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Pinte lsh editents Nad tye tans Pee ee tad atett igihD PARRA Hine genes na cranny ket haa dgtedsbchgbedc uid ores anh Ha''t ileal) BRE Sea sadilaa ilo tads ti Perey] Elhopi AHA AG bane pala Paid hanent tt pres Arta dstasitabes [tials t chit Tp teti nat) Trikokpard hae ior toh to i ath ira nag oh ade He Fistweatedntiisn te ageed anes He in seeneate njwvens Ni teat shard rasa SEEM Ap eakt iene H i Eyal ein sr aeane ASE a et Se diey Ale Beene nei of ae Gur AYAT STEN MH nan a A \ AY i Ful Bha bel tady sodas onvay ber, that Bea eatir Ee tera ayfig a erences ayia ra Putt teat bababant eae Fpadel aie oH he sti Lhe ata alii ait Ratt i Hie H Bi Hag thre A} tt iat ve att ont pint Nias ites hewey ai OBS scat H Fiansheb abo Mae rood poly é) ish iat Ghtreb tay ae Hin ahallsettay Vy bitte fs A Hany MOM} eed be Hakelsy ne oy yb a fs aagisheyis te Sonn ea gate hit ie Ms ate ty ie pages i AMES EMU TTT Haare aah a iis ruta aly lb se electron be eet at fy Te vad ogy eel ay Fey Prasat ye NERA aan ie) ye iy Malattie (OITA OTA) Walaa nesses et cvs bulls HUET Deas et 14 fe yb bess su sagt anthem oe tae LM jive hit tee rte Ri deunea te ‘\ fan hy Hi a peala la Le Pea ts it mi sy . ia si tin aman ep) 8 ay ra bh hh La tec ayes at edt te wat! 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AGN at Hi a te20 8B aAATA ical (Cepeda hati tity i THe atte Perit TRON CR oe ea i Reet PF Rati tec ieettad raat WAL Ewes | oN re tu y as ‘ie Aa ty Pa yhnae he 1 eal et HE i eat Sarva ate atiniea ra th Wa Baers tape Uap et pies i Bi PASH at TREE weg iy VS awh Heit a ag Ate eanpout Cute rit Vale raagey AN any vied aa " My Pra TE See aL Ma ML Hora a k cberyiredt NEB AAS HA be Rete bet vu fs ais ate Igeiheatteete te an enya OC si Haid Rey ipa beh Tous ME ee nny RAH H} i Ry sl at Hh ae ESN a Haag ane en Ea an EE Ha eat Her cERIRMTR ARMA PENS nN i Gi eletildts 4} Let! ine nth Hi “oe iis Fahtesate tah Lee AHR A Aritan iri aH i hada RTE Pn aun Sulasiiay cule age emehen sts "i hel yw i i fat Hes an St et He Aaah HN Rhee PU aaa eean nh peat Hteatite fi Cee rar asiey es ier at Aguas WEY ter ty Loon suas ta eden PALIN TEE TEAS USW ND enod o4 op toh i iat i eh iy wheat aaah ith any {i nat Reinert nile (hee an a ‘ i reat hy ita ? 5 i ¢ tentten ete PECL RITUIOR MRI RTT ‘ is) PEASY A AARON ty PARRA LHR ERT Et nae ten al aint se HANAN 5} sie ete dita te ACen Paya | SENT EU tTh rt ahh Hatt patent Harley MT ROR AD “ PO We Ha gene tia eee + ee ed Aral EA Rat are Utter Hy Wola tate Hag ; rests PRR wanes HARRI tates’, Sa Lay ie Ta nist aH pit, HH Ee ANE in Th bred ink eat EN dade itera HMA ii Mi “ne i “ie vata fa LA SG aetna ha atasett aa mine bao NoMa pM Meret SYA ttt : ae Aral uanetdd erty mit a eedarenth achat tats) au | Wd aieeeass seat AYR PAA Leet tHE RE SARA DUI PRR aS a RH iat FTE ee ah a ancrdsbeil tay aa we ARRAS varanasi i ils uth tis 4 mat Se IN ath nt eit Maiay Atha x! Pree arse Wt i al Aenea as HN 4 Ta iatank iD Oath COL Up MenrYAaTT R eo T ah Ahr ie la sana TE AAA yy Tn ene Wat wel Ain th ig aN red tb an siete Baa fetid ‘haat si aia RAIN tee teat Si sistat Hn iy SUS ett SRO HnNES a NA TRAM RAD Riis aug ee ‘4 ab eis cal eer ARERR AN LAN Poin Hy PS Hi I rt re itis Age Ao ret Re tence tenet ea Thaeea aera laia ye vA Ptah M41 ida tad { } i ibe etter oh vty saaitp tis tard a siRNetree BAY tA ty Bia ah Naas wr “se igenaessnn tena) Patani tat sy adios tisate need i Se Net gee rtsa ng aad at SUD LeU ARS wa a SA PE ARE RAN Late dt Ti Tyas sae wh ft TPS eM A DAL rca igeeteaniey a ts iti TI rodiepryd tees segresdy tata ina en Re ea ni! CUI a Nh We ate a Ht ANTALIS HN HIRES yatta us tali Taare Qo ae iy He nELK Tales sal sinvaisnceentare Roget HNC a Tae * ASA CAAT yt SA AEM ATHY us wc TT pice it i HI Ee Perey iin we bre Pay i ay sd aie Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2011 with funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/ourlivingworldarO2wood 7 . PART 14 | COMPLETE IN 42 PARTS. 50 CENTS. Fea ms 6 Our Living Warld: DY, Ad Tis to TiON OF THE Ray. J. Go. VVOOD'S NeatuRAL HISTORY. OF ANIMATE CREATION. REVISED AND ADAPTED TO SAM eT CAL: ZOOLOGY, JOSEPH B. HOLDER, MD., Fellow of the New York cader of Sei s; Member of the Soc ociety of Naturalists, #. U. 8 ; Member ae erican Orr Riholagiats ee Curator of Vertebrate Zoolo immer Juseum of Natural History, Central Park, Ne ew York, FULLY ILLUSTRATED WITH SCIENTIFIC ACCURACY, VOL. II. NEW YORK; SEUMAR HES s, i d ®) ELECTROTYPED BY oS, “He Sara 4 McDoucat ZB NEW YO RK —— 1 OS ee COPYRIGHT, 1685, BY SELMAR HEss. HI C22030 0-0 ——+_—— oe ke) ie Cr Re RS awl ‘BP PRINTED BY .d z h wy 8 D. G.F. CLASS, od S\~ sew york Se a Dyas) ZOISSS yy UA TEER EX CA 1 AO. y INO i, S IN the first volume, which relates to the Mammafia, this, the second volume, contains a ‘**Compendium of Generic Distinctions,” by the use of which the classification and nomenclature of the birds of the world can be understood. A general definition is given, showing what a bird is as distinguished from f other classes of animals. This explanation is in terms principally implying facts, and is therefore good for all time; though some modification of the language is even now admissible. For example, the sentence ‘t Mouth modified into a horny beak without teeth,” must now read ‘* Mouth modified into a horny beak, which in living species has, no teeth ; some extinct forms being provided with true teeth.” Prof. Marsh’s notable discovery of the latter, thus presents an additional character which must enter into the estimate of wat constitutes a bird. The fossil Moas, those great birds from New Zealand, skeletons of which measure fifteen feet in one species, have no wings, the hind limbs being so largely developed, organs of flight are wholly unnecessary. As the Science of Ornithology stood a quarter of a century since the author’s Com- pendium represented the then accepted classification. But many changes have been found necessary from the rapid development of the science witnessed, especially during the last decade. As our supervision relates to the species found in North America, we have adopted the classification which has the approval of American Ornithologists, that embraced by the Bulletin of the Smithsonian Institution, prepared by Mr. Ridgway, and entitled : ‘‘ Nomen- clature of North American Birds.” We would here return sincere thanks for the courtesy often in past years extended to us Vou. II. ill lV PREFATORY NOTE. by the honored Chief of the Smithsonian Institution, and especially now for the privilege of presenting Mr. Ridgway’s valuable paper. The names of Audubon, Wilson, Nuttall, as well as of several ornithologists of the present time, will appear frequently in our pages, as their works are for all time. The descriptive text of Audubon and Wilson is classic to the lovers of Nature. Since these pioneers in American ornithology ranged the woodlands and sea shores of North America, many birds have been added to our Avifauna. Without naming individ- uals, we may express the opinion that some of the later literature touching newly dis- covered birds on the Western plains and mountains quite equals the charming productions that have given those early writers such prominence. d..5. Hi. Vou. IT CON LUNs. PAGE INTRODUCTION. Order ACCIPITRES; or BIRDS OF PREY. 11 Sub-Order ACCIPITRES DruRNI; OR DruRNAL Birps OF PREY. Family Vuiturw£ ; Sub-Family GyP&#TINz: Lammergeyer—Gypaetus barbatus........+0.000.0. 11 Sub-Family SaRCORHAMPHINZ ; FLESH-BEAKED VULTURES 12 Condor—Sarcorhamphus gryphus..... 06.06 e cee e ees 12 Black Vulture—Catharista iota, or atrata.......... ai Sub-Family VULTURINE ; TRUE VULTURES............00005 21 Arabian Vulture— Vultur monachus........+00-0-08 21 Sociable Vulture—Ologyps auricularis........++.08+ 22 Fulvous, or Griffin Vulture—Gyps fulvus..........- 24 Egyptian Vulture—Neophron perenopterus........+. 26 Family Faucoxiv& ; Sub-Family AQUALINE®; EaGurs.... 27 Golden Eagle—Aquila chrysaetos.........40020005 28 Martial Eagle—Spizaetus bellicosus..... rere miatayere ale 33 Laughing Falcon—Herpetotheres cachinnans........ 33 Jean Le Blane Eagle—Circaetus gallicus...... ..... 34 Crested, or Harpy Eagle—Thrasaetus harpyda...... 34 Brazilian Eagle, or Urubitinga—Morphnusurubitinga 36 Osprey—Pandion haliaetus........ 00.0 .0cee cece eee 36 Cinereous, or Sea Eagle—Haliaetus albicilla........ 39 Sub-Family POLYBORIN A000. cs ccecdeeas yee we sso nedeeace 44 Red-Throated Faleon—Ibycter americanus .......-. 44 Southern Caracara—Milvago australis.............- 45 Brazilian Kite—Polyborus braziliensis ........++00- 45 Sub-Family BUTEONIN® : Buzzard—-DuUlea Vulgaris acacis smiteeus cs 391 Gray Parrot—Psittacus erythacus......--+sseseeeeee 391 Festive Green Parrot—Chrysotis festivus.......+..4. B94 Swindern’s Love-Bird—Psitlacula swinderniana,.... 396 Sub-Family CacutTuin& ; COCKATOOS,...-.-...+--2+eeeee-- 396 Goliath Aratoo—Microglossus aterrimus........++4.+ 396 Great White Cockatoo—Cacatua cristata, or Plictolo- DUG HTIOIICORTSIS oa Wateets Memreree ac cis (arc oe erica e 398 Philip Island Parrot—Nestor productus...........-- 400 Helmet Cockatoo—Calyplorrhynchus galeatus....... 403 Owl Parrot—Stringops habroptilus Pesquet’s Dasyptilus—Dasyptius Presquetti........ 405 Family Picto®; Woovprckers ; Sub-Family CaPItoNiIn 4; Gen ETS een teak ee ae hc ee . 406 Hair-Breasted Burbet— Leadon hirsutus.........- 406 Sub-Family PICUMNINE ; PICULETS ........---.+esesseeeee 407 Pigmy Piculet—Picumnus minutus.........+.0++++- 407 Sub-Family Prcixm ; TRuE WOODPECKERS.........-..-..- 408 Great Spotted Woodpecker—Picus major .. 408 Ivory-Billed Woodpecker—Campephilus princ Sonn . 411 Sub-Family GECININE ; GREEN WOODPECKERS........-..- 415 Green Woodpecker—Gecinus (or Picus) viridis...... 415 Sub-Family MALANERPINE ; BLACK WOODPECKERS : Red-Headed Woodpecker—Melanerpes (or Picus) & erythrocephalus.......... 2s eevee cere eee e ee 418 Sub-Family COLAPTIN® ; GROUND WOODPECKERS........-. 419 Gold-Winged Woodpecker—Colaptes auratus,...... 419 Sub-Family YUNCINE: Wryneck—Jynx torquilla ...... 0... .ees eee e cence es 421 Family Cucutin#® ; Cuckoos ; Sub-Family IxpicaTortn©. 423 Great Honey Guide—Indicator major.........-+.... 423 Sub-Family SAUROTHERINE ; GROUND CUCKOOS.........--- 425 Rain-Bird—Saurothera vetula.... 1.2... .0 cece eeeee 425 Sub-Family Coccyz1n® ; LaRK-HEELED CUCKOOS........- 426 Pheasant Cuckoo—Centropus phasianus .....+++++++ 426 Yellow-Billed American Cuckoo—Coccygus amert- CONUS. fi. crseia «5 vind Syoie. set \6a ie ao: 4:5 10°86 %.6. 6 ele we wo 8le 427 Sub-Family CROTOPHAGIN&? Savannah Blackbird—Crotophaga ant......++++++++ 428 Channel-Bill—Scythrops nove hollandiw......--.++- 430 Sub-Family CucuLIn® ; TRUE CUCKOOS....-.-..++++++++- 431 Cuckoo—Cuculus canorus..... iceeuaecvaan SOM Order COLUMB; DOVES anv PIGEONS.......-.---- 435 viil CONTENTS. Family CotumBip® ; Sub-Family CoLuMBIN®: PAGE Oceanic Fruit Pigeon—Curpophaga oceanica,..... ++ 435 Passenger Pigeon—clopistes nugratorius..... 456 Stock Dove—Columba aenas........ Top-Knot Pigeon—Lopholaimus antarctic Turtle-Dove—Turtur vulgaris. ........0.0204% Sub-Family GOuRIy.& : Crested Pigeon—Ocyphaps (or Phaps) lophotes....... 448 Bronze-W ing Pigeon—Phaps chaleaplera,.. 2... 66.5 449 Wanga-Wonga Pigeon—Leucosarcia picata...... 450 Nicob: ar Pige son—Calenas nicobaricd........-...4.. 450 Crowned Pigeon—Gaura (or Columba) coronata..... 451 Sub-Family DipuNCULIN.E: Tooth-Billed Pi Sub- Family II DIN a closest eo oi so aseeiee eee im oroieieress Dodo—Didus inepltus........... eremiaceitt eee Sinaia Seon Order GALLIN 2; tox POULTRY....... syonatenaba ene shot .. £00 Family Cracip.% ; Sub-Family CRACINE: Crested Curassow—Cra.t alector. . . Mesetsee 400. Family MrGapovip-® 3 Sub-Family MEGAPODIN. Australian Jungle Fowl—Megapodius tunulus ..... 457 Leipo: a—Leipou ¢ OCELEEC = rajera nc. ebive,< oie cia sisson pact te tifs) Sub-Family TALLEGALLIN-E: Brush Turkey— Tallegalla lathami........ 206000004 459 Family Puastantp.2 3 Sub-Family Pavontn.x ; Peacocks... 462 Peacock _ Pawo (CUISLOUUS: ote trate a2 oo tin aio eee 462 Crested Peacc Pheasant—Polyplectron i states 46. Sub-Fanaly PHASIANIN.E 3 PHEASANTS. 464 Argus Pheasant— peel 1F "| en ee . Klecho Swallow... -.....2 \ Nit in Wi 7 TURKEY BUZZARD.