry, Birds N. Am. 1858,662; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 483,

ARDEIDE—THE HERONS. 126*

127* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Dichromanassa rufa Riwew. Bull. U. 8. Geol. & Geog. Surv. Terr.iv, No. 1, 1878, 236 (in
text); Nom. N. Am, B, 1881, No. 491—Covrs,Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 661.—B, B. & R.
Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 33.

Reddish Egret Latu. Synop. iii, 1785, 88 (quotes Pl. Enl. 902),

Areda rufescens GMEL.S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 628, No. 33 (based on PI. Enl. 902)—Avp. Orn. Biog.
iii, 1835, 411; v, 1889, 604, pl. 256; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 139, pl. 371 (adult: both phases).—
Rivew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 131.

Ardea cubensis “GuNDL. MSS.” Lems. Aves de Cuba, 1850, 8, pl. 13, fig. 1 (young).

6. White phase. )
Ardea nealei BonaP. Ann. Lye. N. Y. ii, 1826, 154—Nu?r. Man. ii, 1834, 49.—Rrpew. Man. N.
Am. B. 1887, 131.
Demiegretta pealei BarrD, B. N. Am. 1858, 661; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 182.
Ardea rufa, var. pealei. REICHENOW, J. f. O. 1877, 270.
Ardea (Dichromanassa) pealei A. O. U. Check List, 1886, 352 (hypothet. list, No. 10).
Has. Warm-temperate and tropical North America, south to Guatemala; in the United

States, apparently restricted to the Eastern Province, but in Mexico occurring on both
coasts; north to southern Illinois; Jamaica; Cuba.

Colored phase.

Adult. Plumage in general uniform slate-gray, darker on the back, a little lighter be-
neath; entire head and neck rich vinaceous-cinnamon, ending abruptly below; the penicil-
late tips of some of the longer feathers, particularly on the occiput, lighter; train similar to
the back anteriorly, but passing into a more brownish tint towards the end, the tips some-
times whitish. Terminal half of the bill black; basal half, including the lores and eyelids,
pale flesh-color or pale grayish (according to season); iris yellow or white; legs and feet
black, or (in breeding season) ultramarine blue, the scutellz@ and claws black. {AUDUBON.)

Young. No train on the back, and no lanceolate feathers on head or neck, exeeptsome-
times (in older individuals) on the occiput or lower neck. Prevailing color dull bluish
ashy, tinged here and there with reddish cinnamon, principally on the throat and lower
neck.

White phase.

Adult. Plumage entirely pure white, the plumes exactly as in the aduit of the colored
phase. Iris white; color of bill, lores, and eyelids in life also similar; but legs and feet
sometimes “dark olive-green, the soles greenish yellow.” (AUDUBON.)

Young. Entirely pure white, and destitute of the plumes and train of the adult.

Total length, a’ ou! 27.00-32.00; expanse, about 45.00-50.00; weight, abcut 1% pounds,
(AupuBO.s.) Wing, 11.90-18.60; tail, 4.10-5.00; culmen,3.30-4.00; depth of bill, .55-.70; tarsus,
4.90-5.75; middle toe, 2.50-2.85; bare portion of tibia, 2.60-3.75,.

The inclusion of this southern species of heron in the Illinois
fauna rests on the statement of Mr. E. W. Nelson, in his paper
on the birds of southern Illinois,* that he found it ‘“‘quite com-
mon in the vicinity of Cairo during the last week in August,
1875,” the unusually high water of that season having caused
a much larger number of herons than usual to make their ap-
pearance. He observed that ‘although Ardea egretta and A.
cerulea—both of which were seen by the hundred daily—were
quite unsuspicious, A. w/a was so exceedingly shy that it was
almost impossible to get within gunshot of one.” a

* Bulletin Nuttall Ornithological Club, i, 1876, p. 40,

4

ARDEIDE—THE HERONS, 128*

According to Dr. Brewer, the flight of this species is said ta
be more elevated and regular than that of the smaller herons.
It is peculiarly graceful during the mating season, especially
when one unmated male is pursuing another. It is said to pass
through the air with great celerity, turning and cutting about
in curious curves and zigzags, the pursuing bird frequently
erecting its beautiful crest and uttering a cry at the moment
it is about to give a thrust at the other. When travelling to
and from their feeding-grounds, it propels itself with the usual
regular flapping, and in the customary manner of flight oi
other herons. On approaching a landing-place, it performs
several circumvolutions, as if to satisfy itself that all is safe
before alighting. It is much more shy and wary than the smaller
herons; and after the breeding season is over it is almost im-
possible to shoot one, except when it is taken by ‘surprise, or
when flying overhead among the mangroves.

Suscenus Florida Barrp.

Florida Batnp, B. N. Am. 1858, 671. Type, Ardea cewrulea LINN.

Gen. CHAR. Small] Herons, dark plumbeous, with maroon-colored necks; pure white,
with bluish tips to some of the primaries; or with the plumage variously intermediate be-
tween these extremes. Bill slender, appreciably curved toward the tip, the culmen some-
what depressed just above the anterior end of the nostril; lower edge of the mandibular
rami slightly concave, the gonys nearly straight, but ascending; anterior point of the
malar feathers reaching just about as far forward as that of the frontal feathers, and very
far posterior to the posterior end of the nostril; anterior point of chin feathers almost di
rectly beneath the anterior end of the nostril, and a little over two thirds the distance from
the middle of the eye to the point of the bill. Toes long, the middle one two thirds, or
more, as long as the tarsus, the hallux a little less than half its length; bare portion of tibia
considerably less than middle toe. Tarsal scutelle as in Garzetta and Herodias.

Nuptial plumes (occipital, jugular, and scapular) long, slenderly lanceolate, the webs
rather compact, especially those of the dorsal region, the longer scapulars, however, loose-
webbed, those of the back reaching, when fully developed, far beyond the tail.

This subgenus also is peculiar to America, and conthins a
single species, the Little Blue Heron (Ardéa caerulea Linn.), the
adults of which are usually dark slaty blue with maroon-chest-
nut head and neck and the young pure white with bluish tips
to some of the longer primary quills,

129* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS,

Ardea cerulea Linn,

LITTLE BLUE HERON.

Popular synomyms, Blue Egret; Little White Heron (young); Booby (parts of Florida);
Garza azul (Mexico),

Ardea cerulea CATESBY, Carolina, i, 1731, pl. 76 (blue adult).

Heéron bleuatre de Cayenne Burr. Pl. Enl, 1770-84, pl. 349 (blue adult).

Ardea cerulea Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i,1758, 143, No. 13 (ex Brown, Jam. 478; Catesby, J. c.), i, 1766,
238, No. 17.—Wus. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 117, pl. 62.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 58—Avp. Orn.
Biog. iv, 1838, 58, pl. 307; Synop. 1839, 266; B. Am. vi, 1843, 148, pl. 372.—CoveEs, Key, 1872,
268; Check List, 1873, No. 456.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 200.—Rrpew. Man. N. Am.
B. 1887, 130. :

Florida cerulea Batrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 671; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 490.—Ripew.

Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 493.—Covusgs, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 662.—B. B. & RB.
Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 43.

Blue Heron, var. A. LATH. Synop. iii, 1785, 79 (blue adult. Quotes Pl. Enl. 349),

Ardea cerulescens LATH. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 690, No. 49 (based on the above).

Le Crabier bleu a cou brun Burr. Ois. vii, 399 (blue adult).

Blue Heron Laru. Synop. iii, 1785, 78 (quotes Ardea cerulea, LINN.).

? Little White Heron, var. B. LatTH. Synop. iii, 1785, 94 (Mexico. Probably young white
bird).

Ardea ardesiacea Lrss. Traité, i, 1831,575 (Cayenne. Individual in pied plumage).

Herodias poucheti BonAP. Consp. ii, 1855, 123 (blue adult).

“Egretta nivea” Gossk, Birds Jam. 1817, 334; Illustr. B. Jam. pl. 90 (young white bird).

Ardea cerulea, var. alba, REICHENOW, J. f. O. July, 1877, 264 (white phase).

Ardea cerulea, var. cyanopus, REICHENOW, |. ¢c. (intermediate, or pied, phase. Hz Ardea
cyanopus GMEL. 8. N. i. pt. ii, 1788, 644). (

Ardea mexicana cinerea Briss. Orn. vy, 1760, 404 (intermediate phase).

Ardea americana cinerea BRIss. t. ¢. 406. “

Ardea cancrophagus brasiliensis Briss. t. ¢, 479.

Ardea chalybea STEPHENS, Shaw's Gen. Zo6l. xi, ii, 1819, 582.

drdea cristata MU, 8. N. Suppl. 1766, 111 (based on PI. Enl. 349).

Has. Warm-temperate eastern North America, the whole of the West Indies and Mid-
dle America, and northern South America; north to Massachusetts (accidentally to Maine),
Illinois, Kansas, etc.; south to Colombia and Guiana.

Colored phase,

Adult: Head and neck rich purplish marvon, with a glaucous east, the feathers more
chestnut beneath the surface; rest of the plumage uniform dark bluish plumbeous, the
plumes with a glaucous cast, the maroon and plumbeous gradually blended. Jn breeding
season, bill ultramarine-blue at the base, the end black; lores, eyelids, and base of bill,
ultramarine-blue; iris pale yellow!; tiba, tarsi,and toes black (AUDUBON). Jn autumn,
bill light plumbeous on the basal half, the terminal half black; Jores and eyelids very pale
dull greenish; iris sulphur-yellow; legs and feet uniform pea-green, darker at the joints?.
Young: Similar in color to the adult, but with less developed plumes, or with none at all;

the head and neck more plumbeous, ,

1 According to Mr. W. E. D. Scott (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, vi, 1880, p. 20), the color of the iris
in specimens collected March 20, when they had just begun to breed, at Clearwater, Florida,
was “deep lead-color" in eleyen and “brown or hazel” in another.

2 From a fresh specimen killed August 6, near Washington; D. 0,

ARDEIDE—THE HERONS, 130*

White phase.

Adult: Prevailing color white, with the ends of several outer primaries plumbeous, the
plumage tinged here and there (in quantity varying with the individual) with delicate pale
bluish pearl-gray. Colors of the soft parts as in the blue adult. Young: Similar tothe
adult, but with the plumes absent or but slightly developed. Bill pale lilaceous, becoming
gradually black on terminal third, the lores, orbits, and base of under mandible pale apple-
green; legs and feet uniform pea-green, lighter and brighter than in the blue phase; iris
Naples yellow’. -

Pied, or intermediate, phase.

The plumage mixed white and plumbeous, in proportion varying with the individual,
porming a series connecting unbrokenly the two extremes deseribed above.

Totallength, about 20 0-25.00 inches; expanse, 40.00-42.00; wing, 9.00-10.60; tail, $.60-4.70;
culmen, 2.70-3.30; depth of bill, .45-.55; tarsus, 3.15-4.00; middle toe, 2.85-2.60; bare portion of
tibia, 2.00-2.90. Weight, about 11-16 ounces.

While there is evidently such a thing as an intermediate phase
among fully adult birds, specimens representing it appear to
be excessively rare. The young in blue plumage seems to be
equally uncommon. It may be, however, that a// birds become
blue at some time of their existence, and it is quite certain that
a very great majority of the young are white, only one unques-
tionably young bird in blue plumage having come under my
notice. r

The Little Blue Heron is a common bird during the latter
part of summer, particularly during August, when (in 1875)
Mr. E. W. Nelson found it exceedingly abundant near Cairo.
Considerable numbers make their appearance along the Wabash
River, at least as far north as Mt. Carmel, and doubtless it
occurs generally throughout the State.

Supcenus Butorides BiyrHa

Butoridés “Buytu, 1819,” Bonar. Consp. ii, 1855, 128. Type, Ardea javanica Honsr.
Oniseus CaBan. J.f. O. iv, 1856, 343. Type, Ardea virescens LINN.

Gen. Cuan. Small Herons, of darkish, more‘or less variegated, colors, the pileum and
occiput crested. Bill rather stout, decidedly longer than the tarsus. Mental apex reach-
ing toa little less than half-way (in B. brunnescens exactly half-way) from the middle of the
eye to the point of the bill, and to decidedly beyond the anterior end of the nostril; malar
apex about even with the frontal], and decidedly posterior to the hinder end of the nostril
(in B. brunnescens this point falls considerably short of the frontal one). Middle too very
nearly or quite equal to the tarsus (equal to it in B. javanicus, a little shorter in the
American forms, the difference being most marked in B. virescens); outer toe scarcely or
not at all! r than the inner (except in B. brunnescens); hallux about half the length of
the middle toe; bare portion of tibia equal to or shorter than the hallux,

1 Fresh colors of a specimen killed August 6, near Washington, D. ©,

~~

id, * *
ee ; Par bs é , to A :

131* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Pileum with a full crest of broadly lanceolate, compactly webbed feathers, these longer
and more narrowly lanceolate on the occiput. Scapulars and interscapulars elongated and
lanceolate in the adult, but not reaching the end of tke tail (very much as in Ardea),

Ardea virescens Linn,

GREEN HERON.

Popular synonyms, “Schytepoke;” “Sauawk;” Fly-up-the-Creek; Booby (parts of Florida);
Crab-catzher (Jamaica); Martineta cangrejero (Mexico).

Ardea stellaris minima{CaTEsBy, Carolina, i, 1754, pl. 80 (adult).

Ardea virescens Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, 1758, 144, No. 15 (based, in part, on the above); ed. 12,
1766, i, 238, No. 20.—Wins. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 97, pl. 61.—Nurr. Man, ii, 1834, 63.—AuD.
Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 247, pl. 333; Synop. 1839, 264; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 105, pl. 367—Covugs,
Key, 1872, 268; Check List, 1873, No. 457; Birds N. W. 1874, 522.—RErcHENowW, J.f. 0.
1877, 255.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 201—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 132.

Butorides virescens BonaP. Consp. ii, 1855, 128.—Batrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 676; Cat. N.

Am. B, 1859, No. 493.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 494.—Coves, Check List, 2d.
ed. 1882, No. 663.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1834, 50.

Crabier, de la Louisiane Burr. PI. Enl. 1770-84, pl. 909 (adult).

Orabier tacheté, de la Martinique Burr. Pl. Enl. 912 (young).

Green Heron LatH. Synop. iii, 1785, 68.

Louisiana Heron LATE. t. ¢. 81.

Ardea ludoviciana GMEL. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 630, No. 39 (based on PI. Enl. 909),

? Blue Heron, var. B. Latu. Synop. iii, 1785, 75 (Queen Charlotte’s Sound),

Ardea chloroptera Bopp. Tabl. P. E. 1783, pl. 909; -

Cancroma maculata Bopp. t. ¢. pl. 932.

? Ardea virgata, GMEL 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 643.

Has. The whole of temperate North America, West Indies, Middle America, and
northern South America, to Venezuela; north to Ontario and Oregon; abundant both in the
Pacific States and Eastern Province, but apparently wanting in the Middle Province; Ber-
mudas.

Sp. CHar. Adult: Entire pileum, including oecipital crest, glossy dark metallic bottle-
green; rest of the head and neck, except throat and foreneck, rich chestnut, varying from
a cinnamon shade to a fine purplish maroon; bare orbital space bordered posteriorly with
greenish black, from the lower part of which projects backward, from the rictus, a short
stripe of the same; below this, along the upper edge of the malar region, a narrow stripe
of white, the lower malar feathers being mixed black and rufous, forming another stripe;
th oat and foreneck, from chin to chest, white, marked with broad longitudinal dashes
of dusky. Lower parts ash-gray, the lining of the wing somewhat spotted, and distinctly
bordered, outwardly, with creamy white. Scapular plumes glaucous-plumbeous, with a
green reflection in certain lights, the shafts white. Wing-coverts and rectrices brilliant
metallic bottle-green, the former distinetly bordered, narrowly, with fulvous-white; these
borders on the lesser-coverts, more rusty or fulvous; rectrices immaculate bottle-green;
remiges and primary-coverts plumbeous, with a green reflection, the inner primaries and
adjoining secondaries with narrow crescentic tips of white, the coverts with terminal del-
toid spots of the same. Bill deep black, the lower mandible sometimes partly yellowish or
greenish; lores and orbits varying from olive-green to bright yellow; iris gamboge-yellow;
legs and feet olive-green or olive-yellow, the scutella@ more greenish; claws horn-color.
Young: Pileum, including crest, as in the adult, but usually streaked with dark rusty an-
teriorly; sides of the head and neck dull dark rusty, indistinctly streaked with light ochra-
ceous, or buff; lower parts white, tinged with buff, and striped with dusky. Back, scapu-
12r8, and rump uniform dull dusky-green, some of the feathers indistinctly bordered with

‘

ARDEIDE—THE HERONS. - 132*

rusty; wings and tail as in the adult, but light borders to larger wing-coverts more ochra-
ceous,and the two or three middie rows marked with median wedge-shaped dashes of the

same. Bill lighter colored than in the adult, dull greenish prevailing, only the culmen

dusky, the lower mandible mostly pale yellowish; legs and feet dull greenish yellow or
olivaceous.

Length, about 15.00-22.50; expanse, 25.00-27.00. Weight, 64 ounces (AUDUBON). Wing,
6.30-8.00; tail, 2.40-3.40; culmen, 2.00-2.55; depth of bill, .40-.60; tarsus, 1.75-2.15; middle toe,
1.65-1.95; bare portion of tibia, .70-.90,

This small and very handsome heron is perhaps the most
generally distributed species of the family, being found along
all streams which pass through or near wooded tracts. It
comes from the south in April, and departs in September or
October.

According to Mr. N. B. Moore (as quoted by Dr. Brewer in
the Water Birds of North America), ‘this heron has its own pe-
culiar manner of searching for its food, which, in some respects,
differs from that of all the other kinds. It fishes from the shore
or from a log, root, snag, or shelving rock, preferring not to
wade into the water or to stand in it; still, on seeing a tempt-
ing morsel, it will quit its point of observation and walk into
the water towards it. Its approach at such times is peculiar;
though the Louisiana Heron seems occasionally to copy its
style, except that the latter is constantly in the water at the
time of fishing. The Green Heron, however, on seeing a fish,
crouches low: on its legs, draws back its head, crooks its neck,
creeps slyly along, laying its tarsi almost down on the rock or
the ground, carries the bill level with the top of the back, and,
when near enough, darts the bill forward towards it, sometimes
with such force as to topple forward a step or two. It seldom
immerses its head in fishing, is always disposed to steal upon
its prey in a sly, cat-like, crouching manner, remaining quite
motionless for a long time, and often advancing so slowly and
stealthily that even a keen-eyed observer would hardly perceive
the motion. Its antipathy to and jealousy of its own species
at the feeding-grounds is decided.”

Genus NYCTICORAX Srepuens.

Nycticoraz Steruens, Shaw’s Gen. Zodl. xi, 1819, 608, Type, Ardea nycticuraz Linn.

Gen. Cuan. Bill comparatively short and thick, the culmen not longer than the tarsus,
and equal to not more than four times the greatest depth of the bill; plumage of the young
nonspicuonsly different from that of the adult,

—h,

et ee ee eg ee Yee

i (id ei al

EI, Eee Pen ee Se eS ee

133* _ BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

There are two strongly marked subgenera, which may be dis-
tinguished as follows:

a, Culmen about as long as the tarsus; gonys nearly straight, and lateral outlines of the
bill slightly concave; tarsus but little longer than middle toe; scapulars normal (i. e.
broadiand blended) ie cncarsccencredeMacccariepccnstetasine daaree tenets sepewess ....Nycticorax.

a, Culmen much shorter than tarsus tony a little longer than middle toe); gonys convex,
and lateral outlines of bill straight, or sometimes even perceptibiy convex; tarsus
much longer than middle toe; scapulars elongated, narrow (but not pointed), some-
“What lOOBG-WEDDEd ........secsccescccssccsacsvccescecess cocsocccsencocccs senesced YOCRNASEA.

Suspgenus Nycticorax STEPHENS.

Nycticorax STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zodl. xi, 1819, 608. Type, Ardea nycticcrax LINN.
Nyctiardea Swatns. Classif. B. ii, 1837, 354. Same type. x

Supcen. Coan. Medium-sized Herons of very short thick build, large,’thicz heads, and
short tarsi. The plumage exceedingly different in the adult and young, but the sexes sim-
ilar. Adults with two or three exceedingly long, thread-like, white occipital phiames.

Bill very stout. the depth through the base being more than one fourth the culmen;
the latter nearly straight for the basal two thirds, then gently curved to the tip; lower edge
of the mandibular rami nearly straight; gonys nearly straight, very slightly ascending;
maxillary tomium decidedly concave, with a very convex outline just forward of the rictus.
Mental apex reaching more than half-way from the centre of the eye to the point of the bill,
and to beyond the anterior end of the nostril; malar apex falling a little short of the frontal
apex. Tarsi a little longer than the middle toe, its scutella hexagonal in front; lateral
toes nearly equal, but the outer the longer; hallux less than half the middle toe; bare
portion of tibia shorter than the hallux. Inner webs of two outer primaries distinctly
emarginated near the end. ‘Tail of twelve broad, moderately hard, feathers, as in the typ-
ical herons,

Nycticorax nycticorax nevius (Bodd.)

BLACK-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.

Popular synonyms. American Black-crowned Night Heron; Quok; Quawk; Quak; Qua
Bird; Inanite pinto elote (Mexico).

Ardea nevia Bopp. Tabl. P. E. 1783, 56 (ex Pl. Enl. 939).
Nyctiardea grisea var. nevia ALLEN, Bull. Mus. Comp. Zodl. iii, 1872, 182—Covrs,
Key, 1872, 269; Check List, 1873, No. 458; B. N. W. 1874, 523.
Nyctiardea grisea nevia Rew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877.
Nyctiardea grisea nevia Rew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 495.—Coves, 2d Check
List, 1882, No. 664,
Nycticorax griseus nevius B. B. & R, Water B. N. Am, i, 1884, 45,
Nyecticorax nycticorax nevius ZELED. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 118.—A. O. U.
Check List, 1886, No, 202.—Rip@w. Man. N. Am, B, 1887,138,
Ardea hoactle GMEL. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 630. ‘
Ardea cana GMEL, t. ¢. 643. :
Ardea gardeni GMEL, t. ¢. 645 (based on Gardenian Night Heron of PENNANT and
LATHAM).
Nyctiardea gardeni Barry, B. N. Am, 1858, 678; Cat. N, Am, B, 1859, No, 495,
Ardea discolor Nutr, Man, ii, 1834, 54,

a

ARDEIDZ—THE HERONS, 134*

aes
: ____-—sNyeticorax americanus Bonar. Comp. List, 1838, 48, BY
> Nycticoraz vulgaris D'Ors. Ois. Cuba, 1839, 298,
_~—sSNyeticoraz griseus (part) RE1cHEN. J. f. O. 1877, 237.
coal © Has. The whole of temperate and tropical America, from British America to Chili and
a the Falkland Islands. Part of the West indies; Bermudas.

Spe. Coan. Adult: Pileum, scapulars,and interseapulars, glossy blackish bottle-green;
forehead, postocular, malar,and gular regions, and median lower parts, white; lateral lower
parts and neck, except in front, pale ash-gray, with a slight lilaceous tinge; wings, rump,

’ upper tail-coverts and tail, deeper ash-gray. Occipital plumes pure white. Bill black;

‘4 lores and orbits yellowish green; iris bright red; legs and feet yellow, claws brown.

7 ‘(AupUBON.)! Immature: Similar to the adult, but seapulars and interscapulars like the

+ wings, and the white of the forehead obseured by the blackish of the crown; the colors

‘ generally more sombre, with neck and lower parts more decidedly ashy. Young: Above,

grayish brown, with more or less of a cinnamon cast, especially on the remiges, each

feather marked with a median tear-shaped or wedge-shaped stripe of white, the remices

with small white terminal spots; rectrices plain ash-gray. Sides of the head and neck, and

entire lower parts, striped longitudinally with grayish brown and dull white; chin and

fhroat plain white medially. Bill light apple-green, the upper half of the maxilla blackish,

the mandible with a tinge of the same near the end; lores light apple-green; eyelids simi-

‘ _ Ia>, but lighter, more yellowish, their inner edge black; iris dark chrome-yellow or dull
orange; legs and feet light yellowish apple-green;:claws grayish horn-color.*

- Length about 24, 00-26.00; expanse, 44.00. Weight,1]b.140z,(AUDUBoN). Wing, 11.00-
12-80; tail, 4.20-5.30; culmen, 2.80-3.10; depth of bill, .70.-85; tarsus, 3.10-3.40; middle toe,
2:65-3.10; bare portion of tibia. .90-1.40,3

Supgenus Nyctanassa STesJNEGER.

: Nyctherodius Reton. Syst. Av. 1852, p. xvi (nee Nycterodius Macaciuxt1v. 1812). Type,
| Ardea violacea Linn,

Nyectanassa 8resn, Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus.x,sig. 19, Aug. 3,1887,295,foot-note. Same type.

, SusceEn. Coan. Medium-sized Herons, of short, thick build; the bill extremely thick
; and stout, with both outlines strongly convex; the legs long and slender; the dorsal
plumes much elongated and very narrow, reaching beyond the tail; the occiput (in adult)
with several extremely long, linear white feathers.
' Bill short and very stout, the culmen curved regularly from the tase, the gonys de-
cidedly convex and very much ascending;* maxillary tomium almosi perfectly straight
throughout, but appreciably concave anteriorly, with a barely perceptible convexity toward

> the base; mandibular tomium nearly straight, but perceptibly concave anteriorly.6 Mental
.

1 A captive specimen had the iris and legs colored as follows, from the last of March
to June 30th, the only portion of the year when it was under observation: Iris, deep Chi-
nese orange; legs and feet uniform light buffy flesh-color or pale salmon, not very different
from the (evanescent) color of sides of neck, without the slightest tinge of olive or yellow.

2 From a specimen killed August 13, 1879, near Washington, D. C.

3 Extremes of thirteen examples from North and Middle America.

4 The lower outline of the bill is, in fact, more decidedly convex than the upper.

& We find considerable variation among individuals in respect tothe outlines; thus, a
specimen (female adult, No. 2759, Mus. R. R.) from Illinois has the mandibular tomium ex-
actly straight to near the end, where it gradually ascends to the tip, thereby producing a
very slight subterminal concavity; in No. 2758, another adult female from the same locality,
it is decidedly conver in the middle portion; while in an adult male, from Mazatlan (No,
58811), it is decidedly concave at the same place—so much so, in fact, that a space is left be-
tween it and the upper tomium, on each side, when the billis closed tight! These diserep-
ancies, however, do not affect the general form of the bill, which is eminently character-
istic.

”.

y

aD ot

135* BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

apex less than half-way from centre of eye to end of bill, and about even with anterior end
of nostril; apex of malar region a little posterior to the frontal apex. Tarsilong and
slender, exceeding the middle toe by more than half the length of the latter; outer toe de-
eidedly longer than inner; hallux slightly longer than the first phalanx of the middle toe;
bare portion of tibia as long as the outer toe; tarsal scutell2 with a tendency to form trans-
verse plates on the upper half, in front; claws exceedingly short, strongly curved, and
blunt. Inne) we 3; of two outer primaries emarginated near the end; tail of twelve broad,
moderately haru feathers; interscapular plumes greatly elongated (extending beyond the
tail), narrow, the plumule thread-like and soft, and separated outwardly. Occipital plumes
linear, flattened, longer than the head and bill, when fully developed, half a dozen or more
in number, and graduated in length.

Nycticorax violaceus (Linn.)

YELLOW-CROWNED NIGHT HERON.

Popular synonyms. White-crowned Night Heron; Pedrete de marcara (Mexico),

Ardea stellaris cristata americana CaTESBY, Carolina, 1754, pl. 79 (adult).

Bihoreau de Cayenne Burr. PI. Enl. 1770-84, pl. 899 (adult).

Ardea violacea Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 143, No. 12 (ex Catesby, |. ¢.); ed. 12. i, 1766, 238, No.
16.—Wits. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 26, pl. 65.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 52—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv,
1838,29), pl. 336; Synop. 1839, 262; Birds Am. vi, 1843, 89, pl. 364 (adult and young).

Nyctiardea violacea Swatns. Classif. B. ii, 1837, 354—Couks, Key, 1872, 269; Check List,
1873, No. 459.

Nyctherodius violaceus REICHENB. Syst. Av. 1851, p. xvii—Batrp, Birds N. Am. 1858, 679;
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 496.—Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1831, No. 496 —Covgs, Check
List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 665 (Wycterodius).—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 61.

Nucticorax violaceus Via. Z6ol. Jour. iii, 1827, 446.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 203.—
Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 133.

Cayenne Night Heron LavtxH. Synop. iii, 1785, 56 (quotes P]. Enl. 899).

Yellow-crowned Night Heron LATS. t. c. 80.

Ardea cayennensis GMEL. 8S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 626, No. 31 (based on PI. Enl. 899),

Ardea sexsetacea VY1rn1uu. Enc. Meth. iii, 1823, 1130 (Reichenow).

Ardea callocephala WaGu. Syst. Av. 1827, Ardea, sp. 34,

Has. Warm-temperate eastern North America, West Indies, Middle America, and
northern South America, breeding north to southern Illinois and Indiana. On Atlantic
coast north to Pennsylvania (rare). West to Colorado, south to western Ecuador and the
Amazonian regions. Bermudas,

Sp. CHar. Adult. Forehead, middle of the crown, long occipital plumes, and a
large longitudinal patch from the rictus to the gars, pure white;! rest of the head deep

In living and freshly killed specimens the forehead is a delicate creamy sulphur-
yellow color; but this fades perceptibly in a very short time after death, and finally disap-
appears entirely. Audubon (Birds of America, Vol. VL, p. 91) says, however, that this is
characteristic of the breeding season, and “disappears at the approach of autumn, when the
bird might with all propriety be named the White-crowned Heron.” In view of the fact
that this beautiful yellow color is seldom if ever to be seen in dried skins, the term “yellow-
crowned” is a decided misnomer; and since it is thus calculated to mislead the student, we
prefer the name “white-crowned,” and have, on previous occasions, adopted the latter in
this work. In many skins the white of the forehead is tinged more or less with ochrace-
ous, or cinnamon-brown; but this is without much doubt an actual stain caused by contact
with the slimy coating of leaves of aquatic plants,ferruginous mud, ete.

‘.

f

a

i ea ae a

=

ARDEIDE—THE HERONS. 136*

black. Plumage in general, clear bluish gray, or cinereous, lighter beneath (the de-
gree of blueness probably depending on the age of the bird); all the feathers of the upper
surface marked with a median stripe of black; the secondaries and rectrices dark plumbe-
ous, bordered with a lighter shade of the same; primaries plain bluish plumbeous. Bill
deep black, the lower basal portion of the mandible, in some specimens, greenish yellow;
lores and eyelids greenish yellow: iris pale orange; legs dull yellowish green, the large
scutell@ and the claws dusky.! :

Young. Above, dark sooty grayish brown, sometimes of a slightly olive cast, the
feathers of the pileum and wings (in youngest individuals the entire upper surface?)
marked with median streaks of white or pale buff; these streaks assuming on the wing-
coverts a narrowly cuneate form. Lower parts soiled whitish, striped with brownish gray.
“Bill greenish black, the lower and basal part of the lower mandible greenish yellow, as are
the eyelids and bare space before the eye. Iris pale orange. Legs and feet.dull yellowish
green, the scutella and scales in front, as well as the claws, dusky.” (AUDUBON.) Length,
about 23.00-25.00; expanse, 40.00-45.00; weight, 1]b. 7 oz. to 1 lb. 9 oz. (AUDUBON,) Wing, 10.50-
12.65; tail, 4.20-5.10; culmen, 2.50-3.00; depth of bill, .70-.92; tarsus, 3.10-4.20; middle toe, 2.20-
2.55; bare portion of tibia, 1.60-2.40,

The Yellow-crowned Night Heron occurs during summer
throughout at least the southern third of Illinois, though of
course only in such localities as are suited to it. These consist
of timbered swamps, where the principal food of the species,
consisting of crawfish, frogs, and the smaller reptiles, is to be
found in abundance. It first became known to the writer as an
Illinois bird through Mr. Samuel Turner, of Mt. Carmel, who
obtained specimens of the bird and its eggs in the Coffee Flats,
a few miles south.of that place. At Monteur’s Pond, about
eight miles east of Vincennes, Indiana,.the writer found it to be
much the most numerous species of heron, far outnumbering all
other kinds together, during several visits there, in different
years. Many nests were found, but all inaccessible except by
special and in most cases extraordinary effort, being built not
only high up in the tallest sweet gum and oak trees but far out
upon the branches.

1 In an adult female shot from the nest, at Wheatland, Indiana, April 27, 1881, the bill and
naked lores were wholly slate-black, the eyelids similar, but tinged with green anteriorly;
iris Mars-orange; legs pale olive-buff, the large scutell@ of tarsus and toes deep brownish.
In the adult male in spring, according to Audubon, the unfeathered parts are colored as
follows: “Bill black. Iris reddish-orange; margins of eyelids and bare space in front
of the eye dull yellowish green, ‘Tibia, upper part of the tarsus, its hind part and the
soles, bright yellow; the scutelle and scales, the fore part of the tarsus, the toes, and
the claws, black.”

4

BY (2 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

SUBFAMILY BOTAURIN %.—TaeE BiTTERNS.

Genus BOTAURUS HbrMann.

Botaurus HERMANN, Tabl. Affin. Anim. 1783, 135. Type, Ardea stellaris LINN.

Gen. CuaAk. Tail-feathers ten, very short and soft; outer toe shorter than inner; claws

1engthened, slightly curved.

Two really distinct genera are comprised in the so-called
genus Botaurus, as above defined, but in order to be consistent
in the classification and nomenclature of this work we are
compelled to follow the A. O. U. Check List and call them
subgenera. They may be distinguished by the following char-
acters:

a. Size large (wing more than 9.50 inches); sexes alike in coloration, and young not ob-
viously different in color from adults..........-sceeeee cece ee ee eee eee sencotelet cpien Botaurus.

a Size very small (wing less than 6.00 inches); sexes more or less different in color.
(in North American species, at least), and young obviously different from
BOUltG ren ccahscccavvecencssonoaccsvcsecmeceonercbccesbesenbenseesss Ustenencunnn sue Gnpiikicunes

Supcenus Botaurus HERMANN.

Botaurus Hermann, Tabl. Affin. Anim. 1783, 135. Type, Ardea stellaris Linn.
Butor Swarns. Classif. B. ii, 1837, 354. Same type.

Grn. CHAR. Medium-sized, or rather large, Herons, with the plumage much mottled
or striped with different shades of brown and ochraceous (the plumage essentially the
same in both sexes and at all seasons); the plumage, particularly of the lower neck in front,
exceedingly soft and rull, and destitute of any ornamental plumes; the bill comparatively
small and short (shorter than the middle toe); the tibiz almost completely feathered, and
the claws very long and but slightly curved. Tail, of ten short, soft feathers, slightly
rounded or nearly even. z

Bill gradually tapering from the base to the point, the upper outline more convex than
the lower, the gonys very slightly convex and gently ascending, the lower edge of the max-
illary rami perfectly straight; mental apex extending forward about half-way from the
centre of the eye to the point of the bill, and slightly in advance of the anterior end of the
nostril; malar apex falling far short of that of the frontal feathers. Toes very long, the
middle one considerably exceeding the billand almost equaling the tarsus; inner toe decid-
edly longer than the outer; hallux about half the middle toe; claws very long (that of the
hallux nearly equal to its digit), and but slightly curved; bare portion of the tibia shorter
than the hallux, Tarsi with large regular seutelle in front,

ge

we.
7

ARDEIDM—THE HERONS.

Botaurus lentiginosus (Montag.)
AMERICAN BITTERN.

_ Popular synonyms, Stake-driver; Post-driver; Thunder-pump; Water-beleher; Bog-bull;

Bog-bumper; Mire-drum; Look-up; Indian hen; Indian pullet, ete.

Ardea mugitans Barr. Travels, 1792, (momen nudum).
Botaurus mugitans Coves, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 666.

‘ Ardea lentiginosa MonrTAGUB, Orn, Dict. Suppl. 1813—Sw. & Riew. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 374.—

4

Norv. Man. ii, 1831, 60.—Aup. Synop. 1839, 268; Birds Am. vi, 1813, 94, pl. 365

Botaurus lentiginosus STEPHENS, Shaw's Gen. Zo6l. xii, 1819, 596—Barrp, Birds N.
Am. 1858, 674; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 492.—RricHenow, J f. O. 1877, 218.—Ripew,
Nom. Am. B. 1881, No. 497; Man. 1887, 126..—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No, 190.

Ardea hudsonias Mexrem, Ersch, Grub. Ency. y. 1820, 175.

Ardea minor Wis. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 35, pl. 65, fig. 3.
Botaurus minor Bote, Isis, 1826, 979.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 269; Check List, 1873, No.

460; Birds N. W. 1874, 523.

Butor americanus Swatns. Classif. B. ii, 1837, 354.

Ardea mokoko Vre1iu. Nouv. Dict. xiv, 1817, 440.

Botaurus adspersus “Cas.,”" Bonav. Consp. ii, 1857, 156.

Ardea stellaris canadensis EDwanrps, Nat. Hist. pl. 136.

Le Butor de la Baye de Hudson EpWarps, |. ¢.

Botaurus Freti-Hudsonis Briss. Orn. v, 1760, 450, pl. 87, fig. 1.

Ardea stellaris Varietas Forst. Philos. Trans. lxii, 1772, 410, No. 38 (Severn R.).

Bittern Var. A. Latu. Synop. iii, 1785, 58.

Ardea stellaris B. Lata. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 680, No. 18 B. (ex Edwards, pl. 136),

Has. The whole of temperate and tropical North Ameriea, north to latitude about 60°,
southto Guatemala, Cuba; Jamaica; Bermudas. Occasional in Europe (1s British records}.

Spe. Cuan. Adult; Ground-color ofthe plumage ochraceous-buff; but this densly mot-
tled and finely sprinkled above with reddish brown and blackish, the latter color prevailing
on the dorsal and scapular regions, where the feathers have lighter edges, the buff prevail-
ing on the wing-coverts, where the variegation consists of a finer and sparser sprinkling of
the dusky and brown; on the tertials and ends of the secondaries, the reddish (a sort of cin-
namon shade) forms the ground-color, and is thickly sprinkled with irregular dusky dot-
tings and zigzags; pectoral tufts nearly uniform dark brown, the feathers with broad lateral
borders of clear yellowish ochraceous, Pileum rusty brown, darker anteriorly, changing
gradually backward into the greenish olive-gray of the nape; sides of the head and neck

* yellowish ochraceous; a malar stripe of dark rusty, changing posteriorly into a very
conspicuous stripe of blue-black (or in some specimens dull grayish) down each side of the
neck; chin and throat white, with a very narrow median dusky streak, suffused with ochra-
cvous; foreneck pale buff, with sharply defined stripes of cinnamon-brown edged with a
black line; lower parts pale buff, with narrower brownish stripes; tibie and crissum plain
lightereamy buff; primary-coverts and primaries dark slate, tipped with pale reddish
ochraceous, finely, but not densely, sprinkled with dusky. Upper mandible olivaceous-
black, the tomium (broadly) lemon-yellow; lower mandible pale lemon-yellow, deeper

‘basally, with a stripe of dusky brownish along the posterior part of the tomium; lores and

eyelids lemon-yellow, the former divided longitudinally by a median stripe of dusky olive,
from the eye to the base of the upper mandible; iris clear, light sulphar-yellow next the
pupil, shading exteriorly into orange-brownish, this encircled narrowly with black; legs
and feet bright yellowish green; claws pale brown, dusky toward points.!. Young: Similar
to the adult, but more reddish, the mottling coarser, and with a tendency to form ragged
transverse bars, especially on the posterior upper parts.

1 Colors of fresh specimens (male and female) killed along the Truckee River, Nevada,
Nov. 18, and Dee, 11, 1867,

hii Ne ee ee Pee Te eth Te

139% BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Length, about 24.00-28.00; expanse, 37.00-45.00; weight about 134 Ibs. (AUDUBON); wing, 9.80-
12.00; tail, 3.10-4.40; culmen, 2.50-3,20; depth of bill. .60-.65; tarsus, 3.10-3.85; middle toe, 2.90-3.60;
bare portion of tibia, 1.00-1.35.1

SupcEenus Ardetta GRAY.

Ardeola Bonar. Synopsis, 1828 (teste Gray, Gen. & Subg. 1855, 113). Type, Ardea exilis
Gmeu. (Not of Boie, 1822!)

Ardetta GRAY, List of Genera, App. 1812, 15. Type, Ardea minuta LINN.

Erodiscus GuoGER, Handb. i, 1842, 410, Same type.

“Ardeiralla” (1855) VERREAUX (teste Hanrtu. Orn. Westafr. p. 224). Type, Ardea sturmi
Wacu. .

SuBGen Cuar. Extremely small (the smallest of) herons, or miniature bitterns; dif-
fering from the true bitterns chiefly in their diminutive size, and in the fact that the sexes
differ in color.?

Although only two species of Ardetia are known to occur in
North America (with one additional species in South America),
there are various species in other parts of the world.

The two North American species differ as follows:

a, Primaries tipped with cinnamon-rufous or pale cinnamon; adults with a distinct nar-

row stripe of buff along each side Of back............sceveeeceeeceeeveccesseenees B. exilis.
a*, Primaries without rufous or cinnamon tips; adults without trace of lighter stripe
SION LI SIGOS OLDACK 0c one sae Uaveres Mads Waa dy sto bhsdashicnabnn ecu as ....B, neoxenus.®

This species, which was originally discovered in southern Florida, has also been taken
in Ontario, Canada, and may possibly occur in Illinois. Itis very different in color from
B. exilis, the prevailing colors being black and rich chestnut.

Botaurus exilis (Gmel.)

LEAST BITTERN.

Popular synonyms, American Least Bittern; Tortoise-shell Bird, or Tortoise-shell Bittern
(Jamaica); Little Yellow Bittern; Ardeola and Pescadora (Mexico).

Little Bittern Penn. Arct. Zo6l. ii, 1785, 453, No. 359 (part).
Minute Bittern Lara. Synop. iii, 1785, 66 (Jamaica); = female ad.).
Ardea exilis Gmeu. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 645, No. 83 (based on the Minute Bittern of Latu.
t. c.).—Wins. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 37, pl. 65, fig. 4.—NuTr. Man. ii, 1834, 66.—AuD.
Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 77; v, 1839, 606, p]. 210; Synop. 1839, 263; Birds Am. vi, 1848, 100, pl.
366.
Ardetta exilis GuNDL. J. f. O. 1856, 345.—Barrp, B. N. Am, 1858, 673; Cat. N. Am. B.
1859, No. 491.—Rripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 498,—Covrs, Check List 2d ed.
1882, No. 667.
Botaurus exvilis RercuHen. J. f. O. 1877, 244.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 184.—Ripew.
Man. 1887, 127.
?PArdea spadicea GMEL, t. ¢. 641 (Reichenow).

1 From measurements of twenty-five adult specimens.

2 We can find no other difference in form or proportion between Botaurusand Ardetta.
In the sexed specimens of A. involucris which we have been able to examine there is no
sexual difference of plumage. The sex of the single supposed female, however, may have
been incorrectly determined. .

* Ardetta neoxena Cory, Auk, ili, Apr. 1886, 262—Botaurus neorenus Ripew. Man. N,
Am. B. 1887, 127.

ARDEIDE—THE HERONS. 140*

Has. The whole of temperate North America, north to the British Provinces; West
Indies, Middle America, and northern South America, to Brazil. Bermudas.

Sp. Cuan. Adult male: Pileum, including slight occipital crest, with entire back,scapu-
lars, rump and tail, glossy greenish black, the outer webs of the outermost row of seapu-
lars edged with pale buff, forming a narrow longitudinal stripe. Sides of the head and neck
bright ochraceous, deepening into reddish chestnut on the nape; chin, throat, and foreneck
paler, the first sometimes whitish, with a median series of dusky and yellowish buff dashes;
the foreneck and chest faintly striped with white and pale orange-buif, the latter pre-
dominating; on each side the breast a patch of maroon-dusky, the feathers tipped with
paler and suffused with blackish, forming tufts of large loose feathers, partly concealed by
the large feathers of the chest; lower parts whitish, washed with pale creamy-buff. Carpal
region, greater wing-coverts, lower webs of tertials and tips of primary-coverts, second-
aries, and innermost primaries, rich cinnamon-rufous; large area covering middle wing-
covert region, pale ochraceous or buff; remiges and primary-coverts blackish slate, except
attips. “Bill dark olive-brown above, edge of upper mandible and bare frontal space yel-
low; lower mandible pale yellow, inclining to flesh color; iris yellow; feet dull greenish yel-
low; claws brown.” (AuDUBON.) Adult female: Similar to adult male, but the greenish-
black replaced by brown (varying from umber-drab to cinnamon; the pileum darker, usu-
ally quite dusky); the buff stripe along outer edge of scapular region much broader, and
the stripes on the foreneck usually more distinct. Young: Similar to the adult female,
but feathers of the back and scapulars tipped with buff,and stripes on foreneck usually still
more distinct. Downy young: Above uniform buff, or brownish buff, beneath dull white.

Total length, about 12.00-13.50 inches; extent of wings, 17.00-18.00; wing, 4.80-5.25; tail, 1.60-
2.10; culmen, 1.60-1.90; depth of bill at base, .28-.35; tarsus, 1.50-1.75; middle toe, 1.40-1.60; bare
portion of tibia, .45-.50.

' The Least Bittern, although comparatively seldom seen, is an
abundant summer resident in marshy localities throughout
Illinois, but keeps well hidden among the tall sedges, cat-tails,
and other aquatic plants among which it dwells, often permit-
ting itself to be almost brushed against before it will take wing.

Mr. Nelson says it breeds abundantly in the marshes and
sloughs of the northeastern counties, where it arrives about
May 1, and breeds in June. He always found its nest sup-
ported, at from two to three feet above the water, by the
surrounding rushes, and describes it as a very frail structure—a
thin platform from one to three inches‘ thick, with scarcely de-
pression enough in the center to prevent the eges from rolling
out. Small dry pieces of reeds are used in building it. The
eges are usually from two to six in number. If approached
while on the nest, the female generally steps quietly to one side;
but if suddenly surprised, takes to flight. Each nest is usually
placed by itself, but sometimes six or eight may be found in
close proximity.

"<

102 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

OrpER ANSERES,—rTHE LAMELLIROSTRAL SWIMMERS.

CuHaRAcTERS. Lamellirostral swimming birds, with straight bills, short legs (always
shorter than the wing), the tibia usually completely feathered, and scarcely free from the
body; hallux well developed, though usually small, never absent, Reproduction precocial,
and young ptilopedic; eggs numerous and unmarked, with a hard, usually very smooth,
sheil.

Bill flattened terminally, and provided at the tip with a more or less hooked nuil or
“unguis”, and along the edges with distinct vertical] lamellie or strainers (more tooth-like
in the subfamily Merging).

The Order Anseres is composed mainly of a single family (Anat-
7d), which, however, includes very numerous genera and species.
The order is represented in every portion of the globe, but most
numerously in the northern hemisphere. It is allied most nearly
to the orders Phanicopteri (Flamingoes) and Palamedew
(Screamers), the former Tropicopolitan, the latter confined to
the central portion of the Neotropical Region.

1Extralimital families are (1) Anserantid@ (Semipalmated Geese), and (2) Cereopsice
(Cape Barren Geese), both peculiar to Australia.

ball

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 103

Famity ANATID2A).—Tue Swans, Geese, And Ducks.
CHARACTERS. The same as those of the Order. (See Volume I, page 45.)

The family Anct/dw, which includes all the North American
Anseres, constitutes so well-marked and natural a group of
birds as to need no further definition than has already been given.
The species, being very numerous, naturally fall into several more
or less well-defined groups, which have been accorded the rank
of subfamilies. These, however, grade so insensibly into one
another that it is extremely doubtful whether this rank can
be maintained for them.! Birds of this family are found in
every known part of the world; but they abound most in the
northern hemisphere, particularly in boreal regions. The North
American representatives may, for convenience of classification,
be divided into four tolerably well-defined groups, as follows:

Cygnine. Neck extremely long (as long as or longer than the body); size very large; bill
long as or longer than the head, the edges parallel, the nail small; tarsi shorter than
middle toe ;lores naked; tail-feathers 20-24; color chiefly or entirely white (except in
Chenopis atrata, the Black Swan, of Australia),

Anserine. Neck moderately long (shorter than the body); size variable (usually medi-
um, never very large); bill not longer than the head, tapering to the end, which is chiefly
occupied by the large, broad nail; tarsus longer than the middle toe; lores feathered;
tail-feathers 14-20; color extremely variable.

Anatine. Neck moderately long (shorter than the body); size variable (usually small or
medium); bill extremely variable; tarsus shorter than the middle toe; lores usually
feathered; tail-feathers 14-18; color extremely variable.

Merging. Similar tothe Anatine, but bill narrow, with tooth-like processes instead of
fine lamelle.

The genera which have representatiyes within our limits may
be distinguished by the following characters:

‘The whole family Anatidw forms, as to structural features, a very homogeneous
group, and intermediate links are everywhere to be found. Thus it is very difficult to de-
fine the subfamilies anatomically, and to give the structural differences by which they are
to be separated, so that I ‘ind it not improbable that an exact investigation, based ona
more abundant material than I can at present procure, will reduce the subfamilies to
groups of lower rank.” SresneGer, in Proc. U.S. Nat. Mus., Vol. 5, 1882, pp. 174, 175.

am

=
Ss ae

cre eos
~*~

=

mm ee Thee ee

bel Ay Age”, i eae ah) Bs a ="

104 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

SUBFAMILY CYGNIN21.—TuHE Swans.

1. Olor. |The largest of the American A natide (totallength more than three feet); color
of the plumage entirely pure white in adults, grayishin young. (Page 105.)

SuBFAMILY ANSERINA.—TusHE GEESE.

A. Serrations on cutting-edge of upper mandible visible from the outside through a con-
spicuous “grinning space;” bill and feet light colored.
2. Chen. Bill very stout, its depth through the base equal to much more than half
the length of the culmen; color of adults white, with blackish primaries, or else
with head and part of neck white, the wing-coverts bluish gray. (Page 110.)
3. Anser. Bill weaker and more depressed, its depth through the base less than
half the length of the culmen; color never white, nor with white head, nor
with bluish gray wing-coverts. (Page 115.)
B. Serrations on edge of upper mandible visible only near the angle of the mouth, the
sides of the bill without “grinning space;” bill and feet blackish.
4, Branta. Head partly or wholly black; upper and under tail-coverts white.
(Page 118.)

SuBraMIty ANATINA.—TsE Ducks.

A. Lores densely feathered.
a. Tail normal.
b. Hind toe without a distinct membranous lobe or “flap.”
c. Bill not spatulate.
d. Tail-feathers narrow and pointed at tip.
e. Tail graduated for less than one third its total length (or else consist-
ing of only 14feathers) and culmen shorter than middle toe without
, claw.
5. Anas, (Page 126.)
el, Tail graduated for more than one third its total length, consisting of
16 feathers, and culmen longer than middle toe, without claw.
6. Dafila. (Page 146.)
ad. Tail-feathers broad and rounded at tips.
7. Aix. (Page 152.)
c!, Bill spatulate (much widened toward the end).
8. Spatula. (Page 150.)
b!, Hind toe with a broad membranous lobe or “flap.”
c, Feathering on lores or forehead not reaching beyond posterior border of
nostril.
d. Graduation of tail less than length of bill from nostril.
9. Aythya. (Page 156.)
dd, Graduation of tail much more than length of bill from nostril.
e. Distance from tip of bill to loral feathering less than graduation of tail.
f. Distance from anterior end of nostril to loral feathers equal to or
greater than width of bill at base.

g. Distance from anterior end of nostril to tip of bill much less
than from same point to loral feathers; tail less than twice as
long as tarsus.

10. Glaucionetta, (Page 165.)

a i te

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 105

g'. Distance from anterior end of nostril to tip of bill much greater
than from same point to loral feathers; tail more than twice as
long as tarsus.

ll. Charitonetta, (Page 170.)
f°, Distanve from anterior end of nostril to loral feathering much less
than width of bill at base.

g. Distance from posterior end of nostril to loral feathers equal to
or greater than length of nostril; anterior outline of loral
feathering strongly convex.

12. Histrionicus, (Page 171.)

g'. Distance from anterior end of nostril to loral feathers less than
half the length of the nostril; anterior outline of loral feather-
ing forming a nearly straight line, running obliquely backward
and downward from near nostril to corner of mouth.

13. Clangula. (Page 173.)
e!, Distance from tip of bill to loral feathers greater than graduation of
tail.
14. Oidemia, (Page 179.)
el, Feathering of forehead or lores reaching anteriorly to or beyond posterior
end of nostril.
15. Somateria, (Page 175.) :
a, Tail abnormal, its feathers narrow, with very stiff shafts, their base scarcely hidden
by the very short coverts. s
16. Erismatura, (Page 184.)

z SUBFAMILY MERGIN24.—TxHE MERGANSERS.

A. Serrations of mandible conspicuously tooth-like, and strongly inclined backward at
tips.
17. Merganser. (Page 187.)
B. Serrations of mandible short, blunt, and not distinetly inclined backward at tips.
18. Lophodytes, (Page 190.)

SusraMity CYGNIN.2.—Tue Swans.
Genus OLOR WaAGLeER.

Vlor WaGt. Isis, 1882, 1234. Type, Anas cygnus LINN.

Gen. CHAR. Neck very long (longer than the body); bill longer than the head (com-
missure longer than the tarsus), widening slightly to the end, the edges straight; basal por-
tion of the bill covered by a soft skin extending over the lores to the eye, the upper outline
running nearly straight back from the forehead to the upper eyelid, the lower running from
the eye obliquely downward, in a nearly straight line, to the rictus. Nostrils situated alittle
posterior to the middle of the maxilla, and quite near the culmen; no trace of a knob or
earuncle at base of the bill. Lower portion of the tibia bare; tarsus much shorter than the
middle toe (but little longer than the inner), much compressed, covered with hexagonal
scales which become smaller on the sides and behind. Hind toe small, much elevated, the
lobe narrow. Tail very short, rounded or graduated, of 20 to 24 feathers. Wings rounded,
the second and third quills longest; primaries scarcely reaching beyond the ends of the
secondaries. Color entirely white, the sexes alike; young pale grayish.

The two North American species of O/or may be readily dis-
tinguished by the following characters :
—14

106 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

CoMMON CHARACTERS. Adults with whole plumage pure white, the head often stained
with rusty; bill either entirely black, or black and yellow; iris dark brown; feet blackish.
Young ashy, sometimes tinged with brownish, the bill flesh-color (or at least partly of this
color) and feet grayish or whitish.

1, 0. columbianus. Tail-feathers usually 20; bill not longer than the head, the anterior
end of the nostrils considerably anterior to the middle of the maxilla; naked loral
skin usually with a yellowish oblong spot.

2. O.buccinator. Tail-feathers usually 24; billlonger than the head, the anterior end of
the nostrils reaching to about the middle of the maxilla; naked loral skin entirely
black. Size considerably larger.

They are both found, at one time or another, entirely across
the continent, though Q. bucc/nator is rare on the Atlantic coast.

Olor buccinator (Rich.)

TRUMPETER SWAN.

Cygnus buceinator Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 464 (Hudson Bay).—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 370.—
Aub. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 536; v, 1839,114, pls. 406, 376; Synop. 1839, 74; B. Am. vi, 1843,
219, pl. 382, 383.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 758; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 562.—Covugs,
Key, 1872, 281; Check List, 1873, No. 476; 2d ed. 1882, No. 688; Birds N. W. 1874, 544.—
Rivew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 619.

Olor buceinator WaGt. Isis, 1732, 1234.—RipGw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 589; Man. N.
Am. B. 1887, 120; Proc. U. 8S. Nat. Mus. iii, 1882, 216.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am.i
1884. 430,—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No, 181.

Cygnus pasmorei H1noxs, Proce. Linn. Soe. viii, 1864,1 (Toronto); P. Z. 8. 1868, 211—Mooreg,
P. Z. 8. 1867, 8 (critical).

Has. Chiefly the interior of North America, from the Gulf coast to the Fur Countries,
breeding from Iowa and Dakota northward; west to the Pacific coast, but rare or casual on
the Atlantic. Accidental in England.

Sp. Cuar. Tail usually of 24 feathers; bill longer than the head. Adult: Plumage
entirely pure white, the head, sometimes the neck also, or even the entire lower parts,
tinged with rusty. Bill, naked lores, legs, and feet, uniform deep black, the “outer lamel-
late edges of the lower mandible and the inside of the mouth flesh-color,” (AUDUBON);
iris brown. Young: “In the winter the young has the bill black, with the middle portion
of the ridge, to the length of an inch and a half, light flesh-color, and a large elongated
patch of light dull purple on each side; the edge of the lower mandible and ihe tongue
dull yellowish flesh-color. The eye is dark brown. The feet are dull yellowish brown,
tinged with olive; the claws brownish black, the webs blackish brown. The upper part
of the head and the cheeks are light reddish brown, each feather having toward its ex-
tremity a small oblong whitish spot, narrowly margined with dusky ; the throat nearly
white, as well as the edge of the lower eyelid. The general color of the upper parts is
grayish white, slightly tinged with yellow ; the upper part of the neck marked with spots
similar to those on the head.” (AUDUBON.)

Total length, about 58.50 to 68.00 inches ; extent, about 8.00 to nearly 10.00 feet ; wing,
21.00-27.25 inches ; culmen (from frontal feathers) 4.34-4.70; tarsus, 4.544.92; middle toe
6,00-6.50 ; weight, of adults, about 28 to nearly 40 Ibs.

The arrangement of the trachea in this species is very different trom that in 0.
columbianus, in having, besides the horizontal bend, a vertical flexure, occupying a
prominent protuberance on the anterior portion of the dorsal aspect of the sternum.

The Trumpeter Swan is chiefly a transient visitor to Illi-
nois, but undoubtedly once bred within the State, since it

4

a, =, yf a ere

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 107

is now known to do so in Iowa. It is said to occasionally
winter in the southern counties, where migrating flocks arrive
from the South about, or a little after, the middle of March,
and return from the North about the last of October.

It is a grand bird, weighing often as much as thirty pounds
and sometimes nearly forty, with a spread of wings of eight to
nearly ten feet—much greater than any other American bird
excepting only the Condor and the California Vulture, both of
which are considerably inferior in weight. Its eggs, averag-
ing about 4.46 by nearly 3.00 inches in size, are so large that
one of them is said to be a sufficient meal for a moderate man.
Although so large, it is very swift of wing, and Hearne states
that in his opinion it is more difficult to shoot when flying than
any other bird.

The name ‘‘Trumpeter”’ is derived from its ringing note, much
more sonorous than that of the common species (0. colwm-
bianus), and said to resemble a blast upon a French horn.

Olor columbianus (Ord).

WHISTLING SWAN.

Popular synomym. American Swan.

Cygnus musicus BonaP. Synop. 1828, 379 (nec BECHST. 1809).
Ovgnus bewickiSw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 465 (nec YARR.).—Nutr. Man, ii, 1834, 372.
Cygnus ferus Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 366 (nec LEACH, 1816).
Cygnus americanus 8HARPLESS, Doughty’s Cab. N. H. i. 1830, 185, pl. 16.—Aud. Orn. Biog,
Vv, 1839, 133, pl. 411; Synop. 1889, 274; B. Am. vi, 1843, 226, pl. 381.—Barrp, B. N. Am,
1858, 758; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 561la.—Covers, Key, 1872, 281; Check List, 1873, No,
477; B. N. W. 1874, 545.
Olor americanus Gray, Cat. Brit. Mus. 1844, 181.—Bonarp. Compt. Rend. xliii, 1856,—
Rmwew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 558.
Anas columbianus Onn, Guthrie's Geog. 2d Am. ed. 1815, 319.
Cygnus columbianus Coves, Bull. U.S, Geol. and Geogr. Surv. Terr, 3d series, No. 6,
1876, 444; Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 689.
Olor columbianus Stes. Proc. U. 8S. Nat. Mus. v, 1882, 210.—B. B. & R. Water B.N.
Am. i, 1884, 425.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 180—Ripaw. Man.N. Am. B. 1887, 120,

Has. The whole of North America, breeding far north; accidental in Scotland.

Sp. Cuan. Tail usually of twenty feathers; bill not longer than the head. Adult: En-
tire plumage pure white, the head, sometimes the neck, or even entire under parts, tinged
with rusty. Bill, and bare loral space black, the latter usually marked by an oblong spot of
orange or yellow (dull pale reddish, yellowish, or whitish in the skin); iris brown; legs and
feet slate-black or dark slate-color. Young: Light ashy gray, paler beneath, the fore part
and top of the head tinged with reddish brown. Bill reddish flesh-color, dusky at the tip;
feet dull yellowish flesh color, or grayish.

Total length, about 53.90-55,.50 inches; extent about7.00 feet; wing, 21.50-22.00 inches;
oulmen, 3,82-4,20; tarsus, |.06-4,32; middle toe, 5.40-5.90. Weight of adults about 18 to 25 Ibs-

A ie

~

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ea

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-

= 4
- ~

108 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

The common American or Whistling Swan is a more northern
species, as to its breeding range, than the Trumpeter, but at
the same time it is a more abundant or at least more widely
distributed species, and therefore better known. It does not,
apparently, breed within the limits of the United States, but
betakes itself during summer to the desolate lands near and
beyond the Arctic circle, where it rears its young in compara-
tive security. It is said to occasionally winter in southern
Illinois, but ordinarily its principal winter residence is the Gulf
and south Atlantic coasts, including their various bays and
estuaries.

The best account of the habits of this species is that furnished
by Dr. Sharpless, of Philadelphia, to Mr. Audubon, supple-
mented by articles, presumably of the same writer, in ‘‘Doughty’s
Cabinet.’’ Dr. Sharpless states that in its migrations south-
ward it collects in flocks of twenty or thirty, and moves only
when the wind is not opposed to the direction of its flight. It
mounts high in the air, forms an elongated wedge, and utters
loud screams as it departs, these cries being occasionally re-
peated as the bird moves on its way. When flying, the wings
seem almost without movement, and their sweep is very unlike
the semicircular movements of geese. He estimates that this
bird travels at the rate of at least a hundred miles an hour
when at a high elevation and with a moderate wind in its favor.
Its flight is estimated to be twice as rapid as that of the Wild
Goose. In traveling from its summer abode to its winter resi-
dence it keeps far inland, mounted above the highest peaks of
the Allerhany, and rarely follows the watercourses. It usually
arrives at its regular feeding-grounds at night, and signalizes
its coming by loud and vociferous screaming, with which the
shores ring for several hours. In the spring these birds again
assemble, as early as March, and after many preparations by
incessant washings and dressings, meanwhile disturbing the
neighborhood with their noise, they depart for the north with
a general clamor of unmusical screams. In the Chesapeake they
collect in flocks of from one to five hundred on the flats near the
western shores, from the mouth of the Susquehanna almost to
the Rip Raps. When alarmed they become instantly silent, and
they depend much more on swimming than on flying for effect-

ANATIDH—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 109

ing an escape. When feeding, or dressing their plumage, this
Swan is usually very noisy, and at night these clamors may be
heard to the distance of several miles. Their notes are varied,
some resembling the lower ones made by the common tin horn,
others runuing through the various modulations of the notes
of the clarionet. The differences are presumed to be dependent

upon age.

Regarding the edible qualities of the swan there is great di-
versity of opinion among persons who have eaten its flesh, but
it is probable that due allowance has not been made for the
remarkable difference which exists between the tender, juicy flesh
of a young bird, and the tough, dry meat of a very old one.
A writer in ‘“Doughty’s Cabinet,” above mentioned, (probably
Dr. Sharpless), referring to swans on Chesapeake Bay, says that
this bird, when less than five years old, is by far the finest eat-
ing of any of the waterfowl found on that bay. It possesses
the flavor of the finest goose, and is ,far more tender. The
length of time that its flesh can be preserved untainted is also
mentioned as remarkable, this same writer having seen one still
perfectly sweet four weeks after its death, no other method of
preservation than an exposure to air having been employed.

The age of this swan may be known by the color of the
feathers, the yearling being of a deep leaden tint, with a deli-
cate red bill. In the second year it has a lighter color, and a
white bill. In the third season the bill has become jet black,
and about one third of the plumage is still tipped with gray;
and until it is fully five years old an occasional feather will pre-
sent this tint of youth. This bird is supposed to live to a great
age, and its flesh becomes exceedingly tough and tasteless. In
consequence of this, the more experienced hunters of the Chesa-
peake usually allow the patriarchs of the flock, who lead in their
flight, to pass unharmed. These old leaders have a note thought
to resemble in a remarkable degree the sound of a common tin
horn; and the unmusical character of their cries increases in in-
tensity with their age.

r
fe ee TE ee OY a ee Sa

110 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.
SuBFAMILY ANSERIN.ZE.—TuHE GEESE.

Genus CHEN Bott.

Chen Bots, Isis, 1822, 563. Type, Anser hyperboreus PALLAS.
Exanthemops Evutot, Proc. Phila. Acad, 1868. Type, Anser rossii BAIRD.

Of the three North American species of this genus, two, C.
hyperborea, the type, and (. caerulescens, are precisely alike in
the details of form, the only difference being the coloration,
which is very distinct in the two; the third species, C. rossdz,
while agreeing strictly with (C. hyperborea in plumage, both in
the adult and young stages, differs decidedly in the form of the
bill, which is quite peculiar. It seems unnecessary, however, to
adopt the generic term Hxanthemops, proposed for it by Mr. D.
G. Elliot, since the difference in the character of the bill from
that ‘of the typical species of the genus is hardly of generic
value. The species may be distinguished as follows:

Synopsis of Species.

CoMMON CHARACTERS. Adult with whole head and at least part of the neck white (in
two of the three species the plumage entirely white, except quills, which are blackish);
the bill dull purplish red (in life) with whitish nail, and feet purplish red. Young with
head and neck grayish, the rest of the plumage either chiefly grayish brown or else
striped with grayish on a whitish ground; bill and feet dusky.

A. Plumage never chiefly white; the adult mainly grayish brown, with bluish-gray rump
and wing-coverts, the head and part of the neck white. Young almost wholly
grayish brown, including head and neck.

1, C. cxrulescens. Bill very robust, the posterior lateral outline of the maxilla de-
cidedly concave; commissure widely gaping, and lower outline of the mandible ,
decidedly convex. (Page 110.) .

B. Plumage of the adult pure white, the primaries black, more cin toward the base;
young grayish white, the centres of the feathers darker gray.

2. C. hyperborea. Bill robust, and shaped like that of C. cerulescens.

{8. C. rossii. Bill small, the posterior lateral outline of the maxilla almost perfectly
straight, the tomia closely approximated, and the lower outline of the mandible
scarcely convex; inolder specimens the base of the maxilla corrugated or warty.
Wing, 13.75-15.50 inches; culmen, 1.50-1.70; depth maxilla at base, .85-.95; tarsus,
2,30-3.00; middle toe, 1.80-2.05. Hab. Northwestern North America.)

Chen ceerulescens (Linn.)

BLUE-WINGED GOOSE.

Popular synonyms. Blue Brant; Blue Goose; White-head; White-headed Brant, or
Goose; Bald Brant;2Blue Wavey (Hudson Bay).

Anas cerulescens Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 124; ed. 12, i, 1766, 198.—Garen. S. N. i, 1788,
513,—LaTH. Ind. Orn, ii, 1790, 836, '

-

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. ui fa

Anser cerulescens View. Enc. Meth. 1, 1823, 115.—Barmp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No.
564.—Covgs, Key, 1872, 282; Check List, 1873, No. 479; Birds N. W. 1874, 553.
Chen cwrulescens Rrpew. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus., iii, 1880, 202; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881,
No. 590;Man. N. Am B. 1887, 115.—Coves, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 694.—B. B. &
R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 486.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, p.351, hypthet. list, No.8.
Anser hyperboreus (supposed young) STEPHENS, Shaw's Gen. Zodl. xii, ii, 1824, 33.—
Barep,B. N. Am. 1858, 760.
Has, Interior of North America, east of Rocky Mountains, breeding in the interior of
Labrador; migrating south, in winter through the Mississippi Valley, occasionally along
the Atlantic coast also.

Sp..CHar. Adult: Head and upper half of the neck white, or mostly white, the former
frequently washed with orange-rufous anteriorly; lower neck and body grayish brown, the
feathers bordered terminally with paler, these pale edgings, however, nearly obsolete on
the neck, where the tint is darker, and joins irregularly against the white above it. Rump
and wings plain pearl-gray or bluish cinereous (the former sometimes white), in striking
contrast to the deep grayish brown of the scapulars, sides, etc.; that of the rump fading
into white on the upper tail-coverts, and that of the greater coverts edged externally with
the same. Primaries black, fading basally into hoary gray; secondaries deep black,:nar-
rowly edged with white: tail deep ash-gray, the feathers distinctly, bordered with white
Bill reddish, the commissural space black; feet reddish, Young: Very similar, but the
chin, only, white, the rest of the head and neck being uniform dark grayish brown or brown-
ish slate, like the breast, only darker in shade; body more cinereous than in the adult, the
pale tips to the nearly truncated contour feathers being obsolete. Rump, wings, and tail
asinthe adult. Billand feet blackish. Downy young, not seen.

Total length, about 30.00 inches; wing, 15.00-17.00; culmen, 2.10-2.30; tarsus, 3.00-3.30; mid-
dle toe, 2.15-2.50.

The chief variation in the plumage of adults of this species
consists in the extent and continuity of the white of the neck.
This is usually more or less broken, the dusky of the lower por-
tion running upwards in irregular spots or projections; it ex-
tends highest on the nape, where it sometimes reaches to the
crown. The bright orange-rufous tinge to the anterior portion
of the head, being an adventitious stain, is frequently entirely ab-
sent. The color of the abdomen also varies from nearly pure
white to a tint hardly paler than the breast; the rump is also
sometimes, but rarely, entirely white, while occasionally white
feathers are irregularly interspersed among the dark feathers of
the body.

In both the adult and young stages of this goose the plumage
is so very distinct from that of (. hyperborea that there is no
occasion for confounding the two when the points of distinction
are understood. We are unable, however, to find the slightest
difference in the details of form or in proportions—a fact which
suggests the mere possibility of their being white and colored
phases of the same species, as in some Herons; but we do not

ve “Pee eee ee

a os
6 Ray tal ee ee

MOP e dy of | Oe ay

112 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

consider this as at all probable, although in view of their sim-
ilarity of form and size, and the fact that the chief variations
are a tendency toward partial albinism, the possibility of such
a relationship should be borne in mind.

A specimen figured in the ‘“Transactions” of the Chicago
Academy of Sciences, Vol. I., 1869, pl. 18, has the whole under
parts, posterior to the chest, pure white. We have also seen
examples in which not only the abdomen, but also the rump,
was white; while, as noted above, white feathers are sometimes
interspersed irregularly in the dark plumage of the body. There
is also something very ‘‘unsatisfactory’’ or suspicious in the
irregular, variable, and undecided way in which the white of the
neck joins upon the dark color below it.

