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Full text of "The bird book : illustrating in natural colors more than seven hundred North American birds, also several hundred photographs of their nests and eggs"

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REFERENCE    ROOM 


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REFERENCE 


THE    BIRD    BOOK 


PASSENGER    OR    WILD    PIGEON 

Female  Male 

Young 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 

ILLUSTRATING  IN  NATURAL  COLORS 

MORE  THAN   SEVEN   HUNDRED 

NORTH   AMERICAN   BIRDS; 

ALSO    SEVERAL  HUNDRED 

PHOTOGRAPHS  OF  THEIR 

NESTS  AND  EGGS 


BY 

CHESTER  A.  REED,  B.  S. 


GARDEN  CITY  NEW  YORK 

DOUBLEDAY,  PAGE  &  COMPANY 

I9IS 


Copyright,  1914,  by 
CHARLES  K.  REED 

All  rights  reserved,  including  that  of 

translation  into  foreign  languages, 

including  the  Scandinavian 


,- 


1 


BARN  OWL 


Tr^o^  VnneY --M^ 

\oes  <wdd\e--fi%r« 


TOPOGRAPHY    OP    A    BIRD 


TABLE  OF  CONTENTS 

Diving  Birds.  Order  I.  Pygopodes 10 

Grebes.  Family  Colymbidas  11 

Loons.  Family  Gaviidse  17 

Auks,  Murres  and  Puffins.  Family  Alcidae 21 

Long-winged  Swimmers.  Order  II.  Longipennes 35 

Skuas  and  Jaegers.  Family  Stercoraridse 35 

Gulls  and  Terns.  Family  Laridae  38 

Skimmers.  Family  Rynchopidse  58 

Tube-nosed  Swimmers.  Order  III.  Tubinares 59 

Albatrosses.  Family  Diomedeidae  59 

Fulmars,  Shearwaters  and  Petrels.  Family  Procellariidae 61 

Totipalmate  Swimmers.  Order  IV.  Steganopodes 72 

Tropic  Birds.  Family  Phaethontidas  72 

Gannets.  Family  Sulidae  74 

Darters.  Family  Anhingidae  77 

Cormorants.  Family  Phalacrocoracidae  78 

Pelicans.  Family  Pelecanidae  83 

Man-o'-War  Birds.  Family  Fregatidse  86 

Lamellirostral  Swimmers.  Order  V.  Anseres 87 

Ducks,  Geese  and  Swans.  Family  Anatidae 87 

Lamellirostral  Grallatores.  Order  VI.  Odontoglossae 115 

Flamingoes.  Family  Phrenicopteridae  115 

Herons,  Storks,  Ibises,  etc.  Order  VII.  Herodiones 115 

Spoonbills.  Family  Plataleidae  115 

Ibises.  Family  Ibididas  117 

Storks  and  Wood  Ibises.  Family  Ciconiidae 118 

Herons,  Bitterns,  etc.  Family  Ardeidae 119 

Cranes,  Rails,  etc.  Order  VIII.  Paludicolaa 127 

Cranes.  Family  Gruidse  127 

Courlans.  Family  Aramidae  129 

Rails,  Gallinules  and  Coots.  Family  Rallidae 131 

Shore  Birds.  Order  IX.  Limicolse  137 

Phalaropes.  Family  Phalaropodidae  137 

Avocets  and  Stilts.  Family  Recurvirostridae 139 

Snipes,  Sandpipers,  etc.  Family  Scolopacidae 140 

Plovers.  Family  Charadriidas  161 

Surf  Birds  and  Turnstones.  Family  Aphrizidae 169 

Oyster-catchers.  Family  Haematopodidae  170 

Jacanas.  Family  Jacanidse  172 

Gallinaceous  Birds.  Order  X.  Gallinae  175 

Grouse,  Partridges,  etc.  Family  Odontophoridae 175 

Turkeys.  Family  Meleagridae  178 

Curassows  and  Guans.  Family  Cracidae 191 


CONTENTS 

Pigeons.  Order  XI.  Columbae  192 

Pigeons.  Family  Columbidae  192 

Birds  of  Prey.  Order  XII.  Raptores 198 

American  Vultures.  Family  Cathartidse 198 

Hawks,  Eagles,  etc.  Family  Buteonidae  201 

Falcons,  etc.  Family  Falconidae  218 

Osprey.  Family  Pandionidae  225 

Barn  Owls.  Family  Aluconidae  227 

Owls.  Family  Strigidae  227 

Parrots,  Paroquets.  Order  XIII.  Psittaci 241 

Parrots  and  Paroquets.  Psittacidae  241 

Cuckoos,  etc.  Order  XIV.  Coccyges  241 

Cuckoos,  Anis,  etc.  Family  Cuculidae 241 

Trogons.  Family  Trogonidae  246 

Kingfishers.  Family  Alcedinidae  247 

Woodpeckers,  Wrynecks,  etc.  Order  XV.  Pici 249 

Woodpeckers.  Family  Picidae  249 

Goatsuckers,  Swifts,  etc.  Order  XVI.  Macrochires 262 

Goatsuckers,  etc.  Family  Caprimulgidse  263 

Swifts.  Family  Micropodidae  268 

Hummingbirds.  Family  Trochilidae  271 

Perching  Birds.  Order  XVII.  Passeres  280 

Cotingas.  Family  Cotingidae  280 

Tyrant  Flycatchers.  Family  Tyrannidae  280 

Larks.  Family  Alaudidae 297 

Crows,  Jays,  Magpies,  etc.  Family  Corvidae 300 

Starlings.  Family  Sturnidas  314 

Blackbirds,  Orioles,  etc.  Family  Icteridae 314 

Finches,  Sparrows,  etc.  Family  Fringillidae 324 

Tanagers.  Family  Tangaridae  369 

Swallows.  Family  Hirundinidae 372 

Waxwings.  Family  Bombycillidae 375 

Shrikes.  Family  Laniidae  376 

Vireos.  Family  Vireonidae  378 

Honey  Creepers.  Family  Crerebidse  385 

Warblers.  Family  Mniotiltidse  385 

Wagtails.  Family  Motacillidae 418 

Dippers.  Family  Cinclidae 419 

Wrens.  Family  Troglodytidae  423 

Thrashers,  etc.  Family  Mimidae  419 

Creepers.  Family  Certhiidae  430 

Nuthatches.  Family  Sittidae  431 

Titmice.  Family  Paridae 431 

Warblers,  Kinglets,  Gnatcatchers.  Family  Sylviidae 433 

Thrushes,  Solitaires,  Bluebirds,  etc.  Family  Turdidae 442 

Index  .  450 


BALTIMORE    ORIOLE 


THE    BIRD    BOOK 


DIVING  ^IRDS.    Order  I.    PYGOPODES 
GREBES.    Family  COLYMBID^E 

Grebes  are  birds  haying  a  dueklike  body,  but  with  pointed  bills.  Their 
feet,  too,  are  unlike  those  of  the  Ducks,  each  toe  having  its  separate  web,  and 
having  a  broad  flat  nail.  Their  wings  are  very  small  for  the  size  of  the  body, 
making  it  impossible  for  them  to^rise  an  flight  from  the  land.  They  rise  from 
the  water  by  running  a  few  yards  along  the  surface  until  they  have  secured 
sufficient  headway  to  allow  them  to  launch  themselves  into  the  air.  After 
having  risen  from  the  water  their  flight  is  very  swift  and  strong.  On  land  they 
are  very  awkward  and  can  only  progress  by  a  series  of  awkward  hops;  they 
generally  lie  flat  on  their  breasts,  but  occasionally,  stand  up,  supporting  them- 
selves upon  their  whole  tarsus.  Grebes,  together  with  the  Loons,  are  the  most 
expert  aquatic  birds  that  jwe. have,  diving  like  a  flashtarid  swimming  for  an  in 
credible  distance  under  'water. 


10 


DIVING  BIRDS 


1.  WESTERN  GREBE.  Aech?nophorus  occidentalis 
Range. — Western  parts  of  North  America,  from 
southern  Alaska  southward;  east  to  Minnesota 
and  south  in  winter  to  the  southern  parts  of  the 
United  States  and  Mexico.  Breeds  from  the  Da- 
kotas  and  northern  California  northward.  These 
are  the  largest  of  the  American  Grebes ;  owing  to 
their  unusually  long  necks,  they  are  frequently 
called  "Swan  Grebes."  They  are  very  timid 
birds  and  conceal  themselves  in  the  rushes  on 
the  least  suspicion  of  danger.  At  times,  to  escape 


Holboell's  Grebe 


Chalky    bluish    white,    stained    buff 

observation,  they  will  entirely  submerge  their 
body,  leaving  only  their  head  and  part  of  the 
long  neck  visible  above  the  water.  This  Grebe 
cannot  be  mistaken  for  any  other  because  of  the 
long  slender  neck  and  the  long  pointed  bill, 
which  has  a  slight  upward  turn.  They  nest  abund- 
antly in  the  marshes  of  North  Dakota  and  central 
Canada.  Their  nests  are  made  of  decayed  rushes, 
and  are  built  over  the  water,  being  fastened  to 
the  rushes  so  that  the  bottom  of  the  nest  rests  in 
the  water.  The  nesting  season  is  at  its  height 
during  the  latter  part  of  May.  They  lay  from  Western  Grebe 
three  to  five  eggs,  the  ground  color  of  which  is  a 
pale  blue;  this  color  is,  however,  always  concealed  by  a  thin  chalky  deposit, 
and  this  latter  is  frequently  stained  to  a  dirty  white.  Size  2.40  x  1.55. 

2.      HOLBOELI/S  GREBE.      Colymbus  holboellii. 

Range. — Throughout  North  Amer- 
ica, breeding  from  northern  United 
States  northward  and  wintering 
from  the  middle  to  the  southern 
portions  of  the  United  States. 

In  regard  to  size  this  Grebe  comes 
next  to  the  Western,  being  19  in. 
in  length.  This  bird  can  be  dis- 
tinguished by  the  white  cheeks  and 
throat  and  the  reddish  brown  fore- 
neck.  They  breed  abundantly  in 
the  far  north  placing  their  floating 
islands  of  decayed  vegetation  in 
the  water  in  the  midst  of  the 
marsh  grass.  They  lay  from  three 
to  six  eggs  of  a  dingy  white  color 

which  have  the  stained  surface  common  to  Grebes  eggs.     Size  2.35  x  1.25. 

11 


White,   stained   buff 


Walter  Raine 


NEST    AND    EGGS    OF    HOLBOELL'S    GREBE 
Lake  Winnipegosis,  Manitoba 


12 


DIVING  BIRDS 


3.     HORNED  GREBE.     Colymbus  auritus. 

Range. — The  whole  of  North  America,  breeding 
in  the  interior  from  North  Dakota  northwest; 
winters  along  the  Gulf  Coast.  This  species  is 
one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  Grebes,  having 
in  the  breeding  season  buffy  ear  tufts,  black 
cheeks  and  throat,  and  chestnut  neck,  breast  and 
sides.  They  breed  abundantly  in  the  marshy  flats 
of  North  Dakota  and  the  interior  of  Canada. 


Buffy  white,   nest  stained 

They  build  a  typical  Grebe's  nest,  a  floating  mass 
of  decayed  matter  which  stains  the  naturally 
white  eggs  to  a  dirty  brown.  The  number  of 
eggs  varies  from  three  to  seven.  Size  1.70  x  1.15. 
Data.— Devils  Lake,  N.  Dakota,  June  20,  1900. 
6  eggs  much  stained.  Nest  floating  in  4  ft.  of 
water,  a  large  mass  of  rotten  rushes  and  weeds. 
Collector.  James  Smalley. 

<k      EARED  GREBE.      Colymbus  nigricollis. 

californicus. 

Range. — North  America  west  of  the  Mississip- 
pi, breeding  from  Texas  to  Manitoba  and  winter- 
ing along  the  Pacific  Coast  of  the  United  States 
and  from  Texas  southward. 

Eared  Grebes  differ  from  the  preceding  in  hay- 
ing the  entire  neck  blackish.  They  nest  very 
abundantly  throughout  the  west,  in  favorable  lo- 
calities, from  Texas  to  Minnesota  and  Dakota. 
Their  nests  are  constructed  in  the  same  man- 
ner as  the  preceding  varieties  and  are  located  in  similar  localities.  As  do  all 
the  Grebes  when  leaving  the  nest,  they  cover  the  eggs  with  the  damp  rushes  from 

.,,  ,     around  the  base  of  the  nest.    This  is  prob- 
,.-  ,  ably  for   the   purpose    of   assisting   incuba- 

tion during  their  absence,  by  the  action  "of 

.  the  sun's  rays   on  the  wet  mass.     As  they 

.are  nearly  always  thus  covered  upon  the 
approach  of  anyone,  this  may  be  done  also 
as  a  protection  from  discovery.  They  lay 
from  three  to  eight  bluish  white  eggs  with 
the  , usual  chalky  and  discolored  appear- 
ance. The  breeding  season  is  at  its  height 
early  in  June,  or  earlier,  in  the  southern 
portion  of  its  range.  Size  1.75  x  1.20.  Data. 
—Artesian,  S.  Dakota,  June  21,  1899.  Nest 
of  rushes,  floating  in  three  feet  of  water. 
Large  colony  in  a  small  lake.  Collector,  F.  A.  Patton. 

13 


Horned  Grebe 


Eared  Grebe 


Bluish    white,    stained 


1 


Walter  Raine 


NEST    AND    EGGS   OF    HORNED   GREBE 
Saltcoats  Marshes,  Assinibola,  June  6,   1901 


H 


DIVING  BIRDS 


5.      MEXICAN  GREBE.      Coif)  nib  us 
dominicus  brachypterus. 

Range. — Southern  Texas  and  Lower  Cali- 
fornia southward  to  South  America,  breed- 
ing throughout  its  range. 

The  Least  Grebe  is  by  far  the  smallest  of 
the  Grebes  in  this  country,  being  but  10  in. 
in  length;  it  can  not  be  mistaken  for  any 
other,  the  Eared  Grebe  being  the  only  spe- 
cies of  this  family  found  in  the  same  locali- 
ties during  the  summer.  These  little  Grebes 
nest  very  abundantly  along  the  Rio  Grande 


Deep    huff    or   rich    brown 

Valley  in  Texas,  the  nesting  season  lasting 
from  the  latter  part  of  May  until  well  into 
December. 

Their  nests  are  floating  piles  of  grass  and 
weeds  upon  which  they  lay  from  three  to 
five  chalky  white  eggs,  which  are  always 
discolored,  sometimes  to  a  deep  chocolate 
hue.  These  eggs  average  a  great  deal  dark- 
er in  color  than  do  any  of  the  other  Grebes. 
In  a  series  of  fifty  sets  fully  half  were  a 
rich  brown  tint.  Sl:;e  1.40  x  .95. 

6.      PIED-BILLED  GREBE.     Podilymbus 

podiceps. 

Range. — From  the  British  provinces 
southward  to  Argentine  Republic,  breeding 
locally  throughout  the  northern  portions  of 
its  range. 

The  Dabchick,  as  this  bird  is  called,  is  the  most  evenly  distributed   bird 
of  this  family.     It  is  nowhere  especially  abundant,  nor  is  it,  except  in  a  very 


Mexican   Grebe 

Pied-billed   Grebe 


few  localities,  regarded  as  rare.  Consequently 
the  species.  They  do  not  congregate  in  such 
Grebes  during  the  nesting  season,  but  one 
or  more  pairs  may  be  found  in  almost  any 
favorable  locality.  These  birds  render  their 
floating  nest  a  little  more  substantial  than 
those  of  the  preceding  varieties  by  the  ad- 
dition of  mud  which  they  bring  up  from  the 
bottom  of  the  pond;  this  addition  also  tends 
to  soil  the  eggs  more,  consequently  the 
eggs  of  this  bird  are,  as  a  general  rule, 
browner  than  the  other  Grebes  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  Least.  The  bird  may  always 
be  known  by  the  shape  of  its  bill  which  is 
higher  than  it  is  broad,  and  in  the  summer 
is  white  with  a  black  band  across  the  middle. 


it  is  the  best  known  bird   of 
large   numbers    as    the   other 


Deep    buff 
The  throat  is  also  black  at 


this  season.     They  lay  from   five  to  nine   eggs  commencing  about  the  middle 
of  May.     Size  1.70  x  1.18. 

15 


PIED-BILLED   GREBE 


LOONS.     Family  GAVIIDAE 


Loons  may  be  likened  to  gigantic  Grebes  from  which  they  differ  external- 
ly, chiefly  in  the  full  webbed  foot  instead  of  the  individually  webbed  toes  of 
the  Grebe,  and  in  the  sharper,  msore  pointed  and  spear-like  bill.  These  birds 
are  similar  in  their  habits  to  the  Grebes  , except  that  their  homes  are  gen- 
erally more  substantially  built  and  are  placed  upon  a  solid  foundation,  gen- 
erally upon  an  island  in  some  inland  lake. 

Both  Loons  and  Grebes  are  literally  "Water  witches,"  being  practically, 
and  in  the  case  of  Grebes,  actually,  born  in  the  water  and  living  in  it  ever 
afterwards.  Loons  are  strong  fliers,  but  like  the  Grebes,  because  of  their 
small  wings  they  must  get  their  first  impetus  from  the  water  in  order  to 
rise;  in  case  there  is  any  wind  blowing  they  also  make  use  of  this  by  starting 
their  flight  against  it.  They  are  very  peculiar  birds  and  the  expression 
"crazy  as  a  loon"  is  not  a  fanciful  one,  being  formed  from  their  early  morning 
and  evening  antics  when  two  or  more  of  them  will  race  over  the  top  of  the 
water,  up  and  down  the  lake,  all  the  while  uttering  their  demoniacal  laugh- 
ter. They  vie  with  the  Grebes  in  diving  and  disappear  at  the  flash  of  a  gun. 


EGG    OF    LOON 
Dark   greenish  brown 


==—_  _ 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


L.oon 
Black-throated   Loon 


7.     LOON.     Gavia  immer. 

Range. — North  America  north  of  the  Mex- 
ican boundary,  breeding  from  the  northern 
parts  of  the  United  States  northward. 

Unlike  the  Grebes,  Loons  do  not  build  in 
colonies,  generally  not  more  than  one,  or 
at  the  most  two  pairs  nesting  on  the  same 
lake  or  pond;  neither  do  they  seek  the 
marshy  sloughs  in  which  Grebes  dwell,  pre- 
ferring the  more  open,  clear  bodies  of 
water.  The  common  Loon  may  be  known 
in  summer  by  the  entirely  black  head  and 
neck  with  the  complete  ribbon  of  black  and 
white  stripes  encircling  the  lower  neck  and 
the  narrower  one  which  crosses  the  throat. 
The  back  is  spotted  with  white.  In  some 
sections  Loons  build  no  nest,  simply  scoop- 
ing a  hollow  out  in  the  sand,  while  in  other 
places  they  construct  quite  a  large  nest  of 
sticks,  moss  and  grasses.  It  is  usually  plac- 
ed but  a  few  feet  from  the  waters  edge,  so 
that  at  the  least  suspicion  the  bird  can  slide 
off  its  eggs  into  the  water,  where  it  can  cope 
with  any  enemy.  The  nests  are  nearly  al- 
ways concealed  under  the  overhanging 
bushes  that  line  the  shore;  the  one  shown 
in  the  full  page  illustration,  however,  was 
located  upon  the  top  of  an  old  muskrat 
house.  The  two  eggs  which  they  lay  are  a 
very  dark  greenish  brown  in  color,  with 
black  spots.  Size  3.50x2.25.  Data. — Lake 
Sunapee,  N.  H.,  June  28,  1895.  Nest  placed 
under  the  bushes  at  the  waters  edge.  Made 
of  rushes,  weeds  and  grasses;  a  large  struc- 
ture nearly  three  feet  in  diameter.  Col- 
lector, H.  A.  Collins. 


8.  YELLOW-BILLED   LOON.     Gavia  adamsi. 

Range. — Northwestern  North  America,  along  the  Arctic  and  northern  Alas- 
kan coasts. 

The  Yellow-billed  Loon  with  the  exception  of  its  whitish  or  yellowish  bill 
in  place  of  the  black,  is  practically  otherwise  indistinguishable  from  the 
common  Loon.  It  averages  somewhat  larger  in  size.  This  is  one  of  the  most 
northerly  breeding  birds  and  it  is  only  within  a  very  few  years  that  anything 
has  been  learned  about  the  breeding  habits.  Their  nesting  habits  and  eggs 
are  precisely  like  the  preceding  except  that  the  lattr  average  a  little  larger. 
Size  3.60  x  2.25. 

9.  BLACK-THROATED  LOON.     Gavia  arctica. 

Range. — From  northern  United  States  northward,  breeding  along  the  Arctic 
Coast. 

This  species  can  be  easily  separated  from  the  Loon  by  the  gray  crown  and 
white  streaks  down  the  back  of  the  neck.  Its  size,  too,  is  about  five  inches 
shorter.  The  nesting  habits  are  the  same  as  the  Loons  and  the  eggs  have 
rather  more  of  an  olive  tint  besides  having  the  majority  of  spots  at  the 
larger  end.  Size  3.10x  2.00. 

18 


DIVING  BIRDS 


10.  PACIFIC  Loox.      Gavia  pacifica. 

Range. — Western  North  America  along  the 
coast  chiefly,  breeding  from  Alaska  south  to 
British  Columbia.  In  winter,  south  along  the 
coast  to  Mexico. 

This  species  differs  from  the  Black-throated 
only  in  the  tint  of  the  head  reflections.  The 
habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  other  members 
of  the  family.  They  lay  two  eggs  of  a  greenish 
brown  or  greenish  gray  hue  with  black  spots. 
Size  3.10  x  1.90.  Data. — Yukon  River,  Alaska, 
June  28,  1902.  Nest  of  rubbish  on  an  island; 
found  by  a  miner. 

11.  RED-THROATED  LOON.      Gavia  stellata. 
Range. — Northern     parts     of     North     America, 

breeding  from  southern  Canada  northward  in  the 
interior  on  both  coasts.  South  to  the  middle  por- 
tions of  the  United  States  in  winter. 

This  is  the  smallest  of  the  Loon  family,  being 
twenty-five  inches  in  length.  In  plumage  it  is 
wholly  unlike  any  of  the  other  members  at  all 
seasons  of  the  year.  In  summer  the  back,  head 
and  neck  are  gray,  the  latter  being  striped  with 
white.  A  large  chestnut  patch  adorns  the  front 
of  the  lower  part  of  the  neck.  In  winter  the 
back  is  spotted  with  white,  whereas  all  the  others 
are  unspotted  at  this  period.  The  nesting  habits  are 
identical  with  the  other  species;  the  ground  color 
of  the  two  eggs  is  also  the  same.  Size,  2.00  x  1.75. 


Pacific  Loon 

Red-throated  Loon 


PACIFIC    LOON 
Greenish    brown    or    gray 

19 


J.    A.   Munro 


NEST   AND   EGGS   OF   LOON 
This  nest  is  built  on  top  of  a  Muskrat  house 


20 


DIVING  BIRDS 


NEST  AND  EGGS  OF   PIED-BILLED  GREBE 


PUFFINS,  AUKS  and  MURRES. 
Family  ALCID^E 

Puffins,  Auks  and  Murres  are  all  sea  birds  and  are  only  found  inland  when 
blown  there  by  some  severe  storm  of  winter.  At  this  season  numbers  of  them 
are  apt  to  lose  their  bearings  and  may  sometimes  be  found  with  their  feet 
frozen  in  some  of  our  inland  ponds.  Puffins  are  heavily  built  birds  in  appear- 
ance, but  are  very  active  both  on  the  wing  and  in  the  water.  Their  wings  are 
much  larger  comparatively  than  those  of  the  other  members  of  this  family, 
so  they  are  enabled  to  perform  evolutions  in  the  air,  which  are  withheld  from 
the  others.  They  stand  upright  on  the  sole  of  the  foot  and  are  able  to  walk 
quite  easily  on  land.  Puffins  have  very  heavy  and  deep  but  thin  bills,  which 
are  entirely  unlike  those  of  any  other  bird  and  often  give  then  the  name  of 
Parrot  Auks.  Puffins,  Auks  and  Murres  are  otherwise  recognized  by  the  pres- 
ence of  but  three  toes  which  are  webbed. 

21 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


12.     TUFTED  PUFFIX.     Lunda  cirrhata. 


Tufted  Puffin 
Puffin 


Range. — Pacific  Coast  from  Alaska  southward 
to  southern  California,  breeding  locally  through- 
out their  range. 

Tufted  Puffins  are  the  largest  of  the  Puffins. 
In  the  breeding  plumage,  they  are  a  sooty  brown- 
ish or  black  color;  the  cheeks  are  white,  and  a 
long  tuft  of  straw  colored  feathers  extends  back 
from  each  eye;  the  bill  is  bright  red  and  green- 
ish yellow.  They  breed  commonly  on  the  Faral- 
lones,  where  two  or  three  broods  are  raised  by  a 
bird  in  a  single  season,  but  much  more  abund- 
antly on  the  islands  in  the  north.  Their  single 
eggs  are  laid  in  burrows  in  the  ground  or  else  in 


White 


natural  crevices  formed  by  the  rocks.  The  eggs  are  pure  white  or  pale  buff 
and  are  without  gloss.  They  very  often  have  barely  perceptible  shell  markings 
of  dull  purplish  color.  The  eggs  are  laid  about  the  middle  of  June.  Size  2.80 
x  1.90.  Data. — Farallone  Is.,  May  27,  1887.  Single  egg  laid  in  crevice  of  rocks. 
Collector,  W.  O.  Emerson. 

13.     PUFFIN.     Fratercula  arctica  arctica. 

Range. — North  Atlantic  Coast,  breeding  from  the  Bay  of  Fundy  northward. 
Winters  from  breeding  range  along  the  New  England  Coast. 

The  common  Puffin  has  the  cheeks,  chin  and  underparts  white;  upper  parts 
and  a  band  across  the  throat,  blackish.  Bill  deep  and  thin,  and  colored  with 
red,  orange  and  yellow.  They  breed  in  large  numbers  on  Bird  Rock  in  the 
Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  The  nest  is  either  among  the  natural  crevices  of  the 

22 


DIVING  BIRDS 

rocks,  or  in  burrows  excavat- 
ed in  the  ground  by  the  birds. 
These  burrows  vary  in  length 
from  two  and  a  half  to  four 
or  five  feet.  Except  upon  the 
positive  knowledge  of  the  ab- 
sence of  the  bird,  it  is  a 
hazardous  thing  to  put  the 
hand  in  one  of  these  burrows 
for  the  bird  can,  and  will  nip 
the  fingers,  sometimes  to  the 
bone.  They  lay  but  a  single 
egg,  usually  dull  white  and 
unmarked,  but  in  some  cases 

White  obscurely   marked    with   red- 

•dish  brown.     Size  2.50  x  1.75.     Data. — So.  Labrador,  June  23,  1884.     Single  egg 
laid  at  end  of  burrow  in  the  ground.    Collector,  J.  H.  Jameson. 


13a.      LARGE-BILLED  PUFFIN.     Fratercula  arctica  naumanni. 

A  more  northerly  subspecies  of  the  last,  inhabiting  the  Arctic  region  on  the 
Atlantic  side.  The  bird  is  somewhat  larger  but  otherwise  indistinguishable 
from  the  common  species.  The  eggs  are  exactly  the  same  or  average  a  trifle 
larger.  Size  2.55  x  1.80.  Data. — Iceland,  July  6,  1900.  Single  egg  in  hole  under 
.a  rock.  Collector,  Chas.  Jefferys. 


14.      HORNED   PUFFIN.      Fratercula   corniculata. 

Range. — Pacific  Coast  from  Alaska  to  British  Columbia.  The  Horned  Puffin 
differs  from  the  common  in  that  the  blackish  band  across  the  throat  extends 
upwards  in  a  point  to  the  bill.  Their  nesting  habits  are  precisely  the  same  as 
those  of  the  preceding  species.  A  single  pure  white  egg  is  laid;  the  shell  is 
slightly  rougher  than  those  of  the  others.  Size  2.65  x  1.80.  Data. — Round  Is., 
Alaska,  June  24,  1884.  Single  egg  laid  at  end  of  burrow  in  ground;  no  nest. 
Collector,  G.  L.  Kennedy. 


15.      RHINOCEROS  AUKLET.     Cerorhinca  monocerata. 

Range. — Pacific  Coast,  breeding  from  British  Columbia  northward  and  win- 
tering southward  to  Lower  California. 

The  Rhinoceros  Auklet  or  Horned  Auk  has  a  much  smaller  bill  than  the 
Puffins;  in  the  summer  this  is  adorned  at  the  base  by  a  horn  from  which  it 
takes  its  name.  There  are  also  slender  plumes  from  above  and  below  the  eyes. 
Unlike  the  Puffins,  these  birds  sit  upon  their  whole  tarsus. 

They  nest  on  islands  of  the  North  Pacific  Coast  from  Vancouver  northward. 
A  single  egg  is  laid  in  crevices  among  the  rocks  or  in  burrows  in  the  ground. 
It  is  similar  both  in  size  and  shape  to  that  of  the  Puffins,  but  is  often  quite 
heavily  blotched  with  brown.  Size  2.70x1.80.  Data. — Unak  Is.,  Alaska,  June 
30,  1900.  Egg  laid  in  a  fissure  of  the  rocks;  no  nest.  Collector,  F.  Weston. 

23 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


Horned  Puffin 

Rhinoceros  Auklet 

Cassin  Auklet 


16.  CASSIN  AUKLET.  Ptychoramphus  aleuticus* 
Range. — Pacific  Coast  from  Alaska  to  Lower 
California,  breeding  nearly  throughout  its  range. 
A  plain  appearing  bird  about  9  in.  in  length, 
with  blackish  upperparts  relieved  only  by  a  white 
spot  over  the  eye;  breast  and  throat  gray  and 
belly  white.  This  Auklet  is  fairly  abundant  on 
the  Farallones,  breeding  on  the  lower  portions  of 
the  island.  The  late  Mr.  C.  Barlow  says  that  it 
is  found  in  deserted  rabbit  burrows  and  in  all 


White 

probability  often  excavates  its  own  burrows.  It 
also  nests  among  the  cliffs  placing  its  eggs  among 
the  rocks  in  any  crevice  or  tunnel  which  may  offer 
a  dark  retreat  during  the  day  for  they  are  noctur- 
nal in  their  habits.  The  single  egg  which  they 
lay  is  dull  white  in  color,  the  inside  of  the  shell 
being  a  pale  green,  which  color  can  only  be  seen 
by  holding  the  egg  to  the  light.  They  are  gen- 
erally slightly  nest  stained.  Size  1.80  x  1.30. 
Data. — Coronado  Islands,  Cal.,  March  23,  1897. 
Single  egg  laid  on  the  bare  ground  at  end  of  a 
burrow  three  and  one-half  feet  long.  Collector, 
E.  A.  Shives. 


RHINOCEROS    AUKLET 

Color  white,   sometimes  heavily   blotched, 
as  above,  and  again    unspotted 

24 


17.      PAROQUET  AUKLET. — Phaleris  psittacula. 

Range. — The  Alaskan  Coast,  casually  farther 
south  in  winter. 

This  bird  is  about  the  same  size  as  the  preced- 
ing, and  the  plumage  is  similar,  except  that  it 
has  no  white  spot  over  the  eye,  and  the  breast  is 
white.  It  also  has  a  slender  plume  extending 
from  back  of  the  eye.  The  bill  is  very  peculiar, 
being  quite  deep  and  rounded  and  having  an  up- 
ward tendency.  It  is  orange  red  in  color.  They 


DIVING  BIRDS 


Crested  Auklet 


White 

breed  very  commonly  on  the  islands  of  Bering 
Strait.  Their  eggs  are  laid  in  the  crevices  of  the 
cliff,  often  several  feet  in  and  by  a  crooked  path 
so  that  it  is  impossible  to  reach  them.  The  sin- 
gle chalky  white  egg  is  laid  in  May.  Size  2.30  x 
1.45.  Data.— Rocky  Islet  in  the  Aleutians,  June 
22,  1890,  Single  egg  laid  on  bare  rock  in  a  deep  Paroquet  Auklet 
crevice.  Collector,  Capt.  S.  Wilson. 

18.      CRESTED  AUKLET.     Aethia  cristatella. 

Range. — Alaska  Coast,  Similar  in  form  and  plumage  to  the  latter,  except 
that  the  whole  under  parts  are  gray  and  it  has  a  crest  of  recurved  feathers. 
The  nesting  season  begins  in  May,  the  birds  nesting  upon  the  same  islands 
and  in  the  same  kinds  of  sites  as  the  last  species.  The  single  egg  is  chalky 
white.  Size  2.10x1.50.  Data.— Unak  Is.,  Alaska,  July  1,  1900.  Egg  laid  in  a 
crevice  among  the  rocks.  Collector,  F.  Weston. 

19-      WHISKERED  AUKLET.     Aethia  pygmaea. 

Range. — The  Alaska  Coast. 

Much  smaller  than  the  preceding;  but  7.5  in.  in  length.  Breast  gray,  belly 
white;  a  small  tuft  of  recurved  feathers  on  the  forehead  and  slender  white 
plumes  from  base  of  bill  over  the  eye  and  from  under  the  eye,  backwards.  The 
bill  in  summer  is  a  bright  vermillion  color.  On  some  of  the  islands  of  the 
Aleutian  chain  they  breed  quite  abundantly.  The  nests  are  placed  back  in 
the  crevices  of  the  rocks,  where  the  single  white  eggs  are  laid.  Size  2.00  x  1.25. 

25 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


V  V 

-v-     V 


20.     LEAST  AUKLET.     Aethia  pusilla. 

Range. — North  Pacific  on  the  islands  and  coast 
of  Alaska.  This  is  the  smallest  of  the  Auklets; 
length  6.5  in.  This  species  has  no  crest,  but  has 
the  slender  white  plumes  extending  back  from 
the  eye.  The  entire  under  parts  are  white  sparse- 
ly spotted  with  dusky.  This  species  is  by  far  the 
most  abundant  of  the  water  birds  of  the  extreme 
Northwest,  and  thousands  of  them,  accompanied 
by  the  two  preceding  species,  nest  on  the  rocky 
cliffs  of  the  islands  of  Bering  Sea.  Their  nesting 
habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  other  Auk- 
lets,  they  placing  their  single  white  egg  on  the 
bare  rocks,  in  crevices  on  the  cliffs.  Size  1.55  x 
1.10.  Data. — Pribilof  Is.,  Alaska,  June  8,  1897. 
Single  egg  laid  in  crevice.  Thousands  breeding 
on  the  island. 


White 

21.     ANCIENT  MURRELET.     Synthliboramphus 
antiquus. 

Range. — Pacific  Coast,  breeding  from  the  bord- 
iLeast  Auklet  er  of  tne  United  States,  northward,  and  wintering 

Ancient  Murrelet  south   to  southern  California. 

Marbled  Murrelet 
The  Murrelets  have  no  crests  or 
plumes  and  the  bills  are  more  slen- 
der than  the  Auklets  and  are  not  ^-^  '-^  /      J  *    - 
liighly  colored.     The  ancient  Mur- 
relet   or    Black-throated    Murrelet,          ^Bk  '•*              .  c   •  -    «    .  . ...      - 
as    it   is   also    called,   has    a    gray                *  *    *V.*        \f  •       -  ^     . 
back,    white    under    parts    and    a 
black  head  and  throat,  with  a  broad 
white  stripe  back  of  the   eye  and 
another   formed   by    the   white   on 
the  breast  extending  up  on  the  side 
of  the   neck.     They   breed   abund- 
antly on  the  islands  in  Bering  Sea, 
laying  one  or  two  eggs  at  the  end 
of  burrows  in  the  banks  or  on  the 
ground,  and  in  some  localities  in  crevices  on  the  cliffs.    The  eggs  are  a  buffy 
white  color  and  are  faintly  marked  with  light  brown,  some  of  these  being  in 
the  shape  of  spots  and  others  lengthened.     Siae  2.40  x  1.40.     Data. — Sanak  Is- 
lands, July  1,  1894.     Two  eggs  on  the  ground  under  a  tuft  of  grass  and  in  a 
slight  excavation  lined  with  fine  grass. 

26 


•*/• 


Buff 


DIVING  BIRDS 


23.      MARBLED  MURRELET.     Brachyramphus  marmoratus. 


I 


Range. — North    Pacific    Coast, 
breeding     from     Vancouver     Is- 
land.    South  in  winter  to  south-  ,  .f , 
ern  California.                                                /L: 

In  the  breeding  plumage, 
this  bird  is  brownish  black 
above,  barred  with  rusty  and 
below  is  marbled  with  brownish 
gray  and  white.  Its  nesting 
habits  and  eggs  are  very  similar 
to  those  of  the  Ancient  Murre- 
let,  they  placing  their  single 

eggs  in  holes  in  the  ground  or  Buffi 

crevices  among  the  cliffs.    Size 

2.20  x  1.40.    Data.— Chichagof  Is.,  Alaska,  June  IS,  1898.     Single  egg  in  crevice 
on  face  of  cliff.     Large  colony  breeding  in  company  with  Ancient  Murrelets. 


24.  KITTLITZ  MURRELET.     Brachyramphus  brevirostris. 

Range.— North  Pacific  Coast  in  the  Aleutian  Islands  and  north  to  Unalaska, 

breeding  on  isolated  islands 
throughout  its  range.  This  spe- 
cies is  very  similar  to  the  Mar- 
bled Murrelet,  the  chief  differ- 
ence being  in  the  bill  which  is 
shorted.  They  have  been  found 
IL  breeding  on  the  same  islands 
|p  with  the  preceding  species. 
Their  single  white  egg  is  laid 
in  crevices  in  the  cliffs.  Size 
2.40  x  1.30.  Data. — Sanak  Is., 
Alaska,  June  25,  1890.  Nest  in 
a  hollow  under  a  bunch  of  rank 
matted  grass.  Many  ancient 
Burrelets  breeding  on  the  same 
Islands.  Collector,  Capt.  Tilson. 

25.  XANTUS  MURRELET.     Brachyramphus  hypoleucus. 

Range. — Resident  along  the  coast  of  southern  and  Lower  California. 

This  bird  is  blackish  above  and  entire- 
ly white  below,  inculding  the  sides  of 
the  head  below  the  eye.  The  whole  of  <#&£?" 

the  under  surface  of  the  wing  is  also 
white.  They  breed  on  the  coast  islands 
from  Santa  Barbara  southward.  The  sin- 
gle egg  is  laid  at  the  end  of  a  burrow 
or  in  crevices  among  the  rocks.  It  is  a 
pale  buffy  white  in  color  and  thickly,  but 
finely  dotted  over  the  whole  surface  with 
purplish  brown,  and  with  some  larger 
spots  at  the  larger  end.  Sise  2.05  v  1.40. 
Data. — Galapagos  Islands,  March  2,  1901. 
No  nest.  Single  egg  laid  in  a  crevice  in 
the  rocks.  Collector,  Hollo  H.  Beck. 

Pale    Blue 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


26.     CRAVERI'S  MURRELET. 


Brachyramphus  craveri. 

Range. — Both  coasts  of  Lower  California,  breed- 
ing chiefly  on  the  Gulf  side.  Craveri  Murrelet  is 
very  similar  to  the  last  except  that  the  under  sur- 
faces of  the  wings  are  dusky.  Breeds  on  the  is- 
lands near  Cape  St.  Lucas,  burrowing  in  the 
ground  as  do  most  of  the  others  of  this  species. 
They  lay  a  single  egg,  the  ground  color  of  which 
is  buff;  they  are  quite  heavily  blotched  with 
brownish.  Size  2.00  x  1.40. 

27.     BLACK  GUILLEMOT.     Cepphus  grylle. 

Range. — Coasts  and  islands  of  the  North  At- 
lantic, breeding  from  Maine  northward  to  south- 
ern Greenland.  Guillemots  are  larger  birds  than 
the  Murrelets  (length  13  inches)  and  their  plum- 
age is  entirely  different.  This  species  in  summer 


Bluish  white 


Xantus  Murrelet 

Mandt's  Guillemot 

is  entirely  black  except  the  wing  coverts  which 
are  white.  The  bases  of  the  greater  coverts, 
however,  are  black,  this  generally  breaking  the 
white  mirror  as  it  is  called.  The  under  sur- 
faces of  the  wings  are  white.  Legs  red.  These 
birds  breed  abundantly  on  the  rocky  islands 
and  high  cliffs  along  the  coast.  Soon  after 
the  first  of  June  the  eggs  are  laid  in  the  crev- 
ices of  the  rocks  and  sometimes  upon  the  bare 
ledges.  Two  or  three  eggs  make  the  set.  The 
ground  color  is  a  pale  bluish  or  greenish  white 
and  the  markings  are  various  shades  of  brown 
and  black.  Size  2.40  x  1.60.  Data. — Grand 
Manan,  June  15,  1896.  Two  eggs  laid  in  a 
cavity  back  of  large  boulder.  No  nest.  Collec- 
tor, D.  H.  Eaton. 


Black    Guillemot 


28 


DIVING  BIRDS 


Murre 


28.  MANDT'S  GUILLEMOT.      Cepphus  mandti. 

Range.— North  Atlantic  coast,  more  north- 
erly than  the  preceding,  breeding  from  Labra- 
dor to  northern  Greenland. 

The  bird  differs  from  the  Black  Guillemot 
only  in  having  the  bases  of  the  coverts  white 
also.  The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  identi- 
cal. They  nest  in  colonies  of  thousands  and 
place  the' eggs  upon  the  bare  rock  with  no  at- 
tempt at  nest  building.  Generally  the  eggs 
are  in  the  crevices  so  as  to  be  difficult  to  get 
at.  Size  2.30  x  1.55.  Data. — Depot  Island,  Hud- 
son Bay,  June  6,  1894.  Two  eggs  laid  on  bare 
rocky  ground.  Collector  John  Comer. 

29.  PIGEON  GUILLEMOT.    Cepphus  columba. 

Range. — The  Pacific  Coast  of  North  Amer- 
ica, breeding  from  southern  California  north- 
ward. This  bird  is  very  similar  to  the  Black 
Guillemot  except  that  the  under  surfaces  of 
the  wings  are  dark.  They  breed  abundantly  on  some  of  the  islands  of  Bering 
Sea  and  a  few  of  them  nest  on  the  Farallones.  They  lay  their  two  eggs  on 
the  bare  rock  in  dark  crevices.  The  color  is  grayish  or  pale  greenish  blue 
and  the  markings  are  brown  and 

black  with  paler  shell  markings  of  ,„.*•*.  . 

lilac.  Size,  2.40  x  1.60.  Data. — S. 
Farallone  Islands,  Cal.  Two  eggs 
laid  on  gravel  at  the  end  of  a  bur- 
row, about  two  feet  from  the  en- 
trance and  285  feet  above  the  sea 
level.  Collector,  Claude  Fyfe. 

SO.      MURRE.      Uria  troile  troille. 

Range. — North  Atlantic  coasts 
and  islands,  breeding  from  Bird 
Rock  northward.  Murres  are  sim- 
ilar in  form  to  the  Guillemots,  but 
are  larger,  being  about  16  inches 
in  length.  Entire  head  and  neck 
sooty  brown ;  rest  of  upper  parts 
grayish  black  except  the  tips  of 
the  secondaries  which  are  white. 


Pale  bluish  gray 


Under  parts  white.  These  birds  nest  by 
thousands  on  Bird  Rock  and  on  the  cliffs  of  Labrador.  They  build  no  nests 
but  simply  lay  their  single  egg  on  the  narrow  ledges  of  cliffs,  where  the  only 
guarantee  against  its  rolling  off  is  its  peculiar  shape  which  causes  it,  when 
moved,  to  revolve  about  its  smaller  end  instead  of  rolling  off  the  ledge.  The 
eggs  are  laid  as  closely  as  possible  on  the  ledges  where  the  incubating  birds 
sit  upright,  in  long  rows  like  an  army  on  guard.  As  long  as  each  bird  suc- 
ceeds in  finding  an  egg  to  cover,  on  its  return  home,  it  is  doubtful  if  they 
either  know  or  care  whether  it  is  their  own  or  not.  The  ground  color  of  the 
eggs  vary  from  white  to  a  deep  greenish  blue  and  the  markings  of  blackish 
brown  vary  in  endless  patterns,  some  eggs  being  almost  wholly  unspotted. 
Size  3.40  x  2.  Data. — South  Labrador,  June  19,  1884.  Single  egg  laid  on  the 
bare  cliff.  Large  colony  breeding.  Collector,  M.  A.  Granar. 

29 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 

30a.     CALIFORNIA  MURRE.      Uria  troille  californica. 

Range. — -Pacific  Coast,  breeding  from  the  Farallones  north  to  Alaska. 

This  Pacific  form  of  the  common  Murre  is  the  most  abundant  breeding  bird 
on  the  Farallones.  Their  eggs  are  used  in  enormous  numbers  for  commercial 
purposes  and  these  islands  being  located,  as  they  are,  within  easy  distance 
from  San  Francisco,  thousands  of  dozens  of  the  eggs  are  sold  yearly,  chiefly 
to  bakeries.  Although  continually  robbed,  their  numbers  have  not  as  yet 
diminished  to  any  great  extent.  They  lay  but  a  single  egg  on  the  bare  ledge. 
Individual  eggs  are  indistinguishable  from  the  last  species  but  in  a  large 
series  the  ground  color  averages  brighter.  They  show  the  same  great  dif- 
ference in  color  and  markings.  The  first  set  is  laid  in  May,  but  owing  to 
their  being  so  often  molested,  fresh  eggs  can  be  found  during  August.  Data. — 
Farallones,  July  4,  1895.  Single  egg  laid  on  bare  cliff.  Collector,  Thos.  E. 
Slevin. 


SI.     BRUNNICH  MURRE.      Uria  lomvia   lomvia. 

Range. — North   Atlantic    Coast,    breeding   range   the   same   as    the    common 
Murre. 


Varies  from  white  to  greenish  blue 

This  species  differs  from  the  common  Murre  in  having  a  shorter  and  thicker 
bill,  the  base  of  the  cutting  edge  of  which  is  less  feathered.  They  breed  on 
the  same  islands  in  company  with  the  common  Murre  and  their  eggs  are  indis- 
tinguishable. Data. — Coast  of  South  Labrador.  Single  egg  laid  on  ledge  of 
cliff.  About  three  hundred  birds  in  the  colony. 


DIVING  BIRDS 

3 la.     PALLAS  MURRE.      Uria  lomvia  arra. 

Range. — The  Pacific  coasts  and  islands. 

This  is  the  Pacific  form  of  Brunnich  Murre.  Its  breeding  range  is  more 
northerly  than  that  of  the  California  variety.  Countless  thousands  of  them 
breed  on  the  islands  off  the  coast  of  Alaska,  their  breeding  habits  and  eggs 
being  the  same  as  the  more  southern  form. 

32.      RAZOR-BILLED  AUK.     Alca  torda. 

Range. — North  Atlantic  coast,  breeding  from  Bird  Rock  northward  and 
wintering  south  to  the  Middle  States  on  the  coast. 


Grayish   white 

The  Razor-billed  Auk  is  in  form  similar  to  the  Murres,  but  the  bill  is  very 
different,  being  deep  and  thin,  and  with  the  upper  mandible  rounded  at  the 
tip.  Entire  upper  parts  black  shading  to  brownish  on  the  throat.  Under  parts 
and  tips  of  secondaries,  white;  line  from  eye  to  bill  and  another  across  the 
middle  of  the  bill,  white.  They  nest  in  large  numbers  on  Bird  Rock  in  com- 
pany with  the  Murres  and  in  still  greater  numbers  off  the  coast  of  Labrador. 
Their  eggs  are  not  placed  in  as  exposed  positions  as  the  Murres,  being  gen- 
erally behind  boulders  or  in  crevices.  This  is  necessary  because,  not  being  (  ^ 
of  the  pear-shaped  form  of  the  Murres,  they  would  be  very  apt  to  be  dislodged 
if  commonly  placed  on  the  narrow  ledges.  The  eggs  vary  endlessly  in  mark- 
ing but  do  not  show  the  differences  in  ground  color  that  the  Murres  do.  The 
color  is  white,  grayish  or  buffy.  But  one  egg  is  generally  laid,  although  two 
are  sometimes  found.  Size  3.00x2.00.  Data.— Bay  of  Fundy.  June  17,  1891. 
Single  egg  laid  on  bare  rock  in  a  crevice  under  loose  rocks.  Collector,  A.  C. 
Bent. 

31 


) 

f 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


Great  Auk 
Dovekie 


33. 


GREAT  AUK.     Plautus  impennis. 


Range. — Formerly  the  whole  of  the  North  At- 
lantic coasts.     Now  extinct. 

These  great  auks  formerly  dwelt  in  large  num- 
bers on  the  islands  of  the  North  Atlantic,  but- 
owing  to  their  lack  of  the  powers  of  flight  and 
the  destructiveness  of  mankind,  the  living  bird 
has  disappeared  from  the  face  of  the  earth. 
Although  they  were  about  thirty  inches  in  length, 
their  wings  were  even  smaller  than  those  of  the 
Razor-billed  Auk,  a  bird  only  eighteen  inches  in 
length.  Although  breeding  off  the  coast  of  New- 
foundland, they  appeared  winters  as  far  south  as 
Virginia,  performing  their  migration  by  swim- 
ming alone.  The  last  bird  appears  to  have  been 
taken  in  1844,  and  Funk  Island,  off  the  coast  of 
Newfoundland,  marks  the  place  of  their  disap- 
pearance from  our  shores.  There  are  about  sev- 
enty known  specimens  of  the  bird  preserved,  and 
about  the  same  number  of  eggs.  The  immediate 
cause  of  the  extinction  of  these  birds  was  their 
destruction  for  food  by  fishermen  and  immigrants, 
and  later  for  the  use  of  their  feathers  commercial- 
ly. The  single  egg  that  they  laid  was  about  5.00  x  3 
inches,  the  ground  color  was  buffy  white,  and  the  shpots  brownish  and  black- 
ish. The  markings  varied  in  endless  pattern  as  do  those  of  the  smaller  Auk. 
There  are  but  two  real  eggs  (plaster  casts  in  imitation  of  the  Auks  eggs  are 
to  be  found  in  many  collections)  in  collections  in  this  country,  one  in  the 
Academy  of  Natural  Science,  Philadelphia,  and  the  other  in  the  National 
Museum,  at  Washington.  Through  the  kindness  of  Mr.  Witmer  Stone,  of  the 
Academy  of  Natural  Science,  we  are  enabled  to  sohw  a  full-sized  reproduction 
from  a  photograph  of  the  egg  in  their  collection. 


32 


V 


EGG  OF   THE    GREAT    AUK 

Photographed  from  the  specimen  in  the  Academy  of  Natural  Science,  Philadelphia 

not  more  than   ten  or  twelve  of  these   eggs  are  in  this  country; 

the  one  figured  is   one  of  the  best  marked  specimens. 


33 


^      j     THE  BIRD  BOOK 


A       Ji        J 

J.        J.        A 


34*.     DOVEKIE.     Alle  alle. 

Range. — Coasts  and  islands  of  the  North  At- 
lantic and  East  Arctic  oceans,  breeding  in  the 
Arctic  regions  and  wintering  as  far  south  as  the 
Middle  States.  The  little  Dovekie  or  Sea  Dove  is 
the  smallest  member  of  the  family,  being  only  8 
inches  in  length,  and  is  the  only  member  of  the 
sub-family  allinae.  The  form  is  very  robust  and 
the  bill  is  short  and  stout.  In  summer  the  plum- 
age is  black  above;  the  throat  and  upper  breast 


Dovekie 


Pale    greenish    blue 

are  sooty  brown,  and  the  under  parts  are  white, 
as  are  also  the  tips  of  the  secondaries  and  edges 
of  the  scapulars.  They  nest  in  large  numbers 
on  the  Rocky  cliffs  of  islands  in  the  East  Arctic. 
Their  single  pale  greenish  blue  egg  is  placed  in 
a  crevice  of  the  rocks.  Size  1.80  x  1.25.  Data. — 
Greenland,  June  8,  1893.  Single  egg  laid  in  a 
crevice  of  a  sea  cliff. 


MURRE — White,   buff,   or  deep   greenish    blue 
34 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS.     Order  II.    LONGIPENNES 
SKUA  AND  JAEGERS.    Family  STERCORARIIDAE 

Skuas  and  Jaegers  are  birds  having  a  Gull  or  Tern-like  form  and  with  a  hook- 
ed bill,  the  base  of  which  is  covered  with  a  scaly  shield.  They  have  webbed 
feet  and  are  able  to  swim  and  dive,  but  they  commonly  get  their  living  by 
preying  upon  the  Gulls  and  Terns,  overtaking  them  by  their  superior  speed 
and  by  their  strength  and  ferocity  forcing  them  to  relinquish  their  food.  The 
Jaegers  especially  are  one  of  the  swiftest  and  most  graceful  birds  that  fly. 


35 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


35.      SKUA.     Megalestris  skua. 

Range. — Coasts  and  islands  of  the  North  At- 
lantic, chiefly  on  the  European  side;  rare  on  the 
Atlantic  coast  of  North  America. 

Skuas  are  large  (22  inches  in  length)  and  very 
powerfully  built  birds,  having  the  general  form 
of  a  Gull.  Their  whole  plumage  is  a  dingy  brown- 
ish black  color,  palest  below.  Breeds  in  Iceland 
and  possibly  on  some  of  the  islands  in  Hudson 
Strait.  The  nest  is  a  hollow  on  the  ground  in 


Skua 
Pomarine  Jaeger 


Olive  brown 

the  marsh  grass  and  is  lined  with  grass.  The 
two  eggs  which  they  lay  have  an  olive  greenish 
ground,  spotted  with  dark  brown.  Size  2.75  x  1.90. 


36.      POMARINE  JAEGER.     Stercorarius  pomarinus. 

Range. — Northern    Hemisphere,    breeding    within    the    Arctic    Circle,    more 
commonly  in  the  Old  World. 

In  the  breeding  plumage,  this 
Jaeger  has  the  crown  and  face 
blackish;  back  and  sides  of  head, 
throat  and  under  parts  pure  white, 
except  the  pointed  stiffened  feath- 
ers of  the  neck  which  are  yellow. 
Back,  wings  and  tail  blackish,  the 
latter  with  the  two  middle  feath- 
ers lengthened  about  four  inches 
beyond  the  rest  of  the  tail,  and 
broad  to  the  tips,  which  are  twist- 
ed so  that  the  feathers  are  verti- 
cal. They  breed  throughout  the 
Arctic  regions,  but  not  as  common- 
ly in  America  as  the  following 

species.     The  nest  is  on  the  ground  D         olive  brown 

in  the  marsh  grass  and  is  made  of 

grass  and  moss.     They  lay  two  and  rarely  three  eggs  of  an  olive  brown  or 
greenish  color.     These  are  spotted  with  brown  and  black.     Size  2.20x1.70. 

36 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS 


37-      PARASITIC  JAEGER.  Stercorarius  parasiticus 

Range. — Northern  Hemisphere,  wintering  south 
to  South  America. 

The  Parasitic  Jaeger  is  very  similar  to  the 
Pomarine  except  that  the  central  tail  feathers 
are  pointed  and  are  straight  instead  of  twisted. 
It  is  an  abundant  bird  in  Alaska,  breeding  from 
the  Aleutian  Chain  northward. 

They  locate  their  nests  in  the  highest  parts 
of  marshy  places,  the  nest  itself  being  only  a  de- 
pression in  the  ground  lined  with  grass  and  moss. 
The  two  eggs  have  an  olive  greenish  or  brownish 
ground  and  are  marked  with  various  shades  of 
brown  and  black.  Size  2.15  x  1.65. 


Brownish 


38. 


Stercorarius 


in    winter    to 


LONG-TAILED  JAEGER. 
longicaudus. 

Range. — Arctic    America ;     south 
South  America  Parastic  Jaeger 

The  long-tailed   Jaeger   is,   according  to   length,  Long-tailed  Jseger 

the  largest  of  the  Jaegers,  being  21  in.  long;  this  is,  however,  due  to  the  long 
sharp  pointed  central  pair  of  tail  feathers,  which  extend  about  eight  inches 
beyond  the  others,  and  from  the  most  noticeable  distinguishing  point  from 
the  former  species.  The  plumages  that  have  been  described  are  the  light 
phases;  all  the  Jaegers  have  a  dark 
phase  in  which  the  plumage  is  a  near- 
ly uniform  sooty  brown,  lightest  be- 
low. 

The  Long-tailed  Jaegers  are  the 
most  numerous  in  Alaska  and  are 
even  more  graceful  in  flight  than  are 
the  Gulls  and  Terns,  floating,  skim- 
ming, sailing,  plunging,  and  darting 
about  with  incredible  swiftness  and 
ease.  Like  the  others  of  this  family, 
they  pilfer  their  food  from  the  Gulls, 
and  are  also  very  destructive  to  young 
birds  and  eggs.  Their  eggs  are  either 
laid  on  the  bare  ground  or  in  a 
slight  depression,  scantily  lined  with 

grasses.     The  eggs  are  indistinguishable  from  those  of  the  preceding  species 
except  that  they  average  a  trifle  smaller.     Size  2.10  x  1.50. 

37 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


GULLS  and  TERNS.    Family  LARID^) 

Gulls  are  webbed  footed  birds  having  a  slight  hook  to  the  end  of  the  upper 
mandible.  Their  plumage  is  generally  a  silvery  gray  above  and  white  below. 
They  nest  in  large  colonies,  some  on  the  islands  of  fresh  water  inland,  but 
mostly  on  the  sea  coast.  They  procure  their  food  from  the  surface  of  the 
water,  it  consisting  mostly  of  dead  fish  and  refuse  matter,  and  Crustacea  which 
they  gather  from  the  waters  edge.  When  tired  they  rest  upon  the  surface  of 
the  water,  where  they  ride  the  largest  waves  in  perfect  safety. 

Terns  are  birds  of  similar  plumage  to  the  Gulls,  but  their  forms  are  less  ro- 
bust and  the  bills  are  generally  longer  and  sharply  pointed.  Their  food  con- 
sists chiefly  of  small  fish  which  they  secure  by  hovering  above  the  water,  and 
then  plunging  upon  them.  They  are  less  often  seen  on  the  surface  of  the 
water  than  are  the  Gulls. 


CHARACTERISTIC   NEST   OF    A    LOON 
38 


Walter 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS 

39.      IVORY  GULL.     Pagophila  alba. 

Range. — Arctic  regions;  south  in  winter  to  the 
northern  border  of  the  United  States. 

The  little  Snow  Gull,  as  it  is  often  called,  is 
eighteen  inches  in  length.  In  the  breeding  sea- 
son the  plumage  is  entirely  white;  the  bill  is  tip- 
ped with  yellow  and  there  is  a  red  ring  around 
the  eye.  These  Gulls  nest  in  large  colonies  in 
the  Arctic  Regions,  placing  their  nests  on  the 
high  rocky  cliffs.  The  nest  is  made  of  grass, 
moss  and  rubbish,  and  the  three  eggs  are  laid 
during  June.  The  eggs  are  olive  color  and  the 
markings  are  dark  brown. 

10.      KITTIWAKE.      Rissa  tridactyla  trydactyla. 

Range. — North  Atlantic  and  Arctic  regions, 
breeding  from  the  Gulf  of  the  St.  Lawrence  north- 
ward and  wintering  south  to  the  Great  Lakes  and 
Long  Island. 

The  Kittiwake  is  sixteen  inches  in  length,  has 
a  pearly  gray  mantle,  black  tips  to  the  primaries, 
and  remainder  of  plumage  white.  Its  hind  toe 
is  very  small  being  apparently  wanting  in  the 
eastern  form,  while  in  the  Pacific  it  is  more  de- 
veloped. These  are  very  noisy  Gulls,  their  notes  ; 
resembling  a  repetition  of  their  name.  They  are 
very  common  in  the  far  north,  placing  nests  on 
the  ledges  of  high  rocky  cliffs,  often  in  company 
with  Murres  and  Auks.  They  gather  together  a  ' 
pile  of  sticks,  grass  and  moss,  making  the  inter- 
ior cup-shaped  so  as  to  hold  their  two  or  three 
eggs.  Large  numbers  of  them  breed  on  Bird 

Rock 


Ivorv 


Kittiwake 


White 


they  occupying  certain 
ledges  while  the  Gannets  and 
Murres,  which  also  breed  there, 
also  have  distinct  ledges  on 
which  to  make  their  homes. 
The  breeding  season  is  at  its 
height  during  June.  The  eggs 
are  buffy  or  brownish  gray  and 
are  spotted  with  different  shades 
of  brown.  Size  2.25  x  1.60.  Data. 
— So.  Labrador,  June  15,  1884. 
Three  eggs.  Nest  made  of  sea- 
weed and  moss,  placed  on  ledge 
of  cliff.  Many  Murres  nesting 
on  other  ledges. 


*v 


39 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


40a.      PACIFIC    KITTIWAKE.     Rissa  tridac- 
tyla  pollicaris. 

Range. — Coast  of  the  North  Pacific,  wintering 
south  to  California. 

The  Pacific  Kittiwake  breeds  in  immense  rook- 
eries on  some  of  the  islands  in  Bering  Sea.  They 
are  well  distributed  over  Copper  Island  where 
they  nest  in  June  and  July,  choosing  the  high 
ledges  which  overhang  the  sea.  The  nesting 
habits  and  eggs  are  precisely  the  same  as  those 
of  the  common  Kittiwake. 

11.      RED-LEGGED  KITTIWAKE.     Rissa  brevi- 
rostris. 

Range. — Northwestern  coasts,  breeding  in  high 
latitudes. 

This  Kittiwake  is  similar  to  the  preceding,  with 
the  exception  that  the  legs  are  bright  red,  the 
mantle  is  darker,  and  the  bill  is  shorter.  This 
species  was  found  by  Dr.  Leonard  Stejneger  to  be 
a  very  abundant  nesting  bird  on  islands  in  Ber- 


Red-legg-ed  Kittiwake 

Glaucous   Gull  Brownish   buff 

ing  Sea,  selecting  steep  and  inaccessible  rocks  and  ledges  on  which  to  build 
its  nest.  Their  nesting  habits, are  precisely  the  same  as  the  Pacific  Kittiwake, 
but  they  most  often  nest  in  separate  colonies,  but  can  be  distinguished  readily 
when  nesting  together  by  the  darker  mantles  when  on  the  nest  and  the  red 
legs  when  flying.  Grass,  moss  and  mud  are  used  in  the  nest.  The  ground  color 
of  the  eggs  is  buffy  or  brownish,  and  the  spots  are  dark  brown  and  lilac. 
Size  2.15  x  1.50. 

42.      GLAUCOUS  GULL.     Larus  hyperboreus. 

Range. — Arctic  regions,  south  in  winter  to  Long  Island,  the  Great  Lakes,  and 
San  Francisco  Bay. 

This  Gull  shares  with  the  Great  Black-backed  Gull  the  honor  of  being 
the  largest  of  the  Gulls,  being  28  inches. in  length.  Mantle  light  gray;  it  is 
distinguished  by  its  size  and  the  primaries,  which  are  white  to  the  tips.  A 
powerful  zird  that  preys  upon  the  smaller  Gulls  and  also  devours  the  young 
and  eggs  of  smaller  birds. 

They  nest  on  the  ground  on  the  islands  and  shores  of  Hudson  Bay,  Green- 
land, etc.  The  nest  is  made  of  seaweed,  grass  and  moss  and  is  generally  quite 
bulky.  The  two  or  three  eggs  are  laid  in  June.  They  are  of  various  shades  of 
color  from  a  light  drab  to  a  brownish,  and  are  spotted  with  brownish  and 
black.  Size  about  3  x  2.20. 

40 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS 
42.1.      POINT  BARROW  GULL.     Larus  barrovianus. 

Range. — Northwest  coast  from  Bering  Sea  to  Point  Barrow. 

This  species  is  almost 
identical  with  the  Glau- 
cus  Gull,  averaging  per- 

.  *          •  ^ "     .  haps    a    trifle    smaller. 

*  Its    standing   as    a    dis- 

!CqB  tinct     species     is     still 

-  Ite  questioned  and  has  not 

41  yet  been  decided  satis- 

l|lf,  t  factorily.  Early  in  June 

their  nests  are  built  on 
remote  islands  in  Ber- 
ing Sea.  These  nests 
are  the  same  as  the  last 
species,  large  piles  of 
vegetation,  hollowed  on 
top  for  the  reception  of 
the  eggs.  The  eggs 
have  the  same  varia- 
tions in  color  and  mark- 
ings as  the  Glaucus 
Gull.  Size  3  x  2.10. 
Data.  —  Her sch el  Is., 
Alaska,  July  1,  1900.  Nest  made  of  seaweed  and  grass;  placed  on  the  ground. 
Three  eggs.  Collector,  Rev.  I.  O.  Stringer. 


White 


•43. 


ICELAND  GULL.     Larus  leucopterus. 


Range. — Arctic  regions,  south  in  winter  to  the  Middle  States. 
This  Gull  in  appearance  is  precisely  like  the  two  preceding  ones  but  is  con- 
siderably smaller;    24  inches  in  length.     A  very  common  bird   in  the   north, 
breeding  in  colonies  of  thousands  on  many  of  the  islands.     It  is  regarded  as 

one   of  the  most  common 

-*^— ^r*s-^^  of  the  larger  Gulls  in  Ber- 

,>  ^V-  ing    Sea    and    also    nests 

'-».^  commonly  in  Hudson  Bay 

.y'#*'  **  -,  and  Greenland,  as  well  as 

'*     '• .   .-'•'*  ^»l%*-'»    *"'**''%     ;^  in     the     Eastern     Hemis- 

^       "«AiJt  "'«£*•    -\'i^  ,"    -sWi  phere.    They  nest  indiffer- 

ently on  high  rocky  cliffs  or 
on  low  sandy  islands.  Ex- 
3ept  when  the  eggs  are  laid 
in  a  sandy  depression  in 
the  soil,  quite  bulky  nests 
are  made  of  seaweed  and 
moss.  The  eggs  are  laid 
about  the  first  of  June; 

Greenish  brown  thev  numbei>  tW°  ^   thliee 

and   have   a    ground   color 

of  brownish  or  greenish  brown  and  are  blotched  with  umber.  Size  2.80  x  1.83. 
Data. — Mackenzie  Bay,  Arctic  America.  June  18,  1899.  Nest  made  of  seaweed 
and  grass  on  an  island  in  the  bay. 


41 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


44.     GLAUCOUS-WINGED  GULL.     Larus 
glaucescens. 

Range. — North  Pacific  coast,  breeding  from 
British  Columbia  northwards  and  wintering  from 
the  same  country  to  southern  California. 

This  Gull  is  very  like  the  preceding  except 
that  the  primaries  are  the  same  color  as  the 
mantle,  and  are  tipped  with  white.  Length  about 
27  inches.  Not  so  northerly  distributed  a  bird 
as  the  previous  ones,  and  consequently  better 


Iceland  Gull 
Glaucous-winged  Gull 


Pale   greenish  brown 

known.  They  breed  in  large  numbers  both  on 
the  high  rocky  cliffs  of  the  islands  along  the 
coast  and  on  the  low  sandy  islands  of  the  Aleu- 
tian Chain.  On  Copper  Island  they  breed  on  the 
inaccessible  cliffs  overhanging  the  water.  As  in 
the  case  of  the  Iceland  Gull,  when  the  nests  are 
on  the  cliffs,  a  large  nest  of  seaweed  is  made, 
whereas  if  they  are  on  the  ground,  especially  in 

sandy  places  no  attempt  is  made  at  nest-building.  The  eggs  have  a  greenish 
brown  ground  color  and  dark  brown  spots.  Sise  2.75  x  2.05.  Data. — West  Coast 
of  Vancouver  Island.  June  20,  1896.  Three  eggs;  nest  made  of  seaweed. 
Located  on  a  low  ledge.  Collector,  Dr.  Newcombe. 

45.  KUMLIEN'S  GULL.     Larus  Kumlieni. 

Range. — North  Atlantic  coast,  breeding  in  Cumberland  Sound  and  wintering 
as  far  south  as  Long  Island. 

This  bird  differs  from  the  Glaucous-winged  only  in  the  pattern  of  the  gray 
markings  of  the  primaries  and  in  having  a  little  lighter  mantle.  It  is  quite 
common  in  its  breeding  haunts  where  it  places  its  nest  high  up  on  the  ledges 
of  the  cliffs.  The  eggs  are  not  different  apparently  from  glaucescens. 

46.  NELSON'S  GULL.     Larus  nelsoni. 
Range. — Coast  of  Alaska. 

Plumage  exactly  like  that  of  Kumlien  Gull  and  questionably  a  new  species. 
The  nests  and  eggs  are  not  to  be  distinguished  from  the  preceding. 

42 


47.    GREAT-BLACK-BACKED  GULL. 
Larus  marinus. 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS 


Range. — North  Atlantic  on  both  the  American 
and  European  sides;  breeds  from  Nova  Scotia 
northward  and  winters  south  to  the  Great  Lakes 
and  the  Middle  States. 

The  largest  of  the  Gulls  (thirty  inches  long) 
and  unlike  any  other.  The  mantle  is  dark  slaty 
black,  and  the  primaries  are  black  with  white 
tips.  The  bill  is  very  large  and  powerful  and 


m 


Great  Black-backed  Gull 
Kumlien's  Gull 


Grayish   buff 

quite  strongly  hooked.  They  are  quite  abundant 
birds  in  their  range,  and  are  very  quarrelsome, 
both  among  themselves  and  other  species.  They 
do  not  breed  in  as  large  colonies  as  do  the  other 
Gulls,  half  a  dozen  pairs  appropriating  a  small 
island  to  the  exclusion  of  all  other  birds.  They 
are  very  rapacious  birds  and  live  to  a  great  ex- 
tent, especially  during  the  breeding  season,  upon  the  eggs  and  young  of  other 
birds  such  as  Ducks,  Murres  and  smaller  Gulls.  They  place  their  nests  upon 
the  higher  portions  of  sandy  islands.  They  are  made  of  grasses  and  seaweed. 
The  three  eggs  are  laid  early  in  June;  they  are  grayish  or  brownish,  spotted 
with  brown  and  lilac.  Size  3x2.15.  Data.- -South  Labrador,  June  21,  1884. 
Three  eggs.  Nest  on  a  small  island  off  the  coast;  of  grasses  and  moss. 

18.      SLATY-BACKED  GULL. — Larus  schistisagus. 

Range. — North  Pacific  and  Arctic  Oceans. 

This  Gull,  which  is  similar  to  the  Great  Black-backed,  but  is  smaller  and  has 
a  lighter  mantle,  does  not  breed  in  any  considerable  numbers  on  the  Ameri- 
can side  of  the  Pacific.  It  nests  in  June  on  some  of  the  islands  in  Bering  Sea 
and  probably  more  commonly  farther  onrth.  They  often  nest  in  company  with 
other  species,  placing  their  small  mounds  of  seaweed  on  the  ground  on  the 
higher  parts  of  the  islands.  The  full  set  contains  three  eggs  of  grayish  or 
brownish  color,  spotted  with  dark  brown  or  black.  Size  2.90  x  2.  Data. — Har- 
rowby  Bay,  N.  W.  T.  Canada,  June  11,  1901.  Nest  of  grass,  roots  and  mud  and 
lined  with  dry  grass;  on  point  making  into  the  bay.  Collector,  Capt.  H.  H. 
Bodfish. 

43 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 

49.     WESTERN  GULL.     Larus  occidentalis. 

Range. — Pacific  Coast,  breeding  from  southern 
California  to  British  Columbia. 

This  bird,  which  is  the  most  southerly  distrib- 
uted of  the  larger  Gulls  is  twenty-four  inches  in 
length.  Mantle  slate  colored;  primaries  black, 
both  these  and  the  secondaries  being  broadly 
tipped  with  white.  These  Gulls  nest  abundantly 
on  the  Farallones,  the  majority  of  them  showing 
a  preference  for  the  lower  portions  of  the  island, 
although  they  nest  on  the  ledges  also.  Besides 
man,  these  Gulls  are  the  greatest  enemies  that 
the  Murres  have  to  content  against.  They  are 
always  on  the  watch  and  if  a  Murre  leaves  its 
nest,  one  of  the  Gulls  is  nearly  always  ready  to 
pounce  upon  the  egg  and  carry  it  away  bodily  in 
his  bill.  The  Gulls  too  suffer  when  the  eggers 
come,  for  their  eggs  are  gathered  up  with  the 
Murres  for  the  markets.  They  make  their  nests 
of  weeds  and  grass,  and  during  May  and  June 
lay  three  eggs  showing  the  usual  variations  of 
color  common  to  the  Gulls  eggs.  Size  2.75  x  1.90. 

[50.]      SIBERIAN  GULL.     Larus  affinis. 

This  bird  does  not  nest  in  North  America,  and 
has  a  place  on  our  list,  by  its  accidental  occur- 
rence in  Greenland.  It  is  an  Old  World  species 
and  its  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  like  those  of 
the  Herring  Gull. 

51.     HERRING  GULL.     Larus  argentatus. 

Range. — Whole    of    the    Northern    Hemisphere, 

breeding  from  Maine  and  British  Columbia  north- 

__,      ward  and  wintering  south  to  the  Gulf. 

This  Gull,  which  formerly  was  No.  51a,  a  sub- 
Western  Gull  species  of  the  European  variety,  is  now  regarded 
Herring  Gull       as  identical  with  it,  and  is  no  longer  a  sub-species. 
It  is  twenty-four  inches  in  length,  has  a  light  gray  mantle  and  black  primaries 
which  are   tipped   with 

white.       The      Herring  ,     ^-    "\-~     ~~^ 

Gulls    nest    in    colonies  «*••%.        •«*  ^.   ' 

in  favorable  localities 
throughout  their  range, 
chiefly  on  the  coasts 
and  islands.  A  few  pairs 
also  nest  on  islands  in 
some  of  the  inland 
bodies  of  fresh  water. 
Except  in  places  where 
they  are  continually 
molested,  when  they 
will  build  in  trees,  they 
place  their  nests  on  the 
ground  either  making 
no  riest  on  the  bare 
sand,  or  building  a 
bulky  nest  of  seaweed 
in  the  grass  on  higher 

parts     of     the     island.  Buff 

They  lay  three  eggs  of 

a  grayish   color  marked  with   brown.     In   rare  cases  unspotted   bluish  white 
eggs  are  found.    Size  2.8  x  1.7.  44 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS 


52.     VEGA  GULL     Larus  vegae. 

Range.— Coast  of  Alaska,  south  in  winter  to 
California. 

Similar  to  the  Herring  Gull,  but  with  the  man- 
tle darker,  but  not  so  dark  as  in  the  Western  Gull. 
The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  the  same  as 
those  of  the  Herring  Gull,  except  that  in  a  ser- 
ies, the  eggs  of  the  Vega  will  average  a  little 
darker  in  ground  color.  It  nests  during  May  on 
the  coasts  and  islands  of  Bering  Sea,  placing  its 
eggs  in  a  hollow  on  the  ground.  Size  2.75  x  1.65. 


Grayish   brown 


1  Gull 

California  Gull 


53.      CALIFORNIA  GULL.     Larus  calif orni- 


Range. — Western    North   America,    breeding    in    til 
the  interior.  Kiim'-i>i: 

A  smaller  Gull  than  the  Herring  with  the  prim- 
aries grayish  instead  of  black;  length  twenty-five  inches.  This  Gull  is  found 
in  winter  on  the  coast  from  British  Columbia  southward  to  Lower  California, 
but  nests  in  the  interiar  from  Utah  northward.  They  nest  very  abundantly 
around  the  Great  Salt  Lake,  placing  their  nests  generally  upon  the  bare  ground. 
Sometimes  there  is  a  scant  lining  of  grasses  or  weeds  and  again  the  nests  will 
be  situated  in  the  midst  of  a  tussock  of  grass.  Three  or  four  eggs  generally 
constitute  a  set,  but  occasionally  five  are  laid.  The  usual  nesting  time  is  dur- 
ing May.  They  show  the  same  great  variations  in  color  and  markings  com- 
mon to  most  of  the  Gulls.  Size  2.60  x  1.80. 

51.      RING-BILLED   GULL.     Larus  delawarenis. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  from  the  United  States  north- 
ward and  wintering  south  to  the  Gulf  States. 

A  small  Gull,  eighteen  inches  in  length,  with  a  light  gray  mantle,  black 
primaries  with  white  tips,  and  always  to  be  distinguished  in  the  breeding  sea- 
son by  the  black  band  around  the  middle  of  the  greenish  yellow  bill.  They 
nest  in  enormous  colonies  on  islands  in  the  interior  of  the  country  and  in 
smaller  colonies  on  the  coasts.  Thousands  of  them  breed  on  the  lakes  of  the 
Dakotas  and  northward.  The  majority  of  them  nest  on  the  ground,  although 
on  the  coast  they  are  often  found  on  the  cliffs.  They  commonly  lay  three  eggs 
placing  them  in  a  slight  hollow  in  the  ground,  generally  on  the  grassy  portions 
of  the  islands.  The  color  varies  from  grayish  to  brownish,  marked  with 
brown  and  lilac.  The  height  of  the  nesting  season  is  in  June.  Size  of  eggs, 
2.80  x  1.75.  45 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


55.     SHORT-BILLED  GULL.     Larus  brachy- 
rhynchus. 

Range. — Breeds  from  the  interior  of  British 
Columbia  northward  to  Alaska;  south  in  winter  to 
Lower  California. 

The  Short-billed  or  American  Mew  Gull  is  seven- 
teen inches  in  length,  has  a  short,  stout  bill  and 
is  otherwise  similar  to  the  preceding  species. 
Nests  on  islands  in  the  lakes  and  along  the  river 
banks  of  Alaska.  The  nest  is  made  of  grass, 
weeds  and  moss  and  is  placed  on  the  ground. 


Pale   greenish-brown 

Early  in  June  the  birds  lay  their  set  of  three  eggs, 
the  ground  color  of  which  is  greenish  brown  mark- 
ed with  dark  brown.  Size  2.25  x  1.60.  Data, — 
Mackenzie  River,  N.  W.  T.,  June  13,  1900.  Three 
eggs.  Nest  made  of  seaweed  and  grass  and  placed 
on  the  ground  on  an  island  in  the  river. 

[56.]      MEW  GULL.     Larus  canus. 

This  is  the  European  variety  of  the  above  spe- 
cies, breeding  commonly  both  in  the  British  Isles 

and  northern  Europe.     This  species  is  given  a  place  in  our  avifauna  because 

of  its  accidental  appearance  in  Labrador. 


Short-billed    Gull 

Heerman's  Gull 


57.     HERRMAN'S  GULL. — Larus  heermanni. 

Range. — Pacific  Coast  of  North  America  from  British  Columbia  south  to 
Panama,  breeding  chiefly  south  of  the  United  States  border. 

A  very  handsome  species,  often  called  the  White-headed  Gull,  and  wholly 
unlike  any  other;  length  seventeen  inches.  Adults,  in  summer,  have  the 
ntire  head,  neck  and  throat  white,  this  shading  quite  abruptly  into  the  slaty 
upper  and  upder  parts;  the  primaries  and  tail  are  black,  the  latter  and  the 
secondaries  being  tipped  with  white.  The  legs  and  bill  are  vermilion.  They 
are  found  off  the  coast  of  California,  but  are  not  believed  to  breed  there. 
They  are  known  to  breed  on  some  of  the  islands  off  the  Mexican  coast  nesting 
on  the  ground  the  same  as  the  other  species.  The  three  eggs  are  greenish 
drab  in  color  and  are  marked  with  different  shades  of  brown  and  lilac.  Size 
2.45  x  1.50. 

46 


58.     LAUGHING  GULL.     Lams  atricilla. 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS 


Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding 
from  the  Gulf  to  Nova  Scotia,  chiefly  on  the 
coast.  A  beautiful  Gull,  16  inches  long,  with 
a  dark  slate  colored  head,  gray  mantle,  black 


Pale    grayish    brown  Laughing  Gull 

primaries,  and  white  neck,  underparts  and  tail.  Bill  and  feet  red.  This  bird 
has  its  name  from  its  peculiar  laughing  cry  when  alarmed  or  angry;  it  is 
also  called  the  Black-headed  Gull.  They  nest  by  thousands  on  the  islands  off 
the  Gulf  Coast  and  along  the  South  .  -^ 

Atlantic  States.  The  nest  is  placed 
on  the  ground  and  is  made  of  sea- 
weed. Three,  four  and  sometimes 
five  eggs  are  laid,  of  a  grayish  to 
greenish  brown  color,  marked  with 
brown  and  lilac.  Size  2.25  x  1.60. 
Data.— Timbalin  Is.,  La.,  June  3, 
1896.  Three  eggs.  Nest  of  drift 
grass  thrown  in  a  pile  about  8 
inches  high,  slightly  hollowed  on 
top,  in  low  marsh  back  of  beach. 
Collector,  E.  A.  McTlhenny.  RING-BILLED  GULL-Gray 


47 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 

59.     FRANKLIN'S  GULL. 


Larus  franklini. 

Range. — Interior  North  America,  breeding  from 
middle  United  States  northward. 

Like  the  last  but  smaller  and  with  the  primar- 
ies light.  Underparts  rosy  in  breeding  season. 
Nests  very  abundantly  in  the  marshes  of  Minne- 
sota and  northward.  Nest  made  of  grasses  and 


Franklin's  Gull 

Bonaparte's  Gull 


Grayish   brown 

placed  in  the  marsh  grass  barely  above  the  sur- 
face of  the  water.  Eggs  same  color  as  the  last 
but  the  markings  more  inclined  to  zigzag  lines. 
Size  2.10  x  1.40.  Data. — Heron  Lake,  Minn.,  May 
26,  1885.  Nest  of  wet  sedge  stalks  and  rubbish 
placed  in  a  bunch  of  standing  sedge  in  shallow 
water;  at  least  five  thousand  birds  in  rookery. 
Collector,  J.  W.  Preston. 


60.      BONAPARTE'S  GULL.     Larus  Philadelphia. 

Range. — Breeds  in  the  northern  parts  of  North  America;  winters  from  Maine 

and  British  Columbia  to  the  southern  border  of  the  United  States. 

Smaller  than  the  last;  14  inches  long. 
Plumage  similar,  but  bill  slender  and 
black.  They  nest  in  great  numbers  on 
the  marshes  of  Manitoba  and  to  the 
northward.  The  nests,  of  sticks  and 
grass,  are  placed  on  the  higher  parts  of 
the  marsh  and  the  usual  complement  of 
three  eggs  is  laid  during  the  latter  part 
of  June.  The  eggs  are  grayish  to  green- 
ish brown,  marked  with  dark  brown  and 
lilac.  Size  1.90  x  1.30. 


Pale  grayish  brown 


48 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS 


[60.1]      LITTLE  GULL.     Larus  minutus. 

This  Gull  is  the  smallest  of  the  family;  it  is 
a  European  bird,  and  has  accidentally  strayed  to 
our  shores  but  a  few  times.  Its  plumage  is  sim- 
ilar to  that  of  the  Bonaparte  Gull  but  the  bill  is 
red.  It  breeds  in  the  marshes  around  the  Baltic 
Sea,  placing  its  nest  of  dead  vegetation  on  the 
highest  parts  of  the  marsh.  They  lay  three  eggs 
of  a  greenish  gray  color  marked  with  dark  brown 
and  lilac.  Size  1.75  x  1.25. 

61.  Ross  GULL.     Rhodostethia  rosea. 
Range.  —  The    Arctic    regions,    south    in    winter 

to  Alaska,  Greenland,  northern  Europe  and  Asia. 
This  beautiful  bird  is  the  most  rare  of  all  the 
Gulls,  being  very  difficult  to  obtain  because  of 
its  extreme  northerly  distribution.  It  is  in  form 
and  plumage  like  Bonaparte  Gull,  with  the  excep- 
tions that  the  head  is  white,  there  being  a  nar- 
row black  collar  around  the  neck,  the  tail  is 
wedge  shaped,  and  the  whole  under  parts  from 
the  chin  to  the  tail  are  rosy  in  the  breeding  plum- 
age. The  nests  and  eggs  remain  still  undiscover- 
ed, although  Nansen,  in  August  1896,  found  a 
supposed  breeding  ground  in  Franz  Josef  Land, 
because  of  the  numbers  of  the  birds,  but  found 
no  nests. 

62.  SABINE'S  GULL.     Xema  sabinii. 

Range.  —  Arctic    regions,    breeding   from    Alaska 

and    Greenland    and    northward,    and    wintering 

south  to  New  England.  Sabine  Gul1 

A  handsome  bird,  having  the  slaty  hood 
bordered  behind  with  a  black  ring,  the  primar- 
ies black,  white  tipped,  and  the  tail  slightly 
forked.  They  breed  abundantly  on  the  marshes 
of  northern  Alaska  and  Greenland,  nesting  the 
same  as  others  of  the  species.  The  two  or 
there  eggs  are  laid  in  June.  They  are  greenish 
brown  in  color  and  are  marked  with  dark 
brown.  Size  1.75  x  1.25.  Data.  —  Hudson  Bay, 
August  1,  1894.  Eggs  laid  on  the  ground  in 

Greenish   brown  the   moss;    no   nest   except   the   hollow   in    the 

moss. 


Rose  Gull 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


63.     GULL-BILLED  TERN.     Gelochelidon  nilotica. 

Range. — Found  in  North  America  along  the  Gulf  Coast  and  on  the  Atlantic 
Coast  north  to  Virginia  and  casually  farther. 

This  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  Terns, 
is  14  inches  long,  has  a  short,  thick,  black 
bill  and  a  short  slightly  forked  tail;  the 
crown  is  black,  mantle  pearly  gray,  white 
below.  This  species  is  very  widely  dis- 
tributed, being  found  in  Europe,  Austra- 
lia, Asia  and  Africa.  They  are  known 
locally  as  "Marsh  Terns"  where  they 
breed  in  immense  numbers  on  some  of 
the  marshes  about  the  Gulf,  particularly 
in  Texas.  They  also  breed  on  many  of 
the  islands  along  the  Coast,  rarely  mak- 
ing any  nest,  but  laying  the  eggs  in  a 
hollow  in  the  sand.  They  nest  most 
abundantly  in  the  latter  part  of  May, 
generally  laying  three  eggs.  They  are 
of  a  yellowish,  grayish  or  greenish  buff 
color  and  are  spotted  with  brown  and  lilac.  Size  1.80x1.30.  Data. — North- 
ampton Co.,  Va.,  May  28,  1882.  Three  eggs  laid  on  a  mass  of  seaweed  on  marsh 
above  tide  water. 


Pale  greenish   buff 


64.     CASPIAN  TERN.     Sterna  caspia. 

Range. — Like  the  preceding  species,  this  bird  is  nearly  cosmopolitan  in  its 
range,  in  North  America  breeding  from  the  Gulf  Coast  and  Texas  northward 
to  the  Arctic  Regions. 

This  beautiful  bird  is  the  largest  of  the  Tern  family,  being  about  22  inches  in 
length,  with  the  tail  forked  about  1.5  inches.  The  bill  is  large,  heavy  and 
bright  red;  the  crest,  with  which  this  and  the  next  three  species  are  adorned, 
is  black.  The  mantle  is  pale  _-~^^ 

pearl    and    the    under    parts  "  •  «*     •  m 

white.  These  Terns  some- 
times  nest  in  large  colonies 
and  then  again  only  a  few 
pairs  will  be  found  on  an 
island.  In  Texas,  the  breed- 
ing season  commences  in 
May,  it  being  later  in  the 
more  northern  breeding 
grounds.  They  may  be  re- 
garded as  largely  eastern 
birds,  as  while  they  are  com- 
mon in  the  interior  of  the 
country,  they  are  rarely  found 
on  the  Pacific  Coast.  Two  or 
three  eggs  constitute  a  com- 
plete set;  these  are  laid  on  Grayish  buff 
the  sand  in  a  slight  hollow  scooped  out  by  the  birds.  They  vary  from  gray  to 
greenish  buff,  marked  with  brown  and  lilac.  Size  2.60  x  1.75.  Data. — Hat  Is- 
land, Lake  Michigan,  July  1,  1896.  No  nest.  Two  eggs  in  a  hollow  in  the 
gravel.  Fully  a  thousand  terns  nesting  on  about  one  acre.  Collector,  Charles 
L.  Cass. 

50 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS 


65.      ROYAL  TERN.     Sterna  maxima. 

Range. — Temperate  North  and  South  America, 
breeding  in  the  United  States  locally  from  Texas 
and  the  Gulf  States  northward  to  the  northern 
boundary  of  the  United  States. 

The  Royal  Terns  nest  in  great  numbers  on  the 
coasts  and  islands  on  the  South  Atlantic  and 
Gulf  States  and  in  the  marshes  of  southern  Texas. 


Grayish   buff 

Like  the  former  species  they  lay  two  or  three 
eggs  in  a  hollow  on  the  bare  sand.  The  eggs  are 
the  same  size  but  differ  in  being  more  pointed 
and  having  a  lighter  ground  and  with  the  mark- 
ings more  bold  and  distinct.  Size  2.60  x  1.70. 

66.     ELEGANT  TERN.     Sterna  elegans. 

Range. — Pacific    Coast    of    South    and    Central 
America;  north  to  California  in  summer. 

A   similar   bird   to    the    Royal    Tern,    but   easilyGull-billed  Tern 


Caspian   Tern 

Royal  Tern 


Cream   color 


distinguished  by  its  smaller  size, 
slender  bill,  and  more  graceful 
form.  In  the  breeding  plumage 
the  under  parts  of  these  Terns 
are  tinged  with  rosy,  which 
probably  first  gave  the  birds 
their  name.  They  breed  on  the 
coasts  and  islands  of  Mexico  and 
Central  America,  placing  their 
eggs  on  the  sand.  They  are  be- 
lieved to  lay  but  a  single  egg, 
like  that  of  the  Royal  Tern,  but 
smaller.  Size  2.40  x  1.40.  Data. — 
Honduras,  Central  America, 
June  5,  1899.  Single  egg  laid  on 
the  sandy  beach. 


51 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


67.      CABOT  TERN.     Sterna  sandvicensis 
acuflavida. 

Range. — A  tropical  species  breeding  regularly 
north  to  the  Bahamas  and  Florida;  casually 
farther  north.  A  beautiful  bird  distinguished 
from  the  three  preceding  ones  by  its  smaller  size 
(sixteen  inches)  and  by  the  bill  which  is  black 


~-^; 


Klegant  Tern 

Cabot's  Tern 


Cream   color 

with  a  yellow  tip.  They  nest  in  colonies  on  the 
shores  of  islands  in  the  West  Indies  and  Baha- 
mas, but  not  to  a  great  extent  on  the  United  States 
Coast.  Their  two  or  three  eggs  have  a  creamy 
ground  color,  and  are  boldly  marked  with  brown 
and  black.  Size  2.10  x  1.40. 


[68.]      TRUDEAU'S  TERN.     Sterna  trudeaui. 

Range. — South  America;   accidentally  along  the  coast  of  the  United   States. 

A  rare  and  unique  species  with  a  form  similar  to  the  following,  but  with  the 
coloration  entirely  different.  About  fifteen  inches  in  length;  tail  long  and 
deeply  forked;  bill  yellow  with  a  band  of  black  about  the  middle.  Whole  head 
pure  white,  shading  into  the  pearly  color  of  the  upper  and  under  parts.  A 
narrow  band  of  black  through  the  eye  and  over  the  ear  coverts.  A  very  rare 
species  that  is  supposed  to  breed  in  southern  South  America.  Given  a  place 
among  North  American  birds  on  the  strength  of  a  specimen  seen  by  Audubon 
off  Long  Island. 


52 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS 


69-      FORSTER'S  TERN.     Sterna  forsteri. 

Range. — Temperate  North  America,  breeding 
from  Manitoba,  Mass.,  and  California,  south  to 
the  Gulf  Coast  and  Texas. 

Length  about  fifteen  inches;  tail  long  and  deep- 
ly forked;  crown  black,  back  and  wings  pearl  and 
under  parts  white.  Bill  orange  red.  This  spe- 
cies and  the  three  following  are  the  most  grace- 
ful of  birds  in  appearance  and  flight.  Their  move- 


Forsters  Tern 

Common   Tern 

Eggs  in  a  hollow  on  grassy 


Brownish    buff 

ments  can  only  be  likened  to  those  of  the  Swal- 
lows, from  which  they  get  the  name  of  "Sea  Swal- 
lows." Their  food  consists  of  fish,  which  they 
get  by  diving,  and  marine  insects.  They  breed  by 
thousands  in  the  marshes  from  Manitoba  to  Texas 
and  along  the  South  Atlantic  coast.  The  eggs  are 
laid  in  a  hollow  on  the  dry  grassy  portions  of  the 
islands  or  marshes.  They  generally  lay  three 
eggs  and  rarely  four.  They  are  buffy  or  brown- 
ish spotted  with  dark  brown  and  lilac.  Size  1.80 
x  1.30.  Data. — Cobb's  Island,  Va.,  June  8,  1887, 
bank.  Collector,  F.  H.  Judson. 

70.     COMMON  TERN.     Sterna  hirundo. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  both  on  the  coast  and  in  the  in- 
terior from  the  Gulf  States  northward. 

This  bird  differs  from  the  preceding  chiefly  in  having  a  bright  red  bill  tipped 
with  black,  and  the  under  parts  washed  with  pearl.  These  are  the  most  com- 
mon Terns  on  the  New  England  coast,  nest- 
ing abundantly  from  Virginia  to  Newfound- 
land. These  beautiful  Terns,  together  with 
others  of  the  family,  were  formerly  killed 
by  thousands  for  millinery  purposes,  but  the 
practice  is  now  being  rapidly  stopped.  In 
May  and  June  they  lay  their  three,  or  some- 
times four  eggs  on  the  ground  as  do  the 
other  Terns.  They  are  similar  to  the  pre- 
ceding species  but  average  shorter.  Data. — 
Duck  Is.,  Maine,  June  30,  1896.  Three  eggs 
in  marsh  grass  about  fifty  feet  from  beach. 
No  nest.  Collector,  C.  A.  Reed. 

53 


I 


Buff 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


71.     ARCTIC  TERN. 


Sterna  paradisaea. 

Range. — Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  from 
New  England  northward  to  the  Arctic  Regions 
and  wintering  south  to  California  and  the  South 
Atlantic  States.  A  similar  bird  to  the  last,  differ- 
ing in  having  the  bill  wholly  red  and  the  feet  be- 
ing smaller  and  weak  for  the  size  of  the  bird.  A 
more  northern  bird  than  the  last,  breeding  abund- 
antly in  Alaska,  both  on  the  coast  and  in  the  in- 
terior. In  the  southern  limits  of  its  breeding 
range,  it  nests  in  company  with  the  Common 
Tern,  its  nests  and  eggs  being  indistinguishable 
from  the  latter.  When  their  nesting  grounds  are 
approached,  all  the  birds  arise  like  a  great  white 
clour,  uttering  their  harsh,  discordant  "tearrr, 
tearrr,"  while  now  and  then  an  individual,  bolder 
than  the  rest,  will  swoop  close  by  with  an  angry 
"crack."  On  the  whole  they  are  timid  birds,  keep- 
ing well  out  of  reach.  The  nesting  season  is 
early  in  June.  Eggs  like  the  preceding.  Data.— 
Little  Duck  Is.,  Me.,  June  29,  1896.  Three  eggs 
in  a  slight  hollow  on  the  beach,  three  feet  above 
high  water  mark. 

72.     ROSEATE  TERN.     Sterna  dougalli. 

Range. — Temperate  North  America  on  the  east 
coast,  breeding  from  New  England  to  the  Gulf. 

These  are  the  most  beautiful  birds,  having  a 
delicate  pink  blush  on  the  under  parts  during 


^ 


Arctic  Tern 

Roseate   Tern 
Aleutian  Tern 


Grayish  or  Brownish 


the  breeding  season;  the  tail  is  very  long  and  deeply  forked,  the  outer  feath- 
ers being  over  five  inches  longer  than  the  middle  ones;  the  bill  is  red  with  a 
black  tip.  They  nest  in  large  colonies  on  the  islands  from  Southern  New  Eng- 
land southward,  placing  the  nests  in  the  short  grass,  generally  without  any 
lining.  They  lay  two  or  three  eggs  which  are  indistinguishable  from  the 
two  preceding  species. 

73.     ALEUTIAN  TERN.     Sterna  aleutica. 

Range. — Found  in  summer  in  Alaska  and  the  Aleutian  Islands. 

South  in  winter  to  Japan.  This  handsome  Tern  is  of  the  form  and  size 
of  the  Common  Tern,  but  has  a  darker  mantle,  and  the  forehead  is  white, 
leaving  a  black  line  from  the  bill  to  the  eye.  They  nest  on  islands  off  the  coast 
of  Alaska,  sometimes  together  with  the  Arctic  Tern.  The  eggs  are  laid  upon 
the  bare  ground  or  moss,  and  are  similar  to  the  Arctic  Terns,  but  average  nar- 
rower. They  are  two  or  three  in  number  and  are  laid  in  June  and  July.  Size 
1.70  x  1.15.  Data. — Stuart  Is.,  Alaska.  Three  eggs  in  a  slight  hollow  in  the  moss. 

54 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS 


74.      LEAST  TERN.     Sterna  antillarum. 

Range.— From  northern  South  America  to 
southern  New  England,  Dakota  and  California, 
breeding  locally  throughout  its  range. 

These  little  Sea  Swallows  are  the  smallest  of 
the  Terns,  being  but  9  inches  in  length.  They 
have  a  yellow  bill  with  a  black  tip,  a  black  crown 
and  nape,  and  white  forehead.  Although  small, 
these  little  Terns  lose  none  of  the  grace  and  beau- 
ty of  action  of  their  larger  relatives.  They  nest 


Least  Tern 

Sooty  Tern 


Light  buff 

in  colonies  on  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  Coasts, 
placing  their  eggs  upon  the  bare  sand,  where  they 
are  sometimes  very  difficult  to  see  among  the 
shells  and  pebbles.  They  are  of  a  grayish  or 
buffy  color  spotted  with  umber  and  lilac.  They 
number  two,  three  and  rarely  four,  and  are  laid 
in  May  and  June.  Size  1.25  x  .95.  Data.  —  DeSota 
Beach,  Fla.,  May  20,  1884.  Three  eggs  laid  on 
the  sandy  beach.  Collector,  Chas.  Graham. 

75.      SOOTY  TERN.     Sterna  fuscata. 

Range.  —  Tropical  America,  north  to  the   South 
Atlantic  States.     This  species  measures  17  inches 
in  length;  it  has  a  brownish  black  mantle,  wings 
and  tail,  except  the  outer  feathers  of  the  latter  which  are  white;  the  forehead 
and  under  parts  are  white,  the  crown  and  a  line  from  the  eye  to  the  bill,  black. 

This  tropical  species  is  very  numerous  at 

its  breeding  grounds  on  the  small  islands 

of  the  Florida  Keys  and  the  West  Indies. 

They  lay  but  a  single  egg,  generally  plac- 

ing it  on  the  bare  ground,  or  occasionally 

building  a  frail  nest  of  grasses.     The  egg 

has    a    pinkish    white   or    creamy   ground 

and  is  beautifully  sprinkled  with  spots  of 

reddish  brown  and  lilac.     They  are  laid 

during    May.      Size    2.05  x  1.45.      Data.  — 

Clutheria    Key,    Bahamas,    May    28,    1891. 

Single  egg  laid  on  bare  ground  near  water. 

Collector,  D.  P.  Ingraham. 


/"  ^ 

* 


\x 


Creamy   white 


55 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 

[76.]      BRIDLED  TERN.     Sterna  anaetheta. 


Range. — Found  in  tropical  regions  of  both  hem- 
ispheres; casual  or  accidental  in  Florida.  This 
Tern  is  similar  to  the  last  except  that  the  nape 
is  white  and  the  white  of  the  forehead  extends 
in  a  line  over  the  eye.  The  Bridled  Tern  is  com- 
mon on  some  of  the  islands  of  the  West  Indies 
and  the  Bahamas,  nesting  in  company  with  the 


OS, 


Creamy  white 

Sooty  Terns  and  Noddies.  The  single  egg  is  laid 
on  the  seashore  or  among  the  rocks.  It  is  creamy 
white  beautifully  marked  with  brown  and  lilac. 
Size  1.85x1.25.  Data. — Bahamas,  May  9,  1892. 
Single  egg  laid  in  a  cavity  among  the  rocks.  Col- 
lector, D.  P.  Ingraham. 


77-      BLACK  TERN.     Hydrochelidon  nigra 
surinamensis. 


Black  Tern 

Noddy 
Black  Skimmer 


V- 

~  V 


Range. — Temperate  America,  breeding  from  the 
middle  portions  of  the  United  States  northward 
to  Alaska;  south  in  winter  Beyond  the  United 
States  Border. 

The  identity  of  these  Terns  cannot  be  mistaken 
They  are  but  ten  inches  in  length;  the  whole  head,  neck  and  under  parts  are 
black;  the  back,  wings  and  tail  are  slaty  and  the  under  tail  coverts  are  white. 
Their  dainty  figure  with  their  long  slender  wings  gives  them  a  grace  and  airi- 
ness, if  possible,  superior  to  other  species  of  the  family.  They  are  very  active 
and  besides  feeding  upon  all  manner  of  marine 
Crustacea,  they  capture  many  insects  in  the  air. 
They  nest  in  large  colonies  in  marshes,  both  along 
the  coast  and  in  the  interior,  making  a  nest  of 
decayed  reeds  and  grasses,  or  often  laying  their 
eggs  upon  rafts  of  decayed  vegetation  which  are 
floating  on  he  water.  The  nesting  season  com- 
mences in  May,  they  laying  three  eggs  of  a  brown- 
ish or  greenish  color,  very  heavily  blotched  with 
blackish  brown.  Size  1.35  x  .95.  Data. — Winne- 
bago  City,  Minn.,  May  31,  1901.  Three  eggs.  Nest 

made  of  a  mass  of  weeds  and  rushes  floating  on       Deep   greenish   brown 
water  in  a  swamp.    Collector,  R.  H.  Bullis. 

56 


LONG-WINGED  SWIMMERS 

[78.]      WHITE-WINGED  BLACK  TERN.      Hydrochelidon  leucoptera. 

Range. — Eastern  Hemisphere,  its  addition  to  Amer- 
ican birds  being  made  because  of  the  accidental 
appearance  of  one  bird  in  Wisconsin  in  1873.  They 
lest  very  abundantly  among  the  lakes  and  marshes 


Greenish  buff 

of    southern    Europe,    placing   their 
eggs  the  same  as  the  American  spe-         &*-.-  * 
cies,    upon    masses  of  decayed  reeds  v"»  - 

and  stalks.  They  lay  three  eggs 
which  have  a  somewhat  brighter 
appearance  than  the  common  Black 
Terns  because  of  a  somewhat  light- 
er ground  color. 

79.      NODDY.     Anous   stolidus. 

Range. — Tropical  America,  north  to  the 
Gulf  and  South  Atlantic  States,  A  peculiar 
but  handsome  bird  (about  fifteen  inches  long), 
with  a  silvery  white  head  and  the  rest  of  the 
plumage  brownish,  and  the  tail  rounded. 
They  breed  in  abundance  on  some  of  the  Flor- 
ida Keys,  the  West  Indies  and  the  Bahamas. 
Their  nests  are  made  of  sticks  and  grass,  and 
are  placed  either  in  trees  or  on  the  ground. 
They  lay  but  a  single  egg  with  a  buffy  or 
cream  colored  ground  spotted  with  chestnut 
and  lilac.  Size  2.00  x  1.30.  Atwood's  Key, 
Bahamas,  June  1,  1891.  Nest  made  of  sticks 
and  grasses,  three  feet  up  a  mangrove.  Col- 
lector, D.  P.  Ingraham. 


Buff 


Noddy 


57 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 

SKIMMERS.    Family  RYNCHOPID^E 

Skimmers  are  Tern-like  birds  having  a  very  strangely  developed  bill.  The 
lower  mandible  is  much  longer  than  the  upper  and  very  thin,  the  upper  edge 
being  as  sharp  as  the  lower.  The  lower  mandible  is  rounded  at  the  end  while 
the  upper  is  more  pointed.  Young  Skimmers  are  said  to  have  both  mandibles 
of  the  same  length,  the  abnormal  development  not  appearing  until  after  flight. 
Skimmers  are  very  graceful  birds,  and,  as  implied  by  their  name,  they  skim 
over  the  surface  of  the  water,  rising  and  falling  with  the  waves,  and  are  said 
to  pick  up  their  food  by  dropping  the  lower  mandible  below  the  surface,  its  thin 
edge  cutting  the  water  like  a  knife.  There  are  four  species  of  Skimmers,  only 
one  of  which  is  found  in  North  America. 

80.     BLACK  SKIMMER.     Rynchops  nigra. 

Range. — The  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  Coasts,  breeding  from  New  Jersey 
southward.  The  Black  Skimmer  is  about  eighteen  inches  in  length,  and  be- 
sides the  remarkable  bill  is  a  bird  of  striking  plumage;  the  forehead,  ends  of 
the  secondaries,  tail  feathers  and  under  parts  are  white;  the  rest  of  the  plum- 
age is  black  and  the  basal  half  of  the  bill  is  crimson.  Skimmers  nest  in  large 
communities,  the  same  as  do  the  Terns,  laying  their  eggs  in  hollows  in  the 

sand.  They  are  partially  nocturnal  in  their 
habits  and  their  hoarse  barking  cries  may 

-          -  "    ,  be  heard  after  the  shadows  of  night  have 

x  • 

4^  enveloped  the  earth.     Fishermen  call  them 

llfc  *     4    ).      %  A        by  the  names  of  "Cut-water"  and  "Sea  Dog." 

««'  .  \      The  nesting  season  commences  in  May  and 

* .  •.  * 

continues  through  June  and  July.    They  lay 

from  three  to  five  eggs,  having  a  creamy 
or  yellowish  buff  ground,  blotched  with 
black,  chestnut  and  lilac.  Size  1.75x1.30. 

Buffy  yellow  Data. — Cobb's  Is.,  Va.,  June  8,  1894.     Three 

eggs  laid  in  a  hollow  on  the  beach.  No 
nest. 

58 


TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS 

TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS.     Order  III.    TUBINARES. 
ALBATROSSES.    Family  DIOMEDEIDAE 

Albatrosses  are  the  largest  of  the  sea  birds  and  have  an  enormous  expanse 
of  wing,  the  Wandering  Albatross,  the  largest  of  the  family,  sometimes  attain- 
ing an  expanse  of  fourteen  feet.  Their  nostrils  consist  of  two  slightly  project- 
ing tubes,  one  on  each  side  near  the  base  of  the  bill.  They  are  unsurpassed 
in  powers  of  flight,  but  are  only  fair  swimmers  and  rarely,  if  ever,  dive,  getting 
their  food,  which  consists  of  dead  animal  matter,  from  the  surface  of  the  water. 

81.  BLACK-FOOTED  ALBATROSS.     Diomedea 

nigripes. 

Range. — North  Pacific  from  California  north- 
ward. This  Albatross  is  thirty-two  inches  in 
length;  it  is  of  a  uniform  sooty  brown  color  shad- 
ing into  whitish  at  the  base  of  the  bill,  which  is 
rounded.  Like  the  other  members  of  the  family, 
this  species  is  noted  for  its  extended  flights,  fol- 
lowing vessels  day  after  day  without  any  apparent 
period  of  rest,  for  the  purpose  of  feeding  on  the 
refuse  that  is  thrown  overboard.  They  breed 
during  our  winter  on  some  of  the  small  isolated 
islands  in  the  extreme  southern  portions  of  the 
globe.  They  lay  a  single  white  egg  on  the  bare 
ground. 

82.  SHORT- TAILED  ALBATROSS.     Diomedea 

albatrus. 

Range. — North  Pacific  Ocean  in  summer,  from 
Lower  California  to  Alaska.  With  the  exception 
of  the  Wandering  Albatross,  which  is  now  regard- 
ed as  doubtful  as  occurring  off  our  coasts,  the 
Short-tailed  Albatross  is  one  of  the  largest  of 
the  group,  measuring  thirty-six  inches  in  length, 
and  has  an  extent  of  seven  feet  or  more.  With 
the  exception  of  the  black  primaries,  shoulders 
and  tail,  the  entire  plumage  is  white,  tinged  with 
straw  color  on  the  back  of  the  head.  They  breed 
on  the  guano  islands  in  the  North  Pacific  off  the 
coasts  of  Alaska  and  Japan.  They  lay  a  single 
white  egg  on  the  bare  ground  or  rocks.  As  with 
the  other  members  of  the  family,  the  eggs  are 
extremely  variable  in  size,  but  average  about 
4.25x2.50. 

59 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


82.1.     LAYSAN  ALBATROSS. 
mutabilis. 


Diomedea  im- 


Laysan  Albatross 

Yellow-nosed  Albatross 
Sooty  Albatross 


Range. — Laysan  Island  of  the  Hawaiian  Group, 
appearing  casually  off  the  coast  of  California. 
This  species  breeds  in  large  numbers  on  the  is- 
land from  which  it  takes  its  name.  The  birds  are 
white  with  the  exception  of  the  back,  wings  and 
tail,  which  are  black.  The  birds,  having  been  lit- 
tle molested  in  their  remote  island,  are  exceeding- 
ly tame,  and  it  is  possible  to  go  among  the  sitting 
birds  without  disturbing  them.  Mr.  Walter  K. 
Fisher  has  contributed  an  admirable  report  on 
this  species  in  the  1913  Bulletin  of  the  Fish  Com- 
mission, the  report  being  illustrated  with  numer- 
ous illustrations  of  the  birds  from  photos  by  the 
author.  Their  single  white  eggs  are  laid  on  the 
bare  ground. 

[83.]      YELLOW-NOSED  ALBATROSS. 

Tlialassogeron  culminatus. 

This  is  a  species  which  inhabits  the  South  Pa- 
cific and  Indian  Oceans,  and  is  said  to  rarely  oc- 
cur on  the  California  coast.  They  breed  during 
our  winter  on  some  of  the  small  islands  and  dur- 
ing our  summer  are  ocean  wanderers.  An  egg  in 
the  collection  of  Col.  John  E.  Thayer  was  taken  on 
Gough  Island,  South  Atlantic  Ocean;  Sept.  1st, 
1888.  The  nest  was  a  mound  of  mud  and  grass 
about  two  feet  in  height.  The  single  white  egg 
measured  3.75  x  2.25.  It  was  collected  by  George 
Comer. 


84.     SOOTY  ALBATROSS         Phoebetria-palpebrata. 

Range. — Southern  seas,  north  in  our  summer  along  the  Pacific  coast  of  the 
United  States. 

This  species  is  entirely  sooty  brown  except  the  white  eyelids.  It  is  similar 
to  the  Black-footed  Albatross  from  which  species  it  can  be  distinguished  in 
all  plumages  by  the  narrow  base  of  the  bill,  while  the  bill  of  the  former  species 
is  broad  and  rounded.  They  breed  commonly  on  isolated  islands  in  many 
quarters  of  the  southern  hemisphere.  Sometimes  this  species  constructs  a 
mound  of  mud  on  which  to  deposit  its  single  white  egg,  and  also  often  lays 
it  on  the  bare  ground  or  rock.  A  specimen  in  Mr.  Thayer's  collection,  taken 
by  Geo.  Comer  on  So.  Georgia  Is.  in  the  South  Atlantic  ocean,  was  laid  in  a 
hollow  among  loose  stones  on  the  ledge  of  an  overhanging  cliff.  Size  4.10  x 
2.75. 

60 


TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS 


EGG    OF    SOOTY    ALBATROSS — White 


FULMARS,  SHEARWATERS  and:PETRELS 

Family  PROCELLARIDAE 

Fulmars,  Shearwaters  and  Petrels  are  Gull-like  birds  with  two  nostril  tubes 
located  side  by  side,  in  a  single  tube,  on  the  top  of  the  bill  at  it's  base. 

The  Fulmars  are  mostly  northern  birds  while  the  majority  of  the  Shear- 
waters nest  in  the  extreme  south  during  our  winter,  and  appear  off  our  coasts 
during  the  summer.  Their  food  consists  of  fish  or  offal  which  they  get  from 
the  surface  of  the  water;  large  flocks  of  them  hover  about  fishermen,  watch- 
ing their  chance  to  get  any  food  which  falls,  or  is  thrown,  overboard. 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


[85.]      GIANT  FULMAR. 
gigantea 


Macronectes 


Range. — This  Petrel  is  a  native  of  the  south- 
ern seas  and  is  only  casually  met  with  off  the 
Pacific  coast. 

It  is  the  largest  of  the  family,  being  about 
three  feet  in  length,  and  is  normally  a  uniform 
sooty  color,  although  it  has  light  phases  of 
plumage.  They  nest  in  December  on  many  of 
the  islands  south  of  Africa  and  South  America, 
laying  their  single  white  egg  on  the  bare  rocks. 

86.      FULMAR.     Fulmarus  glacialis  glacialis. 

Range. — North  Atlantic  coasts  from  New 
England  northward,  breeding  from  Hudson 

Fulmar Bav  and  southern  Greenland  northward. 

This  bird  which  is  19  inches  in  length,  in  the  light  phase  has  a  plumage 
very  similar  to  that  of  the  larger  Gulls.  They  nest  by  thousands  on  rocky 
islands  of  the  north,  often  in  company  with  Murres  and  Gulls.  Owing  to  the 
filthy  habits  of  the  Fulmars,  these  breeding  grounds  always  have  a  nauseat- 
ing odor,  which  is  also  imparted  to,  and  retained  by  the  egg  shell.  Their 
single  white  eggs  are  laid  on  the  bare  rocks,  in  crevices  of  the  cliffs,  often 
hundreds  of  feet  above  the  water.  Size  2.90  x  2.  Data. — St.  Kilda,  off  Scotland. 
June  5,  1897.  Single  egg  laid  on  rock  on  side  of  sea  cliff.  Collector,  Angus 
Gillies. 


62 


TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS 


86'b.      PACIFIC  FULMAR.     Fulmarus  glaci- 
alis  glupischa. 

This  sub-species  of  the  preceding,  has  a  darker 
mantle  than  the  common  Fulmar;  it  is  found  on 
the  northern  Pacific  coasts  where  it  breeds  on 
the  high  rocky  cliffs,  the  same  as  it's  eastern 
relative.  They  nest  in  large  colonies,  every 
crevice  in  the  rocks  having  its  tenant.  Their 
flight  is  graceful  like  that  of  the  Gulls,  which 
they  closely  resemble.  They  lay  but  a  single 
white  egg,  the  average  dimensions  of  which  are 
slightly  smaller  than  those  of  the  common  Ful- 
mar. Data. — Copper  Is.,  Alaska.  May  14,  1889. 
Egg  laid  in  a  crevice  among  the  cliffs. 

86.1.      RODGER'S  FULMAR.     Fulmarus  rodgers. 

Range. — North  Pacific,  breeding  in  large  num- 
bers on  some  of  the  islands  in  Bering  Sea;  south 
to  California  in  winter.  Very  similar  to  the  two 
preceding  species  except  that  the  back  is  mixed 
with  whitish,  it  is  not  believed  to  have  a  dark 
phase.  Their  breeding  habits  and  eggs  do  not 
differ  from  the  common  Fulmar.  The  eggs  are 
laid  on  the  rocky  cliffs  during  June. 


Pacific  Fulmar 

Slender-billed  Fulmar 


87.      SLENDER-BILLED  FULMAR.     Priocella  glacialoides. 

Range. — Southern  seas,  appearing  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  the  United  States 
in  the  summer.  This  species  has  a  paler  mantle  than  the  others  of  the  family, 
and  the  primaries  are  black.  The  make-up  and  plumage  of  the  whole  bird  is 
more  like  that  of  the  Gulls  than  any  of  the  others.  They  probably  breed  in 
the  far  south  during  our  winter,  although  we  have  no  definite  data  relative 
to  their  nesting  habits. 


63 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


88.  CORY'S  SHEARWATER.     Puffinus  borealis. 

This  species  probably  breeds  in  the  far  south. 
It  has  been  found  only  off  the  coast  of  Massa- 
chusetts and  Long  Island.  This  is  the  largest 
of  our  Shearwaters,  and  can  be  distinguished  from 
the  next  species  by  its  wholly  white  underparts, 
its  light  mantle  and  yellowish  bill.  We  have  no 
data  relative  to  its  nesting  habits. 

89.  GREATER  SHEARWATER.     Puffinus  gravis. 

Range. — The  whole  of  the  Atlantic  Ocean. 

Thousands  of  them  spend  the  latter  part  of  the 
summer  off  the  New  England  coast,  where  they 
are  known  to  the  fishermen  as  Haglets.  Their 
upper  parts  are  brownish  gray,  darker  on  the 
wings;  bill  and  feet  dark;  under  parts  white,  with 
the  middle  of  the  belly  and  the  under  tail  cov- 
ers dusky.  Length  about  20  inches.  Little  is 
known  concerning  their  nesting  quarters,  al- 
though they  are  said  to  breed  in  Greenland. 
From  the  fact  of  their  early  appearance  off  the 
New  England  coast  it  is  probable  that  the  great- 
er part  of  them  nest  in  the  far  south. 

[90.]      MANX  SHEARWATER.     Puffinus  puffinus. 

This  species  inhabits  the  North  Atlantic  ocean 
chiefly  on  the  European  side,  being  abundant  in 
the  Mediterranean  and  in  the  British  Isles.  These 
birds  deposit  their  single  pure  white  eggs  in 


Cory"  Shearwater 


Greater  Shearwater 
crevices  among  the  cliffs,  on  the  graound  or  in 
burrows  dug  by  themselves.  Size  of  egg  2.35 
x  1.60.  Data. — Isle  of  Hay,  North  Scotland. 
June  1,  1893.  Single  egg  laid  at  the  end  of  a 
three  foot  burrow. 


Egg   of   Audubon's    Shearwater — White 

64 


TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS 


91.  PINK-FOOTED  SHEARWATER.     Puffinus 

creatopus 

Range. — Pacific  Ocean,  north  on  American  side 
to  California  in  summer. 

This  species,  whose  breeding  habits  are  little 
known,  is  similar  in  size  and  color  to  the  Greater 
Shearwater,  differing  chiefly  in  the  yellowish  bill 
and  pinkish  colored  feet. 

92.  AUDUBON'S  SHEARWATER.     Puffinus 

Iherminieri. 

Range. — Middle  Atlantic,  ranging  north  in  late 
summer  to  Long  Island. 

This  bird,  having  a  length  of  but  twelve  inches, 
is  the  smallest  of  the  Shearwaters  found  along  our 
coasts.  Large  colonies  of  them  breed  on  some 
of  the  small  islands  and  keys  of  the  West  Indies 
and  Bahamas,  and  not  so  commonly  in  the  Ber- 
mudas. Their  eggs,  which  are  pure  white,  are  de- 
posited at  the  end  of  burrows  dug  by  the  birds. 
Size  of  egg  2.  x  1.35.  Their  nesting  season  com- 
mences about  the  latter  part  of  March  and  con- 
tinues through  April  and  May.  After  the  young 
are  able  to  fly,  like  other  members  of  the  family, 
the  birds  become  ocean  wanderers  and  stray 
north  to  southern  New  England.  Data. — Bahamas, 
April  13,  1891.  Single  egg  laid  at  the  end  of  a 
burrow  about  two  feet  in  length.  Collector,  D. 
P.  Ingraham. 

[92.1.]      ALLIED  SHEARWATER.     Puffinus 
assimilis. 

This  is  an  Australian  and  New  Zealand  species 
that  has  accidentally  strayed  to  the  shores  of 
Nova  Scotia. 


Pink -fooled   Shearwater 
Black -ven ted    Shearwater 

Town  senc's  Shear \vatei 


93.      BLACK-VENTED  SHEARWATER.      Puffin  us  opisthomelas. 

Range.— Middle  Pacific  coast  of  the  Americas,  north  in  late  summer  along 
the  coast  of  California.  This  species  breeds  commonly  on  the  islands  off  the 
coast  of  Lower  California,  especially  on  the  Gulf  side.  Their  single  egg  is 
white,  size  2.  x  1.30,  and  is  located  at  the  end  of  a  burrow.  Data. — Natividad 
Is.,  Lower  California,  April  10,  1897.  Single  egg  laid  on  the  sand  at  the 
end  of  a  burrow  six  feet  in  length.  Collector,  A.  W.  Anthony. 

93.1.      TOWNSEND'S  SHEARWATER.     Puffinus  auricularis. 

This  bird  ranges  from  Cape  St.  Lucas,  south  along  the  Pacific  coast  of  Mex- 
ico, breeding  on  the  Revillagigedo  Islands  off  the  Mexican  coast. 

65 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


94.     SOOTY  SHEARWATER.     Puffins  fuligi- 
nosus. 

Range. — A  common  species  off  the  Atlantic 
coast  in  summer;  breeds  along  our  northern 
coasts,  and  it  is  also  supposed  that  many  of 
them  nest  in  southern  seas  and  reach  our 
coasts  early  in  the  summer.  These  Shear- 
waters are  entirely  sooty  gray,  being  some- 
what lighter  below.  They  are  called  "black 
haglets"  by  the  fishermen,  whose  vessels  they 
follow  in  the  hope  of  procuring  bits  of  refuse. 
They  commonly  nest  in  burrows  in  the  ground, 
but  are  also  said  to  build  in  fissures  among 
the  ledges.  Their  single  white  egg  measures 
2.55x1.75.  Data. — Island  in  Ungava  Bay, 
northern  Labrador,  June  14,  1896.  Egg  laid  in 
a  fissure  of  a  sea  cliff.  Collector,  A.  N.  Mc- 
Ford. 