—Cathartes aura. yards with its wings raised at a decided angle with the body. The two species never company with each other, nor is the Turkey Buzzard found so familiarly associated with man and his habitation as its darker relation. The nest of the Turkey Buzzard is a very inartistical affair, consisting merely of some suitable hollow tree or decayed log, in which there may be a depression of sufficient depth to contain the eggs. In this simple cradle the female deposits from two to four eggs, which are of a dull cream-white, blotched with irregular chocolate splashes, which seem to congregate towards the largest end. The young birds are covered with a plentiful supply of white down, and look clean and inviting to the touch. Their motto may, however, be similar to that of the Seotch thistle, ‘‘ Nemo me impune lacesserit,”’ for at the slightest aggressive touch they will disgorge over the offender the putrid animal substanees with which they have been fed, and work sad woe to his hands and garments. May is usually the month in whieh the young Turkey Buzzards are hatehed. The adult Turkey Buzzard is rather a large bird, measuring two feet six inches in length, and six feet ten inches across the expanded wings. The weight is about five pounds. The THE ARABIAN VULTURE. 21 general color of the plumage is black, mingled with brown, the secondaries being slightly tipped with white, and a few of the coverts edged with the same tint. On the neck, the back, the shoulders, and the scapularies, the black hue is shot with bronze, green and purple. Be- neath the thick plumage is a light coating of soft white down, which apparently serves to preserve the creature at a proper temperature. The bare skin of the neck is not as wrinkled as in the zopilote, and the feathers make a complete ring round the neck. There is but little difference in the plumage of the two sexes, but the bill of the male is pure white. The Turkey Buzzard has a larger range than the other species. Its true habitat seems to be near the tropical line, but in summer it extends to the British Provinces of North America. It rarely, however, ventures eastward into the New England States. _K TLHRMA BGT. X2- COMMON ARABIAN VULTURE.—Vultur monachus. Burrough’s Vulture is the smallest of the tribe. Its habitat is on the Mexican Gulf, and Pacifie side, and Lower California. WE now arrive at the true Vultures, the first of which is the common ARABIAN VULTURE, a bird which is spread over a large portion of the globe, being found in various parts of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is a large bird, measuring nearly four feet in length, and the expansion of its wings being proportionately wide. The general color of this species is a chocolate brown, the naked portions of the neck and head are of a bluish hue, and it is specially notable for a tuft of long soft feathers which spring from the insertion of the wings. In spite of its large size and great muscular powers, the Arabian Vulture is nota dangerous neighbor even to the farmer, for unless it is pressed by severe hunger, it seems rather to have a dread of living animals, and 99 THE SOCIABLE VULTURE. contents itself by feeding on any carrion which may come in its way. Sometimes, however, after a protracted fast, its fears are overruled by its hunger, and the bird makes a raid upon the sheepfolds or the goat-flocks, in the hope of carrying off a tender lamb or kid. In these illegal excursions the bird often pays the penalty of its transgression with its life, being too hungry to be watehful, and easily shot. Hares and other small animals also fall vietims to the starving Vulture, and it is said that even deer are slain by the united efforts of a pair of these birds. GROUP OF TRUE VULTURES. The usnal haunts of this species are situated on the mountain tops, and the bird does not descend into the valleys except when pressed by hunger. The specific title of monachus or Monk has been given to this species on account of the hood-like ruff around its neck, which is thought to bear a fanciful resemblance to the hood of a monk. THe name of Soctante Vurrurr, which has been bestowed npon the bird now to be described, is supposed to be founded upon an error of observation. Le Vaillant, who has given a somewhat detailed description of this species, found several of the nests in close proximity, and supposed from that circumstance that this Vulture was a gregarious bird. It seems, however, from more recent observation, that the proximity of these nests was merely accidental, and that although several nests may have been found near each other, they were not all inhabited simultaneously. Tt is the habit of many birds to build anew nest close to a deserted one, and such seems to have been the ease with the Sociable Vulture. In their character they are anything but social, for it is but seldom that more than three or four of these birds can be seen together, and even in that case they are drawn together THE PONDICHERRY VULTURE. 23 not by any feeling of community, but by the attraction of a dead animal on which they are glad to feed, whether in company or alone. The Sociable Vulture is a handsome and a large bird. Its length is about four feet, and the measurement of its expanded wings is rather more than ten feet. The general color of its feathers is black-brown, from which circumstance it is called by the colonists the Black Car- rion Bird. The ruff is nearly black, and the feathers of the chest and abdomen are remark- able for their length and narrowness. The naked parts of the head and neck are red, and the skin of the sides of the face droops in folds down the neck. This bird is a native of Southern PONDICHERRY VULTURE.—Vultur calvus. Africa, and by the Hottentots is called T’Ghaip, the *‘T’’ representing one of those strange clicking sounds which play so important a part in the Hottentot language. A FINE example of the genus Otogyps is also found in the PonprcHEerRY VULTURE, a bird which, as its name implies, is an inhabitant of India. This is not quite so large a bird as the preceding, its length scarcely exceeding three feet. The generic term, Otogyps, which is given to this species and to the sociable Vultures, is of Greek origin, denoting Eared Vulture, and alludes to the folds of skin which arise below the ears and fall for some inches along the sides of the neck. The word ‘‘calvus”’ is Latin, and signifies bald, in allusion to the featherless condition of the flat and broad head of the Pondi- cherry Vulture. It is a tolerably common bird, but is never seen in great numbers together, as it is not at all sociable in its habits, and associates only in pairs. The general color of the plumage is a blackish-brown, the naked portions of the head and neck are flesh-colored, and the chest is remarkable for a bunch or tuft of white downy feathers, which marks the position of the crop. 24 THE FULVOUS, OR GRIFFIN VULTURE. THe Futvous, or Grirrin Vuurure, is one of the most familiar of these useful birds, being spread widely over nearly the whole of the Old World, and found in very many portions of Europe, Asia, and Africa. It is one of the large Vultures, measuring four feet in length, and its expanse of wing being exceedingly wide. Like many of its relations, it is a high-roving bird, loving to rise out of the ken of ordinary eyes, and from that vast elevation to view the panorama which lies beneath its gaze ; not, however, for the purpose of admiring the beauty of the prospect, but for the more sensual object of seeking for food. Whenever it has discovered a dead or dying animal. the Vulture takes its stand on some adjoining tree or rock, and there patiently awaits FULVOUS, OR GRIFFIN VULTURE.—Gyps fidvus. the time when decomposition shall render the skin sufficiently soft to permit the entrance of the eager beak. As soon as its olfactory organs tell of that desired change, the Vulture descends upon its prey, and will not retire until it is so gorged with food that it can hardly stir. Tf it be suddenly attacked while in this condition, it can easily be overtaken and killed ; but if a pause of a few minutes only be allowed, the bird ejects by a spasmodic effort the load of food which it has taken into its interior, and is then ready for flight. A controversy has long raged concerning the manner in which the Vulture obtains knowl- edge of the presence of food. Some naturalists assert that the wonderful powers of food- finding which are possessed by the Vulture are owing wholly to the eyes, while others as warmly attribute to the nose this curious capability. Others again, desirous of steering a middle course, believe that the eyes and the nostrils give equal aid in this never-ending duty of finding food, and many experiments have been made with a view to extracting the real THE ALPINE, OR EGYPTIAN VULTURE. 25 truth of the matter. The foliowing account has been kindly transmitted to me by Captain Drayson, who has already contributed much original information to the present work. ‘‘Having shot an ourebi early in the morning, and when about three miles from home, I was not desirous of carrying the animal behind my saddle during the day’s shooting, and I therefore sought for some method of concealment by which to preserve the dead quarry from jackals and Vultures. An ant-bear’s hole offered a very convenient hiding-place, into which the buck was pushed, and the carcase was covered over with some grass cut for the purpose. As usual in South Africa, there were some Vultures wheeling round. at an enormous height above the horizon ; these I believed would soon come down and push aside the grass and tear off the most assailable parts of the buck. There was, however, no better means of protection, so I left the animal and rode away. When at about a quarter of a mile from the ant-beav’s hole, I thought that it might be interesting to watch how the Vultures would approach and commence operations, so I ‘ off-saddled,’ and kept watch. ** After about half an hour, I saw a Vulture coming down from the sky, followed by two or three others. They came down to the spot where the buck had been killed, and flew past this. They then returned, and again overshot the mark. After circling several times within a radius of four hundred yards, they flew away. Other Vultures then came and performed similar manceuvres, but not one appeared to Know where the buck was concealed. I then rode off to a greater distance, but the same results occurred. ‘* Tn the evening I returned for my buck, which, however, was totally useless in consequence of the intense heat of the sun, but which had not been touched by the Vultures.” Whatever may be the general opinion of the scientific world upon this subject, I cannot but think that we shall not discern the true cause of this food-discovering power in the optic or nasal nerve, or indeed in any material structure whatever. It appears to be simply due to that wonderful intuitive teaching which we popularly call instinct, and which, if rightly examined, will most surely prove a key to many mysteries at present unsolved. The color of the Fulvous Vulture is a yellowish-brown over the greater part of the body. The quill feathers of the tail and wings are nearly black, the ruff surrounding the base of the neck is composed of long and delicately white slender feathers, and the head and neck are sparingly clothed with short white down. In its native state the Fulvous Vulture assumes some very curious attitudes, and has the power of altering the contour of its body so completely that it would hardly be recognized as the same bird. At one time it sits upon the branch of a tree in a heavy, indolent manner, its neck hidden in the ruff, and the head just projecting from the feathers. At another time it will be full of life and animation, pacing round the carcase of some animal, tugging furiously at the skin, and snapping fiercely at its companions if they should approach too closely. One remarkable attitude which it is fond of assuming is rather difficult to describe, but has so strange and weird-like an aspect, that it is deserving of mention. While sitting on the ground, the Vulture thrusts its legs well to the front, and instead of resting upon the feet, holds them up in the air and sustains the weight of its body upon the tail and ankle-bones. Thus supported, it seems quite at its ease, and reclines with half-spread wings, as if thor- oughly enjoying its repose. Like others of its tribe, the Fulvous Vulture, when satiated with food, will retire to a neighboring tree-branch, and sit listlessly with hanging wings, as if to rid its feathers of the putrid animal substance on which it has been feeding. It is very probable that the bird may receive great aid from the yellow feather-dust which is so copiously poured from the short and open quills that are found so abundantly upon this and other similar birds, and that by means of quiet repose, aided by the fresh air and a few hearty shakes, the bird may be able to throw off the powder and the putrefaction together. THE ALPINE, or EGyprrAN VULTURE, is, as its name imports, an inhabitant of Egypt and Southern Europe. It is also found in many parts of Asia. The general color of the adult bird is nearly white, with the exception of the quill feathers of the wing, which are dark brown. The face, bill, and legs are bright vellow, so that the Vou. I.