Skip to main content

Full text of "A history of North American birds [microform] : land birds"

See other formats 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


LANIJ    BIHDB. 


VOL.  III. 


HISTORY 


OF 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS 


By 


S.  F.  BAIRD,  T.  M.  BREWER,  and  R.  RIDGWAY 


LAND    BIRDS 


ILLUHTnATKl)   BY  HJ,  PLATES  AXD  rm  iVOODCTm 


VOLUME   111. 


BOSTON 
LITTLE,    BROWX,    AND    COMPANY 

1874 

REFERENCE 


'  (. 


REFERENCE 


Entered  ac'conliiig  to  Act  of  Congress,  in  the  year  1H74, 

BY    LITTLE,     IIROWN,    AND    COMPANY, 

in  the  Office  of  tli  ■  Lilinuiun  of  Congress,  at  Washington. 


(I 


CONTENTS. 


Kuiiiilv  iSruKjrD.K     Tlic  Owls  ^^"^ 

4 

Family  Kai.comk^.     Tin-  Kiilioiis     . 

KIM 

.Siibtiimilv  Fau-oninj.; 

l(i(i 

Family  ( 'A iiiAiiiii).»:.     The  Amciicaii  Vultiue.s 

•IMTp 
Family  (.'oLUMiiiii.t:.     The  Pigeons 

■■■•••••.         '.iit'i 
Sulit'amilv  (_'ollmfii\  k 

:5.'i7 

Subiamilv  iiKNAIKi.s* 

-^74 

Family  <'iiA(ii).i.:.     Tlit- ", 'unissows 

:i!t7 

Subfamily  Peneloi-in* 

a!»7 

Family  Mklkaiiiudii).*;.     The  Turkevs 

■' .     4(12 

Family  Tetkaonid*.     The  (! rouse 

414 

Family  I'KitDiciD.t:,     The  Pai-tridges 

'^  4(>« 

Sul)fumily  Oktvoi.n*  . 

466 


Al'l'RNDlX. 

I.     Additions  and  f'orrections     . 

4'J9 

II.     Explanation  of  Terms  us..,!  in  describing  the  External  Form  of  Birds  .         .     524 

III.     Glossary  of  Teohuieal  Terms  . 

0d3 

IxiiKx  OF  Exoi.isii  Names. 
Index  ok  Scikntific  Names. 
Index  t(i  the  Plates. 
Plates  57-64. 


NORTH    AMERICAN    BIRDS. 


RAPTORES.'— The  Biiios  of  Tuky. 

The  group  of  birds  usually  kuowu  as  the  lia/itorrs,  or  Itapacious  Uirds, 
cniliraccs  three  well-uiarked  divisious,  namely,  the  Owls,  the  Hawks,  and  the 
Vultures,  in  former  classificatiuiis  they  headed  the  Class  of  liirds,  l)eiu<; 
honored  with  this  ])osition  in  conse(iuence  of  their  jwwerful  organization, 
largo  size,  and  ])redatory  habits.  But  it  being  now  kiuiwn  that  in  structure 
tiiey  are  less  perfectly  orgauizcnl  tlian  the  Pas.'^cirs  and  Sfrisorr.%  liirds  gener- 
ally far  more  delicate  in  organization,  as  wellas  smaller  in  size,  tiiey  occupy 
a  iilace  in  the  more  recent  arrangements  nearly  at  tlic  end  of  tiie  Terrestrial 
forms. 

The  complete  defniition  of  the  order  Iiii/)for('.'i,  and  of  its  subdivisions, 
re(itiires  the  euunafration  of  a  great  many  characters;  and  that  their  distin- 
guishing features  may  lie  more  easily  recognized  by  the  stuilent,  I  give  tirst 
a  l)rief  diagnosi.s,  including  their  sinii)lest  characters,  to  lie  followed  by  a 
more  detailed  account  hereafter. 

C(iMM(i>j  CiiAiiACTKiiS.  Bill  liookcd,  tliL'  ii]ippr  niaii(lilil(i  rmnisliCMl  at  tlio  bnsc  with  a 
.sfift  skill,  (ir  "ci'iv,"  ill  wliic.'li  tlio  iio.-^ti'il.'J  are  .•^itiiatnl.    Toes,  tlii'cc  liel'oix'  ami  one  bcliiiid. 

UlljlfofCS, 

Strigidae.  I'lycs  dirccleil  I'oi-wai'ils,  anil  siirroumU'il  by  nuliiitiiif;  foatlior.'s, 
which  arc  iKiundcd,  except  anterioily,  by  a  eirele  or  rim  of  (hUereiitly  formed, 
.still'rr  featheis.  Oiilei'  too  rpversibk'.  Claw.s  iiiui'h  huokeil  ami  very  .sharp. 
I.i'.ir.s  and  t(>es  usually  lealhercd,  or,  at  k'ast,  eoated  willi  liristles.  T/ie  Oii'l.i. 
Falconidae.  l^yes  lateral,  and  not  surrounded  liy  radiatini;  I'eatliers.  Outer 
foe  not  reversible  (except  in  I'tnidiiiii).  Claws  usually  hooked  and  sharp, 
but  variable.  Head  more  or  les-!  eoiupletely  leathereil.  Tlie  Ilatrka. 
Cathartidae.  f]yes  lateral;  whole  head  naked.  Outer  toe  not  reversible; 
claws  sli^^ditly  curved,  blunt.      The  VnHitrcs. 

The  ])rc('eding  character.^,  tliougli  imrely  artificial,  may  nevertheless  serve 
to  distinguish  the  tlnc(!  i'amilii'S  ol'  7w^y>/(jn'.s' belonging  to  the  Xortii  American 
Or,n-< ;  a  nmre  sciciitilic  diagnosis,  embracing  a  sidhcient  number  of  osteo- 
logical,  and  accoiu}iaiiyiiig  aiiatumical  characters,  will  be  found  fmther  on. 

'  Tlio  whole  of  tlio  systcniatic  portion  of  the  articlo  on  tlio  R'iplnrri,  has  liciMi  prepared  by  ^[|•. 
liiduway  ;  th  •  bio:»rapliic.i,  however,  are  Curiiished  by  Dr.  Hrewer,  as  usual.  Tin'  outliiie.s  of  tin? 
skull:;  a:!il  i.icriia  of  tlii^  S'rijiila;  the  skulls,  stcM'iia,  and  heads  of  the  Cathnrliiiv,  and  the  generic 
outlhies  of  the  Fit/aiiiii/ii-  and  tUllniiiiiln;  w<'ro  drawn  by  Jlr.  Itidyway.  —  S.  V.  li.viai). 

VOL.   ill.  1 


2  NORTH  AMKItlCAN-  Hri!I)S. 

Tlic  liirds  of  incy  —  uuuu't\  ^Inijii/ris  liy  sdiiic.  iuitlinrs,  iiiid  /idjifaris  (W 
/I'li/Hiiis  liy  (illicis,  and  vciy  u|iiini|)riiiU'ly  (lc'si,i,'iiiitfil  as  tin;  ^h'/iiiii(ir/>/i(r  liy 
I'l'dlussiir  Huxli'V- — I'i'iiii  (iiiu  of  tlio  ludst  sli(iii,L,'ly  rluirat'lcii/i'd  and  sharply 
limiti'd  nf  till'  lii^hcr  divisions  of  lliu  Class  of  I'.iids.  It.  is  only  iccfiitly, 
liipwcvtT,  that  IJM'ir  jilaix'  in  a  syst^niatic  classiiicution  and  lliu  iiidiicr  nnin- 
lurand  relation  of  llu'ir  .nilidivisions  liiivo  been  iirojKn'ly  undorslood.  I'ro- 
fcssor  lliixli'y's  views  will  ju'olialily  Ibiin  tlu;  l)asis  lor  a  ]i('niiancnt  classili- 
latinii,  as  tlicy  laTtainly  jioint  lln'  way  to  one  cinincntly  natnral.  In  his 
ihiiiorlanl  iiapci' entitled  "On  the  Classitjcation  of  I'.inls,  and  on  the  Ta.\o- 
nomic  \'aliu^  of  the  Modilieatioiis  of  eiTtain  (.'raiiial  lloiies  ohsei'vahle  in 
that  Class,"  ■  this  ^ttenlleinan  has  dealt  coneisely  upon  the  allinities  of  the 
order  Ji'ii/itiirrf^,  and  the  distinguishing  features  of  its  subdivisions.  In  tiie 
foil  winu  dia,uiioses  the  osteido,n'ieal  eliaraeters  are  mainly  liorrowed  from 
I'rofissor  Huxley's  work  referred  to.  Nitzscli's  "  rteryli\ura])liy  "  "^  supplies 
HUeh  eliaraeters  as  are  alibrded  by  the  pluma,iie,  most  of  wliieh  confirm  the 
arranj^ement  based  u])on  tiie  osteolnt,'ical  strueture  ;  while  imjiortant  su,i,'|4e.s- 
tions  have  been  derived  i'roin  MetJillivray's  "  History  of  Ilritish  Jlirds."'^ 
Tiie  ^ron()^ra])hs  of  the  Strifiidir  and  Fulnmldw,  by  Dr.  J.  J.  Kaiip,*  contain 
much  \alnalile  information,  and  were  they  not  distinured  liy  a  very  eccentric 
system  of  arran,i;cment  they  would  approach  nearer  to  a  natural  classifica- 
tion of  the  subfamilies,  j^eneva,  and  subgenera,  than  any  arrangement  of  the 
les.ser  grou])s  which  I  have  yet  seen. 

The  sjiecies  of  this  group  are  spread  over  the  whole  world,  trojiical  regions 
having  the  greatest  variety  of  forms  ilnd  numlier  of  species.  The  i^frit/ithv 
are  cosmopolitan,  most  of  the  genera  belonging  to  both  continents.  Tiie 
Fithoiiidct:  Mw  also  found  the  world  over,  but  each  continent  lias  subfamilies 
jieculiar  to  it.  The  VntltKrliihr  are  peculiar  to  America,  having  analogous 
n'preseiitatives  in  the  Old  World  in  the  subfamily  Vullnruuc  belonging  to 
the  Fiilcvniilo:  The  (I'l/jiof/innudn-  are  found  only  in  South  Africa,  where  a 
single  species,  r///y/w/(/v(;;/(.s  nrrjiinfariiai  (( i-MKl,.),  sole  representative  of  tlie 
family,  is  found. 

As  regards  the  comjiarative  number  of  species  of  this  order  in  the  two 
continents,  tlie  Old  World  is  considerably  ahead  of  the  New  World,  which 
might  be  expected  from  its  far  greater  land  area.  fiSl  si)ecies  an;  given  in 
(Iray's  Hand  1-ist,'^  of  which  certainly  not  more  than  oOO,  probably  not  more 

'  I'lV  Tlidiiiiis  H.  IIiixl(>y,  V.  I!.  S.,  V.  1'.  Z.  S.  ;  I^wpciling.s  of  tlu'  Zoiilof^ical  Society  ol'  I-oii- 
iloii,  im;7,  ]i]i.  11')   47;'. 

-  iJy  Cliiiili's  I.iidwij,'  Xit/'iili.  Kii^'lisli  cilitioii,  tianslutcil  from  tli<'  licniuiii  h\-  Di.  l'liili|i 
l.utlry  Siliitc  r,  and  |nilili.-lic(l  l)y  tlii'  liay  Soi'icty  of  London,  181.7. 

^  liy  William   Mr(  lilliviay,  A.  M.  ;  London,  1S40. 

*  Sci'  .laiilinc's  t'ontrilmtions  to  Oiiiitliidofjy,  Lomlon,  ISIH,  ]).  fiS  ;  IS.'.O,  p.  Ctl  ;  IS.'il,  \i.  110  ; 
IS.'il!,  |i,  l(i:i  ;  and  TransiU'tion.s  of  tlii'  ZoiiloyiiMJ  Socii'ty  of  London,  ISH'i,  p.  '2lil. 

'  Hand  List  of  (icni'ia  and  .Sialics  of  lUids,  dibtin<,'ni.sliin.if  those  containi'il  in  the  Briti.sli 
.MnsiMini.  liy  (leoige  jiolieit  (liay,  F.  1{.  S.,  etc.  Part  1.  Aci:ii>Urcs,  Fismrii.il res,  Tciudroslixs, 
and  Dciiliruslrcs.     London,  lh09. 


RAPTOKKS  — JHRDS  OF   I'RKY 


tliaii  4n0,  am  valid  si)ucies,  tlie  utIuTs  rankiiiir  as  -couTai.liicul  raws,  or  ,nc 
syiiuiiymoiis  with  others;  of  this  iimiihcr  alioiit  :!:,()  ii,,iiiiiiii]  sprdrs  arn 
acnvdiU'tl  to  tlic  Old  World.  America,  howi-vcr,  possesses  tiie  greatest 
variety  of  forms,  and  tlio  ,n;reat  hulk  of  the  Oh!  World  l;a|,|,,rial  fnuna  is 
made  U|.  chietly  liy  a  larj,'e  array  nf  speeies  of  a  ftnv  <,'eiicra  wliieh  are  rejnv- 
seiited  ill  Auieriea  by  hut  one  or  two,  or  at  most  half  a  dozeu,  sjiecies.  TIh! 
j^fiiera  Aiiiiild,  S/ihotiis,  Arripihr,  Ifn/ur/ns  Ful.'  ,  Cirnix,  A//„,ir,  .'</ru,  and 
/•'I'/rn,  are  strikini,'  examples.  As  ivyards  llie  iiuiuher  of  peculiar  forms, 
America  is  eoiisideralilv  ahead. 


XOUTII  AMEItlC.W-  niPiDS. 


Family   ST'^TGIDiE.  —  The  Owls. 

CiiAii.  I'AC's  iliri'i-tu<l  loruMiil,  iiml  .-urr()iiiiilc(l  by  ii  railiiUing  system  of  rciillRMs. 
wliii-li  is  lidiiiiilcd,  I'xccpl,  iiiikM-iorly,  liy  a  nill'  ol'  slill'  c()iii[iiiclly  wcKbcd,  (liHuicntly 
I'oriiicd,  ami  M.nu'whal  iccurvKl  llsillici's ;  Kiral  rcathcrs  anli'orse.  lon^',  and  delist'. 
I'liiiiiage  vuiy  soil  and  lax,  of  a  llin:  ddwiiy  trxUiiv,  lliu  Irallici-s  dcsiitiUu  of  an 
alb'r-slial'l.  Oil-j^land  wilhcml  the  usual  circlcl  ol'  leatlicrs.  Outer  webs  of  llio  qnills 
with  the  poinls  ol'  llie  librus  recnrvcd.  Fcalliei's  (Hi  tlio  sides  of  the  forehead  IVe(|nently 
eliiiiLjated  into  ear-like  tnfis;  tarsns  nsnally,  and  toes  freiinently,  densely  li'atliefed.  Eaf- 
openinu-  very  larire,  sonieliines  eovered  b^-  a  lappet.  (ICsnphaL'ns  destitnte  of  a  dilated 
eiiip  ;  eu'ca  larjre.  Maxillo-]ialatines  thick  ami  s[ionLiy.  and  eiieinaehinjr  upon  the 
intervening;- valley  ;  basipleryiinid  processes  always  ]iresent.  Outer  toe  reversible ;  i)os- 
lerior  toe  only  alioiit  half  as  Inni,'  as  the  outer.  I'oslerioi'  inari^iii  of  the  sternnni  donljly 
imk'iiled  ;  clavicle  weak  and  nearly  cylindrical,  about  eipial  in  length  to  the  slerninn. 
Anterior  i)rocess  of  the  coracoid  projecteil  I'orward  so  as  to  im'ct  the  clavicle,  beneath  the 
Iiasal  process  of  the  scaimla.  Eggs  variable  in  shape,  usually  nearly  spherical,  always 
iininaciilate,  pure  while. 

Tlio  Owls  coiLstitutc  a  very  natural  and  sliiirply  limited  family,  and  tlioiigh 
tlie  species  v.iry  almost  infinitely  in  tlie  details  of  their  striietiire,  they  all 
seem  to  fall  witliin  the  limits  i)f  a  single  stiljfaniily. 

They  have  never  yet  been  satisfactorily  classilied,  tmd  all  the  arrange- 
ments which  lia\e  lieen  either  projiosed  or  iidopted  are  refuted  by  the  facts 
developed  upon  a  close  study  into  the  true  relatioiishi])  of  the  many  genera. 
The  divisions  of  "  Night  Owls,"  "Day  Owls,"  "Ilorned  Owls,"  etc.,  are 
purely  artificial.  This  family  is  much  more  liomogeneous  than  that  of  the 
Fitlconiihr,  since  none  of  the  many  genera  whicli  1  have  e.Kainined  .seem 
to  depart  in  their  structure  from  the  model  of  a  single  su1)family,  though  a 
few  of  them  arc  .somewhat  alieriiint  as  regards  peculiarities  in  the  detail  of 
e.xternal  form,  or,  less  often,  to  a  slight  extent,  in  their  osteological  char- 
acters, though  1  have  exanuned  critically  only  the  American  and  European 
species;  iind  there  may  be  .some  Asiatic,  African,  or  Australian  genera 
wiiich  depart  so  far  from  the  normal  standard  of  structure  as  to  necessitate  a 
modification  of  this  view.  In  the  stntclure  of  the  sternum  there  is  scarcely 
the  least  noticeable  deviation  in  any  geuus '  from  the  tyjiical  form.  The 
ainirecialtle  dilferences  n])])eiir  to  l:e  only  of  generic  value,  such  as  a  difi'erent 
jiroiiortionate  lengtii  of  the  coracoid  bones  and  the  sternum,  and  widtii  of 
the  sternum  in  ])ro))ortioii  to  its  Icngtii,  or  the  heigiit  of  its  keel.  The  crania 
])resent  a  greater  range  of  variation,  and,  if  closely  studied,  may  afford  a 
cl(!w  to  a  more  natural  arrangement  than  the  one  which  is  here  ]neseiitcd. 
The  chief  dill'erences  in  th(>  skulls  of  different  genera  consist  in  the  degree 
of  jjiieumaticity  of  the  bones,  in  the  form  of  the  auricular  bones,  the  com- 
panitixe  length  and  breatlth  of  the  |:)iilatines,  iiiul  very  great  contrasts  in  tlie 

'  I  liavc,  however,    exiniiiacd  the  .stei-na  only  ot  Kijdca,  Ualw,   Olus,  Unichijolitn,   Sijniium, 
Sljcliilc,  and  <!iiiHi:l  Kiiin. 


r;riU( i ID.E  —  THE  0\\L>i.  n 

o 

contour.  As  a  rule,  we  iiud  tliat  tliosu  skulls  which  have  Ihc  L^rcatcst 
pUL'Uiuaticity  (c,  i,'.  .s'///,/-  and  (>//'.s)  are  most  (k'liicsscd  antoriuvly,  have  the 
orbital  s('|)tuiii  tliiciccr,  the  i)alatines  Ioniser  ami  narrower,  and  a  deeper  lon- 
j^itudinal  median  valley  on  the  superior  surface,  and  riff  rersK. 

The  lollowiui;  classiticatioii  is  based  chiefly  upon  external  characters  ;  but 
these  are  in  most  instances  known  to  lie  accompanied  liy  osteolojfical  pecu- 
liarities, which  point  to  nearly  the  same  arrangement.  It  is  intended  nierelv 
as  an  artilicial  tal)le  of  tiie  Xortli  xVmerican  genera,  and  may  be  sul)Jected 
to  considerable  modiiication  in  its  plan  it'  exotic  genera  are  introduced.' 

Genera  and  Subgenera. 

A.  Tiiiicr  too  equal  to  the  iiiiildli'  in  Iciiutli  ;  iiiiiei'  t'llsrc  of  middle  claw 
puctiiiutcd.  Fiist  ([iiill  loiifjur  than  the  tiiird  ;  all  the  i[iiill,s  with  thuii-  inner  welis 
entire,  oi  without  eniai\i;inati()n.  Tail  'iarj;;;::;ted.  Feathers  of  the  po.-iterior 
face  of  the  tarsus  rci-invi'd,  or  pointed  ni    .  ai'ds, 

)  Btrix.  Noear-tnits-  hill  jijrht-culoreti  ;  eyes  Mack  ;  tarsus 
nearly  twice  as  lonjr  as  middle  toe;  toes  .scantily  haired.  .Size 
nieiliuni.  I'^ar-eoneh  nearly  as  lon^' as  the  lieiirlit  ol'  the  skull, 
with  an  anterior  operculum  for  only  a  iiortion  of  its  lenifth; 
syininetrieal. 

B.  Inner  toe  decidedly  or  nuich  shorter  than  the  middle;  imier  edfre  of  middle 
claw  not  |)eetinaled.  First  (piill  shortci-  than  the  third;  one  to  six  outer  quilLs 
with  their  inner  wehs  enuufriuated.  Tail  rounde(l.  Feathers  of  the  posterior 
face  of  the  tai'sns  not  reeurveil  liut  pointed  downwards. 

I.  Nostril  o|)en,  oval,  situated  in  the  anterior  edf;c  of  the  core,  which  is  not 
inllaled. 

((.  Cere,  on  top,  ei|ual  to,  or  cxeeedinu',  the  chord  of  the  culiiKMl ;  nnich 
arched.  Far-eoneh  neaily  as  loui;- as  the  hciiiht  of  th<'  skull,  with  the 
operculum  cxlendin.n-  its  lull  lenufth:  asymmetrii-al. 

1!.  Otus.  One  or  two  outer  (piills  with  their  inner  wehs 
emart;uiated.  With  or  wiihout  ear-tufts.  Bill  blaekish  ;  iris 
yellow.     Size  medium. 

Ear-tufis  well  developed  ;  only  one  quill  cmarjrinated     .        Otiii. 
Ear-tults  rudimenlary  ;  two  (pulls  einaryinated     .  /Inic/ii/otiis. 

b.  Cere,  on  top.  less  than  the  chord  of  the  culmcn  ;  {gradually  ascendinjj 
basally,  or  levi'l  (not  arched).  Kar-ronch  nearly  the  liei.uht  of  the  skull, 
with  the  operculum  exii'ndinj;-  (udy  a  |iart  of  its  lull  lenjxth,  or  wanting 
entirely. 

t  Anterior  edge  of  the  ear-conch  with  an  operculum;  the  two  ears 
asyininetrii'al. 

;>.  Syrnium.  Five  to  six  outer  quills  with  their  inuc^r 
welis  eniargiuated.  Top  of  cere  more  than  half  the  culmen. 
Without  ear-tufls.  IJill  yellow  ;  iris  yellow  or  black.  Size 
medium  or  large. 

Six  (piills  emarginriteil ;  toes  densely  feathered,  the  ter- 
minal .scutelhc  concealed;  iris  yellow.    Size  very  large     S-:otiapkx. 

'  Jty  uniniblished  doteriniiiatioiis  .,f  the  Xortli  American  spc;  ics  were  furnished,  by  rcMpiest, 
to  Dr.  Coucs,  for  introduotion  into  Ids  ^' Key  of  Xortli  Aiiicrieaii  Itirds";  con.swpifutly  the 
name's  used  in  tliesu  pages  aru  essentially  the  .same  as  those  tlieiv  eniployua. 


Q  XORTII  AMERICAN"  BIRDS. 

Fivo    quills    oiiiiuyinalcil  ;    tors    soaiilly    fcatluMvil,    tlii' 
tcruiiiiiil  s('iilcli:i>  i'.\|ici>c(l  ;  iris  l>lack.     Size  iiKMlinin     .     tSijriiiiim. 

4.  Nyctale.  'I'wu  (Hilcr  (|iiilis  wilh  iiiuci-  wclis  I'liiiir- 
pinalud.  T(i[)  dl'  I'civ  less  lliaii  iiall'lli(;  ciiliucil,  Icvol.  Willi- 
1)111  uai'-tiirtti.  IJill  yellow  (ir  lilackisii ;  ii-is  yellow.  Si/o 
small. 

ft-  Aiitciior  cdu-c  (if  the  cai'-rcinrli  willioiit  an  operculum.  The  two 
ears  syimuetrical.  Tail  sli^hlly  i-iiiiuiled,  only  about  huU"  as  loni; 
as  the  ^\■in[s. 

5.  Scops.  Two  111  live  ijiiills  willi  inner  welis  einai\L;iuateil ; 
seeoud  to  tilth  lonucst.  ]!ill  wi.'alc,  liyht-enliiicd.  ]']a]--eoiieh 
ehiiitieal,  almiit  onu-thiid  llio  height  of  the  head,  with  a 
slightly  elevateil  friuired  anterior  niartiiu.  Size  small ;  ear- 
tul'ts  usually  well  cleveloped,  .sometimes  nidiineutary. 

().  Bubo.     Two  to  t'ouf  outer  i|iiills  with  inner  webs  em.ar- 
^'iuateil;   third    to   fouiih  longest.       '     .1   robust,  blaek.      Ear- 
foneh  elliptical,  simple,  I'roin  one  thii..  to  one  half  the  height 
ol'  the  .skull.     Size   large.     Ear-tufts   well  developed  or  rudi- 
mentary. 

Ear-tufts  well  developed.     Two   to  three  outer  rpiills 
with  inner  weli.s   emarginated ;    lower    tail-coverts    not 
reaching  end  of  the  tail.     Toes  covered  with  short  feathers, 
the   claws  exposed,  and  bill  not  concealed  by   the  loral 
feathers        ..........      Bubo. 

Ear-lufis    rudimentaiy.     Four    outer   quills    with    their 

inner  webs  (■marginated  ;  lower  tail-coverts  reaeb'ug  end 

of  the  tail.     Toes  covered  with  long  feathers,  which  hide 

the  claws,  and  bill  nearly  concealed  by  the  loral  feathers    .   Kijciea, 

i+t-  Similar  to  the  last,  but  the  tail  graduated,  nearly  eipial  to  the 

wing. 

7.  Suruia.     Four  outer  rpiills  with  inner  webs  emarginated. 

Third   (piill  longest.     Rill  si  rung,   yellow;  ear-coneh   simple, 

oval,  less  than  the  diameter  of  the  eye.     .Size  medium;    no 

ear-tufts. 

II.  Nostril,  a  small  circular  ojieniiig  into  the  surrounding  iullated  membrane 

of  the   cere.     Kar-i.'onch  small,   simple,  oval,  or  nearly   round,  without    all 

operculum. 

First  (piill  shorter  than  tin'  tenth. 

(^.  Glaucidium.  Third  to  fourth  quills  longest ;  four  emargi- 
nated on  imic'i-  webs.  Tarsus  about  equal  to  the  middle  toe, 
den.sely  feathered.  Tail  much  more  than  half  the  wing, 
rounded,  l^ill  and  iris  yellow.  Size  veiy  small. 
!).  Micrathene.  Fom-lh  quill  longest  ;  four  einai'ginated  on 
iimer  webs.  Tarsus  a  little  longer  than  middle  toe,  scantily 
liaired.  Tail  less  than  half  the  wing.  even.  Rill  light  (green- 
ish ?)  :  iris  yellow.  !^ize  very  small. 
First  quill  longer  than  si.xth. 

lit.  Speotyto.  Second  to  foiu'th  (piills  longest;  throe  cmar- 
giuatcd  oi:  inner  webs.  Tarsus  more  than  twice  as  long  as 
middle  toe,  clo.sely  leathered  in  front  to  the  toes,  naked 
lieliind.  Tail  le.ss  than  half  the  wing,  slightly  rounded.  Rill 
yellowish  ;  iris  yi'llow.     Size  small. 


STKTGIDyE  — Tin;  OWLS.  7 

111  tlieiv  di.-;tribulinn,  the  Owls,  as  a  IV.mily,  aro  oosiiidjvplitan,  ami  most  of 
thu  goiicra  arc  found  on  IjolIi  licinisplicii's.  All  tlic  iioitliciii  .mMicra  (Xi/ffru, 
f'-ltiDiiu,  Xi/ii(ilc,  inid  ,S(v/ [((/iter),  and  llu!  majority  of  tlicir  species,  air  cir- 
cnmiioLir.  The  ;j;ciuis  GlKHriillma  is  most  lai'.L,'cly  (levclo])ed  witliin  the 
Iropii's,  and  lias  iiimicrous  species  in  liotii  hcmisphen's,  (>//'.s  linir/ii/nfiin 
and  Sli'Lc  jlanuina  are  the  only  two  species  wiiicii  are  found  ail  over  the 
world,  —  the  former,  however,  I'cin,!^-  apparently  alisent  in  Australia,  (ii/iniio- 
jhiiu;  Sjirofi/fo,  jlfirnil/icnr,  ,\i\d  Lnji/id-sfri.r  are  aiioul  tile  only  wtdl-character- 
izeil  genera  peculiar  to  America,  ^tf/irnr,  Kiliipn,  and  J'/ioi/i/n-s  are  jieciiliar 
to  tlie  Old  World.  Tlio  ap])roxiinate  numlx'r  of  known  species  (see  (iray's 
Hand  List  of  IJirds,  1,  IHliU)  is  alxuit  two  hundred,  of  whicii  two,  as  stated, 
are  cosmopolitan;  si.x  others  {Siiniia  ulnht,  Xjirtia  scKnillnni,  (ll(ii(cidiu)ii 
ints)icri/u(in,  Si/riu'inn  rinorKni,  O/if-i  ru/f/drts,  and  \i/rfit/r  triit/nuiliiti)  are 
found  in  Imlli  halves  of  tiie  Xorthern  Hemispliere ;  oT  tiie  remainder  there 
aro  ahuut  an  e(iual  numlx'r  peculiar  to  America  and  the  Old  World. 

As  regards  the  distriliutioii  of  the  Owls  in  the  Xearctic  Healm,  a  promi- 
nent feature  is  the  munl)er  of  the  s])ecies  (eighteen,  not  including  races) 
lielonging  to  it,  of  whicdi  six  {Mirrathinc  ii-luint'ni;  Xi/rfn/i'  analiiii,  Si/rniinn 
iithiildsiiiii,  *S'.  un  ii/cii/ii/c,  Snjjis  Haiti,  and  S.jlciitmco/n)  are  found  nowhere  else. 
HiHvljilo  funiiahiria  and  liuho  riiyinuouts  are  peculiarly  Anieriean  species 
found  lioth  north  and  south  of  the  eciuator,  liut  in  the  two  regions  represented 
liy  different  geograjjliical  races,  fi'/diirii/iiiiii  fcmii/lnrinji  and  (i.  iii/iisriifinn 
(\ar.  ijiioiiitt)  are  tropical  species  which  overreach  tiie  l)ounds  of  tiie  Neo- 
tropical Jiealm, —  the  former  extending  into  the  United  States,  the  hitter 
reaching  to,  and  iirohahlv  also  witidii,  our  borders.  Of  the  eiuhteeu  North 
American  sjiecies,  alimit  nine,  or  one  half  (Sfri.r  Jlinmiicit  var.  jiratiitni/d, 
Ofn'i  lir((ch  1/0/ 11-1,  0.  ni/i/iiris  var.  I'-ilwiiidniix,  Surnlinn  rinnrinn,  Xi/rfa/c 
((€(((/ li:i(,  HiiliQ  ririjiuMiniis,  and  >!(ii/is  (/.s/o,  with  certainty,  and  Xi/rt<'(( 
moidiKni  var.  iirc/ira,  and  ,'^iiritiii  idiihi  var.  Itinhonia.,  in  all  prol)al)ility), 
are  I'ound  entirely  across  the  continent.  Xi/rfa/c  fciit/iiutlmi,  var.  yic/Kin/Mnii, 
and  Si/niiinii  inliii/dsinn,  appear  to  he  ]ieculiar  to  the  eastern  jMntion,  —  tlie 
former  to  the  nortlieni  regions,  the  latter  to  the  southern.  Allinir  rinilrii/iiria 
var.  Iii/j>i'ijm«,Micr(t//ii lie  ir/iifnci/l,  (IIkiicoUioii  /iKascriiu'iii  var.  ci'lifiiriuvinii, 
,'^i/ntiinn  uiridcnliilv,  and  SfOjui/ldmnurtfn,  arc  ex(dusively  western,  all  helong- 
ing  to  the  smitliern  porlion  of  the  ^liddle  I'roviiice  and  llocky  Mountain 
region,  and  the  adjacent  parts  of  ]\Iexico,  excepting  the  more  generally  dis- 
tributed ,Sy;t(V///()  ntntfuhd-ic,  \ar.  /ii/iiKi/aa,  before  mentioned.  Anomalies  in 
regard  to  the  di,stribution  of  some  of  the  sjiecies  common  to  both  continents, 
are  the  restriction  of  Die  American  represenhitive  of  (llduriilinm  jxn^Kcrininn 
to  the  westei'n  regions,^  and  ui'  I'^/rix  JfdiniiWd  to  the  very  .southern  and 

*  Tliis  cnse  of  tlic  restriction  of  tlic  .\Miciic;iii  iipivMMl;ilivi>  of  a  iMiiiipiiin  or  'Wi'sti'rn  Palio- 
nvilii'  Kpi'iics  to  till-  western  lialf  of  tlie  <'ontinent  lias  iiaiallel  instances  anion,!,'  otlur  liirils. 
'Ih^'  .\iuiiiean  fonn  of  Fiilrohnnirins  (vai.  /luhiiifiriix),  of  t'ornis  nirc.r  (var.  riiniinini.s),  Piiu 
oiuihili:  (var.  Iii(i!.ii)iiii't  ami  var.  iiitllnlli)  and  \il\l-';iiii/iti.'<  rnidi'iiiii^  {viyr.   iiimsiis),  are  eitiier 


8  NOr.TII  AMKIilCAN"  lilUDS. 

inaritinio  portions  of  llio  I'liitL'd  States,  tlio  Europoan  roprosoiitativcs  of  both 
species  lifiiig  ^ncnerally  disliilmteil  tliroiinhout  lliat  etjiitinent.  On  the  other 
hand,  the  northwest-coast  race  of  onr  ^ro/m  astu  (S.  l-t'iiniivtti)  seiMiis  to  be 
nearly  identical  witii  tiie  Japanese  S.  acini foi'ijiirs  (.Sehlegel),  which  is  iin- 
donlitedly  relerrihle  to  tlie  same  sjiecies. 

As  r(';4ai-ds  their  ]iluina,ii;e,  the  Owls  did'er  most  remarkably  from  the 
Hawks  in  the  fact  that  the  sexes  are  invarialdy  colored  alike,  while  from 
the  nest  to  perfect  maturity  there  are  no  well-marked  i)roj,'ressive  staj^es 
distin.ifuishin^'  tlie  dill'erent  ayes  of  a  s]iecies.  The  nestlin<,',  or  downy, 
]>luniag(',  however,  of  many  species,  has  the  intricate  pencillii;,L;'  of  the  adult 
dress  I'ejilaced  by  a  simjjle  transverse  barring  upon  the  imperfect  downy 
coverinj,f.  The  downy  young  of  XjU'tca  scumliava  is  jdain  sooty-brown,  and 
that  ui  titii.r  Jldiitmm  immaculate  wliite. 

In  many  species  the  adult  dress  is  cluiracterized  by  a  mottling  of  various 
shades  of  grayish  mixeil  with  ochraceons  or  i'ulvons,  this  ornamented  by  a 
variable,  oi'ten  very  intricate,  pencilling  of  dusky,  and  more  or  less  mixed 
with  white.  As  a  conse(iuence  of  the  mixed  or  mottled  character  of  the 
markings,  tlut  plumage  of  the  Uwls  is,  as  a  rule,  dilHcult  to  descril^e. 

In  the  variations  of  plumage,  size,  etc.,  with  dill'erences  of  habitat, 
there  is  a  wide  range,  the  nsually  recoginzed  laws  ^  ai)]ilying  to 'most  of 
those  sjiecies  which  are  generally  distributed  and  resident  where  breeding. 
Of  the  eight  .species  eonnnon  to  the  J'ahearctic  aiul  Nearctic  Realms,  all  but 
one  {Vtiis  bntr/(//(ifiis)  are  modified  so  as  t(j  form  representative  geographical 
races  on  the  two  continents.  In  each  of  these  cases  the  American  bird  is 
nuich  darker  than  the  Kuro]iean,  the  brown  areas  and  markings  being  not  only 
more  extended,  but  dee])er  in  tint.  The  dilferenee  in  tliis  respect  is  so  tan- 
gible that  an  experienced  ornithologist  can  instantly  decide  to  which  con- 
tinent any  s])ecimen  behjngs.  Of  tlie  two  cosmopolitan  sjjecies  one,  Otus 
?/m(7///(//«>',  is  identical  throughout;  the  other  is  modiiied  into  geographical 
races  in  nearly  every  well-marked  province  of  its  habitat.  Thus  in  the 
Taliearctic  Itealm  it  is  typical  Stri i:  flammi'a  ;  in  the  Xearctic  Iicalm  it  is  var. 
2)n(tincoln  :  while  Tro]iical  vVmerica  has  at  least  three  well-marked  geo- 
graphical races,  the  species  being  reiiresented  in  Middle  America  by  the  var. 

ditiivly  ivstrictoil  to  the  western  ]imtioii,  or  else  are  iinuli  more  iil)Hii(l;iiit  there  tliiin  in  the 
cast.  Tlie  Iviropean  e-,.,iera  I'iiirhis,  C.cca/linrii.ili-.t,  Xiiri/r(i(jii^>md  C<ih(inha  liave  reiiri'.sfnta- 
tives  imlv  in  the  western  portion  of  Xortii  America. 

inslanc.'s  of  a  similar  relation  l)etw<'eu  tlie  plants  of  the  Western  Trovince  of  North  .America 
and  those  of  Europe,  ami  more  strikiMR  likeness  hctwceii  the  ihira  of  the  Eastern  Itcgion  ami 
tliat  of  Eastern  Asia,  aiv  lieautinilly  I'xplaiiieil  in  rrol'essor  dray's  interesting  and  instructive 
liajicr  entitled  "Seipioia,  and  its  History,"  an  address  delivered  at  the  mcctiiij;  of  the  American 
A.ssoi'iation  for  the  Advancement  of  Science,  at  Diilimine,  Iowa,  Anf;iist,  1>h7±  The  poverty  in  the 
si'ceies  of  tortoises,  ami  richness  in  li/ards,  and  the  lieciiliarities  of  the  ichtliyolo,i,'ical  fauna,  as  well 
as  aliseiiceof  forms  of  Western  North  America  and  Europe,  comiiarcd  with  Eastern  North  America 
and  Eastern  Asia,  all'ord  other  exaiii|iles  of  ])arallclisiii  in  other  classes  of  the  Animal  KiiiRdom. 

'  Sec  r>ainl.  Am.  .louni.  Arts  and  Sciemvs,  V(d.  XM,  .Ian.  and  jMarcli,  ISOU  ;  Allen,  Bull. 
Mns.  Comp.  Zobl.  Caniliiiduc,  Vol.  II,  No.  3  ;  and  Hidfjway,  Am.  Journ.  Arts  and  Sciences. 
Vols,  IV  and  V,  Dec,  1S7-.',  and  Jan.,  1S7;!. 


STKKilD.E  — THE  OWLS.  9 

iiuitlcmiilo;  ill  Soutli  AuuM'iL'u  l>y  var.  pcrhihi,  and  in  tlie  West  Indies  liy  liie 
vav.  furriitii.  The  Old  World  lias  also  niinicoiis  iviirt'sontativu  lat'es,  of 
which  we  have,  however,  seen  only  two,  namely,  ww:  jura nlin  ((ini.j,  of  .lava, 
India,  and  Kastern  Alriea,  and  var.  iliHidtnla  i^llouldj  ul'  Aiisiialia,  hoih  of 
wliieli  we  uiihi'sitatiii,uly  refer  to  S.  JIhihiiuk} 

On  the  Xorth  American  eoiitineiit  the  only  widely  distrihiited  species 
whidi  do  not  vary  i)ereei)tilily  with  the  region  arc  Oliin  liiuir/ii/d/iis  and  (>. 
cii/'/drifi  (var.  iri/.siiiii((jii'.s).  Jluho  riiylniinni'i,  Sivj>--<  I'-^io,  and  Siffiinnu  nc'iu- 
losinn  all  hear  the  iiiiiiress  of  special  laws  in  the  several  regions  of  their 
lialiitat.  Starting  with  the  Eastern  Province,  and  tracing  either  of  these  three 
species  soulhwanl,  we  find  it  becoming  gradually  smaller,  the  cidors  deejjer 
and  more  rufous,  and  the  toes  more  .scantily  fealhered.  ,SVo/as  Ksin  reaches  its 
minimum  of  si/e  and  maximuiu  depth  of  color  in  l""lorida  {yav.  Jfurii/itju() 
and  in  Mexico  (var.  fiuinu). 

Of  the  other  two  I  have  not  seen  Florida  s])eciniens,  but  examples  of 
both  from  other  Sontiiern  States  and  the  Lower  Mississip^ii  Valley  region  are 
much  more  I'll lous,  and  —  tiie  S.  iKhiilosina  especially — smaller,  with  more 
naked  toes.  The  latter  species  is  darki'st  in  Eastern  Mexico  (var.  Kdvtori), 
and  most  rufescent,  and  smallest,  in  (luatemala  (\i\r./n/ir.sci;iis).  In  the  mid- 
dle region  of  the  I'nited  Stales,  Scoji'i  tisio  (var.  taairdlli)  and  Buho  vinjliii- 
annn  (\av.  (urticn-'i)  are  more  grayisli  and  more  delicately  pencilled  than  from 
other  jiortioiis.  In  the  iiortiiwest  coast  region  they  become  larger  and  much 
more  darkly  colored,  assuming  the  clove-browii  or  sooty  tints  jieculiar  to  the 
region.  The  var.  Irnnirnlli  represents  <S'.  asii)  in  this  region,  and  var.  pncifirita 
the  1>.  vivijliiiunii.-i.  The;  latter  species  also  extends  its  range  around  the 
Arctic  Coast  to  Labrador,  and  forms  a  northern  littornl  race,  the  very  o])]k)- 
site  extreme  in  color  I'rom  the  nearly  albinescont  examiiles  of  var.  ((irtiniH 
found  ill  the  interior  of  Arctic  America. 

A  very  remarkable  characteristic  of  the  Owls  is  the  fact  that  many  of  the 
species  exist  in  a  sort  of  (/innirjiliir  condition,  or  that  two  jdumages  suili- 
ciently  unlike  to  be  of  spt^cific  importance  in  otlu^r  cases  belong  to  one 
species.  It  was  long  thought  that  these  two  phases  represented  two  distinct 
species;  afterwards  it  was  maintained  that  they  (le]K.'nded  on  age,  sex,  or  sea- 
son, different  authors  or  observers  entertaining  various  ojiinions  on  the  sub- 
ject;  but  it  is  now  generally  believed  that  every  individual  retains  through 
life  the  plumage  which  it  first  accpiires,  and  that  young  birds  of  both  forms 
are  often  found  in  the  .same  nest,  their  parents  being  either  both  of  (me 
form,  or  both  of  the  other,  or  the  two  styles  paired  together.^  The  iinrmal 
]iluniage,  in  these  instances,  appears  to  be  grayish,  the  pattern  distinct,  the 
markings  sharply  delined,  and  the  general  appearance  much  like  that  of  s])e- 
cies  which  do  not  have  the  other  plumage.     The  other  jdumagc  is  a  repla- 

1  For  iliaj^nosi's  of  iIipsp  gcoi^niiiliii-il  r.ii'cs  «(  S/ri.i'  tlniiinii-n,  sec  ]i]>.  l;?:!0  nml  13411. 
-  Spc  AUpii,   Hull.  Mils.  Com]).  Zoiil.,  C'iiiiibiiil{,'<',   Vol.  II,  No.  3,  pp.  3.38,  339,  wlicio  tlio.so 
lihimnsi'S  iirr  ilisi'iisspil  n*;  length, 
vol,.  III.  2 


10  NOin'II  A.MKKH'AN  ]iII!I)S. 

ciiiL;  of  tlic  ^rayisli  tints  liy  a  hii^lit  liitdiitious-nit'iuis,  the  ])0iK'illiii,u.s  bciiii,' 
ill  till'  saiiK!  tiiiK)  less  wi'U  (Ictiiicd,  luid  the  patteni  ol'  the  siiialler  iiiarliiii^s 
til'lfu  cliaiiuci!.  'I'iiis  cipiiilitiiiii  scciiis  to  lie  somewhat  analogous  to  nic/iniisin 
in  eei'taiii  luilciuuiUr,  and  apjiears  to  lie  more  eouinion  in  the  j^cui'ia  Smjis 
and  (lliniriiliidii  tin  whicii  it  all'eels  mainly  the  trojiical  speeiesl,  and  (icenis 
al>o  ill  the  iMMojii'an  Si/i/'iniii  aluro.  Xa  studied  with  relation  to  <inr  Xoitli 
Auieriean  siieeie-;,  we  liiid  it  only  in  (SVe/w  ((nio  and  (ilinirldldni  Jrrriii/iiic/nn. 
The  latter,  hein^  strictly  tiopieal  in  its  haliitat.is  similarly  a  lie  led  throie^h- 
(iiit  its  rani^e ;  lait  in  the  t'onner  we  find  that  this  eondition  deiieiids  nnieli 
u]ion  the  renioii.  'J'iuis  neither  Dr.  ('(lojier  imr  1  have  ever  seen  a  red  spe- 
eiiiu'n  I'roiii  tlic  I'aeilie  eoast,  nor  do  1  find  any  record  ol' such  an  occtirrence. 
'I'iie  normal  i,'ray  |ilunia,i;e,  howtncr,  is  as  common  throughout  that  re,L;i<iu  as 
ill  the  Atlantic  States.  In  the  New  England  and  Middle  States  the  red  jilii- 
mage  seems  to  he  more  rare  in  most  places  than  the  gray  one,  while  toward 
the  south  the  red  jiredominates  greatly.  Of  over  twenty  s]ieciniens  obtained 
in  Southern  Illinois  (Mt.  Carmel)  in  the  course  of  one  winter,  only  one  was 
of  the  gray  plumage;  and  of  the  total  number  of  specimens  seen  and  se- 
t'lired  at  other  times  during  a  series  of  years,  we  can  remember  but  one  other 
gray  one.  As  a  ].arallel  examjile  among  mammals,  Professor  IJaird  suggests 
the  case  of  the  Ked-bellied  Sipiirrels  and  Foxes  of  the  Southern  States, 
whose  relationshi]is  to  the  more  grayi.sli  northern  and  westuni  forms  appear 
to  be  about  the  same  as  in  the  jH'osent  instance. 


(ii:xis   STRIZ,   S.wir.xY. 

S/n'.i;  SAViiiNV,  18(10  (,/-■<•  I, inn.  173."i).    (Tyiie,  Sln'.rjfnwiiicd.  Ijnn.) 
Slriihilii.  .S|.i.i.vs-I,(iNii(||,   1S4"2. 
Ei(slr!ii.i\  Wv.v.v.k  IJi.iMii.  Ib41. 
lliilirii.  X11/.-.C  II. 

(ii;N.  CiiAii.    Size  iiic'liuiii.    Xncnr-lal't.-j;  liiciiil  lulV  entirely  I'lintiiiiious,  vci-y  conspicu- 
iiis.     Willi;-  vt'iy  lull,!;-,  llic  llisl  or  socdiiil  (|nill  lon.^cst.  ami  nil  without  ciuar.uiiiatioii.    Tail 

.sliort,  umar.LiiiiMliMl.  Dili 
oloiiifiUi'il,  coiiiiin'sseil.  rcLT- 
ularly  ciirvcii  :  top  ol'  llic 
wrc  lu'iu'Iy  i'(iiiiil  to  tiic 
ouliiii'ii,  .str:iii.;iit.  and  sonii'- 
wiial  (l('p-'ss('(l.  Xosirii 
opt'ii.  oval,  nearly  liori/,oiii;il. 
Eyes  very  ,-iiiall.  T;irsns 
nearly  twice  as  loiiff  as  the 
liiiilillu  toe,  cleiisely  (•lollie<l 
with  soft  .short  H'alliers, 
those  on  the  posterior  liieo 
Sirir  imtinraUi.  inclined         Upwards;      toes 

.seaiilily  Iii'istled  ;  cImws  cn- 
treiiiely  sharp  and  loiej-,  the  niiildle  one  willi  ils  inner  eilav  pectinated.     Ear-euncli  nearly 


HTIUGID.E  — THE  OWLS.  H 

ix.<  loiiLt  as  tlio  licij;hl  nf  llit.'  liciul,  wiili  au  aiitorior  uimivuluui,  wliiuii  duos  nut  uxIlmiiI  ils 
lull  lelii,'lli  :   llif  two  oai's  syiiiliii'lrkMl  ? 

Tlic  spcciHs  (if  ,SV/7'  iiro  (listi'il)rtoil  over  the  wliolo  worlil,  tliiiiiL;li  (inly 
(iiic  of  llicni  is  (Mj.sMKiiiolitiUi.  This  is  the  ediiiinoii  I!ani  Owl  {S.  j/itnunivi, 
the  \y\n\  (if  the  .n'eiius,  whiih  is  t'oiiml  in  nearly  every  iMUtidn  (if  tlut  wurld, 
ihouuliin  tlilVerent  reijidns  it  hiis  exiierienc(.'(l  nKiditieatioiis  which  ((iiistilute 
;4(j(i,i;niiihiciil  niees.  The  ntlier  sjieeies,  (if  iiKire  restricted  distiiliutidn,  are 
peculiar  Id  the  trdpical  jMirtidns  (if  the  Old  Wiirld,  chielly  Australia  and 
Sdtith  Africa. 

Synopsis  of  the  Races  of  S.  flammea. 

S.  flammea.  Face  vaiyiiiir  I'loiii  |iiiiv  white  to  dflicalo  clarcl-lnnwii  ;  faiial 
v'm-U:  varyiiii,'  I'rom  pun!  white,  tlii-()ii}jrli  o(.'lii-.ieei)iis  and  rufdus.  tn  deep  lihuk. 
Upper  parts  with  tla;  leathei's  nohraeediis-yellnw  liasally;  this  overlaid,  more  or 
less  eontiiiiiously,  liy  a  oniyish  wash,  usually  linely  iiiotlleil  and  speckled,  with 
diisUv  and  while.  Priniaries  and  tail  liari'eil  transversely,  iiion'  or  less  dislinelly. 
with  distant  dusky  bands,  of  varialile  iiiunlier.  Jteiieath,  varyinj;  from  pnri> 
snowv  white  to  tawny  rul'ous,  innnaeidate  or  speekl(Ml.     Winir.  lt).7n-  lii.oO. 

Win--,  10.70- 1  •.'.(!((:  tail,  4.S0-r).r)0;  (ndnieii,  .7o-.S0  ;  tarsus. 'J.d.'i  ~'J.1.'>; 
luiddle  toe,  I'Jo  -  l.oO.  Tail  with  lour  dark  hands,  and  sonielinies  a  trace 
of  a  lil'lli.     Ilah.    JOurope  and  Mediterranean  rejfiin  of  Africa      .     \;\v.  Jl  d  m  iii  fn  .^ 

Wili^',  12..')0- 14.00:  tail,  0.70  -  7.r>0 ;  euhuen,  .00-1.00;  tarsus.  2..Jo  - 
3.00.  Tail  with  four  dark  bands,  and  souuMiines  a  trace  of  a  (ifih.  ('olois 
lij,'liter  than  in  vnv.  jlunniird.     Jfah.    Soulhorn  North  America  and  Mexico. 

var.  ji  r  II I  i  n  col  a . 
Win,;.',    11.30-13.00;   tail,   0.30-5.00;    taisus,    2.55-2.0.").     Colois  of  va'-. 
/liinviiea,  but  more  imiliirni  above  and  mure  coarsely  speckled  Ijelow.     Ilah. 
Central  America,  from  I'iuiama  to  (iiiatemal.-i     ....  var.  (j  u  (li  f  in  nhvr 

1  SIrix  Jtiiiiiiiii-ii,  var.  Jliunimui.  SIrie  Jhiiiiimii,  LiNS.  S.  X.  I,  !;!;>,  17^)(>,  ct  .Vl  i  r.- 
SruK.Ki..  Orii.  Syii.  I,  liiua,  17iS.  Slric  aliiii,  Seop.  Ann.  1st,  p.  -Jl,  17iiS.  —  (Isiia..  S.  X. 
21i:!.  —  l.ATii.  —  D.Mii.  —  Ijia".  and  .Sn.vw.  S/ny  ijntlnln,  |{i;i:u.\i,  Vli;;.  Dcutscld.  p.  lOiJ, 
ISlil.     Jliih.    Eurojii'  and  .M'rica. 

^  Strtj\/l(iiiiiiii-i,  var.  ijiiiilcmala;  liiDCW.w.  Central  Ameriean  specimens  dlller  very  aiipri'- 
liiibly  froin  lle.xicau  and  Xorth  Ani<riian  cxaiiipli's,  in  bciiy  considerably  daikir-ciildrcd  in 
till'  I'xtrenK!  jiliascs  of  plumafte.  Ki^lil  of  eleven  spccinicns  convey  an  iniprcssion  nf  di  liilcd 
illUVronei'  ill  tins  respect  at  a  mere  casual  i,dance.  'I'lie  extreiiies  of  iiliniiai,'!'  in  this  scries  are  as 
I'ollows  : —  Harkest  (Xo.  4(1, !)(>!,  ('lninande},'a,  Xicaraf,'ua  ;  1".  llieksl  :  The  dusky  iiKitlliiiL;  ol' 
tlic  upjier  parts  is  altoj^etlier  darker  than  in  any  e.xaniplc  IVoin  .Mexico  m  northward,  and  piv- 
vail.s,  with  ^reat  unil'oniiity,  over  the  entire  .surluco  ;  the  white  specks  are  linear,  instead  el' 
roundish.  On  the  primaries  and  tail,  the  blackish  and  oeliraceoiis  are  ahuul  eipial  in  extent,  the 
latter  c(dor  rorniiii^  live  luuids  on  the  ipiills,  and  four  on  the  tail.  The  facial  circle  is  bii'^dit 
ilark  (iraiif^e  above  the  ears,  ainl  the  portion  lielow  the  ears  eontiinioas  bknk  ;  the  face  is  rcil- 
ilish-whitc,  strongly  tiii;icd  with  winediiowii,  while  the  sjiot  in  front  of  the  eye  is  dccji  black. 
The  whole  lower  parts  are  deep  oranec-oehraceoiis,  with  nninerous  irrc!,'iilar  specks  of  dusky, 
which  |iostcriorly  beconie  broken  or  confused  into  raj;j;ed  zijjzajj  transM'r.sc  iiiottlini,'s,  while 
on  tli(!  lower  tail-coverts  they  form  irrej,'ular  transverse  bars.  Win<;doi inula,  '_',  1  :>.  Wiiii;, 
13.(10;  tiul,  .5.00;  culnicii,  ..sr,  ;  tarsus,  2.00;  middle  t<ie,  l..-|0,  I,ij;hlcsl  (No.  11,2.')2,  i, 
San  ,Josi',  (Aista  h'ica,  Auf;.  2:i,  ISda  ;  ,los('  ( '.  ZcledoiO  :  The  dark  tint  above,  thou,i,di  pic'V- 
alciit,  is  a  eontinuons  wash  of  grayish,  instead  of  a  line  mottliiif,'  of  blacki.-.h  ami  white  ;  the 
white  specks  are  neiuly  obsolete.  Tlic  wings  arc  siiiierlieially  |ilain  grayisli,  this  overlaying  the 
ground-color  of  oeliraccons-orange  ;  and   have  visible  spots  only  on  the  primaries,  near  their 


]2  NORTH  AMERICAN-  BIRDS. 

W'iii.i:-,  11.70-1'i.iiil;  tail,  4.S0-,').'Ji);  laisiis,  2.40- 2.7').  Tail  moiv  cvc'.i, 
aii<l  lij;litt'r  coliircil  ;  tliL'  diuk  linis  iimi  rowci',  lunl  iikh-i'  sliarply  (liii.i'.l. 
("oldis  ^'('iR'rally  iialcr.  and  iiuh'c  jirayisli.  //ah.  Sniiili  .\iijrfiiM  (i;r:i/il, 
flc  ^       ............       v:ir.  ji  <■  r  I II I  a,^ 

Will,;.',  12.00- lli.r.il;  tall.  .'>.fiO-(i.()(l;  ciiIiikmi.  .S.") -.!!.') ;  tai-sns,  2.70  -  2..'^."i; 
iniililli'  toe,  1.45-  l.()0.  Culiir.-*  as  in  var.  jn'rlufa,  liiil  ,'*c<M)ii(lari('.s  anil  lail 
nearly  white,  i"  alinipt coiiti-ast  tu  the  ailjaecnt  pai't.s ;  tail  n-siuiUy  without 
hai's.     /Jiih,    \Ve.<t  Indies  (('nlia  and  .laniaiea,  Mils.  S.  I.)      .        .      \t\v. /ii  real ii .^ 

\\"u\<s,    11.00;  tail,   .'j.OO;  cnhnen,   alioul    .S.") ;   lai'snti,  2.O.")  -  2. 1.") ;  middle 

shafts.  The  tail  has  I'enr  nithci'  ilistinct  <,'rayish  li.nnls.  The  facial  cii'cle  is  ochiacpous,  snnic- 
wliat  (iaiker  across  the  fereiiciK-  ;  the  face  white,  with  tln'  antc-mhital  sjint  elaict-lirown.  Kiitire 
lower  parts  iininaeulate  pure  white.  Wiiig-foriuida,  'J,  1  =  3.  Wiiii^,  ii.'M)  ;  tail,  a. .1(1  ;  cid- 
nieii,  .7(1  ;  tarsus,  '2.7^  ;  niiihlle  toe,  1.  t.'i. 

No.  •J4,'jsy,  Niearaf,'na,  (Captain  .1.  M.  Dow,)  is  like  the  specimen  just  ileserihed,  in  the  unifona 
dark  wasji  of  tlie  upjier  pait.s,  liut  tliis  is  deeper  ;  the  lower  part.s,  however,  an;  ([uite  diU'eieiit, 
heiii;;  oi'hraeeous-oraii^e,  in.stead  of  pure  white. 

The  iviiiainiiij;  live  speeitiieiis  (from  ."^aii  Salvador,  Costa  liica,  and  Xicarai,'iia)  are  alike,  and 
dill'er  froin  northern  liirils  in  the  deeper  daik  mottliii<;  of  ilie  upper  [larls  ;  the  winte  spii'ks 
Very  conspicuous,  and  iisiially  sau'ittate.  The  facial  einde  deeji  black  where  it  crosses  the  fore- 
neek.  The  lower  parts  vary  in  color  from  nearly  pure  while  to  deei>  oraiifje-nifous  ;  the  dark 
markings  of  the  lower  surface  are  larger,  more  angular,  and  more  transv<'rse  than  ni  true  y/cK- 
tiiimhi.  Tlie  wing  measures  11.30-13.0(1;  tarsus,  2.;").")  -  2. !•.">.  The  northern  I'orni  varies 
from  ]2.."i(l- 13.(1(1  (wing)  ami  2.50- 2.8')  (tarsn.-;).  It  is  thus  seen  that  while  these  soiitliern 
liirds  avi'iage  smaller  in  general  dimensions,  they  have  actually  larger  feet,  tlie  average  length  of 
tlie  tarsus  lieing  2.8(1  in  the  Central  American  .scries,  and  only  2.()0  in  the  northern  series.  Tliis 
exactly  coincides  with  the  ease  of  Sluruclht,  the  .V.  iiinijiiii  var.  mcxicuHU  of  the  same  region  being 
smaller  liodied  and  shorter'winged  than  var.  iiiikjiih  of  the  United  States,  hut  vitii  much 
larger  feet,  .see  ]>. 

'  SIri.i'  JhiiitiKcii,  yiu:  pcrlfila.  Sh-i.i'  prr/nln,  Liciir.  Vcr/.  Douhl.  aO,  1S23.  —  T.scilfDl,  Av. 
Consj).  AViegm.  .\rcliiv.  2(17,  1844.  —  HAirrr.  Syst.  Iiid.  .\/aia.  y.  d.  —  .Max.  IJeitr.  Ill,  203 
(e.\cl.  syii.). -- Sriiieia,.  Orn.  .Syn.  I,  ISa.'i,  18(i  (e.xcl.  syn.K  ,Sy/-(.i\//«/(i(/i('(,  Daiiwix,  Zool. 
Heag.  34.  —  ScirnMii.  A'erz.  Faun.  Hrit.  (luiaii.  p.  732.  — Si'ix,  Av.  Ihas.  I,  21. 

This  is  a  still  further  dilferentiated  or  nion'  aiipreciahly  modilied  race.  It  dilh'is  in  .smaller 
size  (wing,  11.7(1- 12.. "i(i  ;  tail,  4.8(1-5.20  ;  tarsus,  2.40-2.7."))  ami  more  .sipiare  tail,  wliile  the 
colors  also  present  constant  dilh'reiiees.  Tlie  tail  is  much  lighter  comiiared  with  the  wings,  the 
hands  nnrrower  and  more  sharjily  delineil,  tlioiigli  tlie  same  in  iiumhcr. 

-  S/n'r  jliiiiiiiifn,  vtu:  fiimihi.  Sh-lr  fiimdii,  Tic.MM.  I'l.  Col.  432,  1838.  —  D'Ollu.  Hist.  Xat. 
Cuha  Ois.  )i.  34.     Huh.     West  Imlii's  (Ciilia  and  .lamaica). 

This  form  is  the  most  distimtly  eharactcri/cd  of  all  the  races  of  .V.  fliinuiwt  which  we  have 
examined.  It  has  the  general  plumage  deiidcdly  lighter  and  less  rufous,  while  the  .secondaries 
and  tail  are  alinijitly  lighter  than  tlie  tidjaciait  parts,  and  usually  free  from  hands,  though  there 
are  sometimes  traces  of  them. 

All  the  .\iiicricaii  races  of  Slrir  Jhini/iini  dill'er  vi'iy  decidi'dly  from  the  Kuropean  form  (var. 
fliniiiiii-ii)  in  much  larger  size.  The  diircreiiees  in  color  arc  not  .so  ap|ircciahle,  and  there  is 
hardly  any  certain  diUcrcnce  in  this  respect.  The  extri'iiie  phases,  however,  ajipear  to  he  darker 
in  the  var.  Ihniiiiiiui  than  in  the  var.  jirntinfn/d.  The  snjipo.scd  dilleiences  in  the  character 
of  the  feathers  flinging  the  operculum,  insisted  on  hy  .Macdillivray  (History  of  Itriiish  liirds, 
HI,  1840,  p.  473),  I  am  unable  to  appreciate,  for  1  c^aniiiit  find  that  they  dilFer  in  the  least  in 
the  two  races.  That  excellent  ornitliologist  states  that  in  the  American  "  species  "  the  feathers 
of  the  operculum  are  redueed  to  a  simple  tiilie,  having  neither  tilaineiits  nor  shaft,  while  in  the 
iMiropean  bird  they  are  perfect  feathers,  with  all  their  parts  complete.  Though  this  may  liavu 
been  the  case  witli  the  one  or  more  specimens  of  prdliiu-d/ii  examiueil  hy  Mr.  .\bie(iillivray,  I 
have  yet  to  .see  ai>  American  specimen  which  has  not  the  feathers  of  the  oiieruiilum  just  as  per- 
fectly developed  as  in  Kuroiieaii  examples. 


STinoID.K  — Till']  (l^VL^<.  1;) 

toe,  L.'iO- 1.10.     folois  ol'  viir.  ;i/v(/i.'(r(,/((,  l)iit    los   of  llic  oclii-iircoii-;,  with 
n  frmitcr   iircvalciicc   of  tin'  .u'niy   iiioUliiii.'.     Tail   witli   fniir  <iiiik    Imiids. 

ll'ih.    Au>triili;i vai-.  ,1 ,' I  i  ra  t  ii  I  ,i  ^ 

Will-'.  ll.(Hi-11.7<i;  l.iil,  o.Kl-.'i.lO;  ciiliiicii,  .S.")-.!)():  tarsus,  'J,;!0- 
2.1.");  luiclillc  IiM',  1.1!.')- l.l.'i.  Siiiiio  colors  as  var.  dclicKtiild.  Tail  with 
I'oiii-  tki-k  bands  (sometimes  a  tiiico  of  a  til'lh).  //"''•  I>"lii'  i>i"l  Kiisleni 
AlHuii var.  ;(((•((  «*■  I'd.' 


Strix  flammea,  \ai.  pratincola,  1]onap. 

AMERICAN  BABN  OWL, 

S/ny  /mitiiicold,  Bns.w.  I-ist,  18^8,  p.  7.  -  Dk  K.vy,  Zoiil.  JT.  Y.  II,  1844,  31,  \i].  xiii. 
I.  28.  -  <!r:.VY,  (Ini.  I!.,  fol.  sp.  2.  — f.vssiN,  15.  Ciil.  &  Tex.  18.-)4,  i>.  l"(i.  —  Nkwii. 
1".  1!.  Itrji.  VI,  IV,  lS.-,7,  7ii.  —  lltl'.liM.  (1<>.  VII,  \S-,7,  34.  —  l'.\ss.  Birds  X.  Am.  ]S,')8, 
47.  _C,„-,.,s,  I'hhI.  Oni.  Ariz.  d'.  A.  X.  S.  I'liilad.  LStitn,  13.  —  Sci..  P.  Z.  S.  isr.ll, 
3!>0  (Oii.Nacat.  —  Dlir.ssi;!:,  IMs,  IStir,,  33(t  (Texas).  —  .'  I!i:V.\XT,  I'r.  Host.  Soc.  18t>7,  0.'. 
(IJaliamis^.  Sli-ii-  iiir/itiK,  GliAV,  Mst  Birds  Brit.  Mils.  1848,  litii  [nut  S.  jici-ln/n  of 
Lieiir.  1).  —  ill.  Hand  l.i.st,  1,  1809,  52.  —  K.vri',  Moiidj,'.  Xtrif,'.  I'r.  Zoiil.  Soe.  I.oiid. 
IV,  18,"ii),  247.  Slri.!-.  nnii-ricdiKi,  Aid.  Syiiop.  183!»,  24.  —  Blir.WKi!,  Wilson's  Am. 
Orn.  18r.2,  ()87.  Sh-ir  fliminai,  M.\x.  lSei.se  Bi'a.s.  II,  1820,  2t)r).  —  Wii.s.  Am.  (»rii. 
1808,  pi.  I,  f.  2.  — ,l.\Mr.s,  ed.  Wilson's  Am.  Orn.  I,  1831,  111.— Ari).  B.Am.  1831, 
pi.  elxxi.  —  III.  Orn.  Bio^'.  11,1831,  403.  —  Seix,  Av.  Bia.s.  I,  21.  -  Vio.  Zool.  .Icmr. 
Ill,  438. —  III.  Zuill.  Beeeh.  Voy.  p.  Iti.  —  BoNAl'.  Ann.  X.  Y.  Lve.  11,38. —  lu.  I.si.s, 
1832,  1110;  <'oiisp.  Av.  p.  .W.  (iliAV,  Lis!  Birds  Bill.  Mils.  1844,  r(4.  —  XriT. 
Man.  1833,  130.  riiihijlamwn,  .Iaudi.nt.,  ed.  Wilsou'.s  Am.  Orn.  II,  183'2,  2(54.  >Sfi-ix 
JliiiiiiiKii,  var.  itiiicriaiiia,  C'ofKs,  Ke\-,  1872,  201. 

CiiAit.  Averiiije  phiiiiai/e.  Groiind-rolor  of  the  i)p]H'r  purts  Iiriirht  or.anrro-oclira- 
ceoiis ;  tliis  overlaid  in  oloiidiiigs,  on  nearly  the  whole  of  tho  siirt'ieo,  with  a  delicate 
niottliii.!jf  of  hlackish  and  white;  tho  niottlin.ir  contiiiiioius  on  the  back  and  inner  .scapu- 
lars, and  on  the  ends  of  the  primaries  more  faint,  while  alon.aj  their  ed.ires  it  is  nion;  in 
the  I'orni  of  line  dusky  dots,  thickly  siiriiikleil.  Each  i'eather  of  the  mottled  surface 
(excepting;  the  secondaries  and  primaries)  has  a  medial  dash  of  lilaclc,  eiiclosiiiu'  a 
ronndi.sh  or  cordate  spot  of  while  near  the  end  of  the  featiicr  :  mi  tlie  secondaries  and 
primaries,  the  mollliiiL,'  is  eoiivlensed  into  obsolete  transverse  bands,  which  are  about  four 
in  number  on  the  former  and  live  on  the  latter  ;  primary  coverts  deeper  oran<;e-rufous 
than  the  oilier  portion.*,  the  moltlin.t:;  principally  at  their  ends.  Tail  or,iiijre-ochraceons, 
finely  niottleil  —  most  densely  terminally  —  with  dii.sky,  fadinir  into  wiiilisli  at  the  tip, 
and  erossi'd  by  about  five  distinct  bainls  of  mottled  dusky.  Face  white,  tiiifred  with 
wine-red;  an  ante-orbital  spot  of  ilark  claret-brown,  this  narrowly  sinroiindiiii;  the  eye; 
lUeial  circle,  from  forehead  down  to  the  ears  (behind  which  it  is  while  for  an  inch  or  so) 
soft  oraiige-oclirae<'ons,  similar  to  the  u'niund-color  of  the  np|)er  parts  ;  the  lower  half 
(from  ears  across  the  throat)  deeper  ochraceon.s.  the  tips  of  the  feathers  blackish,  the 
latter  sometimes  |)redoniinatinj;.      Lower  parts  snowy-white,  but  tliis  more  or  less  over- 

1  Slri.r.  ,/liiiiimr(i,  var.  (Hiiri/iila.  SIrix  dclicntiih,  (^iri.n,  P.  Z.  S.  183(),  140.  —  In.  B. 
Australia,  I,  jil.  xxxi.  —  SriiicKT,.  Orn.  Syn.  IS.'i.^,  ISO.     Jlnh.    Australia. 

"  SIrix  jIaiiiDicii,  var.  jni-anica.  SIrix  jiirirniei',  O.mki,.  .S.  X.  1,  20."i,  1789.  —  Lath.  Ind. 
Orn.  p.  64,  and  Gen.  Hist.  I,  3.57.  —  llmisF.  L.  Trans.  XIII,  139.  —  (!|;AV,  Con.  B.  fol.  sp.  5, 
pi.  XV.  —  Sykk.s,  p.  Conim.  Zoiil.  Soe.  pi.  ii,  81.  — SruicKl..  Orn.  Syn.  I,  1855,  180.  Pltudilus 
javanicus,  Ulytii,  Journ.  A.s.  Soe.  Beiig.  XIX,  513.  Strix  JIuiiuiim,  Peaks.  &  Bi.ytii.  Ilab. 
Java  and  Southern  India,  and  Eastern  Africa. 


14 


VOIiTII  AMKiaCAN  UIIIPS. 


I;iiil  with  11  tiiij.'..'  dl'  line  iiriiiii,'i'-ocliriirc(His,  lifflitu'  llmii  the  tint  of  llic  iippiT  |mrls;  iiml, 
I'Xi'cpliii;;-  on  ihc  Jiiyiiliiiii,  aiiiil  ic'jiioii,  MMil  cii^suin.  wiili  niiiiici'oiis  iiiiiiiilc  Iml  ili.sliiict 
s|icL'l;.s  of  lilni-l<  ;  iinilci'  siirfiii'c  of  wind's  di'lii'iilc  ycllowisli-wliiti',  llic  liiiiuj;-  npiiisclv 
spi'inkliMl  \villi  liliick  dots;  iniiur  wclis  of  [iiiijiiii'ii's  willi  Ininsvcrso  lifU's  of  iikjUIciI  diiskv 
i]";ir  Ihi'ir  ciiils. 

Kilrriiic  phiii«(;/<-s.  Diukcsl  (No.  (i,MS4,  (J,  Tojoii  Viillcy.  Ciil.;  ••II.  S.  W."  Dr. 
llt'i'i'luiiun)  :  'i'lirrc  is  no  wiiilr  w  ii:ili'\ci-  on  llic  pinniiij;!',  iIk;  lower  pinls  licinn-  cnn. 
tiniions  lii,'iit  oclii-iici'ous  ;  llic  tiliiu'  linvc  luniuToMs  i-onnd  .-ipots  of  liliU'kish.  I.ijjlilcsf 
(Xo.  (),SS,"),  saniL'  locality):  Face  and  cnl  ire  lower  parts  innnacnlal(!  siiowv-wlnlc  ;  facial 
I'irclc  while,  with  tlii>  ti|is  of  the  feathers  oran^'c ;  the  secondaries,  priinaiies,  and  tail 
show  no  liars,  their  .snifaee  licint;  nnifornily  and  finely  mottled. 

.\/i(isurriiiciil.i  (^,  (i,SS|,  Tejon  \'alley,  t'al. ;  Dr.  Ileerin.inn).  Winu',  13. ltd;  tail, 
0.7(1;  eiilineii,  .!J0;  tarsus, 'J.. 'iO ;  middle  toe,   l.li.j.     Wiiig-foiiiuila,  li,   1-3.     .\mong  the 


Strix  ]>rntiiiroln. 

very  nnmeroMs  speciinens  in  the  eolleetioii,  there  is  not  one  inarke(l  9-  The  CNtremcs 
of  a  larji-c  series  are  as  follows:  Wiiijr,  I'J.oO- 11.00;  tail,  5.70  -  7.."')0 ;  enlineii,  .00-1. 10; 
tarsus,  'ISio  -  :\.00. 

ri.vn.  More  sonlhei'ii  portions  of  Xorlli  America,  ospoeially  near  the  sea-coast,  from 
the  .Middle  States  .southward,  and  alony  tli(>  southern  liorder  to  California;  whole  of 
Mexico.  In  rentral  America  apprecialily  modilied  into  \i\r.  f/ii(ileni(ila'.  In  South  .Vnier- 
icn  replaced  liy  var.  pcvlatii.  and  in  the  West  Indies  liy  the  (piite  (lin'erent  var.  fi(n-<itii. 

Localities:    ( )axaca    fSci..   I'.   Z.   S.   lS.')n,   ;590) ;    Texas    (  Duk.s;;™,    Ibi.s,    l.si;.-,,    ;j;il)) ; 
Arizona  (("on:s.  V.  A.  X.  S.  l.^OC.   10) ;    ?  liahmnas  (Bkv.vxt,  Vv.  Bost.  8oc.  1807,  G5)., 
Kansas  fSsow.  List  of  15.  Kansas)  ;   Iowa  CAl.i.Kx,  Iowa  Geol.  Ke[)ort,  II,  424). 

Tlie  vafiiitioii.s  of  plmiiago  noted  aliovo  apjicar  to  l)e  of  a  ])Ui'ely  iiidividiial 
nature,  since  tliey  do  not  de]icnd  npon  the  locality ;  nor,  as  i'liv  tis  we  can 
leai'ii,  to  any  coiisideralilti  extent,  11)1011  a,oe  or  se.v. 

lI.viMTs.  On  tli(>  Atliintic  coast  tliis  bird  very  rarely  occurs  north  of 
Pennsylvania.  It  is  ojv,.])  liy  Mr.  Lawrence  as  very  rare  in  the  vicinity  of 
Xew  ^'ork,  and  in  three  instances,  at  least,  it  ha.s  been  detected  in  Xew 
Enoliind.  An  individtial  is  said,  liy  Itev.  J.  H.  Lin.sley,  to  have  been 
taken  in  1S4:'.,  in  Stratford,  Conn.;  another  was  .shot  !it  Sachem's  Head  in  the 
.same  State,  October  28,  18G5  ;  and  a  third  wtis  killed  in  May,  18G8,  near 
SpringHeld,  ]\Iass. 


STRIilIK.H  — TIIK   fAV 


15 


Stri.r  flmnmm. 


Til  llio  vicinity  ol'  I'liilmU'lpliia  tlio  I'.iirn  Owl  la  not  very  luro,  Imt,  is 
iiiiiiv  ciiiimioii  in  sin'iii',' mill  luituiim  tiiim  in  llio  suiiinu!!'.  Its  nests  luivo 
l„vu  Idund  in  IidIIiiw  trees  near  niiirsliy  meadows.  Southward  it  is  more  or 
ji'ss  ('(riiiiiiiiii  as  tar  as  South 
Cainliiia,  where  it  liecoiiies  liioro 
ii'iundant,  and  its  ran,i,'e  then 
exteiuls  south  and  west  as  lar 
as  the  I'acilie.  It  is  (piite  ]>lenti- 
liil  in  Texas  and  New  Mexico, 
and  is  one  of  tlu;  most  alinndaiit 
liiids  of  Calil'ornia.  It  was  not 
met  witli  liy  Dr.  Woodhoiise  in 
t  hi;  expedition  to  the  Zuni  Ifivor, 
lait  lliis  may  lie  utlrilmted  to  the 
ili'sulale  eharai'ter  of  the  country 
tlirou^li  which  he  jiassed,  as  it  is 
cliieily  found  alioiit  hahita'ioii.s, 
and  is  never  met  witli  in  wooded 
or  wild  rej^ions. 

Dr.  Ileormann  and  Dr.  (laniliel, 
wlio  visited  Calil'ornia  before  the  present  increase  in  iiojtulatiou,  speak  of 
its  favirite  resort  as  beinj,'  in  the  nei<,'Iiliorliood  of  the  Missions,  and  of 
its  nestin.u  under  the  tiled  roofs  of  the  houses.  The  latter  also  refers  to 
his  (indiiiu  nninbers  under  one  roof,  and  states  tiiat  they  showed  no  fear 
when  a]i]iroached.  The  imijiensity  of  the  California  bird  to  drink  the  sacred 
oil  from  the  consecrated  lamjis  about  the  altars  of  the  Missions  was  fre- 
quently rel'errud  to  by  the  jiriests,  whenever  any  allusion  was  made  to  this 
Owl.  Dr.  (lanibel  also  found  it  about  farin-houses,  and  occasionally  in  the 
[trairie  valleys,  where  it  obtains  an  abundance  of  food,  such  as  mice  and 
other  small  animals. 

Dr.  Ileermann,  in  a  subsetinent  visit  to  the  State,  mentions  it  as  bein<i  a 
very  common  liird  in  all  ]iarts  of  (,'alifornia.  Tiiey  were  once  quite  numer- 
ous amoiiLi'  the  hollow  trees  in  the  vicinity  of  Sacramento,  but  have 
<i;radnrtlly  disappeared,  as  their  old  haunts  were  one  by  one  destroyed  to 
make  way  for  the  j^radnal  development  and  growth  of  that  city.  Dr.  Heer- 
niaiin  fmind  a  large  number  in  the  winter,  sheltered  during  the  day  among 
the  reeds  of  Snisun  Valley.  They  were  still  abundant  in  the  idd  ( 'atliolic 
Missions,  wliere  they  freipiented  the  ruined  walls  and  towers,  and  constructed 
their  nests  in  the  crevices  and  nooks  of  tho.se  once  stately  buildings,  now 
falling  to  decay.  The.se  ruins  were  also  a  shelter  for  innumerable  bat.s, 
reptiles,  and  vermin,  which  formed  an  additional  attraction  to  the  Owls. 

Dr.  Cooper  sjieaks  of  finding  this  Owl  abundant  throughout  Southern 
California,  es))ecially  near  the  coast,  and  Dr.  Xewberry  freiiuently  met  with 
it  about  San  Francisco,  San  Diego,  and  Monterey,  where  it  was  more  com- 


16  XoltYII   A.MI:I!ICA"N'  hiuds. 

moil  than  ntiy  otlicr  s|it'cioH.  Hii  mot  with  it  mi  San  I'nhlo  Itn)-,  iiilialiitinj; 
liiili's  in  the  iM'i'pciiiliciiIai'  clid's  linrih'i'iii,!,'  thn  .soulli  shmo.  Il  was  also 
i'oniid  in  tin;  Klamath  Maain,  but  not  in  j^qcat  miinlitTs. 

Mr.  .1.  II.  Clark  fuuiKl  the  Hani  Owl  nesting,  in  May,  in  liftlos  hnrrowcd 
into  till'  liluir  hank.s  of  the  llio  Frio,  in  'IVxa.s.  Tlicsci  imrrows  were  iiuurlv 
horizontal,  with  iv  considorahlo  e.xcavatiuii  ni-ar  the  hack  end,  wiiun?  tliti  cLti^s 
were  di'po.sited.  Tliesu  were  thrcu  or  lour  in  nunilicr,  and  ol'  a  dirty  white. 
The  ])areiit  liird  allowed  the  ej;,;s  to  he  handled  without  nianii'estin;;  any 
coneern.  There  wa.s  no  liniiiy;  or  nest  whatever.  J.ieutenant  ('oueh  found 
them  common  on  the  Lower  J!io  flrande,  but  rare  near  Monterey,  ^[exico. 
They  were  rre(iuently  met  with  liviiij,'  in  the  sides  ol'  larji;e  deep  wells. 

J)r.  Colics  .speaks  of  it  as  a  common  resident  s])ecies  in  Arizona.  It  was 
one  of  the  most  abundant  Owls  of  the  Territory,  and  was  not  unrrc([uently 
to  be  observed  at  midday.  On  one  occasion  he  louud  it  preying  uiion  Black- 
birds, in  the  middle  of  a  small  open  reed  swamp. 

It  is  not  uncommon  in  the  vicinity  of  \Va.shinj:;toii,  and  after  the  ])artial 
destniction  of  the  Smith.sonian  lUiildiiii^-  by  fire,  for  one  or  two  years  a  pair 
nested  in  the  top  of  the  tower  It  is  quite  proliable  that  the  comparative 
rarity  of  the  species  in  the  Eastern  States  is  owinj,'  to  their  thon,y;litless 
destruction,  the  result  of  a  short-sighted  and  mistaken  jncjiidice  that  drives 
away  one  of  our  most  u.seful  l)ird.s,  and  one  wliich  rarely  does  any  iiii,schief 
amonjf  domesticated  birds,  but  is,  on  the  contrary,  most  destructive  to  rats, 
mice,  and  other  mischievous  and  injurious  vermin. 

Mr.  Audubon  mentions  two  of  these  birds  which  had  been  kept  in  con- 
finement in  Charleston,  S.  C,  where  their  cries  in  the  iiijfht  never  failed  to 
attract  others  of  the  s]iecie.s.  He  rej^ards  them  as  altojiether  crepu.scnlar  in 
habits,  and  states  that  when  disturbed  in  broad  dayliyht  they  always  fly  in 
an  irregular  and  l)ewildered  manner.  Mr.  Audubon  also  states  tiiat  so  far 
as  his  observations  go,  they  feed  entirely  on  small  (juadru])eds,  as  he  has 
never  found  the  remains  of  any  feathers  or  jiortious  of  birds  in  tiicir 
stomachs  or  about  their  nests.  In  conlinement  it  imrtakes  freely  of  any 
kind  of  flesh. 

The  Cuban  race  (\i\r.  finritf((),  also  found  in  other  West  India  island.s,  is 
hardly  distinguishable  from  our  own  bird,  and  its  habits  may  be  presumed 
to  lie  essentially  the  same.  Mr.  Gosse  found  the  lireeding-place  of  the 
Jamaica  Owl  at  the  bottom  of  a  dee]!  limestone  pit,  in  the  middle  of 
October;  there  was  one  young  bird  with  several  eggs.  There  was  not  the 
least  vestige  of  a  nest  ;  the  bird  reposed  on  a  mass  of  half-dige.sted  hair  min- 
gled with  bones.  At  a  little  distance  were  three  eggs,  at  least  six  inches  apart. 
On  the  12ili  of  the  next  mouth  he  found  in  the  same  jdace  the  old  bird 
sitting  on  four  eggs,  this  time  jdaced  close  together.  There  was  still  no  nest. 
The  eggs  were  ad\iinced  to\iards  liatching,  liut  in  very  different  degrees, 
and  an  egg  ready  for  dcpu.sition  wa.s  f(aind  in  tlie  oviduct  of  the  old  bird. 

An   egg  of  this  Owl,  taken   in  Louisiana   by  Dr.  Trudeau,  measured  1.69 


STinOID.K    -TIIH   OWI.S.  \-j 

iiiclii'^  i;i  Icii^lli  liy  l.."iM  in  lin'iultli,  Aiiullicr,  olitaiiu'tl  in  Now  ^rcxicn, 
niciisiucH  1. ('('.)  liy  l.L'.">.  It^  inlnr  is  a  dirty  yi'llowisli-wliitc,  its  sliiipc  mi 
(. 1.1(1111,'  oviil,    Iiiiidly  iiiniv  i)i)int('(l  iit  llic  siiiallor  tliiiii  iit  tin-  liir^or  cud. 

All  (\u'i,'  t'li'iii  Mniitcicy,  ('iilirnriiiii,ci>ll('<'tt'<l  l>y  I»i'.  Ciinlicld,  i isiuvs  1.7(1 

iiiciics  ill  li'iij^lh  Ky  l.li.")  in  lnvadtli,  of  iin  (iMiiii^'-iival  s\\ii\>i',  and  nearly 
(Mpially  ol.tusc  at  citlicr  end.  It  is  of  a  iiiiilnnii  liliii.sliwliitc.  Anotlior 
I'ldiii  lilt'  Ilin  (Iraiidc  is  of  a  soiled  nv  ycllnwisli  \vliiU\  iitid  of  the  same  .size 
iiinl  .s]ia|ie. 


(Jems  OTXTS,   Civikh. 
I 

hrarhiintv.i. ) 


ir,!t.  Civ.  Ii'r;,'.  An.  17!»!i.     (Typ.',  Sh-ir  n/ns,  I, inn.) 

.hid,  Sw.MNs.  ],><;!l  (/KC  I'liiMSdN,  iTiiin. 

lU-iii'hiiniits,  (idri.ii,  p.  '/,.  S.  l.s;!7,  1(1.     (Tyiic,  Siriix  hniintrni'-i., 

A:;i<iliiis,  Ki-.vs.  k  lil.  IS  Id  (».(■  K.vrc,  l.S'iO). 

Cii.M!.  Size  iiu'iliiini.  Km-tiills  \V(>11  (Icvcloiicd  or  I'lKliniciitiiiy  ;  liciid  siiiiill :  eyes 
■•iiiiall.  Ccic  iiniili  luclii'il.  its  Iciijjili  iiioic  tliiiii  Ilic  cliiinl  ot'  tlic  cdliiu'ii.  Hill  wcidv, 
(■()iii|ii('.-:.'<('ii.  Only  llic  lii>l,  <ii  liisl  mill  si'Cdiid,  outer  |iii!ii;iiy  willi  its  inner  wcli  eiiiiu- 
f;in;ile(l.  Tiiil  alioiit  liall'llie  wIiilt,  rDiiiided.  Kar-eoiicli  very  liirire,  ).'ill-lil\e,  aboiil  ns  lonj; 
lis  the  liei;,dil.  of  llie  sUiill,  willi  nii  iiiiterior  nperciiliiin.  wliieli  extends  il.s  full  leiifrlli,  and 
liiinlered  [losleriorly  liy  a  raised  nieinlirane;  llie  two  ears  ii.syininetrieal. 

Species  and  Varieties. 

A.  Ores,  f'livier.     Ear-liifls   well  develuped  ;  oilier  (|iiill   only  with   inner  web 

Pinarv'inaled. 

Color.s  li!a(.'kisli-l)rowii  and  hiitTy-oeliriieeons,  —  the  loinier  predoiiiiiialinir 
above,  where?  mottled  willi  wi.itisli;  llie  latter  prevailini;  benealli.  and 
vaiie;,'ati'(l  willi  stripes  or  bars  of  dusky.  Tail,  primaries,  and  .seeoiidai  ie.s, 
transversely  barred  (obsoletely  in  ().  sli/glns). 

1.  O.  vulgaris.      Ends  of   primaries  normal,  broad  ;  toes   foatliereil ; 
faco  ochraucons. 

Dusky  of  tlif  upper  parts  in  form  of  loniritudinal  st.  ipc.s.  eon- 
tiasliiii;  con.spieuoiisly  with  llie  paler  frronnd-eolor.  lienealh  with 
ocliraceoiis  prevalent :  tlic  iiiarkinij;s  in  form  of  loiifritndinal  stripes, 
with  scarcely  any  tiMusviMse  bars.  JLih.  ]'^ll■opo  and  considerable 
part  of  t'u?  Old  World var.   vulgaris.' 

Dusky  of  the  upper  parts  in  (oriii  of  confused  uiottliii<.r,  not  eon- 
trastiiif,'  conspiciiously  \n  itli  the  paler  groniid-eolor.  I{eiicatli  with 
the  ochrncooiia  ovcsrlaid  by  the  whitish  tips  to  the  feathers  ;  tlio 
uiarkinj,'s  in  form  of  traii.svcrso  bars,  which  are  broiuUn-  than  the 
narrow  medial  .streak.  Win^r,  1 1. ;")()- 12.1)0  ;  tail,  (i.DO  -  0.20  ; 
culrnen,  .05^  tarsus,  1.20- 1.2-", ;  miihllo  toe,  1.1').  VVii)p;-fonnula, 
2,  .'!  - -t  -  1.     //((/).    North  AiiMiiea  .         .       var.  wilsonianus. 

2.  O.  stygius.'     Ends   of   primaries   u.avrow,  that   of  the  first  almost 
falcdtu;  toes  entirely  naked  ;  face  du.skv,  or  wiih  dusky  prevailing. 

1  Ofu.i  riilgaris.  Strix  otm,  Lix\.  S.  N.  p.  132,  \166.  —Asia  ntin,  Licss.  Stuicki..  —  Buhn 
olHs,  Savion.  Ululn  ntii.s,  Macuii.i,.  Oliis  vulgnri.i,  P'i.em.  Brit.  An.  ]>.  .'i6,  1828,  ct  .VrcT. 
0.  eurnprtiis,  Stkimi.  1.  O.  albiro'lh,  Daitd.  0.  ilnliciis,  Dai'D.  0.  communis,  Le.ss.  0. 
nuritn,  Mont.     O.  imn,  1...A'ii.     n.  .v/hvstris,  O.  nrborrm,  and  0.  grarili.i,   Br.EiiM. 

"  Olu.t  stjigiufi.     Nijclalops  sliiiiius,  Waoi,.   Isia,  1832,  p.  1221.  —  GitAY,  Oen.  B.  p.  6,  ed.  2, 

vol..  III.  ,3 


18 


XORTII  AMKUrcA-X  IHHDS. 


Above  liliickisli-hrowii,  tlii'.'ly  rolii'vcil  \<y  nn  iirciruliir  sparse 
spoUin<f  of  ycllowisli-wliite.  IJfiiealh  willi  the  iiiaikiii.Lrs  in  (nnn 
of  longitudiiuil  stripes,  wliieli  tlii-ow  oil"  occasional  tnuisviTsc 
(irms  towaiil  the  edjre  of  tiie  feathers.  Winjif,  13.00 ;  tail,  G.80 ; 
cnlinen,  .00;  tarsus,  1..')');  middle  too,  1.50,  Wing-formula,  2,  3 
4,  1.  JIiil).  Sonlli  America. 
B.  Braciiyotis,  Oonid  (1837).  Similar  to  Otim,  hnt  ear-tufts  rudimentary, 
and  the  .sec()n<l  quill  as  well  as  the  fust  with  the  inner  web  eniar^rinatcd. 

Colors  uchraceous,  or  white,  and  clear  dai-k  brown,  without  shadings  or 
middle  tint.s.  Beiu-ath  with  narrow  lonjrit.  linal  dark  stripes  upon  tlio 
whitish  or  oehraceons  ground-color;  crown  and  neck  longitudinally  striped 
with  dark  brown  and  ochraccDus. 

3.  O.  brachyotuB.  Wings  and  tail  nearly  equally  .spotted  and  banded 
with  oehraceons  and  dark  brown.  Tail  with  about  six  baud.s,  the 
ochi'accons  terminal.  Face  dingy  oehraceons,  blaeki.sh  ai'ound  the  eyes. 
Wing,  about  11.00-13.00;  tail,  o.Tu-O.lO;  cnlmen,  .00  -  .0.') ;  tarsus, 
1.75-1.80;  middle  toe,  1.20.    Jfab.    Whole  world  (except  Australia  ?). 

Though  tliis  genus  is  cosnio])olitan,  the  specie.s  are  few  in  number;  two 
of  tliein  {0.  vulgaris  and  0.  hrachjiotun)  are  conniion  to  Loth  North  America 
and  Europe,  one  of  them  (the  latter)  found  also  in  nearly  every  country  in 
the  world.  Besides  these,  South  Africa  lias  a  peculiar  species  {0.  mpcnsh) 
while  Tropical  America  alone  possesses  the  0.  stygius. 


Otus  vulgaris,  ^ar.  wilsonianus,  I.f.rs. 

LONG-BABED  OWL;  LESSEB-HOBNED  OWL. 

!Slrix  poriirinn/or  {!),  H,\i;r.  Trav.  17i>2,  p.  28.'').  -Cass.  15.  Cal.  &  Ti'x.  l.^.")4,  190.  ^I.iin 
pcmirinntor,  .SriMcKL.  Oru.  Syii.  I,  18')."),  207.  '>/'«  vilsiniiinuis,  Lr.ss.  Tr.  Orn.  1831, 
no.  — CirsAY,  Ocii.  fol.  sp.  2,  1844.  -In.  List  Birds  Brit.  Mu.s.  p.  105. —Cass.  Birds 
Cal.  &  Tex.  18,'.4,  81.  —  lii.  Birds  X.  Am.  IS.'iS,  5;i.  —  Cuof.  &  SrcK.  1800,  15').— 
Coi-i;s,  Trod.  180(5,  14.  DIkx  i  mcrkanus,  BoNAl'.  Li.st,  1838,  p.  7.  —  In.  Coii.sp.  p.  50. 
—  Wi-.I)i;kii.  k  Tkisti:.  Cent.  Orn.  1840,  ]).  81.— Kait,  Moiiog.  .Strig.  Coiit.  Orn. 
1852,  11.'!.-  In.  Trans.  Zolil.  Soc.  TV,  18,')n,  2;J3.  —Max.  Cab.  ,Tour.  VI,  18.')S,  25.— 
GliAY,  Hand  List,  I,  180!),  Xo.  540,  ]>.  50.  Strix  otus,  Wll.s.  Am.  Orn.  1808,  i)l.  li, 
f.  1.  — Krcii.  &Sw.  F.  B.  A.  11,  72.  —  Bonai".  Aim.  N.  Y.  Lye.  II,  ;!7. -In.  Isi.s 
1832,  1140.  — AuD.  Orn.  Biog.  IV,  572.  —  In.  Birds  Am.  pi.  ccclxxxiii.  —  I'lOAn.  Birds, 
Ma.s.s.  88.  U/u!a  ii/ii.i,  .Iaiiii.  cd.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  I,  1831,  104.  —  Bni: wi:n,  iil.  Wils. 
Am.  Orn.  Synop.  p.  087.  —  Nfrr.  Man.  130.  (>h(.i  viilgnri.i  (not  of  Fleming  I),  .Tau- 
DiNi;,  d.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  18.'?2,  II,  278.  -Ati).  Synop.  1831,  28. --(iiriAn),  Birds 
Long  I.sland,  p.  25.  Olii.i  ru/ijcn's,  var.  in7»miiniit.i  (HiDcsWAY),  Coi:i:s,  Key,  1872, 
204.     niihnasio,  DeKay,  Zoiil.  N.  V.  II,  25,  pi.  xii,  f.  25. 

Sr.  Cmar.     Adult,    Upper  surface  transversely  mottled  with  bluckish-brown  and  pr.ay- 
ish-whito,  the  former  predominating,  especially  on  the  dorsal  region;  feathers  of  the  nape 

p.  8.  —  BoNAf.  Consp.  Av.  p.  50.  OtuK  sti/i/iK.i,  Pitch.  Rev.  Zoiil.  1849,  29.  —  C.iiay,  den.  B. 
fol.  sp.  12.  —  KAfi',  Monog.  Strig.  Cont.  Orn.  1852,  p.  113.  A.sio  sti/t/.  f  Otus  sir/udpa, 
IVOnn.  Hist.  Nat.  Cuba  Ois.  p.  31,  Tab.  2,  1840.  —  GitAY,  (ien.  fol.  sp.  9.  —  BoxAf.  Con.sp. 
50  (Cuba^.  O/us  commnni.s,  var.,  Lk.ss.  Tr.  Orn.  p.  110.  Hub.  South  America  (Brazil,  M 'nba, 
St.  Paulo,  Kai'I'). 


STRIGID^  — THE  OWLS. 


19 


mill  win.irs  (only),  ochn.cooiis  iKMicatl.i  thu  smlUoo,  lowor  scapulars  with  a  few  obsolete 
spols  of  whito  on  lowfi-  v.obs.  I'limary  covi'i'ts  <lusk-y,  with  transvciso  wi-ios  of  Uaik 
motik'd  <;rayi.<h  spots,  tlicsii  :>L'coiiiiii!,'  somewhat  o.;hracuous  basally  ;  frrouiul-color  of  the 
piiiiiarios  u'l'ayish,  this  especially  pievak-iit  on  the  inner  quills ;  the  basal  third  (or  less) 
of  all  are  ocin-aeeous,  this  ileereasin^'  in  extent  on  inner  feathers;  the  jriayish  tint  is 
everywhere  fhu'ly  nu)ttled  transversely  with  dusky,  but  the  oehraceous  is  plain  ;  piiinarie.s 
.•ros<ed  by  a  series  of  about  seven  quadrate  blackish-brown  spots,  these  anteriorly  about 
as  wide  "as  the  intervtMiiu^'  yellowish  or  mottled  grayish  ;  the  interval  lietween  thu 
primary  coverts  to  the  (irst  of  these  spots  is  about  .8(1  to  1.00  inch  on  the  fourth  (i\iill,  — 
the  spots  on  (In-  inner  and  outer  feathers  apjjroaching  the  coverts,  or  even  underlyiu;,' 
them;  the  inner  primaries  — or,  in  fact,  the  general  cxpo.-ed  grayish  surface  — has  nutrh 
narrower  bars  of  dusky.  Ground-color  of  the  wings  like  the  back,  this  growing  paler  on 
the  outer  feathcr.s,  and  l)ecoiniug  oehraceous  basally;  the  tip  approaching  whitish;  secon- 
daries crossed  by  nine  or  ten  narrow  bands  of  dusky. 

Ear-tults,  wiih  the  lateral  portion  of  e.tch  web,  oehr.iceous  ;  this  becoining  while,  some- 
what variegated  with  black,  toward  the  end  of 
the  inner  webs,  on  which  the  ochrai^eons  is 
broadest;  medial  portion  clear,  tmvariegatcd 
black.  Forehead  and  ])ost-auricnlar  disk 
minutely  speckled  with  lilackish  and  while; 
liieial  circle  continuous  brownish-black,  be- 
coining broken  into  a  variegated  collar  across 
the  throat.  "Eyebrows"  and  lores  grayish- 
white  ;  eye  surrounded  with  blackish,  this 
broadest  anteriorly  above  and  below,  the  pos- 
terior half  being  like  the  ear-coverts.  Face 
plain  oehraceous;  chin  and  upper  part  of  the 
throat  imu.aculate  white.  Grouud-eolor  below 
pale  oehraceon.s,  the  exposed  surface  of  the 
featiiers,  however,  whitL  ;  breast  with  broad 

longitudinal  blotches  of  clear  dark  brown,  these  medial,  on  the  feathers;  sides  and  flanks, 
each  leather  with  a  medial  stripe,  crossed  by  as  broad,  or  broader,  transverse  bars,  of 
bl.aekish-brown ;  abdoinci],  tibial  plumes,  and  legs  plain  oehraceous,  becoming  nearly 
white  on  the  lower  part  of  tarsus  and  on  the  toes  ;  tibial  plumes  with  a  few  sagittate  marks 
of  brownish;  lower  tail-coverts  each  having  a  medial  sagittate  nuirk  of  dusky,  this  con- 
tiuuing  along  the  shaft,  forking  toward  the  base.  Lining  ol'  the  wing  ])laiii  pale  oehra- 
ceous ;  inner  ]u-imary  coverts  blackish-brown,  forming  a  conspicuous  sjiot. 

g  (•'j1,2'27,  Carlisle,  Penn. ;  S.  F.  Baird).  Wing  formula,  2,  3-1,4,  etc.  Wing,  ILuO ; 
tail,  ().20;  culmcu,  .Go;  tarsus,  1.20;  middle  toe,  1.15. 

9  (2,;U)2,  Professor  Paird's  collection,  Carlisle,  Penn.).  Wing  formula,  2,3-4-1. 
Wing,  12.00;  tail,  COO;  eulmen,  .05;  tarsu.s,  1.25;  middle  toe,  1.15. 

I'uiiiKj  (49,5G8,  Sacramento,  Cal.,  June  21,  1867;  Clarence  King,  Robert  Ridgway). 
Wiiigs  and  tail  as  in  tiie  adult  ;  other  portions  transver.sely  banded  with  blackish-brown 
and  grayish-white,  the  latter  prevailing  anteriorly  ;  eyebrows  and  loral  bristles  entirely 
blai.'k ;  legs  white. 

ll.vu.    Whole  of  temperate  North  America?  Tobago?  (Tardink). 

Localities:  Tobago  (Jauui.nk,  Ann.  Mag.  18,  IIG)  ;  Ari;;oiia  (Coues,  P.  A.  N.  S. 
18GG,  50). 

The  Amciicati  Loiig-oared  Owl  i.«  quite  different  in  coloration  from  the 
Otus  vnlgariti  of  Europe.  In  the  latter,  oehraceous  prevails  over  the  wiiole 
surface,  even  above,  where  the  transverse  dusky  mottling  does  not  approach 


Otus  tcilsoniatius. 


20 


NORTH  AMERICATSr  BIRDS. 


the  uniformity  that  it  does  in  the  Americun  bird  ;  in  tlie  European  bird,  each 
feather  above  has  a  conspicuous  medial  h)ngitudinal  stripe  uf  dark  brown- 
ish :  these  markings  are  fouml  everywliere  exce[)t  on  the  rump  and  upjier 
tail-coverts,  where  tiie  ochraoeous  is  deepest,  and  transversely  cIoikUuI  with 
dusky  mottling ;  in  the  American  bird,  no  longitudinal  stripes  are  visible  on 
the  upper  surface.  The  ochraceous  of  the  lower  surface  is,  in  the  vuhjuria, 
varietl  only  (to  any  considerable  degres)  by  the  sharply  defined  medial 
longitudinal  stripes  to  the  feathers,  the  transverse  bars  l)eing  few  and  in- 
conspicuous ;  in  wilsonianm,  white  overlies  the  ochraceous  below,  and  the 
longitudinal  are  less  conspicuous  than  the  transverse  markings  ;  tiie  f(jrmer 
on  the  breast  are  broader  than  in  vulgaris,  in  which,  also,  the  ochraceous 
at  the  bases  of  the  primaries  occupies  a  greater  extent.  Conipariug  these 
very  appreciable  differences  witii  the  close  resemblance  of  other  representa- 
tive styles  of  the  two  continents  (dif- 
ferences founded  on  shade  or  depth 
of  tints  alone),  we  were  almost  inclined 
to  recogni/e  in  the  American  Long- 
eared  Owl  a  specilic  value  to  these 
discrepancies. 

The  Otiis  bh/yius,  "NVagl.,  of  South 
America  and  ^lexico,  is  entirely  dis- 
tinct, as  will  be  seen  from  the  foregoing 
synoptical  talile. 

Habits.  This  species  ajipears  to  be 
one  of  the  most  numerous  of  the  Owls 
of  North  America,  and  to  be  pretty 
generally  distributed.  Its  strictly 
^  nocturnal  habits  have  caused  it  to  be 
;\^  temporarily  overlooked  in  localities 
whera  it  is  now  known  to  be  pres- 
ent and  not  rare.  Dr.  William  CJambel 
and  Dr.  Heermann  both  omit  it  from 
their  lists  of  the  birds  of  California,  though  Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper  has  since  found 
it  quite  common.  It  was  once  supposed  not  to  breed  farther  south  than 
Xew  Jersey,  but  it  is  now  known  to  be  resident  in  South  Carolina  and  in 
Arizona,  and  is  ])robal)ly  distributed  through  all  the  intervening  country. 
Donald  Guiui  writes  that  to  his  knowledge  this  solitary  bird  hunts  in  the 
night,  both  sunnner  and  winter,  in  the  Ked  IJiver  region.  It  there  takes 
possession  of  the  deserted  nests  of  crows,  and  lays  four  white  eggs.  He 
found  it  as  far  as  the  shores  of  Hudson's  Bay.  liichardson  states  it  to  be 
plentiful  in  the  woods  skirting  the  plains  of  the  Saskatchewan,  frequenting 
the  coast  of  the  bay  in  the  sunnner,  and  retiring  into  the  interior  in  the 
winter.  He  met  with  it  as  high  as  the  IGth  parallel  of  latitude,  and  believed 
it  to  occur  as  far  as  the  forests  extend. 


Otus  nt!saris. 


STRIGIDiE      THE  OWLS.  21 

Dr.  Cooper  met  with  this  .species  on  the  lianks  of  the  ('(jhinihia,  oast  of 
tlie  Dalles.  The  region  was  desolate  and  liarren,  and  several  sjiecies  of  Owl.-s 
appeared  to  have  been  drawn  there  hy  tlie  abundance  of  hares  and  mice. 
Dr.  Suckley  also  met  with  it  on  a  branch  of  Milk  liiver,  in  Xcbrasi<a.  It 
has  likewise  been  taken  in  different  ])arts  of  Calil'oniia,  in  New  Mexico, 
among  the  liocky  ^Mountains,  in  the  valley  of  the  IJio  Cirande,  at  Fort  I5en- 
ton,  and  at  Cape  Florida,  in  the  last-named  place  by  ^Ir.  Wiirdcniann. 

Dr.  Cooper  found  tliis  Owl  (^uite  common  near  San  Diego,  and  in  ]\Iarch 
ob.served  them  sitting  in  pairs  in  the  evergreen  oaks,  ajiparently  not  much . 
trouliled  by  the  light.  On  the  27th  of  March  he  I'ound  a  nest,  probably  that 
of  a  Crow,  built  in  a  low  evergreen  oak,  in  which  a  female  Owl  was  sitting 
on  five  eggs,  then  partly  hatched.  The  bird  was  (luite  bold,  ilew  round  him, 
sna]iping  her  bill  at  him,  and  tried  to  draw  him  away  from  the  nest ;  the 
i'emale  imitating  the  cries  of  wounded  binls  wtoh  remarkable  accuracy, 
showing  a  power  of  voice  not  supposed  to  exist  in  Owls,  but  more  in  the 
manner  of  a  Parrot.  He  took  one  of  the  eggs,  and  on  the  2od  of  A])ril,  on 
revisiting  the  nest,  he  found  that  the  others  had  hatched.  The  egg  measured 
l.GD  by  l.:3G  inches.  Dr.  Cooi)er  also  states  that  he  hiis  found  this  Owl 
wandering  into  the  barren  trei'less  deserts  east  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  where 
it  was  freipiently  to  be  met  with  in  the  autunni,  hiding  in  the  thickets  along 
the  streams.     It  also  resorts  to  caves,  where  any  are  to  be  found. 

Dr.  Kennerly  met  with  this  bird  in  the  canons  west  of  the  Aztec  Moun- 
tains, where  they  find  good  places  for  tlieir  nests,  which  tliey  build,  in 
connnon  with  Crows  and  Hawks,  among  tlie  precipitous  cliffs,  —  places  un- 
ajjproachable  liy  tlie  wolf  and  lyn.x. 

On  the  Atlantic  coast  tlie  Long-earcLl  Owl  occurs  in  more  or  less  abun- 
dance from  Nova  Scotia  to  Florida.  It  is  found  in  the  vicinity  of  Halifax, 
ace  ling  to  Mr.  Downes,  and  about  Calais  according  to  Mr.  Boardman, 
thougii  not  abundantly  in  either  rcgimi.  In  Western  Maine,  and  in  the  rest 
of  New  England,  it  is  more  common.  It  has  been  known  to  breed  at  least 
as  far  south  as  Maryland,  Mr.  VV.  M.  McLean  finding  it  in  IJockville.  ^Ir. 
C.  N.  Holden,  Jr.,  during  his  residence  at  Sherman,  in  AV  -oming  Territory, 
met  with  a  single  specimen  of  this  bird.  A  numlier  of  Magpies  were  in  the 
same  bush,  but  did  not  seem  either  to  molest  or  to  be  afraid  of  it. 

The  food  of  this  bird  consists  chiefly  of  small  quadrupeds,  in.sects,  and,  to 
some  extent,  of  small  birds  of  various  kinds.  Audubon  mentions  finding 
the  stomach  of  one  stuffed  with  feathei's,  hair,  and  liones. 

The  Long-eared  Owl  appears  to  nest  for  the  most  part  in  trees,  and  also 
frequently  to  make  use  of  the  nests  of  other  birds,  such  as  Crows,  Hawks, 
or  Herons.  (Jccasionally,  however,  they  construct  nests  for  themselves.  Au- 
dubon speaks  of  finding  such  a  one  near  the  Juniata  liiver,  u>  PeniLsylvania. 
This  was  composed  of  green  twigs  with  the  leaflets  adhering,  and  lined 
with  fresh  grass  and  sheep's  wool,  but  without  leathers.  Mr.  Kennicott 
sent  me  from  Hlinois  an  egg  of  this  bird,  tiiat  had  been  taken  from  a  nest  on 


22  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

the  giouiid;  aiul,  nccordinj,'  to  liichardsoii,  in  the  lur  regions  it  sometimes  lays 
its  eg^s  in  liiat  manner,  at  other  times  in  the  deserted  nests  of  other  birds,  on 
low  Ijusiies.  Mr.  Ihitehins  speaks  of  its  depositinj^  tliem  as  early  as  A])ril. 
Jiichardson  received  one  found  in  May  ;  and  another  nest  was  observed,  in 
tlu!  same  neiyhborliood,  which  contained  three  eg,us  on  the  5th  of  July. 
Wilson  speaks  of  tliis  Owl  as  liaving  been  abundant  in  his  day  in  tlie  vicin- 
ity of  Philadelphia,  and  of  six  or  seven  having  been  found  in  a  single  tree. 
lie  also  mentions  it  as  there  breeding  among  the  bnmches  of  tall  trees,  and 
in  one  ])artieular  instance  as  having  taken  jxisisession  of  the  nest  of  a  t^tiia 
IJird  {Xj/dui riha  (janhni),  wiiere  Wilson  found  it  sitting  on  four  eggs,  while 
one  of  tiie  Herons  had  her  own  nest  on  the  same  tree.  Audubon  states 
that  it  usually  accommodates  itself  by  making  use  of  the  abandoned  nests 
of  other  birds,  whether  these  are  built  high  or  low.  It  also  makes  \y  o  of 
the  fissures  of  rocks,  or  builds  on  the  ground. 

As  tliis  Dwl  is  known  to  breed  early  in  April,  and  as  numerous  instances 
are  given  oi'  their  eggs  being  taken  in  July,  it  is  proliable  they  have  two 
broods  in  a  season.  Mr.  J.  S.  Drandigee,  of  Jierlin,  Conn.,  found  a  nest 
er.ly  in  April,  in  a  hendock-trec,  situated  in  a  thick  dark  evergreen  woods. 
The  nest  was  Hat,  made  of  coarse  sticks,  and  contained  four  fresh  eggs 
when  the  ])arent  was  shot. 

Mr.  liidgway  found  this  Owl  to  be  very  abundant  in  the  Sacramento  Valley, 
as  well  as  througliout  the  Great  liasin,  in  both  regions  inhabiting  dense  wil- 
low copses  near  the  streams.  In  the  interior  it  generally  lays  its  eggs  in  the 
deserted  nests  of  the  ^Iag])ie. 

The  eggs  of  this  Owl,  when  fresii,  are  of  a  brilliant  white  color,  with  a 
slight  pinkish  tinge,  which  they  preserve  even  after  having  been  blown,  if 
kei)t  from  the  light.  They  are  of  a  rounded-oval  sha]ie,  and  obtuse  at  either 
end.  They  vary  considerably  in  size,  measuring  Ironi  1.G5  to  1.50  inches  in 
length,  and  from  l.;U)  to  1.35  inches  in  breadth.  Two  eggs,  taken  I'rom  the 
same  nest  by  liev.  C.  M.  Jones,  have  the  following  measurements :  one  l.til) 
by  l.-'U  inches,  the  other  1.50  by  I.oO  inches. 


Otus  (Brachyotus)  brachyotus,  Stepii. 

8H0RT-EABED  OWL;  MAHSH  OWL. 

Slrix  brachi/ofus,  Gmel.  Syst.  Nat.  289,  1789.  —  FoiisT.  Phil.  Trans.  LXII,  33-J.  —  Wil.s. 
Am.  Oiii.  1)1.  xxxiii,  f.  3.  —  Aui).  liiitls  Am.  1>1.  cofcx.xxii,  1831.  — In.  Oin.  Iling.  V, 
273.  —  UiuH.  &  Swains.  F.  B.  A.  II,  75.  —  lioxAr.  Ann.  Lyr.  N.  Y.  II,  37.  —  Tiiomp.s. 
N.  II.  Vermont,  p.  6C.  —  Puab.  IHrds  Mass.  ]).  89.  U/iihi  braclnfofiis,  Jamks.  (Wii.s.), 
Am.  Orn.  1, 100,  1831.  —  Nrrr.  Man.  132.  Oliis  bmclnjohis,  (Stkwi.)  Jaud.  (Wils.), 
Am.  Orn.  11,(13,  1832.  —  I'kai.i;,  U.  S.  Expl.  Exp.  VIII,  75.  —  Kaui-,  Monog.  Strig. 
Cont.  Orn.  1852,  114.  —  In.  Tr.  Zoiil.  Soc.  IV,  1859,  236.  —  Hud.son,  P.  Z.  S.  1870, 
799  (habits).  Aaio  bmchi/otus,  SriMCKi,.  Oni.  Syn.  I,  259,  1855.  Oliis  brachi/otus 
amvrknniis,  Max.  Cab.  Jour.  II,  1858,  27.  Srachi/uhin  jmluslri.i,  HoxAr.  List.  1838, 
p.  7.  —  Kluuw.  in  Couiis,  K.y,  1872,  204.     Olits  paludris,  (Dauw.)  Dk  Kay,  Zobl. 


STRIO TD.E  —  Tir K   OW  LS. 


23 


N.  V.  II,  -S,  pi.  xii,  f.  27,  1S44.  lirachijolus  jiiihi/ilri.i  amn-iriniiix,  MiiNAl'.  ('i)iis|i. 
Av.  i>.  .11,  IS4!).  Jlrni-lii)(it.i(.i  mssiiii,  liRKWi:!!,  Pi'.  Boston  Soc.  N.  11.  Xr.wn. 
P.  li.  Rcp'f,  \M,  IV,  7G.  —  IIkkkm.  do.  VII,  34,  1S.'.7.  —  Ca.ssix  (in  li.viiin)  liiiiLs  X. 
Am.  18r)8,  54.  -('(hip.  fi  SrcKi,.  P.  K.  licp't,  XII,  ii,  in.'j,  ISOO.  - CurK.s,  P.  A. 
N.   S.    (Pidcl.   Orn.    Ariz.  1   ISiiii,   14.  —  Okay,   Ilaml   Li.st,  I,   5],   18(19.      Ih-iii-hiiolux 

IJuloiHllJUCnsit,    (ion. I),    p.    Z.  .S.    1S37,    10.        ()lll'<  llll'n/ICll/Mllsi.S,    Dauw.    Zool.     livllj;.     pt. 

iii,  p.  3i,  pi.  iii.  —  (!i:ay,  (Jen.  lol.  .sp.  3;  Li-^t  liinl.s  I'.ilt.  Mus.  108.  —  Hipnap. 
C'oiisp.  .")].     Asia  ij<i/op<i(jocnsi.i,  SriiicKi..  Oin.  Syn.  I,  IS'p.'i,  211. 

8r.  CiiAU.  Aihilt.  Oroiuul-c'olor  of  the  liciiil,  iici-k,  liack,  sf.ipiiliirs,  nimp,  anil  lower 
parls,  pale  oclirai'coii.s ;  each  fcatlier  (except  on  the  riinipj  witli  a  medial  loiifritndiiial 
slri]ie  of'liiai'ki.sh-hrowii.  — the.«e  liroadcst  on  the  .seapiilar.s  ;  on  the  hack,  iia])e,  occiput,  and 
JMgiihiin,  the  iwo  colors  about  equal ;  on  the  lower  parts,  the  stripes  grow  narrower  pos- 
teriorly, those  on  the  abdoinoii  and  sides  Iieinj,'  in  tho  I'oriu  of  narrow  lines.  Thi'  flanks, 
lejrs,  anal  rejfion,  and  lower  tail-coverts  are  always  perfectly  iinin.aeuiate ;  the  h\;,'s  most 
deeply  ochrac.'coii.s,  the  lower  tail-coverts  nearly 
pnre  while.  The  riunp  has  obsolete  cre.scentic 
marks  of  brownish.  The  wiiii;s  are  varieu^ated 
with  the  general  dnsky  and  ochraeeons  tints,  lint 
the  markings  are  more  irregular ;  the  yellowish 
in  I'orin  of  indentations  or  conlluent  spots,  n])- 
proaehiiig  the  shal\s  from  tho  edge,  —  broadest 
on  tho  outer  webs.  Secondaries  ero.ssed  by 
about  five  bands  of  ochraceous,  the  last,  terminal; 
primary  coverts  plain  blackish-brown,  with  one 
or  two  poorly  d(>fmed  transverse  scries  of  ochra- 
eeons spots  on  the  bas.ll  portion.  Primaries 
ochraceous  on  the  b.asal  two-thirds,  the  terminal 
|)ortion  cIimi-  dark  brown,  the  tips  (broadly) 
p.'ile  brownish-yellowish,  this  becoming  ob.soleto  on  tho  longest;  the  duskv  extends 
toward  the  bases,  in  three  to  five  irregnliuly  transverse  .scries  of  quadrate  spots  on  the 
outer  webs,  h'aving,  however,  a  large  basal  area  of  plain  ochraceous,  —  this  some- 
what more  whitish  anteriorly.  The  gronnd-color  of  tho  tail  is  ochr.aceou.s,  —  this  be- 
coming whitish  exteriorly  and  terminally,  —  crossed  by  fiv(?  broad  b.ands  (about  equal- 
ling tho  ochr.iceon.s,  but  becoming  narrower  toward  outer  feathers)  of  blackish-biown  ;  on 
the  middle  feathers,  the  ochr.iceons  spots  enclose  sm.aller,  central  transverse  spots  of 
blackish  ;  the  terminal  ochiiuteous  band  is  broadest. 

Kyelirows,   lores,   chin,  and   throat  .soiled   white,  the  loral   bri.stle.s  with   bl.ick  .shafts; 
face  ilingy  ocbr.iceuus-wliite,  feathers  with  darker  shafts;    eye   broadly   eucircle.l   with 

bl.aek.  Post-orbital  circle  mi- 
nutely speckled  with  p.alc  ochra- 
ceous anil  blackish,  except  im- 
mediately behind  the  ear,  where 
for  about  an  inch  it  is  uniform 


Otiis  hrarht/otus. 


dusky. 

Lining  of  the  wing  immaculate 
d<'licate  yellowish-white;  ter- 
niiiiiil  half  of  under  prim.iry 
coverts    clear    blackish-brown ; 

Olus  brfichyoliis.  i  n  o        ■ 

under  surlaee  of  ]irimarie.s  plain 
delicate  ochraceous-whito  ;  ends,  and  one  or  two  very  broad  anterior  bands,  dnsky. 

^    (900,  Carlisle,  Pemi.).     Wing-formnl.a,  2-1,;!.     Wing,   11.80;   tail,  ."..80;  culmen, 
00;  tarsus,  1.75;  middle  toe,  1.20. 


24 


NORTH  AMKRICAN  lURDS. 


9  (1,0")!),  Dr.Klliot  Coiies's  (•"llcction,  Wasliiiijrion,  D.  (".).  Wincr-roriniiln,  2-3-  1-4. 
Win,!,',  l.'i.DO;  tail,  (1.10;  (■iilnicn,  .(i.". ;  Imsiis,  l.Sd:   middle  lo(>,  1.^(1. 

IlAn.  Kiilirc  I'ontineiil  and  adjacent  islands  nf  Anieiiea  ;  also  Enrope,  Asia,  Africa, 
I'dlyiicsia.  and  Sandwich  Islands. 

Loealilies:  Oax.ara  (Sci..  P.  /,.  S.  1850,  ;!!)());  Cuba  (("ah.  ,ronni.  Ill,  10,");  fJcNm.. 
Ki>lit,  ISO,"),  2'J."),  wesi  end)  ;  Arizona  (Coi'KS,  P.  A.  N.  S.  18(i(>,  50)  :  Brazil  (Pi;i,z.  Oin. 
liras.  I,  1(1) ;  lineiios  Ayres  (.•^ci..  ct  S.u.v.  P.  Z.  S.  ISGS,  M;;);  tMiilc  (Piili.irri,  Mns.  S.  I.). 


In  vit'W  of  tlio  mitiuijfililo  imUuc  of  tlic  iliUbrences  ln'tween  tlio  American 
and  Kuropwui  Sliort-eiirod  Owls  (.seMoni  at  all  appvooiahlo,  and  wlien  appreri- 
alilo  not  constant),  we  cannot  ailmit  a  ilill'erence  even  of  race  between 
tlicni.  In  fact,  tins  species  seems  lo  lie  the  only  one  of  tlie  Owls  conunon 
til  tlie  two  continents  in  wliich  an  American  specimen  cannot  lie  dis- 
tinguishcil  from  the  Enropcan.  The  average  plnniage  of  the  American 
representative  is  a  shade  or  two  darker  than  tiiat  of  Kuropean  e.xamples ; 
bnt  the  lightest  specimens  1  have  seen  are  .several  from  the  Ynkon  region 
in  Ala.ska,  and  one  from  California  (No.  6,888,  Suisiin  Valley). 

Not  only  am  1  unable  to  appreciate  any  tangible  differences  between 
European  and  North  American  examiiles,  but  I  fail  to  detect  characters  of 

the  least  importance  whereby  these 
may  be  distinguished  from  South 
American  and  Sandwich  Island 
specimens  ("  (/alojHigunmi.s,  Gould," 
and  " scoulwiclicnsis,  IMox.").  Oidy 
two  specimens,  among  a  great 
many  from  South  America  (Para- 
guay, Ihienos  Ayres,  lirazil,  etc.), 
are  at  all  distinguishable  from 
Northern  American.  Tiiese  two 
(Nos.  13,887  and  i::{,888,  Chile) 
are  somewhat  darker  than  others, 
but  not  so  dark  as  No.  10,020,9, 
from  Fort  Crook,  California.  A 
specimen  fron\  the  Sandwich  Isl-- 
ands  (No.  13,8i)U)  is  nearly  identi- 
cal Mith  these  Chilean  birds,  the 
only  observable  difl'erence  consist- 
ing in  a  more  blackish  forehead, 
and  in  having  just  noticeable  dark  shaft-lines  on  the  lower  tail-coAcrts. 

lu  the  geographical  variations  of  this  species  it  is  seen  that  the  average 
plumage  of  North  American  specimens  is  just  appreciably  darker  than 
that  of  Em-oi)ean,  while  tropical  specimens  have  a  tendency  to  be 
still  darker.  T  know  of  no  bird  so  widely  distributed  which  varies  sf) 
little  in  the  different  parts  of  its  habitat,  unless  it  be  the  Coh/lc  rij)aria, 
which,  however,  is  not  found  so  far  to  the  south.     The  difference,  in  this 


Otus  hrarliyotu.i. 


STRIGID.E  — TIIK   OWLS.  25 

case,  lH't\v((Mi  tlin  Amoricim  imd  Huropcan  liivds,  dues  not  cor'-espond  at  all 
to  that  l.ot\v(!uii  till!  two  easily  di.stiii,miislied  races  of  Otas  vabjans,  iXj/rlulc 
tengmulmi,  Stirniu  vhda,  and  Si/rniuni  cincrciim. 

A  siHicimen  from  Porto  Hico  (Xo.  :V.I,(;4:!)  is  soniowliat  rcniarkalde  on 
account  of  the  prevalence  of  the  dusky  of  the  upper  i)arts,  the  unusually 
lew  and  narrow  stripes  of  the  same  on  the  lower  i)arts,  the  roundish  ochra- 
cpous  spots  on  the  wings,  and  in  havin-,'  the  primaries  barred  to  the  base. 
Should  all  other  specimens  from  the  same  re,i,'ion  agree  in  these  characters, 
they  miglit  ibrm  a  diagnosalile  race.  The  plumage  has  an  abnormal  appear- 
ance, however,  and  I  much  doubt  whether  others  like  it  will  ever  be  taken. 

Hahits.  The  Short-eared  Owl  appears  to  be  distributed,  in  varying  fre- 
quency, throughout  North  America,  more  abundant  in  the  Arctic  regions 
during  the  summer,  and  more  fretjuently  met  with  in  the  Unitetl  States  dur- 
ing the  winter  months.  Kicliardsou  met  with  it  throughout  the  fur  coun- 
tries as  far  to  the  north  as  the  67th  ])arallel.  I'rofessor  Holbbll  gives  it  iis  a 
biixl  of  (ireenland,  and  it  was  met  with  in  considerable  al)undance  by  .Mac- 
Farlane  in  the  Anderson  IJiver  district.  j\Ir.  Murray  mentions  a  specimen 
received  from  the  wooded  district  between  Hudson's  Bay  and  Lake  Winni- 
peg. Captain  Blakiston  met  with  it  on  the  coast  of  Hudson's  Bay,  and  IMr. 
Bernard  Boss  on  the  M.ackenzie  Biver. 

Mr.  1  )resser  speaks  of  it  as  common  at  times  near  San  Antonio  during 
the  winter  months,  keeping  itself  in  the  tall  weeds  and  grass.  It  is  given 
by  Dr.  Uundlach  as  an  occasional  visitant  of  Cuba. 

Dr.  Newberry  met  with  it  throughout  Oregon  and  California,  and  found  it 
esjiecially  common  in  the  Klamath  Basin.  On  the  level  meadow-like 
])rairies  of  the  Upper  Pitt  Biver  it  was  seen  associating  with  the  Marsh 
Hawk  in  considerable  numbers.  It  was  generally  concealed  in  the  grass, 
and  rose  as  the  party  a])proached.  He  o,fterwards  met  with  this  bird  on  the 
shores  of  Klamath  Lake,  and  in  the  Des  Chutes  Basin,  among  grass  and 
sage-bushes,  in  those  localities  associated  with  the  Burrowing  Owl  (A.  hi/jm- 
(jmi).  In  Washington  Territory  it  was  found  by  Dr.  Cooper  on  the  great 
Spokane  Plain,  where,  as  elsewhere,  it  was  commonly  found  in  the  long 
grass  during  the  day.  In  tall  and  winter  it  appeared  in  large  numbers  on 
the  low  prairies  of  the  coast,  but  was  not  gregarious.  Though  properly 
nocturnal,  it  \\,is  met  with,  hunting  on  cloudy  days.  Hying  low  over  the 
meadows,  in  the  manner  of  the  Marsh  Hawk.  He  did  not  meet  with  it  in 
summer  in  the  Territory. 

Dr.  Heermaun  found  it  abundant  in  the  Suisun  and  Napa  valleys  of  Cali- 
fornia, in  equal  munbcrp  with  the  SlrLc  pratincohi.  It  sought  shelter  during 
the  day  on  the  ground  among  the  reeds,  and,  when  startled  from  its  hiding- 
place,  would  Hy  but  a  few  yards  and  alight  again  upon  the  ground.  It  did 
not  seem  wild  or  shy.  He  afterwards  met  with  the  same  si)ecies  on  the 
desert  between  the  Tejon  I'ass  and  the  Mohave  Biver,  and  again  saw  it  on 
the  banks  of  the  latter.     Bichardson  gives  it  as  a  summer  visitant  only  in 

VOL.  III.  4 


26  NORTH  AXfERICA'N  BIRDS. 

tlic  iur  cnuntries,  where  it  urrives  as  soon  as  the  snow  (lisajipears,  and  cle- 
parts  again  in  September.  A  li'niale  was  killed  May  20  with  eggs  nearly 
read}'  lor  exclusion.  The  bird  was  by  no  means  rare,  and,  as  it  iVetiuently 
hunted  tor  its  ])i'i'y  in  the  daytime,  was  often  seen.  Its  principal  haunts 
ap])eared  to  be  dense  thickets  ol'  ytuing  pines,  or  dark  and  entangled  willow- 
dumps,  where  it  would  sit  on  a  law  branch,  watching  a.ssiduously  for  mice. 
When  distinlied,  it  would  lly  low  for  a  short  distance,  find  then  hide  itself  in 
a  bush,  from  whence  it  was  not  easily  driven.  Its  nest  was  said  to  be  on  the 
ground,  in  a  dry  place,  and  formed  of  withered  grass.  Ilutchins  is  quoted  as 
giving  the  number  of  its  eggs  as  ten  or  twelve,  and  describing  them  as  round. 
The  latti!r  is  not  correct,  and  seven  appears  to  be  their  maximum  number. 

Mr.  Downes  speaks  of  it  as  very  rare  in  Nova  Scotia,  but  Elliott  Cabot 
gives  it  as  breeding  among  the  i.slands  in  the  ISayof  Fundy,  off  the  coast,  where 
he  i'ound  several  nests.  It  was  not  met  with  by  Professor  Verrill  in  West- 
ern Maine,  but  is  found  in  other  parts  of  the  State.  It  is  not  uncommon  in 
Eastern  Mas.sachusetts,  where  specimens  are  fre(piently  killed  and  brought 
to  market  ibr  sale,  and  where  it  also  breeds  in  favorable  localities  on  the 
coast.  ]Mr.  William  IJrewster  met  with  it  on  Muskeget,  near  Nantucket, 
where  it  had  been  lireeding,  and  where  it  was  evidently  a  resident,  its  plumage 
having  become  bleached  by  exposure  to  the  sun,  and  the  reflected  light  of 
the  white  .sand  of  that  treeless  island.  It  is  not  ,so  common  in  the  interior, 
though  Mr.  Allen  gives  it  as  resident,  and  rather  common,  near  Springfield. 
Dr.  Wood  found  it  breeding  in  Connecticut,  within  a  few  miles  of  Hartford. 

Dr.  Cones  gives  it  as  a  resident  species  in  South  Carolina,  and  ^Ir  Allen 
also  mentions  it,  on  the  authority  of  ^Ir.  Iioardman,  as  quite  common  among 
the  marshes  of  Florida.  Mr.  Auduboti  also  speaks  of  finding  it  so  jilenti- 
ful  in  Florida  that  on  one  occasion  he  shot  seven  in  a  single  morning. 
The}'  were  to  be  found  in  the  open  ]>rairies  of  that  country,  rising  from  the 
tall  grass  in  a  hurried  manner,  and  moving  in  a  zigzag  manner,  as  if  sud- 
denly wakened  from  a  sound  slee]),  and  then  sailing  to  some  distance  in  a 
direct  course,  and  drop])ing  among  the  thickest  herbage.  Occasionally  the 
Owl  would  enter  a  thicket  of  tangled  palmettoes,  where  with  a  cautious  ap- 
ji'oacli  it  could  lie  taken  alive,  lie  never  found  two  of  these  birds  close 
together,  but  always  singly,  at  distances  of  from  twenty  to  a  lunulred  yards ; 
and  when  two  or  more  were  started  at  once,  they  never  llev/  towards  each 
other. 

Mr.  Audubon  met  with  a  nest  of  this  Owl  on  one  of  the  mountain 
ridges  in  the  great  pine  forest  of  Pennsylvania,  containing  four  eggs 
nearly  ready  to  be  hatched.  They  were  bluish-white,  of  an  elongated 
form,  and  measured  l.oO  inches  in  length  and  1.12  in  breadth.  The  nest, 
made  in  a  .slovenly  manner  with  dry  grasses,  was  under  a  low  bush,  and 
covered  over  with  tall  grass,  through  which  the  bird  had  made  a  path. 
Till'  parent  bird  betrayed  her  presence  by  making  a  clicking  noise  with  her 
bill  as  he  passed  by ;  and  he  nearly  put  his  hand  on  her  before  she  would 


STRioiD-K  — Till':  owr,s.  27 

innvf,  and  tlifii  slif  iKippcil  uwmv,  and  wmiM  luit  tly,  ictiiriiiii;,'  to  Iicr  iicst 
us  soon  as  lie  left  tlie  spot.  Tlu'  jit'llets  (lisy;orj,'eil  liy  tliiH  )\\  1,  and  lound 
near  Iut  nest,  M'orc  t'i)uiid  to  consist  of  llio  lioncs  of  small  (luadniped.s 
iiiixi'd  willi  iiair,  and  tlio\vinj;s  of  several  kinds  of  eoleopteions  insects. 

This  liird  was  found  breedinj^'  near  the  coast  oi'  New  Jersey  i)y  .Mr.  Kri- 
der;  and  at  Hamilton,  Canada,  on  the  western  shore  of  Lake  Ontario,  Mr. 
Mcllwraitli  speaks  of  its  lieiiiy  more  common  than  any  other  Owl. 

A  nest  iVmnd  liy  Mr.  Caliot  was  in  the  midst  of  a  dry  jieaty  i)oj,'.  It  was 
Ituilt  on  the  j^round,  in  a  very  slovenly  manner,  of  small  sticks  and  a  few 
feathers,  and  ])reseiited  hardly  any  excavation.  It  contained  four  ef,fL,'.s  on 
the  point  of  being  hatched.  A  young  bird  the  size  of  a  Jiobin  was  also 
found  lying  dead  on  a  tussock  of  grass  in  another  similar  locality. 

The  notes  of  Mr.  ]\IacFarlane  supply  memoranda  of  twelve  ne.sts  found 
by  him  in  the  Anderson  liiver  country.  They  were  all  placed  on  the  ground, 
in  varit)us  situations.  One  was  in  a  small  clump  of  dwarf  willows,  on  the 
gr(jund,  and  comi)o.sed  of  a  few  decayed  leaves.  Another  nest  was  in  a  very 
small  hole,  lin(;d  with  a  little  Iiay  and  some  decayed  leaves.  This  was  on  a 
barren  plain  of  some  extent,  fifty  miles  east  of  Fort  Anderson,  antl  on  the  edge 
of  the  wooded  country.  A  third  was  in  a  clump  of  Labrador  Tea,  and  was 
sindlar  to  the  preceding,  except  that  the  nest  contained  a  few  feathers. 
This  ne.st  contained  seven  eggs,  —  the  largest  number  found,  and  only  in 
tliis  case.  A  fourth  was  in  an  artificial  depression,  evidently  scratched  out 
by  the  ])arent  bird.  Feathers  seem  to  have  been  noticed  in  about  half  the 
nesLs,  and  in  all  cases  to  have  been  taken  l)y  the  parent  from  her  own 
breast.     Nearly  all  tlie  n.^sts  were  in  depressions  made  for  the  purpose. 

Mr.  Dall  noticed  the  Short-eared  Owl  on  the  Yukon  and  at  Xulato,  and 
i\Ir.  IJannister  observed  it  at  St.  Michael's,  where  it  was  a  not  unfreiiuent 
visitor.  In  his  recent  Xotes  on  the  Avi-fauna  of  the  Aleutian  Islands,  (I'r. 
Cal.  Academy,  1873,)  Dall  informs  us  that  it  is  resident  on  Unalashka,  and 
that  it  excavates  a  hole  horizontally  for  its  nesting-place,  —  usually  to  a 
distance  of  about  two  feet,  the  farther  end  a  little  the  higher.  The  extrem- 
ity is  lined  with  dry  grass  and  feathers.  As  there  are  no  trties  in  the  island, 
the  bird  was  often  seen  sitting  on  the  ground,  near  the  mouth  of  its  bur- 
row, even  in  the  daytime.  Mr.  Eidgway  found  this  l)ivd  in  winter  in  Cali- 
fornia, but  never  met  with  it  at  any  season  in  the  interior,  where  the 
0.  vilsonianuii  was  so  abundant. 

The  eggs  of  this  Owl  are  of  a  nniform  dull  white  color,  wliieli  in  the 
nnblown  egg  is  said  to  have  a  bluish  tinge ;  they  are  in  form  an  elliptical 
ovoid.  The  eggs  obtained  by  Mr.  Cabot  meivsured  1.50  inches  in  length 
and  1.25  in  breadth.  The  smallest  egg  collected  by  Mr.  MacFarlane  meas- 
nred  1.50  by  1.22  inches.  The  largest  taken  by  Mr.  B.  11.  lioss,  at  Fort 
Sim])Son,  measures  1.(50  by  1.30  inches  ;  their  average  measurement  is  l.o? 
by  1.28  inches.  An  egg  of  the  European  bird  measures  1.55  by  1.30 
inches. 


28 


NDIH'II  AMEIUCAN   lilltDS. 


Syrniinn  iiibiilostim. 


GeNI'M    SYRNIUM,    SAVIfJNY. 

Si/niiioii,  Savionv,  iVut.  Hist.  KKypt,  I,  112;  isno.     (Tyi>p,  .\  i,.f  nhico,  I„) 
SivtiKjilij;  SwAiNN,,  Cliissir.  IS.  II,  1837,  1>.  21tt.     (Type,  Strix  ciiterra,  (i.MKi,.) 
?  Ciivalid,  Wa(ii,.  Isis,  1.S31.     (Tvpc,  SIriv  hithuh,  Dauii.) 
1  J'idsiili-ii;  Kaii',  184!I.     {SirU  loi-ijiiiilds,  Daiii.) 

fiKN.  CiiAii.    Size  varyiiif,'  I'roin  iiir(liiiiii  to  vciy  liir^c.     No  cnr-tu(ts.    Head  very  Inrjrp, 

the  cyoH  uoiiipanitivi'ly 
sniall.  Four  to  six  oiitcr 
priiiiarics  with  llicir  inner 
WL'lis  siiinated.  Tarsi  ami 
up|)('r  portion,  or  the  whole 
of  tiio  toes,  densely  elolheil 
with  hair- like  leathers. 
Tail  considerably  more 
than  half  as  Ion;;  ns  the 
win<r,  decidedly  rounded. 
Ear-orifiee  very  hiffli,  hut 
not  so  liif,di  as  the  skull, 
and  rnrni.shed  with  an  an- 
terior opprculnm,  which  does  not  usually  extend  alonn;  the  full  len<»tli;  the  tw^o  ears 
n.syiinnetrieal.     liill  yellow. 

Subgenera. 

Scotiaptex.  Six  outer  quills  with  their  inner  wohs  cmarfjinated.  Toos  completely 
con(    aled  liy  dense  long  hair-like  feathers.     Iris  yellow.     (Type,  S.  rinereum.) 

Syrnium,  Swaisson.  Five  outer  (juills  with  their  inner  webs  eniarginated.  Toes  not 
completely  concealed  by  feathers  ;  sometimes  nearly  naked  ;  terminal  scutellii;  always  (?) 
exposed.    Iris  blackish.     (Type,  S.  uhtco.') 

The  typical  species  of  this  geuus  are  confined  to  tlie  Northern  Ilenii- 
spheru.  It  is  yet  iloiil)tfiil  whetlier 
the  Tropical  American  species 
usually  referred  to  this  genus 
really  belong  here.  Tlie  genera 
C'icruba,  Wagl.,  and  Pulsafvu', 
Ivau}),  liavo  been  instituted  to  in- 
clude most  of  them  ;  but  whellier 
tliese  are  generically  or  only  sub- 
generically  distinct  from  tlie 
ty])ical  sjjccies  of  Sj/rnimii  re- 
mains to  be  decided. 

Our  >S'.  nihidusum  and  ^S'.  occi- 
(Icn/dlc  seem  to  l)e  strictly  con- 
generic  witli   the   *S'.  alucci,   the 
type  of  tlie  subgenus  Si/rnittm,  since  they  agree  in  the  minutest  particulars 
in  regard  to  their  external  form,  and  other  characters  not  specific. 


St/rnium  Hebiihsum. 


!-TRItiIl).E-THE  OWLH.  20 

Species  and  Varieties. 

((.  Srolliiiili'.i;  Swains. 
1.  8.  cinereum.     Iri^yollnw;  l.ill  ydlcw.    Dusky  ^'^lyisll-ll^o^vn  nml  frrny- 

ish-whilf.  till'  loniicr  iircvailiii,;;  iiliovf,  tlio  latlrr  prfdomiiiatiii.u'  1 iilli. 

The  n\>\n-v  siiiihu(-  witli  ii.onlinu's  ><(  n  Inmsvrrso  tcMiilolicy  ;  tins  lower  siir- 
lUce  witli  llie  iiii.ikiMi.'s  in  tint  I'oiiii  of  rn^'j;cil  longitii.liiinl  stripes,  wliieli 
aiv  Iniiisroiiiieil  iiitc  tiaiisv.'isi'  Imrs  on  the  Hunks,  etc.     Fu.'o  giiiyisli-wliitc, 
with  e.meeutrie  rii.-s  of  .liisky.     Win-.  KUJO  -  18.00  :  tail,  11.00  -  l'J..^O. 
Daik    liiaikiiif,'s   ineiloiniiifttin},'.       Jldh.      Nortliein    iioitioiis   of   tlio 

Nearetie  Reahii ^■"'■-  <'incrr„m. 

Li^rlil  iiiafkiiifrs   inetloiiiinating.      Hah.     Xoitlieni   poitioiis   of   the 
rahcaictii;  Uonlm vm.  lappa  n  ic  urn. 

b.  Si/rniiim,  Sav. 
PoMMoN  ("iiAUACTEiis.     Liver-l)rowii  or  uiiibcf,  variously  .''potted  ami  barred 
with  whii  -h  or- oiliraceoiis.     Bill  yi'Uow  ;  iris  browiiisli-ljlnck. 

•2.  8.  nebulosum.  Lower  parts  striped  longitudinally.  Head  and  neck 
witli  transverse  Ijais. 

Colors  reddisli-niiilier  and  oeliraeeoiis-wliitc.     F.-'ce  with  ob.senro  eon- 
centric  rinjrs  of  darker.     Win};,  l.'J.OO  -  14.00  ;  tail,  9.00  -  10.00.     Ilah. 

Eastern  region  of  I'nited  States vav.  n  eb  u  losum. 

Colors  blackish-sepia   ami   chtar  white.      Face  without   .any   darker 
concentric  rings.      Wing,   14.80;    tail,  9.00.      JIab.     Eastern   Mexico 

(Mirador) va'-  sartorii} 

Colors  tawny-brown  and  bright  fnlvon.s.     Face  without  darker  con- 
centric rings  (?).     Wing,  12.50,   I'i.T".;  tail,  7.30,  8.u0.      JIah.    Gua- 

t^.i,iala •    Yiir,  ful  V  escens.' 

3.  8.  ocoidentale.  Lower  parts  transversely  barred.  Head  and  neck 
witii  roumli.-li  .spots.  Wing,  12.00-1:5.10;  tail,  9.00.  JM).  Southern 
California  (Fort  Tejon,  Xantl's)  and  Arizona  (Tucson,  Nov.  7,  Bkndikk). 

1  Siirnium,  nebulosum,  var.  stirhrii,  Ridgwav  (Mexican  Barred  Owl).  Ilah.  Mirador, 
Me.xii'o.  C'liAlt.  Atliill.  (9.  43,131,  Mirador,  near  Vera  Cruz,  Mexico,  "pine  region";  Dr.  0. 
Sartorius).  In  general  n])pearaiice  like  nebulosum,  but  the  brown  very  much  darker,  and  less 
reddish,  —  that  of  the  markings  below  very  nearly  black  ;  the  pattern,  however,  precisely  the 
.same,  and  there  is  about  the  same  proportion  between  the  light  and  the  <lark  bars  as  is  seen  in  the 
average  of  nebu/asuin.  Tint  face  is  ]>laiu  dirty  white  without  the  brown  bar.9  or  semicircles,  — a 
constant  and  conspicuous  I'eutine  in  nebulosum.  There  is  the  same  number  of  spots  on  the  primaries, 
and  of  bands  on  the  tail,  as  in  nebulosum.  The  white  l>eiieuth  is  without  any  ochraeeous  tinge  ; 
the  primary  coverts  are  plain  dark  brown.  Witig-foi-nnda  :  4  —  3  =  .">  ;  1  intermediate  between 
8  and  i).  Wing,  14.80  ;  tail,  D.On  ;  eubin^n,  l.O'i ;  tarsus,  2.'20  ;  middle  toe,  1.60.  This  race  of  the 
,S'.  iiebulosuiii  |ircsents  very  iippreciiible  dilfe-  wics  from  the  bird  of  the  United  States.  A.s  stated 
above,  the  brown  is  nnieh  darker  ami  less  ■edijisli,  while  thi'  f  n  e  is  whidly  destitute  of  the  con- 
centric du.sky  rings  .seen  in  nrhulosum  )>riilK'  •.  To  Dr.  Charles  .Sartoriu.s,  who,  by  the  pn'sentatiou 
to  the  .Sudtlisouian  Institution  of  numi'rousel.-giintly  pivpared  specimens,  has  added  so  much  to  our 
knowledge  of  th<'  birds  of  the  vicinity  of  M''  idor,  I  take  great  pli'asure  in  dedicating  this  new  form. 

2  Sjirniuia  nebulosum,  \ar.  fuhrsi-eni  i.  inn  fuhrsccHs,i^.\i,\\s,  P.  Z.  S.  18t)8,  58.  t'lIAIl. 
(icneral  appi-arance  of  var.  nebulosum,  bin  sm;dler  and  much  more  ochraeeous.  Ground-color  of  the 
l)bnuiige  ochraeeon.s,  inclining  to  a  deep  fulvous  tint  on  tlie  upper  i)arts,  but  paler  below.  Feathers 
of  the  upi)er  surface  tipped  with  dark  innlHT-lirown,  and  sometimes  with  an  additional  bar  about 
the  middle  of  the  feather.  The  fulvo\is  Kirs  unu-h  exiw.sed,  so  as  to  exceed  the  brown  in  amount. 
Face  grayish-white,  tinged  outwarilly  with  ochraeeous.  Beneath  with  the  markings  of  nehnlosum 
on  a  deep  and  uniform  ochraeeous  gnmnd.  Wing.  12.7")  ;  tail,  8.50  ;  eulmcu,  .95  ;  tarsus,  2.45  ; 
middle  toe,  1.20  (Coll.  Host.  Soe.,  No.  307,  Guattunala  ;  Van  I'atten). 


3Q  NORTH  AMKIMCAN   IIIUDS. 

Syrnium  (Scotiaptex^  cinereum,   Arniiiox. 

OBEAT  ORAT  OWL. 

Slrir  cinn-rn,  fl.Mia,.  Syst.  Xal.  \\.  l!!U,  17,s.s.  —  I.aiii.  Iml.  Oni.  \\  fiS,  1700;  Syn.  I, 
i;i4  ;  Siipp.  I,  \:>  ;  Cfii.  llUt.  I,  \i'A~.  —  ViKll.i,.  N'imv.  Diit.  Hist.  Nut.  VII, -j:!,  IsHi; 
Kiic  Mt'ih.  Ill,  1-JSi);  (»is.  Am.  .Scjit.  I,  l,S.  liicir.  &  Swain.s.  R  H.  A.  II,  pi.  .\x.\i, 
]8;}1.— lioNAi'.  Ami.  I.yr.  X.  V.  II,  laii ;  l.sis,  1,>«;)-J,  |..  1140. —  Afi).  lilids  .\in.  pi. 
(•(■(•11,  Ksal  ;  Orii.  Ilioj,',  IV,  aiU.  —  Xi  it.  .Man.  p.  1-JH.  -  Ty/.i;siiaiz,  Hcv.  Zoiil.  18.M, 
J),  ■'i71.  fli/riiiiDii  ciiiiiriim,  Arn.  .'^yiiop.  ji.  "Jii,  l,s;i!t.  -t'Ass.  Uinls  Cul.  &  Tex.  p.  184, 
18.">4  ;  Uirds  N.  Am.  isns,  p.  'M.  —  IliiKw.  (Wii.s.)  Am.  Orii.  p.  0,H7.  —  Un  Kay,  Zdiil. 
N.  Y.  II,  '.'ti,  pi.  xiil,  I'.  '2i\  1844.  —  .SriucKi..  (liii.  Syn.  I,  1S8,  M^m.  —  Xi:\vii.  P.  11. 
R.  Kept.  VI,  IV,  77,  ls,'.7.  —  CddP.  &  Si(  K.  I'.  I!.  It.  IJcpt.  .\ll,  ii,  I'ltl,  l.sco. — 
Kait,  Tr.  7.i>«\.  Sw.  IV,  IS.'iO,  2.'.ti.  —  Dam,  k  IUsni.stki!,  Tv.  fliicaRo  Acad.  I,  1800, 
173.  —  <ii!AV,  llaiulI.iM,  I,  48,  l80!i.  —  Mayxaiih,  Minis  Kastcrii  iMa.ss.,  1870,  130.— 
Scutiiiplcx  cincvcu,  S\vaix.s.  C'la.s.sif.  Ilinls,  II,  -IM,  18;)7.  Syrnium  hipponieitin,  var. 
i-iiinriaii,  C'duks,  Key,  187'2,  204.     StrU  nixUtmulin;  1!ai:t.  Traii.s.  285,  1792. 

Rp.  CilAn.  Ail'tlt.  firnniid-oolor  of  the  nppci-  surface  d.'iik  vainlykc-lirnwii,  Init  llii.i 
reliovcd  liy  n  transverse  iiiottliiif:  (on  llie  eiljre.'<  "f  the  featlieis)  of  wiiile,  tlie  nieilial 
portions  of  liie  fuatliers  heini^  .s(;arcely  variejriilcd,  eausinfr  an  appeanmco  of  obsolete 
lonjritndinal  dai-k  stiipes,  liicso  most  conspicnons  on  tliu  .seapiiliirs  and  hack.  Tiie  untcrior 
portions  above  are  more  rcjridarly  liarre(l  Iransver.sely  ;  tiie  wliite  bans  interrupted,  liow- 
evcr,  l)y  the  brown  medial  stripe.  t)n  the  rmnp  and  ni)p('r  tail-covert.'*  the  mottling  is 
nioic  profuse,  eansinj;;  a  frrayisii  a])|)carance.  On  the  wintr coverts  the  outer  wclis  are 
most  variejialed  by  the  wliite  motllin;,'.  Tlic  alida  and  primary  coverts  have  very 
obsolete  liands  of  paler;  the  secondaries  arc  crossed  by  nine  (last  terminal,  and  three 
ronccalcd  by  coverts)  bands  of  jiale  ^'rayish-brown,  inclininfj  to  white  at  the  borders  of 
tlies]i()ls;  piimaries  crossed  liy  nine  transverse  series  of  ipiadrate  spots  of  mottled  pale 
browni.sli-f;ray  on  the  outer  web.s,  those  beyond  the  enun-fjinatioii  oli.scure,  —  the  terminal 
ere.seentio  bar  distinct,  liowever;  U|)per  secondaries  and  middle  tail-feathers  with  coar.sc 
transver.se  mottliiifr,  almost  forminfr  bars.  Tail  with  nboiit  nine  pider  bimd.s,  tlie.se  merely 
marked  off  by  pai-al!ci,  nearly  while  bars,  cnclosin<r  a  plain  frrayi.sh-lirown,  .sometimes 
slifihtly  mottled  space,  just  perceptibly  darker  than  the  ^.nound-color ;  basally  the  feathers 
become  profu.sely  mottled,  so  that  the  bands  are  confused;  the  last  band  is  terminal. 
Bcne.ith  with  the  crronnd-color  .crayish-white,  each  feather  of  the  neck,  breast,  and 
a1)domen  with  a  broad,  lon.L'itiidinal  rairged  stripe  of  dark  brown,  like  the  ^'round-color 
of  the  upper  parts;  sides,  Hanks,  crissnni,  and  lower  tail-coverts  with  regular  triinsver,se 
narrow  bands  ;  legs  with  (iner,  more  irregular,  transverse  bars  of  <lu.sky.  "  Kvebrow.s," 
lories,  and  chin  grayish-while,  a  dusky  s])ace  at  anterior  angle  of  the  eye;  face  grayish- 
white,  with  distinct  concentric  .semicircles  of  lilackish-brown  ;  facial  circle  dark  brown, 
becoming  white  across  the  I'orencck,  where  it  is  divided  medially  by  a  .spot  of  brownish- 
black,  covering  the  throat. 

^  (.'i2,.'300.  Moose  Factory.  Hudson  Hay  Territory  ;  .f.  ^[cKcn/.ie).  Wing-forinula, 
4=0,  3,  0-2,  7  -8-9,  1.  Wing,  10.00;  tail,  11.00;  cuinicn,  1.00;  tarsus,  2.:iO ;  middle 
toe,  1.50. 

9  (rAMS,  Nulato,  R.  Am.,  Aprilll,  ISfiS;  W.  TI.  Dall).  Wing-formula,  i  =  '>, 
3,  G-2,  7-8-9,  1.  Vv'ing,  18.00;  tail,  12.50;  culmen,  1.00;  tarsu.s,  2.20;  middle 
toe,  1.70. 

Hah.  Arctic  America  Cresident  in  Can.ida  ?).  In  winter  extending  into  northern 
borders  of  United  .'^tatcs  (Ma.ssachu.scits,  MAVXAiin), 


STKliilD-K-TIlK   OWLS. 


31 


Tlif  ioIiiti.)iislu|.  l.clwc.'ii  tlic  Si/niinm  rliirninn  uimI  tlio  >■'.  hipponiri'm  ia 
exii.'tly  puiiiUt'l  tn  lliiil  li.'tWfcM  tin-  0///.s  ruhfirls,  var.  in/son  hi  iiii.s,  uik'  vur. 
nihl,iri^,Siinii<i  nh'/ii,  mw.  //('//w/mV/,  iiml  tlic  var.  idnh',  aiul  Xi/r'"/''  '"','/- 
mil  mi,  viir.  rir/inn/sonl,  and  thu  var.  Inujiiuilmi.  In  conlurinity  to  llio 
j^cni'ial  iul(!  anions'  tlu'  siiecics  wliicli  UAiW,'  to  llus  two  conlinunts,  tliu 
?\inciican  race  of  tliu  pivsi-nt  lanl  in  wry  (loci.l.Mlly  daikiT  tlian  the  Knro- 
jR'aii  oni",  which  has  the  whitish  niotllint,'  much  more  pvevalcnt,  j^iviiij-'  the 
lihiniani^  a  li,i,'ht('V  ami  more  },'rayi.sh  iisiu-ct.  The  white  i)re(lominates  on  tlie 
o\iter  wel.s  ul'  tlie  scapuhirs.      On   the  heutl  siiul   neck  the   white  wiuals 


Syrnittm  cinereinrt. 

the  dusky  in  extent,  wliile  on  tlie  lower  parts  it  hirj^ely  prevails.  The 
longitudinal  strijies  of  the  dorsal  region  are  much  more  conspicuous  in  /«jj- 
punirnm  than  in  cinaxuvt. 

A  specimen  in  the  Schliitter  collection,  labelled  as  from  "  Xord-Europa," 
is  not  distinguishable  from  Xoith  American  examples,  and  is  so  very 
unlike  the  usual  Lapland  style  t'>  it  we  doubt  its  being  a  European  speci- 
men at  all. 

Habits.  The  Great  Gray  or  Cinereous  Owl  appears  to  be  confined  to 
the  ninre  northern  portions  of  Xorth  America.  It  is  rarely  met  with  in  any 
part  of  the  United  States,  and  only  in  winter,  with  the  exception  of  Wash- 


32  xoimi  AMEiircAN  uirds. 

ingtou  Territory,  where  it  is  ]>re.suiiu'd  to  bo  a  resident.  It  is  also  said  to  1)e 
a  resident  in  Canada,  and  to  he  round  in  the  vieinity  of  JMontreal.  ]\Ir. 
Lawrence  does  not  inehide  tliis  liird  in  liis  list  of  the  1)irds  of  New  York, 
hut  Mr.  Tinnbull  states  that  several  have  been  taken  as  far  south  as  New 
Jersey.  Throuj;hout  New  Kn<j;land  it  is  occasional  in  the  winter,  but  com- 
paratively rare.  Mr.  Allen  tlid  not  hear  of  any  having  been  taken  near 
Sin-ingfield.  On  the  coast  of  Massachusetts  they  are  of  infreuiuent  occur- 
rence, and  are  held  at  iiigh  prices.  A  tine  specimen  was  shot  in  Lynn  in 
the  winter  of  1872,  and  is  now  in  the  collection  of  my  n(!i)hew,  W.  S. 
Brewer.  On  the  Pacilic  coast  it  is  resident  as  I'ar  south  as  the  mouth  of 
the  Columbia,  and  is  found  in  winter  in  Northern  California. 

Dr.  liichardson  met  with  tliis  Owl  in  the  fur  regions,  where  it  seemed 
to  be  by  no  nieans  rare.  He  mentions  it  as  an  inhabitant  of  all  the  wooded 
districts  which  lie  between  Lsike  Superior  and  latitude  07°  and  08°,  and  be- 
tween Hudson's  Hay  and  the  Pacific.  It  was  connnon  on  the  borders  of 
(ireat  Uear  Lake,  in  which  region,  as  well  as  in  a  higher  parallel  of  latitude, 
it  pursues  its  prey  during  the  summer  months  by  daylight.  It  was  observed 
to  keep  constantly  within  the  woods,  and  was  not  seen  to  fre(iuent  the  barren 
grounds,  in  the  manner  of  the  Snowy  Owl,  nor  was  it  so  often  met  with  in 
broad  daylight  as  the  Hawk  Owl,  apparently  preferring  to  hunt  when  the 
sun  was  low  and  the  recesses  of  the  woods  deeplj^  shadowed,  when  the  hares 
and  other  smaller  quadrupeds,  upon  which  it  chiefly  feeds,  were  most 
abundant. 

On  the  23d  of  May,  Dr.  Eichardson  discovered  a  ntst  of  this  Owl,  Ituilt 
on  the  top  of  a  lofty  balsam-poplar,  composed  of  sticks,  with  a  lining  of 
feathers.  It  contained  three  young  birds,  covered  with  a  whitish  down, 
to  secure  which  it  was  necessary  to  cut  down  the  tree.  While  this  was 
going  on,  the  parent  birds  flew  in  circles  around  the  tree,  keeping  out  of 
gun-shot,  and  apparently  undisturbed  by  the  light.  Tlie  young  birds 
were  ke))t  alive  for  several  weeks,  but  finally  escaped.  They  had  the 
habit,  when  any  one  entered  the  room  in  which  they  were  kept,  of  tlu'ow- 
ing  themselves  back  and  making  a  loud  suai)i)ing  noise  with  their  bills. 

In  February,  IKil,  as  Audubon  was  informed,  a  fine  specimen  of  one 
of  these  Owls  was  taken  alive  in  Marblehcad,  Afass.,  luning  been  seen 
perched  upon  a  woodi)ile  early  in  the  morning.  It  was  obtained  by  Mr. 
Ives,  of  Salem,  by  whom  it  was  ke]it  several  months.  It  was  fed  on  fish 
and  small  birds,  and  ate  its  food  readily.  It  would  at  times  utter  a  tremu- 
lous cry,  not  unlike  that  of  the  common  Screech-Owl  (.'^^ro/w  asio),  and 
manifested  the  greatest  antipathy  to  cats  and  dogs. 

Dr.  Cooper  foinul  this  bird  near  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia  Eivcr,  in 
a  brackish  meadow  partially  covered  with  small  spruce-trees,  where  they 
sat  concealed  during  the  day,  or  made  short  flights  from  one  to  another. 
Dr.  Cooper  procured  a  specimen  tliere  in  June,  and  lias  no  doubt  that  the 
bird  is  resident  and  breeds  iu  that  neigliborhood.     He  regards  it  as  some- 


STRIGID.E  —  THE  OWLS.  33 

what  diurnal  in  its  habits,  and  states  that  it  is  especially  active  towi.rd 
sunset. 

Dr.  Ncwbeny  speaks  of  this  Owl  as  one  senorally  distributed  over  tlio 
western  part  of  llic  continent,  he  having  met  with  it  in  the  Sacramento  Val- 
ley, in  tlie  Cascade  Mountains,  in  the  Des  Chutes  IJasin,  and  in  Oregon,  on 
the  (Columbia  Iiiver.  Mr.  liobert  MacFarlanc  found  it  in  great  abundance  in 
the  Anderson  Ifiver  region.  On  the  lUth  of  July,  as  we  find  in  one  of  his 
memoranda,  he  met  with  a  nest  of  this  species  near  Lockhart  Ifiver,  on  the 
I'dute  to  Fort  (iood  IIoj)e.  Tlie  nest  was  on  the  top  of  a  pine-tree,  twenty 
I'eet  from  the  ground.  It  contained  two  eggs  and  two  young,  both  of  which 
were  deail.  The  nest  was  composed  of  sticks  and  mosses,  and  was  lined 
thinly  with  down.  The  female  was  sitting  on  the  nest,  but  left  it  at  his 
approach,  and  flew  to  a  tree  at  some  distance,  where  she  was  shot. 

Mr.  Donald  (Junn  writes  that  the  Cinereous  Owl  is  to  be  found  both  in 
summer  and  in  winter  throughout  all  the  country  commonly  known  as  the 
Hudson  ISay  Territory.  He  states  that  it  hunts  by  night,  pn^ys  upon 
rabbits  and  mice,  and  nests  in  tall  poplar-trees,  usually  quite  early  in  the 
season. 

A  single  specimen  of  this  Owl  was  taken  at  Sitka  by  Bischoff,  and  on  the 
2nth  of  April  Mr.  Dall  obtained  a  female  that  had  been  shut  at  Takitesky, 
about  twenty  miles  east  of  the  Yukon,  near  Nulato.  He  subsequently  ob- 
tained several  s[)ecimens.  in  that  region.  Mr.  Dall  describes  it  as  very 
stupid,  and  easy  to  be  caught  by  the  hand  during  the  daytime.  From  its 
awkward  motions  its  Indian  name  of  nuhl-tuhl,  signifying  "  heavy  walker," 
is  derived.  So  far  as  observed  by  Air.  Dall,  this  Owl  appeared  to  feed  prin- 
cipally upon  small  birds,  and  he  took  no  less  than  thirteen  crania  and  other 
remains  of  yE(jtofhus  luiaria  from  the  crop  of  a  single  bird. 

Si)ecimens  of  this  Owl  have  also  been  received  by  the  Smith.sonian  Institu- 
tion, collected  by  Mr.  Kennicott,  from  Fort  Yukon  and  from  Nulato ;  from 
Mr.  J.  McKenzie,  Moose  Factory  ;  from  J.  Lockhart,  obtaiiied  at  Fort  Keso- 
lution  and  at  Fort  Yukon ;  from  J.  Flett,  at  La  I'ierre  House ;  from  R  R 
lioss,  at  Dig  Ifsland ;  and  from  Mr.  S.  Jones  and  Mr.  J.  McDougall,  at  Fort 
Yukon.     These  Mere  all  taken  between  February  11  and  July  19. 

One  of  the  eggs  of  this  Owl,  referred  to  above  in  Mr.  IMacFarlane's  note, 
is  in  my  cabinet.  It  is  small  for  the  size  of  the  bird,  and  is  of  a  dull  soiled- 
white  color,  oblong  in  shape,  and  decidedly  more  pointed  at  one  end  than 
at  the  other.  It  measures  2.25  inches  in  length  by  1.78  in  breadth.  The 
drawing  of  an  egg  of  this  species,  made  by  Mr.  Audubon  from  a  supposed 
specimen  of  an  egg  of  this  species,  referred  to  in  the  "  North  American 
Oology,"  and  which  measured  2.44:  by  2.00  inches,  was  probably  a  sketch  of 
the  egg  of  the  Snowy  Owl. 


34  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Symium  nebulosum,  Uray. 

BARRED  OWL;  "HOOTOWI." 

SMx  ncbiihuri,  FoitsT.  Phil.  Trans.  XXII,  386  k  424,  1772. —Omel.  Syst.  Nnt.  p.  291, 
1789. —  Lath.  Ind.  Oiii.  p.  r>8,  1790;  Syn.  1,  133;  Ooii.  IIi.st.  I,  338.  — Daud.  Tr. 
Orn.  II,  191,  1800.  —  SiiAW,  Zoiil.  VII,  245,  1839;  Nut.  Misc.  pi.  xxv.  — Vieiu,. 
Oi.s.  Am.  Sept.  pi.  xvii,  1807  ;  Nouv.  Diet.  Hist.  Xnt.  VII,  32  ;  Kiic.  Moth.  Ill,  1292. 
—  AVD.  Birds  Am.  pi.  .xlvi,  1S31  ;  Oin.  Biog.  1,  242.  —  Temm.  Man.  Orn.  pt.  i,  p.  88  ; 
pt.  iii,  p.  47.  —  Weuk.  Atl.  Ois.  Eur.  —  Meveh,  Tasclienl).  Doutsch  Vogclk.  HI,  21  ; 
Zusatzc,  p.  21.— Wii.s.  Am.  Orn.  pi.  xxxiii,  f.  2,  1808.  —  Ricir.  k  Swains.  F.  B.  A. 
II,  81.—  BoxAP.  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  II,  38  ;  Isi.s,  1832,  p.  1140.  — .Luin.  (Wii.s.)  Am. 
Orn.  II,  57,  1832.  I'lida  nchulosa,  Stkpii.  Zoiil.  XIH,  pi.  ii,  p.  CO,  1815. —  Cuv. 
Reg.  An.  (cd.  2),  I,  342,  1829.  — James.  (Wils.)  Am.  Orn.  I,  107,  1831  ;  IV,  280.— 
BoNAPAnxE,  List,  page  7,  1838;  Conspectus  Avium,  p.  53.  —  Goitm),  Birds  Enr.pl. 
xlvi.  —Less.  Man.  Orn.  I,  113,  1828  ;  Tr.  Orn.  p.  108.  —  Gray,  Ocn.  B.  fol.  (ed.  2), 
p.  8,  1844. -De  Kav,  Zoul.  N.  V.  II,  29,  pi.  x,  f.  21,  1844.  Si/niium  nebulosum, 
GiiAY,  Gen.  B.  fol.  sp.  9,  1844;  List  Birds  Brit.  Mus.  p.  104.  —  Ca.s.s.  Birds  Cal.  & 
Tex.  p.  184,  1854;  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  50.  —  GiiiAvn,  Birds  Long  Island,  p.  24, 
1844.  —  WooDii.  inSitgr.  Kept.  E.\pl.  Zuni  &  Colorad.  p.  63,  18.5.3.  —  Buew.  (Wii.s.) 
Am.  Orn.  p.  687,  1852.  —  Kaup,  Monog.  Strig.  Cont.  Orn.  1852,  p.  121. —Ib.  Tr. 
Zoiil.  Soc.  IV,  256.  — Stricki,.  Orn.  Syn.  I,  189,  1855.  —  Max.  Cab.  .lour.  VI,  1858, 
28.  —  Duesseh,  Ibis,  1865,  330  (Texas,  resident).  —  CouEs,  Key,  1872,  204. —Gray, 
Hand  List,  I,  48,  1869. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult.  Ilend,  nock,  breast,  b.ick,  scapular.'!,  and  rump  with  broad  regular 
tran.sverse  bar.'?  of  ochraceous-whitc  .ind  deep  umber-brown,  the  latter  color  .ilways  ter- 
min.-il ;  on  the  upper  surface  the  brown  somewhat  exceed.s  the  wliiti.«h  in  width,  but  on 
the  neck  and  breast  tlic  white  rather  predominates.  The  lower  third  of  the  breast  is 
somewhat  differently  marked  from  the  upper  portion,  the  Itrown  bars  being  connected 
along  the  shaft  of  the  fe.ithor,  throwing  the  wliite  into  pairs  of  spots  on  opposite  webs. 
Each  feather  of  the  abdomen,  sides,  (lanks,  and  lower  tail-coverts  has  a  l)road  medial 
longitudinal  stripe  of  brown  somewhat  deeper  in  tint  than  the  transverse  bars  on  the 
upper  parts ;  the  anal  region  is  plain,  more  ochraeeous,  white ;  the  legs  have  numerous, 
but  rather  faint,  transverse  spot.s  of  lirown.  flround-color  of  the  wings  and  tail  browi,, 
like  the  bars  of  the  back;  middle  and  secondary  wing-coverts  with  roundish  transverse 
spots  of  nearly  pure  white  on  lower  webs ;  lesser  co'crts  plain  rich  brown ;  seconda- 
ries crossed  by  six  bands  of  pale  gr.iyi.sh-brown,  passing  into  paler  on  the  edge  of  each 
feather,  —  the  List  is  terminal,  passing  narrowly  into  whitish  ;  primary  coverts  with  fom' 
banc'"^  of  darker  ochraceou.'s-brown  ;  primaries  with  transverse  .series  of  fpiadratc  p.ale- 
brown  spots  on  the  oetcr  webs  (growinc  leepor  in  tint  on  inner  quill.s),  the  last  terminnl; 
on  the  louf^-est  are  about  eight.  Tail  like  the  wings,  crossed  with  six  or  seven  sharp' 
defined  bands  of  pale  brown,  the  last  terminal. 

F.ice  pr.iyish-white,  with  concentric  semicircular  l)ars  of  brown  ;  eyebrows  and  lores 
with  black  shafts;  a  narrov/^  crescent  of  lilack  .against  anterior  angle  of  the  eye.  Facial 
c'rcle  of  blacki.sh-brown  and  creamy-white  bars,  tlie  former  prevailing  along  the  anterior 
edge,  the  Latter  more  distinct  posteriorly,  and  prevailing  .icross  the  neck  in  front,  where 
the  brown  forms  disconnected  transverse  spots. 