Sooty  Shearwater 


Dark-bodied  Shearwater 
Slender-billed  Shearwater 


95.  DARK-BODIED  SHEARWATER. 

Puffinus  griseus. 

This  is  a  southern  species  which,  after  hav- 
ing nested  on  islands  in  the  far  south  during 
our  winter,  comes  north  and  appears  off  the 
Pacific  coast  of  the  United  States  during  the 
summer.  It  is  a  similar  bird  to  the  Sooty  Shear- 
water, but  is  considerably  darker  and  the  under 
coverts  are  whitish.  Their  nesting  habits  are 
the  same  as  those  of  other  members  of  the  fam- 
ily. Size  of  egg,  2.40x1.65.  Data. — Stewart's 
Island,  New  Zealand,  February  15,  1896.  Single 
egg  at  the  end  of  a  long  burrow. 

96.  SLENDER-BILLED  SHEARWATER.     Puffinus 

tenuirostris. 

Range. — Northern  Pacific  Ocean  in  the  sum- 
mer, extending  from  Japan  and  Alaska  south- 
ward. Supposed  to  breed  in  the  southern  hemis- 
phere, as  well  as  probably  on  some  of  the  Aleu- 
tians in  Alaska. 

96.1.     WEDGE-TAILED  SHEARWATER.     Puffinus 

cuneatus. 

Range. — North  Pacific,  breeding  on  the  Revil- 
lagigedo  Islands  off  the  coast  of  Mexico,  and 
probably  on  some  of  the  small  islands  in  the 
Gulf  of  California. 

[97-]      BLACK-TAILED  SHEARWATER.     Priofinus 

cinerus 

This  is  a  Shearwater  which  inhabits  the  south- 
ern hemisphere,  but  which  has  accidentally  wan- 
dered to  the  Pacific  coast  of  the  United  States. 
It  is  dark  above  and  whitish  below,  with  black 
under  tail  coverts.  It  breeds  in  the  far  south. 


TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS 


[98.]     BLACK-CAPPED  PETREL. 
tata. 


Msirelata  hasi- 


This  is  not  a  common  species;  it  is  an  inhabit- 
ant of  tropical  seas  and  has  only  been  casually 
found  on  our  coasts  or  inland.  It  is  a  handsome 
species  with  white  forehead,  underparts  and  nape 
with  a  small  isolated  black  cap  on  the  crown; 
the  rest  of  the  upper  parts  are  blackish.  It  is  a 
native  of  the  West  Indies. 

[99-]      SCALED  PETREL.     Mstrelata  scalaris. 

This  is  another  rare  species  which  is  an  in- 
habitant of  southern  seas.  A  single  specimen 
taken  in  New  York  State  gives  it  a  claim  as  a 
doubtful  North  American  species.  It  is  a  hand- 
some bird,  the  feathers  of  the  grayish  upperparts 
being  edged  with  white,  thus  giving  it  the  appear- 
ance of  being  barred.  Its  egg  have  only  been 
known  to  science  within  the  past  few  years. 
Data. — Preservation  Inlet,  New  Zealand,  June  7, 
1900.  Single  white  egg.  Size  2.40  x  1.75.  Collec- 
tor, P.  Seymour.  Parent  bird  taken  with  the  egg. 

100.      FISHER'S  PETREL.     JEstralata  fisheri. 

This  is  a  handsome  bird  known  only  from  the 
type  specimen  taken  off  Kadiak  Is.,  Alaska,  by 
Mr.  Fisher. 


Black-capped  Petrel 
Scaled  Petrel 

Fisher's  Petrel 


[101.]      BULWER'S  PETREL.     Bulrveria  bulweri. 

An  eastern  Atlantic  species  which  is  only  an  accidental  visitant  to  our 
shores.  They  breed  on  the  Madeira  Islands  where  the  eggs  are  laid  in  crevices 
among  the  rocks  or  in  burrows  in  the  ground.  Size  1.75  x  1.55,  white. 


[102.]      PINTADO  PETREL.     Daption  capensis. 

This  is  the  Cape  Pigeon  of  the  southern  hemisphere.    It  has  only  accidentally 
occurred  on  our  coast. 


G7 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


Least  Petrel 

Stormy  Petrel 

Forked-tailed  Petrel 


103.      LEAST  PETREL.     Halocyptena  microsoma. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  of  America  from  Lower 
California  to  Panama.  The  Least  Petrel  is  the 
smallest  of  this  family,  in  length  measuring  only 
5.75  inches.  Their  plumage  is  entirely  dark 
sooty.  They  have  been  found  breeding  on  San 
Benito  Island,  Lower  California,  and  they  prob- 
ably do  on  others  farther  south.  The  single  'jgg 
that  this  bird  lays  is  white  with  a  wreath  of  fine 
black  specks  around  one  and  sometimes  both 
ends.  Data.— San  Benito  Is.,  Lower  California, 
June  12,  1897.  No  nest,  the  egg  being  simply 
laid  on  the  bare  rock  in  a  crevice.  Size  1.00 
x  .75.  Collector,  A.  W.  Anthony. 


1 0-1.      STORM  PETREL.      Thalassidroma  pela- 
gica. 

North  Atlantic  Ocean  chiefly  on  the  European 
side,  wintering  south  to  New  Brunswick.  Small- 
est of  the  white  rumped,  black  petrels;  5.75 
inches  in  length. 

This  species  is  the  orig- 
inally called  "Mother 
Gary's  Chicken"  by  the 
sailors.  They  nest  abund- 
antly on  many  of  the  is- 
lands off  the  coasts  of 
Europe  and  the  British 
Isles,  laying  their  single  White 

egg  either  in  burrows  or  crevices  among  the  cliffs. 
Data. — Coast  of  County  Kerry,  Ireland,  June  1, 
1895.  Single  egg  laid  at  the  end  of  burrow  in  a 
sea  cliff.  Size  1.05  x. 80;  white  with  a  wreath  of 
very  fine  dots  about  the  larger  end.  Collector, 
G.  H.  McDonald. 


105.      FORKED-TAILED  PETREL.      Oceanodroma  furcata. 

Range. — North  Pacific  from  California  to  Alaska,  breeding  in  the  Aleutians. 

These  birds  have  a  plumage  of  bluish  gray,  the  wings  being  darker  and  the 
underparts  lightest.  The  nests  are  made  in  burrows  or  crevices  in  the  banks. 
Data. — Uniak  Is.,  Alaska,  June  10,  1900.  No  nest.  Single  egg  laid  at  the 
end  of  a  burrow.  Several  pairs  nesting  near.  Egg  white  with  a  fine  wreath 
of  purplish  black  specks  about  the  large  end.  Size  1.25  x  .£5. 


68 


TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS 


105.2.      KJEDING'S  PETREL.      Oceanodroma 
kcedingi. 

This  bird  is  similar  to  Leach  Petrel,  but  is 
smaller  and  the  tail  is  less  deeply  forked.  Its 
range  is  from  California  to  Panama  breeding 
on  the  Revillagigedo  Islands  off  Mexico. 


106.     LEACH'S  PETREL. 
hoa. 


Oceanodroma  leucor- 


Range. — North  Atlantic  and  North  Pacific 
Oceans,  breeding  from  Maine  and  from  the 
Farallones,  northward  to  Greenland  and  the  Aleu- 
tians. 

These    are    the    most    common    of    the    Petrels 

found    on    our    coast;     they    are    eight    inches    in 

length,  of  a  sooty  brown  color,  and  have  a  white 

rump.     The   forked   tail  will   at  once  distinguish 

them   from    any    of   the   Atlantic    Petrels.      They 

nest    in    burrows    in    the    ground,    laying    a    pure 

white    egg,    sometimes    with   a   very    faint    dusty 

wreath    about    the    larger    end.      Size    1.20  x  .95. 

These  birds  generally  take  turns  in  the  task  of 

incubation,  one  remaining  at  sea  during  the  day 

and  returning  at  night  while  his  mate  takes  her 

turn    roving    the    briny    deep    in    search    of    food. 

The     young     are     fed     by 

regurgitation  upon  an  oily 

fluid  which  has  a  very  of- 

4.-,  fensive    odor.     This    odor 

is  always  noticeable  about 
an  island  inhabited  by 
Petrels  and  is  always  re- 
tained by  the  eggs  or  skins 


White 


Kseding's  Petrel 

Leach's  Petrel 

Guadalupe  Petrel 


of  these  birds.  They  are  very  rarely  seen  flying  in  the  vicinity  of  their  nest- 
ing island  during  the  day;  the  bird  that  is  on  the  nest  will  remain  until  re- 
moved by  hand.  Data.— Pumpkin  Is.,  Maine,  June  22,  1893.  Single  egg;  nest 
of  a  few  grasses  at  the  end  of  a  burrow  dug  in  the  bank.  Collector,  J.  Lefavour. 

106.1      GUADALUPE   PETREL.      Oceanodroma   macrodactyla. 

This   species,  which  is  very  similar  to   the  preceding,   except  for   a  longer 
and  more  deeply   forked  tail,   breeds   on   Guadalupe 

Is.     Their  eggs   are   white  very   minutely  wreathed  .  .    . 

with  reddish  brown;  they  are,  however,  nearly  al-  ^K^SlfS^^Si^^^^ 
ways  nest  stained  to  an  uneven  brownish  color. 
Data/ — Guadalupe  Is.,  Lower  California,  March  24S 
1897.  Single  egg  laid  on  a  few  oak  leaves  and  pine 
needles  at  the  end  of  a  three  foot  burrow.  Size  of 
egg  1.40  x  1.00.  Collector,  A.  W.  Anthony. 


69 


White,  nest  stained 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


Black  Petrel 


Ashy  Petrel 


107.  BLACK  PETREL.     Oceanodroma  melania. 

Range. — South  Pacific,  from  southern  Califor- 
nia southward,  breeding  on  the  small  islands  on 
both  coasts  of  Lower  California.  They  are  sim- 
ilar to  the  Leach's  Petrel  except  that  the  rump  is 
blackish.  Data.— San  Benito  Is.,  Lower  Califor- 
nia, July  23,  1896.  White  egg  laid  on  bare  ground 
at  the  end  of  three  foot  burrow.  Size  1.40  x  1. 
Collector,  A.  W.  Anthony. 

108.  ASHY  PETREL.      Oceanodroma  Tiomochroa. 

Range. — California  coast,  breeding  on  the  Far- 
allones  and  Santa  Barbara  Islands. 

This  species,  while  not  common,  nests  in  all 
manner  of  localities  on  the  Farallones,  conceal- 
ing their  eggs  under  any  rock  or  in  any  crevice 
that  may  attract  their  fancy.  Their  single  white 
egg  is  only  faintly  if  at  all  wreathed  with  fine 
dust-like  specks  of  reddish  brown.  Size  1.15  x 
.86.  Data. — Farallone  Is.,  California,  June  12, 
1895.  Egg  laid  on  sand  in  crevice  at  the  base  of 
a  stone  wall;  well  concealed.  Collector,  Chester 
Barlow. 


108.1.     SOCORRO  PETREL. 

Oceanodroma  socorroensis. 

Breeds  on  Socorro,  San  Benito  and  Coronado 
Islands,  placing  its  eggs  at  the  end  of  burrow. 
Data. — San  Benito  Is.,  Lower  California,  July  12, 
1897.  Single  egg  at  the  end  of  a  burrow  3  feet 
in  length.  Egg  pure  white  very  finely  wreathed 
with  pale  reddish  brown.  Size  1.15  x  .87.  Collec- 
tor, A.  W.  Anthony. 


70 


109-     WILSON'S  PETREL. 

Breeds  in  the  southern  hemisphere  in  February 
and  March  and  spends  the  summer  off  the  Atlan- 
tic coast  as  far  north  as  Newfoundland.  This  spe- 
cies can  be  distinguished  from  Leach  Petrel  by 
its  square  tail  and  from  the  Stormy  Petrel  by  its 
large  size  and  yellow  webs  to  its  feet.  These 
birds  are  the  greatest  wanderers  of  the  genus, 
being  found  at  different  seasons  in  nearly  all 
quarters  of  the  globe.  Their  single  egg  is  white. 
Size  1.25  x. 90. 

[110.]      WHITE-BELLIED  PETREL. 

Fregetta  grallaria. 

A  small  species  (length  about  7.5  inches)  in- 
habiting southern  seas.  Recorded  once  at  Flor- 
ida. General  plumage  blackish.  Upper  tail  cov- 
erts, bases  of  tail  feathers,  under  wing  coverts, 
and  abdomen,  white. 

[111.]      WHITE-FACED  PETREL.     Pelagodroma 

marina. 

Range. — Southern  seas,  accidentally  north  to 
the  coast  of  Massachusetts.  This  beautiful  spe- 
cies is  of  about  the  same  size  as  the  Leach's 
Petrel.  It  has  bluish  gray  upper  parts;  the  whole 
under  parts,  as  well  as  the  forehead  and  sides 
of  head,  are  white. 


TUBE-NOSED  SWIMMERS 

Oceanites  oceanicus. 


White 


Wilson's  Petrel 

White-billed  Petrel 

White-faced  Petrel 


These  birds  have  the  same  characteristics  as  do  others  of  the  species,  pat- 
tering over  the  water  with  their  feet  as  they  skim  over  the  crests  and 
troughs  of  the  waves.  They  are  not  uncommon  in  the  waters  about  New 
Zealand  where  they  breed.  Their  single  eggs  are  about  the  same  as  Leach's 
Petrel,  are  brilliant  white  and  are,  very  strongly,  for  a  Petrel  egg,  wreathed 
about  the  large  end  with  dots  of  reddish  brown.  Size  1.32  x  .90.  Data. — Chat- 
ham Is.,  New  Zealand,  January  7,  1901.  Egg  laid  at  end  of  a  burrow.  Collec- 
tor, J.  Lobb.  This  egg  is  in  Mr.  Thayer's  collection. 


71 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 

TOTIPALMATE  SWIMMERS.  Order  IV.  STEGANOPODES 
TROPIC  BIRDS.    Family  PHAETHONTIDAE 

Tropic  Birds  are  Tern-like  birds,  having  all   the  toes  connected   by  a  web, 
and  having  the  two  central  tail  feathers  very  much  lengthened. 


112.     YELLOW-BILLED  TROPIC  BIRD.     Phccthon 
americanus. 

Range. — Tropical  regions,  breeding  in  the  Ba- 
hamas, West  Indies  and  the  Bermudas,  casual  in 
Florida  and  along  the  South  Atlantic  coast. 

The  Tropic  Birds  are  the  most  strikingly 
beautiful  of  all  the  sea  birds;  they  are  about  30 
inches  in  length,  of  which  their  long  slender  tail 
takes  about  20  inches.  They  fly  with  the  ease 
and  grace  of  a  Tern,  but  with  quicker  wing  beats. 
They  feed  on  small  fish,  which  they  capture  by 


Dull   purplish 

darting  down  upon,  and  upon  snails  which  they 
get  from  the  beach  and  ledges.  They  build  their 
nests  in  the  crevices  and  along  the  ledges  of  the 
rocky  cliffs.  While  gregarious  to  a  certain  ex- 
tent they  are  not  nearly  as  much  so  as  the  Terns. 
The  nest  is  made  of  a  mass  of  seaweed  and  weeds; 
but  one  egg  is  laid,  this  being  of  a  creamy  or  pale 
purplish  ground  color,  dotted  and  sprinkled  with 
chestnut,  so  thickly  as  to  often  obscure  the*!!3Yellow-bill?d  Tropic  Bird 
ground  color.  Size  2.10x1.45.  Data —Coney  Is  ^  Red-billed  Tropic  Bird 


/ 


TOTJPALMATE  SWIMMERS 


113.      RED-BILLED  TROPIC  BIRD.     Phcethon  cethereus. 

Range. — Tropical    seas,    chiefly    in    the    Pacific    Ocean;    north    to    southern 

California. 

They  breed  on  several  islands  in  the  Gulf  of  California.     This  species  differs 

from  the  preceding  in  having  a  red  bill,  and  the  back  being  barred  with  black. 

Their  plumage  has  a  peculiar  satiny  appearance   and   is  quite  dazzling  when 

viewed  in  the  sunlight.  They 
are  strong  fliers  and  are  met 
with,  hundreds  of  miles  from 
land.  They  often  rest  upon  the 
water,  elevating  their  long  tails 
to  keep  them  from  getting  wet. 
They  nest,  as  do  the  preceding 
species,  on  rocky  islands  and 
are  said  to  also  build  their  nests 
in  trees  or  upon  the  ground. 
The  single  egg  that  they  lay 
has  a  creamy  ground  and  is  mi- 
nutely dotted  with  chestnut. 
Pale  purplish  size  2.40  x  1.55.  Data.— Daphone 

Is.,  Galapagos  Is.,  South  Pacific,  March  6,  1901.     Egg  laid  in  hole  of  a  sea  cliff. 

The  eggs  are  easily  told  from  those  of  the  yellow-billed  by  their  much  larger 

size.     Collector,  R.  H.  Beck. 


[113.1]      RED-TAILED  TROPIC  BIRD.     Phcethon  rubricaudus. 

Range. — Tropical   regions   of  the   Pacific  and  Indian   Oceans,   accidental   off 

the  coast  of  Lower  California. 

This  is  a  singularly  beautiful  species  resembling  the  latter  except  that  the 

central   tail    feathers   are   bright   red,   with    the   extreme   tips   white.     During 

August  and  September  they 
breed  in  large  colonies  on 
small  islands  in  the  South 
Seas.  On  Mauritius  Island 
they  build  their  nests  either 
in  the  trees  or  place  them  on 
the  ground;  the  nest  is  made 
of  seaweed,  sticks  and  weeds; 
numbers  of  them  nest  on 

.•*£'.>*     "*.  f  JK32WHB^^^V       Laysan   Is.,   of  the   Hawaiian 

group,  concealing  their  nests 
on  the  ground  under  over- 
hanging brush. 

The  single  egg  has  a  pale 
purplish  ground  speckled 
with  brown. 


Pale  purplish  ground  color 


73 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


GANNETS.    Family  SULIDAE 

Gannets  are  large  stoutly  built  birds,  having  the  four  toes  joined  by  a  web; 
they  have  a  small  naked  pouch  beneath  the  bill;  the  bill  is  a  little  longer  than 
the  head,  and  the  tail  is  quite  short.  The  plumage  of  the  adults  is  generally 
white,  that  of  the  young  grayish. 


114.     BLUE-FACED  BOOBY.     Sula  syanops. 

Range. — Widely  distributed  in  the  tropical  seas, 
north  casually  to  Florida  and  breeding  in  the  Ba- 
hamas. 

Like  the  rest  of  the  Gannets,  this  one  is  stupid 
and  will  often  remain  on  the  nest  until  removed 
with  the  hand,  merely  hissing  at  the  intruder. 
Often  they  lay  their  eggs  on  the  bare  ground,  but 
sometimes  the  nest  is  lined  with  seaweed  or  grass. 
They  lay  either  one  or  two  eggs  early  in  April. 
These  eggs  are  of  a  dull  white  color  and  are  heav- 
ily covered  with  a  chalky  deposit.  Size  2.50  x  1.70. 
Data.— Clarion  Is.,  Mexico,  May  24,  1897.  Nest 
a  mere  hollow  in  the  sand  near  the  beach.  Col- 
lector, A.  W.  Anthony. 

114.1.     BLUE-FOOTED  BOOBY.     Sula  nebouxi. 

Range. — Pacific  coasts  and  islands  from  the 
Gulf  of  California  southward  to  Chili. 

These  birds  nest  in  numbers  on  the  island  of 
San  Pedro  Martir  in  the  Gulf  of  California.  They 
lay  but  a  single  egg,  placing  it  upon  the  bare 
rock.  Their  breeding  season  extends  from  the 
latter  part  of  March  into  May.  The  egg  is  a  dull 
white,  generally  nest  stained  and  is  covered  with 
the  usual  chalky  deposit.  Size  2.35x1.60.  Data. 
— Clarion  Island,  Mexico,  May  21,  1897.  Two  eggs 
in  a  hollow  in  the  sand  near  the  beach.  Collector, 
A.  W.  Anthony. 


Blue-faced  Booby 

Blue-footed  Booby 


.115.      BOOBY.     Sula  leucogastra. 

Range. — Tropical  coasts  and  islands  of  the  At- 
lantic; north  casually  to  Georgia. 

The  common  Booby  is  an  abundant  bird  on 
some  of  the  islands  of  the  Bahamas  and  Bermu- 
das; it  is  commonly  called  the  Brown  Booby  be- 
cause the  upper  parts  are  of  a  brownish  gray. 
These  birds,  as  do  the  other  Gannets,  have  great 
powers  of  flight  and  without  apparent  effort  dart 


TOTIPALMATE  SWIMMERS 


Chalky  bluish  white,  nest   stained 

about  with  the  speed  of  an  arrow.  They  are 
quite  awkward  upon  their  feet  and  are  not  very 
proficient  swimmers.  They  rarely  rest  upon  the 
water  except  when  tired.  Hundreds  and  some- 
times thousands  of  them  breed  in  company,  lay- 
ing their  eggs  upon  the  bare  rocks.  Sometimes 
a  few  sticks  or  grasses  will  be  placed  about  the 
bird  to  prevent  the  eggs  from  rolling  away.  They 
generally  lay  two  eggs,  chalky  white  and  nest 
stained.  Size  2.40x1.60.  Data. — Key  West,  Ba- 
hamas, April  14,  1891.  No  nest;  two  eggs  laid  on 
the  bare  rocks. 


Booby 
Red-footed  Booby 


115.1.     BREWSTER'S  BOOBY.     Sula  brewsteri. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  Lower  California  southward.  This  Gannet  re- 
places the  common  Booby  on  the  Pacific  coast.  It  nests  abundantly  on  many 
islands  in  the  Gulf  of  California,  and  in  company  with  the  blue-footed  variety, 
on  San  Pedro  Martir  Island.  They  generally  lay  two  eggs,  placing  them  upon 
the  bare  rocks  and  surrounding  them  with  a  ring  of  sticks  and  seaweed  to  keep 
them  in  place.  The  eggs  are  chalky  white  and  cannot  be  distinguished  from 
those  of  the  other  Boobies.  Data. — San  Benedicto  Is.,  Lower  California,  May 
18,  1897.  Single  egg  laid  on  the  sand  amid  a  few  blades  of  grass. 


116.      RED-FOOTED  BOOBY.     Sula  piscator. 

This  is  another  species  that  is  only  occasionally  taken  on  the  Florida  coast. 
The  habits  of  the  birds  and  their  nesting  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
others  of  the  family.  Two  chalky  white  eggs  are  laid.  Data.— San  Benedicto 
Is.,  Lower  California,  May  18,  1897.  Single  egg.  Nest  a  few  twigs  of  rank 
grass.  Collector,  A.  W.  Anthony. 

75 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


117-     GANNET.     Sula  bassana. 

Range. — North   Atlantic,   breeding,   in   America, 
only  on  Bird  Rocks  in  the  St.  Lawrence. 

These  are  the  largest  of  the  family,  being  35 
inches  in  length.  They  feed  on  fish  which  they 
catch  by  diving  upon,  from  the  air.  When  flying 
their  neck  is  carried  fully  extended.  They  rest 
on  the  water  when  tired,  the  numerous  air  cells 
beneath  the  skin,  causing  them  to  sit  high  up  in 
the  water  and  enabling  them  to  weather  the 
severest  storm  in  perfect  safety.  The  only  known 
breeding  place  in  America  is  Bird  Rocks,  where 
they  nest  by  thousands,  placing  their  nests  in 
rows  on  the  narrow  ledges;  the  nests  are  made 
of  piles  of  seaweed,  mud  and  stones.  They  lay 
but  one  egg  of  dingy  white  color  and  covered  with 
a  chalky  deposit.  On  St.  Kilda  Island,  off  the 
coast  of  Scotland,  they  breed  by  millions.  They 
are  very  tame  and  will  frequently  allow  them- 
selves to  be  touched  with  the  hand.  It  is  said 
that  thousands  of  the  young  are  killed  by  fisher- 
men every  year  and  marketed  in  Edinburg  and 
other  places.  Data.— St.  Kilda  Island,  Scotland, 
June  18,  1896.  Single  egg  laid  on  a  large  mass  of 
seaweed  on  a  sea  cliff.  Collector,  H.  McDonald. 


Chalky  bluish  white 


76 


TOTIPALMATK  SWFMMKKS 


DARTERS.     Family  ANHINGIDAE 

118.      WATER  TURKEY.     Anhinga  anhinga. 

Range. — Tropical  America,  north  to  the  South  Atlantic  States  and  up  the 
Mississippi  Valley  to  Illinois. 

Anhingas  or  Snake  Birds  are  curiously  formed  creatures  with  a  Heron-like 
head  and  neck,  and  the  body  of  a  Cormorant.  They  live  in  colonies  in  inacces- 
sible swamps.  Owing  to  their  thin  and  light  bodies,  they  are  remarkable 

swimmers,  and  pursue  and  catch  fisli 
under  water  with  ease.  When  alarm- 
ed they  have  a  habit  of  sinking  their 
body  below  water,  leaving  only  their 
head  and  neck  visible,  thereby  having 
4  the  appearance  of  a  water  snake. 
They  also  fly  well  and  dive  from  their 
perch  into  the  water  with  the  greatest 
celerity. 

They  nest  in  colonies  in  the  swamps, 
placing  their  nests  of  sticks,  leaves 
and  moss  in  the  bushes  over  the 
water.  They  breed  in  April,  laying 
from  three  to  five  bluish  eggs,  covered  with  a  chalky  deposit.  Size  2.25  x  1.35. 
Data. — Gainesville,  Florida,  May  18,  1894.  Nest  in  the  top  of  a  button-wood 
tree,  made  of  leaves  and  branches,  overhanging  the  water.  Collector,  George 
Graham. 


Chalky    bluish    white 


I  M<:  LI  CAN    POND 
Washington   Zoological   Park 


i  i 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


CORMORANTS.    Family  PHALACROCORACID^E 

Cormorants  have  a  more  bulky  body  than  do  the  Anhingas;  their  tail  is 
shorter  and  the  bill  strongly  hooked  at  the  tip.  Cormorants  are  found  in 
nearly  all  quarters  of  the  globe.  They  are  very  gregarious  and  most  species 
are  maritime.  They  feed  upon  fish  which  they  catch  by  pursuing  under  water. 
Most  of  the  Cormorants  have  green  eyes. 


TOTIPALMATE  SWIMMERS 


119.     CORMORANT.     PTialacrocorax  carbo. 


Range. — The  Atlantic  coast  breeding  from  Maine 
to  Greenland. 

The  common  Cormorant  or  Shag  is  one  of  the 
largest  of  the  race,  having  a  length  of  36  inches. 

In  breeding  plumage,  the  black  head  and  neck 
are  so  thickly  covered  with  the  slender  white 
plumes  as  to  almost  wholly  obscure  the  black. 
There  is  also  a  large  white  patch  on  the  flanks. 
They  nest  in  colonies  on  the  rocky  shores  of  New- 


Chalky    greenish   or   bluish   whitae 

foundland  and  Labrador,  placing  their  nests  of 
sticks  and  seaweed  in  rows  along  the  high  ledges, 
where  they  sit,  as  one  writer  aptly  expresses  it, 
like  so  many  black  bottles.  A  few  pairs  also  nest 
on  some  of  the  isolated  rocky  islets  off  the  Maine 
coast.  During  the  latter  part  of  May  and  dur- 
ing June  they  lay  generally  four  or  five  greenish 
white,  chalky  looking  eggs.  Size  2.50  x  1.40.  Data. 
— Black  Horse  Rock,  Maine  coast,  June  6,  1893. 
Four  eggs  in  a  nest  of  seaweed  and  a  few  sticks; 
on  a  high  ledge  of  rock.  Collector,  C.  A.  Reed. 


Cormorant 
Double-crested  Cormorant: 


120.     DOUBLE-CRESTED  CORMORANT.     Phalacrocorax  auritus  auritus. 

Range. — The  Atlantic  coast  and  also  in  the  interior,  breeding  from  Nova 
Scotia  and  North  Dakota  northward. 

This  is  a  slightly  smaller  bird  than  carbo,  and  in  the  nesting  season  the  white 
plumes  of  the  latter  are  replaced  by  tufts  of  black  and  white  feathers  from 
above  each  eye.  On  the  coast  they  nest  the  same  as  carbo  and  in  company  with 
them  on  rocky  islands.  In  the  interior  they  place  their  nests  on  the  ground  or 
occasionally  in  low  trees  on  islands  in  the  lakes.  They  breed  in  large  colonies, 
making  the  nests  of  sticks  and  weeds  and  lay  three  or  four  eggs  like  those  of 
the  common  Cormorant  but  averaging  shorter.  Size  2.30  x  1.40.  Data. — Stump 
Lake,  North  Dakota,  May  31,  1897.  Nest  of  dead  weeds  on  an  island.  Six  eggs. 
Collector,  T.  F.  Eastgate. 


79 


Walter   Raine 


NESTS  OF   DOUBLE-CRESTED   CORMORANTS 


80 


TOTIPALMATE  SWIMMERS 

120a.     FLORIDA  CORMORANT.     Phalacrocorax  auritus  ftoridanus. 

This  sub-species  is  a  common  breeding  bird  in  the  swamps  and  islands  of  the 
Gulf  coast  and  north  to  South  Carolina  and  southern  Illinois.  The  nests  are 
placed  in  the  mangroves  in  some  of  the  most  impenetrable  swamps  and  are 
composed  of  twigs  and  lined  with  leaves  or  moss.  They  lay  three  or  four  chalky 
bluish  white  eggs.  Size  2.30x1.40.  Data. — Bird  Is.,  Lake  Kissimee,  Florida, 
April  5,  1898.  Three  eggs.  Nest  made  of  weeds  and  grass,  in  a  willow  bush. 

120b.      WHITE-CRESTED   CORMORANT.     Phalacrocorax   auritus   cincinatus. 

Range. — Northwestern  coast  of  North  America,  breeding  in  Alaska,  and  south 
to  the  northern  boundary  of  the  United  States,  breeding  both  in  the  interior 
and  on  the  coast,  in  the  former  case  generally  on  the  ground  or  in  low  trees 
on  swampy  islands  and  in  the  latter,  on  the  rocky  cliffs  of  the  coasts  and 
islands.  The  nests  are  built  in  the  same  fashion  as  the  other  Cormorants,  and 
the  three  to  five  eggs  are  similar.  Size  2.45  x  1.40. 

120c.      FARALLON  CORMORANT.      Phalacrocorax  auritus  albociliatus. 

Range. — This  sub-species  breeds  on  the  coasts  and  islands  of  California  and 
southward. 

In  company  with  other  species  of  Cormorants,  these  birds  breed  in  large 
numbers  on  the  Farallones,  placing  their  nests  well  up  on  the  higher  ridges  and 
rocks.  They  breed  most  abundantly  during  May.  When  nesting  on  the  inland 
islands,  they  place  their  nests  in  low  bushes.  Their  nests  and  eggs  are  similar 
to  those  of  the  other  Cormorants.  Size  2.40  x  1.50.  Data. — Farallones,  Cali- 
fornia. Nest  of  weeds  and  seaweed  on  the  rocks.  Collector,  W.  O.  Emerson. 


121.      MEXICAN  CORMORANT.     Phalacrocorax  vigua  mexicanus. 


Range. — Breeds    abundantly    from    southern    Texas,    south    through 

north  rarely  to   Kansas;    har 


Greenish  white 


Mexico; 

recently 

been  found  breeding  in  limited  num- 
ber on  some  of  the  Bahamas.  In  the 
interior  they  nest  in  trees,  chiefly 
those  overhanging  or  growing  in  the 
water.  On  the  coasts  they  nest  on  the 
rocky  ledges,  as  do  the  other  Cormor- 
ants. They  nest  in  colonies  building 
their  abode  of  twigs  and  weeds,  and 
during  May  laying  three  or  four  eggs, 
greenish  white  in  color  and  chalky,  as 
are  all  the  Cormorants.  Size  2.25  x  1.35. 


81 


120c — 122 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 

122.  BRANDT'S  CORMORANT. 

Phalacrocorax  penicillatus. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  breeding  along  the  whole  coast 
of  the  United  States. 

This  species  is  found  more  abundantly  on  the  Faral- 
lones  than  is  the  Parallone  Cormorant.  Like  the  other 
Cormorants  breeding  on  these  islands,  these  cling  closely 
to  their  nests,  for  fear  of  being  robbed  by  the  Gulls,  that 
are  ever  on  the  watch  to  steal  either  eggs  or  young. 
Their  nesting  iiabits  and  eggs  are  identical  with  those  of 
.  the  other  species.  Size  2.50  x  1.50.  Data. — Bird  Island, 
California,  May  24,  1885.  A  very  bulky  nest  of  seaweed 
on  the  rocks.  Collector,  A.  M.  Ingersoll. 

123.  PELAGIC  CORMORANT.     Phalacrocorax  pel- 

agicus  pelagicus. 
Range. — Coast  of  Alaska. 

These  are  perhaps  the  most  beautiful  species  of  Cor- 
morants, having  brilliant  violet  green  metallic  reflec- 
tions and,  in  the  breeding  plumage,  crests  on  the  fore- 
head and  nape,  as  well  as  large  white  flank  patches. 
They  breed  in  large  colonies  on  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
placing  their  nests  of  sticks  and  sea  mosses  on  the  rocky 
ledges,  often  hundreds  of  feet  above  the  sea  level.  Three 
or  four  eggs  are  laid  during  May  and  June.  The  young 
birds'  when  hatched  are  naked  and  black,  and  are  re- 
pulsive looking  objects,  as  are  those  of  all  the  other  Cormorants.  The  eggs 
are  greenish  white  with  the  usual  calcareous  deposit.  Size  2.30  x  1.40. 

123a.     VIOLET-GREEN  CORMORANT.     Phalacro- 
corax pelagicus  robustus. 

This  sub-species  is  found  on  the  Pacific  coast  from  Washington  to  the  Aleu- 
tian Islands.     Their  habits  and  nests  and  eggs  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
Pelagic    Cormorant,    nesting    on    the    high    cliffs    of    the      pM^s^^-.r^-^a^ss^-.-agi 
rocky  islands.     The  eggs  are  the  same  size  as  those  of 
the  preceding. 

123b.     BAIRD'S  CORMORANT. 
agicus  resplendens. 

This  variety  breeds  on  the  Pacific  coast  from  Wash- 
ington south  to  Mexico.  They  nest  on  the  Parallones, 
but  in  smaller  numbers  than  the  other  varieties  found 
there.  Both  the  birds  and  their  eggs  are  smaller  than 
the  preceding.  Size  of  eggs  2.20  x  1.40. 

1 24.      RED-FACED  CORMORANT.     Phalacrocorax  urile. 

Range. — Southwest  coast  of  Alaska,  migrating  to 
Japan  in  the  winter. 

This  species  differs  from  the  Pelagic  chiefly  in  having 
the  forehead  bare.  They  do  not  differ  in  their  breeding 
habits  from  others  of  the  family.  That  the  Cormorants 
are  expert  fishermen  may  be  seen  from  the  fact  that  the 
Chinese  tame  and  have  them  catch  fish  for  them,  placing 
a  ring  around  their  neck  to  prevent  their  swallowing  the 
fish.  Their  nesting  places  are  very  filthy,  being  covered 
with  excrement  and  remains  of  fish  that  are  strewn 
around  the  nests.  They  breed  in  June  laying  three  or 

four  eggs.     Size  2.50  x  1.50.  — j93b 124 

82 


Phalacrocorax  pel- 


TOTIPALMATE  SWIMMERS 

PELICANS.    Family  PELECANID^E 

Pelicans  are  large,  short  legged,  web  footed  (all  four  toes  joined  by  a  web) 
birds,  the  most  noticeable  feature  of  which  is  the  long  bill  with  its  enormous 
pouch  suspended  from  lower  mandible.  This  pouch,  while  normally  contracted, 
is  capable  of  being  distended  to  hold  several  quarts.  It  is  used  as  a  scoop  in 
which  to  catch  small  fish.  Their  skin  is  filled  with  numerous  air  cells,  making 
them  very  light  and  buoyant. 

125.     AMERICAN  WHITE  PELICAN.     Pelecanus  erythrorhynchos. 

Range. — Temperate  North  America,  breeding  in  the  interior,  from  Utah  and 
the  Dakotas  northward.  These  large  birds,  reaching  a  length  of  five  feet,  are 
entirely  white  except  for  the  black  primaries.  They  get  their  food  by  approach- 
ing a  school  of  small  fish  and,  suddenly  dipping  their  head  beneath  the  sur- 
face, sometimes  scoop  up  a  large  number  of  fish  at  a  time;  after  allowing  the 
water  to  run  out  of  the  sides  of  the  mouth,  they  proceed  to  swallow  their  catch. 
They  nest  in  large  communities  on  islands  in  some  of  the  inland  lakes. 

Great  Salt  Lake,  Utah,  and  Shoal  Lake,  Manitoba,  furnish  breeding  ground 
for  many  thousands  of  Pelicans.  They  build  their  simple  nests  on  the  ground, 
making  them  of  sticks  and  weeds.  They  generally  lay  two  eggs,  but  often 
three  or  four.  Size  3.45  x  2.30.  Data. — Egg  Island,  Great  Salt  Lake,  June  19, 
1884.  Two  eggs.  Nest  a  slight  hollow  in  the  ground,  surrounded  by  a  few 
sticks.  Collector,  F.  F.  Leonard. 


Chalky  white 


83 


AMERICAN  WHITE   PELICAN 


84 


TOTIPALMATE  SWIMMERS 


126'.      BROWN  PELICAN.     Pelecanus  occidental™. 

Range. — Found  on  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf 
coasts  of  the  United  States. 

Brown  Pelicans  are  about  50  inches  in  length; 
they  have  a  blackish  and  grayish  body  and  a 
white  head  and  neck  with  a  brown  stripe  down 
the  back  of  the  latter.  The  pouch  is  a  dark  green- 
ish brown.  This  species  is  maritime  and  is  not 
found  inland.  They  breed  in  large  colonies  on 
many  of  the  islands  in  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  and  on 


Brown    Pelican 

White  Pelican 


Chalky   white 

Pelican  Island  on  the  east  coast  of  Florida,  in 
which  latter  place  they  are  now  protected  from 
further  depredations  at  the  hand  of  eggers  and 
gunners.  Their  fishing  tactics  differ  from  those 
of  the  White  Pelican.  They  dive  down  upon  the 
school  of  fish  from  the  air  and  rarely  miss  mak- 
ing a  good  catch.  Their  nests  are  quite  bulky  structures  made  of  sticks  and 
weeds  and  grasses.  These  are  generally  located  on  the  ground  but  occasionally 
in  low  mangroves,  these  latter  nests  being  more  bulky  than  the  ground  ones. 
They  lay  from  two  to  five  chalky  white  eggs  during  May  and  June.  Size  3.  x 
1.90.  Data. — Tampa  Bay,  Fla.,  May  29,  1894.  Three  eggs.  Nest  in  the  top  of 
a  stout  mangrove;  made  of  sticks,  branches  and  leaves.  Collector,  Geo.  Graham. 


127.      CALIFORNIA  BROWN  PELICAN.     Pelecanus  calif ornicus. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  British  Columbia  south  to  the  Galapagos  Islands. 

This  bird  is  similar  to  the  preceding,  but  larger  and  the  pouch  is  reddish. 
They  breed  abundantly  on  the  Coronado  Islands  and  southward.  Their  habits, 
nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  Brown  Pelican.  Size  of 
the  three  or  four  chalky  white  eggs  is  3.10  x  1.95.  Data. — Coronado  Islands, 
Calif.,  March  28,  1897.  Three  eggs.  Nest  of  sticks,  lined  with  green  leaves, 
located  on  the  ground.  Collector,  H.  McConville. 


85 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


MAN-O'-WAR  BIRDS.     Family  FREGATID^E 


128.      MAN-O'-WAR  BIRD.     Fregata  aqtiila. 

Range. — Tropical  seas,  north  regularly  in  America  to  the  South  Atlantic  and 
Gulf  coasts,  casually  farther. 

Man-o'-war  Birds  or  "Frigates,"  as  they  are 
often  called,  are  remarkable  birds  in  many  re- 
spects. In  comparison  with  their  weight  they 
have  the  largest  expanse  of  wing  of  any  known 
bird.  •  Weighing  only  about  four  pounds  they  have 
an  extent  of  from  seven  to  eight  feet,  their  wings 
being  extremely  long  and  pointed.  The  length  of 
the  bird  is  about  40  inches,  of  which  the  tail  com- 
prises about  18  in.,  10  inches  of  this  being  forked. 
They  have  a  large  bright  orange  gular  sac,  a  long, 


White 

hooked  bill,  and  small  slightly  webbed  feet.   Their 

powers    of    flight    combine    the    strength    of    the 

Albatrosses  and   the  grace  of  the   Terns.     They 

are  very  poor  swimmers  and  do  not  dive,  so  are 

forced  to  procure  their  food  by  preying  upon  the 

Gulls  and  Cormorants,  forcing  them  to  drop  their 

fish,  which  the  pirates  catch  before  it  reaches  the 

water.     They  also  feed  upon  flying  fish,  catching 

them  in  the  air,  whither  they  have  been  driven  by 

their  enemies  in  their  natural  element.    They  nest  in  large  colonies  on  some  of 

the  Bahama  Islands  and  on  some  of  the  small  Florida  Keys.     Their  nests  are 

small  frail  platforms  of  sticks  and  twigs  and  the  single  egg  is  laid  in  March 

and  April.    It  is  white  and  has  a  smooth  surface.     Size  2.80  x  1.90.     Data. — Key 

Verde,  Bahamas,  March  6,  1889.     Single  egg.    Nest  a  frail  affair  of  sticks  on  a 

cactus.     Collector,  D.  P.  Ingraham. 


Man-O'-War   Bird 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS 

Order  V.    ANSERES 


DUCKS,  GEESE  AND  SWANS.    Family  ANATIDAE 

The  birds  comprising  this  family  are  of  greatly  varying  sizes,  but  all  have 
webbed  feet,  and  generally  the  bill  is  broader  than  high,  and  is  serrated  on  the 
edges  or  provided  with  gutters  to  act  as  a  strainer  in  assisting  the  birds  to 
gather  their  food. 

12Q.  MERGANSER.     Mergus  americanus. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  from  the 
northern  border  of  the  United  States  northward. 

The  three  species  of  Mergansers  are  almost 
exclusively  fish  eating  birds.  Therefore  their  flesh 
is  unpalatable  and  they  are  known  as  "Pish 
Ducks."  They  are  also  sometimes  called  "Saw- 


Brownish  buff 

bills"  because  of  the  teeth-like  serration  on  both 
the  upper  and  the  under  mandibles.  Unlike  the 
other  species  of  ducks,  their  bills  are  long,  slend- 
er and  rounded  instead  of  being  broad  and  flat; 
it  is  also  hooked  at  the  tip.  Like  the  Cormorants, 
they  often  pursue  and  catch  fish  under  the  water, 
their  teeth-like  bills  enabling  them  to  firmly  hold 
their  prey. 

The  American  Mergansers,  Goosanders,  or  Shel- 
drakes, as  they  are  often  called,  are  found  botii 
on  the  coast  and  in  the  interior.  Except  in  cer- 
tain mountainous  regions,  they  breed  chiefly  north 
of  the  United  States.  The  male  bird  has  no  crest 
and  the  head  is  a  beautiful  green,  while  the  female  has  a  reddish  brown  crest 
and  head,  shading  to  white  on  the  chin.  They  build  their  nest  in  hollow  trees 
near  the  water.  It  is  made  of  grasses,  leaves  and  moss  and  is  lined  with  feath- 
ers from  the  breast  of  the  female.  During  May,  they  lay  from  six  to  ten  eggs 
of  a  creamy  or  buff  color.  Size  2.70  x  1.75.  Data. — Gun  Is.,  Lake  Winnipeg. 
June  16,  1903.  Eleven  eggs  in  a  nest  of  white  down,  located  between  two  large 
boulders.  Collector,  Walter  Raine. 


American  Merganser 

Red-breasted  Merganser 


<^gsr> 


87 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


Hooded  Merganser 
Mallard 


130.  RED-BREASTED  MERGANSER.     Mergus  ser- 

rator 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  from  north- 
ern United  States  northward. 

This  species  is  more  abundant  than  the  pre- 
ceding. It  is  slightly  smaller,  being  22  inches  in 
length,  and  the  male  is  crested.  Found  abundant- 
ly in  the  United  States  in  winter.  Breeds  com- 
monly in  the  interior  of  British  America  and  in 
Labrador  and  Newfoundland.  They  make  their 
nests  on  the  ground,  near  the  water,  concealing 
them  under  rocks  or  tufts  of  grass.  The  nest  is 
made  of  grasses,  leaves  and  moss  and  lined  with 
feathers.  They  lay,  generally,  about  ten  eggs  of 
a  buffy  or  greenish  buff  color.  Size  2.50  x  1.70. 
Data. — Lake  Manitoba,  N.  W.  Canada.  Two  eggs 
in  a  hollow  lined  with  down,  under  a  patch  of  rose 
bushes  near  shore.  Collector,  Jos.  Karnaugh. 

131.  HOODED  MERGANSER. 
Lophodytes  cucullatus. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  locally  through- 
out its  range,  in  the  interior.  These  are  beautiful 


Grayish   white 


little  Ducks  distinguished  from  all  others  by  the  semi-circular,  compressed 
crest  which  is  black  with  an  enclosed  white  area.  They  make  their  nests  in 
hollow  trees,  in  wooded  districts  near  the  water,  lining  the  cavity  with 
grasses  and  down.  They  lay  ten  or  twelve  grayish  white  eggs.  Size  2.15  x  1.70. 

132.      MALLARD.     Anas  platyrhynchos. 

Range. — Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  in  America  from  northern  United 
States  northward,  and  wintering  south  to  Panama  and  the  West  Indies. 

Contrasting  with  the  preceding  Pish  Ducks,  the  Mallards  are  regarded  as 
one  of  the  most  esteemed  table  birds.  They  feed  on  mollusks  and  marine 
insects  which  they  generally  reach  by  tipping  in  shallow  water.  They  nest  in 
many  localities  in  the  United  States  but  more  abundantly  north  of  our  borders. 
They  nest  in  fields  in  close  proximity  to  ponds  or  lakes,  placing  their  nests 
of  grasses  and  feathers  in  the  tall  grass.  In  May  and  June  they  lay  from  six 
to  ten  eggs  of  a  buffy  or  olive  color.  Size  2.25  x  1.25.  Data. — San  Diego,  Cali- 
fornia, May  19,  1897.  Nest  made  of  grass,  lined  with  down,  placed  on  the  edge 
of  a  field  near  a  pond. 

8* 


Lake  Winnipegosls,  June  16,  1902  Walter  Kaine 

NEST   AND    EGGS    OF    AMERICAN   MERGANSER 

This  species  usually  nest  in   holes   in  trees,  but  on  this  island  they  were  nesting 

in  holes  under  boulders. 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


133.     BLACK  DUCK.     Anas  rubripes. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from 
the  middle  portions  north  to  the  Hudson  Bay  ter- 
ritory and  Labrador. 

Throughout  their  breeding  region,  one  or  more 
pairs  of  these  ducks  nest  in  nearly  every  favorable 
locality.  Their  nests  are  placed  on  the  ground 
in  marshes,  swamps  or  fields  bordering  a  pond 
or  lake,  the  nest  being  concealed  in  the  long  grass 


Black  Duck 

Florida  Duck 


Pale  greenish  buffi 

or  reeds.  They  breed  in  equal  abundance,  either 
in  the  interior  or  along  the  sea  coast;  in  the  lat- 
ter case  their  nests  are  often  placed  beside  of,  or 
under  an  overhanging  rock.  It  is  made  of  weeds, 
grass  and  moss  and  is  lined  with  feathers  and 
down.  They  lay  from  six  to  twelve  eggs  during 
May  and  June;  these  are  buff  or  greenish  buff  in 
color.  Si^a  2.30  x  1.70.  Data. — Duck  Is.,  Maine, 
June  3,  1893.  Nest  of  grasses,  concealed  in  a 
large  tuft  on  water's  edge. 


134.     FLORIDA  DUCK.     Anas  fulvigula  fulvigula. 

Range.— Florida  and  the  GuK  of  the  Mississippi. 

This  is  a  similar,  lighter  colored,  locally  distributed  race  of  the  foregoing. 
The  most  noticeable  difference  in  plumage  between  this  and  the  Black  Duck  is 
the  absence  of  markings  on  the  chin.  The  habits  are  the  same,  and  the  eggs, 
which  are  deposited  in  April,  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Black  Duck,  but 
smaller.  Size  2.15  x  1.60. 


90 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS 


MOTTLED  DUCK.     Anas  fulvigula  macu- 
losa. 


Range.  —  Gulf  coast  of  Texas  and  up  the  Miss- 
issippi Valley  to  Kansas. 

The  habits  of  this  bird  differ  in  no  way  -from 
the  preceding  ones.  The  six  to  ten  eggs  are 
greenish  buff  in  color.  Size  2.15  x  1.55. 

335.      GADWALL.      Chaulelasmus  streperus. 

Range.  —  Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  in 
America,  chiefly  in  the  United  States  and  north 
to  Manitoba,  chiefly  in  the  interior. 


Widgeon 


Creamy   buff 

South  in  winter  to  the  Gulf.  The  males  of  these 
birds  may  be  identified  by  the  white  speculum 
and  the  chestnut  wing  coverts.  Gadwalls  nest 
on  the  ground  among  the  reeds  of  marshes  or  in 
the  long  grass  of  bordering  fields;  they  make  lit- 
tle or  no  nest  but  line  the  cavity  with  down  from 
their  breasts.  They  lay  from  seven  to  twelve  Gadwall 
eggs  of  a  creamy  buff  color.  Size  2.10  x  1.60. 
Data.— Benson  Co.,  North  Dakota,  June  19,  1898. 

Eight  eggs.     Nest  on  the  ground  among  rank  grass  on  a  low  island  in  Devils 
Lake.     Made  of  weeds  lined  with  down.     Collector,  E.  S.  Rolfe. 

136.     WIDGEON.     Mareca  penelope 

Range.  —  Northern  Hemisphere, 
breeding  in  America,  only  in  the 
Aleutian  Islands ;  rare  or  accidental 
in  other  parts  of  the  country. 

The  European  Widgeon  is  sim- 
ilar in  build  and  plumage  to  the  fol- 
lowing species,  except  that  the 
whole  head,  with  the  exception  of 
the  white  crown,  is  chestnut.  They 
build  their  nests  in  the  rushes,  mak- 
ing them  of  reeds  and  grass  and 
lining  them  with  feathers.  They 
lay  from  six  to  ten  light  buff  color- 
ed eggs.  Size  2.20  x  1.50, 


u 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


137.      BALDPATE.     Mareca  americana. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  in  the  in- 
terior from  Texas  north  to  Hudson  Bay. 

The  Baldpate  (so-called  because  of  the  white 
3rown)  or  American  Widgeon  is  a  handsomely 
marked  bird  and  is  regarded  as  a  great  table 
delicacy.  The  male  birds  cannot  be  mistaken  for 
any  other  species  because  of  the  white  crown, 


Baldpate 
Green-winged  Teal 


Creamy   white 

wing  coverts  and  underparts  and  the  broad  green 
stripe,  back  of  the  eye.  They  breed  locally  in 
many  parts  of  the  country,  building  their  nests 
of  grass  and  weeds,  neatly  lined  with  feathers, 
on  the  ground  in  marshes.  They  lay  from  six 
to  twelve  creamy  eggs.  Size  2.15  x  1.50.  Data. — 
Lac  Aux  Morts,  North  Dakota.  Eight  eggs.  Nest 
of  grass  and  down  on  ground  in  a  grassy  meadow. 
Collector,  E.  S.  Bryant. 

[138.]      EUROPEAN  TEAL.     Nettion  crecca. 

An  old  world  species  that  is  casually  found  on 
both  coasts  of  America. 


139.     GREEN-WINGED  TEAL.      Nettion  carolinense. 

Range.  —  Whole     of     North     America, 

^********  breeding    chiefly    north    of    the    United 

States. 

A  small,  handsome  species,  the  male  of 
which  can  readily  be  identified  by  the 
reddish  brown  head  and  neck,  with  the 
large  green  patch  behind  each  ear ;  length 
fourteen  inches.  Green-winged  Teals  are 
our  smallest  representative  of  the  Duck 
family.  They  are  eagerly  sought  by 
sportsmen,  both  because  of  their  beauty 

/  ^^^^^^^^•P^"  and  the  excellence  of  their  flesh.     They 

are  among  the  most  common  of  Ducks  in 
the  interior,  where  they  nest  generally  in 
tufts    of    grass    along    ponds,    lakes    or 
-as;,^        brooks.    Nest  of  grass  and  weeds,  lined  with  down  from  the  bird.    Eggs  buffy, 


Buff 


four  to  ten  in  number.    Size  1.85  x  1.25. 


92 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS 


140.     BLUE-WINGED  TEAL.    Querquedula  discors 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  from  north- 
ern United  States  northward;  rare  on  the  Pacific 
coast. 

Another  small  species,  known  by  the  blue  wing 
coverts  and  the  white  crescent  in  front  of  eye. 
They  nest  in  the  same  localities  with  the  preced- 
ing species,  placing  their  nest  of  grass  and  weeds 
on  the  ground  in  meadows  near  water.  Eggs 
buffy  white.  Six  to  twelve  in  number.  Size  1.90  x 
1.30. 


141.     CINNAMON  TEAL. 
tera 


Querquedula  cyanop- 


Range. — Western  United  States,  chiefly  west 
of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  Casually  east  to  Texas, 
Illinois  and  British  Columbia. 

The  Cinnamon  Teal  is  another  small  Duck, 
marked  by  the  uniform  rich  chestnut  plumage  and 
light  blue  wing  coverts.  The  speculum  is  green. 
The  nesting  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
Teals,  the  nests  being  placed  on  the  ground  in 
marshes  or  fields  near  water.  Their  nests  are 
closely  woven  of  grass  and  weeds  and  lined  with 
down  and  feathers  from  the  breast  of  the  bird. 
The  eggs  are  pale  buff  and  number  from  six  to 
fourteen.  Size  1.85  x  1.35. 


[141.1.]      RUDDY  SHELDRAKE. 
C as area  ferruginea. 

This    is    an    Old    World    species    that    has    acci- 
dentally occurred  in  Greenland. 


Blue-winged   Teal 

Cinnamon  Teal 


93 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


142.     SHOVELLER.     Spatula  clypeata. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  in 
the  interior  from  Texas  northward. 

This  strikingly  marked  Duck  is  twenty  inches 
in  length,  has  a  green  head  and  speculum,  blue 
wing  coverts  and  chestnut  belly.  The  bill  is  long 
and  broad  at  the  tip.  It  makes  its  nest  on  the 
ground  in  marshy  places,  of  grass,  weeds  and 


Dull  olive  gray 


Lead   gray 

feathers.  Six  to  ten  eggs  constitute  a  complete 
set.  They  are  greenish  or  leaden  gray  color. 
Sise  2.10  x  1.50.  Data. — Graham's  Island,  North 
Dakota,  May  28,  1899.  Nest  of  dead  weed  stems 
and  grass,  lined  with  down.  Ten  eggs.  Collector, 
E.  S.  Bryant. 


PINTAIL.     Dafila  acuta. 

Range.  —  Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  in 
North  America  from  northern  United  States  north- 
ward, wintering  south  to  Panama.  This  species, 
which  is  also  known  as  the  Sprig-tail,  is  very 
common  in  the  United  States  in  the 
spring  and  fall  migrations.  It  is  about 
thirty  inches  long,  its  length  depend- 
ing upon  the  development  of  the  tail 
feathers,  the  central  ones  of  which  are 
long  and  pointed.  They  breed  casual- 
ly in  many  sections  of  the  United 
States,  but  in  abundance  from  Mani- 
toba to  the  Arctic  Ocean.  They  nest 
near  the  water,  laying  from  six  to 
twelve  eggs  of  dull  olive  color.  Size 
2.20  x  1.50.  Data.  —  Graham's  Island, 
Devil's  Lake,  N.  Dakota,  June  15,  1900. 
Ten  eggs.  Nest  on  the  ground,  of 
weeds,  lined  with  down.  Colony  breed- 
ing. Collector,  B.  S.  Bryant. 


04 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS 


144.     WOOD  DUCK.     Aix  sponsa. 

Range. — Temperate  North  America,  breeding 
from  Labrador  and  British  Columbia  south  to 
Florida. 

Bridal  Duck  is  a  name  often  given  to  this,  the 
most  beautiful  of  all  Ducks. 

They  are  beautifully  marked,  have  a  large  crest, 
and  are  iridescent  with  all  colors  of  the  rainbow. 
They  frequent  wooded  country  near  ponds  and 


Rich    buff 

lakes,  feeding  on  water  insects  and  mollusks  in 
the  coves.  They  build  their  nests  in  hollow  trees 
and  stumps,  often  at  quite  a  distance  from  the 
water.  When  the  young  are  a  few  days  old,  they 
slide,  scramble,  or  nutter  down  the  tree  trunk  to 
the  ground  below,  and  are  led  to  the  water.  The 
nest  is  made  of  twigs,  weeds  and  grass,  and  warm- 
ly lined  with  down.  The  eggs  are  a  buff  color 
and  number  eight  to  fifteen.  Size  2.  x  1.5. 

[145.]      RUFOUS-CRESTED  DUCK.     Netta  rufina. 


Wood  Duck 

Redhead 


A  European  species;  a  single  specimen  taken  on  Long  Island  in  1872. 
146.      REDHEAD.     Marila  americana. 

Range. — Nofrth  America  at  large, 
breeding  from  northern  United 
States  northward,  chiefly  in  the  in- 
terior. 

A  bird  commonly  seen  in  the 
markets  where  it  is  often  sold  as 
the  following  species  because  of 
their  similarity.  The  nests  are 
placed  on  the  ground  in  marshes  or 
sloughs,  and  are  made  of  grasses, 
lined  with  feathers.  Eggs  from 
six  to  fourteen  in  number,  of  a 
buffy  white  color.  Size  2.40  x  1.70. 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS 


147.      CANVAS-BACK.      Marila  valisineria. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  breeding 
chiefly  in  the  interior  from  the  United  States  to 
the  Arctic  Ocean. 

A  noted  table  bird,  especially  in  the  south 
where  it  feeds  on  wild  celery.  Can  be  distinguish- 
ed from  the  Redhead  by  its  darker  head,  lighter 
back,  and  gradually  sloping  bill.  They  nest  abund- 
antly in  Manitoba,  their  habits  being  the  same  as 
the  preceding.  They  lay  from  six  to  ten  eggs  of 
a  darker  shade  than  the  Redheads.  Size  2.40  x 
1.70.  Data. — Haunted  Lake,  N.  Alberta,  June  12, 
1897.  Ten  eggs.  Nest  of  reeds  in  a  heavy  reed 
bed  out  in  the  lake.  Collector,  Walter  Raine. 


1  18.      SCAUP  DUCK.     Marila  marila. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  from  North 
Dakota  northward,  chiefly  in  the  interior;  south 
in  winter  to  Central  America. 


Canvas-hack 
American  Scaup  Duck 


Pale  greenish   gray 

This  and  the  following  species  are  widely  known 
as  "Blue-bills"  owing  to  the  slaty  blue  color  of 
that  member.  Their  plumage  is  black  and  white, 
somewhat  similar  in  pattern  to  that  of  the  Red- 
head, but  darker,  and  the  whole  head  is  black. 

They  nest,  in  marshes  about  many  of  the  ponds  and  lakes  in  the  interior  of 
British  America.  The  nest  is  made  of  marsh  grasses  and  lined  with  feathers. 
The  six  to  ten  eggs  are  pale  grayish  or  greenish  gray.  Size  2.50  x  1.70.  Data. — 
Saltcoats  Marshes,  N.  W.  Canada,  June  15,  1901.  Ten  eggs.  Nest  in  the  grass; 
a  depression  lined  with  down  and  dried  grasses.  Collector,  Walter  Raine. 


97 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


149-     LESSER  SCAUP  DUCK.     Marila  affinis. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  from  North 
Dakota  and  British  Columbia  northward;  win 
ters  south  to  Central  America. 

This  Duck  is  distinguished  from  the  preceding, 
chiefly  by  its  size  which  is  about  two  inches  less, 
or  17  inches  in  length.  The  nesting  habits  are 
the  same  as  those  of  the  Greater  Scaup  and  the 
eggs  are  similar  but  smaller.  Size  2.25  x  1.55. 
Data. — Northern  Assiniboia,  June  10,  1901.  Ten 
eggs  on  grass  and  down  at  the  edge  of  a  lagoon. 
Collector,  Walter  Raine. 


150.     RING-NECKED  DUCK.     Marila  collaris. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  in  the  inter- 
ior, from  North  Dakota  and  Washington  north- 
ward. Winters  from  Maryland  on  the  east  and 
British  Columbia  on  the  west  to  Central  America. 


Lesser  Scaup  Duck 

Ring-necked  Duck 


Lead   gray 

Similar  to  the  Lesser  Scaup  in  size  and  plum- 
age, except  that  it  has  a  narrow  chestnut  collar 
around  the  neck,  the  back  is  black  instead  of 
barred  with  white,  and  the  speculum  is  gray  instead  of  white.  The  habits  and 
nesting  habits  of  the  Ring-neck  do  not  differ  from  those  of  the  other  Scaups. 
They  lay  from  six  to  twelve  eggs.  Size  2.25  x  1.60.  Data. — Cape  Bathurst, 
N.  Y.  T.,  June  18,  1901.  Ten  eggs  in  a  slight  hollow  in  the  moss,  lined  with 
down.  Collector,  Captain  Bodfish. 


98 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS 


151. 


GOLDEN-EYE. 
americana. 


Clangula  clangula 


Range. — North  America,  breeding  both  on  the 
coast  and  in  the  interior,  from  the  northern  bord- 
er of  the  United  States  northward  to  the  Arctic 
Ocean. 

These  are  handsome  Ducks  known  as  "Whis- 
tlers" from  the  noise  of  their  wings  when  flying, 
ind  "Greatheads"  because  of  the  puffy  crest.  The 


Grayish   green 

head  is  greenish  with  a  large  round  white  spot  in 
front  of,  and  a  little  below  the  eye.  The  rest  of 
the  plumage  is  black  and  white.  This  species 
nests  in  hollow  trees  near  the  water,  lining  the 
cavity  with  grass,  moss  and  leaves,  and  lining  the 
nest  with  down  from  thefr  breasts.  In  May  and 
June  they  lay  from  six  to  ten  eggs  of  a  grayish 
green  color.  Size  2.30  x  1.70. 

152.      BARROW'S  GOLDEN-EYE. 
Clangula  islandica- 

Range. — Northern  North  America,  breeding 
north  of  the  United  States  except  from  the  moun- 
tainous portions  of  Colorado  northward. 

This  Golden-eye  differs  from  the  preceding  chiefly  in  the  shape  of  the  white 
spot  before  the  eye,  which  in  this  species  is  in  the  form  of  a  crescent.  The 
size  is  the  same,  about  20  inches  in  length.  The  reflections  on  the  head  are 
purplish  rather  than  greenish  as  in  the  preceding.  The  nesting  habits  are 
the  same,  they  building  in  hollow  trees  near  water.  The  six  to  ten  eggs  are 
not  different  from  the  preceding.  Size  2.30  x  1.65.  Data. — Alfusa,  Iceland,  June 
30,  1900.  Seven  eggs.  Nest  of  grass  and  down  in  a  box  attached  to  a  tree  by 
an  islander. 


American  Golden-eye 

Barrow  Golden-eye 


99 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Buffle-head 

Old-squaw 


153.      BUFFLE-PIEAD.      Charitonetta  albeola. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  from  United 
States  northward.  Winters  south  to  Mexico. 

Gunners  know  this  handsome  little  duck  by 
the  names  of  "Butter-ball,"  and  "Dipper,"  a  name 
also  given  to  Grebes.  It  is  also  quite  similar,  but 
smaller  (15  in.  long),  to  the  American  Golden-eye 
but  has  a  large  white  patch  on  the  back  of  the 


Buff 


Dull  buff 

head,  from  eye  to  eye.  It  is  an  active  bird  and, 
like  the  two  preceding,  is  capable  of  diving  to  a 
great  depth  to  get  its  food.  Its  nesting  habits 
are  like  the  preceding.  Eggs  eight  to  fourteen. 
Size  2  x  1.40.  Data. — Alberta,  Canada,  June  6, 
1899.  Seven  eggs.  Nest  in  hole  in  tree  stump, 
lined  with  down.  Collector,  Dr.  George. 

154.      OLD-SQUAW.     Harelda  hy  emails. 

Range. — Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  in  the 

Arctic   regions;    south   in   winter  to   New  Jersey 

and  Illinois. 

The  Long-tailed  Duck,  as  it  is  called, 
is  especially  noticeable  because  the 
breeding  plumage  of  the  male  differs 
markedly  from  that  in  the  winter.  In 
summer  their  general  plumage  is  black- 
ish brown,  with  a  white  patch  around  the 
\  eye,  and  white  belly.  In  winter  they  are 
\.  largely  white.  The  central  tail  feath- 
ers are  much  lengthened.  They  breed 
abundantly  in  Greenland,  Alaska  and  the 
Hudson  Bay  Territory,  placing  their 
nests  of  grasses  and  weeds  on  the  ground 
near  the  water.  It  is  generally  conceal- 
ed in  the  long  grass.  The  eggs  number 
from  six  to  twelve.  Size  2.  x  1.50.  Data  — 
N.  Iceland,  June  10, 1900.  Nest  on  ground, 
lined  with  down.  Collector,  S.  H.  Wallis. 


100 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS 


155.      HARLEQUIN  DUCK. 
histrionicus. 


Histrionicus 


Range.  —  Northern  Hemisphere  in  America, 
breeding  from  Newfoundland  and  the  Rocky 
Mountains  in  Colorado,  northward.  South  in  win- 
ter to  California  and  New  England. 

A  beautiful  and  most  gorgeous  bird,  not  in  col- 
ors, but  in  the  oddity  of  the  markings,  the  colors 
only  including  black,  white,  gray  and  chestnut. 
Either  sex  can  be  recognized  by  the  small  short 


Greenish  buff 

bill.  They  breed  mostly  in  single  pairs  along 
swiftly  running  streams,  placing  their  nest,  which 
is  woven  of  weeds  and  grasses,  in  the  ground 
near  the  water.  It  is  also  claimed  that  they  some- 
times nest  in  hollow  trees.  They  lay  from  five 
to  eight  eggs,  yellowish  or  greenish  buff  in  color. 
Size  2.30  x  1.60.  Data. — Peel  River,  Alaska,  June 
13,  1898.  Seven  eggs  in  a  hollow  in  river  bank, 
lined  with  down.  Collector,  C.  E.  Whittaker. 


Harlequin   Duck 

Labrador  Due 


156.      LABRADOR  DUCK. 
dorius. 


Camptorhynchus  labra- 


This  bird,  whose  range  was  from  Labrador  to  New  Jersey  in  the  winter, 
has  probably  been  extinct  since  1875,  when  the  last  authentic  capture  was 
made.  It  is  a  strange  fact  that  a  bird  of  this  character  should  have  been 
completely  exterminated,  even  though  they  were  often  sold  in  the  markets. 
Only  forty-one  specimens  are  known  to  be  preserved  at  present  and  nothing 
is  known  in  regard  to  their  nesting  habits  or  eggs. 


101 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


157-     STELLER'S  DUCK.     Polysticta  stelleri. 

Range. — Arctic  regions  in  America,  chiefly  on 
the  Aleutian  Islands  and  northwest  coast  of 
Alaska. 

A  very  beautiful  species  eighteen  inches  long; 
head  white,  washed  with  greenish  on  the  fore- 
head and  nape;  chin,  throat,  neck,  back,  tail  and 
crissum,  black;  underparts  chestnut;  wing  cov- 
erts white,  the  long  scapulars  black  and  white. 
It  breeds  on  the  rocky  coasts  and  islands  of 
Bering  Sea.  The  six  to 'nine  eggs  are  pale  olive 
green  in  color.  Size  2.25x1.60.  Data. — Admir- 
alty Bay,  Alaska,  June  22,  1898.  Nest  on  a  hum- 
mock of  the  tundra,  near  a  small  pool,  lined  with 
grass  and  down.  Collector,  B.  A.  Mcllhenny. 


158.     SPECTACLED  EIDER.     Arctonetta  fischeri. 

Range. — Coast    of    Alaska    from   the    Aleutians 
to  Point  Barrow. 


>teller's  Duck 

Spectacled  Eider 


Pale   olive  green 


Like  the  rest  of  the  true  Eiders,  this  species  is  black  beneath  and  mostly 
white  above.  The  head  is  largely  washed  with  sea  green,  leaving  a  large  patch 
of  white,  narrowly  bordered  by  black  around  each  eye,  thus  resembling  a  pair 
of  spectacles.  The  nests  are  made  of  grass  and  seaweed  and  lined  with  down; 
they  are  placed  on  the  ground  in  clumps  of  grass  or  beneath  overhanging 
stones.  The  five  to  nine  eggs  are  an  olive  drab  or  greenish  color.  Size  2.70 
x  1.85.  Data. — Point  Barrow,  Alaska,  June  15,  1898.  Six  eggs.  Nest  of  moss 
and  down  in  a  hollow  in  dry  tundra.  Collector,  E.  A.  Mcllhenny. 

159-     NORTHERN  EIDER.     Somateria  mollissima  borealis. 

Range. — North  Atlantic  coast,  breeding  from  Labrador  to  Greenland  and 
wintering  south  to  New  England. 

A  large  Duck  similar  to  the  next  species,  but  with  the  base  of  the  bill 
differing,  as  noted  in  the  description  of  the  following  species,  and  with  a  more 
northerly  distribution.  The  nesting  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  other 
Eiders.  Six  to  ten  eggs  generally  of  a  greenish  drab  color.  Size  3.  x  2, 

102 


LAMELLIROST^AL  SWIMMERS 


160.      EIDER.     Somateria  dresseri. 

Range. — Atlantic  coast,  breeding  from  Maine  to 
Labrador  and  wintering  south  to  Delaware. 

This  species  differs  from  the  preceding  only  in 
the  fleshy  part  of  the  base  of  the  bill,  which  ex- 
tends back  on  each  side  of  the  forehead,  it  being 
broad  and  rounded  in  this  species  and  narrow  and 


Greenish   drab 

pointed  in  the  Northern  or  Greenland  Eider.   This 
species,  but  more  especially  the  Northern  Eider, 
are  the  ones  chiefly  used   for  the  eider-down  of 
commerce.     The  preceding  species  is  often  semi- 
domesticated  in  Greenland,  the  people  protecting  Eider 
them  and  encouraging  them  to  nest  in  the  neigh-  Pacific  Eider 
borhood.     They  make  their  nests  of  seaweed  and 
grass  and  warmly  line  it  with   down  from  their 

breast;  this  down  is  continually  added  to  the  nest  during  incubation  until 
there  is  a  considerable  amount  in  each  nest,  averaging  about  an  ounce  in 
weight.  The  birds  are  among  the  strongest  of  the  sea  ducks  and  get  their  food 
in  very  deep  water.  Their  flesh  is  not  good  eating.  Their  eggs  number  from 
five  to  ten  and  are  greenish  drab.  Size  3.  x  2. 


161.      PACIFIC  EIDER.     Somateria  v-nigra. 

Range. — North  Pacific  from  the  Aleutian  Islands  northward,  and  east  to 
Great  Slave  Lake. 

This  bird  is,  in  plumage,  like  the  Northern  Eider,  except  that  it  has  a  black 
V-shaped  mark  on  the  throat.  They  nest  sparingly  on  the  Aleutian  Islands, 
but  in  great  numbers  farther  north  on  the  coast  about  Point  Barrow.  Their 
habits,  nests  and  eggs  are  precisely  the  same  as  those  of  the  eastern  forms. 
Their  eggs  number  from  five  to  ten  and  are  of  olive  greenish  color.  Size  3.  x  2. 
Data.— Cape  Smythe,  Alaska,  June  8,  1900.  Eight  eggs.  Nest  a  hollow  in  the 
moss,  lined  with  grass  and  down. 

103 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


162.      KING  EIDER.     Somateria  spectabilis. 

Range. — Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  in 
America  from  Labrador  to  Greenland  and  the 
Arctic  Ocean;  south  in  winter  to  the  New  Eng- 
land States  and  rarely  farther  on  the  eastern 
side,  and  to  the  Aleutians  on  the  Pacific;  also 
casually  to  the  Great  Lakes  in  the  interior. 

A  handsome  and  very  different  species  from 
any  of  the  foregoing,  having  the  crown  ashy  blue, 
and  the  long  scapulars  black  instead  of  white. 
It  also  has  a  broad  V-shaped  mark  on  the  throat. 
Like  all  the  other  Eiders,  the  female  is  mottled 
brown  and  black,  the  different  species  being  very 
difficult  to  separate.  The  nests  are  sunk  in  the 
ground  and  lined  with  down.  Eggs  number  from 
six  to  ten.  Size  2.80  x  1.80.  Data. — Point  Barrow, 
Alaska,  July  5,  1898.  Five  eggs.  Nest  a  hollow 
in  the  moss  on  tundra  lined  with  moss  and  down. 
Collector,  E.  A.  Mcllhenny. 


163.      SCOTER.      Oidemia  americana. 

Range. — Northern  North  America,  breeding 
from  Labrador,  the  Hudson  Bay  region  and  the 
Aleutien  Islands  northward;  winters  south  to 
Virginia,  the  Great  Lakes  and  California. 

Scoters  or  "Coots"  as  they  are  generally  called 
are  sea  ducks  whose  plumage  is  almost  wholly 
black;  they  have  fantastically  colored  and  shaped 
bills.  The  American  Scoter  is  entirely  black 
without  markings;  base  of  bill  yellow  and  orange. 
This  species  nest  as  do  the  Eiders,  often  conceal- 
ing the  nest,  of  grass  and  feathers,  under  some 
overhanging  rock.  They  lay  from  six  to  ten  eggs 
of  a  dingy  buff  color.  Size  2.50  xl.70.  Data. — 
Mackenzie  Bay,  June  15,  1899.  Ten  eggs.  Nest 
a  hollow  in  the  sand,  lined  with  down. 


Buff 
104 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS 


[164.]      VELVET  SCOTER.      Oidemia  fusca. 

An  Old  World  species  that  has  accidentally  oc- 
curred in  Greenland. 


165.    WHITE-WINGED  SCOTER.    Oidemia  deglandi 

Range. — Abundant  in  North  America,  breeding 
from  Labrador,  North  Dakota  and  British  Colum- 
bia, northward.  Wintering  south  to  the  Middle 
States,  southern  Illinois  and  southern  California. 

The  largest  of  the  Scoters,  length  22  inches, 
distinguished  by  a  large  white  speculum  on  the 
wing,  also  a  white  comet  extending  from  under 
the  eye  backwards.  It  also  has  a  yellow  eye. 
Like  the  other  Scoters,  this  species  often  feeds 
in  very  deep  water.  They  are  strong,  active  div- 
ing birds,  and  are  also  strong  on  the  wing,  gen- 
erally flying  close  to  the  surface  of  the  water. 
Their  flesh  is  not  regarded  as  good  eating,  al- 
though they  are  often  sold  for  that  purpose.  They 
nest  on  the  ground,  generally  in  long  grass  or 
under  low  bushes  making  a  coarse  nest  of 
grasses,  and  sometimes  twigs,  lined  with  feathers. 
They  lay  from  five  to  eight  eggs  of  a  pale  buff 
color.  Size  2.75  x  1.85. 


166.      SURF  SCOTER.      Oidemia  perspicillata. 

<Range. — Northern  North  America,  breeding 
north  of  the  United  States  boundary,  and  winter- 
ing south  to  Virginia  and  southern  California. 

The  male  of  this  species  is  entirely  black,  ex- 
cept for  the  white  patches  on  the  forehead  and 
nape,  and  the  vari-colored  bill  of  black,  white, 
pink  and  yellow.  They  nest  either  along  the 
coast  or  in  the  interior,  building  a  nest  lined 
with  down,  in  the  marsh  grass  bordering  small  ponds.  They  lay  from  five  to 
eight  buffy  cream  colored  eggs.  Size  2.40  x  1.70.  The  females  of  all  the 
Scoters  are  a  dingy  brownish  color,  but  show  the  characteristic  marking  of  the 
species,  although  the  white  is  generally  dull  or  sometimes  mottled.  Data. — 
Mackenzie  River,  June  25,  1894.  Six  eggs  in  a  nest  of  down  on  an  island  in  the 
river. 


Surf  Scoter 

White-winged  Scoter 


105 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


167.     RUDDY  DUCK.     Erismatura  jamaicensis. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  breeding 
chiefly  north  of  the  United  States  border  except 
locally  on  the  Pacific  coast.  Winters  along  the 
Gulf  and  through  Mexico  and  Central  America. 

This  peculiar  species  may  always  be  recognized 
by  the  brownish  or  chestnut  upper  parts,  blackish 
crown,  white  cheeks  and  silvery  white  underparts. 
The  bill  is  very  stout  and  broad  at  the  end,  and 
the  tail  feathers  are  stiff  and  pointed  like  those 


Ruddy  Duck 

Masked  Duck 


Grayish  white 

of  a  Cormorant.  They  build  their  nests  in  low 
marshy  places,  either  placing  them  on  the 
ground  near  the  water  or  in  the  rushes  ovei»  it. 
Their  nests  are  made  of  rushes  and  grasses, 
sometimes  lined  and  sometimes  not,  with  down 
from  the  parents  breast.  The  eggs  number  from 
six  to  twelve  and  are  grayish  in  color.  Size  2.40 
x  1.75.  Data. — Northern  Assiniboia,  Canada,  June 
6,  1901.  Eight  eggs.  Nest  made  of  aquatic 
grasses,  lined  with  down.  Built  in  a  tuft  of  rushes 
in  a  marsh.  Collector,  Walter  Raine. 


[168.]      MASKED  DUCK.     Nomonyx  dominions. 

This  is  a  tropical  species  which  is  resident  in  Mexico,  Central  America  and 
in  the  West  Indies.  It  occurs  in  Mexico  north  to  the  lower  Rio  Grande  Val- 
ley and  has  in  three  known  instances  strayed  to  northern  United  States.  The 
general  plumage  is  a  rusty  chestnut,  mottled  with  blackish,  it  has  a  black  face 
and  throat,  with  white  wing  bars. 


106 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS 


169. 


SNOW  GOOSE. 
hyperboreus. 


Chen   hyperboreus 


Range. — North  America  west  of  the  Mississippi 
Valley,  breeding  in  northern  Alaska  and  the  Mac- 
kenzie River  district. 

This  smaller  species  of  the  Snow  Goose  nests 
on  islands  in  rivers  along  the  arctic  coast.  The 
nest  is  a  depression  in  the  ground,  lined  with 
grasses  and,  occassionally  down.  They  lay  from 
four  to  eight  eggs  of  a  buffy  or  yellowish  white 
color.  Size  2.75  xl.75. 

l69a.     GREATER  SNOW  GOOSE. 

Chen  hyperboreus   nivalis. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  in 
the  Arctic  regions  and  wintering  chiefly  on  the 
Atlantic  coast,  south  to  Cuba. 


Grayish     White  Lesser  Snow  Goose 

Blue  Goose 

This  bird  is  like  the  preceding;   except  in  size; 

about  thirty-six  inches,  instead  of  twenty-six  inches  in  length  as  is  the  lesser 
variety.  The  entire  plumage  is  white  except  for  the  black  primaries.  They 
construct  their  nests  of  grasses  on  the  ground  the  same  as  the  preceding  va- 
riety. The  eggs  number  from  five  to  eight  and  are  cream  colored.  Size  3.40x 
2.40. 


169.1.     BLUE  GOOSE.     Chen  ccerulescens. 

Range. — North  America,  principally  in  the  interior,  breeding  from  Hudson 
Bay  northward  and  wintering  along  the  Gulf  coast. 

This  species  may  always  be  recognized  by  the  entirely  white  head  and  neck, 
the  body  being  grayish  or  bluish  gray.  They  nest  on  the  ground  as  do  the 
other  geese  laying  from  four  to  eight  eggs  of  a  brownish  buff  color.  Size  2.50 
xl.75.  Data  Cape  Bathurst,  Arctic  coast,  June  29,  1899.  Four  eggs  laid  in  a 
depression  lined  with  grass,  on  an  island.  Collected  with  the  parent  bjrds  by 
the  Esquimaux. 

107 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


i 


White-fronted  Goose 


170.      Ross's  SNOW  GOOSE.     Chen  rossi. 

Range. — This  beautiful  species,  which  is  simi- 
lar in  plumage  to  the  large  Snow  Goose,  is  but 
twenty-one  inches  in  length.  It  breeds  in  the  ex- 
treme north,  and  in  winter  is  found  in  the  west- 
ern part  of  the  United  States  as  far  south  as  the 
Gulf  of  Mexico.  Their  nesting  habits  and  eggs 
probably  do  not  differ  from  others  in  the  family 
except  in  the  matter  of  size. 

[171.]      WHITE-FRONTED  GOOSE.     Anser  albi- 
frons  albifrons. 

This  European  species  is  exactly  like  the  Amer- 
ican except  that  it  is  said  to  average  a  trifle 
smaller.  It  is  occasionally  found  in  Greenland. 

171a.     AMERICAN  WHITE-FRONTED  GOOSE. 
Anser  albifrons  gambeli. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  in 
the  Arctic  regions  and  wintering  south  to  the 
Gulf  coast;  not  common  on  the  Atlantic  coast 
during  migrations. 

These  birds  may  be  recognized  by  their  mottled 
plumage,  dark  head  and  white  forehead.  This 
species  is  more  abundant  than  any  of  the  pre- 
ceding and  nests  in  large  colonies  along  the  arc- 
tic coast  and  in  Alaska.  Their  nests  are  made  of 
dried  grasses,  feathers  and  down  and  are  placed 
on  the  ground  in  a  slight  depression.  From 
four  to  nine  eggs  are  laid;  these  have  a  dull  buff 
ground.  Size  3.00x2.05.  Date. — Island  in  delta 
of  Mackenzie  River,  June  10,  1&99.  Pour  eggs. 
Nest  of  grass  and  feathers  on  the  ground  on  a 
small  island.  Collector,  Rev.  I.  O.  Stringer. 


[171-1.]      BEAN  GOOSE.     Anser  fabalis. 

This    European    spocies    is    casually    found    in  Greenland.     It  is  one  of  the 
most  ccmmon  of  the  Old  World  Species. 


108 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS 


172. 


CANADA  GOOSE. 
canadensis. 


Branta  canadensis 


Range. — The  whole  of  North  America,  breeding 
from  northern  United  States  northward,  and  win- 
tering in  the  southern  parts  of  the  United  States. 

This  species  is  the  most  widely  known  of  Amer- 
ican Geese  and  is  the  most  abundant.  Its  familiar 
"honk"  has  long  been  regarded  as  the  signal  of 
the  coming  of  spring,  and  the  familiar  V-shaped 
formation  in  which  the  flocks  migrate  is  always 
an  object  of  interest  to  everyone.  With  the  ex- 
ception of  in  North  Dakota  and  Minnesota,  they 
breed  chiefly  north  of  the  United  States.  They 
construct  quite  a  large  nest  of  weeds  and  grass, 
and  warmly  line  it  with  down  and  feath.ers. 
They  lay  from  four  to  nine  eggs  of  a  buff  or  drab 
color.  Size  about  3.50x2.50.  Data. — Ellingsars 
Lake,  North  Dakota,  May  18,  1896.  Five  eggs. 
Nest  on  an  island  in  the  lake,  constructed  of 
weeds  and  trash,  and  lined  with  a  few  feathers. 
Collector,  Edwin  S.  Bryant. 

172a.      HUTCHINS  GOOSE.     Branta  canadensis 
hutchinsi. 

This  sub-species  is  like  the  preceding  except 
that  it  is  smaller,  thirty  inches  in  length.  It  is 
a  western  variety,  breeding  in  Alaska  and  along 
the  Arctic  coast  and  wintering  to  southern  Cali- 
fornia. Its  breeding  habits,  nests  and  eggs  are 
the  same  as  the  common  goose  except  that  the 
eggs  are  smaller.  Sibe  3.00  x  2.05. 

172b.      WHITE-CHEEKED  GOOSE.     Branta  cana- 
densis occidentalis. 

This  bird  is  about  the  same  size  as  the  Canada 
Goose  and  the  plumage  is  very  similar  except 
that  the  black  sometimes  extends  on  the  throat, 
thereby  isolating  the  white  cheek  patches,  and 
there  is  a  white  collar  below  the  back  of  the  neck.  It  is  a  western  species, 
breeding  in  Alaska  and  wintering  along  the  Pacific  coast  of  the  United  States. 
Its  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  same  as  those  of  the  Canada  Goose  except  that 
the  latter  are  a  trifle  smaller. 


Gooso 

Cackling"  Goose 


I72c.      CACKLING  GOOSE.      Branta  canadensis  minima. 

This  bird  is  really  a  miniature  of  the  Canada  Goose,  being  but  twenty-four 
inches  in  length.  It  breeds  in  Alaska  and  along  the  Arctic  coast  and  migrates 
into  the  western  parts  of  the  United  States.  They  are  abundant  birds  in  their 
breeding  range,  where  they  place  their  nests  upon  the  shores  of  ponds,  or  on 
islands  in  inland  rivers  or  lakes.  The  nests  are  made  of  weeds  and  grasses, 
lined  with  down.  The  eggs  which  are  buff  colored,  number  from  four  to  nine 
and  are  laid  during  June  and  July.  Size  2.30  x  1.95. 

109 


CANADA  GEESE 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS 


173.     BRANT.     Branta  bernicla  glaucogastra. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  in  the 
Arctic  regions  and  wintering  in  the  United  States 
east  of  the  Mississippi. 

The  Brant  resembles  a  small  Canada  Goose, 
except  that  the  black  of  the  neck  extends  on  the 
breast,  and  only  the  throat  is  white.  They  are 
one  of  the  favorite  game  birds  and  thousands  are 
shot  every  fall  and  spring.  Their  nests  and  eggs 
are  the  same  as  the  next  species. 


174.     BLACK  BRANT.     Branta  nigricans. 

Range. — Western  North  America,  breeding  in 
Alaska  and  wintering  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  the 
United  States.  Rare  east  of  the  Mississippi. 


Brant 
Black  Brant 


Grayish 

This  species  is  like  the  last  except  that  the 
black  extends  on  the  under  parts.  This  species 
nests  very  abundantly  in  northern  Alaska,  laying 
their  eggs  in  a  depression  in  the  ground,  lined  with  down.  Favorite  locations 
are  the  many  small  islets  in  ponds  and  small  lakes.  They  lay  from  four  to 
eight  grayish  colored  eggs.  Size  2.80  x  1.75.  Data. — Cape  Bathurst,  North 
West  Territory,  Junes  22,  1901.  Seven  eggs  in  a  small  hollow  in  the  ground, 
lined  with  down.  Collector,  Capt.  H.  H.  Bodfish. 


111 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Rarnacle  Goose 

Emperor  Goose 


[175.]      BARNACLE  GOOSE.     Branta  leucopsis. 

This  Old  World  species  occurs  frequently  in 
Greenland  and  very  rarely  is  found  on  the  main- 
land of  this  continent. 

176.      EMPEROR  GOOSE.     Philacte  canagica. 

Range. — Alaska,  south  in  winter  casually  to  Cal- 
ifornia. 

This  handsome  species  is  twenty-six  inches  in 
length;  it  may  be  known  from  the  mottled  or 
"scaly"  appearance  of  the  body,  and  the  white 
head  with  a  black  chin  and  throat.  While  not  un- 
common in  restricted  localities,  this  may  be  con- 
sidered as  one  of  the  most  rare  of  North  American 
Geese.  Their  nests  are  built  upon  the  ground 
and  do  not  differ  from  those  of  other  geese.  They 
lay  from  three  to  seven  eggs  of  a  dull  buff  color. 
Size  3.10x2.15.  Data. — Stuart  Island,  Alaska, 
June  16,  1900.  Six  eggs  laid  in  a  slight  hollow  in 
the  ground,  lined  with  a  few  feathers  and  some 
down.  Collector,  Capt.  H.  H.  Bodfish. 


Egg  of   Canada   Goose — Buffy   drab 
112 


177.     BLACK-BELLIED  TREE-DUCK. 
cygna  autumnalis. 

Range. — Tropical  America,  north  in  the  Rio 
Grande  Valley  to  southern  Texas. 

These  peculiar  long-legged  Ducks  are  very 
abundant  in  southern  Texas  during  the  summer 
months.  They  build  their  nests  in  hollow  trees, 
often  quite  a  distance  from  the  water.  They  lay 
their  eggs  upon  the  bottom  of  the  cavity  with 
only  a  scant  lining,  if  any,  of  feathers  and  down. 
They  are  very  prolific  breeders,  raising  two  broods 
in  a  season,  each  set  of  eggs  containing  from  ten 
to  twenty.  These  eggs  are  creamy  or  pure  white, 
size  2.05  x  1.50.  The  first  set  is  laid  during  the 
latter  part  of  April  or  early  in  May,  and  fresh 
eggs  may  be  found  as  late  as  July.  They  are 
especially  abundant  about  Brownsville  and  Corpus 
Christi,  Texas.  Data. — Hidalgo,  Mexico,  May  29, 
1900.  Ten  eggs  in  a  hole  in  an  old  elm  tree  on 
side  of  lake  in  big  woods  near  town.  Eight  feet 
from  the  ground.  Collector,  F.  B.  Armstrong. 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  SWIMMERS 

Dendro- 


White 


Black-bellied  Tree  duck 

Fulvous    Tree-duck 


FULVOUS  TREE-DUCK.      Dendrocygna  bicolor. 

Range. — This  species  is  tropical  like  the  last,  but  the  summer  range  is  ex- 
tended to  cover,  casually  the  whole  southwestern  border  of  the  United  States. 

This  bird  is  long-legged  like  the  last,  but  the  plumage  is  entirely  different, 
being  of  a  general  rusty  color,  including  the  entire  under  parts.  The  nesting 
habits  and  eggs  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  Black-bellied  Duck,  the  white  eggs 
being  laid  at  the  bottom  of  a  cavity  in  a  tree.  They  number  from  eight  to  (in 
one  instance)  thirty-two  eggs  in  one  nest.  This  species  is  nearly  as  abundant 
as  the  preceding  in  southern  Texas. 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


Whistling  Swan 


[179-]      WHOOPER  SWAN.     Olor  cygnus. 

This  European  variety  frequently  is  found  in 
Greenland  and  formerly,  regularly  bred  there. 
It  nests  in  secluded  swampy  places  in  northern 
Europe. 

180.     WHISTLING  SWAN.     Olor  columbianus. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  in  the  Arc- 
tic Circle,  and  wintering  south  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico. 

These  birds,  which  are  nearly  five  feet  in 
length,  are  snow  white  with  the  exception  of 
the  black  bill  and  feet.  The  Whistling  Swan 
is  distinguished  from  the  next  species  by  the 
presence  of  a  small  yellow  spot  on  either  side 
Df  the  bill  near  its  base.  Their  nests  are  made 
of  a  large  mass  of  rubbish,  weeds,  grass,  moss, 
feathers  and  occasionally  a  few  sticks.  It  is 
generally  placed  in  a  somewhat  marshy  place 
in  the  neighborhood  of  some  isolated  pond. 
The  eggs  are  of  a  greenish  or  brownish  buff 
color,  and  number  from  three  to  six.  Size  4.00 
x  2.75.  Data. — Mackenzie  River.  Nest  a  mass 
of  weeds,  sods  and  grass,  lined  with  feathers; 
on  an  island  near  the  mouth  of  the  river.  Col- 
lector, I.  O.  Stringer. 


181.     TRUMPETER  SWAN.     Olor  buccinator. 

Range. — Interior  of  North  America  from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  northward,  breed- 
ing from  northern  United  States  northward. 

This  is  a  magnificent  bird,  about  five  and  one-half  feet  in  length.  Its  plum- 
age is  exactly  like  that  of  the  preceding  except  that  the  bill  is  entirely  black, 
and  the  nostral  is  located  nearer  the  eye.  Their  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are 
the  same  as  those  of  the  Whistling  Swan.  While  a  few  pairs  may  breed  within 
the  United  States  by  far  the  greater  number  are  found  in  the  extreme  north, 
from  Hudson  Bay  to  Alaska.  The  eggs  may  average  a  trifle  larger  than  those 
of  the  preceding  species. 


114 


LAMELLIROSTRAL  GRALLATORES.    Order  VI.   ODONT- 

OGLOSS^E 

FLAMINGOES.    Family  PHOENICOPTERIDAE 

182.     FLAMINGO.     Phcenicopterus  ruber. 

Range. —  Tropical  and  sub-tropical  America  on 
the  Atlantic  coasts,  breeding  in  the  Bahamas  and 
West  Indies;  north  to  Florida  and  casually  to  the 
South  Atlantic  States. 

These  remarkable  and  grotesque  appearing 
birds  attain  a  length  of  about  48  inches.  The 
plumage  varies  from  white  to  a  deep  rosy  red.  It 
requires  several  years  for  them  to  attain  the  per- 
fect adult  plumage,  and  unlike  most  birds,  they 
are  in  the  best  of  plumage  during  the  winter,  the 
colors  becoming  faded  as  the  nesting  season  ap- 
proaches. The  birds  are  especially  noticable  be- 
cause of  the  crooked,  hollow,  scoop-shaped  bill, 
and  the  extremely  long  legs  and  neck.  The  feet 
are  webbed,  but  more  for  the  purpose  of  support- 
ing them  upon  the  mud  flats  than  for  use  in  swim- 
ming. The  nests  are  usually  built  on  a  sandy 
point  of  an  island;  they  are  mounds  of  earth,  grass 
and  rubbish  from  one  to  two  feet  in  height,  the 
top  being  hollowed  to  receive  the  eggs.  One  or 
two  eggs  are  a  complete  set.  The  shell  is  pale 
blue,  but  this  is  covered  with  a  heavy  white  chalky 
deposit.  The  eggs  are  laid  in  June  and  July. 
Size  3.40x2.15. 


American   Flamingo 

Roseate   SpoonbT 


IBISES,  STORKS,  HERONS,  etc.  Order  VII.  HERODIONES 

The  members  of  this  order  are  wading  birds,  consequently  they  all  have 
long  legs  and  necks.  They  have  four  toes,  not  webbed. 

SPOONBILLS.    Family  PLATALEIDAE 

183.      ROSEATE  SPOONBILL.     Ajaia  ajaja. 

Range. — Tropical  America,  north  in  summer  to  the  Gulf  States.  They  form- 
erly nested  in  remote  swamps  along  the  whole  Gulf  coast,  but  are  now  confined 
chiefly  to  the  Everglades  in  Florida. 

115 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


This  bird,  with  its  broad,  flat  bill,  bare  head,  and  rosy  plumage  with  carmine 
epaulets  and  tail  coverts,  seem  more  like  the  fanciful  creation  of  some  artist 
than  a  real  bird  of  flesh  and  blood.  Its  plumage  and  colors  are  strikingly  clear 

and   beautiful.       Full   plumaged 

-  -     ._  adult   birds    have   very   brilliant 

carmine  shoulders  and  tail  cov- 
erts, a  saffron  colored  tail,  and  a 
lengthened    tuft    of    bright   rosy 
feathers  on  the  foreneck.     This 
species  breed  in  small  colonies 
-J  in  marshy  places,  often  in  com- 
»'*  pany    with    herons    and    ibises. 
*      Their  nests  are  rather  frail  plat- 
W     forms  of  sticks,  located  in  bush- 
es or  trees,  from  four  to  fifteen 
feet  from  the  ground.     The  eggs 
are   laid   during  the  latter   part 
of    May    and    June.       They   are 
three    or    four    in    number    and 
have    a    ground    color    of    dull 
white,  or  pale  greenish  blue  and 
are  quite  heavily  blotched  with  several  shades  of  brown.     Size  2.50  x  1.70. 


Chalky  bluish  white 
Egg    of    American    Flamingo 


116 


WADING  BIRDS 


IBISES.    Family  IBIDID^ 


Ibises  are  gracefully  formed  birds  having  a  long 
curved  bill  and  a  bare  face. 


184.      WHITE  IBIS.      Guara  alba. 

Range.— This  is  a  tropical  and  sub-tropical 
species  which  is  found  along  the  Gulf  coast,  and 
north  to  South  Carolina,  west  to  Lower  California. 

These  handsome  birds  are  wholly  white,  with 
the  exception  of  black  primaries.  The  legs  and 
the  bare  skin  of  the  face  is  orange  red.  These 
birds  are  very  abundant  in  most  marshy  localities 


Scarlet   Ibis 


Grayish 

along  the  Gulf  coast,  especially  in  Florida,  where 
they  nest  in  rookeries  of  thousands  of  individuals. 
Owing  to  their  not  having  plumes,  they  have  not 
been  persecuted  as  have  the  white  herons.  They 
build  their  nests  of  sticks  and  grasses,  in  the 
mangroves  a  few  feet  above  the  water.  In  other  White  ibis 
localities  they  build  their  nests  entirely  of  dead 
rushes,  attaching  them  to  the  standing  ones  a  foot  or  more  above  the  surface 
of  the  water.  They  are  quite  substantially  made  and  deeply  cupped,  very  dif- 
ferent from  the  nests  of  the  Herons.  Their  eggs  are  from  three  to  five  in  num- 
ber, vary  from  grayish  ash  to  pale  greenish  or  bluish  in  color,  blotched  with 
light  brown.  Size  2.25  x  1.60.  The  nesting  season  is  during  May  and  June. 
Data. — Tampa  Bay,  Fla.,  June  4,  1895.  Three  eggs.  Nest  of  sticks  and  a  few 
weeds  in  small  bushes  on  an  island.  Collector,  Fred  Doane. 

[185.]      SCARLET  IBIS.      Guara  rubra. 

Range. — Occasionally,  but  not  recently  met  with  in  the  southern  states. 
Their  habitat  is  tropical  America,  they  being  especially  abundant  along  the 
Orinoco  River  in  northern  South  America. 

Full  plumaged  adults  of  this  species  are  wholly  bright  scarlet,  except  for  the 
primaries,  which  are  black.  Their  nests  are  built  in  impenetrable  thickets, 
rushes  or  mangroves,  the  nests  being  constructed  like  those  of  the  White  Ibis. 
The  eggs,  too,  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  preceding  species,  but  both  the 
ground  color  and  the  markings  average  brighter.  While  still  common  in  some 
localities,  the  species  is  gradually  becoming  less  abundant,  chiefly  because  of 
the  demand  for  their  feathers  for  use  in  fly-tying. 

117 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Glossy  Ibis 

White-faced  Glossy  Ibis 
Wood  Ibis 


186.  GLOSSY  IBIS.     Plegadis  autumnalis. 

Range. — This  tropical  and  sub-tropical  species, 
is  chiefly  found  in  the  Old  World.  It  is  occasion- 
ally found  in  southeastern  United  States  where  it 
sometimes  breeds.  Its  habits,  nesting  habits  and 
eggs  are  just  the  same  as  the  next  species. 

187.  WHITE-FACED  GLOSSY  IBIS.      Plegadis 

guarauna. 

Range. — A  sub-tropical  species  found  in  the 
southwestern  parts  of  the  United  States,  rarely 
found  east  of  the  Mississippi. 

This  species  differs  from  the  Glossy  Ibis  in 
having  the  feathers  on  the  front  of  the  head  white, 
the  rest  of  the  plumage  is  a  dull  brownish  chest- 
nut, with  greenish  reflections  on  the  back.  As 
these  birds  are  not  in  demand  commercially,  their 
numbers  have  not  decreased,  and  thousands  of 
them  breed  in  colonies  in  southern  Texas.  They 
build  a  substantial  nest  of  reeds  and  rushes  woven 
about  the  upright  canes,  close  to  the  surface  of  the 
water.  Their  eggs  are  laid  during  May,  and  num- 
ber from  three  to  four.  They  are  easily  distin- 
guished from  those  of  the  Herons,  being  of  a 
deeper  greenish  blue  color  and  averaging  more 
elongate.  Size  1.95x1.35.  Data. — Corpus  Christi, 
Texas,  May  26,  1899.  Pour  eggs.  Nest  of  twigs 
and  rushes  on  side  of  river.  Collector,  F.  B. 
Armstrong. 


STORKS  and  WOOD  IBISES 
Family  CICONHDAE 


188.     WOOD  IBIS.     Mycteria  americana. 

Range. — A  sub-tropical  species  which  is  resident  along  the  Gulf  coast  and 
which  strays  casually  north  to  New  England  and  Colorado. 

This  peculiar  member  of  the  Stork  family  has  the  whole  head  and  part  of  the 
neck  bare  and  covered  with  numerous  scales;  the  bill  is  large,  long  and  heavy; 
the  plumage  is  white,  except  for  the  black  primaries  and  tail.  It  is  a  large 
bird  about  four  feet  in  length.  They  are  quite  abundant  in  swamps  along  the 


11$ 


Gulf  coast,  where  they  place  their  nests,  which 
are  platforms  of  sticks,  in  trees  and  bushes  over 
the  water.  They  lay  three  eggs  which  are  white, 
and  have  a  rough  surface.  Size  2.75  x  1.75. 

•[189.]      JABIRU.     Jabiru  mycteria. 

This  large  bird,  which  is  the  only  true  Stork 
that  claims  a  place  in  our  avifauna,  is  a  native 
of  South  and  Central  America,  wandering  north, 
casually  to  Texas.  Their  nests  are  large  plat- 
forms of  sticks  in  very  high  trees. 

BITTERNS  and  HERONS 
Family  ARDEIDAE 

Herons  and  Bitterns  are  long-legged  waders, 
having  straight,  pointed  bills,  and  with  the  head 
feathered,  except  for  the  lores. 

190.     BITTERN.     Bautaurus  lentiginosus. 

Range. — United  States  and  southern  British 
provinces,  breeding  in  the  northern  half  of  the 
United  States  and  wintering  in  the  southern  por- 
tion. 


WADING  BIRDS 


Bittern 


Jabiru 


Brownish   drab 


This  species,  with  its  mottled  rusty  brownish  plumage,  is  one  of  the  best 
known  of  the  Heron  family.  It  is  known  locally  by  a  great  many  names,  nearly 
all  of  which  have  reference  to  the  "booming"  or  "pumping"  sound  made  during 
the  mating  season.  They  build  their  nests  in  swampy  or  marshy  places,  plac- 
ing them  on  the  ground,  frequently  on  a  tussock,  entirely  surrounded  by  water. 
The  nest  proper  is  only  a  few  grasses  twisted  about  to  form  a  lining  to  the 
hollow.  They  lay  from  three  to  five  eggs  of  brownish  drab.  Size  1.95  x  1.50. 

They  do  not  breed  in  colonies,  generally,  but  one  or  two  pairs  nesting  in  one 
marsh.  Data. — Worcester,  Mass.,  June  3,  1897.  Four  eggs  laid  in  a  grass  lined 
hollow  in  middle  of  a  hummock  of  earth  and  grass,  in  middle  of  marsh.  Col- 
lector, James  Jackson. 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


191.     LEAST  BITTERN.     Ixobrychus  exilis. 

Range. — Common  throughout  the  United  States, 
especially  in  the  eastern  part,  and  in  the  southern 
British  provinces. 

This  small  variety  of  Bittern  is  very  common 
in  the  southern  portions  of  the  United  States,  but 
less    so    and   locally   distributed   in   the   northern 
portions  of  its  range.     They  are  very  quiet  and 
sly  birds,  and  their  presence  is  often  unsuspected 
when  they  are  really  quite  abundant.     When  ap- 
proached,   they    will    re- 
main perfectly  quiet,  with 
the   body   erect   and   the 
head    and    neck    pointed 
skyward,   in   which   posi- 
tion       their       yellowish 
brown   plumage  strongly 
resembles      the      rushes 
among    which    they    are 
found.     Their    nests    are 
made  of  strips  of  rushes 
woven       about      upright 

stalks,  generally  over  water.  They  lay  from 
three  to  five  eggs  of  a  pale  bluish  white  color. 
Size  1.20  x  .90.  Data. — Avery's  Island,  La.,  May  1, 
1896.  Four  eggs.  Nest  of  strips  of  rushes  woven 
together  to  form  a  platform  and  fastened  to  saw 
grass  growing  on  the  bank  of  a  stream.  Collector, 
E.  A.  Mcllhenny. 

191.1.     CORY'S  LEAST  BITTERN.     Ixobrychus 
neoxenus. 

This  rare  species,  of  which  about  twenty  speci- 
mens are  known  is  probably  resident  in  Florida, 
wandering  north  in  the  summer,  specimens  hav- 
ing been  taken  in  Ontario,  Canada,  and  in  several 
localities  in  eastern  United  States.  It  is  very  different  from  the  Least  Bittern, 
having  a  more  uniform  chestnut  coloration,  especially  on  the  under  parts.  It  is 
twelve  inches  in  length.  Mr.  C.  W.  Crandall  has  a  set  of  five  eggs  of  this 
species,  taken  on  the  Caloosahatchee  River,  Fla.,  April  15,  1891,  by  S.  B.  Ladd. 
nest  was  made  of  grasses  and  rushes  placed  in  the  cane  two  feet  above  the 
water. 


Pale  bluish  gray 


Least  Bittern 

Cory's  Least   Bittern 


120 


192.     GREAT  WHITE  HERON. 
Ardea  occidentalis. 

Range. — This  species  occurs  in  the-  United 
States  regularly,  only  in  the  southern  parts  of 
Florida.  It  is  a  resident  of  the  West  Indies. 
This  large  white  Heron  is  about  the  same  size 
as  the  Great  Blue  Heron;  it  has  none  of  the 
slender  plumes  found  on  the  smaller  White  Her- 
ons. These  birds  are  not  uncommon  in  southern 
Florida,  especially  on  the  Keyes,  where  they  build 
their  nests  in  company  with  Great  Blue  Herons. 
Their  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  very  similar 
to  those  of  the  Blue  Heron.  Size  of  eggs  2.25  x 
1.80.  Data.— Outside  of  Torch  Key,  Florida,  June 
16,  1899.  Nest  a  platform  of  sticks  about  five  feet 
from  the  ground,  in  a  mangrove  tree.  Three  eggs. 
Collector,  O.  Tollin. 


WADING  BIRDS 


GREAT  BLUE  HERON. 
herodias. 


Ardea  herodias 


Range. — Nearly  the  whole  of  North  America, 
except  the  extreme  north;  resident  south  of  the 
middle  portions  of  the  United  States  and  migra- 
tory north  of  there. 

This  handsome  Heron  is  about  four  feet  in 
length.  Its  general  color  is  a  bluish  gray,  reliev- 
ed by  a  black  crest,  primaries  and  patches  on  the 
sides,  and  a  white  crown.  In  the  south  they  breed 
in  large  colonies,  often  in  company  with  many 
other  species.  In  the  northern  portions  of  their 
range  they  breed  singly  or  in  companies  of  under 
a  hundred  individuals.  They  generally  place 
their  rude  platforms  of  sticks  well  up  in  trees, 
near  ponds,  swamps  or  rivers,  but  in  the  most 
northerly  parts  of  their  range,  where  trees  are 
scarce,  they  often  build  on  the  ground.  Unless 
they  are  disturbed,  they  return  to  the  same  breed- 
ing grounds,  year  after  year.  They  lay  from  three  to  five  eggs  of  a  greenish 
blue  color.  Size  2.50  x  1.50.  Data. — Duck  Island,  Maine,  May  20,  1883.  Three 
eggs.  Nest  of  sticks  and  twigs,  about  fifteen  feet  from  the  ground.  Collector, 
R.  B.  Gray. 

194a.     NORTHWEST  COAST  HERON.     Ardea  herodias  fannini. 

This  darker  sub-species  of  the  breeding  is  found  along  the  Pacific  coast, 
north  to  Sitka,  Alaska.  Its  nests  and  eggs  do  not  differ  from  the  former 
species. 


Great  White  Heron 

Great  Blue  Heron 


121 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


194b.      WARD'S  HERON.     Ardea  herodias  rvardi. 

This  sub-species  is  a  resident  in  Florida.  It  is 
a  lighter  variety  than  the  common.  It  nests  to- 
gether with  the  Great  Blue  Heron  and  its  habits 
are  the  same. 

[195.]      EUROPEAN  HERON.     Ardea  cinerea. 

This  species  is  only  an  accidental  straggler  in 
Greenland.  It  is  very  similar  to  our  Blue  Heron 
and  is  the  one  which  was  formerly  used  to  fur- 
nish sport  for  the  royalty  when  falconry  was  at 
its  height. 

196.     EGRET.     Herodias  egretta. 

Range. — Resident  in  the  southern  portions  of 
the  United  States,  straggling  northward  casually 
to  the  northern  parts. 

This  is  one  of  the  beautiful  Herons  which  have 
been  sought  by  plume  hunters  till  they  are  upon 
the  verge  of  extermination.  They  are  entirely 
white,  with  a  long  train  of  beautiful  straight 
"aigrettes"  flowing  from  the  middle  of  the  back. 
In  remote  localities,  quite  large  colonies  of  them 
may  still  be  found,  but  where  they  numbered 
thousands,  years  ago,  they  can  be  counted  by 
dozens  now.  They  breed  in  impenetrable  swamps, 
very  often  in  company  with  the  following  spe- 
cies, and  also  with  Louisiana  and  Little  Blue 
Herons,  and  White  Ibises.  Their  nests  are  but 
frail  platforms,  generally  in  bushes  over  the 
water.  Their  usual  complement  of  eggs  numbers 
from  three  to  five,  four  as  the  most  common  num- 
ber. They  are  generally  laid  during  the  latter 
part  of  May,  but  often  on  account  of  their  being 
disturbed,  nests  with  eggs  may  be  found  in  July. 
The  eggs  are  a  light  bluish  green  in  color.  Size 
2.25x1.45.  Data. — Gainesville,  Florida,  April  14,  1894.  Four  eggs  on  a  plat- 
form of  sticks  and  grass,  in  a  buttonwood  bush  over  six  feet  of  water.  Collec- 
tor, George  Graham. 


Snowy  Egret 
Egret 


£? 

„**-! 


197-      SNOWY  EGRET.     Egretta  candidissima    candidissima. 

Range. — Common  now  only  in  restricted  lo- 
calities in  the  Gulf  States  and  Mexico. 

This  species,  which  is  smaller  than  the  last, 
being  but  twenty-four  inches  in  length,  is  also 
adorned  with  "aigrettes,"  but  they  are  beauti- 
fully recurved  at  the  tips.  Owinjf  to  the  merci- 
less slaughter  to  which  they  have  been  sub- 
jected, their  ranks  have  been  woefully  decimat- 
ed, and  it  is  to  be  hoped  that  the  remaining 
ones  may  be  safely  protected.  Their  nesting 
habits  are  the  same  as  the  last,  although,  of 
course,  the  eggs  are  smaller.  Size  1.80  x  1.25. 

122 


Light  greenish  blue 


WADING  BIRDS 


198.      REDDISH  EGRET.     Dichromanassa  rufescens. 

Range. — In  the  United  States,  this  species  is 
confined  chiefly  to  the  Gulf  States. 

It  is  somewhat  larger  than  the  last  species,  the 
head  and  neck  are  rufous,  the  body  is  bluish  gray, 
and  the  back  is  adorned  with  slender  gray  plumes. 
It  also  has  a  white  phase.  This  Egret  is  very 
abundant  along  the  whole  Gulf  coast,  but  especial- 


Pale  bluish   green 

ly  so  in  Texas.  Their  nesting  habits  are  identi- 
cal with  those  of  the  other  small  Herons  and 
Egrets.  The  three  or  four  eggs  are  rather  of  a 
more  greenish  blue  than  the  preceding.  Size  1.90 
x  1.45.  Data. — Gainesville,  Florida,  April  14,  1894. 
Three  eggs.  Nest  of  sticks  and  straw  in  a  but- 
ton-wood tree,  two  feet  above  the  water.  Collec- 
tor, George  Graham. 


199.     LOUISIANA  HERON.     Hydranassa  tricolor 
ruficollis. 

Range. — Subtropical    America,    north    regularly 
to  the  Gulf  States  and  casually  farther. 

This  Heron  is  of  about  the  size  of  the  Reddish 
Egret,  but  the  neck  is  longer,  more  slender  and 
dark,  while  the  chin,  throat  and  underparts 
are  white.  The  plumes  from  the  back  are 
short,  reaching  barely  to  the  end  of  the 
tail.  They  nest  in  large  colonies  in  com- 
pany with  Egrets  and  Little  Blue  Herons, 
placing  their  nests  in  the  mangroves,  only 
a  few  feet  above  the  water.  Their  nests  are 
the  same  as  those  of  the  other  species,  a 
slight  platform  of  sticks,  and  the  three  to 
five  eggs  are  practically  not  distinguishable 
from  those  of  the  Snowy  or  Little  Blue 
Herons.  Size  1.75  x  1.35. 


123 


Reddish  Egret 

Louisiana   Heron 


Pale  bluish  green 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Little  Blue  H< 


Green  Heron 


200.     LITTLE  BLUE  HERON.     Florida  ccerulea. 

Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts,  north 
casually  to  New  England  and  Manitoba;  west  to 
Kansas  and  Nebraska. 

A  smaller  species  than  the  preceding,  length 
22  inches,  plumage  a  uniform  slaty  blue  chang- 
ing to  purplish  red  on  the  head  and  neck.  They 
also  have  a  white  phase,  but  always  show  traces 


Pale    bluish    green 

of  the  slaty  blue,  especially  on  the  primaries. 
Young  birds  are  always  white.  They  breed  in 
immense  rookeries  during  April  and  May.  Their 
nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  very  similar  to  the 
last  species,  although  the  eggs  average  a  trifle 
smaller.  Size  1.75x1.25.  Data. — Avery's  Island, 
Louisiana,  April  21,  1896.  5  eggs.  Nest  a  flat 
and  frail  platform  of  twigs  in  a  Mimosa  tree 
growing  in  floating  turf,  over  deep  water  in  a 
large  swamp.  Collector,  E.  A.  Mcllhenny. 


201. 


GREEN  HERON. 
virescens. 


Butorides  virescens 


Range. — Temperate    and    sub-tropical    America, 
breeding  north  to  the  British  Provinces. 


This  is  the  smallest  of  our  Herons,  and  is  well  known  all  over  the  country. 
Sometimes  they  breed  in  numbers  in  rookeries,  in  company  with  the  larger 
Herons,  but  in  most  sections  of  the  country  they  will  be  found  nesting,  one  or 

two  pairs  together,  along  the  border-  of  some 
swamp  or  stream.  They  have  a  greater  diversity 
of  building  sites,  than  do  any  of  the  other  Herons 
and  frequently  nest  a  long  ways  from  water. 
Their  nests  may  be  found  in  alders,  birches  or 
even  apple  trees.  It  is  the  usual  Heron  type  of 
platform,  upon  which  the  three  to  six  eggs  are 
laid.  They  are  a  pale  greenish  blue  in  color,  and 
measure  1.45  x  1.10.  Data. — Avery's  Island,  Louis- 
iana, April  10,  1894.  5  eggs  on  a  platform  of 
twigs  placed  in  a  willow  tree  growing  on  the  edge 
Light  bluish  green  of  a  pond.  Collected  by  E.  A,  Mcllhenny. 


124 


WADING  BIRDS 

201a.     FRAZAR/S  GREEN  HERON.     Butorides  virescens  frazari. 

A  darker  variety  found  in  Lower  California;  nesting  the  same  as  the  common 
species. 

201b.     ANTHONY'S  GREEN  HERON.     Butorides  virescens  anihonyi. 

A  lighter,  desert  form  found  in  the  arid  portions  of  the  interior  of  southwest- 
ern United  States  and  Mexico. 


NEST    AND    EGGS   OF  GREEN  HERON 


125 


202.     BLACK-CROWNED  NIGHT  HERON. 
Nycticorax  nycticorax  naevius. 

Range. — North  America  from  southern  British 
Provinces,  southward;  winters  along  the  Gulf 
coast  and  beyond. 

A  well  known  bird,  often  called  "quawk"  from 
the  sound  of  its  note  frequently  heard  in  the  even- 
ing. While,  in  some  localities,  only  a  few  pairs 
of  these  birds  are  found  nesting  together,  most 
of  them  gather  together  into  large  colonies  dur- 
ing the  breeding  season.  In  New  England  they 
generally  select  a  remote  pine  grove  as  their 


Black-crowned  Night  Heron 
Yellow-crowned   Heron 


Pale   bluish    green 

breeding  grounds.  If  not  disturbed  they  will  re- 
turn to  this  same  place  each  year.  Their  nests 
are  built  of  sticks  and  lined  with  small  twigs, 
and  are  placed  well  up  towards  the  tops  of  the 
trees. 

Frequently  several  nests  will  be  found  in  the 
same  tree,  and  I  have  counted  as  many  as  fifty 
nests  in  view  at  the  same  time.  In  large  swamps 
in  the  south  they  generally  nest  at  a  low  eleva- 
tion, while  in  the  marshes  of  Wisconsin  and  Minnesota,  large  colonies  of  them 
nest  on  the  ground,  making  their  nest  of  rushes.  Like  all  Heronries,  those  of 
this  species  have  a  nauseating  odor,  from  the  remains  of  decayed  fish,  etc., 
which  are  strewn  around  the  bases  of  the  trees.  Their  eggs  number  from  three 
to  five  and  are  of  a  pale  bluish  green  color.  Size  2.00  x  1.40.  Data. — Uxbridge, 
Mass.,  May  30,  1898.  4  eggs.  Nest  of  sticks,  about  thirty  feet  up  in  a  pine  tree. 
Many  other  nests.  Collector,  H.  A.  Smith. 

203.     YELLOW-CROWNED  NIGHT  HERON.     Nyctanassa  violacea. 

Range. — Sub-tropical  America,  breeding  along  the  Gulf  coast  and  to  Lower 
California;  casually  farther  north,  to  Illinois  and  South  Carolina. 

A  handsome  grayish  colored  species,  with  long  lanceolate  plumes  on  the 
back,  and  two  or  three  fine  white  plumes  from  the  back  of  the  head,  like  those 
of  the  Black-crowned  species.  Its  black  head,  with  tawny  white  crown  and  ear 
coverts,  renders  it  unmistakable.  This  species  nests  in  colonies  or  by  pairs, 
like  the  preceding,  and  very  often  in  company  with  other  Herons.  They  lay 
from  three  to  six  eggs,  very  similar  in  size,  shape  and  color  to  those  of  the 
Black-crowned  Heron. 

126 


WADING  BIRDS 

CRANES,  RAILS,  Etc.     Order  VIII.    PALUDICOL^ 
CRANES.    Family  GRUIDAE 


Cranes  are  large,  long-legged,  long-necked  birds,  somewhat  resembling 
Herons.  Their  structure  and  mode  of  living  partakes  more  of  the  nature  of 
the  Rails,  however.  They  are  found  upon  the  prairies,  where  besides  shell 
fish  from  the  ponds,  they  feed  largely  upon  grasshoppers,  worms,  etc. 

204.  WHOOPING  CRANE.      Grus  americana. 
Range. — Interior    of    North    America,    breeding 

from  about  the  latitude  of  Iowa  northward  to  the 
Arctic  regions ;  winters  in  the  Gulf  states  and 
southward. 

The  Whooping  Crane  is  the  largest  of  the  fam- 
ily in  America,  measuring  50  inches  or  more  in 
length.  The  plumage  of  the  adults  is  pure  white, 
with  black  primaries.  The  bare  parts  of  the  head 
and  face  are  carmine.  It  is  a  very  locally  dis- 
tributed species,  in  some  sections  being  practi- 
cally unknown,  while  in  a  neighboring  locality  it 
may  be  rated  as  common.  They  are  very  shy 
birds  and  are  not  easily  obtained.  They  nest 
either  upon  the  solid  earth  or  in  marshy  places 
over  the  water.  In  either  case  the  nest  is  a  very 
bulky  mass  of  grass  and  weeds  from  two  to  three 
feet  in  diameter  and  raised  perhaps  a  foot  above 
the  ground.  They  lay  two  eggs  of  a  brownish 
buff  color,  irregularly  blotched  with  brown,  and 
with  fainter  marking  of  gray.  Size  3.75  x  2.50. 
Data.— Torkton,  northern  Assiniboia,  northwest 
Canada.  Nest  a  mass  of  marsh  hay,  three  feet  in 
diameter,  on  the  prairie.  The  birds  seen,  but  very 
wary.  Collector,  Cowbry  Brown. 

205.  LITTLE  BROWN  CRANE. 
Grus  canadensis. 

Range. — North  America  in  the  interior,  breed- 
ing from  Hudson  Bay  and  southern  Alaska  north 
to  the  Arctic  coast;  south  in  winter  to  Mexico. 