—. 26 THE ALPINE, OR EGYPTIAN VULTURE. aspect of the bird is sufficiently curious. The sexes are clothed alike when adult. On account of the color of its plumage, the Keyptian Vulture is popularly termed the Wiuire Crow by the Dutch colonists, and AkBoBpaAs, or White Father, by the Turks. It is also familiarly known by the name of Praraonw’s CHICKEN, because it is so frequently repre- sented in the hieroglyphieal inseriptions of Egypt. When young, the color of its plumage is a chocolate brown, the neck and shoulders are covered with gray-tipped feathers, and the beak and feet are a very dull ochry yellow. The white plumage of the adult state is not attained until the bird has completed its third year. As is the case with the Vultures in general, the Egyptian Vulture is protected from injury by the strictest laws, a heavy == penalty being laid upon any one === who should wilfully destroy one of these useful birds. Secure under its human protection, the bird walks fearlessly about the streets of its native land, perches upon the houses, and, in com- mon with the pariah dogs, soon clears away any refuse sub- stances that are thrown into the open streets in those evil-smell- ing and undrained localities. This bird will eat almost any- thing which is not too hard for its beak, and renders great ser- vice to the husbandman by de- vouring myriads of lizards, rats, and mice, which would render all cultivation useless were not their numbers kept within limits by the exertion of this useful Vulture. It has been also seen to feed on the nara, a rough, water-bearing melon, in) com- mon with cats, leopards, mice, ostriches, and many other crea- tures. The eges of the ostrich are said to be a favorite food with the Egyptian Vulture, who is unable to break their strong shells with his beak, but attains his object by carrying a great pebble into the air, and letting it drop upon the eggs. The wings of this species are extremely long in proportion to the size of the bird, and the lofty soaring flight is peculiarly graceful. It is but a small bird in comparison with many of those which have already been mentioned, being not much larger than the common rook of Europe. The nest of the Egyptian Vulture is made upon the shelf or in the cleft of a lofty rock, and the gray-white eggs are three or four in number. It is a curious fact, that during the season of reproduction the male bird slightly changes his aspect, the yellow bill becoming orange, and retaining that tint until the breeding season is over. Like many rapacious ani- mals and birds, the Egyptian Vulture does not disdain to feed on insects, and has been observed in the aet of following a plonghman along his furrows, picking up the worms and grubs after the fashion of the common rook, EGYPTIAN VULTURE.—WNeophron perenopterus. EAGLES. 2 “I PAG Las: Next in order to the vultures, are placed the splendid birds which are so familiar to us under the general title of EAGLES, and which form the first group of the great family Falconidee, which includes the Eagles, falcons, and hawks. In common with the Vulturide, the whole of the Falconidee are diurnal birds, and are therefore classed into one large order, termed Accipitres Diurni. All the Falconidee possess powerful hooked beaks, not running straight for some distance, and then suddenly curved, as in the vultures, but nearly always bent in a curve from the very base. The head and neck are covered with plumage, and above the eyes the feathers are so thick and projecting, that they form a kind of roof or shade, under which the eye is situated and effectually sheltered from the bright rays of the noontide sun, There is often a tooth-like projection in the upper mandible, and the nostrils are placed within the cere. The females are always larger and more powerful than their mates, and the color of both sexes is very variable, according to the age of the individual. The preceding characteristics are common to the entire family of Faleconidee, and the true Eagles may be distinguished by the following additional particulars: The beak is remarkably powerful, and for a short distance from the base is nearly straight; when the mouth is open, the edges of the upper mandible are seen to be slightly wavy, something like the eut edges of an indenture. The tail is of no very great length, but strong and rigid, and the legs are feathered down to the toes. Upwards of forty species have been placed in this genus ; but as many of them present characteristics which admit of a further subdivision, they have been erouped together in certain sub-genera, for the purpose of attaining greater perspicuity. The whole of the Falconidee are eminently destructive birds, gaining their subsistence chiefly by the chase, seldom feeding on carrion except when pressed by hunger, or when the dead animal has only recently been killed. Herein they form a complete contrast to the vul- tures, whose usual food is putrifying carrion, and fresh meat the exception. Destructive though they may be, they are by no means cruel, neither do they inflict needless pain on the object of their pursuit. Like the lion and other carnivorous animals, they certainly carry out the great principle for which they were made, and which has already been mentioned in Volume I. They are not cruel birds, for although they deprive many birds and beasts of life, they effect their purpose with a single blow, sweeping down upon the doomed creature with such lightning velocity, and striking it so fiercely with the death-dealing talons, that in the generality of instances the victim must be absolutely unconscious even of danger, and be sud- denly killed while busily engaged in its ordinary pursuits, without suffering the terrors of anticipation, or even a single pang of bodily pain. There certainly are some instances where an animal, such as a lamb, has been carried while still living to the Eagle’s nest, and there slaughtered. But we must not judge the feelings of such a victim by our own, for the lamb can form no conception of the purpose for which it is conveyed through the air, and doubt- lessly feels nothing but astonishment at the strange journey which it is making. a When the Eagle perceives a bird on the wing, the mere shock caused by the stroke of the Eagle’s body is almost invariably sufficient to cause death, and the bird, should it be a large one, such as a swan, for example, falls dead upon the earth without even a wound. Smaller birds are carried off in the talons of their pursuers, and are killed by the grip of their tremen- dous claws, the Eagle in no case making use of its beak for the purpose of killing its prey. If the bird carries off a lamb or a hare, it grasps the body firmly with its claws, and then by a sudden exertion of its wonderful strength, drives the sharp talons deep into the vitals of its prey, and does not loosen its grasp until the breath of life has fled and all movement has ceased. The structure by means of which the Eagle is enabled to use its talons with such terrible effect is equally beautiful and simple, and as it is closely connected with many of the habits of birds, deserves separate mention. Many observant persons have been struck with the curious fact, that a bird can hold its 28 THE GOLDEN EAGLE. position upon a branch or perch even whilst sleeping, and that in many instances the slumber- ing bird retains its hold of the perch by a single foot, the other limb being drawn up and buried in the feathers. As this grasp of the perch is clearly an involuntary one, it is evidently inde- pendent of the mere will of the bird, and due to some peculiar formation. On removing the skin from the leg of any bird, and separating the muscles from each other, the structure in question is easily seen. The muscles which move the leg and foot, and the tendons which form the attachment of the muscles to the bones, are so arranged, that whenever the bird bends its leg the foot is forcibly closed, and is relaxed as soon as the leg is straightened. A bird is totally unable to keep its foot open when its leg is bent, as may be seen by watching a common fowl as it walks along, closing its toes as it lifts the foot from the ground, and spread- ing them as they come to the ground again. It will be seen, therefore, that when a bird falls asleep upon a branch, the legs are not only bent but pressed dowards by the weight of the body, so that the claws hold the perch with an involuntary grasp, which is necessarily tight- ened according to the depth of the bird’s slumbers. When, therefore, an Eagle desires to drive his talons into the body of his prey, he needs only to sink downwards with his whole weight, and the forcible bending of the legs will effect the purpose without the necessity for any muscular exertion. Exertion, indeed, is never needlessly used by the Eagle, for it is very chary of exercising its great muscular powers, and unless roused by the sight of prey, or pressed to fly abroad in search of food, will sit upon a tree or a point of rock for hours together, as motionless as a stuffed figure. Voracious though it be, and capable of gorging itself to the full like any vulture, the Eagle can sustain a prolonged fast from meat or drink ; and on one occasion, when wounded, made voluntary abstinence for a fortnight before it would touch the food with which it was liberally provided. Tre first, and one of the finest, of these grand birds is the well-known GOLDEN EAGLE. This magnificent bird is spread over a large portion of the world, being found in various parts of Europe, Asia, Africa, and America. The color of this bird is a rich blackish-brown on the ereater part of the body, the head and neck being covered with feathers of a rich golden red, which have earned for the bird its popular name. The legs and sides of the thighs are gray- brown, and the tail is a deep gray, diversified with several regular, dark-brown bars. The cere and the feet are yellow. In its immature state the plumage of the Golden Eagle is differently tinged, the whole of the feathers being reddish-brown, the legs and sides of the thighs nearly white, and the tail white for the first three-quarters of its length. So different an aspect does the immature bird present, that it has been often reckoned as a separate species, and named accordingly. It is a truly magnificent bird in point of size, for an adult female measures about three feet six inches in length, and the expanse of her wings is nine feet. The male is less by nearly six inches. The Golden Eagle is observed to frequent certain favorite haunts, and to breed regularly in the same spot for a long series of years. Their nest is always made upon some elevated spot, wenerally upon a ledge of rock, and is most inartistically constructed of sticks, which are thrown apparently at random, and rudely arranged for the purpose of containing the eggs and young. GOLD-WINGED WOODPECKER.— Colaples auratus. difficult to get hold of him again. ‘Having placed him in a strong wire cage, he seemed to give up all hopes of making his escape, and soon became very tame ; fed on young ears of Indian corn, refused apples, but ate the berries of the sour gum greedily, small winter grapes, and several other kinds of berries, exercised himself frequently in climbing, or rather hopping perpendicularly along the sides of the cage, and as evening drew on fixed himself in a high hanging or perpendicular position, and slept with his head in his wine. ‘As soon as dawn appeared, even before it was light enough to perceive him distinctly across the room, he descended to the bottom of the cage and began his attack on the ears of Indian corn, rapping so loud as to be heard from every room in the house. After this he would sometimes resume his former position and take another nap. He was beginning to become very amusing and even sociable, when, after a lapse of several weeks, he became drooping and died, as T conceived, from the effeets of his wound.” THE WRYNECK. 