9  (752,  Carlisle,  Penn.).  Wing-formula,  4  -  .3,  ■'')- 2,  C  ;  1  =0.  Wing,  13.00;  tail, 
9.00;  culmen,  LO.'i ;  tarsus,  1.90;  middle  toe,  1..J0. 

$.  A  little  smaller.     (No  specimen  marked  $  in  the  collection.) 

llAn.    Eastern  North  America,  west  to  the  Missouri ;  Rio  Grande  region. 


STRIGin^.  —  THE  OWI.S. 


35 


A  female  (?)  from  Calais,  Me.,  (4,9GG  ;  C.  A.  I5()jrdman,)  is  somewhat 
lightev-colored  than  the  ty])e,  owing  to  the  clearer  white  of  the  bars.  It 
measures,  wing,  IS.no  ;  tail,  9.80. 

A  specimen  (4,357,  January)  from  WashingtDn.  1).  C,  is  quite  remarkable 
for  the  very  dark  tints  of  plumage  and  the  unusual  prevalence  of  the 
brown  ;  this"  is  of  a  more  reddish  cast  tlian  in  all  other  specimens,  becoming 
somewiiat  blackish  on  the  head  and  neck  ;  anteriorfv^  it  prevails  so  as  to 
almost  completely  hide  the  pale  bar.s  of  the  back  and  nape.     The  tail  has 


Syrnium  ne'ouloium. 

no  bais  except  three  or  four  very  obsolete  ones  near  the  end  ;  beneath,  the 
ochraceous  tinge  is  quite  deep.  Tlie  toes,  "xcept  their  first  joint,  are  per- 
fectly naked ;  the  middle  one,  however,  has  a  narrow  strip  of  feathering 
running  along  the  outer  side  as  far  as  the  last  joint.  The  darker  shades  of 
color,  and  more  naked  toes,  seem  to  be  distinguishing  features  of  southern 
examples. 

Habits.  The  Barred  Owl  has  an  extended  range,  having  been  met  with 
nearly  throughout  North  America,  from  about  latitude  50'  to  Texas, 
^linnesota  is  the  most  western  point  to  which,  so  far  as  I  am  aware,  it 
has  been  traced.  It  is  more  abundant  in  the  Southern  States  than  else- 
where, and  in  the  more  northern  portions  of  North  America  is  somewhat 
rare.  Itichardson  did  not  encounter  it  in  the  more  arctic  portion  of  the  fur 
countries,  nor  has  it,  so  far  as  I  can  learn,  been  observed  on  the  Pacific  coast. 
It  is  said  to  be  of  accidental  occurrence  in  northern  Europe. 

In  Louisiana,  as  Mr.  Audubon  states,  it  is  more  abundant  than  anywhere 


36  NORTH   AMEltlCAN   BIRDS. 

olso ;  and  Dr.  Woodliouse  speaks  of  it  as  very  coininon  in  tlie  Indian  Tcni- 
tories,  and  also  in  Texas  and  New  Mexico,  especially  in  the  timbereil  lands 
bordering  the  streams  and  jjonds  of  that  region.  In  July,  184(),  while  in 
pursuit  of  shore  birds  in  the  island  of  ^luskeget,  near  Nantucket,  in  the 
middle  of  a  bright  day,  I  was  surprised  by  meeting  one  of  these  Ijirds, 
which,  uninvited,  joined  us  in  the  hunt,  and  when  shot  proved  to  be  a  line 
male  adult  specimen. 

The  Barred  Owl  was  found  in  great  abundance  in  Florida  by  ^Ir.  J.  A. 
Allen,  the  only  species  of  Owl  at  all  common,  and  where  its  ludicrous  notes 
were  heard  at  night  everywhere,  and  even  occasionally  in  the  daytime.  At 
night  they  not  unfrequently  startle  the  traveller  by  their  strange  utterances 
from  the  trees  directly  over  his  head. 

Mv.  Dresser  speaks  of  it  as  very  abundant  at  all  seasons  of  the  year  in 
the  wooded  parts  of  Texas.  He  was  not  able  to  find  its  nest,  but  was  told 
by  the  huntera  that  they  build  in  hollow  trees,  near  the  banks  of  the 
rivers. 

According  to  IMr.  Downes,  this  Owl  is  common  throughout  Nova  Scotia, 
where  it  is  resident,  and  never  leaves  its  particular  neighborhood.  It  breeds 
in  the  woods  throughout  all  parts  of  that  colony,  and  was  observed  by  him 
to  feed  on  hares,  spruce  and  ruffed  grouse,  and  other  birds.  It  is  said  to 
be  a  quite  common  event  for  this  bird  to  make  its  appearance  at  midnight 
about  the  camp-fires  of  the  moose-hunter  and  the  lumberer,  and  to  disturb 
their  slumbers  with  its  cries,  as  with  a  demoniacal  expression  it  jieers  into 
the  glare  of  the  embers.  Distending  its  throat  and  pushing  its  hea<l  for- 
ward, it  gives  utterance  to  unearthly  sounds  that  to  the  supei-stitious  are 
quite  appalling. 

Mr.  Wilson  regarded  this  species  as  one  of  the  most  common  of  the  Owls 
in  the  lower  jmrts  of  PeniLsylvania,  where  it  was  particularly  numerous  in 
winter,  among  the  wootls  that  border  the  extensive  meadoM's  of  the  Schuyl- 
kill and  the  Delaware  Eiver.  He  frequently  observed  it  flying  during  the 
day,  when  it  seemed  to  be  able  to  see  quite  distinctly.  He  met  with  more 
than  forty  of  these  birds  in  one  spring,  either  flying  or  sitting  exposed  in 
the  daytime,  and  once  discovered  one  of  its  nests  situated  in  the  crotch 
of  a  white  oak,  among  thick  foliage,  and  containing  three  young.  It 
was  rudely  put  together,  made  outwardly  of  sticks,  intermixed  with  dry 
Trasses  and  leaves,  and  lined  with  smaller  twigs.  He  adds  that  this  Owl 
screams  in  the  day  in  the  manner  of  a  Hawk.  Nuttall  characterizes  th,  ir 
peculiar  hooting  as  a  loud  guttural  call,  which  he  expresses  by  'koh-'JiOh-'ku- 
'ko-'ho,  or  as  'icJuih-'whah-'ivhah-vhah-aa,  heard  occasionally  both  by  day  and 
by  night.  It  is  a  note  of  recognition,  and  may  be  easily  imitated,  and  can  be 
ired  as  a  means  to  decoy  the  birds.  Nuttall  received  a  specimen  that  had 
been  shot  in  November,  hovering,  in  the  daytime,  over  a  covey  of  Quail. 

Mr.  Audubon  speaks  of  the  jyeculiar  hooting  cries  of  this  sjHJcies  as 
strangely  ludicrous  in  sound,  and  as  suggestive  of  an  allected  burst  of 


STRIGID.E  -  THE  OWLR.  37 

lanjiliter.  He  aiUls  that  he  has  fvetiucutly  seen  this  nocturnal  marauder 
aliglit  witliin  a  tew  yarils  of  his  camp-fire,  exposing  its  whole  body  to  tiie 
glare  of  the  light,  and  eying  him  in  a  very  curious  manner,  and  with  a 
noticeable  liveliness  and  oddness  of  motion.  In  Louisiana,  wliere  he  found 
them  more  abundant  than  anywhere  else,  Mr.  Audubon  states  tliat,  should 
the  weatlier  be  lowering,  and  indicative  of  tlie  ajjproach  of  rain,  their  cries 
are  .so  multiplied  during  the  day,  and  especially  in  the  evening,  and  they 
respond  to  each  other  in  tones  so  strange,  that  one  might  imagine  some 
extraordinary /f"/!^  was  about  to  take  place  among  them.  At  this  time  their 
gesticulations  are  said  to  be  of  a  very  extraordinary  nature. 

The  flight  of  this  Owl  is  described  as  remarkably  smooth,  liglit,  noiseless, 
and  capable  of  being  greatly  protracted.  So  very  lightly  do  they  fiy,  that 
Mr.  Audubon  states  be  has  frcipiently  discovered  one  passing  over  him,  and 
only  a  few  yards  distant,  by  first  seeing  its  shadow  on  the  ground,  in  the 
bright  moonliglit,  when  not  the  faintest  rustling  of  its  wings  could  be  heard. 

Tliis  Owl  has  the  reputation  of  being  very  destructive  to  poultry,  espe- 
cially to  half-grown  chickens.  In  Louisiana  they  are  said  to  nest  in  March, 
laying  their  eggs  about  the  middle  of  the  month.  Audubon  states  that 
they  nest  in  hollow  trees  on  the  dust  of  the  decomposed  wood,  and  at  other 
times  take  possession  of  the  deserted  nest  of  a  crow,  or  of  a  Iicd-taih'd 
Hawk.  In  New  England  I  think  they  construct  their  own  nest.  Mr.  Wil- 
liam Street,  of  Easthampton,  Mass.,  has  twice  found  the  nest  of  this  Owl. 
On  one  occasion  it  had  young,  unfledged.  Upon  returning  to  get  them,  a 
few  days  later,  they  had  disappeared,  and  as  he  conjectiu-es,  had  l)een  re- 
moved by  their  parents.  Another  time  he  found  a  nest  in  a  lofty  pine,  and 
at  a  height  of  si.xty  feet.  He  saw  and  shot  the  old  bird.  He  has  often 
found  them  hiding  themselves  by  day  in  a  thick  hemlock.  In  the  winter 
of  18G9,  Mr.  Street  witnessed  a  singular  contest  between  a  Barred  Owl  and 
a  Goshawk  over  a  Grouse  whicli  the  latter  had  killed,  but  of  which  the 
Owl  contested  the  possession.  Tlie  Hawk  had  decidedly  the  advantage  in 
the  fight,  when  the  contest  was  arrested  by  shooting  the  Owl.  He  has  no- 
ticed a  pair  of  Barred  Owls  in  his  neighborhood  for  the  past  four  years,  and 
has  never  known  them  to  hoot  from  the  time  they  have  reared  their  young 
to  the  14t]i  of  February.  They  then  begin  about  an  hour  after  dark,  and 
their  hooting  continues  to  increase  until  about  the  8th  of  April,  when  they 
mate,  at  which  time  their  hooting  may  be  heard  both  day  and  night. 
There  is  a  very  great  difference  observable  between  the  cries  of  the  female 
and  the  utterances  of  the  male.  The  latter  seldom  hoots,  and  there  is  as 
much  difference  between  his  voice  and  that  of  the  female  as  between  the 
crowing  of  a  young  bird  and  of  the  old  cock. 

In  two  instances  I  have  known  well-develope<l  eggs  of  this  Owl  taken 
from  the  oviduct  of  the  female  in  February.  One  of  these  cases  occ.irred 
near  Niagara  P'alls  in  the  spring  of  1852.  The  otner,  in  1854,  was  noticed 
by  Professor  William  Hopkins,  then  of  Auburn,  N.  Y.,  to  whose  kindness  L 


38 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


was  indebted  for  tlie  e^ig  the  parentage  of  wliioh  is  so  unquestionable.  It  is 
purely  white,  almost  globular,  and,  except  in  shape,  hardly  distinguishable 
i'roni  the  egg  of  the  domestic  Hen.  It  is  2.00  inches  in  length,  and  1.G9  in 
breadth. 


Syrnium  occidentale,  Xantus. 

WESTERN  BABBED  OWL;  SPOTTED  OWL. 

Siiniiiim  occidcniah,  Xa.ntu.s,  P.  A.  N.  S.  riiihid.  1859,  193.  —  Baikd,  liirds  N.  Am.  App. 
pi.  l.wi.  — CoVKs,  Key,  1872,  204. 

Sp.  Char.    AduU  ($,  17,200,  Fort  Tejon,  California;  J.  Xantus.    Typo  of  Xantus'.s  do- 
scription).     Above  deep  uniber-brown,  much  tia  in  S.  ncbidosum.     Whole  head  and  neek 

with  circular  and  cordate  spot.s  of 
white,  one  near  the  end  of  each 
feather ;  on  the  scapulars  and  back, 
ruinj),  winfr.-i,  and  tail,  they  aro 
rather  .sparse  and  more  transverse, 
but  of  very  irrcftular  form  ;  they 
aro  most  conspicuous  on  the 
scapulars  and  larj^er  wiuff-coverts. 
Secondaries  crossed  witii  about 
six  bands  of  paler  Ijrowii,  each 
s]iot  {(rowing  white  on  tlie  edire 
of  the  feather,  —  the  last  band 
terminal  ;  primaries  with  .seven 
transverse  sei'ies  of  pale  brown, 
or  brownish-white,  quadrate  spots 
on  outer  webs,  the  last  terminal; 
these  spots  aro  almost  clear  white 
on  the  third,  fourth,  lifth,  and 
si.xth  quills.  Tail  with  aljout 
eight  very  narrow,  rather  obsolete, 
bands  of  pale  brown,  growing 
whiter  and  more  distinct  ter- 
minally, the  last  forming  a  con- 
spicuous terminal  band.  Ground- 
color of  the  lower  parts  dull  white," 
somewhat  tinged  with  ochraceous  laterally  ;  everywhere  with  numerous  transverse  spots 
and  bars  of  brown  like  the  back,  —  this  predominating  anteriorly,  the  white  forming  spots 
on  opposite  webs  ;  on  the  lower  tail-coverts  the  transverse  sjiots  or  bars  are  very  sharply 
defined  and  regulai',  the  brown  rather  e.Kceeding  the  white.  Face,  eyebrows,  and  lores 
soiled  brownish-white,  the  former  with  obscure  concentric  semicircles  of  darker  brownish. 
Facial  circle  blackish-brown,  spotted  posteriorly  with  white  ;  across  the  neck  in  front,  it  is 
more  broken.  Legs  white,  with  sparse  obsolete  transverse  specks.  Wing-formula,  -l,  3, 
5-0-2;  1=9.  Wing,  13.10;  tail,  0.00;  cuhncn,  .85;  tarsus,  2.10;  middle  toe,  1.30. 
Length,  "  18  ";  extent,  "  40." 

Had.    Southern  Middle  Province  of  United  States  (Fort  Tejon,  California,  Xantus; 
and  Tucson,  Arizona,  Besdire). 


Syrnium  occitUnlale. 


Habits.     Nothing  is  on  record  concerning  the  habits  of  this  bird. 


STRIGID.E  — THE   OWLS. 


39 


Nyctale  acadica. 


Genus  N7CTALE,  Bueiim. 

Ktjctale,  niiEllM,  18'J8.      (Typo,  Slrir  tcngmalmi,  OMni..) 

Gkk.  CnAH.  Sizo  small.  Head  very  larfrc,  without  car-tufts.  Eyps  niodorato;  iris 
yoUow.  Two  ijntur  piiiiiarifs  only  with  their  inner  webs  distinctly  emarfrinated.  Tarsi  and 
toes  densely,  InU  closely,  leathered. 
Kar-conch  very  lar<,'e,  nearly  as 
jiiirli  as  the  skull,  with  an  anterior 
operculum ;  the  two  cars  excecd- 
inprly  asyninietrical,  not  only  ex- 
ternally, lint  in  their  ostcolog;ical 
structure.  Kurcula  not  anchylosed 
posteriorly,  Init  joined  by  a  mem- 
brane. 

Of  tliLs  jj;eniis  only  three 
species  are  as  yet  known ; 
two  of  these  belong  to  the 
Northern  Ileniisphere,  one  of 
them  (-V.  (cnijma/mi")  being 
circunipolar,  the  other  {X. 
acadica)  peculiar  to  North 
America.  The  habitat  of  the 
remaining  s])ecies  (-.V.  Jutrrisi) 
is  unknown,  but  is  supposed  to  lie  South  America.  If  it  'oe  really  from  that 
portion  of  the  New  World,  it  was  probably  obtained  in  a  mountainous  region. 

Species  and  Baces. 

CoMMOK  CiiAn.vcTKRs.  Abovc  limber,  or  chocolate,  brown,  spotted  with  white 
(more  or  less  uniform  in  the  )'oun{r) ;  beneath  white  with  lonfritudinal  stripes  of 
reddi.sh-brown  (adult),  or  ochraccons  without  markings  (yoiinnf). 

A«  Nostril  sunken,  elongate-oval,  obliquelj'  vertical,  opcnino:  laterally  ;  cere 
not  inflatcil.     Tail  considerably  more  than  half  the  winn;.     Bill  yellow. 

1.  N.  tengmalmi.     Winjr,  7.20  ;  tail,  4.50;  eulnien,  .GO;  tar.sus,  1.00; 
middle  toe,  .0"  (average). 

Legs  white,  almost,  or  rpiite,  unspotted  :  lower  tail-coverts  with 
narrow  shaft-streaks  of  brown.  (Light  tints  generally  pre(lominat- 
ing.)  Ilab.  Northern  portions  of  Pahearclic  Realm  .  var.  tengmalmi.' 
Legs  ochraceous,  thickly  spotted  with  brown ;  lower  tail-coverts 
with  broad  medial  stripes  of  brown.  (Dark  tints  gcnerall}'  pre- 
dominating.)    Hub.    Northern  portions  of  Nearctic  Realm. 

var.  richn  rdson  i, 

1  Xijclah  icngmahai,  var.  Iiiigmahni.  S/rix  tcngnwlmi,  G.mei,.  S.  N.  p.  291,  1789  (ct  ArcT. 
viir.).  Xyclalc  t.,  DoN.vr.  ct  Aucr.  Xoctim  t.,  t!uv.  et  ArcT.  Athene  t..  Wow.,  i'lula  t., 
BnxAi'.  ot  ArcT.  Scotophilm  t..  Swains.  fltn,c  (lasijpii^.  Bixiisr.  (1791)  ot  Aucr.  Nyctak  d., 
Okay.  Siriv  jmsseriiui,  A.  Mkyeu,  1794.  —  Pai.i.as.  Xi/ctale.  phtuiccps,  ISr.KllM,  1831.  X. 
jn'iffonaii,  ]!r.i:iiM,  1831.  X.  nhicliim,  Br.KiiM,  1831.  A\  fuiicrca,  BoSAr.  1842  (not  of 
Lixx.,  1701,  which  is  Suriiia  ulula).  " N.  kirtlandi,"  Elliot,  Ibis,  II,  Jan.,  1872,  p.  48  (not 
of  Hoy  !). 


40  NORTH  AMKIUCA?r  BIRDS. 

B.  Nostril  prniiiinont,  nearly  ciroiilar,  oponing  niitoriorly;  ooro  somewhat 
iiilliitt'ii.     Tail  siarccly  more  than  half  the  wing.     Hill  lilack, 

'J.  N.  acadica.  Wing,  "j.'io  tn  n.SO  ;  tail,  2.00  to  ;!.(I0;  cnlnien,  .50  ; 
tarsus,  .8(1;  iniiklle  tou,  .00.  Juv.  Face  dark  brown;  forehead  and 
crown  hrown  ;  oeriput  brown  ;  eyebrows  and  sides  of  chin  white ; 
throat  and  breasi  umber-brown.  (="  alhi/njiin,"  ^\m\v  =  "  kirllnmli," 
IIoY.)  Huh,  Cold  temperate  portions  of  Nearctic  Realm. 
;!.  N.  harrisi.'  Wing,  ',.80 ;  tail,  3.00 ;  cnhiien,  .50 ;  tarsus,  1.00 ;  middle 
toe,  .80.  Juv.  (!)  i'acc  and  Ibrehead  and  anterior  half  of  (;rown  and 
whole  nape  ochraeeous ;  posterior  half  of  crown  and  occiput  black; 
eyebrows  and  sides  of  chin  ochraeeous;  throat  and  breast  ochraeeous. 
A  narrow  belt  of  black  .spots  in  rulT  across  throat.    Hub.  South  America? 


Nyctale  tengmalmi,  var.  ricliardsoni,  Bon.\p. 

AUEfilCAN  SFASBOW  OWL;  BICHABDSON'S  OWL. 

Xlictalc  rklumlsoni,  HoN-Vl'.  List.  K.  &  N.  A.  Hirds,  p.  7,  1838  ;  Consp.  Av.  p.  54,  1850. — 
(liiAV,  Geii.  15.  fol.  sp.  2,  1844.  —  Cass.  Hirds  Cal.  &  Tex.  p.  18,'i,  1854  ;  Birds  N.  Am. 
1858,  ]).  57.  —  KA';r,  Monog.  .Strig.  font.  Oni.  1852,  p.  105  (sub.  Inii/iiKiliiii). —  \\i. 
Tr.  ZoiJl.  Soc.  IV,  1850,  208.  —  Stkicki..  Orn.  Svn.  I,  176,  1855.  —  Maynaim),  Birds 
Kastcrn  Mass.  1870,  133. —Gray,  Hand  List,  1,  51,  18t)9.  .^liix  tcujmahni,  Uieil. 
&  Swains.  F.  B.  A.  II,  94,  pi.  xxxii,  1831.  —  Aui>.  Birds  Am.  pi.  ccdxxx,  1831  ;  Orn. 
Biog.  IV,  599,  1831.  —  PicAn.  Birds  Mass.  ]).  91,  1841.  Kyctalc  tcinjumhiii,  Dai.l  & 
Bannistku,  Tr.  Clncago  Aead.  I,  18(>9,  273.  KycMe  tcn<jmalmi,  var.  rkhardsoni, 
IiinGWAY,  Am.  Nat.  VI,  May,  \^rl,  285.  — t'oUES,  Key,  1872,  206. 

Sp.  CuAR.  A<Jnlt  (?,  .1,880,  Montreal,  Canada,  September,  18,''),3 ;  Broome).  T'pper 
snrfare  lirownish-olive  or  umber-brown.  Forehead  and  crown  with  numerous  elliptical 
(longitudinal)  marks  of  white,  feathers  overj'where  with  large  partly  concealed  spots  of  the 
same  ;  these  .spots  are  largest  on  the  neck  and  scapidars,  on  the  latter  of  a  roundish  form, 
the  outer  webs  of  iho.se  next  the  wing  being  .almost  wholly  white,  the  edge  only  brown  ; 
on  the  nape  the  spots  form  V-sh.aped  marks,  the  spots  them.selves  beingsomewhiii  pointed; 
below  this  is  a  transverse,  less  distinct  collar,  of  more  concealed  .spots  ;.wiiig-covcrts  toward 
the  edge  of  the  wing  with  a  few  large,  nearly  circular,  white  spots;  .secondaries  with  two 
transverse  serie-i  of  smaller  white  spots,  the.se  crossing  .ibout  the  middle,  remote  li'om  the 
end  and  base  ;  outer  feathers  of  the  alula  with  two  white  spots  along  the  margin  ; 
priuiary  coverts  plain :  primaries  with  four  or  five  transverse  series  of  white  spots;  tail 
with  the  same  number  of  narrow  transver.se  sjiots,  Ibrming  incontinuous  bands,  the  sjiots 
not  touching  the  shaft,  —  the  last  spot  not  termin.il.  Facial  circle  much  darker  brown 
than  the  crown,  and  sp(vkled  with  irregular  spots  of  white,  these  either  medi.al  or  upon 
only  one  web;  .icro.ss  the  throat  the  I'irclo  becomes  paler  lirown,  withoi't  the  white  spot- 
ting. E}-ebrows  and  face  grayish-white;  lores  .ind  eyelids  blackish.  Lower  parts  white, 
becoming  pale  ochraeeous  on  the  legs ;  sides  of  the  bre.ist,  sides,  (l.ank.s,  and  lower  tail- 
eoverts  with  daubs  of  brown  (.slightly  lighter  and  more  reddi.sh  than  on  the  b.ack),  those 
of  the  brea.st  .somewhat  transverse,  but  posteriorly  they  are  decidedly  longitudinal ;  front 
of  tarsus  clo\nlod  with  brown.  Wing-formula,  .3,4-2-5-0-7-1.  Wing,  7.20;  tail, 
4..50;  culmen,  .60;  t.insus,  1.00;  middle  toe.  .07. 

A  fem.ile  from  Ala.ska  (49,802,  Nul.ato,  April  28,1807;  W.  11.  Ball)  is  considerably 
darker  than  the  specimen  described  .above ;  the  occiput  has  numerous  circular  .spots  of 

»  Kydnle,  hm-rid,  Cassin,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  So.  Philad.  IV,  p.  157,  Feb.,  1849.  —  Ib.  Tr.  A.  N.  S. 
II,  2d  series,  Nov.,  1850,  pi.  v. 


STUKilD.E  — THE  OWLS. 


41 


white,  ami  tin-  tarsi  are  more  thiii<ly  spotted  ;  no  otlior  (liir,i.'nees,  however,  arc  appreei- 
aule.  '  Two  speeiineiis  (Voin  Quebec  (17,00-4  ami  17,00");  Win.  Cooper)  are  exactly  similar 
to  the  last,  Imt  the  numerous  white  .-pots  on  the  foreheiul  are  circular. 

Il.Mi.      Arclin   America;    in    winter   .south    into    northern    liordcr   of  United   Stales; 
Canada  (Dr..  Ham.);  Wisuonsiu  (l)ii.  Hoy);  Oregon  (■!.  K.  Townsknd)  ;  Massachu.setts 

(MAYNAI'.n). 


The  Njidcdc  ?-/t7;fn-f/w«/,  tliougli,  without  doubt,  specifically  the  same  as 
the  N.  tnxjmnbni  of  Europe,  i.s,  nevertheless,  to  be  distiii-^uislied  IVoin  it. 
Tlie  colors  of  the  European  bird  ivre  very  imich  i)aler  ;  the  lej^s  are  white, 
scarcely  varie<:ated.  instead  of  ochraccous,  thickly  spotted  ;  the  lower  tail- 
coverts  have  merely  shtii't-streaks  of  brown,  instead  of  broad  stripes.  Very 
lierfect  specimens  Iroiii  Europe  enalile  me  to  make  a  satisfactory  comparison. 

From  an  article  by  Mr.  I).  G.  Elliot  in  Ibis  (1872,  p.  48),  it  would  appear 
that  tiie  yotnijj  of  N.  taujmalmi  is  very 
din'erent  from  tlie  adult  in  lieino;  darker 
and  without  spots ;  a  stripe  from  tiie 
eye  over  the  nostrils,  and  a  patch 
uiuler  the  eye  at  the  base  of  bill, 
white.  It  is  probable,  therefore,  that 
the  American  race  has  a  similar  ])lu- 
mage,  whicli,  however,  has  as  yet 
escaped  the  honor  of  a  name ;  more 
fortiinat>!  tiian  the  young  of  N.  acadica, 
whicli  boasts  a  similar  i)lumaoc.  Tiiis 
{N.  ulhlfroHs)  jMr.  Elliot  erroneously 
refers  to  the  N.  (cn;/inalmi,  judgino 
from  specimens  examined  by  him  from 
the  AljKs,  from  liussia,  and  from  Nor- 
way. The  most  striking  dillerence, 
judging  from  the  descrii)tion,  apart 
from  that  of  size,  appears  to  be  in  the  whiter  bill  of  the  titif/mahni 

Habith.  Tills  race  is  an  exclusively  northern  bird,  peculiar  to  North 
America,  and  rarely  met  with  in  the  limits  of  the  United  States.  A  few 
specimens  only  have  been  obtained  in  Massachusetts.  Dr.  Hoy  mentions  it 
as  a  liird  of  Wisconsin,  and  on  tlie  Pacific  Dr.  Townsend  met  with  it  as  far 
south  as  Oregon,  where  it  seems  to  be  more  abundant  than  on  the  eastern 
coast. 

Mr.  I'oardman  thinks  that  this  Owl  is  probably  a  resident  in  the  vicinity 
of  Calais,  where,  however,  it  is  not  common.  It  was  not  taken  by  Professor 
Verrill  at  Norway,  Miiine.  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen  regards  it  .is  a  very  rare 
winter  visitant  in  Western  Massachusetts,  but  obtained  a  specimen  near 
Springfield  in  December,  ISoD.  In  the  same  winter  another  was  shot  near 
P)Ostou,  and  one  liy  Dr.  Wood,  near  Hartford,  Conn.  Mr.  Allen  subsef[uently 
records  the  capture  of  a  siiecimen  in  Lynn,  ^latis.,  by  Mr.  J.  Southwick,  in 

VOL.  III.  G 


Xytlalt  richnrrlsoni. 


42  XOUTII   AMKinCAN    ItlRDS. 

the  winter  of  lH^^'^,  mid  lucntions  two  otlier  specimens,  also  taken  within 
the  limits  of  the  Stiite.  It  is  not  mentioned  Iiy  l)r.  Cooper  as  anumg  tlie 
birds  oi'  ralil'ornia. 

.Specimens  of  tiiis  Owl  were  taken  at  Vort  Sini]ison  in  May,  and  at  Fort 
Kesolntion  hy  Mr.  15.  I!,  llos.s,  at  liij-  Island  liy  Mr.  .1.  K'eid,  at  Fort  llae  by 
Mr.  L.  Clarke,  and  at  Fort  Yukon  by  Mr.  J.  Loekhart  and  Mr.  J.  McDougall, 
and  at  Selkirk  Settlement,  in  February  and  March,  liy  Mr.  Donald  (Junn. 

^Ir.  1).  I».  J»o,ss  states  that  thoiiuh  no  specimens  of  this  Owl  were  received 
from  north  of  Fort  SimjKson,  yet  he  is  cpiite  certain  that  it  raniLjos  to  the 
Arctic  Circle,  lie  savs  it  is  a  lierce  l)ird,  aiul  creates  yreat  havoc  amony;  the 
flocks  of  Linnets  and  other  small  liirds.  Its  nest  is  built  on  trees,  and  the 
ejigs  are  three  or  four  in  number,  of  a  pure  white  color  and  nearly  roumi 
shape.  It  sometimes  seizes  on  the  deserted  hole  of  a  "\Voo(lp((cker  for  a 
habitation. 

Mr.  Dall  obtained  a  female  specimen  of  this  Owl  at  Xulato,  April  28, 
where  it  was  not  uncommon.  It  was  often  heard  crying  in  the  eveninjj;s, 
almost  like  a  human  being,  and  was  (pwte  fearless.  It  could  be  readily 
taken  in  the  hand  without  its  making  any  attemjit  to  fly  away,  but  it  had 
a  habit  of  biting  viciously.  It  was  freciuently  seen  in  the  daytime  sitting 
on  trees.  According  to  the  Imlians,  it  genei'ally  nests  in  holes  in  dead 
trees,  and  lays  six  s])herical  white  eggs.  Iiichardson  inibrms  us  that  it 
inhal)its  all  the  wooded  country  from  (ireat  Slave  Lake  to  the  United 
States,  and  is  very  connnon  on  the  banks  of  the  Saskatchewan.  It  was 
obtained  in  Canada  by  the  Countess  of  Dalhousie,  but  at  what  season  the 
bird  was  met  with  is  not  stated  ;  the  Smithsonian  Institution  also  pos- 
sesses specimens  from  the  vicinity  of  Montreal.  It  prolialily  does  not  breed 
so  far  south  as  that  place,  or,  if  so,  very  rarely.  Mr.  Auduljon  jirocured 
a  specimen  near  Bangor,  Maine,  in  Se])tember,  the  only  one  he  ever  met 
with. 

This  Owl,  according  to  Mr.  Ilutchins,  builds  a  nest  of  grass  half-way  up 
a  i)ine-tree,  and  lays  two  eggs  in  the  month  of  May. 

A  di'awing,  taken  by  Mr.  Audubon  from  a  specimen  in  an  English  cabinet, 
rejm'sents  a  nearly  s]»herical  egg,  the  color  of  which  is  white  with  a  slight 
tinge  of  yellowish,  and  which  measures  I.IS  inches  in  length  by  one  inch  in 
breadth. 

The  only  authenticated  eggs  of  this  variety  which  have  come  under  my 
notice  are  three  collected  at  Iu)rt  Simpson,  May  4,  18G1,  by  B.  E.  Eoss. 
One  of  these  measures  1.28  by  1.06  inches. 


BTlMaiD/T:-   THE   OWLS.  43 

Nyctale  acadica,  I'.onai'. 

flAW-WHET  OWL;  WHITE-FRONTED  OWL;  KIBTLAKD'8  OWL. 

.syn.,' '„■„//,■,.,  (iMi.i..  SyM.  Nut.  1'.  :i!iii,  17s!i.  -  D.un.  Tr,  om.  ll.-JOr,,  IMiO. -Vi  1:11.1,. 
ois.  .\in.  Sipt.  I,  li",  IN07.  —  Ani.  IJiiils  .Via.  \>\.  cxcix,  1S;)1  ;  Oiii.  liiog.  V,  3!i".  — 
Ki.ii.  .t  .Swains.  V.  H.  A.  II,  07,  1831.  -  IJcsai'.  Aim.  Ljv.  N.  Y.  II,  pp.  38,  r.W  ; 
I«iN  183-J,  p.  1110.  —  .lAliD.  (W11.S.)  Am.  Oni.  II,  GO.  —  Nai-.M.  Nut.  Vog.  Dfnt.sihl. 
((■.!.' Nov.)  I,  434,  pi.  xliii,  lif,'s.  1  &  2.  -  IT.Ali.  P.inls  JIa.ss.  p.  l)(i.  -  XriT.  Man.  p. 
137,  l,s33.  Xi/i-li'l<'  (u-iidioi,  IloNAP.  Mst,  J).  7,  1S3S;  Coiisp.  Av.  p.  44.  — (iliAV, 
(ifU.  a.  lul.  App.  p.  3,  1844.-  Kai-I',  .M()M(«.  Strij,'.  (,'oiit.  (Hu.  18.-.:>,  p.  101.  -  In. 
Tr.  Zdiil.  Sor.  IV,  18.5ii,  -Jtm.  —  SriiicKL.  Oin.  Syn.  I,  17ii,  1855.  —  Ni;\vii.  1'.  \\.  I!. 
Jfept.  VI,  77,  1857.  —  t'A.>i.s.  Hiiils  X.  Am.  1858,  58. —Coop,  k  SltK.  V.  It.  I!.  lirpt. 
XII,  II,  15ti,  18tiO.  —  Cori;.s,  I'lod.  II.  Ariz.  14,  1800.  —  <iUAV,  Ilaiid  Ust,  I,  1,S09, 
.n.  — Loiiii,  I'r.  H.  A.  I.  IV,  111  (Brit.  C'oliinil).).  —  liiiuiwAY,  Am.  Nut.  VI,  May, 
187-2,  285.  —  l'i'ri:s,  Key,  1872,  2iiti. -- Okay,  Haml  List,  I,  51,  ISOlt.  Heolii/ihi/iis 
uaalini.i,  SwAlN.s.  L'las.sif.  Hinls  II,  217,  1837.  Sfru  jMssi-rina,  I'KSX.  Aivt.  Zoiil. 
p.  23(1,  .sp.  12i>,  1785.  —  l''ol!sr.  I'liil.  Trans!.  LXII,  385.  —  Wils.  Am.  Oni.  pi.  .xxxiv, 
r.  1,  18118.  b'lulii.  lumcriiKi,  Ja.MK.s.  (Wii.s.),  Am.  Orn.  I,  15!),  183..  .SVn>  iicnitiensi.t, 
Lain.  Imi.  Oiii.  [i.  05,  1700.  S.  albi/roiis,  Shaw,  Nat.  MIm'.  V,  \<\.  clxxi,  1704  ; 
Ziiol.  VII,  23S,  1800. —  1<A 111.  Oin.  ,Supi>.  p.  14.  Jliilto  albifrons,  ViKlLl..  Ois.  Am. 
.Sept.  I,  54,  1807.  .SV'v«  iilhijrimH,  Sri'.l'll.  Zoul.'XIII,  II,  51.  Xijiiak  (dbifivM, 
Cas-s.  r.iiils  t'al.  &  Tex.  187,  1854.—  lloSAl'.  t'onsp.  Av.  ji.  54.  —  C.vs.s.  Hiiils  N.  Am. 
1858,  57.  —  GuAY,  llaiul  List,  1,  52,  1800.  Ulrix  /ivii/kHs,  LicilT.  Alili.  Ak.  Hfil. 
1838,  430.  X,,c/,ilc  kirtlamli.  Hoy,  I'loc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sc.  Phil.  VI,  210,  1S52.  S.  pha- 
/tiiwi(fi:s,  Daii).  Tr.  Orn.  II,  200,  1800. —  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  Supp.  p.  10,  1802;  Syn. 
Supp.  II,  00  ;  Oi'ii.  Hist.  I,  372,  1828.  AlhiM phahvmklcs,  GliAY,  Gen.  B.  fol.  ap.  43, 
1844.     Allinic  u-ilsuiti,  BoiE,  Isis,  1828,  315. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult  (^ ,  V20,0U,  Wa.-!liin{rtoii,  D  ('.,  Feb.,  18.')0 ;  C.  Diexler).  Upper 
snrfncc  plain  soft  roddi.sli-olivo,  aliiiost  cxiu-tly  as  in  X.  ricliardsiiiii ;  foivlioad,  anterior 
part  of  till!  crown,  and  llio  I'aeial  ciri'lc,  with  eaeli  t'catiier  witli  a  short  medial  line  of  white ; 
feathers  nf  the  neck  white  beneath  the  surface,  forinini,'  a  collar  of  blotches ;  lower  webs 
of  scapulars  white  bon'ereil  with  broAvii ;  Avin<i:-eoverts  with  a  few  rounded  white  spots; 
alula  with  the  outer  feathers  l)roadly  edf,'ed  with  white.  Primary  coverts  and  .secondaries 
perfectly  plain ;  live  outer  primaries  with  semi-rounded  white  spots  on  the  outer  webs, 
these  decreasiuij;  towanl  the  ends  of  the  feathers,  leaving  but  about  four  series  well 
d(!lined.  Tail  crossed  with  three  widely  separated  narrow  bands  of  white,  formed  of 
spots  not  touching  the  .><haft  on  either  wel) ;  tlu;  last  l)and  is  terminal.  '•  Eyebrow  "  and 
sides  of  the  throat  white  ;  lores  with  a  blackish  sutl'usion,  this  more  concentrated  around 
the  eye  ;  face  dirty  white,  feathers  indistinctly  edged  with  brownish,  causing  an  obsoletely 
streaked  a]ipearance  ;  the  facial  circle  in  its  extension  across  the  throat  is  converted  into 
rcddi.sh-innber  spot.>i.  Lower  parts,  generally,  silky-white,  becoming  lin<'  ochraceous  on 
the  tibia'  and  tarsi ;  sides  of  the  breast  like  the  back,  but  of  a  more  reddish  or  linrnt- 
sienna  tint;  sides  , and  Hanks  with  longitudinal  daubs  of  the  same;  juguhun,  abdomen, 
lower  tail-covert.<,  tarsi,  and  tibia\  inimaciilate.  Wing  formula,  4-  3  =■  5  -  1  =  8.  Wing, 
.").tO;  tail,  2..80  ;  culinen,  .50;  tarsn.s,  .80;  middle  toe,  .GO. 

Seven  specimens  befori!  nie  vary  from,  wing,  5.'2.")  to  ,'j.80 ;  tail,  2.()0  to  3.00  (9).  The 
largest  specimen  is  12,05.'!  (9,  Fort  Tejon,  California;  ,J.  Xnntn.s).  This  dillers  from  the 
.specimen  described  in  whiter  face,  more  con.spiciious  white  streaks  on  forehead,  smaller,  les.s 
numerous,  red  spots  below,  and  in  having  a  fourth  white  band  on  the  tail;  this,  however, 
is  very  inconspicuous.  32,301  (Moo.se  Factory;  J.  McKenzie),  0,152  (Fort  Vancouver, 
February;  Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper),  and  11,793  (Simiahmoo,  October;  Dr.  C.  B.  Kennerly)  are 


44 


Ndirni  AMi';RiCi\-N  ihrdh. 


I'XiiitIv  like  111!'  typo.  Tlioi'p  nic  no  iiutlicntic  males  iPoCorc  nw,  tlioiifili  only  two  nro 
ninrkcil  as  H'liiiili's  ;  llii'  cxli'  m's  of  llic  st'iie.s  proliubly  icpn'scnl  the  scxuiil  (liscrcpanry 
in  si/.c. 

Y<ii(,i;j  (^,  I'-'.sl  I,  Itarini.,  Wisionsin,  July,  1H'<I);  Dr.  \l.  I'.  Hoy).  I'liper  siiiiin'o 
continuous  plain  dark  sciiia-olivc  ;  I'acc  ilarkcr,  appHjaciiinj;  liilifrinous-vaiKlykc,  —  pi'ifuctly 
nnilnrni ;  aroinul  the  cil^^i- of  tlic  forclMNKl,  a  ll'W  slial'l-lincs  of  whiter ;  sca|pulars  with  a 
conicalrd  .-ipol  of  i>al('  ocliraccons  nn  lower  weh  ;  lowe'i'  I'callii'fs  of  winfr-covcils  willi  a 
''■w  wliito  spots;  oiiici-  I'c'aihcr  of  llio  alula  .scallopi'd  with  wliitu;  primary  covcrls  pcr- 
li'itly  plain;  live  onlcr  ininiarics  witli  white  spots  on  outer  webs,  these  diininishintr 
toward  the  enil  of  the  feathers,  leavinf,'  oidy  two  or  threu  series  well  defniud  ;  tail  darker 
than  the  wiiips,  with  three  narrow  hands  composed  of  white  s])()ts,  these  not  touehiuR 
tlu^  shaft  oil  either  wel).  "  Kyeltrows  "  inuuaeulato  white ;  lores  more  dusky;  faee  and 
eyelids  dark  vandyke-hrown  ;  sides  of  the  eliin  white.  Throat  and  whole  hreast  like  the 
Imek,  hut  the  latter  jialer  medially,  lieeomiiij;  lii'ie  more  fulvous;  rest  of  the  lower  parts 
plain  fnlvous-oehraceous,  uMdwiu^r  prradually  paler  posteriorly, —  immaculate.  Lining  of 
the  wing  plain  ilull  while;  under  surface  of  primaries  with  dusky  prevailing,  hut  thia 
crossed  Ijy  hands  of  lari,'e  whitish  spots;  the  three  outer  feathers,  however,  present  a 
nearly  nnilbrmly  dusky  aspect  hciuf.'  varied  only  hasally.  Wiiijr  formula,  JJ,  4  -  2  =-5 
G-7,  1.     Wing,  .").")0 ;  tail,  2.f>0;  eulmen,  .4") ;  tarsus,  .80;  middle  top,  .0'). 

ll.\n.  North  America  geiu;rally.  Cold  temperate  portions  iu  the  hreeding-season, 
migraling  southward  in  winter.  Mexico  (Oaxaea,  Sci.ATi-in,  P.  Z.  S.  IS'jS,  29"));  Cnli- 
fornia  (Da.  foorKii)  ;  Cantonment  Burgwyu,  New  Mexico  (Dit.  Andehson)  ;  Washington 
Territory  (Dn.  Kkxxkui.v). 

A  spociinen  (ir»,'.>17,  <?,  Dr.  C.  15.  Kennerly,  Camp  Skap;itt,  Septenilier  20, 
1859)  from  Wasliiiiyton  Territory  is  exactly  similar  to  tlie  young  described 


NiJtluU  arailirn     Ynuiis 


pi't/ftalc  nrattirn      Adult. 


al)ovo.  No.  10,70-2  (Fort  lUirgwyn,  New  Mexico;  Dr.  Anderson)  is  much 
like  it,  Ijut  tlie  facinl  circle  is  quite  conspicuous,  the  feathers  lmviii<:j  medial 
white  lines  ;  tlie  reddisli-olive  of  the  breast  and  the  fulvcus  of  tiie  belly 
are  paler,  also,  thiui  in  the  type.  No.  12,8GG,  United  States,  (Professor 
Baird's  collection,  from  Audubon,)  is  perfectly  similar  to  the  last. 


STUlOin.K  — THE  OWLS.  4", 

My  rpiison.s  lor  cmisidcriiif,'  tlic  X.  <(lh\/'ivuit  as  the  yniiii;,'  uf  JV.  mwliat 
are  the  tulli>\viii,i;  (sen  Aiuericiiii  Natumlisl,  May,  187:i):  — 

Int.  All  sin'cimeiis  cxaiiiined  (incliulii)},'  Hoy's  tyjio  of  N.  h'rflinitfi)  avo 
yoiiiij,'  liinls,  as  is  uiiiMislukaljly  aiiliareiit  IVnm  tliu  tcxluro  of  tli.'ir  iilnmaj^c. 

Ud.  All  siK'ciiui'iis  i'xamiiiui.1  of  llio  A',  lamliva  aro  acUilts,  1  have  seen 
no  (lesci'ii)tiiiii  (if  llie  yniiii:,'. 

:!(l.  The  «,'eo<,'rai)hieal  tlislrilmtiuii,  the  size  and  proportions,  the  pattern 
of  coloration  fexcejit  that  of  the  head  and  hody,  which  in  all  Owls  is  more 
or  less  ililU-rent  in  tiie  youn^^  and  adult  stat,'es),  and  the  shades  of  colors  on 
the  j,'eneral  upper  phunaj^e,  are  the  same  in  hoth.  The  white  "  scallopinj,' " 
on  the  outer  wob  of  the  alula,  the  number  of  white  spots  on  the  primaries, 
and  the  jn'ecise  number  and  ]iosition  of  the  white  bars  on  the  tail,  are 
features  common  to  the  two. 

4tli.  The  most  extreme  cxami)le  of  alhi/ivns  has  the  facial  circle  uniform 
brown,  like  the  neck,  has  no  spot.'  on  the  forehead,  and  the  face  is  entirely 
uniform  dark  brown  ;  b>it, 

5th.  Three  out  of  the  lour  si)ecimens  in  the  collection  have  the  facial 
circle  com])osed  of  white  and  bnnvn  streaks  (adult  feathers),  i>reciaely  as  in 
aradica,  and  the  forehead  similarly  streaked  (with  adult  fi'athers).  Two  of 
them  have  new  leathers  appearing  ujion  the  sides  of  the  lireast  (beneath  the 
brown  iiatcli),  as  well  as  upon  the  face  ;  these  new  feathers  are,  in  the  most 
minute  respects,  like  the  common  (adult)  dress  of  N.  ucaiUca. 

The  above  facts  [joint  conclusively  to  the  identity  of  the  Xi/cfal)-  "  alhi- 
froiis"  and  N.  acadica.  This  species  is  easily  di,stin<^uislial)le  from  the  A^ 
tf»f/)iialvii,  which  belongs  to  both  continents,  tlujugh  the  North  American 
and  European  specimens  are  readily  separable,  and  therefore  should  be  recog- 
nized as  geogra\ihical  races. 

Since  the  above  was  published  in  the  American  Naturalist  for  jMay,  1H72, 
Dr.  J.  "W.  Velic^  of  Chicago,  writing  under  date  of  November  20,  187-', 
furnishes  the  following  proof  of  the  identity  of  N  "  alhifrom"  i\.i\y\.N.arndicci : 
"In  liSli.S,  1  kept  a  fine  .siiecinien  of  "  Xi/ddh'  'ilhifroiift"  until  it  moulted 
and  became  a  tine  specimen  of  Xi/rfn/e  acadira.  I  had,  until  the  fire,  all  the 
notes  about  this  interesting  little  species,  and  photographs  in  the  different 
stages  of  moulting." 

H.MUTs.  The  Little  Acadian  or  Saw-Whet  Owl,  as  this  bird  is  more  gen- 
erally denominated,  appears  to  have  a  widespread  distribution  over  temperate 
North  America.  It  is  not  known  to  be  anywhere  very  abundant,  though 
its  nocturnal  and  secluded  habits  tend  to  prevent  any  intimate  acquaintance 
either  with  its  habits  or  its  numbers  in  any  particular  locality.  It  is  rarely 
found  in  the  daytime  out  of  its  hiding-places.  It  was  not  met  with  V»y 
Kichardson  in  the  fur  regions,  yet  it  is  generally  supposed  to  be  a  somewhat 
northern  species,  occurring  only  in  winter  south  of  Pennsylvania,  but  for 
this  impression  there  does  not  seem  to  be  any  assignalde  reason  or  any  con- 
firmatory evidence.     It  has  been  said  to  breed  near  Cleveland,  Ohio,  and  its 


4C)  NORTH  AMEIUCA-N  HIRDS. 

nest  and  Ggt,'s  to  liavo  boon  socuved.  Tlio  takin.t,'  of  Kirtland's  Owl,  whicli 
is  now  known  to  l)o  tliu  innnaturo  bird  of  tiiis  spocios,  near  that  city,  as 
well  as  in  liacine,  and  at  Hamilton,  Canada,  is  also  suggestive  that  this  Owl 
may  bioinl  in  tlioso  localities. 

Dr.  Townsond  is  said  to  have  i'ound  this  Owl  in  Oregon,  Dr.  CJambel  mot 
with  it  in  California,  Mr.  Audubon  has  taken  it  both  in  Kentucky  and  in 
Louisiana,  Mr.  Wilson  met  with  it  in  Xew  Jersey,  ]\Ir.  McCullock  in  Nova 
Scotia,  and  Dr.  Hoy  in  AVisconsin.  Di'.  Newberry  met  with  this  bird  in 
Oregon,  but  saw  none  in  California.  Dr.  Suckley  obtained  it  at  the  Dalles,  on 
the  nortli  side  of  the  (.'olumbia,  in  December.  This  was  several  miles  from 
the  timbered  region,  and  the  bird  was  supijosed  to  be  living  in  the  ba,saltic 
cliffs  of  the  vicinity.  Dr.  Cooper  found  one  at  Vancouver  in  February.  It 
was  dead,  and  had  apparently  died  of  starvation.  Professor  Snow  speaks  of 
it  as  rare  in  Kansas.  ^Ir.  I>oardman  and  l*rofes.sor  Yerrill  both  give  it  as 
resident  and  as  common  in  Maine.  It  is  rather  occasional  and  rare  in  East- 
ern ^lassachusetts,  and  ^Ir.  Allen  did  not  find  it  common  near  Springfield. 
On  one  occasion  I  found  one  of  the.se  birds  in  April,  at  Nahant.  It  was  ap- 
parently migrating,  and  had  sought  shelter  in  the  rocky  cliffs  of  that  penin- 
sula. It  was  greatly  bewildered  by  the  light,  and  was  several  times  almost 
on  the  point  of  being  captured  by  hand. 

This  Owl  is  not  iinfretpieutly  kept  in  confinement.  It  seems  easily  rec- 
onciled to  captivity,  becomes  quite  tame,  suffers  itself  to  be  handled  by 
strangers  without  resenting  the  familiarity,  but  is  greatly  excited  at  the  sight 
of  mice  or  rats.  Captain  Bland  had  one  of  these  birds  in  captivity  at  Hali- 
fax, which  he  jjut  into  the  same  room  with  a  rat.  Tiie  bird  immediately 
attacked  and  killed  the  rat,  but  died  soon  after  of  exhaustion. 

The  notes  of  this  Owl,  during  the  breeding-.season,  are  .said  to  resemble 
the  noise  made  by  the  filing  of  a  saw,  and  it  is  known  in  certain  localities 
as  the  Saw-Whet.  Mr.  Audubon,  on  one  occasion,  hearing  these  notes  in  a 
forest,  and  unaware  of  their  source,  imagined  he  was  in  the  vicinity  of  a 
saw-mill. 

According  to  ^[r.  Audubon,  this  Owl  Itrcods  in  hollow  trees,  or  in  the  de- 
serted nests  of  other  birds;  and  lays  from  four  to  six  glos.sy-white  eggs,  which 
are  almost  spherical.  He  states,  also,  that  he  found  near  Natchez  a  nest 
in  the  broken  stump  of  a  small  decayed  tree  not  more  than  four  feet  high. 
He  also  mentions  the  occasional  occurrence  of  one  of  the.se  Owls  in  the  midst 
of  one  of  our  crowded  cities.  One  of  them  was  thus  taken  in  Cincinnati, 
wl'.ere  it  was  found  resting  on  the  edge  of  a  child's  cradle.  ]Mr.  ^IcCuUoch, 
quoted  by  Audubon,  gives  an  interesting  account  of  the  notes  and  the  ven- 
triloquial  powers  of  this  bird.  On  one  occasion  he  heard  what  seem  d  to 
him  to  be  the  faint  note.s  of  a  distant  bell.  Upon  approaching  the  place 
from  w  ..h  these  sounds  proceeded,  they  ap]ieared  at  one  time  to  be  in 
front  o.  him,  then  liehind  him,  now  on  his  right  hand,  now  on  his  left, 
again  at  a  groat  distance,  and  then  close  behinci  him.      At  last  he  dis- 


.STUKilD-K  — THE   OWLS. 


47 


covered  the  bird  at  tlie  entrance  of  a  small  hole  in  a  liirch-tree,  wliere  it 
was  callini^  to  its  mate.  As  lie  stood  at  the  loot  of  the  tree,  in  full  sight  of 
the  bird,  he  observed  the  singular  iiower  it  jiossessed  of  altei'ing  its  voice, 
making  it  seem  near  or  remote, —  a  faculty  which  he  had  never  noticed  in 
any  other  bird. 

An  egg  given  me  by  Mr.  Ihiius  U.  Winslow  as  one  of  tliis  bird,  and  figured 
in  the  North  American  Dology,  was  undoubtedly  that  of  a  Woodpecker. 
It  is  of  a  crystalline  whiteness,  nearly  spherical,  and  measures  1.13  inches 
in  lengtli  liy  .87  of  an  inch  in  lu'eadth. 

A  -well-identifieil  egg  in  the  collection  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution, 
taken  by  Mr.  IJ.  Christ  at  Nazareth,  I'enn.,  (Xo.  14,oo8,  S.  I.,)  measures  .95 
of  an  inch  ijy  .88.  The  two  ends  are  exactly  similar  or  symmetrical.  The 
egg  is  white,  and  is  marked  as  having  been  collected  April  25,  1807. 


Genus    SCOPS,  Savig.ny. 

Hivps,  Savicny,  1800.     (Tyjic,  S/ri.e  .icuii.i,  I,.  =  Saips  zorca  (Gm.)  Swains.) 
i-'ji/iid/i/h,  Ki;v.s.  .^  lii,.  184U,  icr  SciMtANK,  ISO'2. 
Mc'j<(sciijiii,  Kaci',  1843.     (Tyiic,  S'/rh^  nsin,  I,.) 

Gi:.\.  CiiAU.  Size  .^mall,  tlio  head  piovidcd  with  car-tul'ts.  Bill  light-colored ;  iris 
yellow.  Tiiii'o  to  foiir  outer  quills  with  inner  webs  sinuated.  Wings  long  (more  than 
twice  tile  leugtli  of  tlio 
tail,  which  is  siiort  and 
sliylilly  roinidi'd)  :  sei^oud 
to  lirili  (piills  Icingost. 
Tiifs  naked,  or  only 
seantily  ti'allicrcd.  Eai- 
coiii'h  sniall  and  simple. 
Plumajjc  exeeedinuly  va- 
rief,'ated,  the  colors  dif- 
ferent siiades  of  hrown, 
with  rufous,  blaci<,  and 
white,  in  fine  moltlings 
and  pcMcilliuj.'s;  feathers 
aliovc  and  heiow  usually 
Willi  lilackish  shaft -stre.aks, 
those  beneath  usually  with 
five       transverse        bars  ; 

primaries      spotted     with  ,srnps  „,i, 

whitish,   and    outer    welis 

of  the   lower  row   of  seajiuiars   the  same  edgeil  tenninally  wit', 
banded. 


lack.     Tail  oliscurely 


TIic  species  of  this  genus  tire  cosmopolitan,  the  greater  nnndier,  however, 
being  found  in  tropical  regions.  All  the  American  species  dill'er  from 
,S'.  :om(  of  Europe  in  having  the  fourth  and  fifth  tpiills  longest,  instead  of 
the  second,  and  in  luiving  three  to  four,  instead  of  only  two,  of  the  outer 


48  NORTH  AMEIUCAN  BIRDS. 

quills  with  the  inner  wel)  sinuated,  as  well  as  in  having  the  quills  shorter, 
broader,  and  more  b(nved,  and  tiiuir  under  surface  more  concave.  They  may, 
jjerliaps,  be  distinguished  as  u  separate  subgenus  {Majuscops,  Kaup).  Of  the 
American  species  all  but  S.  asio  (including  its  several  races)  have  the  toes 
perfectly  naked  to  their  very  bases. 

Species  and  Races. 

Common  CnARACTEii.s.  Plumage  brown,  {rray,  or  rufous,  auil  whitish,  finely 
niottk'd  above;  lower  parts  transveisely  liari'etl,  and  with  dark  shaft-streaks. 
Outer  webs  of  lower  seapulars  light-colored  (wiiite  or  oehraeeous)  and  with- 
out markings.  Tail  crossed  by  rather  obscure  mottled  light  an<l  dark  bars  of 
nearly  t  al  width.  Outer  webs  of  primaries  with  nearly  e([ual  bands  of  whitish 
and  dusky. 

1.  S.  asio.  Toes  covered  (more  or  less  densely)  with  bristles,  or  hair-like 
leathers.  Wing,  5.. 'jO- 7.80  ;  tail,  3.20  -  4.10;  culmeu,  .tlO  -  .70  ;  tarsus, 
1.00-1.70;  middle  toe,  .70  -  .80.  Ear-tn(ts  well  developed;  facial  circle 
black. 

Colors  smoky-brown  and  p.ilo  fulvous,  with  little  or  none  of  pure 
wliiie.  Outer  webs  of  the  scapulars  pale  ochraceous-fulvous.  Wnig, 
G.90  -  7.30  ;  tail,  S.oO  -  4.r)0.  ILth.  North  Tacilic  region,  from 
Western  Idaho  and  \Va.sliington  Territory,  northward  to  Sitka. 

vai'.  ke  n  nico  tti. 
Colors  ashy-gray  and    pure  white,  with  little  or  none   of   fulvous. 
Outer  wi'bs  of  the  scapulars  pure  white.     Varying  to  bright  brick-red, 
or  lateritiou.s-rufous. 

Mottlings  ('oar.«e,  the  l)lacki.sh  median  streaks  above  not  .sharply 
defined,  and  tiie  liars  beneath  heavy  and  distinct. 

AVing,  0.10  -  7. 7o;  tail,  3.30-4.3").  In  the  red  plumage, 
white  prevailing  on  the  lower  parts,  where  the  red  nnukings 
are  not  broken  into  transverse  bais.  Huh.  United  States; 
except  the  Southern  Middle  Province,  tiie  northwest  region, 

and  Florida var.  us  to. 

Wing,  5.00 -G.OO      tail,   2.7.') -3.10.      In  the  red  plumage, 
red   prevailing  on   the  lower  parts,  where   the  markings  are 
much  broken  into  transverse  liars.    Jltth.  Florida  and  Southern 
Georgia         .  .......     var.  f lor i dan  us. 

Wing.  ')..")()  -  5.80  ;  tail,  3.20  -  3.30.  (iray  plumage,  like 
var.  (tsio,  but  tlu?  mottling  above  nnieh  coarser,  and  the  napo 
Avilli  a  strongly  indicated  collar  of  riiun<led  white  spots  in 
pairs,    on   opposite   webs.       Red   plumage   not   seen.     Ilab. 

Eastei'n  Mexico  and  Guatemala var.  enano.^ 

Moltlings   fine,  the  blackish   median   streaks   aliove  very  r-harply 
defined  and   conspicuous ;   bars  beneath   delicate  and   indi.''tinct. 

'  Scopsasio,  var.  rmiiin,  I.awukmk,  MSS.  This  wdl-iiiarked  raw  is  founded  upon  two  spcci- 
incns,  —  0111'  IVoni  Mi'xico,  in  the  cabincl  of  Mr.  LawriMK'o,  and  another  from  (inatcnuda,  in  the 
collt'ction  of  the  Bo.-toti  .Socii'ty  of  Natural  Hi.story.  They  arc  I'x.actly  similar  in  colors  ;  but,  as 
might  be  cxpecti'd,  till'  more  .southern  specimen  is  the  .smaller  of  the  two.  This  form  very  clcsely 
resendiles  t!ie  ,S'.  (irrlr'i/iil/ii,  (XArr.)  Sri-.rn.  (Temm.  PI.  f'ol.  145),  but  may  be  readily  dis- 
tinguislii'd  by  the  liain  d  toe.',  they  being  perfectly  naked  in  (driatpilla.  The  latter  species  is 
found  as  far  northward  as  Xlirador. 


STRIGlDiE  — THE  OWLS.  49 

AVinfr,  G.20-G.r)0;   tail,  ;?.3"j -  3.50.     Jfah.     Southern  Miil- 
dle  I'loviiicc,  ami  Smitlieni  Clalifuniia ;  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

'  var.  mitccalli. 
•I.  S.  nammeola.  Toes  iicilectly  naked,  the  featlieiinpf  of  the  taisiis  ter- 
niiuatinu'  alniiptly  at  the  lower  joint.  Wing,  5.40  ;  tail,  2.80  ;  eulnien,  .:!5  ; 
tarsus.  .!I0 ;  uiiddle  toe,  .5.").  Ear-tiil'ts  .«hort,  or  rudimentary.  Facial  circle 
rusty.  Outer  webs  of  the  scapulars  rusty-ochraceous,  in  strikin;^'  contrast 
to  the  grayish  of  the  wings  and  back.  Other  markings  and  colors  much  as 
in  aai'K  Jfab.  Mountain  regions  of  Mexico  and  California,  from  Guatemala 
to  Fort  Crook,  >;orlhern  California. 


Scops  asio,  T)OXAP. 

LITTLE  BED  OWL;  MOTTLED  OWL;   "SCREECH-OWL" 

XiKtiiK  Kiiritn  minor,  Catesby,  Carol.  1, 1754,  7,  pi.  vii.  Asia  scops  carol ineitsis,  Uuiss.  Orii. 
I,  1700,  497.  .SfrU  nsin,  I.INX.  Syst.  Nat.  17r)8,  92.  —  Gmel.  S.  N.  1789,  2S7. — 
L.vril.  Iiul.  Orn.  1790,  54.  —  In.  Syn.  I,  123.  —  lii.  Supp.  1,  42  ;  Gen.  Hist.  I,  314.  — 
DAfD.  Tr.  Orn.  11,  1800,  210.-Sll.\w,  Zoiil.  VII,  1S09,  229.  — Temm.  PI.  Col.  80. 
—  WiLS.  .Viii.  (Irn.  1808,  \t].  xlii,  f.  1.  —  .Taisd.  (cd.  Wils.)  Orn.  I,  1831,  307.  —  lioxAP. 
,\nn.  X.  Y.  I.yc.  II,  .30.  —  In.  Isis,  1832,  1139.  —  ArmiioN-,  IHnl.s  X.  A.  1831,  pi. 
xivii.  —  In.  Orn.  liiog.  I,  48fj.  —  Bkeweu  (imI.  Wii.s.)  Orn.  1852,  p.  087.  —  lions.  Nat. 
185.'>,  1<>9.  nnlioasio,  Xiv.u.l.  Ois.  Am.,  .«.-pt.,  1807,  53,  pl.  .\xi.  —  GliiAri),  Birds  Long 
Island,  1844,  28.  —  Max.  Cab.  J.  VI,  1858,  23.  Otiis  asio,  Stephens,  Zoiil.  XIII,  i)t. 
ii,  1815,  57.  Scops  nsio,  UoNAr.  List,  1838,  6.  —  Less.  Tr.  Orn.  107.  —  I'Ass.  Birds 
V:A.  &  Tex.  1854,  179.  —  I  n.  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  fl.  —  Kaui',  Monog.  Strig.  Cent.  Orn. 
1.S52,  112.  —  .Stiucki..  Orn.  Syn.  1,  185.5,  199.  —  IIeeum.  V.  R.  Ucpt.  II,  1855,  3.5.— 
Coop.  &  SrcKi,.  I'.  H.  Kept.  155.  —  Mayxaiid,  Birds  Kastern  Mass.,  1870,  131. — 
CoUE.s,  Key,  1872,  202.  —  GliAY,  Hand  List,  I,  18G9,  4G.  EjihinUcs  asio,  GiiAY, 
Gen.  n.  f<d.  1844,  sp.  9.  —  In.  List  Birds  Brit.  JIiis.  1844,  \\  96.  —  Woonii.  1853,  62. 
Strix  iiccvia,  Gmei-.  S.  N.  1789,  289.  —  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  1790,  p.  55. —  In.  Syn.  I, 
126;  Gen.  Hist.  I,  321.— Dai  D.  Tr.  Orn.  II,  1800,  217.  — Shaw,  Zoiil.  VII,  1809, 
230.  —  \Vii.s.  Am.  Orn.  1808,  pi.  xix,  f.  1.  Asio  iierrid.  Less.  Man  Orn.  I,  1828,  117. 
Ohis  nuL-ins,  i'vv.  lii'g.  An.  (od.  2),  I,  1829,  341.  Sitrnia  iKvvin.,  Jmieh.  (nd.  Wils.), 
Orn.,  1831,  I,  96  &  99. 

a.    Xormal  j^l'inicfie. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult.  0 round-color  above  brownish-cinereous,  palest  on  the  head,  purest 
ashy  on  the  wings,  minutely  mottled  v  itli  line  zigzag  transver.se  bars  of  black,  each 
feather  witii  a  medial  ragged  strii)e  of  the  same  almig  the  .sliaO.  Inn(>r  webs  of  ear-tufts, 
outer  webs  of  scapulars,  and  oval  spots  occupying  most  of  tiie  outvr  webs  of  the  two  or 
three  lower  fealiiers  of  the  middle  and  .secondary  wing-covcrts,  white,  forming  Cexcept  on 
the  first)  conspicuous  spots,  those  of  the  scapulars  liordcred  with  l)lack.  Secondaries 
cros.sed  with  about  seven  regular  paler  bands,  each  enclosing  a  more  irregular  dusky  one; 
the  ground-color,  however,  is  .so  mettled  with  grayish,  and  the  pale  bands  with  dusky, 
that  they  art-  by  no  means  sharply  defineil  or  conspicuous,  tlmugh  they  are  very  regular; 
alula  and  primary  coverts  nore  .sliari)l3'  barred  with  Jreari-colnred  spots,  those  on  the 
former  nearly  white;  primaries  witii  liroad  (piadrato  spots  of  creamy-white  on  outer  wclis, 
the.se  forming  from  seven  ((J)  to  eight  (9)  transverse  bands,  the  last  of  which  is  not 
terminal.  Tail  more  irregularly  mottlecl  than  the  wings,  and  cro.ssed  by  seven  ((J)  to 
eight  (9)  narrow,  obscdete,  but  continuous,  jiale  bands. 

Eyebrows  white,  the  feathers  bordered  with  dusky  (most  broadly  so  in  ^);  cheeks, 
ear-covert.s,  and  lower  throat  dull  white,  with  transverse  bars  of  blackish  (most  numerous 

vol,.  III.  7 


50  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

in  the  ^);  cliin  immncnlate;  upper  eyelid  dark  hrown;  facial  circle  Mack;  neck  and 
jup;iilum  like  the  checks,  but  more  strongly  barred,  and  with  blackish  along  the  shaft. 
Ground-color  of  the  lower  parts  white,  each  feather  with  a  medial  stripe;  of  black,  this 
throwing  oil'  distinct  bars  to  the  edge  of  the  feather;  the  medial  l)lack  is  largest  on  sides 
of  the  Ineast,  where  it  expands  into  very  large  conspicuous  spots,  having  a  slight  rusty 
exterior  suffusion  ;  the  abdomen  medially,  the  anal  region,  .and  the  lower  tail-covcrt«,  are 
almost  unvaried  white.  Tiliia;  and  tarsi  in  the  male  didl  white,  much  barred  trans- 
versely with  blackish;  in  the  female,  pale  ochraceous,  more  sparsely  barred  with  dark 
brownish.  Lining  of  the  wing  creamy-white,  varied  only  along  the  edge;  light  liars  on 
under  surface  of  primaries  very  obsolete. 

$  (10,027,  Fort  Crook,  North  California;  John  Feilner).  Wing,  0.70;  tail,  .'J.SO ;  cul- 
men,  .61;  tarsus,  1.35;  middle  toe,  .72;  ear-tufts,  1,00;  wing-lbrmula,  3=4,  .5-2,  6, 
1  ==  9.     '•  Length,  9.50 ;  extent,  23.75." 

9  (18,299,  Ilellgate,  Montana;  Jno.  rcar^all).  Wing,  7.80;  tail,  4.10;  culmen,  .70; 
tarsus,  1.70;   middle  toe,  .80;  ear-tuft.s,  1.00. 

Young  $  (No.  29,738,  Wood's  Hole,  Mass.,  July  2.5,  1863;  S.  F.  Baird.  -'Parent 
gray  ").  Secoinlaries,  primaries,  and  tail,  as  in  the  adult,  gray  plumage ;  but  the  latter 
more  mottled,  the  bands  eonfu.scd.  Rest  of  the  plumage  everywhere  grayish-white,  with 
numero'.is  transverse  bars  of  dusk3'-brown ;  eyebrows  and  loi'cs  scarcely  variegated  dull 
white  ;  facial  eircl(>  obsoleU\ 

9  (41,891,  Philadelphia,  Penn. ;  J.  Kri<ler),  Whole  head,  neck,  back,  rump,  and  en- 
tire lower  parts  transversely  barre<l  with  dark  brown  and  grayish-white,  the  bands  of  the 
former  on  the  upper  parts  rathei-  exceeding  the  white  in  width,  but  on  the  lower  surface 
nnich  narrower;  scapulars  with  large  transverse  spots  of  white  on  the  outer  wclis. 
Wings  and  tail  as  in  the  adult.     Facial  disk  conspicuous.     (More  advanced  in  age  tiian 

the  preceding.) 

h.    Rnfcseent  plumage. 

Adult.  General  pattern  of  the  prece<ling;  but  the  grayish  tints  replaced  by  lateritious- 
rufous,  very  fine  and  bright,  with  a  slight  vinaccous  cast:  this  is  uniform,  and  shows 
no  trace  of  the  transverse  dark  mottling;  there  are,  however,  black  shaft-lines  to  the 
feathers  (these  most  conspicuous  on  the  head  above,  and  scapulars,  and  narrower  and 
mon>  sharply  defined  than  in  the  gray  plumage).  The  inner  webs  of  the  car-tufts,  outer 
webs  of  scapulars,  and  lower  secondary  and  middle  wing-coveits,  are  while,  as  in  the 
gray  plumage;  those  of  the  scapulars  are  also  bordered  witii  black.  The  scconilaric, 
])rimaries,  and  tail  are  less  Nriglit  riifoift:  than  the  otticr  jiortious,  the  n'larkings  as  in  the 
gra\'  plumage,  only  the  tints  being  dill'erent.  The  upper  eyelid,  and,  in  fact,  all  round  the 
eye,  fine  light  rufous;  cheeks  and  ear-coverts  paler,  scarcely  variegated  ;  black  facial  circle 
rather  narrower  than  in  the  gray  plumage.  Lower  parts  without  the  transverse  bars  of 
the  gray  plumage,  but  in  their  place  an  irregular  clouding  of  fine  light  red,  like  the  back; 
the  lower  parts  mediall}-  (very  broadly)  iunnaculate  snowy-white;  most  of  the  feathers 
having  the  red  opotting  show  black  .shaft-striiie.s,  but  the  pectoral  spots  are  not  near  so 
large  or  conspicuous  as  in  tin;  gray  bird.  Tibia?  fine  pale  ochraceous-rufous  ;  tarsi  the 
same  posteriorly,  in  front  white  with  cuneate  specks  of  rufous;  lower  tail-coverts  each 
Avith  a  medial  transversely  cordate  spot  of  dilute  rufous,  the  shaft  black.  Lining  of  the 
wing  with  nimierous  rufous  spots. 

$  (12,045,  Wa.shington,  D.  C.  .Tanuaiy).     Wing,  0.30;  tail,  3.00. 

9  (22,512,  Maryland;  R.  G.  C.mipbell).     Wing,  0.70;  tail,  3.50. 

Young  (29,792,  Peoria,  Illinois;  Ferd.  Bischoff).  Wings  and  tail  as  in  adult;  markings 
on  head  and  body  as  in  the  young  gray  bird,  but  white  bars  more  reddish,  and  dark  ones 
more  brown. 

Hah.  Temperate  North  America,  from  the  South  Atlantic  States  to  Oregon,  and  from 
the  northern  United  States  to  Texas.     Replaced  in   the  southern  Midillc  Province  and 


STlilUID^  — THE  OWLS. 


51 


Southern  California  by  var.  maccalli,  in  Florida  by  var.  Jloridaiia,  and  on  the  north- 
western count  ri'jrion  by  var.  keiinicntti. 

Localities :  (V)  <^'iilia  (Cahanis,  Journ.  Ill,  4G.")). 

The  above  stages  of  plimiago  have  caused  ornithologists  a  great  deal 
of  puiiilcxity ;  and  it  is  only  very  recently  that  they  have  become  cor- 
rectly iiudersKjod.  Even  yet 
many  {lersist  in  regarding  the 
red  iilumage  as  being  that  of 
tlio  young  ))ii'd. 

That  these  two  very  differ- 
ent iihimages  are  entirely  in- 
dependent of  age,  sex,  or  sea- 
mm,  and  that  they  are  purely 
individual,  tbere  can  be  no 
doubt ;  since  in  one  nest  there 
may  often  be  found  both  red 
and  gray  young  ones,  while 
their  parents  may  be  either 
botli  red  or  both  gray,  the 
male  red  antl  the  female  gray, 
or  vice  ^xrsa.  Occasionally 
specimen;)  (such  as  No.  39,- 
093,  (? ,  Neosho  Falls,  Kansas, 
April  13  ;  jjarcnt  of  five  eggs, 
and  captured  on  the  nest  with 
a  gray  male)  are  exactly  in- 
termediate between  these  two  plumages,  it  being  difficult  to  decide, which 
predominates  ;  tlie  combination  is  not*only  of  the  tints,  but  of  the  markings, 
of  tAe  two  stages. 

IIaiui'S.     Tlie  habit  of  all  the  varieties  of  Scops  asio  in  their  different 
localities  will  be  found  after  their  zoological  description. 


Scopa  asio. 


Scops  asio,  var.  floridana,  Eidgway. 

Scops  asio,  Allen,  IJull.  Mus.  Coinp.  Zoijl.  and  other  citations  from  Florida. 

Cn.\R.  Similar  to  var.  asio,  hut  much  smaller,  and  the  colors  deeper.  The  gray 
stage  very  similar  to  that  of  var.  asio,  but  the  red  phase  very  appreciably  dilTercnt,  in 
there  being  a  greater  amount  of  rufous  on  the  lower  parts,  tin'  breast  Ijoing  nearly  uni- 
formly colored,  and  the  rufous  broken  elsewhere  into  transverse  broad  bars,  connected 
along  the  shaft.     Wing,  5.50  -  COO  ;  tail,  2.75  -  3.10. 

Hab.     IHorida  and  Lou-er  Georgia. 


This  extreme  southern  form  is  nmch  smaller  than  the  more  northern  ones, 
being  about  the  same  in  size  as  the  var.  eiiano  (see  p.  1374)  of  Middle 


52  NUllTII  AMEUICAN  13IUDS. 

America,  and  the  S.  (driatpillu,  Tenmi.,  of  Trcipical  America  generally.     The 
culur.s,  as  may  bo  expected,  are  also  darker  and  richer. 

In  the  collection  of  the  .Smith.sonian  Institution  there  are  huth  red  and 
gray  birds  from  Florida;  u  red  one  (Xo.  o.SJ?,  Indian  Jlivi.r  ;  i)r.  A.  W. 
Wall)  measiues,  wing,  o.5U  ;  tail,  2.70  ;  eulmen,  .55  ;  tarsus,  1.U5  ;  middle 
toe,  .05  ;  ear-tufts,  .70.  The  colors  are  much  darker  than  those  of  typical 
am).  'J'he  rufous  of  the  neck,  all  around,  shows  obsolete  darker  transverse 
bars  ;  the  black  border  to  the  white  scapular  sjjots  is  restricted  to  the  tiii,  as 
in  the  gray  idumage  ;  the  inner  webs  of  the  ear-tufts  are  scarcely  jjaler  than 
the  outer;  the  neck  and  face  ure  deeper  rufous,  while  the  rufous  of  the 
lower  parts  is  more  general,  and  more  in  transverse  rays  ;  tibia'  and  tarsi 
plain  rufous  ;  the  middle  of  the  uljdomen  and  the  anal  region  only  are  pure 
white. 

Scops  asio,  var.  maccalli,  Cass. 

WESTEBN  MOTTLED  OWL. 

Scops  maccalli,  a^s.s.  Rirds  t'al.  &  Tex.  p.  180,  ISSl) ;  liiiils  X.  Am.  1858,  52.  — Stkicki.. 
Oni.  Syii.  I,  200, 1805.  — Cor ks,  I'lod.  Orn.  Ariz.,  ji.  13,  ISOit.  — Sci,.  &.  S.m.v.  P.  Z.  S., 
1SC8,  57  {=  In'c/wpsis,  AVagi,.  Isis,  1832,  27(i  I  see  reiiiiuks  l)clo\v).  —  IjAIKK,  Mox. 
Bound.  IF,  4,  ])1.  i.  —  (iray.  Hand  List,  I,  4",  1809.  Scojis  a,\io,  v.ir.  vuiccalli  (Uidu- 
WAy)  Couks,  Key,  1872,  203.  JSphialks  choliba  (not  of  Vioillot  !),  Lawr.  Ann. 
N.  Y.  Lye.  VI,  1853,  p.  4. 

Chak.  Adult  (9,147,  Camp  118,  New  Mexico,  Fcliniary  10,  1854 ;  Konnerly  and 
Moliliausen).  Above  (.'inoreous,  the  ashy  appearaueo  being  caused  by  a  minute  trans- 
verse mottlinpj  of  blaclcisli  .ind  pale  ashy,  on  a  deeper  ash  {rround  ;  eaeli  feather  with  a 
distinct  nu?dial  stri])e  of  l)laelc,  these  liroadest  on  tlie  foreliead  ;  outer  welis  of  only  a  few 
.scapulars  white,  these  not  bordered  with  black;  outer  webs  of  two  or  three  lower  middle 
a)id  second.'iry  coverts  vhite.  Seo.'iidaries  with  about,  seven  trai^vers*,  mottled  pale 
Viands  ;  primaries  with  about  ei<iht  transver.se  .series  of  white  spots  ;  tail  with  about  eight 
nari'ow  pale  bands. 

Ear-coverts,  checks,  throat,  neck,  and  juiruhnn  (inely  and  uniforndy  barred  transversely 
with  dusky  and  ttrayish-white  ;  the  facial  eircl(!  interru])tcd  across  the  throat,  where  in  its 
place  is  a  series  of  lonprilndinal  black  dashes. 

Lower  parts  irrayish-white,  with  numerous,  very  narrow  transverse  bars  of  du.sky,  ' 
rather  more  distant  from  each  other  than  those  of  the  neck,  etc.;  each  feather  with  a 
medial  narrow  stripe  of  black,  tho.se  on  the  breast  forming  conspicuous  si)ots ;  tibi;c  and 
tarsi  dull  soiled  white,  with  ninnerous  spots  of  dark  brown  :  lower  tail-eoverls  innnacn- 
late.  Winjr-formula,  >1  =  4-2,  5,  0,  7,  8-1-!).  Wing,  C.,'"jO;  tail,  3.30;  cidmen,  .oo  ; 
tarsns,  1.1.5;  middle  toe,  .70;  ear-tufts,  .S"). 

(.\  .specimen  from  California  (.'Stockton,  K.  S.  Holden),  kindly  sent  by  Mr.  Lawnjnce  for 
cxa.iiination,  differs  from  the  preceding  in  rather  more  brown  ground-color  above ;  the 
black  shaft-streaks  nmre  obscure.  In  other  respects  as  regards  ])lmiiage  it  is  the  same, 
and  is  typical  mnccalli.     The  size  is  less,  it  measuring,  wing,  0.20;  tail,  3.10.) 

Young  (first  full,  but  incomplete  plumage;  ](i,!)32,  Cape  St.  Luca."!,  Lower  California). 
Secondaries,  primaries,  and  tail  as  in  the  gray  adull.  Rest  of  the  plumage  transversely 
barred  with  grayish-white  and  dusky,  the  latter  predominating  on  the  u])per  parts;  eye- 
brows and  lores  white ;  rings  finely  transversely  mottled  with  white,  this  Ibrmiug  spots 


STRIGIDvE  — THE  OWLS.  53 

on  till'  lower  fc-atliors  ;  tibia;  and  taisi  witii  iiiiinoroiis  transverse  (liisi<y  bars.  Winjr,  '>.  tO  ; 
tai!,  li.O");  tarsi,  l.(M);  middle  toe,  .(i3.  No.  10,!)33  (same  loealily,  etc.)  is  similar,  but 
smaller,  measurinjr,  o.OO,  2.00,  1.00,  and  .00. 

II.vii.     Soutlierii  .Middle  I'roviiieo  of  Uiiile(l  Slates;  Lower  and  Southern  Califoruia. 

Lo<:alities.  (?)  ()a.\aea  (ScL.  LS58,  2'M)  ;  (?)  Guatemala  (Scl.  Ibis,  I,  220) ;  (?)  Te.\as 
(DuESSER,  Ibis,  1850,  330). 

Wliilo.  the  Scops  mncca/li  is  without  doubt  to  be  distinguished  from  S.  asio, 
its  liuiug  spocifieally  distinct  is  not  a  nuittcr  oi'  so  much  cortiiinty  ;  witli  11 
siniiilc  stutcmtuit  ol'  tlio  dillercnces  between  the  two,  I  slmll  Iciive  the 
vahio  of  tliosc  dillercnces  to  tlie  appreciation  of  eacli  one,  according  to  liis 
own  fancy.  The  species  is  represented  in  tlio  collection  by  but  four  speci- 
mens, two  adult  and  two  young.  I  have  not  seen  the  red  plumage  as 
described  liy  (.'ussin. 

The  characters  of  this  race,  as  given  in  the  diagnosis,  appear  to  be  really 
constant ;  and  there  is  not  a  .specimen  in  the  series  of  those  from  the  west 
which  may  not  readily  be  referred  to  one  or  the  other. 

The  gray  adult  mamtl/i  dillers  from  that  of  asio  in  the  much  finer  mot- 
tling of  the  general  plumage;  the  medial  black  stripes  of  the  feathers  above 
being  nu)re  sharjdy  delined,  and  more  distinct  from  the  transverse  zigzags. 
Uelow,  the  transverse  dark  bars  are  much  finer,  and  nearer  together.  The 
face,  neck,  and  juguluin  more  finely  and  uniforiidy  barred.  The  white 
scapular  spots  have  not  the  black  border  seen  in  asio.     The  size  is  smaller. 

The  young  of  maccalli  difl'ers  from  that  of  asio  in  much  finer  bars  above, 
the  dusky  rather  prevailing ;  below,  also,  the  bars  are  fiuer  and  nearer  to- 
gether. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  compare  this  bird  with  any  other  than  the  S.  ac,io, 
since  it  is  not  at  all  rela^';ed  to  choKha,  or  an/  other  southern  species. 

Scops  macca/li  is  entirely  distinct  from  the  *S'.  trichopsis,  Wagler,  not- 
withstanding the  statement  in  the  Ibis,  for  April,  1872  (p.  C),  that  "the 
name  "  is  "  really  synonymous  with  S.  trichopsis  of  Wagler,  the  bird  being 
quite  distinct  from  S.  asio,  as  has  been  pointed  out  elsewhere."  (P.  Z.  S. 
18G8,  p.  o7.) 


Scops  asio,  var.  kennicotti,  Elliot. 

KENNICOTTS  OWL. 

Scops  kennicotti,  Elmdt,  Tr.  Ac.  Nat.  Se.  riiil.  18G7,  p.  1)9;  Illust.  Am.  Birds,  pL  si. — 
Baiui),  Trans.  Chicago  Acad.  Sc.  \,  11,  311,  \\.  x.wii,  1SC9.  —  D.vll  &  BANNisTKit,  Tr. 
Clue.  Ac.  I,  18C9,  273.  — Guay,  Hand  List,  \,  47,  18(19.  —  Ei.i.roT,  Illust.  Birds  Am! 
I,  XXVII.  —  Fix.scil,  Abh.  Nat.  Ill,  28.  —  Scops  asio,  var.  kennicotti,  (Riiwway) 
CouEs,  Key,  1872,  203.  1  Scops  asio,  Coor.  &  Suck.  P.  R.  U.  Rept.  XII,  11,  155, 
1800  (all  citations  from  northwest  coast). 

Sp.  Char.    Adult  (^,  59,847,  Sitka,   Alaska,   March,  18GG;  Ferd.  BischofT.     Elliott's 
type).     Above  umber-brown,  with  a  reddish  east;  feathers  confusedly  mottled  trans- 


04  NORTH  AMERICAN   lURDS. 

VL'isily  with  dusk}',  ami  slmwiiij,'  iiumdi'il  siidi.s  of  rufuiis,  most  poiispipiioiis  on  tlio 
imj)(.' I  filch  I'ciilliur  wilh  a  (•iiiis|)ii;uoii.s  lucdial  lnoail  i'ii;_';^i'il  stripf  of  liliick,  llicsc  striiiu.s 
most  eons|iifuous  dm  tlio  loiuhuail  aiiil  scainilai-s;  milui' welit!  ol' .sca|)uhuvs  lifjht  I'ufons, 
Ijonli'i'i'il  tcriiiinally  wilh  lihiuk.  \Viiif;>i  of  a  iiiin-c  friayish  cast  than  tlio  hack,  but 
similarly  vaiicirak'd ;  lowor  Ceatlit'i's  of  iho  middlu  and  secondary  wiii{»-('ovorts,  each 
with  a  largo  oval  jialc  rufous  spot,  covi'iiiiy  most  of  ihi!  lowor  wub.  Sccondarios  crossed 
by  six  narrow  olisciirc  bands  of  piilc!  rufous;  priniarics  with  seven  soiiiowhat  idiiuiled, 
iiuadrate  sjiots  of  th(' same  on  llie  outer  webs,  Ibrmiu;,'  as  many  transverse  series  ;  caeli 
li^lit  spot  with  a  eeulial  dusky  mollliie^'.  Tail  more  finely  and  eonfiisecily  mollle(l  than 
ihe  wilifi's;  the  bamls,  ihon^h  proeiit,  are  so  olisolele  as  to  be  sc/areely  traceable,  and  so 
irregular  or  batlly  tleiinod  as  to  lie  of  uncertain  number.  The  ear-tufls  are  black  and 
rusty,  the  former  aloiiir  the  shal'ls,  and  in  transverse  spots;  on  Ihe  outer  webs  the  black 
[iredominates,  on  the  inner  the  rusty. 

The  lores  and  basal  half  of  the  frontal  bristles  are  white,  the  terminal  half  alirnptly 
black;  eyebrows  about  eipially  blackish  and  paler,  the  I'ormer  borderini,'  the  leathers; 
eye  surrounded  by  dark  snull-binwii  ;  cheeks  and  ear-coverts  ])ale  rusty,  transversely 
barred  wilh  deeper  rusly  ;   facial  circle  not  well  delined,  black.    Chin  ami  lores  only  whih'. 

Groimd-eolor  of  the  lower  parts  diliile-rusly,  becomiiif!'  while  on  the  Hanks;  <'aeh 
feather  of  the  throat,  juu'uliim,  breast,  sides,  and  Hanks  with  a  broad  medial  sliipe  of 
black,  this  tlirowinj,'  olf  \-ery  narrow,  rather  distant,  bars  to  the  edge;  (be  .spaces  lie- 
Iwi  '11  these  bars  arc  alternately  paler  and  deeper  dilute-rusty  ;  the  black  marks  are 
broadest  on  the  sides  of  the  breast,  where  they  have  an  external  deep  rusty  sun'usion  ; 
the  abdomen  medially,  and  the  anal  region,  are  scarcely  maculate  rusty-white  ;  the  lower 
tail-coverts  have  each  a  central  cuueate  longitudinal  stripe  of  black.  Tibiie,  tarsi,  and 
lining  of  the  wing,  jjlaiii  deep  rusty.  Wiug-formiila,  3  =  4,  o-'-',  (i  -  1  =  !).  Wing, 
7.10;  tail,  l.OO;  culinen,  .(J.j ;  tarsus,  l.oO;  middle  toe,  .80. 

Xo.  59,t(G8  (Idaho;  Dr.  Whitehead)  is  considerably  darker  than  the  tyi)e,  the  ground- 
color above  approaching  to  snufl'-browu:  it  dillers,  however,  in  no  other  respect,  as 
regards  coloration;  the  size,  however  (as  would  be  expecteil),  is  eonsicleralily  smaller, 
measuring  as  follows;  Wing,  (!.80;  tail,  3.G0 ;  ciiimen,  .00;  tarsus,  l.'JO;  middle  toe, 
.80.     Wing-formula  the  same  as  in  tviu'. 

II.Mi.  North  western  coast  of  North  America,  from  Columbia  River,  northward  ;  Idaho 
(Dr.  Whitehead). 

No.  4,'>:U)  (Wasliingtoii  Territory;  Dr.  Geo.  .Suckley)  is  just  intermediate 
ill  ill!  res])ects  liotween  ty])iciil  hiuiicvHi  and  asio,  lieiiijf  referriblo  to  citlier 
witli  Clonal  jn'opric'ty,  thoiioh  perliaiis  inclining  nio.st  to  the  Ibriner. 

This  wcU-iiiarked  form  is,  accindiiig  to  recoonizcd  laws,  jjrojjorly  to  be 
regarded  as  fiiily  an  extremely  dark  iiortluvestern  form  of  Scojis  asio.  There 
is  no  deviation  from  the  specific  pattern  of  coloration,  the  dilferenee  being 
merely  in  the  tints  ;  while  in  this  it  corresponds  in  every  way  with  other 
species  as  modiiied  in  the  northwest  coast  region  ;  tiie  .somewhat  greater 
size,  too,  merely  results  from  its  more  northern  htiliitat. 

The  only  characters  which  we  find  in  hrnnicotti  which  cannot  be  recog- 
nized in  asio  are  tlie  smaller,  more  tpiadrate,  and  move  rufous  sjiots  on  the 
primaries,  and  more  oljsolete  bands  on  tiie  tail;  but  this  is  merely  the  con- 
setpience  of  the  greater  extension  of  the  lirowii  markings,  thus  necessarily 
contracting  the  lighter  spots.  In  these  respects  only  does  the  Washington 
Territory  specimen  differ  from  the  two  typicid  examples  before  us,  having 


;-5TRIGrD.E  — THH   OWLS. 


56 


tho  krfior,  morn  wliitisli,  spots  nii  priniarics,  ami  more  distinct  tail-l.amls, 

(if  a.sio. 

Tim  Srop.^  hnuiimtti  innst,  lioweviT,  Iks  inconnized  as  a  wcU-niarkcd  ^'eo- 
firaj.liical  race,  and,  ii<«t  taUiu-  into  consideration  any  natural  laws  wliich 
"nlliicncc  clian.Kcs  in  species,  it  would  bo  very  imiper  to  recognize  the  valid- 
ity of  the  present  l.iril.     If,  however,  the  rule  of  which  wo  si^ak  will  apply 


Stops  avn,  vnr.  kfnnicotti. 

to  others,  as  indeed  it  does  to  a  majority  of  the  Inrds  of  the  region  inhab- 
ited by  the  .sV'jyw  knuiiroffi,  the  extreme  conditions  of  some  species  of 
which  are  even  more  widely  different  than  in  the  ])resent  instance,  and 
which  ha\e  been  referred  to  their  lighter  representatives  in  consecpience 
of  the  applicability  of  this  law,  we  cannot  ]M)ssildy  do  otherwise  with  it. 

In  general  appeaniiice,  size,  and  proportions,  as  w(dl  as  in  pattern  and 
tints  of  coloration,  except  in  their  details,  there  is  a  wonderfully  close  resem- 
blance in  this  race  of  S.  nnin  to  the  X  sniiHori/ncs,  Sehlegel,  of  Japan.  In- 
deed, it  is  ])robable  that  the  latter  is  also  a  mere  gco2;rai)hical  form  of  the 
.same  species.  The  only  tan,uil)le  ]ioiiits  of  difference  are  that  in  .frinitorquci 
the  juguluni  is  distinctly  white  centrally,  there  is  a  quite  well-defined  lighter 
nnelial  band,  with  a  more  indistinct  occipital  one  above  it,  and  the  iiencil- 
lin.us  on  the  lower  parts  are  more  delicate.  Tlu;  size  and  proportions  are 
es.sentially  the  same ;  the  shades  of  color  arc  identical,  while  the  markings 
differ  only  in  minute  detail,  their  pattern  being  es.sentially  the  same.  In 
kcnnicofti  the  light  nuchal  collars  are  indicated,  Ihoiigli  they  do  not  approach 
the  distinctness  .shown  by  them  in  scmitoi-qiws.     Should  they  be  considered 


50  NORTH  AMKRICAN  BIRDS. 

a.s  nu'os  of  nuo  species  ((S".  (tshi),  llicir  dillbreiitiiil  diiimcters   iiiivy  bo  cx- 
pivtsst'd  a.s  I'dlldws  :  — 

Viir.  sp  III  it  11  ri/  II  r  s}  A  wcll-dcfiiiiMl  iiiicli;il  cdllar,  of  nmUlcil  puli' 
iiclii'iii'i'oiis ;  jii^'iiliiiu  iiiini!iciiliit(!  wliiii'  ciMitnilly.  I'Vatliors  of  llic  Iowit 
purls  willi  tlii'if  li'iiiisvi'rso  iMMiriHiiiifs  i^rowiiiL,'  liiiuli'i'  towiirds  the  iiiidillc' 
line,  wliii'li  is  iinviiiiri:iili'<l  wliilc,  iVniii  llic  rriitial  Jiiu'illiii'  spul  lo  tliu 
aiKil  ic^'iiiii,  Willi;-,  (l.lin  -  7.I1I  ;  tiiil,  .'j.liO  -  .'I.T'I ;  culini'ii,  .110;  liirsils, 
l.i;.">  -  l.li";  middle  toe,  .SO  ..lilt.     (Two  sptciiucii.^.)     I/uh.    .Inpaii. 

\':\v.  ken  II  irnlli,  .No  \vi'll-dolillo<l  luicliiil  bund;  jiliriiliiiii  ulosily  Imncd 
(■(Mill, 'illy  ;  I'ciillicis  of  the  lower  parts  willi  llieir  I nuisver.'so  pciieilliii^'s  not 
jriiiwiiij,'  fiiinter  toward  llio  luiddk*  line,  which  is  unviiiiejj:atcil  while  only 
oil  llu!  abdominal  poilion  ;  Iho  iiieilial  black  streaks  to  the  I'euliiers  of  llie 
lower  surface  much  liriKuk'r,  and  transverse  |ieiicilliiiL's  rather  coarser. 
Wiiif;,  (!.!)0-7.;!0;  tail,  li.oO --t.oO  ;  eiilnien,  .(iO-.Im;  tarsu.s,  1.;!.")- l.-l'i ; 
middle  toe,  .80 -.00.  (Three  specimens.)  Jfah.  .North  Pacific  coast  of 
North  Aineiica  from  Sitka  to  Washiiifijtoii  Territory,  and  Western  Idaho. 

Till'  zo()li)i,'ical  chamcters  of  tlio  iliflofoiit  vaviotios  of  tlic  .SVoyw  nsio  liaviii<j 
lieon  tliit.s  iiKlicaUul,  wo  pi'occcil  to  coiisitltT  llio  .sjn'cies  as  a  whole,  ami  to 
point  out  lilt'  more  important  I'eatuivs  of  its  lialiits  and  history, 

lI.MtiT.s.  Tlic  common  Mottled  Owl  lias  an  extended  distribution  tbroiioh- 
out  the  tem])orat(!  portion  of  North  America.  It  is  also  the  most  ntinicroiis 
of  tliis  family  wlierever  found.  It  does  not  appear  to  have  been  detected  in 
any  part  of  tiie  Arctic  regions.  Alllumgii  oiven  on  tlie  authority  of  Valm- 
cius  as  a  liird  of  (Jreenland,  it  is  not  retained  in  the  list  of  lleinhardt.  It 
was  not  met  with  by  llichardsoii,  nor  is  any  reference  made  to  it  in  any  of 
the  Arctic  notes  furnished  by  ^Ir.  MacFarlane  or  others.  It  is  (piitc  com- 
mon throuoliimt  Now  Kn,^land,  as  well  as  in  the  Central,  the  Western,  and 
some  of  the  Southern  States.  Mr.  iUiardnian  "fives  it  as  resident,  but  not 
very  common,  near  Calais,  where  it  breeds.  It  is  found  near  Hamilton, 
Canada,  according  to  Mcllwraith,  but  it  is  not  common,  although  Dr.  Hall 
found  it  (|uite  numerous  in  the  vicinity  of  ^lontreal.  !Mr.  Downes  docs  not 
mention  its  occurrence  in  Xova  Scotia.  It  was  fotind  breeding  by  Dr.  Lin- 
cccnm,  at  Long  Toiiit,  Texas,  It  occurs  in  ( California,  and  as  Swps  Iritni- 
cotti  as  far  to  the  northwest  as  Sitka. 

The  Mottled  Owl  is  Mocturiial  in  its  habits,  never  a]»poaring  abroad  in 
the  daylight  excejit  when  dri\en  out  by  the  attacks  of  hostile  bii-ds  that 
liav(^  discovered  it  in  its  retreat.  Its  eyes  cannot  t^ndure  the  light,  and  it 
exjicricnces  great  inconvenience  from  such  an  exposure.  During  the  day 
it  hides  ill  hollow  trees,  in  dark  recesses  in  the  forests,  or  in  dark  corners 
of  barns,  and  comes  out  from  its  retreat  just  before  dark.  During  the 
night  it  utters  a  very  peculiar  wailing  cry,  not  tinlike  the  half-whining, 
half-barking  complaints  of  a  young  pupi>y,  alternating  from  high  to  low, 

'  SaijK  >i,-iiiii(yrqurs,  Seiii.KP.F.l,,  Fauna  .Ia])(iiiii.a,  t.  8.  For  the.  piivilcfcn  of  coniiiariiif.'  f^iH'A- 
mens  of  this  bird  with  S.  InmicoUi,  I  am  indebted  to  tlio  courtesy  of  tli(^  oHicirs  of  tho  Xcw 
York  iMiiscniii,  who  kindly  .sent  tlu!  fine  specimens  of  that  museum  for  examination. 


STIUlilD.K-TlIK   (>WF,S.  '  67 

iiitoriiiiiij,'li'il  witli  ilccp  j-iittiinil  trills.  Tlifsd  cries,  which  siiv  soim'timcs 
l.n)li.iij,'c(l  until  altiT  iiii(lni,i,'lil,  usiiiilly  elicit  im  siiiswcr  from  its  iiiuto  or 
coiiiliiiiiious,  and  would  secni  to  Ipc  uttered  as  a  call  sulicitinj,'  a  reply  from 
sonii"  lost  associate.  When  kept  in  continenient  the  Mottled  Owl  soon 
lieoonuvs  laniiliari/ed  to  its  iie\»-  mode  oi'  life,  and  rarely  atteini)t.s  to  injure. 
its  captors,  though  it  will  at  lirst  snap  its  bill  in  a  threatening,'  manner 
and  manifest  consideralde  irritation  on  huuij,'  ajtiiroached  or  handled.  In  tlio 
daytime  they  keeji  secluded,  npiiear  sleepy  or  stupid,  with  half-closed  eyes, 
but,  as  night  approaches,  become  (piite  lively  and  eager  lor  their  food.  They 
utter  their  nocturnal  cries  in  continement,  the  doleful  simnda  of  which  are 
in  singular  contrast  with  the  lively  and  excited  air  of  the  birds  as  they  utter 
them.  Their  flight  is  noiseless  and  gliding,  and  they  move  in  a  manner  so 
nearly  silent  as  to  be  hardly  perceptible.  They  are  e.vctdlent  niousers,  and 
swallow  their  food  whole,  ejecting  the  indigestible  parts,  such  as  hair,  bones, 
feathers,  etc. 

Wilson  caught  an  adult  bird,  ami  kejtt  it  in  confinemont  some  time.  At 
first  it  was  restless  and  attempted  to  escape,  beating  against  the  glass  of  the 
window  repeatedly,  and  several  times  with  so'  much  violence  as  to  stun 
itself.  In  a  few  days  it  was  reconciled  to  its  situation,  and  became  (juitc 
tame  and  familiar,  and  in  the  evening  was  very  lively,  s])rightly,  and  active. 

The  food  of  the  Screech-Owl  is  chielly  small  quadruiM'ds,  insects,  and  occa- 
sionally, when  they  have  young,  small  birds.  They  destroy  a  vast  number 
of  mice,  beetles,  and  vermin,  and  are  of  great  service  to  the  agriculturist, 
although  their  services  are  not  a])preciated,  and  they  are  everywhere  perse- 
cuted and  luuitcd  down  without  mercy  or  justice. 

The  nest  of  this  species  is  usually  constructed  in  hollow  trees  or  stumps, 
most  frecpiently  in  orchards  in  the  vicinity  of  farm-houses,  and  not  more 
than  si.\  or  seven  feet  from  the  ground.  ^Ir.  Avidubon  states,  however,  that 
he  has  sometimes  found  them  at  the  height  of  thirty  or  forty.  To  show 
the  provident  habits  of  this  Owl  in  procuring  for  its  young  a  great  super- 
abundance of  food,  Mr.  Nuttall  mentions  finding  in  the  lioUow  stump  of 
an  a])i)le-trce,  which  contained  a  single  brood  of  these  young  Owls,  several 
Bluebirds,  l^lackliuils,  and  Song-Sparrows. 

Dr.  Cooper,  on  the  other  hand,  relates  an  instance  where  one  of  these 
Owls  resided  as  an  inmate  in  a  dove-cot,  where  it  was  not  known  to  do  any 
injury  to  its  inmates. 

The  Screech-Owl  can  hardly  be  said  to  construct  any  nest,  but  lines  the 
hollow  in  which  it  rears  its  young  with  a  few  loose  leaves,  dry  grasses,  and 
feathers.  The  eggs  are  usually  five  or  six  in  number ;  they  are  pure  white, 
and  nearly  round.  Their  avemge  measureuKiut  is  1.38  inches  in  length  b;- 
1.19  in  breadth. 

In  regard  to  the  distinctive  peculiarities  of  var.  maccalli,  we  are  in  posses- 
sion of  but  little  information.  Its  habits  probably  do  not  essentially  vary 
from  those  of  the  common  Srops  asio,  which  it  so  closely  resembles  in  other 

VOL.  III.  8 


58  NORTH  AMi:UI("A>;  IIIUDS. 

re.s|ii'('ts,  and  of  wliicli  it  is  to  lie  rcuurilcd  as  a  },'LM)f,'ni)tIiical  mco.  It  was 
first  taiii'ii  !)}■  Mr.  K.  S.  IIuIiKmi,  near  Sacraiiiuiitu,  and  dcscriln-'d  liy  Mr. 
Lawrc'iR'i!  a.s  tliu  A'/ilud/lix  rlmliliK  of  N'ii'illot.  It  has  siiu'i!  lict^ii  I'ouiid  in 
iitla'r  jpart.s  of  Calil'ornia,  in  Nortiieru  Mexico,  Arizona,  and  on  tlio  Hio 
(iranili'.  It  was  ulitaiiifd  in  Taniaiilipas —  wlu-ris  it  i.s  evidently  rather  com- 
mon--l»y  tlio  late  Dr.  Herlandier,  wiio  had  also  procured  it.s  eji|;s.  A  .sini,d(( 
specimen  of  tliis  Owl  was  ol)laiiied  liy  Mr.  A.  Schott  in  Te.\n.s,  and  Mr. 
Dresser  al.so  oi)taincd  two  small  Owls  which  lie  doubtlully  ivlers  to  this 
variety,  —  one  near  San  Antonio,  and  tlie  other  in  I'andera  County.  T-ieu- 
tenant  Hentlire  writes  that  it  is  (juite  common  in  tiie  vicinity  ol'  Tucson, 
Arizona,  thon;,di  Dr.  Cones  did  not  meet  with  it.  J)r.  Kennerly  oliserved  it  on 
r.ill  Williams  Forl<,  in  New  Mexico.  It  was  there  found  living  in  the  largo 
t'iiru/i  (/li/(iiit<ii>i  so  common  in  that  region,  where  it  occujpied  the  dcsctrted 
holes  of  various  kinds  of  Woodjicckers.  It  rarely  made  its  appearance  dui'- 
ing  the  day,  and  then  only  to  siiow  its  head  from  the  hole,  ready  at  any 
moment  to  di.sajipcar  at  tlio  ap]>roach  of  danger.  On  one  occasion  it  was 
ol),serve(l  among  some  vei'y  thick  husiies  near  the  water.  It  <loes  not  appear 
to  have  been  met  with  l)y  Dr.  Cooper  in  California,  where  he  refers  all  the 
Owls  of  this  genus  to  the  common  asio.  A  single  individual,  referred 
doubtfully  to  this  bird,  wius  taken  by  Mr.  Skinner  in  Guatemala.  The  eggs 
of  tliis  bird,  taken  in  Tamaulipas  by  Dr.  IJerhindier,  are  of  nearly  globular 
sliajjc,  of  a  clear,  almost  crystal-white  color,  and  measure  1.13  inches  in 
length  by  ().'J3  of  an  inch  in  breadtii.  As  com]»ared  with  the  eggs  of  Scops 
asio  they  are  much  smaller,  their  relative  capacity  being  only  as  five  to  eight. 
The  eggs  of  the  var.  asio  vary  greatly  in  size  according  to  their  locality. 
Those  taken  in  Florida  are  so  much  smaller  tiian  those  from  Massachu- 
setts as  almost  to  be  suggestive  of  sjiecific  dillerences.  An  egg  from  Hud- 
son, AIa.ss.,  taken  by  ^Ir.  Jillson  in  A])ril,  1870,  measures  1.50  by  1.30 
inches,  while  one  from  Monticello,  Fla.,  taken  by  Mr.  Sanmel  Tasco,  meas- 
ures 1.30  by  l.lf)  inches.  Mr.  T.  II.  Jackson,  of  Westchester,  Penn.,  in- 
forms me  that  he  has  found  a  nest  of  this  Owl  containing  six  fresh  eggs,  on 
tlio  5tli  of  April. 


Scops  flammeola,  Licht. 

FEILNEB'S  OWL. 

Scops  Jlammcnla,  Licnr.  Miis.  Hi-rol.  Xomi'iidiit.  p.  7,  1854.  —  Kavp,  Trans.  Zobl.  Soc. 
IV,  22ii.  —  .S(iii.r.r.F.i,,  Mus.  dr  Pavs-Riis,  nti,  p.  27.  —  Sclat.  Piw.  Zoiil.  Soc.  1858, 
!)ti.  —  S(i,.  &  Sai.v.  p.  'A.  S.  1808,  57  ;  K.xot.  Oni.  VII,  00,  pi.  1,  July,  1808.  — C.kav, 
Haiiil  List,  I,  47,  1869.  —  Elliot,  Illust.  Birds  Am.  I,  pi.  .\xviii.  —  Cones  Key, 
1872,  203. 

Pp.  Char.  Adnll  (42.150,  Ori/.aba  Monntiiin.s  "rare,"  Fi^bninrv  .'!,  1805  ;  Professor  F. 
Sumielirast).  Groimd-eoldr  above  pale  eiiiereoiis,  this  overlaid  on  tiie  top  of  the  head, 
nape,  and  baek  by  a  brownish-olive  shade,  the  ash  showing  pure  only  on  the  borders 


HTUKilD.K-  TIIK   (iWLS. 


')!) 


of  tlio  rrowii  nml  on  ilic  wiiifr-invcits  ami  sciipiilius;  tin"  wliolc  iipiior  siirlliiM!  trixiis- 
Vfisi'ly  inollltMl  with  wliitf  iiiid  lilackisli,  the  liilirr  in  llic  Idiiii  ul'  Inic  /ifj/ii^'  liiit's  ami  a 
s|ilnsli  aluMf,'  llic  siiiil>,  this  cxpiimliiii,'  traiisvcisilv  ncir  lln^  ciid  nl'  llic  li'nilicr;  tin; 
\vlii:e  is  in  tin"  limn  nf  laij,"'!'  Imii-'vcrsi'  s|i(ils,  llicsi'  laiirc^st  arross  llio  nape.    Ontcr  wclis 

(if  the  si'apnlars  line  liffht  (ii-anj^c-nilons  (Imm inj;  wliiic  lirnraiii  llic  sinliicc),  Ip.ndi'ii'il 

(I'lininally  with  hlack.  CoVfits  ahmff  llii'  lowiT  i'(Il,'<'  of  llif  winj;  spollcil  willi  pale  lu- 
I'liu-::  oulc'f  Wflis  dl'  lli(!  scvi'.al  lower  lealhcis  of  the  nii<l(llc  ami  S(m  onilaiT  wiMj,'-covi'ils 
with  ft  lftrj;i>  conspicuous  sjiot  of  white.  Seeonilarios  erosscil  hy  foni'  well-delined  nairow 
pale  oehi'ftcefiiis  hands;  primary  euverts  transversely  spotted  wilh  the  same;  primaries 
with  aliont  live  transverse  series  of  very  lar|,'e  wliite  spots  on  I  he  outer  wehs,  the  spots 
approachin;.'  ochracciuis  ni'Xt  the  siuil^  and  towards  tiie  end  ol'llie  feather.  Tail  profusely 
niolllcd  like  till'  l)a(k,  and  eros.sed  willi   ahont  (iv<^   rafrt,'ed,  hadiy  delined  jiaie  bauds,  tiiu 

last  of  whirh  is  not  terminal.     Ear-tiifis  ineonspii^ioii.s. 

Eyelu'ow  white,    featliers   bordered   with   lilaekish ;  eye   eneireleil   with    rusty  rnlbus ; 

lores  slronjrly  tiufjed  wilh  the  sam(!;  cheeks,  ear-eoverls,  neck,  ami  ju^'ulum  wilh  mnucr- 

ous   transverse   dusky  bars  upon  a  grayish-whito  ji;romid.      Facial  circle   rusty-rufous 

spotted   with  black;  throat  with  a  tiu;;e  of 

rufous;  chin  white. 

Lower  parts,  in  ;,'cncr:d,  while:  each  f(<ather 

wilh  ft  black   shnft-siripc,   this  throwing,'    oil' 

bars  iu  pairs,  across  ihe  feather;  the  medial 

stripes   are  very  broad,  formini;  lonf;iludiual 

spots  on  lh(!  breast,  and   have  here  an  exter- 
nal rufous  sulfusion  ;  lower  tail-covert.s  very 

sparsely  marked.     Tiliiiu  and  tarsi  white,  wilh 

very  sjiarse  transverse  dusky  spots.     Lininj; 

of  the  willi,'  plain   yellowish-while;  bars  on 

under  surface  of  primaries  very  obsolete,  ex- 
cept basally.      \Vini,'-fonTmIn.  .T  =  4  ;    ">,  2- 

C;  1=.8.     Winjr,   5.40;  tail,   2.4");  culmen, 

.3');  tarsus,  .87  ;  middle  toe.  ."m. 

Yuiii.f/  (fust  full,   but   imperfect    plnma>;e: 

i,   24,172,    Fort  Crook,    North    California, 

August  23,  18(;0;  .fohn  Feilnur).    \Vin;;s  and 

tail  as  in  the  ftdnlt  (last  pale  band  of  latter 

apparently  terminal).     Whole  head  and  body  with  mimeron.'!,  about  equal,  transverse 

bands  of  dusky  and  grayish-white;  the  two  colors  about  equal,  but  on  lower  parts  both 

are  nnich  wider  and  more  distinct  than  above  the  whiti"  ffradually  inereasin>,'  posteriorly. 
Breast  and  outer  webs  of  scapulars  with  a  rusty  tiu-c,  the  latter  searceFy  variejjatcd. 
Eyebrow  white,  feathers  bordered  with  dusky ;  eye-circlo  and  ear-coverts  bright  rusty- 
rufous  ;  lores  much  tiugtMl  with  the  same.     No  facial  circle.     Win.ir,  '>■'>(> ;  tail,'2.70. 

II.vii.  Guatemala  and  central  ilexico,  northward  (along  Sierra  N.'vadaj  to  Fort  Crook ; 
California  (breeding). 

H.\mT.s.  This  is  essentially  a  Moxican  and  Central  American  species, 
occurring  among  the  mountains  of  INIexico  and  thence  to  Guatemala.  One 
individual,  liowever,  the  oidy  one  as  yet  recorded  a.s  taken  in  the  United 
States,  was  obtained  at  Fort  (Jrook  by  Captain  John  Feilner,  and  is  now 
in  the  collection  of  the  Smith-sonian  IiLstitution.  This  was  a  young  bird, 
evidently  raised  in  that  locality,  and  apparently  showing  that  the  species 
breeds  in  tliat  vicinity.     It  has  been  taken  also  at  Orizaba,  in  the  State  of 


t:^ 


iSm/v  /lammeola. 


00  NORTH  AMEHICAX  J5IKIKS. 

Vera  Cruz,  jNIexico.     Xothinj,'  is  known  as  to  any  peculiarities  of  habit. 
These  are  not  probably  diflerent  I'roni  tliose  of  the  usio. 


Gems  BUBO,  Dum. 

Gkn.  Char.  Size  vjii')'ing  fi'oiii  lucdiiiiii  U>  wvy  laifro ;  head  with  or  without  car-tufls. 
liili  black;  ii'is  yi'lliiw.  Two  to  lour  oiitor  <iiiill.s  witii  their  inner  webs  einaifjinated. 
Tliird  or  fourth  quill  longest.  Bill  verj'  robust,  the  lower  mandible  nearly  tnuieated  and 
with  a  deep  notch  near  the  end  ;  cere  <jrailuall\'  ascending'  basally  (not  arched)  or  nearly 
strai^dit,  not  eciual  to  the  cnhnen.  Tail  short,  a  little  more  than  hall'  the  wing,  sli^ditly 
rounded.     Ear-eoneh  small,  simple,  without  operculum;   the  two  ears  synuni'trical. 

Subgenera. 

Bubo.  Two  to  three  outer  (piills  with  their  inner  webs  emarginated.  Ear- 
tul'ts  well  developcil;  loral  feathers  not  hiding  the  bill,  and  the  eliiws  and 
terminal  scutclhe  of  the  toes  exposed.  Lower  tail-coverts  not  reaching  the 
end  of  the  tail.     (Type,  li.  ind.rimiis.) 

Nyctea.  b'our  outer  (piills  with  their  inner  webs  emarginated.  Ear-tufts 
rudimentary  ;  lorid  feather.s  hiding  the  bill,  and  elaws  and  entire  toes  con- 
cealed Iiy  long  hair-like  feathei's.  Lower  tail-coverts  reaching  to  end  of  the 
tail.     (Type,  X.  sccunliaca.) 

The  .species  of  this  ^onus  are  mostly  of  very  Itirt^'e  size,  two  of  them 
(i>'.  iiuuhmtn  (md  jS'.  scamliaca)  lieing  the  liirgest  birds  of  the  I'aniily.  They 
are  nearly  cosmopolitan,  and  are  most  numerous  in  the  Eastern  Hemisphere. 


SuDGENis  BUBO,   Dim. 

Uiilu,  DuMl';i!ii.,  1S06.     (TyiH-,    Sln'x  hulio,  Linn.  =  A",  mn.riiuiis,  ,Sinn.) 
lihiDoslrU,  K.vrr,  1849.     (Type,  .SV/'/.c  mc.i-ioina,  (i.Mr.i,.  :=/>.  mcxkiiiiiis,  RiDow.) 
llhinoptijn.L;  K.vfl',  and  lUictitijiliuu;  K.Vff,  1857.     (Same  type.) 

Species  and  Races. 

1.  B.  virginianus.  Lower  parts  transver.>^cly  barred  with  black,  and  without 
ItMigitudinal  stripes.  Aliove  without  longitudinal  stripes  on  the  anterior  por- 
tions. 

a.  A  conspicuous  patch  of  white  on  tin;  jugtilum  ;  lining  of  the  wing  im- 
maculate, or  only  faintly  barred.  AVing,  14.(X)  -  10.00  ;  tail,  8.00- 10.00; 
culmen,  I.IO-I.'JO;   tarsus,  •J.OO- '_'.20  ;  middle  toe,  I.!).') -'2.10. 

Iiufous  tints  of  the  plumage  ])rcvailing;  liu'c  ilingy  rufous,  l/ttb. 
Atlantic  Province  of  Xiulh  .Vmcrica         ....   var.   r  iri)  i  ii  la  ii  u  s . 

Lighter  tints  of  the  plumage  prevailing  ;  face  dirty  or  fulvous  white. 
All  the  colors  lighter.  Hab.  Western  Province  of  United  States, 
and  interior  regions  of  Briti.sh  America.  Upper  Mississippi  Valley  in 
winter  (Wisconsin,  llov;  Pekiii.  Tllinois,  Museum,  Caiid)ridge). 

var.  arctic  us. 
Du.sky  tints  of  the  plumage  jircviiiling;  face  dull  grayish,  baried  with 
du.sky.    .Ml  the  cnlois darker,  chielly  lirownish-black  and  grayish-while, 
with  little   or  no    rufous.     Ihili.     Littoral  reiiions  of   northern    .Xorth 


f^TUlCrlD.E-THK   ()\VI,S.  61 

America,  from  Oregon  northward,  uii'"   around  tlio  norlliurii  coast  to 

Labrador         ...  vnv.  i>ac i/i c  us. 

b.  No  conspicuous  patcli  of  white  on  the  jn-nluni.  whi<'h,  with  the  hmu- 
of  tlio  winj;,  is  distinctly  lianvd  with  l.liwi<isli.  Win--.  I'J.OO;  tail,  T.')!); 
mihiicn,  l.tHI;  tar.sns, '2.K';  middle  toe,  1.85. 

Colors  much  as  in  var.  ririjiniiiini.i,  l)ut  more  densely  barred  beneath, 
the  dark  bars  narrower  and  eloser  together.     Ilith.    South  .Vmeri.M. 

vai'.   in  nijella  n  i c  us} 

•_'.  B.  mexicanus.'  Lower  parts  lonfritudinall.y  striped  with  black,  and  without 
transviM.M.  bins.  Above  with  lon-iiudinal  stripes  on  the  anterior  portions. 
Wing,  11.20-12.00;  tail,  (J.OO  -  (i.oO ;  cidmeu,  .00;  tar.sus,  2.00;  middle  toe, 
1.9").     IM).    Middle  and  South  America  generally. 


SuDGENUs    NT C TEA,    Stephens. 

.\>to(,  Steimikns,  font.  Slmw's  Zool.  Xlll,  02,  lS2t).     (Tviie  Ulrixwjctea,  Lisa.  X-Scan- 

</i(ICII,    Ll.NN.K 

Species  and  Races. 

1.  N.  scandiaca.  Adult,  ('olor  jiuro  white,  more  or  le.«s  barred  trans- 
versely with  clear  dusky,  or  brownish-black.  }Me  .sometimes  almost  pure 
white.  Downy  //ohh^/,  sooty  slale-eolor.  Wing,  lli.OO  -  18.00  ;  tail,  0.00- 
10.00. 

Duskv  bars   sparse,  narrow,  umber-brown.     Ilah.    Northern  i)arts  of 

raheaietie  llealui var.   '.  <a  n  diaca  } 

Dus!<y  bars  moie  mnnerous,  broadei-,  and  clear  biownish-bhick.    Ihib. 
Northern  parts  of  Xearetic  Realm \\\r.  arcticu . 

'  Bubo  vinjhiiduii.i,  var.  inaijilhinicun.  SIrix  (8)  hiihn  maijeJlanifHs,  O.mi'.l.  Syst.  Nnt.  1789, 
p.  2SG.  —  D.vi'l).  Tr.  Oru.  II,  210.  — Lkss.  Voy.  Viny.  I,  017  ;  Isis,  183;i,  "(i.  Asia  vwg.  Less. 
>!;ui.  Oni.  I.  p.  IIC,  182S.  Jliih)  imiii.  tiii.w,  List  Hirds  lirit.  Mus.  1844,  p.  40.  Stri.c  nacu- 
nito,  Vir.ii.i,.  Ncmv.  Diet.  Hist.  Nat.  VII,  44,  181(!  ;  Kne.  Meth.  Ill,  12S1,  1823.  Slriv  cms- 
sinistris,  ViKii.L.  Xouv.  Diet.  Hist.  Xat.  VII,  44  (1S17) ;  Kuc.  Mrili.  Ill,  1280.  Otits  cm.is. 
(!l!.VV,  (ii'u.  B.  fob  sp.  fi  (1844)  ;  List  Minis  lirit.  Mus.  p.  100.  Iluho  cm.v.v.  l?oNAP.  Cousi).  Av. 
]).  48  (IS-IO).  —  IvAff,  Mouog.  .Strig.  Tout.  Oru.  lS.'i2,  110  (under  Jl.  rmjiiiiiiiius).  .I.iio  (•/•((.«. 
Stuicki,.  Oru.  Syn.  I,  208,  185.5.  S/rU  niacrorliiiiichi,  Tkmm.  I'l.  Col.  02,  1820.  O/11.1!  maci: 
Sn-.vu.  7.i»A.  XllI,  pt.  ii,  ji.  ;'>!>.  O/iis  mna:  Cvv.  Hog.  An.  (im1.  2),  1,  341.  —  Li;s.s.  Tr.  Oru. 
Jl.  109.     .tsiii  maer.  Lr.ss.  .Man.  Oru.  I,  117. 

"  liidii)  iiic.i-iriniiis  ((iMi;r,.)  KlDc.w.  Ash  nicviriii!i/.<!,  liiiiss.  Oni.  I,  4^8,  1700. — StiucKI,. 
Oiii.  Syu.  1,  208,  1855  (cxcl.  syu.).  Slrir.  mc.vinnia,  CiMi'.r,.  .»<.  N.  p.  2ss,  1780.  —  L.^rn.  lud. 
Oru.  p.  54  ;  Syu.  1,  123  ;  (Jen.  lli.st.  1,  314,  A.  —  D.vili.  Tr.  Oru.  II,  214.  -iSu.vw,  Zoiil.  VII, 
228. —  Ohm  inr.rii-(iiiii,i,  HrF.l'H.  Zoiil.  .\III,  )it.  ii,  ]i.  57.  -  liiilu)  cUimnlnr,  Vii:ii,i,.  Ois.  Am. 
Sept.  pi.  XX,  1807.  .SVoyw  (7.  Oit.vv,  List  I'.irds  lirit.  Mus.  1844,  p.  45.  SIrit  ehiiinitii,  Vll'.ll.l.. 
Kuc.  iMi'th.  Ill,  1270,  1823.  Slri.r  loiiifii-onli-is,  Scix,  Av.  Ibas,  pi.  0  a,  1824.  ,SV/-/./'  mnni/n/n, 
Jl.VX.  I'.i'itr.  Ill,  281,  1830.  H.vit.  .Middle  and  South  Aiueiiea  ^'euerally.  A  very  distinct 
species,  and  a  typical  llnhn,  although  usually  referred  to  the  geuus  Olii.i. 

•  Nijclca  .icniidincn,  var.  iiiivn  (.see  p.  OOOK  Sli-i.r  .icmididcn,  LiNS.  S.  N.  (12tli  ed.)  I,  132 
(1700).  Xi/clca  sciiiidiacd,  V.\wi:i.i.,  Hist,  lirit.  11.  1872,  187.  Sli-h-  viicfra,  LiNN.  S.  N.  I, 
1700,  132.  Strixnicea,  Davo.  Tr.  Oni.  II,  1800.  Xi/ctm  nivai,  UiiAV,  lien.  fol.  sp.  1,  pi.  xii, 
f.  2. 


62 


NORTH  AMERICA>r  BIRDS. 


Bubo  virginianus, 


var. 


virginianus,  IIonai-. 


GREAT  EOBNED  OWL. 

ylsio  bzibu   firijinianiis,  IJkiss.  Oni.  I,  484,  17,  ITtiO.     Stri.v  virghiiinia,  Omiu..  Syst.  Nut. 
I,   287,    1788.— Lath.   Iiul.  Oni.  p.  52;  Syii.   I,  119;  Siipj-    I,  40;   Gen.  Hist.   I, 
304.  —  D.ui).   Tf.   Urn.   11,210,    i.l.  xiii.  —  AVii..s.  Am.  Oiii.   j.l.  1,  f.   1.  — Uoxai'. 
Ann.  Lvf.  N.  Y.  1 1,  ;i7  and  4;).'. ;  Isis,  1832,  p.  1139.  —  Afi).  Wids  Am.  pi.  l.\i,  IS'Jl  ; 
Oni.  llioj;.  1,  313.  -   Tiio.vr.s.  Xiit.  lli.st.  Vcnnoiit,  \A.  l.w.  —  Pkaii.  Hinls  Mass.  p.  87. 
Bubo  ririjiiiidiiiis,   IJoxAr.   List,  p.  G,  1838;  t'oiisp.  Av.  p.  48. — .Iai;ii.  (\Vii.s.)Am. 
Orn.  II,  p.  257.  —  Dk  Kay,  Zoijl.  N.  Y.  11,  24,  pi.  x,  f.  2.  —  Xrrr.  Man.  Oiii.  p.  124.  - 
Max.  Tal).  .Tonr.  1853,  VI,  23.  —  K-vur,  Tr.  Zoiil.  Soo.  IV,  185'.t,  241.-  Cdir.s,  Key, 
l;'r2,  202.     lliibi)  virjiiiianus  nthinliciis,  Cass[N,  IHrIs  of  Cal.  &  Tex.  1,  178,  1S,J4. 
Binls  N.  Am.  18,'i8,  V.Hmuhr  K.  vinjiiiiiiniix).    (litis  viiyiiiimnts,  Stkimi.  Zciiil.  XII 1,  ii, 
57,  183(5.     r/iila  rmjiiiitiuii,  Ja.MKs.  (AVii.s. ),  Am.  din.  1,  100,  1831.     SIrij-  linjiniuiKi, 
a,  Lath.  (ion.  Hist.  1,  306,   1821.     Sirij:  bubo,  S,   Lath.   Intl.  Oin.  p.  52,  1790.  - 
Shav.-,  Zoiil.  VI 1,  215.     S/i-i.r  'iiiiLrinnis,  Bakt.  Tiav.  Carol,  p.  285,  1792.     Jliibo  hido- 
cicidiius,  Dacd.  Tr.  Orn.  11,  210,  1800.     JSiibo  jutiicola,  Vii:ii,i..  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  pi.  xix, 
1807  ;  Kno.  Mrtli.  p.  1282. 

Sp.  Char.  Atlulf  $  (12,(>.">7,  rhila<k'lpliia  ;  C.  Drcxler).  Ra.M\s  oC  all  tin-  fcatlicr.s 
ycllowi.sh-niliMi.s,  tiiis  partially  oxpo.scd  on  \\w  head  above  ami  nape,  along  the  .■;capiilars, 
OH  the  niinp,  ami  sides  of  the  l)i'east.  On  the  upper  .surface  tlii.s  is  ovorlaid  l>y  a  rather 
coarse  tran.svor.sc  mottling  of  brownish-hlack  upon  a  white  ground,  the  former  rather 
jnedoiniiialiiig,  particularly  on  the  head  and  neck,  where  it  Ibnns  broad  ragged  loiigiln- 
dinal  stripe.s  (i'hnost  oliHterating  the  transverse  bars),  beeoniing  prevalent,  or  blended, 
anteriorly.  The  lower  feathers  of  the  .scapulars,  ami  some  of  the  lower  feathers  of  the 
mi<ldle  and  secondary  wing-coverts,  with  ineon.spicuoHs  transver.se  spots  of  white.  On 
the  seeoiularies   the  mottling   is   fnier.  iriving  a   grayi.sh  aspect,   and   eros,s(>d  with   eight 

siiarply  defined,  but  ineoil- 
spicuous,  bands  of  mottled 
du.sky ;  [irim.iry  coverts  with 
the  gromid-color  very  dark, 
and  erosso<l  with  three  or  foiu' 
bands  of  plain  blackish,  the 
last  terminal,  though  fainter 
than  the  rest;  ground-color  of 
the  j)rinnirics  more  yellowi.sh, 
the  mottling  more  delicate; 
they  are  cros.sed  by  nine  trans- 
vci'se  scries  of  quadrate  dusky 
spot.s.  Till'  ground-color  of 
the  tail  is  |)ale  ochr.ieeons 
(transversely  mottled  with 
dusky),  becoming  white  at  the 
tip,  crossed  by  .seven  band.s 
of  mottled  blackish,  thc^so 
abouteqnalling  the  light  bamls 
in  width;  on  tin'  middk-  leath- 
ers the  bands  are  brokc.'ii  and 


Biibn  viriiiniamis. 


confuse 


It.  ru.uiuiL' 


obli(|nely,  or,  in  places,  longitmlinally.  Outer  webs  of  ear-tufts  pure 
blac!: ;  huier  welis  alumst  wholly  ochraceous  ;  eyebrows  and  lores  white,  thi'  feathers 
with    lilack  shafts;  face   dingy   rufous;    eye  very    narrowly   encircled    with  wliiti.sh;    a 


STRIGTD.E  —  THE   OAVLS. 


63 


Etrhn  virsiniiiniis. 


ci-esront  of  Hack  lionlcrini,'  tlu;  iipptT  .'ycliil,  nnd  conllucnt  with  tlic  I'lack  of  tlio  car- 
tiifcs.  Facial  circle  cDiitinuons  black,  except  across  tlio  Ibioneck ;  chin,  throat,  and 
iujrnlmii  pun-  iiimiacnlate 
white,  to  the  roots  ol'  the 
feathers.  Beneath,  white 
prevails,  Imt  the  yellowish- 
nilim-  is  prevalent  on  the 
sides  of  tln!  breast,  and 
show;,  as  the  base  color 
wherever  the  feathers  are 
(lisurrani,'eil.  The  sides  of 
the  breast,  sides,  and  Hanks 
liave  numerous  sharply 
defined  narrow  transverse 
bars  of  brownish-lilack  ; 
anteriorly  these  are  liner  and  more  ragged,  becoming  coalesced  so  as  to  form  conspicuous, 
somewhat  longitudinal,  black  spots.  On  the  lower  tail-coverts  the  bars  are  distant,  though 
not  less  sharjjly  defined.  The  abdomen  medially  is  scarcely  maculate  white.  Legs  and 
toes  plain  ochraceous-white. 

Wing-fornnda,  •2,3-4-1,  5.  Wing.  U.oO  :  tail,  8.20 ;  culmen,  1.10;  tar.sus,  2.00; 
middle  toe,  2.00. 

9  (12. (»()."),  Maryland;  R.  J.  Pollard).  General  ajipearance  same  as  the  male.  Black 
blotiihes  on  head  above  and  nape  less  conspicuous,  the  surface  being  mottled  like  the 
back.  etc. ;  primary  coverts  with  three  well-delined  narrow  pin-e  black  bands ;  primaries 
with  only  six  band.s,  these  broader  than  in  the  male ;  seconilaries  with  only  five  bands ; 
tail  with  br.t  si.x  dark  bands,  these  very  much  narrower  than  the  light  ones.  Tibiic  and 
tarsi  with  sparse  transverse  bars  of  dusky.  Wing-formu'a, :!,  2,  4  -  1  =  5.  Wing,  10.00; 
tail,  9  00;  euimeu,  1.20;  tar.sus,  2.20;  middle  toe,  2.10. 

YoiiiKj.  Wings  and  tail  as  in  adult.  Downy  plumage  of  head  and  body  oehraceons, 
with  detached,  ratlu^r  distant,  transverse  bars  of  dusky.  (12,0(i2,  Wa.shington,  D.  C, 
May  20.  1859;  C.  Drexler.) 

Il.vn.  Eastern  North  America,  south  of  Labrador ;  west  to  the  Missouri;  south  through 
Atlantic  region  of  Me.\ico  to  Costa  Rica;  Jamaica  (Gossk). 

Localities:  (?)  Oaxaca  (Sci..  ISoO,  390;  po.ssiblj'  var.  ardicus);  Guatemala  (Srr,.  Ibis, 
I.  222)  :  .lamaiea  (Gosse.  23)  ;  Texas  (Dhksser,  Ibis,  18Go,  330,  breeds) ;  Costa  Rica 
(Lawh.  IX,  132). 

Specimens  from  the  re<i;ioiis  indicated  vary  but  little,  tlie  only  two  jwssess- 
ini;  differences  of  any  note  being  one  (58,747,'  $)  from  Soutliern  Illinoi.s, 
and  one  (.'?3,218,  San  Jose;  J.  Carniiol)  from  Costa  liica.  The  first  differs 
from  all  tliose  from  the  eastern  United  States  in  much  dee])er  and  dtirker 
siiades  of  color,  the  rufons  preilominant  below,  the  legs  and  crissv.ni  being 
of  (|uito  a  deep  shade  of  this  color ;  the  transverse  bars  benetitii  are  also 
very  broad  and  pure  bhick.  This  specimen  is  more  like  Audubon's  figure 
thiin  any  other,  and  may  possibly  represent  the  pecidiar  style  of  the  T.ower 
Mississippi  region.  The  Costa  Kica  bird  is  remarkable  for  the  predomi- 
nance of  the  rufous  on  all  parts  of  the  plumage ;  tlie  legs,  however,  are 

>  No.  559,  collection  of  1{.  Ridgway  ($,  Mt.  Cnrmcl,  Wabash  County,  Soutliern  Illinois,  Oc- 
tober 14,  1869).  22.\  -  54.  Weight,  3.^  lbs.  ;  bill  black  ;  iris  gamboge-yoUow  ;  toes  ashy  ;  claws 
Iiorii-color,  black  at  ends. 


64  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

M-liitisli,  as  in  specimens  from  tlie  Atlantic  coast  of  tlic  United  States. 
Tliese  specimens  cainiot,  however,  be  considered  as  anytliing  else  than 
merely  local  styles  of  tlie  vuyiuiainis,  var.  Virginian  us. 


Bubo  virginianus,  var.  arcticus,  Swains. 

WESTEBN  OBEAT  HOBNED  OWL. 

f  Slrh-  wiiiiiicHlhii,  r.MKi,.  Syst.  Nat.  1789,  p.  290.  titrij'  (Bubo)  nrclkii,  .Swain.s.  F.  B.  A. 
II,  1831,  86.  lleli(ipti:i-  (iniiciis,  Swains.  Classif.  IHnl.s,  I,  18:!7,  ;i2S  ;  In.  II,  217. 
/liilio  virijiiiutitits  Kir/icii.K,  C'a.ss.  liinls  N.  Am.  1858,  50  (/>'.  rin/iiiiiiiius).  — Hi.akis- 
ToN,  Ibis,  HI,  1801,  320.  Jiitbo  riiyiniuiiKs,  var.  ((irliciin,  CoiK.s,  Key,  1872,  202. 
Iliilid  .siibtircHciis,  Hov,  P.  A.  X.  S.  VI,  1852,  211.  Hiiho  virijinianus pitcijkus,  (,'ass. 
lUiiLs  Ciil.  &  Tex.  1854,  iiml  Hiiils  X.  Am.  1858  (/>.  nnjiniiiiiiii,  in  jiart  only).  Subo 
mniir/lanieiin,  t'Ass.  Birds  Cal.  &  Tc.x.  1854,  178  (not  1).  nwiirUankits  of  LlissoN  !). 
lUdio  viniiiiiuiiiis,  IIkkkm.  34.  —  Kknnkui.y,  20.  —  C'orKs,  Prod.  (P.  A.  N.  S.  180(), 
13).  —  Hi.AKi.snix,  lliis,  111,1801,320.  !  Wapuciitliii  Owl,  Pkx.nant,  Aritir  Zoiil. 
231.  —  Lath.  Syn.  Supii.  I,  49. 

CriAR.  Pattern  of  coloration  pi'pcist'Iy  like  that  of  viir.  virtjiiiianiis,  but  the  general 
aspect  much  lifrlitor  and  more  jrrayi.sh,  caused  b}'  a  frrcatcr  prevalence  of  the  lighter  tints, 
and  contraction  of  dark  pencilling.-;.  The  ochraccous  nuieh  lighter  and  less  rnlbus.  Face 
soiled  white,  instead  ol'  deep  dingy  rufous. 

^  (No.  21,581,  Camp  Kootenay,  Washington  Territory,  August  2,  ISOO).  AVing, 
14.00;  tail,  8.00;  culuien,  1.10;  tar.sus,  2.00.  Tail  and  ]iriinaries  each  with  the  dark 
bands  nine  in  number ;  legs  and  feet  immaculate  white.    Wiug-fonnula,  3,  2  =  4  -.")-l. 

9  (No.  10,r)7I,  Fort  Tejon,  California).  Wing,  14.70;  tail,  0.50;  culmen.  1.10;  tarsn.s, 
2.10  ;  middle  toe.  2.00.  Tail  and  primaries  each  with  seven  dark  bands  ;  legs  trimsversely 
barred  with  dusky.     Wing-foiiuula.  3,  4,  2  -.')-  1,  0. 

IIai!.  Western  region  fif  Nurth  .\nierica,  from  the  interior  Arctic  districts  to  the 
tal  lie-lands  of  Mexico.  Wi.seonsiu  (Hov);  Northern  Illinois  (F'ekin,  Mu.f.  Cambridge) : 
Lower  California;  ?  Orizaba,  Mexico. 

Localities:  (?)  Orizaba  (Sci,.  P.  Z.  S.  1800,253);  Arizona  (Con:s,  P.  A.N.  S.  1800,4!)). 

Tlie  above  description  covers  the  average  characters  of  a  liglit  grayish 
race  of  the  />'.  riri/inidiiu.'i,  which  represents  the  other  styles  in  tlie  whole 
of  the  western  and  interior  regions  of  the  continent.  Fartlier  northward,  in 
the  interior  of  the  for  countries,  the  plumage  becomes  lighter  still,  some 
Arctic  sj)ecimens  being  alnifist  as  white  as  the  Xifcfrn  i^arnifidCd.  The  />'. 
(irrficits  of  Swainson  w;is  founded  njion  a  specimen  of  this  kind,  and  it  is 
our  strong  opinion  that  the  Wapecuthu  Owl  of  Pennant  (.S^/^v'.'/  wapfcnihu, 
Omel.)  was  nothing  else  tlian  a  similar  individual,  which  had  accidentally 
lost  the  ear-tiift.s,  since  there  is  no  other  discre])ancy  in  the  original  descrip- 
tion. The  failure  to  mention  ear-tufts,  too,  may  have  been  merely  a  neglect 
on  the  Jiart  of  the  describer. 


STIUGID-E-TIIE   0\^-LS.  65 


Bubo  virginianus,  vav.  pacificus,  Cass. 

Bubov!r',iiiu'iivisjx(c:jiai^,  Cassis,  lUnls  N.  Am.  IS.JS,  49.  Hn'm  rhvjiuwiiuD,  vnr.  iiacifl- 
riis.  ('cii:i;s,  Ivpy,  187^,  202.  Bubo  t'lrrjiiiiaiuiii,  Cool'.  A;  SiCKLEV,  P.  R.  lii'pt.  XII, 
II,  IStJO,  l.')l.  —  I.oi:i>,  I'r.  1!.  A.  .S.  IV,  HI  (Biitisli  t'oluiiil.ia).  mALi.&  IUnnistf.I!, 
■l"r.  t'liiuii^'o  Ac.  I,  1SG9,  '21-2  (Aliiskn).  —  ?1mn.s(  ll,  Abli.  Nut.  HI,  2G  (Alaska). 

Sr.  CliAii.  The  opposite  cxtiviiif  from  var.  (nrlicim.  Tlic  lilack  .sliiidcs  piviloininating 
and  the  white  niottlinfi  ropIaciMl  l.y  i)iilo  ^'i-ayi.sh ;  the  loiiii  oi'  the  niotthiif!;  al.ovo  is  lc.<;s 
rpr'iilailv  transverse,  lieinir  ol)h(pie  or  loiiiritmlinal,  ami  more  in  lilotehes  than  in  the 
otlicr  styles.  The  primary  eoveits  are  plain  lihu.-k;  the  priniarie.s  are  mottled  frray  .iiifl 
plain  black.  On  thi^  tail  the  mollliii!,'  is  very  dark,  the  lighter  niarkinj,'.'!  on  tlio  midillc 
feathers  beinir  fljrown  into  lonjritndinal  ,spla.shes.  Beiieatii,  the  hlack  bars  are  nearly  as 
wide  as  the  while,  hilly  donlil(>  their  wi<ltli  in  var.  nrcticiiK.  The  leys  are  always  thieldy 
barred.  The  linin,'.'  of  the  wiiifrs  is  heavily  barred  with  black.  Face  dnll  f?rayish,  barred 
with  dusky:  eai-tnfts  almost  wholly  l)lack. 

g  (I."),842,  Sitka,  Alaska,  November,  ISOC;  Ferd.  liiseholf ).  Winy-formnla.  o,  2  =  4- 
o-  1,  n.     Winir.  M.Oil:   tail.  8.00;  cnlmen,  1.10;   tarsus,  2.0.');  middle  toe.  .!);'). 

Face  with  oliM'ure  l)ars  of  black;  oehraeeons  of  the  bases  of  the  feathers  is  di.^tinct. 
There  are  seven  black  spots  on  the  jirimaries,  eijrht  on  -the  tail;  on  the  latter  exceeding 
the  paler  in  width. 

9  (■JT.OT-').  Yukon  Itiver,  mouth  Poreiipine,  April  Ifi,  18(il  ;  R.  Kennicott).  Wing- 
fornnila.  ;'.,  2  =  4-."i- 1,  <).  Wing,  1(5.00;  tail,  0.80 ;  cnlmen,  1.1.') ;  tar.sns,  2.00.  Eight 
Ijlack  spots  on  primaries,  neycn  on  tail. 

Hah.    Pacific  coast  north  of  the  Coluniliia;   Labrador.     A  northern  littoral  form. 

A  specimen  fVoiii  L-ibi-mlor  (:U,9r).S,  Fort  Niscnpee,  II.  Connolly)  i,s  an 
e.Ktrcnie  e.\aini)le  of  tliis  well-marked  variety.  In  this  the  nifoti.s  is  entirely 
absent,  the  ])lumiio;e  consisting  wholly  of  brownish-black  and  white,  the 
former  predomiiiiiting  ;  the  juonltim  and  the  abdomen  medially  are  con- 
spicuously snowy-white  ;  the  black  bars  beneath  are  liroad,  and  towards  the 
end  of  each  feather  they  become  coalesced  into  a  prevalent  mottlino',  form- 
ing a  spotted  ajjpearauce. 

Another  (1  l,7n2,  Simiahmoo,  Dr.  ('.  I>.  Kenncrly)  from  Washington  Ter- 
ritory has  the  black  even  more  prevalent  than  in  the  last,  being  almost 
continuously  uniform  on  the  scapulars  and  lesser  wing-coverts  ;  beneath  the 
black  bars  are  much  sulfused.  In  this  specimen  the  rufous  tinge  is  present, 
as  it  is  in  all  except  the  Labrador  skin. 

IIaiuts.  The  Great  Horned  Owl  has  an  extended  distribution  throughout 
at  least  the  whole  of  North  America  from  ocean  to  ocean,  and  from  Central 
America  to  the  Arctic  regions.  Throughout  this  widely  extended  area  it 
is  everywhere  more  or  less  abundant,  except  where  it  has  been  driven 
out  by  the  increa.sc  of  poptilation.  In  this  wide  distribution  the  .species 
naturally  assumes  varying  forms  and  exhibits  considerable  diversities  of 
coloring.  These  are  jirovided  with  distinctive  names  to  mark  the  races, 
but  should  till  be  regtirded  as  belonging  to  one  species,  as  they  do  not  pre- 
sent any  distinctive  variation  in  habit, 
vol..  III.  0 


66 


NORTH  A.MERI(."AN  BIRDS. 


Sir  Jolm  Eiclmrdson  speaks  of  it  as  not  iincoinnion  in  the  Arctic  regions. 
It  is  abundant  in  Caniida,  and  throughout  all  parts  of  the  United  .States. 
Dr.  Gamhcl  met  witii  it  also  in  large  nunihers  in  tlie  wooded  regions  of 
Upper  California.  Dr.  Ileerinann  i'ound  it  very  common  around  Sacra- 
mento in  184'.l,  but  afterwards,  owing  to  tlie  increase  in  population,  it  had 
become  comparatively  rare.  Dr.  Woodliouse  met  with  it  in  tlie  Imlian 
Territory,  though  not  abundantly.  Lieutenant  Couch  obtained  specimens  in 
Mexico,  and  j\Ir.  Schott  in  Texas. 

In  the  regions  northwest  of  tlie  Yukon  River,  Mr.  llobcrt  Kennicott  found 
a  pair  of  these  birds  breeding  on  the  lOtli  of  April.     The  female  was  pro- 


r^-  .■  {■■v:.">**^  -§^»»'  i'^t  ...1- "--  -'\.- 


Eubn  rirtjinlnnits. 


cured,  and  proved  to  be  of  a  dark  plumage.  The  nest,  formed  of  dry  spruce 
branches  retaining  their  leaves,  was  placed  near  the  top  of  a  large  green 
spruce,  in  thick  woods.  It  was  large,  measuring  three  or  four  feet  across  at 
base.  The  eggs  were  placed  in  a  shallow  depression,  whicli  was  lined  with  a 
few  feathers.  Two  more  eugs  were  found  in  the  ovarv  of  the  female,  —  one 
broken,  llie  other  not  larger  tlian  a  musket-ball.  Tlie  eggs  were  fro/en  on 
their  way  to  llic  fort.  Mr.  TJoss  states  that  he  found  this  Owl  very  abun- 
dant around  C4reat  Slave  Lake,  but  that  it  boi'amo  l(!ss  common  as  they 
proceeded  farther  north.     It  was  remarkably  jilentiful  in  th(!  marshes  around 


STRIGin.E  — TIIK   OWLS.  67 

Foit  licsolution.  Its  food  cfuisisted  of  slivews  and  Arvirohc,  wliidi  are 
very  abiuidaut  there.  It  is  very  tamo  and  easily  apjjruaclied,  and  tlie 
Cliipewyan  Indians  are  said  to  eat  with  great  relisii  tiie  llesh,  wliicii  is 
generally  I'at. 

Air.  Gunn  writes  tliat  this  Owl  is  I'ound  over  all  the  woody  regions  of  the 
Hudson  IJay  Territory.  In  the  sununer  it  visits  the  shores  of  the  Imy, 
but  retires  to  s(jnie  distance  inland  on  the  a]tproacli  of  winter.  It  hunts 
in  the  dark,  preying  on  ralil)!'-',  mice,  nniskrats,  jKirtridges,  and  any  other 
fowls  that  it  can  find.  With  its  Ijill  it  l)reaks  the  bones  of  hares  into  small 
])ieces,  which  its  stomach  is  able  to  digest.  Tiiey  pair  in  March,  the  only 
time  at  which  they  seem  to  enjoy  each  other's  society.  The  nest  is  usually 
made  of  twigs  in  tiie  I'ork  of  some  largo  jxtplar,  where  the  fiiiuale  lays  i'rom 
three  to  six  pale-wliite  eggs.  It  is  easily  a]iproache(l  in  clear  sunny  weather, 
Itut  sees  very  well  when  the  sky  is  clouded.  It  is  not  mentioned  by  Mr. 
MacFailane  as  found  near  Anderson  River.  Mr.  Dall  caught  alive  several 
young  birds  not  fully  Hedged,  .\m\v.  18,  on  the  Yukon  Paver,  below  the  fort. 
He  also  met  with  it  at  Xulato,  where  it  was  not  common,  but  was  more 
plentiful  farther  up  the  river. 

Mr.  Salvin  found  tliis  species  in  August  at  Duenas  and  at  San  Geronimo, 
in  Guatemala.  At  Duenas  it  was  said  to  be  resident,  and  is  so  probably 
throughout  the  wli'  '  country.  It  was  not  uncommon,  and  its  favorite 
locality  was  one  of  llie  hillsiiles  near  that  village,  well  covered  M'ith  low 
trees  and  shrulis,  and  with  here  and  there  a  rocky  precipice.  They  were 
fre(piently  to  be  met  with  on  afternoons,  and  at  all  hours  of  the  night  they 
made  their  proximity  known  l)y  their  deep  ciy. 

Dr.  Kennerly  found  it  in  Texas  in  the  canon  of  Devil  IJiver,  and  he  adds 
that  it  seemed  to  live  indifferently  among  the  trees  and  the  high  and  i)re- 
cipitous  clills.  It  was  i'ound  throughout  Texas  and  Xew  Mexico,  wherever 
there  are  either  large  trees  or  deep  canons  that  allbrded  a  hiding-place  during 
the  day.  Attracted  by  the  camp-fires  of  Dr.  Kennerly's  party,  this  Owl 
would  occasionally  sweep  around  their  heads  for  a  while,  and  then  disap- 
pear in  the  darkness,  to  resume  its  dismal  notes.  Sometimes,  frightencil 
by  the  reverberating  report  of  a  gun,  they  would  creep  among  the  rocks, 
attempting  to  conceal  themselves,  and  be  thus  taken  alive. 

Thougli  frecpiently  kept  in  captivity,  the  Grciat  Horned  Owl,  even  wlien 
taken  young,  is  tierce  and  untamable,  resenting  all  attemi)ts  at  famili- 
arity. It  has  no  affection  for  its  mate,  this  being  especially  true  of  tiie 
female.  Mr.  Downes  mentions  an  instance  within  his  knowledge,  in 
which  a  female  of  this  species,  in  confinement,  killed  and  ate  the  male. 
Excepting  during  the  brief  period  of  mating,  they  are  never  seen  in 
pairs. 

Its  flight  is  rapid  and  graceful,  and  more  like  that  of  an  eagle  than  one  of 
this  family.  It  sails  easily  and  in  largo  circles.  It  is  nocturnal  in  its  habits, 
and  is  very  rarely  seen  abroad  in  the  day,  and  then  only  in  cloudy  weather 


68  NORTH  AMERICAN  JilRDS". 

or  late  in  tlio  afternoon.  AVlion  dotootod  in  its  hiding-plaoo  l\v  tiio  Jay, 
Crow,  or  King-lurd,  and  driven  forth  hy  their  annoyances,  it  lalxirs  nndcr 
yreat  disadvantaws,  and  ilics  at  random  in  a  liesitatinu  lliiiht,  nntil  twilight 
enables  it  to  retaliate  npon  its  tormentors.  The  hooting'  and  noctnriial  cries 
of  the  Oreat  Horned  Owl  are  a  remarkahlo  feature  in  its  haltits.  These  are 
chielly  during  its  breeding-.season,  espeeially  tiie  peculiar  haul  and  vociferous 
cries  known  as  its  liootini;'.  At  times  it  will  utter  a  si  a'  shriek,  s(jun(ling 
like  the  yell  of  some  unearthly  being,  while  again  it  barks  incessantly  like 
a  dog,  and  the  resemlilance  is  so  natural  as  to  provoke  a  n^joinder  from  its 
canine  prototyi)c.  Occasionally  it  utters  sounds  resembling  the  hidf-cliok- 
ing  cries  of  a  person  nearly  strangled,  and,  attracted  by  the  watchlire  of  a 
camp,  lly  over  it,  shrieking  a  cry  resembling  uMiujli-hnn.  It  is  not  suri)rising 
that  with  all  these  combinations  and  variations  of  unearthly  cries  these  birds 
should  have  been  held  in  awe  by  the  aborigines,  their  cries  being  sullicicntly 
fearful  to  startle  even  the  least  timid. 

It  is  one  of  the  most  destructive  of  the  depredators  upon  the  jioultr}'- 
yard,  far  surpassing  in  this  res])ect  any  of  our  Hawks.  All  its  mischief 
is  done  at  night,  when  it  is  almost  impossible  to  detect  and  punish  it. 
Whole  plantations  are  often  thus  stripped  in  a  single  season. 

The  mating  of  this  bird  appears  to  have  little  or  no  reference  to  the  sea- 
son. A  pair  has  been  known  to  select  a  site  for  their  nest,  and  begin  to  con- 
struct a  new  one,  or  seize  upon  that  of  a  Ited-tailed  Hawk,  and  repair  it,  in 
September  or  October,  keeping  in  its  vicinity  through  the  winter,  and  mak- 
ing their  presence  known  by  their  continued  hooting.  Mr.  Jillson  found  a 
female  sitting  on  two  eggs  in  February,  in  Hudson,  Mass. ;  and  Mr.  AVilliam 
Street,  of  Easthampton,  in  the  spring  of  18Gt),  found  one  of  their  nests  on 
the  3d  of  March,  the  eggs  in  jjhicli  had  been  incubated  at  least  a  W(!ek.  If 
one  nest  is  broken  \\\),  the  pair  immeiliately  seek  another,  and  make  a 
renewed  attempt  to  raise  a  l)rood.  They  rarely  go  more  than  a  mile  from 
their  usual  abode,  and  then  only  for  food.  Mr.  Sti'cet's  observations  have 
led  him  to  conclude  that  they  mate  about  February  2(J,  and  dejiosit  their 
eggs  from  the  2oth  to  the  28th.  They  cease  to  hoot  in  the  vicinity  of  their 
nest  from  the  time  of  their  mating  until  their  young  have  left  them  in 
June.  On  the  I'Jth  of  ]\Iarch,  1872,  ]\Ir.  Street  found  two  of  tlieir  eggs 
containing  young  nearly  ready  to  hatch. 

Mr.  Street's  ob,servations  .satistied  him  that  the  period  of  incubation  of 
this  Owl  is  about  three  weeks.  "When  they  have  young  and  are  hard 
ljres.sed  for  food,  they  hunt  by  day  as  well  as  by  night,  and  at  this  time 
they  hoot  a  good  deal.  The  young  are  ready  to  leave  their  nest  about  six 
weeks  after  hatching.  At  this  time  their  feathers  are  nearly  all  grown,  ex- 
cept their  head-feathers,  which  have  hardly  started.  In  the  spring  of  1872 
Mr.  Street  found  a  young  bird  that  had  fallen  from  its  nest.  Though  very 
small  it  was  untamable,  and  not  to  be  softened  by  any  attentions.  Its 
savage  disposition  seemed  to  increase  with  age.     It  readily  devoured  all 


STRIGID.K      TIIK   OWLS. 


69 


kinds  of  animal  I'ond.anil  was  es]ii'rially  fond  of  tisli  and  snaI\L'.s.  It  was  n;- 
niai'liablu  for  its  cowardice,  being  always  ridicnlously  fearful  of  the  smallest 
dog,  the  neai'  approacli  of  one  always  causing  extravagant  nianil'estations 
of  alarm.  Ho  was  therefore  led  to  conclude  that  it  does  not  \>\vy  upon 
quaclru,  I'ds  larger  than  a  hare,  that  it  rarely  is  aide  to  seize  small  birds,  and 
that  reptiles  and  tish  form  no  inconsiderable  portion  of  its  food.  The  young 
Owl  in  question  assumed  its  full  plumage  in  Novcuubcr,  when  less  than 
eight  months  old.  It  was  of  full  size  in  all  respects  exce})t  in  the  length 
of  its  claw.s,  which  were  hardly  lialf  the  usual  size. 

iNIr.  T.  II.  Jackson,  of  West  Chester,  I'enn.,  lias  met  with  fresh  eggs  of  this 
Owl,  February  i:?,  '22,  and  28,  and  has  found  young  birds  in  their  nests  from 
the  2d  of  March  to  the  L'8th. 

]\Ir.  ^\.udubf)n  states  that  while  the  Great  Horned  Owl  usually  nests  in 
large  hollows  of  decayed  trees,  he  has  twice  found  the  eggs  in  the  lissures 
of  rocks.  In  all  these  cases,  little  preparation  had  been  made  previous  to 
the  laying  of  the  eggs,  the  beil  consisting  of  only  a  few  grasses  and 
feathers.  Wilson,  who  found  them  breeding  in  the  swamps  of  New  Jersey, 
states  that  the  nest  was  generally  constructed  in  the  fork  of  a  tall  tree,  but 
sometimes  in  a  smaller  tree.  They  begin  to  build  towards  the  close  of  win- 
ter, and,  even  in  the  Arctic  regions.  Sir  John  L'ichardson  speaks  of  their 
hatching  their  eggs  as  early  as  March.  The  shape  of  the  egg  is  very  nearly 
exactly  spherical,  and  its  color  is  a  dull  white  with  a  slightly  yellowish 
tinge.  An  egg  formerly  in  the  old  I'eale's  Museum  of  riuladelphia,  taken 
in  Xew  Jersey  by  Alexander  Wilson  the  ornithologist,  and  bearing  his 
autograph  upon  its  shell,  measures  2.31  inches  in  length  by  2.00  in  breadth. 
Another,  obtained  in  the  vicinity  of  Salem,  Mass.,  measures  2.2")  inches 
in  length  by  1.88  in  breadth.  In  the  latter  instance  the  nest  was  con- 
structed on  a  tall  and  inaccessible  tree  in  a  somewhat  exposed  locality. 
The  female  was  shot  on  the  nest,  and,  as  she  fell,  she  clutched  one  of  the 
eggs  in  a  convulsive  grasp,  and  lirought  it  in  her  chiws  to  the  ground.  An 
egg  >btained  in  Tamaulipas,  ^lexico,  on  the  Itio  Grande,  by  Dr.  Berlandier, 
measures  2.18  inches  in  length  by  1.81  in  breadth. 

An  egg  from  Wisconsin,  taken  by  ^Ir.  15.  F.  Ctoss,  may  be  considered 
as  about  the  average  in  size  and  color.  It  is  nearly  spherical,  of  a  clear 
bluish-white,  and  measures  2.30  by  2.00  inches. 


Olus  witsonianiu. 


70  NcmTir  amkrican  mirds. 

Nyctea  scandiaca,  \iir.  arctica,  Gkay. 

AMERICAN  8N0WT  OWL. 

.SlrUarcliid,  ll.MiTiiAM,  Tniv.  in  CmoliiM,  ITiii.',  p.  -">.'>.  Slrl.f  iii/itia,  (not  of  I,inx.:)  Vikm.i,. 
Ois.  Am.  Si'pt.  Isii;,  |,1.  xviii.  Swains.  K  lln  ii.  V.  U.  A.  II,  iHiil,  ss.  Munai'. 
Anil.  X.  Y.  l.y..'.  II,  at!.  --  Wii.s.  Am.  Orii.  \i].  xxxii,  1'.  1.  Aiii.  Minis  .\ni.  ))!.  cxxi. 
.  -  -  111.  (»rii.  liiog.  II,  Kii'i.  — TlliiMl's.  Nat.  Hist.  Vcriiinnl,  |i,  t>l.  -  I'kaii.  ItiidsMass.  ' 
III,  S4.  Surniii  xi/rl'd  ( KuMnMisr. ),  ,Ia.mi;s.  (id.  Wii.s.),  Am.  (»rii.  I,  ls;!l,  !)-2.  — 
Nl-rr.  .Man.  ]i.  Hli.  —  Kaii',  'I'l.  /.i.ol.  .S.h'.  IV,  ISJSl,  -214.  Siiniin  nin-lnt  (Tiln.Mi's.^, 
.Iai:iiini;'s  (cil.  W'li.s.)  .\iii.  Orn.  II,  l>;i-J,  It!.  A>/ii(  niira,  ((Iiiay)  Cass,  liinls  Cal.  k 
'I'cx.  Isni,  liiO.  -  111.  liiiils  N.  .\m.  1,>S.')S,  i;a.  XK.wids,  1'.  'A.  .S.  l.sill,  ;iii4  (I'^'-js).  — 
l)l!r..s.si:ii,  llii.s,  ISO.'),  y.iti  ^'IVxas  l).  Dai.i,  &  ISanslsti-.h,  Tr.  CliiiaH"  Acail.  I,  ii, 
IStii),  -273  (Alaska). -t'dll.s,  Key,  lcS7'-',  lin,").  .V/Mk  lamlidu,  (I.AIII.)  KoNAl'.  list, 
lt>:is,  Ii. 

Si'.  C'liAii.  Adult,  (ironinl-i'nlor  cnlii-cly  snow-wliilc,  lliis  iniirkuil  with  ti-aiisvorse 
bnrs  <il'  clc'iir  diislvv,  of  vai\  iii;^-  aiiiimul  in  iliMVMciit  imliviiliials. 

^  (Xo.  12,0.j0,  Wasliiii,ul..n.  I).  C,  DrcialMT  I,  ls,-,S;  ('.  Dicxlci).  Afi'os.s  ilie  to)) 
of  tiiu  iicatl,  .Till]  iuti'rsinT.scd  nvrr  lliu  wiiii^s  aiid  scainilars,  arc  siiiall  traiisvoi-sidy  cordate 
sijiols  of  clear  lirowiiisli-lilack,  liii'sc  iiicliiiiii;.'  to  llic  form  of  rcu'iiltir  transver.se  liaivs  on 
the  scapiilar.s  ;  there  is  Iml  mie  dii  |.ach  li'alhcr.  Tiie  sei'Oiiilaries  have  iiiol lied  liars  of 
iiii>re  (lihite  dusky  ;  the  |iiiiiiaiies  have  spots  of  Mack  al  liieir  ciid.s;  tlic  (ail  has  a  siiejle 
iSeries  of  irrejrular  dusky  .s)iot.s  erijssiiii;'  it  near  tin.'  end.  Alidonien,  sides,  and  Hanks 
with  transverse  eresceiitic  liars  of  clear  lirowiiish-lihick.  Winu:,  Ki.otI;  tail,  D.tlO;  eiil- 
luen,  l.iiii;   tarsus,  l.!)0;  iiiidille  toe,  l.:!().     \ViiiL;-lorniula,  I!,  'J  =  4  -  5,  1. 

9  (No.  Ili,(l."i8,  Wa.-;hiii,L:'Miii,  I).  C,  Deceinher  i,  1S.")S).  Head  above  ami  nape  with 
each  H'uther  Mackisli  centrally,  prodiicinfT  a  conspiciiou.sly  spoiled  apiiearauee.  Rest  of 
the  jihimairu  with  reirnlar,  sharply  defineil  transver.se  liars  of  clear  brownish-lilack  ;  those 
of  the  upper  surOiee  inore  eresceiilie,  those  on  the  lower  tail-coverts  narrower  and  iiioic 
distant.  Tail  crossed  by  live  bands,  c()]iip(i..;L'd  of  tlelacheil  transverse  spots.  Only  the 
face,  forciieck,  middle  of  the  lireast,  and  feet,  are  immaculate  ;  evi'rywliere  cist',  cxccjit- 
in^'  on  the  crissmn.  the  tlusky  and  white  are  in  nearly  equal  amount.  ^\  ing,  lt<.(IO  ;  tail, 
y.80;  eiiliuen,  l.Ut.     Wiii,L:--liiniiuia,  :i  ==  1,  U-1  -=•"., 

Yiiiiiiij  (Xo.  oil,  11)4,  Arctic  Americ'a,  Ani,'usl,  lS(;;j ;  .^^acFarlano).  Only  [lartially 
feathered.  Wiii;_'s  and  tail  us  in  the  adult  female  ilescribeil.  but  the  blackisli  bars  rather 
broader.  Down  coverinj,'  the  head  and  Imdy  dark  brownisli  or  sooty  slate,  becoming 
paler  on  the  lci;s. 

IIab.     Xorthcrn   portions  of  tlie  Xearclie   Realm.      lircediiiL:'  in    the  arctic   and   sub- 
arctic regions,  and  miLnatiiiL;'  in  winter  to  tlie  vcrLrc  ol'  the  tropics.    Bermuda  (Jaishlvi;)  ; 
South  Carolina  (Raiituam  and  AniiiioN)  ;   Texas  (]li!i:ssi:i!). 
Localities:  Te.\n.s,  San  Anlonio  (Di;i:.ssi:i!,  Fliis,  b-^li."),  ;'.:!(>). 

The  Snowy  Owls  oi'  Xortli  Aiueiicn,  tliiiii,i,'li  viiiyiiio;  givatly  ainouo-  tlioin- 
selve.s,  .seem  to  be  coiisideralily  duiker,  liotli  in  the  c.xtfcnie.s  tind  average 
conditions  of  jihunaot;,  than  Etirniifan  examples.  Xot  only  are  the  dii.sky 
bars  darker,  but  they  tire  iisiiiilly  liroader,  and  more  e.xtended  over  the 
general  stirlace. 

Habits.  This-:  is  an  exclusively  northern  .species,  and  is  chielly  confined 
t,o  the  Arctic  Circlt;  and  the  adjacent  [)ortioiis  of  the  temperate  zone.  It  is 
met  with  in  the  United  States  oidy  in  midwinter,  and  is  nmcli  more  ubun- 


STIMU I D.K  —  THE  OWLS. 


71 


dnnt  in  some  years  than  in  dtlicrs.  Inilividual  spociinons  liavo  hi'cn  oira- 
sionally  nolicoil  as  far  s(aitli  as  S(mUIi  Caiolina,  lait  vi'iy  rarely.  It  lias 
also  bcun  ohservuil  in  Kcntiuky,  Oliin,  the  licriniida  islamls,  ami  in  nearly 
every  jiart  of  the  I'niteil  States. 

In  th(!  Arctic  rei^iniis  of  Noith  America  and  in  Oreenlaml  it  is  (itiilo 
alanulant,  and  has  lieeii  nliserv  nl  as  jar  in  the  imrth  as  .\rclic  voya^ncrs  have 
.yet  reached.  Trofcssdr  llciidianU  sti\tes  thai  it  is  nuich  nmr''  nnmeriais  in  the 
nnrthern  than  in  the  soiiilieni  jiartnl'  (Ireeiiland.  Sir  .lolni  Kicliardsdii,  wlio, 
dnrin;^'  seven  years"  residiaice  in  tiie  Arctic  re.uions,  enjoyed  ninisnal  ()i)pur- 


-sif^fe 


Xt/rtrn  srnntliaca 

tnnities  iV)r  stndyin^'  the  hahits  oi"  this  Owl,  says  that  it  hnnts  its  prey  in  tlic 
daytime.  It  is  jj;enerally  fonnd  on  the  i'lU'ren  (Irnunds,  hut  is  always  sn  wary 
as  to  1)0  approached  with  dilliciilly.     Tn  the  wooded  districts  it  is  less  oantious. 

^Ir.  Downes  states  tliat  tliis  Owl  is  very  almndant  in  Xova  Scotia  in  win- 
ter, and  that  it  is  known  to  breed  in  the  neinhlioi'inu;  jirovince  of  Xewfonnd- 
land.  In  some  years  it  appears  to  traverse  1  lie  conntry  in  larue  flocks.  Tn 
the  winter  of  1801-02,110  adds,  tlie.se  birds  made  their  appearance  in  Canada 
in  larjje  nnnibers. 

]\[r.  I'oardnian  states  tliat  tliev  are  present  in  winter  in  the  vicinitv  of 
Calais,  Imt  that  they  are  not  common.     A  ]iair  was  noticed  in  the  sjn'inf;  of 


72  Ndin'U  AMKIilCAN   lUUDf*. 

1S()2  ivs  lute  ns  tlie  lust  (if  .Miiy,  and,  in  ^fr.  riounlnmn'.s  opinion,  were 
liit'iMJin^  in  tliiit  nt%'lil)(>rli()(Hl.  in  (lie  western  imrl  of  Miiini!  Mr.  Venill 
i'ound  it  iilsi)  lilt iier  line,  iiml  met  with  it  only  in  winter  llu  Htates  tliiit  it 
iliU'eis  ^ii'iitly  in  (lis|i()sitioii  Iroiii  the  (Ireat  Horned  Owl,  iicinjr  natniidly 
very  j,'entle,  iiiid  lieeoiiiini;  very  icudily  i|Milt'  tiinie  in  eonliniiinent,  diiVerinij; 
very  niiicli  in  this  res|ii;et  IVoni  most  larj;e  li'dp/uns. 

It  makes  its  appoarance  in  Massaclniselts  aliout  the  middle  or  lust  of 
Novondier,  and  in  some  seasons  is  (piite  eomiuon,  llioii,i;h  never  ]iresent  in 
very  larjii!  niimiiers.  It  is  hold,  lait  rather  wary  ;  eomin^  into  tlii(d<  j^roves 
of  trees  in  close  proximity  to  cities,  whieii  indetid  it  rnNpiently  enters,  but 
keejiinj;  a  sharp  lookout,  and  never  sniVeriiii^  a  near  apjiroach.  It  hunts  liy 
dayliulit,  and  appears  to  distin.^uisli  olijeets  without  dilliculty.  Its  llij^ht 
is  noiseless,  j;iaeet'ul,  easy,  and  at  times  ipiite  rapid.  In  some  seasons  it 
appears  to  wander  over  the  whole  of  the  United  States  east  of  the  I'ocky 
Alountains,  Dr.  Ileermaini  havinu;  olitaiued  a  specimen  ol'  it  near  San  An- 
tonio, Texas,  in  the  winter  of  IcS.")7. 