This  uniform   gray   colored  Crane  differs  from 
the  next  species  only  in  size,  being  about  three 
feet  in  length,  while  the  Sandhill  averages  three 
and    one-half   feet.      The    eggs    cannot    be    distin-      -.*-.—         ^~rr 
guished  with  any  certainty.  P   Little  Brown  Crane 


& 


^ 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Brownish   buff 
EGG    OF    WHOOPING    CRANE 


Buff 
EGG  OF   LITTLE    BROWN   CRANE 


128 


WADING  BIRDS 


206.  SANDHILL  CRANE.      Grus  mexicana. 

Range. — Temperate  North  America,  breeding 
from  the  Gulf  States,  locally  north  to  the  south- 
ern parts  of  the  British  Provinces. 

This  is  the  most  common  and  the  most  south- 
erly distributed  member  of  the  family.  In  some 
sections  of  Florida  and  Texas  it  is  regarded  as 
abundant.  They  nest  in  marshy  places  near  se- 
cluded ponds.  The  nests  are  masses  of  grass, 
weeds  and  roots,  generally  placed  in  marshes  and 
entirely  surrounded  by  water.  The  two  eggs  are 
similar  to  those  of  the  Whooping  Crane,  but  the 
ground  color  is  lighter.  The  eggs  of  the  two  spe- 
cies cannot  always,  with  certainty,  be  distinguish- 
ed. Size  3.75  x  2.40.  Data. — Carman,  Manitoba, 
May  31,  1903.  2  eggs.  Nest  on  a  knoll  in  a 
marsh,  hidden  by  dead  rushes  and  weeds;  a  flat 
loose  structure  of  broken  rushes  and  reeds.  Col- 
lector, Chris  Forge. 

COURLANS.    Family  ARAMIDJE 

207.  LIMPKIN.     Aramus  vociferus. 

Range. — This  bird  is  a  native  of  the  West 
Indies  and  Central  America,  but  occurs  regularly 
north  to  the  southern  portions  of  Florida. 

This  strange  bird  is  the  only  member  of  its  fam- 
ily found  in  the  United  States.  It  may  be  likened 
to  a  large  Rail  or  a  small  Crane,  being  apparent- 
ly, a  connecting  link  between  the  two.  It  is  about 
two  feet  in  length,  and  the  plumage  is  mottled 
brownish  and  white.  It  lives  in  the  marshes, 
from  whence,  until  late  at  night,  emanate  its 
strange  cries,  which  are  likened  to  those  of  a 
child  in  distress.  They  nest  in  the  most  impen- 


Sandhill   Crane. 
Limpkin. 


Buffy  white 

etrable  parts  of  swamps,  building  their  nests  of  rushes,  grass  and  weeds,  in 
tangled  masses  of  vines  a  few  feet  above  the  ground  or  water.  They  lay  from 
three  to  eight  eggs  having  a  ground  color  of  buff  or  grayish  white  and  blotch- 
ed with  light  brown.  Their  coloration  is  very  similar  to  those  of  the  Cranes. 
Size  2.30  x  1.70.  They  nest  in  April  and  May. 

129 


WADING  BIRDS 


RAILS,  GALLINULES  and  COOTS.     Family  RALLID^E 

Members    of   this    family    are    almost    exclusively    frequenters    of    marshes, 
where  they  lead  a  shy,  retiring  life  and  are  more  often  heard  than  seen. 


208.      KING  RAIL.     Rallus  elegans. 


Range. — Fresh  water  marshes  of  eastern  United  States  from  New  England 
and  the  Dakotas,  southward.  Very  abundant  on  the  South  Atlantic  coast,  in 
the  inland  marshes. 

This  is  one  of  the  largest  of  the  Rails,  (17 
inches  in  length)  and  may  be  known  by  the 
richness  of  its  plumage,  the  breast  and  wing 
coverts  being  a  rich  cinnamon  color.  It  is 
almost  exclusively  a  fresh  water  species  and  is 
very  rarely  found  around  a  salt  water  marsh. 
Its  nest  is  built  on  the  ground,  in  a  tuft  of  grass 
and  weeds  woven  about  the  upright  stalks. 
They  lay  from  five  to  twelve  eggs  having  a 
cream  colored  ground,  sparingly  speckled  with 
brown  and  lilac.  Size  1.60  x  1,20.  Data. — Clark 
County,  Missouri,  June  6,  1893.  10  eggs.  Nest  Cream  color. 

composed   of  reed   stalks;    a   slightly  concave  mass   8  inches   across,  and  only 
two  inches  above  the  water,  in  a  clump  of  reeds.     Collector,  Ed.  S.  Currier. 


2()f).     BELDING'S  RAIL.     Rallus  beldingi. 

Range. — Lower  California  and  the  islands  in  the  Gulf. 

This  is  a  locally  confined  species,  very  similar  to  the  preceding  but  darker 
and  with  the  flank  bars  narrower.  Its  nesting  or  eggs  will  not  differ  from  those 
of  the  King  Rail. 


CALIFORNIA  CLAPPER  RAIL.      Rallus  obsoletus. 


Range. — Salt  marshes  of  the  Pacific  coast  of  the  United  States. 

This  species  is  like  a  dull  colored  King  Rail, 
with  reference  to  the  markings  of  the  back,  or 
a  bright  colored  Clapper  Rail,  as  it  has  a  cinna- 
mon colored  breast.  It  is  an  abundant  species 
in  nearly  all  the  salt  marshes  along  the  coast, 
They  make  their  nests  on  the  higher  parts  of 
the  marsh,  where  it  is  comparatively  dry,  build- 
ing them  of  grass  and  strips  of  rushes.  They 
lay  from  four  to  nine  eggs  of  a  light  buff  color, 
boldly  spotted  with  brown,  and  with  fainter 
markings  of  lilac.  Size  1.75  x  1.25.  Data. — 
Palo  Alto,  Gal.,  May  1,  1899.  Nest  of  marsh 
grass  under  a  small  bush  on  bank  of  slough. 
Collector,  Ernest  Adams. 


Light   buff. 


131 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


coast 


;F    211.     CLAPPER  RAIL.     Rallus  crepitans 
crepitans. 

Range. — Salt    marshes    of    the    Atlantic 
from  southern  New  England  southward. 

A  grayish  colored  Rail,  about  the  size  of,  and 
with  the  markings  similar  to  those  of  the  King 
Rail.  It  is  as  exclusively  a  salt  water  species  as 
the  King  Rail  is  a  fresh  water  one.  With  the 
possible  exception  of  the  Carolina  or  Sora  Rail, 
this  is  the  most  abundant  of  all  the  Rails,  hun- 


Buff. 

dreds  nesting  in  a  single  marsh  on  the  South 
Atlantic  coast.  Their  nests  are  built  of  rushes 
and  weeds,  and  are  placed  on  the  ground  either  in 
the  tall  grass  bordering  the  marshes  or  attached 
to  the  rushes  in  the  midst  of  the  marsh.  The 
nesting  season  commences  during  April  and  con- 
tinues through  May.  They  lay  from  six  to  four- 
teen eggs,  of  a  buff  color  spotted  irregularly  with 
brown  and  gray.  Size  1.70  x  1.20. 

21  la.     LOUISIANA  CLAPPER  RAIL.     Rallus  crep- 
itans saturatus. 

The  habitation  of  this  subspecies  is  limited  to 
the  coast  of  Louisiana.  It  is  very  similar  to  the  proceeding  but  is  said  to  be 
brighter  in  plumage. 


King  Rail. 
Clapper  Rail. 


21  Ib.  FLORIDA  CLAPPER  RAIL.     Rallus  crepitans  scotti. 

Range. — Western  coast  of  Florida. 

This  bird  is  also  similar  to  crepitans  but  is  much  darker  and  brighter. 

21  Ic.     WAYNE'S  CLAPPER  RAIL.     Rallus  crepitans  waynei. 

Range. — South  Atlantic  coast  from  North  Carolina  to  Florida. 

This  subspecies  is  a  little  darker  than  crepitans,  being  about  midway  be- 
tween that  species  and  Rallus  scotti.  The  nests  and  eggs  of  any  of  these  sub- 
species cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  common  Clapper  Rail. 

211.2.     CARIBBEAN  CLAPPER  RAIL.     Rallus  longirostris  caribaeus. 

Range. — West  Indies  and  east  coast  of  Mexico,  north  to  southern  Texas. 
This  species  is  similar  to  the  Clapper,  but  has  a  shorter  and  relatively  stouter 
bill. 

132 


WADING  BIRDS 


212.     VIRGINIA  RAIL.     Rallus  virginianus. 

Range. — Temperate  North  America,  breeding 
from  the  Middle  States  and  California,  northward 
to  British  Columbia  and  Labrador,  and  wintering 
along  the  Gulf  coast;  most  abundant  in  the  east. 

A  small  Rail,  9  inches 
long,  very  similar  in 
markings  and  colora-  ^'' 

tion  to  the  King  Rail. 
It  is  found  chiefly  in 
fresh  water  swamps, 
where  it  builds  its  nests 
in  tufts  of  rushes.  The 
eggs  number  from  six 
to  fourteen,  and  are 


creamy  white,  or  white, 


Creamy   white. 


speckled  with  reddish  brown.  Size  1.25  x  .90  Data. 
— Fighting  Island,  Detroit  River,  Michigan,  May 
30,  1904.  Nest  made  of  marsh  grass,  in  rushes,  6 
inches  above  the  water.  Collector,  E.  Leroy  King. 

[213.]      SPOTTED  CRAKE.     Porzana  porzana. 

This  common  European  species  is  casually 
found  in  Greenland.  It  breeds  in  large  numbers 
throughout  temperate  Europe,  nesting  as  do  the 
American  Rails. 

214.     SORA.     Porzana  Carolina. 

Range. — Temperate  North  America,  breeding 
from  the  southern  parts  of  the  British  posses- 
sions, south  to  the  Gulf  coast. 

This  abundant  species  of  Rail  may  be  readily 
known  by  its  small  size,  about  eight  inches  long, 
and  the  black  face  and  throat  of  the  adult.     These 
are  the  "Rail-birds"  or  "Ortolans"  which  are  an- 
nually slaughtered  by  thousands,  for  sport  and  marketing,  during  their  fall  mi- 
gration.    It   is    only   because   of   the   large   families 
that  they  rear,  that  they  are  able  to  withstand  this  ^  *  .     «*> 

yearly  decimanation  of  their  ranks.  They  nest 
either  in  salt  of  fresh  water  marshes,  making  a  jj^y 
rude  structure  of  grass,  weeds  and  strips  of  rushes, 
on  the  ground,  generally  concealed  in  a  tuft  of  ghass 
in  a  tangled  swamp  or  marsh.  During  May,  they 
lay  from  six  to  sixteen  eggs  of  a  bright,  buffy  gray 
color,  spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lavender. 
Size  1.25X.90.  Bright  buff. 


Sora 
Virginia   Rail. 


133 


Rich  buff. 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

215.  YELLOW  RAIL. 

Coturnicops  noveboracensis. 

Ranrge. — Locally  distributed  in  temperate  North 
America,  from  New  England  and  Nova  Scotia,  to 
California  and  British  Columbia;  south  to  the 
Gulf  States  in  winter. 

This  is  a  very  handsome  species,  with  plumage 
of  glossy  brown,  yellowish  buff,  black  and  white; 
length  seven  inches.     They  are  very  shy  and  se- 
cretive,  and  are  probably 
more  common  than  gener- 
ally supposed.    Their  nest- 
ing  habits    are   the   same 
as  those  of  the  preceding. 
Their  eggs   are  of  a  rich 
buff  color,  speckled  in  the 
form    of    a    wreath    about 
the    large    end,   with   red- 
dish    brown.      They     are 
relatively    narrower    than 
those  of  other  Rails.     Size 

1.10  x  .80.  Data. — Benson  Co.,  North  Dakota,  June 
4,  1901.  Set  of  ten  eggs  collected  by  Rev.  P.  B. 
Peabody.  This  set  is  in  the  collection  of  Mr. 
John  Lewis  Childs. 

216.  BLACK  RAIL.     Creciscus  jamaicensis. 

Range. — Temperate  North  America,  breeding 
from  northern  United  States  southward. 

Smallest  of  the  rails;  5  inches  in  length.  A 
dark  slaty  colored  bird  with 
white  specks,  and  a  patch  of 
dark  chestnut  on  the  fore 
back.  This  diminutive  spe- 
scies  is  very  hard  to  find  be- 
cause of  its  retiring  habits, 
but  according  to  Mr.  Brews- 
ter  it  may  be  located  by  the 
clicking  sound  of  its  song. 

Their  nests  are  woven  of  strips  of  rushes  or  grasses,  and  are  well  "cupped" 
to  receive  the  eggs.  They  are  on  the  ground  on  the  border  of,  or  in,  marshy 
places.  Mr.  Childs  has  a  fine  set  of  eight  eggs,  taken  by  Arthur  T.  Wyane,  at 
Mt.  Pleasant,  S.  C.,  June  10,  1903.  The  nest  was  located  in  an  oat  field.  The 
eggs  have  a  creamy  white  ground,  and  are  specked  all  over  with  reddish  brown. 
Size  1.03  x. 75. 


Yellow   Rail. 
Black  Rail 


[216.1.]      FARALLON  RAIL. 

Known  only  from  a  single  specimen,  which  is 
censis  and  without  the  white  specks  on  the  back. 


Creciscus  coturniculus. 

slightly  smaller  than  jamai- 


134 


WADING  BIRDS 


[217-]      CORN  CRAKE.     Crex  crex. 

This  European  Rail  is  casually  found  in  Green- 
land and  along  the  Atlantic  coast  of  North  Amer- 
ica. It  is  the  most  abundant  of  European  Rails 
and  is  found  breeding  in  marshes,  meadows  and 
along  streams. 


218.      PURPLE  GALLINULE.     lonornis  martinicus 

Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States;  casu- 
ally north  in  eastern  United  States  to  Massachus- 
etts and  Ohio. 


Pale  buff. 

A  very  handsome  bird  with  purplish  head, 
neck  and  under  parts,  and  a  greenish  back.  Like 
all  the  Gallinules  and  Coots,  this  species  has  a 
scaly  crown  plate.  An  abundant  breeding  species 
in  the  southern  parts  of  its  range.  Its  nests  are 
made  of  rushes  or  grasses  woven  together  and 
either  attached  to  living  rushes  or  placed  in  tufts 
of  grass.  They  lay  from  six  to  ten  eggs  of  a 
creamy  or  pale  buff  color  sparingly  blotched  with 
chestnut.  Size  1.60  x  1.15.  Data. — Avery's  Island, 
Louisiana,  May  7,  1896.  Ten  eggs.  Nest  of  dry  rushes,  woven  to  standing  ones 
growing  around  an  "alligator  hole"  in  a  marsh.  Collector,  E.  A.  Mcllhenny. 


Purple  Gallinule. 
Corn   Crake. 


135 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


21Q.     FLORIDA  GALLINULE.     Gallinula  galeata. 

Range — Temperate   North  America,    from   New 
England,  Manitoba  and  California,  southward. 

A  grayish  colored  bird  of  similar  size  to  the 
last  (13  inches  long),  with  flanks  streaked  with 
white,  and  with  the  bill  and  crown  plate  reddish. 
They  nest  in 
colonies  in 
marshes  and 
swamps,  build- 
ing their  nests 
like  those  of 
the  Purple 
Gallinule.  The 
eggs,  too,  are 
similar,  but 
larger  and 
slightly  duller. 
Size  1.75x1.20. 
Data. —  Monte- 
zuma  marshes,  Florida,  June  6,  1894.  Eleven 
eggs.  Nest  of  dead  flaggs,  floating  in  two  feet  of 
water.  Collector,  Robert  Warwick. 


Pale  buff. 


[220.]      EUROPEAN  COOT.     Fulica  atra. 

A  European  species  very  similar  to  the  next, 
and  only  casually  found  in  Greenland.  Nesting 
the  same  as  our  species. 


Florida  Gallinule. 
Coot. 


Grayish. 


221.     COOT.     Fulica  americana. 

Range. — Whole  of  temperate  North  America, 
from  the  southern  parts  of  the  British  Provinces, 
southward;  very  common  in  suitable  localities 
throughout  its  range. 

The  Coot  bears  some  resemblance  to  the 
Florida  Gallinule,  but  is  somewhat  larger, 
its  bill  is  white  with  a  blackish  band  about 
the  middle,  and  each  toe  has  a  scalloped 
web.  They  inhabit  the  same  marshes  and 
sloughs  that  are  used  by  the  Rails  and  Gal- 
linules  as  nesting  places,  and  they  have  the 
same  retiring  habits,  skulking  through  the 
grass  to  avoid  observation,  rather  than  fly- 
ing. Their  nests  are  either  floating  piles 
of  decayed  vegetation,  or  are  built  of  dead 
rushes  in  clumps  of  rushes  on  the  banks. 
They  generally  build  in  large  colonies.  The 
eggs  number  from  six  to  sixteen  and  have 


a  grayish  ground  color,  finely  specked  all  over  the  surface  with  blackish. 
1.80x1.30. 


136 


Size 


Greenish    buff 


SHORE  BIRDS.     Order  IX.     LIMICOL^E 
PHALAROPES.    Family  PHALAROPODIDAE 

Phalaropes  are  small  Plover-like  birds,  but  with  lobate  webbed  feet,  similar 
to  those  of  the  Grebes  and  Coots. 


222.      RED  PHALAROPE.   Phalaropus  fulicarius. 

Range. — Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  in  the 
far  north,  and  migrating  to  the  middle  portions 
of  the  United  States,  chiefly  on  the  coasts. 

The  Red  Phalarope  during  the  breeding  season 
has  the  underparts   wholly  reddish   brown;    they 
are  very  rarely  seen  in  the  United  States  in  this 
dress,  however  for  it  is  early  changed  for  a  suit 
of    plain    gray   and   white. 
This   species   has   a  much 

x1-"  w*^K  stouter  bill  than   the   two 

following;  it  is  about  nine 
inches  in  length.  All  the 
Phalaropes  are  good  swim- 
mers, and  this  species,  es- 
pecially, is  often  found  in 
large  flocks  off  the  coast, 
floating  on  the  surface  of 
the  water;  they  feed  largely  upon  small  marine 
insects.  Nests  in  hollows  on  the  ground,  lined 
with  a  few  grasses.  The  eggs  are  three  or  four 
in  number,  generally  of  a  greenish  buff  color, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  brown  and  blackish. 
Data. — Myvates,  Iceland,  June  19,  1897,  Collector, 
C.  Jefferys. 


223.     NORTHERN  PHALAROPE.     Lobipes  labatus. 

Range. — Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  in  the 
northern  parts  of  the  British  Provinces. 

This   is  the  smallest  of  the  Phalaropes ^being 
about    eight    inches    long;    in    summer    it    has    a 
chestnut  band  across  the  breast  and  on  the  side 
of  the  neck.     Its  habits  and  nesting  habits  vary 
but  little   from  those   of  the   Red   Phalarope,   al- 
though   its    distribution    is    a    little   more    southerly, 
and   it   is   not   as    exclusively   maritime   as   the   pre- 
ceding species.     It  is  found  on  both    coasts   of  the 
United  States,  but  more  common  on  the  Pacific  side, 
during   the   fall    and    spring,   when   going   to    or   re- 
turning   from    its    winter    quarters    in    the    tropics. 
Their  eggs  cannot,  with   certainty,  be  distinguished 
from  the  preceding  species. 


137 


Red  Fhaiarope. 
Northern  Phalarope. 


Greenish  buff. 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

\ 


Male,    female,    young. 
Wilson's    Phalarope 


224.     WILSON'S  PHALAROPE. 
Steganopus  tricolor. 

Range. — Interior  of  temperate  North  America, 
breeding  from  the  latitude  of  Iowa,  northward, 
and  wintering  south  of  the  United  States. 

This  is  the  most  handsome  species  of  the  fam- 
ily, being  of  a  very  graceful  form,  of  a  grayish 
and  white  color,  with  a  broad  stripe  through  the 
eye  and  down  the  neck,  where  it  fades  insensibly 
into  a  rich  chestnut 
color.  It  is  an  ex- 
clusively American 
species  and  is  rare 
ly  found  near  the 
coast.  It  builds  its 
nest  generally  in  a 
tuft  of  grass,  the 
nests  also  being  of  Brownish  buff, 

grass.       The      eggs 

are  of  a  brownish  or  greenish  buff  color,  spotted 
and  blotched  with  black  and  brown.  Size  1.30  x 
.90.  Data. — Larimore,  N.  D.,  May  30,  1897.  Nest 
a  shallow  depression,  scratched  in  the  sand,  under 
a  tuft  of  grass  on  an  island.  Collector,  T.  F. 
Eastgate. 


138 


SHORE    BIRDS 


AVOCETS  and  STILTS.    Family  RECURVIROSTRIDyE 


225.      AVOCET.     Recurvirostra  americana. 

Range. — Western  North  America,  breeding 
north  to  Northwest  Territory. 

The  Avocet  can  be  known  from  any  other  bird 
by  its  up-curved  bill,  light  plumage,  webbed  feet 
and  large  size  (length  about  17  inches).  These 
waders  are  quite  numerous  in  suitable  localities 


American  Avocet 
Black-necked   Stilt. 


Greenish  buff. 

throughout  the  west,  constructing  their  nests  in 
the  grass,  bordering  marshy  places.  The  nest  is 
simply  a  lining  of  grass  in  a  hollow  in  the  ground. 
They  lay  three  or  four  eggs  of  a  dark  greenish 
or  brownish  buff  color,  boldly  marked  with 
brown  and  black.  Size  1.90x1.30.  Data. — Rush 
Lake,  Assiniboia.  Pour  eggs  laid  in  a  depression 
in  the  sand,  lined  with  dry  weeds.  Many  birds 
nesting  in  the  colony. 

226.     BLACK-NECKED  STILT. 

Himantopus  mexicanus. 

Range. — Like  the  last,  this  species  is  rarely 
found  east  of  the  Mississippi,  but  is  very  abund- 
ant in  the  United  States  west  of  that  river. 

A  black  and  white  wader,  with  ex- 
eremely  long  red  legs;  otherwise  a  grace- 
fully formed  bird.  It  breeds  in  large 
colonies  anywhere  in  its  range,  making 
its  nests  of  weeds  and  sometimes  a  few 
twigs,  on  the  ground  beside  of,  or  in  the 
marshes.  Their  eggs  number  three  or 
four  and  are  brownish  or  greenish  buff 
with  numerous  markings  of  brownish 
black,  these  markings  being  somewhat 
lengthened  and  mostly  running  length- 
wise of  the  shell.  They  nest  during 
April  in  the  southern  parts  of  their 
range  and  through  May  and  June  in  the 

northern.  Size  of  eggs  1.80x1.25.  Data.— Freshwater  Lake,  southern  Califor- 
nia, June  5,  1891.  Four  eggs  laid  on  a  mud  flat  near  the  water's  edge;  no  nest. 
Collector,  Evan  Davis. 

139 


Greenish  buff. 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


SNIPES,  SANDPIPERS,  Family  SCOLOPACID^ 

Members  of  this  family  are  long-legged  waders,  of  either  large  or  small  size, 
and  found  either  about  streams  or  ponds  in  the  interor  or  along  the  coasts. 
They  feed  upon  small  shell  fish,  or  insects  which  they  get  usually  by  probing 
in  the  soft  mud. 


227.     EUROPEAN  WOODCOCK. 
Scolopax  rusticola. 


This  European  bird  is  similar  to  the  American 
Woodcock,  but  is  larger  and  is  barred  beneath. 
Their  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  our  species. 

228.     WOODCOCK.     Philohela  minor. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,   north  to  the 
British  Provinces,  breeding  throughout  its  range. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  eagerly  sought  game 
birds  of  the  east.  Their  flight  is  very  rapid  and 
erratic,  and  accompanied  by  a  peculiar  whistling 
sound  made  by  the  rapid  motion  of  the  wings;  it 
requires  a  skillful 
marksman  to 
bring  them  down. 
They  frequent 
boggy  places  es- 
pecially "runs" 
lined  with  alders, 
where  they  bore 
in  the  soft  ground 
for  worms  and 
grubs.  Their 
eggs  are  laid  up- 


Buffy   gray. 


AmerTTTcrn 
Wilson' 


on        the        bare 

ground        among 

the  leaves  and  sticks;  they  are  of  about  the  color 

of  dead  leaves,  as  is  also  the  bird,  making  it  quite 

difficult  to  discover  their  nests.     They  lay  three 

or  four  eggs  of  a  buffy  color,  with  yellowish  brown 

spots.     Size  1.50x1.15. 


[229.]      EUROPEAN  SNIPE.     Gallinago  gallinago. 

A  common  species  in  Europe;  of  casual  or  accidental  appearance  in  Green- 
land. The  bird  does  not  differ  essentially  from  our  Snipe  and  its  habits  are 
the  same. 


X40 


C.  A.  Reed. 


WOODCOCK  ON  HER  NEST. 
141 


SHORE    BIRDS 


230.     WILSON  SNIPE.     Gallinago  delicata. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  from  northern  United  States  northward; 
winters  along  the  Gulf  States  and  to  California,  and  southward. 

Another  favorite  game  bird,  but  one  which  re- 
quires skill  to  hunt  successfully.  Of  about  the 
same  size  as  the  Woodcock  (11  inches  long). 
This  species,  to  a  great  extent  frequents  the  same 
haunts  used  by  Woodcock,  but  is  especially  fond 
of  open  marshy  meadows,  with  winding  brooks. 
Their  nests  are  depressions  in  grassy  banks,  gen- 
erally unlined;  the  three  or  four  eggs  have  an 
olive  gray  color  and  are  strongly  marked  with 
blackish  brown.  Size  1.50  x  1.10.  Data. — Lake 
Winnipegosis,  Manitoba,  June  10,  1903.  Nest  in 
a  hollow  on  a  tuft  of  marsh  grass,  the  four  eggs 
having  their  points  together.  Collector,  Walter 
Raine. 


Olive   gray. 


[230.1.]      GREATER  SNIPE.      Gallinago  media. 

A  European  species,  only  American  as  having  accidentally  occurred  at  Hud- 
son Bay;  similar  in  appearance  to  the  preceding  species. 


NKST    AND    EGGS    OF    WOODCOCK. 


143 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


fffr  "" 


231.      DOWITCHER.     Macrorhamphus  griseus. 

Range. — North  America,  most  abundant  in 
the  eastern  parts;  breeds  in  the  extreme  north, 
and  winters  from  the  Gulf  States  to  Northern 
South  America. 

This  species  is 
commonly  known 
as  "Red-breasted 

,     .^^aoewm  -  Snipe"      in      late 

^^^^e?k  spring    and    sum- 

X^^^a.^^^/A  mer     because     ofi 

^m^SL  "^^^^Sfe^  the      rich>     rusty 

1  "  red    coloration   of 

the  underparts, 
and  as  "Gray- 
back  in  winter 
because  of  its 
color  at  that  sea- 
son. They  are  very  common  along  the  Atlan- 
tic coast  during  the  Spring  migration;  they 
can  be  easily  identified  by  their  very  long 
bills,  which  are  over  two  inches  in  length  and 
nearly  one  quarter  the  length  of  the  whole 

They  nest  during  June,  placing  their  three  or  four  eggs  in  a  slight  hol- 
low, which  may  or  may  not  be  lined  with  dried  grass  or  leaves.  The  eggs  have 
a  greenish  or  brownish  buff  color  and  are  boldly  marked  with  dark  brown. 
They  do  not  differ  greatly  from  those  of  the  Snipe.  Data. — Mackenzie  River, 
June  27.  1900.  Four  eggs  in  a  hollow  in  the  grass,  lined  with  dead  grass.  Col- 
lector. Walter  Raine. 


Grenish    buff 


Dowitcher. 


bird. 


LOON. 


144 


SHORE    BIRDS 


232.     LONG-BILLED  DOWITCHER. 

Macrorhamphus  griseus  scolopaceus. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  but  not  com- 
mon on  the  Atlantic  coast;  breeds  in  the  Arctic 
regions  and  migrates  chiefly  through  the  central 
and  western  parts  of  the  United  States  to  Mexico. 
This  bird  is  practically  the  same  as  the  last,  but 
is  a  trifle  larger  and  the  bill  averages  about  a 
half  inch  longer.  They  are  very  numerous  in 

tifceir  breeding 
haunts,  and,  during 
their  migrations,  fly 
in  large  compact 
•.  flocks.  They  are 
u  not  very  timid,  and 
consequently  fall  an 
easy  prey  to  the  gun- 
ners. Their  nesting 
habits  and  eggs  are 
the  same  as  the  last 
species,  except  that 
the  eggs  may  average  a  trifle  larger.  Size  1.75  x 
1.15.  Data. — Norton  Is.,  Alaska,  June,  1900.  Nest 
a  small  hollow  in  the  dry  ground.  Four  eggs. 
Collector,  Capt.  H.  H.  Bodfish. 


'  .. -' V •* 

ut^'f.  "?  s.    &, 
•jfcjk-  -  y 


Greenish   buff. 


Micropalama  himan- 


233.     STILT  SANDPIPER. 
topus. 

Range. — North  America,  east  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains;  breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions  and  win- 
ters from  the  Gulf  States  southward. 

In  the  summer,  these  birds  may  be  known  by 
the  reddish  coloration  of  the  underparts,  which 
are  numerously  barred;  they  are  smaller  than 
the  preceding,  length  about  eight  inches.  Their 
nesting  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  ma- 
jority of  the  members  of  the  family.  The  three 

or  four  eggs  are  buffy  or  grayish,  and  are  blotched  and  spotted  with  shades  of 
brown.     Size  1.40  x  1.00. 


145 


10 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Knot. 
Purple  Sandpiper. 


234.     KNOT.     Tringa  canutus. 

Range. — Arctic  regions  in  summer;  south 
through  the  United  States,  chiefly  on  the  At- 
lantic coast,  to  South  America. 

Of  about  the  same  size  as  the  Dowitchers,  length 
10.5  inches,  but  with  a  much  shorter  bill.  In 
summer  the  entire  under  parts  are  a  uniform  red- 
dish chestnut  color.  They  are  known  to  breed 
in  Arctic  America,  from  Point  Barrow  and  Hud- 
son Bay,  northward,  but  no  authentic  eggs  are 
known,  at  present,  to  exist  in  collections.  One 
taken  from  a  bird  by  Lieut.  Greely,  was  a  pea 
green  color,  specked  with  brown;  size  1.10x1.00. 
As  it  was  not  fully  developed,  it  was  probably 
correct  neither  as  to  size  nor  color. 


235.     PURPLE  SANDPIPER.    Arquatella  maritima 
maritima. 

Range. — Arctic  regions,  wintering  south  to  the 
Middle  States  and  the  Great  Lakes,  but  chiefly 
on  the  coast. 

A  grayish  and  blackish  colored  species,  about 
nine  inches  long.  It  nests  in  northern  Labrador, 
about  Hudson  Bay  and 
in  Iceland.  Its  eggs  are 
a  grayish  buff  color 
handsomely  splashed 
with  rich  shades  of 
brown  and  obscure 
markings  of  darker 
gray.  Data.  —  North- 
ern Iceland,  June  7, 
1897.  Four  eggs.  Nest 
a  hollow  in  the  ground 
among  grass  and  weeds 


Grayish  buff. 
and   lined   with   a   few 


grasses.     Collector,  C.  Jefferys.  • 


235a.     ALEUTIAN  SANDPIPER.     Arguatella  maritima  couesi. 

Range. — Supposed  to  be  a  resident  on  the  coast  and  islands  of  Alaska,  from 
the  Aleutians  northward. 

A  very  similar  species  to  the  preceding;  scarcely  distinguishable.  These 
Sandpipers,  which  are  found  in  Alaska  at  all  seasons  of  the  year,  breed  during 
May  and  June.  Their  nesting  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  preceding 
bird  and  the  eggs  are  indistinguishable.  Size  1.40  x  1.00.  Data. — Unalaska, 
Bering  Sea,  June  3,  1898.  Nest  containing  four  eggs,  a  depression  in  the  moss, 
lined  with  grasses  and  bits  of  moss.  The  eggs  were  laid  with  their  small  ends 
together. 


146 


SHORE    BIRDS 

237-     PRIBILOF  SANDPIPER. 

Arquatella  maritina  ptilocnemis. 

Range. — Coast  and  islands  of  Bering  Sea,  south 
in  winter  to  southern  Alaska. 

This  bird,  which  is  ten  inches  in  length,  has 
the  feathers  of  the  upper  parts  edged  with 
rusty,  and  the  underparts  light,  with  a  distin- 
guishing patch  of  black  on  the  breast.  Similar  in 
appearance  to  the  Red-backed  Sandpiper,  but  not 
so  reddish  above,  and  the  latter  has  the  black 
patch  on  the  belly.  They  breed  commonly  on 
the  Pribilof  and  other  islands  in  Bering  Sea, 
nesting  the  same  as  other  Sandppers.  Their  four 
eggs  are  similar  to  those  of  the  preceding,  but 
average  darker.  Size  1.50  x  1.05. 

238.     SHARP-TAILED  SANDPIPER. 
Pisobia  aurita. 

Range. — An  Asiatic  species,  quite  abundant  in 
Alaska  in  the  summer;  supposed  to  migrate 
south  in  winter,  wholly  on  the  Asiatic  side  of 
the  Pacific. 

A  similar  bird,  in  appearance,  to  the  following, 
but  slightly  smaller  and  with  the  breast  more 
ruddy.  Its  nesting  habits  probably  do  not  differ 
from  those  of  the  following  Sandpiper. 

239-      PECTORAL  SANDPIPER.     Pisobia  maculata. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,   breeding  in 

the   Arctic   regions,   and   wintering    south   of   the 

United  States,  most  abundant  in  the  eastern  parts 

of  the  United  States  during  migrations. 

This    species    is    blackish    brown    above,    with 

light   brown   edgings   to   the   feathers,   and   white 

below,    except    the     chest,    which     is     brownish, 

streaked    with    black.     A    very    peculiar    species, 

having  the  power,  during  the  mating  season,  of  in- 
flating  the  throat  to  a  great  extent,  making  a  balloon- 
like  appendage,  nearly  the  size  of  the  bird.  They 
have  more  the  habits  of  Snipe,  than  do  most  of  the 
Sandpipers,  frequenting  grassy  meadows  or  marshes, 
in  preference  to  the  seashore.  Their  nests  are 
grass  lined  depressions,  and  the  eggs  are  grayish 
or  greenish  buff,  blotched  with  brown.  Size  1.45  x 
1.00.  Data. — Cape  Smythe,  Alaska,  June  1900.  Four 
eggs  in  a  hollow  in  the  ground,  lined  with  grass 


Sharp-tailed  Sandpiper. 
Pectoral  Sandpiper. 


147 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


White-rumped  Sandpiper 
Baird's   Sandpiper 
Least  Sandpiper. 


240.     WHITE-RUMPED  SANDPIPER. 
Pisobia  fuscicollis. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  from  Labra- 
dor and  southern  Greenland,  northward  and  win- 
tering from  central  to  Southern  South  America; 
most  common  on  the  Atlantic  coast. 

This  species  is  7.5  inches  in  length,  and  has 
white  upper  tail  coverts;  otherwise  it  is  marked 
similarly  to  the  preceding  Sandpiper.  Its  nest- 
ing habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  majority 
of  the  family,  and  the  three  or  four  eggs  that  they 
lay  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  fol- 
lowing species.  Size  1.30  x  .90.  These  are  one 
of  the  most  common  of  the  beach  birds  along 
the  Atlantic  coast  during  migrations;  they  are 
very  often  known  as  Bonaparte  Sandpipers. 


241.     BAIRD'S  SANDPIPER.     Pisobia  bairdi. 

Range. — North  America,  chiefly  in  the  interior, 
breeding  along  the  Arctic  coast  and  about  Hud- 
son Bay,  and  wintering  south  of  the  United 
States. 

A  very  similar  species  to  the  preceding,  but 
without  the  white  rump.  Their  nests  are  hollows 
in  the  ground,  generally  concealed  in  a  tuft  of 
grass,  and  lined  with  grasses  and  a  few  leaves. 
They  lay  three  or  four  eggs  having  a  grayish 
colored  ground,  and  marked  with  different  shades 
of  brown,  and  also  with  some  faint  markings  of 
lilac.  Sh;e  1.30  x  .90.  Data. — Peel  River,  Arctic 
America,  June  18,  1898.  Pour  eggs,  taken  with 
the  bird  by  an  Indian.  Eggs  in  a  slight  hollow 
on  the  river  bank. 


242.     LEAST  SANDPIPER.     Pisobia  minutilla. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  from  the  southern  parts  of  the  British 
Provinces  northward;  winters  from  southern  United  States  southward.  Com- 
mon in  the  interior  and  on  both  coasts. 

This  is  the  smallest  of  our  Sandpipers,  being  under  six 
inches  in  length.  Except  for  size,  they  are  similar  in  ^aBBB^k^ 
appearance  to  Baird's  Sandpiper,  only  the  back  is  browner. 
A  very  abundant  species  during  migrations,  being  found 
on  the  seashore  or  in  marshes,  nearly  always  in  company 
with  other  species  of  the  family.  Their  nests  are  the  same 
as  other  Sandpipers,  and  the  eggs  are  grayish,  thickly 
specked  with  brown.  Size  1.15  x  .80.  Data. — Peel  River, 
Arctic  America,  June  20,  1899.  Nest  simply  a  depression 
in  the  river  bank,  lined  with  grass. 


148 


Grayish. 


SHORE    BIRDS 


[242.1.]      LONG-TOED  STINT. 
Pisobia  damacensis. 

An    Asiatic   species   accidentally   found   on    the 
Alaskan  shores.     It  is  a  very  similar  bird  to  the 
Least    Sandpiper,   and   about   the   same   size.     As 
implied  by  its  name,  it  has  unusually  long  toes. 
[24-3.]      DUNLIN.     Pelidna  alpina  alpina. 

A  very  common  Sandpiper  in  the  British  Isles 
and  in  Europe,  but  only  casually  occurring  as  a 
straggler  along  the  Atlantic  coast.  Very  similar 
to  the  next  species,  but  a  trifle  smaller.  The  nest 
and  eggs  do  not  differ  from  the  following. 

243a.      RED-BACKED  SANDPIPER.     Pelidna  alpina 
sakhalina. 

Range. — Whole    of     North    America,     breeding 

from  southern  Greenland,  Labrador,  Hudson  Bay 

and  the  Yukon,  northward,  wintering  from  the 

Gulf  States  south- 
ward. This  hand- 
some species  is 
similar  to  the  Pribi- 
lof  Sandpiper,  but  is 
smaller  (length  8 
inches),  the  upper 
parts  are  more  red- 
dish, the  breast 
more  heavily  streak- 
ed, and  it  has  a  black 

patch  on  the  belly  instead  of  on  the  breast  as  in 

ptilocnemis.    Their  nesting  habits   are  similar  to 

others  of  the  family;  they  lay  three  or  four  eggs 

with   a  brownish  or  greenish  buff  color,  heavily 

blotched  and  spotted  with  shades  of  brown  and 

chestnut.    Size  1.40x1.00.    Data.— Peel  River,  Arctic  America,  June  30,  1899. 

Nest  a  simple  cavity  in  the  ground,  lined  with  a  few  grasses  and  three  or  four 

leaves.    Collector,  J.  O.  Stringer. 


Greenish  huff. 


Red-backed  Sandpiper. 
Curlew  Sandpiper. 


244.     CURLEW  SANDPIPER.     Erolia  ferruginea. 

Range. — A  common  Old  World  species,  but  regarded  as  rare  in  eastern  North 
America  and  northern  Alaska. 

A  bird  of  slighter  build,  but  similar  coloration  to  the  Knot;  smaller  (length 
eight  inches)  and  with  a  slightly  decurved  bill.  Until  within  recent  years,  eggs 
of  these  birds  were  rarely  seen  in  collections,  and  I  believe  they  have  not  yet 
been  taken  in  this  country,  although  a  few  pairs  nest  along  our  Arctic  coast. 
Their  eggs  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  Red-backed  Sandpiper,  but  average 
somewhat  larger.  Size  1.50  x  1.05.  Data. — Kola,  northern  Lapland,  June  15, 
1898.  Four  eggs  laid  in  a  grass-lined  hollow  in  the  ground.  Collector,  J. 
Ramberg. 


149 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Spoonbill  Sandpiper. 
Semipalmated  Sandpiper 


[245.]      SPOONBILL  SANDPIPER. 

EurynorTiynchus  pygmeus. 

A  very  rare  Asiatic  species,  which  has  been 
taken  in  Kotzebue  Sound,  Alaska.  A  very  pecu- 
liar bird  having  the  end  of  the  bill  broadened 
and  flattened  into  a  sort  of  spatula.  Otherwise 
very  similar  to  the  Least  Sandpiper,  but  with 
the  breast  and  sides  of  neck  ruddy  in  summer. 
About  75  specimens  of  this  rare  bird  are  known 
to  exist. 

246.     SEMIPALMATED  SANDPIPER. 
Ereunetes  pusillus. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  but  chiefly 
in  the  eastern  and  central  parts,  breeding  about 
the  ponds  and  streams  of  Labrador  and  Hudson 
Bay,  and  northward.  These  little  Sandpipers  are 
abundant  during  the  migrations  either  in  marshes 
or  on  beaches.  They  are  most  often  found  in 
company  with  other  species,  such  as  the  Spotted 
and  Least  Sandpipers.  Their  appearance  is  very 
similar  to  that  of  the  Least  Sandpipers,  but  they 
are  slightly  larger  and  the  feet  are  partially 
webbed.  Their  eggs  have  a  greenish  buff  or  gray- 
ish ground  color  and  are 
spotted  with  brownish  or 
blackish,  sometimes,  so 
heavily  as  to  completely 
obscure  the  shell  color. 
Size  1.20  x  .80.  Data. — 
Small  island  near  Okak, 
Labrador,  July  3,  1895.  2 
eggs.  Nest  a  hollow  at  the 
foot  of  a  tuft  of  grass, 
lined  with  a  few  bits  of  grass  and  small  leaves. 
Eggs  unmistakable  in  this  dark  type. 


Grayish. 


150 


SHORE    BIRDS 


Grayish  buff. 


247.      WESTERN  SANDPIPER.     Ereunetes  mauri. 


Range. — Western  North  America,  breeding  in 
the  Arctic  regions  and  migrating  through  the 
United  States,  chiefly  west  of  the  Mississippi  to 
the  Gulf  States  and  southward. 

Scarcely  to  be  distinguish- 
ed from  the  preceding  spe- 
cies, but  the  upper  parts  are 
said  to  be  brighter  and  the 
bill,  to  average  a  trifle  long- 
er. The  nesting  habits  and 
eggs  are  precisely  the  same 
as  those  of  the  Semipalmated 
variety.  Data. — Cape  Prince 
of  Wales,  Alaska,  June  28,  1898.  Four  eggs.  Nest 
a  neatly  rounded  hollow,  sunk  into  a  mossy  hum- 
mock in  marshy  ground.  Collector,  Joseph  Grin- 
nell. 


248.     SANDERLING.     Calidris  leucophaea. 

Range. — Found  in  all  parts  of  the  northern  hem- 
isphere, breeding  within  the  Arctic  Circle  and 
wintering  in  North  America,  from  California  and 
South  Carolina  southward. 

A  handsome  and  abundant  species,  found  dur- 
ing migrations  by  thousands  on  beaches  and  about 
large  bodies  of  water  in  the  interior.  They  are 
one  of  the  lightest  colored  of  the  Sandpipers, 
either  in  winter  or  summer  plumage.  In  summer 
the  upper  parts  are  a  light  rusty  color  and  black, 
and  the  whole  underparts  are  white.  Owing  to 
their  extreme  northerly  distribution  in  summer, 
but  few  of  their  eggs  have  been  taken.  Their 
nesting  habits  are  like  those  of  the  other  Sandpip- 
ers. The  three  or  four  eggs  are  greenish  buff  in 
color,  spotted  and  blotched  with  brown.  Size  1.45  x 
Alaska,  June  18,  1897.  Three  eggs  in  a  depression  on 


Western  Sandpiper. 

Sanderling-. 
Marbled  Godwit. 

.95.     Data. — Peel  River, 
the  ground. 


249.      MARBLED  GODWIT.      Limosa  fedoa. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding,  chiefly  in  the  interior,  from  northern 
United  States  northward. 

Godwits  are  large  Plovers  with  long  slightly  upcurved  bills.  This  species 
is  19  inches  in  length,  is  of  a  nearly  uniform  ruddy  color  and  is  handsomely 
marbled  above,  and  barred  below  with  black.  Their  eggs  are  laid  upon  the 
ground  in  the  vicinity  of  ponds  or  rivers;  sometimes  there  is  no  lining  and 
again  a  few  straws  or  grasses  may  be  twisted  around  the  depression.  Their 
eggs  number  three  or  four  and  have  a  ground  color  of  grayish  or  greenish  buff, 
sometimes  quite  dark,  and  are  blotched  with  dark  brown.  Size  2.25  x  1.60. 
Data. — Devil's  Lake,  N.  D.,  June  10,  1895.  Four  eggs  laid  on  the  ground  in  the 
middle  of  an  un-used  road.  Lined  with  a  few  grasses.  Collector,  W.  F.  Hill. 


v- 


161 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


250.  PACIFIC  GODWIT. 

Limosa  lapponica  baueri. 

Range. — Coasts  and  islands  of  the  Pacific  Ocean 
on  the  Asiatic  side,  north  in  summer  to  Alaska. 

This  species  is  more  uniform  and  brighter  rud- 
dy beneath  than  the  preceding,  and  the  back  is 
not  marbled  as  strongly.  Even  in  Alaska  where 
it  breeds,  it  is  not  a  common  species,  and  it  only 
occurs  elsewhere  on  the  Pacific  coast  of  America, 
casually.  The  nesting  habits  are  the  same,  but 
the  eggs  are  somewhat  darker  than  those  of  the 
preceding,  but  not  as  dark  as  those  of  the  follow- 
ing species.  Size  2.20x1.45. 

251.  HUDSONIAN  GODWIT.     Limosa  haemastica 

Range. — North  America,  east  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  breeding  in  the  Arctic  regions  and 
wintering  south  of  the  United  States. 


Brownish. 


Pacific  Godwit. 
Hudsonian  Godwit. 


This  species  is  apparently  not  as  common  or  is 
more  locally  distributed  during  migrations  than 
is  the  Marbled  Godwit.  They  are  more  abundant  in  their  breeding  grounds  and 
are  occasionally  seen  in  large  flocks.  They  are  smaller  than  the  Marbled 
Godwit  (length  18  inches)  and  are  deep  reddish  brown  below.  They  lay  four 
eggs  on  the  ground,  in  marshes  or  near  ponds  or  streams,  lining  the  hollow 
with  weeds  and  dried  leaves.  The  eggs  have  a  dark  brownish  buff  ground 
color  and  are  blotched  with  brownish  black.  Size  2.20  x  1.40.  Data. — Macken- 
zie River,  Arctic  America.  Four  eggs  laid  in  a  hollow  in  the  ground.  Collector, 
J.  O.  Stringer. 

[252.]      BLACK-TAILED  GODWIT.     Limosa  limosa. 

A  European  and  Asiatic  species  only  casually  occurring  in  Greenland.  Very 
similar  in  appearance  to  our  Hudsonian  Godwit,  which  is  frequently  called  by 
the  name  of  this  species.  The  nesting  habits  and  the  eggs  are  precisely  like 
those  of  the  American  bird. 

[253.]      GREEN  SHANK.      Glottis  nebularia. 

A  common  bird  in  Europe  and  the  British  Isles,  but  only  American  as  having 
been  taken  once  in  Florida.  A  very  similar  species  to  the  following. 


152 


SHORE    BIRDS 


254.     GREATER  YELLOW-LEGS. 
Totanus  melanoleucus. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  nesting  in 
the  British  Provinces  and  rarely  in  the  northern 
part  of  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

This  and  the  next  species  are  much  sought  by 
sportsmen  during  their  migrations;  they  are 
commonly  called  "Tell-tale,"  the  present  species 
being  the  "Greater  Tell-tale."  They  are  blackish 
above,  speckled  with  white,  and  below  are  white 
and,  in  summer,  marked  with  arrowhead  spots  of 
black.  The  legs,  as  implied  by  the  name  of  the 


Grayish  white. 

bird,  are  yellow  and  long;  length  of  bird,  14 
inches.  They  nest  most  abundantly  in  localities 
remote  from  habitations,  in  the  interior  of  Can- 
ada. The  eggs  are  generally  laid  on  the  ground, 
near  a  marsh  or  on  the  bank  of  a  stream,  with 
little  or  no  lining  to  the  nest.  They  are  grayish 
white,  boldly  splashed  with  several  shades  of 
brown,  and  with  lilac.  Size  1.65  x  1.25.  Data.— 
Whale  River,  Labrador,  June  10,  1902,  Eggs  laid 
on  the  ground  in  an  open  marsh. 


Greater  Yellow-legs. 
Yellow-legs. 


255.     YELLOW-LEGS.     Totanus  flavipes. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  chiefly  in  the  interior  and  eastern  parts  of 
Canada,  and  rarely  in  the  upper  Mississippi  Valley.  This  species  is  very  sim- 
ilar to  the  preceding,  but  is  smaller;  length 
10.5  inches.  It  is  also  called  the  "Lesser 
Telltale,"  a  name  applied  because  of  their 
wariness,  and  because,  when  they  fly,  they 
warn  all  other  species  within  hearing,  of 
danger.  Their  eggs  are  laid  on  the  ground, 
and  in  similar  localities  to  the  preceding. 
They  are  three  or  four  in  number,  grayish 
or  buffy  in  color,  and  are  quite  heavily 
blotched  and  spotted  with  rich  brown  and 
grayish  or  lilac.  Size  1.60  x  1.20.  Data.— 
Whale  River,  Labrador,  June  14,  1902.  Pour 
eggs  laid  on  the  ground  in  a  large  marsh.  Buffy. 

153 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


256.     SOLITARY  SANDPIPER. 

Helodromas  solitarius  solitarius. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding 
chiefly  north  of  the  United  States  boundary, 
but  apt  to  be  found  nesting  in  any  part  of  its 
range;  winters  south  of  the  United  States. 

A  bird  with  a  greenish  gray  back,  barred 
with  white,  and  white  below;  length  8.5  inches. 


Solitary  Sandpiper. 


Clay-colored. 

This  species  is  one  of  the  oddities  among  the 
waders.  They  are  most  always  met  with,  sing- 
ly or  in  pairs,  and  are  very  rarely  seen,  even 
in  very  small  flocks.  Their  preference  is  for  small  ponds  or  streams  in  wet 
woods  or  open  meadows,  rather  than  marshes  which  are  frequented  by  other 
species.  They  are  occasionally  seen  during  the  nesting  season,  even  in  the 
southern  parts  of  their  range,  and  they  probably  breed  there  although  their 
eggs  are  very  rarely  found.  The  eggs  are  clay-colored,  spotted  with  brownish 
black.  Data. — Simco  Island,  Kingston,  Ontario,  June  10,  1898.  5  eggs  in  a 
shallow  depression  on  the  ground,  lined  with  a  few  grasses. 


NEST  OF  SPOTTED  SANDPIPER, 

154 


256a.  WESTERN  SOLITARY  SANDPIPER.  Helo- 
dromas  solitarius  cinnamomeus. 

Range. — North  America,  west  of  the  Plains; 
breeds  in  British  Columbia  and  probably  south 
of  there,  also. 

This  bird  is  like  the  last,  except  that  the  spots 
on  the  back  are  buffy  instead  of  white.  Its  nest 
and  eggs  will  not  differ  in  any  respect  from  those 
of  the  eastern  form. 

[257-]      GREEN  SANDPIPER.     Helodromas  acro- 

phus. 

This  species,  which  very  closely  resembles  our 
Solitary  Sandpiper,  is  common  in  the  northern 
parts  of  the  Old  World.  It  has  only  accidentally 
strayed  to  our  shores. 

258.     WILLET.      Catoptrophorus  semipalmatus 

semipalmatus. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  north 
to  the  Middle  States  and  occasionally  straying  to 


SHORE    BIRDS 


Buff. 


Western  Sandpiper 

Willet. 


the  Canadian  border,  especially  in  the  Mississippi  Valley. 

These  large  waders  are  among  the  most  abundant  of  the  marsh  or  beach 
birds.  They  breed  in  small  companies  in  marshes,  frequently  in  those  which 
are  covered  with  water  at  high  tide,  building  a  frail  nest  of  grasses  and  weeds, 
where  it  will  be  barely  out  of  reach  of  the  highest  water.  The  three  or  four 
eggs  have  a  brownish,  or  sometimes  greenish,  buff  ground  color  and  are  blotch- 
ed with  umber,  and  have  fainter  markings  of  lilac.  Size  2.00  x  1.50.  Data. — 
Sandy  Bank,  South  Carolina,  May  3,  1901.  Nest  on  the  ground,  secreted  in  the 
high  grass.  Made  of  dead  marsh  grass,  lined  with  finer  grasses. 


155 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


258a.     WESTERN  WILLET. 

Catoptrophorus  semipalmatus  inornatus. 

Range. — Western  North  America,  breeding 
north  to  Manitoba  and  British  Columbia.  Casual- 
ly found  on  the  South  Atlantic  coast  during  mi- 
grations. 

A  larger  and  paler  form  of  the  preceding  spe- 
cies; length  15.5  inches.  The  nesting  habits  are 
the  same,  and  the  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished 
from  those  of  the  common  Willet.  Data. — Re- 
fugio,  Texas,  May  18,  1900.  4  eggs  in  a  grass 
lined  depression  on  the  bay  shore  flat.  Collec- 
tor, J.  W.  Preston. 


25Q.     WANDERING  TATTLER. 
canus. 


Heteractitis  in- 


Wandering  Tattler. 

Ruff. 
Upland  Plover. 


Range. — Pacific  coast  of  North  America,  breed- 
ing from  British  Columbia  northward. 

This  is  a  handsome  species,  uniform  grayish 
above  and  white  below,  closely  barred  (in  sum- 
mer) with  blackish.  During  the  breeding  sea- 
son it  is  found  on  the  rugged  coasts  and  islands  of 
Alaska,  and  casually  south.  It  breeds  in  the 
marsh  grass  near  the  shores  and  along  the  banks 
of  streams. 


[260.]      RUFF,     Machetes  pugnax, 

A  common  European  species,  occasionally  found 
on  the  Atlantic  coast  of  North  America.  It  is  a 
species  remarkable  for  its  pugnacity  during  the 
mating  season;  in  size  and  appearance  it  is  about 
like  the  Upland  Plover,  with  the  exception  of  the 
"ruff"  which  adorns  the  neck  and  breast  of  the 
male  bird, 


261.     UPLAND  PLOVER.     Bartramia  longicauda. 

Range. — North  America,  chiefly  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  breeding  from 
middle  United  States,  northward. 

A    handsome    bird,    12    inches    in    length,  '^^'r 

generally  known  as  the  "Upland  Plover," 
from  its  habit  of  frequenting  dry  side  hills, 
where  it  feeds  upon  grasshoppers  and 
worms.  It  is  a  favorite  bird  with  many 
sportsmen.  It  builds  a  nest  of  grasses,  on 
the  ground  in  a  tuft  of  grass  in  the  middle 
of  fields.  The  three  or  four  eggs  have  a  buff 
ground  and  are  blotched  with  yellowish 
brown.  Size  1.75  x  1.25.  Data. — Stump  Lake, 
N.  D.,  June  10,  1897.  Nest  of  grass,  lined 
with  wool,  under  a  tuft  of  grass  left  by  the 
mower.  Collector,  Alf.  Eastgate. 


Buff. 


J56 


NEST  AND  EGGS  OF  UPLAND  PLOVER. 


Walter    Uaine. 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

262.  BUFF-BREASTED  SANDPIPER. 

Tryngites  subruficollis. 

Range. — Interior    of    North    America,    breeding 
from  the  Hudson  Bay  region  to  the  Arctic  coast. 

A  buffy  colored  species,  with  a  peculiarly  mar- 
bled back.  Size  8.5  inches  long.  It  is  an  upland 
species  like  the  last.  The  nests  are  scantily  lined 
depressions  in  the  ground.  The  eggs  have  a 
grayish  white  ground 
and  are  boldly  blotched 
with  rich  brown  and 
chestnut  with  fainter 
markings  of  lilac.  Size 
1.45  x  1.05.  Data. — Cape 
Smythe,  Alaska,  June, 
1900.  4  eggs  in  a  hol- 
low in  dry  spot  on  a 
marsh.  Collector,  H.  H. 
Bodfish.  Grayish  white. 

263.  SPOTTED  SANDPIPER.     Actitis  macularia. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America  from  Hudson 
Bay  southward,  breeding  throughout  its  range. 

A  small  wader  about  7.5  inches  in  length,  with 
brownish  gray  upper  parts,  and  white  underparts 
thickly  spotted  with  blackish,  especially  on  the 
breast  and  flanks.  This  is  the  most  abundant  of 
all  the  shore  birds,  and  its  "peet-weet"  is  a  famil- 
iar sound  to  every  country  boy.  It  has  a  peculiar 
habit  of  continually  moving  its  tail  up  and  down, 
when  at  rest  on  a  stone  or  when  running  along 
the  shore;  from  these  characteristic  actions  it 
has  received  the  very  common  names  of  "Teeter- 
tail"  and  "Tip-up."  They  build  their  nests  on  the 
ground  near  ponds,  brooks  or  marshes,  generally 
concealing  it  in  a  tuft  of  grass  or  weeds  on  the 
shore  or  in  the  high  grass  at  the  edge  of  the 
meadows.  The  eggs  number  from  three  to  five  and  are  of  a  grayish  buff  color, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  blackish  brown.  The  young,  like  those  of  all  the 
shore  birds,  are  hatched  covered  with  down,  and  run  about  as  soon  as  born. 
They  are  anxiously  attended  by  the  parents  and  at 
the  least  sign  of  danger,  conceal  themselves  beneath  ^  3^5  ^. 
a  tuft  of  grass  or  behind  a  small  stone,  where  they  ^  r 
remain  perfectly  motionless  until  called  by  the  old 
birds.  The  adults  frequently  attempt  to  lead  an  en- 
emy  away  from  the  young  by  feigning  a  broken 
wing,  or  lameness.  Size  of  eggs  1.35  x  .90.  Data. — 
Parker  County,  Ind.,  May  22,  1901.  Nest  about  six 
yards  from  bank  of  creek,  among  weeds  on  a  sand 
bar;  a  hollow  in  the  sand  lined  with  weeds.  Collec- 
tor, Winfield  S.  Catlin.  Buff. 


Buff-breasted  Sandpiper. 
Spotted  Sandpiper. 


158 


264.     LONG-BILLED  CURLEW. 
Numenius  americanus. 

Range. — Breeds  in  the  South  Atlantic  states 
and  northward  in  the  interior  to  Manitoba  and 
British  Columbia. 

This  is  the  largest  of  the  family  of  shore  birds, 
having  a  length  of  about  24  inches.  Its  plumage 
is  of  a  buffy  color,  much  variegated  above  with 
black  and  brown ;  the  bill  is  strongly  curved  down- 
ward and  is  from  four  to  eight  inches  in  length. 
Their  nests  are  located  on  the  ground  in  meadows 


SHORE    BIRDS 


Greenish  buff. 

or  on  the  prairies,  and  three  or  four  eggs  are  laid, 
of  a  buff  or  greenish  buff  color,  covered  with 
numerous  spots  of  brownish  black.  Eggs  of  the 
common  Curlew  of  Europe,  have  been  very  fre- 
quently used  as  belonging  to  this  species,  but  the 
eggs  of  our  species  have  a  lighter  and  more 
greenish  ground,  and  the  spots  are  smaller  and 
more  numerous.  Size,  2.50  x  1.80. 


Long-billed  Curlew. 

Hudsonian,  Curlew, 


265.     HUDSONIAN  CURLEW.     Numenius  hudsonicus. 

Range.— Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  in  the  Arctic  regions  and  win- 
tering south  of  the  United  States. 

This  species  is  smaller  (length 
17  inches),  darker,  more  grayish 
and  has  a  shorter  bill  than  the  pre- 
ceding species.  It  also  has  white 
median  and  lateral  stripes  on  the 
top  of  the  head.  The  nesting  hab- 
its are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
Long-billed  species;  the  three  or 
four  eggs  have  a  brownish  bulf 
ground  color  and  are  blotched  with 
blackish  brown.  Size  2.25  x  1.60. 
Data.  —  McKenzie  River,  Arctic 
America.  Nest  a  pile  of  grass, 
moss  and  weeds  on  an  island  in 
the  river. 


Brownish  buff. 


159 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Eskimo  Curlew. 


266.     ESKIMO  CURLEW.     Numenius  borealis. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  in 
the  Arctic  regions  and  wintering  in  South 
America;  migrating  through  the  eastern  half 
of  the  United  States,  more  abundantly  in  the 
interior  than  on  the  coast. 

A  still  smaller  species  than  the  last  (length 
14  inches)  and  very  similar  to  it.  A  few  years 
ago  this  was  considered  the  most  abundant  of 
the  curlews,  but  so  persistently  have  they  been 
hunted  that  they  are  now  practically  extermin- 
ated. They  were  the  most  unsuspicious  of  the 
shore  birds,  and  would  allow  the  near  approach 
of  the  gunner,  and  the  penalty  may  now  be 
seen.  Only  a  short  while  ago  they  were  very 
often  found,  during  migration,  in  company  with 
ether  waders  such  as  the  Golden  or  Black- 
bellied  Plovers. .  Their  nests  are  simply  hollows 
in  the  plains,  lined  with  a  few  grasses,  dried 
leaves,  or  moss.  The  three  or  four  eggs  are  the 
same  as  the  last  for  color  but  are  smaller; 
size  2.00  x  1.45. 


[267.]      WHIMBREL.'    Numenius  phaeopus. 

A  European   species   casually  appearing   in  Greenland;    very  similar   to   the 
Hudsonian  Curlew,  but  with  the  rump  white, 

This  species  is  known  as  the 

Jack    Curlew    in    England    and  ^^^dBUBH^G* 

Scotland,  where  it  is  very  abund- 
ant, and  is  a  favorite  game  bird. 
It  breeds  in  the  northern  parts 
of  Europe  and  Asia,  and  in  the 
extreme  north  of  Scotland  and 
on  the  Shetland  Islands.  The 
eggs  are  laid  in  hollows  on  the 
ground  on  higher  parts  of  the 
marshes.  The  three  or  four  eggs 
have  an  olive  or  greenish  brown 
color  and  are  blotched  with  dark 
brown.  Size  2.30  x  1.60.  Data.— 
Native,  Iceland,  May  29,  1900. 
Six  eggs.  Nest  a  depression  in 
the  ground,  lined  with  dried 
grass.  Olive  broWn. 


[268.]      BRISTLE-THIGHED  CURLEW.     Numenius  tahiliensis. 

Range. — Islands  and  coast  on  the  Asiatic  side  of  the  Pacific;  casually  found 
in  Alaska.  A  very  peculiar  species  with  many  of  the  feathers  on  the  flanks 
terminating  in  long  bristles. 


160 


SHORE    BIRDS 


PLOVERS.    Family  CHARADRIID^E 


Plovers  are  stouter  built  birds  than  those  of 
the  previous  family,  have  larger  head,  shorter 
necks  and  but  three  toes,  the  bill  also  is  much 
harder  and  shorter. 


[269-]      LAPWING.      Fanellus  vanellus. 

An  abundant  European  species  accidentally 
occurring  on  the  Atlantic  coast.  It  may  read- 
ily be  recognized  by  its  long  black  crest,  black 
chin  and  throat,  and  white  under  parts.  It 
breeds  throughout  temperate  Europe,  laying 
its  eggs  in  hollows  on  the  ground.  The  eggs 
have  a  dark  grayish  buff  ground  and  are  spot- 
ted with  black.  Size  1.85x1.30. 


Grayish. 


[269-1-]      DOTTEREL.     Eudromias  morinellus. 

A  European  bird  supposed  to  have  been  accidentally  taken  on  the  Atlantic 
coast. 


BLACK-BELLIED  PLOVER.     Squatarola  squatarola. 

Range. — Northern  Hemisphere,  breeding  in  the  Arctic  regions  and  wintering 
from  the  Gulf  States  to  northern  South  America. 

This  is  a  remarkably  handsome  spe- 
cies when  in  the  summer  dress.  The  up- 
per parts  are  largely  white  with  black 
spots  and  bars  on  the  back,  wings  and 
tail;  the  throat,  sides  of  head,  breast 
and  fore  under  parts,  black.  In  winter, 
brownish-black,  somewhat  mottled,  above; 
below,  dull  white.  Young  similar  to  win- 
ter adults,  but  the  back  is  spotted  with 
yellowish-white.  While  these  handsome 
plover  migrate  to  some  extent,  and  some- 
times in  large  flocks,  through  the  inter- 
ior of  the  United  States,  they  are  chiefly 
and  most  abundantly  found  on  the  coast. 
This  species  has  a  very  small  hind  toe. 
It  is  a  very  familiar  bird  to  sportsmen 

and  gunners,  to  whom  it  is  generally  known  by  the  names  of  "Bull-head,"  or 
"Beetle-head  Plover."  They  are  very  numerous  in  the  fall,  during  which  sea- 
son the  underparts  are  entirely  white.  The  eggs  are  either  laid  upon  the  bare 
ground  or  upon  a  slight  lining  of  grass-es  of  dead  leaves.  They  are  three  or 
four  in  number,  brownish  or  greenish  buff  in  color  and  boldly  marked  with  black. 
Size  2.00  x  1.40.  Data. — Point  Barrow,  Alaska,  June,  1900.  Nest  a  small  hollow 
on  side  of  hillock,  lined  with  dry  grass. 


Ifil 


Grenish  buff. 


11 


SHORE    BIRDS 


[272.]      EUROPEAN  GOLDEN  PLOVER. 
Charadrius  apricarius. 

A  European  bird,  similar  to  the  next,  casually 
found  in  Greenland. 

It  is  a  very  abundant  bird  throughout  Europe, 
breeding  in  the  northern  parts.  Its  habits,  nests 
and  eggs  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  American 
bird. 


272.     GOLDEN  PLOVER. 
dominions. 


Charadrius  dominions 


Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  in 
the  Arctic  regions  and  wintering  south  to  Pata- 
gonia. 


Black-bellied  Plover. 
Golden  Plover. 


w 


Greenish  buff. 

This  handsome  bird  is  about  the  same  size  as 
the  Black-bellied  Plover  (10.5  inches  long).  No 
hind  toe.  Back  and  tail  mottled  with  black  and 
yellow;  below,  more  or  less  entirely  black  to  the 
tail.  Young  and  winter  adults,  more  or  less  spot- 
ted with  yellow  and  blackish-brown  above,  and 
grayish-white  below,  with  indistinct  streaks  on  the  breast.  Often  confused  with 
the  last  species  in  this  plumage,  but  is  smaller,  bill  smaller  and  more  slender, 
and  the  axillars,  or  feathers  nearest  the  body,  under  the  wings,  are  gray  while 
those  of  the  Black-bellied  Plover  are  black.  This  species  is  now  regarded  as 
rare  on  the  North  Atlantic  coast  during  migrations,  while  in  the  interior  it  is 
more  abundant  than  the  last  species.  They  do  not  seem  to  be  as  suspicious  as 
the  Black-bellies,  and  a  flock  will  often  allow  a  close  approach,  even  when  they 
see  you.  They  nest  abundantly  along  the  coast  and  islands  of  the  Arctic  Ocean. 
The  four  eggs  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the  preceding,  but  smaller.  Size  1.90 
x  1.30.  Data. — Peel  River,  Arctic  America,  June  1,  1898.  Nest  of  grasses  and 
leaves  on  the  ground  in  the  moss. 

272a.     PACIFIC  GOLDEN  PLOVER.     Charadrius  dominions  fulvus. 

Range. — An  Asiatic  species,  breeding  in  northern  Asia  and  on  the  islands 
and  coast  of  Asia.  Very  like  the  preceding,  but  more  golden  color  on  the  back 
and  wings.  Nesting  and  eggs  the  same. 

163 


NEST    AND    EGGS    OF    KILLDEER. 


A.   R.   Spaid. 


SHORE    BIRDS 


273.     KILLDEER.     Oxyechus  vociferus. 

Range. — Temperate  North  America  from  the 
southern  parts  of  Canada  southward.  Next  to  the 
Spotted  Sandpiper,  this  bird  is  the  most  common 
of  the  shore  birds  in  the  United  States.  It  is 
rarely  seen  in  New  England,  but  is  common  south 
of  there  and  in  the  interior  of  the  country  to  Can- 
ada. 

They  are  very  noisy  birds,  continually  uttering 
their  "kil-deer,  kil-deer"  from  which  they  take 


Grayish  buff. 

their  name.  They  nest  anywhere  on  the  ground, 
generally  near  water,  placing  their  nests  in  fields, 
cornfields  or  meadows.  The  eggs  are  drab  or 
greenish  buff  and  profusely  spotted  with  black. 
Size  1.50x1.10.  Data. — Refugio  county,  Texas, 
May  11,  1899.  4  eggs  in  a  depression  on  the 
ground,  lined  with  a  few  grasses. 


SEMIPALMATED. 
Mgialitis  semipalmata. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  in  the  inter- 
ior of  Canada  and  wintering  south  from  the  Gulf 
States. 


Kildeer. 
Semi-palmated  Plover. 


Small  web  between  ..the  bases  of  the  two  outer 
toes.  Single  broad,black  band  across  the  breast; 
black  line  from  base  of  bill  to  eye.  They  are  very 
abundant  on  our  seacoast  in  Fall,  both  in  flocks 
composed  entirely  of  their  own  kind,  and  also 
with  Least  and  Semipalmated  Sandpipers.  They 
usually  keep  on  the  inner  side  of  sandbars  or 
muddy  flats  bordering  marshes,  rather  than  on  the 
open  ocean  beach.  It  is  also  found  in  smaller 
flocks,  about  ponds  and  marshes  in  the  interior  of 
the  country.  They  are  usually  unsuspicious  and  will  allow  a  close  approach,  or 
if  you  are  still,  will  run  by  within  a  very  few  feet.  Nest  on  the  ground;  eggs 
buffy,  sparsely  specked  with  black,  1.30x.90;  June. 

165 


Buff 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


275.     RING  PLOVER.     JEgialitis  hiaticula. 

Range. — A  European  bird  that  breeds  abund- 
antly in  Greenland.  It  nests  in  great  numbers  on 
the  banks  of  streams 
and  in  fields,  laying 
its  eggs  in  hollows  on 
the  ground,  generally 
without  any  lining. 
Their  three  or  four 
eggs  are  practically 
not  distinguishable 
from  those  of  the  Semi- 
palmated  Plover,  but 


BufCy. 


larger;  siae,  1.40x1.00.  The  bird,  too,  is  similar, 
but  the  toes  are  not  palmated,  and  the  black 
breast  band  is  wider. 

[276.]     LITTLE  RINGED  PLOVER. 
JEgialitis  dubia. 

An  Old  World  species,  accidentally  occurring 
on  the  Pacific  coast.  Like  the  last  species,  but 
smaller.  The  eggs,  too,  are  smaller;  size  1.20 

x.85. 

277.     PIPING  PLOVER.     JEgialitis  meloda. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  chiefly  along 
the  Atlantic  coast,  breeding  from  the  Carolinas 
north  to  Newfoundland. 

A  handsome  little  bird,  with  a  black  crescent 

i     on  each  side  of  neck,  a  small  black  patch  on  top 

of  the  head,  and  without  any  black  on  the  lores 
or  ear  coverts.  It  is  the  lightest  colored  of  any 
of  the  eastern  Plovers.  Length,  7  inches.  Young, 
similar,  but  the  black  replaced  by  grayish,  as  is 

the  case  with  the  last  species.    This  species,  apparently,  never  could  be  classed 

as  abundant  and  of  late  years,  it  is  becoming  rather  rare  along  our  Atlantic 

coast;  this  is  probably  more  due  to  the  building  of 

summer  resorts  and  homes  along  their  former  breeding 

grounds  than  to  hunters.     They  are  rather  more  shy 

than  the  last  species,  but  will  usually  attempt  to  es- 
cape by  running  along  the  beach  or  by  hiding,  rather 

than  by  flight.    Owing  to  their  light  colors  it  is  very 

difficult  to  see  them  at  any  distance.    They  lay  their 

eggs  upon  the  sandy  beaches  in  slight,  and  generally 

unlined,  hollows.    The  eggs  have  a  pale  clay  colored 

ground  and  are  sparsely  specked  with   small  black 

dots.     Size  1.25  X  1.00.  Clay  Color, 


Ring  Plover. 
Snowy  Plover. 


166 


SHORE    BIRDS 


278.     SNOWY  PLOVER.     JEgialitis  nivosa. 

Range. — Breeds  along  the  Pacific  coast  of  the  United  States,  and  from  Texas 
to  Manitoba  in  the  interior.    Winters  on  the  California  coast  and  south  to  Chili. 

Snowy  Plovers  are  very  much  like  the  Piping,  but 
are  smaller  (length  6.5  inches),  have  a  longer  and 
more  slender  bill,  and  have  a  small  black  patch  on 
the  side  of  head.  It  is  the  palest  colored  of  the 
Plovers.  Large  numbers  of  them  nest  along  the 
Pacific  coast  and  in  Texas;  north  of  Texas,  in  the 
interior,  they  are  locally  distributed.  The  eggs  are 
pale  clay  color,  marked  with  small  scratchy  dots  of 
black.  Size  1.20  x  .90.  Data. — Newport  Beach,  Cali- 
fornia, May  1,  1897.  Nest  a  hollow  in  the  sand,  a 
short  distance  above  high  water;  lined  with  broken 
shell.  Collector,  Evan  Davis. 


Pale  buff. 


[279-]      MONGOLIAN  PLOVER.     JEgialitis  mongola. 

An  inhabitant  of  the  Old  World,  awarded  a  place  in  our  avifauna  because  of 
its  accidental  occurrence  at  Alaska. 


SPOTTED     SANDPIPER     AND     NEST. 


167 


C.   A.    Reed. 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Wilson's    Plover 
Mountain  Plover. 


280.     WILSON'S  PLOVER. 

Octhodromus  rvilsonius. 

Range. — An  abundant  breeding  species  on  the 
Gulf  coast,  coast  of  Lower  California,  and  on  the 
Atlantic  coast  north  to  Virginia,  and  casually 
farther. 

A  common  Plover,  which  may  be  distinguished 
from   others   of  the   genus   by   its    comparatively 
large  heavy  black  bill,  and  the  single  broad  black 
band      across       the 
breast,   and   not   ex- 
tending   around    the 
back    of    the    neck. 
They    nest    on    peb- 
bly  "shingle"    or   in 
the  marsh,  back  of 
the   beaches.     Their 
eggs    are    an    olive 
gray    color   and    are 
spotted  and  scratch- 
ed     with      blackish  Olive  gray 
brown,     with     some 

fainter  markings  of  gray.  Size  1.40x1.05.  Data. 
—Corpus  Christi,  Texas,  May  10,  1899.  4  eggs 
laid  on  the  ground  among  drifted  grass  on  a  salt 
marsh  near  town.  Collector,  Frank  B.  Arm- 
strong. 


281.     MOUNTAIN  PLOVER.     Podasocys  montanus 

Range. — Plains  and  prairies  of  western  North 
America,  breeding  from  the  central  portions 
north  to  Manitoba,  and  wintering  in  California 
and  southward. 

A  very  peculiar  species,  inhabiting  even  the 
driest  portions  of  the  western  prairies.  It  is  9 
inches  in  length,  and  has  a  plumage  of  a  pale 
buffy  tone.  It  seems  to  be  less  aquatic  than  any 
other  American  Plover  and  is  rarely  found  in  the 
vicinity  of  bpdies  of  water.  It  nests  on  the  ground 
anywhere  on  the  prairie,  laying  its  eggs  in  a 
slight  hollow.  The  eggs  are  brownish  gray  in 
color  and  are  spotted  and  blotched  with  blackish 
brown.  Data. — Morgan  county,  Colorado,  May  7, 
1902.  Nest  a  slight  hollow  on  the  ground,  near  a 
large  cactus  bed  and  close  to  a  water  hole.  No 
lining  to  nest.  Collector,  Glenn  S.  White. 


SURF  BIRDS  AND  TURNSTONES.    Family  APHRIZHXE 

282.      SURF  BIRD.     Aphriza  virgata. 

This  species,  which  is  found  on  the  Pacific 
coast  from  Alaska  to  Chili,  seems  to  be  the 
connecting  link  between  the  plovers  and  the 
Turnstones,  having  the  habits  of  the  latter 
combined  with  the  bill  of  the  former.  Its  nest 
and  eggs  are  not  known  to  have  been  yet  dis- 
covered. 


Creamy. 


Turnstone. 


283.      TURNSTONE.     Arenaria   interpres. 

Range. — The  distribution  of  this  species,  which  is  grayer  above  than  the  fol- 
lowing, is  supposed  to  be  confined,  in  America,  to  the  extreme  north  from 
Greenland  to  Alaska.  Its  habits  and  eggs  are  precisely  like  the  next. 


283a.      RUDDY  TURNSTONE.     Arenaria  interpres  morinella. 

Range. — Breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions,  and  migrates  through  all  parts  of  the 
United  States,  south  to  the  southern  parts  of  South  America.  This  species  has 
the  upperparts  variegated  with  reddish  brown,  black  and  white;  the  underparts 
are  pure  white,  except  for  a  black  patch  on  the  throat,  branching  upward  to  the 
eye  and  back  to  the  sides  of  the  breast.  It  has  a  peculiar,  slightly  up-turned 
bill,  which  is  used,  as  their  name  implies,  for  turning  over  pebbles  and  stones 
in  their  search  for  food.  They  nest  commonly  in  northern  Labrador,  about 
Hudson  Bay  and  in  Alaska,  laying  their  eggs  in  scantily  lined  hollows  on  the 
ground,  near  water.  The  eggs  are  very  peculiar  and  beautiful,  having  a  light 
grayish  or  cream  color  ground,  peculiarly  marbled  with  many  shades  of  brown 
and  lilac.  Size  1.65  x  1.10.  Data.— Mackenzie  River,  Arctic  America,  June  28, 
1900.  Four  eggs  in  a  grass  lined  depression  in  the  sand. 


169 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


284.     BLACK  TURNSTONE.     Arenaria  melanocephala. 


Grayish. 


Range. — Pacific  coast  of  North  America,  breed- 
ing from  British  Columbia  northward,  and  winter- 
ing south  to  Lower  California. 

This  species,  which  has  the  form  and  habits  of 
the  preceding,  is  blackish  above  and  on  the  breast; 
the  rump  and  the  base  of  the  tail  are  white,  being 
separated  from  each  other  by  the  black  tail  cov- 
erts. Their  nesting  habits  are  in  no  wise  differ- 
ent from  those  of  the  common  turnstone.  The 
eggs  are  similar,  but  the  markings  are  not  so 
strikingly  arranged.  Size  1.60  x  1.10.  Data.— 
Kutlik,  Alaska,  June  21,  1898.  Nest  simply  a  de- 
pression in  the  sand  on  the  sea  beach. 


OYSTER-CATCHERS.    Family  H^EMATOPODID^ 

[285.]      EUROPEAN  OYSTER-CATCHER.     Hcematopus  frazari. 

This  European  species  is  very  similar  to  the  American  one  which  follows, 
casually  occurs  in  Greenland. 


It 


286.     OYSTER-CATCHER. 

Haematopus  palliatus. 

Range. — Breeds  on  the  coast  of  the  South 
Atlantic  States  and  Lower  California  and  win- 
ters south  to  Patagonia.  Oyster-catchers  are 


American  Oyster-catcher. 


Buff. 

large,  heavy-bodied  birds,  with  stocky  red  legs 
and  long,  stout  red  bills.  The  present  species 
has  the  whole  upper  parts  and  entire  head  and 
neck,  blackish  ;  underparts  and  ends  of  secondaries,  white;  length,  19  inches.  They 
are  abundant  breeding  birds  on  the  sandy  beaches  of  the  South  Atlantic  States, 
and  casually  wander  north  to  Nova  Scotia.  They  lay  their  two  or  three  eggs 
on  the  ground  in  slight  hollows  scooped  out  of  the  sand.  The  eggs  are  of  a 
buffy  or  brownish  buff  color,  and  are  irregularly  spotted  with  blackish  brown, 
with  subdued  markings  of  lavender.  Size  2.20x1.50.  Data.  —  Sandy  Point,  S. 
C.,  May  12,  1902.  Three  eggs  on  the  sand  just  above  high  water  mark;  nest  a 
mere  depression  on  a  small  "sand  dune"  lined  with  pieces  of  shells, 


170 


SHORE    BIRDS 

286.1.     FRAZAR'S  OYSTER-CATCHER.     Hcematopus  bachmani. 

Range. — Lower  California. 

This  species  is  darker  on  the  back  than  the  preceding, 
and  the  breast  is  mottled  with  dusky.  Bill  very  long, 
heavy,  compressed,  and  thin  and  chisel-like  at  the  tip. 


Brownish  buff. 

Bill  and  eyes  red;  legs  flesh  color;  under  parts  white,  and 
a  white  wing  bar.  These  are  large,  awkward  looking  birds. 
It  is  not  an  uncommon  wader  in  its  somewhat  restricted 
range.  Its  nesting  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
preceding  one,  but  the  markings  are  generally  more  sharply 
defined.  The  one  figured  is  from  a  set  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  C.  W.  Crandall. 


287-286.1 


287-      BLACK  OYSTER-CATCHER.      Haematopus  bachmani. 

Range. — Pacific    coast    of    North 

America     from     Lower     California  ,  ^MM 

north  to  Alaska. 

This  species  is  the  same  size  as  -W^F<t     ^ 

the  Oyster-catcher,  but  the  plumage 
is  entirely  black  both  above  and  be- 
low. They  are  found  upon  the 
rocky  coasts  and  islands,  more  fre- 
quently than  upon  sandy  beaches. 
Their  eggs  are  laid  upon  bare  rocks 
or  pebbles  with  no  attempt  at  lin- 
ing for  the  nest.  The  eggs  are  an 
olive  buff  in  color,  spotted  and 
blotched  with  brownish  black. 
Size  2.20  x  1.55.  Breeding  through- 
out the  Aleutian  Islands,  British 
Columbia  and  south  to  Lower  California. 


to'l*: 


*'/ 


Olive  buff. 
Three  or  four  eggs  are  laid. 


171 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


JACANAS.    Family  JACANHXE 

288.     MEXICAN  JACANA.     Jacana  spinosa. 


Range. — Tropical  America,  north  in  summer 
to  the  lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas,  and 
casually  to  Florida. 


Mexican  Jacana. 


Yellowish  olive. 

a^     j^r 

r^P^i^,^  This    interesting    species    has    most    of    its 

structural  characters  similar  to  the  Plovers, 
but  has  more  the  appearance  and  habits  of  the 
Rails.  They  are  about  eight  inches  long,  the 
head  and  neck  are  black,  the  body  chestnut, 
and  the  wings  largely  greenish  yellow.  They 
have  long  legs,  long  toes  and  extremely  long  toe  nails,  a  scaly  leaf  on  the  fore- 
head, and  a  sharp  spur  on  the  shoulder  of  the  wing.  Owing  to  their  long  toes 
and  nails,  they  are  enabled  to  walk  over  floating  weeds  and  rubbish  that  would 
sink  beneath  their  weight,  otherwise.  They  build  their  nests  on  these  little 
floating  islands  in  the  marsh;  they  are  also  sometimes  made  of  weeds  and 
trash  on  floating  lily  pads.  They  lay  from  three  to  five  eggs  of  a  yellowish 
olive  color,  curiously  scrawled  with  brown  and  black.  Size  1.22  x  .95.  Data. — 
Tampico,  Mexico,  June  3,  1900.  Three  eggs.  Nest  of  weeds  and  drift  on  lily 
leaf  floating  in  fresh  water  pond  near  town. 


F 


^ 


172 


NEST  AND  EGGS  OF  BOB-WHITE 


C.   A.    Reed. 


w  s 

o    § 

ffl  fc 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS 

GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS.    Order  X.    GALLING 
GROUSE,  PARTRIDGES,  ETC.    Family  TETRAONIDAE 

The  members  of  this  family  are  birds  of  robust  form,  subdued  (not  brightly 
colored)  plumage,  comparatively  short  legs  and  necks;  the  tarsi  and  toes  are 
feathered  in  the  Ptarmigan,  the  tarsi,  only,  feathered  in  the  Grouse,  and  the 
tarsi  and  toes  bare  in  the  Partridges  and  Bob-whites.  They  feed  upon  berries, 
buds,  grain  and  insects. 


289.     BOB-WHITE. 

Colinus  virginianus  virginianus. 

Range. — United  States  east  ot  North  Dakota  and 
Texas  and  from  the  southern  British  Provinces  to 
the  Gulf  coast. 

A  celebrated  "game  bird"  which  has  been  hunt- 
ed so  assiduously  in  New  England  that  it  is  upon 
the  verge  of  extermination,  and  the  covers  have 
to  be  continually  replenished  with  birds  trapped 
in  the  south  and  west.     They  frequent  open  fields, 
which  have  a  luxuriant 
growth     of     weeds,     or 
grain  fields  in  the  fall. 
Their    nests    are    built 
along  the  roadsides,  or 
beside     stonewalls     or 
any  place  affording  sat- 
isfactory   shelter.     The 
nest  is   made    of  dried 
grasses    and   is    arched 
over     with     grass     or 
as   to   conceal   the    eggs, 
eggs, 
when 


White. 

overhanging    leaves 

They   lay   from  ten  to  twenty   pure    white 

which    are    very    frequently    nest    stained 


so 


found.  Size  1.20  x  .95.  Often  two  or  three  broods 
are  raised  in  a  season,  but  frequently  one  or  more 
broods  are  destroyed  by  rainy  weather. 

289a.     FLORIDA  BOB-WHITE. 
Colinus  virginianus  floridanus. 

Range. — This  sub-species,  which  is  found  in  the 
southern  half  of  Florida,  is  very  much  darker 
than  the  northern  Bob-white,  and  is  numerously 
barred  below  with  black.  Its  nesting  habits  and 
eggs  are  identical  with  those  of  the  preceding. 

289b.      TEXAS  BOB- WHITE.      Colinus  virginianus  texanus. 

Range. — Texas ;  casually  north  to  Kansas.  A  grayer  variety  of  the  Bob-white, 
The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  Bob-white,  except  that 
the  eggs  may  average  a  trifle  smaller.  Size  1.18  x  .92. 

291.      MASKED  BOB-WHITE.      Colinus  ridgwayi. 

Range. — Sonoran  region  of  Mexico  north  to  southern  Arizona. 

The  female  of  this  species  is  like  that  of  the  Texan  Bob-white.  Their  nesting 
habits  and  eggs  are  in  all  respects  like  those  of  the  other  Bob-whites.  Size  of 
eggs,  1.20  x. 95. 

175 


Bobwhite. 
Florida  Bobwhite. 
Masked  Bobwhite. 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


292.     MOUNTAIN  QUAIL.     Oreortyx  picta  picta. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  of  North  America  from 
California  to  Washington. 

This  is  the  largest  of  the  Partridges,  being  11 
inches  in  length.  It  is  of  a  general  grayish  color, 
with  chestnut  throat  patch,  and  chestnut  flanks, 
barred  with  white. 
Two  long  plumes  ex- 
tend downward  from 
the  back  of  the  head. 
This  species  nests 
abundantly  in  the 
mountainous  portions 
of  northern  California 
and  throughout  Oregon, 
and  is  gradually  in- 
creasing in  numbers  in 
Washington.  As  a  rule 
they  nest  only  on  the 
higher  mountain  ranges,  placing  their  nest  of 
leaves  under  the  protection  of  an  overhanging 
bush  or  tuft  of  grass.  Their  eggs  number  from 
six  to  fifteen,  and  are  of  a  pale  reddish  buff  color. 
Size  1.35  x  1.05. 


Reddish  buff. 


PLUMED  QUAIL. 
fera. 


Oreortyx  picta  plumi- 


Mountain    Partridge 
Scaled  Partridge. 


Range. — Mountain  ranges  of  California  and 
Lower  California,  chiefly  in  the  southern  parts  of 
the  former.  This  species  is  like  the  latter  except 
that  it  is  grayer  on  the  back  of  the  head  and 
neck.  Its  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  like  the 
preceding. 

292b.     SAN  PEDRO  QUAIL. 

Oreortyx  picta  confinis. 

Range. — San  Pedro  Mountains,  Lower  California 
This  .species,  which  is  grayer  above  than  the  preceding  two,  breeds  only  in 
the  highest  peaks  of  its  range.     Otherwise  its  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  the 
same  as  the  other  Plumed  Partridges. 

293.      SCALED  QUAIL.      Callipepla  squamata  squamata. 

Range. — Mexico  and  southwestern  border  of  the  United  States. 

This  blue  gray  species  is  10  inches  in  length;  the 
feathers  on  the  neck  and  underparts  have  narrow 
dark  borders,  thus  giving  the  plumage  a  scaly  ap- 
pearance, from  which  the  birds  take  their  name. 
They  have  a  small  tuft  of  whitish  or  buffy  feathers 
on  the  top  of  the  head.  It  is  especially  abundant  in 
the  dry  arid  portions  of  its  range,  being  found  often  <fr£ 
many  miles  away  from  water.  Their  eggs  are  laid 
in  a  shallow  hollow  under  some  small  bush  or  cactus, 
and  number  from  eight  to  sixteen;  they  are  creamy 
white,  finely  specked  with  buff  or  pale,  brownish. 
Size  1.25  X  .95.  Creamy  white. 

176 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS 


293a.     CHESTNUT-BELLIED  SCALED  QUAIL.     Cal- 
lipepla  squamata  castanogastris. 

Range. — Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas  and 
and  southward  into  Mexico. 

This  sub-species  is  like  the  last  with  the  addi- 
tion of  a  chestnut  patch  on  the  belly.  Their 
breeding  habits  do  not  vary  in  any  particular  way 
from  those  of  the  Scaled  Partridge. 

294-     CALIFORNIA  QUAIL.     Lophortyx  calif  or- 
nica  calif  ornica. 


Range. — Coast    region    of    California,     Oregon, 
Washington  and  British  Columbia. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the  Part- 
ridges, with  its  crest  of  feathers  rising  from  the 
crown  and  curving  forwards  so  that  the  broaden- 
ed ends  hang  directly 
over  the  bill.  It  is 
about  the  size  of  the  pre- 
ceding species,  and  is  dis- 
tinguished from  the  fol- 
lowing one  by  its  white 
forehead,  chestnut  patch 
on  the  belly  and  the  scaly 
appearance  of  the  feathers 
in  that  region,  by  its  dark 
crown  and  the  gray  flanks 
They  lay  from  eight  to 
twenty  eggs  with  a  creamy  white  or  buffy  ground 
color,  handsomely  blotched  with  shades  of  brown 
and  yellowish  brown.  Size  1.20  x  .93 


Creamy  white 
with    white    streaks. 


California   Partridge 

Gambel's  Partridge 


294a.      VALLEY  PARTRIDGE.      Lophortyx    calif  ornica  vallicola. 

Range. — Interior  portions  of  California,  Oregon  and  Washington. 
The  nesting  habits  of  this  grayer  sub-species  do  not  differ  in  any  manner 
from  those  of  the  above  species.     The  eggs  are  indistinguishable. 

t 

295.     GAMBEL  QUAIL.     Lophortyx  gambeli. 

Range.— Southwestern  United  States  from  Texas  to  California;  north  to  Utah. 

This  handsome  species  differs  from  the  California 
in  the  Chestnut  crown  and  flanks,  and  the  black 
patch  on  the  belly.  They  are  very  abundant  in  Ari- 
zona, both  on  the  mountains  and  in  the  valleys,  and 
apparently  without  any  regard  to  the  nearness  to,  or 
remoteness  from  a  water  supply.  They  breed  during 
May,  laying  their  eggs  on  the  ground  under  any 
suitable  cover.  The  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished 
from  those  of  the  California  Partridge,  except  that 
they  average  a  trifle  larger.  Size  1.25  x.95.  Buff 

177 


12 


THE   BIRD   BOOK' 


Mearns    Partridge 


296.     MEARNS  QUAIL. 

Cyrtonyx  montezumce  mearnsi. 

Range. — Mexico,  north  to  southern  Arizona 
and  New  Mexico,  and  to  western  Texas. 

A  remarkable  species  about  9  inches  long; 
often  called  'Tool  Quail"  because  of  its  eccen- 
tric and  clownish  markings,  streaks  and  spots 
of  black,  white,  buff,  gray  and  chestnut.  It  is 
met  with  in  small  flocks  on  the  mountains  and 
less  frequently  in  the  valleys.  It  frequents 
scrubby  wooded  places  rather  than  open  hill 
sides  and  is  very  easy  to  approach  and  kill; 
this  confidence  or  stupidity  together  with  its 
clownish  appearance  are  the  reasons  for  its 
commonly  used  local  name.  Their  nests  are 
hollows  in  the  ground,  lined  with  grasses  and 
concealed  by  overhanging  tufts  of  grass.  The 
eggs,  which  are  pure  white,  are  not  distinguish- 
able with  certainty  from  those  of  the  Bob- 
white,  but  average  longer.  Size  1.25  x  .95. 


297.     DUSKY  GROUSE.     Dendragapus  obscurus  obscurus. 


<  —  Rocky  Mountain  region  from  central  Montana  south  to  New  Mexico. 
With  the  exception  of  the  Sage  Grouse,  this  species  is  the  largest  of  the  fam- 
ily, being  about  20  inches  in  length.  The  general  tone  of  its  plumage  below  is 
gray;  above,  blackish  gray  and  the  tail  blackish  with  a  broad  terminal  band  of 
light  gray.  They  frequent  the  wooded  and  especially  the  coniferous  districts, 
where  they  build  their  nests  under  fallen  trees  or  at  the  bases  of  standing  ones. 
They  lay  from  six  to  ten  eggs  of  a  buffy  color,  sparsely  spotted  and  blotched 
with  brownish.  Size  2.00x1.40. 

297a.      SOOTY  GROUSE.     Dendragapus  obscurus  fuliginosus. 

Range.  —  Mountain  ranges  along  the  f,< 

Pacific  coast  from  California  to  Brit- 
ish Columbia. 

Like  the  last,  this  somewhat  darker 
sub-species  is  met  with  in  timbered 
regions,  where  its  habits  are  about  the 
same  as  those  of  the  Ruffled  Grouse, 
except,  of  course,  that  they  are  not 
nearly  as  shy  as  the  Grouse  in  New 
England.  Their  eggs  are  laid  in  hol- 
lows beside  stumps  or  under  logs. 
The  eggs  are  buff  colored,  spotted  with 
reddish  brown.  Size  2.00  x  1.40.  Rich 


178 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS 


297b.     RICHARDSON'S  GROUSE. 

Dendragapus  obscurus  richardsoni. 

Range. — Northern  Rocky  Mountains  from  cen- 
tral Montana  to  British  Columbia. 

A  dark  variety  with  no  terminal  band  of  gray 
on  the  tail.  Its  habits,  nesting  and  eggs  are  pre- 
cisely like  those  of  the  preceding  species. 


298.     HUDSONIAN  SPRUCE  PARTRIDGE. 

Canachites  canadensis  canadensis. 

Range. — Northern  United  States  and  southern 
British  Provinces;  west  to  Minnesota. 

A  dark  species,  smaller  than  the  last  (15  inches 
long),  and  easily  recognized  by  its  black  throat 
and  extensive  black  patch  on  the  breast.  The 

habits  of  this  spe- 
cies and  the  two  va- 
rieties into  which  it 
has  been  sub-divided 

are  ^e  same>  as  a 

species,  they  are 
very  tame,  will  not 
fly  unless  actually 
obliged  to,  and  fre- 
quently allow  them- 
selves to  be  knocked 
down  with  sticks. 
Their  nests  are  hol- 
lows in  the  leaves  on  the  ground,  generally  under 
the  sheltering  branches  of  a  low  spreading  fir 
tree.  The  six  to  fifteen  eggs  are  a  bright  buff 
color,  blotched  and  spotted  boldly  with  various 
shades  of  brown.  Size  1.70  x  1.25. 


Bright  buff 


Sooty  Grouse 


Spruce  Grouse 


298b.      ALASKA  SPRUCE  PARTRIDGE.      Canachites  canadensis  osgoodi. 

Range. — Alaska. 

This  variety  is  practically  the  same  as  the  preceding,  the  birds  not  al- 
ways being  distinguishable;  the  nest  and  eggs  are  the  same  as  the  Can- 
ada Grouse. 


298c.      CANADA  SPRUCE  PARTRIDGE.      Canachites  canadensis  canace. 

Range. — Labrador    and    the    Hudson    Bay    region. 

Like  the  last,  this  variety  is  hardly  to  be  distinguished  from  the  Hudsonian. 
Its   nesting   habits   and    eggs   are   the    same. 


179 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


299-     FRANKLIN'S  GROUSE. 

Canachites  franklin  franklini. 

Range. — Northwestern   United   States  and  Brit- 
ish  Columbia. 

This  species  is  very  similar  to  the  Canada 
Grouse,  the  most  apparent  difference  being  the 
absence  of  the  brownish  gray  tip  to  the  tail,  and 
the  upper  coverts  are  broadly  tipped  with  white. 
This  species, 
which  is  very 
abundant  in  the 
northwest,  has 
the  same  stupid 
habits  of  the  east- 
ern bird.  During 
the  mating  seas- 
on, the  males  of 
both  this  and  the 
preceding  species 
have  the  same 


habit  .  of  "drum- 
ming" that  the 
Ruffed  Grouse  has. 


Brownish  buff 


Ruffed  Grouse 


Their  nests  are  placed  on 
the  ground  under  bushes  or  fir  trees  and  from 
eight  to  fifteen  eggs  are  laid.  These  are  brown- 
ish buff  in  color,  spotted  and  blotched  with  rich 
brown.  They  are  very  similar  to  the  eggs  of  the 
Canada  Grouse.  Data. — Moberly  Peak,  Cascade 
Mts.,  British  Columbia,  June  9,  1902.  7  eggs  in  a 
slight  hollow  on  the  ground.  Collector,  G.  P. 
Dippie. 

300.      RUFFED  GROUSE.     Bonasa  umbellus  um- 
bellus. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States  from  Minnesota 
to  New  England;   south  to  Virginia. 


The  Ruffed  Grouse  is  "King  of  the  Game  Birds" 
in  the  east,  where  it  has  been  hunted  so  freely, 
that  it  has  become  very  wary  and  requires  a  skill- 
ful marksman  to  bring  it  down.  Because  of  the 
cutting  off  of  all  heavy  timber,  and  the  vigor  with 
which  they  are  pursued  by  hunters,  they  are  be- 
coming very  scarce  in  New  England,  and  within 
a  few  years  they  will  probably  be  practically  ex- 
tinct in  that  section.  Their  favorite  resorts  are 
heavily  timbered  woods  or  low  growth  birches. 
Their  nests  are  hollows  in  the  leaves  under  fallen 
trees,  beside  some  stump  or  concealed  among  the 
small  shoots  at  the  base  of  a  large  tree.  The  bird 
sits  very  close,  but  when  she  does  fly,  goes  with  the  familiar  rumble  and  roar 
which  always  disconcerts  the  novice,  the  wind  created  by  her  sudden  flight 
generally  causing  the  leaves  to  settle  in  the  nest  and  conceal  the  eggs.  They 
lay  from  eight  to  fifteen  eggs,  of  a  brownish  buff  color,  sometimes  with  a  few 
faint  markings  of  brown,  but  generally  unspotted.  Size  1.55  x  1.15.  The  young 
of  all  the  Partridges  and  Grouse  are  born  covered  with  down  and  follow  their 
parents  soon  after  leaving  the  shell.  The  adults  are  very  skillful  in  leading 
enemies  away  from  their  young,  feigning  lameness,  broken  wings,  etc.  The 
nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  the  three  sub-species  are  precisely  the  same  in  every 
respect  as  those  of  this  bird. 

180 


Brownish  buff 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


299 — 300a 


300a.     CANADA  RUFFED  GROUSE. 
Bonasa  umbellus  togata. 

Range. — Northern  t  United  States  and  southern  British 
Provinces  from  Maine  and  Nova  Scotia  west  to  Washing- 
ton and  British  Columbia. 

SOOb.     GRAY  RUFFED  GROUSE.     Bonasa  umbellus  um- 
belloides. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountain  region  from  Colorado  to 
Alaska. 

A  grayer  species  than  the  common. 

300c.     OREGON  RUFFED  GROUSE.     Bonasa  umbellus 
sabini. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  California  to  British  Co- 
lumbia. 

A  dark  species  with  the  prevailing  color  a  reddish  tone. 


J.   B.   Pardoe 


NEST  AND  EGGS  OF  RUFFED  GKOUSE, 
182 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS 


301.     WILLOW  PTARMIGAN. 

Lagopus  lagopus  lagopus. 

Range. — Arctic  regions,  in  America  south  nearly 
to  the  United  States  border,  and  casually  to 
Maine. 

Ptarmigan  are  Grouse-like  birds,  feathered  to 
the  toe  nails;  they  have  many  changes  of  plum- 
age, in  winter  being  nearly  pure  white,  and  in 
summer  largely  reddish  brown  or  grayish,  bar- 
red with  black. 
In  the  breeding 
plumage  they 
have  red  comb- 
like  wattles  over 
the  eye.  In  other 
seasons,  their 
plumage  varies  in 
all  degrees  be- 
tween winter  and 
summer.  They 
nest  on  the 


Brownish  buff 


ground  in  hollows 

among  the  leaves, 

lined  with  a  few  grasses,  and  sometimes  feathers. 

They  lay  from  six  to  sixteen  eggs  which  have  a 

ground    color    of    buff    or    brownish    buff,    heavily 

speckled,    blotched    and    marbled    with     blackish 

brown.     Size  1.75  x  1.25. 


301  a.     ALLEN'S  PTARMIGAN. 

I^agopus  lagopus  alleni. 

Range. — Newfoundland.     A  very  similar  bird  to 
the  preceding;  eggs  indistinguishable. 


Willow   Ptarmigan 

Rock   Ptarmigan 


302.      ROCK  PTARMIGAN.      Lagopus  rupestris  rupestris. 


Buff 


Range. — Chiefly  in  the  interior  of  British 
America,  from  the  southern  portions  to  Alaska 
end  the  Arctic  Ocean. 

A  species  with  a  smaller  bill  and  in  summer 
a  grayer  plumage,  more  finely  barred  with 
black.  Its  nesting  habits  are  the  same  as  the 
other  species,  it  nesting  on  the  ground  in  such 
localities  as  would  be  frequented  by  the  Ruffed 
Grouse.  Its  eggs  cannot  be  positively  distin- 
guished from  those  of  the  Willow  Ptarmigan. 
Size  1.70x1.20. 


183 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

302a.      REINHARDT'S  PTARMIGAN.     Lagopus  rupestris  reinhardi. 

Range. — Labrador  and  Greenland;  an  eastern  variety  of  the  preceding  species. 
Its  habits,  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  just  the  same  as  those  of  Rock  Ptarmigan. 

302b.      NELSON'S  PTARMIGAN.     Lagopus  rupestris  nelsoni. 

Range. — Unalaska,  of  the  Aleutian  chain.  An  abundant  species  in  its 
restricted  range,  making  its  nest  on  the  ground  in  the  valleys.  Eggs  like  the 
others. 

302c.     TURNER'S  PTARMIGAN.     Lagopus  rupestris  atkhensis. 

Range. — Atka  Island,  of  the  Aleutian  chain.     Nests  and  eggs  not  distinctive. 

302d.     TOWNSEND'S  PTARMIGAN.     Lagopus  rupestris  torvnsendi. 

Range. — Kyska  Island  of  the  Aleutian  group. 

On  account  of  the  constantly  changing  plumage  of  these  birds,  while  interest- 
ing, they  are  very  unsatisfactory  to  study,  and  it  is  doubtful  if  anyone  can  iden- 
tify the  different  sub-species  of  the  Rock  Ptarmigan,  granting  that  there  is  any 
difference,  which  is  doubtful. 

302.1.     EVERMANN'S  PTARMIGAN.     Lagopus  evermanni. 

Range. — Attu  Island,  of  the  Aleutian  group. 

This  is,  in  summer,  the  darkest  of  the  Ptarmigans,  having  little  or  no  rufous 
and  much  blackish.  The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
Rock  Ptarmigan. 


303.     WELCH'S  PTARMIGAN.     Lagopus  rvelchi. 

Range. — Newfoundland. 

This  species,  in  summer,  is  more  grayish 
than  the  Rock  Ptarmigan,  and  is  very  finely 
vermiculated  with  blackish.  It  is  a  perfectly 
distinct  species  from  the  Allen  Ptarmigan, 
which  is  the  only  other  species  found  on  the 
island.  They  inhabit  the  higher  ranges  and 
hills  in  the  interior  of  the  island,  where  they 
are  quite  abundant.  They  build  their  nests  on 
the  ground  under  protection  of  overhanging 
bushes.  The  eggs  are  laid  in  a  hollow  in  the 
dead  leaves,  sometimes  with  a  lining  of  grasses. 
The  eggs  do  not  differ  in  size  or  appearance 
from  those  of  the  Rock  Ptarmigan.  Data. — Newfoundland,  June  3,  1901.  Nest 
a  slight  hollow  in  the  moss,  besides  a  fallen  stump;  lined  with  a  few  feathers. 
Collector,  E.  H.  Montgomery. 

X84 


Buff" 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS 


304.  WHITE-TAILED  PTARMIGAN.     Lagopus  leucurus  leucurus. 

Range. — Higher  ranges  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  from  New  Mexico  north  to 
Alaska. 

Ptarmigan  are  remarkable  birds  in  that  they  are  in  an  almost  continual  state 
of  molting,  nearly  every  month  in  the  year  showing  them  in  different  stages  of 
plumage,  ranging  from  the  snow-white  winter  dress  to  the  summer  one  in  which 
reddish-brown  prevails  on  Willow  Ptarmigan  and  a  black  and  gray  barred  effect 
predominates  on  the  other  species.  Notice  that  they  are  feathered  to  the  toes, 
in  winter  the  feathers  on  the  toes  growing  dense  and  hair-like,  not  only  prqtect- 
ing  the  toes  from  the  cold  but  making  excellent  snowshoes  which  enable  them 
to  walk  with  impunity  over  the  lightest  snow. 

Ptarmigan  form  the  staple  article  of  diet  for  northern  foxes,  and  were  it  not 
for  the  fact  that  their  plumage  changes  to  correspond  to  the  appearance  of  the 
ground  at  the  various  seasons  they  would  fare  hardly  indeed. 

In  spring  the  little  red  combs  above  the  eyes  of  the  males  are  swollen  and 
conspicuous.  At  this  season  they  strut  and  perform  curious  antics,  such  as  all 
Grouse  are  noted  for. 

This  species  differs  from  any  of  the  preceding  in  having  at  all  seasons  of  the 
year,  a  white  tail;  it  is  also  somewhat  smaller  than  the  Rock  Ptarmigan.  They 
nest  abundantantly  near  the  summits  of  the  ranges  in  Colorado,  making  their 
nests  among  the  rocks,  and  generally  lining  them  with  a  few  grasses.  During 
June,  they  lay  from  six  to  twelve  eggs  having  a  creamy  background,  speckled 
and  blotched  with  chestnut  brown.  Size  1.70  x  1.15. 

304a.     KENAI   WHITE-TAILED  PTARMIGAN.     Lagopus  leucurus  peninsularis. 

Range. — Kena'i  Peninsular,  Alaska.  A  similar  but  paler  (in  summer)  variety 
of  the  preceding.  The  nesting  habits  or  eggs  will  not  differ. 

305.  PRAIRIE  CHICKEN.     Tympanuchus  americanus  americanus. 

Range. — The  prairies,  chiefly  west  of  the  Mississippi;  north  to  Manitoba,  east 
to  Ohio,  and  west  to  Colorado. 

This  familiar  game  bird  of  the  west  is  about  18  inches  in  length,  brownish 
above  and  grayish  below,  with  bars  of  brownish  black  both  above  and  below. 
In  the  place  of  the  ruffs  of  the  Ruffled  Grouse,  are  long  tufts  of  rounded  or 
square  ended  feathers,  and  beneath  these  a  peculiar  sac,  bright  orange  in  the 


Olive    buff 
185 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


Prairie  Chicken 

Heath  Hen 


breeding  season,  and  capable  of  being  inflated  to 
the  size  of  a  small  orange;  this  is  done  when  the 
bird  makes  its  familiar  "booming"  noise.  They 
are  very  good  "table  birds"  and  although  they  are 
still  very  abundant  in  most  of  their  'range,  so 
many  are  being  killed  for  market,  that  it  has 
become  necessary  to  make  more  stringent  laws 
relating  to  the  killing  and  sale  of  Pinnated 
Grouse,  as  they  are  often  called.  They  nest  any- 
where on  the  prairie,  in  hollows  on  the  ground 
under  overhanging  bushes  or  tufts  of  grass.  They 
lay  from  eight  to  fifteen  eggs  having  a  buffy  or 
olive  buff  ground  color,  sparingly  and  finely 
sprinkled  with  brown ;  size  1.70  x  1.25. 


305a.     ATTWATER  PRAIRIE  CHICKEN.    Tympanu* 

chus  americanus  attwateri. 
* 

Range. — Coast  region  of  Louisiana  and  Texas. 
This  is  a  slightly  smaller  and  darker  variety  of 
the  Pinnated  Grouse.     Its  eggs  cannot  be  distin- 
guished   from   those   of   the    more    northerly   dis- 
tributed bird. 


306.     HEATH  HEN.      Tympanuchus  cupido. 

Range. — Island  of  Martha's  Vineyard,  Mass. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  preceding,  but  has  the  scapulars  more  broadly 
tipped  with  buff,  the  axillars  barred,  and  the  pinnated  feathers  on  the  neck 
pointed.  It  is  slightly  smaller  than  the  western  species.  It  is  found  on  the 
wooded  portions  of  the  island,  where  its  breeding  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of 
the  Ruffed  Grouse.  Mr.  Brewster  probably  has  the  only  authentic  set  of  the 
eggs  of  this  species.  They  are  of  a  yellowish  green  color  and  are  unspotted. 
Size  1.70  x  1.25.  A  number  of  Prairie  Hens  liberated  on  the  island  several 
years  ago  are  apparently  thriving  well,  and  nests  found  there  now  would  be 
fully  as  apt  to  belong  to  this  species. 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS 


Pale  buff 


307.     LESSER  PRAIRIE  CHICKEN. 

Tympanuchus  pallidicinctus. 

Range. — Prairies  from  southwestern  Kansas 
through  Indian  Territory  to  western  Texas. 

A  smaller  and  paler  species  than  the  Prairie 
Chicken.  Never  as  abundant  as  the  common  Pin- 
nated Grouse,  this  species  appears  to  be  becoming 
scarcer  each  year.  Its  nests  are  concealed  under 
overhanging  brush  or  placed  under  a  large  tuft  oi! 
prairie  grass,  and  are  generally  lined  with  a  few 
grasses  or  leaves.  They  lay  from  eight  to  twelve 
eggs  of  a  buffy  color,  much  lighter  than  those  of 
the  Prairie  Chicken,  and  unmarked.  Size  1.65  x 
1.25. 


308.     SHARP-TAILED  GROUSE. 

Pedioecetes  phasianellus  phasianellus. 

Range. — Interior  of  British  America,  from 
the  United  States  boundary  northwest  to  the 
Yukon. 

Sharp-tailed    Grouse   are   similar  in   form  to 


Prairie    Sharp-tailed    Grouse 


Buffy   drab 

the  Prairie  Chicken,  but  are  somewhat  smaller 

and  very  much   lighter   in   color,   being   nearly 

white  below,  with  arrowhead  markings  on  the 

breast  and  flanks.     This  species  is  very  abundant  in  Manitoba  and  especially  so 

on  the  plains  west  of  Hudson  Bay.     Their  nests  are  generally  concealed  under 

a  thicket  or  a  large  tuft  of  grass,   and  are  lined  with  grasses  and  feathers. 

They  lay  from  <Sx  to  fi fteen  eggs  of  a  drab  color,  very  minutely  specked  all  over 

with  brown.     Size  1.70  x  1.25. 

308a.      COLUMBIAN    SHARP-TAILED    GROUSE.     Pedioecetes    phasianellus    col- 

umbianus. 

Range. — Northwestern  United  States  and  British  Columbia  to  central  Alaska. 
Both  the  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  this  variety  are  the  same  as  the  last,  with 
which  species,  the  birds  gradually  intergrade  as  their  ranges  approach. 
308b.      PRAIRIE    SHARP-TAILED    GROUSE.     Pedioecetes    phasianellus   campes- 

tris. 

Range. — Plains  of  the  United  States  from  the  Mississippi  to  the  Rockies. 
This  sub-species  shades  directly  into  the  two  preceding  where  their  ranges  meet, 
and  only  birds  from  the  extreme  parts  of  the  range  of  each  show  any  marked 
differences.  The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  all  three  are  not  to  be  distin- 
guished. 

187 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


309*.     SAGE  HEN. 

Centrocercus  urophasianus. 

Range. — Sage  plains  of  the  Rocky  Mountain 
region  from  British  Columbia  to  New  Mexico, 
and  from  California  to  Dakota.  This  hand- 


Pale  greenish  drab 

some    bird    is    the    largest    of    the    American 

Sage    Hen  Grouse,  being  about  30  inches   long   (the  hen 

bird  is  about  six  inches  shorter).  It  may  easi- 
ly be  recognized  by  its  large  size,  its  peculiar  graduated  tail  with  extremely 
sharp  pointed  feathers,  and  the  black  belly  and  throat.  Their  nests  are  hollows 
scratched  out  in  the  sand,  under  the  sage  bushes,  generally  with  no  lining. 
The  nesting  season  is  during  April  and  May,  they  laying  from  six  to  twelve 
eggs  of  a  greenish  drab  color,  spotted  with  brown.  Size  2.15  x  1.50. 


PHEASANTS.    Family  PHASIANID^E 

*  *  *  RING-NECKED  PHEASANT.     Phasianus  torquatus. 

Several  species  of  Pheasants  have  been  introduced  into  the  United  States, 
among  them  being  the  Ring-necked,  English,  and 
Green  Pheasants.  The  Ring-necked  species  seems 
to  be  the  only  one  that  has  obtained  a  really  strong 
foothold,  it  being  now  very  abundant  in  Oregon 
and  Washington,  and  adjacent  states,  and  also 
found  in  abundance  on  many  game  preserves  in 
the  east.  The  males  of  any  of  the  species  may  at 
once  be  distinguished  from  any  of  our  birds  by 
the  long  tail.  Their  nests  are  hollows  in  the 
leaves  under  tufts  of  grass  or  bushes.  They  lay 
from  eight  to  fourteen  eggs  of  a  buff  or  greenish 
buff  color,  unmarked ;  size  1.50  x  1.30. 

188 


Greenish  buff 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


TURKEYS.    Family  MELEAGRID^E 


310.     WILD  TURKEY. 

Meleagris  gallopavo  silvestris. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States  from  southern 
Middle  States  south  to  central  Florida  and  west 
to  the  Missippi  Valley  and  eastern  Texas.  These 
magnificent  birds,  which  once  ranged  over  the 
whole  of  eastern  United  States,  are  being  yearly 
confined  to  a  smaller  range,  chiefly  because  of  the 
destruction  of  their  natural  covers,  and  from  per- 


Buffi 

secution  by  hunters.  They  are  generally  very 
wary  birds  and  either  escape  by  running  through 
the  underbrush  or  by  flying  as  soon  as  a  human 
being  appears  in  sight.  Their  nests  are  made 
under  tangled  growths  of  underbrush  or  briers. 
Their  eggs,  which  are  laid  during  April  and  May, 
range  from  eight  to  sixteen  in  number.  They  are 
Sag-e  Hen  of  a  buff  color  sprinkled  and  spotted  with  brown- 

Wild  Turkey  .gh  gize  2  55  x  1  9Q  Data.— Hammond,  La.,  April 
17,  1897.  Fifteen  eggs.  Nest  hollow  scraped  in  the  ground  under  a  bush  on 
the  edge  of  a  pine  woods;  lined  with  grasses  and  leaves.  Collector,  E.  A.  Mc- 
Ilhenny.  • 

•  ••    '• 

•'  »-'  ..     .  -  •         !, 

310a.     MERRIAM'S  TURKEY.     Meleagris  gallopavo  merriami. 

Range.— Southwestern  United .  Slates,  .from.  Colorado  ^outh.  .timrngh.  western 
Texas,  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  to  Mexico. 

This  variety  is  abundant  throughout  its  range,  its  nesting  habits  and  eggs 
being  practically  indistiguishable  from  those  of  the  eastern  form. 

190 


GALLINACEOUS  BIRDS 

31  Ob.     FLORIDA  TURKEY.     Meleagris  gallopavo  osceola. 

Range. — Southern  Florida. 

A  small  variety  of  the  Wild  Tur- 
key, about  42  inches  long.  They 
breed  in  the  tangled  thickets  in  the 
higher  portions  of  the  southern 
half  of  Florida,  laying  from  ten  to 
sixteen  eggs  of  a  brighter  and 
deeper  buff  color  than  the  northern 
variety,  and  smaller;  size  2.30  x 
1.75.  Their  nests  are  generally  lin- 
ed with  grasses  and  occasionally 
with  feathers.  The  female  sits 
very  close  when  incubating  and  will 
not  fly  until  almost  trod  upon, 
trusting  to  her  variegated  mark- 
ings to  conceal  her  from  observa- 
tion. Greenish  buff 

310c.     Rio  GRANDE  TURKEY.     Meleagris  gallopavo  intermedia. 

Range. — Lowlands  of  the  southern  parts  of  Texas  and  northern  Mexico.  A 
sub-species  which  differs  slightly  in  plumage  and  not  at  all  in  nesting  habits  or 
eggs  from  the  common  Wild  Turkey. 

CURASSOWS  AND  GUANS.    Family  CRACID^E 

311.     CHACHALACA.      Ortalis  vetula  mccalli. 


Range. — Eastern    portions    of    Mexico,    north 
to  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas. 
A  very  peculiar  grayish  colored  bird  with  a 


Chachalaca 


Buffy   white  ^ 

greenish  gloss  to  the  back,  and  a  long,  broad 
tail,  quite  long  legs,  and  with  the  face  and 
sides  of  the  throat  devoid  of  feathers.  They 
are  very  abundant  birds  in  some  localities,  and  very  noisy  during  the  breeding 
season,  their  notes  resembling  a  harsh  trumpeting  repetition  of  their  name. 
They  are  ground  inhabiting  birds,  but  nest  in  low  bushes.  Their  nests  are 
made  of  sticks,  twigs,  leaves,  or  moss  and  are  generally  frail,  flat  structures 
only  a  few  feet  above  the  ground.  During  April,  they  lay  from  three  to  five 
buffy  white  eggs,  the  shell  of  which  is  very  rough  and  hard.  Size  2.25  x  1.55. 

191 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 

PIGEONS  AND  DOVES.    Order  XL    COLUMBA 
Family  COLUMBIDAE 

Pigeons  and  doves  are  distributed  throughout  nearly  every  temperate  and 
tropical  country  on  the  globe,  nearly  five  hundred  species  being  known,  of 
which  twelve  occur  within  our  limits.  Their  plumage  is  generally  soft  and 
subdued  colors,  the  head  small,  the  wings  strong  and  the  flight  rapid. 

312.  BAND-TAILED  PIGEON.     Columba  fasciata  fasciata. 

Range. — The  Rocky  Mountains  and  westward  to  the  Pacific,  from  British 
Columbia  south  to  Mtexico. 

This  large  species  may  be  generally  recognized 
by  the  white  crescent  on  the  nape;  it  is  about  15 
inches  in  length.  They  nest  abundantly  on  the 
mountain  ranges,  sometimes  in  large  flocks,  and 
again,  only  a  few  pairs  together.  Their  nests  are 
rude  platforms  of  sticks  and  twigs  either  in  bushes 
or  in  large  trees  in  heavily  wooded  districts.  The 
two  eggs  which  are  laid  during  May  or  June  are 
pure  white  in  color,  and  like  those  of  all  the 
pigeons,  equally  rounded  at  each  end.  Size 
1.55  x  1.10.  White 

312a.    VIOSCA'S  PIGEON.      Columba  fasciata  vioscce. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California.  This  is  a  paler  variety  of  the  preceding 
species  and  is  not  noticeably  different  in  its  habits,  nesting  or  eggs. 

313.  RED-BILLED  PIGEON.     Columba  flavirostris. 

Range. — Mexico  and  Central  America,  north  to  southern  Texas,  Arizona  and 
New  Mexico. 

This  species,  characterized  by  its  red  bill,  purplish  colored  head,  neck  and 
breast  and  absence  of  iridescent  markings,  is  abundant  in  the  valley  of  the 
Lower  Rio  Grande,  where  they  build  their  frail  nests  in  thickets  and  low  bushes, 
and  during  May  and  June  lay  their  white  eggs.  Size  of  eggs,  1.55  x  1.05. 

314.  WHITE-CROWNED  PIGEON.     Columba  leucocephala. 

Range. — Resident  of  the  West  Indies;  in  summer,  found  oh  the  Florida  Keys. 
This  species,  which  can  be  identified  by  its  white  crown,  nests  in  trees  or  man- 
groves on  certain  of  the  Florida  Keys,  laying  its  two  white  eggs  on  its  rude 
platform  of  sticks  and  twigs.  Size  of  eggs  1.40  x  1.05.  Nests  in  April  and 
May. 