Mr. E. W. Nelson, of Chicago, who has enjoyed the advantage
of inspecting very numerous specimens in the markets of that
great game center, writes as follows (Bull. Wutt. Orn. Club,
VIIL., 1876, p. 187) with regard to the changes of plumage in
this species:

“The adults of this species invariably possess the white head
and upper part of the neck, which in the younger specimens is
more or less variegated with dark feathers. These disappear as
the bird becomes older; and in many the head is a pure snowy
white, in sharp contrast to the dark plumage of the rest of the
upper parts. The young would appear at first sight to be a
distinct species, so different is the pattern of coloration. The
white of the head, neck, abdomen, and tail-coverts is entirely
absent, and the bird is of an almost uniform ashy plumbeous,
slightly darker about the head, and lighter on the abdomen.
This plumage is retained until the second year at least, as many
specimens are procured in the spring with the dark head, neck
and abdomen still immaculate; and these, I think, are young of
the preceding year. At the same time specimens are found with
the dark feathers about the head well mixed with white, repre-
senting the second year. In birds of the third year the white
predominates; but not until the fourth or fifth year does the
plumage become perfect.”

The Blue Goose is a common species in Illinois during the
migrations, sometimes mixed in with flocks of the Snow Goose,
but often in flocks composed entirely of its own species. In his

Boot wi tes ceil ¥y Peete Bare Fe oe

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEKSE, AND DUCKS. (113

paper on the birds of northern Dakota, Dr. McChesney, referring

to its migrations, mentions as a singular fact that he never

observed this goose during the spring migrations when the

Snow Goose is so abundant, and with which it makes its ap-

pearance in the fall—being afterwards constantly found mixed

with the flocks of that goose, and associating with it on terms of

such familiarity as to suggest the query whether there may not

be a doubt as to its distinctness from that species, and whether

it may notin reality be the young, or a semi-melanotic condi-

tion. He saw flocks of the Snow Goose covering acres of ground,

with here and there a Blue’Goose scattered through the flock,

and he also saw them associated on the wing. “The case of

this goose and that of the Black-bellied Plover” says he,

“constitute the only exceptions falling under’ my notice of a
‘ migratory bird appearing in the fall that does not pass this |

region during the spring migrations. This goose departs

with the preceding about the end of October.” On _ the

other hand, Prof. Cooke says that it migrates through the

Mississippi Valley, and winters along the Gulf coast, in mild

winters extending up to northern Mississippi and southern

Illinois; and that “during migration it was noticed at Burling-

ton, lowa, where bulk arrived March 20, 1884’—thus showing

that, nearer the Mississippi River at least, it does pass north-

ward in the spring.

The breeding ground of the Blue Goose is not known with cer-

tainty, but, according to Mr. Barnston, the Indians of the Hud-

son’s Bay district report that it is the country lying ia the

interior from thé northeast point of Labrador, where extensive

swamps and impenetrable bogs prevail, and where these geese

nest on the more solid tufts interspersed through the morass,

safe from man or any other than winged enemies.

eS ee ee

7

Chen hyperborea (Pall.)

LESSER SNOW GOOSE,

Popular synonyms. Lesser Snow Goose; White Brant.

Anser hyperboreus PAuu. Spic. Zool. viii, 1767, 25, pl. 65 (Eastern Siberia); Zoog. Rosso-As.
ii, 1826, 227.—Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 467.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 344.—Aup. Orn.
Biog. iv, 1888, 562, pl. 381; Synop. 1839, 278; B. Am. vi, 1843, 212, pl. 381.—Barrp, B. N.
Am. 1858, 760; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 563.—Covugs, Key, 1872,,282; Check List, 1873,
No. 480; Birds N. W. 1874, 548.—Hensu. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 470.

—15

114 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Anas hyperboreus GMEL. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 504—Wais. Am. Orn. vili, 1814, 76, pl. 68, f, 3.
Chen hyperboreus Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 591.—CoveEs, Check List, 2d ed. 1882,
No. 695.—B. B.& R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 439.
Chen hyperborea Bortz, Isis, 1822, 563.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 169—Ripew. Man.
N. Am. B. 1887, 115.
Anser albatus Cass. Proc. Phila. Acad. 1856, 41.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 925; Cat. N. Am. B.
1859, No. 568a.—Ripew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 619.
Chen albatus Exxror, Ilust. Am. B. ii, 1869, pl. 42.
Anser hypervboreus, var. albatus Cougs, Key, 1872, 282; Check List, 1873, No. 480a.
Anser hyperboreus, b. albatus Couss, Birds N. W. 1874, 549.
Chen hyperboreus albatus Ripew. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. 1880, 202; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881,
No. 591a.—CovEs, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 696,
Snow Goose PrEnn. Arct. Zool. ii, 1790, 479.—LatH. Synop. vi, 1885, 445.

Has. Northern Asia (as far west as European Russia) and western North America,
breeding in the Arctic districts (Alaska, ete.), migrating south in winter to southern Cali-
fornia, Mexico, and the Gulf coast; occasional on the Atlantic coast during migrations, in
Asia, as far south as Japan in winter; casual in various parts of Europe, including Ireland.

Sp, CHar. Adult: Entire plumage, except the primaries, snow-white, the head some-
times stained with orange-rufous anteriorly;, primaries deep black, fading basally into
grayish, the primary coverts and alula being hoary ash. Bill purplish red or flesh-color,
the nail whitish, and the intertomial space black; iris dark brown; eyeiids whitish or flesh-
color; feet purple- or orange-red, the soles dingy yellowish. Young: Above, ineluding
the head and neck, pale ashy, the feathers of the dorsalregion more whitish on their edges;
wing-coverts and tertials dark ashy or slate-grayish centrally, their edges broadly pure
white; secondaries mottled ashy, edged with white; primaries as in the adult. Rump,
upper tail-coverts, tail, and lower parts, immaculate pure white, the tail and breast
tinged with pale ash. Head usually more or less tinged with orange-rufous, this deepest
anteriorly. Billand feet dusky. Downy young not seen.

Total length, about 23,00 to 28.00 inches; wing, 14.50-17,00 (average, 16.36); culmen 1,95-
2.30 (2.15); tarsus, 2.80-5.25 (3.01); middle toe, 2.00-2.50 (2.34).

The Snow Goose, more commonly known as the ‘White Brant,”
is an abundant migrant in Illinois, coming south in October and
returning in January to March, according to the character of
the season. According to Mr. Nelson it visits us in large flocks,
either composed entirely of its own species or mixed with indi-
viduals of the larger race (Chen hyperborea nivalis) and the Blue
Goose, and in the central portion of the State frequents corn-
fields.

The summer home of the Snow Goose includes the vast extent
of territory stretching from the ‘‘barren-grounds’”’ of middle
Arctic America to Bering’s Strait, and also a considerable por-
tion of northern Asia, which it traverses until the eastern portion
of European Russia is reached.

Chen hyperborea nivalis (lorst.)

GREATER SNOW GOOSE.

Popular synonyms, Wavey, or Common Wavey (Hudson's Bay); Mexican Goose (Rhode
Island); Red Goose (New Jersey); Texas Goose (New Jersey).

Anas nivalis Forst, Philos. Trans, )xii, 1772, 413 (Severn R.),

ea

*

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 115

Chen hyperborea nivalis RipGw. Proc. Biol. Soc. Wash. ii, 1884, 107; Man. N, Am. B.
1887, 115.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 169a.

Tadorna nivea BREEM, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 854.

‘Has. Eastern North America; breeding grounds unknown, but probably region be-
_ tween McKenzie River and Hudson's Bay; migrating south in winter through eastern

____ _United States, including Mississippi Valley, to the Gulf coast, even reaching Cuba; occa-
vin a sional or accidental in the Bermudas.
f i ¥

Sunsp. Cuan. Entirely similar to @. hyperborea except in size, being considerably
larger; young somewhat darker incolor than in true C. hyperborea? f

Total length, about 30.00-38.00; wing, 17.35-17.50 (17.42); culmen, 2.55-2.70 (2.63); tarsus, 3.15~
3,50 (3.28); middle toe, 2.60-2.80 (2.70).

This is simply a larger race of the Snow Goose, and occurs
with the smaller form throughout the Mississippi Valley during
its migrations. Mr. Nelson is of the opinion that in Illinois the
two occur in about equal numbers. Farther eastward, however,

particularly along the Atlantic coast, the larger form is decidedly
the prevailing one, while west of the Rocky Mountains it prob-
ably does not occur at all, though the smaller race is abundant
there.

According to Mr. Boardman, it is common during migration
in eastern Maine, and it is said to be more or less common,
according to the locality and other circumstances, at various
points along the coast farther south.

Genus ANSER Brisson.

Anser Briss. Orn. i, 1760, 261. Type, Anas anser LINN.,=A. cinereus MEYER.

Gen. C#ar. Bill much weaker or less swollen than in Chen (depth through base less
than half the length of the culmen); plumage never white,* nor with white head, nor
bluish wing-coverts.

This genus differs from Chen chiefly in the form of the bill,
which is much less robust, more depressed terminally, the nails
thinner and less arched, the tomia less divergent, etc. In fact,
the bill of some species is quite identical in form with that of
larger species of Branta (canadensis and hutchinsii). The type
of the genus, however, A. (c/nereus MEYER), has the bill decid-
edly approximating to that of Chen, the commissure gaping
quite widely. Only one species occurs in America, the common
White-fronted Goose (Anser gumbeli Harruaus). The same
species occurs also in Europe in a representative form—the A.
albifrons GMEL. The difference between them is chiefly one of
size, the American bird being decidedly the larger. Another

* Except sometimes in species which have been long domesticated.

ee ee UN ee eee

116 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

European species or race resembling A. albifrons, but much
smaller, seems to bear to the latter about the same relation
which Branta hutchinsii or B. minima do to B. canadensis.

Anser albifrons gambeli (Hartl.)

AMERICAN WHITE-FRONTED GOOSE.

Popular synonyms. Brant; Speckle-belly; Laughing Goose; Pied Brant; Speckled Brant;
Gray Brant; Harlequin Brant; Prairie Brant or Goose; Yellow-legged Brant or
Goose; Ansar salvage (Mexico).

Anser albifrons BonaP. Synop. 1828, 376.—Sw. & Ricw. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 466.—Nurr. Man. ii,
1834, 346.—AuD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 568, pl. 236; Synop. 1839, 272; B. Am. vi, 1843, 209,
pl, 380.

Anser gambeli HARTLAUB, Rey, et Mag. Zool. 1852, 7.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 761; Cat. N.
Am. B. 1859, No, 565. -

Anser albifrons, var. gambeli Couss, Key, 1872, 282; Check List, 1873, No. 487; B.N. W.
1874, 546.

Anseralbifrons b. gambeli B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 448.

Anser albifrons gambeli Ripew. Proce. U. 8. Nat. Mus, 1880, 203; Nom. N. Am. B.1881, No.
593 a; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 116.—Covurs, Check List, 2d ed.188, No. 693.—A. O. U.
Check List, 1886, No. 171 a.

Anser erythropus BAIRD, Stansbury’s Rep. 1852, 321 mec LINN.).
Anser frontalis Barr, B. N. Am. 1858, 562 (= young; New Mexico); Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No.
566,

Has. The whole of North America, breeding far northward; Cuba.

Sp. Cuan. Adult: Prevailing color brownish gray, this uniform on the head and neck,
and becoming much darker on the flanks; feathers of mantle, wings, sides, and flanks dis-
tinctly bordered terminally with pale brownish gray (sometimes approaching grayish
white); upper edges of the upper layer of flank-feathers pure white, producing a conspieu-
ous white stripe when the feathers are properly adjusted. Breast and abdomen grayish
white, mixed more or less with irregular spots and patches of black, sometimes scattered
and isolated, but often more or less confluent, Anal region, crissum, and upper tail-coverts
immaculate pure white; rump brownish slate; greater wing-coverts glaucous gray tipped
with white; secondaries black, their edges narrowly white; primaries slaty black, growing
ashy basally; primary-coverts glaucous-gray. Tail brownish slate, broadly tipped with
white, the feathers narrowly edged with the same. Front of the head, from the base of the
bill to about half way across the lores and ‘forehead, including the anterior border of the
chin, white, bordered behind by brownish black, which gradually fades into the grayish
brown of the head and neck. Bill reddish (waxy-yellow, fide NELSON), the nail white; feet
reddish.* Young (= A. frontalis Batrp): Nearly similar to the adult, but the anterior
portion of the head dark brown, instead of white; wing-coverts less glaucous; black
blotches of the under surface absent. Nail of the bill black. Downy young: Above, olive-
green; beneath, dingy greenish yellow, deepest yellow on the abdomen. (Hardly distin-
guishable trom young of Branta canadensis, but apparently more deeply colored, and
with greater contrast between color of upper and lower surfaces).

Total length, about 27.00—30.00 inches; extent, about 60,00; wing, 14.25—17.50; culmen, 1.40—
2.35; tarsus. 2.60—3.20; middle toe, 2.35—2.70. Tail-feathers 16 to 18, usually the former.

The principal variation among individuals of this species is
in the amount of the black blotching on the lower parts. In
*“Color of bill varying with different specimens, from flesh-color and yellowish, to darker

and more reddish tint; the nail at end white or nearly so. Legs and feet orange, the
webs lighter, and claws white.” (GurDOoN TRUMBULL, Names and Portraits of Birds,p. 11.

Hudson’s Bay Territory) the black predominates over the lower

; parts, being continuous on the abdomen, and only broken on
the breast by the admixture of a few pale grayish feathers. In
No. 4,517, Washington, D. C., the whitish gray of the lower
parts is strongly tinged with ochraceous-rufous—without doubt
merely an adventitious stain from ferruginous matter. There is
also a slight range of variation in the shade of the brownish tints
of the body, some specimens inclining to ashy and others ap-
proaching a decided brownish hue. The smallest: specimen (see
measurements above) is No. 10,463, Frontera, Texas; the larg-
est is No. 16,788, Washington, D. C. In No. 20,138, Fort Reso-
lution, the white of the forehead is more extended than in any
others, reaching as far as the middle of the eye, and sending
back a stripe over the eye to its posterior angle, and another
on each side the throat.

The variations of plumage in this species are thus discussed
by Mr. E. W. Nelson, in the “Bulletin of the Essex Institute,”
Vol. VIII. (1876), pp. 136, 137:

“The individual variation in this species is very great. A large

' majority have the ordinary white frontal band and the under ,
parts plentifully mottled with black. In others the black grad-
ually decreases, until some specimens do not show the least

. trace of dark on the abdomen; in such instances the frontal

, white band is usually present. The young exhibited a dark

; brown frontal band in place of white, but with more or less

dark spots on the abdomen. In very high plumage the abdomen

becomes almost entirely black, only a few rusty-colored feathers

being interspersed through the black. The white nail on the

bill is generally crossed by one or more longitudinal stripes of

dark horn-color. In spring, as the breeding season approaches,

a

A

f ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. LV,
a : va

some specimens (as No. 10,463, Frontera, Texas), there are
: only two or three small spots, while in others (as No. 16,788,

% the bill becomes a clear waxy yellow. There is also much varia-

tion in size among adults of this species. I have examined a
i. number of specimens, which by correct comparison were at least
one fourth smaller than the average.”

The White-fronted Goose is another species which visits [Ili-
| nois only during its migrations, coming some time in October
| or early in November, and returning in March or April.

118

BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

During its sojourn in this State it frequents chiefly open
prairies, or wheat fields, where it nibbles the young and tender
blades, and corn-fields, where it feeds upon the scattered grains.
In California, it is so numerous in winter as to be very destruc-

tive to the growing wheat crop, and it is said that in the Sac-

ramento and San Joaquin valleys farmers often find it neces-
sary to employ men by the month to hunt and drive them from

the fields.
brush hiding-places, or ‘‘blinds,’

This is most successfully accomplished by means of |
> or by approaching the flocks

on horseback, by the side of an ox which has been trained for
the purpose.

The present species is greatly esteemed for the excellent qual-
ity of its flesh, which, by those who have learned to appreciate
it, is generally considered superior to that of any other goose.

Branta Scop. Ann. i, Hist. Nat. 1769, 67, Type, Anas bernicla Linn.
Bernicla STEPHENS, Gen. Zool. xii, ii, 1824, 45. Type, Anas bernicla LINN.
Leucopareia RetcH. Syst. Ay. 1853, pl. ix. Type, Anser leucopsis BECHST.
Leucoblepharon Batrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 763. Type, Anas canadensis LINN.

Gen. Cuan. Serrations on edge of upper mandible visible (from the outside) only near
angle of the mouth, the edge (tomiwm) itself very slightly or not at all sinuated; otherwise
much like Ansev, but bill and feet always black, and the head and neck also chiefly black.

With much the same form throughout as thespecies of Anse’, the
birds belonging to the genus Granta are distinguished by the darker
plumage, with the head and neck chiefly black, and the bill and
feet entirely deep black, at all ages. All the known species occur
in North America, and all but two of them in Illinois:

Our species may be distinguished by the following characters:

A. Head and neck black, with a somewhat triangular patch of white on each cheek, usu-
ally confluent underneath the head, but sometimes separated by a black stripe or
“isthmus” along the throat; in some specimens a white collar around the lower neck.
Tail, rump, and primaries brownish black; upper tail-coverts, crissum, and anal
region white; rest of the plumage grayish brown, lighter below, the feathers tipped
with paler.

Lower parts light brownish gray; white cheek-patches usually confluent on the

throat; white collar round lower neck usually wanting, rarely distinct.

a

. B. canadensis (proper). Larger (wing usually more than 16.00 inches, culmen
more than 1.75); tail-feathers usually 18-20; length about 35.00-43.00; wing 15.60-
21.00; culmen 1.55-2.70; tarsus 2.45-3.70. 4

B. canadensis hutchinsii, Smaller (wing usually less than 16.00 inches ; culmen less
than 1.75); tail-feathers usually 14-16; length about 25.00-34,00; wing 14,75-17.75;
culmen 1,20-1,90; tarsus 2,25-3, 20,

GENUS BRANTA Scopo.i.

es ee te

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. TS)

b. Lower parts deep grayish brown or brownish gray (often but little paler than up-
per parts), abruptly contrasted with white of anal region; white cheek-patches
usually separated by a black throat-stripe; white collar round lower neck usually
very distinct.

8. B. canadensis minima. Smallest (wing less than 16.00 inches, culmen less than
1,25); tail-feathers 14-16; length about 23.00-25.00; wing 13.60-14.50; culmen 0.95-1.15;
tarsus 2.40-2.75.

B. Head, neck, and chest black, the middle of the neck with a white patch on each side,
or a wide collar of the same, interrupted behind.

4. B. bernicla, Wing, 12.30-13.60 inches; culmen, 1.20-1.50; tarsus, 2.10-2.40; middle
toe 1.70-2.10. White of the neck confined to two broken (streaked) patches on
each side. Above, brownish gray, the feathers narrowly tipped with grayish
white; wing-coverts nearly uniform, more bluish gray; remiges, rump, middle
upper tail-coverts, and rectrices, brownish black;: terminal and lateral upper
tail-coverts, crissum, and anal regiou white; lower parts pale gray, the feathers
tipped with grayish white, abrubtly and strongly contrasted with the black of
the chest and fading insensibly into the white of the anal region.

There is probably no more perplexing problem in North
American ornithology than the relationship of the three forms
which are named above as races of 4. canadensis. Comparing
a very large true B. canadensis with a small B. minima, no one
probably would for a moment think of considering them the
same species; yet in a large series of specimens so many exam-
ples occur which seem to connect both these extremes with the
middle-sized £&. hutchinsii, that the chain appears to be com-
plete; not only is the size thus variable, but every character of
coloration also appears to be unreliable. It may be that these
intermediate specimens are hybrids, but whether such is the
true explanation or not cannot now be determined.

Branta canadensis (Linn.)

CANADA GOOSE.

Popular synonyms. Common Wild Goose; Big Wild Goose; Honker; Reef Goose (North
Carolina); Bay Goose (Texas); Cravat Goose.

Anas canadensis Linn. S.N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 123; ed. 12, i, 1766, 198.—Wins. Am. Orn. viii,
1814, 52, 67, f. 4. :

Anser canadensis Vie1Lu. Enc. Meth. 1823, 114.—Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 468.—Norv.
Man. ii, 1834,349.—Avup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 1; v, 1839, 607, pl, 201; Synop. 1839, 270; B. Am.
vi, 1843, 178. pl. 376.

Bernicla canadensis Bork, Isis, 1826, 921.—Baird, B. N. Am. 1858, xlix, 764; Cat. N. Am. B.
1859, No. 567.—RirpGw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 594.—Coves, Key, Check List, 2d ed.
1882, No. 702.

Branta canadensis Bannist. Proc, Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1870, 131.—Coues, Key, 1872, 283;
Check List, 1873, No. 485; Birds N. W. 1874, 554—Hensu. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875,
471.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 172.—Ripew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 620; Man. N. Am.
B. 1887, 117.

a ee PS ee

—

4

> ee

120 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Bernicla canadensis a. canadensis B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 455, 457.
? Bernicla barnstoni Koss, Canad. Nat. vii, Apr. 1862, 152.

Has. Temperate North America in general, breeding chiefly within the United States,
Canada, Newfoundland, ete. i

Sp. CHar. Adult: Head and neck deep black, the former with a white patch covering
the throat and extending up over the cheeks to behind the eyes, growing gradually nar-
rower above, the upper outline usually more or less truncated; this white patch, however,
sometimes interrupted on the throat by a narrow black stripe or isthmus. Very rarely, a
broad white band, more or less distinctly indicated, crosses the forehead between the eyes.
Black of neck frequently bordered below by a white collar, more or less distinet. Upper
surface grayish brown, each feather bordered terminally by a paler shade; lower parts with
the exposed surface of about the same shade as the tips of the feathers of the upper parts,
the concealed portion of the feathers of the shade of the prevailing color above—this much
exposed along the sides and on the flanks. Primaries and their coverts plain dusky, the
former growing nearly black terminally. Anal region, crissum, and lower tail-coverts im-
maculate white. Tail plain deep black; rump plain blackish slate. Bill and feet deep black.
Young: Similar to the adult, but the colors duller, the markings less sharply defined;
black of the neck passing gradually below into the grayish of the chest; white cheek-
patches usually finely speckled with dusky; light-colored tips to the contour-feathers
broader. Downy young: Above, including an occipital patch, golden olive-green; beneath
pale greenish ochre, the head rather deeper.

Totallength,'about35.00-43.00 inches; wing, 15.60-21.00; culmen, 1.55-2.70; tarsus, 2.45-3.70.

According to Professor Cooke,* the Canada Goose ‘winters in
the southern half of the United States, and breeds on both sides
of our northern boundary. It breeds regularly at Heron Lake,
Minn., and has been known to breed in southern Illinois (Nel-
son). This, statement of course applies to the present time,
its former breeding range being undoubtedly far more exten-
sive, and including a large portion of the United States to the
southward, where the settlement of the country has driven it
to more secluded haunts. Even yet a few pairs seem to linger
in the more retired spots of its former range. Mr. Nelson’s rec-
ord for Union Co., Illinois (vicinity of Anna), is one case in
point, while the more recent record of its breeding at Reelfoot
Lake, Tennessee (L. O. Pindar, in Zhe Auk, for October, 1886,
p. 481) is another.

The general habits of this species are so well known that it
is scarcely necessary to speak of them here at any length. It
may be mentioned, however, that in certain portions of the ‘‘North-
west,” especially in parts of Montana and Dakota, the Canada
Goose is said to sometimes nest /n trees, possession being taken of
a deserted nest of a Fish Hawk or some other large bird of prey.

* Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, p. 75.

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 121

SS | —— |) — ~

q
A

This circumstance, mentioned by Dr. Coues and Dr. Merrill has,
however, been discredited by Dr. Agersborg, who says* that he
has “several times been shown nests in trees, claimed by the
settlers to be the nests of geese; but the ‘‘geese’’ have invari-
ably turned out to be cormorants (Phalacrocorax dilophus). Of
the few nests of the Canada Geese found, the majority have been
far away from any water, far out on the prairie; but one nest
was built among some large boulders, two feet from the water’s
edge * * * May not many, if not all of the nests seen in trees
by other observers have belonged to the shag?”

The following interesting notes on domesticated Canada Geese
are given by Mr. Wim. Dutcher, in Zhe Auk, for January, 1885,
pp. £LL:

During the last week in May, 1879, I saw some goslings, just
hatched, belonging to Capt. Lane, of Shinnecock Bay, Long
Island, N. Y. August 16, I saw them again and was unable to
distinguish them from the rest of the flock by their size or
plumage. The present season Capt. Lane raised nineteen geese.
I saw the flock daily from June 26 to July 25, and during the
latter part of the time the young birds were hardly distinguish-
able from the old ones, except by the solicitude the parents dis-
played for the safety of their progeny. Capt. Lane has had re-
markable success in breeding Canada Geese in confinement, and
has kindly furnished me with the following information regard-
ing their habits during the incubating season: ‘They make their
nests of dried grass, raising them about twelve inches from the
ground. They feather them when they begin to lay, which is
about May 1. None lay until three years old; the first season
four eggs are laid, five the second season, and when older six
and seven. A goose never has more than one mate. The gander
never sits on the nest, but while the goose is sitting never leaves
her. The time of incubation is four weeks. The young when
hatched are strong enough to take care of themselves, that is,
they eat grass and walk and swim as soon as they get dry.
They will eat meal on the second day. They are in the down
four weeks, and are fully grown in six weeks, When swimming,
the gander goes ahead, the young next, and the goose follows,
invariably.”

* The Auk, ti, 1885, pp. 287-288.

—16

1 OAL eee ee See ese Ak o~
yb fiat f

122 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Branta canadensis hutchinsii (Sw. & Rich.)

HUTCHINS'S GOOSE.

Popular synonyms. Lesser Canada Goose; Small Gray Goose; Little Wild Goose; Eskimo
Goose; Mud Goose (Long Island); Marsh Goose (North Carolina); Prairie Goose;
Bay Goose (Texas).
Anas bernicla, var. b. Rion. App. Parry's Voy. 368.
Anser hutehinsii Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A, ii, 1831, 470.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 362.—AuD. Orn.
Biog. iii, 1835,226, pl. 277; Synop. 1889,271; B. Am. vi, 1843, 198, pl. 377.
Bernicla hutchinsii Woond. Sitgr. Exp. 1853, 102.—Batrp, B. N. Am. 1858, pp. xlix, 766;
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 569.
Branta hutchinsii BANNIsT. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1870, 131.—Rmpew. Orn. 40th
Par. 1877, 620.

Branta canadensis, var. hutchinsii Couns, Key, 1872, 284; Check List, 1873, No. 4850.

Branta canadensis, ¢. hutchinsii Cours, B .N. W. 1874, 554.

Bernicla canadensis hutchinsii, Rripew. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. iii, 1880, 203; Nom. N.

Am. B. 1881, No. 594a.—Covgs, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 704.
Bernicla canadensis Y. hutchinsi B.B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 455, 458.
Branta canadensis hutchinsii A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No, 172a.—Ripew. Man. N.
Am. B. 1887, 117.
Anser leucopareius BRANDT, Bull. Se. Ac. St. Petersb. i, 1836, 37.

Has. North America in general, breeding in the Arctic districts, and migrating south
in winter, chiefly through the western United States and Mississippi Valley; northeastern
Asia.

. Supsp. CHAR, Exactly like B. canadensis in plumage, but considerably smaller, and
tail-feathers usually 14 or 16. Total length about 25.00-35.00 inches; wing, 14.75-17.75; culmen,
1,20-1,90; tarsus, 2.25-3.20.

In a large series of specimens, the following variations are
noted: The ashy beneath varies from a pale tint of canadensis
to the dark shades of ménima and occidentalis, but is usually
about intermediate between the two extremes; the white collar
round the neck, at the lower edge of the black, is seen only in
autumnal or winter specimens. The white of the head is usually
uninterrupted on the throat, even in very dark-plumaged ex-

. ainples, but occasionally is separated into two patches by a black
throat-stripe, as in ménéma and occidentalis, the plumage other-
wise being light colored.

This small form of the Canada (ioose is abundant in Ilinois
during its migrations, and has little to distinguish it from the
larger kind beyond its smaller size, proportionally smaller bill,
and the possession, ordinarily, of fewer tail-feathers (one .or two
pairs less).

a
a
ee ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS.

an
“Wy

a Branta canadensis minima Ridgw.
CACKLING O00SE.

peoples synonyms. Little Oackling Goose; Little White-cheeked Goose; Chornie Goose

(Prybilov Islands).
Bernicla leucopareia Cass. Ilustr. B. Cal. Tex., etc., 1853, 272, pl. 45, nee Anser leucopareius
kee Branpv. (California.)

es

ig Branta canadensis var. leucopareia Cougs, in Elliott’s “Affairs in Alaska,” 1875, 190; not
of Key, 1872, p. 284, which = B. occidentalis Barrp. (Prybilov Islands.)
Bernicla canadensis leucopareia Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 5940.—Covugs, 2d
Check List, 1882, No. 703: 2d Key, 1884, No. 689. i
Bernicla canadensis, 0. leucopareia B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 456, 459.
Branta hutchinsi, J. leucoparia Rew. Proce. U.S. Nat. Mus. i, 1878, 445. (Stockton, Cal.)
Branta canadensis, b. leucopareia Couns, B. N. W. 1874, 554.
Branta minima Ripew. Proe. U. 8. Nat. Mus. viii, Apr. 20, 1885, 23.—Srrsn. Orn. Expl.
Kamtsch. 1885, 147 (in text).
Branta canadensis minima Ripew. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus, viii, 1885, 355; Man. N. Am. B.
1887, 117.—TuRneEr, Contr. Nat. Hist. Alaska, 1886, 139 (habits)—A. O. U. Check List,
1887, No. 172¢c.—Neuson, Rep. Nat. Hist. Alaska, 1887, 86 (habits).
_ Branta canadensis Exxt0oTt, Monog. Seal Islands, 1882, 130.

(oe Has. Pacific coast of North America, breeding abundantly about the Yukon delta and
___ contiguous shores of Norton Sound, and migrating south in winter to California; occasional
wet * _ migrant to Mississippi Valley (Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, etc.).

a Supsp. Cuan. Similar to B. canadensis occidentalis, Baird, but very much smaller.
- Differing from B. canadensis hutchinsii in smaller size, especially the bill, and much
By darker coloration. White cheek-patches usually separated by a black stripe or spotting on

____ the throat, and lower part of neck encireled by a more or less distinct white collar. Lower
parts dark grayish brown, abruptly defined against the white of the anal region. Total
length, about 22.00-25.00 inches; wing, 13.60-14.50; culmen, 0.95-1.35; depth of bill at base, .G0-
-s -7; width, .52-.60; tarsus, 2,40-2.75; middle too, 1.90-2.30; tail-feathers, 14 or 16, Adult (No.
N at 68,526, male ad., St. Paul’s Island, Alaska, May M, 1872: H. W.Exuiorr). Throat with a black
ne “isthmus” .75 of an inch broad, separating widely the white cheek-patches, A distinct white
_-—_—s collar between the black of the neck and dark brownish gray of the chest, this about.75 of
A an inch wide in front, and extending completely around, though much narrower, and some-
& what interrupted, behind. Lower parts dark brownish gray, abruptly defined against the
, white ofthe crissum. Wing, 14.25 inches; culmen, 1.30; depth of maxilla at base, .75; width,
-65; tarsus, 2.55; middle toe, 2.30; tail-feathers, 14.

Other specimens in the collection are chiefly in summer plumage, having paler lower
parts and less conspicuous white collar; but nearly all have the two cheek-patches com-
5 pletely separated by a broad black isthmus on the throat.

With only two exceptions, the specimens are fromthe Pacific coast, chiefly the northern
Fa portion.

4 Young (No. 9,956, North Red River, Manitoba, September: KR. Kennicott). Much like the
4 adult, but the black of the neck fades gradually into the smoky gray of the chest, with-
vm out being separated by the usual white collar; the white check-patches are thickly, though
Ss minutely, speckled with black; the feathers of the lower parts, and also the upper tail-
¥G coverts, have blackish shafts. It measures as follows: Wing, 13.70: culmen, 1.25; tarsus,

og 2.60; middle toe, 2.10.

eh hist 2

Pe oa BN ies J M Ors e's

124 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

The smallest examples seen are the’ following:

8 Zz

4 2 oS =e e = ce

a peep ee =e eas ef

2 nt ® or or = = oF

No. Locality. Date. 5 Ocal) evo: : a Ales
2 I cs : ees ret

p = - Cs

= = : fe)

p © °

Ba ee i
seecaiele Fort Klamath, Or:.....|....s..0000s 4,20 95 60 .50 2.50\ 1.90 16
77164|8tockton, Cal... ...|December 13.60 1.10 60 5a 2.60) 1.90 6b
70066) Andalusia, Tl] ..........)....c.secees 2D 1.25 -70 65 2.10) 1.80 16
73136|St. Michael's, Alaska..|/Sept.13...| 14.15 1.05 .60 55 2.60 1.90 15
72744, Washoe Lake, Nev ....|Nov.12....] 14.25 1.12 70 55 2.0) 1.95 16

There are others but slightly larger. Any of the above could stand, in a natural atti-
tude, beneath the breast of some of the larger examples of the true Canada Goose.

This diminutive goose, hardly larger than a Mallard Duck, is
rare in Illinois, being chiefly a bird of the western portions of
the continent. It is very abundant during winter in California,
where it is known as the ‘“Cackling Goose,” on account of its
peculiar notes.

Mr. Nelson informs us* that it ‘is the most common and gen-
erally distributed goose found breeding along the Alaskan coast
of Bering Sea,” and that its breeding grounds extend along
the courses of the great rivers far into the interior. “As May
advances and one by one the ponds open......... the flocks come
cleaving their way from afar, and as they draw near their sum-
mer homes raise a chorus of loud notes in a high-pitched tone
like the syllable ‘lik,’ rapidly repeated, and a reply rises upon
all sides, until the whole marsh re-echoes with the din, and the
new-comers circle slowly up to the edge of a pond amid a per-
fect chorus raised by all the geese about, as if am congratula-
tion.”

Mr. Turner says} that this is the first of the geese to visit the
vicinity of St. Michael’s, where it arrives about the first of May,
or even earlier. He states that it is the commonest of all the
geese that abound there, and that while it: breeds all along the
coast of the Yukon district it is reported to be rare in the in-
terior, where it is replaced by Hutchins’s Goose.

*Report upon Natural History Collections in Alaska, 1887, p. 86.
+t Contributions to the Natural History of Alaska, 1886, pp. 139-141.

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS.

Branta bernicla (Linn.)

BRANT,
Popular synomyms. Brant Goose; Brent Goose; Common Brant.

Anas bernicla Liyn, 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 124; ed. 12, i, 1766, 198.—Wiis. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, pl.
72, fig. 1.
Anser bernicla Inuie. Prodr. 1811, 277.—Sw. & Riou. J. B.-A. ii, 1831, 469.—Nutr. Man.
ii, 1834, 359.—AupD. Orn. Biog. y, 1839, 24, 610, pl. 39. ynop. 1839, 272; B. Am. vi, 1843,
203, pl. 379.
Branta bernicla Scorout, Ann.I. Hist. Nat. 1769, 67.—BANnistT. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila.
1870, 181.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 284; Check List, 1873, No. 484; B. N. W. 1874, 556.—A. O.
U. Check List, 1886, No. 173.—Rmpew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 118.
Anser brenta Patu. Zoog. Rosso.-As. ii, 1826, 223.
Bernicla brenta STEPHENS, Gen. ZodOl. xii, pt. ii, 1824, 44.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 767;
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859.No.570.—Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 595.—Covzs, Check
List, 2d ed, 1882, No. 700.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 467.
Anser torquata Friscu, Vog. Deutschl. ii, pl. 156.
Bernicla melanopis MacGitu.Man. Orn. ii, 1842, 151.

Has. Eastern North America in general, but chiefly the Atlantic coast; rare in the in-

- terior, or away from salt water; breeds in hyperborean latitudes. Palearctic Region.

Sp. Cuan. Adult (No. 63,616, New York market: J. H. Barry). Head, neck, and chest
continuous black, the anterior portion of the head haying a brownish cast; posterior out-
line of the black on the chest very regular and sharply-defined against the brownish gray
of the breast. Middle of the neck with a transverse crescentic patch of white on each side,
formed of white tips and sub-tips of the feathers, the black showing through in places so
as to form oblique lines. Above, smoky-slate, the fea'hers distincly bordered termi-
nally with a much paler and more brownish shade. Wings like the back, but with a some-
what less brownish cast, the paler margins nearly obsolete. Sceondaries blackish brown;
primaries brownish black. Tail uniform black, but almost concealed by the snow-white
lengthened coverts, the upper of which, however, are invaded by a median stripe of black-
ish brown fromthe rump. Breast, abdomen, sides, and flanks much like the upper parts,
but the light tips to the feathers whiter, broader, and more conspicuous; anal region and
erissum immaculate pure white. Wing, 12.30 inches; culmen, 1.20; tarsus, 2.05; middle toe,
1.70.

Young (No. 12,786, Washington, D. C., December, 1858: C. DREXLER). Similar to the
adult, but the wing-coverts and secondaries broadly tipped with pure white, forming very
eonspicuous bars. Lower parts paler and more uniform; white on middle of the neck re-
duced to small specks.

The Brant is chiefly a salt-water species, and therefore not
often seen in the interior, though, as Professor Cooke, in his
“Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley” (p. 78) has correctly
stated, ‘there is much uncertainty in using the records concern-
ing this species, because it is so commonly confounded with the
Snow Goose, which is locally known as Brant all through the
West. From the few records that can be depended on it would
seem to have migrated at about the same time as Pranta can-
adensis.”

Professor Cooke says that “during the winter of 1883-84 this
species was represented from Illinois southward by a few rare

eas al ro 7 - alk: hue nn). eb De “> v oe
eek 4

126 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

visitants. -In the spring it was rare south of Minnesota, but
by the time it reached that State its numbers had been in-
creased by recruits from the southeast, and’ it became almost
common.”’

SupraMity ANATINZ.—TueE Ducks.
Genus ANAS Linnzvs.

Anas Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 122; ed. 12, i, 1766,194. Type, by elimination, A. boschas
LINN.

GEN. CHAR. Hind toe without a membranous lobe, or “‘flap”; bill not spatulate; tail-
feathers 14, narrow and pointed at the tip, but the middle pair not conspicuously elongated,
the graduation amounting to less than one third its total length; culmen shorter than mid-
- dle toe without tarsus.

Having in the introduction to this work stated my intention
to follow the classification and nomenclature of the American
Ornithologists’ Union’s ‘‘Check List of North American Birds”’,
I find myself obliged to group several very strongly marked
and obviously distinct generic types under the generic name
Anas, these groups being admitted to merely subgeneric rank,
in the scheme referred to. These so-called subgenera are char-
acterized as follows:

A. Culmen longer than middle toe without claw.
a. Width of upper mandible near tip more than one third the culmen, the upper and
lateral outlines more or less convex for the terminal half.

1. Anas. Wing more than 8.00 inches; scapulars and tertials in adult males broad, and
without light-colored median stripes.

2. Querquedula, Wing less than 8.00 inches; scapulars and tertials in adult males lan-
ceolate, and marked with buffy or whitish median stripes.

b. Width of upper mandible near tip less than one third the length of the culmen, the

upper and lateral outlines straight for the terminal half.! (Wing Jess than 8.00 inches,)

8. Nettion,
B. Culmen shorter than middle toe without claw.

4, Chaulelasmus. Distance from anterior border of nostril to tip of upper mandible
more than three times the distance from the same point to nearest loral feathers;
lamelle fine and very numerous (more than 30 visible from the outside); tail-
feathers 16,

56. Mareca, Distance from anterior border of nostril to tip of upper mandible less
than three times the distance from the same point to nearest loral feathers; lamel-
lw coarser and less numerous (fewer than 15 visible from the outside); tail-feathers
HU, the tail much graduated.

For the greater convenience of the reader, keys to the species
are given under the separate subgeneric headings, which follow.

-—_

/

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS.

ts Suscenus ANAS Linyaxvs.

Anas Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 122; ed. 12, i, 1766, 194. Type, by elimination, A. bos-
chas Lryn.

a ny SuspGen. Cuan. Usually rather large-sized ducks (wing, in North American species,
ye 10 inches or more), with the bill a little longer than the head or foot, rather broad, de-
a _ pressed, the edges parallel, the end rounded; speculum metallic green, blue, or violet,
= in both sexes, usually bordered posteriorly by a black band, this generally succeeded
m. by a white one.

; ; The two species which are known to occur in Illinois are
‘ characterized as follows:

7
‘ ; A. Adult male, except in breeding season, very different from the female, the plumage
" varied and brilliant; secondaries tipped with white, and greater coverts crossed by a
subterminal bar of the same.

1. A.boschas. Adult male: Four middle tail-feathers strongly recurved; head and
neck brilliant velvety green; chest rich chestnut, with a white collar between it
and the green of the neck; speculum rich metallic violet, bounded anteriorly by a
black bar, this preceded by a white one, and posteriorly by a black subterminal
and white terminal band. Adult female and mal- in breeding season: Wings
as in the above; elsewhere variegated with dusky and ochraceous, the former
on the centres of the feathers, and predominating on the upper parts, the latter
on the borders, and prevailing beneath.

B. Sexes alike, at all ages and seasons; no White on the outer surface of the wing.

~* o* a

.

ag

2, A. obscura, Prevailing color dusky, the feathers bordered with dull ochraceous;
head and neck dull buff, everywhere streaked with dusky; no black at base of
‘the bill; speculum usually deep yiolet,

_———- ts 2 eet

Anas boschas Linn.

a ee

a

MALLARD,

Popular synonyms. Green-head; Wild Drake; Wild Duck; English Duck (Florida);
' French Duck (Louisiana); Gray Duck; Gray Mallard.
Anas boschas Linn. 8. N. ed, 10, i, 1758, 127; ed. 12, i, 1766, 205—Wis. Am. Orn. viii,
184, 112, pl: 70, f, 7—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 164, pl. 221; Synop. 1839,- 276; B.
Am. vi, 1843, 236, pl, 385.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 774; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 576.—
Coves, Key, 1872, 285; Check List, 1873, 488; B. N. W. 1874, 559.—B. B. & R. Water
B. N. Am. i, 1834, 491—Hensu. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 472.—A. O. U. Check
List, 1886, No. 182.—RrpeGw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 621; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 91.
* Anas boscas WHARTON, Ibis, 1879, 453.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am, B. 1881, No. 601.—OovEs,
Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 707.
Anas domestica Guew. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 538.
Anas (Bochas) domestica Sw. & Rien. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 442,—Nurr Man. ii, 1834, 378.
Anas fera “Briss."—Leacu, Cat. Brit. Mus. 1816, 30.
of Anas adunca Linn, 8. N. ed. 12, 1, 1766, 206.—Gmen. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 538.

Has. Northern hemisphere; in North America, generaliy distributed, migrating
south in winter to Panama, Cuba, and Bahamas.

™ ¢

|

,
%
4
4

Sp. Cuan. Adult male in fall, winter, and spring: Head and neck continuous soft bril-
liant metallic green, showing purple and golden-bronze reflections in different lights.
A ring of pure white round the lower part of the neck interrupted behind; chest and

a

a Ses we a

128 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

upper part of the breast rich dark chestnut. Interscapulars brownish gray, finely waved
with grayish white; scapulars and lower parts grayish white, delicately waved with dark
ash. Outer webs oftertlals dark umber-brown, this also tinging the adjoining scapulars; —
wing-coverts uniform deep brownish gray, the last row tipped with opaque velvety black,
and with a subterminal bar of pure white; speculum rich metallic violet, with a subterminal
velvety black, and terminal pure white bar; primaries plain brownish gray. Rump, upper
tail-coverts, and crissum, intense velvety black, showing faint reflections of bluish green.
Tail white, the feathers grayish centrally. Two middle feathers black, slightly recurved;
the two longer upper tail-coverts greatly recurved. Bill olive-yellow or ochraceous-olive
(in life), the nail black; iris dark brown; tarsi and toes fine rich orange-red (changing to
yejlowish in dried skin). Length, about 24.00 inches; extent, 38; wing, 11.00-11.85; culmen,
2.10-2.40; tarsus, 1.60-1.80; middle toe, 2.00-2.15. Adult male in summer: “Closely resembling
the female, being merely somewhat darker incolor. This plumage is donned by degrees
early in June; and in August the full rich winter dress is again resumed” (SHARPE &
DRESSER). Adult female: Wing as in the male. Above, brownish dusky, much varie-
gated by broad pale ochraceous edges to the feathers; beneath pale ochraceous, the
feathers dusky centrally, producing a thickly spotted or striped appearance. On the top
of the head the dusky predominates, as it also does in a loral and auricular line, form-
ing a lighter superciliary stripe between this and the crown. Bill dark olive-greenish,
becoming olivaceous-yellow along edges; feet lighter orange-red thanin male. Length,
about 20.00-21.50 inches; wing, 10.25-11.50; culmen, 2.00-2.35; tarsus, 1.50-1.80; middle toe,
1.90-2.05. Downy young: Above, deep olivaceous, relieved by two pairs of yellowish buff
spots, the first pair on the back, just behind the wings, the second at the base of the
tail, the first not confluent with the buff of the lower parts; wings deep olivaceous, varied
on both edges with dull greenish yellow; pileum and nape olivaceous, darker on the occi-
put, lighter on the forehead; a broad superciliary stripe, including the sides of the fore-
head, sides of the head and neck, and entire lower parts, yellowish buff, deepest on the
head, paler on the anal region and crissum; sides more grayish, and crossed, between the
wings and thighs, by two wide patches of dark olive projecting from that of the back.
Side of the head marked by a narrow but very distinct stripe of dark brown from the
upper basal angle of the maxilla to the eye, thence back to and confluent with the oliva-
ceous of the occiput; beneath the latter, almost directly over the ear, an isolated spot of
the same.

The adult males in winter plumage vary chiefly in the extent and richness of the chest-
nut of the chest. Sometimes this is restricted to the chest, but occasionally it spreads
over the breast, as in No. 12,718, Washington, D. C, (December), in which the entire lower
parts, except the sides, are tinged with rich cream-color.

The Mallard is probably the best known of all our wild ducks,
being both plentiful and conspicuous on account of its size,
Although chiefly a migrant, a few sometimes remain during mild
winters in the southern portion of the State, and isolated pairs
undoubtedly breed in a few of the more secluded localities, where
they are reasonably free from danger of molestation.

‘‘Marshy places, the margins of ponds and streams, pools and
ditches, are its favorite resorts. It walks with ease, and can
even run with considerable speed, or dive, if forced to do so; but
never dives in order to feed. Its food consists chiefly of the seeds
of grasses, fibrous roots of plants, worms, mollusks, and insects.
In feeding in shallow water it keeps the hind part of its body
erect, while it searches the muddy bottom with its bill. When

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 129

alarmed and made to fly, it utters a loud guwack, the ery of the
female being the louder. It feeds silently; but after hunger is
appeased, it amuses itself with various jabberings, swims about,
moves its head backward and forward, throws the water over
its back, shoots along the surface, half flying, half running, and
seems quite playful. If alarmed, it springs up at once with a
bound, rises obliquely to a considerable height, and flies off with
great speed, the wings producing a whistling sound. It flies by
repeated flaps, without sailing or undulations; and when in full
flight its speed is hardly less than a hundred miles in an hour.

“The Mallard pairs early in the spring, and soon disperses, each
pair seeking its breeding-place, and nesting on the ground, in
the midst of marshes or among water plants, occasionally on
higher ground, but always in the vicinity of water. Its nest is
usually large, and rudely constructed of sedges and coarse
grasses, rarely lined with down or feathers. It has been known
in rare instances to nest in a tree; in such cases occupying the
deserted nest of a Hawk, Crow, or other large bird. The eggs,
usually six or eight in number, are pale dull green or greenish
white, and measure 2.25 inches by 1.60 inches.

“The female alone incubates, the male leaving her to undergo
his annual moult. The female sits very closely, and will some-
times even allow herself to be taken on the nest, or permit the
eggs to be removed while she is sitting. When she leaves the
nest she conceals the eggs with hay, down, or any convenient
‘material. The period of incubation is four weeks. The young,
when hatched, immediately follow their mother to the water,
where she attends them devotedly, aids them in procuring food,
and warns them of the approach of danger. While they are at-
tempting to escape, she feigns lameness, to attract to herself the
attention of the enemy. The young are extremely active, dive
with surprising: celerity, and remain under water with only the
bill above the surface. When the young are full grown, the male
rejoins the brood; and several families unite to form a small
flock.” ( Water Birds of North America.)

=—l17

5

130 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Anas obscura Gmel.

DUSKY DUCK.

Popular synonyms. Black Mallard; Black Duck; Black English Duck (Florida).

Anas obscura GMEL. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 54i.— Wis. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 141, pl. 72, fig.5.—NurTr
Man. ii, 1834, 392.—A uD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 15, pl. 302; Synop. 1839,276; B. Am. vi, 1843,
244,p1. 386.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 775; Cat. N. Am. B, 1859, No. 577.—Covgs, Key, 1872,
285; Check List, 1873, No. 489; 2d ed. 1882, No. 708; B. N. W, 1874, 560.—Ripew. Nom. N.
Am. B. 1881, No. 602; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 91.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 499.
—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 133.

Has. Eastern North America, west to the Mississippi Valley, north to Labrador and
Fort Anderson and York Factory; breeding from Long Island, northern Illinois, and Iowa,
northward.

Sp. CHar. Aduit. Prevailing color brownish black or dusky, the feathers edged, more
or less distinctly, with pale grayish fulvous. Head and neck about equally streaked with
grayish white (more ochraceous near the bill) and dusky; pileum nearly uniform dusky, and
a dusky stripe back from the eye. Speculum violet, changing to greenin some lights,
narrowly tipped with white, and witha broad subterminal bar of velvety black; last row of
coverts dusky brownish, broadly tipped with black. Sexes alike. “Bill yellowish green,
the unguis dusky; iris dark brown; feet orange-red, the webs dusky” (AUDUBON).

Wing, 10.50-11.50 inches; culmen, 2.00-2.35; tarsus, 1.70-1.80; middle toe, 1.90-2.10.

Downy young. Above olivaceous-brown, faintly relieved by six inconspicuous mark-
ings of light brownish buff, situated as follows: one on the posterior border of each arm-
wing; one (small and sometimes nearly obsolete) on each side of the back, behind the
wings, and one, more distinct, on each side the rump, near the base of the tail, Pileum and
hind neck (longitudinally) brown, like the back; rest of the head and neck, withlower parts,
light dingy brownish buff, paler on the abdomen; side of head marked witha narrow dusky
stripe running from the upper basal angle of the maxilla to the eye, thence back toward the
occiput, but scarcely confluent with the brown on the latter; an indistinct spot on the
auricular region, with a still less distinct dusky mark extending back from this to the nape.

A summer specimen from Moose Factory, Hudson's Bay Territory (No. 17,971, JouN Mc-
KENZI), differs from fall, winter, and spring examples from the United States in having
the pale edges of the feathers nearly all worn off, so that the plumage appears to be almost
uniform black, while the lower parts are strongly tinged with rusty, this approaching a
bright ferruginous tint on the breast. Some examples have a slight tinge of metallic green
on the sides of the head, behind the eye.

The Dusky Duck is chiefly an eastern species, and reaches
nearly the western limit of its range in Illinois. Just how far
to the west and southwest it extends is unknown, but Col. N.
S. Goss is convinced that it does not occur in Kansas, where a
quite distinct though a somewhat similar species, Anas fuluigula
maculosa (Senn.), replaces it. It has been recorded from Utah
Lake, Utah, but in view of what we now know the record in
question doubtless refers to the species just mentioned.

Professor Cooke says that “though principally a bird of the
astern States, the Black Duck is not rare in the northern part
of the Mississippi Valley,” and that it breeds in Iowa and IIli-
nois, but he does not give particulars as to its breeding in the
latter State.

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS.

SuBpGENuS Querquedula STEPHENS.

Querquedula STEPHENS, Shaw's Gen. Zodl. xii, pt. ii, 1824,142. Type, Anas querquedula
Lin.

Cyanopterus Exton, Mon. Anat. 1838, 38. Type? (Not of Halliday, 1835.)

Pterocyanea Bonar. Cat. Met. 1842, 71. Type?

-SuBGEN. CHAR. Size small (wing less than 8 inches). Bill slightly longer than the
head, the edges nearly parallel, the maxillary tomium sinuated, so as to distinctly ex-
pose the lamellx for the basal half, and the terminal half of the culmen slightly but dis-
tinetly arched. Otherwise much like Nettion.

The two North American species of Querquedula agree very closely in the details of
form, in which respect they scarcely differ from the type of the genus, the V. querquedula
of Europe. The coloration of the wing, which is almost exactly that of Spatula, is also
essentially the same in these three species. The females are very different from the
males, except in the colors of the wing, being much duller. The following are the main
differential characteristics of the North American species:

1. A, discors, Adult male: Head and neck dull plumbeous, with a faint lavender-
purple gloss on the sides of the occiput; pileum blackish; a large white, some-
what crescent-shaped, mark before the eye, entirely across fore part of the head;
lover parts pale reddish, spotted with black.

2. A. cyanoptera. Adult male: Head, neck, and lower parts rich uniform chestnut,
the abdomen duller (sometimes dusky}, the pileum blackish.

Anas discors Linn.

THE BLUE-WINGED TEAL.

Popular synonyms, Blue-wing; White-face, or White-faced Teal; Summer Teal; Cer-
ceta comun (Mexico).

Anas discors Linn. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 205.—Wains. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 74, pl. 68, fig.
4.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iy, 1838, 111, pl. 318; Synop. 1839, 282; B. Am. vi, 1843, 287, pl.
393.—A. O. U. Oheck List, 1886, No. 140.—Ripaw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 93.

Anas (Boschas) discors Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 444.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 397,
Querquedula discors SvepHENs, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii,1824, 149.—Barrp,B. N.
Am, 1858, 779; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 581.—Covurs, Key, 1872, 287; Check List,
1873, No. 496; 2d ed. 1882, No. 716; Birds N. W. 1874, 566—Hensu. Zool. Wheeler's
Exp. 1875, 476.—Rrpew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 623; Nom.N. Am. B. 1881, No. 609,—
B. B. & R, Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 531.
Sarcella male de Cayenne, dite le Soucrourou, Burr. Pl. Enl. 966 (male ad.).

Haz. North America in general, but chiefly the Kastern Province; north to Alaska,
south in winter throughout West Indies, Central America, and northern South
America as far as Ecuador. Accidental in Europe.

Sp. Cuan, Adult male: Head and neck dull plumbeous, slightly glossed with laven-
der-purple on the side of the occiput and nape, and marked in front of the eyes by a
large, somewhat crescéntic, patch of white, extending entirely across the anterior por-
tion of the head; pileum, chin, and feathers bordering the white patches, blackish;
lower parts pale chestnut, or reddish buffy, thickly spotted with black, the crissum uni-
form black. Back and anterior scapulars dusky, marked with concentric or U-shaped
bars of pale reddish buff; lesser wing-coverts and outer webs of some of the longer
scapulars pale blue; middle coverts white for the exposed portion, forming a bar across
the wing; speculum bronzy green, dusky terminally, with a very narrow white tip; ter-

Anal

132 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

tials black, with a central stripe of buff; a white patch at the base of the tail on each
side; axillars immaculate pure white. Bill uniform black; iris brown; feet yellowish,
with dusky webs. Adult female: Wings, only, as in the male; upper parts dusky, the
feathers bordered with dull buff, the pileum and nape finely streaked; rest of head and
neck, and lower parts generally, brownish white, the head and neck streaked with dusky,
except on the chin and upper part of the throat, the streaks more dense immediately
before and behind the eye; thus forming an indistinct stripe on the side of the head;
feathers of the lower parts generally with dusky grayish brown centres, forming spots
when exposed, less distinct on the abdomen, where sometimes obsolete.

Total length, about 16 inches; extent, about 25; wing, 7.00-7.50; culmen, 1.40-1.65; tar-
sus, 1.20-1.30; middle toe, 1.40-1.45.

The Blue-winged Teal is probably the most numerous of our
smaller ducks, and, though by far the larger number occur only
during the migrations, individuals may be found at all times of
* the year under favorable circumstances of locality and weather.
The bulk of the species, however, winter in the Gulf States and
southward, while the breeding range is difficult to make out,
owing to the fact that it is not gregarious during the breeding
season, but occurs scatteringly in isolated localities where it is
most likely to escape observation.

“The flight of this duck is extremely rapid, fully as swift as
that of the Passenger Pigeon. When advancing against a stiff
breeze it shows alternately its upper and lower surface. During
its flight it utters a soft, lisping note, which it also emits when
apprehensive of danger. It swims buoyantly, and when in a
flock so closely together that the individuals nearly touch each
other. In consequence of this habit hunters are able to make a
frightful havoc among these birds on their first appearance in
the fall, when they are easily approached. Audubon has seen
as many as eighty-four killed by a single discharge of a double-
barelled gun. ;

“It may readily be kept in confinement, soon becomes very
docile, feeds readily on coarse corn-meal, and might easily be
domesticated. Professor Kumlien, however, has made several
unsuccessful attempts to raise this duck by placing its eggs
under a domestic hen. He informs me that this species is the
latest duck to arrive in the spring. It is very common, and
breeds abundantly, in southern Wisconsin, especially on the
borders of Lake Koshkonong. It nests on the ground among
the reeds and coarse herbage, generally near the water, but he
has met with its nest at least half a mile from the nearest water,
though always on low land. The nest is simply an accumula-

ae

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 133

tion of reeds and rushes lined in the middle with down and

feathers. This duck prefers the dryer marshes near creeks. He

has always found its nests well lined with down, and when the
female leaves her nest she always covers her eggs with down,
and draws the grass, of which the outside of the nest is com-
posed, over the top. He does not think that she ever lays more
than twelve eggs, the usual number being eight to twelve.

‘These are of a clear ivory white, without even the slightest tinge
of green. They range from 1.80 to 1.95 inches in length, and

1.25 to 1.35 in breadth.” ( Water Birds of North America.)

Anas cyanoptera Vieill.

CINNAMON TEAL,

Popular synonyms. led-breasted Teal; Red Teal; Red Duck; Cerceta café (Mexico).

Anas cyanoptera Vir. Nouy. Dict. v, 1816, 104.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No.
141.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 93.

Querquedula cyanoptera Cass. U. 8.N. Astr. Exp. ii, 1855, 202 (Chili); Illustr. B. Cal.
Tex. etc. 1855, 82, pl. 15.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 780; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No.
582.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 288; Check List, 1873, No..497; 2d ed. 1882, No. 717; B. N.
W.. 1874, 567.—HeNsH. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 477——Ripaw. Orn. 40th Par.
1877, 623; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 610.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 535.

Anas rafflesi Kinc, Zo6). Jour. iv, 1828, 87; Suppl. pl. 29 (Straits of Mageilan).
Pterocyanea ceruleata ‘Licut.” Gray, Gen. B. iii, 1849, 617.

Haz. Western America, from the Columbia River to Chili,the Argentine Republic, and
Falkland Islands. Casual in Eastern North America (Louisiana, Illinois, Florida?).

Sp. Coan. Adult male: Head, neck, and lower parts rich purplish chestnut, duller
—sometimes quite dusky—on the abdomen; pileum and crissum black; scapulars and
part of the back chestnut, marked with U-shaped bars of black, the middle of the back
more dusky; tertials black, with a central stripe of buff; longer scapulars similar, the
outermost feathers with the outer webs light blue; lesser wing-coverts plain light blue;

- middle coverts dusky, tipped with white; speculum uniform green, varying from metallic

grass-green to bronze; primaries and primary-coverts dusky; upper tail-coverts dusky,
edged with pale fulvous; rectrices dusky, edged with brownish white or pale brownish
gray; axillars immaculate pure white. Bill deep black; iris orange; feet orange, joints
and webs blackish. Adult female: Similar to that of A. discors, but larger and deeper
colored, only the upper part of the throat (sometimes only the chin) unstreaked, the ab-
domen usually distinctly spotted; chest deeply tinged with light brown. Bill dusky,
paler beneath and along edge; iris brown; legs and feet ochreous-drab. Young male:
Similar to the adult female, but markings on the lower parts all distinctly longitudinal
or streak-like. Downy young: Above dark olivaceous, relieved by a longitudinal ob-
long oblique spot of deep greenish buff on each side the back (behind the wings), ani
a similar spot of clearer yellowish on each side of the base of the tail; the anterior
spots conflient with the yellow of the sides, the posterior ones isolated by the exten-
sion beneath them of the olivaceous of the tail. Pileum and hind neck similar to the back,
but darker; forehead, broad superciliary stripe, and rest of the head and neck, except
as described, with entire lower parts, deep yellowish buff, the side of the head marked
with a distinct narrow stripe of dark brown extending from the upper base of the max-
illa to the eye, and thence back to the occiput.

— . eee eS ee

134 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Total length (adult), about 15.50-16.50 inches; extent, 24.00-24.50; wing, 7.20-7.75; cul-
men, 1.65-1.85; tarsus, 1,25-1.35; middle toe, 1.40-1.50.

Examples from Chili and the Argentine Republic are larger and
more richly colored than those from the United States; the white
bar across the end of the middle coverts narrower, and nearly con-
cealed by the overlying last row of lesser coverts. The diiffer-
ences, however, may not prove constant.

The female of this species is very difficult to distinguish from
that of A. discors, and it is probably not possible always to
separate them with certainty. The present species averages
considerably larger, however; the wings in the adult female
ranging from 7.20 to 7.50 inches, the culmen 1.70 to 1.75,
against 6.70 to 7.00, and 1.40 to 1.50, as in A. discors. The
colors are also deeper, nearly the whole throat being streaked,
the breast deeply tinged with light brown, and the abdomen
almost always distinctly spotted.

This western representation of the Blue-winged Teal, is com-
mon as far east as middle Kansas, where, according to Col. N.
S. Goss, it probably breeds, but nearer the Mississippi River it
is of irregular and uncertain occurrence, having been only once
or twice taken in Illinois.

Its habits are very similar to those of the Blue-wing.

SuBGENus Nettion Kaup.

Nettion Kaup, Entw. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 95, 196. Type, Anas crecca LINN.

SuBGEN. CHAR. Bill shorter than head, narrow, depressed (except at base), the edges
parallel; tarsus shorter than bill or middle toe; nape with a smail mane-like tuft; ree-
trices more or less acuminate, the middle pair longest.

This subgenus is very readily distinguished from Querguedula
by the conspicuously different form of the bill, which is far more
like that of Daji/a, though much smaller, being conspicuously more
depressed terminally and proportionally deeper through the base
than in Querquedula, while the lower edge or maxillary tomium
is either gently convex throughout (as in the southern species),
or straight anteriorly and decidedly convex posteriorly (as in
the northern forms), the lamellz being thus completely hidden.
In Querquedula, on the other hand, the terminal portion of the
tomium is strongly convex, and the posterior half cut away, as

.
.

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 135

it were, so as to fully expose the lamelle. Through the forms
occurring in the southern hemisphere, this genus leads directly

to Pecilonetta, which in turn is intermediate between Vettion and

—— Dafila.

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The two species of Vettion occurring in the northern hemi-
sphere are much alike, the males being very handsome in
plumage. They may be distinguished as follows:

‘Common CHARACTERS. Aduli males: Head and upper half of the neck chestnut-rufous,
marked with a large patch of metallic green on each side of the head, behind the eye;
chin and upper part of throat dull black; nuchal tuft blue-black; lower part of the neck,
upper part of the back, scapulars, and lateral parts of the body beneath, undulated with
black and white; outer scapulars marked with black and white; speculum bright metallic
green, the lower feathers black, tipped with white; crissum black centrally, creamy buff
laterally. Adult females: Wing, only, as in the males; elsewhere varied with dusky and
brownish white, the former prevailing above, the latter beneath; the abdomen nearly or
quite immaculate.

1. A. carolinensis, A broad white bar across side of breast, before the wing; inner
webs of outer seapulars vermiculated with dusky and brownish white, the outer
webs marked with a longitudinal lanceolate spot of black, bordered internally with
a white line. . :

(2. A. creeca, No white bar on side of breast; inner web of outer scapulars wholly,
and outer web partly, white, the exposed surface of outer webs almost entirely
black: undulations of sides, ete., much coarser than in A. carolinensis. Hab.
Palearctic Region, occasiona] in eastern North America.]

A. crecca, the common teal of Europe, has several times been
taken in the Atlantic States, but has not yet been detected in

Illinois.

Anas carolinensis Gmel.

GREEN-WINGED TEAL.

Popular synonyms, Green-wing; American Green-winged ‘Teal; Red-headed Teal; Mud
e Teal (Maine); Winter Teal (Long Island); Cerceta de listo verde (Mexico).

Anas crecca, var. Forst. Philos. Trans, |xii, 1772, 383, 419.
Anas (Boschas) crecca, var. Sw. & Rion. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 443,—Nurr. Man. ii, 1835,
400,
Anas crecca Wis. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 101, pl. 60, fig. 1 (not of Lryn.).—Avup. Orn.
Biog. iii, 1835, 218; v, 1839, 616, pl. 228.
Anas carolinensis Gmeu. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1878, 533.—AupD. Synop. 1839, 281; B. Am. vi, 1843,
251, pl. 392.—A. O. U. Check Sist, 1886, No. 139.—Ripow. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 94.
Querquedula carolinensis STEPHENS, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii, 1824, 128.—Coves, Key,
1872, 287; Check List, 1873, No. 495; 2d ed. 1882, No. 715; B. N. W. 1874, 565,—HEN-
sHAW, Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 475.
Nettion carolinensis Barnp, B. N. Am. 1858, 777; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 579.—
Rivew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 623; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 612.—B. B. & R. Water B. N.
Arm. ii, 1884, 2.
Anas americana View. Enc. Meth. 1823, 155.
“Anas sylvatica VIEILu. ?”

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136 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Has. North America in general, breeding chiefly north of the United States, migrat-
ing south as far as Honduras and Cuba. Greenland.

Sp. Cuan. Adult male: Head and neck rich chestnut-rufous, inclosing a broad
patch of soft dark metallic green on each side of the occiput, from the eye (which it sur-
rounds) down the sides of the nape, where the two areas of the opposite sides touch a
short nuchal crest of bluish-black. The green patch bordered anteriorly and beneath
by a yellowish white line, and a less distinct line of the same bordering the base of the
upper mandible, extending thence back to, and indistinctly following, for a short dis-
tance, the upper anterior portion of the green patch. Chin and upper part of the throat
dull black. Front of the chest deep pinkish cream-color, with roundish and transyerse-
ly ovate spots of black. Collar round the lower neck, sides of the chest, sides, and
flanks, very delicately and beautifully waved with black upon a white ground; outer scap-
ulars similarly waved. Sides ofthe breast with a large transverse bar of plain white. Cris-
sum rich deep cream-color, bounded anteriorly, and divided medially, with velvety black:
post-femoral region waved like the flanks; rest of lower parts plain white, sometimes tinged
with cream-color. Back, scapulars, rump, wing-coverts, primaries, and tail, plain slate-
grayish. Outer row of scapulars with their outer webs about half velvety black bordered
interiorly with a white line. Last row of coverts broadly tipped with deep ochraceous ;
speculum opaque black, narrowly tipped with white, the four or five upper feathers with
their outer webs richly brilliant soft metallic green, varying from golden to violaceous, ac-
cording to the light. Bill black; iris brown; feet light fleshy (horn-color when dried).
Adult female: Wing as in the male, but duller. Above grayish dusky, variegated with
edgings and transverse bars of ochraceous-white. Ground-color of the head, neck, and
jower parts, dingy whitish, more or less tinged with ochraceous ; head and neck speckled
with dusky, the spots enlarged and aggregated on the pileum, so as to form the prevailing
color, and also along the upper border of the ear-coverts, producing astripe behind the eye.
Chest, sides, and flanks more heavily spotted with dusky. Abdomen sometimes plain, but
usually speckled. Bill brownish; iris brown; feet pale brown (fleshy in life) Young
male: Similar to the adult female, but entire abdomen and sides immaculate white.
Downy young: Above grayish brown, with a light grayish-buff spot on each side the
back, and a similar pair on the rump; wings crossed near the end by a light grayish-
buff bar. Head, neck, and lower parts light dull buff ; crown and occiput covered by an
elongated patch of grayish brown (darker than the back), this scarcely reaching the fore-
head, but continued down the hind neck to the brown of the back; a dusky streak behind
the eye, not reaching tothe occiput ; below the posterior end of this, an oblong spot of
grayish brown.

Total length, about 14 inches; extent 20.00-24.50; wing, 6.25-7.40; culmen, 1.40-1.60; tarsus,
1.25; middle toe, 1.30-1.35,

Many specimens, both males and females, have the lower
parts tinged with orange-rusty like the stain on the head of
the swans and white geese. Sometimes this tinge pervades the
whole under surface, and is occasionally so deep as to give the
lower parts a uniform rusty or almost chestnut aspect. Adult
females usually have the abdomen and sides thickly spotted or
flecked with brown, being thereby readily distinguished from
the young males, which have the whole abdomen, etc., immac-
ulate white. :

This beautiful little duck is a common species during migra-

. tions, and sometimes passes the winter in the southern portions
of the State. Although stated by Kennicott to breed in the

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ANATIDA—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 137

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northern part, there appears to be no recent record of its doing
so. Professor Cooke says that it “breeds in Manitoba and
along our northern border.”

“Mr. Robert Kennicott, in his notes on this species, states
that it is very rare on the wpper Yukon River, although he
found it abundant in Oregon and in Washington Territory,
and throughout British America as far north as latitude 70°;
but he did not see it anywhere in the Mackenzie Region in any
considerable abundance. As it is more common in the Atlantic
States than in the valley of the Mississippi, the main body
breed more toward the northeast, beyond the limits of the
United States in the region of Hudson’s Bay. Though arriy-
ing in this country among the earliest of the migrating
ducks, this species is quite late in leaving the Yukon and the
Mackenzie. Mr. Kennicott saw it October 2 at Fort Liard.
The nests found by him were in nearly open ground, among
moss, and generally far from water. In one instance he saw
the nest of this duck at the foot of a small spruce in a mossy,
half-barren, small dry plain, and at least forty rods from water.
This nest was a simple depression in the moss, but thickly lined
with down, and well protected by the overhanging branches of
the spruce. The female fluttered slowly off along the ground
at his approach, and the nest was found to contain eight eggs.
According to Mr. Dall nests of this species frequently have from
sixteen to eighteen eves.