421 The coloring of the Gold-winged Woodpecker is very complicated. The top of the head is gray, the cheeks are cinnamon, and the back and wines are umber, marked with transverse bars of black. On the back of the head is a semilunar spot of blood-red, the two horns pointing towards the eyes, and a streak of black passes from the base of the beak down the throat. The sides of the neck are gray. The breast, throat, and chin are cinnamon, and a broad crescentic patch of black crosses the chest. The abdomen is yellowish-white, profusely spotted with black. The upper tail-coverts are white, serrated with black. The inner sides of the wings and ‘tail, and the shafts of nearly all the feathers, are of a beautiful golden-yellow ; ‘the upper sides of the tail and the tip below are black, edged with light loose filaments of a cream color, the two exterior feathers serrated with whitish.”? The bill is dusky brown color and slightly bent. The female is colored, but does not possess the black feathers on each side of the throat. The total length of this bird is about one foot. The Golden-winged Woodpecker represents a group of three distinct species. Two varieties of the present species are also known. These birds have quite a different general appearance from the Woodpeckers proper, so called. They are much larger, and have a very compact and handsomely decorated plumage. The terms Flicker, Highhold, and Yellow Hammer are applied to them in various localities. Audubon says of this bird: ** They propel themselves by numer- ous beats of the wings, with short intervals of sailing, during which they searcely drop from the horizontal. When passing from one tree to another, they also fly in a straight line, until within a few yards of the spot on which they intend to alight, when they suddenly raise themselves a few feet, and fasten themselves to the bark of the tree by their claws and tail. Their migrations, although partial, as many remain in the middle districts during the severest winters, are performed in the night, as is known by their note and the whistling of their wings, which are heard from the ground.” The tongue of this bird is round and wiry, flattened towards the tip, pointed and fur- nished with minute barbs ; it is also long, and can be instantaneously protruded to an uncommon distance. The hyoid bone (in the tongue), like those of its tribe, is a substance, for strength and elasticity, resembling whalebone, divided into two branches, each the thickness of a knitting-needle, that pass one on each side of the neck to the bird’s head, where they unite and run up along the skull in a groove, covered with a thin membrane or sheath, descend into the upper mandible by the right side of the right nostril, and reach to within a half an inch of the point of the bill, to which they are attached by another extremely elastic membrane that yields when the tongue is thrown out, and contracts as it is retracted. The tongue of this bird is supplied with a viscid fluid, secreted by two glands that lie under the ear on each side, and are at least five times larger in this species than any other of its size. With this the tongue is continually moistened, so that every small insect it touches instantly adheres to it. The tail, with its pointed ends, and the feet and claws, all show adaptation to easy climbing, notwithstanding the heavy body. The range of this bird is from the Arctic Ocean to the Gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic Ocean to the Rocky Mountains. To some extent it is a constant resident in New England, as well as in the Southern States. A variety of Flicker has the shafts of the feath- ers red. It is found in the region bounded by the Black Hills and the Pacific. Dr. Coues says it is abundant in Arizona, where it is known as the Yellow Hammer. It is a wonderful power of bill this bird has. He very readily pecks a hole in the weather-board of a house simply for the purpose of lodging ; its board or subsistence being, as we have seen, obtained in a similar manner in trunks of trees. Mr. Ridgway says it is more shy than the other variety (of the last), but attributes the circumstance to the fact that the Indians hunt them for their “feathers. A Hybrid Flicker, having the characters of two varieties, and another species, called Cape Flicker, are found in the southwest. THE curious bird, known under the popular and appropriate name of the WRYNECK, is by some authors considered to be closely allied to the woodpeckers. The Wryneck is a summer visitant to northern countries, appearing just before the cuckoo, 422 THE WRY NECK. and therefore known as the cuckoo’s footman., ‘There is another name for this bird, signifying Cuckoo's knave,” ** Gwas-y-gog,”* the pronunciation of which I must leave to Welsh throats. The tongue of this bird is long, slender and capable of being projected to the distance of an inch or so from the extremity of the beak, and its construction is almost exactly the same as that of the woodpecker, As might be supposed, it is employed for the same purpose, being used in capturing little insects, of which ants form its favorite diet. So fond, indeed, is the Wryneck of these insects, that in some countries it is popularly known by the name of Emmet-hunter, In pursuit of ants it trips nimbly about the trunks and branches of trees, picking them off neatly with its tongue as they run their untiring course. It also frequents ant-hills, especially when the insects are bringing out their pupze to lie in the sun, and swal- lows ants and pup at a great pace. When, as in damp or cold weather, the ants remain within their fortress, the Wryneck pecks briskly at the hillock until it breaks its way through the fragile walls of the nest, and as the warlike insects come rushing out to attack the intruder WRYNECK.—Jynx torquilla. of their home and to repair damages, it makes an excellent meal of them in spite of their anger and their stings. When ants are searce and seantily spread over the ground, the Wryneck runs after them in a very agile fashion; but when it comes upon a well-stocked spot, it stands motionless, with the exception of the head, which is darted rapidly in every direction, the neck and central line of the back twisting in a manner that reminds the observer of a snake. When captured or wounded, it will lie on its back, ruffle up its feathers, erect its neck, and hiss so like an angry serpent that it is in some places known by the name of the snake-bird. It is a bird of retiring habits, keeping itself mostly to the wooded parts of the country, and especially favoring fir-woods where the ants most congregate, the dead leaves of the fir-trees forming excellent material for their nests without the trouble of cutting them to a proper length. As the food of this bird is so dependent on the ants, it only comes north when the weather is warm enough to induce the ants to leave their winter quarters ; and as soon as they begin to retire into their hiding-places, it takes its departure for warmer lands. During the early part of the season they are rather sociable, and may be captured by a good imitation of their call-note. THE GREAT HONEY GUIDE. 423 Mr. Yarrell, however, seems to hold rather an opposite opinion, and says that ‘‘ the Wry- neck is rather solitary in its habits, being very seldom seen associating with, or even near, any other bird than its own single partner, and that too but for a very limited portion of the year.” In captivity, the Wryneck is tolerably docile: and when taken young ean be perfectly tamed. In some countries it is tie fashion to tie a string to the leg of a tame Wryneck and take it out for daily exercise for food, letting it run up the trees or on the ground in search of insects. The little bird soon becomes accustomed to this kind of life, and when the string is pulled returns to its owner, and runs about his clothes until he gives it permission to take another excursion. : The nest of the Wryneck is hardly deserving of that name, being merely composed of chips of decaying wood. The eggs are laid in the hollow of a tree, not wholly excavated by the bird, as is the case of the woodpeckers, its beak not being sufficiently strong for such a task, but adapted to the purpose from some already existing hole. From a letter of a correspondent to Mr. Yarrell, it seems that although the Wryneck makes no nest, it does not hesitate in appropriating the deserted home of any other bird which it may find in the hollow which it selects for nidification. The bird had chosen a hole in an old apple-tree for that purpose, and the eggs were laid upon a mass of hair, moss, and fibrous roots, evidently a deserted nest of a redstart. The pertinacity with which the Wry- neck adhered to the tree was really extraordinary, for she suffered her nest to be disturbed and replaced five times, and to be robbed four times of her eges before she would finally leave the spot. The number of eggs laid by the Wryneck is rather creat, as many as ten having often been found in a single nest. In the instance just mentioned, no less than twenty-two eggs were taken at the four intervals. Their color is beautiful white with a pinky tinge, not unlike those of the kingfisher; and as this pink color is produced by the yolk showing itself through the delicate shell, it is, of course, lost when the egg is emptied of its contents. The plumage of this little bird, although devoid of brilliant hues, and decked only with brown, black, and gray, is really handsome from the manner in which those apparently sombre tints are dis- posed. In Yarrell’s book on birds the markings cf the Wryneck are given so concisely that they cannot be altered without damage. ‘*The top of the head grayish-brown, barred across with streaks of darker brown and white; neck, back, rump, and upper tail-coverts gray, speckled with brown. From the occiput (7.e. back of the head) down the middle line of the back of the neck and between the scapularies, isa streak of dari brown mixed with black ; the wings brown, speckled with lighter yellow-brown, and a few white spots; the primary quill-feathers barred alternately with pale yellow, brown, and black: the tertials on the upper surface marked with a descending line of black ; upper surface of the tail-feathers mottled with gray and brown, and marked with four irregularly transverse bars of black: chin, throat, ear- coverts, and neck, in front, pale vellow-brown with narrow transverse black lines ; breast, belly, sides, and under tail-coverts, dull white tinged with yellow-brown, and spotted with black ; under surface of tail-feathers pale grayish-brown, speckled and barred with black ; legs, toes, and claws brown.’ The total length of the adult male bird is about seven inches, and the female is a little smaller than her mate. CUCKOOS. THe Cuckoos constitute a large family, containing several smaller groups, and many species. Representatives of the groups will be found in the following pages. All these birds have a rather long, slender, and somewhat curved beak, which in some species takes a curve so decided, that it gives quite a predaceous air to its owner. Examples of the Cuckoo tribe are to be found in almost every portion of the globe, and are most plentiful about the tropics. The first group js that of which the celebrated Great Honry Guipek is our typical example. The Honey @rides derive their name from the fact that they are extremely fond of wile bees and their honey, and by their eager cries attract keen-eared and sharp-eyed hunters 424 FHE GREAT HONEY GUIDE. to the spoil. It has been said that the birds intentionally ask the aid of mankind to dig out the nests when the combs are placed in too secure a spot, and that they utter their peculiar ery of **Cherr! cherr!”’ to call attention, and then precede their human assistants to the nest, fluttering their wings, and keeping a few yards in advance. That they do lead travellers to the bees’ nests is true enough, but that they should seek out human beings, and inten- uionally bring them to the sweet stores, seems doubtful, though it has been affirmed by many travellers. At all events, even up to the present time, whenever the Honey Guide does succeed in leacing the Hottentot to a store of honey, the men are grateful to it for the service, and do not eat the whole of the honey, leaving some for their confederate. Neither will they kill the GREAT HONEY GUIDE.