It  is  more  alamdant,  in  winter,  near  the  coast,  than  in  the  interior,  and  in 
the  latter  keeps  in  the  neighborhood  of  rivers  and  streams,  watching  by  the 
open  places  for  op]iortuuities  to  catch  tish.  j\Ir.  Audubon  describes  it  as 
very  exipcrt  and  cunning  in  lishing,  crouching  on  the  edges  of  air-holes  in 
the  ice,  and  instantly  seizing  any  lish  that  may  come  to  the  surface.  It  also 
feeds  on  hares,  .sipiirrel.s,  rats,  and  other  small  animals.  It  watches  the  Imps 
set  for  animals,  especially  mu.skrats,  and  devours  them  when  caught.  In  the 
stomacJ!  of  one  Mr.  Audubon  found  the  whole  of  a  large  house-rat.  Its 
own  llesh,  ;\Ir.  Audul)un  ailirms,  is  line  and  delicate,  and  furnishes  very 
good  eating.  It  is  described  as  a  very  silent  bird,  and  ^Ir.  Audid)on  has 
never  known  it  to  utter  a  note  nr  to  make  any  .sound. 

Ifichardsnn  states  (hat  a  few  remain  in  the  Arctic  regions  even  in  mid- 
winter, but  usually  in  the  more  .sheltered  districts,  whither  it  has  followed 
the  riarmigan,  on  which  it  feeds.  "When  .seen  on  the  IJarren  Grounds,  it  was 
generally  S([uatting  on  the  earth,  and,  if  disturbed,  alighted  again  after  a 
.short  lliglit.  Ta  the  more  wooded  districts  it  is  .said  to  be  bolder,  and  is 
even  known  to  watch  tlie  Clnaise-shooters,  and  to  share  in  their  spoils, 
skimming  from  its  jiercli  on  a  high  tree,  and  carrying  off  the  bird  before 
the  sportsman  can  get  near  it. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  writes  from  Fort  Anderson  that  he  did  not  find  this  s]ie- 
cies  abundant  in  that  iiuartiu'.  and  that  its  eggs  were  unknown  to  him.  ^Ir. 
r>.  TJ.  Ifoss  .speaks  of  this  Owl  as  widely  distributed,  but  not  common.  He 
found  it  a  winter  resident,  and  has  repeatedly  seen  it  at  that  season  near 
Fort  Ticsolntion,  and  it  has  been  shot  in  February  at  Fort  Xornian.  It  is 
very  destructive  to  the  snares  ,set  by  the  Indians,  eating  the  hares  and 
breaking  the  snares,  in  which  they  are  .sometimes  caught.  The  Indians  are 
said  to  attract  these  liirds  near  enough  to  be  shot  at,  liy  tying  a  mouse  or  la 
piece  of  hare's  .skin  to  a  line,  and  letting  it  drag  behind  them. 


sTRioiD.K  — Tin:  OWLS.  7;] 

Mr.  Doiiiild  (luiiii  writes  ilmt  tlm  Snowy  Owl  is  merely  u  visitor  in  tiio 
(lisliiets  to  ihe  west  o|'  l.uke  Wiimei'e"  Imt  is  a  coiisliiiil  iiihuliitiiiit  of  tlio 
country  surroiunlin-  IlmUon  r.ny.  'I'liere  tlicy  liateli  their  yu^ul^^  from 
lliroc  to  live  in  mimlK'r,  miikiiii,'  tlieir  nusts  in  tlio  iorks  of  sonic  tall  |io].lar- 
triie.  They  lay  their  e^^s  very  early  in  thn  spriii,^',  anil  have  liateheil 
their  ytmii;^  before  other  hirds  bej^in  to  nest.  Tiiis  aeeoiint  of  their 
breeilinj,'  tlilVers  from  all  utiier  .statements  I  have  seen,  and,  if  correct,  is 
probably  exceiilional. 

Althoiij,di  a  iiird  of  i^rcat  vioihince,  .seldom  pormittini,'  the  hunter  to  ^ot 
within  ran^e  of  shot,  and  eciually  careful  in  keepin;j;  at  a,  distance  from  its 
foe  in  its  llight,  it  is,  Mr.  (luiui  states,  readily  deceived  and  decoyed  with- 
in easy  ranye  by  tyiu.t,'  a  bundle  of  dark  rays  to  a  piece  of  stout  twine, 
and  letting  this  drag  from  tia:  end  of  the  hunter's  .snow-shoe.  The  hungry 
Owl  pounces  upon  the  bail,  and  the  hunter  turns  and  shoots  it.  These 
birds  are  .sometimes  cpiite  ial,  and  are  much  prized  for  food  by  the  Indians. 
At  times  they  migrate  from  the  more  northern  regions  to  the  more  inland 
districts.  An  instance  of  this  took  place  in  the  winter  of  IH.jo-oli.  These 
birds  made  their  appearance  aljout  the  lied  Jtive'r  Settlement  in  October, 
and  before  the  latter  end  of  December  became  very  numerous,  especially  on 
the  plain.s,  where  they  were  to  bo  .seen  Hying  at  any  time  of  the  day.  In 
March  all  left  that  vicinity  and  disappeared.  A  few  pa.ss  the  sunnner  near 
Lake  Winnepeg,  as  occasional  birds  an'  seen  there  in  the  spring  and  fall. 
These  migrations  are  supposed  to  be  caused  by  unusual  snow-falls  and  the 
scarcity  of  the  animals  on  wliich  they  feed. 

Mr.  Dall  found  them  rather  rare  in  tlie  valley  of  the  Lower  Yukon,  and 
he  has  noticed  them  occasionally  Hying  over  the  ice  in  the  winter  season. 

Mr.  Ilutchins,  in  his  manuscript  oljscrvations  on  the  birds  of  Hudson  I>ay 
Territory,  speaking  of  tliis  (Jwl  as  the  WapatiUtliu,  states  that  it  makes  its 
nest  in  the  moss  on  the  dry  ground,  and  lays  from  five  to  ten  eggs  in  May. 
Professor  Alfred  Newton  (Proc.  Zoiil.  Soc.  18G1,  p.  395)  thinks  there  can  be 
no  doubt  he  refers  to  this  Owl.  ilichardson  states,  as  the  result  of  his  own 
inquiries,  that  it  breeds  on  the  ground,  which  the  observations  of  j\Ir. 
Hearno  confirm.  Profes.sor  Lilljeliorg  (Xaumannia,  1854,  p.  78)  found,  June 
8,  1843,  on  the  Dovrefjeld,  a  nest  of  this  species  which  contained  seven 
eggs.  It  was  placed  on  a  little  .shelf,  on  the  to])  of  a  bare  mountain,  far 
from  the  forest,  ami  easy  of  access.  Professor  Nilsson  was  informed,  on  good 
authority,  that  in  East  Fiarmark  the  Hnov/y  Owl  is  said  by  the  Lapps  to  lay 
from  eight  to  ten  eggs  in  a  little  depression  of  the  bare  ground  on  the  high 
mountains.  ]\Ir.  John  Wolley  received  similar  information,  and  was  told 
that  the  old  birds  sometimes  attack  persons  that  approach  their  nests.  The 
ICth  to  the  24th  of  May  is  said  to  bo  the  time  when  they  usually  breed.  I 
received  in  1800  an  egg  of  this  Owl  from  Herr  Mo.schler.  It  had  been 
taken  near  Okkak,  a  missionary  station  of  the  ]Moravians,  in  Labrador,  and 
collected  by  the  E.s(|uimaux.    Tlie  accounts  given  by  the.sc  collectors  confirm 

VOL.  HI.  10 


74  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

tlic  statement  tliat  tliis  liird  always  1)reetls  on  tlie  j^round  in  open  places, 
and  frequently  lays  (luite  a  large  numlier  of  eggs.  Tliis  specimen  measures 
2.50  inches  in  lengtii  and  1.88  in  breadth.  It  is  oblong-oval  in  sha])e, 
e([ually  rounded  at  either  end,  and  of  a  diUl  soiled  white.  The  egg  is  mucii 
discolored,  ajijjarently  liy  its  contact  with  the  ground. 

Mi:  II.  S.  Hawkins  (Ibis,  IBTit,  ]>.  -W)  gives  an  account  of  the  nest  and 
eggs  of  this  species,  derived  irom  a  correspondent  at  one  of  the  Moravian 
missionary  stations  on  the  coast  of  Labrador.  The  nest  is  said  to  consist  of 
only  a  few  feathers,  and  to  be  ])laceil  generally  on  a  ledge  of  rocks  where 
there  is  a  slight  hollow,  suiHcient  to  ])reveiit  the  eggs  from  rolling  out,  but 
sometimes  on  the  ground.  The  usual  number  of  eggs  is  eight ;  these  are 
not  all  laid  and  l)rooded  at  one  time,  Init  the  first  two  are  often  hatched  by 
the  time  tlie  last  is  laid,  so  that  you  may  find  in  one  nest  young  birds,  fresh 
eggs,  and  others  more  or  less  incubated. 

Herr  von  Ileuglin,  in  his  Notes  on  the  birds  of  Xovaja  Zemlia  (Ibis,  1872, 
p.  Gl),  mentions  meeting  with  this  Owl  in  Seal's  Uay,  on  Matthew's  Strait, 
in  the  Sea  of  Kara,  where  he  found  three  nests  with  two  young  birds  covered 
with  down.  The  nest  was  formed  ol'  a  shallow  depression  in  the  turf,  without 
any  lining.  The  food  of  the  Snowy  Owl,  in  Novfija  Zemlia,  during  the  summer 
time,  consisted  exclusively  of  a  species  of  Mi/odi'^,  wliich  Avere  \ery  numerous. 
The  down  of  the  young  is  plain  l)rownish-giay.  They  were  easily  tamed, 
and  their  comical  gestures  and  vivacity  are  said  to  have  been  very  anmsing. 

Captain  ('.  F.  Hall,  tlie  celebrated  Arctic  voyager,  during  one  of  his 
expeditions  i'ound  a  nest  and  four  eggs  of  this  species  on  the  bare  ground. 
These  were  jiacked  up  in  an  old  moccasin,  and  sent,  without  emptying,  to 
the  Smithsonian  Institution,  where,  after  an  interval  of  several  months,  they 
were  successfully  emptied,  and  are  now  among  the  choice  treasures  of  the 
national  museum. 


Genus  SURNIA,   Dl-meril. 

Siirnia,  Di'mkiul,  Zoi)l.  Anal.  1800,  .14.     (Tv|)c,  Slrix  iiluln,  Lisx.) 

(tf.x.  Char.  Rizo  niodiuni ;  form  clongiUi'd,  iinil  fjcncnil  asppct  liawk-liko.  No  car- 
tufl.'!.  Four  outer  quills  with  tlioii'  iunur  wolis  .siuuuteil,  tlio  tliinl  iouLrost ;  tail  noa;!}'  a.<( 
long  as  the  winp,  frrailuatcd.  Kar-coiich  suiali.  siuiple,  oval.  Bill  .slroufr,  yellow  ;  eyes 
.'iuiall,  the  iris  yellow.  Tarsi  luiil  toes  thiekly  cdvcred  with  soft  deu.so  leathers;  tarsus 
shorter  than  th(>  middle  toe.  I'lunia;j;  '  inurh  uioi'e  co!ii])act,  and  less  <lowu}',  and  reiniijes 
and  rectriees  stiller  and  siraighter  than  in  other  Owls. 

The  single  .species  of  tliis  genus  belongs  exclusively  to  tlie  cold  temperate 
and  arctic  zones  of  the  Nortliern  Hemis]ihere,  and  is  circtimjiolar.  Tlioiigh 
somewhat  hawk-like  in  its  a]ipearance,  it  is  nevertheless  a  true  Owl,  and 
possesses  no  afhuities  of  structure  with  the  Hawks,  any  more  than  otlier 
species  of  Stri(jida. 


STIUGID.E  — THE   OWLS.  75 

Species  and  Races. 

S.  ulula.  Above  dark  vaiulyUo-ljrown,  tliu  lioad  above  dotted  with 
white,  and  the  scapiihirs  spotted  with  tlu'  same.  Beneath  transversely 
barred  with  vandyke-browii  and  white,  \\u\  liars  re^'ular,  continuous,  and 
sharply  delined.  Head  an<l  neek  with  two  lateral,  and  one  posterior 
medial,  strijies  of  brownish-blaek,  the  space  between  them  with  white  pre- 
vailing.    Bill  and  iris  yellow.     Win'r,  abont  9.00 ;  tai',  0.80- 7.01  >. 

White  .spottiuir  prevailiiii,'.     Jlub.     Pahearetie  Realm       .         .        var.  «/«/«.' 
Brown  spotting  iirevailing.     Jlal>.    Xearctic  Realm     .        .     vav.  h  udson  ia. 


Surnia  ulula,  -.ar.  hudsonia  (Gmdlix). 

AUEBICAN  HAWK  OWL. 

Stn'x  fnli  hiidsonis,  liiiiss.  Orii.  I,  520,  17(50.  Strh-  hudsonia,  G.MliL.  Syst.  N.it.  p.  295, 
1780. —  WiLs.  Am.  Orii.  pi.  1,  f.  ti,  1808.  — Sii.\w,  Zool.  VII,  274,  1809.  —  Vikill. 
Ois.  Am.  Sept.  I,  50.  Sui-uiii  l(iid.ii)iii<(,  J.VMl'.s.  (Wll.s.)  Am.  Orii.  I,  00,  1831.  Utir- 
Ilia  ulula,  var.  hiid.soiiica,  (liinow.vv)  C'on-.s,  Kry,  1872,  205.  SIrix  cauadeiisis,  Bklss. 
Orn.  I,  518,  pi.  x.\.\vii,  f.  2,  1780.  -  Shaw,  Zuiil.  VII,  273,  1809.  SMj:  fancrea 
(not  of  LiNN.vus  !),  Uicii.  &  Sw.Mx.s.  !■'.  15.  A.  II,  92,  1831.— Ain.  Birds  Am.  pi. 
coc:l.\xviii,  1831  ;  Oni.  Hiog.  IV.  550.  —  liovAi'.  Ann.  Lyo.  N.  York,  II,  35.  —  niiKWKii 
(\Vll.s.),  Am.  Oni.  p.  G8i).  —  Thumi's.  Hist.  Vermont,  p.  04.  —  I'kah.  Birds  .Mass.  Ill, 
83.  Sun  ill  ulula  (not  ulula  of  I, inn.!),  Cass.  Birds  Calif.  &  Te.x.  p.  191,  1854.  — 
Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  iM.  —  (!|!ay.  Hand  List,  I,  30,  1809.  -  Blackist.  Ibis,  III,  320. 

—  Loiin,  I'r.  H.  A.  I.  IV,   iii  (Brit.   Columb.).  —  Kali-,  Tr.  Zoiil.  See.  IV,  1859,  214. 

—  Dam.  k  Bannlstku,  Tr.   Chiuajjo  Acad.  1,   ii,  274.  —  Mavnakd,  Birds   Eastern 
Mass.,  1870,  133. 

Sp.  Ciiak.  Adult.  Above  r'rh  dark  vandyke-brown,  darker  anterioi'ly,  less  inten.'se  and 
more  grayish  on  tail.  A  nari-ow  streak  of  brownish-bla('k  oi-itjinating  over  the  middle  of 
eye,  and  extending  b;iekward  above  the  up|)er  edge  of  the  ear-eoverts,  where  it  forms 
an  elbow  passing  downward  in  a  broad  stripe  over  the  end's  of  the  ear-cuverts ;  eonllucnt 
with  this,  at  aliout  tin;  middle  of  the  vertical  stripe,  is  another  of  similar  tint,  which 
l)a.sses  nioi'e  broadly  down  the  sidi;  of  the  nape  ;  between  the  last  stri|)es  (tho.sc  of 
opposite  sides)  is  another  or  medial  one  of  le;s  pure  lilack,  extending  from  the  occiput 
down  till!  nape.  Mvery  fci'ihcr  of  the  forehead,  crown,  and  occiput  with  a  central  ovate 
dot  of  white;  those  anterior  moi'c  circular,  on  tin  iccipul  less  numcroiis  and  more  linear. 
Iictween  the  lateral  and  |ioslcrior  nui  iial  stripes  the  white  prevails,  the  brown  Ibrming 
irregular  terniin.al  and  transver.se  or  mi'dial  spots;  these  grow  more  linear  toward  the 
...nK.  Intenscajjulars  plain;  posterior  scapulars  variegated  with  partially  concealed  large 
transverse  spots  of  white,  tlu;  lower  feathers  with  iieaii\  llie  whole  outer  webs  white, 
their  conllueneo  causing  a  conspicuous  elongated  patch  above  the  wing.  Rump  with 
sparse,  irregular,  but  generally  transverse,  simts  of  white;  upper  tail-coverts  with  broader, 
more  regular  bars  of  the  same,  these  about  eipial  to  the  brown  in  width.  liOwcr  feathers 
of  llu!  niidille  and  secondary  wing-coverts  each  with  an  ovoid  spot  oi'  while  on  the'  outer 
web;  secondaries  crossed  by  about  three  transverse  series  of  longitudinally  ovoid  white 
spots  (situated  on  the  edge  of  tin!  feather),  and  very  narrowly  tipped  with  tlu-  same; 
primary  coverts  with  one  or  two  less  continuous   transverse   series  of  spots,  these  found 

1  Sunil  diila,  var.  ulula.  Stiix  ulula,  LlNN.  S.  N.  I,  1700,  133.  (iuruia  «/i(?i(,  Bonat. 
Cat.  1838,  22. 


76  NORTH  A^[KHICAN  BIRI),-^. 

only  on  the  ontcr  fcathcis  ;  |irini»rics  with  al)out  seven  liiinsvorsc  series  of  white  spots, 
these  ol)S()let(,'  except  on  the  live  outer  ('('.'itliers.  on  whieli  those  anterior  to  the  eiiiiir<,'ina- 
tion  are  most  eonspicuons  ;  all  tiie  primaries  nro  very  narrowly  honlered  wilii  while  at 
the  ends.  Tail  with  seven  oi'  eijjhl  v<'ry  narrow  bands  of  white,  those  on  the  middle 
feathers  |iiu('ly  sn,  liecominj:'  olisolele  exteriorly  ;  llic  last  is  terminal.  Eyebrows,  lures, 
and  face  <rrayish-white,  the  grayish  a|)pearancc  cansed  by  the  blackish  shafts  of  the 
feathers;  tiiat  of  the  face  eontimies  (contractinfj  considerably)  across  the  lower  part  of 
the  throat,  scpaiatiiiir  a  large  .space  of  dark  lirown,  which  covers  nearly  the  whole  throat, 
from  an  indi-itinct  collar  of  the  same  extending;  across  ihc  jiiirnhnn,  —  this  collar  nnitin<^ 
the  lower  ends  of  the  auricnlar  and  cervical  dusky  bands,  the  space  between  which  is 
nearly  clear  wiiile.  (Jroimd-color  of  the  lower  parts  white,  but  everywhere  with  numer- 
ous very  rcuular  tr.insvcrs(^  bars  of  deep  brown,  of  a  tint  more  reddish  than  the  back, 
the  brnwii  bars  rather  more  than  half  as  wide  as  the  white  ones;  across  the  upper  part 
of  the  breast  (l)enealh  the  dark  .yular  collar)  the  white  invades  vciy  mu(di  and  reduces 
the  brown,  In  r'liuu"  . I  broad  lighter  licit  across  the  jngulum  ;  liclow  this  the  lirowii  bars 
increase  in  width,  their  aggregation  tending  somewhat  to  a  sull'usion.  giving  tlie  white 
ju'rular  beh  better  deliuiliou.  On  the  legs  anil  Iocs  the  bars  are  narrower,  more  distant, 
and  less  regular. 

The  whole  lining  of  the  wing  is  barred  just  like  the  sides.  The  dark  brown  prevails  on 
the  under  surface  of  the  primaries,  etc.;  the  former  having  transverse,  irregular,  elliptical 
spots  of  white,  these  touching  neither  the  shaft  nor  the  eclge  :  on  the  longest  quill  are 
seven  of  these  spots;  on  idl  they  are  anterior  to  the  emargiuation. 

(J  (4!).8i)S,  Xulato,  Alaska.  A,,ril  21,  lS(i7  ;  W.  U.  Dall).  Wing-fornuda,  3,  4- 2-5- 
G-I.  ^Ving,  !).()(>;  tail,  7.00;  culmen,  .70;  tarsus  (of  another  specimen;  wanting  in 
the  present),  .!)(»;  midille  toe,  .S2. 

9  (411,807,  Xulato,  April  20;  W.  II.  Dall).  Winff-formiila,  3,  4- 2 -5  -  t; -7  =  1. 
AVing,  0.00;   tail,  O.SO  ;  culmen.  .70;  middle  toe,  .80. 

II.ui.  .\rclie  AmeriiM,  scinth  in  w  inter  into  northern  United  Slates;  Wisconsin  (Dr. 
IIov)  ;  Ma.-;.sachiis(^tts  (I)ii.  Bri:wi:ii  ;  MAVNAUn) ;  Dakota  ami  Montana  (Mus.  S.  I.). 

Tlie  H<a\vk  Owl  of  Xortli  Atuorica  is  to  l)o  di.stinoni.slied  fi'inn  tluit 
of  KuiMpo  and  Siberia  by  tlio  .saiuo  chai'acter.s  wliich  distiiiouisli  tiie 
American  S])aiTn\v  Owl  from  tlio  EuioiK^aii,  namely,  mucii  darker  shade  of 
th(!  brown  and  its  greater  jircvalcnce.  Three  perfect  siieciniuns  of  the  Ohl 
"World  l)ird  (a  ]iair  from  Ltipland,  and  a  .s]iecimen  from  Kamtschatka,  Tetro- 
jiawloosk,  "\V.  H.  Dall)  agree  in  jirevaleiiee  of  the  white  over  the  head  stbove, 
the  eoniliienee  of  the  .s[iots  on  tlie  scajjiihir.s  forming  a  larger,  more  eun- 
si)ictiotis  ]>ateh,  and  very  broad  and  almost  immaculate  jngtilar  belt;  the 
brown  bars  beneatli  are  very  nmcii  narrower  than  in  tlie  American  bird,  and 
the  tint  is  not  iHlferent  from  tliat  f)f  the  liack.  The  legs  and  toes  are  scarcely 
variegated.  While  acknowledging  the  ick'iitity  of  tlie  two  representative 
fovnis,  the  differences  are  .sncli  as  to  entitle  them  to  separation  as  races. 

Hakiis.  Tlie  American  form  of  the  TIawk  Owl  injiabits  the  northern  por- 
tions of  both  continents,  and  is  comnKni  in  the  Arctic  portions.  On  the  Atlan- 
tic coast  of  this  continent  it  has  lieen  foinid  as  far  south  as  IMiiladelphia  and 
the  Stiite  of  New  Jersey,  Imt  its  jiresence  .sontli  of  latitude  4."i°  is  jn-obably 
only  occasioiiid  and  rather  rare.  TIu;  Knroiiean  form,  according  to  Mr.  1  )resser, 
has  not  lieeii  known  to  exist  in  the  I'ritish  Islands,  but  several  instances  are 
quoted  of  the  occurrence  of  the  American  form  in  (ireat  liiitaiii.     One  was 


STIUGID^E  — THE  OWLS. 


77 


Sum  in  itlitln 


taken  oil  the  coast  of  rornwall  in  March,  18:^0 ;  another  was  shot  near 
Yatton,  in  Soinersetsliire,  on  a  sunny  afternoon  in  August,  1847  ;  a  third 
had  previously  been  taken  at  Mary- 
liill,near  (Ihisgow,  in  Decemlier,  18G3. 
On  the  Tacitic  coast  it  lias  not  l)oen 
taken  farther  south  than  Alaska, 
though  it  is  quite  probable  it  may  yet 
be  found  to  be  an  occasional  visitant 
in  Washington  Territory  and  Oregon, 
and  even  the  northern  jx  at  ions  of 
California.  It  remains  all  tlie  winter 
in  higii  northern  latitudes,  and  the 
instances  of  its  having  bi^cn  taken 
even  in  Massachusetts,  so  far  as  is 
now  known,  are  not  nuuiy.  Wilson 
only  met  with  two  si)c'cimens.  Au- 
dubon and  Niittall  never  met  with 
one  of  these  birds  alive. 

Mr.  Downes  states  that  the  TIawk 
Owl  is  very  abundant  in  Xova  Scotia 
in  the  winter  timo  in  some  years,  but  may  not  lie  .seen  agahi  for  four  or 
five  seasons.  It  is  common  in  Newfoundland,  where  it  breeds  in  the 
Caribou  districts.  Mr.  Downes  often  kept  living  specimens  in  confinement, 
which  had  been  taken  on  board  the  Cunard  steamers  off  tlie  coast. 

Mr.  Boardman  gives  this  species  as  resident,  though  rare,  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  Calais,  being  occasionally  found  there  in  the  breeding-sea.son.  In 
Oxford  County,  Maine,  I'roi'essor  A.  E.  Verrill  says  it  is  a  common  autumnal 
and  winter  visitant,  and  that  it  is  (piite  abundant  from  tiio  first  of  November 
to  the  middle  of  March,  l)ut  not  found  there  in  the  sunnner.  Mr.  Allen 
has  never  met  with  it  in  Western  ^Ia.ssacluisetts.  Near  Boston,  in  some 
seasons,  it  is  not  unconnnon,  though  never  occurring  with  any  frequency, 
and  only  singly.  It  is  found  througliout  the  State,  and  is  probably  more  com- 
mon late  in  November  than  at  any  other  time ;  several  having  been  taken 
in  Wcstfield,  and  also  in  llerksliire  County,  among  the  Oreen  Mountains.  1 
am  not  aware  that  any  iia\e  lieen  taken  farther  s(jutli  than  I'liiladelphia, 
near  which  city  Mi'.  Edward  Harris  obtained  one  specimen,  while  another 
was  shot  at  Haddington  in  IStiG.  Mr.  Mcllwraith  calls  it  a  rare  winter 
visitant  near  Hamilton,  Canada. 

Kichardson  states  that  it  is  a  common  sjiecies  throughout  the  fur 
countries  from  Hudson  r>ay  to  the  Pacific,  where  it  is  killed  by  the  hunters 
more  fretinently  than  any  other,  wliich  may  be  attributed  to  its  bold- 
ness and  to  its  diurnal  aabits.  During  the  summer  season  it  feeds  princi- 
pally upon  mice  and  insects,  but  in  tlie  regions  in  which  it  is  found  in  win- 
ter, where  the  snow  is  very  tieep,  .  nd  where  this  food  is  not  procurable,  it 


78  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

must  depend  on  tlio  Ptiinnit^'an,  and,  indeed,  is  found  a  constant  attendant 
upon  the  Hocks  ol'  tiiese  birds  in  tlieir  spring'  niigralions.  Wiien  the  hunters 
are  shooting  (! rouse,  it  is  said  to  he  occasionally  attracted  by  the  report 
of  the  i>un,  and  is  often  hold  enough,  wlien  a  bird  has  been  killed,  to 
pounce  down  upon  it,  although  it  is  unable,  from  its  inferior  size,  to  curry  it 
off.  It  is  also  said  to  occasionally  hover  round  the  fires  made  l»y  the  Intlians 
at  niglit. 

To  this  account  of  its  liabits  Ificharilson  adds  that  it  builds  its  nest  on  a 
tree,  of  sticks,  grass,  and  feathers,  antl  lays  two  white  eggs.  In  regard  t(j 
tlie  number  of  eggs,  he  is  now  known  to  be  inaccurate.  Mr.  MacFarlane 
met  with  this  bird  in  considerable  numbers  in  the  region  of  Anderson  IJiver, 
Avliere  he  found  several  nests,  and  all  of  which  he  made  any  record  were 
built  in  pine-trees  at  consideral)le  height  from  the  ground.  One  nest  is 
said  to  have  been  on  the  top  of  a  i)ine  aliout  twenty  feet  in  height,  and 
was  composed  of  small  sticks  and  twigs,  lined  with  mo.ss.  Doth  ]iarents 
were  obtained.  This  nest  contained  two  young  liirds  —  one  of  mIucIi  was 
about  ten  days  old,  the  other  aliout  three  weeks  —  and  an  addled  egg.  This 
nest  was  found  on  the  20th  of  June,  .showing  that  tlic  bird  began  to  incubate 
early  in  ^lay. 

Anotiier  ne.st,  taken  on  the  2Sth  of  April,  was  found  to  contain  si.\  eggs. 
It  was  l)uilt  in  the  top  crotch  of  a  tall  pine,  was  composed  of  dry  sticks,  and 
lined  witli  hay  and  a  few  feathers.  A  third  nest  also  contained  six  eggs, 
ami  was  lined  with  green  mosses  and  deer's  hair.  One  nest  contained  as 
many  as  seven  eggs,  and  all  l)ut  one  had  as  many  as  si.\.  Mr.  MaeFarlane 
speaks  of  it  as  a  winter  resident. 

Mr.  I),  li.  lio.ss  states  that  he  found  tliis  liird  throughout  the  (heat  Slave 
Lake  district,  but  n<it  jilentiful.  It  winters  in  even  the  northernmost  parts 
of  the  wooded  country.  It  is  said  to  build  its  nest  not  oidy  on  trees,  but 
also  on  clilfs,  and  to  lay  as  early  as  the  last  of  March  or  the  first  of  April. 
He  states  that  the  eggs  are  usually  four  in  nundier,  and  describes  them  as 
of  a  dead  white,  of  an  ol)long-oval  sliajie,  and  as  measuring  1.."!'.l  inches  by 
1.21.  He  rectMved  three  eggs  with  the  jjurent  bird,  taken  at  Lapierre's 
Ilou.'ie,  and  another  ])arent,  with  nest  and  four  eggs,  from  Salt  Kiver. 

Mr.  Dall  found  tliis  the  most  common  s])ecies  of  Owl  al>out  Xulato. 
]\Iany  of  both  sexes  were  obtained,  and  on  the  IGtli  of  Ajiril  he  took  from 
tile  ovary  of  a  female  an  egg  ready  fur  laying.  On  the  oth  of  ^hiy  Mr.  Dall 
obtained  six  eggs  which  were  laid  ou  the  top  of  an  old  birch  stump,  and 
fifteen  feet  from  the  groiiud.  There  was  no  nest  other  than  that  the  rotten 
wood  was  somewhat  hollowed  out,  and  the  eggs  laid  directly  uiion  it.  As 
he  was  climbing  to  the  nest,  the  male  bird  which  had  lieen  sitting  on  tiie" 
nest  attacked  Mr.  Dall,  and  knocked  oil'  his  cap.    The  female  did  not  ajipear. 

Mr.  Donald  (!nnn  states  that  these  Owls  hunt  in  the  daytime,  and  feed 
chiefly  u])on  mice;  and  Mr.  Dall  seldom  found  anything  but  mice  in  their 
crojis,  and  adds  that  it  is  very  fond  of  flying,  towards  dusk,  from   tlie  top 


BTRIGID.K  — THE  OWLS.  79 

of  one  tall  spruce  to  anotlicr,  iii)i)aruiitly  s\vini,niig  or  balancing  itself,  calling 
to  its  mate  at  intervals,  wliihi  clui^sing  or  lieiiig  eliased  liy  it. 

Captain  Drmiiinoiiil  states,  in  "  Contributions  to  Ornithology"  (p.  .">7),  that 
he  noticed  a  birti  of  this  sjieeics,  on  tlie  wing,  within  a  lew  yards  of  liini,  in 
the  liernuidas. 

My.  Dresser,  wlio  liad  ample  opportunities  of  oljserving  the  Hawk  Owl  in 
New  I'runswieU,  where  lie  found  it  by  no  means  miconmion,  describes  it  as  a 
true  day  Owl.  It  was  often  seen  l»y  liini  hawking  after  prey  in  the  strongest 
sunshine,  or  .seated  (piietly  bliid<ing  on  tlie  top  of  an  old  blasted  tree,  ap- 
parently undisturbeil  by  the  glare  of  tht'  sun.  In  its  general  appearance,  and 
])iirticuhirly  in  its  lUght,  it  appeared  to  hiui  to  have  considerable  attinity  to 
tiie  Sparrow  Hawk.  In  Xew  Ibunswick  it  affected  the  open  plains  or  so- 
called  blueberry  barren.s,  wliere  tiie  open  country  is  covered  with  low  bu.slies 
and  an  occasional  scathed  tree,  it  would  sit  on  one  of  these  trees  for  hours 
in  an  ui)right  hawi<-like  position,  occasionally  hunting  over  the  ground,  like 
the  Kestrel  (»f  Europi^  in  .seareli  of  small  field-mice.  It  showed  l)ut  little 
fear,  and  could  be  easily  ap[)roaciied  \Nilhin  gun-shot.  When  shot  at  and 
missed,  it  would  take  a  short  llight  and  return  to-  its  former  perch.  On  one 
occasion  Mr.  Dresser,  firing  at  one  with  a  rifle,  cut  the  branch  close  under 
the  bird,  which  returned  almost  immediately  to  another  branch,  was  a  second 
time  mi.ssed,  and  fmally  fell  umler  a  third  .shot. 

Its  note  is  said  to  lie  a  slirill  cry,  similar  to  the  call  of  the  European 
Kestrel,  and  geiu'rally  uttered  on  tlie  wing.  The  stomach  was  generally 
found  filled  with  small  field-mice,  and  rarely  contained  any  remains  of  small 
birds.  They  a])peared  to  hunt  after  food  chiefly  early  in  the  forenoon  and 
in  the  evening.  During  the  day  they  rested  on  some  elevated  perch.  In 
the  niglit  they  retired  to  nst  like  other  diurnal  Jiaptorof. 

An  egg  of  this  Owl,  taken  from  the  oviduct  of  its  parent  by  Mr.  15.  R. 
Iioss,  April  U>,  at  Fort  Simpson,  measures  l.oO  inches  in  length  by  1.20  in 
breadth.  It  is  of  oval  shape,  and  of  a  dull-white  color.  Another  egg  meas- 
ures 1.G2  by  l..')(i  inches,  is  of  a  rounded  oval,  equally  ol)tu!3e  at  either  end, 
and  of  a  3'ello wish- white  color.  It  was  taken  by  Mr.  MacFarlane  at  Fort 
Anderson. 

Gexis  GLAUCIDIUM,   Hoie. 

Ohiin'diiim,  tiow.,  I.sis,  lS2(i,  970.      ^fil^l■<t|^h|ll.l\   K.\rr.     (Typo,    'i'ri.'-  pns.irriiia,  Lisx.) 
Mici-(y!iiii.t;  K.wv.     (Tv|ic,  Slrix  h.irrnviis,-,  \\\V{\  =  G.  sija  (D'Olili.)  C'AU.) 
.'  T(iriiit)jiti//i.r,  K.\I'l'.      (TyiH',  Xoc/iKt  hnnliri,  lU'liT.) 

Ok\-.  Cii.vu.  Si/e  very  siiuill ;  \\v:v\  nitlicr  .smiiU  ;  l)ill  an(f  re(>t  very  strong  and  roljtist ; 
111)  ear-tiil'ls ;  tiiil  Imiir.  iilioiit  thirc  I'ourtlis  iis  loiiij  iis  llu- wiiipr,  rounded.  Nostrils  eir- 
eiiliii',  opcninij;  in  tlu'  luiddlo  (if  llic  inlliitcil  <'('iv-nioiid)nin(;  (cxci'iiV  in  G.  nijii).  Tarsus 
about  c'(|Uid  lo  tin-  niidillo  loe,  densely  lealliered  ;  tiies  haired.  lAiur  nuter  (luills  with 
their  inner  welis  eiuaririnaled  :  tiiiid  t.i  fiMuth  lonirest.  lvu--e(iueh  very  siiiali,  siiniile, 
rounded.     fJiil  yeiiowi.^h  (exee|il  in  (t.  jiIikIiviuh'iIi:-!  :')  ;  iris  yellow. 


80 


NORTH  AMERICAN  JtlRDw, 


Tlie  genus  is  most  largely  (levoloimd  within  the  tropical  regions,  only  one 
si>iic'\iiii  {(r.  ji((ssiriiui/ii)  belonging  to  llie  cold  teniperute  zone,  und  this  is 
found  on  Ixilli  continents.  They  are  the  most  robustly  organized  of  all 
Owls,  and,  for  their  size,  are  very  i)rcdatory,  as  in  the  next  genus  {Mimithaie), 
though  tiiemselves  lianlly  li'rger  than  a  S2)arruw,  they  frec^uently  feed  upon 


Glatiritliiim  rali/ornictim. 


small  birds,  and,  no  douht,  often  destri>y  the  passerine  species  of  nearly  their 
own  size.  Like  the  most  of  the  grouj)  to  which  this  genus  belongs,  they 
are  diurnal  in  their  habits,  and  Hy  about  during  the  brightest  sunsliine. 
Tliey  inhabit  chielly  dense  forests,  and,  for  this  reason,  are  less  well  known 
than  the  more  easily  accessible  Owls. 

The  following  synopsis  includes  onh'  the  North  American  and  ^lexican 
species  of  G/aiicidium.     In  tropical  America  are  several  others  very  distinct 


from  those  hero  given. 


Species  and  Races. 


Common"  OiLMiAiTKUs.  Aliovo  lirowii,  varviiip'  IVoiii  nearly  .trraj'  to  bricrlit.  fi'rrii- 
pinons,  ill  simic  .-^pccii's  this  color  interrnpti'il  by  a  more  or  Ics.^j  (li.>;iinr't  wliiti.^h 
niicliiil  collar,  willi  an  adjacent  lilankisli  s])ot  (sometimes  L'one(\-ilc(l)  on  each  siiU^ 
of  the  noek.  Tail  with  nai'row  band.-;.  Beneath  white,  the  .'<iiles  .striped  with 
brown  or  blackish.  Throat  and  jn<,ndtnn  white,  with  a  dusky  c(jllar  lietweon. 
Crown  s[)eekled  or  .streaked  with  lighter  ;  wings  more  or  le.ss  spotted  with  the 
same. 

A«  Mai'kings  on  the  crown  (nrcnlar,  or  dot-like. 

1.  G.  pasaeriuum.  Tail  wilh  six  to  eight  narrow  white  bands.  Fppcr 
jiarts  varyiiiLT  li'om  brownish-grivy  to  cliopolate-lirown.  Ground-color 
of  the  lowci'  part.'!  |)ure  while. 

Tail,  and  stripes  on  sides,  not  darker  than  the  back  ;  tail-bands 
.six,  and  continuous  ;  toes  rather  thickly  feathered.    Ilab.    Europe. 

var.  ]i  a  sse  ri  n  u  m} 


'  Ohnin'iHiim  pn.iirriniim,  var.  pn.i.irrinum .  Stri.r  pn.isrrinn,  I.i\x.  1,  IS'i,  17C6.  Olavci- 
diiini  jiii.ixi-n'iiiiiii,  iioiK,  Isis,  182(i,  it70.  —  Sii.vuim;  &  I)i;kss|-.i;,  liinls  Europe,  11,  Ajiril,  1871. 
Suriiiii  piissrrhiti,  Ki;vs.  &  lii.As.  Wirb.  Kuro)>.  32,  1840.  Micmphinx  passe  rhifi,  Kaip,  C'oiitr. 
Orii.  1852,  107.  Xucdi"  passn-vm,  Sciil.i.i!.  Mu.s.  I'avs-Ha.s.  S/rii/r.i,  p.  41,  1862.  SIri.r  pusiHa, 
Daii>.  Tr.  Orn.  11,  20ri,  1800.  SInx  piiijnwiu  Br.ciisr.  Xat.  Deutsolil.  IV,  978,  t.  x.xiv,  1805. 
SIri.c  ttcaiUcii,  Tii.MM.  Rbin.  il'Orn.  I,  p.  90,  1820  (nee  U.mki..). 


STRIOID.K-TIII':   OWLS.  SI 

Tiiil.  mid  sli-i|,cs  oil  siilc.-i,  niiirli  diiiUcr  tliiui  tliu  Imrk;  tail-liiiiids 
"  I  c?)  ■'^  (9  I.  nut  iMiniiiuious;  tors  only  .sniiitily  li:iin'(l.  Win:.', 
;i..")(l-  1.0(1 ;  tail. '..',5(1- 'J.Slt;  ciiliiii'ii,  .4;i-.-IS;  tarsus,  .(iO  ;  niidiUc 
toe,  ..v..      //„/,.     \V,..,u.in    I'l-oviiict.'   of  Norlli   Aiiiciica.      TaMi-- 

lamls  i]|'  .Mcxii vaf.  r<t  I  i/n  r  ii  i  r  urn  . 

B.  Marking-;  nn  ih,.  ridwn  Imii^ntniliiial  and  lini'ar. 

2.  G.  infuscatum.  Tail  dark  Imiwii,  crossed  liy  six  to  scvoii  non-con- 
tiiiMoiis  l.aihU  of  whit.',  narrower  than  the  dark  oiios  Abovu  vnryin.ir 
from  f^rayi>li-l.ro\vn  lo  icddisli-nMilicr  and  sepia.  ISeneatli  white,  the 
Stripes  on  the  sides  ;.:rayisli-lirowii  or  (hirk  brown,  hko  the  liaek. 

Aliove  dark  sepia,  or  l)laekish-i>rown.  Tail  brownisli-lilaek  or 
deep  lilaik-.  \Vill;.^  li.TO  -  .'!.iH) ;  tail,  'i.oO  - 'J-'JO  ;  enlnien,  .4.j  ; 
tarsus,   .•;.") -.SO;    middle    toe,   .(i."J-.70.        I!>il>.      Hastern    South 

Aineriea var.  i ii/nnratu  in  } 

Above  .L'rayisli,  or  reddish-niiiljer.  Tail  clear  dark  brown,  or 
grayish-uiiiber. 

Win-  ;!.(;o-;i.0O;  tail, 'i..'!;")  -  2.7") ;  eiilinen,  .45  -  .50  ;  tar.siis, 
.<15-.S(i;  middle  toe,  .()()-. 70.  Ilab.  Middle  America,  from 
the  Itio  (iiande  (prol>al)ly  in  Te.xas)  lo  Panama         .        var.  giiomn.' 

3.  G.  ferrugineum.  Tail  crossed  by  seviMi  to  niiu;  eontinnous  bands 
of  dark  bmwn  ami  l.ri-lit  riil'ons,  of  nearly  equal  Width.  Aliove  vary- 
in,?  I'rom  erayisli-liiciwn  lu  liriffht  femi.ninoiis ;  beneath  varyin;;  from 
pure  while  to  pale  nilbiis  the  stripes  on  the  sides  like  the  back.  Wing, 
3.70-4.15:  tail,  'J.lio -'j.DO;  eidmeii,  .45  -  ..50;  tarsii-s  .70 -.SO;  iniil- 
(Ue  toe,  .70 -.75.  /lull.  Tropical  America,  from  sonthern  border  of 
United  States  lo  Soiitlieni  IJrazil. 


Glaucidium  passerinum,  vur.  californicum  (Sciater). 

THE  CALIFORNIA  PIGMY  OWL, 

Olaufiiliiim  c'di'/nniii'inii,  Seivrri;,  I'luc.  Zeill.  Soc.  I.oiul.  1S.'>7,  p.  4.  Glniicidiiiiii  pas- 
ncriiiKin,  var.  i-ii,'i/,„;ii'nii,i  (IIiikiwav)  ('orr..s,  Key,  1S72,  206.  Strix pansi-i-iiwidii  {not 
of  Tk.mminck  '.),  .\ni.  Orii.  liiej,'.  V,  -J?!,  1831.  lllnKcidiiini  in/iisadHM  (not  of 
Tkm.m.I),  Cass.  I'.iids  el'  Cal.  &  Tex.  p.  IS!),  1854.  -  Xl'.wii.  V.  I!.  I!.  Hept.  VI,  IV, 
77,  1857.  Hhnindin,,,  iinnnvi  (not  nf  W'Adl.r.i:  1),  Cass,  liirds  X.  Am.  1S5S,  (1-2. — 
Hr.KUM.  1'.  1!.  li.  l!,|,i.  VII,  :;i,  1857.  -<  oop.  ct  Si-.k.  P.  U.  R.  Kept.  XII,  ii,  158, 
18(iO.  —  Coii:s,  I'ruil.  (ird.  Aiiz.  p.  14,  18o(;.  -Caii.  Jour.  1802,  a3(i.  —  I.or.n.  Int. 
Ohs.  l,s(;5,  liill  (lwliit>i.  --(;);av.  Hand  List,  I,  42,  1801).  — Cah.  I'd).  I5url.  Miw. 
1S()!),  2(17. 

Si\  CiiAii.  Aihili  (^,  l'j.().54.  I'liijet  Sound,  Washin,[rton  Territory:  Dr.  C.  B. 
Keiinei-ly).     .Miove,  ineiiidiu'j:  (lie  aurii'iilai's,  umlier-ln ' 'Wii,  with  a  faint  reddish  cast ;  this 

1  Gliiucidiitiii  iiifiiirntinii,  var.  iiifii.ffnlinii.  Sfn'.r  iii/iiscdln,  Tr.MM.  Iml.  fli'm'ral,  1821. 
Alliaie.  L,  ItoNAl'.  Consp.  37,  1850  (cxil.  syn.).  G/nuciiliina  /.  ,KArf,  Cent.  Orn.  1852,  103. 
f  SlrLe  chita,  Ii.i.Ki.  in  Mus.  lii'il.  Cab.  Azar.  Xo.  49.  Stri.r  pdSRn-inuiiku,  Tkmm.  PI.  Col.  344. 
Slim  ill  p.,  IioNAl".  Os.  Cdv.  Ilrj,'.  .All.  I,  57.     Xi'iiiiii  p.,  Li.ss.  Man.  &  Tr.  Orn. 

^  Glaiiciiliiiiii  iiifiisiyitiini,  var.  iiudhih.  Ghniciiliuiii  (iiinma,  Waoi,.  Isis,  1332,  275.  —  Kai'I', 
Monoi,'.  Slriijidii;  in  Coiitr.  In  Orn.  1852,  in.)  (under  '/.  m/iisintum).  —  Stkickl.  Orn.  Syn.  1, 
103,  1855  (under  ^\  iii/iisriiliiui).  Allniir  ijiiihiui,  OiiAY,  Ocii.  Birds,  f  .  sp.  ,S5,  1844.  Hnb. 
Whole  of  Middle  Amerie.-i,  frniii  I'anania  northward  to  the  liio  Grande  and  Mazatlan.  Probably 
yet  to  he  found  in  Tixas  or  N'ew  .Mexico. 

vol,.   III.  11 


82  NOltTII  A.MKinCAX  JHUDS. 

liii|.'('  must  iippiwcnt  in  a  slmrply  ilfliiicd  biiinl  acros-i  llic  llii'Dut.  TIic  coiiliiiiiitv  of  the 
liniwii  iiliiivc  is  iiil('n'ii])t,r(l  liy  ii  si'urci'ly  olisi'i'viililc  coliiii'  round  tlic  nape  ol'  ciincnalfd 
whitish;  ihis  is  (hsccrnibit-  only  lalcially,  wlii'ic  iht'i'c  is  also  an  inconspicnoiis  hhick  spat'c. 
Wholi,'  head  ahovc,  ami  nui'k  behind,  with  ninncroiis  small  cifcnlar  spots  of  rcddisli- 
whili;;  hacU,  scapniais,  and  winj;s  nioio  s|mi'soly  niul  more  luiiintely  liinrkcd  with  the 
.same;  the  two  of  thrcL-  lower  I'eatheis  of  the  secondary  coverts  have  each  a  tei-minal, 
somewhat  oval,  lai'irer  spot  of  pure  white.  Secondaries  crossed  by  three  (exposed)  bands 
of  pure  wdiile,  and  narrowly  tipped  with  the  same;  the  bands  formed  b)'  scmicircnlar 
spots  on  the  ontei'  welis.  I'rimai-ies  almost  plain,  but  showing'  faintly  delincd  obsolete 
liands,  —  the  liiii'd,  Ibnrth,  and  liflh  with  two  or  three  conspicuous  white  spots  on  onler 
welis,  beyond  their  emarjjinalion  ;  primary  coverts  perfectly  plain.  Tail  consideralily 
ilarker  than  llie  Winers,  and  purer  umber;  i-rosscd  with  seven  narrow  bands  of  jjin'o 
while,  the  last  of  wlii<'h  is  terminal  and  not  well  defhicd,  —  these  bands  are  formed  by 
transverse  spots,  not  touching  the  shalt  on  either  web.  Lores,  sides  of  the  forehead,  sides 
of  the  throat  (beneath  the  clu'cks  and  car-covcrts),  and  lower  parts  in  general,  pure 
while;  the  anie-orbital  white  continuing  liack  over  the  oyi;  to  its  middle,  but  not  beyond 
it.  Lateral  jiortion  of  the  neck  and  breast  (conlluent  with  the  gular  bolt),  and  sides, 
limber,  like  the  back,  but  more  nnineronsh',  though  more  obsoletely,  speckled,  the  spots 
rather  larger  and  more  longitudinal  on  the  sides.  IJreast,  abdomen,  anal  region,  and 
lower  tail-coverts  with  narrow  lo.igitudinal  stripes  oi  nearly  i)nre  l)lack.  Jugulum  iin- 
macnlate.  Tarsi  mottled  on  the  outside  with  brown.  Lining  of  the  wing  white;  a 
transveise  patch  of  lilackish  across  the  ends  of  the  under  primary  coverts,  formed  liy  the 
terminal  deltoid  spot  of  each  fijalher;  a  lilackish  stripe,  formed  of  blended  streaks 
(parallel  with  the  edge  of  the  wing),  running  from  the  licnd  to  the  primary  coverts. 
I'nder  siu'face  of  jirimarics  dusky,  with  transverse  sjiots  of  white  anterior  to  the  cmargi- 
iiation  ;  these  while  spots  on  the  longest  quill  ai'c  eight  in  number.    Axillars  plain  *vhito. 

Wing.  ;!.()() ;  tail.  2.00  ;  cnlnien.  .45  ;  tarsus,  .00  ;  middle  toe.  .55.  Wing-foriniila,  4,  3, 
5-2,  0,  7.  8,  !>,  10,  I. 

9  (30,874,  Fort  Whipple,  near  Trescott,  Arizfinn,  October  11,  18()4  ;  Dr.  t'oue.';).  Li 
.treneral  appearance  .scarcely  dill'ci-ent  I'rom  the  male.  I'ppei-  surface  more  ashy,  thespeck.s 
of  whitish  less  numerous.  Iieing  confined  chielly  to  the  head;  tho.se  on  the  .scapulars, 
however,  are  laru'c,  though  veiy  sparse.  The  middle  wing-coverts  have  each  a  conspicuous 
ronndi.sh  white  spot  near  the  cud  of  the  outer  web;  the  secondary  coverts  are  similarly 
marked,  foi'inin.ii:  a  band  acro.ss  the  wing.  The  ])riMiaries  and  tail  are  as  in  the  male, 
except  that  the  latter  has  eight,  instead  ol'  seven,  white  bands.  The  brown  of  the  gular 
band  extends  upward  over  the  Ihi'oat  to  the  rccin'ved  leathers  of  the  chin  ;  the  white  dots 
in  the  brown  of  the  sides  aiv  considerably  laiyci-  ;nid  (though  very  irregidar)  more  circular 
than  in  the  male  ;  the  slrijics  on  the  abdomen,  etc..  are  rather  broader  and  less  deeply 
black  than  in  the  male.  Win.i.'.  4. on  ;  tail.  2. SO  ;  I'nlmen.  .48.  (Wing-formula  as  in  male.) 
ir.vn.  P.acific  Province  of  Xorth  .\merica,  from  Vancouv(M'  [.stand  .southward  ;  Arizona 
(Fort  Whipple)  ;  Colorado  (El  Pas.)  Co.,  Aikkx)  ;  Table-lands  of  ^[exico  (Coll.,  G.  X. 
L,\wi!kxck).  Perhaps  whole  of  the  Western  Province,  from  the  Rocky  Mountains  to 
the  Pacific. 

Olio  .specimen  in  tlio  collection  (')9,(1(i0)  differs  frniii  those  cle.scribed  in 
much  darker  colors.  The  original  laliel  is  lo.st,  Imt  it  was  prohahly  received 
I'rom  the  northwest  coast,  as  tlie  darker,  more  reddish  colors  bear  about  the 
same  relation  to  the  paler  ovay  tints  of  the  southern  birds  that  the  dark 
northwest  coast  style  of  Snips  (tsio  (var.  knniiroffi)  does  to  tlie  true  nxlo. 
Tiie  stripes  beneath  are  nearly  jiure  bhick,  the  general  tint  aliove  bein^'  a 
recklish  se]iia-bro\vii.     Wiiio;,  3.(iri  ;  tail,  2.7U. 


STUl(ilU.l<;  — TIIH   OWLS. 


8;} 


(ilfillritlium  rfthtfiniicitm. 


The  GlaafiiUnm  call/ornlrvin  requires  coinparison  only  witli  tlio  G. 
passcrmuiii  of  Euroiio,  to  wiiich  it  is  quite  closely  related,  tliuugh  easily  dis- 
tinguishable by  the  characters  jroiuted 
out  in  the  diagnoses  ;  it  is  not  at  all 
nice  (jnomii,  nor  indeed  any  other 
American  sjiecies,  with  which  it  has 
been  confounded  by  nearly  all  orni- 
tlioloi;ists,  even  by  Tabanis,  in  his 
(excellent  \YA\mv  above  cited. 

I  have  seen  only  one  Mexican  speci- 
men of  this  species,  which  is  one  in 
Mr.  Lawrence's  collection  ;  the  locality 
is  not  given,  but  it  is  prol)ably  from 
the  higher  regions  of  the  interior.  It 
differs  in  no  respect,  except  in  size, 
from  North  American  examples  ;  it 
measures,  wing,  3.4(t;  tail,  2.0U. 

Hahits.  This  species,  one  of  the 
smallest  of  our  North  American  Owls,  was  first  obtained  on  the  Columbia 
liiver  l>y  Dr.  Townsend,  near  Fort  Vancouver;  and  subsequently.  Dr.  Merideth 
Gairdner  procured  several  others  from  the  same  locality,  which  were  sent  to 
the  Edinburgli  ]Museuni.  Dr.  Townsend's  specimen  was  said  to  have  been 
taken  on  the  wing  at  midday. 

Dr.  Cooper  met  with  a  single  siiecinien  in  Washington  Territory  early  in 
November,  18")4.  He  observed  it  among  a  flock  of  Sparrows,  that  ditl  not 
seem  at  all  disturbed  by  its  presence.'.  At  first  he  mistook  it  for  one  of  these 
birds.     Its  stomach  was  found  to  contain  only  insects. 

Dr.  Suckley  obtained  two  specimens  at  Tuget  Sound,  where  he  found  it 
moderately  abundant.  It  seemed  to  be  diurnal  in  its  habits,  gliding  al)out 
in  shady  situations  in  pursuit  of  its  prey.  lie  saw  one  about  midday  in  a 
shady  alder-swamji  near  Nisipially.  It  ilitted  noi.seli'Ssly  i)ast  him  several 
times,  alighting  near  l>y,  on  a  low  branch,  as  if  to  examine  the  intruder. 

Near  a  small  lake  in  the  neighborhood  of  Fort  Steilacoom,  Dr.  Suckley 
frequently  heard  the  voice  of  a  diminutive  Owl,  which  he  su])posed  to  come 
from  one  of  these  birds,  as  this  is  the  only  small  species  of  the  family  ho 
ever  saw  in  that  neighborhood.  The  notes  were  subdued  and  clear,  like  the 
soft,  low  notes  of  a  ihite. 

Dr.  Newberry  procured  specimens  of  the  Pigmy  Owl  on  the  Cascade 
Mountains,  in  Oregon,  where,  however,  it  was  not  common.  It  occurs  also 
in  Ciilifornia,  as  he  saw  several  individuals  in  San  Francisco  that  had  been 
obtained  in  that  State,  but  he  did  not  meet  with  any  in  the  Sacramento 
Valley.  It  was  ap]jarently  confined  to  wooded  districts,  which  is  prol)ably 
the  reason  why  it  is  not  more  frequent  in  the  open  country  of  California. 
He  adds  that  it  Hies  about  with  great  freedom  and  activity  by  day,  pursuing 


g4  M»UT1I  AMKUICAN  lilJlDS. 

tlio  .small  Itirds  upon  wliicii  it  .subsists,  njiiiiirciitly  iis  littlc!  iiicnminnilcd  by 
tlio  li,i,'lit  as  llicy  arc.  It  is,  however,  (Idiilitliil  wlictlu'r  it  sul>sists,  to  any 
larjio  extent,  on  small  birds.  So  i'ar  as  observed  it  appei'.rs  to  leed  almost 
exclusively  on  insects,  allhouj^li  the  Owl  tai<i'n  by  Town.sond  is  .said  to  liavo 
bad  the  entire  body  of  a  lui/n/iis  in  its  slomacii. 

])r.  ("oojier  speaks  of  tliis  Owl  as  not  uneonnuon  in  tbi;  middle  ])art  of 
California,  tliou^Ljli  lie  did  not  meet  witli  it  in  the  southern  part  of  the  State. 
It  is,  ]irobalilo  that  it  is  occasional  in  Southern  California,  as  it  has  been 
found  in  Me.xieo,  where  however,  it  is  undoulitedly  rare,  as  Mr.  Kid^way 
informs  mo  that  only  a  sin,iile  specimen  of  this  Owl,  amonj;  a  hundred  others 
from  Mexico,  ha.s  ever  been  .seen  by  him. 

Dr.  Heermann  met  with  this  beautiful  little  .species  ainony  the  mountain- 
ous distri<ls  of  the  mininjj;  rci^ions  of  (,'alifornia,  where  it  was  by  no  means 
rare.  It  was,  however,  seldom  cajjlured  by  him,  and  he  re^^arded  its  Hying 
by  night  as  the  reason  ;  but  this  view  is  not  corroborated  by  the  ob.servations 
of  otliers.  In  18.')2  he  jirocurcd  three  specimens  on  the  borders  of  the  Cala- 
veras Iliver,  others  were  taken  on  th(j  Cosuinnes  Ifiver,  ami  Mr.  J.  (1.  I'ell, 
of  Xew  York,  met  with  it  on  the  American  IJiver,  tluis  demonstrating  its 
wide  and  general  distrilaition  throughout  the  State. 

Mr.  John  K.  Lord  mi't  with  a  jiair  f)n  Vancouver  Island.  lie  charac- 
terizes the  bird  as  of  siiy  and  solitary  habits,  always  hiding  among  the  tiiick 
foliage  of  the  oak  or  pine,  exee))t  when  feeding.  Karly  one  sjaing,  while 
collecting  specimens  of  the  smaller  migrant  birds,  he  was  favored  with 
unusual  o])i)ortunities  for  watching  their  habits.  The  ])air  had  ma<le  their 
home  in  the  hollow  of  an  oak-treo  that  stood  in  an  ojien  patch  of  gravelly 
ground  near  a  small  lake.  The  remains  of  an  Indian  lodge  which  was  close 
to  the  place  enabled  Mr.  Lord  to  watch  closely  the  habits  of  this  interesting 
jiair.  In  the  lirst  morning  twilight  the  Owls  were  up  and  in  motion,  hungry 
after  a  whole  night's  fasting.  Tiieir  flight  Mas  short,  (piick,  and  jerking, 
sinular  to  tliat  of  the  Sparrow  Hawk,  but  wiioUy  unlike  the  mulUcd,  noise- 
less llaj)  of  the  Xigl'.t  Owls.  Their  food  was  found  to  be  entirely  insectivo- 
rous, chieily  gra.s.sho]ipers  and  field-crickets,  witli  an  occasional  beetle  or 
butterfly.  When  in  ]airsuit  of  Iboil,  they  ])ercli  on  a  small  la'anch  near 
tlie  ground,  and  sit  bolt  u]iright  in  an  indolent  drowsy  manner  until  tlieir 
(juick  eye  detects  an  insect,  when  thoy  suddeidy  pounce  upon  it,  hold 
it  down  with  their  small  but  powerful  claws,  and  with  tiieir  sharp  beaks 
tear  it  to  ])ieces.  Only  the  soft  abdominal  ]iarts  are  thus  eaten.  As  soon 
as  their  hunger  is  satiated  they  return  to  the  tree,  cuddling  close  together, 
and  doze  away  the  greater  ]iart  of  the  day.  In  tiic  evening  twilight  the 
Owls  again  come  out  of  their  hole  and  take  erratic  flights  around  tl-.eir  abode, 
chasing  eacli  other  u])  and  down  tli(>  ]ilain,aiul  pcrforniing  all  kinds  of  inex- 
jilicalilc  nuuKcuvres.  Occasionally  they  settle  on  the  ground,  but  never  long 
at  a  time. 

]\lr.  Lcjrd  never  obsi'rved   them  to  cajjiure  an  insect  while  on  the  wing, 


STKKHD.K-TIIK   OWl.S.  85 

and  a  very  small  (inantity  of  food  seenipd  to  supply  tlieir  wants.  As  soon 
a.s  it  l)fLMUiu  (lark  tlu'y  rotiivd  to  tlieir  ne.st,  and  tliuru  apparently  passed  the 
ni|;ht. 

To  tlii.s  account  Mr.  Lord  adds,  that  early  in  May  two  small  eg-^s  were 
laid,  wliite  in  coloi',  round  and  very  rou^;h  on  tlieir  snrlace,  a  large  knot-hole 
in  the  lirancii  of  tliu  tree  having  liceii  selected  as  the  nesting-place.  Nothing 
of  any  kind  was  nsed  as  a  lining,  the  egg.s  being  depo.situd  on  the  bare  wood. 
The  length  of  tinu^  oocni>ied  in  incubation  Mr.  Lord  was  not  able  to  ascer- 
tain in  eonse([ueiice  of  the  shortness  of  his  stay. 


Glaucidium  ferrugineum,  Kaui*. 

THE  SED-TAILED  OWL. 

airU  fn'ncjiiiiii.   Max.    Hi  is,    jlias.   i,   105,   18-20  ;  Tiav.  Bras.  p.  88;  Ileitr.  111,234.— 

Ti;.M.M.   I'l.  lol.  lilll.      .(.ATM.  (llll.    Hist.   I,  Iir;).      Xliflllll/.,  StKI'II.   '/ji«\.   .Xlli,  pt.  11, 

p.  CO.  —  I,i,ss.  Mail.  Dill.  1,  111  ;  Tr.  Oiii.  104.  —  Crv.  I.'i'},'.  An.  (cil.  -S),  I,  ;!4t). — 
TsciiL-Di,  Av.  ('.iiisp.  Wiijiiii.  Aivliiv.  1841,  2(i7  ;  Fium.  I'''"'-  I'P-  !'•'•  !'''■  >'»''"•'"■'«./'■. 
Ho.VAl'.  Oss.  Ciiv.  lii'^r.  All.  p.  r.(>  ;  Isis,  1833,  1053.  Af/i'iif /.,  fiUAY,  (ii'li.  li.  lot.  sp. 
17  ;  List  1!.  liiit.  Mils.  p.  02.  —  ISonai'.  Coii.sp.  Av.  ]>.  38.  —  SriilcKI,.  Oiii.  Syii.  I, 
l(i2,  18J,-..  (IhnicMiim  /.,  Kaip,  .Moii.  Stii;,'.  ('out.  Oiii.  ISfiS,  104.  —  HriiM.  TliiiT. 
P.ias.  II,  141,  140.  —  Caiia.n.  I'clj.  ilcil.  Mils.  1800,  200.  -  CniKs,  Am.  Nat.  VI,  370 
(Arix(iiia>.  -  III.  Key,  ls72,  20ti.  >  Athene  tiana  (Kl.Nu),  (lli.VY,  Uin.  1844,  pi.  .\ii 
(iioniial  pluiiia.^'i-). 

(I.  XiirnidJ  phimnrje. 
Sp.  Chah.  Aihill  (^.  i.':!,7li'J,  Mazallan,  .Mcxifn;  .1.  Xaiitiis).  Upper  .surfaco  umher- 
lirown,  iiiorc  ashy  aulcriDily.  iKislcridily  iikiic  lirowiiisli.  llrail  abovo  'vvitli  a  fuw 
narrow  li)ii,i,ntii(Iiiial  lines  of  ycllowisli-wliitc,  anteriorly  and  laloraliy  ;  a  ipiilc  distinct 
collar  of  wliitisji  .spot.s  acros.s  tiic  iia|)c',  llic  l]lack  lateral  .spaces  rallicr  olisolcto ;  .scapulars 
witli  a  few  con.spiciioii,s  oval  .spot.s  of  pure  white;  two  lower  fealliers  of  secondary 
covert.s  each  with  a  siinijar  spot  nii  diilcr  weti.  Secondaries  darker  lirowii,  cro.s.scd  with 
five  bauds  of  dull  riifniis,  ihi^  last  not  lenuinal-.  outer  webs  of  primaries  with  .semicircular 
pale  spots  aloiii;'  tlie  iiiaryin,  tlicse  nearly  wliite  lievoud  the  siiiuation  (if  tlic  feathers, 
anteriiiily  lirowiiisii.  Tail  bright  rufous,  crossed  with  about  seven  distinct  liaiids  of 
dark  tirown,  tiiesc  liaidiy  (Mpialliijjr  the  rufous  in  width,  which  is  also  teriniiial.  hriniii- 
tudinal  stripes  of  the  sides  of  the  same  soil  L'layish-brown  tint  as  the  head;  tarsi  sparsely 
speckled  with  the  same  on  outer  side.  Wiic^-foiinula, -},  5,  .'5-G- 7,  2,  8 ;  first  shortest. 
Win;,',  3.70 ;   tail,  2.20:  (  ulinen.  .1.") ;   tarsus.  .70;  middle  too,  .70. 


b.    Ihtfi'.iri'iit  j>f>nii(iije. 

Adiill.  I'ppcr  surface  contiunoiisly  deep  lalcritious-rufou.s,  all  the  li^'hter  inarkintrs 
almost  oliliterateil.  Bars  on  the  tail  scarcciv  trai'cable.  tilaek  cervical  transverse  space 
con.spicuons.  Sides  of  the  lircast  and  stripes  of  the  sides  duller  rufous  than  the  tint 
above;  white  of  frround-color  with  yellowish  tinge;  lef,^s  pale  rufoii.s,  deepest  on  outer 
side,  immaculate,     fiiilar  collar  blackish. 

^  (4;i.O.")."),  La  Paliiia,  Costa  Rica,  January  27,  IStJO ;  Jo.se  Zeledou).  AVing-formula, 
4  =  .-),  3  -  G  -2  ;  first  .shortest.     Win;/.  3.S0  ;  tail,  2.40. 

9  (33,210,  .San  .To.sd,  Costa  Uica!  .1.  Carmiol).  Wing-fonnuUi,  4,  3  =  5 -G,  2  ;  first 
shortest.     Winjr;4.ir);  tail,  2.00  ;  tarsus,  .80;  middle  toe,  ,7."). 


86 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


IIab.  Whole  of  eastern  Soiilli  Aiiu'ri(.'a,  and  Miilille  America  (bolli  coasts)  north  into 
southern  border  of  United  States  (Arizona,  Bkndikk;  probalily  entire  southern  border). 

The  numerous  sijecimens  exfiiiiine  I  come  from  tlio  J!io  Grande  of  Texas 
(across  the  whole  breadtli  of  Alitkllo  America)  to  Paraguay,  everywhere  tlie 
same  species,  those  from  the  extremes  of  its  range  showing  scarcely  any  dif- 
ference. 

A  specimen  of  the  ferruginous  plumage,  in  the  collection  of  the  Phila- 
delphia Academy,  is  remariialile  for  the  great  intensity  and  uniformity  of 
the  rufous ;  the  entire  i)liunage,  in  fact,  being  of  this  color,  a  fine  light  tint 
of  which  replaces  the  white  below.  There  is  no  trace  of  bars  on  either  wings 
or  tail. 

In  the  very  large  series  before  me  I  find  in  individuals  every  possible 
shade  between  the  two  extremes  described.  Over  fifty  specimens  have 
come  under  my  notice. 

Habits.  This  little  Owl  claims  a  place  in  our  fauna  on  the  strength  of 
several  specimens  taken  in  Southern  Arizona  by  Captain  IJendire.  It  is 
a  southern  bird,  found  throughout  the  whole  of  Mexico,  and  ranges  tlience 
though  the  whole  of  South  America,  except  the  Pacific  coast,  as  far  south  as 
Southern  lirazil.  In  Mexico  it  is  as  abundant  on  the  Pacific  as  on  the 
eastern  coast,  and  is  by  I'ar  the  most  common  Owl  of  its  genus  found  in 
that  country. 

Mr.  E.  C.  Taylor  states  that  he  found  this  bird  pretty  common  in  Trini- 
dad, where  it  is  said  to  fly  about  in  the  daytime,  apparently  iiidin'erent  to 
the  blazing  tropical  sun,  and  is  much  smaller  than  any  other  species  of 
Owl  he  met  with. 


Genus  MICRATHENE,  Coles. 

Micrathcnc,  C'orE.s,  P.  A.  X.  .S.  Philad.  1800,  57.     (T.v|h',  Atlicne  iL-hitneyi,  Coopeu.) 

Ges.  Ciiak.     Size  very  small  (the  smallest  Owl  known)  ;  head  small,  and  without  ear- 
tufts.     Bill  and  feet  weak.     Tail  short,  less  than   half  the  winjr,  even.     Nostril  small, 

circular,  ojicuiui!;  in  the 
middle  of  the  much  in- 
flated ceral  membrane. 
Tarsus  a  little  loniier 
tlian  the  middle  toe, 
naked,  scantily  haired,  as 
are  also  the  toi.s.  I'our 
outer  quills  with  their 
inner  webs  sinuated ; 
fourth  longest.  Ear- 
iris  yellow. 


Mirrn/ t'v  ifhitnft/i. 

conch  very  small,  simple,  roundish.    Bill  pale  greenish  ; 


This  well-marked  genus  is  represented  by  a  single  species,  found  in  the 
Colorado  region  of  the  United  States,  and  in  Western  Mexico.     It  is  the 


STRIGIDvE  — THE  0WL8.  g7 

smallf^st  of  all  known  Owls,  and  has  the  general  aspect  of  a  Glnucidium. 
From  the  fact  that  feathers  of  birds  were  iound  in  its  stomach,  we  may 
reasonably  infer  tluit  it  is  of  exceedingly  rapacious  habits,  like  the  species 
of  that  genus. 

Species. 

M.  whitneyi.  Above  grayish  olivc-bi-own,  sprinkled  with  small,  rather 
obscure,  spots  of  pale  rusty,  and  interrupted  by  a  whitish  nuchal  collar ; 
outer  M-ebs  of  the  lower  series  of  scapulars  pure  white.  Wings  spotted 
with  white  and  pale  fawn-color;  tail  grayish-brown,  crossed  by  live  to  six 
narrow  interrupted  bands  of  pale  fawn-color.  Eyebrows  and  lores  pure 
white  ;  a  cravat  of  the  same  on  the  chin.  Beneath  white,  marked  with  large, 
rather  longitudinal,  ragged  blotches  of  pale  rusty,  mottled  with  dusky. 
Bill  pale  greenish  ;  iris  yellow.  Length,  5.50  -  0.25  ;  extentof  wings,  14.25- 
15.25  (measurements  of  freshly  killed  specimen.'s).  Wing,  4.00  -  4.40  ;  tail, 
1.90  -  2.30.  Hub.  Fort  Mohave,  California  (April),  and  Socorro  Island, 
west  coast  of  Mexico. 

Micrathene  whitneyi,  Coues. 

WHITNEY'S  OWL. 

Athene  whitneyi,  C'oopeh,  Proe.  C'al.  Aead.  .So.  IStil,  p.  118.  Micrathene  whitneyi,  CouEs, 
Tr.  Ac.  Nat.  .Sc.  Phihul.  18(56,  15.  —  Em.iot,  lllu.st.  Am.  B.  I,  xxix.  —  UiiAVSos 
(Lawrence),  Ann.  N.  Y.  Lye. — (.'ori:s,  Key,  1872,  207. 

Sp.  Ciau.  Adidl  {$,  208,  J.  G.  Cooper,  Fort  Mohave,  California,  April  26,  18G1). 
Above  u'nlier-brown  (less  pure  and  uniform  than  in  Glaucidium),  each  feather  with  an 
irregular,  t.  i.isversely  elliptical  .spot  of  pale  rufous,  these  largest  on  the  forehead,  border- 
ing the  white  eyebrows;  the  feathers  everywhere  minutely  mottled  transversely  with 
darker,  this  being  most  noticeable  where  l)ordering  the  yellowish  .^spots.  Scapulars  with 
their  outer  webs  almost  wholly  white.  Wings  with  the  ground-color  a  little  darker  than 
the  back  ;  lessor  coverts  with  numerous  spots  of  light  rufous,  there  being  two  on  each 
feather,  one  concealed  ;  middle  and  secondary  coverts  with  a  very  largo  oval  spot  of 
pure  white  terminating  the  outer  webs,  Uie  white  spot  on  the  latter  preceded  by  a  pale 
rufous  one.  Secondaries  with  five  (exposed)  bands  of  pale  oehraceous  (the  last  terminal), 
these  p.xssing  into  white  on  the  edge;  primary  coverts  with  three  large  oehraceous  spots; 
primaries  with  about  six  (including  the  terminal)  conspicuous  spots  of  the  same,  those  an- 
terior to  the  emargination,  on  the  third,  fourth,  and  fifth  quills,  almost  white.  Tad  like 
the  wings,  but  more  uniform  ;  crossed  by  six  irregular  narrow  bands  of  pale  oehraceous. 
the  last,  or  terminal,  of  which  is  not  well  defined  ;  these  do  not  touch  the  .shaft,  and 
on  the  inner  webs  they  are  pure  white.  Lori\s  and  eyebrows,  cheeks,  lining  of  the 
wings,  and  ground-color  of  the  lower  parts,  white ;  ear-coverts  and  snb-orbital  space 
like  the  crown,  Init  more  rusty ;  lateral  lower  parts  much  washed  witii  plumbeous,  this 
especially  prevalent  on  the  flanks.  Behind  the  .shar))ly  defined  white  of  the  cheeks  is  a 
black  trinsverse  wash.  Throat,  jugulum,  breast,  and  abdomen,  with  each  feather  having 
a  medi.il  longitudinal  ragged-edged  blotch  of  pale  rufous,  these  blotches  most  clearly 
defined  on  the  abdomen,  more  eonfiised  anteriorly  ;  anal  region  and  tibiic  almost  immaeu- 
lale ;  tibisB  with  numerous  transverse  narrow  blackish  bars,  on  a  pale  oehraceous  ground. 
Lining  of  the  wing  fiiintly  spotted  at  the  bend,  and  on  the  primary  coverts,  the  terminal 
half  of  which  is  plain  du.sky  ;  under  surface;  of  primaries  blackish,  with  obscure  transverse 
paler  spots,  —  tho.se  anterior  to  the  emargination  almost  white;  those  beyond  darker,  tho 


88 


NORTH  AMEIUCAN  BIRDS. 


liist  bc'lnp;  scarcely  distinguislialjlc ;  on  the  longest  t[uill  eijrht  CJin  bo  (letcctod.  Wing- 
fonnula,  4,  3  = ') -2,  0,  7,  8,  9  -  1.  Length,  "0.2.')";  extent,  "irj.2r»";  winjr,  4.10: 
tail,  2..'j() ;  culnien,  ..!.") ;   tarsus,  .80  ;  middle  tne,  .00. 


A  male  IVoni  .Socorm  Island  (4!),(i7^',  Colonel  A.  J.  Grayson)  is  less  acltilt 
than  the  ])receilin<3'.  Tlie  iipiier  i)luniage  is  more  brownish  and  more  mot- 
tled ;  tlie  rufous  si)ots,  though  deejier  and  larger,  are  less  sliari)ly  defined  ; 
tiie  spots  on  the  primaries  are  all  oehraceous;  the  bands  on  the  tail  are 
broader,  tliough  of  tlie  same  nund)er.  Beneatli  the  longitudinal  blotches 
do  not  appear,  but  the  rusty  rufous  covers  nearly  the  whole  surface,  leav- 
ing the  medial  jjortion  only  white,  and  tins  not  well  defined ;  the  rusty 
shows  ragged  minute  transverse  bars  of  blackish.  The  whitish  collar  round 
the  nape  is  also  better  defined  than  in  the  type.  ^Ving,  4.20  ;  tail,  2.10. 
Wing-fornuda,  4,  o  =  5  -  G,  2  -  7,  8,  9,  10,  1.    Length,  5.20  ;  extent,  14.25. 

Another  sjiecimen,  50,705,  from  the  same  locality,  also  apparently  imma- 
ture, is  just  like  the  preceding  in  plumage.    It  measures,  wing,  4.00  ;  tail,  1.00. 
Haihts.     The   type  specimen  of   this  diminutive   species    was   shot   at 
Fort  Mohave,  in   the  Colorado  Valley,  latitude  35°,  April  20,  1801,  and  two 

otl.ers  have  since  been  taken  on  the 
Socorro  Islands,  off  the  western  coast  of 
jMe-\ico,  by  Colonel  Grayson.  It  is  smaller 
even  tlian  the  little  California  Pygmy 
Owl,  and  is  therefore  the  smallest  known 
to  inhabit  North  America.  It  resembles 
that  species  in  its  colors,  but  is  thought 
by  Dr.  Cooper  to  be  more  simil  r  to  tlie 
burrowing  Owls  in  its  generic  characters. 
It  was  found  in  a  dense  thicket,  on  a 
very  windy  morning,  and  where  it  may 
have  taken  only  a  temporary  refuge,  af- 
ter liaving  been  blown  down  from  some 
of  the  caverns  in  the  barren  mountains 
surrounding  the  valley.  In  its  stomach 
were  found  the  remains  of  insects  and 
the  feathers  of  small  birds.  Several  specimens  of  this  Owl  were  taken  in 
Arizona  by  Captain  Eendire,  one  of  which  is  now  in  the  collection  of  the 
Boston  Society  of  Natural  History.  Captain  Bendire  also  found  one  of  their 
nests,  with  two  fully  fledged  young  ones,  in  a  hole  of  a  mesijuite  stump. 


Mirral/ienf  lchitiiet/i. 


Genus    SPEOTYTO,    Gloger. 

Sprn/i/fn,  '•  Pii.onFl!,  1842."     (T;-))!',  Strir  ciinicularii/,  MoL.) 
"  Plio/,iijthiii.i;  Kaii',  1848."     (Samr  type.) 

Gen.  Cii.vn.    Size  small ;  head  .small,  and  without  eai-tuft.s.     Bill  moderately  strong, 
pale  yellowish.     Tarsi  more  than  twice  as  long  a.s  the  middle  toe,  fealiiercHl  in  front, 


strigid.t:-tiie  owls. 


89 


naked  heliiml ;  toes  scantily  liairod.  Tail  short,  li-ss  than  half  the  wing,  nearly  even,  or 
very  sh-htly  iouii.UmI.  Three  outer  iiiiills  with  their  inner  webs  emarginated ;  second 
to  fourth  loii-esl.     K„    .onili  very  small,  simple,  roundish.     Diurnal  and  terrestrial. 

Tliis  oeiius  is  puciiliar  tu  America,  wliero  it  i.s  distributed  over  the  whole 
of  tlie  sduthen:  and  the  western  lialf  of  tlie  northern  continent,  as  well  as 
in  some  of  the  West  India  Islands.  Tiiere  appears  to  be  but  one  well- 
characterized  siiecies.i  tliis  one  modified  into  representative  races  in  the 
several  geographical  provinces  over  wliich  it  ranges.  The  species  is  terres- 
trial, inhabiting  the  abandoned  burrows  of  Armadillos  and  Rodents.     It  is 


S/ieotyto  hypostea, 

diurnal,  possessing  as  much  freedom  of  sight,  hearing,  and  motion  in  the 
brightest  sunlight,  as  any  species  of  the  Fnlconidcc. 

Species  and  Races. 

S.  cunicularia.  Colois  unilier-hrown  and  oehraeeous-whitc,  the  former 
predominaliiiL!-  aliuve,  the  lalter  prevailinj;  below.  Upper  parts  spotted  with 
whitish ;  io«er  parts  transveisely  barred  with  brown  on  the  breast  and 
sides,  and  sometimes  on  the  abdomen.  A  white  jrular  patch,  and  ju!?ular 
collar,  with  a  brown  band  between  them.  Legs,  erissum.  anal  and  femoral 
regions,  always  inimaiiilafe. 

A.  Primaries  with    liroad   regular   bars  of   oehracoous-whito  on   both 
webs;  primary  eoverls  uitii  large  spots  of  the  same. 

IJrown  markings  of  the  lower  parts  irregularly  trp.nsverso,  and 
ragged.  While  spots  on  the  upper  parts  nearly  equal  in  extent  to 
the  brown. 

Wing,  O.lo- 0.40:  tail,  2.00 -.100;  eulmen,  .58 - .02  ;  tarsus, 
LaO-L80;  middle  toe,  .0.").     Hah.    Peru       .        .     \nv.  graHnria.* 

'  Hrny,  in  his  "  Hand  List,"  gives  in  addition  .S'.  fiincrt,  Vii'.ili,.,  a  West  Indian  ("  Antilles  ") 
species,  wliii.li  ]pr(>vcs  to  lie  not  iiinfiiiicric  with  -S'.  CHnifuliirin,  and  nl.so  S.  dumingcn.iis  (Gm.) 
Ml-'!.!,.,  wliicli  I  cannot  iilcntil'y  as  one  of  the  raeesof  ,S'.  rnniciihirin. 

'^  iSjicoli/ti)  cuniciilxriii,  var.  (iiui/lnriir  >  1  SIri.r  iirnUnrid,  Srix,  Av.  Braz.  I,  21,  1824.  — 
?  Tkm.  pi.  Col.  140.  I  am  liy  no  means  safisfu'd  that  this  form  is  the  true  ijmllnria,  but  it 
seems  to  eonie  nearer  to  it  than  any  other  desrribed.  Three  speeinnMis  (two  from  Peru,  in  the 
National  Museiun,  and  oni',  without  label,  in  the  Museum  of  the  IJoston  Society  of  Natural 
History)  liavu  betMi  e.\amined,  and  agree  in  the  characters  diagnosed  above. 

VOL.  m.  12 


90  NOUTII  AMERICAN  HIRDS. 

Brown  markings  on  th,-  low.r  parts  regularly  (ransvorso,  and  not 
ragged.  ■«  Into  .,,ot.s  on  the  upper  parts  nn.el.  less  than  the  brown 
in  extert. 

Wiug,7.00-7.oO;  tail,  ;i.;i()- 4.00;  aulmen..70;  tar.sn.s  1.70- 
l.bo;  niuldle  toe,  .8,",.  Outer  tail-featliers  and  inner  web.,  of 
prnnanes  with  the  white  nnieh  greater  in  an.ouut  than  the 
brown  (sonietunes  continuou.s  along  outer  webs  ol'  tlie  latter) 
Bab.  .Southern  South  Anieriea  (Chile,  Buenos  Ayre«  T'ara- 
guav,  etc.).         .  .       , 

Wn,g,(,.4O-..O0;  tail,  3.00- ;!.30;  .■uhnen,  .50 -.00  ;  tar.sns 
l.f^O-1.70;  nnddle  toe,  .80.  Outer  tail-feathers  and  inner 
vyebs  of  the  i.nniaries  with  the  white  less  in  e.xtent  than 
the  brown  (never  continuous  along  outer  web.s  of  the  pri- 
marie.s)  M.  Middle  An.eriea,  and  Western  Province  of 
JNortli  America        ... 

B.  Primaries  without  broad  or  regular' bars  of  w'hitisli  on  eithrweb^^'"'""'' 
primary  coverts  plain  brown.  ' 

Brown  markings  on  the  lower  parts  regularlv  transver..e,  and 
equal  ,n  e.xtent  to  the  white.  White  .spots  on  the  upper  parts 
very  small,  reduced  to  mere  specks  on  the  .lor.sal  region. 

Wing,  C.40;  tail,  3.40 ;  cuhuen,  .00;  tarsu.s,  1.82;  middle 
toe,  .80.  Outer  tail-feathers  and  inner  webs  of  the  primaries 
with  the  light  (ochraceou.s)  bars  onlv  about  one  fourth  as 
wide  as  the  brown  (disajipearing  on  the  inner  quill.<).     //«ft. 

"'"■' yi^r-  ffvadeloiipen  sis.' 

Spheotyto  cunicularia,  var.  hypogsBa,  ]^oxap. 

BTTBSOWING  OWL 

5fr^  Aywcc„   BoxAP.  Am.  Orn.  I.  72.  18:^,..     M,,,,,  ,,,,„„,,,  ,5„,^„,  ^^^^  ^,^ 

18..0.-  -WooDll.  (SiroR.)  K.xpl.  Zuni  and  Colorad..,  p.  U-i,  1853. -Cass   Birds  N  Am 
18.W.  .59.  -  NKWn.  V.  U.  K.  Kept.  VI.  77,  18.57.  -Coo...  &  SrcK.  P.  li    l'    iLt 'x,7 

(R.nowAY)  CorK.s.  luw,  1872,  207.  Sl,-U  eunichn-ia  („„t  of  .Momna  ■)  Am  11  An, 
pi.  ccocxxxii.  1831  ;  Orn.  Iliog.  V,  264;  .Synop.  p.  22.  -  Nrrr.  Man.  Orn.'p.iig' 
844.  I  oxAP.  An,.  On,,  p.  08,  pi.  vii,  f.  2.  1825  ;  An,,.  Ly...  N.  Y.  U,  30.  -  Ja.mes. 
(W.r.s.),  Am.  Orn.  IV.  30.  _ Say,  Long'.s  Exp.  Rocky  Mts.,  II,  36.  200.  Ulufa  cuni- 
cnlaria,  J.un.  (Wn,s.)  Am.  0,„.  Ill,  32.5.  1832.  Mhcue  cancularia,  Bonai.  list 
iV,^?'"^'^'''  ''■  '^-     '^'""■'^'"  *''"•  ^>'"-  '•  ^*^"'  18-'^5.--CAss,N.   Birds  N.  Am.' 

L-o'  '«;",,"•';'""■'''■•  ''■  '^-  "•  ""''^-  •^"'  "•  '''•  '''''■  -^•ANi-n:..n.  Am.  Nat. 
18(..),  ..83  (habits).  StrU.  c/i/onnW,,  Aun.  li.  Am.  pi.  cccxxxii,  1831.  Mcnc  so- 
cicdis,  Gami).  Pr.  A<ad.  Nat.  Sc.  I'hil.  Ill,  47,  1846. 

C.iTT^  Zf  "'"t"  ""'•   :"r'"'"''"-     ''*''•'■'■  '^""'cu'nria,   MouXA.  St.  Cliil.  1782.   343. 

Sprnifto  cmn,;,f„nu,  var.  o„a,Mo„/,n,.vs,  RmowAY.     This  l,i,d  j.,  .norolv  a  vcy  .lark  local 
fonn  of  the  common  spooies.  though  it  .lid',.,^  very  a,,pn.oiably  i,.  the  sharpe,'  dcliniiion,  greater 
oxtent.  and  more  intense  tint  of  tl,..  b,ow„  ma.kings  of  its  plumage 
is  IJri'lh  l'"""/'!';''''V°,  "".'•  ""^  'l-niptio„  nf  this  for,,,,  and  believe  it  to  he  ui,„an,ed.     It 

uT Ti^•^^'    I  t'";        t  """■■  '"•  ''•  -""'  '■  """""<>-'-''   MC.....  O.AY-s  Hand 

,   '  ,^"''  \"/'''^^'  ""^  '^-  -f""'"'  ^  "■■■■••••  «'"'^Vs   Hand   Li.st,  No.  43!)).     The  tvpe   is  i„  the 

eolh.ct,o,i  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural   Hi.story.  and  belongs  to  the  Lafrcsiiaie  Zl!:.^ 


STKIGID.K  — THE  OWLS.  91 

Sp.  Chah.  Aihdf.  Above  fiirlh-Inown,  the  whole  .surfaco  covoroil  with  i;uiuerou3 
spots  of  (hill  vliiu.,  —  tlio.so  on  the  scupiiiiuN  lomidish,  niul  in  piiii's  (on  hotii  webs)  ;  of 
siniilnr  form,  liiii  hiv^rv  and  inoic  siiarsi',  on  the  win^s.  Anteriorly  tliey  lieeoiiie  inoro 
lon^'itnilinal  (nearly  linear),  anil  medial  ;  on  llie  rump  and  upper  tail-eoverts,  they  are 
nearly  olisolele.  Seeondaries  crossed  by  fonr  distinel  bands  of  dull  white,  the  lust  termi- 
nal ;  jirimaries  wilh  live  to  six  transverse  series  of  semi-ronnded  spots  of  oehraeeous- 
white  on  their  outer  welis  ;  ]iriniary  coverts  with  aliont  three  transverse  series  of  whitish 
spots.  Tail  with  live  to  si.\  liands  of  dull  white,  or  pale  oehnieeous  (the  last  tonninulj, 
coMi|)osed  of  tr.nisverse  oval  spot.s,  those  on  Ihe  middle  pair  of  feathers  not  touching 
either  the  shall  or  the  edjre.  Ear-eoverts  uniform  brown,  becoming-  gradually  paler 
beneath  tin;  eye  and  on  the  cheeks;  eyebrow.>J,  a  transverse  chin-patch,  —  covering  the 
whole  chin  and  jaw  and  reaching  back  beneath  the-  aurienlars,  and  another  across  the 
jnguhnn,  immacnlate  cotlony-white ;  .shafts  of  the  loral  bri.'^lle.s  blackish  ;  a  broad,  well- 
delined  collar  across  the  throat,  between  the  white  malar  and  jngnlar  bands,  deep  brown, 
mi.Ked  with  [lalcr  spots. 

Benealii  white  with  a  faint  ochraceous  tinge,  especially  on  the  legs;  the  brca.st,  abdo- 
men, and  .'iides  with  transver-xc  .spots  of  lirown,  this  often  predominating  on  the  breast; 
legs,  au.d  region,  and  eri.ssum,  inunaculale.  WhoU-  lining  of  the  wing  immaculate 
creamy-white,  the  primary  coverts,  however,  with  large  terminal  spots  of  dil.sky  ;  under 
surface  of  the  primaries  gi-ayish- brown,  deeper  terminally,  and  with  large,  transversely 
ovate  spots  of  ochraceous-while  (alxmt  live  in  number  on  tin-  longest  quill),  and  growing 
larger  basally. 

i.  Wing.  f!.40-7.00;  tail,  3.00  -  .^..lO ;  cidmcn,  ..55 -.00;  tarsn.s  l.oO-l.TO;  middle 
toe,  .80.  (Smallest,  No.  .5,183,  Fort  Pierre,  Nebraska;  largest.  No.  0,881,  Sacramento, 
Calilnrnia.) 

9.  Wing,  G..50- 0.80;  tail,  3.15-3.30;  culinen,  ..51 -..55;  tarsus,  1.50-1.00;  middle 
toe,  .80.  (Smallest,  No.  45,020,  Laredo,  Texas ;  largest,  No.  3,071,  San  Jose,  Lower 
California.) 

Jiiv.  Upper  surface  earth-brown,  as  in  the  adult,  but  entirely  nniform,  except  the 
wings  and  tail ;  upper  tail-coverts,  and  a  large  oval  patch  on  the  wing  (covering  the  mid- 
dle coverts  and  the  posterior  half  of  th(!  le.-jser-covert  region),  i)lain  i.«abella-white ;  the 
anterior  portion  of  the  lesser-covert  region  darker  brown  than  the  back.  Gular  region 
well-defined  pure  white; ;  jugidar  collar  conspicuous  and  unspotted.  Whole  lower  parts 
immacnlate  isabclla-white. 

Had.  W'estern  Province  of  United  States,  from  the  Plains  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  the 
Rio  Grande  to  Cape  St.  Lucas;  Mexico. 

Localities:  Xalapa  (Sci,.  LS57,  200);  Texas  (Dresskr,  Ibis,  186.5,  330;  resident). 

Specimens  never  vary  in  tlio  pattern  of  coloration,  and  but  little  in  the 
relative  amount  of  the  brown  and  while  spotting  ;  the  shade  of  tlie  brown 
and  the  depth  of  the  ochraceous  tinge  vary  consideriibly,  however,  in  differ- 
ent individuals,  —  but  irrespective  of  locality,  —  the  brown  being  paler  and 
the  white  purer  in  summer  than  in  fall  and  winter,  after  tlie  new  dress  is 
freslily  assumed.  The  brown  on  the  breast  varies  considerably  in  quantity, 
being  sometimes  nearly  uniform,  thereby  abruptly  contrasting  with  the 
white  jugidar  band,  and  again  frequently  with  the  brown  hardly  greater  in 
amount  than  the  white,  the  two  colors  being  in  regular  bars,  as  on  the  sides 
and  flanks. 

There  is  certainly  but  one  species,  or  even  race,  of  Burrowing  Owl  in 
North  America.     This  i.s  represented  in  the  Smithsonian  collection  by  ever 


92  NORTH  AMEIMCAN'  JSIUDS. 

fifty  specimens,  including  cxanijilos  iroiii  all  jiarts  of  its  I'anuo.  V\)im  a 
close  inspection  of  all  tlio  sj)ociniens  in  tliis  extensive  series,  I  was  very 
much  surprised  to  find  so  little  variation  ;  indeed,  all  tla;  specimens  are  so 
much  alike  that  a  detailed  description  of  the  colors  of  one  would  answer  for 
almost  any  individual.  The  shade  of  color  varies  niaiidy  according  to  the 
age  of  the  feathers,  those  newly  acijuired  liaviug  a  darkness  of  tint  and  a 
softness  of  texture  not  seen  in  those  more  worn  (as  in  midsummer  dress), 
which  have  a  bleached  or  faded  appearance.  I  fail  entirely  to  detect  the 
different  styles  of  idumage  wliicli  Mr.  Ca.ssin  has  described,  and  his  diagnoses 
of  two  supposed  species  will  not  at  all  hold  good  when  applied  to  .speci- 
mens from  either  of  the  two  regions  which  they  were  considered  to  char- 
acterize. 

Examining  critically  the  large  series  at  my  command,  I  llnd  that  the 
principal  disoreiiancy  among  individuals  is  the  amount  of  feathering  on  the 
tarsus  ;  tliis  extending  to  the  toes  was  supposed  to  characterize  the  A.  cnni- 
cidaria  of  North  America  the  habitat  of  which  was  consid(ued  as  restricted 
in  Xorth  America  to  the  west  of  the  Itocky  ^Mountains  (see  (,'assin,  Birds  of 
North  America,  as  cited  above) ;  the  nearly  naked  tarsus  was  believed  to  be 
characteristic  of  the  A.  Inumjcvn,  as  restricted,  and  the  habitat  assigned  to 
this  was  "from  the  Missi.ssippi  IJiver  to  the  I'ocky  Mountains."  Now, 
dividing  the  series  under  examination  into  two  sets,  according  to  this  fea- 
ture, we  have,  first,  ninicuhiriu  from  the  followiiig  localities :  from  the  Ilio 
Grande,  all  .specimens  but  one;  Tongue  Ifiver,  Montana;  and  IVtaluma, 
Santa  Clara,  ami  San  Francisco,  California.  Next, /(//^w/rtTt  represents  the 
following  localities,  besides  places  within  the  range  ascril)ed  to  it :  Utah ; 
Lower  Cidifornia,  including  Cape  St.  Lucas,  all  ,s])ecimens  ;  San  Diego,  Cali- 
fornia, several  specimens  ;  Santa  IJarbara,  San  Francisco,  Sacramento,  and 
Fort  Tejon,  California  ;  and  Tamaidipas,  Mexico. 

Though  we  have  but  one  S])ecies  or  form  in  Xorth  America,  the  South 
American  bird  is  different:  this  is  the  true  vuaieuldria  of  Molina,  and 
though  not  specifically  distinct  I'rom  our  liird,  is  nevertheless  an  easily 
recognized  geographical  race.  It  is  larger,  tlie  wing  measui'ing  from  7.00  to 
7.50,  instead  of  0.40  to  7.00;  the  brown  of  the  plumage  is  apjjreciably  darker 
than  that  of  most  specimens  of  Jii/poi/cca,  but  less  extended ;  on  the  outer 
web  of  the  primaries  the  white  spots  are  larger,  —  sometimes  continent  along 
the  edge,  —  and  on  their  inner  webs  the  wliite  largely  ])r('vails,  tlie  du.sky 
bars  appearing  only  towards  the  ends;  the  outer  tail-feather  is  almost 
wholly  white,  instead  of  having  brown  bars,  broader  than  the  white  ones. 
Of  the  var.  cunictdarw  there  are  eight  specimens  in  the  collection  (chietly 
I'rom  Paraguay,  Buenos  Ayres,  and  Chile),  while  numerous  others,  in  various 
collections,  have  been  examined  besides.  All  the  American  i'orms  of  this 
subgenus  seem  clearly  referrible  to  one  species,  as  being  at  the  most  but 
geogra])hical  races. 

Habits.     The  Burrowing  Owl  of  North  America  inhabits  the  country 


STRIC.I D.K  —  THE  OWLS. 


03 


Spfotifto  hifpnsfrn. 


between  tlie  Pacific  coast  ami  the  Mississijipi  Jiiver,  especially  in  the  lower 

plains  in  Nebraska  and  in  Kansas,  as  well  as  in  parti(nilar  districts  in  Utah, 

Arkansas,  New  ^lexico,  the  Indian  Territory,  Texas,  Arizona,  California,  and 

^^exico.     They  are  usually  very  abundant,  congreyatiny  together  in  large 

connnunities,      and 

dillerinu;  I'roni  must  ,  VJijS^S'   "na  f«Ss"''^ 

members    ot     their 

family  by  living  and 

breeding  in  burrows 

inthe  ground.  Their 

habits  are   jjcculiar 

and  interesting. 

Thomas  Say,  dur- 
ing Colonel  Long's 
expedition  to  the 
Rocky  Mountains, 
was  the  first  of 
American  natural- 
ists to  meet  with 
this  bird.  Ho  encountered  it  in  our  trans-Mississippian  Temtories,  where 
he  described  it  as  residing  exclusively  in  the  villages  of  the  ])rairie-dog, 
whose  excavations  are  so  commodious  as  to  make  it  unnecessary  for  the 
bird  to  dig  for  itself,  which  it  is  alilo  to  do  when  occasion  requires.  These 
villages  are  very  numerous,  and  variable  in  their  extent,  sometimes  cover- 
ing only  a  few  acres,  and  at  others  spreading  over  the  surface  of  the  coun- 
try for  miles  together.  They  are  composed  of  slightly  elevated  mounds, 
having  the  form  of  a  truncated  cone,  about  two  feet  in  width  at  base,  and 
seldom  rising  ixs  high  as  eighteen  inches  above  the  surface.  The  entrance 
is  at  the  toj)  or  on  the  side.  From  the  entrance  the  jiassage  descends 
vertically  one  or  two  feet,  and  thence  it  contiiuu's  obli(|Ut'ly  downward 
until  it  terminates  in  the  snug  apartment  where  these  animals  enjoy  their 
winter's  sleep,  and  where  they  and  the  Owls  are  common,  l)ut  unfriendly, 
occupants. 

Mr.  Dresser  noticed  this  bird  at  all  st'asons,  in  the  prairi<!  country  of 
Texas.  They  were  rather  common  near  the  Ifio  Imow  and  Medina,  and 
in  one  ])lace  he  found  they  hid  taken  possession  of  some  deserted  rat-holes. 
He  obtained  several  specimens  near  San  Antonio  and  at  Kagle  Pass.  In  the 
latter  place  he  found  them  (juite  conmion  on  the  sand  plains  near  the  town. 
The  stomachs  of  those  he  shot  were  fouml  to  contain  coleopterous  insects 
and  field-mice. 

Dr.  Newl)erry  states  that  he  found  this  sjiecies  in  Northern  California,  in 
several  places  between  San  Francisco  and  Fort  Peading,  and  again  at  the 
Klamath  Basin,  though  less  freiiuently  at  the  northward  than  in  the  Sacra- 
mento Valley.     There  they  occupied  the  burrows  made  by  the  Peechey's 


94  NORTH  AMKRIOAN  BIRDS. 

ami  the  Douglass's  Spern.opl.ilo.     He  usually  saw  then,  stan.lin.  at  the  on- 
unce   otiose  burrows  oReu  ,ornuttin,  hi„.  to  approach  witl.h.tuX 
and  heloro  takn.g  to  ilinht  twistiu.,  their  heads  about  and  bouh  ' 

n.an,y  Iud..rous  gestures,  apparently  iu  order  to  aid  their  inp  rlc% 
and  to  get  a  better  view  of  the  intruder.    When  shot  at  or  otl     W 1   u    1 
thoy  %  wuh  an  irregular  Jerking  motion,  dropping  down  mud.  li^r^^^ 

Dr.  Suckley  obtained  a  specin.en  near  Fort  Henton,  on  the  Upper  Mis 
sou..    ..  Dakota!,   and  I).-.   Cooper  p,.ocured  others  tl  irty-fivc  me     .x  t 

o..  the  pLuns  of  Nebraska,  a..d  did  not  observe  any  dillerence   in   habit, 
between  them  and  the  birds  of  Califoniia  *""^i*^"^'^  "»  l^abit. 

Couc  ■    Mr    tV  J    T  .  ^^  ";  "'  '•'^"'-^■1-.  ^I-^ico,  by  Lieute,.anl 
touch.     Mr.  C]a.k  rema,-ks  that  they  were  seen  by  hi.,,  only  i,,  the  i..ni,-ie 
dog  town^  a,,d  were  found  in  eo.,iunetio..  with  tli;  rattles.,  ke \.^  ]Z^ 

wl  c  1.    helJo  1  ^'    '"^^'■^^,""^  °t^"^r«.  -J'o  '-f,'ard  the  apparc.t  l,ar.uo..y  in 
which  the  two  dwell  together  as  altogether  iuco.npatible  with  this  habit 
llnsspeces  is  also  fouml  on  our  Pacilic  coa.st  west  of  the  l^.c W  Mo«u 
n.s.  as  iar  north  as  Eritish  Columbia.     Mr.  Lord  met  with         fon!  I 

tT:Z7n        ^^  ^-"-•-^-^'--     It  was  not  l^  any   .aea,.s    !    ^li^^ 
b      pans  01  them  were  occasio.ially  seen.     While  in  ca...p  at  the  J  alles  he 
g  out  several  s.p„rrel-l.oles.     I,,  one  he  fou..d  two  eggs  of  this  sped  s 

S  ^-  ^'T  ^^"'^  '"^  ^"""^^  ^'^  ^«  strictly  of  diur.,al  habits,  ie  .ling  pri..- 
cipally  on  erickets,  g.^asshoppers.  large  beetles,  and  larv.«.  He  thinks  it 
nem-^^jptures  small  animals  or  birds,  and  regards  it  as  a  peaceful  and  I.arm- 

Imu!- of  rf '  T  "'V7  ''"'"'  '"'^  ^"^  ^"Seles,  Calilbi-nia.  At  anv 
the  holes  of  the  mar.not,  or  else  with  head  protrudi.ig  fro.u  its  o.itice  dis- 

.0  ng  a.,.l  chatter..,g  ...  a  so,.,ewhat  ludicrous  n,an..er  at  the  i..trude.-,  or  lly 
su.ttly  away,  keeping  near  the  ea.-tl,  au.l  alighting  suddenly  i..  the  vicinity 

i,  tlvnlT "  "f  T:  "';■''  '"'"""^'  '""''•""•  ^'  ^°"""'  't  ^-VV  abundant 
"'  tl.e^  alley  of  the  Sa..  (Jabriel  IJive.-,  where  it  associated  with  the  lar^e 
gTou.id-squ..Tel  of  that  region.  ° 

srlt"r'';"""','  ''''"  '"""^  '''■"'"  '""'"'^^"  ""  t''^  ^'■^t^>'«'^''^  "P'^"  P'^'-^iHes. 
s      ks  of  Its  s^hfc  as  ve,y  clear  by  .lay,  and  adds  that  it  will  not  allow  the 

lm..te    on  foot  to  app.-oach  withi..  shooting  distance  ;  but  that,  if  approached 

Zn  "T  7  '  '""'•■'  ''  '''^^'  ''^"  ''"''^y  «''"*•  Tl.c  nests  he  found  were 
toimed  of  a  few  straws  carelessly  thrown  together  at  the  bottom  of  its  tor- 


STIUGID.K  — TIIK  OWLS.  95 

tuous  burrow,  wliicli  is  iVoiu  six  to  ei>;ht  IVcl  in  len^'th.  Tlii;  ('<,'sa  wero 
usually  fiiur  in  minibcr,  iind  iu(!  (luscrilk-d  as  iiwirly  sidicrical,  and  as  innv. 
white. 

Dr.  Towusond  states  tliat  tins  Owl  resorts  to  the  Torsaken  burrows  of 
inarniols  and  l)ad;.,'ers,  i)ut  never  lives  on  terms  of  intimacy  with  either. 
Tile  nest  he  deserilies  as  of  line  Ljrass,  and  placed  at  the  extremity  of  the 
hole.  The  ej,'j,'s  are  unil'orndy  four  in  number,  pale  while,  and  about  the 
size  of  those  of  the  connuon  House  I'ij^eon. 

Dr.  (Jamliel,  who  observed  this  bird  in  California,  states  that  he  has  occa- 
sionally found  it  in  solitary  burrows,  and  also  tliat  it  often  makes  use  of  the 
holes  du!.,'  by  the  S/Hriiioji/illi(s  hecclici/i.  Tlii^y  occasionally  di-j;  their  own 
burrows,  and  live  in  seattcaed  companies  of  four  or  five.  Dr.  (Jambel  also 
states  that  the  l)ird  is  a  resident  of  California  throughout  the  year. 

Mr.  Darwin,  in  tlie  Zoiilogy  of  the  r>eaj,'le,  met  with  the  van  cunicidaria 
in  crossin;^;  the  jiampas  of  South  America.  In  Handa  Oriental,  he  .says,  it 
is  its  own  workman,  and  excavates  its  burrows  on  any  level  spot  of  sandy 
soil;  but  in  the  pampas,  or  wherever  the  IJizcacha  is  found,  it  uses  those 
made  by  that  animal.  It  usually  ]ireys  on  mice  and  reptiles.  Lieutenant 
(lilliss  gives  a  similar  account  of  it,  from  observations  made  in  Chile. 

Mr.  Xathaniel  H.  l)islio[t  met  with  funicular  in  on  the  banks  of  the  river 
San  Juan,  in  JJanda  Oriental,  whei'e  a  few  ])airs  were  seen,  devouring  mice 
and  insects.  After  crossing  the  river  Las  Vacas,  and  coming  upon  a  sandy 
waste  covered  with  scattered  trees  and  low  bushes,  he  again  encountered  it. 
Upon  the  jhimpas  of  the  Argentine  lie])ulilic  they  weve  i'oinid  in  great 
numbers,  from  a  few  miles  west  of  Itosario  to  the  vicinity  of  San  Luis, 
where  the  i)ampas  end.  On  these  immense  plains  of  grass  it  lives  in 
company  with  llie  IJizcacha  {Li((iu>itomns  trichodttdi/lita),  dwelling  with  it 
in  perfect  harmony,  and  during  the  day,  while  the  animal  is  sleeping,  a 
pair  of  Owls  stand  a  few  inches  within  the  main  entrance  of  the  Inirrow, 
and  at  the  first  sound,  be  it  near  or  distant,  leave  their  station  and  remain 
outside  the  hole,  or  upon  the  mound  that  forms  the  roof  of  their  domicile. 
At  the  a])i)roach  of  man,  both  birds,  with  their  irides  dilated,  mount  above 
him  in  the  air,  and  keep  up  an  ;ilarm-noto  until  he  passes.  Then  they 
([uietly  settle  down  in  the  grass,  or  return  to  their  former  ])lace.  On  the 
pampas  Mr.  Bishop  did  not  observe  them  taking  their  prey  during  the 
daytime,  but  as  soon  as  the  sun  had  set,  the  Uizcacha  and  Owls  both  leave 
their  holes  in  search  of  food,  the  young  of  the  former  ])laying  about  the 
birds  as  they  alight  near  them.  They  do  not  associate  in  companies,  there 
being  but  one  pair  to  a  hole.  Each  coui)le  keep  separate  i'rom  their  neigh- 
bors, and  at  night  do  not  stray  from  their  homes. 

It  is  both  diurnal  and  nocturnal,  ami  feeds  at  all  hours.  Outside  the  town 
of  San  Juan,  which  lies  upon  tiie  eastern  base  of  the  Andes,  Mr.  IJishop 
had  a  fine  ojiportunity  to  watch  their  habits  in  a  locality  diH'ering  entirely 
from  the  pampas.     The  country  around  San  Juan  is  ii  dreary  desert,  cov- 


!h; 


NOUTII  AMKKICAN  UUlbfi. 


ered  with  low  tliorii-trees,  ami  over  tliis  wasto  a  l\>\v  Owls  arc  i'ouiul,  jirinci- 
pally  near  tlio  town  itsell".  in  tliu  vicinity  of  tiiis  pastures  that  are  cii'ltivatod 
liy  irn'j-atioii.     Tlioy  inato  in  Si'iitemlior  and  Octoltor.     "  One  cvenin-',"  Mr. 
J'.isiiop  writes,  "  I  was  attracted   l.y  a  strange  sound  that  I  supposed  pro- 
(^•eded  iVoni  a  i'n.n-,  l)ut  it  proved  to  lie  the  love-note  of  a  little  AtJinir  riiiii- 
ciilario,  and  which  was  answered  l.y  ita  mate.     It  ali.L,dited  upon  a  post,  and 
coninience.l  turniii,!,'  around  upon  it,  with  throat  dilated,  and  eniittin-,'  a'-,ait- 
tural  sound.     These  antics  were  continued  for  more  than  a  minute,  it  oc- 
casionally howin-  its  head  in  a  mysterious  manner.     The  female  .soon  aft(!r 
.joined  it,  and  they  tlew  away.     Each  Mi,u;ht  it  perched  upon  a  tall  tlngstaff 
and  uttered  its  love-note.     Close  hy  the  house  was  a  lagoon,  the  borders  of 
which  were  swami.y,  and  over  this  a  ].air  olten  hovered  in  search  of  food. 
T  watched  one  that  kept  on  the  wing  lor  nearly  two  hours,  some  fifty  feet 
from  the  ground,  and  (hiving  that  time  did  not  change  its  position  in  any 
other  way  than  hy  rising  or  falling  a  few  feet.     A  hoy  brought  me  a  female 
with  five  eggs,  that  had  been  taken  from  a  burrow  five  feet  from  the  mouth. 
The  bird  was  very  fierce,  and  fought  me  with  her  wings  and  beak,  uttering 
all  the  while  a  long  shrill  note,  resembling  a  file  drawn  across  the  teeth  of  a 
saw.     I  sup]>lied  her  with  eleven  full-grown  mice,  which  she  devoured  dur- 
ing the  first  thirty-si.x  hours  of  her  conKnenient.     It  is  .said  to  place  a  small 
nest  of  feathers  at  the  end  of  the  hole,  in  which  are  deiiosited  five  white 
egj,'s." 

The  egg.s  of  the  var.  nniindariit  are  of  a  rounded-oval  shape,  more  obtuse 
at  one  end  than  at  the  <.ther,  measure  1.30  inches  in  length  by  1.05  in 
breadth,  and  are  of  a  uniform  white  color,  with  a  slightly  blui.sh  tinge. 

The  egg  of  the  A.  /ii/pvrjmi  is  of  a  rounded-oval  shape,  eipially  obtuse  at 
either  end,  and  averages  l.:]r,  indies  in  length  by  1.13  in  breadth,  and  is  of 
a  uniform  clear  white  color.  This  description  is  taken  from  an  egg  obtained 
by  ]\Ir.  E.  S.  Holden  near  Stockton  in  Calilbrnia.  Captain  Bendirc  writes 
that  he  has  I'ound  as  many  as  nine,  and  once  even  ten,  eggs  in  the  nest  of 
the  North  American  species. 


(i,'  f/l  NAT.SIZE. 


iSVi/j  iiruliiiaia      (Soo  ikijju  10.) 


STRIGID.E  —  THE   OWLS. 


97 


NOTE. 


TnR  crnnia  of  tlio  Owls  present  many  features  of  interest,  which  may  serve  a  good 
purpose  in  the  d  'inition  nC  the  scftions  and  tiic  freiiera,  and  to  which  attention  lins  been 
occasionally  called  in  the  precedin;.'  pages.  The  tendency  to  asyiinnelry  is  especially 
marked  in  some  species,  and  tln"  better  to  illustrate  tliis  and  other  features  wc  appenil 
several  plates,  in  which  the  corresponding  views  are  placed  side  by  side.*  The  figures 
and  accompanying  lettering  tell  their  own  story,  without  any  necessity  of  a  labored 
description. 

R.  R. 


Athene  noctua  (from  KAl'P). 


Syrniiim  aluco  Iconitil  from  KALI'). 


Nyctale  richardsonl 


*  We  give,  above,  three  well-marked  illustrations  of  asymmetry  ;  two  relating  to  the  auditory 
apparatus  of  the  two  sides  of  the  head,  and  one  of  opposite  sides  of  the  skull. 
VOL.  III.  13 


98 


NORTH  AMERICAN  JilKDS. 


■/449-  Strix  pratincol.i.     N'nturnl  size. 

*886.  ntiis  wilsoni.inus.     Natural  size. 

7s;2,  Scnti.iptcx  cintreiim.     Two  thirds. 

78<n.  N'yctale  ritliar<lsoiii.     Natural  .size. 

^<^■  Scops  asio.     Natural  iize. 


773.  nubwirjjinianus.     Twn  tliirds. 

638.  Nycica  nivca.     Two  lliinls. 

7897.  Suriiia  ulula.     Natural  size. 

4s8.  Glauciiliuni  ferniiiiiioum.     Natural  size. 

437-  Spheotyto  liyput;a<,.     Natural  size. 


STRIGID.E  —  THE   OWLS. 


!)9 


7449.  Strix  pr.itincola.     Naturiil  si^iv 

4886.  Otus  wilso  nianiis.     Natural  size. 

7272.  Scntiaptcx  ciiieremii.    Two  thirds. 

•jSqi).  Nyttalc  riclianlsoni.     Natural  sixc. 

414.  Scnpii  osEo.    Natural  size. 


77^. 
628 
7897. 
4=3. 
437 


Diibo  virijinianus.     Twn  tliirtls. 

Nyctea  iiivca.     Two  tliiids. 

Siiriii.i  iiliila.     Natural  size. 

G  lam:  id  ill  111  fcrriit^incum.     Natural  size. 

Spheotytn  liyi)j;.-i'a.     Natural  size. 


100 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


7449- 


4886. 


7272. 


7897. 


628. 


7449-  Sirix  pratincola.     Natural  si«. 

4886.  otus  wilsonianus.     Natural  size. 

7272.  Scotiaptex  cincrciiin.     Two  thirds. 

7899.  Nyctalc  ricllardsniii.     Natural  sUe. 

414-  Scops  asio.    Natural  sue. 


773-  Bubo  virglnianus.     Two  thirds. 

&>8.  Nyctea  nivc.^     Two  thirds. 

7897,  Surnia  ulula.     Natural  si«. 

438.  Glaucldium  ferrugineuiu.     Natural  siie. 

437-  Spheotyto  hypgia.     Natural  sire. 


STRIGID.E  — THE  OWLS. 


101 


7449. 

Strix  pratincoln. 

773- 

Bubo  vir^jinianus. 

4886. 

Otiis  wilsomanus. 

628. 

Nyctca  iiivca. 

7272. 

Scotiaptex  cim.Tcuni. 

7897- 

Suriiia  iilula. 

7899. 

Nyctnic  ricliardsoni. 

42a. 

Glaucitliuin  fcrni>;incmn. 

414- 

Scops  asio. 

(Alt  natural  size.) 

437- 

Sphcotyto  hypugxa. 

102 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS: 


12088.  Nycte.1  nivca.    (Hir  copied  from  Swainson,  F.  R.  A  ) 

504.  Scotiaptex  cincrcum. 

49808.  Siirnia  iiluln.    (F.iir  copied  from  Swninson.) 

A.  Dractiyotus  "ca>>5inii."    (Left  car  nnd  nostril,  rmni  frcbh  specimen.) 


FALCON ID.E  — THE   FALCONS.  108 


Family  FALCONIDiE.  —  The  Falcons. 

CiiAU.  EvL's  (lircctL'il  laterally,  and  oyuliils  provii!'?(l  witli  lashes.  Toes  invariably 
nukeil,  ami  tar.si'.s  usually  naked  and  soutoUate  (feallici'cd  only  in  Aqidlfi  and  Archilii'teo). 
Outer  toj  not  reversible  (o.xeept  in  Pandiori).  Head  never  with  ear-tufts,  and  never 
wholly  naked  (exeept  in  tlit;   Vidturiiur,  of  the  Old  World). 

The  aluivo  characters  are  about  tlie  only  readily  observable  points  in  the 
external  a-  a*-oniy  in  which  the  Fcdvonidd'  difler  strikingly  from  tlie  Sfrif/i(fa: 
and  CafhiirtuJa',  and  may  serve  to  distinguish  the  birds  of  this  family  from 
those  of  the  two  others.  The  osteological  characters,  however,  as  expressed 
on  page  1;?28,  are  more  decided  and  important  in  a  taxonomic  point  of 
view,  and  serve  to  separate  the  Hawk  family  as  a  well-dehned  group. 

In  the  following  treatment  of  the  Xovth  American  Falronidw,  I  confine 
that  part  relating  to  the  systematic  arrangement  strictly  to  tiie  s])ecies 
embraced  within  the  province  of  our  work,  for  the  reason  that  in  a  forth- 
coming nionogra])h  of  all  the  American  species  1  hope  to  ])reseut  a  system- 
atic classification  based  upon  the  species  (jf  the  whole  world.  All  jirelimi- 
nary  details  regarding  the  general  characteristics  and  distinctive  peculiarities 
of  the  family,  as  well  as  all  discussions  and  generalizations  upon  the  subject, 
will  therefore  be  omitted  here. 

The  following  synopsis  of  the  North  American  genera  is  intended  as  an 
artificial  arrangement  which  may  enable  the  student  to  identify,  by  simple 
and  readily  understood  characters,  the  forms  belonging  to  this  country.* 

Genera. 

A.  Nasal  bone.'s  almost  eonipletoly  os.'sified.  the  nostril  being  a  .ssmall  orifice,  with 
a  conspicuous  central  bony  tubercle  ;  its  form  nearly  or  quite  circular,  or  linear 
and  oblique  (in  Poli/born.i),  with  its  upper  end  the  ])osterior  one     .       .       .      Falconincn. 

1.  Falco.  Nostril  cireidar.  Commissure  Avith  a  prominent  tooth 
and  notch  ;  lower  mandible  abruptly  truncate<l  and  notched. 
Primaries  stiff  and  hard,  and  more  or  less  pointed,  the  first  to  the 
second  lon.sjest,  and  the  outer  one  or  two  with  their  inner  webs 
cut,  the  angular  emargination  being  near  the  end  of  the  (piill. 
Middle  too  much  more  than  half  as  long  as  the  tarsus;  claws 
strongly  curved,  very  acute. 

2.  Polyborus.  Nostril  linear,  oblique,  the  upper  end  the  posterior 
one  ;  commissure  without  prominent  tooth  nor  notch ;  lower  mandi- 
ble not  distinctly  truncated  or  notched.  Primaries  soft,  obtuse, 
the  third  longest,  and  the  outer  four  or  five  with  their  inner  webs 
cut,  the  shallow  sinuation  being  toward  the  middle  of  the  quill. 
Middle  toe  less  than  half  the  tarsus ;  claws  weakly  curved,  very 
obtuse.     Face  and  cheeks  naked,  and  si;antily  haired. 

1  As  in  tlie  case  of  the  S/riijiilo;  my  detenninntioiis  of  tlie  North  American  species  of  Fiil- 
conidir  were  furnislica,  according  to  ie(|uest,  to  Dr.  Coues,  for  use  in  his  "  Key  to  North  American 
Birds."    (R.  R.) 


104  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

B.  Nasftl  hones  very  incompletely  ossified,  the  nostril  l)eing  a  large,  more  or  less 
oval,  opening,  of  ol)li(iue  ilireetion,  its  lower  end  heing  invariably  the  posterior 
one ;  without  a  bony  tuljercle,  and  never  perfectly  circular.     {Accipitrinae.) 
a.  Sides  of  the  head  densely  feathered  close  up  to  the  eyelids. 

.').  Pandion.  Outer  toe  reversilile;  claws  contracted  and  rounded 
on  their  tnider  surliice,  and  not  gradimted  in  size.'  Wing  Ion"-, 
third  quill  lonjjust ;  outer  four  with  inner  webs  eniarginated.  Tail 
rather  short,  rounded. 

4.  Naiiclerus.  Outer  toe  not  reversible;  claws  not  contracted  or 
rounded  on  under  side,  and  graduated  in  size.  Wing  louf.  third 
quill  longest ;  outer  two  with  inn(n-  webs  sinuated.  Tail  excessively 
lengthen(.'d  and  forked,  the  lateral  |)air  of  feathers  more  than 
twice  as  long  as  tht^  middle  pair. 
6.  Sides  of  the-  head  with  a  more  scantily  feathered  orbital  space,  with  a 
projecting  .suitereiliary  "  shield  "  covered  with  a  naked  skin. 

*  A  well-developed  membrane,  or  "  web,"  between  the  outer  and  mid- 
dle toes  at  the  base. 
t  Tarsus  about  equal  to  the  middle  toe. 

§  Claws  short  and  r()l)ust ;  two  outer  quills  with  their  inner  webs  cut. 
ij.  Ictinia.     Commissure  irregularly   toothed  and  notched;   front 
of  tarsus  with  transver.se  .seutelhe.     Tail  eniarginated ;  third  quill 
longest. 

G.  Elanus.      Commissure  without  irregularities ;    front   of  tarsus 
with  minute  roundish  scales.     Tail  double-rounded :  second  quill 
longest. 
§§  Claws  long  and  slender;  five  outer  quills  with  iimer  webs  cut. 

7.  RoBtrhamuB.  End  of  bill  bent  downward,  with  a  long  pendent 
hook ;  inner  edge  of  middle  claw  slightly  pectinated,  or  .serrated. 
Tail  emarginated  ;  third  or  fourth  quill  longest. 

ft  Tarsus  very  much  longer  than  the  midille  toe. 

T  Front  of  tarsus  unfeathered,  and,  with  the  jiosterior  face,  covered 
with  a  coiitiiuious  .series  of  broad  transver.se  scutellse. 
a.  Form  very  long  and  .slender,  the  liead  small,  the  tail  and  legs  long  and 
claws  excessively  acute  ;  bill  weak,  compressed,  very  high  through  the 
ba.se,  the  culmeii  greatly  ascending  basally,  and  the  cere  much  arched  ; 
commissure  usually  with  a  very  prominent  "  festoon." 

8.  Circus.  Face  surroimded  by  a  "  rulT"  of  stiffened,  differently 
formed  feathers,  as  in  the  Owls.  Taivsus  more  than  twice  as  long 
as  the  middle  toe.  Wing  very  long,  hardly  concave  beneath; 
third  to  fourth  quill  longest ;  outer  four  with  iimer  webs  siimated. 

9.  NiBUB.  Face  not  surrounded  by  a  ruff.  Tarsus  less  than 
twice  as  long  as  the  middle  toe.  Wing  short,  very  concave 
beneath,  the  outer  quill  much  bowed  ;  third  to  fifth  quills  longest ; 
outer  five  with  imur  w(,'bs  sinuated. 

p.  Form  short  and  heavy,  the  head  larger,  tht;  tail  shorter,  the  legs  more 
robust.  Bill  stronger,  less  compressed,  lower  through  the  base,  the 
upper  oTitlini!  less  ascending  basally,  and  the  cere  less  arched.  Com- 
missure variable. 

1  By  this  i,s  inoaiit  that  they  aro  all  of  eiiuiil  U'ngth  and  thiokness,  and  not  progi-e.ssivoly 
smaller  from  the  po.stcrior  one  to  the  outer,  lus  in  all  Fakuitidw  with  the  sole  e.xeeptioii  of  I'andiun, 
lliough  there  is  a  veiy  near  aiiproacli  to  this  feature  in  one  or  two  of  the  s])<'<'ic.s  of  ITnJia-fm. 


FALC0NID.1<;  — THE  FALCONS.  105 

10.  Antenor.  Form  lioavv,  tlit-  win!.'.«  iiiid  tail  inodorsitoly  long, 
and  foci  very  robust ;  Ijill  ratlior  clonf^'atod,  tlie  coniniissiiral  lobo 
proniincMit,  and  the  hnsc  of  tbo  culmen  .«oniewliat  depressed. 
Fonrtii  quill  longest;  onter  (ivo  with  inner  webs  cut.  Lores 
nuked,  and  almost  destitute  of  bristles. 

11.  Onyohotes.  Outstretcliod  feet  reaeliing  beyond  end  of  tail; 
tibial  plumes  short,  elose,  not  reacliin;,'  below  the  joint.  Wing 
short,  rounded,  very  concave  beneath,  the  fourth  quill  longest;  outer 
five  with  inner  webs  sinuated.  Tail  short,  but  litlle  more  than  half 
the  wing,  slightly  rounded.    Claws  very  long,  and  extremely  acute. 

12.  Asturina.  Bill  and  feet  as  in  Ante.Dor ;  lores  densely 
bristled ;  wing  short,  rounded,  concave  beneath,  the  third  to  fourth 
quills  longest ;  outer  four  with  their  inner  webs  cut. 

13.  Buteo.  Form  of  Antenor,  but  primaries  longer  and  more 
pointed,  the  fourth  usually  longest,  and  the  outer  three  or  four  with 
inner  webs  cut.  Bill  and  leet  as  in  Asturina.  Tail  moderate,  or 
rather  short,  nearly  even,  or  .slightly  rounded. 

ITir  Front  of  the  tarsus  densely  feathered  down  to  the  base  of  the  toes. 

14.  Archibuteo.  Feathering  of  the  tarsus  interrupted  behind 
by  a  bare  strip  along  the  full  length  ;  middle  toe  less  than  half  as 
long  as  the  tarsus.  Nostril  broadly  oval,  obliquely  horizontal ; 
bdl  weak,  the  upper  outline  of  the  cere  much  ascending  basally. 
Feathers  of  the  nape  normal,  blended.  Third  to  fourth  quills 
longest ;  outer  four  or  five  with  inuer  wel)s  cut. 

15.  AquUa.  Feathering  of  the  tarsus  iminterrupted  behind  ;  mid- 
dle toe  more  than  half  as  long  as  the  tarsus.  Nostril  narrowly 
oval,  obliquely  vertical;  bill  strong,  the  upper  outline  of  the  cere 
nearly  parallel  with  the  lower.  Feathers  of  the  nape  lanceolate, 
distinct.     Fourth  quill  longest ;  five  to  six  with  inner  webs  cut. 

**  No  trace  of  membrane  l.iotween  outer  and  middle  toes. 

If).  Haliaetus.  Tarsus  feathered  in  fiont  one  third,  or  more,  of 
the  way  down;  the  naked  portion  with  an  imperfectly  continuous 
frontal,  and  less  well  defined  posterior,  series  of  transvei-se  plates, 
and  covered  elsewhere  with  roundish  granular  scales.  Feathers  of 
the  neck,  all  round,  lanceolate,  distinct.  Bill  very  large,  the  chord 
of  the  culmen  more  than  twice  as  long  as  the  cere  on  top;  nostril 
oval,  obliquely  vertical.  Third  to  fifth  quills  longest;  outer  si.x 
with  inner  webs  cut.  Tail  rounded  or  cuneate,  sometimes  (•on- 
sisting  of  fourteen  feathers. 

The  foregoinjr  diagnoses  embrace  merely  the  more  consi)icuous  external 
characters  whereby  the  genera  may  be  most  readily  distinguished  by  the 
student.  The  following  table  presents  additional  accompanying  characters 
afforded  by  the  osteological  and  anatomical  structure,  of  more  importance 
m  defining  with  precision  the  several  groups  embraced  in  our  fauna. 

A.  Scapular  process  of  the  coracoid  produced  forward  so  as  to  meet  the  clavicle ' 
(HuxLEv).  Nasal  bones  almost  completely  ossified,  the  nostril  being  a  small, 
usually  circular  opening,  with  a  raised  or  "riumiod"  margin,  and  co"ispicuous! 
usually  central,  bony  tubercle.     Inferior  surface  of  the  supennaxillary  bone  wiui 

•  As  in  all  the  Strlgidce. 
VOL.  m.  14 


106 


NORTH  AMERICAX  lURDS. 


a  proii, input  modinn  angular  riiljro.     SiiiuTciliiiry  pioccss  »{'  the  lachrymal  con- 

eistin,;,'  (if  a  sin-rlc  i)icc'C'.     (FaieuiiiiKc}) 

B.  Sciipiilar  prowss   of  tlio  conicoid  not   jiroiliiccd    forwanl  so  as  to  iiici-t  lliu 

clavicle  (IIcxi.kv).    N'„sa;  bonis  im;onii)lctcly  ossiliod,  the  nosti'iis  bLMMi.'  very 

'"•■ge,  ai.d  wiliior.L  bony  rim  or  'nberck'.     Inferior  surlace  ol'  the  suprannixillary 

bone  witliont  a  median   riil.u^e.     Snperciliary  process  of  the  lachrymal  variable. 

I^Accipilrinvu.) 

a.  Superciliary  process  of  the  laehryn^al  composed  of  a  single,  excessively 
abbreviateil  pi(!ce  ;'  posterior  margin  of  the  slernnni  with  a  pair  of  inden- 
tations, and  without  foramina.  {I'uiidum  and  Xaiichnis.) 
h.  Superciliary  process  of  the  lachrymal  double,  or  conijjnsiMl  of  two  pieces, 
joined  by  a  cartilaginous  "hinge,"  and  reaching  nearly  across  the  orbit'. 
Posterior  margin  of  the  sterninn  without  indentations,  and  usually  with  a 
pair  of  foramina.     (.Vll  except  Pnndion  and  NnncJenis.) 

t  Septum  of  the  orl'its  and  nostrils  incompletely  ossified  (the  former 
always  and  the  latt(.T  usually)  and  with  foramina;  posterior  margin 
of  the  sternum  most  prodneed  backwards  laterally,  and  incompletely 
ossified,  thei'c  being  usually  a  pair  of  foramina.  Intestinal  canal  short, 
broad,  with  the  duodenum  simple,  foi'uiing  a  single  loop  (McGii.lvi!av). 
A  well-developed  "web"  between  the  outer  and  middle  toes.  (All 
but  Ilaliwtiis.) 

tt  Septum  of  the  orbits  and  nostrils  completely  ossified,  and  without 
any  trace  of  foramina;  post(>ri(u-  margin  of  the  sternum  produced 
nifdially  into  a  convex  lobe,  and  without  any  trace  of  foramina.  In- 
testinal canal  extremely  elongated,  attenuated,  with  the  duodenum 
arranged  in  several  convolutions  (.McGn.LVKAY).  No  trace  of  a  web 
between  outer  and  middle  toes,     (^llaliwfm.) 


SUBFA.MILY    PALCONIN.ffi. 


Genus  PALCO,  Adct. 

Gk\.  Cn.vR.     Bill  strong,  its  breadth  at  the  base  equalling  or  exceeding  its  height; 

upper  outline  of  cere  on  a  level  with,  or  rather  lower  than,  the  base  of  the  "eul- 
nien ;  gonys  much  arched,  the  chord  of  the  arch  equalling 
aliout  half  that  of  the  culmen.  Near  the  tip  of  thr-  upper 
mandilile  is  a  ])rominent  tooth  ou  the  commissure,  and  near 
the  end  of  the  lower  mandible,  which  is  trmicated,  is  a 
deep  notch  corresponding ;  the  end  of  the  upper  mandible  is 
compressed,  giving  the  situation  oftlu;  tooth  an  iullated  appear- 
ance when  viewed  from  above.  Nostrils  circular,  with  a  con- 
.spicuons  central  tubercle.  Orbital  region  bare  ;  projecting 
superciliary  shield  conspicuous,  arched,  but  not  very  prominent. 
Tail  shorter  than  wing,  the  feathers  hard  and  stiff.  Primaries 
very  strong,  elongated,  tapering  rapidly  toward  their  points; 
only  the  first  or  first  and  .second  with  their  inner  webs  emar- 
ginatcd,  the  cutting  being  angular,  and  near  the  end  of  the 

quill.     Tarsus  never  with  a  single  series  of  transverse  .scutelUc  either  in  front  or  behind  ; 

middle  toe  very  long. 

'  Embracing  besides  the  Fakonc.i  nil  the  P&lyborine  genera,  besides  Iferpctotlicrcs  and  Micraatur. 
*  As  in  the  Polyhoriiic  i'ornis  of  the  Fii/nmiiitv. 


FALCON [D.K-  THK    FALCONS. 


101 


Subgenera. 

One  primary  only  witli  iiinur  wi'l.  uumrgiiiiiicd ;  lirst  to  sooonrl  lonffost ; 
first  loiij;i'r  than  (biirtli. 

Tarsus  lonffcr  than  niiilillc  toe,  and  Icatheicil  liir  hi'low  the  knee  ;  (irst 
((Uill  .shorter  than  third.  Cohwation  of  the  .sexes  alil<e  ;  old  and  yoinnr 
shjrhlly  (lilVerent  in  pattern  and  tiiit.s.     Size  lar,w         .         .         .  nirrn/afrn. 

'"aisiis  not  lon-ei    than   njiddle   toe,  and  .scarcely  leathered  below  the 
.ee;  liist  qnill  ccpinl  to  or  lonjrer  than   the  thinl.      Coloration  of  the 
.sexes  alike;   old  and   yonnj,' very  dillcrcnt  in  pattern  and  tint.s.     Size, 
very  small  to  larfre         ....  r-  7 

Two  primaries  with  inner  webs  emarginated  ;  second  to  third  longest; 
first  shorter  than  Ibnrth. 

Basal  joint  of  toes  without  transverse  scutelUe;  tarsus  about  equal  to 
middle  toe. 

Coloration  of  the  sera's  in  adult  plumage  very  diflerent  in 
tints ;  in  the  young  alike,  the  young  ^  resembling  the  adnlt 

9-.    Size  small j;,„!n,>. 

Ba.sal  joint  of  toes  with  transverse  scutelte;  tarsus  longer  than  mid- 
dle toe. 

Coloration  of  the  sexes  very  difieront,  in  pattern  and  tint.s,  at  all 
ages;  old  and  young  alike.  Scutella;  of  the  toes  and  tarsus  inter- 
rupted at  the  digito-taisal  joint ;  tarsus  unieh  longer  than  middle 
toe.     Bill  .small,  the  cere  on  top  less  than  one  fourth  the  culmen. 

S'^'^^'""" ri„nH„ndu.,. 

Coloration  of  the  sexes  alike  at  all  ages;  old  and  young  .slightly 
diflerent  in  pattern  and  tints.  Seulelhc  of  tarsus  and  toes  uninter- 
rupted from  '•  knees  "  to  claws  ;  tarsus  but  little  longer  than  mid- 
dle toe.  Bill  large,  the  cere  on  top  about  one  third  the  culmen. 
Size  medium;  form  very  slender Rluinchojakn. 


SuDGENu.s  HIEROFALCO,  Cuvieb. 

Uierofalco,  Ctrvini!,  1817.     (Type,  Fako  fjyr/a/co,  Linn.) 
Jerafako,  BoiK,  1822  ;  K.vui",  1851.     (Saiuetyiic.) 
Gcnnaia,  Kavp,  18-17.     (Type,  Fako  jiigrjcr,  Gii.vv.) 

Species  and  Baces. 
1.  P.  gyrfalco.  Wing,  1.100  -  17.00 ;  tail,  8.50  -  1 1.50  ;  culmen,  .85  - 1.05 ;  tar.'^us,  2.10  - 
3.00  J  middle  toe,  1.80  -  'J.25.'  Gionnd-color  vaiying  from  entirely  pure  white  to  wholly 
dusky,  but  generally  bluish  (in  adult)  or  gr.ayish-brown  (in  young)  above,  and  white 
beneath.  Adull.  Allthemarkingstransver.se.'  No  lighter  nuchal  band.  Yuinirj.  Mark- 
ings  of  the  lower  surface  longitudinal,  the  upper  j.arts  without  transverse  bars  (except 
on  the  tail').  ^        ^ 

a.  Lower  parts  with  white  predominating,  or  wholly  white. 

Lower  tail-coverts  never  with  markings.    No  tinge  of  blue  anywhere  on 
the  plumage,  the  ground-color  of  which  is  entirely  pure  white  at  all  ages. 

*  ICxtrcnies  of  .sixty  speoiincns. 

•  Sometimes  there  are  more  or  le.ss  distiuet  linear  streaks  on  the  head  and  neck,  or  on  the 
pectoral  region. 

"  Sometimes  the  irregular  markings  above  have  a  transverse  tendency. 


lOy  NORTH  AMKUrCAN  TiinD,^. 

1.  Adult.  TTppcr  piirts,  pxi'cpiiiip;  licinl  and  iiock,  wiili  transvorso 
crcscoiitic  liiiis  of  ilaik  |)liiiiib('oiis ;  lower  parts  iinniacuhitr,  or 
else  willioiit  WfU-di'tiiii'il  inarUiiifrs,  Youtig.  U])por  parts  with 
li)iiij:iliiililinl  stripes  of  dark  pliiiiihcous  ;  lower  parts  usually  coii- 
spiciiously  striped.  Ilab,  Greenland  (in  the  lirecding-senson) ;  in 
winter,  oeeasionally  wandering  into  the  iK)rtliern  portions  of 
Europe  and  Xorth  Anieriea         .....      var.  can  di  ra  n  n , 

Lower  tail-coverts  always  with  inarkiiifrs.     A  tinge  of  ashy-blue  more  or 
le.«.s  prevalent  aliove.     Young  dusky  ahove. 

Head  and  neek  aliove  abruplly  lighter  than  the  haek.  Young  |)laiii 
prayish-lirown  above,  with  eons|iieuous  whitish  borders  to  the  feathers. 

2.  Adull.  Upper  parts  white,  passing  into  bluish  posteriorly ; 
everywhere  (exeept  on  head  and  neek)  with  sharply  defnied, 
transverse  (not  ere.seentie,  liut  eontinuous)  bars  of  dark  pluinbeon.s. 
Abdomen  and  Hanks  with  transverse  spots  of  the  same.  Young 
without  irregular  light  mottling  to  the  plumage  above,  and  with 
broad  longitudinal  stripes  beneath.  Ilab.  leeland  and  Southern 
Greenland,  in  the  breed i ng-sea.s(jn ;  in  winter,  south  into  North- 
eastern United  States    and  Northern    Europe.        ,         var.  i iilandicu x. 

Head  and  neck  above  abruptly  darker  than  the  back.  Young  (of  var. 
sacer)  variegated  grayish-brown  above,  without  light  borders  to  the 
feathers. 

3.  Adull.  Top  of  the  head  .streaked  with  whiti.sh;  back  with 
sharply  defined,  eontinuous,  narrow  transverse  bar.«,  of  creamy- 
white.  Hah.  Interior  regions  of  Continental  Arctic  America 
(Slave  Lake,  Yukon,  and  McKenzie  Hiver  district)        ,         .     var.  .lacer. 

4.  Adult.  Top  of  head  not  streaked  with  whitish ;  back  without 
sharply  defined  bars  of  the  same.  Ilab.  Continental  Arctic  Em'ojie 
(Scaixlinavia)  and  Siberia.  Migrating  south,  in  winter,  to  Bengal 
(Hardwiekc) var.  (jyrfalcn.^ 

b.  Lower  parts  with  dusky  predominating,  or  wholly  dusky. 

;■).  Adult.  Almost  entirely  dusky,  without  well-defined  markings 
anywhere.     Ilab.    Littoral  regions  of  the  Hudson  Bay  Territory 

and  Labrador .     var.  la b  r  ado  ra. 

2.  P.  lanarius.  AVing,  11.50- IG.OO;  tail,  G.G0-9..")0;  culmen,  .70-1.00; 
tarsus,  1.90 -2.40;  middle  toe,  l.Gr)-2.00.  Ground-color  varying  from  pale 
grayish-phmd)eous  to  dark  sepia-brown  ;  beneath  white,  with  sparse  markings, 
these  coalesced  into  a  broken  patch  on  the  llaidvs.  Adult.  Above  oli.scnrely 
barred  transversely  with  pale  a.shy  and  brownish-du.sky,  the  former  prevailing 
posteriorly,  the  latter  anteriorly  ;  a  lighter  nuchal  band.  Spots  on  the  sides  and 
fianks  transverse.  Yonnij.  Above  brown,  varying  from  grayish-drab  to  dark 
sepia,  the  feathers  usually  bordered  with  paler  (rusty  in  youngest  individuals) ; 
markings  beneath  all  longitudinal. 

a.  Outer  webs  of  tail-feathers  with  large  well-delined  light  spots ;  outer 
webs  of  the  primaries  sometimes  with  light  spots  on  the  basal  portion ; 

'  Fnico  (fyr/ako,  vav.  tvjrfiiko  (Lisn.).  Falco  gyrfalco,  Linn.  S.  N.  1701),  p.  130. — fijir.!,.  S.  N. 
ST.*). — Snii.KO.  Iicv.  Crit.  M,  Tr.  do  Fauo.  pi.  iii  ;  V.  van  Ncdcrl.  Vog.  ]ils.  iii  and  iv. — 
N'Air.M.  Vng.  pi.  ceixei.  Ilierofaho giirfako,  Selli.EO.  Bon.m'.  Hev.  Zool.  1854,  535.  — Newton, 
Oiithcca  WoUcyana,  1,  87,  pi.  p.  F.  f/i/rfdlco  nonr.f/icus,  Woi.i,i;v.  Falco  gijr/alco  nonvegicus, 
S<'lli,KO.  Mils.  Pays-Uas,  18(52,  12.     Fulco  amdiaim,  var.  7,  Blas. 

Wing,  13.00 -U.,')0  ;  tail,  9.30  ;  culmen,  .98  ;  tarsus,  2.50  ;  niiddlo  too,  1.92. 


FALCONID.K-TIIH   KALCONS.  101) 

sccoiulnrios  without  distinct  .-|iots  on  tlif  outer  webs.     Lower  tiiil-oovorts 
iniiniieuiute. 

Wiiij:,  l.i.Oo-Ui.dO;  tail,  8.-lO-!)."it>;  i'uluien,.8r)-l.()(l;  taisus,  1.05- 

2.15;  inidille   toe,    1.8," -1. !)."),     Top   of  the   lie;ul   white,    with  narmw 

8trciii<s  of  (lai-i<  blown.     Huh.    Central  anil  Eastern  Kurope,  Western 

Asia,  anil  adjoininj,' portions  ol' Al'riea         ....        var,  lunnriux} 

h,  Outi'r  Webs  of  laii-reallicrs  williout  distinet  lijjht  s|)ols,  or  witliiiul  any  at 

all;  outer  wibs  of  primaries  witii  no  traee  of  spots;  seeondaries  with  hght 

spots  on  oute.'  webs.     Lower  lail-eoverts  sparsely  spotte(l. 

Winj,',  rj.OJ- 14.L!.");  tail,  7.(i()-».00  ;  eulnien,  .7.')- .90  ;  tarsus,  2.15- 
2.40;  Miiddle  toe,  1.70-2.00.  Top  of  head  lirowii,  with  nairow  l)lael< 
streaiis.  Ailtdl.  Above  witii  obscure  transverse  spots  of  bhiisii. 
YoHtuj,  Above  with  I'ealiiers  bordered  with  rusty  .  .  \in:  pol  ij  a  gr  u.^. 
Winir,  11.50;  tail,  O.C.O  ;  eulmen,  .70;  tarsu.s,  l.!)0;  middle  toe,  1.(1."). 
Aliove  uniform  dark  brown,  with  a  faint  plumbeous  east,  the  feathers 
without  trnee  oi"  li^'ht  or  rusty  edges;  outer  web  of  tail-feathers  with- 
out trace  of  li<;ht  spot.s.  I/(ih.  Me.xico  .  .  .  var.  in  e  x  i  c  a  n  ti  s .' 
Win-;,  13.(iO- 14.30;  tail,  8.25- !».00  ;  eulmen,  .80 -.87  ;  tarsus,  1.S5- 
l.'JO;  middle  toe,  1.85-  l.!)0.  Colors  similar  to  the  last;  entire  aurieu- 
Inrs  white  ;  inustaehe  narrow  and  conspieuous.     Hub.    Southern  Asia. 

var.  J ugge r .' 

The  only  point  of  (lifferciico  in  the  external  anatomy  between  the  Lanner 
Falcons  and  (Jerfalcons  consists  in  the  ditl'eient  degree  of  feathering  on  the 
upper  part  of  the  tarsus  ;  this  is  niucli  denser  and  e.vtends  farther  down 
and  more  around  the  posterior  face  in  the  Gerfalcons,  but  they,  being  inhab- 
itants of  a  very  northern  latitude,  need  this  protection  against  the  rigor  of 
the  climate.  These  sliglit  si)ecific  difl'erences  are  illustrated  by  the  figures  on 
page  1430.  The  same  difference  is  observable  in  many  birds  whose  habitat 
extends  througli  a  great  range  of  latitude,  as,  for  instance,  the  Pcdioccctcs 
phasiandl us,  the  northern  race  of  wliich  has  tlie  feathers  covering  the  base  of 
the  toes  so  long  as  to  reach  beyond  the  claws  and  nearly  conceal  them,  while 
in  the  southern  form  (var.  colnmhianus)  the  toes  are  almost  completely  naked. 

My  determination  of  tlie  number  and  character  of  the  geographical  races 
of  F.  gj/rfalco  is  the  result  of  a  very  careful  critical  examination  of  uver  sixty 

1  Falco  laimriii.%  var.  lanariiif  (Seui-KCEI.).  Fnlcn  liinariits,  Scin,i;o.  Krit.  Ucb.  II,  ct  11.  —  In. 
Tr.  Faui!.  0  ;  Mus.  I'ays-Bas,  Filmiie.H  14  ;  Abh.  Zool.  10  ;  \ivv.  1844,  2  ;  Nauru.  185.'),  2.V2  ;  Ibis, 
1859,  80.  -  Bur.r.,  U.  Kur.  I,  1850,  37  (!)Iatc  of  lulult  '.).  —  TisisriiAM,  Ibis,  284.  —  OuAV,  Hand 
List,  I,  1809,  19,  No.  171.  Tki.z.  Ueb.  der  Uuicr  und  Falk.  11,  1803,  20.  Fitlm  lamtriiix  a, 
Scui.KU.  Tr.  FauL'.  23.  Gcnitaid  IcDiariiis,  Schleo.  —  lioNAr.  IJev.  1854,  535.  Falco  fcldcgijii, 
Scnucci.  Abh.  Zool.  3-C. 

^  Falco  lanarius,  var.  mexicaniii  (LicilT.).  Fulno  incricuniis,  "  LicilT.  Mus.  Berol."  — 
ScilLEo.  Abh.  Znol.  1841,  15.  —  .ScHl.Ko.  Fakoiics,  Mas.  Pay.s-Ba.s,  1802,  18.  —  Pr,l.z.  Neb. 
der  Geierund  Fnlk.  II,  1803,  19.  "  Falco  sublanariiis,  Nattickkh."  —  1'llz.  Ueb.  dcr  Gvicr  und 
Fiilk.  II,  1803,  19. 

'  Falco  lanarius,  var.  jiiggcr  ^Oiiay).  Falco  juifjci;  Okay,  Ilardw.  III.  Ind.  Zool.  II,  pi.  xxvi, 
1832.  —  BoxAP.  Consp.  24.  — flouLi),  B.  Asia,  pi.  i.  —  .Ikudox,  B.  Indiu,  30.  —  Stiuckl.  Orn. 
Syn.  1855,  79,  No.  129.  —  Suili.Kf!.  Abh.  pi.  xv;  Mus.  Pays-Bas.  1,17.  Falco  Ivggcr,  Jvmm. 
Aladr.  Journ.  X,  p.  80;  111.  Ind.  Orii.  pi.  xliv.  —  Bi.vril,  .lourn.  A.ss.  Soo.  Bengal,  XI,  104. 
Falco  thcrmophiltts,  HoDOs.  Zool.  Mise.  1844,  81.  Falco  lanarius  I  Bl.VTll,  J.  As.  Soc.  Beug. 
XIX,  318. 


no 


NORTH  AMKKICAN  UIIIDS. 


s|ic('iiiR'iis,  aidt'il  liy  tlio  imjxutniit  (.'ondnsiims  of  Mr.  Ilaiicock  (Annals  and 
Maj;a/.iiiu  of  Natural  llisLiay,  lM  srr.,  XIH,  IK);  Lomlciii,  IS.'U),  Sclilcgi'l 
{Jut/cditi. 'i,yi\\s6nu\  (I'llisloirc!  Naliiivllc  ilos  I'ays-lias,  IHfJL'j,  I'clzcln  (rcliiT- 
sit'lit  ilcr  Cioicr  und  Falken  di'V  Kaisisrlicliun  (unitlioldj^iscliuii  Sainniliuij;, 
i\]tril,  IHd;!),  and  AllVcd  N'l'wton  (Ilisli)iy  of  IJritisli  IJirds,  icvi.sod  cd.,  jiait  1, 
Juiu",  ItSTl,  ])]).  ."id-.")!',  and  I'mc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sr.  riiiladclpliia,  .Fuly,  1<S7I, 
])]).  '.i4, ',)'}),  in  tlicir  important  itapcrs  la'aiini,'  upon  tlii.s  .sidiject,  wliit'li,  tlioup;li 
tliey  oacli  c.\pies.s  tlie  pccnliar  individual  views  of  the  writer,  tu^'ether  clear 
\\\)  pretty  .sati.sfaetorily  the  jadlileni  of  the  nnniber,  character,  and  haliitats  of 
the  .several  races,  as  well  as  the  dill'erent  phases  of  variation  to  which  each  is 
subject. 


fi488,9. 


Faico  polijagrus. 


Fako  sacer. 

In  studying  the  F.  Innarius,  I  have  experienced  most  discourcaging  dif- 
ficulties from  the  Avant  of  sullicieiit  series  of  the  Old  World  races,  and  I'roni 
the  unsatisfactory  character  of  most  desciiptions  and  iigures  of  them,  besides 
being  much  perplexed  by  the  confusion  of  their  .synonymy  by  ditVercnt 
authors.  Tn  conseiiuence  of  this,  my  diagnoses  of  the  four  races  of  which 
alone  I  have  seen  examples  may  be  very  unsatisfactory  as  regards  the 
charactc's  by  which  tliey  may  be  most  readily  distinguished.  Having  seen 
the  adult  of  oidya  single  one  of  these  four  races,  I  am  therefore  compelled  to 
base  my  differential  characters  upon  the  immature  stages. 

In  addition  to  the  four  races  of  /'.  faiitirii(s  characterized  above,  there  are 
several  geognii)hical  forms  belonging  to  tlie  Old  World,  chiefly  intertropical 
Asia  and  Africa.  These  are  the  var.  hahi/lonicKs,  Scl.  and  Irby,  (Gray's  Hand 
List,  I,  ]).  20,  No.  17.'>,)  of  Southeastern  Europe  and  Western  Asia  ;  var.  harla- 
rus,  L.  ((Jray's  Hand  List,  i>.  20,  No.  174),  of  Northern  Africa  ;  and  var. 
(((niipteruf^,  Licht.  (dray's  Hand  List,  No.  17")),  of  both  the  preceding  regions, 
which  ^Fr.  Gurney  wi-ites  me  "is  sini])ly  the  intertropical  race  of  F.  fniiNrins, 
from  which  it  only  differs  in  being  of  a  darker  shade  throughout."     The  F. 


rALCONID.K  — TIIK    l"AI,('(»NS.  HI 

.srt/r/',  Sclile;,',  fGniy's  Hiiiul  List,  No.  17(!),  soems,  to  jiulj,'u  from  the  di'scrii)- 
tious  uuil  ligmv.s  wliidi  1  liavo  st'cii,  to  bo  also  muivly  a  form  of  the  atuuu 
species,  but  I  liavo  seen  no  siiceiniens  of  it. 


Faloo  (Hierofalco)  gyrfalco,  Lixn. 

Viir.  caiiillcnns,  (Imrum. 

WHITE  OEBFALCON. 

Accijtikr  faho  frcti  hiidmnis,  Hills.  Oiii.  I,  S'lO,  17i>:}.  ^l.  Ol/r/ulm,  Biuss.  Orii.  I,  370, 
1>1.  x.x.x,  1'.  2,  1703.  Fatal  riisliculus,  F.vuii.  Faun.  (irnMi.  p.  55,  1780.  —  h\n\.  Syn. 
Siipp.  I,  15,  1781.  F.  ciiiidkitim,  (Imki,.  Syst.  Nut.  i>.  '27.">,  1788.  —  DAflt.  Tr.  Oiii. 
II  101,  1800.  _  Br.NicK,  Isis,  18'J4,  S8-2.  —  Scill.Kd.  Kiit.  riicis.  p.  1,  ISII. — 
UoN.M-.  licv.  Zool.  1850,  184  ;  Colisi).  Av.  p.  33.  —  C.vssis,  I'loo.  Ac.  Nut.  Sc.  I'liil. 
1855, -278;  lliiiln  N.Am.  1858,  13.  —  Stkicki,,  Oni.  Syii.  I,  77,  1S55.  —  HL-v-sri-.i, 
Cull.  .lour.  18(J2,  43  (tliiukH  all  bomil  oiii's  huiik!  in  Kuro|i«  ami  Ainciica).  —  Kllki'I', 
Hiiils  N.  Am.  pi.  xii.  llii'iv/ulm  ciiiidicniin,  (.'rv,  licg.  An.  I'll.  1,  I,  312,  1817  ;  od.  2,  I, 
323,  1829.  —  I.Kss.  Man.  Oin.  I,  80,  1828  ;  Tr.  Oin.  p.  97,  \'\.  .wi,  p.  2.  —  (ilt.w,  llan.l 
List  I,  18,  ISm).  F(i/ni  Isldiitliciis,  L.vill.  Inil.  Orn.  p.  32,  1700;  .Syn.  I,  71,  A,  H; 
OtMi.  Hist.  I,  72,  A,  1821.  — .SiKl-ll.  Zool.  Xfll,  pt.  ii,  p  39,  182ti.  (!iiii.l>,  I!.  Kur. 
pi.  xi.\.  —  Auk.  IJirils  Am.  1831,  pi.  ecclxvi.  F.  huleo  (i,  l,.\rii.  Inil.  Urn.  p.  24, 1790  ; 
Gen.  Hi.st.  I,  80,  A.  F.  /tKjojiux,  ji,  L.vril.  Inil.  Orn.  p.  10,  1790  ;  .Syn.  Supp.  I,  30  ; 
Cicn.  Hi.st.  I,  08,  A.  /'.  iji-ii-iiliiiulkiii,  ]).\v\\  Tr.  Orn.  II,  157,  1800.  J/icm/a/co 
gmii/andicun,  Biu'.iiM.  Voy.  Deutsuli,  I,  10,  1831.  /'.  yyrfuico,  BoSAi'.  List,  p.  4, 
1833. 

Sp.  Cii.Mt.  Adiitt  (9,  18,-")77,  Groenlnnil ;  I'liiv.  Zool.  Miis.  Copoiilin<;on).  Ground- 
color untirt'ly  pure  white;  \v1k)1l>  upper  .surface  (|i()Sterior  to  the  nape)  willi  (ran.sverse 
cre.seentie  har.s  of  dark  plunilieous-browu,  frenerally  ahout  two  on  eaeii  featiier,  the  lirst 
concealed  by  the  fe.ither  wliieli  overlaps.  Primaries  cro.ssod  at  reij;ular  intervals  with 
tpiadrate  spots  of  the  same  tint,  liieso  becoming  fused  toward  ends  of  quills,  forniinfj;  n 
terminal  dusky  space  (,f  two  or  throe  inches  in  extent ;  ti|)s  of  all  the  (piiils  -'arrowly 
white;  the  black  bars  do  not  extend  quite  to  the  primary  eoverts,  and  decrease  both  in 
extent  and  ropjuliu'ity  toward  the  im.se.  Middle  tail-feathers  eros-sed  witii  seven  or  eiijht 
imperfect  bars  of  dusky,  the  .shafts  of  tin'  featlijr"  blackish  ;  rest  of  tail  innnaculate.  the 
.shafts  ])ure  white.  Nape  with  a  very  few  lino  shai'-streaks  of  dusky.  Whole  lower  sur- 
face of  body  and  wing  utterly  immaoulato.  Wi.ig-fornnda.  2-3-1.  Wiiiir,  Ki.oO; 
tail,  0.00;  culnieu,  1.0.');  tarsus,  2.10-1.35;  middle  toe,  2.20;  inner,  l..')0;  outer,  L.'JO; 
posterior,  1.00. 

(No.  f)(),ir)2,  9)  Greenland;  RchliKer  Colloction.)  Head  .above,  occiput,  nape,  and 
upper  half  of  ear-coverts,  with  spaise  shaft-strciiks  of  black,  these  most  numerous  on  the 
latter  region;  primaries  barred  to  the  coverts.  Tail  enlirely  crossed  by  eleven  phun- 
beou.s  bars.  B.irs  above  clearer  plumbeous.  The  .uowy-white  beneath  is  rclii'vcd  by  a 
few  minute  variable  Hecks  of  dusky  upon  the  lower  \,m-\  of  th.'  ;didomcn,  becoming  larger 
as  they  approach  the  sides.     Wing-i'ormula,  2-3  -  1.     Wing,  1(\70;  tail,  !).30. 

Jnv.  trausitiou  Mtirjc?  (  ^f,  50,0-1:7,  "  Holier  Xorden  "  ;  .'sc'diiicr  Collection).  Markings 
above  quite  different  from  those  of  the  two  preceding;  each  feather  h.ns  a  large  central 
longitudinal  sagittate  spot  of  dusky,  leaving  only  the  borders  (of  the  expose<l  portion) 
white;  on  the  primaries  the  dusky  is  almost  conlincd  to  the  terminal  portion  ;  the  rump 
and  upper  tail-coverts  have  e.ich  feathers  with  n  medial  longitudinal  stripe  of  dusky.  The 
tail  is  imm.ieulatc,  but.  the  shafts  of  the  middle  feathers  are  dusky.     The  neck,  bre.'ist,  ab- 


112 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDa 


doincii,  and  sides  liavo  numerous  ciinoato  marks  of  dusky,  ono  near  the  end  of  each  feather. 
Tlic  lining  of  liie  wini,',  oven,  liiis  a  few  narrow  streaks.     Winjr,  14.7;");   tail,  0.40. 

No.  50,040  (9,  Greenland,  Sehl.  Coll.)  is  similar  in  pattern  of  markings,  but  above  the 
dusky  is  more  extended,  forniiuy;  the  predominatiu}^  eolor ;  the  rump,  etc.,  has  l)road 
sajjittato  spots  instead  of  narrow  stripes ;  the  primaries  an;  liaired  to  the  coverts ;  the 
tail  is  crossed  by  about  ten  eontinuous  bands  of  dusky.  Ueneath  the  lanceolate  spots  or 
streaks  cover  the  whole  surface,  c.Neept  the  anal  reu'ion,  lower  tail-covert.s,  and  throat. 
On  the  lining  of  the  wing  the  streaks  are  less  spar.se  than  hi  the  preceding,  though  they 
are  by  no  means  munerous.     Wing,  lo.To;  tail,  O.uO. 

Juv.  first  plumaije  (9,  5*),0,").'!,  Greenland  ;  Schliiter  Coll.).  AH  the  mark'"gs  are  longi- 
tudinal, insteaa  of  directly  the  reverse.    The  upper  parts  have  longitudinal  tear-shaped 


Fako  candicans. 


stripes,  a  medial  one  on  each  feather;  tin  ■  are  sparse,  however,  on  the  wings;  the  rump 
ha.s  narrow  shaft-lines  of  dusky.  The  tail  and  upper  covei'ts  are  immaculate,  but  the  shafts 
of  all  the  feathers  are  nearly  pure  black.  Tlu!  bars  on  the  jiriniaries  arc  found  only  im- 
nuMliately  next  the  dusky  terminal  space.  The  streaks  beneath  are  not  very  numerous, 
and  are  found  only  on  the  breast,  upper  part  of  abdomen,  and  on  the  sides;  the  nape  and 
sides  of  the  neck  arc,  however,  thickly  streaked. 

(Xo.  17,0()(i,  9-  ^foose  F.aetory,  Hudson  Ray  Territ<iry.)  In  character  of  markings 
resembling  the  la.st,  but  the  stripes  are  fainter  and  narrower;  they  are  al.so  less  numerous. 
On  the  under  parts  they  are  wanting.  Unforfimately,  the  tail  of  this  specimen,  which  is 
the  only  North  American  one  in  the  collection,  is  missing. 

In  all  s;)ecimens  the  aiud  region  and  lower  tail-eoverUs  are  iunnaculate. 


FALCOXID.E  —  Til K   l''ALC(>NS. 


118 


Had.  (Iri'cnland,  nml  oonliiu'iu  of  Noitli  Amoripa,  north  of  Hudson  Bay  (broclinLr  in 
laltcr  ri'fiioii).  Of  ii-ri';;iilai'  occuitcimh!  in  wiulci'  tiii'oiiLilKiiit  llii!  circumiiolar  regions ; 
Ural  Motiiilaiiis  (Evi:i!.sman)  ;   lii'hriii;j- s  Stiail   (I}annisti:i:). 

LIST  or  si'Krr.Mi.xs  i:xA.Mrxi;n. 

National  Miislmiih,  ";  Hostoii  Socii'ty,  2;  Pliilailelphia  Acatloiny,  3;  Xuw  York 
Miisc.'iini,  G ;  colk'ctioii  of  It.  Itid^'way,  1.     Total,  111. 


Wing. 

ll.io- 11.7.'. 
15.75 -1G.'2.') 

Tiiil. 

Ciilmiii. 

TiirSHx. 

•j.l.'. -:i.J5 

2.20-2.50 

MiiliHf  Tue. 

1.05-2.00 
2.05-2.15  i 

Siifcimens. 

3 

(i 

1 

9 

9.70  -      . 
10.00-11.00 

.1)0-    . 
.08-1.00 

I 

Viir.  islandicufi,   Svhim;. 

ICELAND  OEBFALCON. 

Accipitrr  falcn  isjifmlicif-;  iilMss,  Oni.  I,  :i;)ti,  17ti3.  Fii/ro  isliDKlini.i,  .Sail  Miin.  Trans. 
Xll,  ->2X,  1818.  — Ti'.MM.  Miiii.  Oiii.  i.t.  X  ;  17,  i>t.  iii,  p.  !»  ;  Tali.  Mrtli.  i>.  2,  18;!i;.  — 
FaI!i;i!,  1'io.1.  Islaiiil.  Oni.  lti-2'2,  ii.  2  ;  Isis,  1827,  02.  —  liicii.  k  S.  atn.>i.  V.  I).  A.  II, 
27,  1831.  —  IIoY,  Ma^'.  Xat.  Hist.  Scr.  1,  VI,  107.  —  Hamimk,  Ann.  Xat.  Hist.  II, 
247  ;  Uev.  Zoill.  183!),  123.  —  HoNAf.  Consp.  .\v.  p.  21.  —  Stimcki..  Oiii.  Syn.  I,  77, 
IS.'ia. — Cas.sin',  Hirils  N.  Am.  18')8,  l;!.  lliii-nfiikv  iihitnUnix,  (Iiiav,  (iiii.  I!,  p.;! 
(cil.  2,  p.  4),  1844  ;  Ilaiul  List,  I,  18,  18li!).  /'(Am  annlicaiis  ishnidii'K.s-,  Srm,i;(i.  Kiit. 
iiliiTs,  p.  1,  1844.  F"f(ii  liiitiin'iis,  Fahkk,  Isis,  1827,  08.  luiiro  iiiirf<ilo\  Ki;y.si;i;ling 
&  Bi.Asiis,  Wirbclth.  Eur.  j..  1:5.'.,  184(i. 

iSi'.  CuAii.  AihiV  ( ^,  Ti'olauil ;  Xo.  12,  Coll.  (ieo.  X.  Lawri'iicc).  Ground-color 
of  the  plnnia,u:o  dull  while,  ,u:ra<lua!ly  bocomin;;  .lonicwhat  lilui.'<li  posteriorly,  tlii.s  color 
especially  MoliccaliU;  on  the  tail.  »Vhole  upper  parts  ero.ssed  with  hroad  transverse 
hands  of  dark  phiinheous,  these  hands  eoutin  'ons,  and  more  than  twice  as  wide  as 
the  pale  ones,  except  on  the  nii|)er  lail-coveits  and  tail,  where  tlu"  bands  of  the  two  colors 
are  in(U'e  r(\t;ulaily  delineil  and  about  iMpial;  in  addition  to  the  transverse  bands,  the 
leathers  anteriorly  have  luirrow  boi'ilers  of  white.  Tail  with  tlu?  dark  bamls  twelve  in 
number;  the  teiininid  jiale  baud  is  pnri'r  white  than  the  others.  The  dusky  phnnbeous 
prevails  on  the  primaries,  and  is  unv,ariej;ate(l  beyond  the  middle  portion  :  the  aulerior 
half,  howevci-.  is  nuuked  with  (]uadial(;  rai;i;ed  spc.ts,  of  a  .Ui.ulilly  yellowish-while  ;  all 
are  marfrined  terminally  with  puicr  while.  Each  feather  of  the  lieail  and  neck  with  a 
narrow  nu'diiil  streak  of  dusky,  but  the  jreneral  aspect  abruptly  li,i,diter  than  the  back;  the 
streaks  are  more  condeu.sed  alouj:  the  upper  and  terminal  portion  of  the  ear-coverts. 
Juij'ulum  and  breast  with  a  meilial  narrow  si I'cak  on  each  feather:  abdomen  wilh  nmre 
elliptical  streaks;  sides  with  circular  and  cordate  spols,  and  Hanks  and  tibi;e  with  trans- 
verse spots;  li.wcr  lail-eoverls  with  narrow  shaft-streaks  of  dusky.  Liniiej;  of  tlie  win;; 
with  sparse  narrow  streaks  of  dusky;  undi^r  siu'faee  of  primaries  wilh  ■white  prevailing.', 
this,  how(>ver,  crossed  by  narrow  bars  of  dusky,  these  nuud>eriiiu:  about  sixteen  on  the 
longest.  AVin,n--lbrinula,  2-.'5-l.  Winpr,  1  1.00  :  tail,  7.80;  culmou,  1.00;  tarsu.s,  2..'50  ; 
luid.Ue  toe,  2.(10. 

./'(('.  (Xo.  20.:' I  I,  Iccl.iud).  (Iround-color  of  head,  neck,  and  lower  parts.  wliiU". 
I'piicr  surface  irrayish  umber-lirown,  beeoimui;  paler  and  moi-e  •irayish  on  the  tail;  each 
feather  above  sharply  bordered  (both  webs,  all  round)  with  dull  white.  produi'in.Lf  a 
soniowhal  sipiaimite  ap])earance  ;  iu  places,  a  few  obsoleto  hiiMcn  spots  of  yellowish- 
white      Tail  ashy-drab  (feathers  «;oiuewhat  paler  along  edL'os).  eros.sed  with  about  eleven 

vol..  III.  15 


114 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS; 


transverse  series  of  spots  of  oeliraeeoiis  or  civaniy  white;  lliese  very  olisolete  on  mirldle 
ibatliers,  and  slinrply  (iclined  only  on  inner  w.-l,s  ;  the  last  is  terminal.  Primaries  jijain 
brown,  somewliat  clari<er  than  tlie  liaeiv,  mid  Ijeeoniing  insensibly  darker  terminally; 
skirte(l  willi  white,  and  somewhat  mottled  or  irrcfrnlarly  slotted  toward  their  bases 
with  yellowish-white.  Ileail  and  neek,  each  (eather,  with  a  medial  streak  of  dnsky,  but 
white  the  prevailing,'  aspeet;  these  streaks  eondensed  and  somewliat  siiU'iised  along 
npper  border  of  ear-eoverls,  ami  fi-om  the  lores  alonpr  elieeks,  forminfr  an  obsoh'te  "  mus'- 
taehe";  every  feather  beneath  (inehidinf,'  lininj?  of  winirs)  with  a  medial  broad  stripe  of 
clear  plumbeous  vandyke-brown,  the  shaft  pure  blaek ;  under  surface  of  primaries  with 
transverse  spaces  of  white,  these;  mnnberin{(  thirteen  on  the  longest.  WinR-formuIa 
2-3,1.     Wing,  I.IOO;   tail,  !).•_'(). 

IIao.  leeland  and  Southern  Oreenland,  Northeastern  North  America  in  winter, 
straggling  accidentally  south  to  the  New  England  States;  Rhode  Island  (Mnsenm| 
Cambridge)  ;  Norway,  Maine  "  not  uncommon  "  (Vkrkii.i.)  ;  Ma.ssachu.sett.s  (PEAnonv  ifc 
Jii.i,son)  ;  Long  Islanil  (Cab.,  G.  N.  Lawhkxck). 

Xo.  50,050,  Greenland  (Schluter  Collection),  is  moulting,  and  as.suniing  the 
adult  Iress  ;  the  adult  and  young  stages  above  described  being  nearly  equally 
conibxiied.     No.  56,055,  from  Greenland,  differs  from  the  other  young  in- 


F^lrn  islmt'iirHS. 


dividuals  which  T  have  seen  in  being  considerably  darker.  The  feathers  of 
the  upper  surface  are  not  bordered  with  whitish,  but  are  merely  paler  on 
their  ixlges,  along  which  are  specks  of  yellowish.     On  the  head  and  neck 


FALCOXID.E  ~  Till':   FALCOXS. 