“Audubon says that the food of the Green-winged Teal con-
sists principally of the seeds of grasses—which are collected
when floating, or while still adhering to their stalk—small
acorns, fallen grapes or berries, as well as aquatic insects,

worms, and small snails. It is much more particular in the

selection of its food than are most ducks, and its flesh is there-
fore delicious, and probably better that that of any other of
the duck tribe. Audubon adds that when this bird has fed on
wild oats at Green Bay, or soaked rice in the fields of Georgia
or Carolina, it is much superior to the Canvas-back in tender-
ness, juiciness, and flavor.

“On land it moves with more grace and ease than any other
species except the Wood Duck, and it can run with considerable

—18

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138 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

speed without its feet becoming entangled. In the water also
it moves with great ease and rapidity, and on the wing it is
one of the swiftest of its tribe. It rises from the water with a
single spring, and so swiftly that it can only be hit by a very
expert marksman; and it also dives readily when wounded.
This is a fresh-water bird, and it is very rarely met with near
the sea. Its migrations are over the land, and not along the
sea-shore.”’ ( Water Birds of North America.)

A nest containing ten eggs was found by Mr. H. W. Henshaw,
near Ft. Garland, Colorado, under a sage-bush, perhaps thirty
feet from the water’s edge. A deep hollow had been scooped in
the sand, and lined warmly with fine grass and down, evidently
taken from the bird’s own breast, which was plucked nearly bare.
The eggs were of a pale yellowish color, and averaged 1.81 in
length by 1.31 in diameter.

SuBGENus Chaulelasmus Gray.

Chaulelasmus GRAY, 1838, 56. Type, Anas strepera LINN.

Chauliodus Swatns, F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 440. Type, Anas strepera Linn. (Not of Biocu,
1801.)

Chauliodes Exton, Mon. Anat. 1838, 43. Same type. (Not of LATREILLE, 1798.)

SuUBGEN. CHAR. Oulmen shorter than middle toe, without claw; distance from an-
terior border of nostril to tip of upper mandible more than three times the distance
from the same point to the nearest loral feathers; lamella very fine and numerous,
more than 30 being visible from the outside; tail-feathers 16.

But two species of this subgenus are known: the common and
widely diffused A. strepera and the more recently discovered
A. couest (STREETS) of Washington Island, in the South Pacifie
Ocean. The latter is very similar to A. strepera, having the
same form and essentially the same coloration, but is much
smaller, with several differences in plumage. The sides are white,
coarsely spotted with grayish, instead of finely undulated with
the same, as is the case with the adult male of A. strepera;
but this may be owing to a difference of age, the type of A.
couest being an immature bird.

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 189

Anas strepera Linn.

GADWALL,

Popular synonyms, Gray Duck; Gray Widgeon (Savannah, Ga.); Speckle-belly; Creek Duck
‘Long Island); Blaten Duck (coast of New Jersey); Pato pardo de Grupo (Mexico).

Anas strepera Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758,125; ed. 12, i,1766,200.—Wris. Am. Orn. viii,1814,120,
pl. 71.—Nurv. Man. ii, 1834, 383.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 353, pl. 348; Synop. 1839, 378;
B. Am., vi, 1843, 254, pl. 388. —A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 135.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B.
1887, 95.
Anas (Chauliodus) streperus Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 440.
Chaulelasmus streperus “GRAY, 1838;” List B. Br. Mus. 1844, 139.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858,
782; Cat. N, Am. B. 1859, No. 584.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 286; Check List, 1873, No. 491; 2d
ed. 1882, No. 711; Birds N. W. 1874, 563.—Hensu. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 474.—RiIpew .
Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 622; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No, 604.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i,
1884, 506.
Anas strepera americana MAX. Jour. fir Orn. ii, 1842, 169.
“Ohaulelasmus americana, Br.” (GRAY).
“Anas cinerea et subuiata, 8.G. GMELIN.” (GRAY).
Anas kekuschka Guru. 8. N.i, pt. ii, 1788, 531.
“Anas mail, HopGson” (GRAY).
“Anas capensis, SWAINSON” (GRAY).

Has. Nearly cosmopolitan (Europe, Asia, Africa, and North America). Temperate
North America in general, breeding chiefly within the United States; West Indies.

Sp. Coan. Adult male in fall, winter, and spring: Ground-color of the head and neck
pale brown, or brownish white, thickly speckled with black; on the pileum the brown
more uniform, and the specks obsolete; on the occiput, when present, they incline to the
form of transverse bars, Chest marked with horseshoe-like bars, or crescents, of white
and black, the bars of the latter wider. Lateral portions of the body beneath, back, and
scapulars finely waved, in curved transverse lines, with slate-color and white. Many of
the longer scapulars plain brownish gray, broadly edged with a lighter, more fulvous tint.
Rump plain dull slate. Tail-coverts, above and below, intense opaque velvety black. Tai!
ashy, faintly edged with white. Middle rows of wing-coverts bright chestnut, the anterior
ecoverts brownish gray, and the posterior ones deep black; last row deep velvety black.
Speculum immaculate pure white, the lower feathers ashy (some with black on outer webs, )
narrowly tipped with white; tertials plain pale ash, the primariesa darker shade of the
same. “Bill bluish black. Iris reddish hazel. Feet dull orange-yellow, claws brownish
black, webs dusky” (AuDuUBON). Adult male,in summer: “Crown brownish black, with
agreenish tinge; an indistinct streak through the eye, dark brown; rest of the head and
neck dull brownish white, marked with blackish brown, as in the previously deseribed
bird [adult male in spring]; back, rump, and upper tail-coverts dark blackish brown, each
feather margined with rusty red; wings and tail as in the bird above deseribed; breast
dull rusty red, each feather with a central black spot; flanks dark brown, broadly marked
and margined with dull rufous; the rest of the under parts dull white, each feather having
a central blackish brown drop-shaped mark”. (SHARPE & DRESSER.)

Adult female: Colors chiefly brownish dusky and brownish white, in longitudinal
streaks on the head and neck, and in irregular transverse spots and bars on other portions,

‘On the upper surface the dusky prevails, and on the lower parts the whitish predominates.

Wing nearly as in the male, but the chestnut usually absent, the black less extended, and
the gray of the coverts generally more or less barred and tipped with white. Abdomen
and lower part of the breast pure white; throat finely streaked with dusky. Downy young:
“Oovered with soft short down; head, nape, back, and rump, dark dull brown, on each side
of the rump and back of each wing-joint a sulphur-yellow spot, the wing-joints being
marked with that color; forehead, space round the eye, throat, and chest pale sulphur-
yollow; abdomen white, shaded with sulphur-yellow, on the lower part sooty gray,”
(SHARPE & Dresser.)

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140 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Male. Wing, 10.25-11.00 inches; culmen, 1.60-1.75; width of bill, .60-.75; tarsus, 1.45-1.70;
middle toe, 1.80-1.90. Female. Wing, 10.00-10.10; culmen, 1.55-1.65; width of bill, .60-.70;
tarsus, 1.60; middle toe, 1.75-1.80,

Although one of the above diagnoses will fit almost any ex-
ample of this species, there is yet a very considerable extent of
individual variation noticeable in a large series. Thus, No.
17,040 (Washington, D. C., Feb. 25, 1860; C. DrexLeR) has the
uniform brown of the pileam coming down over the side of the
head to a line on a level with the lower eyelid. the whole upper
half of the head being thus nearly free from specks; while that
portion behind the eye has a faint, but very perceptible, rose-
purple reflection—this part of the head calling strongly to mind
the head-pattern of A. carolinensis and A. americana. On the
other hand, an adult male from Philadelphia (No. 46,658,
J. Kriper) has even the top of the head spotted. No. 9,791,
adult male, Fort Steilacoom, Washington (Dr. GrorGE Suck-
LEY), has the pileam almost chestnut, the brown having there
so deep a reddish cast; the lower neck is nearly plain pale
ochraceous, abruptly defined against the darkly colored jugulum.
Specimens from Cape St. Lucas and Utah present no unusual
features.

All American specimens differ uniformly from the single Euro-
pean pair before us, in several very tangible respects. The
European male has the neck quite deeply ochraceous, while in
the American ones there is seldom more than a mere tinge
of this color; the chest is pervaded by a wash of a more
pinkish tinge of ochraceous, while there is appreciably less regu-
larity and clearness in the markings of that region. The longer
secapulars are more deeply tinged with fulvous, and the finely
undulated portions are pervaded with a brownish wash, entirely
wanting in the American series. The measurements of this
specimen (No. 57,187, Europe; Schliiter Collection) are as fol-
lows: Wing, 10.80 inches; culmen, 1.65; width of bill, .70;
tarsus, 1.55; middle toe, 1.85. The female specimen from Eu-
rope.is very similar to North Americétn examples, but is rather
more deeply colored, the dark centres to the feathers being
nearly deep black. The whole throat is immaculate white. The
measurements are as follows: Wing, 9.50 inches; eulmen, 1.50;
tarsus, 1.85; middle toe, 1.60.

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 141

___ According: to Professor Cooke,* the Gadwell ‘‘winters abun-
ry —— dantly in the Gulf States and sometimes in Illinois in mild win-
ters; it is also known to winter near a warm spring in Wyo-

. ming. It breeds locally throughout most of its range.”

; - SuBpGENus Mareca STEPHENS.

Mareca SterHeENs, Shaw's Gen. Zod). xii, pt. ii, 1824, 130, Type, Anas penelope LINN.

SuBGEN. CHAR. Billsmall, shorter than the head, rather narrow, the edges parallel to
reg - near the end, where they gradually converge to a rounded tip; culmen gently concave;

a lamell@ of the maxille# almost concealed; feet small, the tarsus about as long as the bill.
_-——s Adult male in winter with the scapulars’and tertials (in the North American species the
ee tail-coverts and rectrioes also) lanceolate.

ee,’ The two North American species of the subgenus J/areca may
me be distinguished as follows:

a“ ;*

as a Common Cuanracters (adult males in winter dress). Forehead white; posterior half

: of the middle wing-covert region white, forming a large patch of this color; abdo-
- men immaculate white; speculum velvety black, with or without green.

a4 1. A, penelope. Head and neck plain rufous, the forehead and part of the crown white;
” ground-color of the dorsal region, sides, and flanks, whitish.

2. A. americana, Head and neck whitish, speckled with black, and with a dark metal-

: . lie-green space on the side of the occiput (sometimes continued down the nape);
. ground-color of the dorsal region, sides, and flanks, vinaceous or pinkish cinna-
, mon.

Anas penelope Linn.

WIDGEON.
Popular synonyms, Europeon Widgeon; Red-headed Widgeon.

v Anas penelope Lixn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 126; ed. 12, i, 1766, 202.—Naum. Vdég.
“a Doutsehl. xi, 1842, 724, pl. 805.—Remyu. Ibis, iii, 1861, 12 (Greenland).—A. O. U. Check

CF List, 1886, No. 136.—Rrpew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 96.
\ Mareca penelope Sevey, Br. Orn. ii, 324.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 784; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859,
\ No. 586.—Covgs, Proc. Essex Inst. v, 1868, 299 (New England); Key, 1872, 268; Cheek List,
f 1878, No. 492; 2d ed. 1882, No. 712; B. N. W. 1874, 564 (foot-note).—Ripaw. Nom. N.
.@ Am. B, 1881, No. 606.—B. B. & R. Water B, N. Am. i, 1884,517.
ij Anas cagolca 8. G. Gen. Reise i, 1770, 7.
A Mareca fistularis Steruens, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii. 1824, 181, pL 50.

Wigeon, Yarn. Brit. B. ed. 2, iii, 286; ed. 3, iii, 287, fig.

Hav. Northern hemisphere in general, but less uniformly distributed in North Amer-
iea, where, however, occurring not uncommonly in New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland,
a 4, Virginia, North Carolina, Florida, Illinois, Wisconsin, California, ete.; breeding in the
Aleutian Islands, Alaska,

* Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, p. 65.

VO Pig AY. Eien ee

142 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Sp. CHar. Adult male in winter. Head and neck plain cinnamon rufous, abruptly de-
fined below, and becoming paler next the bill; forehead and pileum medially immacu-
late white; a few blackish feathers around the eyelids. Chest and sides of the breast
pinkish vinaceous, the tips of the feathers paler. Sides, flanks, and entire dorsal surface
delicately waved with transverse zigzag bars of black and pure white, the bars of the
latter rather the narrower. Wing-coverts immaculate pure white, except the anterior
portion of the lesser-covert region, which is deep ashy; last row of coverts tipped with
velvety black; tertials velvety black, snafted and edged with pure white, the lower one
with the entire lower web pure white. Speculum soft metallic green on the anterior
half or two thirds, the terminal portion velvety black. Primaries plain slate-grayish.
Tail-coverts (both upper and lower) deep black, with a very faint bluish gloss; rest of
the lower parte immaculate white. Tail-feathers dark ashy, edged with ashy white. Bill
‘ight grayish blue, with the tip, including the urguis, black;” iris ‘‘hazel brown;” legs
and feet “light grayish blue.”” (MACGILLIVRAY.)

Wing, 10.00-11.00 inches; culmen, 1.35-1.45; tarsus, 1.45-1.60; middle toe, 1.65-1.75.

Adult female. “Much smaller and differently colored. The bill, iris, and feet, how-
ever, are as in the male. The head and upper neck are yellowish red, with small green-
ish black spots, the feathers being barred with that color, of which there is more on
the upper part of the head. The feathers of the upper parts in general are dusky brown,
edged with brownish red or whitish. and barred with the same. The wings are dusky
gray; the coverts in the part which is white in the male tipped with that color, the
secondary coverts with an indication of a dark terminal bar; the speculum grayish,
without lustre; the inner secondaries marked somewhat as in the male, but with dark
gray in place of gray. The tail-feathers brownish gray, edged with brownish white.
On the lower forepart and sides of the neck the feathers are obscurely barred with
reddish brown and brownish gray; the sides are similar; the breast and abdomen white;
the feathers under the tail white, barred with brown, as are the smaller lower wing-
coverts; the larger pale gray.” (MaceGruLivray.) Length, about 19.25 inches; extent,
$2.50; wing, 10.00; tail, 4.00; culmen, 1.50; tarsus, 1.50; middle toe, 1.25.

Young male. Head, neck, chest, sides, and flanks, umber-brown, varying toa cinna-
mon shade, the head and neck thickly streaked with black, and the feathers of the chest
sides, etc., centred with dusky. Back and scapulars dusky, the feathers broadly bordered
with dull fulvous; crissum irregularly streaked and spotted with dusky; rump and upper
tail-coverts slaty brown, bordered with dull whitish. Wing as in the adult, except that
the coverts are dull cinereous broadly bordered with white. Lower parts, except as
deseribed, pure white.

An adult male from Alexandria, Va. (No. 29,519), has the
rufous of the head perfectly uniform, with only a few blackish
feathers immediately around the eye, and a suffusion of the
same on the chin; while the pinkish of the chest joins the
rufous of the neck. No. 1,271, New York market, has the sides
of the head speckled minutely with greenish black, the nape
and entire throat clouded with the same, and the pinkish of
the chest separated from the rufous of the neck by a narrow
indistinct collar of whitish, undulated with blackish. No. 10,376,
from Florida, approaches still more closely to <A. americana
in having also the occiput spotted with black, the eye more
broadly surrounded with greenish, the ground-color of the
cheeks nearly white, and the sides pervaded by a tinge of the

ie
'
aa .
Mi
‘ ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 143

4 es,
pinkish of the chest. No. 62,525, from St, Paul’s Island, Alaska,
he ap is most like the Alexandria specimen.
ae young male (No. 5,119, Europe) has the brown of the
a head, neck, sides, and flanks, almost chestnut; the wing as in
the adult, and the dorsal region mostly clothed with feathers

nl of the adult dress.
B : According to Dr. Brewer ( Water Birds of North America, Vol.

; 1., p. 519), “two instances are on record” of the occurrence of
the Widzeon in Illinois. Its habits are quite similar to those of
the Baldpate.

Anas americana Ginel.

~ BALDPATE.

Popular synonyms. American Widgeon; Green-headed Widgeon; Bald-head; Bald-face;
Bald-crown; White-belly; Poacher (Detroit, Mich.); Wheat Duck (Oregen).

Anas americana GuEt. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 526—Wrs. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 86, pl. 69, fig. L—
Avup. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 387, pl. 315; Synop. 1839, 279; B. Am. vi, 1843, 259, pl. 389.—A.
O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 187.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 96.

Mareca americana StEPHENS, Shaw's Gen. Zodl. xii, pt. ii, 1824, 135.—Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A.

ii, 1831, 445.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 783; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 585.—Covgs, Key,
1872, 286; Check List, 1873, No. 493; 2d ed. 1882, No. 713; Birds N. W. 1874, 561,—HEnsH.
Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 475.—Ripew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 622; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881,
No. 607.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 520.

. Mareca penelope, b., Buastus, B. Eur. 1862, 21.

Has. North America in general, north to Arctic Ocean, south, in winter, to Guatemala
and Cuba. Accidentalin Europe. Breeds nearly throughout its range.

Sp, Coan. Adult male in winter: Forehead and middle of crown (longitudinally)
white, generally immaculate; ground-color of head and neck white, sometimes more or less
soiled with grayish or brown, and thickly speckled with black; a broad space of metallic
blackish green on the side of the occiput, running forward to the eye, and sometimes down
the nape, where the two spaces are confluent. Chest plain pinkish vinaceous; sides and
flanks the same, delicately waved with black; lower tail-coverts velvety black; rest of lower
parts pure white. Back and scapulars grayish white, more or less tinged with the color of
the sides, and similarly waved with black. Wing-coverts immaculate pure white, the an-
terior portion of the lesser-covert region ashy, and the last row tipped with velvety black;
speculum soft metallic green anteriorly, velvety black posteriorly; tertials velvety black,
sharply edged with white, the lower one with its lower edge entirely pure white; primaries
plain slate-grayish. Rump ashy, minutely waved on the edges of the feathers; upper tail-
coverts velvety black, the inner webs mostly grayish: tail hoary grayish. Bill light grayish
blue, the end black; iris brown; legs and ‘eet light bluish. Length, about 20.00 inches; wing,
10,25-10.75; culmen, 1.30-1.50; tarsus, 1.45-165; middle toe, 1.65-1.85. Adult female: Above,
dusky grayish brown, with transverse, rather distant, bars of dull white or light ochraceous.
Wing-coverts dark dull ashy, broadly tipped and bordered with white; speculum dull black.
Head and neck streaked with blackish upon a dull whitish ground, the former color pre-
vailing on the nape and behind the eye. Chest pale grayish vinaceous, the feathers darker
beneath the surface; sides and flanks deeper vinaceous; lower tail-coverts transversely
spotted with brown; rest of lower parts pure white. Somewhat smaller than the male
(length about 18.00 inches). Young male: Similar to the adult female, but the colors more
pronounced and the pattern better defined, especially on the wing. Downy young: Above,

144 ; BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

dark olive, with a sepia tinge; a spot of pale greenish fulvous on the posterior half of the
wing, one on each side of the baék, and one on each side of the rump. Lower parts, includ-
ing head and neck, pale fulyous: a distinct blackish olive stripe from bill to and back from
the eye, with a wide and conspicuous superciliary stripe of fulyous above it.

The chief variation in the plumage of adult males of this spe-
cies consists in the extent of the green patch and the amout of
black spotting on the head, the pureness of the white on the
forehead, and the extent of the white patch on the wing-coverts.
The green patch on the sides of the occiput is usually poorly de-
fined, and broken up by lighter spotting; but in No. 21,426,
Washington, D. C., and No. 84,712, from southern Ohio (Dr. F.
W. Lanapon), it is as conspicuous as in the adult male of A.
carolinensis, and of very similar extent and form. Anteriorly it
surrounds the eye, and posteriorly it passes down the nape,
where the two opposite spaces are confluent for the entire length
of the neck); its outlines are firm throughout, and its surface
is entirely unbroken by admixture of white. In the former speci-
men the black spotting is so aggregated on the throat that the
gular region is almost uniformly dusky. while the spots at the
lower end of the white portion of the neck are so large as al-
most to blend into a collar, uniting the green of the nape with
the black of the throat. All the other characters of the species
are very. much exaggerated in this specimen. Younger speci-
mens, just possessed of the adult dress, are usually distinguished
by having the white wing-covert patch clouded with ash, the
green of the head poorly defined, and the white of the forehead
more or less speckled.

“The Baldpate ranges over the whole of North America, In
winter it is common in the Gulf States and lower part of the
Misissippi Valley. It breeds chiefly in the North, but is known
to breed in Manitoba, Dakota. Minnesota, Nebraska, Kansas,
Illinois, and Texas. Its movements in migration resemble those
of the Gadwall.”? (CooKr.)

“The Widgeon breeds rather abundantly throughout the whole
of British America, as far north as the Arctic Ocean, but only
rarely in the extreme northern parts of the United States, both
east and west of the Rocky Mountains. In October and April it
visits in large numbers the rivers and marshes, as well as both
sea-coasts, of the northern United States, and is much sought by
hunters, its flesh being excellent, and the bird generally in good

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE; AND DUCKS. 145

_ condition. It winters in the Southern States, Mexico, and the

West Indies. Though in winter the Widgeon collects in very
large flocks, it passes over the northern parts of the Mississippi

_ Valley in small bands, and usually arrives at the Mackenzie and
- the Yukon in pairs, or in small parties of three or four together.

It reaches Slave Lake and the Yukon early in May, and begins
to nest about the middle of that month, though some do not
do so till the early part of June. It is rather more common
west of the mountains than in the Mackenzie region, and con-
siderable numbers are found in the breeding season on Lake
Winnipeg, where several were obtained by Mr. Donald Gunn. In
the north the Widgeon exhibits a greater preference for rivers
and open lakes than most of the other fresh-water ducks, which
prefer the grassy lakes and marshes. Most of the nests which
Mr. Kennicott observed were near rivers in places not frequented
by other ducks, except sometimes by the Mallard. The favorite
situation for the nest is remarkable; for while the other ducks—
except, perhaps, the teal—choose the immediate vicinity of
water, he found the Widgeon always breeding at some consider-
able distance from it. Several of the nests obtained on the Yukon
were fully half a mile from the river—the nearest water. He
invariably found the nest among dry leaves, upon high, dry
ground, either under large trees or in thick groves of small ones—
frequently among thick spruces. ‘The nest is rather small—simply
a depression among the leaves—but thickly lined with down,
with which, after incubation is begun, the eggs are covered when
left by the parent. The nest is usually placed at the foot of a
tree or bush, with generally no attempt at concealment. The
female, when started from her nest, rises silently into the air,
and usually flies to the nearest water, though sometimes she
will alight on the ground a few rods distant. The males remain
more or less in the vicinity for some time after the females begin
to incubate; but when the time of moulting arrives they retire
to the grassy marshes and edges of lakes for concealment, lead-
ing a solitary life. The young, while unable to fly, are frequently
found seeking the shelter of grassy lakes. As soon, however, as
they can fly they return to their favorite river-shores and open
feeding places, where they obtain aquatic insects, a few small
shells, and the seeds and roots of various plants. In the fall

—19

146 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

the broods often separate before leaving for the South; this they
do about the middle of September. Mr. Kennicott several times
found perfect eggs of this species—though never of any other
duck—dropped along the shores of rivers, at their feeding-places.
This bird is said to make its first appearance on the Chesapeake
about the last of October.

“While the Canvas-backs and the Black-heads dive and pull up
by the roots the Vallisneria grass, the Bald-pates manage to ob-
tain their full share of it, and at times succeed in robbing them
of the whole. At, this time the flayor of the Bald-pate is con-
sidered preferable to that of even the far-famed Canvas-backs.
Of all the ducks that are found in the Chesapeake, the Widgeon
is said to be one of the most difficult to attract to the shore by
the process known as ‘tolling.’ In wing-shooting it is regarded
by the hunters as a great nuisance. [t is not only so shy that
it avoids the points of land, but by its whistling and confused
manner of flight it alarms the other species. During its stay in
those waters it is the constant companion of the Canvas-backs,
upon whose superiority in diving it depends in a large degree for
its food, stealing from them, as they rise to the surface of the
water, the tender roots of the plant of which both are so fond..
When in good condition the flesh of the Bald-pate cannot easily
be distinguished from that of the Canvas-back. It is also thought
that birds killed on other waters, though excellent eating, are .
far inferior to those from the flats of the Chesapeake. The Bald-
pate is said to visit the rice-fields of the South during the winter
in considerable numbers.” ( Water Birds of North America.)

GENUS DAFILA SvreEepHEnNs.

Dafila STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii, 1824, 126. Type, Anas acuta Linn.
Phasianurus WaGu. Isis, 1832, 1235. Same type.

GEN. CHAR. Bill longer than the head, narrow, the edges parallel, deep through the
base, but otherwise much depressed, the basal portion of the culmen much ascending.
In the male, the scapulars, tertials, and middle reetrices lanceolate, the latter elongated
considerably beyond the other tail-feathers. The adult male in winter plumage very
different from the adult female, but the sexes much alike in summer.

As defined above, the genus /aji/a includes but a single
species, the ). acuta, or common Pin-taii, of the northern hem-
isphere. Several South American species have been referred to it;
but they all differ in having the sexes alike, in the dull (much

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 147

spotted) coloration, and in the very slight elongation of the

middle rectrices. They constitute a group somewhat interme-
diate between Dajila and Nettion, and are again directly con-
nected with the latter by several small ducks of the southern
hemisphere, usually referred to the genus Querquedula (e. g
flavirostris, of South America, and caton?, of .Kerguelen
Island). The genus Pecilonetta (type, Anas bahamensis LINN.)
was proposed for this group by PEMD: and should probably be
retained for it.

Dafila acuta (Linn.)
PINTAIL,

Popular synomyns, Sprig-tail; Spike-tail; Pike-tail; Picket-tail; Pheasant Duck; Sea-

Pheasant, Water Pheasant; Smee, Smees, or Smethe (New Jersey); Long-neck;
Pato golondrino (Mexico).*

Anas acuta Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758,126; ed, 12, i, 1766,202—Wins. Am. Orn. viii, 1814,
pl. 68, fig. 3—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834,886.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835,214; v, 1839,615, pl.
227; Synop. 1839,279; Birds Am. vi, 1843,266, pl. 390.

Dafila acuta Bonar. Comp. List, 1838, 56—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 776; Cat. N. Am. B.
1859, No. 578.—Cours, Key, 1872, 286; Check List, 1873, No. 490; ed. 1882, No. 710;
Birds N. W. 1874, 561.—Hensu. Zodl. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 473.—Ripew. Orn. 40th
Par. 1877, 622; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 605; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 93.—B. B. & R.
Water B. N. Am. i, 1884, 511.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 143.

“Anas alandica SpaARRM. Mus. Carls. iii, pl. 60.”

Anas sparrmanni LATH. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 876.

Anas caudacuta Pati. Zoog. Rosso-As. ii, 1826, 280.

Anas longicauda Briss. Orn. yi, 1760, 366, pl. 34, fig. 1, 2.
Anas caudata Bream, Vog. Deutsch. 869.

Dafila acuta, var. americana Bonap. Compt. Rend. xliii, 1856.

Has. Nearly the entire northern hemisphere, breeding chiefly far northward; in
North America migrating south in winter as far as Panama and Cuba.

Sp. Coan. Adult male in fall, winter, and spring: Head and upper half of the neck
hajr-brown or grayish umber, the upper surface darker, often inclining to deep sepia-brown;
all the feathers (usually) appreciably darker -centrally, producing an indistinctly and
minutely speckled appearance; on each side of the occiput the brown has a metallic gloss
of dull green, showing a faint purple reflection in some lights. Nape opaque intense
black, separated from the brown of the upper neck by an upward extension of the white of
the lower neck nearly to the oeciput. Stripe on each side of the nape (as described above),
lower half of the neck frontally and laterally, breast,and abdomen immaculate white. Lower
hind neck, with entire dorsal region and lateral lower parts, finely waved with trans-
verse, rather zigzag, lines of white and black of nearly equal width. Longer scapulars
opaque velvety black centrally, edged broadly with grayish white; outer scapulars with
exposed ends of their outer webs entirely velvety black. Tertials silvery gray, with
a median stripe of intense velvety black. Speculum dull green, varying to dull bronzy
purple, with a subterminial bar of velvety black and atip of white. Wing-coverts uni-
form brownish gray, the last row broadly tipped with cinnamon-rufous. Primaries dull
slaty. Upper tail-coverts with outer webs black, the inner webs grayish white; lower
tail-coverts deep opaque velvety black, the exterior row with their outer webs white; post-
femoralspace delicate cream-color. Tail-feathers dark ashy edged with white, the elon-

* For many of the local names of game and water birds I am indebted to Mr. Gurdon
Trumbull's Names and Portraits of Birds, (Harper Brothers, New York,) a most useful
work, which should be in the hands of every sportsman.

148 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

gated middle pair uniform deep black. Bill plumbeous-blue, the ungui, base, and stripe
along culmen, black; iris brown; feet dusky. Adult male in summer: “Head, neck, and
under parts generally as in the adult female, except that the abdomen is duller in color and
less marked; back dull dark brown, each feather having one or two irregular dirty-white
bars, and some being irregularly vermiculated with that color; rump washed with gray; tail
similar in color to that of the bird last described [i.e. adult male in winter], but the two
central feathers are but slightly elongated; wings also asin the last described stage of
plumage, but the elongated secondaries and seapulars are shorter and blunter, and in color
dark gray, black along the centre, some of the latter being marked like the back; flanks
grayish brown, every feather having broad yellowish-white bars; under tail-coverts as in
the female.” (SHARPE & DreEssER.) Adult female: Above slate-dusky, variegated trans-
versely with yellowish white or pale ochraceous; these markings sometimes irregularly
bar-like, but oftener of U-shaped form, one on the edge, and one in the middle portion of
each feather. Wing muchas in the male, but’ metallic color of the speculum duller, the
ochraceous bar anterior to it paler, and the white terminal bar tinged with buff; wing-
coverts narrowly tipped with whitish. Upper tail-coverts broadly edged with whitish, and
more or less marked with irregular, usually V-shaped, lines of the same. Tail-feathers
dusky, edged with whitish, and with more or less distinct indications of distant bars of the
same. Head and neck dingy whitish, tinged with brown on the superior surface, which is
heavily streaked with blackish, the other portions more finely and thinly stréaked, the
throat being nearly immaculate. Rest of the lower parts dingy white, the feathers more
grayish beneath the surface; crissum and flanks streaked with dusky, but abdomen. ete.,
usually immaculate. Young male: Similar to the female, but markings on upper parts more
bar-like, and lower parts sometimes almost wholly streaked. Young female (No. 54,638
Kadiak, Alaska, Aug, 1, 1868; F. BiscHorr): Speculum pale broccoli-brown, marbled
toward base of feathers with dusky. All the feathers of the upper parts conspicuously and
broadly bordered with buffy white, lower parts everywhere densely streaked with dusky.”
Downy young: Above grayish brown, with a white stripe along each side of the back,a
white space on the wing, and a white superciliary stripe. Beneath grayish white, witha
very faint yellowish tinge; a brown stripe behind the eye, and an indistinct space of the same
over the ears.

Male, total length about 26.00-28.00 inches; extent, 36.00; wing, 10.25-11.10; tail 7.25-9.50;
culmen 1.85-2.15; width of bill, .70-.80; tarsus, 1.55-1.85; middle toe, 1.70-2.10. Female, wing,
9,60-10.10; tail, 4.50-5.00; culmen 1,80-2.10; width of bill .65-.75; tarsus, 1.65; middle toe, 1.80.

The range of individual variation of the colors in this species
is very slight, consisting of differences that are scarcely worthy
of mention. European specimens, however, differ very apprecia-
bly from North American ones in narrower speculum, but not
in other respects. Two males measure as follows: Wing, 10.30-
11.00 inches; tail (elongated middle feathers), 8.50; culmen,
1.85-1.95; width of bill, .70-.75; tarsus, 1.40-1.60; middle toe,
1,85-1.90.1

“Breeds in Manitoba and the northern tier of States, and,
like the other river ducks, is common during the winter in the
Gulf States, and occasionally as far north as Ilinois, but it also
goes much farther south. It is one of the earliest ducks to
migrate and was one of the most abundant of those which so

1 Sharpe & Dresser (“History of the Birds Of Europe,” Part xix) give the dimensions of

the European Pin-tail as follows: “Total length 2 feet, culmen 2.2 inches; wing 11.2 inches;
tail. 7.5; tarsus, 1.6."

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 149

strenuously endeavored to work northward during February,
in 1884. . . . . A few ducks of this species spent most of
the winter of 1884-’85 at Shawneetown, Ill, The only record
of their wintering farther north than Shawneetown was received
' from Mr, W. B. Hull, of Milwaukee, Wis. Mr. Hull writes:
“For about a week the whole bay was frozen over, with ice
from 12 to 14 inches thick. During this time the pot-hunters
butchered numbers of Pintail Ducks. The ducks were half
starved, and would allow a man to approach within 20 feet of
them. Ice-men were cutting ice close to the shore, and ducks
came right among them to get to the open water. A friend
who was on the ship Oneida during her twenty-five days in the
ice, said that the ducks (Pintails mostly, but a few ‘northern’
ducks, he did not recognize) were ‘frozen in.’ When walking
on the ice near the boat, he saw hundreds of ducks in a solid
casing of ice. In the winter of 1873-’74, they were killed in the
same way.” (COOKE.*)

“The following valuable notes relative to the summer distri-
bution and breeding of this duck are abridged from the papers
of my late esteemed friend, Robert Kennicott: In America the
summer home of the Pintailis within the Arctic regions, farther
to the northward than that of any other of our fresh-water
ducks, comparatively few breeding south of Great Slave Lake.
In their spring migrations to the northward they move in im-
mense flocks, which only disperse upon their arrival at their
breeding-grounds. A few reach that lake about May 1; but the
main body arrive about a week or so later, and mostly pass
directly on across the lake to the northward. On the Yukon
the first specimens were seen in the latter part of April; and
before the 10th of May they had arrived in immense flocks,
which remained some time together in that vicinity before pass-
ing farther north or separating to breed. At this time the
birds were fat, and their flesh delicious, much superior to that
of any other duck, except the Widegon. At the Yukon the Pin-
tails are the latest in nesting of any of the fresh-water ducks,
and generally hatch a week or two after the Mallard. He found
them breeding in the same grounds, and at about the same
; time, with /udix afinis, though they do not associate with that

* Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, pp. 68,69.

150 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

species. He always found their nest in low but dry ground,
under the shelter of trees or bushes, though never among thick
large trees, and not more than two or three rods from water.
They never build on hummocks in the water, nor on high land,
but always just upon the edge of a marsh or lake.

“The nest is usually placed at the foot of a willow, among
grass, rather than leaves or moss, and is extremely simple, be-
ing composed of merely a few bits of broken dry grass and
sticks, but well lined with down.

“In observing the breeding habits of these ducks, Mr. Kenni-
cott was struck with the remarkable persistence in the individ-
uals of each species in always choosing precisely similar locali-
ties for their nests, so far as possible; and he was therefore
somewhat particular in describing minutely the peculiar nesting-
place chosen by each.

“The egos are from seven to nine in number, and rather
small in size. At the Yukon the young are mostly hatched in
the early part of July. The old males moult before this time,
and the females somewhat later, During the summer and fall,
as in the spring, the flesh of this species is superior to that of
any other duck in that region. It leaves the Yukon and Mac-
kenzie River region a little later than the other fresh-water
ducks, except the Widgeon. It does not collect in such large
flocks in autumn as on its arrival in the spring. (Dr. T. M.
Brewer, in Water Birds of North America.)

Genus SPATULA Bote.

Spatula Bote, Isis, 1822, 564. Type, Anas clypeata LINN.
Rhynchaspis “LEACH,” STEPHENS, Shaw's Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii, 1824, 114. Same type.

GEN. CHAR. Billlonger than the head, much expanded, or almost spatulate, terminally,
where about twice as wide as at the compressed base; maxillary lamell~ very thin, length-
ened, almost completely exposed posteriorly, where resembling the teeth of a fine comb.
Tail short, the feathers acute.

Of this very curious and well-marked genus, in which, however,
there is little that is peculiar except in the form of the bill, about
five species are known; one occurring throughout the northern
hemisphere, the others peculiar to South America, South Africa,
Australia, and New Zealand. In the two American species and

ee: ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS, 151

that from Australia there is a very close resemblance in the color-

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ation of the wing to certain species of Querquedula (e. g. discors
at.

and cyanoptera); while in the Australian species (S. rhynchotis)

this curious analogy is carried still farther, the coloration of
the head, including the white crescentic bar across the lores,
being almost exactly as in Q. déscors.

Spatula clypeata (Linn.)

SHOVELLER.
Popular synonyms. Spoon-bill; Shovel-bill; Broady; Butter Duck; Cow-frog (North
Carolina); Mud-shoveller (Florida).

7
Anas clypeata Liyn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 124; ed. 12, i, 1766, 200—Waxs. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 65,
pl. 67, fig, 7—Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 439.—Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 375.—Aup. Orn.
Biog. iv, 1838, 241, pl. 327; Synop. 1839, 283; B. Am. vi, 1843, 293, pl. 394.
Spatula clypeata Bote, Isis, 1822, 564.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1888, 781; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859,
No. 583.—Covgs, Key, 1872, 288; Check List, 1873, No. 498; 2d ed. 1881, No. 718; B.N. W.
1874, 570.—HeNsH. Zoo]. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 478.—_Ripew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 624; Nom.
N. Am. B. 1881, No. 608; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 97.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. i, 1884,
526.—A. O. U, Check List, 1886, No. 142.
' Anas rubens GMEL. S. N. i, ii, 1788, 419.
? Anas mexicana Latu. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 857.
Clypeata macrorhynchos, platyrhynchos, pomarina, brachyrhynchos, Brrum, Vog.
Deutschl. 876, 877, 878, 879.

Haz. The whole of the Northern Hemi-phere; in North America, breeding from Texas
to Alaska; wintering as far south as Guatemala, Cuba, and Jamaica; Australia.

Sp. Cuan. Adult male, in winter: Head and neck dark metallie bluish green, much
duller than in Anas boschas; chest and outer scapulars white, the former sometimes
spotted with dusky; entire abdomen and sides uniform chestnut; crissum dark metallic
bluish green, bounded anteriorly by a band of finely waved grayish white. Back and inner
scapulars dusky, the feathers sometimes bordered with white; longer lanceolate scapulars
marked with a mesial lanceolate stripe of white; wing-coverts light grayish blue, the last
row tipped with white, forming a narrow band across the wing; speculum bright metallic
green, very narrowly tipped with white; tertials dusky black, with faint green reflections,
and marked toward the end with an indistinct mesial stripe of grayish white; primaries
and their coverts dull slate-gray; rump and upper tail-coverts black, the former with faint,
the latter with bright, green reflections; rectrices chiefly grayish white, the middle ones
dark gray, edged with white. Bill deep black; iris bright yellow; legs and feet beautiful
orange-red. Adult female: Wings asin the male, but colors rather duller. Other parts
grayish brown above, varied with brownish white; brownish white below, the head and
neck streaked, the breast, abdomen, ete., spotted with grayish brown. Bill brown, man-
dible orange; iris yellow and feet orange-red, as inthe male. Young male: Similar to
the adult female, but lower parts (always?) tinged with chestnut. Young female: Similar
to the adult, but wing-coverts dull slate, with little, ifany,. blue tinge, the speculum dusky,
with a very faint green reflection, and rather broadly tipped with brownish white. Downy
young: Above, grayish brown, with a brownish white spot on each side of the back, and
a corresponding pair onthe rump; pilewm darker than the back and nape; head (except
pileum) and entire lower parts pale grayish fulvous, or dirty grayish buffy white, shaded
with brownish gray across the chest; a narrow stripe of dark brown from the upper angle
of the base of the bill to the eye, and continued posteriorly about half way to the occiput;

ie eee oy a

152 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

another similar stripe beneath the last, beginning a little behind the posterior border of
the eye, and extending farther back than the one above it.

Total length, about 20.00 inches; extent, 31.00 to 33.00 inches; wing, 9.00-10.00; culmen,
2.60-2.90; width of bill at end, 1.10-1.20, at base, .60; tarsus, 1.40-1.50; middle toe, 1.65-1.75.
Specimens vary considerably in colors: usually the white of the chest and seapulars is
nearly or quite immaculate; but not infrequently these portions are more or less spotted
with dusky. The chestnut of the abdomen is sometimes immaculate, sometimes barred
with dusky.

“Winters from southern Illinois southward; breeds abundantly
in the Northern States and Manitoba, and sparingly in Texas,
northern Illinois, and Kansas. Breeds in great numbers at
Heron Lake, Minn. Its time of migration is one or two days
behind that of the Gadwall.”’ (CooKE.)

The Shoveller has probably the most extensive range of any
species of the duck tribe, being found throughout the northern
hemisphere as well as in Australia. Its habits presenting
nothing particularly distinctive, it is unnecessary to describe them
particularly here. It breeds in the northern part of the State,
or at least did so formerly. Mr. B. F. Goss found a nest near
Pewaukee, Wisconsin, on a small island in Horicon Lake, some
five feet above the water. ‘‘The Mallards were all around within
a few feet. As the ground was quite bare, with merely a few
rocks scattered about, the birds could be seen from the water
sitting on their nests. On his first approach he noticed the
Spoon-bill rising with the rest; and after examining the nests,
selected one that was somewhat smaller than the others, with
smaller eves, and lined with feathers of a little different shade,
as the Spoon-bill’s nest. He set a small stake to mark the
place, and retired until the birds returned to their eggs, when
he again approached, watching carefully the indicated spot, and
had the good fortune to kill the bird as she rose. The nest
contained ten eggs, quite fresh, a little smaller than the Mal-
lard’s, from which they differed somewhat in color and in shape.”
( Water Birds of North America.)

Genus AIX Born.

Aix Bots, Isis, 1828, 329. Type, Anas sponsa LINN.

Dendronessa Swans. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 446. Type Anas galericulata Linn.

Lampronessa WAGL. Isis, 1832, 282. Type, Anas sponsa LINN.

Cosmonessa Retcu. Syst. Av. 1849, pl. 9. Type, Anas sponsa Linn. (Nec Cosmonetta
Kaup, 1829.)

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 153
’ ae :
; Gen. CHAR. Bill small, much shorter than the head, all the lateral outlines gradually
es : converging toward the end, the nail very large, broad. and prominent, forming the tip
wh of the bill; lamella completely hidden. Adult male with the head crested, the colors
___ rich and varied, and the markings elegant; tertials exceedingly broad, truncate.
var The above characters are framed so as to include the Chinese Mandarin Duck (Aix
‘ galericulata),’ the only other known species of the genus. This duck is quite similar to
our Wood Duck in style of coloration and in general appearance, but differs in many
external characters, and if not generically distinct should at least be considered the type

. 4
4 ‘ of a different subgenus.
: Aix sponsa (Linn.)
4 WOOD DUCK.
Pr, Popular synonyms. Summer Duck; Bridal Duck: Wood Widgeon (Connecticut); Acorn
‘ ‘ Duck; Tree Duck.
a Anas sponsa Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 128; ed. 12, i, 1766, 207.—Wiis. Am. Orn. viii, 1814,
97, pl. 70. fig. 3—Nurr. Man. ii, (834, 394—AupD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 52; v, 1839, 618,
pl. 206; Synop, 1839, 280; B. Am. vi, 1848. 271, pl. 391.
4 Z Aiz sponsa Bonav. Comp. List, 1838, 57—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 785; Cat. N. Am. B.
yes 1859, No. 587.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 288; Check List, 1873, No. 499; 2d ed. 1882, No. 719;
oe B. N. W. 1874. 571.—Rmpew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 624; Nom, N. Am. B. 1881, No. 613;

“4 Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 99.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 144.—B. B. & R. Water

B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 11.
¥ . Dendronessa sponsa Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 446.
Has. Whole of temperate North America, north to the Fur Countries;.breeding

: ~ throughout its range. Cuba. Accidental in Europe.

Sp. CHAR. Adult male: Chin, throat, and foreneck pure white, sending off laterally
two branches,—the first across the cheeks, back of, and nearly to, the posterior angle of the
eye, the second across the lower part of the neck, almost to the nape; both bars tapering
toward the end, and somewhat curved or faleate in shape; a narrow white line begins at
the point of the maxillary anglo, and is continued backward on each side of the crown, wid-
ening considerably on the side of the crest; a second white line commences about half an
inch behind the eye, and nearly the same distance above the end of the white cheek-bar,
and follows the lower edge of the crest, where considerably wider posteriorly; remainder of
the head silky metallic green, violet, and purple, as follows: cheeks and space behind the
white cheek-bar soft violaceous-black, in the latter region extending up to the lower white
stripe, but in the anterior area bounded above and anteriorly by dark metallic green; the
orbital region and anterior half of the crest between the white lines metallic reddish-pur-
ple; forehead, crown, and posterior portion of the crest metallic green; terminal portion
of the crest, above, laterally, and beneath, dark metallic violet. Chest rich purplish chest-

nut, witha metallic-purple gloss laterally, the front and lower part marked with deltoid
spots of white, growing larger toward the breast; breast and abdomen immaculate white;
sides of the breast with a broad white transverse bar, and a wide black one immediately
behind it; sides and flanks pale fulvous-buff delicately waved with black, each of the broad
feathers forming the upper border beautifully marked with two black crescentic bars, in-
closing a white one; crissum dull black, fading gradually into dull rusty-fulyous on the
anal region, Back, lesser wing-coverts, and rump dark slaty brownish, very faintly glossed
with bronze, the wing-coverts more slaty, the ramp much darker, and gradually deepening

* into black toward the upper tail-coverts, which, with the tall, are deep black, the latter with
bronze-green reflections in certain lights; a somewhat ovate patch (pointed posteriorly) of

» rich dark metallic maroon-purple on each side of the ramp, immediately behind the flanks;

~

= —- a ee eee a |

1Aix galericulata Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 128,—Aix galericulata Borg, Isis, 1828,329.

—20

et To a ee,

154 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

just behind this, the two or three elongated lateral upper tail-coverts are marked with a
central stripe of deep fulvous, falling gracefully over the sides of the crissum. Tertials and
posterior scapulars intense black, with rich velvety reflections of blue, green, and purple
(chiefly the first), in certain lights; the longest tertial tipped with a wide bar of white, the
next black to the end, the third much shorter, much narrower than the rest, pointed, and
of a dull greenish-bronze color;! middle and greater wing-coverts steel-blue, narrowly
tipped with black; secondaries (“speculum”) purplish steel-blue, narrowly tipped with
white, and with a narrow sub-terminal black bar; primary-coverts slate-color; primaries
with the exposed ends uf the inner webs steel-blue, the ends of the outer webs grayish or
glaucous-white, becoming slate-color basally; lining of the wing spotted with slate-color
and white. Sagittate longitudinal space on the culmen, and terminal “nail” of the bill deep
polished black; an oblong space of milk-white from nostril to the ‘nail;” a line or border
of gamboge-yellow following the basal outline of the bill; rest of bill dark purplish red,
deepening into scarlet just behind the nostril. Iris bright orange-red; eyelids deep yer-
milion; legs and feet dull chrome-yellow, the webs and joints dusky.2. Total length, about
19.00 inches; extent, 29.00; wing, 9.00-9.50; culmen, 1.40; tarsus, 1.40; middle toe, 1.70. Aduit
female: Feathers bordering the base of the bill all round, a space on side of the head sur-
rounding the eyes and extending backward in a point toward the occiput, chin, and whole
throat white; remainder of the head plumbeous or slate-gray, the crown and slight occip-
ital crest glossed with metallic green; chest brownish, the feathers marked centrally with
fulvous-buff, those toward the breast tipped with white; remaining lower parts white, the
crissum freckled with dusky grayish, the sides and flanks raw-umber brown, spotted with
brownish white; back, rump, and upper tail-coverts hair-brown, glossed, in certain lights,
with bronze and reddish purple; tail brightly glossed with greenish bronze; scapulars and
tertials olive-brown, richly glossed with reddish purple and bronze; wings as in the
adult male, but secondaries more widely tipped with white, and the four upper greater-
coverts rich metallic reddish purple, more bluish in the centre, bronzy toward the edge
and base; and narrowly tipped with velvety black. Bill dark plumbeous, the nail and lon-
gitudinal space on the culmen black; eyelids chrome-yellow; iris raw-sienna; legs and
feet yellowish brown.’ Totallength, about 17.75 inches; extent, 28.00; wing, 8.50; culmen,
1.30; tarsus, 1.35; middle toe, 1.60. Downy young: Above, deep hair-brown, darker, or
clove-brown, on the pileum and tail; a dingy whitish bar along the posterior border of the
arm-wing, and a roundish spot of the same on each side of the rump. Lores, superciliary
stripe extending back nearly to the occiput, with lateral and under parts of the head gen-
erally, bright sulphury-buff, crossed by a wide stripe of blackish brown extending from
the occiput forward to the eye; remaining lower parts dingy white, the sides brownish,
this crossed on the flanks by an indistinct whitish bar.

1 There is in this species a very strange and probably altogether peculiar arrangement
of the tertials, longer scapulars, and inner secondaries, both as to form and colors. The
exposed surface of the first appears continuously intense black, as deseribed above; but
upon lifting the feathers it is seen that between each two there is a concealed one of differ-
ent form and ¢olor—narrow and pointed, instead of broad and nearly truncated, and dull
bronzy, instead of deep black. Of these bronzy feathers, only the last (or the longest scap-
ular) has its tip exposed; the innermost secondary is the longest, and is entirely intense
black to the tip; the next is very much (nearly an inch) shorter, entirely concealed, and
also wholly black; the third is little, if any, shorter than the first, but is marked at the end
by abroad bar of pure white; the fourth is a little shorter, without any white at the tip,
and the outer web chiefly reddish purple; this, like the third, has the outer web much
widened terminally.

2 Fresh colors of a specimen killed October 19, at Mount Carmel, Ill.
’ Fresh colors of a specimen killed October 14, at Mount Carmel, Il.
4 Deseribed from No. 84,725, obtained at Mount Carmel, Il, July 17, 1871.

ANATID.E—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 155

The exquisitely beautiful Wood Duck, or Summer Duck, is
very generally distributed throughout the timbered portions of
Illinois, its favorite haunts being wooded bottom-lands, where
it frequents the streams and ponds, and nests in hollows of the
largest trees. It usually comes from the south very early in the
spring (February or March, according to the latitude and the
character of the season), departing again in September or Oc-
tober. Sometimes, however, it may be found during mild win-
ters in the southern parts of the state.

“Wilson narrates that on the 18th of May he visited a tree
containing a nest of a Summer Duck, on the banks of Tuckahoe
River, New Jersey. This tree stood on a declivity twenty yards
from the water; and in its hollow and broken top, about six
feet down, on the soft decayed wood, were thirteen eggs covered
with down from the mother’s breast. The eggs were of an ex-
act oval shape, the surface finely polished and fine grained, of
a yellowish color, resembling old polished ivory, and measured
2.12 by 1.50 inches. This tree had been occupied by the same
pair, during the breeding-time, for four successive years. Wil-
son’s informant, who lived within twenty yards of the tree, had
seen the female, the spring preceding, carry down thirteen young,
one by one in less than ten minutes. She caught them in her
bill by the wing or the back of the neck, and landed them safely
at the foot of the tree, and finally led them to the water. In
evidence of the unwillingness of this species to abandon its
breeding-place, Wilson mentions that under this tree a large sloop
lay on the stocks, its deck not more than ten feet distant from
the nest. Notwithstanding the presence and noise of the work-
men, the Ducks would not abandon their old home, but contin-
ued to pass out and in, as if no person were near. While the
female was laying, and afterward, when she was setting, the
male usually perched on an adjoining limb, and kept watch.
The common note of the drake was peet-peet, and when, stand-
ing sentinel, he apprehended danger, he made a noise not unlike
the crowing of a young cock, oe-eeh.

“The Wood Duck, has been repeatedly tamed and partially
domesticated, and of this statement there are many well-at-
tested cases on record. My own attempts to effect this, how-
ever, have been unsuccessful, the old birds remaining wild, and

4

ae a

Poa ee

ew ee ee’ —-

aS he at ta

156 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

not breeding. Wilson was informed of an instance where a resi-
dent near Gunpowder Creek had a yard swarming with Wood
Ducks which were completely domesticated. Audubon also gives
an interesting account of his attempts to tame and domesticate
this duck, in which he so far succeeded that the birds bred with-
in his grounds, in boxes. The wild ducklings when taken were
put in the bottom of empty flour-barrels; but he soon found
that they could raise themselves from the bottom to the brim
by moving a few inches at a time up the side, lifting foot after
foot, by means of their diminutive hooked claws, when they
would tumble over, and run in every direction. They fed freely
on corn-meal soaked in water, and, as they grew, caught flies with
great expertness.” (Water Birds of North America.)

Genus AYTHYA Bore.

Aythya Bots, Isis, 1822, 564. Type, by elimination, Anas ferina LINN.

Gen. CHAR. Hind toe witha broad membranous lobe, or “flap”: feathering on lores
or forehead not reaching beyond posterior border of nostril; graduation of tail less than
length of bill from nostril; loral feathering with a decidedly convex anterior outline; width
of nail less than one third the width of the bill across middle portion. Adult males with
the head and part of the neck uniform chestnut or black, the lower neck uniform black (ex-
ceptin afew exotic species); back and scapulars waved with white and black; speculum
bluish gray, or white tipped with black; lower parts white. Adult females with head.
neck, chest, and upper parts plain brownish, the head paler, or whitish, next the bill; specu-
lum as in the male.

~

The American species of this genus are ranged under three sub-
genera, as follows:

A. Culmen longer than inner toe, with claw; bill not wider near end than at base; head
and neck reddish in adult males.

1. Aythya, Billmuch shorter than middle toe, without claw, its greatest width nearly
half the length of the culmen, the end moderately depressed, and the nail decidedly
hooked.

2. Aristonetta, Culmen as long as middle toe, without claw, its greatest width not
more than one third the length of the culmen; the end much flattened, and nail
very slightly hooked.

B. Culmen as long as outer toe, with claw, bill wider at end than at base; head and neck
black in adult males.

3. Fuligula,

ANATIDA—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. asf (

Supcenus Aythya Bor.

Aythya Bor, Isis, 1822, 564, Type, by elimination, Anas ferina LINN.

SupGen. Coan. Culmen longer than inner toe, with claw; bill not wider near end than
at base,much shorter than middle toe without claw,its greatest width nearly half the length
of the culmen, the end moderately depressed, and the nail decidedly hooked. Adult males
with the head and upper neck reddish.

Only one American species, the common Red-head (A. ameri-
cana), belongs to this subgenus. It is a near relative of, but
is decidedly distinct from, the Pochard, of Europe, A. ferina
(LINN.).

Aythya americana (lyt.)

RED-HEAD,

Popular synomyms, Red-headed Duck; American Pochard; Red-headed Broad-bill: Red-
headed Raft Duck.
Anas ferina Wits. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 110, pl. 70 fig. 6 (not Lrnn.).
Fuliqula ferina Bonar. Synop. 1828, 892.—Sw. & Rieu, F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 452.—Nurr. Man.
ii, 1834, 434.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 198, pl. 322; Synop. 1839, 287; B. Am. vi, 1848, 311,
pl. 396.
Fuligula americana Eyton, Mon. Anat. 1838, 155.
Aythya ferina O americana Bonar, Compt. Rend. xliii, Sept. 1856, 651.
Aythya americana Barry, B. N. Am. 1858, 793: Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 591.—Rmaw.
Orn, 40th Par. 1877, 624; Man. N. Am. B, 1887, 101.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 146.
Athyia americana Scu. & Sauv. Nom. Neotr. 1873.—Ripew. Nom. B. 1881, No. 618.
—B.B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 36.
Aythya ferina, var. americana ALLEN, Bull. M. C. Z. iii, 1872, 183.
Fuligula ferina, var. americana Covss, Key, 1872, 289; Check List, 1873, No. 508; B. N.
W. 1874, 575.—Hensu. Zo6dl Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 480.
Fuligula ferina americana Covuxs, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 723.
Aythya erythrocephala Bonar, Comp. List, 1838, 58.

Has, The whole of North America, breeding from central California, Minnesota, nor-
thern Iowa, Wisconsin, Michigan, and Maine, to the Fur Countries; Bahamas, Central
America, ete., in winter.

Sp. Cuan. Bill much shorter than the middle toe (without claw), broad, the end mod-
erately depressed, and with the nail decidedly decurved, the culmen about two and a half
times the greatest width of the maxilla, and decidedly concave. Adult male: Head and
upper half, or more, of the neck rich reddish chestnut, the latter glossed with reddish pur-
ple; lower part of the neck, chest, anterior part of the back, lower part of the rump, upper
tail-coverts, and crissum, black; back, scapulars, sides, and flanks, densely vermiculated
with white and dusky in about equal proportion: anal region similarly, but more faintly,
marked; entire abdomen immaculate white; wing-coverts deep plumbeous-gray, faintly
and minutely sprinkled with white; secondaries (“‘speculum”) pale bluish gray, the upper
feathers edged with black, the others narrowly tipped with white; primaries dusky, the in-
ner quills slate-gray, except at ends; tail dusky. Bill pale blue, the end black; iris bright yel-
low: feetlight gray. Adult /emale: Head and neck grayish brown, darkest above; ths anterior

_ part of the head lighter, almost white on the chin and upper part of the throat; chest, sides,
and flanks dull grayish brown, the feathers tipped with fulvous; wings asin the male, but
the coyerts plain slate-color; back and scapulars grayish brown, the feathers with paler

a
\
,
-«

158 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

tips; rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail dusky grayish brown; anal region paler; lower tail-
coverts whitish. Bill grayish; the end black; iris yellow; feet grayish. Downy young:
Above, ochreous olive-brown, indistinctly relieved by an olive-yellow spot back of each
wing, one on the hind border of each arm-wing, and one on each side of the rump; entire
head and neck (except pileum and nape), with whole lower parts deep, buff-yellow, paler
and less yellow on abdomen and anal region. No dark markings whatever on side of head.
Bill and feet light colored (brownish in dried skin).

Total length, about 20.00-21.00 inches; extent, 33.00; wing, about 8.50; culmen, 2.05-2.25;
greatest width of bill, .75-.85; tarsus, 1.60-1.65; middle toe, 2.30-2. 40.

The Red-heads arriye in Illinois from the south in March, and
continue northward to their breeding grounds, which extend
from Wisconsin, Michigan, and others of the ‘‘northern tier” of
States, to the Fur Countries. They return in October.

Where it can obtain the same food, the Red-head is quite as
good eating as the celebrated Canvas-back (A. vallisneria),
though it never commands so high a price in the markets. In
short, it is more the costly character of the latter, together
with its high reputation, than any real superiority of its flesh,
that creates the greater demand for it.

The Red-head was found nesting on the St. Clair finta, Michi-
gan, by Mr. W. H. Collins, who thus describes some of its
breeding’ habits :!

“The past season I had the good fortune to find two nests
of the Red-head Duck (Aythya americana), containing respec-
tively seven and eight eggs. The first was placed on some
drifted rushes on a sunken log, and was composed of flags and
rushes evidently taken from the pile of drift upon the log, as
they were short pieces, so short, in fact, that the nest when
lifted with the hands fell in pieces. The nest was about four
inches deep, and lined with down from the female. This nest
contained seven fresh eges of a creamy color, and [s?c] varied in
measurements from 2.380X1.75 to 2.22X1.66 inches, and were
of a uniform oval shape, very little smaller at one end. The
other nest was built similar to a Coot’s nest, that is, of flags
and grass interwoven at the base of a bunch of flags, growing
in water three or four feet deep. It was built in such a way
that the nest would rise and fall with the water. This nest also
contained down and eight fresh eves, uniform in size, shape, and
color with the others. The birds, male and female, were flying
around, and often came quite close to me. The ery of the

1 Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, y, 1880, pp. 61-62.

ANATID.E—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUOKS.

r! By Pe x: ee nale resembled the cry of the Mallard so nearly that, had I
ee heard and not seen the bird, I should have supposed it to be
_ the Mallard.”

—

Supcenus Aristonetta Barrp.

5 - Aristonetta Barry, B. N. Am. 1858, 793, in text. Type, Anas vallisneria Wits.

! SupGen. Cuan. Culmen nearly or quite as long as middle toe, without claw, and equal
to three times the greatest width of the bill; end of bill much flattened, and nail very
_ slightly hooked. Otherwise like Aythya, the coloration, in particular, very similar.

: This subgenus contains only one species, the celebrated Canvas-
; :
oe. back of wide range but local fame.

Aythya vallisneria (Wils.)
" i ;
fe CANVAS-BACK,
é

= Popular synonyms, Canvas-back Duck; White-back; Canard Cheval (New Orleans); Bull-
neck; Red-headed Bull-neck.

Anas vallisneria Was. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 103, pl. 7, fig. 3.
Fuligula vallisneria STEPHENS, Shaw's Gen. Zodl. xii, pt. ii, 1824, 196.—Sw. & Ric. F.

1839, 285; B. Am. vi, 1843, 299, pl. 395.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 290; Check List, 1873, No. 504;

ed. 2, 1882, No. 724; B. N. W. 1874, 575.

: Aythya vallisneria Bor, Isis, 1826, 980.—Patrrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 794: Cat. N. Am. B. 1859,
No. 592.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 147.—Ripaw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 625; Man. N.
Am. B. 1887, 102.

ABthyia vallisneria Sou. & Sary. Nom, Neotr. 1873.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No.

617.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884. 30.

L : Aristonetta vallisneria Baten, B. N. Am. 1858, 793 (in text).

Has. Nearly the whole of North America, breeding from the northwestern States
northward to Alaska; south in winter to Guatemala.

.
Pa
% Sp. Cuan. Bill long and narrow, the end much depressed, with the nail scarcely de-
5 curyed, the base high, with the culmen gradually sloping and searcely concave; culmen
oe nearly as long as the middle toe (without claw),and about three times the greatest width of
os. the maxilla, Adult male: Head and neck chestnut-rufous, the former brownish dusky
P (sometimes quite blackish) anteriorly and on top; chest and anterior part of the back, lower
part of rump, upper tail-coverts, and posterior part of crissum black; back, scapulars,
flanks, sides, and anal region white, finely and delicately vermiculated with dusky; breast
and abdomen immaculate white. Wing-coverts deep ash-gray, finely sprinkled with
white; secondaries (“speculum”) lighter, more bluish, gray, the upper feathers edged with
black; tertials like the longer scapulars; primaries slate-color, the inner quills more ashy,
except at ends, where dusky; taildusky. Bill entirely greenish black; iris carmine-red;
feet bluish gray. Adult female: Head, neck, chest, and anterior part of back raw-umber
brown, 4 postocular space and the foreneck whitish, the chin, throat, and cheeks tinged
with fulvous; wings as in the male, but coverts almost or quite uniform gray; back, scap-
ulars, sides, and flanks with only the exposed ends of the feathers yermiculated with white
and dusky, the remainder being grayish brown. Bill greenish black; iris brownish red;
feet grayish. :

B.-A. ii, 1831, 451.—Nurv. Man. ii, 1834, 430.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 1, pl. 301; Synop. °

a c . we a eee a
= %

2

160 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Total length, about 20.00 to 22.00 inches; extent, 30.00 to 33.00; wing, 8.75-9.25; culmen,
2.10-2.50; greatest width of bill, .75-.80; tarsus, 1.70; middle toe, 2.60-2.65.

Many persons experience difficulty in distinguishing the Can-
vas-back from the Red-head. An examination of the bill alone,
however, is sufficient to distinguish them with absolute cer-
tainty, this member being radically distinct in shape in the two
birds, as shown by the diagnostic character of the subgenera
which they respectively represent, on page 156. The plum-
age of the adult males, while somewhat similar, will be seen
on comparison to be really quite different. The Canvas-back
has the front part of the head dusky, or blackish, the rest of
the head, with the whole neck, being rusty chestnut. The Red-
head, on the other hand, has the, whole head, and only the
upper half of the neck, a much brighter reddish chestnut, with
purple gloss. The back and scapulars are much whiter in the
Canvas-back, and this species has a wholly blackish bill and
red eyes, while the Red-head has a leaden-blue, black- saree bill
and yellow eyes.

The famous Canvas-back, so higly prized by eastern epicures,
is an abundant migrant in Illinois, as indeed it is entirely across

’ the continent. It breeds from Minnesota northward, and winters
in the Southern States, chiefly along the South Atlantic and
Gulf coasts, though it has been known to occur in mild winters
in the southern part of Illinois.

Whatever the cause may be, the opinion held as to the edi-
ble qualities of this species varies greatly in different parts of
the country. Nowhere has it so high a reputation as in the
vicinity of Chesapeake Bay, where the alleged superior quality
of its flesh is ascribed to the circumstance that it there feeds
chiefly on the ‘‘water celery” ( Vallisneria spiralis). That this
supposed explanation is wholly fallacious, however, is evident
from the fact that the same plant grows in far greater abund-
ance in the upper Mississippi Valley, where, also, the Canvas-
back feeds on it. Hence it is highly probable that fashion and
imagination, or perhaps a superior style of cooking and serving,
play a very important part in the case.

In California, however, where the Val/isneria does not grow,
the Canvas-back is considered a very inferior bird for the table.

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 161

“This species,” says Dr. Brewer, “in and around Chesapeake
Bay, has long been regarded as preéminent for the richness and
delicacy of the flavor of its flesh; and it is claimed by many
that no wild-fowl in any part of the world can vie in this re-
spect with the Canvas-back of these waters. It has been hunted
on the Chesapeake and its tributaries with unrelenting greed,
until its numbers have been greatly reduced, and many have
been driven to more southern regions. This bird always com-
mands a ready sale; and even when seut to the market by
thousands, always brings a high price. While a few Canvas-
backs are met with in the waters of the Hudson, the Delaware,
and in other eastern rivers, by far the larger portion of them
resort to Chesapeake Bay and adjacent waters. Of late years,
its numbers have greatly increased along the short rivers of
North Carolina. It is also found in abundance on the western
lakes, and is particularly numerous on Lake Koskonong, in
southern Wisconsin. In March I have seen the markets of
Chicago well supplied with this duck; and although they are in
no wise superior to the Mallard, the Pin-tail, the Teals, and
other ducks, yet commanding twice the market price of any
other species.”

SuBGENUS FULIGULA STEPHENS.

Fuligula SterHeENs, Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii, 1824, 187. Type, by elimination, Anas fuligula
Lin.

Fuliz Sunpev. Kong. Vet. Ak. Hand, 1835, 129. (No type designated, but restricted to the
group of which Anas marila Lxnn. is typical, by Professor Bargp, in B. N. Am. 1858,
790.) .

Marila Boxar. Compt. Rend. xliii. Sept. 1856, 651. (Not of REIcHENBACH, 1852.)

Nettarion Barry, B. N. Am. 1858, 790 (in text). Type, Anas marila, LINN.

Supcen. Cuan. Bill longer than the tarsus (about as long as the head), very broad and
much depressed for the terminal half, the edges nearly parallel or slightly divergent termi-
nally; lower edge of the maxilla strongly convex, concealing all of the mandible except the

basal portion. Colors chiefly black and white (the head, neck, and chest black, lower parts

white) in the adult male; the black replaced by brownish in the female.

The North American species, all of which occur in Illinois,
may be distinguished as follows:
A. Speculum white, tipped with black.

1. A. marila nearctica. Flanks usually immaculate white; length 18.00—20, culmen
1.85-2.20; black of head glossed with green.

Al

162 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

2. A. affinis. Flanks vermiculated or zigzagged with blackish.
Similar to A. marila nearctica (ineluding absence of distinct white spaces on six
inner quills), but black of head in male glossed with purplish, instead of green;
length 15.00-16.50, culmen 1.58-1.90,
B. Speculum bluish gray.
3. A, collaris,

Aythya marila nearctica Stejn. -

AMERICAN SCAUP DUCK.

Popular synonyms. Big Black-head; Big Blue-bill; Lake Blue-bill; Broad-bill; Bay
Broad-bill; Raft Duck (Virginia); Big Fall Duck (Huds. Bay Terr.); Shuffler; Bay
Shuffler; Troop Duck; Flock Duck (Maryland); Bull-neck.

?Anas marila Wits. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 84, pl. 69, fig. 3 (may be FI’. affinis).

Fuligula marila Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 453 (part; includes /. affinis)—Nutt. Man.
ii, 1834, 437 (do.).—-Aub. B. Am. vii, 1843, 355, pl. 498 (not of vi, 1843 316, pL 397, nor of
his earlier works, which = J’. affinis)—Covuss, Key, 1872, 289; Check List, 1873, No.
500; ed. 2, 1882, No. 720; B. N. W. 1874, 573.—HEnsu. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 479.

Fulix marila Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 791; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 588.—Ripew. Orn.
40th Par. 1877, 625; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 614.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii,
1884. 18. ;

Aythya marila nearctica Stein. Orn. Expl. Kamtsch. 1885, 161.—A. O. U. Check List,
1886, No. 148.—Ripew. Man, N. Am. B. 1887, 103.

Has. North America in general, breeding far north; in winter, as far south as Central
America and the West Indies.

Sr. CuHar. Adult male: Head, neck, and chest black, the first with a greenish gloss;
back and scapulars white, irregularly waved or vermiculated with zigzag lines of black;
wing-coverts dusky, finely grizzled with grayish white; sccondaries white, tipped, and
sometimes narrowly edged, with black; tertials black, with a very faint bottle-green reflee-
tion; primary-coverts dusky black; primaries similar, but the inner quills pale grayish
on outer webs, except at ends, the gray growing whiter on the shorter feathers; rump, upper
tail-coverts, tail, and crissum, dull black. Lower parts between the ehest and crissum white,
the posterior portion (and sometimes the sides and flanks) zigzagged with dusky. Bill
pale blue (or bluish white) in life, the nail black; iris bright yellow; legs and feet pale slate.
Adultfemale: Head and neck sepia-brown, the anterior portion of the former, all round the
base of the bill, white; chest, anal region, and crissum, pale grayish brown, fading gradually
into the white of the breast and abdomen; sides and flanks deeper brown; above, brownish
dusky, the back and seapulars but faintly or not at all grizzled with white; wings much as
in the male.

Total length, about 18 to 20 inches; extent, 29.50 to 35.00; wing, 8.25-9.00; culmen, 1.85-
2.20; width of bill near end, .85-1.05, at base, .70-.90; tarsus, 1.40-1.60; middle toe, 2.25-2.45.

While usually, perhaps, only a transient migrant, the Big
Black-head not unfrequently ,passes the winter in the southern
portions of Illinois. Its breeding range extends from Manitoba
to the Arctic coast.

Like the Canvas-back, the Black-head is very fond of the
roots of the “water celery” (Vadlisneria spiralis), and, accord-
ing to Dr. Brewer, is one of the very few ducks that are able
to dive and pull up these roots.

ee

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 163

Aythya affinis (Byt.)

LESSER SCAUP DUCK.

Popular synonyms. Littlo Black-head; Little Blue-bill; River Blue-bill; March Blue-
bill; Mud Blue-bill; Broad-bill; Creek Broad-bill (Long Island); pato boludo de
cabeza café (Mexico); River Shuffler.