—Indicator major. bird, and they are offended if they see any one else do so, Sparrman remarks that the present species is seldom seen near Cape Town, as it cannot find a supply of its food so near the habi- tations of man, and that he never saw any except on the farm of a single colonist, who had succeeded in hiving some wild swarms by fixing convenient boxes on his grounds. One thing is certain, that the Honey Guide is by no means a safe conductor, as it will sometimes lead its follower to the couching-place of a lion or tiger, or the retreat of a poisonous snake. Gordon Cumming, as well as other travellers, testifies to this curious mode of conduct. The feathers of the Honey Guide are thick, and the skin is tougher than is usually the case with birds, so that if the irritated bees should attack them, little harm is done unless a sting should penetrate the eye or the bare skin around it. : Honey Guides are found in various parts of Africa, India, and Borneo, and in all cases their habits seem to be very similar. Two species are very common in Southern Africa, namely, the bird figured in the engraving, and a smaller species (/udicator minor). The nesting of both these birds is very similar, their homes being pendent from the branches of trees, and beautifully woven into a bottle-like form, the entrance being downward. The material of which they are composed is bark torn into filaments. The eges are from three to four in number, and their color is a brownish white. Both parents assist in the duties of ineubation. THE GROUND CUCKOO. 425 * These birds are very soberly clad, the Great Honey-eater being brown above, darker on the wings and tail, and grayish-white on the under surface of the body. WE now arrive at the Ground Cuckoos, all of which are inhabitants of tropical America and the neighboring islands, and are represented by the Ratn-Birp. This curious Cuckoo, which is popularly known in Jamaica by the name of Rain-Bird, is tolerably common in the West Indian Islands. According to Mr. Gosse, who has given a very interesting account of this species in his ‘Birds of Jamaica,”’ the Rain-Bird is so inquisitive at the sight of any new object, and so reckless of danger while gratifying its curiosity, that it is often called by the name of Tom Fool. Indeed, the first Rain-Bird which he saw lost its life by a stone, while sitting on a bush only a few feet distant, so occupied with the two featherless bipeds that were approach- ing, that it suffered itself to be struck from its perch by a missile that might have been avoided with the least precaution. GROUND CUCK0O.—Geococeyx californianus. The wings of this bird are rather short and weak, so that it does not fly to any great distance when alarmed, but merely flits to a branch a few yards in advance, and then turns round and contemplates the intruder. It has a curious habit of sitting across a branch with its head lower than its feet, and balanced by the long tail, which hangs nearly perpendicularly. The voice is a harsh cackle, something like the words ‘ ticky-ticky,’”? pronounced with very great rapidity. It feeds on animal substances, preferring inseets and spiders to any other kind of food, but not disdaining to prey upon the smaller reptiles and mammalia. The nest seems to be made in the fork of a branch. The color of this bird is soft brown-gray upon the Vou. I.—54, 426 THE PHEASANT CUCKOO. back, dullish yellow on the under parts of the body, and rusty red upon the wings. The long tail is beautifully barred with black and white. A KInD of Ground Cuckoo (Geococcyx californianus), is found inhabiting the South- west, and Mexico. It is the Chaparral Cock, Paisano, or Road-runner. The latter term explains its habit of frequenting the highways, always on the ground, where it will outrun the fleetest horses. The native population hunt this bird on horses, and regard it sport. ‘to run it down in this manner. Even hounds find it difficult to reach them after consid- erable running. It has a singularly broad and long tail, which is borne erect when run- ning, and no doubt assists materially in steadying the bird in its long and rapid course. In evidence of its wonderful swiftness of foot, Col. MeCaul states that when, on one occasion, approaching Olympia Creek, in Texas, with a small party, he discovered a Chaparral Cock in the open road, about a hundred yards in advance, for his amusement he put spurs and dashed after the bird with one of his men. It was thus pursued for full four hundred yards along a smooth and level road, over which, with straightened neck and slightly extended wings, it swiftly glided, without seeming to touch the ground. When at last it sought shelter in a thicket, they had not gained upon it more than fifty yards. This bird is singularly cou- . rageous in combat ' with the rattlesnake, which it always is ready to fight. Its only voice is a weak scream, which it seldom utters. It is unsocial, never going in flocks. It be- comes quite familiar when near human - habitations, and fre- quently seems to pre- fer the proximity of farm-houses. It even ventures near enough to hunt for mice, which it destroys with much dexterity. PHEASANT CUCKOO,— Centropus phasianus. Or the Coccygine, or Lark-heeled Cuckoos, so called from their long hind toe, we shall select two examples ; the one being an Australasian bird, and the other an inhabitant of America. The Preasanv Cvekoo derives its popular appropriate : name from the great length of its tail, which gives to the bird —— an outline bearing some resemblance to that of the pheasant, a similitude which is further carried out by the bold markings of its plumage. This handsome bird is a native of New South Wales, where it is not uncommon, although rather a local bird, seldom wandering to any great distance from the spot which it loves. It frequents low-lying and swampy lands; living almost entirely among the rank herbage of such localities, and keeping itself concealed among the bushes, When alarmed it flies to the nearest tree, alights THE YELLOW-BILLED AMERICAN CUCKOO. 427 on the lowest branches, rapidly makes its way through the boughs to the very summit, and then takes to wing. The nest of this bird is placed on the ground, shaded by a convenient tuft of grass. It is a large and rather clumsily constructed edifice ; having two apertures, through one of which the hen, while sitting, thrusts her head, and through the other she pokes her tail. The eggs are generally from three to five in number, and are more spherical than is generally the case among birds. Their color is grayish-white, sometimes blotched with brown, and they are remarkable for the roughness of their shells. The colors of this bird are not brilliant, but are rich and warm in their tone and disposed so as to form very bold markings. The upper surface of the body is black devoid of gloss, with the exception of the shafts of the feathers; which are highly polished and glittering. The wing-coverts are brown mottled richly with black. The wings are ruddy chestnut barred with black, and the tail is dark brown glossed with green, freckled with brown, barred with white and tipped with the same color. The young birds are much lighter in color than their parents, are more liberally streaked, and have more white about them. YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO.— Coceygus americanus. WItson says: ‘‘ The singular, I will not say unnatural, conduct of the European Cuckoo (Cuculus canorus), which never constructs a nest for itself, but drops its eggs in those of other birds, and abandons them to their mercy and management, is so universally known, and so proverbial, that the whole tribe of Cuckoos have, by some inconsiderate people, been stigma- tized as destitute of all parental care and affection. Without attempting to account for this remarkable habit of the European species, far less to consider as an error what the wisdom of Heaven has imposed as a duty upon the species, I will only remark that the YELLOW-BILLED AMERICAN Cuckoo builds its own nest, hatches its own eggs, and rears its own young ; and, in conjugal and parental affection, seems nowise behind any of its neighbors of the grove. 428 THE ANI, OR SAVANNAH BLACKBIRD. ‘‘Early in May they begin to pair, when obstinate battles take place among the males. About the tenth of that month they commence building. The nest is usually fixed among the horizontal branches of an apple-tree ; sometimes in a solitary thorn, crab, or cedar, in some retired part of the woods. It is constructed, with little art, and scarcely any concavity, of small sticks and twigs, intermixed with green weeds and blossoms of the common maple. On this almost flat bed, the eggs, usually three or four in number, are placed ; these are of a uniform greenish-blue color, and of a size proportionable to that of the bird. While the female is sitting, the male is generally not far distant, and gives the alarm, by his notes, when any person is approaching. The female sits so close, that you may almost reach her with your hand, and then precipitates herself to the ground, feigning lameness, to draw you away from the spot, fluttering, trailing her wings, and tumbling over, in the manner of the partridge, woodcock, and many other species. Both parents unite in providing food for the young. This consists, for the most part, of caterpillars, particularly such as infest apple-trees. The same insects constitute the chief part of their own sustenance. ‘“They are accused, and with some justice, of sucking the eggs of other birds, like the crow, the blue jay, and other pillagers. They also occasionally eat various kinds of berries. But, from the circumstance of destroying such numbers of very noxious larve, they prove themselves the friends of the farmer, and are highly deserving of his protection.”’ THe YELLOW-BILLED Cuckoo (Coccygus americanus) is distributed throughout North America from Canada to Florida, and from the Atlantic coast to California. It also is met with in the West India Islands, and breeds in nearly all these localities. THe MANnGroveé Cuckoo (Coccygus minor) is a regular summer visitor in Key West and the other Florida Keys. It is especially West Indian. THe BLACK-BILLED Cuckoo (Coccygus erythropthalmus) differs from the Yellow-billed in the black of the bill, and the absence of black on the tail-feathers ; some minor differences also occur. In other respects it is closely allied to the latter, and is also distributed in nearly the same localities, but is less numerous. Wilson says this bird retires into the woods to breed, being less familiar than the former species, and choosing an evergreen sapling as a site for the nest, which is made of twigs pretty well put together, but still little more than a concave floor- ing, and lined with moss and withered catkins of the hickory. The female is less timorous than the Yellow-bill, and sits composedly until the intruder has approached very closely, without showing evidence of alarm. The nest, without being at all remarkable for its finish, or the nicety of its arrangements, is much more artistic and elaborate than that of the Yellow- billed. THe ANI, or SAVANNAH BrLAcKstrD (Crotophaga ani). This is scarcely more than a strageler in the United States, its Aabitat being in the West Indies, and in South America. It is about the size of the preceding bird, and has some resemblance to the parrots. In the West Indies it is called the Black Witch. Its familiar habits and grotesque appearance make it quite universally known. The little chickaree fly-catcher makes it a subject of torment, and chases him with vigorous thrusts of his little bill, until the larger bird retreats in disgust. It moves with a peculiar gliding flight. In feeding it is omnivorous. It catches insects on the ground by very active jumps; pursues them on the wing, and with its sharp, thin bill, digs them out of the earth. It hops about and over the cattle, and when grazing, on the cattle’s tails will be seen to be one or more clinging to the hairs, and pecking out insects that may be there. They are what is called downward climbers, not upward climbers. They enter a tree by alighting on the extremity of a branch, and reach the centre by creeping along the stem. Another species, called the Groove-billed Ani, has lately been found to be entitled to a place in the North American fauna. The Anis are all inhabitants of tropical climates, and are found chiefly in forest-lands, being most common in the dense woods of South America. They are by no means large birds, THE SAVANNAH BLACKBIRD. 