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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^
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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
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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.