Fuligula marila Aup, Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 226; y. 1839, 614, pl. 229; Synop. 1839, 286; B. Am.

vi, 1843, 316, pl. 397.
Fuligula affinis Eyvon, Mon. Anat. 1838, 157—Covgs, Key, 1872, 289; Check List, 1873, No.
501; 2d ed. 1882, No. 721; B. N. W. 1874, 573.
Fuliz affinis Barry, B. N. Am. 1858, 791; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 589.—Rrp@w. Orn. 40th
Par. 1877, 625; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 615.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 22.
Aythya affinis Stem. Orn, Expl. Kamtsch. 1885, 161.—A. O. U, Check List, 1886, No. 149.—
Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 103.
Buligula minor Bex, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. i, 1842, 141.—Grravp, B. Long. i, 1844, 323.

Has. The whole of North America, south to Guatemala and the West Indies; breeds
chiefly north of the United States.

Sp. Cuan. Similar to A. marila nearctica, but considerably smaller; adult male with
the head less glossy and the gloss usually purplish instead of green; flanks waved or zig-
zageed with blackish. Total length, about 15.00-17.00 inches; extent, 26.00-27.75; wing, 7.50-
8.25 (average 7.81); culmen, 1.58-1.90 (1.75); greatest width of bill, .80-.95 (.89); least width of
bill .60-.78 (.69); tarsus, 1.15-i.50; middle toe, 2.00-2,25.

In addition to the characters of coloration mentioned above,
the lower part of the neck is usually dull brownish and quite
lustreless, in many examples forming as distinct a collar
as in some specimens of / col/aris, though the color is never so
rufescent as in the latter species.

The Little Black-head has much the same range and essen-
tially the same habits as its larger relative (A. marila nearctica),
though, as Dr. Brewer has truly said, it is extremely difficult,
if not at present quite impossible, to state just wherein the two
differ in these respects, in consequence of the confusion of their
history resulting from the great similarity of their appearance.
Dr. Brewer further states that so far as his own observations
go, he is inclined to agree with Dr. Cooper in regarding the
present species as a much more decided frequenter of the land
than the other, and adds that “it is quite probable that much
that has been written by Audubon and others in regard to the
Scaup Duck, as seen on our rivers and lakes, may have had
reference only to this species.” ‘‘A careful examination,” says
he, “of Audubon’s account of the habits of the Secaup Duck
clearly indicates tii.t nearly all he says of if belongs in reality
to this species; au | this supposition is strengthened by the fact

164 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

that he floures and describes the afinis rather than the larger
Black-head. He speaks of observing the Scaup Duck by the
thousand on the Ohio, the Missouri, and the Mississippi, from
Pittsburg to New Orleans, where it occurred in such bands that
it was generally known as the ‘Flocking Fowl.’ These ducks
were seldom seen close together, and rarely associated. with
birds of other species. They seemed fond of large eddies below
projecting points of land, frequently diving to a considerable
distance in search of food. In such situations they might easily
be approached and shot; and when danger was near. they
seemed to prefer to escape by swimming and diving rather than
by flight, and they rose with some difficulty from the water.
Audubon noted that these ducks differed greatly in size, but
does not seem to have been led from this to suspect that they
really belonged to two distinct species.”’

Aythya collaris (Donoy.)

RING-NECKED DUCK.

Popular synonyms, Ring-billed Black-head; Ring-bill; Ring-billed Shuffler; Ring-necked
Seaup Duck, or Blue-bill; Bastard Broad-bil (Long Island); Fall Duck (Minnesota);
Black Jack (Illinois); Moon-bill (South Carolina); Pato boludo prieto (Mexico).

Anas collaris Donovan, Br. Birds, vi, 1809, pl. 147 (England).
Fuligula collaris Bonap. List B. Eur. 1842, 73.—Covss, Key, 1872, 289; Check List, 1873,
No. 502; 2d ed. 1882, No. 722; B. N. W. 1874, 574.—Hirnsu. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 479.
Fulix collaris Bargp, B. N. Am. 1858, 792; N. Am. Cat. B. 1859, No. 590.—Ripew. Orn. 40th
Par. 1877, 625; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 616.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am, ii, 1884, 25.
Aythya collaris Ripew. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 356; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 104.—A.
O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 150.
Anas fuligula Wiis. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 66, p]. 67, fig. 5 (not of Linn. 1766).
Anas (Fuligula) rufitorques Bonar, Jour. Phila. Acad. iii, 1824, 381.
Fuligula rufitorques Bonap. Synop. 1828, 393.—Sw. & Rieu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 454—Nurr.
Man. ii, 1834, 489.—A UD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 259, pl. 234; Synop, 1839, 287; B. Am. vi,
1843, 320, pl. 398,
Haz. The whole of North America, south to Guatemala and the West Indies; breeding
from Iowa, southern Wisconsin, Minnesota, and Maine northward. Accidental in Europe.

Sp. CHAR. Adult male: Head, neck, chest, crissum, and upper parts generally, black,
the head and neck with a faint violet gloss, the wing-coverts inclining to slate; secondaries
(“speculum”) bluish gray, darker sub-terminally, and very narrowly tipped with white;
primaries slate-gray, the outer quills and ends of the others dusky. A triangular spot of
white on the chin, and a more or less distinct collar of chestnut round the lower neck;
breast and abdomen white, abruptly defined anteriorly against the black of the chest, but
changing insensibly into the black on the erissum, througha graduated barring or trans-
verse mottling of white and dusky; sides white, delicately waved with grayish dusky.
Axillars and lining of the wing immaculate white, Bill lead-color, with a narrow basal and
broad sub-terminal band of bluish white, the end black; iris bright yellow; legs and feet

a

a

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. — 165

pale slaty. Adult female: Crown and nape dull dark brown, becoming gradually lighter
below; rest of the head paler and grayer, the anterior half of the lores, the chin, throat, and

toreneck nearly or quite white; chest, sides, and flanks, deep fulyous or raw-umber brown;

breast and abdomen white; anal region dull brown, longer feathers of the crissum whitish;
wings as in the male; remaining upper parts dull dark brown, the feathers of the back nar-
nowly tipped with fulvous. Bands on the bill narrower and less distinct than in the male;
iris yellow; feet slaty. ~

Total length, about 16 to 18 inches; extent, 24-27; culmen, 1.75-2.00; tarsus, 1.30-145;
middle toe, 2.00-2,15.

Downy young: Above, grayish umber-brown, relieved by seven spots of light buff, as
follows: A small and inconspicuous spotin the middle of the back, between, and a little
anterior to, the wings; a large patch on each side the back; another on each side
the rump, at the base of the tail; and a bar across the posterior border of each wing.
Crown, occiput, and nape crossed longitudinally by a wide stripe of deep grayish umber; a
roundish isolated spot of light grayish brown directly over the ears; remainder of the head,
including the forehead, and lower parts generally, light dingy buff, the flanks crossed by a
brown transverse stripe from the rump to the tibia. Side of the head without any longi-
tudinal stripes.

The chief variation in the plumage of this species consists in
the distinctness of the chestnut collar in the male. In some ex-
amples this is scarcely more conspicuous than in A. afinis, being
dull brown instead of reddish; but usually the color is a well-
defined chestnut, particularly in front.

The female of this species resembles very closely in coloration
that of the Red-head (A. americana), but may be readily dis-
tinguished by the very different proportions, the average
measurements of the two being about as follows:

A. americana, Wing8.50, culmen 1.90, greatest width of bill .85, least width .75, tarsus 1.60,
middle toe 2.30.

A. collaris, Wing 7.50, culmen 1.80, greatest width of bill .85, least width .65, tarsus 1.35,
middle toe 2.00.

There is very littie in the habits of this species to distinguish
it from the other “‘black-heads.”’ Like them, it usually asso-
ciates in small flocks, and its flesh is‘excellent, being fat, tender,
and juicy. It often passes the winter in the southern portions
of Hlinois.

Genus GLAUCIONETTA SrTEJNEGER.

Clangula Fuem. Philos. Jour. ii, 1822, 260. Type, Anas clangula Linn. (Nec LEacu, 1819.)
Glaucion Kaur, Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 53. Same type. (Veco OKEN 1816.)
Glaucionetta StTEBIN. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. viii, Sept. 14, 1885, 409, Same type.

Gen. Cuan. Bill much shorter than the head, deep through the base, the lateral out-
lines converging toward the tip, which is rather pointed than rounded; lamella completely
hidden by the overhanging edge of the maxilla; nostrila situated about midway between

:
|

166 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

the base and end of the bill; tarsus longer than the culmen; tail rather long (about half the
wing), of sixteen feathers. Colors, pied white and black in the male, brown and white in
the female.

Adult males haye the head and upper neck black, glossed with green, blue, or violet,
and relieved by a white patch between billand eye; upper parts pied black and white,
lower parts entirely white, the flanks streaked with black. Females with head and upper
neck brown, chest and part of upper surface grayish, collar round neck and most of lower
parts white; wing dusky, with white on wing-coverts and secondaries. Young males
similar to adult females, but white loral spot of adult more or less distinctly indicated, and
gray of chest less extensive (sometimes quite obsolete). Males in post-nuptial plumage
are similar to young male, but wing-coverts more continuously white.

Two species are known, both of which occur in North America, :
though one of them is here represented by a race or sub-species
distinguished from the Old World typical form by its large size.

The two species may be distinguished as follows:

1. G, clangula americana, Height of upper mandible at base, measured from extremity
of frontal angle to nearest point on cutting edge, less than distarce from anterior
point of loral feathering to anterior ene of nostril; and usually little if any greater
than distance from the latter point to tip of upper mandible.

2. G, islandica. Height of upper mandible at base, measured from extremity of frontal
angle to nearest point on cutting edge, equal to distance from anterior point of loral
feathering to anterior end of nostril, and much greater than distance from the latter
point to tip of upper mandible.

Glaucionetta clangula americana (Bonap.)

AMERICAN GOLDEN-EYE.

Popular synonyms. Whistler; Whistle-wing; Great Head; Brass-eye; Merry-wing; Cob-
head or Cub-head; Iron-head,

Anas clangula Wiis. Am, Orn. viii, 1814, 62, pl, 67, fig. 5. (Nee Linn.)
Fuligula clangula Bonap. Synop. 1828, 393.—Nutr. Man, ii, 1834, 441.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv,
1888, 318, pl. 342; Synop. 1839, 292; B. Am. vi, 1843, 362, pl. 406 (includes is/andica).
Bucephala clangula Couks, Key, 1872, 290; Check List, 1873, No. 505; B. N. W. 1874, 576.—
Hensu. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 480.
Clangula glauciwm Cougs, Check List. 2d ed. 1882, No, 725.
Clangula vulgaris Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 456.
Clangula americana Bonar. Comp. List, 1838, 58.
Bucephala americana Barry, B, N. Am. 1858, 796; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 598.
Clangula glaucium americana Ripew. Proce. U.S. Nat. Mus, iii, 1880, 204; Nom, N, Am.
B. 1881, No, 620.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 44. ‘
Bucephala clangula b. americana Ripew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 626.
Glaucionetla clangula americana STEIN. Proc. U. 8, Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 409.—A. O. U.
Cheek List, 1886, No. 151.—Rimpew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 105.

Has. The whole of North America, breeding from Maine and the British Provinces
northward; south to Cuba in winter.

Sp. Cuan. Adult male: Head and upper half of neck black, glossed with dark green,
varying to violet; a roundish white spot between the rictus and the eye, but not reaching to
the latter; back, inner scapulars, tertials, rump, and upper tail-coverts, deep black; lower
half of the neck (all round), lower parts, outer scapulars, posterior lesser, middle, and greater

4 the rietus, and considerably below the eyes, the chest, sides, and thighs deep sooty brown,
Bhs, lighter and more grayish on the chest; the brown of the upper parts relieved by about eight
. 7 spots of grayish white, as follows: one on the posterior border (secondary region) of each
4 wing; one on each side the back; one on each side the rump, at the base of the tail; and one
a on each flank just before the brown of the thighs. Chin, throat, and cheeks pure white, in
Pe: abrupt and decided contrast to the brown, which entirely surrounds it; remaining lower
7 parts grayish white. Bill brownish; nail yellowish.

Adult male: Total length, about 18.50 to 20.00 inches; extent 31.00; wing, about 9.25;
length of bill, from tip to end of basal angle, 1.85; depth at base, 1.00; width, .85; tarsus, 1 60;
middle toe, 2.50. Adult female: Total length, 16.50; extent, 26.75; wing, 8.25; culmen, 1.60;
depth of bill at base, .90; width, .70; tarsus, 1.40; middle toe, 2.20.

4 ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 167
’ ?
bp a : wing-coverts, and secondaries, pure white: anterior lesser wing-coverts, and outer edges
: of seapulars and flank feathers, and concealed portion of greater coverts, deep black; pri-
1 Ry maries blackish dusky; tail dull slate; sides of the anal region behind the flanks clouded
4 % with grayish. Bill black; iris bright yellow: feet orange-yellow, with dusky webs. Adult
ae Semale: Similar to that of G. islandica, but head and neck hair-brown or grayish brown,
my) _ rather than purplish sepia or snuff-brown; and white on the wing usually not interrupted
_-—séby a distinct black bar.
va : Downy young. Upper parts generally, including the whole upper half of the head, to
.

As stated under the head of @. ¢slandica (p. 169), we are un-
able to discover, in the material at our command (consisting
of upward of twenty specimens, including six unquestionable @.
islandica and many more equally undoubted @. clangula americana)
positive points of distinction between the female of the common
and that of Barrow’s Golden-eye. All specimens, however, pos-
sessing no dusky bar across the ends of the greater wing-
coyerts, interrupting the white wing-patch, should probably
be referred to the present species. The females of both species

, are so variable in every character we have tested that it is quite
impossible to say to which some examples should be referred.

Upon comparing a series of two males and as many females
of the European Golden-eye (G. clangula) with a very large
number of American specimens, we are unable to detect any dif-
ference in coloration. The difference in size, however, is so great,
and, moreover, constant, as fully to justify their separation as

| distinct races.

| The Golden-eye is a winter visitant to Lllinois, its breeding
i range extending, “from the the 42d parallel northward”
(BREWER), while its winter home is from about the same lat-
itude southward.

“On Long Island, as Mr. Giraud states, the Golden-eye is
better known among the hunters as the ‘Whistler,’ from the
peculiar noise produced by its wings when flying. By others it
is also called the “‘Great-head,” from its beautifully rich and
thickly crested head. On that island it is said to be a not very

168 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

abundant species, arriving therein company with other migra-
tory ducks. He met with it in the fall and spring on the Del-
aware and in Chesapeake Bay, as well as at Ege Harbor and
on Long Island. In the interior it is said to be much more
common. Its food seems to consist of smali shell and other
fish, which it procures by diving. In the fallits flesh is said to
be about equal or even superior to that of the Scaup Duck.
It is very shy, and is decoyed with great difficulty. In stormy
weather it often takes shelter in the coves with the Scaup Duck,
and there it may be more readily killed. It usually flies very
high, and the whistling sound produced by the action of its
wings is the only noise that it makes as it proceeds.

“Audubon found the Golden-eye abundant in South Carolina
during the winter, where at times it frequented the preserves of
the rice-planters. He also met with it at that season on the
water-courses of Florida. In the Ohio River he found it prefer-
ring the eddies and rapids, and there it was in the habit of
diving for its food. Naturally the Golden-eye is chiefly seen in
company with the Buffle-head, the Merganser, and other species
that are expert divers like itself. When wounded, unless badly
hurt, its power of diving and of remaining under water is so
remarkable that it cannot be taken.” (Water Birds of North
America. )

Glaucionetta islandica (Gmel.)

BARROW’S GOLDEN-EYE.

Popular synonyms, Rocky Mountain Golden-eye; Rocky Mountain Garrot.

Anas islandica GMEL. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 541.
Bucephala islandica Batrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 796; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 5914.—CovgEs,
Key, 1872, 290; Check List, 1873, No. 506; Birds N. W. 1874, 577.
Clangula islandica Bonap. Cat. Met. Uce. Eur. 1842, 74—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881,
No. 619.—Covurs, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 726.—B. B..& R. Water B. N. Am. ii,
1884, 41.
Glaucionetta islandica StHIN. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 409.—A. O. U. Cheok List,
1886, No. 152.—RipGw. Man. N. Am. B, 1887, 105.
Clangula barrovii Sw. & Rion. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 456 pl. 70 (male).
Fuligula barrovit Nur. Man. ii, 1834, 444.
Clangula scapularis BrEHM, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 932.
Fuligula clangula, var. AuD. Orn. Biog. vy, 1839, 105, pl. 408; Synop. 1839, 292 (part); B. Am.
vii, 1843, 362 (part; describes the species as supposed summer plumage of B, clangula).
.Has. Northern North America, south in winter to New York, Illinois, Utah, ete.;

breeding in high north, and south in the Rocky Mountains to Colorado. Greenland; Ice-
land; accidental in Europe,

ee, eee ae
“i he
a
ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS, 169

Sp. Cuar. Adult male: Head and upper half of the neck glossy blue-black, with re-
-). flections of green, blue, and violet, according to the light; a somewhat wedge-shaped ver-
tical patch of white across the anterior half of the lores, bordering the lateral base of the
_ bill, the upper part forming an acute angle on each side of the forehead, the lower part
rounded. Upper parts velvety black, with a soft bluish violet tings; outer row of scapulars
marked with a mesial cuneate stripe of satiny white, the greater portion of the stripes con-
cealed, so that the exposed portion forms roundish or oblong spots; middle wing-coverts
white, producing a broad bar; exposed terminal half of greater coverts, with the whole of
the exposed portion of the five or six inner secondaries, white, forming a large, somewhat
cuneate, patch. Outer feathers of the sides and flanks widely edged exteriorly with deep
black; femoral region and sides of crissum dull black. Lower half of neck (all round) and
entire lower parts (except as described) pure white. Bill black (in skin); iris bright yellow;
legs and feet pale. Adult female: Head and upper half of the neck dark sepia-brown,
. considerably darker and somewhat more purplish than in the female G. clangula ameri-
cana; lower part of the neck, all round, white, sometimes tinged with gray on the nape.
Upper parts dark grayish brown, the secapulars, interscapulars, and smaller wing-coverts
” tipped with lighter ash-gray; last two or three rows of middle wing-coverts tipped with
white, forming a broken, rather narrow, transverse patch; greater coverts with the ter-
minal half of their exposed portion white, as in the male, but distinctly tippped with black-
_ish, forming a conspicuous dusky bar between the white of the coverts and that of the in-
ner secondaries. Chest and sides ash-gray, the feathers darker and more uniform, the
flanks darker; other lower parts pure white. Bill usually parti-colored (black and yellow),
; but sometimes wholly black.

“ Adult male: Wing, 9.00-9.40 inches: culmen, 1.65-1.80; depth of bill at base, 95-1.10, width,
.75-.85; tarsus, 1.50-1.60; middle toe, 2.45-2.50. Adult female: Wing, 8.25-8.75 inches; cul-

men, 1.40-1.60; depth of bill, .85-.90; width, .70; tarsus, 1.30-1.60; middle toe, 2.15-2.20.

.
Bearing in mind the salient points of difference, as given above

and on page 166, there need be no difficulty in distinguishing the
adult male of this very distinct species from that of the com-
mon Golden-eye. With the female, however, the case is very dif-
ferent; the two species being so much alike that, with the series
at our command (about twenty specimens, including six un- :
questionably referable to (. 7slandica), we must acknowledge
_ our inability to give infallible points of distinction. The ex.
amples which are known to represent (. 7s/andica differ from
the positively determined females of G@.° clangula americana in
the following respects: (1) The color of the head and upper
half of the neck is considerably darker, being a rich sepia- or
snuff-brown, rather than grayish brown; (2) the greater wing-
coverts are distinctly tipped with black, forming a conspicuous
dusky stripe between the two larger white areas of the wing,
which in G. clangula americana are (usually, at least) merged 7
into one continuous space. Further than these we find no dis- y
tinction, while indeed some examples: are so decidedly inter-
mediate in both respects as to render it quite uncertain to

=.=

—22

170 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

which species they belong. Of the two characters named, how-
ever, the color of the head seems far the more constant, and
may, perhaps, be found quite distinctive.

All that can at present be said of Barrow’s Golden-eye as a
bird of Illinois is that it is a rare winter visitant, reaching here
about the southern limit of its distribution. Comparatively
little is known as to its habits, which, doubtless, in the main,
closely resemble those of the common species.

Genus CHARITONETTA STEJNEGER.

Charitonetta StrmN. Orn. Expl. Kamtsch, 1885, 163. Type, Anas albeola LINN.

Gen. CHAR. Similar to Glaucionetta, but nostril narrower and situated much farther
back, being behind the middle of the upper mandible instead of slightly anterior to the

middle; lamella hidden behind the edge of the maxilla; outer toe, with claw, decidedly

longer than middle toe, and tip of inner toe, without claw, reaching only to second joint of
middle toe; tail more than twice as long as tarsus, reaching beyond the folded wings by
nearly twice the length of the culmen.

This genus contains a single species, the beautiful little But-
ter-ball or Buffle-head (C. albeola).

Charitonetta albeola (Linn.)

BUFFLE-HEAD,

Popular synonyms, Butter-ball; Butter-box; Butter Duck; Spirit Duck; Dipper, or Di-
dipper, or Di-dapper; Marionette (New Orleans); Robin Dipper: Scotch Dipper,
Scotch Duck, Scotch Teal, or Scotchman (North Carolina); Wool-head (Currituck
Sound, N. C.).

Anas albeola Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 124; ed. 12, i, 1766, 199.—Wrus. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 51,
pl. 62, figs, 2,3.
Fuligula albeola Bonap. Synop. 1828, 394.—NuTv. Man. ii. 1834, 445.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv,
1837, 217, pl. 225; Synop. 1839, 293; B. Am. vi, 1848, 869, pl. 408.

Clangula albeola STEPHENS, Shaw's Gen. Zod). xii, ii, 1824. 184.—Sw. & Ric. F. B.-A. ii,

1831, 458.—Ripe@w. Nom. N. Am, B. 1881, No. 621—Covngs, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No.
727.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 48.
Bucephala albeola Batryp, B. N. Am, 1858, 797; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 595.—Coves, Key,
1872, 290; Check List, 1873, No. 507; Birds, N. W. 1874, 577—Hrnsw. Zool. Wheeler's
Exp. 1875, 482.—Ripe@w. Orn. 40th Pav. 1877, 626.
Charitonetta albeola StEIN. Orn, Expl. Kamtsch. 1885, 166.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No.
153.—RipGw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 106. ‘
Anas bucephala Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 125; ed. 12, i, 1766, 200 (male).
Anas rustica LINN. L. c., 201 (female).
Has. North America, ‘breeding from Iowa(?) and Minnesota northward; wintering
from United States south to Cuba and Mexico.
Sp. CHar. Adult male: Head and upper half of the neck rich silky metallic green,
violet-purple and greenish bronze, the last prevailing onthe lower part of the neck, the
groen on the antorior part of the head, the purple on the cheeks and crown; a large pateh

ANATIDZ—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 171

of pure white on the side of the head, extending from the eye backward to and around the
occiput; lower half of the neck, lower parts generally, wing-coverts, secondaries, and outer
scapulars pure white, the latter narrowly, and the feathers of the flanks more widely, edged
with black; posterior parts of the body beneath tinged with pale ash-gray; upper tail-cov-
erts light hoary gray; tail slate-gray,the shafts black. Bill bluish plumbeous, dusky on the
nail and at base; iris very dark brown; legs and feet pinkish, or lilaceous, white. Total
length, about 14.50 inches; extent, 24.50; wing, 6.75-6.90; culmen, 1.10-1.15; tarsus, 1.30; mid-
dle toe, 1.90-2.00. Adult female: Head, neck, and upper parts generally dusky grayish
brown; an oblong or somewhat ovate white longitudinal patch on the auricular region,
and the inner secondaries (sometimes also the greater wing-coverts, except at ends), white;
lower parts white, tinged with brownish gray posteriorly, anteriorly, and laterally. Bill
dusky, inclining to plumbeous at end and along commissure; iris very dark brown; legs
and toes dilute lilac-pink, the webs and joints darker. Length, about 12.50 inches; extent,
21.00; wing, 5.90-6.00; culmen, .95-1.00; tarsus, 1.15-1.20; middle toe, 1.75.

There is very little variation among the males of this species.
The females vary in the markings of the wing, some having the
greater coverts white, tipped with dusky; while in others only
the inner secondaries are white.

This very beautiful little duck is a winter resident in the
southern portions of Illinois, its summer home being chiefly to
the northward of the United States. Audubon ‘‘met with it,
during extremely cold weather, on the Ohio, when the river was
thickly covered with floating ice, among which it was seen
diving, almost constantly, in search of food. When the river
was frozen over, these birds sought the» headwaters of rapid
streams, and in their turbulent eddies found an abundance of
food. Apparently feeling secure in the rapidity with which they
can dive, they allow a very near approach; but at the first
snap of the gun dive with the quickness of thought, and often
as quickly rise again within a few yards of the same spot.”

Genus HISTRIONICUS Lesson.

Histrionicus Luss. Man. ii. 1828, 415. Type, Anas histrionica LINN.
Cosmonessa KauP, Entw. Europ. Thierw. 1829, 46. Same type.
Cosmonetta Kaur. |. ¢., 196.

Phylaconetta BRANDT, Mem. Ac. St. Petersb. vi, 1819, 4. Same type.

Gen. Car. Most like Glaucionetta. Bill very small (shorter than the tarsus), the lateral
outlines converging rapidly to the tip, which is occupied entirely by the very large nail;
depth of the maxilla at the base about equal toits width; lamellw entirely hidden by the
overhanging maxillary tomium; upper basal portion of the muxilla forming a decided
angle, inserted between the feathering of the forehead and that of the lores, the former
reaching rather farther forward; a slight membranous lobe at the lower base of the
maxilla, overhanging the rictus. Tail rather long (more than half the wing), much gradu-
ated, consisting of fourten feathers. Plumage of the sexes very different, the male very
handsomely marked, the! inale very sombre,

172 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

But a single species of this well-marked genus is known. This, —
the Harlequin Duck, is common to both continents of the north-
ern hemisphere, where it inhabits chiefly high latitudes.

Histrionicus histrionicus (Linn).

HARLEQUIN DUCK.

Popular synomyms. Lord and Lady (Maine, New Brunswick, ete.); Painted Duck and
Mountain Duck (Hudson's Bay); Rock Duck (Nova Scotia); Squeuler (Maine).

Anas histrionica L1xn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 127; ed. 12, i, 1766, 204—Wins. Am. Orn. viii,
1814, 139, pl. 72 fig. 4.
Fuligula (Clangula) histrionica Bonar. Synop. 1828, 394.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 448.
Fuligula histrionica Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 612; v, 1839, 617; Synop. 1839, 617; B. Am.
vi, 1843, 374, pl. 409.
Histrionicus histrionicus Bouc. Cat. Ay. 1876, 60.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 155.—
Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 107.
Clangula torquata Bream, Vogelf. 1855, 385.
Histrionicus torquatus Bonar. Comp. Rend. xliii, 1856—Batrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 798;
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 596.—Couss, Key, 1872, 291; Check List, 1873, No. 510; B. N.
W. 1874, 578.
Anas minuta Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 127; ed. 12, i, 1766, 204 (female.)
Histrionicus minutus DRessEr, Birds of Europe (in text).—Covrs, Bull. Nutt. Orn.
Club, v, Apr. 1880, 101; Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 730.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B.
1881, No. 622.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 52.

Has. Northern North America, Europefand Asia; south in winter to the Middle States,
Illinois, Missouri, California, ete.; breeding south to Newfoundland, the Northern Rocky
Mountains, and in the Sierra Nevada to lat. 38° or farther; Iceland; Eastern Asia.

Sp. CHar. Adult male: Entire loral region, continued backward from its upper part in ©
a stripe on each side of the crown, an oyal spot over the ears, a stripe ofa little more than
an inch in length down each side of the nape,a narrow collar completely encircling the
lower neck, a broad bar across each side of the breast, the middle portion (longitudinally)
of the outer scapulars, the greater part of the tertials,a spot near the tip of the greater
wing-coverts, and a small spot on each side of the crissum, at the base of the tail, white.
A broad longitudinal stripe on each side of the crown and occiput, with entire sides and
flanks, bright rufous. Head and neck, except as described, dark plumbeous, with a faint
violaceous cast, becoming gradually black along the border of the white markings; pileum
with a median stripe of blue-black extendingfrom the base of the culmen to the occiput.
Back, chest, and sides of the breast bluish plumbeous, the white collar and the white bar
on the sides of the breast bordered on each side by deep blue-black; rump, upper tail-
coverts, and crissum deep blue-black; abdomen dark sooty grayish, blending insensibly
into the plumbeous of the breast and the black of the crissum, but distinetly defined against
the rufous of the sides and flanks; wing-coverts plumbeous-slate; primaries and rectrices
dusky black; secondaries (“speculum”) metallic dark violet-blue; tertials white, the outer
webs edged with black, the inner with dark plumbeous. Bill light yellowish olive, the ex-
treme tip paler; iris reddish brown; feet pale bluish, the webs dusky, the claws whitish.
Adult male in post-nuptial plumage: Pattern of the head-markings same as in the preced-
ing, but the plumbeous much duller, the black stripe of the pileum dusky, the rufous on the
sides of the crown and oeciput wanting,or but faintly indicated. Upper parts in general
nearly uniform dusky grayish brown, without well-defined white anywhere, no blue-black,
and the speculum dull dusky brownish gray, with little, if any, gloss. Lower parts grayish
white, each feather marked with a subterminal transyerse spot of grayish brown, the sides,
flanks, and crissum nearly uniform grayish brown; no rufous on sides or flanks, and col-
lar round the lower neck imperfect, or only slightly indicated. Adult female: Somewhut

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 173

_ similar to the male, but the head, neck, and chest grayish brown, with a distinct white spot
on the auricular region, and the lores and sides of the forehead inclining to white. Chest,
. sides, flanks, and crissum entirely uniform grayish brown. “Bill and feet dull bluish gray;
R iris brown” (AupuBON). Young. Similar to theadult female, but above browner and more
uniform, the chest, sides, flanks, and crissum tinged with umber.
Total length, about 17.50 Inches; extent, 27.00; wing, 7.40 to nearly 8.00; culmen, 1.05-1.10;
4 ~ tarsus, 1.50; middle toe, 2.10. Female slightly smaller.

The Harlequin Duck is a winter visitant or resident in Illi-
nois. but is probably not at any time a common species. In
its sumnier home, which is in more northern or mountainous
regions, it frequents swiftly running streams, where it delights
to sport among the eddies below water falls or in the brawling
rapids. Its nest is often placed in a hollow of a tree, but fre-
quently in other situations.

Genus CLANGULA Leacu.

Clangula LEacH, in Ross's Voy. Disc. 1819, App. p. xlviii. Type, Anas glacialis Linn.
»*s Harelda Leacn, Steph. Gen. Zod. xii, 1824, 174. Type, Anas glacialis Linn.

Pagonetta Kaur, Ent. Europ, Thierw. 1829, 66. Same type.

Crymonessa MAcG. Man. Brit. Orn. ii, 1842,185. Same type.

Melonetta Sunp. Tent. 1872, 149. Same type.

? Gen. CHak. Bill small (much shorter than the tarsus), all its outlines tapering rapidly
to the end, which is occupied entirely by the very large broad nail; lower edge of the max-
illa nearly straight for the basal half, then suddenly rising to the prominently decurved
nail; lamellw slightly exposed along the straight basal portion of the maxillary tomium;

, feathering at the base of the bill forming a nearly straight oblique line, advancing farthest
forward on the forehead, and searcely interrupted by any re-entrant angle, so prominent
in most ducks. Adult male with the longer scapulars elongated and lanceolate, the reetrices
(14 in number) acute, the middle pair slender and greatly lengthened.

The most important peculiarity of structure in this well-

marked genus consists in the almost unique outline of the ; Pe,
feathering at the base of the bill, this outline advancing grad- 3
ually farther forward from the rictus to the base of the culmen, ;
| the continuity of the slightly curved line interrupted by only a %

» very faint, sometimes scarcely perceptible, indentation at the |
place of the deep angle seen in most ducks. The only other
genus showing an approach to this character is Camptolaimus,
which, however, has the bill and other features very different. |
But a single species is known, which, like ///str/onicus, is cir-
cumpolar in its distribution, but descends to lower latitudes in
winter,

174 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Clangula hyemalis (Linn.)

' OLD SQUAW.

Popular synonyms. Old Wife; South Southerly; Long-tailed Duck; Caca-wee (Canada);
Swallow-tailed Duck; Hound (Newfoundland); Old Injun (Massachusetts and Con-
necticut); Old Molly; Old Billy; Coween or Cowheen (Ontario); Scolder or Scoldenore
‘(New Hampshire and Massachusetts).

Anas hyemalis LInn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 126; ed. 12, i, 1766, 202.
Anas hiemalis BRUNN. Orn. Bor. 1764, 17.
Harelda hyemalis B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 57.
Olangula hiemalis. BREHM, Handb. Vog. Deutschl, 1831, 933.
Clangula hyemalis A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 154.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 106.
Anas glacialis LInn. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 203.— Wis. Am, Orn, viii, 1814, 93, 96, pl. 70.
Harelda glacialis “LEACH,” STEPHENS, Shaw’s Gen. Zool. xii, pt. ii,1824,175, pl. 58—Sw.
& Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 460.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 800; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 597.—
Cougs, Key, 1872, 291; Check List, 1873, No. 508; 2d ed. 1882, No. 728; B. N. W. 1874, 579.—
Ripew. Nom. N, Am. B. 1881, No. 623.
Fuligula (Harelda) glacialis NurtT. Man. ii, 1834, 453,
Fuiigula glacialis Aup. Orn. Biog. iv, 1888, 403, pl. 312; Synop. 1889, 295; B. Am. vi, 1843,
379, pl. 410.
Anas miclonia Bopp. Tabl. P. E. 1783, 58.
Anas longicauda LEAcH, Syst. Cat. Mam. and Birds Brit. Mus. 1816, 37.
Anas brachyrhynchos BEsEKE, Vog. Kurl. 1792, 50.
Flatupus faberi Bream, Lerb. Eur. Vog. ii, 1824, 1004.
Clangula faberi, megauros, musica, brachyrhynchos BREHM, VY. D. 1831, 935, 936, 937, 938.

Has. Northern hemisphere; in America, south in winter to nearly the southern bor-
der of the United States.

Sp. CHar. Adult male in winter: Forehead, crown, occiput, nape, chin, throat,
lower part of the neck (all round), and upper part of the chest and back, white; lores,
cheeks, and orbital region light mouse-gray, the eyelids white; a large oblong space cover-
ing the sides of the neck, black, becoming light grayish brown in its lower portion. Middle
of the back, rump, upper tail-coverts, tail, wings, lower part of the chest, whole breast, and
upper part of the abdomen, black; the pectoral area very abruptly defined both anteriorly
and posteriorly—the latter with a strongly convex outline. Scapulars glaucous-white or
yery pale pearl-gray; posterior lower parts white, the sides strongly shaded with pearl-
gray. Basal half of the bill black, the terminal portion orange-yellow or pinkish, with the
nail bluish gray; iris bright carmine; feet light plumbeous, the webs dusky, and claws
black. ‘‘The outer half of the bill rich orange-yellow, that color extending to the base
along the ridge, the unguis and the basal half black, as wellas the unguis and edges of the
lower mandible” (AUDUBON), Adult male, in summer: Lores, cheeks, and sides of the
forehead, pale mouse-gray; eyelids, and a postocular longitudinal space, white; rest of the
head, whole neck, and upper parts generally sooty-black; upper part of the back more or
less variegated with fulvous; scapulars widely edged with the same, varying on some
feathers to ochraceous and pale puff. Breast and upper part of the abdomen dark sooty-
grayish, abruptly defined behind with a semicircular outline, as in the winter plumage; re-
maining lower parts white, shaded on the sides with pale pearl-gray. Bill black, crossed,
in front of the nostrils, by a wide band of orange; iris yellowish brown; feet bluish black,
the joints and under surface of the webs black. Adult female, in winter: Head, neck,
and lower parts, chiefly white; forehead, medially, and crown, dusky; auricular region,
chin, and throat, tinged with the same; chest light dingy gray. Upper parts dusky brown,
the scapulars bordered with grayish fulvous or light raw-umber brown, some of the
feathers tipped with pale ashy. Aduit female, insummer: Head and neck dark grayish
brown, with a large space surrounding the eye, and another on the side of the neck, gray-
ish white; upper parts as in the winter plumage, but upper part of the back variegated

‘

ANATIDA—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 175

with light brown, the scapulars chiefly of this color, with the central portion dusky, “Bill
and feet dusky green; iris yellow” (AUDUBON). Young: Somewhat similar to the winter
female, but much more uniform above, with scarcely any lighter borders to the scapulars,
the head and neck light brownish gray, darker on the pileum, and indistinctly whitish be-
fore and behind the eye.

Downy young: Aboye, uniform dark hair-brown, relieved only on side of head by a
grayish white space on lower eyelid, a similar but smaller spot immediately above the eye,
alight brownish gray loral stripe, and alight brownish gray postocular spot; brown on
side of head forming a broad stripe from the rictus back to occiput. Lower parts white,
interrupted by a distinct jugular collar of sooty hair-brown. Bill and feet dusky (in
dried skins).

Adult male: Total fength, about 23 inches; extent, 30.00; wing, 8.50-9.00; tail, 8.00-8.50;

- culmen, 1.10; tarsus, 1.35; middle toe, 1.90. Female, smaller, the total length considerably

less, owing chiefly to the abbreviation of the middle rectrices,

The Old Squaw or South-Southerly is a winter visitant to
Illinois, its breeding range being far to the northward. Mr. Nel-
son found it to be an abundant winter resident on Lake Michi-
gan, where the first stragglers arrived about the last of Octo-
ber, the main body arriving about a mouth later and depart-
ing about the first of April, a few lingering until about the last
of the month. Farther south it is of less regular occurrence as
well as less numerous, though doubtless occurring ‘‘off and on”
through the winter on the larger rivers.

In its habits there is nothing particularly distinctive of this
species, except the character of its notes, which are described as
being loud and somewhat musical. Dr. Brewer says that its
voice is one of its great peculiarities, and is very distinct from
that of any other of the ducks, being really musical when heard
from a distance, especially if there are a large number of indi-
viduals joining in the refrain. The words south-south-southerly,
which some have fancied to resemble its cry and which have
accordingly been used as one of its local names, did not, how-
ever, to his ear, in the least resemble the sounds which the bird

makes; but he adds that the names ‘Old Wives” and ‘Old

Squaws” as applied to the species are not inappropriate, since
when many are assembled their notes resemble a confused
gabble.

Genus SOMATERIA Leacu.

Somateria Leacn, in Ross's Voy. Disc. 1819, App. p. xlviil. Type, Anas mollissima Linn.

Gen. Cuan. Bill aboutas long asthe head, narrower than deep, the tip formed by the
very broad, large nail; feathers of the forehead advancing forward in a long narrow-
pointed strip, between two backward extensions of the maxilla, which, intervening between

a ee

176 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

the frontal feathers and those of the cheeks, form a distinct basal angle or lobe; maxillary
tomium regular and nearly straight, the lamella completely concealed. Head with some
portions bristly feathered (in males); tertials faleate; tail small, short, and pointed, com-
posed of fourteen pointed feathers. Adult males with the plumage pied black and white
(the lower parts chiefly black, the upper surface mostly white), the breast more buff or
cream colored, the head varied with light green, black, ete. Females and young with the
plumage barred with dusky and pale fulvous or rusty, the head and neck streaked with the
same. Length about 20.00-26.00 inches.

The four species which compose this genus differ more or less
from one another in form, but they all possess the characters
defined above. Like the more or less nearly related genera
Arctonetta, Eniconetta, Histrionicus, and Camptolaimus, they are
birds of high northern latitudes, barely entering the warm tem-
perate zone in winter,

This genus includes two subgenera, the characters of which are
as follows:

Somateria. Frontal feathers reaching about half way from the base of the maxilliary
angle or lobe to the nostril; feathering of lores extending forward to beneath the middle of
the nostril; adult males with seapulars and tertials white and top of head black.

Erionetta. Frontal feathers reaching forward as far as the nostrils; feathering of the
lores extending only about half way to the nostrils; adult males with scapulars and tertials
black, and top of head light grayish blue.

Suspcenus SOMATERIA Leacu.

Somateria LEacH, in Ross's Voy. Disc. 1819, App. p. xlviii. Type, Anas mollissima Lin.

SuBGEN. CHAR. Anterior point of feathering on forehead reaching only about half way
from the point of the naked angle on side of forehead to nostril; feathering of lores extend-
ing forward to at least beneath the posterior end of the nostril; adult males with seapulars
and tertials white, the top of head chiefly black.

Three species of this subgenus occur in North America, one of
them being only subspecifically distinct from the European
Hider (8. mollissima). One of them visits northern Illinois dur-
ing winter, while another may reasonably be expected to occur
there, since farther eastward it is found not uncommonly in
Massachusetts.

The differential characters of these two species are as follows:

S. mollissima borealis. Adu/t male with lobe or angle of bill narrow and pointed, its
length, from anterior extremity of loral feathering, 1.38-1.52; width across middle, not more
than .80; black of head bordered below by pure white, except at posterior extremity;
Female with angle of bill 1.20-1.40, depth of upper mandibie at base 0.78-0.95. Has. Green-
land, shores of Cumberland Gulf, and northern Labrador, south in winter to Massachu-
setts.

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 177

§. dresseri. Adult male with lobe or angle of bill broad and rounded at posterior ex-
_tremity, its length, from anterior extremity of loral feathering, 1.75-2.00; width across
middle, not less than .45; black of head bordered below by pale green for nearly the whole

- length; female with angle of bill about 1.87x.22, depth of upper mandible at base .78.

The third American species, the Pacific Eider (8. v-nigra) is
a larger and finer bird than either of the eastern species. It
resembles them in color but has a large \/-shaped black mark
on the throat and a bright orange-colored bill. It inhabits the
northwestern parts of the continent, as well as northeastern
Asia.

Somateria dresseri Sharpe.

AMERICAN EIDER.

Popular synonyms. Wamp (Connecticut); Squam Duck (Maine); Big Sea Duck (Long
Island).

Anas mollissima Wis. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 122, pl. 71 (nee Linn.).
Fuligula (Somateria) mollissima Nur. Man. ii, 1834, 407.
Fuligula mollissima Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 344; v, 1839, 611, pl. 246; Synop. 1839, 291;
B. Am. vi, 1843, 349, pl. 405.
Somateria mollissima Bonar. Comp. List, 1838, 57 (part).—Barep, B. N. Am. 1858, 809;
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 606.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 293; Check List, 1873, No. 513,
Somateria dresseri SHARPE, Ann. Mag. N. H. July, 1871, 51, figs. 1.2.—B. B. & R. Water B.
N. Am. ii, 1884, 76.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 160.—Ripaw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 110.
Somateria mollissima, var. (?) dresseri Cougs, Birds N. W. 1874, 580.
Somateria mollissima dresseri Ripew. Proe. U.S. Nat. Mus, iii, 1880, 205, 222; Nom. N.
Am. B. 1881, No. 627 a.—Covzs, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 734.

Has. American coasts of the North Atlantic, from Maine, Newfoundland, ete., to Lab-
rador; in winter, south to Long Island, Delaware, Ontario, Wisconsin, and northern Ohio
and Illinois.

Sp. Cuan. Adult male: Similar to S. mollissima, but the “cere” very much broader
(.38 to .50 of an inch wide anteriorly), much corrugated, the posterior extremity broad
and rounded; green of the head rather more extended, usually following along under-
neath the black almost or quite to the bill. “Bill pale grayish yellow, the unguis lighter,
the soft tumid part pale flesh-color; iris brown; feet dingy light green, the webs dusky”
(AuDUBON). Adult female: Scarcely distinguishable from that of S. mollissima, but basal
angles of the maxilla deeper and broader. “Bill pale grayish green; iris and feet as in
the male” (AupuBON)*. Downy young: Not distinguishable from that of 8. mollissima(?).

Total length, about 24.00 to 26.00 inches; extent, 39.00 to 42.00; wing, 11.15-11.50; culmen,
1.95-2.40; from tip of bill to end of basal angle, 2.75-3.35; greatest width of angle, .38-.59;
tarsus, 2,00-2.20; middle toe, 2.50-2.70 (six examples).

Though nearly related to the true Eider of Europe (S. mollis-
sima), the American Eider is clearly distinct. Its habits, how-
ever, are much the same.

* The fresh color of an adult male received at the National Museum from Wood's Holl,
Massachusetts, February 24, 1888, were as follows: Lobes of bill, as far as the nostrils, dull
elay-yellowish, lighter and more tinged with olive along lower edge; nails of bill dull
grayish greenish white; rest of bill horn-grayish; feet light yellowish olive, the webs
grayish dusky.

—23

tubal HOS Ls “ae

pa Se The i

178 ‘BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

SUBGENUS ERIONETTA CovuESs.

Erionetta Couss, Key to N. Am, Birds, ed. 2, 1884, 709. Type, Anas spectabilis LINN.

Susarn. Cuan. Anterior point of feathering on forehead reaching as far forward as
posterior end of nostril, the loral feathering extending on y about half as far. Adult male
with scapulars and tertials black, the top of the head light bluish gray; lateral base of upper
mandible, in adult male, enlarged into a very conspicuous broad lobe, the width of which
at widest part exceeds the depth of upper mandible at anterior end of nostril.

The single species belonging to this subgenus is the beautiful
King Eider (S. spectabilis).

’

Somateria spectabilis (Linn.)

KING EIDER.

Anas spectabilis Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 123; ed. 12, i, 1766, 195.
Somateria spectabilis Lmacu, in Ross’s Voy. 1819, App. p. xlviii—Sw. & Ricu, F. B.-A.
ii, 1831, 447.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 810; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 608. Cours, Key,
1872, 298; Check List, 1873, No. 515; 2d ed. 1882, No, 736; B. N.W. 1874,581.—Ripew. Nom.
N. Am. B. 1881, No. 629; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 110.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884,
83.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 162.
Fuligula (Somateria) spectabilis Bonar. Synop. 1828, 889.— Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 414.
Fuligula spectabilis Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 523, pl. 276; Synop. 1839, 291; B. Am. vi,
1843, 347, pl. 404.
Anas beringii Ga. 8. N. i, 1788, 508.
Anas superba LEACH, Syst. Cat. 1816.

Has. Northern part of the northern hemisphere; in America, south, in winter, to
New Jersey and the Great Lakes, casually to Georgia and coast of California.

Sp. CHar. Adult male: Feathers bordering the base of the maxilla all round, a spot
beneath and behind the eye, and a large V-shaped mark on the throat, black; entire top of
the head and upper part of the nape delicate pearl-gray, or glaucous-blue, growing grad-
ually deeper behind, where sometimes bordered by an indistinct blackish line; upper and
anterior portion of the cheeks, below the eye and immediately behind the black bordering
the side of the bill, and an oblique patch on the auricular region delicate sea-green, the
auricular patch abruptly defined anteriorly, but aboye gradually fading into white along
the edge of the bluish gray of the occiput and nape; remainder of the head, neck, middle
of the back, wing-coverts (except greater coverts and exterior border of lesser coverts),
lining of wing, and a patch on each side of the rump white; breast and chest deep
creamy buff. Remainder of the plumage dull black, the faleate tertials with a narrow and
rather indistinct central stripe of dull brownish. “ Bill flesh-colored, the sides of the upper
mandible and soft frontal lobes bright orange; iris bright yellow; feet dull orange, the
webs dusky, the claws brownish black” (AUDUBON). Adult female, in summer: Pale
fulvous, varied with black, the latter occupying the central portion of the feathers on the
dorsal region, forming streaks on the head and neck, and bars on tho chest, sides,
flanks, and upper tail-coverts; abdomen and anal region nearly plain grayish brown;
wing-coverts, remiges} and rectrices plain grayish dusky, the primaries darker; greater
coverts and secondaries scarcely, if at all, tipped with white; rump nearly plain dusky.
Adult female, in autumn: Rich cinnamon-rufous, varied with black much as in the sum-
mer plumage; abdomen and anal region plain brown; greater coverts and secondaries
distinctly tipped with white. Young male: Head and neck plain umber-brown; upper
parts dusky, the feathers bordered with fulvous, especially the seapulars; rump, greater

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 179

wing-coverts, remiges, and tail plain dusky; upper tail-coverts and lower parts barred
_ with pale fulvous and dusky, the abdomen nearly plain grayish brown. “ Bill pale green-
ish gray; iris dull yellow; feet dull ochre” (AuDUBON). Young female: Similar to the
young male, but head and neck grayish-buff, finely streaked with dusky.
Total length, about 20.00-25.00 inches; wing, 10.50-11.25; bill, from base of frontal lobe to
Pei in the male, 1.20-1.30; tarsus, 1.80-1.86; middle toe, 2.20.

The female of this species may be easily distinguished from
that of S. dresseri by the very different outline of the feathering
at the base of the bill, as explained, page 176

Thisis the only one of the Eiders the range of which extends com-
pletely across the northern portion of the northern hemisphere.

‘Its habits are essentially the same as those of the other species of
the same genus. It migrates south in winter to a greater or less
distance, but in varying numbers, according to the character
of the season. It breeds in the arctic regions.

Genus OIDEMIA FLEMING.

Oidemia ExEm. Philos. Zodl. ii, 1822,260, Type, by elimination, Anas nigra LINN.

Gen. CHAR. Distance from posterior border of nostril to angle of mouth equal to or
greater than distance from anterior end of nostril to tip of upper mandible. Adult males
uniform black, with or without white speculum, and with or without white patches on head;
bill brightly colored in life with tints of yellow, orange, or red, but partly plack. Adult fe-
males plain brownish, lighter and more grayish beneath, the white head-markings of the
male (if any) indistinctly indicated.

This genus includes three subgenera, with the following char-
acters:

A. Length of commissure much less than inner toe, without claw; adult males entirely
uniform black; bill of adult male much swollen on top at base; distance from anterior
end of nostril to nearest feathers of forehead greater than distance from same point to
tip of bill.

1, Oidemia.
B. Length of commissure much more than length of inner toe without claw.
a. Feathering of head advancing nearly or quite as far forward on lores as on forehead;
wing with a white “speculum.”
2. Melanitta,
b. Feathering of head advancing much farther forward on forehead than on lores; wing
without white “speculum.”
%. Pelionetta.

SuspGenus OIDEMIA FLEMING.

Oidemia Fiem. Philos. Zool. ti, 1822,260. Type, by elimination, Anas nigra LINN.

Suscen. Onar. Feathers at the base of the maxilla forming a nearly straight oblique
line from the forehead back to the rictus, advancing scarcely, if at all, on the forehead; bill
véry deep through the base, where sometimes elevated into a roundish knob, and much de-

7

180' BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

pressed toward the end. No white whatever on the plumage, which is deep black, the bill
partly orange, in the males. Females dull grayish brown (lighter below), the bill wholly
black.

Two species only of this genus are known, one European, the
other American. They are much alike, but may be ba
by the shape and coloration of the bill..

Oidemia americana Sw. & Rich

AMERICAN SCOTER.

Popular synonyms, American Black Scoter; Butter-bill, Butter-billed Coot, Hollow-
billed Coot (New England); Seoter Duck: Yellow-bill; Copper-bill; Copper-nose; —
Pumpkin-blossom Coot; Smutty; Fitzy; Sleigh-bell Duck (Maine). *

Anas nigra WiLs. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 135, pl. 72 (not of Lryy.).

Oidemia americana Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 450.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858,807; Cat. N.
Am. B. 1859, No. 604.—A. O. U. Check List,1886, No. 163—RipeGw. Man. N. Am. B.
1887, 111.

@demia americana CovEs, Key, 1872, 293; Check List, 1873, No. 516; 2d ed. 1882. No. 737;
B.N. W. 1874, 581.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 630.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii,
1884, 89.

Fuliguila (Oidemia) americana Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 422.

Fuligula americana AupD. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 117,p].408; Synop. 1839,290: B. Am. vi, 1843,
343, pl. 403.

Has. Coasts and larger inland waters of northern North America, south in winter to

the Ohio River, New Jersey, and California, Mountains of Colorado (Boulder Co., June! ;
Mrs. M. A. MAXWELL).

Sp. CuHar. Adult male: Entire plumage uniform deep black, the neck very faintly
glossed with dull violaceous, the feathers somewhat distinetly defined; basal half of the
maxilla, except a stripe along the tomium, bright orange (yellowish in the dried skin}, the
remainder of the bill black; iris hazel; legs and feet dull black. “The bulging part of the
upper mandible is bright orange, paler above, that color extending to alittle before the
nostrils; the rest of the upper mandible, including its basal margin to the breadth of from
three- to two-twelfths of an inch, black, as inthe lower mandible. Irisbrown. Feet brown-
ish black” (AUDUBON). Adult female: Above, dull dark grayish brown, feathers of the
back and scapulars tipped with lighter; lower parts lighter, the pale t ps broader, though
lacking on the posterior portions; lateral and lower parts of the head and neck nearly uni-
form very pale grayish brown, quite abruptly defined against the uniform dark brown of
the pileumand nape. Billentirely black. Young: Upper parts, chest, sides, and flanks,
uniform dark grayish brown; sides of head and neck, chin and throat, dirty whitish, tinged
with brownish gray, quite abruptly defined against the dark brown of the pileum and nape;
abdomen whitish, each feather marked with a dusky grayish brown bar just beneath the
surface, some of these bars exposed; anal region and crissum grayish brown. the feathers
tipped with white. Bill and feet black.

Total length, about 17 to 19 inches; extent, 29to 34. Male: Wing, 8.75-9.50; culmen, 1.65-
1.80; tarsus, 1.65-2.00; middle toe, 2-50-2.80. Female, slightly smaller.

The Black Scoter is a northern species which visits the United
States in winter. It is another of those species, usually classed
as “sea ducks,’ which occur more or less numerously on
the larger waters of the interior. Professor Cooke, in his ‘Bird

of. TRUMBULL, Names and Portraits of Birds.

|

!

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 181

Migration in the Mississippi Valley” (p. 73), states that Mr.
C. W. Butler informed him that on May 2, 1883, he saw fifty
of these ducks at Anna, Union county, all busily engaged in
picking up millet seed that had just been sown. If no mistake

‘of identification was made in this case, the observation in ques-

tion apparently reveals a new feature in the habits of the species,
which has been supposed to feed exclusively in the water and to
subsist chiefly on fishes and their spawn and other aquatic
animal food.

Suspcenus MELANITTA Bore.

Melanitta Bors, Isis, 1822, 564. Type, by elimination, Anas fusca LINN.
Melanetta GRAY, 1840; List Gen. 1841, 95.—Barep, B. N. Am. 1858, 805.
Maceranas Less. Man, ii, 1828, 414. Same type.

SuBGEN. CHAR. Feathers at the base of the billextending forward almost to the nostril
in three prominent ang)es—one on each side of the maxilla, the other on top, at the base ofthe
culmen; sides of the maxilla rather sunken orcompressed above thetomium. Colors uni-
form black or brown, with a white speculum on the wings, the adult male with a white spot
immediately beneath the eye.

This subgenus differs from Ocdemia and Pelionetta in the form
of the bill, particularly in the outline of the feathering at the
base, as defined above. Three species only are known, one
peculiar to northern North America, one to northern Europe,
but occurring also in Greenland, and the other to northeastern
Asia.

Oidemia deglandi Bonap.

WHITE-WINGED SCOTER.

Popular synomyms., American Velvet Scoter; Velvet Duck; White-winged Coot; Uncle Sam
Coot; Bull Coot; Assemblyman (Maryland).

Anas fusca Wits. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 137, pl. 72 (not of Linn.).
Fuligula (Oidemia) fusca BoNAP. Synop. 1828. 390.—~Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 419.
Oidemia fusca Sw. & Rion. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 449.
(Edemia fusca Coves, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 738.
Fuligula fusca Aud. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 454, pl. 247; Synop. 1839, 280; B. Am. vi, 1843, 382,
pl. 401.
? Fuligula bimaculata Hersenrt, Field Sports, 2d ed. li, 1848, 366, fig. (young).
Oidemia (Pelionetta) bimaculata Barry, B. N. Am. 1858, 808,
Oidemia velvetina Cass. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. v, 1850, 126.
Melanetta velvetina Barry, B. N, Am. 1858, 805; Cat. N. Am, B. 1859, No. 601.—Ripew.
Nom. N. Am. B, 1881, No. 632.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. fi, 1884, 93.

:

ets i a

+
ie ot

od

* ee

be hong NGS he bh hel oa. UUM A

182 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

@demia fusca, b. (?) velvetina CovEs, Birds N. W. 1874, 582.
Edemia fusca var. (?) CouEs, Key, 1872, 294; Check List, 1873, No. 517.
Oidemia deglandi Bonar. Rey. Crit. de l'Orn. Europ. de Deg]. 1850, 108.—A. O. U. Check List,
1886, No. 165.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 112.

Has. Northern North America; chiefly maritime, but occurring on various inland
waters; south in winter to the Middle States, Great Lakes, Mississippi River near St.
Louis, Illinois River, and southern California.

Sp.CHar. Adult male: Base of the culmen eleyated into a prominent knob; lateral
base of the maxilla sunken beneath the feathers of the lores. Plumage uniform brownish
black. A crescentic spot beneath the eye, and extending backward for half an inch or
more, secondaries, and greater wing-coverts, white. Knob of the bill, with base, and mar-
gin of the maxilla, black; “sides of the bill red-lead, fading into orange;” “nail vermilion,
the anterior flat portion of the upper mandible whitish;” iris “white tinged with straw-yel-
low; legs scarlet, with black webs, and a tinge of black in the joints” (NUTTALL). Young
male: Dark sooty brown, the head and neck sooty black; white on wings as in the adult,
but no white spot beneath the eye. Adult female: Uniform grayish fuliginous, the wings
darker: white speculum as in the male, but no white about the head, or with faint indica-
tions of white spot at base of maxilla and behind the eye. Jn summer, feathers of tke
back, scapular region, and chest narrowly tipped with light brownish gray. Bill uni-
form dusky; iris yellow; feet as in the male, but duller in color.

Total length, about 19.75 to 22.50 inches; extent, 36.00 to 40.00; wing, 10.75-12.00; com-
missure, 2.82; tarsus, 2.08. :

Professor Cooke records the White-winged Scoter as being
“venerally distributed throughout Illinois in winter, but most
common on Lake Michigan.” Like the common species (0.
_ americana) it frequents the larger bodies of water, usually riding
far out from the shore, and in general habits is very much like
its relatives.

Suncenus PELIONETTA Kavr.

Pelionetta Kaup, Sk. Entw. Europ. Thierw. 1829, 107. Type, Anas perspicillata LINN.

SuBGEN. CHAR. Feathers on the forehead extending ina broad strip nearly or quite
as far as the posterior end of the nostrils, but those of the lores not advancing forward of
the rictus; the lateral base of the maxillain the adult male greatly swollen, and with the
basal outline convex; nail very large and broad, but narrow terminally. No white on the
wing, but the head with large white patches (indistinct in the female and young).

Except in the form of the bill, as described above, this subgenus
very closely resembles Melanitta and Oidemia, but is sufficiently
distinct. Only one species is known. :

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 183

Oidemia perspicillata (Linn.)

SURF SCOTER.

Popular synonyms. Surf Duck; Sea Duck; Skunk-bill; ‘Skunk-head Coot; Horse-head
Coot, or Horse-head; Hollow-billed Coot (New England}; Gray Coot; Spectac'ed
Coot; Surf Coot (Long Island); Google-nose; Patch-head; Plaster-bill; \Snuff-
taker; Morocco-jaw; Blossom-bill, ete., etc.* :

Anas perspicillata Lixn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 125; ed. 12, i, 1766, 201.—Waus. Am. Orn. viii.

1824, 49, pl. 67.

Oidemia perspicillata STEPHENS, Gen. Zo6l. xii, pt. ii, 1824, 219.—Sw. & reg. F. B.-A. ii,
1831, 449.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 166.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 113.

Fuligula (Oidemia) perspicillata Bonap. Synop. 1828, 389.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 416.

@demia perspicillata Couns, Key, 1872, 294; Check List, 1873, No. 518; 2d'ed. 1882, No.
739; B. N. W. 1874, 582.

Pelionetta perspicillata Reicu. Syst. Av. 1852, p. viii—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 806;
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 602—Ripcw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 633.—B. B. & R.
Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 98.

Fuligula perspicillata Aup. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838,.161, pl. 317; Synop. 1839,289; B. Am. vi,
1843, 337, pl. 402.

Pelionetta trowbridgii Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 806; Cat. N.1Am. B. 1859, No. 603,

@demia perspicillata, var. trowbridgii Cougs, Key, 1872, 295; Check List, 1873, No. 518 a.

@demia perspicillata, b. trowbridgii Couns, B. N. W. 1874, 592.

@demia perspicillata trowbridgii Cours, Check List, 2d ed. 1882, No. 740.

Has. Coasts and larger inland waters of northern North America; south in winter
to Atlantic coast of the United States,to the Ohio River, Kansas, eic., in the interior, and
Lower California, on the Pacific side; accidental in Europe. Jamaica (and other West
India islands?) in winter.

Sp. Cuan. Adult male: General color deep black, very intense above, more sooty
on the lower surface; a white patch on the forehead, the anterior outline jsemicircular
or somewhat angular, and reaching forward a little in advance of the ‘lateral base of
the bill, the posterior outline almost directly transverse, and |a little posterior to
the middle of the eye; nape with a somewhat shield-shaped, or cuneate, longitudinal
patch of pure white, having the upper outline almost directly transverse. Bill chiefly
orange-red, deeper (intense red in some specimens) above the nostrils; swollen base of
the maxilla with a large, irregularly roundish, somewhat quadrate, or trapezoid, spot
of deep black, with a light-colored space (bluish white in life) in front, as far as the nos-
trils; nails duller orange, or dingy grayish; iris yellowish white; feet orange-red, the
webs greenish dusky; claws black. “Upper mandible with a nearly square black patch
at the base, margined with orange, except in front, where there is a patch of bluish
white extending to near the nostrils, prominent part over the nostrils deep reddish orange,
becoming lighter toward the unguis, and shaded into rich yellow toward the margins;
the unguis dingy grayish yellow; lower mandible flesh-colored, unguis darker. Iris
bright yellowish white. Tarsi and toes orange-red, with webs dusky, tinged with green;
claws black” (AuDUBON). Adult female: Pileum and nape brownish black; rest of the
head ashy brown, with an indistinct whitish patch (not always indicated) on the lower
anterior portion of the lores, bordering the lateral base of the bill; upper parts brownish
dusky, the contour feathers sometimes showing paler tips; lower parts grayish brown,
becoming nearly white on the abdomen, the feathers of the breast and sides tipped with
the same, the anal region and crissum uniform dusky. Bill greenish black, scarcely
swollen at the base, where the black spot of the male is slightly, if at all, indicated; iris
yellowish white: “feet yellowish orange, webs grayish dusky, claws black” (AuDUBON).
Young: Similar to the adult female, but head with two quite distinet whitish patches,

*Of. TRUMBULL, Names and Portraits of Birds.

184 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

one against the lateral base of the bill, the other over the auriculars, behind and below
the eye; plumage above, more uniform than in the adult female, and feathers every-
where of a softer texture.

Total length, about 19.00-20.00 inches; extent, 31.00-34.00; wing, 9.25-9.75; culmen, 1.30-1.60;
from tip of bill to lateral base, 2.35-2.60; distance through base of bill horizontally, be-
tween most prominent point of lateral swellings, 1,10-1.40; tarsus, 1.55-1.85; middle toe,
2.15-2.55 (twenty examples).

The handsome Surf-Duck is also a winter visitant to Illinois,
where, according to Professor Cooke, it occurs on all the larger
streams, as well as on Lake Michigan, Mr. Nelson records it
as numerous on the Calumet marshes, during the fall and winter
of 1875, where it arrived the last of October and remained
until toward the end of March.

The following summary of its habits is given by Col. N.S.
Goss, in The Auk, for April, 1889, p. 123:

“This species of sea duck is abundant upon both coasts, and
during the breeding season is quite common upon the large
northern inland waters; breeding from Sitka, Alaska, and the
Gulf of St. Lawrence north to the Arctic coast. Its food consists
largely of shell-fish (the mussel is a favorite, the shells of which
appear to digest as easily as the animal within them) and
fishes, and various forms of life also help to make up the bill
of fare. Its flesh is coarse, and rather rank in flavor. The
birds are at home as well in the surging surf as upon the
smoother waters, resting and sleeping at night far out from
the shore. They rise from the surface in a running, laborious
manner, but when fairly on the wing fly rapidly, and in stormy
weather hug close to the water. While feeding they are very
active, constantly and rapidly diving, one after the other, con-
tinually disappearing and popping up.”

GeNus ERISMATURA BONAPARTE.

Oxyura BoNAP. Synop. 1828, 390. Type Anas rubida Wiis. (Nec Oryurus Swarts.
1827).

Erismatura Bonar. Saggio. Distr. Met. 1832, 148. Same type.

Gymnura Nurt. Man. ii, 1834, 426. Same type.

Undina Gouxp, Birds Eur. v, 1836, pl. 383. Type, Anas mersa Pall,=A. leucocephaila
Scop.

Cerconectes WAGL. Isis, 1882, 282. Type, A. leucocephala Scop.

Bythonessa GuoG. Handb. 1842, 472. Type, A. leucocephala Scop.

Gen. CHAR. Bill about as long as the head (much longer than the tarsus), very broad,

widened toward the end, elevated at the base, the nostrils very small, and situated very
near the culmen; maxillary uaguis very small, narrow, and linear, the terminal half bent

ee

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 185

abruptly downward and backward, so as to be invisible from above; tail more than half as
long as the wings, much graduated, consisting of eighteen very stiff, narrow feathers, with
the shafts strong and rigid, and grooved underneath, toward the base; the tail-coverts
extremely short, scarevly covering the base of the tail; wings very short, and very con-

_¢ave beneath, the primaries scarcely or not at all ext-nding beyond the tertials; tarsus

very short, much less than one half as iong as the longest toe.

Only one species, the common Ruddy Duck (£. rubida) occurs
in North America.

Erismatura rubida (Wils.)

RUDDY DUCK.

Popular synonyms, Spine-tailed Duck; Heavy-tailed Duck; Quill-tail Coot, Stiff-tail,
Bristle-tail; Rook, or Rook Duck (Potomac River),Sleepy Duck, Sleepy Coot, Sleepy
Brothe ; Fool Duck, Deaf Duck, Shot-pouch, Daub Duck, Stub-and-twist, Booby
Coot, Batter Scoot, Biather-scoot, ete., ete.; *Pato zambullidor de pico azul (Mexico),

Anas rubida Wits. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 128, 131 pl. 71, fig. 5, 6.
Fuligula (Gymnura) rubida Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 426,
Fuligula rubida Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A ii, 1831, 455.—AuD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 326; pl.
343; Synop. 1839, 288; B. Am. vi, 1843, 324, pl. 399.
Erismatura rubida Bonar. Comp. List, 1838, 59 —Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 811; Cat. N.
Am. B. 1859, No. 609.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 295; Check List, 1873, No. 519; 2d ed. 1882,
No. 741; Birds N. W. 1874, 583—HeEnsx. Zo6l. Wheeler’s Exp. 1875, 483.—RIDGw.
Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 626; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 634; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 113.—
B. B. & R, Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 104.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 167.
Anas jamaicensis Orb, ed. Wils. viii, 1825, 138,

Has. The whole of North America, breeding nearly throughout its range, which ex-
tends south to Guatemala and Colombia; Cuba and other West India islands.

Sp. Coan. Adult male, full plumage: Pileum and upper half of the nape uniform
black; entire side of the head, below the eyes, including the malar region and chin, pure
white; rest of neck, entire upper parts, sides, and flanks, rich chestnut-rufous or purplish
ferruginous; wing-coverts and middle of the rump dusky grayish brown, minutely mottled
with paler; remiges dull brownish dusky; rectrices brownish black, the shafts deep black;
lower parts white on the surface, but the concealed portion of all the feathers dark brown-
ish gray, showing when the feathers are disarranged, and in midsummer specimens com-
pletely exposed by abrasion of the tips of the feathers; chest strongly washed with fulvous-
buff, this sometimes invading the abdomen. Lower tail-coverts entirely white, to the
roots of the feathers. “Bill and edge of the eyelids grayish blue; iris hazel; feet dull
grayish blue, webs inclining to dusky; claws grayish brown” (AuDUBON). Adult female:
Top of the head, down to below the eyes, and upper parts generally, dusky grayish brown,
minutely freckled with pale grayish fulvous (more reddish on the head); remainder of the
head dirty grayish white, crossed longitudinally by astripe of speckled dusky, running from
the rictus back ward across the auriculars, parallel with the lower edge of the brown of the
top of the head; neck pale brownish gray, fading gradually into the white of the chin;
lower parts, except sides and flanks (which are similar to the abdomen, but darker), as
in the adult male. Young: Similar to the adult female. Downy young: Above, dark
smoky brown, darker on the head; a whitish spot on each side the back; a brownish white
stripe beneath the eye, from the bill to near the occiput; beneath this,a narrower dusky

* Also, Hickory- head, Greaser, Paddy, Noddy, Paddy-whack, Dinkey, Light-wood knot,
Hard-tack, and s0 forth, adcording to the locality or the particular individual who is asked
to name the species! See TrumBULL’s Names and Portraits of Birds,

—24

—_

%

Es ea ee

ey i " a

186 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

brown one, confluent with the brown of the nape, reaching almost or quite to the rictus
Lower parts grayish white, strongly shaded with sooty brown across the chest.
Length, about 13.50-16.00; wing, 5.75-6.00; culmen, about 1.50-1.60.

Although the collection of the National Museum contains nu-
merous examples of this species, only a small portion of them
have the sex indicated, while on a still smaller number is the
date noted. It is therefore difficult to determine satisfactorily,
from the material at hand, the seasonal and sexual differences
of plumage. Certain it is, however, that specimens in the
plumage described above as that of the adult male in full
plumage occur both in summer and winter. Audubon says
that the ‘adult female in summer” “presents the same char-
acters as in the male;” but although this may be true, the
series under examination affords no indication of it. He de-
scribes the ‘‘male one year old” as having “a similar white
patch on the side of the head; upper part of head and hind
neck dull blackish brown; throat and sides of neck grayish brown,
lower part of neck dull reddish brown, waved with dusky; upper
parts as in the adult, but of a duller tint; lower parts grayish
white.”

Probably no North American duck has so extensive a breed-
ing range as the present species, since it breeds as far south as
Guatemala—perhaps even farther; as far north as Great
Slave Lake, York Factory, and other localities in the subarctic

“portions of the continent, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific.
According to Professor Cooke, it winters from southern Illinois |
southward. .