[314.1.]      SCALED  PIGEON.     Columba  squamosa. 

A  West  Indian  species,  a  single  specimen  of  which  was  taken  at  Key  West, 
Florida. 

A  dark  colored  species,  with  purplish  head,  neck  and  breast;  named  from  the 
scaly  appearance  of  the  iridescent  feathers  on  the  sides  of  the  neck. 

192 


PIGEONS 


315.     PASSENGER    PIGEON. 

Ectopistes  migratorius. 

Range. — Formerly,  North  America  east  of  the 
Rockies;  casually  seen  in  the  upper  Missis- 
sippi Valley,  now  extinct. 

A  handsome  species  (see  frontispiece)  with 
ruddy  underparts,  grayish  upperparts  and  a 

long  graduated 
tail.  This  species 
years  ago  found 
in  flocks  of  thous- 
ands or  millions, 
is  now  practical- 
ly exterminated, 
chiefly  by  being 
hunted  and  trap- 
ped. A  few  pairs 
probably  now  nest 
in  the  interior, 
from  northern 

United  States  to  Hudson  Bay.  Their  nests  are 
very  rude,  frail  platforms  of  twigs,  on  which 
two  white  eggs  are  laid,  they  being  longer  and 
narrower,  comparatively,  than  those  of  other  species.  Size  of  eggs,  1.50 
Data. — Southwest  shore  of  Lake  Manitoba,  June  1,  1891.  Nest  of  twigs 
aspen  tree. 


White 


Passenger    Pigeon 


xl.02. 
in  an 


316.      MOURNING  DOVE.      Zenaidura  macroura  carolinensis. 

Range. — North  America  from  New  England,  Manitoba  and  British  Columbia, 
southward. 

Now  that  the  Pas- 
senger Pigeon  has 
disappeared,  this 
species  becomes  the 
only  one  found  in 
the  east,  with  the  ex- 
ception of  the  little 
Ground  Dove  in  the 
South  Atlantic  and 
Gulf  States.  While,  White 

sometimes,  small  flocks  of  them  nest  in  a  com- 
munity, they  generally  nest  in  companies  of 
two  or  three  pairs.  Their  nests  are  generally 
at  a  low  elevation,  in  trees,  bushes  and  often 
upon  the  ground.  Their  nests  are  made  en- 
tirely of  twigs  and  rootlets,  and  eggs  may  be 
found  from  early  in  April  until  the  latter  part 
of  September,  as  they  often  raise  two  or  three 
broods  a  season.  The  two  eggs  are  white. 
Size  1.15  x  .80.  Data. — Refugio  Co.,  Texas,  May 
3,  1899.  Two  eggs  laid  on  the  ground  in  a 
slight  cradle  of  twigs.  Collector,  James  J. 
Carroll. 

1113 


Mourning-   Dove 


13 


THE  BIRD   BOOK 


NEST  AND  EGGS  OF  MOURNING  DOVE 


H.  B.  Stough 


317.     ZENAIDA  DOVE.     Zenaida  zenaida. 

Range. — West  Indies;  in  summer,  on  the  Florida  Keys,  but  not  in  great  num- 
bers. 

This  species  is  similar  in  size  to  the  Mourning  Dove,  but  it  has  a  short  and 
square  tail,  and  the  secondaries  are  tipped  with  white,  and  the  underparts  more 
ruddy.  They  generally  nest  upon  the  ground,  but  occasionally  in  small  bushes, 
laying  two  white  eggs  a  trifle  larger  than  those  of  the  preceding  species.  Size 
1.20  x.90  The  nests  are  made  of  grasses  and  twigs,  on  the  ground  under  bushes. 


194 


PIGEONS 


318.  WHITE-FRONTED  DOVE. 

Leptotila  fulviventris  brachyptera. 

Range. — Mexico  and  Central  America  north 
to  southern  Texas. 

Slightly  larger  than  the  last,  much  paler  be- 
low, with  no  black  ear  mark  as  in  the  two  pre- 
ceding species,  and  with  the  forehead  whitish. 
They  build  their  nests  of  sticks,  grasses  and 
weeds,  and  place  them  in  tangled  vines  and 
thickets  a  few  feet  from  the  ground.  Their 
two  eggs,  which  are  laid  in  May  and  June, 
have  a  creamy  white  or  buffy  color.  Size  1.15 
x  .85.  They  canot  be  called  a  common  species 
within  our  borders. 

319.  WHITE-WINGED  DOVE. 

Melopelia  asiatica. 

Range.— Central    Am- 
erica,   Mexico    and    the 
W      southwestern  border  of 
the    United    States. 
This  species  is  12  in- 
ches   in    length,    has    a 
black  patch  on  the  ear 
coverts,    white    tips    to 
the   greater   and    lesser 
coverts  and  some  of  the 
secondaries,  and   broad 
white  tips  to  the  outer  tail  feathers,  which  are  black.     This  species  is  very 
abundant  in  some  localities  within  our  borders.     Their  nests  are  very  frail  plat- 
forms  of  twigs   placed   in   trees   or  bushes   or   precariously   suspended   among 
tangled    vines.     Their    two    eggs    are    white    or    creamy    white,    and    measure 
1.15  x  .85 


White-fronted     Dove 

White-winged    Dove 


White 


320.     GROUND  DOVE.      Columbigallina  pa&serina  terrestris. 

Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States  to  eastern  Texas. 

The  Ground  Doves  are  the  smallest  of  the  family,  measuring  but  about  6.5 
inches  in  length.  Their  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  exactly  like  those  of  the 
next  to  be  described.  They  are  very  abundant,  especially  along  the  South  At- 
lantic coast. 


320a.      MEXICAN  GROUND  DOVE.       Chcemepelia  passerinus  pallescens. 

Range. — Border  of  the  United  States  from  Texas  to  southern 
California  and  southward. 

This   paler  sub-species  builds  a  nest  of  twigs   and  weeds,     4 
placing   the    flat   structure    either    in   low   bushes    or    on   the 
ground.     Their  two  white  eggs  are  laid  during  April  to  July, 
they  sometimes  rearing  two  broods  a  season.     Size  of  eggs, 
.85  x  .65.  White 


320b.      BERMUDA  GROUND  DOVE.     Chcemepelia  passerina  bermudiana. 

Range. — Bermuda.     Smaller  and  paler  than  the  last;   otherwise  the  same  in 
nesting  habits  and  eggs. 


195 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 

321.     INCA  DOVE.     Scardafella  inca. 

Range. — Mexican  border  of  the  United  States 
south  to  Central  America  and  Lower  California. 

This  handsome  species  is  about  the  size  of 
the  last,  but  its   tail  is  longer  and  graduated, 
consequently  its  length  is 
greater,   it    being   about   8 
inches  long.     It  is  not  an 
uncommon    species    along 
our  Mexican  border,  but  is 
not  nearly  as  abundant  as 
is  the  Ground  Dove.     It  is 
often  called  "Scaled  Dove" 

because  af  the  blackish  edges  of  nearly  all  iU 
feathers.  They  build  fairly  compact  nests  of 
twigs,  rootlets  and  weeds,  these  being  placed 
in  bushes  at  a  low  elevation.  They  are  two  in 
number  and  pure  white.  Size.85  x  .65. 

[322.]      KEY  WEST  QUAIL  DOVE. 

Geotrygon  chrysia. 

Range. — West  Indies,  rarely  found  at  Key 
West,  although  supposed  to  have  been  common 
there  in  Audubon's  time.  This  species  is  of 
about  the  size  of  the  Mourning  Dove,  has  rusty 
colored  upper  parts,  and  is  whitish  below,  the 
white  below  the  eye  being  separated  from  that  of  the  throat  by  a  stripe  of  dusky 
from  the  base  of  the  bill.  They  nest  in  trees,  laying  two  buffy  white  eggs. 
Size  1.15  x. 90. 


Inca 


Ground  Dove 


[322.1.]      RUDDY  QUAIL  DOVE.     Geotrygon  montana. 

Range. — Central  America,  north  to  eastern  Mexico  and  the  West  Indies;  once 
taken  at  Key  West.  This  species  is  similar  to  the  last  but  has  no  white  streak 
under  the  eye,  and  the  underparts  are  buffy.  Eggs,  creamy  white.  Size 
1.15  x. 90. 

[323.]      BLUE-HEADED  QUAIL  DOVE.     Starnoenas  cyanocephala. 

Range. — Cuba,  accidentally  straying  to  Key  West,  but  not  in  recent  years. 

It  is  a  beautiful  species,  with  a  bright  blue  crown,  black  throat  and  stripe 
through  the  eye,  separated  by  a  white  line  under  the  eye.  The  rest  of  the 
plumage  is  of  a  brownish  or  rusty  color.  Eggs  buffy  white.  Size  1.30  x  1.05. 


196 


VULTURES,  HAWKS  and  OWLS.    Order  XII.  RAPTORES 
AMERICAN  VULTURES.    Family  CATHARTIDAE 

Vultures  are  peculiarly  formed  birds  of  prey,  having  a  bare  head  and  neck,  a 
lengthened  bill  strongly  hooked  at  the  end  for  tearing  flesh,  and  long,  strong, 
broad  wings  upon  which  they  float  in  the  air  for  hours  at  a  time  without  any 
visible  flapping.  They  are  scavangers  and  do  great  service  to  mankind  by  de- 
vouring dead  animal  matter,  that,  if  allowed  to  remain,  would  soon  taint  the 
atmosphere.  Their  eyesight  and  sense  of  smell  is  very  acute.  They  do  not, 
except  in  very  unusual  cases,  capture  their  prey,  but  feed  upon  that  which  has 
been  killed  or  died  of  disease. 


Ashy  gray 


CALIFORNIA  VULTURE.     Gymnogyps  calif ornianus. 

Range. — Apparently  now  restricted  to  the  coast  ranges  of  Calitornia,  casually 
inland  to  Arizona,  and  formerly  to  British  Columbia. 

This  large  bird,  which  weighs  about  20  pounds,  measures  about  4  feet  in 
length,  and  has  an  expanse  of  wings  of  about  10  feet.  Its  plumage  is  blackish 
with  lengthened  lanceolate  feathers  about  the  neck,  and  with  the  greater  wing 
coverts  broadly  tipped  with  grayish  white  (in  very  old  birds).  The  birds  are 
very  rare  in  their  restricted  range  and  are  becoming  scarcer  each  year,  owing  to 
their  being  shot  and  their  nests  robbed.  While  the  eggs  are  very  rarely  found 
and  only  secured  at  a  great  risk,  they  are  not  as  unobtainable  as  many  suppose, 
as  may  be  seen  from  the  fact  that  one  private  collection  contains  no  less  than 
six  perfect  specimens  of  the  eggs  and  as  many  mounted  birds.  These  birds  lay 
but  a  single  egg,  placing  it  generally  in  caves  or  recesses  in  the  face  of  cliffs, 
hundreds  of  feet  from  the  ground,  and  often  in  inaccessable  locations.  The  eggs, 
are  of  an  ashy  gray  color  and  measure  about  4.45  x  1.55. 

198 


BIRDS   OF  PREY 


325.     TURKEY  VULTURE.      Cathartes  aura  septentrionalis. 

Range. — America,  from  New  Jersey  on  the  Atlantic  coast, 
Manitoba  and  British   Columbia,   south  to  southern  South 


324 — 32;"> 


Creamy   \vhite 

America,    wintering   in    the    southern    half   of   the    United 
States. 

The  plumage  of  this  small  Buzzard  (length  30  inches)  is  blackish  brown,  the 
naked  head  being  red.  It  is  very  common  in  the  southern  and  central  portions 
of  its  range,  where  it  frequents  the  streets  and  door  yards  picking  up  any  refuso 
that  is  edible.  It  is  a  very  graceful  bird  while  on  the  wing,  and  can  readily  be 
identified  when  at  a  distance  from  the  fact  that,  when  in  flight,  the  tips  of  the 
wings  curve  upward.  The  two  eggs  which  constitute  a  set  are  laid  upon  the 
ground  between  large  rocks,  in  hollow  stumps,  under  logs,  or  between  the 
branching  trunks  of  large  trees,  generally  in  large  woods.  They  frequently 
nest  in  communities  and  again,  only  a  single  pair  may  be  found  in  the  woods. 
Its  nesting  season  ranges  from  March  until  June  in  the  different  localities. 
The  eggs  are  creamy  or  bluish  white,  spotted  and  blotched  with  shades  of  brown, 
and  with  fainter  markings  of  lavender.  Size  2.70  x  1.85. 


,326.      BLACK  VULTURE.      Catharista  uruba. 

Range. — More  southerly  than  the  preceding;  north  regularly  to  North  Caro- 
lina and  southern  Illinois,  and  west  to  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

This  species  is  about  the  same  size,  or  slightly  smaller  than  the  Turkey 
Vulture;  its  plumage  is  entirely  black  as  is  also  the  naked  head,  and  bill.  In 
the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  the  present  species  is  even  more  abundant 
than  the  preceding,  and  might  even  be  said  to  be  partially  domesticated.  The 
nesting  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  Turkey  Buzzard  but  their  eggs 
average  longer  and  the  ground  color  is  pale  greenish  or  bluish  white  rather  than 
creamy.  They  are  spotted  and  blotched  the  same.  Size  3.00  x.  2.00. 


199 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Bluish  white 
EGG  OP  BLACK  VULTURE 


NEST  AND  EGGS  OF  TURKEY  VULTURE 


N.  W.  Swayne 


BIRDS   OF   PREY 


KITES,  HAWKS  AND  EAGLES.    Family  BUTEONID^ 

The  members  of  this  family  are  chiefly  diurnal;  they  get  their  living  by 
preying  upon  smaller  animals  or  birds.  They  have  strong  sharply  hooked 
bills,  powerful  legs  and  feet  armed  with  strong,  curved  and  sharply  pointed 
talons. 

327.      SWALLOW-TAILED  KITE. 
Elanoides  forficatus. 

Range.— Southern    United     States;     casually 
north  to  New  York  and  Manitoba. 


White 

This  most  beautiful  Kite  can  never  be  mis- 
taken  for  any  other;  its  whole  head,  neck  and 

underparts  are  snowy  white,  while  the  back,  wings  and  tail  are  glossy  blue 
black,  the  wings  being  very  long  and  the  tail  long  and  deeply  forked.  The  ex- 
treme length  of  the  bird  is  24  inches.  As  a  rule  nests  of  this  bird  are  placed 
high  up  in  the  tallest  trees;  they  are  made  of  sticks,  weeds  and  moss.  Two 
eggs,  or  rarely  three,  constitute  a  full  set.  They  are  white  or  bluish  white, 
spotted  with  brown.  The  one  figured  is  an  unusually  handsome  marked  speci- 
men in  the  collection  of  Mr.  C.  W.  Crandall.  Average  size  of  eggs,  1.80  x  1.50. 
Data. — Yegna  Creek  bottoms,  Texas,  April  27,  1891.  Two  eggs.  Nest  of  sticks 
and  green  moss,  the  same  moss  also  being  used  for  lining;  in  an  elm  tree  80 
feet  up. 

328.      WHITE-TAILED  KITE.      Elanus  leucurus. 

Range. — Southern  United  States,  north  to  the  Carolinas,  Illinois  and  middle 
California. 

This  species  can  be  recognized  by  its  light 
bluish  gray  mantle,  black  shoulders  and  white 
tail.  It  is  a  very  active  species,  feeding  upon 
insects  and  reptiles,  and  small  birds  and  mam- 
mals. The  nests  of  these  species  are  placed 
in  trees  at  quite  an  elevation  from  the  ground, 
being  made  of  sticks,  weeds  and  leaves.  The 
eggs  are  creamy  white,  profusely  blotched  and 
spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  umber.  Size 
1.65  x  1.25.  Data. — Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  April  9, 
1896.  Nest  in  fork  of  willows  about  25  feet  up. 
Made  of  willow  twigs  and  weed  stalks,  lined 
with  pieces  of  bark. 

201 


Creamy  white 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

328,      BRHI 


329.  MISSISSIPPI  KITE. 

Ictinia  mississippiensis. 

Range.— Southeastern    United    States,    north 
to  South  Carolina  and  Illinois. 


White-tailed  Kite 

Mississippi  Kite 


Bluish  white 

A  small  species  (  length  14  inches)  with  the 
head,  neck,  and  undeparts  gray,  and  the  back, 
wings  and  tail  blackish,  the  tips  of  the  secon- 
daries being  grayish.  They  live  almost  ex- 
clusively upon  insects,  such  as  grasshoppers, 
and  small  reptiles.  They  build  their  nests  of  sticks  and  weeds  well  up  in  tall 
trees.  The  eggs  are  two  or  three  in  number  and  normally  bluish  white,  un- 
marked, but  occasionally  with  very  faint  spots  of  pale  brown.  Size  1.65  x  1.25. 
Data. — Giddings,  Texas,  May  31,  1887.  Nest  of  sticks  and  weeds,  with  green 
pecan  leaves  in  the  lining;  placed  in  the  top  of  a  live  oak  sapling,  20  feet  from 
the  ground.  Collector,  J.  A.  Singley. 

330.      EVERGLADE  KITE.     Rostrhamus  sociabilis. 

Range. — South  America,  north  to  southern  Florida  and  Mexico. 

This  peculiar  species  has  a  long,  slender,  curved  bill,  blackish  plumage,  with 
white  rump  and  bases  of  outer  tail  feather.  They  feed  largely  upon  snails, 
both  land  and  water  varieties.  They  nest  at  a  low  elevation  in  bushes  or  under 
brush,  often  over  the  water.  The  nests  are 
of  sticks,  weeds  and  leaves.  The  three  eggs 
are  light  greenish  white,  spotted  and  splashed 


Pale    greenish    white 

with   chestnut  brown.     Size,   1.70  x  1.30.     Nest 
in  a  custard  apple  tree,  6  feet  from  the  ground, 
built  of  twigs,  lined  with  small  vine  stems  and     f 
willow  leaves. 

202 


Everglade   Kite 


NEST    AND   EGGS   OF  MARSH  HAWK 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


331.     MARSH  HAWK.     Circus  hudsonius. 

Range. — Whole     of     North     America,     very 
abundant  in  all  sections. 


Pale    bluish    white 

The  adult  of  this  species  is  very  light  colored, 
and  young  birds  of  the  first  two  years  have  a 
(Adult  and  young)  reddish    brown    coloration;    in   both    plumages 

the   species   is   easily  identified  by  the   white 

patch  on  the  rump.  They  are,  almost  exclusively  frequenters  of  fields  and 
marshes,  where  they  can  most  often  be  seen,  towards  dusk,  swooping  in  broad 
curves  near  the  ground,  watching  for  field  mice,  which  form  the  larger  portion 
of  their  diet.  Their  nests  are  made  in  swampy  ground,  often  in  the  middle  of  a 
large  marsh,  being  placed  on  the  ground  in  the  centre  of  a  hummock  or  clump 
of  grass;  it  is  generally  well  lined  with  grasses  and  often  rushes.  They  lay 
from  four  to  seven  pale  bluish  white  eggs,  generally  unmarked;  size  1.80x1.40. 

332.     SHARP-SHINNED  HAWK.     Accipiter  velox. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  wintering  in  the  United  States  and  south- 
ward; breeds  throughout  its  range,  but  most  abundantly  in  northern  United 
States  and  northward.  This  is  one  of  the  smallest  of  the  hawks  and  in  the 
adult  plumage  is  a  beautiful  species,  being  bar- 
red below  with  light  brown,  and  having  a  bluish 
slate  back.  It  is  a  very  spirited  and  daring 
bird  and  is  one  of  the  most  destructive  to  small 
birds  and  young  chickens.  Its  nest  is  a  rude 
and  sometimes  very  frail  platform  of  twigs  and 


Bluish  white 

leaves  placed  against  the  trunk  of  the  tree  at 
any  height,  but  averaging,  perhaps,  fifteen  feet. 
The  eggs  are  bluish  white,  beautifully  blotched 
and  spotted  with  shades  of  brown. 

204 


Sharp-shinned    Hawk 


BIRDS   OF  PREY 


333.     COOPER'S  HAWK.     Accipiter  cooperi. 

Range. — Whole  of  temperate  North  America, 
breeding  throughout  its  range. 


Bluish  white 


oopers  Hawk 


Although  larger  (length  17  inches),  the  plum- 
age of  this  species  is  almost  exactly  the  same 
as  that  of  the  preceding.  Like  the  last,  this  is  also  a  destructive  species. 
They  construct  their  nests  in  the  crotches  of  trees,  generally  at  quite  a  height 
from  the  ground;  the  nest  is  made  of  sticks  and  twigs,  and  often  lined  with 
pieces  of  bark;  occasionally  an  old  Hawk's  or  Crow's  nest  is  used  by  the  birds. 
Their  eggs  are  bluish  white,  unmarked  or  faintly  spotted  with  pale  brown. 

334<.     GOSHAWK.     Astur  atricapillus  atricapillus. 

Range. — Northern  North  America,  south  in  winter  to  the  northern  parts  of 
the  United  States. 

This  species  is  one  of  the  largest,  strongest  and  most  audacious  of  American 
Hawks,  frequently  carrying  off  Grouse  and  poultry,  the  latter  often  in  the 
presence  of  the  owner.  It  is  a  handsome  species  in  the  adult  plumage,  with 
bluish  gray  upper  parts,  and  light  under  parts,  finely  vermicuiated  with  grayish 
and  black  shafts  to  the  feathers.  Length  23  inches.  Their  nests  are  placed 
well  up  in  the  tallest  trees,  usually  in  dense  woods,  the  nests  being  of  sticks 

lined    with    weeds    and    bark.     The    three    or 

four    eggs    are    bluish     white,    generally    un- 

jum*).  ••      marked,   but   occasionally   with   faint   spots   of 

***M^  brown.     Size  2.30x1.70. 


Bluish    white 


American 


205 


Geo.    L.    Fordyce 
NEST  AND  EGGS  OF  COOPER'S  HAWK 


BIRDS  OF  PREY 


334a.     WESTERN  GOSHAWK. 

Astur  atricapillus  striatulus. 

Range. — Western  North  America  from  Al- 
aska to  California,  breeding  chiefly  north  of 
the  United  States  except  in  some  of  the  higher 


Bluish  white 


Harris's    Hawk 


ranges  of  the  Pacific  coast.  This  sub-species  is  darker,  both  above  and  below, 
than  the  American  Goshawk.  Its  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  precisely  the 
same.  The  eggs  are  quite  variable  in  size. 

335.      HARRIS'S  HAWK.     Parabuteo  unicinc- 
tus  harrisi. 

Range. — Mexico  and  Central  America,  north  to  the  Mexican  border  of  the 
United  States;  very  abundant  in  southern  Texas. 

This  is  a  peculiar  blackish  species,  with  white  rump,  and  chestnut  shoulders 
and  thighs.  It  is  commonly  met  with  in  company  with  Caracaras,  Turkey  Buz- 
zards and  Black  Vultures,  feeding  upon  carrion.  They  also  feed  to  an  extent 
on  small  mammals  and  birds.  Their  nests  are  made  of  sticks,  twigs  and  weeds, 
and  placed  in  bushes  or  low  trees.  The  three  or  four  eggs  ahe  laid  in  April  or 
May.  They  are  dull  white  in  color  and  generally  unmarked,  although  often 
showing  traces  of  pale  brown  spots.  They  are  quite  variable  in  size,  averaging 
2.10x1.65. 


White 
207 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


337.     RED-TAILED  HAWK. 

Buteo  borealis  borealis. 

This  is  one  of  the  handsomest  of  the  larger 
hawks,    and   is   the   best   known   in   the   east, 


Red-tailed    Hawk 


Pale   bluish    white 


where  it  is  commonly,  but  wrongly,  designated  as  "hen  hawk",  a  name,  how- 
ever, which  is  indiscriminately  applied  to  any  bird  that  has  talons  and  a  hooked 
beak.  The  adult  of  this  species  is  unmistakable  because  of  its  reddish  brown 
tail;  young  birds  are  very  frequently  confounded  with  other  species.  Their 
food  consists  chiefly  of  small  rodents,  snakes  and  lizards,  and  only  occasionally 
are  poultry  or  birds  taken.  They  nest  in  the  tallest  trees  in  large  patches  of 
woods,  the  nests  being  made  of  sticks,  weeds,  leaves  and  trash.  The  eggs 
number  from  two  to  four,  and  are  white,  sometimes  heavily,  and  sometimes 
sparingly,  blotched  and  spotted  with  various  shades  of  brown.  Size  2.35  x  1.80. 

337a.     KRIDER'S  HAWK.     Buteo  borealis  krideri. 

Range. — Plains  of  the  United  States,  north  to  Manitoba. 

This  sub-species  is  described  as  lighter  on  the  underparts,  which  are  almost 
immaculate.  Its  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  pre- 
ceding. 

337b.     WESTERN  RED-TAIL.     Buteo  borealis  calurus. 

*  Range. — Western  North  America, 

chiefly   west    of   the    Rocky    Moun- 
tains. 

This  sub-species  varies  from  the 
plumage  of  the  eastern  Red-tail,  to 
a  nearly  uniform  sooty  above  and 
below,  with  the  dark  red  tail  cross- 
ed by  several  bands;  it  is  a  gener- 
ally darker  variety  than  the  Red- 
tail.  Its  nesting  habits  are  the 
same  and  the  eggs  show  the  great 
variations  in  markings  that  are 
common  to  the  eastern  bird. 


White 


208 


BIRDS  OF  PREY 


337d.     HARLAN'S  HAWK. 

Butea  borealis  harlani. 

Range. — Gulf  States  and  southward,  north  to 
Kansas. 

This  dark  sub-species  is  generally  nearly  uni- 
form blackish,  but  sometimes  is  lighter  or  even 
white  below.  Its  tail  is  rusty,  mottled  with 
blackish  and  white.  Its  nesting  habits  are  the 
same  and  the  eggs  are  not  distinguishable 
from  those  of  the  other  Red-tails. 


mm 

'//S/VJ^P 

I'M/  film 


33Q.     RED-SHOULDERED  HAWK. 
lineatus  lineatus. 


Buteo 


Red-shouldered     Hawk 


Range. — North   America,    east   of  the   Plains 

and   from   the   southern   parts    of   the    British 

Provinces  southward;   abundant  and  breeding 

throughout  its  range. 
This  species  is   smaller  than  the  Red-tailed 

and  is  not  as  powerfully  built;  length  19  inches. 

The    adults    are    handsomely    barred    beneath 

with  reddish  brown,  giving  the  entire 
underparts  a  ruddy  color.  Like  the 
last  species,  they  rarely  feed  upon 
poultry,  confining  their  diet  chiefly  to 
mice,  rats,  frogs,  reptiles,  etc.  These 
Hawks  nest  in  the  larger  growths  of 
timber,  usually  building  their  nests 
high  above  the  ground.  The  nest  is 
of  sticks,  and  lined  with  leaves,  weeds 
and  pieces  of  bark.  They  lay  three 
or  four  eggs  with  a  white  ground 
color,  variously  blotched  and  spotted, 
either  sparingly  or  heavily,  with  dif- 
ferent shades  of  brown.  Size  2.15  x 
1.75.  Data. — Kalamazoo,  Michigan, 
April  25,  1898.  Nest  about  40  feet  up 
in  an  oak  tree;  made  of  sticks  and 
twigs  and  lined  with  bark.  Four  eggs. 
White  Collector,  J.  C.  Holmes. 


339a.      FLORIDA  RED-SHOULDERED  HAWK.     Buteo  lineatus  alleni. 

Range. — Florida  and  the  Gulf  coast;   north  to  South  Carolina.     The  nesting 
habits  of  this  paler  sub-species  are  precisely  like  those  of  the  last  species. 


209 


14 


Geo.  L.   Pordyce 
NEST  AND   EGGS  OF  RED-SHOULDERED  HAWK 


BIRDS  OF  PREY 


339b.     RED-BELLIED  HAWK.     Buteo  Uneatus  elegans. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  British  Columbia  south  to 
Lower  California,  chiefly  west  of  the  Rockies. 

This  variety  is  similar  to,  but  darker  than  Uneatus,  and 
the  underparts  are  a  uniform  reddish  brown,  without  bar- 


\ 


339b— 340 


White 

ring.     Their   nests   are   like   those   of   the    Red-shouldered 

variety,  and  almost  always  placed  high  up  in  the  largest 

trees.     The  eggs  are  very  similar,  but  average  lighter  in  markings.     Size  2.15 

x  1.70.     Data. — Diego,  Cal.,  April  13,   1897.     Nest  in  a  sycamore  20  feet  from 

ground,  made  of  sticks,  leaves  and  feathers. 


3-10.     ZONE-TAILED  HAWK.     Buteo  abbreviatus. 

Range. — Mexico  and  Central  America,  north  to  the  Mexican  border  of  the 
United  States. 

This  species,  which  is  19  inches  long,  is  wholly  black  with  the  exception  of 
the  tail,  which  is  banded  Their  nests  are  built  in  heavy  woods,  and  preferably 
in  trees  along  the  bank  of  a  stream.  The  nest  is  of  the  usual  Hawk  construc- 
tion and  the  two  to  four  eggs  are  white,  faintly  marked  with  pale  chestnut. 
Data. — Marathon,  Texas.  Nest  of  sticks,  lined  with  weeds  and  rabbit  fur;  on  a 
horizontal  branch  of  a  cotton-wood  tree,  30  feet  up. 


White 
211 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


341. 


SENNETT'S  WHITE-TAILED  HAWK. 
Buteo  albicaudatus  sennetti. 


Range. — Mexican  border  of  the  United  States 
and  southward. 

A  large,  handsome  Hawk  which  may  be  iden- 
tified by  its  dark  upper  parts  and  white  under- 
parts  and  tail,  the  flanks  and  tail  being  lightly 
barred  with  grayish;  the  shoulders  are  chest- 
nut. It  is  especially  abundant  in  the  southern 
parts  of  Texas,  where  it  builds  its  nests  of 
sticks  and  weeds,  lined  with  grasses,  leaves 
and  moss.  They  nest  in  March  and  April,  lay- 
ing two,  or  rarely  three,  eggs  which  are  a  diill 
white,  and  generally  immaculate,  but  occasion- 
ally faintly  or  sparingly  spotted  with  brown. 
Size  of  eggs  2.25  x  1.80. 

342.     SWAINSON'S  HAWK.     Buteo  srvainsoni. 
Range. — Central  and  western  North  America, 
from  the  Mississippi  Valley  and  Hudson  Bay, 
to    the   Pacific   coast,   breeding   throughout   its 


Sennett's   White-tailed  Hawk  j  greater    part    of    its    range,    this    is 

the     most     abundant     of     the     Hawk     family. 

Its  plumage  is  extremely  variable,  showing  all  the  intergradations  from  a  uni- 
form sooty  blackish  to  the  typical  adult  plumage  of  a  grayish  above,  and  a 
white  below,  with  a  large  breast  patch  of  rich  chestnut.  Their  nesting  habits 
are  as  variable  as  their  plumage.  In  some  localities,  they  nest  exclusively  in 
trees,  in  others  indifferently  upon  the  ground  or  rocky  ledges.  The  nest  is  the 
usual  Hawk  structure  of  sticks;  the  eggs  are  white,  variously  splashed  and 


White 


spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  umber.  Size 
2.20x1.70.  Data.— Stark  Co.,  N.  D.,  May  21, 
1897.  Nest  of  sticks,  lined  with  weeds  in  an 
ash  tree.  Collector,  Roy  Dodd. 


212 


Swainson's   Hawk 


BIRDS   OF  PREY 


343.     BROAD-WINGED  HAWK. 
Buteo  platypterus. 

Range. — North   America,  east  of  the  Plains, 
and  from  the  British  Provinces  southward. 


Grayish  white 

A  medium  sized  species,  about  16  inches  in 

length,  and  with  a  short  tail  and  broad  rounded  American  Rough-legrged  Hawk 
wings ;  adults  have  the  underparts  handsomely  barred  with  brown.  Their  nests 
are  usually  built  in  large  trees,  but  generally  placed  against  the  trunk  in  the 
crotch  of  some  of  the  lower  branches.  It  is  made  of  sticks  and  almost  invari- 
ably lined  with  bark.  The  two  to  four  eggs  are  of  a  grayish  white  color,  mark- 
ed with  chestnut,  brown  and  stone  gray;  size  1.90x1.55.  Data. — Worcester, 
Mass.,  May  16,  1895.  Nest  about  20  feet  up  in  a  large  chestnut  tree.  The  birds 
continually  circled  overhead,  their  weird  cries  sounding  like  the  creaking  of 
branches.  Collector,  A.  J.  White. 

844.      SHORT-TAILED  HAWK.     Buteo  brachyurus. 

Range. — A  tropical  species,  which  occurs  north  to  the  Mexican  border  and 
regularly  to  southern  Florida,  where  it  breeds  in  the  large  cypress  swamps.  Its 
eggs  are  pale  greenish  white,  sparingly  spotted  with  brown,  chiefly  at  the  large 
end.  Size  2.15x1.60. 

345.     MEXICAN  BLACK  HAWK.     Urubitinga  anthracina. 

Range. — Mexican  border  of  the  United 
States  and  southward. 

A  coal  black  species  about  22  inches  in 
length,  distinguished  by  the  white  tip, 
and  broad  white  band  across  the  tail 
about  midway.  This  is  one  of  the  least 
abundant  of  the  Mexican  species  that 
cross  the  border.  They  are  shy  birds  and 
build  their  nests  in  the  tallest  trees  in 
remote  woods.  Their  two  or  three  eggs 
are  grayish  white,  faintly  spotted  with 
pale  brown;  size  2.25x1.80.  Data. — Los 
Angeles  County,  Cal.,  April  6,  1889. 
Nest  of  sticks,  lined  with  bark  and 
leaves;  45  feet  up  in  a  sycamore  tree. 
Collector,  R.  B.  Chapman.  Grayish  white 

213 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


346.     MEXICAN  GOSHAWK.   Asturina  plagiata 

Range. — Mexico,  north  to  the  border  of  the 
United  States. 

A  beautiful,  medium  sized  Hawk  (17  inches 
long),  slaty  gray  above,  white  below,  numer- 


White 


Rough-legged  Hawk 


ously  barred  with  grayish;  tail  black,  crossed 
by  several  white  bars.  These  are  graceful 
and  active  birds,  feeding  largely  upon  small  rodents,  and  occasionally  small 
birds.  They  nest  in  the  top  of  tall  trees,  laying  two  or  three  greenish  white, 
unmarked  eggs;  size  1.95x1.60.  Data. — Santa  Cruz  River,  Arizona,  June  3, 
1902.  Nest  in  the  fork  of  a  mesquite  tree  about  forty  feet  from  the  ground; 
made  of  large  sticks,  lined  with  smaller  ones  and  leaves.  Three  eggs.  Col- 
lector, O.  W.  Howard. 

347a.     ROUGH-LEGGED  HAWK.     Archibuteo  lagopus  sancti-johannis. 

Range. — Northern  North  America,  breeding  chiefly  north  of  our  borders  and 
wintering  south  to  the  middle  portions  of  the  United  States. 

The  Rough-legs  are  large,  heavily  built  birds  of  prey,  specially  characerized 
by  the  completely  feathered  legs.  The  present  species  is  22  inchse  long,  and  in 
the  normal  plumage  has  a  whitish  head,  neck,  breast  and  tail,  the  former  being 
streaked  and  the  latter  barred 
with  blackish;  the  remainder  of. 
the  upper  and  underparts  are  black-; 
ish  brown.  Their  nests  are  usually 
placed  in  trees,  and  less  often  on 
the  ground  than  those  of  the  next 
species.  These  Rough-legs  are  very 
irregularly  distributed,  and  are  no- 
where as  common  as  the  next.7* 
While  the  greater  number  nest.  ;  I 
north  of  the  United  States,  it  is  N 
very  probable  that  a  great  many  |  i 
nest  on  the  higher  ranges  within  ; , 
our  borders.  The  species  is  often  jj 
taken  in  summer,  even  in  Massa-;!| 
chusetts.  They  lay  three  eggs  of  a  !j 
bluish  white  color,  boldly  splashed  ;ji 
with  dark  brown;  size  2.25x1.75.  ;|]  Bluish  white 

214 


34>8.     FERRUGINOUS  ROUGH-LEG. 
Archibuteo  ferrugineus. 


BIRDS   OF  PREY 


White  Rough-legged  Hawk 

Range. — North  America,  west  of  the  Mississippi,  breeding  from  the  latitude 
of  Colorado  north  to  the  Saskatchewan  region. 

This  species  nests  very  abundantly  along  our  northern  states,  particularly  in 
Dakota.  It  is  a  larger  bird  than  the  preceding  and  can  easily  be  told  by  its 
reddish  coloration,  particularly  on  the  shoulders  and  tibia.  While  in  some 
localities  they  nest  only  in  trees,  the  greater  number  appear  to  build  their  nests 
on  the  ground  or  rocky  ledges,  making  a  large  heap  of  sticks,  weeds  and  grass. 
Their  three  or  four  eggs  are  white,  beautifully  spotted  and  blotched,  in  endless 
variety,  with  various  shades  of  brown.  Size  2.60x2.00.  Data. — Stark  Co.,  N. 
D.,  April  29,  1900.  Nest  built  of  coarse  sticks  on  a  clay  butte. 

349.     GOLDEN  EAGLE.     Aquila  chryscetos. 

Range. — North  America,  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi; most  abundant  in  the  Rockies  and  along 
the  Pacific  coast  ranges. 

This  magnificent  bird,  which  is  even  more 
powerful  than  the  Bald  Eagle,  measures  about 
34  inches  long,  and  spreads  about  7  feet.  Its 
plumage  is  a  rich  brownish  black,  very  old 
birds  being  golden  brown  on  the  nape.  They 
can  be  distinguished  in  all  plumages  from  the 
Bald  Eagle  by  the  completely  feathered  tarsus. 
They  build  their  nests  in  the  tops  of  the  tallest 
trees  in  the  wild,  mountainous  country  of  the 
west,  and  more  rarely  upon  ledges  of  the  cliffs. 
The  nests  are  made  of  large  sticks,  lined  with 
smaller  ones  and  leaves  and  weeds.  Their  eggs 
are  the  most  handsome  of  the  Raptores,  being 
white  in  color,  and  blotched,  splashed,  spotted 
and  specked  with  light  brown  and  clouded  with 
gray  or  lilac,  of  course  varying  endlessly  in 
pattern  and  intensity.  Size  2.90x2.50.  Data. 
—Monterey  Co.,  Cal.,  May  3,  1888.  Three  eggs. 
Nest  of  sticks,  lined  with  pine  needles,  in  a 
pine  tree,  50  feet  up, 
215 


Golden   Eagle 


BALD    EAGLE 


BIRDS   OF   PREY 
[351.]      GRAY  SEA  EAGLE.     Haliceetus  albicilla. 

A  common  species  on  the  sea  coasts  of  Europe;  straggling  to  southern  Green- 
land, where  it  nests  upon  the  rocky  cliffs. 

352.      BALD  EAGLE.     Haliceetus  leucocephalus 
leucocephalus. 


White 


Bald    Eagle 


Range. — Whole  of  North  America;  most  abundant  on  the  Atlantic 
coast;  breeds  throughout  its  range.  This  large  white-headed  and  white-tailed 
species  is  abundant  in  sufficiently  wild  localities  along  the  Atlantic 
coast.  It  only  attains  the  white  head  and  tail  when  three  years  old, 
the  first  two  years,  being  blackish.  It  is  about  34  inches  in  length 
and  expands  about  seven  feet,  never  over  eight  feet,  and  only  birds  of  the  second 
year  (when  they  are  larger  than  the  adults)  ever  approach  this  expanse. 
Their  food  consists  of  fish  (which  they  sometimes  capture  themselves,  but 
more  often  take  from  the  Osprey),  carrion,  and  Ducks,  which  they  catch  in 
flight.  Their  nests  are  massive  structures  of  sticks,  in  the  tops  of  tall  trees. 
They  very  rarely  lay  more  than  two  eggs,  which  are  white.  Size  2.75  x  2.10. 
Data. — Mt.  Pleasant,  S.  C.,  nest  in  top  of  a  pine,  105  feet  from  the  ground; 
made  of  large  sticks  and  lined  with  Spanish  moss. 

352a.     NORTHERN  BALD  EAGLE. — Haliceetus  leucocephalus  alascanus. 

Range. — Alaska.  This  sub-species  averages  slightly  larger  than  the  Bald 
Eagle,  but  never  exceeds  the  largest  dimensions  of  that  species.  Its  nesting 
habits  and  eggs  are  the  same,  except  that  it  more  often  builds  its  nests  on  rocky 
cliffs  than  does  the  Bald  Eagle.  The  eggs  are  laid  in  February  and  March. 


217 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

FALCONS  AND  CARACARAS 
Family  FALCONDIDAE 

tKBa^^M^H^^^^^Ma^^^n     353.     WHITE  GYRFALCON.     Falco  island  us. 

Range. — Arctic  regions;  south  in  winter  cas- 
ually to  northern  United  States,  chiefly  on  the 
coast. 

Gyrfalcons  are  large,  strong,  active  and  fear- 


Gray  Gyrfalcon 

White    Gyrfalcon 


Buff 


less  birds,  about  23  inches  in  length.  Their  food  consists  chiefly  of  hares, 
Ducks  and  Waders  which  abound  in  the  far  north.  The  present  species  is 
snowy  white,  more  or  less  barred  with  blackish  brown  on  the  back  and  wings 
and  with  a  few  marks  on  the  breast.  They  nest  upon  the  ledges  of  high  cliffs, 
laying  three  or  four  eggs  of  a  buffy  color,  blotched  and  finely  specked  with 
reddish  brown,  this  color  often  concealing  the  ground  color.  Size  of  eggs,  2.30  x 
1.80.  In  America,  they  nest  in  Greenland  and  the  Arctic  regions. 

354.     GRAY  GYRFALCON.     Falco  rusticolus  rusticolus. 

Range. — Arctic  regions;  south  in 
winter  to  northern  United  States. 

This  species  is  of  the  size  of  the  last 
but  the  plumage  is  largely  gray,  bar- 
red with  dusky.  They  nest  more 
abundantly  in  southern  Greenland  than 
do  the  preceding  species.  The  nesting 
habits  and  eggs  do  not  differ. 

854a.     GYRFALCON. 

Falco  rusticolus  gyrfalco. 

Range. — Arctic  regions;  south  cas- 
ually to  Long  Island. 

This  sub-species  is  hardly  to  be  dis- 
tinguished   from    the    preceding;    its 
nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  identical, 
the  nests  being  of  sticks,  lined  with  weeds  and  feathers  and  placed  upon  the 
most  inaccessible  ledges  of  cliffs. 

218 


Buff 


354tb.     BLACK  GYRFALCON. 

Falco  rusticolus  obsoletus. 

Range. — Labrador;  south  casually,  in  winter, 
to  Long  Island. 

A  slightly  darker  variety.  Eggs  indistin- 
guishable. Data. — Ungava  coast,  Labrador, 
May  25,  1900.  Nest  a  heap  of  seaweed  and 
feathers  on  sea  cliff,  containing  three  eggs. 

355.     PRAIRIE  FALCON.     Falcon  mexicanus. 
Range. — United    States   west   of   the   Missis 
sippi,  and  from  Dakota  and  Washington  south- 
ward to  Mexico. 


BIRDS   OF  PREY 


Falcon 

This  species  abounds  in  suitable  lo- 
calities,   generally    placing    its    nests 
upon  rocky  ledges  and  cliffs,  and  some- 
times trees,  generally  upon  the  banks 
Reddish  buff  of  some  stream.     The  nests  are  masses 

of  sticks,  lined  with  weeds  and  grasses.  The  three  or  four  eggs  have  a  reddish 
buff  ground  color,  and  are  thickly  sprinkled  and  blotched  with  reddish  buff 
brown  and  chestnut;  size  2.05x1.60. 

356a.      DUCK  HAWK.      Falco  peregrinus  anatum. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  breeding  locally,  chiefly  in  mountainous  re- 
gions, throughout  its  range. 

This  beautiful  species,  characterized  by  its  black  moustache,  is  the  most 
graceful,  fearless,  and  swiftest  of  the  Falcons,  striking  down  birds  of  several 
times  its  own  weight,  such  as  some  of  the  larger  Ducks.  It  breeds  quite 
abundantly  on  the  Pacific  coast  and  in  certain  localities  in  the  Dakotas,  laying 

its  eggs  on  the  rocky  ledges.     Their  eggs  are 
similar  to  those  of  the  Prairie  Falcon,  but  are 


Duck  Hawk 


Buff  or   reddish   buff 

darker  and  brighter,  in  fact  they  are  the  dark- 
est, brightest  marked,   and  most   beautiful   of 
Falcon  eggs ;  size  2.05  x  1.55. 
219 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

356b.     PEALE'S  FALCON. 


Falco  peregrinus  pealei. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  northern  United 
States  north  to  Alaska. 

A  darker  form  of  the  preceding,  such  as  oc- 
curs in  this  section  with  a  great  many  other 
birds.  The  nesting  habits  and  the  eggs  are 
precisely  like  those  of  the  Duck  Hawk. 

357.     PIGEON  HAWK.     Falco  columbarius 
columbarius. 


Pigeon   Hawk 


Brownish  buff 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  chiefly  north 
of  the  United  States  except  in  some  of  the  higher 
ranges  along  our  northern  border.  A  small  Fal- 


con, about  11  inches  long,  often  confused  with  the  Sharp-shinned  Hawk,  but 
much  darker  and  a  more  stoutly  built  bird.  It  is  a  daring  species,  often  attack- 
ing birds  larger  than  itself;  it  also  feeds  on  mice,  grasshoppers,  squirrels,  etc. 
They  generally  build  a  nest  of  sticks  in  trees,  deep  in  the  woods;  less  often  in 
natural  cavities  of  dead  trees;  and  sometimes  on  rocky  ledges.  Their  four  or 
five  eggs  have  a  brownish  buff  ground  color,  heavily  blotched  with  brown  and 
chestnut.  Size  1.50  x  1.22 

357a.     BLACK  PIGEON  HAWK.     Falco  columbarius  suckleyi. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  northern  United  States  north  to  Alaska. 

Very  similar  in  appearance  to  the  preceding,    uM^MKftaaKSgraag^^HBIBI 
but  much  darker,  both  above  and  below.     Its    j 
nesting  habits  and  eggs  will  not  differ  in  any    i  %- 

manner  from  those   of  the  Pigeon  Hawk. 

357b.     RICHARDSON'S  PIGEON  HAWK. 
Falco  columbarius  richardsoni. 

Range. — Interior  of  North  America  from  the 
Mississippi  to  the  Rockies  and  from  Mexico  to 
the  Saskatchewan. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  Pigeon  Hawk, 
but  is  paler  both  above  and  below,  and  the  tail 
bars  are  more  numerous  and  white.  Their 
nesting  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
preceding  species,  they  either  building  in  hol- 
low trees,  or  making  a  rude  nest  of  sticks  and 
twigs  in  the  tops  of  trees.  The  eggs  have  a 
creamy  ground  and  are  sprinkled  with  dots 
and  blotches  of  various  shades  of  brown.  Size 
1.60  x  1.23.  The  egg  figured  is  one  of  a  beau- 
tiful set  of  four  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  C.  W. 
Crandall. 

220 


Richardson's  Pigeon  Hawk 


[358.1]      MERLIN.     Falco  assalon. 

This  common  European  species  was  once  acci- 
dentally taken  in  southern  Greenland.  Their  eggs 
are  generally  laid  on  the  ground  on  cliffs  or  banks. 


BIRDS  OF  PREY 


359.     APLOMAUO  FALCON. 

Falco  fusco-ccerulescens. 

Range.  —  Tropical  America  north  to  Mexican 
boundary  of  the  United  States. 

This  handsone  and  strikingly  marked  Falcon  is 
found  in  limited  numbers  within  the  United  States, 
but  south  is  common  and  widely  distributed.  They 
nest  at  a  low  elevation,  in  bushes  or  small  trees, 
making  their  rude  nests  of  twigs,  lined  with  a 
few  grasses.  They  lay  three,  and  sometimes  four, 
eggs  which  have  a  creamy  white  ground  color, 
finely  dotted  with  cinnamon,  and  with  heavy 
blotches  of  brown.  Size  1.75  x  1.30. 


Aplomado  Falcon 

Desert  Sparrow  Hawk 


Buff 


[359.1.]      KESTREL.     Falco  tinnunculus. 

Range. — Whole  of  Europe;  accidental  on  the 
coast  of  Massachusetts. 

This  species  is  very  similar  in  size  and  colora- 
tion to  the  American  Sparrow  Hawk.  They  are 
much  more  abundant  than  the  Sparrow  Hawk  is 
in  this  country  and  frequently  nest  about  houses, 
in  hollow  trees,  on  rafters  of  barns,  or  on  ledges 
and  embankments.  Their  eggs  are  of  a  reddish 
buff  color,  speckled  and  blotched  with  reddish 
brown,  they  being  much  darker  than  those  of  the 
American  Sparrow  Hawk. 


360a.      DESERT  SPARROW  HAWK.      Falco  sparverius  phalcena. 

Range. — Western  United  States  from  British  Columbia  south  to  Mexico. 
This  variety  is  slightly  larger  and  paler  than  the  eastern  form.     There  are  no 
differences  in  the  identification  of  the  two  varieties. 


221 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


360.     SPARROW  HAWK.     Falco  sparverius. 

Range. — North  America,  east  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains  and  north  to  Hudson  Bay;  winters 
from  the  middle  portions  of  the  United  States, 
southward. 

This  beautiful  lit- 
tle Falcon  is  the 
smallest  of  the  Am- 
erican Hawks,  being 
only  10  inches  in 
length.  They  are 
very  abundant  in  the 
east,  nesting  any- 
where in  cavities  in 
trees,  either  in 
woods  or  open  fields. 
The  eggs  are  gener- 
ally deposited  upon 
the  bottom  of  the 

cavity  with  no  lining;  they  are  creamy  or  yel- 
lowish buff  in  color,  sprinkled,  spotted  or 
blotched  in  endless  variety,  with  reddish  brown. 
Size  1.35  x  1.10.  These  birds  are  very  noisy, 
especially  when  the  young  are  learning  to  fly,  uttering  a  loud,  tinkling,  "killy, 
killy,  killy."  They  have  a  very  amiable  disposition,  and  frequently  nest  har- 
moniously in  the  same  tree  with  other  birds,  such  as  Flickers  and  Robins. 

360b.     ST.  LUCAS  SPARROW  HAWK.     Falco  sparverius  peninsularis. 

Range. — Lower  California. 

This  variety  is  smaller  than  the  eastern,  and  even  paler  than  the  western 
form.     Eggs  identical  with  eastern  specimens. 

[361.]      CUBAN  SPARROW  HAWK.     Falco  sparveroides. 

A  darker  colored  West  Indian  form,  whose  habits  and  nesting  do  not  vary 
from  those  of  the  common  Sparrow  Hawk;  casually  taken  in  Florida. 


Buffy 


Sparrow  Hawk 


Egg  of  Golden  Eagle 
222 


SPARROW    HAWK 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


Hi 

~AudubonTs 


362.     AUDUBON  CARACARA. 
Polyborus  cherirvay. 

Range. — Southern  border  of  the  United  States 
south  to  South  America. 

Range. — Southern  border  of  the  United 
States  south  to  South  America. 

A  strikingly  marked  blackish  and  whitish 
species,  much  barred  on  the  fore  back  and  the 
breast,  with  the  head  and  throat  largely  white, 
except  for  a  black  and  somewhat  crested 
crown.  They  are  numerous  in  southern  Texas 
and  also  in  the  interior  of  southern  Florida, 
where  they  are  resident.  They  build  bulky, 
but  shabby  nests  of  sticks,  weeds  and  grass, 
piled  into  a  promiscuous  heap,  generally  locat- 
ed in  bushes  or  low  trees.  Their  two  or  three 
eggs  have  a  ground  color  varying  from  buff  to 
bright  cinnamon,  and  are  dotted  and  blotched 
with  all  shades  of  brown  and  umber.  On  the 
whole,  these  eggs  show  a  greater  diversity  of 
markings  and  ground  color  than  those  of  any 
other  species.  Size  2.50  x  1.80. 


Cinnamon 

363.     GUADALUPE  CARACARA.     Polyborus  lutosus. 

Range. — Gaudalupe  Island  and  others  off  Lower  California. 

This  species  is  somewhat  like  the  preceding,  but  the  plumage  is  duller,  and 
the  coloration  more  uniform.  Their  nesting  habits  and  eggs  do  not  vary  essen- 
tially from  those  of  Audubon  Caracara.  Mr.  John  Lewis  Childs  has  a  set  of  two 
eggs  taken  June  8,  1896,  on  Santa  Anita  Island,  by  Coolidge  and  Miller.  The 
nest  was  made  of  sticks  and  situated  in  a  giant  cactus.  The  eggs  are  slightly 
brighter  and  more  clearly  marked  than  any  of  eherlijcay  that  I  have  ever  seen. 


224 


364.     OSPREY. 


BIRDS  OF  PREY 

OSPREY.    Family  Pandionidae 

Pandion  halicetus  carolinensis. 


Range. — Whole  of  temperate 
America  from  the  Arctic  circle 
south  to  the  equator,  most  abun- 
dant along  the  sea  coasts. 

Real  old  birds  have  the  head 
whiter,  and  less  white  edging 
to  the  back  feathers,  than  do 
the  young.  Feet  very  strong, 
and  very  hard  and  rough,  per- 
fectly adapted  to  grasping  slip- 
pery fish;  outer  toe  can  be  used 
equally  as  well,  either  in  front 
or  behind,  when  perching  or 
grasping  their  prey. 

Probably  this  great  fisherman 
is  as  well  known  from  one  end 
of  the  country  to  the  other  as 
any  of  our  wild  birds.  He  is 
protected  by  law  in  a  great  many 
states  and  by  custom  in  nearly 
all  localities  where  they  breed. 
It  is  one  of  the  pleasantest 
sights  along  the  coast  to  watch 
a  number  of  these  great  birds 
as  they  soar  at  an  elevation 
above  the  water,  watching  for 
fish  to  come  near  the  surface,  when,  with  folded  wings,  the  bird  speeds  down- 
ward and  plunges  into  the  water,  rarely  missing  his  prey.  In  many  localities 
they  are  very  tame  and  nest  in  the  vicinity  of  houses,  sometimes  even  in  the 
yard.  Their  nests  are  platforms  of  sticks,  which,  being  used  year  after  year 
and  constantly  added  to,  become  of  enormous  proportions.  They  lay  two  or 
three  eggs  of  a  bright  creamy  color,  handsomely  blotched  with  bright  chestnut 
brown.  They  show  a  great  diversity  of  sise  as  well  as  markings,  but  average, 
2.40x1.80. 


American   Osprey 


15 


OSPREY   LEAVING   NEST 


C.  A.   Reed 


BARN  OWLS. 


BIRDS  OF  PREY 

Family  Alucondidae 


365.     BARN  OWL.     Aluco  pratincola. 

Range. — Chiefly  in  the  southern  parts  of  the 
United  States ;  north  casually  to  Massachusetts, 
Minnesota  and  Washington. 


White 

This   is   one   of   the   lightest   colored   of   the 
Owls;    it   has   a  long,   peculiarly   hooded   face, 

from  which  it  gets  the  name  of  "Monkey-faced  Barn  Owl 

Owl."     Its  plumage  is  yellowish  buff,  specked  and  barred  lightly  with  blackish. 

It  nests  usually  in  hollow  cavities  of  trees,  but  appears  to  have  no  objections 
to  barns,  holes  in  banks,  or  anywhere  it  can  find  a  concealed  crevice  in  which 
to  deposit  its  four  to  six  pure  white  eggs;  size  1.70  x  1.30. 

HORNED  OWL.    Family  Strigidae 

366.      LONG-EARED  OWL.     Asio  rvilsonianus. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  from  the  southern  parts  of  British  America, 
southward.  ; 

This  species  is  15  inches  in  length;  it  can  easily  be  separated  from  any  other 

species   by    its   long   ear  tufts,   brownish   face, 

and  barred  underparts.  Their  food  consists 
almost  entirely  of  small  rodents,  which  they 
catch  at  night.  Most  of  their  nests  are  found 


"Lone- eared    Owl 


White 

in  trees,  thay  generally  using  old  Crow's  Oi 
Hawk's  nests.  They  also,  in  some  localities, 
nest  in  hollow  trees,  or  in  crevices  among 
rocks.  They  lay  from  four  to  seven  pure  white 
eggs;  size  1.55x1.35. 
227 


LONG-EARED  OWL  ON  NEST 


367.     SHORT-EARED  OWL.     Asio  fiammeus. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  breeding 
from  the  middle  portions  of  the  United  States 
northward,  and  wintering  in  the  United  States. 


BIRDS  OF  PREY 


Short-cared     Owl 


White 

This  species  is  of  the  size  of.  the  last,  but  is 
paler,  has  very  short  ear  tufts,  and  is  streaked 
beneath.  Its  habits  are  the  same  except  that  it 
frequently  hunts,  over  the  marshes  and  mead- 
ows, on  dark  days  and  towards  dusk. 

Their  four  to  seven  pure  white  eggs  are  laid  upon  the  ground  in  marshy 
places,  sometimes  upon  a  lining  of  sticks  and  weeds,  and  are  generally  under  a 
bush,  or  close  to  an  old  log.  Size  of  eggs  1.55  x  1.25. 

368.     BARRED  OWL.     Strix  varia  varia.  . ,•/* :r* 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  from 
the  British  Provinces,  southward;  west  to 
the  Rockies. 

This  species  is  the  most  common  of 
the  large  owls,  and  can  be  distinguished 
by  its  mottled  and  barred  gray  and  white 
plumage,  and  lack  of  ear  tufts;  length  20 
inches.  It  is  the  bird  commonly  meant 
by  the  term  "hoot  owl",  and  being  strictly 


White 

nocturnal,  is  rarely  seen  flying  in  the  day  time, 
unless  disturbed  from  its  roosting  place  in  the 
deep  woods.  Its  food  consists  chiefly  of  rats, 
mice  and  frogs,  and  sometimes,  but  not  often, 
poultry.  It  nests  in  the  heart  of  large  woods, 
generally  in  hollows  of  large  trees,  and  less 
often  in  deserted  Crow's  nests.  They  lay  from 
two  to  four  pure  white  eggs,  averaging  con- 
siderably smaller  than  those  of  the  Great  Horn- 
ed Owl;  size  1.95x1.65. 


368a.      FLORIDA  BARRED  OWL. 
Strix  varia  alleni. 

Range. — Florida  and  the  Gulf  States;   north 
to  South  Carolina. 
229 


,. 


Barred   Owl 


BARRED    OWL 


Chas.  W.  Long 


BIRDS   OF  PREY 


368b.     TEXAS  BARRED  OWL. 
Strix  varia  albogilva. 

Range. — Southern  Texas. 

A  very  similar  but  slightly  paler  variety  than 
the  Barred  Owl,  and  with  the  toes  bare,  as  in 
alien  i.  Eggs  indistinguishable. 


369.     SPOTTED  OWL. 
dentalis. 


Stria,'  occidentalis  occi- 


Range. — Western  United  States,  from  south- 
ern Oregon  and  Colorado,  southward. 

Similar  to  the  Barred  Owl,  but  spotted,  in- 
stead of  barred,  on  the  back  of  head  and  neck, 
and  much  more  extensively  barred  on  the  under 
parts.  The  nesting  habits  do  not  appear  to 
differ  in  any  respect  from  those  of  the  eastern 
Barred  Owl,  and  their  eggs,  which  are  from  two 
to  four  in  number,  can  not  be  distinguished 
from  those  of  the  latter  species;  size  2.05  x  1.80. 


Great  Gray  Owl 


369a.      NORTHERN  SPOTTED  OWL.     Strix  occidentalis  caurina. 

Range. — Northwestern  United  States  and  British  Columbia. 
Similar  to  the  preceding,  but  darker,  both  above  and  below;  nesting  the  same, 
in  hollow  trees  or  in  old  Hawk's  or  Crow's  nests.     Eggs  not  distinguishable. 


370.     GREAT  GRAY  OWL. 

Scotiaptex  nebulosa. 

Range. — Northern  North  America; 
wintering  regularly  south  to  the  north- 
ern border  of  the  United  States  and 
casually  farther. 

This  is  the  largest  of  American  Owls, 
being  about  26  inches  in  length;  it 
does  not  weigh  nearly  as  much,  how- 
ever, as  the  Great  Horned  or  Snowy 
Owls,  its  plumage  being  very  light 
and  fluffy,  and  dark  gray  in  color, 
mottled  with  white.  The  facial  disc  is 
very  large,  and  the  eyes  are  small  and 
yellow,  while  those  of  the  Barred  Owl 
are  large  and  blue  black.  They  nest  in 
heavily  wooded  districts,  building 
their  nests  of  sticks,  chiefly  in  pine 
trees.  The  two  to  four  white  eggs  are  laid  during  May  and  June;  size  2.15  x  1.70. 


White 


•••••*!;  *:.^v^^^ 

_i*    _  ,=^-r- /    f  ,1'  LI  *l,I> '  ^W&r) '"  '  "ZZffZF?***'*  ' 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


[370a.J      LAPP  OWL. 

Scotiaptex  nebulosa  lapponica. 

A  paler  form  of  the  Great  Gray  Owl,  inhabit 
ing  the  Arctic  regions  of  the  Old  World;  acci- 
dental on  the  coast  of  Alaska.  Their  nesting 
habits  and  eggs  do  not  differ  from  those  of  the 
American  bird. 


371. 


RICHARDSON'S  OWL. 
erea  richardsoni. 


Cryptoglaux   fun 


Richardson's  Owl 

Saw-whet    Owl 


White 


Range. — Northern  North  America,  breeding  north  of  the  United  States ;  win- 
ters south  to  our  border  and  casually  farther. 

This  is  a  dark  grayish  and  white  bird,  10  inches  in  length,  and  without  ear 
tufts.  Breeds  commonly  in  the  extensively  wooded  districts  of  British  America, 
chiefly  in  the  northern  parts.  Their  three  or  four  white  eggs  are  usually  at 
the  bottom  of  a  cavity  in  a  tree,  but  occasionally  the  birds  build  a  rude  nest  of 
sticks  and  twigs,  lined  with  leaves  and  placed  in  trees  at  a  moderate  height 
from  the  ground.  Size  of  eggs,  1.25  x  1.05. 


372.     SAW-WHET  OWL;  ACADIAN  OWL.     Cryptoglaux  acadica  acadica. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  in  the  northern  parts  of  the  United  States 
and  in  British  America,  and  south  in  the  Rockies  to  Mexico;  winters  south  to 
the  middle  portions  of  the  United  States. 

This  small  species  (length  8  inches)  is  marked  very  similarly  to  the  preceding, 
but  the  plumage  is  brown  instead  of  gray.  They  normally  nest  in  hollow  trees. 
generally  in  deserted  Woodpecker  holes,  in  extensively  wooded  sections,  and 
usually  in  mountainous  country,  especially  in  the  United  States.  They  have 
also  been  known  to  nest  in  bird  boxes  near  faa?m  houses  and  in  old  Crow's  nests. 
During  April  or  May,  they  lay  from  three  to  six  white  eggs.  Size  1.20x1.00. 
They  are  quiet  and  chiefly  nocturnal  birds,  not  often  seen,  and  may  be  found 
nesting  in  any  of  the  northern  states. 

372a.     NORTHWESTERN   SAW-WHET   OWL.     Cryptoglaux    acadica  scoticea. 
Range. — A  dark  variety  found  on  the  coast  of  British  Columbia. 


232 


BIRDS   OF  PREY 


373.      SCREECH  OWL.      Otus  asio  asio. 

Range.— North  America,  east  of  the  plains 
and  from  the  southern  British  Provinces  to 
Florida. 

This    well    known 
species,  which  is  of- 
ten     called      "Little 
Horned      Owl"      be- 
cause of  its  ear  tufts    fj 
is  found  either  in  the   I 
type  form  of  some  of   1|V 
its    varieties    in    all 
parts   of  the   United 
States.       They  have 
two  color  phases,  the 
plumage  being  either  Whitp 

a  yellowish  brown  or 

gray,  and  black  and  white;  these  color  phases 
are  not  dependent  upon  sex  or  locality,  as  often 
young  or  both  phases  are  found  in  the  same 
riest;  the  gray  phase  is  the  most  abundant. 
They  nest  anywhere  in  hollow  trees,  being 
found  very  frequently  in  decayed  stubs  of  apple  trees.  They  also  often  nest  in 
barns  or  other  old  buildings  which  are  not  frequented  too  freely.  Their  food 
consists  chiefly  of  mice  and  meadow  moles,  with  occasionally  small  birds. 
During  April  or  May  they  lay  their  white  eggs,  the  full  complement  of  which 
is  from  five  to  eight.  Size  1.35  x  1.20.  The  nesting  habits  of  all  the  sub-species, 
as  far  as  we  can  learn,  are  exactly  like  those  of  the  eastern  Screech  Owl;  the 
eggs  cannot  be  distinguished,  and  in  most  cases,  even  the  birds  cannot  be  dis- 
tinguished. 


Screech  Owl 


373a.      FLORIDA  SCREECH  OWL.      Otus  asio  ftoridanus. 

Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts. 

Slightly  smaller  and  darker  than  asin.     The  eggs  average  slightly  smaller. 
Size  1.30x1.15. 

373b.     TEXAS  SCREECH  OWL.     Otus  asio  mccalli. 

Range.— Texas,  and  southward  into  Mexico.     Very  similar  to  floridanus. 

373c.     CALIFORNIA  SCREECH  OWL.      Otus  asio  bendirei. 
Range. — Coast  of  California  and  Oregon.     Size  of,  but  darker  than  asio. 

373d.     KENNICOTT'S  SCREECH  OWL.      Otus  asio  kennicotti. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from   Oregon  to  Alaska.     This   is  the  darkest  of  the 
Screech  Owls  and  averages  a  trifle  larger  than  the  eastern  form. 


373e.     ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  SCREECH  OWL.     Otus  asio  maxwellia. 

Range. — Foothills  of  the  Rockies,  from  Colorado  to  Montana.     This  is  the 
palest  form  of  the  Screech  Owl,    Of  the  same  size  as  the  last. 

233 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


374_375a 


373f.     MEXICAN  SCREECH  OWL.     Otus  asio  cineraceus. 
Range. — Western    Mexico    and   southwestern    border    of 
the  United  States.     A  gray  form  with  little  or  no  buff,  and 
more  numerously  barred  below. 

373g.     AIKEN'S  SCREECH  OWL.      Otus  asio  aikeni. 

Range.— El  Paso  County,  Colorado.  A  gray  form,  with 
the  dark  markings  coarser  and  more  numerous  than  in  any 
other. 

373h.     MACFARLANE'S  SCREECH  OWL. 

Otus  asio  macfarlanei. 

Range. — Northern  border  of  the  United  States  from 
Washington  to  Montana. 

373.1.     SPOTTED  SCREECH  OWL.     Otus  trichopsis. 

Range. — Mountains  of  southern  Arizona,  south  into 
Mexico. 

A  grayish  species,  similar  to  asio,  but  paler  and  more 
finely  barred  beneath,  and  with  whitish  spots  on  the 
feathers  of  the  foreback.  The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are 
probably  the  same  as  those  of  the  Screech  Owl. 


373.2.     XANTUS'S  SCREECH  OWL.      Otus  xantusi. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 

A  grayish  species  with  the  back  and  underparts  finely  vermiculated  with  red- 
dish brown,  and  with  streaks  of  darker.  It  is  not  likely  that  the  habits  or  eggs 
of  this  species  will  be  found  to  differ  from  those  of  the  Screech  Owl. 

374.     FLAMMULATED  SCREECH  OWL.      Otus  flammeolus  flammeolus. 

Range. — Mountain  ranges  of  Mexico,  north  to  Colorado  and  west  to  California. 

This  species  is  smaller  than  a  trio,  has  shorter  ear  tufts,  the  plumage  is  much 
streaked  and  edged  with  rusty,  and  the  toes  are  unfeathered  to  their  base.  They 
nest  in  hollow  trees,  generally  using  deserted  Woodpecker  holes.  Their  three 
or  four  eggs  are  white.  Size  1.15  x  .95.  This  species  is  uncommon  in  all  parts 
of  its  range. 


374a.      DWARF  SCREECH  OWL.      Otus  flammeolus  idahaensis. 

Range. — Local  in  Idaho,  eastern  Washington  and  California. 

This  rare  variety  is  smaller  than  the  preceding  and  is  considerably  paler, 
eggs  have  not  been  described,  but  should  be  a  trifle  smaller  than  the  last. 


Its 


334 


BIRDS   OF   PREY 


37!>-     GREAT  HORNED  OWL, 

Bubo  virginianus  virginianus. 
Range. — North    America,   east  of   the   Plains 
and  north  to  Labrador. 


White 


Great  Horned  Owl 


This  species  and  its  varieties  are  the  only  large  Owls  having  conspicuous  ear 
tufts.  They  are  about  22  inches  in  length,  and  have  a  mottled  brown,  black  and 
white  plumage,  barred  below.  This  is  also  one  of  the  "Hoot  Owls,"  but  is  not 
nearly  as  abundant  as  the  Barred  Owl.  It  is  one  of  the  strongest  of  the  family, 
and  captures  rabbits,  grouse  and  poultry,  and  is  very  often  found  to  have  been 
feeding  upon,  or  to  have  been  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  a  skunk.  They  nest 
very  early,  January,  February  and  March.  Deserted  Hawk's  or  Crow's  nests 
are  very  frequently  used  by  this  bird,  if  they  are  located  in  dense  woods.  They 
also  sometimes  nest  in  hollow  cavities  in  large  trees.  They  lay  from  two  to 
four  pure  white  eggs.  Size  2.25  x  1.85. 


WESTERN  HORNED  OWL.      Bubo  virginianus  pallescens. 
Range.  —  Western  North  America,  except  the  Pacific  coast. 

A  smaller  and  lighter  colored  form  of  the  preceding,  having  the  same  habits 
and  the  eggs  being  indistinguishable  from  those  of  the  eastern  bird. 


in 


ARCTIC  HORNED  OWL.      Bubo  virginianus  subarcticus. 

Range.  —  Interior  of  Arctic  America   from   Hudson   Bay  to  Alaska;    south 
winter  to  the  northwestern  tier  of  states. 

A  very  pale  colored  Horned  Owl  with  little  or  no  buff  or  brownish  in  the 
plumage,  some  specimens  (very  rare)  being  pure  white  with  only  a  few  black 
bars  on  the  back.  Their  nesting  habits  are  the  same  and  the  eggs  do  not  vary 
appreciably  from  those  of  the  eastern  Horned  Owl. 

375C.      DUSKY  HORNED  OWL.      Bubo  virginianus  saturatus. 

Range.  —  Pacific  coast  from  California  to  Alaska. 

This  is  the  darkest  of  the  Horned  Owls,  the  extreme  case  being  nearly  black 
on  the  back  and  very  dark  below.  Nesting  the  same  as  the  Great  Horned  Owl. 


375d.      PACIFIC  HORNED  OWL.     Bubo  virginianus  pacificus. 

Range. — California,  southward  and  east  to  Arizona. 

Smaller  and  darker  than  the  eastern  form  but  not  as  dark  as  the  last, 
the  same  as  those  of  the  others. 


Eggs 


375e.     DWARF  HORNED  OWL. 

Bubo  virginianus  elachistus. 

Range. — Lower  California. 

This  is  a  similar  but  darker  form  of  the 
Horned  Owl  and  is  very  much  smaller  than 
virginianus.  The  nesting  habits  will  be  the 
same,  but  the  eggs  may  average  smaller. 


BIRDS  OF  PREY 


V 


White 


Snowy  Owl 


376.      SNOWY  OWL.     Nyctea  nyctea. 

Range. — Arctic  regions,  breeding  within  the  Arctic  Circle  and  wintering  to 
the  northern  border  of  the  United  States  and  casually  farther. 

This  very  beautiful  species  varies  in  plumage  from  pure  white,  unmarked,  to 
specimens  heavily  and  broadly  barred  with  blackish  brown.  It  is,  next  to  the 
Great  Gray  Owl,  the  largest  species  found  in  America,  being  2  feet  in  length. 
Like  the  Great  Horned  Owls,  they  are  very  strong,  fearless,  and  rapacious  birds, 
feeding  upon  hares,  squirrels  and  smaller  mammals,  as  well  as  Grouse,  Ptar- 
migan, etc.  They  nest  upon  the  ground,  on  banks  or  mossy  hummocks  on  the 
dry  portions  of  marshes,  laying  from  two  to  eight  eggs,  white  in  color  and  with 
a,  smoother  shell  than  those  of  the  Great  Horned  Owl.  Size  2.25  x  1.75.  Data.— 
Point  Barrow,  Alaska,  June  16,  1898.  Three  eggs  laid  in  a  hollow  in  the  moss. 

[377-]      EUROPEAN  HAWK  OWL.     Surnia  ulula  ulula. 

Range. — Northern  portion  of  the  Old  World;  accidental  in  Alaska. 
Similar  to  the  American  species,  but  lighter  and  more  brownish. 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


377a.      HAWK  OWL.     Surnia  ulula  caparoch. 

Range. — Northern  North  America,  breeding 
from  the  central  portions  of  British  America 
northward;  probably  also  breeds  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains  in  the  northern  tier  of  states  and 
casually  farther. 


White 


1 

|    .      This  handsome  mottled  and  barred,  gray  and 

Am          i   TTawk  Owl  black   Owl   mi£ht   readily   be   mistaken   for   a 

Hawk,    because    of    his    Hawk-like    appearance 

and  long  rounded  tail.  They  are  very  active  birds,  especially  in  the  day  time, 
for  they  are  more  diurnal  than  nocturnal;  their  food  is  mostly  of  small  rodents, 
and  also  small  birds.  They  nest  either  in  the  tops  of  large  fir  trees,  in  hollows 
of  stumps,  or,  in  some  cases,  upon  the  ground.  When  in  trees  their  nests  are 
made  of  twigs,  leaves  and  weeds,  and  sometimes  lined  with  moss  and  feathers; 
they  lay  from  three  to  eight  white  eggs,  size  1.50  x  1.20.  Data. — Labrador,  May 
3,  1899.  Five  eggs.  Nest  in  the  top  of  a  dead  tree,  15  feet  from  the  ground. 


378.     BURROWING  OWL.     Speotyto  cunicularia  hypogcea. 

Range. — Western  North  America  from  the  Mississippi 
Valley  west  to  California;  north  to  the  southern  parts 
of  British  America  and  south  to  Central  America. 

These  peculiar  birds  are  wholly  different  in  plumage, 
form  and  habits  from  any  other  American  Owls.  They 
can  readily  be  recognized  by  their  long,  slender  and 
scantily  feathered  legs.  Their  plumage  is  brownish, 
spotted  with  white  above,  and  white,  barred  with  brown 
below;  length  10  inches.  They  nest,  generally  in  large 
communities  in  burrows  in  the  ground,  usually  deserted 
Prairie  Dog  holes.  While  generally  but  a  single  pair 
occupy  one  burrow,  as  many  as  twenty  have  been  found  nesting  together. 
Sometimes  the  burrows  are  unlined,  and  again  may  have  a  carpet  of  grasses 
and  feathers.  Their  white  eggs  generally  number  from  six  to  ten;  size  1.25  x 
1.00.  Data. — Sterling,  Kans.,  May  7,  1899.  Nest  of  bits  of  dry  dung  at  the  end  of 
a  deserted  Prairie  Dog  burrow. 


White 


BIRDS   OF   PREY 


37 8a.     FLORIDA  BURROWING 
OWL.     Speotyto  cunicularia 
floridana. 

Range. — Local  in  the  interior 
of  Florida. 

Like  the  last,  but  slightly 
smaller  and  paler,  and  with  the 
tarsus  less  feathered.  Their 
habits  or  eggs  do  not  differ  from 
the  preceding. 

379-    PYGMY  OWL.    Glaucidium 
gnoma  gnoma. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountain  re- 
gion and  westward;  from  Brit- 
ish Columbia  southward.  These 
interesting  little  Owls,  which  are 
but  seven  inches  in  length,  feed 
in  the  day  time  upon  insects, 
mice  and,  occasionally,  small 
birds.  They  frequent  extensive- 
ly wooded  districts,  chiefly  in 
the  mountain  ranges.  They  nest 
in  tall  trees,  generally  in  desert- 
ed Woodpeckers'  holes,  laying 
three  or  four  white  eggs  during 
May;  size  about  1.00  x  .90. 


Burrowing   Owl 


379a.      CALIFORNIA  PYGMY  OWL.      Glaucidium  gnoma  calif ornicum. 

Range.— Pacific  coast  from  British  Columbia,  south  through  California.  This 
sub-species  is  darker  and  more  brownish  than  the  last.  It  is  not  an  uncommon 
bird  in  California.  They  nest  in  the  tallest  trees  along  the  ranges,  often  being 
found  75  or  more  feet  from  the  ground.  The  eggs  do  not  differ  from  those  of 
the  Pygmy  Owl,  ranging  in  size  from  1.00  x  .85  to  1.20  x  .95. 

379-1.      HOSKIN'S  PYGMY  OWL.      Glaucidium  hoskinsi. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 

This  species  is  smaller  and  more  gray  than  the  preceding.  It  is  not  probable 
that  its  manners  of  nesting  or  eggs  differ  in  any  respect  from  those  of  the  others 
of  this  genus. 


239 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


380.     FERRUGINOUS  PYGMY  OWL. 
Glaucidium  phalcenoides. 

Range. — Mexico  and  Central  America;  north  to  the  Mex- 
ican border  of  the  United  States. 

This  species  is  of  the  same  size  as  the  last,  but  is  much 
tinged  with  rufous  on  the  upper  parts,  and  the  tail  is  of  a 
bright  chestnut  brown  color,  crossed  by  about  eight  bars 
of  black.  They  nest  in  hollow  cavities  in  trees,  from  ten 
to  forty  feet  from  the  ground,  laying  three  or  four  glossy 
white  eggs;  size  1.10  x  .90. 


381.     ELF,  OWL.     Micropallas  whitneyi. 


Range. — Mexico,  north  to  the  bordering  states. 
This  odd  little  bird  is  the  smallest 
member  of  the  family  found  in  Amer- 
ica, attaining  a  length  of  only  six  in- 
ches. In  plumage  it  may  be  described 
as  similar  to  a  very  small,  earless 
Screech  Owl,  only  with  the  pattern  of 
the  markings  a  great  deal  finer.  They 
are  said  to  be  quite  abundant  in  the 
table  lands  of  central  Mexico  and  in 
southern  Arizona,  where  they  build 
their  nests  in  deserted  Woodpeckers'  holes,  perhaps  most  frequently  in  the 
giant  cactus.  It  is  said  to  be  more  nocturnal  than  the  Pygmy  Owls  and  to  feed 
almost  exclusively  upon  insects.  They  lay  from  three  to  five  eggs  having  a 
slight  gloss.  Size  1.02  x  .90.  Data. — Southern  Arizona,  May  22,  1902.  Nest  in  a 
deserted  Woodpecker  hole.  Two  eggs. 


380 — 381 


White 


240 


PAROQUETS  AND  PARROTS.    Order  XIII.    PSITTACI. 
Family  PSITTACIDAE 


382.     CAROLINA  PAROQUET. 

Conuropsis  carolinensis. 

Range. — Now  rare  in  Florida  and  along  the 
Gulf  coast  to  Indian  Territory.  As  late  as  1885, 
the  Carolina  Paroquets  were  abundant  in  the 
South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  but  owing  to 
their  wanton  destruction  by  man,  they  have 
been  exterminated  in  the  greater  portion  of 
their  range,  and  now  are  rarely  seen  in  any 
locality,  and  then  only  in  the  most  unhabitable 
swamps  and  thickets.  A  reliable  account  of 
their  nesting  habits  is  lacking,  as  are  also  spe- 
cimens of  their  eggs 
taken  from  wild  birds. 
They  are  said  to  build 
rude  nests  of  sticks 
upon  horizontal  bran- 
ches of  cypress  trees, 
and  to  nest  in  colo- 
nies; it  is  also  claim- 
ed that  they  nest  in 
hollow  trees,  laying 
from  three  to  five  pure 
white  eggs.  The  one 
figured  is  one  of  three 
laid  in  confinement  at  Washington,  D.  C.,  by  a 
pair  of  birds  owned  by  Mr.  Robert  Ridgeway. 


White 


Ca,rolina  Paroquet 


It  is  1.31x1.06  and  was  laid 


July  12,  1892.     This  set  is  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  John  Lewis  Childs. 


382.1.      THICK-BILLED  PARROT.     Rhynchopsitta 
pachyrhyncha. 

Range.— Mexico,  north  casually  to  the  Mexican  border  of  the  United  States. 
This  large  Parrot  (16  inches  long)  has  a  heavy  black  bill,  and  the  plumage  is 
entirely  green  except  for  the  deep  red  forehead,  strips  over  the  eye,  shoulder, 
and  thighs,  and  the  yellowish  under  wing  coverts.  Their  eggs  are  white  and 
are  laid  in  natural  cavities  in  large  trees  in  forests. 


CUCKOOS,  TROGANS,  KINGFISHERS,  ETC.    Order  XIV. 
CUCKOOS,  ANIS,  ETC.    Family  CUCULIDAE 

[383.]      ANI.      Crotophaga  ani. 

Range. — Northeastern  South  America  and  the  West  Indies;  casual  in  Florida, 
and  along  the  Gulf  coast;  accidental  in  Pennsylvania. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  next,  but  the  bill  is  smoother  and  without 
grooves..  Its  nesting  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  more  common  Ameri- 
can species. 

241 


16 


ROADRUNNER 


CUCKOOS,  ETC. 


384.     GROOVE-BILLED  ANI. 

Crotophaga  sulcirostris. 

Range. — Mexico  and  the  border  of  the  United 
States;   common  in  southern  Texas.     This  odd 
species  has  a  Cuckoo-like  form,  but  is  wholly 
blue  black  in  color,  and  has  a  high  thin   bill 
with  three  conspicuous  longitudinal  grooves  on 
each  side.    They  build 
large    bulky    nests    of 
twigs,     lined    with 
leaves     and      grasses, 
and     located     in     low 
trees  and  bushes.  They 
build    in    small    colo- 
nies but  do  not,  as  is 
claimed    of    the    com- 
mon Ani,  build  a  large 
nest  for  several  to  oc- 
cupy.    They  lay  from 

three  to  five  eggs  of  a  greenish  blue  color,  cov- 
ered with  a  chalky  white  deposit.  Size  1.25 
x  1.00.  They  are  laid  in  May  or  June. 


38+. 


385. 


Road    Runner 
Groove-billed    Ani 


385.      ROAD-RUNNER.      Geococcyx  calif  ornianus. 

Range. — Western   United  States  from   Oregon,   Colorado  and   Kansas,  south- 
ward; most  abundant  on  the  Mexican  border,  and  wintering  in  central  Mexico. 

This  curious  species  is  known  as  the  "Chaparral 
Cock,"  "Ground  Cuckoo,"  "Snake-killer,"  etc.     Its 
upper   parts    are   a   glossy    greenish    brown,    each 
feather  being  edged  or  fringed  with  whitish;   the 
tail  is  very  long,  broad  and  graduated,  the  feathers 
v  A      being  broadly  tipped  with  white.    They  are  noted 
fo~    their    swiftness    on    foot,    paddling    over    the 
;  y      ground  at  an  astonishing  rate,  aided  by  their  out- 
^  |>'       stretched    wings    and    spread    tail,    which    act    as 
aeroplanes;  their  legs  are  long  and  have  two  toes 
front  and  two  back.    Their  food  consists  of  lizards 

QHJ  and  small  snakes,  they  being  particularly  savage 

White  in  their  attacks  upon  the  latter.    They  build  rude 

nests  of  sticks  and  twigs,  in  low  trees  or  bushes, 

and  during  April  or  May,  lay  from  four  to  ten  eggs,  depositing  them  at  inter- 
vals of  several  days.    They  are  pure  white  and  measure  1.55  x  1.20. 


243 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


386. 


Mangrove  Cuckoo 

Yellow-billed  Cuckoo 


386.     MANGROVE  CUCKOO. 

Coccyzus  minor  minor. 

Range. — West     Indies,     Mexico     and     South 
America,  north  regularly  to  southern  Florida. 

This  species  is  very 
similar  to  our  common 
Yellow-billed  Cuckoo, 
but  the  whole  under- 
parts  are  deep  buff.  It 
is  a  common  species  and 
nests  abundantly  in  the 
West  Indies,  but  occurs 
only  in  limited  numbers 
in  southern  Florida. 
Their  nests  are  shallow 
platforms  of  twigs  and  rootlets,  placed  in 
bushes  and  low  trees,  and  upon  which  they  lay 
three  or  four  pale  greenish  blue  eggs,  similar 
to  those  of  the  Yellow-billed  species  but  averag- 
ing smaller;  size  1.15  x  .85. 

[386a.]      MAYNARD'S  CUCKOO. 

Coccyzus  minor  maynardi. 


Light  greenish  blue 


Range. — Bahamas;   accidental  on  Florida  Keys, 
and  paler  form  than  the  preceding. 


This  is  a  slightly  smaller 


387.     YELLOW-BILLED  CUCKOO.     Coccyzus  americanus  americanus. 

Range. — United  States  east  of  the  Plains  and  from  southern  Canada  south- 
ward. 

This  species  is  generally  abundant  in  all  localities  in  its  range,  which  afford 
suitable  nesting  places  of  tangled  underbrush  or  vines.  It  may  be  distinguished 
from  the  Black-billed  variety  by  its  larger  size  (12  inches  long),  blackish  tail 
with  broad  white  tips,  and  yellowish  lower  mandible.  They  are  often  regarded 

by  the  superstitious  as  forecasters  of  rain,  and  as 
omens,  probably  because  of  their  gutteral  croaking 
notes. 

Their  nests  are  made  of  twigs,  lined  with  shreds 
of  grape  vine  bark  or  catkins;  the  nests  are  gener- 
ally very  shabbily  made  and  so  flat  on  the  top  that 
the  eggs  frequently  roll  off.  They  are  located  near 
the  ground  in  bushes  or  low  trees.  The  three  or  four 
eggs  are  deposited  at  intervals  of  several  days,  and 
frequently  young  birds  and  eggs  are  found  in 
the  nest  at  the  same  time.  Like  the  Flicker,  this 
bird  will  frequently  continue  laying  if  one  egg  is 
removed  at  a  time,  and  as  many  as  twelve  have  been  taken  from  the  same  nest, 
by  this  means.  The  eggs  are  light  greenish  blue.  Size  1.20  x  .90.  They  are 
usually  laid  during  May  or  June. 


244 


Pale   greenish   blue 


A.   R.   Spaid 
NEST    ANP   EGGS   OF   YELLO  \V-BlLJvEp   CUCKOO 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


387a.     CALIFORNIA  CUCKOO. 

Coccyzus  americanus  occidentalis. 

Range.  —  Western  North  America,  from 
British  Columbia,  southward. 

Slightly  larger  and  with  a  stouter  bill  than 
the  last.  Eggs  not  distinguishable. 

388.     BLACK-BILLED  CUCKOO.     Coccyzus 
erythrophthalmus. 

Range.  —  United  States  east  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains;  north  to  Labrador  and  Manitoba; 
south  in  winter  to  Central  and  South  America. 

This  species  is  rather 
more  common  in  the 
northern  part  of  the 
United  States  than  the 
Yellow  -  billed  variety. 
The  bird  is  smaller,  has 
a  blackish  bill,  and  the 
tail  is  the  same  color  as 
the  back  and  only  slight- 


Greenish  blue 


similar  locations  and  of  the  same  materials  as  used  by  the  Yellow-bill;  the  three 
or  four  eggs  are  smaller  and  a  darker  shade  of  greenish  blue.  Size  1.15  x  .85. 
All  the  Cuckoos  are  close  sitters  and  will  not  leave  the  nest  until  nearly  reached 
with  the  hand,  when  they  will  slowly  nutter  off  through  the  underbrush,  and 
continue  to  utter  their  mournful  "Kuk-kuk-kuk,"  many  times  repeated. 

[388.1.]      KAMCHATKA  CUCKOO.     Cuculus  canorus  telephonus. 

An  Asiatic  subspecies  of  the  common  European  Cuckoo,  accidentally  occur- 
ring in  Alaska. 


TROGONS.    Family  TROGONID^ 


389.     COPPERY-TAILED  TROGON. 
Trogon  ambiguus. 

Range. — Southern    Mexico,     north    to 
Grande  in  Texas  and  in  southern  Arizona, 
localities  they  probably  breed. 

This  is  the  only  member  of  this 
family    of    beautiful    birds     which 
reaches  our  borders.     This  species 
is    12    inches    in    length,    and    is    a 
metallic  green  color  on  the  upper 
parts  and  breast,  and  with  coppery 
reflections  of  the  middle  tail  feath- 
ers,   the    outer    ones    being    white, 
very  finely  vermiculated  with  black, 
as  are  the  wing  coverts.  The  under- 
parts,     except    for    a    white    band 
across    the    breast,    are   rosy    red.      This 
cavities  in  large  trees,  generally  in  large 
pecker  holes.    They  are  also  said  to  have 
ing  in  holes  in  banks.     Their  eggs  are 
number   and   are   a   dull   white   in    color. 

246 


the    Lower    Rio 
in  both  of  which 


species  nest  in 
,  deserted  Wood- 
been  found  nest- 
three  or  four  in 
Size  1,10  x  .85. 


387a— 389 


KINGFISHERS 


KINGFISHERS.     Family  ALCEDINID^E 


390.     BELTED  KINGFISHER.     Ceryle  alcyon. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  breeding 
from  southern  United  States,  northward  and 
wintering  from  the  southern  parts  of  its  breed- 
ing range,  southward. 

This  well  known  bird  is  abundant  in  all  lo- 
calities near  water,  where  its  rattling  notes  are 
among  the  most  familiar  of  sounds.  Their  food 
is  almost  entirely  of  small  fish,  which  they 
catch  by  plunging  upon  from  their  perch  on  an 
old  dead  limb  over- 
hanging the  water, 
or  by  hovering  in 
the  air  like  an  Os-  / 
prey.  Their  nests  / 
are  located  at  the  [: 
end  of  burrows  in  >  1 
sand  banks  or  the 
banks  of  creeks  and 
rivers.  These  tun- 
nels, which  are  dug 
by  the  birds,  gener- 
ally commence  two  or  three  feet  from  the  top 
of  the  bank  and  extend  back  from  six  to  eight 
feet,  either  in  a  straight  line  or  curved;  the  end  is  enlarged  to  form  a  suitable 
nesting  place,  in  which  from  five  to  eight  eggs  are  laid.  They  are  glossy  and 
pure  white  in  color.  Size  1.35  x  1.05.  Data. — Lake  Quinsigamond,  Massa- 
chusetts, June  6,  1900.  7  eggs  at  the  end  of  a  6  foot  tunnel  in  a  sand  bank.  Bird 
removed  by  hand  from  the  nest.  Collector,  C.  E.  Howe. 


White 


Belted    Kingfisher 


[390.1.]      RINGED  KINGFISHER.     Ceryle  torquata. 


Range. — Mexico,  north  casually  to  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas. 

This  handsome  species  is  much  larger  than  the  Belted  Kingfisher  and  the 
underparts  are  nearly  all  bright  chestnut,  except  the  white  throat.  They  nest  in 
river  banks  the  same  as  the  common  American  species,  and  the  eggs  are  white, 
but  larger.  Size  1.45  x  1.10. 


247 


WOODPECKERS 


391.     TEXAS  KINGFISHER. 

Ceryle  americana  septentrionalis 

Range. — Southern  Texas,  south  through  Mex- 
cio. 

This  variety  is  much  smaller  than  the  Belted, 
length  8  inches,  and  is  a  lustrous  greenish 
above,  variously  speckled  with  white,  and  is 
white  below,  spotted  with  greenish.  It  is  a 
common  and  resident  species  in  southern 
Texas,  where  it  lays  its  eggs  in  holes  in  the 
banks  along  streams.  The  eggs  are  white  and 
glossy,  and  measure  .95  x  .70. 


WOODPECKERS.  Order  XV.  PICI. 
Family  PICIDAE 

Woodpeckers  are  well  known  birds  having 
sharp  chisel-like  bills,  sharply  pointed  and 
stiffened  tail  feathers,  and  strongly  clawed  feet 
with  two  toes  forward  and  two  back,  except  in 
one  genus.  Their  food  is  insects  and  grubs, 

which  they  get  by  boring  in  trees,  and  from  under  the  bark,  clinging  to  the 
sides  of  trunks  or  the  under  side  of  branches  with  their  strong  curved  nails, 
aided  by  the  tail,  for  a  prop.  They  are  largely  resident  where  found. 


Texas    King-fisher 


392.     IVORY-BILLED  WOODPECKER. 
Campephilus  principalis. 


Range. — Locally  distributed,  and  rare,  in 
Florida,  along  the  Gulf  coast  and  north  casual- 
ly to  South  Carolina  and  Arkansas. 

This  is  the  largest  of  the  Woodpeckers  found 
within  our  borders,  being  20  inches  in  length. 
But  one  other  American  species  exceeds  it  in 
size,  the  Imperial  Woodpecker  of  Mexico,  which 
reaches  a  length  of  nearly  two  feet;  as  this 
species  is  found  within  a  few  miles  of  our 
Mexican  border,  it  may  yet  be  classed  as  a 
North  American  bird.  The  present  species  has 
a  large,  heavy,  ivory-white  bill.  They  can 
readily  be  identified,  at  a  great  distance,  from 
the  Pileated  Woodpecker  by  the  large  amount 
of  white  on  the  secondaries.  They  used  to  be 
not  uncommonly  seen  in  many  sections  of  the 
southeast  but  are  now  found  very  locally  and 
only  in  the  largest  and  remote  woods.  They 
nest  in  holes  in  large  trees  in  the  most  impen- 
etrable swamps;  laying  three,  and  probably  as 
six  pure  white  glossy  eggs  measuring  1.45  x  1.00. 

249 


Woodpecker 


Hairy    Woodpecker 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

3Q3.     HAIRY  WOODPECKER. 

Dryobates  villosus  villosus. 
Range. — United  States  east  of  the  Plains  and 
from  North  Carolina  to  Canada. 

The  Hairy  Woodpecker  or  its  sub-species  is 
found  in  all  parts  of  North  America.  The  nest- 
ing habits  and  eggs  of  all  the  sub-species  are 
not  in  any  way  different  from  those  of  the 
eastern  bird,  consequently  what  is  said  in  re- 
Sard  to  the  eastern  form  will  apply  equally  to 
all  its  varieties. 

Except  during  the  win- 
ter months,  this  species 
is  not  as  commonly  seen 
about  houses  or  orchards 
as  the  Downy  Wodpecker. 
During  the  summer  they 
retire  to  the  larger  woods 
to  nest,  laying  their  eggs 
in  holes  in  the  trunks  or  White 

limbs  of  trees  at  any  height  from  the  ground, 
and  generally  using  the  same  hole  year  after 
year,  and  often  twice  or  three  times  during 
one  season,  if  the  first  sets  are  taken.  They 
lay  from  three  to  six  glossy  white  eggs ;  size  .95  x  .70.  This  species  can  be  dis- 
tinguished from  the  Downy  Woodpeckers  by  their  larger  size  (9  inches  long), 
and  the  white  outer  tail  feathers,  which  are  unspotted. 

393a.     NORTHERN  HAIRY  WOODPECKER.     Dryobates  villosus  leucomelas. 
Range. — North  America,  north  of  the  United  States. 
Slightly  larger  than  the  preceding. 

3931).     SOUTHERN  HAIRY  WOODPECKER.     Dryobates  villosus  auduboni. 
Range. — Southern  United  States;  north  to  South  Carolina. 
Similar  to  the  Hairy  Woodpecker,  but  smaller. 

393c.     HARRIS'S  WOODPECKER.     Dryobates  villosus  harrisi. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  California  to  British  Columbia. 

Similar  to  the  Hairy  but  with  fewer  or  no  white  spots 
on  the  wing  coverts,  and  grayish  on  the  underparts. 

393d.     CABANIS  WOODPECKER. 

Dryobates  villosus  hyloscopus. 

Range. — Southern  California,  east  to  Arizona  and  south 
into  Mexico.  Like  the  preceding  but  whiter  below. 

393e      ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  HAIRY  WOODPECKER.     Dryo- 
bates villosus  monticola. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountains  from  British  Columbia  south 
to  New  Mexico. 

Similar  to  liarrisi  but  slightly  larger  and  pure  white  be- 
low. 

393f.     QUEEN  CHARLOTTE  WOODPECKER.     Dryobates 
villosus  picoideus. 

Range. — Queen    Charlotte    Islands,    British    Columbia. 
Like  Harris  Woodpecker,  but  with  the  flanks  streaked 
and  the  middle  pf  the  back  spotted  with  blackish.  393c— 394a 

£50 


WOODPECKERS 


394.     SOUTHERN  DOWNY  WOODPECKER. 
Dryobates  pubescens  pubescens. 

Range. — Gulf    and     South    Atlantic    States; 
north  to  South  Carolina. 

This  species,  which  is  the  smallest  of  the 
North  American  Woodpecker  (length  6  inches), 
is  similar  in  plumage  to  the  Hairy  Woodpecker, 
but  has  the  ends  of  the  white,  outer  tail  feath- 
ers spotted  with  black.  Like  the  last  species, 
it  is  represented  by  sub-spe- 
cies in  all  parts  of  North  X 
America,  the  nesting  habits  \ 
of  all  the  varieties  being  the 
same  and  the  eggs  not  dis- 
tinguishable from  one  an- 
other. They  nest  in  holes  in 
trees,  very  often  in  orchards 
or  trees  in  the  neighborhood  of  houses.  They  are 
not  nearly  as  shy  as  the  Hairy  Woodpeckers,  and 
also  associate  with  other  birds  very  freely.  The 
three  to  six  eggs  are  laid  upon  the  bottom  of 
the  cavity,  with  no  lining.  The  height  of  the 
nesting  season  is  during  May  or  June.  The 
white  glossy  eggs  are  .75  x  .60. 


white,   glossy 


Southern    Downy 


394a.     GAIRDNER'S  WOODPECKER.     Dryobates. 
pubescens  gairdneri. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  northern  California  to  British  Columbia. 

This  sub-species  is  like  the  last,  but  is  without  spots  on  the  wing  coverts  and 
is  a  dingy  white  below,  differing  the  same  as  Harris  Woodpecker  from  the  Hairy. 

394b.     BATCHELDER'S  WOODPECKER.     Dryobates  pubescens  homorus. 
Range. — Rocky  Mountain  region  of  the  United  States. 
Like  the  last  but  whiter  below. 

394c.     DOWNY  WOODPECKER.     Dryobates  pubescens  medianus. 

Range.— North  America,  east  of  the  Plains  and  north  of  South  Carolina. 
Similar  to  the  southern  variety  but  slightly  larger  and  whiter. 

394d.     NELSON'S  DOWNY  WOODPECKER.     Dryobates  'pubescens  nelsoni. 
Range. — Alaska. 
Similar  to  the  northern  variety  but  still  larger. 

394e.     WILLOW  WOODPECKER.     Dryobates  pubescens  turati. 

Range. — California  except  the  northern  parts  and  the  ranges  of  the  south. 
Similar  to  Gairdner   Woodpecker,   but   smaller   and   whiter. 

395.      RED-COCKADED  WOODPECKER.     Dryobates  borealis. 

Range. — Southeastern  United  States,  from  South  Carolina  and  Arkansas, 
southward. 

This  black  and  white  species  may  be  known  from  any  other  because  of 
the  uniform  black  crown  and  nape,  the  male  having  a  small  dot  of  red  on 
either  side  of  the  crown,  back  of  the  eye.  They  are  quite  abundant  in  ttie 
Gulf  States  and  Florida,  where  they  nest  during  April  and  May,  and  in  some 
localities  in  March.  They  build  in  hollow  trees  or  stumps  at  an  elevation 
from  the  ground,  laying  from  three  to  six  glgssy  white  eggs;  size  .95  x  .70. 

251 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


396, 


Red-cockaded  Woodpecker 

Texas   Woodpecker 


3Q6.     TEXAS  WOODPECKER. 

Dryobates  scalaris  bairdi. 

Range. — Southwestern  United  States  from 
southern  Colorado  south  to  northern  Mexico. 
This  species  is  brownish  white  below,  has  the 
back  barred  with  black  and  white,  and  the  male 
has  the  whole  crown  red,  shading  into  mixed 
black  and  whitish  on  the  forehead.  Its  habits 
and  nesting  are  just  the  same  as  those  of  the 
Downy,  but  the  three  or  four  white  eggs,  that 
they  lay  in  April,  are  larger;  size  .80  x  .65. 

396a.     SAN  LUCAS  WOODPECKER.     Dryo- 
bates scalaris  lucasanus. 

Range. — Lower  California,  north  to  the  Colo- 
rado Desert,  California. 

Very  similar  to  the  last;  less  barring  on  the 
outer  tail  feathers.  Eggs  the  same. 


397.  NUTTALI/S  WOODPECKER.     Dryobates  nuttalli. 
Range. — Pacific  coast  from  Oregon  south  to  Lower  Cal- 
ifornia. 

Similar  to  the  Texan  Woodpecker  but  whiter  below, 
with  whitish  nasal  tufts,  and  the  fore  part  of  the  crown 
black  and  white  striped,  the  red  being  confined  to  the 
nape  region.  They  nest  in  holes  in  trees,  either  in  dead 
stumps  or  in  growing  trees,  and  at  any  height  above 
ground.  During  April  or  May  they  deposit  their  white 
glossy  eggs  upon  the  bottom  of  the  cavity.  The  eggs 
measure  .85  x  .65. 

398.  ARIZONA  WOODPECKER.     Dryobates  arizonce. 
Range. — Mexican  border  of  the  United  States,  chiefly  in 

Arizona  and  New  Mexico. 

This  species  is  entirely  different  from  any  others  of 
our  Woodpeckers,  being  uniform  brownish  above,  and  soiled 
whitish  below,  spotted  with  black.  The  male  bird  has  a 
red  crescent  on  the  nape.  They  are  said  to  be  fairly  abund- 
ant in  some  sections  of  southern  Arizona.  Their  nesting 
habits  do  not  vary  from  those  of  the  other  Woodpeckers 
found  in  the  same  regions,  and  they  show  no  especial  pre- 
ference for  any  particular  kind  of  a  tree  in  which  to  lay 
their  eggs.  The  nesting  season  appears  to  be  at  its 
height  in  April.  The  pure  white  eggs  average  in  size 
about  .85x.60. 


252 


WOODPECKERS 


399-     WHITE-HEADED  WOODPECKER. 
Xenopicus  albolarvatus. 

Range. — Western  United  States  from  south- 
ern California  to  southern  British  Columbia. 

This  odd  species  is  wholly  a  dull  black  color, 
except  for  the  white  head  and  neck,  and  basal 
half  of  the  primaries.  They 
are  quite  abundant  in  some 
localities,  particularly  in 
California  on  mountain 
ranges.  They  nest  at  any 
height,  but  the  greater 
number  have  been  found 
under  twenty  feet  from  the 
ground  and  in  old  pine 
White  stubs.  They  lay  from  four 

to   six  glossy  white   eggs, 

measuring  .95  x  .70.  They  are  said  to  be  more 
silent  than  others  of  the  Woodpecker  family, 
and  rarely  make  the  familiar  tapping  and  never 
drum.  It  is  claimed  that  they  get  at  their 
food  by  scaling  bark  off  the  trees,  instead  of 
by  boring. 


400. 


40!. 


Three-toed   Woodpecker 
Arctic  Three-toe^  Woodpecker 


ARCTIC  THREE-TOED  WOODPECKER.     Picoides  arcticus. 

As  implied  by  their  name,  members  of  this  genus  have 
but  three  toes,  two  in  front  and  one  behind.  The  plumage 
of  this  species  is  entirely  black  above,  and  whitish  below, 
with  the  flanks  barred  with  blackish.  The  male  has  a 
yellow  patch  on  the  crown.  They  breed  abundantly  in 
coniferous  forests  in  mountainous  regions  throughout  their 
range,  laying  their  eggs  in  cavities  in  decayed  stumps  and 
trees,  apparently  at  any  height,  from  five  feet  up.  The 
eggs  are  laid  in  May  or  June.  Size  .95  x  .70. 


White 


401.      THREE-TOED  WOODPECKER.     Picoides  americanus  americanus. 

Range. — Northern  parts  of  the   United   States   north  to  the  Arctic  regions. 

Range.— From  northern  United  States  northward.       , 

The  chief  difference  between  this  species  and  the  last  is  in  the  white  on  the 
back,  either  as  a  patch  or  in  the  form  of  broken  bars.  The  nesting  habits  are 
just  the  same  and  the  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  preceding. 
Both  forms  are  found  breeding  in  the  same  localities  in  the  Adirondacks  and  in 
nearly  all  other  portions  of  their  range. 


253 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


401a.     ALASKA  THREE-TOED  WOODPECKER. 
Picoides  americanus  fasciatus. 

Range. — Alaska,  south  to  British  Columbia 
and  Washington. 

Like  the  last,  but  with  more  white  on  the 
back.  Eggs  like  the  arcticus. 

401b.     ALPINE  THREE-TOED  WOODPECKER. 
Picoides  americanus  dorsalis. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountains  from  British  Co- 
lumbia south  to  New  Mexico. 

Slightly  larger  than  the  preceding  and  with 
more  white  on  the  back,  almost  entirely  losing 
the  barred  effect  of  the  American  Three-toed 
variety.  They  nest  chiefly  in  dead  pines,  lay- 
ing four  or  five  white  eggs  that  cannot  be  dis- 
tinguished from  those  of  many  other  species. 
Size  .95  x  .70. 


Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker  402.      YELLOW-BELLIED  SAPSUCKER.      Sphyra 

picus  varius  varius. 

Range. — North  America,   east  of  the  Plains;    breeding  from   Massachusetts 
northward,  and  wintering  from  the  Carolinas  and  Illinois  southward. 

This  species  is  one  of  the  most  handsomely  marked  of  the  family;  they  can 
easily  be  recognized  by  the  red  crown  and  throat  (white  on  the  female),  each 
bordered  by  black,  and  the  yellowish  underparts.     The  mem- 
bers of  this  genus  have  been  found  to  be  the  only  ones  thai 
are  really  injurious,  and  these  only  to  a  slight  extent,  to  cui-        /-"^ 
tivated  trees.    This  species  and  the  two  following  are  the  only      /  '    ; 
real  "sapsuckers,"  a  crime  that  is  often  attributed  to  the  most     fffc 
useful  of  the  family.    Their  nesting  season  is  during  May  and 
June,  they  then  resorting  to  the  interior  of  the  woods,  where 
they  deposit  their  four  to  seven  glossy  eggs  on  the  bottom 
of  holes   in  trees,   generally  at   quite  an   elevation  from  the 
ground.     Size  of  eggs  .85  x  .60.  White 


402a.     RED-NAPED  SAPSUCKER.     Sphyrapicus  varius  nuchalis. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountain  region  of  the  United  States  and  southern  Canada 
south  to  Mexico  and  west  to  California. 

This  variety  differs  from  the  last,  chiefly  in  addition  of  a  band  of  scarlet 
on  the  nape  in  place  of  the  white  on  the  Yellow-bellied  species.  Coming  as 
it  does,  midway  between  the  ranges  of  the  preceding  species  and  the  following, 
this  variety,  with  its  extension  of  red  on  the  head  and  throat,  may  be  regarded 
somewhat  as  a  connecting  link  between  the  two  species,  but  it  is  perfectly  dis- 
tinct and  does  not  intergrade  with  either.  There  appears  to  be  no  difference  in 
the  nesting  habits  of  the  two  varieties,  except  that  the  present  one,  according  to 
Bendire,  shows  a  preference  to  nesting  in  live  aspens.  The  eggs  measure 
.90  x  .65. 

254 


WOODPECKERS 


403.     RED-BREASTED  SAPSUCKER. 
Sphyrapicus  ruber  ruber. 

Range. — Pacific  Coast  from  Lower  Califor- 
nia to  Oregon. 

Except  for  a  whitish  line  from  the  eye  to 
the  bill,  the  entire  head,  neck  and  breast  of 
this  species  is  red,  of  varying  shades  in  differ- 
ent individuals,  from  carmine  to  nearly  a  scar- 
let; the  remainder  of  their  plumage  is  very 
similar  to  that  of  the  Yellow-bellied  Sapsucker. 
This  is  an  abundant  species  and  in  most  parts 
of  the  range  they  are  not  timid.  Like  many  of 
the  Woodpeckers,  they  spend  a  great  deal  of 
their  time  in  drumming  on  some  dead  limb. 
They  nest  commonly  in  aspens,  preferably  liv- 
ing ones,  and  are  said  to  build  a  new  nesting 
hole  each  year  rather  than  use  the  old.  The 
eggs  are  laid  during  May  or  June,  being  glossy 
white,  five  to  seven  in  number,  and  measuring 
.90  x  .70. 


Pileated    Woodpecker 


403a.      NORTHERN  RED-BREASTED  SAPSUCKE«. 
Sphyrapicus  ruber  notkensis. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  California  to  Alaska. 

404.  WILLIAMSON'S  SAPSUCKER.     Sphyrapicus  thyroideus. 

This  is  a  deeper  and  brighter  variety,  and  is  more  yellowish  on  the  belly.  Its 
nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  southern  form. 

Range. — Mountain  ranges  from  the  Rockies  to  the  Pacific;  north  to  British 
Columbia. 

This  oddly  marked  species  shows  a  surprising  number  of  variations  in  plum- 
age; the  normal  adult  male  is  largely  black  on  the  upper  parts  and  breast, 
with  only  a  narrow  patch  of  red  on  the  throat,  and  with  the  belly,  bright  yellow. 
The  female  is  entirely  different  in  plumage  and  for  a  long  time  was  supposed  to 
be  a  distinct  species;  she  is  brownish  in  place  of  the  black  in  the  male,  has  no 
red  in  the  plumage,  and  is  barred  with  black  and  white  on  the  back  and  wings. 
They  nest  at  high  altitudes  in  mountain  ranges,  either  in  coniferous  forests  or 
in  aspens.  There  is  no  peculiarity  in  their  nesting  habits;  they  lay  from  four 
to  seven  eggs,  glossy  white.  Size  .97  x  .67. 

405.  PILEATED  WOODPECKER.     Phlceotomus  pileatus  pileatus. 

Range. — Southern  and  South  Atlantic  States. 

This  heavily  built  Woodpecker  is  nearly  as  large  as  the  Ivory-bill,  being  17 
inches  in  length.  They  are  not  nearly  as  beautiful  as  the  Ivory-bills,  their 
plumage  being  a  sooty  black  instead  of  glossy,  and  the  white  on  the  wing, 
being  confined  to  a  very  small  patch  at  the  base  of  the  primaries;  the  whole 
crown  and  crest  are  vermillion,  as  is  also  a  moustache  mark  in  the  male.  They 
breed  in  the  most  heavily  timbered  districts,  and  generally  at  a  high  elevation; 
excavating  a  cavity  sometimes  25  inches  in  depth  and  eight  inches  in  diameter. 
In  most  localities  they  are  very  shy  and  difficult  to  approach.  During  April  or 
May  they  lay  from  three  to  six  white  eggs.  Size  1.30  x  1.00. 


255 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

mmm 


Williamson  Sapsucker 
Northern  Pileated  Woodpecker 


405a.     NORTHERN  PILEATED  WOODPECKER. 
Phlceotomus  pileatus  abieticola. 

Range. — Local  throughout  North  America, 
from  the  northern  parts  of  the  United  States 
northward. 

This  variety  is  only  very  slightly  larger 
than  the  preceding,  it  otherwise  being  the 
same.  It  is  still  abundant  in  many  localities, 
but  its  range  is  rapidly  being  reduced,  on  ac- 
count of  cutting  away  the  forests.  Its  nesting 
habits  and  eggs  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
southern  variety. 

406.     RED-HEADED  WOODPECKER. 
Melanerpes  ery  throe  ephalus. 

Range. — United  States,  east  of  the  Rockies, 
except  New  England;  north  to  northern  Can- 
ada; winters  in  southern  United  States. 

This  beautiful  species 
has  a  bright  red  head, 
neck  and  breast,  glossy 
blue  black  back,  wings 
and  tail,  and  white  under- 
parts,  rump  and  second- 
aries. It  is  the  most  abund- 
ant of  the  family  in  the 
greater  portion  of  its 
range,  where  it  nests  in 
any  kind  of  trees  or  in  telegraph  poles  at  any 
height  from  the  ground;  they  also  sometimes 
nest  in  holes  under  the  eaves  of  buildings.  They 
are  the  most  pugnacious  of  the  Woodpeckers, 
and  are  often  seen  chasing  one  another  or  driv- 
ing away  some  other  bird.  They  are  also  known 


White 


to  destroy  the  nests  and  eggs  of  many  species, 
and  also  to  kill  and  devour  the  young,  they 
being  the  only  Woodpecker,  so  far  as  known, 
to  have  acquired  this  disreputable  habit;  they 
also  feed  upon,  besides  ants  and  larvae,  many 
kinds  of  fruit  and  berries.  Their  nesting  sea- 
son is  during  May  and  June,  when  they  lay 
from  four  to  eight  white  eggs,  with  less  gloss 
than  those  of  the  Flicker.  Size  1.00  x  .75. 

407.     ANT-EATING  WOODPECKER. 

Melanerpes  formicivorus   formicivorus. 

Range. — Mexican  border  of  the  United  States, 
southward. 

This  species  may  be  identified  by  the  black 
region  around  the  base  of  the  bill,  the  white 
forehead,  red  crown  and  nape,  yellowish  throat, 
and  blackish  upper  parts,  extending  in  a  band 
across  the  breast,  this  variety  having  the  band 
streaked  with  white  posteriorly.  The  habits  of 
this  variety  are  the  same  as  the  next  which  is 
most  abundant  in  the  United  States. 

256 


Red-headed   Woodpecker 


WOODPECKERS 


407a.     CALIFORNIA  WOODPECKER. 

Melanerpes  formicivorus  bairdi. 

Range. — California  and  Oregon. 

This  bird  differs  from  the  last  in  having  few- 
er white  stripes  in  the  black  breast  band.  In 
suitable  localities,  this  is  the  most  abundant  of 
Woodpeckers  on  the  Pacific  coast.  They  have 
none  of  the  bad  habits  of  the  Red-heads,  appear 
to  be  sociable  among  their  kind,  and  are  not 
afraid  of  mankind.  It  nests  indifferently  in  all 
kinds  of  trees  at  any  height  from  the  ground, 
laying  from  three  to  seven  eggs.  Size  1.00  x 
.75.  This  species  has  the  habit  of  storing  food 
for  future  use  developed  to  a  greater  extent 
than  any  other  of  the  family.  They  sometimes 
completely  honeycomb  the  exterior  surface  of 
decayed  trees,  with  holes  designed  to  hold 
acorns. 


407b.     NARROW-FRONTED  WOODPECKER. 

Melanerpes  formicivorus  angustifrons 


Red-bellied   Woodpecker 


Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 

This  variety  differs  from  the  others  in  being  slightly  smaller  and  in  having 
the  white  band  on  the  forehead  narrower.  Its  nesting  habits  are  the  same,  but 
the  eggs  average  smaller.  Size  .95  x  .75. 


408.      LEWIS'S  WOODPECKER.     Asyndesmus  lewisi. 

Range. — Western  United  States  from  the  Rockies  to  the  Pacific  coast;   from 
British  Columbia  south  to  Mexico. 

A  very  oddly  colored  species,  11  inches  in  length  hav- 
ing a  dark  red  face,  streaked  red  and  white  under 
parts,  a  gray  breast  band,  and  glossy  greenish  black 
upperparts.  They  are  not  uncommon  in  the  greater 
part  of  their  range,  can  not  be  called  shy  birds,  and 
nest  in  all  kinds  of  trees  at  heights  varying  from  six  to 
one  hundred  feet  from  the  ground,  the  five  to  nine  white 
eggs  measuring  1.05  x  .80,  and  being  laid  during  May 
or  June.  White 


109.      RED-BELLIED  WOODPECKER.      Centurus  carolinus. 

Range. — United  States  east  of  the  Plains,  breeding  from  the  Gulf  States  north 
in  nearly  all  parts  of  their  range,  frequenting  the  more  heavily  timbered  regions, 
where  they  nest  in  any  place  that  attracts  their  fancy;  in  some  localities  they 
also  commonly  nest  in  telegraph  poles.  They  are  quite  tame,  and  during  the 
winter  months  come  about  yards  and  houses,  the  same  as,  and  often  in  company 
with  Downy  Woodpeckers.  Their  eggs,  which  are  laid  during  May,  are  glossy 
white,  average  in  size  1.00  x  .75  and  number  from  four  to  six. 


17 


THE  BIRD   BOOK 


White 


410.     GOLDEN-FRONTED  WOODPECKER. 
Centurus  aurifrons. 

Range. — Mexico  and  southern  Texas,  resident. 

This  is  also  one  of  the  "zebra"  or  "ladder- 
backed"  Woodpeckers,  having  the  back  and 
wings  closely  barred  with  black  and  white,  the 
same  as  the  preceding;  the  forehead,  nasal 
tufts  and  nape  are  gol- 
den yellow,  and  the 
male  has  a  patch  of  red 
on  the  crown.  This  is 
a  very  common  resident 
species  in  the  Lower 
Rio  Grande  Valley  in 
Texas,  where  it  nests  in 
trees  or  telegraph  poles, 
sometimes  so  numer- 
ously in  the  latter  situations  as  to  become  a 
nuisance.  Their  nesting  habits  are  not  in  any 
manner  peculiar,  and  the  eggs  cannot  be  dis- 
tinguished from  those  of  the  preceding.  Size 
1.00  x  .75.  Laid  during  April  and  May. 


411.     GILA  WOODPECKER. 

Centurus  uropygialis. 

Range. — Mexican  border  of  the  United  States, 
in  southern  Arizona  and  New  Mexico. 

Like  the  preceding  but  without  any  yellow 
on  the  head,  the  male  having  a  red  patch  in 
the  center  of  the  crown.  They  are  locally  dis- 
tributed in  New  Mexico,  but  appear  to  be  abund- 
ant in  all  parts  of  southern  Arizona,  where  they 
nest  principally  in  giant  cacti,  but  also  in  many  other  trees  such  as  cottonwoods, 
mesquite,  sycamores,  etc.  Besides  their  decided  preference  for  giant  cacti, 
there  is  nothing  unusual  in  their  nesting  habits,  and  the  eggs  are  not  different 
from  those  of  others  of  the  genus.  They  lay  from  three  to  six  eggs  in  April  or 
May.  Size  1.00  x  .75. 


408 — 411 


412.      FLICKER.      Colaptes  auratus  auratus. 

Range. — Southeastern  United  States. 

Flickers  are  well  known,  large  Woodpeckers  (13 
inches  long),  with  a  brownish  tone  to  the  plumage,  bar- 
red on  the  back  and  spotted  on  the  breast  with  black. 
The  present  species  has  a  golden  yellow  lining  to  the 
wings  and  tail,  and  the  shafts  of  the  feathers  are  yellow; 
it  has  a  red  crescent  on  the  nape,  and  the  male  has  black 
moustache  marks.  This  species  and  its  sub-variety  are 
the  most  widely  known  Woodpeckers  in  eastern  North 
America,  where  they  are  known  in  different  localities, 
by  something  like  a  hundred  local  names,  of  which 

258 


White 


WOODPECKERS 


Pigeon  Woodpecker  and  Yellow-hammer  seem 
to  be  the  most  universal.  They  have  the  undu- 
lating flight  common  to  all  Woodpeckers  and 
show  the  white  rump  patch  conspicuously  when 
flying.  They  are  often  found  on  the  ground  in 
pastures  or  on  side  hills,  feeding  upon  ants; 
they  are  more  terrestrial  than  any  others  of 
the  family.  They  nest  anywhere,  where  they 
can  find  or  make  a  suitable  cavity  for  the  re- 
ception of  their  eggs;  in  trees  in  woods  or  sol- 
itary trees  in  large  pastures,  in  apple  trees  in 
orchards,  in  fence  posts,  in  holes  under  the 
roofs  of  buildings,  etc.  They  ordinarily  lay 
from  five  to  ten  very  glossy  eggs,  but  it  has 
been  found  that  they  will  continue  laying,  if 
one  egg  is  removed  from  the  nest  at  a  time, 
until  in  one  case  seventy-one  eggs  were  secur- 
ed. Fresh  eggs  may  be  found  at  any  time  from 
May  until  August,  as  they  frequently  raise  two 
broods  a  season.  Size  of  eggs,  1.10  x  .90  with 
considerable  variations. 


412a.      NORTHERN   P'LICKER. 
tus  luteus. 


Colaptes  aura- 


Northern    Flicker 


Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  east  of  the  Rockies,  except  the  southeast- 
ern portion. 

Averaging  larger  than  the  preceding,  but  individual  specimens  of  the  north- 
ern variety  are  frequently  found  to  be  even  smaller  than  the  southern,  and  vice 
versa,  making  the  distinction  one  of  the  study  rather  than  Nature. 

413.      RED-SHAFTED  FLICKER. 
Colaptes  cafer  collaris. 

Range. — United  States  west  of  the  Rockies. 