115 


the  dark  streaks  iirodoniinato,  while  llio  stripes  belmv  are  very  broad.     It 
apjjroaclies  (juite  nearly  toward  the  yoiinj,'  uf  var.  sdcrr. 

The  only  specimen  of  this  race  wliicli  I  have  seen  from  Continental  Xorth 
America,  is  a  yonng  individnal,  obtained  during  the  winter  of  1804-05, 
near  I'njvidence,  II.  I.,  taken  by  ]Mr.  Xewton  Pexter,  and  now  in  the  Cam- 
bridge Museum,  where  I  had  the  pleasure  of  seeing  it. 


LIST    OF   SPIX'IMKSS    KXAMIN'KI). 

National  Museum,  .5;  liostou  Souioty,  ?,  ■,   I'liiladulphia  Academy,  »;  Coll.  G.  N.  Law- 
lenco,  2  ;  Museum  Comp.  Zoiil.,  1 ;  New  York  Mu.seum,  5.     Total,  2o. 


'Sex. 

Measxrenicnts, 

Wing 

I>ii7. 

Ciibnen. 

Tarsus. 

Midrlle  Toe. 

Specimens. 

9 

14.35  -  U.7o 
10.2.5-10.50 

8.80  - 10.00 
10.00-11.50 

Ml  -  1.00 
1.00  - 1.05 

2.20-3.00 
2.30-2.70 

l.!Jo-2.15 
2.00-2.25 

1            0 
10 

Viir.  gacer,  Forstefi. 

HacFARLANE'S  GEBFALCON. 

Fa!co  sneer,  FoR.sTKlt,  Phil.  Trans.  LXII,  1772,  383  and  423.  —Coces,  Birds  of  Now  Eng- 
land, 18ti8,  G.  —  Baiui),  Tran.s.  Chicago  Acad.  Se.  I,  ii,  271.  /  Falen  cincreu.s,  Gmkl. 
Syst.  Xiit.  p.  207,  178it. 

Sp.  CirAK.  Achlt  (^,51,089,  Yukon,  mouth  of  Porcupine  River;  Straehan  .Jones). 
'^^  hole  upper  .surfaeo  with  numerous  transverse  bands  of  brownisii-phunbeous  and  ashy- 
white.  Anteriorly  the  li<rht  bars  are  about  half  the  wiilth  of  the  dark  ones;  |iosteriorly 
they  gradually  increase,  the  bands  of  the  two  colors  bcinsr  about  of  erpial  width  on  the 
upper  tail-coverts  and  tail ;  with  the  increase  of  the  lipfhtei'  bars,  they  become  more  ashy, 
and,  correspondintfly,  the  darker  ones  are  more  plumbeous :  on  the  rump  there  is  l)ut 
little  contrast  In  'veen  the  bands  of  the  two,  causing  a  prevalent  bluish  cast.  The  bands 
are  everywhere  .ntinuous,  the  light  ones  being  interrupted  only  by  the  black  shaft; 
there  are  generally  on  the  anterior  portions  about  three  light  bars  on  each  feather,  the 
last  always  terminal.  Tail  tippeil  widi  white,  and  crossed  with  etiual  continuous  bands 
of  hoary-plumljeous  and  ashy-white;  the  latter  eleven  in  number,  and  finely  spriidded 
with  deeper  ash.  Primaries  brownisli-pluml)eous,  plain  pas'  the  middle  portion,  but  on 
the  anterior  half  with  quadrate  spots  of  creamy  white  on  the  outer  web.  IK  d  above 
brownish-plumbeous,  this  prevailing;  but  along  the  median  line  the  leathers  are  edged 
with  bully  white;  forehead  dull  white,  this  continuing  back  in  a  streaked  superciliary 
stripe  to  the  oceiimt ;  cheeks  very  thinly  marked  with  One  streaks  of  dusky,  this  i)re- 
vailing  along  the  upper  border  of  the  ear-coverts;  a  deeper  dusky  sulfusion  beneath  the 
anterior  angle  of  the  eye.  Lower  surface  pure  white  :  fliin  and  throat,  only,  inunaculate; 
jiigulum  with  very  .sparse,  narrow  longitudinal  streaks  of  blacki.sh  ;  sides  with  scattered 
cordate  or  nearly  circular  spots,  these  larger  and  transverse  on  the  flanks  and  tibiir  ;  alido- 
meii  with  .scattered  minute  elliptical  .-;pots;  lower  tail-coverts  with  minute  irregular 
sagittate  or  transver.se  spots  of  dusky.  Under  surface  of  the  wing  white;  each  feather 
of  the  lining  with  a  medial  tear-.shaped  streak  of  dusky  ;  primaries  crossed  with  -row 
bars  of  dusky,  fifteen  i.i  number  on  the  longest.  Wing-formula,  2  -3  -4  -  1-5,  Wing, 
13.,50;  tail,  S.GO;  culmen,  .90;  tarsus,  2.15;  middle  toe.  1.87. 

9    (4.3,139,    Fort   Ander.sou,   May  24,   1804,  ''9    and  two  eggs";    U.  MacFarlane). 


116  NORTH  AMEUICAN  BIRDS: 

Generally  similar  to  tlio  male.  Heiid  iilmve  fnnspiciiouslv  streaked,  but  the  iliisky  prc- 
vailiiij,'.  Aliove  llie  transverse  biimls  are  less  reijjiilar  ami  (.'onlinuons,  anti-riorly  the  plinn- 
beoiis  larj;vly  prevailing  ;  posterior  portions,  however,  as  in  tlie  male,  Imt  on  the  rnmp 
the  hands  arc  more  distinct.  Beneath,  the  niarUiiii;s  are  more  numerous,  larfjer,  and 
broader;  thos(!  on  the  jugnlnm  linear;  those  ol'  the  alnlomen  medially  elliptical;  laterally 
they  are  transversely  eordale,  and  on  the  tlanUs  in  I'oiin  ol'  broad  ti'ansveise  spots,  or 
broad  bars;  on  the  tibiicand  lower  tail-coverts  thej'  I'orm  rcfrular  transverse  bars,  —  on  the 
latter,  <|nitc  distant.  \Vin;,'-formula,  2-3-4,1.  Win.n',  15.50;  tail,  9.50;  tar.su.s, 'J.15 
and  .80;  middle  toe,  1.95. 

Jin:  ((J,  55,400.  Alaska,  Xulato,  February  10,  1803;  W.  II.  Dall).  Above  phnubeous- 
nmber,  precisely  as  in  young'  of  islnndivua,  but  on  the  riunp  having  a  decided  ashy  cast. 
No  while  edges  to  the  leathers,  a.s  in  hlumUcus,  but,  instead,  nnniorous  irregular  tiansverse 
spots  or  obsolete  ragged  bars  of  cream-coliu'  or  ])ale  ochraeeou.«-bufi";  the  whole  ujiper 
surliice  is  quite  thickly  variegated  with  these  irregular  nnuking.s.  Tail  cro.ssed  wilh 
thirteen  narro'v  bands  of  creamy-white,  these  .so  thickly  mottleil  wilh  du.sky  on  llie  outer 
■webs  as  to  bo  obscure,  but  on  inner  webs  they  are  regular  and  .sharply  defiued  ;  the 
last  is  terminal.  Primaries  i)lain  dn.sky,  .skirted  obscurely  with  paler,  and  marked  toward 
ba.-;es  with  obsolete  mollled  s[)ots  of  cream-color.  Head  streaked  wilh  dusky  and  creamy- 
■white,  the  f'.rmcr  j  icdominating  on  upper  surface,  along  ujjper  edge  of  car-coverls,  and 
ncro.ss  the  cheeks,  on  the  latter  Ibrming  ii  nnistaclie ;  the  white  prevails  over  the  I'ar-cov- 
erts  in  a  broad  supra-oral  stripe,  and  on  the  forehead  and  lon-s.  Beneath,  soft  dull  white; 
chin  and  upper  part  of  throat  only,  iunnaculate;  each  feather  with  a  broad  medial  .^ti'ipc 
of  clear  daik  phnnbeou,s-brown,  on  the  Hanks  and  tiliiiu  ]ireviiiliiig,  the  whitish  a.^^sumiug 
the  form  of  roundish  spots;  lining  of  the  wing  .similarly  marke<l ;  prevailing  aspect  of 
under  surface  of  ])riinaries  white,  cros.sed  with  narrow  l)ars  of  ash}-,  fifteen  m  number 
on  the  longest.     Wing-fonnnla,  2,  3-1  =4.     Wing,  14.00;  tail,  8.40. 

Had.  Interior  regions  of  Arctic  America;  Anderson  River,  Midvenzie,  Yukon,  and 
Sev(Mn  River  region.s.  Breeding  abundantly  in  the  former  district,  whence  numerous 
specimens  of  skins  and  eggs  have  been  received  by  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

Tn  tlie  young  specimen  described,  tliere  are  one  or  two  new  feathers 
appearing  on  the  rump  and  upper  tail-coverts,  ])recisely  as  in  tiie  bhie 
phimage,  and  proving  conclusively  their  relationsliip.  The  .specie's  is  as  dii- 
ferent  from  the  Iceland  bird  in  the  young  stage  as  in  the  mature.  The  most 
readily  apparent  diderences  are,  lack  of  sharp  white  edges  of  feathers  aljove, 
and  in  their  stead  numerous  ragged  transverse  spots  of  yellowish ;  dark  aspect 
of  head  above,  etc. 

Specimens  vary  considerably  in  the  shades  of  color  and  distril)ution  of 
the  marking.^,  but  tiie  types  of  the  above  descriptions  arc  the  lightest  of  the 
series.  The  darkest  e.xamjde  is  No.  43,144J-  ("  9  and  eggs  "),  Fort  .Anderson, 
]\[ay  22,  18(54.  In  this  the  whole  head  and  neck  (except  underneath)  are 
continuous  blackish-plumbeous,  only  the  middle  of  the  auriculars  being 
faintly  streaked  ;  the  back  is  nearly  ))lain  dusky,  and  even  on  the  wii\gs  the 
bars  are  very  obscure  and  much  reduced  in  width.  The  rump  is  plain  ashy- 
blue,  the  darker  bars  being  nearly  obsolete.  The  longitudinal  markings  on 
the  pectoral  region  are  enlarged  into  con.«;])icuous  slrijjes,  while  on  the  sides 
and  llaid<s  the  transverse  bars  form  heavy  spots.  The  tninsverse  liars  on 
the  tibiu'  are  ashy-blue  ;  those  on  the  crissuni  clear  idiimbeous,  and  regularly 
transverse.     W'ug,  15.75  ;  tail,  9.30.     Upon  com])aring  this  specimen  with 


FALCON  I  D.l':  -  Til  K   FALCOXS. 


117 


tlie  li.i^ures  of  a  ]>air  of  var.  f/i/r/alro,  l)y  Wolf,  in  Newton's  Oiitlieca  Wolley- 
lUKi,  I  can  discover  no  dilference  at  all ;  thus  it  would  seem  tluit  our  liinl 
occa.sioiiidly  closely  upproaclies  in  tints  and  markings  this  race  of  Con- 
tinentivl  Europe,  of  which  1  have  seen  only  one  immature  example,  and  no 
adults. 

I  cannot  a<,M'ee  with  Mr.  Xewton  in  considering  the  Gerfalcons  of  the 
interior  of  Arctic  America  as  identical  witl;  the  Iceland  form,  though  that 
distinguished  ornithologist  considers  them  so  in  his  paper  in  the  rroceediugs 
ot  the  Philadelphia  Academy  for  July,  1871,  busing  his  conclusion  upon  the 
specimens  from  which  the  above  descriptions  were  taken,  which  had  been 
sent  over  to  England  for  comparison.  1  luive  never  yet  seen  a  specimen  of 
i-'i/diif/tni.s  wliich  could  not  be  distinguished,  by  the  characters  given  in  my 
synopsis,  from  these  examples,  while  they  can  be  separated  from  that  race 
by  the  characters  which  Mr.  Newton  himself  gives,  in  his  diagnostic  table  in 
the  paper  above  cited,  for  distinguishing  the  adults  of  islandkus  and  gyr- 
faho. 

The  var.  f^mrr  is  evidently  separable  from  both  idandkm  and  gyrfako, 
and  about  as  nuicii  related  to  one  as  to  the  other  ;  combining  the  size  and 
])roi)ortions  of  the  former  with  the  colors  of  the  latter,  while  in  the  wide 
amount  of  individual  variation  of  plumage  its  ligiiter  extreme  approaches 
one,  wjiile  its  darkest  phase  approximates  as  closely  to  the  average  plum- 
age of  the  other. 


LIST 

Naiioiial  Museum,  (). 

OK   SPECIMENS    EXAMINED. 

McasuremenU. 

5'fr.              llVHiT.                          Tnil. 

Culmen. 

TUnm. 
2.1.") -2.40 

2..J.-)-2.5o 

Miildk  Tnr. 

Specimens. 
3 

3 

$  1  ia.;>)  -  u.'j.')  i    8..')0-!).oo 

i 

?  i  ir).,jo- 10.00    10.00-10.50 

.80 -.93 
1.00-    . 

1.80-1.9.") 

2.00-2.1;") 

Var.   labradora,   AuDUb^N. 
BLACK  GEBFALCON. 

Falm  Inhrnflnm,  Am.  R.  Am.  \i[.  c.xcvi,  18.31. 

Sp.  CiiAii.  Adult  (9  lircMMling  plumage:  30,375,  Rigrolet,  Labrador:  Mr.  ConoUy). 
Groiiml-folor  of  the  i)Uiina,iro  uniforiii,  very  doop,  cloar,  dark  pluinhi-ous-brown,  con- 
timiously  uniloini  above;  larger  scapulars,  .secondaries,  secondary  covcrt.o,  and  primaries 
moie  dilute  aloii-  cd.u:( s,  however,  tli.}  tint  palest  and  broadest  terminally.  Tail  perfectly 
unilbrm.  except  at  the  end;  tbe  lip  beinnf  narrowly  wl.itisli,  and  about  half  an  inch 
anterior  to  thi.s,  a  transver.se  .scries  of  hidden  irregular  transverse  creamy-white  spots. 
The  head  (except  beneath)  is  unvariegated.  Beneath,  the  dark  tint  inclines  more  to 
blackish  dove-brown,  more  dilute  on  the  tibia-;  feathers  edged  laterally  with  white,  this 
prevailing  on  the  throat,  but  everywhere  else  far  l.'.ss  than  the  dusky  in  amount ;  on  the 
tibiie  and  lower  tail-coverts  the  white  is  in  the  form  of  irregidar  spots.  Anal  region  un- 
v.iriegated;  lining  of  the  wing  with  circular  spots  of  white  along  the  outer  webs  of  the 
feathers.    Under  smface  of  primaries  with  plumbeous  prevalent,  but  this  crossed  with 


118 


NOUTII  AMEIUUAN  BIHDS: 


iiiDltliiifTs  of  wliitisli,  foriT)iii<;  tnmsvorso  Iwi-s ;  but  terniinally  and  liiisnlly  they  bet.'omc 
confiiscil  or  lost.  Wini.'-r(>ninil!i,  •2,:]~\,4.  Wiiifr,  Id.'M  \  tail,  U.uO;  tarsus,  li.OO -.1)0; 
niiiUlle  toe, '2.05;  inner,  l.od;  outer,  l.'iO;   posterior,  .90. 

IIaii.    Laltraiior;  soutli  and  westward  in  winter,  and  shores  of  Hudson  I5ay. 

Nos.  17,(»(l:!  (9,Qu('l.oc,  W.  Cooper)  luid  :U,OGO  (9,  Fort  Nescoiicc, 
Labnidor)  ditl'er  IVoiii  lliu  prucediii;^'  in  liaviiig  tun  .small  niirrow  transvofsc 
spots  of  reddisli-wliitc  on  the  tail-feathers,  forming  as  many  indistinct 
bands  ;  these  sjjots  touch  neither  the  shaft  nor  the  edge  of  the  feather,  and 
are  almost  concetiled,  uidess  the  tail  is  sjn-ead  ;  on  the  latter  .specimen  they 
are  very  obsolete,  the  subterminal  one  oidy  l)eing  distinct,  as  in  the  sjjeci- 
men  selectetl  lor  description.  The  upper  tail-coverts  also  show  faintly  indi- 
cated spots,  and  the  former  specimen  has  the  wing-coverts  with  very  narrow 
irregular  spots  on  the  edge  of  the  feathers.  In  this  s])ecimen  there  is  also 
one  i'eatli(?r  in  the  scapulars  which  has  broader  white  edges ;  it  al-so  has  tho 
white  below  about  equal  to  the  black  in  amoinit ;  the  anal  region,  however, 
in  all,  is  unvaried  blacki.sh,  and  the  transverse  oblique  bands  on  the  lower 
tail-coverts  are  a  constant  feature. 

No.  41,185  ( 9 ,  Fort  Xescopec,  Labrador ;  H.  Conolly)  is  the  darkest  of  all. 
In  tiiis  the  blackish  plumbeous-brown  is  tmiform  over  the  whole  surface ; 
even  the  tiiroat  is  unvariegtited.  Abdomen  with  a  few  of  the  leathers 
edged  with  white,  and  sides  with  a  few  small  circular  spots  of  the  .same  ; 
lower  tail-coveits  transversely  sjjotted  with  white;  tibia-  scarcely  variegated, 
showing  only  narrow  indistinct  whitish  edges.  Mottling  on  inner  webs  of 
primaries  reduced  so  as  to  be  scarcely  visible.  Tail  with  the  usual  number 
(two)  of  irregular  whitish  bars,  —  one  terminal,  the  other  near  the  end. 

LIST   OF   SPKCIMENS    KXAMIXED. 

National  Museum,  2 ;  Boston  Society,  1.     Total,  3. 

Me(i.'nire}iifiif,<i. 


Se.r. 

14.50  -     . 
15..50- 1.5.75 

TnU. 
f).00  -       . 

'.I...0- 10.00 

Cidnien* 
.90-    . 

1.00-  1.05   i 

Tarsus. 

JlfiV/<«.>  Toe. 

Specimens. 

19 

2.12-    . 
2.00  -  2.:55 

1.90-   . 
2.00-2.10 

1 
2 

H.vmis.  In  treating  of  the  general  habits  of  the  (Jerfalcons  of  North 
America  it  will  noi;  be  necessary,  nor  will  it  be  possible,  to  give  the  distinc- 
tive pectdiaritics  belonging  to  the  several  forms  in  which  these  Falcons 
occtir.  Whetlier,  on  account  of  their  variations  of  jdumage,  we  consider 
them  as  races  or  as  s]iecifically  distinct,  does  not  affect  their  history  in  this 
res])ect.  There  is  no  good  reason  for  presuming  that  they  have  any  very 
noticeable  variations  as  to  any  of  their  habits,  although  certain  writers 
claim  for  some  of  them  certain  well-marked  peculiarities  of  character. 

In  the  matter  of  geographical  distribution  they  are  all,  I'or  the  most 
part,  rarely  seen,  even  in  midwinter,  south  of  the  ."lOth  parallel  of  north 
latitude,  and  are  found  in  the  summer  as  far  north  as  the  Arctic  Ocean.    The 


KAI,("0.\II),K  — THE   FALCONS.  ]  ]  () 

Gerfalcon  ol'  the  McKeiizie  l{iver  region,  occnirring  from  the  Slave  Lake  to 
Anderson  Iiiver  and  the  Yuknn,  is  the  form  elsewhere  given  as  the  F.fiarc): 
Along  our  eastern  (^oast  region  occurs  another  form,  the  /'.  lahvuddva,  which 
is  the  hird  met  witli  in  Labrador,  and  descrihed  liy  Mr.  Audiihon.  The  /'. 
citwIicdHii  or  (jni'Jiliintliiiifi  is  a  form  i)eeuliar  to  CJreenland,  visiting  also,  in 
the  winter,  the  Hudson's  IJay  region  ;  while  the  F.  is/uiuliras,  a  well-known 
European  form,  occurs  in  Greenland  also,  and  occasionally  farther  south. 

Holboll,  in  his  account  of  the  birds  of  CJreenland  (Isis,  1845),  a])i)ears  to 
recognize  but  one  species  of  Gerfalcon  as  occurring  there,  to  which  he  gives 
the  name  of  inlnndicm.  This  is,  he  states,  the  most  abundant  Falcon  in 
Greenland,  and  is  eijnally  common  in  the  northern  and  in  the  southern 
parts.  Their  great  variations  in  color  he  regarded  as  indicative  of  difl'erences 
in  ages  to  only  a  very  limited  extent,  and  as  in  no  respect  specific.  Tiiese 
differences  in  color  were  found  among  Ijoth  nestlings  and  breeding  birds, 
white  and  dark  i)irds  Vieing  found  together  in  both  circumstances.  1'he 
white  birds  were  more  numerous  in  Northern  Greenland,  and  the  dark  ones 
oftener  seen  in  the  southern  portion. 

He  found  the  young  birds  moulting  throughout  the  winter.  On  the  4th 
of  January,  1840,  he  shot  a  young  female  that  showed  signs  of  moulting 
about  the  head  and  neck,  with  a  .striped  white  appearance  from  the  sprout- 
ing feathers.  The  ovaries  were  quite  well  developed,  and  it  was  evident  that 
the  birds  of  this  species  breed  in  the  first  season  after  their  birth.  Hol- 
boll adds  that  they  breed  in  January,  that  their  eggs  are  of  nearly  the  same 
color  as  those  of  the  I'tarmigan,  but  are  twice  as  large.  They  nest  usually 
in  inaccessible  cliffs.  They  prey  chiefly  upon  water-fowl  and  rtarmigans, 
and  usually  build  near  "bird  rocks,"  from  which  they  obtain  the  young 
without  much  trouble.  He  mentions  having  once  seen  one  with  a  young 
Lams  triddcti/lits  in  each  foot,  and  another  with  two  Triuga  nuiritiiiia  carried 
in  the  same  manner.  Its  rapidity  of  flight  HoUmll  did  not  regard  as  very 
great.  He  had  for  years  kejjt  pigeons,  and  only  lost  two  young  birds,  which 
were  seized  when  iit  rest.  Almost  every  day,  es])ecially  in  October  and 
November,  these  Falcons  would  chase  the  old  Pigeons  unsuccessfully,  and 
were  often  shot  when  they  followed  them  too  near  the  house.  Tiiey  were 
not  particularly  shy,  and  were  occasionally  decoyed  and  killed  by  throwing 
a  dead  bird  towards  ti    ni. 

During  the  sunnner  they  are  most  numerous  along  the  bays,  especially 
where  there  are  "bird-rocks"  near.  In  Septeml)er  they  go  southerly  along 
the  coast,  and  also  in  October  and  Novend)er.  At  this  time  they  are  not  rare, 
and  approach  the  houses  of  the  Danes,  near  which  they  are  often  seen  fight- 
ing with  the  Ravens.  Their  spring  migrations  are  not  so  regular  as  they 
are  in  the  autumn,  or  ])erha])s  at  this  time  they  do  not  approach  the  houses 
so  frequently.  "When  they  are  near  the  settlements,  it  is  noticed  that  in  the 
morning  they  fly  towards  the  south,  and  in  the  evening  towards  the  north. 

Richardson  speaks  of  the  (Jerfalcon  as  a  constant  resident  in  the  Hudson 


120  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS'. 

J>iiy  territory,  wliere  it  is  known  as  llm  Siwcklud  l';irtriilgo-IIawk,  aiul  also 
as  the  Winterer.  It.s  southern  limit  ho  could  not  j,'ive,  hut  he  never  met 
with  it  south  of  52°.  IIo  traced  it  nortiiwurd  to  the  coast  of  tlie  Arctic 
Sea,  and  probably  to  the  most  northern  CJeorgian  i.slands.  He  cites  Captain 
Sabine  as  authority  for  its  occurring  as  I'ar  north  as  latitude  74°  on  the  west 
coast  of  (Jreenland.  Itichardson  often  met  with  it  during  his  journeys  over 
the  I'arren  (Grounds,  where  its  habitual  jney  was  the  I'tarmigan,  and  where 
it  also  destroyed  I'lover,  Ducks,  and  Geese.  Ho  relates  tiiat  in  the  middle 
of  June,  1821,  a  pair  of  these  birds  attacked  him  as  he  was  clind)ing  to  the 
vicinity  of  their  nest,  wliich  was  built  on  a  lofty  jjrecipicc  on  the  borders  of 
Point  Liikc,  in  latitude  05°  'M)'.  The  bird  Hew  in  circles,  uttering  loud  and 
harsh  screams,  stooping  alternately  with  such  velocity  that  their  motions 
through  the  air  produced  a  loud  ru.shing  noise.  They  struck  their  claws 
within  an  inch  or  two  of  his  head.  Keeping  the  barrel  of  his  gun  close  to 
his  cheek,  and  suddenly  elevating  its  nmzzle  when  they  were  in  the  act  of 
striking,  ho  found  that  they  invariably  rose  above  the  obstacle  with  the 
ra])idity  of  thought,  showing  equal  power  of  motion.  They  bore  consider- 
able resemblance  to  the  Snowy  Owl,  but  their  Hight  was  nuich  more  rapid. 

Mr.  MacFarlane,  in  the  memoranda  of  liis  collections  in  the  neighborliood 
of  Anderson  liiver  and  Fort  Anderson,  furnislies  notes  of  eighteen  nests  of 
the  Gerfalcon  obtained  by  him  in  that  region.  With  only  two  exceptions, 
these  were  placed  near  the  tops  of  pines,  or  other  trees,  at  distances  from 
the  ground  varying  from  ten  to  twenty-tive  feet.  In  some  instances  the  nest 
was  placed  on  the  vo!^'  top  of  the  tree,  in  others  on  a  lower  limb  against  the 
trunk.  They  were  ccmposed  of  twigs  and  small  l)rancln!s,  and  lined  with 
mosses,  hay,  deer's  hair,  feathers,  and  other  sul)stances.  The  jiarents  were  al- 
ways veiy  nuich  excited  whenever  their  nests  were  approached,  making  a  great 
noise,  and  not  mifrequently  their  loud  screams  drew  attention  to  nests  that 
would  otherwise  have  escaped  notice;.  In  one  instance  a  nest  had  been 
built  on  a  ledge  of  rocks  thirty  miles  northwest  of  Fort  Anderson.  It  was 
composed  of  a  few  withered  twigs,  and  lined  with  mos.ses  and  hay.  It  was 
found  on  the  27lh  of  ^lay,  and  contained  two  eggs  nearly  fresh,  and  two  in 
a  state  of  greater  development.  One  nest,  placed  on  a  broad  branch  of  a 
tree,  near  the  trunk,  was  of  considerable  size.  Another  nest  was  on  the 
ground,  on  the  side  of  a  .steep  and  high  hill.  The  earliest  date  of  finding 
these  nests  is  given  as  the  lOtli  of  May.  The  eggs  then  i'ound  were  fresh. 
The  ground  at  that  time  was  still  thickly  covered  with  snow,  and  the 
weather  was  very  cold.  In  a  nest  found  five  days  later  the  eggs  contained 
partially  develo])ed  embryos.  In  nearly  every  instance  the  eggs  seem 
to  have  been  in  different  stages  of  develojjment  in  the  same  nest.  In  some, 
young  birds  were  in  the  same  nest  with  eggs  only  i)artially  developed, 
and  in  another  an  rug  perfectly  fresh  was  in  the  same  nest  with  others  nearly 
ready  to  hatch.  A  nest  found  -Inly  3  contained  young  about  two  days  old; 
another,  on  May  27,  had  eggs  with  large  end)ryos ;  and  one,  on  June  25,  had 
young  nearly  ready  to  fly.  • 


FALCONI UA<:  —  Tl I K    l-'A IA( >.N S.  121 

^[r.  I)niiiil(l  (iiiiiu  claims  tlmt  tliis  Falcon  is  tiu^  only  Hawk  tliat  is  rosi- 
(lont  in  tlu!  Arctic  regions  tlirougiiout  the  year.  It  is  known  to  tlic  Indians 
by  tlie  name  of  I'ijjmnesu,  nnil  this  name  is  a])plic(l  to  it  liecanse  it  passes 
tiie  winter  with  tlieui.  It  is  a  very  powcrl'nl  bird,  and  eonunits  great  havoc 
among  the  Partridges,  so  nuieh  so  that  in  Tornicr  times  the  Hndson  Uay 
Company  gave  a  reward  of  a  (jnart  of  nnn  to  every  iiunter  who  bronght  in 
the  head  of  one  of  these  Falcons.  All  the  other  Hawks  are  only  summer 
visitors. 

Mr.  Bannister  was  informed  by  the  residents  of  St.  Michaels  that  a  Hawk, 
presumed  to  be  this  species,  is  not  unfrcnuent  there,  thougli  he  did  uot  hap- 
pen to  meet  with  it.  On  his  voyage  home,  on  the  21st  of  October,  IHGd, 
when  off  the  coast  of  Kamtschatka,  north  of  llelning's  Island,  one  alighteil 
in  the  rigging  of  the  shi]),  and  eontiinied  with  tliem  for  several  hours. 

Although  very  rare  in  any  part  of  the  United  States,  occasional  individ- 
uals have  l)een  taken  in  dill'erent  localities,  and  in  one  instance  a  pair  was 
known  to  breed  for  several  successive  seasons  in  N'erinont.  Tliis  informa- 
tion I  have  from  Mr.  Clarence  King,  who,  when  a  lad  at  school  in  the  town 
of  Dummerston,  observed  a  pair  nesting  among  some  high  clifls,  and  in- 
formed mo  of  the  fact  at  the  time  of  the  occurrence.  One  of  tlie.se  birds 
is  recorded  by  Mr.  Lawrence  as  having  been  taken  on  Long  Island  in  the 
winter  of  lSr)G. 

Mr.  lioardman  gives  it  as  occurring  near  Calais  in  winter,  but  very  mre. 
Professor  Verrill  found  them  not  \incommon  in  O.vford  County,  Me.,  where 
they  were  frequently  seen  during  winter,  flying  about  the  extensive  meadows 
near  Norway  ;  but  they  were  vt;ry  shy  and  watchful,  and  it  was  hardly  pos- 
sible to  procure  a  specimen.  It  is  very  unusual  in  Kastern  IMassacimsetts, 
and  only  very  rarely  and  occasionally  have  s])ecimens  lieen  taken.  Mr. 
Jillson  obtained  a  si)ecimen,  in  1840,  at  Seekonk.  One  was  shot,  in  1804, 
near  Providence,  li.  I.,  by  Mr.  Newton  Dexter. 

Mr.  Audubon  relates  that,  August  G,  1833,  his  son,  John  W.  Audubon, 
found  a  nest  of  this  Falcon  among  some  rocky  cliffs  near  P>ras  d'Or,  Labra- 
dor, containing  four  young  birds  ready  to  fly,  two  of  which  were  procured. 
Tiie  nest  was  placed  among  the  rocks,  about  fifty  i'eet  from  their  summit 
and  more  than  a  hundred  from  their  base.  It  was  inaccessible,  but,  having 
been  examined  from  above,  was  seen  to  be  empty.  It  was  composed  of 
sticks,  sea-weeds,  and  mosses,  was  about  two  feet  in  diameter,  and  was  almost 
flat.  Its  edges  were  strewed  with  the  remains  of  their  food,  and  beneath 
the  nest  was  an  accumulation  of  the  wings  of  Ptarmigans,  Mormons,  llripc, 
etc.,  mingled  with  large  pellets  of  fur,  bones,  and  various  substances. 

Their  flight  is  spoken  of  as  similar  to  that  of  the  Peregrine  Falcon,  but 
more  elevated,  majestic,  and  rapid.  Their  cries  were  also  like  those  of  that 
Falcon,  being  very  loud,  shrill,  and  piercing.  Occasionally  this  bird  was 
seen  to  alight  on  one  of  the  higli  stakes  placed  on  the  shore.  There  it 
would  stand,  in  the  position  of  a  Tern,  for  a  few  moments,  and  then  would 

VOL.  III.  16 


122  NORTH  AMERK'AM  lUKDS.- 

pounce  uiion  a  I'lilliii,  as  tliu  lattiT  liinl  was  .staiiiliiij,'  at  the  r'litraiico  of  its 
hiiiTow,  Miiawai'o  ol'  tliu  aiipioacli  of  its  eneiiiy.  Tlio  wi'ij,'lit  ol'  tliu  I'ullin 
Sfciucd  to  loiin  no  ini[iuilinu'nt  to  tlio  Hawk  in  its  lli|,'ht. 

Till!  European  (Jerl'alcons  are  said  to  seldom  appear  south  of  tlu!  r»2d  p;o- 
nllel  of  latitude,  or  north  of  74°.  They  are  nowhere  niinieroas,  and  were 
formerly  much  sought  for,  and  purchased,  at  immense  prices,  for  purposes  of 
falconry.  ( 1  real  ditferences  were  supposed  to  exist  in  regard  to  the  luiliits 
and  other  jieculiarities  of  the  several  races.  The  Iceland  Eidcons  eoiu- 
manded  the  highest  prices,  and  were  regarded  as  a  species  (piite  distinct 
frctm  the  /'.  ijurj'dlco.  The  former  was  much  the  more  valualile,  both  as 
more  rare,  and  as  a  bird  of  higher  counige  and  of  a  more  rapid  and  bolder 
ilight,  and  a  bird  that  could,  on  that  account,  be  "  llown "  successfully  at 
lai'ger  game. 

The  (jci'falcons,  in  Eurojie,  build  on  the  rocky  coasts  of  Norway  and  Ice- 
land, and  are  said  to  defend  their  young  with  great  courage  and  determina- 
tion. They  are  compamtively  rare  in  the  British  Islands,  especially  the 
more  southern  portions.  Even  iu  the  Orkneys  it  is  only  an  occasional 
visitor. 

All  the  eggs  of  the  several  forms  of  Gerfalcon  that  I  have  seen  present 
common  characteristics,  and  do  not  differ  from  each  oUier  more  than  eggs 
known  to  lielong  to  the  same  .species  of  Hawk  are  fre(]uently  found  to  vary. 
One  from  Greenland,  presumed  to  belong  to  the  mndicans,  measures  2.37 
inches  in  length  l)y  1.71  in  breadth.  The  predominant  color  of  its  mark- 
ings is  a  deep  i  'ddish  brown,  very  generally  and  nearly  equally  difl'used 
over  its  surface,  concealing  the  ground-color,  which  is  lighter  and  of  a  yel- 
lowish-I)rown  shade. 

An  egg  of  the  islandicus,  from  Icelajul,  has  the  same  measurements,  but 
is  so  slightly  yet  uniformly  marked  with  light  yellowi.sh-brown  as  to  seem 
to  be  of  one  color  only,  —  a  light  brown,  shaded  with  yellow. 

An  egg  from  Norway,  of  the  form  gyrfalco,  is  2.42  inches  in  length,  1.71 
in  breadth,  has  a  ground-color  of  a  dirty  yellowi.sh-white,  and  is  marked 
with  s})ots,  dottings,  and  confluent  blotches  of  yellowish-brown,  more  so 
about  the  larger  end. 

The  series  of  eggs  of  Falco  sacer  in  the  Smithsonian  Collection  exhibits  the 
following  range  of  variation  in  size,  color,  and  markings  :  length,  from  2.;:>0  to 
2.45  inches ;  breadth,  l.GO  to  1.90  inches ;  ground-color  usually  a  light  red- 
dish-ochre, varying  to  pinkish  on  the  one  hand,  and  to  rufous  on  the  other. 
They  are  usually  spriiikled  all  over  with  small  spots,  which  are  sometimes 
not  distinguishable  from  the  ground-color  when  this  is  very  deep,  and  again 
larger  and  quite  conspicuous. 

An  egg  of  the  variety  candicans,  from  Greenland  (No.  2,00G,  S.  I.),  mea.s- 
ures  2.25  inches  by  1.80.  In  color  and  in  markings  it  is  like  the  average 
eggs  of  vaiicty  sacer,  namely,  pale  rufous,  sprinkled  over  with  a  slightly 
deeper  shade. 


KALCON)n.K  — TIIH   FALCONS.  12o 

Faloo  lanarius. 

Vnr.  polyHfcmi,  Cassin. 

AMERICAN  IJINNEB;   PBAIRIE  FALCON. 

Fa!m  jwhjmirus,  ('Assix,   I!.  Ciil.  &  Tex.   18.';;i.  h».  —  In.    I'.  A.  N.  S.  18.'.'.,  277;  15.  X. 
Am.  185t<,  1:2.  —  Hkkum.  rmilic!  II.  \W\>{,  II,  18.-..-.,  :tl.  —  Ki;sskiii.y,  I'.  I!.  I!.  Ill, 

isnii,  ID.  —  c'Diii'.  &  .srcKi,.  1'.  1!.  1!.  xii,  iHtio,  na.  -('ori-.s,  r.  a.  n.  .s.  iMit;,  7. 

—  Stuh.'KI,.  Oiii.  Syii.  I,  18.-)-.,  8.-..  —  Ditr.ssr.ii,    Iliis,  ISiJ.-.,  'Aii.  -    (lit.w,  lluinl  List, 
\,  186y,  20.     F(tU-i)  hiniirhtx,  viir.   iiic.ficdiiiis,  UiniiWAY  in  r.nKs'  Key,  l.'*72. 

Sp.  CiiAR.  AdiiH  (  $,^(0.  ")"J,0():5,  Waiis.itch  Momitaiiis,  Utiili,  Miiy  •-';'.,  IHOS  ;  piirpnt 
of  efrK.>< ;  L.  E.  Hiuiisci'kor).  Al)ovc  ciiicrt'oiis-ilriih,  iH'i'oniiiii,'  f^rmliialiy  |mlt'r  niiil  iiioi'(^ 
bluish  postL'riorly,  bancil,  indistinctly,  cvi'i'y  whole  with  a  more  dil.sky  lint,  tiio  .slml'ts  ol'  uU 
tlio  fL'!illi(.'i-sl)la(-'kish  ;  untciiDi'ly  tliu  darker  sliadu  iirudoniinalt's,  whik;  imslcriorly  I  lie  hiiii>li 
pi'uvails;  on  the  nnturior  portions  the  lifrht  hats  are  inn(;h  rcstiicicd  in  widtii,  and  oC  a 
more  ochraccous  tint.  Tail  plain,  very  pale  a.shy-dral),  narrowly  tip|)e(l  with  rcildish- 
white,  this  changing  to  pale  rusty  on  the  middle  pair;  the  concealed  portion  ol'  the 
feathers  ontside  the  shaft  show  obsolete,  or  faint  traces  of,  darker  bars,  which  on  the 
middle  pair  are  apparently  about  eleven  in  number.  On  the  inner  webs  the  paler  bars 
become  broader  than  the  darker  ones,  and  incline  to  ocliraceons  in  tint,  the  lateral  fcailu'r 
beinj;  edged  externally  with  this  color.  Primaries  plain  ashy-drab,  with  a  hoary  tinge, 
growing  insensibly  darker  terminally,  and  with  a  slightly  paler  apical  margin.  Head 
and  neck  above,  dark  undier-brown,  with  conspicuous  .shai't-streaks  of  black.  Lores,  a 
broad  sui)erciliary  stripe  (.somewhat  interrupted  aliove  the  oye.s),  white,  finely  and  sparsely 
streaked,  the  two  stripes  confluent  across  the  occiput ;  a  broad  heavy  "nmstachi!"  from 
the  lores  iuul  rictus  downward  and  obliquely  backwards,  acro.ss  the  maxilla,  and  a  wider 
postocular  stripe,  like  the  crown.  Beneath  continuous  white,  with  a  faint  ochraeeons 
tinge  on  the  alidomen  and  I'lissum  ;  aluhmien  ami  si(U'Sof  the  breast  with  a  few  scat  tci-cd, 
small,  ovate  spots  of  vandyke-brown  ;  sides  transversely  spotted  willi  vandyke-brown, 
the  spots  coalesced  into  a  brok(Mi  patch  on  the  flanks;  outside  of  the  tibiie  with  trans- 
verse spots  of  the  same.  Axillars  plain,  clear  vandyke-l)rown,  with  a  few  nearly  obsolete 
rusty  specks  near  their  ends;  lining  of  the  wing  clear  white,  the  feathers  with  central 
si)aces  of  dusky-brown,  which  toward  the  edge  liecomc  aggregateil  into  a  longitudinal 
patch;  inner  webs  of  the  primaries  with  l)road  transverse  spots  of  while,  which  nsx'h 
nearly  to  the  shaft;  they  are  about  thiitcen  in  miinber  on  the  longest  quill.  Feet  yellow  ; 
base  of  the  bill  tinged  with  the  same.  Wing-formula,  2,3-1.4.  Wing,  12.00 ;  tail, 
7.60;  tarsus,  1.90  ;  midiUe  toe,  1.70;  outer,  1.22;   inner,  1.12;  posterior,  .77. 

9  (not  rtrf»'V.^  18,2.'J8,  Fort  Buchanan,  New  Mexico ;  Dr.  Irwin).  Above  continuous 
umbcr-drab,  growing  gradually  lighter  posteriorly,  the  tail  being  jiale  drab  ;  no  transverse 
bars  (except  a  few  conca-aled  obsolete  ones  on  back  and  secondaries),  hut  all  the  feathers 
faintly  bordered  with  paler  rusty-brown,  these  edgings  being  on  upper  tail-('ov<'rts 
almost  white.  Tail  tipped  with  creamy-wdiite,  an<l  with  many  transverse  .spots  or  broad 
bars  of  the  same  on  inner  webs,  outer  feather  irregularly  skirted  with  the  .«ame,  and  all 
decidedly  paler  than  the  ground-color  along  their  edges.  Head  as  in  the  male,  Iiut  fore- 
head white,  and  superciliary  stripe  more  continuous.  Breast  and  abdomen  with  longitudi- 
nal lanceolate  or  cuueate  streaks  of  dark  van<lyke-brown ;  patch  of  same  on  (lauks  more 
continuous  than  in  the  male ;  axillars  mivariegntt'd  clear  dark  vandyke-brown  ;  longest 
primary  with  eleven  transver.se  spots  of  white;  posterior  outer  face  of  tibiie  with  .sagittate 
spots  of  dark  brown.  Wing-(brmula,  2,  .3-1,  4.  Wing,  14.25;  tail,  8.00;  tarsus,  2.10 ; 
middle  toe,  2.00. 


124 


NORTH  AMHHirAN  BUWH. 


Jin:  (^,32,207,  Sonth  F..il<  nl'lli,.  I'latt.'  Uivor,  July  1!),  IS.iM;  ('.  S.  M.Caillu), 
Above  ilnikiT  iiiiibur  than  the  lasi,  cacli  Icallicr  .listinclly  boidori-d  tiTiiiiiially  with  nisiv- 
ochrac'i'ous.  JJciiciilli  willi  a  il<r|HT  umiiii-ciildi-cd  tiu^'c,  slvcaks  Mntkcr;  lliiiik-imlrli 
liiorc!  coiispiciiiiiis  and  iiiiilbriii ;  axillais  uiivaiif^atcd  dusky.  Winj,'-luiiinda,  2, ;!  -  I  — .  I. 
Wiii{f,  13.2.')  ;  tail,  ".25, 

IIaii.  WcvsttTii  division  of  Xortli  Anicripa,  oasfwanl  to  Illinois;  Orcfron  to  Lowit 
California,  and  Texas.  Localities :  Texas,  San  Antonio  and  Eat,de  I'ass  (Dukssku)  ; 
Ariiioiia  (Couks). 

Tho  ilifl'crcnt  staocs  of  i)himago  are  in  this  by  no  means  wo  well  ilofined 
as  in  other  spocios,  tlieie  liuinj,'  nearly  tlie  same  -funeral  apiieariiiice  in  all. 
There  is,  also,  very  little  variation  in  dillerent  specimens  of  the  same  a^e. 
No.  8,004,  (9,  Dalles,  Oregon  ;  Dr.  Georoo  Siickley)  has  the  hlaek  markings 
on  the  sides  of  the  lireast  more  circular,  and  the  vandykc-hlack  of  the 
u.xillars  with  a  few  circtdar  white  spots  on  the  edges  of  the  feathers.  Wing, 
14.00  ;  tail,  8.40.  Nt)s.  17,'J04  ( 9 ,  San  Jos6,  Lower  California  ;  John  Xantiis, 
January,  18(30)  and  18,258  (,J  ?  Fort  Ihichanan,  X.  M.)  have  the  u])per 
surface  almost  perfectly  continuous  grayish-drab,  the  first  absolutely  un- 
variegated  by  markings,  though  the  feathers  fade  a  little  on  edges,  lieneath, 
tho  white  is  very  pure  ;  the  streaks  are  numerous,  sharply  defined  and 
longitudinal.     Wing,  IS.lT) ;  tail,  7.')0  (17,204). 

The  American  Lanner  Falcon  is  so  very  closely  related  to  the  Lanncrs  of 
Europe  and  Asia  (var.  lanarius  and  var.  Jiii/i/cr)  that  it  is  very  dilUcult  to 

indicate  the  difl'erences  wliich 
separate  them.  Tho  two  Old 
World  forms  above  named  are 
more  uidike  each  other  than 
they  are  from  the  two  Ameri- 
can races  ;  the  var.  Jinjijcr  differ- 
ing from  nuwicanus  apparently 
only  in  larger  size  ;  and  tiie  var. 
lanarius,  more  like  ^'o/i/cii/rus 
than  it  is  like  either  ji(i/ffcr  or 
mexicanus,  differs  from  j^oly- 
agrus  mainly  in  the  greater 
amount  of  white  on  the  plu- 
mage, this  imparting  a  lighter 
asjiect  to  the  pileum,  and  caus- 
ing a  greater  develoi)ment  of 
the  light  spots  on  the  outer 
webs  of  the  primaries  and 
rectrices. 

The  xax:  jjoh/afirufi,  compared 

with    var.    lanarinH,   is    much 

darker,  having,  at  all  ages,  the  crown  uniformly  brown,  with  darker  streaks, 

instead  of  having  these  streaks  upon  a  white  ground.     The  "  mustache  "  is 


Fnlco  polyn^us- 


FALCON ID.K  —  THE  I'A I,( 'OS'S. 


125 


intmi  distinct  in  tlio  Aniorieivn  Itinl,  wliilt!  in  tlin  Kurnponn  the  bands  on  tlu' 
tail  lire  much  more  distinct,  and  the  spots  i'orminj,'  tlicni  r.re  on  the  outer  wclis, 
as  \V(dl  as  on  tlie  inner,  instead  of  on  thi-  latter  aUme  ;  the  dark  l>ars  hetween 
tile  lij^lit  spots  are  iu  theAniericim  liird  mucli  narrower  and  more  numerous, 
and  in  tlie  yiamjj;  tlic  li;,dit  ones  con>e  to  tlu!  cd^e  of  the  weh,  instead  of 
heinj;  enclosed  witliin  the  darl\  coh)r.  Two  very  youiii;  liirds  (i.  e.  in  first 
jM-rfect  ])himaj;e)  apjiear  ahnost  i(h'ntieal  until  closely  examined,  the  cliief 
diirerences  hein^'  a  lightca-  tint  to  the  crown  in  tlio  European,  and  hcavii-r 
dark  stripes  on  the  breast,  besides  th(!  jtecidiar  diaracter  ol'  tlio  tail-sjiots, 
which  are  always  distinctive.  In  shades  ol'  color,  thero  is  not  the  slij,'htest 
dillereiice. 

I  have  seen  no  specimen  of  any  of  the  Old  World  forms  in  the  plumage 
correspond  in;,'  to  that  transversely  barred  aliove,  descriljcd  here  as  the  adult, 
thou;;li  iii^ures  of  the  adult  lamirinx  indicate  a  very  similar  plumage.  'I'lio 
.series  of  tiie  latter  race  at  my  command  is  unfortunately  limited  to  a  very  few 
immature  .specimens.  One  marked  "  ad."  (r)t3,0.")l,  Hungary;  Schliiter 
t!oll.)  measures  as  follows  :  Wing,  14.50  ;  tail,  8.00  ;  culmen,  .8."> ;  tarsus, 
1.00  ;  middle  toe,  1.80.  Its  c(dors  are  as  descrilied  in  the  synopsis  (p.  14l'9) 
for  the  young  bird. 

The  var.  mcxiatiiHs  and  Xiw.jiiriijer,  which  are  hotii  much  darker,  and  more 
uniform  in  the  coloring  of  the  ujiper  parts,  than  var.  pohiinji'ati,  are  more 
nearly  alike;  in  fact,  the  only  tangible  dill'erence  tiiat  I  can  find  between  a 
specimen  of  the  former  in  the  IMiuseum  of  the  IViston  Society  of  Natural 
History  (No.  l,4o8,  jJ.Juv.  Lafr.  Collection;  "Mexico")  and  two  exam- 
ples of  the  latter  in  the  New  York  Museum,  consist  in  the  larger  size  of  the 
var.  ju(/i/ir  (see  synopsis),  besides  its  whiter  cheeks  and  more  isolated  and 
distinct  "  mustache."  A  direct  comparison  of  these  two  races  may  show 
other  tangible  points  of  distinction,  or,  on  the  contrary,  may  show  even 
these  slight  distinguishing  features  to  be  inconstant.  The  former  result  is, 
however,  most  reasonably  to  be  expected. 

LIST   OF   SPKCI.MENS   EXAMINED. 

Natioiiiil  J[iisL'Uin.  n ;  Boston  Society,  2 ;  riiiin(Ii'l|)liiii  Academy,  4 ;  Museum  Comp. 
Zool.  1 ;  G.  N.  Lawrciite,  2  ;  K.  Riilgway,  u.     Total,  2;3. 


MenmiremPtifs. 

Se.. 

Wing. 

Ifai'i. 

Culnun, 

UirjiM. 

Mirlille  Tot. 

Speeimens. 

9 

12.00-      . 
1.12:. -14.2-) 

7.00-  . 
S.OO  -  !).00 

-  .75 

.8.-.  -  .90 

.    -2.ir. 

2.0,-) -2.40 

.      - 1.70 
1.85-2.00 

12 

Hahits.  This  is  an  exclusively  we.:  ern  species,  occurring  from  the  valley 
of  the  Mississippi  to  the  Pacific  coast.  Specimens  have  been  obtained  as 
far  east  as  Illinois.  Several  others  have  been  taken  on  tiie  Upper  Missouri 
and  the  Yellow.stone  Itivers,  in  Nebraska,  at  Fort  Tliorne,  New  Mexico, 
and  on  the  Little  Colorado  Kiver.     A  specimen  was  shot  by  Dr.  Heer- 


126  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS." 

maiin  on  tlie  Farallones,  on  the  (Jalifornia  coast ;  but  Dr.  Cooper  thinks  it 
rarely  visits  the  coast  border,  tlionj,'h  he  several  times  saw,  near  San  Diego, 
a  bird  which  ho  supposed  to  belong  to  this  species.  At  Martinez,  in 
December,  18G8,  he  succeeded  in  shooting  one  as  it  Hew  from  its  perch  at 
the  ai)proach  of  the  wagon  in  wliich  he  was  riding. 

It  is  said  to  e.vtend  its  migrations  in  summer  to  the  Upper  ("olumbia, 
avoiding  the  densely  forest-clad  regions.  Dr.  Heermann  saw  a  young  un- 
fledged individual  at  Sun  Francisco,  from  which  it  may  be  inferred  that  a 
few  may  breed  witliiu  the  State. 

The  first  individual  of  this  species  was  taken  by  Dr.  Townsend  during  his 
trip  acro.ss  the  cor.tinent,  in  1834.  It  was  obtained  among  tlie  mountainous 
regions  of  Oregon,  near  the  sources  of  the  I'latte  "iiver.  Mr.  C'assin  states 
that  Dr.  Heermann  procured  several  specimens  in  the  Sacramento  Valley. 

Mr.  Cassin  remarks  that  this  species,  except  in  its  greatly  superior  size 
r.iv.l  strength,  bears  a  very  close  resemblance  to  the  well-known  -Tugger 
Falcon  of  India,  a  bird  much  u.sed  for  the  purposes  of  falconry. 

Dr.  Kennerly,  who  procured  a  single  specimen  of  this  species  while  his 
party  was  encamped  on  tiie  Little  Colorado,  found  it  busily  engaged  in  seek- 
ing its  prey  among  the  bushes  tliat  grew  along  the  river-bank.  It  was  shy, 
and  was  procured  with  difficulty. 

Dr.  Sucklcy  speaks  of  tliis  Hawk  as  not  at  all  rare  in  Oregon.  He  pro- 
cured a  .specimen  of  it  at  Fort  Dalles,  in  the  beginning  of  the  winter  of 
1854-55,  which  had  been  killed  in  the  act  of  carrying  off  a  barn-yard  i'owl 
of  about  its  own  weight,  and  which  it  had  just  seized  near  the  door  of  a 
dwelling-house,  —  an  act  demonstrative  of  a  union  of  courage,  ferocity,  and 
strength  inferior  to  none  of  its  congeners. 

Dr.  Cooper  characterizes  this  as  one  of  the  shyest  of  Hawks,  as  it  is  also 
one  of  the  swiftest,  flying  with  mpid  flappings  of  tlie  wings.  It  seems  to 
prefer  the  borders  of  prairies,  where  it  catches  hares,  qiuiils,  and  even  laiger 
game. 

Mr.  Ridgway  informs  me  that  this  Hawk  was  seen  by  him  in  SouMiern 
Illinois,  near  Mt.  Carniel,  September  27,  1871.  It  had  been  obtained  once 
before  within  the  limits  of  Illinois,  but  in  the  northwestern  part  of  the  State, 
at  Rock  Island,  by  I.  Dickenson  Sergeant,  of  riiiladelphia,  and  presented  by 
Lini  to  the  Academy  of  Natural  Science. 

Its  nest  and  eggs  were  taken  in  Utnh  by  Mr.  Ricksecker.  I  have  no 
notes  in  regard  to  the  former.  A  finely  marked  specimen  ol'  one  of  the  eggs 
procured  by  him  is  in  my  cabinet.  It  measures  2.15  inches  in  length  by 
1.65  in  breadth.  It  is  of  a  .somewliat  less  rounded-oval  shape  than  are  the 
eggs  of  the  anatum.  The  gi'ound-color  is  a  rich  cream,  with  a  slightly 
pinkish  tinge,  and  is  beautifully  markiul  with  blotches  of  vario>is  sizes, 
sha))es,  and  shades  of  a  red-brown  tinged  with  chestnut,  and  witli  occasional 
shadings  of  purplish.  Tiiese  are  conHueiit  about  one  end,  wliich  in  the 
spei-imen  before  me  chances  to  be  the  smaller  one.  It  very  closely  resem- 
bles the  eggs  of  the  European  F.  lanunns. 


FALCONID.K  —  THE   FALCONS. 


127 


An  egg  mtlio  Sinitli,s<.nia.i  Collcctiou  (ir,,;-.i»(ij,  taken  at  Gilmer,  Wyomin-^ 
iorntury,  May  l;],  187(»,  by  Mr.  H.  R.  Durkoe,  lias  a  gmun.l-culor  of  pink! 
ish-wl.ite,  varying  m  tw..  eggs  to  .liluted  vinaceons,  thickly  spotted  and 
niiin.tely  Ireckled  with  a  single  shade  of  a  pniplish-rulous.  In  shape  they 
iuv.  nearly  elliptical,  the  smaller  eml  I.eing  scarcely  more  pointed  than  the 
larger.  They  measure  2.27  by  l.GO  to  1.G5  inches.  The  nest  was  built  on 
the  edge  ot  a  clifi:  Its  eggs  were  also  taken  by  Dv.  IJayden  while  with 
( iiptani  Uaynolds,  at  Gros  Vent  Fork,  June  8,  18G0. 


Subgenus  FALCO,   McKnniNG. 

/1<to  Mcnnn.NG,  1752.     (Ty,K,,  Falco i^regrimcs,  Gm.  =  F.  communis,  Gm.) 
lilujndwdoii,  NiTzsfii,  1840.     (In  part  only.) 
Euhicnu;  Wi:nn.  &  MvAvm.,  1844.     (Type,  Fako—i) 
Ic/himu,  KAur,  1844.     (Typo,  Fa Ico  frontalis,  Daud.) 

The  following  synopsis  of  the  three  American  species  of  this  subgenus 
may  serve  to  distinguish  them  from  each-  other,  though  only  two  ofUiera 
(/.  aaran/uis  and  F.  rufujulavis)  are  very  closely  related.     The  comparative 


F.  auranlius. 


NAT.  SIZE 


fil803,S.        ^"^ 

F.  nitrantins. 


68814,?. 

lip 

F  nifitfiilaris  (imt.  !>\k}. 


88814,^. 
F.  Tufieii'arh  {nut  ejie). 


characters  of  the  seveml  geographical  races  of  the  otlier  one  (/'  comnmnk') 
which  IS  cosmopolitan  in  its  habitat,  being  included  under  th  hrof  St 
species,  may  explain  the  reasons  why  they  are  separated  from  eucrother 


2^28  NORTH  AMEUICAN  BIRDS. 

Species  and  Baces. 

A,  First  and  second  quills  equal  and  longest;  lirst  with  inner  wulj  eniiirginatud, 
second  with  inner  web  slightly  simiated.  Young  with  longitudinal  stripe.s  on 
the  lower  parts.     Adult  and  young  stages  veiy  dill'erent. 

1.  r.  communis.  Wing,  11.50- 14.;50;  tail,  V.tH) -  8.."j0  ;  eulinen,  .72-.9">; 
tarsus,  l.fi'j  -  2.'iO ;  middle  toe,  1.80-2..jtM  .Seeond  quill  longest;  lirst 
shorter  than,  e(iual  to,  or  longer  than  third.  Adult.  Above  plumbeous, 
darker  anteriorly,  lighter  and  more  bluish  posteriorly ;  anteriorly  plain,  pos- 
teriorly with  darker  transverse  bars,  these  growing  more  sharply  defined 
towards  the  tail.  Ueneath  oehraeeons-white,  varying  in  tint  from  nearly 
pure  white  to  deep  ochraceous,  tho.se  portions  jwstorior  to  the  juguluin 
transversely  barred,  more  or  less,  with  blaeki.sh  or  dark  plumbeous;  anterior 
lower  parts  (from  the  breast  I'orward)  without  transverse  bars.  Yoiniij.  No 
transverse  bars  on  the  body,  above  or  below.  Above  blaekish-brown, 
varving  to  blaek,  the  leathers  usually  bordered  terminally  with  ochraceous 
or  rusty  ;  forehead  usually  more  or  less  washed  with  the  same.  Beneath 
ochraceous,  varying  in  shade;  the  whole  surface  with  longitudiiud  stripes  of 
blackish.  Imier  webs  of  t.iil-feathers  and  primaries  with  numerous  trans- 
verse elliptical  spots  of  ochraceous.     Ilah.    Cosmopolitan. 

a.  You'.ig  dark  brown    above,   the    feathers   bordered    with    rusty    or 
whitish.     Beneath  white    or  ochraceous,   with    narrow    longitudinal 
strii'.'s  of  dusky.     Inner  webs  of  tail-leathers  with  transverse  Ijars. 
Auriculars  white,  cutting  of!"  the  blaek  of  the  cheeks  with  a  prom- 
inent "  mustache." 

Beneath  pm-e  white,  the  breast  and  middle  of  the  abdomen 
without  markings.  Wing,  12.75;  tail,  7.30;  eulnien,  .80; 
tarsus,  2.00  ;  middle  toe,  1.80.     Hub.    Eastern  Asia. 

var.  o  )■  ien  talis } 

Beneath  pale  ochraceoui*,  the  breast  always  with  longitudinal 

dashes,   or  elliptical   spots,    o'"  dusky  ;    middle   of  abdomen 

barred.     Wing,   11 .50  -  14.;i0 ;   tail,  7.00-8.50;  eulmcn,  .72 - 

.95;  tarsus,  1. 05 -2.20;  middle  toe,  1.80-2.30.    Huh.   Europe. 

var.  CO  »)  n 

Beneath  varying  from  deep  ochraceous  to  nearly  pure  white, 
the  breast  never  with  distinct  longitudinal  or  other  spots, 
usually  with  none  at  all.  ^Middle  of  abdomen  liarreil,  or  not. 
Wing,"  ll.;!0- 14.75;  tail,  0.00-9.00;  eulmcn,  .75-1.00; 
tarsus,    1. GO -2. 10;  middle  toe,  1.75-2.20.      lUth.     America 

(entire  continent) \a.\:  n  natnm. 

Auriculars  lilaek,   learly,  or  quite,  as  far  down  as  the  lower  end  of 
the  "  mustache." 

Beneath  varying  imm  deej)  ochraceous  to  white,  the  breast 
streaked  or  not.     Lower  parts  more  uniformly  and  heavily 

'  Kxtrcmcs  of  more  than  one  Inuuhed  speiiniens  inciusiircd  ! 

-  Fiihii  coiininnii.i,  var.  orii-nliilin  ((^iMKI.in).  FkIv  oriniliilis,  fiMIU,.  S.  N.  1789,  2(!4. -- 
Lath.  hid.  Orn.  2-.>.  —  In.  (!eu.  Hist.  1,  Ulli.  — D.Mi..  Tr.  Orn.  II,  70.  —  8ri!i(Kl,.  Oru.  Syii. 
1,  !(*'..'),  8;i.     Two  .spofiinciis  I'xaminiMl,  from  Jajian  (Nat.  Mils.,  1  ;   I'liilad.  Acad.,  1). 

*  Fiflai  com  munis,  var.  ciimniuni.s  ((Imki.IN).  F((ltv  coniiiiiiius,  (i.MKl..  S.  N.  17<S!>,  270.— 
Seiii.lUi.  Krit.  iilxTs,  1).  14.  —  111.  Mas.  l'ays-I<ii-s,  1802,  Fuli-umn,  \. —Vkv/..  Ucb.  dcr  Gi'iiT 
mid  Falk.  1803,  23.  Fiilco  pnvifnnii.i,  O.Mr.i,.  8.  N.  17.8i»,  272.  —  8TKICK!..  Orn.  Syii.  I,  81,  et 
Arcr.  8c'vriiti'fii  siii'ciiiicns  of  this  nice  have  been  cxaiiiiiicd.  Tlu'V  aiv  distributed  as  follows  : 
Nat.  Mus.,  5  ;  Bo.st.  Soc,  0  ;  I'liilud.  Acad.,  4  ;  Cambridge  .Mus.,  2.     Total,  17. 


FALCONIDvE  — Till':   FALCONS.  129 

burred  than  in  the  other  races.     Youiir/  with  narrower  Mioaks 
beneath.    Wiuf?,  11.1.")  -  12.00  ;  tail,  (i.11-8.00;  ciihiien,  .M- 
.110;  tarsus,  l.G0-2.0.'j;  niidiUo  toe,  1.75 --2.1.').     Huh.    Aus- 
tralia   ........         var.   m  el  annr/ en  1/ s  } 

b.  Younj;  unvariegatcd  brownish-black  above.  Beneath  brownish- 
black,  faintly  streaked  with  wdiite,  or  nearly  unvariefjated.  Inner  webs 
of  tail-feathers  witliout  transverse  bars. 

Wing,  14.90  -  lo.OO  ;  tail,   8.r)0 ;    ruhnen,  .^u-l.OO;   tarsus, 

2.10;    middle   toe,   2.1.5 -2.21.      Hah.     Northwest  coast    of 

North  America,  from  Orefion  to  Sitka        .         .        .        var.  ;)ca  ?ei". 

B.  Second  quill  longest;  first  with  inner  web  euiarginated,  the  second  with 

inner  web  not  sintiated.     Young  without  longitudinal  stripes  on  lower  parts. 

Adult  and  young  stages  hardly  appreciably  diflerent. 

Above  plumbeous  or  black ;  beneath  black  from  the  jugulum  to  the  tiliii 
with  transverse  bars  of  white,  ochraceous,  or  rufous;  throat  and  jugulinn 
white,  white  and  rufous,  or  wholly  ochraceous,  with  a  semicircular  outline 
posteriorly;  tibiie,  iinal  region,  and  crissinn  uniform  deep  rufous,  or  spotted 
with  black  on  an  ochraceous  or  a  white  and  rufous  ground.  Ailull.  Plum- 
beous above,  the  feathers  darker  centrally,  and  with  obscure  darker  bars 
posteriorly  ;  jugulum  immaculate.  Youikj.  Black  above,  the  feathers 
bordered  terminally  with  rusty,  or  else  dark  -jilumbeous  witliout  transverse 
bars;  jugulum  with  longitudinal  streaks. 

2.  r  aurantius."     Wing,  9.oO  -  12.00  ;  tail,  5.40  --  G.2o ;  culmen,  .90 ; 

1  Faho  communis,   vnr.   me/anmjciiijs  (Ooui.li).      Faico  communis.   Lath.  New  S.  Wales  Dr. 

II,  No.  4.  Fa/co  jiercgrinun,  Vkj.  Lixs.  Trans.  XV,  p.  183. —  In.  Isis,  1830,  2(j0.  —  Honap. 
Coiisp.  23,  No.  2.  Fnlco  mchtmxjenijn,  OouF.n,  P.  Z.  S.  pt.  5,  1837,  139.  —  In.  Synop.  15.  Austr. 
pt.  3,  pi.  xl,  fig.  2;  Birds  of  Austr.  I,  pi.  8  ;  Iiitr.  U.  Austr.  19.  —  OliAV,  lien.  H.  ful.  sp.  «. — 

III.  List.  B.  Brit.  Mus.  51.  — BoxAi'.  Hov.  Ziuil.  1850,  484.  —  Kaup,  Moiiog.  Fab,',  in  Jardiiie's 
Coiitr.  Orn.  IS.'iO,  56. — Sriirr,  Exp.  Austr.  App.  14. — Stkicki,.  Orii.  Syn.  I,  1855,  84. — 
Okay,  Hand  List,  I,  1800,  19,  No.  167.  Faico  uiaci-opus.  Swains.  An.  Menag.  1838,  341. 
Eight  specimens  exannneJ,  including  the  types  of  Gol'Lu's  figures  and  descriptions  in  the  Birds 
of  .\ustralia. 

^  Fdico  tniriiiitiiis,  (5mi;i,.  (Hufous-bcllii'd  Falcon).  Falco  auriinfius,  Omel.  Sy.«t.  Nat.  p. 
283,  1789. —  Lath.  Iml.  Orn.  p.  48,  1790,  Gen.  Hist.  I,  289.  —  Uaud.  Tr.  Orii.  II,  130. — 
Smaw,  Zoiil.  VII,  194.  —  Stki'II.  Zool.  XIII,  ii,  40. —Cuv.  Keg.  An.  (ed.  2),  I,  322.  —  Llxs. 
Tr.  Orn.  p.  91.  Bonat.  Coiisp.  Av.  p.  25.  —  SntlcKl,.  Orn.  S-n.  I,  89,  1855.  Iliipolriovchis 
aiii-diiHiis,  Kai  r,  Feb.  Falk.  Mus.  Senck.  p.  257,  1845.  Bidrnt,  aiinnitius,  S-'i'ix,  Av.  Bras.  I, 
17,  1824.  FdIco  dcirokucus,  Te.mm.  I'l.  Col.  348,  1836.  —  Le.s.s.  Man.  Oiii.  I,  79.  —  (ii:AY, 
List  B.  Brit.  Mus.  1844,  p.  25  ;  Cen.  B.  fol.  sp.  12.  —  Bonap.  Bcv.  Zool.  1850,  480.  Falco 
rufijulnris  (not  of  Daudin  !)  Ouav,  List  B.  Brit.  Mns.  [>.  54,  1844. 

Sp.  Chau.  Adult  (^,  Co.sta  Kicu  ;  foil.  t!.  N.  Lawrence).  Above  bluisli-plunilieou.s,  the 
fc.itliors  darker  centrally  ;  anteriorly  the  black  iiitrea-ses  in  extent,  first«»caving  the  plumbeous 
only  lis  n  border  to  the  l'eather.s,  and  then  dropping  it  altogether,  the  head  and  napc^  lieing  plain 
black  ;  posteriorly  the  plumbeous  iiredoiiiliiates,  and  shows  a  tendency  to  form  transverse  bars. 
On  the  head  and  neck  the  l)lack  occupies  tlie  whole  upper  and  lateral  jiortions,  reiiching  d(  wn  to 
the  throat,  involving  the  whole  of  the  checks  and  maxilla),  which  it  covers  in  an  angular  patch. 
I'riniaries  and  tail  deep  black  ;  tin'  former  iimiiaculate  on  their  outer  surface  ;  the  latter  crossed 
by  six  (the  last  terminal)  incompleti'  very  narrow  bands  of  pure  white,  formed  by  transvei-sc?  bars, 
which  touch  neither  the  shaft  nor  edges  of  the  feathers  ;  upper  tnil-coverts  crossed  by  about  two 
bars  of  jaire  white.  Immaculate  aiva  of  the  throat  and  jugulum  deep  rufous  [Kistcriorly  and 
laterally,  pure  white  anteriorly  and  centrally  ;  from  the  jugulum  to  the  tibia;,  and  including  the 
entire  lining  of  the  wing,  continuous  black,  with  transvi'ise  bars  of  white;  tibia'  plain  rufous; 
ei'issum  mixed  rufous  and  white,  — the  former  predominating,  — and  tiiiekly  marked  with  large 

vol.  III.  17 


130  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

tarsus,  l.nO- 1.0(1  ;  iridillo  too,  1.75-2.10.  Second  quill  lon,!:rcst,; 
first  loncjer  tliiin  lliiril.  Crissiiin  ochincooiis,  or  wliitc  and  nilbiis,  willi 
hv'jn;  iriinsvi'rso  spols  of  lilack  ;  upper  tiiil-coverts  sliar]ily  l)ai-red  witli 
pnre  white  oi-  jialo  ash.  Adult.  Ahove  ]iUiinl)e()iis-bla(,'l<,  the  fealher.s 
eoiispieuously  liordered  with  pliinibeous-bhie.  Throat  and  jnf;iihini 
ininiaeiilale;  white  centrally  and  anteriorly,  deep  rnlbus  laterally  and 
posteriorly.  Tihiie  plain  nilbu.s.  Young.  Above  iinilbrin  didl  lilaek", 
the  leathers  sometimes  bordered  inconspienously  with  rnst\'.  Throat 
and  jupuluni  varying  Irom  white  to  oehraeeons  or  nilbiis  (this  always 
deepest  laterally  and  posteriorly).  Tiliiic  sometimes  thickly  spotted 
transversely  with  black,  /fab.  Tropical  America,  north  to  Southern 
Mexico. 
;?.  F.  rufigularis.'     Wing,  7.20-9.00  (<?,  whig,  7.70;  tail,  3.90-5.50; 

transvprsp  spots  of  hhiL-k  ;  inner  webs  of  ]iriiiiari('s  with  transverse  ovate  spots  of  white,  touching 
neither  shaft  nor  edg(!  of  the  feather  ;  these  number  seven  on  the  longest  ipiill  (seeoiid).  AViiig- 
forinula,  2-1,  3-4.     'Wing,  9.90  ;  tail,  .''«.. OO  ;  tar-sus,  1.55;  niiddlr  toe,  1.75. 

Juv.  ((J,  51,293,  Costa  Rica,  l,a  I'alnia,  August  25,  1807  ;  Jose  C.  ;Cele(louV  Whole  upper 
.surface  l)laek,  dce]icst  on  the  tail  ;  it  oe(/u|iies  the  whole  head  (exceiit  the  eliin,  throat,  and 
sides  of  the  Ufik),  the  lilaek  ihei'k-])ateh  having  considerable  prouiiueuce  ;  feathers  everywhere 
(except  on  the  head  and  neck)  indistinctly  bordered  with  light  brownish,  this  beeoniing  more 
distinct  posteriorly  ;  upper  tail-covcrts  tipped  and  barred  beneath  the  surface  witli  jjure  white  ; 
secondaries,  priniaiii's,  and  primary  coverts  narrowly  but  sharply  tijiped  with  jane  white  ;  tail 
crossed  with  live  very  sharp  bars  of  \nuv  white,  the  last  terminal,  thi'  lirst  two  eonifealed  liy  the 
coverts  ;  these  transverse  spots  touih  the  shaft,  but  not  the  edge  of  the  f<>ather  ;  on  the  lateral 
feather  they  are  eonlined  to  the  inner  welj.  Chin,  throat,  neck,  and  breast,  abdomen,  erissum, 
and  lowiT  tail-covcrts,  deep  orange  (not  idiestinit)  rufous  ;  in  fact,  this  forms  the  ground-color  of 
the  whole  lower  ])arts  ;  but  the  sides,  ilanks,  and  abdomen  have  such  large  transverse  spots  of 
black  (these  exceeding  the  orange  in  amount),  giving  the  i)revailing  color  ;  the  orange  of  the 
juguhnn  is  .sharidy  dcfnicd,  with  a  semicircular  outline,  against  the  black  of  the  belly,  and  has 
distinct  lanceolate  shaft-sticaks  of  black  ;  the  lower  jiart  of  the  abdomen,  and  the  tibiaj, 
have  cordate  or  broadly  sagittate  black  spots,  rather  exceeding  the  orange  ;  the  lower  tail- 
coverts  have  broad  transverse  spots  of  black.  (The  orange  is  deepest  on  the  juguhnn  and 
erissum,  being  palest  where  most  thickly  spotteil  ;  it  is  imnuieulate  only  on  chin,  throat,  and 
neck  ;  thi;  markings  are  longitudiiuil  oidy  on  the  jugulum.)  Lining  of  the  wing  like  the 
belly,  that  is,  the  black  predonunating ;  under  surface  of  jirimaries  with  transverse  elliptical 
.spots  of  pale  cream-color,  seven  in  number  on  the  longest.  Wing-formula,  2,  1-3.  Wing, 
9.90;  tail,  5.40;  culmen,  .72;  tarsus,  1.40;  middle  toe,  1.75;  outer  toe,  1.20;  inner,  1.00; 
posterior,  .80. 

Lisf  of  Spiriiiiois  cm  in  i  net/ . — National  Museum,  1  ;  0.  N.  Lawrence,  1;  Hostoii  Society, 
2  ;  Philadelphia  Acadi'Uiy,  3.     Total,  7. 

.U'-iLmirnirii/.--.  —  $.  Wing,  10.90-11.30  ;  tail,  C.00-G.25  ;  culmen,  .90  ;  tarsu.s,  1.50-1. CO; 
middle  toe,  1.85      2.10. 

J  Fft/o>  nifnii/cri^,  |)Ai-n,  Tr.  Orn.  II,  l."!!,  ISOO.  —SriacKl,.  Orn.  Syn.  I,  88,  1855.  ////;)o- 
(rioir/ii.i  iiiji'iu/ari.s,  :av,  Oen.  IJ.  fol.  sp.  5,  1844  ;  last  15.  Rrit.  JIus.  j).  54,  1848  ;  Hand 
List,  I,  21,  1S()9.  —  RoNAl-.  Consp.  Av.  (sub  F.  nuraiifius.).  —  Okav,  ILind  List,  I,  21,  18U9. 
F'lhv  (luratitius,  ft,  Lath.  In<l.  Orn.  I,  48,  1790.  Fal™  (lumii/ius,  y,  L.vrit.  Ind.  (Irn.  I,  43, 
1790.  Fiilcn  rnimiitins,  Tkmm.  PI.  Col.  sul).  pi.  ec(-xlviii,  183().  —  Lniir.  Verz.  Doubl.  p.  (;i, 
]82.i.  —  Cass.  n.  X.  Am.  1858,  10.  —  El.l.nrr,  Birds  N.  Am.  pi.  xi.  Fn.hv  nlbiijiil,ii;\  Daid. 
Tr.  Oin.  II,  131,  1800.  Falcn  liiemnirhoiUn/i.t,  Haiix,  Viig.  XV,  Lief.  ]il.  i,  1818.  Fnlr.o  aiailla- 
tun.  Swains.  An.  Menag  p.  340,  1838.     Falcn  thoruckus,  Do.novax,  Nat.  Rep.  pi.  xlv,  1822. 

S  ■iiAli.  Aihdl  ^g,  -yl,T20,  Mazatlan,  Western  Mexico;  Col.  A.  .L  (Iray.son).  Above 
dark  ..te,  with  a  bluish-plumbeous  cast,  and  unilbrni  over  whoh'  surface  \wings  included)  from 
nape  to  tail.  Anteiioily  the  tint  is  almost  black,  this  covering  eonliimously  tla^  wlioht  upper 
iind  lateral  jioition  of  the  head,  reueliing  down  to  the  throat,  and   foniiiug  a  broad  angular  pro- 


FALCONIDvE  — THE  FALCONS.  131 

cnliTion,  .4")  -  .")S;  tarsus,  1.20  -  I.'jG  ;  iiiiilillo  too,  1.15  -  1,40.  Sw;onil 
(luill  l()iij,'<'st;  liist  loiinci-  tliaii  third,  t'ri.sstini  aiiilbrin  (Iccj)  rcMldish- 
ruroii.-f,  rarrly  liarroil  with  wliiti'  lunl  dusky.  L'lUK'r  Uiil-covcrls 
obsoli'toly  liaiTcd  willi  pluiiilxMiiis. 

Adiill.  Aliov(^  |iliiiiilii'Oiis-l)l;u'k,  tlu!  luiithcrs  lighUniiiii;  into  pliuulicous- 
bliic  oil  llio  L'djjos  and  ends,  and  sliowini;  oliscnru  liars  on  tlio  poslorinr 
portion.s.  Throat  ami  jngiiiuni  ochrai'cons-whitc,  tho  ocin-aeoons  tingo 
deepest  po.steriorly  and  without  any  streaivs.  YuitiKj.  Aliove  phnn- 
beons-hlack,  wilhcint  iiniilcr  olisciu'e  li.iis,  or  wiih  a  brownish  cast,  and 
with  I'aint  i'usty  edges  to  tlie  leathers.     Tiu'oat  and  jngnlnni  deep  sol't 

jcetioii  over  the  du-cks,  wliirli  aw.  |iincr  lihu-k.  All  tho  leathers  above  darker  centrally,  but  the 
ohseuro  .spots  so  formed  inastly  coneealej  ;  shafts  of  the  feathers  iiieoiis|iieuously  black  ;  upper 
tail-coverts  each  with  two  broad  transverse  .spots  of  black.  Secondaries,  [iriniary  coverts,  and 
primaries  uniform  dull  black  ;  the  former,  and  inner  feathers  of  the  latter,  very  narrowly  ashy- 
whitish  on  terminal  border,  —  the  coverts  with  a  bluish  shade  tenninallj'.  Tail  black  (dull  light 
brown  at  apical  margin),  cro.ssed  with  about  si.x  obsolete  iiarrow  bands  of  phnnbeou.s,  these 
changing  to  narrower  white  bars  on  the  iinier  webs.  Chin,  base  of  nia.Kilke,  throat,  sides  of  the 
neck,  and  jugulum,  otdiraceous-white,  the  ochraceous  tiliL'c  deepest  posteiiorly  ;  breast  (broadly 
across)  and  sides  black,  with  mnnerous  narrow  transver.M^  bars  of  reddish-white,  becoming  more 
ashy  posteriorly  ;  abdomen,  anal  region,  tibia',  fcmorals,  and  lower  tail-cov<'rts  uniform  dec]), 
almost  ca.staneous,  rufous.  Lining  of  the  wing  dull  black,  with  circular  ochraccous-white  spots, 
but  former  predominating  ;  whole  under  surface  of  primaries  and  secondaries  a  similar  blackish- 
dusky,  the  former  with  narrow  transverse  elliptical  .spots  of  white,  of  which  there  an^  eight  (the 
fust  and  last  menly  indicated)  on  the  longest  (piill.  AViiig-fornnda,  2-1-3.  Wing,  7.7'!; 
tail,  3.9,')  ;  tarsus,  ].20  ;  middle  toe,  1.20.  Tail  slightly  eniarginated  ;  .second  aiul  third  feathers 
longest  (counting  from  e.vterior). 

9  (5.218,  Slazatlan  ;  Colonel  Gray.son).  Almost  preei.scly  similar  to  the  male  ;  less  contrast 
between  blacki.sh-plunibeous  of  the  nape,  and  moic  bluish  of  the  back  ;  bands  on  tail  five  in 
number;  bars  on  black  beneath  nwre  reddish.  Wing-fonnula  .same.  Wing,  8.80;  tail,  4.40; 
tarsus,  1.30  ;  noddle  toe,  1.30. 

Jhv.  (liryant  Coll.  1,.')31,  Ori/aba,  Mex.).  Above  continuous  dull  black,  without  bluish  ca.st 
or  concealed  si)ots  ;  tail-bamls  narrower,  purer  whit(^  ;  black  beneath  iluller,  transverse  bars 
more  obsolete,  broader,  and  pale  rusty  ;  chestnut-rufous  of  posterior  lower  (lortions  lighter  and 
less  uniform  ;  lower  tail-coverts  with  broad  transverse  spots  of  plumbeous-black.  Wing-formula 
as  in  adult.     Wing,  8.7,5  ;  tail,  4.40. 

Two  young  males  from  Tehuantepee,  Mexico  (\os.  613  and  613,  May  16,  1871  ;  I''.  Sumichrast), 
dill'er  from  that  described  above  in  .some  remarkable  resjiects  :  the  upper  parts  are  in  one  black, 
but  without  the  rusty  margins  to  the  feathers  ;  in  the  other,  almost  exactly  as  in  the  adult  plu- 
mage desmibcd.  The  lower  parts,  however,  are  most  ditlerent  ;  the  throat  and  jugular  are  uniform 
deep  soft  ochraceou.s,  with  a  few  longitudinal  streaks  of  black  near  the  black  abdominal  patidi  ; 
the  bars  in  this  la.st  are  deep  rufous,  and  the  terndnal  baml  of  the  tail  is  also  dee))  rufous.  The 
weak  bill,  and  soft,  bh'nded  character  of  the  [ilumagc,  indicate  unmistakably  the  very  young 
age  of  these  specimens,  which  are  also  luarkeil  "  very  young  "  by  JI.  Sumichrast. 

In  colons,  as  well  as  in  .size  and  form,  this  very  handsome  little  Falcon  closely  resend)les  the 
F.  sevcrus,  ITorsf.,  of  Manilla  and  the  neighboring  Kast  Indian  I.slands  ;  the  main  dilfercnce  is 
that  in  that  species  tlu;  lower  smface  is  wholly  deep  rufous,  iustrad  of  partly  black. 

Lid  of  Si>cci>nciis  e.i'(tiiiiiti;t. — National  Mu.scum,  1]  ;  lloston  Society,  (I;  Philadelphia 
Academy,  7  ;  X<'W  York  Museum,  3  ;  O.  N.  Lawrence,  3  ;   U.  Ridgway,  2.     Total,  32. 

Mmsuiviiu'iu.i.  —  $.  Wing,  7.20-8.80;  tail,  ■4.20-.5.1O;  eulmen,  .4;')-,.'').-);  tar.su.s,  1.25- 
1.50;  middle  toe,  1.15-1.30.  Specimens,  13.  9.  Wing,  8.50-0.00;  tail,  5.00-5.50; 
eulmen,  .58  ;  tarsu.s,  1.48-1.55  ;  middle  toe,  1.30-1.40.     Specimens,  8. 

IIau.  Tropical  Anu'rica,  northward  thiough  Central  America  anl  SIt;xicu  almost  to  southern 
border  of   United  States. 

Localities:  Vcraguu,  Set,,  k  Sai.v.  18G9,  252. 


^32  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS-. 

ochraocous.  deepest  laterally,  the  posterior  portion  usually  with  a  few 
longitudinal  streaks  of  dusky.  Hith.  Tropical  America,  north  to  Mid- 
dle Me.xico. 

Falco  communis,  Gmel. 

Vnr.  nnatum,   IIonap. 

AMEBICAN  FEBEGBINE  FALCON;   DUCK  HAWK. 

1  Accipitcr  falcu  maculatus,  Hriss.  Oni.  I,  3-29.  ?  Falco  luvvius,  (;.mki,.  S.  N.  1789,  271. 
Fiiho  cumiiii  ais  f,  and  F.  communis  n,  Latm.  In<l.  Orn.  p.  31.  Falco  cotiimunl-i, 
L'oflis,  Key,  1872,  21»,  f.  141.  F«/co  i>nrijri,uis,  Oiin.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  1S08,  pi.  l.xvi.  — 
S.vu.  L.  Trans.  XII,  529.  —  Itnii.  Tany's  2d  Voy.  Aj.p.  ;U2.  —  In.  F.  li.  A.  11,1831, 
23.  —  Iio.SAi>.  N.  Y.  Lye.  II,  27.  —  In.  Isis,  1832,  113(i  ;  (.'.msp.  185(1,  23,  Xo.  4. — 
Kiso,  Voy.  Beag.  I,  1839,  .532.  —  James.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  077,  Synop.  1852,  683.— 
Wi:nDKl!B.  Jard.  C'ontr.  to  Orn.  1849,  81.  — AVoiU)it.  Sitgr.  Zuni,  1853,  GO.  — GiUAi'l), 
B.  Long  Island,  1844,  14.  —  Pkalk,  U.  S.  E.\.  E-k.  1848,  Gti.  —  (iiiAY,  Li.st  B.  Brit.  Mas. 
1841,  51.  Falco  aualiim,  Bo.NAl'.  Eur.  k  N.  Am.  B.  1838,  4.  --  Ib.  Rev.  Zoiil.  1850; 
484.  —  Bkidc.  Proc.  Zoijl.  Soc.  pi.  xi,  109.  —  In.  Ann.  N.  II.  XIII,  499.  —  Oossk,  B. 
Jam.  1847,  1«.  — Ca.ss.  B.  Cal.&Tex.  1854,  SG.  —  In.  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  7.  -  DkK.w, 
Zool.  N.  V.  II,  13,  pi.  iii,  t.  8.  —  Nrrr.  .Man.  1833,  53.  —  Pkao.  B.  Miuss.  1841,  83. 
—  S ruK-KL.  Orn.  Syn.  I,  1855,  83.  —  Bi.aki.st.  Ibis,  III,  18G1,  315.  —  Makcii,  Pr.  Ac. 
N.  S.  18G3,  304.  Falco  nirjricrps,  t'Ass.  B.  C'al.  &  T.'x.  I,  1853,  87.  —  In.  Birds  N. 
Am.  1858,  8.  —  Stukki,.  Orn.  Syn.  I,  85.  —Coop.  &  SrcKi..  P.  It.  U.  licp't.  VII,  ii, 
ISCO,  142.  —  Oi:av,  Rami  List,  I,  1SG9,  19,  No.  1G6.  —  Shaim'K,  Ann.  &  Mag.  N.  H. 
Falco  oriental i.i,  (G.m.)  Guay,  Hand  List,  1,  1869,  19,  No.  1G5  (in  part).  }  Falco 
cassini,  SuAnri;,  Ann.  &  Mag.  N.  II. 

Sp.  Char.  Adnlt  (<J,  43,134,  Fort  Resolution,  Brit,  N.  Am.,  Tune;  J.  Lockharl). 
Upper  parts  dark  Llui.sh-plnmlioous,  approaching  black  anteriorly,  but  on  rump  and  upper 
tail-covcrts  becoming  fine  bluish  plnmbeous-ash.  On  the  head  and  neek  the  continuou.s 
plumbcous-blaek  cover.s  all  the  Ibriner  except  the  chin  and  throat,  and  the  back  portion 
of  the  latter;  an  invasion  or  indentation  of  the  white  of  lower  parts  up  behind  the  ear- 
coverts  scparatinfr  that  of  the  cheeks  from  the  posterior  black,  throwing  the  former  into 
a  prominent  angular  patch  ;  fori.'liead  and  Inrcs  grayish.  All  the  feathers  above  (posterior 
to  the  najie)  with  transverse  bars  of  idnmbeons-black,  these  most  .shaiply  defnied 
posteriorly,  where  the  iihnnbeous  is  lightest.  Tail  black,  more  plnmbeons  basally,  very 
faintly  paler  at  the  tip,  and  showing  ten  or  eleven  transverse  narrow  bands  of  plumbeous, 
these  nujst  ilislinct  anteriorly;  the  b.irs  are  clearest  on  inner  web.s.  Alula,  primary 
and  secondary  coverts,  secondaries  and  [irinuuies,  uniform  jdnmbeons-black,  narrowly 
whitish  on  terminal  margin,  most  observable  on  secondaries  and  inner  primaries.  Lower 
parts  white,  tinged  with  delicate  cream-color,  thi.s  deepest  on  the  abdomen;  sides  and 
tibiic  tinged  with  bhii.sh.  Chin,  throat,  and  juguluni  imnmcnlate  ;  the  breast,  however, 
with  faint  longitudinal  .shaft-streaks  of  black ;  sides.  Hanks,  and  tibiaj  distinctly  barred 
transversely  with  black,  about  fonr  bars  being  on  each  feather;  on  the  lower  tail-coverts 
they  are  narrower  and  more  distant ;  on  the  abdomen  the  markings  arc  in  the  form  of 
circnlar  .spots  ;  anal  region  barred  tr.ansversely.  Lining  of  the  wing  (including  all  the 
under  covert.s)  white  tinged  Avith  bine,  and  barred  like  the  sides;  under  snrface  of 
primaries  slaty,  with  elliptical  spots  or  bars  of  creamy-white  on  inner  webs,  twelve  on 
the  longest.  Wing-formnla,  2  -  I  -  3.  Wing,  12.2.") ;  tail,  0.00  ;  tarsus,  l.CO  ;  middle  toe, 
1.8');  outer,  1.40;  inner,  1.20;  posterior,  .80 ;  cnlmcn,  .80. 

9  (13,077,  Liberty  Co.,  Georgia;  Professor  J.  L.  Leconte).  Like  the  male,  but 
ochraceons  tinge  beneath  deeper ;  no  ashy  wash;  bands  on  the  tail  more  sharply  defined, 
about  ten  dark  ones  being  indicated ;  outer  surface  of  primaries  and  secondaries  with 


FALCONIU.E  — THE   FALCONS.  133 

linnds  apparent;  tail  flistinclly  lippcil  with  ocliracfoiis-wtiiti'.  Inner  web  of  K)nf;e>;t 
priiiiaiy  witli  ihiiteeii,  more"  reiidisli,  tiaiisveise  sjxjts.  White  of  iii'(k  cxteiKliiii; 
ol)li(jiU'iy  upwanl  and  tbrward  toward  tiie  eye,  itivin;;  the  hhieiv  eheeU-palili  iiioie  i)i()iu- 
iiience.  Maikin<j;s  heneatli  as  in  the  male.  Winjj-l'orniula  liie  same.  Wiiiir,  U.oO  ;  tail, 
7.110;  tarsus,  l.i).");  middle  toe,  2.10;  enhnpii,  .!).">. 

Jill-.  ((J.  ;"):!, I!t:i,  Tiuekeo  Hivei-,  Xevadii,  .Inly  24,  1S(>"  ;  R.  Kidjrway  :  iirsi  plmnajre). 
Above  pliimbeous-blaek,  tail  moi'e  slaty.  Every  leather  liroadly  liordei-ecl  teniii- 
nally  with  didl  (jimiamon  ;  these  ereseeiilie  l)ars  beeominir  f^radiially  broader  posteriorly, 
nariower  and  more  oljsoletc^  on  the  lu'ad  aliove.  Tail  distinctly  tippt.'d  with  pale  cinna- 
mon, the  inner  wel)s  of  feathers  with  obsolete  transverse  spots  of  the  same,  these  tonch- 
iiiir  neither  the  edp;e  nor  the  shaft ;  scarcely  apparent  indications  of  corresponding'  s|)ols  on 
outer  webs.  Refjion  roimd  the  eye,  and  broad  '' nnistaehe  "  across  the  cheeks,  pnre  black, 
the  lattci  more  con.spiciions  than  in  the  older  stai;<'s,  hein^  cnt  oil"  posteriorly  by  the 
extension  of  the  eream-coloi'  of  the  neck  nearly  to  the  eye.  \  broad  stripe  of  pale 
ochraeeons  rnmiin^  from  above  the  ear-coverts  back  to  the  occiput,  where  iIk,'  two  of 
opposite  sides  nearly  meet.  Lower  parts  pnr[)hsh  cream-color,  or  rosy  ochraceons-white, 
dee|iest  ])Osteri(>ily  ;  JMjrnhnn,  breast,  siiles.  Hanks,  and'  tibiiu  with  lonjjilndinal  strip<'s  of 
plunibeons-black,  these  broadest  on  flanks  and  abdomen,  and  somewhat  saiiiltate  on  the 
tibiie;  lower  tail-coverts  with  distant  transverse  bans.  Lining  of  the  winj;  like  the  sides, 
bnt  the  niarkinjfs  more  transveiso  ;  inner  web  of  lonp;est  primary  with  nine  transverse 
pnrplish-ochro  spots.  Wing-lbrnuda,  2- 1  3.  Winp,  12.r)();  tail,  7.00.  Length,  l(!.r)0 ; 
expanse,  30.2.").  Weight,  1^  lbs.  ]>asal  half  of  bill  pale  blnish-white,  cere  rather 
darker;  terminal  half  (rather  abruptly)  slale-eolor,  the  tip  deepening  into  black;  iris 
very  dark  vivid  vandyke-brown  ;  naked  orbital  space  pale  bluish-white,  with  a  slight 
greenisli  lint;    tarsi  and  toes  lemon-yellow,  with  a  .slight  green  cast;  claws  jet-black. 

ITaii.    Entire  continent  of  America,  and  neighlioring  islands. 

Localities  :  (Jnatemala  (.Sci..  Ibis  I,  210)  ;  Veragua  (j^wx.  P.  Z.  S.  1807,  L">8) ;  Sta.  Cruz 
(Nkwto.n,  Ibis,  ],  03);  Trinidad  (T.wi.on,  Ibi.s,  1804,  8tl)  ;  Bahamas  (P.uvant,  Pr.  Bost. 
Soc.  1850,  A'll);  Cuba  (Cah.  Jouin.  II,  l.x.xxiii)  ;  ((ru,\-nL.  Repert.  ISlio,  22."j)  ;  Jamaica, 
(GossK,  B.  Jam.  10;  Maiuii,  Pr.  Ac.  X.  S.  1803,  304,  et  Mus.  S.  L);  Tierra  del  Fnego 
(SiiARPK  Ann.  &  Mag.  N.  H. ;  "  /•'.  cassiiii,  SuAitrK  "). 

The  yotiiig  plumage  above  described  corresponds  exactly  with  that  of 
young  pcm/rina.^  from  Europe,  a  compari,son  of  the  specimen  above  described 
witli  one  of  the  same  ago  from  Ciermany  (r>4,0G4,  Schliiter  Col.)  showing  no 
differences  that  can  be  expressed.  JMany  American  s])ecimens  in  this  plu- 
mage (as  19,397,  Fort  Simpson)  show  a  Wii.sh  of  whitish  over  tlie  foreiietvd 
iind  anterior  part  of  the  crown  ;  having  before  iis  but  tlie  one  si)ecimen,  we 
cannot  say  whether  or  not  this  is  ever  .seen  in  the  European  liird.  Speci- 
mens more  advanced  in  season  —  i)erhaps  in  second  year  —  are  colored 
as  follows:  The  black  above  is  more  brownish,  the  feathers  margined 
with  pale  brown,  —  these  margins  liroader,  and  ai)i)roaching  to  wiiite,  on  the 
upper  tail-coverts ;  the  tail  shows  the  ochraceous  bars  oidy  on  inner  webs. 
The  supraoral  stripe  of  the  youngest  plumage  is  also  quite  apparent. 

A  still  younger  one  from  the  same  locality  (Xo.  37,397)  has  the  upper 
l)lumage  similar  to  the  last,  the  pale  edges  to  the  feathers,  however,  more 
distinct;  tail  with  conspicuous  spots.  White  Itciieath  cletirer,  and  invading 
the  dusky  of  the  head  above  as  far  back  as  the  middle  of  the  crown ;  the 
supraoral  stripe  is  distinct,  scarcely  interrupted  across  the  nape. 


134  NOHTII  AMERICAN  HIKIJ.S. 

Ill  the  !i(liilt  i)lnina,i,'(!  tlio  iiriiicipal  vaiiation  is  in  the  oxteiit  and  disimsi- 
tioii  nl'  tlie  l)ar.s  liciicatli.  In  most  individuals  they  avo  rogulavly  tiansvorsu 
only  latomliy  and  posteriorly,  those  on  the  bully  bcinj,'  somewhat  broken 
into  more  irrc.i^ular  cordate  spots,  tliouyh  always  transverse;  in  no  Anierieau 
s])oeimen,  however,  are  tiiey  as  continim  .jy  transverse  as  in  u  male  (Xo. 
1H,<S04)  from  KurciH',  whieh,  liowever,  in  this  resju'ct,  ve  think,  i'orms  an 
exception  to  most  European  exami)les,  at  least  to  those  in  the  Smithsonian 
Collection.  All  variations  in  the  form,  thickness,  and  continuity  of  tlie 
markings  liclow,  and  in  tiie  distinctness  of  the  bars  above,  are  individual. 

Very  old  males  (as  4!),7!»0,  Port  "i'ukon ;  27,1.S8,  Moose  Factory  (type  of 
Elliott's  figure  of  /'.  'pcrcf/rinus,  in  IJirds  of  America) ;  and  42,097,  Sj)anisli- 
town,  Jamaica)  lack  almost  entirely  the  reddish  tinge  beneath,  and  have 
the  lateral  and  posterior  portions  strongly  tinged  with  blue ;  the  latter 
feature  is  especially  noticeable  in  the  specimen  from  Jamaica,  in  which  also 
tlie  bars  are  almost  utterly  wanting  medially.  Immature  birds  from  this 
i.sland  also  lack  to  a  great  degree  the  ochraceous  tinge,  leaving  tiic  whitish 
everywhere  purer. 

A  fcimale  adult  European  bird  differs  from  the  average  of  North  Ameri- 
can examples  in  the  conspicuous  longitudinal  streaks  on  the  Jugulum ;  but 
in  a  male  these  are  hardly  more  distinct  than  in  lo,077,  9,  Liberty  Co., 
Georgia;  11,083,  "  United  States";  •^r>,4:~>(',,  Peel's  liiver  ;  35,440,  9,  and 
35,44;'),  9,  Fort  Yukon,  Alaska;  35,452,  La  Pierre's  Hous.,  H.  P>.  Ter. ; 
35,450  <?,  Fort  Anderson;  and  28,(100  9,  Hartford,  Conn.  In  none  of 
these,  liowever,  are  they  so  numerous  and  conspicuous  as  in  a  European 
female  from  the  Schliiter  Collection,  ■which,  however,  differs  in  these  respects 
only  from  Xortli  American  specimens. 

A  somewliat  melanistic  individual  (in  second  year  ?  32,735,  Chicago,  111. ; 
Kobert  Kennicott)  differs  as  follows:  Above  continuously  ]mre  black;  upper 
tail-coverts  and  longer  scapulars  bordered  terminally  with  rusty-whitish. 
Tail  distinctly  ti]i])ed  with  white;  the  inner  webs  of  feathers  with  eight 
elliptical  transverse  bars  of  pale  ochraceous,  and  indications  of  correspond- 
ing spots  of  the  same  on  outer  webs,  forming  as  many  inconspicuous  bands. 
Beneath  ocliraceons-white ;  the  neck,  breast,  and  abdomen  tliickly  marked 
with  broa<l  longitudinal  stripes  of  (dear  black, —  those  on  the  jugulum  cuneate, 
and  on  the  breast  and  abdomen  broadly  sagittate;  the  tibiie  with  numerous 
cordate  spots,  and  sides  marked  more  transversely  ;  lower  tail-coverts  with 
narrow  distant  transverse  bars.  On  the  chin  and  throat  only,  the  Avhitish  is 
immacnlate,  on  the  other  jiortions  being  somewhat  exceeded  in  amount  by 
the  black.  Inner  ■web  of  longest  primary  with  seven  transverse  elliptical 
bars  of  cream-color.     Wing,  12.20  ;  tail,  0.40. 

Whether  the  Xorth  American  and  European  Peregrine  Falcons  are  or  are 
not  distinct  has  been  a  question  undecided  up  to  the  present  day  ;  almost 
every  ornithologist  having  his  own  peculiar  views  upon  the  relationship  of 
the  different  forms  which  have  been   from  time  to  time  characterized.     The 


FALCONID.E  — THE   FALCONS.  ]35 

most  favorably  received  npinion,  liowovor,  seems  to  bo  that  there  are  two 
spiHios  on  tlie  Ainovican  coiitiiioiit,  and  tliat  one  of  tlicse,  the  northern  one, 
is  identical  with  tlie  Huvopean  bird.  l5oth  these  views  I  hold  to  be  entirely 
erroneous ;  for  after  examining  and  comparing  critically  a  .series  of  more 
than  one  liundred  .specimens  of  tlie.se  l)irds,  from  every  jxirtion  of  America 
(except  eastern  Soutii  America),  including  nearly  all  the  West  India  Islands, 
as  well  as  numbers  of  localities  throughout  eontinencal  Xortli  and  South 
Amerii-a,  I  lind  tliat,  with  the  exception  of  the  nielanistii;  littoral  race  of  the 
nortiiwest  coast  (var.  pcnhu),  they  all  fall  under  one  race,  whrdi,  though  itself 
exceedingly  variable,  yet  possesses  cliaracters  whereliy  it  may  always  be  dis- 
tinguisiied  from  the  Peregrine  of  all  portions  (jf  the  ( )ld  World. 

There  is  such  a  great  amount  of  variability,  in  size,  colnrs,  and  mark- 
ings, that  the  /'.  uii/rirqt.i,  Cassin,  must  be  entirely  ignored  as  being  based 
upon  specimens  not  distinguishable  in  any  respect  from  typical  anatmii. 
Judging  from  the  characters  assigned  to  the  F.  cKssiid  by  its  describer  (who 
evidently  iiad  a  very  small  series  of  American  specimens  at  his  command), 
the  latter  name  must  also  most  prolialily  fall  into  the  list  of  .synonymes  of 
anutuin. 

Slight  as  arc  the  characters  which  separate  the  Peregrines  of  the  New 
and  Old  World,  i.  e.  tiie  immaculate  jugulum  of  the  former  and  tlio  streaked 
one  of  the  latter,  tliey  are  yet  suiKciently  constant  to  warrant  their  separa- 
tion as  geographical  races  of  one  species  ;  along  with  wliicli  the  F.  vicla- 
no(jcn,ys,  tJould  (Australia),  F.  minor,  Bonap.  (South  Africa),  F.  oricntalis, 
(Jmel.  (E.  Asia),  and  F.  calidus,  Lath.  (Southern  India  and  East  Indies),  must 
also  rank  as  simple  geographical  races  of  the  same  species.  Whether  the  F. 
caUiUis  is  tenable,  I  am  unable  to  state,  f(jr  f  have  not  seen  it ;  but  the  others 
appear  to  l)e  all  sufliciently  differentiated.  The  /'.  rndama,  Verreaux  (Gray's 
Hand  List,  p.  V.\  No.  170),  Mr.  Gurney  writes  me,  is  the  young  female  of 
vai'.  miiioi:  Whether  the  /'.  percffriiuttor,  Sundevall  (Gray's,  Hand  List,  No. 
16!)),  is  another  of  the  regional  forms  of  /'.  conmmim,  or  a  distinct  species,  I 
am  not  able  at  present  to  say,  not  having  specimens  accessible  to  me  for 
examination. 

]\Ir.  Cassin's  type  of  "  nvjriveps"  (13,85f),  i,  July),  from  C.'iiile,  is  before 
me,  and  upon  comparison  with  adult  males  from  Arctic  America  presents  no 
tangilile  dilferences  beyond  its  smaller  size  ;  the  wing  is  a  little  more  tlian 
half  an  inch,  and  the  middle  toe  less  than  the  eighth  of  an  inch,  shorter  than 
in  the  smallest  of  the  North  American  series,  —  a  discrepancy  slight  indeed, 
and  of  little  value  as  the  sole  specific  character;  the  plumage  being  almost 
precisely  similar  to  that  of  the  specimen  selected  for  the  type  of  the  descrip- 
tion at  the  head  of  this  article.  In  order  to  show  the  little  consecpience  to 
be  attached  to  the  small  size  of  the  individual  just  mentioned,  I  would  state 
that  there  is  before  me  a  young  bird,  received  from  the  National  Museum  of 
Chile,  and  obtained  in  the  vicinity  of  Santiago,  which  is  precisely  similar  in 
plumage  to  the  Nevada  specimen  described,  and  in  size  is  even  considerably 


136  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

laiyor,  tliouGih  it  is  hut  just  to  say  tliat  it  is  a  foiualo  ;  tlio  wing  measures 
l:').!*.'),  iustoad  of  VlJtO,  and  tlio  niidtlle  toe,  2.011,  instead  of  1.85.  No. 
37,:5.'JO,  Ties  Marias  Islands,  Western  Mexieo,  —  a  young  male  in  second 
year,  —  lias  tlie  wing  just  the  same  leiigtli  as  in  the  smallest  Nortli  American 
e.\ami)le,  while  in  ])lumage  it  is  ])re('isely  similar  to  2(1,780,  of  the  .same  age, 
from  Jamaica.  No.  4,c)()7,  from  I'uget's  Sound,  Washington  Territory, — also 
a  young  male,  —  has  the  wing  of  the  same  length  as  in  the  largest  northern 
specimen,  while  the  plumage  is  as  usual. 

Two  adult  females  from  Connecticut  (Nos.  28,09'J  and  :i2,5()7,  Talcott  Mt.) 
are  remarkable  for  their  very  deej)  colors,  in  which  they  diil'er  from  all  other 
North  American  examples  which  I  have  seen,  and  answer  in  every  jiarticular 
to  the  tlescription  of  /'.  ciitistni,  Sharpe,  above  cited.  The  upper  surface  is 
plumbeous-black,  becomii.g  deep  black  anteriorly,  the  head  without  a  single 
light  feather  in  the  black  portions  ;  the  plumbeous  bars  are  distinct  only  on 
the  rump,  upper  tail-coverts,  and  tail,  and  are  just  perceiitible  on  the  secon- 
daries. The  lower  parts  are  of  a  very  deep  reddi.sh-ochraceous,  deepest  on  the 
breast  and  abdomen,  where  it  ai>i)roaches  a  cinnamon  tint,  —  the  markings, 
however,  as  in  other  examples.  They  measure,  wing,  147") ;  tail,  7.50  ;  cul- 
inen,  1.05  -  1.15 ;  tarsus,  2.00  ;  middle  toe,  2.30.  They  were  ol)tained  from 
the  nest,  aiul  kei)t  in  confinement  three  years,  when  they  were  sacrificed  to 
science.  The  unusual  size  of  the  bill  of  these  si)ecimens  (see  measurements) 
is  undoubtedly  due  to  the  influence  of  confinement,  or  the  result  of  a  modi- 
fied mode  of  feeding.  The  specimens  were  presented  l)y  Dr.  S.  S.  Moses,  of 
Hartford. 

An  adult  male  (No.  8,501)  from  Shoal-water  Bay,  Washington  Territory, 
is  exactly  of  tlie  size  of  the  male  described.  In  this  specimen  there  is  not 
the  slightest  creamy  tinge  beneath,  while  the  blue  tinge  on  the  lower  ])arts 
laterally  and  posteriorly  is  very  strong.  No.  52,818,  an  adult  female  from 
!Mazatlan,  Western  Mexico,  has  the  wing  three  quarters  of  an  inch  shorter 
than  in  the  largest  of  four  northern  females,  and  of  the  same  length  as  in  the 
smallest ;  there  is  nothing  unusual  about  its  plumage,  except  that  the  bars 
beneath  are  s])arse,  and  the  ochraceous  tinge  (piite  deep.  No.  27,057,  Fort 
Good  Hope,  H.  15.  T..  is,  however,  exactly  similar,  in  these  respects,  and  the 
wing  is  but  half  an  inch  longer.  In  No.  47,588,  <?  ,from  the  Farallones  Islands, 
near  San  Francisco,  California,  the  wing  is  the  same  length  as  in  the  average 
of  northern  and  eastern  specimens,  w-hile  the  streaks  on  thejugulum  are 
nearly  as  conspicuous  fis  in  a  male  from  Eurojie. 

In  conclusion,  I  would  say  that  the  sole  distinguishing  character  between 
the  Peregrines  fnjm  America  and  those  from  Eurojie,  that  can  be  relied  on, 
appears  to  be  found  in  the  markings  on  the  breast  in  the  adult  jdumage  ; 
in  all  the  specimens  and  figures  of  var.  communis  that  I  have  seen,  the 
breast  has  the  longitudinal  dashes  very  conspicuous ;  while,  as  a  general 
rule,  in  anutiim  these  markings  are  entirely  absent,  though  sometimes 
present,  and  occasionally  nearly  as  distinct  as  iu  European  examples.    There- 


I'Al.l'uMUJ';      TUK    I'ALCO.NS.  \'-]'J 

fore,  il"  this  coiispiiiiDiis  stivukiiiL;  nl'  tlic  lucast  is  ioiiiid  in  nil  iMiroiicaii 
8]K'i'iiiiciis,  llu;  Ainciicaii  imd  is  fiilitji'il  In  sc|i:iraliini  us  u  vnrii'ty  ;  Imt  if 
tiic  lucasi  is  i'wv  iiiiiiiaculatc  in  iMiinpcaii  cxamiilt's,  liicii  ihki/ihii  must 
sink  iiitii  a  ]t\\\v  >yiiniiviiii'  ol  iiiiiiiiniiii.-<.  'I'Iil'  var.  inilinini/i  ni/t  is  dis- 
tiiij^uislicd  i'ntiii  liiilli  nniniiiidis  ami  nnalitin  \\\  llie  Idaclv  aiiricidais,  or  liy  a 
yrcalcr  anuaiiit  nl'  Idacix  i>ii  llio  side  dj'  tlio  iR!ci\,  and  l>y  moie  numcnuis 
and  nanowcr  liars  (in  tlic  under  .suifaui'.  In  tlie  iurnier  I'l'aturc  cxamiili's 
nf  (uiiihiiii  I'ldui  liic  soullit'in  nxlrcmity  ol'  Soutii  Anu'iica  a|i[)niai'li  tiuito 
(doscdy  1(1  tiic  Australian  lorm,  as  nii;,dil  \w  v\\)w\m\  I'mm  tlio  iclativti 
j^od.yrapliical  posilidu  ol'  the  two  iv^^ions.  The  var.  uiinor  is  niiTidy  tho 
smalk'i'  inlcrliiiiiical  race  of  tiie  Old  World,  perhaps  licttcr  (diaracteri/cd 
thiiu  the  tro]iical  Aniericau  i'orm  named  /'.  nii/rinji.-i  jiy  Cassin,  the  eliariie- 
t(Ms  of  which  ai'e  so  unimporlant,  ami  withal  so  inconstant,  as  to  f'orhid 
our  reco^nizinji;  it  as  a  race  ol'  the  same  raiiic  witii  the  others. 

List  i)F  .si'i:i;i.\m:.ns  cxa.minkh. 
Xaliiiiiul  .Mii.Nciiiii,   I."):    liiisloii  ."Society,  4 ;   I'liilailclpliiii  Aciulciiiy,  "J'J  ;   Mas  Miii  Coiup. 
ZikpI.  .") ;  Xi.'w  Vdik  .Mii.>ciiiii,  :!;  (J.  N.  I.iiw  tciko,  (i;   R.  lliil^'wiiy.  .!.     Toial,  8S. 

MiiiMiireiiifiih. 
»x.;  Wng.  Tail.  Ciitiiirn.  Tarsii.i.         \     Miilille  Toe.  Spfcimriui. 

'^  '  ii.:!0-i;3.no  I    o.uo - 7..'>o       .7.".-  .ho     i.do-i.no     1.7s -2.0.')  •>'.)        j 

9    I  i:!.(lO- 14.75        7.;!0-i).()0         .8.')- l.dii      I.!),")  -  li.lo      \M-2.20\  28 


Var.  ppiilel,  KiDuvvw. 

BLACK  PEREOBINE  FALCON. 

.'  /  Accipilcrfiih-n  iii'jn:  liiass.  Oni.  I,  :i:J7.     '  .'  Fn/oi  iii'jn;  (!mi;i,.  S.  N.  1789,  270.     Fnlrn 
jinhinijrii.i,  ('a.-^s.  IS.  Cal.  it  Tex.  pi.  xvi  (ihiik  ligiiic). 

8p.  CaAii.  Ill  colors  almost  cxailly  similar  'o  /•".  (/i/r/dlnt,  var.  /iihniilara.  Above  con- 
liniiDUsdaiU  vaiKlyUi'-lirowii,  apprnacliiiii;-  lii-owiiisli-lilaclv  on  the  head,  wliicli  is  varicL^'atcd 
only  on  the  i;iilai- i-cj.'ii)ii,  anil  iiiclininj;'  to  lirayisli-hrowii  on  the  tail  :  the  whole  siii'faco 
entirely  tVee  IVoiii  spots  or  markings  of  any  kinil.  iieneatli  similar  in  color  to  llu"  nppor 
parts,  Imt  tlic  t'eatliers  eiiL;t>il  with  whitisli,  this  rather  pretlominatin,!.'  on  th((  throat ;  Hanks 
luid  tibiie  witii  roundish  white  spots;  lower  lail-eoverts  Avith  broad  transver.se  bars  of 
white.  Lining,'  of  the  wiiirr  with  leathers  narrowly  tipped  with  white:  inner  W(4)s  of 
primaries  with  narrow,  traiisverso  elliptical  spots  of  (MM'am-color  :  inner  webs  ol' tail- 
feathers  with  badly  defined,  irre<riilar,  similar  spots,  or  else  with  these  wanting,',  tin;  whole 
web  beinir  plain  dnsky-brown. 

Xo.  12.1)22  ( 9 .  Orejjron ;  T.  I!.  I'eale).  Wiiiij-,  15.(10;  tail.  8.50;  eulmeii.  .!)5;  tarsus, 
2.10;  middle  toe.  2.15.  (Fi<riireil  by  ("assiii  as  F.  poli/iii/rxK.  in  Birds  of  California  and 
Texas,  ])1.  xvi.) 

No.  45,814  (9,  Sitka,  Alaska,  .May,  18(i(i;  V.  Hischoll).  Wim;-,  ll.i)0;  tail,  8.50; 
tarsus,  2.10;  middle  toe,  2.20.  The  two  similar  in  color,  but  in  the  latter  the  white 
streaks  on  tho  lower  parts  a  little  liroader,  and  the  iiiiddlo  of  the  auriuulars  slightly 
streaked. 

Had.    Northwest  coast  of  North  America,  Irom  Oregon  to  Sitka. 

vol..  III.  18 


138  NOUTII  AMl-JKICAN  HIliUK 

Tliis  c'lrinuH  iwo  of  Falm  nun  mint  is  is  a  jiocitl  illiistriitioii  of  the  cliiiialii; 
peculiarity  oC  tli(i  nortiiwu.st  cdiist  it'j,'i<in,  to  wliicli  I  liiivi;  (iftcii  rclLMTfil 
liuloic! ;  liiii  same  iiielaiiistic  toiuloiicy  lusiiij,'  a]»pari!iit  in  liinls  ui'  otlier 
•species  IVniii  the  .saiiie  rei^ioii,  as  an  ovaiiiph!  (if  wliidi  I  may  iiieiitidii  tlio 
IilacU  .Merlin  [Ftdiv  tisalon,  vav.siirl./ci/i),  wliicli  is  a  purl'uct  miniature  (if  tlie 
]>reseut  liinl. 

IIaiuts.  Tlie  (li^  t-l'ootecl  Hawk  of  North  Amurica  is  very  closely  allied 
to  the  well-kuowu  l'ere;;riiio  Falcon  ol'  iMiropu,  anil  80  closely  resenil)les  il 
that  liy  many  writers,  oven  at  the  present  ilay,  it  is  rej,'arile(l  as  identical 
with  it.  Witiiout  doulit,  the  hal)its  of  tiie  two  rai;es  are  very  n(!arly  the 
sauio,  thou;4li  tiuj  peculiarities  ol'  the  Xorth  American  liird  an;  not  s<i  well 
known  as  are  those  ol'  the  Kuropean.  In  its  distriliutioii  it  is  somewiiat 
erratic,  i'or  tiie  most  part  conlined  to  tlie  rocky  sea-coast,  tiie  river-l)anks, 
and  the  hijjli  ;j;round  of  tiie  northeastern  parts  of  America.  It  is  known  to 
breed  in  a  few  isolated  I'ocky  crags  in  various  parts  of  tiie  country,  even  a.s 
far  to  tiie  south  as  Pennsylvania,  and  it  occurs  probaiily  liotli  as  migrant 
and  resident  iu  several  of  the  West  India  Islands,  in  Central  and  in  South 
America.  A  single  specimen  wa.s  taken  liy  Dr.  Woodhonse  iu  the  Creek 
country  of  the  Indian  Territory.  Two  individuals  are  report<,'d  by  Vou 
I'el/eln  as  having  been  taken  in  llrazil.  The  Newtons  met  with  it  in  St. 
Croix.  Mr.  (io.sse  found  it  in  Jamaica,  and  Dr.  (Jundlach  gives  it  as  a 
bird  of  Culia.  Jardine  states  it  to  be  a  liird  of  Hermuda,  and  also  that  it 
has  been  taken  in  the  Stiaits  of  Magellan.  A  single  specimen  was  taken 
at   Duenas,  (iuateniala,  in   Februar-,  by   Mr.  Salvin. 

On  the  I'acilic  coast  this  Falcon  has  l)een  traced  as  far  south  as  the 
limit  of  the  land.  Dr.  Coo])er  met  with  only  two  ])air.s,  in  March,  1854, 
freciuenting  a  high  wood(!<l  cliif  at  Shoal-water  Bay.  Dr.  Suckley  ])roonrcd 
a  single  .sjiecimen  from  Steilacoom.  Dr.  Coojier  states  that  the  lialiits  of 
tlie.se  corre.sjionded  with  tho.se  descrilieil  for  the/',  (iiuditni  and  /'.  pcnyrinvs, 
and  that,  like  tluise  Falcons,  it  is  a  terror  to  all  land  animals  weaker  than 
itself.      It  is  said  to  breed  on  the  rocky  clills  of  the  Vacitic. 

All  individual  of  this  bird  was  taken  by  Cohtnel  (Jray.son  at  the  Tres 
Marias  Islands.  When  shot,  it  was  endeavoring  to  caj)ture  a  Sparrow- 
hawk,  indicating  its  iiidilference  as  to  the  game  it  jtursues.  He  adds  that 
this  bird  attacks  with  vigor  (!verything  it  sees,  from  the  size  of  a  Mallard 
Duck  down,  and  is  the  terror  of  all  small  birds.  Its  range  must  be  very 
great,  as  it  often  ventures  iar  out  to  sea.  On  his  passage  from  Mazatlan 
to  San  Franci.sco,  in  1858,  on  the  bark  Carlota,  one  of  these  Kalcon.s  came 
on  board  more  than  a  hundred  miles  off  the  coast  of  Lower  California, 
and  took  u])  its  (piarters  on  the  main-top  yard,  when'  it  remained  two 
days,  during  whicii  time  it  captured  several  Dusky  Petrels.  It  would  dart 
lie.adlong  upon  these  unsusiiecting  birds,  .seldom  missing  its  aim.  It  would 
then  return  to  its  resting-place  and  ^lartly  devour  its  prize.  At  other  times 
it  drup])ed  its  victims  into  the  sea  in  wanton  sport.     Finally,  a.s  if  tii-ed  of 


V\  l,( '( »N  1  \).V.  —  Til  !■;   I'A  I,( •(  INS.  139 

this  kiiiil  III'  j,'iiim',  it  iiimlc  scvcnil  w'uU'.  circlt's  nrnimd  tlic  sliip,  nscciidi'il 
to  ii  t'liiisidcnihli'  liL'ijilit,  and  dciuirtcd  in  llu;  dirocliuii  n|'  tlii!  Mexican  sliurc. 

Tills  Falcon  is  I'onnd  uldiii,'  llii;  Atlantic  cuast  I'lmi  Maiiii'  to  tho  cxtrcnio 
iiiii'tlicrn  portion,  lirecdinj,'  on  tlic  Iiiuli  rocky  dill-;  ol'  (Jrand  Mciian  and  in 
various  tavoralilc  situations  tlicncc  nortliward.  A  IVw  iirccd  on  .Mount  Tom, 
near  tlio  Connecticut  liivcr  in  Massacliust^tts,  on  Tah'ott  Mountain  in 
Connt'ctiiait,  in  Pennsylvania,  and  near  ll.irper's  Ferry,  in  Maryland. 

Mr.  lioardnian  has  several  times  taken  llnMr  ei,'i,'s  from  the  clill's  ol'  Orand 
Menan,  where  they  lirced  in  Ai)ril,  or  early  in  May.  In  one  instance  he 
found  tiie  nest  in  dose  proximity  to  that  of  a  jiair  of  Jtavens,  the  two 
families  Ijeiiij,'  apparently  on  terms  of  amity  or  mutual  tolerance. 

For  several  years  two  or  more  i)airs  of  these  hints  havi!  heen  known  to 
hrced  rej^ularly  on  Mount  Tom,  near  Xorthamjiton.  Tho  nests  were  jilaced 
on  the  edges  of  ]ireci]iitous  rocks  very  early  in  the  .spring,  the  young  having 
been  fully  grown  by  the  last  of  -hini'.  Their  young  and  their  eggs  have 
been  taken  year  after  year,  yet  at  the  hiSt  accounts  they  still  continued  to 
nest  in  that  locality.  Dr.  W.  Wood  has  also  found  this  species  breeiling  on 
Taleott  Mountain,  near  Hartford.  Four  young  were  found,  nearly  tltfdged, 
June  1.  In  one  instiince  four  eggs  were  taken  from  a  nest  on  Mount  Tom,  by 
Mr.  V.  W.  IJennett,  as  early  as  April  lii.  This  was  in  1H(>4.  Several  times 
since  he  has  taken  their  eggs  from  the  same  eyrie,  though  the  Hawks  have 
at  times  deserted  it  and  sought  other  retreats.  In  one  year  a  pair  was  twice 
robbed,  and,  as  is  supposed,  made  a  third  nest,  and  had  untledged  young  as 
late  as  August.  Mr.  Allen  states  that  these  Hawks  repair  to  Mount  Tom 
very  early  in  the  s])ring,  and  carefully  watch  and  defend  their  eyrie,  mani- 
festing even  more  alarm  at  this  early  period,  when  it  is  ai)i)n)ached,  than 
they  evince  later,  when  it  contains  eggs  or  young.  Mr.  Jiennett  speaks  of 
the  nest  as  a  mere  apology  for  one. 

This  Hawk  formerly  nested  on  a  high  cliff  near  the  house  of  Professor 
S.  S.  Haldenian,  Columbia,  I'enn.,  who  several  times  jmicured  ycmng  birds 
which  had  fallen  from  the  nest.  The  birds  remained  about  this  cliff  ten  or 
eleven  months  of  the  year,  only  disajipearing  during  the  coldest  weather, 
and  returning  with  the  tirst  favorable  change.  They  la-ed  early  in  spring, 
the  young  leaving  the  nest  jierhajjs  in  May.  I'rofessor  Haldenuin  wjis  of  the 
opinion  that  but  a  single  jiair  remained,  the  young  disajipearing  in  the 
course  of  the  season. 

Sir  John  I>ichardson,  in  his  Arctic  expedition  in  184ri,  while  descending 
the  Mackenzie  Kiver,  latitude  i\'°,  noticed  what  he  ju'esumed  to  be  a  nest  of 
this  species,  placed  on  the  clill'  of  a  sanilstone  rock.  This  Falcon  was  rare 
on  that  river. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  found  this  sjiecies  not  uncommon  on  the  banks  of  Lock- 
hart  and  Anderson  llivers,  in  the  Arctic  .egions.  In  one  instance  he  men- 
tions finding  a  nest  on  a  cliff  thirty  feet  from  the  ground.  There  were  four 
eggs  lying  on  a  ledge  of  the  shale  of  which  the  cliff  was  composed,     liotli 


140  NORTH  A.MKitU'AN   IJIIJDK 

]>arents  woro  presont,  and  kept  up  a  continued  scM'oaiuing,  tlioui^Ii  at  too 
p'eat  a  dislaiicc  lor  liini  to  shoot  oitlior.  lie  adds  tliat  this  l)inl  is  liy  no 
means  scaive  on  Lockliart  Hiver,  and  lie  was  informed  that  it  also  nests 
■dhwii  the  rani](arts  and  other  stee])  hanks  ol'  the  Ujiper  Anderson,  lliough 
lie  has  not  Iteen  ahle  to  learn  that  it  has  been  found  nortii  of  Fort  Anderson. 
In  another  instanee  the  nest  was  on  a  ledi,'e  of  elayev  mud, —  the  et,'L;s,  in 
fact,  l.vin,if  on  the  bare  fjround.and  nothiiij^  resembling  a  nest  to  be  seen.  A 
third  nest  was  found  on  a  ledge  of  erumbling  shale,  along  the  liaiiks  of  tiie 
Anderson  Jiiver,  near  the  outlet  of  the  Lockhart.  This  J  Lawk,  he  n,'inarks, 
so  far  as  he  was  able  to  observe,  eonstruets  no  nest  whatever.  At  least,  on 
the  .Vnderson  iliver,  where  he  fouiid  it  tolerably  abundant,  it  was  found 
to  invariably  lay  its  eggs  on  a  ledge  of  rock  or  shale,  without  making 
use  of  any  accessory  lining  or  protection,  always  availing  itself  of  the 
most  inaccessible  ledges,  lie  was  of  the  opinion  that  they  do  not  breed  to 
the  northward  of  the  (iStli  jiarallel.  Tiiey  were  also  to  bo  found  nesting  in 
occasional  pairs  along  the  lime  and  sandstone  banks  of  the  Mackenzie, 
where  early  in  August,  for  several  siiccijssive  years,  he  noticed  the  young  of 
the  season  fully  fledged,  though  still  attended  by  tim  parent  birds. 

In  subsecpient  notes,  j\Ir.  AlacFarlane  rejieats  his  observations  that  this 
species  constructs  no  nest,  merely  laying  its  eggs  on  a  ledge  of  shale  or 
other  rock.  J>otli  parents  were  invariably  seen  about  the  sjiot.  In  some 
instances  the  eggs  found  were  much  larger  than  in  others. 

Mr.  Ball  mentions  shooting  a  pair  near  Viik'koh,  on  the  Yukon  liiver, 
that  had  a  nest  on  a  dead  spruce.  The  young,  on  the  1st  of  June,  were 
nearly  ready  to  lly.  It  was  not  a  common  s])ecies,  but  was  found  from 
Nulato  to  Sitka  and  Kodiak. 

In  regard  to  general  characteristics  of  this  Falcon,  they  do  not  ajiparently 
differ  in  any  essential  resiK!cts  from  those  of  the  better-known  Faleo  wm- 
■muais  of  the  Old  World.  It  flies  with  immense  rapidity,  rarely  sails  in 
the  manner  of  other  Hawks,  and  then  only  foi'  brief  periods  and  when  dis- 
appointed in  some  attemjit  upon  its  prey.  In  such  cases,  IMr.  Audubon 
states,  it  merely  rises  in  a  broad  spiral  circuit,  in  order  to  reconnoitre  a  space 
below.  It  then  Hies  swifUy  olf  in  ([uest  of  ])luiider.  These  flights  are 
made  in  the  manner  of  the  Wild  I'igeon.  When  it  perceives  its  object,  it 
increases  the  fla])pings  of  its  wings,  and  pursues  its  victim  with  a  surprising 
rajiidity.  It  turns,  and  winds,  and  Ibllows  every  change  of  motion  of  the 
object  of  ]»ursuit  with  instantaneous  (luickness.  Occasionally  it  seizes  a 
bird  too  heavy  to  lie  managed,  and  if  this  bo  over  the  water  it  drops  it,  if 
the  distance  to  land  bo  too  great,  and  Hies  off  in  })ur.suit  of  another.  IMr. 
Audubon  has  known  one  of  this  species  to  come  at  the  re])ort  of  a  gun,  and 
carry  olf  a  Teal  not  thirty  '^teps  distant  from  the  sportsman  who  had  killed 
it.     This  daring  conduct  '    a  characteristic  trait. 

This  l)ird  is  noted  for  its  predatory  attacks  upon  water-fowl,  but  it  does 
not  confine  itself  to  such  prey.     In  the  interior,  llicliardson  states  that  it 


FALCON ID.K  — Tin:   I'AIX'oNS.  141 

[iroys  iiiinii  till!  Wild  Pigeon,  and  ii])on  sniallor  birds.  In  one  instance 
Audulion  lias  Und  vn  one  lo  lollow  a  tauii'  I'ij^con  tu  its  liousu,  entor- 
inji  it  at  one  liole  and  instantly  Hying  <nit  at  the  other.  The  same  writer 
states  that  he  has  seen  this  bird  feeding  on  dead  lish  that  had  floated  to 
the  banks  of  tlie  Mississi])]ii.  Oi'uasionally  it  alights  on  the  dead  branch 
of  a  tree  in  the  neighburiiood  of  marshy  ground,  and  watches,  apparenlly 
surveying,  piece  by  piece,  every  portiiui  of  tlu;  territory.  As  .soon  as  it 
])erceives  a  suitable  victim,  it  darts  upon  it  like  an  arrow.  Wiiile  feeding, 
it  is  said  to  be  very  cleanly,  tearing  the  ilesh,  after  removing  the  featiiers, 
into  small  jiieces,  and  swallowing  them  one  by  one. 

The  l''.uroi)ean  species,  as  is  well  known,  was  once  lai'gely  trained  for  the 
chase,  and  even  to  this  day  is  occasionally  used  for  this  puri)ose;  its  docility 
in  conliuenient,  and  its  won<lerl'nl  |)oW(!rs  of  tligiit,  rendering  it  an  edicient 
assistant  to  the  liuntsnian.  We  have  no  reason  to  doubt  that  our  own  bird 
might  Ijc  made  e(pially  serviceable. 

Kxceptiiij-  during  the  breeding-season,  it  is  a  solitary  bird.  It  mates 
early  in  Fel)r>iary,  and  even  earlier  in  the  winter.  Early  in  the  fall  tiie 
families  separate,  and  each  bird  seems  to  keep  to  itself  until  the  period  of 
I'eju'uduction  returns. 

In  conlinenient,  birds  of  this  family  become  qnite  tame,  can  bo  trained  to 
lial)its  of  wonderlul  docility  and  oluidience,  and  evince  even  an  all'ectiou  for 
the  one  who  cares  for  their  want.s. 

This  species  appears  to  nest  almost  exclusively  on  cliffs,  and  rarely,  if  ever, 
to  make  any  nests  in  other  situations.  In  a  few  rare  and  exceptional  ca.ses 
this  Falcon  has  l)eeii  known  to  constnii  t  a  nu.st  in  trei's.  Mr.  Ord  speaks 
of  its  thus  nesting  among  the  cedar  swamps  of  Xew  Jersey ;  but  this  fact 
has  l)een  discredited,  and  theic  has  been  no  recent  evidence  of  its  thus  breed- 
ing in  that  State.  Mr.  Dall  found  its  nest  in  a  tree  in  Alaska,  but  makes  no 
mention  of  its  peculiarities. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  of  a  rounded-oval  .shape,  and  range  from  2.00 
to  2.22  inches  in  length,  and  from  l.(i()  to  I.'.K)  in  width.  Five  eggs,  from 
Anderson  l.'iver,  have  an  average  size  of  2.00  by  1.(1.")  inches.  An  egg  from 
.Mount  Tom,  Mass.,  is  larger  than  any  other  I  have  seen,  measuring  2.22 
inches  in  length  iiy  i.Tlt  in  breadth,  and  diifers  in  the  brighter  coloring  and 
a  larger  projwrtion  of  red  in  its  markings.  The  gnamd  is  a  deej)  cream- 
color,  but  is  rarely  visible,  being  generally  so  entirely  overlaid  by  markings 
as  nowhere  to  appear.  In  many  the  ground-color  ai)pears  to  have  a  reddish 
tinge,  proliably  due  to  the  brown  markings  which  so  nearly  conceal  it.  Iii 
others,  nothing  appears  but  a  deep  coating  of  dark  ferruginou  ^r  chocolate- 
brown,  not  honiogtjueons,  but  of  varying  deiith  of  coloring,  and  here  and 
there  deeitening  into  almost  blackness.  In  one  egg,  from  Anderson  Kiver, 
the  cream-colored  ground  is  very  apparent,  and  only  sjjaringly  marked  with 
blotches  of  a  light  brown,  with  a  shading  of  lironze.  An  egg  from  the  cab- 
inet of  ^Ir.  Dickinson,  of  Springlield,  taken  on  Mount  Tom,  Ma.ssachusett3, 


142  NO'l^U  AMERICAN  BIRD'S. 

is  boldly  blotched  with  markings  of  a  bright  chestuut-brown,  varying  greatly 
in  its  shadiutjs. 


•o" 


Subgenus    2iSALON,    Kaup. 

Alsahm,  Katt,  1829.     (Type,  Faico  <rm/nii,  Omelin,  =  F.  lithnfalco,  G.M.) 
Jli/polriorcliin,  AutT.  ncc  lioiE,  182(i,  the  type  of  wliich  is  Falco  suhhuico,  Linn. 
Demltofako,  GltAY,  1840.     (Type,  F.  (milon,  Gmel.) 

This  subgenus  contains,  apparently,  but  the  single  species  F.  lithofako, 
which  is  ibund  nearly  throughout  the  Northern  Hemisphere,  and  in  ditlerent 
climatic  regions  is  modified  "Mto  geographical  races.  Of  tlie.se,  Xorth  Amer- 
ica possesses  three,  and  Europe  one ;  they  may  be  distinguished  as  fol- 
lows :  — 

Species  and  Races. 

P.  lithofalco.  Second  and  third  quills  longest ;  first  usually  .shorter  than, 
occasionally  ciinal  to,  or  rarely  longer  than,  the  fourth.  Adult  female,  and  young 
of  both  sej-cs.  Above  brownish,  va"ying  from  pale  earth-brown,  or  innber,  to 
nearly  black,  jilain,  or  with  obscure  transverse  spotting  of  lighter;  tail  with  five 
to  eight  lighter  bands,  which,  however,  are  sometimes  obsolete,  except  the  ter- 
minal one.  Beneath  ochiacoous-wliite,  longitudinally  striped  with  brown  or 
du.<ky  over  the  whole  surface.  Aditlt  nude  (except  in  var.  surldei/i  and  ricltard- 
sonif).  Above  plumbeons-bhic,  with  darker  shaft-streaks;  tail  with  more  or 
le.ss  distinct  bands  of  black,  and  palci  tip.  Beneath  much  as  in  the  female  and 
young,  but  stripes  usually  narrower  and  more  reddish.  Wing,  7.20  -  9.00  ;  tail, 
4.90 -G.oO;  culnien,  .45 -.00;  tar.sn.s,  1.30-1. GO;  middle  toe,  1.15-1.51. 

a.  Adult  male  plumbeous-blue  above;  sexes  very   unlike   in   adult  dress. 
Female  and  young  without  transver.so  .spotting  on  ujiper  parts. 

Adult  mrde.  Tad  deep  phnnbeou,s,  tipped  with  ash,  with  six  transverse 
series  of  dusky  spots  (which  do  not  to  .ch  the  shaft  nor  edge  of  the 
leathers)  anterior  to  the  snbterniinal  zone,  the  black  of  which  extends 
forward  along  the  edge  of  the  feather.  Inner  web  of  the  longc>st 
primary  with  ten  transverse  spot.s  of  white.  Streaks  on  the  cheeks 
enlarged  and  blended,  forming  a  conspicuous  "  mustache."  Pectoral 
maikings  linear  black.  The  ochraceous  wash  deepest  across  the  nape 
and  breast,  and  along  the  sides,  and  very  pale  on  the  tibia3.  Adult 
female.  Above  brownisli-plumlieous,  the  feathers  b(M'oming  paler 
toward  their  margiu.s,  and  with  conspicuous  black  shaft-streak.s.  Tail 
with  eight  (three  concealed)  narrow  bands  of  pale  fulvons-a.shy  ;  longest 
primary  with  ten  light  spot.*  on  inner  web.  Outer  webs  of  primaries 
with  a  few  spots  of  ochraceous.  Youiif/.  Similar  to  the  9  ndull,  but 
with  a  more  rusty  cast  to  the  phnnage,  and  Avith  more  or  less  distinct 
transverse  spots  of  paler  on  the  upper  parts.  Wing,  7.00-9.00;  tail, 
5.10-O.;50;  culmen,  .45-.55;  tarsus,  1.35-1.47  ;  middle  toe,  1.15-1.35. 
/fab.    Europe var.  lithofalco.^ 

1  F(dco  {.'h'salun)  lithofalco,  var.  lillwfalm  (CJ.MEt.lN).  Accipilei-  lilliofiilcu,  Hitlss.  Orn.  I,  1760, 
340.  Film  lithnfakn,  (Jmei,.  S.N.  1780,278.  .F.sii/i,ii  lillnfuho,  K\iv.  Ueb.  Falk.  Mus. 
Senek.  258.  Fdco  irijulits,  Omei..  S.  N.  1798,  28").  Accipi/rr  ivs'ihn,  Bliiss.  Orn.  I,  1760,  382. 
Falco  wsulun,  G.mei.in,  S.  N.  1789,  284.  —  Yauuei.i.,  Hist,  lirit.  B.,  ed.  1871,  74.  Ifi/po- 
IriorchU  msalon,  Giiav,  Gen.  1844,  Sp.  10.     Fako  inlcrmi.iiu.i,   Daik.  Tr.  Oiii.  II,  1800,  141. 


l-'A LCON  IDyhl  —  THE   FA LVOS S. 


143 


Aihilf  mdlc.  Tail  lifjlit  ash,  tipped  willi  wliitc,  anil  crossed  l\v  throe  or 
finn-  noarly  ooiitiniioiis  narrow  liamls  of  black  (i-'xti'iuling  over  botli 
webs,  and  erossin,!;;  the  shaft),  anterior  to  the  broad  subterniinal  zon(!, 
the  black  of  which  does  not  rnn  forward  along  the  edge  of  the  feathers. 
Inner  web  of  longest  j)riinary  with  seven  to  nine  transverse  spots  of 
white.  Streaks  on  the  cheeks  sparsi;  and  fine,  not  condensed  into  a 
"ninstaclie."  IV<toral  markings  broad  clear  brown.  Ochraceons  wash 
■weak  across  the  nape  and  breast,  and  along  sides,  and  very  deep  on  the 
tibia'.  Adult  female.  Aljovo  ])lnnd)eons-nniber,  without  rusty  margins 
to  tiie  leather.^,  and  without  consi)icnous  iilack  .'<haft-streaks.  Tail  with 
only  live  (one  concealed)  narrow  bands  of  pale  ochracci>us;  outer  webs 
of  piimaries  without  ochraceons  spots;  iimer  web  of  outer  prinuuv 
with  eigiit  si)ots  of  white.  Youiif/.  Like  tiie  adult  female,  liul  darker. 
Wing,  7.0(1 -8.25;  tail,  5.15 -.5.25 ;  t.xrsii.s,  1.00;  middle  toe,  1.25. 
ITah.     Entire  continent  of  North  America  ;  West  Indies. 

var.  c  olumhariu n 
b.  Adult  male  not  bluish?  sexes  similar?  upper  parts  with  lighter  trans- 
verse spots. 

Adult.  Above  light  grayish-umber,  or  earth-brown,  with  more  or  less 
distinct  lighter  transverse  spots :  secondarie-i  oro.ssed  by  three  bands  of 
ochraceons  .spot.s,  and  outer  webs  of  inner  primaries  usually  with  .spots 
of  the  same.  Tail  invariably  witii  six  complete  and  continuous  narrow 
bands  of  dull  white.  Beneath  white,  with  oroad  longitudinal  markings 
of  ligiit  brown,  these  finer  and  hair-like  on  the  tibi;u  and  cheeks, 
where  they  are  sparse  and  scattered,  not  forming  a  "  mustache."  Top 
of  the  head  mucii  ligiiter  than  the  back.  Young.  Similar,  but  much 
tinged  with  rusty  above,  all  the  -white  portions  inclining  to  pale  ochra- 
ceons. Wing,  7.70-9.00;  tail,  5.00 -0.30;  culmen,  ..50- .00  ;  tarsus, 
1.40-1.05;  middle  too,  1.20-1.51.  Secon.I  and  tliird  quills  longest  ; 
first  equal  to  fourth,  slightly  shorter,  or  sometimes  slightly  longer. 
Huh.  Interior  plains  of  North  America,  l)etween  the  Mississippi  River 
and  the  Rocky  Mountains,  from  the  Arctic  regions  to  Texas. 

var.  (?)  richa  rdsoni, 
c.  Adult  male  not  bluish?  sexes  similar?  upper  parts  without  transverse 
spots,  and  tail  without  lighter  bands,  except  at  the  tip. 

Above  plain  brownish-black ;  the  tail  narrowly  tipped  with  whitish, 
but  without  other  markings;  inner  webs  of  the  primaries  without 
lighter  spots.  Beneath  pale  ochraceous  broadly  strijied  with  sooty- 
black.  Wing,  7,.35-8.50;  tail,  5.25 -5.7o;  culmen,  .50 -.55;  tarsu.s, 
I.30-1.G2;  middle  toe,  1.25-1.35.  Hab.  Northwest  coast  rofion 
from  Oregon  to  Sitka .  var?  ,s«  ,•^•^ey  t. 

FulcoemcrnUi,,  Saviosv,  Descr.  Egypt,  Pt.  1,  1809,  100.  Fuh,  sibiricus,  Shaw,  Zool.  VH 
1812,  207.  Fuho  avsius,  Mkyeu,  Tas.;h.  .leutsch.  Vcig.  I,  1810.  Fako  suba^suhn,  Brkh.m. 
Viig.  l)cuts,;li.  I,  ]8;il,  (i7. 

IlAn.     EuroiMi  ami  Western  A.sia  I  Iceland. 

Uitof  Specimens  examined.  ~-F  ^tioiiiA  Museum,  8  ;  Boston  Society.  4;  Cambridge  Museum 
y  ;  New  York  Museum,  2  ;  Philadelphia  Acad.'iiiy,  S.     Total,  20. 

Measurement.,.  ~£.  Wing,  7.60-8.00;  tail,  .5.10- , 5.30  ;  culim-n,  .45-.50;  tarsus,  1  35 - 
1.45;  middle  toe,  1.15:  spmnien.s.  10.  9.  Wing,  8.60-9.00;  tail,  6.00-6.30;  culmen, 
.52-.55;  tarsus,  1.45-1.47;  middle  toe,  1.20-1.25:  specimens,  10. 


144  NORTH  AMKIilCAX  IUl{D8. 

Palco  liEsalon)  lithofalco  'Omf-lin). 

Var.  roliiinlinriiis,  I.inn^i  s. 

PIGEON  HAWK;   AMERICAN  MEBLIN. 

Fairo  cnhimhnriim,  Linn.  Syst.  Xiit.  IT'Hi,  p.  I'is.  -(Jmi-i,.  Syst.  \at.  17S9,  j).  iSl. — 
Lath.  Iiul.  Om.  I,  4-1,  17!»ii;  Syn.  I,  ]01,  sp.  m>  ;  Siipp.  I,  -Zl,  lS(i2;  llcii.  Hist.  I, 
'IIX,  ]8--'l.—  D.uii.  Tr.  Oni.  II,  ,s:i,  Ksoii.  _  .Shaw.  Zonl.  VII,  ISS,  1S12.  —  Wii..s. 
Am.  Oni.  pi.  .\v,  11;;.  3,  LSK.**. -•- .l.viiD.  (Wii.s.)  .\iii.  (dii.  I,  ]>.  'i.'^,  1808.  —  J.\Mi;s. 
(Wii,.>i.)  Am.  Orii.  I,  01.  —  linr.w.  (Wils.)  Am.  Oiii.  1,  ti.s:!,  l.s.'ri.  —  Kicil.  Faun.  lior. 
Am.  11,  3."),  l.s:il.  —  Ari>.  Syn.  1!.  A.  ji.  10,  l.S:i!i  ;  Orn.  IJio^'.  I,  400.  -  ISiix.VP.  Ann. 
l.yc.  X.  Y.  M,  2S;  Ms,  ISJi".',  p.  li:;il  ;  Kur.  it  X.  Am.  U.  p.  4,  1,S;!8.  —  Xrir.  Man. 
I,  00,  1833.  — Ci-v.  lii'j,'.  An.  (cd.  -JK  I,  322,  182'J.  -  -  l.i;ss.  Tr.  Oni.  p.  it2,  1831. — 
FiPii.sT.  I'hil.  Tian.s.  LXIi,  382,  1772.  -  Sw.mns.  ('la.ssif.  li.  II,  p.  212,  1837.— 
■lAKi).  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.  XVlIi,  IKh.  -  Cissi;,  U.  .lam.  p.  17,  1847.  -  SAcii;.\, 
lli.st.  Nat.  Culpa  Ois.  p.  23.  —  Wkkdkkh.  .lard.  Cont.  (»in.  1840,  p.  81.  -  lliiiiu.s, 
Janl.  Cont.  Oin.  IS.-jO,  |..  0.  —  Dk  Kay,  Z.illl.  X.  V.  11,  1.'.,  i)l.  iv,  f.  i),  1844. — 
f!ir,Ari>,  15.  I.on;;  Isl.  ji.  17.  —  ISt.ackim'.  lliis.  111,  'j\'>.  J'iutiKiicii/iin  cohiiiilinriKs, 
Vir.ll.l..  Ois.  Ai.i.  .Sept.  I,  ]il.  xi,  lS(i7;  Xoiiv.  Diet.  Hist.  Xnt.  XU,  104,  1819;  Km'. 
Ah'tli.  Ill,  1230,  1823.  Ifii/tnlriiirr/iU  oilnnilKin'ii.i,  (iUAY,  List  li.  15.  .Mns.  ]>.  ">."., 
1844;(;cn.  1!.  lol.  sp.  11,  1844.  —  Ca.s.s.  U.  Calif,  .t  T.'X.  p.  90,  l,sr.4.  —  Wimpi.h. 
(Sitf,'.^  I'.xp.  y.nni  k  Coloia.l.  p.  00,  lSr)3.  -- Hi;i:i!M.  1'.  1!.  K.  Hci)t.  II,  31,  ISr..''.. — 
Ni-.wn.  P.  I!.  liciit.  VI,  74,  18,-j7.  —  Ca.s.s.  I!.  X'.  Am.  p.  9.  18."i8.  —  CoiU'r.i!  &  Sr.  k. 
r.  1!.  li.  li.'iit.  XII,  1800,  142.  -Ci. lis,  V\:  A.  N.  S.  I'liil.  1800,0.  -  l!i!i:\vi:i!, 
0('>loi.;y,  12.  Lilliiifitlco  mhnaliiirhis,  liiiNAl'.  Cdnsp.  Av.  p.  2(i,  18r)0.  .Ksitlim  rnhini- 
Ixiniit,  Kait,  Monof,'.  Falc.  Cont.  Orn.  ]i.  .'i4,  18.'.0.  —  CiiAV,  Hanil  List,  I,  21,  1809. 
Fii/o)  olLiciinia,  (i.Mi'.l,.  Syst.  Nat.  p.  2S1,  1789.  —  Laiii.  Ind.  Orn.  p.  44,  1790  ;  Syn. 
Sujip.  I,  38,  1802  ;  Urn.  Hi.st.  1,  272,  1821.  -  Davd.  Tr.  Orn.  11,  p.  123,  1800.  Fulco 
inh-nnhtiis,  Davii.  Tr.  Orn.  11,  p.  141,  1800.  —  LAril.  Ccn.  Hist.  1,  l.iO,  1821.  /'. 
t(;)iici-(iriii.i,  Ari).  15.  .\mi.  pis.  Ix.xv,  xcii,  1831  ;  Orn.  I'in;;.  1,  380,  1831.  F.  (iitdnhonl, 
Hl.ArKW.  Ill's.  Zoiil.  1840.     .hrijiilcr  jinh( nihil ri as,  Cati;sii.  Carol.  I,  pi.  iii,  17 "'4. 

Sp.  Ciiah.  Adult  male.  AIiovo  ciiK^roon.s.  varyintr  in  .sliailo.  Liit  t;i'iii'rally  of  a  .slaty- 
bluisli  cast;  cacli  loalhrr  with  a  ilistiiicl  sliaft-.'^tri'ak  oflilai'k.  these  lines  most  conspicuou.'! 
on  till'  hoail  .ibovo.  Tail  witli  a  very  Lrnail  siilitcrniinal  Land  of  Mack,  ahoiit  one  inch  in 
\viiilli:.  tluMV  arc  indicalioMs  of  thi'co  oihcr  Lands,  tiicii-  continnify  and  distinction  vary- 
iiii:  witii  the  individual.  Lnt  iicncrally  quite  conspicnous.  and  cacli  alioiil  lialf  llic  widtli  of 

tlif  Icrniinal  one  ;   thi;  sulitcrniinal   lilack   Land    is  sm eded  l>y  a  Icrniiiial  one  of  wliile, 

of  aiiDiit  tlii'ce-sixtocnlii.s  of  an  incii  in  wiillh,  .soinetinics  Lroader ;  on  the  iatei'al  feather.s 
llie  Liaik  Land.s  arc  always  conspicuous.  Iicin;;;  in  form  of  transverse  oliion;^  spot.«,  cro.ssing 
tlie  sliafL  liul  less  exleniled  on  tlie  outer  wcL,  wliicli  is  olten  innnaeiilate  except  at  tlio 
end.  the  Lroad  terminal  li.and  always  extenilinir  to  the  edue  of  lhi>  feather.  T'riniaries 
du.sky-lilack,  ni.ii\Lriued  teruiiually  more  or  less  distinctly  with  whilisli  (sonu'tinie.'^  fading' 
on  liie  cdjj-e  only  I :  on  ihe  inner  wcIj  is  a  scries  of  about  eight  transver.se  oval  s|)ots  ol' 
wliite,  and  li'cncraljy  corrcspunding  to  lliese  aic  indications  of  bluish-ashy  spots  on  Ihe 
outer  Web.  liciH'atli  white,  this  purest  on  the  throat,  whicli  is  innuaculate  :  liiere  is 
generally  a  more  or  less  .strong  lingc  of  fulvous  benealh.  this  always  prevalent  on  the 
libi:e,  and  oil  a  disliuct  collar  I'Xlcnding   roiuiil   the   nape,  interrupting  tlie  blue   above; 

the  tibia'  freipieiitly  incline  to  ochra ms-riifoiis.     T/alcral  portions  of  tin'  head  witli  fine 

streaks  of  dusky,  these  thickest  on  upper  i'i\y:o  of  the  ear-coverls,  leaving  a  distinct 
whitish  superciliary  slrcidv,  those  of  op|)osile  .sides  nieeliiig  on  the  forehead.  Breast, 
upper  ]iart  of  tin,'  abdomen,  sides,  aiiil  llaiiks.  with  longitudinal  stripes  of  umber,  each 
with  a  sliafl-streak  of  bhu.'k ;  on   the   Hanks  thi'ir  shape  is  modilii'd.  here  taking  the  fonii 


l-'ALCONID.K  —  THE   FALCONS. 


145 


of  spot.'<  riinniiij,'  in  chiiin-liko  serip.><;  liliiie  with  iiarrowor  sind  darker  streaks;  lower  tnil- 
coveit.-!  Willi  narrow  (.'ontral  streaks  like  llio.se  on  the  til)iie.  Frecjuenlly  llieie  is  a  strong 
bluisli  .shaile  on  Hanks  ami  lower  tail-C(jvert.s,  sotnelinies  repla.inti;  tiie  brown  of  the  spots 
on  tlie  former,  anil  elouiling  in  a  similar  form  tix-  latter.  Leni^tli,  11.00;  e.xteiit,  23.75  | 
win;,',  7.".'). 

Adult  fi-iniile.  Patt(!rn  of  coloration  as  in  the  male,  bnt  the  colors  dilferent.  The  blue 
above  reitlaeed  by  dark  nnd)ei-l)rown  with  a  plnmlicdiis  cast,  and  showinj,'  more  or  le.>« 
distinct  darker  sliall-liiies;  these  on  the  head  above  very  broad,  giving  f  ^■'  >aked  appear- 
ance ;  white  .spots  on  mner  webs  of  prinnuies  more  ochraceons  than  in  the  nnile.  Tail 
dark  phnnbeous-brown,  shading  into  blackish  toward  end,  with  live  rather  narrow 
oolna<'('ous  or  soiled  white  bars,  the  lirst  of  which  is  concealed  by  the  upper  coverts,  the 
liust  terminal.  White  beneath,  less  tinged  with  roililish  than  in  the  male,  the  tibiic  not 
diflercnt  from  the  other  portions ;  marking.*!  beneath  as  in  the  male. 

Jiw.  Above  i)lnnibeons-l)rown,  tinged  with  fnlvons  on  head,  anil  more  or  less  washed 
with  the  same  on  the  rump;  freiiuently  the  leathers  of  the  ))aek,  rump,  .scapulars,  and 
wings  |)a.ss  into  a  reddish  tinge  at  the  edge ;  this  color  is,  however,  always  prevalent  on 
the  head,  which  i.s  conspicuon.sly  streaked  with  dusky.  Tail  phinibeoiis-dn.sky,  darker 
tcrmiually,  with  fivi;  regular  light  bars,  those  toward  the  ba,se  ashy,  as  they  approach  the 
end  beciiniing  more  ochraceons;  these  bars  arc  more  continuous  and  regular  than  in  the 
adult  female,  and  are  even  conspicuous  on  the  middle  feathers.  Primaries  dusky,  passing 
on  edge  (terminally)  into  lighter;  spots  on  the  inner  webs  broader  than  in  the  female,  and 
pinkish-ochre ;  outer  webs  with  less  con.spicnous  corresponding  spots  of  the  same.  Beneath 
soil  ochraceons  ;  spots  as  in  adult  female,  but  less  shar[)ly  delined  ;  tibijc  not  darker  than 
abdomen. 

II.Mi.  Entire  continent  of  North  America,  south  to  Venezuela  and  Ecuador;  West 
India  Lslands. 

Localities :  Ecuador  (higli  regions  iu  winter,  Sci,.  I'.  'A.  S.  1S.J8,  451)  ;  Cuba  (Cau. 
Jour.  II,  Ixxxiii,  Gnndlach,  Sept.  18(i.">,  225);  Tobago  (Jakd.  Ann.  Mag.  110);  S. 
Texas  (Di!K;?skr,  Ibis,  1865,  .'523,  breeding  ?) ;  W.  Arizcuui  (Colks,  Pr.  A.  N.  S.  180G,  42)  ; 
Costa  Kica  (Lawk.  IX,  134)  ;  Venezuela  (Set,.  &  Salv.  1800,  252). 


LIST    OF    .SPKTIMEXiS    EXA.MINED. 


National    Muspum,  42;    Boston   Societv.    II;    Philadjelphia   Ac'jderny,   IJ) ;    Museum 
Jotnp.  Zool.,  7  ;  New  York  Museun),  3  ;  (*.  N.  Lawrence,  2  ;  R.  Ridgway,  4.      Total,  79. 


Measitrementa. 

Stx. 

Wing.             j 

7.20-7.00 
8.00  -  8.55 

Tail. 

Culmen. 

.48 -.50 
.55  -  .CO 

Jhrsus. 

MiiMle  Toe. 

Spechnffts. 

34 
32 

9 

4.90-5.50 
5.50 -(!.(»() 

1.30-1.40 
1.55-1. GO 

1.15-1.25 

1..35- 

The  pluuuioe  of  the  adult  male,  which  i.s  not  as  often  seen  as  that  of  the 
younger  stiiges  and  adult  female,  is  represented  in  the  Sinitli.sonian  Collec- 
tion by  fifteen  specimens,  from  various  jiarts  of  North  America.  Of  tliese, 
an  example  from  Jamaica  exhibits  the  purest  shades  of  color,  though  agree- 
ing closely  witli  some  specimens  from  the  interior  of  tlii'  United  States ;  the 
cinereous  above  being  very  fine,  and  of  a  light  bluisli  cast.  The  up])er  tail- 
coverts  are  tipped  witli  white  ;  the  tail  is  a  quarter  of  an  inch  longer  tliun 
in  any  North  American  specimen,  one  half-inch  longer  than  the  average  ; 
the  wing,  however,  is  tibout  the  same. 

VOL.  m.  19 


146 


NORTH  AMKRICAN  BIRDS. 


A  s])ccimen  frnin  Santa  Clara,  California  (4,47"),  Dr.  J.  (1.  Cooper),  like 
most  of  tlioso  from  the  Pacific  coast,  has  tlic  cinereous  very  dark  aliove,  wliile 
boneatli  tlie  ochraceoiis  is  cverywliere  prevalent ;  tlie  flanks  are  stvonyly 
tiii;4cd  with  blue;  the  black  bars  of  the  tail  arc  nmch  broken  anil  irreyular. 
A  si)ecinieii  from  Jamaica  {24,'M)\),  Spanish  Town  ;  W.  T.  Alarch),  however, 
is  even  darker  than  this  one,  the  stripes  beneath  lieinj,'  almost  jiure  liku'k  ; 
on  the  tail  l)lack  jirevails,  although  the  bands  are  very  regulnr.  Nos.  1I7,<>01, 
Fort  Good  Hope,  British  America,  4;>,1;^>G,  Fort  Yukon,  Alaska,  and  al.MOu, 
Mazatlan,  ^le.xico,  have  the  streaks  lieneath  narrow  and  linear  ;  the  ochra- 
ceous  coufiued  to  the  tibia?,  which  are  of  a  deejj  shade  of  this  color. 


Falrn  ciilumharius. 

A  specimen  from  Xicaragua  (No.  40,957,  Chiiiandega)  is  like  North 
American  examples,  but  the  reddish  tinge  beneath  is  scarcely  discernible, 
and  confined  to  the  tibia',  which  are  but  faintly  ochraceous ;  the  markings 
beneath  arc  broad  and  deep  umber,  the  black  shaft-streak  distinct. 

In  the  adult  female  there  is  as  little  variation  as  in  the  male  in  plumage, 
the  shade  of  brown  above  varying  slightly,  also  the  yellowish  tinge  beneath  ; 
the  bai's  on  the  tail  ditt'er  in  continuity  and  tint  in  various  specimens, 
although  they  are  always  five  in  num.ber, —  the  fir.st  concealed  by  the  coverts, 
the  last  terminal.  In  19,.382,  Fort  Simpson,  British  America,  and  2,7U0, 
Yukon,  If.  Am.  ([)roiiably  very  old  bird.s),  the  light  bars  are  contimious  and 
pale  dull  ashy. 

The  young  vary  about  the  same  as  adults.  Nos.  19,381,  15ig  Island,  (5reat 
Slave  Lake  ;  5,483,  Petaluma,  California ;  and  3,700,  Kacine,  Wisconsin,  — 


FALCUNIUvK  -  THE   l-'ALCONy. 


147 


arc  yoiitij,'  males  inmilting,  scatteved  I'e.itliei's  appearing  on  the  upper  parts 
indicatiny  the  I'uture  blue  plumage. 


Vnr.  Micklryi,  llinowAT 
BLACK  HESLIN. 

Sp.  Ciiah.  a  miniatiin^  of  F.  /lorcgriuiis,  Viir,  jicali'l.  Aliovo,  iinilbrm  fiiliginous-Mnck, 
the  S('(:<)iulai'i<'s  and  tail-l'catliois  vt'iy  narrowly  luit  sharply  lipiu'd  willi  white,  and  the 
priniaiii's  pa^sini,'  into  whitisli  on  thi'ir  tciininal  inaijjin  ;  nnclial  icf^non  with  conccalt'd 
spotting- (il  pall'  rusty  oi- (linj.'y  whitish.  Hciicath,  lonjrilndinally  striped  with  fnlijfinous- 
hlack,  (irdark  sooty-hrown,  and  pale  oehfaeeons;  the  former  |iredoniinatin^'  on  the  hivast, 
tlie  latter  [irevailinj,'  on  the  throat  and  anal  reijion.  Sides  and  Hanks  nearly  iniifonn 
dusky,  with  roundish  wdiite  .spots  on  both  webs;  lower  tail-coverts  with  a  broad  satritlato 
spot  of  dusky  on  eaeh  leather.  Lininfr  of  the  wiiif,'  fuliginous-dusky,  with  sparse,  small 
roundish  .spots  of  while.  Inner  webs  of  |)riniaries  plain  dusky,  without  spots,  or  else 
with  them  only  liiintly  indicated.  Tail  plain  diisky-lilaek,  narrowly  tipped  with  white, 
and  without  any  bands,  or  else;  with  them  only  liiinlly  indicated. 

Mali;  (No.  4,477,  Shoalwater  ]Jay,  Washin^fton  Territory  ;  .1.  G.  Cooper).  \\"m<^,  7.35; 
tail.  5.2.");  euhnen,  .50;  tarsus,  1.30;  middle  toe,  l."25. 

Female  (\o.  5,83'J,  Fort,  Steilacooiu,  Washington  Territory,  Septendier,  1850;  Dr. 
George  Suckley).     Wing,  8.50  ;  tail,  5.70  ;  eulmen,  ..55  ;  tarsus,  1.02;  middle  toe,  l.,35. 

II.Mi.  Coast  region  of  Northern  California,  Oregon,  and  Washington  Territory  (prob- 
ably northward  to  Alaska).  I'ngt't  Sound,  Steilacooiu,  Yreka,  California  (Out.),  and 
Shoalwater  Bay  {Xationul  Mnxenin). 

The  plumage  of  this  race  is  the  chief  point  wherein  it  difiers  from  the 
other  forms  of  the  species ;  and  in  its  peculiarities  we  find  just  what  should 
1)0  e.\])ected  from  the  Oregon  region,  merely  representmg  as  it  does  the  melan- 
istic  condition  so  frequently  ol),scrval)le  in  birds  from  the  northwest  coast. 

The  up])er  parts  are  unicolored  being  continuous  bLjickish-plumbeous  I'rom 
head  to  tail.  The  tail  is  tipped  with  wliite,  but  the  burs  are  very  iaintly 
indicated,  being  in  No.  4,4'JO  altogether  wanting,  wliile  in  'll;c,'.V.\  they  can 
scarcely  be  discovered,  and  only  four  are  indicated  ;  in  the  others  there  is 
the  usual  number,  but  they  are  very  obsolete.  In  No.  4,41)9,  the  most 
extreme  example,  the  sjiots  on  the  niner  webs  of  the  ]irimaries  are  also 
wanting  ;  the  sides  of  the  head  are  very  thickly  streaked,  the  black  i)redonn'- 
nating,  leaving  the  suiierciliary  stripe  ill-defined;  the  throat  is  streaked, 
and  the  other  dark  markings  beneath  are  so  exaggerated  that  they  cover  all 
portions,  and  give  the  jjrevailing  color ;  the  under  tail-coverts  have  broad 
central  cordate  black  spots. 

Another  specimen  from  this  region  (4,470,  Puget  Sound)  is  similar,  but  the 
spots  on  primaries  are  conspicuous,  as  in  examples  of  the  typical  style  ; 
indeed,  except  in  the  most  extreme  cases,  these  spots  will  always  be  found 
iiulicated,  leading  us  to  the  unavoidable  conclusion  that  the  specimens  in 
question  represent  merely  the  ftdiginous  condition  of  the  common  species ; 
not  the  condition  of  melanism,  but  the  ])eculiar  darkened  jdumage  charac- 
teristic  of  many  birds  of  the  northwest  coast,  the  habitat  of  the  present 


148 


NOllTII  AMERK'A.N  lUR-DS. 


liird  ;  it  should  then  be  coiisidore<l  as  ratlier  a  {ioof^rapliical  race,  co-equal  to 
the  Fdlat  ijurfulro,  var.  /nhmdoiv,  F.  jiciri/rinus,  var.  2»:i(ki,  and  otlier  f'onus, 
and  not  cunlouuded  with  tlio  individual  condition  of  melanism,  as  seen  in 
certain  species  of  Bukonc-'i. 


National  Museum 

LIST 

,6. 

OF   SI'KCIMEXS    EXAMINKD. 

MeasureiiitiilK. 

SliiMU  Tor. 
1.20-    . 

1.35-1.40 

Sex. 

mng. 

7.35-7.70 

8.25-8.50 

nil.     "~ 

Culmm. 
.48  -  .50 

.55  -  .00 

1.30-1.45 
1.50-1. CO 

Sperhnens, 

J 
9 

5.25-5.G0 
5.70-5.80 

■i 

3 

Second  quill  longest;  first  quill  equal  to,  a  little  .shorter  than,  or  a  little  longer  than, 
the  fourth. 


Var.  rlchardHonl,  Itiixmw. 

BICHABDSON'B  MEBLIN. 

Falco  ccialon,  Rich.  &  Swains.  F.  B.  A.  11,  pi.  .\xv,  l,s31.  — Nurr.  Man.  Orn.  11,  S.'iS. — 
CoiTKs,  P.  A.  N  S.  PliiluJ.  1860,  p.  42  (in  text).  Falco  (Iliipotriurchh)  rklidnhnni, 
RiDoWAY,  P.  A.  N.  S.  Philnd.  Dec.  187n,  145.  Falco  richardmni,  CouKs,  Key,  1872, 
p.  214. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult  male  like  the  female  and  younff  ?  The  known  .stages  of  plumage 
more  like  the  adult  fenude  mid  young  of  var.  liihnfako  (F.  a:mhn,  ArcT.)  than  like  var. 
cohimhariu.s. 

Adult  male  (Smithsonian,  No.  5,171,  mouth  of  the  Vermilion  River,  near  the  Missoiu'i, 
Oetober  '25,  1850;  Lieutenant  Warren,  Dr.  Ilaydeu).  I'pper  plumage  dull  earth-hrown, 
caeh  feather  grayish-umlier  centrally,  and  with  a  coiispieuous  black  shaft -line.  Head 
above  approaching  a.shy-white  anteriorly,  the  black  shaft-streaks  being  very  couspiiMious. 
Secop.darie.s,  primary  eoverts,  and  piiuuiries  margined  terminally  with  dull  white;  the  pri- 
mary covert.s  with  two  transver.se  .series  of  pale  ochraceous  s]iots;  outer  webs  of  primaries 
with  s]iots  of  the  same,  corresponding  with  tlmse  on  the  inner  webs.  U[)pcr  tail-coverts 
tipped,  and  spotted  beneath  the  surface,  with  white.  Tail  clear  drali,  nmch  lighter  than 
the  primaries,  but  growing  darker  terminally,  having  ba.saljy  a  slightly  ashy  east;  crossed 
with  si.K  .sharply  delined,  iierfei'tly  continuous  bauds  (the  last  terminal)  of  a.shy-white. 
Head,  frontally.  laterally,  and  beneath,  —  a  collar  around  the  nape  (interiiipting  the  brown 
above),  —  and  the  entire  lower  parts,  white,  somewhat  ochraceous,  this  most  perecptilile 
on  the  tibiu! ;  cheeks  and  ear-coverts  with  spar.se,  fine  hair-like  streaks  of  black  ;  nu('hal 
collar,  jugulum.  breast,  abdomen,  sides,  and  llauks  with  a  nu'dial  linear  stripe  of  clear 
ochrc-bri)wn  on  each  feather;  the.se  stri|)cs  broadest  on  tlu;  Hanks;  each  stripe  with  a 
conspicuously  blai'k  shafl-strcak ;  tiliiie  and  lower  tail-coverts  with  fuie  shaft-sl leaks  of 
brown,  like  the  broader  stripes  of  the  other  iioilions.  ("liiii  and  throat,  only,  immaciilale. 
Lining  of  the  wing  spotted  with  oehraceous-wliite  and  brown,  in  about  e(pial  ainouiit, 
the  former  in  spots  approaching  the  .shaft.  Inner  webs  of  primaries  with  trausver.si;  broad 
liars  of  jtale  oehraeeou.s,  —  eight  on  the  longest.  Wing-lormula,  2,  .'! -4,  1.  Wing,  7.70; 
tail.  5.00  :  ciilmen,  .50  ;   tarsu.s,  1.30  ;  middle  toe.  1.25  ;  outer,  .85  ;  inner,  .70;  posterior,  .50. 

Adult  female  (58.!>,s;5.  Rerthoud's  Pass,  Rocky  Mountains,  Colorailo  Territory  ;  Dr.  F. 
V.  llavden,  .lames  Stevcn.soii).  Differing  in  coloration  from  the  male  only  in  the  points 
of  detail.  Ground-color  of  tlie  upper  jiarts  clear  grayish-drab,  the  feathers  with  con- 
spicuously black  shafts ;  all  the  feathers  with  jiairs  of  rather  indistinct  rounded  ochraceous 


FALCDN I U.K  —  THE   FALCONS. 


149 


.«pot.'<,  thwo  most  conspicuous  on  tlie  wiiijrs  ami  si.'ii|mi1iiis,  Sui.'onilario.s  crossed  with 
tiii'co  liiuiils  (iC  (lcc]ici',  nioiv  r('(lilisli  uclinicuous.  ISiUiils  ot'llii'  tail  puic  while,  [n  oilier 
respects  exactly  as  in  the  male.  Wiiijj-l'onnula,  .'!, 'J  ~  I  -  1.  Win;:,  l).(l();  tail,  (i.lO; 
ciilineii,  .')");   taisMs,  1.4(1;  middle  toe,  1.51. 