“Audubon noticed it in large numbers during the winter
months in Florida, sometimes shooting upwards of forty in a
single morning; and he was informed by Dr. Bachman that this
species had been becoming more and more abundant in South
Carolina; yet he had never met with an example in full summer
plumage. This duck seemed to be equally fond of salt, brackish,
and fresh water. In the Southern States it congregates in great
flocks. Its flight is rapid, with a whirring sound, occasioned
by the concave form of the wings. It rises from the water with
considerable difficulty, being obliged to assist itself with its
broad webbed feet, and for that purpose to run on the surface
for several yards. From the ground, howeyer, it can spring up
at once. This duck swims with ease and grace and deeply im-

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 187

mersed, It is also extremely expert at diving; and when wounded,
often escapes by doing this, and then hiding in the grass, if
there is any accessible.” ( Water Birds of North America.)

Mr. Salvin found this species more easily procurable than any
other of the ducks frequenting the lake of Duefias, in Guatemala,
on account of a peculiarity in its powers of flight which renders
its escape less easy than it would otherwise be. It can fly as
well as any other when it is once fairly started, but rises with
great difficulty from the water; and, in consequence of this, it
can be approached within easy gunsbot by sailing down upon
it before the wind. Sometimes, however, it seeks safety by div-
ing; and when it does this, so rapid are its motions that it is
almost certain to escape.

The eges of the Ruddy Duck are remarkably large in propor-
tion to the size of the bird, and are distinguished from those
of every other North American duck by the roughness of the
shell.

SUBFAMILY MERGIN2.—TuHe MERGANSERS.

Genus MERGANSER Brisson.

Merganser Briss. Orn. vi, 1760, 230. Type, Mergus merganser Linn.

Gen. CuAr. Bill longer than the head, the breadth uniformly about equal to the depth,
the serrations conical, acute, ani pointed backward; crest occipital, pointed, or scarcely
developed and depressed. Tarsus nearly three fourths the middle toe, with claw. Tail
about half the length of the wings. Bill mostly reddish. Adult males with head and upper
neck greenish black, the occiput crested; rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail, plain ash-gray;
rest of upper parts mainly pied black and whiiish: lower parts rich creamy white or pale
salmon-color. Adult females with head and uppem neck cinnamon-brownish (occiput
crested, as inthe male), chin aud part of throat white; upper parts grayish, with some
white on wings; lower parts buffy white,

The two North American species of this genus may be readily
distinguished as follows, the females alone resembling one
another:

1. M. americanus. Nostrils situated near the middle of the maxilla; frontal feathers extend-
ing farther forward than hose on lateral base of bill. Adult male: Head and most of
the neck greenish black; head slightly crested; chest and ‘other lower parts creamy
white, or pale salmon-color. Adult female: Had and neck reddish (chin and throat
white), the oveiput with a ful. crest of lengthened feathers. Above, chiefly bluish gray, *

2. M. serrator. Nostrils situated near the base of the maxilla: feathers on lateral base of
bill extending farther forward than those onthe forehead. Adult male: Head dull
greenish black, the occiput with a long pointed crest of narrow feathe 8; neck and sides
of the chest dull buff, or light cinnamon, streaked with black; other lower parts

188 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

mainly white. Adult female: Very similar in color to that of M. americanus, but dis-
tinguished by different position of the nostrils, and different outline of the feathering
at base of the bill. size also smaller. :
,
Merganser americanus (Cass.)

AMERICAN MERGANSER.

Fopular synonyms, Buff-breasted Merganser; Buff-breasted Sheldrake: Saw-bill; Fish
Duck; Sheldrake, ete.

Mergus-merganser Wits. Am. Orn. vili, 1814, 68, pl. 68 (mec Linn.).—Sw. & Ricw. F. B.-A.
ii, 1831, 461.—NutTvT. Man. ii, 1834, 460.—AuD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 261, pl. 331; Synop. 1839,
297; B. Am. vi, 1843, 387, pl. 411.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 296; Check List, 1873, No. 521; 2d
ed. 1882, No. 743; Birds N. W. 1874, 588.—HENsH. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 483.
Mergus americanus Cass. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. vi, 1853, 187—Baimp, B. N, Am. 1858,
813; Cat. N. Am B. 1859, No. 611.
Mergus castor, a. americanus BonaP. Compt. Rend. xliii, 1856, 652.
Mergus merganser Bp. americanus Ripew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 627.
Mergus merganser americanus Ripew. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. iii, 1880, 205; Nom. N. Am. B.
1881, No. 636.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 112.
Merganser americanus StEIN. Orn. Exp). Kamtsch. 1885, 177—A.O. U. Check List, 1886,
No. 129.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 89.

Has. Whole of North America, breeding from northern border of United States north-
ward.

Sp. CHar. Adult male: Head and upper‘half (or more) of the neck deep black, the
elongated feathers of the pileum and nape distinctly, other portions faintly, glossed with
greenish; whole back and innermost scapulars deep black; rump, upper tai!-coverts, and
tail, plain cinereous; sides of the crissum (anteriorly) and femoral region, whitish, narrowly
barred with slate-color; primary-coverts, primaries, and outer secondaries, plain blackish
dusky. Remainder of the plumage fine light salmon-buff in life, fading to buffy white in
dried skins; innermost secondaries narrow'y skirted with black; base of the : reater
cove: ts deep black, forming a distinct bar about half way across the wing; anterior border
of the wing dusky grayish or blackish. Bill deep vermilion-red, the culmen and nail black;
feet deepred; iriscarmine. Adult female: Head and upper halt of the neck reddish cinna-
mon, the pileum aiid occipital crest (the latter much Jonger than in the male) more brown,
the lores grayish; chin, throat, and malar region, white; upper parts, sides, and flanks
bluish gray, the innermost secondaries white, the e»posed portion of the lower greater
coverts white, tipped with dusky; outermost secondaries, primary coverts, and primaries,
uniform slate-color. Lower parts, except laterally, pale creamy salmon-color, fading to
nearly white in dried specimens, the feathers of the chest ash-gray beneath the surface.
Bill, eyes, and feet, as in the male, but less brilliant in color.

Downy Young. Upperhal! of the head, with nape, reddish brown, more reddish on the
nape, where encroavhing on the sides of the neck; remaining upper parts hair-brown, or
grayish umber, relieved by four white spots, one on the posterior border of exch wing, and
one on each side the rump; lower parts white; a stripe on the lower half of th+ lores, run-
ning backward beneath the eye, white; below this a narrower st.ipe of deep brown,
from the rictus to the auricular region; a wide stripe, occupying the upper half of the lores,
from the b]| tothe eye, bla kish brown, this separated from the umber of the forehead by
a very indistin t streak of brownish white or pale brown.*

Adult male. Total length, about 27 inches, extent, 36; wing, 10.50-11.25; culmen, 1.90-2.20;
_ tarsus, 1.90-2.00; middle toe, 2.10-2.50. Adult female. Total length, about 24 inches, extent,
84; wing, 9 60-9.75; culmen, 1.80-2.00; tarsus, 1.85-1.90; midd.e toe, 2.25-2. 40.

* Described from No. 5,783, Bridger’s Pass, Rocky Mountains, Aug. 18, 1856; W. 8. Wood.
Distinguishable with certainty from the young of V/. serrator by the different position of
the nostril.

ANATIDE—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 189

Apparently the only difference of coloration between this spe-
cies, and the European JL merganser, is that adult males have
the black at the base of the greater wing-coverts exposed, so
as to form a very distinct band about half way across the wing,
while those of the latter have this black entirely concealed by
the overlying middle coverts. There is, however, a difference in
the proportions of the bill in the two forms which seems to be
of specific importance. In the females, this difference in the bill
is apparently the only obvious distinguishing character.

The American Merganser, more commonly known as the Shel-
drake, Fish Duck, or Saw-bill, winters from Illinois and other
states in the same latitude southward, and breeds from Iowa,
Minnesota, etc., north to the Arctic districts. Formerly it
nested in Pennsylvania and other portions of the more eastern
United States, and in the western portions it still breeds very
much farther south than it is known to do on the eastern side
of the Mississippi, Dr. Mearns having found it nesting along
various mountain streams which are tributary to the Verdi and
Salt Rivers in Arizona.

The Merganser feeds chiefly on fish, and for this reason its
flesh is rank and unpalatable. Hearne says that it devours its
food in such quantities that it is frequently obliged to disgorge
several times before it can rise from the water, and that it can
swallow fishes six or seven inches in length.

Its nest, like that of many other ducks, is usually p'aced in
cavities of trees.

Merganser serrator (Linn.)

RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.
Popular synonyms. Red-breasted Goosander or Sheldrake; Gar-bili; Sea-Robin, ete.

Mergus serrator Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 129; ed. 12, i, 1766, 208—W1is. Am. Orn. viii,
1814, 81, pl. 69.—Sw. & Riow. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 462—NurTtr. Man. ii, 1834, 463.—Avup.
Orn. Biog. v, 1849, 92, pl. 401; Synop. 1839, 298; B. Am. vi, 1843, 395, pl. 412.—Barrp,
B. N. Am. 1858, 814; Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 612.—Coves, Key, 1872, 296; Check
List, 1873, No. 522; 2d ed. 1832, No. 744; B. N. W. 1874, 581.—Hensu. Zool. Wheeler's
Exp. 1875, 484.—Ripoew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 627; Nom, N. Am. B. 1881, No. 637—
B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1834, 116.

Merganser serrator Scuirr. Mus. Orn. 1789, 66.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 130,—

Rivoew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 89.

Mergus cristatus Bronn. Orn. Bor. 1764, 23,

Mergus niger Get. 8. N. L., pt. ii, 1788, 546,

Mergus leucomelas GMEL. tom. olt,

.

190 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Has. Northern portions of northern hemisphere; in America migrating south, in
winter, throughout the United States.

Sp.Cuar. Adult male: Head dull greenish black, duller and more brownish on the
forehead and throat, the crest faintly glossed with purplish; neck and sides of the chest
pale fawn-color or dull buff, indistinctly streaked with black, the streaks being on the
edges of the feathers; a white collar round the upper part of the neck, just below the black
Lower parts pure creamy white, the sides and flanks undulated with narrow zigzag bars
of black. Back and scapulars uniform black; shoulders overhung by a tuft of broad feath-
ers, broadly margined with black, the central space being white. Anterior and outermost
lesser wing-coverts dark slate-gray, darker centrally; posterior lesser coverts and mid-
die coverts wholly white; greater coverts with the terminal half white, the basal half black,
partly exposed, thus forming a narrow band or bar across the wing; two innermost tertials
wholly black, the rest white, edged with black; innermost secondaries entirely white; outer
* secondaries, primary-coverts, and primaries black. Rump and upper tail-coverts dark
ash-gray with black shafts, centrally, finely mottled laterally with white-and-black zigzags.
Tail slate-gray, with black shafts. Bill deep carmine, the culmen black, the nail yellowish;
iris carmine; feet bright red.* Adult female: Head and neck cinnamon-brown, duller or
more grayish on the pileum and nape, the crest shorter than in the male; throat and lower
parts white, the sides and flanks ash-gray. Upper parts dark ash-gray, the feathers with
darke. shafts; exposed portion of greater coverts and secondaries white, the base of the
latter black, but seldom showing as a narrow bar; primaries blak. Bill, eyes, and feet as
in the male, but less intense in color. Young: Similar to the adult female, but chin and
throat pale reddish, instead of pure white, tne lower part of the neck and chest, brown-
is) white, with the feathers mouse-gray beneath the surface; black at base of the second-
arie- exposed, forming a narrow bar between two white areas. Downy young: Above,
hair-brown, the posterior border of each wing, and a large spot on each side of the rump,
yellowish white; lower parts including th» malar region, yellowish white; side of head
and neck reddish cinnamon, paler on the lores, which are bordered above by a dusky
stripe running backward to the anterior angle of the eye, and below by a dark brown, rather
indistinct, rictal stripe; lower eyelid white.

Total length, about 20.00 to 25.00 inches: extent, 32.00 to 35.00; wing, 8.60-9.00; culmen, 2.50;
tarsus, 1.80-1.90; middle toe, 2.40.

The Red-breasted Merganser (sadly mis-named, since the
breast does not even approach red in color), is a winter resi-
dent throughout Illinois and breeds from the northern portion
of the State northward. Its habits are so like those of the
bufi-breasted species (JZ. americanus) as to require no special
description here.

GreNus LOPHODYTES ReEIcHENBACH.

Lophodytes ReIcHENs. Syst. Av. 1852, p. ix. Type, Mergus cucullatus Linn.

Gen. CHAR. Bill shorter than the head, black; serrations compressed, low, short,
inserted obliquely on the edge of the bill. Tail more than half as long as the wings.
Tarsus about two thirds as long as the longest toe (with claw). Head with a full, semi-
circular, compressed crest of hair-like feathers.

*Two adult males received at the National Museum from Wood's Holl, Mass., April 14,
1886, had the soft paris colored as follows: Lower mandible and feet rich searlet-lake, the
webs of the latter brownish, becoming nearly black on the median portion; uy per mandible
blackish brown, becoming dul) red along edges. Total length, before skinning, 23.50 and
24 inches respectively.

J
7

ANATIDEZ—THE SWANS, GEESE, AND DUCKS. 191

The genus Lophodytes is quite distinct from Merganser in the
possession of the above characters. The bill is also much more
depressed terminally, and, in proportion to its length, deeper
through the base. The nostrils are situated far back, as in
MV. serrator. But one species is known, unless the Mergus octo-
setaceus of Vieillot, a South American bird, which we have not
seen, be referable to this genus rather than to Jergus.

Lophodytes cucullatus (Linn.)

HOODED MERGANSER.

Popular synonyms, Hooded Sheldrake; Fan-crest; Round-crest; Pickaxe Sheldrake;
Wood Sheldrake; Wood Duck; Swamp Sheldrake; Pond Sheldrake; Cock Robin
Duck; Hairy-head; Snowl (Maryland); Moss head; Tow-head; Tadpole, etc., ete.

Mergus cucullatus Linn. 8. N. ed, 10, i, 1758, 129; ed. 12, i, 1766, 207—Wirs. Am. Orn.
viii 1814, pl. lxix, fig, 1—Sw. & Rica. F. B.-A. ii,1831,463—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 465
—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 246, pl. 283; Synop. 1839, 299; B. Am. vi, 1843, 402,
pl. 413.—Coves, Key, 1872, 296; Check List, 1873, No. 523; 2d ed. 1882, No. 745; B. N.
W. 1874, 581.—HensuH. Zodl. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 484.

Lophodytes cucullatus REICHENB. Syst. Av. 1852, p. ix—Batrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 816;
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 618—RipGw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 627; Nom. N. Am. B.
1881, No. 638; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 89.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 121.—
A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 131.

Has. All of North America, south to Mexico and Cuba, north to Alaska, and acci-
dentally to Greenland; breeds nearly throughout its range; Bermudas in autumn; casual
in Europe.

Sp. Coar. Adult male: Head, neck, back, and seapulars black: crest chiefly pure
‘white, but bordered by a distinct “rim” of black; forehead, and feathers round base of the
bill, dark fuliginous, but this blending insensibly into the deep black. Wing-coverts dark
gray, lighter and more ashy posteriorly; greater coverts broadly tipped with white, the base
black, this exposed sufficiently to show a distinct band; inner secondaries with th ir ex-
posed surface (in closed wing) white, the basal portion black, showing narrowly beyond the
end of the greater coverts; tertials with a central stripe of white. Primaries, primary cov-
erts, rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail brownish dusky. Sides of the breastcro-sed by two
black crescents, projecting from the black of the back, these interdigitating with two white
ones, the last crescent being black. Sides and flanks rusty cinnamon (more grayish ante-
riorly), narrowly undulated with black; remaining.lower parts white, the posterior part of
the crissum mottled with grayish brown. Bill deep black; iris bright yellow; legs and feet
yellowish brown, the claws dusky. Adult female: Head, neck, chest, and upper parts
generally, grayish brown, darker above, the crest reddish hair-brown, or dull cinnamon,
smaller and of looser texture than inthe male; chin, upper part of the throat, and lower
parts, except sides, and posterior part of the crissum, white; middle feathers of the
greater wing-coverts tipped with white; innermost secondaries with their ex:osed
surface white, except at the base. Maxilla black, edged with orange; mandible
orange; iris hazel; feet dusky. Young: Similar to the adult female, bat crest ru-
dimentary, or wanting, the sides and posterior part of the crissum more distinctly
brown. Downy young: Above, deep hair-brown, darkest on the back and rump;

‘
:
b,
;

192 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

posterior border of the arm-wing, a small spot on each side of the back (nearly con-
ecealed by the closed wing), and a larger one on each side of the rump grayish
white. Lower half of the head (from about ona line with the eye) brownish buff, paler
on the chin and throat; chest light dingy brownish; remaining lower parts dingy white,
the sides brown, like the upper parts.

Total length, about 17.50-19.00 inches; extent, 24.00-26.00; wing, 7.50-7.90; culmen, 1.50;
tarsus, 1.25-1.30; middle toe, 1.90-1.95.

The Hooded Merganser is a common summer resident in I]h-
nois, inhabiting wooded swamps and the dense timber along
streams, where it may be seen perching high in the lofty trees,
in knot-holes and other cavities of which it makes its nest.

ORDER STEGANOPODES—THE TOTIPALMATE SWIMMERS. 193

Orper STEGANOPODES.—Tuap TotreaALMATE SWIMMERS.

CHARACTERS. Hind toe lengthened, united by a web witb the inner toe; bill longer
than the head, with sharp cutting edges, and usually with a curved maxillary unguis or
terminal hook (wanting in Anhingid@ and Phaéthontide). Throat usually with a more
or less distensible pouch of naked skin, situated between the mandibular rami (wanting
in Phaéthontide). Nostrils obsolete (except in Phaethontide).

Leaving out the genus Phaéthon which, if truly belonging to
this order, is at least an aberrant form, the Steganopodes con-
stitute a very natural group of birds, the main characters of
which are as given above. So far as its external appearance
goes, Phaéthon is very similar to the larger Terns, the most
obvious difference being in the character of the feet.

Following are the characters of the several families belonging
to this order, the names of those represented in the Illinois
fauna being in heavy-faced type, the others in italics:

A. Bill terminated by a conspicuous, strongly curved hook.
a. Tarsus exces-ively short, scarcely equal to the hallux, including its claw.

1. Fregatide. Wings and tail excessively elongated, the latter deeply forked;
middle toe much longer than the outer, its claw flattened and pectinated on
the inner edge; webs very small, occupying less than half the space between
the toes.

bo. Tarsus moderately Jengthened, much longer than the hallux, including its claw,
(sometimes more than twice as long).

2. Pelecanilw, Bill excessively elongated (much longer than the tarsus and
middle toe), greatly depressed, the gular pouch very large, and greatly dis-
tensible. Middle toe longer than the outer.

3. Phalacrocoracide. Bill moderately elongated, or rather short (shorter than the
middle toe), compressed; gular pouch small, scarcely distensible. Outer toe
much longer than the middle.

B. Bill tapering to the point, which is without a terminal hook or unguis (very faintly
indicated in Sulide).

a. Nostrils obliterated; outer and middle toes nearly equal in length, and much

longer than the inner; lores, orbital region, lower jaw, chin, and throat, naked.

4. Anhingide, Bill slender, heron-like, the outlines nearly straight (the culmen
perfectly so); head very small, neck extremely long and slender. Tail
long and fan-shaped (nearly as long as the wing), rounded, the feathers
very broad, the middle rectrices transversely corrugated in the adult,

—25

194 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

5. Sulide. Bill very thick through the base, but tapering rapidly to the tip,
which is very slightly curved, with the maxillary unguis faintly indicated.
Tail short (about half the wing), cuneate, the feathers narrowed toward the
end.
b. Nostrils distinct (as in the Laride@); lateral toes nearly equal, and nearly as long
as the middle; whole head normally feathered.
6. Phaéthontide. Bill conical, much compressed, the culmen curved; maxillary
tomium very concave. Tail short, graduated, the central pair of rectrices
linear and excessively elongated.

PELECANIDE—THE PELICANS. 195

FamMILy PELECANIDZ.—Tuae PE .icans.

CHARACTERS. Bill greatly elongated and excessively depressed, the terminal unguis
very prominent and strongly hooked; gular pouch exceedingly large and greatly distensi-
ble; lores and orbital region—sometimes other parts of the head also—nakeu. Toes fully
webbed, the outer almost as long as the middle, the inner much shorter. Tail very short,
nearly even, or slightly rounded. Size usually very large.

The Pelicans include about ten species, which are found mostly
in the warmer parts of the world, although two of them—the
common American P. erythrorhynchos and the Palearctie P. cris-
pus—extend in summer to high northern latitudes. As may be
seen from the synonymy of the genus Pélecanus, these birds have
been divided into several genera by authors; but each species
possesses so many peculiarities of external structure that it is
doubtful whether the differences between the supposed genera are
of more than subgeneric importance.

Genus PELECANUS Linn vs.

Pelecanus Lixn. 8. N. ed. 10, i,1758,132; ed 12,1, 1766, 215. Type, P. onocrotalus Linn.
Onocrotalus Briss. Orn. vi, 1760, 519. Type, Pelecanus onocrotalus LINN.
Cyrtopelicanus Retcu. Syst. Av. 1853, p. vil. Type, Pelecanus erythrorhynchos GMEL.
Leptopelicanus Retcu.1l.c. Type, Pelecanus fuscus LINN.

Catoptropelicanus Retcu.).c. Type, Pelecanus conspicillatus TEMM.

The characters of this genus being the same as those given
above for the Family Pelecanide, it is unnecessary to repeat them
here. It is possible, however, that the genus as here used in a
comprehensive sense should be subdivided, as indicated by the
above synonymy.

The species which occur in Illinois may be thus distinguished:

A. Lower jaw densely feathered to the base of the mandible. Tail-feathers 24. (Subgenus
Curiopelicanus.)
1, P.erythrorhynchos. Color white, the primaries blackish. Bill and feet yellowish,
Ceepening to red inthe breeding-season. Wing, 22.00-25.25 inches; culmen, J1.30-
13.85.

Med . ! — tn e -

196 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

B. Lower jaw wholly naked. Tail-feathers 22. (Subgenus Leptopelicanus.)
2. P.fuscus, Prevailing color dusky, the upper parts silvery-striped in adults, grayish
brownin the young; bill dull grayish, or purplish brown, stained with red toward end
(in breeding season); pouch greenish brown, grayish, or dusky. Wing, 19.00-21.00
inches; culmen, 9.40-12.20.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos Gmel.

AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN.
Popular synonym. Rough-billed Pelican.

Pelecanus erythrorhynchos GmMEt. 8. N.i, pt. ii, 1788, 571.—Barrp, B. N. Am, 1858, 868; Cat.
N. Am. B. 1859, No. 615.—Ettiot, P. Z. 8. 1869,588 (monograph‘c).—Ripew. Orn. 40th
Par. 1877, 627 (habits, ete.); Nom. N. Am. B. 1881,640; Man. N. Am. B. 1887,82.—B. B. &
R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884,133.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 125.

Pelecanus trachyrhy) chus*LatH. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790,884.—CovEs, Key 1872,300; Check List,
1873, No. 526; 2d ed. 1882, No. 748; B. N.W. 1874,586.—BrENDIRE, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H.
1877, 146 (habits, nest and eggs, etc.)

Pelecanus onocrotalus (‘a variety”) Forst. Philos. Trans, ]xii, 1772, 419.

Pelecanus onocrotalus Bonap. Synop. 1828, 400 (nec Linn.).—Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. ii,
1831, 472.—\ uTT. Man. ii, 1834, 471.

Pelecanus thagus STEPH. Gen. ZoOl. xiii, 1826, 117 (Mexico; nee Moxtna).

Pelecanus hernandezii WAGL. Isis, 1832, 1233 (Mexico).

Pelecanus americanus AuD. Orn, Biog. iv, 1838, 88, pl. 311; Synop. 1839, 309, B. Am. vii, 1844,
20, pl. 422.

Pelecanus occipitalis Ripaw. Am. Sportsman, iv, 1874, 297 4N 3vada).

Has. The whole of North America, north in the interior to about 61°, south to Mexico
and Central America in winter; now rare or accidental along the Atlantic coast north of
Florida.

Sp. CHAR. Tail-feathers 24; malar region completely feathered; color chiefly white;
pill, pouch, and feet yellowish or reddish. Adult, nuptial plumage: Culmen with a narrow
median horny excresence, situated a little anterior to the middle, the upper outline
more or less convex, its fibres obliquely vertical, its size and exact shape variable.
Plumage white, sometimes tinged with pale pinkish, the narrow le-ser wing-coverts and
jugular plumes straw-yellow or (rarely?) purplish buff; primaries dull blak, their shafts
white toward the base; secondaries dusky, both webs edged with grayish white. Upper
part of the nape with a pendent crest of long, narrow, silky feathers of a pure white or
delicate straw-color. Bi!l chiefly orange, paler on the culmen, the nails and edges of the
maxillaand mandible more reidish; mandible deeper red than the maxilla, growing al-
most brick-red basally; pouch dirty whitish anteriorly, where suffused with blackish,
passing sueces-ively through yellow and orange into intense dragon’s-blood-red, or brick-
red, at the base; lower edge of the mandible sometimes blackish, and side of the mandible
sometimes marked, nearly opposite the maxillary crest, with a somewhat quadrate black
spot: bare skin of the lores and 0: bital region rich orange-yeliow; eyelids dark reddish;
iris pearl-white!; legs and feet intense orange-red, Adult, post-nuptial plumage (=P. oc-
cipitalis Ripew.): Similar to the above, but maxillary excrescence wanting thaving been
cast), and the nuchal crest replaced by a patch of brownish gray. Adult in falland winter:
Similar to the last, but no grayish patch on the occiput (crest also absent), the bill and feet
clear yellow. Young: Similar to the winter adult, but lesser wing-coverts bi ownish gray
centrally, pileum similarly marked; jugular feathers short and broad, and pure white, like
the other feathers of the lower surface; bill, pouch, and feet pale yellow.

Total length about 53.50-61.00 inches; extent, 7.50-9.00 feet; wing, 22.25-25.25 inches; cul-
men, 11.30-15.00; tarsus, 4.80-4.65; middle toe, 3.704.252 Weight of adult, about 17 pounds.

1The iris is said to be sometimes hazel.
2The average of a series of eight adult examples is as follows: Wing, 23.55 inches; oul-
men, 12.62; tarsus, 4.50; middle toe, 3.98

ee is i) beh bed eS

PELECANIDE—THE PELICANS. 197

Individual variation, both in size and in the details of colora-
tion, is very considerable in this species. Most descriptions of
the ‘perfectly adult bird say that the plumage is tinged with
peach-blossom pink; but in only a single example among the
very large number examined by me (including both skins and
freshly killed birds) was the faintest trace of this color visible,
and that confined to a few feathers of the back. The straw-
- yellow color of the narrow jugular feathers and lesser wing-
coverts, however, seems to be always a characteristic of the
adult birds, both in winter and summer, though much paler in
the former season. The black along the lower edge of the
mandible and the squarish spot on its side are not infrequently
entirely absent. The maxillary excrescence varies greatly both
in size and shape. Frequently it consists of a single piece,
nearly as high as long, its vertical outlines almost parallel,
and the upper outline quite regularly convex, the largest speci-
men seen being about three ‘inches high, by as many in length.
More frequently, however, it is very irregular in shape, usually
less elevated, and not infrequently with ragged anterior, or even
posterior, continuations. This excrescence, which is assumed
gradually in the spring, reaches its perfect development in the
pairing season, and is dropped before or soon after the young
are hatched; simultaneously with the shedding of this append-
age the nuchal crest falls off, and in its place a patch of short
brownish gray feathers appears; this disappears with the fall
moult, when the occiput is entirely unadorned, there being
neither crest nor colored patch.

The White Pe ican passes through Illinois in its northward
journey from the southern waters to its breeding grounds in
April, and returns to its winter quarters during the latter half
of September and first half of October. Its breeding places are
scattered, localities which are sufficiently secluded being now
“few and far between.” It is said to breed in portions of Minne-
sota, as it does in many places farther to the west and north,
and there are reasons for supposing that it may breed in Florida
and Texas, as well as in intermediate portions of the Gulf coast.

In a very excellent account of the feeding habits of this bird,
Col. N. 8. Goss observes that naturalists who “have not seen
the White Pelicans upon their feeding grounds, have without
doubt read Audubon’s interesting description of the manner in

198 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

which the birds unite and drive the fishes into shallow water,
where they can catch them, which they cannot well do in deep
water, as their skins are honeycombed with air cells that buoy
them up like cork, and prevent their diving, and they do not
plunge for their food when upon the wing, like their cousins,
the Brown Pelicans, and therefore have to adopt fishing habits
suited to shallow waters. I have often noticed the birds in
flocks, in pairs, or alone, swimming on the water with partially
opened wings, and head drawn down and back, the bill just
clearing the water, ready to strike and gobble up the prey
within their reach; when so fishing, if they ran into a shoal of
minnows, they would stretch out their necks, drop their heads
upon the water, and with open mouths and extended pouches
scoop up the tiny fry. Their favorite time for fishing on the
seashore is during the incoming tide, as with it come the small
fishes to feed upon the insects caught in the rise, and upon the
low forms of life in the drift, as it washes shoreward, the larger
fishes following in their wake, each from the smallest to the
largest eagerly engaged in taking life in order to sustain life.
All sea-birds know. this and the time of its coming well, and
the White Pelicans that have been patiently waiting in line
along the beach, quietly move into the water, and glide smoothly
out, so as not to frighten the life beneath, and, at a suitable
distance from the shore, forin into line in accordance with the
sinuosities of the beach, each facing shoreward and awaiting
their leader’s signal to start. When this is given. all is com-
motion; the birds, rapidly striking the water with their wings,
throwing it high above them, and plunging their heads in and
out, fairly make the water foam, as they move in an almost
unbroken line, filling their pouches as they go. When satisfied
with their catch, they wade and waddle into line again upon
the beach, where they remain to rest, standing or sitting, as
suits them best, until they have leisurely swallowed the fishes
in their nets; then, if undisturbed, they generally rise in a flock,
and circle for a long time high in air. . ¥ * — Several
years ago, in the month of September, I had the pleasure of
observing a small flock of the birds fishing in the Neosho River,
Kansas. When late at evening they were forced by tired wings
to stop in their southward flight, the place selected was in still
deep water, at the head of a fall, or rapids, in the stream,

PELECANIDE—THE PELICANS. 199

where the water for some fifteen rods, and with a depth of about
six inches, was rippling and dashing over the rocks, a natural
feeding ground for the fishes. The birds, after first bathing and
dressing their feathers, giving particular attention to their pri.
maries, without any unity of action, as hunger moved them,
floated down over the rapids, picking up the fishes here and
there, until the still water below was reached, when they would
rise and fly back, to float down again, leisurely repeating this
mode of fishing until it was quite dark.”

Captaiu Charles E. Bendire, U.S. A., while stationed at Camp
Harney, enjoyed unusual opportunities for observing the breed-
ing-habits of this species in eastern Oregon. He found it a very
common summer resident in that region, making its appearance
early in spring, before the lakes are free from ice, and moving
south early in November. It bred in large numbers on several
of the small islands in the eastern part of Lake Malheur, begin-
ning as early as April 12, the nest being a mere depression
scraped in the sand. The number of eges in a nest was usually
two, occasionally three, and in rare instances five were found in
the same nest; but these were perhaps the product of more than
one female. It bred in communities, the nests being about a
yard apart. Eggs placed under a hen were hatched out in twenty-
nine days.

The eges of this species have a rough surface, on account of
the very uneven thickness of the chalky exterior coat, which has
a tendency to form irregular corrugations and other inequalities
of surface. The normal color is chalky white, but this is often
discolored by conspicuous blood-stains. Their dimensions aver-
age about 3.45x2.30 inches.

Pelecanus fuscus Linn.

BROWN PELICAN.

Popular synonyms. Pelecano; Alcatraz (Mexico).

Pelecanus fuscus LINN. 8, N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 215.—Nutr Man. fi, 1831, 476.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii,
1835, 376; v. 1839, 212; Synop. 1839, 212; B. Am. vii, 1844, 82, pls. 423, 424.—Lawnr. in
Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 870.—Barrp, Cat. B. N. Am. 1859, No. 616.—Coves, Key, 1872,
300; Check List, 1873, No. 527; 2d ed. 1882, No. 749 —Rripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No.
641; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 82.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 139.—A. O. U.
Check List, 1886, No. 126. °

Leptopelicanus fuscus Retcnens. Syst. Av. 1852, p. vii.
Onocrotalus fuscus Bonar. Consp. fi, 1856, 163.

200 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Has. Atlantic coast of tropical and subtropical America, north in the United States to
North Carolina. Accidental in Illinois (C. K. WorTHEN; cf. Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, January,
1880, p. 31).

Sp. Cuan. Tail-feathers 22._ Malar region entirely naked; color silvery gray above
and dusky beneath in the adult, brown or grayish above and white beneath in the young;
bill grayish; pouch and feet dusky. Adult in full breeding-plumage: Head, and feathers
of the neck bordering the base of the gular pouch, white, the forehead sometimes tinged
with straw-yellow; rest of the neck rich chestnut or seal-brown, the upper part of the
nape with a narrow crest of lighter reddish. Upper parts nearly uniform velvety light ash-
gray, the feathers of the upper part of the back, the smaller lesser wing-coverts, the rump,
and upper tail-coverts edged with dark snuff-brown. Lower parts uniform dark brownish
gray, the feathers of the sides, flanks, and crissum streaked centrally with silvery white.
Under wing-cover s and exterior border of wing, snuff-brown, streaked with silvery white.
**Bill grayish white, tinged with brown, and marked with irregular spots of pale carmine;
upper mandible dusky toward the end, lower blackish from the middle to near the end; bare
space between the bill and eye deep blue; eyelids pink; iris white; feet black; gular pouch
greenish black, the ridges of its wrinkles lighter” (AUDUBON). Adult in winter: Similar
to the above, but head and neck wholly white, the head and lower part of the foreneck usu-
ally tinged with straw-yellow. Young, first plumage: Head and neck light brownish gray,
lighter on the nape, the'tips of the feathers paler; back, scapulars,and wing-coverts dull
brown, the feathers tipped with light fulvous; secondaries, tertials. and rectrices silvery
gray, edged with paler; rump and upper tail-coverts similar. Lower parts white, the sides,
flanks, and crissum tinged with brownish gray. “Bill grayish blue, its edges and unguis
grayish yellow; gular pouch dull grayish blue; iris brownish yellow; bare space around the
eye dusky blui-h; feet and claws dull lead-color” (AUDUBON). Young in autumn: Similar
to the adult, but head and neck dull light ash-gray, the feathers bordering the base of the
gular pouch white, the occiput dark plumbeous or slaty, the feathers streaked centrally, or
tipped, with white. Upper parts less uniform and more tinged with brownish than in the
adult.

Total length, about 44.00 to 56.00 inches; extent, 6.50 to 7,75 feet; wing, 19.00-21.00 in -hes;
culmen, 9.40-12.20; tarsus, 2.60-3.05; middle toe, 3,40-3.95. (Average of seven specimens, 19.79,
11.12, 2.84, 3.70.) Weight, about 7-8 lbs.

It was supposed by Audubon and other earlier writers that
the white-necked plumage, described above as the winter dress
of both sexes, represented the peculiar garb of the female. Itis
now known, howevever, that both sexes assume this plumage
after the breeding season, there being at no time any obvious
difference in the colors of the plumage between the male and fe-
male. (Cf. ScuaTEeR, Proc. Zod]. Soc. Lond., 1868, p. 268.)

The Brown Pelican is barely entitled to a place in the list of
Illinois birds, on account of a single specimen having been seen
(not taken) by Mr. C. K. Worthen, near Warsaw (see Bull. Nutt.
Orn. Club, V., 1880, p. 31). It is a tropical and subtropical
species, and, unlike the White Pelican, inhabits exclusively the
salt-water seas, bays, and estuaries, its occurence inland being
purely fortuitous.

In many of its habits it is very different from the White Peli-
can, its manuer of feeding being conspicuously so; for, while the
latter collects in companies which, swimming, drive their prey

PCR OT te ORS

PELECANIDE—THE PELICANS. 201

before them into shallow water and then scoop it into their ca-
pacious pouches, the Brown Pelicans soar above the water,
into which they plunge from varying heights, in the manner of a
Fish Hawk, only their prey is seized by the bill instead of the
feet.

‘Birds of this species are said to feed chiefly during the rising
tide, wandering in extended trains along the shore, and diving
oceasionally, one after the other, when they meet with a shoal
of fish. They are very regular in their motions when flying,
keeping at uniform distances, alternately flapping and sailing,
in imitation of their leader. They usually fly very close to the
surface of the water, and then merely plunge obliquely, holding
the bill so as to scoop up the small fish sideways; then, closing
the wings, they hold up the head with the bill down, so as to
allow the water to run out. This permits the escape of some of
the fish, and gives the parasitic gull a chance to obtain a share
of the plunder, without in the least offending the dignified peli-
can. Sometimes this bird dives from a considerable height,
plunging downward with a spiral motion, although scarcely ever
going beneath the surface, but immediately raising its bill from
the water—usually with a stock of young fish in it. As a gen-
eral rule this pelican does not catch fish more than six inches
long; but occasionally one weighing more than two pounds and
a half may be found in its pouch. Like most fish-eaters, the
pelican is a stupid bird, seeming to have no ideas beyond the
supplying of its immediate wants.” (Water Birds of North
America.)

Not only does the Brown Pelican, when so inclined, perch eas-
ily and gracefully upon the branches of trees, but it frequently
also builds its nest on the tops of the mangroves which line the
shores of its habitat. The eggs are like those of the White
Pelican, except in size, their dimensions |averaging only about
8.01x1.95 inches.

202 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Famiry PHALACROCORACIDZ.—THE CoRMORANTS.

CHARACTERS. Bill comparatively small (shorter than middle toe), variable as to out-
lines, but maxillary unguis always prominent and strongly hooked; nostrils obliterated;
lores, orbital region, lower jaw, chin, and upper part of throat naked. Middle toe longer
than, or about equal to, tarsus, the outer toe much longer, and the inner toe about as
much shorter. Wings rather short, concave beneath, rea-hing but litue, if any, beyond
base of the tail; the latter variable as to Jength, usually r unded or graduated, com-
posed of twelve to fourteen stiff feathers with very rigid shafts, which are exposed al-
most to the extreme base, on account of the slight development of the tail-coverts.
Plumage very compact, usually dark colored and glossy, but lower parts sometimes, in
part at least, whitish.

The Cormorants are funereal-looking, long-necked water birds,
which have a habit of perching in rows upon dead trees, or
upon rocks by the sea-shore, or swimming in loon-like fashion
upon the water.

Only one genus is recognized, but itis a question whether this
should not be subdivided.

GENus PHALACROCORAX Brisson.

Phalacrocoraz Briss. Orn. vi, 1760, 511, Type, Pelecanus carbo Linn.

“Carbo Licer. Mem. de I’ Inst. 1800-1801.”

Urile Bonar. Consp. ii, 1856, 175. Type, Pelecanus urile GMEL.

Hypo'eucus Reicw. Syst. Av. 1853, p. vii. Type, Pelecanus varius GMEL.

Stictocarbo BonapP. “1854”; Consp. ii, 1856, 174. Type, Pelecanus punctatus GMEL.

Microcarbo Bonar, Type, Phalacrocoraz pugmeus Pau.

Compsohalieus Ripew. in B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 145. Type, Carbo penicil-
latus BRANDT.

Gen. CHAR. Same as those of the family Phalacrocoracide (see above).
The following species are known to occur in Illinois:

A. Larger (wing more than 11.00 inches); adults without white round base of gular
pouch; the nuptial plumage with superciliary tufts.
1. P. dilophus, Larger.
2. P, dilophus floridanus. Smaller.
B. Smaller (wing less than 10.50 inches); adults with white line around base of gular
pouch, but without superciliary tufts.
8. P. mexicanus,

PHALACROCORACIDH—THE CORMORANTS. 203

Phalacrocorax dilophus (Swains.)

DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT.

Popular synonyms, Black Loon; Nigger Goose (coast of Virginia); Black Swan (Nevada).

Pelecanus (Carbo) dilophus Sw. & Rrox. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 473,

Phalacrocoraz dilophus Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 483.—AuD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 420; v, 1839,
629, pl. 257; Synop. 1839, 302; B. Am. vi, 1844, 423, pl. 416—Ripew. Nom. N. Am, B.
1881, No. 643; Man, N. Am. B. 1887, 78.—Covugs, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 751.—B. B.
& R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 149.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 120.

Graculus dilo hus Gray, Gen. B. iii, 1849.—Barrp, B. N. Am. 1858, 877; Cat. N. Am. B.
1859, No. 623.—Covgs, Key, 1872, 303; Check List, 1873, No. 530.

Graculus dilophus a. dilophus Couss, B. N. W. 1874, 587.

Has. Northeastern North America, breeding from northern United States northward;
south in winter to the Gulf coast.

Sp. CHAR. Basal outline of the gular pouch extending straight across the throat or
projecting slightly back along the medianline. Adult, in full breeding plumage: Head,
neck, rump, and enti e lower parts, glossy black, with a faint luster of dull bluish green;
back, scapulars, and wings, dull grayish brown, each feather conspicuously and broadly
bordered with black. A tuft of narrow, engthened, curved feathers on each side the
crown, springing from behind and above the eye, these feathers either wholly black (in
eastern specimens), mixed black and white (in specimens from the interior), or wholly
pure white (in Pacific coast examples); neck sometimes, but rarely, with afew scattered
white filamentous feathers. Maxilla black, mottled with grayish or dull yellowish along
the sides; mandible yellowish or pale bluish, mottled with dusky: loral region and gular
sac deep orange; eyelids and whole interior of the mouth bright cobalt-blue, the former
sometimes dotted with white; iris bright grass-green; \egs and feet deep black.* Adult
in winter: Similar to the above, but tults of the head wanting, and the bare skin of the
lores, gular pouch, ete., deep yellow instead of orange, and the bluish of the mouth and
eyelids absent. Young, first plumage: Head and neck grayish brown, lighter next to
the gular sac, darker on the crownand nape; back, scapulars, and wings, dull brownish
gray, the feathers bordered with dusky brown; rump dusky brown; primaries and tail
dull grayish biack; lower parts light fawn-color, darker on the sides, anal-region, aud
crissum. Bill duil brownish yellow, nearly biack on the culmen; gular sac deep chrome-
yellow; iris greenish gray; legs and feet deep black. Young, in winter: Similar to the
above, but throat, chest, and breast paler, sometimes quite white.

Total iength, about 29 to 33.60 inches; extent, 45 to 55; wing, 12.00-13,00 (average 12.50);
tail, 6.50-7.80 (7.15); culmen, 2.00-2.45 (2.25).

The Double-crested Cormorant is a transient visitor in Illinois,
arriving from the North in September or October and returning
from its winter quarters in the Gulf States and Lower Mississippi
Valley in March or April, according to the latitude. It doubt-
less occasionally remains during mild winters in the southern
portion of the State.

“Like the common Black Cormorant (P. carbo), this bird lives
entirely on fish, which it catches by pursuing them under water,

* Audubon gives the fresh colors as follows: “Adult male, at commencement of the
breeding season: Upper mandivle dusky, along the edges grayish-yellow; lower yellow,
irregularly marked with dusky toward the edges. Iris bright green, margin of eyelids,
bare space on the head, and gular sac, rich orange. Feet and claws black.”

204 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

diving only from the surface, and never when flying. Its power of
swimming is very great, and it can remain under the water for a
long time, so that when only wounded its pursuit in a boat is use-
less. Individuals of this species occasionally seem to prefer in-
land waters during the summer, while others breed on the islands
at sea and along the large rivers. They may often be seen sit-
ting on snags or on rocks; but are so shy that they cannot be
approached in a boat, although in flying they often pass very
near the hunter, and thus afford an opportunity for a shot. In
winter they associate in small numbers with the more marine
species. This seems to be an altogether silent species. In flying
it proceeds by constant and laborious flappings, and moves with
great rapidity. Occasionally it sails for a short distance.”
( Water B. NV. Am.)

Phalacrocorax dilophus floridanus (Aud.)

FLORIDA CORMORANT.,
Popular synomyms, Southern Double-crested Cormorant; Black Loon (Wabash River);
Nigger Goose (Southern States).
Phalacrocoraz floridanus AuD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 387; v, 1839, 632, pl. 251; Synop. 1839, 303;
B. Am. vi, 1818, 430, pl. 417.
Graculus floridanus Bonap. Consp. ii, 1856, 172.—Lawk. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 879.—
Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 624.
Graculus dilophus, var. floridanus Cougs, Key, 1872, 303; Check List, 1873, No. 530 a.—
Cory, B. Bahama I., 1880, 198.
Graculus dilophus, b. floridanus Cougs, B. N. W. 1874, 587.
Phalacrocoraz dilophus floridanus Ripew. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. iii, Aug, 24, 1880, 205;
Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 613. a; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 78.—Covgs, 2d Check List, 1882,
No. 753.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 120 a.
Phalacrocoraz dilophus, b. floridanus B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 150.
Haz. South Atlantic and Gulf States and lower Mississippi Valley, north, in summer,
to Illinois, Iowa, ete.; occasional in Bahamas and Cuba.
Sugpsp. Coan. Exactly like G. dilophus, except in size, being smaller. Total length,
about 21.25-30.00 inches; wing, 11.20-12.50 (11.75); culmen, 2.00-2.40 (2.17).

The difference between the so-called Florida Cormorant and
the true Double-crested Cormorant (@. dilophus) being appar-
ently only an average one of size, it is very doubtful whether it
should be recognized as a separate race, since it is quite impossi-
ble, so far as I have had the opportunity of judging, to detect
any differences of coloration. Not having been able to exam-
ine a very large series, however, the number of specimens repre-
senting the true @. dilophus being exceedingly small, I prefer to

PHALACROCORACIDE—THE CORMORANTS. 205

keep the two supposed forms separate until more satisfactory
material can be compared.

According to Audubon, there is a difference in the coloration
of the unfeathered parts of the head, in the breeding season,
the Florida Cormorant having the basal margins of the upper
mandible bright blue, the lower mandible bright blue ‘curiously
spotted with white,” and the margins of the eyelids light blue
spotted with white. But as the Cormorants which I shot at
Pyramid Lake, Nevada, in May were thus marked with blue,
while those shot at Mt. Carmel, Illinois, in the spring were
similarly marked, it is probable that the blue eyelids, etc., are
characteristic of the nuptial season, and common to all the
geographical forms of the species.

The Florida Cormorant, or at least specimens of G. dilophus
in no wise distinguishable from birds of the same _ species
breeding in Florida, is common in early spring on the Wabash
River as far north as Mt. Carmel, and no doubt occurs along
other rivers in the southern portion of the State. While I have
never actually found it breeding there, I have no doubt that it
does so.

Phalacrocorax mexicanus (Brandt).

MEXICAN CORMORANT.

Popular synonym. Sargento (Mexico).

Carbo mexicanus BRANDT, Bull. 8c. Acad. St. Petersb. iii, 1838, 55.—Gunpu. Rep. Fis.-Nat.
Cuba, i, 1866; 395; J. f. O. 1875, 401 (Cuba).
Graculus mezicanus Bonap. Consp. ii, 1856, 173,—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 203; Check List, 1873,
No. 531; B. N. W. 1874, 588.—Snow, Cat. B. Kans. 1873, 12 (Lawrence, Kansas).—Ripew.
Bull. Nutt. Orn. Cl. v, 1880, 31 (Cairo, Illinois).
Phalacrocoraz mezxicanus BREWER, Proc. Bost. Soc. N. H. vii, 1860, 308 (Cuba).—Scx. &
Sary. Nom. Neotr, 1873, 124—Rmew. Nom. N. Am. B, 1881, No. 644; Man. N. Am. B.
1887, 79.—Coves, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 754.—B. B. & R.Water B. N. Am. il, 1884, 155.—
A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 121.—Cory, B. W. L. 1889, 272, (Cuba).
Phalacrocoraz resplendens Lems. Aves de Cuba, 1850, 119 (= adult; nec AUDUBON).
Phalacrocoraz townsendii Lems. Aves de Cuba, 1850, 120 (= young; nee AUDUBON).

Has. Central America, Mexico, Cuba, and southern United States, north in the Missis-
sippi Valley to Kansas and southern Illinois; south to Costa Rica.

Sp. Car. The smallest American species of the genus. Tail-feathers 12, Bill mod-
erately robust, the unguis arched and strongly hooked, the culmen slightly concave in the
middle portion and gently uscending at the base. Bare skin of face extending farthest
back on side of head, forming quite an angle behind the rictus; feathers of the throat ad-
vancing forward on the median line, the apex sometimes divided or indented by a slight
intrusion of the naked skin of the gular pouch. Scapulars and wing-coverts narrow and
tapering, almost pointed.

206 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Adult, nuptial plumage. Feathers bordering the gular sac white, forming a more or
less distinct transverse line, reaching upward nearly or quite tothe eye. Head, neck,
rump, and entire lower parts silky brownish black, with a very faint purplish brown gloss
in certain lights; back, scapulars, and wing-coverts dark brownish slaty, each feather nar-
rowly bordered with black; primaries slate-black. Tail uniform deep bla-k, including the
shafts. Superciliary region, sides of neck, and anal region, ornamented by scattering nar-
row filamentous white feathers. Bill (in skin) light-colored, mottled with da: ker, the eul-
men dusky; gular sac brownish (dull orange-red in life?); iris green; legs and feet deep
black.

Adult, post-nuptial and winter plumage. Simiiar to the nuptial plumage, but lacking
the white filamentous feathers of head, neck, etc.

Young, first plumage. Head, neck and under parts grayish brown, becoming gradu-
ally darker (nearly black) on the hind neck, sides, flanks, anal region and under tail-coverts*
and whitish on upper part of throat (next to gular pouch); upper parts as in the adult.
“Tris green; bill dark fleshy, culmen and upper part of lower mandible dusky; gular sac
brownish; feet deep black.” (SumrcHrast, U. 8.)

Young, in winter. Similar to first plumage, but throat, foreneck, chest, and breast
much lighter colored—sometimes almost white.

Total length, about 23.00-28.75 inches; extent, 38.00-42.75; wing, 9.95-10.40; tail, 6.75-8.30;
culmen, 1.70-2.00; tarsus, 1.85-2.10; middle toe, 2.15-2.85. $

The Mexican Cormorant is said to be a common resident
along the coast of Texas, and doubtless also breeds in portions
of the lower Mississippi Valley, specimens having been taken
in April near Lawrence and in Mitchell Co., Kansas, and near
Cairo, Illinois.*

Its habits are said to be essentially the same as those of the
Florida Cormorant, with which it doubtless may easily be con-
founded when seen at a little distance.

* Fide Cuas. K. WoRTHEN; see Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, Jan, 1888, p. 31.

ANHINGIDE—THE ANHINGAS. 207

Famity ANHINGIDZ.—THE ANHINGAS.

CHARACTERS. Bill slender, pointed, compressed, and very heron-like in shape, the
culmen and commissure almost straight, the gonys slightly ascending; terminal half of
the tomia finely serrated, the serrations directed backward, and forming a series of
close-set, sharp-pointed, fine bristly teeth; nostrils obliterated. Head small, neck slender
and greatly elongated (nearly as long as the wing); outer toe about as Jong as the
middle, or slightly shorter. Tail very long, fan-shaped, rounded, the feathers widened
toward the ends, the outer webs of the intermedi in fully adult birds transverely cor-
rugated or “fluted.”

This singular family consists of but one genus, Anhinga, which
has a representative in the warmer parts of each of the great
divisions of the earth.

Genus ANHINGA Brisson.

Anhinga Briss. Orn. vi, 1760, 476. Type, Anhinga MarcaR.,=Plotus anhinga Linn.
Plotus Lun. Syst. Nat. ed. 12, i, 1766, 218. Type, P. anhinga LINN.

Gen. Cuak. The same as those of the family (see above).

Only one species of this genus occurs in America. This is rep-
resented in Africa by the A. /evaillantii, Licut.; in India by
A. melanogaster, GMpL.; and in Australia by A. novae-hollandia,
Gou.tp. They all closely resemble A. anhinga, but are quite
distinct.

Anhinga anhinga Linn.

ANHINGA.

Povular synomyms. American Anhinga; Snake Bird; Black-bellied Darter; Darter;
Water Crow (mouth of the Mississippi); Water Turkey; Grecian Lady (Florida);
. Bee & Lancette (Louisiana French).

Plotus anhinga Liny. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 218.—NutTr. Man. ii, 1834, 507.—Bonap. Consp.
fi, 1855, 180.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 186; Synop. 1839, 306; B. Am. vi, 1843, 443, pl.
420.—Lawk,. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 883.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No, 628.—
Cougs, Key, 1872, 306; Check List, 1873, No. 586; 2d ed. 1882, No. 760.—Ripaw. Nom.
N. Am. B. 1881, No. 649.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1881, 166.

Anhinga anhinga Sresn. Stand. Nat. Hist. iv, 1885, 193.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No.
118.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B, 1887, 77.
Plotus melanogaster Wiis. Am. Orn. ix, 1824, 79, 82, pl. 74 (not of GMEL.).

iw a a ee os. Oe

208 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Has. Tropical and subtropical America; Gulf States and lower Mississippi Valley,
north to southern Illinois, Kansas, ete.

Sp. Cuan. Adult male in full breeding plumage: Plumage of the neck and body
deep glossy black, with a faint greenish gloss; scapulars and lesser wing-coverts marked
centrally (longitudinally) with light hoary ash, these markings elliptical on the upper part
of the scapular region, linear or nearly acicular on the longer scapulars, and broadly ovate
on the wing coverts; exposed surface of the middle and greater wing-coverts light hoary
ash; remainder of the wings, with the tail, deep black, the latter less glossy, and broadly
tipped with pale brown, passing into dirty whitish terminally. Sides of the occiput and
neck ornamented by lengthened, loose-webbed, hair-like feathers of a dirty white or pale
grayish lilac; nuchal feathers elongated, hair-like, forming a sort of loose mane. “Upper
mandible dusky-olive, the edges yellow; lower mandib'e bright yellow, the edges and tip
greenish; bare space about the eye bluish green; gular sac bright orange; iris bri cht ear-
mine; tarsi and toes anteriorly dusky-olive, the hind parts and webs yellow, claws brown-
ish black” (AuDUBON). Adult male in winter: Similar to the above, but destitute of the
whitish feathers of the head and neck, Adult female in full breeding plumage: Head,
neck, and breast grayish buff, becoming grayish brown (sometimes quite dusky) on the
pileum and nape, the breast lighter,and bounded below by a narrow band of dark chestnut,
bordering the upper edge of the black abdomen; sides of the upper part of the neck
adorned with an inconspicuous longitudinal stripe of short white loose-webbed feathers.
Rest of the plumage asinthe male. Bill, ete.,colored much as in the male, but iris paler
red (pinkish). Young in first winter: Similar to the adult female, but lower parts duller
black (the feathers usually indistinctly tipped with grayish brown), the chestnut pectoral
band entirely absent; upper parts much duller black (the back decidedly brownish), the
light markings much smaller and more indistinet. Young first plumage: Similar to the
above, but entire lower parts light grayish buff, darker posteriorly. Transverse corruga-
tions of the middle rectrices quite obsolete. Westling: Covered with uniform buff-colored
down.

Total length, about 32.50 to 36.00 inches; extent, 43.00 to 44,00; wing, 14.00; tail, 11.00; bill,
3.25; tarsus, 1.35.

This remarkable bird, while resembling in general habits the
Cormorants, has marked peculiarities which enable the casual
observer to readily distinguish it. Like the Cormorant, it has
the habit of perching upon trees overhanging the water, and is
an expert diver, remaining long beneath the surface, and when
swimming usually showing but little of its body above the water.

“Audubon never saw the Anhinga plunge or dive for its prey
from an eminence. It is more or less gregarious by habit, the
number seen together varying with the attractions of the local-
ity, and ranging from eight or ten to thirty, or even several
hundred. In the breeding season it moves in pairs. It is a
diurnal bird, and if unmolested, returns each night to the same
roosting place, When asleep it is said to stand with its body
almost erect. In rainy weather it often spends the greater part
of the day standing erect, with its neck and head stretched up-
ward, remaining perfectly motionless, so that the water may
glide off its plumage. The roosting place of the Anhinga is
generally over water, often in the midst of some stagnant pool.

ANHINGIDE—THE ANHINGAS. 209

‘a ‘This is said to be the very first among fresh-water divers,
disappearing beneath the surface with the quickness of thought,
A fi leaving scarcely a ripple on the spot, and reappearing, perhaps -
a : with its head only above the water for a moment, at a place

¥ - several hundred yards distant. If hit, and only wounded, this v
oo. bird readily baffles all the endeavors of the sportsman to secure ae
it. When swimming, and unmolested, it is buoyant, and moves : a
___with its whole body above the water; but when in danger it Be
“Vi ‘" sinks its body, leaving only the head and neck out of the water, i
presenting the appearance of a portion of a large snake.”’ ie
(Water Birds of North America.) dl
The Anhinga appears to be a regular summer resident in the 3 ¥
B : : extreme southern portion of Illinois, since Mr. Kennicott found }
___ it to be common in the vicinity of Cairo, in 1865, while Mr. cs
Nelson observed it in the same locality twenty years later.
ee.
a8
“ by
“iE >
é “a S
oe 2 ‘
i x
oN

210 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS,

OrDER LONGIPENNES—THE LoNG-WINGED SWIMMERS.

CHARACTERS. Nostrils lateral and perforate, never tubular; covering of the bill simple,
or broken only by a sort of imperfect cere (in Stercorariide). Tip of the maxilla never
strongly hooked, often straight. Anterior toes webbed. Hallux small and elevated, some-
times rudimentary. Basipterygoid bones absent. Palate schizognathous. Carotids
double. Eggs several, colored. Young altricial and ptilopedic. Habit highly volucral.

The Longipennes are so closely related in their structure to
the Limicole that some systemists unite them in one group”.

There seems to be no osteological character separating the
two groups, except that the Zimicolw possess ‘‘basipterygoid
processes,’ while the Zongipennes do not; and the external
differences are chiefly teleological in their character, the Longi-
pennes being adapted to a natatorial life, while the Lim/cole,
with their longer legs and (usually) cleft toes are more waders
than swimmers, though some of them, notably the Phalaropes,
are as much at home on the surface of deep water as the gulls
themselves,

In both groups, the young, when hatched, are covered witha
dense soft down; but those of the Zong?pennes are reared in the
nest, while those of the Zimicole run about as soon as hatched.

Three families are recognized, of which two occur in Illinois,
their characters being as follows:

A. Bill with the lower mandible not longer than the upper, and not excessively com-
pressed.
1. Stercorariide. Covering of the upper mandible composed of four distinet pieces—
a terminal unguis, or hook, two lateral pieces and a cere-like piece saddled upon
the culmen, its edges overhanging the nostril.
2. Laride, Covering of upper mandible consisting of asingle piece through which the
nostrils are pierced.
B. Bill with lower mandible much longer than the upper, both mandibles excessively
compressed, like a thin knife-blade, for terminal portion.
3. Rynchopide, (Extralimital to Illinois.)

* Gavio-Limicole: Sresoum, The Ibis, Oct. 1888, pp. 431-483.

PY Va

STERCORARIIDH—THE SKUAS AND JAEGERS. 211

Famity STERCORARIIDZ.—TueE SkvuaAs AND JAEGERS.

CHARACTERS. Covering of the maxilla, not entire as in the Laride, the basal half being
furnished with a saddle-like horny cere, the lower edge of whick overhangs the nostrils;
toes fully webbed, the claws strongly curved and sharp; posterior side of tarsus roughened;
tail more or less graduated, the middle pair of feathers projecting more or less beyond the
rest. '

The Family Stercorariide is separated from the Larid@ chiefly
on account of the peculiar bill, which shows a not distant re-
semblance to that of some raptorial birds. The species are all
predatory in their nature, being, in fact the most predaceous of
sea-fowl—veritable ‘“‘robbers of the sea.’”’ The smaller Jaegers
(genus Stercorarius) pirate upon gulls and other sea-fowl, thus
earning the common names of “‘gull chaser,” “‘jaeger’’ (hunter),
ete.; while the larger skuas (genus J/egalestris), also beat along
the shores or even over the land, and besides forcing gulls and
other birds to disgorge or relinquish their food, prey on various
birds much in the manner of hawks and falcons. Indeed, it is
said that at Kerguelen Island, in the Antarctic Ocean, the Mey-
dlestris antarcticus keeps strictly to the land, where it is very de-
structive to ducks and other water-fowl.

Only two genera are recognized, their characters being as fol-
lows:

1. Megalestris. Size large (in bulk equal to the largest gulls),and form robust; depth of
bill at base equal to not less than half of the length of the upper mandible, measured
along the side; tarsus shorter than middle toe with claw; tail short, nearly even, the
middle pair of feathers svarcely projecting beyond the rest; color dull brownish, some-
times streaked (never barred) with paler, the base of the primaries with a whitish
patch.

2. Stercorarius. Size medium or rather small (not exceeding the medium-sized gulls), and
form more slender and graceful; depth of bill at base less than half the length of the
upper mandible, measured along the side; tarsus decidedly longer than middle toe
with claw; middle rectrices in the adult projecting far beyond the rest; color plain
slaty or dusky, often varied with white or yellowish, in the adult; dusky barred with
paler in young; no white at base of primaries.

212 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

GENUS MEGALESTRIS BoNAPARTE.

Catharacta BRUNN. Orn. Bor. 1764, 32. Type, C. skua BRunn. (Nec Catarractes Briss.
1760.)

Megalestris Bonap. Cat. Parzudaki, 1856, 11. Type, Larus catarractes Linn. = Catha-

racta skua BRUNN.

Buphagus “Morur.” Cougs. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1863, 124. Same type.

Gen. CHar. Size large (about equal to Larus argentatus); form robust and
powerful; depth of bill through the base equal to or exceeding half the length of the
mandible, measured along the side; tarsus shorter than middle toe and claw; tail short,
the middle pair of feathers scarcely projecting beyond the rest. General color nearly
uniform grayish brown or sooty, usually indistinctly streaked with light rusty, or cin-
namon, especially around neck and on back; quills whitish at base.

Besides the northern Jf skua, two other species, or sub spe-
cies, JL. antarcticus (LEss.) and MV. chilensis (BONAP.) are known,
the geographical ranges of which are indicated by their specific
names.

Megalestris skua (Briinn.)
SKUA.

Popular synonyms, Skua Gull; Gull-chaser; Sea-hen.

Catharacta skua BRrunn. Orn. Bor. 1764, 33.

Buphagus skua Cougs, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1863, 125; B. N. W. 1874, 604.

Stercorarius (Buphagus) skua CougEs, Key, 1872, 309.

Stercorarius skua Covss,Check List, 1873, No. 539;2d ed. 1882, No. 764.

Megalestris skua Ripew. Proce. U. 8. Nat. Mus. iii, 1880,208; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 696;
Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 21.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. B. ii, 1884, 323—A. O. U.
Cheek List, 1886, No. 35.

Larus catarractes LINN. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 226.

Lestris catarractes Inuie. Prodr. 1811, 272.—NurTt. Man. ii, 1834, 312.

Stercorarius catarractes Bonar. Consp. ii, 1856, 206.—Lawk. in Baird's B. N. Am.
1858, 838.—_Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 652.—Exux107, Lliust. B. Am. ii, 1869, p]. 56.—
SauNDERS, P. Z. 8. 1876, 319.

Catarractes fusca LEACH, Syst. Cat. 1816, 40.

Has. Coasts and islands of the North Atlantic, chiefly on the eastern side, where
south as far as Spain in winter. On the American side, south, in winter, to coast of
Massachusetts, Long Island, and even to North Carolina. Accidental in Illinois. Coast of
California.*

Sp. Cuan. Adult: Prevailing color dull brownish, the interscapulars, scapulars,
and wing-coverts marked with median streaks of pale cinnamon; feathers of head and
neck with similar but narrower streaks; lower parts mixed cinnamon and grayish
brown, nearly uniform on breast and belly, but forming indistinct stripes on sides and
flanks. Remigés, primary-coyverts, and alule brownish dusky, the first white at the
base, this white concealed on secondaries, but showing as a distinct patch on the pri-
maries. Tail uniform dusky. Bill dusky; iris brown; legs andfeet black. Young: Head,
neck, and lower parts plain grayish brown, the latter tinged with cinnamon; upper parts
dark grayish brown, palest on back and lesser wing-coverts, where indistinctly spotted
with rusty cinnamon. Billand feet brownish, Downy young: “Covered with soft, close,
uniform brownish or cinnamon-gray down; rather darker in color on the upper parts
than on the under surface of the body.” (DRESSER.)

Length, about 22.00; extent, 54.00; wing, 15,75-16.15; {exposed culmen, about 2.05; depth
of bill at base, .80; tarsus, 2.40-2.70; middle toe, 2.15-2.45.

* California examples may be the Pacific South-American M, chilensis.

eT ee ae is aie Be

STERCORARIIDE—THE SKUAS AND JAEGERS. 213

The Skua is a maritime bird of irregular and uncertain distri-
; bution, but by no means common anywhere along the coasts of
North America. According to Captain J. W. Collins, of the
% United States Fish Commission, whose knowledge of our sea-
, birds is probably greater than that of any other person on ac-
count of his Jong connection with the cod-fisheries of the New-
foundland Banks, informs us* that this bird, the ‘‘Sea-hen”’ of
: the fishermen, is occasionally seen on the fishing grounds at all
seasons, but is never abundant, one, two, or three birds, being
generally seen at a time, while on very rare occasions perhaps
half a dozen will gather round a vessel from which offal is being
thrown. He found them most common on the Grand Bank in
autumn, and in the fall of 1875 shot several fine specimens that
were used as bait. 7

Genus STERCORARIUS Brisson.

J Stercorarius Briss. Orn. vy, 1760, 149. Type, Larus parasiticus Linn.
Lestris Inuic. Prodr. 1811, 272, Same type.

. Gen. CHAR. Size medium (about that of Larus delawarensis and L. canus); form
more graceful and slender than Megalestris; depth of bill through base less than half
the length of the mandible, measured along its side; tarsus decidedly longer than
middle toe and claw; middle pair of tajl-feathers (in adults) projecting far beyond the
rest.

This genus differs from Megalestris chiefly in the smaller size
and more slender, graceful form of its members, the increased
slenderness extending to all parts of the organization, as indi-
cated in the above diagnosis.

Of the three known species, one differs considerably in form
from the other two, which are sometimes so much alike as to be
with difficulty distinguished from one another. Their differential
characters are as follows:

A. Oulmen 1.45 or more, tarsus 2.00 or more, wing usually more than 13.50; lengthened
middle tail-feathers broad and rounded at ends.
' 1. 8S, pomarinus,
B. Culmen Jess than 1.45, tarsus less than 2.00, wing usually less than 13,50; lengthened
middle tail-feathers narrow and pointed at ends.
2. 8, parasiticus. Length of nasal shield or cere, from base of unguis to frontal feath-
ers, decidedly greater than from the former point to the tip of upper mandible.

3. 8, longicandus. Length of nasal shieldfrom base of unguis to frontal feathers
not greater than distance from former point to tip of upper mandible.

: * The Auk i, 1884, p, 238, v

214 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS,

Stercorarius pomarinus (Temm.)

POMARINE JAEGER.

Popular synomyms. Pomarine Skua; Gull-chaser; Gull-hunter; Marling-spike (Newfound-
land Banks). :

Larus pomarinus TEmM. Man. Orn. 1815, 514.—Sw. & Ricu F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 429.—Nurr. Man.
ii, 1834, 315.—AuD. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 396; Synop. 1839, 332; B. Am. vii, 1844, 186, pl. 451.
Stercorarius pomarinus VIEL. Nouv. Dict. xxxii, 1819,158.—Lawk. in Baird's B. N. Am.
1858, 838.—BarrD, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 653.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 332.

—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 36—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 22.
Stercorarius pomatorhinus NEwToN, Ibis, 1865, 509—Covuss, Key, 1872, 309; Check List,
1873, No. 540; ed. 2,1882, No. 765; B. N. W. 1874,607.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 697.

Has. Northern portion of northern hemisphere, on the seas and larger inland waters,
but chiefly maritime. In winter, south, in North America, to New Jersey, the Great Lakes,
Nebraska, etc.; coast of Peru.

Sp. CHar. Adult, lightest phase: Pileum, lores, and malar region, with entire upper
surface, except the nape, uniform dark sooty slate, with a slight plumbeous tinge in certain
lights; anal region and crissum uniform plumbeous-slate, sometimes mixed with whitish.
Rest of the head and neck (including entire nape), and lower parts, except as described,
immaculate white, the auricular region more or less deeply tinged with straw-yellow. Bill
brownish white (dull brownish in the dried skin), the terminal third black, sometimes
clouded with bluish.* Adult,usual plumage: Similar to the above, but chest and nape
barred or transversely spotted with dusky, and the sides irregularly barred with the same.
Adult, melanotic phase: Entirely dark sooty slate, with a plumbeous cast in certain lights.
Young, light phase: Head, neck, and lower parts dull buff, everywhere barred with dusky ;
the bars broad and sharply defined on the crissum and flanks, faint or nearly obsolete on
the head and neck. Upper parts brownish dusky, the scapulars and interscapulars tipped
with buff, the rump and upper tail-coverts spotted with the same. Young, dark phase:
Whole plumage sooty slate, the breast, abdomen, and sides narrowly and rather indis-
tinetly, the crissum and upper tail-coyerts broadly and sharply, barred with deep buff.

Total length, about 20.00 inches; extent, 48.00; wing, 13.50-14.00; tail, 8.00-9.00; culmen,
1.45-1.75; tarsus, 2.00-2.10; middle toe (without claw), 1.60-1.75.

In the above diagnosis are described the light and dark
extremes of coloration, with an intermediate phase which char-
acterizes perhaps a majority of individuals of this species.
Scarcely two specimens are exactly alike, however, in the details
of coloration, every condition between the light and dark ex-
tremes existing in a large series.

The Pomarine Jaeger is a northern species which doubtless
visits Lake Michigan in winter, though the evidence on which it
is included as a bird of Illinois is unsatisfactory. In the Bulletin
of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, for July, 1876, p. 41, Mr.

* Adult male. “Bill blackish brown at the end, dingy yellow toward the base; iris
brown; tibia, toes, webs, and lower half of tarsus black; the upper half light blue; claws
black” (AUDUBON).

According to Maceriuivray (History of British Birds), the unfeathered parts are
colored as follows: “Bill bluish gray, tinged with green, dusky at the end. Feet black;
the upper half of the tarsus grayish blue.”

’
|

STERCORARUD#®—THE SKUAS AND JAEGERS. 215

Nelson mentions it as follows: ‘From the description of a bird
seen with a flock of gulls near Evanston, Il., by F. L. Rice of
that place, and the account of a strange gull occasionally seen
by a sportsman who does considerable shooting on Lake Michi-
gan, I am certain this species is a rare visitant during severe
winters.”