This  species  is  marked  similarly  to  the  pre- 
ceding, but  the  top  of  the  head  is  brownish  in- 
stead of  gray,  and  the  underparts  of  the  wings 
and  tail,  and  their  quills  are  reddish.     Neither 
sex  has  the  red  crescent 
on  the  back  of  the  head, 
except  in  the  case  of  hy- 
brids   between    the  'two 
species,  but  the  male  has  I 
red      moustache     marks.  \*  j 

There  are  no  differences 
in  the  nidification  be- 
tween this  species  and 
the  preceding,  but  the  White 

eggs  of  this  average  a  trifle  larger   (1.15x.90). 

41 3a.      NORTHWESTERN    FLICKER.      Colaptes 
cafer  saturatior. 

Range. — Pacific  coast,  breeding  from  Oregon  to  Alaska. 

This  is  a  much  darker  variety  of  the  Red-shafted  Flicker,  but  its  nesting  habits 
or  eggs  do  not  differ  in  any  way. 

259 


Red-shafted   Flicker 


NORTHERN   FLICKER 


G.    E.    Moulthrope 
NEST  AND  EGGS  OF  NORTHERN    FLICKER 


•f.THE   BIRD   BOOK 

414.  GILDED  FLICKER.     Colaptes  chrysoides. 

Range. — Arizona  and  southward  through  Mexico  to  southern  Lower  California. 

This  pale  species  has  the  yellowish  lining  to  the  wings  and  tail  as  in  the 
Flicker,  but  has  a  pale  cinnamon  brown  crown,  no  crescent  on  back  of  head,  and 
the  male  has  red  moustache  marks.  It  is  a  common  species  in  all  localities 
where  the  giant  cactus  abounds,  and  shows  a  preference  to  nesting  in  these 
strange  growths,  to  any  other  trees.  Their  habits  are,  in  all  respects,  the  same 
as  those  of  the  other  Flickers  and  their  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished.  Size 
1.10  x  .90. 

414a.      SAN  FERNANDO  FLICKER.      Colaptes  chrysoides  brunnescens. 

Range. — Northern  Lower  California. 

This  is  a  slightly  smaller  and  darker  variety  of  the  Gilded  Flicker. 

415.  GUADALUPE  FLICKER.     Colaptes  rufipileus. 

Range. — Guadalupe  Island. 

Similar  to  the  Red-shafted  Flicker,  but  with  the  crown  darker  and  the  rump  a 
solid  pinkish  white.  They  are  common  in  a  large  cypress  grove  in  the  middle 
of  the  island,  but  rarely  found  on  any  other  portions.  The  eggs  have  been  des- 
cribed by  Mr.  Walter  E.  Bryant,  who  found  them  breeding  on  the  island,  to  be 
indistinguishable  from  those  of  the  others  of  the  genus. 


GOATSUCKERS,  SWIFTS,  AND  HUMMINGBIRDS. 

Order  XVI.    MACROCHIRES. 
GOATSUCKERS,    Family  CAPRIMULGIDAE. 


Goatsuckers  are  long  winged  birds,  with  small  bills,  but  with  an  extraordin- 
arily large  mouth,  the  opening  of  which  extends  beneath  and  beyond  the  eyes. 
They  are  chiefly  dusk  or  night  fliers,  their  food  consisting  of  insects  which 
they  catch  on  the  wing.  Their  plumage  is  mottled  black,  brownish  and  white, 
resembling  the  ground  upon  which  they  lay  their  eggs. 

262 


416. 


GOATSUCKERS   AND   SWIFTS 
CHUCK-WILL'S-WIDOW. 

Antrostomus  carolinensis. 
Range. — South     Atlantic     and     Gulf     States, 
breeding   north   to   Virginia    and   Indiana,   and 
west  to  Arkansas  and  eastern  Texas. 

These  birds  are  abundant  summer  residents 
in  the  southern  portions  of  their  range,  but  as 


Chuck -will's- widow 


Grayish    white 

they  are  silent  and  hiding  in  the  woods  during 
the  day  time,  they  are  not  as  popularly  known 
as  are  most  birds.  They  rarely  fly  during  the 
day  time  unless  disturbed  from  their  roosting 
place  which  is  on  the  ground  under  underbrush 
or  in  hollow  logs.  Their  notes,  which  are  a  rapid  and  repeatedly  uttered  whis- 
tling repetition  of  their  name,  are  heard  until  late  in  the  night.  They  nest  dur- 
ing April,  May  or  June,  laying  two  eggs  on  the  ground  amid  the  leaves  in  woods 
or  scrubby  underbrush.  The  eggs  are  grayish  to  creamy  white  in  color,  hand- 
somely marked  with  shades  of  lilac,  gray  and  brownish;  size  1.40  x  1.00. 

417.      WHIP-POOR-WILL.     Antrostomus  vociferus  vociferus. 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Plains ;  north  to  the  southern  parts  of  the 
British  possessions;  winters  along  the  Gulf  coast  and  southward. 

This  species  is  well  known,  by  sound,  in  nearly  all  parts  of  its  range,  but 
comparatively  few  ever  observed  the  bird,  and  probably  the  greater  number 
mistake  the  Nighthawk  for  this  species.  The  two  species  can  readily  be  dis- 
tinguished at  a  distance  by  the  absence  of  any  pronounced  white  marking  in 

ths  wings,  and  by  the  white  tips  to  the  outer 
tail  feathers  in  the  present  species,  while  the 
Night  Hawk  has  a  prominent  white  band  across 
the  tail,  but  the  top  is  black,  and  the  tail  slight- 
ly forked.  The  Whip-poor-will,  rarely  leaves 
its  place  of  concealment  before  dark,  and  is 
never,  seen  flying  about  cities,  as  are  the  Night- 
hawks.  In  their  pursuit 
of  insects,  they  glide 
like  a  shadow  over 
fields  and  woods,  their 
soft  plumage  giving 
forth  no  sound  as  their 
wings  cleave  the  air. 
Until  late  at  night,  their 
whistling  cry  "whip- 
poor-will,"  repeated  at 

intervals,  rings  out  in  all  wooded  hilly  dis- 
tricts. Their  two  eggs  are  deposited  on  the 
ground  among  dead  leaves,  generally  in  dense 
woods.  They  are  grayish  white  or  cream  color 
marbled  with  pale  brown  and  gray,  with  faint 
er  markings  of  lilac.  Size  1.50  x  .85. 
263 


Creamy  white 


Whip-poor-will 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


41 7a.     STEPHEN'S   WHIP-POOR-WILL. 
Antrostomus    vociferus    macromystax. 

Range. — Arizona  and  New  Mexico,  south 
through  the  tableland  of  Mexico. 

This  sub-species  is  slightly  larger  and  has 
longer  mouth  bristles  than  the  eastern  bird. 
Their  nesting  habits  are  the  same  and  the  eggs 
differ  only  in  averaging  lighter  in  color,  with 
fainter  markings,  some  specimens  being  almost 
immaculate. 


418.      POOR-WILL.     Phalcenoptilus  nuttalli 
nuttalli. 

Range. — United  States  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, breeding  from  Kansas  and  northern  Cal- 
ifornia northward  to  Montana  and  British  Co- 
lumbia. 

This    handsome    species  ^,- ^ 

is  the  smallest  of  the  fam- 
ily,  being  under   8   inches 

in  length.     Its  plumage  is  mottled  black,  white  and  frosty 
gray,  harmoniously  blended  together.     They  can  easily  be 
distinguished  from  all  other  Goatsuckers  by  their  size  and 
silvery  appearance.     They  nest  on  the  ground,  either  plac- 
ing their  two  eggs  upon  a  bed  of  leaves  or  upon  a  flat  rock.  White 
The  breeding  season  is  from  the  latter  part  of  May  through  July.    The  eggs  are 
pure  white  and  glossy;  size  1.00  x  .75. 


Poor-will 


Merrill's   Paraque 


418a.      FROSTED  POOR-WILL.     Phalcenoptilus  nuttalli  nitidus. 

Range. — Texas  and  Arizona,  north  to  western  Kansas. 
This  variety  is  like  the  last  but  paler,  both  above  and  below, 
tinguishable  from  those  of  others  of  the  genus. 


Eggs  indis- 


41Sb.      DUSKY  POOR- WILL.     Phalcenoptilus  nuttalli  calif  ornicus. 

Range. — A  darker  race  found  on  the  coast  of  California,  having  the  same  nest- 
ing habits  as  the  others. 

The  egg  figured  is  of  this  species.  Data. — Los  Angeles,  Cal.,  June  24,  1900. 
2  eggs  on  the  ground  at  the  foot  of  an  oak  tree  on  the  side  of  a  hill.  Collector, 
F.  M.  Palmer. 


.     . 


264 


GOATSUCKERS   AND   SWIFTS 


419-      MERRILL'S  PARATJQUE.     Nyctidromus  albicollis  merrilli. 

Range. — Mexico,  north  to  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  in  southern  Texas. 

This  species  is  the  same  length  as  the  Chuck-will's-widow,  but  is  not  as  stoutly 
built,  and  has  a  slightly  longer  tail.     It  can  be  dis- 
tinguished from  any  other  of  the  family  by  its  tail, 
the  outer  feather  on  each  side  being  black  (or  brown- 
ish barred  with  black  in  the  female),  and  the  next 
two  having  white  ends  for  nearly  half  their  length. 
Their  eggs  are  laid  on  the  ground  in  open  localities, 
and  generally  under  the  protection  of  an  overhang- 
ing bush.    They  are  two  in  number  and  differ  greatly 
from  those  of  any  other  American  member  of  this 
family,  being  a  buff  or  rich  salmon  buff  in  color,  spot- 
ted   and    splashed    with    gray,    lavender,    and    reddish    brown;    size    1.25  x  .90. 
Data. — Brownsville,  Texas,  April  16,  1900.     Eggs  laid  on  the  ground  in  a  dense 
thicket.    Collector,  Frank  B.  Armstrong. 


Salmon    buff 


Geo.  S.  Fiske 


NEST   AND   EGGS   OF   WHIP-POOR-WILL 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Nighthawk 


420.  NIGHTHAWK.  Chord- 
eiles  virginianus  vir- 
ginianus. 

Range. — North  America, 
east  of  the  Plains  and  from 
Labrador  to  the  Gulf  of  Mex- 
ico; winters  through  Mexico 
to  northern  South  America. 

The  Nighthawk  or  some  of 
its  sub-species  is  found  in 
nearly  all  parts  of  North 
America,  its  habits  being  the 
same  in  all  localities.  It  is 


Grayish    white 

of  the  same  size  as  the  Whip- 
poor-will,  from  which  species 
it  can  readily  be  distinguish- 
ed by  its  lack  of  mouth  bris- 
tles, forked  tail  with  a  white 
band  near  the  end,  and  the 
white  band  across  the  primar- 
ies, the  latter  mark  showing 
very  plainly  during  flight.  Be- 
sides in  the  country,  they  are 

very  common  in  cities,  where  they  will  be  seen  any  summer  day  towards  dusk 
flying,  skimming,  sailing,  and  swooping  over  the  tops  of  the  buildings,  upon 
the  gravel  roofs  on  which  they  often  lay  their  eggs.  They  nest  generally  on 
rocky  hillsides  or  in  open  woods,  laying  their  two  eggs  upon  the  top  of  a  flat 
rock.  The  eggs  are  a  grayish  white  color,  marbled,  blotched  and  spotted  with 
darker  shades  of  gray.  Size  1.20  x  .85. 


420a.     WESTERN  NIGHTHAWK.     Chordeiles  vir- 
ginianus henryi. 

Range. — United  States  west  of  the  Plains. 

A  similar  bird  to  the  preceding,  but  with  plumage 
somewhat  more  rusty.  It  frequents  the  more  open 
portions  of  the  country  in  its  range,  its  habits  and 
nesting  habits  being  the  same  as  others  of  the  former 
species;  the  eggs  average  a  trifle  lighter  in  color. 


Grayish   white 


420b.      FLORIDA  NIGHTHAWK.      Chordeiles  virginianus  chapmani. 

Range. — A  smaller  and  paler  form  found  in  Florida  and  along  the  Gulf  coast. 
No  difference  can  be  observed  in  the  nesting  habits  of  this  as  compared  with  the 
northern  form  and  the  eggs  are  indistinguishable. 


J.   E.   Seebold 


NEST  AND   EGGS   OF    NIGHTHAWK- 


THE   BIRD    BOOK 


420 — 421 


420c.     SENNETT'S  NIGHTHAWK. 

Cordeiles  virginianus  sennetti. 
Range. — A  very  pale   species   with   little   or 
no   tawny;    found    in    the   Great    Plains    from 
Texas    north    to    the    Saskatchewan;     winters 
south  of  the  United  States. 

421.     TEXAS  NIGHTHAWK. 

Chordeiles  acutipennu  texensis. 

Range. — Mexico  and  Central  America,  breed 
ing  north  to  southern  Utah  and  California. 

The  pattern  of  the 
marking  of  this  species 
is  finer  and  more  mot- 
tled with  rusty  than 

the  Nighthawk.     Its      ^•m$£t%<*t  ,Y» 
habits   do  not  differ  to 
any   extent  from   those 
of    the    preceding    spe- 
cies; they  lay  their  two        Gravish  whil 
mottled    gray   eggs    up- 
on the  bare  ground,  often  on  the  dry  sand  and 
in  arid  regions 
where  they  are 
exposed,     with 
no    protection, 
to   the   scorch- 
ing rays  of  the 
sun.    The  eggs 
vary   endlessly 
in     extent     of 
markings,some 
being  very  pale 
and   others 
very  dark  gray, 
mottled    with 
various  shades 


of  gray,  brown  and  lilac.    Size  1.10  x  .75. 


SWIFTS.    Family  MICROPODID^E 


422. 


BLACK  SWIFT. 
borealis. 


Cypseloides  niger 


Range. — Mountain  ranges  from  Central  Amer- 
ica north  to  British  Columbia,  locally  distribut- 
ed throughout  its  range. 

The  plumage  of  this  Swift  is  entirely  sooty 
black,  darkest  above;  the  tail  is  slightly  forked 
and  is  without  spines;  length  of  bird,  7  inches. 
Although  the  general  habits  of  this  species  are 
well  known,  little  is  known  of  their  nesting; 
they  are  seen  during  the  breeding  season  about 
the  higher  ranges  throughout  their  United 
States  habitat,  and  are  supposed  to  nest  in 
crevices  on  the  face  of  cliffs  at  a  high  altitude. 

268 


422—424 


GOATSUCKERS   AND   SWIFTS 


423.     CHIMNEY  SWIFT.     Chcetura  pelagica. 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Plains, 
breeding  from  central  Canada,  south  to  the  Gulf 
coast,  and  wintering  south  of  our  borders. 

This  well  known  species  is  sooty  brownish 
black,  5.5  inches  long,  and  has  the  tail  feathers 
terminating  in  sharp  spines.  They  are  very 
abundant  in  all  portions  of  their  range,  and 
may  be  seen  on  the  wing  at  all  hours  of  the 
day,  but  especially  abundant  in  the  early  morn- 
ing and  toward  dusk.  They  formerly  dwelt 
and  bred  only  in  hollow  trees,  and  a  great  many 
still  continue  to  do  so,  as  large  hollow  stumps 
are  known  where  hundreds  nest  every  year. 
The  majority  of  the  eastern  Chimney  Swifts 
now  nest  in  old  chimneys  that  are  unused,  at 
least  during  the  summer;  some  small  chimneys 
contain  but  a  single  pair  while  other  large  ones 
may  have  from  fifty  to  a  hundred  or  more  nests 
glued  to  the  sides.  The  birds  are  on  the  wing 
during  the  greater  part  of  the  day,  generally 
not  frequenting  the  vicinity  of  their  nesting 
site,  but  returning  toward  dusk,  when  they  may 


Chimney    Swift 


E.   R.   Forrest 
NEST   AND   EGGS   OF  CHIMNEY   SWIFT 


269 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


be  seen  to,  one  at  a  time,  dive  headforemost  into 
the  tops  of  chimneys.     The  nest 
is    made    of    small    twigs    firmly 
glued  to  the  sides  of  the  chim- 
ney, or  tree,  and  to  each  other, 
with  the  glutinous  saliva  of  the     v- 
bird,  making  a  narrow  semi-circle 
platform    for    the    reception    of  White 

their  three  to  five  white  eggs  which  are  deposited 
in  May  or  June;  size  .75  x  .50. 


424.     VAUX'S  SWIFT.   Chcetura  vauxi. 

Range. — Western  United  States,  chiefly  west  of 
the  Rockies;  breeding  north  to  British  Columbia, 
and  wintering  south  of  the  United  States. 

Similar  to  the  last  but  smaller 
(length  4.5  inches),  and  paler  in 
color,    fading    to    white    on    the 
throat.     The   habits  of  this   spe- 
cies are   like  those  of  the   east- 
ern  Chimney   Swift,   except  that 
the  majority  of  these  species  still 
continue  to  use  hollow  trees  as 
nesting  places.     The  eggs  are  just  like  those  of 
the  last  bird. 


WHITE-THROATED  SWIFT. 
Mronautes  melanolcucus. 


Range. — Western   United   States   south   of  Can- 
9_     9  ada,  and  chiefly  in  the  Rocky  Mountains,  and  in 

California  ranges,  north  to  Lat.  38°. 

A  handsome  species,  6.5  inches  in  length,  with  blackish  upper  parts  and  sides, 
and  white  throat,  breast  and  central  line  of  under  parts,  flank 
patches  and  ends  of  secondaries ;  tail  feathers  not  spined  or 
stiffened.  These  birds  are  fairly  common  in  some  localities 
within  their  range,  but  appear  to  be  found  only  on  high  ranges 
or  in  their  immediate  vicinity.  They  nest  in  crevices  and 
caves  in  the  face  of  cliffs,  making  a  nest  similar  in  construe 
tion  to  that  of  the  Chimney  Swift  but  of  weed  stalks  instead  White 

of  twigs,  and  lined  with  feathers.    They  lay  four  or  five  dull  white  eggs,  during 
June  or  July;  size  .85  x  .50. 


White 


270 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


HUMMINGBIRDS.    Family  TROCHILIDAE 


Hummingbirds  have  been  truly  called  "Winged  Gems."  They  are  the  small- 
est of  birds,  the  usual  plumage  being  a  metallic  green  with  throat  or  crown 
patches  of  the  brightest  of  iridescent  shining  red,  orange,  blue  or  violet.  Their 
nests  are  marvels  of  architecture  being  compactly  and  intricately  made  of  plant 
fibres  and  downy  feathers  ornamented  in  some  cases  with  lichens.  Their  flight 
is  accompanied  by  a  peculiar  buzzing  sound  produced  by  their  rapidly  vibrating 
stiffened  wing  feathers.  Their  food  is  small 
insects  and  honey  both  of  which  they  get  chief- 
ly from  flowers. 

426.      RIVOLI'S  HUMMINGBIRD. 
Eugenes  fulgens. 

Range. — Mexico,  north  in  summer  to  south- 
ern Arizona  where  they  breed  at  high  eleva- 
tions in  the  Huachuca  Mountains. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  gorgeous  of  the  Hum- 
mers having  the  crown  a  violet  purple  color, 
and  the  throat  brilliant  green.  This  species 
saddles  its  nest  upon  branches  often  at  heights 
of  20  or  30  feet  from  the  ground.  They  are 
made  of  plant  down  and  generally  decorated 
with  lichens  on  the  outside,  similar  to  nests  of 
the  Ruby-throat.  The  two  white  eggs  measure 
.65  x  .40. 

427-      BLUE-THROATED  HUMMINGBIRD. 
Cyanolcemus    clemencies. 

Range. — Mexico,  north  in  summer  to  the 
border  of  Arizona  and  western  New  Mexico. 

This  species  is  the  largest  of  North  Ameri- 
can Hummers  being  5.25  inches  long,  this  be- 
ing slightly  larger  than  the  preceding.  As  the 
name  implies,  it  has  a  patch  of  blue  on  the 
throat,  the  upper  parts  being  a  uniform  green- 
ish; the  outer  tail  feathers  are  broadly  tipped 
with  white.  Their  nests,  which  are  placed  up- 
on the  limbs  of  trees,  are  made  of  mosses  and 
plant  fibres  covered  with  cobwebs.  The  two 
eggs  are  laid  during  July  and  August,  and 
measure  .65  x  .40.  4<>7_429 


271 


428.  RUBY-THROATED 
HUMMINGBIRD. 
Archilochus  colubris. 

Range — North  America  east 
of  the  Plains  and  north  to 
Labrador. 

This  is  the  only  represen- 
tative of  the  family  found 
east  of  the  Mississippi.  It  is 
a  small  species,  3.5  inches 
long,  with  greenish  upper 
parts  and  a  bright  ruby  throat. 
Its  nest  is  as  beautiful,  if  not 
more  so,  than  that  of  any 
other  species.  They  build 
their  nests  on  horizontal 
limbs  of  trees  at  any  height 
from  the  ground,  but  usually 
more  than  six  feet.  Branches 
an  inch  or  more  in  diameter 
are  usually  selected,  they  not 
being  particular  as  to  the 
kind  of  tree,  but  oaks,  pines 
and  maples  perhaps  being 
used  the  most  often.  The 
nests  are  made  of  plant  fibres 
and  down,  and  the  exterior  is 
completely  covered  with  green 
lichens  so  that  it  appears  like 
a  small  bunch  of  moss  on  the 
limb.  The  two  white  eggs  are 
laid  in  May  or  June;  size  .50 
x.35. 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


Ruby-throated    Hummingbird 


429-      BLACK-CHINNED  HUMMINGBIRD.     Archilochus  alexandri. 

Range. — North  America  west  of  the  Rocky  Mountains;  north  to  British  Colum 

bia;  winters  south  of  the  United  States. 

Similar  in  size  and  appearance  to  the  Ruby-throat,  but  with  the  chin   and 

upper  throat  black,  the 
rest  of  the  throat  gorget 
being  violet  or  amethyst. 
It  is  an  abundant  species 
in  summer  in  many  locali- 
ties, especially  in  the  south- 
'ern  half  of  its  range.  They 
build  their  nests  a!  low  ele- 
wtions,  rarely  above  ten 
feet,  on  small  branches  or 
the  .fork  at  the  end  of  a 
limit*  T^he  nests  are  made 
of  yellowislr  plant  fibres 
and 'are 'not  covered  with 
lichens,  so  that  they  have 
a  peculiar  spongy  appear- 
ance. Eggs  indistinguish- 
able from  those  of  the 
Ruby-throat.  Laid  during 
April,  May  or  June. 


18 


RUBY-THROATED    HUMMINGBIRD 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


430.  COSTA'S  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Calypte  costce. 

Range. — Southwestern  United  States;  north 
to  southern  Utah;  winters  south  of  our  border. 

Smaller  than  the  last  and  with  both  the 
crown  and  the  throat  gorget,  violet  or  ame- 
thyst, the  feathers  on  the  sides  of  the  latter  be- 
ing lengthened.  Their  nests  are  situated  in 
the  forks  of  branches  generally  near  the  ground, 
and  seldom  above  six  feet  from  it.  They  are 
made  of  plant  down  with  shreds  of  weeds,  bark 
and  lichens  worked  into  the  outside  portions, 
and  are  often  lined  with  soft  feathers.  The 
two  eggs  average  .48  x  .32.  Data. — Arroyo  Seco, 
California,  June  10, 1900.  Nest  in  an  alder  bush. 
Collector,  Charles  E.  Groesbeck. 

431.  ANNA'S  HUMMINGBIRD.     Calypte  anna 

Range. — Pacific  coast  of  the  United  States 
from  northern  California,  southward,  winter- 
ing in  Mexico  and  southern  California. 

This  handsome  species  has  both  the  crown 
and  the  broadened  and  lengthened  throat  gor- 
gets, a  purplish  pink;  it  is  slightly  larger  than 
the  Ruby-throat.  They  are  very  abundant  In 
their  restricted  range,  and  nest  in  February 
and  March  and  again  in  April  or  May,  raising 
two  broods  a  season.  Their  nests  are  made  of 
plant  down  and  covered  on  the  outside  with 
cobwebs  and  a  few  lichens,  and  are  generally 
located  at  a  low  elevation.  The  white  eggs 
average  .50  x  .30.  Data. — Santa  Monica,  Cali- 
fornia, March  4,  1897.  Nest  in  a  bunch  of  seed 
pods  in  a  gum  tree,  ten  feet  from  the  ground. 
Collector,  Tom  Bundy. 


430—431 


275 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


432 — 433 — 434 


432.     BROAD-TAILED  HUMMINGBIRD. 
Selasphorus  platycercus. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountain  regions,  north  to 
Wyoming;  winters  south  of  the  United  States 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  Ruby-throat, 
but  larger  and  with  the  back  more  golden 
green  color,  and  the  throat  shining  lilac.  They 
are  very  abundant  in  Colorado  and  Arizona, 
nesting  as  do  the  Ruby-throats  in  the  east,  and 
their  nests  being  similar  in  construction  and 
appearance  to  those  of  that  species.  The 
eggs  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of 
other  species. 


433.      RUFOUS  HUMMINGBIRD. 
Selasphorus  rufus. 

Range. — Western  North  America,  breeding 
from  the  Mexican  border  north  to  Alaska  and 
fairly  abundant  in  most  of  its  range. 

A  handsome  little  species  with  the  back  and 
tail  reddish  brown,  and  with  a  throat  gorget  of 
orange  red,  the  feathers  being  slightly  length- 
ened into  a  ruff  on  the  side  of  the  gorget.  They 
nest  in  a  great  variety  of  locations  and  at  a 
low  elevation,  such  as  vines,  bushes  and  the 
low  hanging  branches  of  trees.  The  nest  is 
made  of  vegetable  fibres  covered  with  cob- 
webs and  often  with  lichens.  The  eggs  do  not 
differ  from  those  of  the  other  Hummers. 


276 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


434.     ALLEN'S  HUMMINGBIRD.     Selasphorus  alleni. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  British  Columbia  southward;    most  abundant  in 
California.    Winters  in  Mexico. 

This  species  is  like  the  last, 
but  the  back  is  greenish,  only 
the  tail  being  reddish  brown. 
These  birds  generally  locate 
their  nests  at  low  elevations 
near  the  end  of  overhanging 
branches,  on  vines,  weed 
stalks,  or  bushes,  but  have 
been  found  as  high  as  90  feet 
above  ground.  The  nests  of 
this  species  are  made  of  plant 
fibres  and  cobwebs,  generally 
decorated  with  lichens.  The 
two  white  eggs  measure  .50  x 
.32.  Data.  —  Santa  Monica, 
Cal.,  May  29,  1896.  Nest  two 
feet  from  the  ground  in  a 
sage  bush.  Collector,  W.  Lee 
Chambers. 


E.  L.  Bickford 
ANNA'S  HUMMINGBIRD 


277 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


436 — 437 — 438 


435.  MORCOM'S  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Atthis  morcomi. 

Range. — This  species  is  known  only  from  a 
single  specimen,  taken  in  the  Huachuca  Moun- 
tains, Arizona,  in  1896. 

436.  CALLIOPE  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Stellula  calliope. 

Range. — Western  United  States  from  British 
Columbia  southward,  and  from  the  Rocky 
Mountains  west  to  eastern  Oregon  and  Cali- 
fornia. 

This  is  the  smallest  of  North  American  Hum- 
mers, being  but  3  inches  in  length.  It  is  greenish 
above  and  has  a  violet  gorget  showing  the 
white  bases  of  the  feathers.  They  build  their 
nests  in  all  manner  of  locations  from  high  up 
in  tall  pines  to  within  a  foot  of  the  ground  in 
slender  bushes.  The  nests  are  made  interiorly 
with  plant  down,  but  the  outside  is  generally 
grayish  colored  shreds  and  lichens.  The  eggs 
average  but  a  trifle  smaller  than  those  of  colu- 
ftris,  .45x.30. 

437-     LUCIFER'S  HUMMINGBIRD. 
Calothorax  lucifer. 

Range. — Mexico,  north  to  southwestern  Texas 
and  Arizona. 

This  species,  which  is  common  in  parts  of 
Central  Mexico,  occurs  only  casually  north  to 
our  borders  and  has  not  yet  been  found  nesting 
there.  They  build  small  compact  nests  of  plant 
down  attached  to  the  stalks  or  leaves  of  plants 
or  weeds. 


438.     *REIFFER'S  HUMMINGBIRD.     Amizilis  tzacatl. 

Range. — Abundant  in  southern  Mexico;  casual  in  southern  Texas. 

This  species  is  greenish  above,  with  a  bronzy  lustre ;  the  tail  is  reddish  brown, 
and  the  throat  and  breast  are  metallic  green.  They  breed  abundantly  about 
houses  and  nest  apparently  at  all  seasons  of  the  year  in  Central  America,  where 
they  are  the  most  common  species  of  Hummers. 


278 


HUMMINGBIRDS 


439.     BUFF-BELLIED  HUMMINGBIRD. 

Amizilis  cerviniventris  chalconota. 

Range. — Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas 
and  southward  through  Mexico. 

These  birds  are  like  the  last  but  have  the 
underparts  a  pale  brownish  buff  color.  They 
are  quite  common  in  ^heir  summer  range  in  the 
United  States,  nesting  at-  a  low  elevation  in 
bushes  and  low  trees.  The  two  eggs  are  white, 
.50x.35.  Data. — Brownsville,  Texas,  May  5, 
1892.  Nest  of  fine  bark-like  fibre  on  the  out- 
side, lined  with  lint  from  thistle  plant;  located 
on  limb  of  small  hackberry.  Collector,  Frank 
G.  Armstrong. 

440.     XANTUS'S  HUMMINGBIRD. 
"Basilinna  xantusi. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 

A  handsome  species,  greenish  above,  with  a 
coppery  tinge  and  shading  into  reddish  brown 
on  the  tail;  under  parts  buffy,  throat  metallic 
green,  and  a  broad  white  streak  behind  the  eye. 
They  breed  on  the  ranges  making  a  similar 
nest  to  those  of  other  Hummers,  placed  on 
weeds  or  bushes  near  the  ground.  The  eggs 
cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  ma- 
jority of  other  species. 

440.1.     WHITE-EARED  HUMMINGBIRD. 
Basilinna  leucotis. 

Range. — A  Central  American  and  Mexican 
species,  casually  found  on  the  ranges  in  South- 
ern Arizona. 

The  plumage  of  this  species  is  greenish  above  and  below,  being  metallic  green 
on  the  breast;  the  forehead,  sides  of  head,  and  throat  are  iridescent  blue 
and  a  white  line  extends  back  from  the  eye. 


439—440.1—441 


441.     BROAD-BILLED  HUMMINGBIRD.     Cynanthus  'latirostris. 

Range.— Mountains  of  central  Mexico  north  to  southern  Arizona  and  New 
Mexico. 

The  throat  of  this  species  is  a  rich  metallic  blue;  otherwise  the  plumage  is 
greenish  above  and  below,  being  brighter  and  more  irisdescent  on  the  breast. 
They  are  not  uncommon  on  the  ranges  of  southern  Arizona,  where  they  have 
been  found  nesting  in  July  and  August,  their  nest  not  being  unlike  those  of  the 
Rufous  Hummer,  but  with  the  exterior  largely  composed  of  shreds  of  grayish 
bark  and  lichens.  Their  eggs  are  like  many  others  of  the  Hummers. 


279 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


PERCHING  BIRDS.    Order  XVII.    PASSERES 


COTINGAS.    Family  COTINGIDAE 


.1-.]      XANTUS  BE  CARD.      Platypsaris  aglaice  albiventris. 


Range.—  iMexico;  north  casually  to  the  southern  border  of  Arizona. 

This  peculiar  species  is  grayish  above  and  lighter  gray  below,  has  dark  slaty 
crown*  and  a  patch  of  rose  color  on  the  lower  throat.  This 
is  the  only  representative  of  this  tropical  family  that  has 
been  found  as  yet  over  the  Mexican  border,  but  its  near 
ally,  the  Rose-throated  Becard  has  been  found  within  a 
very  few  miles  and  will  doubtless  be  added  to  our  fauna 
as  an  accidental  visitor  ere  long.  Their  nests  are  large 
masses  of  grasses,  weeds,  strips  of  bark,  etc.,  partially 
suspended  from  the  forks  of  branches.  Their  eggs  number  Buffy  gray 

four  or  five  and  are  a  pale  buffy  gray  color,  dotted  and  scratched  with  a  pale 
reddish  brown  and  dark  gray.  Size  .95  x  .70.  The  one  figured  is  from  a  set 
in  the  collection  of  Mr.  Crandall,  taken  June  1,  1897  at  Presidio  Sinaloa,  Mexico. 

'     ..A* 

FLYCATCHERS.     Family  TYRANNIDyE 

Flycatchers,  which  are  found  only  in  America  and  chiefly  in  the  tropics,  are 
insect-eating  birds,  generally  having  a  grayish  colored  plumage,  sometimes 
adorned  with  a  slight  crest  or  a  coronal  mark  of  orange,  red,  or  yellow.  Only 
two  of  the  species  found  in  North  America  are  gaudy  in  plumage,  the  Vermil- 
ion, and  the  Derby  Flycatchers.  They  all  have  the  habit  of  sitting  erect  on  a 
dead  twig,  and  watching  for  passing  insects,  which  they  catch  on  the  wing. 


[442.]      FORK-TAILED  FLYCATCHER.     Muscivora  tryannus. 

Range. — A  Central  and  South  American  species  accidentally  having  occurred 
in  the  United  States  on  several  occasions. 

This  is  a  handsome  black,  white  and  gray  species  of  the  size  and  form  of  the 
next. 


280 


PERCHING    BIRDS 

443.        SCISSOR-TAILED    FLYCATCHER.        MuSClVOTa    forficdtd. 


Creamy   white 


Scissor-tailed     Flycatcher 


Range.  —  Mexico,  north  through  Texas  to 
southern  Kansas;  accidental  in  other  parts  of 
the  country. 

The  Scissor-tail  or  "Texan  Bird  of  Paradise" 
is  the  most  beautiful  member  of  this  interest- 
ing family.  Including  its  long  tail,  often  10 
inches  in  length  and  forked  for  about  6  inches, 

this  Flycatcher  reaches   a 

length  of  about  15  inches. 

It   is    pale   grayish   above, 

fading  into  whitish  below, 

and  has  scarlet  linings  to 

the   wings,    and    a    scarlet 

crown     patch.     They     are 

one  of  the  most  abundant 

of    the    breeding    birds    in 

Texas,  placing  their  iara;e 

roughly  built  nests  in  all  kinds  of  trees  and  at 
any  elevation,  but  averaging  between  ten  and 
fifteen  feet  above  ground.  The  nests  are  built 
of  rootlets,  grasses,  weeds  and  trash  of  all 
kinds,  such  as  paper,  rags,  string,  etc.  The 
interior  is  generally  lined  with  plant  fibres, 
hair  or  wool.  They  lay  from  three  to  five,  and  rarely  six  eggs  with  a  creamy 
white  ground  color,  more  or  less  spotted  and  blotched  with  reddish  brown,  lilac 
and  gray,  the  markings  generally  being  most  numerous  about  the  larger  end. 
They  average  in  size  about  .90  x  .67.  Data.—  Corpus  Christi,  Texas,  May  18, 
1899.  6  eggs.  Nest  of  moss,  vines,  etc.,  on  small  trees  in  open  woods  near  town. 
Collector,  Frank  B.  Armstrong. 

444.      KINGBIRD.      Tyrannus  tyrannus. 

Range.  —  Temperate  North  America,  breeding 
from  the  Gulf  of  Mexico  north  to  New  Bruns- 
wick, Manitoba  and  British  Columbia;  rare  off 
the  Pacific  coast. 

This  common  Tyrant  Flycatcher  is  very 
abundant  in  the  eastern  parts  of  its  range. 
They  are  one  of  the  most  pugnacious  and  cour- 
ageous of  birds  attacking  and  driving  away  any 
feathered  creature  to  which  they  take  a  dis- 
like, regardless  of  size. 
Before  and  during  the 
nesting  season,  their 
sharp,  nerve-racking  clat- 
ter is  kept  up  all  day  long, 
and  with  redoubled  vigor 
when  anyone  approaches 
their  nesting  site.  They 
nest  in  any  kind  of  a  tree, 

in  fields  or  open  woods,  and  at  any  height 
from  the  ground,  being  found  on  fence  rails 
within  two  feet  of  the  ground  or  in  the  tops  of 
pines  70  or  80  feet  above  the  earth.  Nearly 
every  orchard  will  be  found  to  contain  one  or 

281 


Cream  t>olor 


Kingbird 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


more  pairs  of  these  great  insect  destroyers ;  if  more  than  one  pair,  there  will  be 
continual  warfare  as  often  as  one  encroaches  on  the  domains  of  the  other.  Their 
nests  are  made  of  strips  of  vegetable  fibre,  weeds,  etc.,  and  lined  with  horsehair 
or  catkins.  They  are  sometimes  quite  bulky  and  generally  very  substantially 
made.  The  three  to  five  eggs  are  laid  the  latter  part  of  May,  and  are  of  a 
creamy  ground  color  splashed  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac.  Size  .95  x  .70. 
Data. — Worcester  County,  Massachusetts,  June  3,  1895.  4  eggs.  Nest  10  feet 
from  the  ground  in  an  apple  tree;  made  of  fibres,  string,  rootlets  and  weeds, 
lined  with  horse  hair.  Collector,  F.  C.  Clark. 


G.    E.    Mpulthrope 
NEST   AND   EGGS  OF   KINGBIRD 


282 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


445.     GRAY  KINGBIRD. 


Tyrannus  dominie ensis. 


Range. — West  Indies;  north  in  April  to  Flor- 
ida and  the  South  Atlantic  States  to  South 
Carolina  and  casually  farther. 

This  species  is  slightly  larger  than  our  King- 
bird,  (9  inches  long),  grayish  instead  of  dark 
drab    above,    white    below,    and    without    any 
white     tip     to    tail.     Like 
the    common    Kingbird,    it 
has    a     concealed    orange 
patch  on  the  crown.   Their 
habits   and  nesting  habits 
are  the  same  as  those  of 
our  common  bird,  but  the 
nest    is   not    generally    as 
well   built,   and  nearly  al- 
ways   is   made   largely   of 

twigs.  The  three  or  four  eggs  have  a  creamy 
or  a  creamy  pink  ground  color,  spotted  and 
blotched  with  dark  brown  and  lilac,  most  num- 
erously about  the  large  end.  Size  1.00  x  .73. 
Tarpon  Springs,  Florida,  May  28,  1802.  Nest  of  twigs  and  weeds  in  a  low  bush. 
Collector,  J.  A.  Southley. 


Creamy 


Gray    Kingbird 


446.      COUCH'S  KINGBIRD.      Tyrannus  melanclwlicus  couchi. 

Range. — Mexico,  north  in  summer  to  southern  Texas. 

This  species  is  very  similar  to  the  next  but  the  throat 
and  breast  are  white,  and  the  underparts  a  brighter  yel- 
low. Like  the  other  members  of  this  genus,  these  build 
their  nests  in  any  location  in  trees  or  bushes,  making  them 
of  twigs,  weeds  and  moss.  Their  three  or  four  eggs  have 
a  creamy  ground  with  a  pinkish  cast  and  are  spotted 
with  brown  and  lilac.  Size  .97  x  .12. 


447.     ARKANSAS  KINGBIRD. 
Tyrannus  verticalis. 


Buff 


Arkansas    Kingbird 


Range. — Western  United  States  and  southern 
British  Provinces  from  Kansas  and  Minnesota 
west  to  the  Pacific.  ' 

This  species  has  grayish  upper  parts,  shad- 
ing into  darker  on  the  wings  and  tail,  and 
lighter  on  the  throat  and  upper  breast;  the 
underparts  are  yellow,  and  there  is  a  concealed 
patch  of  orange  on  the  crown.  They  are  very 
abundant  throughout  the  west,  where  they 
have  the  same  familiar  habits  of  the  eastern 
species,  nesting  in  all  sorts  of  locations  such  as 
would  be  used  by  the  latter.  Their  nests  are 
made  of  plant  fibres,  weeds,  string,  paper  or 
any  trash  that  may  be  handy,  being  sometimes 
quite  bulky.  Their  eggs  do  not  differ  in  any 
particular  from  those  of  the  eastern  bird,  ex- 
cept that  they  may  average  a  Uttle  smaller. 
Size  .95x.65. 


THE    BIRD   BOOK 


448.     CASSIN'S  KINGBIRD. 

Tyrannus  vocifcrans. 

Range.— Western  United 
States  from  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tain region  to  California,  and 
from  Wyoming  southward. 

This  species  is  like  the  last 
except  that  the  throat  and 
breast  are  darker.  Their 


Derby   Flycatcher 


Buff 

habits,  nesting  habits  and 
eggs  are  indistinguishable 
from  those  of  the  other  Ty- 
rant Flycatchers,  and  they 
are  fully  as  courageous  in  the 
defense  of  their  homes 
against  either  man  or  bird, 
their  notes  resembling  those 
of  the  common  Kingbird  of 
the  east. 


.      DERBY  FLYCATCHER.     Pitangus  sulphuratus  derbianus. 

Range. — Mexico  and  Central  America,  breeding  north  to  southern  Texas. 
This  handsome  bird   is   the   largest   of  the   Flycatcher  family  found  in  the 

United  States,  being  11  inches  in  length.     It  has  a  black  crown  enclosing  a 
yellow  crown  patch;   a  broad  black  stripe  from  the 

,-./  "  bill,   through   the   eye   and   around   the   back   of   the 

head,  is  separated  from  the  crown  by  a  white  fore- 
head and  line  over  the  eye;  the  throat  is  white 
shading  into  yellow  on  the  underparts.  They  are 
abundant  in  the  interior  of  Mexico,  but  can  hardly 
be  classed  as  common  over  our  border,  where  they 
nest  in  limited  numbers.  Their  nests  are  unlike 
those  of  any  of  our  other  Flycatchers  being  large 
masses  of  moss,  weeds  and  grass,  arched  over  on 

top  and  with  the  entrance  on  the  side.    The  three  or  four  eggs  are  creamy  white, 

sprinkled  chiefly  about  the  large  end  with  small  reddish  brown  or  umber  spots ; 

size  1.15x.85. 


Creamy    white 


284 


451.     SULPHUR-BELLIED 
FLYCATCHER.       Myiody- 
nastes  luteiventris . 

Range. — Mexico  and  Cen- 
tral America,  breeding  north 
to  the  Mexican  border  of  Ari- 
zona. 

This  peculiar  Flycatcher, 
which  is  unlike  any  other 
American  species,  can  only 
be  regarded  as  a  rare  breed- 
ing bird  in  the  Huachuca  Mts. 
It  is  8  inches  in  length,  has 
a  grayish  back  streaked  with 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


Crested    Flycatcher 


Creamy    buff 

black,  the  tail  largely  rusty 
brown  and  the  underparts  sul- 
phur yellow,  streaked  on  the 
breast  and  sides  with  dusky; 
a  yellow  crown  patch  is  bord- 
ered on  either  side  by  a  stripe 
of  mottled  dusky,  and  is  sep- 
arated from  the  blackish 
patch  through  the  eye,  by 
white  superciliary  lines.  Their 
habits  are  similar  to  those  of  the  genus  Myiarchus,  and,  like  them,  they  nest  in 
cavities  in  trees,  and  lay  from  three  to  five  eggs  of  a  creamy  buff  color  thickly 
spotted  and  blotched  with  brown  and  purplish,  the  markings  not  assuming  the 
scratchy  appearance  of  the  Crested  Flycatchers,  but  looking  more  like  those  of 
a  Cardinal;  size  of  egg  1.05  x  .75.  Data. — Huachuca  Mts.,  Arizona,  June  29,  1901. 
4  eggs.  Nest  in  the  natural  cavity  of  a  live  sycamore  tree  about  fifty  feet  from 
the  ground;  composed  of  twigs.  Collector,  O.  W.  Howard. 

4-52.      CRESTED  FLYCATCHER.      Myiarchns  crinitus. 

Range. — North  America,  east  of  the  Plains,  and  from  New   Brunswick  and 
Manitoba  southward;  winters  from  the  Gulf  States  southward. 

This  trim  and  graceful,  but  quarrelsome,  species  is  gray- 
ish on  the  head,  neck,  and  breast,  shading  to  greenish  on 
the  back  and  quite  abruptly  into  bright  yellow  on  the 
underparts;  the  head  is  slightly  crested  and  the  inner  webs 
of  all  the  lateral  tail  feathers  are  reddish  brown.  They 
are  abundant  in  most  of  their  range  but  are  generally  shy 
so  they  are  not  as  often  seen  as  many  other  more  rare 
birds.  They  nest  in  cavities  of  any  kind  of  trees  and  at 
any  elevation  from  the  ground,  the  nest  being  made  of  Huff 

twigs,  weeds  and  trash,  and  generally  having  incorporated 

into  its  make-up  a  piece  of  cast  off  snake  skin.  They  lay  from  four  to  six 
eggs  of  a  buffy  color,  blotched  and  lined  with  dark  brown  and  lavender. 
Size  .85  x  .65. 

285 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

453. 


ARIZONA  CRESTED  FLYCATCHER. 
Myiarchus  magister  magister. 


Range. — Southern  Arizona  and  New  Mexico,  south 
through  Mexico. 

This  bird  is  very  similar  to,  but  averages  slightly  larg- 
er than  the  Mexican  Flycatcher.  Its  nesting  habits  are 
the  same  and  the  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished  from 
those  of  the  latter,  the  nest  being  most  frequently  found 
in  giant  cacti. 

453a.     MEXICAN  CRESTED  FLYCATCHER.     Myiarchus 
magister  nelsoni. 

Range. — Mexico,  north  to  southern  Texas. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  last 
but  is  considerably  paler.  They  are 
common  in  some  localities,  nesting 
in  holes  in  trees  or  stumps,  often 
those  deserted  by  Woodpeckers. 
Their  eggs  are  like  those  of  the  last 
but  average  paler.  Data. — Corpus 
Christi,  Texas,  May  10,  1899.  Nest 
in  hole  in  telegraph  pole;  made  of 
red  cow  hair,  feathers  and  leaves.  4  eggs.  Collector,  Prank  B.  Armstrong, 


Pale  buff 


454.     ASH-THROATED  FLYCATCHER.     Myiarchus  cinerascens  cinerascens. 


Range. — North  America, 
west  of  the  Plains  and 
south  of  Canada. 

Similar  to  the  others  of 
the  genus  but  grayish 
brown  above  and  with  the 
underparts  much  paler,  the 
throat  and  breast  being 
nearly  white.  Like  the 
others  they  nest  in  cavi- 
ties in  trees,  either  natur- 
al or  ones  made  by  Wood- 
peckers. Their  four  to 
five  eggs  are  lighter  in 
color  than  those  of  crin- 
itus  but  cannot  be  dis- 
tinguished from  those  of 
the  Mexican  Crested  Fly- 
catcher. 


Buff 


286 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


454b.  LOWER  CALIFORNIA 
FLYCATCHER.  Myiarchus 
cinerascens  pertinax. 

Range. — Lower  California. 

This  sub-species  is  similar 
to  Nutting  Flycatcher  but  pal- 
er below  and  grayish  above. 

455a.  OLIVACEOUS  FLY 
CATCHER.  Myiarchus 
lawrencei  olivascens. 

Range. — Western  Mexico, 
north  to  southern  Arizona. 

This  is  the  smallest  of  the 
genus  found  in  the  United 
States,  being  but  7  inches  in 
length.  Except  for  size  it  is 


.  ' 


Buffy 

similar    to   crinitus    but    with 

very  little,  if  any,  rusty  brown 

on    tail,   except    for   a   slight 

edging    on    the    outer     web. 

Their    nesting    sites    are    the 

same  as  those  chosen  by  the  other  Crested  Flycatcher,  but  their  eggs  appear 

to  have  but  little  of  the  scratchy  appearance  of  the  other  members.     They  are 

pale  buffy,  speckled  and  spotted  with  brown  and  lilac;   size  .80  x  .60.     Data. — - 

Toluca,  Mexico,  May  20,  1895.    Nest  of  brown  hair  and  feathers,  in  hole  in  tree 

in  woods.    Collector,  Fred  T.  Francis. 


Phoebe 


4-56.      PHCEBE.     Sayornis  phoebe. 

Range. — North  America,  east  of  the  Rockies  and  north  to  Nova  Scotia. 

These  very  common,  grayish  colored  birds  are  very  often  known  as  "Bridge 
Birds"  because  of  the  frequency  with  which  they  construct  their  nests  under 
bridges   and  arches;    they  also  build  in   crevices  in   ledges   or 
among  the  hanging  roots  near  the  tops  of  embankments,  and  on 
the  rafters  or  beams  of  old  buildings.     The  nests  are  made  of 
mud,  moss  and  grass,  lined  with  feathers.    The  four  or  five  eggs 
measure  .75  x  .55.     Occasionally,  eggs  will  be  found  that  have 
a  few  minute  spots  of  reddish  brown.    Freak  situations  in  which 
to  locate  their  nests  are  often  chosen  by  these  birds,  such  as         white 
the  brake  beam  of  a  freight  car,  in  the  crevices  of  old  wells,  hen 
houses,  etc.     The  birds  are  one  of  the  most  useful  that  we  have;    being  very 
active  and  continually  on  the  alert  for  insects  and  beetles  that  constitute  their 
whole  bill  of  fare. 


287 


G.    E.    Moulthrope 


PHOEBE    ON    NEST 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


457.  SAY'S  PH<EBE.     Sayornis  sayus. 

Range. — Western  United  States,  breeding 
from  southern  United  States,  north  to  the  Arc- 
tic regions,  and  from  Kansas  and  Wisconsin 
westward.  Winters  in  Mexico. 

This    bird    is    slightly    larger   than    the    last 
(7.5  inches  long),  and  is  rusty  brown  color  on 
the  belly  and  lower  breast.     Like  the  eastern 
Phoebes  they  are  one  of  the  earliest  birds  to  re- 
turn  in   the   spring   and  are   abundant    in   the 
greater  parts  of  their  range. 
Like    the    latter,    they    often 
raise    two    broods    a    season, 
one  in  April  and  another  in 
V  ,  July.     Their  nests  are  gener- 

ally placed  on  narrow  shelves 
White  and    crevices    of    ledges,    but 

they  also  nest  as  commonly  about  houses  and 
farms  as  does  the  eastern  bird.  The  nests  are 
made  of  weeds,  mosses,  fibres  and  wool,  and 
are  quite  flat.  They  lay  four  or  five  white  eggs. 
Size  .78  x  .58. 

458.  BLACK  PHCEBE.     Sayornis  nigricans. 

Range.— Mexico  and  north  in  summer  into 
the  bordering  States. 

This  species  is  of  the  size  of  the  last  but 
is  blackish  (darkest  on  the  head  and  breast), 

with  a  white  belly  and  under 

tail  coverts,  the  latter  streak- 
ed with  dusky.     Their  habits 

and    nesting    habits    are    the 

same  as  those  of  the  eastern 

Phoebe,    they    building    their 

nests    of    mud,    moss,    weeds 

and  feathers  on  ledges  or 
about  buildings,  and  generally  close  to  or  in  the  vicinity  of  water.  They  breed 
during  April  or  May,  laying  four  or  five  white  eggs  which  cannot  be  distinguish- 
ed from  those  of  the  common  Phoebe.  Size  .75  x  .55. 


White 


4J8a.      WESTERN  BLACK  PHCEBE.      Sayornis  nigricans  semiatra. 

Range. — Pacific  Coast  of  Mexico  and  the  United  States,  breeding  north  to 
Oregon. 

This  variety  differs  from  the  last  in  having  the  under  tail  coverts  pure  white. 
Its  nesting  habits  are  precisely  the  same  and  the  eggs  indistinguishable. 


289 


111 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

459.     OLIVE-SIDED  FLYCATCHER. 

Nuttallornis  borealis. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  breeding 
from  the  Middle  States  and  California  north- 
ward, and  in  the  Rockies,  south  to  Mexico; 
winters  south  of  the  United  States. 

These    Flycatchers    are    nowhere    abundant, 
and   in  some  parts  of  the  country,  especially 
in  the  middle  portion,  they  are 
very  rare.     They  breed  very  •1^^ 

locally  and  generally  not  /#jiT 
more  than  one  pair  in  any  lo- 
cality. In  New  England,  L 
have  always  found  them  nest- 
ing in  company  with  Parula 
Warblers,  in  dead  conifer- 
ous swamps  in  which  the 
branches  are  covered  with  long  pendant  moss, 
Their  nests  are  placed  high  up  in  the  trees, 
^  generally  above  fifty  feet  from  the  ground,  and 

r  "C^SL    ^  on  small  horizontal  limbs;    they  are  made  of 

small  twigs  and  rootlets,  lined  with  finer  root- 
lets and  moss,  and  are  very  flat  and  shallow; 
as  they  are  generally  made  to  match  the  sur- 
rounding, they  are  one  of  the  most  difficult  nests  to  find.  They  lay  three  or 
four  cream  colored  eggs  which  are  spotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac,  chiefly 
about  the  large  end.  Size  .85  x  .65.  Data. — Lake  Quinsigamond,  Massachusetts, 
June  12,  1897.  Nest  of  twigs  and  moss,  about  60  feet  above  the  ground,  in  a 
dead  pine  tree  in  center  of  a  large  wet  swamp.  Nest  could  not  be  seen  from 
the  ground,  and  was  found  by  watching  the  birds. 


Creamy  white 


Olive-sided    Flycatcher 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


4*60.     COUES'S  FLYCATCHER.     Myiochanes  pertinax  pallidiventris. 

Range. — Western  Mexico,  breeding  north  to  central  Arizona. 

This  Flycatcher  builds  one  of  the  most  artistic  nests  created  by  feathered 
creatures.    It  bears  some  resemblance  on  the  exterior  to  that  of  the  next  species, 
but  it  is  much  more  firmly  made,  and  the  walls  are  usually 
higher,  making  a  very  deeply  cupped  interior.     The  outside 
of  the  nest  is  made  of  fibres,  cobwebs,   catkins,  etc.,  firmly 
felted  together  and  ornamented  with  green  lichens  to  match 
the  limb  upon  which  it  is  saddled.     The  interior  is   heavily 
lined  with  dried,  yellowish  grasses,  making  a  very  strong  con- 
trast to  the  exterior.    They  are  fairly  abundant  birds  in  the 
ranges  of  southern  Arizona,  where  they  nest  generally  during 
June.    They  lay  three  eggs  of  a  rich  creamy  color,  spotted  and  blotched,  chiefly 
about  the  larger  end,  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac  gray.    Size  .95  x  .61.    Data. — 
Huachuca  Mts.,  Arizona,  July  8,  1897.    3  eggs.     Nest  in  a  yellow  pine  about  60 
feet  up  and  near  the  extremity  of  a  long  slender  limb.     Elevation  7000  feet. 
Collector,  O.  W.  Howard. 

461.     WOOD  PEWEE.     Myiochanes  virens. 

Range. — North  America,   east  of  the  Plains 

and  north  to  Ihe  southern  parts  of  the  British 

Provinces.  Winters  south  of  the  United  States. 

This    is    one    of    the    best 

known  and  one  of  the  most 

common  frequenters  of  open 

woods,     where     all     summer 

long   its   pleasing   notes   may 

be  heard,  resembling  "Pee-a- 

wee"  or  sometimes  only  two 

syllables  "pee-wee."  They 
nest  on  horizontal  limbs  at  elevations  of  six 
feet  or  over,  making  handsome  nests  of  plant 
fibres  and  fine  grasses,  covered  on  the  exterior 
with  lichens;  they  are  quite  shallow  and  very 
much  resembles  a  small  knot  on  the  limb  of 
the  tree.  They  lay  three  or  four  eggs  of  a 
ceram  color  spotted  in  a  wreath  about  the 
large  end,  with  reddish  brown  and  lavender; 
size  .80  x  .55.  Data. — Torrington,  Conn.,  June 
16,  1890.  Nest  of  fibres  covered  with  lichens, 
saddled  on  the  branch  of  an  oak  tree  near 
roadside.  Collector,  John  Gath.  Wood  Pewee 


Cream  color 


Chickadee  Family 
291 


Guy  H.  Briggs 
NEST  AND  EGGS  OF  WOOD  PEWEE 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


462.     WESTERN  WOOD  PEWEE. 

Myiochanes  richardsoni  richardsom. 

Range. — Western  United  States  from  the 
Plains  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  Manitoba  south- 
ward, wintering  south  of  the  United  States. 

The  nesting  habits  of  this  bird  are  the  same 
as  those  of  the  eastern  Pewee,  but  their  nests 
are  more  strongly  built  and  generally  deeper, 
and  without  the  outside  ornamentation  of 
lichens.  They  are  saddled  upon  horizontal 
branches,  like  those  of  the  preceding,  as  a 
rule,  but  are  also  said  to  have  been  found  in 
upright  crotches  like  those  of  the  Least  Fly- 
catcher. Their  three  or  four  eggs  cannot  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  the  eastern  Wood 
Pewee. 

462a.     LARGE-BILLED  WOOD  PEWEE.     Mi/io- 
chanes  richardsoni  peninsulas. 

Range. — This  species  which  differs  from  the 
last  only  slightly,  as  is  indicated  by  the  name, 
inhabits  the  peninsula  of  Lower  California;  its 
nesting  habits  and  eggs  will  not  differ  from  those  of  the  other  Pewees. 


Yellow-bellied    Flycatcher 

•  Acadian    Flycatcher 


463.      YELLOW-BELLIED  FLYCATCHER.     Empidonax  flaviventris. 

Range. — North  America,  east  of  the  Plains  and  north  to  Labrador;   winters 

south  of  the  United  States. 

This  species  is  slightly  larger  than  the  Least  Flycatcher  and  is 
more  yellowish  above  and  below,  the  breast  being  quite  bright.        , 
While  common  in  some  districts  it  is  quite  shy  and  frequents      *  0 

thickly  wooded  regions,    where  it  is  not  very  often  seen.     They      '<* 

nest  near  or  on  the  ground  among  rocks  or  roots  of  fallen  trees.       \<     *  ;" 

chiefly  in  swampy  places;    the  nests  are  made  in  bunches  of  *  v 

moss,  hollowed  out  and  lined  with  very  fine  grasses.    Their  four 

eggs  are  creamy  or  buffy  white,  spotted  and  speckled  about  the  larger  end  with 

reddish  brown  and  gray;  size  .68  x  .51. 


464.     WESTERN  FLYCATCHER.     Empidonax  diffictyis  difficilis. 

Range. — Western   North   America,   from  the  Rocky   Mountain  region   to   the 
Pacific,  and  north  to  Alaska;  winters  chiefly  south  of  the  United  States. 

This  Flycatcher,  which  is  similar  to  the  last,  nests  in  similar 
>'r-  locations  as  well  as  in  many  others,  such  as  crevices  and  fissures 

in  rocks,  holes  in  banks,  cavities  in  trees,  rafters  in  buildings, 
etc.     The  nests  are  variously  made,  but  consist  chiefly  of  fine 
grasses,  weeds  and   fibres.     The  eggs  are  as  a   rule  similar  to 
Cream v  white     those  of  the  last  species  and  cannot  be  distinguished. 


THE    BIRD   BOOK 


x 


464a.     SAN  LUCAS  FLYCATCHER. 

Empidonax  difficilis  cineritius. 

Range. — Lower  California. 

This  species  is  similar  to,  but  duller  in  plum- 
age than  the  Western  Flycatcher.  Their  nest- 
ing habits  do  not  probably  vary  from  those  of 
the  latter. 

465.     ACADIAN  FLYCATCHER.     Empidonax 
virescens. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding 
from  the  Gulf  to  southern  New  England,  and 
in  the  Mississippi  Valley  to  Manitoba. 

This  species  is  very  pale  below  and  greenish 
yellow  on  the  back.  They  are  among  the  latest 
of  the  migrants  to  reach  our 
borders  and  arrive  in  the 
Middle  States  about  the  lat- 
ter part  of  May,  when  they 
are  quite  common.  They 
build  semi-pensile  nests  in 
the  forks  of  bushes  or  over- 
hanging branches  at  heights 
of  from  four  to  twenty  feet,  the  nests  being 
made  of  rootlets,  fibres,  fine  grasses,  etc.,  and 
partially  suspended  from  the  branch;  they  are 
quite  shallow  and  loosely  constructed  and  often 
appear  more  like  a  bunch  of  debris  deposited  in 
the  fork  by  the  wind  than  like  the  creation  of 
a  bird.  Their  three  or  four  eggs  are  buffy,  spot- 
ted or  specked  with  brown;  size  .75  x  .55. 

466.     TRAILL'S  FLYCATCHER.     Empidonax  trailli  trailli. 

Range. — Western  North  America,  from  the  Mississippi  Valley  to  the  Pacific; 
winters  south  of  the  United  States. 

This  species  is  very  similar  to  the  next,  but  the  back  is  said 
to  be  more  brownish.  They  are  common  and  nest  abundantly 
in  thickets  and  low  scrubby  woods,  usually  placing  the  nest 
at  a  low  elevation,  preferably  in  a  clump  of  willows ;  the  nests 
are  made  of  fine  strips  of  bark,  plant  fibres,  and  very  fine  root- 
lets being  woven  about  and  firmly  fastened  in  upright 
Creamy  white  crotches.  Their  eggs,  which  are  laid  in  June,  are  buffy  white, 
specked  and  spotted,  chiefly  at  the  large  end,  with  brownish ;  sixe  .70  x  .54. 


Buffy 


464 — '. 


Least    Flycatcher 


White 


PERCHING   BIRDS 

466a.     ALDER  FLYCATCHER. 

Empidonax  trailli  alnorum. 

Range. — United  States,  east  of  the  Mississippi 
and  north  to  New  Brunswick. 

The  only  difference  between  this  and  the  pre- 
ceding variety  is  in  the  more  greenish  upper 
parts.  They  are  quite  abundant  in  the  breed- 
ing season  from  New  England  and  northern 
New  York  northward,  frequenting,  to  a  great 
extent,  alder  thickets  bordering  streams.  Their 
nests  and  eggs  do  not  differ  appreciably  from 
those  of  the  western  variety  of  Traill  Fly- 
catcher. 

467-     LEAST  FLYCATCHER. 
Empidonax  minimus. 

Range. — North  America,  east  of  the  Rockies 

and  north  to  the  interior  of  Canada,  wintering 

south  of  the  United  States. 

These  little  birds    (5.5   inches 
long)  are  common  about  houses 

and  orchards  on  the  outskirts  of  cities,  and  on  the  edges  of  for- 
ests or  open  woods.  They  are  very  frequently  known  by  the 
name  of  Chebec  from  their  continually  uttered  note.  In  nearly 
all  instances,  the  nests  are  placed  in  upright  forks  at  elevations 
varying  from  four  to  twenty-four  feet  from  the  ground.  The 

nests  are  made  chiefly  of  plant  fibres,  fine  grasses,  string,  cobwebs,  etc.,  and 

the  three  to  five  eggs  are  pale  creamy  white;  size  .65  x  .50. 

468.      HAMMOND'S  FLYCATCHER.     Empidonax  hammondi. 

Range. — North  America,  west  of  the  Rockies  and  from  British  Columbia  south- 
ward, wintering  south  of  the  United  States. 

This  western  representative  of  the  Least 
Flycatcher  is  less  abundant  and  more  shy, 
but  has  the  same  nesting  habits  as  the  east- 
ern birds,  placing  its  nests  either  in  upright 
crotches  or,  more  rarely,  upon  horizontal 
branches  at  a  low  elevation.  The  eggs  can- 
not be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  last 
species. 

469.      WRIGHT'S  FLYCATCHER.     Empidona.r  wrighti. 

Range/ — Western  United  States,  breeding  from  the  Mex- 
ican border  to  Oregon  and  wintering  south  of  the  United 
States. 

A  very  similar  bird  to  the  last  but  whiter 
^"~  below.    It  is  a  much  more  abundant  species 

/  than  the  last  and  is  found  breeding  In  open 

woods  and  thickets  on  all  the  ranges.     The 
nests  are  built  like  those  of  the  Least  Fly- 
catcher   and    nearly    always    are    found    in 
the  crotch  of  trees  or  bushes  at  a  low  ele- 
ation;    their   nests,   like  those   of  the  two 
preceding  species,  bear  a  strong  resemblance  to  those  of 
the  Yellow  Warblers  which  are  found  in  the  same  locali- 
ties and  locations.     The  eggs  are  pale  creamy  white,  four 
in  number  and  measure  .68  x  .52, 


White 


White 


— 469 — 4694 


295 


THE    BIRD   BOOK 


469-1-     GRAY  FLYCATCHER.     Emptdonax 
griseus. 

Range. — Lower  California,  north  to  southern 
California. 

This  is  a  slightly  larger  species  than  the  pre- 
ceding and  is  grayish  above  and  paler  below, 
with  little  or  no  tinge  of  brownish  or  yellow. 
As  far  as  I  can  learn  its  eggs  have  not  yet  been 
taken. 

470a.     BUFF-BREASTED  FLYCATCHER.     Empi- 
donax  fulvifrons  pygmceus. 

Range. — Western  Mexico,  north  to  southern 
New  Mexico  and  Arizona. 

This  small  bird,  which  is  but  4.75  inches  in 
length,  is  brownish  gray  above  and  brownish 
buff  below.  It  is  not  a  common  species  any- 
where, but  is  known  to  nest  during  June  or 
July,  on  high  mountain  ranges,  saddling  its 
nest  of  fibres,  covered  with  lichens,  on  horizon- 
tal boughs  at  quite  an  elevation  from  the 
ground.  The  eggs  are  pale  buffy  white,  unspotted,  and  measure  .60  x  .50. 


Vermillion    Flycatcher 


471-     VERMILLION  FLYCATCHER.     Pyrocephalus  rubinus  mexicanus. 

Range. — Mexico,  north  regularly  to  southern  Texas,  Arizona  and  New  Mexico. 

This  is  one  of  the  most  gaudy  attired  of  all  North  American  birds,  being 
brownish  gray  on  the  back,  wings  and  tail,  and  having  a  bright  vermillion  crown, 
crest  and  underparts.  They  are  quite  common  in  southern  Texas,  but  far  more 
abundant  in  the  southern  parts  of  Arizona.  Their  habits  do  not 
differ  from  those  of  other  Flycatchers,  they  living  almost  exclu- 
sively upon  insects.  The  majority  of  their  nests  can  not  be  dis- 
tinguished from  those  of  the  Wood  Pewee,  being  covered  with 
lichens  and  saddled  upon  limbs  in  a  similar  manner,  but  some 
lack  the  mossy  ornamentation.  Their  three  or  four  eggs  are  Buff 

buffy,  boldly  blotched  with  dark  brown  and  lavender,  chiefly  in  a  wreath  about 
the  middle  of  the  egg;  size  .70  x  .50.  Data. — San  Pedro  River,  Arizona,  June  10, 
1899.  Nest  in  the  fork  of  a  willow  about  20  feet  above  the  stream.  Collector, 
O.  W.  Howard. 


472.     BEARDLESS  FLYCATCHER.     Camptostoma  imberbe. 

Range. — Central  America;  north  casually  to  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  in  Texas. 

This  strange  little  Flycatcher,  several  specimens  of  which  have  been  taken  in 
the  vicinity  of  Lomita,  Texas,  is  but  4.5  inches  in  length,  grayish  in  color  and 
has  a  short  bill,  the  upper  mandible  of  which  is  curved.  It  has  all  the  habits 
peculiar  to  Flycatchers.  Their  eggs  have  not  as  yet  been  found  as  far  as  I  can 
learn. 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


LARKS.    Family  ALAUDID^E 


Grayish 


[473.]      SKYLARK.     Alauda  arvensis. 

Range. — Old  World,  straggling  casually  to 
Greenland  and  Bermuda. 

This  noted  foreigner  has  been  imported  and 
liberated  a  number  of  times  in  this  country,  but 

apparently     is     not     able     to 

thrive  here,  a  fact  which  will 

not  cause  much  regret  when 

we  remember  the  experiment 

with    the    English     Sparrow. 

They  are  abundant  in  Europe 

and  Great  Britain  where  they 

nest  on  the  ground  in  culti- 
vated fields  or  meadows,  laying  from  three  to 
five  grayish  eggs,  marked  with  brown,  drab  and 
lavender. 

474.      HORNED  LARK. 

Otocoris  alpestris  alpestris. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  in 
Labrador  and  about  Hudson  Bay;  winters  in 
eastern  United  States  south  to  Carolina. 

This  variety  of  this  much  sub-divided  species  is  7.5  inches  in  length,  ha? 
brownish  gray  upper  parts  and  is  white  below  with  black  patches  on  the  breast 
and  below  the  eye,  yellowish  throat  and  small  black  ear  tufts.  The  various  sub- 
species are  all  marked  alike,  their  distinction  being  based  upon  slight  differen- 
ces in  size,  variations  in  the  shade  of  the  back,  or  the  greater  or  less  intensity 
of  the  yellowish  throat  and  superciliary  stripe.  The  nesting  habits  of  all  the 
varieties  are  the  same  and  the  eggs  differ  only  in  the  shade  of  the  ground  color, 
this  variation  among  the  eggs  of  the  same  variety  being  so  great  that  an  egg 
cannot  be  identified  without  knowing  the  locality  in  which  it  was  taken.  The 
present  variety  build  their  nests  on  the  ground  generally  under  tufts  of  grass 
or  in  hollows  in  the  moss  which  is  found  in  their  breeding  range,  making  them 
of  dried  grasses  and  generally  lining  them  with  feathers.  The  eggs  are  grayish 
with  a  slight  greenish  tinge,  and  are  specked  and  spotted  over  the  whole  sur- 
face with  drab,  brownish  and  dark  lavender.  The  eggs  of  this  and  the  next 
variety  average  considerably  larger  than  those  of  the  more  southerly  distributed 
varieties;  size  .92  x  .65. 


Horned  Lark 


474a.     PALLID  HORNED  LARK.      Otocoris  alpestris  arcticola. 

Range. — Breeds  in  Alaska  and  winters  south  to  Oregon  and  Montana. 

This  is  the  largest  of  the  Horned  Larks  and  has  the  throat  white,  with  no 
trace  of  yellow.  Its  nest  is  built  in  similar  locations  and  the  eggs  are  like 
those  of  the  preceding  species. 


297 


THE    BIRD    BOOK 


.474c — 474e — 47 


474b.     PRAIRIE  HORNED  LARK. 

Otocoris  alpestris  praticola. 

Range. — Breeds  in  the  Mississippi  Valley  from  Illinois 
north  to  Manitoba  and  east  to  the  Middle  States;  winters 
south  to  Carolina  and  Texas. 

This  sub-species  is  considerably  smaller  than  the  Horn 
ed  Lark,  and  the  throat  is  paler  yellow,  while  the  line  over 
the  eye  and  the  forehead  is  white.  They 
are  the  most  abundant  and  have  the 
most  extended  range  of  any  of  the  better 
known  species.  In  the  Mississippi  Val- 
ley, where  they  are  of  the  most  common 
of  the  nesting  birds,  they  build  on  the 
ground  in  meadows  or  cultivated  fields, 
and  very  often  in  cornfields;  the  nests 
are  made  of  grasses  and  lined  with  horse  hairs  or  feathers, 
and  placed  in  slight  hollows  generally  under  a  tuft  of  grass 
or  sods.  They  raise  two  broods  a  season  and  sometimes 
three,  laying  the  first  set  of  eggs  in  March  and  another  in 
June  or  July.  The  three  or  four  eggs  have  an  olive  buff 
ground  and  are  thickly  sprinkled  with  drab  and  lavender; 
size  .83  x  .60. 


474c.     DESERT  HORNED  LARK.     Otocoris  alpestris  leu- 
colcema. 

Range. — Plains  of  western  United  States,  east  of  the  Rockies  and  west  of 
Kansas  and  Dakota;  breeds  north  to  Alberta,  and  winters  south  to  Mexico, 
Texas  and  southern  California. 

This  species  is  like  praticola,  but  paler  on  the  back;  nest  and  eggs  the  same. 

474d.      TEXAS  HORNED  LARK.      Otocoris  alpestris  giraudi. 

Range. — Coast  of  southeastern  Texas. 

A  pale  variety  like  leucnlwma,  but  smaller;  throat  bright  yellow,  and  breast 
tinged  with  yellow.  Nest  and  eggs  like  those  of  the  others. 

474e.     CALIFORNIA  HORNED  LARK.     Otocoris  alpestris  actia. 

Range. — Lower  California  and  southern  California. 

This  bird  is  similar  to  the  last  but  the  yellow  areas  are  brighter,  and  the 
nape  and  back  are  ruddy. 


474f.      RUDDY  HORNED  LARK.      Otocoris  alpestris  rubea 

Range/ — Sacramento  Valley,  California. 

This  variety  has  the  yellow  areas  brighter  than  in  any  other 
and  the  back  and  nape  are  more  ruddy.  The  eggs  cannot  be 
distinguished  from  those  of  the  others. 


Olive  buff 


PERCHING    BIRDS 

474g.      STREAKED  HORNED  LARK.      Ostocoris  alpestris  strigata. 

Range. — Northwestern  United  States  (Washington,  Oregon  and  northern  Cali- 
fornia). 

Similar  to  the  last,  but  with  the  back  broadly  streaked  with  black,  the  ruddy 
less  intense  and  the  underparts  tinged  with  yellowish. 

474h.      SCORCHED  HORNED  LARK.      Otacoris  alpestris  adusta. 

Range. — Western  Mexico,  north  in  summer  to  southern  Arizona. 

This  variety  has  the  back  and  nape  nearly  a  uniform  pinkish  ruddy  with  but 
little  streaking. 

4741.     DUSKY  HORNED  LARK.     Otocoris  alpestris  merrilli. 

Range. — Northwestern  United  States  and  southern  British  Columbia,  winter- 
ing south  to  central  California. 

Similar  to  praticola  but  slightly  darker  above. 

474j.      SONORA  HORNED  LARK.      Otocoris  alpestris  pallida. 
Range. — Gulf  coast  of  northern  Lower  California. 
The  upperparts  of  this  variety  are  very  pale  pinkish  brown. 

474k.      HOYT'S  HORNED  LARK.      Otocoris  alpestris  hoyti. 

Range. — Interior  of  British  America,  west  of  Hudson  Bay  and  east  of  Alaska, 
south  in  winter  in  the  interior  of  the  United  States  to  Kansas. 

Much  larger  than  the  last;  equal  in  size  and  similar  to  articola  but  with  the 
throat  yellowish  and  the  upperparts  darker  and  brighter. 

4741.      MONTEZUMA  HORNED  LARK.      Otocoris  alpestris  occidentalis. 

Range. — Western  New  Mexico  and  eastern  Arizona,  south  in  winter  to  north- 
ern Mexico. 

This  variety  has  the  upperparts  pale  brownish  and  not  streaked;  throat  and 
forehead  yellowish. 


474m.      ISLAND  HORNED  LARK.      Otocoris  alpestris  insularis. 

Range. — Santa  Barbara  Islands,  California. 

Similar  to  strigata  but  darker.  With  the  exception  of  the  three  large  varie- 
ties of  Horned  Larks  found  north  of  our  borders,  neither  the  eggs  nor,  in  most 
cases,  the  birds  can  be  identified  without  the  precise  location  where  they  were 
taken. 


299 


THE    BIRD    BOOK 

CROWS,  JAYS,  MAGPIES,  ETC.    Family  CORVID^E. 

475.     MAGPIE.     Pica  pica  hudsonia. 

Range. — Western  North  America  from  the 
Great  Plains  to  the  Pacific  and  from  Alaska 
to  Arizona  and  New  Mexico. 

These  large  handsome  birds  have  the  entire 
head,  neck  and  breast  velvety  black,  abruptly 
defined  against  the 
white  underparts. 
The  back,  wings  and 
tail  are  greenish  or 
bluish  black,  and  the 
scapulars,  white ; 
length  of  bird  20 
inches.  They  are  well 
known  throughout 
the  west,  where  their  Grayish  white 
bold  and  thievish  habits  always  excite  com- 
ment. They  nest  in  bushes  and  trees  at  low 
elevations  from  the  ground,  making  a  very 
large  nest  of  sticks,  with  an  opening  on  the 
side,  and  the  interior  is  made  of  weeds  and 
mud,  lined  with  fine  grasses;  these  nests  often 
reach  a  diameter  of  three  feet  and  are  made  of 

large  sticks.     During  April  or  May,  they  lay  from  four  to  eight  grayish 
eggs,  plentifully  spotted  with  brown  and  drab.     Size  1.25  x  .90. 


Mag-pie 


quite 
white 


4<76.      YELLOW-BILLED  MAGPIE.     Pica  nuttalli. 

Range. — Middle  parts  of  California,  west  of  the 
Sierra  Nevadas. 

This  species  is  slightly  smaller  than  the  last  and 
has  a  yellowish  bill  and  lores,  otherwise  being  pre- 
cisely like  the  more  common  species.  Their  habits 
do  not  differ  from  those  of  the  other,  the  nests  are 
the  same  and  the  eggs  are  indistinguishable.  Size 
1.25  x. 88. 


Grayish  white 


A  / 


300 


R.  B.  Rockwell 


NEST  OF  AMERICAN  MAGPIE 


PERCHING    BIRD: 


477. 


BLUE  JAY. 
cristata. 


Cyanocitta  cristata 


Greenish  buff 


P.] UP    Jay 


Range. — North  America,  east  of  the  Plains 
and  north  to  Hudson  Bay;  resident  and  very 
abundant  in  its  United  States  range. 

These  beautiful  and 
bold  maurauders  are  too 
well  known  to  need  de- 
scription, suffice  it  to 
say  that  they  are  the 
most  beautiful  of  North 
American  Jays;  but  be- 
neath their  handsome 
plumage  beats  a  heart 
as  cruel  and  cunning  as 

that  in  any  bird  of  prey.  In  the  fall,  winter 
and  spring,  their  food  consists  largely  of 
acorns,  chestnuts,  berries,  seeds,  grain,  insects, 
lizards,  etc.,  but  during  the  summer  months 
they  destroy  and  devour  a  great  many  eggs  and 
young  of  the  smaller  birds,  their  taste  for 
which,  being  so  great  that  they  are  known  to 
watch  a  nest  until  the  full  complement  of  eggs 
is  laid  before  making  their  theft.  They  nest 

in  open  woods  or  clumps  of  trees,  indifferently,  in  pines  or  young  trees,  build- 
ing most  often  below  twenty  feet  from  the  ground;  the  nests  are  made  of  twigs 
and  rootlets,  lined  with  fine  rootlets.  During  May  they  lay  from  four  to  six 
eggs  of  a  greenish  buff  color  spotted  with  olive  brown.  Size  1.10  x  .80 

477a.      FLORIDA  BLUE  JAY.      Cyanocitta  cristata  florincola. 

Range. — Florida  and  the  Gulf  coast. 

The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  this  smaller  sub-species  are  the  same  as  those 
of  the  northern  Blue  Jay.  Like  our  birds,  they  frequently  nest  near  habitations. 

478.      STELLER'S  JAY.      Cyanocitta  stelleri  stelleri. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  southern  California  to  Alaska;  resident  and  breed- 
ing throughout  its  range. 

All   the   members   of   this   sub-species   are   similar  in 

plumage,  having  a  sooty  black  head,  crest  and  neck, 
shading  insensibly  into  dark  bluish  on  the  back  and 
underparts,  and  brighter  blue  on  the  wings  and  tail. 
They  usually  have  a  few  streaks  or  spots  of  pale  blue  on 
the  forehead.  They  are  just  as  noisy,  bold  and  thievish 
as  the  eastern  Jay  and  are  also  excellent  mimmics  like 
the  latter.  They  nest  in  fir 'trees  at  any  height  from  the 
ground  and  in  April  or  May  deposit  their  three  to  six 
greenish  blue  eggs  which  are  spotted  with  various 
shades  of  brown.  Size  1.25  x  .90.  Their  nests  are  more 
bulky  than  those  of  the  eastern  Jay  and  are  usually  made  of  larger  sticks  and 
held  together  with  some  mud. 

478a.      BLUE-FRONTED  JAY.      Cyanocitta  stelleri  frontalis. 

Range.— Coast  ranges  of  California  and  Oregon. 

The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  this  variety  are  indistinguishable  from  those 
of  the  preceding.  The  bird  has  more  blue  on  the  forehead. 

478b.      LONG-CRESTED  JAY.      Cyanocitta  stelleri  diademata. 

Range. — Southern  Rocky  Mountains  from  Arizona  to  Wyoming. 

No  general  difference  can  be  found  between  the  eggs  of  this  species  and  the 
Steller  Jay,  and  the  nests  of  each  are  constructed  similarly  and  in  like  situa- 
tions. 303 


Greenish  blue 


YOUNG    BLUE    JAYS 


Dr.  J.  B.  Pardoe 


BLUE  JAY 


20 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


fcf 


478c.     BLACK-HEADED  JAY.     Cyanocitta 
stelleri  annectens. 

Range. — Northern  Rocky  Mountains  from 
northern  Colorado  to  British  Columbia. 

The  eggs  of  this  sub-species  cannot  be  iden- 
tified from  those  of  the  other  varieties.  Like 
the  others,  their  nests  are  made  of  sticks  plast- 
ered together  with  mud  and  lined  with  weeds 
and  rootlets. 

178d.     QUEEN  CHARLOTTE  JAY.     Cyanocitta 
stelleri  carlottce. 


Range. — Queen     Charlotte     Islands,     British 
Columbia. 

-..,  : 

479.      FLORIDA  JAY.     Aphelocoma  cyanea. 

Range. — Locally  distributed  in  Florida. 

All  the  birds  of  this  genus  have  no  crests  or 
londa  jay  decided  markings,  are  white  or  grayish  below, 

and  more  or  less  intense  blue  above,  with  the  back  grayish  „ mmm 

or  brownish  blue.  This  species  is  11.5  inches  long,  has  a 
pale  blue  crown  and  a  nearly  white  forehead.  It  has  a  very 
limited  distribution,  being  confined  chiefly  to  the  coast  dis- 
tricts of  middle  Florida,  and  very  abundant  in  some  locali- 
ties and  rare  in  adjoining  ones.  They  build  shallow  struc- 
tures of  small  sticks  and  weeds  lined  with  fine  rootlets  and 
placed  at  low  elevations  in  bushes  or  scrubby  trees.  The 
three  or  four  eggs,  which  are  laid  in  April  or  May  are  dull 
greenish  blue,  marked  with  olive  brown.  Size  1.00  x  .80. 


Greenish  blue 
Data. — Titusville, 


, 
Fla.,  April  17,  1899.     Nest  of  sticks  in  a  scrub  oak,  five  feet  fromj:he  ground. 

480.      WOODHOUSE'S  JAY.     Aphelocoma  woodhousei. 

Range. — United    States   west   of   the   Rockies   and   from 
Oregon  and  Wyoming  to  Mexico. 

This   species   has   the   crown   and   forehead   bluish,   and 
the   underparts    gray,    streaked    with    bluish    gray   on   the 
breast.     It  is   also  larger  than   the   last,   being   12   inches 
long.     They  are  very  abundant  in 
the  Great  Basin  between  the  Rock- 
^:          "**-•  ies  and  the  Sierra  Nevadas,  breed- 

ing during  April  or  May  in  scrub 
by  trees  or  bushes  at  low  elevations 
and  generally  near  streams.  They 
lay  from  three  to  five  eggs  of  a 
dull  bluish  green  color,  spotted 
with  umber  and  lilac  gray.  Size 
1.08  x  .80.  Data. — Iron  County,  Utah, 
Nest  of  sticks  and  weeds  in  a  small 


Bluish   green 


May  3,  1897. 
pinq  tree. 


4  eggs. 


}S7 


306 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


480.1.  BLUE-EARED  JAY.     Aphelocoma  cyanotis. 

Range. — Interior  of  Mexico  north  to  the  southern  bound- 
ary of  Texas. 

The  nesting  habits  of  this  species  are  the  same  as  those 
of  the  others  of  the  genus  and  the  eggs  are  similar  but 
the  markings  are  generally  more  prominent  and  larger. 
Size  1.10  x  .80. 

480.2.  TEXAS  JAY.      Aphelocoma  texana. 

Range. — Southeastern  Texas. 

It  is  not  likely  that  the  eggs  of  this  species  differ  es- 
sentially from  those  of  many  of  the  others. 


Aphelocoma  californica 


482 — 4S4a — 485 


481.  CALIFORNIA  JAY. 

californica. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  of  California  and  Washington. 

This  is  a  very  abundant  species 
both  about  habitations  and  in  low 
woodlands.  They  are  very  bold 
and  familiar,  stealing  everything 
they  may  take  a  fancy  to,  and  fre- 
quently robbing  smaller  birds  of 

their  eggs  and  young.     They  are  said  to  be  more  tame 
and  familiar  than  the  eastern   Blue  Jay,  thereby  bring- 
ing their  bad  habits  much  more  frequently  to  the  atten- 
Bright   bluish    green      tion  of  the  masses.     They  nest  most  often  in  bushes  or 
low  trees,  but  not  as  a  rule,  far  above  the  ground.     Their  eggs  are  a  bright 
bluish  green  color,  speckled  and  spotted  with   brownish   and   lavender.     Size 
1.10  x. 80. 

48 la.      XANTUS'S  JAY.      Aphelocoma  californica  hypoleuca. 

Range. — Lower  California. 

The  habits  and  nests  and  eggs  of  this  lighter  colored  variety  do  not  differ 
from  those  of  the  California  Jay. 

481b.      BELDING'S  JAY.     Aphelocoma  calif  omit  a  cbscura. 

Range. — San  Pedro  Martir  Mts.  Lower  California. 

A  darker  variety  of  the  California  Jay,  whose  nesting  habits  will  not  differ  in 
any  essential  particular. 

481.1.      SANTA  CRUZ  JAY.      Aphelocoma  insularis. 

Range. — Santa  Cruz  Island,  California. 

This  species  is  the  largest  and  darkest  colored  bird 
of  the  genus  ApJielwoma.  It  is  said  to  be  a  very  abund- 
ant species  on  the  island  from  which  it  takes  its  name, 
and  to  have  the  habits  and  traits  common  to  all  the 
members  of  the  Jay  family.  The  nesting  habits  are 
the  same  as  those  of  the  others,  but  the  eggs  are  slightly 
larger,  averaging  1.15  x  .85. 

set  of  three  in  the  collection  of  John  Lewis  Childs,  taken 
by  R.  H.  Beck  on  May  10,  1897. 

482.  ARIZONA  JAY.      Aphelocoma  sieberi  arizonas. 

Range. — Arizona  and  southwestern  New  Mexico  south  into  Mexico. 

307 


Greenish  blue 


Green  Jay 


Grayish   buff 


THE    BIRD   BOOK 

482a.     COUCH'S  JAY.     Aphelocoma  sieberi 
couchi. 

Range. — Eastern    Mexico,    north    to    western 
Texas. 

483.     GREEN  JAY.     Xanthoura  luxuosa 
glaucescens. 

Range. — Northeastern  Mexico  and  the  Lower 
Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas.  - 

This  handsome  species  has  a  bright  blue 
crown  and  patches  under 
the  eyes,  the  rest  of  the  ^  ;-•.?**' r"\ 
upper  parts  being  green- 
ish; throat  and  sides  of 
head  black,  underparts 
greenish  white.  This  gaudy 
and  noisy  bird  has  all  the 
habits  common  to  other 
Jays  including  that  of  rob- 
bing birds'  nests.  They 
build  generally  in  tangled 
thickets  or  low  bushes,  placing  their  nests  at  a  low  elevation  and  making  them 
of  twigs,  weeds,  moss,  etc.,  lined  with  fine  rootlets.  Their  four  or  five  eggs, 
which  are  laid  during  April  or  May,  are  grayish  buff  in  color,  spotted  with 
various  shades  of  brown  and  lavender  gray.  Size  1.20  x  .85. 

484.      CANADA  JAY.     Perisoreus  canadensis  canadensis. 

Range. — Southeastern   British   Provinces   and   the    adjacent   portions    of   the 
United  States ;  west  to  the  Rockies. 

This  is  the  bird  that  is  well  known  to  hunters  of  "big  game"  by  various 
names  such  as  "Whiskey  Jack,"  "Moose  Bird,"  "Camp  Robber,"  etc.  Dur- 
ing the  winter  months,  owing  to  the  scarcity  of  food,  their  thieving 
propensities  are  greatly  enhanced  and  they 
remove  everything  from  the  camps,  which  looks 
as  though  it  might  be  edible.  Birds  of  this 

genus   are   smoky  gray 

on  the  back  and  lighter 

below,  shading  to  white 

on  the  throat;  the  fore- 
head   and    part    of    the 

crown  is  white  and  the 

nape     blackish.     Their 

nests  are  placed  at  low 

elevations  in  bushes  or 

fir  trees,  and  are  usual- 
ly very  different  from  any  of  the  preceding  Jays' 
nests.  They  are  nearly  as  high  as  wide,  and 
are  made  of  small  twigs,  moss,  catkins,  weeds 
and  feathers  making  a  soft  spongy  mass  which 
is  placed  in  an  upright  crotch.  The  eggs  are 
a  yellowish  gray  color  spotted  and  blotched  with 
brown  and  grayish.  Size  1.15  x  .80.  Data. — In- 
nisfail,  Alberta,  March  12,  1903.  Nest  a  beauti- 
ful structure  of  twigs,  moss  and  feathers  in  a 
willow  bush,  6  feet  from  the  ground.  The  ther- 
mometer registered  32  below  zero  the  day  the 
eggs  were  taken.  Collector,  W.  Blackwood. 

308 


Grayish 


Canada  Jay 


PERCHING   BIRDS 

484a.      ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  JAY.     Perisoreus  canadensis  capitalis. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountains  from  Montana  to  Arizona. 

This  variety  has  the  whole  crown  white  and  only  a  small  amount  of  blackish 
on  the  nape.     Its  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  precisely  like  those  of  the  last. 

_      .     .  -  „ 


NEST   AND 


S  OK   CANADA    JAY    SHOWING   CONSTRUCTION 


484b.      ALASKA  JAY.     Perisoreus  canadensis  fumifrons. 

Range.  —  Alaska. 

A  very  similar  bird  to  the  Canada  Jay  but  with  the  forehead  yellowish  or 
duller;  the  nests  and  eggs  are  like  those  of  the  others  of  the  genus. 

484c.      LABRADOR  JAY.      Perisoreus  canadensis  nigricapillus. 

Range.  —  Labrador. 

This  is  a  darker  variety  of  the  Canada  Jay.    Its  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished 
from  those  of  any  of  the  others  of  the  genus. 


485.      OREGON  JAY.     Perisoreus  obscurus  obscurus. 

Range. — Mountain  ranges  from  northern  California  to  British  Columbia. 

These  birds  are  very  similar  to  wtnntlrnxix  but  have  the  whole  underparts 
white.  Like  the  Canada  Jays  they  appear  to  be  wholly  fearless  and  pay  little 
or  no  attention  to  the  presence  of  mankind.  Their  nesting  habits  and  eggs 
are  the  same  as  the  preceding  except  that  they  have  generally  been  found  nest- 
ing near  the  tops  of  tall  fir  trees.  Size  of  eggs,  1.05  x  .80. 

309 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


-18 5a.      GRAY  JAY.     Perisoreus  obscurus  griseus. 


Range. — British  Columbia  to  northern   California,  east  of  the  coast  ranges. 
This  bird  is  said  to  be  larger  and  grayer  than  the  preceding. 


486.      RAVEN.      Corvus  corax  sinuatus. 

Range. — North   America    west    of   the    Rockies    and    from    British    Columbia 
southward. 

The  Raven  is  like  a  very  large  Crow, 
length  24  inches,  but  has  the  feathers 
on  the  neck  lengthened  and  stiffened. 
Their  habits  are  similar  to  those  of  the 
Crow,  but  more  dignified,  and  they 
remain  mated  for  life.  Besides  grass- 
hoppers and  worms,  they  feed  largely 
upon  animal  matter  such  as  lizards, 
shell  fish,  frogs,  eggs  and  young  of 
birds,  and  carrion.  They  nest  on 
ledges  of  high  inaccessible  cliffs  or 
the  tops  of  tall  trees,  making  largo 
nests  of  sticks  lined  with  smaller  ones 
and  hair  or  wool;  the  eggs  are  laid  in 
April  or  May,  number  from  four  to 
seven,  and  are  light  greenish  in  color, 


Pale    greenish    white 


blotched  with  umber  and  drab.    Size  1.95  x  1.25. 


486a.      NORTHERN  RAVEN.      Corvus  corax  principalis. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America  chiefly  north  of  the  United  States  and  north- 
west to  Alaska;  south  on  some  of  the  higher  ranges  to  Georgia. 

This  variety  is  like  the  last  but  is  larger.  They  are  not  nearly  as  abundant 
as  the  western  form  and  are  very  rare  within  the  United  States.  A  few  pairs 
still  breed  on  some  of  the  rocky  islands  off  the  coast  of  Maine;  more  off  New 
Brunswick  and  Newfoundland,  and  they  are  quite  common  on  the  cliffs  of 
Labrador  and  Alaska.  Their  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  like  those  of  the  last. 


487.     WHITE-NECKED  RAVEN.      Corvus  cryptoleucus. 

Range. — Mexico  and  the  border  of  the  United  States;  north  to  eastern  Kansas. 

This  small  Raven  is  of  about  the  size  of 
the  Crow,  and  has  the  bases  of  the  neck 
feathers  white.  They  are  very  abundant  in 
some  localities,  especially  in  southern  Ari- 
zona. Their  food  consists  chiefly  of  animal 
matter,  the  same  as  the  large  Ravens,  and 
they  are  not  nearly  as  shy,  frequently  feed- 
ing in  camps  upon  refuse  which  is  thrown 
out  to  them.  They  build  at  low  elevations 
in  any  tree,  but  preferably  in  mesquites, 
making  their  nests  of  sticks  and  lining  them 
with  hair,  leaves,  bark,  wool  or  anything 
soft.  During  June  they  lay  from  four  to  six 
pale  bluish  green  eggs,  generally  sparingly  spotted  or  scratched  with  dark 
brown  and  drab.  Size  1.75  x  1.20. 

311 


Pale  bluish   green 


\ 


THE    BIRD    BOOK 


488.     CROW.     Corvus 

brachyrhynchos  brachyrhynchos. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  ATnerica  south  of 
the  Arctic  Circle;  most  abundant  in  eastern 
United  States;  rare  in  many  localities  in  the 
west. 


American    Crow 

American  Raven 


Greenish  white 

These  birds,  against  which  the  hand  of  every 
farmer  is  uplifted,  are  very  shy  and  cunning; 
as  is  well  known,  they  nearly  always  post  a 
sentinel  in  some  tree  top  to  keep  watch  while 
the  rest  of  the  flock  is  feeding  in  the  field  be- 
low. In  the  fall  and  winter,  large  numbers  of  them  flock,  and  at  night  all  roost 
in  one  piece  of  woods;  some  of  the  "crow  roosts"  are  of  vast  extent  and 

contain  thousands  of  individuals.  Crows  nest 
near  the  tops  of  large  trees,  preferably  pines, 
either  in  woods  or  single  trees  in  fields.  Their 
nests  are  made  of  sticks  and  lined  with  rootlets, 
and  the  eggs,  which  are  laid  in  April  or  May, 
range  from  four  to  seven  in  number,  are  a  bluish 
or  greenish  white,  sparingly  or  very  densely 
speckled,  spotted  and  blotched  with  various  shades 
of  brown  and  lilac.  Size  1.60  x  1.15. 


Bluish  white 


4<88a.      FLORIDA  CROW.     Corvus 

brachyrhynchos  pascuus. 
Range. — Florida. 
This  variety  has  a  slightly  shorter  tail  and  wings  than  the  last. 

490.     FISH  CROW.     Corvus  ossifragus. 

Range. — Northwest  coast  from  Oregon  to  Alaska. 

This  small  Crow  which  is  but  16  inches  in  length,  is  found  only  on  the  coast, 
where  they  feed  upon  shell  fish  and  offal.    They  nest,  as  do  the  Ravens,  either 
on  ledges  or  in  tree  tops.    The  eggs  resemble  those  of  the  common  Crow,  but 
are  smaller.    Size  1.55  x  1.05. 
489-     NORTHWESTERN  CROW.     Corvus  caurinus. 

Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coasts,  north 
in  summer  to  Connecticut. 

From  Virginia  southward,  this  small  Crow 
(length  16  inches)  is  more  abundant  on  the  coast 
than  the  common  Crow  which  is  often  in  company 
with  this  species.  Their  food  consists  of  grain, 
berries,  and  animal  matter.  Their  nesting  habits 
are  like  those  of  the  common  Crow  and  the  eggs 
are  similar  and  have  as  great  variations,  but  are 
smaller.  Size  1.45  x  1.05. 

312 


Bluish  white 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


491.      CLARKE'S  NUTCRACKER.     Nucifraga 
columbiana. 

Range. — Mountains  of  western  North  Amer- 
ica from  Mexico  to  Alaska. 

The  Clarke  Crow,  as  this  bird  is  often  known, 
is  a  common  resident  in  most  of  its  range.   The 
adults  are  grayish  with  black  wings  and  cen- 
tral tail  feathers,  the  tips  of  the  primaries  and 
outer  tail  feathers  being 
—  -•~i  c.  white.   Their  tail  is  short 

,-•'-•>  •;-•  '  *  \V.  and  their  flight  slow  and 

•^;'"  ;.  ~  -.  ;.*  V;  somewhat  undulating  like 
''«'..  .  :» .•' -  «.  , '  •'  that  of  some  of  the  Wood- 
\7l-.  *  -  .  ^  *  .  ;'.^>:  peckers.  Their  food  con- 
sists of  anything  edible 
from  seeds  and  larvae  in 
the  winter  to  insects,  ber- 
ries, eggs  and  young  birds 

at  other  seasons.  In  the  spring  they  retire  to 
the  tops  of  ranges,  nearly  to  the  limit  of  trees, 
where  they  build  their  large,  nests  of  sticks, 
twigs,  weeds,  strips  of  bark,  and  fibres  matted 
together  so  as  to  form  a  soft  round  ball  with  a 
deeply  cupped  interior;  the  nest  is  located  at 
from  ten  to  forty  feet  from  the  ground  in  pine  trees  and  the  eggs  are  laid  early 
before  the  snow  begins  to  leave.  They  are  three  in  number,  grayish  in  color 
with  a  greenish  tinge  and  finely  spotted  over  the  whole  surface  with  dark 
brown  and  lavender.  Size  1.30  x  .90.  Data.— Salt  Lake  Co.,  Utah,  April  25, 
1900.  Nest  placed  in  pine  40  feet  up  on  a  horizontal  branch,  and  not  visible 
from  below.  The  tree  was  at  the  upper  edge  of  a  pine  forest  at  an  altitude  of 
about  3000  feet  above  Salt  Lake  City.  The  nest  was  discovered  by  seeing  the 
parent  fly  into  the  tree;  the  next  day  a  nest  was  found  with  three  young  nearly 
ready  to  fly.  Collector,  W.  H.  Parker.  This  set  of  three  eggs  is  in  the  oological 
collection  of  Mr.  C.  W.  Crandall. 


Grayish    blue 


Clarke's   Nutcracker 


492.      PINON  JAY.      Cyanocephalus  cyanocephalus. 


Bluish  white 


Range. — Western  United  States  between  the  Rockies 
and  Sierra  Nevadas,  and  from  southern  British  Colum- 
bia to  Arizona. 

This  Crow-like  Jay  has  a  nearly  uniform  bluish  plum- 
age, and  is  found  abundantly  in  the  pine  belts  of  its 
range.  Their  habits  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Clarke 
Crow  and  the  nests  are  similarly  built  at  lower  eleva- 
tions in  pines  or  junipers.  During  April  or  May  they  lay 
from  three  to  five  eggs  of  a  bluish  white  color  specked 
and  spotted  with  brown.  Size  1.20  x  .85. 


313 


THE    BIRD   BOOK 


Starling 


STARLINGS.    Family  STURNID^ 

[493.]      STARLING.     Sturnus  vulgaris. 

Range. — A  European  species  which  has  cas- 
ually been  taken  in  Greenland.  It  was  liber- 
ated a  number  of  years  ago  in  Central  Park, 
New  York  City,  and  has 
now  become  abundant 
there  and  is  spreading 
slowly  in  all  directions. 

They  build  their  nests 
in  all  sorts  of  locations 
such  as  are  used  by  the 
English  Sparrow,  wher- 
ever they  can  find  a 
sufficiently  large  crev- 
ice or  opening;  less  often  they  build  their  nests 
in  trees,  making  them  of  straw,  twigs  and 
trash.  They  lay  from  four  to  six  pale  bluish 
green  eggs;  size  1.15  x  .85.  Two  broods  are 
reared  in  a  season. 


BLACKBIRDS,  ORIOLES,  ETC.    Family  ICTERID^E 


494.  BOBOLINK.     Dolichonyx  oryzivorus. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from  New  Jersey  north  to  Nova 
Scotia  and  Manitoba,  and  west  to  Utah  and  Nevada;  winters  in  South  America. 
This  black  and  white  bird  is  well  known  in  the  east,  where  his  sweet,  wild 
music,  often  uttered  on  the  wing,  is  much  ad- 
mired. He  sings  all  day  long  during  May  and 
June  to  his  Sparrow-like  mate,  who  is  sitting 
on  her  nest  concealed  in  the 
meadow  grass.  They  are 
quite  sociable  birds  and  sev- 
eral pairs  often  nest  in  the 
same  field,  generally  a  damp 
meadow;  the  nests  are  hoi- 
Grayish  white  lows  in  the  ground,  lined  with 
grass  and  frequently  with  the  top  slightly  arch- 
ed to  conceal  the  eggs,  which  are  grayish  white, 
clouded,  spotted  and  blotched  with  brownish, 
gray  and  lilac;  size  .84  x  .62.  They  number  from 
four  to  six  and  are  laid  in  June. 

495.  COWBIRD.     Molothrus  ater  ater. 

Range. — North  America  from  the  Atlantic 
to  eastern  California,  and  from  New  Brunswick 
and  Manitoba  southward;  winters  from  the 
southern  half  of  the  United  States  southward. 

These  uncivilized  members  of  the  bird  world 
build  no  nests  for  themselves,  but  slyly  deposit  Bobolink 

3X4 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


their  egg  in  the  nest  of  some  other  bird  from 

the  size  of  a  Robin  down,  probably  the  greater 
number  being  in  Warblers 
.*#?'""**"?"'  an(l  Sparrows  nests;  the 

/&+.'  ^  -  eggs  are  hatched  and  the 

young  cared  for  by  the  un- 
fortunate birds  upon  which 
they  are  thrust.  The  eggs 
are  white,  spotted  and 
speckled  all  over,  more  or 

less  strongly  with  brown  and  yellowish  brown; 

size  .85  x  .64. 


White 


495a.      DWARF  COWBIRD. 
obscurus. 


Molothrus  atcr 


and 


Cowbird 


Light   blue-green 


Range. — Southwestern     United     States 
Mexico,  wintering  south  of  our  borders. 

This  variety  is  like  the  last,  but  slightly 
smaller.  The  nesting  habits  of  the  two  are 
identical  and  the  eggs  are  indistinguishable, 
It  is  believed  that  Cowbirds  do  more  damage  to 
the  smaller  birds  than  all  other  dangers  com- 
bined, as  their  young  being  larger  and  stronger 
either  crowd  or  smother  the  other  young  or  else  starve  them  by  getting  most 
of  the  food  brought  to  the  nest. 

1-96.      RED-EYED  COWBIRD.      Tangariux  ceneus  involucratus. 

Range. — Mexico;  north  in  summer  to  the  Lower  Rio 
Grande  in  Texas. 

This  parasite  is  larger  than  the  Cowbird,  being  9  inches 
long,  and  is  glossy  black  with  brassy  reflections  on  the 
upper  and  under  parts.  They  are  abundant  in  southern 
Texas  where  they  deposit  their  eggs  in  the  nests  of  other 
birds,  apparently  preferring  those  of  Orioles;  their  eggs 
are  pale  bluish  green,  unmarked;  size  .90  x  .70. 

••HI  497.      YELLOW-HEADED  BLACKBIRD. 

Xanthocephalus  xanthocephalus. 
Range. — North  America  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi to  eastern  California,  breeding  from  the 
southern  parts  of  the  United  States  north  to 
British  Columbia  and  Hudson  Bay  and  winter- 
ing from  southern  United  States  downward. 

This  large  handsome 
Blackbird  with  bright  yel- 
low head  and  breast  is 
very  abundant  in  some 
parts  of  the  west,  where 
they  nest,  in  large  colonies 
in  sloughs  and  marshes, 
being  especially  abundant 
in  the  Dakotas  and  Mani- 
toba. The  nests  are  made  of  strips  of  rushes, 
skillfully  woven  together  and  attached  to  up- 
right cane  near  the  surface  of  the  water.  They 
lay  from  four  to  six  eggs  having  a  grayish 
white  ground  color,  finely  specked  and  spotted 
with  shades  of  brown  and  gray;  sixe  1.00  x  .70, 
315 


Yellow-beaded  Blackbird 


THE    BIRD    BOOK 


498.     RED-WINGED  BLACKBIRD.     Agelaius 
phceniceus  phceniceus. 


jtiiuish  white 


Red-winged    Blackbird 


-**|>*^^^"\  /  Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Rockies 

*  .    '  i.  an(j  from  the  southern  British  Provinces  south- 

ward to  the  Gulf;    winter  in  southern   United 
States. 

These  birds  are  familiar  .. 

to  every  frequenter  of  the 
country,  in  their  range; 
too  familiar  to  many,  for 
the  enormous  flocks  do 
considerable  damage  to 
grain  fields  in  the  fall. 
They  also  do  a  great 
amount  of  good  at  other 

seasons  in  the  destruction  of  injurious  insects 
and  weed  seed.  They  breed  from  April  in  the 
southern  parts  of  their  range  to  May  and  June 
in  the  northern,  making  their  nests  of  grasses, 
woven  and  twisted  together  and  placing  them 
in  bushes  in  swamps  or  over  water,  and  some- 
times on  the  ground  in  clumps  of  grass.  Their 
eggs  are  from  three  to  five  in  number,  bluish 
white  boldy  spotted,  clouded  or  lined  with  blackish  brown  and  purplish.  Size 
1.00  x  .70.  The  nests  and  eggs  of  the  numerous  sub-species  are  all  precisely  the 
same  as  those  of  this  bird,  so  we  will  but  enumerate  the  varieties  and  their 
range.  To  identify  these  varieties  other  than  by  their  ranges  will  require 
micrometer  calipers  and  the  services  of  the  men  who  separated  them. 

498a.      SONORA  RED-WING.     Agelaius  phceniceus  sonoriensis. 
Range. — A  slightly  larger  variety  found  in  southern  United  States. 

498b.      BAHAMA  RED-WING.     Agelaius  phceniceus  bryanti. 

Range.--  Bahamas  and  southern  Florida. 
This  species  has  a  slightly  longer  bill. 

498c.     FLORIDA  RED-WING.     Agelaius  phceniceus  floridanus. 

Range. — Florida  and  Gulf  coast. 
A  smaller  species  with  a  longer  bill. 

498d.     THICK-BILLED  RED-WING.     Agelaius  phceniceus  fortis. 

Range. — Breeds  in  the  interior  of  British  America;  in  winter  south  through 
the  Plains  to  southwestern  United  States. 

498e.     SAN  DIEGO  RED-WING.     Agelaius  Phceniceus  neutralis. 

Range. — Great  Basin  between  the  Rockies  and  Sierra  Nevadas,  from  British 
Columbia  to  Mexico,  wintering  in  the  southern  parts  of  its  range. 

498f.      NORTHWESTERN  RED-WING.     Agelaius  phceniceus  caurinus. 
Range. — Pacific  coast  from  California  to  British  Columbia. 

316 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


499-      BICOLORED  RED-WING.     Agelaius 
gubernator  calif ornlcus. 

Range. — Pacific  coast,  west  of  the  Sierra 
Nevadas,  from  Washington  south  to  Lower 
California. 

The  males  of  this  spe- 
cies are  distinguished  from 
those  of  the  Red-wings  by 
the  absence  of  light  mar- 
gins to  the  orange  red 
shoulders.  They  are  fairly 
abundant  in  their  restrict- 
ed localities,  building  their 

Dull  bluish  white      nest/     in     swamps     about 
ponds    and   streams.     The 

nests  are  like  those  of  the  Red-wings,  and  the 
eggs  are  similar  and  with  the  same  great  varia- 
tions in  markings,  but  average  a  trifle  smaller; 
size  .05  x  .67. 


Meadowlark 


500.      TRICOLORED  RED-WING.     Agelaius  tricolor. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  of  California  and  Oregon ;  rare  east 
of  the  Sierra  Nevadas. 

This  species  differs  from  the  Red-wing  in  having  the 
shoulders  a  much  darker  red  and  the  median  coverts  white 
instead  of  buffy.  Like  the  last  species  they  have  a  limited 
range  and  are  nowhere  as  common  as  are  the  Red-wings  in 
the  east.  Their  nests  are  like  those  of  the  Red-wings  and 
the  eggs  are  not  distinguishable  in  their  many  variations, 
but  they  appear  to  be  more  often  lined  than  those  of  the 
former. 


Dull   bluish  white 


501.      MEADOWLARK.     Sturnella  magna  magna. 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Plains  and  north  to 
Nova  Scotia  and  Manitoba;  winters  from  New  England 
southward. 

This  handsome  dweller  among  our  fields  and  meadows  is 
frequently  heard  giving  his  high,  pleasing,  fiute-like  whistle 
with  its  variations;  his  beautiful 
yellow  breast  with  its  black 
crescent  is  not  so  frequently 
seen  in  life,  for  they  are  usually 
quite  shy  birds.  They  artfully 
conceal  their  nests  on  the  ground 
among  the  tall  grass  of  meadows, 
arching  them  over  with  dead 
grass.  During  May  or  June  they 
lay  from  four  to  six  white  eggs. 


White 


speckled  over  the  whole  surface  with  reddish   brown  and 
purplish;  size  1.10  x  .80. 

501  a.      Rio  GRANDE  MEADOWLARK.     Sturnella  magna 

hoopesi. 

Range. — A   brighter   and   slightly  smaller  variety  found 
along  the  Mexican  border. 
317 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


501.1.     WESTERN  MEADOWLARK. 
neglecta. 


Sturnella 


Range. — North  America  west  of  the  Missis- 
sippi and  from  Manitoba  and  British  Columbia 
southward,  its  range  overlapping  that  of  the 
eastern  Meadowlark  in  the  Mississippi  Valley, 
but  the  two  varieties  appear  not  to  intermingle. 
This  variety  is  paler  than  the  eastern,  but  the 
greatest  point  of  difference  is  in  the  songs, 
they  being  wholly  unlike,  and  that  of  the  west- 
ern bird  much  louder,  sweeter  and  more  varied 
than  the  simple  whistle  of  the  eastern  form. 
The  nesting  habits  of  both  varieties  are  the 
same  and  the  eggs  indistinguishable. 


501c.     SOUTHERN  MEADOWLARK. 
magna  argutula. 


Sturnella 


Range. — Florida  and  the  Gulf  coast. 

A  very  similar  bird  to  the  northern  form 
but  slightly  smaller  and  darker.  There  is  no 
difference  between  the  eggs  of  the  two  varieties, 


Audubon    Oriole 


503.     AUDUBON'S  ORIOLE.      Icterus  melanocephalus  auduboni. 

Range. — Mexico  and  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas. 

This  large  Oriole  has  a  wholly  black  head,  neck,  fore  breast,  tail  and  wings; 
it  is  9.5  inches  in  length.  They  are  quite  abundant  and 
resident  in  southern  Texas  where  they  build  at  low  eleva- 
tions in  trees,  preferably  mesquites,  making  the  nests  of 
woven  grasses  and  hanging  them  from  the  small  twigs  of 
the  trees;  the  nests  are  more  like  those  of  the  Orchard 
Oriole  and  not  long  and  pensile  like  those  of  the  Baltimore. 
The  three  to  five  eggs  are  grayish  white,  blotched,  clouded, 
spotted  or  streaked  with  brownish  and  purple.  Size  1.00 
x  .70.  Data. — Brownsville,  Texas,  April  6,  1897.  5  eggs. 

Nest  of  threads  from  palmetto  leaves,  hanging  from  limb  of  mesquite,  10  feet 
above  ground  in  the  open  woods.    Collector,  Frank  B.  Armstrong. 


White 


319 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Hooded    Oriole 


504.     SCOTT'S  ORIOLE.     Icterus  parisorum. 

Range. — Western  Mexico  north  to  the  adjoin- 
ing states;  north  to  Nevada. 

This  handsome  black 
and  yellow  species  does 
not  appear  to  be  abundant 
in  any  part  of  its  range. 
Their  nests  are  swung 
from  the  under  side  of 
leaves  of  the  yucca  palm 
or  from  small  branches  of 
low  trees,  and  are  made  of  grass  and  fibres. 
The  eggs  are  bluish  white,  specked  and  blotch- 
ed chiefly  about  the  large  end  with  blackish 
brown  and  lilac  gray.  Size  .95  x  .65.  Data. — 
Chiricahua  Mts.,  Arizona,  June  5,  1900.  Nest 
placed  on  the  under  side  of  a  yucca  palm  leaf, 
being  hung  from  the  spines,  about  4  feet  from 
the  ground.  Altitude  7000  feet.  Collector,  O. 
W.  Howard. 


Bluish   white 


505.     SENNETT'S  ORIOLE.     Icterus  cucullatus  sennetti. 

Range. — Mexico,  north  in  summer  to  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas. 

This  species  is  orange  yellow  except  for  the  face,  throat, 
fore  back,  wings  and  tail,  which  are  black;  the  wings  are 
crossed  by  two  white  bars.  These  handsome  birds  are  the 
most  abundant  of  the  Orioles  on  the  Lower  Rio  Grange, 
where  their  pure  mellow  whistle  is  heard  at  frequent  inter- 
vals throughout  the  day.  They  generally  build  their  nests 
in  hanging  moss  from  mesquite  trees,  turning  up  at  the 
ends  and  lining  the  pocket  with  moss,  or  else  make  a 
shallow  hanging  nest  of  fibres  and  suspend  it  from  yuccas. 
During  May  or  June  they  lay  from  three  to  five  eggs  of  a  white  color,  spotted 
(rarely  lined)  with  purplish  brown  and  gray.  Size  .85  x  .60. 


White 


505a.     ARIZONA  HOODED  ORIOLE.     Icterus  cucullatus  nelsoni. 

Range. — Western  Mexico;  in  summer  north  to  southern  Arizona,  New  Mexico 
and  California. 

This  variety  is  like  the  last  but  more  yellowish.  Their  nests  are  made  of  a 
wiry  grass  compactly  woven  together  and  partially  suspended  to  mistletoe  twigs 
growing  from  cottonwood  trees;  nests  of  this  type  are  perfectly  distinct  from 
those  of  the  preceding,  but  when  they  are  made  of  fibre  and  attached  to  yuccas, 
they  cannot  be  distinguished  from  nests  of  the  former  variety.  Their  eggs  are 
similar  to  those  of  the  Hooded  Oriole,  but  generally  more  strongly  marked  and 
usually  with  some  zigzag  lines.  Size  .85  x  .60. 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


506.     ORCHARD  ORIOLE.     Icterus  spurius. 

Range. — United  States,  east  of  the  Plains, 
breeding  from  the  Gulf  to  southern  New  Eng- 
land, and  Canada  in  the  interior.  Winters  be- 
yond our  borders. 

The  adult  male  of  this  spe- 
cies is  a  rich  chocolate  brown 
and  black,  it  requiring  three 
years  to  attain  this  plumage. 
They  nest  commonly  about 
habitations  in  their  range, 
usually  preferring  orchard 
trees  for  sites.  Their  nests 
are  skillfully  woven  baskets 
of  fresh  grasses,  about  as  high  as  wide;  they 
are  generally  placed  in  upright  forks  and  well 
concealed  by  drooping  leaves.  They  lay  from 
four  to  six  bluish  white  eggs,  spotted  and 
blotched  with  brown  and  lavender.  Size  .80  x 
.55.  Data. — Avery's  Island,  La.,  May  10,  1896. 
Nest  of  grass,  lined  with  thistledown;  semi- 
pensile  in  drooping  twigs  of  a  willow.  Collec- 
tor, F.  A.  Mcllhenny. 


Bluish   white 


Arizona  Hooded  Oriole 

Orchard   Oriole 


507.     BALTIMORE  ORIOLE.     Icterus  galbula. 


Range.-  -North  America,  east  of  the  Rockies,  breeding  from  southern  United 

States  north  to  New  Brunswick  and  Saskatche- 
wan. 

— \  This  beautiful  and  well  known  eastern  Oriole 

can  readily   be  identified  by  its   orange.,  flame 
color    and    entirely    black    head.     Even    better 
known   than   the   birds,   are   the   pensile  nests 
which   retain   their   positions    on    the   swaying 
drooping    branches    all 
through  the  winter.    Al- 
though     they    build    in 
many  other  trees,  elms 
seem  to  be  their  favor- 
ites.     Their    nests    are 
made  of  plant  fibres  and 
frequently    string,    and 
often  reach  a  length  of 
about     10     inches     and 

about  half  that  in  diameter;  they  are  usually 
attached  to  drooping  branches  by  the  rim  so 
that  they  rock  to  and  fro,  but  are  sometimes 
held  more  firmly  in  position  by  having  their 
side  bound  to  a  branch.  Their  eggs,  which  are 
laid  in  May  and  June,  are  white,  streaked  and 
lined  with  blackish  brown  and  grayish.  Size 
.90  x  .60. 

321 


White 


Baltimore  Oriole 


21 


THE    BIRD   BOOK 


Rasty  Blackbird 

Brewster'; 


Blackbird 


508.     BULLOCK'S  ORIOLE.     Icterus  bullocki. 

Range. — North  America,  west  of  the  Plains 
and  from  British  Columbia  southward,  winter- 
ing in  Mexico. 

This    handsome    species 
is  as  abundant  in  the  west 
^fT  as  the  Baltimore  Oriole  is 

^ga  in    the    east,    and    breeds 

)       throughout       its       United 
1^?'       States  range.    Their  nests 
are  similarly  made  and  in 
similar  locations,  and  the 
Bluish  white  eggs     are     hardly     distin- 

guishable from  those  of  the  preceding,  but  the 
ground  color  is  generally  of  a  pale  bluish  white 
tint  and  the  markings  are  usually  finer,  the 
lines  running  around  the  eggs  and  often  mak- 
ing a  very  handsome  wreath  about  the  large 
end.  Size  of  eggs,  .94  x  .62. 


509.     RUSTY  BLACKBIRD.     Euphagus  carolinus. 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Plains,  breeding  from  northern  New  Eng- 
land and  the  Adirondacks  northward;  winters  in  southern  United  States. 

But  few  of  these  birds  breed  within  our  borders,  the  ma- 
jority of  them  passing  on  to  the  interior  of  Canada.  They 
generally  nest  in  pairs,  or  at  the  most  three  or  four  pairs 
in  a  locality,  building  their  large  substantial  nests  of  moss, 
twigs  and  grass,  lined  with  fine  green  grass;  this  structure 
is  situated  in  bushes  or  low  trees  in  swampy  places  and  at 
from  3  to  20  feet  from  the  ground.  The  eggs  are  laid  in 
May  or  June;  they  vary  from  three  to  five  in  number,  of  a 
pale  bluish  green  color,  spotted,  blotched  and  clouded  with 
shades  of  brown  and  gray.  Size  .96  x  .71. 

Range. — North  America  west  of  the  Plains,  and  from  British  Columbia  and 
Saskatchewan  southward. 


Bluish   green 


510.      BREWER'S  BLACKBIRD.     Euphagus  cyanocephalus. 


Dull   white 


This  western  representative  of  the  preceding  is  of  about 
the  same  size  (10  inches  Ipng),  but  differs  in  having  a 
purplish  head  and  greenish  black  body.  They  nest  abund 
antly  throughout  their  range  either  in  bushes  or  trees  at 
low  elevations  or  upon  the  ground;  the  nests  are  made  of 
sticks,  rootlets  and  grasses,  lined  with  finer  grass  and 
moss,  and  the  eggs,  which  are  very  variable,  are  dull 
whitish,  clouded  and  blotched  with  brownish  and  streak- 
ed with  blackish.  Size  1.00  x  .75. 


322 


511. 


Quiscalus  quiscula 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


PURPLE  GRACKLE. 
quiscula. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States  from  the  Gulf 
to  Massachusetts;  winters  along  the  Gulf. 

This    species,    which    is 
I    i  commonly  known  as  Crow 

Blackbird,    nests   in  trees 

or  bushes    anywhere  in  its 

range,    and   on    the    coast 

frequently    constructs    its 

nests     among     the     large 

sticks     of    Ospery    nests. 

Large  pines  appear  to  be 

favorite  sites  for  them  to 
locate  their  large  nests  of  twigs,  weeds,  grass 
and  trash.  They  are  placed  at  any  elevation 
from  nearly  on  the  ground  to  50  feet  above  it. 
The  eggs  range  from  three  to  five  and  are 
greenish  white,  splashed,  spotted  and  scrawl- 
ed with  various  shades  of  brown  and  gray,  and 
with  streaks  of  black.  Size  1.10  x  .80.  The 
nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  the  sub-species  of 
this  Grackle  do  not  differ  in  any  particular.  Like  those  of  this  variety  the  eggs 
show  an  endless  number  of  patterns  of  markings. 