Yoiiii;/  male  (  Kl.51(l,  Fort  Hice,  Daeotali,  July  20, 1805;  l!ii,i(.-(icn.  Allied  Sully.  T.  S.  A., 
S.  M.  ItnlhamiMi'f).  Dill'crini.'  I'nim  iIk;  adult  only  in  niitmie  details.  Tppcr  sm-liice  with  the 
rnsly  holders  of  the  leathers  iiuiii'  washed  over  the  ;,'eiieial  .-iiilace;  the  riisty-oehraeeoii.s 
fornis  the  i.'roiiiid-colnr  oC  the  head, —  paler  antpriorly.  where  the  black  sliall-.strenks  are 
very  cuiispieiiDiis  ;  s[iots  on  the  pi  iiiiaiy  coverts  and  primaries  dc'cp  reddish- ochraceoiis  ; 
tail-hands  liioader  than  in  the-  adult,  and  more  redilisii ;  the  terminal  one  twice  as  lnoad 
as  the  rest  (.40  of  an  inidi),  and  almost  creain-color  in  tint.  IJciicath  pale  ochrncooiis, 
tlii.s  deepest  on  the  breast  and  sides;  markings  as  in  the  adult,  but  (i.'ial  region  and  lower 
tail-coverts  immaculate;  the  sliall-streaks  on  the  tibite,  also,  .scarcely  disi.<'rnible.  Wing, 
7.00;  tail,  4.(iO. 

1 1  An.  Interior  regions  of  North  America,  bctwceu  tho  Mississippi  Valley  and  the 
PiDcky  Mountains,  from  Texas  to  the  Arctic  regions. 


usr  'If  ai'iici.MiiNS  k.^aminkh. 
National  Museum,  10  ;  Museum  Conip.  Zool.,  2  ;  11.  Ridgway,  .3.     Total,  15. 

Meusureiiieiiti. 


Srr. 

Wing 

7.75-8.00 
8.50-9.00 

TiU. 

Culmen. 

.50  -  .00 

.55  -  .58 

TfariiM. 

!.42-l..-)5 
1.55  - 1.05 

Middle  The. 
1.20  -  1.30 

1.35-1.40 

SfiedmenJ. 

8 

7 

9 

5.70-0.00 
0.00  -  G.;!0 

Since  originally  duscribiiig  this  bird,  I  have  s'"in  additional  e.Xiiinple.s,  and 
still  con.sider  it  as  an  easily  recoynized  race,  not  at  ail  ditliciilt  to  distinguish 
i'roMx  col II nihil riifs.  Xow,  however,  I  incline  strongly  to  the  theory  that  it 
represents  merely  the  light  form  oi"  the  central  prairie  regions,  of  the  common 
s])ecies ;  since  its  cliarticters  seem  to  be  so  analogous  to  these  of  the  races 
of  L'ntci)  horealia  and  BiiJw  i-uyiniunns  of  the  same  country.  It  is  doul)tfiil 
whether  some  very  ligi it-colored  adult  males,  supposed  to  belong  to  coliim- 
bariiis,  as  restricted,  should  not  in  reality  be  referred  to  this  rtice,  as  the 
adult  plumage  of  the  male.  But  having  seen  no  adult  males  from  the  region 
inliabited  by  the  ])resent  bird  obtained  in  tlie  breeding-.season,  I  am  still  in 
doubt  wliether  the  [Jiesent  form  ever  tissumos  the  blue  ])lumage. 

As  regards  tiie  climatic  or  regional  modifications  exi)erienced  by  the 
Falco  UtIiuJ'ak'o  on  tlie  American  continent,  the  following  summary  of  i'acts 
expresses  my  present  views  upon  tiie  subject.  First:  e.Xiimples  identical  in 
all  respects,  or  iit  least  i)resenting  no  variations  beyond  those  of  tin  individual 
cliaracter,  may  be  fotuid  from  very  widely  separated  localities  ;  l)ut  the 
theory  of  e.xjdanation  is,  that  individuals  of  one  race  may  become  scattered 
during  their  migrations,  or  wander  oil'  from  tiieir  breeding-places.  Second : 
tiie  Atliuitic  region,  tlie  region  of  the  plains,  iind  the  region  of  tlie  north- 
west coast,  have  eiuili  ti  jieculiar  nice,  characterized  by  features  wliich  tire 
also  distinctive  of  races  of  otiier  birds  of  tlie  same  region,  namely,  very 
dark  —  the  dark  tints  intensified,  and  their  area  extended  —  in  the  north- 


160  NORTH  AMKUICAX   IMKDS. 

west  const  rofjion  ;  very  lij,'lit  —  llu^  lijj;lit  tiuiikiiij,'s  extended  and  nmltiiilied 
—  ill  tlii^  iiiiildle  re;,'iiiii  ;  imd  iiiteniiediiite  in  tli((  Atluntie.  rejiiun. 

IIaiuts.  T1i(!  ilistrihutiDii  of'tlie  \vell-i<ii(i\vn  I'i^fcnii  Iluwk  is  very  neiirly 
citextensive  witli  tlie  wliole  oi'  Xortli  Aiiierieii.  It  in  Itiuml  in  tlie  lireed- 
iii}j;-sea.s()ii  us  far  to  the  nortli  as  Fdi't  Anderson,  on  the  Anderson  and  Mc- 
Kenzio  rivers,  raiijiinj;  even  to  the  Arctic  coast.  Siieciineiis  were  taken  liy 
Mr.  IJoss  at  l^apierre  llonse  and  at  Kortdood  llo|ie.  Scleral  speeiniens 
Mere  taken  liy  Mr.  Dall  at  Xulato,  wliere,  he  stales,  it  is  I'oiind  all  the  year 
riMiiid.  They  were  also  taken  liy  liisclioH'at  Kodiak.  i)urin_'j  the  hreedinj,'- 
season  it  is  I'onnd  as  I'ar  soulii  as  Xova  Seotiii,  New  i»rnnswick,  and  tiie 
nortlK'rn  portions  of  Elaine,  and  iirobably  V'erniont  and  Xew  York.  It  is 
aliiindant  on  the  I'acilic  coast. 

In  the  winter  niontiis  it  is  to  lie  met  v.itli  throughout  the  more  tenijierate 
portions  of  Xortii  America,  in  Me.xico,  Central  America,  and  X^trthern  South 
America.  Dr.  W  oodhouse  mentions  findin;,'  this  s]iecics  very  aliundant  es- 
jM'cially  anioiij,'  the  wooded  lianks  of  watercourses  tln'()U>,diout  Ti;.\as,  X'^ew 
Mexico,  and  the  Indian  Territory. 

Mr.  March  states  that  this  Hawk  is  a  ])erniiuient  resident  in  the  island 
of  damaica,  more  fre([iiently  found  amonif  the  hills  than  on  the  ])lain.s,  and 
has  litien  known  to  breed  there.  It  is  a  visitant  of  Cuba.  Dr.  Coojx-r  thinks 
they  arc  not  very  common  in  Wasliinijtou  Territory,  thouj,'h,  as  they  are 
found  tiiere  throu,i,diout  the  sunnner,  they  undoubtedly  breed  there.  In  Au- 
i,nist,  liS.")."),  Dr.  Cooper  shot  one  of  a  small  family  of  youny  that  had  but 
recently  left  tlieir  nest.  Tiiey  migrate  s(nithward  in  winter,  and  are  abun- 
dai.t  in  California  in  Octolier  and  November. 

Dr.  Sucklcy  found  them  abundant  about  Fort  Steilacnom  early  in  August. 
Xear  Puget  Sound  this  species  is  thought  to  lireed  in  the  recesses  of  the 
Ca.scade  Mountain.s,  only  coming  down  upon  the  open  jilains  late  in  the 
sunimei'.  Dr.  Newberry  found  it  paired  and  nesting  about  the  Klamath 
Lakes,  and  states  that  it  also  occiijiies  all  the  region  south  of  the  Columliia, 
in  Oregon.  ^Ir.  Dresser  states  that  he  found  tliis  Falcon  common  about 
I>e.xar  and  the  adjoining  counties  during  the  entire  y<'ar,  and  that  they  occa- 
sionally breed  near  the  Aledina  Hiver.  I  have  been  unable  to  find  any 
.satisfactory  evidence  that  this  Hawk  e\  jr  breeds  in  any  part  of  Massadiu- 
setts,  or  anywhere  .south  of  the  44th  parallel  in  the  Eastern  States,  excejjt, 
perha]is,  in  mountainous  regicnis. 

This  Hawk  is  remarkable  for  its  nijjid  Higlit,  and  its  courage  and  its  enter- 
jirisc  in  attacking  birds  as  large  as  or  even  larger  than  itself,  though  generally 
it  only  preys  upon  smalh;r  birds,  such  as  (Irakles,  lled-winged  Ulackbirds, 
IJoliius,  and  Pigeons.  Dr.  Cooper  states  that  having  been  attracted  by  an 
unusual  .screaming  of  some  bird  close  to  the  house,  he  was  surprised  to  lind 
that  one  of  these  Hawks  had  just  seized  ujion  a  Flicker,  a  bird  as  large  as 
itself,  the  weight  of  which  had  brought  it  to  the  ground,  and  which  it 
continued  to  hold  in  its  claws  even  after  it  had  been  mortally  wounded. 


KAL("ONin.K-T[IH    FALCONS.  151 

Dr.  TTi'i'nimnii  otico  loiiiid  one  nf  thosi-  l)inls  Just  proitariii},'  tn  reed  <mi  ii 
lui'jj;e  and  iilniiiii  Cidil'niniii  I'mlridnc. 

In  Tiiiiiiudi|iiis,  Mcxicd,  wlic'i'o  l.iiMilciiiinl  Cnmli  Imind  it  (|nilt'  (•(tiiiiiKHi, 
he  si)eiik8  dl'  it  a.s  lieiu','  very  iiuiot,  tlyin.i,'  hut  littli',  and  ;,'('nfmlly  watcliini,' 
lor  ilH  quiiny  IVoni  llic  Hud)  of  a  dry  live.  Mr.  Audnlutn  luakcs  no  URMiliiai 
ul'  any  iicculiaritics  of  lialats.  Mr.  Nuttall  was  cvidiMitly  uid'andliar  with 
it,  statinj,'  it  to  W.  unknown  in  Ntiw  Kujilaud,  and  a  nsidrnt  of  tin?  Siaithcru 
States  oidy. 

Tn  Nova  Scolia,  Mr.  Pownos  spoaks  of  it  as  common,  hrctidinj,'  in  all  the 
woocU'd  parts  of  tlio  country.  It  is  .said  to  \>v.  not  tronlilcsoinn  to  tiu!  tarmcr, 
hut  to  i'cod  tipoii  till)  smaller  hird.s.  lie  nuuitions  tiiat  onct',  on  his  voyago 
to  ]!oston,  one  of  these  hirds  Hew  ahoard  and  allowed  itstdf  to  ho  ea])tured, 
and  was  kejjt  alivo  and  fed  readily,  hut  soon  after  i-scaped. 

Mr.  r>.  li.  Iloss,  in  his  notes  on  the  hirds  and  nests  olitaiiied  liy  him  in  tho 
country  al)0ut  Fort  licsolution,  Laijierro  lIou.se,  and  (iood  Hope,  mentions 
this  hird  as  the  mo.st  common  of  the  true  Falcons  in  tiiat  district,  where  it 
raujfes  to  the  Arctic  coast.  Its  r.est  is  said  to  ho  compo.sed  of  .sticks,  <,Tass, 
and  moss,  and  to  he  huilt  generally  in  a  tJdck  tree,  at  no  great  elevation. 
Tiie  eggs,  ho  adds,  are  from  live  to  .sovou  in  nund)er,  l.dO  inclio.s  in  length 
hy  1.20  in  hreadth.  Their  ground-color  he  doscrilies  as  a  light  roddisIi-hu(l', 
clouded  with  dee])  chocolate  and  reddish-hrown  hlotches,  nuire  thickly 
spread  at  tho  larger  end  of  tho  egg,  where  the  timler  tint  is  almost  entirely 
concealed  hy  them.  This  description  is  given  from  three  eggs  procui'otl  with 
their  parent  at  Vnri  llesolution. 

From  Mr.  ^facl-'arlane's  notes,  made  from  his  ohsorvatious  in  the  Anderson 
(liver  (jountry,  we  gatlmr  that  one  nest  was  found  on  the  ledge  of  a  clill'  of 
shaly  mud  on  the  hanks  of  the  Anderson  liiver ;  another  nest  was  on  a  pine- 
tree,  eight  or  nine  feet  from  the  ground,  and  composed  of  a  few  dry  willow- 
twigs  and  some  half-decayed  hay,  etc.  It  was  within  two  huntlred  yards  of 
tho  river-hank.  A  third  nest  was  in  the  midst  of  a  small  husliy  hnincli  of  a 
pine-tree,  anil  was  ten  feet  from  the  ground.  It  was  composed  of  coarse 
hay,  lined  with  some  of  a  finer  (piality,  lait  was  far  from  lieiugwell  arranged. 
.Mr.  AlacFaiTano  was  Cv  nlident  that  it  had  never  heon  used  hel'ore  hy  a  (.'row 
or  hy  any  other  hird.  The  oviduct  of  the  female  contained  an  egg  ready  to 
he  laid.  It  was  colored  like  the  others,  hut  the  shell  was  still  soft,  and  ad- 
hered to  the  fingers  on  heing  touched.  In  another  instance  the  eggs  were 
found  on  a  ledge  of  .shale  in  a  cliiV  on  the  hank,  without  anything  under 
them  in  the  way  of  lining.  He  adds  that  they  are  even  more  ahundant 
along  the  hanks  of  the  Mclven/.ie  than  on  the  Anderson  liiver. 

Mr.  ^lacFarlane  narrates  that  on  the  2r)tli  of  May  an  Indian  in  his  em- 
ploy found  a  nest  plaeeil  in  the  midst  of  a  pine  hraucli,  six  I'oet  from  the 
ground,  loosely  made  of  a  few  dry  sticks  and  a  small  (puintity  of  coai-se  hay. 
It  then  coiitainetl  two  eggs.  Both  parents  were  seen,  hut  when  fired  at  were 
missed.     On  the  olst  he  revisited  the  nest,  which  still  contained  only  two 


152  NOliTII  AMKiaCAN  liHlDa 

cjjga,  and  np;aiii  missed  tlit!  liinlfl.  Tin  a;,'ain  wuiiL  to  tlui  iicHt,  sevoml  iliiys 
iil'tur,  to  sucnve  tlu!  imri'iits,  iiiid  was  iiiiich  sui'prisod  to  lirid  lliiit  tint  oj,',i,'.s 
were  j,'oii('.  His  lirst  siii»|>osiii(iii  was  tliat  soiiu)  otlusr  |M!rsoii  luul  tal<t!ii 
tliciii,  Iml,  ai'l'T  lookiiiMj  cari'I'iilly  alioiit,  lie  pcn-civrd  liotli  liirds  at  a  short 
distaiici' ;  and  tills  caused  jiiin  to  institute  a  seareii,  wiiicli  soon  I'l.'sulled  in 
his  iindiiifj  tiiat  tlie  e;,'jfs  had  been  removed  hy  tiieni  to  tiie  I'aee  of  a  niiuid}' 
1)aid<  at  least  I'orty  yards  distant  Iroin  tlie  oviijinal  nest.  A  lew  decayed 
leaves  had  lieen  phu'ed  under  them,  lait  notliinj;'  els(>  in  tlie  way  of  pvoteo 
ti(m.  A  tliii'd  eu^i'  had  lieen  added  since  his  ])i'evious  examination.  Tlie.so 
I'acts  Mr.  MaeFarlane  carefully  investigated,  and  vouciies  for  their  entiro 
accuracy. 

Another  nest,  eontainiii;!;  four  eji,i,'s,  was  on  the  led^'e  of  a  shaly  clill",  and 
was  composed  of  a  very  tew  decayed  leaves  placed  uiuha'  the  ogj^'s. 

^Ir.  U.  Kennieott  found  a  nest,  June  2,  LStiO,  in  which  incubation  had 
already  commenced.  It  was  al)out  a  foot  in  diameter,  was  built  aLjainst  tho 
trunk  of  a  jioplar,  and  its  base  was  conipo.sed  of  sticks,  the  upper  jsarts  con- 
sisting of  mosses  and  frannionts  of  bark. 

Mr.  Audubon  mentions  finding  three  nests  of  this  l>ird  in  Labrador,  in 
each  of  which  there  were  five  eggs.  'I'lieso  nests  were  placed  on  the  top 
branches  of  the  low  lirs  jjcculiar  to  that  country,  composed  of  sticks,  and 
slightly  lined  with  moss  and  a  few  feathers.  He  descrilies  tlie  eggs  as  1.75 
inches  long,  and  l.LT)  broad,  with  a  dull  yellowish-brown  ground-color, 
thickly  clouded  with  irregular  Itlotches  of  dark  reddish-brown.  One  was 
found  in  the  beginning  of  duly,  just  ready  to  hatch.  The  ycnmg  are  at 
first  covered  with  a  yellowish  down,  'i'he  old  birds  are  said  to  evince  great 
concern  respecting  their  eggs  or  young,  remaining  about  them  and  manifest- 
iiig  all  the  tokens  of  anger  and  vexation  of  the  most  courageous  species. 
A  nest  of  this  Hawk  (S.  I.  7,127)  was  taken  at  St.  Stephen,  X.  B.,  by  Mr. 
W.  F.  Hall ;  and  another  (S.  I.  ir),r)4())  in  the  Wahsatcli  ^lountaint^,  by  Mr. 
Ricksccker.     Tiie  latter  possibly  belonged  to  the  var.  richrmJuoni. 

The  nest  of  this  bird  found  in  Jamaica  by  'Mr.  March  was  constructed  on 
a  lofty  tree,  screened  by  thick  foliage,  and  was  a  mere  platform  of  sticks 
and  grass,  matted  with  soft  materials,  such  as  leaves  and  grasses.  It  con- 
tained four  eggs,  descrilted  as  "round-oval  or  sjtherical"  in  shape,  measuring 
"  1..3S  by  1.13  inches,  of  a  dull  clnyish-white,  marked  -with  sepia  and  burnt 
umber,  continent  dovshes  and  sjJashes,  irregularly  distributed,  principally 
about  the  middle  and  the  larger  end."  Four  others,  taken  from  a  nest  in 
the  St.  Johns  Alountains,  were  oldong-oval,  al)out  tho  same  size  and  nearly 
covered  with  chocolate  and  umber  blotches.  Mr.  March  thinks  they  l)el()ng 
to  different  species. 

]\Ir.  llutchius,  in  his  notes  on  the  birds  of  Hudson's  IJay,  states  that  this 
species  nests  on  rocks  or  in  hollow  trees ;  that  the  nest  consists  of  sticks  and 
<;rass,  lined  with  feathei-s;  and  describes  the  eggs  as  white,  thinly  marked 
with  red  spots.     In  the  oviduct  of  a  Hawk  which  Dr.  liichardson  gives  as 


I'AI.CONID.K      TIIK    I'AiroNS.  153 

Fdiro  oshIuh,  were  fimnil  "scvcriil  I'lill-sizrd  wliitc  ru^'s,  I'loiidcd  nt  mic  ctid 
hy  a  lew  liioii/c-cdloivil  spdts."  A  iR'si  was  lniiud  I')'  Mr.  ('liciu-y  nt  (iniiid 
Mt'iiaii,  tViini  wliiili  lie  slmt  wliat  lin  prosiiiiuid  lo  lie  tlic  pari'iil  l)ird  nl'  this 
Mpouiiis.  Jts  I'diir  cjins  aj;ivcil  witli  llic  dcscriplioiis  j,'iv('ii  liy  lliitrliiiis  and 
llicliardsdii  iinicli  iiiurc  nearly  than  with  th.-  t-.n^s  nt'  this  species.  The  ej,',i,'s 
luMiid  iiy  Mr.  CI  KM  ley  may  have  heon  very  small  oh;,i;s  of  J.  nKifin-i,  in  which 
ease  the  jiresunuu  i)l'  thu  roh(,nh(iriiis  on  tlu^  nest  eunnol  ho  so  easily  ex- 
plained. 

Three  pu^s,  two  from  Anderson  Iliver  and  one  rrmn  (Jreat  Siavt'  Lake, 
i'anj,'e  liom  1.".:!  to  !.(!(»  inches  in  leiijith,  and  from  l.-'O  to  1.22  in  hreadth, 
their  average  measurements  liein;;  Lot;  l)y  1.21.  They  liave  a  j,'rimii(l-u()lor 
of  a  rich  reddish-eri'am,  very  <j;enerally  covered  with  blotches  and  liner 
niaikinji's  of  veddish-lirown,  d(.H4)eninj,'  in  places  almost  into  blackness,  and 
varyin,L;'  ^really  in  the  depth  of  its  shadin.i,',  with  a  fiiw  lines  of  black.  In 
one  the  red-brown  is  lar.t,'ely  rcyilaeed  by  very  tine  markinj;s  of  a  yi.'lhnvish 
sei)ia-l)rown,  so  jjenerally  dilfwsed  as  to  conceal  the  yronnd  and  <;ive  to  it 
the  apiicavance  of  a  li.udit  bull'.  Mr.  Uid^'way,  after  a  careful  analysis  of  the 
varying  markings  and  sizes  of  twenty-one- eggs,  has  kindly  given  the  fol- 
lowing :  — 

"  Extremes  of  twenty-one  eggs  (mainly  from  Forts  Yukon,  Anderson,  Reso- 
lution, and  Maclvenzie  rivers):  largest  (!(l,t'(S7,  Yukon,  June),  l.To  X  1.28  ; 
smallest  (8,,S().S,  Anderson  Iliver,  June),  l.'u>  X  1  •2<».  The  ground-color  varies 
from  creamy-white  to  deep  i)urplish-rufous,  there  being  one  egg  (4,01)0,  Great 
Slave  Lake,  June  G,  18(10)  entirely  and  uniformly  of  the  latter  color;  the 
lightest  egg  (normally  marked,  2,(J(j:>,  Saskatchewan)  is  ereamy-white,  thickly 
sprinkled  with  dilute  and  deep  .shades  of  sepia-brown,  thickly  on  large  end, 
and  sparsely,  as  well  as  more  finely,  on  the  smaller  end.  The  markings  vary 
in  color  from  dilute  indian-red  to  blackish-chestnut. 

"7/.  ricluu'daoni  is  larger  than  c()/ii>iih(irii(s,  and  jn'obably  has  a  larger  egg. 
There  are  no  eggs  such  as  liicliardson  describes  in  the  series  of  coltunharias 
in  the  Smithsonian  Collection." 

The  var.  i-ichnrthimi  was  recognized  by  I'ichardson  as  distinct  from  the 
more  common  vulnmbariiDi ;  and  a  single  .specimen,  killed  at  Carlton  House, 
and  sul)initted  to  Swiiinson,  was  ]>ronounced  by  him,  beyond  doubt,  identical 
with  the  common  Merlin  of  Europe.  Other  si)ecimens  have  since  been 
procured,  and  are  now  in  the  Smithsonian  Collection.  They  are  recognized 
by  Mr.  IJidgway  as  identical  with  Iiicliard.son's  bird,  but  quite  distinct  fnjm 
i\\(iyEmloii  of  authors,  lie  has  named  the  si)ecics  in  honor  of  its  first  dis- 
coverer. Of  its  history  and  habits  little  is  known.  A  single  pair  were 
seen  by  llichard.son  in  the  neighborhood  of  Carlton  House,  in  May,  1827, 
and  the  female  was  shot.  In  the  oviduct  there  Avere  several  full-sized  white 
eggs,  I  louded  fit  one  end  with  a  few  bronze-colored  spots.  Another  sjjeci- 
men,  probably  also  a  female,  was  shot  at  the  Sault  St.  Marie,  between  T^kes 
Huron  and  Superior,  but  this  was  not  preserved. 

vol..  HI.  20 


154 


NORTH  AMKRUWN  HlUDS. 


Mr.  Ilutcliins,  in  his  notes  on  tlu'  Hudson's  liny  l)ii(ls,  states  that  the 
Pigeon  lliiwU  "  iniilves  its  nest  on  the  roeks  and  in  hollow  trees,  of  sticks 
and  grass,  lined  with  leathers,  laying  I'roni  two  to  four  white  eggs,  thinly 
marked  with  red  s])ots."  As  Hutehins  has  l)eeii  fourid  to  he  generally  ([uite 
accurate  in  his  statements,  and  as  this  descriiition  does  not  at  all  ajtply 
either  to  the  nest  or  the  eggs  of  the  rohiiiilnirius,  it  is  ([uite  possihle  that  he 
may  have  mistaken  this  siiecies  for  the  rig(!ou  Hawk,  and  that  this  descrip- 
tion of  eggs  and  nests  helongs  not  to  ro/Kinbariiis,  l)ut  to  richnnlsoiii. 


SunoExus  RHYNCHOFALCO,   Uiuoway. 
Species. 

F.femorallB.  Winpr.  n..TO  -  1 1  .(iO  ;  tail,  {i.:!O-8.S0  ;  oiilmoii,  .OO-.SO;  tarsus,  1.02- 
'2.00;  iiiklilli' toi',  l.o.'i  -  1.70.  Socoiul  and  third  quills  lon<j;est ;  lii'st  equal  to  or  shorter 
than  I'ourlh.  Adult  (.sexes  similar).  Aliovc  unifonn  plumbeous,  the  secondaries  broadly 
lipped  with  wiiitish.  Tail  darker  terniiiially,  cro.s.sed  by  about  eijjht  narrow,  eontinuous 
baniis  of  white,  and  tipped  with  the  same.     A   broad  postoeular  stripe,  middle  area  of 


|3\ 


the  hnrienlar.'!,  and  entire  throat  and  juprulnm,  white,  nnvariecrated  ;  the  latter  with  a 
seniiiircular  mitline  posteriorly,  and  the  forin<'r  chaufiinu;  to  oran^'c-rulbus  on  the  oeeiput, 
where  the  strijx's  oC  the  two  sides  are  eonlluent.  Sides  entirely  uniform  blaekish  (eon- 
(lu(>nt  on  the  niid<lle  of  Ihi-  abdomen),  with  narrow  bars  of  white  ;  i)o.<iterior  lower  parts 
immaenlate  liiiht  oehraeeoiis.  Yoiiiiij  similar,  Imt  the  juL'iilmn  with  lonL'itiidinal  stripes 
of  lilaeki.sh.  Ihh.  Whole  of  Tropiral  .Vmeriea,  e.\clusi\  e  of  the  West  Indies,  north  to 
I  lie  southern  border  of  the  I'nited  States. 


l-'ALCONlD-li  — TlIK   1''ALC0^'S.  155 

Falco  (Rhynchofalco)  femoralis,  Temminck. 

AFLOMASO  FALCON. 

Falco  f,-»writli\  Tf.mm.  PI.  Col.  llil.  liia,  1H2-1.  -  ^v\\,  M:  Hraz.  I,  18  Oinnt.  Tl.  CI.  12n.. 
l^•Jl.  —  Viii.  /ool.  .loiini.  I,  ;W!i.  Siia'ii.  y.o«\.  XIII,  i>i.  i!.  p.  ;i!i,  i8-.>ii.  —  Lkss. 
Man.  Dm.  I,  T'.i,  ISi"*  ;  Tr.  Dm.  p.  S!t,  1S31.  — Civ.  IJci,'.  An.  v<l-  ->.  '.  ''i-->  ISl''- 
—  Swains.  Classif.  15.  II,  'JP.',  I,s;i7.  —  Nuimim.  Kini.  Kcis.  uni  ilic  Kiili',  All.  i>.  lii. — 
liiiiDc.  I'liu'.  Z,Hil.  Soc.  pt.  11,  p.  l(i!t;  Ann.  Nut.  Hist.  XIII,  4!>i».  -  IVOun.  Voy. 
Am.  Mvriil.  Av.  p.  llo,  1S:!.">.  -T.scurKi,  Con.sp.  Av.  Wioj;.  Aivli.  1,><I1,  y.  2o(j ; 
Faun.  IVr.  p.  KKS,  l,**! 4. —Cass.  IVoc.  Ac.  Nat.  Sc.  I'liilml.  18."..">,  ]>.  ITS.  .'^niUKl,. 
Oin.  Syn.  I,  S8,  l.'<.'i'>.  Hi;kwi;i;,  Oiil(>;,'y,  l.s.JT.  11,  pi.  iii,  f.  '2±  Jli//iii/riiiivliis 
fi moral i.i.  Okay,  lien.  I!,  lol.  sp.  1,),  IMl  ;  I.Ul  li.  Iliit.  .Mils.  p.  M,  IStl.—  IIauii,. 
Syst.  IikI.  Azar.  \i.  :i.  l.SI7.  —  Ca.ss.  I!.  N.  Am.  p.  11,  18,"iS.  -  CdlK.s,  I'v.  Ac.  Nat. 
Sc.  riiil.  7,  ISlil).  -  (lliAY,  Iliind  List,  I,  21,  ]8(i!).  Falco  J'iiscM-(i:ni/r.iccii.i,  Vir.ii.i,. 
Nouv.  Diet.  Hist.  Nut.  XI,  iiO,  181!».  Falco  ct/aiiesccns,  ViKil.l..  \'au:  .Mi'tli.  Ill, 
l-.>:'.4  (No.  40,  Azara,  juv.  teste,  Haiti.).  Fulco  Ihoraciciix,  Liciir.  Veiz.  Doulil.  ji. 
C2,  lS2;t. 

Sr.  Char.  Adull  (.scxi's  similar).  Aboe  unironn  plmiilu'dus.  scconilarics  broadly 
wliiti.<li  at  eniLs;  tail  wilii  coiilinndiis  narrow  Ijanils  of  wiiito.  A  poslociilar,  liroail 
stripe  (clniMLrin.ir  to  rotMish  on  nape,  wlionMlic  two  of  opposite  sides  are  eoiilliient),  mid- 
dle area  ofanrieiiiars,  and  ei'tire  tliroal  and  juiruliim.  while,  niivarii'j;aled.  Sides  eiilii-ely 
uniform  blaeUisii  (eonliiient  on  niiildle  ofalnlonien),  wilii  narrow  liars  ol  while;  posterior 
lower  parls  liylil  oehraeeons.  inimaeMlate.  <J.  Wiu^',  i».!)lt  ;  tail,  U.70 ;  tarsus,  1.02; 
middle  toe.  1.4."..      9.  Win;;,  Il.:!it;  tail,  7.80;   tarsus,  1.70;  middle  toe,  1..m. 

Yiinnii.  Similar  to  llie  adult,  but  with  broad  longitudinal  stripes  of  blackish  on  the 
brea>l, 

Adult  ninh- (Si\  ;)0,SI)0,  Mirador,  K.  irexieo;  T>i-.  ('.  Sarlorius).  .Vbove  brownish- 
slale,  beeonnn;/  gr.idually  <Iarker  anli'riorly,  the  bead  almxe  lieing  pure  dark  plumbeons; 
on  llie  rump  and  upper  tail  eoverls  tlio  liul  inclines  to  line  I'inereous.  Secondaries  pass- 
iuir  very  conspicuously  inio  while  terminally;  primarie.s  plnnibeons-<lnsky,  iheir  inner 
W"bs  with  (ihe  lonjiesl  wilh  twelve)  very  rcjinlar,  narrow,  transverse  bars  of  while  (the 
outer  web  piaiii).  Liuiufjr  of  the  wiiii;  while  (becomiufr  nicue  oehraeeons  toward  the 
edjfc);  niidei'  coverts  barreil  and  scirated  wilh  dusky,  llie  white,  however,  predominalini;. 
Tail  black,  liasally  wilh  a  perceplible  |)himb<'ous  easi  ;  cros-sed  with  ei;.dil  narrow,  tran.s- 
verse  bands  of  while,  —  the  lirsl  two  of  which  are  concealod  by  the  eoverl.s,  the  last 
terminal  and  about  .'_'7  of  an  inch  in  width;  Ihe  resi  are  narrower,  diminishing  in 
widlh  as  they  approai'h  the  l)asc.  I'pper  tail-eoverls  bordered  terminally  wilh  ashy- 
while.  IIk  longer  wilh  one  or  hvo  Iransvei'se  bais  <if  ihe  sami'.  Forehi'ad  (narrowly) 
while,  this  extending  down  across  the  loi-cs  to  the  angle  of  the  monlh  ;  a  broad,  ccvn- 
spicnous  supraoral  sliipe,  originaliug  above  tlu!  middle  of  ihe  eye,  and  running  back 
above  the  ear-eovcrts   to  the   occiput   (where   Ihe    two  of  opposite  sides  are  conllueni  I, 

white,  mori'  fnlvon.s-orange  on  the  < iput;  a  broad  dark   plumbeous  stripe  luuning  from 

the  posterior  angle  of  the  eye  back  over  upper  edge  of  ear-coverts,  and  continuing 
(broadly)  down  the  siile  of  the  neck  ;  another,  but  mncli  smaller  one,  of  similar  color, 
starting  at  lower  borilcr  of  bare  suborbital  space,  p.^ssing  dowuwanl  across  iht'  cheeks, 
forming  a  "  imistache,"  K'aviug  the  middle  area  of  the  e;u-eovi'rts,  the  chin,  Miroat,  and 
whole  lircast,  white,  llii'  pecloral  portion  defined  with  a  semieircular  outline  posteriorly. 
Hroad  area  covering  the  sides  of  the  breast,  sides,  and  ll.inks  (mi"eting  rather  narp'wiy 
across  the  upper  I )art  of  the  abdomen),  black,  wilh  narrow,  rather  indistinct,  Irausver.so 
bnr.<?  of  white.     Feinorals,  tibito,  abdomen,  anal  region,  mid  lower  tail-eoverts  line  oehra- 


156  NOUTII  AMERICAN  BlUnS. 

tvons-rnfons,  palest  postoriorly.  iln'  wlioli'  rcirion  iminapulatc  AViiipf-foriiiula,  3.  2-  1  -  1, 
ij.     Wiiij:,  !).!)() ;   tail,  (i.70:   tarsus,  1.02;   iiiidill.' toe,  1.15. 

Ad'ill  9  (42,(l7(i,  Miniiloi';  Saitorius).  .Similar  lo  tliu  iiialci  in  aliiicist  cvcrv  icspoot. 
riiinilieous  above  latliiT  daikor  and  nmrc  nnilbnn,  altliouL'li  llu'  dill'iicnci'  is  scarii'lv 
pcirc'ptilik'.  8t'('()U<lariL's  nioir  liroadly  lipiR'd  willi  while,  and  ii|ip('r  lail-cdxcrls  www 
c'oiis|)icnoiisly  liair('<l  with  the  saint'.  Wliilc  hars  of  the  lilack  aivas  licncalli  si-aii->lv 
ob.si'fvublo.  Tail  with  citiht  while  hai's,  as  in  the  niali^  lonjiest  piiniaiy  with  Inuilccu 
wliitt!  bars  on  iinii'i- well  nf  loniTi'st.  \Vin,!,'-lonnnla,  .'!.  2  1-5=1.  Wintr.  II. .10;  lail. 
lfi(1;   taisn.s,  1.7<l;   middle  toe,  l..')5. 

Jtn:  u  {intermediate  sliii/f).  ^  (;>7..^•^l,  Mazallan,  \V.  Mexiro;  ("ol.  .\.  ,\,  Oray.son). 
Phnnhoons  above  duiker  :iiiil  more  brownish,  nnil'orni  from  rnmp  to  hi'ad,  the  lonner 
stroni;ly  tin^'ed  willi  rusty,  .  >  bonleriniif  the  r'alliers.  Tail  darker  and  more  l)r(pwnish; 
while  liars  ten  in  nnniber,  insti'ad  of  eij;ht,  iiai'rower.  and  tini,'ed  with  brownish;  loni;est 
primary  with  thirteen  bars  ol'  white  on  innei'  web.  LiniiiL'  of  the  winu:  bl.nek,  l.'avinjj 
only  a  broad  ochraeeous  stripe  alonjj  llie  e(l;,'e;  feathers  of  ilic  Maek  porlicin  with  small 
cireular  white  spots  alonj;  their  edjres.  IJreasI  slroniily  TniLied  with  oehraeeons,  and  with 
lartre  lonyitndiiial  bloli/hes  of  Mack  of  cnneate  I'oi-m,  and  so  erowdi'd  as  to  nive  almost 
the  ]iiedoniinalinn-  eolor ;  the  black  patehi's  laek  entirely  the  white  bais.  Winu'-fornuilii. 
;i  =2-4- 1-.'..     Win;;,  10.00  ;   tail,  7.20. 

9  (55,Ol!(,  Ma/atlan,  Grayson).  Similar  to  the  last,  but  laekini,'  Ihe  rn-ly  linjro  on 
tlierninp;  tail  with  eij^lit  while  bars,  as  in  the  adult;  pectoral  stripes  nai-rower  and  less 
numerous  than  in  the  preeedinir,  and  white  liars  distinguishable  on  the  black  areas.  Winj,'- 
fornnila,  .'3,  2  -  l  -  1  -  5.     Win;.',  1 1.:'.0 ;  tail,  S.20. 

h  (Jirst  jilumugc).  $  (I5,(I0;J  and  -l!t,5()8.  Buenos  Ayros,  Conehilas;  William  II. 
Hudson).  Similar  to  iunnatnn}  male  (.■57,'!;)  1 1.  .Miove  dull  umber-drab,  darker  on 
the  head;  feather.s  of  Iiack,  scapular,  rump,  and  winirs  fadinu;  on  ed^es :  rnmp  much 
tiuired  with  rusty,  tins  borderinu'  the  feathers.  T.iil  with  nine  vi'ry  cilisolele.  narrow, 
dull  white  bai's,  the.se  not  touching];  Ihe  ed^e  of  Ihe  feather  on  eilher  web.  Loiij;-est 
primary  with  ten  transverse  while  baiv  on  iuni'r  web.  Heuealh  pale  ochiaeeons,  almost 
as  deep  anteriorly  as  posteriorly;  dark  are.ts  restricted  to  a  larL;('  pal<h  on  each  side,  and 
dull  dark  brown  (very  similar  lo  the  winjrs),  inst<'ad  of  black,  and  scarcely  varied  ;  breast 
and  upper  part  of  abdomen  (between  ihi'  blackish  lateral  [latchesj  with  lai'ue  liin,i;itudinal 
cuueate  blotehes  of  the  same.     '•  Winlei'  visiloi'.'' 

IIai!.  Whole  of  .South  Anu'rica  ;  uoiihward  llirouiih  Central  .\meriea  and  Mexico, 
across  the  Hio  (irande,  into  Texas  anil  Xew  Mexico. 

Localities:  (inatemala  (Sci,.  Ibis,  I,21!l);  Calha-ena  (Cassis,  Pr.  An.  X.  S.  ISdO.  l;!2)  ; 
La  Plata  (BrnM.  Heise,  437);  Mexiana  l.^ci..  ^  Salv.  1S07,  5!)0) ;  lira/il  (Pi:i.z.  U.  Pras. 
1,4);  Buenos  Ayres  (Sei,.  k,  Sai.v.  ISiiS,  143);  Chile  (I'liii.ippi) ;  W.  Pern  (Set..  & 
Sai.v.  1S58,  570;  ISGl).  155) ;  Venezuela  (Sei,.  &  Sai.v.  18(i!),  252). 

A  specimen  ffoiii  riinioiiiiy  (r)M,7:'.8,  ^  •  <"i>l'<-  T-  -^  l'^".^''.  ^-  ^''-  ^)  1>'^3 
tlie  sliity  above  liojiter  lliiiii  in  the  .Mii'atlni'  iimle,  a|i|ir(iacliiii,if  to  iisli.  Tiiu 
wliite  bai's  im  tlie  lilaek  sidopatclies  are  veiy  iniiuci'mis  iiiid  I'cuiiiar;  tlio 
Avliite  of  the  forehead  i.s  more  sliarj)!}'  deiined,  and  the  deeji  iiil'escent-oclii'u 
of  the  posterior  ])ortion  of  the;  jiostocnhir  slii])e  is  even  (h'epcr  than  that  of 
the  tiliiie,  etc.  ;  tlie  breast  has  a  few  narrow  blackisli  streaks.  The  liars  on 
\vin},'s  and  tail,  however,  are  as  in  ]\Ie.xiean  e.\ani])les.  Tiiis  s])e('inien  prolj- 
ably  denotes  <,'reater  a^e  than  tiny  otlier  in  the  series. 

Another  specimen  (2',l,S()',l,  9  ,  .Miraihir),  perhaps  very  yonno,  is  ratlier 
difl'ertMit  from  the  others  in  tlie  eolunitioii  of  the  low  cr  jjarts  ;  the  nil'uus  of 


FALCUNIDJi  —  TllK   FA IX'UXS. 


]57 


the  ])ost('ri()r  ])nrtions  is  very  deep,  and  tlie  anterioi'  licflit  places  are  much 
tinged  with  ochriicuous,  the  siipraloral  stripe  being  tinged  throughout  witli 
the  same  ;  across  the  breast  is  a  series  of  small  tear-siiaped  spots  of  black, 
forming  an  imperfect  liand  ;  there  are,  however,  no  other  diff(>renees. 

Xos.  L'0,52i)  (9,  Chile,  Berlin  Museum)  and  20,521  (<?,  Venezuela)  diller 
from  the  resl  only  in  a  deeper  tinge  of  ochraceous  anteriorly  beneath,  the 
occipital  stripes   l)eing  very 
red. 

No.  1S,4!»7  (<?,  from  the 
llio  I'ecos,  Te.xas)  is  in  the 
pluniiige  de.-ii'ribed  as  that  of 
the  young  male,  having  the 
ru.sty  tinge  on  rump,  and 
more  numerous  IkuuIs  on 
tail;  the  breast  is  almost  as 
deejily  ochraceous  as  the 
tibia',  and  the  broad  black 
patches  of  tiie  sides  scarcely 
meet  across  the  abdomen, 
being  there  broken  into 
streaks. 

A  female,  nearly  adult,  from  Fiuenos  Ayres  (■ir(,()lt2,  Conchitas ;  W.  H. 
Ifud.son),  lias  the  featliers  of  the  upper  parts  faintly  edged  with  white;  the 
rump  and  upper  tail-coverts  consjiieufuisly  barred  with  the  same.  The  head 
above  is  decidudly  more  bluish  than  in  northern  exam])les,  each  feather  with 
a  shaft-line  of  black.  Tlie  tail  has  only  .seven  white  bars,  —  these,  however, 
very  shar]ily  delined,  and  very  pure  white  ;  the  longest  primary  has  eleven 
white  bars.  The  lower  plumage  is  similar  to  that  of  the  immature  male 
from  the  Itio  Pecos,  Texas  (Xo.  18,4'J7).  This  specimen  has  the  second  and 
third  quills  equal. 


Fnlni  /. 


M.ST   OF    SPKCI.MEXS    RX.\.^^^•^:n. 

NatioiKiI   ^[usi'uiii.    It;    IListoii   Sori(>ty,   5;    Pliihulc'lpliia   Academy,  2;    New  York 
Miisouiii,  1 ;  G.  X.  Lawroiu'f,  1 ;   R.  RidLrway,  2.     Total,  2.'). 


iVing.  I  Tail. 

!».2()-  10.70  (l.liO-  K.IMI 


11.01)- 11. (!0 


.80  -  8.SI) 


Mcdsurementif. 


Ciilnun.        I  Tiirsus.        \     Miildle  Tut. 

.(il>-.(i8      ;    1.7U-1.8.")       1.;!.")-  l.oO 

.71  -.80     I   1.80-2.00      l..-).-)-1.7il 


Si>ecinic  IS. 

12 
9 


Haiiits.  Only  two  specimens  of  this  llawk  have  been  taki'ii  within  the 
limits  of  the  United  States.  One  was  obtained  l>y  Dr.  Ileerniann  on  the 
vast  jilains  of  New  ]\Ie.xico,  near  tiie  United  States  boundary-line.  It  ap- 
peared to  b(!  flying  over  tlie  jtrairies  in  search  of  small  birds  and  mice,  at 


158  NORTH   AMERKJAN    BTRDS. 

times  hovering  in  the  manner  of  tiio  coniinou  Sparrow  Hawk  {Ttnnunculus 
sjHtrrcrins).  It  appears  to  be  resitltMit  tlirou;4hout  a  large  part  of  ^lexico, 
and  in  Central  and  South  America.  The  other  is  from  the  IJio  Pecos  of 
Texas,  collected  Ity  Dr.  W.  W.  Anderson. 

^Ir.  Darwin,  in  his  Zoiilogy  of  the  Voyage  of  the  IJeagle,  mentions  obtain- 
ing one  specimen  in  a  small  valley  on  the  plains  of  Patagonia,  at  Port 
Desire,  in  latitude  47"  44'  south.  M.  D'Orhigny  su))posed  latitude  ;>4°  to  bo 
the  extreme  southern  limit  of  the  species.  Lieutenant  (iilliss  brought  .speci- 
mens fnun  Chile. 

Mr.  Darwin  .states  that  the /'. /c/now/ts  nests  in  low  bushes,  this  corre- 
sipondiiig  with  the  observations  of  Mr.  Bishop.  He  found  the  female  sit- 
ting on  her  eggs  in  the  beginning  of  January.  According  to  M.  D'Orl)igny, 
it  ])n'fers  a  dry,  oixn  country  with  scattered  bushes,  which  ^Ir.  Darwin  con- 
firms. ^Ir.  Ijishoj)  informs  me  that  he  met  with  this  Hawk  in  the  greatest 
abundance  upon  those  vast  ]ilains  of  South  America  known  as  the  Pam]ia.s, 
in  which  no  trees  except  the  ombfi  are  found,  and  that  it  there  nests  exclu- 
sively on  the  tojis  of  low  Iiushe.s,  hardly  more  than  a  foot  or  two  i'roni  the 
ground.  The  bird  was  not  at  all  shy,  like  most  Hawks,  but  was  easily 
a]iproached  so  nearly  as  to  be  readily  recogui/ed. 

Mr.  J'.ridgcs  states,  in  the  Proceedings  of  the  London  Zoiilogical  Society 
(1S4;>,  p.  IdU),  that  the  TLf()iior((lis  is  trained  in  some  ])arts  of  South  Amer- 
ica for  the  piu'suit  of  smaller  gallinaceous  birds,  and  tiiat  it  is  highly 
csteemetl  by  the  Chilian  falconers.  It  very  soon  becomes  ([uite  docile,  and 
will  even  follow  its  master  within  a  few  weeks  of  its  cajjture. 

T  am  indebted  to  ^fr.  X.  H.  r)ishop  for  specimens  of  the  eggs  of  this 
Hawk  obtained  by  him  on  the  Pampas.  Tiie  nes  contained  but  two,  and 
was  built  on  the  top  of  a  low  bush  or  stunted  tree,  hardly  two  feet  from  the 
ground.  It  was  constructed,  with  some  jiains  and  elaboration,  of  withered 
grasses  and  dry  lea\es. 

The  eggs  measure,  one  1.81  inches  in  length  by  1.69  in  breadth,  the  other 
1.78  by  l.G;'>.  This  does  not  materially  vary  from  the  measurement  given 
by  Darwin.  The  ground-color  of  the  egg  is  white.  This,  however,  is  so 
thickly  and  so  generally  studded  with  fine  brown  markings,  that  the  white 
ground  to  the  eye  has  a  rusty  ajjpearance,  and  its  real  hue  is  hardly  distin- 
guishalile.  Over  the  entire  surface  of  the  egg  is  distributed  an  infinite 
numl)er  of  fine  dottings,  of  a  color  most  nearly  approaching  a  raw  terra- 
sienna  brown.  Over  this  again  are  larger  blotches,  lines,  and  splashes  of  a 
handsome  shade  of  vandyke-brown.  In  one  egg  these  larger  markings  are 
much  more  frequent  than  in  the  other.  The  latter  is  chiefly  marked  with 
the  finer  rusty  dottings,  and  has  a  more  dingy  appearance. 


KALCOXID.E  —  THE   FALCOXri. 


159 


SunoKNLs  TINNUNCULUS,   Viiciu-ot. 

Tininim-itlun,  ViKll.l..   1S(I7.     (Tv)"',  F't'oi  tiiiiiiinndus,   Liss.      Tinnniiculiis  alaurlnriK.i, 

(ivi;i..) 
.'  Tirhin-iiis,  K.vri',  1844.     (Tvjir,  F((/ci>  cfiirliri.i,  Nai'.m.) 
Pm-i/(iniis,  K.vii',  1844.     (Tyi)c,  luilm  apurci'i-iiis,  Linn.) 

Till!  flianR'tur.s  of  this  sii1),t,'eini.s  liavo  Imuii  sufliciently  defined  in  tlio 
diagiiu.si.s  on  piigo  1427,  so  tliut  it  will  lie  necessary  for  me  only  to  add  a 
icw  less  inipoitant  ones. 

The  sid)genus  Titnnnicii/Hs  is  one  Avliieh  is  well  characterized  hy  pecu- 
liarities of  manners  and  habits  as  well  as  liy  leatures  of  structure.  The 
species  are  the  most  arboreal  of  the  Falcons,  and  their  curious  habit  of  jioisinj,' 


53198  ,'P 


/ 


63108,^. 


'A' 


i'^v^ 


53188,? , 


53198  .^ 


Tliinunculus  spaneriiis. 


in  a  fixed  position  as  they  hover  over  some  object  of  food  whicli  they  are 
watchin-  is  probably  peculiar  to  them,  and  has  been  remarked  of  the  Old 
AVorl.l  as  well  as  of  the  American  species.  In  their  structure  they  are  the 
most  aberrant  members  of  the  subfamily  belonjrinsr  to  the  Northern  Hemi- 
sphere and  in  their  weak  bill  and  feet,  lengthened  tarsi,  obtuselv  tipped 
(imlls,  mon;  rounded  wings,  and  more  lengthened  tail,  exhibit  a  decided  step 
toward  I/umcirhu,  an  Australian  genus  which  is  almost  exactly  interme.liate 
in  all  the  characters  of  its  external  structure  between  the  true  Falcons  ami 
the  South  American  genus  Milmjo,  of  the  I'olyborine  group. 

The  subgenus  is  most  largely  developed  in  the  old  World,  whei'e   are 
iound  about  a  dozen  nominal  species,  of  which  perhaps  one  half  must  be 


1(30  NOltTlI  AMKKICAN   IflHDS. 

rotliu'od  to  tlic  niiik  of  i,'oi)m'ii]ilii('al  raciv5.  Amorica  posspssos  llircn  .sjiL-cios, 
two  of  wliich  iiio  vest  lifted  to  tlio  West  India  islands,  \\liil(^  the  otluT 
extends  over  tlie  entire  continent. 

There  is  no  reason  whatever  lor  se])aratin,u;  the  American  s]ieeics  from 
tliose  of  tlie  Ohl  Workl,  and  the  sid>,i;enns  J'liri/ornia,  establislied  ui»on  these 
by  Kaii]i,  is  not  tenable. 

Sine(!  tlie  publication  of  my  first  pajK-r  upon  tlie  American  forms  of 
'J' I  nil  mini /lis}  a  larye  amount  of  additional  material  has  fallen  under  my 
observation;  the  total  nuiuliei'  of  examjiles  critically  examined  and  comjiared 
together  amounting  to  over  three  humlred  and  iil'ty  .skins  of  whicii  I  have 
kc]>t  a  record,  liesides  many  others  whicli  have  come  casually  to  my  notice. 
This  aliundant  material  merely  conlirms  the  views  1  first  exj)ressed,  in  the 
l)a]ier  alluded  to,  regarding  tiie  nund)er  and  definition  of  tiie  forms ;  their 
comparativt!  ndation  to  each  other  being  the  only  respect  in  which  I  have 
rea.son  to  modify  my  arrangement. 

In  my  first  ]ia])er  on  the  American  Tiiiiiinicnli,  three  distinct  .species  were 
recogiuzed ;  one  {^ij^nri-criiin)  belonging  to  the  whole  of  ("ontinental  America 
and  the  ].,esser  Antilles,  one  (Iritcophri/fi,  JJidgway)  to  Cuba  and  Hayti,  and 
one  (apay-rcroii/cHyXig.)  peculiar  to  Cuba.  The  first  is  one  modified  in  dif- 
ferent climatic  regions  into  several  geogTa])liical  races,  as  follows:  Var. 
sjKinrrii's,  L.,  Xortli  and  Aliddlc  America,  exclusive  of  the  gulf  and  Carib- 
bean coast  region);  var.  innhi'lliniDi,  Swains.,  the  eastern  coast  region  of 
Tropical  America,  from  (iuiana  to  Florida;  \ar.  ihiiiiiincriisin,  (Jiiicl.  (Le.s.ser 
Antilles)  ;  var.  antifrafiii,  IJidgw.  (S,,  'h  America  in  general)  ;  and  var. 
ciniiiimomiiim^,  .Swains.  (Cliile  and  Western  I>razil).  Tiiat  each  of  these 
nices  is  well  characterized,  the  evidence  of  a  series  abundantly  sullicient  to 
determine  this  point  enables  me  to  assert  without  reserve  ;  for  I  find  in  each 
instance  that  the  charac^ters  diagnosed  in  my  .synopsis  hold  good  as  well 
with  a  large  series  as  witii  a  few  specimens. 

The  following  synojjsis,  essentially  the  same  as  that  before  ])ubli^^lled, 
may,  to  most  persons,  explain  satisfactorily  my  reasons  for  recognizing  so 
many  races  of  T.  ^jiin-irriii:<,  —  a  j)roceeding  which,  T  am  sorry  to  say,  does  not 
meet  with  favor  with  all  ornithologist.s.^  Though  there  are  at  the  ])resent 
time  three  well-characterized  or  ]iermanently  dilferentiated  species  of 
Tiniiininilit."  on  the  American  continent,  yet  it  is,  to  my  mind,  certain  that 
these  have  all  descended  from  a  common  ancestral  stock,  for  evidence  in 
]iroof  of  this  is  found  in  many  specimens  wiiicli  I  consider  at  least  strongly 
"suggestive"  of  this  fact;  some  specimens  of  var.  ii^i'lic/l in ns  i'umx  Florida 
having  blue  feathers  inter.s])ersed  over  tiie  rump,  tlierel)y  showing  an  a])- 
jiiMximation  toward  the  uniformly  blue  up]ier  surface  of  the  adult  male  of 
7'.  sjiiirn  riiii/r.'i  of  the  neigh1)oriiig  island  of  Cuba  ;  while  in  the  latter  bird 
the  embryonic  plumage  of  the  male  is  very  similar  to  the  permanent  condi- 
tion of  the  male  of  spKrirrins. 

'   I'iiiicii!iiij;s  I'hilaililiiliia  Aciiilcniy  ul' XaUiial  Suioiiccs,  Dei.,  1870,  jiji.  117     119. 
-  .Si'c  l.diiiloli  lliis. 


FAI.COXID.H-TIIH    FAIX'OX.S.  101 

Synopsis  of  the  American  Species. 

A.  Dack  iihv;iys  I'uiiii'ly  nifoii-.  ^wiili  or   wiili.nii.  \<\M-k   li;i]>.)     I.owfr  parts 
while,  in-  only  liniji"!  with  ocliiMi-roiis;   I'iniii  mikI  auiii'iiliirs  ilisliiii'lly  wliitisli. 

(/.   Iniii'i'  \vcl)s  of  |iiiiimric.s  Ijancd  ''iiliri'ly  acToss,  willi  white  and  chisUy  ; 

•■UHi>laelie"  aiToss  I  lie  cheeks  i'()ns[)ienons ;  no  eonsiii(;non.s  .-iipereihary  stripe 

of  while. 

1.  T.  sparverius.'  ("rowii  hhiisii,  \\  itli  oi- witliout  a  [lateli  of  nitons. 
^.  W  ill--  ami  upper  pan  of  head  slaty,  or  asliy-lijne  ;  seapnlars,  liaek, 
iinnp,  and  tail  icddi.-.li-nifoiis;  primaries,  liasai  ladl'  of  tlie  secondaries, 
and  a  liroail   siil)terniinal    /oni'  .across   ihc'   lail,  lilaek.      9.    The   lihiish, 

i-Mi'pl  ihatoftlio  liead,  repla 1  liy  rnl'ons,  wliich  is  everywhere  liarred 

with  lilaekish,  anil  of  a  less  reililish  east,  //ali.  Entire  continent,  of 
.\nuM-ii-a,  al.so  Lesser  .Vnlilles,  iiorlh  to  Si.  Tlioina-. 

b.  Inner  welis  of  primaries  white,  merely  seriated  alon.i,'  the  :'.liai't  with 
dusky;  ■■  nin^lache  "  uli>olele  or  wanlini;;  a  coiispieiioiis  superciliary  stripe 
of  while. 

2.  T.  leucophrys."  Similar  to  njxirrcriKs,  except  as  characterized 
iilio\c.     i/iil/.    ( 'iilia  and  llayti. 

•  A  synopsis  of  the  <;oi)j;ra[iliic'al  races  ef  T.  .i/turrcn'Kx  comes  after  the  leiiiarks  on  Hint 
specii'S,  pai,'c  1  l.sti. 

-  Fiiloj  (Tiiiiiiiiiiiilti.s)  /(Krii/i/ii'iii.  Tliiniiiiiiihm  .i/xn-renn'ilf!)  (not  of  Vii,'ors  !*,  Lawkknck, 
.Villi.  I,ye.  N.  V.  1.s(i(l,  p.  1  (ill  jiart  ;  lif,'lit  nidividiuilsi.  Fulco  spKi-vrriun  (not  of  l.imi.l), 
It'diil!.  1!.  ."^a^'ia,  Hist.  Nat.  Ciilia,  p.  i:>  (pmhalily).  Vic.  /oiil.  .hairn.  1,  :i:i!»  ;  111,  ■)•!.">. 
7'itiiiiiiirii/ii.t  /■■/((■(i/iliii/.i,  lime,       Y,  I'r.  Ac.  Xat.  Sc.  I'liil.  187(i,  147.     //ith.     I'liha  and  Hayti. 

^Ii/ii/.f  (J  (:i-l,-J4t.  Ii'fiiiciliii?..  I  iiha,  Dceeinlicr  14,  IStiy  ;  N.  II.  liisliop).  Mead  ahove  laiiv,  line 
lililisli-asli,  licccaniiij;  (hroadly)  wliiic  on  furclicad  ;  the  fiatliers  with  delicate  slial'tdiiies  of  hlaek. 
Nape,  hack,  scapulars,  riiiiip,  uiijier  tail-coverts,  and  tail  rich  ]air]!lisli-nifoiis  (almo.st  exactly  as 
in  s/i(ii-n'fiii.\)  :  110  hais  on  dorsal  ivj^ion,  excepi  a  very  few  acro'^s  ends  of  hirj,'cr  poslcrior  .siapii- 
lars.  Tcairiiiial  hand  of  tail  /i)//it  ni/oi/n,  .:M  in  width;  siilitcrniiiial  /one  of  hlai-k,  viiy  rci^iilar, 
..')")  in  wiillli  ;  Literal  feather,  with  onler  welt  and  end  of  iiiiici'.  icddisli-wliilc,  tin'  hlaek  siihter- 
niinal  hand  crossini;  the  inner  well  only  ;  inner  well  anterior  to  this,  coiilimuais  rufous;  shafts 
of  tail-fcatlicis  nif  ai>.  \Viin,'s  lim- hlni.-^h-asli,  like  tlu'  crown;  middle  and  lower  coverts  with  a 
very  few  elliptical,  lihuiiliuUiuil  s]ieck.s  or  touches  of  lilack  on  the  .shafts;  sei'onilaries  passins; 
tenninally  into  white,  their  expo.sed  hasal  half  pure  Mack  ;  priniarii'S  (aire  hlaek,  cxi>ose(l  edjjes 
of  inner  wehs  paler.  Whole  under  surface  of  wiiif^s  inuiiaculate  pure  white,  with  a  faint  delicate 
reddish  tiiiffc  ;  imn'r  wehs  of  primaries  .serrated  aloii;,'  the  shaft  with  dusky.  I'\ireli<'ad  and  sii|i('r- 
oiliary  stripe  (lnoadly  and  sharply  delined  ajjailist  the  hluish  of  the  crown^  whole  side  of  the 
head  (inehidiiiL;  lores  and  ear-coverts),  and  I'litire  lower  parts,  continuous,  iininucahlc,  \nuv 
white,  with  a  delicate  oriiii^L;e  tiiifie,  except  anteriorly.  Tln^  "  niu.stache  "  is  hut  just  indicated 
by  somo  hlaekish  touches,  and  in  .some  individuals  it  is  wantiuf;  entirely,  while  in  all  it  is  very 
restricted  in  width  ;  the  other  hlaek  markiiics  of  the  hi'ad  arc,  howi'Vei'.  as  in  snimrrins.  Wiuj,'- 
formula,  2,  3-4,  1.  Win^',  7.00;  inil,  .-,.1111;  tarsus,  l.;jii;  middle,  toe,  .00;  culmen,  .Hi.  A 
specimen  in  .Mr.  LawreHK^'s  collection,  which  with  olhcrs  lie  has  kindly  lent  me  for  examiiiation, 
is  in  heaiililully  hij,di  plumajje.  It  dilfeis  from  the  type  in  liavin;,'  the  white  of  the  lower  parts 
tinned,  or  rather  Mtiiiicl,  with  a  heautiful,  delicate  rufous,  or  almost  a  sahmn-omivjf  The  ter- 
minal hand  of  the  tail  al.so  inclines  decidedly  to  this  color,  while  the  white  of  thi'  niider  surface 
of  the  wiiif,'  (particularly  towards  ends  of  secondaries  and  iiriinaries)  is  tin;,'ed  with  a  more  ]iinkish 
shadi'  of  the  same.  .Vnolhcr  of  Mr.  Lawrence's  snecimens  dillers  in  the  cliMier  wliiti>  hcueath 
(that  i.s,  with  less  reddish  tiiiee,  —  the  pnrc'uc.ss  and  coiitiniiity  does  not  vary),  wliich  I'xteuds 
entirely  around  the  neck,  Kiviiif?  a  sharper  deliiiilion  to  the  hlack  pattern.  The  "mustache," 
however,  is  almost  entirely  ah.sent  ;  the  hlack  transverse  spots  on  larger  posterior  .sea iiulars  are 
rathi'r  more  eonspiciion.s,  and  the  terminal  hand  of  the  tail  is  more  purely  white. 

$    (yi,it84,  Cuba,  .1.  Ackhiiist).     (Jeiierally  similar  to  .i/iarirriiis,  hut  rufous  hriuhti'r,  the  bars 

vol,.  III.  21 


■lf,2  NORTH  A.MKItlCAN  nillDS. 

B«  Buck  rufous  only  in  tlic  9-     l-nwci'  pints  tli'cp  liTni;,'iiM)iis-i-iirDiis ;  trout 

and  aurieuliiis  diisky. 

;j.  T.  sparveroides.'  (f.  Alnivr,  <'xi'ci>t  llic  liiil,  cuiiivly  ilnU  pluui- 
lii'oiis,  Willi  ii  liliickisli  iiiu/hiil  cnllar;  prilii:irics  iiinl  ('i1l;l's  iukI  siili- 
tci'iiiiiKil  puitiuii  of  tiiil-fi'iilliL'rs,  liliifU.  IJuiR'alli  ilccp  riil'oiis  (like  tin.' 
Iiack  nt'  .s^«(/-('(v/«s  iuid  leiico/iliri/s),  with   a   wnsli  of  |ilumliL'ous  acios.-' 

nnrrowor  mid  Ics.--  iiuiiii'toii.s  ;  the  nape  or  upper  part  nf  l«irk,  and  nun)),  liciii;'  I'most  iiiiiiiaiidati'. 
Tail  with  ten  Mack  liars,  tlicsc  scarcely  tmirliing  the  slial't  ;  llie  last  is  ali(iiil  .  wide,  llie  ntliers 
alioiit  .l(i  ;  tip  (if  tall  sean  ely  ]ialer  tliaii  liase  ;  lateral  leather  «itli  (inter  weli  edijed  Inciadly  witli 
paler  or  oeliraeeoiis  white,  rul'iuis  next  the  shall,  iniinaeiilate  ;  inner  wcli  with  (inly  three  iir  I'mir 
very  iinridw  liars  (in  teiliiiiial  half.  Head  as  in  the  male,  luit  vertex  emisideralily  tin^'ed  with  rii- 
fdiis.  Wliiile  lower  parts,  iiieliidiiig  IVoiilal  and  lateral  regions  of  t]w  head,  ennliimons  pure 
white  ;  lireast  with  a  very  faint  yellowish  tinj{e  ;  side  of  the  lireasi  and  sides  with  a  lew  seattered 
iiiimite  elliptical  longitudinal  Hakes  of  rusty,  - -more  Mack  on  the  shaft.  Whole  under  snil'aee 
ol  the  wing  while,  as  in  the  male.  Wing  roruiula,  "J,  .'i-J,  1.  Wing,  7.0(1  :  l.iil,  1.70;  tarsus, 
1.4(1;  niidille  toe,  .!»();  eulnieii,  ."il.  \  Ciilian  female  helonging  to  Mr.  I.awiciice  is  exactly 
similar.  One  in  the  S.  1.  Collei'tion,  froiu  llayti  (12,42(1,  Port  an  I'riuee,  .luue  0,  IMio;  A.  ('. 
Younglovi ),  (lilfer.s  only  in  less  imrely  lilack  hais,  and  in  utter  absence  of  the  mustache.  A  male 
from  the  same  locality  ^  I3,41>S)  is  like  it  in  the  last  respect. 

,/iir.  9  (:i4,2:!."i,  licmcdio.s,  Culia,  I)eceuilier,  lt<iJ4  ;  N.  11.  IJishop).  Similar  to  tlu^  adult 
de.serilied,  lait  jiignluiii  tinged  with  soft  iiinkisli-rul'ous,  and  the  Mack  liais  on  upiier  parts  —  es- 
pecially on  wing.s    -  with  ii  plumheou.s  cast. 

In  regard  to  this  form,  we  )nu.st  either  foii.sider  that  it  is  a  disiiiict  species,  or  (s.^iiiiic  thai  il  is 
a  light  phase  of  a  Ciihau  species,  of  which  T.  s/ninrnx'dri  may  he  the  dark  or  rulesccnt  I'lirin  ; 
knowing,  as  we  do,  that  the  dill'erenees  lictweeii  /riii-n/ilii'iin  ;{ui\  s/iiinrriiiilci  depend  (in  neither 
sex,  age,  nor  season,  then  the  only  way  to  account  for  the  two  |iha,ses  is  to  coiisi.ler  that  the 
(-'ulian  liird  (if  we  deny  it  the  rank  of  a  s^iecie.s)  presents  a  very  peculiar  example  of  dimor- 
phism. 1  have  never  yet  seen  n  .specimen  which  was  not  decidedly  one  or  the  other.  An  adult 
male  from  t'ulia  is  imniaeulate  white  beneath,  the  breast  very  strongly  tinged  with  deep  rufou.s, 
the  mustache  wholly  absent.  Two  females  liave  narrow  brown  streaks  on  the  breast,  the  mus- 
tache nearly  obsolete  ;  the  dusky  bars  on  priinaiies  and  tail  much  iiaiiower. 

LM  II/  S/icri/Miis  cxamiiial.  —  Xat.  Mils.,  7  ;  Host.  Soc,,  8;  I'hilad.  Acad.,  "_' ;  (1.  \.  Law- 
rence, 4.     Tot  d,  lii. 

Measure nirnts.  —  ^.  Wing,  fi.SO-  7.30;  tail,  4.110  -  .'i. 20  ;  eulinen,  .4,'(  ;  tarsus,  1.4.'i  :  miihlle 
toe,  .90;  .specimens,  4.  9-  ^^ '"ft  7.10-7.00;  tail,  4.90-,').i30  ;  eulmcii,  ..')0-.,'i2;  tarsus, 
1.40  ;  middle  toe,  .01  ;  specimens,  0. 

'  Fdlvii  {Tinniiiiciihis)  s/uirrcnivli/i.  Fnhn  sjirirvrroidi  •>,  Vlfior.s,  Zo^l.  ■Tourn.  Ill,  43(),  1S27  ; 
Isis,  1830,  p.  IKilj.  —  D'Onn.  (R.  de  la  Sagra).  Hist.  Cuba.  1,S40,  ji.  3(i,  jil.  i.  TiminvnilKs 
simnrmii/cs!,  Oi;.\y,  fien.  H.  ffd.  n\^.  12,  1844. --  FltASnti,  Znlil.  Typ.  pi.  xxx.  -  li(iN,\l>.  Consp. 
Av.  p.  27.  -SriiicKl,.  Orn.  Syn.  1,  100,  KS.'iO.  —  Lawh.  .\nn.  Lye.  N.  Y.  18fiO,  p.  1  (in  part 
dark  specimens^  —  IvMiiow.w,  V.  A.  \.  S.  I'hil.  Dec.  1870.  149.  Tinnniiriilu.i  t/iuiiiiiurii.ii.i 
(not  of  (iMKl..?l,  (Jli.w,  Hand  List,  I,  24,  1869.  -  (jfNIn.AUir,  lieiiert.  f'ulia,  I,  22.'i,  ISlio. 
niiipntrlorchisfin-miiiiiVH,  Sai'ss.  Hev.  et  >[ag.  Znbl.  IS.")!!,  p.  117,  jil.  iii. 

Ilith'.     f'nlia  (only  ?). 

Adult  g  (31,985,  Cuba;  J.  .\ekhurstK  Abovo,  continuously  dark  jilumlicdus.  fmni  bill  to 
the  tail,  the  shafts  of  the  feathers  black  (these  streaks  most  noticeable  on  the  heail  above^  the 
larger  scapulars  and  interscapulars  darker  centrally,  forming  indistinct  or  obscure  spots;  this 
]ihiinlieous  covers  the  whole  ne(k  laterally,  and  the  middle  area  of  the  ear-eovcrts.  An  (disolete 
"niustache"  running  from  the  lores  downward  across  the  cheeks,  a  spot  across  ends  of  the  ear- 
coverts  coninyted  with  that  on  the  neck,  and  obsoh^te  though  continuous  collar  round  the  nape, 
inclining  to  bliiek.  Primaries  wholly  black,  ba.sal  third  of  sei  (indaries  the  same.  (No  sjiots  on 
wings.)  Tail  deeji  •hestiiut,  shafts  of  feathers  black  :  teriuinal  band  dull  slate  ;  .suliterminal 
black  zone  about  .lii)  (if  an  inch  in  width,  but  instead  of  running  sharply  across,  as  in  all  the 
varieties  of  spa,\rrius  and  in  kucopliri/s,  the  black  runs  along  the  edgi;  of  each  feather,  bor- 


FAlA'OXID.K  — TllK    I'AI.CoXS.  Jgg 

ilic  jiiirnluin  ;  thrnnt  ^'niyish-wliilc.  Inner  wcli.^  of  ]irinii\fi('s  slaty, 
with  ffiiiisvci'sc  clniidiiij:'.-:  of  ilurkcr.  9'  I'iHi'iiiit:  rniin  tliiil  of  tlic 
iilinvr  .-iic'cii's  in  ilark  nilniis  lower  [lai'ls  iinil  iliisUy,  niollleil  inner 
welis  111'  |ii'ini:nii's.  Seedinl  ami  lliini  i|iiills  Ioiil-c-I  ;  lirsl  shorter  than 
o)  'Mpial  to  r.iurlh.     Ildh.    Cuba  (only  ?). 

Tlu'  tlistiiioiiisliiiii^'  cliiiraclcis  oj'  /'.  .•ijnirirrinti  Iiiiviii;,'  liecii  ,!j;iv(,'n  in  tlie 
Inic.Udiiio- syiin|isis,  I  will  lifiv  fiiiisiiU.T  this  Species  in  rc.v'unl  tn  tlie  iiiodiliLa- 
li<iiis  it  expL'i'iiMicL'.s  in  tlio  dillbreiil  re<;ions  ul'  its  ^CDgiaiiiiiciil  (listi'il)utinn. 

Tlu!  wliulc  1)1'  continental  Anu'riea,  I'roni  tlio  Art'tie  regions  to  almost  the 
extreme  of  Sontli  America,  and  from  ocean  to  ocean,  is  inlialiiteil,  so  far  as 
kiuiwn,  hy  l)ut  tills  oni!  sjiecies  oC  Tnnni/iin/iis.  lUil  in  (litlerent  portions 
of  this  vast  extent  of  territoi'V  the  species  ex])eriences  modilications  under 
the  iulluence  ol'  certain  climatic  and  other  local  conditions,  which  are  here 
characterized  as  ,ij;e(\L;rai)]dcal  races  ;  these,  let  mc  say,  present  tlieir  distinc- 
tive characteristics  with  j^reat  uidrormily  and  constaiu;y,  altiiough  the  dit- 
t'crenci's  i'rom  tlie  typical  or  restricted  sjiamrii's  an;  not  very  great.  The 
/'.  ajHirirriiiji  as  restricteil,  or  what  is  more  projierly  termed  var.  sp((rirriiin, 
inhabits  tlie   whole  of  North  and  ^Middle-  America  (both  coasts  iuclnded, 

ili'rin',' it  nearly  to  (lie  Imsc  ;  the  lateral  feather  has  both  wehs  conliinKms  ileep  eliestnut,  the 
lip  slate,  the  suhterniiiial  spot  and  shaft  hiaik.  Chin  anil  thi'Dal  tlull  ashy-white  ;  rest  of  lower 
]iarts  eiintimious  deep  chestnut-rnlnns,  this  jialest  on  the  anal  re.!,'ioM,  and  tin^vil  with  slate 
aeross  the  jn.Liuhiin  as  well  as  on  the  llaidis,  where  there  are  a  very  few  darker  spots.  (The  ehe.-,t- 
luit  lieneath  is  iinspoltecl.)  Inner  welw  of  primaries  mottled  alonj;  the  eilj,'e  with  paler  slate,  this 
runiiin,'  in  jininls  toward  the  shafts,  f,'ivin,^'  an  idea  of  bars.  Wii.n-formula,  2,  :i-  1,  1.  AViiig, 
7.011;  tail,  4.  ITi  ;  tar^ns.  ].:!!  ;  middle  toe,  .'.Ml;  eulmen,  .fja. 

g  {■2'.\r,7'.<,  I'nl.a,  A|.ril  2',;  ChaWes  Wrifjht).  Mead  above,  dark  plumbeons  ;  f,.athers  with 
darker  shaft-lines  :  blaek  .striiies  of  head  more  sharply  delliied  than  in  the  male.  Above,  (fon- 
tiiuKinsly  dei'p  rnfous  (bri^diter  and  more  ferrn;,'inons  than  in  the  ditlerent  styles  of  s/mnrrin.s), 
eontinu.msly  liarred,  as  in  var.  siiKrrn-hin,  bnt  blaeker,  the  bars  on  npper  part  of  baek  with 
teiidenry  to  loni;itndinal  direetion.  Tail  with  twelve  narrow,  sharply  defnied  bars  of  bhiek  ; 
but  the  t;i<'nnil-eolor  eontinuons  rufous  to  the  tip,  the  lateral  feather  as  (h'eply  rufous  a.s  the 
middle.      Imiei-  webs  of  primarie.s  deep  rusty-rufous,  with  twcdve  very  narrow  traiisvei-.se  liars 

of  dusky  I'rossin.i,'  to  the  ed,i;e.     The  ndddle  area  of  tl ar-eoverts,  with  the  i  hin  ami  throat,  is 

dull  wh.  e;  the  rest  of  the  lower  parts  (inrludinj;  .side  of  the  neck)  and  whide  liniii^j;  of  the 
win,^'  an-  deeii  rusty-rufous,  jialer  on  the  (frissum,  nearly  white  on  the  anal  re.uion  ;  these  iv^'ions 
have  no  spotN  exeept  on  the  Hanks,  where  are  a  few  narrow  transverse  bars.  Wiiij,'- formula,  '_>, 
;i--l,  1.     Wiuir,  7. On  :  fuil,  .(.-I.-,  ;  tarsu.s.  1.;!ll;  middle  toe,  .<in  ;  eulmen,  .ol. 

.///(■.  (?  (:i!MiiS,  Ihinedios,  Cuba,  Deeend.er  11,  lS(i:!  ;  N.  \l.  liishop).  (i,.neral  apjiearanee 
of  the  adult  ;  but  baek,  seapular.s,  rump,  and  upper  tail-.'overts  ehe.stnut-rufous,  uinforni  with 
the  tail ;  these  parts  are,  however,  striini,dy  i  loudeil  with  more  bluish  .slate,  and  the  lilaeki.sh  .spot.s 
are  more  dislinet.  The  blaek  .!one  of  the  tail  runs  more  .sharply  aero.s.s,  and  is  narrower  than  in 
the  adult.  The  middle  area  of  the  ear-eoverts  is  nearly  as  lif;ht  as  the  throat.  The  rulbii.s 
beneath  is  h'.ss  ea.staneon.s,  as  W(dl  as  le.ss  eoiitinuous,  beromini,'  nearly  white  on  abdonuMi  ami 
tibia;  the  shity  tin^'e  on  the  ju!,'uluni  i.s  wautiiif,'.  Win.L^-formula,  ,!,  i-.l,  _].  AVin^',  O.S.'j  ; 
tail,  .J.lMi  ;  tar.-ns,  l.-Jii;  iiiidille  toe,  .!Mi  ;  eulmen,  .oO. 

?  Vl^JiWu  .Monte  Verde,  Cuba,  .luly  Hi,  ISiil  ;  Charles  \Vri,i,ditV  Dilferiiif;  from  the  adult  in 
the  .same  resjiects  as  does  that  of  .s/»/,v,  ,/,/s',  the  ehief  dilferenees  eousistiiij;  in  the  deeper  eliest- 
nut of  the  tail,  and  broader  and  blaeker  bars  above.  Kufons  beneath,  with  numerous  sagittate 
spots  of  blaek  ;  lower  lail-eoverts  with  .subterminal  bars,  and  liiiiii,i;  of  the  wiii<r  with  sparse 
streaks  of  the  .same.      l'luiiia.i;e  generally  with  a  bh'uded  aiijiearanee.     ■\Vinf;-foriiuila,  2,  :!-  1  —  1, 


164  XnKTII  A.MKIMCAX  nillDS. 

cxm'iit  lliDsu  III'  tlie  dull'  nf  ^frxico  ami  ('iiiililx'aii  Sea),  south  to  tlic 
Isihuiiis  of  raiiaiua.  Tliroiinliout  lliis  wlioli^  n'i,noii  it  is  cvcrywlu'ic  iiraily 
tlic  sauu^  liinl.  Tliis  xaiictv  a|p|i('ais  to  r(']prt'.sciit  tiic  sjii.'cics  in  its  <;reatt'.st 
luiiily,  i)i'iii,y  a  sort  of  (•(•iilial  loriii  IVoiu  wliifli  llii-  otlicrs  radiati'.  TIic  most 
typical  cxamjilcs  of  tlic  \ai'.  xfiiirrrn'ns  uw  tlic  siit'cimciis  in  tlio  lurj;i;  series 
IVom  the  L'li^vati'd  veyioiis  or  iilatcaii  of  Mexico  ami  (iiiatciiiala.  hi  these 
the  riilniis  of  the  crown  is  most  cxlemled  liii  mnie  is  it  at  all  restricted), 
and  the  ashy  jiortions  are  oi"  the  linest  or  Muest  and  lightest  tint. 

All  specimcMis,  of  (juite  a  largi'  series,  I'roni  tiu'  peninsida  of  Lower  Cali- 
fornia, are  eonsidiM'alily  smaller  than  tiny  others,  the  smallest  (1,(5113  ^  ad. 
San  .lose  ;  .1,  Xantus)  measiirin<,',  winu,  <i..")(l ;  liiil,  4.L'(I,  and  tarsus,  !..">(•; 
the  dwarfed  si/e  of  these,  however,  is  their  oidy  distinguishing  feature. 
Two  specimens  (.■">(l,l!);i,  (J,  Cape  Florida,  and  ln,l>4.">,  9,  Indian  Key)  fiom 
Floi'ida  (lill'er  fr(»m  others  in  the  unusual  de\i'lopnient  of  the  hill,  Avhicli 
toward  the  end  is  more  suddenly  e\irved.  and  the  point  considerably  len,i,'th- 
I'ued  ;  these  specimens  have,  also,  only  a  tin^e  of  rufous  on  the  (!rown,  thus 
.showing,'  a  jproximity  to  the  var.  isulu// In /',•<.  The  lar^v  hill,  however,  is  no 
more  than  would  lie  lookiid  for  in  specimens  from  that  region. 

Along  the  (iulf  lionler  of  the  Cnited  Stati's,  and  the  CariMiean  and  Xcu'th 

Wiiij;,  7.  JO  ;  liii!,  I..s.")  ;  lav.sus,  l.liO;  iiiiddli'  lin',  .!Mi.  .\ii(illicr  .s|iiiiiiifii  (No.  'j:!,;')-!"),  Montu 
Viiili',  .hily  17,  l^^iil  ;  •'.  \Viii;]il)  is  imicli  tlic  saiiir,  lnu  li:i>  liistiml  .s|ii)l.s  of  lilaik  011  tlu'  aliilo- 
lui'ii,  anil  ti'ai'-.sliaiK'il  iiiaiUiii^' of  tlic  saiin' cm  llir  .-n  aimliiis.  'I'lir  yoiiiif;  IVnialc  of  tliis  species 
lii'ars  a  rciiiaikalily  ciosi'  rcscinlilaMcc  to  tlic  yoimi;  ol'  '/',  fiinii-liifiis,  Ciiv.,  of  Maila,i;!iscai',  aj;vcc- 
iiifj  alnio.st  entirely  witli  it  in  colois,  with  tlic  cxcclitioii  of  tlio.-c  on  the  tail,  tlic  liais  on  wliicli 
arc  lilack  ami  asli,  in.^lcail  of  Mack  ami  iiifoii.-;.  Wlicllicr  it  lie  coii.siilcicd  a  distinct  spccii^s  of 
not,  the  '/'.  siiiinri-iii'lis  I'eitainly  uradcs  into  tlic  T.  s/mrn  fiiix,  in  the  vci-y  iii'ai-  iclation  of  an 
nherrant  coinlition  of  tin'  adult  jiIkim-  of  ihi'  latter,  noticed  in  s]ieciiiieiis  froni  I'loiida  and  adjoin- 
iliK  )ioHioiis  of  t)ie  Soiitli  Aineiicaii  .mil  tiuif  coast,  and  the  youii;;  normal  or  usual  |iliinia.L;e  of  the 
foiiiicv.  As  is  Welt  known,  the  yoiini,'  ^  sjuiri't-riiiiis  has  a  leddisli  and  also  more  or  less  liaiied  or 
.simtted  liack,  as  iii  the  male  of  all  the  races  of  .■./mrr'  riiis  at  all  aj,'cs  ;  the  intcinicdiale  or  transi- 
tion dress  of  the  yiiiini,'  male  sliowiiii;  cloudiiics  of  |iliimliciiu>  in  the  rufous,  indicative  of  the 
coniing  uniform  iiluinlieous  of  pcrfccl  maturity.  N'nw,  kiiowiiij;  that  a  wholly  |iliimlicous  dorsal 
rcjrion  in  the  aihilt,  and  wliollv  or  mostly  rufous  dorsal  region  in  the  young  male,  arc  character- 
istic features  of  7'.  x/i'iri-i  rnlihx,  we  are  somewhat  siir|iriseil  to  iiiid  in  adult  males  of  T.  s/iiinrn'n.-i 
var.  isiilii-lliiiii-i  from  florid  i,  a  greater  nr  li>s  mixluie  of  |iluuilicous  feathers  in  various  parts  of 
tile  dorsal  region,  iiarliciilaily  in  the  riiniii  and  ii|i|ier  tail-coverts.  Many  s|ieciiiicns  from  this 
loi'ality  show  another  apiiroach  to  tin-  young  male  of  .■</iiin-ri-iiii/(.i  in  the  deep,  unspotted  rufous 
of  the  lower  parts,  sonictimes  the  Iliioat  only  hciiig  white.  A  yoiuig  luiile  of  x/i'irn  nu'dia  from 
C'ulin,  and  an  adult  male  of  s/hirrm'ti-t  .said  to  he  from  ('iilia,  are  at  a  cur.sury  glance  not  distiii- 
guishahle  ;  ii  close  comparison,  however,  will  diNclose  the  fact,  that  ill  the  former,  the  hadly 
defined  licad-niarkings,  nearly  ohsoletc  lilack  markings  on  the  wings  (including  hasal  simcc  of  the 
secondarii'S,  which  is  cons|iicuonsly  and  sharply  dcliiicd  in  the  other  spi'cimcnl,  and  the  lilniied 
character  of  the  iiars  over  inner  wehs  of  ]iriniaries,  remain  as  characters  distinguishing  the  for- 
mer. The  lateral  tail-feather,  too,  has  its  outer  well  deep  rufous,  while  it  is  white,  hlack- 
spolteil,  in  the  specimen  of  s/hn-i-iriiis. 

J.ist  (,/  S/irciiiirn.f  ,:riiiiiiiii:i/.  —  Nat.  Mils.,  11  ;  ISost.  Soc,  \i ;  I'liihid.,  1  ;  (t.  N.  Lawrence,  4  ; 
I!.  Hidgway,  1.     Total,  'J:!. 

Mi-usuirinnils.  -  g.  Wing,  li.UO  7.10  ;  tail,  I.SO-S.IO;  culinen,  .50;  tar.sus,  1.4,"j-14S; 
niiddh' toe,  .90.  S]iecinicns,  4.  9'  ^^''"rJ>  7.00-7.50;  tail,  5.00-5.15;  culnicn,  .50;  tarsus, 
l.ys  -  1.40  ;  middle  toe,  .SS-.DO.     Specimens.  :3. 


FAUONID.K  — TIIK    FAI.CoNS.  165 

Atliiiilic  cdii.Hts  (if  Smitli  Aiiii'iicii  (pinlialily  tlic  wliolo  Atliinli(^  cnast  nl' 
tiipjiical  iiiid  siil)trn|iical  Aiiicrica),  the  Inic  simrnriux  is  cliaii.m'il  iiilu  what 
Swaiiisdii  lias  calU'il  "  luilm  isclnlliiiiis"  wliicli  ilin'iTs  rnnii  llic  Idiiiu'r  only 
in  liaviii;,^  llic  I'iiicrcoiis  ul'  tlii'  cmwii  ami  \viii,i,'s  cuiisidcralily  darker  (as  well 
as  Il'ss  liluislii,  apiiriiacliiiij;'  ])1iiiiiIhmmis  ;  liio  rut'niis  iif  tlu'  cniwii  is  totiiUy 
alisi'iil,  or  (iiily  prcsiMit  in  I'aiiit  tiuiclii's  ;  tlic  lower  parts  arc  (if  a  deeper 
(icliraceinis,  and  tlii'  lilaidv  spots  ou  tlie  linast  and  sides  sparse. 

Allied  to  the  last  in  tints  of  enloration,  and  apparently  a  direct  ollslioot 
rnmi  it,  is  the  (/ow//;/V(';/.s'/.s'  of  (Iniclin  (liascd  upon  description  liy  Itrisson), 
which  inhaliits  the  Lesscy  Antilles,  from  Trinidad  northward  to  I'orto  Ifico. 
Althoii,L,'li  I  consitk-r  this  (var.  ilnuiinln iisis)  as  a  inodilit'd  form  of  the  var. 
isiilii/liinin,  \\'t  it  is  til"  one  of  all  the  varieties  rd'errilile  to  .'i/Kirirrii'x 
which  deviates  most  widely  from  the  typical  or  original  style.  Tia'  charac- 
ters of  this  are,  tints  those  of  \ai'.  isuliil/iin's,  luit,  in  addition,  the  tail  lias 
mimorous  more  or  less  com]ilcte  Mack  hands,  while  tho.so  of  the  hack  and 
scapidars  iire  very  liroad  and  numerous  ;  also,  the  crown  has  a  decided  rufous 
]iatch;  tiie  liill,  too,  is  lainer  tlian  in  any  other  Anutrican  memher  of  the 
jicnus.  A  .style  of  consideralile  uniformity,  spreads  over  the  whole  of  Soutli 
America,  including,'  liotli  coasts,  from  lionotu  to  the  Parana,  exceptinj,'  the 
northeastern  coast  region,  liefore  mentioned  as  iiihaliited  hy  the  var.  i.-idlii/- 
/iiiKfi.  It  (litters  from  all  the  otlier  styles,  except  the  chuKdiuiiniiii's  of  Chile, 
in  liavini,'  the  lower  parts  continuously  dull  white,  any  ocliracc'ous  tinj^e 
heiiiu  scarcely  jierceptilile  ;  there  is  seldom  a  trace  of  rufous  on  the  crown, 
which  has  the  lijjht  hluish  tint  seen  in  var.  .siinrirriiia,  and  the  lilack  zone 
of  the  tail  is  s(,'arcely  more  than  half  as  wide  as  in  the  northern  races.  In 
size,  also,  it  somewhat  exceeds  the  otiiers.  Swainson  named  this  "  Foiro 
f/rxri/in"  ;  hut  the  F.  (Ti/nii'iicii/ii,-<)  (/nni/is  oi'  Lesson  lieinj,' a  diflbrent  sjie- 
cie.s,  and  the  name  as  apiilied  to  it  of  jirior  date,  I  have  bestowed  upon  the 
present  liird  the  name  var.  nia^tmlis. 

In  Chile  and  lirazil  (Western  ')  we  find  a  form  resemlilinj?  the  last  in  some 
respects,  lait  diH'erini^'  in  jioints  of  almost  specific  value.  Tt  differs  from  all 
the  other  American  nuMuliers  of  the  j^'enus  in  having  the  tail  continuously 
rufous  (o  the  extreme  tiji,  the  lilack  /one  being  cousideralily  narrower  than 
the  terminal  rufous,  the  lateral  tail-feather  immaculate  rufous,  etc.  The 
grayi.sh  of  the  head  is  much  darker  and  more  .slaty  than  in  the  var.  (ms/rd/ia. 
Tiiis  is,  without  doubt,  the  Fi'/ro  rlniuiinohiiiim^  of  Swainson,  (ln!  specimens 
in  the  collection  corresjionding  exactly  with  the  deserijition  by  that  author. 

The  rufous  patch  on  tlie  crown  must  not  be  too  much  considered,  as  it  is 
of  all  characters  ]ierhaps  the  most  tn^icherous,  though  its  ]iresence  or 
aUsence  is  in  a  measure  characteristic  of  the  several  varieties.  Neither  does 
the  exact  number  of  spots  on  the  lateral  tail-feather  prove  sulliciently  con- 
stant to  serve  as  a  character  in  which  the  least  reliance  (^an  be  i)laced, 
thotigh  Swainson  attaches  considerable  value  to  it.  1  have  found  that, 
besides  varying  almost  with  the  individual,  in  some  siiecimeiis  the  feather-:, 
of  o])posite  sides  did  not  correspond. 


100  NORTH  AMKIMCAX   UlltDS. 

Aliniit  two  luimlicil  and    lilly  s|ic('iiiu'iis  I'uria  llu'  luiftis  of  llu!  rollinviug 
syiKipsis. 

A,  T;iil  li|i|iiMl  Willi  wliilr;  iiiilcr  tiiil-li'iitlicrs  (.iiii'  or  iimrr)  viuii'^'iilril. 

II.    ij .     Ilcml  iilmvc,  mill  u  iiiL'.^,  liiir  li|iiisli-ii>li :   M>iiiilly  ■nn' kiil-lriii  lirr  diilv 
(the  iiiili'i)  ViiricLTiiU'il. 

1.    Vi'llt'X   wilh  11  c'i)|is|iiclli)ll~  |iMlcll  111'  Mllolis.        ^.      lllurk    Zni Illic 

liiil  1.00   ill   wiilili;  liit'iist   slriiiii,'l_v  tiiij;i'i|    wllli  uclirin'cniis ;  s|iiil>   of 
Miii-U  on  llic  lii'i'iist   or  siilcs   firriiliir.      9-    Abovi'  riilvoiis-iiilims,  llic 
wlinli'  liri'nsi  mill  siilrs  willi  loiiirilinliiiiil  iliislics  of  i\  lij.'lilfr  lint  nl'  llu- 
wiiiu'.      /lull.    Coiiliiu'iil   of  Noilli  Aliiciii'ii  iimili  of  Piiiimiii  (i\ii'|il 
t'lU'iiilii'mi  mill  dull' coast)  ......       \:\y.  s /iii  r  i- 1- r  i  ii  s, 

2.  Vi'itcx  with  only  »  tiiu'c  of  riifons,  or  none  at  all.  ^.  lll:iiU  /out' 
of  tail  only  .(10  in  widili;  lirt'a.-^t  nearly  pure  white:  .>^pi)ls  of  lil;ii-l< 
iisnally  only  on  llir  .■^iilcs,  clliiitieal.  9-  AImivc  \  iii:iri'ons-riiliin>^;  loii'.'i- 
liiiliiial  in  irlsiii,L;s  liriiralli  ilcc|ii'r  lirowii.  /Jul).  Coiitiin'iit  of  Smilli 
Aini'iica  (I'.M'i'iit  -N'ortli  Allantir  mnl  ("ariMioan  I'oa.st)         .      viir.  n  k  si  rii  I i s.^ 

1  Fiilcn  K/Kiri'iriiis,  viir.  inish'niis.  Fnh'n  ijrurili.s  (not  of  I.i  s.'^os  !),  Swains.  An.  Mi'iiiij;.  ]>. 
'2S\,  Ksys.  Fulfil  .1/111  rni'i  IIS  (not  of  I.iw.v.i's  •.),  Tscniiii.  raun.  I'cr.  An.  [i.  lln.  '/'iinnniniliis 
.■(//((/•(•(V'/k.*  (not  of  Vlf.li.l.or  I),  Daijw.  /ool.  Wrui^.  yi,  iii,  lili,    Jlitliiis  .\/>iirirriiis,  Simx,  .\v.  liiiK. 

I,    Itl.       ///'/'((.< '/(I/H(/mVi/iv/v  (not  /•'.   i/ri,(i//(/(r/(.v,\  of  (IMI.I. IN   I),  Sl'IX,    Av.    iinis.    I,    111.        Tiililllll- 

cuius  i/niiiiiiifiiisis,  Sikuki,.  Orii.  .'^yii.  I,  Kill,  1^.■)."|  (in  |iiiit>.  1'.  .^/ifii-nrins,  v;ir.  niislnilis, 
l;ui(;wAV,  I'.  A.  N.  ,><.  I'liil.  Uw.  KsTii,  Mil. 

Hull.  .Mii>l  of  iinitiiicntal  Smitli  Aiin'rica,  oxci'|it  the  N'oilli  Atlaiilir  ami  tlic  CiniMiraii 
coasts,  wliiMi'  r<'|ilai'ril  liy  the  var.  isnl'illiiiiis.  In  Cliile  ami  Wrstirn  liia/il,  iiiixiil  willi,  lait 
not  ii'|ilaii'il  hy,  var..'  i-iiiiiiiuiniiiiiiiis, 

Ailiill  ^  C-'iMi:!;,  i'aiana  ;  Coll.  of  the  I'.  .S.  I'araj^nay  Kxp.i.  Similar  to  var.  sjiiirrn-iiis. 
lleail  iihove  with  the  rufous  entirely  waiitiii;;  ;  rufous  of  the  iilumaei.  more  viniiei'ous  ;  hlaek 
hats  of  the  seaiailars  aliuost  tiaiisver.sely  eonlate,  ami  nearer  tile  eml  of  the  feather  ;  Maik  zone 
of  the  tiiil  only  .liil  of  an  imh  wide.  Hemalli  eoiilimiously  while,  with  elliptieal  spots  or  streaks 
of  pine  hlaek  on  sides,  lieeoiiiiiiii  somewhat  liieiilar  on  the  Hanks.  Wiiij;,  T.Tn  ;  tail,  a. oil  ;  tar- 
sus, 1.40  :  luiddle  toe,  .'.ej  ;  I  iiliiien.  .4S.  In  alt  respects,  except  the  points  deserihed,  resenililili;,' 
the  true  s/iiii-nriiis  of  North  .Viiierica,  of  wliidi  it  is  nothiii;;  more  than  a  j;eoi,'iaphiriil  race,  and 
■A  Hut  very  slfondy  marked  one,  thou,i;h  the  dill'ereiiees  indicated  are  very  eoiisliint. 

9  (.■ii',0l'2,  Ihazil  ;  Sr.  |)ou  Fred.  Alhiiipienpie^.  Very  similar  to  .s/mn-i riiis  ,-  the  rufous, 
eipially  jiale,  is,  however,  more  vinaceoiis  ;  the  tail  deeidedly  less  rilfcsceiit.  'file  hlaek  hars  are 
ahout  the  same,  hut  on  llie  tail  tie  re  are  thirteen,  and  the  suhteiniinal  one  is  seareely  Inoaih  r 
than  the  rest  ;  the  lateral  tail-fcither  has  the  hars  only  on  inner  well,  and  lure  almo.-t  waiiliii^'. 
Head  aliove  iis  in  the  male,  liriuj;  without  the  rufous  tiui,'e  on  tlie  vertex,  lieiicalh  yiUowi^h- 
wliite.  aliout  like  .i/uirririiis;  the  wlnde  hrenst  and  side  with  nnmeious  longitudinal  dashes  of 
dceji   lirown,   similar  in   form  to  s/nn-rn-lns,   lint  of  iiiiieh   deeper   tint.      Inner  well  of  loiinest 

|irimaiy  with  twidve  trail, ver.se  hars  of  white,  these  .searecdy  exe lin,!,'  the  dusky  ones.      Wiiij;- 

fiii  inula,  2,  :!-4-1.      Win;.',  ".Ml;  t.iil,  ."■.20;  tarsus,  l.:!0:   iniddle  toe.  .li.'i  ;  culnien,  .,").". 

./"(•.  g  (lti.."i70,  r.ou'ota  ;  W.  r.vaiis).  Dilferini;  from  the  adnll  in  deeper  rufons  mid  liroader 
lilack  liais  :  those  on  the  tail  twelve  in  niimlier,  more  than  dnulilinn  in  width  tliose  oj'  the  adult  ; 
markiui;s  lienealh  nimi'  hleiided,  darker  hiowii.  Dilfers  from  youiiu  of  var.  s.un-ri  ,-iiis  \]\  luiieh 
li.irhter  rufous  a  hove  ;  less  |iuiely  Mack  liars;  entire  aliseuee  of  rnfous  on  eiMwn,  and  narrower 
shaft-streaks  heri'  ;  less  oehraeeous-white  heneath,  and  less  Mended  niarkin^;s. 

Li'.sf  iif  S/ii-i-iiiinis  ■•.i-iiiiiiiiii/.  N'iil.  Mils.,  ]ii  ;  Most.  Sue.,  :'. ;  I'liilad.  .\cad..  1(1  ;  \.  ^'.  Mus., 
4;  JIus.  Conip.   Zoid.,  2;    1!.  liidirway,  1.     Total,  42. 

.Ueii.iiimitnils.  —  ^ .  Wiuj;.  (k.so  -  7.1I0  :  tail,  4.7."i  -  ."i.!'(l  ;  culmeii,  .4.s  ..'iH  ;  tardus.  1.4n - 
l.aO;  niiildle  toe,  .!>(l  - 1  .(1(1.  Speei us,  1".  9.  Wim;.  7.2ii  -  S.l.'i  ;  tail,  ."i.ln  ."..Ml;  cul- 
nien, .48 -.".2;  tarsus,  1.20-1..'i2;  middle  toe,  .!l(i.     Specimens,  2.'i. 


I'AI.CONID.H  — THE    I'AI.CdNS.  167 

h.    ^.    llcinl  iiliiivr.  iiii'l  wiiwjs,  iliiik   Miii-li-plmiiliroiis;  si'Vcnil   nulrr  ImH- 
IrlilliiTs  Mirii'j;iil"i|. 

:;.  \'(iiiA    w  ilidiii   ;iii_\    inrMiis.      ^,    Auii-rini'  |»ii'lioii.s  Ipfiii'iiili  (l('r|i 

(irhiacfnii^.  wilhnul  .-|inls.  Tiiil  willmiil,  imliiMl  icill  (if  liill's  iUllc-ior  Ici 
the  >i|liliTliiill;il  niir  ;  \>\:\r\s  li.ilx  almVi'  cnlirniril  Id  hirj^vr  scii]iill,irs. 
9.    Alii'M'  H'l'iii-iiKiiis,  wilh   till'   liliick    liiil.1  liioailci' Mini  lilai'kci'  liiiili 

ill  cillicr  111'  ihr  |ii' liiiLT.     //"/'.    <'iill',  ('iirililiciii,  iiiiil  Allaiilic  cua-^ls 

i>r  llii|iiciii  niiililiriilal  AllMTira  (  l''liiriila  lo  ( 'ayrllllc)  .  Var.  i  s  d  li  i- 11  i  ii  ii  H . 
■I.  N'fi'U'X  wilh  a  pah-ii  nl'  riilnii-.  ^.  lilaik  .■-iiiils  liciicalli  iiiiiiicroii-:, 
liii'^'i'  ami  I'ii'i'illar.  'I'ail  willi  iimn  nr  li'>s  rciiii|il('li'  Mai'U  liars  aiilrriiii' 
I.I  ihr  siililfniiiiial  liiiiiil.  soiiii'liiiics  ivj;'iiliii'ly  liiirinl  to  llii>  lia.M';  lilaclv 
liai-^  iilidVi'  cMViTiiijr  I'liliri'  riili)iis  siirliii'i-.  9-  '"^imil'il'  '"  ill'''-  "'' 
i.idhiltiiiHs^  bill,  lllill'Uili;js  licliralli  lllnlr  lllllllr|ni|<,  ami  |iun'  Mark 
in-lcail  111'  lii'owii.      J/i(l>.     l-i'sscr  Alililk's,  liuilli  l;i  Si.  Tluiiiias, 

\  ar.   (/()  III  i  II  i  r  r  II  s  in} 

1  I'\i/fii  s/iiin-'  liiii,  var.  iliniiiiii'riisis,  .Irri/iiti  r  (.l''xiiliiii\  ihiiiiiiiir'Hsit,  I'lliLssdN,  Orii.  I,  ',i>'.<, 
]il.  x.wii.  r.  'J,  ITiio.  /•'"''  iltiiiiliiia-iisi^i,  (i.MKl.lN,  Sy.sl.  Xal.  p.  '.'>'>,  1"M».  Tiiiiiitiiciilim 
i/iiiiiiiii<i  iisi.i,  Sri;ii  Kl..  Orii.  Syii.  I,  KMi,  l^.'i.'p  |iii  |Nn-t  nnly).  Tiiiiiiiiii:ultin  sjiitfCiriun,  var. 
(/ii,iii,i!r,ii>~i\;  l;iiii;WAV,  I'r.  Ac.  Nal.  Sr.  I'liilail.  I>n'.  l>7ii,  I  l!». 

lliih.     l.csM'i-  ,\iililli's  ijiiitli  tci  I'ditii  liiiii  anil  St.  'I'licniia-^. 

.Iilii/I  ^    (.'I'i,  !->,  SI.  liarlhulciiii  ;  ridlrssdr  Siimlcvall).      IJcsrinhliiii;  var.  iifi/irniiiii.t  in  ;j,rn 


cial  a|i|ii'aiaan',  lull  ilaiUiT,  ami  imiii'  heavily  liariril  aliovc  ;  liiMH-atli  linicli  liniri'  simltril.  Head 
aliovr  Willi  lilaiki>li  slial'l-slivak.s  and  vertex  wilh  a  |iateli  nl'  riiroii- ;  this,  Iiciwever,  MHiie- 
what  ir.slrielei'.  liiirmi^  aliiive,  with  iimneroiis  lirciail  liar.-,  nl'  Mark,  ihi's..  riiiniin^  eoiitimicmsly 
aerii>s  ami  extemliii;,'  aiiti'rinrly  to  the  iieek  ;  niiiiii  even,  with  a  lew  very  .small,  tiansver.sely 
.sa^'iltate  .speiks  iil'  the  haiiic.  Tail  eio.s.se(l  liy  nine  jierleelly  ref^iilaf  ami  .sliai'|ily  ilejined  nanow 
liainls  111'  pure  Mack,  ant.'rior  In  the  Milileriniiial  zuii.',  which  is  almiit  .Sil  nl'  an  inch  wide  ;  mitci' 
l'<'allic'.' while,  tin;,'ed  mi'ilially  wilh  riil'iins,  haired  wilh  lilack  ti)  tin-  ha.se.  lilack  '.(Milling  in 
dark  ciiierenus  nl'  the  win;,'  very  cxanneraled  in  eoinparisiin  wi'h  vat',  s/iiinriiii^.  Maikin^.s 
heneath  very  miincr.iii.s,  the  sid.'s  h.an;.'  ihi.kly  niaiki'd  wilh  lari,'c  cdrdate  or  nearly  circular  spnt.s 
of  black,  thcsi'  fjrowinj;  larj^cr  tnwar.l  the  llaiiks.  The  iulnus  nl'  the  hreasl  is  ahout  a.s  in  var. 
isdlif/Ziiiiis.  Wiii,i,',  ti.sn;  tail,  ."i.lii;  tarsus,  ]  .In ;  niiddli' tnc,  .'.i  I  ;  cnlnieii,  ."i;!.  AVin>,'-l'iir- 
niula,  :i--J-  1,  .-.,  I'l     1. 

9  (."i-,!-'.'.  St.  liarthiilci'ii  ;  Prol'cssor  Siimlevain.  lilack  hamls  almvi'  ex.-ei'diiiL;  in  lnvadth 
the  niroiis  lines  ;  each  I'catlii'r  dl'  ihi'  head  aliiive  with  a  .sharp  inediid  stre.ik  dl'  Mack.  Tail  with 
tw.'lvc  hands  (if  lila.'k  ;  oiitcr  feather  approaehin;;  white.  Markin;,'s  heneath  pure  Idack,  as  in 
the  male  ;  ihcir  cdnrsi'  ldn;;ilmliiial  anteiidvly,  on  the  siih's  more  circular,  transverse  on  Ihu 
'laiiks.     AViiiL,',  IJ.T'I  ;  tail,  .'i. 00  ;   tarsus,  l.yii  ;  middle  toe,  l.OU  ;  ciilineii,  .,");!.      \Viiij,'d'diniiila, 


<I 


The  male  selected  for  the  type  is  an  extreine  example  ;  no  dtlicrs  have  the  character  of  tlio 
variety  pie.seiiti'd  in  a  defjit'e  as  exa},'f,'''''''t'''l  "'<  '1'''*  specimen.  Nds.  3iiiJ  (^)  and  170  ^9^  "'  t'"' 
Mryaiit  ('olh'clioii)  from  I'orto  liico,  and  No.  ;!i!,r)."i  I  {^,  St.  Thomas;  liohert  Swift),  may  he  takiii 
as  more  ]ierl'ect,  or  rathi'r  as  average  representatives  of  the  variety.  Tlie.se  two  males  are  almost 
exactly  similar.  They  havi'  the  hack  as  strongly  hariiMl  as  in  the  ty|ie,  and  the  hlack  spots  on 
the  rump  are  as  iidticeahli' ;  hut  the  tail,  iiisli'ad  of  heiii;;  cros.scd  hy  re,i;ular.  pcrfi'clly  i-oiitimioiis, 
sharply  delined  hands,  lias  thi'se  hroader  and  more  hroken,  heiii;;  indicated  <iuly  liv  spots  aloni^ 
the  ed^;.'  ;  they  also  decrease  in  width  toward  the  base.  The.  I'orto  ]!ico  siiecimen  has  very  much 
ashy-while  between  the  two  last  black  bars,  this  beinj;  found  on  the  four  lateral  feathers  ;  between 
the  next  two,  on  three  featlier.s,  etc.  The  other  specimen,  however,  is  deslitiiti'  of  this  ashy- 
white,  altlion.i,di  the  outer  wi'b  of  the  lateral  feather  is  ]Mire  white,  —  spoiled,  however,  with 
black.  In  the  I'orto  Kico  specimen  the  breast  is  as  deeply  ochraceoiis  as  in  the  ixiiklliiiiix  style  ; 
hut  the  spois  are  larf^cr  and  more  iiuiiii'ioiis  even  than  in  any  examples  of  .s/iiin-rriiis.  A  female 
from  here  diU'ers  from  the  type  only  in  a  few  unimportant  points,  the  luincipal  dilference  being 
in  the  markings  beneath.     In  this  there  is  a  general  oiliraceoiis  wash  on  the  lower  parts,  the 


log  NORTH  AMERir.VN  KIRDS. 

B>  TmH  'ippcd  willi  (Iccp  ruliiiis;  niiirr  tiiil-llMtln'r  unv,irii'L;;iti'il. 

f).  Ili'iul  iiliDVi'  (ItirU  ^hily-iiliiiiilH'Diis,  willidiil  iiiiy  nilo\i>:.  ^.  Tnil 
c'oiitiniiDiis  niliiiis  lo  tlic  cxtrciiH'  lip,  llic  sulili'i'iniiiMl  lilai'k  liiuiil 
n:iri-ii\vrr  lliiiii  ihr  liTiiiiiial  niHiiis  mic.  iiml  Mot.  (■iiiiliiiuniis  ;  llic  uiilci- 
Irallirr  fUlii'i'ly  nil'iiiis,  wilhuiit  :iiiy  lihirk.  In  dllici'  rcspi'cis  iiiil('!i 
lil<i'  \:n:  ii>ixlr<ili.i,     (9  not  si'cii.)      /J<(b,    I'liilo  ;iii(l  Wcslci-ii  lini/.il. 

vai'.  ('  /  //  */  II  III  II  III  i  II  II  s.' 

markings  HniMr  only  (111  'lie  lircasl,  lii'cmiiiiij;  (i'ar-slia]iiMl  and  liiciilar  im  the  .siili's,  ami  tians- 
vi'iM'  on  the  ll:inU>  ;  llif  iccl  |iatcli  on  lln'  ciinvn  is  ipiilr  ixlriisivc      In  tin'  wliolc  M'lii's  lln'  tliinl 

ipiill  is  lipni^rsi,  anil  llir  liill  is,  in  all,  lonsiili'ialily  lon;;rr  than  in  any  s| iini'ii  nf  sjinnrriii.s  rx- 

ccptiii;;  lli'isi'  IViini  Kliiiiila.  Anotlirr  I'cnialr  IVoni  St.  'I'lioinas  ^;ll!,,'l.'l]  ;  llolicit  Swift)  is  almost 
cxailly  likr  tlir  oiii'  IVuiii  I'l  vto  lli(  o  ;  tin'  iiit'iins  of  the  clown  I'oviTs  nrarly  tlic  wliolc  lop  of  the 
head,  and  is  ipiitc  hri^ht.  in  a  series  of  skins  lieloneini,'  to  Mr.  Newton,  deposited  in  the  .S.  f. 
Collection,  we  lind  a  pair  of  this  variety  I'roio  the  island  of  St.  Croix,  \V.  I.  They  are  perfectly 
typical  examples.  The  male  ("May  'J,  iJ^.'u,  I!.  I!.")  has  the  lari;e  lilaek  sjiots  of  the  side  trans- 
versely cordate  ;  the  hands  on  the  tail  are  lirokeii  into  spots  on  edj,'es  of  the  feathers  ;  the  IV'male 
^'•s.  p.  227,  IS.  I>"1  is  in  nearly  all  rcs|iecls  like  the  specimen  desciihcd. 

Lint  11/  S/iiriiiiiii,i  i:i-iiiiiiiiiil.  '-  }\al.  Mils.,  7;   Host.  Soc,  ;!  ;   A.  Newton,  2.     Total,  111. 

MiiisiiituiiiiIk.  ~  $.  Willi;,  (;.:>l)  li..su  ;  tail,  -l..'iO  .'..'ill;  iillineii,  .  I.'p  ..'>')  :  tarsus,  l.."iO  ; 
middle  loe,  .n.'i.  Specimens,  a.  J.  Win^,  li.MI  7.UI;  tail.  .'). Till  .'i.T.'i  :  cnlmeii,  .;"i,"i  ;  tarsus, 
l.,"ill  ;   middle  toe,  l.ll;').      Spcciiiicns,   ',. 

'  J-ii/id  .••/iiirimiin,  var.  liiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiii^.  h'tilm  ciniiiiiiiiiniiiiun,  .Swainson,  .\n.  .Menaj;.  ]i.  '_'81, 
]S.'i8.  J'li'ii/iii-iiis  i-iiiiiiiiiiDiiiiiiiix,  Iv.vi'l',  Monof,'.  Kale.  Coiit.  Orii.  l.sali,  p.  iu\  (tinder  /'.  .yiiirrf-. 
rills).  I'iiiiiiiiiriihis  ciiiiiKiiiiimi  11-1,  (li:AV,  (Icn.  li.  lol.  .s|i.  11,  IStl;  I-ist  li.  Mrit.  Mus.  p.  li'i. 
—  lioNAI'.  Colisp.  Av.  p.  27.  —  SriMiM,.  (1iM.  Syii.  I.  Imi,  IS.'i,').  '/'iinniiini/ii.i  [sjiiirrrriii-i 
Viu:!)  riiiiiiiiii'iiiiiiiiix,  liiiir.WAV,  1'.  A.  N.  S.  I'hil.  lie.-.  I.s7ii,  11!'. 

J/iili.      Chile  and  Western  I!ia/il. 

.I'lii/I  $  (1S,S-.>1,  Valdivia,  Chile,  Jannary,  ImU  ;  Xat.  Mns.  01' Chile,  Dr.  I'hilippi,  Pir.). 
Somewhat  like  var.  iiiisti-nlis  ,■  in  fact,  re.seiiihliii};  this  in  general  a]ipearanee.  Head  aliove,  how- 
ever, very  dark  dull  phimlieons,  with  very  distinct  shaft-streaks  of  Mack.  Hack  and  scapulars 
sparsely  haired  with  Mack,  the  hars  liroaihst  posteriorly.  Tail  niiicli  Inijjhter  rufous  than  thi' 
haik  ;  eonliiiiions  nifoiis  to  the  c.xtreMc  tip  ;  a  very  narrow  snlitermiiial  hand  of  Mack,  .lid  of  an 
inch  wide,  crossing  alioiit  .."i.'i  of  an  inch  Ironi  the  tip,  iiiakiiii,'  the  ti'rininal  deep  rnloiis,  nearly 
twice  as  wiile  as  the  hlaek  ;  to  the  outir  feathers  the  hiaek  is  thrown   into  a  spot  on  each 

well,  .scarcely  liaichiii;,'  the  shall  ;  on  the  laleial  feather  the  hlaek  is  lackinj,'  entirely,  the  inner 
Well  lieinj,'  conlinnoiis  rufous,  the  outer  paler,  inclining,'  to  ii(diraeeous-whilc.  I'limaries  con- 
spicnously  wliite  ti'l-ininally  :  inner  wilis  white,  with  transverse  liars  of  dusky;  there  lieinj,'  on 
the  lon^'i'st  (second)  ten  sjiaees  of  white,  these  more  than  twice  the  wiillh  of  the  dusky  hars ; 
liniiif,'  of  the  wiiif,'  eicamy-white,  with  minute  streaks  of  hlaek  sparsely  distributed,  roichead 
more  hoiry  than  the  crown  ;  lores  white.  Kar-coverts,  neck,  and  entire  lower  jiarts,  contiiinniis 
iliill  white;  hreast  with  a  few  minute  Mack  streaks;  Hanks  with  more  expanded  tcar-sliaiied 
ilaslu's  of  the  .same.  The  "nm.staehc"  is  very  conspicuous,  as  are  also  the  or.-il,  cervical,  and 
nuchal  niarkin.^'s.  Winji-formula,  2  =  :!-!,  I.  Win?,',  7  ■  U>  :  tail,  .I.!.".;  tarsn.s,  1.10;  iniihlle 
toe,  .'.la  ;   eulmeii,  .,'.(1.      No.  ."in.HU  (lira/il  ;  Sr.  Don  l'"red.  Alhm|neripiel  is  exactly  simihir. 

JJsl  ,1/  SjluUlllCils  f.riliilinnl.         Xat.    Mils.,   2. 

.Uiiisitiriiiiii/s.  --  $.  Wing,  7.4il  7.70  ;  tail,  u.50  ;  cuhiaii,  .TiO  ;  tarsus,  1.10-1.12;  middle 
toe,  .'.I,').     Specimens,  2. 


FALCONID.E  -  Til E   FALCONS.  ]  CO 

Falco  (Tinnunculus '  sparverius,  Linx. 

V.ir.  Hiijii'veriiiA,  l.iss.f;us. 

AMERICAN  SPARROW  HAWK;  AMERICAN  KESTREL. 

Aci-ipil'i-  {.J-^stf/n,i)  ciifo/iiii  iisix,  l!i:is.s.  dni.  I,  :i8."i,  ITtiH.  A'vi/iilir  minor,  Cathsh,  (_'ar(il. 
I,  .'■,  U.'il.  Fii/i-:i  s/iiin-n-i'iis,  l.iNN.  .Sy>t.  X;it.  ]i.  V2S,  ITiiil.  —  I'l.NN,  Arrt.  Zoiil.  pp. 
l!ll,  iil-J.  —  (i.MKl..  Sysl.  Xal.  p.  lisl.  —  L.vill.  liul.  Oiii.  (i.  42;  Syimp.  1,  lid,  .s|i. 
HI;  (it'll.  Hist.  I,  -liii.  D.viii.  Tr.  Orii.  11,  14-.',  pi.  xii.  —  Sll.vw,  /mil.  VII,  pi. 
x.wi. — Wii.s.  Am.  Orii.  pi.  -wi,  I'.  1,  pi.  xxxii,  f.  -J. — 1ami;s.  O^"''^.*  ^^'».  "i"-  I. 
!5,i^  ,;()._l,i;s.s.  Tr.  Oiii.  [>.  !•.'>.--  I'.KNS.  jjiud.  '/.m,\.  .s,„  .  jl,  vjl.  ^.Sir.ni.  .Mil,  ii, 
as.  — Cirv.  Vii'ti.  .\iiiiii.  ^(-(1.  ii),  1,  ;i'J2.  --.I.viin.  (\Vii.s.t  Am.  Dm.  I,  -JiJi!  ;  II,  .-,1. - 
l{i(ii.  &  Sw.viNs.  I''.  B.  A.  111.  xxiv.  —  \V.\iii,.  Isis,  l,s:il,  TilT.  IShnai'.  Ann.  I.yc 
N.  Y.  II.  27;  l.sis,  \y.V2,  liyn.  —  Viiai.i..  Kiic.  MiHIi.  Ill,  12.!4  (in  luit).  -  -  Aii>.  liiias 
.'.111.  jil.  <xlii  ;  Oni.  liioj^.  II,  '2M<,  pi.  ixlii.  —  l'>i:i;w.  (Wii.s.)  .Synnp.  p.  (')S4  ;  Am. 
OiiKif^y,  p.  Iti,  pi.  xi,  lif,'s.  1;!  and  l.'>i/.  -  Dk  Kav,  Znd.  N.  \.  II,  lii,  pi.  vii.  I'.  ICi.  - 
1'kah.  IJii'ds  Mass.  Ill,  li'.i.  Nrri'.  .Man.  I,  .'iS.  'J'/mniiini/iis  s/mrri  rii(.t,  Vikii.i.. 
Ois.  Am.  .Sept.  jil.s.  xii,  xiii.  -  liinnc.  I'roi'.  /oiii.  .Soc.  )it.  xi,  loii. — (Iiiay,  (icn.  I!. 
fill.  s)!.  1(1  ;  List  liiit.  I).  Jlus.  p.  (id.  Woonii.  Sitgr.  Kxji.  Ziiiii  &  Coloiail.  p.  (iO.  - 
Cas.s,  ri(>i-.  Ai'.  Xat.  .Si',  riiil.  Ks.-i.-i,  -278.  r.iiils  t'al.  &  Tex.  ji.  ii-> ;  liinls  X.  Am. 
18.VS,  13.  -Hiiicw.  r.  \.  X.  S.  1870,  148.  -.SiliicKt..  Orn.  .Syn.  I,  ".)!»,  18");"..  (JdxIi- 
III  It  ■yiiin-i  n'li.-i,  liiiNAi'.  List  I'inr.  &  X'.  Am.  W.  p.  f),  18;i8.  /'iccilDnii,'!  njidrirrian, 
Kaii',  .Monii^'.  Kalr.  Cdiit.  Oni.  l^od,  5;i.  Tiiinuiuiilu.i  phalwiiii,  IjKsso.v,  Mam.  ft 
d'Ois.  1.S17,  178  (San  Bias  ct  AcMpulco). 

Rr.  CiiAi:.  .li/'(//  (/,''/-■  (12,02.'i,  Was1iiii,n|on,  D.  V.  ■  \X.  Wnllarc).  Forrlicail,  lati-ral  and 
poslciioi'  rcMJdii.s  111' the  viTtcx,  drriput,  and  wiiij^s,  li|iii.s|i-asl).  X'ci'ti'X,  iiapr,  .si'apiihir.-i, 
inti'i\sca]mlai\s,  rninp,  upper  tail-cuvfi'ts,  and  tail,  lino  riniiunmn-i-nliins ;  M'apular.i  and 
bixi'k  barri'd  willi  lilack,  tin?  liiir.'!  hi'Dadcst  and  nio.st  cnnsiiirnons  poslcrioilv.  Tail  tipped 
with  white,  and  with  a  liroad  sharply  deliiied  .'inlitenniiial  zone  of  lilaek.  aliitiit  one  ini'h 
in  wiiltli;  lateral  li'alhei-,  with  (luler  well  ••iiid  terminal  hall' ol' inner,  ashv-white,  the 
latter  with  one  or  two  dislinrt  li-ans\crse  .spots  anterior  to  the  snhterniinal  one.  "\Vini,i-- 
covert.s  with  more  or  less  eonspieuons  cordate  .spots  of  lilaek,  rather  .sparsely  distrihuti'd  ; 
brt.sal  two-thirds  of  .seeondaries  and  whole  of  jiriniarie.s  deeji  hlaek;  the  latter  whitish 
aronnd  the  tonniiial  niarfjiii  and  with  nine  transveise  hands  of  white  on  iiniiM- weli  of 
lonife.st  (second),  the  wliito  rather  excei  -.iins,'  the  black,  the  points  of  which  do  not  reach 
the  odiri'  ol' the  tisithcr;  liniuL;'  of  the  winj;-  white  with  coiispiciioiis  cordate  .spots  of 
black.  Fiont  and  suiiercili.ary  reunion  more  hoary  than  the  forehead,  almost  approachintr 
white      Wiiole  lateral  re;yiou  of  the  head,  with  chin,  thi'oat,  and  lower  part.s,  white  ;   the 

nee!        -east,  and  sides,  however,  with  a  deep  lMi,i;e  of  oehrai ns,  the  tint  hardly  iijiproai.'h- 

ilii,'  tu  '  ■  ''■  of  color  .seen  on  the  najie.  On  llie  head  there  are  (considerinu;  both  sides) 
seven  black  .spots;  the  llrst  ori,L;inatin,i,'  in  li'ont  of  the  bare  anteorhilal  .space  (leavini;  the 
loriv.  white),  and  cxleudin,^-  in  a  stripe  downwai'd  across  the  maxilhe.  foiniini,'  a  conspicu- 
ou.s  '' ninstache  "  ;  the  .second  crosses  the  tip.s  of  the  eur-coverts,  in  form  of  ■•in  oliloiii^ 
tr.-.nsvcr.se  spot  ;  tlu^  third  is  smaller,  .situated  as  far  behind  the  last  a.s  thi.s.  and  i.s  posterior 
to  the  "mustache,"  cr(vssin,n-  the  side  of  the  neck  ;  the  la.st  is  an  odd  nuchal  spot  .separat- 
iiiff  the  ash  of  the  occiput  ji'om  the  rufous  of  the  nape.  Breast  and  sides  with  circular 
or  cordati!  .spots  of  pure  black ;  tliesc  varyiiii;  iu  .si/e,  but  generally  larirer  on  the  sides. 
Other  lower  parts  immacnlale.  Winn-l'oiimila,  L' =- o  -  (,  1.  Wiiijr,  7.10  :  tail. -LHO;  tar- 
sus, L.'lli ;  middle  u»\  .1),'^;  culmen.  .1."). 

.!(//(// ./;')».(/,■  (I  <^-.".l.  Fort,   .i!nil-er,  Ft.ah  ;  ('.  Drexler).      lilue   aliove   lonfnicd    (o  the 
liead,  whiidi  show  .  the  rufous  pati'li  as  in  the  male;  cnliri'  noper  parts  ruf      ,  h/liler  and 

VOL.   III.  -Z-l 


170  NORTH  AMKItlC.VX  BIRDS. 

less  imrplisli  iIkui  in  llio  male,  cvcivwln'ri'  liiirn'd  willi  liliick.  Tail  with  Iwi'lvo  sharply 
(k'liiu'd  iiari'dw  bars  oflilack;  the  siiljlcriiiiiial  broadest,  anil  about  throe  uighllis  of  an 
inch  in  widili.  Longest  primary  with  eleven  transverse  sjiaees  ol'  [lale  riilbns,  nearlv 
Iwiee  as  \viile  as  the  ilnsky  ones,  which  seare<'ly  toncli  the  edge.  JJeiieath  yellowish- 
white,  paler  than  in  the  male,  breast  and  sides  with  rnsly  lonifitiidiiial  spots.  Ifead  as  in 
the  male.  \\'inf.'',  7.0U  ;  tail,  5.20  ;  tarsns,  l..")(l;  middle  toe,  .'JO  ;  bill,  .ijO.  \Vinj,'-rornmla, 
2=  a- 1-1. 

Voniii/  malt'  (•"i,581,  Medicine  How  ("reek,  Xeliraska,  Anjrnst  7,  1850;  \V.  S.  Wood). 
J'ixaelly  like  the  adiilt  male,  lull  with  the  rnlbns  darker,  api)roachinf;  to  eheslmit;  spots 
beneath  inclining;  to  a  tear-shaped  Ibrm,  and,  thony'li  more  immeions.  are  not  so  well 
dclined  as  in  the  adnlt  ;  also  riilesceiit  tiiiire  beneath  more  jreneral ;  bhie  of  the  wind's  with 
scai-ecly  any  spots;  white  lermimil  band  of  tail  t:ii<red  with  rnlons.  Sometimes  the  two 
or  threi'  outer  leathers  are  elouded  with  .ish,  and  possess  inilieation  of  bais,  formed  of 
in'(\L'ular  black  spots. 

YniiDf)  Jhiinh  (HV'2t1,  Fort  Rice,  Uacota ;  8.  M.  Rothhannner).  Generally  like  the 
adult,  but  with  rnlbiih  ■''"■-.e  darker,  ai)pioaehiiip;  ferruginous;  the  bars  everywhere 
broader,  and  purer  black;  rufous  vertical  patch  .streaked  centrally  with  black ;  spots 
beneath  larger,  darker,  approaching  reddish  umber. 

II.M!.  Continental  North  America  (only),  across  to  both  coasts,  and  from  Arctic 
regions  to  Isthmus  of  ranama;   not  in  West  Indies. 

This  form  ranges  over  tlio  M'liolo  of  continental  Xorth  America,  from 
Paniima  nortliwiird  into  tlio  llritish  "mvinccs,  iiml  from  the  Athmtic  to  tlie 
rticific.  Tlirongliont  tlie  Avhttlt;  of  this  extensive  area  tlie  binl  exliibits 
very  little  variation,  in  fact,  none  not  of  an  almost  individual  cliaractcr, 
consisting  mainly  in  tlio  varying  amount  of  ashy-wliito  and  hhick  on  the 
lateral  tail-feat  he,  and  also,  to  a  less  extent,  in  the  depth  of  tlie  ochraceous 
tint  on  the  lireast,  and  tlie  ahmiilance  and  .size  of  the  black  spots  on  tlic 
sides  or  lltinks.  In  the  (Utlf  region  of  tlie  Unit(>d  States  it  ]iasses  gradually 
into  var.  isKhtl/iui'S  through  intermediate  specimens.  We  liave  setni  Fhnida 
.skins  (kindly  lent  to  us  by  ^Fr. -I.  A.  Allen)  from  Mitimi  ((? ,  danuary  L".», 
1872),  Cedar  Keys  («?,  Februtiry  2.S,  1S71),  and  Florida  Keys  (c?,  February 
14,  1871).  Of  these,  only  the  lirst  (No.  U,4',ir)  deviates  noticealdy  from  tlie 
tyjiiciil  style;  it  inclines  toward  var.  Uilirlliait^  in  sjiarsity  of  black  spots  on 
flanks  and  restricted  riii'oiis  on  the  down,  but  in  tht!  pure  light  ash  of  the 
crown  iiiid  wings,  and  flint  ochraceous  of  the  breast,  it  resembles  more  the 
\i\r.  spiinrriHs.  'Wing,  (l..">() ;  tail,  4.7IK  The  two  other  sju'cimens  nK'asure 
its  folh.v.-s:  Xo.  14,487,  Florida  Keys,  wing,  (i.'.IO ;  tail,  r..!M).  No.  14,4'J2, 
Cedar  Keys,  M-ing,  (i.iiO;  tail,  .-i.OO.  The  former  is  peculiar  in  having  some 
of  the  up])er  tail-coverts  either  ])artly  or  entirely  ashy. 

]\Fexican  .s]iecimens  represent  the  race  in  the  greatest  imrity  or  exaggera- 
tion of  its  characteristic  features,  in  jmre  and  light  bluish-ash  of  wings  uid 
crown,  greatest  extent  of  rufous  on  crown,  etc.  ('alifornia  specimens  often 
cxhiliit  what  I  havtf  not  noticed  in  eastern  examples,  though  possibly 
ncciirring  in  them;  that  is,  in  adtdt  males  the  cere  and  feet  are  of  a  deep 
orange-red  —  almost  vermilion  color. 


FALCO.\II)-E  —  THE  KALCO.NS. 


171 


US^T    OK    SPKfl.MKXS    ICXAMIKKP. 

Xiiliiin.il  Miisouii),  104;  Boston  Hocii/ly, 'J(>;  Pliiliulclplii;!  Academy,  7;  Miis.  Comp.  Zoul., 
()(!;  New  Voi-k  Miisuuiii,  7:  Call.  (!.  X.  I.awreiiw,  4;  Cab.  11.  Riili,nvay,  4.     Total,  lilS. 

Mcusiin  iiii'ii/n. 


:  .Vfx. 

nV/(if. 

mi. 
4.r.o-.j.70 

4.i)0-.').S() 

Ciilmen. 

Tarsu.i, 

1.25  - 1.55 
1.40-1.45 

Mi,/dle  Tm. 

.115-   . 
.00-1.00 

Sptcimenn. 

<? 
9 

(;..".ii~  8.(11) 
0.80 -8.40 

.r.( )  - . 

.55  -  .55 

117 

05 

Var.  isabcllinus,  Swaixson. 

Fah-o  isahdlbui.^,  Swainson,  An.  Jli'iia,";.  \\.  281,  181)8.  Tianunculus  spnrcerimt,  var.  iia- 
bclliiiii/i,  IvllKiWAV,  P.  A.  X.  S.  Pliil.  Dei'.  1S7II,  p.  149.  Tiiiniiucitlita  (loiiiiniccHsis 
(not  of  G.MK.L.  I),  SriMi'KL.  Oiii.  Syn.  1,  100,  1855  (in  [lart  only). 

Sp.  CiiAit.  AihtH  iiiuh  (3,8 11,  Pniiric  :Mcr  Rouge,  La.,  .Tudl",  18.5:!;  "  .1.  F.").  Much 
like  vai'.  sjKirrcritis,  Ijut  consiilcralily  ilarkui'  in  colors;  pluinl icons,  crown  ilark  with 
no  nifon.-;  on  vertex,  nor  darker  shaft-lines.  Rufous  aliove  iinirc  [lurplish-caslaneous  ; 
cinei'cous  of  winys  much  darker ;  neck,  jnguhnn.  lireast,  and  sides  (lcc[)  soft  ochraoeou.s, 
spots  very  few,  and  restricted  to  tlie  sides.  \Vin,L;\  7.00;  tail,  4.70  ;  tarsus,  1.25;  middle 
toe,  .Oil;  (•iihiien,  .50.     Winf^-I'ornnda,  2,  o  -  4,  1. 

Adiill  fntiiilr  (.58,:!:!0,  .Jacksonville,  Fla.,  June  10,  1800;  C.  .1.  Maynard).  DilTerin,? 
from  the  female  of  var.  sjiiirrrritis  in  nnieli  <larker  coloi's,  ihc  rufous  iiiclininu'  to  castancous; 
liars  liroader,  more  shai'ply  (lelincd,  pure  lilack.  Head  aliove  pine  dai'k  plumlicous,  con- 
s|iicuoir<ly  dilfercnt  from  the  line  liuht  ash  <if  var.  n/iiirrfriiin ;  vertex  with  touches  only 
of  rul'ons  ;  nnukinn's  licncalh  narrowei-,  and  iu.'arly  pure  lilack,  upon  a  deeper  ochraceous 
jrround.  Wiuff,  7.20;  tail,  4.50;  tarsus,  1.20;  middle  toe.  .8'5 :  euhucn.  .42.  Primaries, 
2,;j-l,4.^ 

IIah.  Xorlli  Atlantic  and  Caiilihe.an  coasts  of  South  America,  from  Demerara  north- 
ward, idon--  Ihe  Gulf  coast  of  Mexico  and  United  States,  throu;jli  Texas  and  Louisiana  to 
Floriila. 

This  luiiu,  tlinuoli  .jiiite  ilin'ereiit  in  it.':  o.xtremo  cniiditidn  from  true  apar- 
vcriiis,  jfradiiiilly  gmdes  into  it.  Few,  if  any,  otlicr  .sjicciniL'ii.s  pos.sess  in  so 
e.Xiiogoiiileil  a  dcorcc  all  the  distinctive  cliafactris  of  those  de.scrilicd,  thnuerh 
all  from  the  reojons  indicated  iiofee  in  liavino  dai'ker  color.-:  and  less  rui'onn  ou 
the  crown  tiian  specimens  Irom  the  interior  oi"  Xorth  and  IMiddle  America. 

A  series  of  six  adidt  male  S])arro\v  Ifawks  from  Florida,  kindly  loaned  mo 
for  examination  liy  Mr.  J.  A.  Allen,  includes  three  typical  examjiles  of  this 
littoral  race  oi'  sidjt topical  continental  America.  They  all  aoree  in  very  deep 
dark  colors,  e'lii re  ai)sence  or  merely  slio-lit  indication  of  nifoiis  on  tlu^  verttix, 
and  deeply  ochraceous  hreast,  with  few  markiiio,s.  Xo.  14,4'.>'.l  ;'Miami,  Fla., 
Juno  r.),  1871)  is  remarkatile  lor  lackino'  entirely  the  black  pots  on  winus 
and  Hanks,  and  bars  on  the  hack  or  loiiocr  .scapulars;  the  three  outer  tail- 
feathers  are  almost  wholly  ashy-white,  with  ahniit  tivc  transverse  spots  of 
hlack  ;  the  terminal  wliitt!  hand  is  .stroimly  tinojed  with  ash;  there  is  no 
tnico  of  rufons  on  the  crown.     A\nno;,  (i.Sd  ;  tail,  4.S(). 

In  the  nnspotted  winos  and  sides  tind  nnliarred  scai)iilars  there  is  a  reseni- 


172  NORTH  AMEIUCAN  J5IKI)S. 

bliiuce  in  tliis  spcciineii  to  /'.  /ninyi/iri/.'i ;  wliicli,  however,  has  the  ash  very 
iiuieh  ligliter,  the  ohick  "mustaclie"  obsolete  or  waiitiii,^',  the  h)\ver  breast  jmre 
wliite  instead  of  deej)  oehraeeous ;  the  under  surfaee  of  tlie  ])rin>ai'ies  plain 
white,  v;itli  shaUow  diishy  serrations  ahin^-  llie  slial't,  instead  of  beini;'  heavily 
barred  with  dusky  ;  always  has  a  ]iaieli  of  rufous  on  the  crown,  a  conspicuous 
frontal  and  superciliary  stripeof  wliite,  and  an  entirely  ditl'erenlly  marked  tail. 
In  its  nmcli  barred  tail  it  also  resenildes  tlie  var.  donnnlrmsls  to  a  slinht 
extent ;  but  the  latter  has  the  middle  feathers  also  barred,  and  always  has  the 
scajiulars,  i^euerally  the  entire  dorsal  rej^ion,  heavily  barred  with  black,  and 
tlie  wings,  lireast,  and  sides  heavily  spotted  ;  the  bill  is  larger,  and  there 
is  always  more  or  less  rui'ous  on  the  clown.  The  other  two  specimens  are 
more  like  the  average  ;  they  both  have  a  mere  trace  of  rufous  on  the  crown, 
conspicuous  liars  on  the  scapulars,  and  sjiots  on  the  wings.  Xo.  5,188 
(Ilibernia,  Fla.,  February  ;">,  18G',i)  has  only  a  few  black  sjiecks  on  the  Hanks ; 
the  outer  tail-feather  ashy-white,  with  seven  transverse  lilack  spots  across 
inner  web.  Wing,  ().80  ;  tail,  4.80.  Xo.  H.^To  (Hawkinsville,  Ra.,  :March 
12,  18()'.l)  is  similar,  but  has  liie  Hanks  distinctly  sjiotted  with  bhudv,  and  the 
outer  tail-feather  with  inner  web  ]ilain  pale  rufous,  M'itli  only  the  subter- 
miiial  large  black  spot.     Wing,  ().8()  ;  tail,  4.80. 

A  series  of  ten  specimens  (live  males  and  five  feinales'i  from  Morida, 
kindly  sent  me  for  e.\amination  by  ]\Ir.  ( '.  .F.  Maynard,  contains  nothing  but 
var.  xpanrriii.'i,  with  a  few  individuals  inclining  slightly  toward  var.  isahi'l- 
linus.  The  extreme  are  measurements  ol'  tiie  scries  as  follows :  $.  Wing, 
C.0O-C).0O;  tail,  4.0O- 4.70.  9.  Wing,  O.OO  -  7..")0  ;  tail,  4.80- o.  10.  Four 
out  of  the  five  males  iiave  the  deeply  oehraeeous  uns]iotte(l  breast  of  var. 
imh(:irnni>^,\mt  ixlWvAMi  more  or  less  rufous  on  the  crown,  while  the  ash  is 
of  that  light  shade  seen  in  var.  sjinrri rin.s.  N'o.  470  has  tlie  up]ier  tail- 
coverts  mi.xed  with  feathers  wiiicli  arc  either  wholly  or  partially  ash,  while 
the  light  liands  of  the  outer  tail-featiiers  are  niiicli  tinged  with  the  same  ; 
the  scajiulars  are  almost  wholly  line  ash,  like  the  wings,  and  with  heavy 
black  bars.  The  females  likewisi!  all  incline  toward  var.  l-siilii/linHt:,  all 
Iia\iiig  the  dark  bars  aboNc  e(|Ual  to  or  broader  than  the  rufous  ones.  No. 
0,44!  is  transversely  s] lotted  on  the  Hanks  with  heavy  black  bars,  and  is 
scarcely  distinguishable  from  ieiiiale-i  of  \ar.  (/iiiiiiiiiii'iisi.-<. 

An  adult  male  labelled  a-  coming  I'roii:  ( 'iiba.  but  proliably  iVom  the 
southeastern  I'liited  Stall's,  in  the  collection  of  the  llostoii  Society,  is  so 
deeply  colored  a-^  lo  strongly  resemble  the  young  male  of  T.  s/mrri rDi'i/c^. 
There  is  not  a  trace  of  rufous  on  the  crown,  which  is  dark  pliinibcous  :  the 
lower  parts  are  entirely  deep  rufous,  exccjit  the  throat,  inclining  moi(^  to 
oidiraceous  on  the  tibia'  and  ciissum  :  the  whole  lower  surface  entirely  fret- 
from  spots  of  any  kind.  The  tail  is  very  uniformly  marked,  lieiiig  wholly 
rufous,  except  the  usual  narrow  terminal  band,  or  the  outer  web  of  lateral 
feathers,  which  are  white,  —  the  hitter  with  a  few  indications  of  Idack  sjiots 
near  the  shaft,  —  and  tla,'   usual  Mibterminal  /.one  of  black,  which   is   verv 


FALCONID.K  —  THE   FALCDNS. 


1*-o 


regular  anil  continuous.  Tliough  in  tliose  respects  so  closely  resenil)]ing  the 
young  i  ol'  T.  sjxinrroidcs,  it  may  be  distiiiguislied  I'mni  it  by  tlie  .sliarjj 
definition  oi'  tlie  black  niarkiugs  on  the  side  ot  the  head  and  on  the  wing- 
coverts,  and  ot  tiie  Idack  liars  on  tlic  inner  welis  ot  tlie  primaries.  We  have 
eviTy  reason  to  iloubt  whether  this  specimen  was  actually  collected  in  Cuba, 
since  so  many  ot  the  s])ecinicns  in  tin'  Lutresnaye  Collection  arc  incorrectly 
laljclled  as  reganls  locality. 

A  young  <?  from  Georgia,  in  the  .same  collection,  is  somewhat  similar,  but 
dillers  in  the  following  respects.  Tlie  rufous  beneath  is  conlined  to  the 
breast,  sides,  and  alitlomen,  but  is  as  deep  (i.  e.  only  a  shade  or  two  lighter 
than  that  on  the  back) ;  the  tw(j  outer  pairs  of  tail-feathers  are  mostly  ashy- 
white,  with  large  spots  of  black. 

LIST    OF   SPECI.MENS    EXAMINKI). 

Xiitional  Mii.'^cuii),  4;  Boston  Society,  2  ;  Miis.  Coiii|).  Zool.,  3;  Philaclclpliia  Acadeni)', 
4  ;    Nuw  Yoik  Museum,  2  ;  G.  N.  Lawrciiw,  4.     Toliil,  ID. 


Habits.  The  common  Sparrow  Hawk  of  America  has  an  exteialeil  dis- 
tribution throughout  the  greater  portion  of  North  America,  althougli  it  was 
not  observed  by  Mr. 
jMacFarlane,  nor  by 
any  other  collectors  in 
the  higher  Arctic  re- 
gie ms,  imr  was  it  met 
with  by  Mr.  Dall  in 
Alaska.  Mr.  Iv(!nia- 
(iitt  found  it  nestirig 
at  F(irt  li'esdlution  (lal. 
(i2"),  (III  Creat  Slave 
Lake,  and  M\:  Clark 
at  Fort  Jiae.  These 
are  the  highest  points 
to  wiu'di  we  have  any 
kudwledge  of  its  hav- 
ing been  traced. 

Sir  John    Hichard- 
son   speaks   of    it    as 

I  1        i  ill         1  TiiinunciUiis  liiH^rreritis. 

abundant  on  the  banks 

of  the  Saskatchewan,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Carlton  House.     It  jirobably 

breeds  throughout  Xorth  America,  from  Hudson's  Hay  to  Mexico,  and  from 


174  NORTH  AMKllICAX  BIUDS. 

Elaine  to  Califurnia,  thoujfli  it  is  niro  in  a  large  portion  of  tlio  Now  Englaiul 
States.  It  is,  liowevcr,  ([uite  almudant  in  the  vic:iiiity  <il'  Calais,  Me.,  in 
New  ]>rnnswick,  and  in  Nova  Scotia,  tliongli  less  alunulant  alxiiit  Halifax". 
It  has  not  been  taken,  or  if  .so  only  very  rarely,  in  Eastern  ^.las.sachusett.s, 
though  it  has  Ijeen  known  to  breed  in  Williamstown  aiul  Audierst,  in  the 
western  part  of  the  State.  It  is  e(|ually  rare  in  Ithode  Island  and  in  Con- 
neetiuut.  Dr.  Woods,  of  East  Ilarttord,  knew  oi'  a  ])air  which  entered  a 
dove-cot  in  that  jtlace,  destroyed  its  inmates,  and  laid  lour  eggs.  Tiioy 
connuittcd  so  many  depredations  on  the  neighbors'  chickens  that  they  were 
shot. 

ilr.  Itidgway  found  this  spocios  exceedingly  abuiulant  in  all  portions  of 
the  West.  In  the  canons  of  the  East  HuniboUlt  ^Mountains  it  was  observed 
to  have  nests  in  holes  on  the  laces  of  the  limestone  dill's. 

The  Sparrow  Hawk  is  a  bird  of  irregulai-  flight,  now  momentarily  hover- 
ing over  a  jiarticular  sjiot,  .suspending  itself  in  the  air,  and  then  slmoting  off 
in  another  direction.  At  other  times  it  may  lie  seen  jierclied  on  tlie  top  of  a 
dead  tree,  or  on  a  jirojecting  branch,  sitting  there  in  an  almost  perpendicular 
position  for  an  hour  or  more  at  a  time.  It  frecpiently  jerks  its  tail,  and 
appears  to  be  reconnoitring  the  ground  below  for  small  birds,  mice,  or  liz- 
ards, on  which  it  chiefly  preys.  Wlien  it  alights,  it  closes  its  long  wings  so 
suddenly  that,  according  to  Wilson,  they  seem  to  disapjiear.  It  often  aji- 
proaches  the  fann-hou.se  early  in  the  morning,  skulking  about  the  barnyard 
in  pursuit  of  mice,  and  occasionally  of  young  chickens.  Freipiently  it 
plunges  into  a  thicket,  as  if  at  random,  but  always  with  an  object  in  view, 
and  with  a  sure  and  i'atal  aim. 

Wilson  once  observed  one  of  this  species  perched  on  the  highest  top  of  a 
large  jioplar,  and,  just  as  he  was  about  to  take  aim,  it  .swept  down  with  the 
rapidity  of  an  arrow  into  a  thicket  of  briers,  where  he  .shot  it,  and  found  a 
small  Field  Sparrow  .piivering  in  its  grasp.  It  is  said  tn  be  fond  of  watch- 
ing along  hedge-rows  and  in  orchards,  where  small  birds  usually  resort. 
When  grassho]i])ers  are  ))lentiful,  they  form  the  ]irincipal  jiart  of  its  fond. 
The  young  are  fed  with  the  usual  food  of  the  parents,  —  mice,  small  liirds, 
gra.sshoppers,  etc.  It  also  feeds  upon  small  snakes,  but  rarely,  if  ever,  tnuciies 
anything  that  it  has  not  itself  killed,  and  has  been  known  to  icjcct  its  jirey 
when,  after  having  been  killed,  it  ])roved  to  lie  in  unsuitable  condition  for  food. 

^Ir.  Audubon  states  that  tli{>  tlight  of  this  s]iecies  is  never  protracted.  It 
.seldom  flies  far  at  a  time  ;  a  few  Inuulred  yards  an;  all  tlie  di.stauce  it  usually 
goes  before  alighting.  It  rarely  .sails  long  on  the  wing  at  a  time  ;  a  half-hour 
is  its  utmo.st  extent.  In  pinsuing  a  bird,  it  flies  with  great  rajiidity,  but 
never  with  the  sjieed  of  th(!  Sharp-shinned  and  other  Hawks.  Its  cry  is  .so 
similar  to  that  of  the  Kestrel  of  Europe  that  it  might  be  readily  mistaken 
for  it  but  for  it.s  stror.ger  intonation.  At  times  it  gives  out  these  notes  as  it 
l)erclies,  but  they  are  ]irinci]ially  uttered  while  <m  the  wing.  Mr.  Audubon 
has  heard  them  imitate  the  feeble  cries  of  their  ofls]iring,  when  tlie.se  have 
left  the  nest  and  are  following  their  parents. 


FALCOXID.K-TIIE   FALCONS.  175 

Tin;  yowu'^  Mnl.s,  wlmn  tliey  first  appear,  aro  covorcfl  ■with  a  white  down. 
Tlioy  grow  willi  groat  rapidity,  and  ai'o  soon  abk;  to  luavo  thuir  nest,  and  are 
M-ell  ]irovi(led  I'or  by  their  parents  until  they  are  aliU;  t(j  talve  care  oi'  tlieni- 
selves.     TJiey  ieed  at  tirst  on  grasslioppcrs  and  cricl<ets. 

At  DenysviHe,  Me.,  these  Hawks  were  observed  to  attaek  the  ClilT  Swal- 
h)\vs,  whil(!  sitting  on  their  eggs,  deliberately  tearing  o])en  their  eovered 
nests,  and  seizing  tlieir  oeeui)ants  tor  their  jirey. 

In  winter,  tliese  birds,  tor  tlie  most  part,  desert  the  Northern  and  ]\Iiddle 
States,  liut  are  resident  south  of  Virginia.  Tliey  can  be  readily  tamed,  es- 
jieeiallv  wlien  reared  from  tlie  nest.  ]Mr  Audulton  raised  a  young  Hawk  of 
tliis  species,  wliieii  continued  to  keep  about  '''O  hou.se,  and  even  to  lly  to  it 
for  shelter  wlien  attacked  by  some  of  its  wilder  kindred,  and  never  failed  to 
return  at  night  t(»  roost  on  its  favorite  window-shutter.  It  was  finally  killed 
by  an  enraged  hen,  who.se  chickens  it  attempted  to  .seize. 

This  Hawk  constructs  no  nest,  but  makes  use  of  liollow  trees,  the  deserted 
liole  of  a  Wood])ecker,  or  even  an  old  Crow's  nest.  Its  eggs  are  usually  as 
many  as  tive  in  immlier,  and  Mr.  Audul)on  once  even  met  with  .seven  in  a 
single  nest.  The  ground  of  the  eggs  is  usually  a  dark  cream-color  or  a  light 
bull'.  In  tlieir  markings  they  vary  eonsideral)ly.  Five  from  a  nest  in 
jMuryland  Mere  covered  tlirougliout  tlie  entire  surface  with  small  blotches 
and  dottings  of  a  liglit  brown,  at  times  eonlluent,  and,  e.\ce[)t  in  a  single 
instance,  not  more  frequent  at  the  larger  end  than  the  smaller.  Tiie  contents 
of  a  nest  olitaineil  by  .Mr.  Audubon  on  the  Yellowstone  River  had  a  ground- 
color of  a  light  bull',  nearly  unspotted,  except  at  the  larger  end,  with  only  a 
few  large  bloteli(!S  and  splashes  of  a  deep  chocolate.  In  others,  interspersed 
with  the  light-brown  markings  arc  a  few  of  a  much  deeper  shade.  In  some, 
the  eggs  are  covered  with  fine  markings  of  buff,  nearly  uniform  in  size  and 
color;  anil  others  again  are  marked  with  lines  and  bolder  dashes  of  brown, 
of  a  distinctly  reddish  shade,  over  their  entire  surface,  and  often  so  thickly 
as  nearly  to  conceal  the  ground.  The  eggs  are  nearly  spherical.  The  aver- 
age length  is  I.08  inclies  liy  a  breadth  of  l.l:?.  They  arc  suliject  to  varia- 
tion in  size,  but  are  iuiif(jrm  as  to  shape.  Tliey  range  in  length  from  1.48 
to  T.:>2  inches,  and  in  breadth  from  1.08  to  1.20  inches. 

The  eggs  of  Tiiinnnculn^  sparvcroidcs,  from  Cuba,  and  of  var.  cinnnmomi- 
niis  from  Chile,  dilfer  in  size  and  markings  from  those  of  North  American 
birds.  Their  ground-color  is  mucli  whiter,  is  freer  from  markings  wliicli 
ha\e  liardly  any  tinge  of  rufous,  but  are  more  of  a  yellowish-l)rown.  The 
Cuban  egg  measures  1.28  by  1.08  inches  ;  the  Chilian,  1.25  by  1.08. 


176 


NORTH  A.MEUICAN  CiRDS. 


Gems  FOLYBORUS,  Vieillot. 

rnljihirus,  ViKil.l,.  181(i.     (Tyiic,  /'(/to  bmsilicimn,  G.MiaiN.     /'.  Ihinis,  MoLINA.) 
ijiii-<(ci(i-(i,  ('rvii;i!,  1M7.     (Saiiii'  type.) 

TiKX.  CiiAii.  (JciiiTr.l  :is|icri  sdinowliiil  viilliiriiic,  liui  licai-ini^iMid  luanners  almost  <ralliiiii- 
(•(•(III.-;.  Neck  ami  leys  very  limy.  Hill  vury  liiyli  ami  iiiiicli  coiiiprosscd,  the  coiniiiissiiiL' 
V(!iy  slraijiht  and  icL'iilar,  and  iicaily  iiarallcl  willi  \\w  siipcrioi-  outline;  cere  very  narrow, 
its  aiilcrior  niitliiic  verlical  and  .slraiylit.  Xoslril  very  small,  linear,  oliliipiely  vertical,  its 
upper  end  lieinj;  the  posterior  one;  situated  in  the  upper  anterior  corner  of  the  cere. 
Lateral  and  under  [lortions  of  the  head  naked  and  scantily  haired,  the  skin  lii'i;ilit-eol(i|-ed 


NAT.  SIZE 


'""■■'■  ?|K:S;^ 


lli/li'  mtil  tail. 


Polfthnrits  niiffiihrni. 


(reddish  or  yellow  in  life).  Oceipital  feathers  elontrated.  Winsrs  and  tail  lonsr.  the  latter 
rounded;  live  outer  (piilis  with  inner  weh.«  sinuated  ;  third  to  tiie  fourth  loni;('st ;  first 
.sliorter  than  the  sixth,  soiuelimes  shorter  than  the  sevenlh.  Feet  almost  gallinaceous, 
the  tarsu.s  nearly  twice  as  long  as  the  middle  toe,  hiit  stout;  outer  toe  longer  than  the 
iimer;  posterior  t(je  much  the  shortest;  claw.s  long,  hut  slender,  weakly  (Mirved,  and 
olituse.  Tar.<sus  with  a  frontal  series  of  1,-nge  ti'.-msverse  seulelhe,  the  lower  fourth  to 
sixtli  forming  a  single  row,  the  others  disposed  in  two  parallel  series  of  allernaliug  plates; 
the  other  parts  covered  hy  simdler  hexagonal  scales. 

Tliis  M-c'll-inai'ki'(l  .ifciius  coiitaiii.s  Imt  ti  siiiolo  specios,  tlio  7'.  tJitiriis,  'Mo]., 
whicli  extend.s  its  niiige  ovlt  tlio  \\\n>h  of  tivjpicnl  and  sulitropical  America, 


KAI,('(  )N  IDJ-;  -  -  TlIK    KALCUNS. 


177 


oxuliisivo  ol'  sniiin  of  tlii^  West  rndia  Islands.  Nortli  and  souUi  of  tliu 
Jstliinus  il  is  ni(i(lifi(!d  intu  ,m!(),!4r;)|iliical  races,  the  southern  ol'  whieh  is  var. 
tharuti,  Mol.,  and  the  umtheru  var.  ((inhihonl,  (.'ass. 

The  I'losely  related  .t^eiicra  J'/in/itihrninti,  Milrni/o,  Ilii/rfn;  and  Daptrim 
are  iieeidiar  to  South  America  and  the  soutliern  jMirtion  of  Middle  America, 
most  of  them  liein,n'  represented  by  two  or  mon;  s]iecie,s.  They  all  i'orm 
a  well-marked  and  jKHuliarly  American  grou[),  for  which  I  shall  retain 
Schlegel's  term  rolijlnifi. 

Their  hahits  are  ijuite  difl'eront  in  many  respects  from  those  of  other 
Fiih-oii.'uhi ,  for  they  eondiine  in  many  r(!S])ects  the  habits  of  the  gallinaceous 
liirds  and  those  of  the  N'ultures.  They  are  terrestrial,  running  and  walking 
gracefully,  with  the  exception  of  the  s])ecies  of  Ihjicter  and  JJaptrius,  which 
are  more  arboreal  than  the  others,  and  are  said  also  to  feed  chiefly  upon 
insects,  instead  of  carrion. 

Species  and  Races. 

P.  tharuB.     Wiiius   I4.r)()- 17.7U;    tail,   10.00- 11.00  ;  culmen,  1.20- 1.4S; 
tar.<iis,  ;3.2ii  -  -l.-JIt ;  iiiiddlu  toe,  1.7.')  -  2.;iO.       . 

Adult.  lAiiclicad,  crown,  oucipiil,  Ijin-k,  nim]),  abilomon,  sides,  and 
tiliiii!,  and  tcriiiinal  znni;  of  tlio  tail,  dull  blafk.  Ncfik.  lirca-ff,  tail- 
coverls,  and  tail,  dini;y  wliilisli.  Inturecupulai-s,  brea.st,  and  tail  with 
transvcr.-^o  dnsk y  bars. 

YoKiif/.  Blackish  aroas  replaced  by  dull  brown  ;  region  of  the  trans- 
vcr.-;e  bars  maiked,  instead,  with  longitudinal  stripes. 

Adult.  Wln)lu  body,  with  middle  win<r-coveris,  variegated  with 
transverse  bars  of  black  and  white;  tail-coverts  barred.  Terminal 
zone  of  the  tail  about  2.00  wide.  Yuhu;/.  Longitudinal  stripes 
over  the  whole  head  and  body,  except  throat,  cheeks,  and  tail- 
coverts  ;   tail-covcrts  transversely  barred.     Uub.    South  America. 

var.  tharu.i} 

^  1  Pohjlmrm  Ihnrus.  Fafco  Ihariti,  Molina,  Sp.  C'hil.  p.  264,  343;  1782.  Polybnrus  tharna, 
Stkicki,.  Oni.  Syii.  1,  19,  18").';.  Ju,/cf>  dicriiniii,  .Jacq.  Bcytnig.  p.  17,  ]il.  iv,  1784.  Polijbo- 
riis  cha-iivaii,  \in\\.  Seuo.Mii.  Vers.  Faun.  Brit.  Guiana,  p.  741,  1840.  Falco  plmicus,  G.mel. 
Sy.-t.  Xat.  !>.  2,=')7,  178it.  Fulco  hmsi/.nisis,  Omki,.  Syst.  Nat.  p.  202,  1789  (ct  Afer.). 
Puhjbnrus  bnmlknsis,  Vio.  Zolil.  .lourn.  J,  320,  1824.  CaraMra  vnhjarU,  Li-ss.  Tr.  Oni.  p. 
34;  1831.     Po/i/bonis  vnlijuris,  Si  ix.  Av.  Hras.  I,  ]il.  j,  a. 

Adult  mole  (2],8r)(l,  >Saulh  America;  T.  1!.  I'calc).  Forclicad,  crown,  occiput,  and  wings 
biownish-black  ;  middle  wiiig-covcrts  fainter,  with  obscurt;  whitish  har.s ;  primaries  white  in  the 
middle  (ju.st  beyond  th(>  coverts),  this  portion  having  ohsoli'te  wu.shes  of  grayish,  in  form  of 
faintly  indicated  tran.sverse  bars  ;  ba.sal  tliree-fourlhs  of  the  tail  white,  with  numerous  narrow, 
washed  liars  of  grayish,  these  becoming  more  faint  towiird  thi'  base  ;  tail  with  a  terminal  zone  of 
black,  about  two  inches  l)road.  Cheeks,  chin,  and  throat  soiled  white,  unvaried  ;  ho.ly  in  general 
(iucludiug  neck,  breast,  sid.'s,  abdomen,  back,  and  scajailars)  transversely  barred  with  bliu'k  and 
white,  the  white  pn^vailiiig  anteriorly  ;  beneath,  the  l)lack  bars  grow  gradually  wider  posteriorly, 
giving  thi'  tibiiu  and  femoiiils  a  uinlbrndy  blackish  appearance  ;  on  the  back  and  scapulars  also 
the  black  bars  exceed  the  white  iu  width,  but  they  are  very  sharply  delined,  regular,  and  con- 
tinuous ;  rump,  upper  and  lower  tail-covcrts,  white,  with  numerous  faint  bars  of  grayish.  Under 
side  of  the  wing  black  ;  outer  six  priioarii-s  white  in  the  middle  portion,  beyond  the  coverts,  this 
[latch  extending  obli(pU'ly  acioss  ;  scvondaries  rather  broadly  barred  on  basal  two-thirds  with 
black  ami  white,   leaving  the   terminal  third  unvaried.     Third  quill  longest  ;   fourth  scarcely 

vin..  111.  23 


178  NORTH  AMERICAN  RIRDS. 

Adii?t,  Trftiisv('is(>  liius  lonliiifil  to  llic  lii-cn.-it  niul  iiitcrscnpiilftrs; 
rest  of  Iwily  conliiiiioiis  Mjuk;  Inil-covorts  willmnt  Inns;  wiiif;- 
L'ovcrt.M  iiiivi\rici;iil(Ml.  Teiiiiiiiiil  zoiiu  of  tiiil  aliout  2.50  wide. 
i'oiDi;/.  I,(iiijrilii(liiiiil  sli'ipcs  conliiicd  to  tlio  bri-iist  iiml  iiitcr- 
sciijmlin's  ;  rest  of  the  hod)-  coiitiiiiioiis  hi-owii.  Tiiil-covci'ts  willi- 
oiit  liiU'a.  //(//).  Middle  Aiiiericii,  and  soiitlierii  border  of  I'liileil 
States,  from  Florida  to  C'ajie  St.  Liieiis        .         .        .        xuv.  a  nduhou  i. 


Polyborus  tharus,  vai.  auduboni,  ("assin. 

CARACABA  EAOLE;   "KINO  BUZZABD"  OF  FLOBIDA. 

Pohjhonm  nwluhimi,  Cas.sin',  Proc.  Acad.  Nat.  Sc.  Pliilad.  1805,  p.  'J.  /'nli/liorKs  riiliinrin 
("  ViKli.l.."),  Afi).  Orii.  Hiiif,'.  11,  ;},')0,  KS34  (not  of  Vir.li.r.or  1).  Pn/nlxinin  luvsilieii.ii.H 
("fiMlM.."),  Ari).  liirds  Am.  Oct.  cd.  I,  '21,  184ll  (not  of  (I.MKI.IN  !).  I'lilijimriix  (hanis 
("Mill..")  ('.\s.siN,  liirds  of  Cal.  k  Tc.\.  I,  IKi;  Ks.'d  (not  of  .Mni.isA  I)  ;  I5ukwi;i!, 
Oiild^y,  isr.7,  p.  r),H,  pi.  xi,  li^s.  18  &  lit  ;  I5.ui;i),  I'.ird.s  X.  Am.  1858,  p.  4;'..  —  IIkkk.m. 
r.  1!.  1!.  Kept.  VII,  31,  18:.7.  —  Corivs,  I'rod.  Orn.  Ariz.  p.  l;i,  18(i6.  —  Owkn,  llii.s, 
III,  07.  —  (ini.SKY,  Cat.  l!apt.  I?.  1804,  17.  —  I)i;l'.s,-i:i!,  Iliis,  l,s(ir.,  3^".»  (T.'.Xiis). 

Sp.  CiiAn.  Adult  ?«a/p  (12,(111),  Te.Nn.s;  Capt.  MfCall).  Forehead,  erowii,  occiput,  and 
nape,  wiiifT-s  J^eapular.s,  runi]),  lielly,  tliijjlis,  and  anal  ie;,'ion  eonlinuon.s;  deep  dull  l>laek; 
chin,  neck,  jn^'ulnni,  lirea.st,  and  lail-eoverl.s  (upjier  and  lower),  .soiled  white.  ]5rea.st 
with  iniiiieroii.s  cordate  .spots  of  black,  the.se  ^rowinj,'  larjfer  po.sleriorly,  and  runninp  in 
tran.sverse  ■scrie.'* ;  back  with  tranaver.se  liars  of  white,  which  beeonio  narrower  and  less 
distinct  posteriorly.  Basal  two-thirds  of  tail  white,  crossed  In'  thirteen  or  fourteen 
narrow  transverse  l)an<Is  of  l)lack,  which  become  narrower  and  more  faint  basally  ;  outer 
web  of  lateral  feather  almost  entirely  black ;  broad  terminal  band  of  the  tail  nniform 
black  (2.40  inches  in  width)  ;  third,  foiu'th,  fdih,  and  sixth  primaries  <;rayisli  just  beyond 
the  coverts,  this  portion  with  three  or  foiu'  transverse  bars  of  white.  Middle  portion  of 
]iriinaries  beneath,  faintly  barred  with  white  and  ashy;  the  barred  i>ortion  extending 
obliquely  across.  Third  quill  longest,  fourth  a  little  shorter,  .sei'ond  .shorter  than  fifth  :  first 
3.f)()  inches  shorter  than  lon^'e.st.     Wiufr,  10.70;  tail,  i).(i(l;  tar.susi,  3.40;  middle  toe,  2.10. 

Adult  female.  Plumage  similar ;  white  more  brownish;  alidomen  with  indication  of 
bans.     Wing,  lo.oO;  tail,  8.70;  tarsus,  ;S.;iO ;  middle  toe,  2.20. 

shorter  ;  second  intennediato  between  lil'tli  ami  sixth  ;  first  a  little  longer  than  seventh.  Wing, 
10.00;  tail,  0.."iO  ;  tarsu.s,  3. .50  ;  middle  toe,  1.75. 

Yoiuiij  (13,923,  South  America;  T.  H.  Peale).  Forehead,  I'rown,  occiput,  nape,  back,  wings,  and 
lower  parts  dark  sepia-brown  ;  fcatln'fs  of  the  breast,  siiles,  and  abdomen  marked  centrally  with 
a  broad  longitudinal  stripe  of  .soiled  fulvous-wliitc  ;  those  of  nape  and  back  more  ob.soletdy 
stri)U'(l,  and  variegated  irregularly  at  ends  with  the  same  ;  wing-coverts  pa.ssing  teniiinally  into 
]iale  browni.sh  ;  .secondarieH  oh.scurcly  ljarrc<l  with  the  .same.  Chcek.s,  chin,  and  throat  unvarie- 
gated  .soiled  white  ;  tibial  feathers  with  shaft -stripes  of  i>ale  fulvous.  Hump,  tail-coverts,  and  tail 
ns  ill  adult.  Several  specimens  I'roin  liuenos  Ayrcs  (Conehitas  ;  Win.  II.  Hudson),  and  one  Ironi 
Paraguay  (59,230  ;  T.  ,1.  Page,  V .  S,  N.),  have  the  black  of  the  lower  part  of  the  abdomen  and 
ilanks  (piite  continuous.  Then'  is  never,  however,  in  .South  American  H|iecimens,  an  approach  to 
the  ])eeuliar  characters  oi  auduboni,  as  defined. 

Lid  of  SjKcimois  examined.  —  Nat.  Mus.,  7  ;  Host.  Soe.,  4  ;  Philad.  Acad.,  3  ;  N.  Y.  Mus,,  S, 
Total,  17. 

.Meanuirmcnls.  ^^.  Wing,  10.00- 17.20  ;  tail,  10.00  -  11.00  ;  eulmen,  1.20  1.30  ;  tar.su.s, 
3.70-3.90;  midille  toe,  1.75-2.1.5.  Specimi'ns,  2.  ?.  Wing,  17.7li  ;  tail,  10.00  ;  eulmen, 
1.41  ;  tiusiis,  4.20  ;  middle  toe,  2.30.  Specimen.s,  1.  .Sex  .'  Wing,  15.50  ;  tail,  10.00  ;  eulmen, 
1.30;  tarsus,  3.05;  middle  toe,  1.90.     Smallest  of  4. 


KA  1X'( )N I D.K  —  Til I'J    KALI '( ).\S. 


170 


Yoitiif/  (I'J.l.'iO,  9,  Miriiilor,  Mrxii'o;  Dr.  (?.  Hiirtorius).  Illark  oi"  ndiilt  rcpliwcd  liy 
iliiiji-y  (liuli  Ill-own,  this  (liii'licst  ill  iIk'  liciiid;  wliiu-  luiil  (iiisi<y  rc^'iniis  jfriuliially  IiIciuUmI, 
liii!  li'iillicis  ol'  the  lii'i'iist  l)i'iiiK  wliiiisli,  <'ilp'(l  (ioniritiiiliimlly)  willi  liruwii,  No  tiwi!  of 
llii'  liMlisvci'si'  liiiis.  I'Xi'cpl  oil  the  lail,  wliicli  is  like  that  of  tin'  mliill. 

IIaii.  Miilclli'  Aiiicncii  iiorili  ol'Darifii ;  soiiihcni  liorilcr  of  I'liilcil  Status  IVoiii  I'lorida 
to  l.ciWiT  ('alilnriiia  ;    (,'iilia. 

I,ocaiiii.'s :  Ciiiak'iiiaia  (.S<'i,.  Ilii.s,  1,211);  Ciilia  (Caii.  Jomii.  II,  Ixxix  ;  (!i-Nni..  Rept. 
ISG.'i,  'J'Jl,  rusidciil);  'I  Trinidad  (Tayi.ou,  Ibis,  LSUl,  Tit);  Tuxas  (lJuKs.<i;ii,  lljis,  18(i."), 
o'JIi,  biL'uds);  Arizona  (Coi  kh)  ;  L'osta  Rica  (Lawu.  IX,  I'M);  Yiiuatan  (Lawh.  10,  '207.) 


MST    OF    SrKcr.MKNS    l:XA.MIXl;l>. 


X.ilional  MiuscMiin,  10;  Doslon  Society,  2  ;   I'liiladuliiliia  AcaUcmy,   4;  Musuuiu  Coinp. 
ZoOl.,  1  ;  R.  Ri<I,:,Mvny,  2.     Total,  2."). 