429 seldom exceeding the dimensions of the common Blackbird. These birds are known by their compressed and arched beaks, and the decided keel or ridge upon the upper mandible. The Savannah Blackbird is acknowledged to be the typical species of these birds, as it exhibits the peculiar form of the beak in a very marked manner. As it is rather a conspicuous bird, it is known by several other names, among which are Razor-billed Blackbird and Great Blackbird. In some places it is called the Black Parrakeet, and in Mexico its native title is Cacalototl. ! The food of the Savannah Blackbird is mostly of an animal nature, and consists chiefly of grasshoppers, locusts, and similar insects, although the bird is very fond of lizards and other small vertebrates, a prey which its peculiar beak is well calculated to secure. Seeds are also said to be eaten by this bird. In some cases their insect-loving nature is directed in a manner very useful to the cattle- owners. In those regions, the cows are greatly troubled with ticks and other parasitic insects, SAVANNAH BLACKBIRD.—Crotophaga ani. which fasten upon their backs where the poor beasts cannot reach them. The Anis are for- tunately very fond of these noxious insects, and perching upon the cow’s back, soon rid them of their unpleasant companions. The cows are so well aware of the services rendered to them by these birds, that when they find themselves much annoyed by ticks, they lie down in order to permit the Anis to pursue their avocation without disturbance. Sometimes, according to Brown, in his History of Jamaica, the Anis remind the cows of their reciprocal duties, and if the great quadruped forgets to lie down for their mutual benefit, they hop about just in front of its nose as it grazes, and give it no peace until it complies with their request. It is gregarious in its habits, associating in large flocks, and is a very fearless creature, caring little for the report or the effects of a gun. Whether this insensibility to danger be due to love of its comrades and to real courage, or only to that spurious bravery which fears nothing because it knows nothing, is not certain ; but it is well known that if a flock of Anis be fired at, and many killed by the discharge, the survivors will only rise and fly to a short distance, and there settle as composedly as if no danger were at hand. The Anis are very noisy, as is often the case with gregarious birds, and the combined loquacity of a large flock of Anis is almost deafening. They do not seem to use their wings 4530 THE CHANNEL-BILL. to any great extent, their flight being low and short. They are easily tamed, soon become amusing inhabitants of the house, and can be taught to utter several words. Fortunately for itself, the flesh of the Savannah Blackbird is thought to be very disagreeable, so that it is not killed for the table. The nesting of this bird is rather peculiar. It haunts bushes, the skirts of woods, and similar localities, and builds its nest on the branches of trees. The nest is extremely large, and is said to be in common to several pairs of birds, which live amicably under the same roof like the sociable weaver birds of Africa, In size the Savannah Blackbird rather exceeds the generality of its kind, equalling a pigeon in dimensions, the long tail adding to the apparent length. Its color is black, glossed with green, THe very remarkable bird known by the name of CuanneL-Brit inhabits part of Aus- tralia and some of the Eastern Islands. Its large and curi- ously formed beak gives it so singular an aspect, that on a hasty glance it might almost be taken for a species of tou- can or hornbill. It is most common in New South Wales, and is migratory in its habits, arriving in Octo- ber and departing in June. It is a gregarious bird, being seen in little flocks or com- panies varying in number from three to eight, and sometimes living in pairs. The voice of the Channel-Bill is by no means pleasing, and is exer- cised at the approach of rainy weather or the presence of a hawk. In either instance, the bird utters a series of vigorous yells, which are well under- stood by those who have studied its habits. Although one of the mi- erators, it is slow and heavy of wing. Apparently, it is not easily tamed, for Mr. Gould mentions an instance where one of these birds was wounded anl kept alive for two days, during the whole of which time it refused to be reconciled to captivity, screaming and pecking fiercely at its cage and captor. Its food consists of the seeds of the red gum and peppermint, and it also feeds upon beetles, phasmide, and other large insects of the land which it frequents. It is a very handsome and elegantly colored bird. The head and breast are gray, and the spaces around the eyes and nostrils are scarlet. The back is a deep grayish-green, each feather being tipped with black, so as to give that portion of the bird a boldly mottled aspect. The under parts are white tinged with buff, and faintly barred with grayish-brown. The long tail has the two central feathers black to the very tip, and the others are barred with black and tipped with white. Both sexes are alike in their coloring ; the chief difference being that the CHANNEL-BILL.—Scythrops Nove-Hollandie. THE CUCKOO. 431 female is smaller than her mate. In dimensions the Channel-Bill is about equal to the com- mon crow, but owing to the long and broad tail, which causes the bird to measure more than two feet in total length, it appears much larger than is really the case. THERE are few birds which are more widely known by good and evil report than the com- mon Cuckoo. As the harbinger of spring, it is always welcome to the ears of those who have just passed through the severities of winter ; and as a heartless mother, an abandoner of its offspring, and an occupier of other homes it has been subjected to general reprobation. As is usual in such cases, both opinions are too sweeping ; for the continual ery of ‘* Cuck-oo! cuck-oo |’ however agreeable it may be on the first hearing, soon becomes monotonous and fatiguing to the ear ; and the mother Cuckoo is not so far lost to all feelings of maternity as to take no thought for CUCKOO.—Cuculus canorus. her young, but ever remains near the place where it has deposited her egg and seems to keep watch over the foster-parents, It is well known that the female Cuckoo does not make any nest, but places her egg in the nest of some small bird, and leaves it to the care of its unwitting foster-parents. Various birds are burdened with this charge, such as the hedge-warbler, the pied wagtail, the meadow- pipit, the red-backed shrike, the blackbird, and various finches. Generally, however, the three first are those preferred. Considering the size of the mother-bird, the egg of the Cuckoo is remarkably small, being about the same size as that of the skylark, although the latter bird has barely one-fourth the dimensions of the former. The little birds, therefore, which are always careless about the color or form of an ege, provided that it be nearly the size of their own productions, and will be perfectly contented with an egg-shaped pebble or a scraped marble, do not detect the imposition, and hatch the interloper together with their own young. The general color of the Cuckoo’s egg is mottled reddish-gray, but the tint is very variable in different individuals, as I can testify from personal experience. It has also been noted that the color of the egg varies with the species in whose nest it is to be placed, so that the egg 452 THE CUCKOO. which is intended to be hatched by the hedge-warbler is not precisely of the same color as that which is destined for the nest of the pipit. Several experienced naturalists now lean to the opinion that the female Cuckoo really feels a mother’s anxiety about her young; and this theory—a somewhat recent one—is corroborated by an account kindly sent to me by a lady, at that time unknown to me. A young Cuckoo had been hatched in the nest of some small bird, and after it was able to leave the nest for a short time, was taken under the protection of a female Cuckoo, who had been hovering about the place, and which at once assumed a mother’s authority over the young bird, feeding it and calling it just like any other bird. On inquiring whether the old Cuckoo ever helped the young one back into the nest, noth- ing could be ascertained. The children of the family, who were naturally interested in the affair, used sometimes to pick up the young bird, and put it back into the nest, but it was often found in its warm home without human intervention, and as it was too helpless and timid to perform such a feat unaided, the natural assumption was that the old bird had given her assistance. The mode by which the Cuckoo contrives to deposit her eggs in the nest of sundry birds was extremely dubious, until a key was found to the problem by a chance discovery made by Le Vaillant. He had shot a female Cuckoo, and on opening its mouth in order to stuff it with tow, he found an ege lodged very snugly within the throat. When hatched, the proceedings of the young Cuckoo are very strange. As in process of time it would be a comparatively large bird, the nest would soon be far too small to contain the whole family ; so the young bird, almost as soon as it can scramble about the nest, sets deliberately to work to turn out all the other eggs or nestlings. This it accomplishes by getting its tail under each egg or young bird in succession, wriggling them on to its back, and then cleverly pitching them over the side of the nest. It is rather curious that in its earlier days it only throws the eges over, its more murderous propensities not being developed until a more advanced age. There seems to be some peculiarity in the nature of the Cuekoo which forces other birds to cater for its benefit, as even in the case of a tame and wing-clipped Cuckoo, which was allowed to wander about a lawn, the little birds used to assemble about it with food in their mouths, and feed it as long as it chose to demand their aid. Sometimes two Cuckoo's eggs have been laid in the sume nest; when they are hatched there is a mutual struggle for the sole possession of the nest. Dr. Jenner, in his well-known and most valuable paper on this bird, gives the following account of such a strife :— “Two Cuckoos and a hedge-sparrow were hatched in the same nest this morning; one hedge-sparrow’s egg remained unhatched. Ina few hours after, a combat began between the Cuckoos for the possession of the nest, which continued undetermined until the next afternoon, when one of them, which was somewhat superior in size, turned out the other, together with the young hedge-sparrow and the unhatched egg. This contest was very remarkable. The combatants alternately appeared to have the advantage, as each carried the other several times nearly to the top of the nest, and then sank down again oppressed by the weight of its burden, till, at length, after various efforts, the strongest prevailed, and was afterwards brought up by the hedge-sparrows.”’ In order to enable the young Cuckoo to perform this eurious feat, its back is very different in shape from that of ordinary birds, being very broad from the shoulder downwards, leaving aw well-marked depression in the middle, on which the egg or young bird rests while it is being carried to the edge of the nest. In about a fortnight this cavity is filled up, and the young bird has nothing extraordinary in its appearance. From its peculiar mode of foisting off its young upon other birds, its character would seem to be of a solitary nature. Such, however, is not the case, for at some periods of the year these birds may be seen in considerable numbers, playing with each other or feeding in close proximity. Upwards of twenty have been observed in a single field, feeding on the caterpillars of the burnet moth, and several communications have been addressed to sport journals in which the subject of natural history is discussed, relating similar occurrences. One of thesa VOICH AND FOOD OF THE CUCKOO. 