Dull  greenish 
White 


Purple  Grackle 

Bronzed  Grackle 


51  la.      FLORIDA  GRACKLE.      Quiscalus  quiscula  aglceus. 


Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States. 
A  smaller  variety  of  the  preceding;   length  about 
inches.     Eggs  indistinguishable. 


1 1 


Quiscalus  quiscula 


51  Ib.      BRONZED  GRACKLE. 
ceneus. 

Range.— North  America  east  of  the  Rockies,  breeding 
from  the  Gulf  to  Hudson  Bay  and  Labrador.    Winters 

in  the  southern  parts  of  the  United  States.  This  is  the  most  common  and 
widely  distributed  of  the  Crow  Blackbirds  and  is  distinguished  by  the  brassy 
color  of  the  upper  parts. 


513.      BOAT-TAILED  GRACKLE.     Megaquiscalus  major  major. 

Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States ;  north  to  Virginia. 

This  handsome  bird  measures  about  16  inches  in 
length,  is  irridescent  with  purplish  and  greenish,  and 
has  a  very  long,  graduated  and  hollowed  tail.  These 
Grackles  are  very  abundant  residents  along  the  Gulf, 
breeding  in  large  colonies  in  swamps,  placing  their 
nests  of  weeds,  moss,  grasses,  etc.,  in  bushes,  trees, 
cans  or  rushes,  but  a  few  inches  above  the  water,  while 
those  in  trees  are  sometimes  50  feet  above  the  ground. 
The  eggs  are  laid  in  March,  April  or  May,  are  from 
three  to  five  in  number,  and  are  a  dull  bluish  or  grayish 
white,  streaked,  lined,  clouded  and  blotched  with  brown,  black  and  gray;  size 
1.25  x. 95. 

323 


Grayish  ^vhite 


THE    BIRD   BOOK 


513a.     GREAT-TAILED  GRACKLE. 

Megaquiscalus  major  macrourus. 

Range. — Mexico  to  southern  and  eastern 
Texas. 

This  variety  is  larger  than  the  last  (length 
18  inches)  and  the  tail  is  very  broad  and  flat. 


Evening    Grosbeak 


Grayish  white 

Like  the  former,  they  nest  in  bushes,  rushes  or 
trees  at  any  elevation  from  the  ground.  The 
nests  are  built  of  the  same  materials  and  the 
eggs  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Boat-tailed 
Grackle,  but  larger;  size  1.28  x  .88. 


Greenish   white 


FINCHES,  SPARROWS,  ETC.    Family  FRINGILLD^E 

514       EVENING  GROSBEAK.     Hesperiphona  vespertina  vespertina. 

Range.— Western  United  States  in  the  Rocky  Mountain  region;  north  to  Sas- 
katchewan; south  in  winter  to  Mississippi  Valley  and  cas- 
ually east  to  New  England  and  the  intermediate  states. 

These  are  dull  and  yellowish  birds,  shading  to  brownish 
on  the  head;  with  a  bright  yellow  forehead  and  suspercil- 
iary  line,  black  wings  and  tail,  and  white  inner  secondaries 
and  greater  coverts.  They  breed  in  the  mountainous  por- 
tions of  their  range,  placing  their  flat  nests  of  sticks  and 
rootlets  in  low  trees  or 

bushes.    The  eggs  are  laid  in  May  or  June  and 

are  greenish  white  spotted  and  blotched  with 

brown;  size  .90  x  .65. 

514a.     WESTERN  EVENING  GROSBEAK. 
•  Hesperiphona   vespertina   montana. 

Range. — Western  United  States,  breeding  in 
the  mountains  from  New  Mexico  to  British 
Columbia. 

The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  this  variety 
are  the  same  as  those  of  the  preceding,  and  the 
birds  can  rarely  be  separated. 


515.      PINE  GROSBEAK. 
leucura. 


Pinicola  enucleator 


Range/ — Eastern  North  America,  breeding 
from  northern  New  England  northward,  and 
wintering  to  southern  New  England  and  Ohio 
and  casually  farther.  They  build  in  conifers 

324 


Pine  Grosbeak 


making  their  nests  of  small  twigs  and  rootlets, 
lined  with  fine  grasses  and  lichens.  During  the 
latter  part  of  May  or  June  they  lay  three  or 
four  eggs,  which  have  a 
ground  color  of  light 
greenish  blue,  spotted  and 
splashed  with  dark  brown, 
and  with  fainter  markings 
of  lilac.  Size  1.00  x  .70. 
Pine  Grosbeaks  have  been 
separated  into  the  follow- 
ing sub-species,  the  chief 
distinction  between  them  being  in  their 
ranges.  The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  all 
are  alike. 

515a.      ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  PINE  GROSBEAK. 
Pinicola  enucleator  montana. 

Range. — Rocky   Mountain   region   from    New 
Mexico  to  Montana. 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


Greenish  blue 


51 5b.     CALIFORNIA  PINE  GROSBEAK. 
cola  enucleator  calif ornica. 


Pini 


Purple    Finch 
Range. — Higher  parts  of  the  Sierra  Nevadas  in  California. 

515c.      ALASKA  PINE  GROSBEAK.     Pinicola  enucleator  alascensis. 

Range. — Interior  of  Northwest  America  from  Alaska   south  to   British   Col- 
umbia. 

515d.      KADIAK  PINE  GROSBEAK.     Pinicola  enucleator  flammula. 
Range. — Kadiak  Island  and  the  southern  coast  of  Alaska. 

[516.]      CASSIN'S  BULLFINCH.     Pyrrhula  cassini. 
Range. — Northern  Asia;  accidental  in  Alaska. 

517-      PURPLE  FINCH.   Carpodacus  purpureus  purpureus. 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  plains,  breeding 
from  the  Middle  States  onrth  to  Labrador  and  Hudson  Bay ; 
winters  in  the  United  States. 

These  sweet  songsters  are  quite  abund- 
ant in  New  England  in  the  summer,  but 
more    so   north    of   our   borders.     While 
they   breed  sometimes   in  trees,  in  orch- 
ards,  I  have  nearly  always  found    their 
nests  in  evergreens,  usually  about  three- 
fourths   of  the  way  up.     The  nests   are 
made  of  fine  weeds  and  grasses  and  lined     Greenish  blue 
with  horse  hair.    The  eggs,  which  are  usually  laid  in  June, 
are    greenish    blue,    spotted    with    dark    brownish;     size 
.85  x  .65. 

517a.      CALIFORNIA  PURPLE 

FINCH.      Carpodacus  purpureus  californicus. 

Range. — Pacific  coast,  breeding  from  central  California 
to  British  Columbia  and  wintering  throughout  California. 

The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  this  darker  colored 
variety  are  just  like  those  of  the  last, 

325 


515b — 517a 


THE    BIRD   BOOK 


518.     CASSIN'S  PURPLE  FINCH.     Carpodacus  cassini. 

Range. — North  America  west  of  the  Rockies,  breeding 
from  British  Columbia  south  to  New  Mexico; 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  last  but 
the  back,  wings  and  tail  are  darker  and 
the  purplish  color  of  the  preceding  spe- 
cies is  replaced  by  a  more  pinkish  shade. 
The    nesting    habits    and    eggs    are    the 
same    as    those    of    the    eastern    Purple 
Finch;     size    of    eggs    .85  x  .60.     Data. —      Greenish  blue 
Willis,  New  Mexico,  June   23,  1901.     Nest  made  of  twigs 
and  rootlets  and  lined  with  horse  hair.     Collector,  F.  J. 
Birtwell. 

519-     HOUSE  FINCH.     Carpodacus  mexicanus  frontalis. 

Range. — United    States    west    of   the    Plains    and    from 
Oregon  and  Wyoming  to  Mexico. 

This  is  one  of  the  best  known  of  western 
birds,  and  nests  commonly  in  all  situations   ,/' 
from  trees  and  bushes  to  vines  growing  on  £j-'j 
porches.     Their  nests  are  made  of  rootlets  iL_ 
and  grasses  and  are  lined  with  horse  hair.   IBi 
Their  nesting  season  includes  all  the  sum- 
mer months,  they  raising  two  and  sometimes  Gre€ 
three  broods  a  season.    The  three  to  five  eggs  are  pale  greenish  blue  with  a  few 
sharp  blackish  brown  specks  about  the  large  end.    Size  .80  x  .55. 


51S — 519 


olQb.      SAN  LUCAS  HOUSE  FINCH.      Carpodacus  mexicanus  ruberrimus. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California.  A  slightly  smaller  variety  of  the  pre- 
ceding. 

51Qc.     SAN  CLEMENTE  HOUSE  FINCH.     Carpodacus  mexicanus  clematis. 

Range.— San  Clemente  and  Santa  Barbara  Islands.  Somewhat  darker  than 
the  last. 

520.     GUADALUPE  FINCH.     Carpodacus  amplus. 

Range. — Guadalupe  Island,  Lower  California. 

Similar  to  the  House  Finch,  but  deeper  red  and  slightly  larger.  Their  nest- 
ing habits  and  eggs  are  precisely  like  those  of  the  House  Finch  but  the  eggs 
average  larger;  size  .85  x  .60. 


520.1.     MCGREGOR'S  HOUSE  FINCH.     Carpodacus  mcgregori. 

Range. — San  Benito  Island,  Lower  California. 
A  newly  made  species,  hardly  to  be  distinguished  from  the  last, 
bably  the  same. 


326 


Eggs  pro- 


521.      CROSSBILL.     Loxia  curvirostra  minor. 

Range. — Northern  North  America,  breeding 
in  the  Alleghanies  and  from  northern  New 
England  northward;  winters  south  to  the  mid 
die  portions  of  the  United  States  and  casually 
farther. 

The    birds    are    very    cur 
-   „*.  ious  both  in  appearance  and 

fflT'i     *  actions,   being   very   "flighty" 

o        and   restless,    and   apt   to   re- 
main to  breed  on  any  of  the 
mountains.     They   build    dur 
ing  March   or  April,   making 
Greenish    white      their  nestg   Qf  twigg>  rootlets, 

moss,  feathers,  etc.,  and  placing  them  in  forks 
or  on  branches  of  trees  (usually  conifers)  at 
any  height  from  the  ground.  The  eggs  are 
greenish  white,  spotted  with  brown  and  with 
lavender  shell  markings;  size  .75  x  .55. 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


52 la.      MEXICAN  CROSSBILL. 
tra  stricklandi. 


ILoxi 


'ia  curviros- 


Crossbill 


Range. — Mountain  ranges  from  central  Mexico  north  to  Wyoming. 
A  larger  variety  of  the  preceding.     The  eggs  will  not  differ  except  perhaps 
a  trifle  in  size. 

522.      WHITE-WINGED  CROSSBILL.     Loxia  leucoptera. 

Range. — Northern  North  America,  breeding  in  the  Alle- 
ghanies and  from  northern  Maine  northward;  winters  to 
middle  portions  of  the  United  States. 

This  species  is  rosy  red  with  two  white  wing  bars.  Like 
the  last,  they  are  of  a  roving  disposition  and  are  apt  to 
be  found  in  any  unexpected  locality.  Their  nesting  habits 
are  the  same  as  those  of  the  American  Crossbill,  but  the 

eggs  average  larger  and  the      Greenish   while 

markings  are  more  blotchy;  size  .80  x  .55. 

.97  x  .67. 

523.     ALEUTIAN  ROSY  FINCH.     Leucosticte 

griseonucha. 
Range. — Aleutian  and  Pribilof  Islands;  south 

to  Kadiak. 
This   is   the  largest  of   the   genus,  and   can 

be  distinguished  from  the  others  by  its  very 

dark  chestnut  coloration  and  the  gray  hindneck 

and  cheeks.  Like  the  other 

Leucostictes,       they       are 

found    in    flocks    and    fre- 
quent  rocky  or  mountain 

ous    country,    where    they 

are    nearly    always    found 

on  the  ground.   They  build 

in     crevices     among     the 

rocks   or  under  ledges   or 

embankments,  making  the 

nest  of  weeds  and  grasses. 

pure   white   eggs   are   laid   during  June.     Size 

.97  x  .67.      Data. — St.     George    Islands     of    the 
327 


White 
Their  four  or  five 


White-winged    Crosbill 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


524.  .  GRAY-CROWNED  ROSY  FINCH.     Leucosticte 
tephrocotis  tephrocotis. 

Range. — Rocky    Mountain    region    from    Saskatchewan 
south  to  northern  United  States  and  also 
breeding  in  the  Sierra  Nevadas;  winters 
on  the  lowlands  of  northwestern  United 
States  and  east  to  Manitoba. 

The  habits  and  breeding  habits  of  this 
species  are  like  those  of  the  last.  The 
bird  is  paler  colored  and  the  gray  is  re- 
stricted to  the  hind  part  of  the  head. 
They  nest  on  the  ground  in  June,  laying 
four  or  five  white  eggs. 


White 


523—524— 


524<a.     HEPBURN  ROSY  FINCH.     Leucosticte  tephrocotis 
littoralis. 

Range. — Higher  ranges  from  Washington  and  British 
Columbia  to  Alaska. 

This  variety  is  like  the  Aleutian  Leucosticte  but  the 
brown  is  a  great  deal  paler.  The  nesting  habits  and  eggs 
are,  in  all  probability,  like  those  of  the  last. 

525.  BLACK  ROSY  FINCH.     Leucosticte  atrata. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountain  region  of  northern  United  States;  known  to  breed 
in  Idaho. 

This  species  is  black  in  place  of  the  brown  of  the  others ;  the  gray  is  restrict- 
ed to  the  hind  part  of  the  head  and  the  rosy  is  rather  more  extensive  on  the 
wings.  Their  eggs  probably  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Gray- 
crowned  variety. 

526.  BROWN-CAPPED  ROSY  FINCH.  Leucosticte  australis 

Range. — Breeds  at  high  altitudes  in  the  Rockies  in  Colo- 
rado; south  to  New  Mexico  in  winter. 

A  similar  bird  to  the  Gray-crowned  Leucosticte  but  with 
no  gray  on  the  head.  They  nest  on  the  ground  above 
timber  line  on  the  higher  ranges  of  the  Rockies. 

527-     GREENLAND  REDPOLL.     Acanihis  hornemanni 
hornemanni. 

Range. — Greenland  and  northern  Europe;  south  in  winter 
to  Labrador. 

This  large  Redpoll  nests  at  low  elevations  in  trees  and 
bushes,  its  habits  and  eggs  being  similar  to  the  more  com- 
mon American  species. 

527a.     HOARY  REDPOLL.    Acanihis  hornemanni  exilipes. 

Range. — Breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions  and  winters  south 
to  the  northern  parts  of  the  United  States. 

This  variety  is  smaller  than  the  last  and  is  considerably 
darker  but  still  retains  the  white  rump  of  the  Greenland 
Redpoll.  Its  nesting  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the 
next. 


525—526 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


528.      REDPOLL.     Acanthis  linaria  Unarm. 

Range. — Breeds  within  the  Arctic  Circle; 
winters  south  to  New  York,  Kansas  and  north- 
ern California  and  casually  farther. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  last  but  mucn 
darker,  and  the  rump  is  also  streaked  with 
blackish.  These  handsome  birds  are  often  met 
with  in  winter,  feeding  on  seeds 
of  the  weed  stems  that  project 
above  the  snow.  Their  flight 
and  song  is  similar  to  that  of  the 
Goldfinch  or  Pine  Siskin.  They 
nest  at  low  elevations,  either  in 
Bluish  green  trees  or  bushes.  The  eggs  num- 
ber from  three  to  six  and  are  pale  bluish,  spar- 
ingly specked  with  reddish  brown.  Size  .65  x 
.50.  Data. — Mouth  of  Great  Whale  River,  Hud- 
son Bay,  May  16,  1899.  Nest  in  a  willow  4  feet 
from  the  ground ;  made  of  fine  rootlets  and 
grass,  lined  with  feathers.  Collector,  A.  P. 
Lowe. 


*•> 


\ 


Redpoll 


528a.     HOLBOLL'S  REDPOLL.     Acanthis  linaria  holbcelli. 

Range. — Arctic  regions;   south  casually  to  the  border  of  the  United  States. 

A  slightly  larger  variety  of  the  common  Redpoll.  Eggs  probably  not  dis- 
tinguished. 

528b.       GREATER  REDPOLL.     Acanthis  linaria  rostrata. 

Range. — Breeds  in  southern  Greenland;  in  winter  south  through  Labrador  to 
the  northern  border  of  the  United  States. 

This  variety  is  larger  and  darker  than  the  common  Redpoll.  It  has  been 
found  breeding  abundantly  in  southern  Greenland,  where  its  nesting  habits  are 

^ the  same  as  those  of  the  Redpoll  and  the  eggs 

~"  ~n  similar  but  averaging  a  trifle  larger. 


52Q.     GOLDFINCH.  Astragalinus  tristis  tristis 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Rockies, 
and  from  Labrador  and  Manitoba  southward. 

These  beautiful  birds  are 
among  our  sweetest  song- 
sters from  May  until  Sep- 
tember. They  are  resident 
throughout  their  United  States 
range,  where  they  breed  in 
August  or  early  in  Septem-  Bluish  white 
ber,  being  one  of  the  latest  nesting  birds  that 
we  have.  Their  nests  are  located  in  bushes,  at 
a  height  of  generally  below  fifteen  feet  above 
the  ground,  being  placed  in  upright  forks,  and 
made  of  plant  fibres  and  thistle  down,  firmly 
woven  together.  They  lay  from  three  to  six 
plain  bluish  white  eggs.  Size  .65  x  .50.  The  ma- 
jority of  nests  that  I  have  found  have  been  in 
alders  over  small  streams. 

329 


Gojdflnch 


B '  H 


AMERICAN    GOLDFINCH 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


529a.     PALE  GOLDFINCH.     Astragalinus  tristis  pallidus. 

Range/ — Rocky  Mountains  from  Mexico  to  British  Colum 
bia. 

This  variety  is  slightly  larger  and  (in  winter)  paler  than 
the  last. 

529b.      WILLOW  GOLDFINCH.     Astragalinus  tristis 
salicamans. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  Washington  to  Lower  Cali- 
fornia. 

Similar  to  the  eastern  Goldfinch  but  back  said  to  be 
slightly  greenish  yellow. 

530.     ARKANSAS  GOLDFINCH.     Astragalinus  psaltria 
psaltria. 

Range. — United  States,  west  of  the  Plains  and  from  Ore- 
gon to  Mexico. 

This  species  has  greenish  upper  parts  and 
yellow  below;  the  crown,  wings  and  tail  are 
black,  the  bases  of  the  lateral  tail  feathers 
llBfe^         and  primaries  being  whitish.    They  are  com- 
mon in  portions  of  their  range,   nesting  in  similar  locations  to 
Bluish  white    those  chosen  by  the  common  Goldfinch  and  laying  from  three  to 
five  eggs  which  are  similar  but  slightly  smaller.     Size  .60  x  .45.     Data. — River- 
side, California,  May  20,  1891.     5  eggs.     Nest  made  of  fine  grasses  lined  with 
cotton ;  5  feet  from  the  ground  in  a  small  tree. 


529a— 529b— 530 


530a.     GREEN-BACKED  GOLDFINCH.     Astragalinus  hesperophilus. 

Range. — Mexico  north  to  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  in  southern  Texas. 
A  similar  bird  to  the  last  but  with  the  entire  upper  parts  and  cheeks,  black. 
The  habits,  nests  and  eggs  are  identical  with  those  of  the  Arkansas  Goldfinch. 

531.     LAWRENCE'S  GOLDFINCH.     Astragalinus  lawrencei. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  of  California,  wintering  along  the  Mexican  border. 

This  grayish  colored  Goldfinch  has  a  black  face  and  yellow  breast,  rump, 
wing  coverts  and  edges  of  the  primaries.  They  are  quite  common  in  their 
restricted  range,  nesting  either  in  upright  crotches  or  in  the  forks  of  horizontal 
limbs.  The  four  or  five  eggs  which  they  lay  are  pure  white;  size  .60  x  .45. 
;Data. — Santa  Conica  Canyon,  Cal.,  April  26,  1903.  Nest  in  a  cypress  tree  12 
'feet  up;  composed  of  grasses,  feathers,  etc.  Collector,  W.  Lee  Chambers. 

[532.]      BLACK-HEADED  GOLDFINCH.     Spinus  notatus. 

Range. — Mountainous  regions  of  Central  America  and  southern  Mexico; 
accidental  in  the  United  States. 

331 


THE    BIRD    BOOK 


533.     PINE  SISKIN.     Spinus  pinus. 

Range. — Breeds  from  northern  United  States 
northward,  in  the  Alleghanies  and  in  the  Rock- 
ies south  to  New  Mexico.  Winters  throughout 
the  United  States. 

Siskins  are  of  the  size  of  the  Goldfinch  (5 
inches  long),  and  their  calls,  songs  and  habits 
are  similar  to  those  of  this  bird.  Their  plum- 
age is  grayish  brown,  streaked  with  dusky  and 
the  bases  of  the  wings  and  tail  feathers  are 
yellow.  Like  the  Crossbills, 
they  frequently  feed  along  our  /^r' . 
northern  borders,  but  very  spor- 
adically. Their  nests  are  built 
on  horizontal  branches  of  pines 
or  cedars  at  any  elevation  from 
the  ground,  being  made  ofGreenish  white 
grasses  and  rootlets  lined  with  hair  or  pine 
needles,  and  of  rather  frail  and  flat  construc- 
tion. Their  eggs  are  laid  during  May  or  June 
and  are  greenish  white,  specked  with  reddish 
brown;  size  .68  x  .48.  Data. — Hamilton  Inlet, 

Labrador,  June  17,  1898.    Nest  on  branch  of  a  spruce,  10  feet  from  the  ground; 

made  of  grass,  lined  with  moss  and  feathers.    Collector,  L.  Dicks. 


Pine  Siskin 


534.     SNOW  BUNTING.     Plectrophenax  nivalis  nivalis. 


Range.  —  Breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions,  and  winters  irregularly  in  large  flocks 
through  the  United  States  to  Oregon,  Kansas 
and  Georgia. 

These    birds    are   only   seen   in    the    United 
States  in  large  roving  flocks, 
-  x  ,  during  the  winter  when  they 

*V*  **  '  .  feed  on  weed  seeds  on  side 
hills.  Their  nests  are  built 
on  tne  ground,  being  sunk 
into  the  sPaSnum  nioss,  and 
made  of  grasses  lined  with 
feathers.  Their  four  or  five 
eggs  are  a  light  greenish  white,  spotted  and 
splashed  with  yellowish  brown  and  lilac.  Size 
.90x.65. 


.- 


Greenish  white 


534a.     PRIBILOF  SNOW  BUNTING. 
phenax  nivalis  towns endi. 


Plectro- 


Range. — Pribilof  and  Aleutian  Islands,  Alaska. 

A  slightly  larger  variety  which  is  resident 
on  the  islands  in  its  range.  Eggs  like  those 
of  the  preceding;  laid  from  May  to  July. 


Snowflake 


PERCHING    BIRDS 

535.     McKay's  SNOW  BUNTING.      Pletrophenax  hyperboreus. 

Range. — Western  Alaska;  known  to  breed  on  Hall's  Island. 

This  beautiful  species  is,  in  summer,  entirely  white  except  for  the  tips  of  the 
primaries  and  a  black  spot  on  end  of  central  tail  feathers,  thus  being  very  dis- 
tinct from  the  preceding,  which  has  the  back  and  the  wings  to  a  greater  extent 
black,  at  this  season.  Their  eggs  probably  very  closely  resemble  those  of  the 
last  species. 


536.     LAPLAND  LONGSPUR.     Calcarius  lapponicus  lapponicus. 

Range. — Breeds  in  northern  North  America ;  winters  south 
casually  to  New  York,  Ohio  and  Oregon  and  occasionally  farther. 

These  sparrow-like  birds  are  6.5  inches  long  and  have  a  black 
crown,  cheeks  and  throat,  and  chestnut  band  on  nape.  Like  the 
Snowflakes  they  nest  on  the  ground  in  moss,  but  the  four  to  six 
eggs  that  they  lay  are  grayish,  heavily  mottled  and  blotched  witii 
chocolate  brown;  size  .80  x  .60. 


Grayish 


536a.      ALASKA  LONGSPUR.      Calcarius  lapponicus  alascensis. 

Range. — Northwest  North  America,  breeding  in  Alaska;  winter  south  to  Ore- 
gon. This  sub-species  is  like  the  last  but  slightly  paler.  Eggs  indistinguish- 
able. 


Norman   W.   Swayns 
NEST   AND   EGGS  OF  GOLDFLNCH 

333 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Smith's    Longspur 


537-     SMITH'S  LONGSPUR.     Calcarius  pictus. 

Range. — Breeds  in  Hudson  Bay  and  Mac- 
kenzie River  districts  and  winters  south  to 
Texas  chiefly  o  nthe  Plains. 

This  species  is  of  the  size 
of  the  last  but  is  a  rich  buff 
color  below,  and  the  other 
markings  are  very  different. 
These  birds  together  with 
the  next  species  are  very 
common  on  the  prairies  in 
central  United  States  in  win-  Grayish 

ter.  They  nest  on  the  ground  like  the  preced- 
ing species  but  the  nests  are  scantily  made  of 
grasses  and  not  warmly  lined  like  those  of  the 
last.  The  eggs  are  similar  but  paler;  size  .80 
x  .60.  Data. — Herschell  Island,  Arctic  Ocean, 
June  10,  1901.  Nest  built  in  a  tuft  of  grass; 
made  of  fine  roots  and  grass,  lined  with  feath- 
ers. 


Dull   white 


538.  CHESTNUT-COLLARED  LONGSPUR.     Calcarius  ornatus. 

Range. — Plains  in  the  interior  of  North  America,  breeding  from  Kansas  north 
to  Saskatchewan;  very  abundant  in  the  Dakotas  and  Montana. 

This  handsome  species  in  the  breeding  plumage  has  the 
throat  white,  breast  and  belly  black,  and  a  chestnut  collar  on 
the  nape.  They  are  one  of  the  most  abundant  breeding  birds 
on  the  prairies,  nesting  in  hollows  on  the  ground  either  in  the 
open  or  protected  by  a  tuft  of  grass.  The  nests  are  made  of 
grasses  and  sometimes  moss;  three  or  four  eggs  laid  in  June 
or  July;  white,  blotched,  lined 
and  obscurely  marked  with 
brown  and  purplish;  size  .75  x  .55. 

539.  McCowN's  LONGSPUR.    Rhynchophanes 

mccowni. 

Range. — Great  Plains,  breeding  from  Kansas 
to  the  Saskatchewan. 

This  Longspur  which  breeds  in  company  with 
the  preceding,  throughout  its  range,  can  be  dis- 
tinguished   from    it    by    the 
small     black    patch    on    the 
breast,  the  black  crown,  and 
chestnut  wing  coverts.    Their 
nesting  habits  are  the  same, 
and    at    this    season    all    the 
Longspurs  have  a  sweet  song 
often    uttered    during    flight,     Grayish  white 
like  that  of  the  Bobolink.    Their  eggs  are  of  the 
same  size  and  similarly  marked  as  the  last,  but 
the  ground  color  is  more  gray  or  olive. 

334 


Chestnut-collared  Longspur 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


540.      VESPER  SPARROW.     Pocecetes 
gramineus  gramineus. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from 
Virginia  and  Missouri  north  to  Manitoba  and 
New  Brunswick;  winters  in  the  southern  half 
of  the  United  States. 

A  streaked  grayish,  buffy 
and  white  bird  distinguished 
by  its  chestnut  shoulders  and 
white  outer  tail  feathers. 
They  are  abundant  birds  in 
eastern  fields  where  their 
loud  piping  whistle  is  known 
to  many  frequenters  of  weedy 
pastures.  They  build  on  the  ground,  either 
in  grassy  or  cultivated  fields,  lining  the  hollow 
scantily  with  grasses.  Their  four  or  five  eggs 
are  usually  laid  in  May  or  June;  they  are  dull 
whitish,  blotched  and  splashed  with  light 
brown  and  lavender  tints;  size  .80  x  .60. 


Whitish 


McCown's    Long-spur 


540a.      WESTERN  VESPER  SPARROW.     Pocecetes  gramineus  confinis. 

Range. — This  paler  variety  is  found  in  North  America  west  of  the  Plains  and 
south  of  Saskatchewan. 

Its  nesting  habits  are  like  those  of  the  preceding  and  the  eggs  are  indistin- 
guishable. 

5  4  Ob.      OREGON  VESPER  SPARROW.      Pooecetes  gramineus  affinis. 

A  browner  variety  found  on  the  coast  of  Oregon  and  northern  California. 

Its  nesting  habits  are  like  those  of  the  eastern  bird  and  the  eggs  similar  but 
averaging  a  trifle  smaller. 

SPARROW.      I  asser 


1 


Vesper   Sparrow 


domesticus. 

These  birds,  which  were  imported  from 
Europe,  have  increased  so  rapidly  that  they 
have  overrun  the  cities  and  villages  of  the  coun- 
try and  are  doing  inestimable  damage  both  by 
driving  out  native  insect 
eating  birds  and  by  their 
own  destructiveness.  -They 
nest  in  all  sorts  of  places 
but  preferably  behind 
blinds,  where  their  un- 
sightly masses  of  straw- 
protrude  from  between  the 
slats,  and  their  droppings  besmirch  the  build- 
ings below;  they  breed  at  all  seasons  of  the 
year,  eggs  having  often  been  found  in  January, 
with  several  feet  of  snow  on  the  ground  and 
the  mercury  below  zero.  The  eggs  number  from 
four  to  eight  in  a  set  and  from  four  to  eight 
sets  a  season;  the  eggs  are  whitish,  spotted 
and  blotched  with  shades  of  gray  and  black. 
Size  .88  x  .60. 

335 


White 


A.  R.  Spaid 


NEST  AND   EC.GS  OF  VESPER  SPARROW 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


541.  IPSWICH  SPARROW.     Passerculus 

princeps. 

Range. — Breeds  on  Sable  Island,  off  Nova 
Scotia;  winters  on  coast  of  South  Atlantic 
States.  This  a  large  and  pale  colored  form  of 
the  common  Savannah  Sparrow.  Its  nesting 
habits  are  similar  to  those  of  the  latter  and  the 
eggs  are  marked  the  same  but  average  larger. 
Size  .80  x  .60. 

542.  ALEUTIAN  SAVANNAH  SPARROW.    Pas- 

serculus sandwichensis  sandwichensis. 

Range. — Breeds  on  the  Alaskan  coast;  win- 
ters south  to  northern  California. 

A  streaked  Sparrow  like  the 
next  but  with  the  yellow  super- 
ciliary line  brighter  and  more 
extended.  Its  nesting  habits 
are  precisely  like  those  of  the 
next  variety  which  is  common 
and  well  known;  the  eggs  are 


Grayish    white 


indistinguishable. 


Savannah     Sparrow 


542a.  SAVANNAH  SPARROW.  Passerculus  sandwichensis  savanna. 
Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Plains,  breeding  from  the 
Middle  States  north  to  Labrador  and  the  Hudson  Bay  region. 
Similar  to  the  last  but  with  the  superciliary  line  paler  and 
the  yellow  reduced  to  a  spot  on  the  lores.  Their  nests  are 
hollows  in  the  ground,  lined  with  grasses  and  generally  con- 
cealed by  tufts  of  grass  or  weeds.  Their  three  to  five  eggs 
vary  greatly  in  markings  from  finely  and  evenly  dotted  all 
over  to  very  heavily  blotched,  the  ground  color  being  grayish 
white.  Size  .75  x  .55 


Grayish    white 


42b. 


SAVANNAH    SPARROW.      Passerculus    sandwichensis    alau- 


WE  STERN 
dinus. 
Range. — Western  North  America  from  Alaska  to  Mexico. 

A  slightly  paler  form  whose  nesting  habits  and  eggs  do 
not  differ  from  those  of  the  last. 

542c.  BRYANT'S  SPARROW.  Passerculus  sandwichensis. 
bryanti. 

Range. — Salt  marshes  of  California  from  San  Francisco 
Bay  south  to  Mexico. 

Slightly  darker  and  brighter  than  the  eastern  Savannah 
Sparrow  and  with  a  more  slender  bill.  The  eggs  are  riot 
different  from  many  specimens  of  savanna',  they  are  light 
greenish  white  heavily  blotched  with  various  shades  of 
brown  and  lavender.  Size  .75  x  .55. 

543.      BELDING'S  SPARROW.     Passerculus   beldingi. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  marshes  of  southern  California 
and  southward. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  last  but 
darker  .and  more  heavily  streaked  below. 
They  breed  abundantly  in  salt  marshes, 
building    their    nests    in    the    grass    or 
patches    of    seaweed    barely    above    the 
water,    and   making   them   of   grass    and     Gravish  whjte 
weeds,  lined  with  hair;  the  eggs  are  dull 
grayish  white,  boldly  splashed,  spotted  and  clouded  with 
brown  and  lavender.    Size  .78  x  .55. 
337 

22 


THE    BIRD   BOOK 


544.     LARGE-BILLED  SPARROW.     Passerculus  restrains 
restrains. 

Range. — Coast  of  southern  and  Lower  California. 

Similar  to  the  Savannah  Sparrow  but  paler  and  grayer, 
without  yellow  lores  and  a  larger  and  stouter  bill.  They 
are  common  in  salt  marshes,  often  in  company  with  the 
last  species  and  their  nesting  habits  are  similar  to  and 
the  eggs  not  distinguished  with  certainty  from  those  of 
the  latter. 

544a.     SAN  LUCAS  SPARROW.     Passerculus  rostratus 
guttatus. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 

A  slightly  darker  form  of  the  preceding,  having  identical 
habits,  and  probably,  eggs. 

544c.     SAN  BENITO  SPARROW.     Passerculus  rostratus 
sanctorum. 

Range. — Breeds  on  San  Benito  Islands;  winters  in  south- 
ern Lower  California. 

The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  these  very  similar  sub- 
species are  identical. 


544 — 544c 


545. 


545.      BAIRD'S  SPARROW.      Ammodramus  bairdi 
Range. — Plains,  breeding   from  northern   United   States   to 
the  Saskatchewan;  south  in  winter  to  the  Mexican  border. 

These  Sparrows  breed  abundantly  on  the  plains  of  Dakota 
and  northward,  placing  their  nest  in  hollows  on  the  ground  in 
fields  and  along  road  sides.  During  June  or  July,  they  lay 
three  to  five  dull  whitish  eggs,  blotched,  splashed  and  spotted 
with  light  shades  of  brown  and  gray.  Size  .80  x  .60.  White 

546.     GRASSHOPPER  SPARROW 

Ammodramus  savannarum  australis. 
Range.— United    States    east    of    the    Plains, 
breeding  from  the  Gulf  to  Canada. 

A  stoutly  built  Sparrow  marked  on  the  upper 
parts  peculiarly,  like  a  quail;  nape  grayish 

and    chestnut.      These    birds 

are  common  in  dry  fields  and 

pastures,  where  their  scarce- 
ly   audible,     grasshopper-like 

song  is  heard  during  the  heat 

of  the  day.     Their  nests  are 

sunken  in  the  ground  and 
arched  over  so  that  they  are  very  difficult  to 
find,  especially  as  the  bird  will  not  flush  until 
nearly  trod  upon.  The  four  or  five  eggs,  laid  in 
June,  are  white,  specked  with  reddish  brown. 
Size  .72  x  .55. 

Ammodramus  savannarum  bimaculatns 
546a.  WESTERN  GRASSHOPPER  SPARROW. 

Range. — West  of  the  Plains  from  British 
Columbia  to  Mexico. 

Slightly  paler  than  the  last;  has  the  same 
nesting  habits;  eggs  indistinguishable. 

338 


White 


Baird's  Sparrow 

Grasshopper  Sparrow 


GRASSHOPPER    SPARROW    ON   NEST 


C.  A.  "Ree'd 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Hpnslow's  Sparrow 

Lieconte's     Sparrow 


546b.     FLORIDA  GRASSHOPPER  SPARROW. 
Ammodramus  savannarum  ftoridanus. 

Range. — Central  Florida. 

A  local  form,  darker  above  and  paler  below 
than  the  common  species.  Eggs  not  different 
in  any  particular. 

547.     HENSLOW'S  SPARROW.     Passerherbulus 
henslowi  henslowi. 

Range. — United  States  east  of  the  Plains, 
breeding  locally  from  Maryland  and  Missouri 
north  to  Massachusetts  and  Minnesota. 

This  species  is  similar  in  form  and  marking 
to  the  last,  but  is  olive  green  on  the  nape,  and 
the  breast  and  sides  ,  are 
streaked  with  blackish.  Their 
nesting  habits  are  very  sim- 
ilar to  those  of  the  Grasshop- 
per Sparrow,  the  nests  being 
difficult  to  find.  The  eggs 
are  greenish  white,  spotted  White 

with  reddish  brown.  Size  .75x.55. 


547a.     WESTERN  HENSLOW'S  SPARROW.   Passerherbulus  henslowi  accident  alia. 

Range. — A  paler  and  very  local  form  found  in  the  Plains  in  South  Dakota  and 

probably,  adjoining  states.    Eggs  not  apt  to  differ  from  those  of  the  preceding. 

548.  LECONTE'S  SPARROW.     Passerherbulus  lecontei. 

Range. — Great  Plains,  breeding  from  northern  United  States  to  Assiniboia; 
winters  south  to  Texas  and  the  Gulf  States. 

A  bird  of  more  slender  form  than  the  preceding,  and  with 
a  long,  graduated  tail,  the  feathers  of  which  are  very  narrow 
and  pointed.    They  nest  on  the  ground  in  damp  meadows,  but 
the  eggs  are  difficult  to  find 
because   the   bird   is    flushed 
from  the  nest  with  great  diffi- 
White  culty.     The   eggs    are    white 

and  are  freely  specked  with  brown.  Size  .70  x  .52. 

549.  SHARP-TAILED  SPARROW.     Passerher- 
bulus caudacutus. 

Range. — Breeds  in  marshes  along  the  Atlan- 
tic coast  from  Maine  to  South  Carolina  and 
winters  farther  south. 

These  birds  are  very  common  in  nearly  all 
the  salt  marshes  of  the  coast,  nesting  in  the 
marsh  grass.    I  have  nearly  always  found  their 
nests    attached    to    the    coarse 
marsh  grass  a  few  inches  above 
water  at  high  tide,  and  generally 
under  apiece  of  drifted  seaweed. 
The  nests  are  made  of  grasses, 
and   the   four   or   five   eggs   are 
whitish,    thickly    specked    with  White 

reddish  brown.  Size  .75  x  .55.  The  birds  are 
hard  to  flush  and  then  fly  but  a  few  feet  and 
quickly  drop  into  the  grass  again. 

340 


Sharp-tailed    Sparrow 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


54-9.1.     NELSON'S  SPARROW. 
nelsoni  nelsoni. 


Passerherbulus 


Range. — Breeds  in  the  fresh  water  marshes 
of  the  Mississippi  valley  from  Illinois  to  Mani- 
toba. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  Sharp-tailed 
Finch  but  more  buffy  on  the  breast  and  gener- 
ally without  streaks.  The  nesting  habits  are 
the  same  and  the  eggs  indistinguishable. 


.     ACADIAN  SHARP-TAILED  SPARROW. 
Passerherbulus  nelsoni  subvirgatus. 

Range. — Breeds  in  the  marshes  on  the  coast 
of  New  England  and  New  Brunswick;  winters 
south  to  the  South  Atlantic  States. 

This  paler  variety  of  Nelson's  Sparrow  nests 
like  the  Sharp-tailed  species  and  the  eggs  are 
the  same  as  those  of  that  bird. 


Seaside   Sparrow 

Dusky  Seaside  Sparrow 


550.     SEASIDE  SPARROW.     Passerherbulus  maritimus  maritimus. 

Range. — Atlantic  coast,  breeding  from  southern  New  England  to  Carolina  and 
wintering  farther  south. 

This  sharp-tailed  Finch  is  uniform  grayish  above  and  light 
streaked  with  dusky,  below.  They  are  very  abundant  in  the 
breeding  range,  where  they  nest  in  marshes  in  company  with 
caudacutus.  Their  nests  are  the  same  as  those  of  that  species 
and  the  eggs  similar  but  slightly  larger.  Size  .80  x  .60. 
Data. — Smith  Island,  Va.,  May  20,  1900.  Nest  situated  in  tall 
grass  near  shore;  made  of  dried  grass  and  seaweed.  Collector, 
H.  W.  Bailey.  White 

All  the  members  of  this  genus  have  a  habit  of  fluttering  out  over  the  water, 
and  then  gliding  back  to  their  perch  on  the  grass,  on  set  wings,  meanwhile 
uttering  a  strange  rasping  song.  The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  all  the  sub- 
species are  precisely  like  those  of  this  variety,  and  they  all  occasionally  arch 
their  nests  over,  leaving  an  entrance  on  the  side. 


550a.     SCOTT'S  SEASIDE  SPARROW.     Passerherbulus  maritimus  peninsulce. 

Range. — Coasts   of  Florida  and  north   to   South   Carolina.     Above   blackish 
streaked  with  brownish  gray;  below  heavily  streaked  with  black. 

550b.     TEXAS  SEASIDE  SPARROW.     Passerherbulus  maritimus  sennetti. 
Range. — Coast  of  Texas.    Similar  to  maritimus,  but  streaked  above. 

550c.     LOUISIANA  SEASIDE  SPARROW.     Passerherbulus  maritimus  fisheri. 

Range. — Gulf  coast.    This  form  is  similar  to  peninsulce,  but  darker  and  more 
brownish. 

341 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


550d.     MACGILLIVRAY'S  SEASIDE  SPARROW. 

Passerherbulus  maritimus  macgillivrai. 

Range. — Coast  of  South  Carolina.  Like 
fisheri  but  grayer. 

5.11.      DUSKY  SEASIDE  SPARROW.     Passerher- 
bulus nigrescens. 

Range. — Marshes  of  Indian  River  near  Titus- 
ville,  Florida. 

This  species  is  the  darkest  of  the  genus,  both 
above  and  below,  being  nearly  black  on  the 
upperparts.  Their  habits  are  like  those  of  the 
others  and  the  eggs  are  not  likely  to  differ. 


552.      LARK  SPARROW.      Chondestes  gramma- 
cus  grammacus. 

Range. — Mississippi  Valley   from  the  Plains 
to  Illinois  and  casually  farther  east,  and  from 
Manitoba  to  Texas;  winters  in  Mexico. 

This  handsome  Sparrow  has  the  sides  of  the  crown  and  ear  ^^^^^ 
patches  chestnut,  and  the  sides  of  the  throat  and  a  spot  on  the 
breast,  black.  They  are  sweet  singers  and  very  welcome  birds 
in  their  range,  where  they  are  quite  abundant.  Their  nests 
are  generally  placed  on  the  ground  in  the  midst  of  or  under  a 
clump  of  weeds  or  tuft  of  grass,  but  sometimes  in  bushes  or 
even  trees;  they  are  made  of  grasses  and  weeds  and  the  eggs, 
which  are  usually  laid  in  May,  are  white  marked  chiefly 
about  the  large  end  with  blackish  zigzag  lines  and  spots. 


White 


Size  .80  x  .60. 


552a.     WESTERN  LARK  SPARROW. 


Range. — United  States  west  of  the  Plains; 
breeds  from  British  Columbia  to  Mexico. 

This  paler  and  duller  colored  variety  is  com- 
mon on  the  Pacific  coast;  its  habits  and  nests 
and  eggs  are  like  those  of  the  last. 

553.     HARRIS'S  SPARROW. 

Zonotrichia  querula. 

Range. — Mississippi  Valley,  chiefly  west, 
breeding  in  Manitoba  and  Saskatchewan,  the 
exact  range  being  unknown. 

Although     the     birds     are 
abundant    during    migrations, 
they    seem    to    suddenly   and 
strangely     disappear     during 
the    breeding    season.      Sup- 
posed nests  have  been  found 
a  few  inches  above  the  ground 
in  clumps  of  grass,  the  eggs 
Whitish         being  whitish,  thickly  spotted 
with  shades  of  brown.    Size  .85  x  .65. 

342 


Chondestes  grammacus  strigatut 


Harris's    Sparrow 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


554.     WHITE-CROWNED  SPARROW.     Zonotri- 
chia  leucophrys  leucophrys. 

Range. — North  America  breeding  abundantly 
in  Labrador  and  about  Hudson  Bay,  and  casual- 
ly in  northern  New  England  and  in  western 
United  States  in  the  Rockies  and  Sierras. 

Winters  along  our  Mexican 
border     and     southward.       A 
handsome     species     with     a 
broad  white   crown    bordered 
on  either  side  by  black,  and 
with  a  white  superciliary  line 
and   black   lores;    the   under- 
parts     are     uniform     grayish 
white.    These  birds  appear  to 
be  nowhere  as  common  as  the  White-throated 
Sparrows  with  which  they  associate  during  mi- 
grations and   in  the  breeding  grounds.     They 
build  on  the  ground,  generally  near  the  edges 
of  woods  or  in  clearings,  and  lay  from  four  to 

six  eggs  similar  but  larger,  and  with  as  much  White-crowned  Sparrow 

variation  in  markings  as  those  of  the  Song  Sparrow ;  pale  greenish  blue,  spotted 
and  splashed  with  reddish  brown  and  grayish.  Size  .90  x  .65.  Data. — Nachook, 
Labrador,  June  10,  1897.  Nest  of  fine  grasses  on  the  ground  in  a  clump  of  grass. 


Pale   greenish 
blue 


554a.     GAMBEI/S  SPARROW.      Zonotrichia    leucophrys  gambeli. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountains  and  westward  from  Mexico  to  Alaska,  breeding 
chiefly  north  of  the  United  States. 

This  bird  is  like  the  last  but  the  lores  are  white.  Its  nesting  habits  and  eggs 
cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  former. 


Zonotrichia  leucophrys 


554b.      NUTTALL'S  SPARROW. 
nut  t  alii. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  British  Columbia  to  Lower 
California. 

Similar  to  the  last  but  smaller  and  browner  above;  nests 
on  the  ground  or  in  bushes,  the  eggs  not  being  distinguish- 
able from  those  of  the  other  White-crowns. 

557.      GOLDEN-CROWNED  SPARROW.      Zonotrichia  coronata 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  Mexico  to  Alaska,  breeding 
chiefly  north  of  our  borders. 

This  species  has  the  crown  yellow,  bordered  by  black  on 
the  sides.  Their  habits  are  like  those  of 
the  White-crowned  Sparrows,  they  feed- 
ing upon  the  ground  among  the  dead 
leaves,  and  usually  being  found  in  flocks 
and  often  accompanied  by  many  of  the 
last  species.  They  nest  upon  the  ground- 
or  in  low  bushes,  and  in  May  or  June  lay 
three  or  four  eggs  very  similar  to  the 
last.  Size  .90  x  .65. 

343 


Pale   greenish 
blue 


CHIPPING  SPARROW 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


558.     WHITE-THROATED  SPARROW. 
chia  albicollis. 


Zonotri- 


White 


White-throated    Sparrow 


Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Plains' 
and  breeding  from  the  northern  tier  of  states! 
northward;  winters  from  the  Middle  States; 
southward. 

To  my  mind  this  is  the 
most  beautiful  of  Sparrows, 
with  its  bright  and  softly 
blended  plumage  and  the  pure 
white  throat  boldly  contrast- 
ing with  its  grayish  breast 
and  sides  of  the  head;  the 
lores  are  adorned  with  a 
bright  yellow  spot.  They  are  one  of  the  most 
abundant  of  Sparrows  in  the  east  during  mi- 
grations and  their  musical  piping  whistle  is 
heard  from  hedge  and  wood.  They  nest  most 
abundantly  north  of  our  borders,  laying  their 
three  or  four  eggs  in  grass  lined  hollows  in 
the  ground,  or  more  rarely  in  nests  in  bushes. 
The  eggs  are  white  or  bluish  white,  thickly  spotted  with  several  shades  of 
brown.  Size  .85  x  .62.  They  nest  most  often  in  thickets  or  on  the  edge  of 
swamps,  in  just  such  places  as  they  are  met  with  on  their  migrations. 

559.      TREE  SPARROW.     Spizella  monticola  monticola. 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Plains,  breeding  north  of  the  United  States 
to  the  Arctic  coast,  east  of  the  Rockies ;  winters  within  the  United  States. 

A  larger  bird  but  somewhat  resembling  the  common  Chipping  Sparrow,  but 
browner  above,  with  a  black  spot  on  the  breast  and  no  black  on  the  head. 
They  are  quite  hardy  birds  and  winter  in  many  of  the  northern 
states  where  they  may  be  found  in  flocks  upon  the  snow,  feeding 
on  seeds  of  protruding  weeds.  They  breed  very  abundantly  in 
Laborador  and  about  Hudson  Bay,  placing  their  green  nests  in 

hollows  on  the  ground  or  moss; 
their  three  or  four  eggs  are 
greenish  white,  abundantly 
speckled  all  over  the  surface 
with  reddish  brown.  Size  .80  x  .55.  Data. — 
Foothills  of  Black  Mountains,  McKenzie  River, 
Arctic  America,  June  13,  1899.  Nest  on  the 
ground  under  a  tuft  of  grass  on  level  plain; 
made  of  grasses  and  moss  and  lined  with  feath- 
ers. 

559a.     WESTERN  TREE  SPARROW.     Spizella 

monticola  ochracea. 

Range. — North  America  west  of  the  Plains, 
breeding  in  Alaska  and  wintering  to  Mexico. 
A  paler  form  of  the  last,  the  nesting  habits 
and  eggs  of  which  are  the  same. 

560.     CHIPPING  SPARROW.     Spizella  pas- 

serina  passerina. 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Plains, 
breeding  from  the  Gulf  to  the  interior  of  Can- 
ada and  Newfoundland. 
345 


THE   BlftD   BOOK 


As  indicated  by  their  name  socialis,  Chipping  Sparrows 
are  sociable  birds  not  only  with  others  of  the  bird  tribe,  but 
with  man.    In  all  localities  that  are  not  overrun  with  Eng- 
lish Sparrows,  you  will  find  these  confiding  birds  nesting  in 
trees  and  shrubs  in  the  yard  and  in  vines  from  porches, 
#hile  in  orchards,  nearly  every  tree  has  its 
tenant.     They  are  smaller  birds  than  the 
last    (5.5    in.    long)    and   have    the    brown 
crown   bordered   by  blackish  and  a  black 
line  through  the  eye.     Their  nests,  which 
may    be    found    at    any    height    from    the 
ground  and  in  any  kind  of  a  tree  or  shrub, 
are  made  of  fine  grass  and  weed  stems,  lin- 
ed with   hair;    their  three  to  five   eggs   are   a  handsome 
greenish  blue,   sparingly   specked  chiefly  about  the  large 
end  with  blackish  brown  and  purplish.     Size  .70  x  .52. 


f>60a.     WESTERN  CHIPPING  SPARROW.          Spizella 
passerina  arizonce. 

Range. — Western  North  America,  chiefly  west  of  the 
^sSSeoa  Rockies,  from  Mexico  to  Alaska;  winters  in  Mexico. 

This  variety  is  much  duller  colored  than  the  last  and 

has  but  little  brown  on  the  back;  its  nesting  habits  are  the  same  and  the  eggs 
do  not  appear  to  differ  in  any  respect  from  those  of  the  eastern  bird. 


Bluish   white 


56l.     CLAY-COLORED  SPARROW.     Spizella  pallida. 

Range. — Interior  of  United  States  and  Canada,  from  the  Mississippi  Valley  to 

the  Rockies,  breeding  from  Iowa  and  Colorado  northward;  wipaTefs  in  Mexico. 

These  birds  can  best  be  described  as  like 
the  Chipping  Sparrow  with  the  brown  large- 
ly replaced  with  blackish.  They  breed  quite 
abundantly  in  Manitoba  and  Minnesota,  plac- 
ing their  nests  on  or  near  the  ground,  and 
making  them  of  fine  grasses.  The  eggs  can- 
not be  distinguished  with  certainty  from 
those  of  the  preceding  but  average  a  trifle 

smaller.     Size    .65  x  .50.     Data. — Barnsley,   Manitoba,   May 

24,  1900.     Nest  of  grass  stalks  lined  with  fine  grass,  one 

foot  above  ground  in  tuft  of  grass. 


562.     BREWER'S  SPARROW.     Spizella  breweri. 

Range. — Western  United  States  from  Mex- 
ico to  British  Columbia  rarely  and  chiefly 
between  the  Rockies  and  the  Sierras;  most 
abundant  in  New  Mexico  and  Arizona. 

This  bird  is  similar  to  the  last  but  is  paler 
and  more  finely  streaked.  Their  nesting 
Bluish  white  nabits  are  like  those  of  pallida  and  the  eggs 
are  indistinguishable. 

346 


561—562—564 


Bluish   white 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

563.     FIELD  SPARROW. 

Spizella  pusilla  pusilla. 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Plains, 
breeding  from  the  Gulf  to  southern  Manitoba 
and  Quebec;  winters  in  the  Gulf  States. 

These     are     abundant     birds 
along  roadsides,  in  thickets,  or 
on  dry  sidehills,  where  they  nest 
indifferently  on  the  ground  or  in 
bushes,   making   their   nests    of 
grass  and  weed  stems.  They  are 
the    birds,    whose    high    piping 
song   is   most   frequently   heard 
on  hot  sultry  days  in  summer.    Their  eggs. are 
laid   in   May   or   June;    they   are    pale    bluish 
white,   speckled   and   blotched   with   yellowish 
brown  and  grayish  purple.    Size  .65  x  .50. 

563a.     WESTERN  FIELD  SPARROW.     Spizella 

Field  Sparrow  pusilla  arenacea. 

Range.— Great  Plains  from  Mexico  to  Montana,  breeding  in  the  northern  half 
of  its  range  and  wintering  in  the  southern. 

A  paler  form  of  the  last,  whose  general  habits  and  eggs  are  the  same  as  those 
of  the  eastern  bird. 

564.  WORTHEN'S  SPARROW.     Spizella  wortheni. 

Range. — Southern  New  Mexico  southward  through  central  Mexico. 

This  pale  colored  species  is  the  size  of  the  Field  Sparrow  but  has  no  decided 
markings  anywhere.  It  is  a  rare  bird  within  our  borders  and  uncommon  any- 
where. I  am  not  able  to  find  any  material  in  regard  to  their  eggs. 

565.  BLACK-CHINNED  SPARROW.     Spizella  atrogularis. 

Range. — Mexican  border  of  the  United  States  and  southward. 

This  slim-bodied,  long-tailed  species  is  grayish  with  a  dusky 
streaked,  reddish  brown  patch  on  the  back  and  a  black  face,  chin 
and  throat.  Their  habits  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Field 
Sparrow  and  their  nests  are  made  near  the  ground  in  bushes, 
but  the  eggs  are  plain  bluish  green,  about  like  unmarked 
Chipping  Sparrows'  eggs.  Size 


Greenish 
white 

.65  x  .50. 


566.     WHITE-WINGED  JUNCO.     Junco  aiJceni. 

Range. — Breeds  in  the  Black  Hills  of  Da- 
kota and  Wyoming;  winters  in  Colorado  and 
casually  to  Kansas. 

This  species  is  like  the  next 
but  larger  and   with  the  wings 
crossed  by  two  white  bars.    Its 
habits  are  like  those  of  the  com- 
mon Juncos,  the  nests  are  placed 
on  the  ground,  concealed  under 
overhanging   rocks    or    tufts    of 
grass,    and    the    eggs    are    like 
those  often  seen  of  the   Slate-colored   Junco; 
3  or  4  in  number,  pinkish  white  specked  and 
spotted  with  light  reddish  brown.    Size  .75  x  .55. 

348 


White-winged  Junco 


PERCHING   BIRDS 

567.     SLATE-COLORED  JUNCO.     Junco  hyema- 
Us  hyemalis. 

Range. — North   America  east  of  the  Plains, 

breeding   in   the   northern   tier   of   states   and 

northward;  winters  in  southern  United  States. 

This  species  is  slaty  gray 

on    the    head,    neck,    breast, 

flanks,  back,  wings  and  cen- 
tral tail  feathers;  the  rest  of 

the     underparts     are     white, 

sharply    defined    against    the 

gray.     They  migrate  through 

the  United  States  in  large 
flocks,  usually  accompanied  by  White-throated 
or  Fox  Sparrows.  They  breed  very  abundantly 
in  the  northern  parts  of  their  range,  frequently 
in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  houses  but  gen- 
erally on  the  edges  of  clearings,  etc.,  placing 
their  nests  on  the  ground  and  generally  par- 
tially concealed  by  rocks,  stumps,  sods  or  logs; 
the  nests  are  made  of  grasses,  lined  with  hair, 
and  the  four  or  five  eggs  are  white  or  greenish 
white,  variously  speckled  with  reddish  brown 
either  over  the  entire  surface  or  in  a  wreath  about  the  large  end.  Size  .80  x  .55. 


White 


Junco  hyemalis  oreganus. 
from    California   to    Alaska, 


breeding    north   of   the 


f>67a.     OREGON  JUNCO. 

Range. — Pacific    coast 
United  States. 

This  sub-species  is  entirely  unlike  the  preceding,  having  a  black  head,  neck, 
throat,  breast,  wings  and  tail,  and  brown  back;  the  remainder  of  the  underparts 
are  white,  washed  with  pinkish  brown  on  the  sides.  The  habits  and  nesting 
habits  of  this  western  Junco  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  eastern,  the  birds 
building  in  similar  localities  and  making  the  nests  of  the  same  material.  There 
appears  to  be  little,  if  any,  difference  between  the  eggs  of  the  two  varieties. 


/>67b.     SHUFELDT'S  JUNCO.     Junco  hyemalis  counectens. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  breeding  from  Oregon  to  British 
Columbia  and  wintering  south  to  the  Mexican  boundary. 

Said  to  be  slightly  larger  and  duller  colored  than  the 
Oregon  Junco;  eggs  the  same. 

567c.      THURBER'S  JUNCO.     Junco  hyemalis  thurberi. 

Range. — The  Sierra  Nevadas  from  Oregon  to  southern 
California. 

Similar  to  oreganus  but  paler  and  back  more  pinkish; 
eggs  will  not  differ. 

567d.     POINT  PINOS  JUNCO.     Junco  hyemalis  pinosus. 

Range. — A  very  locally  confined  variety  breeding  in  pine 
woods  of  southwestern  California,  about  Monterey  and 
Santa  Cruz. 

Similar  to  tnurberi  with  the  head  and  neck  slaty  instead 
of  black. 

349 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


567e.      CAROLINA  JUNCO.     Junco  hyemalis  carolinensis.  ' 
Range. — Alleghanies  in  Virginia,  the  Carolinas  and  Geor- 
gia. 

A  slightly  larger  bird  than  the  Slate-colored  Junco  and 
with  the  bill  horn  color  instead  of  pinkish  white.  They 
have  been  found  to  breed  very  abundantly  in  the  higher 
ranges  of  the  Carolinas,  nesting  under  banks,  in  tufts  of 
grass,  or  occasionally  in  small  bushes,  in  fact  in  such  loca- 
tions as  are  used  by  liyemalis.  Their  eggs  which  are  laid 
during  May,  June  or  July  (probably  two  broods  being  rais- 
ed) are  similar  to  those  of  the  Slate-colored  species  but 
slightly  larger. 

56?f.      MONTANA  JUNCO.     Junco  hyemalis  montanus. 

Range. — Prom  northern  Idaho  and  Montana  north  to 
Alberta;  winters  south  to  Mexico. 

This  variety  is  like  mearnsi  but  darker  on  the  head  and 
throat  and  with  less  pink  on  the  sides.  Its  nesting  habits 
and  eggs  do  not  differ  from  those  of  the  Pink-sided  Junco. 

567g-      PINK-SIDED  JUNCO.     Junco  hyemalis  mearnsi. 

Range. — Breeds  in  mountains  of  Idaho,  Wyoming  and 
Montana  and  winters  south  to  Mexico. 

This  species  has  the  head  and  breast  gray,  the  back  brown- 
ish and  the  sides  pinkish  brown.  They  breed  at  high  alti- 
tudes in  the  ranges,  placing  their  nests  of  grasses  under  sods 
or  overhanging  rocks;  their  eggs  are  pinkish  white  before 
being  blown  and  are  spotted  over  the  whole  surface  but  more 
heavily  at  the  large  end  with  pale  reddish  brown  and  gray. 
Size  .80x.60.  White 

570.     ARIZONA  JUNCO.     Junco  phceonotus  palliatus. 

Range. — Mountains  of  western  Mexico  north  to  southern  Arizona. 

Similar  to  the  preceding  species  but  upper  mandible  blackish  and  the  gray 
on  throat  shading  insensibly  into  the  grayish  white  underparts.  They  are  quite 
abundant  in  the  higher  ranges  of  southern  Arizona,  where  they  breed,  placing 
their  nests  on  the  ground  in  similar  locations  to  those  chosen  by  other  Juncos ; 
the  three  or  four  eggs  are  greenish  white,  finely  speckled  chiefly  about  the  large 
end  with  reddish  brown.  Sixe  .76  x  .60. 

,5708.      RED-BACKED  JUNCO.     Junco  phceonotus  dorsalis. 

Rang. — Breeds  in  the  mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  and  southward. 
This  variety  is  like  the  last  but  the  reddish  brown  on  the  back  does  not  extend 
to  the  coverts  or  wings.  The  nesting  habits  are  like  those  of  the  last  but  the 
eggs  are  only  minutely  specked  about  the  large  end. 

570b.     GRAY-HEADED  JUNCO.     Junco  pJiceouotus  caniceps. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountain  region  from  Wyoming  south  to  Mexico. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  Slate-colored  Junco  but  has  a 
reddish  brown  patch  on  the  back.  They  nest  on  the  ground  in 
mountainous  regions,  concealing  the  nests  in  tufts  of  grass  or 
under  logs,  stones,  etc.  The  eggs  are  creamy  or  bluish  white, 
specked  over  the  whole  surface,  but  most  numerously  about  the 
larger  end  with  reddish  brown.  Size  .75  x  .60.  Data. — Custer 
Co.,  Colo.,  June  4,  1897.  Slight  nest  of  small  rootlets  and  fine 
grass  placed  under  a  tuft  of  grass.  Altitude  over  8,000  feet. 

350 


White 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


571.     BAIRD'S  JUNCO.     Junco  bairdi. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 

This  gray  headed  species  with  rusty  back 
and  sides  is  locally  confined  to  the  southern 
parts  of  the  California  peninsula  where  it  is 
resident.  Its  eggs  are  not  likely  to  differ  from 
those  of  the  Pink-sided  Junco  which  it  most 
nearly  resembles. 


56?i.     TOWNSEND'S  JUNCO. 
townsendi. 


Junco  hy emails 


Range. — Mountains  of  northern  Lower  Cali- 
fornia; resident  and  breeding.  Similar  to  the 
Pink-sided  Junco  but  duller  colored;  eggs  prob- 
ably the  same. 

572.      QUADALUPE  JUNCO.     Junco  insularis. 


Black-throated   Sparrow 

Resembles  the  Pink-sided  Junco  but  is  smaller,  darker  and  duller  colored. 
They  are  common  on  the  island  where  they  nest  in  the  pine  groves,  laying  their 
first  sets  in  February  or  March.  The  nests  are  like  those  of  the  genus  and  the 
eggs  are  greenish  white,  finely  dotted  with  reddish  brown  at  the  large  end. 
Size  .77  x  .60. 

573.      BLACK-THROATED  SPARROW,      ^mphupisa  bilineata  bilineata. 

Range. — Breeds  from  central  Texas  to  Kansas;  winters  in  southern  Texas 
and  Mexico. 

This  species  is  grayish  brown  above,  with  black  throat,  white 
superciliary  and  line  on  side  of  throat.  This  is  a  common 
species  that  nests  on  the  ground  or  at  low  elevations  in  bushes, 
making  their  nests  of  weed  stems  and  grasses.  The  three  to  five 
eggs  are  bluish  white,  unmarked  and  similar  to  those  of  the 

Bluebird  but  smaller.    Size  .72  x  .55.  Bluish  white 

573a.      DESERT  SPARROW.     Amphispiza 
bilineata  deserticola. 

Range. — Southwestern  United  States  from  western  Texas 
to  southern  California,  and  north,  to  Colorado  and  Nevada; 
winters  in  Mexico. 

Like  the  last  but  paler  above.  An  abundant  bird  among 
the  foothills  and  on  plains  throughout  its  range.  Found 
generally  in  sage  brush  and  thickets  where  it  nests  in 
bushes  or  on  the  ground  laying  three  or  four  bluish  white 
eggs  like  those  of  the  last. 

57k      BELL'S  SPARROW.      Amphispiza  belli. 

Range. — Southern  half  of  California  and   southward. 

These  grayish,  black  and  white  birds  are  abundant  in 
sage  brush  and  thickets,  nesting  on  the  ground  or  at  low 
elevations  in  bushes,  and  during  May  or  June,  laying  from 
three  to  four  eggs  of  a  pale  greenish  white  color,  spotted 
and  blotched  with  reddish  brown  and  purplish.  Size  .75 
x  .60. 

351 


Amphispiza  nevadensis  neva- 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

574.1.     SAGE  SPARROW. 
densis. 

Range. — Sage  deserts  of  the  Great  Basin  from  Oregon 
and  Montana,  south  to  Mexico. 

This  sub-species  is  abundant  throughout  its  range  where 
it  nests  near  or  on  the  ground,  in  or  under  bushes  and  gen- 
erally concealed  from  view.  The  nests  are  made  of  grass 
and  sage  bark  lined  with  fine  grass ;  the  eggs  are  like  those 
of  the  last  species,  greenish  white,  spotted  and  blotched 
with  shades  of  brown  and  purplish. 

574. la.     GRAY  SAGE  SPARROW.     Amphispiza  nevaden- 
sis cinerea. 

Range. — A  smaller  and  paler  variety  found  in  Lower 
California. 

The  nests  and  eggs  of  this  pale  variety  probably  do  not 
differ  in  any  respect  from  those  of  the  better  known  varie- 
.ties. 

575.     PINE-WOODS  SPARROW.     Peuccea  cestivalis  cestivalis. 

Range. — Florida  and  southern  Georgia. 
These  birds  are  common  in  restricted  localities  in  their  range,  nesting  on  the 
ground  under  bushes  or  shrubs;  the  nests  are  made  of  grasses  and  the  four  or 
five  eggs  are  pure  white  with  a  slight  gloss.    Size  .75  x  .60.    The  birds  are  said 
to  be  fine  singers  and  to  frequent,  almost  exclusively,  pine  barrens. 


575a.     BACHMAN'S  SPARROW.     Peuccea  cestivalis  bachmani. 

Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States;  north  to  Indiana 
and  Illinois. 

This  variety  is  common  in  most  localities  in  its  range,  fre- 
quenting pine  woods  and  barrens  chiefly,  and  nesting  on  the 
ground  in  May  or  June.  Their  nests  are  made  of  grasses  and 
lined  with  very  fine  grass,  and  have  the  tops  completely 
arched  over  leaving  a  small  entrance  on  the  side.  The  eggs 
are  pure  white  with  a  slight  gloss  and  measure  .75  x  .60. 


White 


576.     BOTTERI'S  SPARROW.     Peuccea  botterii. 

Range. — Mexican  plateau  north  to  southern  Texas,  New  Mexico  and  Arizona. 

They  nest  in  abundance  in  tall  grass  in  the  lowlands  of  their  range,  the  nests 
being  difficult  to  find  because  the  bird  flushes  with  great  difficulty.  The  nests 
are  on  the  ground,  made  of  grass,  and  the  three  to  five  eggs  are  pure  white, 
measuring  .75  x  .60. 


352 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


578.      CASSIN'S  SPARROWS     Peuccea  cassini. 

Range. — Plains    and    valleys    from    Texas    and    Arizona 
north  to  Kansas  and  Nevada. 

These   birds  breed  in  numbers  on  the 
arid  plains,  placing  their  grass  nests  on 
the  ground  at  the  foot  of  small  bushes 
or  concealed  in  tufts  of  grass,  and  during 
'•ajjtt      May  lay  four  pure  white  eggs  which  are 
of   the   same   size   and   indistinguishable 
from  those  of  others  of  the  genus. 
White 

579-      RUFOUS-WINGED  SPARROW.     Aimophila  carpalis. 

Range. — Plains  of  western  Mexico  and  north  to  southern 
Arizona. 

This  pale  colored  bird  bears  a  remote 
resemblance  to  the  Tree  Sparrow.     They 
nest  commonly  in  dry  arid  regions,  plac-      / 
ing    their    nests     at    low    elevations    in     / 
bushes   or   cacti,    preferably   young  mes- 
quites,  and  making  them  of  coarse  grass 
lined  with  finer.     Two  broods  are  raised 
a  season  and  from  May  to  August  sets 
of   four   or   five   plain    bluish   white    eggs   may   be   found.     Size 

580.      RUFOUS-CROWNED  SPARROW.      Aimophila  ruficeps  ruficeps. 

Range. — Local  in  southern  half  of  California  and  in  Lower  California. 

A  brownish  colored  species  both  above  and  below,  which  is  found  on  mount- 
ains and  hillsides  in  restricted  localities.  They  nest  on  the  ground  placing  their 
grass  structures  in  hollows,  usually  at  the  foot  of  a  small  bush  or  shrub  and 
well  concealed.  They  lay  from  three  to  five  pale  bluish  white  eggs.  Size 
.SOx.60. 

580a.      SCOTT'S  SPARROW.      Aimophila  ruficeps  scotti. 

Range.— Western  Texas,  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  south  in  Mexico. 

A  paler  species,  above,  than  the  last,  and  whitish  below.  It  is  quite  a  com- 
mon species  on  the  mountain  ranges  where  it  nests  on  the  ground,  in  clumps  of 
grass  or  beneath  shrubs  or  overhanging  rocks;  the  nests  are  made  of  grasses 
and  weeds  scantily  put  together.  The  eggs  are  white,  untinted.  Size  .80  x  .60. 

580b.      ROCK  SPARROW.      Aimophila  ruficeps  eremceca. 

Range. — Middle  and  southern  Texas  and  south  in  Mexico. 

This  variety  frequents  rocky  mountain  sides  where  it  nests 
abundantly  under  rocks  or  at  the  foot  of  shrubs,  the  nests 
being  made  of  coarse  grasses  loosely  twisted  together  and 
lined  with  finer  grass.  The  birds  are  shy  and  skulk  off 
through  the  underbrush  upon  the  approach  of  anyone  so  that 
the  nests  are  quite  difficult  to  find.  The  three  to  five  eggs  are 
pure  white  and  of  the  same  size  as  those  of  the  last. 

580c.      LAGUNA  SPARROW.      Aimophila  ruficeps  sororia. 

Range. — Mountains  of  southern  Lower  California. 

The  nests  and  eggs  of  this  very  similar  variety  to  nt//re/>.v  proper  are  not 
likely  to  differ  in  any  particular  from  those  of  that  species. 

353 


23 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


581. 


SONG  SPARROW. 
melodia. 


Melospiza  melodia 


Range.  —  North  America,  east  of  the  Plains, 
breeding  from  Virginia  to  Manitoba  and  New 
Brunswick,  and  wintering  chiefly  in  the  south- 
ern half  of  the  United  States. 

A  favorite  and  one  of  the 
most  abundant  in  all  sections 
of  the  east.  They  are  sweet 
and  persistent  songsters  and 
frequent  side  hills,  pastures, 
roadsides,  gardens  and  door- 
yards  if  English  Sparrows  be 
not  present.  They  nest  indif- 
ferently upon  the  ground  or  in  bushes,  gener- 
ally artfully  concealing  the  nest  by  drooping 
leaves;  it  is  made  of  grass  and  weed  stems, 
lined  with  fine  grass  or,  occasionally,  horse 
hair.  As  is  usual  in  the  case  of  birds  that 
abound  about  habitations  they  frequently 
choose  odd  nesting  sites.  They  lay  two  and 


White 


Song-  Sparrow 

sometimes  three  sets  of  eggs  a  season,  from  May  to  August,  the  eggs  being 
three  to  five  in  number  and  white  or  greenish  white,  marked,  spotted,  blotched 
or  splashed  in  endless  variety  of  pattern  and  intensity,  with  many  shades  of 
brown;  some  eggs  are  very  heavily  blotched  so  as  to  wholly  obscure  the  ground 
color  while  others  are  specked  very  sparingly.  They  measure  .80  x  .60  with 
great  variations. 
581a.  DESERT  SONG  SPARROW.  Melospiza  melodia  fallax. 

Range.  —  Desert  regions  of  southern  Nevada,  Arizona  and  southeastern  Cali- 
fornia.   The  eggs  of  this  very  pale  form  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  last. 
58  Ib.      MOUNTAIN  SONG  SPARROW.     Melospiza  melodia  montana. 

Range.  —  Rockies  and  the  Great  Basin  from  Oregon  and  Montana  southward. 

This  variety  is  paler  than  the  Song  Sparrow  but  darker  than  fall  ax.     Eggs 
the  same. 

58  Ic.     HEERMAN'S  SONG  SPARROW.     Melospiza  melo- 
dia heermanni. 

Range.  —  California,  west  of  the  Sierra  Nevadas. 

Similar  to  melodia  but  with  less  brown  and  the  markings 
blacker  and  more  distinct.  The  nesting  habits  are  the  same 
and  the  eggs  similar  to  large  dark  specimens  of  the  eastern 
Song  Sparrow.  Size  .85  x  .62. 

58  Id.     SAMUELS  SONG  SPARROW.     Melospiza  melodia 
samuelis. 

Range.  —  Coast  regions  of  California,  chiefly  in  the 
marshes. 

Similar  to  the  last  but  smaller.  They  nest  on  the  ground 
in  marsh  grass,  usually  in  sandy  districts  along  the  shore. 
The  eggs  average  smaller  than  those  of  melodia.  Size 
.78  x  .58. 

58  le.      RUSTY  SONG  SPARROW.      Melospiza  melodia 

morphna. 

Range.  —  Pacific  coast  of  Oregon  and  British  Columbia. 
A  dark  species  with  the  upper  parts  dark  reddish  brown 
and  heavily  streaked  with  the  same  below.     The  nesting 
habits  and  eggs  are  like  those  of  melodia. 

354 


PERCHING   BIRDS 

581  f.      SOOTY  SONG  SPARROW.     Melospiza  melodia  rufina. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  British  Columbia  to  Alaska. 

A  darker  bird,  both  above  and  below,  even  than  the  last.  Eggs  like  the  last 
but  averaging  a  trifle  larger.  Size  .82  x  .62. 

58 Ig.      BROWN'S  SONG  SPARROW.     Melospiza  melodia  rivularis. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 

A  light  colored  form  like  the  Desert  Song  Sparrow;  said  to  build  in  cat  tails 
above  water  as  well  as  on  the  ground;  eggs  not  different  from  others  of  the 
genus. 

58 Ih.      SANTA  BARBARA  SONG  SPARROW.     Melospiza  melodia  graminea. 
Range. — Breeds  on  Santa  Barbara  Islands;  winters  on  adjacent  coast  of  Cali- 
fornia. 

A  variety  of  the  same  size  but  paler  than  samuelis.  Nesting  or  eggs  not 
peculiar. 

58 li.      SAN  CLEMENTE  SONG  SPARROW.     Melospiza  melodia  clementce. 

Range. — San  Clemente  and  Santa  Rosa  Island  of  the  Santa  Barbara  group. 
Slightly  larger  than  the  last;  habits  and  eggs  the  same. 

581  j.      DAKOTA  SONG  SPARROW.      Melospiza  melodia  juddi. 

Range. — North  Dakota,  breeding  in  the  Turtle  Mountains. 

Practically  indistinguishable  from  the  common  Song  Sparrow;  the  eggs  will 
not  differ. 

581k.      MERRILL'S  SONG  SPARROW.      Melospiza  melodia  merrillL 

Range. — Northwestern   United    States;    eastern    Oregon   and   Washington    to 

Idaho. 

Very  similar  to,  but  lighter  than  the  Rusty  Song  Sparrow. 

5811.      ALAMEDA  SONG  SPARROW.     Melospiza  melodia  pusillula 
Range. — Salt  marshes  of  San  Francisco  Bay,  California. 
Similar  to,  but  still  smaller  than  Samuel  Song  Sparrow.    Eggs  will  not  differ. 

581m.      SAN  DIEGO  SONG  SPARROW.     Melospiza  melodia  cooperi. 
Range. — Southern  coast  of  California;  north  to  Monterey  Bay. 
Similar  to,  but  smaller  and  lighter  than  heermanni. 

581  n.      YAKUTAT  SONG  SPARROW.      Melospiza  melodia  caurina. 

Range. — Coast  of  Alaska  from  Cross  Sound  to  Prince  Williams  Sound. 

Similar  to  the  Sooty  Song  Sparrow  but  larger  and  grayer.  Eggs  probably 
average  larger. 

58 lo.      KENAI  SONG  SPARROW.      Melospiza  Melodia  kenaiensis. 
Range. — Kenai  Jeninsula  on  the  coasts. 
Like  the  last  but  still  larger;  length  about  7  inches. 

58 Iq.      BISCHOFF'S  SONG  SPARROW.      Melospiza  melodia  insignis. 
Range. — Kadiak  Island,  Alaska. 
Similar  to  and  nearly^s  large  as  the  next  species,  but  browner. 

58 Ir.      ALEUTIAN  SONG  SPARROW.     Melospiza  melodia  sanaka. 

Range. — Found  on  nearly  all  the  islands  of  the  Aleutian  group,  excluding 
Kadiak. 

This  is  the  largest  of  the  Song  Sparrows  being  nearly  8 
inches  in  length;  it  is  similar  in  appearance  to  the  Sooty 
Song  Sparrow  but  grayer.  It  nests  either  on  the  ground  or 
at  low  elevations  in  bushes,  the  nest  usually  being  con- 
cealed in  a  tuft  of  grass  or  often  placed  under  rocks  or, 
sometimes,  driftwood  along  the  shores.  The  nests  are 
made  of  grasses  and  weed  stems,  and  the  eggs  are  similar 
to  those  of  the  Song  Sparrow  but  much  larger  and  more 
elongate.  Size  .90  x  .65.  Greenish  white 

355 


THE    BIRD    BOOK 


Lincoln's    Sparrow 


583.     LINCOLN'S  SPARROW.  Melospiza  lincolni 
lincolni. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  from 
northern  United  States  north  to  the  Arctic  re- 
gions; most  abundant  in  the  interior  and  the 
west;  rare  in  New  England. 

This  bird  is  shy  and  retir- 
ing and  skulks  off  through 
the  underbrush  of  thickets 
and  swamps  that  it  frequents 
upon  the  approach  of  anyone; 
consequently  it  is  often  little 
known  in  localities  where  it 
is  quite  abundant.  They  nest 
on  the  ground  like  Song  Sparrows,  and  rarely 
in  bushes.  Their  eggs  are  very  similar  to 
those  of  the  Song  Sparrow,  three  or  four  in 
number,  greenish  white  in  color,  heavily  spot- 
ted and  blotched  with  chestnut  and  gray.  Size 
.SO  x  .58. 


Greenish  white 


alto »,« 


583a.      FORBUSH'S  SPARROW.     Melospiza  lincolni  striata. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  of  Oregon  and  British  Columbia. 

Similar  to  the  preceding  but  darker  and  browner.    Eggs  probably  like  those 
of  the  last. 

584.  SWAMP  SPARROW.     Melospiza  georgiana. 

Range. — North  America,  east  of  the  Plains,  breeding  from 
middle  United  States  north  to  Labrador  and  Hudson  Bay. 

This  common  and  dark  colored  Sparrow  frequents  swampy 
places  where  it  breeds;  owing  to  its  sly  habits  it  is  not 
commonly  seen  during  the  breeding  season.  Its  nests  are 
made  of  grasses  and  located  on  the  ground  usually  in  places 
where  the  walking  is  extremely  treacherous.  The  eggs  are 
similar  to  those  of  the  Song  Sparrow  but  are  generally  Greenish 
darker  and  more  clouded  and  average  smaller.  Size  .75  x  .55. 

585.  Fox  SPARROW.     Passerella  iliaca  iliaca. 

Range. — Eastern    North    America,    breeding      r~- —•• 

from  southern  Canada  northward,  and  north- 
west to  Alaska;  winters  in  southern  United 
States. 

This  large  handsome  species,  with  its  mot- 
tled grayish  and  reddish  brown  plumage   and 
bright  rufous  tail,  is  very  common  in  eastern 
United   States  during  migrations,  being  found 
in  open  woods  and  hedges  in 
company     with     Juncos     and 
White-throated       Sparrows, 
with  which  species  their  song 
vies  in  sweetness.    They  nest 
usually    on    the    ground,    but 
sometimes  in  low  bushes ;  the 
nests  are  made  of  grasses  and  Greenish 
are    concealed    beneath     the 
overhanging  branches  of  bushes  or  evergreens. 
The    three    or    four    eggs    are    greenish-white, 
spotted  and  blotched  with  brown.   Size  .94  x  .68. 

356 


Swamp    Sparrow 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


Passerella        - . 


585a.     SHUMAGIN  Fox  SPARROW. 
iliaca  unalaschensis. 

Range. — Shumagin  Islands  and  the  Alaska 
coast  to  Cook  Inlet. 

Similar  to  the  last  but  paler,  being  one  of  the 
several  recent  unsatisfactory  subdivisions  of 
this  genus.  The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  all 
the  varieties  are  like  those  of  the  common  east- 
ern form. 

585b.     THICK-BILLED  SPARROW.     Passerella 
iliaca  megarhyncha. 

Range. — Mountains  of  eastern  California  and 
western  Nevada;  locally  confined. 

Entire  upper  parts  and  breast  spots  gray; 
wings  and  tail  brown.  It  nests  in  the  heaviest 
underbrush  of  the  mountain  sides,  building  on 
or  close  to  the  ground. 

585c.     SLATE-COLORED  SPARROW.     Passerella 
iliaca  schistacea. 


Fox  Sparrow 


Range. — Rocky  Mountain  region,  breeding  from  Colorado  to  British  Columbia. 

This  variety  which  is  similar  to,  but  smaller  than  the  last,  nests  in  thickets 
along  the  mountain  streams.  The  eggs  are  like  those  of  iliaca,  but  average 
smaller. 

585d.      STEPHEN'S  SPARROW.     Passerella  iliaca  stephensi. 

Range. — Breeds  in  the  San  Bernadino  and  San  Jacinto  Mts.  in  southern  Call 
fornia. 

Like  the  Thick-billed  Sparrow,  but    bill  still  larger  and  bird  slightly  so. 

585e.      SOOTY  Fox  SPARROW.     Passerella  iliaca  fuliginosa. 

Range. — Coast  of  Washington  and  British  Columbia;  south  to  California  in 
winter. 

585f.      KADIAK  Fox  SPARROW.     Passerella  iliaca  insularis. 

Range. — Breeding  on  Kadiak  Island;   winters  south  to  California. 
Like  the  last  but  browner  above  and  below. 

585g.      TOWNSEND'S  Fox  SPARROW.     Passerella  iliaca  townsendi. 

Range. — Southern  coast  of  Alaska;  winters  south  to  California.  Like  the  last 
but  more  rufous  above. 

Upperparts  and  tail  uniform  brownish  umber,  below  heavily  spotted. 

586.      TEXAS  SPARROW.      Arremonops  rufivirgatus. 

Range. — Eastern  Mexico  and  southern  Texas. 

This  odd  species  has  a  brownish  crown,  olive  greenish  upperparts,  wings  and 
tail,  and  grayish  white  underparts.     They  are  common  resi- 
dent birds  along  the  Lower  Rio  Grande,  being  found  in  tangled 
thickets,   where   they   nest   at   low   elevations,   making   their     A 
quite  bulky  nests  of  coarse  weeds  and  grass  and  sometimes    . 
twigs,  lined  with  finer  grass  and  hair;  they  are  often  partial- 
ly domed  with  an  entrance  on  the  side.    Their  eggs  are  plain 
white,  without  markings;  often  several  broods  are  raised  in  a 
season  and  eggs  may  be  found  from  May  until  August.  White 

357 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


587-      TOWHEE.     Pipilo  erythrophthalmus 
erythrophthalmus. 

Range. — North  America  east   of  the   Plains, 
breeding  from  the  Gulf  to  Manitoba. 

The  well  known  Towhee,  Ground  Robin  or 
Chewink  is  a  bird  commonly  met  with  in  east- 
ern United  States;  it  frequents  thickets, 
swamps  and  open  woods  where  they  nest  gen- 
erally upon  the  ground  and  sometimes  in 
bushes  near  the  ground.  The  nests  are  well 
made  of  grasses,  lined  with 
fine  grasses  and  rootlets, 
and  the  eggs,  which  are  laid 
in  May  or  June,  are  pinkish 
white,  generally  finely 
sprinkled  but  sometimes 
with  bold  markings  of  light 
reddish  brown,  with  great 
variations.  Size  .90  x  .70. 
Towhees  are  noisy  birds  and  at  frequent  inter- 
vals, while  they  are  scratching  among  the 
leaves  for  their  food  they  will  stop  and  utter  their  familiar  "tow-hee"  or  "che- 
wink"  and  then  again  will  mount  to  the  summit  of  a  tree  or  bush  and  sing  their 
sweet  refrain  for  a  long  time. 


Purplish   white 


Towhee   or   Chewink 


587a.      WHITE-EYED  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  erythrophthalmus  alleni. 

Range. — Florida  and  the  Atlantic  coast  to  South  Carolina. 

This  variety  is  like  the  preceding  except  that  the  eyes  are  white  instead  of 
red.  There  is  no  difference  between  their  nesting  habits  and  eggs,  except  that 
they  much  more  frequently,  and  in  some  localities,  almost  always,  nest  in  trees. 


588.      ARCTIC  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  maculatus  arcticus. 

Range. — Great  Plains,  breeding  from  northern  United  States  to  the  Saskat- 
chewan. 

This  species  is   similar  to  the  eastern   Towhee   but  has   the  scapulars  and 
coverts  tipped  with  white.     They  nest  abundantly  in   suit- 
able localities  in  Montana  and  North  Dakota  and  more  com-       ^Sfifi^fe^ 
monly  north  of  our  borders.    Like  the  eastern  Towhee,  they 
nest    on   the   ground   under   the    protection   of   overhanging 
bushes,  the  nests  being  made  of  strips  of  bark  and  grasses 
and  lined  with  fine  rootlets.    Their  three  or  four  eggs,  which 
are  laid  during  May,  June  or  July,  are  pinkish  white,  pro- 
fusely speckled  with  reddish  brown;   very  similar  to  those 
of  the  eastern  Towhee.     Size  .92  x  .70. 


Pinkish    white 


588a.      SPURRED  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  maculatus  montanus. 

Range. — Breeds  from  Mexico  to  British  Columbia,  west  of  the  Rockies. 

Similar  to  the  last  but  with  less  white  on  the  back.  The  nesting  habits  and 
eggs  are  like  those  of  the  Towhee,  but  in  some  localities  the  nests  are  most 
often  found  in  bushes  above  the  ground. 


358 


C.  A.  Reed 


NEST   AND   EGGS  OF   TOWBEE 


T 


588b— 591 


588b.     OREGON  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  maculatus  oregonus. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  California  to  British  Colum- 
bia; winters  to  Mexico.  Similar  to  the  last  but  with  still 
fewer  white  markings  on  the  back  and  the  chestnut  flanks 
brighter.  The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  this  variety 
differ  in  no  essential  particular  from  those  of  the  preced- 
ing Towhees. 

588c.     SAN  CLEMENTE  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  maculatus  cle- 
mentce. 

Range. — San  Clemente  Is.  and  other  of  the  Santa  Bar- 
bara group. 

Black  of  male  said  to  be  duller.  Probably  no  difference 
between  the  eggs  and  others. 

588d.     SAN  DIEGO  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  maculatus  mega- 
lonyx. 

Range. — Coast  of  southern  California  and  Lower  Cali- 
fornia. Said  to  be  darker  than  mecjalonyx. 


588e.      LARGE-BILLED  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  maculatus  magnirostris. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California.    Similar  to  arcticus ;  bill  said  to  be  larger. 

589-     GUADALUPE  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  consobrinus. 

Range. — Guadalupe  Island,  Lower  California. 

Similar  to  oregonus  but  smaller  and  with  a  relatively  shorter  tail.  The  nest- 
ing habits  and  eggs  of  this  species  will  not  likely  be  found  to  differ  essentially 
from  those  of  others  of  the  genus. 

591.     CANON  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  fuscus  mesoleucus. 

Range. — Mexico  and  north  to  Arizona  and  New  Mexico  and  casually  farther 
to  Colorado. 

A  common  species  in  the  valleys  and  on  the  side  hills, 
nesting  in  bushes  near  the  ground,  and  sometimes  on 
the  ground;  the  nests  are  made  of  grasses,  weeds  and  twigs 
lined  with  rootlets,  and  the  three  or  four  eggs  are  greenish 
blue  sparingly  spotted  or  scrawled  with  blackish  brown,  the 
markings  being  similar  to  those  on  many  Red-winged 
Blackbirds'  eggs.  Size  1.00  x  .70.  Greenish  blue 

59 la.     SAN  LUCAS  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  fuscus  albigula. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 

This  variety  is  like  the  last  but  is  usually  paler  below.  It  is  abundant  in  the 
region  about  the  cape  where  they  nest  in  thickets,  either  in  the  bushes  or  on 
the  ground.  The  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Canon  Towhee. 

59 lb.      CALIFORNIA  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  crissalis  crissalis. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  of  California. 

This  variety  is  similar  to  the  Canon  Towhee  but  is  browner,  both  above  and 
below.  They  are  one  of  the  most  common  of  California  birds,  frequenting 
scrubby  thickets,  both  on  mountain  sides  and  in  valleys  and  canons,  from 
which  their  harsh  scolding  voice  always  greets  intruders.  They  place  their 
nests  in  bushes  at  low  elevations  from  the  ground  and  sometimes  on  the  ground ; 

360 


PERCH 

they  are  made  of  twigs,  strips  of  bark,  weeds  and  coarse 
grasses,  lined  with  fine  rootlets.  Their  three  or  four  eggs 
are  laid  in  April  or  May;  they  are  light  bluish  green  mark- 
ed like  the  others  with  purplish  or  brownish  black.  Size 
.95x.72. 

5.9 1.1  a.      ANTHONY'S  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  crissalis  senicula. 

Range. — Southern   California  and   south  through   Lower 
California. 

A  very  similar  bird  to  the  last  but 
sightly  smaller  and  lighter  below. 
The  habits  and  nesting  habits  of 
these  birds  are  in  every  way  identi- 
cal with  those  of  the  California  Tow- 
hee  and  the  eggs  cannot  be  dis- 
tinguished from  those  of  that  variety. 
They  are  fully  as  abundant  in  the 
southern  parts  of  California  as  the 
others  are  in  the  northern. 


BIRDS 


Greenish    blue 


591.3 — 592 — 5!J2.1 


592.     ABERT'S  TOWHEE.     Pipilo  aberti. 

Range. — Arizona    and    New    Mexico    north    to    Colorado 
and  Nevada  and  east  to  southeastern  California. 

This  bird  is  wholly  brownish  gray  both  above  and  below 

•PP**  shading  into  reddish  brown  on  the  under  tail  coverts;  the 

face  is  black.  They  are  abundant  in  the  valleys  of  Arizona 
and  New  Mexico,  but  unlike  the  preceding  species,  they 
are  generally  wild  and  shy.  They  nest  in  chaparral  thick- 
ets along  streams,  the  nests  being  constructed  similarly  to 
those  of  the  California  Towhee,  and  the  eggs  are  not  easily 
distinguishable  from  those  of  that  species,  but  they  are 
usually  more  sparsely  specked  and  the  markings  more  dis- 

Greenish    blue          tinct.     Size  1.00  x  .75. 

592.1.     GREEN-TAILED  TOWHEE.      Oreospiza  Morura. 

Range. — Western  United  States,  chiefly  west 
of  the  Rockies  from  Montana  and  Washington 
south  to  Mexico;  wintering  in  southwestern 
United  States. 

This  handsome  and  entirely  different  plumag- 
ed  species  from  any  of  the  preceding  would, 
from  appearance,  be  better  placed  in  the  group 
with  the  White-throated  Sparrow  than  its  pres- 
ent position.  It  has  a  reddish  brown  crown, 
the  remainder  of  the  upper 
parts,  wings  and  tail  being 
greenish  yellow;  the  throat 
is  white,  bordered  abruptly 
with  gray  on  the  breast  and 
sides  of  head.  These  birds 
place  their  nests  on  the 
ground.  The  nests  are  built 
similarly  to  those  of  the  east- 
ern Towhee,  and  the  eggs,  too,  are  similar,  be- 
ing whitish,  finely  dotted  and  specked  with 
reddish  brown,  the  markings  being  most  numer- 
ous around  the  larger  end.  Size  .85  x  .65. 


mj^jjfr. 


Whitish 


Green -tailed  Towhee 


361 


CARDINAL 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


593.     CARDINAL.     Cardinalis  cardinalis  cardinalis. 

Range.  —  Eastern  United  States,  north  to  New  York  and  Illinois,  west  to  the 
Plains  and  Texas.    Resident  in  most  of  its  range. 

These  beautiful  fiery  red  and  crested  songsters  are  one  of  the  most  attractive 
of  our  birds,  and  in  their  range,  nest  about  habitations  as 
freely  as  among  the  thickets  and  scrubby  brush  of  wood 
or  hillside.  Their  nests  are  rarely  placed  higher  than  ten 
feet  from  the  ground  in  bushes,  branches,  vines,  brush 
piles  or  trees;  they  are  loosely  made  of  twigs,  coarse 
grasses  and  weeds,  shreds  of  bark,  leaves,  etc.,  and  lined 
with  fine  grass  or  hair.  They  frequently  lay  two  or  three 
sets  of  eggs  a  season,  the  first  being  completed  usually 
early  in  May;  three  or  four,  and  sometimes  five,  white  or 
pale  bluish  white  eggs  are  laid;  they  are  very  varied  in  markings  but  usually 
profusely  spotted,  more  heavily  at  the  large  end,  with  reddish  brown  and 
lavender.  Size  1.00  x  .70. 


Bluish   white 


ARIZONA  CARDINAL.      Cardinalis  cardinalis  superbus. 
Range.  —  Northwestern  Mexico  and  southern  Arizona. 
A    larger   and   more   rosy   form   of   the    Cardinal.     Its    eggs 
tinguished  from  those  of  the  eastern  Redbird. 


cannot   be   dis- 


593b.     SAN  LUCAS  CARDINAL.      Cardinalis  cardinalis  igneus. 
Range.  —  Southern  Lower  California. 
Like  the  last  but  smaller  and  with  less  black  on  the  forehead;  eggs  the  same. 


OF    CA11DINAJ 

363 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

mm 


5p3c.     GRAY-TAILED  CARDINAL. 
cardinalis  canicaudus. 


Cardinalis 


Cardinal 


Range.— Northeastern  Mexico  and  southern 
Texas. 

The  male  of  this  species  is  like  the  eastern 
Cardinal  but  the  female  is  said  to  be  grayer. 
The  nesting  habits  are  the  same  and  the  eggs 
identical  with  those  of  the  latter. 

593d.      FLORIDA  CARDINAL.      Cardinalis  car- 
dinalis floridanus. 

Range. — Southern  Florida. 
Supposed  to  be  a  deeper  and  richer  shade  oi 
red.     Eggs  like  those  of  cardinalis. 

594.     ARIZONA  PYRRHULOXIA.     Pyrrhuloxia 
sinuata  sinuata. 

.  Range. — Northwestern  Mexico  and  the  south- 
ern border  of  New  Mexico,  Arizona  and  western 
Texas. 

This  species  is  of  similar  form  and  crested  like  a  Cardinal, 
but  the  bill  is  very  short  and  hooked  like  that  of  a  Parrot ;  the 
plumage  is  grayish,  with  wings  and  tail  dull  reddish;  face 
and  throat,  and  middle  of  belly  rosy  red.  Their  habits  are 
the  same  as  those  of  the  Cardinal,  but  their  nests  are  said  to 
be  slighter;  they  are  placed  in  similar  locations  to  those  of 
the  latter,  the  two  species  often  nesting  together  in  the  same 
thicket.  Their  eggs  are  like  those  of  the  Cardinal  but  average 
smaller,  although  the  ranges  overlap  so  that  the  eggs  cannot 
be  distinguished.  Size  .90  x  .70.  Data. — San 
Antonio,  Texas,  May  16,  1889.  Nest  of  fine 
grasses,  lined  with  rootlets ;  4  feet  from  ground 
in  a  mesquite  tree. 

5Q4a.     TEXAS  PYRRHULOXIA.     Pyrrhuloxia 
sinuata  texana. 

Range. — Northeastern  Mexico  and  southern 
Texas. 

Said  to  be  grayer  and  the  bill  to  average 
larger  than  that  of  the  last.  There  are  no  dif- 
ferences in  the  nesting  habits  or  eggs  between 
the  two  varieties. 

594b.      SAN  LUCAS  PYRRHULOXIA.     Pyrrhu- 
loxia sinuata  peninsula. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 

Smaller  than  the  Arizona  Cardinal  but  with 
a  larger  bill.  The  eggs  are  like  those  of  the 
others  but  may  average  a  trifle  smaller.  Texas  Pyrrhuloxia 

364 


Bluish   white 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


595.      ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK. 
ludoviciana. 


Zamelodia 


Greenish  blue 


Range.  —  United  States, 
east  of  the  Plains,  breed- 
ing from  the  Middle  States 
and  Ohio  north  to  Mani- 
toba and  Nova  Scotia. 

This  beautiful  black  and 
white  bird  with  rosy  red 
breast  and  under  wing  cov- 
erts, is  one  of  the  most 

pleasing  of  our  songsters.  They  nest  either  in 
bushes  or  trees,  generally  between  six  and 
twenty  feet  from  the  ground  and  usually  in 
thick  clumps  of  trees  or  scrubby  apple  trees. 
The  three  or  four  eggs,  which  are  laid  in  June, 
are  greenish  blue,  spotted,  most  heavily  about 
the  larger  end,  with  reddish  brown.  Size  1.00 
x  .75.  Data. — Worcester,  Mass.,  June  5,  1899. 
Nest  of  twigs  and  rootlets  in  small  apple  tree 
in  woods ;  nest  very  frail,  eggs  showing  through 
the  bottom. 


5.96'..  .BLACK-HEADED  GROSBEAK. 
Zamelodia  melanocephala. 

Range. — United 
States,  west  of 
the  Plains,  breed- 
ing from  Mexico 
north  to  British 
Columbia ;  w  i  ri- 

ters  south  of  the 
Pale  greenish  white   United   states< 

This  species  is  of  the  size  of  the  last 
(8  inches  long),  and  is  a  bright  cinna- 
mon brown  color  with  black  head,  and 
black  and  white  wings  and  tail.  The 
habits  of  this  bird  are  the  same  as 
those  of  the  Rosebreasted  Grosbeak 
and  its  song  is  very  similar  but  more 
lengthy.  Their  nests,  like  those  of  the 
last,  are  very  flimsy  structures  placed 
in  bushes  or  trees,  usually  below  twen- 
ty feet  from  the  ground;  they  are  open 
frameworks  of  twigs,  rootlets  and 
weed  stalks,  through  which  the  eggs 
can  be  plainly  seen.  The  eggs  are 
similar  to  those  of  the  preceding  but 
are  usually  of  a  paler  color,  the  mark- 
ings, therefore  showing  with  greater 
distinctness.  Size  1.00  x  .70. 


Rose-breasted   Grosbeak 


J.    B.    Pardoe. 
NEST  OP  ROSE-BREASTED  GROSBEAK. 


365 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


Bluish   white 


597.      BLUE  GROSBEAK.      Guiraca  ccerulea. 

Range. — Southeastern  Unit- 
ed States,  breeding  from  the 
Gulf  north  to  Pennsylvania 
and  Illinois,  and  casually  to 
New  England. 

Smaller  than  the  last  two 
species  and  deep  blue,  with 
wings  and  tail  blackish,  and 
the  lesser  coverts  and  tips  of 
greater,  chestnut.  It  is  a  fairly  common  spe- 
cies in  the  southerly  parts  of  its  range,  nest- 
ing most  frequently  in  low  bushes  or  vines 
in  thickets;  the  nest  is  made  of  rootlets,  weed 
stalks  and  grasses  and  sometimes  leaves.  The 
three  or  four  eggs  are  bluish  white,  unmarked. 
Size  .85  x  .65.  Data. — Chatham  Co.,  Ga.,  June 
10,  1898.  3  eggs.  Nest  of  roots,  leaves  and 
snake  skin,  lined  with  fine  rootlets,  3  feet  from 
the  ground  in  a  small  oak  bush. 


Blue    Grosbeak 


If 
^ 


597a.     WESTERN  BLUE  GROSBEAK.     Guiraca   ccerulea  lazula. 

Range. — Western  United  States  north  to  Kansas,  Colorado  and  northern  Cal- 
ifornia. 

Slightly  larger  than  the  last  and  lighter  blue;  nests  the  same  and  egg  not  dis- 
tinctive. 

598.  INDIGO  BUNTING.      Passerina  cyanea. 

Range. — United   States,  east  of  the  Plains,  breeding  north  to  Manitoba  and 

Nova  Scotia;  winters  south  of  the  United  States. 
This  handsome  species  is  rich  indigo  on  the 

head  and  neck,  shading  into  blue  or  greenish 

blue  on  the  upper  and  under  parts.     They  are 

very  abundant  in  some  localities  along  road- 
sides, in  thickets  and  open  woods,  where  their 
song  is  frequently  head,  it  be- 
ing a  very  sweet  refrain  re- 
sembling, somewhat,  certatin 
passages  from  that  of  the 
Goldfinch.  They  nest  at  low 
elevations  in  thickets  or 
vines,  building  their  home  of 
grass  and  weeds,  lined  with 

fine  grass  or  hair,  it  being  quite  a  substantial 

structure.     The  eggs,  which   are  laid  in  June 

or  July,  are  pale  bluish  white.     Size  .75  x  .52. 

599.  LAZULI  BUNTING.     Passerina  amcena. 

Range. — Western  United  States,  breeding 
from  Mexico  to  northern  United  States  and  the 
interior  of  British  Columbia;  east  to  Kansas. 

This  handsome  bird  is  of  the  size  of  cyaneu, 
but  is  azure  blue  above  and  on  the  throat,  the  indigo  Bunting: 

366 


Pale  bluish  white 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


breast  being  browish  and  the  rest  of  the  under- 
parts,  white.  It  is  the  western  representative 
of  the  Indigo  Bunting,  and  its 
habits  and  nesting  habits  are 
in  all  respects  the  same  as 
I  those  of  that  species,  the 
nests  being  made  of  twigs, 
grasses,  strips  of  bark,  weeds, 
leaves,  etc.  The  eggs  are  like 
those  of  the  last,  pale  bluish 
white.  Size  .75  x  .55. 


Pale    bluish 
«vhite 


.. 


Pale    bluish 
white 


600.  VARIED  BUNTING.     Passerina 

versicolor 

Range. — Mexico  and  north  to  southern  Texas. 

The  general  color  of  this  odd  bird  is  purp- 
lish, changing  to  bright  blue  on  the  crown  and 
^^__^^  rump,    and    with    a    reddish 

nape.  They  are  quite  abun- 
dant in  some  localities  along 
the  Lower  Rio  Grande,  where 
they  nest  in  bushes  and  tan- 
gled under  bru&h,  the  nests  being  like  those  of  the  last 
species,  and  rarely  above  five  feet  from  the  ground.  The  eggs 
are  pale  bluish  white,  three  or  four  in  number,  and  laid  dur- 
ing May  or  June.  Size  .75  x  .55. 

600a.      BEAUTIFUL  BUNTING.     Passerina  versicolor  pulchra. 
Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 
Slightly  smaller  but  very  similar  to  the  last;  eggs  will  not  differ. 

601.  PAINTED  BUNTING.     Passerina  ciris. 


Lazuli    Bunting 


Range.— South    Atlantic   and 


Varied    Bunting 


ciris. 

Gulf  States;  north  to  Illinois  in  the  interior. 
Without  exception,  this  is  the  most  gaud- 
ily attired  of  North  American  birds,  the 
whole  underparts  being  red,  the  head  and 
neck  deep  blue,  the  back  yellowish  green,  and 
the  rump  purple,  the  line  of  demarcation  be- 
tween the  colors  being  sharp.  They  are  fre- 
quently kept  as  cage  birds  but  more  for  their 
bright  colors  than  any  musical  ability,  their 
song  being  of  the  character  of  the  Indigo  Bunt- 
ing, but  weaker  and  less  musical.  They  are 
very  abundant  in  the  South  Atlantic  and  Gulf 
States,  where  they  nest  usual- 
ly in  bushes  or  hedges  at  low 
elevations,  but  occasionally 
on  branches  of  tall  trees. 
Their  nests  are  made  of 
weeds,  shreds  of  bark, 
grasses,  etc.,  lined  with  fine 
grass,  very  much  resembling  white 

that    of    the    Indigo.      Their 
eggs  are  laid  in  May,  June  or  July,  they  fre- 
quently raising  two  broods;  they  are  white  or 
pale     bluish     white,     speckled     with     reddish 
brown.     Size  .75  x  .55. 
367 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Painted  Bunting 


602.     SHARPE'S  SEED-EATER.     Sporophila 
morelleti  morelleti 

Range. — Eastern  Mexico,  breeding  north  to 
the  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas. 

This  peculiar,  diminutive  Finch  is  but  4.5 
inches  in  length,  and  in  plumage  is  black,  white 
and  gray.  In  restricted  localities  in  southern 
Texas,  they  are  not  uncommon  during  the  sum- 
mer months.  They  build  in  bushes  or  young 
trees  at  low  elevations  making  their  nests  of 
fine  grasses  or  fibres,  firmly  woven  together 
and  usually  placed  in  an  upright 
crotch.  The  eggs  are  pale 
greenish  blue,  plentifully  speck- 
led with  reddish  and  umber 
brown,  and  some  markings  of 
lilac.  Size  .65  x  .45.  Data. — 
Brownsville,  Texas,  May  7,  1892.  Greenish  blue 
Nest  of  fine  fibre-like  material  lined  with  horse 
hairs,  on  limb  of  small  tree  in  open  woods  near 
a  lake  of  fresh  water;  6  feet  above  ground. 
Collector,  Frank  B.  Armstrong.  This  set  is  in 
the  collection  of  Mr.  C.  W.  Crandall. 


[603.]      GRASSQUIT.     Tiaris  bicolor. 

Range. — This  small  Finch  is  a  Cuban  species  which  casually  strays  to  south- 
ern Florida. 

They  are  abundant  on  the  island,  building  large  arched  nests  of  grass,  with  a 
small  entrance  on  the  side.  They  lay  from  three  to  six  white  eggs,  specked  with 
brown.  Size  .65  x  .50. 

[603.1]      MELODIOUS  GRASSQUIT.      Tiaris  canora. 

Another  Cuban  Finch  which  has  been  taken  in  the  Florida  Keys.  Eggs  like 
the  last. 


604<.     DICKCISSEL.     Spiza  americana. 

Range. — Interior  of  the  United  States,  breed- 
ing from  the  Gulf  to  northern  United  States, 
west  to  the  Rockies,  east  to  the  Alleghanies. 

A  sparrow-like  Bunting  with  a  yellow  breast 
patch,   line  over   eye  and   on   side   of   throat; 
throat  black,  chin  white  and  wing  coverts  chest- 
nut.   These  sleek-coated,  harmoniously  colored 
birds  are  very  common  in  dry  bush-grown  pas- 
tures   and    on    the    prairies. 
^rtf^-r-  They     are     very     persistent 

/?  ^^       singers,  and  their  song,  while 

Ji  -;*;,      very   simple,   is   welcome   on 

\>y  fill*'      hot    days    when    other    birds 

•pr        are    quiet.     They   nest   any- 
where, as   suits   their  fancy, 
Bluish  white        on  the  ground,  in  clumps  of 
grass,  in  clover  fields,  bushes, 
low  trees,  or  in  thistles.     The  nests  are  made 
of  weeds,   grasses,   leaves   and   rootlets,   lined 
with  fine  grass,  and  the  three  to  five  eggs  are 
bluish  white.    Size  .80  x  .60. 

368 


Sharpe's    Seed-eater 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


605.      LARK  BUNTING.      Calamospiza  mela- 
nocorys.. 

Range. — A  bird  of  the  Plains,  abundant  from 
western  Kansas  to  eastern  Colorado  and  north 
to  the  Canadian  border;  winters  in  Mexico. 

These  black  and  white  birds  have  a  sweet 
song  which  they  often  utter  while  on  the  wing 
after  the  manner  of  the  Bobo- 
link,   all    their    habits    being 
similar  to  those  of  this  bird, 
except  that  this  species  likes 
the  broad  dry  prairies  where 
it  nests  on  the  ground  under 
the    protection    of    a    tuft    of 
grass  or  a  low  bush.     Their 
four    or    five    eggs    are    like 
those  of  the  last  but  slightly  larger.     Size  .85 
x   .65.     Data. — Franklin   Co.,   Kansas.     4   eggs. 
Nest  in  cornfield  in  a  hollow  on  the  ground  at 
the  base  of  a  stalk;  made  of  straw  and  weeds. 


Bluish    white 


Dickcisf 


TANAGERS.     Family  TANAGRID^E 

WESTERN  TANAGER.      Piranga  ludoviciana. 

Range. — United  States,  west  of  the  Plains  and  north  to  British  Columbia. 

This  handsome  species  is  black  and  yellow,  with  an  orange  or  reddish  head. 

They  are  common  and  breed  in  suitable  localities  through  their  range,  nesting 

as  do  the  eastern  Tanagers  in  trees  usually  at  a  low  elevation,  the  nests  being 

saddled  on  the  forks  of  horizontal  branches;   they  are  made  of  rootlets,  strips 

of  bark,  and  weed  stalks, 
-  _™_  and  are  usually  frail  like 

those    of    the    Grosbeaks. 

Their  eggs,  which  are  laid 

in  May  or  June,  are  bluish 

green,  specked  with  brown 

of    varying    shades.      Size 

.95  x  .65. 


I.ai-k    Hunting 


()()8.      SCARLET  TANAGER. 
romelas. 


Piranha   en/th- 


These  beautiful  scarlet 
and  black  birds  frequent, 
chiefly,  woodlands,  al- 
though they  are  very  of- 
ten found  breeding  in  or- 
chards and  small  pine 
groves.  They  are  quiet 
birds,  in  actions,  but  their 
loud  warbling  song  is 

heard  at  a  great  distance,  and  is  readily  recog- 
nized by  its  peculiarity.    They  nest  upon  hori- 


Greenish     blue 


24 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


zontal  limbs  or  forks  at  elevations  of  four  to 
twenty  feet,  making  frail  nests  of  twigs,  root- 
lets and  weeds;  they  are  often  found  in  pine 
trees,  but  apparently  just  as  frequently  in 
other  kinds.  Their  eggs  are  greenish  blue, 
specked  and  spotted  with  various  shades  of 
brown.  Size  .95  x  .65.  Data. — Holden,  Mass., 
May  31,  1898.  Nest  on  low  limb  of  an  oak,  4 
feet  above  ground;  of  weeds  and  rootlets  and 
very  frail. 

6'09.     HEPATIC  TANAGER.     Piranga  hep- 
atica. 

Range.  —  Western  Mexico, 
north  to  New  Mexico  and  Ari- 
zona in  summer. 

This   species  is   similar   to 
the  next  but  is  darker  red  on 
the   upper    parts    and    bright 
vermilion   below.     They  nest 
on   the   lower   horizontal      Bluish  green 
branches   of  trees,   usually   live   oaks,   making 
the  nests  of  rootlets  and  weeds;  the  eggs  are  bluish  green,  like  those  of  the 
next,  but  the  markings  appear  to  average  more  blotchy  and  brighter.     Size 
.92  x  .64. 


Scarlet  Tanager 


6'10.     SUMMER  TANAGER.     Piranga  rubra  rubra.  - 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from  the  Gulf  to  New  York  and  Kan- 
sas, and  casually  farther;  west  to  Texas;  winters  south  of  our  borders. 

This  bird  is  of  the  size  of  the  Scarlet  Tanager,  but  is  of  a  uniform  rosy  red 
color,  darker  on  the  back.  They  are  very  common  in  the  South  Atlantic  and 
Gulf  States.  Their  nests  are  located  at  low  elevations  on  horizontal  branches 
of  trees  in  open  woods,  edges  of  clearings,  or 
along  the  roadside;  the  nests  are  made  of 
strips  of  bark,  weed  stems,  leaves,  etc.,  and  are 
frail  like  those  of  the  other  Tanagers.  Their 
eggs  are  light  bluish  green, 
speckled  and  spotted  with 
reddish  brown,  and  not 
distinguishable  with  cer- 
tainty from  those  of  the 
^^^  Scarlet  Tanager.  Size  .92 

Light  bluish   green   X  .64. 

6lOa.     COOPER'S  TANAGER. 

Piranga  rubra  cooperi. 

Range. — Western  United  States,  breeding 
from  the  Mexican  border  and  Texas  north  to 
central  California  and  Nevada. 

Similar  to  but  slightly  larger  than  the  last. 
There  are  no  differences  between  the  nesting 
of  this  form  and  the  last  and  the  eggs  are  not 
in  any  way  different. 

370 


Summer    Tanager 


SCARLET    TAN AGE K 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


SWALLOWS.    Family  HIRUNDINID^ 

611.     PURPLE  MARTIN.     Progne  subis  subis. 

Range. — Breeds  throughout  the  United  States 
and  temperate  British  America;  winters  in 
South  America. 

These  large,  lustrous,  steely-blue  Swallows 
readily  adapt  themselves  to  civilization  and, 
throughout  the  east,  may  be  found  nesting  in 
bird  houses,  provided  by  appreciative  land 
owners  or  tenants;  some  of  these  houses  are 
beautiful  structures  modelled 
after  modern  residences  and  :  x 

tenanted  by  twenty  or  thirty    ,,., 
pairs  of  Martins;   others   are 
plain,   unpainted    soap   boxes 
or    the    like,    but    the    birds 
seem  to  take  to  one  as  kindly 
as  the  other,  making  nests  in 
their    compartments     of    weeds, 
feathers,  etc.     They  also,  and  most  commonly 
in  the  west,  nest  in  cavities  of  trees  making 
nests  of  any  available  material.     During  June 

*WLz,   "^t    ^  or  July,  they  lay  from  four  to  six  white  eggs; 

size   .95   x  .65.     Data. — Leicester,   Mass.,  June 
16,   1903.     5   eggs   in   Martin  house;     nest    of 

Purple    Martin  grasses. 


I 


White 

grass,    mud, 


61  la.      WESTERN  MARTIN.     Progne  subis  hesperia. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  Washington  south. 

The  nesting  habits,  eggs,  and  birds  of  this  form  are  identical  with  those  found 
In  the  east. 

611.1.     CUBAN  MARTIN.     Progne  cryptoleuca 

Range. — Cuba  and  southern  Florida  (in  sum- 
mer). 

Slightly  smaller  than  the  Purple  Martin  and 
the  eggs  average  a  trifle  smaller. 

6*12.      CLIFF  SWALLOW.     Petrochelidon  luni- 
frons  lunifrons. 

Range. — -Whole  of  North  America,  breeding 
north  from  the  south  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States. 

These  birds  can  easily  be  rec- 
ognized by  their  brownish  throat 
and  breast,  whitish  forehead  and 
buffy  rump.     They  build  one  of 
the  most  peculiar  of  nests,  the 
highest     type     being     a     flask 
shaped  structure  of  mud  secure- 
ly cemented  to  the  face  of  a  cliff  or  under  the 
eaves  of  a  building,  the  entrance  being  drawn 
out  and  small,  while  the  outside  of  the  nest 
proper  is  large  and  rounded;   they  vary  from 

372 


White 


Cliff    Swall 


this  typical  nest  down  to  plain  mud  platforms, 
but  are  all  warmly  lined  with  grass  and 
feathers.  In  some  localities,  cliffs  resemble 
bee  hives,  they  having  thousands  of  these  nests 
side  by  side  and  in  tiers.  Their  eggs  are 
creamy  white  spotted  with  reddish  brown; 
size  .80  x  .55  with  great  variations.  Data. — 
Rockford,  Minn.,  June  12,  1890.  Nest  made 
of  mud,  lined  with  feathers;  placed  under  the 
eaves  of  a  freight  house. 


[612.1.]      CUBAN  CLIFF  SWALLOW.      Petro- 
chelidon  fulva. 

Range. — West   Indies  and   Central  America; 
accidental  on  Florida  Keys. 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


Hirundo  erythro- 


Barn   Swallow 


613.     BARN  SWALLOW. 
gastra. 

Range. — Whole    of   North    America;    winters 
south  to  South  America. 

This  Swallow  is  the  most  beautiful  and  grace- 
ful of  the  family,  and  is  a  familiar  sight  to  everyone,  skimming  over  the  mead- 
ows and  ponds  in  long  graceful  sweeps,  curves  and  turns,  its  lengthened  outer 
tail  feathers  streaming  behind.  Throughout  their  range,  they  nest  in  barns, 
sheds  or  any  building  where  they  will  not  be  often  disturbed,  making  their  nests 
of  mud  and  attaching  them  to  the  rafters;  they  are  warmly  lined  with  feathers 
and  the  outside  is  rough,  caused  by  the  pellets  which  they  place  on  the  exterior. 

Before  the  advent  of  civil- 
ized man,  they  attached  their 
nests  to  the  sides  of  caves, 
in  crevices  among  rocks  and 
in  hollow  trees,  as  they  do 
now  in  some  localities.  Their 
eggs  cannot  be  distinguished 
from  those  of  the  Cliff  Swal- 
low. Data. — Penikese  Is.,  Mass.,  July  2,  1900. 
Nest  on  beam  in  sheep  shed;  made  of  pellets  of 
mud,  lined  with  feathers. 


614.     TREE  SWALLOW;  WHITE-BELLIED  SWAL 
LOW.      Iridoprocne  bicolor. 

Range. — Whole  of  temperate  North  America, 
breeding  from  middle  United  States  northward; 
winters  in  the  Gulf  States  and  along  the  Mexi- 
can border  and  southward. 

This  vivacious  and  active  species  is  as  well 
known  as  the  last,  and  nests  about  habitations 
on  the  outskirts  of  cities  and  in  the  country. 


Ti-ee    Swallow 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

They  naturally  nest  in  holes  in  trees  or  stumps,  preferable 

in  the  vicinity  of  water,  but  large  numbers  now  take  up 

their  abode  in  houses  provided  for  them 

by  man,  providing  that  English  Sparrows 

are  kept  away.    They  make  their  nests  of 

straws  and  grasses,  lined  with  feathers, 

and   lay   four   to   six    plain    white    eggs; 

size    .75    x    .50.      Data. — Portage,     Mich., 

May  26,  1897.     Nest  in  a  gate  post;  hole 

about  6  inches  deep,  lined  with  feathers. 

6 15.      NORTHERN  VIOLET-GREEN  SWALLOW.      Tachyci- 
neta  thalassina  lepida. 

Range. — United  States  in  the  Rocky  Mountains  and  west 
to  the  Pacific  coast,  breeding  from  Mexico  to  British  Co- 
lumbia; winters  south  of  our  borders. 

This  very  beautiful  species  is  smaller  than  the  last,  but, 
like  it,  is  white  below,  but  the  upper  parts 
are  blue,  green  and  purple  without  gloss.       ^7*—^- —~.^ 
They    are    common    in    their    range    and     /%. 
nest,  usually  in  holes  in  trees,  less  often 
in  banks  and  under  eaves;  the  nests  are 
made  of  grass  and  feathers,  and  the  eggs 
are  pure  white,  four  or  five  in  number; 
615 — 616  size  .72  x  .50. 


White 


6'1 5a.      SAN  LUCAS  SWALLOW.      Tachycineta  thalassina  brachyptera. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California.  Practically  the  same  bird  as  the  last 
but  with  the  wing  very  slightly  shorter.  Nesting  habits  or  eggs  will  not  differ. 

[615.1.]      BAHAMAN   SWALLOW.     Callichelidon  cyaneoviridis. 

Range. — Bahamas;  casual  at  Dry  Tortugas,  Florida. 

This  very  beautiful  species  is  similar  to  the  western  Violet-green  Swallow,  as 
are  also  its  eggs. 

6l6.      BANK  SWALLOW.     Riparia  riparia. 

Range. — Whole  of  North  America,  north  to  the  limit  of  trees,  breeding  from 
the  middle  portions  of  the  United  States  northward;  winters  south  of  our 
borders. 

This  dull-colored  Swallow  is  grayish  above  and  white  below, 
with  a  gray  band  across  the  breast,  they  breed  in  holes  in  em- 
bankments,  digging   small   tunnels   from   one   to   three   feet   in 
^4'*       length,  enlarged  and  lined  at  the  end  with  grass  and  feathers. 
During  May,  June  or  July,  according  to  latitude,  they  lay  from 
White          four  to  six  pure  white  eggs;  size  .70  x  .50. 


ROUGH-WINGED  SWALLOW.     Stelgidopteryx  serripennis. 


61 

Range. — United  States,  breeding  from  Mexico  north  to  southern  New  England, 
Manitoba  and  British  Columbia;  winters  south  of  our  borders. 