MeasHrementu, 


S,.r. 

lt7»iif. 
ll.tiO-  l().."i(l 

7Vii7. 
IJ.ttll-  10.00 

Cutnten* 

TVlMMI. 

Miildle  Toe. 

Specimen!. 

1.20-1.18 

;s.2o  -  :i.oo 

l.'J0-2.(JO        : 

C 

9 

1  1.7") -10.011 

S.SO-  10.00 

1,20-1.4.') 

:!.').-)- ;i.7.") 

2.00-2.1tt 

8 

IIaijits.  The  Camcara  Etxolo,  a.s  tliis  bird  is  called,  though  it  .secins  to 
possus.s,  to  a  largo  dogrcn;,  the  characteristics  of  a  Vulture,  and  hardly  any 
III'  tlie  true  a(iuiliiie  ntiture,  is 
Ibiiud  ill  all  the  extreme  soutli- 
eni  jiortious  of  tlie  country,  iu 
Florida,  Te.\iv.s,  Soutiicrn  Ari- 
zona, and  ('alilnriiia.  j\udiil)on 
met  witli  it  aliiiiidaiilly  in  Flor- 
ida in  tht;  winter  of  1831. 
Air.  iJoanhnaii  luis  seen  it  ([uite 
connnon  at  Kiitorprise,  associ- 
ating witli  tlie  Viiltiires.  Dr. 
Woodhouse,  while!  encainped  on 
the  liio  Saltado,  near  San  Anto- 
nio, in  Texas,  freiiuontly  .saw 
the  Caracaras,  and  always  in 
coin])aiiy  with  the  V^ultures, 
which  h(!  says  they  greatly  rc- 
seinlile  in  their  habits,  exce])ting 
that  they  wore  imieli  more  sliy.  Ho  could,  however,  readily  approach  them 
when  on  horseback.  ]\Tr.  Dresser  also  freciuently  encountered  it  in  Texas 
ill  the  vicinity  of  San  Antonio,  and  speaks  of  it  as  id)Uiidant  from  the 
llio  (irande  to  the  (!uadaloii]ie,  but  never  noticed  any  farther  east.  In 
Ariz(jna,  Dr.  Cones  says,  it  is  not  a  rare  bird  in  the  southern  and  western 
ptntions  of  that  Territory.  Lieutenant  Couch  likewise  describes  them 
as  exceedingly  abundant  from  the   liio  (Irande  to  the  Sierra  Madre.     He 


Poiyborus  tharuSy  v«r.  amhihoni. 


180  NORTH  AiMKIUCAX  BIRDS. 

speaks  of  killing  a  male  bird  nn  tlie  iiost,  wliioli  was  in  a  low  tree  ami 
comjxjsed  of  sticks.  Hi^  adds  tliat  this  l)ird  destroys  the  Te.\us  field-rats 
{SigmoJoii  licrhdii/liri)  in  large  niinihers. 

Dr.  Heerinann  met  witli  this  species  on  the  (.'olorado  Kiver,  near  Fort 
Yuma,  in  company  with  llie  Cal/utr/oi  aunt.  He  found  it  so  shy  that  it  was 
impossible  to  i)r(jcure  a  si)ecinieu.  He  found  it  along  the  (lila  liiver,  and 
again  met  with  it  in  Texas  M'herever  there  were  settlements.  ^Vt  San  .Anto- 
nio, wherever  there  were  slaughter-houses,  he  met  with  them  in  great  num- 
bers, twenty  or  tliiity  lieing  often  seen  at  a  time. 

Grayson  gives  the  t'aranint  as  (piite  abundant  in  the  Tres  ^larias.  Al- 
though it  sidisists  mainly  on  dead  animals  and  other  olfal,  it  is  .said  to  some- 
times capture  young  liirds,  lizards,  snakes,  and  land-crabs.  It  generally 
cari'ies  its  prey  in  its  beak:  but  Colonel  (irayson  states  that  he  has  seen  it 
also  bear  olf  its  h)od  in  its  claws,  as  Hawks  do.  It  walks  with  facility 
on  the  ground,  and  was  often  met  with  in  the  thick  woods,  walking  al)out  in 
search  of  snake.«.  ^Ir.  Xantus  found  it  nesting  at  f'ape  San  Lucas,  ]ilacing 
its  nest  on  the  t()[)  of  the  Cm  ua  i/ii/aiifri's.  It  occurs  also  in  the  West  Indies, 
especially  in  the  island  of  Cuba,  wher(  it  is  known  to  breed.  Kggs  were 
obtained  and  identiiieil  l)y  the  l.ate  Dr.  Derlandier,  of  Matamoras,  in  North- 
ern Me.xico,  on  the  Iiio  Grande,  in  considerable  inimbers. 

Mr.  Salvin  (Ibi.s,  I,  214)  says  the  C'linirnrti  is  universal  in  its  distribution 
in  Central  America,  a]i])earing  eipially  aliuudant  everywhere.  At  Duenas  it 
was  a  constant  resident,  breeding  on  the  surrounding  hills.  Its  food  seemed 
to  consist  largely  of  the  ticks  that  iid'csted  the  animals.  In  Honduras  Mr. 
G.  C.  Taylor  found  them  very  connnon,  ipiite  tame,  and  easily  shot.  Tliey 
feed  on  carrion  ami  otfal,  were  often  seen  sci'atcliing  among  the  half-dry 
cow-dung,  and  are  "a  very  low  caste  bird."  Mr.  K.  C  Taylor  (Ibis,  VI,  7l>) 
freijuently  saw  this  bird  on  the  .shores  of  the  Orinoco.  It  was  very  tame, 
and  generally  allowed  a  near  approach,  and  when  ilisturbed  ditl  not  ily  far. 
He  did  not  meet  with  it  in  Trinidad. 

On  the  Iiio  Grande  the  po])ular  name  of  this  species  is  Tularhc,  while  in 
Cliile  the  /'.  tharmi  is  called  Troro,  \n\t  its  more  connnon  name  throughout 
South  America  is  CarniiiclKi. 

According  to  Audubon,  the  flight  of  this  liird  is  at  great  heights,  is  more 
graceful  than  that  of  the  X'ultin'c,  and  consists  of  alternai  "  Ha])ping  and 
sailing.  It  often  sails  in  large  circles,  gliding  in  a  very  elegant  manner,  now 
and  th(Mi  diving  downwiirds  and  then  rising  again. 

These  birds  feed  on  frogs,  insects,  worms,  young  alligators,  carrion,  and 
various  other  forms  of  animal  food.  Mr.  Audubon  states  that  he  lias  seen 
them  walk  about  in  the  water  in  search  of  food,  catching  frogs,  young  alli- 
gators, etc.  It  is  harndess  and  inoffensive,  and  in  the  destruction  of  vermin 
renders  valuable  services.  It  builds  a  coar.se,  flat  nest,  composed  of  flags, 
reeds,  and  grass,  usually  on  the  tops  of  trees,  but  occasionally,  according  to 
Darwin,  on  a  low  cliff,  or  even  on  a  bush. 


FALCONID.E  — THE  FALCONS.  ISl 

Mr,  T}.  Owen,  wlio  I'diiiul  this  liird  lnvcdinjf  near  San  Geronimo,  C.uato- 
mala,  Ajml  2  (Iliis,  18G1,  p.  G7j,  states  tluit  the  nest  was  Imilt  on  llie  very 
crown  of  a  high  tree  in  tlie  plain.  It  was  made  of  small  l)iiiiiches  twisted 
together,  and  had  a  slight  lining  of  coarse  grass.  It  was  shallow,  and  formed 
a  mass  of  consideral)le  size.  Tiie  eggs  were  four  in  numlier,  and  are  de- 
scrilied  as  measuring  lMo  inches  hy  1. HO,  having  a  liglit  red  ground-color, 
and  sjiutted  and  blotched  all  over  with  several  shades  of  a  darker  red. 

Dr.  Ileermann  found  the  nest  of  this  species  on  (he  Medina  IJiver.  It 
was  built  in  an  oak,  and  constructed  of  coars(;  twigs  and  lined  w  ilii  leaves 
and  roots.  It  was  quite  recently  (inished,  and  coMt:iined  no  eggs.  Mr. 
Dresser  states  that  it  breeds  all  over  the  country  about  San  Antonio,  build- 
ing a  large  bulky  nest  of  sticks,  lined  with  small  roots  and  grass,  geneially 
])laced  in  a  low  mescjuite  or  oak  tree,  and  laying  three  or  four  roundish  eggs, 
similar  to  those  of  the  Honey  Uuzzard  of  Euro])e.  He  found  several  nests 
in  April  and  through  May,  and  was  told  by  the  niiir/icros  that  its  eggs  are 
found  as  late  as  June.  The  nests  found  in  the  collection  of  Dr.  Berlandier, 
of  jMatanioras,  were  coarse  Hat  stnu'tiires,  composed  of  flags,  reeds,  and  grass. 
The  nests,  thougli  usually  l)uilt  on  the  tops  of  trees,  are  occasionally  found, 
according  to  Darwin,  on  a  low  cliff,  or  even  on  a  l)ush.  Tlu'  numlier  of  the 
eggs  is  rarely,  if  ever,  more  than  three  or  four.  Four  eggs,  taken  by  Dr. 
Berlandier  near  the  l!io  Grande,  exhil)it  a  maxinnun  length  of  2.44  inches  ; 
least  length,  2.2.") ;  average,  2.41.  The  diameter  of  the  smallest  egg  is  1.7.") 
inches  ;  that  of  the  largest,  I.S8  ;  avi'rage,  1.81.  These  eggs  not  only  present 
the  great  and  unusual  variation  in  their  lengtli  of  nearly  eight  i)er  cent,  but 
A'ery  striking  and  anomalous  deviations  from  unil'oriuity  are  also  noticeable 
in  their  ground-color  and  markings.  Tlie  ground-color  varies  from  a  nearly 
pure  white  to  a  very  deep  russet  or  tan-color,  and  the  markings,  though 
all  of  sepia-lirown,  differ  greatly  in  their  shades.  In  some,  the  grou'id- 
color  is  nearly  pure  white  witli  a  slight  pinkish  tinge,  nearly  uns[)otted  at 
the  smaller  end,  and  oidy  marked  by  a  few  light  blotches  of  a  sepia-brown. 
These  markings  increase  both  in  size  and  frerpiency,  and  become  of  a  deeper 
shade,  as  they  are  nearer  the  larger  end,  until  they  liecome  almost  black,  and 
around  this  extremity  tliey  form  a  large  conllueut  ring  of  blotches  and 
dashes  of  a  dark  sepia.  Others  have  a  ground-color  of  light  russet,  or  rather 
white  with  a  very  slight  wash  of  russet,  and  are  marked  over  the  entire  sur- 
face, in  about  e(pial  proportion,  with  irregular  lines  and  broad  dashes  of  dark 
sepia.  Again,  in  others  the  ground  is  of  the  deepest  ru.s.set  or  tan-color,  ard 
is  marked  with  deep  blotches  of  a  dark  sejiia,  almost  black.  The  eggs  are 
much  more  oblong  than  those  of  most  birds  of  prey,  and  in  this  res])ect  also 
show  their  relation  to  the  Vultures,  rather  tlian  to  the  Hawks  or  Eagh.'s. 
They  are  pyriform,  the  smaller  end  tapers  (pute  abrui)tly,  and  varies  nmch 
more,  in  its  proportions,  from  the  larger  extremity,  than  tiie  eggs  of  most 
true  Hawlvs. 

Lieutenant  Gilliss  found  the  Soutli  American  race  exceedingly  numerous 


1S2  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

tliroiitfliout  Central  and  Sontlicrn  Cliiie.  It  was  constantly  mot  with  along 
tlu)  roads,  and  wliurever  tlusre  was  a  chance  of  obtaining  a  particle  of  ilesli 
or  offal.  At  the  annual  slau,t;litering  of  cattle  they  congregate  by  hundreds, 
and  remain  without  tlie  corral,  awaiting  tiieir  sliare  of  the  rejected  ]iarts.  It 
was  so  tame,  from  not  being  molested,  that  it  could  1)e  taken  with  the  lasso, 
Imt  when  tluis  ciiptured,  it  tights  desi)erately,  and  no  amount  of  attention 
or  kindness  can  reconcile  it  to  tlie  loss  of  liberty. 

Tiirougliout  Soutli  America  it  is  one  of  tlie  most  abundant  species,  its 
geographical  range  extending  even  to  Cajjc  H<jrn.  Mr.  Darwin  found  tlie 
J'o/i/bonis  nowhere  so  common  as  on  the  gra.s.sy  savannas  of  the  La  Plata, 
and  says  that  it  is  also  found  on  the  most  desei't  plains  of  Patagonia,  even 
to  the  rocky  and  barren  shores  of  the  I'acific. 


Gexus  FANDION,  S.wigny. 

Pandion,  Savion.  1S09.     (TyjH',  Falco  hnlUcliis,  Linn.) 
Tiiorchis,  Lk.vcii,  ISKi.     (Sumk!  typi-.) 
lldlbitsiirdus,  Flkmlno,  1828.     (Same  type.) 

Gkn.  CiiAR.  Bill  iull:ito(V  till!  ccro  (lopret^sfd  liolow  tho  arohed  culmen ;  ond  of  bill 
inui'h  dovuloped,  I'oiuiiiig  a  strong,  pciKk'nt  hook.  Anterior  oiltro  of  nostril  touching  edge 
oC  the  (vro.  Whole  of  tarsns  and  toes  (except  tei'ininal  joint)  covered  with  rough,  .some- 
what iinliricated.  projecting  .scales.  Outer  toe  versatile;  all  t\w  claws  of  eipial  length. 
In  theirshapo,  al.so,  they  are  peculiar  ;  the}-  contract  in  thit'kne.ss  to  tlieir  lower  side,  where 
they  are  much  narrow(.'r  than  on  top,  as  well  as  perfectly  smooth  and  rounded;  the  middle 
claw  has  the  usual  .sharp  lateral  ridge,  bu'  it  is  not  very  distinct.  .\11  the  toes  jierfoctly 
free.  Tiliiie  not  plumed,  Ijut  covered  comimctly  with  short  feathers,  tliesc  rea(.'hiiig  down 
the  front  of  tho  tarsus  Inflow  the  knee,  and  Ici'iniuating  in  an  angle.  Primary  coverts 
hard,  still',  and  acuminate,  almost  as  much  so  as  the  quills  themselves;  third  quill  longest; 
(irst  longer  than  fifth  ;  second,  tliird,  and  fourth  sinuated  on  outer  webs  ;  outer  three 
deeply  emargiiiated,  the  fourth  sinuated,  on  inner  webs. 

Of  this  remarkable  genus,  there  appears  to  Ite  but  a  single  species,  which 
is  almost  completely  cosmopolitan  in  its  habitat.  As  in  the  case  of  the 
Peregrine  Falcon  and  Bai'u  Owl,  different  geographical  regions  have  each  a 
l)ecidiar  race,  modified  liy  .some  climatic  or  local  influence.  These  races, 
however,  are  not  well  marked,  and  are  consequently  only  definable  with 
great  dilliculty. 

Species  and  Races. 
P.  haliaetus.  Wing,  15.20 - 21..50  ;  tail,  7.00- 11.11  ;  culmen,  1.20-1.40; 
tarsiLs,  2.00-2.1,');  middle  toe,  1.00-2.00.  Second  or  third  ciuills  longest. 
Above  clear  dark  prayish-lirown,  inclining  to  brownish-lilaek,  jdain,  or 
variegated  with  white.  Tail  brown i.sh-gray  (the  innt'r  webs  almost  entirely 
while),  narrowly  tipped  with  white,  and  ero.ssed  liy  about  six  or  seven 
nearly  eipial  bauds  of  dusky-black.  Head,  neck,  and  entire  lower  parts, 
snowy-white  ;  the  breast  with  or  without  brown  spots  or  wa.sh.  A  ihi.sky 
stripe  on  side  of  head  (from  lores  across  the  ear-covert.s).  and  top  of  head 
more  or  less  spotted,  or  streaked,  with  'he  same.    Adult.    T'pper  part.s  [ilain. 


FALCONlDJs-TIIE    FALCONS.  188 

roinig.    Feathers  of  the  upper  parts  bonlored  terniiuiilly  with  wliite.    Soxes 

alike  (?). 

Wing,  17.00-20.50;  tail.  7.00- lU.OO ;  eiiliiieii,  l.'2()-1.4r);  tarsus, 
1.9o-;i.li"<;  middle  toe,  l.SO-l.OO.  Seeoud  cr  third  (piills  longest 
(in  eighteen  specimens  from  Europe  and  Asia).  First  longer  than  lifth. 
Breast  always  (?)  spotted  with  brownisli,  or  uniforndy  so  ;  top  of  head 
with  the  blaek  streaks  usually  predominating.  Tail  with  si.K  to  seven 
narrow  black  bands,  continuous  aei-oss  both  webs.  Hah.  Northern 
Hemisphere  of  the  Old  Wc.rld yiiv.  h  aliaitiis .' 

Wing,  17.50-21.50;  tail,  8.70- 10..50;  eulnien,  1.25-1.40;  tarsus, 2.U0- 
2.40;  middle  toe,  1.70  -  2.00.  Second  and  third  (piill  longest.  Ureast 
often  entirely  without  .spots;  top  of  head  and  nape  nsiudly  wiili  dark 
streaks  predominating.  Tail  with  si.'c  to  seven  narrow  bkutk  bands, 
continuous  across  both  webs.  Hub.  Northern  lleinispliere  of  tin.' 
New  World var.   ^^carolinensis." 

Wing,  17.50-19.50;  tail,  9.00- 10.00;  culme-  1.25-1.40;  tarsus, 
2.10  ;  middle  toe,  1.70-  1.9.5.  Third  rpiill  longest,  but  second  just  per- 
ceptibly shorter  (eight  specimens,  including  Gould's  types).  Breast 
with  the  markings  sometimes  (in  two  out  of  the  eight  exau)ples) 
reduced  to  sparse  shaft-streaks,  but  never  (?)  entirely  immaculate. 
Top  of  the  head  with  the  white  streaks  usually  predominating,  somo- 
timcs  (in  three  o\it  of  the  eight  specimens)  immaculate  white  (the 
occiput,  however,  aUv.ays  with  a  few  streaks).  Tail  with  six  to  seven 
white  liands  on  the  inner  webs,  which  (according  to  Kaup)  do  not 
touch  the  shaft.     //((6.  Australia        .        .        .         vav.  ''le  iicocephalu  s."' 

1  Pandiim  haliwtus,  var.  haliatim  (Li.NX.).  Aquila  haUwtus,  Binss.  Orn.  I,  410,  pi.  xxxiv. 
Fiilco  lialMns,  LiNN.  S.  X.  I,  1766,  129.  Pandwii  haludm,  Li:ss.  Man.  Orn.  1,  86.  Fnhv 
arundimnrHs,  Gmki,.  1733.  I'atuUnn  fluvialis,  Savigx.  Doscr.  Egyp.  I,  90,  1809.  Pundioii 
aUiceps  and  p/uiiwejis,  l>i!i;nM,  Viig.  Deutscld.  33,  1831.  Pundioii  iiidicus,  Honos.  Cat.  Gray's 
Mise.  81. 

Specimens  cx-aiiiiiK-d.  —  Nat.  Mus.,  3;  Uo.'t.  Soc.,  2;  Pliilad.  Acad.,  3;  other  .sources,  10. 
Total,  18. 

Measurements. —  $ .  Wing,  18.00-18.50;  tail,  8.50-8.70;  culmon,  1.20-1.30;  tarsus, 
1.95-2.00  ;  middle  toe,  1.50-1.80.  Siwcimen.s,  4.  9.  Wing,  19.50-20.50  ;  tail,  9.00-9.50  ; 
culmen,  1.35-1.45;  tar.sus,  2.00-2.10;  middle  toe,  1.85-1.90.     Sjieciniens,  4. 

Five  sp(«imeiis  from  the  I'alniarctio  Hegion  (ini  hiding  one  from  Jajian  and  one  from  Morocco) 
conipan!  with  three  from  India  as  follow^  :    - 

I'alajarctic  .speoiiueiis  :  Wing,  18.70  -  20.40  ;  tail,  9.00- 10.00  ;  culmen,  1.28  -  1.35  ;  tarsu.s, 
2.15  ;  middle  toe,  1.75-1.80. 

Indian  speeimens  :  Wing,  17.00-19.75;  tail,  7.00-8.75;  culmen,  1.28  -  1.35  ;  tarsus,  2.00; 
midille  toe,  1.75. 

The  Indian  specimens  pre  slightly  darker  than  the  northern  ones.  In  the  northern  .series,  the 
smallest  is  one  from  Morocco.  This  has  the  lireiist  as  white  as  any  Australian  example,  and  has 
the  head  and  neck  above  as  light  as  in  many  of  them.  The  .lapanese  specimen  is  exactly  like 
Kuropean  ones  in  color,  but  is  intermediate  between  tluiu  and  the  Indian  ones  in  .size,  measuring, 
wing,  17.50;  tail,  8.80;  culmen,  1.30;  tarsus,  2.15;  nuddle  toe,  1.60.  The  smallest  in  the 
series  is  one  from  Celebes,  in  the  Museum  of  Comparative  Zoology  at  Cand)ridge  (Xo.  12,196). 
This  one  measures,  wing,  15.20  ;  tail,  7.50  ;  culmen,  1.20  ;  tar.sus,  2.00  ;  and  nnddle  toe,  1.60. 
In  colors  it  approaches  very  clo.scdy  to  var.  hiicoecplmlits. 

*  Pandion  iMliaitus,  var.  leucocrphalus  ((iori.D).  Puiidiun  Jluviatilis,  var.  1,  Lr.ss.  Tr.  Orn. 
1831,  46.  Pnndion  leucoctpluiliis,  Uon.D,  Jjynop.  H.  .Vustr.  I,  1832,  22,  pi.  vi.  Pmidiim  ijinUdi, 
Kaup,  Lsis,  1847. 

Specimens  examined.  —  I'hilad.  Acad.,  8  (Gould's  tyi)es)  ;  Boston  Soc,  1.     Total,  9, 


184  XoliTlI  AMEiaCAN  PAllDS. 

Fandion  halisetus,  var.  carolinensis  (Gmki). 

FISH-HAWK  ;  AMEBICAN  OSPBEY. 

Ftitco  carnlinciiMx,  G.mi;i,.  Syst.  Nal.  p.  2(i.i,  ITS'.'.  —  Dai'H.  Tr.  Orii.  II,  69,  1800.  Pan- 
diun  (■(irnll/iiiinis,  I'.dnai'.  List,  pt.  iii,  1838;  Consp.  Av.  p.  lii. — .Stiiiiki..  Oiii.  Syii. 
I,  l>4,  185;'!.  — All).  Iiiids  Am.  pi.  l.\.\xi,  1831.  — Cass,  liinls  Cal.  &  'IV.x.  p.  112, 
18r4.  —  I!i!i',\vi:ii,  Oi.logy,  18;",  1>.  53,  pi.  iii,  iig.  33,  34.  —  Xkwii.  ]'.  K.  1{.  l!cpt.  VF, 
iv,  75,  1857.  —  Hi;i:i:.M.  VII,  -Jl,  1857.-  Df.Kav,  Zuiil.  X.  Y.  II,  8,  pi.  vi,  11;,'.  18.  — 
Cass,  r.iids  X.  Am.  1858,  p.  H.  — Coor.  itSicK.  I'.  I!.  1!.  licjit.  XII,  ii,   153,   1800. 

—  ('((IKS,  I'lod.  Oiii.  a™.  18tl(i,  p.  13.  —  GUAY,  Iliiiiil  Mm,  I,  15,  1809.  —  Max.  Cab. 
.loiini.  VI,  1858,  11.  — I,()i;i>,  I'l-.  1!.  A.  I.   IV,   18(14,    110   ^l!|■it.   Coliimh.  ;   iirstiiig). 

—  FoWLKli,  Am.  N'at.  11,1808,  I'.i-J  (habits).  Juih-n  cKiicnncnsis,  (l.MK.l,.  Syst.  Xat. 
p.  203,  1789.  —  Dax'I).  Ti-.  Oiii.  II,  p.  69,  1800.  Fa Im  timer icnmis,  Gmki-.  Sy.st.  Xat. 
p.  257.  —  L.\TII.    liidr.x  Oiii.  )).  13,  1790  ;  .Syii.  I,  3,5,  1781  ;  Oi'ii.  Ili.st.   I,  238,  1821. 

—  Dati).  Tr.  Orii.  II,  50. —.Shaw,  Zoiil.  A'll,  88.  ^t'/iti/d  niDcrkinia,  Vii,ii,i,.  Ois. 
Am.  Sci)t.  1,  pi.  iv,  1807.  Vnndion  aiucriciiHus,  Vikm.i..  (lal.  Ois.  pi.  ii,  1825.  — 
Vui.  Zoiil.  Jourii.  I,  330. — Swains.  Classif.  1"..  II,  207,  1837.  Aqnila  pi.siuitrix, 
ViKiLi,.  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  I,  jil.  iv,  1S07.  Airiju'li-r  iiisniloriHs,  Caiksuy,  Carolina,  I, 
pi.  ii,  1754.  .1.  fn/ci)  jiisculof  aiitillnruni,  liiiiss.  Oiii.  1,  301,  1700.  A.  Jiihv  jiisridor 
camliiini.ii.i,  Hiii.ss.  Orii.  I,  3iJ2.  I'uiitlinn  luiliivtus,  Iticn.  Faun.  Hor.  Am.  11,  20, 
1831.  — .Taiii).  (\Vii,s.)  Am.  Orii.  II,  lii3,  1832.  —  .Iami;s.  (Wii.s.)  Am.  Oin.  I,  38, 
1831.  —  Aui).  Oni.  Itio;;.  I,  415,  1831.  -  (Jkay,  LiM  Ii.  Krit.  Miis.  p.  22,  1844.  I  I'un- 
clioii  fdsciufiis,  liuKiiM,  Allgtiii.  iliiitsili.  Zcitiiiig,  11,  1850,  00  (St.  I)omiiij;o). 

Sp.  CnAR.  Adult  wale  (17.227,  S;ui  Joso,  Lower  C;ilifoi'ni.a,  Deccinhcr  15,  18,')9 ;  J. 
Xaiitiis).  Tppei'  siirl'aci'  dark  v;iii(lyki'-bi'invii,  with  .i  I'aiiit  purplisli  u;ist. ;  quills  blauk. 
Kvc'i'v  ffatlu'i'  with  a  coii.s|)iciioiis,  .sharply  ilcliiu'd  t(,'riiiiii;d  crescent  of  pure  white.  Tail 
biowiiish-drab.  narrowly  tippeil  with  white,  and  crossed  witli  seven  (one  concealed) 
retrnlar  liands  ofdnsky  ;  inner  webs  idino.«t  wholly  while,  the  black  bands  .shin'ply  dclincd 
and  conlinnons:  .sliiilis  entii'cly  wiiite.  (irnund-oolor  of  the  head,  neck,  ;uul  entire  lower 
])arts,  pnre  white:  a  liroad  stripe  from  the  eye  b.ack  across  iiiii)er  edire  of  the  ear-eoverts 
to  the  occiput  brownish-lilack :  wiiile  head  iilso  spar.seiy  stre;iked  with  blackish,  these 
streak.s  snn'nsinjr  and  predomiimtiim'  medially;  inipe  laintly  tinsiied  witii  ocliraeeons,  and 
sparsely  streaked.  Breast  witii  lar^je  conhite  spots  of  brown,  fainter  than  that  of  the 
li;iek,  a  nie(lial  spot  on  each  IL'ather,  the  shaft  black  ;  rest  of  lower  jun-ts  iniinacnlatc. 
Lininpf  of  the  winjr  wliilc,  stronjrly  tinged  witli  oehraeoous;  the  brown  of  the  onter  snr- 
face  encroiichin^'  biciadiy  over  the  cd,t!'(>.  Tender  priinary-eoverts  with  broad  transverse 
spots  or  bars:  under  snrliu'c  of  prinnn'ies  jrrayish-white  .'interior  to  the  einaiyination 
irrej;iilarly  mottled  with  frrayish;  a.\illars  iminaeiilato.  Winir-formnla,  2  =  •'',  4  -  1.  "j. 
Wing,  20.00;  tail,  8.Si(;  culmeii.  1:15;  tarsus,  S.L'j- I.IO;  middle  toe,  l.!)0;  outer,  1.75; 
inner,  1.40;  posterior,  1.15;  ]iosterior  outer  and  inner  claws  of  eipial  length,  each 
measuring  1.20  (chord):  middle,  1.15.     "  Iris  yellow  ;  leet  greenish-yellow." 

Adult  female  (290,  S.  F.  Bainl's  Collection,  Carli.sle,  Pa.,  April  17,  1841).  Dark 
brown  of  the  upper  surface  entirely  uiiiforin,  there  being  none  of  llie  .sharply  dclincd 
white!  crescents  so   conspicuous  in  the   male.'     Tail  brown  to   its  tip.  liie   ilusky   biuids 

'  McGillivray  describes  this  plumage  as  that  of  the  young,  and  states  that  the  sexes  are  col- 
ored alike  ;  but  my  observations  upon  freshly  killed  speiiiiieiis,  as  well  as  skins,  imliiee  me  to 
believe  that  the  sexes  are  dilleiently  colored  ill  their  adult  idiiinage,  as  deserilii'd  above,  and  the 
y<ungare  not  dill'ereiit  from  the  adults.  1  may  be  mistaken  in  adopting  this  view,  but  a  male 
killed  liy  niyselt',  in  the  whiti'-bordeied  iihniiage,  had  .scarlet  irides  and  other  unmistakable  chur- 
acteristios  of  perfect  niatiirity. 


FALCONID.E  —  THE    FALCONS. 


185 


obscm-p,  except  on  inner  we1)s.  On  the  top  of  the  head,  the  (hisky  is  more  confined  to  a 
medial  stripe.  Pectoral  sjwts  smaller,  less  eonspienous.  Under  snrl'ae(>  of  primaries  more 
mottled  with  grayish.  Wing-formula,  3,  2-4  -  1,  5.  Wing,  20.50  ;  tail, 'J.lu  ;  culmen, 
1..35;  tarsus,  2.1.5  ;  middle  toe,  1.70. 


12013,0. 


;1^>l^ 


12013,$. 


^ 


12013,  S. 


Panfiioii  caroUnensia. 

Had.  Whole  of  North  America,  south  to  Panama ;  N.  Brazil ;  Trinidad,  Cnba,  and 
other  West  India  Isl.ands. 

Localities:  Belize  (Sci..  Ibis,  I,  215);  Cnba  (Cap.  Tonrn.  II,  Ixxx,  ne.sts ;  GrNni.. 
Repert.  Sept.  18G5,  1,  222) ;  Bahamas  (Bryant,  Pr.Eost.  Soo,  VII,  1859)  ;  Panama  (Lavvu. 
YIII,  G3)  ;  Trinidad  (Taylor,  Ibis.  186G,  79)  ;  Arizona  (Couf:?,  Pr.  A.  N.  S.  1860,  49)  ; 
N.  Brazil  (Pelz.  Orn.  Bras.  I,  4). 

In  eiglit  out  of  twelve  North  American  adult  specimens,  tliere  is  but  the 
sliglitest  amount  of  spotting  on  the  breast ;  in  two  of  these  (4,306,  Puget 
Sound,  and  12,014,  Oregon),  none  whatever;  in  17,228  (<?,  Cape  St.  Lucas), 
2,512  ((?  S.  R  B.  Carlisle,  Pa.),  :?4,0G5  (9,  Realejo,  Central  America),  and 
5,837  (Fort  Steilacoom),  there  is  just  a  trace  of  these  spots. 

The  specimens  described  are  tliose  having  the  breast  most  distinctly- 
spotted.  Specimens  vary,  in  length  of  wing,  from  17.50  to  20.50.  There 
appears  to  be  no  sexual  difference  in  size. 

VOL.  IIL  24 


186  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

The  distinctness  or  identity  of  the  European  nnd  Xorth  American  Ospreys 
can  only  be  determined  liy  tlie  ct)niparison  of  a  very  lar<,'e  series;  this  we 
have  not  been  aide  to  do,  and  although  it  is  our  belief  that  tliey  shoidd 
not  be  se])arated,  the  impressions  received  from  a  close  inspection  of  the 
specimens  liefore  us  (twenty-seven  American  and  eighteen  European)  seem 
to  indicate  the  propriety  of  distinguishing  them  as  races. 

Tiie  male  of  the  pair  described  appears  to  be  perfectly  identical,  in  all 
respects  excejit  size,  with  a  very  perfect,  finely  mounted  European  male  ; 
indeed,  the  oidy  discre])ancy  is  in  the  size,  the  wing  of  the  Euvojjean  bird 
being  only  nineteen  inclies,  instead  of  twenty  inches  as  in  the  American. 
The  female,  however,  differs  from  European  females  in  hiiving  the  brown 
on  the  l)reast  in  the  form  of  detaclied  faint  spots,  instead  of  a  continuous 
grayish-brown  wash,  more  or  less  continuous. 

The  types  of  our  descriptions  are  the  only  specimens  of  the  American 
series  which  sliow  even  an  approach  to  the  amount  of  spotting  on  the  breast 
constant  in  birds  from  Europe. 

The  American  bird,  as  indicated  by  the  series  before  us,  wonld  seem  to  be 
ratlier  the  larger ;  for  tlie  European  specimens  measure  uniformly  about  an 
inch  less  than  tlie  American  in  length  of  the  wing. 

In  all  the  American  specimens,  of  both  sexes,  the  shafts  of  the  tail- 
feathers  are  co  itiniiously  white,  while  in  the  European  they  are  clear  white 
only  at  the  roots  or  for  the  basal  half. 

While,  in  consideration  of  the  above  facts,  I  am  for  the  present  compelled 
to  recognize  the  American  Pandion  under  the  distinctive  name  of  carulincn- 
sis,  I  may  say,  that,  if  any  European  birds  occur  with  the  breast  immacu- 
late,—  no  matter  what  the  proportion  of  specimens,  —  I  shall  at  once  waive 
all  claims  to  distinctness  for  the  American  bird. 

LIST   OK   tPEClMENS    KXAMINED. 

National  Mnseiim,  7;  Pliiladeliihia  Auadeiny,  ,3;  New  York  Mnsetim,  I  (Brazil); 
Boston  Society,  (5 ;  Museum  Canil)riilge,  9 ;  Cab.  G.  X.  Lawrence,  1 ;  Coll.  R.  Riiigway,  1. 
Total,  28. 

Afensv  rem  en  ts. 


».r.  Wing.  I  Tail. 

|<?   I  19.00-20.50  I   lo.rtO-10..")0 


Culmen.  Tarsus.  Mirlillt  Tot.  Specimtna 


1.35-    .         2.25-2.40      1.80-1.85 


u 


I?    I  18.'5-in.00  !     8.80-   O.no  1  1.2.")- 1.35     2.00-2.25      1.70-1.80  4  | 

Second  and  third  tiuill.s  lonirest ;  first  shorter  or  lonprer  than  fdtli. 

Habits.  The  Fish  Hawk  of  Xorth  America,  whether  we  regard  it  as  a 
race  or  a  distinct  species  from  that  of  the  Old  World  fauna,  is  found  through- 
out the  continent,  from  the  fur  regions  around  Hnilson's  Bay  to  Central 
America.  According  to  j\[r.  Hill,  it  is  seen  occasionally  in  Jamaica,  and,  as 
I  learn  by  letter  from  Dr.  Gundlach,  is  also  occasionally  met  witli  in  the 
island  of  Cuba ;  but  it  is  not  known  to  breed  in  either  place.     Dr.  Wood- 


FALCONID.'E  —  THE   FALCOiSS. 


187 


Pamtion  lindfrtim  ( Eiir<'iH.'an  j^pwiiiien). 


liouse,  iu  his  rojiurt  of  tlio  exiietlitiou  to  the  Zuui  Jfiver,  speaks  of  tliis  Hawk 
as  coiiiiiioii  along  the  coasts  of  Texas  and  (.'aliforniu.  Dr.  HeeiMnaun  men- 
tions it  as  LOinnion  on  tlie  borders  of  all  the  large  rivers  of  California  in 
sumuier  ;  and  \h:  Cianihel  also  re- 
feis  to  it  as  abundant  along  the 
coast  of  that  State,  and  on  its 
rocky  islands,  in  which  latter  lo- 
calities it  breeds.  1  am  not  aware 
that  it  has  ever  been  found  far- 
ther south  than  Texas,  on  the 
eastern  coast.  On  the  racilic 
coast  it  appear;!  to  have  a  more 
extended  distribution  both  north 
and  south,  but  nowhere  to  be  so 
abundant  as  on  certain  parts  of 
the  Atlantic  coast. 

Mr.  Ihscholf  olitained  this  spe- 
cies about  Sitka,  where  he  found 
it  breediuii-,  and  took  its  eggs  ; 
and  Mr.  Dall  procured  several 
specimens  luiar  Xidato  in  May, 
1807,  and  iu  18(18.     Tliey  were 

not  unconnnon,  frequenting  the  small  streams,  ami  were  summer  visitors, 
retimiing  to  the  same  nest  each  season.  Colonel  Grayson  found  it  breeding 
as  far  soutli  as  the  islands  of  the  Tres  IMarias,  in  latitude  31°  30'  north. 
The  nest  was  on  the  top  of  a  giant  cactus.  Mr.  Xantus  describes  it  as 
breeding  on  the  ground  at  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

Iu  the  interior  it  was  met  wilh  by  liichardson,  but  its  migrations  do  not 
appear  to  reach  the  extreme  northern  limits  of  the  continent.  That  ob- 
serving naturalist  saw  nothing  of  this  bird  when  he  Avas  coasting  along  the 
shores  of  the  Arctic  Sea,  nor  did  ^Ir.  Hearne  find  it  on  the  barren  grounds 
north  of  Fort  Chuichill.  Its  eggs  were  collected  on  the  Mackenzie  River 
by  Mr.  lioss,  and  on  the  Yukon  by  ^lessrs.  Lockhart,  Sibbiston,  McDougal, 
and  Jones.  At  Fort  Yukon,  Mr.  Lockhart  found  it  nesting  on  a  high  tree 
(S.  I.  15,G76). 

On  the  Atlantic  coast  it  is  found  from  Labrador  to  Florida,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  portion  of  ]\Iassachusetts  around  Boston,  where  it  does  not  breed, 
and  where  it  is  very  rarely  met  with.  It  is  most  abmidant  from  Long 
Island  to  the  Chesapeake,  and  throng) lout  this  long  extent  of  coast  is  very 
numerous,  often  breeding  in  large  communities,  to  the  number  of  several 
hundred  pairs.  Away  from  the  coast  it  is  much  less  frequent,  hut  is  occa- 
sionally met  with  on  the  banks  of  the  larger  rivers  and  lakes,  and  in  such 
instances  usually  iu  solitary  pairs.  Dr.  HaydtMi  found  it  nesting  in  the 
Wind  Iiiver  Mountains  on  the  top  of  a  large  cottonwood  tiee. 


188  NORTU  AilEUICAN  BIPDS. 

Mr.  Allen  reports  this  species  as  abundant  everywhere  in  Florida,  and  as 
especially  so  around  the  lakes  of  the  I'pjter  St.  .Iolin.>j,  wliere  it  conuiumces 
ncstiny  in  January.  At  LaUi^  .Monroe  ho  counted  si.x  nests  from  a  ,sinj,de 
l)oint  of  view,  it  is  said  by  lisht'rnien  to  occur  on  the  coast  of  Lalirador, 
but  it  is  not  cited  as  found  there  by  Mr.  Auduljon,  nor  is  it  so  yiven  liy  Dr. 
Coucs,  It  is,  however,  very  connnon  on  the  coast  of  Nova  Scotia,  breeding 
in  the  vicinity  of  most  of  the  liarbors.  It  is  given  by  Mr.  IJoardnian  as 
c(mmion  near  ('alais,  where  it  arrives  about  the  lUth  of  April,  and  remains 
until  the  middle  of  September.  It  is  found  along  the  whole  coast  more  or 
less  aliundantly,  esi)ecially  near  the  iieads  of  tlie  numerous  estuaries. 

In  Central  America  it  is  cited  by  Salvin  as  occurring  aliundantly  on  l)oth 
the  coast  regions,  and  is  particularly  connnon  about  lielize,  where!  it  is  be- 
lieved to  breed.  It  is  said  by  Mr.  Xewton  to  be  found  on  the  island  of  St. 
Croix  at  all  times  except  during  the  breeding-season.  It  was  also  occa- 
sionally seen  at  Trinidad  by  Mr.  Iv  (.'.  Taylor. 

The  Fish  Hawk  appears  to  subsist  wholly  on  tlie  fish  which  it  takes  by 
its  own  active  exertions,  plunging  for  them  in  the  ojien  deej),  o''  catching 
them  in  the  shallows  of  rivers  where  the  depth  does  not  permit  a  j)lunge. 
Its  abundance  is  measured  somewhat  by  its  su])])ly  of  food ;  and  in  some 
parts  of  the  country  it  is  hardly  found,  in  others  it  appears  in  solitary  pairs, 
and  again  in  a  few  districts  it  is  tpiite  gregarious. 

The  American  Fish  Hawk  is  migratory  in  its  habits,  leaving  our  coasts 
early  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  and  returning  s(wn  after  the  close  of  the  winter. 
Sir  John  liichardsoii  states  that  the  time  of  its  arrival  in  the  fur  regions  ia 
as  early  as  April,  and  on  the  coast  it  has  been  noticed  in  the  middle  of 
March.  It  breeds  on  the  coar.t  of  Xova  Scotia  late  in  June,  on  that  of 
Maine  earlier  in  the  same  month,  in  New  Jersey  and  Alaryland  in  jMay,  and 
still  earlier  in  California. 

It  is  said  to  arrive  on  the  New  Jersey  coast  with  great  regularity  about 
the  21st  of  March,  and  to  l)e  rarely  seen  there  after  the  22d  of  September. 
It  not  unfrequently  finds,  on  its  first  arrival,  the  ponds,  bays,  and  estuaries 
ice-bound,  and  experiences  some  dilHcultyin  procuring  lb(jd.  Yet  I  can  lind 
no  instance  on  record  where  our  Fish  Hawk  has  l)een  known  to  molest  any 
other  liird  or  land-animal,  to  feed  on  them,  though  their  swiftness  of  flight, 
and  their  strength  of  wing  and  claws,  would  seem  to  render  such  attacks 
quite  easy.  On  their  arrival  the  Fish  Hawks  are  said  to  combine,  and  to 
wage  a  determined  war  upon  tlie  White-headed  Eagles,  often  succeeding  by 
their  numbers  and  courage  in  driving  them  temporarily  from  their  haunts. 
But  they  never  attack  them  singly. 

The  Fish  Hawk  nests  almost  invariably  on  the  tops  of  trees,  and  this 
habit  has  been  noticed  in  all  parts  of  the  country.  It  is  not  without  excep- 
tions, but  tliese  are  quite  rare.  William  H.  Edwards,  F]sq.,  found  one  of 
tlieir  nests  constructed  near  West  Point,  New  York,  on  a  high  cliff  overhang- 
ing the  Hudson  liiver.     The  trees  on  which  their  nests  are  built  are  not  un- 


FALCONIIhE  — THE   l-WLCONS.  189 

IVcfiuently  killotl  by  their  cxcromont  or  the  siiliiie  clinracter  of  their  food  and 
the  materials  of  tlieir  nest.  The  hird  is  hold  and  conHdin;.^,  often  coii.structin<,' 
its  nest  near  a  fr(;(iuented  path,  or  even  upon  a  hij,'h\vay.  Near  the  eastern 
extremity  of  the  Wi  icasset  (Me.)  liridge,  and  direetly  ujion  the  staye-road,  a 
nest  of  this  Ihiwlc  was  occupied  several  year.s.  It  was  upon  tlie  top  of  a 
low  iiine-tree,  was  readily  ae(!e.ssible,  the  tree  hv'iw^  easily  climbed,  and  was 
so  near  the  road  that,  in  passing,',  the  youn<,'  birds  could  frecpiently  be  heard 
in  th(!ir  nest,  utterinj,^  their  usual  (jries  for  food. 

The  nests  are  usually  composed  externally  of  lar,i,'e  sticks,  often  piled  to 
the  heijzlit  of  five  feet,  with  a  diameter  of  three.  In  a  nest  described  by 
Wilson,  he  found,  intennixed  with  a  mass  of  sticks,  corn-stalks,  sea-weed, 
wet  turi;  nudlcin-stalks,  etc.,  the  whole  lined  with  dry  S(>a-j,'rass  {ZoMa'a 
moruKi),  and  large  enough  to  fill  a  cart  and  be  no  inconsiderable  load  for  a 
hoi'se. 

When  the  nest  of  this  Hawk  is  visited,  c.s])Ocially  if  it  contain  young,  the 
male  bird  will  frecpieutly  make  violent,  and  .sometimes  dangerous,  attacks 
upon  the  intruder.  In  one  instance,  in  Alaiiu^  the  talons  of  one  of  these 
Hawks  penetrated  through  a  thick  cloth  cap,  and  laid  bare  the  scalp  of  a  lad 
who  had  climl)ed  to  its  nest,  and  very  nearly  hurled  him  to  the  ground.  A 
correspondent  ([uoted  by  AVilson  narrates  a  nearly  similar  instance  of  coura- 
geous and  desperate  defence  of  the  young.  They  arc  very  devoted  in  their 
attentions  to  their  mates,  and  supply  them  with  food  while  on  the  nest. 
Wilson  relates  a  touching  instance  of  this  devotion,  where  a  female  that 
had  lost  one  leg,  and  was  unable  to  fish  for  herself,  was  abundantly  supplied 
by  her  mate. 

In  some  localities  the  Fish  Hawk  nests  in  large  communities,  as  many 
as  three  hundred  pairs  Ihaving  been  observed  nesting  on  one  small  island. 
When  a  new  nest  is  to  be  constructed,  the  whole  counmniity  has  been 
known  to  take  part  in  its  com])letion.  They  are  remarkably  tolerant 
towards  smaller  birds,  and  pei'mit  the  Purple  Grakle  (Qtiimdu.i  piirpureus) 
to  constnu't  its  nests  in  the  interstices  of  their  own.  Wilson  observed  no 
le.ss  than  four  of  these  nests  thus  clustered  in  a  single  Fish  Hawk's  nest, 
with  a  fifth  on  an  adjoining  branch. 

The  eggs  of  the  Fish-Hawk  nn;  usually  three  in  luimber,  often  only  two, 
and  more  rarely  four.  They  are  subject  to  groat  variations  as  to  their 
ground-color,  the  number,  shade,  and  distrilnition  of  the  blotches  of  secon- 
dary coloring  with  which  they  are  marked,  and  also  as  to  their  size  and  shape. 
Their  ground-color  is  most  frequently  a  creamy-white,  with  a  very  percepti- 
ble tinge  of  red.  This  varies,  however,  from  an  almost  pure  shade  of  cream, 
without  any  admixture,  to  so  deep  a  shade  of  red  that  white  ceases  to  be 
noticeable.  Their  markings  are  combinations  of  an  almost  endless  variation 
of  shades  of  umber-brown,  a  light  claret-brown,  an  intermingling  of  both 
the.se  shades,  with  occasional  intermixtures  of  pur))li,sh-brf)wu.  They  vary 
in  length  from  2.66  to  2.24  inches,  and  in  breadth  from  1.88  to  1.69  inches. 


11)0  NOKTII   AMKlilCAN  IJIUD8. 

It  would  Ik3  iiuj)ossil)lo  to  ileseribu  witli  any  tlo;Treo  of  ])iL'ci.sc'ii('.s.s  tlio  iniiu- 
laeniliki  vaiiatioiis  in  sizo,  sliapc,  afrnund-color,  or  shades  of  niarkiiigs,  these 
t'jilis  prosoiit.  Tlicy  all  have  a  certain  nanu'K'ss  ])hast)  of  rosiMiililancc,  ami 
may  ho  readily  distiuj^uished  from  any  other  c},'gs  except  those  of  their  kin- 
dred. There  are,  however,  certain  shades  of  wine-eoha'ed  iiiarkinf,'S  in  the 
e^'^'s  of  the  Fish  Hawk  of  Kiiro])e,  and  also  in  that  of  Australia,  that  1  have 
never  noticed  in  any  eggs  of  the  American  bird;  but  that  th'i  peculiarity 
is  universal  I  am  not  able  to  say.  The  smallest  egg  of  the  caro/incmis  meas- 
ures li.Ml  liy  \.(>'2  inches  ;  the  largest,  ^.aCi  by  1/'^ 

The  European  egg  is  smaller  than  the  American,  is  often,  but  not  always, 
more  spherical,  and  is  less  ])ointed  at  the  smaller  end.  Among  its  varieties 
is  one  which  is  quite  conniion,  and  is  very  ilill'erent  from  any  1  have  ever 
observed  among  at  least  live  hundred  specimens  of  the  American  which  I 
have  examined. 

An  Osprey's  egg  in  my  collection,  taken  near  Aarhuus,  in  Denmark,  by 
Ivev.  H.  B.  Tristram,  of  ("a.'^tle  Eden,  England,  nKfiisnres  only  2.12  inches  in 
length,  —  shorter  by  a  fourth  of  an  inch  than  the  smallest  American,  —  in 
breadth  1.G2  inches  ;  its  ground-color  is  a  rich  cveam,  with  a  slight  tinge  of 
claret,  and  it  is  marked  over  its  whole  surface  with  large  blotches  of  a  beau- 
tifully deep  shade  of  chocolate. 

In  their  habits  the  European  and  the  American  birds  seem  to  present 
other  decided  differences.  The  American  is  a  very  social  bird,  often  living 
in  large  comnuinities  during  the  breeding-season.  The  P^tn-ojiean  is  found 
abnost  invariably  in  solitary  pairs,  and  frequents  fresh  water  almost  exclu- 
sively. The  American,  though  found  also  on  large  rivers  and  lakes,  is  much 
the  most  abundant  on  the  .sea-shore.  The  European  bird  rarely  builds  on 
trees,  the  American  almost  always.  The  latter  rarely  resorts  to  rocky  clifl's 
to  breed,  the  European  almost  uniformly  do  so.  There  is  no  instance  on 
record  of  the  American  species  attacking  smaller  birds  or  inferior  land  ani- 
mals with  intent  io  feed  on  thoin.  The  European  species  is  said  to  prey  on 
Ducks  and  other  wild-fowl. 


Genus  NATTCLERUS,  Vigors. 

Kauckrus,  Vio.  182.5.     (Type,  Foico  fiircntus,  LiSN  ;  F.  forficatus,  Linn.) 
Elanoides,  Oiiay,  1848.     (Siuiii"  type.) 

Gen.  Char.  Form  swallow-liko,  the  tail  cxpcssivoly  lonptliened  and  forked,  and  the 
wing.s  extremely  lonp;.  Bill  rather  .small,  and  narrow;  commissure  faintly  sinnated; 
upper  outline  of  the  lower  mandible  very  convex,  the  depth  of  the  mandible  at  the  base 
being  only  about  half  that  through  the  middle  ;  gonys  drooping  terminally,  nearly  straight. 
Side  of  the  head  den.sely  feathered  close  up  to  the  eyelids.  Nostril  ovoid,  obliquely  ver- 
tical. Feet  small,  but  robust;  tarsus  about  equ.il  to  middle  toe,  covered  with  large,  very 
irregular  scales ;  toes  with  transverse  acutellic  to  their  base ;  elaws  short,  but  strongly 
curved;  grooved  beneath,  their  edges  sharp.    Second  or  third  quill  longest ;  first  shorter 


FALOOXID.K-TIIE  FALCONS. 


191 


tliiiii,  oqiiiil  1(1,  iM'  Iriiijrcr  thnii,  llic  fimrlli ;  two  niiti-r  luiiiiarii's  witli  inner  wclis  sinnatcd. 
Tiiil  Willi  liii'  oMtiM-  pair  of  fisilliers  nioro  ihiui  twice  us  l()n,i<  as  the  miiMie  piiii-. 

Tilt!  MC'iuis  coiitiiiiis  but  11  siiiiflc  species,  tlie  X.  /(ir/initiis,  wliicli  is  |)Ci'ii- 
liiiily  Amoriciiii,  lieloiifiinf,'  to  tlio  tropical  luiil  sulitropiciil  ])ortions  on  l)otli 
sides  of  the  equivtor.  The  sjiecies  is  noteil  for  the  eli';j;ance  of  its  form  and 
the  beauty  of  its  pliiiiia<,'e,  as  well  as  for  the  unsurpassed  easy  grac  '  '  aess 


62094, 3 . 


Nmulerus  forficatus. 


of  its  flight.  It  has  no  near  relatives  in  the  Old  World,  though  the  widely 
distributed  genus  Milvus  represents  it  in  some  respects,  while  the  singular 
genus  Chelictima,  of  Africa,  resembles  it  more  closely,  but  is  much  more 
intimately  related  to  Ictinui  and  Ulamis, 


Species. 
N.  forficntuis.  Head,  neck,  entire  lower  surface,  and  band  across  the 
rump,  imniaculate  snowy-wliite ;  upper  surface  plain  polished  blackish,  with 
varying  lights  of  dark  puriilish-bronze  (on  the  back  and  shoulders)  and 
bluish-slaty,  with  a  green  reflection  in  some  lights.  Ymtnrj,  with  tusky 
shaft-streaks  on  the  head  and  neck,  and  the  feathers  of  the  upper  part,s 
margined  with  white.  Wing,  1. 5.40  -  17.70  ;  tail,  12..'i0  - 14.50 ;  culmen, 
.70 -.80;  tar.'JUi^,  1.00-1.30;  middle  toe,  1.1.") -1.20.  Hab.  The  whole  of 
tropical,  subtropical,  and  warm-temperate  America.  Accidental  iu  Eng- 
land. 


1<)2  NOKTJI  AMEIJICAN   lilHDS. 

Nauclerus  forficatus,  (Linx.)  Uidgway. 

SWAL1.0W-TAILED  HAWK;   FORK-TAILED  KITE. 

Accipih'r  vnndt  fiiirnln,  t'.vTF.sjiY,  Carolina,  I,  \A.  iv,  MUi,  Fa/co  forjicnlii.i,  Linn.  Syst. 
Nat.  I,  Mt,  IT.'.S.  l/'ilm  fiirailiiii,  l.i.NX.  Syst.  Xiit.  p.  VJ!",  17tJG.  —  I'Kxx.  Aivt. 
Zoiil.  p.  l!lii,  No.  1118,  111.  x.  —  tiMKi,.  Syst.  Nat.  p.  "Jd-i.  yniiderus  fui-Jiailns,  ItiDo- 
w.u',  r.  A.  N.  S.  I'liil.  \)n-.  l!S7(i,  144.  —  D.vri).  Tr.  Oiii.  11,  15-2.  —  Sii.uv, 
Xat.  Misc.  i>l.  ceiv;  Zoiil.  VII.  107.  —  Wii.s.  Am.  Oin.  ]il.  li,  I',  a,  1808.  —  Am. 
liinls  Am.  i.l.  7-2,  1831  ;  Oni.  ISioj;.  I,  308  ;  V,  371.  —  Honai'.  Ana.  Lyo.  N.  Y.  II, 
31;  Isis,  1S3-J,  1138.  Mi/vus /iiixii/us,  VlKll.l..  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  pi.  x,  1807.  K/((- 
)ioitlfs  J'lin-dlii.s,  (iii.w,  List  li.  IJiit.  Mus.  p.  44,  1844.  -.SriiicKi,.  Oni.  Syii.  I,  141, 
ISiiiJ.  —  Owr.x,  lliis,  11,  1800,  240  ^habits),  yuin^knui  J'lii-oitiis,  \iq.  Zoiil.  Joiiiii. 
II,  387  ;  Isis,  1830,  p.  1043.  —  I.kss.  Man.  Oiii.  I,  101  ;  Tr.  Oni.  p.  73.  —  Sw.mns. 
t'lnssif.  15.  I,  312;  II,  210,  1837.  —  linSAi-.  List,  p.  4;  Cat.  Uw.  Kur.  p.  20;  Coiisp. 
Av.  p.  21.  —  G(iii.l),  li.  Eiir.  i)l.  xxx.  —  Arn.  Syiiop.  p.  14,  1839.  —  Hiiii.  Stliomb. 
licis.  lliit.  Oiiiaii.  p.  735.  — 1>k  Kav,  Zoiil.  X.  Y.  II,  ji.  12,  pi.  vii,  f.  1,").  —  Okay, 
(ion.  15.  I'ol.  sp.  1,  pi.  ix,  f.  !)  ;  (icii.  &  .Suligeii.  Iiiit.  Mus.  p.  0.  —  I5iii:w.  (Wil.s.) 
Syiiop.  Am.  Oni.  p.  08ri. — Woimil.  Sitf;i'.  Kxp.  Ziihi  &  Colorado,  p.  00.  —  Kait, 
Moiiof,'.  Faliniiiila',  Coiit.  Orii.  1850,  ji.  57.  — Buewkk,  Oijlogy,  I,  1857,  38.  —  Cas.s. 
Binls  N.  Am.  1858,  30.  —  Ciiri:s,  I'ml.  Oni.  Ariz.  ISCO,  p.  12.  —  Duksskh,  ll>i.s,  1865, 
525  (Texas,  nesting).  —  C.kay,  Haml  List,  I,  27,  1809.  /■Jhiiiiin  f ureal lui,  Vic.  Zoiil. 
Journ.  I.  340.  —  Srr.l'll.  Zodl.  XIII,  pi.  ii,  ]>.  49.  —  CrY.  I!eg.  An.  (eu.  i),  I,  p.  334.  — 
Jamk.s.  (\Vii.s.)  Am.  Urn.  I,  75. — Jakd.  (Wils.)  Am.  Orii.  II,  275. — Iakd.  Oin. 
Eur.  p.  29.  —  Nl'i  r.  Jlaii.  [i.  94.  AccipUcr  milciis  earolinaisis,  15kiss.  Oni.  I,  418, 
1760.     Maiiouks  ijdapa,  Vikill.  Enc.  Metli.  Ill,  1205,  1823. 

Sp.  CiiAii.  Adult,  male  anil  female.  Wiiolo  lu-nd  niul  neck,  lininfr  of  winga,  broad 
liaiiil  across  the  ruiiip,  and  entire  lower  parl.s,  pure  ^Yllite.  Inter-scapulars  and  le.sser 
wing-coYcrts,  rich,  dark,  soil,  bronzed  piir[)lisli-black.  Rest  of  iipiier  parts,  ineUiding 
lower  part  of  rump,  upper  tail-coverts,  and  tail,  more  metallic  slaty-black,  feathers  some- 
wiiat  greenish  basally,  m<ire  bluish  terminally,  with  a  peculiar,  soil  milky  appearance, 
and  with  Yery  smooth  compact  surface.  Tcr'ials  almost  entirely  white,  black  only  at  tips. 
AVhite  on  under  side  of  wing  occupying  all  the  coverts,  and  the  basal  half  of  the  secon- 
daries.   Wing,  15.40-17.70;  tail,  12.50-14.50;  tarsus,  1.00-1.30;  middle  toe,  1.15-1.20. 

Younger.  Similar,  but  with  the  beautiful  soil  ]iurplish-bronzed  black  of  shoulders  and 
back  less  conspicuously  dill'erent  from  the  more  metallic  tints  of  otiier  upper  parts. 
FoHKjf  (youngest  ?  18,457,  Cantonincnt  Bnrgwyn,  New  Mexico).  The  black  above  less 
slaty,  with  a  brownish  cast,  and  with  a  quite  decided  glos.s  of  bottle-green  ;  secondaries, 
primary  coverts,  primaries,  and  tail-feathers  finely  margined  terminally  with  white. 
Fcallicis  of  the  liead  and  neck  with  fine  .shaft-lines  of  black. 

Hai).  Whole  of  South  and  Middle  America,  and  southern  United  States;  very  rarely 
northward  on  Atlantic  loast  to  rcnnsylvania ;  along  the  Mississippi  Valley  to  Minnesot.i 
and  Wisconsin;  biveding  in  Iowa  (Sioux  City)  ami  Illinois;  exceedingly  abundant  in 
August  ill  southern  portion  of  the  latter  State;  Cuba;  accidental  in  Kngland. 

Localities  :  Gualcmala  (Sci..  Ibis.  I,  217)  ;  Cuba  (Caii.  .Tourn.  II,  Ixxxiii)  ;  Brazil  (Cah. 
Jomn.  V,  41);  Panama  (Lawh.  VII,  18G1.  289);  X.  Texas  (Duksskh,  Ibis,  lS(i5,  32.5, 
common,  breeding);  Veiagua  (Sai.v.  1807,  158):  Costa  Rica  (Lawk.  IX,  i;!4);  Minnesota 
(thirty  miles  north  of  Millo  Lac.  lat.  47°;  Tripi'k,  Rirds  of  Minn.,  Pr.  Essex  Inst.  VI, 
1871,  p,  113), 

A  ]niii'  luavkod  as  from  EnglaiRl  (56,000,  9.  and  56,100,  S,  "  in  Fntjland 
(jcschosaai ";  Scliliiter  Collection)  are  smiillor  tlum  tli»*  aviirao;o  of  Auiorican 


I'AL('(  tXID.K  —  Til  !■;    KAIA'OXK 


11)8 


skins,  tlio  roinalo  ineixsuriiiu,  wiiiii,  ].").;")();  tail,  lo.OO.  Tlio  colors  of  Uii.s 
I'uimile,  howevoi',  iiiv  as  in  Aniorican  cxiinii)lL's.  Tlio  male  has  liio  iiliinia^c 
soniowiiat  clilleront  Irnni  anything  we  have  seen  in  the  small  series  ol'  Ameri- 
can specimens.  Tiie  whole  U])i)er  ])arts  are  a  polished  violaceous  slaty- 
hlaek,  this  covering  the  liack  and  lesser  wing-coverts,  as  well  as  other  npjjcr 
parts.  ^\  ere  a  large  series  of  American  specimens  e.xamined,  individuals 
might  perhaps  be  found  eoiresponding  in  all  resjjects  with  the  pair  in  (iues- 
tion. 

LIST    OF    SPKCI.MKXS    KX A.MIXKI). 

Xatioiial  Miisouin,  !) :  Philiulcliiliia  Ac.nlemy,  3;  Now  York  ^[u.<cniM,  t  (Ria/.il); 
lJos(oii  Sot'ioty,  1  ;  t'amlii-iil'j;o  Miisuiuii,  2;  Cab.  G.  X.  Lawrence,  .'i ;  Coll.  It.  PiiclL'wav, 
1.     Total,  2;!. 

Habits.  The  Swallow-tailed  TIawk  has  an  extended  ilistrihution  in  the 
eastern  portion  l    North  America.     It  is  irregularly  distributed  ;  in  a  large 


Nniirfrrif^  fttrfiratm. 

part  of  the  country  it  occurs  only  occasionally  and  in  small  numbers,  and 
is  probably  nowhere  abundant  exeejit  in  the  southwestern  C.nlf  States,  or 
along  the  rivers  and  inland  waters.  On  the  Atlantic  coast  it  has  been 
traced,  according  to  Ur.  Lawrence,  as  far  north  as  New  York  City.  Accord- 
ing to  Mr.  Nuttall,  individuals  have  been  seen  on  the  Mi.ssissi])])!  as  far  as 
St.  Anthony's  Falls,  in  latitude  44°.  It  is  found  more  or  less  conunon  along 
the  tributaries  of  the  Ohio  ami  ]\rississip])i,  where  it  is  ess(>ntially  a  i>rairie 
bird,  and  breeds  in  Southern  Wisconsin,  in  Towa,  Nebraska,  and  ivansas,  and 
throughout  Illinois.  It  has  been  taken  in  Cul)a,  and  occasionally  also  in 
Jamaica.  It  is  found  in  Ceutiul  America,  and  in  South  America  to  North- 
V(ju  ni.  25 


194  NUIITII  AMEliU-'AN  BIKDS. 

orii  lirazil,  Buenos  Ayrcs,  ami,  accoriling  to  Vioillnt,  to  Pern.  It  nests  in 
Soutli  Caroliuii  and  in  all  the  States  lliat  bonier  on  the  (iiilf  of  ^lexico, 
Ireijueiitijii^-  the  luinks  of  rivers,  l)iit  is  not  I'oiuid  near  the  sealioard. 

Mr.  Thni'e  Kunilien  ncitieetl  a  pair  of  these  Hawks  in  the  neighhorliood 
of  l''(irt  Aticinsdn,  Wis,,  in  the  summer  of  1854,  and  had  no  doubt  tlicy 
were  lireedinj^-,  thon;;ii  he  was  not  aide  to  find  their  nest. 

iMr.  Osbert  .Salviii,  in  a  letter  iVom  San  (leronimo,  in  the  A'era  Taz  (Ibis, 
1800,  p.  lUo),  stat(.'s  that  he  has  positive  information  that  this  Hawk  breeds 
in  the  mountains  about  t'olian,  his  chief  collector  havm,n'  found  a  nest  there 
with  y  lung  the  previnus  year.  Specimens  had  been  befcn-e  tliat  received  by 
Mr.  Sclater,  forwanled  liy  'Sir.  Skinnei',  i'rom  the  ni'ighboihood  of  Cajabon, 
Guatemala.     It  was  said  to  Ije  more  numerous  at  Pielize. 

]\Ir.  Dresser  informs  us  that  he  w-  so  fortunate  as  to  find  this  graceful 
bird  very  abundant  in  some  jjarts  of  '.'exas,  and  he  had  a  good  opportunity 
of  observing  and  admiring  it  in  its  true  home.  It  was  occasional  about  San 
Antonio  de  IJexar,  where  it  was  usually  seen  late  in  duly  Ijefore  heavy 
rains.  Xear  the  Ilio  Clrande  or  in  Texas  he  did  not  see  it  at  all.  At  Peach 
Creek  and  near  Cionzales  he  i'ouud  it  not  mifreijueut;  and  on  the  Colorado, 
Prazos,  and  Trinity  llivers  it  was  one  of  the  most  common  birds.  It  only 
remains  there  during  the  summer  months,  arriving  early  in  April,  and  breed- 
ing later  than  the  other  birds  of  prey.  On  the  2()th  of  May  he  found  them 
very  abundant  on  a  creek  near  the  Colorado,  bu^  none  had  commenced 
breeding.  They  were  jn-eparing  their  nests ;  and,  from  the  nundier  he  saw 
about  one  largo  grove,  he  judged  that  they  breed  in  society.  On  his  wound- 
ing one  of  them,  the  rest  came  Hying  over  his  head  in  the  manner  of  Sea- 
gulls, uttering  harsh  erics;  and  he  counted  forty  or  fifty  over  him  at  one 
time.  He  was  informed  that  these  Kites  build  high  u})  in  oak,  sycamore,  or 
Cottonwood  Iree.^.  sometimes  qiiite  far  from  the  ci'eeks. 

Mr.  Dre.'^ser  describes  this  bird  as  exhibiting  a  singularly  pleasing  appear- 
ance on  tlie  wing,  gliding  in  large  circles,  witlmut  apjtarent  effort,  in  very 
ra]>id  flight.  Tlie  tail  is  widely  spread,  and  when  sailing  in  circles  the  wings 
are  almost  motioidess.  One  was  noticed  as  it  was  hunting  after  grasshop- 
pers. It  went  over  the  ground  as  carefully  as  a  well-trained  ]tointer,  every 
now  and  then  .stooping  (o  ]iick  u]t  a  grasshopjier  the  feet  and  liill  seennng 
to  touch  file  insect  sinndtaneously.  They  were  very  fond  of  wasp  grubs, 
and  would  carry  a  nest  to  a  high  perch,  liohl  it  in  one  claw,  and  sit  there 
picking  (uit  the  grubs.  Their  .stomachs  were  found  to  contain  beetles  and 
gra.s.shoi)]icrs. 

Dr.  \\'oodhou,se  s]'.eaks  of  this  Hawk  as  connnon  in  Texas,  and  also  in  the 
country  of  the  Creek  and  Cherokee  nations.  He  confirms  the  accounts 
which  liave  been  received  of  its  fondn(!SS  for  the  neighborhood  of  streams, 
and  adds  tliat  along  tlu'  Arkansas  and  its  tril)utaries  it  was  very  abundant. 

Mr.  b'idgway  states  that  this  Hawk  arrives  in  llichland  County,  111., 
in  May,  and  lives  during  the  summer  on  the  small  prairies,  feeding  there 


I'A  I.C  ( )X  1 1).!:  —  Til  !•;   FAl.COX.S.  1 05 

ii])Oii  KiiiiiU  siiak(>s,  iiarl'riil;\rly  tlic  little  -^rei'ii  siuiki'  (Lqifaii/iis  a's/Z/v's) 
jiiid  tliu  (.liireicutsiiei'ie,s(.r  Ei'/ciilit.  It  Iniilils  ils  iiust  lliuiu  a!ii(iii;j,  lliu  nak 
or  hickory  trees  which  hiinler  []w  streams  iiilersectiiig  the  prairies.  Towards 
the  latter  jmrt  ol'  suiniuer  it  l)ecoiues  very  ubuialaiit  oil  the  prairies,  buiiiu 
attraeteil  l)y  the  ahuiulaiiee  of  ibotl,  wliieli  at  tiiat  season  consists  very 
laruely  of  insects,  es])ecially  .\nir'>i'/rr<(.  It  is  most  alaiiidant  in  Ani;n^,t, 
and  in  liright  weather  dozens  of  them  may  bo  seen  at  a  time  sailin.i,'  round 
in  pursuit  of  insects. 

;Mr.  Amluliun  speaks  of  tlio  niovomonts  ol'  this  bird  in  ili.ulit  as  astonisiiin!j;ly 
rajad,  the  deep  curves  they  describe,  their  sudden  doubliiiL;s  and  crossinus,  and 
the  extreme  ease  with  which  they  .seem  to  cleave  the  air,  never  failin>;-  to  ex- 
cite admiration.  In  the  States  of  Louisiana  and  Mississippi,  where,  he  adds, 
those  bird.s  are  very  abundant,  they  arrive  in  largo  companies  in  the  liegin- 
niiig  of  Ajiril,  and  ntter  a  sharp  and  ]ilaintive  note.  They  all  come  from 
the  westward ;  and  he  has  counted  upwards  of  a  liuiidroil,  in  the  sjxice  of  an 
hour,  passing  over  him  in  an  easterly  direction.  They  IV'ed  on  the  wing,  and 
their  ]}rincipal  food  is  said  to  lie  grassho])pers,  caterpillars,  small  snakes, 
lizards,  and  frogs.  They  sweej)  over  the  fields,  and  seem  to  alight  for  a 
inoiuont  to  secure  a  snake  or  .some  other  object.  '  They  also  fiv(|ueiit  tiie 
creek.s,  to  pick  up  water-snakes  Ijasking  on  the  lloating  logs. 

On  the  ground  their  movements  are  said  to  be  awkward  in  the  extreme. 
■\Vhen  wounded,  they  randy  strike  with  their  talons,  (jr  offer  serious  resist- 
ance.    They  never  attack  other  birds  or  (puidrupeds  to  i)rey  upon  them. 

This  Hawk  is  a  great  wanderer,  and  a  mindier  oi'  instances  are  on  reconl 
of  its  having  been  taken  in  Europe.  One  of  these  was  in  Scotland,  in  1772  ; 
anotlier  in  Hiiglaiul,  in  LSOo. 

Mr.  K.  Owen  (Ibis,  ISOt),  p.  241),  while  travelling  from  Coban  to  San 
Oeronimo,  in  Guatemala,  among  the  mountains,  came  suddenly  upon  a  hirge 
Hock  of  two  or  throe  hundred  of  these  "lawks,  wliicli  were  pursuing  and 
preying  upon  a  swarm  of  bees.  At  times  they  ])assed  vitliiu  lour  or 
five  yards  of  him.  Every  now  and  then  the  neck  was  observed  to  bo  bent 
slowly  and  gracefully,  bringing  the  head  (piite  under  the  body.  At  the  same 
time  the  foot,  with  the  talons  contracted  as  if  grasjiing  some  object,  would 
bo  brought  ibrward  to  meet  the  beak.  The  beak  was  then  seen  to  open  and 
to  close  again,  and  then  the  head  was  again  raised  and  the  foot  thrown  back. 
This  movement  was  repeatedly  oliserved,  and  it  was  (piito  clear  to  him  that 
the  birds  v.  ^re  preying  upon  the  bees. 

This  Hawk  constructs  its  nest  on  tall  trees,  usually  overhanging  or  near 
running  water.  Tlui  nest  is  like  that  of  tlio  Crow  in  its  general  ajipoaranco. 
It  is  constructed  externally  of  dry  twigs  and  sticks,  intermixed  with  which 
are  great  (piantities  of  the  long  Spanish  moss  "peculiar  to  tin;  Southern 
States,  and  lined  witli  dry  gra.sses,  loaves,  and  feathers.  One  found  liy  Dr. 
C.  Kollock,  of  Cheraw,  S.  (".,  in  May,  ISoo,  containing  young,  was  on  a  largo 
tree,  not  near  the  trunk,  but  on  one  of  the  projecting  l)ranc]ies,  and  dillicult 
of  a]Jiiroacli. 


19G 


NORTH  AMERICAN  UIUDS. 


The  og^'S  are  described  liy  Mr.  Audubdii  as  from  four  to  six  in  number, 
of  a  greeiiisb-wliite  eolor,  witli  a  few  irregidar  blotches  of  dark  brown  at 
the  larger  end.  Tiie  drawinu  of  an  e''",  obtained  bv  Dr.  Trudeau  in  Lou- 
isiana,  and  which  was  made  by  tliat  gentleman,  is  very  nearly  spheroidal, 
and  its  measurements  are,  length  1.75  inches,  breatlth  1.5G.  It  corresponds 
witb  Mr.  Audubon's  description  of  the  (!gg  of  tliis  Hawk. 

An  egg  in  tlie  collection  of  the  Smithsdiiiau  Institution,  taken  in  Iowa 
by  Mr.  Krider,  <loes  not  correspond  very  well  with  the  description  and  figui'c 
mentioned.  It  measures  l.SU  in  length  by  1.40  in  breadth  ;  its  form  is  very 
regulaily  oval,  botli  ends  being  of  nearly  the  same  sliape.  Tlie  ground-color 
is  a  creamy  white,  one  end  (tlie  smaller)  splashed  with  large  continent 
blf)tclies  of  ferruginous,  and  tlie  remainder  of  the  surface  more  sparsely  spot- 
ted with  the  same ;  tliese  rusty  blotches  are  relieved  by  smaller,  sparser 
spots  of  very  dark  brown. 

Dr.  Cooper,  in  a  letter  dated  Siou.\  City,  May  21,  1860,  mentions  finding 
tlie  nest  of  this  Hawk  in  a  high  tree  in  Northwestern  Iowa,  latitude  41°  30'. 
The  bird  had  nut  beiiun  to  lav. 


Genus  ELANUS,   Savigny, 

Ehtiiis,  S,\v.  1809.     (Tv]i(',  Fnhv  mchoKijifcrus,  Daudin.) 
Milans,  IJiiii:,  18-22. 

Gkn".  CiiAii.  Bill  latlior  siniill  ami  narrow,  tlio  tip  normal ;  commissure  moderately 
siniiatfd  ;  upper  outline  of  lower  niaiulililc  greatly  arched,  the  lioiirlit  at  base  less  than 
iialf  tliat  through  middle  ;  gonys  almost  straight,  doelining  downward  toward  tip. 
Nostril  roundi.sh,  in  middle  of  cere.  Tarsus  and  toes  (except  terminal  joint)  covered  with 
small  roundish  scales ;  under  surface  of  claws  just  perceptibly  tluttened ;  -sharp  lateral 


fiso.y 


Elnnns  Inieunis. 


S805, 


riilge  on  middle  claw  very  prominent;  a  very  slight  membrane  between  outer  and  middle 
toes.  Second  quill  longest,  third  very  slightly  .shorter;  first  just  e.veeeding  fourth;  second 
anil  third  with  outer  webs  ,«lightly  .sinuated  ;  inner  web  of  first  cnuu'giuated,  of  .«ecoud 
siuuated.  Tail  ])eculiar,  enuu-giuatod,  but  the  lateral  feather  much  shorter  than  the 
middle,  the  one  next  to  it  being  the  longest. 

The  species  of  this  well-marked  genus  are  confined  to  the  tropical  and 
subtro])ioal  portions  of  the  world,  and  appear  to  lie  only  two  in  number,  of 
which  one  is  cosmopolitiin,  and  the  other  peculiar  to  the  Old  World. 


FALCONID.E  — TIIK    FALCONS.  11)7 

Species  and  Baces. 

Common  Cii.\I!A(tki!i*.  A1)ovc  iicii'ly  a-"!!,  lirromiiii^r  white  or  whitish  on  ilic 
hpiiil  iiiiil  tail,  Willi  ii  laiye  black  pMch  coveriii},'  the  lesser-covei-t  region.  Lower 
Burl'ace  couliiiuous  |.ure  white;  a  blaek  spot  on  front  of,  and  partly  around,  the 

1.  E.  leuciirus.  A  hirge  hlaek  patch  on  the  Uning  of  the  wniir,  ni  the  reinon 
of  the  [iriiuary  coverts.  First  (luill  very  nuieh  shorter  than  the  tliird  ; 
second  quill  loMfrest. 

Black  patch  on  lining  of  the  wing  restricted  to  the  primary  coverts; 
lesser  coverts,  on  outer  surface,  not  consi)icuously  bordered  anteriorly 
with  white. 

Above  deep  bluish-ash,  with  the  inner  webs  of  the  secondaries 
appreciably  paler,  sonietinies  iibruptly  white.  Wing,  11.00  -  12.0") ; 
tail,  0.80-7.80;  culnieii,  .0r)-.80 ;  tar.-<us,  1.20-1.50;  middle  toe, 
.94-1.20.     Hab.    Tropical  iind  sulitropicid  America      .      \a\:  U  ii  c  nrua . 

Above  pale  ash,  witli   the  inner  webs  of  tlie  secondaries  hardly, 

or   not  at  all,  ajiprcciably   paler  than   the   outer.     Wing,    11.00- 

12.50;    tail,    0.20-7.00;    culmen,   .70-.77;     tarsus,    1.10-1.00; 

middle  toe,  1.05- 1.08.     Huh.    Western  Australia       .        var.  au;t  ^Za  r  )',s-.' 

Black  patch  on   the  lining   of  the  wing  extending  over   the  whole  of 

the  lesser  coverts  ;  lesser  coverts,  on  the  outside,  conspicuonsly  bordered 

anteriorly  with  white. 

Siunlar  to  var.  fM-iV/ocw,  except  as  above.     Wing,  11.75- 12. liO ; 

tail,  0.30-7.00;  culinen,  .75 -.80;  tarsu.s,  1.10-1.40;  middle  toe, 

1.15-1.25.     Iliih.    Southern  Australia         .  .         \-m.  iti- r  i  plus? 

2.  B.  ceeruleuB.     No   lilack   on   lining  of   the   wing.      First    quill    u.sually 

longer  than   the  third,  never  very  nuieli  shorter;  i<e<'ond  longest.     Colors 

da:ker  than  in  A',  le.ncurns. 

Wing,  12.00;  tail,  0.10;  culmen,  .75;  tar.sus,  1.25;  middle  toe,  1.20. 
No  ashy  tinge  on  side  of  breast.     Ihih.    Soulhcrn   Kuiope   and  North 

Africa        ." \-m:  cvv  ulcus} 

Wing,  9.50-10.70;  tail,  5.40-5.75;  culmen,  .05 -.70;  tarsu.s,  1.05- 
1.10;  middle  toe,  1.00  -  1.10.  Sides  of  the  brca.st  strongly  tinged  with 
a.shy.     Iliih.    Southern  Africa  and  India         .... 

»  Elanus  Jiiu-iinix,  var.  cixi/lnris  (Latham).  Fukn  a,fil!ni-is;  L.vrn.— N.  S.  Walks,  Draw. 
I.  No.  40,  1801.  Circus  axillaris,  ViKii.l..  N.  P.  IV,  453.  JC/uuus  axillaris,  Okay,  Ann.  N. 
H.  XI,  180. —  III.  Hand  List,  1,  28,  No.  2(il.     Elaniis  notatus,  GorU),  1$.  Aust.  1,  pi.  xxiii. 

Spcciiiirns  cxamitiid.  —  Nat.  Mas.,  -i  ;   lio.ston  Soc.,  1. 

'^  Khiiiiis  Iriirurtis,  var.  srri/ifiis  ((1in-|,n).  Klaiius  scri/ilus,  C.ofi.n,  P.  Z.  S.  jil.  X,  1842,  80. 
—  r.oNAi'.  Ciinsp.  22.  —  Kaui',  Mouog.  Fale.  in  .Tardiiic's  t'outr.  (Irii.  1850,  00.  —  (!uAY,  Hand 
List,  I,  28,  No.  2ti2. 

S/iiriiiicus  examined.  —  Mus.  Comp.  Zoill.,  Cainbridgo,  1. 

8  Planus  rirriilciis,  var.  casriilcus  (Dicsfontainks).  Fii/co  civruhus,  Df.sfont.  Mc'm.  Ac.  Se. 
1787,  50;t,  I'l.  XV.  Elanns  cariilrim,  SriilcKl,.  Orn.  Syn.  I,  ISn"),  137.  Fuko  viclniiniilerus, 
Daim).  Tr.  Orn.  11,  1800,  l.")2.  K/aiius  mehinoptcriis,  Lkaco,  Zoiil.  Mi.sc.  pi.  cxxii.  —  OoiM.n, 
H.  Kur.  pi.  xxxi.  —  (!i!AV,  Hand  List,  L  28,  No.  2r)8.  Fnh-o  chnmsns,  .Siiaw,  Zoiil.  VII,  200. 
Elaatis  rirsius,  SAvni.  Dcscr.  Fgyp.  pt.  i,  p.  08.    FlanoidcscKsiiis,  Vikii.l.  Ene.  Mutli.  Ill,  1206. 

SpcriDirm  examined.  —'^ii\.  Mils.,  2  (Southern  Kuropc). 

♦  KhiiiKsrirriilriis,  var.  minor  (HoNAl'.V  Falca  rm'iferits,  Lath.  Ind.  Oiii.  1700,  10.  J  Falco 
siinninensis,  Latii.  Ind.  Orn.  Siipp.  ISUl,  12.  Fla.ius  minor,  Honai'.  Consp.  18r<0,  p.  22.— 
Quay,  Hand  List,  I,  28,  No.  2,-.0. 

Specimens  examined.  —  Am.  Mas.,  N.  V.,  4  (2  India,  2  Africa^  ;  Ho.stoii  Soc,  4  (3  Juv.) ; 
Mus.  Comp.  ZoiJl.,  Cainbridgo,  2.     Total,  10. 


198  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Elanus  leucurus  (\'ieii,lot). 

BLACK-SHOtTLDEUED  KITE;    WHITE-TAILED  KITE. 

Milni^h'Kcuni.i.  ViKll.i..  Nouv.  Dit't.  Hist.  Nat.  XX,  .WG,  1816;  Kno.  Meth.  Ill,  1205, 
1823.  EluuoidcH  leucurus,  Vikti.i,.  Kmo.  Mrtli.  Ill,  1205,  182».  Khiuis  Icucurun, 
I'lnXAl'.  Kur.  &  N.  Am.  Bir.ls,  \i.  4,  1838  ;  Coiisp.  Av.  p.  22,  18.".0.  —  (!i:ay,  Ocii.  li. 
M.  sp.  4,  1844;  List  IJ.  Hiit.  Mils.  p.  4fi,  1844.  —  Hicil.  SciloMit.  Kcis.  Brit,  (iui- 
ana,  i>.  735.  -  Cass.  H.  C'al.  k  Tt-x.  p.  lOti,  1854  ;  Birds  \.  Am.  1858,  37.  —  Kaii>, 
MoiioK.  Fiilc.  Coiit.  Orn.  1850,  p.  (iO.  —  Hkkum.  1'.  K.  U.  Kept.  VII,  31,  1857.— 
C'diip.  k  Sick.  I',  li.  H.  Kept.  XII,  ii,  14!t,  IStiO.  —  (Viuks,  Prod.  Orn.  Ariz.  p.  12, 
18(i(i.  —  SriiRKL.  Orn.  Syn.  I,  138,  1855.  —  Gkay,  Hand  List,  I,  28,  1869.  Falco 
mclanopkrus,  Boxap.  Journ.  Ac.  Tliil.  V,  28  ;  Ann.  Lyo.  N.  Y.  II,  31  ;  Isis,  1832, 
p.  1137.  MUrus  dis)iar.  Less.  Man.  Orn.  I,  00,  1828.  Fakn  iliipar,  Bonap.  Am.  Orn. 
pi.  xi,  f.  1,  1825  ;  Ann.  Lyo.  X.  V.  II,  435.  —  All).  Am.  B.  pis.  njcli,  ccitlvii ;  Orn. 
Biof,'.  IV,  367,  1831.  —  Temm.  pi.  ol.  319  (Jiiv.).  —.Fames.  (Wll.s.)  Am.  Orn.  IV.  13, 
1831.  Ehinm  dhpni;  Cuv.  Kej,'.  An.  (ctl.  2),  I,  334,  1829.  —  Less.  Tr.  Orn.  p.  72, 
1831.— .lAiil).  (W11..S.)  Am.  Orn.  Ill,  378,  1832.  —  BiuDii.  Proc.  Zoul.  Soc.  pt.  ii,  p. 
100;  Ann.  Nat.  Hist.  XIII,  500.  —  Ai:i).  Syn.  15.  p.  13,  1831.  —  Buew.  (AVil.s.) 
Synnp.  11.  685,  1852.  —  NriT.  Man.  p.  93,  1833.     E.  leucurus,  Bueweu,  Oiilogy. 

.?p.  CiiAit.  Adult.  Uiipt'r  surface,  includinj?  occiput,  najio,  inter.«capnlar.<!,  .«capular.<!, 
rnnip,  nppor  tnil-covort.s,  and  winprs  (except  les.ser  and  middle  covert.s),  .soft,  delicate, 
rather  lifjht  lilui.-ih-ciiiercoiis,  becoininrr  fjradiially  white  on  anterior  portion  of  the  head 
ahovo.  Rest  of  the  head,  with  tiie  tail,  liniiij,'  of  tlie  winp;,  and  entire  lower  parts,  pure 
whit(>,  sometimes  with  a  very  faint  tinp:e  of  pale  pearl-hlue,  laterally  heiiiMth  ;  two  middle 
tail-leather.s  a.s]iy,  but  nmeh  lijjhter  than  the  rump;  shafts  of  tail-feather.s  hlaek,  except 
toward  ends.  Bristly  loral  feathers  (forming  ante-orbital  .spot,  exteinliiif;  narrowly  al)ove 
the  eye),  a  very  large  patch  on  the  shoulder,  covering  lesser  and  niiildle  wing-coverts,  and 
large  quadrat(!  spot  on  under  side  of  wing  (on  first  row  of  primary  coverts),  deep 
black.  Under  side  of  primaries  deep  cinereous  (darker  than  outer  surface) ;  under  sur- 
face of  secondaries  nearly  white.  Second  quill  longest ;  third  scarcely  shorter  (.some- 
times equal,  or  even  longest)  ;  first  longer  than  fourth.  Tail  .slightly  einargiuated,  the 
longest  feather  (next  to  outer)  being  about  .50  longer  than  the  middle,  and  .GO  (or  more) 
longer  than  the  lateral,  which  is  shortest. 

Male.    Wing,  12.50;  tail,  7.10;  tarsu.x,  1.20;  middle  toe,  1.15. 

Fem'ile.    Wing,  12.80;  tail,  7.10;  tar.sus,  1.45;  middle  toe,  1.35. 

Specimens  not  perfectly  adult  have  the  primary  coverts,  secondaries,  and  inner  pri- 
maries, slightly  tipped  with  white. 

Still  younger  individuals  have  these  white  tips  broader,  the  tail  more  .ishy,  and  the 
upper  parts  witli  numerous  feathers  dull  brown,  tipped  narrowly  with  white ;  the  breast 
with  sparse  longitudinal  touches  of  brownish. 

Y<)un<j  (9,  4S.S2G,  Santiago,  Chile,  May,  18G6;  Dr.  Philippi).  Occiput  and  nape 
thickly  marked  with  broad  streaks  of  du.sky,  tinged  with  rust;' ;  .scapulars  umber-brown, 
tipped  with  rusty  ;  all  the  feathers  of  wings  narrowly  tipped  with  white;  tail-feathers  with 
a  subterminal  irregular  bar  of  dark  a.shy  ;  breast  tinged  with  rnfon.s,  and  with  badly  defined 
cuiieate  spots  of  deeper  rusty.    Wing,  12.25  ;  tail,  7..50.    (Perhaps  not  the  youngest  stage.) 

Hah.  Tropical  and  warm  temperate  America  (except  the  West  Indies),  from  Chile  and 
Buenos  .\yres  to  Florida,  South  C;  rolina,  Southern  Illinois,  and  California;  winter  resi- 
dent in  latter  State. 

Localities:  Xalapa  (Sei,.  1S57,  201) ;  Guatemala  rSci..  Ibi.s,  I,  220)  ;  Brazil  (Pelz.  Orn. 
Br.is.  T,  G) ;  Buenos  Ayre.s  (Scl.  &  Salv.  18G!),  IGO)  ;  Venezuela  (Sul.  k  Salv.  18G9, 
252). 


FALCONID.f;  —  THE   FALCONS.  |99 

S]iociiii(Mis  are  from  Santa  Clara,  California,  Fort  Arlnicklo,  Miradur  find 
Orizaba,  iloxico,  Cliilo,  and  liiienos  Ayres  ;  from  all  jxiints  the  same  liird. 

Tiii.s  species  presents  a  very  close  resemblance  to  the  E.  mclanoptcrua  of 
Europe,  ..nd  the  mo.''^  evident  s])ecitic  difl'erence  can  only  lie  detected  by 
raising  the  wing,  the  under  side  of  which  is  (luite  different  in  the  two,  there 
being  in  the  European  bird  no  trace  whatever  of  the  Ijlack  jiatcli  so  con- 
spicuous in  the  American  species.  The  ]irimaries,  also,  on  both  webs  are 
lighter  ash,  while  the  ash  of  the  ujiptu'  parts  in  general  is  darker  than  in 
Icuciiriin  and  invades  more  the  head  aliove,  the  forehead  merely  approacliing 
white.  The  tail  is  more  deeply  emarginated,  and  the  proportions  of  the  jii'i- 
maries  are  (piite  dilferent,  the  second  being  much  longer  than  the  third,  and 
the  first  nearly  as  long  as  the  second,  far  exceeding  the  third,  instead  of 
being  about  equal  to  the  fourth.  In  the  iitchoiop/crnx,  too,  the  black  borders 
the  eye  all  round,  extending  back  in  a  short  streak  from  the  posterior  angle, 
instead  of  being  restricted  to  the  anterior  region  and  upper  eyelid,  as  in 
leuciiriis. 

A  specimen  of  "  E.  axillaris  "  from  Australia  (13,844,  T.  li.  Peale)  appears, 
except  upon  close  examination,  to  be  ab.solutely  identical  in  all  the  minutiii) 
of  coloration,  and  in  the  wing-f(jrmula,  with  E.  Icueurus  ;  and  differs  only  very 
slightly  in  the  measurements  of  bill  and  feet,  having  these  proportionally 
larger,  as  will  be  seen  from  the  table.  Another  {^^'1,'ul,  H.  Mactier  War- 
field)  has  the  upper  parts  so  pale  as  to  be  nearly  white. 

A  young  specimen  of  E.  axillaris  differs  from  that  of  E.  Icueurus  as 
follows  :  the  occiput,  nape,  and  dorsal  region  are  stained  or  overlaid  by 
dull  ashy-rufous,  instead  of  dark  brown  i.sli-ashy ;  more  blackish  on  the  head. 
No  other  differences  are  appreciable. 

A  very  characteristic  distinction  between  Icueurus  and  axillaris  is  seen  in 
the  coloration  of  the  inner  webs  of  the  secondaries:  in  the  former,  they  are 
abrujitly  lighter  than  the  outer  M'ebs,  often  pure  white,  in  very  striking 
contrast  to  the  deep  ash  of  the  outer  surface  ;  in  the  latter,  both  webs  are 
of  about  the  same  shade  of  ash,  which  is  much  paler  than  in  the  other  race. 
Occasional  specimens  of  Icueurus  occur,  however,  in  which  there  is  little 
difference  in  tint  between  the  two  webs. 

LIST   OF   SPECIMENS   EXAMINED. 

National  Museum,  10 ;  Philadelpliia  Academy,  i  ;  New  York  Museum,  2 ;  Boston 
Society,  4;  Cambridge  Museum,  2;  Cab.  G.  N.  Lawrence,  2;  Coll.  K.  Kidgway,  2. 
Total,  24. 

Measurements. 


Sex. 

Wing. 

Thil. 

Cttlmm. 

"T0G~-.80 
.70 -.72 

Tarsus. 

Midille  Toe. 

Specimens. 

!9 

11.80-12,50 
11.00-12.0") 

7.;50  -  7.00 
7.20-7.80 

l.;30  -  L.'JO 

1.2.") -1.40 

1.00-l.l.J 
1.10-1.20 

00        00 

200 


NOIITII  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Elaniis  liiieuTus. 


llAlHTS.  The  I'lack-sliouldereil  Hawk  is  a  soutliorn,  wcstovii,  ami  South 
AniL'i'ieaii  sjwcios.  On  the  racitic  it  is  I'ouml  to  occupy  a  iniicli  uioic  north- 
ern ran<fe  ol'  locality  tlian  in  the  east- 
ern States,  where  it  is  not  found  above 
South  C.'arolina  and  Southern  Illinois 
Specimens  have  been  taken  near  San 
Francisco  in  midwinter. 

Several  individuals  of  this  species, 
precisely  identical  with  others  from 
the  United  States,  were  taken  by 
Lieutenant  (.Jilliss,  in  the  astronom- 
ical expedition  to  Chile.  Its  lange 
in  South  America  does  not  ajipcar  to 
lie  confined,  as  was  supposed,  to  the 
western  coast,  as  .specimens  are  re- 
corded by  Von  Pelzeln  as  having  been 
obtained  by  Xatterer  in  llrazil,  at 
Ytarare,  Irisanjia,  and  San  Joaquin, 
on  the  Kio  Ilrauco,  in  August,  P"ei)ru- 
ary,  and  January.  These  were  taken 
on  the  heights.  They  are  also  found  in  the  countries  of  Mexico  and  Cen- 
tral America. 

This  species  has  been  met  with  in  South  Carolin.a,  Georgia,  Florida,  Ala- 
bama, jVIississippi,  Louisiana,  and  Texas,  and  probably  occurs  also  in  New 
]\Iexico  and  Arizona.  Dr.  (iambel  describes  them  as  very  abundant  in  Cali- 
fornia, where  they  are  said  to  be  familiar  in  their  habits,  and  breed  in 
clumps  of  oaks,  in  the  innnediate  A'icinity  of  habitations.  Dr.  Heermanu 
also  speaks  of  them  as  common  in  that  State.  But  neither  of  these  natu- 
ralists appears  to  have  met  with  their  nests  or  eggs.  It  is  not  mentioned 
either  as  a  bird  of  Cul)a  or  Jamaica  by  Mr.  Lembeye,  Dr.  Gundlach,  Mr. 
Gosse,  or  ]\Ir.  ^larch. 

Dr.  Cooper  speaks  of  this  bird  as  a  beautiful  and  harmless  species,  quite 
abundant  in  the  middle  districts  of  California,  remaining  in  large  numbers, 
during  winter,  among  the  extensive  tule  marshes  of  the  Sacramento  and 
other  valleys.  lie  did  not  meet  with  any  din-ing  winter  at  Fort  Mohave, 
nor  do  tliey  seem  to  have  been  collected  by  any  one  in  the  dry  interior  of 
that  State,  nor  in  the  southern  part  of  California.  He  has  met  with  them 
as  far  north  as  llaulines  Bay,  and  near  Monterey,  but  always  about  streams 
or  marshes.  Their  food  consisted  entirely  of  mice,  gophers,  small  birds, 
and  snakes,  and  they  were  not  known  to  attack  the  inmates  of  the  poultry- 
yard. 

Bonaparte,  who  first  introduced  the  species  into  our  fauna,  received  his 
specimen  from  East  Florida.  The  late  Dr.  Ravcnel  obtained  one  living  near 
Charleston,  S.  C,  which  he  kept  several  days  without  being  able  to  induce  it 


KALCONID.E-  TllK   l-ALCONS.  201 

to  Oiit.  ]Mr.  Auilulion  n'fi'ivcd  anollu'v,  tnkcii  i'mly  luilos  west  of  ( 'IuuIl'.sIoh 
by  Mr.  Kraiiris  Lw.  Tliis  ^ciitlfiiiiiii,  as  (judUmI  l)y  Aiidulioii,  iia'iili(iii('(l  its 
sailing  vorv  licautil'iilly,  and  (juit;!  liigii  in  tliu  air,  uvor  ii  wot  meaddw,  in 
pursuit  (tf  sniiR'.  It  wduld  jioisu  itsolt'  in  tlio  manner  ot'  tlii!  coninii»n 
Sparrow  Hawk,  and,  sudik'nly  closinsj;  its  wings,  ])lungo  towards  its  ywy 
with  groat  velocity,  making  a  jieeidiar  siaind  witli  its  wings  as  it  passed 
tlirougli  tlie  air.  Its  cries  on  lieing  wounded  resembled  those  ol'  tiu!  Mis- 
sissippi Kite.  It  wa.s  so  shy  that  ]\lr.  Lee  was  only  aide  to  ai»proaeli  it  on 
horse!  >ack. 

Audubon  states  that  Mr.  Ward,  his  assistant,  i'ouud  tliis  speeii'S  lireeding 
on  the  Santeo  IJiver  early  in  the  montli  of  Ahireh.  Tiieir  nests  wen;  .said  to 
be  placeil  on  low  trees  near  the  margin  of  the  ri\cr,  and  tn  be  not  unlike 
those  of  the  common  Crow,  Init  witliout  the  substantial  lining  of  its  nests. 
Mr.  Ward  also  mentioned  seeing  them  tlying  <ner  the  cane-braki's,  in  pur- 
suit of  large  insect.?,  in  the  manner  of  the  Mississippi  Kite,  and  iiuding 
the  birds  very  sliy. 

In  Southern  Illinois  it  has  been  known  to  occur  as  far  nortli  as  Mount 
Carmel,  where  Mr.  L'idgway  saw  a  pair  in  July,  Hying  about  among  the  dead 
trees  bordering  a  lagoon  near  the  Wal)ash  liiver. 

Mr.  Audubon,  in  liis  visit  to  Te:cas,  saw  several  of  these  birds  flying  at  a 
small  elevation  over  the  large  marslies,  and  coursing  in  search  of  its  prey  in 
the  manner  of  the  common  Marsh  Harrier. 

Dr.  Ilccrmann  found  the  extensive  mar.shcs  of  Suisun,  Xapa,  and  Sacra- 
mento Valleys  the  favorite  resorts  of  these  birds,  especially  during  the  win- 
ter, and  there  they  seemed  to  find  a  plentiful  supply  of  insects  and  mict'. 
They  ranged  over  their  feeding-grounds  in  sn.all  flocks  from  a  single  ])air  up 
to  six  or  seven.  He  fell  in  with  an  isolated  couple  in  the  mountains  be- 
tween Elizabeth  Lake  and  Williamson's  Pass,  hovering  over  a  small  fresh- 
water marsh.  In  July  and  August  the  young  were  (piite  al>undant,  Irom 
which  Dr.  Ileermann  inferred  that  it  does  not  migrate  for  the  i)urpiises  of 
incubation.  Dr.  Gambel,  who  procured  his  specimens  at  the  ^lission  of  St. 
John,  near  IMonterey,  describes  it  as  fl3'ing  low  and  circling  over  the  plains 
in  the  maimer  of  a  Circus,  and  as  feeding  on  the  small  birds.  It  was  ea.sy 
of  approach  when  ])erched  on  trees,  and  uttered  a  loud  shrill  cry  when 
wounded,  and  fought  viciously. 

Lieutenant  Gilliss,  who  found  them  in  Chile,  describes  the  nest  as  com- 
po.sed  of  small  sticks,  and  states  that  the  number  of  the  eggs  is  from  four 
to  six,  and  that  they  are  of  a  dirty  yellowish-Mliite  with  browni.sh  spots. 
The  common  name  of  this  Hawk  in  Ciiile  is  Btiilarin  (from  the  verb  hailar, 
to  dance  or  balance),  from  the  graceful  and  easy  manner  in  wiiich  it  seems 
almost  to  Hoat  upward  or  to  sink  in  the  air. 

An  c\5g  of  this  species,  in  the  collection  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural 
History,  measures  1.G4  inches  in  length  by  1.48  in  breadth.  In  shape  it  is 
very  nearly  spherical,  and  equally  obtuse  at  either  end.     The  ground-color, 

vol,.  HI.  26 


202 


NORTir  AMLRICAX  UIllDS. 


Ilioiinli  iiowliorn  very  distinctly  nppiirciit,  iii>ii('iirfl  to  Im  of  a  dull  whitt-, 
stroii,uly  tiii^i'il  with  a  ivcldisli  Iiuk.  Distriliiitfd  over  tlio  entire  eu'U  are 
l)road  deep  llaHlies  of  a  darl.  nialio;;any-l)rn\vn,  intermingled  witii  oIIkms  of  a 
.similar  eolor,  lait  li,L;liter  in  siiading.  These  eover  the  v<x'^  more  or  less  e.om- 
|ilelc!y,  in  the  ureatcr  portion  of  its  snri'aee.  This  ei^i^-  was  taken  near  Fort 
Arhiirkio,  Indian  Territory,  May  •),  I8(il,  hy  ,1.  If.  Clark,  Ks(i.,  and  sent  to 
till'  Smitlisoiiiau  Institution. 


Genus    ICTINIA,   Vikii.i.ot. 

Irlliiin,  Vii;n.i„  l.Sl(i.     {Ty\\c,  Fiihv  iiii.ssi.s.iijij)i( ii.sis,  \Vo..siin.) 
.X.i/iis,  limi;,  l.siid.     i'I'y|M',  /''i/m  plHuihcn,  (Imklin.) 
/'nri/„j)/,:i'!/.i;  Kait,  1841.     (Siiiue  tyix'.) 

fii:\.  Cii.M!.  Fnriu  I'ali'dii-likc;  tlii'  neck  short,  \\wj:<  loiif,',  anil  pointpil,  the  primaries 
.•lu.l  rcclriccs  .<lroii-  and  slilV,  and  the  orfranizalion  rol.usl.  liill  sli.irt  and  di-cp,  llic  coni- 
niissurc  im'u:Mlarly  lontljiMl,  and  nutdicd  ;  jjonys  vimt  (.•onvi'x,  ascondin.i;-  ti'rminallv  ;  clm'u 
n.-irniw;  nnsiril  vm- small,  ncarU  cireuiar;  H'ct  .•<mall,  Imt  rolmsl ;  tarsns  almni  (■(|nal  to 

..^^  - 


-^-o 


33U74 


32874,  ^ 


middle  toe,  with  a  distinct  frontal  .scries  of  broad  transverse  scntelhe ;  claw.s  rather  .short, 
liut  strongly  (Mn-vod.  slightly  grooved  beneath,  their  edges  sharp.  Third  qnill  longest; 
lirst  of  vai-ialile  proportion  with  the  rest.  Tail  moderate,  the  feathor.s  wide,  broader 
terniiiiidlv,  and  emargiiialed. 

This  oenus  is  jieculiar  to  Ainorica,  the  two  most  closely  related  genera 
heiiig  J'J/,i,iiis  on  tiu;  one  hand  and  //Kr/Wffiin  on  the  other.  Its  species  he- 
long  to  the  tropical  and  sul)tropical  regions,  one  of  them  (/.  plumhca)  gener- 
ally distrihiited  throughout  the  intertrojjical  portion,?,  the  other  (/.  mississip- 
pinixi.s)  peculiar  to  Mexico  and  the  southern  United  States. 

In  their  luihits,  they  are  very  aerial,  like  the  genus  NauclcDi^,  sailing  for 
the  greater  time  in  broad  circles  overhead,  occasionally  performing  graceful 
evolutions  as  they  gyrate  about.  Like  Nandfrva,  they  are  also  partially 
gregarious,  and,  like  it,  feed  chieHy  on  insects  and  small  reptiles,  which  they 
eat  while  flying. 

Species. 

Common-  ('n.u!.\eTi:i!s.     AiJnJf.    Uniform  pinnilieons,  beeoming  lighter  (whitish) 
on  the   head,  ami   darker  (blackish)  on   the  primaries  and   tail.     Inner  webs  of 


FALC(  )N  I  \)A']  -  Til !•;   V.\  l,f  'oNS.  -JO,'] 

pi'iiniu'ii-'s  with  iiiiHi' (ir  less  nifous.  Yniinij.  IJciu'atli  wliiii.-h,  siripi'd  li.ii'_'iiii- 
cliliiilly  Willi  liiowiiisli  ;  iiliovc  iiiiicli  Viiiic^'uliMl  ;  luil  with  scvcTiil  iiiiiiow  whili.^li 
IiuikIs, 

1.  I.  misBissippieiisis.  AiIkII.  W'w^^  li<.'lii('i'  tli^n  tin'  liiil,  tin'  .-I'coii- 
(lark's  Ikiuiv  wliili-li;  iiiiici'  Wfli.s  of  iii'iniai'ii's  willi  only  ohsciirt'  sjiol-:  ol' 
nilViiis,  till'  oiilci'  wclis  with  :i  vury  (ilisciiiv  sliiin'  nl'  llic  saliir.  Tail  wlioliy 
lilack.  }'(/»»(/.  Slii|ii's  linicuth  nililisli-uiiiliiT ;  lowrr  l.iil-ruvcrls  willi 
loiij.'iliiiliiial  siiall-strt.'aks  ol'  lliu  .saun,'.  Sci-dihI  In  liiiid  (|iiiii<  ioii;^!'-!  ;  Ili-.-l 
Rhoi'tor  than  suvciilh  uinl  loiii.'ci'  than  sixlh.  Wiiijr,  Id.iKl  -  12  ild  ;  lail, 
0.00-7.00;  (Mihiicii,  .()0-.U.'i;  taiMis,  L.'iO- 1.").') ;  iniiliUc  t><r.  l.Od-l.lO. 
J/uli.  I'raiiiis  uiiil  ."iavaimas  of  thu  .■southern  Uiiilcil  StaU'.s  ami  Nmlhciii 
Moxico,  fidiii  Wisconsin  and  (Jeorj,'ia  to  MiriPiloi'. 

2.  I.  plumbea.'  Adult.  Wing  concoloi-  wilh  the  tail,  the  .-iuiMiiilaric.s 
Ijlaeiv ;  iiniiT  \vi'h.-i  of  lh(^  priniarii'.s  almost  wlioliv  rnfoiis  ;  oulcr  wchs  with 
only  a  trace  of  iiifons.  Tail  wilh  ahont  tiiri'c  liamis  of  pMrf  while,  I'oiuicil 
by  trniksvci'sc  sjiols  on  the  inniT  wchs.  Ydiiiui.  Siriiics  he'ncatii  liidwiii.-li- 
black  ;  lowci'  tail-i'iivci'ls  ti-aiisvci'scly  spottcil  witii  llic  same  ;  uppuf  parts 
durkur.  Tliird  ipiili  lon;,'cst  ;  liist  siiorlci-  or  lonjrcr  than  the  seventh.  Tail 
more  nearly  ,s(inaic  Winj;,  10.")0  -  12.20  ;  lail,  5.'10-(i.S0 ;  culnien.  .(12- 
.70;  taisus,  l.lij-1.50;  uiiddli!  toe,  1.00- l.Oo.  Hub.  Tropical  America, 
from  I'arai'uav  to  Soiithci'n  Mexico. 


Ictinia  mississippiensis  (Wilson). 

MISSISSIPPI  KITE;  BLUE  KITE. 

Falco  mississippkii.ii.i,  Wii.s.  Am.  Oni.  pi.  2,"),  f.  1,  l^'18.  —  l,.\  rii.  flcn.  Hist.  !,  27.">. — 
Jamrs.  (Wii.s.)  Am.  Oni.  I,  7'-',  lK;il.  Xir/iis  //(/w/.s-s//,,//,,,*/.*,  Hon;,  l^is,  is-js,  ;{14. 
Milvu.i  iiiississi/iin'ritfii.i,  Cvv.  lii'g.  An.  (imI.  2>,  I,  !i:j."),  l.S21>.  Ifllnin  iiiissi.isi/i/iifii.iis, 
GliAY,  ticii.  11.  lol,  sp.  2  ;  List  U.  Itiit.  Mas.  p.  I.s.  LSI  I  ;  Ceu.  &  .Suh-dm.  lirit.  Mas. 
p.  «,  18;').').  —Cass.  11.  Cal.  k  Ti'X.  p.  Km;,  l^s.M.  —  Kait,  I'ch.  Talk.  Mus.  .><,ii.k. 
p.  258,  184;".  ;  Monn^'.  I'alc.  ('out.  Oni.  l.S'iO,  p.  :,7.  — SriilcKL.  <>rn.  .Syn.  1,  140,  Is.".,'.. 
—  niSKWKU,  (Kilojiy,  I,  18.')7,  41.— CoiKS,  I'lod.  Oiii.  Aiiz.  ]i.  l:i,  IMiii.  -  l)i:i:.-sr.i;. 
Ibis,  18G5,  327  (Texas).  -  (JuAY,  Hand  LW,  I,  28,  ISOi).  Fn/m  /ihhulH  us,  Arn.  dm. 
Biog.  11,  108,  pi.  exvii ;  V,  p.  :i74,  1831.  L-linia  jiluinlici,  Iionat.  Eiir.  I'i:  .N.  Am. 
B.  p.  4,  1838;  Ann.  N.  Y.  I.yc.  11,  30;  l.sis,  1832,  \<.  1137.  —  .Iai;I>.  (Wii.s.)  Aim. 
Oiii.  I,  3G8,  )il.  2.'>,  r.  1,  1832.  —  llnr.w.  (Wii.s.^  Synop.  (i8."),  18.-,2.  Arn.  Syiicip.  11. 
Am.  [).  14,  183i).  —  WooDil.  (Sitgi.)  ll\ii.  /uiii  &  C'ulorad.  p.  01,  Ih.'iu.  -  Xirr.  .\hiii. 
92,  1833. 

Rp.  Ciiai!.  .1(^(7^  iiuik  (No.  1,4.%,  Coll.  R.  Rido-w.ay,  Riehland  Co.,  Ill,,  Au;ju-t  II), 
1871).  Head,  neck,  seeoiidar-ics.  and  entire  lower  ]iarls  plnmlieoiis-ash.  beconiin;/.  hy  a 
gradual  transition,  lighter  on  the  head  and  secondarii's,  where  the  shade  is  pale  einereous; 
tlio  head  anteriorly,  and  the  lips  of  the  secondaries,  being  silvery-white.  Lores  and  eye- 
lids black.     Rest  of  the  phunage  dark   i)hnnIieous,  approaching   plMuilieous-lilaek  on  the 

1  Idiiiiii  plumhea  (Ci.Mr.i,. ).  F<ikii  plumheiin,  Omi-.i,.  S.  X.  1780,  283.  Irtinia  /ihtmlicd, 
ViEII.I,.  1816,  24.  —  diiAY,  Hand  List,  I.  A'('W»s  ;)7h//i/»/(.s;  Hon;,  I.,is,  182S,  .■!14.  /'(m'/oj). 
tcryx  pliiiiibciis,  Kaip,  Ud).  Falk.  Miih  Senck.  ]84."i,  2riS.  .Vilnix  futiclin's,  Vii.ii.i,.  (lis,  .\m. 
Sept,  1807.  pi.  X.     Diifo)  ccnrhrin,  Vvv.  Keg.  An.  (ed.  2),  1,  1820,  337. 

Specimens  e.iinnined.  —  National  Miiscmn,  4;  I'hiladclpliia  Aiadcmy,  4;  New  York  Museum, 
4;  Boston  Society,  4;  Museum  Comp.  Zoul.,  1  ;  Cab.  G.  N.  Lawrence,  2;  Cull.  U.  liidgway, 
1.    Total,  20. 


204 


Noirnr  amkiucan  ihhds. 


IrssiM'  wiii;i;-c()V('rls,  primaries,  iiml   upper   lail-cincrls,  lin'   tail   liciiif,'   nearly  piiru   lilaek. 

I'riliiarii'S  wilii   an   indistinet    narrow   coneealcil   slri| I'  elieslnul-rnl'dns  (in   llio   outer 

welps,  nnil  laru'er  spots  of  the  same  on  liie  inner  welis  ;  lealiiers  ol'  llie  lieail.  Meek,  and 
lower  parts  alunplly  pnre  wliile  lienealli  tliesnrl'aee,  tiiis  siiowinf,'  in  partially  exposed  spots 
on  tlio  peeloial  rej,'ion  and  erissuni.  Seajinlars  also  with  larye  eoneealed  while  spots. 
Hhal'ts  ofprinniries  anil  tiiil-teatiiers  lilaek  on  Imth  sides.  Win^'-I'ornmla,  .'1,  "J  -  t  -  ')-(>,  I. 
First  prinniry  anjjularly,  the  second  eoneavely,  eniar>;inati'd.  Tail  eniarjjiiialed,  lateral 
feather  lon;,'est ;  depth  of  fork.  .10.  Winfj-,  11. To;  tail,  (),80  ;  eiilnien,  .(ill;  tarsns.  l.liO; 
middle  toe.  l.l.'i. 

Aihill  fimulc  (No.  I.l«7.  Coll.  Hid.u'way,  Iliehlnnd  Co.,  111..  .Vni,nist  10,  1,S71). 
Similar  to  the  male,  lint  heai.  and  seeondaries  ileeidfdly  darkei'.  hardly  appronchinj;  lii,dit 
nsh  ;  seareely  any  tr«e<' of  rul'ons  on  the  primaries,  none  at  all  on  (inter  welis;  shafts  of 
tail-feathers  while  on  nnder  side.  \Vin;j-,  11. SO;  tail,  "i.'l't.  Bill,  cere,  eyelids,  niid  int(,>rior 
of  month,  deep  hlai'k;  iris  deep  lake-red;  rietns  oraiiffored ;  tar.si  and  toes  ])inki.sli 
oran<,'e-i('cl;  lower  jiart  of  tarsii.s  and  lar<,'o  seiitelliu  of  toos  dnsky.  (Notes  from  fresh 
speeiiiiens,  the  ones  aliove  deserilied.) 

JiiiiiKifiirc  iiiiilf  (transition  pliiina;,'e:  I.ISS,  Coll.  Iiiil;;way,  Uiehland  Co.,  III., 
.Antiiist  'Jl,  1^71.)  Similar  to  the  adult  female,  lint  the  white  spots  on  hasal  portion  of 
pectoral  and  erissid  feathers  distinctly  e.\po.«eil ;  ,so(;ondaries  not  li,L;liter  than  rest  of  the 
winj,'.  Tail-feathers  with  aiiLTiilar  white  spots  e.\tendiiifi  ([iiite  across  the  imier  wehs, 
pro(ln<iii;j;  tliret'  distinet  transver.se  bands  when  viewed  from  helow.  Inner  weh  of  onter 
primary  mostly  white  anterior  to  the  omari,'iniitioii,  Wini;,  lO.'jO;  tail,  (i.2.").  Color  of 
bill,  etc.,  ns  in  the  lulnlt,  lint  interior  of  month  whitish,  and  the  iris  le.ss  pnre  carmine, 

IiiniKifiiir  /I'liKilr  (Coll.  Philadepliia  Academy,  lied  Fork  of  the  Arkansa.s,  ISoO  ;  Dr, 
Wooilhoiise;.     Similar  to  the  last.     Winjr,  1  l.ltl;   tail,  li,;il, 

Yinnii/  female  (first  pliimau'c  ;  Coll.  Philadelphia  Academy,  North  Fork  Canadian 
Uiver.  Sept('inher  1!*,  IS.'jl  ;  Dr.  Woodhonsc),  Head,  neck,  and  lower  |)arts  white,  with 
ayellowisii  tiiine;  this  most  iiereeptilile  on  the  tiliiie.  Each  feather  with  a  medial  lonj,'itn- 
(linid  ovate  .sjiot  of  blackish-hrown  ;  more  reddish  on  the  lower  parts.  The  chin,  throat, 
and  a  broad  superciliary  stri]ie,  are  inimaonlate  white.  Lower  tail-covert.s  each  with  a 
medial  acinninate  spot  of  rnsly,  the  .shaft  black.  Upjier  parts  browni.sh-black;  winj;;- 
coverl.s,  scapulars,  and  iiitersi.'a|)iilars,  feathers  of  the  rniiip,  and  the  upper  tail-eovert.s, 
narrowly  bordered  with  ochraceoiis-white,  and  with  concealed  (piadrate  spot.s  of  the 
same  ;  primary  coverts,  seeoiidnrie.s,  and  primaries  .sharply  bordered  terminally  with  piwe 
white.  Tail  black  (faintly  whitish  at  the  tip),  with  three  (exposed)  olxscnre  bands  of  a 
more  .slaty  tint  ;  this  cliaiii;iim'  to  white  on  the  inner  webs,  in  the  Ibrm  of  angular  spot.s 
IbrmiiiL''  iIk;  bands.  Liniii!,'  of  the  wins'  I'i'l''  ochraeeoius,  transversely  spotted  with  rusty 
riifons;  iimU'r  primary-covcrls  with  transverse  spots  of  white.     Win.u',  11.00;   tail,  (i.40. 

II.Mi.  Central  Mexico  and  Soiitliern  I'liited  States;  common  as  far  north  as  Georgia 
(accidental  in  Pennsylvania,  ViscKxr  l>.\nxAiiii),  on  the  Atlantic  coast,  and  Illinoi.s,  Iowa, 
and  Wisconsin,  in  the  Mississippi  Valley.  E.xceedlngly  abundant  siunmer  bird  on  the 
prairies  of  Southern  Illinois. 

Locidities;  Coban  (Sai.viv,  Iliis,  III,  18(il,  '.i^)i>):  E.  mid  N.  Texas  (Duesser,  Ibis,  1865, 
327);  Chester  Co.,  I'a.  (brce(ls;  B.vux.\uii.) 

LIST    OF    SI'ECI.MKN.S    EXAMINED. 

National  Museum,  0 ;  Philadeljihia  Ac.ideniy,  4 ;  New  York  Museum,  1  ;  Cambridge 
Mu.seum,  1  ;  Cab.  O.  N.  Lawrence,  1  ;  R.  Ridgway.  .3.     Total,  10. 

Measurements. 

Culmtn. 

.CO  -  .Oo 


Wing. 

lO.GO- 11.85 

Tail. 
0.00-0.80 

9 

11.30- 12..30 

fi..50  -  7.00 

.00  -  .05 


Tarsus. 

1.35  - 1.55 
1,30-1,40 


Miiiiiu  r.x. 


1.00-1,10 
1.00-1.05 


Speeimens. 

0 


FALOONin.K  —  THE  FALCONS, 


205 


HAniTS.  Tlii.s  ITiiwk  apiicars  to  lu;  conrniud  to  thf  oxtrcmc  aoutlii'ni  niul 
soulliwfstnni  iKirtiiui  nl'  tlic  (lulf  Status.  It  is  not  kiidvii  to  dcciir  liiitlicr 
north  tliaii  South  Caioliua  i>ii  the  Atluiitii',  llioiij,'li  i>ii  tlii^  Mississippi  it  lias 
liiicn  traced  imich  farther  north.  It  is  most  aluiiulaiit  aiioiit  the  Mississippi. 
It  was  lirst  (hscovered  liy  Wil.soii  near  Natchi;/,  where,  lie  found  it  ((uile 
ahundaiit.  Mr.  Say  al'tcrwards  oh.servud  it  I'ar  up  tliu  Mississijipi,  at  one  of 
Arajor  Lony's  cantonments.  On  ('ajitain  Sitj^reavc's  expedition  to  tiie  Znni 
and  (_'oh)rado  llivers,  it  was  found  to  he  o.xceedin^dy  ahuiidant  in  Eastern 
Te.xas,  as  well  as  in  the  Indian  Territory,  more  particularly  on  the  Arkau.sa9 
Iiiver  and  its  trihutaries. 

l)re.s.ser  status  that  ho  found  this 
Hawk  l)y  no  means  an  unfrucpieut  bird 
in  Te.xas,  and  };uuerally  in  the  .same  lo- 
calities with  the  iV<ii«;lcrun  Jhr/intlns, 
It  was  not  very  common  near  San  An- 
tonio, hut  was  occasionally  found,  a'ul 
even  breeds  there,  as  he  iirocured  both 
the  ohl  and  the  young  birds  during  the 
sunnuer.  In  travelling  eastward  in  the 
month  of  May,  he  lirst  noticed  them 
near  the  Kio  Colorado,  and  was  told  by 
the  negroes  on  one  of  the  jjlantations 
that  they  wore  then  nesting.  On  the 
20th  of  Alay  he  shot  a  female  on  the 
banks  of  that  river,  from  which  he  ex- 
tracted a  fully  formed  egg.  It  was  al- 
most round,  and  rather  large  fur  the 
size  of  the  bird.  Eastward  from  the  Colorado  he  also  saw  this  Hawk  iiuite 
often. 

Though  the  species,  no  doubt,  occurs  :..  Mexico,  Mr.  bclater  states  that  all 
the  Mexican  Idinicc  which  he  has  seen,  collected  by  Salle,  lioucard,  and 
others,  hu  'e  b.'longed  to  /.  plnmhca  (Ibis,  1800,  j).  104).  A  single  specimen 
from  Cohan,  Ce-Jtral  America,  was  obtained  by  Mr.  Salvin,  but  /.  plinnhcu 
was  by  far  the  most  common  species  of  letinia  in  Vera  I'az. 

This  species  was  first  discovered  within  the  territory  of  the  United  States 
by  Wilson,  in  his  visit  to  Natchez.  He  had  noticed  the  liird  sailing  about 
in  easy  circles,  and  at  a  considerable  height  in  the  air,  generally  in  company 
with  the  Turivty  IJuzzards,  whose  manner  of  flight  it  almost  exactly  imi- 
tated, so  much  so  ;is  to  make  it  appear  either  a  miniature  of  that  species,  or 
like  one  of  them  at  a  gr-jat  distance,  both  hoing  observed  to  soar  at  great 
heights  previous  to  n  storm.  Wilson  conjectures  that  this  apparent  similar- 
ity of  manner  of  flight  niuy  be  attributable  to  their  pursuit  of  their  respective 
kinds  of  food,  —  the  Buzzard  on  the  lookout  for  carrion,  and  the  birds  of  the 
present  species  in  search  of  those  large  beetles  that  are  known  to  fly  in  the 


Iclinia  mi.ssissippiensij. 


206  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

higher  regions  of  the  air,  and  whicli,  in  the  tliree  indiviihials  dissected  by 
him,  were  tlie  onlj'  sul)Staiices  I'oiuid  in  tlieir  stoniaciis.  For  several 
miles,  as  lie  passed  near  J]<ayou  Manahak,  the  trees  were  swarming  with  a 
kind  of  Cicada,  or  locust,  that  made  a  deafening  noise.  He  there  observed  a 
niunl)er  of  these  birds  sweeping  about  among  the  trees  in  the  manner  of 
Swallows,  evidently  in  pursuit  of  the  insects,  which  proved  indeed,  on  dis- 
section, to  be  their  principal  food. 

One  of  these  Hawks  was  slightly  wounded  by  Wilson,  and  though  disal)led 
and  precipitated  from  a  great  height  exhibited  evidence  of  great  strength 
and  an  almost  unconquerable  spirit.  As  he  tipproached  to  pick  it  up,  the 
bird  instantly  gave  battle,  striking  rapidly  with  its  claws,  wheeling  round 
and  round,  and  defending  itself  with  great  vigilance  and  dexterity,  while  its 
dark  red  eye  si)arkled  with  rage.  His  captor  wished  to  prestn've  it  alive, 
but,  notwithstanding  all  his  precautions  in  seizing  it,  the  Hawk  struck  one 
oi'  its  claws  into  his  hand  with  great  force,  and  this  could  only  be  disen- 
gaged by  Wilson's  dividing  the  sinew  of  the  heel  witli  a  pen-knife.  As  long 
as  the  bird  afterwards  lived  with  Wilson,  it  seemed  to  watch  every  move- 
ment, erecting  the  featliers  of  the  back  of  its  head,  and  eying  him  with  a 
savage  fierceness.  Wilson  was  much  struck  with  its  great  strength,  its 
extent  of  wing,  its  energy  of  cliaracter,  and  its  ease  and  rapidity  of  flight. 

Audubon  regards  this  species  as  remarkable  for  its  devotion  to  its  young, 
and  narrates  that  in  one  instance  he  saw  the  female  bird  lift  up  and  attempt 
to  carry  out  of  his  reach  one  of  her  fledglings.  She  carried  it  in  her  claws 
the  distance  of  thirty  yards  or  more. 

He  also  describes  their  flight  as  graceful,  vigorous,  and  protracted.  At 
times  the  bird  seems  to  float  in  the  air  as  if  motionless,  or  sails  in  broad 
and  regular  circles,  then,  suddenly  closing  its  wings,  is  seen  to  slide  along 
to  some  distance,  and  then  renews  its  curves.  At  other  times  it  sweeps  in 
long  undulations  with  the  swiftness  of  an  arrow,  jiassing  within  touching 
distance  of  a  branch  on  which  it  seeks  an  insect.  Sometimes  it  is  said  to 
fly  in  hurried  zigzags,  and  at  others  to  turn  over  and  over  in  the  manner  of 
a  Tumbler  Pigeon.  Audubon  has  often  observed  it  make  a  dash  at  the 
Turkey  Buzzard,  and  give  it  chase,  as  if  in  sport,  and  so  annoy  this  bird  as 
to  drive  it  to  a  distance.  It  feeds  on  the  wing  with  great  ea.se  and  dexterity. 
It  rarely,  if  ever,  alights  on  the  earth  ;  and,  when  wounded,  its  movements  on 
the  ground  are  very  awkward.  It  is  never  known  to  attack  birds  or  quad- 
rupeds of  any  kind,  though  it  will  pursue  and  annoy  foxes  and  Crows,  and 
drive  them  to  seek  shelter  from  its  attacks.  The  Mississii)pi  Kite  is  said  to 
be  by  no  means  a  shy  bird,  and  may  be  easily  approached  when  alight,  yet 
it  usually  perches  so  high  that  it  is  not  always  easy  to  shoot  it. 

In  Southern  Illinois,  Mr.  Ridgway  found  this  Kite  to  be  a  very  alnmdant 
fiunimer  bird  on  the  prairies.  There  it  is  found  from  May  till  near  the  end 
of  September,  and  always  associated  with  the  Swallowtail  {Naaclcrtts  forji- 
catus.)     It  breeds  in  the  timber  which  borders  the  streams  intersecting  the 


FALCONID.E  — THE   FALCONS.  207 

prairies  ;  hut  it  is  not  until  tliu  hottest  weatlier  of  July  and  August  that  it 
hecoi.'ies  very  abundiuit,  at  this  tiuK!  I'eoding  chielly  upon  the  large  insects 
which  swarni  among  the  rank  prairie  lierhage.  Its  jjarticular  luod  is  a  very 
large  spe  "ies  of  Ciaalu,  tliongii  grasshojjpers,  and  occasionally  small  snakes 
(as  the  species  of  Eiiionin,  Lrptopliis  cvstii-ii-%  etc.),  also  loini  part  of  its 
food.  Its  ])rey  is  captured  by  s\vee]ting  over  the  object  and  picking  it  up  in 
passing  over,  both  tlie  bill  and  feet  being  u.sed  in  grasping  it ;  the  food  is 
eaten  as  the  bird  sails,  in  liroad  circles,  overhead.  Mr.  liidgway  descriljes 
the  flight  of  this  Kite  as  powerful  and  graceful  in  the  extreme,  and  accompa- 
nied by  beautiful  and  unusual  evolutions. 

According  to  Mr.  Audubon,  the  nest  of  this  .species  is  always  placed  in 
the  upper  branches  of  the  tallest  trees.  It  resembles  a  dilajiidated  Crow's 
nest,  and  is  constructed  of  sticks  slightly  put  together,  Spanish  moss,  strips 
of  pine  bark,  and  dry  leave.s.  The  eggs  are  three  in  nund)er,  nearly  globu- 
lar, and  are  described  by  Mr.  Audubon  as  of  a  light  greenish  tint,  blotched 
thickly  over  with  deep  chocolate-brown  and  black ;  but  the  eggs  thus  de- 
scribed are  those  of  some  totally  dill'erent  species. 

The  same  writer  mentions  tha.  a  pair  of  these  Hawks,  who.se  nest  was 
visited  by  a  negro  sailor,  manifested  the  greatest  displeasure,  and  continued 
flying  with  remarkable  velocity  close  to  the  man's  head,  screaming,  and  dis- 
playing the  utmost  rage. 

The  description  given  by  Mr.  Audubon  of  the  egg  of  this  species,  and 
also  that  in  my  North  American  Oology,  of  the  drawing  of  an  egg  said 
to  be  of  this  bird,  taken  in  Louisiana  l)y  Dr.  Trudeau,  do  not  correspond 
with  an  egg  in  the  cabinet  of  the  Boston  Society  of  Natural  History, 
for'Mcrly  in  that  of  the  late  Dr.  Heiny  Bryant.  This  egg  measures  1.50 
inches  in  lei.gth  by  l.:?2  in  breadth,  is  very  nearly  globular,  but  is  also 
much  more  rounded  at  one  end,  and  tapering  at  the  other.  It  is  entirely 
rnispotted  and  of  a  uniform  chalky  M-hiteness,  with  an  underlying  tinge  of  a 
bluish  green.  It  was  found  by  Mr.  C.  S.  IMcCartliy  in  the  Indian  Territory, 
on  the  north  fork  of  the  Canadian  Eiver,  June  25,  18tU.  The  nest  was 
made  of  a  few  sticks,  and  was  in  the  fork  of  a  horizontal  branch,  fifteen  feet 
from  the  grf)und.     Tliere  were  two  eggs  in  the  nest. 

It  was  also  found  breeding  by  Mr.  J.  H.  Clark  at  Trout  Creek,  Indian 
Territory,  June  21,  and  by  Dr.  E.  Talmer  at  the  Kiowa  Agency  (S.  I. 
13,534). 

Genus    ROSTRHAMUS,   Lesson. 

HoslrJuimns,  Lrss.  1831.     (Typr,  Fidco  InnmUiis,  Ii.mg.  ) 

Gen.  Ciiau.  Win<x.«  ami  tail  largo,  the  latter  einarginated.  Bill  very  narrow,  the 
upper  mandihlo  iiiucli  clonrrnted  and  lient,  the  tip  forniinif  a  sitrons;  pendent  hook  ;  lower 
niandihle  drooping  leriiiinally,  the  s'ony.s  strai;jflit  ;  the  upper  ed^^e  arched,  to  eorrespond 
with  the  concavity  of  tlie  rej;ular  connnissure.     No.stril  elonjxato-oval,  horizontal.     Tarsu.s 


208 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


siidrt,  about  erinnl  tn  inidillc  tnc,  witli  a  continuous  frontal  scries  of  transverse  scntcllre; 
claws  cxtroiiR'ly  lonir  and  sliarp,  hut  weaidy  curved;  inner  edge  of  the  middle  elaw 
sliyhtly  peetinaled.     Tiiird  to  fourth  quills  longest ;  outer  five  with  inner  webs  sinuated. 


53081,? 


^f"^ 


53081,^ 


Roftrhaviiis  xnrifihilin. 


53081,:^. 


The  species  of  this  semis  are  two  in  number,  and  are  peculiar  to  the 
tro])ical  portions  of  America,  one  of  thera  being-  confined  to  tlie  Amazon 
region,  tlie  other  extending  to  Florida  in  one  direction  and  Buenos  Ayres  on 
tlie  otlier.  Tlieir  nearest  allies  are  the  si>ecies  Clrcits  and  Elanus,  like 
tliem  inliabiting  marshy  localities,  where  their  food  is  found,  whicli  consists, 
in  large  part,  of  small  mollusca. 

Species  and  Baces. 

Common  Ciiahacters.  AduU.  Prevailing  color  plumbeous-black,  or  bluish- 
phnnbeous ;  the  tail  and  primaries  black.  Entirely  eoncolored,  or  with  white 
tail-coverts.  Cere  and  feet  oi'ange-red.  Young.  Spotted  with  blackish-brown 
and  ochraceons,  the  former  prevailing  abov(!,  the  latter  beneath. 

1.  R.  Bociabilis.  Tail-covert.s,  with  terminal  and  basal  zones  of  the  tail, 
white;  that  of  tiie  tail  inoie  or  less  shaded  with  grayish-brown.  Adult. 
Uniform  blackish-phimljeous,  darker  on  the  head,  quills,  and  tail.  Hah. 
South  America,  West  Indies,  and  Florida. 

riumbeous  of  a  glaucous  car-t,  the  head  dark  plumbeous,  and  the 
wing-coverts  lighter,  inclining  to  grayish-brown.  Wing,  i;3.25  -  lo.'jO ; 
tail,  6.75 -8.2o;  bill,  .85- 1.04 ;  tarsus,  1.70-2.40;  middle  toe,  1.40- 
1.55.  (2  sp.  P.  A.  N.  S.)  Hab.  Florida  and  West  Indies  .  var.  plum  bens. 
Plumbeous  of  a  blackish  cast,  the  head  deep  black,  and  the  wing- 
coverts  not  lighter,  and  not  inclining  to  brownish.  Wing,  12.90  -  14.00 ; 
tail,  7.00  -  7.80  ;  bill,  .90  -  1.25  ;  tarsus,  1.50-1.80;  middle  toe,  1.45- 
1.05.     Hab.    South  America var.  .loci  ah  His. ^ 

1  Hn.'i/rliamus  socinblll.i,  var.  .sorinlnlis  (ViElLL.).  Herpffothcrns  sociabilis,  Xiv.iu..  Nonv.  Diet. 
Hist.  Nat.  XVIII,  318,  1S18  ;  Eiic.  Mikh.  HI,  1248.  Jlostrhamus  .lociabUi.i,  D'Oim.  Voy.  Am. 
Merid.  II.  73,  1835  ;  Syiio]).  Av.  JIag.  Zoiil.  IB.IO.  Oiiay,  List  H.  lirit.  Mus.  p.  47  ;  Ocii. 
and  Suligcn.  Hrit.  Mus.  p.  (i.  —  Kaii-,  Monog.  Falo.  font.  Orn.  1850,  78.  —  SriticKi..  Orn.  Syn. 
I,  Ki'i,  185.').  Fii/fo  mKlrhaiiiux,  Max.  ndti-iig.  III.  182,  1830.  Ci/mindi.i  hucopi/giis,  Simx, 
Av.  Ihas.  I,  7,  pi.  ii,  1824.     Itoslrhamns  ni<ier,  Lkss.  Tr.  Orn.  ji.  56,  1831. 

Had.     South  and  Middle  Anicriia,  from  Hiicnos  Ayres  to  KiistiMii  Mexico  (Mirador). 

Localitius  :   Guatemala  (Sei,.  Ibis,  I,   220) ;   Ecuador  (SoLAtKlt,  1800,  289) ;   Panania  (Law- 


FALCOXin.E  — TFIE   FALCONS.  2(Jl) 

2.  R.  hamatus.'  Tail-covcrts,  wiili  end  nml  li.iso  of  tlio  tail,  slaty-lilack. 
Ad'ilf.  riiilonii  l)liiisli-iiUiiiilicoiis,  (lark.TOii  the  licad,  wiiifs,  and  tail.  Tail 
uiiilorm  black,  or  with  two  iiarrow,  iiitcmi]ito(l,  while  haii.is  across  tlio  luid- 
dlo  portion  (^,  Brazil,  IJ.  S.  Coll.).  Win-  ll.(H)- 12.00 ;  tail,  5.00-7.00; 
bill,  1.02  - 1.07 ;  tarsus,  1.7",  - 1.00 ;  middle  toe,  1.-15.  Hab.  Amazon  region 
of  South  America. 


Rostrhamus  sociabilis,  \ai.  plumbens,  rancavAY. 

HOOK-BILL  KITE;  EVERGLADE  KITE. 

Rostrhamus  socinhilh,  Vir.ii.i,.  U'()i;ii.  Hist.  Nat.  Culia,   av.  p,  15.  — f'Ass.  Birds  N.  Am. 
IS.'JS,  38.—  M.WN.vui),  liinls  Florida,  Prosim'tus,  1872. 

Sp.  CuAii.  Ailnlt  male  (So.  01,187,  Everglades,  Florida ;  C.  J.  Maynard).  rrevailing 
color  phnnboous,  becoMiing  blauk  on  the  secondaries,  primaries,  and  tail,  somewhat 
brownish-ashy  on  the  wiiiK-coverts,  and  with  a  glaucous  east  on  the  neck,  the  head 
becoming  nearly  black  anteriorly.  Tail-coverts  (the  longer  of  the  upper  and  all  of  the 
lower)  and  base  of  the  tail  pure  white,  this  oecu])ying  more  than  the  basal  half  of  the 
outer  feather,  and  changing  into  grayish-brown  next  the  black ;  tail  with  a  terminal  baud 
of  grayish-brown,  about  .7u  wide.  Imier  webs  of  primaries  marbled,  anterior  to  their 
emargination,  with  grayish  and  white.  Tibiic  tinged  with  rusty  fulvous.  Wiug-foruuila, 
4,  3,  5  -  2  -  0  -  7,  1.     Wing,  14.01 ;  tail,  7.25  ;  culmen,  .95 ;  tarsus,  1.90 ;  middle  toe,  1.55 ; 

iiF.NCi;,  VII,  1861,  316);  La  Plata  (BniMKisTER,  II,  1861,  435);  Brazil  (Pki.z.  Orn.  Bras.  I, 
6)  ;  Buenos  Ayrcs  (Sci,.  it  Sai.v.  1860,  160). 

The  numerous  South  American  sjieeimcns  vliieli  have  poine  under  my  notice  all  dill'er  in  the 
respects  pointed  out  in  the  synopsis  from  West  ludiiui  and  Floridan  examjiles.  The  following 
descriptions  of  a  pair  of  tin;  southern  race  will  show  the  avei-age  ehuracters  of  var.  sociabilis. 

AfluU  mah  {\]a.nw\\\\Wa,  Kcuailor.  Ci;owtiii-;r  ;  Coll.  G.  N.  Lawrence).  Dill'ering  from  the 
Florida  male  in  being  nmeli  darker  ;  general  color  plunibeous-black,  instead  of  glaucous-iilum- 
beous  ;  head,  wings,  and  t;iil  deep  black.  Wing-formula,  3  =  4,  5-2,  6-7,  1.  Wing,  12.90  ; 
tail,  7.S0  ;  culmen,  1.05  ;  tarsus,  1.65  ;  nnddle  toe,  1.45  ;  hhid  toe,  .80  ;  its  claw,  1.10. 

AiMl  fimile,  with  tra.x-s  of  innnature  plumage  (53,081,  Oonehitas,  Buenos  Ayre.s,  September. 
1867  ;  William  11.  Hudson).  Whole  plumage  (e.xcei)t  tail-coverts)  brownish-black,  deepest 
black  on  head  and  tail  ;  more  brownish  on  wing-coverts  and  slightly  glau<'ous  on  the  neck.  All 
the  feathers,  except  those  of  the  head,  neck,  and  back,  bordered  inconspicuously  with  paler  ; 
these  edgings  more  distinct  and  rufescent  on  the  lesser  wing-covert's  ;  tibia;  tinged  with  rusty. 
Wing-formula,  3  =  4,  5-2-6-7,  1.  Wing,  14.00  ;  tail,  7.60  ;  culmen,  1.00  ;  tarsus,  1.70  ; 
middle  toe,  1.60  ;  liiiid  toe,  .!..'i  ;  its  claw,  1.20. 

A  specimen  from  Mexico,  snp))osed  to  be  from  Mirndor  (No.  44,444),  is  dark  in  color,  like 
South  American  examples  (  the  bill  is  unusually  largo,  the  chord  of  the  culmen  niea.suring  1.25  ; 
wing,  14.25  ;  tail,  8.30  ;  tarsus,  1.70  ;  middle  toe,  1.65. 

Specimens  examined.  —  National  .MuM'um,  2  ;  Philadelphia  Academy,  7  ;  New  York  Museum, 
2  ;  Cab.  0.  N.  Lawrence,  2  ;  Slusetnn,  Cambridge,  1  ;  Boston  Society,  3.     Total,  17. 

1  Roslrhamm  hamatiis  (Yieili,.).  Fako  hamaliui,  Tk.mm.  PI.  Col.  61,  231,  ISiio.  —  Ii.lio. 
Mus.  Berol.  Biikohamatm,  ViKiLi,.  Kne.  Meth.  Ill,  1223.  lio-s/r/iatnus  Ucniiinis,  Caii.  ,I.  fiir. 
Orn.  1854,  p.  Ixxx.  No.  16,634  (Amazon  Itiver  ;  Lieutenant  Herndon).  Entirely  \nnforni  plum- 
beou.s,  with  a  glaucous  cast,  becoming  darker  on  the  head,  and  black  on  ]irimaries  and  tail  ;  tail 
perfectly  even,  with  an  obscurely  imlicateil,  narrow,  interruptc'  band  of  dark  phind)eous  across 
its  middle  portion.  A  specimen  in  the  collection  oC  he  Boston  Society  has  the  bands  on  the 
tail  more  conspicuous,  and  agrees  with  the  /,'.  I,ciiiin-us  of  Cabanis.  I  have  seen  no  young  speci- 
mens of  this  species,  but,  judging  from  Teuuniuuk's  ligure,  cited  above,  they  are  very  similar  to 
the  same  stage  of  R.  sociabilis. 

vol..  III.  27 


210  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

liiiul  claw,  1.1(»,  the  too.  .90.  IJill  di-op  lilack;  ooro  and  iiakod  lorp  briglit  orango-rcd  ; 
feet  dei'[)  oranprc-icil. 

Young  femiile  (('uli.i;  Dr.  Gundlaoh,  Coll.  G.  N.  Lawri'iii'o).  Prevailing  color  above 
lirownisli-biack.  willi  a  glaneous  cast  on  the  dorsal  region  ;  tail  deej)  black,  witii  a  I'aint 
gr('<'nish-bn)nze  reflection,  with  white  and  grayish  base  and  tip,  as  in  llie  adnlt.  Each 
Featlier  of  the  upper  parts  ratiicr  broadly  tipped  with  ochraeeons-riil'ons;  crown,  oceipnt, 
and  auriciilars  streaked  longitudinally  with  the  same.  Prevailing  color  of  the  head  and 
lower  parts  deep  ochraceous,  on  the  head  forming  a  broad  superciliiiry  stripe  from  the 
foreheail  back  to  the  oi.'cipnt;  throat  and  cheeks  streaked  longitudinally  witli  dusky; 
crissuni  immaculate;  other  lower  parts,  including  lining  of  the  wing,  lliickly  covered 
with  large  transverse  spots  of  brownish-black.  Upper  tail-coverts  white,  with  a  blackish 
shaft-lino;  tail  with  the  basal  third  white  anteriorly  and  brownish-ashy  ne.xt  the  black, 
and  with  a  terminal  band,  about  1,00  wide,  of  brownish-ashy,  ])assing  nito  white  at  the 
tij).  Under  surliice  of  primaries  cream-color  anterior  to  the  emargination,  towards  the 
ends  grayish,  with  transverse  spots  of  dusky.  Wing-fonnula,  4,  .'3  =  .')-2  -  (i  -  7,  1. 
Wing,  13.90;  tail,  8.25;  tarsus,  1.90;  middle  toe,  ].");'). 

An  older  s|)ecinieu  in  young  plumage  (11. 7")5,  Florida)  dillers  aslbllnus;  The  colors 
generally  are  lighter,  the  ochraceous  being  more  i)revalent  and  lighter  in  tint;  the  throat 
is  immaculate,  and  the  markings  beneath  more  longitudinal.  The  .secondaries  and  prima- 
ries arc  broadly  tipped  with  ochraceous.  Wing,  14.00;  tail,  7.20;  tarsus,  1.95;  middle 
toe,  1.5(1. 

Hab.    West  Indies  and  Southern  Florida. 

LIST   OF   SPECIMENS   EX.\MINED. 

National  Mnseuni,  3 ;  Coll.  C.  J.  Maynard,  7 ;  Philadelphia  Academy,  2 ;  Museum 
Coinp.  Zoiil.,  3:  Coll.  R.  Ridgway,  1.     Total,  IC. 

Habits.  The  Black  Kite  is  a  Central  and  Soutii  American  species,  well 
known  in  that  section,  but  haviiij,'  no  other  claim  to  be  regarded  as  a  bird  of 
Xorth  America  than  its  presence  in  a  restricted  portion  of  Florida,  where  it 
is,  in  the  extreme  soiitheni  section,  not  very  uncommon,  and  where  it  is 
also  known  to  breed.  It  was  first  taken  in  that  peninsula  by  Mr.  Edward 
Harris,  tind  subsequently  by  Dr.  Heermann.  It  was  supposed  by  j\Ir.  Har- 
ris to  breed  in  Florida,  from  his  meeting  with  young  birds ;  and  this  suppo- 
sition has  been  confirmed  by  Mr.  Maynard,  who  has  since  found  them  nest- 
ing, and  procured  their  eggs. 

Mr.  Siilvin  met  with  what  he  presumed  to  be  this  species  in  Central 
America,  ascribing  the  immense  flights  of  Hawks  seen  by  him  in  the  month 
of  March,  hi  the  Pacific  Coast  region,  migrating  in  a  northwesterly  direction, 
to  this  Kite.  The  l)ird  was  well  known  to  the  Spaniards  under  the  name  of 
Asaniani,  —  a  term  that  has  become  proverbial  for  a  person  who  is  con- 
stantly wandering  from  place  to  plp.ce.  Mr.  Leyland  obtained  a  single 
s]iecimei)  of  the  Rostrhamm  near  the  Lake  of  Peten.  In  the  spring  of 
1870,  Mr.  Mixyntird  met  with  several  individuals  of  this  species  among  the 
Florida  everglades.  He  first  observed  one  on  February  18,  but  was  not 
able  to  secure  it.  Visiting  the  same  spot  ten  days  hiter,  with  Mr.  Ilenshaw, 
three  birds  of  this  species  were  shot,  and  the  nest  of  one  was  discn\ered.  It 
was  at  that  time  only  partly  completed,  was  small,  flat,  and  composed  of 


FALCONID.E  — THE   FALCONS. 


211 


sticks  somewhat  carelessly  arranged.  It  was  built  upon  the  toj)  of  some 
tall  saw-gras.s,  by  which  it  was  sujuiovtetl.  Tliis  gra.s3  was  so  luxuriant  and 
thick  that  it  bore  Mr.  Maynard  uj)  as  he  sought  to  reach  the  nest,  which  did 
not  contain  any  ogns.  On  the  24th  of  March,  Mr.  Maynard  discovered  an- 
other nest  (jf  this  .species.  It 
was  built  in  a  bush  of  the  Mug- 
nolia  glaum,  and  was  about  four 
feet  from  the  water.  It  con- 
taiued  one  egg.  It  was  about 
one  foot  in  diameter,  was  t^uitc 
flat,  and  was  composed  of  sticks 
carelessly  arranged,  and  lined 
with  a  few  dry  heads  of  the 
saw-grass.  The  female  was  shot, 
and  found  to  contain  an  e'"» 
nearly  ready  for  exclusion,  but 
as  yet  unspotted.  Other  eggs 
were  sul)sequently  procured 
through  the  aid  of  Seminole  In- 
dians, by  whom  this  Hawk  is 
called  So-for-fu n i-lar. 

The  usual  number  of  eggs  laid 
by  this  Kite  is  supposed  to  be 
two,  as  in  three  instances  no 
more  were  found,  and  this  was 

said  to  be  their  complement  by  the  Indians.     It  also  appeared  to  l)e  some- 
what irregular  in  the  time  of  depositing  its  eggs. 

This  Ilawk  is  described  as  very  sociable  in  its  habits,  unlike,  in  this  re- 
spect, most  other  birds  of  prey.  Six  or  eight  specimens  were  frequently 
seen  Hying  together,  at  one  time,  over  the  marshes,  or  sitting  in  company  on 
the  same  bush.  In  their  flight  they  resemble  the  common  Marsh  Hawk, 
are  very  unsuspicious,  and  may  l>e  quite  readily  approached.  The  dissection 
of  the  specimens  showed  that  this  bird  feeds  largely  on  a  s]iecies  of  iresh- 
water  shell  {Pomits  dcprcsm  of  Say). 

The  egg  of  this  species  taken  in  Florida  by  Mr.  Maynard  is  of  a  rounded 
oval  shape,  eciually  obtuse  at  either  end,  and  measures  1.70  inches  in  length 
by  1.45  in  breadth.  The  ground-color  is  a  dingy  white,  irregularly,  and  in 
some  parts  profusely,  blotched  with  groups  of  markings  of  a  yellowish  brown, 
shading  from  a  light  <}li\e-brown  to  a  much  duller  color,  almost  to  a  black 
hue.  These  markings  in  the  specimen  seen  are  not  grouped  around  either 
end,  but  form  a  conlluent  belt  around  the  central  portions  of  the  egg.  The 
following  description  is  given  by  Mr.  Maynard  of  the  other  specimens  taken 
by  him. 

Egg  No.  1.    Ground-color  bluish-white,  spotted  and  blotched  everywhere 


Eostrhamus  sofiabilis  (young). 


212 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


with  brown  and  umber.  Dimensions,  1.72  X  1.4;").  No.  2.  Ground-color 
.same  as  No.  1.  Two  lar<j;e  irregidur  blotches  ol'  dark  brown  and  umber  on 
the  larger  end,  with  smaller  confluent  blotches  and  streaks  of  the  same, 
covering  nearly  the  entire  surface  of  that  end ;  smaller  end  nuicli  more 
sparsely  spotted  with  the  same.  Dimensions,  1.76  X  1.40.  JVo.  3.  Cirouud- 
color  dirty  brown.  Tlie  entire  egg,  excei)t  the  small  end,  covered  with  a 
washing  of  dark  brown,  whicli  forms  dark  irregular  blotches  at  various 
points,  as  if  tlie  egg  had  been  painted  and  then  taken  in  the  fingers  before 
drying.     Dimensions,  1.5a  X  1.55. 


Genus  CIRCUS,   Lacepede. 

Cimij!,  LACifp.  1800,  1801.     (Type,  Falco  mnufinosm,  Linn.) 

Pi/(l<ii-ffiis,  Kocii,  1816.     (Same  type.) 

Strif/iceps,  noNAP.  1S31.     (Type,  Falco  cyanms,  Lisx.) 

G/(iucoj)fcr!i.t;  Kait,  1844.     (Type,  Fahv  ciiiemcctts,  MdST.) 

Sjiilocirais,  Kaim-,  1847.     (Typi>,  Circus  jcinlini,  Gdi-LD.) 

Picrocircu.i,  Kait,  1851.     (Siiiiie  type.) 

Sphttcircm  am\  Spiziucircus,  Kait,  1844  .iiul  1851.     (Tj-pe,  Circus  macropterm,  Vieill.) 

(tkn.  Char.     Form   very  slender,  the  wings  and  tail  very  long,  the  head  small,  bill 
wciik,  and  feet  .'slender.     Faee  surrounded  by  a  ruff  of  stiff,  compact  feathers,  as  in  the  Owls 


Citrm  /ii/rfsontiM. 

(nearly  obsolete  in  some  species).  Bill  weak,  mueh  compressed;  the  upper  outline  of  the 
cere  greatly  ascending  basally,  and  arched  posteriorly,  the  eomini.ssuro  with  a  faint  lobe  ; 
nostril  ov.il,  horizontal.  Loral  bristles  fme  and  elongated,  curving  upwards,  their  ends 
reaching  above  the  top  of  the  core.  Superciliary  shield  small,  but  prominent.  Tarsus 
more  than  twice  the  middle  toe,  .slender,  and  with  perfect  frontal  and  posterior  continuous 
series  of  regular  transverse  scutellro ;  toes  slender,  the  outer  longer  tUaa  the  inner  j  claws 


KALCONID^  — THE  FALCONS.  213 

stron.cly  cnrvod,  very  nrutu.  Wings  very  loiifr,  the  thiri'  or  Ibiirtli  quills  loiifrest ;  first 
shorter  tlmii  the  sixth;  outer  three  to  live  with  inner  webs  sinuateil.  Tail  very  long, 
alioiif  two  thirds  the  wiiiL';  rounili!(i. 

The  relatiniiships  oi'  tliis  wcU-niarked  genus  arc,  to  Arnpifir  on  the  on(> 
hand,  and  Elanu.t  (in  the  other;  nearest  tlie  I'ornier,  tliough  it  is  not  verv  in- 
timately allied  to  either.  1  cannot  tidniit  the  sid)genera  proposed  l)y  viU'iotis 
authors  (see  synonomy  above),  as  I  consider  the  chiiracters  upon  which  they 
are  based  to  be  merely  of  specific  importance,  scarcely  two  species  being 
exactly  alike  in  the  minute  details  of  their  form. 

Tlie  species  are  ([uite  numerous,  numbering  about  twenty,  of  wliicli  only 
about  four  (including  the  climatic  sub-species,  or  geographical  races)  are 
American.  North  America  possesses  but  one  (C.  liudsonim,  I.inn.),  and  this, 
with  the  C.  cincreus,  Vieill,  of  South  America,  I  consider  to  be  a  geo- 
grai)hical  race  of  C.  cyanms  of  Europe. 

The  birds  of  this  genus  frequent  open,  generally  marshy,  localities,  where 
they  course  over  the  meadows,  moors,  or  marslies,  witli  a  steady,  gliding 
flight,  seldom  flapping,  in  pursuit  of  their  food,  which  consists  mainly  of 
mice,  small  birds,  and  reptiles.  Tlieir  assault  upon  the  latter  is  sudden  and 
determined,  like  the  "  Swift  Hawks,"  or  the  species  of  Arcipifcr. 

In  the  following  synopsis,  I  include  only  the  three  forms  of  C.  cj/ancvs, 
giving  the  characters  of  the  European  race  along  with  those  of  the  two 
American  ones. 

Species  and  Baces. 

C.  cyaneuB.  Wing,  12.50 -IG.OO;  tail,  9.00-10.70;  pulmen,  .00 -.80; 
tar.sus,  2.42  -  3.25  ;  middle  too,  1.10-1.55.  Third  to  fourth  quills  longe.st ; 
first  shorter  than  sixth  or  seventh ;  outer  four  with  inner  webs  sinuated. 
Adult  male}  Above  pearly-ash,  with  a  bluish  cast  in  some  parts ;  breast 
similar;  beneath  white,  with  or  without  rufous  markings.  Adult  female. 
Above  brown,  variegated  with  ochraccous  on  the  scapuhws  and  wing- 
coverts;  beneath  yellowish-white  or  pale  ochraccous,  with  a  few  longitudi- 
nal stripes  of  brcvvn.  Younrf  (of  both  sexes).  Like  the  adult  female,  but 
darker  brown  above,  the  spotting  deeper  ochraccous,  or  rufous ;  beneath 
pale  rufous,  the  stripes  less  distinct. 

Tail  and  secondaries  without  a  subterminal  band  of  du.sky ;  lower 
parts  without  any  markings. 

AVing,  12.50  -  15.00 ;  tail,  9.00  -  10.70  ;  culmen,  .GO -.75;  tarsus, 
2.70 -2.85;  middle  toe,  1.10-1.35.     Hah.     Europe      .      \a.\:  cy  an  eus:^ 

1  The  females  and  immature  males  are  hard  to  distinguish,  and  from  the  unsatisfactory  tliiiriic- 
ter  of  the  material  at  my  eomnmnd  I  have  not  .succeeded  in  finding  reliable  charaiti'is  by  which 
these  i)lumages  of  the  three  races  may  he  distingni,shed.  Coiiseipieutly  I  give  only  the  characters 
of  the  adult  males,  in  defining  the  distinctions  between  them. 

'  Circus  q/aneiis,  var.  ci/imcus  (Linn.).  Fahv  cijaneua,  Linn.  S.  N.  1766,  126.  Circus  cija- 
HCKS,  Less.  Man.  Orn.  I,  105.  —  Odri.D,  B.  Europe,  pi.  xxxiii.  —  BoxAr.  List,  22. — Deol. 
Orn.  Eur.  I,  74.  —  Stkicki,.  Orn.  Syn.  I,  147. —  Gray,  Hand  List,  I,  37,  No.  364.  Falco 
pygargm,  Linn.  S.  N.  1766,  126.     Circus pygargus.  8ri-.ru.  Zool.  XIII,  pi.  ii,  41. 

Specimens  examined.  —  National  Museum,  3  ;  Philadelphia  Academy,  4  ;  New  York  Museum, 
1  ;  Boston  Society,  6.     Total,  13. 


214  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Tail  and  socondnrios  witli  a  siibterminal  band  of  dusky  ;  lower  parts 
with  rufous  markings. 

Wing,  12.1)0-10.00;  tail,  9.00  -  10.50  ;  culmcn,  .05-. Tf);  tarsus, 
2.'M  -  :i.'2'> ;  middle!  too,  1.20-1.55.  Lower  parts  with  seal  lured 
irregular  speeks,  or  small  cordate  .opots,  ol'  reddish-rufous.     Ilab. 

North  an<l  Middle  America var.  h  iidxo  n  ius . 

Wing,  12.40  -  14.50  ;  tail,  8.50  -  10.50  ;  culmen,  .02  -  .81 ;  tarsus, 
2.42-3.00;  middle  toe,  1.20-1.50.  Lower  parts  with  numerous 
regular  transverse  bars  of  reddish-rufous.     Ilab.    South  America. 

var.  cinereus.* 


Circus  cyaneus,  var.  hudsonius  (Linn.). 

MAB8H  HAWK;  AUEBICAN  WAHBTBR, 

Falco  hudsonius,  Li\x.  Syst.  Xat.  p.  12S,  17()«.  —  G.meu  Syst.  Xat.  p.  277,  1789. —Lath. 

Syn.  I,  91,  sp.  70,  1781  ;  Gm.  Hist.  I,  p.  97,  sp.  C.  1821.  —  Uaid.  Tr.  Orn.  II,  173, 

1800. —  Shaw,  Zoiil.  VII,  10.^  1809.     C'ircun  hwlsmiiiw,  Vikim..  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  pi. 

ix,  1807.  —  Ca.ss.  is.  (.'ul.  &  Tex.  p.  108,  18.';4  ;  Minis  N.  Am.  Isr.S,  p.  38.  —  IIekum. 

P.  R,  K.  Rcp't,  II,  33,  ISir..  —  KKNNEiiLY,  V.  1{.  K.  Itcp't,  III,  19,  18.^)6.  —  New b. 

P.  U.  I?.  licp't,  VI,  74,  1857.  -Coor.  &  Suck.  P.  K.  I{.  K„p't,  XII,  ii,  150, 18(iO.— 

SriiiCKl,.  Orn.  Syn.  I,  150,  1855.  —  CouE.s  Prod.  B.  Ariz.  13,  ISfiti.  —  Hlakist.  Ibis, 

1861,  319.  — Loiil),  Pr.  R.  A.  I.  IV,  1864,  110  (Brit.  Coll.).    Circus  qjancus  hmlsonius, 

ScilLEc.  Mus.   Pays-Hns,  Circi,  2,  18G2.     Cimis  ci/nncus,  viir.  hudsonius,  (Kidgway) 

CouEs,  Key,  1872,  210.  — Ciiay,  Hand  List,  I,  37,  1869.    Strirjiccps  hudsonius,  Bonai'. 

Cousp.  Av.  p.  35,  1850.     Fulm  spndicois,   Gmel.   Syst.  Nat.   p.   273,  1789.  —  FoitsT. 

Phil.  Trans.  LXll,  383,  1772.    Falm  bufoni,  O.mel."  Syst.  Nat.  p.  277,  17S9.  —  Lath. 

Gen.  Hist.  I,  98,  D,  1821.     Fulco  nliijinosus,  Gmei,.  Syst.  Nat.  p.  278,  1789. —  Lath. 

Ind.  Orn.  p.  40,  179  ;  Syn.   I,  90,  1781  ;  Gen.  Hist.   I,  271,  1821.  —  DAri>.  Tr.  Orn. 

II,  173,  1800.  —  WiLs.  Am.  Orn.  pi.  li,  f.  2,  1808.  —Sail  Apj).  Frankl.  Exp.  p.  671. 

Circus  uliginosus,  Vieii.l.  Ois.  Am.  .Sept.  I,  37,  1807.  —  DeKay,  Zoiil.  N.  V.  II,  20, 

pi.  iii,  figs.  5,  6,  1841.  —.Tames.  (Wii.s.)  Am.  Oni.  I,  88,  1831.  —Max.  Cab.  ,Umr\i. 

VI,  1858,  20.     i>lritiicq>s  uliginosus,  IloxAi'.   Kur.  &  N.  Am.  B.  p.  5,  1838.  —  KAfi', 

Monog.  Fale.  Cent.  Orn.  1850,  p.  58.    Fa!co  cyaneus  &  jj.  Lath.  Ind.  Oiu.  p.  40,  1790 '; 

Syn.  1,  91,  7sp.  6  A.  — Shaw,  Zoiil.  VII,  164,  1809.    Fako  ci/mtcus,  Ari).  B.  Am.  pi.' 

ccelvi,  1831.  —.Tames.  (Wii.s.)  Am.  Orn.  IV,  21,  1831.  —  Boxai'.  Am.  Orn.  pi.  12  ; 

Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  II,  33  ;  Isis,  1832,  p.   1538.  —  Peab.   B.  Mass.  p.  82,  1841.     Circus 

ci/ancus,  Bonap.  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  p.  33.  -  .Iaud.  (Wils.)  Am.  Orn.  II,  391.  —  Rich. 

Mcasurc/ncnts.  ~  J.  Wing,  12.50-13.25;  tail,  9.00-9.30;  culmen,  .60-. 70;  tar.sus,  2.75- 
2.90  ;  middle  toe,  1.10-1.25.  Specimens,  8.  ?.  Wing,  13..50- 15.00  ;  tail,  9.50-10.70  ;  cul- 
men, .75  ;  tarsus,  2.70-2.85  ;  middle  toe,  1.25-1.35.     Specimens,  4. 

Obscrvalinns.  —  T\\ii  adult  female  of  c,!/rtjic)«  is  distinguishable  from  t\\nt  o(  hudsonius  by  lighter 
eoloi's  and  less  distinct  ochraceoiis  blotches  on  the  shoulders. 

1  Circm  ci/aneus,  var.  cinereus  (VlEll.l,.l  Circus  cincrcus,  VlEII.1,.  Nouv.  Diet.  H.  N.  IV, 
1816,  454.  —  Darwin,  Zoiil.  Beag.  pt.  iii,  30.  — D'Oiin.  Synop.  Av.  Mag.  Zool.  1837.  —  Sti!Ickl! 
Orn.  Syn.  I,  156.  —  Giiay,  Hand  List,  I,  37,  No.  368.  Circus  cnrnpcs/ris,  Vieii.l.  Knc.  Meth. 
Ill,  1823,  1213.  Circus  frenntus,  Licht.  Verz.  Doubl.  1823,  p.  62.  Circus  histrionicus,  QuoY, 
Zoiil.  .lourn.  Ill,  1826,  271. 

Specimens  examined.  —  National  Museum,  7  ;  Philadelphia  Academy,  5  ;  Boston  Society,  3  ; 
Jluseuin  Cambridge,  1  ;  Cab.  G.  N.  Lawrence,  1.     Total,  17.  ' 

Measurements.  —  $.  Wing,  12.40-13.25  ;  tail,  8.50-9.00  ;  culmen,  .62-. 63  ;  t.irsu.s,  2.42- 
2.60;  middle  toe,  1.20-1.25.  Specimens,  11.  ?.  Wing,  13.75-14.50;  tail,  9.30-10.50; 
culmen,  .75-. 80  ;  tarsus,  2.80-3.00  ;  middle  toe,  1.40-1.50.     Specimens,  5. 


FALCONID.E  — THE  FALCONS.  21;") 

k  Sw.uNs.  Fnun.  Hni.  Am.  \>].  x\i\,  ls;Jl.— Aun.  S\niop.  y.  10,  183lt.  -  lliii;w. 
(WiLs.^  X.  Am.  Orn.  Syn.  il8:.,  ISiVi.  — Pkau.  U.  S.  K.xiil.  Kxp.  {>.  63,  184.S.  -  Wi.odii. 
ill  Sit^'i-.  l!.-!,'!,  Kxp.  Ziitii  >V  lulomJ.  \<.  CI,  18.".:?.  —  Xirr.  .M;iii.  Orn.  V.  S.  k  Ciiii.  p. 
lOU,  1S33.  -  UiiiAii).  15.  Lung  l»ra,  p.  -.il.  lS-44.  —  Ubav,  List  B.  brit.  Mils.  p.  78, 
1844. 

Sp.  CiiAii.  .!'/'(//  iiifile  (l(i,7(i4,  Wa-shinRton.  D.  C,  December).  TTiwl,  ncrk,  lireast, 
and  uppurpart.-i  liu'ht  ciiuMOdus,  pulust  aiituriorly  whore  it  is  uiiintorniptudly  coiilinuous; 
occiput  soiiicwlial  darker,  witli  a  transverse  series  ol'  lon;.'itildinttl  dashes  ol'  wliile,  .some- 
what tinged  with  reddisii.  IJack,  scapulars,  and  teruiiual  third  of  secondaries,  with  a 
dusUy  wash,  ihe  latter  liidini.'  at  tips  ;  live,  outer  primaries  nearly  lilack.  somewhat  hoary 
on  outer  wel>s  beyond  their  einargination  ;  lesser  wnif^-covcrts  faintly  mottled  with  paler, 
or  with  obsolete  dusky  spots.  Upper  tail-eovcrts  innnaculate  pure  white.  Tail  bluish- 
cinereous,  mottled  with  while  toward  base  ;  cros.scd  near  the  end  with  a  distinct  l)and  of 
black,  and  with  al)oul  live  narrower,  very  olismnvly  indicated  ones  anterior  to  this;  tip 
beyond  the  sulitermiual  zone  fadinfr  terminally  into  whitish.  Whole  under  side  of  wiu;jc 
(except  terminal  thii'd  or  UKjre  of  primaries)  pure  white ;  innnaculate,  exeeiitiuf;  a  lew 
scattered  transverse  dusky  spots  on  larjj;er  coverts.  Rest  of  un(ter  parts  ])iire  white 
everywhere,  with  rather  sparse  transverse  cordate  spots  of  rufou.s.  Winir,  14.00;  tail, 
9.20;  tarsus, 'J.Stt;  middle  toe,  1.30.  Third  and  fourth  i|uills  e(pial,  and  lon^'est ;  second 
intermediate  between  fifth  an<l  sixth  ;  tirst  5.81  inches  .shorter  than  longest. 

Another  specimen  di Hers  as  follows:  The  fine  eiiiereous  above  is  replaced  by  a  darker 
and  more  1)rownish  .shade  of  the  same,  the  head  and  breast  nuich  tinged  with  rusty. 
Tail  much  darker,  tin;  last  black  band  twice  as  broad  and  near  the  tip;  other  baiiils  more 
numerous  (seven  instead  of  five),  and  although  still  very  obscure  on  middle  fijathers  are 
better  delined  than  in  the  one  described  ;  iimer  webs  of  tail-feathers  (esjieeially  the  outer 
ones)  tinged  with  creaui-color ;  white  of  lower  (yarts  tinged  with  rutoiis;  the  <leep  rufous 
transverse  bars  on  the  breast  anil  sides  broader,  larger,  and  more  numerous  than  in  Xo. 
16,764:;  abdomen  and  tibiie  with  numerous  smaller  cordate  spots  of  rufous;  lower  tail- 
coverts  with  large  cordate  spots  of  the  same,  and  a  deep  stain  of  ])aler  rufous;  lining  of 
wings  more  variegated.     Wing,  14.10;  tail,  9.00;  tarsu.s,  2.90;  middle  toe,  l.:iO. 

Adult  femiih  (I(i,7r)8,  Hudson's  Bay  Territory  ;  Captain  Blakiston).  Umber-brown 
above  ;  feathers  of  the  head  and  neck  edged  laterally  with  pale  rufous  ;  lores,  and  supercil- 
iary and  suborbital  stripes  dull  yellowish-white,  leaving  a  du.sky  stripe  between  them, 
running  back  from  thi;  posterior  angle  of  the  eye.  Lesser  wing-coverts  sitattered  with  pale 
rufous,  this  irregularly  bordering  and  indenting  the  feathers;  feathers  of  the  rump 
bordered  with  dull  ferruginous.  Tail  deep  umber,  faintly  fading  at  the  ti]),  and  crossed  by 
six  or  seven  very  regular,  sharply  delined,  but  obscure,  bands  of  l>lackish  ;  the  alternating 
light  bars  become  paler  and  more  rufous  toward  the  edge  of  the  tail,  the  lateral  feathers 
being  almost  wholly  pale  eieam-eolor  or  ochraceous,  darker  terminally  ;  this  tint  is  more 
or  less  prevalent  on  the  inner  webs  of  nearly  all  the  feathers.  Ear-coverts  dull  dark 
rufous,  obsoletely  streaked  with  dark  brown;  the  feathers  of  the  facial  disk  are  line  pale 
cream-color,  each  with  a  midiUe  stripe  of  dark  brown ;  throat  and  chin  iinmaeulate  dirty- 
white,  like  the  supraorbital  and  suborbital  stripes.  Beneath  dull  white,  with  ninneroiis 
broad  longitudinal  stripes  of  umber-brown  ;  these  broadest  on  the  breast,  growing  gradu- 
ally smaller  posteriorly.  Under  surface  of  primaries  dull  white,  crossed  at  wide  intervals 
with  dark-brown  irregular  bars,  of  which  there  are  five  (besides  the  terminal  dark  space) 
on  the  longest  quill. 