The general habits of this species have been mentioned under

the Family Stercorariide, on page 211; but the following notes

by Mr. William Dutcher, on observations* made by him on the
coast of Long Island are worth quoting: ‘From three to ten in-
dividuals could be seen any day at the fishing grounds, flying
around among the Terns, chasing them about and compelling
them to drop their fish. Every day on the ‘slack’ of the tides, when
the bluefish bait seemed to be more abundant than at other times,
the Terns would go over in crowds from Great Gull to the ‘Race’
to fish, and though no Jaegers could be seen in the air before
the arrival of the Terns, no sooner would the latter begin to
fish than the Jaegers would gather around to pursue their regu-
lar business of robbery. As soon as a Jaeger would spy a Tern
with a fish in its bill, off it would start in pursuit, and dodge
and dart as the Tern would, the Jaeger was always right in
its track, pressing it closer and closer, until despairing of ever
eluding its pursuer, the poor Tern would drop the fish, which
would be caught by the Jaeger before it reached the water.
Although the Terns were swift and graceful flyers, they were no
match for their larger and more powerful enemies, who, when
not engaged in pursuing the Terns, might sometimes be seen
resting singly or in flocks of four or five on the surface of the
water.

“Chas. B. Field informed me that the Jaegers, or ‘Hawks’,
arrived about the same time as the bluefish, and stayed as long
as the bluefish were there, but that he never saw them in winter.

“When I arrived at Little Gull both Jaegers and Shearwaters
were very tame indeed, not seeming to pay the least attention
to us when we went out among them after bluefish; in fact, I
was told that a bird of one of these species had, a short time
before, been knocked down with an oar. But after we had shot

* The Auk, April, 1889, pp. 125-126. The observations in question refer both to this
species and the Parasitic Jaeger.

;

216 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

three or four of them, they seemed to grow wilder. The Jaegers
while on the wing keep the tail widely spread, in the shape ofa
fan, the long feathers, when the birds have them, being kept
close together.”

Stercorarius parasiticus (Linn.)

PARASITIC JAEGER.

Popular synonyms. Richardson's Jaeger (= dark phase); Teaser; Bosun; Marling-spike
(cod-fishermen).

Larus parasiticus Linn. 8. N. ed. 10,i, 1758, 186; ed. 12, i, 1766, 226.
Stercorarius parasiticus SCHA¥FF. Mus. Orn. 1779, 62, pl. 37.—Lawn. in Baird's B. N. Am.
1858, 839.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 654—Cougs, Key, 1872, 309; Check List,
1873, No. 541; ed. 2, 1882, No. 766; B. N. W. 1874, 611.—B. B. & R. Water B. ii, 1884,335.—
A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 37.—Kipew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 22.
Larus crepidatus Banxs, Hawkesworth's Voy. ii, 1773, 15.
Stercorarius crepidatus Vin uu. Nouy. Dict. 1819, 155,—SaunDERs, P. Z. S. 1876, 326.—
Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 698.
Lestris richardsoni Sw. & Ricw. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 433, pl. 73.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 319.—
Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 503; Synop. 1839, 332; B. Am. vii, 1844, 190, pl. 452.

Has. Northern part of northern hemisphere; south in America, in winter, to New York,
Illinois,and Colorado, and even to Brazil (Rio de Janeiro; fide SAUNDERs, Jour. Linn. Soc.
xiv, 392). Breeds in the “Barren Grounds” of Arctic America.

Sp. CHar. Adult, light phase: Entire pileum, with lores, grayish brown; rest of the
head, with entire neck and lower parts as far as the crissum, white, the head and neck
more or less tinged with straw-yellow. Upper parts uniform brownish slate, becoming
gradually darker on the primaries and tail. Crissum uniform brownishgray. “Bill grayish
black, the upper parts bluish; iris brown; legs and feet black.” (AuDUBON).* Adult, dark
phase: Entirely uniform dark sooty slate, the remiges darker, nearly black termi-
nally. Young, light phase: Head and neck streaked with dusky brown and fulvous-buff,
the latter usually predominating; lower parts more or less distinctly barred, or spotted
transversely, with the same. Upper parts brownish dusky, all the feathers bordered ter-
minally with fulvous-buff. Young, dark phase: Prevailing color dark brownish slate, the
wings and tail darker. Middle of the neck, all round, indistinctly streaked with grayish
white; lower parts, except chest and upper parts of breast, barred with grayish white,
the bars broad and sharply defined on the crissum. Scapulars, interscapulars, wing-
coverts, upper tail-coverts, and feathers of the rump narrowly tipped with pale dull buff.
“Bill light blue, dusky at the end; iris brown; tarsi and basal portion of the toes and webs
light blue, the rest black” (AuDUBON). Downy young: Entirely silky grayish brown,
lighter on the under surface.

Total length, about 18.50 inches; extent, 40.00; wing, 11.80-13.15 (average, 12.67); middle
tail-feathers, 7.70-10.25 (8.66), the lateral rectrices, 4.90-6.25 (5.40); culmen, 1.15-1.40 (1.27);
tarsus, 1.50-1.85 (1.70); middle toe, 1.20-1.46 (1.34).

Between the extreme phases of plumage described above there
is in different specimens every possible intermediate coloration,
the individual variation being fully as great as in the case of

*According to MacGILLIvRAyY (History of British Birds), the adult male in summer

has the bill grayish black, tinged with blue above, the base of the lower mandible slightly
fiesh-colored, and the feet and claws black.

. STERCORARIIDA—THE SKUAS AND JAEGERS. 217

8. pomarinus. Occasionally the middle rectrices are nearly as
long and attenuated as in S. longicaudus, and in the plumage
there is sometimes hardly any difference between examples of
the two species. They differ constantly, however, in the form
of the bill and, in adult birds, in the color of the tarsi; a bird
with black tarsi and having the nasal shield (measured along
the culmen) decidedly longer than the terminal portion of the
bill (from the point to the anterior edge of the nostril) being
with certainty S. parasiticus, while an example in adult plumage
having pale bluish tarsi and the nasal shield not longer than
the terminal portion of the bill, is sure to be S. longicaudus.
It is scarcely probable that the two forms are conspecific, but
possibly they may interbreed to a slight extent, and thus pro-
duce hybrids.

The Parasitic Jaeger is known as an Illinois bird only on ac-
count of its occasional occurrence on Lake Michigan during
winter. Its habits are not obviously different from those of
the Pomarine Jaeger (S. pomarinus), as briefly described on
page 214.

Stercorarius longicaudus Vieill.

LONG-TAILED JAEGER.

Popular synonyms. Arctic Jaeger; Buffon’s Skua; Long-tailed Skua; Whip-tail (cod-
fishermen); Marling-spike (do.).

Stercorarius longicaudus Vier~u. Nouy. Dict. xxxii, 1819, 157.—Sresn. Proc. U. 8. Nat.
Mus. v, 1882, 42.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am, ii, 1884, 339.—A. O. U. Check List,
1886, No. 38.—Ripaw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 23.
Stercorarius longicaudatus De Sexrys, Faun. Belg. 1842, 156.
Lestris parasitica Inuia. Prodr. 1811, 273 (nec Larus parasiticus Linn.).—LEss. Man.
ii, 1828, 288.—Sw. & Rion. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 430.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 317.
Lestris parasiticus Temm. Man. Orn. ed. 1815, 512—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 470,
Synop. 1839, 333; B. Am. vii, 1844, 192, pl. 452.
Stercorarius parasiticus SAuND. P. Z. 8. 1876, 8330.—Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No.
699.
Larus crepidata Bream & Scuru. Beit. Z. Vog. iii, 1822, 212 (nec Banks).
Lestris buffoni Bote, Meyer's Tasch. ai, 1822, 212.—DeKay, N. Y. Zodl. ii, 1844, 315. pl. 133,
fig. 291.
Stercorarius buffoni Coves, Proc. Acad. Sci. Phila. 1863, 136; Key, 1872, 309; Check List,
1873, No. 542; 2d ed. 1882, No. 767; B. N. W. 1874, 615.
Stercorarius cepphus Steruens, Shaw's Gen. Zo6l. xili, 1826, 211, pl. 23—Lawn. in Baird's
B. N. Am. 1858, 840.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 655.
Lestris microrhynchus Breum, Handb. Vog. Deutschl. 1831,725.
Lestris lessoni Decu. Mem. Ac. R. Lille, 1838, 108,
Lestris brachyrhynchus Breum, Vogelf, 1955,337.

—28 .

218 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Lestris hardyi Bonar. Tabl. de Longip. Compt. Rend, 1856,770; Consp. ii, 1857, 210.
Lestris brissoni “Borg,” DEcu. & GERBE, Orn. Eur. ii, 1867, 400. .

Has. Northern parts of northern hemisphere, breeding in the Arctic districts, and mi-
grating south in winter to the more northern United States, occasionally as far as the Gulf
of Mexico.

Sp. Cuan. Adult. Entire pileum and upper part of nape, together with lores, malar
region, and orbital region, sooty black, or dull slate-black; rest of head and neck, including
lower portion of hind neck, straw-yellow, paler on the chin and throat. Upper parts, ex-
cept as described, rather dark brownish gray or slate-color (more ashy on the back, where
paler anteriorly), the remiges and rectrices darker, especially toward ends, wheie nearly
black. Chest (sometimes breast also, or, rarely, even the belly) white, shading gradually
into grayish, the under tail-coverts, anal region, flanks, sides, and usually the abdo-
men, being deep ash-gray, becoming gradually paier anteriorly. Bill blackish, said to be
partly bluish in life; iris brown; feet black, the tarsus light grayish blue in life (changing to
yellowish in dried skin).

Length, about 20.00-23.00 inches; extent, 36.00-38.50; wing, 11.55-12.85; tail, elongated mid-
dle feathers, 10.50-14.50, outer feathers, 4.75-6.00; culmen, 1.10-1.30; tarsus, 1.50-1.80; middle toe,
1.08-1.30,

This species apparently has no dark phase, like that of S.
parasiticus.

The Long-tailed Jaeger is included in this work on Illinois
birds on the strength of the following information received from
Mr. W. H. Ballou, in a letter dated March 11, 1878:

“It may be of some value to you to know that I picked up
dead on the Mississippi shore of Cairo, Ill., one specimen of Buf-
fon’s, or the Long-tailed Jaeger. The specimen was obtained in
November, 1876. It might have been killed or died in the head-
waters of the Mississippi or Missouri River and floated down for
all I know. It was too much decayed to preserve, and seemed
to have been dead a number of days. After an examination by
myself and another gentleman we were compelled to throw it
away.”

a '
at a LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 219

pt Famity LARIDZ.— THE GuLis AND TERNS.

CHARACTERS. Bill moderately compressed, or sometimes nearly cylindrical, its cover-
ing entire; the tip of the maxilla overhanging, or at least meeting, that of the mandible;
the culmen more or less curved, but never arched, terminally—sometimes nearly straight
throughout; symphysis of the m ndible usually forming more or less of an angle, this, in
most cases, prominent in proportion to the relative depth of the bill; nostrils sub-basal,
perforate; legs and feet of proportionate size. Tail extremely variable in form and length.

Although including among its very numerous members great
extremes of size and form, the family Zaride@ as here restricted
is not divisible into more than two subfamilies; and these
are so nearly united through certain forms as to be really
more artificial than natural. They may, with considerable
difficulty, be defined as follows: :

Subfamily Larine. Depth of bill decidedly greater at the angle than at the nostril;
terminal portion of culmen dvcidedly curved; angle at lower mandible always distinct,
often very prominent; tail usually even, but sometimes slightly emarginate (Rissa),
deeply emarginate (Xema), forked (Creagrus) or graduated (Rhodostethia). Size,
extremely variable (wing 8.75-20.00).

Subfamily Sternine, Depth of bill at angle less than at middle of nostrils; terminal
portion of culmen straight, or but slightly curved, the bill being narrow and pointed;
angle of lower mandible seldom prominent; tail more or less forked (except in Anous).
Size extremely variable (wing 6.50-17.50).

The North American genera may be distinguished by the fol-
lowing characters:

SuspramMiLty LARINZ.—Tue GUw.Lis.

A. Tarsus roughened or serrate behind.

1. Gavia. ‘Vail even; tarsus shorter than middle toe with claw; hind toe perfectly
developed, but small; size medium (wing about 13.25); color entirely white, the
young scantily spotted with dusky. (Not represented in the Illinois fauna.)

B, Tarsus not roughened or ser ate behind.
a}, Hind toe rudimentary or altogether absent.

2. Rissa. ‘ail slightly emarginate; tarsus shorter than middle toe without claw;
size medium (wing about 12.00-13.00); adult white, with bluish gray mantle;
young, simi'ar to adult, but hind neck with a blackish patch, and lesser wing-
coverts sometimes (in one species) also with a black patch.

a?, Hind toe perfectly developed, though small.

Tet en es * eee a

Re OES OE OO pvr 2 OF Se et) eee av oe

220 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

b!, Culmen decidedly more than two thirds as long as tarsus,
cl, Tail even; size, color, and all other characters extremely variable.
3. Larus,
c?. Tail emarginate or forked.
4. Xema. ‘Tail much less than half as long as wing, and forked for not more than
one eighth its length.
Creagrus, Tail nearly half as long as wing, and forked for about one third its
length. (Not represented in the Illinois fauna.)
6%. Culmen decidedly less than two thirds as long as tarsus.
6. Rhodostethia, Tail graduated, the lateral feathers .75-1.25 shorter than the middle
pair. (Not represented in the’ Illinois fauna.)

a

'

SupramiLy STERNINAG.—Tue Terns.

A. Tail more or less forked, the outer feather longest.

a. Tail much more than one third a3 long as wing, usually (except in subgenus
Thaiasseus) forked for more than one fifth its total length, the outer feathers
narrow and pointed at tips; webs of feet occupying more than half the interdigital
space. *

7. Gelochelidon. Depth of bill at base equal to one third the length of the exposed
eulinen; gonys shorter than inner toe, without claw.

8. Sterna. Depth of bill at base iess than one third the length of the exposed cul-
men; gonys longer than inner toe, without claw.

b.. Tail little more than one third as long as wing, forked for less than one fifth
its total length, the outer feathers broad and rounded at tip; webs of feet oc-
ecupying less than half the interdigital space.

9. Hydrochelidon.
B. Tail graduated.
10. Anous, (Not represented in the Illinois fauna.)

SUBFAMILY LARINZ.—TuHE GuLis.

Genus RISSA LeEacu.

Rissa Leacu, Stephens’s Gen. Zod6l. xiii, 1825, 180. Type, Larus rissa Bronn.=L. tri-
dactylus Linn.

Gen. CHAR. Size medium; tail even, or slightly emarginate; hind toe rudimentary
or entirely absent, the nail usually obsolete; tarsus much shorter than the middle toe
without its claw, not rough or serrate behind. Adults with head, neck, rump, upper
tail-coverts, tail, tips of secondaries, and entire lower parts pure white; mantle bluish
gray, the quills varied with white and black; bill yellowish, feet blackish or bright red
in life. Young similar to adults, but hind-neck crossed by a blackish collar or patch,
and sometimes ‘in R. tridactyla) a blackish patch on lesser wing-cuverts and black band
across tip of tail, Downy young white, tinged above with buffy and yellowish ¢ ay,
but without spots or other distinct markings. 2Hggs 2—5, ovate, or short-ovate, oliva-
eeous white, grayish white, brownish white, or buffy, blotched and spotted with brown
and lavender-gray.

; LARID£—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 221
Ly
Only two species ‘of Rissa ave known, both of which belong to
» North American fauna. They may readily be distinguished ©

by ‘the following characters:

= TR tridactyla. Legs and fet black ; wing, about 12.25 inches; culmen, 1.40-1.50;

, | ae depth of bill at base, .59; tarsus, 1.30; middle toe with claw, 1.80.

RAY 2, R. brevirostris. Legs and feet deep coral- or vermilion-red (drying yellowish);
wing, about 13.90 inches; culmen, 1.20; depth of bill through base, 50; tarsus, 1.25;
middle toe with claw, nearly 2.00. Has. North Pacifle, particularly the American

‘ side.
af
iw
i
Rissa tridactyla (Linn.) "
Be) fo, KITTIWAKE.
4 ; Popular synonyms. Kittiwake Gull; Tarrock (England, name for young); Winter Gull, a a
iy ; Pinyole, or Pinny Owl (Newfoundland Banks). %
; Larus tridactylus Lxxn. S.N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 136; ed. 12, i, 1766, 224.—Sw. &'Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, :
~ 423.—Noutr. Man. ii, 1834, 2988—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 185, pl. 224; Synop. 1839, ;
cr 326: B. Am. vii, 1844, 146 pl. 444.—CoveEs, Key, 1872, 314; Check List, 1873, No. 552.
¢ ‘Rissa tridactyla Bonar. Comp. List, 1838, 62—Lawnr. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 854.
- } —Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 672.—SaunpDErs, P. Z. 8. 1878, 168 (synonymy, et -.).
we —Rmew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 658; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 25.—Coves, 2d Cheek a
i List, 1882, No. 782.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 40. Re
an.’ Rissa tridactyla, a. tridactyla B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 202, ng
4 Larus (Rissa) tridactylus Cours, B. N. W. 1874, 644. f
yi y Larus rissa Bruny. Orn. Bor. 1764, 42—Lrnn. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 224. A

Larus albus MviLuer, Natursyst. 1776, 108 (based Buffon’s Mouette cendrée tachettée),

Larus cinerarius Fasr. Fauna Groenl. 1780, 101 (not of Linn. 1766.—Winter plumage).

Larus nevius Scuirr. Mus. Orn. 1789, 64 (not of Lrnn.).

Larus torquatuvs Pau. Zoog. Rosso-As. ii, 1826. 328.

Larus canus Patt. |. ¢. 330 (not of Linn.).

Larus gavia Patt, |. ¢. 329. 4
Larus riga Gmeu. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 594 Ohispetan: E.
Rissa brunnichii Leacu, Stephen's Gen. Zool. xiii, pt. i, 1826, 181, pl. 21.

Rissa cinerea Eyton, Cat. Br. B. 1836, 52.

Laroides minor Bream, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 756. ;
Rissa borealis Bren, Naum. 1855, 2% (not Larus borealis Brucn). ,
Rissa gregaria Breum, |. ¢

Has. Circumpolar regions in Summer, coming south in winter to the Middle States
and Great Lakes.

iF Sp. Coan. Adulf in summer: Mantle deep pearl-gray (about the same shade as Larus

brachurhynchus and L. californicus), the secondaries passing into white terminally. Pri-
} é maries paler pearl-gray, the five outer quills with their terminal portion black, this color '
i, extending for about 3.25 inches on the outer and .75 of an inch, more or less, on the fifth, and

of intermediate extent on those between; outer web of the exterior quill almost wholly
black; inner quills pale pearl-blue, scarcely paler terminally, the sixth sometimes marked
with a black spot near the end of the outer web; fifth quill tipped with white, and fourth
with a minute apical spot (when not worn off). Restof the plumage snow-white. Bill pale
yellow, sometimes tinged with greenish; inside of mouth vermilion-red: eyelids red; iris
brown; legs and feet black or dusky brown. Adultin winter: Similar, but nape and ocei-
put washed with the color of the back, the auricular region, and immediately in front of the 4
eye, with a dark plumbeous suffusion, sometimes extending across the occiput. Young,

— al

929 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

first plumage: Somewhat similar to the winter adult, but lower part of nape covered by a
large transverse patch of black, the anterior lesser wing-coverts also more or less black. as
are the centres of the innermost lesser coverts and tertials; primary coverts and outer webs
of four or five outer primaries also black. Tail crossed at the end (except lateral pair of feath-
ers) by a broad black band, widest on the intermedi. Bill wholly black; “edge of eyelids
and iris as in the adult” (AuDUBON); legs and feet dusky brownish. Downy young: Head,
neck, wings, and lower parts, immaculate white, the neck and base of the wings more or
less tinged with buff; back, rump, and flanks, yellowish gray, the down darker at the base.

Wing, about 12.25 inches; culmen, 1.40-1.50; depth of bill at base, .59, through angle, .40;
tarsus, 1.30; middle toe (with claw), 1.80.

The Kittiwake is a northern gull which visits the Great Lakes
in winter, having been observed in the vicinity of Chicago by
Mr. Nelson, near Racine, Wisconsin, by Dr. Hoy, and in Min-
nesota, by Dr. Hatch. During the breeding season, however, it
is strictly a littoral and maritime species, its summer home, on
the American side of the Atlantic, extending from the lower St.
Lawrence, Newfoundland, etc., to Greenland, throughout which
extensive region it is perhaps the most numerous species of the
family. It is said to have become much less abundant than
formerly on the New England coast (where it used to pass
the winter in immense numbers), on account of its destruction
by the fishermen for food and slaughter by city gunners for
“sport”—the latter, it is said, shooting them for sport or prac-
tice, and leaving the dead and wounded to float out to sea
with the ebbing tide.

Genus LARUS Linnxus.

Larus Lin. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 136; ed. 12, i, 1766, 224. Type, by elimination, Z. canus Linn.
Leucus Kaur. Nat. Syst. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 86. (“Includes L. marinus, glaucus and fuscus”.)
Laroides BREEM, Vog. Deutsch. 1881,738. (“Includes most of the European hoodless Gulls”.)
Gavina BonaP. Naum. 1854, 212. (“For ZL. canus and allies and for L. adouini."—SAUNDERS).
Chroicocephalus EyTon, Brit. B. 1836,53. Type, Larus capistratus TEMM.

Atricilla Bonar, Naum. 1854, 212. Type, A. catesb@i Be.=Larus atricilla LINN.
Dominicanus Brucg, J. f. O. 1853, 100. Type, Larus marinus Linn.

Glaucus BRvCH, I. c. 1858, 101, Type, Larus glaucus LINN. ’

Blasipus “Br.” BRUCH, l, c. 1853, 108. Type, Larus modestus TscHUDI.

Melagavia BonapP. Naum. 1854, 213. Type, Larus franklinii Sw. & Rice.

Gen. CHAR. Size exceedingly variuble, ranging from that of the smaller Albatrosses
down to that of the medium-sized Terns; tail even; tarsus always longer than the middle
toe with its claw (except in Z. minutus), and smoothish behind; colors extremely variable,
but young always widely different from the adult.

The genus Larus, in the comprehensive sense in which it is
here adopted, includes many very dissimilar forms, which pro-
bably represent distinct genera.

2 el ee eee ee ek " at i

LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 223

The species belonging to eastern North America may be char-
acterized as follows:

A. Adult with the entire head, neck, lower parts, and tail pure white. (Larus, Linn.)
a, Mantle very pale pearl-blue; primaries the same, fading into white toward the ends.

8

L, elaucus. Wing, 16.75-18.40 inches; culmen, 2.15-2.65; depth of bill through the
angle, .75-1.00; tarsus, 2.30-3.00; middle toe, 1.95-2.50. Eyelids in summer adult, red-
dish purple; feet flesh-color.

ZL. leucopterus, Wing, 15.40-16.50 inches; culmen, 1.65-1.90; depth of bill through
angle, .60-.70; tarsus, 2.05-2.20; middle toe, 1.70-1.95. Eyelids in summer adult, flesh-
eolor; feet inclining to orange-red.

b. Mantle pale pearl-blue; primaries similar, but abruptly tipped with white.

3.

>,

4.

L, kumlieni. Five outer primaries marked with slate-gray spaces immediately be-
fore the white tips; color of the mantle as in L. /eucopterus, and size about the
same. Eyelids in summer adult reddish purple, or purplish flesh-color; feet flesh-
eolor. Wing, 15,00-17.00 inches; culmen, 1.60-1.90; depth of bill through angle .55-.66;
tarsus, 2.10-2.40. Hab. North Atlantic coast, breeding in Cumberland Sound, and
migrating south in winter to Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and New York.

ce. Mantle dark slate-color, the primaries marked with black and white terminally.

L, marinus. Wing, 17.60-19.50; culmen, 2.40-2.60; depth of bill at angle; .98-1.05;
tarsus, 2.70-3.10. Hab. Coasts of the North Atlantic.

d. Mantle some shade of bluish gray: primaries marked with black and white at and

5.

near the end.

L, argentatus. Wing, 15.75-17,90 inches; culmen, 1.8 -2.20: depth of bill through
angle, .70-.80; tarsus, 2.30-2.72; middle toe, 1.85-2.25. Mantle pale pearl-blue. Bill
deep yellow, the mandible with red subterminal] spot; eyelids yellowish; iris sil-

_ very white or pale yellow; legs and feet flesh-color.

L. argentatus smithsonianus. Similar to true L. argentatus, but averaging larger
and with less white and more black on primaries. Wing, 16.25-17.50; culmen, 1.95-
2.50; depth of bill through angle, .68-.85; tarsus, 2.30-280: middle toe,1.85-2.25.
L, delawarensis. Mantle pale pearl-blue (much asin L. argentatus). Wing, 13.60-
15.75 inches; culmen, 1.55-1.75; depth of bill through angle, .50-.65; tarsus, 1.90-2.45;
middle toe, 1.80-1.60. Bill greenish yellow, crossed near the end by a blackish
band, the tip sometimes tinged with orange: eyelids vermilion-red; iris clear pale
yellow; legs and feet pale yellow, sometimes tinged with greenish.

L. canus. Mantle pale ashy blue (as in LZ. brachyrhynchus). Wing, 13.90-14.50
inches; culmen, 1.85-1.60; depth of bill through angle, .45-.50; tarsus, 1.90-2.25; mid-
dle toe, 1.35-1.45. Bill greenish olivaceous (in the dried skin), the terminal third
yellow; eyelids vermilion-red; iris grayish brown; legs and feet yellowish green.
Hab. Palwarctic region; accidental in Labrador?

B,. Adult with the head and upper part of the neck black or slaty in summer, forming a

well defined “hood;” plumage of the lower parts rose-tinted; size medium to very
small; the billslender. (Chroicocephalus, EyTon.)

a, Tarsus longer than the middle toe and claw.

9,

L. atricilla, Bill and feet dark brownish red, the former sometimes tipped with
brighter red; eyelids dull red; iris dark brown; hood dark sooty-slate; mantle
deep plumbeous-slate. Wing, about 13.00 inches.

». Tarsus shorter than the middle toe and claw.

10.

ll.

12.

L. franklinif. Bi) and feet carmine-red; iris dark brown; hood plumbeous-black ;
mantle deep bluish plumbeous. Wing, about 11.25 inches.

L, philadelphia. Bill uniform deep black; legs and feet fine orange-red in summer,
flesh-color in winter; iris dark brown; hood dark plumbeous; mantle delicate
pearl-blue; Wing, about 10.25 inches.

L. minutus, Bill reddish dusky; legs and feet vermilion- or coral-red; hood deep
black; mantle delicate pearl-gray; primaries without any black markings. Wing,
about 8.75-9.00 inches. Hab. Palmarctic Region; accidental in Massachusetts and
Bermudas.

- Mie Ri ik oS a win a eae Re eric
‘ be wh Puree ee ye ' 3 Orie Fe,

nee

224 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Larus glaucus Briinn.

GLAUCOUS GULL.
Popular synonyms. Burgomaster; White Gull; Hutchins’s Gull.

Larus glaucus Brinn. Orn. Bor. 1764, 44.—Fapr. Faun. Groenl. 1780, 100.—GmM Et. S. N. i, pt. ii,
1788, 600.—NuTT. Man. ii, 1834, 306.—Aupb. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 59, pl. 396; Synop.
1839, 329; B. Am. vii, 1814, 170, pl. 449.—L \wk. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 842.—Barrp,
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 656.—CovugEs, Key, 1872, 311; Check List, 1873, No. 543; 2d ed.
1882, No. 768; B. N. W, 1874, 620.—SAUNDERS, P. Z. 8. 1878, 165.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am.
B. 1881, No. 660; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 26.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 211 —A.
O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 42.

Larus hyperboreus GUNN. in Leem’s Lapp. Beskr, 1767, 283.—SrEsN. Proc. U. 8S. Nat. Mus.
Vv, 1882, 39. :

Larus giacialis “BENICKE,” MAcGILL. Mem. Wern. Soc. v, pt. i, 1824, 270.

Larus giganteus “TEmMM.” BENICKE, Ann. Watterau. Gesellsch. iii, i814, 140.

“Larus consul Bon, Wiedemann, Zool. Mag. i, 126” (SAUNDERS).

Larus leuceretes ScHLEEP, N. Ann. Wetterau. Gesellsch. i, 1819, 314. .

Larus islandicus EpMonpDst. Mem. Wern. iv, 1822, 185 (nec EDMONST. op. cit. p. 506 = Ly
leucopterus).

Larus hutchinsii Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 419 (note).—Covgs, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862.
294.—Exxtro7, Illustr. Am. B. ii, 1869, pl. 58.

Has. Circumpolar regions, south in winter to Long Island, the Great Lakes, and (acci-
dentally) Texas.

Sp. CHar: Adult in summer: Mantle very pale pearl-blue; primaries still paler
pearl-blue, or bluish white, fading gradually into white at ends, their shafts yellowish
white or pale straw-color. “Iris golden yellow; eyelids orange-yellow; bill lemon-yel-
low, greenish toward tip, crimson spot on lower mandible; tarsi and toes flesh-color
(L. Kumuren, MS8.*). Adult in winter: Similar to the summer plumage, but head and
neck streaked with pale brownish gray. “The bill is wine-yellow, the lower mandible with
an orpiment patch near the end; the edges of the eyelids pale yellow; the feet flesh-col-
ored, the elaws bluish black” (MAcGILLIvray). Young, first plumage: Ashy white, more
or less tinged with pale brownish ash below, the upper parts more or less mottled trans-
versely with the same; head and neck faintly streaked with the same. Terminal third of
bill dusky, basal portion fiesh-color; “iris yellowish brown” (KuMLIEN, MS.1). . Young, in
second winter: Wholly pure white, the bill and feet coloredas above. Downy young
(No. 76,217, Kinjuah Fiord, Cumberland Gulf, June 24, 1878; L..KuMLIEN): Grayish white,
paler below; head and neck irregularly marked with seattered large spots of dusky; back,
wings, and rump irregularly clouded with dark grayish. Bill brownish, crossed by a broad
dusky band; feet light brown.

Total length 26.00 to 32.00 inches; extent, 57.00 to 65.00; wing, 16.75-18.70 (average 17.93);
culmen, 2.30-2.70 (2.52); depth of bill through angle, .80-1.00 (.88); tarsus, 2.60-3.05 (2.85); mid-
dle toe, with claw, 2. 68-3. 00 (2.84). :

* According to Audubon, the adult male has the bill, ete., colored as follows: “Bill
gamboge-yellow, with a carmine patch toward the end of the lower mandible, and the
edges of beth mandibles at the base of the same color. Edges of eyelids red, iris yellow.
Feet flesh-colored, claws yellowish.” The young are described as having the bill yellow to
beyond the nostrils, the end black;'the feet flesh-colored, with dusky claws; and the iris
brown,

+ Maegillivray (“//ist. Brit. B.” v, 563,564) deseribes the fresh colors of the bill, ete., in the
young as follows: ‘Young: The bill is horn-color, or pale yellowish gray; the upper
mandible brownish black beyond the nostrils; the lower beyond the angle. The feet are
flesh-color; the claws lightish brown. Young, in third winter: The bill is yellowish flesh-
color, with only a dusky spot on each mandible toward the end; iris dull gray; the edges of
the eyelids yellow; the feet flesh-color; the claws light grayish black.”

LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 225

The great Burgomaster Gull is an Arctic species which occa-
sionally visits Lake Michigan in winter. It is the largest of
the gulls, excepting only the Black-backed Gull, or ‘Saddle-

back” (Z. marinus).

In Greenland, where it is almost a resident species, a few in-
dividuals (chiefly young birds) being seen in the very coldest
weather, it is said to pirate upon the eiders (Somateria mollis-
sima borealis), often compelling them to surrender the mussels
which they have brought up from the bottom of the bays or
fiords. There, “the principal breeding place of this gull in the
vicinity of Ivigtut is close by the open sea, near the mouth of
the fiord, where they congregate in considerable numbers. In
August the young birds assemble in the fiord, especially near
the narrow channels, as at Karsuk and Ellerslie, and feed dur-
ing that month and the next on the berries of Linpetrum ni-
grum. At that season they are easily shot, and their flesh is of
a very savory flavor. The breasts of the young of all species
of gull are eaten here as a delicacy.”’ *

Larus leucopterus Faber.

ICELAND GULL,
Popular synonym. White-winged Gull.

Larus argentatus SABINE, Trans. Linn. Soc. xii, 1818, 546 (not of BRUNN. 1764).

Larus leucopterus Faser, Prodr. Isl. Orn. 1822, 91.—Sw. & Rrew. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 418.—Nuir.
Man. ii, 1841, 305.—Avup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 553, pl. 282; Synop 1839, 427; B. Am. vii, 1844,
159, pl. 447.—Lawnk. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 843.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 658.
—Couves, Key, 1872, 311; Check List, 1873, No. 544; 2d ed. 1882, No. 769; B. N. W. 1874,
622.—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 661; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 26.—B. B. & R. Water
B. N. Am. ii, 1834, 216.—A, O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 43.

Larus arcticus Macoruu. Mem. Wern. Soc. v, 1824, 268.

Larus glaucoides “TemM.” Meyer, Taschenb. Vog. Deutsch. iv,1822,197.—Tem™m. Pl}. Col. 77e
livr. Introd. Larus, 1828,

Larus islandicus Epmonst. Mem. Wern. Soc. iv, 1823, 506 (nec op. cit. p. 185=L. glaucus).

Larus minor Breum, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 736.

Laroides subleucoplerus BreuM, t. c. 746.

Larus (Glaucus) glacialis Brucou. J. f. O. 1853, 101 (nec MACGILL. 1824).

Has. Range about the same as that of L. glaucus. South in winter to coast of Massa-
chusetts and the Great Lakes.

Sp. Cuan. Similar to L. glaucus, but much smaller, the young darker colored. Adult,
in summer: Mantle pale pearl-blue (a shade darker than in L. glaucus); remiges similar,
but slightly paler, passing terminally into pure white. Rest of the plumage snow-white.

* M. CHAMBERLAIN, in The Auk, July 1889, pp. 214-215.
—29

2 Aas ah a

¥
s
.

226 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

“Bill bright orange-yellow, tipped with yellowish green; vermilion spot on lower mandible;
tarsi and toes flesh-color; iris cream-color” (L. KumMui1Een, MS8.}), Adult, in winter: Simi-
Jar, but head and neck streaked with dusky grayish. “The bill is wine-yellow, the lower
mandible with an orpiment patch near the end; the edges of the eyelids yellow; the feet
pale flesh-colored, the claws grayish brown; the iris pale yellow” (MAcGILL vRAyY). Young,
Jirst plumage: Grayish white, the head and neck broadly streaked, the upper parts
coarsely spotted, with brownish ash-gray; lower parts nearly uniform light brownish ash,
the chin and throat white; bill wholly blackish; feet brownish. “The billis very pale flesh-
colored as far as the anterior extremity of the nostrils, beyond which both mandibles are
brownish black. The feet are pale flesh-colored, the claws brownish black” (MacGILLIy- _
RAY).?

Wing, 15.40-16.50 (15.76) inches; culmen, 1.65-1.90 (1.75); depth of bill through angle, .60-.70
(.66); tarsus, 2.05-2.20 (2.14); middle toe, 1.70-1.95 (1.81). [Four adults.]

The Iceland Gull has nearly the same distribution as its larger
relative, the Burgomaster (Z. glaucus), though breeding much
farther south, and in appearance is almost exactly a miniature
of that species. The name which has been adopted for it is,
however, not very appropriate, since it is said not to breed at
all in Iceland, merely passing the winter there. According to
Faber,* the first specimens arrive in Iceland just after the middle
of September, when both old and young make their appearance,
confining themselves to the northern part of that island, among
the small inlets, where great numbers pass the winter. Toward
the end of April their numbers decrease, and by the end of
May nearly all have disappeared. These birds were Faber’s daily
guests. They came on land to his winter dwelling, and snapped
up the entrails thrown to them, fighting fiercely for them with
the Ravens. One was so tame that it presented itself at his
door every morning at a certain time, that it might be fed, and
always gave notice of its arrival by a cry. This Gull would in-
dicate to the seal-shooters in the fiord where the seals were to
be looked for, by following their track to the sea, and hovering
over them in flocks, with incessant cries. It is said to follow,
in the same manner, the track of the codfish in the sea, in order
to feed upon the booty hunted up by this fish. Faber further
states that in the winter (1821) which he passed at Debratte, on
the southern coast, not a single bird of this species was to be seen.
On the Ist of March the shore was free of Sea-Gulls; but early

1“Bill gamboge-yellow, with a spot of orange-red near the end of lower mandible; the
angle of the mouth and the edges of the eyelids are also orange-red. Iris pale yellow.
Feet pale fle h-color; claws grayish brown” (AUDUBON).

2“Bill yellow, the tips black. Edges of eyelids pale reddish orange; iris brown. Feet
yellowish flesh-color; claws grayish brown” (AUDUBON).

* As quoted by Dr. Brewer, in The Water Birds of North America.

LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 227

on the 2d the air was filled with numbers of this species which

had arrived during the night. The Icelanders concluded from \
the sudden appearance of the birds that shoals of codfish must

have arrived on the coast, and it was soon found that this con- -
jecture was correct. And there, where but a short time before

an ornithological quiet had reigned, everything became enlivened

by the coming of these birds, which hovered over the nets with-

out intermission, and with incessant cries.

During the winter these Gulls were Faber’s weather-guide. If
they swam near the shore with their feathers puffed out, then
on the following day storms and snow were to be expected. In
fine weather the birds soared high in the air. These Gulls often
sat by hundreds on a piece of ice, and in this way were drifted
many miles. Their habits differ from those of the Glaucous Gull,
which moves with more energy, while the Zeucopterus in its flight
and deportment is the more graceful of the two. The latter is
said to hover over its prey, to be somewhat greedy, always
active, and never afraid to fight for its food with antagonists
of equal or even superior strength.

Larus marinus Linn.

BLACK-BACKED GULL.

Popular synonyms, Saddle-back; Farmer Gull (Bay of Fundy).

Larus marinus Lin. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 136; ed. 12, i, 1766, 225.—NuTr. Man. if, 1834, 308.—
Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 305; v, 183 ', 636, pl. 241; Synop. 1839, 329; B. Am. vii, 1844, 172,
pl. 450.—Lawe. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 8144.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 660.—
CovEs, Key, 1872,312; Check List, 1873, No, 546; 2d. ed. 1882, No. 771; B. N. W. 1874,624.—
Rmew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 663; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 23.—B. B. & R. Water B.N.
Am. ii, 1884, 225.—A. O. U. Cheek List, 1886, No. 47.

Larus niger Briss. Orn. vi, 1760, 158.

Larus nevius Lrsn. 8. N. ed. 12,i, 1766, 225.

Larus maculatus Bopob. Tabl. P. E. 1783, 16 (nec Brinn, 1764).

Larus maximus LEACH, Cat. 1816, 40.

Larus milleri BRExM, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 729.

Larus fabricii BreuM, t. ¢. 730.

Has. Coasts of the North Atlantic; in America, south in winter to Florida and the
Great Lakes.

Sp. Cuan. Size very large (about equal to L. g/aucus). Adult, summer plumage:
Mantle dark brownish slate, the secondaries and tertials broadly (the former abruptly)
tipped with white; first primary black, with the end, for a distance of about 2.50 inches,
white; second similar, but the white tip marked near the end by a broad black bar on one
or both webs; fourth quill black, tipped with white; fifth and sixth quills more sla‘y, tipped
with white, anda wide black subterminal space, preceded by an irregular white bar;
shorter quills lighter slate, widely tipped with white. Rest of the plumage pure white.
“Bill gamboge-yellow, the lower mandible bright carmine toward the end; edges of eye-

Sad ds i rir dies

Oe a ee oe a

228 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

lids bright carmine; iris silvery; feet yellow;! claws black” AUDUBON). Adult, in winter:
Similar to the summer plumage, but the head and neck, superiorly and posteriorly, streaked
with dusky. Young, first plumage: Above, dark slate-brown, the feathers broadly bor-
dered with pale dull buff; remiges uniform brownish dusky, with narrow whitish tips; ree-
trices dusky, tipped with white and crossed near the end by a narrow band of grayish or
brownish white. Head, neck, and lower parts dirty white, the head and neck, superiorly
and posteriorly, streaked, and the Jateral lower parts clouded, or irregularly spotted, with
grayish brown. Bill dusky, black terminally and brownish at the base; iris dark brown;
legs and feet “dusky whitish” (Cours, MS.). Downy young: Prevailing color grayish
white, the upper parts marbled or irregularly spotted with dull grayish. Head marked
with numer: us irregular spots of dull black, somewhat as follows: forehead with a narrow
mesial streak; crown with two spots, one behind the other, with a minute spot on each
side, opposite the space between the two Jarger spots; occiput with four large spots
arranged in a transverse series; below these, three others, their position corresponding to
the spaces between the spots of the series above; below these three spots a ragged band
across each side of the nape, the two separated by a considerable interval; then follow two
or three spots across the lower part of the nape, their form and arrangement being rather
indefinite. Onthe lores are three small spots arranged longitudinally; a spot over each
eye; there are also several irregular large spots on the lower part of the head, rather less
distinctly defined than the others.*

Total length, about 30.00 inches; wing, 17.60-19.50 (average, 18.48); culmen, 2. 40-2. 60 (2.49);
depth of bill through angle, .98-1,05 (1.01); tarsus, 2.70-3,10 (2,83); middle toe, 2.10-2.50 (2.34).
(Five adults.]

The great Black-backed Gull, or “‘Saddle-back,” as it is more
commonly called, is nearly if not quite equal to the Burgomaster
(Z. glaucus) in size and strength. Its habits are not essentially
different from those of the other large species of the family.

Larus argentatus Briinn.

HERRING GULL.
Popular synonyms, Sea Gull; Gray Gull (young).

Larus cinereus Briss. Orn. vi, 1760, 160, pl. 14.

Larus argentatus BRUNN. Orn. Bor. 1764, 44—Gmet. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 600, et AvorT.—Saun-
pers, P. Z. 8. 1878, 167 (part).—Cougrs, Check List, 1873, No. 547; 2d ed. 882, No. 772.—
Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 666; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 30.—A. O. U. Check List,
1886, No. 51.

Larus argentatus, a. argentatus Couns, B.N. W. 1874, 625.
Larus argentatus, a, argentatus B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 235.

10ther authorities give the color of the feet as flesh-color; and it seems that Audubon
made a mistake in calling them yellow. Macgillivray describes the fresh colors of the
adult male in winter as follows: ‘‘The bill is light yellow, the lower mandible with an
orange-red patch near the end; the edges of the eyelids orange-red, the iris pale yellow;
the feet flesh-colored, the claws dusky.”

2 Described from No. 84,765, from Labrador. It may be remarked with regard to the
markings of the head, that while in the main those of the two sides correspon in position,
some of them are asymmetrical; thus, the left lo e has the three spots near together and
roundish in form, the middle one above the others; the other Jore has these spots much
farther apart, in a line with one another, the middle one much elongated; there is but one
spot over the right eye, two over the left.

LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 229

Larus marinus, var, Lata. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790,814.
Larus glaucus Retz. Fn. Suec. i, 1800, 156 (not of BRUNN. 1764).
Larus argenteus Breum, Beitr. Vog. iii, 1822, 781, 799 (part).
Larus argentatoides BREEM, t. c. 791, 799 (part). *
Laroides major Brexm, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 738.
Laroides argentaceus BREE, t. ¢. 742.
? Laroides americanus Breum, Vog. Deutsch. 1831, 743.
Goéland a manteau gris Burr. Hist. Nat. Ois. viii, 1781, 406, pl. 32; P|, En, 255.

Haz. Europe and northeastern North America (casual only ?),

Sp. Cuan. Adult insummer: Mantle pale pearl-blue (a shade darker than in L. glauces-
eens), the secondaries and tertials passing terminally into white. Outer primary black,
more slaty basally, the tip white, and a large white terminal spot across the inner, and
sometimes the outer, web; next quill black tipped with white, and usually without any
white except the apical spot; third, fourth, and fifth quills similar, but the basal half, or
more, light pearl-gray (this extending farther on the inner web), the line of demarcation
sharply defined; sixth quill light pearl-gray, broadly tipped with white, this preceded by a
broad subterminal space of black, widest on the outer web; seventh quill similar, but the
black much more restricted, and confined to the outer web; remaining p imaries pale
pearl-gray, passing gradually into white at ends. Remainder of the plumage snow-white.
Bill deep chrome- or wax-yellow, with a large spot of bright red near the end of the mandi-
ble; eyelids bright yellow; iris silvery white or pale yellow; legs and feet flesh-color,
elaws brownish black. Adult in winter: Similar, but head and neck, except underneath,
streaked with dusky grayish. “The bill is pure yellow, the lower mandible with an orange-
red patch toward the end; the edges of the eyelids yellow; the iris pale yellow; the feet
flesh-colored; the claws brownish black” (MacGiLLIvray). Young, first plumage: Pre-
vailing color brownish ash, nearly uniform below, the head and neck streaked with white;
upper parts variegated by borders to the feathers and irregular spots of pale grayish buff;
primary coverts, remiges. and rectrices blackish dusky. “The billis bluish black, the base
of the lower mandible flesh-colored” (MaceGruntvray).! Downy young: Grayish white,
the lower parts (except throat) immaculate; head marked with irregular spots of black, in-
definitely distributed; back, wings, and rump clouded with dusky grayish. Bill b'ack, the
end yellowish; feet brownish.

Total length, about 23.00 inches; wing, 15.75-17.90 (average, 16.38); culmen, 1.85-2.20 (2.07);
depth of bill through angle, .72-.80 (.77); tarsus, 2.30-2.72 (2.50); middle toe, 1.90-2.25 (2.07).

The true Herring Gull is included in the list of Illinois birds
on the strength of a specimen obtained at Chicago, March 27,
1876, formerly in Mr. Nelson’s collection, which some years ago
was identified by Dr. Coues as belonging to this form. The
specimen should, however, be re-examined, since the separation
of the ordinary American bird (LZ. argentatus smithsonianus) now
rests on characters different, in part at least, from those on
which the separation was originally made.”

1After next moult. “The bill is dull yellow, with a dusky patch on each mandible, and
a little red on the lower; the iris yellow; the feet flesh-colored.” (MACGILLIVRAY.)

* According to Mr. Nelson (Bull. Nutt. Orn. Club, vol. i, p. 41), the iris of this specimen
was “hazel.” Ifthis was really the case (which there is no reason for doubting), the speci-
men can hardly have been L. argentatus in either of its forms, which, when adult (the bird
in question was an adult female),always has the iris yellow. JL. californicus has a dark
brown or hazel iris, and it may possibly be that species; at any rate the case is one of con-
siderable importance and the specimen should, if it can be traced, be carefuily re-examined,

230 : : BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Larus argentatus smithsonianus Coues.

\

AMERICAN HERRING GULL.

Popular synomyms, Sea Gull; Gray Gull (young).

Larus argentatoides BREuM, Beitr. Vog. iii, 1822, 791, 799 (part).—Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. tir
1831, 417 (?). ;
Larus argentatus BONAP. Synop. 1828, 360, No. 300 (not of Lrnn.).—NutT. Man. ii, 1834, 304.—
Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 588; v, 1839, 638; Synop. 1839, 328; Synop. 1839, 328; B, Am, vil,
1844, 163, pl. 448.—Lawn. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 814.—Batrp, Cat. N. Am, B. 1859, No.
661.—CovuEs, Key, 1872, 312.—SAUNDERs, P. Z. 8. 1878, 167 (part).
Larus smithsonianus Cougs, Proce. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 296.
Larus argentatus, var. smithsonianus Covess, Check List, 1873, No. 547 b.
Larus argentatus, b. smithsonianus Cougs, B.N. W. 1874, 625.
Larus argentatus smithsonianus Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 666 @; Man. N. Am.
B. 1887, 31.—CovEs, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 773.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 51 a.
Larus argentatus, f3. smithsonianus B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 235.

Has. North America in general, more especially the Atlantic coast, where extending
from Labrador to Cuba; breeding from eastern Maine northward; frequent throughout the
interior, on the larger inland waters, and occasional on the Pacific coast.

Susp. Cuar. Similar to true L. argentatus, but averaging larger, and adult with the
white on the outer quill crossed by a subterminal bar or spot of black, this rarely less than
.50 of an inch wide, and often extending to the extreme tip, thus reducing the white to a
subterminal spot.

Length, 22.50-26.00 inches; wing, 16.25-17.50 (average, 17.21); culmen, 1.95-2.50 (2.24); depth
of bill through angle, .68-.85 (.79); tarsus, 2.30-2.80 (2.57), middle toe, without claw, 1.85-2.25 (2.10).

The character of the markings on the outermost quill is more
to be depended on as a distinctive character of the American
Herring Gull than the difference of size, which is far less con-
stant, many specimens, especially among those from Cumber-
land Gulf and other extreme northeastern localities combining
the smaller size of the European with the wing pattern of the
American bird.

With perhaps the exception of the Ring-billed Gull (Z. dela-
warensis), this is the commonest gull of eastern North America
in general, and the only one which is found in considerable num-
bers during winter on the waters, both coast and inland, of the
United States east of the Rocky Mountains.

It breeds from the coast of Maine and southern Minnesota
northward, and winters nearly throughout the country to the
southward. According to Professor Cooke* it was seen at Chicago
in the winter of 1883-84, and usually a few winter on Lake
Michigan. As a rule it is found in winter throughout Mlinois

* Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, p. 55.

LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 231

and thence southward to the Gulf of Mexico. The severe cold
of January, 1884, drove it almost entirely out of Illinois. One
was seen at Saint Louis after the river began to be full of float-
ing ice. It returned to Saint Louis January 29; two days later
a party of eighteen went north above the Mississippi.

The Jollowing very interesting account of the manner in which
‘the inhabitants of Newfoundland rear these gulls for food is
published by Mr. Wm. Palmer, in the ‘‘Proceedings’’ of the
United States National Museum (Vol. XIII., pp. 254-255):

“The well-fattened young of this species may be said to form
a not insignificant part of the winter diet of the Newfoundland
fishermen at outlying places. Capt. J. W. Collins in an inter-
esting paper on sea birds, in the Report of the U. S. Fish Com-
mission for 1882, alludes to this habit of the coast fishermen
as follows: .

‘It may be of interest to mention in this connection that the
coast fishermen of Newfoundland capture the young of the sea-
gulls (generally of the larger species) while they are yet nest-
lings, and carefully rear them until they are full grown, feeding
them chiefly on fish. A single family may have a dozen or
twenty of these young birds. I have frequently seen ten or a
dozen young gulls in a pen at Belloram, Fortune Bay, and
there were a number of such pens in the little village. In many
places on the Newfoundland coast these birds, I have been told,
occupy the same place that with us is filled by the domestic
fowls. Instead of the conventional turkey for the holidays, the
coast fisherman is satisfied with the young and fat gulls which
he has raised.’

“T have been unable to find any other published account of
the utilization of the young of this species as food. While the
Grampus was at Little-Seldom-Come-By Harbor, Fogo Island,
I had an opportunity of examining a pen of these birds, which
are kept in the same mauner as one keeps pigs. The birds, of
which there were eight of different sizes, belonged to an appar-
ently prosperous fisherman. A corner of the garden had been
converted into a pen about 5 feet square. Wishing to obtain
a specimen of the young, I made known to the good housewife
my reasons for desiring one, but she simply could not under-
stand that I wanted it as a specimen, so the husband was

yo
.
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:

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‘

232 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

called in and the matter explained. Aiter considerable talk and
explanation, and the promise on my part that if they would
visit the vessel I would be only too glad to recompense them
with some powder and shot, I succeeded in obtaining their con-
sent to select a specimen. I doubt if to this day they have
been able to comprehend my reasons for desiring the specimen.

“The birds are fed mostly on fish offal; in fact, nothing comes
amiss to them, their ability to swallow being only limited by
their size and the extent to which they can expand their jaws.
As a consequence, they become very fat and tame, following one
about like a dog, and occasionally going to the water and help-
ing themselves to what they can find, but invariably returning
to their homes. In January and February, when other food
is scarce, the gulls are killed and return to the sometimes fam-
ished fishermen and their families, in another and more palat-
able form, some of that abundance which could not be other-
wise utilized during the fishing season.”

Larus delawarensis Ord.

,

RING-BILLED GULL.

Larus delawarensis ORD, Guthrie's Geog. 2d Am. ed. 1815, 319.—Laweg. in Baird's B.N.
Am. 1858, 846.—Batrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 664.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 303; 2d ed. 1884;
Check List, 1873, No. 548; 2d ed. 1882, No. 778; B. N. W. 1874,636.—Ripew. Orn. 40th par.
1877, 688; Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 669; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 32—SAuNDERs, P. Z.S.
1878, 176.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 244.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 54.

Larus canus Bonar. Spece. Comp. 1827, 69 (nec LNy.).

?Larus argentatoides “BREHM,” Bonar. Synop. 1828, 360 (nee BREHM).

Larus zonorhynchus Ricwarps. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 421—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 98; v,
1839, 638, pl. 212; Synop. 1839, 327; B. Am. vii, 1844, 152, pl. 446.

Gavina brachii Bonar. Naum. iv, 1854, 212.

Larus zonorhynchus, var. mexicanus Bonap. Consp. ii, 1857, 224.

Haz. North America at large, breeding ‘‘from the northern tier” of the United States
northward, and wintering from the United States (at large) to Cuba and Mexico.

Sp. Cuan. Smaller than Z, californicus, the bill more slender, and without red spot,
the mantle much paler, the iris yellow, and feet greenish yellow in the adult. Adult, in
summer: Mantle pale pearl-blue (much as in L, argentatus, much paler than in L. brachy -
rhynchus or L. canus), the secondaries and tertials passing terminally into pure white.
Outer primary black, with a white space 1.25 to 1.50 inches long near the end, involving
both webs, the shaft, however, black; second quill similar, but with the white space small-
er, and the extreme tip also white; third, with the basal half pale pearl-gray,and the apicai
white spot larger; next, similar, but the subterminal black more restricted, the line of de-
markation between it and the pale pearl-gray still more sharply defined; fifth, pale pear!-
gray, passing terminally into white, but crossed near the end by a wide band of black,
about .75 of an inch wide; sixth Quill pale pearl-gray, passing into white terminally, and
marked near the end by a more or less imperfect black spot; remaining quills pale pearl-

;
' LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 233
gray, passing terminally into white, and without a trace of black. Bill greenish yellow,
crossed near the end by a blackish band, the tip sometimes tinged with orange; rictus and
eyelids vermilion-red: interior of mouth rich orange-red, more intense posteriorly; iris
- clear pate yellow, sometimes tinged with greenish; claws black) Adult, in winter: Sim-
ilar, but the head and neck, except beneath, streaked with brownish gay. Young, first
a plumage: Above, brownish dusky, the feathers bordered with pa‘e grayish buff; primaries

blackish dusky, the inner quills bluish gray basally, and tipped with white; secondaries
bluish gray on basal half, dusky black terminally where edged with white; basal two thirds
of the tail pale gray, more whitish basally, mottled with deeper grayish; terminal third
dusky black, narrowly tipped with white. Lower parts white, spotted laterally with gray-
; ish brown. “Bill black, base of lower mandible and edges of the upper, toward the base,
livid flesh-color; edges of eyelids livid blue; iris hazel; feet purplish gray, claws brownish
black” (AUDUBON).

Length, about 18.00-20.00 inches; wing, 13.60-15.75 (average, 14.45); culmen, 1.55-1.75 (1.64);
depth of bill through angle, .50-.65 (.56); tarsus, 1.90-2.45 (2.14); middle toe, 1.30-1.60 (1.46).
: {Sixteen adults.)

Like the Herring Gull (Z. argentatus smithsonianus), this is a
common species throughout eastern North America, the north-
ern border of the United States being, approximately, the

. southern limit of its summer home, and the northern limit of
its winter range. Its habits are essentially like those of its
larger relative.

Larus atricilla Linn.

LAUGHING GULL.

Popular synomyms. Black-headed Gull; Apipisca grande de alas largas (Mexico);
Gaviota (Mexico).
Larus atricilla Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 136; ed. 12, i, 1766, 225 (based on Larus major
Catesb. i, 89, but also includes the European species, L. ridibundus LInN.).—NvuTT.
Man. ii, 1834, 291—Aupb. Orn, Biog. iv, 1835, 118, pl. 314; Synop. 1839, 324; B. Am. vii,
1844, 136, pl. 443.—Coves, Key, 1872, 315; Check List, 1873, No. 551.—SaunDERs, P. Z. 8,
1878, 191.—RipGw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1851, No. 673; Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 35.—B. B. & R.
Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 254.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 58.
Larus (Chroicocephalus atricilla Brucn, J. f. O. 1853, 10i.—Coves, B. N. W. 1874, 650.
Chroicocephalus atricilla Lawe. in B ird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 850.—Barrp, Cut. N. Am. B.
1859, No. 667.—Coues, Proc, Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1852, 310; 2d Check List, 1882, No. 786,
Larus ridibundus Wis. Am. Orn. ix, 1814. 89, pl. 74, fig. 4 (not of Linn.).
Larus plumbiceps Bream, Lehrb. 722 (GRAY).
Larus (Atricitla) megalopterus Brucu, J. f. O. 1855, 287. a
Atricilla ca‘esbai Bonar. Naumannia, 1854, 212.
Atricilla minor Bonap.|}.c.
Atricilla macroptera BonapP. 1. c¢.
Larus (Atricilla) micropterus Brucg, t. c. 283. 7

1" Adult male, in summer. Bill marked opposite the angle with a broad transverse
band of brownish black, between which and the base it Is light greenish yellow, the tips
orange-yellow. Euges of eyelids greenish yellow; iris bright yellow. Feet greenish yel-~
low, the webs tinged with orange, claws black” (AUDUBON).

—30

234 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

-

Has. Tropical and warm-temperate America, north to Maine, Ohio, Illinois, ete., but
chiefly along the sea-coast; south to the Lower Amazon; both coasts of Mexico and Cen-
tral America, Casual in Europe.

Se. CHar. Adult in summer: Head and upper half of the neck (extending farther
down in front than on the nape) dark slate-color, with a slight brownish tinge, darkest on
the neck; an elongated white spot on each eyelid; lower half of the neck, all round, entire
lower parts, upper tail-coverts, and tail, pure white, the under surface with a delicate
roseate tinge in fresh specimens; mantle deep plumbeous, the secondaries and tertia's
broadly tipped with white. Outer five primaries black, with or without asmall white apical
spot, the bases of the third, fourth, and fifth slaty for a greater or less distance, this some-
times abruptly defined against the black, but oftener grading insensibly into it; remaining
quills hoary plumbeous, tipped with white, the six h sometimes with a subterminal black
spot. Bill dark brownish red, terminal third of the culmen (sometimes whole tip of upper
mandible) and the gonys blood-red or carmine, the two colors sometimes separated by @
more or Jess distinct dusky bar or transverse sp :t; eyelids dull dark red; rictus and inte-
rior of mouth fleshy red; iris dark grayish brown; legs and feet dark reddish brown, the
webs darker; claws black. Adult in winter: Similar, but head and neck white, the oeci-
put and auricular region spotted or mottled with brownish gray, and the eyes more or less
surrounded by the same. Bill and feet more dusky. Young. first nlumage: Inter capu-
lars, scapulars, and wing-coverts, grayish brown centrally, b oadly bordered with pale
grayish buff or clay-color; greater wing coverts ash-gray, tinged on terminal edges with
pale grayish buff; secondaries dusky, abruptly tipped with white; primary coverts and
primaries black, the latter narrowly tipped with white. Central portion of the rump light
brownis} ash; iateral an’! posterior portion of the rump, upper tail-coverts, and poste: ior
ower parts, white. Basal half of the tail light ash-gray; terminal portion black, narrowly
tipped with white. Head, neck, breast, and sides, nearly uniform brownish gray, darker on
the occiput and nape,and more or less tinged with pale buffy beneath, especially in
younger individuals; abdomen grayish white or pale brownish gray. Billand feet dusky
brownish (in skin). Downy young: Above, grayish fulvous, the head irregularly striped
or spotted, the back, wings, and rump irregu’arly marbled with dusky. Lower parts light
grayish fulvous, ine ining to ochraceous on the breast and middle of the abdomen, which
are immaculate; lateral and under pa ts of the head marked with several large and distinct
spots of bluck; forneck, sides, flanks, and anal region dull fulyous-grayish, faintly mottled
with darker. Bill dull light brown; legs and feet dull dusky brown.

Total leng h, about 16.50 inches; wing, 13.00; tail, 5.00; culmen, 1.75; depth of bill through
nostrils, 45; tarsus, 2.00; middle toe with claw, 1.50.

Essentially a coast bird, the Laughing Gull is probably only
an irrecular or casual visitor to the Mississippi Valley. Accord-
ing to Professor Cooke a few pass up the Mississippi during the
summer as far as southern Illinois, while it was recorded by
Mr. Powell at Alden, Nebraska, in July, 1880. May not, how-
ever, Franklin’s Gull (Z. franklinii) have been mistaken for it?

Larus franklinii Sw. & Rich.

FRANKLIN'S GULL.
Popular synonyms. Franklin's Rosy Gull; Hooded Gull; Apipisea (Mexico).
Larus atricilla Sagtne, App. Franklin's Polar Sea, 1828, 695 ‘not of LINN. 1758).
Larus franklinii Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. ii 1881, 424, pl. 71.—Aup. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 824; Synop.
1839, 325; B Am. vii, 184, 145.—Covugs, Key, 1872,316; Check List, 1878, No. 555.—Saun-
pDERS, P. Z. 8. 1878,195.—Rrpe@w. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 674; Man. N. Am, B. 1887,
36.—B, B. & R. Water B.N, Am, ii, 1884, 258.—A. O. U, Oheck List, 1886. No. 59.

ee ee ee

oh a iad

avr LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 235

Larus (Chroicocephalus) franklinii Brucn, J.f. 0. 1855,239.—Coves, B. N. W. 1874,653,

Ohroicocephalus franklinii Lawn. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858,851.—Barep, Cat. N. Am. B,

1859, No. 668.—CovEs, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 787.

Larus pipizcan WaGt. Isis, 1841,515.

Larus cucullatus Licut. Nomencl. 1854,98 ‘no description). (Mexico.)

Larus (Chroicocephalus) cucullatus Brucg, J. f, O. 1855, 290.—Lawr. in Baird's B. N

Am. 1858, 851.—Bainp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 669.

Larus cinereo-caudatus Part & Lanps. Wiegm. Archiv. 1861, 293 (Chili).

? Larus (Chroicécephalus) kittlitzii Brucn, J. f. O. 1853, 104,

Chroicocephalus schimperi Brucg, 1. c. (not of SCHLEG., 1863,] which=L. saundersi
SWINHOE). i

Has. The interior of North America, chiefly the Mi-sissippi Valley and northward,
breeding from Dakota, Minnesota, ete., northward; Centraland South America, during mi-
grations, as far as Chili: part of the West Indies.

Sp.CHaR. Adult,in summer: Head and upper part of the neck plumbeous-black
(more plumbeous anteriorly); an elongated white spot on each eyelid; lower part of the
neck (all round), entire lower parts, lower part of the rump, and upper tail-coverts snow-
white, the neck and lower parts with a deep tinge of delicate rose-pink in fresh specimens.
Mantle deep bluish plumbeous, a little lighter thin in LZ. atricilla, the secondaries and ter-
tials broadly tipped with white. Tail white, the four to six central feathers tinged with pale
grayish blue, deepest on the intermediaw. Primaries bluish gray, the shafis white. the five
outer quilis marked with a subterminal space of black, varying in extent from nearly 2.00
inches on the second quill toabout .50 on the fifth, each quill broadly tipped with white,
this occupying on the first about 1.50 inches of the terminal portion, on the rest less than
.50 of an inch, the bluish gray of the basal portion of the quills becoming nearly or quite
white adjoining the black,and the shaft of the black portion also black; remaining quills light
grayish blue, broadly, but not abruptly, tipped with white, the sixth sometimes marked
with a subterminal black spot or bar. Bill de*p red, with a more or less distinct darker
subterminal band; eyelids red; feet deepred. Adult, in winter: Similar, but head and
neck white, the occiput, with orbital and auricular region:, grayish dusky. Bill and feet
browuish, the former tipped with orange-reddish. Young, first plumage: Top and sides
of the head (except forehead and lores), back, and scapulars grayish brown, th longer
seapulars bordered terminally with pale grayish buff; wing-coverts bluish gray, tinged
with grayish brown; secondaries dusky, edged with pa'e g ayi-h blue, and broadly tipped
with white; primaries dusky, the innermost ones more piumbeous, all rather broadly tipped
with white. Central portion of the rump uniform light bluish gray; Jateral and posterior
poitions of the rump, upper tail-coverts, entire lower parts, forehead, lores, and eyelids
white. Bill brownish, dusky terminally; feet brown (in skin).

Total length, about 14.00 inches; extent, 35.00: wing, 11.25; culmen, 1.80; depth of bill
rae nostrils, .35; tarsus, 1.60; middle toe, with claw, 1.60.

Larus philadelphia (Ord).

BONAPARTE’S GULL,

Sterna philadelphia Orv, Guthrie's Geog. 2d Am. ed. if, 1815, 319.
Chroicocephalus philadelphia Lawn. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 852.—Batrp, Cat. N. Am.
B. 1859, No. 670,—NewrTon, P. Z. §. 1871, 27, pl. 4, fig. 6 (egg). —Coves, Proc. Acad. Nat.
Sci..Phila. 1862, 310; 24 Check List, 1882, No. 788.—Rrpew. Orn. 40) h Par. 1577, 639.
Larus philadelphia Gray, List Brit. B. 1863, 235 (Great Britain).—Covgs, Key, 1572, 316;
Check List, 1873, No. 556.—B. B. & R. Water B.N. Am, ii, 1884, 260.—A. O. U. Check
List, 1886, No. 60.—Ripaw. Mun, N, Am. B, 1837, 36.

236 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS..

Larus philadelphie SAUNDERS, P. Z. S. 1878, 206.—Rrpew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 675.
Larus (Chrecocephalus} philadelphia Couss, B. N. W. 1874, 655.
Larus minutus SaBIng, App. Franklin's Voy. 1823, 696.—Sw. & Ricw.F. B.-A. ii, 183], 426 (not
of Pau, 1776).
Larus capistratus BoNAP. Spece. Comp. 1828, 69 (not of TeEm™M. 1820).
? Larus melanorhunchus Temm. Pl. Col. livr. 85, pl. 504 (1830; Chili),
Larus bonapartii Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 425, pl. 72—Nurr Man, ii,1834,294.—Aup. Orn.
Biog. iv, 1838, 212 pl. $24; Synop. 1839, 823; B. Am. vil, 127, 181, pl. 452.
Larus (_ hroicocephalus) subulirostris “Bp,” Brucu, J. f. O. 1853, 105 (type-in Mus. Mainz).

Haz. The whole of North America, but no valid record of its occurrence south of the
United States, except Bermudas (HuRDIs). Breeds from Manitoba (probably also northern
Minnesota) northward.

Sp.CHar. Adult, in sumvmer: Head and upper part of the neck dark plumbeous, the
eyelids marked by an elongated whi:e spot. Lower part of the neck, entire lower parts,
tail, upper tail coverts, lower and lateral portions of the rump, border of the wing, alule,
primary coverts, and greater portion of the primaries snow white, the nerk and lower parts
with a delicate rose-pink blush in fresh specimens, Mantle, including upper and middle
portions of rump, delicate light pearl-blue. Three outer primaries chiefly white, the outer
web of the exterior quill, and the terminal portion of all, deep black; four h quill similar to
the third, but the inner web pale grayish blue; fifth and sixth quills pale grayish blue, with
a large subte: minal black space, and tipped with white (third and fourth quil!s also marked
with a small white apical spot); remaining quills pale grayish biue, without white tips, but
marked near the end, usually on inner web only, witha black spot, Bill deep black; iris
dark brown; interior of mouth, with legs and feet, rich clear orange-red; ! claws black.
Adult, in winter: Similar, but head and neck white, the occiput tinged with grayish, and
the auricular region marked by a spot of dusky gray. Legs and feet flesh-color. Young,
jirsl plumage: Sides and under part of head and neck, entire lower parts, upper tail coy-
erts, and basal three fourths of the tail pure white; crown, occiput, and upper part of the
back b. ownish gray; a dusky grayish spot on the auricular region; scapulars and posterior
interscapulars grayish brown, tipped with pale buff; central area of lesser wing-covert
region dusky brownish gray; rest of wing-coverts, edges of secondaries, greater portion
of inner primaries, with upper and central portions of the rump, light grayish blue; band
across end of tail black or dusky, the tip narrowly whitish. Outer primary with the entire
outer web, and astripe along the inner next the shaft, with the end, black, the remaining
portion white; second and third quills similar, but the white successively more r stricted;
fourth, bluish white on both webs (inner web more bluish), the subterminal portion black
for more than an inch, the tip with a small white spot; remaining quills similar, but deeper
bluish gray. Bull dusky; feet pale brownish ‘in skin). Young,second year: Similar to the
aduit in winter plumage, but central lesser wing-coverts dusky, tail crossed by a subtermi-
nal band of dusky b: own, and primaries marked as iu the first plumage.

Total length, about 13.00-14.00 inches; exient, 32. 00; wing, 10.25; culmen, 1.20; depthsaagi
through nostrils, .25; tarsus, 1.40; middle toe witb claw, 1.40.

. This pretty little gull, the smallest of the American species,
is a transient migrant in Illinois, occasionally wintering in the
southern portion of the State.

1In some very high-colored specimens the feathers immediately surrounding the
naked rim of the eyelids are fine orange-red.

LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 237

GrENus XEMA Leacs.

Xema “LEac#,” Ross’s Voy. App. 1819, p. lvii. Type, Larus sabinii Sas.

Gen. Cuan. Tail emarginate, or slightly forked; otherwise like the smaller species of
Larus.

This genus contains a single species, the Fork-tailed or Sa-
bine’s Gull (X. sabiniz). Another species, the Swallow-tailed Gull
(Creagrus furcatus), of the Galapagos Archipelago has often been
referred to the genus, but the differences of structure between
the two are so marked as to require its reference to a different
genus. (See Proc. U. S. Nat. Mus., Vol. XII., 1889, p. 117.)

Xema sabinii (Sabine).

SABINE’S GULL.

Popular synomym. Fork-tailed Gull.

Larus sabinii J. Sas. Trans. Linn. Soe. xii, 1818, 520. pl. 29.
Xema sabini Epw. & Beveru. App. Ross's Voy. Baff. Bay, 4to ed, 1819, Ivii.
Xema sabinii Lawz. in Baird’s B. N. Am, 1858, 857.—Batrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 680.—
SaunpeErs, P. Z. 8. 1878, 209.—Covurs. 2d Check List, 1882, No. 790.—B. B. & R. Water
B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 269.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 62.—RipGw. Man. N. Am. B,
1887, 38. |
Xema sabinei Covss, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862,311; Key, 1872, 317; Check List, 1873,
No. 558; B. N. W. 1874, 660.—Rinew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 677.
Xema collaris “Scurerpers,” Ross, in App. Ross's Voy. Baff. Bay, ii, 8vo. ed. 1819, 164
(nec ScHREIBERS,=/thodostethia rosea! Cf. SAuNDERS, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 209).