This  species  is  slightly  larger  than  the  last  and  similar  but 
with  the  throat  and  breast  grayish  and  with  the  outer  web  of 
the  outer  primary  provided  with  recurved  hooks.  They  nest  in 
holes  in  embankments,  in  crevices  in  cliffs  or  among  stones 
of  bridges  or  buildings.  Their  eggs  are  like  those  of  the 


Bank  Swallow  but  average  a  trifle  larger;  size  .75  x  .52. 

374 


White 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


WAXWINGS.    Eamily  AMPELID^E 


0'18.      BOHEMIAN  WAXWING.     Bombyeilla 
gar  ruins 

Range. — Breeds  in  the  Arctic  regions  except 
in  the  Rockies  where  it  nearly  reaches  the 
United  States ;  winters  south  to  the  northern 
tier  of  states. 

This  handsome  crested,  grayish  brown  Wax- 
wing  resembles  the  common  Cedar  Waxwing 
but  is  larger  (length  8 
inches),  has  a  black  throat, 
much  white  and  yellow  on  the 
wing  and  a  yellow  tip  to  tail. 
Their  nests  are  made  of  root- 
lets, grass  and  moss,  and  sit- 
uated in  trees  usually  at  a 
low  elevation.  The  eggs  re- 
semble those  of  the  Cedar-bird,  but  are  larger 
and  the  marking  more  blotchy  with  indistinct 
edges ;  dull  bluish  blotched  with  blackish 
brown;  size  .95  x  .70.  Data. — Great  Slave  Lake, 
June  23,  1884.  Nest  in  a  willow  8  feet  from 
the  ground.  Collected  for  Josiah  Hooper. 
(Crandall  collection). 


Dull  bluish 


Bohemian   Waxwing 


(J19-      CEDAR  WAXWING.      Bombyeilla  cedrorum. 

Range. — Whole  of  temperate  North   America,  breeding  in  the  northern  half 
of  the  United  States  and  northward. 

These  birds  are  very  gregarious  and  go  in  large  flocks  during  the   greater 

part  of  the  year,  splitting  up  into  smaller 
companies  during  the  breeding  season  and 
nesting  in  orchards  or  groves  and  in  any  kind 
of  tree  either  in  an  upright  crotch  or  on  a  hori- 
zontal bough;  the  nests  are  made  of  grasses, 
strips  of  bark,  moss,  string,  etc.,  and  are 
often  quite  bulky.  Their  eggs  are  of  a  dull 
grayish  blue  color  sharply  speckled  with  black- 
ish brown;  size  .85  x  .60.  Data.— Old  Say- 
brook,  Conn.,  June  22,  1900.  Nest  composed  of 
cinquefoil  vines,  grasses,  wool  and  cottony  sub- 
stances ;  situated  on  an  ap- 
ple tree  branch  about  10  feet 
from  the  ground.  Collector, 
John  N.  Clark.  This  species 
has  a  special  fondness  for 
cherries,  both  wild  and  culti- 
vated, and  they  are  often 
known  as  Cherry-birds.  They 
also  feed  upon  various  berries,  and  frequently 
catch  insects  in  the  air  after  the  manner  of 
Flycatchers.  Their  only  notes  are  a  strange 
Cedar  Waxwing  lisping  sound  often  barely  audible. 


m- 


375 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 

620.  PHAINOPEPLA.    Phainopepla  nitens 

Range. — Southwestern  United  States  and  Mexico;  north 
to  southern  Utah  and  Colorado. 

This  peculiar  crested  species  is  wholly 
shining  blue  black  except  for  a  patch  of 
white  on  the  inner  webs  of  the  primaries. 
Their  habits  are  somewhat  like  those  of 
the  Cedar-bird,  they  being  restless,  and 
feeding  upon  berries  or  insects,  catching 
the  latter  in  the  air.  They  make  loosely 
constructed  nests  of  twigs,  mosses,  plant  Light  gray 
fibres,  etc.,  placed  on  branches  of  trees,  usually  below  20 
feet  from  the  ground,  in  thickets  or  open  woods  near  water, 
the  eggs  are  two  or  three  in  number,  light  gray,  spotted 
sharply  with  black;  size  .88  x  .65.  Data. — Pasadena,  Cal., 
July  15,  1894.  Nest  in  an  oak  10  feet  up;  composed  of 
weeds  and  string.  Collector,  Horace  Gaylord. 

SHRIKES.    Family  LANIID^ 

621.  NORTHERN  SHRIKE.     Lanius  borealis. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  north  of  our  borders; 
winters  in  northern  half  of  the  United  States  and  casually 
farther  south. 

All  Shrikes  are  similar  in  nature  and  plumage,  being 
grayish  above  and  white  below,  with  black  wings,  tail  and  ear  patches,  and 
with  white  outer  tail  feathers  and  bases  of  primaries;  the  present  species  may 
be  known  by  its  larger  size  (length  over  10  inches)  and  wavy  dusky  lines  on  the 
breast.  They  are  bold  and  cruel  birds,  feeding  upon  in- 
sects, small  rodents  and  small  birds,  in  the  capture  of 
which  they  display  great  cunning  and  courage;  as  they 
have  weak  feet,  in  order  to  tear  their  prey  to  pieces  with 
their  hooked  bill,  they  impale  it  upon  thorns.  They  nest 
in  thickets  and  tangled  underbrush,  making  their  nests  of 
vines,  grasses,  catkins,  etc.,  matted  together  into  a  rude 
Grayish  white  structure.  During  April  or  May  they  lay  from  four  to 
six  grayish  white  eggs,  spotted  and  blotched 
with  yellowish  brown  and  umber;  size  1.05 
x  .75. 

622.     LOGGERHEAD  SHRIKE.     Lanius  ludo- 
vicianus  ludovicianus . 

Range. — United  States,  east  of  the  Plains, 
breeding  north  to  New  England  and  Illinois; 
winters  in  Southern  States. 

Like   the    last   but   smaller 
(length  9  inches),  not  marked 
below     and     with     the     ear 
patches  sharply  defined.  They 
nest  in  hedges  or  thickly  tan- 
gled   brush,    showing    a    pre- 
dilection    for     dense     thorn 
bushes,     where     they     place     Grayish  white 
their  piles  of  weeds,  grasses,  feathers  and  rub- 
bish;  the  four  or  five  eggs  are  laid  in  April 
or  May;   they  are  like  those  of  the  last,  but 
smaller,  averaging  .96  x  .72. 

376 


Northern    Shrike 


I.  E.  Hess 


LOGGERHEAD  SHRIKE  AND  NEST 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


6'22a.     WHITE-RUMPED  SHRIKE. 
ovicianus  excubitorides. 


Lanius  iud- 


Loggerhead   Shrik 


Range. — North  America,  west  of  the  Plains, 
breeding  north  to  Manitoba  and  the  Saskatch- 
ewan; winters  south  to  Mexico. 

Like  the  last  but  paler  and  the  rump  white. 
Their  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  in  every  re- 
spect like  those  of  the  Loggerhead  Shrike. 


()22b.      CALIFORNIA  SHRIKE. 

Lanius  ludovicianus  gambeli. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  north  to  British  Colum- 
bia. 

Similar  to  the  eastern  form  but  with  the 
breast  washed  with  brownish  and  with  indis- 
tinct wavy  bars.  The  eggs  cannot  be  distin- 
guished from  those  of  the  others. 


622c.      ISLAND  SHRIKE.     Lanius  ludovicianus  anthonyi. 

Range. — Santa  Barbara  Islands,   California.      Like  the  last  but  smaller  and 
darker.    Eggs  not  distinguishable. 

VIREOS.    Family  VIREONDID/E 

623.     BLACK-WHISKERED  VIREO.      Vireosylva  calidris 

barbatula. 

Range. — A  Central  American  species,  breeding  in  Cuba,  I 

Bahamas   and   southern   Florida. 

Like   the   Red-eyed   Vireo    but   with    a  J  \,  -r'fr  <*<BM 

;5V         BHk       dusky  streak  on  either  side  of  the  chin.  ••  ff/ 

They  build  pensile  nests  of  strips  of  bark 
afrd  fibres,  swung  from  the  forks  of 
branches.  The  eggs  cannot  be  distin- 
guished from  those  of  the  next  species, 
White  being  white,  more  or  less  specked  about 

the  large  end  with  reddish  brown  and  umber.  Size  .78  x  .55.        A 


622a— 622b 


378 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

624.     RED-EYED  VIREO.      Vireosylva  olivacea 

Range. — United  States,  east  of  the  Rockies, 
breeding  north  to  Labrador,  Manitoba  and  Brit- 
ish Columbia. 

This  is  the  most  common  of  the  Vireos  in 
the  greater  part  of  its  range  and  is  a  most  per- 
pistent  songster,  frequenting  groves,  open 
woods  or  roadsides.  Their  eyes  are  brown, 
scarcely  if  any  more  red  than  those  of  any 
other  species  and  I  have  yet 
to  see  one  with  red  eyes  out-  \ 

side  of  mounted  museum  spe- 
cimens. They  swing  their 
nests  from  the  forks  of  trees 
at  any  .  elevation  from  the 
ground  but  usually  below  ten 
feet,  and  I  have  found  them  White 

where  the  bottom  rested  on  the  ground;  they 
are  made  of  strips  of  bark,  fibre,  etc.,  and  often 
have  pieces  of  string  or  paper  woven  into  the 
sides;  they  are  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of 

bird  homes  and  are  woven  so  strongly  that  old 

nests  hang  to  the  branches  for  several  seasons. 
Red-eyed  Vireo  Their  three  or  four  eggs,  often  accompanied  by 

one  of  the  Cowbirds,  are  laid  in  May  or  June;  they  are  white,  sparingly  specked 

with  blackish  brown.     Size  .85  x  .55. 

625.  YELLOW-GREEN  VIREO.      Vireosylva  flavoviridis. 
Range. — Southern  Texas  and  southward  to  South  America. 

Similar, to  the  Red-eye  but  greener  above  and  more  yellowish  on  the  sides. 
The  nesting  habits  are  the  same  and  the  eggs  indistinguishable  from  those  of 
that  species. 

626.  PHILADELPHIA  VIREO.      Vireosylva  philadelphica 

Range. — Eastern  United  States  breeding  from  northern  New  England  and 
Manitoba  northward. 

This  species  is  much  smaller  than  the  Red-eye  (length  5  in.) 
and  is  yellowish  below,  and  without  black  edges  to  the  gray 
;  crown.    Their  eggs  do  not  dif- 

'^^^^^      fer    from    those   of   the    Red- 
eyed    Vireo    except    in    size, 
averaging  .70  x  .50. 
White 
627-     WARBLING  VIREO.      Vireosylva  gilva 

gilva. 

Range. — North  America  east  to  the  Plains, 
breeding  north  to  Labrador. 

This  Vireo  is  nearly  as  abundant  as  the  Red- 
eye but  is  not  generally  as  well  known,  prob- 
ably because  it  is  usually  higher  in  the  trees 
and  more   concealed  from   view.     Their  nests 
are  like  those  of  the  Red-eye,  but  smaller  and 
usually  placed  higher  in  the  trees.     The  birds 
are  even  more  persistent  singers,  than  are  the 
latter  but  the  song  is  more  musical  and  de- 
livered in  a  more  even  man- 
ner,    as     they     creep     about 
among    the    foliage,     peering 
t  -•  *  under  every  leaf  for  lurking 

insects.     The   eggs   are   pure 
write,  spotted  with  brown  or 
White  reddish  brown.   Size  .72  x  .52. 

380 


RED- EYED    VIREO    ON    NEST 


C.  A.  Reed 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


627a.     WESTERN  WARBLING  VIREO.     Vireo- 
sylva  gilva  srvainsoni. 

Range. — Western  United  States,  breeding 
from  Mexico  to  British  Columbia. 

This  species  is  like  the  last  but  said  to  be 
a  trifle  smaller  and  paler  color.  Its  nesting 
habits  and  eggs  are  precisely  like  those  of 
the  eastern  form. 


628. 


Lanivireo 


Creamy  white 


Yellow- throated   Vireo 


YELLOW-THROATED  VIREO. 
fiavifrons. 

Range. — United  States  east 
of  the  Plains,  breeding  from 
the  Gulf  to  Manitoba  and 
New  Brunswick. 

This  handsome  bird  is 
wholly  unlike  any  others  of 
the  Vireos,  having  a  bright 
yellow  throat  and  breast;  the 
upper  parts  are  greenish  and  the  wings  and 
tail  gray,  the  latter  with  two  white  bars.  They 
are  fairly  common  breeding  birds  in  northern 
United  States,  placing  their  handsome  basket- 
like  structures  in  forks  of  branches  and  at  any 
elevation  from  the  ground;  the  nests  are  like  those  of  the  preceding  Vireos  but 
are  frequently  adorned  on  the  outside  with  lichens,  thereby  adding  materially 
to  their  natural  beauty.  The  four  or  five  eggs  are  pinkish  or  creamy  white, 
speckled  about  the  large  end  with  reddish  brown.  Size  .80  x  .60. 

629.      BLUE-HEADED  VIREO.     Lanivireo  solitarius  solitarius. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from  southern 
New  England  and  the  northern  states  north  to  Hudson  Bay; 
winters  in  the  Gulf  States  and  southward. 

A  beautiful  Vireo  with  a  slaty  blue  crown  and  nape,  greenish 
back,  white  wing  bars  and  underparts,  the  flanks  being  washed 
with  greenish  yellow;   a  conspicuous  mark  is  the  white  eye 
ring   and   loral    spot.      They    build    firm,    pensile,    basket-like 
White  nests  of  strips  of  birch  and  grapevine  bark,  lined  with  fine 

grasses  and  hair,  suspended  from  forks,  usually 

at  low  elevation  and  often  in  pine  or  fir  treeo 

(of  some  twenty   nests  that  I  have   found  in 

New  England  all  have  been  in  low  branches  of 

conifers).     Their  three  or  four  white  eggs  are 

specked  with  reddish  brown.     Size  .80  x  .60. 


()29a-      CASSIN'S  VIREO. 
cassini. 


Lanivireo  solitarius 


Range. — United  States  west  of  the  Rockies; 
north  to  British   Columbia. 

Similar  to  the  last  but  with  the  back  grayish. 

62Qb.      PLUMBEOUS  VIREO.     Lanivireo  soli- 
Range. — Rocky    Mountain    region,    breeding 

from  Mexico  to  Dakota  and  Wyoming. 

Like    the    Blue-headed    Vireo    but    with    the 

yellowish  wholly  replaced  by  leaden  gray. 

282 


Blue-headed  Vireo 


629c.     MOUNTAIN  VIREO.     Lanivireo  soli- 
tarius  alticola. 

Range. — Mountains  of  Carolina  and  Georgia; 
winters  in  Florida. 

Said  to  be  larger  and  darker  than  solitariuv 
proper.  From  all  accounts,  the  habits,  nests 
or  eggs  of  this  species  differ  in  no  wise  from 
many  of  those  of  the  northern  Solitary  Vireo, 
whose  nests  show  great  variations  in  size  and 
material. 

62Qd.     SAN  LUCAS  VIREO.     Lanivireo  soli- 
tarius  lucasanus. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 

Similar  to  cassini  but  with  the  flanks  more 
yellow.  Their  nesting  habits  or  eggs  will  not 
differ  from  the  others. 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


630.     BLACK-CAPPED  VIREO. 
lus. 


Vireo  atricapil- 


to     Kansas ; 


Range. — Central    Texas    north 

winters  in  Mexico.  Black-capped  Vireo 

This  peculiar  Vireo  has  a  black  crown  and  sides  of  head, 
broken  by  a  white  eye  ring  and  loral  stripe;  upper  parts  greenish, 
below  white.  They  appear  to  be  fairly  common  in  certain 
localities  of  their  restricted  range,  and  nest  at  low  elevations  in 
mesquites  or  oaks,  placing  the  nests  in  forks  the  same  as  other 
Vireos;  they  are  of  the  ordinary  Vireo  architecture,  lined  with 
grasses.  The  three  or  four  eggs  are  pure  white,  unmarked.  Size 
.70  x  .50.  Data. — Comal  Co.,  Texas,  May  21,  1888,  4  eggs.  Nest 

located  in  a  scrub  Spanish  oak,  5  feet  from  the  ground. 

fi.Sl.      WHITE-EYED  VIREO.      Vireo  griseus  griseus. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from  the  Gulf  to  northern  United 

States. 

This  Vireo  has  white  eyes,  as  implied  by  its 
name,  is  yellowish  green  on  the  sides  and  with 
two  prominent  bars.     They  have  no  song,  like 
the  other  Vireos,  but  a  strange  medley  of  notes 
resembling  those  of  the  Chat  or  Shrike.     They 
nest  near  the  ground  in  tan- 
gled   thickets,    making    large        ^ 
nests  for  the  size  of  the  birds 
and    not    always    suspended; 
they     are     made     of     weeds, 
leaves,    grass,    bark    or    any 
trash.      Their    three    or    four 
eggs  are  laid  late  in  May  or  White 

early  in  June;  they  are  white,  sparingly  speck- 
led with  brown;   size  .75  x  .55. 

63 la.      KEY  WEST  VIREO.      Vireo  griseus 
maynardi. 

Range. — Southern   Florida. 

This  grayer  and  paler  variety  nests  in  the 

same   manner   and   the    eggs   are   not    distinct 

White-eyed  Vireo  from  those  of  the  last  form. 

383 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 

63  lb.     BERMUDA  VIREO.      Vireo  griseus  ber- 
mudianus. 

Range. — Bermudas. 

This  variety  is  said  to  be  slightly  smaller  and  to  have 
no  yellow  on  the  sides.  Its  eggs  are  probably  the  same  as 
those  of  the  others. 

63  Ic.      SMALL  WHITE-EYED  VIREO.      Vireo  griseus 
micrus. 

Range. — Eastern   Mexico   north   to   southern   Texas. 

Said  to  be  slightly  smaller  and  grayer  than  the  common 
White-eyed  Vireo.  Its  eggs  will  not  differ. 

632.     HUTTON'S  VIREO.      Vireo  huttoni  huttoni. 

Range. — Resident  on  the  California  coast;  chiefly  in 
the  southern  parts. 

A  similar  species  to  noveboracensis  but  r 
with  the  under  parts  tinged  with  yellow. 
These  birds  are  quite  common  but  shy,  nest- 
ing at  any  height  from  the  ground  in  open 
woods  or  groves;  the  nests  are  made  of 
grasses  and  moss  and  swung  from  forked 
limbs ;  the  three  or  four  eggs  are  pure  white, 


White 


finely  specked  with  reddish  brown.     Size  .70  x  .50. 


632a.      STEPHEN'S  VIREO.      Vireo  huttoni  stephensi. 

Range. — Northwestern  Mexico  and  the  boundary  of  the  United  States. 

This  variety,  which  is  more  yellowish  than  the  last,  appears  to  be  rather  un- 
common but  as  far  as  I  can  learn  its  habits  and  nesting  do  not  differ  from  those 
of  the  other  Vireos;  the  eggs  are  white,  specked  with  brown.  Size  .70  x  .50. 


632c.      ANTHONY'S  VIREO.      Vireo  huttoni  obscurus. 

Range.  —  Pacific  coast  from  Oregon  (and  Cal.  in  winter) 
to  British  Columbia. 

The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  this  darker  and  smaller 
variety  are  the  same  in  all  respects  as  those  of  the  Hutton's 
Vireo. 


633.      BELL'S  VIREO. 


Vireo  belli  belli. 

States,    breeding   from 


Range.  —  Interior    of    the    United 
Texas  to  Minnesota  and  Dakota. 

The  nesting  habits  of  this  smaller  species 
are  just  the  same  as  those  of  the  larger  va- 
rieties, they  suspending  their  small  grass- 
woven  baskets  in  the  forks  of  bushes  or 
trees  and  usually  at  a  low  elevation.  Their 
nests  are  handsome  and  compact  little  struc- 
tures, being  often  made  almost  wholly  of 
strips  of  bark  lined  with  very  fine  grasses.  The  eggs  are 
white,  specked  with  reddish  brown.  Size  .70  x  .50.  Data. 
—Austin,  Texas,  June  16,  1898.  Nest  of  strips  of  bark, 
fibres  and  grasses,  neatly  woven  and  swung  from  the  fork 
of  a  low  bush,  2  feet  from  the  ground. 

384 


White 


PERCHING   BIRDS 

633a.      LEAST  VIREO.      Vireo  belli  pusillus. 

Range. — Western  Mexico,  Arizona  and  southern  California. 

This  Vireo  is  slightly  smaller  and  grayer  than  the  last;  they  are  quite  com- 
mon in  southern  Arizona,  nesting  the  same  as  Bell's  at  low  elevations  in  bushes 
or  small  trees.  The  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  IcUi. 

634.      GRAY  VIREO.      Vireo  vicinior. 

Range. — Southwestern  United  States  from  western  Texas,  southern  California 
and  Nevada  southward. 

This  species  is  grayish  above  and  grayish  white  below,  with 
white  eye  ring,  lores  and  wing  bar.     They  are  not  uncommon 
birds   in   the   Huachuca   Mts.   of   southern   Arizona,   where   they 
nest  in  bushes  at  low  elevations,  making  the  semi-pensile  struc-     X 
tures  of  woven  strips  of  bark  and  grasses,  lined  with  fine  round        ]•  ... 
grasses  attached  by  the  rim  to  a  fork  and  sometimes  stayed  on 
the  side  by  convenient  twigs.    Eggs  white,  specked  with  brown. 
Size  .72  x  .53. 


White 


HONEY  CREEPERS.    Family  COEREBIDvE 

f)35.      BAHAMA  HONEY  CREEPER    Ccereba  bahamensis 

Range. — Bahamas,  casually  to  southern  Florida  and  the  Keys. 
This  peculiar  curved-billed  species  is  dark  brown  above,  with  the  underparts, 
superciliary  line  and  spot  at  base  of  primaries,  whitish;  the  rump  and  a  breast 
patch  .are  yellow.  They  nest  at  low  elevations  in  bushes  or  trees  usually  in 
tangled  thickets,  making  a  large  dome-shaped  nest  of  grasses,  leaves  and  fibres 
and,  during  May  or  June,  lay  from  three  to  five  pale  creamy  white  eggs,  speckled 
sparingly  all,,  over  the  surface  and  more  abundantly  at  the  large  end  with  reddish 
;>rown.  Size  .65  x  .50. 

WARBLERS.    Family  MNIOTILTID^E 

Warblers,  as  si  %niily  may  be  classed  as  the  most  beautiful,  interesting  and 
useful  birds  that- we  nave.  With  few  exceptions,  they  only  return  from  their 
winter  quarters  a^tlje  trees  shoot  forth  their  leaves  or  flowers,  they  feed  largely 
among  the  foliage  upon  small,  and  mostly  injurious,  insects.  They  are  very 
active  and  always  flitting  from  branch  to  branch,  showing  their  handsome 
plumage  to  the  beat  advantage.  Their  songs  are  simple  but  effectively  delivered 
and  the  nests  are  6f  a  high  order  of  architecture. 

*-•  <    -T^rammm 

()3().  *•'  BLACK  AND  WHITE  WARBLER.      Mnio- 

tilta  varia. 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Plains, 
breeding,  from  the  Gulf  States  north  to  the 
Hudson  Bay  region;  winters  from  our  southern 
borders  to  South  America. 

This  striped  black  and  white 

Warbler  is  usually  seen  creeping 

about  tree  trunks  and  branches 

after  the  manner  of  a  Nuthatch. 

They   are    very   active   gleaners 

and  of  inestimable  value  to  man. 

They,  nest  on  the  ground  in 
woods  or  swamps,  making  their  nest  of  strips 
of  bark  and  grass,  placed  among  the  leaves 
usually  beside  stones,,  stumps  or  fallen  trees. 
Their  three  to  five  eggs  are  white,  finely 
specked  and  wreathed  with  reddish  brown. 
Size  .65  x.  50.  Data. — Worcester,  Mass.,  June 
3,  1889.  Nest  of  strips  of  bark  on  the  ground 
in  an  old  decayed  stump. 

385 


White 


Black   and   White   Warbler 


25 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


637-     PROTHONOTARY  WARBLER..    Prothon- 
otaria  citrea. 

Range. — South    Atlantic    and    Gulf     States, 
north  in  the  interior  to  Iowa  and  Illinois. 

This  species  is  often  known 
as  the  Golden  Swamp  Warb- 
ler because  of  the  rich  golden 
yellow  of  the  head  and  under- 
parts.  They  frequent  and 
nest  in  the  vicinity  of  swamps 
or  ponds,  nesting  in  the  cavi- 
ties of  trees  or  stubs  at  low  Creamy  white 
elevations,  filling  the  cavity  with  leaves,  moss 
and  grasses,  neatly  cupped  to  receive  the  four 
to  seven  eggs,  which  are  creamy  or  pinkish 
white,  profusely  spotted  with  reddish  brown 
and  chestnut.  Size  .72  x  .55.  Data. — Quincy, 
Mo.,  June  1,  1897.  5  eggs.  Nest  in  hole  of 
a  dead  stub  6  feet  up,  in  timber  some  distance 
from  water;  made  of  moss  and  grasses,  lined 
with  hair. 


notary  Warbler 


h 


638.     SWAINSON'S  WARBLER.     Helinaia 
swainsoni. 

Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gull 
States,  north  to  Virginia  and  In- 
diana, and  west  to  eastern  Texas; 
winters  in  Mexico  and  the  West 
Indies. 

This  species  is  brownish  above 
t  and  white  below,  with  a  whitish 
superciliary  stripe.  It  has  been 
found  breeding  most  numerously  in  thickets  and 
tangled  underbush  about  swamps  and  pools  in 
any  locality.  Their  nests  are  either  in  bushes  or 
attached  to  upright  rushes  over  water  after  the 
manner  of  the  Long-billed  Marsh  Wren,  being 
made  of  leaves,  moss,  rootlets,  etc.,  lined  with  fine 
grasses  or  hair,  and  deeply  cupped  for  the  recep- 
tion of  the  three  or  four  unmarked  white  or  bluioh 
white  eggs  which  are  laid  during  May  or  June. 
Size  .75  x  .58.  Data. — Near  Charlestown,  S.  C., 
May  12,  1888,  3  eggs.  Nest  in  canes  4  feet  from 
ground,  made  of  strips  of  rushes,  sweet  gum  and 
water  oak  leaves,  lined  with  pine  needles. 

63Q,     WORM-EATING  WARBLER. 
Helmitheros  vermivorus. 

Range. — United  States  east  of  the 
Plains,  breeding  north  to  southern 
New  England  and  Illinois;  winters 
south  of  our  borders. 

This  bird  can  be  identified  in  all 
plumages  by  the  three  light  buff 
and  two  black  stripes  on  the  crown  White 

and  narrower  black  stripes  through  the  eye.  Their 
habits  are  similar  to  those  of  the  Oven-bird,  they 

386 


» 


Warbler 

Worm-eating  Warbler 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


feeding  largely  upon  the  ground  amid  dead  leaves. 
They  are  quite  abundant  in  most  localities  in  their 
range,  nesting  in  hollows  on  the  ground  in  open 
woods  or  shrubbery  on  hill  sides ;  the  nest  is  made 
of  leaves,  grasses  and  rootlets,  lined  with  hair  or 
finer  grasses,  and  is  usually  placed  under  the 
shelter  of  some  small  bush.  They  lay  (in  May, 
June  or  July)  three  to  six  eggs,  white,  marked  or 
blotched  either  sparingly  or  heavily  with  chestnut 
or  lavender.  Size  .70  x  .52. 


640.      BACHMAN'S  WARBLER. 
bachmani. 


Vermivora 


Range. — Southeastern  United  States,  along  tne 
Gulf  coast  to  Louisiana  and  north  to  Virginia  and 
Missouri. 

This  species  is  one  of  the  rarest  of  the  Warb- 
lers, but  is  now  much  more  abundant  than  twenty 
years  ago,  when  it  had  apparently  disappeared. 
They  are  greenish  above,  and  yellow  below,  and 
on  the  forehead  and  shoulder,  and  with  black 
patches  on  the  crown  and  breast.  They  have 
been  found  breeding  in  Missouri,  nesting  on  the 
ground  like  others  of  this  genus;  the  eggs  are 
white  wreathed  about  the  large  end  and  sparingly 
specked  over  the  whole  surface  with  reddish 
brown  and  chestnut.  Size  .65  x  .50. 

(iH.      BLUE-WINGED  WARBLER.      Vermivora  vinus. 


Bachman's    Warbler 
Lawrence's   Warbler 

Rrewster's    Warblei 


Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  north  to  southern  New  England  and 
in  the  Mississippi  Valley  to  Minnesota;  winters  south  of  our  borders. 

This  common  species  has  the  crown  and  underparts  yellow,  line  through  the 
eye  black,  and  white  wing  bars  and  spots  on  outer  tail  feathers.  They  breed 
most  abundantly  in  the  northern  half  of  their  United  States 
range,  placing  their  nests  on  the  ground  in  thickets  or  on  the  *f$.  -•  , 
edge  of  woods ;  the  nests  are  made  of  strips  of  bark,  usually  « 
grapevine,  and  leases,  and  are  usually  high  and  deeply  cupped,  1 
they  are  almost  always  placed  among  the  upright  shoots  of 
young  bushes.  The  eggs  are  white,  finely  specked  with  reddish 
brown  with  great  variations  as  to  markings.  Size  .65  x  .50. 
Data. — Old  Saybrook,  Conn.,  June  1,  1900.  5  eggs.  Nest  composed  chiefly  of 
dry  beech  leaves  and  strips  of  cedar  bark,  lined  with  shreds  of  bark  and  fine 
grass;  situated  on  the  ground  among  a  bunch  of  weeds  in  the  woods. 

387 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


642.     GOLDEN-WINGED  WARBLER. 
Vermivora  chrysoptera. 

Range.— Eastern  United  States,  breeding 
north  to  the  southern  parts  of  the  British  Prov- 
inces, winters  south  of  the  United  States. 

This  is  a  very  handsome  species  with  black 
throat  and  ear  patches,  and  yellow  crown  and 
wing  bars,  the  upper  parts  being 
gray  and  the  lower  white.  They  ^tfHfe^. 
frequent  low  fields  or  hillsides 
where  they  nest  among  weeds 
or  vines,  making  the  nest  of 
strips  of  bark,  grasses  and  fibres, 
and  locating  it  close  to  the 
ground  in  clumps  of  weeds,  low  bushes  or 
briers.  The  three  to  five  eggs  are  white  with 
a  very  great  diversity  of  markings,  either 
heavily  or  minutely  spotted  or  wreathed  with 
chestnut  and  gray.  Size  .62  x  .50. 


White 


Golden-winged    Warbler 

fM-3.      LUCY'S  WARBLER.      Vermivora  lucice. 

Range. — Western  Mexico,  north 
commonly  to  Arizona  and  casually 
to  southern  Utah. 

This  small  gray  and  white  Warb- 
ler is  especially  distinguished  by  a 
chestnut  rump  and  patch  in  center 
of  the  crown.  Besides  nesting  in 
forks  of  low  bushes,  this  species  is  said  to  place 
the  domiciles  in  almost  any  crevice  or  nook  that 
suits  their  fancy,  such  as  loose  bark  on  tree 
trunks,  holes  in  trees,  or  other  birds'  nests.  The 
eggs  which  are  usually  laid  during  May  are  white, 
sparingly  specked  and  wreathed  with  reddish 
brown.  Size  .60  x  .50. 

6l'k      VIRGINIA'S  WARBLER. 
I-'ermivora  Virginia. 

Range. — Western  Mexico,  north  to  Arizona  and 
New  Mexico,  and  also  less  commonly  to  Colorado. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  last  but  has  the 
rump  and  a  patch  on  the  breast,  yellow.  They 
are  found  quite  abundantly  in  some  localities, 
usually  on  mountain  ranges,  nesting  in  hollows 
on  the  ground  beside  rocks,  stumps  or  in  crevices 
among  the  rocks;  the  nests  are 
made  of  fine  strips  of  bark  and  ^ffiH^. 
grasses,  skillfully  woven  together, 
and  the  three  to  five  eggs  are  pure 
white,  specked  arid  wreathed  with 
reddish  brown.  Size  .62  x  .50. 

388 


L.u«y's  Warbler 

Virginia  Warbler 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


615.      NASHVILLE  WARBLER.      Vermivora  rubri- 
capilla  rubricapilla. 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Plains, 
breeding  from  New  York  and  Illinois  north  to 
Hudson  Bay  and  Labrador;  winters  south  of  our 
borders. 

This  small  species  is  yellow  be- 
low and  greenish  above,  with  an 
ashy  gray  head  and  neck,  enclos- 
ing a  chestnut  crown  patch.  Tiiey 
breed  abundantly  in  New  England, 
usually  on  side  hills  covered  with 
White  clumps  of  young  pines,  the  nests 

being  placed  flush  with  the  surface  of  the  ground 
and  usually  covered  with  overhanging  grass;  they 
are  made  of  grasses  and  pine  needles,  the  eggs 
are  white,  finely  specked  with  bright  reddish 
brown.  Size  .60  x  .45.  Data.— Worcester,  Mass., 
June  23,  1895.  Nest  of  pine  needles  and  grasses 
in  hollow  in  the  moss  on  a  scrubby  pine  hillside. 

()km.      CALAVERAS  WARBLER.      Vermivora  rub- 
ricapilla gutturalis. 

Range. — Western  United  States,  breeding  on 
ranges  from  California  and  Idaho  north  to  British 
Columbia;  winters  in  Mexico. 

A  slightly  brighter  colored  form  of  the  last 
species.  Their  habits  are  the  same  and  the  eggs 
cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  eastern 
bird. 


ORANGE-CROWNED  WARBLER. 

Vermiiora  celata  celata. 


Nashville    Warbler 
Orange-crowned   Warbler 


United 


rhite 

brown. 


Range. — North  America,  chiefly  in  the  interior,  breeding  north  of  the 
States  except  in  the  Rockies  south  to  Arizona  and  New  Mexico; 
winters  in  the  Gulf  States  and  southward. 

This  plainly  clad,  greenish  colored  species  has  a  concealed 
patch  of  orange  brown  on  the  crown.  They  have  been  found 
breeding  about  Hudson  Bay  and  in  the  Mackenzie  River  district, 
placing  their  nests  in  hollows  on  the  ground,  usually  on  the 
side  of  banks  or  hills  and  concealed  by  small  tufts  of  grass  or 
bushes.  The  three  or  four  eggs  are  white,  speckled  with  reddish 
Size  .64  x  .45. 

GiCa.      LUTESCENT  WARBLER.      Vermivora  celata  lutescens. 

Range. — Pacific  coast,  breeding  from  California  to  Alaska;  winters  in  Mexico. 

Similar  to  the  last  but  more  yellowish  below.  They  make  their  nests  of 
leaves,  rootlets,  moss,  etc.,  lined  with  hair,  and  placed  on  the  ground,  concealed 
by  tufts  of  grass  or  by  bushes.  The  eggs  are  like  those  of  the  last.  Data. — 
Danville,  Gal.,  April  21,  1898.  Nest  on  the  ground  on  a  side  hill;  among  weeds 
in  the  shade  of  a  large  oak. 

389 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


646b.     DUSKY  WARBLER. 
dida. 


Vermivora  celata  sor- 


Tennesee  Warblers 

Olive  Warblers 


Range.  —  Santa  Barbara  Islands,  off  California. 
Said  to  be  duller  colored  and  darker  than  the 
others.    The  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished. 

647.     TENNESSEE  WARBLER. 
Vermivora  peregrina. 

Range.  —  Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from 
the  northern  tier  of  states,  northward;  winters  to 
northern  South  America. 

This  species  has  greenish  upper 
parts,  white  lower  parts  and  super-      $°    V  •'..-. 
ciliary   line,   and   gray   crown   and      ^/        •    N 
nape.      They    nest    either    on    the      „'**". 
ground    or    at    low    elevations    in 
bushes,    making    the    structure    of 
grasses  and  fibres,  lined  with  hair; 
they   are   found    on   wild,    tangled 


White 

hillsides    and 


White 


mountain  ranges.    The  eggs  are  pure  white,  spar- 
ingly specked  with  reddish  brown.    Size  .62  x  .45. 

648.      PARULA  WARBLER.      Compsothli/pis 
americana  americana. 

Range.  —  Eastern  United  States,  breeding  in  the 
southern  half. 

The  upper  parts  of  this  handsome  species  are 
bluish  gray  with  a  greenish  patch  in  the  middle 
of  the  back;  the  throat  and  breast  are  yellow 
with  a  patch  of  black  and  chestnut.  They  are 
abundant  birds  in  suitable  localities,  breeding  in 
swamps,  especially  those  with  old  or  dead  trees 
covered  with  hanging  moss  (usnea).  The  nests  may  be  found 
at  any  height  from  the  ground,  and  are  usually  made  by  turn- 
ing and  gathering  up  the  ends  of  the  hanging  moss  to  form  a 
pocket,  which  is  lined  with  fine  grass  or  hair.  The  four  to  six 
eggs  are  white  or  creamy  white,  wreathed  with  specks  of  reddish 
brown  and  chestnut.  Size  .64  x  .44. 


648a.      NORTHERN  PARULA  WARBLER.      Compsothlypis  americana  usnece. 


Range. — Northern  half  of  eastern  United  States  and  southern  Canada ;  winters 
from  the  Gulf  States  southward. 

The  nesting  habits  of  the  northern  form  of  the  Blue-yellow-backed  Warbler 
are  in  all  respects  like  those  of  the  last,  and  like  them,  where  moss  grown 
swamps  are  not  to  be  found,  they  have  been  known  to  construct  nests  of  moss 
suspended  from  branches  of  trees,  or  to  nest  in  bunches  of  dead  leaves.  Data. — 
Oxford,  Mass.,  June  7,  1895.  Nest  in  a  dead  pine  swamp;  made  in  end  of  hanging 
moss  about  6  feet  from  the  ground.  Large  colony  breeding. 

390 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


SENNETT'S   WARBLER. 
piti  ayumi  nigrilora. 


Compsothlypis 


White 


Range. — Eastern  Mexico,  north  to  the  Lower 
Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  Parula  but  is  more 
extensively  yellow  below,  and  has  black  lores  and 
ear  coverts.  Their  habits  are  the  same  as  those 
of  the  last  and  their  nests  are  generally  placed  in 
hanging  moss,  and  are  also  said  to  have  been 
found  hollowed  out  in  the  mistletoe  which  grows 
on  many  trees  in  southern  Texas,  New  Mexico  and 
Arizona.  The  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished  from 
those  of  the  last. 


650.      CAPE  MAY  WARBLER.     Dendroica  tig- 
rina. 

>    ,  Range. — Eastern  North  America, 

breeding  from  northern  New  Eng- 
land and  Manitoba  northward;  win- 
ters south  of  the  United  States. 

This  beautiful  Warbler  is  yellow 
below  and  on  the  rump,  streaked  on 
the  breast  and  sides  with  black; 
the  ear  coverts  and  sometimes  the  throat  are 
chestnut.  They  are  very  local  in  their  distribu- 
tion both  during  migrations  and  in  their  breed- 
ing grounds.  They  nest  in  the  outer  branches  of 
trees,  preferably  conifers,  making  the  nest  of 
slender  twigs,  rootlets,  grasses,  etc.,  lined  with 
hair;  the  four  or  five  eggs  are  white,  variously 
specked  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac;  size  .65 
x  .48. 

6*51.      OLIVE  WARBLER.      Peucedramus  olivaceus. 

Range. — Mountains  of  New  Mexico  and  Arizona  southward. 

This  peculiar  species  may  readily  be  recognized  by  its  saffron  or  orange- 
brown  colored  head  and  neck,  with  broad  black  bar  through  the  eye.  They 
nest  at  high  elevations  in  coniferous  trees  on  the  mountain  sides,  placing  their 
nests  either  on  the  horizontal  boughs  or  forks  at  the  end  of  them. 
The  nests  are  very  beautiful  structures  made  of  moss,  lichens, 
fine  rootlets  and  grasses  and  setting  high  on  the  limb  like  those 
of  the  Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher.  The  eggs  are  grayish  white  with 
a  bluish  tinge,  thickly  speckled  with  blackish;  size  .64  x  .48. 
Data. — Huachuca  Mts.,  Arizona,  June  21,  1901.  Nest  in  a  sugar  ( 
pine  near  extremity  of  branch,  25  feet  from  the  ground  and  20 
feet  out  from  the  trunk  of  the  tree;  composed  of  lichens  and  fine  rootlets,  lined 
with  plant  down. 


'arula    Warbler 

Sonnott's    \Varblei 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


652.     YELLOW  WARBLER. 
cestiva. 


Dendroica  cestiva. 


Cape  May  Warblers 

Yellow  Warblers 


Ragne. — Breeds  in  the  whole  or  North  America ; 
winters  south  of  our  borders. 

This  well  known  and  very  common  species  is 
wholly  yellow,  being  more  or  less  greenish  on 
the  back,  wings  and  tail,  and  the  male  is  streaked 
on  the  sides  with  chestnut.  They  nest  anywhere 
in  trees  or  bushes,  either  in  woods,  pastures, 
parks  or  dooryards,  and  their  sprightly  song  is 
much  in  evidence  throughout  the  summer.  The 
nests  are  usually  placed  in  upright 
crotches  or  forks,  and  are  made  of 
vegetable  fibres  and  fine  grasses 
compactly  woven  together  and  lined 
with  plant  down  and  hair;  the  eggs, 
which  are  laid  in  May  or  June,  are 
greenish  white,  boldly  specked  in  Greenish 
endless  patterns  with  shades  of  brown  and  lilac; 
size  .65  x  .50. 

()52n.      SONORA  YELLOW  WARBLER.     Dendroica 
cestiva  sonorana. 

Range. — Arizona,  New  Mexico  and  western 
Texas,  southward. 

This  form  is  brighter  yellow,  especially  above, 
than  the  last.  The  nesting  habits  are  the  same 
and  the  eggs  indistinguishable  from  those  of  the 
preceding. 

()f>2b.      ALASKA  YELLOW  WARBLEH.      Dendroica 

cestiva  rubiginosa. 
Range.— Breeds    in    Alaska    and    on    the    coast 


south  to  Vancouver;  winters  south  of  the  United 
States. 

Similar  to  the  common  Yellow  Warbler  but  slightly  darker  above;   its  eggs* 
and  nesting  habits  are  the  same. 


392 


J.  B.  Pardoe 
NEST  OF  YELLOW  WARBLER 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


653.      MANGROVE  WARBLER.     Dendroica  bryanti 
castaneiceps. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  Cali- 
fornia and  western  Mexico  and 
Central  America. 

This  species  is  very  similar  to 
the  Yellow  Warbler  but  the  eu- 
tire  head  and  neck  of  the  male 
are  yellowish  chestnut.  Their 
nesting  habits  or  eggs  do  not  vary  in  any  essen- 
tial particular  from  those  of  the  common  Yellow- 
birds  of  the  United  States. 


Greenish  white 


654.     BLACK-THROATED  BLUE  WARBLER. 
droica  ccerulescens  ccerulescens. 


Dew- 


Mangrove  Warblers 

Black-throated  Blue 

Warblers 


Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from 
northern  United  States  northward;  winters  in 
the  Gulf  States  and  southward. 

These  black-throated  bluish-backed  Warblers 
are  abundant  in  swampy  woodland  both  during 
migrations  and  at  their  breeding  grounds;  either 
sex  can  readily  be  identified  in  any  plumage,  by 
the  presence  of  a  small  white  spot  at  the  base  of 
the  primaries.  They  nest  in  underbrush  or  low 
bushes  only  a  few  inches  above  the  ground,  mak- 
ing the  nests  of  bark  strips,  moss  rootlets,  etc., 
lined  with  fine  grasses  or  hair; 
the  eggs  are  pale  buffy  white 
more  or  less  dotted  with  pale 
brownish;  size  .65  x  .50.  Data. 
— Warren,  Pa.,  June  9,  1891.  3 
eggs.  Nest  one  foot  from  the 
Buffy  white  ground  in  brush;  made  of  fine 
pieces  of  rotten  wood,  laurel  bark  and  lined  with 
fine  grasses. 


654a.      CAIRNS  WARBLER.     Dendroica  ccerulescens  cairnsi. 

Range. — Mountain  ranges  of  North  Carolina  to  Georgia. 

A  darker  form  whose  habits  and  eggs  are  identical  with  those  of  the  last. 


394 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


655.      MYRTLE  WARBLER.     Dendroica  coronata. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from 
northern  United  States  northward.  Winters  in 
the  southern  half  of  eastern  United  States. 

This    beautiful    gray,    white    and 
•/  black  Warbler  can  readily  be  iden- 

tified by  its  yellow  rump,  side 
patches  and  crown  patch.  It  is  one 
of  our  most  common  species  during 
migrations  when  it  is  found  west 
to  the  Rockies  and  casually  far 
ther.  They  nest  on  the  lower  branches  of  conifer- 
ous trees,  making  their  homes  of  rootlets,  plant 
fibres  and  grasses;  during  June  or  the  latter  part 
of  May,  three  or  four  eggs  are  laid;  they  are  white, 
spotted  with  several  shades  of  brown  and  lilac; 
size  .70  x  .50.  Data. — Lancaster,  N.  H.,  June  7, 
1888.  Nest  in  a  small  spruce,  about  6  feet  up; 
made  of  fine  twigs,  lined  with  leathers. 


White 


656.     AUDUBON'S  WARBLER. 
boni  auduboni. 


Dendroica  audu- 


United 


Range. — Mountain    ranges    of    western 

States  from  British  Columbia  to  Mexico. 
This  bird  resembles  the  last  in  the  location  of 
^^^^         the  yellow  patches  but  has  a  yellow 
instead  of  a   white  throat,  and  is 
otherwise  differently  marked.  They 
are  as  abundant  in  suitable  locali- 
ties as  are  the  Myrtle  Warblers  in 
the    east,    nesting    on    the    outer 
branches  of  coniferous  trees  at  any 

height  from  the  ground.     The  nests  are  made  of 

bark  strips,  rootlets,  plant  fibre,  grasses  and  pine 

needles,  the  three  to  five  eggs  are  greenish  or  bluish  white  marked  with  brown 

and  lilac;  size  .68  x  .52.    The  one  figured  is  from  a  beautiful  set  of  four  in  Mr. 

0.  W.  Crandall's  collection,  and  the  ground  color  is  a  delicate  shade  of  blue. 

Data. — Spanaway,  Washington,  April  23,  1902.     Nest  on  the  limb  of  a  large  fir 

in  a  clump  of  three  in  prairie  country. 


Hluish   white 


Myrtle  Warblers 

Audubon's  Warblers 


656a.      BLACK-FRONTED  WTARBLER.     Dendroica  auduboni  nigrifrons. 

Range. — Mountains  of  southern  Arizona  and  Mexico. 

Similar  to  the  preceding,  but  with  the  forehead  and  ear  coverts  black.    Their 
nests  and  eggs  are  in  no  way  different  from  those  of  Audubon's  Warbler. 


395 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


657-     MAGNOLIA  WARBLER. 
nolia. 


Dendroica  mag- 


Range. —  North  America  east  of  the  Rockies, 
breeding  from  northern  United  States  to  Hudson 
Bay  region  and  in  the  Alleghanies,  south  to  Penn- 
sylvania. Winters  south  of  our  borders.  This 
species,  which  is  one  of  the  most  beautiful  of  the 
Warblers,  is  entirely  yellow  below  and  on  the 
rump,  the  breast  and  sides  being  heavily  streaked 
with  black;  a  large  patch  on  the 
back  and  the  ear  coverts  are  black. 
They  build  in  coniferous  trees  at 
any  elevation  from  the  ground, 
making  their  nests  of  rootlets  and 
grass  stems,  usually  lined  with 
hair;  the  eggs  are  dull  white,  White 

specked  with  pale  reddish  brown;  size  .65  x  .48. 
Data. — Worcester,  Mass.,  May  30,  1895.  4  eggs. 
Nest  of  fine  rootlets  and  grasses  about  30  feet 
up  on  the  end  of  a  limb  of  a  pine  overhanging  a 
brook. 

658.  CERULEAN  WARBLER.  Dendroica  coerulea 
Range. — United  States  east  of  the  Plains,  breed- 
ing chiefly  in  the  northern  half  of  the  Mississippi 
Valley,  rare  east  of  the  Alleghanies  and  casual  in 
New  England.  These  beautiful 
Warblers  are  light  blue  gray  above, 
streaked  with  black  on  back,  white 
below,  with  a  grayish  blue  band  on 
breast  and  streaks  on  the  sides; 
they  have  two  wide  white  wing  bars 
and  spots  on  the  outer  tail  feathers. 
They  are  found  chiefly  in  the  higher  trees  where 
they  glean  on  the  foliage;  they  build  also  usually 
above  twenty  feet  from  the  ground  in  any  kind  of 
tree,  placing  the  nests  well  out  on  the  horizontal 
limbs,  generally  in  a  fork.  The  nests  are  made  of 
rine  strips  of  bark,  fibres,  rootlets,  etc.,  lined  with  hair;  the  eggs  are  white  or 
pale  bluish  white,  specked  with  reddish  brown;  size  .62  x  .48.  Data. — Fargo, 
Ontario,  June  2,  1901.  Nest  in  a  burr  oak,  18  feet  from  the  ground  on  a  hori- 
zontal limb. 


White 


Magnolia  Warblers 

Cerulean  Warblers 


396 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


White 


Chestnut-sided    Warblers 
Bay-breasted    Warblers 


659-      CHESTNUT-SIDED  WARBLER.     Dendroica 
pensylvanica. 

Range. — United  States,  east  of  the  Plains,  breed- 
ing in  the  Middle  States  and  Illinois,  north  to  Man- 
itoba and  New  Brunswick.  Winters  south  of  our 
border. 

The  adults  of  this  handsome  spe- 
cies may  readily  be  known  by  the 
white  underparts  and  the  broad 
chestnut  stripe  on  the  flanks;  the 
crown  is  yellow.  They  frequent  low 
brush  in  open  woods  or  on  hillsides 
and  pastures,  nesting  at  low  ele- 
vations, usually  below  three  feet  from  the  ground, 
and  often  concealing  their  nests  beneath  the 
leaves  in  the  tops  of  low  small  bushes.  The  nests 
are  made  of  grasses,  weed  stems  and  some  fibres, 
but  they  do  not  have  as  wooly  an  appearance  as 
those  of  the  Yellow  Warblers  which  nest  in  the 
same  localities  and  similar  locations.  Their  eggs 
are  white  or  creamy  white  (never  greenish  white), 
specked  with  brown  and  gray.  Size  .65  x  .50. 
Data. — Worcester,  Mass.,  June  6,  1890.  Nest  in 
the  top  of  a  huckleberry  bush,  2  feet  from  the 
ground;  made  of  grasses  and  plant  fibres.  Bird 
did  not  leave  nest  until  touched  with  the  hand. 


BAY-BREASTED  WARBLER.     Dendroica  cas- 
tanea. 


Range.  —  North  America,  east  of  the  Plains, 
breeding  from  northern  United  States  north  to 
the  Hudson  Bay;  winters  in  Central  and  South 
America. 

This  species  has  the  crown,  throat  and  sides  a 
rich  chestnut;  forehead  and  face  black;  underparts  white.  They 
nest  in  coniferous  trees  in  swampy  places,  making  their  nests 
of  bark  shreds  and  rootlets  and  placing  them  in  horizontal 
forks  at  elevations  of  from  five  to  thirty  feet  from  the  ground. 
The  three  or  four  eggs  are  laid  late  in  May  or  during  June; 
they  are  white,  usually  quite  heavily  spotted  and  blotched  with 
reddish  brown,  umber  and  grayish.  Size  .70  x  .50. 


398 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


White 


661.  BLACK-POLL  WARBLER.      Dendroicu 
striata. 

Range. — North  America,  east  of  the  Rockies, 
breeding  from  northern  United  States  north  to 
Labrador  and  Alaska;  winters  in  South  America. 
This  black  and  white  Warbler  has 

a  solid  black  cap,  and  the  under- 

parts     are    white,     streaked     witii 

black  on  the  sides.     In  the  woods 

they  bear  some  resemblance  to  the 

Black  and  White  Warbler,   but  do 

not  have  the  creeping  habits  of  that 
species.  During  migrations  they  are  found  in 
equal  abundance  in  swamps  or  orchards.  In  their 
breeding  range,  they  nest  at  low  elevations  in 
stunted  pines  or  spruces,  making  their  nests  of 
rootlets  and  lichens,  lined  with  feathers.  The 
eggs  are  dull  whitish,  spotted  or  blotched  with 
brown  and  neutral  tints.  Size  .72  x  .50.  Data. — 
Grand  Manan,  N.  B.,  June  12,  1883.  Nest  and 
four  eggs  on  branch  of  a  stunted  spruce  2  feet 
from  the  ground. 

662.  BLACKBURNIAN  WARBLER.      Dendroica 

fusca. 

Range. — North  America,  east  of  the  Plains, 
breeding  from  Massachusetts  and  Minnesota  north 
to  Hudson  Bay;  south  in  the  Alleghanies  to  the 
Carolinas.  Winters  in  Central  and  South  Amer- 
ica. 

This  species  is,  without  exception,  the  most  ex- 
quisite  of  the   family;    the   male   can   always   be 
known   by  the   bright   orange  throat,   breast  and 
superciliary  stripe,  the  upper  parts  being  largely 
black.     They  arrive  with  us  when  the  apple  trees 
are  in  bloom  and  after  a  week's  delay  pass  on  to 
more  northerly  districts.    Their  nests  are  constructed  of  rootlets, 
fine  weed  stalks  and  grasses,  lined  with  hair,  and  are  placed  on 
horizontal  limbs  of  coniferous  trees.    The  three  or  four  eggs  are 
greenish    white,    speckled,    spotted    and    blotched    with    reddish 
brown  and  neutral  tints.    Size  .70  x  .48.    Data. — Lancaster,  Mass., 
June  21,  1901.     Nest  in  a  white  pine,  38  feet  from  the  ground  on  Greenish  whit 
a  limb  4  feet  from  the  trunk;  composed  of  fine  rootlets  and  hair, 
resembling  the  nest  of  a  Chipping  Sparrow. 


Black-poll    Warblers 

Blarkburnian   Warblers 


BLACKBURN! AN  WARBLERS 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


663.     YELLOW-THRAOTED  WARBLER.     Den- 
droica dominica  dominica. 

Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  north 
to  Virginia  and  casually  farther;  winters  in  Flor- 
ida and  the  West  Indies. 

This  species  has  gray  upper  parts  with  two 
white  wing  bars,  the  throat,  breast  and  superciliary 
line  are  yellow,  and  the  lores, 
cheeks  and  streaks  on  the  sides 
are  black.  These  birds  nest  abun- 
dantly in  the  South  Atlantic  States,  \ 
usually  in  pines,  and  either  on  hori- 
zontal limbs  or  in  bunches  of  Span-  ^reenjsh  white 
ish  moss.  The  nests  are  made  of 
slender  pieces  of  twigs,  rootlets  and  strips  of 
bark,  and  lined  with  either  hair  or  feathers,  the 
eggs  are  three  to  five  in  number,  pale  greenish 
white,  specked  about  the  large  end  with  red- 
dish brown  and  gray.  Size  .70  x  .50.  Data. — 
Raleigh,  N.  C.,  May  3,  1890.  Nest  43  feet  up  on 
limb  of  pine;  made  of  grasses  and  hair. 


663a.      SYCAMORE  WARBLER. 
inica  albilora. 


Dendroica  dom- 


Range. — Mississippi  Valley,  breeding  north  to 
Ohio  and  Illinois,  and  west  to  Kansas  and  Texas; 
winters  south  of  the  United  States. 

This  bird  is  precisely  like  the  last  except  that 
the  superciliary  stripe  is  usually  white.  Their 
nesting  habits  are  precisely  like  those  of  the 
last,  and  the  nests  are  usually  on  horizontal 
branches  of  sycamores;  the  eggs  cannot  be  dis- 
tinguished from  those  of  the  Yellow-throated 
Warbler. 


Yellow-throated    Warblers 
Grace's  Warblers 


664.      GRACE'S  WARBLER.      Dendroica  gracice. 

Range. — Southwestern  United  States,  abundant  in  Arizona  and  New  Mexico. 

This  Warbler  is  similar  in  markings  and  colors  to  the  Yellow- 
throated  variety  except  that  the  cheeks  are  gray  instead  of  black. 
The  nesting  habits  of  the  two  species  are  the  same,  these  birds 
building  high  in  coniferous  trees;  the  nests  are  made  of  rootlets 
and  bark  shreds,  lined  with  hair  or  feathers;  the  eggs  are  white, 
dotted  with  reddish  brown  and  lilac.  Size  .68  x  .48.  White 


401 


26 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


Black-throated   Warblers 
Golden-cheeked   Warblers 


665.  BLACK-THROATED  GRAY  WARBLER.     Den- 

droica  nigrescens. 

Range. — United  States  from  the  Rockies  to  the 
Pacific  coast  and  north  to  British  Columbia;  win- 
ters south  of  our  borders. 

The  general  color  of  this  species 
is  grayish  above  and  white  below  as 
is    a    superciliary   line    and    stripe 
down  the  side  of  the  throat;    the 
crown,  cheeks  and  throat  are  black 
and  there  is  a  yellow  spot  in  front 
Greenish  white  of  the  eye.    They  inhabit  woodland 
and   thickets    and   are    common   in 
such  localities  from  Arizona  to   Oregon,  nesting 
usually   at  low   elevations   in   bushes   or  shrubs; 
the   the   nests   are   made   of   grasses   and   fibres, 
woven    together,    and    lined    with    hair    or    fine 
grasses,  resembling,  slightly,  nests  of  the  Yellow 
Warbler.     The  eggs  are  white  or  greenish  white, 
specked    with    reddish    brown    and    umber.      Size 
.65  x  .52.     Data. — Waldo,   Oregon,  June   1,   1901. 
Nest  3  feet  from  the  ground  in  a  small  oak  in 
valley.     Collector,  C.  W.  Bowles.     (Crandall  col- 
lection.) 

666.  GOLDEN-CHEEKED  WARBLER.     Dendroica 

chrysoparia. 

Range. — Central  and  southern  Texas  south  to 
Central  America. 

This  beautiful  and  rare  species 
is  entirely  black  above  and  on  the 
throat,  enclosing  a  large  bright  yel- 
low patch  about  the  eye  and  a 
small  one  on  the  crown.  In  their 
very  restricted  United  States  range, 


White 

the  birds  are  met  with  in  cedar  timber  where  they 
nest  at  low  elevations  in  the  upright  forks  of  young  trees  of  this  variety.  Their 
nests  are  made  of  strips  of  cedar  bark,  interwoven  with  plant  fibres  and  spider 
webs  making  compact  nests,  which  they  line  with  hair  and  feathers.  Their 
three  or  four  eggs  are  white,  dotted  and  specked  with  reddish  brown  and  umber. 
Si2e  .75  x  .55. 


402 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


667-     BLACK-THROATED  GREEN  WARBLER. 
Dendroica  virens. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from 
southern  New  England,  South  Carolina  in  the  Al- 
leghanies,  and  Illinois  north  to  Hudson  Bay;  win- 
ters south  of  the  United  States. 

These  common  eastern  birds  are 
similar  to  the  last  but  the  entire 
upper  parts  are  olive  greenish. 
They  are  nearly  always  found,  and 
always  nest,  in  pines,  either  groves 
or  hillsides  covered  with  young 
pines.  The  nest  are  usually  placed 
out  among  the  pine  needles  where  they  are  very 
difficult  to  locate,  and  resemble  nests  of  the  Chip- 
ping Sparrow.  I  have  found  them  at  heights  rang- 
ing from  six  to  forty  or  fifty  feet  from  the  ground. 
The  three  or  four  eggs,  which  they  lay  in  June, 
are  white,  wreathed  and  speckled  with  brownish 
and  lilac.  Size  .60  x  .50. 


White 


TOWNSEND'S  WARBLER. 
townsendi. 


Dendroica 


Range. — Western  United  States, 
from  the  Rockies  to  the  Pacific  and 
from  Alaska  southward;  winters  in 
Mexico. 

This  is  the  common  western  rep- 
resentative of  the  last  species,  and 
is  similar  but  has  black  ear  patches 
and  the  crown  is  black.  They  nest 
in  coniferous  woods  throughout  their  United 
States  and  Canadian  range,  the  nests  being  placed 
at  any  height  from  the  ground  and  being  con- 
structed like  those  of  the  Black-throated  Green. 
Their  eggs  are  not  distinguishable  from  those  of 
the  latter.  Size  .60  x  .50. 


White 


Black-throated  Green 

Warbler 
Townsend's   Warblers 


403 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


669-     HERMIT  WARBLER.     Dendroica  occiden- 
talis. 

Range. — Western  United  States  and  British  Co- 
lumbia chiefly  on  the  higher  ranges.  Winters 
south  to  Central  America. 

This  peculiar  species  has  the  entire  head 
bright  yellow  and  the  throat  black;  upperparts 
grayish,  underparts  white.  They  are  found  nest- 
ing in  wild  rugged  country,  high  up  in  pine  trees, 
the  nests  being  located  among  bunches  of  needles 
so  that  they  are  very  difficult  to  find.  The  nests 
are  made  of  rootlets,  shreds  of  bark,  pine  needles, 
etc.,  lined  with  fine  grasses  or  hair.  The  three  or 
four  eggs  are  laid  during  June  or  the  latter  part 
of  May;  they  are  white  or  creamy  white,  and 
sometimes  with  a  faint  greenish  tinge,  specked 
and  wreathed  with  brown  and  lilac  gray.  Size 
.68  x  .52. 


670.     KIRTLAND'S  WARBLER. 
landi. 


Dendroica  kirt- 


Range. — Eastern  United  States;  apt  to  be  found 
in  any  of  the  South  Atlanic,  Middle  or  Central 
States,  and  in  Ontario,  Canada.  Winters  in  the 
Bahamas  where  by  far  the  greater  number  of 
specimens  have  been  found. 

This  very  rare  Warbler  is  bluish  gray  above, 
streaked  with  black,  and  yellow  below  with  the 
throat  and  sides  streaked.  Until  the  summer  of 
1903,  the  locality  where  they  bred  was  a  mystery. 
The  capture  of  a  specimen,  in  June,  in  Oscodo  Cc., 
Michigan,  led  to  the  search  for  the  nests  by  N. 
A.  Wood,  taxidermist  for  the  Michigan  Museum 
at  Ann  Arbor.  He  was  successful  in  his  quest 
and  found  two  nests  with  young  and  one  egg.  The 
nest  in  which  the  egg  was  found  contained  two 
young  birds  also.  It  was  in  a  depression  in  the 
ground  at  the  foot  of  a  Jack  pine  tree  and  only  a  few  feet  from  a  cart  road. 
The  nest  was  made  of  strips  of  bark  and  vegetable  fibres,  lined  with  grass  and 
pine  needles.  The  egg  is  white,  sprinkled  with  brown  in  a  wreath  about  the 
large  end.  Size  .72  x  .56.  It  is  estimated  that  there  were  thirteen  pairs  of  the 
birds  in  this  colony. 


^» 


Hermit  Warblers 

Kirtland's  Warblers 


404 


671.      PINE  WARBLER.     Dendroica 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


vigorsi. 


Range.— Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from 
the  Gulf  to  southern  British  Provinces;  winters 
in  the  Gulf  States  and  southward. 

This  common  eastern  species 
is  greenish  above  and  dull  yel- 
lowish below,  streaked  with 
dusky  on  the  sides.  They  are 
almost  exclusively  found  in  pine 
woods,  either  light  or  heavy 
growth,  where  they  can  always 
be  located  by  their  peculiar,  mu- 
sical lisping  trill.  They  nest  high  in  these  trees, 
placing  their  nests  in  thick  bunches  of  needles, 
so  that  they  are  very  difficult  to  locate.  They 
nest  from  March  in  the  south  to  May  in  the  north- 
ern states,  laying  three  or  four  dull  whitish  eggs, 
specked  or  blotched  with  shades  of  brown  and 
lilac;  size  .68  x  .52.  Data. — Worcester,  Mass., 
May  28,  1891.  Nest  30  feet  up  in  a  pine;  made  of 
pine  needles  and  rootlets. 


Dull    white 


Dendroica  palmarum 


672.      PALM  WARBLER. 
palmarum. 

Range. — Interior  of  North  America,  breeding 
about  Hudson  Bay  and  northward  and  wintering 
in  the  lower  Mississippi  Valley  and  the  West 
Indies. 

This  species  is  brownish  yellow 

above  and  yellow  on  the  throat  and 

breast,  the   crown   and  streaks  on 

the  sides  are  chestnut.     They  are 

found  during  migrations  on  or  near 

the  ground  on  the  edges  of  woods 

or  thickets  and  along  roadsides; 
have  a  peculiar  habit  of  "teetering"  their  tail 
which  will  readily  identify  them.  They  nest  on  the  ground  in,  or  on  the  edges 
of  swampy  places,  lining  the  hollow  with  grasses  and  rootlets.  In  May  or  June 
they  lay  three  or  four  eggs  which  are  creamy  white,  variously  specked  with 
brown  and  lilac;  size  .68  x  52. 


Creamy  white 


Warblers 

Palm  Warblers 


672a     YELLOW  PALM  WARBLER.      Dendroica  palmarum  hypochrysea. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from  Nova  Scotia,  northward. 

This  is  the  common  Yellow  Red-poll  Warbler  of  the  eastern  states,  and  is 
very  abundant  during  migrations.  Their  habits  are  the  same,  if  not  identical 
with  the  interior  species.  Their  nests  are  also  like  those  of  the  last,  placed 
on  the  ground  and  the  eggs  are  indistinguishable. 


405 


C.   A.  Reed 


PRAIRIE   WARBLER   NEST 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


Whitish 


6'73-     PRAIRIE  WARBLER.     Dendroica  discolor. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from 
the  Gulf  to  Massachusetts  and  Ontario;  winters 
in  southern  Florida  and  the  West  Indies. 

A  species  readily  recognized  by 
its  bright  yellow  underparts  and 
the  black  stripes  on  the  face  and 
sides;  several  bright  chestnut 
spots  are  in  the  middle  of  the 
greenish  back.  These  birds  will 
be  found  on  dry  scrubby  hillsides 
and  valleys,  where  they  nest  in  low  bushes,  and 
the  male  will  be  found  in  the  tops  of  the  tallest 
lookout  trees  delivering  his  quaint  and  very  pe- 
culiar lisping  song.  Their  nests  are  handsomely 
made  of  vegetable  fibres  and  grasses,  closely 
woven  together  and  lined  with  hair;  this  structure 
is  placed  in  the  top  of  low  bushes  so  that  it  is 
well  concealed  by  the  upper  foliage.  Their  three 
to  five  eggs  are  whitish,  specked  and  spotted 
with  shades  of  brown  and  neutral  tints;  size  .64 
x  .48.  Data. — Worcester,  Mass.,  June  23,  1891. 
Nest  in  the  top  of  a  young  walnut,  two  feet  from 
ground;  made  of  plant  fibres  and  grasses.  Four 
eggs 


674.      OVEN-BIRD.      Seiurus  aurocapillus. 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Rockies, 
breeding  from  the  middle  portions  of  the  United 
States,  north  to  Labrador  and  Alaska.  Winters 
from  the  Gulf  States  southward. 

This  species  is  fully  as  often  known  as  the 
Golden-crowned  Thrush,  because  of  its  brownish 
orange  crown  bordered  with  black.  They  are 
woodland  birds  exclusively  and  nest  on  the 
ground,  arching  the  top  over  with  rootlets  or  leaves,  the  nest 
proper  being  made  of  grasses  and  leaf  skeletons.  As  they 
are  concealed  so  effectually,  the  nests  are  usually  found 
by  flushing  the  bird.  The  four  to  six  eggs  are  white,  slightly 
glossy  and  spotted,  blotched  or  wreathed  with  reddish  brown 
and  lilac;  size  .80  x  .60.  Data. — Old  Saybrook,  Conn.,  June 
19,  1899.  Domed  nest  with  a  side  entrance  on  the  ground  in 
woods. 


Prairie   Warblers 

Oven-bird 


White 


407 


C.  A.  Reed 


ARCHED  NEST  OF  OVEN-BIRD 


J.  B.  Canfleld 
NEST  AND  EGGS  OF  LOUISIANA  WATER-THRUSH 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


* 


White 


675.     WATER-THRUSH.     Seiurus  novebora 
censis  noveboracensis. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from 
northern  United  States  north  to  Hudson  Bay  and 
Newfoundland.  Winters  from  the  Gulf  to  South 
America. 

This  species  is  uniform  brownish 
olive  above  and  white  below, 
streaked  heavily  with  blackish;  it 
has  a  whitish  superciliary  line.  It 
is  known  in  most  of  the  United 
States  only  as  a  migrant,  being 
found  in  moist  woods  or  swampy 
places.  They  nest  in  such  localities  in  their 
breeding  range,  placing  their  nests  among  the 
cavities  of  rootlets  and  stumps,  the  nest  being 
made  of  moss,  leaves  and  rootlets.  Their  eggs 
are  white,  profusely  specked  and  blotched  with 
reddish  brown  and  lavender  gray.  Size  .80  x  .60. 
Data. — Listowell,  Ontario,  May  28,  1895.  Nest  in 
a  turned-up  root  over  water;  made  of  moss,  grass 
and  hair.  Collector,  Wm.  L.  Kells.  This  set  of 
five  is  in  the  collection  of  Mr.  C.  W.  Crandall. 


6?5a.     GRINNELL'S  WATER-THRUSH.     Seiurus 
noveboracensis  notabilis. 

Range. — Western  North  America,  migrating  be- 
tween the  Mississippi  Valley  and  the  Rockies; 
breeds  from  northern  United  States  north  to 
Alaska;  winters  in  the  south. 

This  sub-species  is  said  to  be  very  slightly 
larger,  darker  on  the  back,  and  paler  below.  Their 
nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  identical  with  those 
of  the  last. 


Louisiana  Water  Thrush 
Water-Thrush 


676.      LOUISIANA  WATER-THRUSH.     Seiurus  motacilla. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from  the  Gulf,  north  to  southern 
New  England,  Ontario  and  Minnesota;  winters  south  of  our  borders. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  last  but  is  larger,  grayer  and 
less  distinctly  streaked  on  the  underparts.  They  nest  in 
swampy  places,  concealing  their  home  in  nooks  among  roots 
of  trees  or  under  overhanging  banks,  the  nest  being  made 
of  leaves,  moss,  mud,  grasses,  etc.,  making  a  bulky  structure. 
The  eggs,  which  are  laid  in  May  and  number  from  four  to 
six,  are  white,  spotted  and  blotched  with  chestnut  and  neu- 
tral tints.  Size  .76  x  .62. 


White 


409 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


677-     KENTUCKY  WARBLER.     Oporornis  for- 
mosus. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from 
the  Gulf  to  New  York  and  Michigan;  winters 
south  of  the  United  States  to  South  America. 

Crown  and  ear  coverts  black,  un- 
derparts  and  line  over  eye  yellow;      x^-*<~    -< 
no    white    in    the    plumage.      Thes- 
birds  are  found  in  about  such  local-    Bggy^-iflV 
ities   as    are   frequented   by    Oven- 
birds,    but    with    a    preference    for 
woods    which    are    low   and    damp.          White 
They  are  locally  common  in  some  of  the  southern 
and  central  states.     They  are  active  gleaners  of 
the  underbrush,  keeping  well  within  the   depths 
of  tangled  thickets.     Like  the  Maryland  Yellow- 
throat,  which  has  similar  habits  to  those  of  this 
bird,    they    are    quite    inquisitive    and    frequently 
come  close  to  you  to  investigate  or  to  scold.    They 
nest  on  the  ground  in  open  woods  or  on  shrubby 
hillsides,  making  large  structures,  of  leaves  and 
strips  of  bark,  lined  with  grasses.     The  eggs  are 
white,   sprinkled   with   dots   or   spots   of  reddish 
brown  and  gray.     Size  .70  x  .55.     Data. — Greene 
Co.,  Pa.,  May  26,  1894.     4  eggs.     Nest  a  mass  of 
leaves,  lined  with  rootlets,  placed  on  the  ground 
at  the  base  of  a  small  elm  sprout  in  underbrush 
on  a  hillside. 

678.     CONNECTICUT  WARBLER. — Oporonis 


Range. — Eastern  United  States;  known  to  breed 
only  in  Manitoba  and  Ontario. 

These  birds  have  greenish  upperparts  and 
sides,  yellowish  underparts,  and  an  ashy  gray 
head,  neck  and  breast;  they  have  a  complete  whit- 
ish ring  about  the  eye,  this  distinguishing  them 
in  any  plumage  from  the  two  following  species. 
As  they  do  most  of  their  feeding  upon  the  ground 
and  remain  in  the  depths  of  the  thickets,  they  are  rarely  seen  unless  attention 
is  drawn  to  them.  They  are  quite  abundant  in  New  England  in  fall  migrations, 
being  found  in  swampy  thickets.  They  have  been  found  breeding  in  Ontario 
by  Wm.  L.  Kells,  the  nest  being  on  the  ground  in  the  woods  among  raspberry 
vines.  It  was  made  of  leaves,  bark  fibres,  grass,  rootlets  and  hair.  The  eggs 
are  white,  specked  with  brown  and  neutral  tints.  Size  .75  x  .55. 


Kentucky  Warbler 

Connecticut  Warblers 


410 


PERCHING    BIRDS 

679-     MOURNING  WARBLER.     Oporornis  phila. 
delphia. 

Range. — Eastern   United  States,  breeding  from 

northern  New  England,   Pennsylvania,    (Philadel- 
phia) and  Nebraska  northward. 

Very  similar  to  the  last  but  with 
no  eye  ring  and  a  black  patch  on 
the  breast.  The  habits  and  nesting 
habits  of  this  species  are  very  sim- 
ilar to  those  of  agilis,  the  nest  be- 
ing on  or  very  close  to  the  ground. 
White  With  the  exception  of  on  mountain 

ranges    it   breeds    chiefly   north   of   our   borders. 

The  eggs  are  white,  specked  with  reddish  brown. 

Size  .72  x  .55.    They  cannot  be  distinguished  from 

those  of  the  last.    Data. — Listowell,  Ontario,  June 

5,  1898.     Nest  in  a  tuft  of  swamp  grass  in  low 

ground;    not    very    neatly    made    of    dry    leaves, 

grasses  and  hair.    Collector,  Wm.  L.  Kells.    (Cran- 

dall  collection.) 

680.     MACGILLIVRAY  WARBLER.      Oporornis 
tolmiei. 

Range. — Western  United  States  from  the  Rock- 
ies to  the  Pacific,  breeding  north  to  British  Co- 
lumbia; winters  in  Mexico  and  Central  America. 
__  Similar  to  the  last  but  with  white 

spots  on  the  upper  and  lower  eye- 
lids, black  lores,  and  the  black 
patch  on  the  breast  mixed  with 
gray.  These  ground  inhabiting 
birds  are  found  in  tangled  thickets 
and  shrubbery  where  they  nest  at 
low  elevations,  from  one  to  five  feet  from  the 
ground.  Their  nests  are  made  of  grasses  and 
shreds  of  bark,  lined  with  hair  and  finer  grasses, 
and  the  eggs  are  white,  specked,  spotted  and  blotched  with  shades  of  brown 
and  neutral  tints;  size  .72  x  .52.  Data. — Sonoma,  Cal.,  May  17,  1897.  A  small 
nest,  loosely  made  of  grasses  (wild  oats)  lined  with  finer  grasses;  placed  in 
blackberry  vines  14  inches  from  the  ground  in  a  slough  in  the  valley. 


White 


Mourning  Warblers 

Macg-illivray  Warblers 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


White 


Maryland  Yellow-throats 
Belding's   Yellow-throat 


681.      MARYLAND  YELLOW-THROAT.      Geothlypis 
trichas  trichas. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States;  this  species  has 
recently  been  still  further  sub-divided  so  that  this 
form  is  supposed  to  be  restricted  to  the  south 
Atlantic  coast  of  the  United  States. 

The  Maryland  Yellow-throat  is  represented  in 
all  parts  of  the  United  States  by  one  of  its  forms. 
They  are  ground  loving  birds,  frequenting  swamps 
and  thickets  where  they  can  be 
located  by  their  loud,  unmistakable 
song  of  "Witchery,  witchery, 
witch."  They  nest  on  or  very  near 
the  ground,  making  their  nests  of 
grass,  lined  with  hair;  these  are 
either  in  hollows  in  the  ground  at 
the  foot  of  clumps  of  grass  or 
weeds,  or  attached  to  the  weed  stalks  within  a 
few  inches  of  the  ground.  They  lay  from  three 
to  five  eggs  in  May  or  June;  these  are  white, 
specked  about  the  larger  end  with  reddish  brown 
and  umber,  and  with  shell  markings  of  stone  gray. 
Size  .70  x  .50.  All  the  sub-species  of  this  bird 
have  the  same  general  habits  of  this  one  and  their 
eggs  cannot  be  distinguished  from  examples  of 
the  eastern  form;  the  birds,  too,  owing  to  the 
great  differences  in  plumage  between  individuals 
from  the  same  place,  cannot  be  distinguished  with 
any  degree  of  satisfaction  except  by  the  ones  who 
"discovered"  them. 

68 la.     WESTERN  YELLOW-THROAT.      Geothlypis 
trichas  occidentalis. 

Range. — This  variety,  which  is  said  to  be  bright- 
er yellow  below,  is  ascribed  to  the  arid  regions  of 
western  United  States;  not  on  the  Pacific  coast. 


68  Ib.     FLORIDA  YELLOW-THROAT.     Geothlypis 
trichas  ignota. 

Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  coast  to  Texas. 

681c.     PACIFIC  YELLOW-THROAT.     Geothlypis 
trichas  arizela. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  British  Columbia  southward. 
68  le.     SALT  MARSH  YELLOW-THROAT.     Geoth- 
lypis trichas  sinuosa. 

Range. — Salt  marshes  of  San  Francisco  Bay. 


4X2 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


682.     BELDING'S  YELLOW-THROAT.     Geothlypis 


Range. — Lower  California. 

This  peculiar  species  is  like  the  common  Yel- 
low-throat but  has  the  black  mask  bordered  by 
yellow  instead  of  white,  and  the  black  on  the 
forehead  extends  diagonally  across  the  head  from 
in  front  of  one  eye  to  the  rear  of  the  other.  Theii 
habits  are  like  those  of  the  other  Yellow-throats 
and  the  nests  are  similar  to  those  of  the  latter, 
which  are  frequently  placed  in  cane  over  the 
water.  Nests  found  by  Mr.  Walter  E.  Bryant 
were  situated  in  clumps  of  "cat-tails"  between 
two  and  three  feet  above  the  water;  the  nests 
were  made  of  dry  strips  of  these  leaves,  lined 
with  fibres;  the  eggs  were  like  those  of  the  com- 
mon Yellow-throats  but  larger;  size  .75  x  .56. 

682.1.      Rio  GRANDE  YELLOW-THROAT.      Cham- 
cethlypis  poliocephala. 

Range. — Mexico  north  to  the  Lower  Rio  Grande 
Valley  in  Texas. 

This  Yellow-throat  has  the  crown  and  ear 
coverts  gray,  only  the  lores  and  forehead  being 
black.  The  nests  and  eggs  of  these  birds,  which 
are  fairly  common  about  Brownsville,  Texas,  do 
not  differ  from  those  of  the  other  Yellow-throats. 

683.      YELLOW-BREASTED  CHAT.     Icteria  virens 
virens. 

Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from  the  Gulf 
coast  north  to  southern  New  England  and  Min- 
nesota. 

This  strange  but  handsome  species  is  very  com- 
mon in  underbrush  and  thickets  in  the  south;  they  are 
usually  shy  and  endeavor,  with  success,  to  keep  out  of 
sight,  but  their  strange  song  and  calls,  consisting  of 
various  whistles  and  squawks  mingled  together,  are  often 
heard.  Their  nests  are  built  in  bushes  or  briars  at  low 
elevations,  being  made  of  grass,  strips  of  bark  and  leaves, 
lined  with  finer  grass;  their  eggs  are  white,  sharply 
speckled  and  spotted  with  various  shades  of  brown  and 
lavender;  size  .90  x  .70. 


Rio   Grande    Yellow-throat 
Yellow-breasted  Chat 


White 


LONG-TAILED  CHAT.      Icteria  virens  longicauda. 

Range. — United  States  west  of  the  Plains,  breeding  from  Mexico  to  British 
Columbia. 

This  bird  is  said  to  be  grayer  and  to  have  a  slightly  longer  tail  than  the  last. 
Its  nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  precisely  the  same. 

413 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


White 


684.  HOODED  WARBLER.     Wilsonia  citrina. 

Range. — Eastern    United    States,       ^   fc 
breeding    north    to    southern    New 
England     and    Michigan;     winters 
south  of  our  borders. 

This  yellow  and  greenish  species 
can  be  identified  by  its  black  head, 
neck  and  throat,  with  the  large 
yellow  patch  about  the  eye  and  the  forehead.  The 
members  of  this  genus  are  active  fly-catchers, 
darting  into  the  air  after  passing  insects  in  the 
manner  of  the  Flycatchers.  They  frequent  tan- 
gled thickets  where  they  build  their  nests  within 
a  few  inches  of  the  ground,  making  them  of  leaves, 
bark  and  grass,  lined  with  hair;  the  four  or  five 
eggs  are  white,  specked  with  reddish  brown  and 
neutral  tints;  size  .70  x  .50.  Data. — Doddridge  Co., 
Mo.,  May  29,  1897.  Nest  one  foot  from  the  ground 
in  a  small  bush;  made  of  leaves,  strips  of  bark 
and  fine  grasses. 

685.  WILSON'S  WARBLER.      Wilsonia  pusilla 

pusilla 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from 
northern  United  States  northward;  south  to  Cen- 
tral America  in  winter. 

These  handsome  little  black-cap- 
ped flycatching  Warblers  are  abun- 
dant during  migrations,  especially 
in  the  spring,  being  found  on  the 
edges  of  woods  and  in  orchards. 
They  nest  on  the  ground,  usually 
on  the  edges  of  swamps,  embedding 
their  nests  in  the  ground  under  the  shelter  of  low 
branches  or  on  the  edges  of  banks;  the  nest  is  oi! 
bark  strips,  fibres  and  leaves,  and  the  eggs  are  white,  specked  with  reddish 
brown;  size  .60  x  .50. 


White 


Hooded  Warblers 

Wilson's  Warblers 


685a.      PILEOLATED  WARBLER.      Wilsonia  pusilla pileolata. 

Range. — Western  United  States,  breeding  in  the  Rocky  Mountain  region  from 
Mexico  to  Alaska;  winters  south  of  the  United  States. 

Similar  to  the  eastern  form  but  the  yellow  underparts  and  greenish  back  are 
brighter.  Like  the  last  species,  this  form  nests  on  the  ground  or  very  close  to  it, 
in  weeds  or  rank  undergrowth,  in  swamps.  Their  eggs  which  are  laid  in  May 
or  June  are  not  distinguishable  from  those  of  the  last. 


414 


White 


PERCHING   BIRDS 

685b.     GOLDEN  PILEOL/ATED  WARBLER.     Wil- 
sonia   pusilla  chryseola. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  of  North  America,  breed- 
ing from  southern  California  in  mountain  ranges 
north  to  British  Columbia. 

686.  CANADIAN  WARBLER.     Wilsonia  canaden- 

sis. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from 
Mass.,  New  York,  and  Michigan  north  to  Labrador 
and  Hudson  Bay;  winters  in  Central  America. 

This  handsome  Warbler  is  plain 
,  ,v  gray  above  and  yellow  below,  with 

a  black  stripe   down  the   sides   of 

the  neck  and  across  the  breast  in 

a    broken     band.      They    frequent 

swamps    or    open    woods    with    a 

heavy  growth  of  underbrush,  where 
they  build  their  nests  on  or  very  close  to  the 
ground.  I  have  always  found  them  in  Massachu- 
setts nesting  about  the  roots  of  laurels,  the  nests 
being  made  of  strips  of  bark,  leaves  and  grass; 
in  June  or  the  latter  part  of  May  they  lay  from 
three  to  five  white  eggs,  specked  and  wreathed 
with  reddish  brown  and  neutral  tints;  size  .68 
x  .50.  Data. — Worcester,  Mass.,  June  10,  1891. 
Nest  on  the  ground  under  laurel  roots  in  swampy 
woods;  made  entirely  of  strips  of  laurel  bark 
lined  with  fine  grass. 

687.  AMERICAN  REDSTART.     Setophaga 

ruticilla. 

Range. — North  America,  chiefly  east  of  the 
Rockies,  breeding  in  the  northern  half  of  the 
United  States  and  north  to  Labrador  and  Alaska; 
winters  south  of  our  borders. 

The  male  of  this  handsome,  active  and  well  known  species  is  black  with  a 
white  belly,  and  orange  patches  on  the  sides,  wings   and  bases  of  outer  tail 
feathers.     They   breed  abundantly   in   swamps,   open   woods   or 
thickets  by  the  roadside,  placing  their  nests  in  trees  or  bushe? 
at   elevations   of   from   three   to  thirty   feet  above   ground   and 
usually    in    an    upright    fork.      The    nests    are    very    compactly 
made    of    fibres    and    grasses,    felted    together,    and    lined    with 
hair.      Their    eggs    are    white,    variously    blotched    and    spotted 
with  brown  and  gray;   size  .65  x  .50.     Data. — Chili,  N.  Y.,  June         White 
1,  1894.     Nest,  a  cup-shaped  structure  of  plant  fibres  lined  with  fine  grasses 
and  hair;  4  feet  from  the  ground  in  the  crotch  of  a  small  chestnut. 


Canadian  Warblers 

American   Redstart 


416 


C.  A.  REED 


MALE   REDSTART    FEEDING   YOUNG 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


688.      PAINTED  REDSTART.     Setophaga  picta. 

Range. — Southern     New     Mexico 
and  Arizona,  southward. 

This  beautiful  Redstart  is  black 
with   a   large   white    patch   on   the 
wing     coverts,     white     outer     tail 
w,  .  feathers,   and   with    the    belly    and 

middle  of  the  breast  bright  red. 
These  active  birds,  which  have  all  the  habits  and 
mannerisms  of  the  common  species,  nest  on  the 
ground  in  thickets  or  shrubbery  usually  near 
water,  and  generally  conceal  their  homes  under 
overhanging  stones  or  stumps;  the  nests  are 
made  of  fine  shreds  of  bark  and  grasses,  lined 
with  hair;  the  eggs  are  white,  dotted  with  red- 
dish brown;  size  .65  x  .48.  Data. — Chiricahua 
Mts.,  Arizona,  May  31,  1900.  Nest  of  fine  bark 
and  grass  under  a  small  bush  on  the  ground. 


689.     RED-BELLIED    REDSTART.      Setophaga 
mini  at  a. 

Range. — Mexico;  admitted  to  our  avifauna  on 
the  authority  of  Giraud  as  having  occurred  in 
Texas. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  last,  but  has  a 
chestnut  crown  patch,  more  red  on  the  under- 
parts,  and  less  white  on  the  tail;  it  is  not  prob- 
able that  their  nesting  habits  or  eggs  differ  from 
the  last. 


690.      RED-FACED  WARBLER. 
rubrifrons. 


Cardellina 


Range. — Southern    Arizona    and    New    Mexico, 
southward. 

This  attractive  little  Warbler  is  quite  common  in  mountain 
ranges  of  the  southern  Arizona.  They  nest  on  the  ground  on  the 
side  hills,  concealing  the  slight  structure  of  grasses  and  root- 
lets under  overhanging  shrubs  or  stones.  Their  eggs  are  speck- 
ed and  blotched  with  light  reddish  brown  and  lavender.  Size 
.64  x  .48.  Data. — Chiricahua  Mts.,  Arizona,  May  31,  1902.  Nest 
in  a  depression  under  a  tuft  of  grass  growing  about  8  feet  up  on 
the  side  of  a  bank. 


Painted   Redstart 

lled-faeed    Warblers 


White 


417 


27 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


WAGTAILS.    Family  MOTACILLID^ 

[694.]      WHITE  WAGTAIL.     Motacilla  alba. 


Prague's  Pipit 


Range. — An  Old  World  species;  accidental  in 
Greenland. 

These   birds   are   abundant  ^  -? 

throughout    Europe,    nesting       ^0 
on  the  ground,  in  stone  walls,       »;; 
or    in    the    crevices    of    old 
buildings,  etc.,  the  nests  be- 
ing made  of  grass,   rootlets, 
leaves,    etc.;     the    eggs    are          White 
grayish    white,    finely    specked    with    blackish 
gray.     Size  .75  x  .55. 


[695.]      SWINHOE'S  WAGTAIL. 
ocularis. 


Motacilla 


Range. — Eastern  Asia;    accidental  in  Lower 
California  and  probably  Alaska. 


ALASKA  YELLOW  WAGTAIL.     Budyt< 
flavus  alascensis. 


the 


Range. — Eastern  Asia;   abundant  on  the  Bering  Sea  coast  of  Alaska  in 
summer. 

These  handsome  Wagtails  are  common  in  summer  on  the  coasts 
and  islands  of  Bering  Sea,  nesting  on  the  ground  under  tufts  of 
grass  or  beside  stones,  usually  in  marshy  ground.  Their  eggs 
number  from 'four  to  six  and  are  white,  profusely  spotted  with 
various  shades  of  brown  and  gray.  Size  .75  x  .55.  Data. — Kam- 
chatka, June  20,  1896.  Nest  on  the  ground;  made  of  fine  root- 
White  lets,  grass  and  moss,  lined  neatly  with  animal  fur. 


697.      PIPIT.     Anthus  rubescens. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  in  the  Arctic  regions,  and  in  the  Rocky 
Mountains  south  to  Colorado,  winters  in  southern  United  States  and  southward. 

The  Titlarks  are  abundant  birds  in  the  United  States  during  ..,,_.- 

migrations,    being    found    in    flocks    in    fields    and    cultivated       £^ 
ground.     Their   nests,   which    are   placed    on   the    ground   in  '^ 

meadows  or  marshes  under  tufts  of  grass,  are  made  of  moss 
and  grasses;  the  four  to  six  eggs  are  dark  grayish,  heavily 
spotted  and  blotched  with  brown  and  blackish.  Size  .75  x  .55.  Gray 

[698.]      MEADOW  PIPIT.     Anthus  pratensis. 

Range. — Whole  of  Europe;   accidental  in  Greenland. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  American  Pipit  and  like  that  species  nests  on 
the  ground;  they  are  very  abundant  and  are  found  in  meadows,  woods  or  thick- 
ets in  the  vicinity  of  houses.  Their  nests  are  made  chiefly  of  grasses,  lined 
with  hair;  the  eggs  are  from  four  to  six  in  number  and  are  grayish,  very  heavi- 
ly spotted  and  blotched  with  grayish  brown.  Size  .78  x  .58. 

418 


[699-]      RED-THROATED  PIPIT.     Anthus 


PERCHING   BIRDS 

'  • 


cermnus. 

Range. — An  Old  World  species;  accidental  in 
the  Aleutians  and  Lower  California. 

The  nesting  habits  of  this  bird  are  like  those 
of  the  others  of  the  genus. 

700.     SPRAGUE'S  PIPIT.     Anthus  spraguei. 

Range. — Interior  of  North  America,  breed- 
ing from  Wyoming  north  to  Saskatchewan. 
Winters  in  the  plains  of  Mexico. 

These  birds  are  common  on 
the  prairies  and  breed  abund- 
antly on  the  plains  of  the  in- 
terior of  northern  United 
States  and  Manitoba.  They 
have  a  flight  song  which  is 

Grayish  white  said  to  be  fully  equal  to  tnat 
of  the  famous  European  Skylark.  They  nest  on 
the  ground  under  tufts  of  grass  or  up-turned 
sods,  lining  the  hollow  with  fine  grasses;  their 
three  or  four  eggs  are  grayish  white,  finely  specked  with  grayish  black  or  pur- 
plish. Size  .85  x  .60.  Data. — Crescent  Lake,  Canada.  Nest  of  fine  dried 
[Trasses,  built  in  the  ground  at  the  side  of  a  sod. 


Sage    Thrasher 


DIPPERS.     Family  CINCLID^E 

701.  DIPPER.      Cinclus  mexicanus  unicolor. 

Range — Mountains  of  western  North  America  from  Alaska  to  Central  America. 

These  short-tailed,  grayish  colored  birds  are  among  the  strangest  of  feathered 
creatures;  they  frequent  the  sides  of  mountain  streams  where  they  feed  upon 
aquatic  insects  and  small  fish.  Although  they  do  not  have  webbed  feet,  they 
swim  on  or  under  water  with  the  greatest  of  ease  and  rapidity,  using  their 
wings  as  paddles.  They  have  a  thrush-like  bill  and  the  teetering  habits  of  the 
Sandpiper,  and  they  are  said  to  be  one  of  the  sweetest  of  songsters.  They  nest 
among  the  rocks  along  the  banks  of  swiftly  flowing  streams,  and  sometimes 
beneath  falls;  the  nests  are  large  round  structures  of  green  moss,  lined  with 
fine  grass  and  with  the  entrance  on  the  side.  The  eggs  are  pure  white,  four  or 
five  in  number,  and  laid  during  May  or  June.  Size  1.00  x  .70. 

WRENS,  THRASHERS,  ETC.     Family  TROGLODYTID^ 

702.  SAGE  THRASHER.      Oreoscoptes  montanus. 

Range. — Plains  and  valleys  of  western  United  States,  east  of  the  Sierra  Ne- 
vadas,  from  Montana  to  Mexico. 

This  species  is  abundant  in  the  sage  regions  of  the  west, 
nesting  on  the  ground  or  at  low  elevations  in  sage  or  other 
bushes.  Their  nests  are  made  of  twigs,  rootlets  and  bark 
strips,  lined  with  fine  rootlets;  the  three  or  four  eggs  are  a 
handsome  greenish  blue,  brightly  spotted  with  reddish  brown 
and  gray.  Size  .95  x  .70.  Data. — Salt  Lake  Co.,  Utah,  May 
11,  1900.  Nest  placed  in  a  sage  bush;  made  of  twigs  of  the 
same  and  lined  with  bark  strips.  Collector,  W.  H.  Parker, 
(Crandall  collection.) 

419 


Urreenish 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


703. 


MOCKINGBIRD. 
polyglottos 


Mimus  polyglottos 


Range. — South     Atlantic     and     Gulf     States, 
north  to  New  Jersey  and  Illinois. 

These  noted  birds  are 
very  common  in  the  south 
where  they  are  found,  and 
nest  about  houses  in  open 
woods,  fields,  and  along 
roadways;  their  nests  are 
rude,  bulky  structures  of 
twigs,  grasses,  leaves,  etc., 

placed  in  trees  or   bushes    Dull  greenish  blue 
at  low  elevations;   the  three  to  five  eggs  are 
usually  dull  greenish  blue,  boldly  spotted  with 
brownish.     Size  .95  x  .72. 

703a.      WESTERN  MOCKINGBIRD.      Mimus 
polyglottos  leucopterus. 

Range. — Southwestern    United    States    from 
Texas  to  California,  and  southward. 

This  subspecies  is  as  common  in  its  range, 
and  its  habits  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  eastern  bird.  The  nests  and  eggs 
are  identical  with  those  of  the  last,  and  like  that  variety  they  frequently  nest 
in  odd  places  as  do  all  common  birds  when  they  become  familiar  with  civili- 
zation. 


Mockingbird 


704*.      CATBIRD.     Dumetella  carolinensis. 

Range. — North  America,  breeding  from  the 
Gulf  States  to  the  Saskatchewan;  rare  on  the 
Pacific  coast;  winters  in  the  Gulf  States  and 
southward. 

This  well  known  mimic  is  abundant  in  the 
temperate    portions    of   its    range,    frequenting 
open  woods,  swamps,  hill- 
sides   and    hedges.     Their 
nests      are     usually      low 
down  in   bushes  or  trees, 
and  are  constructed  simi- 
larly to  those  of  the  Mock- 
ingbird, of  twigs  and  root- 
lets;   a    tangled    mass    of 
vines   and   briers   is   a  fa          Bluish  green 
vorite    place   for   them    to   locate   their   home. 
Their  eggs  are  laid  in  the  latter  part  of  May 
or  during  June,  and  are  from  three  to  five  in 
number   and   a   bright   bluish    green    in    color, 
unmarked.     Size  .95  x  .70. 


420 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


Greenish   white 


705.  BROWN  THRASHER.      Toxostoma  rufum 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding 
from  the  Gulf  States  north  to  Canada.  Win 
ters  in  the  Gulf  States  and  southward. 

This  large,  handsome  songster  is  found 
breeding  in  just  such  lo- 
calities as  are  preferred  by 
the  Catbird  and  the  two 
are  often  found  nesting  in 
the  same  hedge  or  thicket. 
The  nests,  too,  are  similar 
but  that  of  the  Thrasher  is 
usually  more  bulky;  be- 
sides building  in  bushes 
they  frequently  nest  on 

the  ground,  lining  the  hollow  under  some  bush 
with  fine  rootlets.  Their  three  to  five  eggs 
are  laid  during  May  or  June;  they  are  whitish 
or  pale  greenish  white,  profusely  dotted  with 
reddish  brown.  Size  1.05  x  .80.  Brown  Thrusiu-r 

706.  SENNETT'S  THRASHER.      Toxostoma  longirostre  sennetti. 
Range. — Southern  Texas  and  northeastern  Mexico. 

Very  similar  to  the  last  but  darker  above  and  with  the  spots  on  the  breast 
blacker  and  more  distinct.     This  species  which  is  very  abundant  in  the  Lower 
Rio   Grande   Valley    nests    the    same    as    the   last    species 
in  thick  hedges  and  the  eggs   are  very  similar  to   those 
of   the    Brown    Thrasher,    but    in    a    large    series,    average 
more  sparingly  marked  over  the  whole  surface  and  with 
a  more  definite  wreath  about  the  large  end.    Data.— Corpus 

Christi,  Texas,  May  12,  1899.     Nest 

of   twigs   and   vines    in   a    bush    in 

thicket.     Six  feet  from  the  ground. 


indant  in  the  Lower 

m 


i07a — 708 — 710 


Greenish    white 

CURVE-BILLED  THRASHER.      Toxostoma 
currirostre  curvirostre. 

Range. — Mexico,  north  to  southern  Texas  and  eastern 
New  Mexico. 

This  species  is  a  uniform  ashy  gray  above  and  soiled 
white  below;  the  bill  is  stout  and  decurved.  These 
birds  are  as  numerous  in  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley 
as  are  the  Sennett's  Thrasher,  frequenting  thickets 
where  they  breed  in  scrubby  bushes  and  cacti.  Their 
nests  are  rather  larger  and  more 
deeply  cupped  than  are  those  ol: 
the  last  species  and  the  eggs  can 
easily  be  distinguished.  They 
have  a  ground  color  of  light  blu- 
ish green,  minutely  dotted  even- 
ly all  over  the  surface  with  red- 
dish brown.  Size  1.10  x  .80. 
Data. — Brownsville,  Texas,  April 

6,  1900.     5  eggs.    Nest  of  sticks  and  thorns  on  a  cactus 
in  a  thicket;  6  feet  from  the  ground, 
421 


ties  and  cacti,     men 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 

707a.     PALMER'S  THRASHER.      Toxostoma  curvirostre  palmeri. 

Range. — Very  abundant  in  southern  Arizona  and  southward  into  Mexico. 

The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  these  birds  are  exactly  like  those  of  the  last; 
they  show  a  preference  for  placing  their  nests  of  sticks  and  thorny  twigs  upon 
cacti  at  elevations  below  five  feet  from  the  ground.  Like  the  last,  they  generally 
raise  two  broods  a  season. 


708.     BENPIRE'S  THRASHER.      Toxostoma  bendirei. 

Range. — Southern  Arizona  and  Mexico;  north  locally  to  southern  Colorado. 

This  species  is  not  as  abundant  in  the  deserts  of  southern 
Arizona  as  are  the  last  species  with  which  they  associate.  /•'"" 
They  nest  at  low  elevations  in  mesquites  or  cacti,  laying 
their  first  sets  in  March  and  early  April  and  usually  rais- 
ing two  brooks  a  season;  their  three  or  four  eggs  are  dull 
whitish,  spotted  and  blotched  with  brownish  drab  and  lilac 
gray.  Size  1.00  x  .72.  Data. — Tucson,  Arizona,  April  15, 
1896.  Nest  3  feet  up  in  a  cholla  cactus;  made  of  large 
sticks  lined  with  fine  grasses.  Grayish  white 


709.     SAN  LUCAS  THRASHER.      Toxostoma  cinereum  cihereum. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 
This  species  is  similar  to  curvirostre  but  the  under 
parts  are  spotted  with  dusky.     Their  habits  and  nests 
are  similar  to  those  of  the  other  Thrashers  and  the  three 
'-iff  •'•+*&        °r  four  eggs  are  Pale  greenish  white,  spotted  with  red- 
dish brown.     Size  1.08  x  .75.    Data. — Santa  Anita,  June 
I   ,*5^r£'''  3,  1896.    3  eggs.    Nest  in  a  cactus. 

Pale  greenish  white 

70Qa.     MEARNS'S    THRASHER.     Toxostoma  cinereum  mearnsi. 

Range. — Northern  Lower  California. 

This  species  is  described  as  darker  than  the  last  and  with  larger,  blacker  spots 
on  the  breast  and  underparts. 


710.     CALIFORNIA  THRASHER.      Toxostoma  redivivum. 

Range. — Southern  half  of  California,  west  of  the  Sierra  Nevadas. 

This  species  is  more  brownish  than  the  other  curve- 
billed  species  and  has  a  much  longer  and  more  curved  ^ ,.y -^  . 
bill.  They  are  common  in  the  under  brush  of  hillsides 
and  ravines,  where  they  locate  their  nests  at  low  eleva- 
tions. Their  nests  are  made  of  sticks  and  grass,  lined 
with  rootlets,  and  the  three  or  four  eggs  are  bluish 
green  with  spots  of  russet  brown.  Size  1.12  x  .82.  Data. 
—San  Diego,  Cal.,  Feb.  7,  1897.  Nest  of  sticks  and  root- 
lets in  a  grease-wood  bush  4  feet  from  the  ground. 
Collector,  Chas.  W.  Brown.  Bluish  green 


422 


Pale   er 


•11—712 


PERCHING   BIRDS 

711.     LECONTE'S  THRASHER.        Toxostoma  lecontei 
lecontei. 

Range. — Desert  regions  of  southwestern  United  States, 
chiefly  in  the  valleys  of  the  Gila  and  Colorado  Rivers. 

This    species    is    much    paler 
than  the  last  and  has  a  shorter 
:  f~  •  bill.     It    is    fairly    common    but 

locally  distributed  in  its  range 
and  nests  at  low  elevations  in 
bushes  or  cacti.  The  three  or 
four  eggs  are  pale  greenish  blue, 
sparingly  dotted  with  reddish 
brown.  Size  1.10  x  .75.  Data. — 

Phoenix,  Arizona,  April  2,  1897.  3  eggs.  Large  nest 
of  dry  twigs,  rootlets,  etc.,  lined  with  bits  of  rabbit  hair 
and  feathers;  4  feet  from  the  ground  in  a  small  shrub. 

71  la.      DESERT  THRASHER.       Toxostoma  lecontei 
arenicola. 

Range. — Northern  Lower  California. 

This  form  of  the  last  is  said  to  differ  in  being  darker 
above.  It  is  a  very  locally  confined  race,  chiefly  about 
Rosalia  Bay,  Lower  California.  Its  eggs  will  not  be  distinctive. 

712.      CRISSAL  THRASHER.      Toxostoma    crissale. 

Range. — Southwestern  United  States  from  western  Texas 
to  eastern  California;  north  to  southern  Utah  and  Nevada. 
This  species  may  be  known  from  any  other  of  the  curve- 
billed  Thrashers  by  its  grayish  underparts  and  bright 
chestnut  under  tail  coverts.  These  sweet  songsters  are 
abundant  in  suitable  localities,  nesting  at  low  elevations  in 
chaparral.  Their  nests  are  large,  and  bulkily  made  of 
sticks  and  rootlets ;  the  eggs  range  from  two  to  four  in  num- 
ber and  are  pale  greenish  blue,  unmarked.  Size  1.10  x  .75. 

713.      CACTUS  WREN.      Ileleodytes  brunnei- 

capillus  couesi. 

Range. — Southwestern  United  States  from 
Texas  to  eastern  California;  north  to  southern 
Nevada  and  Utah. 

This  species  is  the  largest  of  the  Wrens,  be 
ing  8.5  inches  in  length.  They  are  very  com- 
mon in  cactus  and  chaparrel  districts,  where 
they  nest  at  low  elevations  in  bushes  or  cacti, 
making  large  purse-shaped  structures  of 
grasses  and  thorny  twigs,  lined  with  feathers 
and  with  a  small  entrance  at 
one  end.  They  raise  two  or 
three  broods  a  year,  the  first 
set  of  eggs  being  laid  early  in 
April;  the  eggs  are  creamy 
white,  dotted,  so  thickly  as  to 
obscure  the  ground  color,  with 
pale  reddish  brown.  Size  .95 
x  .65.  Data. — Placentia,  Cal.,  April 
Nest  in  cactus  about  6  feet  from  the  ground; 
made  of  grasses  and  lined  with  feathers  and  rab 
bit  fur ;  nest  8  inches  in  diameter,  18  inches  long. 
423 


Pale   greenish    blui 


1901. 


Cactus     Wren 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


71 3a.  BRYANT'S  CACTUS  WREN.  Heleodytes 
brunneicapillus  bryanti. 

Range. — Northern  Lower  California  and 
coast  of  southern  California. 

The  nesting  habits  of  this  variety  differ  in 
no  respect  from  those  of  the  last. 

713b.     SAN  LUCAS  CACTUS  WREN.     Heleo- 
dytes brunneicapillus  affinis. 
Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 
Eggs  indistinguishable  from  those  of  the  last. 

715.     ROCK  WREN.     Salpinctes  obsoletus 

obsoletus. 

Range. — United   States,   west   of  the   plains, 
breeding  north  to  British  Columbia,  and  south 
,___ll^^^____.  to    Mexico;     winters    in    south- 

t^glBBT^BBBIM^,          western  United  States  and  south- 
ward. 

mrti$£z  This    species    appears    to    be    ^•KA«.>-.->I 

quite  abundant  on  rocky  hill- 
sides throughout  its  range;  like 
most  of  the  Wrens  they  draw  White 
attention  to  themselves  by  their  loud  and  va- 
ried song.  They  nest  in  crevices  or  beneath  overhanging  rocks,  making  the 
nest  out  of  any  trash  that  may  be  handy,  such  as  weeds,  grass,  wool,  bark,  root- 
lets, etc.;  their  eggs  range  from  four  to  eight  in  number  and  are  pure  white, 
linely  specked  with  reddish  brown.  Size  .72  x  .50. 


Rock    Wren 


716.  GUADALUPE  ROCK  WTREN.      Sdlpmctes  guadeloupensis. 

Range. — Guadalupe  Island,  Lower  California. 

A  similar  but  darker  and  browner  species  than  the  Rock  Wren.  It  breeds  in 
abundance  throughout  the  island  from  which  it  takes  its  name,  placing  its 
nests  in  crevices  among  the  boulders  or  cavities  of  fallen  tree  trunks  and,  as  is 
often  done  by  the  last  species,  lining  the  pathway  to  the  nest  with  small 
pebbles.  The  eggs,  which  are  laid  from  January  to  April,  resemble,  in  all 
respects,  those  of  the  common  Rock  Wren. 

717.  WHITE-THROATED  WREN.     Catherpes  mexicanus  albifrons. 

Range. — Northeastern  Mexico  and  the  Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas. 

The  habits  of  the  White-throated  Wren  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  Canon 
Wren,  which  variety  is  more  common  and  better  known;  the  eggs  of  this 
species  are  not  distinguishable  from  those  of  the  next. 


424 


7l7a.      CANON  WREN.      Catherpes  mexicanus 
conspersus. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountain  region  and  west  to 
the  Sierra  Nevadas;  north  to  Wyoming  and 
Idaho  and  south  to  New  Mexico  and  Arizona. 

The  Canon  Wrens  are  uniform  rusty  brown 
all  over  except  the  large  sharply  denned  white 
throat  patch;  the  underparts,  wings  and  tail 
are  barred  with  black,  and  the  back  is  specked 
with  white.  Their  name  is  well  chosen  for 
they  are  found  abundantly  in  rocky  canyons, 
ravines,  and  side  hills.  They  nest  in  crevices 
or  caves  among  the  rocks,  placing  their  nests 
in  small  niches;  they  are  made  of  twigs,  leaves, 
grasses  and  feathers,  and  the  three  to  six  eggs, 
which  are  laid  from  April  to  June  according  to 
locality,  are  white,  sprinkled  and  blotched  with 
reddish  brown  and  lilac.  Size  .72  x  .52. 

71 7b.     DOTTED  CANON  WREN.     Catherpes 
mexicanus  punctulatus. 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


Carolina  Wren 


White 


Range. — Pacific  coast  from  Oregon  to  Lower  California. 

The  habits  and  eggs  of  this  coast  form  of  the  White-throated  Wren  do  not 
vary  in  any  particular  from  those  of  the  preceding  variety. 
718.      CAROLINA  WREN.      Thryothorus  ludo- 
vicianus ludovicianus. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from  the  Gulf  to 
southern  New  England  and  Illinois;  resident  in  the  greater 
part  of  its  range. 

These  loud-voiced  songsters  are  well  known  in  the  south 
where  they  are  very  abundant,  being  found  along  banks  of 

streams,  in  thickets,  along  walls,  or  about  brush  heaps.   They 
^  nest  in  almost  any  suitable  nook  or  corner,  in  hollow  trees 

€&•  or  stumps,   bird  boxes,  about  buildings,  and  in  brush  or 

^  bushes.     When   in   exposed   positions,   the   nest,  which  is 

1||  made  of  all  sorts  of  trash,  is  arched  over;  the  eggs,  which 

^gk  are  laid  from  March  to  June,  and  frequently  later,  as  sev- 

1%  eral  broods  are  sometimes  reared  in  a  season,  are  white, 

profusely  specked  with  light  reddish  brown  and  purplish. 
Size  .74  x  .60. 

71 8a.      FLORIDA  WREN.      Thryothorus  ludovicianus 
miamensis. 

Range. — Southern  Florida. 

A  similar  bird  to  the  last  but  darker  above  and  brighter 
below.  Its  eggs  are  not  distinguishable  from  those  of 
the  last. 


718b. 


LOMITA  WREN. 
lomitensis. 


Thryothorus  ludovicianus 


717a — 719a 


Range. — Southern  Texas. 

This    sub-species    is    abundant    along    the    Lower    Rio 
Grande  in  southern  Texas,  where  its  habits  are  the  same  as 
those  of  the  others  and  the  eggs  are  not  distinctive, 
425 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 

719.      BEWICK'S  WREN.      Thryomanes  bewicki 
bewicki. 

Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States,  and 
the  Mississippi  Valley  north  to  Minnesota  and 
locally  to  the  Middle  States  in  the  east. 

This  species  is  not  common  on  the  Atlantic 
coast   but   in   the   interior   it   is 
the  most  abundant  of  the  Wrens,     ^~  . 
nesting  in  holes  in  trees,  stumps, 
fences,  bird  boxes,  tin  cans,  etc., 
filling    the    cavities    with    grass 
and   rootlets.     Their    eggs    are 
laid  in  the  latter  part  of  April 
or  May;   they  are  white,  specked  and  usually 
wreathed    about   the    large    end    with    reddish 
brown  and  purplish.     Size  .65  x  .50. 

719a.   VIGORS 's  WREN.  Thryomanes  bewicki 
spilurus. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  of  California. 

This  similar  bird  to  the  last  has  the  same 
general  habits  and  the  eggs  are  not  in  any  way  different  from  those  of  Bewick's 
Wren. 


White 


Bewick's    Wren 


719b.      BAIRD'S  WREN.      Thryomanes  bewicki   bairdi. 

Range. — Southwestern  United  States,  from  western  Texas  to  eastern  Cali- 
fornia and  north  to  Colorado  and  Nevada. 

Like  the  two  preceding  Wrens,  this  one  nests  in  natural  or  artificial  cavities, 
and  the  four  to  seven  eggs  that  they  lay  are  precisely  alike,  in  every  respect, 
to  those  of  the  others. 

719c.      TEXAS  WREN.      Thryomanes  bewicki  cryptus. 

Range. — Texas,  north  in  summer  to  western  Kansas. 

A  very  abundant  bird  in  Texas.  Nesting  habits  not  unusual  nor  eggs  dis- 
tinctive. 

719d.     SAN  DIEGO  WREN.      Thryomanes  bewicki  charienturus. 
Range. — Coast  of  southern  California. 

719e.     SEATTLE  WREN.      Thryomanes  bewicki  calophonus. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  Oregon  to  British  Columbia. 

These  last  two  sub-species  have  recently  been  separated  from  Vigors's  Wren, 
but  their  habits  and  eggs  remain  the  same  as  those  of  .that  variety. 


719-1.     SAN  CLEMENTE  WREN.      Thryomanes  leucophrys. 

Range. — San  Clemente  Island,  California. 

This  species  is  similar  to  Vigors's  Wren  but  is  grayer  and  paler  above, 
not  peculiar  in  its  nesting  habits  and  the  eggs  are  like  those  of  bcwickii. 


It  is 


720.     GUADALUPE  WREN.      Thryomanes  brevicauda. 

Range. — Guadalupe  Island. 

A  very  similar  species  to  the  Vigors's  Wren;  nesting  habits  and  the  eggs  are 
not  apt  to  differ  in  any  respect. 

426 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


721.  HOUSE  WREN. 

aedon. 


Troglodytes  aedon. 


Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Missis- 
sippi, breeding  from  the  Gulf  north  to  Mani- 
toba and  Ontario;  winters  in  the  southern  half 
of  the  United  States. 

This  familiar  and  noisy  little  Wren  is  the 
most  abundant  and  widely  distributed  of  the 

Wrens;    they   are   met   with   on 

the    edges    of    woods,    swamps, 

fields,    pastures,     orchards    and 

very      frequently     build     about 

houses,   in   bird   houses    or   any 

nook  that  may  suit  them;   they 

fill  the  cavity  of  the  place  they 
may  select  with  twigs,  grass,  feathers,  plant 
down,  etc.,  and  lay  from  five  to  nine  eggs  in  a 
set  and  frequently  three  sets  a  year.  The  eggs 
are  pinkish  white,  very  profusely  and  minutely 
dotted  with  pale  reddish  brown  so  as  to  make 
the  egg  appear  to  be  a  nearly  uniform  salmon 
color  and  with  a  wreath  of  darker  spots  about 
the  large  end.  Size  .65  x  .52.  Data. — Gretna, 
N.  Y.,  May  29?  1896.  Nest  three  feet  from  the  ground  in  cavity  of  an  apple  tree; 
made  of  twigs  and  grass,  and  lined  with  hair  and  feathers. 


Pinkish  white 


House    Wren 


72 la.      WESTERN  HOUSE  WREN.      Troglodytes  aedon  parkmani. 

Range. — United  States,  from  the  Mississippi  Valley  to  eastern  California. 
This  variety  is  grayer  above  and  below  than  the  eastern  form,  but  its  habits 
and  eggs  do  not  differ  in  any  respect. 


722.     WINTER  WREN.     Nannus  hiemalis  hiemalis. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  from  northern  United  States  north- 
ward, and  south  in  the  Alleghanies  to  North  Carolina;  winters  in  the  United 
States. 

These  are  the  smallest  of  the  Wrens,  being  but  four  inches  in 

length;    they  have  a  very   short  tail  which,  like  those  of   the 

others,    is   carried   erect   over   the   back   during   excitement   or 

anger.    They  are  very  sly  birds  and  creep  about  through  stone 

walls  and  under  brush  like  so  many  mice;   they  have  a  sweet 

song  but  not  as  loud  as  that  of  the  House  Wren.     Their  nests 

are  placed  in  crevices  of  stumps,  walls,  old  buildings  or  in  brush 

heaps,  oeing  made  of  twigs  and  leaves,  lined  with  feathers.    Their  eggs,  which 

are  laid  during  May  or  June,  are  pure  white,  finely  and  sparingly  dotted  with 

reddish  brown;  size  .60  x  .48. 


427 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


722a.     WESTERN  WINTER  WREN. 
hiemalis  pacificus. 


Nannus 


the 


Range. — Western    North    America    from 
Rockies  to  the  coast,  north  to  Alaska. 

This  species  is  much  browner  both  above  and 
below  and  is  more  heavily  barred  than  the 
last;  its  habits  and  eggs  are  like  those  of 
hiemalis. 


722b.      KADIAK  WINTER  WREN. 
hiemalis  helleri. 


Nannus 


Range. — Kadiak  Island,  Alaska. 
Said   to    be   slightly   larger   and    paler   than 
pacificus. 


723.     ALASKA  WREN.     Nannus  alascensis. 

Range. — Aleutian    and    Pribilof    Islands,    Al- 
Winter   Wren  aska. 

Larger  and  paler  than  the  Western  Winter 
Wren.     The  habits  of  this  species  are  similar  to  those  of 
the    eastern   Winter   Wren;    they    nest    be- 
tween boulders  and  in  crevices  of  rocks  or 
stumps,  making  their  nesfs    of    moss    and 
rootlets,  lined  with  feathers.     The  eggs  are 
like  those  of  the  Winter  Wren  but  slightly 
larger;  size  .65  x  .51.  White 


723.1.     ALEUTIAN  WREN.     Nannus  meliger. 

Range. — Western  Aleutian  Islands  to  Alaska.  Very  sim- 
ilar to  the  above,  both  in  song  and  general  habits.  They 
nest  in  the  crevices  of  rocks  or  between  boulders,  making 
their  nests  of  rootlets  and  grass,  lining  it  with  hair  and 
feathers.  Usually  six  eggs  are  laid,  white  with  a  few  specks 
of  brown  (.58x.46). 


724.     SHORT-BILLED  MARSH  WREN.      Cistothorus  stellaris 

Range.— Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from  the  Gulf 
to  Manitoba  and  Maine. 

This  species  does  not  appear  to  be  as  common  anywhere 
as  is  the  Long-billed  variety,  whose  habits  and  nests  are 
similar.     They  nest  in  or  on  the  borders  of 
marshes,    and    nests    being    globular    struc- 
tures of  grasses,  lined  with  hair,  and  with 

j  the  entrance  on  the  side;  they  are  attached  above  the  ground  or 
water  in  marsh  grass  or  reeds.  Their  eggs,  which  number  from 
six  to  eight,  are  pure  white;  size  .64  x  .48. 

428 


623— 723.1— 725a 


PERCHING   BIBDS 


725.      LONG-BILLED  MARSH  WREN.      Telma- 
todytes palustris  palustris. 

Range. — United  States  east  of  the  Rockies, 
breeding  from  the  Gulf  north  to  Manitoba  and 
New  England;  winters  in  southern  United 
States. 

These   birds   are   very  abundant   in   suitable 
localities  throughout  their  range,   breeding  in 
colonies  in  large  marshes  and  in  smaller  num 
bers    in    small    marshy    places. 
Their  nests  are  similar  to  those 
of  the  last,   being  globular  and 
attached   to    cat-tails    or    reeds; 
the   entrance   is   a   small   round 
hole    in    the    side    of    the    rush- 
woven  structures  and  the  inter- 
ior is  neatly  finished  with  fine  grass  and  hair. 
They  lay  from  five  to  eight  eggs  of  a  pale  choc- 
olate   color,    dotted    and    spotted    with    darker 
shades   of  the   same;    size   .64   x   .45.     Data. — 
Delray,   Mich.,  May  27,  1900.     Six  eggs.     Nest 
a  ball  of  woven  flags  and  grasses,  lined  with 
cat-tail  down,   and  attached  to  rushes  in  salt  marsh  over  two  feet  of  water. 
Collector,  Geo.  W.  Morse. 


Pale  brown 


Short-billed    Marsh   Wren 

Long-billed    Marsh    Wren 


TULE  WREN.      Telmatodytes  palustris  paludicola. 

Range. — Western  United  States  on  the  Pacific  coast;  north  to  British 
Columbia. 

The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  these  birds  are  in  all  respects  like  those  of 
the  last. 


725b.      WORTHINGTON'S  MARSH  WREN.      Telmatodytes  palustris  griseus, 

Range. — Coast  of  South  Carolina  and  Georgia. 

The  habits  and  eggs  of  this  paler  form  are  identical  with  those  of  palustri*. 


72oc.      WESTERN  MARSH  WREN.      Telmatodytes  palustris  plesius. 

Range. — United  States  west  of  the  Rockies,  except  the  Pacific  coast;  north  to 
British  Columbia.  This  variety  is  like  the  Tule  Wren  but  slightly  paler;  its 
nesting  habits  and  eggs  are  the  same. 


725.1.      MARIAN'S  MARSH  WREN.      Telmatodytes  palustris  mariance. 

Range. — West  coast  of  Florida. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  Long-billed  variety  but  is  darker  and  more  bar- 
red above  and  below.  Its  nests  and  eggs  will  not  be  found  to  differ  materially 
from  those  of.  the  others  of  this  genus. 

429 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


CREEPERS.    Family  CERTHIID^E 


726.     BROWN  CREEPER.      Certhia  familiaris 
americana. 

Range.  —  Eastern    North    America,    breeding 
firon^.   the  northern  tier   of   states   northward  ; 
the  United  States. 