438 correspondents records a large assembly of Cuckoos seen by herself in the month of August, and another relates a curious anecdote of a number of Cuckoos, which he saw on the wing, playing over and near a large gray stone. It seems that these birds are very partial to promi- nent objects, such as bushes, tree-stumps, large stones, etc., and that they are fond of con- gregating in their vicinity. The peculiar note of the Cuckoo is so well known as to need no particular description, but the public is not quite so familiar with the fact that the note changes according to the time of year. When the bird first begins to sing, the notes are full and clear ; but towards the end of the season, they become hesitating, hoarse, and broken, like the breaking voice of a young lad. This peculiarity was noticed long ago by observant persons, and many are the country rhymes which bear allusion to the voice and the sojourn of the Cuckoo. For example :— “Tn April Come he will. In May He sings all day. In June He alters his tune. In July He prepares to fly. In August Go he must ” This rhyme is often slightly varied, as :— ‘In April Cuckoo sings her lay ; In May she sings both night and day; In June she loses her sweet strain ; In July she is off again.” An old writer, John Haywood, who ‘flourished,’ according to Mangnall, about 1580, has the following quaint and very graphic rhyme upon the voice of the Cuckoo at different periods of the year :— “In April the Coocoo can sing her song by rote. In June oft time she cannot sing a note. At first, koo, koo; koo, koo; sings till can she do. At last, kooke, kooke, kooke ; six kookes to one koo.’ ? The voice of the female bird is quite distinct from that of the male, and has been compared to the sound made by pouring water out of a narrow-necked bottle, and to the quacking clutter of the dabchick. Sometimes the Cuckoo has been known to sing at night, having been seen to perch in a tree and then to commence its song. Many such instances are recorded, as also of the Cuckoo’s song heard very early in the season; but in all such instances where the bird was not actually seen, great caution must be used in accepting evidence. For the note of the Cuckoo is so peculiar, and so easily imitated, that boys are often in the habit of hiding in the copses and behind hedges for the purpose of deluding people into the idea that the Cuckoo has arrived. There have even been instances where such delinquents have confessed their bad practices when they attained to mature years, and wrote on natural history themselves. When the stomach of the Cuckoo is opened, it is found to be lined with brown hairs, which on investigation with the microscope have been found to be those of the long-haired caterpillars, such as the ‘‘ woolly-bear,” ¢. ¢. the larva of the tiger moth (Arctia caja), on which the Cuckoo loves to feed. In captivity it feeds on many substances, always preferring caterpillars and raw beef chopped fine. It also likes worms, hard-boiled eges, flies, wasp-grubs, and similar food. According to some persons, the young Cuckoo is a very easy bird to rear; while according to others it gives the greatest trouble. One writer goes so far as to say that he would sooner rear a baby single-handed than a Cuckoo. However this may be, the first winter is always a trying season to the young bird, and there are very few which get well through it. VoL. T.—S5. 454 THE CUCKOO. In general appearance the Cuckoo bears some resemblance to a bird of prey, but it has little of the predaceous nature. It is rather curious that small birds have a tendency to treat the Cuckoo much as they treat the hawks and owls, following it wherever it flies in the open country, and attending it through the air. The color of the plumage is bluish gray above, with the exception of the wings and tail, which are black, and barred with white on the exterior feathers. The chin, neck, and breast are ashen-gray, and the abdomen and under wing-coverts are white, barred with slaty-gray. : Sometimes the color varies from these tints, and a white specimen may occasionally be found. Yearling birds of both sexes are hair-brown above, barred profusely with brownish- red ; the quill-feathers of the wing are reddish-brown, barred with white, while those of the tail are of the same dark tinge, but without the white bars, and spotted with white along the centre of the feathers. The whole of the under portions of the body are gray-white, barred with brown, and the short tail is tipped with white. A little white also appears on the tips of some of the feathers on the upper surface of the body. The total length of the adult bird is about fourteen inches. The female is rather smaller than her mate, and may be distin- guished from the opposite sex by the brown bars upon her neck, and the brown tinge upon the back and wings. COLUM BAX. DOVES AND PIGEONS. HE large order of CoLumB&, or the Pigeon tribe, comes now under our notice. It contains very many beautiful and interesting birds ; but as its members are so extremely numerous, only a few typical examples can be mentioned in these pages. All the Pigeons may be distinguished from the poultry, and the gallinaceous birds in general, by the form of the bill, which is arched towards the tip, and has a convex swelling at the base, caused by a gristly kind of plate which covers the nasal cavities, and which in some species is very curiously developed. In order to enable the parent birds to feed their young, the gullet swells into a double crop, furnished with certain large glands during the breeding season, which mingle their secretions with the food, and soften it, so that when the bird throws up the food after its fashion, to feed its young, the whole mass has acquired a soft and pulpy consistence, suitable to the delicate digestive powers of the tender young. Other peculiarities of form will be found in the Appendix to this volume. In their habits, the Pigeons greatly resemble each other, mostly haunting trees, but sometimes preferring the soil as a hunting-ground. Generally, the family likeness between the Pigeons is sufficiently strong to enable even a novice to know a Pigeon when he sees it ; but there are one or two remarkable exceptions to this rule, such as the Dodo and the Tooth- billed Pigeons, birds which need careful examination to be recognized as belonging to the present order. The powers of wing are generally very great, the Pigeons being proverbially swift and enduring ; but even this rule has its exceptions. They are found in almost all parts of the globe, being most plentiful in the warmer regions. In this country the colors of the Pigeons, although soft and pleasing, and in some portions of the bird, such as the neck, glowing with a changeful beauty, are not particularly striking for depth or brilliancy. But in the hotter regions of the world, especially towards the tropics, the Pigeons are among the most magnifi- cent of the feathered tribes, their plumage being imbued with the richest colors, and often assuming very elegant forms. Our first example of this order is the OcEANIc Fruit PIGEON. The whole of the birds belonging to the genus Carpéphaga are notable for the curious knob that is found upon the base of the upper mandible, and which only makes its appearance during the breeding season. During the rest of the year, the base of the beak is more flattened than is generally the case with the Pigeons; but as soon as the breeding season approaches, a little swelling is observable in this part, which rapidly grows larger, until it assumes the appearance of a knob. Towards the end of the breeding season, the knob becomes smaller, and is gradually absorbed, leaving the bill in its former flattened condi- tion. This species is found in the Pelew and neighboring islands, and is a forest-loving bird, ; taking up its residence in the woods, where it finds abundance of food. The diet which this bird most favors is the soft covering of the nutmeg, popularly known as ‘‘mace,’’ and the flavor which this aromatic food imparts to the flesh is so peculiarly delicate, that the Oceanic 436 THE PASSENGER PIGEON. Fruit Pigeon is in great request for the table, and is shot by hundreds. During the nutmeg season, these Pigeons find such an abundance of food that they become inordinately fat, and are sometimes so extremely plump, that when they are shot, and fall to the ground, they burst asunder. Setting aside the gastronomical properties of this bird, it is a most useful creature, being the means of disseminating far and wide the remarkable nutmeg-tree. The Pigeon being a bird of large appetite, swallows the nutmeg together with the mace, but only the latter sub- stance is subject to digestion, the nutmeg itself passing through the system with its repro- ductive powers not only uninjured, but even improved. The sojourn within the body of the bird seems to be almost necessary in order to induce the nutmeg to grow ; and when planted by human hands, it must be chemically treated with some preparation before it will strike root. The color of this species is as follows: The forehead, cheeks, and throat are grayish-white, and the rest of the head and the back of the neck are gray witha slaty blue wash. The back and upper portions of the body are light metallic green. The lower part of the throat and the breast are rusty gray, and the thighs and abdomen are deep brownish-red. The under surface of the tail is also green, but with a reddish gloss. The total length of the bird is about fourteen or fifteen inches, Amone the most extraordinary of birds, the PASSENGER PIGEON may take very high rank, not on account of its size or beauty, but on account of the extraordinary multitudes in which it sometimes migrates from one place to another. The scenes PASSENGER PIGEON.—Hetopistes migratorius. which take place during these migra- tions are so strange, so wonderful, and so entirely unlike any events on this side of the Atlantic, that they could not be believed, but for the trustworthy testimony by which they are corroborated. To abridge or to condense the spirited narrations of Wilson and Audubon would be impossible, without losing, at the same time, the word-painting which makes their descriptions so exceedingly valuable; and, accordingly, these well-known naturalists shall speak for them- selves. After professing his belief that the chief object of the migration is the search after food, and that the birds having devoured all the nutriment in one part of the country take wing in order to feed on the beech-mast of another region, Wilson proceeds to describe a breeding- place seen by himself in Kentucky, which was several miles in breadth, was said to be nearly forty miles in length, and in which every tree was absolutely loaded with nests. All the smaller branches were destroyed by the birds, many of the large limbs were broken off and thrown on the ground, while no few of the grand forest-trees themselves were killed as surely as if the axe had been employed for their destruction. The Pigeons had arrived about the tenth of April, and left it by the end of May. FLIGHT OF THE PASSENGER PIGEON. 437 “As soon as the young were fully grown, and before they left the nests, numerous parties of the inhabitants, from all parts of the adjacent country, came with wagons, oxen, beds, cooking utensils, many of them accompanied by the greater part of their families, and encamped for several days at this immense nursery. Several of them informed me that the noise in the woods was so great as to terrify their horses, and that it was difficult for one person to hear another speak without bawling in his ear. ‘““The ground was strewed with broken limbs of trees, eggs, and young squab pigeons which had been precipitated from above, and on which herds of hogs were fattening. Hawks, buzzards, and eagles were sailing about in great numbers, and seizing the squabs from their nests at pleasure ; while from twenty feet upwards to the top of the trees, the view through the woods presented a perpetual tumult of crowding and fluttering multitudes of pigeons, their wings roaring like thunder, mingled with the frequent crash of falling timber. For now the axe-men were at work cutting dd@wn those trees which seemed to be most crowded with nests, and contriving to fell them in such a manner that in their descent they might bring down several others, by which means the falling of one large tree sometimes produced two hundred squabs, little inferior in size to the old ones, and almost one mass of fat. “On some single trees upwards of one hundred nests were found, each containing o7e young only, a circumstance in the history of this bird not generally known to naturalists. It was dangerous to walk under these flying and fluttering millions, from the frequent fall of large branches, broken down by the weight of the multitudes above, and which, in their descent, often destroyed numbers of the birds themselves. “Thad left the public road to visit the remains of the breeding-place, near Shelbyville, and was traversing the woods with my gun, on my way to Frankfort, when, about one o'clock, the pigeons which I had observed flying the greater part of the morning northerly, began to return in such immense numbers as I never before had witnessed. Coming to an opening by the side of a creek called the Benson, I was astonished at their appearance. ““They were flying with great steadiness and rapidity, at a height beyond gunshot, in several strata deep, and so close together that could shot have reached them, one discharge would not have failed of bringing down several individuals. From right to left, as far as the eye could reach, the breadth of this vast procession extended, seeming everywhere equally crowded. ‘Curious to determine how long this appearance would continue, I took out my watch to note the time, and sat down to observe them. It was then half-past one. I sat for more than an hour, but instead of a diminution of this prodigious procession, it seemed rather to increase both in numbers and rapidity ; and anxious to reach Frankfort before night, I rose and went on. About four o’clock in the afternoon, I crossed the Kentucky river, at the town of Frank- fort, at which time the living torrent above my head seemed as numerous and as extensive asever. The great breadth of front which this mighty multitude preserved would seem to intimate a corresponding breadth of their breeding-place, which by several gentlemen who had lately passed through part of it, was stated to me at several miles.”’ A few observations on the mode of flight of these birds must not be omitted. ‘“The appearance of large detached bodies of them in the air, and the various evolutions they display, are strikingly picturesque and interesting. In descending the Ohio by myself in the month of February, I often rested on my oars to contemplate their aérial manceuvres. “ A column, eight or ten miles in length, would appear from Kentucky, high in air, steer- ing over to Indiana. The leaders of this great body would sometimes gradually vary their course, until it formed a large bend of more than a mile in diameter, those behind tracing the ‘exact route of their predecessors. This would continue sometimes long after both extremities were beyond the reach of sight; so that the whole, with its glittering undulations, marked a space on the face of the heavens resembling the windings of a vast and majestic river. When this bend became very great, the birds, as if sensible of the unnecessarily circuitous course they were taking, suddenly changed their direction, so that what was in column before became an immense front, straightening all its indentures until it swept the heavens in one vast and infinitely extended line. £35 A PIGHON ROOST. ‘** Other lesser bodies united with each other as they happened to approach, with such ease and elegance of evolutions, forming new figures, and varying them as they united or separated, that I was never tired of contemplating them. Sometimes a hawk would make a sweep on a particular part of the column, when, almost as quick as lightning, that part shot downwards out of the common track; but soon rising again, continued advancing at the same rate as before. This reflection was continued by those behind, who on arriving at this point dived down almost perpendicularly to a great depth, and rising, followed the exact path of those before them.” Let us now see what Audubon has to say on this subject. The reader will remark the brilliant account given by Wilson, of the effects produced by the attack of a hawk on a flock. Audubon has also remarked the same circumstance, and says: ‘* But I cannot describe to you the extreme beauty of their aérial evolutions when a hawk chanced to press upon the rear of a flock. At once, like a torrent, and with a noise like thunder, they rushed into a compact mass, pressing upon each other towards the centre. In these almost solid masses, they darted for- ward in undulating and angular lines, descended and swept close over the earth with incon- ceivable velocity, mounted perpendicularly so as to resemble a vast column, and when high, were seen wheeling and twisting within their continued lines, which then resembled the coils of a gigantic serpent.” Writing of the breeding-places of these birds, the same author proceeds as follows :— “One of these curious roosting-places on the banks of the Green River, in Kentucky, I repeatedly visited. It was, as is always the case, a portion of the forest where the trees are of great magnitude, and where there was little underwood. I rode through it upwards of forty miles, and found its average breadth to be rather more than three miles. My first view of it was about a fortnight subsequent to the period when they had made choice of it, and I arrived there nearly two hours before sunset. ‘*Few pigeons were then to be seen, but a great number of persons with horses and wagons, guns and ammunition, had already established encampments on the borders. Two farmers from the vicinity of Russelsville, distant more than a hundred miles, had driven upwards of three hundred hogs to be fattened on the pigeons that were to be slaughtered. Here and there the people employed in plucking and salting what had already been procured were seen sitting in the midst of large piles of these birds. Many trees two feet in diameter I observed were broken off at no great distance from the ground ; and the branches of many of the largest and tallest had given way, as if the forest had been swept by a tornado, Every- thing proved to me that the number of birds resorting to this part of the forest must be immense beyond conception. As the period of their arrival approached, their foes anxiously prepared to receive them ; some were furnished with iron pots containing sulphur—others with torches of pine-knots,—many with poles, and the rest with guns. The sun was lost to our view, yet not a pigeon had arrived. Everything was ready, and all eyes were gazing on the clear sky which appeared in glimpses amidst the tall trees. ‘Suddenly there burst forth a general ery of ‘Here they come.’ The noise which they made, though yet distant, reminded me of a hard gale at sea, passing through the rigging of a close-reefed vessel. As the birds arrived and passed over me, I felt a current of air that surprised me. Thousands were soon knocked down by the pole-men; the birds continued to pour in; the fires were lighted, and a most magnificent as well as wonderful and almost ter- rifying sight presented itself. The pigeons arriving by thousands alighted everywhere, one above another, until solid masses as large as hogsheads were formed on the branches all round. Here and there the perches gave way with e crash, and falling on the ground destroyed hun- dreds of the birds beneath, forcing down the dense groups with which every stick was loaded. ‘Tt was a scene of uproar and confusion ; no one dared venture within the line of devasta- tion ; the hogs had been penned up in due time, the picking up of the dead and wounded being left for next morning’s employment. The pigeons were constantly coming, and it was past midnight before I perceived a decrease in the number of those that arrived. Towards the approach of day the noise in some measure subsided ; long before objects were distinguishable POWERS OF THE PASSENGER PIGEON. 439 the pigeons began to move off in a direction quite different from that in which they had arrived the evening before, and at sunrise all that were able to fly had disappeared. The howl- ings of the wolves now reached our ears, and the foxes, lynxes, cougars, bears, racoons, and opossums were seen sneaking off, whilst eagles and hawks of different species, accompanied by a crowd of vultures, came to supplant them, and enjoy their share of the spoil.” The chief food of the Passenger Pigeon is beech-mast, but the bird feeds on numerous other grains and fruits, such as acorns, buckwheat, hempseed, maize, holly-berries, huckle- berries, and chestnuts. Rice is also a favorite article of food, and pigeons have been killed with rice still undigested in their stomachs, though the nearest rice plantation was distant several hundred miles. The amount of food consumed by these birds is almost incredible. Wilson calculates that, taking the breadth of the great column of pigeons mentioned above to be only one mile, its length to be two hundred and forty miles, and to contain only three Pigeons in each square yard (taking no account of the several strata of birds, one above the other), and that each bird consumes half a pint of food daily—all which assumptions are below the actual amount—the quantity of food consumed in each day would be seventeen million bushels. Audubon makes a similar calculation, allowing only two birds to the square yard. Although these birds are found in such multitudes, there is only a single young one each time of hatching, though there are probably two or even three broods in a season. The young birds are extremely fat, and their flesh is very delicious, only, as during their stay every one eats pigeons all day and every day, they soon pall upon the taste. So plump are these birds, that it is often the custom to melt them down for the sake of their fat alone. When they begin to shift for themselves they pass through the forest in search of their food, hunting among the leaves for mast, and appear like a prodigious torrent rolling along through the woods, every one striving to be in the front. ‘‘ Vast numbers of them are shot while in this situation. A person told me that he once rode furiously into one of these rolling multitudes and picked up thirteen pigeons, which had been trampled to death by his horse’s feet. In afew minutes they will beat the whole nuts from a tree with their wings, while all is a scramble, both above and below, for the same.’’ The young, the males and females, have a curious habit of dividing into separate flocks. One or two specimens of this bird have been taken in Europe, and one individual was shot in 1825. This species has bred in aviaries, and it is rather remarkable that the female made the nest while her mate performed the duties of hodman by bringing materials. The nest is very slight, being only composed of a few twigs rudely woven into a platform, and so loosely made that the eggs and young can be seen from below. In this instance the nest was begun and finished in the same day. The young bird was hatched after sixteen days. The color of the Passenger Pigeon is as follows: The head, part of the neck and the chin are slate-blue, and the lower part and sides of the neck are also deep slate, ‘shot’? with gold, green, and purplish-crimson, changing at every movement of the bird. The throat, breast, and ribs are reddish-hazel ; the back and upper tail-coverts dark slaty-blue, slightly spotted with black upon the shoulders. The primary and secondary quill-feathers of the wings are black, the primary being edged and tipped with dirty white. The lower part of the breast is a pale purplish-red, and the abdomen is white. The long and pointed tail has the two central feathers deep black, and the rest white, taking a bluish tint near their bases, and being marked with one black spot and another of rusty-red on the inner webs. The beak is black, the eye fiery orange, and a naked space around it is purplish-red. The female is known by her smaller size, her oaken-brown breast and ashen neck, and the slaty hue of the space round the eyes. The total length of the adult male is about sixteen inches. The extraordinary powers of flight possessed by the Passenger Pigeons enables them to pass over a wonderful extent of country in a very short time. Pigeons have been killed in the - neighborhood of New York, with their crops full of rice, which they must have eaten in the rice-fields of Georgia or Carolina ; these districts being the nearest in which they could possibly have gathered such food, It is estimated that these birds might easily cross to Europe in three days. 440 THE ZENAIDA DOVE. The Wild Pigeons inhabit a wide and extensive region of North America, on this side of the Rocky Mountains. They abound in Hudson’s Bay, where they remain as late as December, and extend their range as far south as the Gulf of Mexico. THE BaNnpb-TAILED PiGKon (Columba fasciata) is a handsome species, inhabiting the Pacific side of the Rocky Mountains. Dr. Newberry met with this bird in numbers, and in many places, during his survey, and speaks of it as an attractive bird, about the size and with many of the habits of the domestic Pigeon. Its colors are ash above, inclining to olivaceous on the back, and a fine bluish cast on the rump.