Has. Circumpolar Regions; in winter migrating south, in America, to Massachusetts,
New York, the Great Lakes, Kansas, and the Great Salt Lake, Utah. Very abun'ant in
Alaska. Bermudas, one instance (SAUNDERS). Macabi Island, coast of Peru, lat. 8° S. (one
specimen, fide SauNDERS, P. Z. 8. 1878, p. 210),

Sp. Coan. Aduit, in summer: Head and upper part of neck plumbeous, bounded
below by a well-defined collar of black, widest behind; lower part of the neck, entire lower
parts, tail, upper tail-coverts, and lower part of rump snow-white, the lower part faintly
tinged with delicate rose-pink in some freshly killed specimens. Mantle deep bluish gray
(nearly the same shade as in Larus frunklinii) the secondaries pure white, becoming grad-
ually pale grayish blue toward base; most of the exposed portion of the greater coverts
also white, forming, together with the secondaries, a conspicuous longitudinal whi'e stripe
on the closed wing. Four ou'er primaries black, broadly tipped with white, the inner webs
broadly margined with the same; fifth quill with the greater part of the inner web, and
about 1.75 inches of the terminal portion of the outer, white, the remainder black; remain-
ing quills white; outer border of the wing, from the carpal joint back to the primary
coverts, including the latter and the alule, uniform black. Bill black, tipped with yellow;
eyelids re; iris brown; feet dull lead-color, claws black” (L. M. Turner, M.8.). Adult, in
winter: Similar to the summer plumuge, but head and nck white, except occiput, nape,
and auricular region, which are dull dusky piumbeous. Young, first plumage: Crown,
nape, back, scapulars, wing-coverts, and rump brownish gray, each feather bordered ter-
minally with light fulvous or pale grayish buff, this fulyous border preceded on the tertials,

“it Se ROE RENO REAM Ay ee ke | eee ee eee

¥ ils) sel

238 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

longer seapulars, ete., by a dusky internal sub-border; greater wing-coverts and second-
aries white, asin the adult; primaries much asinthe adult. Tail white, witha broad sub-
terminal band of black, the tip narrowly white or pale fulvous; upper tail-coverts and en-
tire lower parts white. Bill dusky, brownish toward the base; feet light brownish (in the
skin).

Wing, about 10.75 inches; culmen, 1.00; depth of bill through angle, .30; tarsus, 1.25;
middle toe and claw, 1.25.

According to published records only one specimen of this Arc-
tic gull has been observed in Illinois, and that, unfortunately,
was not secured. It was shot by Mr. E. W. Nelson* on the
shore of Lake Michigan, April 1, 1873, was in breeding plum-
age, but falling beyond his reach, was drifted off from the shore
by the wind.

SUBFAMILY STERNIN2.—Tue Terns.

Genus GELOCHELIDON Bream:

Gelochelidon BrrHuM, Naturg Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 774. Type, G. meridionalis
BreuM,=Sterna nilotica HASSELQ.

Gen. CHAR. Bill short and stout, with strongly convex upper and lower outline, its
depth at the base equal to one third the length of the exposed culm -n; gonys shorter than
outer toe, without cla v; tail nearly half as jong as the wing, forked for less than one third
its length. Color of adult pale pearl-gray above, with top of head and hind-neck deep
black, lower parts white; bill and feet black.

The genus includes, so far as known, a single species, the
Gull-billed Tern (G. nzlotica), which occurs in Europe, Asia,
Africa, and Australia, as well as America.

Gelochelidon nilotica (Hasselq.)

GULL-BILLED TERN.

Popular synonym. Marsh Tern.
Sterna nilotica HASSELQ. Reise nach Pal. Deutsche Ausg. 1762, 325.
Gviochelidon nilotica STEIN. Auk, i, Oct. 1884, 366.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 68.—
Ripaw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 38.
Sterna anglica MonTAGUE, Orn. Dict. Suppl. 1813—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 269.—Aup. Orn. Biog.
y, 1839, 127, pl. 410; Synop. 1839, 316; B. Am. vii, 184, 81, pl. 430.—CovEs, Key, 1872, 319;
Check List, 1873, No. 560; 24 ed 1882, No. 792—Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 679.—
B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 277.
Gelochelidon anglica Bonap. Comp. List, 1838, 61.—CoveEs, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci, Phila.
1862, 536 (critical).
Sterna (Gelochelidon) anglica Cours, B. N. W. 1874, 664.
Sterna aranea Wits. Am. Orn. viii, 1814, 143, pl. 72, fig. 6.—Lawsz. in Baird's B. N. Am, 1858. 859,
—BAIrrD, Cat. N. Am, B. 18.9, No. 681.

* Recorded in the Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological Club, Vol {, 1876, p. 41.

(4s Pia © Le! Oe pa re pi i

LARIDZ—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 239
Sterna risoria BrEeuM, Lehrb. 1823. 683; Beitr. iii, 650.
' ? Sterna macrotarsa GOULD, Proce. Zod). Soc. Lond. pt. v, 1837, 26; B. Austr. Suppl.
Sterna affinis Horsr. (fide Buas.).

Gelochelidon balthica, agraria, meridionalis BREHM, Vog. Deutschl. 1831, 772, 773, 774.

Has. Nearly cosmopolitan, but in North Americacon‘ined to the Eastern Province,and
rare away from the coast; the greater part of tropical America, south to Brazil; both coasts

“S

}

f

d

- Gelochelidon palustris Macetu. Man. fi, 1842, 237.
}

of Central America; Bermuda?

Sp. Cran. Adult,in summer: Pileum and nape deep black; upper parts, including the
rump, upper tail-coverts, and tail, delicate pale pearl-gray, the primaries more hoary, and
usually darker; inner webs of primaries ash-gray, with a broad white space from the edge

/ more than half way to the shaft, but not extending to the ends of the quills. Rest of the
plumage pure white. Bill wholly deep black; interior of mouth flesh-color; iris dark
f brown; legs and feet dark walnut-brown, the soles pale pinkish brown; claws black. Adult,

inwinfer: Similar, but whole head and neck white, the nape tinged with grayish, the
auriculars darker grayish, as is also a crescentic space imm diately in front of the eyes.
Young, first plumage: Above, pale pearl-gray, the feathers more or less tipped with
light eclay-color, this sometimes almost uniform over the back and scapulars, where the
feathers are bluish only beneath the su face; a blackish crescentic spot immediately in
front of the eye, anda dusky grayish suffusion on the auriculars, forming a more or less
distinct posto ular stripe. Lower parts entirely pure white. Rump, upper tail-coverts,
tail, and wing-coverts nearly uniform pale pearl-gray; remiges deeper silvery gray, the
secondaries and inner primaries tipped with white; reetrices darker subterminally, and
tipped with white or pale ochraceous-buff. Pileum, back, and scapulars sometimes
streaked with dusky, oftener immaculate. Bi'ldusky brownish, the mandible dull orange-
brown, except terminally; legs and feet varying from dull reddish brown to dusky brown,
the soles more reddish. Downy young: Above, light grayish buff, with several large and
tolerably well-defined dusky spots on the hind half of the head, most distinct on the latero-
occipital region; a distinct longitudinal stripe of dusky down each side of the lower nape
and upper back; wings, rump, and flanks, with large, rather distinct, spots of dusky.
Lower parts white, the sides of the throat faintly tinged with grayish. Bill dull brownish,
the mandib!'e more o: ange; legs and feet dull brownish orange.

Total length, about 13.00 to 15.25 inches; extent, 33.00 to 37.50; wing, 11.75-12.25; tail, 5.50;
depth of fork, 1.50-1.75; culmen, 1.40; depth of bill through base, .45: tarsus, 1.30; middle
toe, with claw, 1.10.

The Gull-billed Tern breeds abundantly along the Atlantic
coast of the United States, especially on the islands off shore,
which it inhabits in company with the Common Tern (8.
hirundo), Forster’s Tern (S. forsteri), the Least Tern (S.
antillarum), the Black Skimmer (22ynchops nigra), and the Black-
headed Gull (Larus atricillaz), in some localities outnumbering
any of the before-mentioned species. In those localities which I
have visited its nest was usually placed on the dry sand, just
beyond reach of the surf, but not unfrequently at a considerable
distance from the shore. It is very bold in defence of its eggs
or young, darting down at an intruder with such impetuosity
as almost to strike him, scolding all the while with a harsh
chattering note, which may be compared to a discordant laugh.

240 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

GENUS STERNA Linnzus.

Sterna Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 137, ed. 12, i, 1766, 227. Type, by elimination, Sterna hirundo
Linn.

Sternula Bote, Isis, 1822, 563. Type, Sterna minuta LINN.

Thalasseus Bote, 1sis, 1822, 563. Type, Sterna caspia Pau.

Thalassea Kaup, Sk. Entw. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 97. Type, Sterna paradis@a Brtyrn.

Sylochelidun Bream. Vog Deutschl. 1830, 767. Type, Sterna caspia LINN.

Actochelidon Kaur, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 31. Type, Ste na cantiaca GMEL.

Haliplana WaGu. Isis,1832,1224. Type, Sterna fulignosa GMEL.

Sp. CuHar. Bill much more slender than in Gelochelidon, its depth through the base
less than one third the length of the exposed culmen, its upper outlines never strongly
curved and its lower outline always straight, or nearly so. Size exceedingly variable, the
form and colors less so; tail always decidedly forked, anu toes almost fully webbed, but the
webs concaye, or “scalloped out,” anteriorly.

The above diagnosis covers several groups of species, usually
ranked as subgenera, some of which are possibly entitled to full
generic rank, since they appear to be quite as distinct from typ-
ical Sterna as is Gelochelidon.

The species occurring in eastern North America are the fol-
lowing:

A. Wing more than 9.00 inches.

a, Size very Jarge (wing 15.00 inches or more); tail emarginate; occipital feathers soft and
blended, not forming a crest; inner webs of primaries concolored (dusky grayish);
adult, above, pale pearl-gray, beneath, white: hood wholly black in summer, wholly
streaked or speckled with white in winter. (subgenus Thalasseus Bote.)

1. §.tschegr va. Bill very robust (the depth through the base a little less than one
third the length of the culmen), deep red.

b. Size large or medium (wing 12.50-15 inches); tail deeply forked; occipital feathers
pointed and somewhat lengthened, forming a short but distinct crest; inner webs
of primaries bicolored (dusky in a weli-defined stripe next the shalt, the inner edge
broadly and abruptly white); adult, pale pearl-gray above, white beneath; pileum
wholly black in spring, the forehead, lores, and centre of the crown white in the
breeding season. (Subgenus Actochelidon Kaup,)

2. §. maxima, Bill stout (but depth through the base much less than one third the
length of the eulmen), deep orange; wing, 14.00-15.00 inches.

3. §,sandvicensis acuflavidus. Bill very slender, deep black, tipped with yellow.
Wing, about 12.50 inches,

c. Size small (wing less than 12.00 but more than 8.00 inches); ‘tail of adult excessively
forked, with lateral feathers very narrow towards tips; occipital feathers soft and
blended, not forming a crest.

§. Upper parts pearl gray, the whole top of head black in summer; tail white or
pale pearl-gray. (Subszenus Sterna Linn.)
{. Only one web of outer tail-feather entirely white.
4. §, forsteri. Lower parts entirely white; outer web of lateral tail-feather entirely
white, the inner web usually grayish or dusky near end.
5. §.hirundo, Lower pa-ts pale gray or grayish white; outer web of lateral tail-
feather grayish or dusky, the inner web entirely white,

LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 241

y (6. §. paradisea, Lower parts deeper gray, almost as dark as upper parts; otherwise
d like S. hirundo, but lateral tail-feathers more elongated. Hab. Circumpolar
districts, south in winter, in America, to northern United States ott as far
Loy south as coast of New England).
wm ’ §§. Both webs of outer tail-feather entirely white, or grayish white.

(7. §,dougalli. Lower parts delicate “peach- blossom pink” fading to pinkish white or
pure white in dried skins. Hab, Atlantic coast of United States, West Indies,
and various parts of old world.)

b. Upper parts slate-gray or sooty blackish, the forehead and sides of crown white;
six to ten middle tail-feathers slaty or blackish. (Subgenus Haliplana WAGU.)
(8. §,fuliginosa. Upper parts sooty black. Hab. Tropical and sub-tropical coasts of
both hemispheres, north to the South Atlantic (casually to New England) States.]
(9. S. anethetus. Upper parts slate-gray, fading into white on hind-neck. Hab.
Tropical sea-coasts, north to Florida.)
Il, Wing less thin7.00 inches. (Subgenus Sternula Bore.)
10. §, antillarum.

Supgenus THALASSEUS Boir.

Thalasseus Bote, Isis, 1822,563. Type, Sterna caspia PALu.,=S. tschegrava LEPECH.
Sylochelidon BREEM, Vog. Deutschl. 1830,767. Same type.

Supcen. CHar. Largest and most powerful of the Terns. Tail much less than half as
long as the wing, forked for less than one fifth of its total length; feathers of occiput nor-
mal (short and blended, not forming a crest); depth of bill at base equal to nearly one third

' the exposed culmen; inner webs of primaries unicolored (plain gray or slaty).

Sterna tschegrava Lepechin.

CASPIAN TERN.

Popular synomym, Gannet (coast Virginia). .

’ Sterna tschegrava LEPEcH. Nov. Comm. Petrop. xiv, 1770, 500, pl. 13, fig. 2.—A. O. U. Check
List, 1886, No. 64.—Rmew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 39.
Sterna caspia Pau. Nov. Comm. Petrop. xiv, 1770,582.—GMEL. S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 603.—LawRk.
in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 859.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1858, No. 682.—CovEs, Key, 1872,
319; Check List, No. 591; 2d ed. 1882, No. 798.—RipGw. Nom. N. Am, B. 1881, No. 680,—
B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1584, 280.
Thalasseus caspius Botr, Isis, 1822, 563.—Coves, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. TERE, BB
—Exxi10or, Illustr. Am. B. pl. 56.
Sterna (Thalasseus) caspia Coves, B. N. W. 1874, 667.
Sterna caspica Sparro. Mus. Carls. iii, 1788, pl. 62.
Sterna megarhynchos Meyer, Tasch, Deutsch. Vog. ii, 1810, 457.
Sylochelidon strenuus Gouxp, P. Z. 8. 1816, 21; B. Austr. vii, 1848, pl. 22 (Australia).
Thalassites melanotis Sw. B. W. Afr. 1887, 253 (type in Cambridge Mus.; examined by H. 8.).
Sylochelidon balthica et schillingii Bream, Vog. Deutsch. 1831, 769, 770.
Sterna major ELuMAN, Zo6l. 1861, 7472.
Thalasseus imperator Coves, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 538 (text; Labrador),
Sterna caspia, var. imperator Ripaw. Ann. Lye. N. Y. x, 1874, 391.
Sterna regia (nec Gams.) Rrpaw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 639 (Humboldt Lake, Nevada).

Has. Palearctic Region. North America in general, but very irregularly distributed;
breeding in Labrador, along the Arctic coast, on islands {a Lake Michigan and along coast
of Virginia and Texas! Humboldt Marshes, Nevada, numerous; coast of California; Aus-
tralia.

242 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Sp. CHar. Largest of the Terns (wing not less than 15.00 inches). Bill very robust, red-
dish; tail short and but slightly forked; inner webs of primaries wholly dark slaty.
Adult, in summer: Entire pileum, including upper half of lores, deep black, the lower
eyelid with a white crescentic spot. Upper parts very pale pearl-gray, fading in-
sensibly to white on the upper tail-coverts, the tail bluish white; outer surface of the
primaries light hoary ash, their inner webs uniform slate or dark hoary gray. Rest of the
plumage snow-white. Bill deep coral-red, with a dull suffusion subterminally, the tip
orange or yellowish; iris dark brown; legs and feet deep black. Adult,in winter: Simi-
lar, but the black of the head streaked with white. Young, first plumage: Similar to the
adult, but with the following differences: *® Pileum (including occiput and upper two thirds
of lores) grayish white, thickly streaked with dull black; side of head with a uniform dull
black bar, beginning before and beneath the eye and extending back over upper portion of
auriculars; lower portion of lores and auriculars grayish white, mottled with darker gray-
ish. Mantle pale pearl-gray, sparsely marked with irregular spots, mostly inclining to
crescentic or V-shaped form, of brownish dusky, the wing-coverts, however, nearly im-
maculate; the markings largest on longer scapulars and terminal portion of tertials;
primaries hoary gray, with white shafts, the shorter ones margined with white; rump and
upper tail-coverts immaculate pearly white; rectrices hoary gray, distinctly spotted with
blackish toward tips. Rest of plumage plain white. Bill dull orange (in dried skin), dusky
subterminally: feet brownish (in skin). (No. 93,033, Warsaw, IIL, Sept. 21, 1883; CHARLES K.
WortHEN.) Downy Young: Above, grayish white, the down of the head dusky grayish
at the base; back and rump finely and indistinctly mottled with grayish; throat and fore-
neck uniform pale grayish; remaining lower parts, including the chin, imma:ulate white.
Bill, legs, and feet dull orange, the former with the tip blackish.

Total length, about 20.00-22.50 inches; extent, 51.00-55.50; wing, 15.00-17.40; tail, 5.30-#.75,
depth of its forking, .75-1,60; culmen, 2.48-3.10; depth of bill through base, .75-.95; tarsus, 1.60-
1.95; middle toe, 1.15-1.40.

The great Caspian Tern is a bird of very irregular distribu-
tion, even its breeding grounds being scattered about at dis-
tant points, not only in North America but other parts of
the world as well. In North America it has been found breed-
ing at several localities in the Arctic district, on islands off the
coast of Virginia, in Lake Michigan and on the coast of Texas;
and the writer found it to be more or less common about
Washoe Lake and the Humboldt Marshes, Nevada, and the
Great Salt Lake, Utah, where it was no doubt breeding.*

Unlike most other terns, and conspicuously unlike the almost
equally large Royal Tern (S. maxima), the Caspian Tern ap-
pears to breed in isolated pairs instead of large colonies, its
nest being usually far removed from that of any other bird,
and consisting merely of a shallow depression scooped in the
sand, in which. its two eges are laid, with little if any lining,
though a few grass, or sedge, blades or other vegetable sub-
stance are sometimes added. It is very bold in defence of its
eges or young, darting impetuously at the intruder, uttering
meanwhile hoarse barking or snarling cries.

*The species was givenin the author's “Ornithology of the Fortieth Parallel” as the
Royal Tern, but Iam now quite certain that it was this species instead,

ERA gar re

LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 2438

, Suscenus ACTOCHELIDON Kavp.

Actochelidon Kaur, Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 31. Type, Sterna cantiaca GMEL.,=
S. sandvicensis GMEL.

SuBGEN. Cuar. Next to 7ialasseus the largest of the Terns. Tail more than half as
long as the wing, forked for at least half its length; feathers of occiput lengthened, pointed,
torming a distinct crest; depth of bilat base much less than one third the length of ex-
posed culmen; inner webs of primaries bicolored (dusky or slaty next to shaft, white along
edge).

Sterna maxima Bodd.

ROYAL TERN.

Popular synonyms. Gannet, or Gannet Striker, (Coast of Virginia); Redshanks (Florida*);
Gaviota (Mexico).

La Grande Hirondelle de Mer, de Cayenne Burr. Ois. viii, 346.

Hirondelie de Mer, de Cayenne, Burr. PI. Enl. 988.

Sterna mazima Bopp. Tabl. P. E. 1783, 58 (ex Pl. Enl. 988).—Sou. & Sanv. P. Z. 8. 1871,
567 (critical). -SaAuNDERS, P. Z. 8. 1878, 655 (do.).—Cougs, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 794.—
B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 284.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 65.—Ripew.
Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 40.

Sterna cayennensis GMEL. 8S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 604,

Sterna cayana LatsH. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 804, No. 2—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 268.—-Aup. Orn.
Biog. iii, 1835, 505; v, 1839, 689, pl. 273; Synop. 1839, 316; B. Am. vii, 1844, 76, pl. 429.
Sterna galericulata Licut. Verz. Doubl. 1823, 81 (typ» in Berlin Mus.; determined by

H.8.).
Sterna erythrorhynchus Wired, Beitr. iv, 1833, 857.
Sterna cristata Swatns. B. W. Afr. ii, 1837, 247. pl. 30 (type in Cambridge Mus.; ex-
amined by H. 8.).
Sterna regia Gams. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1818, 228.—Lawnr. in Baird’s B. N. Am.
1858, 859.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 683.—Covzrs, Key, 1872, 319; Check List,
1873, No. 562.—Rrpaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 681.
Thalasseus regius GAmB. Journ. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. i,2d ser. 1849,228.—Couss, Proc,
Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 539 (critical).
Sterna (Thalasseus) regia Coves, B. N. W. 1874, 669.
“Sterna bergii” Irnpy, Orn. Str. Gibr. 1875, 209 (specimen examined by H. 8.). Not S.
bergii, LicuT. 1825,

Has. Tropical and warm-temperate parts of America, north to Long Island, Massa-
chusetts; Great Lakes, Utah (?}, Nevada (?), and coast of California; South to Brazil and
Peru. Westcoast of Africa, north to Tangiers (DALGLEISH, “Auk,” January, 1884, p. 97).

Sp. Cuan. Nearly as large as S.tschegrava, Bill deep orange-red or orange. Tail
quite deeply forked. Adult, in spring: Entire pileum, including occipital crest and upper i
half of the lores, deep black. Upper parts pale pearl-gray (about asin S. tschegrava), be-
coming white on the rump and upper tail-coverts. Tail grayish white, tinged with pearl- ,
gray. Outer webs of primaries pale silvery gray, the outer quill darker; inner webs slaty
5 in a broad stripe next the shaft, the inner portion abruptly white, the dusky extending an-
teriorly near the inner edge of the web, except on the outer quill. Bill deep orange-red;
iris dark brown; legs and feet deep black. Adult, in summer: Similar, but the forehead,
lores, and fore part of crown white. Bill uniform deep orange-chrome, paler at tip; edges
of eyelids black; iris dark brown; legs and feet deep black. Adult, in winter: “Young of

* Fide W. E. D. Scort,in The Auk, Oct., 1890, p, 306. (But why?) q

a DPR ieee ye HS bite Sa ae

244. BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

the year in August: Bill considerably smaller and shorter than in the adult, its tip less
acute, and its angles and ridges less sharply defined, mostly reddish yellow, but light yel-
lowish at tip. Crown much as in the adults in winter, but the occipital crest scarcely rec-
ognizable as such. Upper parts mostly white, but the pearl-gray of the adult appearing in
irregu'ar patches, and the whole back marked with small irregularly shaped, but well-de-
fined spots of brown. On the tertials the brown occupies nearly the whole of each feather,
a nar:ow edge only remaining white. Lesser wing-coverts dusky plumbeous. Primaries
much as in the adults, but the line of demarkation of the black and white wanting sharp-
ness of definition. Tail basally white, but soon becoming plumbeous, then devidedly
brownish, the extreme tips of the feathers again markedly white. Otherwise as in the
adults” (COUES).

Total length, about 18.00 to 20.00 inches; extent, 42.00 to 44.00; wing, 14.00-15.00; tail, 6.00-
8.00; the depth of its fork, about 3.00-4.00; culmen, 2.50-2.75; depth of bill through base, 70;
tarsus, 1.37; middle toe, with claw, 1.40.

It is very questionable whether the bird with entirely black
pileum can be regarded as in full breeding-plumage. In July,
1880, I found a colony consisting of several thousands of this
species breeding on Cobb’s Island, Va. Dozens were shot as
they flew from their eggs, and not one could be secured, or even
observed, which did not have the forehead and fore part of the
crown white. All the eggs were quite fresh; but it is barely
possible that the birds may have previously laid in some other
place, and their eggs have been taken by fishermen. It seems,
therefore, most probable that the wholly black pileum repre-
sents the full spring, or perhaps pairing, dress, rather than the
livery of the breeding-season.

Thisis a truly “royal” bird, for, though somewhat smaller than
the Caspian Tern (S. tschegrava), it is altogether of more elegant
form and more striking appearance. It is one of the most gre-
garious species of the family, usually nesting in immense colo-
nies, some of which number thousands of pairs, their nests occu-
pying a comparatively limited area, being often so closely
crowded that it is difficult to walk among them without
stepping on the eggs.

Although accredited to Illinois as an irregular or eeenal sum-
mer visitor, it is possible that individuals of the Caspian Tern
have been mistaken for it.

Suspcenus STERNA Linn.

Sterna Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 137. Type, by elimination, S. hirundo Linn.

SuBGEN. Cuar. Size medium (wing between 9.00 and 12.00 inches). Tail deeply
forked, with lateral feathers much lengthened and narrow towards ends, Feathers of occi-
put normal (short and blended, not forming a crest).

LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 245

Sterna forsteri Nuttall.

FORSTER’S TERN.
Popular synomyms, Havell’s Tern; Striker (coast of Virginia).

Sterna hirundo Sw. & Ricu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 412 (not of Lrnn.).

Sterna forsteri Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 274 (foot-note).—Lawr. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 862.—
Barrp. Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 691.—Covrs, Key, 1872, 321; Check List, 1873, No. 566;
2d ed. 1882, No. 798; Birds N. W. 1874, 676.—-HEnsHAw, Zoo]. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 486.—
Rwew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 639; Nom, N. Am, B, 1881, No. 685; Man. N. Am. B, 1887, 42.
—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 292.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 69.

Sterna havelli Aup. Orn. Biog. v, 1839, 122, pl. 409, fig. 1 (young in winter); Synop. 1839, 318;
B. Am. viii, 1844, 103, p). 434.—Lawrz. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 861.—Barep, Cat. N.
Am. B. 1859, No. 686.

Has. North America generally, breeding from interior of British America south to the
coast of Virginia, Illinois, Southern Texas, Nevada, California, ete.; migrating south to
Brazil.

Sp. CHar. Adult,in summer: Pileum and nape deep black. Upper parts, including
rump and tail, light pearl-gray, the primaries and tail paler and more silvery, the inner
webs of the outer pair of rectrices usually darker (sometimes quite dusky) for that portion
beyond the tip of the next feather. Inner webs of primaries without any well-defined white
space, except on two outer quills, but the edge usually more orless dusky. Tips of second-
aries, anterior upper tail-coverts, sides and under part of head and neck, and entire lower
parts pure white. Bill dull waxy orange, the terminal third or more blackish, with the tip
usually paler; mouth orange; edges of eyelids black; iris dark brown; legs and feet very
fine orange-red, the claws black. Adult,in winter: Similar, but the head and neck white,
the occiput and nape more or less tinged with grayish, the sides of the head marked by a
broad space of black surrounding the eyes and extending back over the auriculars. Tail
less deeply forked than in summer, the outer rectrices broader and less elongated.
Young, first plumage: Similar to the winter plumage, but the pileum, nape, back, scapu-
lars, tertials, and wing-coverts overlaid by a wash of raw umber brown, chiefly on the ends
of the feathers, but appearing nearly uniform on the back and crown; sides of the breast
tinged with the same. Rectrices all distinctly dusky terminally. especially on inner webs
(the outer web of the lateral feather hoary white to the tip), the middle feathers tipped with
raw umber. Bill dusky, more brownish on basal portion of the mandible; legs and feet
light brown in the driedskin. Downy young: Prevailing color light brownish buff, the
breast and abdomen white; Jower surface entirely immaculate, but upper parts coarsely
and irregularly marbled with black, the sides of the head with a few scattered irregular
minute markings of the same. Length, about 3.50 inches, the culmen .35 of an inch.

To‘al length, about 12.00 to 15.00 in:hes; extent, 30.00; wing, 9.50-10.30; tail, 5.00-7.78; depth
of its fork, 2.30-5.00; culmen, 1.50-1.65; depth of bill through base, .35-.49; tarsus, .90-.9); mid-
dle toe, 1.05-1.15,

This is the common tern of the Mississippi Valley, and proba-
bly the only species of the genus which breeds in Illinois. A1-
though the writer found it common and undoubtedly breeding
at Sacramento, California, and at various localities in Nevada
and Utah, he became intimately acquainted with its breeding
habits only on Cobb’s and adjoining islands, off the coast of
Virginia. There, although fairly common, it was less numerous
than the Common, Least, and Gull-billed Tern (8. Aérundo, 8.

24.6 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

antillarum, and Gelochelidon nilotica), and kept apart from
them, though usually nesting in company with the Laughing
Gull (Zarus atricilla). Its nests were usually made on the
tide-rows of drift-weed on marshy places, while the other terns
nested in the sand or, in the case of the Least Tern, on the
“shingle” beach. Its note is quite different from that of the
species mentioned, but bears some resemblance to the sonorous
gua-a-a of the Loggerhead Shrike (Lanius ludovicianus).

Sterna hirundo Linn.

COMMON TERN.

Popular synonyms, Wilson's Tern; Striker (coast of Virginia); Sea Swallow; Summer Gull
(coast of New Jersey).

Sterna hirundo Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 137; ed. 12, i, 1766, 227.—Wiis. Am. Orn. vii, 1813,
76, pl. 60, fig. 1.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834,271.—AupD. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838,74, pl. 309; Synop.
1839, 318; B. Am. vii, 1844, 97, pl. 433.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 8320; Check List, 1873, No. 565;
2d ed. 1882, No. 797; B. N. W. 1874, 680.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am, ii, 1884. 295.—A.
O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 70.—Ripaw. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 43.

Sterna fluviatilis Naum. Isis, 1819, p. 1847-48.—SHARPE & DRESSER, B. Eur. Pt. xi, (1872).—
Saunpers, P. Z. 8. 1876, 649. ¢

Sterna senegalensis Swatns. B. W. Afr. ii, 1837, 250.

Sterna wilsoni BonaP. Comp. List, 1838, 61.—Lawk. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858,861.—Barrp,
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 689.

Has. Palearctic region and eastern North America, chiefly near the coast. Winters
north to about 37°; breeds irregularly nearly throughout its range. Arizona; Bermudas
(summer resident).

Sp. CHar. Adult, in summer: Pileum and nape, including upper half of the jores,
uniform deep black. Upper parts deep pearl-gray (much the same shade as in paradisa),
the border of the wing, tips of secondaries, lower part of rump, upper tail-coverts, and
greater portion of the tail pure white. Lower parts pearl-gray or grayish white (much
lighter than the upper parts), becoming gradually white on the under parts and sides of the
head, and pure white on the crissum. Outer web of lateral tail-feather ash-gray, darker
terminally, in abrupt contrast with the pure white of the inner web; outer webs of remaining
rectrices, except the intermediz, paler grayish. Outer web of outer primary blackish
slate; outer surface of other primaries light silvery grav, slightly paler than the back; in-
ner webs chiefly white, with a stripe of grayish next the shaft, this stripe abruptly defined
on the first five quills, but growing gradually broader and paler toward the fifth, and ex-
tending, near the end of the feathers, a greater or less distance toward the base, but the
edge itself narrowly white; five inner quills pale silvery gray, the inner webs edged with
white. Bill bright vermilion, blackish terminally, except on the tomia; inside of mouth or-
ange-vermilion; edges of eyelids black; iris very dark brown; legs and feet orange-vermil-
ion, lighter than the bill; claws black, Adult, in winter: Similar, but forehead, crown, and
anterior part of lores white, the vertex mixed with black; entire lower parts pure white.
Young, first plumage: Orbital region, occiput, and nape deep black; crown mixed black
and grayish white; forehead and lores, with entire lower parts, upper tail-coverts, inner
webs of rectrices, and tips of secondaries, white. Upper parts pale b'uish gray, the scapu-
lars, interscapulars, and tertials tipped with pale buff, and marked with an indistinet sub-
terminal lunule of dusky brown; anterior lesser wing-coverts dusky, forming a broad bar
across thé wing; primaries much as in the adult, but darker; wing-coverts paler than the
back, and bordered indistinctly with white. Outer webs of rectrices grayish, deepening on

LARIDE—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 247

outer feathers into slate. Bill dusky brownish, the base of the mandible paler and more
reddish; feet pale yellowish (in the dried skin). Downy voung: Not distinguishable with
certainty from that of S. paradisw@a (?).

Total length, 13.00-16.00 (14.50) inches; extent, 29,00-32.00 (31.00); wing, 9.75-11.75 (10.50);
tail, 5.00-7.00 (6.00); depth of its fork, about 3.50 (average); culmen, 1.25-1.50 (1.35); depth of
bill through base, about .33; tarsus, .66-.87; middle toe, .75.

The Common Tern is less numerous in the interior than For-
ster’s Tern (S. jforsteri), but along the Atlantic coast is far
more so. A few pairs, however, breed about Lake Koshkonong,
in southern Wisconsin, and doubtless also in other parts of the
Mississippi Valley, but to what extent is very uncertain, owing
to the ease with which the species may be mistaken for Forster’s
Tern.

Suspcenus STERNULA Born.

Sternula Bote, Isis, 1822, 563. Type, Sterna minuta Linn.

Supcen. CHAR. Smallest of the Terns (wing less than 7.00 inches in the American spe-
cies). Tail about half as long as wing, forked for about half its length. Adults pearl-gray
above, white or pale pearl-gray beneath; top of head black, with a broad white “lunule”
covering forehead and side of crown.

Sterna antillarum (Less. )

LEAST TERN.

Popular synonyms. Little Striker (coast Virginia); Sandpeter (Dry Tortugas).

Sterna minuta Writs. Am. Orn. vii, 1813, 80, pl. 70, flg. 2 (not of LINN.).—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv,
1888, 175, pl. 8319; Synop. 1839, 321; B. Am. vi, 1814, 119, 439.
Sterna argentea Nutt. Man. ii, 1834, 280 (not of Max. 1820).
Sternula antillarum Less. Deser. Mam, et Ois. 1817, 256.
Sterna antillarum Covuss, Proce. Acad. Nat. Sci, Phila. 1865, 552.—Scn. & Sary. P. Z.8.
1871, 571.—Saunpers, P. Z. 8, 1876, 661.—Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 690; Man. N.
Am. B. 1887, 46.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1881, 809.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886,
_ No.7.
Sterna superciliaris b. antillarum Coves, B. N. W. 1874, 692.
Sterna superciliaris antillarum Cougs, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 801.
Sterna frenata GAB. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1848, 128.—Lawn. in Baird’s.B, N. Am. 1858,
864.—Barrp, Cat N. Am. B. 1859, No. 64,
Sterna superciliaris GUNDL. & CABAN. J. f. O. 1857, 232 (not of VrerLu.).—Covugs, Key, 1872,
332; Check List, 1873, No. 570.

Has. Temperate and tropical North America in general; south to Trinidad. Both
coasts of Central America; north to Massachusetts, Illinois, Minnesota, Dakota, and south-
ern California; casually to Labrador.

Sp. CHar. Smaliest of the Terns (wing less than seven inches). Adult, in summer:
Pileum and nape deep black, the forehead covered by a broad lunule of white extending
back laterally to the eyes, the lores being crossed by a black line or narrow stripe extend-
ing from the eye to the lateral base of the maxilla, immediately behind the nostril. Entire

248 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

upper parts, including lower part of the nape, upper tail-coverts, and tail pale pearl-gray,
deepest on the dorsal region and wings. Two to three outer primaries dusky slate, the
inner webs broadly edged with white; remaining quills pale pearl-gray, like the coverts,
the edge of the inner webs white. Entire lower webs pure white. Bill bright yellow, usu-
ally (but not always) tipped with black; iris dark brown; Jegs and feet bright orange-yellow.
Adult, in winter: Similar, but lores, forehead, and crown grayish white (purer white ante-
riorly); an occipital crescent and a stripe forward from this to and surrounding the eye
blackish. Bill dusky; legs and feet dull yellowish. Young, first plumage: Somewhat
similar to the winter plumage, but humeral region marked by a wide space of dusky slate,
the scapulars and interscapulars with submarginal V- or U-shaped marks of dusky, the
crown streaked and the occiput mottled with dusky, and the primaries darker than in the
adult. Bill dusky, brownish toward the base; feet brownish. Downy young: Above,
grayish white, finely mottled with dusky grayish, the head distinctly marked with irregular
dots of dusky black; lower parts entirely immaculate white. Bill dull yellow, tipped with
dusky; legs and feet clear pale yellow.

Total length, about 9.00-9.40 inches; extent, 18.75-20.00; wing, 6.60; tail, 3.50, its fork, 1.75;
culmen, 1.20; depth of bill at base, .28; tarsus, .60; middle toe, with claw, .72.

This beautiful little tern occurs in summer nearly throughout

the Mississippi Valley, and, doubtless, breeds somewhere within
the limits of Illinois, although there is not, to my knowledge,
any record of its doing so. It is much more abundant along
the Atlantic coast, where it formerly bred regularly as far north
as Massachusetts, but on account of the increasing summer
population of the localities most frequented by it (the islands
just off the coast), it, like other terns, is said to be growing
every year less numerous, and has even quite abandoned many
of its former breeding grounds.
- Its habits are quite similar to those of other species of the
same genus. It is equally bold and pugnacious when its eggs
or young are menaced, when it keeps up a protesting cry of
uik’, uik’, uik’, sounding very much like the querulous grunt
of a young pig whose mother has left it too far in the rear.

Its eggs are deposited on the bare sand, gravel, or ‘‘shingle”’
beyond reach of the highest tides, and in color assimilate so
closely to their surroundings as to be with great difficulty
detected. i

Genus HYDROCHELIDON Bote.

Hydroc elidon Bote, Isis, 1822, 563. Type, Sterna nigra LINN.

GEN. CHAR. Similar to the smaller species of Sterna, but tail only very slightly forked
or emarginate, the rectrices not attenuated at ends, and the webs of the toes filling less
than half the interdigital spaces. Adults gray or blackish beneath, as dark as, or darker
than, the color of the upper surface.

rin
bas

os

3

> of

ie LARIDM—~—THE GULLS AND TERNS. 249

‘ Only one species of this genus belongs properly to North

‘

¥ America, although a single specimen of a European species was
‘* ‘taken at Lake Koshkonong, Wisconsin, by the late Professor

+

Thure Kumlien, July 5, 187:

‘The common North American bird has been generally referred
to the European //. niyra (LINN.), but is so different that little,
if any, harm would be done by considering it a distinct species.*

Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis (Gmel.)

BLACK TERN.
Popular synonyms. American Black Tern; Short-tailed ern; Golondrina de mar (Mexico).

Sterna surinamensis GMEL. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 604.
Hydrochelidon surinamensis Bonar. Compt. Rend. 1856, 773.
Hydrochelidon lariformis surinamensis Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 693.
Hydrochelidon nigra surinamensis Stein. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. Vol. 5, 1882, 40.—B. B.
& KR. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 318.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 77.—Ripew. Man. N.
Am. B. 1887, 47
Sterna plumbea Wits. Am. Orn. vii, 1818, 83, pl. 83 (young).
Hyudrochelidon plumbea Lawn. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 864.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B.
1859, No. 695.
Sterna nigra Sw. & Riou. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 415 (nee Lryn.).—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 282.—AupD.
rn. Biog. iii, 1835, 593; v, 1839, 642, pl. 180; Synop. 1839, 320; B. Am. vii, 1844, 116, pl. 438.
Hydrochelidon nigra (part) SAUNDERS, P. Z. 8. 1878, 642,
Hydrochelidon fissipes (part) Couns, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 554 (nee Sterna
fissipes Linn.); Key, 1872, 323; Check List, 1873, No. 575.
Hydrochelidon lariformis (part) Coves, B. N. W. 1874, 704 (nee Railus lariformis Linn.);
2d Check List, 1882, No. 806.—Rrpaw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 610.

Has. The whole of temperate North America, and portions of tropical America; north
to Alaska, south to Chili; breeds nearly throughoutits North American range, except along
Atlantic and Gulf coasts.

Sp. CHap. Adult,in summer: Head, neck, and lower parts sooty black, the head and
neck, especially above, nearly pure black; anal region and crissum pure white. Entire
upper parts uniform plumbeous, the border of the wing, from the shoulders to the carpo-
metacarpal joint, white. Lining of the wing light plumbeous-gray. Bill deep black, the
rictus lake-red, the interior of the mouth pinkish; iris dark brown; legs and feet purplish
dusky. Adult, in winter: Head, neck, and lower parts pure white; orbital and auricular
regions dusky; crown and occiput dark grayish, the feathers bordered with paler. Upper
parts as in the summer plumage, but rather palerplumbeous. Young,first plumage: Very
similar to the winter plumage, but scapulars, interscapulars, and tertials tipped with raw
umber brown, the anterior lesser wing coverts dusky, the crown, occiput, and upper part
of the nape dusky, and the entire sides washed with plumbeous. Downy young: Above,
deep, soft umber-brown, with a few coarse, irregular marblings of black; forehead, crown,
throat, and chest more sooty brown, without markings; sides of the head (including lores)
dull whitish; abdomen white centrally, pale sooty grayish exteriorly.t

*S8ee Waler Birds of North America, vol. ti, p. 320,
t From No. 77,561, Cold Springs, Cal., July 27, 1877; H. W. HensHaw, collector,

—32

250 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS,

Total length, about 9.25-9.75 inches; extent, 24.00-25.00; wing, 8.25; tail, 3.75. its fork, .00;
culmen, 1.10; Gepth of bill at base, .25; tarsus, .68; middle toe (with claw), .90.

In most parts of the Mississippi Valley, as well as the more
western portions of the continent, this is decidedly the most
numerous of the terns. It inhabits reedy marshes, but may
also sometimes be seen ‘‘hawking”’ for dragon-flies, grasshoppers,
and other insects, over meadows or fields some distance from
water, uttering a harsh kr/k, krih, krik, as it flies, particularly
if two or more be together or near one another. It is very un-
suspicious.

ORDER PYGOPODES—THE DIVING BIRDS. 251

»
pa

Orppr PYGOPODES.—TueE Divine Birps.

wr

hae fs,

f : CHaracters. Legs inserted far backward, the tarsi extremely compressed. Anterior
i 2 toes fully webbed or else strongly lobed and with broad flat nails (Podicipia@). Bill ex-
‘a tremely variable. Habits precocial in Podicipide and Colymbida, altricial in Alcida;
young dasypedie. Palate schizognathous. Carotids double, except in Podicipide and

some Alcide (e. g., genus Alle).

The following Families are referred to this Order in the Ameri-
can Ornithologists’ Union Check List:

A. Tail-feathers wanting, (Suborder Podicipedes.)
1. Podicipide, Anterior toes lobed, the nails very broad and flat, with rounded tips.
B. ‘ail-feathers present, but short. (Suborder Cepphi.) %
2. Urinatoride, Hind toe present.
8. Alcide, Hindtoe absent. (Not represented in the Illinois fauna.)

' According to Seebohm,* the A/e/de should be removed
from any close association with the Podicipide and Uvrina-
toride, which that author unites in a so-called Order which
he terms ‘* Colymbo-Podicipes.” The latter he considers as repre-
senting “highly specialized Penguins,” while the A/c:d@ he re-
gards as “Archaic Gulls.”
Even the Penguins (Family Spheniscidw) have been placed by
some authors among: the Pygopodes, but there can be no doubt
as to the very great remoteness of their relationship.

* The Ibis, October, 1888, pp. 433-434.

Oe eh eee PS eee

252 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Famity URINATORID.Z.—TueE Loons.

CHARACTERS. Swimming birds, with the feet situated far back, a well developed hal-
jux, and anterior toes completely webbed and normally clawed; the bill straight, acute,
compressed, the nostrils linear, overhung by a membranous lobe; tail normal, but short.
Nature precocial. Nest on ground at edge of marsh or lake: eggs two, elongate-ovate,
deep brown or olive, rather sparsely speckled or spotted with ‘dark brown and blackish.

Genus URINATOR Cuvier.

Colymbus Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 135; ed. 12, i, 1766, 220 (part).
J Mergus Briss. Orn. vi, 1760, 104 (not of Linn. 1758).
Uria Scop. Introd. 1777. 473 (not of Briss. 1760).
Urinator Cuv. Anat. Comp. i, 1799, tabl.ii. Vype, Colymbus imber Gunn.
Eudytes Inuic. Prodr. 1811, 282 (same type).

_ Gen. CHar. The same as those of the Family, as given above, in addition to
which are the following characters of coloration: Above blackish or slaty, beneath white.
Adult: Upper parts spotted or speckled with white, the throat and fore-neck blackish
or chestnut. Young: Upper parts without white markings, and throat and fore-neck
white like rest of lower parts. Downy young: Uniform sooty grayish, the belly white.

The known species are all North American, and may be dis-
tinguished by the following characters:

A, Tarsus shorter than middle toe without claw; fore-neck blackish in summer.

a. Distance from base of culmen to anterior point of loral feathers, above nostrils,
greater than the distance from the latter point to anterior border of nostrils.
Summer plumage with head and neck black all round, the middle of the fore-neck
and sides of lower neck each crossed by a bar, or transverse series, of white
streaks.

1. U.imber. Tarsus longer than exposed culmen; bill in adult blackish (almost
wholly deep black in summer);-head and neck glossed with velvety green; white
spots on seapulars broad as long; length 28.00-36.00; wing 13.00-15.25 (14,06); culmen
2.75-3.50 (3.07); depth of bill through base .9)-1.05 (.96).

(2. VU. adamsii (Yellow-billed Loon). Tarsus shorter than exposed culmen; bill in
adult whitish (almost wholly yellowish white in summer); head and neck glossed
with velvety violet-blue; white spots on scapulars decidedly longer than broad;
Jength about 35. 00-38.00; wing 14.85-15/45 (15.11); cu!men 3.50-3.65 (8.59); depth of
bill through base 1,.00-1.20 (1.09). Hab. Western Arctic America and northeast-
ern Asia.] - :

b. Distance from base of culmen to anterior point of loral feathers, not greater than
distance from the latter point to anterior extremity of nostril. Summer plumage

me URINATORIDE—THE LOONS. 253
ede oe with upper part of head and hind part of neck grayish; throat and fore-neck black,
aoe without white streaks, but several jongitudinal series of the latter down the side
“3 Ape of the neck, between the black and the gray.
S.

3. WU. arcticus. Fore-neck and under side of neck glossed with velvety purple; occi-
put and hind-neck deep gray, almost plumbeous. Length 26.00-29.00; wing 12.15-
13.20 (12.55); culmen 2.5v-2.85 (2.60); depth of bill at base, .75-.80 (.78).
(4. WU. pacifieus (Pacific Loon). Fore-neck and under side of head glossed with dull
- F bronzy greenish, sometimes inclining to purplish; occiput and hind-neck very
pale smoky grayish, sometimes nearly white. Wing, 11.20-12.25 (11.54); culmen,
‘ 2.00-2.35 (2.15); depth of bill at base .55-.65 (.62). Hab. Pacific coast of North
America, from Alaska to Lower California, breeding far northward. }
B. Tarsus longer than midde toe with claw.
5. U.lumme, Fore-neck rich chestnut in summer; head and neck p!umbeous-gray,
4 the top of head and hind-neck streaked with white; upper parts speckled with
PF eee white. Summer plumage: Throat and fore-neck plumbeous, like rest of head
ey and neck, but marked down the middle with a wedge-shaped patch or stripe of
rich chestnut. Winter plumage and young: Throat and fore-neck white.
. ; Downy young: Above uniform dusky, or sooty slate; lower parts paler and
‘ more grayish. Length 24.00-27.00; wing, 10.00-11.50; culmen, 2.25; tarsus, 2.75.

a”
.

une
hoe

7

aS ‘ Urinator imber (Gunn.)

: THE LOON.
Popular synonyms, Great Northern Diver; Walloon; Guinea Duck.

ie Columbus imber Gunn. Trond. Selsk. Skr. i,-1761, pl. iii.

rs Urinator imber Sresx. Orn. Kamtsch. 1885, 313.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 7.—

: . Ripe@w. Man. N. Am. B. 1887,7

he Colymbus immer Brinn. Orn Bor. 1764, 34 (young).—Linwn. 8. N. ed. 12, i, 1766, 222.
Urinator immer STEIN. Proc. U, 8. Nat. Mus. Vol. 5, 1882,43.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am.

ii, 1884, 446. .

Colymbus torquatus Brinn. Orn. Bor. 1764, 41.—Lawn. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 888.—

§ Batrkp, B. N. Am. 1859, No. 698.—CoveEs, Proce. Acad. Nat. Sei. Phila. 1862, 227; Key, 1872,

- 834; Check List, 1873, No. 605; 2d ed. 1882, No. 810.—RmpGw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881,

4 No. 736,

Colymbus glacialis Linn. 8. N. ed. 12,1, 1766, 221.—Wrs. Am, Orn, ix, 1821, 84, pl. 74.—RicH. &

: Sw. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 474.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 513.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 43, pl. 306;
B. Am. vii, 1844, 282, pl. 4176.

Columbus maximus Gunn. Trond. Selsk. Skr. iii, 1765, 125.

Mergqus nevius Bonnar. Enc. Méth. Orn. i, 1790, 73.

Colymbus atrogularis Meyer & WouFE, Tasch. Vig. Deutschl. ii, 1810, 449 (part).

Colymbus hyemalis,Breum, Lehrb. Eur. Vog. ii, 1824, 883.

— >! ta

Has. Northern part of northern hemisphere. In America, breeding from Minnesota,
northern Ilinois, northern New York, New Hampshire, Maine, and mountains of California
northward; win‘ering south to the Gulf of Mexico; no extralimital American record.

Sp.CHar. Adult. Head and neck dull black, with a greenish reflection, this brightest
on the lower part of the neck; fore-neck crossed by a narrow bar of white longitudinal ob-
long dots or short streaks; sides of the neck some distance below this crossed by a broad
bar of longitudinal white streaks; upper parts black, beautifully variegated with white dots,

aa = a

and dot-like on the rump. Lower parts immaculate white, the sides of the chest narrowly
streaked with black, the sides and flanks black, dotted with white. Bill black, paler at the
tip; iris carmine; legs and feet “livid grayish blue, their inner sides tinged with pale yel-

these largest, quadrate in form, and arranged in transverse series on the scapulars, minute ~

254 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

lowish flesh-color; claws black, lighter at the base; webs brownish black, lighter in the
middle” (AUDUBON). Young: Upper parts dusky, the scapulars, interscapulars, and upper
tail-coverts bordered terminally with piumbeous-gray; lower parts, including malar
region, chin, throat, and fore-neck, white, the sides and flanks dusky brown, squamated
with grayish. “Bill pale yellowish green, the ridge and tip of upper mandible dusky;
iris brown; feet dusky externally, pale yellowish flesh-color internally, webs dusky, but
yellow in the middle” (AUDUBON). Downy young: Uniform dark fuliginous, lighter and
more slaty on the throat, fore-neck, chest, and sides, the entire abdomen yelyety yellowish
white, shaded with pale ash-gray exteriorly. The down shortand very dense, very similar
to the fur of an otter or other fur-bearing mammal.

Total length, 28.00 to 36.00 inches; extent, 52.00 to 57.50; wing, 13.05-15.25 (average 14.06);
culmen, 2.75-3.50 (3.07); depth of bill through base, .90-1.06 (.96); tarsus, 2.75-3.85 (3.35); outer
toe, 3.85-4.65 (4.22). [Thirteen adults. ]

This handsome water bird is a more or less common winter
resident on the larger waters throughout the State of Illinois,
and breeds in the northern portion, although according to Mr.
Nelson it was, as long ago as 1876, ‘“‘of uncommon occurrence
during summer” in Cook county.*

The following description of the leading characteristics of the
Loon is partly condensed from Dr. Brewer’s account in Water
Birds of North America, Vol. II., pages 447-450:

The Loon very rarely associates in flocks, and then only ap-
parently from necessity—as when a limited surface of open water
compels them to crowd together. During the winter, either
singly or in pairs, or in small parties, they are dispersed through-
out the United States. Knowing that man is its mortal enemy,
this bird is constantly on the watch. When it meets a passing
boat it widens the distance by immediately steering off, is active
in diving, and when sitting, defies the keenest sportsman. It is
a very hardy bird, and is said to live to an incredible old age.
It subsists almost entirely on fish, is an excellent diver, and
when alarmed, eludes pursuit by passing swiftly to a consider-
able distance under the water. Its habits are strictly aquatic.
When, in its migrations, it passes over the land, it flies at a
great height and very rapidly. In stormy weather it takes
shelter in coves and creeks, and occasionally in mill ponds.

The loon swims very low in the water, hardly more than the
head and neck being exposed, and is so alert and active as to
dive readily at the flash of a gun, rendering it almost impossi-
ble to kill the bird with a charge of shot unless very close to it.
It prefers to escape pursuit by diving rather than flying, and

* Bulletin of the Essex Institute, Vol. viii, p. 150,

URINATORID.E—THE LOONS. 255

remains under water so long and comes to the surface at so
great a distance from the pursuer and in such unexpected places

‘that the pursuit of one that has been made wary by attempts

on its life is exciting though often tedious.

The ery of the loon is loud and melancholy, being likened by
some to the howl of a wolf or the prolonged scream of a human
being in distress.

Its flesh is dark, tough, and fishy, but is eaten by Indians.

Urinator arcticus (Linn.)

BLACK-THROATED LOON.

Popular synonyms. Arctic Loon or Diver; Black-throated Diver.

Colymbus arcticus Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 135; ed. 12, 1766, 221.—Ricu. & Sw. F. B.-A. ii,
1831, 475.—Nutr. Man. ii, 1834, 517.—Avp. Orn. Biog. iv, 1838, 345; B. Am. vii, 1844, 295,
pl. 477.—Gray, Gen. B. iii, —, pl. 171.—Lawk. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 888.—Barrp,
Cat. N. Am. B. 1859, No. 699.—CoveEs, Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 228; Key, 1872, 334;
Check List, 1873, No. 606; ed. 2, 1882, No. 842; Birds N. W. 1874, 721—Ripew. Nom. N.
Am. B. 1881, No. 738.

Urinator arcticus StresN. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. v, 5, 1882, 43,—B. B. & R. Water B. Am.
ii, 1884, 452.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 9.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. 1887, 7.

Colymbus macrorhynchos Breum, Vog. Deutsch. 1831, 974.

Columbus megarhynchos Bream, Naum. y, 1855, 300.

Colymbus ignotus Becust. Gemein. Naturg. Deutsch. ii, 1791, 782.

Colymbus leucopus Beeust. Naturg. iv, 1809, 625.

Has. Northern portions of northern hemisphere, breeding in Arctic districts. In
America, migrating south in winter, through the Eastern Province, to the northern United
States.

Sp. Cuan. Adult: Chin, throat, and fore-neck velvety purplish black, with a purplish
violet reflection, this black bounded sharply below, but on the sides of the head blending
gradually into the color of the cheeks and lores, which are smoky slate, this color gradually
fading into a rather light smoky cinereous, which occupies the whole upper part of the
head and the entire nape; across the fore-neck, just below the throat, a bar of white streaks;
on the sides of the neck, between the purplish black of the fore-neck and the ash of the
nape, several longitudinal rows of black and white streaks, the latter narrowest. Upper
parts deep black, the upper part of the back with two parallel longitudinal series of broad
white bars, the inner scapulars with a single series of much larger, but otherwise similar,
bars, and the wing-coverts marked with small ovate spots of white. Lower parts white,
the sides of the chest streaked with black; entire sides uniform intense black. Bill
black, the tip lighter; iris bright carmine; legs and feet “grayish blue, their inner sides
tinged with yellow; claws black, that of the inner toe yellowish at the base” (AUDUBON).
Young: Similar to that of U. imver, but usually.much smaller, the angle of the mandible
less prominent.

Total length, about 26,00 to 29.00 inches; extent, 39.50; wing, 12.15-13.20 (average, 12.55);
culmen, 2.50-2.85 (20); depth of bill through base, .75-.80 (.78); tarsus, 2.90-3.30 (3 11); outer
toe, 3.45-3.95 (3.76). (Five adults.]

The young of this species, particularly full-grown specimens, are sometimes difficult to
distinguish from immature specimens of U. imber; but the measurements will in most

\ id ee

Sala tees A he) tylleal We ol ee Pe) Mie eel Fa Re i ok
S i. LF nd ¢

256 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

cases determine the species, U. arcticus being decidedly smaller; the two comparing
about as follows:

| Wing. | Culmen.| Gonys. ee BIS | Tarsus.

U. arrcticus, JUV....+-.++. 12.00 2.53 1.18 1,85 67 3.10

CE ARVO ETN Veccleetctiisici «| *13.00 3.20 1.43 2.43 ml 2.75-3.85
*Or more.

The Black-throated Loon is essentially an Aretic bird, but is
said to be a very rare winter visitant to Lake Michigan, thus
doubtless occasionally occurring within the limits of Illinois. I
am not, however, able to cite any record of its actual occur-
rence, and Mr. Nelson meutions only specimens taken at Racine
and Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Its habits are essentially the same as those of the larger and
more common species (U/. dimer).

Urinator lumme (Gunn.)

RED-THROATED LOON.

Popular synonym, Red-throated Diver.

Colymbus lumme Gunner. Trond. Selsk. Skr. i, 1761, pl. ii, fig. 2—Bruny. Orn. Bor. 1761,

89 (adult).
Urinator lumme StEsIN. Proc. U. 8. Nat. Mus. Vol. 5, 1882, 43.—B. B. & R. Water B. N.

Am. ii, 1884, 457 —A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 11.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 8.

Colymbus septentrionalis Linn. 8. N. ed. 10,i, 1766, 220 (adult).—Sw. & Rieu. F. B.-A. ii, 1831,
476.—Nutr. Man, ii, 1834, 519.—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 20, pl. 202; Synop. 1889, 354;
B. Am, vii, 1844, 299, pl. 478.—Lawr. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 890.—Bargp, Cat,
N. Am. B. 1859, No. 701.—Cougs, Key, 1872, 335; Check List, 1873, No. 607; ed. 2, 1852,
No. 844; B. N. W. 1874, 724.—Ripaw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 740.

Colymbus stellatus Brutnn, t. c. No. 180 (young).

Colymbus borealis Bruny, t. ¢. No. 151.

Colymbus striatus GMEL. 8S. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 586 (young).

Colymbus rufogularis Mrynr, Tasch. Vog. Deutsch. ii, 453 (adult).

Colymbus microrhynchos BREaM, Naum. y, 1855, 300.

Has. Northern parts of the northern hemisphere, breeding from Labrador and Dlani-
toba northward. South, in winter, entirely across the United States.

Sp. CHar. Adult, summer plumage: Head and neck soft velvety cinereous, the
crown streaked with dusky; nape dusky, streaked with white; a longitudinal, wedge-
shaped patch of rich chestnut covering the fore-neck, the lower, truncated,edge adjoining
the white of the chest, the upper point reaching to the lower part of the throat. Upper
parts dusky slate, more or less speekled with white. Lower parts entirely pure white,
except along the sides, beneath the wings, and on the crissum, where more or less mixed
with slate-color, Bill deep black, the extreme point yellowish, and the culmen sometimes
bluish; iris carmine; ‘tarsi and toes bluish white, each joint of the latter, and the whole of

URINATORIDE—THE LOONS. 257

outer rr toe, black” (L. M. ined MS.). Winter avrg Similar to the above, but
half of the

parts more uniformly and distinctly speckled with white. Bill brownish or grayish.
young: “The young are at first covered with a dense elastic down ofa grayish
d 0 color, tinged with brown. The bill is bluish black, its basal edges yellow; the iris
“d ddish brown” (AUDUBON).
_ Total lenei,, 18.00-27.00 inches; extent, 38.50-44.00; Wie, 10, ov-l, 50; culmen, 2.25; tar-

ol Ce. nit hi Ws ult 4 LNs des Seria See is) a SA ee

258 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS,

FamMity PODICIPIDA.—THE GREBES.

CHARACTERS. Swimmers resembling the Loons in the posterior insertion of the legs,
but the toes lobate and semipalmate, instead of completely webbed, the claws broa ’, flat,
and nail-like, instead of normally narrow and curved. Bill variable in shane; nostrils vari-
able, but without an overhanging lobe; wings very short and concave, the primaries coy-
ered by the secondaries in the closed wing; tail rudimentary, consisting of a mere tuft of
downy, loose-webbed feathers, without perfectly formed rectrices; plumage of the lower
surface remarkably silky and lustrous, usually white.

The Grebes are aquatic birds, poorly adapted for protracted
flight, on account of the smallness of their wings, but among
the most expert of divers. Their nest is a thick matted plat-
form of rushes, sedges, etc.. usually floating upon the surface of
the water in grassy or sedgy ponds or marshes. The eggs are
2-5, dull white, bluish white, or very pale bluish green, usually
stained more or less (often quite deeply) with light brown, by
contact with decomposed vegetable matter.

The recognized North American genera may be distinguished
as follows:

A. Bill slender, the length of the culmen much more than twice the depth of the bill at the
base.
{l. Kchmophorus. Length of culmen at least five times the greatest depth of the bill;
neck nearly as long as the body. (Not represented in the Illinois fauna.)]
2. Colymbus. Length of culmen less than four times the greatest depth of the bill;
neck much shorter than the body.

B. Bill very stout, the length of the culmen less than twice the greatest depth of the bill,
3. Podilymbus.

GrENus COLYMBUS Linn&vs.

Colymbus Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 185; ed. 12, i, 1766, 220, Type, by elimination, Colymbus
“eristatus LINN.

Podiceps Latu. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 780 (part; but, type, by elimination and restriction, Colym-
bus fluviatilis TUNST.).

Dytes Kaup. Sk. Ent. Eur. Thierw. 1829, 49. Type, Colymbus cornutus GMEL.,=C. auritus
Linn.

Proctopus Kaup.|.c. Type, Podiceps nigricollis BREEAM.

Otodytes Rrtcu. Syst. Nat. 1853, p. 111 (same type).

Tachybaptus REICHENB. Syst. Av. 1852. p. iii. Type, Colymbus minor GMEL..=C fluviatilis
TuNsT.

Gen. CHAR. Neck much shorter than the body; bill not longer than the head, more or
less slender, its depth never more than one third the length of the culmen; tarsus decidedly
shorter than middle toe with claw. Nuptial plumage ornamented by colored tufts, ruffs, or
patches about the head, and very different in this respect from the winter plumage,

t PODICIPIDE—THE GREBES. 259
oy
* This genus includes several subgenera (more or less distinct),
___ of which the following are represented in North America:
bi

. A, Billaboutas long as the head; size large (wing more than 6,00 inches).

- 1. Colymbus.

? B. Bill decidedly shorter than head; size smaller (wing less than 6.00 inches).

2. Dytes. Size medium (wing more than 5.00 inches); nuptial plumage with conspicu-

ous head-tufts or ruffs, as in Colymbus.

(3. Podiceps. Size small (wing less than 5.00); nuptial plumage without head-tufts or
ruffs. (Not represented in the Illinois fauna.))

Suspcenus COLYMBUS Linnxvs.

Colymbus Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 135. Type, by elimination, C. cristatus LINN.

SupceEN. Coan. Neck much sho:ter than the body; bill about equal to the head, stout
(length of the culmen about three and a half times the depth through the base), the tip blunt,
and the outlines more or less convex; tarsus shorter than middle toe with claw, Breeding
plumage ornamented by colored tufts or patches about the head, the winter plumage and
the young very different.

; Only one species of this subgenus belongs to North America,
the occurrence of C. eristatus—which for half a century or more
has been included in most works on North American orni-
thology, and generally considered a common bird of this coun-
try—being so very doubtful that there is not a single reliable
record of its having been taken on this continent. For conven-
ience of identification, however, in case it should be found in
America, its characters are given below.

1, C. holbellii. Feathers of lower parts white only superficially, the bases of the feathers
being grayish, this often partly exposed and showing asa more or less distinct spotting.
Nuptial plumage with top of head black, rest of head ash-gray, bordered above and be-
hind by whitish, the neck rusty.

2. C.cristatus, Feathers of the lower parts pure white tothe extreme base. Nuptial plum-
age with top of head and elongated tufts on each side of occiput glossy black; chin and
throat buffy white, this passing behind into bright rusty on avery prominent auricu-
lar frill, which is tipped with black. Hab. Nearly cosmopolitan, but no reliable North
American record.

Colymbus holbcellii (Reinh.)
HOLBELL'S GREBE.
Popular synonyms. American Red-necked Grebe; Cooper's Grebe.

Podiceps rubricollis “Lats.” BoNAP. Synop. 1828, 417.—Sw. Ricu. F. B.-A. ti, 1831, 411.—Nurr,
Man. ii, 1834, 253.—Avup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 617, pl. 298; Synop. 1839, 357; B. Am. vii,
1844, 312, pl. 480.

Podiceps rubricollis major Temm. & Scuxunc. Faun, Jap. 1849, pl. 78 b (not Colymbus
major Bopp. 1783).

Podiceps holboellii Renu. Vid. Meddel. 1853, 76; Ibis, 1861, 14 (Greenland).—Coves,Proe,
Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 231.—Ripaw. Nom. Am. B, 1881, No. 731.

(oo te. — |. ee
¥ +

260 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Podiceps griseigena, var. holbollii Couss, Key, 1872, 337; Check List, 1873; No. 610; Birds
N. W. 1874, 730.
Podicipes griseigena holbe@lli Couss, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 847.
Colymbus holbellii B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 428.—A. O. U. Check List,
1886, No. 2.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1884, 57.
Podiceps griseigena (nec Bopp.) Lawk. in Baird’s B. N. Am. 1858, 892.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am.
B, 1859, No. 702.
Podiceps cooperi Lawk. in Baird’s B. N. Am, 1858, 893 (in text).
Podiceps subcristatus Kirt. Denkw. ii, 1858, 313 (not of JACQ. 1784).
Podiceps affinis SAuvapont, Atti Soc. Ital. viii, 1866, 45.
Podiceps cucullatus Tacz. J. f. O. 1874, 336 (not of PALL. 1826),
Podiceps cristatus Rrpew. Orn 40th Par. 1877, 642.
Podiceps occidentalis TRIsTRAM, Ibis, Jan, 1887,98,99; Apr. 1887, 258, 259.*

Has. North America in general, including Greenland; breeding from Minnesota,
Maine, etc., northward, migrating south, in winter, quite across the United States. Eastern
Siberia, and south to Japan. :

Sp. CHar. Adult, breeding plumage: Pileum (including lores and depressed occipital
tuft) and nape glossy black; rest of the head light ash-gray, bordered above and below by
whitish, this most distinct along the upper border, from the eyes backward; neck (except
nape) rich rufous, abruptly defined above against the ashy of the throat, but below gradually
merging into the whitish of the breast. Upper parts blackish dusky, the feathers some-
times with paler margins; secondaries chiefly white. Lower parts grayish white, faintly
spotted, except on the abdomen, with dusky grayish; sides and flanks nearly uniform
grayish. “Bill brownish black, bright yellow at the base; iris carmine; tarsi and toes
greenish black externally, yellow on the inner side, the edges of the lobes dusky” (AUDU-.
BON). Winter plumage: Pileum dusky, the occiput without elongated feathers; neck
smoky grayish brown, lighter infront, dusky on the nape; chin, throat, and malar region
whitish. Otherwise asinthe summer plumage. Young: Pileum and sides of the head
dusky, marked with several white stripes—one originating at the sides of the forehead,
and passing over and behind the eye, another extending from the eye backward over the
auriculars, and another dividing the cheeks; a short whitish stripe on each side of the
upper part of the nape; fore part and sides of the neck light ferruginous. “Culmen black,
all the rest of the bill yellow: iris yellow; outer side of tarsus and under web blackish, the
rest of the feet bright greenish yellow” (L. M. Turner, M.S.+). Otherwise as in the adult.

Total length, about 18.00 to 20.00 inches; extent, about 32.00; wing, 7.30-8.10 (average, 7.65);
culmen, 1.65-2.40 (2.02); depth of bill at base, .52-.62 (.57); tarsus, 2 25-2.75 (2.53); outer toe, 2.50-
3.05 (2.76). [Seventeen specimens,]

Holbell’s Grebe, the American representative of the much
smaller Red-necked Grebe (C. griseigena Bopp.) of Europe, is a
winter visitant to Illinois. Its summer home is much farther
northward, west-central Minnesota being the nearest point where
it has been found breeding’.

Mr. Robert Kennicott found it breeding in the neighborhood
of Fort Yukon, Alaska, and, on the 14th of June, took the eggs
from a nest which was floating on the water among the grass
on the borders of the lake. It was nearly flat on the top, and

* Of Ripaw. Ibis, July, 1887, 361, 362,and Tristram, id. Jan. 1888, 148; April, 1889, 227, 228.

+Fresh colors of No. 70,303, U. 8S. Nat. Mus., collected at St. Michael's, Alaska, Sept. 25,
1874, by Lucien M. Turner. (Length 20.00, extent 32.00, inches.)

} Dr. T. S. Roberts, in Zhe Auk, April, 1890, p. 213.

ha OS EP ae a We oe ee et >

.

PODICIPIDE—THE GREBES. 261

very little above the surface of the water, and contained three
eggs. He saw the female, but only at a distance; both this
species and the Horned Grebe (C. auritus) being seldom or never
seen to leave their nests, as they quietly slip into the water and
dive at once. After incubation has begun, the female, when she
leaves her nest, covers up her eggs with wet grass taken from
the bottom of her nest, unless compelled to depart on the in-
stant. In several cases Mr. Kennicott found the eggs quite
warm when thus hidden; and he was convinced that the bird
could only have just left the nest on his approach, but that she
had stopped long enough to conceal her eggs. The top of the
nest is always more or less wet, and this causes the discol-
oration of the eges. (Water Birds of North America, Vol. IL,
p. 430.)

SupGenus DYTES Kaup.

Dytes Kaup, Sk. Ent. Eur Thierw. 1829, 49. Type, Colymbus cornutus GMEL.,=C. auri-
tus LINN. :

Proctopus Kaup,l.c. Type, Podiceps nigricollis BREHM.

Otodytes Retcou. Syst. Nat. 1853, p. iii. Type, P. nigricollis.

SvupGeN. CHAR. Bill much shorter than the head, the culmen equal to about 3 to 32
times the basa] depth. Otherwise like Colymbus, but size less (wing not more than 6.00
inches).

The two North American species of this subgenus, both of
which occur in Illinois, though very distinct in their nuptial
livery, are much alike in their winter and immature plumages,
The shape of the bill, however, will enable one to distinguish
them readily if the following differences are kept in mind:

1. C. auritus. Bill compressed (deeper than wide at the base); nuptial plumage with
lower neck and chest rufous, sides of the occiput with a very full dense tuft of soft, blended,
ochraceous feathers.

2. C, nigricollis californicus. Bill depressed (broader than deep at the base); nfptial
plumage, with head, neck, and chest black, the sides of the head, behind eyes, with a
somewhat fan-shaped, loose patch of slender ochraceous feathers.

Colymbus auritus Linn.