Jiiv.  {$,  1.5,58o,  Bridger's  Pass,  Rocky  Mountains,  August;  W.  S.Wood).  Upper 
parts  very  dark  rich  clove-brown,  approaching  sepia-black ;  feathers  ol'  the  head  bordered 
with  deep  ferruginous,  and  les.ser  wing-coverts  much  spotted  with  the  same,  the  edges  of 
the  feathers  being  broadly  of  this  color ;  secondaries  and  inner  primaries  fading  terminally 


21(') 


NoltTII  AMKiaCAN  HIIUVS. 


into  wliitisli;  upper  tiiil-i^ovcitH  liii;,'cil  wiili  (Icliciitc  rrcnin-rnlor  (iinmiipiilato).  Tail 
with  lour  very  lnoiiil  liaiids  nl'  lilnck,  llic  iiitciVfiiiMLi  spaces  beiii;,'  ilalk  iiiiilicr  on  IIk;  two 
liiiddic  lealliLT,-:,  on  llie  olliers  line  riniianion-ucliii' ;  ilic  lip  also  (broaiil}')  of  lliis  (.'olor. 
Hiii-covciis  iniilorMi  lidi  daiU  siuill'-lirown,  U'atiici  a  satiny  IfXluri;;  Icatiu'i's  of  liK'ial 

disiv  llie  sanii'  I'cnii'ally,  (•d;^cd  willi  lini^  di'cp  iiilous,  Knliii!  Iowl'I'  pails  d(,'f(i  iftldisli- 
ochiaicous  or  I'nivons-rnl'ons,  ^'lowini^  grachially  paiur  posteriorly;  ininiaciilatc,  willi  tin' 
('.\i'c[iiion  of  a  lew  liiint  lonyitnilinal  .stripes  on  the  broast  nnd  sidus.  Under  side  of  winj,' 
as  in  till'  last,  iinl  nnn-li  linired  with  riifons. 

Il.vii.    Kntirc!  contini'nl  of  North  Anuriia,  sonlh  to  I'anania ;  ('uha,  and  l^dianias. 

Localilius;  Oaxaca  (Sl'l.  18.'j!),  3U(I);  Orizaba  (Slx.  IfoT,  2ilj;  (iualeniala,  winter 
(ricL.  Ibis,  I,  '2'2\) ;  Cnba  (Caii.  Journ.  II,  Ixxxiii ;  (jCndlauh,  Ue|iert.  IStio,  li'JU,  winter)  ; 
City  of  Mexico  (Sii,.  lS(i4,  17M);  K.  Texas  (DuKssKii,  Ibis,  180."),  'S2S,  resideni);  \V. 
Arizona  (CoLts;  ;  Bahamas  (Uuvant,  I'r.  Uost.  tioe.  18ti7,  tioj ;  Costa  Uiea  (,Lawu.  IX, 
l.M). 

LIST    OF   SCKCI.MKNS    EXAMINED. 

National  Mnseimi,  5.3 ;  Musenin  Conip.  Zoul.,  24 ;  Boston  Society,  8 ;  Pliiladelphia 
Academy,  10;  Cab.  of  O.  N.  Lawieiico,  5;  U.  Uidgway,  0.      Total,  100. 


Measurements. 

ISr.r. 

IViiii,'. 

Till 
0.00-0.80 

8.S0-10..".0 

Vtihnrn. 
.OO-.O.") 

.70-.;.") 

'Dirsus. 

Miihllt   Tiie. 

S//I  rimrns.       1 
3-1 

32 

1^ 

9 

I'J.iiO  - 13.8") 
l.'i.OO- 10.00 

2.8.J  -  2.'J0 

2.85  -  3.25 

1.20- 

1.22-  1.55 

Habits.  Tlio  Marsli  Hawk  is  one,  (d"  the  must  widely  tli.itributed  birds  of 
Xorlli  America,  breeding  from  tiie  fitr  regiDiis  around  Hudson's  liay  to  Texas, 
and  from  Nova  Scotia  to  Oregon  and  Ctdifornia.  It  is  abundant  cvery- 
wliere,  e.xceptino  in  the  southeastern  portion  of  the  United  States.  Sir 
•Tolin  liiehardson  sjieaks  of  it  as  so  common  on  the  plains  of  the  Saskatche- 
wan that  seldom  less  than  five  or  six  are  in  sight  at  a  time  (in  latitude  T)')"). 
Mr.  Townseud  found  it  on  the  plains  of  the  Columbia  Kiver  and  on  the 
l)rairi(,'s  bordering  on  tiie  Missouri.  The  Vincennes  Exploring  Expedition 
olttained  specimens  in  Oreg(jn.  Dr.  fiami)el  and  Dr.  Heermanu  found  it 
abundant  in  California.  Dr.  Suckley's  party  obtained  specimens  in  Miniu!- 
suta  ;  Captain  IJeckwith's,  in  Utah;  Captain  Pope,  Lieuteiiiiut  Whipple,  and 
Dr.  Homy,  in  New  Mexico;  and  Lieutenant  Couch,  in  Tamaulipas,  Mexico. 
Dr.  Woodhouse  met  with  it  abundantly  from  the  Mississippi  River  to  the 
Pacilic  Ocean,  througliout  the  summer,  showing  conclusively  that  it  breeds 
in  those  different  sections  of  country.  De  la  Sagra,  Lembeye,  and  Dr. 
(Itindlach,  all  give  it  as  a  bird  of  Culja,  but  not  as  breeding  there. 

1  )all  records  it  as  very  mre  on  the  Yidcon,  and  an  occasional  summer  visitor 
only  at  St.  ^richael's,  where  an  individual  was  killed  as  late  as  November. 
Donald  (liinii  states  tliat  it  makes  its  appearance  in  the  ftu'  countries  about 
the  opening  of  the  rivers,  and  dei»arts  about  the  beginning  of  November. 
It  ])reys  upon  small  birds  and  mice,  is  Aery  shjw  on  the  wing,  flies  very  low, 
and  in  a  uninner  very  different  from  all  other  kinds  of  Hawks. 

In  Nova  Scotia  it  is  very  abmidant,  and  is  very  destructive  (jf  young 


I'ALCONID.I';  — TIIK    l''AlA't)iN8. 


1217 


Ha\v<i.  Mr.  Downcs  iv;,'iii'(1,h  it  ais  lui  indisciimiimtiiig  ImU'r  uikhi  lisli,  .siuikL's, 
iiiiil  even  worms.  Hu  took  two  greiiu  siiaki's  Iruiii  tlio  .stoiuiiuh  of  uul'  nf 
tliuni. 

Mr.  DiiissiT  I'dimil  tliciii  uiniinliiiit  tliioiij,'liiiiil  tlii^  wlmle  cfniiitrv  t'ii.sl  of 
till)  lliu  Miiucus  at  all  .sua.suu.s  uf  lliu  yoav.  Tlii'V  wui'o  uioie  aljuiulant  in  lull 
blue  pliiiuajiu  than  oLsewliuiv.  Neiu'  San  Anlnnio  he  met  with  tlieni  on  the 
prairies,  whurc  tlu-y  iVcil  on  tiie  small  yreeu  liiiards  whieli  ubuuiid  there,  und 


I   V, 


whicii  they  are  very  expert  in  catching.  Dr.  Cones  mentions  them  as  very 
abundant  in  Arizona.  Dr.  Kennerly  met  with  them  on  both  sides  of  the 
Iiio  Grande  wherever  there  was  a  marsh  of  any  extent.  Flyin.y;  "ear  the 
surface,  just  above  the  weeds  and  canes,  they  round  their  untiring  circles 
hour  after  hour,  darting  after  small  birds  as  they  rise  from  cover.     Pressed 

VOL.  HI.  28 


Iil8  NORTH  AMElilCAN  niHm. 

liy  liiiii,i,'cr,  tlu'v  will  nttiiciv  even  wild  Durks.  Dr.  Kciiiicrly  iilsn  ohsorvod 
tiu'iii  L'(iiiiilly  iilmiKliiiil  ill  tliu  saiiR!  htciilitiii.s  in  Xuw  Mexico.  Dr.  Xew- 
liurry  iiKiiitioii.s  limliii;,'  this  Hawk  iil)iiii(liuit,  beyond  nil  |iiiralU'l  on  the  iilidns 
of  UiiiM'p  I'ilt  llivcr.     1I(!  saw  Hcvcial  hmidiod  in  a  ,sin<,di!  day's  nuivcli. 

Tn  Washin.i^ton  Tciritory  Itoth  Dr.  Suckk'y  and  Dr.  Cdoium'  I'ound  this 
Hawk  aliiindant  tiiionyhout  tliu  open  di.sliicts,  and  especially  so  in  winter. 
Dr.  Cooper  luund  it  no  le.ss  eoninion  in  CaliCornia,  and  nnionj,' several  liun- 
(h'eds  .saw  l)ut  two  liirds  in  the  Mne  idnnia,ne.  Near  Fort  Laranue  ho  found 
it  no  le.ss  coninion,  but  (here,  at  least  one  half  were  in  the  lilue  plnniauo. 
From  this  he  infers  that  the  older  birds  seek  the  far  interior  in  preference  to 
the  seal)oard. 

^Ir.  Allen  mentions  it  as  common  in  winter  about  the  savannas  in  Flor- 
ida, and  :\rr.  Salvin  states  that  it  is  a  migratory  species  in  (!uatemala.  It 
occurred  in  the  I'aeific  Coast  lieyion,  and  examples  were  also  received  from 
A'era  I'az. 

In  cvidciKH!  ol'  the  nomadic  character  of  the  Marsh  Hawk  it  may  be  men- 
tioned that  specimens  as.serted  to  bo  of  this  species  are  in  the  l,eyden  Mu- 
seum that  were  received  from  the  l'hili|)pines  and  from  Kamtsehatka. 

In  Wilson's  time  this  llawk  was  (piite  numerous  in  the  nuirsiies  of  Xow 
Jersey,  Tennsylvania,  and  Delaware,  M-here  it  swept  over  the  h)W  grounds, 
sailing  near  the  earth,  in  search  of  a  kind  of  mouse  very  common  in  such 
situations,  and  was  there  very  generally  known  as  the  Mouse  Hawk.  It  is 
also  said  to  be  very  servicealde  in  the  Southern  rice-fields  in  inteiTUpting 
the  devastations  made  by  the  swarms  of  Iloholinks.  As  it  sails  low  and 
.swiftly  over  the  fiehls,  it  keei)s  the  Hocks  in  perpetual  fluctuation,  and  greatly 
interrupts  their  depredations.  Wilson  states  that  one  Marsh  Hawk  was 
considered  by  the  planters  e(pial  to  several  negroes  for  alarming  the  Ilice- 
birds.  AuduI)on,  however,  controverts  this  .statement,  and  quotes  Dr.  Bach- 
man  to  the  effect  that  no  Alarsh  Hawks  are  seen  in  the  rice-fields  until  after 
the  Bobolinivs  are  gone.  Dr.  Coues,  on  the  other  hand,  gives  this  Hawk  as 
resident  thi'ough(jut  the  year  in  South  Carolina. 

According  to  Audubon,  the  Marsh  Hawk  rarely  pursues  birds  on  the  wing, 
nor  does  it  often  cany  its  prey  to  any  distance  before  it  alights  and  devours 
it.  AVhile  engaged  in  feeding,  it  may  be  readily  approached,  surprised,  ami 
shot.  Wiien  wounded,  it  endeavors  to  make  off  by  long  leaps ;  and  when 
overtaken,  it  throws  itself  on  the  back  and  fights  furiously.  In  winter  its 
notes  wliile  on  the  wing  are  sharp,  and  are  said  to  resemble  the  syllables 
'pce-pcc-jin'.     The  love-notes  are  similar  to  those  of  the  colamharim. 

Mr.  Audul)on  has  found  this  Hawk  nesting  not  only  in  lowlands  near 
the  sea-shore,  but  also  in  the  barrens  of  Kentucky  and  on  the  cleared  table- 
lands of  the  AUeghauies,  and  once  in  the  high  covered  pine-barrens  of 
Florida. 

After  having  paired,  the  Marsh  Hawks  invariably  keep  together,  and  labor 
conjointly  in  the  construction  of  the  nest,  in  sitting  upon  the  eggs,  and  in 


I'.M.COXin.K- TIIK    I'AI.CttXS.  2l!» 

fnoding  flio  yninvi.  Tlicir  ncsls  iiihs  Viiiidusly  (•onslriictcd  as  tn  iiiiiluiiiils, 
usiiall}'  ciiiclly  (if  hay  sdiiicwlial  cluiiisily  \viniit,'li(,  tnjictlii'V  iiitd  tlif  t'lirm 
of  a  Jicst,  )nit  iicvi'i'  vciy  iiic(;!y  iiilurwuvcii ;  (iriasiniiiiUy,  in  iuoit  iiinlhciii 
localities,  they  aiv  lincil  with  leathers,  in  some  cases  willi  jiiiie-iieedles  and 
small  twins. 

Ificliardsun  statos  tliat  all  the  ne^ts  of  this  IlawU  olisevved  hy  him  were 
built  oil  tile  nrouud  \,y  the  side  of  small  lakes,  of  moss,  j^'rass,  i'eatiiers,  and 
hair,  and  idnlaineil  iVoni  three  to  hve  effi^s,  of  a  bluisli-whiti-  color,  and  un- 
sjioUed.  The  latter  measured  1.7")  inches  in  length,  and  were  an  inch  across 
where  widest.  The  position  and  mannei'  of  construct inji  the  nest  correspond 
with  uiy  own  experience,  hut  the  size  of  the  e<'j'.s  does  not.  'I'he  nest.'.  liav(! 
been  invariably  on  the  ground,  n(^ar  water,  built  of  dry  grass,  and  liiu'd  with 
softer  materials. 

Mr.  Audubon  gives  a  very  minute  account  of  a  nest  whieh  he  found  on 
Galveston  Island,  Te.xas.  U  was  about  ii  hundred  yards  from  n  po"d,  on  a 
ridge  just  raised  above  the  marsh,  and  was  made  of  dry  grass  ;  the  internal 
diameter  was  eight,  and  the  external  twelve  inches,  with  the  dejith  of  two 
and  a  half  Xo  feathers  were  found.  This  absouco  of  a  warm  lining  in 
Texas  really  proves  nothing.  A  warm  lining  may  be  reijui  \  in  latitude 
05°  north,  and  the  same  necessity  not  found  in  one  of  L'!»'.  A  nest  ob.served 
in  Concord,  JMass.,  by  J)r.  K.  11.  Storer,  was  on  the  edge  of  a  jiond,  and  was 
warmly  lined  with  feathers  and  fine  grasses.  Many  other  instances  might 
be  named. 

The  eggs  found  in  the  (Jalveston  nest  were  four  in  number,  smooth,  con- 
siderably rounded  or  broadly  elliptical,  bluish-white,  l.Vo  inches  in  length, 
and  1.25  in  breadth.  Another  nest,  found  under  a  low  Imsb  on  the  Alle- 
ghanies,  was  constructed  in  a  similar  manner,  but  was  more  bulky;  the  bed 
being  lour  inches  above  the  earth,  and  the  egg  slightly  sprinkled  with  small 
marks  of  pale  reddish-brown. 

The  prevalent  impression  that  the  eggs  of  this  Hawk  iiro  generally  un- 
spotted, so  far  as  1  am  aware,  is  not  correct.  All  that  I  have  ever  seen, 
except  the  eggs  above  referred  to  I'rom  Texas,  and  a  lew  others,  have  been  UKjre 
or  less  marked  with  light-brown  blotches.  These  markings  ai-e  not  always 
very  distinct,  but,  as  far  as  my  present  experience  goes,  they  are  to  be  found, 
if  carefully  sought.  In  1850  I  received  from  Dr.  Dixon,  of  Damariscotta, 
a  nest  with  six  eggs  of  a  Hawk  of  this  species.  The  female  had  been  shot 
as  she  flew  from  the  nest.  With  a  single  exception,  all  the  eggs  were  very 
distinctly  blotched  and  spotted.  In  shape  they  were  of  a  rather  oblong- 
oval,  rounded  at  both  ends,  the  smaller  end  well  defined.  They  varied  in 
length  from  2.00  to  1.87  inches,  and  in  breadth  from  1.44  to  l.o8  inches.  Their 
gronnd-color  was  a  dirty  bluish-white,  which  in  one  was  nearly  unspotted,  the 
markings  so  faint  as  to  be  hardly  percei)tible,  and  only  upon  a  close  inspec- 
tion. In  all  the  others,  spots  and  lilotches  of  a  light  shade  of  purplish-brown 
occured,  in  a  greater  or  less  degree,  over  their  entire  surface.     In  two,  the 


220  NORTH  AMi:ilICAN  BIRDS. 

blotches  were  large  ami  well  marked  ;  in  the  others,  less  strongly  traced,  but 
quite  distinct. 

The  nest  was  found  in  a  trat't  of  low  land,  covered  with  clumps  of  sedge, 
on  one  of  which  it  had  been  constructed.  It  is  described  as  about  the  size 
of  a  peck  basket,  circular,  and  composed  entirely  of  snuiU  dry  sticks,  "fin- 
ished off  or  topped  out  with  small  bunches  of  pine  boughs."  There  was 
very  little  depth  to  the  nest,  or  not  enongli  to  cover  the  eggs  from  view  in 
taking  a  sight  across  it.  "  No  feathers  were  found  in  or  about  it.  It  was 
simply  nmde  of  small  dry  sticks,  about  six  inches  thick,  with  about  one  inch 
of  pine  boughs  for  finishing  off  the  nest."  The  eggs  were  found  about  the 
20th  of  ^lay.  They  contained  young  at  least  two  weeks  advanced,  showing 
that  the  bird  began  to  lay  in  the  latter  part  of  April,  and  to  sit  upon  her 
eggs  early  in  tlio  following  month. 

It  will  l)e  thus  seen  that  the  eggs  of  this  Hawk  vary  greatly  in  size  and  shape, 
and  in  the  presence  or  absence  of  marking,  varying  in  length  from  1.75  to 
2.00  inches,  and  in  breadth  from  1.25  to  1.50,  and  in  shape  from  an  almost 
gobular  egg  to  an  elongated  oval.  Some  are  wholly  spotless,  and  others  are 
very  strongly  and  generally  blotched  with  well-defined  purplish-brown. 

This  Hawk  was  found  breeding  in  the  llnniboldt  Valley  by  Mr.  C.  S. 
M'Carthy,  on  the  Yellowstone  by  Mr.  Hayden,  at  Fort  Benton  by  Lieutenant 
Mullan,  at  Fort  Resolution  by  Mr.  Kennicott,  at  Fort  Ilae  and  at  Fort  Simp- 
son by  Mr.  lioss,  at  Li  Pierre  House  by  Lockhart,  and  on  the  Lower  Ander- 
son by  Mr.  ^lacFarlaue. 


Gexvs  NISI7S,  CuviER. 

Accipiter,  Bri.ss.  1760.     (TyjM',  Fulco  nisit.i,  Lixx.) 

NiiU.i,  Cvv.  1709.     (Sami- type.) 

Astiir,  L.\cKi'.  1801.     (Type,  Fiiko  pahimharins,  LiNS. ) 

I\v(hiUon,  S.wiu.  1809.     (Same  type.) 

DxdaUuvi,  Agass.     (Same  type.) 

Uparriiis,  ViEli.i..  181().     (Same  ty])e.) 

JiTa,r,  Leach,  18Ui.     (Same  type.) 

Ashr,  SWAIXS.  1837.     (Same  type.) 

Mifmiiimis,  Okay,  1840.     (Tyne,  Fulco  gahar,  Daud.) 

J'Jiitbo/i/piiK,  0 1.1)0.  18-12.     (Same  type.) 

IficnispiM,  1844,  Jenr.ynM,    1851,   antl    Tcraspiza,    1867,   Kaup.      (Type,   Falco  limis, 

Latham.) 
Hieraawphii,  Ac  as.     (Same  type.) 
Ni^iustur,  Blas.  1844.     (Same  type.) 
i'ro.iphii,  184.5,  I'ronpnia,  1848,  and  i'lvn/iiin,  1867,  Kai'I'.     (Type,  Sparvius  cirrhocepha- 

tus,  VlEILL.) 
Leucospizn,  Kai'I',  1S51.     (Type,  Falcn  imnK-hoUandice,  Gmei,.) 
Cimperci.i/ur,  HoxAi".  1854.     (Type,  Accipilcr  cimperi,  Bonat.) 
Erijlh  rospixa,  Kaii-,  1867.     (Tyi)e,  A.  triiioliituii  Tkuh.'  not  of  BuNAr.  1880!) 

Gen.  Char.     Form  slemloi-,  the  tail  loiifj,  the  wings  short  ami  lomuli'd,  the  feet  slender, 
tlie  licad  stniill.  .ind  liill  rather  weak.     Bill  nearly  as  high  through  the  ba.<ie  ns  the  length 


FALCONTD.F-  — TTIK   FALCONS.  221 

of  the  chdid  of  tuo  fulmcn,  its  upper  outline  greatly  luscendinjj  liasally  ;  commissure  with 
a  proiniiuiit  fcstodii.  Superciliary  shield  very  proiuiucnt.  Xostril  broadly  ovate, 
obliquely  imi'i/.diual.  Tarsus  loiincr  than  the  middle  toe,  the  frontal  and  posterior  series 
of  regular  Iraiisverse  seulellic  very  distinct,  and  continuous,  sonietinies  fused  into  a  con- 
tinuous plate  (as  in  tiie  TnnUmv!).  Outer  too  longer  than  the  inner;  claws  strongly 
curved,  very  acute.  Wing  short,  nutch  rounded,  very  concave  beneath  ;  third  to  lifth 
quills  longest;  liisl,  usually  siiortest,  never  longer  than  the  sixth;  outer  three  to  five  with 
inner  webs  cut  (usually  sinualed).  Tail  long,  nearly  e(pial  to  VMig,  usually  rounded, 
sometimes  even,  more  rarely  graduated  {.Utiir  maerounis)  or  emarginated  (some  species 
of  subgemis  Kisus). 

Subgenera. 

Less  than  one  third  of  the  upper  portion  of  the  tarsus  feathered  in  front, 
the  teatliering  widely  separated  behind  ;  frontal  transverse  scutellie  of  the 
tarsus  an.l  toes  uninterrupted  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  digito-tarsal  joint, 
but  continuous  from  knees  to  claws.  Tarsal  scntella'  sometimes  fused  into 
a  continuous  plate A7,s'».s. 

More  than  one  third  (about  one  half)  of  the  ujipcr  portion  of  the  tarsus 
feathered  in  front,  the  feathering  .scarcely  separated  behind  ;  irontal  trans- 
ver.se  .scutelhe  of  the  tarsus  and  toes  interrupted  in  the  region  of  the  digito- 
tarsal  joint,  where  replaced  liy  irregular  snndl  scales.  Tarsal  scutclhc  never 
fused Xxtur. 

The  species  of  this  jfonus  are  e.\ceediii<fly  nuinerous,  about  fifty-seven 
being  the  number  of  nominal  "species"  recognized  at  the  present  date. 
Among  so  many  species,  tliere  is,  of  course,  a  great  range  of  variation  in  tlie 
details  of  form,  so  that  many  generic  and  subgencvic  names  have  been  pro- 
posed and  adopted  to  cover  tlie  several  groups  of  species  which  agree  in 
certain  peculiarities  of  external  structure.  That  too  many  generti  and  sub- 
genera have  been  recognized  is  my  final  conclusion,  after  critically  e.xamin- 
iug  and  comparing  forty  of  the  fifty-seven  species  of  Gray's  catalogtie  (Hand 
List  of  Birds,  1,  18(59,  pp.  29-35).  The  variation  of  almost  every  character 
ranges  l)etween  great  extremes  ;  but  when  all  the  species  aro  compared,  it  is 
found  that,  taking  each  character  separately,  tliey  do  not  a.  <.oj^.ond,  and 
cross  and  re-cross  each  other  in  the  series  in  such  a  manner  that  it  is  almost 
impossible  to  arrange  tlie  species  into  well-defined  groui)S.  PVom  this  genus 
I  exclude  Loj)hospiza,  Ktiup  (type,  L.  trivirgatus) ;  Asturinu,  Vieill.  (type,  A. 
nitida)  ;  Ruponiis,  Kaup  (type,  11.  iiuirfnirostris)  ;  Butcola,  Dubus  (  ^^  Bnteo, 
type,  B.  hraehynra,  Vieill.) ;  included  Ijy  Gray  under  Astur,  as  subgenera, 
and  Tachi/spiza,  Kauj)  (type,  T.  sohcnsis) ;  and  Scflospiza,  Kau]»  (type,  *S'. 
J'vancesii) ;  whicli  are  given  by  Gray  as  subgenera  of  Microiiisvs,  CJray 
(type,  Accipiter  gabar),  the  species  of  the  typical  subgenus  of  which,  as 
an-anged  in  Grtiy's  Hand  List,  I  refer  to  Nisus.  All  these  excluded  names 
I  consider  as  representing  distinct  genera. 

The  species  of  tliis  genus  are  noted  for  their  very  predatory  disposition, 
exceeding  the  Falcons  in  their  daring,  and  in  the  quickness  of  their  assault 
upon  their  prey,  which  consists  chiefiy  of  stnall  birds. 


0')0 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Sun(ii;.\'us   NISUS.  (.'uviER. 

.Icciinlcr,  IJuissoN,  17()0.' 

XUm,  C'uviKl!,  17i>!».     (Type,  Falo,  nisuK,  Linn.  ;  A.  fnngillarim  {\\\\),  Kaup.) 

Jera.r,  Lkacii,  ISTCi.     (.Same  type.) 

Conjifmsltir,  HoNAl'.  1854.     (Type,  Aa-ijiilcr  ampcri,  IJonaI".) 

IHa-(upha,  18-14,  Jcraspha,  1851,  and  Tercu-<pizti,  18(17,  Kai-|-.    (Typo,  Fako  linus,  Lath.) 

Hicmcosphn,  Agass.     (Siiiue  type.) 

Urospizn,  184.5,  Vmspizia,  1848,  and  Ura-tpku,  18»i7,  Kait.     (Type,  iSparvius  cirrlwcepha- 

lus,  VlEII.l,.) 
Fri/t/iro.ii)n(i,  Kait,  ISlw.     (Type,  A.  MiwMiin  (Tem.m. /) 
Micniiti.'ius,  (!i:ay,  1840.     (Tyiic,  Fiileo  (jabai;  Daud.) 
Kisiutui;  IJi.A.s.  1844.     (.Saiiie  type.) 

The  specie.s  of  this  subgenus  are  generally  of  small  size  and  slender  form ; 
but  with  a  gi-aceful  and  ajiparently  delicate  structure  they  comldne  re- 
niarkaljle  strength  and  unsurpassed  daring.     Tliey  difl'er  from  the  species 


Nisns  fusais. 


'^^^ 


Nisiis  rooperi. 


of  Astiir  mainly  in  less  robust  oi-ganization.  Tlie  species  are  very  numerous, 
and  most  plontiful  within  the  tropical  regions.  Tlie  Old  World  possesses 
about  thirty,  and  America  about  fifteen,  nominal  species.     Several  South 

'  Not  iidiiiissildo  as  Imviiif;  Iiceii  l)(;.sto\ved  by  a  iioii-bimiiiiial  author,  and  of  prior  date  to  the 
commenceiiicnt  of  liiiioniial  iioiiii'iulature. 


FALCUNIDvE  —  THE  FALCONS. 


223 


American  spiicies  are  intimately  related  to  the  two  Nortli  American  ones, 
and  may  prove  to  be  oidy  climatic  races  of  tlie  same  s}"jcies  ;  thus,  en/lhroc- 
naiiis,  dray  (Hand  List,  j).  32,  No.  305)  may  be  the  intertroi)ical  form  of 
fi'scufi,  and  cliilcnsis,  I'll,  and  Landl).  (Hand  List,  Xo.  314),  that  of  coojJiri. 
But  the  material  at  my  command  is  too  meagre  to  decide  this. 


26588,  f . 


Nims  cooprri. 


lOTSO.S. 

Nistts  fuStus. 

In  conseciuence  of  the  insufficient  material  for  working  up  the  South 
American  species,  I  shall  omit  them  all  from  the  following  synopsis  of  the 
Nortli  American  species  and  races.^ 

Species  and  Races. 

Common  CtiAH.WTKiii?.  AiMt.  Above  bluish  slate-color;  the  tail  with  obscure 
bands  of  darker,  and  narrowly  tiiiped  with  white.  Beneath  transver.^^ely  barred 
with  white  and  pinkish-iufous ;  the  anal  region  and  crissum  innnaciilate  white. 

*  In  tlic  collection  oC  the  National  Museum  are  two  specimens  o(  cooprri,  var.  gunJhichi,  in  the 
young  plumage.  They  dillei-  fiom  the  young  of  var.  coojKri  merely  in  darker  colors,  the  brown 
markings  being  larger  and  more  numerous,  as  well  a;;  deeper  in  tint.  That  their  character  may 
be  better  understood,  I  furnish  the  following  more  detailed  descriptions  ;  — 

Votinff  mil!,-  (41,l-.'0,  Cuba.  Dr.  (iundlacli).  Above  dark,  blackish  v,.ndyke-brown,  the  feath- 
ers bordered  ineonspieuously  •.th  dark  rusty;  tail  dull  slate,  narrowly  tipped  with  ashy-white, 
and  crossed  with  four  broad  bands  of  dusky,  almost  e(pial  to  the  slate  ;  beneath  white,  nuich  tinged 
on  breast  and  liliiic  with  reddish-ochraceou.s  ;  thickly  striped  with  umber-biown,  except  on  cris- 
sum  ;  the  streaks  on  throat  narrow  and  ouncate,  those  on  breast  broad,  and  on  sides  changing  into 
broad  trans'-er.se  spots  or  bars  ;  tibia-,  thickly  sjiotted  transversely  with  uji-.e  ve.ldish,  nearly  rufons, 
brown  ;  larger  lower  tail-coverls  with  narrow  shaft-streaks  of  black.  '-.cci[)ut  showing  much  con- 
cealed white  ;  the  ends  of  the  feathers  deep  black.  Wing,  8.60  ;  tail,  J^.oO  ;  cuhnen,  .C8  ;  tar- 
sus, 2.r)0;  middle  toe,  ].7<). 

romiij  femnh  (41,128,  Cuba,  Dr.  Oundlneh).  Similar,  but  more  thickly  striped  beneath,  the 
dark  markings  about  eipialling  the  white  in  extent  ;  whole  .sides  with  large  transverse  spots  of 
umber,  euneate  along  shaft.     Wing,  10..50;  tail,  n.,50. 

The  synonomy  of  this  laee  is  as  follows:  Airipilcr  g%indlnclii,  Lawisknck,  Ann.  X.  Y.  Lye. 
Vll,  May,  18(i0,  252.  —  Ci-nd.  Rep't,  186'),  224.  —  Sci,.  &  S.VT.v.  Ex.  Orn.  I,  170.  —  (!kay. 
Hand  List,  I,  33,  No.  319.  The  ^\  /uncus,  var.  frinnilhides  (Vicoiw),  of  Cuba,  I  have  not 
seen.  Its  synonomy  stamls  as  follows  :  An-i/iltfr  friiiijiUoiihi,  Viu.  Zool.  ,Tourn.  Ill,  1826,  534. 
—  Lawk.  Ann.  N.  Y.  Lye  VH,  1860,  255  (with  descriptions  and  synomany).  —  C.undl.  Kep't, 
1865,  224. —OitAY,  Hand  List,  L  32,  No.  311. 


224  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Yoiniy.  Aliove  gnv3'isli  nmlicr-browii,  the  feathers  hordorcd  more  or  loss  dis- 
tinctly with  rusty ;  scapulars  with  large  white  spots,  mostly  concealed ;  tail- 
bands  more  distinct  than  in  the  adult.  Beneath  white,  longitudinally  striped 
with  dusky-hrown. 

1.  N.  fuscus.  Middle  toe  shorter  than  the  bare  jjortion  of  the  tarsus,  in 
tiont ;  tarsal  seutelhu  fuscil  into  a  continuous  plate  in  the  adult  male.  Tail 
nearly  even.  Top  of  head  concolor  with  the  back ;  tail  merely  fiuling  into 
whitish  at  the  tip.  Concealed  white  spots  of  the  scapulars  very  large  antl 
conspicuous.  Wing,  0.4')  -  8.80  ;  tail,  o.TO  -  8.20  ;  culnion,  .40  -  .(iO  ;  tarsus, 
1.85-2.25;  middle  toe,  1.10-1.55.  Hub.  Whole  of  North  America  and 
Mexico. 

2.  N.  cooperi.  Middle  toe  longer  than  the  bare  portion  of  the  tarsus,  in 
front ;  tarsal  scutelhe  never  fused.  Tail  much  I'ounded.  Top  of  the  head 
much  darker  than  the  back ;  tail  distinctly  tipped  with  white ;  concealed 
white  spots  of  the  .scapulars  very  small,  or  olwoletc.  Wing,  8.50-  11.00; 
tail,  7.50-10.50;  culmen,  .G0-.80;  tarsus,  2.10-2.75;  middle  toe,  1.30-1.85. 
Ilab.    Whole  of  North  America  and  Mexico. 

Adult.  Rufous  markings  beneath,  in  form  of  detached  bars,  not 
exceeding  the  white  ones  in  width ;  dark  .slate  of  the  pileum  and 
nape  abruptly  contrasted  with  the  bluish-phunbeous  of  the  back ; 
upper  tail-cover(s  narrowly  tipped  with  white  ;  scapulars  with  con- 
cealed .spots  of  white.  Yotiiiy.  White  beneath  pure  ;  tibiio  with 
narrow  longitudinal  spots  of  brown.  Wing,  9.00-11.00;  Uiil, 
8.00-9.80;  culmen,  .05 -.80;  tarsu.s,  2.45-2.75;  middle  toe, 
1.55-1.85.  Hub.  Eastern  region  of  North  America;  Eiustern 
Mexico var.  cooperi. 

Adult.  Rufous  markings  beneath,  in  form  of  Ijroader  bars,  con- 
nected along  the  shaft,  almost  uniform  on  the  breast ;  black  of  the 
pileum  and  nape  fading  gradually  into  the  dusky  plumbeous  of  the 
back ;  upper  tail-coverts  not  tipped  with  white,  and  scapulars 
without  concealed  .spots  of  the  same.  Young.  White  beneath 
strongly  tinged  with  oehraccous;  tibiie  with  broad  transverse  spots 
of  brown.  Wing,  8.50-10.00;  tail,  7.50-10.50;  culmen,  .00- 
.75;  tarsus,  2.10-2.75;  middle  toe,  1..W-1.75.  Hab.  Western 
region  of  North  America ;  Western  Mexico       .        .      \ar.  mexicanus. 


Nisus  fuscus  ((tmel.)  Kaup. 

8HABF-SHINKED  HAWK. 

J-'uko  fuscus,  Gmei,.  Syst.  Nat.  p.  283,  1789.  —  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  p.  43,  1790  ;  Syn.  I,  98, 
1781  ;  Gen.  Hist.  I,  283,  18:i.  —  Mill.  Cini.  Pliys.  pi.  xviii,  1796.  —Daim).  Tr.  Orn. 
H,  80,  1800.  — SiiAW,  Zobl.  VII,  101,  1809.  —  Al'd.  B.  Am.  pi.  ecclxxia,  1821 ;  Orn. 
Biog.  IV.  .122,  1831.  — Hrkw.  (Wils.)  Am.  Orn.  685,  18ii2.—  rj;Ai).  B.  Mass.  Ill,  78, 
1841.  —  Thomi-.  Nat.  Hist.  Verm.  p.  61,  1842.  — Nutt.  Man.  87,1833.  Accipitcr 
fuscus,  BoNAP.  Eur.  &  N.  Am.  B.  p.  r,,  1838  ;  Consp.  Av.  32, 1850.  —  Quay,  List  B. 
Brit.  Mus.  38,  1844  ;  Gen.  B.  fol.  sp.  4,  1844.  —Cass.  B.  Cal.  &  Tex.  95,  1854  ;  Troo. 
Ac.  Nat.  Sc.  Phil.  1S55,  279  ;  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  18.  —  SriitcKL.  Orn.  Syn.  I,  108, 
1855.  —  Woonii.  Sitgr.  Exp.  Zuhi  &  Colorad.  p.  61,  1853.  —  Coopeu  &  Suckley,  P. 
H.  R.  Rei>'t,  VII,  ii,  146,  I860.  — Heekm.  Willianison's  Rp)!.  33.  — Newb.  Williamson's 
Rep.  74.  — CdUEs,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sc.  Phil.  Jan.  1866,  p.  7.  — Blakist.  Ibis,  III,  1861, 
317  (fresh  eggs).  —  Guay,  Hand  List,  I,  32,  1869.     Aslur  fuscus,  Dk  Kav,  X.  Y. 


FALCONin.E— THE   FALCOXS.  225 

Zcpiil.  II,  17,  1,1.  ii,  fifr.  -2  (jiiv.  i),  1S44.  —  OiiiAin,  li.  Lunj;  IslM,  p.  10,  \»U.  Xmis 
J'dscKs,  KaiI',  Moiioj,'.  Falc.  font.  Oiii.  IS.'.O,  y.  (II.  /V/co  r/uhiiis,  G.MKL.  Syat.  Nat. 
USit,  11.  -JM.  —  I.ATii.  Intl.  Oiii.  )).  4;i,  17!iii  ;  Syn.  ,Siii)ii.  I,  :',7,  ISo-J  ;  (icu.  Hist.  1, 
27i),  18'21.  —  Daih.  Tr.  din.  ISOO,  II,  122.  /''//iv-  iv/yr,  Wii.s.  .\mi.  Oni.  |il.  xlv,  f.  1, 
1808.  —  lioNAr.  All.  I,yr.  N.  V.  II,  2'.»,  WM  ;  Isis,  Us;i2,  \k  U:!7.  .Iiri/)ih-r  nloj; 
Bkkcii.  Vii_v.  Ziiiil.  [i.  ir>.  A.s/iir  nil,.,;  ,Iami:s.  (Wii.s.  )  Am.  Oin.  I,  OS,  lt<31.  /''((Av 
))ciinsi//m>i.icun,  AVii.s.  Am.  Orii.  |il.  xlvi,  lij;.  1,  1S(I,><. --  Laiii.  (ii'ii.  Ili.^t.  I,  2>0, 
1820.  —  Tkm.m.  pi.  Col.  ti7.  Airijii/n-  jji:,i,i.ii/li-(i,iici(s,  Vi(i.  Zoiil.  .Iniu'ii.  I,  3.38.  -- 
Stei-ii.  Zuiil.  XIII,  ii,  :!2,  1815.  —  Kicil.  Faun.  l!oi-.- Am.  II,  -tl,  18:il.  -- .Iaiid. 
(Wii,.s.)  Am.  Oni.  II,  ini.  210,  215,  l.s;i2.  ~  Swains.  C'iiissif.  15.  II,  21.-,,  18:i7.  .tstiir 
/Kiiiisi/lrcniirii^,  I.K.s.s.  Miiii.  Oiii.  I,  !i-2.  --.Iamiis.  (Wii.s.)  Am.  Oiu.  I,  7o,  lS:il.  A7.s-»,* 
,ic,ui.iii/i;iiiini.s,  Cuv.  Hi-g.  All.  (eil.  2),  I,  334,  1S2!I.  —  l,i:ss.  Tr.  Orii.  p.  .'iO,  1831. 
Falco  colli, iiluiriitx,  Viir.,  Shaw.  Zolil.  VII,  18!l,  18(M).  Jiri/ii/rr  anIosiMux,  Xikiu.. 
V.nv..  Mt'tli.  Ill,  1274,  1823.  Jrci/,il,r  /riiifiilloiilcs  (not  of  Viciiiis  !),  Jakd.  (Wii.s.) 
Am.  Orn.  II,  21."),  1832.  .' AV.sv/.v /«((•/>•(«,  I.ksson,  Man.  I't  d'Oisraiix,  1847,  177 
(Aca])ul™  to  t'ltlilbiiiia.  S,[uiiR'  tail).  Afcipiki- J'lisai.i,  HuKWUii,  Oiilogy,  1S.',7,  18, 
jil.  iii,  r.  23,  29  ;  pi.  v,  f.  54. 

Sp.  Chak.  Adult  male  (11,990,  District  of  Columbia;  A.  J.  Falls).  Ab(,v(>  dirp 
pliiinbpons,  this  ('ovcriiiu:  lioad  .above,  nape,  back,  si'a[)iilars,  wiiirrs,  rump,  ami  upper 
tail-eoverts  ;  unilbrm  tlirougliout,  .scarcely  i)ereeiitibly  <larlier  anteriorly.  Frimarie.i  and 
tail  soniewiiat  lighter  .and  more  brownish  ;  the  latte;-  crossed  by  four  sharply  delined 
bands  of  l)ro\vni.sh-lilack,  the  last  of  whi(;h  is  sub'terniinal,  and  liroader  than  the  rest,  th(^ 
first  concealed  by  tiie  upper  t!overts:  lip  passing  very  narrowly  (or  searecly  pereepliblv) 
into  wliitish  terminally.  (;)ceipital  fcatiiers  snowy-while  beneath  the  surface;  entinly 
concealed,  however.  Scapulars,  .also,  with  coneealeil  very  large  roundish  spots  of  pure 
white.  Under  side  of  primaries  pale  .slate,  becoming  white  toward  ba.ses,  er(,sse(l  liy 
quadrate  .spots  of  lilai'kish,  of  which  there  are  seven  (besides  the  terminal  dark  space)  on  the 
longest.  Lores,  cheeks,  car-coverts,  chin,  throat,  and  lower  parts  in  general,  pure  white ; 
chin,  throat,  and  cheeks  with  fine,  rather  .sparse,  bla(^ki.sh  shaft-streaks;  ear-covcil.s  with 
a  pale  rnlbu.s  w.ash.  .Jiigulnm,  breast,  abdomen,  sides,  ilanks,  and  tibia^  with  niimerons 
transverse  broad  bars  of  delicate  vinaceous-riilbu.s,  the  l)ars  medially  somewhat  trans- 
versely cordate,  and  rather  narrower  than  the  white  bars;  laterally,  the  pinkisii-rulbus 
prev.ails,  the  bars  being  connected  broadly  along  the  shafts;  tibiic  with  nitons  bars  much 
exceeding  the  white  ones  in  width;  tlie  whole  maculate  region  with  the  shaft  of  each 
feather  finely  blackish.  Anal  region  scarcely  varied ;  lower  tail-coverts  immaculate, 
pure  white.  Lining  of  the  wing  white,  with  rather  sparse  cordate,  or  eimeate,  small 
bl.ackish  .spots ;  a.xillar.s  barred  about  equally  with  pinkish-rnfous  and  white.  Wng, 
G.fiO;  tail,  r>.70;  tarsus,  1.78;  middle  toe,  1.20.  Fifth  quill  longest;  fourth  but  little 
shorter;  third  equal  to  si.xth ;  .second  slightly  shorter  than  seventh.  Tail  perfectly 
S(pittre. 

Adult  feinxlc.  (\9,]h],  Powder  River;  Captain  W.  F.  Raynolds,  IT.  .S.  A.).  .Scarcely 
diHerent  liom  the  male.  Above  rather  paler  .slaty  ;  the  darker  .shaft-streaks  rather  more 
distinct  than  in  tiie  male,  although  they  are  not  conspicuous.  Beneath  with  the  rulbus 
bars  rather  broader,  the  dark  .shaft-streaks  less  distinct ;  tibite  about  equ.ally  liarred  with 
pinkish-rufous  .and  white.  Wing,  7.70;  tail,  (UK) ;  tarsus,  2.10;  middle  toe,  1.40.  Fourth 
and  fifth  (piills  equal  and  longest;  third  equal  to  sixth;  second  equal  to  .seventh;  first 
three  inches  shorter  than  longest. 

Yoiuiff  male  (41,890,  Philadelpiiia  ;  J.  Krider.)  Above  umber-brown  ;  feathers  of  the 
liea<l  above  edged  laterally  with  dull  light  ferruginous;  those  of  the  back,  rump,  the  upper 
tail-coverts,  scapulars,  and  wimi-coverts  bonlered  witii  the  same;  scapulars  and  rump 
showing  large,  parti.ally  exposed  roundi.sh  spots  of  pure  white.  Tail  as  in  .adult.  Sides 
of  the  head  and   neck    strongly   streaked,   a  broad  lighter  supraoral   stripe   .app.areat. 

vol..  III.  20 


226  XORTII  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Benealli  wliitp.  with  a  slif;lil  (icliraceous  tingo;  cheeks,  throat,  ami  juguhin.  with  fine 
narrow  slreai<s  ol' <hisls-y-l)rown  :  breast,  sides,  and  abdomen  with  broader  longitudinal 
stripes  of  clear  umber  (less  slaty  than  the  back),  each  with  a  darker  shaft-line;  on  tlic 
Hanks  the  stripes  are  more  oval;  tibiic  more  ding-y,  markings  fainter  an<l  somewhat 
transverse  ;  anal  region  and  lower  tail-coverts  immaculate  white. 

YoiUKj  female  (VJ,(I'_';?,  Fort  Tejon,  California;  J.  Xantus).  Similar  in  general  appear- 
ance to  the  young  male.  Markings  beneath  broader,  and  slightly  sagittate  in  form, 
becoming  more  transverse  on  the  Hanks;  paler  and  more  reddish  than  in  the  young 
male ;  tibiic  with  brownish-rulbus  prevailing,  this  in  form  of  broad  tinnsvorsc  spots. 

Had.  Entire  continent  of  North  America,  south  to  Panama;  Bahamas  (but  not  West 
Indies,  where  rejilaced  by  A.  frinfjillokh.i,  Vig.). 

Localities:  Oaxaca  (Sci..  1858,  20o)  ;  Central  America  (Sci,.  Ibis,  I,  218);  Bahamas 
(Bryant,  Pr.  Bost.  Soc.  VII,  18u!)) ;  City  of  Mexico  (Sci..  1804,  178);  Texas,  San 
Antonio  (Dukssku,  Il)is,  ISOti.  324) ;  Western  Arizona  (Coues)  ;  Mosquito  Coast  (Scl.  & 
Sai.v.  1807,  280)  ;  Costa  Rica  (Lawu.  IX,  134). 

LIST   OK    SPECIMEN'S    EXAMINED. 

National  Museum,  ol ;  Philadelphia  Academy,  14 ;  New  York  Museum,  7 ;  Boston 
Society,  5;  Museum,  Cambri<lge,  0;  Cab.  G.  N.  Lawrence,  I;  Coll.  R.  Ridgway,  4; 
Museum  W.  S.  Brewer,  I.     Total,  02. 

Jfeamiremenls. 


Sex. 

m«g. 

Tail. 

Cidmen. 

Tarsm. 
1.85-1.95 

2.20-2.25 

Middle  Toe. 

Sperimens. 

9 

6.45  -  7.(W 

7..">0-8.8(> 

5.70-5.90 
6.90-8.20 

.40-. 
.50 -.60 

1.10-1.20 

1.45-1.55 

30 

40 

Specimens  I'roiu  different  regions  vary  but  little  in  size.  The  largest  are 
4,198,  9  ,  San  Francisco,  Cal.,  winter,  10,957,  9,  Hudson's  Bay  Territory,  and 
55,016,  9,  MazatUm,  Mexico,  in  which  the  wing  ranges  from  8.40  to  8.50, 
the  tail  7.00.  The  smallest  females  are  45,820,  Sitka,  Alaska,  and  11,791, 
Simialimoo,  W.  T.,  in  which  the  wing  measures  about  7.80.  A  female 
(32,499)  from  Orizaba,  Mexico,  one  (8,513)  from  Fort  Yuma,  Cal.,  and 
one  (17,210)  from  San  Nicholas,  Lower  California,  liave  the  wing  8.00, 
which  is  about  the  average.  Tlie  largest  males  are  54,336,  Nulato,  Alaska, 
58,137,  Kodiak,  Alaska,  27,067,  Yukon,  mouth  of  Porcupine,  and  55,017, 
Mazatlau,  Mexico,  in  Avhich  the  wing  measures  7.00,  the  tail  5.60.  The 
smallest  males  are  5,990,  Onmge,  N.  J.,  8,514,  Shoalwater  Bay,  Vv^  T., 
21,338,  Siskiyou  Co.,  Cal.,  37,428,  Orizaba,  Mexico,  and  5,584,  Bridger's 
Pass,  Utah;  in  this  series  the  wing  measures  6.50-0.70,  the  tail  5.40 - 
5.00.  A  specimen  from  Costa  Rica  measures :  wing  0.70,  tail  5.35.  Thus 
the  variation  in  size  Avill  be  seen  to  be  an  individual  difference,  rather  than 
characteristic  of  any  region.  Some  immature  specimens  from  tlie  north- 
west coast  of  North  America  (as  45,828,  <J,  Sitka,  Pus.  Am.,  5,845,  S,  Fort 
Steilacoom,  W.  T.,  11,791,  Simialimoo,  Puget  Sound,  and  8,514,  Shoalwater 
Bay,  W.  T.)  are  much  darker  than  others,  the  brown  above  inclining  to 
to  blackish-sepia ;  no  other  differences,  however,  are  observable.  An  adult 
from  the  Yukon  (54,337,  9)  lias  the  rufous  bars  beneath  remarkably  faint, 
althou'di  well  defined;  another  (19,384,   9,  Fort  Kesolution),  in  immature 


FALCONID.E  — THE   FALCONS. 


227 


-t3.^ 


plumage,  lias  the  longituclinal  mavkiii<,'s  1)cneatli  so  taint  that  they  are 
scarcely  discernible,  and  the  pluniaye  generally  has  a  very  worn  and  faded 
ai)i)earance.  A  male  in  fine  pliuna,i,'e  (lOJoD,  Fort  Kridger,  Utah)  has  the 
delicate  reddish-rul'ons  beneath  so  extended  as  to  prevail,  and  with  scarcely 
any  varieyation  on  the  sides  and  tibiie  ;  the  bars  on  the  tail,  also,  are  (luite 
obsolete. 

Habits.  This  species  is  one  of  the  most  conmion  Hawks  oi"  North  Amer- 
ica, and  its  geographical  range  covers  the  entire  continent,  f'roia  Hudson's 
Bay  to  ^Mexico.  Sir  John  llichardson 
mentions  its  having  been  met  with  as 
far  to  the  north  as  latitude  51°.  Drs. 
Gambel  and  Heermann,  and  others, 
speak  of  it  as  abundant  throughout 
California.  Audubon  found  it  very 
plentiful  as  far  north  as  the  southern 
shore  of  the  Gulf  of  St.  Lawrence.  It 
has  been  obtained  in  New  IMexico  by 
Mr.  jNIcCJall,  in  Mexico  by  Mr.  Pease, 
in  Washington  Territory  by  Dr.  Cooper 
and  Dr.  Suckley,  in  Alaska  by  Mr. 
Dall,  at  Fort  llesolution  by  Mr.  Ken- 
nicott,  at  Fort  Simpson  by  Mr.  B.  R. 
lioss,  etc.  Messrs.  Sclater  and  Salvin 
give  it  as  a  rare  visitant  of  Guatemala. 
It  has  been  ascertained  to  breed  in 
Massachusetts,  New  Jersey,  Wiscon- 
sin, California,  and  Pennsylvania,  and 
it  probalily  does  .so  not  only  in  the  intervening  States  and  Territories,  but 
also  in  all,  not  excejjting  the  most  southern,  Florida,  where  its  nest  was 
found  by  Mr.  Wurdemann. 

Dr.  Woodhouse,  who  frequently  observed  this  bird  skimming  over  the 
prairies  while  in  search  of  its  prey,  states  that  its  flight  is  so  peculiar  that 
there  is  no  difficulty  in  recognizing  it,  when  taken  in  connection  with  its 
form,  short  wings,  and  long  tail,  being  very  swift  and  irregular  in  its  move- 
ments, first  high  in  the  air,  then  close  to  the  ground,  suddenly  disappearing 
among  the  grass  when  it  has  seized  the  object  of  which  it  was  in  inirsuit. 

Mr.  Dres,ser  met  with  this  Hawk  in  Texas,  but  nowhere  south  or  west  of 
San  Antonio,  where  it  remains  through  the  breeding-season,  nesting  in  the 
dense  cedar-thickets. 

Mr.  Audubon  regarded  it  as  the  very  miniature  of  the  Goshawk,  in  its 
irregular,  swift,  vigorous,  varied,  and  yet  often  undecided,  manner  of  flight, 
and  on  occasion  greatly  protracted.  When  in  search  of  its  prey,  it  is 
said  to  pass  over  the  country,  now  at  a  moderate  height,  now  close  over 
the  land,  and  with  a  surprising  swiftness.     It  advances  by  sudden  dashes, 


Nisus  /iiicus. 


228  NORTH  AMEKICAiN  BIRDS. 

and  pounces  upon  the  ohject  of  its  pursuit  so  suddenly  as  to  render  liope- 
les.s  any  atteuii)t  to  esca])L'.  It  lias  Imiuently  been  known  to  seize  and  kill 
a  bird  so  laiye  tiiat  it  was  unalde  to  carry  it,  and  had  to  drop  to  the  ground 
with  it.  In  Mill'  instance  JNIr.  Audubon  saw  it  strike  a  Brown  Thrush,  wliicli 
it  had  darted  into  a  thicket  of  briers  to  seize,  emerging  at  tlie  opposite  side. 
As  ]\Ir.  Audubon  ran  up,  the  Ilawk  atteni))ted  twice  to  rise  with  its  prey, 
but  was  unable  to  carry  it  oil',  and  relin(iuished  it.  The  Thrush  was  quite 
dead,  and  had  evidently  been  killed  instantly. 

Mr.  Downes,  of  Halifax,  who  speaks  of  this  Hawk  as  common  in  Nova 
Scotia,  lireeding  all  over  that  province,  adds  that  it  does  not  molest  the 
poidtry-yards,  being  too  weak  to  attack  large  prtiy.  liut  this  is  not  univer- 
sally the  case.  They  are  frequently  destructive  both  to  dove-cots  and  to  the 
younger  inhabitants  of  the  i)oultry-yard.  Mr.  Xuttall  narrates  that  in  the 
thinly  settled  parts  of  Alabama  and  Georgia  it  seemed  to  abounil,  and  was 
very  destructive  to  young  chickens,  a  single  one  having  been  known  to  come 
regularly  every  day  until  it  had  carried  oft'  twenty  or  thirty.  He  was  eye- 
witness to  one  of  its  acts  of  robliery,  where,  at  noonday  and  in  the  near 
])resence  of  the  farmer,  the  Hawk  tlescended  and  carried  oil'  one  of  the 
chickens.  In  another  instance  the  same  writer  mentions  that  one  of  these 
Hawks,  descending  with  blind  eagerness  upon  its  prey,  broke  through  the 
glass  of  the  greenhouse  at  the  Cambridge  Botanic  Garden,  fearlessly 
passed  through  a  second  glass  partition,  and  was  only  brought  up  by  a 
third,  when  it  was  caught,  though  very  little  injured. 

At  times  this  Hawk  is  seen  to  fly  high,  in  a  desultory  manner,  with  quick 
but  irregular  movements  of  the  wings,  now  moving  in  short  and  unequal 
circles,  pausing  to  examine  the  objects  below,  and  then  again  descending 
rapidly  and  following  a  course  only  a  few  feet  from  the  ground,  carefully 
examining  each  patch  of  small  bushes  in  search  of  small  birds. 

Besides  the  smaller  birds,  young  chickens,  and  pigeons,  this  Hawk  has 
been  known  to  occasionally  feed  on  small  reptiles  and  insects,  as  also  upon 
the  smaller  (piadrupeds. 

Mr.  Audubon  speaks  of  having  met  with  three  nests  of  this  species,  and 
all  in  dift'ercnt  situations.  One  was  in  a  hole  in  a  rock  on  the  banks  of  the 
Ohio  Itiver;  another  was  in  the  hollow  of  a  broken  branch,  near  Louisville, 
Ky.,  and  the  third  in  the  forks  of  a  low  oak,  neor  Henderson,  Ky.  In  the 
first  case,  the  nest  was  slight,  and  simply  constructed  of  a  few  sticks  and 
some  grasses,  carelessly  interwoven,  and  about  two  feet  from  the  entrance  of 
the  hole.  In  the  second  instance  there  was  no  nest  whatever,  but  in  the 
tliird  the  birds  were  engaged  in  the  construction  of  an  elaborate  nest.  The 
number  of  the  eggs  was  four  in  one  instance,  and  H\-e  in  another.  He  describes 
them  as  almost  eiiually  rounded  at  both  ends  ;  their  ground-color  white,  with 
a  livid  tinge,  but  scarcely  discernible  amid  the  numerous  markings  and 
blotches  of  reddish-chocolate  with  which  they  were  irregularly  covered.  In 
a  nest  which  was  large  and  elaborately  constructed  of  sticks,  and  contained 


FALCONID.K  — THE   FALCONS.  220 

five  e<^gs,  found  by  Dr.  H.  Ii.  Storor  in  (Joncord,  Mass.,  there  wiis  a  sini,'lo 
egg  wliicli  nearly  corresponds  witli  tliis  description.  It  is,  however,  the  only 
one  among  many  specimens  that  at  all  agrees  with  it.  This  specimen  is  a 
little  more  than  usually  elongate,  and  its  ground-color,  which  is  a  purplish- 
white,  is  nearly  concealed  liy  its  blotches  of  various  shades  of  sepia-lirown. 
In  every  other  instance  the  egg  is  very  nearly  spherical,  the  ground-color 
white,  and  beautifully  mari<ed  with  large  conliuent  blotches  of  sepia,  vary- 
ing in  depth  from  (juite  a  light  to  a  very  dark  .shade.  In  one,  these  contin- 
ent markings  form  a  broad  belt  around  the  centre  of  the  egg.  In  others, 
they  are  chiefly  distributed  about  the  larger  end.  The  contrast  between  the 
white  ground  and  the  dark  confluent  dashes  of  lirown  is  very  striking. 
Except  in  size,  the  eggs  of  this  1)ird  bear  a  marked  resemldance  to  those  of 
the  Sparrow  Hawk  of  Europe.  In  a  few  instances,  the  brown  markings 
have  an  intermixture  of  red  and  purple.  The  egg  measures  1.35  by  Ll'i 
inches. 

In  nearly  every  instance  the  nest  of  this  Hawk  has  been  constructed  in 
trees.  It  is  usually  large  in  proportion  to  the  size  of  the  bird,  and  its  mate- 
rials are  somewhat  elaborately  jjut  together  ;  it  is  composed  chiefly  of  large 
sticks  and  twigs,  and  the  whole  idatform  is  covered  with  a  tiiin  lining  of 
dry  leaves,  mosses,  grass,  etc.  Mr  .lohn  Krider,  of  riiiladelphia,  found  a 
nest  in  New  Jer.sey,  in  the  vicinity  of  that  city,  which  was  built  on  tiie 
edge  of  a  high  rock. 

Mr.  Ifobert  Kennicott  met  with  the  nest  of  this  species  at  Fort  IJesolu- 
tion.  It  was  composed  entirely  of  small  dry  spruce  twigs,  with  the  excep- 
tion of  a  half-dozen  small  flat  bits  of  the  scaly  outer  bark  of  the  si»ruce, 
laid  in  the  bottom,  and  forming  a  sort  of  lining.  No  feathers  or  other  softer 
materials  were  used.  Tiie  nest  was  shallow  and  broad.  The  base  was  about 
eighteen  inches  in  diameter,  and  was  about  eight  feet  from  the  ground.  It 
was  in  a  small  sjnuce  in  a  thick  wood  and  on  high  ground.  When  dis- 
turbed, the  female  flew  oft"  a  short  distance ;  but  on  ^Ir.  Kennicott's  hiding 
himself  returned  and  Iknv  near  the  nest,  continually  utte^-ing  a  harsh  nx\ni\ 
note.  Nciir  the  nest  were  marks  indicating  the  place  where  the  male  passed 
the  nights  perched  on  a  dry  stick  near  th(>  ground. 

Air.  B.  Ii.  lioss  observed  these  birds  nesting  thickly  along  the  cliffs  of  the 
Up])er  Slave  lUver.  They  were  more  rare  northward  of  Fort  Simpson  than 
F.  coliimharius. 

IVIr.  William  Street,  of  Easthampton,  informs  me  that  he  has  found  this 
Hawk  nesting  on  !Mount  Tom,  where  he  has  known  of  six  of  their  nests  in 
one  season.  In  the  spring  of  1S72  he  found  three  nests,  on  the  24th  and 
25th  of  May.  They  contained  two  eggs  each.  One  of  tliese,  on  the  27th 
contained  three  eggs,  of  which  he  took  one ;  on  the  3d  of  June  two  more 
eggs  had  been  laid.  Two  of  these  were  taken,  after  which  the  birds  deserted 
the  nest  and  resorted  to  an  old  stjuirrel's  nest,  where  they  had  four  more 
eggs,  depositing  one  every  third  day.     They  arrive  at  Mount  Tom  about  the 


230  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

1st  of  jMny.  Their  nests  are  made  entirely  of  sticlcs,  larj^or  on  the  ontside, 
and  sniiiller  within.  Tiiey  usually  build  in  a  honil()(;k-tree,  selectinj^  a  tliick 
clninp.  They  are  very  noisy  when  they  are  at  work  building  their  nest,  and 
often  betray  their  presence  by  their  cries.  The  younger  the  pair  the  more 
noisy  they  arc.  This  Hawk  apjjcars  to  live  nearly  altogether  on  small  birds. 
Mr.  Street  mentions  having  found  ten  or  twelve  skeletons  in  a  single  nest  of 
this  species. 

Nisus  cooperi  (JioNAP.). 

Tar.  cooperi,  Bonap. 

COOPER'S  HAWK. 

Fako  cooperi,  T!oN.\r.  Am.  Om.  pi.  .v,  fig.  1,  182") ;  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  II,  433  ;  Isis,  1832, 
1137.  — .Iames.  (Wils.)  Am.  Oni.  IV,  1831,  3.  —  Peab.  H.  Mass.  Ill,  78.  Accipikr 
cooperi,  GnAV,  List  H.  liiit.  Mils.  38,  1844;  C.cn.  B.  fol.  sp.  6. —Cass.  Birds  Cnl.  & 
Tc.\.  )).  96,  1854  ;  Binls  N.  Aw.  18.18,  10.—  Scf.ai-.  IV.  Z.  S.  18.')9,  380  ((iifrerencp  from 
A.  pilealiix,  Max.).  —  Hi:i;i;m.  P.  K.  U.  IU'\>\  VII,  31, 1857.  —  Coop.  &  Si-ckl.  P.  K.  It. 
Ecp't,  XII,  ii,  14.5,  18C0.  —  CouKs,  Prod.  Orn.Ariz.  p.  7, 1806.  —  Diiksseh,  Ibis,  1865, 
323  (Texas). —  Hl.AKl.sr.  Il)is,  III,  1861,  317. —  Sci..  &  Salv.  Ex.  Orii.  I,  1869,  170. 
—  Okay,  llaiul  List,  I,  32,  18C9.  Aslnr  cooperi,  Jauh.  (Wii.s.)  Am.  Orn.  Ill,  3G3, 
1832.  —  lidSAP.  List,  p.  5  ;  IJcv.  Zool.  1850,  489  ;  Consp.  Av.  31.  —  De  K,\.Y,  Zoiil. 
K.  Y.  II,  18,  pi.  iv,  p.  5.  —  Newii.  P.  R.  R.  Rt-p't,  VI,  iv,  74.  1857.  —  Max.  Cub. 
Journ.  VI,  1858,  13.  Falco  stanlei/i,  Afl).  B.  Am.  pis.  xxxvi,  cxli ;  Oni.  Biog.  I,  186. 
Acciplkr  pikalus  (not  of  Max.  I),  Stiuckl.  Oni.  Syn.  I,  109,  1855.  Accipikr  cooperi, 
BiiEWEit,  Oology,  1857,  20,  pi.  v,  f.  55. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult  male  (No.  10,080).  Forehead,  crown,  and  occiput  blackish-pliim- 
beous ;  the  latter  snowy-white  beneath  the  surface  ;  rest  of  upper  parts  slaty-plumbeous, 
tlie  najie  abruptly  lighter  than  the  occiput;  leather.^  of  the  nape,  back,  scapulars,  and 
rump  with  darker  shaft-lines;  scapulars  with  concealed  cordate  and  circular  spots  of 
white;  upper  tail-coverts  sharply  tipped  with  white.  Tail  more  brownish  than  the 
rump,  sharply  tipped  with  pure  white,  and  crossed  with  three  broad,  sharply  defined 
Ijands  of  black,  the  first  of  which  is  concealed,  the  last  much  broadest ;  that  portion  of 
the  shaft,  between  the  two  exposed  lilack  bands  white.  Lores  grayish;  cheeks  and 
throat  white,  with  fine,  hair-like  shaft-streaks  of  blacki.sh  ;  ear-coverts  and  sides  of  neck 
more  ashy,  and  more  fiiintly  streaked.  Ground-color  beneath  pure  white;  but  with 
detached  transverse  bars  of  rich  vinaceou.s-rufous,  crossing  the  jngiilum,  breast,  sides, 
Hanks,  abdomen,  and  tibite ;  the  white  bars  everywhere  (except  on  sides  of  the  breast) 
ratlier  exceeding  the  rufous  in  width ;  all  the  feathers  (except  tibial  plumes)  with  distinct 
black  .shaft-lines  ;  lower  tail-coverts  immaculate,  pure  white.  Lining  of  the  wing  white, 
with  numerous  cordate  spots  of  rufous;  coverts  with  transverse  blackish  bars;  under 
side  of  primaries  silvery-white,  purest  ba.sally  (tips  du.sky),  crossed  with  (piadratc  bars 
of  dusky,  of  which  there  are  six  (the  first  only  indicated)  upon  the  longest  quill  (fourth). 
Wing,  9.20;  tail,  7.80;  tarsus,  2.3.5 ;  middle  toe,  l.GO.  Fourth  quill  longest ;  third  shorter 
than  fifth;  second  intermediate  between  sixth  and  seventh;  first,  2.80  shorter  than 
longest;  graduation  of  tail,  1.00. 

Adult  female  (26,588,  Washington,  D.  C. ;  Elliott  Cones).  Similar  to  the  male.  Fore- 
head tinged  with  brownish ;  upper  plumage  much  less  bluish.  Neck  and  ear-coverta 
iiiiifoinily  rufous,  with  black  shaft-streaks,  there  being  no  ashy  wash  as  in  the  male. 
Tail  decidedly  less  bluish  than  in  the  male,  crossed  with  four  bands,  three  of  which  are 
exposed.    The  rufous  bars  beneath  less  viiiaceous  than  in  the  male,  but  of  about  the 


FALCON  I  I)/K—  TriR    FALCOXS. 


231 


Haino  nmount,  rixthor  prodominatiiif;  on  llio  liliin\  Wing,  10.70  ;  tail,  0.00;  Inrsua,  2.45  ; 
iiiiiMlf  Idc,  l.HO.  lA)iiilli  luid  fiflli  iiiiills  loiif.'t'st  niiii  ('(111111;  third  lonitcr  than  sixtli ; 
scroiul  iiilcniKMliiilc  liclwccn  .sixlii   and  scvciilli;   liisl  tliicc  iiiclics  sIkhIit  than  Idiificst. 

YouHij  male  (.V),.HiM,  Vnvl  .Nfin'oii,  N.  C,  Fobniary  ;  Di'.  Coiius).  Abovi;  jfrayisli- 
nniber;  rcalhcrs  ol'  Ibrchrad,  crown,  and  nape  liiinlly  I'dgi'd  laterally  with  pah- 
rusty ;  oc(.'i|)iit  unvaried  blackish,  fcatheis  white  beneath  the  sin  I'aee.  Wing-eoverts. 
scapulars,  and  interscapidais  narrowly  bordered  with  ]piile  yellowi.sh-iiniber;  rmnp  and 
upper  tail-coverts  bordered  with  rusty.  Tail  paler  nniber  than  tlie  back,  niirrowly  tipjied 
witli  white,  and  crossed  by  four  bunds  of  brownish-black,  the  lirst  of  which  is  only  par- 
tially concealed.  Scapulars  and  upper  tail-coverts  showiiif;  inucli  concealed  white,  in 
form  of  roundish  spots,  on  lioth  webs.  Itenealh  clear  white,  without  any  yellowish  tinuc; 
throat  with  a  medial  and  lateral  series  of  clear  dark-brown  streaks;  jii}riiliini,  breast,  sides, 
flanks,  and  alidomeii  with  numerous  stripes  of  clear  sepia,  each  sliowiii},'  n  darker  shaft- 
streak;  tibiii!  with  longitudinal  streaks  of  paler  and  more  rusty  brown;  lower  tail-eovert.s 
immaculate. 

Young  female  (0,870  "Sacramento  Valley,  Cal."  ;  Dr.  Ilcernumn — pn.liably  from  I'enn- 
sylvaiiia).  Similar  to  young  male  ;  more  varied,  however.  The  black  middle  streaks  of 
feathers  of  head  above  narrower,  causing  more  conspicuous  streaks;  white  spots  of 
sca])ular  region  considerably  e.\])osed  ;  loiig'.udinal  stripe  beneath  narrower  and  nion; 
sparse. 

II.\n.  North  America  in  general,  but  rare  in. the  western  division;  Eastern  Mexico. 
Not  found  in  West  Indies,  where  replaced  liy  .1.  gniidUtchi,  Lawk. 

Localities:  Southeastern  Te.xas  (Duksskh,  Ibi.s,  1865,  323,  breeds);  Arizona  (Coues, 
Prod.  1800,  43)  ;  Costa  Rica  (L.vwh.  IX,  i;j4). 

LIST   OF    SPECIMENS   EXAMINED. 

National  Museum,  12;  Philadelphia  Academy,  10;  New  York  Museum,  3 ;  Boston 
Society,  2  ;  Cambridge  Museum,  1  ;  Cab.  G.  N.  Lawrence,  7 ;  Coll.  R.  Ridgway,  4 ; 
Museum,  W.  S.  Brewer,  1.    Total,  40. 


Measurements. 

5„. 

n'i«g. 

7hi7. 

Culmen. 

liiraus. 

MirtdU  Toe. 
1.55-1.00 

1.05-1.85 

Specimem.      \ 

9 

0.00-9.30 
lO.ao- 11.00 

8.00-8.50 
0.(X)-0.80 

.05  - . 
.75  -  .80 

2.45  -  2.05 
2.00  -  2.75 

7 
12 

Var.  mexIcanuB,  Swainsom. 

MEXICAN  BLUE-BACKED  HAWK. 

Jccipiter  mexicamus,  Swaixs.  F.  Bor.-Am.  II,  1831,  45.  — .Tarp.  (cd.  Wils.)  Am.  Orii.  II, 
1832,  215.  —  IJoNAT.  Consp.  32  (under  A.  fuscu^).  —  Oass.  B.  Cnl.  &  Tex.  9ti.  —  In.  V. 
A.  N.  .S.  1855,  279  ;  Birds N.  Aiu.  1858,  17.  —  Coop.  &  Si-cKi,.  P.  11.  H.  Kept,  VII,  ii, 
18G0,  140.  —  CouEs,  P.  A.  N.  S.  Pliilad.  1866,  18.  —  Gkay,  Hand  List,  1,  1809,  33. 


AduU  male  (12,024,  Fort  Tejon,  Cal. ;  .1.  Xantus).  Forehead,  crown,  and  occiput 
plumbeous-lilack,  feathers  of  the  latter  with  basal  two-thirds  snowy-white,  partially 
exposed.  Upper  plumage  deep  phmibeous,  darkest  anteriorly,  the  back  being  .scarcely 
lighter  than  the  nape ;  rump  fine  bliiish-pluinl)eous.  No  concealed  white  on  the  upper 
part.s.  Tail  brownish-])lumbeous,  narrowly  tipped  with  pure  white,  and  with  four  .sharjily 
delined  broad  bands  of  black,  —  the  first  of  which  is  faintest,  and  concealed  by  the  coverts, 
the  last  broadest ;  shafts  of  tail-featliers  deep  brown  throughout.     Primaries  and  sccon- 


2.T2 


NORTFI   AMKIUCAX  niHDS. 


ilarii's  iniifli  (IiirkiT  ...m  llic  tail,  iikhc  Miiisli;  less  s<>.  liowcvcr,  lliiiii  tin- sr'ii|)iiliir>".  r.oirs 
wliilisli,  c|Milf  ill  I'liiidiisl  Willi  till'  Mack  of  tiic  roiclicml ;  clii'clis  ami  I'ar-covcrls  darii 
ashy,  sliN;liily  wmsIiimI  Willi  rcililisli,  ami  willi  (ilisciirc  darker  streaks;  ehiii  and  lliroiit  white, 
with  s|mrse  hair-like  slialt-sl reaks  ol' hliuHv,  Kreast,  alHloiiieii,  >iiles,  liaiiks,  ami  liliiu' 
line  vinaeemis-riiliMis  ;  leallu'rs  (except  on  liliiie)  with  line  iiair-like  siialit -streaks  ol'lijaek 
(iniieii  imrrower  thnn  in  ron/ieri);  breast,  aliduinen,  sides,  anil  liiniks  with  pairs  ol'  trans- 
verse (ivoid  while  spots,  not  toiiehinji  tlie  shaft  ;  on  the  alidonien  the  wiiiti^  and  riifoiis 
l.ars  are  orahoiil  eipial  width  ;  mi  the  lihia;  tlic  riiloiis  is  deejiest,  and  exeeeds  the  white; 
anal  re^'ioii  liarred  wiili  rnloiis,  more  liiinlly  than  the  aliduinen  :  lower  tail-eoverts  snowy- 
while.  Sides  of  the  neck  deep  reddish-ashy,  this  washing;  ihe  whole  sicle  ol'  the  lireast, 
I.ininjr  ol' the  win;,'  ledilish-white,  with  lunnerons  crowded,  eoidate,  somewhat  lilendcd 
sjioLs  (if  riilons  ;  iui'ffur  coverts  trniisvei'.sely  spotted  with  Maekish;  under  side  of  priiiia- 
rios  silvery-whiti!  (hlackish  (()r  ahoiit  the  terminal  iin'h),  crossed  with  ipnulratc!  spots  of 
hlackisli,  of  which  there  are  aliout  seven  on  the  lonj;est  ipiill  (fourlh);  the  liasal  ones  arc, 
however,  so  niiich  hrokeii,  that  the  iiiiniher  varies  in  dill'erent  individuals. 

YnuiKj  male  (Kort  T"Joii,  California).  Forehead,  crown,  oci'i|mt,  and  nape  deep  nisty- 
riilons;  feathiM's  wit'  hroad  loiifjitndinal  streaks  of  pint;  hlaek.  itest  of  iip|icr  parts  deep 
iimlicr.  daikesi  on  the  hack  ;  feathers  of  hack  and  rump,  the  npper  tail-i.'overt.s,  scapulars, 
and  wini.'-coverls,  hroailly  hordered  with  nisty  ;  s(;apiiliu's  with  concealed  while  spols. 
Tail  nshy-innhcr.  tippcil  (more  hroadly  than  in  adult)  with  ashy-white,  cro.sscd  liy  four 
l)i'oad  hands  of  hrownish-lilaek ;   the  last  (or  siiliteriuinal)  of  which  is   hroadost,  the  first 

concealed   hy  the   (;overts.     Si ndaries  ami   priniarii's  similar  in   color   to   the  tail,  hut 

darker;  the  lirst  showinj,'  live  ohsoK^le  darker  bands,  and  tipiicd  (rather  hroadly)  with 
pall!  eiunamon-rufous.  Ivir-eoveris  and  cheeks  fulvous-white,  thickly  streaked  with  dark 
brown.  liower  parts  while,  washed  with  oelnaceous  on  jufjuluni  and  breast;  each 
feathci' with  a  central  loiif,'itudinal  lanceolate  stripe  of  clear  umber,  the  shall  of  each 
black  ;  these  streaks  are  very  narrow  on  the  throat,  broadest  on  the  breast  and  Hanks. 
Tibiu' ■  ill  transversely  ovntc  spots,  and  transverse  bars  of  reddi.sh-uinhcr;  lower  tail- 
coverts  with  narrow  .shaft-streaks  of  darker  brown.  Lininj,'  of  winif  with  cordate  and 
ovate  spots  of  dark  brown. 

i'ounij  feiiiiile  {V2,\'-i('>,  Orizaba,  Mexico;  M.  Bottori).  Similar  to  the  yoiinf,'  male; 
feathers  of  ba<;k,  etc.,  less  broadly  inarj^'iiied  with  rusty.  Ochraceous  wash  on  lower 
parts  more  decided ;  stripes  beneath  broader  and  less  lanceolate;  on  the  si(i  s  broadly 
ovate,  and  on  the  Hanks  in  form  of  broad  transverse  bars;  tibiie  more  tie  i<ly  spotted 
transver.scly  ;  lower  tail-coverts  innnaculate.  Wiuf,',  II.OO  ;  tail,  7.8t);  tarsus, '2.'J.> ;  mid- 
dle toe,  2.50.  Fourth  quill  longfest ;  third  shorter  than  fifth  ;  second  intermediate  between 
sixth  and  seventh  ;  first,  2.90  shorter  than  lonijest.     Graduation  of  tail,  .90. 

Hah.    Western  region  of  Xortli  America;  Mexico. 

LIST   OF   SPECIMENS    EX.VMINED. 

National  Museum,  22;  Boston  Society,  2;  Museum,  Cambridge.  2 ;  Cab.  G.N.Law- 
rence, 2  ;  Philadelphia  Academy,  2  ;  Coll.  R.  Ridgway,  2.     Total,  32. 


Meamiremenlt. 

Sex. 

IV'mg. 

Tail. 
IJyO-    9.20 

9.30  -  um) 

f'nlmtn. 
.(iO-.70 

.70-.7."> 

Tarsu.i. 
2.10-2.7") 

2.(i.-)- 2.7.5 

Midillf  Toe. 

l.,30- 1.0.5 
1.6.5-1.75 

S/'frimens. 

9 

8.50-9.8.5 
10.20-10.60 

24 
4 

Habits.  Tliis  common  Hawk  .appears  to  have  a  very  j,'oiicral  distribution 
ovor  the  United  States,  from  Soutli  Carolina  to  Xew  lirunswick,  on  the 
Atlantic;  from  Texas,  New  Me.xico,  and  Arizona,  in  the  interior,  to  the 


FA LC( )N I D J'l  —  Til  10   F ALCONM. 


233 


Saskntcliewiiii,  and  from  Sinitlieiu  Caliloiiiiii  t"  Wasliiii^itou  Teiritory,  on 
tliu  I'acilic.  Mr.  lioardiiiaii  iiii'iitions  it  as  t'oiiinl  neav  Calais,  Iml  rare.  ^Ir. 
Vorrill  cites  it  a.s  ot'curriiif;  in  WL'.stcru  Maiiio,  Iml  not  coniinon.  1  luivi' 
rt't'oivi'd  its  oj.'xs  I'roni  Smitli  Carolina,  wiiuro  it  is  resident  lliroii<,'iioiit  the 
year.  Mr.  l)re.s.scr  met  with  it  not  uiieommon  near  Smi  Antonio,  and  I'onnd 
it  breeding'  on  the  Altaseosa  and  Medina  llivers.  Dr.  Cones  says  it  is  j;en- 
erally  distributed  tlironj,diout  the  Territory  ol'  Arizona.  Dr.  Newberry  lo\ind 
it  eomuiou  about  San  Francisco,  and  extending  north  of  tlie  Culumbia  liivur. 


Nisus  eot.p'ri. 

Mr.  A.  Scliott  obtained  a  specimen  on  the  Cohnado  liiver  in  Southern  Cali- 
fornia, and  Dr.  Giunbel  and  Dr.  A.  L.  Heermann  sjieak  of  it  as  common 
throughout  that  State,  while  Dr.  Cooper  and  Dr.  Siiekley  nunition  it  as  fre- 
quent both  in  Oregon  and  in  Washington  Territory.  xV  single  specimen  was 
taken  by  Mr.  Salvin  in  (Juatemnla.  Dr.  Cooper  states  that  this  Hawk  is 
often  killed  about  the  farm-yards  of  "Washington  Territory,  where  it  seizes 
on  chickens  before  the  ve.y  eyes  of  the  owner,  ilarting  down  like  lightning, 
and  di.sappearing  again  Ixi'ore  he  can  see  what  ha.s  caused  tl'>  di.sturbance. 
It  is  said  to  be  a  constant  resident,  and  to  breed  within  the  Teriitory. 

Mr.  Audubon  describes  the  iliglit  of  this  Hawk  as  rai>id,  protracted,  and 
even,  and  as  ])erformed  at  a  short  distance  from  the  ground,  or  over  the  for- 
est. It  is  said  to  move  along  in  a  silent  gliding  manner,  and  with  a  swift- 
ness even  sni)erior  to  that  of  the  Wild  Pigoon,  rarely  deviating  from  a 
straight  cour.se  except  to  .seize  its  prey,  and  sehlom  mounting  in  the  air  in  cir- 
cles. It  is  very  bold  and  daring,  Mr.  Audulxm  having  known  one  to  attack 
and  kill  a  cock  much  larger  and  heavier  tiian  itself.  It  frecpiently  attacks 
and  kills  the  common  Huffed  Grouse.  It  breeds  in  especial  abundance  in 
the  Middle  States,  and  particularly  along  the  baidvs  of  the  Potomac  liiver. 
I  have  received  reliable  information  of  its  nesting  in  Vermont,  ^lassachu- 
setts,  Ohio,  Illinois,  Wisconsin,  Maryland,  Virginia,  and  South  Carolina,  and 

VOL.  III.  30 


234  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

probably  nearly  all  of  the   States.     Mr.  Gosse  did  not  meet  with  it  in 
Jamaica. 

Mr.  Audubon  states  that  he  found  its  nest  usually  placed  in  the  ftjrks  of 
the  branch  of  an  oak-tree,  towards  its  extremity.  In  general  appearance  it 
resembles  that  of  the  connnon  Crow,  being  composed  externally  of  numer- 
ous crooked  sticks,  and  having  a  slight  lining  of  grasses  and  a  few  feathers. 
Tiie  eggs  he  describes  iis  three  or  four  in  number,  almost  globular,  large  for  the 
size  of  the  bird,  of  a  dull  white  color,  granulated  and  rough  to  the  touch. 

Dr.  Hoy,  in  a  connnunication  to  the  Boston  Natural  History  Society, 
mentions  finding  four  nests  of  tliis  Hawk  in  a  single  season,  and  his  careful 
observations  of  the  habits  of  the  parent  birds  enabled  him  to  ascertain  that 
in  each  instance  the  birds  began  to  sit  constantly  upon  their  nest  as  soon  as 
a  single  egg  had  been  deposited,  and  that,  as  a  consequence,  the  eggs  having 
bean  deposited  at  varying  intervals,  eacli  one  was  found  in  a  dillerent  stage 
of  incubation  from  the  other.  In  not  a  single  instance  did  he  visit  a  nest 
witliout  finding  the  parent  bird  occupying  it. 

These  nests  were  all  composed  of  sticks,  rudely  lined  with  strips  of  bark 
and  a  few  bunches  of  Usma  harhata.  The  nests  were  quite  shallow  and 
small  for  a  Hawk.  Most  of  the  eggs  were  spivringly  sprinkled  with  umber- 
brown.  One  set  of  these  eggs  was  blotched  with  bluish-green,  which  soon 
faded  out.  While  the  nests  were  being  molested,  the  parent  Hawk  would 
fly  I'rom  tree  to  tree,  uttering,  in  rapid  succession,  qui(^-guick-quifk-quick. 

Dr.  Hoy  states  hat  the  male  of  this  species,  during  the  nesting-season, 
may  frequently  be  seen  flying  high  in  the  air,  sporting,  vaulting,  and  turning 
somersaults  on  the  Aving,  which  habit  has  given  to  it  the  name  of  Tumbler- 
Hawk.  No  Hawk  is  hanler  to  shoot,  and  none  commits  greater  havoc  among 
barn-yard  fowls  than  this  species.  He  has  seen  one  strike  a  large  hen  while 
she  was  flying  wildly  for  safety,  and  kill  her  on  the  spot,  though  it  was 
obliged  to  abandon  the  game,  as  it  proved  too  heavy  to  carry  off. 

I  have  specimens  of  its  eggs  from  South  Carolina,  obtained  by  the  young 
sons  of  Eev.  jM.  A.  Curtis,  of  Society  Hill.  Mr.  Curtis,  Sen.,  furnished  nie 
with  the  following  description  of  its  nest :  "The  nest  of  the  Cooper's  Hawk 
was  built  in  the  triple  fork  of  a  tall  black  gum  {lii/ssa  viuUiflora),  near  the 
top  of  the  tree,  whicli  stood  in  a  swamp.  It  was  formed  of  a  layer  of 
small  sticks,  J  to  J  inch  in  diameter.  Its  external  diameter  varied  from 
1^  to  2  feet.  This  layer  was  |  of  an  inch  in  thickness,  with  only  a  slight 
depression  in  the  centre,  hardly  enough  to  keep  the  eggs  from  rolling  out. 
A  few  thin  pieces  of  pine  bark  formed  the  bed  for  the  eggs." 

Another  nest,  obtained  in  Randolph,  Vt.,  by  Charles  S.  I'aine,  Esq.,  is  thus 
descrilted  by  him:  "The  nest  was  built  of  hendock  twigs,  a^id  lined  with 
mail,  tliin  pieces  of  heiplock  bark,  such  as  hang  loosely  on  the  tree.  The 
Hawk,  when  the  nest  was  approached,  did  not  whistle,  as  some  others  of 
that  family  do,  but  uttered  a  cry  of  ijc  !  ye  !  ge !  gc  !  This  was  repeated 
several  times,  with  great  rapidity,  by  both  male  and  female. 


FALCONID.E  — Till-:   FALCONS.  035 

The  average  size  of  tlie  eggs  of  this  bird  is  1.56  by  l.l>4  inches.  Tiio 
color  is  usually  a  uniform  dull  wliito,  but  is  occasionally  tinged  with  as  light 
bluish  shade.  They  are  nearly  spherical,  though  not  more  so  than  the  (!ggs 
of  several  species,  and  are  e(|ual  at  either  end.  Their  surface  is  slightly 
granidated.  The  number  of  the  eggs  varies  from  three  to  four,  though  occa- 
sionally tliere  are  five  in  a  nest 

Tlie  niii.\imum  length  of  the  egg  of  this  species  is  2.00  inches,  the  mini- 
mum l.H .3 ;  the  maximum  breadth  1.00,  the  minimum  1.50  inclies.  In  occa- 
sional instances  I  have  known  the  eggs  of  this  species  more  or  less  distinctly 
marked,  especially  about  the  larger  end,  with  blotches  of  a  light  yellowish- 
brown.  Those  most  distinctly  marked  in  this  manner  were  taken  and  iden- 
tified by  Mr.  Paine. 

A  nest  of  this  Hawk,  found  by  Dr.  J.  W.  Velie,  was  built  on  a  poplar- 
tree,  about  forty  feet  i'rom  the  ground,  and  was  composed  of  sticks  and  lined 
with  moss  and  leaves.  There  was  a  small  cleared  si)ace  of  three  c»r  i'our 
rods  in  extent,  in  the  middle  of  which  the  tree  stood,  and  about  a  ([uaiter 
of  a  mile  from  the  main  channel  of  the  IVIississippi  Iiiver,  on  Kock  Island. 

The  Cooper  Hawk  was  found  on  Afount  Tom  by  Mr.  William  Street, 
nesting  for  the  most  part  in  pine  or  hemlock  trees,  usually  choosing  one  in 
a  thick  clump.  They  begin  to  lay  about  the  first  of  May,  usually  depos- 
iting four  eggs.  They  are  very  shy,  and  it  is  almost  impossible  to  get 
within  shot  of  them,  even  when  they  have  young.  They  rarely  molest  the 
poultry-yard,  but  seem  to  live  chiefly  on  small  birds  and  animals.  They 
leave  their  nest  at  once  whenever  it  is  approached,  and  will  not  return  until 
the  intruder  has  gone. 

The  var.  mcxicanus,  originally  described  by  Mr.  Swainsnn  from  Mexican 
specimens  obtained  near  Real  del  Monte,  has  been  ascertained  to  cross  our 
boundaries,  and  is  found  in  all  the  territory  between  the  Hocky  Mountains 
and  the  Pacific,  as  far  north  as  Washington  Teriitory.  Dr.  Cooper  has  never 
met  with  this  Hawk,  but  supposes  its  general  habits,  and  esiiecially  those 
regulating  its  migrations,  closely  resemble  those  of  A.  coopcri,  to  which  the 
birel  itself,  in  all  but  size,  is  so  similar.  Dr.  Coues  speaks  of  it  as  a  common 
resident  species  in  Arizona.  He  states  that  he  has  seen  young  birds  of  tliis 
species,  reared  by  the  hand  from  the  nest,  become  so  thoroughly  domesti- 
cated as  to  come  to  their  master  on  being  whistled  for,  and  perch  on  his 
shoulder,  or  follow  him  when  shooting  small  birds  for  their  food.  Tliey 
were  allowed  their  entire  liltertv.  Their  ordinary  note  was  a  shrill  and 
harsh  scream.     A  low,  plaintive,  lisping  whistle  was  indicative  of  hunger. 

Dr.  Suckley,  who  met  with  th:  bird  on  Paget  Sound,  where  a  specimen 
was  shot  on  a  salt  marsh,  states  that,  while  soaring  <ibout,  it  resembled  in  its 
motions  the  common  Marsh  Hawk,  or  Hen  Hanier  {Circus  hitdsoniiis). 


236 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


SUBGK.NUS    ASTUR,    Lacepede. 

Jslitr,  LACiir.  1800.     (Tyiic,  Fuhv  jxt/umlxirius,  LlSN.) 

Drvdalion,  Savio.  180S).     Dmla/iuin,  AcAss. 

Spnrvius,  ViKiLi,.  ISlti. 

Asin;  Swains.  1837. 

Lcucospka,  Kaii-,  1S41.     (Type,  Fulco  nora-hollandicc,  Omf.L.) 

The  characters  of  tliis  subgenus  have  been  sufficiently  indicated  on  page 
221,  so  that  it  is  unnecessary  to  repeat  them  here.  The  species  of  Astur 
ii'-e  far  less  numerous  than  those  of  Nisvs,  only  about  six,  including  geo- 


Astur  atrimpiUus 

graphical  races,  being  known.      They  are  i'ound  in  nearly  all  parts  of  the 
world,  except  tropical  America,  the  Sandwicli  Islands,  and  the  East  Indies. 

Species  and  Races. 

A.  palumbarius.  Wiiifr,  I'J.OO- 14.50 ;  tail,  0.50-12.75;  culnion,  .80- 
1.00;  tai-su.«,  2.70-.n.l5;  midilln  tot',  1.70-2.20.  Fourth  quill  lon<rost; 
first  shortcut.  Adult.  .Vbovc,  coutiiuiously  nnifonn  .slate-color,  or  brown  ; 
tliL"  tail  with  .'!c'V(.'ral  iihiil'  or  less  distinct  broad  band.s  of  darker,  and 
narrowly  tip|)ed  with  white.  Hencrtth  white,  with  transverse  lines  or  liars 
of  the  same  color  as  the  upper  snrliico.  Top  of  the  head  blackish  ;  a  streaked 
whitish  suiierciliary  stripe.  Voiini/.  .\bove  inueh  variegated  with  lirown 
and  p.iii!  ooiiraci  ou.s ;  liands  on  the  tail  more  sharply  defined.  Beneath 
pale  ochraceous,  with  lon>;itudinal  stripes  of  dark  brown. 

Adtdt.  Al)ov(^  unil)«r-1irown,  without  conspieuou.sly  darker  shaft- 
.streaks;  top  of  tiie  head  dull  dusky.  Markinirs  on  the  lower  parts*  in 
the  lorni  of  .sharply  defined,  broad,  detached,  crescentic  l)ars,  and  of  an 
umber  tint;  throat  liarred.  Tail  with  five  liroad,  wx'Il-defined  bands 
of  blackish.    Winsf.  12.25  -  14.25  ;  tail,  9.40  -  1 1.10  ;  cuhuen,  .80  -.95 ; 


FALCONID.E  — THE  FALCONS.  237 

tarsus.  2.80 -. '!.!.") ;  middle  too,    1.80 -'2.20.     Ilah.    Northern   portions 

of  the  Old  Woild viir.  jial  ii  m  hti  ri  us,^ 

Ailull.  Ahove  lihiish  .-ilatL'-color,  with  (.'onsiiionoiis  darker  shaf't-streuks; 
top  of  the  head  deep  bhick ;  niarkini,'s  on  the  lower  part.s  in  the  form 
of  irie^ndarly  defnuMl,  na.row,  zif^zag  bars,  or  line  lines,  of  a  hhiish-.slaty 
tint  ;  throat  not  barred.  T;;il  with  only  about  four  indistinet  bands  of 
blackish.  AVinfr,  12  00  -  14.70 ;  tail,  9.50  -  12.7.") ;  culmen,  .80  -  1.00  ; 
tarsus,  2.70-3.20;  middle  toe,  1.70-2.00.  Hub.  Northern  portions 
of  North  America viir.  atricapiJlu.i. 


Astur  palumbarius,  var.  atricapillus  (Wils.). 

AMERICAN  GOSHAWK. 

Falco  atricnpillits,  Wii.s.  Am.  Orii.  1808,  pi.  lii,  f.  3.  —  HoNAr.  Nonv.  Giorn.  Pisn,  XXV, 
pt.  ii,  p.  55.  Astur  uli-iaqrillus,  lio.SAl'.  Os.  Cuv.  Keg.  An.  p.  33.  —  Ib.  List,  1838, 
b  ;  t'oiisp.  31.  —  Wii.s.  Ami.  Orii.  II,  284.  —  Kavi-,  Mono},'.  Falf.  .lardinf's  tVitr.  Oru. 
1850,  06. —  Dk  Kav,  Zoiil.  N.  Y.  II,  19,  pi.  ii,  fig.  4  (ad.),  f.  5  ($  juv.).  —  Nfrr. 
Man.  85.  —  Sturki..  Orn.  Syii.  I,  118.  —  Nkwb.  P.  It.  Kep.  VI,  iv,  74.  —  Coor.  & 
Su<  K.  P.  li.  Hop.  XII,  ii,  144.  —  Loim,  .Pr.  H.  A.  1.  IV,  IStJO,  110.  —  Ulakiston, 
Ibis,  HI,  18tjl,  310.  —  tJuAY,  Hand  List,  I,  1800,  29.  —  Hiii'.WKU,  Oology,  1857,  17. 
Falco  palumbarius,  Sau.  Kriinkl.  K.xp.  070.  —  HoNAi'.  Ann.  N.  V.  Lye.  1I,2S.— Arn. 
Kdinl).  J.  Xat.  (ieog.  .Sc.  HI,  145. —  In.  15.  Am.  pi.  c.\li  ;  Orn.  Hiog.  II,  241.~(!l- 
KAVD,  B.  Long  I.-ifd,  18.  —  Pkab.  15.  Ma.ss.  HI,  77.  Astur  palumbarius,  Sw.  k  Kiiir. 
F.  B.  A.  II,  pi.  x.\vi.  —  Jamks.  Wh.s.  Am.  Oni.  I,  03.  —  Ari).  Syn.  B.  Am.  18.— 
BnEWEii,  Wils.  Am.  Oni.  685,  pi.  i,  tig.  5.  —  Guay,  List  B.  Brit.  Miis.  63. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult  male  (44,040,  Boston,  Mass.;  E.  A.  .Samuels).  Above  contiinious 
blui.sh-slatc,  .shafts  of  the  feather  incon.spicnously  black  ;  tail  darker  .ind  less  bluish,  tipped 
with  white"  (about  .2')  of  an  inch  wide)  and  cro^  ;ed  by  five  broad,  faintly  defined  bars  of 
blackish,  the.sc  most  distinct  on  inner  webs  (the  lirst  concealed  by  the  upper  coverts,  the 
second  partially  so;  the  last,  or  snbterminal  one,  which  is  about  twice  as  broad  as  the  rest, 
meastnin;,'  about  one  inch  in  width).  Prinniries  darker  than  the  tail  (but  not  approaching 
black).  Forehead,  crown,  occi])ut,  and  ear-coverts  pure  plumbeous-black  ;  feathers  snowy- 
white  beneath  the  .surface,  much  exposed  on  the  occiput ;  a  broad  conspicuous  supra- 
oral  stripe  originating  above  the  ])ostcrior  angle  of  the  eye,  running  back  over  the  ear- 
covets  to  the  occiput,  pure  white,  with  line  streaks  of  black;  lores  and  cheeks  grayi.sh- 
whitc.  Lower  parts  white;  the  whole  surface  (except  throat  and  linvcr  tail-covert.s) 
covered  with  mnuerous  narrow  transverse  bars  of  .slate ;  on  the  breast  these  are  much 
broken  and  irregular,  forming  fine  transver.se  zigzags;  i)osteriorly  they  arc  more  regular, 
and  about  .10  of  an  inch  wide,  the  while  a  -.cry  little  more.  Chin,  throat,  and  <'heeks 
without  transverse  l)ars,  but  with  very  ."iliarp  shaft-lines  of  black  ;  breast,  sides  and  abdo- 
men, a  medial  longitudinal  broad  streak  of  slate  on  each  feather,  the  shalt  black;  on  the 
tiliite,  where  tin;  transverse  liars  arc  narrower  and  more  regular,  the  shaft-streaks  are  also 

1  Astur  palumbarius,  var.  p^'umlmrius  {l.\ss.).  Falco  palumbarius,  LiNX.  S.  N.  1760,  130. 
Astur  p.,  Ct'V.  Reg.  An.  (cd.  1),  1,  320  ;  et  ArcT.     Ifab.    Europe  and  Asia. 

Sped  mills  c.ramiucil.  —  National  Museum,  2  ;  Philadelphia  Academy,  10  ;  Bcston  Society,  5  ; 
Museum  Comp.  Zoiil.,  Candaidge,  1  ;  New  York  Museum,  1.     Total,  19. 

Mea.iuiriiiciits.  —  ^.  Wing,  12.25-13.70;  tail,  9.40-10.00;  eulmen,  .80;  tar.sus,  3.00; 
middle  toe,  1.80.  J.  Wing,  13.80-14.50;  tail,  10.10-10.90;  culmcu,  .90-. 95;  tarsus, 
2.80-3.15  ;  middle  toe,  2.05-2.20. 


238  NOUTII  AMERICAN  UIRDS. 

finer;  iinal  region  finely  barred;  lower  tail-coverts  immaculate  pure  white.  Lining  of  the 
wing  barred  more  coarsely  and  irregularly  than  the  breast ;  under  surface  of  primaries 
with  white  prevailing,  this  growing  more  silvery  towanl  the  ends ;  long(,'st  (fourth)  with 
six  oblique  transverse  patches  of  slate,  the  outlines  of  which  are  nuicli  liroken.  Wing- 
foi  inula.  1,  .").  ;;-(i-2;  1=10.  Wing,  KJ.Od ;  tail,  !t.50;  tarsus,  3.7t',  naked  portion,  1.3J; 
middle  toe,  2.00 ;  inner,  1.21;  outer,  1.37;  posterior,  1.00. 

Xo.  8,'}0S  (Fort  Steilaeoom,  Puget  Sound,  Washington  Territory ;  Dr.  Suckley.  Var, 
slriatiihix,  Hidgway).  Similar  to  Xo.  44,9-10,  luit  the  upper  surface  more  bluish,  the  shafts 
of  the  feathers  more  conspicuously  black  ;  the  dorsal  feathers  nearly  lilack  ar(jund  their 
borders.  Tail-bands  nearly  obsolete.  Lower  parts  with  the  ground-color  fme  bluish- 
ash,  sprinkled  trausver.sely  with  innumerable  zigzag  dots  of  white,  these  gradually  in- 
creasing in  width  posteriorly,  where  they  take  the  Ibrm  of  irregidar  transverse  bars: 
crissum  sparsely  and  coarsely  sprinkled  with  slaty.  Each  feather  of  the  lower  parts  with 
a  very  sharply  defined  narrow  shaft-stripe  of  deep  lilack,  the.se  contrasting  conspicuously 
with  the  bluish,  finely  marked  ground-color.  Under  surface  of  primaries  uniform  slaty 
to  their  bases,  the  usual  white  spots  being  almost  obsolete.  Wing-fornuda,  4  -  o,  3  -  G  - 
2-7-8-9,  1.  Wing,  12.50;  tail,  9.10;  tarsus,  2.G0,  the  naked  portion,  1.40;  niidd'o 
toe,  1.75. 

Adult  femitle  (12,230,  Brooklyn,  N.  Y. ;  .7.  Ackhurst).  Almost  precisely  similar  to  the 
male.  Slate  above  less  bluish;  bands  on  tail  more  distinct,  five  dark  ones  (about  .75  of  an 
inch  in  width)  across  the  brownish-slate  ;  obscure  light  bands  indicated  on  outer  webs  of 
primaries,  corresjionding  with  those  on  inner  webs;  lores  more  grayish  than  in  male; 
bars  beneath  more  regular  ;  longitudinal  streaks  blacker  and  more  sharply  defined.  Wing, 
14.25;  tail,  11.25;  tarsus,  l.CO-1,20;  middle  toe,  1.95;  inner,  1.40;  outer,  1.45;  pos- 
terior, 1.30. 

No.  59,892,  (Colorado ;  F.  V.  Hayden,  var.  striatulus,  Ridgway),  Similar  to  male  No. 
8,508,  described  above,  but  differing  as  follows:  interscapulars  uniform  with  the  rest  of 
the  upi)er  surface;  tail-bands  appreciable,  much  broader  than  in  9,  Xo.  12,239,  the  sub- 
terminal  one  being  l.Gl,  the  rest  1.10,  wide,  instead  of  1.10  and  .70.  The  longest  upper 
tail-coverts  witii  narrow  white  tips;  white  spots  on  inner  webs  of  primaries  more  dis- 
tinct. Black  shaft-streaks  on  lower  surface  broader  and  more  conspicuous.  Wing- 
fonuula,  4,  3,  5-G-2-7,  1  =  10.  Wing,  14.70;  tail,  11.50;  tarsus,  2.50;  the  naked 
portion,  1.10  :  middle  toe,  2.00. 

Youiiij  male  (second  year,  Xo.  2G,920,  Nova  Scotia,  .June  ;  W.  G.  Winton).  Plumage 
ver}'  much  vaiiegated.  Head  above,  nape,  and  anterior  portion  of  the  back,  ochracoous- 
white,  each  feather  with  a  centr.il  stripe  of  l)rownish-black,  these  becoming  more  tear- 
sliaped  on  the  nape.  Scapulars,  back,  wing-coverts,  rump,  and  upper  tail-coverts  umlier- 
brown  :  the  fcatliers  with  lighter  edges,  and  with  large,  more  or  less  concealed  spots  of 
white,  —  these  are  largest  on  the  .scapulars,  where  they  occupy  the  basal  and  middle  thirds 
of  the  feathers,  a  band  of  brown  narrower  than  the  sul)terininal  one  separating  the  two 
areas  ;  ujiper  tail-coverts  similarly  marked,  but  white  edges  broader,  forming  conspicuous 
terminal  crcscentic  bars.  Tail  cinereous-umber,  with  five  conspicuous  ban<ls  of  blackish- 
bruwn,  iIm!  last  of  which  is  subtermin.il,  and  broader  tiian  the  rest;  tip  of  tail  likj  the 
pale  bands;  the  bauds  are  most  sharply  defined  on  the  inner  webs,  being  followed  along 
the  eilges  by  the  white  of  the  edge,  which,  fretpiently  exteniling  along  the  margin  of  the 
black,  crosses  to  the  .sliaO,  an<l  is  sometimes  even  apparent  on  the  outer  web ;  the  lateral 
featlier  has  the  inner  web  .ilmost  entirely  white,  this,  however,  more  or  less  finely  mottled 
with  giayish,  the  mottling  becoming  more  dense  toward  the  end  of  the  feather ;  the 
bands  ;dso  cross  more  obti(|uely  than  on  the  middle  fi-athers.  Sei'ondaries  grayish-brown, 
with  five  indistinct,  but  (piite  a|)parent,  dark  bands  ;  primaries  marked  as  in  tlie  adult, 
but  are  nuich  lighter.  Beneath  ])ure  white,  all  the  fi'athers,  including  lower  tail-coverts, 
with  sharp,  central,  longitudinal  streaks  of  clear  dark-brown,  the  .shafts  of  the  feathers 


FALCONID.E  — THE  FALCONS.  9.30 

black ;  on  tlio  sides  ami  tibiiu  these  streaks  are  eximmled  into  a  more  acuminate, 
elliptical  I'onn  ;  tlio  erissum  only  is  immaculate,  although  the  throat  is  only  very  sparsely 
streaked ;  on  the  ear-coverts  the  streaks  arc  very  line  and  numerous,  but  uniformly  dis- 
tributed. 

No.  18,404  (west  ol' Fort  Benton,  on  the  Missouri,  ^[ay  10,  I8(i4;  Captain  .Tas.  A. 
MuUan,  var.  striittuliis).  Similar  to  No.  '20,!)20,  but  colors  nuich  darker.  Upper  parts  with 
dark  brown  prevailiuj.',  the  pale  borders  to  the  featheis  very  narrow,  and  the  basal  very 
restricted  and  concealed;  uiiper  tail-  „.  .ts  deep  asliy-umbcr,  tipped  narrowly  with 
white,  and  with  large  subtermiual,  transversely  cordate,  and  other  anterior  bars  of 
dusky.  Tail  a.sliy-brown,  much  darker  than  in  No.  '20,920,  with  live  l)road,  sharply 
defined  bands  of  blackish,  without  any  distinct  light  bordering  bar.  White  of  the  lower 
parts  entirely  destitute  of  any  yellowish  tinge,  the  stripes  much  broader  than  in  No. 
'20,920,  and  deep  brownish-black,  tiie  shafts  not  perceptibly  darker;  tibiic  with  transverse 
bar.s  of  dusky  ;  lower  tail-coverts  with  transverse  spots  of  the  same.  Wing,  12.2.") ;  tail, 
9.70. 

Yuiing  female  (second  year,  No.  20,921,  Nova  Scotia;  W.  G.  Winton).  Head  above, 
nape,  rump,  and  upper  tail-coverts,  with  a  deep  ochraccous  tinge ;  the  characters  of 
markings,  however,  as  in  the  male.  Bands  on  the  tail  more  sharply  dcfmed,  the  narrow 
white  bar  separating  the  black  from  the  grayish  bands  more  continuous  and  conspicuous; 
lateral  feathers  more  mottled  ;  grayi.sh  tip  of  tail  passing  terminally  into  white.  Beneath 
with  a  faint  ochraceous  wash,  this  most  apparent  on  the  lining  of  the;  wings  and  tibiie  ; 
streaks  as  in  the  male,  but  rather  more  numerous,  the  throat  lieing  thickly  streaked. 

No.  1 1,740  (Puget  Sound,  October  20,  18,J8 ;  Dr.  C.  B.  Kennerly.  Var.  Mriatidus). 
Similar  to  No.  18,404,  but  more  uniformly  blacki.sh  above ;  tip  of  tail  more  distinctly 
whitisli ;  stripes  beneath  broader  an<l  deeper  black,  becoming  broailcr  and  more  tear- 
shaped  posteriorly,  some  of  the  markings  on  the  flanks  being  cordate,  or  even  transverse. 
Wing-formula,  4,  5,  3  -  0,  2  -  7  -  8  -  9  -  10  =  1.  Wing,  13.00 ;  tail,  10.80 ;  tarsus,  2.80  ; 
middle  toe,  1.80. 

Yoiiiir/  female  (first  year,  No.  49,002,  Calais,  Me. ;  G.  A.  Boardman).  Differs  from 
the  female  in  the  second  year  (No.  20,921)  as  follows:  On  the  wings  and  upper  tail- 
covert.s  the  yellowish-white  spots  are  less  concealed,  or,  in  fact,  this  forms  the  ground- 
color ;  secondary  coverts  ochraceous-whito,  with  two  very  <listant  transverse  spots  of 
dark  brown,  rather  narrower  than  the  white  spaces  ;*  tips  of  fei.thers  brftatlly  while ; 
.secondaries  grayish-brown,  tipped  with  wHiite,  more  mottled  with  the  same  toward  bases, 
and  crossed  by  five  bands  of  dai'k  brown,  the  first  two  of  which  are  concealed  Iiy  the 
coverts,  the  last  quite  a  distance  from  the  end  of  the  feathers;  ui)per  tail-coverts  white, 
mottled  on  inner  webs  with  ijrown,  each  with  two  transverse  broad  bars,  and  a  sub- 
terminal  cordate  spot  of  dark  Ijrowii,  the  last  not  touching  thi;  edge  of  the  feather,  and 
the  anterior  bars  both  concealed  liy  the  overlaying  feather.  Tail  grayish-brown,  tipped 
with  white,  and  with  six  bands  of  l)lackish-brown  ;  those  bordered  with  white  as  in  the 
older  stage.  Markings  beneath  as  in  the  older  stage,  but  tho.se  on  the  sides  more  cordate. 
Wing-fornnda.  4, 5,  3  -  0  -  7  -  2  -  8  -  9,  1,  10.    Wing,  14.00  ;  tail,  11.50. 

In  regard  to  the  form  indicated  in  the  above  descriptions  as  "  var.  sfrlntidus, 
Kidgway,"  I  am  as  yet  undecided  whether  to  recognize  it  as  a  geograpliical 
race,  or  to  merely  consider  tlic  two  adult  plumages  as  representing  difterent 
ages  of  the  same  form.  Certain  it  is  that  there  is  a  decided  ditterence  in 
the  young  plumage,  between  the  birds  of  tliis  si)ecies  from  the  eastern  portion 
of  North  America  and  those  from  the  western  regions  ;  these  differences  con- 
sisting in  the  very  nnich  darker  colors  of  the  western  individuals,  as  sliown 
by  the  above  descriptions.     My  first  impression  in  regard  to  the  adult  dress. 


240  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

lifter  iiiakin,!,'  tho  first  critical  examination  of  tlie  series  at  my  command,  was, 
tiiat  the  c(jarsely  niotllcd  specimens  wei'e  confined  to  tlie  east,  and  tliut  tliose 
finely  mottled  beneath  were  peculiar  to  the  west ;  and  tiiis  view  I  am  not 
yet  prejjared  to  yield.  I  liavci  never  seen  an  adidt  liird  from  any  western 
locality  which  agrees  with  the  eastern  ones  described  above  ;  all  partaive 
of  the  same  characters  as  those  described,  in  Iteing  finely  and  faintly  mottled 
beneatli,  with  shar])  black  shatl-streaks,  producing  the  effect  of  a  nearly 
uniform  bluish  ground,  the  black  streaks  in  conspicuous  contrast,  the  tail- 
Ijands  neai'ly  obsolete,  etc.  IJut  occasional,  not  to  say  fre(|uent,  individuals 
ol)taineil  in  the  eastern  States,  wiiidi  agree  in  tiiese  respects  witli  the  western 
style,  ratlier  disfavor  the  view  tliat  these  differences  are  regional,  unless  we 
consider  that  tliese  troublesome  individuals,  Ijeing,  of  course,  winter  migrants, 
liave  strayed  eastward  from  tlie  countries  where  they  were  bred.  The 
Colorado  female  descriljed  above  exhibits  a  rather  suspicious  feature  in  hav- 
ing a  single  feather,  on  the  lower  parts,  which  is  coarsely  barred,  as  in  tlie 
eastern  style,  wliile  all  tiie  rest  are  finely  waved  and  marbled  as  in  tlie 
western.  If  this  would  suggest  that  the  differences  supposed  to  be  climatic 
or  geogra])hical  are  in  reality  only  dependent  on  age,  it  would  also  indicate 
that  the  finely  mottled  individuals  are  the  older  ones. 

If  future  investigations  .should  substantiate  this  suggestion  as  to  the 
existence  of  an  eastern  and  a  western  race  of  Goshawk  in  North  America, 
they  would  be  distinguished  by  the  following  characters :  — 

Var.  atricapilluB.  Adult.  Maikin{,'.s  of  the  lower  surface  coarse  and 
ranffri-'d ;  tbathors  of  llie  pectoral  region  witii  broad  medial  longitudinal 
streaks  of  the  .same  slaty  tint  as  the  transverse  bars,  and  with  only  the  shafts 
black.  Tail-ljands  distinct.  Yountj.  Pale  ochraccons  markings  prevailing 
in  extent  over  the  darker  (clear  grayish-mnber)  spotting.  Stripes  beneath 
narrow,  dear  briwni.<h;  iho-e  on  the  ;  diliiks  linear.  Wing,  12.2.")- 14.5j;  ' 
tail,  10.00-12.7.");  culnien.  .80- l.OO;  t.irsns,  2.00 -3.15  ;  middle  toe,  1.70- 
1.95.     Hdh.     Kastern  region  of  North  America. 

Var.  striatuluB.  Adiilf.  Markings  of  the  lower  parts  fine  and  delicate, 
and  so  dense  as  to  present  the  appearance;  of  a  nearly  uniform  bhiish-ashy 
surface ;  feathers  of  the  pectoral  region  without  tho  medial  stripes  of 
slaty,  but  with  broad  shaft-streaks  of  deep  black,  contr.isting  very  con- 
spicuously with  the  finely  mottled  general  surface.  Tail-bands  obsolete. 
Ynuiitj.  Darker  (brownish-black)  markings  prevailing  in  extent  over  the 
lighter  (nearly  clear  white)  ones.  Stripes  beneath  broad,  brownish-black; 
those  on  the  flanks  cordate  and  transverse.  Wing.  12.00  -  1,3.G0  ;  tail,  9.50- 
12.20;  culmen,  .85-1.00;  tarsus,  2.70- .'i.L") ;  middle  toe,  1.70  -  .185.  Hab. 
Western  region  of  North  America. 

LIST   OK   SPECIMENS    EXAMINED. 

Var.  atricapillns. 

National  Museum,  8 ;  Philadelphia  Academy,  7 ;  New  Yorlc  ifuscum,  .3 ;  Boston 
Society,  2  ;  G.  N.  Lawrence,  4 ;  W.  S.  Brewer,  2  ;  Museum,  Cambridge,  2  ;  R.  Ridgway, 
2.    Total,  30. 


KALCONIDiE  —  THE  FALCONS. 

Measurements. 


241 


Stx. 

9 

Wing. 

liiil. 

Culmen. 

Ttrsus. 

Miildle  Toe. 
1.70-1.80 

1.80-1.1)5 

Specimtm, 
5 

12.25-13.00 
14.00  - 14.25 

10.00  -  10.50 
11.50-12.75 

.80 -.85 
.90-1.00 

2.1)0  -  3.05 
2.1)0-3.15 

A'lir.  strUdulus. 
National  Museum,  9  ;  R.  Rid{,'\vay,  1 ;  Museum,  Cambridge,  1  (Massachusetts !).    Total, 


U. 


Measurements. 

Sex. 

T 

9 

Wing. 

Tiiil. 

Culmen. 

Tarsus. 

SUMle  Toe. 
1.70-  1.80 

1.85- 

S/tfciinetis.      1 

12.00  -  13.25 
13.50  -  13.C0 

9.50-  lO.(H) 
11.80-12.20 

.85  -  .90 
.90-1.00 

2.70-3.00 
3.(H)-3.15 

8 
2 

Habits.     The  dreaded  Blue  lien  Hawk,  as  our  Gcsliawk  is  usually  called 
in  New  England,  is  a  bird  of  somewhat  irregular  occurrence  south  of  tlie 
44th  parallel.     It  occurs  in 
the  vicinity  of  Boston  from 
November  to  ^larch,  but  is 
never  very  common.    In  other 
parts  of  the  State  it  is  at  times 
not  uncommon  at  this  season. 
It    is    common     throughout 
Nova  Scotia,  New  Brunswick, 
and    Northern    Maine,    and 
n)ay   undoubtedly  be    found 
breeding  in  the  northern  por- 
tions of  New  Hampslftre,  Ver- 
mont, and  New  York.    In  the 
summer  of  1872,  Mr.  George 
Ba.xter,  of  Danville,  Vt.,  pro- 
cured a  nest  containing  three 
young  birds,  which  were  sent 
to  the  New  York  Central  Park. 
Mr.  Downes  speaks  of  it  as 
"far  too  common"  in  the  vicinity  of  Halifax,  where  it  is  very  destructive  to 
Ducks,  Pigeons,  and  poultry.    Mr.  Boardman  gives  it  as  common  near  Calais, 
where  it  breeds,  and  where  he  has  taken  its  eggs.      :Mr.  Verrill  mentions 
it  as  resident  in  Western  Maine,  where  it  is  one  of  the  most  common 
Hawks.     Mr.  Allen  found  it  usually  rare  near  Springfield,  but  remarkably 
common  during  the  winter  of   1859-00.      He  afterwards  mentions  that 
since  then,  and  for  the  last  ten  winters,  he  has  known  them  to  be  quite 
common  during  several  seasons.     Mr.  C.  J.  Maynard  is  confident  that  this 
species  occasionally  breed  in  Massachusetts.     He  once  observed  a  pair  at  a 
vor..  iir.  31 


Astur  atricapillus. 


242  NORTH  AMERICAN  felRDS, 

locality  in  Woston,  until  the  latter  part  of  May.  It  was  found  breeding  in 
Iowa  by  Mr.  S.  N.  Marston.  INIr.  Victor  Brooke  records  in  tlie  Ibis,  1870, 
p.  538,  the  occurrence,  in  Ireland,  of  an  example  of  this  species.  It  was  shot 
in  the  Galtce  MountaiiLs,  in  February,  1870.  The  bird  was  a  mature  female, 
with  tlie  ovary  somewhat  enlarj^ed.  The  stomach  contained  the  remains  of 
a  ral)bit. 

On  the  Pacific  coast  it  is  comparatively  rare  in  California,  though  much 
more  abundant  fartlier  north,  in  Oregon  and  in  Wasliington  Ten-itory.  Dr. 
Cooper  noticed  several  in  tlie  dense  spruce  forests  of  Washington  Territory, 
and  regarded  it  as  a  special  I'requenter  of  dark  woods,  where  other  Hawks 
are  rarely  seen.  Dr.  Suckley  also  obtained  several  specimens  of  this  bird 
botli  at  Fort  Dalles  and  at  Fort  Steilacoom. 

Sir  Jolm  Ilichardson  met  with  this  Hawk  and  procured  several  specimens 
in  the  Arctic  regions,  and  Captain  Blakiston  also  met  witli  it  in  the  valley 
of  the  Saskatchewan.  He  states  that  it  ranges  througiiout  the  interior  from 
Hudson's  Bay  to  the  Rocky  ^lountains  and  ^lackenzie  IJiver.  He  found  it 
breeding  on  the  Sa.skatchcwan,  and  one  of  his  specimens  was  sliot  on  its 
nest.  The  Oosliawk  was  obtained  at  Sitka  by  Bischoff;  and  a  pair  was  taken 
by  Mr.  Dall,  April  24,  18G7,  within  a  few  miles  of  Nulato  Fort,  on  the 
Yukon  liiver.  The  nest  was  on  a  large  pojdar,  tliirty  feet  above  the  ground, 
and  made  of  small  sticks.  No  eggs  had  hoen  laid,  but  several  nearly  mature 
were  found  in  the  ovary  of  the  female.  Tlie  nest  was  on  a  small  island  in  a 
thick  grove  of  poplars,  a  situation  wliich  this  species  seemed  to  prefer.  Mr. 
Dall  adds  thiit  tliis  was  the  most  common  Hawk  in  the  valley  of  the  Yukon, 
where  it  feeds  largely  on  the  White  rtarmigan  {Lmjopns  alhus),  tearing  off 
the  skin  and  feathers,  and  eating  only  the  Hesh.  Mr.  Dall  received  skins 
from  the  Kuskoquim  Kiv?r,  where  it  was  sakl  to  be  a  resilient  species. 

Dr.  Suckley  speaks  of  this  Hawk  as  bold,  swii't,  and  strong,  never  hesi- 
tating to  sweep  into  a  poultry-yard,  catch  up  a  chicken,  and  make  off  with 
it  almost  in  a  breath.  Its  manner  of  seizing  its  prey  was  by  a  horizon- 
tal approach  for  a  short  distance,  elevated  but  a  few  feet  from  the  ground, 
a  sudden  downward  sweep,  and  then,  without  stopping  its  flight,  making  its 
way  to  a  neighboring  tree  with  the  struggling  victim  securely  fastened  in 
its  talons.  For  strength,  intrepidity,  and  fury,  Dr.  Suckley  adds,  it  cannot 
be  surpas.sed.  It  seems  to  display  great  cunning,  seizing  very  opportune 
moments  for  its  attacks.  In  one  instance  it  was  several  days  before  he  was 
able  to  have  one  of  these  birds  killed,  although  men  were  constantly  on 
the  watch  for  it.  So  adroit  was  it  in  seizing  opportunities  to  make  its  at- 
tacks, that  it  regularly  visited  the  ]ioultry-yard  three  times  a  day,  and  yet 
always  contrived  to  escape  unmolested.  He  found  these  birds  much  more 
])lentiful  during  some  months  than  at  other  times,  and  attributed  it  to  their 
breeding  in  the  retired  recesses  of  the  mountains,  remaining  there  until 
their  young  were  well  able  to  fly,  and  then  all  descending  to  the  open  plains, 
where  they  obtain  a  more  abundant  supply  of  food. 


FALCONIDvE  — THE   FALCONS.  243 

Mr.  Audubon  .states  that  in  Maine  tlie  (!o.slmwk  wac  said  to  pn-y  u|)on 
hares,  the  Canada  and  Kuft'ed  Grouse,  and  upon  WiUl  Ducks.  The  were  so 
daring  as  to  come  to  the  very  door  of  the  I'arin-hou.so,  and  carry  oil'  tlieir 
prey  with  such  rapidity  as  to  bailie  all  endeavors  to  shoot  them.  Afr.  Audu- 
bon found  this  Hawk  preying  upon  the  "Wild  Ducks  in  Canoe  (,'reek,  near 
Henderson,  Ky.,  during  a  severe  winter ;  as  the  banks  were  steep  and  high, 
he  had  them  at  a  disadvantage,  and  .secured  a  large  number  of  them.  They 
caught  the  jVIallards  with  great  ease,  and,  after  killing  them,  tore  off  the 
feathers  with  great  deliberation  and  neatness,  eating  only  the  Hesh  of  the 
breast. 

The  flight  of  this  bird  he  describes  as  both  rapid  and  protracted,  sweep- 
ing along  with  such  speed  as  to  enable  it  to  seize  its  prey  with  only  a  slight 
deviation  from  its  covnse,  and  making  great  use  of  its  long  tail  in  regulating 
both  the  direction  and  the  ra])idity  of  its  course.  It  generally  flies  high, 
\\"ith  a  constant  beat  of  the  wings,  rarely  moving  in  large  circles  in  the 
manner  of  other  Hawks.  It  is  described  as  a  restless  bird,  vigilant  and 
industrious,  and  .seldom  alighting  except  to  devour  its  prey.  When  perch- 
ing, it  keeps  itself  more  ujiright  than  most  other  Hawks. 

Audubon  narrates  that  he  once  observed  one  of  these  birds  give  chase  to 
a  large  flock  of  the  Pur{)le  Grakles,  ihen  crossing  the  Ohio  Iliver.  The 
Hawk  came  ujion  them  with  the  swiftness  of  an  arrow ;  the  Blackbirds,  in 
their  fright,  rushing  together  in  a  compact  mass.  On  overtaking  them,  it 
seized  first  one,  and  then  another  and  another,  giving  each  a  death-squeeze, 
and  then  dropping  it  into  the  water.  In  this  manner  it  procured  five  before 
the  ])oor  birds  could  reach  the  shelter  of  a  wood ;  and  then,  giving  up  the 
chase,  swept  over  the  waters,  picking  up  the  fruits  of  its  industry,  and  car- 
rying each  bird  singly  to  the  shore. 

]Mr.  Audubon,  who  observed  these  Hawks  in  the  Great  IMne  Forest  of 
Pennsylvania,  and  on  the  banks  of  the  Niagara  River,  near  the  Falls,  de- 
scribes a  nest  as  placed  on  the  branches  of  a  tree,  and  near  the  trunk. 
It  was  of  great  size,  and  resembled  that  of  a  Crow  in  the  manner  of  its 
construction,  but  was  much  flatter.  It  was  made  of  withered  twigs  and 
coarse  grass,  Avith  a  lining  of  fibrous  strips  of  plants  resembling  hemp. 
Another,  found  by  Mr.  Audubon  in  the  month  of  April,  contained  three 
eggs  ready  to  be  hatched.     In  another  the  number  was  four. 

]\Ir.  iJall  states  that  the  eggs  are  usually  four  in  number,  of  a  greenish- 
white  color,  and  were  usually  all  laid  by  the  first  of  May.  An  egg  of  this 
bird,  obtained  by  !Mr.  Pall  at  Nulato,  April  27,  1858,  measures  2.28  inches 
in  length  and  1.90  in  breadth.  It  is  of  a  rounded-oval  shape,  and  is  of  a 
uniform  dead-white  color,  with  hardly  a  tinge  of  green.  Another,  obtained 
by  Mr.  Charles  Pease  near  the  head-waters  of  the  Unalakleet  River,  meas- 
ures 2.32  by  1.80  inches,  and  the  ground-color  is  more  distinctly  greenish- 
white.  A  few  small  spots  of  a  bronze-brown  are  scattered  in  isolated  mark- 
ing irregularly  over  the  egg.     Lieutenant  Bendire  writes  that  he  has  found 


244 


NORTH  AMEiaCAX' BIRDS. 


the  eggs  Of  this  Hawk  in  Montana;  that  their  number  in  a  set  is  usually 
two,  and  an  unspotted  white. 


Genus  ASTURINA,   Vieillot. 
Mtiinna,  Vieili,.  181(t.     (Type,  Fa/,-o  inllilns,  Latham.) 

no.  C.iAn.  Somewhat  ..iniila,.  to  .1,,/.,-.  In.t  of  ,„„cl,  h.-avicr  an.l  more  rob„st  bnil.I  • 
tars,  longer  and  stouter,  tail  .shorter  and  le,..s  ro„n,Je.l.  winjrs  longer,  etc.  Bill  more 
elongate,  than  in  Aslur,  the  eere  longer,  and  the  festoon  on  the  commissure  more 
<  oveloped;  nostril  oval,  horizontal.  Wings  rather  short,  but  less  concaN-c  beneath  than  in 
Antur;  thu'd  to  fourth  quill  longest;  first  .shorter  than  eighth  or  ninth  ;  four  outer  quills 


34003,.f 


Asturina  pla^ata. 

with  their  inner  webs  sinuated.  Tail  considerably  shorter  than  the  wing,  slightly  emar-i- 
natcd,  the  lateral  pair  of  feathers  longest.  Feet  large  and  robust,  when  outstretched 
reachmg  almost  to  the  end  of  the  tail ;  tarsi  very  robust  compared  to  the  toes,  about  one 
and  a  half  times  as  long  as  the  middle  toe,  the  frontal  and  posterior  rows  of  transverse 
scutelke  very  distmct  and  regular;  outer  toe  longer  than  inner;  claws  strong,  well  curved 
but  not  vt  /  acute.    Sexes  alike  in  color ;  old  and  young  plumages  very  different. 

Tiiis  genus  is  peculiar  to  tropical  America,  and  contains  but  a  single 
species,  the  A.  nitida,  with  its  two  climatic  races,  nitida  of  South  AmerLa 
nnAplagiata  of  Middle  America.  The  species  of  Rupornis,  Kaup  {R.  may- 
nirostru  and  R.  kucorrhou),  have  been  associated  with  the  species  of  the 
present  genus,  but  they  are  very  distinct.  The  genem  (or.  more  properly 
subgenera)  most  nearly  related  to  Asturina  are  Lcucopterinis,  Kaup  of' 
tropical  America,  and  Kanpifalco,  Bonap.,  of  Western  Africa.  The  former 
differs  mainly  in  more  or  less  rounded,  instead  of  emarginated,  tail,  and  in 
having  the  old  and  young  i.liimages  similar ;  the  latter  in  having  the  poste- 
rior face  of  the  tarsus  without  a  well-defined  row  of  transverse  scutellte. 


FALCOXID^-TIIE    FALUOXS.  .„  . 

Species  and  Races. 

-""*^;i.    "'"[;•  "-^^-V'"'  •'^"'"•■•^-^•««;  culmo„,.80-1.00,  ,a,.s„s, 
-..'<  -J..(;  nu,l.ll..tne,  1.40-1.7O.     Adult.    Above  clear  n.sl,  paler  o„  iho 
""-1  -'1  ^I'uko.- on  th.  ,.„>.,, ;  ihe.  gonond  .snrfh,....  with  .uorc ,.  iVss  n,,,,,.! 
a  l-h.  tr«„sver«o  bars,  o.-  in.lioations  of  bars,  of  a  pal...  shacU,  and  wit),  'la.ke.. 
«  ..ft.s     Lppur  ta,l-eov..Hs  MMrna-nla,..  whit...     Tail  .leop  bla.lv,  Ihdin,.  into 
FN-  ,ray.sh-b,..nvn  at  th-  ..,1,  narrowly  tipped  with  .  1, ite,  and  ....os.:.!  by 
o  to    Invo  whUo   bands      Lowo..  parts,  in..l„din,   the  tibia,  axilla,.,  and 
1.  oat,   re,.,  arly  bane.l   wuh   deep  ash  an-l   white,  ,h..  two  eolors  about 
uinaln.    extent;    ehn.  and  erissnn,    innnaeulate  white.      yo,n<g.     Above 
bhu.k,sh-b..own,  vanej^ated  with  pinkish-ochraeeons.      Tail    nndlr,  tipped 
V.UU  pnd.,.sh-b,.own  or  dull  whitish,  and  crossed  bv  si.x  to  seven   na  row 
bands  o      lack.     Beneath  white,  son.etin.es  tinned' with  oehraeeon."    th' 
breast  abdotnen,  and  si,les  with  lon.dtu.linal   t..ar-.shape.l  .spots  of  black. 
Adult.     Lpper  surfaue   .listinctly   barred,    the   lighter  bars   predon.i- 
natn.g;   the  top  of  the  head  as  distinctly  barred  as  the   lower  part... 
iouu^.     1  ibue  innnaeulate  white  or  pale  oehraceous.    Cul.nen,  .80 -.90 
Ilab.     feouth  Atneriea,  lion.  S.  E.  Bra.il  and  W.  Ecuador,  to  Pananm.' 

^rf«?<     Lpper  surface  only  ob.soletely  barred,  or  almo..t  uniform ;  the 

op  of  the  head  without  any  bars.     Young.    Tibiu.   transversely  barred 

V  h  dusky.     Culmen,  .7o  -  .80.     Hub.    Middle  America,  no  th  to  the 

southern  bonier  of  the  United  States;  straying  northward  m  the  Mis- 

s.ss,pp.  Valley,  to  SoHthcrn  Illinois        .....      var.  ,>/«;;,•„<«. 

'Mm  nitula    var.  nitul,c  (Lat.,.).    Falco  nitidus,  Lath.  Ind.  Or...  I,  4.).  -Daud  - 

p.  rfO.-tABAN.  m  ScuoMB.  Guian.  Ill,   737.  -  Pelz.  On.    Bias   p  3  _  Se.    *  S  w   P    7 
Ljc.   VII,  316    D^^dalion  n.,  Lkss.   Tr.   Orn.  p.  65.      Aslurina   cincrca.  V.ic.l    Anal     24 

LrZ%?-yu  ''  ''  •^"''-  '''"'•  '"■  ''''  ■•  «»^-  °'^'  !'••  -•  -  ^-^°"'-  "i.  32  '3  7 
In  172)   l!  332     '  '     "■     ""'""■'"'"  "'  '^'^"-  '''*"•  ''™-  '•  ''■     ^^•'"'-  ■"'•'''^"'"■''  *^'--  «*g- 

%cm<,«.  r^f»».-«crf.- Philadelphia  Academy,  8 ;  New  York  Museum,  1  ;  Cab.  G  N  Law- 
rence,  3  ;  Boston  Society,  4  (Brazil) ;  Museum,  Cambridge,  2  (Panama).    Total   18 

Meas,,reinents.~S,x  not  indicated.  Wing,  9.80-10.20  ;  tail.  7.00-8.00  ;  culmen,  80-  90  • 
tarsus,  2.55-2.78;  middle  toe,  1.60-105.  umc.i,.8u    .»u, 


246  NOllTM   A-NrKUICAN"  BIRDS. 

Asturina  nitida,  vm.  plagiata  (Sciilkg.). 

MEXICAN  HAWK. 

Asturina  niliila,  Cash.  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  35.  —  Sci..  k  H\LV.  Il)i.s,  1859,  217.  —  Sai.v. 
IUh,  1801,  (18.  -  Sfi..  1'.  Z.  S.  1857,  IM'.  'M,  '227  ;  185!!,  pp.  at!8,  3811  ;  1804,  178.  — 
l.AWii.  .Villi.  N.  Y.  Lyr.  IX,  lya.  —  <)\vi;n,  IliU,  III,  1808  (i'j,'g  wliitc).  J.tliirina 
ciiii-mi,  I'Ass.  r.  A,  X.  .S.  1855,  283  [uu\  iil'  ViKll.l..  !).  Asturina  /ilmjiula,  jSciii.Kii. 
Mus,  l'uys-Hii.s.  Asliiriiiiv,  \>.  1.  -  Sci,.  &  .Sai.v.  I'.  Z.  «.  1808,  173;  18011,  130.— 
GiiAV,  lluml  List.  I,  30,  1800.  —  HimiW.  Am.  Nat.  VI,  July,  1872,  430;  VII,  April, 
1873,  203;  (.SoutliiTii  Illinois,  August). 

Sp.  CiiAii.  Aihili  male  (■)I,:t4;t,  Mazatlan,  Mexico;  Ford.  Bisclioff.  "Lciifftli,  10.00; 
I'xti'iit,  ;{S,()o  "),  Aliovi-  (k't'p,  nitiu-r  dark  ciiu'ruoiis,  bucoiniii},'  pnlor  and  liner  on  the  liead 
al")ve,  wlicre  tiie  featlicrs  have  tlit;  slial't.s  (lineiy)  Idaek  |  winp-s  witli  oljsolete  ligliter 
Imrs;  riiiiip  ahiiiKt  lilaek.  I'pper  tail-covert.s  iiniiiaciilate  pure  white.  Tail  jjure  l>laek, 
tijiped  witli  pale  },'rayi.xli-l)n>\vii  (iiii.'<  jiassin;^'  torniiiially  into  white);  at)ont  li  inehe.s 
from  the  lip  is  a  eonlinnou.s  band  of  wliito,  half  an  inch  in  width;  and  a  little  over  an 
inch  anterior  to  this  i.-;  anotlier  narrower  and  les.s  jierlect  one.  Primaries  approaehinj,' 
Maek  at  ends;  the  tips  broadly  ed_i;ed  witii  dull  white,  as  also  tlu;  ends  of  seeondaries. 
Head  imiforni  line  delicate  ashy,  lu'eominf;  white  on  ehiii  and  throat,  and  approaehini,'  the 
same  on  the  forehead  ;  shafts  of  featiier.s  on  head  altove,  and  neck,  black  ;  neck  with  obso- 
lete ))alcr  transvor.se  bars,  the.«c  most  distinct  on  jngnlnm  ;  tlie  breast,  abdomen,  sides, 
Hanks,  axillais,  and  tibial  are  ref^nlarly  barred  transversely  with  cinereous  and  pure  white, 
the  bars  of  ea<"h  al)ont  equal,  the  white,  however,  gradually  increasing,  and  the  ashy  bars 
narrowing  posteriorly,  the  tibiu!  being  finely  barred ;  lower  tail-eoverts  immaculate  pure 
white.  Lining  of  the  wing  white,  with  very  rparse,  faint,  transver.se  zigzag  bars  next  the 
a.xillars  and  on  larger  coverts;  under  surface  of  primaries  white  anterior  to  their  emargi- 
nation,  Ix'yond  which  they  are  more  silvery,  leaving  about  an  inch  of  the  terminal  portion 
black,  the  end  of  each,  however,  asliy;  outer  two  quills  cro.ssed  by  narrow  bars  of  ashy, 
the  rest  with  indications  of  the  same,  near  the  shaft.  Fourth  (piill  longest;  third  scarcely 
shorter:  .second  .shorter  than  (ifth  ;  (irst  intermediate  between  eiglith  and  ninth.  AVing, 
iO.rjO;  tail,  7.00;  tar.su.s,  '.i.OO;  middle  toe,  1.50. 

Adult  female  (34,002,  Mazatlan,  June;  Colonel  Grayson).  Cinereous  above  darker,  tho 
fnsciie  of  the  wings  hardly  olwervablo ;  front  and  throat  scarcely  whiti.sh  ;  rump  almost 
]iure  black;  second  tail-band  much  broken  and  restricted.  Ashy  prevailing  on  the jiigu- 
lum  ;  ashy  bars  bene.itii  rather  Ijroader.  Wings,  11.00;  tail,  7..'J0;  tarsus,  2.80;  middle 
toe,  1.70. 

Young  male  (;i5,0(i0,  Rio  de  Coahiiyana,  W.  Mexico,  October :  J.  Xantu.s).  .Vbove, 
from  bill  to  iqiper  tail-covert.s,  dark  bistre-brown,  almost  black;  feathers  of  the  he.'id  and 
neck  edged  laterally  with  pinkish-ochraceou.s,  or  sulphuret  of  manganese  color;  scapu- 
lars with  nearly  whole  outer  webs  of  this  color,  they  being  blacki.sh  only  along  edges 
and  at  ends;  middle  wing-co\erts  spotted  with  the  same.  Secondaries  and  primaries 
faintly  tipped  with  whitish  ;  secondaries  with  indications  of  darker  bands,  and  outer  webs 
(if  primaries  with  still  more  ol).scure  ones;  upper  tail-coverts  white,  with  s.igitlate  specks 
of  lihu'k,  one  or  two  on  each.  Tail  umber-brown  (ci)nsi<lerably  lighter  than  the  wings), 
lipped  with  pinkish-ash  (ibis  ])a.ssing  terminally  into  dull  white),  and  crossed  with  six  or 
seven  liands  of  black  (these  becoming  gradually,  but  very  considerably,  narrower  toward 
the  ba.se).  Beneath  white,  with  vinaceous  tinge  (this  deepest  laterally);  bre.ist,  abdomen, 
and  sides  with  large  tenr-shapod  or  euneatc  spots  of  black  ;  tibiie  with  numerous  trans- 
ver.<e  bars  of  the  same. 

Younij  female.    Similar  to  last,  but  the  brown  lighter,  and  more  approaching  umber. 


FA LCM )N I D.E  —  Til K  FALCONS. 


24' 


IF.Mi.  Miildlo  Anioricft  (rnmi  const  to  coiisl),  IVoiii  Coslii  Iticii  iiiul  (iiiiitunmlft  to 
soutlit'i'ii  l)onk'r  of  I'liili'd  Stiitos,  Ari/.oiia,  Ijiccdin;,'  (IIkmiiiu:).  Soutlicrn  Illinois 
(liiuliluiid  Co.)  June  (Uininv.w). 

LIST   or   SI'K<'IMKXH    KXA.MIXKI>. 

Natioiinl  Aliiseiiin,  K!;  l'iiiliidi'l|>liiii  Aciidfuiy,  3;  Boston  Society,  ij ;  Cab.  0.  N. 
Lawremr,  1  ;  U.  Uid},'wny,  2.     Total,  '24. 


Measurements, 

Stx. 

Wing. 

Txil 

Culmtn. 

Tiir»ut. 

Miililh  Tor. 

Sprrimtn). 

i 

9.80-11.50 

7.20-7.80 

.85-    .!»5 

U.,')(»-2.70 

1.55-1.70 

7 

9 

0.60-11.30 

0.70 -8.(K) 

.HO-l.(K) 

2.75-2.70 

1.40-  1.75 

4 

0? 

lO.(H)- 11.70 

0.80 -8.00 

.1)0-    .1)5 

2.(15-2.80 

l.,^)0-  1.(15 

4 

Haiuts.  Tliis  is  a  Mexican  ami  Central  Anierican  lfa\vl<,  wliicli  ocia- 
sioiially  crosses  the  bonleis  of  tlie  United  States,  liavino  been  seen  by  Mr. 
Kiilgway  in  Southern  Illinois, 
and  ibiuid  breeding,  by  ("ajjtain 
Bendirc,  in  Arizona,  near  Tucson. 
It  has  been  found  in  the  State  of 
New  Leon,  one  of  the  most  north- 
ern provinces  of  Mexico,  Ity  Lieu- 
tenant Couch,  who  has,  however, 
supplied  no  notes  as  to  any  pecu- 
liarities in  its  habits.  It  was  said 
to  breed  in  the  tops  of  lofty 
trees,  and  to  have  eggs  of  a 
greenish-white,  reseniljling  those 
of  Astur  affirapillus.  In  Cen- 
tral America  it  is  said  by  Sal- 
vin  to  be  abundant  in  the  hot 
country  on  both  coast  regions  of 
the  Republic  of  Ciuatemala,  but  it  is  not  found  in  the  temperate  regions.  Its 
food  consists  of  lizards,  and  its  flesh  is  in  conse(iuence  very  'aidv. 

Mr.  Iiol)ert  I'idgway  has  met  with  this  Hawk  as  far  to  tlie  north  as  South- 
ern Illinois.  It  was  seen  and  twice  shot  at  on  the  19th  of  August,  1871,  on 
Fox  Prairie,  in  Ifichland  County.  Mr.  IJidgway  came  across  it  while  hunt- 
ing Swallow-tail  and  Mississi])pi  Kites.  The  bird,  while  being  annoyed  by 
these  Hawks,  was  well  seen,  and  there  cannot  be  the  slightest  doubt  as  to  its 
identity. 

Mr.  Robert  Owen  found  this  Hawk,  known  in  Guatemala  by  the  local 
name  of  Gnvilun,  a  conniion  name  for  the  whole  race  of  liirds  of  prey,  breed- 
ing at  San  Geronimo,  April  3,  18G0.  The  nests  are  usually  found  in  the 
high  trees  which  are  scattered  over  the  plain,  and  not  unfrequently  within 
a  few  yards  of  the  Indian  ranches.  Two  eggs  seemed  to  be  the  comple- 
ment laid  by  one  bird.      These  eggs  are  described  by  Mr.  Owen  as  all 


Asturina  plagiala. 


248 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


White,  witliout  any  natural  coloring.     The  inner  coating  of  the  shell  is  sea 
green,  seenung  to  confinu  the  apparently  close   conLction  be  4  the 
genera  of  .Ufur  and  Astarina.  ueiwctn  tiie 

Mr.  G.  C.  Taylor  met  ;vhat  he  presumed  to  be  this  Hawk  in  great  abun 
dance  a   Comayagua  Houdnras,  in  January.     He  saw  a  pair  ni  ^g  tl  e  r 
nest  on  tlie  top  of  a  lofty  cotton-tree. 

viciiTl'V  T  "'"■'  !""'f  •""'  ''''''''  ""'  unconunonand  breeding  in  the 
luiuty  of  Tucson,  n.  Arizona.  He  found  two  nests,  one  of  which  was 
taken  June  6,  the  other  a  few  days  later.  They  were  very  sli.d.tly  b 
o  ^.ks  and  str^.  of  bark  and  placed  in  low  t.es  on  the  .Ink^clf  ^.!i:f 
C  a.  ihe  nest  contamed  two  eggs.  These  are  of  a  rounded  oval  shape 
aie  qu,  e  tapenng  at  one  end  and  roun.led  at  the  other.  They  are  of  a  uli-' 
..-.n  bhus  -wlute  color  and  unspotted,  and  measure  2.00  inches  in  length 
by  1.00  inches  m  breadth.  " 


Genus  ANTENOR,  Ridgwat. 

Jntnior,  RrnnwAY.     (Type.  F„h;,  h„rn.i,;  Aud.) 
Cnu-ircr,  AiTiious,  not  of  Gouu).i 

the^nii  ?  iTl    ^'"""r/"  '^'T'""'  ^"'  '"'"■'"  ''^"^■■•"•'  '^'^  ^'"  ""•!  ^^i"?'"  more  elongated 
the  t..l  shghtly  rounded,  and  the  lores  almost  naked.    Bill  very  much  as  in  AsturiZ,  but 


*^ 


48559,  £ 


Parabuteo  hanisi. 


48550,$ 


more  elongated,  the  top  of  the  eere  longer  in  proportion  to  the  culmen,  and  the  eomnm- 
Mual  lobe  more  anter.or,  the  uppe,-  and  lower  outlines  n>ore  nearly  parallel   Tolil 

'The  type  of  Cnixircx,  Goui.n  (Vovatri'  of  Rcnulp    ^<^■^9.    oo\   ;     .i      «  , 
OouLP,  a  sp..cies«trictly  .o,.g.ne.ie  with'/^jLlr'  '       ''  "  ""  """"  '''^'«^-^~- 


FALCOXID.E-TIIE    lALCoNS.  249 

oval,  liorizoiitiil,  with  an  cnikisciI  carliliijiiiious  tiibcrclo.  [.oics  iicai-lv  iiaki'il,  witli  scant 
brisdos.  Willi;' Ion;,' (iiiiii-li  as  in  liiite<i)  ;  lliu  roiirlh  oi'  lil'lli  (jnill  lon}::L'St,  ami  ilic  lirst 
slinrtcr  tiian  the  ciiilitli  lo  liic  tculli  :  dutcr  tbni'  with  iniicc  \vi>1js  siniialoil.  Tail  loiiir, 
niDi'L"  than  two  lliiids  tlic  winj;';  even  or  .sliulitly  i-oiinili'il.  Keel,  roliiist,  when  onlsti'ctciicd 
reai'liinjr  nearly  to  the  end  of  the  tail ;  tai'sns  nearl}'  twiei'  tiie  k'lijilh  of  tlu^  niiilille,  vei y 
robust,  the  frontal  ami  [wsterior  rows  ol'  .seutelhe  very  ilistinet  ;  outer  toe  lonj^cr  tiian  tlie 
inner;  '■\:.\\&  stronir,  well  curved,  and  aoute.  iSexes  alike;  young  and  old  [iluinafres  very 
dilfercnt. 

This  genus  indudes  a  single  s]iecies,tlit>  /*.  unicinrtiiii,v;\\\\  its  two  climatic 
races,  itnicinrtus  nl'  Sontli  America  and  /i((rrUi  ul'  ^liddle  America.  It  is 
most  nearly  related  to  the  genus  UnthitiiKjit,  ol'  tropical  America,  the  sjiecies 
of  which  are  sluggish  and  almost  Canicara-like  in  their  habits,  tliough  they 
are  hardly  more  so  than  om'  own  JJii/iviirs.  Tiie  genus  Ciut.rinx  of  (!oiild 
having  lieen  i'omuled  upon  JJutro  (/iildjiKi/onisis,  a  species  strictly  congeneric 
with  JJ.  honaliti,  it  is  neces.sary  that  a  new  generic  name  should  lie  instituted 
for  the  present  species,  since  it  so  well  merits  se])aration  to  that  rank.  I 
accordingly  propose  the  name  given  at  the  head  of  this  chapter. 

Species  and  Raceo. 
P.  unicinctus.  Wing.  I  Lb')- U.OH:  tail.  II.OO- ll.oii;  eulinen.  .8'J  -  l.IO; 
tarsus, 'J.Tf*- .'!.7') ;  middle  toe.  1.52-2. 00.  Adull.  (general  I'olor  brownish- 
black  or  blackish-brown,  unifoini,  or  .slifi-htly  variegated  by  liuht  siwttinu; ; 
the  lesser  wing-eoverts  and  tibi;i?  deep  rufous,  or  eheslimt.  Tail  black  ;  the 
o!;  '.  and  basi;  while,  as  are  also  the  lail-covcits.  Yoiiikj.  I'luiuagi'  yieatiy 
variegated.  Above  blackish-brown,  the  leathers  edged  with  rusty;  head 
and  neck  .streaked  with  jiale  oehraceous.  Lower  parts  |>ale  ochraeeous  or 
yellowish-white,  the  breast  and  abdomen  with  longitudinal  ovoid  sjiols  of 
blackish;  tibia"  with  transver.-^e  bars  of  dark  rusty:  lower  tail-coverts  with 
black  shaft-streaks.  Lesser  wing-covert  region  only  washed  with  rufous. 
Tail  grayish-brown,  whitish  at  the  tip,  and  crossed  by  nariow  bands  of 
dusky. 

xlf?M/<  with  the  blackish  much  broken  up  by  lighter  spotting.  Wing, 
n.()0-14.G();  tail,  9.00- 1()..")0;  culmen,  .S2- l.O'i  ;  tarsus.  2.78- li.lO; 
middle  toe,  1.52- 1.8o.     Ilah.    South  America         .         .      var.   u  n  i <■  i n  rt  u  n} 

1  Falm  unicinctus,  Tl'.MM.  PI.  Col.  31;!,  1820.  Mor/ilinii.i  unicinc/iis,  Lr.ss.  Man.  Oru.  1,  1>-<2S, 
00.  .■I.iliii-  unicinclu.'i,  Civ.  l!i''g.  An.  (I'd.  2>,  1,  1^2!t,  ;i;i2.  -SriacKl..  Oni.  Syn.  I,  221.  - 
Kaci',  Moiiog.  Fale.  18,'pO,  p.  tiii.  JIuIco  iinicinc/us,  (ir..\v,  List  H.  lirit.  Mus.  18.—  In.  ibuul 
List,  I,  7,  No.  .'),';.  A'i.ius  iinicinc/u.i,  Li:.ss.  Tr.  Orii.  p.  01.  lIjqMmorphnus  unicinclun,  Tscufiir, 
Fauna  Per.  pp.  17,  S,").  S/iizdiirriinu.i  vnicindiui,  K.wv,  Ui'b.  Sciick.  184;'),  2(10.  I'mliilini/ii 
iinicinclii,  L.\t'i!.  IJi'V.  Zoiil.  1840,  00.— Pf.i.z.  tlrn.  liras.  1,  1808,  ;?,  No.  10. -In.  IV,  1871, 
!i04.  Pt.liihuiKs  l(rniucii.i,  Tsciltiii.  Av.  Comsi>.  Wicgin.  Arili.  1814,  2t;4.  In.  Kamia  Per.  jil. 
ii,  Jur.  It  scM'ius  that  the  South  Airn'ricaii  birds  of  this  spcc'ii-s  iiivi'r  attain  the  siniplr  tricolorcd 
]ihnuag('  assiniicd  by  tin'  adult  of  tin'  North  .Vun'rican  I'onn,  Tcnniiiuek's  ligini'  (PI.  Col.  ISP!) 
rcpn-sc  nting  tin'  in'arcst  a|))iroa('li  to  it  that  1  liavi'  seen,  in  a  large  scries  of  adult  specimens. 
The  following  descriptions  show  the  average  adnll  of  var.  unicinc/iii :  — 

.Idnl/  male  (No.  IM.OOS,  Chile  ;  Lieutenant  CillissK  HesoniMing  the  ininiatnre  of  var.  harriii, 
as  deserilieil  on  ji.  l.ltiO  (No.  .I'!,?!):!).  Prinnnies  edged  terminally  with  wliitisli  ;  inmr  welis 
of  tail-feathers  mottled  whitish  for  their  basal  half,  not  showing  the  regular  transvi  ise  bars  seen 
ill  tlip  innnaturo  of  vnr.  Iinrrisi ;  under  surface  of  )iriinario.s  almost  wholly  wliite,  breoiniiig 
nshy,  baiTi'd  with  du.sky,  toward.s  their  ends.     'VVing,  12.00  ;  tail,  8.30  ;  tarsus,  2.00  ;  iniddli' 

vol,.  III.  .32 


250  NOIITII  AMEIilCAN  BIRDS. 

Adult  with  llii^  l)lii(;kisli  coiitinuous  niiil  uiiiforiii.  Wiiiij,  12.35-14.50; 
tail,  9.80-11.(10;  ciiliiion,  .'JO- 1.10;  tiir.-iiis,  3.15-3.75;  luiiKllc  too, 
1.05-2.00.  Hub.  iliikllo  America,  nortli  into  southern  border  of 
Uniteil  States var.  harrisi. 


Parabuteo  unicinctus,  \!ir.  harrisi  (Ripgavayj. 

HABBIS  S  BUZZABD. 

F(i/eo  liiirn'si,  Arn.  15.  Am.  pi.  ccc.xi'ii,  1831. —  In.  Orii.  Bioj,'.  V,  30.  liiitm  Imrriii,  Arn. 
SyiiDi).  ]S;i!),  5.  —  IJoN.vi'.  List,  3.  —  Di;  Kav,  Zoiil.  X.  Y.  11,  11.  —  t'raxiirx  unicinc- 
tut,  vnr.  Iiiirn'si,  Kuxnv.vv,  I'.  A.  N.  S.  I'liiliul.  Dec.  1870,  p.  142.  Jiittco  unicinctus, 
var  tiniTisi,  C'ol'Ks,  Key,  1872,  215.  "  Cnwin-c  unicinctus,  Te.mm."  C'a.ss.  liirils  N. 
Am.  1858,  46.  —  DliEssKlt,  Ibis,  1865,  329  (To.\iis).  —  C'oUKs,  1'.  A.  N.  S.  1866,  13 
(Arizona). 

Si\  Cm  Alt.  Ailu!/  male  (17,230,  Cajw  St.  Lucas,  Lower  Calilbrnia:  J.  Xantus).  General 
])lniiiago  unil'ni-iii  sooty-lilacli,  |)\u'esl  on  the  tail,  soniewliat  tinged  with  cliestnut  on  the 
rump.  Lesser  winu-civorts  and  lateral  half  of  each  web  of  middle  coverts,  also  the 
tibiio,  rich  deep  ehesiiuit.  perfeetly  iniiforni.  U]iper  and  lower  tail-coverts,  and  broad 
i)asal  and  terminal  zones  of  tail,  pure  white,  the  anterior  band  concealed  (except  on  outer 
feathers)  liy  the  upper  enverts,  and  about  twice  the  width  of  the  lasl,  which  is  about  1 
inch  wide.  Tail-eoverts  with  a  i'vw  irregular  narrow  sliaft-streaks  of  blackish.  Lining 
of  wing  deep  chestnut,  like  the  shoulders  ;  eacli  greater  covert  with  a  black  .shaft- streak; 
primaries  beneath  plain  black.  Wing,  14.50;  tail,  10.00;  taivsus,  3.25 ;  nnddlo  toe,  2.00. 
Fourth  and  liftli  quills  longest  and  equal :  third  coiisiderabi}' .shorter ;  second  intermediate 
between  si.xth  and  seventh;  first,  3.40  shorter  than  longest. 

Adult  frmnle  (42.550,  Iztlan,  Jlexico;  Colonel  tira3'son).  Generally  similar  to  the  male  ; 
the  black,  however,  less  pure  and  more  brownish,  the  chestnut  more  extended,  the  whole 
riinip  being  of  this  color,  the  last  leathers  merely  being  blackish  in  the  middle.  White  of 
tail-coverts  without  blackish  stre.ak.s.  AVing,  14.00;  tail,  10.30;  tarsus,  3.25 ;  middle  toe, 
1.05. 

Immature  mtde  (second  year.  50,703.  Teiiic.  Mexico;  Colonel  Grayson).  T'^jippr  ])arts 
similar  to  adult,  but  less  uniform;  tlu'  nape  and  back  with  feathers  edged  witli  rusty  ; 
sides  of  head  an<l  neck  very  much  streaked.  Breast  and  abdomen  light  ochraceoiis,  with 
large  longitudinal  oval  spots  of  black  ;  tibi.nc  light  ochraceous,  with  rather  (hstant  trans- 
verse bars  of  dark  rusty-brown;  lower  tail-coverts  ochraceous- win U',  with  black  shaft- 
lines.  Rufous  on  the  wings  more  extended  and  more  broken  ;  none  on  tin;  rump.  Ter- 
minal band  of  tail  narrower  and  le.ss  .sharply  defined  than  in  adidt ;  imier  webs  of  primaries 
with  basal  two-thirds  white,  irregularly  mottled  with  dusky.  "  Iris  chestnut-brown  ;  cere, 
chin,  and  space  round  the  eyes  yellow." 

luiii.ilure  female  (second  year,  15,200,  Fort  Buchanan,  Now  Mexico;  Dr.  Irwiu). 
Black  spots  ticneath  larger  ami  more  irregularly  defined;  tibia?  strongly  barred  with 
dark  rufous:   ]iosteri(jr  edge  of  liasal  banil  of  tail  much  broken. 

IIaii.     -Miildle,  or  northern   tropical,  America,  from  the  Isthmus  of  Panama  northward 

toe,  l.tiO.  Adult  femulc  (No.  13,907,  Chile  ;  Lieutenant  (iilliss).  Similar  to  No.  13,908,  but 
the  tibiiB  more  strongly  Inured.     Wing,  12.50  ;  tail,  8.30. 

f!/)ccihinis  cxaininn!.  —  National  Museum,  9  ;  riiiladelphia  Aeadeniy,  9  ;  lloston  Society,  4  ; 
New  York  .Museum,  1.      Total,  23. 

Moisuivuinits.-^.  Wing,  11.65-13.15;  tail,  9.0(l-]0.]0;  eidinen,  .82  1.00;  tarsus, 
2.78-3.40;  middle  toe,  1.52-1.75.  ,*<pceinien.s,  8.  9.  Wing,  12.50-  14.60;  Uiil,  9.20- 10.50  ; 
I'tdmen,  .90-  1.02  ;  tarsus,  3.10-3.40  ;  nuddle  toe,  1.60     1.85.     Speeimeiis,  0. 


FALCOXID.E  —  THE   FALCONS. 


251 


into  the  soiithoni  T'nited  States;  Mississippi  (Audubon);  Texas  (Mus.  S.  I. ;  Uuesseu)  ; 
Aiizoim  (CoiKf"). 

Localities:  Giiaieiiiala  (Sci,.  Ibis,  I,  210). 


LIST    OK   SI'KCIMKNS    EXAMINED. 


National  Museum,  13 ;  I'ldladelphia  Aeatieniy,  3 ;  Cab.  G.  N.   Lawrence,  2  ;  Coll.  K. 
Ridgway,  1.     Total,  li). 


Measurements. 

Sex. 

Wing. 

Tail. 

Culmen,                Tarsus. 

Miildle  Toe. 

1.0.-)-  1.70 
l.!)0-2.00 

lipttimens. 

1 

9 

i2.;ir)-  i;!.7.-) 

14.2,')-  14.50 

!).8()-  10.2(1 
lO.SO-  11.00 

.i)0-.!)5        :3.1.j-;!.2(t 

i.(t8-i.io    ;i.4o-3.7r> 

s       ! 

0             1 

Habits.     Thi.s  Hawk  lias  a  very  limited  ran<.ie  within  tlie  T'liitud  States, 
and  Mr.  Auduhon,  wIkj  wa.s  the  first  tu  meet  witli  it  tliere,  oLtaiued  oidy  a 
single  specimen  I'rom  Louisiana. 
.Su])|)osing  it  to  be  an  uudeserihed 
specie.s,  he  named  it  in  honor  of 
his  iVienil,  Mr.  Edward  Harris. 

Tiii.s  species  is  occasionally 
found  in  the  lower  portions  of 
the  States  of  Mississipjii  and 
Louisiana,  Init  becomes  nnich 
more  abundant  in  the  southwest- 
ern sections  of  tlie  latter  State, 
and  in  Texas  is  common,  espe- 
cially about  the  moutli  of  the 
IJio  flrandc.  In  one  vai'iety  or 
the  other  it  is  fre(iuently  met 
with  throughout  Mexico,  and 
Central  America,  and  is  also  said 
to  be  an  occasional  visiiiut  of 
Cuba  and  Jamaica. 

Mr.  Dresser  found  this  Hawk 
common  throughout  Texas  to  tlie  Colorado  Tiiver,  beyond  whicii  lie  noticed 
but  few.  Tt  was  tlie  only  Hawk  he  noticed  at  'Matamoras  in  the  summer. 
He  describes  it  as  a  heavy,  sluggish  bird,  seldom  seen  on  the  wing,  and  sub- 
sisting, so  far  as  he  could  sec,  entirely  on  carrion.  All  along  the  load  from 
liroM-nsville  to  San  Antonio,  he  noticed  it  either  perched  on  some  tree  by 
the  roadside,  or  busy,  in  coni]iany  with  Vultures  and  Caracaras,  regaling  on 
some  offensive  carrion.  He  found  it  breeding  in  the  neighborhood  of  San 
Antonio,  ^ledina,  and  Alta.scosa  Itivers,  having  eggs  in  the  montli  of  May. 
A  nest  found  on  the  4t]i  of  ^lay,  near  the  Medina  Kiver,  was  built  of  .sticks, 
very  slightly  lined,  and  was  placed  in  a  low  haekberry-tree.  The  eggs  were 
four  in  number,  and  described  as  white,  with  a  faint  bluish  tinge,  very  spar- 
ingly spotted  and  blotched  with  red. 


Parahutio  lianisi. 


252 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Other  writers  also  agree  in  representing  this  Hawk  as  heavy  and  sluggisli 
in  habit,  and  as  frequenting  streams  of  water,  anil  its  food  as  consisting 
chiefly  of  the  reptiles  aud  smaller  animals  which  frequent  the  banks  of 
rivers  and  creeks.  It  builds  its  nests  on  low  trees,  in  the  immediate  vicinity 
of  its  hunting-ground,  and  often  over  the  water,  constructing  them  of  coarse 
flags  and  water-plants.  The  nests  are  usually  not  very  large  for  the  birds, 
are  flattened  or  with  very  slight  depressions,  and  the  materials  are  very 
loosely  i)ut  together.  The  eggs  are  from  three  to  Ave  in  number,  usually 
white  and  unspotted,  occasionally  with  more  or  less  of  a  yellowish  or  tawny 
tinge.  In  some  instances  they  are  faintly  marked  witii  light  daslies  or 
stains  of  a  yellowish-brown,  and,  more  rarely,  are  also  marked  with  small 
blotches  of  se[)ia-l>ro\vu,  and  with  smaller  dottings  of  purplish-drab.  Their 
average  measurement  i.s,  length  2.1:>,  breadth  1.(1!)  inches. 

Our  knowledge  of  the  eggs  of  these  Hawks  is  derived  from  the  collection 
of  the  late  Dr.  Herlandier,  of  Matamoras,  in  the  Province  of  Tamaulipas, 
Mexico.  In  the  cabinet  of  tliat  gentleman  wore  several  varieties,  now  in 
tiie  possession  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  and  presented  to  it  by  Lieu- 
tenant Couch. 

Genus   ONYCHOTES,    Hiugway. 
Onijchotes,  Ridgw.w,  P.  A.  N.  S.  Philad.  Dvu.  1870,  142.     (Type,  0.  gruheri,  nov.  sp.) 
Gen.  Guar.    Bill  short,  the  tip  remarkably  short  and  obtuse,  aud  only  gradually  bent ; 


OnyiliKtts  tp'itberi. 


cero  on  top  about  equal  to  tlio  ouliucn.  very  liroail  basally  in  its  tiruisvorsi'  iliiiinctcr.  ami 
ascLMidiuL',  in  its  lateral  outline,  on  a  lino  witii  the  enlnien  ;  eoinMiissnre  only  raintiy  lubcd. 


FALCONID.E  —  THE   FALCUN.S.  253 


CCIO 


Xosdil  nearly  circular,  with  a  consi)icnnns  (Imt  not  central  or  liony)  tnliercle; 
densely  bristled  below  the  nostril,  aliiiusl  to  its  anterior  edge ;  orbital  region  linely  bristled. 
Tarsus  very  long  and  slender,  nearly  twice  the  length  of  the  middle  toe;  toes  Inoderate^ 
the  onter  one  decidedly  longer  than  the  iinier;  claws  very  long,  strong,  and  sharp,  and 
curved  in  about  one  quarter  the  circuinlerence  of  a  circle.  Tiliial  leathers  short  and  close, 
the  i)luines  scarcely  reaching  below  the  joint.  Feathers  of  the  forehead,  gular  region,' 
sides,  and  tibia>,  with  while  lllanientous  attaclunenis  to  the  end  of  the  shafts.  Win-,' 
very  short,  much  rounded,  and  very  concave  beneath  ;  fourth  quill  longest;  lir.st  shorler 
than  ninth;  four  primaries  emarginated,  and  one  sinuated,  on  inner  webs  ;  live  sinuated 
on  outer  webs.  Tail  about  two  thirds  as  long  as  wing,  rounded.  Outstretched  leet 
i-caching  licyond  end  of  tail. 

Tlii.s  goiius  lias  no  very  near  relatives  among  the  American  Fnlnmi<la\ 
nor,  indeed,  among  those  of  other  portions  of  the  world.  It  i.s,  iierluiiis,  most 
closely  related  to  the  genus  linporuis,  of  South  Americii,  from  which,  how- 
ever, it  is  very  distinct.  It  is  represente<l  l)y  a  single  species,  the  type  of 
which,  supposed  to  have  come  from  ( 'aliforniii,  still  remains  unique. 

The  elongated  legs,  reaching  considerahly  l)eyond  the  rather  short  tail,  the 
close  thigh-plumes,  the  long  tuid  extremely  acute  claws  (somewhat  like  those 
of  Rostrhnmus),  with  tiie  short,  rounded,  and  very  concave  wing,  are  its  most 
striking  peculiarities,  Besides  these  distinguishing  fetituros,  the  short,  thick 
bill,  very  deep  through  the  base,  and  the  filamentous  attachments  to  the 
shafts  of  the  feathers  of  certain  ])arts  of  the  body,  are  also  very  characteris- 
tic. The  latter  feature  may  possibly  be  a  mark  of  immaturity,  l)ut  1  ha\e 
seen  nothing  like  it  in  other  Eaptoirs,  and  it  seems  to  be  more  analogous  to 
the  nuptial  ornaments  seen  in  the  Cormorants  (Phnlocrocomcklce). 

Species. 

O.  gnibeii.  Wing,  10.10;  tail.  0,50;  cuhnen,  about  .80;  tarsii.':,  2.70; 
middle  toe,  1.45;  posterior  claw,  1,00,  it.s  digit  .80.  Immatitrc  (?).  Uniform 
grayish-umber,  tinged  with  dull  rufous  on  the  neck ;  lining  of  the  wing  and 
tibiic  dull  grayish-cinnamon.  Primaries  inclim'ng  to  black,  and  showing 
.just  discernible,  ol.iscure  lioary  bars  on  their  basal  half.  Tail  brownish- 
,gray,  witli  a  hoary  cast  nearer  the  .shaft  (not  paler  at  tla;  tip),  and  cro.-;sed 
with  nine  or  ten  narrow  bars  of  dusky,  these  becoming  hardly  distinguish- 
able basally  and  terminally.  Inner  webs  of  the  primaries  plain  white  an- 
terior to  their  emargination.  Head  laterally  and  beneath  obsoletoly  streaked 
with  whitish.     Hah.    ••  California." 


254 


NORTU  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Onychotes  gruberi,  Ridgavay. 

OBVBEB'S  HAWK. 

Onyclwtes  gruberi,  Ridoway,  Pr.  Ai-.  Nat.  Sc.  Phil.  Dec.  1870,  p.  149. 

Sp.  CnAK.    Immature?  (41,703,  "California";  F.  Gruber).    OuUstrctclied  foot  reachinij 

beyond  tail.  General  phiniage  dull  dark-bistre, 
with  a  f^ray  isli-uniberca.st  in  some  lights,  darke.st 
on  the  head  above  an<l  back ;  the  po.sterior 
lower  parts  paler  and  more  reddish ;  throat 
and  neck  much  tinged  with  pale  rusty  (this 
obsoletely  bordering  the  feathei's,  which  here 
have  fine  whitish  filaments  attached  to  the 
shafts) ;  primaries  uniform  black.  Tail  like 
the  rump,  but  with  a  more  hoary  tinge  (not 
paler  at  the  tip),  and  crossed  with  seven  or 
eight  very  narrow  obscure  bars  of  darker,  the 
last  of  which  is  distant  an  incli  or  more  from 
the  end.  Lining  of  wing  dark  bistre,  much 
tinged  with  rusty,  this  prevalent  toward  the 
edge;  under  surface  of  primaries  white  an- 
terior to  their  emargination,  beyond  which 
they  are  ashy,  approaching  black  at  ends ; 
ashy  portion  with  distant,  very  obsolete,  dusky 
bars,  Ijut  the  cheeks  and  throat  streaked  obso- 
letely with  this  color.  Xo  distinct  white  any- 
where about  the  head  or  neck.  Wing,  10.00; 
tail,  5.80;  tarsus,  2.70;  middle  toe,  1.40;  inner, 
.90;  outer,  1.10;  posterior,  .80;  hind  claw, 
1.00  (chord)  ;  inner  claw,  .91 ;  on  front  of 
tarsus,  twelve  exposed  largo  transverse  scu- 
telUe ;  only  1.70  of  the  tarsus  exposed. 