Brown    Creeper 


Thiese  peculiar,  weak-voiced  Creepers  are 
common  in  northern  United  States  during  the 
winter,  when  they  may  be  seen  slowly  toiling 
up  the  tree  trunks,  searching  the 
crannies  of  the  bark  for  larvae. 
They  make  their  nests  behind 
loose  hanking  bark  on  old  tree 
stubs,  usually  at  low  elevations, 
building  them  of  twigs,  bark, 
moss,  etc.,  held  together  with 
cobwebs.  The  eggs,  which  are  laid  in  May 
or  June,  are  pure  white,  specked  and  spotted 
with  reddish  brown;  they  average  in  size  .58 
x  .48.  The  nests  are  most  often  found  under 
the  loosened  bark  on  coniferous  trees. 


White 


726a.     MEXICAN  CREEPER.     Certhia  familiaris  albescens. 

Range. — Western  Mexico  north  to  southern  Arizona. 

The  nesting  habits  of  this  brighter  colored  form  are  the  same  as  those  of 
the  others. 

726b.      ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  CREEPER.      Certhia  familiaris  montana. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountains,  breeding  from  New  Mexico  to  Alaska. 
The  eggs  of  this  grayer  variety  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the 
eastern  birds  and  the  nests  are  in  similar  situations. 

726c.      CALIFORNIA  CREEPER.      Certhia  familiaris  occidentalis. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  southern  California  north  to  Alaska. 
An  abundant  species,  especially  on  mountatin  ranges,  breeding  behind  the 
bark  chiefly  on  pine  trees.    The  eggs  are  not  different  from  those  of  the  others. 


726d.      SIERRA  CREEPER.      Certhia  familiaris  zelotes. 

Range. — Sierra  Nevada  Mountains  in  California  and  the   Cascade  Range  in 
Oregon. 
Very  similar  to  the  last  and  with  the  same  habits;  eggs  indistinguishable. 

430 


PERCHING  BIRDS 


NUTHATCHES  AND  TITS.    Family  SITTID^E 


727-     WHITE-BREASTED  NUTHATCH. 
carolinensis  carolinensis. 


Sitta 


Range. — United  States  east  of  the  Rockies, 
breeding  from  the  Gulf  to  southern  Canada; 
resident  throughout  its  range. 

These  birds  are  creepers,  but  unlike  the  last 
species,  these  run  about  on  the  trunks,  either 
up  or  down;  their  tails  are  not  pointed  and 

stiffened  like  those  of  the  Brown 

Creepers,  and  their  plumage  is 

gray    and    black    above    with    a 

black   crown,   and   white   below. 

They    nest    in    holes    in    trees, 

usually  deep  in  the  woods  and 

at  any  elevation  from  the 
ground;  they  nearly  always  use  deserted  Wood- 
peckers' holes  but  are  said  at  times  to  exca- 
vate their  own,  with  great  labor  as  their  bills 
are  little  adapted  for  that  work.  They,  line  the 
cavities  with  bark  strips  and  hair  or  feathers, 
and  during  April  or  May,  lay  from  four  to  nine 
white  eggs,  profusely  specked  with  reddish 
brown  and  lilac.  Size  .80  x  .60.  Data. — Lancaster,  Mass.,  May  16,  1902.  Nest  in 
hole  in  an  oak  tree,  45  feet  above  ground;  made  of  fine  strips  of  bark  fibre  and 
hair. 


White 


White-breasted    Nuthatch 


SLENDER-BILLED  NUTHATCH.     Sitta  carolinensis  aculeata. 

Range. — North  America,  west  of  the  Rockies  and  from  Mexico  to  British  Co- 
lumbia. 

This  species  is  as  abundant  in  the  west  as  the  last  is  in  the  east,  and  nests  in 
like  situations.  The  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  eastern 
birds. 

727b.      FLORIDA  WHITE-BREASTED  NUTHATCH.  Sitta  carolinensis  atkinsi. 

Range. — Florida  and  the  South  Atlantic  coast  to  South  Carolina- 

The  habits  and  eggs  of  these  birds  are  like  those  of  the  northern  ones. 

727c.      ROCKY  MOUNTAIN  NUTHATCH.     Sitta  carolinensis  nelsoni. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountains  from  Mexico  north  to  British   Columbia. 
Their  nesting  habits  or  eggs  are  not  distinctive  in  any  respect. 


727d.      SAN  LUCAS  NUTHATCH.     Sitta  carolinensis  lagunce. 

Range. — Mountain  ranges  of  Lower  California. 

Said  to  be  like  aculeata  but  with  the  wings  and  tail  slightly  shorter. 

431 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


728.     RED-BREASTED  NUTHATCH. 
densis. 


Sitta  cana- 


ited-breasted    Nuthatch 


Range. — North  America,  breeding  from  the 
northern  tier  of  states  northward,  and  farther 
south  in  mountain  ranges;  winters  south  to 
southern  United  States. 

This  species  is  smaller  than 
the  last  and  has  reddish  brown 
underparts  and  a  black  stripe 
through  the  eye.  The  breed- 
ing habits  are  the  same  as  those 
of  the  White-bellied  variety,  but 
these  birds  almost  invariably 
coat  the  tree  below  the  opening  with  pitch, 
for  what  purpose  is  unknown.  They  lay  from 
four  to  six  white  eggs,  numerously  spotted 
with  reddish  brown;  size,  .60  x  .50.  Data. — 
Upton,  Maine,  June  21,  1898.  Nest  in  hole  of 
dead  birch  stub,  20  feet  from  the  ground;  made 
of  strips  of  bark  and  a  few  feathers.  5  eggs. 


White 


729.     BROWN-HEADED  NUTHATCH.     Sitta  pusilla. 


Range. — South  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States. 

This  species  has  a  yellowish  brown  crown  and  whitish  underparts.  Their 
habits  are  like  those  of  the  other  Nuthatches,  they  nesting  in 
cavities  at  varying  heights,  from  two  to  fifty  feet  from  the  ground. 
That  they  sometimes  depart  from  the  usual  custom  is  evidenced 
by  the  data  accompanying  this  egg.  They  lay  from  four  to 
seven  eggs,  white  with  profuse  markings  of  reddish  brown;  size 
.60  x  .48.  Data. — St.  Mary's  Ga.  Nest  situated  under  the  bark 
of  an  old  dead  pine  stump,  4  feet  from  the  ground;  made  of  fine 


White 


strips  of  bark. 


730.      PYGMY  NUTHATCH.     Sitta  pygmcea 
pygmaia. 

Range. — North  America  west  of  the  Rockies, 
breeding  from  Mexico  north  to  British  Colum- 
bia. Resident  throughout  its  range. 

This   species  has   an   olive   gray  crown  bor- 
dered by  dusky,  the  back  is  ashy  blue  and  the 
underparts    soiled   white   or   rusty.     They   are 
common  in  mountains  of  western  United  States, 
nesting    in    holes    in    trees    the 
same    as    the    other    species    of      ^:  *  ,, 
Nuthatches.    They  lay  from  five 
to    nine    eggs    which    are   white,     '£•£. 
speckled    thickly    with     reddish 
brown;    size  .60  x  .50.     Data. — 
Huachucha   Mts.,    Arizona,    May          White 
25,   1901.     Nest  in  cavity   (10  inches  deep)    in 
dead  pine  stump  about  15  feet  from  the  ground ; 
composed  of  a  mass  of  vegetable  down;    alti- 
tude 9000  feet. 

432 


Brown-headed   Nuthatch 


PERCHING  BIRDS 


730a.     WHITE-NAPED  NUTHATCH.     Sitta 
pygmcea  leuconucha. 

Range. — Lower  California. 

Like  the  last  but  grayer  above  and  white 
below.  Its  habits  and  eggs  are  the  same  as 
those  of  the  Pyginy  Nuthatch. 

731.     TUFTED  TITMOUSE.     Bceolophus  bicolor 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  resident  and 
breeding  from  the  Gulf  north  to  New  York  and 
Illinois. 

This  species  has  a  grayish 

crest  and  upper  parts,  and  is 

white  beneath  with  brownish 

sides     and     black     forehead. 

These     common     and     noisy 

birds  nest  in  natural  cavities 

in  trees  or  in  holes  deserted 

by   Woodpeckers;    they   may 
be  found  at  any  elevation,  from  two  to  thirty 
feet  from  the  ground.     They  line  the  bottom 
of  the  cavity  with  leaves,  bark,  fibres  and  hair,  and  during  April  or 
five  to  eight  white  eggs,  plentifully  specked  with  reddish  brown.     Size 


White 


Tufted    Titmouse 

Black-crested  Titmouse 


May  lay 
.74  x  .54. 


BLACK-CRESTED  TITMOUSE.      Bceolophus  atricristatus  atricristatus. 

Range. — Lower  Rio  Grande  Valley  in  Texas  and  southward. 

This  Titmouse  has  a  black  crest  and  the  forehead  is  white;  otherwise  similar 
to  the  preceding.  Like  the  last,  these  birds  nest  in  deserted 
Woodpeckers'  holes  and  natural  cavities  in  trees,  either  in  opeu 
woods  or  in  the  vicinity  of  habitations.  Their  eggs  are  sparsely 
spotted  with  reddish  brown,  and  not  usually  distinguishable  from 
those  of  the  Tufted  Titmouse.  Size  .70  x  .54.  Data. — Browns- 
ville, Texas,  May  11,  1892.  Nest  of  moss,  hair,  down  and  wool  in 
cavity  in  tree  in  open  woods  near  town;  4  feet  from  the  ground. 


White 


433 


28 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


733.     PLAIN  TITMOUSE.     Bceolophus  inornatus  inornatus 

Range. — California  and  Oregon  west  of  the  Sierra  Ne- 
vadas. 

This  common,  slightly  crested  Titmouse  is  grayish  brown 
above  and  grayish  white  below.     They  nest  anywhere  in 
cavities  that  meet  with  their  approval,  about 
old  buildings,  in  fence  posts,  etc.,  as  well 
as  holes  in  trees.     Their  eggs  range  from 
five  to  eight  in  number  and  are  white,  usual- 
ly spotted  with  pale  brownish.     Size  .72  x 
.52.     Data. — Tulare  Co.,  California,  April  3, 
1895.    Nest  in  an  oak  tree,  32  feet  from  the 
ground,  in  a  natural  cavity  of  a  horizontal  limb;  composed 
of  grasses,  feathers  and  fur. 


White 


733a.     GRAY  TITMOUSE.     Bceolophus  inornatus  griseus. 

Range. — Southeastern  United  States,  from  Colorado  and 
Nevada  southward. 

The  nesting  habits  of  this  gray  Titmouse  are  just  the 
733 734  same  as  those  of  the  other. 

733b.      ASHY  TITMOUSE.     Bceolophus  inornatus  cineraceus. 

Range.— Southern  Lower  California. 

The  habits  of  this  variety  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  Plain  Titmouse  and 
doubtless  the  eggs  are  also. 

734.     BRIDLED  TITMOUSE.     Bceolophus  wollweberi. 

Range. — Mexico  north  to  southern  Arizona,  New  Mexico  and  western  Texas. 
This   handsome  species   is   quite   abundant   in  the  mountains 
of    southern    Arizona,    and    nests    in    woods    or    about    ranches, 
ft  \      lining  the  cavities  of  trees  with  moss,  down,  leaves,  etc.     The 

three  to   seven   eggs   that  they  lay  are  pure  white,  unmarked. 
Size    .65    x    .52.      Data. — Huachuca    Mountains,    Arizona,    April 
5,   1901.     Nest    in   the   natural    cavity    of   a   live    oak,    12   feet 
from   the  ground;    cavity   lined 
with  bark  and  feathers. 


White 


735.      CHICKADEE.     Penthestes  atricapillus 
atricapillus. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding 
itom  the  Middle  and  Central  States  northward 
to  Labrador;  only  migratory  to  a  slight  ex- 
tent. 

The  Chickadee  is  too  well  known 
to  need  any  description;  suffice  it 
to  say  that  they  are  the  favorites, 
with  everybody,  among  all  the 
North  American  birds.  They  breed 
in  holes  in  trees  in  orchards  or 
woods,  and  also  in  bird  boxes.  1 
have  found  by  far  the  greater  number  in  de- 
cayed birch  stubs.  They  line  the  cavities 
with  fine  grasses  and  feathers,  and  during 
May  or  June  lay  from  five  to  eight  white 
eggs,  dotted  with  reddish  brown;  size  .55  x  .45. 


434 


White 


Chickadee 
Carolina    Chickadee 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


735a.     LONG-TAILED  CHICKADEE.     Penthestes 
ataricapillus  septentrionalis. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountain  region,  north  to  British  Co 
lumbia. 

This  variety  is  very  similar  to  the  last  but  has  a  slightly 
longer  tail  and  the  colors  are  purer.  Its  nesting  habits 
are  the  same  and  the  eggs  are  indistinguishable  from  those 
of  the  eastern  Chickadee. 


735b.     OREGON   CHICKADEE. 
occidentals. 


Penthestes  atricapillus 


Range. — Pacific  coast  from  California  to  Alaska. 

The  habits  and  eggs  of  this  slightly  darker  variety  are 
just  the  same  as  those  of  the  common  Chickadee  of 
the  east. 


786.      CAROLINA  CHICKADEE. 
carolinensis. 


Penthestes  carolinensis 


537—538 


White 


Range. — Southern  United  States  from  the 
Gulf  to  New  Jersey  and  Illinois. 

The  southern  Chickadee  is  smaller  than 
the  northern  and  the  wing  coverts  and  feathers  have  little  or 
no  white  edgings,  Their  nesting  habits  are  in  every  particular 
the  same  as  those  of  atricapillus  and  the  eggs  cannot  be  dis- 
tinguished with  certainty,  but  average  smaller;  size  .53  x  .43. 


736a.      PLUMBEOUS  CHICKADEE.     Penthestes  carolinensis  agilis. 

Range. — Eastern  and  central  Texas. 

This  variety  is  said  to  be  more  plumbeous  above  and  much  whiter  below 
than  the  preceding.  No  differences  can  be  found  in  the  eggs  of  the  two  varieties 
and  the  nesting  habits  are  the  same. 

737.      MEXICAN  CHICKADEE.     Penthestes  sclateri. 

Range.— Mountains  of  western  Mexico  north  to  southern  Arizona. 

This  species  has  the  black  more  extended  on  the  throat  and  the  under  parts 
are  grayish  of  a  lighter  shade  than  the  upper,  the  cheeks,  however,  remaining 
white.  Their  nests  are  in  hollow  stubs  and  the  eggs  are  indistinguishable  from 
those  of  the  foregoing  Chickadees. 


738.      MOUNTAIN  CHICKADEE.     Penthestes  gambeli  gambeli.    • 

Range. — Rocky   Mountain   region  and   west  to  the   Pacific;    north  to   British 
Columbia  chiefly  in  higher  ranges. 

This    handsome    little    Titmouse    has    a    white    superciliary 
line,    leaving    a    black    stripe    through    the    eye.      Their    habits 
are  like   those   of  the   other   Chickadees   and   they   are    equally 
confiding  and  inquisitive.     Their  eggs  range  from  five  to  eight      ^v::,»  ; 
in   number  and  are   either  pure  white  or  faintly  marked   with 
reddish    brown;    size    .60    x    .45.      Data. — Estes    Park,    Colorado, 
June    8,    1803.     Nest   in    an   old    Sapsucker's   hole   in   a   live   as-          \viiite 
pen  tree,  28  feet  from  the  ground;  cavity  lined  with  hair  and  fur. 

435 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


739-     ALASKA  CHICKADEE. 
ctus  alascensis. 


Penthestes  cin- 


Range. — Northern  Alaska  and  eastern  Si- 
beria. 

This  bird,  which  is  most  like  the  Hudsonian 
Chickadee,  nests  in  the  usual  manner  and  its 
eggs  are  like  those  of  the  common  Chickadee 
of  the  east. 

74-0.     HUDSONIAN  CHICKADEE.     Penthestes 
hudsonicus  hudsonicus. 

Range. — Western  half  of  British  America. 
These  brown  capped  Chickadees 
m.  are  very  abundant  throughout  the 

Jy  \^V  northwest  and  are  even  tamer  than 

our  United  States  varieties.  They 
usually  make  their  nests  at  low  ele- 
vations in  dead  and  decayed  stumps 
and  line  the  bottom  of  the  cavity, 
which  varies  from  three  to  eight  inches  in 
depth,  with  moss  and  fur.  Their  eggs,  which 
they  lay  in  May,  June  or  July,  are  white,  specked  with  reddish  brown  and 
cannot  with  any  certainty  be  distinguished  from  those  of  the  Black-capped 
Chickadees,  the  eggs  of  all  the  species  showing  considerable  variations;  size 
.60  x  .45. 


White 


Hudsonian    Chickadee 


740a.     ACADIAN  CHICKADEE.     Penthestes  hudsonicus  littoralis. 

Range. — Kowak  River,  northwest  Alaska. 

A  larger  and  grayer  form  of  the  last  species;  nesting  habits  and  eggs  not 
differing. 

740b.     COLUMBIAN  CHICKADEE.     Penthestes  hudsonicus  columbianus. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountains  from  northern  United  States  to  Alaska. 
Like  nudsonicus  but  with  the  crown  slaty  instead  of  brownish.    No  difference 
can  be  distinguished  either  in  their  habits  or  eggs. 

740c.     CANADIAN  CHICKADEE.     Penthestes  hudsonicus  littoralis. 

Range. — Eastern  half  of  Canada  and  northern  New  England  and  New  York. 

These  birds  were  formerly  hudsonicus  in  company  with  the  western  ones,  but 
they  are  now  supposed  to  be  a  trifle  smaller  and  with  the  crown  duller;  this 
division  does  not  affect  the  similarity  of  their  habits  and  eggs. 


PERCHING   BIRDS 

741.      CHESTNUT-BACKED  CHICKADEE.     Penthestes  rufescens  rufescens. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  Oregon  to  Alaska. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  Hudsonian  in  having  a 
brown  crown  and  black  throat,  but  has  in  addition,  a  chest- 
nut colored  back  and  sides.  They  breed  locally  in  Oregon, 
more  commonly  in  Washington  and  are  abundant  in  British 
Columbia,  making  the  nests  of  animal  fur  in  holes  in  dead 
stubs.  Their  eggs  vary  in  number  from  five  to  eight  and  are 
creamy  white,  dotted  with  reddish;  size  .60  x  .45.  Data. — Dayton,  Oregon, 
May  28,  1806.  Nest  of  hair  and  fur  in  willow  stub,  10  feet  up. 

74 la.      CALIFORNIA  CHICKADEE.     Penthestes  rufescens  neglectus. 

Range. — Coast  regions  of  California. 

This  variety  is  not  as  rufous  on  the  sides  as  the  more  northern  one.  Its  habits 
and  eggs  are  the  same. 

741b.      BARLOW'S  CHICKADEE.      Penthestes  rufescens  barlowi 

Range. — About  Monterey  Bay,  California. 

This  variety  is  said  to  have  no  rusty  on  the  flanks.  Its  habits  and  eggs  are 
like  those  of  the  others. 

742a.     PALLID  WREN-TIT.      Chamcea  fasciata  henshawi 

Range. — Interior  of  California  from  Lower  California  to  the  Sacramento 
Valley. 

This  duller  colored  variety  has  the  same  nesting  habits  and  similar  eggs  to 
those  of  the  Coast  Wren-tit. 

742b.     COAST  WREN-TIT.     Chamcea  fasciata  fasciata. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  southern  California  north  to  Oregon. 

These  peculiar  brownish  gray  colored  birds  frequent  the  tan- 
gled underbrush  of  ravines  and  mountain  sides  where  they  lead 
the  life  of  a  recluse.  They  nest  at  low  elevations  in  the  densest 
thickets,  making  them  of  twigs,  strips  of  bark,  grasses  and 
feathers,  compactly  woven  together  and  located  in  bushes  from 
one  to  four  feet  from  the  ground.  They  lay  from  three  to  five 
plain,  unmarked,  pure  white  eggs;  size  .75  x  .54.  Data. — 
Wrights,  Cal.  Nest  in  a  tangle  of  vines  in  a  deep  ravine;  com- 
posed of  strips  of  bark,  moss  and  grasses,  lined  with  cattle  hair;  a  bulky  nest. 

743.      BusH-TiT.     Psaltriparus  minimus  minimus. 

Range. — Pacific    coast   of   northern    California,    Oregon    and    Washington. 

These   diminutive   little   birds   build    nests   that   are   marvels    of 
architecture,    making   long    purse-like    structures,    suspended    from 
twigs  usually  at  low  elevations  from  the  ground.     The  nests  are 
made  of  moss,  lichens,   fibres,   ferns    and  grasses   and  lined   with 
feathers  or  wool;   the  opening  is  on  one  side  near  the  top,  and  a 
typical  nest  averages  12  inches  in  length,  by  4.5  inches  in  diameter 
at  the  bottom  and  3  at  the  top.     Their  eggs  number  from  four  to 
nine  and  are  pure  white;  size  .54  x  .40.    The  birds  are  very  active  and  have  the 
same  habits  as  the  Chickadees,  being  seen  often  suspended,  head  downward, 
from  the  ends  of  twigs,  in  their  search  for  insects. 

437 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 

743a.      CALIFORNIA  BusH-TiT.     Psaltriparus  minimus  calif  ornicus. 

Range. — California  with  the  exception  of  the  northern  part. 

This  sub-species,  which  is  like  the  last  but  with  a  lighter  brown  head,  has 
the  same  habits,  nests  in  the  same  manner  and  its  eggs  are  not  distinguishable 
from  those  of  the  others. 

743b.      GRINDA'S  BusH-TiT.     Psaltriparus  minimus  grindce. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 

The  nesting  habits  of  this  variety, 
which  is  very  similar  to  the  last,  do 
not  vary  in  any  respect;  eggs  indis- 
tinguishable. 


744.  LEAD-COLORED  BUSH-TIT. 

Psaltriparus  plumbeus. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountain  region 
from  Wyoming  south  to  Arizona. 

This  species  suspends  its  semi-pen- 
sile nests  in  bushes  or  trees,  and  some 
times  from  the  mistletoe,  which  grows 
on  numerous  trees  in  southern  Ari- 
zona. The  nests  are  composed  like 
those  of  the  Cal.  Bush-Tit  and  range 
from  6  to  10  inches  in  length.  The 
eggs  are  white,  five  or  six  in  number 
and  measure  .55  x  .42. 

745.  LLOYD'S   BUSH-TIT.     Psaltri- 
parus  melanotis  lloydi. 

Range. — Northern  Mexico  north  into 
western  Texas  and  New  Mexico. 

This  species  is  similar  to  the  lead- 
colored  Bush-Tit  but  has  the  ear  cov- 
erts glossy  black.  Like  the  others,  it 
builds  a  long  pensile  nest  of  similar 
material  and  suspended  from  .the 
extremities  of  limbs  near  the  ground 
The  five  to  seven  eggs  are  pure  white. 
Size  .58  x  .42. 


E.  L.  Bickford 
BUSH-TIT  AND  NEST 


438 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


746.      VERDIN.     Auriparus  ftaviceps  ftaviceps 


Range. — Mexican  border  of  the  United  States, 
north  to   Colorado  and  Nevada. 

This  Bush-Tit  has  a  bright  yellow  head  and 
throat,    the    upper    parts    being    gray   and    the 
belly,  white.     They  are  abundant  in  chaparral 
brush,    locally   throughout    their 
range.       Their     large     globular 
nests  are  situated  in  bushes  at 
low  elevations  from  the  ground, 
and    are    made    of    twigs     and 
(,  weeds,  softly  lined  with  fur  and 

feathers.  Their  three  to  six  eggs 
are  pale  greenish  blue,  specked  and  dotted 
with  reddish  brown.  Size  .58  x  .44.  Data.— 
Brownsville,  Texas,  May  8,  1894.  Large  nest 
of  sticks  and  thorns,  lined  with  hair  and 
feathers,  and  located  in  a  bush  in  brush  thicket, 
8  feet  from  the  ground. 


Verdin 


746'a.      CAPE  VERDIN.      Auriparus  ftaviceps    lamprocephalus. 

Range. — Lower  California. 

This  new  sub-species  is  said  to  have  shorter  wings  and  tail,  and  also  to  be 
brighter  yellow  on  the  head.  Its  habits  and  eggs  will  not  differ  from  those  of 
the  common  Verdin  or  Yellow-headed  Bush-Tit. 


747. 


WARBLERS,  KINGLETS  and  GNATCATCHERS. 
Family  SYLVIID/C 

KENNICOTT'S  WILLOW  WARBLER.     Acanthopneuste  borealis. 


Range. — Asia,  casually  found  in  Alaska. 

This  species  breeds  in  the  extreme  northern  parts  of  Asia,  and 
I  believe  its  eggs  have  never  been  found  on  this  continent.  They 
build  their  nests  of  moss  and  grasses,  on  the  ground  in  open 
woods,  concealing  them  under  tufts  of  grass  or  tussocks  of  earth. 
The  three  to  five  eggs  are  white,  spotted  with  pale  reddish  brown. 
Size  .70  x  .50. 

748.      GOLDEN-CROWNED  KINGLET.      Regulus  satrapa  satrapa. 

Range. — North  America,   breeding  from   northern   United   States   northward, 

and  south  in  the  Rockies  to  Mexico,  and  in  the  Alleghanies  to  the  Carolinas; 

winters  throughout  the  United  States. 

This  rugged  little  fellow  appears  to  be  perfectly  content  in  our 
northern  states  even  during  the  most  severe  winters  and  leaves 
us  early  in  the  spring  for  his  breeding  grounds  farther  north. 
They  are  usually  found  in  company  with  Chickadees  and,  like 
them,  may  be  seen  hanging  to  twigs  in  all  sorts  of  positions  as 
Grav  thev  search  for  their  meagre  fare.  Their  nests  are  large,  round 

structures   of  green   moss,    bark   strips   and   fine   rootlets,   very 

thickly  lined  with  soft  feathers;  these  are  placed  in  forks  or  partially  suspended 

among  the  branches  of  spruce  trees,  usually  high  above  the  ground.     During 

June  they  lay  from  five  to  ten  eggs  of  a  dull  whitish  or  grayish  color,  spotted 

heavily  with  pale  brown  and  lilac.    Size  .55  x  .42, 


THE   BIRD  BOOK 


748a.    WESTERN  GOLDEN-CROWNED  KING- 
LET.    Regulas  satrapa  olivaceus. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  southern  Califor- 
nia to  Alaska. 

This  variety  is  said  to  be  brighter  colored 
than  the  last;  its  habits  and  eggs  are  the  same 
in  all  particulars. 

749.      RUBY-CROWNED  KINGLET.     Regulus 
calendula  calendula. 

Range — North  America,  breed- 
ing from  the  northern  border  of 
the  United  States  northward, 
and  farther  south  in  mountain 
ranges;  winters  in  southern 
United  States. 

This  little  bird  is  of  the  size 
of  the  Golden-crowned  Kinglet 
long)  and  has  a  partially  concealed  patch  of 
red  on  the  crown,  not  bordered  by  black  and 
yellow  as  is  the  last  species.  Their  nests  are 
similar  in  construction  to  those  of  the  last  species  and  are  situated  in  coniferous 
trees  at  any  altitude  from  the  ground.  Their  four  to  nine  eggs  are  creamy 
white,  finely  specked  with  reddish  brown.  Size  .56  x  .44. 


White 
(4.25    inches 


Golden-crowned    Kinglets 


C.  A.  Smith 

NEST  AND   EGGS   OF   BLUE-GRAY  GNATCATCHER 
440 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


74<9a.      SITKA  KINGLET.     Regulas  calendula 
grinnelli. 

Range. — Pacific  coast,  breeding  in  Alaska. 
Said  to   be  brighter  than  the  preceding  va 
riety. 

749b.      DUSKY  KINGLET.     Regulus  calendula 
obscurus. 

Range. — Guadalupe  Island,  Lower  California. 

This  species  nests  during  March  in  the  large 
cypress  and  pine  groves  at  high  elevations 
above  the  ground.  The  nests  are  similar  in 
construction  to  those  of  the  common  Ruby- 
crown,  and  the  eggs  are  scarcely  different  from 
some  specimens  of  that  species;  white,  dotted 
and  wreathed  with  reddish  brown.  Size  .56 
x  .43. 

751.     BLUE-GRAY  GNATCATCHER. 
Polioptila  ccerulea  ccerulea. 


Ruby-crowned    Kinglet 


Range. — United  States,  east  of  the  Rockies,  breeding  from  the  Gulf  to  the 
Middle  and  Central  States;  casually  north  to  Massachusetts  and  Minnesota. 

These  graceful  birds  are  bluish  gray  above  with  a  black  forehead  and  central 
tail  feathers,  and  white  underparts.     They  are  common  in  wooded  districts  in 
the  south,  where  they  saddle  their  beautiful  nests  upon  horizontal  branches  or 
in  crotches  usually  at  quite  an  elevation  from  the  ground;  they 
resemble  large  Ruby-throated  Hummers'  nests  but  the  walls  are         jfr  V-V-. 
much  higher   and  thicker;    they  are  made  of  plant   fibres   and         ^f%T 
down,  lined  with  cottony  substances  and  hair,  and  covered  on        tt^'-v'-.,  ', 
the  outside  with  lichens   to  match  the   limb  upon   which  it  is 


Bluish    white 


placed.    Their  eggs  are  bluish  white,  specked  with  reddish  chest- 
nut.    Size  .58  x  .45.     Data. — Chattanooga,  Tenn.,  April  30,  1900. 
Nest  of  moss,  covered  with  lichens  and  lined  with  hair  and  feathers;   20  feet 
from  the  ground  in  a  small  tree. 


75 la.      WESTERN  GNATCATCHER.     Polioptila  ccerulea  obscura. 

Range. — Western  United  States  and  Lower  California. 

The  habits  and  eggs  of  this  sub-species  are  the  same  as  those  of  the  eastern 
bird,  and  the  nests  do  not  differ  except,  perhaps,  in  less  ornamentation  of  the 
exterior. 


752.      PLUMBEOUS  GNATCATCHER.      Polioptila  plumbea. 

Range. — Mexican  boundary  from  western  Texas  to  southern  California. 

This  species  has  a  bright  shining  black  crown  and  more  black 
on  the  tail  than  the   eastern   Gnatcatcher.     They   saddle  their 
nests  upon  the  branches  of  trees  or  in  upright  forks,  usually  at  an 
elevation  of  ten  feet  or  more  from  the  ground;   the  nests  are 
made  of  plant  fibres  and  fine  bark  strips,  compactly  felted  to- 
Greenish  blue    gether,  and  with  little,  if  any,  ornamental  lichens  on  the  exterior. 
Their  eggs  are  pale  greenish  blue,  spotted  with  reddish  brown,  and  vary  from 
three  to  five  in  number.    Size  .54  x  .44. 


441 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


753.     BLACK-TAILED  GNATCATCHER. 
optila  calif ornica. 


Poli- 


Blue-gray  Gnatcatcher 


Range. — Pacific  coast  of  southern  California 
and  northern  Lower  California. 

This  bird  is  very  similar  to  the  last  but  has 
still  less  white  on  the  outer  tail  feathers.  Like 
the  last,  the  nests  of  this  spe- 
cies usually  lack  the  exterior 
covering  of  lichens,  being  made 
of  vegetable  fibres  and  plant 
down,  firmly  quilted  together  and 
saddled  on  horizontal  limbs  or  • 
placed  in  forks  of  trees  at  anyGrayish  whlte 
height  from  the  ground.  Their  eggs  are  grayish 
white,  specked  with  bright  reddish  brown. 
Size  .55  x  .44.  Data. — Escondido,  Cal.,  May  17, 
1903.  5  eggs.  Nest  on  a  large  limb  of  a  syca- 
more, 30  feet  above  ground;  made  of  weed 
fibres,  etc.,  lined  with  hair  and  fine  fibres. 


THRUSHES,  SOLITAIRES,  BLUEBIRDS,  ETC.  Family  TURDIDAE 

754.     TOWNSEND'S  SOLITAIRE.     Myadestes   townsendi. 

Range. — Western   United   States,   breeding  from  Arizona,   New   Mexico   and 

southern  California  north  to  British  Columbia. 

This  unique  species  is  of  a  uniform  brownish  gray  color,  with  a  white  eye 
ring,  narrow  bar  on  wing,  and  outer  tail  feathers,  and 
with  the  bases  of  the  primaries  rusty  colored.  It  is  a 
ground  inhabiting  bird,  feeding  upon  insects  and  berries 
in  shrubbery  and  thickets.  Their  song  is  said  to  be  liquid, 
melodious  and  often  long  continued,  equalling  that  of  any 
other  bird.  They  nest  on  the  ground  in  hollows  under 
banks  or  crevices  about  roots  of  trees  or  fallen  stumps, 
making  a  large,  loosely  constructed  pile  of  weeds  and 
trash,  hollowed  and  lined  with  rootlets.  The  three  or 
four  eggs,  which  are  laid  in  June,  are  grayish  white, 

spotted  with  pale  brown,  chiefly  or  most  abundantly  about  the  large  end.    Size 

.96  x  .70. 


Grayish   white 


755.     WOOD  THRUSH.     Hylocichla  mustelina. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from  North  Carolina  and  Kansas 
north  to  northern  United  States;  winters  south  of  our  borders. 

This  Thrush  with  his  brightly  spotted  breast  is  the  most  handsome  of  this 
group  of  musical  birds.  They  are  common  in  damp  woods 
and  thickets,  in  which  places  they  breed,  placing  their 
nests  of  straw,  leaves  and  grasses  in  low  trees  usually  be- 
tween four  and  ten  feet  from  the  ground;  their  nests  are 
often  very  rustic,  being  ornamented  by  pieces  of  paper 
and  twigs  with  dead  leaves  attached  handing  from  the 
sides  of  the  quite  bulky  structures.  During  May  or  June 
they  lay  three  or  four  greenish  blue  eggs  of  about  the 
shade  of  a  Robin's.  Size  1.05  x  .70. 


Greenish    blue 


442 


PERCHING   BIRDS 


756.     VEERY.     Hylocichla  fuscescens 
fuscescens. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  in 
the  northern  half  of  its  United  States  range 
and  in  the  southern  British  Provinces. 

The  Veery  is  very  abundantly  distributed  in 
woodland,  either  moist  or  dry,  and  nests  on 
the  ground  or  within  a  very  few  inches  of  it, 
usually  placing  its  structures  of  woven  bark 
strips  and  grasses,  in  the  midst  of  a  clump  01' 
sprouts  or  ferns.  The  three  or  four  eggs  which 
they  lay  in  May  or  June  are  bluish  green,  much 
darker  than  those  of  the  Wood  Thrush,  and 
nearly  the  color  of  those  of  the  Catbird.  Size 
.90  x  .65. 

756a.     WILLOW  THRUSH.     Hylocichla  fus- 
cescens salicicola. 

Range.— Rocky  Mountain  region,  north  tQ 
British  Columbia.  V  * 

The  nests  and  eggs  of  this  similar  bird  dp 
not  differ  from  those  of  the  last. 


Wood    Thrusl 


757.      GRAY-CHEEKED  THRUSH.     Hylocichla    alicice  alicice.  ,, 

Range. — Breeds  from  Labrador  to  Alaska;  winters  south  to  Central  America. 
The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  this  species  are  very  similar  to  those  of  the 
following  sub-species  and  the  same  description  will  answer  for  both. 


757.     BICKNELL'S  THRUSH.     Hylocichla  alicice  bicknelli. 

Range.--Breeds  in  the  Catskills,  White  Mountatins  and  Nova  Scotia. 

These  birds,  which  are  practically  identical 
with  the  preceding,  build  their  nests  at  low 
elevations  in  trees,  usually  evergreens  when 
present,  making  them  of  twigs,  moss  and  root- 
lets, lined  with  fine  grasses. 
The  eggs,  which  are  laid  dur- 
ing May  or  June,  are  pale 
greenish  blue,  spotted  and 
blotched  with  pale  brown  or 
russet.  Size  .88  x  .64.  Data. 
— Seal  Island,  Nova  Scotia, 
June  3,  1901.  Nest  of  green  Greenish  blue 
moss  and  rootlets,  in  a  spruce,  5  feet  from  the 
ground. 

758.      RUSSET-BACKED  THRUSH.     Hylocichla 
ustulata  ustulata. 

Range. — Pacific    coast,    breeding    in    Oregon 
and  Alaska;   winters  in   Central  America. 

This    species    is    very    abundant    in    moist 
thickets  throughout  its  range,  nesting  in  bushes 
Wilson's  Thrush  and    low    trees,    and    making    them    of    weed 

443 


WOOD   TH 


PERCHING    BIRDS 


stalks,  bark  strips,  grasses  and  moss,  lined 
with  fine  black  rootlets.  They  are  found  ar 
elevations  of  from  two  to  ten  feet  above  the 
ground.  Like  the  Wood  Thrush  the  birds  are 
tame  while  sitting  on  the  nest  and  will  allow  a 
very  close  approach,  without  taking  alarm; 
nests  are  frequently  found  which  are  made  al- 
most entirely  out  of  green 
moss  and  are  very  handsome 
structures.  Their  three  to 
five  eggs  are  laid  in  May  or 
June;  they  are  greenish  blue, 
spotted  with  brown  of  vary- 
ing shades.  Size  .92  x  .65. 
Data. — Eureka,  California,  Greenish  blue 
July  6,  1899.  Nest  in  a  fir  tree,  5  feet  from  the 
ground;  made  of  moss  and  strips  of  redwood 
bark.  4  eggs. 


758a.     OLIVE-BACKED  THRUSH.     Hylocichla 

srvainsoni. 

Gray  -cheeked  Thrush 

Range.-Eastern    North    America,    breeding  Olive-backed  Thrush 

chiefly  north  of  the  United  States,  but.  locally  in  the  northern  parts,  and  abund- 
antly in  mountain  ranges. 

The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  this  eastern  representative  of  the  last  species 
are  like  those  of  that  bird  in  all  respects  and  the  eggs  cannot  be  distinguished 
from  those  of  ustulatus. 


758b.     OLIVE-BACKED  THRUSH.     Hylocichla  cedica 

Range. — California  and  southern  Oregon. 

Nesting  habits  and  eggs  identical  with  those  of  ustulatus. 


759.     ALASKA  HERMIT  THRUSH.     Hylocichla  guttata  guttata. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  British  Columbia  to  Alaska.  Winters  in  Mexico. 
The  Hermit  Thrushes  can  readily  be  identified  from  any  other  by  the  reddish 
brown  tail  which  is  in  marked  contract  to  the  color  of  the  back.  The  nesting 
habits  and  eggs  of  this  species  are  precisely  like  those  of  the  eastern  Hermit 
Thrush,  which  is  a  sub-species  of  this. 

75Qa.      AUDUBON'S    HERMIT  THRUSH.      Hylocichla  guttata  auduboni. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountain  region  of  the  United  States.  Winters  in  Central 
America. 

The  nesting  habits  of  this  bird  are  like  those  of  the  next  except  that  it  more 
frequently  nests  in  bushes  above  the  ground.  The  eggs  are  not  distinctive. 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


75pb.      HERMIT  THRUSH.     Hylocichla  guttata 
pallasi. 

Range. — Eastern  North  America,  breeding  in 
northern  United  States  and  north  to  Labrador; 
winters  in  southern  United  States. 

This  species,  which  is  noted  for  its  weet  and 
musical  song,  frequents  damp  swamps  and 
thickets  where  it  builds  its  nest  either  on  the 
ground  or  near  it,  like  that  of  the  Wilson 
Thrush;  it  is  made  of  shreds 
of  bark,  grasses,  leaves  and 
rootlets,  lined  with  fine  root- 
lets; the  three  or  four  eggs, 
which  are  deposited  in  May 
or  June,  are  bluish  green  and 
cannot,  with  certainty,  be 
distinguished  from  those  of 
the  Veery;  size  .85  x  .65. 


Bluish   green 


759c.     DWARF  HERMIT  THRUSH.     Hylocichla 
Hermit  Thrush  gut  tat  a  nanus. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  of  United  States,  from  Washington,  southward. 
The  nesting  habits  and  eggs  of  this  slightly  smaller  and  duller  colored  variety 
are  like  those  of  the  other  Hermit  Thrushes. 


[760.]      RED-WINGED  THRUSH.      Turdus  musicus. 

Range. — An  Old  World  species,  accidentally  straying  to  Greenland. 
This  common  European  bird  nests  at  low  elevations  in  bushes  or  trees,  laying 
four  or  five  bluish  green  eggs,  spotted  with  reddish  brown;  size  1.05  x  .75. 

761.      ROBIN.     Planesticus  migratorius 

migratorius. 

Range. — North  America  east  of  the  Rockies, 
breeding  from  the  middle  portions  of  the  United 
States,  north  to  the  Arctic  Ocean. 

These  common  birds    nest    in    trees    about 

houses,  in  orchards,  open  woods,  in  corners  of 

fences,   on  blinds   on   houses,   and   in  fact   al- 

most  every  conceivable 

^^  ^\          position.      Their    nests 

jf  ^k      are    made    of    grasses, 

m&  2»     firmly  cemented  togeth- 

mj     er  with  mud  and  lined 
•f      with    finer    grasses; 
N^H  when    placed    in    trees 

they  are  generally  firm- 
Greenish  blue  ly  saddled  in  crotches 
and  may  be  found  at  any  height,  from  on  the 
ground  to  sixty  feet  above  it.  Their  eggs  are 
greenish  blue;  size  1.15  x  .80.  Eggs  may  be 
found  at  any  time  from  May  until  July  or 
August  as  they  raise  several  broods  a  season.  American  Robin 


446 


PERCHING    BIRDS 

76 Ib.      SOUTHERN  ROBIN.     Planesticus  migra- 
torius  achrusterus. 

Range. — The  Carolinas  and  Georgia. 

The  eggs  of  this  bird,  which  is  said  to  be  smaller  and  duller  colored  than  the 
northern  variety,  show  no  differences  in  any  respect. 

76*2.      SAN  LUCAS  ROBIN.     Planesticus  con- 
finis. 

Range. — Southern  Lower  California. 

This  is  a  very  much  paler  form  of  the  American  Robin;   its  eggs  probably 
will  not  differ  from  those  of  the  others. 


J.  B.  Pardoe 
NEST   AND    EGGS    OP    ROBlN 


441 


THE   BIRD   BOOK 


Wheatear 


763.     VARIED  THRUSH.     Ixoreus  ncevius 
ncevius. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  northern  Califor- 
nia to  Alaska;  south  to  Mexico  in  winter. 

These  handsome  birds  breed  abundantly  in 
Alaska  and  locally  in  mountain  ranges  south 
to  northern  California.  They  nest  at  low  ele- 
vations in  trees,  making 
them  of  moss,  twigs, 
weeds  and  grasses, 
forming  a  flat  shallow 
structure.  Their  eggs 
are  greenish  blue  sharp- 
ly but  sparingly  spotted 
with  dark  brown;  size 
1.12  x  .80.  Data.— Delta  Greenish  blue 

of  Kowak  River,  Alaska,  June  11,  1899.  Four 
eggs.  Nest  12  feet  from  the  ground,  against 
the  trunk  of  a  slender  spruce  and  supported 
by  a  clump  of  stiff  twigs. 


763a.     NORTHERN  VARIED  THRUSH.     Ixoreus   ncevius  meruloides. 

Range.— Interior  of  western  North  America,  breeding  from  British  Columbia 
to  Alaska.    Its  habits  and  eggs  do  not  differ  from  those  of  the  last. 

[764].     SIBERIAN  RED-SPOTTED  BLUETHROAT.     Cyanosy  I  via  suecica 
robusta. 

Range. — Northern  Asia;   casually  to  Alaska. 

This  beautiful  foreigner  nests  on  the  ground  and  lays  four  to  six  greenish  blue 
eggs,  spotted  with  reddish  brown;  size  .75  x  .50. 

765.     WHEATEAR.     Saxicola  cenanthe  cenanthe. 

Range. — Asia;  casual  in  Alaska  in  summer;  nesting  habits  and  eggs  like  the 
next. 


765a.     GREENLAND  WHEATEAR.       Saxicola 
cenanthe  leucorhoa. 

Range. — Europe  and  Greenland ;  casual  on  the  Atlantic  coast 
of  North  America. 

This  very  abundant  Old  World  species  is  a  common  breed- 
ing bird  in  Greenland  and  probably  also  in  Labrador.     They  j 
nest  in  crevices  of  quarries,  holes  in  the  ground,  or  stone 
walls,  making  a  rude  nest  of  weeds,  moss  or^  grasses,  lined 
with  hair  or  feathers,  and  during  May  lay  from  four  to  six       .             . 
pale  greenish  blue  eggs;   size  .90  x  .60. 

448 


BLUEBIRD 


THE  BIRD  BOOK 


766.     BLUEBIRD.     Sialia  sialis  sialis. 

Range. — Eastern  United  States,  breeding  from  the  Gulf  to  southern  Canada. 
Winters  in  the  southern  half  of  the  United  States. 

These  familiar  birds  build  in  cavities  in  trees, 
usually  below  20  feet  from  the  ground,  crev- 
ices among  ledges,  bird  boxes  and  in  any  suit- 
able nook  they  may  discover  about  buildings, 
providing  that  English  Sparrows  do  not  molest 
them.      They    raise     several 
broods  a  year,  commencing  in 

W  April  when  they  lay  from 
three  to  six  pale  bluish  white 
eggs  (rarely  pure  white) ; 
size  .80  x  .60.  The  cavities 
of  their  nesting  sites  are  lined 
Bluish  white  with  grasses  and  feathers 

usually,   although    I   have   found   the   eggs   on 
the  unlined  bottom  of  cavities  in  trees. 


766a.     AZURE   BLUEBIRD.     Sialia  sialis 
fulva. 

Range. — This  pale  variety  is  found  in  south- 
ern Arizona  and  southward. 

Its  nesting  habits  are  the  same  and  the  eggs 
are  indistinguishable  from  the  last. 


Bluebird 


767.     WESTERN   BLUEBIRD.     Sialia   mexicana  occidentalis. 

Range. — Pacific  coast  from  Lower  California  to  British  Columbia. 

The  Western  Bluebird  is  as  common  and  familiar  in  its  range  as  the  common 
Bluebird  is  in  the  east.  It  nests  in  similar  locations  and  its  eggs  are  scarcely 
distinguishable,  although  averaging  a  trifle  darker  in  shade;  size  .80  x  .60. 

767a.      CHESTNUT-BACKED  BLUEBIRD.     Sialia  mexicana  bairdi. 

Range. — Rocky  Mountain  region  from  Mexico  to  Wyoming. 
The  nesting  habits  or  eggs  of  this  brighter  colored  bird  do  not  differ  from 
those  of  the  last  species. 


767b.      SAN  PEDRO  BLUEBIRD.     Sialia  mexicana  anabelce. 

Range. — San  Pedro  Martir  Mountains  in  Lower  California. 
The  eggs  of  this  variety  will  not  in  all  probability  be  any  different  from  those 
of  the  preceding  Bluebirds. 

768.      MOUNTAIN  BLUEBIRD.     Sialia  currucoides. 

Range.— Rocky  Mountatin  region,  breeding  from  New  Mexico  north  to  Great 
Slave  Lake;  winters  in  southwestern  United  States  and  Mexico. 

This  azure  blue  species  is  common  in  the  greater  part  of  its  range  and  is  found 
west  to  the  Sierra  Nevadas  in  California.  Like  the  eastern  Bluebird  they  nest 
in  holes  in  trees  or  anywhere  that  they  can  find  a  suitable  cavity  or  crevice. 
Their  eggs  are  slightly  larger  than  those  of  the  other  Bluebirds  and  have  a 
slight_.greenish  tint;  size  .85  x  .64. 

450 


INDEX 


Acanthis   hornemanni 328 

exilipes 328 

linaria 329 

"      holboeli 329 

rostrata    329 

Acanthopneuste    borealis 430 

Accipiter    cooperi 205 

velox  204 

Actitis   macularia 158 

^Echmophorus  occidentalis 11 

^egialitis  dubia 166 

hiaticula    166 

meloda   166 

mongola  167 

nivosa 167 

semipalmata  165 

Aeronautes  melanoleucus 270 

^Estrelata  fisheri    67 

hasitata    67 

scalaris   67 

Aethia  cristatella 25 

pygmaea    25 

pusilla    26 

Agelaius  gubernator  californicus . .   317 

phoeniceus   316 

bryanti   316 

caurinus     316 

"  floridanus    316 

fortis 316 

neutralis    316 

sonoriensis    316 

tricolor    317 

Aimophila    carpalis 353 

ruficeps    353 

eremceca     353 

scotti    353 

sororia    353 

Aix  sponsa 95 

Ajaja  ajaja 115 

Alauda    arvensis 297 

Alaudidae    297 

Albatross,    Black-footed 59 

Laysan    60 

Short-tailed    59 

Sooty    60 

Yellow-nosed    60 

Alca  torda 31 

Alcedinidae     247 

Alcidae    21 

Alle  alle 34 

Aluconidae    227 

Alucopratincola    227 


Amzilis  cerviniventris  chalconota.   279 

tzacatl    278 

Ammodramus   bairdi 338 

savannarum  australis 338 

bimaculatus    338 

floridanus    340 

Amphispiza  belli 351 

nevadensis    cinerea 252 

nevadensis    352 

bilineata   bilineata 351 

deserticola    351 

Anas   platyrhynchos 88 

fulvigula  fulvigula 90 

maculosa    91 

rubripes    90 

Anatidae    87 

Anhinga   77 

anhinga    77 

Anhingidae    77 

Ani   241 

Grove-billed    243 

Anous    stolidus 57 

Anser  albif rons  albifrons 108 

gambeli    108 

fabalis    108 

Anseres    87 

Anthus  cervinus 419 

pratensis    418 

rubescens 418 

spraguei     419 

Antrostomus    carolinensis 263 

vociferus    vocif erus 263 

"         macromystax    264 

Aphelocoma  californica  californica  307 

Aphelocoma  californica  hypoleuca  307 

obscura    .   307 

cyanea    306 

cyanotis   307 

insularis     307 

sieberi  arizonae    307 

couchi     308 

texana    307 

woodhousei   306 

Aphriza  virgata  169 

Aphrizidae    169 

Aquila    chrysaetos 215 

Aramidae    129 

Aramus     vociferus 129 

Archibuteo    ferrugineus 215 

lagopus    sancti-johannis 214 

Archilochus   alexandri 273 

colubris    273 


451 


INDEX 


Arctonetta   fischeri    102 

Ardea  cinerea 122 

herodias     121 

fannini   121 

wardi    122 

occidentalis    121 

Ardeidse   119 

Arenaria  interpres  interpres 169 

melanocephala    170 

morinella    169 

Arquatella  maritima  couesi 146 

ptilocnemis     147 

maritima    maritima 146 

Arremonops   rufivirgatus 357 

Asio    accipitrinus 229 

"     flammeus     229 

"     wilsonianus    227 

Astragalinus  lawrencei 331 

psaltria   psaltria 331 

tristis  tristis 329 

pallidus 331 

"        salicamans    331 

Astur  atricapillus  atricapillus 205 

striatulus 207 

Asturina  plagiata 214 

Asyndesmus  lewisi 257 

Atthis  morcomi 278 

Auk,   Great 33-32 

Razor-billed 31 

Auklet,  Cassin's 24 

Crested 26 

Least   27 

Paroquet    26 

Rhinoceros    23 

Whiskered    26 

Auriparus  flaviceps  flaviceps 439 

"         lamprocephalus  439 

Avocet    139 

Baeolophus  atricristatus  atricrista- 

tus   433 

bicolor    433 

inornatus  inornatus 434 

"         cineraceus     434 

"         griseus    434 

wollweberi    434 

Baldpate    92 

Bartramia  longicauda 156 

Basilinna  leucotis  279 

xantusi  279 

Becard,  Xantus's 280 

Bittern   119 

Cory's  Least  120 

Least    120 

Blackbird,  Bicolored    317 

Brewer's    322 

Red-winged   316 

Rusty 322 


Tricolored 317 

Yellow-headed    315 

Bluebird     448 

Azure    448 

Chestnut-backed    450 

Mountain  450 

San  Pedro  450 

Western 450 

Bluethroat  Siberian  Red-spotted . .  448 

Bobolink    314 

Bob-white    175 

Florida   175 

Masked 175 

Texan  175 

Bombycilla  cedrorum   375 

garrula 375 

Bombycillidse    375 

Bonasa  umbellus  umbellus 180 

sabini   182 

togata  182 

umbelloides     ...   182 

Booby   75 

Blue-faced   74 

Blue-footed    74 

Brewster's     75 

Red-footed 75 

Botaurus  lentiginosus  t 119 

Brachyramphus  brevirostris  27 

craveri's 28 

hypoleucus    27 

marmoratus    27 

Brant    Ill 

Black    Ill 

Branta  bernicla  glaucogastra Ill 

canadensis  canadensis   109 

hutchinsi    109 

minima     109 

occidentalis     109 

leucopsis    112 

Branta  nigricans  Ill 

Bubo  virginianus  virginianus 235 

elachistus    237 

pacificus 235 

pallescens    235 

"          saturatus     235 

subarticus    235 

Budytes  flavus  alascensis 418 

Buffle-head 100 

Bullfinch,  Cassin's    325 

Bulweria  bulweri   67 

Bunting,  Beautiful   367 

Indigo     366 

Lark    369 

Lazuli 366 

McKay's  Snow 333 

Painted    367 

Pribilof  Snow    332 


452 


INDEX 


Snow     332 

Varied    367 

Bush-Tit 437 

California    438 

Grinda's     438 

Lead-colored  438 

Lloyd's    438 

Buteo  abbreviatus    211 

albicaudatus   sennetti   212 

borealis  borealis   208 

calurus   20£ 

harlani   20? 

krideri    208 

brachyurus    213 

lineatus  lineatus  209 

alleni 209 

elegans   211 

platypterus    213 

swainsoni    212 

Buteonidae   201 

Butorides  virescens  virescens. . . .   124 
"         anthonyi    ....   125 

frazari    125 

Buzzard,  Turkey   199 

Calamospiza  melanocorys    369 

Calcarius  lapponicus  lapponicus..   333 
alascensis    . .   333 

ornatus     334 

pictus    334 

Calidris    leucophaea    151 

Callichelidon  cyaneoviridis   374 

Callothrus  robustus   

Callipepla  squamata  squamata.  . . .   176 
"         castanogastris   177 

Calothorax  lucifer    278 

Calypte  anna   275 

costae     275 

Campephilus  principalis   249 

labradorius    101 

Camptostoma  imberbe    296 

Canachites  canadensis  canadensis  179 
canace  . . .  179 
osgoodi  . .  179 

franklini     180 

Canvas-back    97 

Caprimulgidse     263 

Caracara,   Audubon    224 

Guadalupe   224 

Cardellina   rubrifrons    417 

Cardinal     363 

Arizona    363 

Florida    364 

Gray-tailed    364 

San  Lucas  363 

Cardinalis  cardinalis  cardinalis . . .   363 

canicaudus    364 

floridanus     ,  .   364 


Cardinalis  igneus   363 

"        superbus    363 

Carpodacus  amplus    326 

cassini    326 

mcgregori    326 

mexicanus  dementis   326 

frontalis     326 

ruberrimus 326 

purpureus    purpureus    325 

californicus     325 

Casarca  ferruginea 93 

Catbird  420 

Catharista  urubu    199 

Cathartes  aura  septentrionalis 199 

Cathartidae    198 

Catherpes  mexicanus  albif rons . . .  424 
conspersus.    425 
punctulatus    425 
Catoptrophorus  semipalmatus  sem- 

ipalmatus     155 

semipalmatus  inornatus ......   156 

Centrocercus  urophasianus   188 

Centurus   aurifrons    258 

carolinus    257 

uropygialis 258 

Cepphus  columba  29 

grylle    28 

mandti    29 

Cerorhinca  monocerata 23 

Certhia  familiaris  albescens 430 

americana    ....  430 

montana     430 

Certhia   familiaris   occidentalis . . .   430 

zelotes   430 

Certhiidse     430 

Ceryle  alcyon 247 

americana  septentrionalis....   249 

torquata   247 

Chachalaca    191 

Chsemepelia   passerina   terrestris.    195 

pallescens.    195 

"          bermudiana  195 

Chaetura  pelagica   269 

vauxi     270 

Chamaea  fasciata  fasciata 437 

henshawi   437 

Chamaethlypis  poliocephala 413 

Charadriidae    161 

Charadrius  apricarius   163 

dominicus  dominicus 163 

fulvus    163 

Charitonetta  albeola    100 

Chat,  Long-tailed    413 

Yellow-breasted     413 

Chaulelasmus  streperus   91 

Chen  caerulescens  107 

hyperboreus    hyperboreus 107 


453 


2!) 


INDEX 


Chen  hyperboreus  Nivalis 107 

rossi 108 

Chewink    358 

Chickadee    434 

Acadian 436 

Alaska    436 

Barlow's 437 

California    437 

Carolina     435 

Chestnut-backed    437 

Hudsonian     436 

Long-tailed    435 

Mexican  435 

Mountain     435 

Oregon   435 

Plumbeous     '. 435 

(  hcndestes  grammacus  grammacus  342 

strigatus    342 

Chbrdeiles  acutipennis  texensis . .  268 

virginianus    virginianus 266 

"  chapmani     266 

henryi     266 

sennetti    268 

Chuck-will's  widow 263 

Ciconiidae     118 

Cinclidae  419 

Cinclus  mexicanus  unicolor. . . . . .   419 

Circus  hudsonius    204 

Cistothorus  stellaris    428 

Clangula  clangula  americana 99 

islandica    99 

Coccyges    241 

Coccyzus  americanus  americanus   244 
occidentalis  246 

erythrophthalmus   246 

Ccereba  bahamensis  385 

Ccerebidae 385 

minor   minor    244 

"       maynardi  244 

Colaptes  auratus  auratus 258 

luteus    259 

cafer  collaris 259 

Colaptes  cafer.  saturatior 259 

chrysoides  262 

rufipileus    262 

Colinus  ridgwayi 175 

virginianus    175 

floridanus    175 

texanus    175 

Columba  fasciata  fasciata  192 

vioscae 192 

flavirostris     192 

leucocephala   192 

squamosa 192 

Columba 192 

Columba- 192 

Columbidae    192 


Colymbidse 11 

Colymbus  auritus 13 

dominicus  brachypterus   15 

holbcelli    11 

nigricollis  californicus    13 

Compsothlypis  americana  ameri- 
cana    390 

americana   usnese 390 

nigrilora    391 

Conuropsis  carolinensis   241 

Coot    136 

European     136 

Cormorant     79 

Baird's    82 

Brandt's 82 

Double-crested   79 

Farallon  81 

Florida  81 

Mexican   81 

Pelagic  82 

Red-faced     82 

Violet-green    82 

White-crested     81 

Corvidse    300 

Corvus  brachyrhynchos  brachy- 

rhynchos    312 

brachyrhynchos    pascuus 312 

corax  principalis 311 

"     sinuatus 311 

cryptoleucus   311 

ossifragus    312 

Cotingidae    280 

Cowbird   314 

Dwarf   315 

Red-eyed    315 

Cracidse 191 

Crake,    Corn     135 

Spotted     133 

Crane,  Little  Brown 127 

Sandhill   129 

Whooping    127 

Creciscus  jamaicensis 134 

coturniculus    134 

Creeper,   Brown    430 

California    430 

Mexican  430 

Rocky  Mountain   430 

Sierra   430 

Crex  Crex  135 

Crossbill    327 

Mexican     327 

White-winged  327 

Crotophaga  ani   241 

sulcirostris    243 

Crow   312 

Carrion     199 

Fish  312 


454 


INDEX 


Florida   312 

Cryptoglaux  funerea  richardsoni . .  232 

acadica  acadica  232 

scotaea     , 232 

Cuckoo,  Black-billed    246 

California    246 

Kamchatka    246 

Mangrove    244 

Maynard's    244 

Yellow-billed     244 

Cuculidae    241 

Cuculus  canorus  telephonus 246 

Curlew,   Bristle-thighed    160 

Eskimo 160 

Hudsonian     159 

Long-billed    159 

Cyanocephalus   cyanocephalus . . . .  313 

Cyanolsemus   clemencise    271 

Cyanocitta  cristata  cristata 303 

florincola   303 

stelleri  stelleri 303 

"       annectens    306 

carlottae    306 

diademata    303 

frontalis 303 

Cyanosylvia  suecica  robusta 448 

Cyanthus  latirostris 279 

Cypseloides  niger  borealis 268 

Cyrtonyx    montezumse   mearnsi...  178 

Daflla  acuta   94 

Daption  capense    67 

Darters  77 

Dendragapus  obscurus  obscurus..  178 

fuliginosus  178 

richardsoni  179 

Dendrocygna  autumnalis    113 

bicolor    113 

Dendroica  aestiva  aestiva 392 

rubiginosa     392 

sonorana    292 

auduboni  auduboni  395 

nigrifrons    395 

bryanti  castaneiceps    394 

castanea     398 

caerulea 396 

caerulescens    caerulescens 394 

cairnsi    394 

chrysoparia     402 

coronata     395 

discolor    407 

dominica  albilora    401 

dominica  dominica 401 

fusca   399 

gracise     401 

kirtlandi     404 

magnolia    396 

nigrescens   402 


occidentalis     404 

palmarum  palmarum  405 

hypochrysea   405 

pensylvanica    398 

striata    399 

tigrina    391 

townsendi    403 

vigorsi    405 

virens   403 

Dichromanassa  rufescens    123 

Dickcissel    368 

DIomedea  albatrus 59 

immutabilis     60 

nigripes    59 

Diomedeidae    59 

Dipper    419 

Dolichonyx  oryzivorus 314 

Dotterel    161 

Dove,  Bermuda  Ground 195 

Blue-headed  Quail 196 

Ground     195 

Inca  196 

Key  West  Quail   196 

Mexican  Ground   195 

Mourning     193 

Ruddy  Quail   196 

White-fronted     195 

White-winged  195 

Zenaida    194 

Dovekie    34 

Dowitcher    144 

Long-billed    145 

Dryobates  arizonse   252 

borealis    252 

nuttalli     252 

pubescens  pubescens 251 

gairdneri    251 

homorus     251 

medianus   251 

"  nelsoni    251 

turati    251 

scalaris  bairdi   252 

lucasanus     252 

villosus  villosus 250 

auduboni    250 

harrisi    250 

hyloscopus     250 

leucomelas    250 

monticola     250 

picoideus    250 

Duck,  Black    90 

Florida    90 

Harlequin    101 

Labrador    101 

Lesser  Scaup   98 

Masked     106 

Mottled       91 


455 


INDEX 


Ring-necked    , 98 

Ruddy    166 

Rufous-crested 95 

Scaup 97 

Wood 95 

Dumetella  carolinensis   420 

Dunlin    149 

Eagle,  Bald 217 

Golden    215 

Gray  Sea 217 

Northern  .Bald  217 

Ectopistes  migratorius 193 

Egret    122 

Reddish    123 

Snowy    122 

Egretta  candidissima  candidissima  122 

Eider    103 

King    104 

Northern    102 

Pacific    103 

Spectacled     102 

Steller's   102 

Elanoides  forficatus 201 

Elanus  leucurus    201 

Empidonax  difficilis  cineritius 294 

difficilis  difficilis   293 

flaviventris    293 

fulvifrons    pygmaeus    296 

griseus   296 

hammondi   295 

minimus     295 

trailli  trailli   294 

alnorum   295 

virescens   294 

wrighti  295 

Ereunetes   mauri    151 

pusillus 150 

Erismatura  jamaicensis   10G 

Erolia  ferruginea 149 

Eudromias  morinellus 161 

Eugenes   fulgens    271 

Euphagus  carolinus   322 

cyanocephalus    322 

Eurynorhynchus  pygmeus   . .   150 

Palco  aesalon    221 

columbarius  columbarius   ....   220 

suckleyi    220 

fusco-cserulescens    221 

islandus   218 

mexicanus     219 

peregrinus  anatum  220 

pealei    220 

"  peregrinus 219 

richardsoni    220 

rusticolus  rusticolus    218 

gyrfalco    218 

"        obsoletus   .  .   219 


sparverius  sparverius   222 

peninsularis 222 

phalcena    221 

sparveroides  222 

tinnunculus     221 

Falcon  Aplomado   221 

Peale's    220 

Peregrine    219 

Prairie    219 

Finch,  Aleutian  Rosy   327 

Black  Rosy  328 

Brown-capped  Rosy  328 

California  Purple   325 

Cassin's  Purple 326 

Gray-crowned  Rosy   328 

Guadalupe  House   326 

Hepburn's  Rosy 328 

House  32o 

McGregor's   House 326 

Purple    325 

San  Clemente  House 326 

San  Lucas  House  326 

Flamingo     115 

Flicker   258 

Gilded 262 

Guadalupe  262 

Northern    259 

Northwestern 259 

Red-shafted     259 

Florida  Ccerulea    124 

Flycatcher,  Acadian    294 

Alder    295 

Arizona  Crested    286 

Ash-throated 286 

Beardless     296 

Buff -breasted 296 

Coues's     291 

Crested  285 

Derby    284 

Fork-tailed    280 

Gray    296 

Hammond's     295 

Least    295 

Lower  California 287 

Flycatcher,  Mexican  Crested.   286 

Olivaceous     287 

Olive-sided    290 

San  Lucas  294 

Scissor-tailed    281 

Sulphur-bellied     285 

Traill's     294 

Vermilion    296 

Western  293 

Wright's     295 

Yellow-bellied    293 

Fratercula  arctica  arctica   22 

"       naumanni    23 


456 


INDEX 


corniculata    23 

Fregata  aquila 86 

Fregatidae    86 

Fregetta  grallaria 71 

Frigate  Bird  86 

Fringillidae    324 

Fulica  americana   136 

atra 136 

Fulmar   62 

Giant 62 

Pacific    63 

Rodgers's     63 

Slender-billed     63 

Fulmarus  glacialis  glacialis 62 

"       glupischa 63 

rodgersi   63 

Gadwall    91 

Gallinae     175 

Gallinago  delicata    143 

gallinago    140 

meda  143 

Gallinula  galeata 136 

Gallinule,  Florida   136 

Purple    135 

Gannet    76 

Gavia  adamsi  18 

arctica    18 

immer 18 

stellata     19 

pacifica     19 

Gaviidae    17 

Gelochelidon  nilotica 50 

Geococcyx  californianus  243 

beldingi    413 

trichas  arizela   412 

"       trichas    412 

"      arizela    412 

"      ignota   412 

occidentalis     412 

"       sinousa     412 

Geotrygon  chrysia    196 

montana     196 

Glaucidium  gnoma  calif ornicum ..   239 

"       gnoma     239 

hoskinsi    239 

phalaenoides    240 

Glottis    nebularia    152 

Gnatcatcher,  Black-tailed 442 

Blue-gray     441 

Plumbeous     441 

Western     441 

Godwit,  Black-tailed    152 

Hudsonian     152 

Marbled    151 

Pacific    152 

Golden-eye     99 

Barrow's    99 


Goldfinch    329 

Arkansas   331 

Black-headed    331 

Lawrence's    331 

Pale     331 

Willow    331 

Goose,  American  White-fronted. . .   108 

Barnacle    112 

Bean    108 

Blue    107 

Canada  109 

Cackling     109 

Emperor     112 

Greater  Snow 107 

Hutchins's     109 

Ross's   108 

Snow     107 

White-cheeked    109 

White-fronted     108 

Goshawk    205 

Mexican     214 

Western  207 

Grackle,  Boat-tailed  323 

Bronzed    323 

Florida   323 

Great-tailed  324 

Purple    323 

Grassquit  368 

Melodious    : .  368 

Grebe,  Eared   13 

Holbcell's     14-11 

Horned    12-13 

Least    15 

Pied-billed    16-15 

Mexican   15 

Western     11 

Greenshank 152 

Grosbeak,  Alaska  Pine 325 

Black-headed    365 

Blue     366 

California  Pine   325 

Evening   324 

Kadiak  Pine  325 

Pine    324 

Rocky  Mountain  Pine 325 

Rose-breasted    365 

Western   Blue    366 

Western  Evening 324 

Grouse    

Canada  Ruffed  182 

Columbian    Sharp-tailed 187 

Dusky   178 

Franklin's    180 

Gray  Ruffed   182 

Oregon  Ruffed  182 

Prairie  Sharp-tailed 187 

Richardson's    179 


457 


INDEX 


Ruffed  180 

Sharp-tailed  187 

Sooty  178 

Gruidae    127 

Grus  americana 127 

canadensis  127 

mexicana  129 

Guara  alba  117 

rubra  117 

Guillemot,  Black  28 

Mandt 29 

Pigeon  29 

Guiraca  caerulea 366 

lazula  366 

Gull,  Bonaparte's 48 

California 45 

Franklin's  48 

Glaucous  40 

Glaucous-winged  42 

Great  Black-backed 43 

Heerman's  46 

Herring  44 

Iceland  41 

Ivory  39 

Kittiwake 39 

Kumlien  42 

Laughing  *t 

Little  49 

Mew  46 

Nelson  42 

Pacific  Kittiwake  40 

Point  Barrow  41 

Red-legged  Kittiwake  40 

Ring-billed  45 

Ross's 49 

Sabine's  49 

Short-billed  46 

Siberian  44 

Slaty-backed  43 

Vega  45 

Western  44 

Gymnogyps  californianus 198 

Gyrfalcon  218 

Black  219 

Gray  218 

White  218 

Haematopodidae     170 

Haematopus  bachmani 171 

frazari  171 

ostralegus  170 

palliatus  170 

Haliseetus  albicilla  217 

leucocephalus  leucocephalus .  217 

"  alascanus  . . .  217 

Halocyptena,  microsoma 68 

Harelda   hyemalis    100 


Hawk,  Black  Pigeon 220 

Broad-winged   213 

Cooper's     205 

Cuban  Sparrow  222 

Desert  Sparrow 221 

Duck   220 

Florida    Red-shouldered 209 

Harlan's  209 

Harris's    207 

Krider's    208 

Marsh       204 

Mexican   Black    213 

Pigeon    220 

Red-bellied    211 

Red-shouldered    209 

Red-tailed    208 

Richardson's   Pigeon   220 

Rough-legged    214 

Sennett's    White-tailed 212 

Sharp-shinned    204 

Short-tailed  213 

Sparrow   222 

San  Lucas  Sparrow 222 

Swainson's    212 

Western    Red-tail 208 

Zone-tailed    211 

Heath  Hen    186 

Heleodytes  brunneicapillus  affinis  424 

couesi.    423 
bryanti  424 

Helinaia  swainsoni    386 

Helmitheros  vermivorus    386 

Helodromas  ochropus   155 

solitarius  solitarius    154 

"  cinnamomeus     155 

Herodias  egretta  122 

Herodiones    115 

Heron,  Anthony's  Green 125 

Black-crowned  Night 126 

European     122 

Frazar's  Green 125 

Great  Blue    121 

Great  White  121 

Green    124 

Little  Blue    124 

Louisiana    123 

Northwestern   Coast    121 

Snowy    122 

Ward's    122 

Yellow-crowned   Night    126 

Heteractitis  incanus    156 

Hesperiphona  vespertina  vesper- 

tina    324 

vespertina  montana  324 

Himantopus  mexicanus   139 

Hirundinidae    372 

Hirundo  erythrogastra   373 


458 


INDEX 


Histrionicus  histrionicus  

Honey  Creeper,  Bahama  

Hummingbird,  Allen's 

Anna's 

Black-chinned     

Blue-throated    

Broad-billed    

Broad-tailed    

Buff-bellied    

Calliope    

Costa's    

Lucifer   

Morcom's     

Reiffer's   

Rivoli's 

Ruby-throated    

Rufous    

White-eared    

Xantus's  

Hydranassa  tricolor  ruficollis. . . 
Hydrochelidon  leucoptera  

nigra  surinamensis 

Hylocichla  alicise  aliciae 

"  bicknelli  

fuscescens  fuscescens 

salicicola  

guttata  auduboni  

"  guttata  

mustelina 


nanus    

"       pallasi     

ustulata  swainsoni   

ustulata    

Ibididae    

Ibis,   Glossy    

Scarlet    

White    

White-faced  Glossy    

Wood    

Icteria  virens  virens   

longicauda     

Icteridse    

Icterus  melanocephalus  auduboni, 

bullocki    

cucullatus  nelsoni 

sennetti    

galbula   

parisorum    , 

spurius     , 

Ictinia    mississippiensis 

lonornis  martinicus   

Iridoprocne   bicolor    

Ixobrychus   exilis    

neoxenus    

Ixoreus  naevius  meruloides 

"      nsevius    

Jabiru  . 


101       Jabiru  mycteria 119 

385       Jacana,  Mexican   172 

277  spinosa  172 

275  Jacanidae  172 

273       Jaeger,  Long-tailed    37 

271               Parastic    37 

279               Pomarine     36 

276  Jay,   Alaska    309 

279               Arizona     307 

278  Belding's    307 

275  Black-headed    306 

278               Blue     303 

2*<8               Blue-eared     307 

278  Blue-fronted 303 

271               California    307 

273               Canada   308 

276  Couch's     308 

279  Florida   306 

279               Florida  Blue 303 

123               Gray    311 

57              Green    308 

56               Labrador    309 

443               Long-crested     30^ 

443               Oregon    309 

443               Pinon    313 

443               Queen  Charlotte   . , 306 

445               Rocky  Mountain    309 

445  Santa  Cruz   307 

442  Steller's    303 

446  Texas    307 

446              Woodhouse's     306 

445               Xantus's     307 

443  Junco   aikeni    348 

117  Arizona    350 

118  Baird's    351 

117              bairdi    351 

117  Carolina     350 

118  Guadalupe     351 

118  hyemalis  hyemalis   349 

413               hyemalis  carolinensis    350 

413                               mearnsi    350 

314                       '         connectens    349 

319  montanus     350 

322                       '         oreganus    349 

320  '         pinosus     349 

320  '        thurberi    349 

321  insularis     351 

320  mearnsi    

321  Montana     350 

202               Oregon    349 

135               phaeonotus  dorsalis 350 

373                      "            palliatus     350 

120              Pink-sided    350 

120              Point  Pinos    349 

448              Red-backed    350 

448              Shufeldt's    349 

119  Slate-colored    349 


459 


INDEX 


Thurber's     349 

Townsend's 350 

townsendi's     350 

White-winged  348 

Kestrel  221 

Killdeer    165 

Kingbird    281 

Arkansas   283 

Cassin's    284 

Couch's 283 

Gray    283 

Kingfisher,  Belted    247 

Ringed    247 

Texas    249 

Kinglet,  Dusky   441 

Golden-crowned   439 

Ruby-crowned    440 

Sitka     441 

Western  Golden  crowned ....   440 

Kite,  Everglade  202 

Mississippi    202 

'Swallow-tailed   201 

White-tailed    201 

Kittiwake    39 

Kittiwake,  Pacific 40 

Red-legged    40 

Knot   146 

Lagopus  evermanni  184 

lagopus  lagopus    183 

alleni   183 

leucurus  leucurus  185 

"        peninsularis    185 

rupestris    183 

atkhensis 184 

nelsoni   184 

"        reinhardi   184 

"        townsendi    184 

welchi     184 

Laniidae    376 

Lanius  borealis 376 

ludovicianus  ludovicianus 376 

anthonyi    376 

excubitorides    378 

"        gambeli    378 

Lanivireo   flavifrons    382 

solitarius  alticola  383 

cassini    382 

lucasanus    383 

plumbeus  382 

solitarius 382 

Lapwing 161 

Laridse    38 

Lark,  California  Horned 298 

Desert  Horned 298 

Dusky  Horned  299 

Horned     297 

Hoyt's  Horned 299 


Island  Horned   299 

Montezuma  Horned  299 

Pallid  Horned    297 

Prairie  Horned   298 

Ruddy  Horned 298 

Scorched  Horned 298 

Sonora  Horned   299 

Streaked  Horned    299 

Texan  Horned   29* 

Larus  affinis   44 

argentatus     44 

atricilla    47 

brachyrhynchus     46 

californicus     45 

canus    46 

delawarensis    45 

franklini    48 

glaucescens 42 

hyporboreus    40 

heermanni     46 

kumlieni    42 

leucopterus  41 

marinus    43 

minutus    49 

nelsoni   42 

occidentals     44 

Philadelphia    48 

schistisagus 43 

vegse   45 

Leptotila  fulviventris  brachyptera  195 

Leucosticte,  atrata  328 

australis     328 

griseonucha    327 

tephrocotis  tephrocotis 328 

littoralis     328 

Limicolae    137 

Limosa  fedoa  151^ 

hsemastica   152 

lapponica  baueri 152 

limosa     152 

Limpkin  129 

Lobipes  Lobatus   137 

Longipennes     35 

Longspur,  Alaska   333 

Chestnut-collared    334 

Lapland 333 

McCown's    334 

Smith's     334 

Loon     38-17-20-18 

Black-throated    18 

Pacific    19 

Red-throated     19 

Yellow-billed     18 

Lophodytes  cucullatus    88 

Lophortyx  californica   177 

vallicola...     177 
gambeli    177 


460 


INDEX 


Loxia  curvirostra  minor 327 

Strickland! 327 

leucoptera   327 

Lunda  cirrhata   22 

Machetes  Pugnax  156 

Macrochires    262 

Macronectes  giganteus   62 

Macrorhamphus  griseus  griseus..  144 
"       scolopaceus  145 

Magpie,   Yellow-billed 300 

Mallard    88 

Man-o'-War  Bird   86 

Mareca  americana   92 

penelope    91 

Marila  affinis    98 

americana   95 

collaris   98 

marila     97 

valisineria   97 

Martin,  Cuban   372 

Purple    372 

Western  372 

Meadowlark    317 

Rio  Grande  317 

southern    319 

Western     319 

Megalestris  skua 36 

Megaquiscalus  major  major 323 

"      macrourus..  324 

Melanerpes  erythrocephalus  256 

formicivorus  f ormicivorus ....  256 

"            angustifrons    . . .  257 

bairdi    257 

Meleagridse    ' 178 

Meleagris   gallopavo  intermedia..  191 

merriami   ...  190 

"        osceola  191 

"        silvestris    . . .  190 

Melopelia  asiatica    195 

Melospiza  melodia  caurina 355 

"      cooperi   355 

"       clementse     ....  355 

"      fallax    354 

"      graminea     355 

heermanni     . . .  354 

"       insignis     355 

juddi   355 

"      kenaiensis   ....  355 

"      melodia    354 

merrilli     355 

montana     354 

"      morphna    354 

"       pusillula 355 

rivularis     355 

"       rufina    355 

"       samuelis    354 

georgiana    356 


lincolni   lineolni    356 

"       striata 356 

Merganser  87 

Hooded     88 

Red-breasted    88 

Mergus  americanus   87 

serrator    88 

Merlin     221 

Micropalama  himantopus 145 

Micropallas  whitneyi  240 

Micropodidae     268 

Mimus  polyglottos    420 

polyglottos  420 

leucopterus   . . .   420 

Mniotilta  varia   385 

Mniotiltidse    385 

Mockingbird    420 

Western     420 

Molothrus  ater  ater 314 

"     obscurus    315 

Motacilla  alba   418 

ocularis    418 

Motacillidse   418 

Murre   29 

Brunnich's     31 

California    30 

Pallas's    31 

Murrelet,  Ancient  26 

Craveri's    28 

Kittlitz   27 

Marbled   27 

Xantus    27 

Muscivora  forficata   281 

tyrannus    280 

Myadestes  townsendi   442 

Mycteria  americana 118 

Myiarchus  cinerascens  cinerascens  286 
Myiarchus  cinerascens  pertinax. .   287 

crinitus    285 

olivascens    287 

magister  magister   286 

nelsoni   286 

Myiochanes  pertinax  pallidiven- 

tris    291 

richardsoni  richardsoni    293 

peninsulas    293 

virens   291 

Myiodynastes  luteiventris   285 

Nannus  alascensis   428 

meliger 428 

niemalis  helleri  428 

niemalis  427 

pacificus     428 

Netta  rufina   95 

Nettion  carolinense   92 

crecca     92 

Nighthawk    266 


46X 


INDEX 


Florida   266 

Sennett's    268 

Texas 268 

Western  266 

Noddy     57 

Nomonyx  dominicus 106 

Nucifraga  columbiana  313 

Numenius  americanus 159 

borealis    160 

hudsonicus    159 

phseopus  160 

tahitiensis   160 

Nutcracker,  Clark's   313 

Nuthatch,  Brown-headed    432 

Florida  White-breasted 431 

Pygmy    432 

Red-breasted    432 

Rocky  Mountain   431 

Slender-billed 431 

San  Lucas  431 

White-breasted    431 

White-naped   433 

Nuttallornis  borealis  290 

Nyctanassa  violacea    126 

Nyctea  nyctea   237 

Nycticorax  nycticorax  naevius ....  126 

Nyctidromus  albicollis  merrilli...  265 

Oceanites   oceanicus    71 

Oceanodroma  furcata   68 

homochroa    70 

ksedingi    69 

leucorhoa     69 

macrodactyla    69 

melania    70 

socorrcensis 70 

Ochthodromus  wilsonius    168 

Odontoglossse   115 

Odontophoridse     175 

Oidemia  americana    104 

deglandi    105 

fusca     105 

perspicillata   105 

Old-cquaw    100 

Olor  buccinator  114 

columbianus    114 

cygnus    114 

Oporornis  agilis    410 

formosus    410 

Philadelphia    411 

tolmei    411 

Oreortyx  picta  picta   176 

"     confinis     176 

"     plumifera     176 

Oreospiza  chlorura 361 

Oriole,  Arizona  Hooded   320 

Audubon's   319 

Baltimore    .                               .  321 


Bullock's    322 

Scott's     320 

Sennett's 320 

Orchard    321 

Oreoscoptes  montanus    419 

Ortalis  vetula  mccalli 191 

Osprey    225 

Octocoris  alpestris  alpestris  297 

actia    298 

adusta     299 

articola    297 

giraudi    298 

hoyti   299 

insularis     ....   299 
"         leucolaema   . . .   298 

merrilli     299 

occidentalis. . .    299 

pallida    299 

praticola    298 

rubea 298 

strigata    299 

Otus  asio  aikeni  234 

"     asio   233 

"     bendirei    233 

"     cineraceus    234 

"     floridanus    233 

"     kennicotti    233 

"     macfarlanei    

1  "     maxwellise   233 

"     mccalli   233 

flammeolus    flammeolus 234 

idahoensis    234 

Trichopsis   234 

Xantusi    234 

Ouzel,  Water   419 

Oven-bird     407 

Owl,  Aiken's  Screech 234 

Arctic  Horned   235 

Barn    227 

Barred    229 

Burrowing  238 

California  Pygmy  239 

California  Screech   233 

Dusky  Horned  235 

Dwarf  Horned   237 

Dwarf  Screech 234 

Elf   240 

European  Hawk    237 

Ferruginous  Pygmy 240 

Flammulated  Screech   234 

Florida   Barred    229 

Florida  Burrowing   239 

"       Screech    233 

Great  Gray   231 

Great   Horned    235 

Hawk    238 

Hoskin's  Pygmy   239 


462 


INDEX 


Kennicott's  Screech 233 

Lapp    232 

Long-eared    227 

MacParlane's  Screech   234 

Mexican   Screech    234 

Northern  Spotted   231 

Northwestern     Saw- whet 232 

Pacific  Horned 235 

Pygmy    239 

Richardson's     232 

Rocky  Mountain  Screech  ....   233 

Saw-whet  232 

Screech    233 

Short-eared  229 

Snowy    237 

Spotted 237 

Screech    234 

Texas  Barred  231 

Texas    Screech    233 

Western  Horned  235 

Xantus's   Screech    234 

Oxyechus  vociferus    165 

Oyster-catcher   170 

European     170 

Black    171 

Prazar's    171 

Pagophila  alba    39 

Paludicolae 127 

Pandion  haliaetus  carolinensis    . .  .   225 

Parabuteo  unicinctus  harrisi 207 

Parauque,   Merrill's    265 

Paroquet,  Carolina   241 

Parrot,  Thick-billed    141 

Partridge,  Alaska   Spruce 179 

Canada  Spruce    179 

Hudsonian  Spruce    179 

Passer  domesticus   335 

Passerculus  beldingi   337 

princeps    337 

rostratus  rostratus  338 

guttatus    337 

santorum     338 

sandwichensis    sandwichensis    337 

alaudinus     337 

bryanti   337 

savanna    337 

Passerella   iliaca   fuliginosa 357 

"     iliaca     357 

"     insularis     357 

megarhyncha    . .   357 

"     schistacea    357 

"     stephensi   357 

"     townsendi    357 

"     unalaschensis. . .    357 

Passeres    280 

Passerherbulus  henslowi  henslowi  340 
"     occidentalis    340 


caudacutus    340 

lecontei    340 

maritimus   fisheri    341 

"  macgillivrai  342 
"  maritimus..  341 
"  peninsulse . .  341 
"  sennetti  ...  341 

nelsoni   nelsoni    341 

subvirgatus  341 

nigrescens     342 

Passerina  amoena   366 

ciris 367 

cyanea    366 

versicolor  versicolor    367 

pulchra 367 

Pedicecetes  phasianellus  phasianel- 

lus    187 

phasianellus  campestris   187 

columbianus    187 

Pelagodroma  marina  71 

Pelecanidse    83 

Pelecanus   californicus    85 

erythrorhynchos    83 

occidentalis     85 

Pelican,  White 83 

Brown     85 

California  Brown    85 

Pelidna  alpina  alpina   149 

sakhalina     149 

Penthestes  atricapillus  atricapillus  434 

occidentalis..     435 

"        septentrionalis  435 

carolinensis   agilis    435 

carolinensis    ....   435 

cinctus   alascensis    436 

"     gambeli    435 

hudsonicus  hudsonicus   436 

littoralis     436 

rufescens  barlowi  437 

neglectus   437 

"         rufescens  437 

sclateri 435 

Perisoreus  canadensis  canadensis  308 
capitalis  ...  309 
fumifrons. . .  309 
nigricapillus  309 

obscurus  obscurus    309 

"         griseus    311 

Petrel,  Ashy   70 

Black    70 

Black-capped    67 

Bulwer's     67 

Fisher's    67 

Fork-tailed    68 

Guadalupe   69 

Kaeding's    69 

Leach's 68 


463 


INDEX 


Least    68 

Pintado    67 

Scaled     67 

Socorro    70 

Storm   68 

White-bellied    71 

White-faced 71 

Wilson's     71 

Petrochelidon  fulva   372 

lunifrons  lunifrons  372 

melanogastra 373 

Peucaea  aestivalis  sestivalis 352 

"      bachmani     352 

botterii     352 

cassini    253 

Peucedramus  olivaceus 391 

Pewee,  Western  Wood   293 

Large-billed  Wood   293 

Wood    291 

Phaethon  americanus  72 

sethereus 73 

rubricaudus    73 

Phaethontidse  72 

Phainopepla    376 

nitens   376 

Phalacrocoracidae    78 

Phalacrocorax  carbo   79 

auritus  auritus    79 

"        albociliatus   81 

"        cincinatus    81 

"         floridanus    81 

vigua  mexicanus  81 

pelagicus  pelagicus   82 

resplendens  82 

robustus   82 

penicillatus   82 

urile    82 

Phalaenoptilus  nuttalli  nuttalli 264 

"     californicus  . .   264 

"    nitidus    264 

Phalarope,  Northern   137 

Red   137 

Wilson's  138 

Phalaropodidae     137 

Phalaropus  fulicarius    137 

Phaleris  psittacula 25 

Phasianidae    188 

Phasianus  torquatus    188 

Pheasant,  Ring-necked   188 

Philacte  canagica  112 

Philohela  minor    140 

Phloeotomus  pileatus  pileatus 255 

Phoebe    287 

Black    289 

Say 289 

Phcebetria  palpebrata   60 

Phcenicopteridse     115 


Phcenicopterus  ruber  115 

Pica  pica  hudsonia 300 

nuttalli  300 

Pici    249 

Picidae    249 

Picoides  americanus  americanus..  253 

dorsalis    . . .  254 

fasciatus    . .  254 

arcticus    253 

Pigeon-  Band-tailed    192 

Passenger    193 

Red-billed    192 

Scaled    192 

Viosca's    192 

White-crowned     192 

Pinicola  enucleator  alascensis   . . .  325 

californica     . . .  325 

flammula    325 

leucura   324 

"           montana     325 

Pintail    94 

Pipilo  aberti 361 

consobrinus     360 

erythrophthalmus   erythroph- 

thalmus    358 

erythrophthalmus  alleni 358 

fuscus  albigula    360 

crissalis  crissalis    360 

fuscus  mesoleucus   360 

crissalis  senicula 361 

maculatus   arcticus    358 

"         clementae     360 

"        magnirostris  360 

"        megalonyx    360 

"        montanus     35S 

"        oregonus    360 

Pipit    418 

Meadow    418 

Red-throated     419 

Sprague's     419 

Piranga  erythromelas   369 

heuatica  370 

ludoviciana 369 

rubra  rubra    370 

"     cooperi   370 

Pisobia  aurita    147 

bairdi    148 

daniacensis    149 

fuscicollis    148 

maculata    147 

minutella   148 

Pitangus  sulphuratus  derbianus . .  284 

Planesticus  confinis 447 

migratorius  achrusterus 447 

"        migratorius 446 

"         propinquus    . . 446 


464 


INDEX 


Plataleidae   115 

Platypsaris  aglaise  albiventris 280 

Plautus  impennis  32-33 

Plectrophenax  hyperboreus  333 

nivalis  nivalis    332 

"       townsendi    ....  332 

Plegadis  autumnalis    118 

guarauna   118 

Plover,  Black-bellied   161 

European  Golden    163 

Golden    , 163 

Little  Ringed  166 

Mongolian    167 

Mountain   168 

Pacific  Golden   163 

Piping     166 

Ringed    166 

Semipalmated    165 

Snowy     167 

Upland    156 

Wilson's     168 

Podasocys  montanus   168 

Podilymbus  podiceps 15 

Polioptila  caerulea  caerulea 441 

obscura    441  . 

californica     442 

plumbea     441 

Polyborus  cheriway   224 

lutosus    224 

Polysticta  stelleri  102 

Pocecetes  gramineus   gramineus..  335 

affinis    335 

confinis     ....  335 

Poor-will    264 

Dusky   264 

Frosted     264  • 

Porzana   Carolina    133 

porzana    133 

Prairie  Chicken  185 

Attwater's , 186 

Lesser     187 

Priocella  glacialoides 63 

Priofinus   cinereus    66 

Procellariidse    61 

Progne  cryptoleuca    372 

subis  subis    372 

"     hesperia   372 

Protonotaria  citrea 386 

Psaltriparus   melanotis   lloydi 438 

minimus  minimus 437 

"         californicus 438 

"         grindae    438 

plumbeus   438 

Psittaci    241 

Psittacida?    241 

Ptarmigan,  Allen's   183 

Evermann's  .                               .  184 


Kenai  White-tailed 185 

Nelson's   134 

Reinhardt's  184 

Rock   183 

Townsend's  184 

Turner's 184 

Welch's    184 

White-tailed    185 

Willow    183 

Ptychoramphus    aleuticus    24 

Puffin    22 

Horned  23 

Large-billed     23 

Tufted    22 

Puffinus  assimilis   65 

auricularis     65 

borealis    64 

creatopus  65 

cuneatus    66 

gravis    64 

griseus    66 

Iherminieri 65 

opisthomelas     65 

puffinus    64 

tenuirostris   66 

Pygopodes   10 

Pyrocephalus  rubineus  mexicanus.  296 

Pyrrhula  cassini    325 

Pyrrhuloxia,  Arizona   364 

sinuata  sinuata   364 

peninsulas     364 

"       texana 364 

San  Lucas  364 

Texas    364 

California    177 

Chestnut  Bellied  Scaled 177 

Gambel's    177 

Mearn's    178 

Quail,   Mountain    176 

Plumed     176 

San    Pedro    176 

Scaled     176 

Valley 177 

Querquedula  cyanoptera 93 

discors    93 

Quiscalus  quiscula  quiscula 323 

"         aglaeus     323 

asneus    323 

Rail,  Belding's   131 

Black    134 

California  Clapper   131 

Carribean  Clapper    132 

Clapper    132 

Farallon   134 

Florida  Clapper 132 

King    131 

Louisiana  Clapper    132 


465 


INDEX 


Virginia   133 

Wayne's   Clapper    132 

Yellow    131 

Rallidae     131 

Rallus  beldingi   . . 131 

crepitans   crepitans    132 

saturatus     132 

scotti 132 

waynei   132 

elegans  131 

longirostris  caribaeus  132 

obsoletus    131 

virginianus    132 

Raptores    198 

Raven  311 

Northern    311 

White-necked   311 

Recurvirostra  americana   139 

Recurvirostridae     139 

Redhead     95 

Redpoll    329 

Greater     329 

Greenland    328 

Hoary   328 

Holbcell's    329 

Redstart     415 

Painted 417 

Red-wing,  Bahama   316 

Bicolored   317 

Florida   316 

Northwestern  316 

San  Diego  316 

Sonora    316 

Thick-billed    316 

Tricolored   317 

Regulus  calendula  calendula 440 

grinnelli     441 

"         obscurus    . 441 

satrapa  olivaceus   440 

"       satrapa  439 

Rhodostethia  rosea    49 

Rhynchophanes  mccowni 334 

Rhynchopsitta  pachyrhyncha   ....  241 

Riparia   riparia    374 

Rissa  brevirostris  40 

tridactyla  tridactyla 39 

"         pollicaris    40 

Road-runner    243 

Robin    446 

Southern    447 

San  Lucas  447 

Western   446 

Rostrhamus  sociabilis  202 

Rough-leg,  Ferruginous 215 

Ruff     156 

Rynchopidae    58 

Rynchops  nigra  58 


Sage  Hen   188 

Salpinctes  obsoletus  obsoletus 424 

guadeloupensis    424 

Sanderling     151 

Sandpiper,  Aleutian 146 

Baird     148 

Buff-breasted 158 

Curlew    149 

Green    155 

Least    148 

Pectoral     147 

Pribilof    147 

Purple    146 

Red-backed    149 

Semipalmated    150 

Sharp-tailed    147 

Solitary    154 

Spoonbill    150 

Spotted     158 

Stilt     145 

Western  151 

Western  Solitary    155 

White-rumped    148 

Sapsucker,  Northern  Red-breasted  255 

Red-breasted    255 

Red-naped   254 

Williamson's     255 

Yellow-bellied    254 

Saxicola  cenanthe  cenanthe 448 

"        leucorhoa     448 

Sayornis  nigricans   289 

phoebe 287 

sayus     289 

Scardafella  inca   196 

Scolopacidse    140 

Scolopax  rusticola   140 

Scoter     104 

Surf    |..  105 

Velvet     105 

White-winged  105 

Scotiaptex  nebulosa  lapponica. . . .  232 

"         nebulosa     ....  231 

Seed-eater,  Sharpe's 368 

Seiurus  aurocapillus    407 

motacilla    409 

noveboracensis  noveboracensis  409 

notabilis     409 

Selasphorus  alleni   276 

platycercus    276 

rufus   277 

Steophaga  picta 417 

ruticilla    415 

Shearwater,  Allied   65 

Audubon's    65 

Black-tailed     66 

Black-vented     65 

Cory's   64 


466 


INDEX 


Greater     64 

Manx    64 

Pink-footed    65 

Slender-billed   66 

Sooty    66 

Townsend's     65 

Wedge-tailed 66 

Sheldrake,  Ruddy   93 

Shoveller   94 

Shrike,    California    378 

Island   378 

Loggerhead     376 

Northern    376 

White-rumped    378 

Sialia  currucoides 450 

mexicana  anabelae 450 

bairdi 450 

occidentalis     450 

sialis  sialis    448 

"     fulva     448 

Siskin,  Pine    332 

Sitta  canadensis    432 

carolinensis  carolinensis    ....  431 

"            aculeata   431 

atkinsi    431 

lagunae    431 

nelsoni    431 

pusilla     432 

pygmaea  pygmaea 432 

leuconucha    433 

S'ttidae 431 

Skimmer,   Black 58 

Skua    36 

Skylark    297 

Snakebird    77 

Snipe,  European    140 

Great     143 

Wilson's     143 

Solitaire,   Townsend's    442 

Somateria  dresseri  103 

mollissima  borealis    102 

spectabilis   104 

v-nigra    103 

Sora     133 

Sparrow,   Acadian   Sharp-tailed...  341 

Alameda  Song   355 

Aleutian  Song    337 

Bachman's     352 

Baird's    338 

Belding's    337 

Bell's 351 

Black-chinned     348 

Black-throated    351 

Botteri's     352 

Brewer's     346 

Brown's    Song    355 

Bryant's     337 


Cassin's    353 

Chipping    345 

Clay-colored    355 

Dakota   Song    355 

Desert 351 

Desert  Song   354 

Dusky  Seaside  342 

English    

Field   348 

Florida  Grasshopper   340 

Forbush's     356 

Fox    356 

Gambel's    343 

Golden-crowned   343 

Grasshopper    338 

Gray  Sage  352 

Harris's    342 

Heermann's  Song   354 

Henslow's    340 

Ipswich     337 

Kadiak  Fox 357 

Kenai    Song    355 

Laguna  353 

Large-billed     338 

Lark    342 

Leconte's     340 

Lincoln's    356 

Louisiana  Seaside 341 

Macgillivray's    Seaside    342 

Merrill's  Song   355 

Mountain  Song    354 

Nelson's    341 

Nuttall's     343 

Oregon   Vesper    335 

Pine  Woods    352 

Rock     353 

Rufous-crowned     353 

Fufous-winged    353 

Rusty  Song 354 

Sage    352 

Samuel's    Song    354 

San  Benito    338 

San  Clemente  Song   355 

San    Diego    Song     355 

San    Lucas    338 

Santa  Barbara  Song    355 

Savannah     337 

Scott's     353 

Scott's  Seaside 341 

Seaside     341 

Sharp-tailed    340 

Shumagin  Fox   357 

Slate-colored   Fox 357 

Song    354 

Sooty  Fox   357 

Sooty  Song   355 

Stephen's  Fox   357 


467 


INDEX 


Swamp   356 

Texas    357 

Texas  Seaside   341 

Thick-billed  Fox  357 

Townsend's  Fox   357 

Tree    345 

Vesper    335 

Western  Chipping   346 

Western  Field  348 

Western  Grasshopper   338 

Western  Henslow's   340 

Western  Lark   342 

Western  Savannah 337 

Western  Tree 345 

Western  Vesper   335 

White-crowned    343 

White-throated    345 

Worth'en's    348 

Yakutat  Song 355 

Spatula  clypeata  94 

Speotyto  cunicularia  floridana 239 

hypogaea     238 

Sphyrapicus  ruber  ruber 255 

"     notkensis  255 

thyroideus     255 

varius  varius   254 

nuchalis     254 

Spinus  notatus    331 

pinus     332 

Spiza  americana  368 

Spi/ella  atrogularis   348 

breweri    346 

monticola  monticola    345 

ochracea    345 

passerina  arizonae 346 

"         passerina 345 

pallida    346 

pusilla  pusilla    348 

"      arenacea    348 

"      arizonae 346 

wortheni    348 

Spoonbill,  Roseate   115 

tsporophila  morelleti  sharpei 368 

Squatarola  squatarola 161 

Starling    314 

Starncenas  cyanocephala    196 

Steganopodes   72 

Stegonopus  tricolor   138 

Stelgidopteryx  serripennis 374 

nt.ellula  calliope    278 

Stercorariidae    35 

Stercorarius  longicaudus 37 

parasiticus    37 

pomarinus   36 

Sterna  aleutica 54 

anaetheta    56 

antillarum   55 


caspia     50 

dougalli    54 

elegans  51 

forsteri 53 

fuscata   55 

hirundo    53 

maxima    51 

paradissea    54 

sandvicensis  acuflavida    52 

trudeaui    52 

Stilt,  Black-necked 139 

Stint,  Long-toed    149 

Strigidae 227 

Strix  occidentalis  caurina   231 

occidentalis     ...   231 

varia  allogilva  231 

"      alleni    229 

"      varia  229 

Sturnella  magna  magna 317 

"      argutula    319 

hoopesi     317 

"       neglecta   319 

Sturnidae    314 

Sturnus  vulgaris  314 

Sula  bassana   76 

brewsteri  75 

cyanops    74 

leucogactra   75 

nebouxi    74 

piscator    75 

Sulidae     74 

Surf  Bird 169 

Surnia  ulula  ulula   237 

"     caparoch    238 

Swallow,  Bahama  374 

Bank  374 

Barn    373 

Cliff     372 

Cuban  Cliff  373 

Mexican  Cliff  373 

Northern  Violet-green  374 

Rough-winged    374 

San   Lucas    374 

Tree    373 

Swallow-tailed  Kite   201 

Swan,  Trumpeter   114 

Whistling    114 

Whooping    H4 

Swift,  Black  268 

Chimney    269 

Vaux's     270 

White-throated     270 

Slyviidae     433 

Sylthliboramphus  antiquus   26 

Tachycineta  thalassina  lepida 374 

"        brachyptera    374 


468 


Tanager,  Cooper's    

Hepatic    

Western    

Scarlet   

Summer  

Tangaridae  

Tangavius  aeneus  involucratus 

Tattler,  Wandering    

Teal,  Blue-winged  

Cinnamon    

European     

Green-winged    

Telmatodytes  palustris   

griseus    . . . 

"       marianse  . . 

"      paludicola . 

plesius    . . . 

palustris... 

Tern,  Aleutian  

Arctic   

Black    

Bridled   

Cabot's   

Caspian    

Common     

Elegant    

Forster's    

Gull-billed    

Least     

Roseate    

Royal    

Sooty    

Trudeau's    

White-winged   Black    

Thalassidroma  pelagica   

Thalassogeron  culminatus   

Thrasher,  Bendire's   

Brown     

California    

Crissal    

Curve-billed    

Desert     

Leconte's     

Mearns's    

Palmer's    

Sage    

San  Lucas  

Sennett's    

Thrush,  Alaska  Hermit    

Audubon's  Hermit   

Bicknell's     

Dwarf  Hermit   

Gray-cheeked     

Hermit   

Olive-backed     

Northern  Varied   

Red-winged   


INDEX 

370  Russet-backed    443 

370  Varied    443 

369  Willow    443 

369  Wood    442 

370  Thryomanes  bewicki  bairdi 426 

369  bewicki  bewicki    426 

315  calophonus    426 

156  "       charienturus     426 

93  cryptus  426 

93  "       spilurus    426 

82  brevicauda 426 

92  leucophrys     426 

429  Thryothorus  ludovicianus  ludovi- 

429  cianus     , 425 

429  ludovicianus  lomitensis    425 

429  miamensis 425 

429       Tiaris    bicolor    368 

429  canora    368 

54      Titlark 418 

54  Titmouse,  Ashy  434 

56  Black-crested    433 

56  Bridled     434 

52  Gray 434 

50  Plain     434 

53  Tufted    433 

51  Totanus  flavipes 153 

53  melanoleucus    153 

50  Towhee    358 

55  Abert's 361 

54  Anthony's    361 

51  Arctic    358 

55  California 360 

52  Canon 360 

57  Green-tailed 361 

68  Guadalupe   360 

60  Large-billed     360 

422  Mountain     360 

421  Oregon 360 

422  San   Clemente    360 

423  San  Diego   360 

421  San    Lucas    360 

423  Spurred    358 

423  White-eyed    358 

422  Toxostima   bendirei    422 

422  cinereum   cinereum    422 

419  "         mearnsi    422 

422  crissale     423 

421  curvirostre  curvirostre   421 

445  palmeri     422 

445  lecontei  lecontei   423 

443  lecontei  arenicola   423 

446  longirostre  sennetti    421 

443  redivivum    422 

446  rufum    421 

445  Tree  Duck,  Black-bellied    113 

448  Fulvous    113 

446  Tringa  canutus .   146 


469 


-      30 


INDEX 


Trochilidae 271 

Troglodytes  aedon  aedon 427 

"     parkmani 427 

Troglodytidse    423 

Trogon  ambiguus   246 

Coppery-tailed    246 

Trogonidae    246 

Tropic  Bird,  Red-billed 73 

Red-tailed    73 

Yellow-billed    72 

Troupial    

Tryngites  subruficollis   158 

Tubinares    59 

Turdidse   442 

Turdus  musicus    446 

Turkey,  Florida  . . 191 

Merriam's    190 

Rio  Grande  191 

Wild    190 

Turnstone   169 

Black    170 

Ruddy    169 

Tympanuchus  americanus  ameri- 

canus    185 

americanus  attwateri 186 

cupido     186 

pallidicinctus    187 

Tyrannidae     280 

Tyrannus  dominicensis 283 

melancholicus  couchi 283 

tyrannus    281 

verticalis     283 

vociferans   284 

Uria  lomvia  lomvia  30 

"      arra 31 

troille  troille   29 

"      californica 30 

Urubitinga  anthracina   213 

Vanellus  vanellus  161 

Veery    443 

Verdin    439 

Cape    439 

Vermivora  bachmani 387 

pinus     387 

celata  celata  389 

"  lucescens  389 

"  sordida  390 

chrysoptera    388 

luciae   388 

peregrina     390 

Vermivora  rubricapella  gutturalis .   389 
rubricapella    389 

virginiae    388 

Vireo,  Anthony's  384 

atricapillus    383 

Bell's     384 

belli   belli    384 


belli  pusillus  385 

Bermuda  384 

Black-capped  383 

Black-whiskered  378 

Blue-headed  382 

Cassin's  . .  382- 

griseus  bermudianus  384 

"  maynardi  383 

"  micrus  384 

Gray  385 

Button's  384 

huttoni  huttoni  384 

"  obscunis  384 

Stephens!  384 

Key  West  383 

Least 385 

Mountain  383 

Philadelphia 380 

Plumbeous  ...382 

Red-eyed  380 

San  Lucas  383 

Small  White-eyed  384 

Stephens's 383 

vicinior  385 

Warbling  380 

Western  Warbling 382 

White-eyed  383 

Yellow-green 380 

Yellow-throated  382 

Vireonidaa    378 

Vireosylva  calidris  barbatula 378 

flavoviridis  380 

gilva  gilva 380 

"  swainsoni  382 

olivacea  380 

Philadelphia  380 

Vulture,  Black  199 

California  198 

Turkey  199 

Wagtail  Alaska  Yellow 418 

Swinhoe's 418 

White  418 

Warbler,  Alaska  Yellow 392 

Audubon's  395 

Bachman's 387 

Bay-breasted  398 

Black  and  White  385 

Blackburnian  399 

Black-fronted  395 

Black-poll  399 

Black-throated  Blue 394 

Black-throated  Gray 402 

Black-throated  Green  403 

Blue-winged  387 

Cairns's  394 

Calaveras  389 

Canada  415 


470 


INDEX 


Cape  May   391 

Cerulean    396 

Chestnut-sided     398 

Connecticut     410 

Dusky     390 

Golden-cheeked    402 

Golden  Pileolated   415 

Golden-winged    388 

Grace's 401 

Hermit   405 

Hooded     414 

Kennicott's  Willow    439 

Kentucky     410 

Kirtland's 404 

Lucy's     388 

Lutescent    389 

Macgillivray's     411 

Magnolia    396 

Mangrove    394 

Mourning     411 

Myrtle    395 

Nashville  389 

Northern  Parula  390 

Olive     391 

Orange-crowned     389 

Palm     405 

Parula    390 

Pileolated    414 

Pine    405 

Prairie     407 

Prothonotary    386 

Red-faced     417 

Sennett's    391 

Sonora  Yellow  392 

Swainson's    386 

Sycamore    401 

Tennessee  390 

Townsend's     403 

Virginia's     388 

Wilson's 414 

Worm-eating     386 

Yellow    392 

Yellow  Palm    405 

Yellow-throated   401 

Water  Thrush   409 

Grinnell's     409 

Louisiana    . . .  e 409 

Water  Turkey   77 

Waxwing,  Bohemian   375 

Cedar    375 

Wheatear     448 

Greenland    448 

Whimbrel    160 

Whip-poor-will    263 

Stephens's     264 

Widgeon,  European 91 


Willet  155 

Western  156 

Wilsonia  canadensis  415 

citrina  414 

pusilla  pusilla  414 

"  chryseola  415 

"  pileolata  414 

Woodcock  140 

European  140 

Woodpecker,  Alaska  Three-toed..  254 

Alpine  Three-toed  254 

Ant-eating  256 

Arctic  Three-toed  253 

Arizona  252 

Batchelder's  251 

Cabanis's  250 

California  257 

Downy  251 

Gairdner's  251 

Gila  258 

Golden-fronted  258 

Hairy  250 

Harris's  250 

Ivory-billed  249 

Lewis's  257 

Narrow-fronted  257 

, Nelson's  Downy  251 

Northern  Hairy 250 

Northern  Pileated  256 

Nuttall's  252 

Pileated  255 

Queen  Charlotte  250 

Red-bellied  257 

Red-cockaded  251 

Red-headed  256 

Rocky  Mountain  Hairy 250 

San  Lucas 252 

Southern  Downy 251 

Southern  Hairy  250 

Texas  252 

Three-toed  253 

White-headed  253 

Willow  251 

Wren,  Alaska 428 

Aleutian  428 

Baird's  426 

Bewick's  426 

Bryant's  Cactus 424 

Cactus  423 

Canon  425 

Carolina  425 

Dotted  Canon  425 

Florida  425 

Guadalupe  426 

Guadalupe  Rock  424 

House  427 

Kadiak  Winter 428 


471 


INDEX 


•  r   Lomita   425 

Long-billed  Marsh   ..........  429 

Marian's  Marsh 429 

Seattle 426 

Rock  ......... .  ^|f. 424 

San  Clemente    .00 426 

I       Short-billed  Mar;sh   428 

, j      San  Diego ".*' 426 

San  Lucas  Cactus 424 

Texas     ...... 426 

Tule    ,.. 429 

Vigors's 426 

Western  House 427 

Western  Marsh 429 

Western '  Winter   ........ 428 

White-throated    .... . . .......  424 

Winter   ............. 427 

Worthington's  Marsh    .......  429 

wren-tit  I;..::.;......;........  437 

Pallid  ..::;. 437 

Xanthocephalus  xanthocephalus . .  315 

Xanthpura  luxuosa  glaucescens . .  30^ 


Xema  sabini  49 

Xenopicus  albolarvatus    253 

Yellowlegs    153 

Greater    153 

Yellow-throat,  Belding's  413 

Florida     412 

Maryland     412 

Pacific    412 

Rio  Grande 413 

Salt  Marsh   412 

Western 412 

Zamelodia  ludoviciana   365 

melanocephala  365 

Zenaida  zenaida   194 

Zenaidura  macroura  carolinensis .   193 

Zonotrichia  albicollis    345 

coronata    343 

leucophrys  leucophrys    343 

"        gambeli    343 

nuttalli 343 

querula     ....,..,.,, , , . ,  342 


472 


Birds  of  Eastern  North  America 

By  CHESTER  A.  REED,  B.  S. 

THE  BIRD  BOOK  of  the  year.  It  is  authentic.  The  author  KNOWS  birds. 
He  has  studied  them  for  thirty  years — in  the  hand,  for  plumage,  and  in  their 
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hundreds  as  they  were  actually  feeding  their  young.  Besides  being  able  to 
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as  one  of  the  foremost  bird  artists  in  America.  This  rare  combination  of  Artist- 
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ultimate  bird  book. 

The  technical  descriptions  aided  by  the  pictures  give  perfect  ideas  of  the 
plumage  of  adults  and  young. 

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lives  of  the  various  species. 

The  illustrations— well,  there  are  408  PICTURES  IN  NATURAL  COLORS; 
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Color  Key  To  N.  A.  Birds 

By  F.  M.  CHAPMAN  and  C.  A.  REED 

This  might  well  be  called  an  illustrated  dictionary  of  North  American  birds, 
the  male  of  each  species  being  shown  in  COLOR  from  pen  and  ink  drawings, 
Uniform  with  Egg  Book.  350  pages. 

$2.50  net 


From  "Water  Birds' 


From   "Land  Birds 


LAND    BIRDS 

By  CHESTER  A.   REED,  B.  S. 

An  illustrated,  pocket  text  book  that  enables  anyone  to  quickly  identify  any 
song  or  insectivorous  bird  found  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  It  describes 
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their  nests,  eggs  and  songs. 

EVERY  BIRD  IS  SHOWN  IN  COLOR,  including  the  females  and  young 
where  the  plumage  differs,  from  watercolor  drawings  by  the  four-color  process. 
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WATER    BIRDS 

By  CHESTER  A.   REED,  B.  S. 

This  book  is  uniform  in  size  and  scope  with  LAND  BIRDS.  It  includes  all 
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range.  They  exceed  in  number  those  in  any  other  bird  book.  In  quality  they 
cannot  be  surpassed — exquisite  gems,  each  with  an  attractive  background,  typi- 
cal of  the  habits  of  the  species. 

"LAND  BIRDS"  and   "WATER  BIRDS"  are  the  only  books,  regardless  of 
price,  that  describe  and  show  in  color  every  bird.    250  pages,  neatly  boxed. 
Bound  in  Cloth,  $1.00  net;  in  Leather,  $1.25  net;  postage  5c. 


THE  TREE  GUIDE 

By  JULIA  ELLEN   ROGERS 

Author  of  "The  Tree  Book" 

THE  TREE  GUIDE  is  uniform  in  style  and  size  with  the  well  known  pocket 
Bird  Guides  which  have  become  so  universally  popular.  It  contains  illustra- 
tions (32  of  them  colored  and  many  in  black  and  white)  and  descriptions  of 
every  tree  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  The  descriptions  include  the  range, 
the  classification,  the  distinctive  features  such  as  flowers,  leaves,  fruit,  etc., 
and  all  other  marks  that  lead  to  an  easy  identification  of  the  tree.  No  detail 
that  will  help  the  student  has  been  omitted  and  the  small  size  of  the  volume, 
about  the  length  and  width  of  the  hand,  makes  it  convenient  to  carry.  An 
ideal  volume  for  expert  naturalist  or  amateur  for  field  work  or  even  more 
exhaustive  study. 

32  illustrations  in  color;  many  in  black  and  white. 
Cloth,  net,  $1.00.  Leather,  net,  $1.25 


AnimaJ  Post  Cards 

We  have  been  fortunate  in  securing  from  the  well  known  artist,  Harry  F. 
Harvey,  a  number  of  his  best  paintings  of  our  North  American  Wild  Animals. 
These  have  been  Faithfully  reproduced  in  NATURAL  COLORS,  postcard  size, 
and  are  by  far,  twenty-five  of  the  best  animal  cards  ever  published. 
Ask  your  dealer  for  the  "REED  NATURE  CARDS." 

25  Animals,  25  Birds,  50  Wild  Flowers. 

ALL  IN  NATURAL  COLORS 
If  your  dealer  is  out  of  them  we  will  fill  your  order  (postpaid) 

25  Animals  for  50c;  25  Birds  for  25c;  50  Flowers  for  50c. 
Special — The  complete  set  of  100  accurately  colored  cards  postpaid,  $1.00. 
Send  for  list  of  Nature  Books  in  Colors, 

CHAS/:K.|REED  WORCESTER,  MASS. 


Wild   Flowers 

East  of  the  Rockies 


BY 

CHESTER    A.    REED 


The  latest  flower  book.    In  a  class  by  itself.     Original,  beautiful,  compact, 
complete,  interesting.    Pictures  320  flowers,  ALL  IN  COLOR.    450  pages. 

Handsomely  bound;   boxed.    $2.50  net;  postage  15c 


American  Game  Birds 


By  CHESTER  A.  REED,  B.  S. 


Over  ONE  HUNDRED  SPECIES  OF  GAME 
BIRDS  are  faithfully  depicted  by  the  colored  pic- 
tures  and  the  text  gives  considerable  idea  of  their 
habits  and  tells  where  they  are  to  be  found  at 
different  seasons  of  the  year. 

This  book  is  prepared  especially  at  the  request 
of  a  large  number  of  sportsmen  for  a  concise 
guide  devoted  solely  to  game  birds  and  figuring 
all  species. 

Remember  that  it  is  the  ONLY  book  at  any 
price  that  figures  all  these  game  birds  in  their 
proper  colors.  It  is  the  real  sportsmen's  guide 
and  companion.  Nicely  bound  and  boxed. 

Price  60  cents;  postage  5  cent§ 


North  American  Birds'  Eggs 

By  CHESTER  A.    REED,  B.  S. 

This  is  the  only  book  on  the  market  that  gives  illustrations  of  the  eggs  of 
all  North  American  birds.  Each  egg  is  shown  FULL  SIZE,  photographed 
directly  from  an  authentic  and  well  marked  specimen.  There  are  a  great  many 
full-page  plates  of  nests  and  eggs  in  their  natural  situations. 

The  habitat  and  habits  of  each  bird  are  given. 

It  is  finely  printed  on  the  best  of  paper  and  handsomely  bound  in  cloth. 
350  pages — 6  x  9  inches, 

$2.50  net 


Nature  Studies— In  Field  and  Wood 

r     By  CHESTER  A.   REED,  B.  S. 

This  book  is  destined  to  be  one  of  the  most  important  that  the  author  ha 
written.  Absorbingly  interesting  in  itself,  yet  its  greatest  value  will  lie  i 
the  fact  that  it  will  lead  the  reader  to  realize  how  blind  he  has  been  to  th 
many  woriderful  things  that  are  happening  on  every  hand. 

The  brook,  the  pond,  the  field,  the  woods,  the  swamps  and  even  the  bac 
yards  yield  quantities  of  very  interesting  subjects  for  study.  This  book  treat, 
entertainingly  of  many  of  these  interesting  creatures,  but  its  chief  aim  is  to  bt, 
an  "awakener" — to  arouse  within  the  reader  the  desire  to  go  out  and  verify 
some  of  the  facts  given,  or  to  do  some  original  investigation  himself.  Such 
studies  develop  the  senses  of  perception  and  observation  immensely,  and  the 
one  who  is  "alive"  to  what  is  going  on  about  him  surely  is  better  able  to  cope 
with  all  situations  in  life  than  one  who  sees  nothing  until  it  is  forcibly  broughv 
to  his  attention. 

112  pages;  size — 5V2  x?Mj  in.    40  illustrations  in  color,  and  black  and  white. 
60c.  net;  postage  ^Oc. 


Camera  Studies  of  Wild  Birds  in  Their  Homes 

By  CHESTER  A.   REED,  B.  S. 

"CAMERA  STUDIES"  affords  everyone  an  opportunity  for  a  very  intimate 
study  of  bird  life.  A  good  photograph  of  an  event  together  with  an  interesting 
description  of  it  is  the  next  best  thing  to  witnessing  the  event  itself. 

"CAMERA  STUDIES"  has  250  photographs  of  events  right  in  birds'  home. 
These  pictures  are  selected  from  the  author's  collection  of  over  2000  bird  photo- 
graphs, this  being  one  of  the  best  collections  of  pictures  of  free,  living  wild 
birds  in  existence. 

Many  rare  and  interesting  poses  are  faithfully  shown  by  the  camera.  For 
instance,  a  pair  of  adult  Chipping  Sparrows,  standing  on  a  branch  by  the  sides 
of  their  four  young,  are  engaged  in  pulling  apart  a  large  worm  that  was  too 
large  to  be  given  whole. 

The  stories  accompanying  these  pictures  are  as  interesting  as  the  photo- 
graphs and  above  all  they  are  all  actual  facts. 

300  pages,  5%  x  7y2  in.;  250  photographs  of  living,  wild  birds. 

Handsomely  bound  in  Cloth,  $2.00  net;   postage  20c. 


Western  Bird  Gxiide 

This  new  book,  a  companion  and  uniform  in  size  to  the  Bird  and  Flower 
Guides  East  of  the  Rockies,  is  much  more  complete  and  shows  every  species  of 
oird,  BOTH  LAND  AND  WATER  to  be  found  IN  THE  ROCKY  MOUNTAINS 
and  westward  to  the  PACIFIC  COAST,  and  from  Mexico  north  to  the  Arctic 
regions.  EVERY  BIRD  IN  NATURAL  COLORS. 

320  of  them  are  faithfully  pictured,  and  the  text  gives  the  more  prominent 
identifying  features,  as  well  as  the  habits,  haunts  and  all  about  their  nests  and 
•sggs.  256  pages,  bound  and  neatly  boxed. 

In  Sock  Cloth,  $1.00  net;   in   Leather,  $1.25  net;   postage  5c. 

CHAS.  K.  REED,  WORCESTER,  MASS. 


FIELD   GLASSES 


FOR    BIRD  STUDY 


or  equally  good  for  the  mountains,  seashore  or  theatre,  or  whatever  a  large, 
clear  image  of  an  object  is  desired. 

We  carefully  examined  more  than  a  hundred  makes  of  field  glasses,  to  select 
the  ones  best  adapted  for  bird  study. 

We  found  one  make  that  was  superior  to  any  other  of  the  same  price  and 
equal  optically,  and  nearly  as  well  made  as  those  costing  three  times  as  much. 

They  magnify  about  three  diameters,  and  have  an  unusually  large  field  of 
vision  or  angle  of  view,  making  it  easy  to  find  a  bird  or  keep  him  in  sight. 
Price  only  $5.00  postpaid. 


CHAS.  K.  REED  WORCESTER,  MASS.