HORNED GREBE,
Popular synonyms. Dusky Grebe; Sclavonian Grebe; Hell-diver; Di-dipper.
Colymbus auritus Linn. 8. N. ed. 10 i, 1758, 135: ed. 12, i, 1766, 222.~A. O. U. Check List, 1886,
No. 3.—Ripew. Man. N. Am. B. 1887, 5.
Dytes auritus Ripew. Nom. N. Am. B. 1831, No. 732.—B, B. & R. Water B. N. Am. il,
1884, 432,

c hip eh! ae by i ot

262 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

Colymbus cornutus GMEL. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 591.
Podiceps cornutus Lata. Ind. Orn. ii, 1799, 783.—Sw. & Ricg. F. B.-A. ii, 1831, 411.—Nutr.
Man. ii, 1834, 254—Aup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 429, pl. 259; Synop. 1839, 357; B. Am.
vii, 1844, 316, p]. 481—Lawnr. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 895.—Batrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859,
No. 706.—Covgs, Key, 1872, 337; Check List, 1873, No. 611; Birds N. W. 1874, 731.
Podicipes cornutus Cougs, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 848.
Colymbus obscurus GMEL. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 592.
Colymbus caspicus 8. G. GMEL. Reise, iv, 1771-1784, 187.—GM EL. 8. N. i, pt. ii, 1788, 593.
Podiceps bicornis BreuM, Vog. Deutsch. 1831, 96. pl. 44, fig. 4.

Haz. Northern hemisphere in general. Breeds in the northern United States and
northward.

Sp. Cuan. Adult, breeding-plumage: Head generally, including the fluffy tufts
on each side of the upper neck, slightly glossy dull greenish black, becoming grad-
ually dull sooty slate on the forehead; lores dull ochraceous-ruious, communicating
with a broad superciliary stripe of bright ochraceous, which continues, gradually
widening, to the sides of the occiput; fore-neck rich rufous. Upper parts dusky, the f-ath-
ers sometimes with indistinctly paler margins; secondaries chieily or entirely white.
Lower parts white, the sides mixed chestnut-rufous and grayish dusky. ‘‘Bill bluish
black, its tip yellow; short loral space bright carmine, us is the iris, its inner margin white;
edges of eyelids grayish blue; feet dusky externally, internally, and on anterior and pos-
terior ridges of the tarsus dull yellow; claws dusky” (AUDUBON).* Winter plumage:
Pileum, nape, and sides of the chest smoky slate; under part and sides of the head,
lores, and lower parts generally, white; chest faintly shaded with pale grayish, and
sides clouded with dark grayish. Upper parts as in the summer plumage, but more
slaty. ‘Bill bluish gray, as in the bare loral space; the eye bright carmine, with an
inver white edge; the feet bluish gray” (AUDUBON). Downy young (half-grown): Pueum
and nape dusky; sides of the head with two dusky stripes and several irregular spots of
the same cojor; throat with a dusky streak on each side. Otherwise similar in color to
the winter plumage.

Total length, about 14.75 inches; extent, 25.50; wing, 5.75; culmen, 1.00; tarsus, 1.75.

The Horned Grebe is said to breed in northern Illinois, but
in other portions of the State is only a winter resident.

Colymbus nigricollis californicus (Heerm.)

AMERICAN EARED GREBE.

Popular synonyms, California Grebe; Zambullidor de pico delgado (Mexico).

Podiceps auritus Nurt. Man. ii, 1854, 256 (nee Colymbus auritus Lryn.).—AuvpD. Orn. Biog.
v, 1839, 108, pl. 404; Synop. 1839, 358; B. Am. vii, 1844, $22, pl. 482.—Lawn. in Baird's B.
N. Am. 1858, 897 (excl. syn.).

Podiceps californicus Hrprom. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1854, 179; Pacific R. R. Rep. x,
1859, 76, pl. 8 (young).—Lawrk. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 896.—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B,
1859, No. 707,

*An adult male killed at Washington, D. C., April 21, 1885, had the unfeathered paris
colored somewhat differently, as follows: Bill black, with the tip and a considerable por-
tion of the base of the lower mandible pale lilac-gray; line of bare skin running from rictus
to eye, pale lake-red; iris searlet-lake, with a narrow ring of white next to pupil; outer side
of tarsus and under side of toes, black; inner side of tarsus and upper surface of toes gray-
ish white, tinged with bluish, especially on toes, the innermost of which was tinged with
salmon-color, ,

PODICIPID2—THE GREBES. 263

ii
__ Podiceps (Proctopus) californicus Cours, Proc. Acad, Nat. Sci. Phila. 1862, 231, 404.
___-~ Podiceps auwritus, var. californicus Covss, Key, 1872, 887; Check List, 1873, No. 612;
ss Birds N. W: 1874, 733.—Hensu. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 489.
¥ ¥ Podicipes auritus californicus Cours, 2d Check List, 1882, No. 850.

__——~ Dytes nigricollis californicus Raw. Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 733 a.
of’ oh i Dytes nigricollis b. californicys B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii, 1884, 434.
Colymbus nigricollis californicus Ripaw. Proc, U. 8. Nat. Mus. viii, 1885, 356; Man. N.
2 Am. B. 1887, 6.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 4.

Podiceps auritys ealifornicus RrGw. Orn. 40th Par. 1877. 642.

a ee ; Has. Northern and western North America, north to Great Slave Lake, south to
“es Guatemala, and east to Mississippi Valley. Breeds nearly throughout its range.

Sp. Cuan. Adult, breeding-plumage: Head, neck, and upper parts dull black; on each

a>} side of the head, behind the eyes, and occupying the whole of the postocular and auricular. f
regions, a flattened tuft of elongated, narrow, and pointed feathers of an ochraceous color,
those of the lower part of the tuft inclining to rufous or ferruginous, those along the upper
edge straw-yellow or buff, sometimes, but rarely, forming a rather well-defined streak; fore
¢ part of the head sometimes inclining to grayish or smoky dusky. Upper parts blackish
7, dusky, the secondaries—sometimes also the inner primaries—mostly or entirely white.
A Lower parts satiny white, the sides mixed chestnut-rufous and dusky. Bill deep black:
iris bright carmine, with an inner whitish ring; legs and feet “dusky gray externally, green-
ish gray on the inner side” (AupuBON). Winter plumage: Pileum, nape, and upper parts
5 sooty slate or plumbeous-dusky; malar region, chin, and throat white; auricular region
: white, sometimes tinged with pale grayish buff or light grayish; fore part and sides of
the neck pale dull grayish; lower parts satiny white, the sides plumbeous-dusky. “Upper
mandible greenish black, growing pale ashy olive-green on basal third of the commissure
(broadly) and on the culmen; lower mandible ashy olive-green, paler below, and more yel-
lowish basally; iris bright orange-red, more scarlet outwardly, and with a fine thread-like
white ring around the pupil; tursiand toes dull blackish on the outer side, passing on the
edges into olive-green; inner side dull light yellowish green; inner toe apple-green.”*
Young, first plunage: Similar to the winter adult, but colors more brownish. Downy
young: Top of the head, as far down as the auriculars, dusky, the forehead divided
medially by a white line, which soon separates into two, each of which again bifurecates on
the side of the crown (over the eye), one branch running obliquely downward and backward
to the sides of the nape, the other continued straight back to the occiput; middle of the
crown with a small oblong or elliptical spot of bare reddish skin. Suborbital, auricular, and
malar regions, chin,ard throat immaculate white; fore-neck pale grayish; lower’ pa; ts white;

3 becoming grayish laterally and posteriorly; upper parts dusky grayish.
Total length, about 13.00 inches; extent, 21.00; wing, about 5.20-5.50; culmen, .95-1.10.

Although possibly breeding in Illinois, the American Hared
Grebe is known only as a transient (spring and fall) visitor, or
occasional winter resident. Its habits, which are essentially like
those of other species, are very interestingly described by Col.
N. 8. Goss, in Zhe Avk for January, 1884 (pp. 18-20), to whose
very interesting account the reader is referred.

*Fresh colors of a specimen (adult male) obtained by the writer at Pyramid Lake,
Nevada, December 21, 1867.

SS ee” ee eee a ee

oF ae aes.

264 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

GENUS PODILYMBUS Lesson.

Podilymbus Lxsson, Traité, i, 1831,596. Type, Podiceps carolinensis Latu., = Colymbus
podiceps LINN.
Sylbeocyclus BonaP. Saggio, 1832, 144 (same type; ef. Scu. Ibis, 1874, p. 98).

GEN. CHAR. Size medium (wing about 4.50-5.00 inches); bill much shorter than the
head, very stout, the length of the culmen less than twice the basal depth; the culmen
much curved terminally; tarsus shorter than the middle toe without claw. No tufts in
summer plumage, but bill parti-colored, and throat ornamented by a black patch.

Only one species of this genus is known, although the South
American bird is considered by some authors distinct from that
of North America, under the name P. antarcticus (Less.).

Podilymbus podiceps (Linn.)

PIED-BILLED GREBE.

Popular synonyms. Thick-billed Grebe; Carolina Grebe; Water Witch; Di-dipper; Hell-
diver; Zambullidor de pico grueso (Mexico).

Colymbus podiceps Linn. 8. N. ed. 10, i, 1758, 136; ed. 12, i, 1766, 223 (based on Podiceps
minor rostro vario, CATESBY, Carol 91.—Colymbus fluviatilis carolinensis, BRIss.
Orn. vi, 1760, 63).
Podilymbus podiceps Lawk. in Baird's B. N. Am. 1858, 8988—Barrp, Cat. N. Am. B. 1859,
No. 709.—Cougs, Key, 1872. 388; Check List, 1873, No. 614; 2d ed. 1882, No. 852; Birds N.
W. 1874, 737.—HENsH. Zool. Wheeler's Exp. 1875, 490.—Rmpew. Orn. 40th Par. 1877, 643;
Nom. N. Am. B. 1881, No. 735; Man. N. Am. B. 1887,6.—B. B. & R. Water B. N. Am. ii,
1884, 440.—A. O. U. Check List, 1886, No. 6.
Podilymbus podicipes Cougs 2d Check List, 1882, No. 852.
Podiceps ludovicianus Latu. Ind. Orn. ii, 1790, 785.
Podiceps carolinensis LaTH. |. e.—Sw. & Rieu. F.-B. A. ii, 1831, 412.—Nurr. Man. ii, 1834, 259.
—Auvup. Orn. Biog. iii, 1835, 359; Synop. 1839, 358; B. Am. vii, 1844, 324, pl. 483.
Podilymbus lineatus HEERM. Proc. Acad. Nat. Sci. Phila. 1854,179; Pacific R. R. Rep. x,
1859, 77, pl. 9, (young).
Fodiceps antarcticus Lxss. Rev. Zool. 1842, 209.
Podilymbus antarclicus GRay, Hand-list, iii, 1871,95, No. 10, 71.
Podilymbus podiceps, b. antarcticus Cougs, Birds N. W. 1874, 737.
Podiceps brevirostris Gray, Gen. B. iii, 1839, pl. 172.

Has. Whole of temperate North America, Middle America, West Indies, and greater
part of South America, breeding nearly throughout its range. South to Brazil, Buenos
Ayres, and Chili, north to British Provinces. Bermudas.

Sp. CHar. Adult, breeding plumage: Chin, throat, and a spot at the base of the man-
dible, black; rest of the head and neck brownish gray, darker on the pileum and nape,
lighter on the sides of the head, the malar region light ashy, streaked with dusky. Upper
parts uniform dusky grayish brown, the remiges paler, the inner webs of the secondaries
tipped with white; lower parts grayish white, everywhere spotted with dusky grayish. Bill
milk-white, crossed past the middle by a black band, the terminal portion more bluish; eye-
lids white; naked lores bluish; iris rich dark brown, with a narrow outer ring of ochraceous-
white, and an inner thread-like ring of pure white; tarsi and toes greenish slate-black on
the outer, plumbeous on the inner side.! Winter plumage: Head and neck dull brownish,
darker on the pileum and nape, and becoming white on the chin and throat (sometimes also

1 Fresh colors of an adult female killed March 24 at Carson City, Nevada.

. PODICIPIDE—THE GREBES. 265

on the malar region); lower parts silvery white, brownish laterally and posteriorly; uppor
parts as in the summer plumage. Bill horn-color, becoming blackish basally and on the
eulmen; lower mandible more lilaceous, with a dusky lateral stripe; iris of three distinct
colors, disposed in concentric rings, the first (around the pupil) clear milk-white, the next
dark olive-brown, the outer pale ochraceous-brown, the dark ring reticulated into the
lighter; tarsi and toes greenish slate, the joints darker.1 Young, first plumage: Similar to
_ the winter dress, but sides and under part of the head white, indefinitely <triped with brown,
the throat sometimes immaculate. Downy young: Head and neck distinctly striped with
white and black; a spot of rufous on the middle of the crown, one on each side the occiput,
and one on the upper part of the nape; the latter confluent with two white Stripes running
down the nape, tho others entirely surrounded with black; upper parts blackish dusky,
marked with four longitudinal stripes or lines of grayish white running the whole length
of the body; lower parts immaculate white medially, dusky grayish anteriorly, laterally,
and posteriorly.
Total length, about 13.25 to 15.00 inches; extent, 20.00—23.00; wing, 4.50—5.00; culmen, .75;

depth of bill at base, .45; tarsus, 1.40; middle toe, without claw, 1.80.

: I am unable to discover any tangible difference between several South American ex-
amples, in different stages of plumage, and North American specimens, and can therefore
see no reason for admitting the so-called P. antarcticus (Lgss.).

9

The Pied-billed Grebe, according to Professor Cooke,? ‘winters
wherever there is open water, from Illinois southward, and breeds
from southern Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, and eastern Kansas
northward.” It breeds, however, very much farther southward
than the limit aboye indicated, environment far more than lat-
itude being the controlling factor.

“Mr. N. B. Moore, writing from Sarasota Bay, Florida, states
that in the spring of 1870 he killed a bird of this species in
which he found an ege of nearly full size; and in a day or two
afterward found her nest, containing one eve. In April, 1873,
he found another nest on the same pond. The young, five in
number, stood in the nest uttering a faint peep, something like
the ery of a very young duckling. They all toddled overboard
on his approach. The terrified mother in the meanwhile was
swimming rapidly about, frequently diving and uttering sad
notes of alarm, with scarcely a feather of her back above the
water. The nest was composed of broken stems of dog-fennel,
matted together with a large portion of decayed and withered
aquatic plants, presenting, when found, a wet, black, and soggy
bed, to all appearances as uncomfortable a nest as ever fell to
the lot of delicate and beautiful downy creatures such as these
were. The nest was ten yards from the shore, within the pond,
and situated in a thick clump of erect dead stems of the fennel

iFrom a specimen killed November 18, 1867, at Truckee Meadows, Nevada.
2Bird Migration in the Mississippi Valley, page 54.

—34

re eS a oe

266 BIRDS OF ILLINOIS.

where it rested on the bottom of the pond, the water being
about eight inches deep. The part above the water was cir-
cular, twelve inches in breadth, the central depression being
rather shallow, and an inch in depth and five or six in breadth.
There was no lining, and the whole presented an appearance of
solidity resembling masonry. The upper part of the rim was
only about two and one half inches above the surface of the
pond, and could not possibly have floated had the water risen
to any height. When about three weeks old the young dive for
their own food, though the mother feeds them long afterward.
The young have been caught as late as September 15, and it
is probable that this bird has two or three broods in a sea-
son. * * * *

“These birds are usually perfectly fearless, swimming quite near
to the spectator, and trusting to their power of diving to escape
from danger. They become suspicious, however, after having
been shot at. They can swim to a long distance under water,
merely raising the bill above the surface occasionally, and they
are somewhat nocturnal in habit. In the spring they make a
loud and sonorous braying noise. They feed on small fish and
insects, and prefer to hunt for them in places covered with dense
aquatic vegetation, being chiefly fresh-water birds, though seek-
ing the bays in the winter. This bird has the singular habit,
in common with all the other Grebes, of sinking down gradually
and backwards into the water until it entirely disappears, not
leaving a ripple on the surface. This it does in order to escape,
when not compelled to dive quickly.” ( Water Birds of North
America, Vol. UL., pp. 442, 443.)

INDEX.

Actidurus neyius, 68.
Actitis, 33, 67.

macularia, 67.
Actiturus bartramius, 66.
Actoehelidon, 240, 243.

_ Actodromay, 33,45.

acuminata, 46.
bairdii, 45,48.
bonapartei, 47.
cooperi, 45.
fuscicollis, 45, 47.
maculata, 46.
minutilla, 46,49.
ZEchmophborus, 258.
Kgialitis, 22,25, 28.
alexandrina, 28.
_ alexandrina nivosa, 29.
dubia, 28.
hiaticula, 28. ms
meloda, 28.
meloda circumcincta, 28,30.
mongola, 29.
semipalmata, 28, 29.
vocifera, 26.
ZEthyia americana, 157.
vallisneria, 159,
Aigrette d’ Amerique, La Grande, 124".
rousse, de Ja Louisiane, 126*.
Aix, 104,152.
sponsa, 153.
Ajaja, 102*.
ajaja, 103*.
rosea, 103*.
Aleatraz, 199.
Alcide, 251. be
Alectorides, 82.
Anas, 194,126,127.
acuta, 146,147.
adunea, 127.
alandica, 147.
albeola, 170.
americana, 135, 141, 143.
anser, 115.
beringii, 178,
beruicia, 118, 122, 125.
boschas, 126,127,
brachyrhynchos, 174.
bucephala, 170.

.

Anas cerulescens, 110,
cagolea, 141,
canadensis, 118,119.
capensis, 139,
carolinensis, 135,
caudacuta, 147,
caudata, 147.
cinerea, 139.
clangula, 165,166.
elypeata, 150,151.
collaris, 164.
columbianus, 107.
erecea, 134,135.
(Boschas) crecea, 135.
cyanoptera, 131, 133.
cygnus, 105.
discors, 431.
domestica, 127.
(Bochas) domestica, 127.
fera, 127.
ferina, 156,157.
fuligula, 161, 164,
fusca, 181,
galericulata, 152.
glacialis, 173,174.
histrionica, 171,172.
hyemailis, 174.
hyperboreus, 114.
islandica, 168,
jamaicensis, 185.
kekuschka, 139.
longicauda, 147,174.
mail, 139.
marila, 161,162.
mexicana, 151.
miclonia, 174.
minuta, 172.
mollissima, 175, 176,177.
nigra, 179,180.
nivalis, 114.
obscura, 127,130
penelope, lil.
perspicillata, 182,183.
querquedula, 131,
rafflesi, 133,
rubens, 151,
rubida, 185.
(Fuligula) rufitorques, 164.

|

>

lll ae” Se ae ee

re

268

Anas rustica, 170,
sparrmanni, 147.
spectabilis, 178.
sponsa, 152, 153,
strepera, 138, 139.
strepera americana, 139.

(Chauliodus) streperus, 139.

superba, 178,
sylvatica, 135.
vallisneria, 159,
Anatide, 103.
Anatine, 103, 104,126,
-Ancylocheilus, 33.
Anhinga, 207.
American, 207,
anhinga, 207.
Anhingas, 207.
Anhingide, 193,207,
Anous, 220,
Ansar salvage, 116.
Anser, 104,115,
albatus, 114.
albifrons, 116.
albifrons gambeli, 116.
bernicla, 125.
brenta, 125.
czrulescens, 111.
canadensis, 119.
cinereus, 115.
erythropus, 116.
frontalis, 116.
gambeli, 116.
hutchinsii, 122.
hyperboreus, 110, 111, 113,
hyperboreus albatus, 114.
leucopareius, 122.
leucopsis, 118.
rossii, 110.
torquata, 125.
Anseres, 102.
Ansering, 103,104,110.
Aphriza, 20.
Aphrizide, 18, 20.
Apipisea, 234.
grande de alas Jargas, 233.
Aramide, 82,
Ardea, 117*, 118*, 119*,
alba, subsp. galatea, 124*,
americana, 99.
americana cinerea, 129*,
ardesiacea, 129*,
crrulea, 128*, 129*,
erulea var. alba, 129*.

cerulea var. cyanopus, 129".

ceerulescens, 129*,
eallocephala, 135*,
cana, 133*,
canadensis, 100.

cancrophagus brasiliensis, 129*.

candidissima, 125*.
earolinensis, 125".
cayennensis, 135*,
chalybea, 129*,
ehio. optera, 131*,

INDEX.

Ardea cinerea, 118*, 119*.
Ccerulea, 128*.

’ cristata, 129*,
cubensis, 127*.
eyanopus, 129*,
discolor, 133*.
egretta, 123*, 124*,
exilis, 139*.
gardeni, 133*,
garzetta, 125*,
grus, 98.
herodias, 120*, 121*,
hoactle, 133*,
hudsonius, 121*, 138*.
javanica, 130*.
lactea, 125*.
lentiginosa, 138*,
lessoni, 121*.
leuce, 1247,
ludoviciana, 131*,
(Grus) mexicana, 99.
mexicana cinerea, 129*.
minor, 138*,
mninuta, 159*,
mokoko, 138*,
mugitans, 138*,
neevia, 133*,
nivea, 125*,
nycticorax, 132*, 133*,
occidentalis, 119*, 121*,
oula, 125*,
pealei, 127*,

(Dichromanassa) pealei,127*,

rufa, 126*,

rufa var. pealei, 127*,
rufescens, 126*, 127*.
sexsetacea, 135*,
spadicea, 139*.

stellaris, 137*, 138*,
stellaris canadensis, 138*.

stellaris cristata americana, 1$5*.

stellaris minima, 131*,
sturmi, 139*,
thula, 125*.
violacea, 135*,
virescens, 130*, 131*,
virgata, 131*,
wardi, 119*,
wuerdemannii, 119*, 120*,
Ardeide, 116*, 117*.
Ardeinw,117*, «
Ardeiralla, 139*,
Ardeola, 139*.
Ardetta, 137*, 139°,
exilis, 139*,
Arenaria, 20.
interpres, 20.
Aristonetta, 156,159.
vallisneria, 159.
Arquatella, 33, 48,
maritima, 44.

Assemblyman, 181.
Atricilla, 222,

catesboni, 222, 283,

Atricilla macroptera, 233.
} minor, 233.
_ Avocet, American,74.
_ Avocets and Stilts,74.
__ Aythya, 104, 156,157.
‘ affinis, 162, 163.
_ americana, 157,165.
collaris, 162, 164, 165.
erythrocephala, 157.
ferina americana, 157.
marila, 161.
marila nearctica, 161,162.

Bald-crown, 143.

Bald-face, 143.

Bald-head, 143.

Baldpate, 143.

7 - Bartramia, 33, 65.

- laticauda, 65.

1 longicauda, 66.

y Batter Scoot, 185.
Beach Bird, 29.
Bec a Lancette, 207.
Beetle-head,23.
Bernicla, 118.

= -_ barnstoni,120.

brenta, 125.

canadensis, 119.

canadensis hutchinsii, 122.

canadensis leucopareia, 123.

, ' hutehinsii, 122.
: leucopareia, 123.
Se melanopis, 125.
Bihoreau de Cayenne, 135+.
Bird, Brant, 20.
Qua, 133*.
Tortoise-shell,"139*.
Birds, Diving, 251.
Gallinaceous, 3.
Bittern, 138*.
American, 138*.
American Least, 139*.
Least, 139*.
Little, 139°.
Little Yellow, 139*.
Minute, 139*.
Tortoise-shell, 139*.
Bitterns, 137*.
Black-breast, 23.
Black-head, Big, 162.
e Little, 16%.
Ring-billed, 164.
Black Jack, 164.
Blasipus, 222.
Blather-scoot, 185.
Blossom-bill, 183.
Blue-bill, Big, 162,
Lake, 162.
Little, 163.
March, 163.
Mud, 162.
Ring-necked, 164,
River, 163.
Blue-wing, 131.

a ip Ahaha

‘~ INDEX.

269

Blue Peter, 88.
Bob-white, 15.
Bog-bull, 138*.
Bog-bumper, 138*.
Bog-sucker, 34.
Bonasa, 7.
umbellus, 8.
umbellus sabini, 8.
umbellus umbelloides, 8.
Booby, 129*, 131*.
Bosun, 216,
Botaurine, 117*, 137*.
Botaurus, 137*.
adspersus, 138*.
exilis, 139*,
Freti-Hudsonis, 138*.
lentiginosus, 138*.
minor, 138*.
mugitans, 138*,
neoxenus, 139".
Bottle-head, 23.
Brant, 116, 125.
Bald, 110.
Blue, 110.
Common, 125,
Gray, 116.
Harlequin, 116.
Pied, 116.
Prairie, 116.
Speckled, 116.
White, 113.
White-headed, 110.
Yellow-legged, 116.
Branta, 104, 118,
bernicla, 119, 125.
canadensis, 118, 119, 120, 123,
canadensis hutchinsii, 118, 122.
canadensis var. leucopareia, 123.
canadensis minima, 119, 123.
hutchinsii, 122.
hutchinsi leucoparia, 123.
minima, 123.
Brass-eye, 166.
Bristle-tail, 185.
Broad-bill, 162, 163.
Bastard, 164.
Bay, 162.
Creek, 163.
Red-headed, 157,
Broady, 151.
Brother, Sleepy, 185.
Bucephala albeola, 170,
americana, 166,
clangula, 166.
clangula americana, 106,
islandica, 168,
Buftle-head, 170.
Buil-head, 23,
Bull-neck, 159, 162.
Red-headed, 159.
Bumble-bee, 49, 53.
Buphagus, 212.
skua, 212.
Burgomaster, 224,

Ne a

270

Butor, 137*.
americanus, 138*.
de la Baye de Hudson, 138*.
Butorides, 118*, 130*.
virescens, 131*.
Butter-ball, 170,
Butter-bill, 180.
Butter-box,-170.
Bythonessa, 184.

Caca-wee, 174.
Calidris, 33, 54.
arenaria, 55.
Calico-back, 20.
Canard Cheyal, 159.
Cancroma maculata, 131*.
Canvas-back, 159.
Carbo, 202.
mexicanus, 205.
penicillatus, 202.
Catarractes, 212.
fusca, 212.
Oatharacta, 212.
skua, 212.
Catoptropelicanus, 195.
Centrocercus, 7.
Cepphi, 251.
Cerceta café, 133.
comun, 131.
de listo verde, 135.
Cerconectes, 184.
Charadriide, 18, 22.
Charadrius, 22, 23, 24.
apricarius, 23, 24.
ealidris, 55.
cinclus, 20.
dominicus, 24.
fulvus var. virginicus, 25.
' helveticus, 28.
hiaticula, 28, 29.
himantopus, 75.
marmoratus, 25.
mexicanus, 76.
pluvialis, 24.
rubidus, 55.
semipalmatus, 29.
squatarola, 23.
virginicus, 24.
vociferus, 25, 26,
Charitonetta, 105, 170.
albeola, 170.
Chaulelasmus, 126, 188.
americana, 139.
streperus, 139.
Chauliodes, 188.
Chauliodus, 138.
Chen, 104, 110.
albatus, 114.
erulescens, 110, 111.
hyperborea, 110, 113, 114.
hyperborea nivalis, 114, 115.
hyperboreus albatus, 114.
rossii, 110.

iis

8 - ea sks Tee eee oe ae
INDEX
Chenopis atrata, 103.
Chicarie, 20.
Chicken, 11.

Prairie, 11.
Chroicocephalus, 222, 223.
atricilla, 233.
franklinii, 235.
philadelphia, 235,
schimperi, 235.
Ciconie, 101*, 113*.
Ciconiid#, 113*.
Ciconiine, 113*.
Clangula, 105, 165, 173.
albeola, 170.
americana, 166.
barrovii, 168.
brachyrhynchos, 174.
faheri, 174.
glaucium, 166.
glaucium americana, 166.
hyemailis, 174.
islandica, 168.
megauros, 174.
musica, 174.
scapularis, 168.
torquata, 172.
vulgaris, 166.
Clypeata brachyrhynchos, 151.
macrorhynchos, 151.
platyrhynchos, 151.
pomarina, 151.
Cob-head, 166.
Cochleariide, 116*.
Coco, 108*.
‘Colin, 15.
Colinus, 15.
virginianus, 15.
virginianus floridanus, 16.
virginianus texanus, 16,
Columbus imber, 253.
Colymbus, 252, 258, 259.
arcticus, 255.
atrogularis, 253.
auritus, 258, 261.
borealis, 256.
easpicus, 262.
cornutus, 258, 261, 262.
cristatus, 258, 259.
fluviatilis, 258.
fluviatilis carolinensis, 264.
glacialis, 253.
holbeellii, 259, 260.
hyemalis, 253.
ignotus, 255.
imber, 252.
immer, 253.
leucopus, 255.
lumme, 256.
major, 259.
macrorhynchos, 255.
maximus, 253.
megarhynchos, 255.
microrhynchos, 256.
minor, 258.

ayer. N , Vea.

INDEX... = 271

Colymbus nigricollis californicus, 261, 262, 263.

obscurus, 262.
podiceps, 264.
rufogularis, 256.
septentrionalis, 256.
stellatus, 256,
striatus, 256.
torquatus, 253.
Compsohalieus, 202.
Coot, American, 84.

Blue, 89,

Booby, 185.

Bull, 181. r

Butter-billed, 180.

Gray, 183.

Hollow-billed, 180, 183.

Horse-head, 183.

Pumpkin-blossom, 180,

Quill-tail, 185,

Skunk head, 183.

Sleepy, 185.

Spectacled, 183.

Surf, 183.

Uncle Sam, 181.

White-winged, 281.
Coots, 84.

Copper-bill, 180,
Cormorant, Double-crested, 203,

Florida, 204.

Mexican, 205.

Southern Double-crested, 204.
Cormorants, 202.
Cosmonessa, 152,171.
Cosmonetta, 152, 171.
Coturnicops, 92,93.
Coween, 174.

Cow-frog, 151.

Cowheen, 174.

Crab-catcher, 131*.

Orabier bleu a cou brun, 129°.

de la Louisiane, 131*.

tacheté, de la Martinique, 151*.
Crane, Brown,99.

Great White, 99.

White, 124*.

Whooping, 99.
Cranes,98.

Courlans, Rails,Gallinules, and Coots, 82.
Creagrus, 220.
Creaker, 46.

Creciscus, 92,93.
Orex, 83.

galeata, 86.

Crow, |Water, 207.
Crymonessa, 173.
Ory mophilus, 19,77.

fulicarius,77, 78.

Cub-head, 166,
Oucu, Big,59.

Little, 61.
Oupidonia,11.

americanus, 11.

eupido, 11.

pinnata, 11.

Curiaca de Cayenne, 114*.
Curlew, Big,70.
Black, 110*.
Eskimo, 72.
Jack, 72.
Little,72.
Long-billed, 70.
Pink, 103*.
Short-billed, 72.
Sickle-bill, 70.
Spanish, 108*,
Straight-billed,57.
White, 108*.
Cyanopterus, 131,
Cygnine, 103, 104, 105.
Cygnus americanus, 107.
bewicki, 107.
buecinator, 106.
columbianus, 107.
ferus, 107.
musicus, 107.
pasmorei, 106,
Cyrtopelicanus, 195.

Dafila, 104, 146.
acuta, 147.
acuta var. americana, li7.

Darter, 207.
Black-bellied, 207.

Delopygia, 45.

Demiegretta pealei, 127*.
rufa, 126*.

Dendragapus,7.

Dendronessa, 152.
sponsa, 153.

Dichromanassa, 118*,126*.
rufa, 127*.

Di-dapper, 170.

Di-dipper, 170,261, 264.

Dinkey, 185.

Dipper, 170.

Robin, 170.
Scotch, 170.

Diver, Arctic, 255.
Black-throated, 255.
Great Northern, 253.
Red-throated, 256.

Dominicanus, 222.

Dough-bird,72.

Dowitch, 39.

Dowitcher, 39.
Long-billed, 40.

Drake, Wild, 127.

Driver, 39,

Duck, Acorn, 153.
American Scaup, 162.
Big Fall, 162.

Big Sea,177.

Black, 130. ‘
Black English, 130.
Blaten, 139.

Bridal, 153.
Butter, 151, 170.
Oanvas- back, 159.

~V~ ee ae ee

i
i

ee

272

Duck, Cock Robin, 191.

Creek, 139.

Crow, 84.

Daub, 185.

Deaf, 185.

Dusky, 130.

English, 127.

Fall 164.

Fish, 188.

Flock, 162.

Foo), 185.

French, 127.

Gray, 127,139.

Guinea, 253.

HarJequin, 172.

Heavy-tailed, 185,

Lesser Scaup, 163.

Long-tailed, 174.

Mountain, 172.

Painted, 172.

Pheasant, 147,

Raft, 162.

Red, 133.

Red- headed, 157.

Red-headed Raft, 157.

Ring-necked, 164.

Ring-necked Scaup, 164,

Rock, 172,

Rook, 185.

Ruddy, 185.

Scotch, 170.

Scoter, 180.

Sea, 183.

Sleepy, 185.

Sleigh-bell, 180,

Spine-tailed, 185.

Spirit, 170.

Squam, 177.

Summer, 153.

Surf, 185.

Swallo w-tailed, 174.

Tree, 153,

Troop, 162.

Velvet, 181.

Wheat, 143.

Wild, 127.

‘Wood, 153, 191.
Ducks, 104,126,
Dunlin, American, 51.
Dytes, 258, 259, 261.

auritus, 261.

nigricollis californicus, 263.

Egret, American, 121*.
Blue, 129",
Great, 124*.
Great White, 124".
Little, 125*.
Peale’s, 126*,
Reddish, 126*, 127*.
Russet, 126*.
White-crested, 125*.
Egretta nivea, 129°.

INDEX.

'

Hider, American, 177.
King, 178.
Ereunetes, 33,52.
occidentalis, 54.
petrificatus, 52,54.
pusilius, 53,54.
pusillus occidentalis, 54.
Erionetta, 176,178.
Erismatura, 105, 184,
rubida, 185.
Erodiseus, 139*.
Eudocima, 107*.
Eudocinius, 107*.
albus, 108*.
longirostris, 108*.
Eudytes, 252.
Eurynorhynebus, 34.
Exanthemops, 110.

Falcinellus, 109*.
igneus, 110*.
Fan-crest, 191.
Fitzy, 180.
Florida, 118*, 128*.
czerulea, 129°.
Fly-up-the-Creek, 131".
Fregatide, 193.
Fulica, 84.
americana, 84,
atra, 84.
chloropus, 86.
martinica, 88.
noveboracensis, 92,95.
wilsoni, 84.
Fulicine, 83, 54.
Fuligula, 156, 161,
affinis, 163.
albeola, 170,
americana, 157,180.
(Oidemia) americana, 180,
barrovii, 168.
bimaculata, 181.
clangula, 166, 168.
collaris, 164.
ferina, 157.
ferina americana, 157.
fusca, 181.
(Oidemia) fusca, 181.
glacialis, 174.
(Harelda) glacialis, 174.
histrionica, 172.
(Clangula) histrionica, 172.
marila, 162,163,
minor, 163.
mollissima, 177.

(Somateria) mollissima, 177.

perspicillata, 183.

(Oidemia) perspicillata, 183.

rubida, 185.
(Gymnura) rubida, 185.
rufitorques, 164,
spectabilis, 178.

(Somateria) spectabilis, 178.

vallisneria, 159.

‘ae

Bh,

‘

-

oa &5

wa all, 139.
Galambas, 114*.
- Galline, 5.

- Gallinago, 32,36.
delicata, 37.
media wilsoni, 37.
wilsoni, 37. |

_ Gallinula, 83, 86

ehloropus, 86.
_ galeata, 86.
martinica, 88.

porphyrio, 88. -

_ Gallinule, American, 86.
Florida, 86.
Purple, 88.
Scarlet-fronted, 86.

Gallinules, 88. ~

- Gallinulina, 83,86.

Gambetta flavipes, 61.
melanoleuca, 59.
Gannet, 114*, 241, 243.
Gar-bill, 189.
Garrot, Rocky Mountain, 168.
Garza azul, 129*.
blanca chica, 125*.
blanca grande, 124*.

~ Garzetta, 118*, 125*.

eandidissima, 125*,
Garzon, 114*.

-Gaulin, Black-legged, 125°.

Gavia, 219.
Gavina, 222.
Gaviota, 233,243.
Geese, 104,110.
Gelochelidon, 220,238
agraria, 239.
anglica, 238.
balthica, 239.
-meéridionalis, 238,239.
nilotica, 238.
palustris, 239
Glaucion, 165.
Glaucionetta, 104,165.
¢clangula americana, 166.
islandica, 166,168,
Glaucus, 222.
Godwit Hudsonian, 58
Marbled, 57.
Goéland 4 manteau gris, 229.
Golden-eye, American, 1.
Barrow’s, 168.
Rocky Mountain, 168,
Golondrina de mar, 249.
Google-nose, 183.

Goosander, Red-breasted, 189.
Goose, American White-fronted, 116.

—35

INDEX.

Goose, Bay, 119,122.
Big Wild, 119.
Blue, 110.
Blue-winged, 110,
Brant, 125.

Brent, 125.
Cackling, 123.
Canada, 119.
Chornie, 123.
Common Wild, 119.
Cravat, 119.
Eskimo, 122.
Greater Snow, 14.
Hutchins’s, 122.
Laughing, 116.
Lesser Canada, 122.
Lesser Snow, 113.

' Little Cackling, 123.
Little White-cheeked, 123.
Little Wild, 122.
Marsh, 122.
Mexican, 114.

Maud, 122.

Nigger, 203,204.

Prairie, 116, 122.

Red, 114.

Reef, 119.

Small Gray, 122

Snow, 1l4.

Texas, 114.

White-headed, 110.

Yellow-legged, 116.
Graculus dilophus, 203.

dilophus var. floridanus, 204.

floridanus, 204.
mexicanus, 205.

Gray-back, 39,42.
Greater, 40.

Greaser, 185.

Great Head, 166.

Grebe, American Eared, 262.
American Red-necked, 259.
California, 262.
Carolina, 264.

Cooper's, 259.
Dusky, 261
Holbcell’s, 259.
Horned, 261.
Pied-billed, 264.
Sclavonian, 261.
Thick-billed, 264,

Grebes, 258.

Grecian Lady, 207.

Green-head, 127.

Green-wing, 135,

Grouse, 6,

Drumming, 8.
Partridges and Quuils, 6.
Pinnated, 11.

Prairie Sharp-tailed, 13.
Ruffed, 8.

Ruffled, 8.

Willow, 10.

274 INDEX.

Grues, 82. Heron, bleuatre de Cayenne, 129*.
Gruidae, 82,98. Blue, 129*,131*.

Grus, 98, Cayenne Night, 135*.

americana, 98,99, 100.
canadensis, 98, 100.
canadensis mexicana, 99.
fusca, 100,

mexicana, 98,99.
hoyanus, 99.

pratensis, 100.

Guara, 107*.
alba, 107*, 108*.

_rubra, 107*.

Guarine, 106*,107*.

Gull, American Herring, 230.
Black- backed, 227.
Black-headed, 233.
Bonaparte’s, 235.

Gardenian Night, 133*.

Great Blue, 121*.

Great White, 124*.

Green, 131*,

Little Blue, 129*.

Little White, 125*, 129*.

Louisiana, 131*.

Snowy, 125*.

White-crowned Night, 135*.

Wuerdemann’s, 120*.

Yellow-crowned Night, 135*.
Herons, 117*.

and Boatbills, 116*.

Storks, Ibises, etc., 101*.

True, and Egrets, 117*.

Farmer, 227. Heteractitis, 33.
Fork-tailed, 287. Heteropygia, 45.
Franklin’s, 234. Hickory-head. 185.

Franklin's Rosy, 234.
Glaucous, 224,

Gray, 228,230.
Herring, 228.
Hooded, 234.
Hutchins’s, 224.
Teceland, 225.

Himantopus, 74,75.
mexicanus, 76,
nigricollis, 76.
Hirondelle de Mer de Cayenne, 243.
la Grande, 243.
Histrionicus, 105,171.
histrionicus, 172.

Kittiwake, 221. minutus, 172.

Laughing, 233. torquatus, 172.

Ring-billed, 232. Honker, 119.

Sabine’s, 237. Horse-head, 183.

Sea, 228, 230. Hound, 174.

Skua, 212. Hydranassa, 118*.

Summer, 246, Hydrochelidon, 220, 248.

White, 224. fissipes, 249.

White-winged, 225. lariformis, 249.

Winter, 221. lariformis surinamensis, 249.
Gulls, 219, 220. nigra, 249.

and Terns, 219, nigra surinamensis, 249.
Gull-chaser, 212, 214. plumbea, 249.
Gull-hunter, 214. surinamensis, 249.
Gymuura, 184, Hypoleucus, 202.

Hamatopodida, 18. Ibides, 101*.
Hairy-head, 191. Ibidida, 101*, 106*,
Haliplana, 210,241. Ibiding, 106*.
Hard-tack, 185. Ibis alba, 108*.
Harelda, 173. Bay, 110°.

glacialis, 174.
hyemalis, 174.
Hell-diver, 261,204.
Helodromas, 33,59, 62.
Hen, Indian, 158".
Herodias, 118*, 123*,
alba egretta, 124*.
egretta, 121".

egrettu var. californica, 124*.

poucheti, 129°.
Herodii, 101*, 116".
Herodiones, 101*.

Heron, American Black-crowned Night,133".

Black-crowned Night, 133%,

blanco, 108*.
Brown, 108*.
faleinellus, 110*.
falcinellus var. ordii, 110*.
Glossy, 110*.
Gray, 108*.
Green, 110*.
guarauna, 111*.
nandapoa, 114*.
nandasson, 114*.
ordli, 110*.
peregrina, 111".
White, 108".
Wood, 114",

'
eae

—- Jacanidm, 18.

Jaeger, Arctic, 217.
Long-tailed, 217.
‘Parasitic, 216.
Pomarine, 214.
Richardson's, 216.

‘Kill-dee, 26.

Killdeer, 26.

Kittiwake, 221.

Knot, 42. A
Light-wood, 185. —

Lagopus, 7,10.
albus, 10,
lagopus, 10.

Lampronessa, 152.

Larida, 194,210,219.

Larine, 219,220.

Lark, Sand, 67.

Laroides, 222.
americanus, 229,
minor, 221.
sulleucopterus, 225.

. Larus, 220, 222, 223,

adouini, 222.

albus, 221.

arcticus, 225.

argentaceus, 229.

argentatus, 223, 225, 228, 230,
argentatus smithsonianus, 223, 230.
argentatoides, 229, 230, 232.
argenteus, 229.

atricilla, 222, 223, 233, 231.
(Chroicocephalus) atricilla, 233.
bonapartii, 236.

borealis, 221.

canus, 221, 222, 223, 232.
capistratus, 222, 236.
eatarractes, 212.

cinerarius, 221.

cinereus, 223.
cinero-caudatus, 235,

consul, 223,

crepidatus, 216, 217.

eucullatus, 235,
(Chroicocephalus) cucullatus, 235.
delawarensis, 223, 232.

fabricii, 227.

(Chroicocephalus) franklinii, 235.
fuscus, 222.

gavia, 221,

giganteus, 244,

giacialis, 224.

(Glaucus) glaclalis, 225.
glaucoides, 225,

INDEX.

275

Larus, glaucus, 222, 223, 224, 225, 229.

hutchinsii, 224.

hyperboreus, 224.

islandicus, 221, 225,
(Chroicocephalus) kittlitzil, 235.
kumlieni, 223.

leuceretes, 224.

leucopterus, 223, 224, 225.
maculatus, 227.

major, 229.

marinus, 222, 223, 227, 229.
maximus, 227.

(Atricilla} megalopterus, 233.
melanorhynchus, 236.

(Atricilla) micropterus, 233.
minor, 225.

minutus, 223, 236.

modestus, 222,

miulleri, 227.

nwyius, 221, 227.

niger, 227.

parasiticus, 213, 216,
philadelphia, 223, 235, 236.
(Chreeeocephalus) philadelphia, 236.
pipixcan, 235.

plumbiceps, 233.

pomarinus, 214.

ridibundus, 233,

riga, 221.

rissa, 220, 221.

sabinii, 237,

smithsonianus, 230,
(Chroecocephalus) subulirostris, 236.
tridactylus, 220, 221.

(Rissa) tridactylus, 221.
torquatus, 221.

zonorhynchus, 232.
zonorhynchus, var. mexicanus, 232.

Lawyer, 74, 76.
Leimonites, 45,
Lep.opelicanus, 195, 196.

fuscus, 199.

Lestris, 213.

brachyrhynchus, 217,
brissoni, 218.
buffoni, 217.
catarractes, 212.
hardyi, 218.

lessoni, 217.
microrhynchus, 217.
parasitica, 217.
richardsoni, 216,

Leucibis, 107",
Leucoblepharon, 118,
Leucopareia, 118.
Leucus, 222.

Li
Li
Li

ght-wood Knot, 185,
micolw, 18.
mosa, 33, 56,
fedoa, 56, 57.
foeda, 57.
hemastica, 56, 58,
scolopacea, 40.
hudsonica, 68,

276

Lobipes, 78.
hyperboreus, 78.
lobatus, 78.
wilsoni, 79.

Long-beak, Greater, 40.

Long-neck, 147.

Long-shanks, 76,

Look-up, 138*,

Loon, 253,

Arctic, 255.

Black, 203, 204.
Black-throated, 255.
Pacifie, 253.
Red-throated, 256.
Yellow-billed, 252.

Loons, 252.

Lophodytes, 105,190,
cucullatus, 191.

Lord and Lady, 172,

Maceranas, 181.

Macrorhamphus, 32, $8.
griseus, 39, 40,
griseus scolopaceus, 40.
scolopaceus, 89, 40,

Mallard, 127.

Black, 130,
Gray, 127.

Mareca, 126, 141.
americana, 143, _
fistularis, 141.
penelope, 141, 143.

Marila, 161.

Marionette, 170.

Marlin, 57.

Marling-spike, 214, 216, 217.

Marsh-hen, 90.

Martineta cangrejero, 131".

Megalestris, 211, 212,

\ skua, 212.

Melagavia, 222.

Melanetta, 181.
velvetina, 181.

Melanitta, 179, 181.

Meleagrina, 3.

Meleagris, 4.
americana, 5.
gallopavo, 4, 5.
gallopavo americana, 5.
gallopayo mexicana, 4.
ocellata, 4,

Melonetta, 173.

Merganser, 105, 187.
American, 188.
americanus, 188,
Buff-breasted, 188,
Hooded, 191.
Red-breasted, 189.
serrator, 187, 189.

Mergansers, 105, 187.

Mergine, 103, 105, 187,

Mergus, 252.

americanus, 187, 188.
castor americanus, 188.
cristatus, 189,

INDEX.

Mergus cucullatus, 190, 191.
leucomelas, 189.
merganser, 187, 188.
merganser americanus, 188,
nevius, 253.
niger, 189,
serrator, 189.

Merry-wing, 166.

Microcarbo, 202,

Micropalama, 33, 40,
himantopus, 41.

Microptera americana, 35.

Mire-drum, 138*,

Moon-bill, 164.

Morinella interpres, 20.

Morocco-jaw, 183,

Moss-head, 191.

Mouette cendrée tachettée, 221.

Mud-hen, 834, 90.

Blue, 88.
Ivory-billed, 84.
Red-billed, 86.
White-billed, 84.

Mud-shovyeller, 151.

Negroscopes, 114*.
Nettarion, 161.
Nettion, 126, 134.
carolinensis, 135,
Noddy, 185,
Numenina, 34, 69.
Numenius, 34, 69.
borealis, 70, 72.
hudsonicus, 70, 72.
longirostris, 70, 111*,
oecidentalis, 71,
Nyctanagsa, 133*, 134*,
Nycterodius, 134*,
Nyctherodius, 134*.
violaceus, 135*.
Nyctiardea, 133*.
gardeni, 133*.
grisea nevia, 183*,
violacea, 135*,
Nycticorax, 117*, 132%, 133*,
americanus, 134*.
griseus, 134*,
.griseus nevius, 133*,
nycticorax neyius, 183",
violaceus, 135*,
vulgaris, 134*,

Ochthodromas, 23.
Odontophoree, 14.
(@demia americana, 180.
fusca, 181, 182,
fusca velvetina, 182.
perspicillata, 188.
perspicillata trowbridgii, 183.
Oidemia, 105, 179.
americana, 180.
(Pelionetta) bimaculata, 181,
deglandi, 181, 182.
fusca, 181.

_ Oidemia perspicillata, 183.
Clay velvetina, 181.
more! 4 Old Billy, 174.
ar. Injun, 174.
i? Molly, 174.
bes Squaw, 174.
/ Wife, 174.
Olor, 104, 105,
americanus, 107.
buccinator, 106.

_ columbianus, 106, 107.
Oniscus, 130*.
Onocrotalus, 195.

fuscus, 199.

Ortolan, 93.

Ortygometra carolina, 93.
jamaicensis, 96.
noveboracensis, 95.

Ortyx, 15.
virginianus, 16.

Otodytes, 258, 261.

Owl, Pinny, 221,

Ox-eye, 49, 53.
Oxyechus, 22, 25.

; tricollaris, 22.

vociferus, 26.

Oxy ura, 184.

: Paddy, 185.
. Paddy-whack, 185.
Pagonetta, 173.
Partridge, 8,15.
Partridge=, 14.
Patch-head, 183.
Pato boludo de cabeza café, 163.
boludo prieto, 164.
: golondrino, 147.
pardo de Grupo, 139.
zambullidor de pico azul, 185.
Pavoncella, 33.
Pediocwtes, 7,12,
columbianus, 13.
phasianellus, 13.
phasianellus campestris, 15.
phasianellus var. columbianus, 13.
Pedrete de marcara, 135".
Peep, 49,53.
Peet-weet, 62.
Pond, 62.
River, 67.
Pelecanide, 193,195.
Pelecano, 199.
_ Pelecanus, 195.
americanus, 196.
carbo, 202.
conspicillatus, 195.
(Carbo) dilophus, 203.
erythrorhynchos, 195, 196.
fuscus, 195,196,199,
hernandezil, 196.
occipitalis, 196.
onocrotalus, 195,196.
punctatus, 202,
: thagus, 196.

INDEX.

Pelecanus trachyrhynchus, 196.
urile, 202.
varius, 202,

Pelican, American White, 196.
Brown, 199. :
Rough-billed, 196.
Wood, 114".

Pelicans, 195.

Pelidna, 33,51.
alpina, 51.
alpina americana, 51.
pacifica, 51.

Pelionetta, 179,182.
perspicillata, 183.
trowbridgii, 183.

Perdicine, 6,14.

Perdix virginiana, 15.

Pescadora, 139*,

Phaéthontida, 194,

Phalacrocoracide, 193, 202.

Phalacrocorax, 202,
dilophus, 202, 203.
dilophus floridanus, 202, 204,
floridanus, 204,
mexi¢anus. 202,205.
pygmezus, 202.
resplendens, 205.
townsendii, 205.

Phalarope, Northern, 78.
Red, 77.

Wilson's, 79.
Phalaropes, 77.
Phalatopodidae, 19,77.
Phalaropus, 77,78.

cinereus, 78.

fulicarius, 77.

hyperboreus, 78.

lobatus, 78,79.

tricolor, 79,80.

(Hoplopodius) wilsoni, 79.
Phasiani, 3.

Phasianida, 3.

Phasianine, 3.

Phasianurus, 146.

Pheasant, 8.

Sea, 147.

Water, 147.
Pheasants, 3.

Philohela, 32,34.
minor, 34,35,

Phylaconetta, 171.

Picket-tail, 147.

Pike-tail, 147.

Pink-stockings, 76.

Pin-tail, 13,147,

Pinyole, 221.

Plaster-bill, 183.

Piatalea ajaja, 102°, 103*.
mexicana, 103*.
rosea, 103".

Plataleidm, 101%, 102*,

Platypus faberi, 174.

Plegadis, 107%, 109*, 113%,
autumnalis, 110*,

2 RUT VL

278

Plegadis falcinellus, 110*.
gaarauna, 110*.
Plotus, 207.
anhinga, 207.
melanogaster, 207.
Plover, 23.
American Golden, 24.
American Ring, 29.
Belted Piping, 30.
Black-bellied, 23,
Field, 66.
Green, 24.
Killdeer, 26.
Marsh, 46.
Prairie, 66.
Ringed Piping, 30.
Semipalmated, 29.
Semipalmated Ring, 29.
Upland, 66.
Plovers, 22.
Poacher, 143.
Poechard, American, 157.
Podasoeys, 23.
Podiceps, 258, 259.
affinis, 260.
antarcticus, 264.
auritus, 262.
auritus californicus, 263.
bicornis, 262.
brevirostris, 264.
ealifornicus, 262.
(Proctopus) californicus, 263.
carolinensis, 264.
cooperi, 260.
cornutus, 262,
cristatus, 260.
eucullatus, 260.
griseigena, 260.
griseigena holbopllii, 260.
holboellii, 259.
ludovicianus, 264.
minor rostro vario, 264.
nigricollis, 258, 261.
occidentalis, 260.
rubricollis, 259.
rubricollis major, 259.
subcristatus, 260.
Podicipide, 25], 258.
Podicipedes, 251.
Podicipes cornutus, 262.
Podilymbus, 258, 264,
antarcticus, 264,
lineatus, 264.
podiceps, 264.
podiceps antarcticus, 264,
podicipes, 264,
Poke, White, 125*.
Porphyrio martinica, 88.
Porphyrula, 88.
chloronotus, 88.
Porzana,33, 92, 93.
carolina, 93,
jamaicensis, 93, 95, 96.
noveboracenais, 93, 95,

Ra es ae Re

INDEX.

Post-driver, 138".

Prairie Chicken, Sprig-tail, 15.
Hen,1l.

Proctopus, 258, 261.

Ptarmigan, White, 10.
Willow, 10.

Pterocyauea, 131.
ceruleata, 133.

Pullet, Indian, 138*.

Pygopodes, 251.

Quail, 15.
American, 15,
Virginia, 15.
Quails, 6.
Quak, 133*.
Quawk, 133*.
Querquedula, 126,131.
carolinensis, 135.
eyanoptera, 133,
discors, 131.
Quok, 133*.

Rail, Black, 96.
Carolina, 93.
Common,93.

Great Red-breasted, 90.
King, 90.

Little Black, 96.

Little Yellow, 95.
Red-breasted, 90.

Sora, 93.

Virginia, 91.

Yellow, 95.

Rails, Gallinules, and Coots, 83.

Ralli, 82,83.

Rallidzx,82.

Ralling, 83, 89.

Rallus, 83,89.
aquaticus, 89.
carolinus, 93.

(Crex) carolinus, 93.
erepitans, 89, 90.
elegans, 89,90.
jamuicensis, $2, 96.
lariformis, 249.
noveboracensis, 95.
porzana, 92.
virginianus, 89, 91.

Recurvirostra, 74.
americana, 274.
avosetta, 74.
himantopus,76,
occidentalis, 74.

Recurvirostride, 19, 74.

Red-breast, 42.

Red-head, 157.

Redshanks, 218.

Rhodostethia, 220.
rosea, 237.

Rhyacophilus solitarius, 62.

Rhynchaspis, 150,

Rhyncopide, 210,

aan

4

Rissa, 219,220.
¥ » (eee

brevirostris, 231.

brunnichii, 221.

cinerea, 221.

ss tridactyla, 221.

Round-crest, 191.
_ Rook,185.

_ Rusticola (Microptera) minor, 35.

Saddle-back, 227.
Sanderling, 55.

- Sandpeter, 247.
Sandpiper, Baird's, 48.

Bartram’s, 66.
Bonaparte’s, 47.
Buff-breasted, 68.
Knot, 42.

Least, 49.
Long-legged, 41.
Pectoral, 46.
Purple, 44.
Red-backed, 51.
Semipalmated, 53.
Solitary, 62.
Spotted, 64.

Stilt, 41.

Western, 54.
Wilson's, 49.
Wood, 62.

Sarcelle male de Cayenne, 181.
Sargento, 205.
Saw-bill, 188.

- Schytepoke,131*.
Scoldemore, 174.
Scolder, 174.
Scolopacide, 18,32.
Scolopacinag, 32,34.
Scolopax, 32.

alba, 107*, 108*.
arquata, 69.
borealis, 72.
delicata, 37.
douglasii, 37.
drummondi, 87.
fedoa, 57.
flavipes, 61.
gallinago, 37.
grisea, 33,39,
(Macrorhamphus) grisea, 39.
hamastica, 58.
hudsonica, 53.
Jeucurus, 87.
limosa, 56.
longirostris, 40.
major, 36.
melanoleuea, 59.
minor, 34.
noveboracensis, 39,
rubra, 107°.

INDEX.

Scolopax semipalmata, 64.
totanus, 59.
vociferus, 59.
wilsoni, 37.

Scooper, 74.

‘Scotchman, 170.

Scoter, American, 180.
American Black, 180.
Amerivan Velvet, 181.
Surf, 183.
White-winged, 181,

Sea-hen, 212.

Sea-robin, 189,

Sedge-hen, 90.

Sheldrake, 188.
Buff-breasted, 188.
Hooded, 191.
Pickaxe, 191.
Pond, 191.
Red-breasted, 189,
Swamp, 191. 2
Wood, 191.

Shore-birds, 18.

Shot-pouch, 185.

Shovel-bill, 151.

Shoveller, 151.

Shuffler, 162.

Bay, 162.
Ring-billed, 164.

Sickle-bill, 70.

Skinner, 55.

Skua, 212.

Buffon’s, 217.
Long-tailed, 217.
Pomarine, 214,

Skuas and Jaegers, 211.

Skunk-bill, 183.

Sleigh-bell Duck, 180.

Smee, 147.

Smees, 117.

Smethe, 147.

Smutty, 180.

Snake Bird, 207.

Snipe, 32,70.
American, 37.
Blind, 34.

English, 37.
Frost, 41.
Grass, 146,
Gray, 39.
Gutter, 37.
Jack, 46.
Meadow, 46.
Mud, 34.
Red-bellied, 40.
River, 67.
Robin, 42.
Rock, 44.
Sand,67.
Sickle-bill, 70.
Stone, 59.
White, 55,74.
Wilson's, 37.
Winter, 44.

4
+

280

Snipe, Wood, 62.
Yellow-leg, 61.
Snow], 191.
Snuff-taker, 183.
Somateria, 105,175,176.
dresseri, 177.
mollissima, 177.
mollissima borealis, 176.
mollissima dresseri, 177.
spectabilis, 178.
Sora, 93.
Soucrourou, 131.
South Southerly, 174.
Sowewies, 114*.
Spatula, 104, 150.
elypeata, 151.
Speckle-belly, 116,139.
Spike-tail, 13,147.
Spoonbill, 151.
Roseate, 103*.
Spoonbills, 102*.
and Ibises, 101*.
Sprig-tail, 147.
Squatarola, 22, 23.
helvetica, 23.
Squawk, 131*.
Squealer, 24,172.
Stake-driver, 138*.
Steganopodes, 193.
Steganopus, 77,79.
tricolor, 79,80.
wilsoni, 80.
Stercorariida, 210,211.
Stereorarius, 211,215.
buffoni, 217.
eatarractes, 212.
cepphus, 217.
erepidatus, 216.
longicaudatus, 217.
longicaudus, 213, 217.
parasiticus, 213, 216, 217.
pomarinus, 213,214.
pomatorhinus, 214.
ekua, 212.
(Buphagus) skua, 212.
Sterna, 220, 210, 244,
affinis, 239.
anzthetus, 241.
aranea, 238.
anglica, 238.

(Gelochelidon) anglica, 238,

antillarum, 241,247.
argentea, 247.

bergii, 243.

cantiaca, 240,245.

easpia, 240,211.
(Thalasseus) easpia, 241.

caspia var. imperator, 20.

easpica, 241.
eayana, 213.
eayennensis, 243.
cristata, 243.
dougalli, 241.

INDEX.

|
|

Sterna erythrorhynchus, 243.
fissipes, 2419.
fluviatilis, 246.
forsteri, 210,245.
frenata, 247.
fuliginosa, 240, 241.
galericulata, 243.
havelli, 245.
hirundo, 240, 244, 245, 246.
macrotarsa, 239,
major, 241.
maxima, 240, 243.
megarhynchos, 241.
minuta, 240,247.
nigra, 248, 249.
nilotica, 238.
paradisza, 240,241.
philadelphia, 235.
plumbea, 249.
regia, 241,243.
(Thalasseus) regia, 243.
risoria, 239.
sandvicensis, 243.
sandvicensis acuflavidus, 240.
senegalensis, 246.
superciliaris, 247.
superciliaris antillarum, 247.
surinamensis, 249.
tschegrava, 240,241.
wilsoni, 246.
Sternina, 219, 220, 238.
Sternula, 240, 241, 247.
antillarum, 247.
Stictocarbo, 202.
Stiff-tail, 185. "
Stile, 51.
White-tail, 47. a
Stilt, Black-necked, 76.
Storks and Wood Ibises, 113”.
Strepsilas, 20.
collaris, 20.
interpres, 20.
Striker, 245,246.
Gannet, 243.
Little, 247.
Stub-and-twist, 185.
Sulida, 193,194,
Swallow, Sea, 246.
Swan, American, 107,
Black, 103, 203.
Trumpeter, 106.
Whistling, 107.
Swans, 104,105.
Geese, and Ducks, 103.
Swimmers, Lameliirostral, 102.
Long- winged, 210.
Totipalmate, 193.
Sylbeocyelus, 264.
Sylochelidon, 240, 241.
balthiea, 241.
schillingii, 241.
strenuus, 241.
Symphemia, 33, 64.

_ Symphemia semipalmata, 64.
Tachybaptus, 258
‘Tadpole, 191.

0) nivea, 115.
“ean 114",
Tantalides, 109*, 113*.
-Tantaline, 113*.
Tantalops, 113*.
Tantalus, 113*.

alber, 108*.

albus, 108*,

bengalensis, 111*.

castaneus, 110*,
> ; coco, 108*.
es falcinellus, 109, 110*.
iS griseus, 108*.
rit , _ ichthyophagus, ne.
xa igneus, 110*.

Segtes 5 loculator, 113*, 114*.

r F< mexicanus, 110*.

Dy ’ : plumicollis, 114*,

viridis, 110*.
‘ arrock, 221.

oa Tatler, Bartramian, 66.

‘Leal, American Green-winged, 135.

r Blue-winged, 131.

)~ Cinnamon, 133.

b? Green-winged, 135.

Mud, 135.
P Red, 133.
uy Red-breasted, 183, 135.
“1 Scotch, 170.

/ Summer, 131.
White-faced, 131.
Winter, 135.

‘l saser, 216.

1 oll-tale, 59.

. arn, American Black, 249.
Black, 249.
Caspian, 241.
Common, 246.

r Forster's, 245

Gull-billed, 238
Havell’s, 245.

I» Least, 247.

Marsh. 238.

Royal, 243.

Short-tailed, 249.

Wilson's 246.

4 _ Terns, 220,238.

Tetrao albus, 10.

My bonasia, 7.

7 eupido, 11.
lagopus, 10.
phasianellus, 12,13.
saliceti, 10.
umbellus, 8.
virginianus, 15.

‘ Tetraonida, 3,6.
Tetraonine, 6.
Tetrastes, 7.
Thalasseus, 240,241,243.

caspius, 21.

imperator, 241,

—36

‘

INDEX.

Thalasseus regius, 243.
Thalassites melanotis, 241.
Thunder-pump, 138".
Tiltup, Pond, 62.
Tip-up, River, 67
Totanus, 33, 59.
bartramius, 66.
chloropygius, 62.
flavipes, 59, 61.
macularius, 67.
melanoleucus, 59.
semipalmatus, 64.

(Catoptrophorus) semipalmatus, t4

solitarius, 62,
vociferus, 59.

Tow-head, 191.

Tringa, 33, 42.
alpina, 51.
alpina var. americana, 51.
alpina pacifica, 51.
arenaria, 54, 55.
(Hemipalama) auduboni, 41.
autumnalis, 110*.
bairdii, 48.
bartramia, 66.
(Euliga) bartramia, 66,
bonapartei, 45, 47.
canutus, 42,
cinclus, 51.
cinerea, 42.
douglasii, 41.
(Hemipalama) douglasii, sty
ferruginea. 51.
fulicaria, 77.
fuscicollis, 45, 47.
helvetica, 23
hiaticula, 29
himantopus, 40.
(Hemipalama) himantopus, 41.
hyperborea, 78.
hypoleuca, 67.
interpres, 20.
islandica, 42.
lobata, 78, 79.
longicauda, 65, 66,
macularia, 67.
maculata, 46,
maritima, 43, 44.
minuta, 45,
minutilla, 49.
morinellus, 20.
ochropus, 62.
pectoralis, 46,
pusilla, 49, 52, 53,
rufa, 42.
rufescens, 68.
schinzii, 47.
sermipalmata, 53.
(Heteropoda) semipalmata, 53,
solitaria, 62.
squatarola, 23
subruficollis, 68.
temmincki, 45,
wilsonii, 49,

i

282

Tringine, 32, 38.
Tryngites, 34, 68.
rufescens, 68,
subruficollis, 68,
Tringoides, 67
macularius, 67.
Turkey, Colorado, 114.*
Water, 207,
Wild, 5.
Turkeys, 3.
Turnstone, 20.
Turnstones, 20,
Tympanuchus, 7, 11.
americanus, 11.
pallidicinectus, 11.

Undina, 184.

Uria, 202.

Urile, 202.

Urinator, 252.
adamsii, 252.

arcticus, 253, 255, 256.

imber, 252, 253, 256.

lumme, 253, 256.

pacificus, 253.
Urinatoride, 251, 252.

Vanellus, 22.

Walloon, 258.
Wamp, 177.

Water Witch, 264.
Water-belcher, 138.*
Wavey, 114.

INDEX.

Wavey, Blue, 110.
Common, 114.
Whip-tail, 217.
Whistle-wing, 166, -
Whistler, 166, —
White-back, 159. :
White-belly, 143.
White-face, 131. ; 7
White-head, 110.
Widgeon, 141.
American, 143, F
European, 141. ,
Gray, 139.
Green-headed, 143. &
Red-headed, 141.
Wood, 153. iy
Wigeon, 141. ;
Willet, 64.
Woodcock, American, 34,
Wool-head, 170.

Xema, 220, 237. ’ ‘I
collaris, 237. :
sabinii, 237. : ‘

Yellow-bill, 180.

Yellow-legs, 61.
Big, 59.
Greater, 59.

Yelper, 59, 74.

Zambullidor de pico delgado, 262.
de pico grueso, 264. .

Meleagris gallopavo.

Bonasa umbellus.

UNIVERSIYY ne Qi shi

Lagopus lagopus. (Winter plumage.)

Tympanuchus americanus.

Pediocaetes phasianelius campestris.

wee ou
: t We
aurvensit OF nines

Ill

Colinus virginianus.

Charadrius (Sqautarola) squatarola.

Charadrius dominicus.

/Eegvalitis semipalmata,

Mgialitis (Oxrvechus) vocifera,

4
¢

Philohela minor.

Gallinago delicata,

—

yee Laat

«
garrersnct © we

VI

Tringa canutus.

Tringa (Pelidna) alpina pacifica.

Ereunetes pusillus.

Calidris arenaria.

Tolanus (Helodromas) solitarius,

IX

Wh “ 5" ; > aL
j J ‘ : = 3 ; BES
Totanus nebularius.
——— : a —————__ ——
4 a
y By Q<>> :
Y i SS 7 : =.
re a hat . \

«i

Simplhemia semipalmata.

ait

mt: Ly

Ven. ee
FERS fr

Bartramia longicauda.

Actitis macularia. ‘ 5 aS

Tryngites subruficollis.

XI

Recurvirostra americana.

———

XII

5 ME J

| et
a3)

| Rf
| 7 Nit

1 Se :
lf a Phalaropus lobatus.
A

Numenius borealis. Orymophilus fulicarius.

XII

4‘ J ea -
ky dips 3 .
Phalaropus (Steganopus) tricolor.

LS

— ee _—_ /
= |

oz ae
~

|
— SC

=
wo

x

Fulica americana,

XIV

Gallinula galeata.

Rallus virginianus,

Ionornis marlinica.

XV

Porzana carolina.

Porzana (Creciscus) jamaicensis.

Grus americana,

sy)

XVI

Grus americana.

Ajaja ajaja,

Ardea herodias.

Tantalus loeulator.

yes 2 RU
Of ine
URIVERSITY OF disaca

Ardea (Herodias) egretta.

Ardea (Dichromanassa) rufescens.

a = ee
)*»
Ardea (Florida) cwrulea.

Ardea (Butorides) virescens.

Nycticorax nycticoraz navius.

eS

Nucticoraz (Nyctherodius) violaceus.

WES Onur
OF Tie
WHVERSTYY OF fs yarae

XXI

Botaurus lentiginosus.

TRE 2m lity
7

UNIVERSHY OF py heius

Botaurus lentiginosus.

Botaurus (Ardetta) exilis.

eetiae

iy oa Ve oe, => a

Basser, shige oy Pa
Ba 1? © = trai, (

Peg
fe
tt
estes
Sen
wo Pal
&
. r
|
7
ra
4
.
s,
=
” Wong y — ‘ re
See, ~~

Olor columbianus.

THE 2
et 3
OHIYERSITY OF ILURGS

Chen hyperborea.

XXIII

Anser albifrons gambeli.

— Lee
aD.
— e,

Anas boschas.

XXIV

Anas (Nettion) carolinensis.

Anas (Mareca) americana,

Spatula clypeata, Dafila acuta,

'

Aythua (Fuligula) maria.

Glaucioneltla clangula americana.

a?

XXvVI

ie
y hall My
OS N/A 7

Somateria (Erionetta) spectabilis.

te

=A\
sete tutte wtih tip

win ES
Gent

Oidemia (Melanitta) deglandi.

Olangula hyemalis.

Aj

XXVII

| Oidemia nigra, female. Videmia americana, female.

pts eittrttw )

go

ee = noe ee ft
MNT MTF ATI NTI INT TION
FI; RTT

= awa
x ee
i — ,

Oidemia (Pelionetta) perspicillata.

te eT EULL EUS TET)
—~ =

Erismatura rubida.

: ae

a / ae
C—O. my,

Oidemia americana, Lophodytes cucullatus.

XXVIII

Merganser americanus.

Pelecanus (Cyrltopelicanus) erythrorhynchos.

Ss
Pelecanus (Leptopelicanus) fuscus.

S

Megaiestris skua,

Stercorarius parasiticus

Anhinga anhinga.

Larus marinus,

Rissa tridactyla,

Xema sabinii,

Gelochelidon nilotica.

XXXI

Sterna (Thalasseus} tschegravtu.

Sterna (Actochelidon) marima.

. 2.

7» ~
am en a fee ore

XXXII

] ! /
; / j | /
Rar
ANE a

Podilymbus podiceps.

Colgmbus (Dytes) californicus,

ed
AS or
Se -
SSS

Urinator arclicus.

ian j itn t ;
y ire T< par { u “ie .
\ 7 ‘ er 4 One }
i A : he ot
* A oon
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