Onychotes  gruberi. 

The  typo  of  tliis  species  still  remains 
unique.  It  was  sent  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution  by  Mr.  Gruber,  who 
labelled  it  as  having  been  obtained  in  California.  Nothing  is  known  of  its 
habits. 


^Si-. 


Genus  BXTFEO,  Cuvier. 

Buteo,  Ctrv.  1799.     (Tj-po,  Fulco  biileo,  Linn.  =  Buleo  vulgaris,  Bechstein.) 
Cr-axircr,  GorLD,  1838.     (Type,  Buko  galapayocnsix,  Goitld.) 
PoKihpternis,  K.vri',  1847.     (Type,  Faico  borcalis,  Gm.) 
Tachijtriorchis,  Kaup,  1844.     (Type,  Falco  pterodes,  Tkm.m.) 

Gen.  Char.  Form  robust  and  heavy,  the  wings  long,  and  rather  pointed,  the  '  ill 
moderate  and  rounded,  the  bill  and  feet  strong.  Bill  intermediate  between  that  oi  Ant  fir 
and  that  of  Parabuteo.  Wing  long  and  rather  pointed,  the  third  to  fifth  quill  longest,  tlie 
first  shorter  than  eighth ;  three  to  lour  with  inner  webs  emarginated.  Tail  moderate, 
slightly  rounded. 


FALCOXID/E  -  THE  FALCONS. 


255 


Tlie  species  of  this  genus  are  very  numerous,  espeeiall}'  within  the  tropics, 
and  are  found  all  ovei-  the  world,  except  in  Australia.  About  thirty 
nominal  species  are  known,  of  which  about   fifteen  distinct  species,  not 


Viilfn  zonocercus  (52763). 


Buleo  swainsoni  (68606). 


including  geographical  races,  belong  to  America.  A  single  species,  £.  soli- 
farins  {Fandion  solitarius,  Teale),  (Gray's  Hand  List,  I,  15,  No.  136,)  be- 
longs to  the  Sandwich  Islands.  The  genus  seems  to  be  wanting  in  the 
Australian  and  East  Indian  regions. 

The  following  species  and  races  belong  to  the  North  American  fauna. 


266  NORTH   AMERICAN   BIRDS. 

Species  and  Races. 

A,  Three  diiler  piiiiiaries  with  their  iiiiur  webs  cut  oi-  einarjrinated. 

I.  B.  pennsylvanicua.  Win<r,  ii.S.")- 11.40;  tail,  0.:50-.h.(M);  eiilineii,  .70- 
.8(1;  tiu>iKx,  l.'.ir)-2.80;  initl.iU'  t.ie,  l.'-'O  - 1.40.  Third  to  tbiirih  (niill 
loii.sfost ;  first  shorter  than  .seventh.  Adult.  Tail  dull  biaek,  paler  at  the  tip, 
crossed  by  two  to  lour  bauds  of  dilute  umber,  or  brownish-white,  varyiu},'  in 
width,  but  the  last  alwiiys  broadest.  Upiier  tail-eoverts  tipiiecl  and  barred 
with  wliite.  Lower  parts  dull  rii'  -brown,  nearly  unbroken  on  the  breast, 
but  posteriorly  much  varie<,'ated  with  roimdish  tran.sverse  spots  of  white, 
I'ormin};  broad  transverse  bars,  interrupted  by  the  dusky  shaft.  Upper 
parts  dark  umber,  darker  on  the  back.  Young.  Tail  dull  ffrayish-uuiber, 
growing  darker  terminally,  narrowly  tii)i)ed  with  whitish,  and  crossed  by 
about  ai.\  narrow  and  indistini.'l  biuids  of  dusky  ;  these  gradually  Ijccoming 
obsolete  basally,  the  last  nmch  broader.  Lower  part.s  white,  or  light  ochra- 
ceons,  with  longitudinal  sjiots  of  dark  brown  or  blnckish  on  the  sides  of  the 
brea.'it  and  abdomen,  and  roundish  or  transversely  cordate  ones  on  the  sides, 
(lanks,  and  tibiic.  A  conspicuous  "unistache"  on  the  cheeks,  from  the  rictus 
down.  Upper  parts  much  as  in  the  adult,  llah.  Eastern  North  America, 
and  Middle  America,  south  to  Bogota  and  Caraecas. 

2.  B.swainsoni.  Wing.  12.00-  17.00;  tail,  (J.oO  -  (J.OO  ;  cidmen,  .80-95; 
tarsus,  2.'J.")  -  2.70  ;  middle  toe.  l.'iO-  1.70.  Third  to  fourth  (usually  third) 
quills  longest;  first  usually  longer  than  seventh.  Adult.  Tail  dark  grayish- 
brown,  sometimes  with  a  hoary  ca.<t,  crossed  by  live  to  seven,  or  more, 
narrow  bands  of  dusky,  usually  very  obscure,  and  becoming  obsolete 
basally.  Colors  of  other  jiortions  extremely  variable ;  the  upper  parts, 
however,  continuous,  uuvariegated,  dark  brown,  or  blackish ;  the  lower 
parts  .sometimes  also  entirely  dusky,  excejit  the  tail-eoverts,  which  are 
always  (?)  barred  with  white.  Xurmal  plumage.  A  dark  area  covering  the 
jugulum  and  brea.st,  dull  rufous  in  the  $,  and  dark  grayish-brown  in  the  9- 
Other  lower  parts  whitish,  .sometimes  pure,  and  nearly  immaculate,  but 
usually  more  or  less  tinged  with  ochraceous  and  rufous,  and  transversely 
barred  with  various  shades  of  brown.  Young.  Tail  hoary  brownish-gray, 
crossed  by  numerous,  very  indistinct,  narrow  bands  of  darker,  and  faintly 
tipp<'d  with  whitish.  Ground-color  of  the  head,  neck,  and  lower  parts,  light 
ochraceous,  or  cream-color  (sometimes  nearly  white),  the  anterior  upper 
parts  with  large  longitudinally  ovate  spots  of  black  ;  these  assuming  the  form 
of  streaks  on  the  head  and  neck.  Sides  of  the  breast  with  an  ag,gregation 
of  larger  spots  of  the  same,  and  sides  with  .sparser  hastate  or  deltoid  spot.s. 
Upper  parts  puriilish-black,  more  or  less  variegated  with  ochraceous;  the 
relative  proportion  of  tlu;  two  colors  varying  with  the  individual. 

Wing,  14.40-17.00;  tail,  8.00 -O.oO;  culmeii,  .80  -.'X>;  t.irsiis,  2.30- 
2.70;  middle  toe,  l.r)0-1.70.  Weight  li  -  3J  lbs.  Hah.  Western 
Province  of  North  America,  from  the  Mississippi  Vallc}-,  and  the  region 
of  the  Great  Lakes  (Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Iowa,  to  Arkansas,  also 
Canada  and  Mas.s.achusetts)  to  the  Pacilic         .         .         .        war.  s  w ninno  n  i . 

Wing,  12.00- 15.;50;  tail,  O.oO- 9.00;  culmen.  .8r)-.90 ;  taivsns,  l.Oo- 
2.C0;  middle  toe,  1.50  -  l.(J().  Colors  similar,  liut  the  young  paler  than 
that  of  var.  swninsoni.  Adult  unknown.  Ifah.  ^Middle  and  South 
America,  and  southern  border  of  the  western  United  Slates,  from  New 
Mexico  to  Buenos  Ayres  (two  specimens,  Costa  Rica,  and  Buenos 
Ayrcs,  Mus,  S.  I.) var.  oxypterus. 


FALCONIDvK-TIlE  FALCONS.  257 

B.  Four  outor  primaries  with  tlioir  inner  webs  cut. 

«.  Form  ligrht,  tlie  legs  .slender;  tail  of  adult  without  a  subterminal  band 
ol'  black  more  distinct  than  (ho  others. 

3.  B.  zonooerouB.  Winir,  L">."iO- 17.4(1;  tail,  8.50-10.75;  culmen 
.00;  tarsus,  '.^.50-2.80;  mi.ldle  toe,  1.G0-1.S5.  Entirely  deep  black,' 
with  more  or  less  concealed  pure  white  spotting.  Adiilt.  Tail  car- 
bonaeeous-black,  with  three  very  broad  zones,  of  pure  white  on  inner 
web.s  and  ash  on  the  outer  webs.  ¥„„„;/.  Tail  dark  brown,  the  inner 
webs  more  or  less,  sometimes  entirely,  white,  crossed  bv  nuinerou.s 
ol)li(iuc  bands  of  black.  //(,/,.  Mexico  (ehiefly  western?)  and  adjacent 
southwestern  portions  of  the  United  States  (Arizona,  Coi-ks;  Southern 
California,  San  Diego,  Cooi'kh). 

4.  B.  lineatus.  Wing,  11.25-14.25;  tail,  8.00-10.00;  culmen  75- 
.90;  tarsus,  2.70-3.25;  mi.ldle  toe,  1.30-1.50.  Fourth  to  tilth  ,,uill 
longest;  fu-st  shorter  than  seventh.  Outer  webs  of  the  primaries  with 
quadrate  .spot.s  ol'  whitish;  lesser  wing-coverts  ilark  rufous;  lower 
parts  rufous  more  or  less  barred  with  whitish,  or  whitish  spotted  longi- 
tudinally with  dusky.  Adult.  Head,  neck,  lesser  wing-eoverts,  and 
lower  parts  deep  rulbus,  tlie  lower  parts  more  or  less  barred  posteriorly 
with  whitish.  Primaries  and  tail  black;  the  former  with  quadrate  .spots 
of  pure  white  on  the  outer  webs,  and-  the  latter  crossed  by  si.x  narrow 
bands  of  pure  white,  and  tipped  with  the  same.  Yoiinij.  Head,  ne(;k, 
and  lower  parts  whitish,  usually  more  or  less  tinged  with  ochraceous| 
and  with  longitudinal  markings  of  dusky.  Primaries  and  tail  dusky ; 
the  former  mostly  ochracoous  anterior  to  the  sinuation  of  their  outer 
webs,  the  latter  crossed  by  numerous  narrow  bands  of  jiale  grayish- 
brown,  these  becoming  paler  and  more  oehiaceous  toward  the  base. 
Lesser  wing-coverts  more  or  less  tinged  with  darx  rufous. 

Adnlt.  Lower  parts  light  rufous  barred  with  white.  Young. 
White  prevailing  on  the  lower  iiarts.     Hub.    Eastern  Province  of 

the  United  States ym:  I  h,  e  at  u  s. 

Adult.  Lower  parts  deep  dark  rufous,  almost  free  from  bars,  except 
posteriorly.  Youny.  Dark  spotting  on  the  lower  parts  pre- 
dominating, fidb.  Pacific  Province,  and  southern  Western  Prov- 
ince, of  the  United  States        \ai:  el egans. 

b.  Form  robust  and  heavy,  the  tarsus  stout;  tail  of  the  adult  with  a  sub- 
terminal  band  of  black  broader  than  the  other. 

5.  B.  borealiB.  Wing,  13.25-17.75;  tail.  8.50-11.30;  cuhnen,  .00- 
1.15;  tarsus,  2.70-3.40;  middle  toe,  l.GO-1.95,  Weight,  2^  to  4  lbs. 
Third  to  fifth  quill  longest;  first  shorter  than  seventh  and  shorter  than 
tenth.  Colors  extremely  variable,  ranging  from  entirely  pure  white 
beneath,  througli  various  shades  of  ochraeeous  and  rusty,  and  greater 
or  less  amount  of  darker  .spoUs  and  bars,  to  an  entirely  uniform  brownish- 
black.  Adult.  Tail  deep  rufous,  generally  paler  at  the  tip ;  with  oi- 
without  black  bars.  Yoimg.  Tail  grayish-brown,  crossed  l)y  nine  or 
ten  bands  of  black,  much  narrower  than  the  gray  ones.  Lower  parts 
always  with  white  predominating. 

Tiliiie  and  lower  tail-coverts  without  transverse  bars,  at  any  age. 
Lower  parts  with  white  always  predominating.  Tail  never  with 
more  than  one  liar  of  black. 

Feathers  of  the  head  and  neck  edged  laterally  with  rufous ; 
scapulars  and  wing-coverts  much  variegated  with   whitish; 
vol,.  ii[.  33 


258  NORTH  AMKUIUAN  lUUDS. 

iip]u'r  liiil-covcrtH  wliiti',  IuiitlmI  with  nifoiis.  Tlirnat  with 
IiIcikIi'iI  streaks  of  )iliiil<ish,  liiis  iisiinily  iirciidiiiiimliiij;- ;  tihiio 
1111(1  1()W<M'  taii-L'ovi'fts  jiiaiii  ycUowisli-whitc.  Huh.  Kastcni 
Province  of  Xortii  Ameriea,  Id  the  Missouri  plains  .  var.  ho  rfii  I  is. 
Similar,  but  eolors  iiiueii  ]ia1er,  tlie  lower  parts  entirel)'  pure 
white,  with  little  or  no  sjiottinf,'  on  the  ahdonien.  Tail  usually 
(leslitute  ol' ihe  black  subterininal  baml.     //ah.    I'lains,  from 

Texas  to  Minnesota var.  hrideri. 

Similar  to  th(!  last,  but  lower  jiarts  strongly  tinged  with 
rnfiin-s  on  the  tibiie,  and  upper  parts  nnicli  darker.  Tail 
nlwa3"s  destituto  of  the  snbtcrminal  black  band.  Yumig  not 
distini;;uishable   from   that   of  var.   culiinis.     /[uh.     Cape   St. 

Luias var.  Jucasanmt. 

Whole  head,  neck  (except  the  throat),  and  njiper  jiarts,  con- 
tinuon.sly  imiforin  nnvariegated  brownish-bhu.'k ;  that  of  tho 
neck  rncctinfj  narrowly  across  the  lower  part  of  the  throat, 
leaviiifT  th(!  whoh,"  throat  almost  innnaculato  white.     Posterior 
lower  parts  line,  deep  i)inkish-ochracc(ms  ;  tiliiic  deep  reddish- 
oclirnccous;  upper   tail-coverts  plain    rufous,     /lith.     Central 
America  (from  Tres  Marias,  Western  Mexico,  to  Costa  Rica 
and  Veraf,'na)         ......       var.  costarireii.ii.s, 

Tibi;e  and  lower  tail-covcrts  always  with  distinct  transv(.'rse  bars. 
Tail  often  with  more  or  le.ss  complete  transverse  bars  of  black  to 
the  base.  Lower  (larts  with  an  excess  of  ochraccous  and  darker 
mnrkin};s,  frctiucntly  wliolly  lilackish. 

Varyin;r,  from  individuals  (listingrnislinl)lo  from  the  darker 
examples  of  var.  horetiti.i  only  by  the  presence  of  bars  on  tho 
tibia;  and  crissinn,  throufrh  others  with  various  deirrces  of 
rufous  tinge  and  dusk}-  spotting  and  barring  beneath,  to  a  ]ier- 
fectly  melanistic  condition,  in  which  tho  bird  is  almost  uni- 
forndy  lilack,  and  the  tail  with  eontinnous,  regular  bars  of 
black  to  the  base.  Hah.  Western  Province  of  North  America, 
from  the  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific         .        .        var.  calurus. 

6.  B.  harlani.  Wing,  15.0t>- Ki.'iO ;  tail,  8.80-10.50;  culinen,  1.00; 
tarsus,  2.7")  - '.i.OO ;  middle  toe,  1.50-1.70.  Lateral  toes  nearly  equal ; 
tiljial  plumes  much  developed,  reaching  below  the  bases  of  tho  toes. 
Entirely  brownish-black  (exce|)t  the  tail),  tlu^  concealed  bases  of  the 
feathers  snowy-white.  Adult.  Tail  confusedly  mottled  with  du.sky 
and  white,  upon  a  grayish  ground;  sometimes  more  or  less  tinged 
with  rufous.  Ymiuy.  Tail  grayish-brown,  with  nine  very  regular, 
.sharply  dellned  bands  of  browrish-black,  about  e(iual  in  width  to  the 
gray  ones.  Lower  parts  wliolly  dusky,  //ah.  Southwestern  United 
States,  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains,  from  Kansas  to  Texas. 

7.  B.  cooperl.  Wing,  l.").7o;  tail,  9.10;  culnien,  1.10;  tarsus,  .3.25; 
middle  toe,  1.70.  Adult,  Head,  neck,  and  beneath,  jmre  white,  the 
head  above  and  nape  streaked  with  dusky  ;  lining  of  the  wing  white, 
with  a  large  black  patch.  Above  nearly  uniform  dusky,  the  iirimaries 
plumboou.s.  Tail  longitudinally  mottled  with  light  rufous,  cinercou.s, 
and  dusky ;  the  former  prevailing.  I/ab.  Santa  Clara  County,  Cali- 
fornia. 


FALCONID.K  — TIII<:   FALCON'S.  25l) 

Buteo  pennsylvanicus  (Wils). 

BBOAS-WINQED  HAWK. 

Fitlco  pcnnsylvamcus,  Wils.  Am.  Oiii.  VI,  !i-j,  pi.  liv,  f.  1,  l.si-j.  -  Lahi.  fli'ii.  Hist.  I, 
203,  1S21.  — .Vri).  n.  Am.  |.l.  .\ci,  18:il  ;  Orii.  Miof?.  I,  Kil,  Ksy].  _  Itos.u'.  Ann. 
Ljv.  N.  Y.  11,  -M,  VM;  l.sis,  J..  1137,  l.S;J-2.  -  Xi  n.  iMan.  I,  Kl,"),  l«ya.  —  Tkmm. 
I'l.  C'dI.  ()7,  lS3li.  JJkIco  ii(iuisijlctiitii:i(.t,  HonaI'.  OIm.  t'uv.  lliy.  An.  ji.  Xt,  183(1  ; 
Eur.  &  N.  Am.  U.  p.  3,  1838  ;  L'oii.s|i.  Av.  p.  lit,  1850. —  Aid.  Syn.  p.  7,  lS3!t. — 
BUEW.  (Wii.s).  Am.  Orii.  Syn.  j).  018,  180'.'.  --  Cisay,  Gi'n.  s)!.  8,  1844  ;  List  I!,  lirit. 
Mas.  (I.  10,  1844.  ~  Cas.s.  II.  Cal.  &  Tex.  Syn.  p.  lOU,  lS.'i4.  —  SiniiKl..  Oiii.  Syn.  I, 
■ii,  1S.-.5.  -  L)i;  Kav,  /.h)I.  X.  Y.  II,  11,  pi.  v,  li},'.  11,  ls44.  —  t'Ass.  Itinls  n!  Am. 
2!t,  18r)8.  —  (!i;ay,  Hand  List,  1$.  7,  18(i!l.  —  iJitlis.smt,  Iljis,  IStli"),  3-.'.'.  ('IV.\a.s).  Ashtr 
peitH.iijlriniii-ti.1,  Vvv.  niif.  An.  (id.  2),  I,  332,  182U.  —  .Fa.mk.s.  (Wii.n.)  Oni.  1,(15. 
Falco  liilMiiiu^,  \Vil.s.  Am.  Oiii.  (lust  cd.)  VI,  92,  pi.  liv,  f.  1,  1812.  A.  I  lali.mmiis, 
Ja1!I).  (Wii.s.)  Am.  Oiii.  II,  294.  Fk/co  wilsi.ni,  ItosAi'.  Olw.  Wils.  Xonv.  .lonin.  A(\ 
Sc.  N.  Y.  Ill,  .'i48.  J'dciliijili-niis  irihoui,  \\.\v\'.  Moil.  Kal.  (.'out.  (>in.  p.  75,  185U. 
SjKii-ciuti  iilatijiilcrioi,  Vikii.i,.  Kir'.  ilctli.  Ill,  1273  (ipiot.  Wils.  i>l.  liv,  lig.  1),  1823. 

Rp.  CiiAii.  Adult.  Upper  .siirfiicf  tlark  uinboi-lirowii,  llio  foatlicrs  jrradiially  paler 
toward  t'dj,'es ;  on  the  hack,  the  fuatiiors  iiioro  iiiiirorinlv  dusky,  caiisiiii;  a  prcvaiiMit 
lilackisli  ap]>oaraiii'u.  Iliiinp  and  iippeM-  tail-coverts  liiaekisii  vaiidykc-lirowii  ;  llie  latter 
tipped  witli  pure  white,  and  with  u  concealed  liar  of  same,  about  the  iiiiddie  of  each 
leather.  Tail  dull  black,  with  an  oliscuru  terminal  band  of  dull  brown,  this  fadiuf,'  ter- 
minally into  whitish  ;  across  the  middle  of  the  tail  a  broad  band  of  didl  ligiit  umber 
(in  .some  individuals  approachiiijr  ihdl  white)  about  J  of  an  inch  in  widtii ;  about  as  far 
anterior  to  the  main  band  as  tliis  is  from  the  tip  is  another  mueii  narrower  and  more 
obscure  band  of  the  same  color,  crossinfi;  Just  beyond  the  ends  of  the  coverts,  or  con- 
cealed by  them.  Primaries  nuilbrni  brownish-lilack,  faillnir  on  tei'iiilnal  ed^'e  into  pale 
brown.  Head  above,  and  broad  but  inconspicuous  "  inn-i,ielie,"  rumiiiij,'  from  beneath 
the  lore  downward  across  the  clu'ck,  dull  black  ;  the  crown  posteriorly,  with  the  occiput 
and  nape,  havinfr  the  dull  blai'k  much  broken,  caused  by  the  lateral  streaks  of  dull  rufous 
on  all  the  feathers;  this  dull  rufous  tint  pievails  on  the  rest  of  the  head  and  neck,  as  well 
as  the  breast,  leaving  the  lores  and  chin  and  lateral  portion  of  frontlet  alone  whitish ; 
throat  streaked  with  blackish.  Beneath  dull  lirownish-rufous ;  that  of  the  breast  almost 
nnvaried;  medially,  however,  are  roundi.sh  spots  of  white  on  opposite  webs,  but  these  are 
not  condnent;  posteriorly  these  spots  become  f,'radually  more  numerous  and  more  trans- 
verse, fonniiiy  on  the  Hanks  transverse  bauds,  almost  continuous;  on  the  tibiic  the  white 
prevails,  the  rufous  bars  being  more  distant,  and  coiinccteil  only  by  a  brown  shaft-line; 
lower  tail-coverts  less  numerous,  transverse  spots  of  dull  rufous.  Lining  of  the  wing 
oehraceons-white,  with  spar.se,  rather  small,  irregularly  deltoid  sjjots  of  didl  rulbus;  imder 
surface  of  the  primaries  unvaried  white,  as  far  as  their  eniargination,  beyond  which  they 
are  black.  Fourth  quill  longest;  third  a  little  shorter;  .second  intermediate  l>etween  fifth 
and  sixth;  first  about  equal  to  the  ninth.  Female  (extremes  .'](), 9(iO,  Brookline,  Mass., 
and  ;}0,89,"),  Mirador,  Mexico  ;  the  latter  the  larger.)  Wing,  1 1.00  -  1 1  .IJO ;  tail,  0.80  -  7.10 
tarsus,  2.30 ;  middle  toe,  1.30.  Male  (32,300,  Moose  F.actory,  Hudson's  Bay  Territory). 
Wing,  10.50;  tail,  0.30;  tar.su.s,  2.30  ;  middle  toe,  1.20. 

Yoinuj  male,  second  year  '  (39,100,  Remcdios,  Cuba,  June  ;  N.  IL  Bishop).  Upper  parts 
similar  to  adult,  but  a  reddish  tint  appreciably  washing  the  edges  of  the  interscapulars  and 
(less  noticeably  so)  the  .scapular.s.  Bands  on  tail  nearly  as  in  adult ;  but  very  near  the 
base  is  a  fourth,  very  narrow  and  faintly  defined,  pale  band,  while  the  bases  of  all  the 
feathers  are  much  mottled  with  white.     Dull  rufous  of  the  breast  not  contimious,  but  in 


200 


NUUTU  AMEltlCAN  lllUDS. 


till'  form  of  liiryo  longitudinal  broail  spots,  orciipyiiifT  tl'f  pronter  niiddlo  portidn  of  ouch 
I'oatlii'i' ;  abdoniun,  sides,  and  libiu'  wilii  sinalicr  and  niDic  lordatt^  spots  of  dull  iiil'oiis; 
the  lowur  taii-fovcrts  ininiacnlate;  the  do(;idt;d  ocliraoeoua  lingo  bi'nualli,  duepfsl.  pus- 
tfiioily. 

Yiiidif/,  lirst  year  (1 1.!)84,  Wnsliiiigton,  1).  ('.).  The  lihu  kisli  abovo  is  much  variegated, 
Ix'ilig  lirnken  liy  ihii  narrow  rnsty  borders  to  interscapuiins,  ruuiii,  and  lesser  wing- 
eoverl-s;  the  broader  and  more  oi.'iiraeeous  borders  to  seapniars  and  greater  wing-eoverts, 
and  partially  eoneealcd  whitish  spotting  on  the  liiriner.  Tpper  tail-eovert.s  white,  with 
bnmd  bars  of  lilaekisli-brown  ;  secondaries  and  primaries  edged  terminally  with  whitish. 
Tail  dull  mnber-brown.  growing  ilarker  (erniinally  ;  inuiowly  lipped  with  white,  and 
crosscil  with  six  obscure,  nairow  bands  of  dusky,  ihi?  (concealed)  bases  of  all  the 
feathers  while,  Supciciliary  region,  cheeks,  chin,  throat,  and  entire  lower  parts,  delicate 
jiale  ochraceous,  or  whitish  cream-color  ;  a  conspicuous  ''  unislache,"  a  medial  longitudinal 
scries  of  streaks  on  the  throat,  with  large  longitudinal  ovale  spots  on  sides  of  breast, 
cordate  spots  on  sides  and  Hanks,  and  sagittate  spots  on  tibiie,  clear  blackish-brown. 
The  ochraceous  deepest  on  the  abdomen  and  crissnni.     Wing  l)eneath  as  in  adult. 

A  very  yomig  bird,  scarcely  Hedged  (;>,'(, fjKS,  Milllown,  Me.  ;  (J.  A.  noardman),  dilfurs 
from  the  Inst  in  a  much  more  coulimious  black  shade  above,  the  deeper  ochraceoua 
bencalh,  and  larger,  as  well  as  more  numerous,  blackish  spots  l)eneath. 

In  the  adult  plumage  of  this  species,  the  principal  variation  is  in  the  continuity  or 
distinctness  of  the  anterior  light  band  on  I  he  tail,  and  the  extent  and  depth  of  slnule  of 
the  brown  beneath.  The  lirst  feature  is  characteristic  of  most  specimens,  oidy  one 
(r)r),!)St»,  ^,  Costa  Uicn)  lu'ing  without  it;  it  is  liroadest  and  most  conspicuous,  as  well  as 
less  concealed  by  the  coverts,  in  the  females,  and  this  a|ip('ars  to  be  the  principal  sexual 
dilference.  The  dull  brownish-rnfous  of  th(>  under  parts  is  most  prevalent  in  a  spc'cinion 
I'roin  Mirad(U',  Mexico  (.'K»,8!).j,  9  '  'September ;  T)r.  Sartorins),  in  which  specimen  the 
breast  is  almost  continuously  of  this  color,  and  the  lower  tail-coverts  are  strongly  barred 
(or  transversely  spotted)  with  the  same;  the  ground-color  l)eneatli  is  also  more  ochra- 
ceous than  in  any  other  individual.  In  the  Costa-Rican  specimen  (the  one  lacking  the 
anterior  tail-band),  the  Ijrown  beneath  is  quite  dilTerent  from  that  of  the  others,  being  of 
a  much  more  ashy  shade  ;  the  lower  tail-(.'overts  are  also  inmiaculate.  The  lirown  mark- 
ings beneath  are  most  sparse  in  20,38it,  from  Coban,  Vera  Paz  (January ;  0.  Salvin)  ; 
in  this,  also,  the  tail-bands  ar(!  very  distinct,  ami  almost  while. 

A  young  bird  from  Costa  Rica  (.'5i),41'2  ;  Dr.  Frantzius)  is  exactly  similar  to  No.  27,048, 
from  Fort  Garry,  Selkirk  Settlement. 


LIST   OF   SPECI.MEN3   EXA.M1NKU. 


National  Museum,  18 ;  Philadelphia  Academy,  6  ;  Boston  Society,  3 ;  Now  York 
Museum,  2  (Caraccas);  Museum,  Cambridge,  2;  Cab.  Gr.  N.  Lawrence,  5;  Coll.  R.  Ridg- 
way,  2.     Total,  38. 

Mea.vtrements. 


9 


Wing. 
9.8J  -  10.70 

ii.no -11.  to 


Tail. 


0.50  -  7.00 
7.00  -  8.00 


Cithiun. 


.70-. 
.70 -.78 


Tnrsiis. 
2.15  -2.80 


Miildlf  Tnr. 
1.20-1.38 


2.20-2.70       1.30-1.40 


Sptcimens. 
11 

14 


Had.  Eastern  Noi'th  America  southward  along  Grulf  coast  through  Louisiana,  into 
Mexico  and  Central  America ;  Cuba,  Ecuador,  Ui)per  Am.azon,  Caraccas  (X.  Y.  Museum). 

Localities:  Ecuador,  winter  (Set,.  1858,  451)  ;  Orizaba  (Set,.  1857,  21 1)  ;  Upijcr  Am- 
azon (Sci,.  1857,  201);  Culia  (Cah.  .lourn.  H,  IxNxii;  Gfxni.Acn,  Rept.  180."),  223; 
resident);  Panama  (Lawh.  VII,  ISGl,  288);  S.  £.  Texas  (Dkesskk,  Ibis,  1805,  325; 
breeds)  ;  Costa  Kica  (Lawu.  IX,  133). 


FALCUXIDai  —  THE   FALCtJNS. 


2(i  I 


Bllleo  ptntinylrnnirut. 


Haihts.  The  Broad-wiii^'cd  Ifiiwk  appeal's  to  be  dif^tribiitcd  over  ciistorii 
North  Aiiu'ritii,  soiiiewliiit  iin^j^'idarly,  as  I'ar  north  as  the  IJritish  Provinces, 
and  as  tiir  west  at  least  as  tlie  Mis- 
sissip|ii.  It  has  been  found  in  Flor- 
ida Ity  Mr.  Wurdeniaiin,  where  it 
was  said  to  bo  not  uncommon.  It 
is  a  resident  in  Culia,  where  it 
breeds  ;  Init  it  has  not  been  taken 
in  Jamaiea.  It  has  also  l)een  de- 
tected in  (hiatemala  by  .Mr.  Skin- 
ner. Audubon  states  that  he  never 
met  with  it  in  Louisiana,  but  Mr. 
Dre-sser  lound  it  not  uncommon 
from  the  Xueces  eastward.  In  Sep- 
temlier  he  notietnl  several  near  the 
Missi(jn  of  San  Patricio,  and  duriuf^ 
the  winter  obtained  .several  s]ieci- 
niens  near  San  Antonio.  In  May 
he  shot  a  youn;4  bird  on  the  Medina 
Kivor,  and  early  in  June  he  found 
a  nest  containing  young  on  the 
Colorado.  It  was  on  a  high  eot- 
tonwood-tree,  and  in  an  almost  inaccessible  position. 

It  is  not  mentioned  by  Mr.  Uownes  as  occurring  in  Xova  Scotia,  though  I 
think  it  (juite  probable  it  may  be  found  there  ;  but  it  is  ([uite  connuon  near 
Calais,  both  in  Eastern  Maine  and  in  New  ISrunswick.  Professor  Verrill 
gives  it  as  a  common  summer  visitant  in  Oxford  Comity,  Me.,  near  Norway, 
and  as  still  more  abundant  near  the  Umbagog  Lakes,  and  appaiently  the 
nu»st  common  Hawk  in  that  vicinity.  He  found  its  nest,  June  12,  contain- 
ing two  eggs  nearly  hatched.  It  is  to  be  met  with  throughout  Massacbusetls, 
having  been  I'ound  breeding  near  Williamstown,  Springfield,  and  also  in  tin; 
vicinity  of  Uoston.  Its  nest  was  also  met  with  in  Middlebury,  ^'t.,  by  the 
late  Professor  Adams.  Mr.  Mollwraith,  of  Hamilton,  Canada,  has  noted 
extensive  migrations  of  this  Hawk  in  March  of  dill'erent  years,  as  many  as 
twenty  or  tiiirty  being  in  view  at  one  time,  passing  at  a  considerable  height, 
and  moving  in  circles  towards  the  northwest.  Others,  that  appeared  to 
be  stragglei"s  from  the  main  body,  were  met  with  in  the  woods.  Dr.  Hoy 
states  it  to  be  rather  conunon  near  Kacine,  and  Mr.  Kumlien  has  ob- 
tained it  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Koskonong.  Inom  all  these  data  it  may 
naturally  be  inferred  that  this  Hawk  has  a  pretty  general  distribution  from 
Florida  to  Texas,  and  from  New  Brunswick  to  the  jMississii)pi  Valley,  prob- 
al)ly  extending  northward  into  the  Saskatchewan  Valley  and  south-westerly 
to  Central  America. 

The  Broad-winged  Hawk  was  first  described  by  Wilson,  who  shot  a  single 


2G2  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

s])ecimen  that  liad  been  feeding  on  a  meatlow-niouse.  On  liis  approach  it 
uttered  a  whining  whistle  and  Hew  to  another  tree.  Anotlier  ol"  tiie  same 
Hpeeies  was  oljserved,  and  its  movements  were  in  wide  circh'S,  with  unmoving 
wings.     Niittall  never  met  witli  it,  and  regarded  it  as  very  rare. 

iViuhilion  characterizes  this  Hawk  as  sjjiritless,  inactive,  and  deficient  in 
courage,  seldom  chasing  other  birds  of  jaey,  but  itself  freipiently  annoyed 
by  the  little  Sparrow-Hawk,  the  Kinglard,  and  the  Martin.  It  only  attacks 
liirds  of  a  weak  nature,  young  eliickens,  and  ducklings,  and  feeds  on  small 
animals  and  insects.  It  is  usually  found  singly,  is  easily  ajiproached,  and 
when  wounded  throws  itself  on  its  back,  erects  its  top  feathers,  utters  a 
hissing  sound,  and  attempts  to  defend  itself  with  its  talons. 

A  nest  of  this  bird,  found  by  Mr.  Audubon,  is  said  to  have  been  about 
the  size  of  that  of  the  Crow,  and  to  have  been  placed  in  the  larger  branches 
of  a  tree,  near  the  trunk.  It  was  composed  externally  of  dry  sticks  and 
briers  ;  internally,  of  small  roots,  and  lined  witli  numerous  large  i'eatiiers. 
The  nest  found  by  Professor  Adams,  near  Middlel)ury,  \t.,  was  (piite  large, 
and  was  coarsely  constructed  of  sticks,  and  lined  only  with  fibrous  roots  and 
tine  grass.  In  this  instance  the  eggs  were  three.  This  is  the  more  usual 
numljcr,  though  occasionally  four  or  five  are  found. 

Mr.  Boardman  informs  me  that  Mr.  Audubon's  account  of  the  spiritless 
maimer  in  which  one  of  these  Hawks  suffered  him  to  ca]iture  it  on  its  nest 
docs  not  at  all  correspond  with  his  own  experience.  He  has,  on  the  con- 
trary, found  it  one  of  the  most  courageous  and  s])irited  of  its  family.  On 
one  occasion,  when  a  man  eni])loyed  by  him  was  ascending  to  a  nest,  a 
parent  bird  assailed  the  disturber  with  great  fury,  tore  his  cap  frnni  his  head, 
and  would  have  done  the  man  serious  injury  had  it  not  been  shot.  In 
another  instance  one  of  these  l)irds  attacked  a  boy  climbing  to  its  nest,  and 
fastened  its  talons  in  his  arm,  and  could  not  be  removed  until  it  was  beaten 
off  and  killed  with  a  club. 

The  eggs  of  this  Hawk  have  an  average  length  of  2.00  inches,  and  an 
average  breadth  of  l.til.  The  smallest  egg  measures  1.94  by  l.r»((  inciies, 
and  the  largest  2.11  Ijy  1.72  inches,  showing  considerable  variation  in  their 
relative  capacity,  but  not  so  nmch  as  is  i'ound  among  the  eggs  of  other  spe- 
cies. In  shape,  the  eggs  are  of  a  slightly  rounded  oval,  one  end  a  little 
less  ol)tu.se  than  the  other.  The  ground-color  is  oi'  a  grayish  or  dirty  white, 
occasionally  with  a  slightly  silvery  shading.  These  are  marked,  usually 
over  the  entire  egg,  in  irregular  distribution,  with  varying  shades  of  l)rown. 
The  more  conunon  is  a  light  tawny  or  reddish-brown.  Intermingld  with 
these  Ijlotches  are  often  found  a  ])eculiar  fainr  purplish-brown,  dull  shading 
of  a  light  yellowish-lirown,  ami  a  deep  rich  shade  of  purplish-brown, 
approaching  occasionally  almost  in  intensity  to  black.  These  may  occur 
separately,  or  they  may  all  be  found  l)lended  in  the  same  egg.  The  size, 
siiape,  and  peculiar  coloring  of  the  eggs  of  this  Hawk  make  them  readily 
recognizable,  though  uot  readily  permitting  a  satisfactory  description. 


FALCOMD^E  — THE   FALCOiSTS.  263 

A  nest  of  this  Hawk,  taken  l.y  Mr.  ,1.  V.  Ifitchio,  May  LS,  18G:5,—  the 
parent  female  of  which  was  sticured  also,  —  is  ilescribed  as  liavinj;-  been 
made  of  large  sticks,  very  loosely  jiiit  toyet!ier,  lined  with  a  lew  pieces  of 
bark.  It  was  placed  in  the  crotch  of  a  tree,  close  to  the  trunk,  and  twenty 
feet  from  the  ground,  and  contained  two  eggs. 


Buteo  swainsoni,  Boxap. 

Var.  Hwaliisoni,   Bokap. 

SWAINSON'S  HAWK;   BAIRP'     AAWZ. 

Butco  swiiinsoni,  R(inai'.  Conip.  List,  \t.  'A,  1838;  i'oiisip.  Av.  ji.  1!i,  IS.'ifl  ;  Proc.  Ao.  X.  S. 
Phil.  ji.  -itsil,  IH.-,-,  ;  p.inls  X.  Am.  lit,  18r,8.  — ni:r.i:M.  P.  1!.  1!.  Itcj.'t,  II,  ;i2,  ISm. — 
SiKicKi..  Dill.  Syu.  I,  ;iO,  ISr.S.  —  DuE.ssKK,  lbi^s,  ]8(j,'),  3-'l  (Ti  xas).  —  (Iamm.  .Toiini. 
Ac.  N.  S.  Pliil.  II.  5.  I,  27.  —  C(>rE,s  Prod.  li.  Ariz.  9,  l.S()(>.  —  Di.akist.  Iliis,  III, 
1801,  yi7  (I'lcsli  rj^Rs).  -CitAY,  Hand  List,  I,  7,  lyiill.  Falco  Imlc.n,  Pknn.  Aict.  Zocl. 
IL  207,  sp.  lu;j(?  ,liiv.),  178"). —Aril.  H.  Am.  pi.  ccdxxii,  1831;  Om.  liiiij,'.  IV, 
f.(l8,  1831.  Fii/co  iihsnlclun,  (i.MKI,.  Syst.  Xat.  ]i.  2(>8,  178'.l.  —  Ki;i:i:,  Tniiis.  (iiiici.  II 
mil,  179-.i.  --  L.vill.  liid.  Oni.  11.  28,  sji.  (il,  17S)(I  ;  Syiioii.  Supii.  L  p.  3ll  ;  (Ion.  Hist. 
I,  p.  2r,4,  1821.— L)Ai;i).  Tr.  Oni.  11,' 104,  ISOO. -^Siiaw,  Zoiil.  VII,  152,  1812. 
L'litco  ('inarm,  Vlicil.i,.  Ois.  Am.  1807.  Iliilcu  ru/ijiirin,  llicii.  k  Swains.  K.  B.  Am. 
p.  f),  1S;U.  —  ,Tai!I).  (Wils.)  Am.  Oni.  II,  r.(i,  1808.  —  liitr.w.  (Wii.s.i  Am.  Oin.  p.  ;i(i;i ; 
Syuop.  p.  ()S4,  18,')2.  Biilco  iiioiiliiiia.t,  Xl  TT.  Man.  Orii.  I'.  S.  &  Caiiad.  I,  112,  lS:i3. 
ISnIto  liiiii-ili,  HiiY,  Pioc.  Ai'.  Sc.  Phil.  VI,  -1.')],  18r)3.  —  Cassis,  P>.  (il'Cal.  it  Tex.  pi. 
xli,  ISni  ;  Piirds  X.  Am.  21,  Isr.S.  —  SililiKl,.  Oiii.  .Syii.  I,  37,  KS.'i.'i.  Iliileo  inshjim- 
tus,  C'A.ss.  15.  Cal.  &  Tix.  ]>.  102,  jil.  .\xxi,  18."i4  ;  liirds  X.  Am.  23,  lSr.8.  —  IIkkkm. 
P.  1{.  I!.  licp't,  VII,  31,  l,sri7.  —  SnacKi..  Oin.  Syn.  I,  38,  185;"..  —  C(in;s,  Prod.  H. 
Ariz.  !),  ISUti.  —  liliVANT,  Proc.  liost.  Soc.  X,  lS(io,  DO  (=  swainsoni).  !  Ilnlco  (juttu- 
ni/is,  Max.  Cab.  Jourii.  VI,  18r)8,  17  (ami  rj;j;s). 

8i>.  CiiAR.  Foi'in  robust  and  stroiif.',  like  il.  l)orc((lis  ;  wini^.s  lony  and  poiiifpd ;  only 
tlirco  oiitLM'  pi-jniarios  with  their  iiiiicr  \V(>bs  cut.  Feet  robu-t,  tho  tarsi  sti-oiui'.  Diinoii- 
sions:  Wiiirr,  14.40-17.00;  tail,  8.00 -!l.."jO  ;  culnion,  .80- .!)"> ;  tarsus,  •J.;!0-'2.70  ;  luid- 
dlo  toe,  L50-  1.70.  Wciirht,  li-;5i  His.  Colors:  Tail  dark  grayish-brown  with  a  lioai  v 
cast,  i'rossod  by  nuiuiTtins  obscure  narrow  bands  ol'  a  darkei-  shade.  Adult,  iinilonn 
blaekish-brown  aliove;  iippcr  lail-coverts  barred  witii  white.  Throat  and  lower  iiarts 
posterior  to  the  breast  white  or  pale  ochraecons;  ii  bi-oad  patch  acro.ss  the  breast  liuilbiin 
brown,  —  nddish-i-iilous  in  the  male,  and  ".'rayish-uniber  in  the  leniale,  —  the  wliole 
lower surla/ wary iiifr  to  entirely  iiiiil'orni  dull  brownisli-lilaek,  thoiii,di  inten.iediate  shades. 
Yoinuj.  with  the  },'roun<l-color  ol'  the  ]iluiua,u:e  soft  oohr.aeeou.s,  or  creain-eolor;  the  head, 
neck,  dorsal  iv,t;ion,  and  sides  ol' the  lircasf,  with  tear-shaped  spots  of  browiiish-lilai'k,  with 
a  faint  purple  lelleclion.  I'pper  parts  purplish-lilack,  vaiicfjated  with  ochracoous,  sonie- 
tiiues  almost  wholly  black.     Tail  as  in  the  adult,  liut  more  hoary. 

(t.  Ki)rni(il  iilnmtKje. 
Adult  male  (.")3.10r),  Trnokce  liivcr,  Xevada,  .riily ;  C.  KhiL',  K.  Ridu'way).  Head, 
iieek,  and  njiper  parts  blacki.sh-brown :  sca|mlars  sli,a;htly  variegated  with  a  rufous 
mottlint;-;  upper  tail-eoveits  white  tinged  with  nifou.'t,  and  with  transver.se  bars  of 
Iilai'kish-lirown,  about  si.x  on  each  feather.  Tail  dark  brown  like  the  ba(;k-,  approaching 
black  teriniiially,  basally  with  a  slight  hoary  east ;  cro.ssod  by  about  ten  narrow,  very 
obscure  bands  of  ueuily  bkuk.     Front     iid  whole  throat  clear  white,  iinmaeulate,  and 


2G4 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


sharply  Jclincd  against  the  siii-roiiiicling  l)lackisli;  lori-s  dusky.  Whole  breast,  cinnamon- 
rufous  (forming  a  wide,  sharply  dulined  band),  inarkod  laterally  with  the  lirown  of  the 
lie(.'k  ;  each  feather  with  a  shaft-line  of  blaek  ;  rest  ol'  lower  jiarts,  ineludiug  whole  lining 
of  the  wing,  eontiiuioiis  oehraeeous  white,  the  latter  region  unvariegated  ;  sides  with 
sparse,  faint,  transverse  bars  of  rufous,  and  shaft-lines  of  darker.  Under  side  of  jirimaries 
light  slate  anterior  to  emargination,  beyond  which  they  are  black;  slaty  portion  crossed 
by  very  obsem-e  bars  of  darker.  Fourth  (piill  longest,  thir<l  scarcely  shorter ;  second  ecjual 
til  fifth  ;  liist  intcnnediate  lictween  seventh  and  eighth.  Length,  10. To;  extent,  48.00; 
wing,  15.40;  tail,  8.00;  tarsus,  2.32;  middle  toe,  1.00.  (Weight  1^  lbs.)  Bill  slate-black, 
bluish  basally ;  cere,  and  angle  of  mouth,  light  dull  lemon  yellow ;  iris  deej)  hazel ;  tarsi 
and  toes  deep  chrome  yellow,  claws  black. 


Buteo  sKainatmi  ( Nevada ). 

AihiUfemnk  (.")8,507,  (treat  Salt  Lake  City,  Utah,  May;  C.  King,  R.  Pidgway).  Sim- 
ilar to  tl.^  male,  but  pectoral  area  blacki.sh-brown,  like  the  back;  blaekish-brown  of  upper 
surface  untingeil  with  rufous,  all  the  feathers,  however,  fading  on  edges;  bands  of  the  tail 
.scarcely  distinguishable  on  outer  webs;  white  of  forehead  very  restricted;  lining  of  the 
wing  barred  with  small  cordate  or  deltoid  spots  of  black ;  under  surface  of  primaries 
plain  deep  slate.  Abdomei  and  sides  variegated  with  a  few  irregular  longitudinal  spots, 
and  on  the  latter,  transverse  bars  of  dark  brown;  tibiaj  with  faint  bars  of  rufou.s.  Fourth 
•  [uiU  longest;  third  scarcely  shorter;  .second  very  slightly  shorter  than  fifth;  first  inter- 
mediate between  seventh  and  eighth.  Length,  21. oO ;  extent,  54.00 ;  wiiig,  1C.50;  tail, 
8.50;  tarsus,  2.70;  middle  toe,  1.70.     (Weight,  2J  lbs.) 

Young  (10,701,  Rocky  Mountains,  September;  C.  Drexler).  Head,  neck,  and  entire 
lower  parts  line  delicate  light  oehraeeous,  or  cream-color;  feathers  of  the  crown,  occiput, 
and  neck,  eaeli  with  a  medial  stripe  of  black,  of  less  amount,  however,  than  the  oehra- 
eeous ;  forehead,  supraoral  region,  and  ear-coverts,  with  onl/  a  few  very  fine  hair-like 
.shaft-streaks ;  on  the  chin,  and  across  the  checks,  are  longitudinal  spaces  of  blended 
streaks  of  black,  the  latter  forming  a  conspicuous  "mustache'';  sides  of  the  breast  with 
large  ovate  .spots  of  black;  middle  of  the  breast  with  less  numerous,  smaller,  and  more 
longitudinal  ones  of  the  .same ;  sides,  flanks,  and  abdomen,  with  broad  hastate  spots, 
more  irregidar  and  transverse  on  the  former;  throat,  tibiie,  anal  region,  and  lower  tail- 
coverts  immaeulale.  Upjjcr  sm-face  generally,  deep  black;  feathers  bordere<l  with  pale 
oehraeeous,  the  scapulars  and  middle  wing-coverts  much  variegated  with  the  same.  Sec- 
ondary (Miverts,  s(,'eondaries,  and  primaries  narrowly  tipped  with  white.  T'ppcr  tail- 
coverts  pall!  oehraeeous,  barred  with  bl.ick.  Tail  ashy-lirow^n.  very  nnich  lighter  than 
the  rump  (more  hoary  than  in  the  adult),  narrowly,  but  clearly,  tipped  with  white,  and 
crossed  by  ten  or  twelve  narrow  bands  of  l)lack,  mijre  distinct  than  in  the  adult.  Under 
surface  of  primaries  more  whitish  than  in  the  adult. 

(fi.  ihlanixtk  condilinn  ;  =  //.  iii.iigiiatiin  of  Cassin.) 
Adiilf  male  (22,507,  Onion  River ;  R.  McFarlane).    Entirely  browni.sh  black,  whole  under 
surface  of  wings  inchnlcd  ;  lower  tail-eoverts  eiiually  l>arred  with  white  and  black.     Tail 


FALCOXID-E  — THE   FALCONS.  2G5 

lihifkisli  slat(>,  iiiiiTou-ly  paler  al  llic  tij),  and  crossed  willi  nunierniis  ol>lifiun  Ijars  of 
(liisUy  lilai'k;  upiicr  tail-covcrls  liai'ivd  olisoletrly  with  lii^htcr  slal  v-l)rc)\vii.  Wiiii'  15.00; 
tail.  S.OO;  tarsus,  'J.'-'O;  middli'  toe,  l.'jO.  l-'ourlli  quill  longest;  third,  next;  second, 
shoiter  than  lil'th;   lirst,  sliglitly  shorter  than  eighth. 

Adn/I  ft'iiKile  (l'-',027,  Tlah  Valley,  July;  ('.  S.  McCarthy).  Similar:  lower  tail-cov- 
erts white,  tiii.!i-(>d  with  rusty,  and  harrcd  with  hi'own  ;  tiliiie  tinged  with  chestnut.  Wine 
10.50;  tail,  8.S();  tarsus, 'J.IJO  ;  niidcUe  toe,  l.(J5.  Tliird  and  fourth  quills  equal  and  long- 
est;   third  sliorter  than  lifth;    lirst  e(|nal  to  eighth. 

LIST    or    PPKCIMKNS    KXAMIXliD. 

National  Museum,  27:  Philadelphia  Academy,  li ;  Boston  Society,  1;  Museum,  Cam- 
hritlge,  1  :  Cah.  (I.  N.  i,awrence.   -2;  W.  TJrewstc.'r.  1  :   1!.  liidgw.ay,  5.     Total,  ,'!!). 

Mfdsiiremi'iil-''. 


Sex.<  Wing. 

_ 


14.40-15.25 
14.75-  1(>.,")() 


0.00- 


Ciilmen.  Tarsus. 


.80 -.1)0     j   2.;50-2.()5 
.80 -.95     ;  2.50-2.70 


MiMIe  Toe. 

Specimens. 

1.50-  l.(>0 
1,55-1.(;5 

11 

IIab.  Western  regions  of  North  America,  ea.^t  to  the  Mississippi  Valley,  north  to  the 
Arctic  regions  ;  Wisconsin  ;  Arkansas  ;  Canada  ;  Mass.achusetts. 

Localities:  S.  Texas  (Dhksski!,  Ihis,  ISlJ.J.  324):  Arizona  (CocES?) ;  fJnatemala  (Scl. 
Ibis,  I,  210,  •■  iiLiigimtim"). 

Tlic  .yotiiig  pluinao'c  described  above  is  the  Butro  haircU,  Hoy,  of  authors. 
The  nuilaiii.stic  pUimagc  i.s  B.  iiiaiiiiuiins,  ('a<5sin. 

Tlie  y.miig  bird.s  of  tlii.s  species  are  as  variable  as  the  adults ;  thus.  No. 
53,21U,  (J,  lias  the  fine  ochraceous  of  the  lower  parts  entirely  free  from 
spots,  except  across  tlie  bretist ;  on  the  ujiper  parts  tlie  ochraceous  spotting 
is  so  extended  as  to  alniosi  prevail,  while  another,  from  the  same  nest,  has  the 
black  beneath  exceeding  the  ochraceous,  the  tibiiv  l)eiiig  tliickly  spotted,  and 
tlic  lower  tail-coverts  liarred.  lioth  these  s])ecimens  lielong  to  a  brood  of 
four,  whicli  were  hardly  able  to  fl\-,  and  were  .shut,  \\itli  their  ])arents,  the 
male  of  winch  is  the  one  described,  while  the  female  (Xo.  53,20G)  is  a  very 
dark  exanqtle  of  infiifpiiifttfi,  Cassia. 

The  type  of  hairdi,  and  iinotlier  Wisconsin  s]iecimen,  are  in  the  collection 
of  the  riiiladel])hia  Academy.  In  plumage,  tiiey  are  unlike  any  others  I 
liave  seen,  thougli  there  is  as  little  resemblanct!  between  these  two  as  l)e- 
twecM  any  I  have  comi)ared.  Dr.  Hoy's  type  (Kaciue,  Wi.sc.,  January,  18r)4) 
differs  from  others,  in  exceedingly  ])ale  colors  ;  tlie  cream-color  lieneatli  is 
scarcely  s]wtte(l,  tiiero  being  only  a  fe»v  tritingular  sjiots  and  sliatl-lines  of 
l>lack  on  the  sides;  t'lo  lining  of  the  wing  is  entirely  immaculate.  Alio\e, 
the  black  is  unusually  contimious  ;  the  under  surface  of  tlie  jirimaries  is 
unusually  white.     Wing,  lo.OO;  tail,  8.00. 

The  other  specimen  (IMenonomee  :Mars]i,  Milwaukee,  Wise,  spring  of  1851) 
is  just  the  ojiposite  extreme  in  plumage,  being  unusually  dark,  lor  a  young 
bird.  T'eneath,  the  black  sjiots  are  so  large  as  to  nearly  cover  the  whole 
surface,  wiiile  the  continuity  of  tlu  bhick  of  the  up]ier  jiart  is  almo.st  un- 
broken. The  head  above,  and  nai)e,  and  broad  "mustache"  stripe  from 
Vol..  III.  34 


266  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

angle  of  nioiitli  down  to  Uw  jiiguluin,  witli  nearly  the  whole  ])Pctorfil  area, 
UMijidkeii  black,  leaving  the  gular  region  and  side  of  the  head  pale,  but 
thii'kly  streaked.  Wing,  15.00;  tail,  S.SO ;  tarsus,  2.35;  middle  toe,  1.50. 
These  specimens  may  he  said  to  form  about  the  extremes  of  the  young  plu- 
mage. An  Iowa  skin  (No.  59,052;  liiekseeker)  is  like  the  average  of  far- 
westoni  examples. 

The  melanistie  eonilition  hears  to  the  normal  plumage  of  siminsoni  pre- 
cisely the  same  relation  that  the  black  adnrus,  Cassin,  does  to  the  usual 
style  of  the  western  variety  of  horcK/is  {hurca/iii  var.  ralitrits  =  montauvs, 
Cassin);  tiie  varial)le  series,  connecting  these  two  extremes,  and  designated 
by  the  name  Jiorcniif;  var.  ntlurKu,  which  covers  the  whole,  finds  an  exact 
])arall(!l  in  the  ju'esent  species. 

A  specimen  from  the  Platte  (5,570,  $ ,  August;  W.  S.  Wood)  is  entirely 
dark  rufous-brown  lieneath  (excepting  the  lower  tail-coverts),  ;\  ith  the  shafts 
of  tlie  feathers  bkick. 

This  species  is  entirely  distinct  specifically  from  the  B.  vidi/dris  of  Europe. 
The  latter  has  four,  instead  of  only  three,  outer  primaries  deeply  emarginated, 
and  is  very  dissimilar  in  every  stage  of  plumage. 


Vnr.  oxypterus,  Cassin. 

SHARF-WINOED  HAWK. 

(Xonndf  jioiinii  pltinuiijc.) 

Biitco  n.ri/ptcru.t,  Cass.  P.  .\.  X.  S.  VII,  18.').'>,  282.  —  In.  Birds  N.  .Am.  IS.'iS,  30.— 
SriiKKi..  (tin.  Syii.  I,  1855,  28.  —  I'urivs,  T.  A.  N.  S.  18GG,  9.  —  GliAY,  H.nnd  List, 
I,  8. — t'lioi'Kii,  ItiiilsCiil.  1870,  -180.  Bati'.oalhkaiuhitus,  "  Vieill.,"  Sclatek,  P.  Z.  S. 
ISOlt,  034,  No.  22. 

(yfclanislic  phnnarjr.) 
Uidni  /,(N(jinnx)is,  ScLATEi;,  1'.  7..  S.  I.onil.  1858,  350. —  In.  Trans.  Z.  S.,  July,  1858,  267, 
pi.  I.\ii.  --  liiDciWAV,  P.  A.  N.  .S.  Due.  1870,  1 12. 

."^p.  CiiAU.  Aihill :  iiiehiiii.iti'c  p?inn(ii/p  CSif.  12,117,  ^[az.'itlan,  ^[(wiro  ;  Colonel  Abort). 
Entiri'ly  riilij;inous-l>laclv,  darkest  on  lie.'id  and  hack;  no  white  on  I'orelioad.  Tail  cine- 
reons-UMiher,  crossed  with  seven  very  refrnlar  and  continuous  hands  of  lilack,  the  suhter- 
niinal  one  of  which  is  hroadest.  Lower  tail-coverts,  and  larger  under  winu-eovert.s,  with 
ti'ansversi'  hands  of  didl  white  ;  liniu'.,^  of  the  winir  nnvarieil  lilack  ;  umler  surface  of  pri- 
iii:\ries  silvei'V-while.  that  poi'lion  licyond  their  eniarifiniition  lilack,  the  whitish  portion 
crossed  liy  distant,  very  obsolete.  traMsvi'r.=c  bars.  Third  ipiill  lonrrest ;  fourth  and  fifth 
scarcely  shorter,  ,and  n(\'U'ly  erpial ;  second  e(pial  to  sixth  ;  first  .shorter  than  eifrhlh.  Tail 
sipiarc  ;  sciitelliu  of  the  tarsus  very  faintly  deliiied,  or,  in  fa(;t,  .scarcely  deteclable  (proba- 
lily  arcidcutal),     WiuL'.  l.'i.oO;  iail,  7.00;  tar.sn.s,  1.!)") ;  middle  too,  1.")"). 

Yo'dKj  iiKilc ;  iioniiiil  j)hiiii((f/r  (So.  >^/>')0,  Fort  Fillmore,  New  ifcvieo;  Dr.  T.  ('. 
Henry,  !'..'<.  .V.).  Head,  n<'ck,  and  lower  parts,  .soiled  ochraeeons-white.  Feathers  of 
the  head  above,  anil  neck  laterally  and  behind,  with  medial  .stripes  of  blackish-brown  ; 
jUL''ulum,  breast,  sides,  ll.itiks,  and  alulomon,  with  large  rounded  .spots  of  bliickish-brown  ; 
tibia'  willi  transverse  bars  of  the  s;unc;  lower  tail-coverts  almost  inunacuhite.  A  con- 
spicuous •■  mustache"  of  blended  dusky  sircak.s,  from  angle  of  the  mouth  across  the  eheek.«, 


FALCONID.E  —  THE   FALCONS. 


2G7 


the  (1'isky  sufl'iisinp;  tlic  lores.     Whole  oral   rc^rion  scarcely  vaiieiriilcil   pale  yi'llowisii ; 
whole  ehiu  and  tliroat  iimimeiilate. 

Prevailing  tint  above,  Ijlaekish-lirowii,  liecoininir  iiinplish-ljlack  on  juiinaiit's ;  wliole 
outei- sni'liice  of  winiT  jilaiii,  Iml  interscapular  rcj;ion  soiiiewliat  varietratcd  wilh  piirlially 
concealeil,  iri'eLrular  lilotches  oC  ileeper  oehraeeous  than  the  lowei'  parts:  iijipcr  tail-cuv- 
erts  with  paiis  of  inilistini-l  white  spots.  Tail  j;i'ayish-lirown  (while  at  exlicme  Imsc). 
crossed  wilh  ahont  ten  narrow,  indistinct,  but  i-e^nilar  liands  ol'  dusky.  I-ininjr  of  llie 
wings  yellowish-white,  wilh  sparse  cordate  s()ols  ol'  lilackish,  this  lint  pi-evailin.u:  over  the 
under  primary  coverts;  under  siirfuee  of  the  primaries  pure  pui-plish-lilaek  afler  their 
einarirination,  but  anteriorly  plain  hoary  brown,  growing  paler  basally.     On  inner  webs 


12117. 


Biiteo  oiijpterus  (Mazatlnn). 


an.  very  indistinct  transverse  spots  of  dusky,  touching  neither  the  edge  nor  shaft  of  the 
feather,  and  entirely  concealed  when  the  wing  is  closed.  Shafts  of  i)riniaries  pure  white 
on  under  side;  on  outer,  dark  brown.  Wing-fornnila,  3-4-2-5-0-7-1,8.  Three 
outer  primaries  emarginated  on  iimer  webs;  second,  third,  and  li)urth,  siiniated  on  outer. 
AVing,  13.70;  tail,  7.00;  tarsus,  U.IO;  middle  toe,  1.35.  Primaries  project  beyond  sec- 
ondaries, 5.50.     (Cassin's  type.) 

Young  female  (:iS,')Oii,  San  Jose.  Costa  Ilica;  .T.  Cariniol).  Differs  from  the  type  chiefly 
in  lighter  colors.  The  whole  forehead  very  broadly  innnaculale  dull  wliilc.  this  contiini- 
ing  back  to  the  occi]iut  in  a  broad  unstreaked  superciliary  stri|ic  ;  along  ihc  upper  edge 
of  the  ear-coverts  is  a  rusty  sufl'usion.  with  condensed,  line  dusky  streaks,  forming  an 
indistinct  stripe  separating  th(>  wholly  white  ear-coverts  from  the  supraoral  stripe;  the 
"  mustache  "  is  very  conspicuous  ;  the  breast  lias  a  few  large  tear-.sliaped  siiots  of  clear 
blacki.sh-brown,  and  the  sides  have  very  .sparse,  irregular,  and  more  sagittate  spots  of  the 
.same  ;  the  whole  posterior  jiarts  arc  iumiaculate.  The  upper  parts  are  more  viuiegatcd  with 
paler,  the  wing-coverts  and  runi])  having  the  feathers  irregularly  boi'dered  wilh  whitish. 
The  upper  tail-coverts  are  white,  barred  with  dark  brown.  Tail,  hoaiy  lirown,  crossed 
by  nine  or  ten  nearly  i)l)solete,  narrow  b;uids  of  du.sky.  Whole  lining  of  the  wii'gs  ini- 
maeulate,  except  the  cons])icuous  jiatch  on  the  primary  coverts.  The  whole  imder  snrlhce 
of  the  primaries  is  uniform  slaty,  gradually  deepening  into  black  towards  ends.  Wiiig- 
fonnnla,  ;]-4-2  -  5-0-7,  1.  Wing,  15.00;  tail,  S.Ol) ;  tarsus,  2.15  ;  middle  toe,  1.55. 
Priinai'ies  project  Iteyond  sccondm-ies,  0.00. 

TTab.    Tropical  America,  from  the  southern  border  of  the  United  States  to  Buenos  .Vyres. 

The  iiielaiiistic  specimen  describefl  above  agree.s  perfectly  with  Mv.  Scla- 
ter'.s  excellent  fi<];ure  of  hi.s  B.  fuliginosus  above  cited,  and  the  only  di.scre- 
pancy  in  the  description  is  in  the  measurements,  —  those  "iven  for  the  j5. 
fullf/liiosiis  being,  wing  12.00,  tail  G..")!!,  and  tarsus  2.00.  This  difference  — 
certainly  not  great  —  very  likely  indicates  tlie  jiroportions  of  the  sexes, 
while  tiie  discrepancy  as  regards  the  length  of  the  tarsus,  it  is  jirobable, 
results  from  a  difl'erent  mode  of  measurement. 


2G8  NORTH  AMERICAN- JUUD.S. 

The  present  form  is  very  nearly  related  to  the  true  B.  siniiutioiii,  iiml, 
though  distiuguisliiiMe,  we  liuil  il  ditlicult  to  express  points  of  absolute  dif- 
fereiiee.  The  essential  distinctions,  liowever,  are  the  longer  priniarii's  and 
lighter  colors  of  the  present  bird,  tliere  being  in  the  immature  iilumage  of 
uj'i/ji/n'i(s  no  approach  to  tiie  deep,  hue  ocliraccous,  the  characteristic  and 
pr(!valent  tint  of  the  young  JJ.  sirKiitwni.  The  spots  beneath  are  more 
sparse,  ami  there  does  not  ajiiiear  to  be  that  tendency  to  tiieir  aggregation 
on  the  sides  of  the  l)reast  as  generally  seen  in  titmiHtioni. 

Both  agree,  however,  —  and  dill'er  from  all  other  species,  —  in  the  uniiarred 
slate-color  of  the  under  surface  of  ])rimaries,  the  plain  lilack  of  the  outer 
surface,  eonsi)icuous  "  nnistaclie,"  obscurely  barred  gray  tail,  etc.  In  fact, 
the  general  pattern  is  almost  exactly  tlie  same,  while  there  is  little  dilfer- 
ence  in  relative  projwrtions. 

In  view  of  the  very  a])pre'jial)le,  though  rather  indelinile,  dill'erences 
above  indicated,  and  the  obscure  liistiiry  tif  the  [iresent  liird,  we  pivfer,  at 
least  until  more  familiar  with  its  different  stages,  to  recogni/e  it  under  tiie 
al)ove  name. 

A  third  si»ecimcn,  fmni  ISueiios  Ayres  (Conchitas  ;  William  II.  Htulson), 
—  exactly  siniihu',  in  all  particulars,  to  tlie  two  s[>eeimens  described, —  was 
labelled  by  ^Nlr.  Sclater,  JJ.  ulhicaiulniK.-i,  N'ieill.,  which  is  usually  placed  as  a 
synonyme  under  //  ptcrurln^,  an  exclusively  Sunt!  American  species  ;  though 
belonging  strictly  to  the  same  section  of  the  geiuis  with  the  [U'csent  bird  and 
B.  tiicduisoiii,  it  is  ([uite  ilistinct,  tlu^  Smiliisonian  Collection  containing 
numerous  examples  illu.strating  the  several  stages  of  plumage. 

lI.viUTs.  Taking  the  two  varieties  togetlier,  this  .species  appears  to  range 
over  the  entire  continent  of  America,  from  tiie  Arctic  regions  to  the  cold-tem- 
perate portion  of  South  America.  In  Arctic  America  it  apjiears  to  have  a 
western  distribution,  though  extending  far  to  the  north  during  the  breeiliiig- 
season,  and  being  more  or  less  nomadic  during  the  winter.  A  single  well- 
marked  si>ecimen  was  taken  by  Jlr.  I'rewster,  in  tlie  winter  of  1S71  -72,  in  tlie 
eastern  part  of  ^las.saeiiusetts.  It  was  Ijist  noliied  liy  Pr.  Uichard.^on,  and 
was  by  him  suppo.si'd  to  be  identical  with  the  coiinnon  I'u/x.ard  of  Murojie. 
It  was  met  with  in  the  fur  country,  where  it  was  migratory,  arriving  there 
early  in  Aitril,  and  departing  again  aliout  the  end  of  September.  It  freipientcd 
tlie  low  alluvial  points  of  land  wliich  .stretch  out  luider  the  higii  banks 
of  rivers,  where  it  miglit  lie  oli.served  sitting  for  a  h)ng  while  motionless  on 
the  bough  of  a  tree,  waiting  patiently  for  some  smidl  birds  or  (piadrupeds  to 
jiass  witiiin  its  reach.  As  .soon  as  it  jierceived  anything  of  the  kind,  it  would 
glide  silently  into  the  air  and  sweep  easily  but  rajiidly  down  ujion  its  prey. 
One  of  Dr.  Ilichardsou's  specimens  was  found  to  have  two  whole  toads  in  its 
stomach. 

Dr.  Kichardson  states  that  this  I.uzzanl  builds  its  nest  on  a  tree,  of  short 
sticks,  lining  it  sparingly  with  deer's  hair.  Tiie  eggs,  froui  three  to  live  in 
number,  are  described  as  e(pialling  in  size  those  of  the  domestic  fowl,  and 


FALCON  ID  J-:  —  THE  l''ALC'uNS. 


209 


as  liaviiij;'  a  grt'cnisli-wliitc  color,  with  a  lew  larji,o  dark  brown  lilotclics  at 
tlie  largor  end.  It  was  seen  by  the  doctor  as  far  to  tlie  north  as  tlie  fiTtli 
]iarallel, 

Mr.  Audubon's  drawing  and  description  of  tiiis  bird  W(;re  taken  from  a 
specimen  obtained  by  1  h:  Townsend  from  the  Cohindna  IJiver.  A  number 
of  specimens  have  been  obtained 
by  the  various  governmciut  ex- 
phiring  e.K])edition.s.  A  single 
.specimen  was  tai<en  by  ^Mr.  Dres- 
ser near  San  Antonio,  in  Te.\'a.s. 

Captain  lUal-iston  (Ibis,  ISdl, 
]).  317)  olitained  several  s])eci- 
mens  of  this  JUizzard  at  the  tbrks 
of  the  Saskatchewan  Itiver,  in  the 
stomach  of  one  of  which  he  found 
three  loads.  He  states  that  it 
was  (piite  abundant  in  that  neigli- 
borhood.  lie  adds  that  Mr.  liour- 
geau  jnocured  se\eral  specimens 
of  the  eggs,  identified  by  also  ob- 
taining the  parents.  These  eggs 
are  said  to  have  been  white,  more 
or  less  blotched  Mith  red.  ^Ir. 
liernard  Ross  also  obtained  this 
bird  on  the  Mackenzie  River, 
where  it  was  rare. 

Tiiis  Hawk  was  observed  by  :Mr.  Dall,  in  Alaska,  a  skin  having  been 
obtained  at  Koyukuk,  ^lay  20,  from  an  Indian.  Mr.  Dall  stiites  that 
it  ])refers  the  thickets  and  woody  places,  is  not  so  often  seen  as  some 
of  tlie  other  species.  It  generally  builds  a  very  large  nest  of  sticks,  and 
I)egins  to  lay  al)out  the  last  of  April.  The  young  are  hatched  out  about  the 
30th  of  May.  It  was  only  a  sumnuu-  visitor.  He  found  not  only  tiie  bones 
of  I'abliits,  scjuirrels,  and  mice  about  its  nest,  but  also  tho.se  ol'  ducks,  and  in 
one  instance  part  of  a  white-fi.sh. 

•  Dr.  Heermann  obtained  an  egg  of  this  species  in  Northern  California, 
whicli  had  a  yellowish-white  ground-color,  marked  with  obscure  cloudings 
of  a  i)urplish-gray,  .nd  irregular  patches  of  a  light  tone  of  umber  brown. 
It  measured  li.31  inches  in  length,  aiul  1.84  in  lireadth. 

AVe  arc  indebted  to  Dr.  W.  J.  Hoffmann  for  the  following  interesting  note 
in  relation  to  tlie  nesting  of  this  species  :  "  On  the  28th  of  May,  1871,  we  en- 
camped on  Anteloi)e  Creek,  forty  miles  north  of  the  Central  I'acific  Railroad 
Statit)ii,  Argcnta  Nevada.  The  stream  of  water,  which  is  small,  is  fringed 
with  willows,  a^■eraging  about  twelve  feet  in  height.  Strolling  along  the 
underbrush,  I  came  to  the  iiesb  of  the  Butco  sivainsoni,  which  was  built  on 


Buleo  swainsoni  (mliilt). 


270 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


the  tojj  ol'  a  willow,  and  in  its  constiiution  tuok  in  several  distinct  linilis,  so 
as  to  j{ive  belter  siijiiiort.  Tiie  nest,  about  two  feet  across  and  one  toot 
in  thickness,  was  constructed  of  tiiin  sticks  and  fraj,'nients  of  roots.  The 
inside  was  lined  with  leaves  of  tule  and  i^rass.  The  nest  contained  two  ej^'^s. 
Only  eijfht  feet  IVoni  this  nest,  on  the  same  bush,  and  at  the  sana;  height,  a 
I'eniale  ol'  JrfrrKM  hullovki  was  on  her  nest.  These  l)irds  apjjcared  to  be  liv- 
ing together  in  harmony,  having  been  in  coiLstant  sight  of  each  other  for 
several  weeks,  as  the  condition  of  the  eggs  i)ro\ed.  1  deem  this  remark- 
able only  as  showing  a  rajiacious  and  an  insectivorous  l)ird  living  so  closely 
together  that  one  might  at  any  time  have  been  made  the  prey  of  the  other 
by  a  single  spread  of  the  wings." 

Dr.  (jideon  Lincecum,  of  Washington  County,  Texas,  speaks  of  this  spe- 
cies as  one  of  the  common  Hawks  of  the  Texan  prairies.     He  states  that  it 


Ttiitfo  nottinsoni  (young). 

nests  on  the  ground  in  the  prairie  ;  lays  six  eggs,  sometimes  on  tall  trees, 
—  when  it  chooses  to  rear  its  young  in  the  forest.  It  is  apt  to  i)onnce  on  a 
brood  of  young  ])oultry  when  it  sees  them,  but  being  rather  timid  does  not 
like  to  go  about  the  houses.  Its  i)rincipal  food  is  grassho])])ers,  prairie  rats 
and  mice,  and  small  birds.  Dr.  Lincecum  has  often  seen  it  wIkmi  the 
grass  on  the  prairie  was  burning,  in  the  spring  of  the  year,  constantly  on 
the  wing,  in  front  of  the  fire,  catching  the  grassho])pers,  rats,  mice,  and 
any  small  game  that  is  driven  out  of  the  grass  by  the  crackling  fire;  and 
it  will  keep  in  the  smoke  so  close  to  the  fire  that  it  soon  becomes  almost 
as  black  as  soot.  He  further  remarks  that,  "  when  any  one  ai)i)roaches  their 
nest  on  the  prairie,  they  will  make  a  pretty  bold  attempt  to  frighten  or  decoy 
him  away  from  it.     It  first  tries  to  lead  the  intruder  off,  by  alighting  in  the 


FALCONID.E  -  TIIK    FA  I,C()NS. 


271 


firnss  jioar  liy,  nnd  scrt'ccliin,!,'  loiully  iis  if  sdiiu'tliinj,'  was  <,n'eatly  tlic  nmttor ; 
vim  ii|>iii(i;i('li  liiiii.iiud  witli  iiiiicli  .seiiining'  dilliciiUy  it  iiiiiUc  imtto  luovisoU' 
a  litlU'  riiitlii!!',  still  scR'ccliiiij,'  luudi'V  tliiin  bct'ore,  and  this  piece  of  dea'ption 
it  will  repeat  time  alter  time,  imi)ri)viiii,'  ii  little  in  its  ])i>\ver.s  of  loeonidtioii 
as  it  nets  you  i'artlier  from  tlie  nest,  until  it  Judges  it  is  iar  enouuli, — 
that  ydU  liave  lost  tlie  iilaeu  in  the  unmarked  sea  "f  ,urass, —  when  it  seems 
to  liy  as  well  as  ever;  it  cirelos  round  once  or  twiee,  j^oin.Li:  still  farther  oil', 
and  settles  silently  down  in  the  deep  j;rass.  This  last  jjert'orniance  is  to 
induce  the  heliel'  that  it  has  returned  to  the  nest.  ]'»ut  it'  you  rei'use  to  lie 
led  astray  hy  thes(!  mameuvres,  and  remain  ahout  its  nest,  it  will  make  a 
ffmd  ti,^iit.  One  came  very  near  knocking'  oil'  my  hat  one  day  when  I  did 
not  know  I  was  intrudinj^  on  its  jn-emises." 

The  JJiifri)  hid  nil  of  Hoy  is  now  ascertained  to  be  only  an  immature  form. 
It  was  lirst  met  with  in  Wisconsin,  and  since  then  has  been  taken  in  vari- 
ous western  localities. 

A  ])air  of  these  birds  was  found  by  Mr.  Ilickseckor,  breeding  in  this  jibi- 
mage,  in  I'tah.  The  nest  was  built  in  a  young  aspen-tree.  The  egg  is 
marked  with  larger  and  more  deeply  marked  liifitches  than  usual,  and  is 
nearly  of  an  e.xact  oval  .shape,  measuring  2.o0  inches  in  length  by  l.To  in 
bi'cadth.  The  ground-color  is  white,  with  a  slight  tinge  of  rufous,  over 
which  are  diffused,  over  the  whole  surface,  fine  markings  of  a  reddish,  rust- 
tingeil  brown.  Uesides  these  the  larger  end,  and  some  other  jiortions  of  the 
surface,  are  boldly  daslied  with  large  blotches  of  the  same  color,  but  of  a 
deeper  shade. 

A  black  lUizzard,  originally  described  as  Buteo  inifir/natus,  is  noM'  known 
to  be  only  an  individual  melanistic 
condition  of  the  species.  It  was 
first  met  with  in  the  vicinity  of 
Montreal,  and  the  specimen  belong- 
ing to  the  Natural  History  Society 
of  that  city  was  described  as  new 
liy  Mr.  John  Cassin.  A  similar 
s])ecimen  was  taken  by  ^[r.  Macfar- 
lane  at  Fort  Anderson,  where  it  was 
breeding.  It  was  met  with  rather 
abundantly  by  Dr.  Heermann  on  the 
San  Joaipiin  Iiiver,  in  California, 
and  seen  along  his  route  for  a  eon- 
siderablo  distance.  He  described  it 
'as  .sluggish  in  its  habits,  perching  for 
hours  in  a  (luiescent  state  on  some 
tall  tree,  and  permitting  the  hunter 
to  a])])roa(di  without  showing  any 
signs  of  fear. 


Buleo  sifninsoni ,  Tar.  orypterm  (young). 


272 


NORTH  AMERICAN  HIRDS. 


Dr.  Cooper  found  this  bird  protty  coiunion  in  tlio  viciiiity  of  San  Dipr;n,  in 
March,  18(lli,  when  they  were  ai)])ar('ntly  mi^'ratint,'  northward.  In  (heir 
haliits  tliey  ap))eared  to  re.senilde  tlie  hir^'cr  varietie.s  of  r>uz/-ard.s.  ^Ir.  Salvin 
ol)tained  a  siii^^le  specimen  of  a  Hawk  at  Duena.s,  wldch  i.s  referred  by  Mr, 
(Jiirney  to  tliis  variety  (Ilii.s,  1,  21(1), 

Tlie  variety  (ui/pfmis,  of  this  specie.s,  was  first  described  fntni  an  imnia- 
ture  specimen  obtained  at  Fort  Filhnore,  New  Mexico.  It  ranges  southward 
throughout  tropical  America  to  IJuunos  Ayrcs. 


Buteo  zonocercus,  Sclatku. 

BAND-TAIL  HAWK. 

n  Buiro  alhmotiitHs,  O.  K.  Ok.w,  I.si.s,  1847,  p.  aay.  Btilcn  zonocercus,  Sclateii,  Tran,s. 
Zoiil.  Soo.  1,011(1.  IV,  jit.  vi,  -itiS,  1858.— CorKs,  I'r.  A.  N.  S.  1866,  46.  — Ei.mot,  Diiils 
X.  A.  111.  .\x.\iii. -Cii.VY,  Hiiml  List  I,  8,  186i».  —  CooPKli,  liiidsCal.  1870,  479. 

Sp.  Vwsw.  Adnll  (3().S72,  Hnssnynmpa  River,  Arizona  Territory,  August;  Dr.  Coues). 
Entiicly  carlioiiiiccou.s  liliu.'k  ;  I'oi'cln'ail  pure  white,  anil  foatliers  of  occiput,  noek,  ami  lirca.st 
tin;  same  beneatli  the  surface ;  tills  on  under  parts,  .^liowing  as  transverse,  ovate  spots  on 


Blittn  zo)wcfrcits. 

web.'*  of  feathers  partially  exjioscil.  Tail  bliiek,  faintly  tipped  witli  pale  a.'^liy,  ero.«sefl 
(al)out  IJ  iiiclics  from  llie  end)  liy  a  band  of  lioary  jilimibeous,  nearly  an  inch  in  widtli; 
aliout  lialf  an  inch  anterior  to  tliis  is  anotlier  [ilumbeous  band,  about  as  broad  a.s  tlic  black 
one  wliicii  scjiaratOs  it  t'roiii  thela.^t ;  and  almut  the  same  distance,  near  the  base,  is  anotlier, 
much  narrower,  and  le.-^.s  continuous  ashy  liand.  The  outlines  of  these  bands  arc  rather 
irre<rular  ;  and  on  the  inner  welis  the  iilinnbcou.s  is  replaced  by  snowy  Avhite,  which,  not 
exactly  correspondiiifT  to  the  plumbeous  of  outer  webs,  is  r.ithcr  more  extended,  as  well 
.IS  more  shiirply  defined,  forminu'  three  very  conspicuous  transver.se  zones  (decreasing  in 
width  towards  the  base  like  tlio.<e  on  outer  W(,'b.s),  ob.scrvalile  only  when  the  tail  i  prcail, 
or  ti'oni  below.  On  the  two  iniddlc  leathers  both  webs  arc  plumbeous  anil  lilack  ;  and 
on  the  lateral  feathers,  the  white  ])revails  on  the  inner  web,  the  black  bands  being  broken 
u\)  into  narrow  zigzag.s.  Primaries  Ic'ss  intensely  black  than  tlu'  back,  and  .showing  ob- 
scui-c  transverse  bands  of  deeper  black;  lining  of  the  wing  unvariegated  black;  under 
surface  of  primaries  pale  plumlieous,  passing  into  hoary  white  on  edges,  and  cros.sed  from 
base  to  ends  with  very  irregular,  transverse  bars  of  blacki.sh,  thc,«e  breaking  up  into  a 
mottling,  or  blended  speckling,  along  the  edges  of  the  leathers.     Owing  to  moulting  stage, 


FALCo.NID.K-TIII';    FAIX'oNS.  V7'' 

the  wiiifr-rorniiiln  cnniioi  lie  iisrcriaiiicil.  Wiii.ir,  l"i.")ii:  tiiil.  s..",();  tuisns. '_'..',ii ;  mi, mi,. 
Inc.  1.(10.    Li'ii.irili,  1!»J ;  cxiciii,  ITi. 

Vo'llii/    Utah'    (•')!!, "lio,    MilZlltlllll,    AfcX.;    ClllnUrl    A.  .1.   I  Jr'liysdll).       <  irUi'lllIU     silnil:,!'    In 

the  piccciliiii;- ;  li-i\ll]iTs  dl'  ni'cU,  liack,  iiinl  under  pjiiL-i  iniirc  ciiiispiciinush  >|i.iiiivl  wiih 

wliilc  lii'liriilli  tlic  slll'liici.,  tlicsc  s|ii)ls  (■(l^^ic|l'|■,■lllly  cxposi'd  oil  the  li|'(.iist  Mini  ii|.|h'|'  liiil- 
c•^)V^'^t^'.  Tiiil  iU'i'|i  (lurk  viuiilyki'-lii<nvii.  Iliimly  lipiicil  with  jiulcr.  iiiiil  (■i'n--r(|  «ii|| 
iiuiiii'i-Diis  iiiirrow  ulili(|iii'  liaiids  dl'  lilai'k  ;  siihlri'iiiiiiid  one  Iji-diidoi.  Iiciiii;  iilnuu  lliivc 
loiirllis  of  ill!  iiicli  ill  \vi<llli,-  llic  next oiif  is  not  a  roiiiMJi  as  wide,  iiiid  i'ro»|.s  almiil  an 
iiK'h  aniciicir  III  liic  la>t  ;  tlic  di>liuiiT  lictwccn  the  l^lac'k  liands  iliniini>lii.s  Inwanls  llii. 
liasi'  dl'  llic  laik  sd  llial  at'lrr  tlic  .-.rvclilli  dl'  tlu'Sf,  lid  llidl-c  can  lie  disliiiL;iiislH(|.  Iiiiici' 
wcl.s  passii.L'  iiild  wliitisii  Idwards  i'dj.''«'s,  lliis  prevailing''  on  k'ltrriil  feallicrs.  I'dinili  (piill 
Idii.iii'sl  ;  liiinl  scarcely  shoiler;  lil'ili  liiii  litili.  .-horlrr  ihaii  lliird;  socond  inlciinrdialo 
Ijotweeli  lillli  anil  sixlli;  lirst  cipial  to  ci^litli.  Winj;,  ].").;!();  tail,  8.S(t:  laiMis.  I'.IO  • 
middle  loe.  \.W.  I,eii,uili,  l.".;'J  :  alar  extent,  ■\9^.  I5ill  black  nl  tip,  lilnish-lirown  al  liaso; 
iris  dark  lirmvn. 

Hah.  (inaleiiiala,  .Mexii.'o,  and  adjoinin.^-  parts  of  I'liited  .Status;  Arizona  (Conis); 
.Santa  Clara  Co.,  Cal.  (('ndi'KK). 

i.isr  111--  si'i:cimi:ns  i;\.\MiNi:r). 
National  Miiseiini.  '_' :    I'liiladelphia  Acadeinv,  '_'.     Tolal.  1. 

Tlicn^  ciui  Ills  lull  littk'  diuilit  tlitit  tliis  ]i1iiiiimoc  doiinti's  a  vnuiioor  .stnije 
ul'  tliu  .simic  .'<]ii.'ci('s  as  tlic  Ji.uinonrriis  ul'  .Sclatcf.  'I'lic  adiill  Idi'd  dcscrilied 
tilidvc  is  iiioultiiij;',  and  twd  tail-l'catlicrs  ol'  the  old  ]ilimia,uo,  wiiicli  liavo 
not  yet  been  cast,  are  lU'ccisely  like  those  of  this  speciiaeii,  the  new  onus  lieiii"' 
entirely  dill'erenl,  as  will  he  seen  hy  Die  description.  Takino-  witli  this  tlio 
exaci  siiiiiiarity  (d'  the  |)alteni  oi'  tinder  side  of  jiriinarie.s,  as  well  as  the 
pliunixo-e  in  u'eneral,  and  the  saineness  of  ])roi)ortion.s,  one  cannot  htit  he  con- 
vinced ol'  their  idtsntity.  The  localities  of  tlie  two  specimens  are  also  so 
near  that  it  is  .sciirc(dy  possilile  liiey  are  distinct. 

The  pluina.^e  of  this  sta^e  is  ])aiallel  in  its  relation  to  the  tidult,  Mith 
that  of  the  youn.ij;  ol'  Jl.  n/lii/mns  var.  iin'nuttis,  both  dill'erino-  from  the  mature 
sta.ue  in  nearly  the  .same  ijarticnlar.s,  the  more  numerous  hands  on  the  tail 
distin.miishin.Li  the  yoiiiiLt  of  iicarly  all  Unfms  from  adult.,  of  tlie  same 
specis. 

An  adtilt  specimen  from  :\rcxico,  in  the  collection  nl'  the  riiiladeljihia 
Academy  (withotit  ntimher  or  other  indications  on  tlas  lalielj,  thotioh  res-m- 
hlino-  the  two  specimens  described,  in  all  essential  ]ioiiits,  tliHers  from  them 
in  rei-ard  to  the  coloration  of  the  tail.  The  main  differences  tire  as  follows  : 
Tail  dee])  l)]ack  basally  and  subterminally,  the  tip  (very  narrowly)  and  a 
middle  zone  al)otit  2.0(1  inches  broad,  ami  1.80  from  the  ti]),  being  dtiller 
and  more  brownisli-blaek,  this  irrei^'ularly  defined  anteriorly,  Imt  of  sharp 
re<,mlar  detinition  alonj,'  the  posterior  border;  the  subterminal  l>Iack  band 
is  very  preci.sely  delined  on  the  inner  webs,  and  anterior  to  this  nearly  the 
whole  imier  web  is  while,  irregularly  blotched  with  black  towards  the  base, 
however;  the  markings  of  somewhat  lonoitudintil  direction  ;  the  outer  webs 
are  black  to  the  very  base.  Wing,  1(;,.".0  ;  '.ail,  D.OU  ;  tarsu.s,  2.70;  nuddlc 
toe,  1.80.     Wing-formula,  4,  .")  -  o  -2  -  (>  -  7,  1. 

vol,.  HE.  J^) 


274 


NOllTII  AMEJUCAN  BIRDS. 


Wlietliur  this  is  a  progri'ssivo  stiij^c  of  plumajie  or  a  mere  individual 
peculiarity,  I  do  not  fee!  certain,  but  am  inclined  to  the  latter  opinion. 
Both  tills  sj)ecimen  and  the  immature  one  descrilied  are  hihelled  B.  d/bunuln- 
fi's,  ('•my  ;  1  have  lieen  unaUe  to  refer  to  (J ray's  original  description;  if 
there  is  no  doubt  of  its  beinj;  ])ertineiit  to  the  innuature  sta^^e  described, 
then  this  M'ill  be  tlie  name  of  the  species,  as  it  has  [iriority  ;  I  should  nuich 
regret,  ho\vev(>r,  to  discard  the  very  ap])ropriaio  and  characteristic  name 
zonocemiK,  for  the  otlier,  as  Mr.  Sclater's  speci&s  is  so  satisfactorily  descril)ed 
and  accuiately  fiuured,  while  the  original  description  of  idhonotatus  is  very 
meagre  and  ditlicult  of  refei'enee. 

Habits.     This  Hawk  is  a  Mexican  and  (hiatemalan  species  which  occa- 


Bntut  zntinrfrcits  (ati  it). 


sionally  strays  into  our  liorders  in  Arizona  and  in  Southern  Califoriua.  Dr. 
Cooper  was  the  iirst  of  our  naturalists  to  meet  ^vith  this  s])ecies  within  the 
United  States,  shooting  an  indiviihial  on  the  2:>d  of  February,  18(52,  thirty 
miles  north  of  San  Diego,  and  witliin  five  of  the  coast.  It  was  associating 
witli  specimens  oi'  Jl  insii/niitn.'i  and  otiier  Hawks  wintering  there,  and  seemed 
rather  sluggish  and  tame.  He  saw  no  otli(>r  lUack  Hawks  in  that  neighl)or- 
homl.  Two  years  afterwards,  September  24,  lS(i4,  Dr.  ('ones  also  procured 
a  single  specimen  on  the  Gila  Kiver.     He  regards  the  species  as  restricted. 


i''Aix'()Xiijj':  — TiiK  l>"ALcu^^s.  -I'rr. 

•J  I  *  J 

within  our  borders,  to  tliu  warm  valley  of  the  (iila  and  the  Lower  Colorado. 
We  ])o.ssess  no  iuturiuatidii  in  ri'ganl  to  any  distinctixe  wjiecitie  haliil.s  it 
may  possess.  This  species  was  tirst  deserilied  Ijy  Dr.  Selater  Irom  a  Guate- 
malan specin;  ni. 

The  bird  dcseribeil  as  /I.  (i/lniiiutii/ns  is  presumed  to  he  identical  with  this 
species.  It  was  oljserved  hy  .Mr.  Salvin  on  the  soutliein  slope  ol"  tlie  Cor- 
dillera, in  Cuatemala,  which  appears  to  he  the  true  hal)itat  ol'  this  species, 
but  even  there  it  cannot  lie  said  to  lie  common.  He  states  that,  like  many 
others  of  its  class,  it  is  a  leeder  on  beetles  and  locusts. 


Buteo  lineatus,  (Jmllfx. 

Var.  liiieatuN.  Omklin 
RED-SHOULDEBED  HAWK. 

Falco  lineatus,  Gmei..  Syst.  Nut.  [>.  -MS,  17f<ii.  —  I.atii.  Iiul.  Oni.  p.  27,  1790  ;  Syn.  1,  ."iC, 
sp.  36,  1781  ;  Oi-n.  Hist.  I,  ^08,  1821.  —  Kaid.  Tr.  Oni.  II,  1,".8,  ISno.  —  Sii.vv, 
Zool.  VII,  153,  1812. —Wii.s.  .\iii.  Orii.  pi.  liii,  f.  3,  1S08.  —  Ari).  Oiii.  Bioj,'.  I, 
2!t6,  1831  ;  Syn.  p.  7,  183"J.  CrviKi:,  lii'g.  Aiiiiii.  «1.  2,  I,  334,  182!i.  JJiili'u  linrtitKs, 
.I.uiii.  (Wii.s.)  Am.  Orii.  II,  29(1,  1832.  —  Am.  .Syn.  j).  7,  183!t.  —  Hnr.WKi;,  (Wn.s.) 
Am.  Oni.  (i84,  1»;.2.  —  ('assin,  Biiils  Cal.  &  Tc.\.  Syii.  !i!»,  l^r>4  ;  llinls  X.  Am.  18,')8, 
28.  — BoNAr.  C'omp.  Av.  p.  19,  18r)0.  — Kaup,  Web.  Falk.  Mils.  Sciuk.  ISl;"),  p.  2U1.— 
Stuickl.  Oni.  Syn.  1,  3n,  18.^0. -Miikwki!,  Oiilngy,  1857,  28,  pi.  iii,  f.  25.  — Max.  Cab. 
Journ.  VI,  1858,  19. — (ii;AY,  Hand  Li.st,  I,  7,  1809.  Poa-thplcnii.i  lineatus,  Kati', 
Moil.  Fnl.  Cont.  Oni.  p.  7ii,  1850.  Fulai  Iuii'ihhHh,  (!.mi:i..  Sy.st.  Nat.  274,  1789.— 
L.\T11.  Ind.  Oni.  35,  1790;  Syn.  I,  79,  .sii.  02,  1781  ;  (icn.  Hist.  I,  p.  91.  — Daid. 
Tr.  Oin.  II,  110,  1800.  —  Sii.vw,  Zoiil.  VII,  153,  1S12.  —  \Vo..s.  Am.  Oin.  pi.  35, 
fig.  I,  1808.  —  BdNAi'.  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  II,  33  ;  Isis,  p.  1138,  1832.  —  Ari>.  15.  Am  pi. 
ivi,  71,  1831  ;  Orn.  lUog.  I,  3l)4,  1831.  /'.  Iiiiriadlin,  var.  I.atii.  Ind.  Oiii.  Siipp.  p. 
8,  1801  ;  Syn.  Snpji.  II,  39,  1802.  Vi)xus  /ii/inualin,  Vikii.l.  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  pi.  vii, 
1S07.  —  Jame.s.  Wils.  Am.  Orn.  I,  88  k  87,  1808.  Jl.  Ii(/cm(tlis,  iA:ss.  Tr.  Orn.  p.  81, 
l,s;31.  _  l?(iNAi'.  Kur.  &  X.  Am.  15.  p.  3,  1838.  Jslur  lijicnudin,  ,Iai;i).  AVila.  Oin.  II, 
72,  1808.  —  ViKM.i..  KiK'.  M('tli.  Ill,  1273,  1823.  A7s«.s'  hiinmilis,  Civ.  licg.  An.  cd.  2, 
1,  334,  1829.  ISul'u  J'usais,  ViKll.l,.  Ois.  Am.  Sc))t.  pi.  v,  1,S07.  Ashir  fusnis, 
liiiNAI'.  Oss.  Cuv.  Reg.  An.  p.  37,  1830.  Falm  buUuidcs,  NriT.  Man.  I,  100,  1832. 
liii/i-o  coiijicii  (not  of  Cassin),  Al.l.KX,  Am.  Nat.  Ill,  18U9,  518  (young  of /?.  lineatus.') 

Sp.  CuAii.  Adult  male  (:!2,.")0'J,  Wa.-;liiiinton,  1).  C ,  Jannaiy).  Head,  neck,  iuul  inici-- 
scapnlars  deep  nil'ons  (above  becoming  darker  posteriorly),  each  li'alher  with  a  medial 
.otripe  of  blackish-brown.  Throat  and  cheeks  almost  destitute  of  nifoiis  tinge,  the  ground 
being  dull  white.  —  the  dusky  forming  an  indistinct  "  musiache,"  and  an  ini|ierfect,  tibso- 
lete  collar  (formed  by  confluent,  or  sull'used  streaks),  acro.s.s  the  throat.  IJreast,  sides. 
abdomen,  and  tibiiu  rather  light  rufous,  becoming  jialer  posteriorly;  breast  with  shaft- 
streaks  of  lilaekish;  the  rul'ons  of  sides  of  breast  almo.st  unvaried;  abdomen,  sides,  and 
middle  of  the  breast,  with  transvei-se  bars  of  ochraceous  white;  tibiu;  unilbrni  pale  ochra- 
ceou.s;  anal  region  and  lower  tail-eoverts.  immaculate  white.  Lesser  wing-coverts  cliest- 
nnt-rufoius,  feathers  with  black  shafl-sti-caks,  these  becoming  l.irger  posteriorly;  sea|)ulars 
and  middle  wing-coverts  edged  broadly  with  rul'ous.  and  olisoletcly  spotted  on  inner  webs 
with  white.- — this  .somewhat  exposed :  secondaries  dai'k  clear  brown,  tipped  and  ci-ossed 
with  two  (exposed)  bands  of  white ;  primaries  lilack,  fading  at  tips  into  dilute  grayi.sh- 


270  NORTH   AMKRICAX  BIRDS. 

brown.  ;iii(l  willi  (pi.Tlratc  .«]i(ils  ol'  while  mi  diili'i'  wclis.  Rum]i  niiironn  blnckisli-lirown  ; 
ujiiici'  lail-ciivfi'ls  ii|i|iril  ami  luiinlcil  willi  liliii/k.  Tiiil  clear  lnownisli-lilack.  (tdsscmI  with 
.-iix  sliai'iily  ileliiied  narniw  ban. Is  of  while,  the  last  of  wliich  is  leniiiiial,  ami  llic  lli'sl  two 
eoiieealeil  by  the  iiii|ief  coverts.  I.iiiinj,''  of  the  wiiii;'  nearly  iiiiilbiaii  pale  rufous,  -with  very 
sparse,  ileeper  rulbiis,  somewhat  transverse  spots;  iimler  siirl'aee  of  primaries  silvery  white, 
crossed  by  broad  bands,  thesi.^  when;  the  wliili^  is  clearest  lnMni:  l>ale  iiifons,  bordereii  with 
dnsky,  but  as  the  while  jriows  more  silvery  they  darken  into  black:  the  longest  (fourth) 
has  eijj:lit  of  these  s[>()ts.  inclmlinLr  the  siibieiniinal.  very  broad  one.  I'"ouith  (piill  lon^'p.st; 
liftli,  just  perceptibly  shorter:  third,  a  little  shorter;  second,  considi'ralily  lomrer  than 
sixth;   first  etpial  to  ninth.     Win.tr,  KJ.itO:  tail,  S..")(l ;  tarsus,  li.OO;   middle  toe.  l.:!,'!. 

AdiiU  foniiile  (ll,!i91  \Vashin;:ton.  I).  ('. ;  Dr.  W.  U'allai'c).  (ieiierally  similar  to  the 
male,  but  rufous  nioro  e.xtemled,  this  liiiLtiiij;-  the  outer  web.s  of  secondaries  and  primaries. 
Oil  the  under  parts  ll.c  rufous  is  rather  deeper,  and  the  tibiie  an?  slromrly  bai'ied,  and  oven 
lhi>  lowei-  tail-co\ei'ts  have  olisolutc  spots  of  the  same.  Willi;'.  lli.7">;  tail,  !),(M);  tarsus, 
•_'.:lll;    middle  toe.  1  .."lO. 

Yoioii/cr  (ll.dSo,  Wasliinuton.  D.  C ;  Dr.  (Jones).  I'pper  pliimaL''e  precisely  as  in 
adult,  but  the  black  prevaililiir  on  head  above,  and  nape.  ISeiieath  ocliraci^ous-white, 
deepest  on  the  libiie:  breast,  abdomen,  sides,  and  libiie.  with  diamond-shaped  spots  of 
dark  riifoiis-luown.  connei  ted  alon^'  the  sliaft  of  the  I'eatiicrs.  rimniiifr  thus,  in  a  peculiar, 
loiiiritudinal.  chain-like  seri<'s  (lll..")0:  4'J,.'i() :  cere,  legs,  and  feet  bright  chrome-yellow; 
anterior  si'ales  of  tarsus  with  greenish  tinge). 

YoHUfi  iiiiili-  (N'd,  l.'JId),  (iroimd-color  ofheail,  neck,  and  under  ])arts  white;  (V'ather.s 
of  head  and  neck,  with  medial  stripes  of  dark  clear  vandyke-browii,  leaving  a  superciliary 
space,  and  the  car-coverts  scarcely  striped;  a  blackish  sulfiisiou  over  checks,  foi-niing  a 
"  miistai'hc,"  ami  large  longitudinal  spot  of  tlio  same  on  middle  of  throat ;  breast,  abdo- 
men, sides,  and  Hanks,  with  rather  sparse,  irregularly  s.agittate  .spots  of  clear  vaiidyke- 
biown,  tliosi'on  thcsidi's  of  breast  more  longitudinal;  tibiic,  with  a  faint  ochraceous  tingo, 
and  with  s])arse,  small,  and  irregular  sjiecks  of  brown  ;  lower  tail-coverts  with  a  very  lew 
distant  isolated  bars  of  the  same.  I'pper  parts  generally,  clear  lark  vandyke-brown  ; 
interscapulars  and  wing-coverts  edged  (most  broadly  beneath  the  surface)  with  pale  rufous; 
middle  wing-coverts  with  much  white  spotting  on  uppi'r  webs,  partiall}'  exposcii ;  wing- 
coverts  generally,  and  si'apiilars,  narrowly  bordered  with  white;  secondaries  nariowly 
tipped  with  white,  and  crossed  with  about  four  (exjKi.sed)  bands  of  paler  grayish-brown; 
primaries  inclining  to  black;  faintly  margined  at  ends,  with  whitish:  outer  web.s  anterior 
to  the  emarginatiou,  rnfous-white,  with  distant,  narrow  bar.s  of  blackish,  these  widening 
on  inner  (iiiills:  upjier  tail-coverts  white  with  transverse  spots  of  blacki.sh.  Tail  dark 
vandyke-brown,  narrowly  tipped  with  wliiti',  anil  crossed  with  numerous  narrow  bands 
of  pide  grayisli-br(jwn,  these  obsolete  towanls  the  Iiase.  i.ining  of  the  wing  pale  ochra- 
ceous, willi  a  few  irregularly  cordate  spots  of  dark  lirown  toward  edge  of  wing;  under 
surface  of  ]iriniaries  mostly  while,  the  dusky  iiars  not  extending  across  the  web,  excejit 
on  inner  ipiills.     Wing,  liJ.'J.'i;  tail,  !).;50;  tarsn.s,  2.85;  niiddle  toe,  1.40. 

YiiiuKj  fviiitih-  (I  l,!)lll.  Washington,  D.  ('.,  January;  ('.  Drexler).  Almost  precisely  sim- 
ilar; tibiie  mispolled  ;  light  bands  of  the  tail  more  sharply  dcliiieil  basally,  ami  ])ale  mottled 
rufcius,  instead  of  jiale  ashy  lirown.    Wing,  14..")0;  tail,  0.00;  tarsus,  .'i.lO;  middle  toe,  1.4"). 

IIaii.  Hasten!  N.  .\m. ;  south  to  Florida;  west  to  Texas  and  the  tributaries  of  the 
Missouri. 

bocaliiies:  Orizaba,  .'<i-i,.  I S."i7,  211;  8.  E.  Tex.as.  DnicssKn,  \h\»,  18Go,  3'2o  (breeds); 
Iverness  .Shore,  England  (Feb.  2(1.  180:i).  Ni:wco.\ii:,  Iliis,  18G.J,  u40. 

LIST   OF   ?Pt:rlMKX.'!    KX.VMTNED. 

Xational  Museum.  ID:  I'hiladelphia  .\cadcniy.  14:  iioston  .'^ocioty,  8;  Mas.  Cambridge, 
K'l:  Cab.  O.  N.  Lawrence,  -1;  (',,11.  R,  Ridgway.  4.     Total,  {'>:,. 


FALCONID.E  —  Till:   FALCONS. 
Meus'n-emeiil.i, 


277 


Sex. 

9 


IV 


ll.-2:>-  I3.f)() 
1  :!.:!.">-  14.1'.') 


Tail. 
8.(10-    i).70 

!).()(»-  10.00 


Culmen. 


Titrmts. 

:i.70-;5.2.") 
3.10-:5.:iO 


MiildU  Toe.  S/terimens. 

1.30-  1.50      20  Xoitlieru.! 


This  siieciiiion  may  possilily  iniliciito  a  mere  individual  variation,  rather 
than  a  pro^^ressivc  .staj^e  of  pbiniage. 

A  male  (25,108,  Wasliiiigton,  1).  ('.,  Fel)ruary)  is  as  stronifly  ])arred  he- 
neath  as  described  in  the  female  ;  thus  it  would  appear  that  any  diilerences 
iu  ]>luniage  in  the  sexes  are  nothing  more  than  individual  discrepaucics. 

The  yellowisli  outer  webs  of  tlie  primaries  constitute  a  feature  which  will 
serve  to  distinguish  the  young  of  the  liuko  lincatus  from  that  of  every 
other  Nortli  American  sjjccies. 

A  series  of  twelve  specimens  from  Florida,  in  the  Aluseum  of  Compara- 
tive Zoology,  at  Cambridge,  shows  that  the  birds  of  this  species  from  that 
peninsxila  are  \ery  much  smaller  than  northern  ones  ;  and  though  that  of 
tiie  adults  does  not  diH'er  ap])reciably,  the  plumage  of  the  young  birds  is 
consideralily  darker  than  in  northern  specimens,  and  occasionally  approaches 
fpiite  nearly  to  tliat  of  the  young  of  var.  cicriuna,  the  markings  on  the  lower 
parts,  including  the  til)ia^  lieing  often  in  the  form  of  transverse  spots. 

The  extreme  measurements  of  this  series  are  as  follows:  Wing,  10.90- 
12.75;  tail,  7.70-8.,-)O;  culmen,  .80 -.90;  tarsus,  2.90-3.20;  middle  toe, 
1.25  - 1.45.     Spechueus,  12. 


Var.  elegnng,  Cassin. 

BED-BELLIED  HAWK. 

Biiteo  dcrjans,  Cass.  P.  A.  N.  S.  ISof),  281.  — In.  B.  X.  Am.  18,58,  28,  plate.  —  Hefrm. 
P.  R.  Roj).  II,  32.  -  Kknnf.hi.y,  P.  II.  Rop.  Ill,  19.  —  Niavn.  VII,  75. -Coor.  & 
SrcKi,.  XII,  ii,  147.  -Stuicki..  Oin.  Syii.  1,  38.  -  ?  Diiks.sku,  Ibis,  1865,  325 
(Texas').  —t'oi-Ks,  P.  A.  N.  S.  1866,  9  (Arizona).  -Okay,  Hainl  List,  1,  7.  —  Coopkk, 
Birds  Cal.  1870,  477. 

Sp.  Citah.  Adult  mnh  (lO,;".^,  Ft.  Tejon,  Californi.i,  "  Ont.  22,  l.?")7";  J.  X.intus). 
Iload.  iK'ck,  interscapulai-.'!,  .iiitcridr  .«cnpular.<!,  lessor  wiiifT-povcrt.s,  lininpr  of  tlio  wiiiir, 
and  ontirc  lower  ])art.s,  dark  latoritioii.>;-nifi)ns,  iii:'liii''if!'  to  cliesfnnt  on  the  .slionlders. 
The  npjier  parts  so  coIoi'cmI  have  e.ach  feathers  with  a  medial-ovate  spa  ^e  of  dull  blank, 
ffivinpr  a  striped  apjiearanee :  the  lesser  winfr-eovcrts,  however,  have  eaeh  only  a  narrow 
shaft-line  of  black,  these  prowinn;  larirer  .as  they  approaeh  the  middle  eoverts.  There  is  a 
sti-ono'  black  snfTusion  over  the  cheeks,  rorminjr  an  obsnuro  "mustaeho";  orbit  blackish, 
throat  streaked  with  the  same.  Tiie  dark  lateritions-rul'oMS  of  tlu;  jnjruhim  and  breast  is 
perfectly  contiinioiis  and  nniforni,  \ari("(l  only  l)y  the  ob.soletely  darker  shafts  of  the 
feathers;  sides  and  flanks  transversely  barnvl  wilii  white;  lininir  "f  the  winjr.  atid  tibiie 
with  very  ill-('efined  liars  of  paler  nifons;  anal  rcfrion  and  lower  tail-covrrts  with  broader 
and  more  sharply  defined  bars  of  the  same.  Scapnlars  and  middle  winjr-coverts  brownish- 
black,  narrowly  tipped,  and  irregularly  spotted  transversely,  with  pure  white;  .secondaries 


27S  NORTTT  AMERICAN'  BIltDS. 

ami  u'l-iMtcr  coverts  lu'dwiiisli-lilack,  tiiiprcil  willi  riiliiiis.  iiml  lii'niully  tipped  anil  ci-osscmI, 
with  sharply  tlclined  liands  ol'  pure  while,  dl'  wiiirh  '.here  ai-e  dii  si.'uoiidaries  aliout  six 
cxjiosed  (iiieliidiiij.'  the  terniiiial  liaiid)  :  primaries  ami  iheir  eoverls  deep  li!ael<  (liiiL'ed 
anterior  to  their  eiiiar|.'iiiaticiii  with  riil<)us),  lipped  with  pure  white,  ami  havint;  sput-  ol' 
white  on  outer  wel's.  Itiiiii[)  and  np|ier  tail-enverls  lirowiiisii-lihieU,  with  indistinet  trans- 
verse hands  1)1'  while,  the  hitler  shar|ily  tipped  with  the  same.  Tail  clear  Inwvnish-hlai'k 
sharply  tipped  with  white,  and  with  aliout  live  sharply  detined  hands  ol'  ihe  same,  ahout 
..'!!)  of  an  ineh  iu  width.  I'nder  surl'aee  of  seeondaries  and  ]iriniaries  white  to  near  the 
ends,  whe  e  they  are  hlaek  ;  the  tijis,  however,  anaiii  white:  tin.'  white  portion  ei'ossed 
hy  reirular  transverse  hands,  those  where  the  white  is  pinest  lieinj;'  li:.;ht  rufous,  hut  as 
the  white  .shades  toward  the  hlaek  they  heeome  dushy  :  llie  rufous  liars  are.  however,  hor- 
dered  with  dusky.  Fil'lh  ipiill  lonirest;  tiiird  and  fourth  louLTer  than  si.\th;  seeoiid  a  little 
shorter  than  sixth :  first  intermediate  hetwei'ii  ninth  and  tenth.  Wing,  I'J.oO;  tail,  8,(11); 
tar.su.s,  2.'M;  middle  toe,  l.-ld. 

Younij.  Predoniinaiini;  color,  hlaekish-lirown  ;  this  existin;.,'  on  under  i>arls  in  larire, 
conlluent  sagittate  spots,  which  are  longitudinal  on  throat  and  juguluni,  and  more  trans- 
verse on  sides,  abdomen,  tihiiu,  and  lower  tail-coverts,  the  ground-color  of  lower  parts 
being  iliiU  ochraceous.  The  head  and  neck,  all  around,  iirc.senting  a  iinitbrm,  streaked 
appearance,  the  edges  of  th<!  feathers  being  ochraceous,  but  the  black  far  exceed- 
ing this  ill  amount.  Interscapulars  and  scapulars  bordered  with  rusty  nilbus ;  wiiig- 
eoverts  more  broadly  burdcred  with  ochraceous,  and  with  much  concealed  dull  white 
s]iotting;  le.sser  wing-coverts,  with  a  strong  wash  of  rich  dark  rufous;  seeondaries  tipped 
with  while,  and  crossed  by  two  or  three  (exposed)  broad  bands  of  dull  ashy  ;  primaries 
brownish-black,  narrowly  tipped  with  white,  and  with  ill-delined  n'strieted  spots  of  the 
same  on  outer  webs,  Hninp  iiniforni  blaekish-lirown,  feathers  faintly  bordered  with  rusty  ; 
upper  tail-eoverls  tipi)ed  and  barred  with  white.  Tail  brownish-black  tipped  with  white, 
and  cros.si'd  with  live  narrow  bands  of  dull  light  ashy.  Lining'  of  wing  dull,  ilingy  oehra- 
conus,  with  luimcrous  transverse  bars  uf  brown;  tburth  ipiill  Imigest ;  thii-d  shorter  than 
fil\li;  .second  longer  than  sixth  ;  lir>t  equal  to  ninth.  Wing  (male,  10,.")7'J.  Fort  Tejon), 
12.00;  tail.  S.4II;  tarsus.  2.S2  ;  middle  toe.  I.;!5.  Female  (4,.-)2(),  Santa  Clara,  Cal. ;  Dr. 
(Joojier),  wing,  hi.dit;  tail,  i),00;  tarsu-s,  2,i>();  middle  toe.  I..j2. 

Il.Mi.  Facilic.  and  southern  portion  of  the  middle  Provinces  of  the  United  States; 
Mexico. 

Localities  (|iioted;  Texas  (San  Antonio,  winter),  (I)iiksseh.  Ibis,  1800,325);  Arizona 
(Coi-K?,  P.  A.  N.  S.  18GG,  9) ;  city  of  .Mexico  (Set,.  &  S.vi.v.  P.  Z.  S.  18G9,  364). 

LIST  OF  SPKCIMKNS   KX.\.MI.NKD. 

National  Museum,  4;  Philadelphia  Academy,  4;  Cab.  G.  >i.  Lawrence,  1;  R.  Eiilg- 
way,  2.     Total,  11. 

Measiiremoiis. 

AViug.  12.110-13,00;  tail,  8,75- "J.JO;  eulinen,  .7S-.'J0;  tarsus,  3.00-3,12;  middle  toe, 
1,40-  1„")0. 

The  ymiuif  of  liio  liutiit  r/ft/mis  diflers  must  renmi'kiil)ly  t'roiii  tliiit  of  7/ 
linnitnx;  the  iiattcni  of  cnluriition  appears  scarcely  the  sam(>,  I'or  tlic  nelira- 
coous  on  outer  webs  of  primaries,  anterior  to  their  emaruination,  —  wliicli  is 
a  feature  distiii^miishiii^  tiie  immature  /iinutiis  from  all  other  Jlithvs,  —  is  iu 
the  present  liiril  almost  olilitei'atod  by  the  extension  of  the  dusky. 

Hahits.  TIk!  I!ed-slioiildered  Hawk  lias  an  extended  distribution,  beinLt 
found   more  or  less  abundant  from  Florida  to  Nova  Scotia,  and  from  the 


FALCONID.K-TIIK   FAF-CONS.  279 

Atlantic  to  tliu  Pacific  coast  it  is  replaced  by  the  Ihitvo  ilcr/ans.  Mr.  J.  A. 
Allen  t'onnd  it  by  far  the  most  nlmndant  iit'  this  t'aniily  in  Florida.  In  Texas 
the  two  races,  linratiis  and  i/iyaiis,  appear  to  occur  together,  Mr.  Dresser 
havinti-  met  with  both  near  San  Antonio.  The  JJed-sliouldered  Hawk 
was  noticed  liy  this  writer  from  the  rivi'r  Xeuces  eastward.  He  found 
it  breedini^  in  tlie  Iieavily  wiunled  river  bottoms  of  the  Medina,  and 
several  others  of  tlie  rivi^rs  of  Te.\as,  but  did  not  succeed  in  procuring  the 
eggs.  It  breeds  abundantly  in  Florida,  and  thence  throughout  the  I'nited 
States  as  far  north  as  Northern  Vermont,  Nova  Scotia,  and  New  Ihunswick. 
Lieutenant  I'dand  notices  it  as  a  cmnmon  and  migratory  species  in  Nova 
Scotia,  but  Mr.  Downes  speaks  of  it  as  rare  near  Halifa.\,  where  he  only 
met  with  two  specimens.  Mr.  l>oardman  gives  it  as  (|uite  connnon  near 
Calais,  breeding  there  and  probably  resident.  In  Western  Elaine  Mr.  A'er- 
lill  regarded  the  si)ecies  as  a  not  very  common  summer  resident,  where  it 
was  also  known  to  lireed,  as  he  met  with  its  nest  and  eggs  ^lay  1'4,  JS(U). 
It  is  (piite  connnoii  in  Ea.stern  .Massacluisetts,  wliere  it  is  found  all  tlie  year. 
l)ut  where  it  is  more  abundant  in  the  fall,  I'rom  the  addition  of  northern 
migrants,  than  at  any  other  time.  A  few  are  found  througliout  the  win- 
tor,  keeping  about  open  s])rings  and  in  sheltered  situations.  ^Ir.  Allen  also 
sj)eaks  of  it  as  not  uncommon  in  the  western  ^lart  of  the  same  State.  It 
was  not  taken  or  .seen  by  Kiclianlson  in  northern  regions,  nor  does  it  ajjpear 
to  have  been  observed  in  any  of  the  West  India  Islands. 

The  history  and  habits  of  this  very  connnon  Hawk  .seem  to  have  been 
involved,  among  earlier  writers,  in  a  confusion  that  seems  hardly  explicable. 
"Wilson  described  and  always  regarded  tlie  young  and  old  as  two  distinct 
specii's,  calling  the  former ////(//("//s,  giving  to  it  a  Udrthern  residence,  and  the 
mature  bird  liitcc/i's.  Mr.  Andulion  repeated  this  error  at  first,  and  sought  to 
demonstrate  its  correctness  by  giving  to  tlie  two  forms  very  di.ssimilar  habits. 
JJonaparti!  lielieved  these  forms  to  be  identical,  and  Xuttall  did  the  same, but 
was  altogether  in  error  as  to  its  distribution.  He  was  not  aware  of  its  jires- 
ence  in  ]Mas.sachnsetts,  where  it  is  at  times  the  mo.st  abundant  of  the  rapto- 
rial birds.  This  writer  only  met  witli  it  in  the  Southern  States,  wliere 
he  found  it  very  common  in  swamjjy  situations.  He  sjieaks  of  its 
liaving  a  quailing  cry  of  nnitual  recognition,  whicli  is  a  jdaintive  echoing 
note,  like  /.rr-an,  whicli  is  continued  with  little  intermission  for  nearly 
twenty  minutes.  He  descrilx's  the  sjiecies  as  not  shy,  and  ns  very  liasily 
ajiin-oached.  These  Hawks  remain  mated  tln-oughout  the  year,  and  their 
affectionate  treatment  of  each  other  is  in  striking  contrast  with  the  seliish 
indifference  of  the  Iied-tail  s[»ecies  when  their  breeding-season  is  ended. 

Nuttall  oltserved  it  feeding  on  frogs,  cray-fish,  and  even  insects,  and 
rarely  troubling  larger  game.  In  only  one  instance  did  he  see  mie  descend 
upon  a  I'lover.  Wilson  saw  them  attack  rk)ver,  Sand-))ipers,  Larks,  and 
even  Hawks ;  but  the  last  is  very  rare  and  exceptional.  I  have  never 
known  one  of  this  species  to  molest  the  itoultry-yard.     From  1S28  to  l.S:>8, 


280  NOHTH  AMERICA  N  J5IKDS. 

(luring  tny  stay  in  IIo.\1)Uit,  ii  juur  of  those  Hawks  were  residents  witliin  a 
lew  Imndred  yards  of  the  hnuse,  where,  as  they  never  nioh'slml  tiie  tenants 
of  tiie  baiii-yard,  they  were  not  allowed  to  he  distnrhed.  Their  lireeding- 
j)hico  we  eould  not  find,  hut  tliey  kejit  aliout  an  open  spring  during  the 
winter,  t'eeiling  upon  small  game,  and  were  not  at  all  shy.  One  ol'  them 
unfortunately  was  wounded,  and  was  kejit  in  eontinenient  several  days. 
It  was  the  male  hinl,  in  full  adult  jilumage,  and  was  hy  no  means  wild, 
feeding  readily  upon  what  was  given  to  it,  even  Mith  our  near  ])resenee.  It 
Would  not  tolerate  a  too  great  familiarity,  hut  manifested  great  irritation  if 
we  attempted  to  a])]iroacii  it.  Its  wing  had  hecn  liadly  shattered,  and  it 
finally  died  from  mortilieatiou  of  the  wound.  It  would  never  suhmit  to 
he  handled,  and  fought  desperately  when  we  .sought  to  have  its  limh 
hound  u]i.  After  we  gave  uj)  this  attempt  as  imjiossihle  it  heeame  rather 
more  familiar,  and  would  even  at  last  greet  me  with  a  weleonie  cry  of  recog- 
nition, and  take  its  food  from  my  hand. 

Wilson,  in  speaking  of  the  adult  hird,  states  that  this  Hawk  has  a  high 
and  very  irregular  ilight,  and  is  ([uite  different  from  that  of  .species  with 
longer  wings.  In  liis  account  of  the  innuaturc  plumage,  he  notes  its 
arrival  in  Pennsylvania  early  in  November,  and  its  dei)arture  in  March. 
He  speaks  of  it  as  a  dexterous  catcher  of  frogs,  and  adds  tliat  it  sometimes 
so  stulfs  itself  that  it  can  tly  with  drhoilty.  He  has  found  the  remains  of 
ten  frogs  in  the  stomach  of  a  single  individual. 

The  lied-siiouldered  Hawk  constructs  a  large  nest,  not  unlike  that  of  the 
Crow,  in  the  forked  branches  of  a  high  tree.  It  is  comi)osed  externally  of 
sticks,  and  is  lined  with  moss  and  .soft  leaves.  The  eggs  are  four  in  number, 
and  occasionally  three  or  two.  When  the  nest  is  ai)proached,  the  liird  utters 
loud,  I'requent,  and  peeidiar  cries  of  alarm  and  resentment,  not  unlike  ka'- 
ou  !  rapidly  rei)eated,  but  makes  no  attempt  at  resistance.  The  pair  return 
year  after  year  to  the  same  nest,  even  when  it  has  been  robl)ed  the  previous 
season. 

The  eggs  of  this  Hawk  arc;  of  a  very  uniform  spheroidal-oval  shajie,  but 
slightly  pointed  at  one  end,  ami  exhibit  certain  very  general  characteristics 
in  the  colors  of  their  markings,  but  vary  greatly  in  their  si/e.  The  length 
varies  from  2.20  to  2.(1(1,  and  the  iireadth  from  LSI  to  l.otl.  Tiie  ground- 
color is  usually  a  dingy  white,  rarely  ])ure  white,  and  frequently  with  de- 
cidedly brownish  tinge.  The  blotches  are  most  fretjuently  of  a  yellowish 
umber  coh)r;  .sometimes  blotches  of  sienna-l)rown,  .slate-drab,  and  more  ob- 
scure shades  of  brown  are  present,  and  these  colors  are  not  unl're(|ncntly 
confusedly  mingled.  An  egg  from  Cheraw,  S.  C,  has  a  ground-color  of  a 
light  drab,  tinged  with  slate  and  without  finy  blotches  whatever.  It  is  not 
unconnuon  to  find  these  nearly  \nispotted  eggs  in  the  same  nest  with  others 
very  boldly  and  profusely  blotched.  The  Cheraw  egg  measures  2.00  by  l.HG 
inches;  an  egg  from  Massachusetts,  2.20  by  l.Sl  :  their  relative  capacity 
being  nearly  as  three  to  four.     They  average  about  2.10  by  1.G8  inches. 


FALC( »N1UJ<;  —  TllK    FALCONS. 


281 


Mr.  L.  llcilinlirodt  i\nuu[  lli(.  no.sl  ol'  lliis  Hawk  iiciir  Au.sliu,  'IVxiis.  One 
eg«,'  Wiis  taken  IVom  lliu  uust,  and  in  a  iV-w  days  al'tor  a  second  was  luund  to 
have  been  deposited  (.S.  I,  l."),S<,J4), 

The  liandswiie  varit'ty  known  as  //  r/n/an.i  is  generally  spoken  of  Ly  all 
familiar  wit li  its  liaKits,  as  well 
as  with  its  appearanee,  as  tin' 
almost  u.xact  counterpart  of 
the  lied-shduldered  Hawk,  re- 
l)laciug  that  i'onu  on  the  west 
coast. 

In  regard  to  its  distinctive 
spceitic  iiahits  hut  little  is  as 
yet  known,  but  it  is  proliai)lo 
they  are  not  essentially  dilVer- 
ent  I'roni  those  ol'  the  /i/tni/ns, 
Dr.  Cooper  bearing  positive 
testimony  to  tliis  I'act.  Me 
found  this  Hawk  connnon  in 
the  .southern  ])art  of  the  State,  _ 
especially  near  San  Diego,  l)ut 
he  did  not  meet  with  any  in 
the  Colorado  Valley.  ()n  his 
apjU'oach  to  one  of  them,  it 
would  always  ily  oil'  from  its 
usual  perch,  circling  up  high 
into  the  air,  and  uttering  sliort 
shrill  screams  in  rajjid  succession  in  the  mannei'  of  the  linrntnx.  He  no- 
ticed a  itair  constantly  at  one  place  near  a  ranch,  and  sujiposed  they  were 
about  building  there,  but  was  not  al)le  to  iind  the  nest. 

Among  the  memoranda  of  Mr.  Xantus,  made  at  Fort  Tejon,  Cal.,  is  one 
dated  ]\Iay  0,  mentioning  the  finding  tlie  nest  of  this  species.  It  contained 
I'our  eggs,  was  built  in  an  old  decayed  trc(!,  in  a  swam]),  and  was  aliont 
fifteen  feet  from  the  ground.     The  nest  was  large  and  made  of  sticks. 


Buteo  eUsans. 


Buteo  borealis  (Gmel.). 

BED-TAILED  HAWK. 

Sp.  Cnxn.  Form  licavy  and  rolm.^t  ;  wintrs  moderate,  tlio  third  to  fifth  (Viill  lonoo.at ; 
the  first  shorter  than  the  seventh;  outer  four  with  inner  wchs  cnt.  Foot  stroi.^r.  the  tarsi 
and  toes  robust,  and  claws  not  very  acnte.  Dimensions:  Winjr.  l.'i.")0- 17.-");  tail, 
8.50-ll.,'?0:  cnlnien,  nt)-!.!");  tarsus, '_'. 70-. ^.K);  middle  toe,  1.(50- l.or);  woiiilit. 'J|  to 
4  Ills.  Color.s:  AiJult:  tail,  deep  lateritious-rnroiis,  paler  at  the  tip,  and  usually  with 
a  snbtorminal  bar  of  black  (sometimes  without  any  bar,  and  sometimes  with  numer- 
ous bars  to  the  base).     Above  blaokisli-brown,  more  or  less  variegated  with  whitish  on 

VOL.  ui.  '^(^ 


282  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

tlio  scupulars  and  wing-coverts;  bonoatli  wliiti',  usiiiilly  with  a  Ijclt  of  UliKkisli  spots 
across  tlio  nbdomuii;  sonietinios  wliolly  <liisl<y  „r  U-M-kUh  Ix'iiciUii,  Iml  tlic  pcclnnil  rci^ion 
nlwnys  ajipruciiilily  li^ditcr  limn  tlio  iilidoincn  ;  under  snrliico  of  priniariis  [ihiin  wliilo 
nnti'rior  to  dicir  oinai'j^dnation.  Yoinif/.  Tiiil  griiyisli-brown,  with  nine  or  ton  narrow, 
sharply  dolincd  hands  ol'  blackish.  PattiMn  of  other  parts  as  in  the  adult,  but  the  white 
purer,  and  the  plumage  generally  with  less  rulbus. 

Had.    Entire  continent  of  North  America  ;  West  Indies. 

Tlie  plumage  varies  from  wlidUy  dusky  Maekisii,  with  a  paler,  more 
brownish,  ])ectoral  area,  and  the  tail  of  the  adult  with  numerous  black 
bars,  or  indieations  of  bars,  to  the  very  base  (var.  culuni>i),  through  va- 
rious proportionate  degrees  of  rulbus  and  dusky,  to  entirely  pure  white 
beneath,  without  any  spotting;  the  tail  of  the  adult  without  a  single 
black  bar  (vurs.  krideri  and  lucasanus). 


Tor.  borealifi,  Ghelin. 
EASTEBN  BED-TAIL. 

Falco  borcdUs,  Gmel.  Syst.  Nat.  p.  206,  178'J.   -  Lath.  Ind.  Orn.  p.  2Z,  1790  ;  Ryn.  I,  p. 

50,  1780  ;  Siipp.  II,  34,  17S7  ;  Gun.  Hi.st.  I,  p.  'iiiil,  1821.  —  Dauu.  Tr.  Orn.' II,  157, 

1800. —Shaw,  Zobl.  VII,   112,   1812. —Wils.  Am.  Orn.  pi.  Hi,  fig.  ],  1808. —Sab. 

Fraukl.  Exp.  p.  670.  —  Waol.   i.sis,  p.  517,  1831.  —  lio.NAi>.  Ann.  N.  Y.  Lye.  II,  pj.. 

32,  434  ;  I.sis,  ]).   1138,  1832. —Al'D.   Birds  Am.  pi.  li,  1831  ;  Orn.   Biog.'  I,  y.  265, 

1831;    .Syn.   VI.  — Giiav,  Genera,  1840.  —  Rich.   F.   B.   A.    II,   .^iO,   1831.  —  Nurr. 

Man.   I,   102,  1840.  —  Go.s.se,   Birds  .lani.   11,  1847.  —  Dovfin.   Call.   I,  229,  jil.  xxx, 

1830.     Buteo  boreal  is,  Vikim,.  Nouv.  Diet.  IIi:,t.  Nat.  IV,  p.  478,  1819  ;  Knc.  Meth. 

Ill,  p.  1222,  1823.  —  ViG.  Zoiil.  .(ouni.  I,  p.  340  ;  Zoiil.  Beech.  Voy.  !>.  15.  —  Sri:rn. 

Zoiil.  XIII,  pt.  2,  p.  47,  1826.  —  Lr,.s.s.  Tr.  Orn.  p.  79.  1831.  —  .Iamks.  (Wils.)  Am. 

Orn.  I,  pp.  82,  84,  1808.  —  .lAiai.  (Wii.s.)  An>.  Orn.  II,  pp.  280,  282,  1808.  —  Bui; w. 

(Wils.)  Am.  Orn.  p.  450  ;  Syiiop.  p.  684.  —  Bonap.   E  u'.  k  N.  Am.  B.  p.  3,  1838  ; 

Consp.  Av.  p.  19.  —  Arn.  Synop.   p.  <;,   1839.  —  GiiAV,  Gen.  B.  Ibl.  sp.  6,  1844  ;  List 

B.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  34,  1844.  —  PuciiEi!.   I!ev.   Zoijl.  p.   214,  1850.  —  Gossi:,  B.  Jam.  p. 

11,  pi.  ii,  1847.  —  Ca.ss.  B.  Cal.  k  Tex.  .Syn.  p.  97,   1854;  Proc.  Ac.  Sc.  Philad.  p. 

279,  1855. —  Gamb.  .Tourn.  Ac.  Nat.  .Sc.  Phil.  N.  S.  I,  p.  26.  —  Nrrr.  Man.  Orn. 
U.  S.  &  Canad.  p.  102,  1833. —  l)i;  Kay,  Zoiil.  N.  Y.   II,  p.  9,   pi    viii,  f.  17  (Juv.), 

1844. —  Peab.  Bost.  Journ.  Nat.  Hist.  Ill,  p.  80,  1837.  —  Tho.mi'.  Hist.  Verm.  Aiij.. 
p.  63,  UH.'-.S.  -  Peale,  U.  S.  Kxpl.  Kxp.  p.  62,  1848.  — Towns.  Sit.  Exp.  Zuni  &  Color. 
p.  59.  —  KAri',  Uel).  Falk.  Mus.  Senek.  p.  261,  1845.  —  Stkickl.  Orn.  Syn.  I,  29, 
1855. —  Max.  Cab.  .lourn.  VI,  1858,  17.  —  Blakist.  Ibis,  III,  1861,  318.  — Wood, 
Am.  Nat.  Ill,  1869,  393. —  Giiav,  Hand  List,  I,  1869,  7.  .l.-ihir  bon-a/is,  Crv.  Heg. 
An.  (ed.  2),  I,  332,  1829.  -.Swains.  Class.  B.  I,  316;  II,  21.5,  1837.  P<vcihp/cniis 
borcalis,  Kacp,  Isis,  Jlon.  Falc.  Cunt.  Orn.  1850,  p.  76.  Fahv  kvcrianns,  G.mel. 
Syst.  Nat.  266,  1789.  —  Lahi.  Ind.  Orn.  p.  181,  1790  ;  Syn.  Sujip.  I,  31,  1787  ;  Gen. 
Hist.  I,  620,  1821.  — Daii).  Tr.  Orn.  II,  126,  1800. —Shaw,  Zoiil.  VII,  151,  1812.— 
Wils.  Am.  Orn.  pi.  lii  (.luv.),  1808. —  Am.  Orn.  Biog.  1,  265.  Biilco  Icvcrianus, 
Vio.  Zoiil.  .lourn.  1,  340.  —  .SrEi'ii.  Zoiil.  XIII,  pt.  2,  p.  47,  1815.  Faho  (iqiiilinus, 
Bauti!.  Trail.  [).  390,  1791.  Accipiler  rujimiuliis,  Vieill.  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  pi.  xiv,  bis. 
1807  Buko  fiih-us,  Vieill.  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  p,  34;  Nouv.  Diet.  Hist.  IV,  )).  468 
(ipiot.  F.  jamaiccnsin),  1819.  Butin  ferrmjincocaudus,  Vieill.  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  pi.  vi, 
1807. —Cuv.  Reg.  An.  (cd.  2)>  I,  337.  Butco  anierianius,  Vieill.  Nouv.  Diet.  Nat. 
IV,  477  (quot.),  Ois.  Am.  Merid.  pl.  vi,  Enc.  Meth.  Ill,  1224,  1823.  i.  Butco  (jalll- 
nivorus,  Vieill.  Ois.     Buico  borcalis,  Biieweu,  N.  A.  Oijlogy,  1857 


•i(. 


FALCOXI  D.E  -  Til  K   FA  ICONS.  283 

Sp.  Ciiah.  Adult,  rppci-  paits  lirli  lilii(jkisli-l)ro\vii,  a|)proacliinK  black  (ui  the  back; 
scnpulai's  mill  initldle  \vinj;-fovci-ts  <,.i|.;t.tl  and  l)an-(Ml  bciioatli  ilir  siiifacc  with  dull  white, 
and  li!i,i.'c(l  alon--  cili^^.s  wilh  (icliraccoiis.  Winys  -.'(.iici-nlly  of  a  paler  shade  than  the 
back;  secondaries  liidiiiLr  iiiln  nearly  wliito  at  lips,  and,  with  the  f,nvatei' coverts,  ob.senrely 
baiTcd  with  .laik.T  :  primaries  nearly  black,  tip.s  edged  with  pale  brown,  this  pa.ssi:if,'  into 
whitish.  Piunip  unilbrni  iila.ki.-li-brown,  leathers  obscin'ely  liorderi'd  with  rnsty.  Tpjier 
tnil-covcrts  ochraceons-while,  nearly  pure  tenuiually,  and  with  about  two  distinet 
transverse  bars  of  deep  lulbus.  Tail  rieli  luiirorni  laliM-il.ious-rulbus,  passing  narrowly 
into  while  at  tin;  tip,  and  about  an  inch  (or  less;  from  the  end  crossed  by  a  narrow  liand 
of  black.  Head  and  neck  with  the  lisuhers  medially  blackish-lirown,  their  edges  rn.sty- 
rufoiis,  c-msing  a  streaked  appearance;  the  rufous  prevailing  on  the  sides  of  tla.'  occiimt, 
the  ear-coverts,  and  neck.  The  blackish  almost  nnitbrm  on  the  forehead  and  on  the 
cheeks,  over  which  it  forms  a  broad  •■mustache";  lores  and  sides  of  frontlet  whitish. 
Throat  white,  with  broad  .stripe.-  of  purc^  slaly-l,rown  ;  lower  parts  in  general  ocln'aceous- 
white;  tibiie  and  lower  tail-coverts  innnaeulate;  across  the  alidomen  and  Hanks  (immu- 
diately  in  front  of  the  tiliiic)  is  a  broad  inlerrupted  belt,  of  longitudinal  black  blotches, 
tho.sc  on  the  abdomen  toar-shaiied,  on  the  Hanks  larger  anil  more  irregular,  throwing  off 
bars  toward  the  eilge  (.f  the  feath(-rs;  whole  pectoral  area  variegated  only  with  a  few 
shnft-.stiraks  of  black  (thes(i  growing  broader  lal<>rally),  and  sometimes  washed  with 
ru.sty.  Lining  of  the  wing  ochraceous-white,  with  sjmrse  diamond-.sli.aped  .sjiots  of  palo 
rufous,  and  shalt-strcaks  of  diU'ker ;  under  surf.ice  of  i)rhiiaries  white  anterior  to  their 
emargination,  beyond  which  they  gnidually  deepen  into  black  ;  the  innermost  ones  are 
finely  mottled  with  slaty,  and  with  imperfect  tr'nnsverse  bars  of  the  sr.me. 

iMe.  Wing,  13.50- Ui.,')0;  tail,  .S.oO- iD.oo  ;  eulnuMi,  .!)'>- 1.08;  tarsus,  1.40-3.20; 
middle  tne,  l.GO-  1.70.     Weight,  2  J  -  .'5  Ib.s. 

Female.  Wing,  l.'').2r)- 17.75;  tail,  O.oO-lO.oO ;  culmen,  1.00-1.15;  tar.^us,  3.15-3.40; 
middle"  toe,  1,70  -  1.80.     Weight,  3  -  4  lbs. 

YoiuHj  (28,154,  I'hiladelphia;  T.  Krider).  Above  similar  to  the  adult,  but  lacking 
entirely  any  rufous  tinge,  the  scapulars  and  wing-coverts  more  vaiiegated  with  whitish. 
Tail  light  grayish-brown  (very  much  lighter  than  the  rump),  tinged,  especially  b.asally, 
with  rufous,  narrowly  tipiied  with  white,  and  crossed  with  nine;  or  ten  narrow,  curved 
bands  of  black  ;  uppci-  tail-covci-ts  white,  with  broad  bars  of  black.  Ilc'ad  as  in  the 
adult,  but  the  rufous  wanting,  leaving  the  streaks  black  and  while;  forehead  more  broadiv 
white;  chin  and  throat  wholly  white,  the  latter  with  a  collar  of  duskj'  streaks  ,'icross  the 
lower  part ;  whole  pectoral  region  entirely  immaculate,  pure  white ;  abdominal  band  as 
in  the  adult;  tibiic  .somewhat  tinged  with  ochraceous,  tmvariegatcd. 

IlAii.    Eastern  North  Ameri(fa ;  not  in  West  Indies,  nor  west  of  the  Mis.souri. 

Localities:  (?)  Bahamas  (Bkvant,  Pr.  Bost,  Soc,  1807,  04). 

LIST   OF   SPECIMRNS    EX.A.MINED. 

National  Museum,  9;  Philadelphia  Academy,  13;  Boston  Society,  8;  Museum,  Cam- 
bridge, 15;  Cab.  a.  N.  Lawrence,  3;  Coll.  R.  Ridgw.ay,  2.     Total,  50. 

The  true  Butco  horcalis,  as  restricted,  may  always  be  distingui.slied  from 
the  var.  mlnrvn,  its  western  representative,  by  its  liaving  the  posterior  lower 
parts  (tibiiv,  and  lower  tail-ooverts)  entirely  tree  from  transverse  l>ars,  and 
by  laekino  indications  of  transverse  bars  on  the  tail,  anterior  to  the  con- 
spicuous subtermiual  one.  It  differs  from  the  var.  costarirensk,  in  liavinjjr 
the  head  and  neck  conspicuously  striped  with  rufous,  and  the  tliroat  tbicklv 
striped  witli  black,  almost  obliteratin<>-  the  white ;  in  the  conspicuous  tibdom- 


284  NoliTII  AMKIIICAX   1!IIU)S. 

iiml  Ijolt  of  liiri,'n  l.IacU  s|MPts,  and  in  liiiviiiii  \ho  [Wniv  liulitcr  oclivaccouH 
tlian  till!  bn-ast  ;  IVdiii  tlio  var.  fKfdsmui.s  and  var.  hriilrri,  it  is  di.stin,i,'uisiicd 
by  liavin^-  tliu  bluck  tail-band,  nmrc  sjiottt^il  umliT  iiait.s,  and  in  lln'  nppiT 
tail-covcits  bcin;4  wliitc,  banded  with  nil'iais,  instead  ol'  idain  wliite,  or 
deeii     'I'iMis,  unil'iirin  witli  tlic  tail. 

A  s|HH'ini(!u  (Xii.  IJ."'",  Carlisle,  I'a.  ;  S.  F.  I'aird)  appears  at  first  si<,'lit 
nincli  like  the  var.  ra/iinis.  beinj;'  very  dark;  tlie  tibia',  anal  re^iion,  and 
tlio  lower  tail-coverts  are,  however,  not  barred  as  in  this,  and  t'"-  tail 
possc.s8(,'s  l»ut   th(!  snbtenninal  band. 

An  innnatiu'c  sjiocinien  (Xo.  L'1,4S<S;  John  Krider)  from  rhiladelphia  has 
the  tibiiu  ([uito  distinctly  barred,  Ijut  less  conspicuously  so  than  in  young  of 
var.  caliiras. 

Var.  kriilcrl,  Uoopes. 
WHITE-BELLIED  BBD-TAIL. 

r.i(l,-a  l:riiln-t,  lIuorKs,  V.  \.  N.  S.  I'liiliul.  1873,  p.  — 

Sp.  (."n.\i;.  Ail'ill.  Siniil.ir  In  vnr.  hori'iilin.  hul  lioiieatli  poiitinnons  pnro  white,  witliont 
nifoii.'i  linji'f'.  Mill!  willinut  distiiict  .-^pots  acmss  ilic  iiliddiucii,  or  l.it'kirji;  tlu'tii  cnlii't'l}'; 
nliovc  miii'li  liylilcr,  llic  lnowii,  liLrhl  iiirnns,  aiKJ  wliiti'  liuing  about  ('(lual  in  ainoiiut. 
T'|i])or  tail-c-ovci(>  iininaciilali.'  \vliito  ;  tail  pale  nil'ou.s,  the  .■ilial't,-*  pure  wliitc,  anil  tlio 
welis  iiiixcil  Willi  \vliii(_:  along  their  edge.'*,  il.s  amount  increasing  towanl  the  l)a.se  ;  no 
trace  of  a  dusi<y  .^ulptcrniinal  bur,  or  elst!  only  indicated  by  liadly  ilelincd  .•^pot.'^. 

Ydwiij.  IJiU'cring  troni  that  of  var.  hirealis  in  the  ininiaeulate,  .snowy-white  lower 
part.'i.  nearly  eipial  extent  of  the  white  and  dusky  on  the  upper  parts,  and  whitish  cast 
of  thi"  tail. 

Two  females  (one  shot  I'roni  ne.st  of  two  eggs,  near  Alexandi'ia.  Minn..  May  8,  1872,' 
and  the  other,  also  shot  Irom  nest  of  two  t^\l^'^.  near  Pelican  Lake.  Minn.,  May  21.  1^72') 
arc  entirely  absolutely  pure  white  bciu'ath,  there  being  liut  the  faintest  indications  of  mark- 
ings in  tlie  region  of  the  usual  abilnmiual  licit;  even  the  whole  under  side  of  the  wing  is 
almost  innnaculato.  The  groimd-c:olor  of  the  upper  parts  is  pale  grayish-brown,  about 
Cipially  variegated  transversely,  on  the  seajjulars  and  tertial.s,  with  white.  In  oik;  of  them, 
the  sides  of  the  head  and  neck  are  pale  fawn-color,  the  "nnistaeho"  from  the  rictus 
brownish-black  in  cons])ii'nous  eontr.ast ;  the  upper  |iarts  an;  nearly  e(|ually  variegated 
with  brown,  liglit  rufous,  and  white,  the  latter  predominating  posteriorly.  The  \ipper 
tail-coverts  iu'c  immacidate  whit<'.  The  tail-feathers  are  liglit  rufou.s,  with  pure  white 
shaft.s,  eonsideralily  mixed  with  white  along  the  edges  of  the  feather.s,  the  whit('  consid- 
erably inrTcasing  towai-ds  the  liase  of  the  tail.  Of  the  subterniinal  dusky  band  there  is 
no  trace  in  one  specimen,  wliih^  in  the  other  it  is  indicated  by  transverse  spot.s,  while  the 
inner  webs  along  the  shafts  are  nmeh  variegated  with  tr.-nsver.so  dusky  s])ots.  The  mah; 
specimen  (shot  at  Chippewa  Lake,  itiim.,  from  nest  (!)  ol'  two  eggs  M.\v  10,  1S72')  is 
consider.ilily  darker,  nearly  like  tin'  average  ])lum.'ige  of  eastern  var.  hormliii.  Still  the 
white  of  the  lower  parts  i.s  remarkably  pure,  being  of  an  almost  snowy  elearness,  with- 
out any  trace  whatever  of  an  ochraeoous  tinpo. 

No.  8,r,32,  Devil's  River,  Texas  (Nov.  18")-);  Dr.  C.  B.  Kenncrly),  differs  only  in  being  a 

'  "  Nest  in  oak-trci',  in  edge  of  wood,  by  lake." 

-  "  Nest  twciity-livc  feet  high,  in  oak-tree." 

'  "  Nest  at  to])  of  brokon  poplar-tri'i-  near  lake." 


l''ALC(JXIl)/E  — TIJS   l''AU;o\S.  285 

little  less  pure  wliite  licni'alh,  thi'  lower  |)art,s  lieiiig  very  apiirfcialily  tiiiifed  with  ruloiis 
))ostL'ri(iily. 

IIaii.     Plains  of  the  rnitcd  .Stalo,  liom  Minnesota  to  Texas  (Devil's  Kiver,  .M.  S.  J.). 


Viir.  Iiicniiniiii!4(  Uinn^VAT. 
8T,  LUCAS  R£D  TAIL. 

'•Bull!)  hnrmUn  var.  Iiirnsnnii.i,  liiiKiWAV,"  Coi'ks,  Kky,  1872,  21ti  (iimlcf  //.  hnmilis). 

f--\  CiiAlt.  Aihill.  (ieneral  appeanuiee  ol'  llie  uminal  pluiua^e  of  var.  aihinis,  Imt  ijie 
upper  imrts  more  luiilonnly  blaekisli,  and  the  upper  tail-eoverts  and  tail  nnilonii  rulons. 
the  latter  without  a  trace  of  a  blaek  har.  Heiiealh  nearly  uniform  reddish  oeliraceous,  or 
lijrht  rufous,  the  usual  aliilominal  bell  merely  indieateil  by  a  lew  ineoiispieuous  spols;  no 
trace  of  transverse  bars  on  tiie  lower  parts  /■'"„/,(/,•?  (\J,,.  u;,!)2."),  ("api.  Si.  Lucas.  Sept. 
lo,  18')!);  J.  Xautusj.  Winj.',  lO.iH);  tail,  !)..">();  tarsu.s,  .'i.OO:  middle  tiie.  I.IJO.  Wini;- 
fornnda  '>,  4,  3,  2  -  (i  -  7  -  S  - !),  1 ,  1  (t. 

YdHiiij.     Not  distin,!,'uishable,  by  positive  eharactor.s,  from  that  of  var.  cidurus. 

Had.    Peninsula  of  Lower  California. 

All  adult  specimens  from  tlic  iieiiinsula  of  Lower  C'liliforiiia  a,i,'ivo  with 
that  described  aliove,  in  the  ]iectiliar  fciitnres  which  I  consider  its  characttM- 
izine;  a  well-niarked  local  race.  The  jarseiit  i'orni  is  most  nearly  related,  in 
its  adult  dress,  to  tiie  var.  kridcri  of  the  i)lains,  in  its  unbarred  tail  and  ini- 
macidate  lower  plumaoe,  but  ditl'ers  from  this  in  iniving  the  upjier  ]iarts 
nearly  black  instead  of  alnuist  white,  the  tijjper  tail-eoverts  deep  riilbus,  like 
the  tail,  instetid  of  white,  and  the  lower  ])arts  rufous  in.stead  of  wliite  ;  in 
the  rufous  lower  pluma<fe  and  very  diirk  upper  parts,  it  closely  re.sendiles 
var.  cosiaricensin^  of  Central  America  and  Southern  Mexico,  but  the  latter  has 

1  Biitco  horcalis,  var.  costaricensh,  Riikjwav.  Jliifm  borcalh  (all  citations  fioni  Central 
Amorioa). 

Sp.  Ciiak.  Arfvf/  (No.  30,400,  Costa  Rica  ;  Dr.  A.  von  Frantzius\.  l|ca,l,  neck,  and  upper 
parts  continuous,  iinvariegatod  brownish-black  ;  whole  throat  white,  with  a  few  cnncatc  spots 
of  l)lac;k  ;  black  of  the  neck  nicctinf,' narrowly  across  the  juuuhini  ;  pectoral  area  innnaculat<' pure 
white  ;  upjier  ]iart  of  abdomen  with  an  inipert'cct  belt  of  distinct  narrow  lanceolate  strips  dI'  black  ; 
whole  posterior  lower  jiarts  fine  |)inkish  ochraccous,  unvariegatcd  ;  tibiae  deepest,  incliiniig  to 
delicati^  ochracoous-rufous  ;  njiper  tail-coverts  ininiaculate  rufous.  Tail  as  in  var.  hnindis.  Wing, 
Ki.OO  ;  tail,  9.00  ;  tarsus,  3,20  ;  middle  toe,  1.80.  Bill  vtry  high,  abruptly  (uuvcd.  Wing- 
formula,  4,  .1,  3,  6,  2  ;  tirst,  sliortest. 

This  very  cuiious  variety  is  that  which  depaits  furthest  from  the  true  Imirnlh  ;  not  only  the 
details,  but  in  a  measure  the  pattern,  of  coloration,  being  greatly  modified.  The  pcilcctly  con- 
tinuous pure  browinsh-black  of  the  whole  head  and  neck,  .sharply  contrasted  with  the  white  throat - 
patch,  arc  features  which  distinguish  it  from  every  other  variety  of  this  grou]i  ;  while  the  ilccp 
nifous  tibire,  and  almost  utter  absence  of  transverse  bais  l)eneatli,  are  also  very  distinctive  char- 
acters. 

The  second  of  the  two  Costa  Rican  specimens  before  me  (No.  33,.')07  ;  .1.  Carnii(d)  dilfers  from 
the  typo  in  having  the  white  of  the  pectoral  area  clouded  l)y  av  encroachment  of  the  blacki.sh  of 
the  neck  ;  and  across  the  abdomen  is  a  deep  wa.sh  of  the  same.  The  tail-feathers  exhibit  indica- 
tions of  spots  along  the  shafts,  as  in  var.  cnhirii.s;  wliile  the  upper  tail-coveris  have  a  very  few 
bars  of  blackish. 

Younij  (37,338,  Trcs  Marias  Islands,  .January  ;   Col.  A.  .F.  Grayson).      Similar  to  the  adult 


280  NORTH  AMEHICAN  lilKDS. 

a  1  arred  tail,  ciitiroly  coiiliimons  l)]ack  abovo,  i)lain  AvI.ito  throat  patcli,  mid 
other  luinor  dillbrences,  hosides  liaviiig  a  (luite  dilltMont  youii-  iduiua-o.'  As 
to  tliG  young  pliunanc  of  vav.  /Hras,nius,  '  cannot  find  any  charai'ter  by 
whicli  it  can  witli  certainty  be  distinguished  from  that  of  var.  ca/urus. 


Var.  ralnrna,  Cassin. 

WESTERN  RED-TAIL;   BLACK  RED-TAIL. 

Bii/ro  oihirus,  I'assin,  Pioc.  Acail.  Nat.  Sr.  I'liil.  VII,  ■2S\,  ]$:,',;  liirds  N.  Am.  \Sr,S,  22. 
-  SiKicKi..  Oni.  Syn.  1,  ;J8,  ]S;w.  -  ('(M-ks,  I'ml.  Oiii.  Ariz.  )>.  8,  18(i6. -- (fi'i.vv, 
Ilaiiil  List,  1.  -,  ]8ti!).  Jill/,;,  iiwiiliiiiii.i  (iii)t  uf  NiriAi.i,  1^,  C.vs.si.s,  liinl.s  N.  Am' 
18.^.8,  2ti.-N|-,wit.  P.  K.  H.  l{,.pt.  VI,  iv,  ]8sr.  -  Hi:i:i:m.  P.  I!.  1{.  Kept.  VII,* 31^ 
]Sn7.-('.H,i..  A:  Sick.  P.  li.  It.  I!,.,,t.  XII,  ii,  147,  18«0.  -  Cnrivs,  Pro.I.  Orn.  Aiiz. 
p.  7,  lSti(i.   -  JJii/,„  sii;ii,i,s,ini  (not  of  liuNAl'  !),  Cass.  U.  Cal.  &  Tu.\.  p.  98,  ISoi. 

Sp.  fiiAri.  A,h,/f.  Similar  l,i  var.  l,omili\  hut  darker,  with  more  nilbus  iin.l  blackish 
in  tho  pliimaj;,':  til.i;..  always.  ;m,l  Ihmks  ami  cris^um  usually,  harrwl  with  rufous;  throat 
with  the  (lark  streaks  sulliiseil  aud  widen.'il.  s.i  as  lo  form  the  prevailin,!,'  color.  Tail  with 
indieatim.s  of  transverse  bars  anterior  to  the  usual  suhterminal  one,  these  varyinu'  in  num- 
ber and  distinctness  with  the  individual.  Whole  pluma-o  .sometimes  .soo'tv  black,  the 
breast,  however,  covered  by  an  appreeiably  paler  patch,  usually  of  a  som<>what"  rufous 'hue. 
Tail  sometimes  with  rejrnlar  ami  continuous  nairow  bands  to  the  verv  iia.se. 

Voumj.  Very  nmch  darker  than  that  of  var.  horealis.  the  j-attern  beiufr  similar,  but  the 
dark  markings  nmch  e.x]iandcd  and  more  numerous;  tibiiu  with  heavy  transverse  spots  of 
dusky. 

Had.  W.'stern  r..frion  of  North  America,  from  the  Rockv  Mountains  to  tho  Pacific- 
soutli  into  Mexico;   West  Indies  (Jamaica  ami  Cuba,  Mns.  S.  T.).  ' 

Locahties  quoted:  (?)  Xalapa  (Sci.atki!.  P.  Z.  S.  IS.",!),  ;5GS)  ;  Oaxaca  CSci,.  P  Z  S  1859 
;i8-'  (?)ruba(CAn.Journ.  II.  Ixxxii;  Gixm,.  Hep.  1SG5,  223  ;  resident.  - R  boreali.',"'): 
S.  ]•-.  Texas  (Duksskk,  Ibis,  ISO.J,  324). 


MST    OF    SPKCI.MEN\s|    KXAMINKP. 


National  .Museum.  41  ;  Phila.lclphia  Academy,  IS;  Boston  Society,  C;  Coll.  G.  X.  Law- 
rence, 2  :    K.  Ridyway,  ."i.      Total,  7.j. 

in  Kencral  appcaranrc,  but  dilfcrinK  in  the  followbijj  particulars  :  Tail  deep  uii.bor,  with  ah„ut 
twclv..  or  thirteen  narrow  bands  of  bla.k,  and  v.tv  narrowly  tipped  with  whitish  •  lateral  lower 
parts  thickly  .sp,.ttcd  with  blackish,  , and  tibia^  spotted  trausvcrselv  with  the  same-  lower  tail- 
covcits  with  distant  bars  of  blackish.  Tppcr  tail-covrts  hla.'kisli-brown  barred  with  white  this 
not  touching  the  .sliaft. 

H.Ui.    Central   America   an.l   .Southwest..™   Mexico  ;  Costa   I{ica.   VeraKna,  and  Tres  Marias 
bslands  (Mus.  S.  I.). 

Lo,.alitics:  (?)  Guatemala  (.Sc,,.  Il,is,  1,  217,  li.  hormlis)  ■  Costa  Kica  (Lawii.  IX,  133    "var 
miiii/iniK.i"). 

Lis/  nf  Sjirrimni.-i  Kxiimineil.  ■—  Xatjoiial  Mnscuin,  4. 
Measureiiients  nmch  the  same  as  in  the  other  varieties. 


FA  LCON 1 1).]-:  —  THE   FA  L(X )  N  S. 
Afeasnrementii, 


287 


Sn. 


$       13.50     1(1.0(1 

9     Ki.oo-  17.j:. 

^        13.1',") -11.00 
9       ll.DO- 

15.50- 


Tail. 

!».."iO      10.00 
i).50-  I  |.;50 

i).0(U 
i).()0- 

!)..")()- 


Culm 

ril. 

Tiiisiis.        1 

.!)(l- 

1.10 

:;.!)(•- 3.30 

1.00- 

1.08 

3.30-3.40 

1.00- 

3.30- 

1.10- 

3.:i5- 

1.15- 

3.10- 

MiMlf 

Tui: 

S/nriifint.t. 

1.70- 

1.80 

30  N.  Am. 

1.80- 

l.!)5 

1(1      '• 

1.80- 

2  Jadiaicad. 

1.T5- 

1 

1.85- 

1  C((liiin. 

A  lar^o  coll(>oti()ii  of  .siiecimens  df  this  race  ])iv.s(Mit.s  a  scrius  nuiiKH'tiii.n- 
&o?r(Y//.>,' witli  the  Wauk  Idiiii  known  as  '•ni/nnis"-  ovciv  possililc  condition 
betwoLM)  the  two  huini,'  indicated  in  tlie  vnw^ti  of  indivi(hial  variation.  The 
liylitest  styles  as  di.stinndislied  from  van  harca/is  always  have  the  tihia^ 
barred  with  rufous;  the  cri.ssuui,  als.  is  -cnerally  liarred,  on  the  throat 
the  blacld.sh-brown  predominates,  and  tin  tail  has  more  or  !(^ss  iierfect  bais 
to  the  roots  of  the  feutliers;  -generally,  liowever,  tlie.se  are  merely  indicated 
by  projections  from  the  shafts. 

The  extreme  condition  of  this  is  the  inelanistic  form  which  Mr.  Cassin 
described  as  " /;«/ro  m//o'/w  "  ;  the  darlvcst  example  of  w](ich  (r.,4Sl,  Teta- 
liiina,  C'al. ;  E.  Saumels)  is  entirely  Idackish-lirown,  wini^s  and  .scapulars 
with  feathers  somewhat  paler  at  ti])s  ;  breast  inclinin5>- to  dark  .se])ia-1irowii, 
the  feathers  with  black  shaft-stivaks ;  tiliial  feathi'is  laintly  li])ped  with  pale 
grayish-brown  ;  lower  (ail-coverts  tii)i)ed  and  liarred  with  rufous  ;  u])per  tail- 
coverts  deep  rufous  l)arre(l  with  black;  tail  deep  chestnut-rufous,  the  sub- 
terminal  lilack  band  very  broad,  and  anterior  to  this  are  nine  or  ten  imperl'ect 
narrower  black  bands. 

These  fuliginous  exauiples  have  always  a  more  or  less  appreciably  Mghtor 
pectoral  area,  corre.s]K)uding  to  the  white  of  this  region  seen  in  the  ligliter 
styles. 

t)f  this  race,  almost  each  individual  has  its  own  characteristic  markings, 
and  scarcely  two  are  to  be  found  alike  in  a  very  large  series  from  Westein 
North  America.  All  the  specinu'us  i'rom  the  Hocky  ■Mountains  to  the 
Pacific,  and  from  the  tal)le-lands  uf  JMexico,  as  well  as  from  ('itl)a  and 
Jamaica,  are  referrible  to  this  variety,  although  we  are  not  aware  that  in 
the  latter  region  the  Itird  ever  bec(uues  black.  In  the  latter  island  this 
species  (as  is  also  the  case  with  many  other  liirds)  seems  to  1)e  remarkably 
subject  to  albinism.  In  the  jieninsula  of  Lower  California  it  is  re[ilaced 
by  the  var.  liiraxainix,  and  in  Central  America  by  the  very  different  var. 
rosfariccnsis ;  from  both  of  which  it  may  be  distingui.shed  by  the  numerous 
transverse  rufous  bars  crossing  the  jiosterior  under  jiarts,  which  character 
serves  also  to  distinguish  the  lightest  examples  from  the  eastern  typical 
horcalis. 

A  specimen  (50,70!  ;  Coloiu^  Cfrayson)  from  the  Socorro  Island,  S.  W, 
Mexico,  is  like  sonu;  Fort  Tejou  specimens. 


288 


NOllTH  AMKHICAN  IHKD.S. 


No.  41,759  (iniiuature),  ^leridii,  Yucatan  (Dr.  St-hott),  is  remarkably  li<,'lit 
coloriHl,  or,  rather,  i.s  uiiiLsiially  variej^atod  witli  whitish  above;  tlie  tail,  also, 
is  ahiiost  wliite ;  tlie  bauds,  however,  very  coiisi)icuous.  Tlio  lower  parts  arc 
as  thickly  spotted  as  in  .speciini'us  from  Washington  Territory. 

Tlie  young  bird  of  tliis  western  style  is  as  different  i'roni  that  ol'  the 
eastern  as  is  the  adult,  and  the  essential  did'erences  are  about  the  same,  ^ 
i.  e.  darker  colors,  or  a  predominance,  or,  rather,  increase  in  size,  of  tlie  dark 
markings.  The  numerous  heavy  transverse  spots  on  the  tibia  constitute  a 
persistent  feature  of  the  young  of  the  var.  cKliirus,  as  compared  vitli  the 
almost,  or  perfectly,  immaculate  white  of  those  in  var.  horca/i.'i. 

It  being  certain  that  the  JJiitrn  uiontanus  f)f  Xuttall  is  really  the  JJ.  sn-.ciu- 
aoiii,  and  not  the  variety  of  boreal i.'^  so  called  by  Mr.  Cassin,  it  becomes 
necessary  to  droji  this  name  in  connection  with  the  present  binl,  and  transfer 
it  as  a  synonyine  to  .•uriiinsoni.  In  its  jtlace,  ^Ir.  Cassin's  ua:  ,;  <'<duru)>  must 
be  sulistituted,  under  which  was  described  the  melauistic  condition  of  tlie 
present  variety  of  hormlis. 

In  describing  Ids  B.  monfcuuis,  Xuttall  cites  Audubon's  plate  of  "Faico 
hnhv,"  which,  of  course,  is  a  name  by  whicli  the  B.  swaini^oni  was  first  desig- 
nated before  it  was  distinguished  from  the  B.  vnhjuris  of  Europe.  Audu- 
bon's plate  represents,  unmistakably,  the  adult  female  of  the  Btiko  swainsoni. 
Haiuts.  Tlie  well-known  IJcd-tailed  Hawk  iS  widely  distributed  through- 
out North  America  from  the  West  Indies  and  Central  America  to  the  Arctic 

regions,  and  from  the  Atlantic 
to  the  Pacific. 

According  to  Sir  Tohn  Rich- 
ardson, it  is  common  in  tlie  fur 
countries,  which  it  visits  in 
summer,  and  where  a  few  are 
known  to  breed.  Specimens 
were  taken  by  his  party  on  the 
Eocky  ^Mountains,  the  plains 
of  the  Saskatcliewan,  and  at  the 
York  factory.  These  were  all 
between  the  H^d  and  the  oTth 
parallels  of  latitude. 

Mr.  Salvin  cites  it  as  gen- 
evtally  and  plentifully  distrib- 
uted throughout  Guatemala, 
from  whence  numerous  ex- 
amples in  all  stages  of  plu- 
mage, from  the  young  to  the 
adult,  were  transmitted  by  Mr.  Skinner.  It  was  also  found  at  Duenas  by 
liim.  ^Ir.  Swainson  states  tliat  this  Hawk  was  taken  on  the  plains  of 
Mexico  by  Mr.  Taylor.     A  single  specimen  was  received  by  Mr.  Lawrence 


B»/M/  hnrinlis  uulult). 


FALCONID.E  — THE   FALCON>«.  ^>,S!j 

from  raiiiimii.  IMi.  (Jos.-^i.  states  that  it  is  tlic  most  coiiiinnii  binl  <>[  tliis 
lamily  n  .laiuaica,  wiieie  it  is  a  resident,  and  wliem  it  breeds.  ]Mr.  Leiii- 
beye  and  Dr.  (umdlaeli  lintii  include  it  in  their  lists  of  the  birds  of  Cuba, 
and  the  latter  marks  it  as  breedinj^'  in  that  island.  It  has  been  observed  in 
Florida  by  Mi.  Allen,  and  is  not  uncommon  in  all  the  \e\v  Enj^land  States, 
where  it  is  resident  throughout  the  yoai'.  In  the  Southern  States  it  is  most 
abundant  in  the  MJnter  months. 

Specimens  of  this  bird  are  recorded  in  the  government  reports  as  obtained 
from  the  Yellowstone,  I'rom  the  I'ecos  h'ixer  in  Texas,  and  tVom  Fort  Fill- 
inore  in  New  Mexico.  Mr.  Dresser  found  it  common  throughout  all  of  Texas 
in  all  seasons  of  the  year,  breeding  in  all  parts,  but  preferring  the  heavily 
timbered  country.  He  oljtaiiu,'d  its  eggs  from  Systerdale  and  from  the  Me- 
dina liiver. 

This  Hawk  is  a  strong  and  jujwerful  bird,  with  a. firm,  steady,  and  pro- 
tracted flight,  frequently  at  a  great  elevation,  and  often  moving  quite  a 
distance  without  any  apjiarent  motion  of  tlie  wings.  It  is  said  to  gen- 
erally descend  upon  its  ])iey  fiom  some  fixed  position,  as  the  branch  of  a 
tree,  and  rarely  to  dart  uimjh  it  when  flying.  It  is  a  cautious  l)ird,  and 
rarely  ventures  near  a  liouse  for  poultry  except  when  tlie  dwelling  is  isolated 
and  near  its  own  haunts.  It  ])ieys  chiefly  uixm  small  (piadruped.s,  small 
birds,  and  reptiles.  It  usually  darts  upon  a  snak(>  i'rom  the  branch  of  a,  tree, 
and  seizing  it  near  the  head  l)ears  it  writhing  through  the  air.  In  the  \al- 
ley  of  the  Saskatchewan,  llichardson  states  that  it  watches  for  tlie  marmots, 
and  when  one  imprudently  ventures  from  its  burrow,  darts  upon  it,  bears  it 
a  short  distance  off,  and  tears  it  to  pieces. 

As  they  fly,  these  birds  utter  a  very  peculiar  and  unpleasantly  harsh  cry 
or  scream,  which  they  repeat  very  frequently,  ("apt.  I'.lakiston  observed 
this  at  the  lied  liiver  settlement,  and  speaks  of  it  as  the  Sipiealing  Hawk. 

Thougli  said  to  be  thus  generally  cautious  in  e.\])t)sing  itself  t<  danger  in 
approaching  a  poultry-yard,  it  is  not  always  thus  cautious.  Mr.  l)o\\nes 
mentions  an  instance  where  one  of  these  birds  entered  a  garden  in  lialifax 
to  i^ouiice  upon  a  tame  ("row,  and  was  captured  alive  liy  the  owner. 

Mr.  Audubon  states  that  after  rearing  their  young  tliey  no  longer  remain 
mated,  but  separate  and  evince  rather  jealous  hostility  to  each  other  than 
good-M'ill.  When  one  has  taken  any  prey  in  sigiit  of  another,  the  latter  will 
jnirsue  and  struggle  with  it  for  possession  of  the  ])lunder.  Tn  these  fights 
they  scream  vociferou.sly  while  str..ggling  for  possession. 

In  the  Southern  States  these  Hawks  begin  to  build  in  February  ;  in  the 
Middle  States,  from  March  the  24th  to  April  ir>th;  and  in  New  England 
usually  from  A])ril  to  May.  They  construct  a  large  nest,  composed  exter- 
nally of  coarse  sticks  and  t\\ig.s,  and  lined  with  dried  grasses,  moss,  and 
leaves,  built  for  the  most  part  in  the  fork  of  a  lofty  tree.  The  eggs  are 
usually  four  in  number. 

Mr.  Augustus  Fowler  of  Danvers,  who  is  familiar  with  the  habits  of  this 
VOL.  nr.  37 


290  XORTII  AMEltrCAN  BIRDS. 

l)ir(l,  writes  me  that  in  Mussacliusetts  tliey  usiuiU)'  lH'<j;iu  to  build  their 
nests  iihiml  the  lirst  of  April,  selectinj^'  some  tall  tree  near  the  middle  of  the 
W(K)ds,  the  Ijrunches  of  whieii  i'orm  a  eroteh  near  its  trunk.  To  thi.s  chosen 
spot  the  female  carrie.s  a  sutlicient  quantity  of  sticks  lor  its  outside  (the 
male  takini;  no  very  active  piirt  in  the  matter),  and  for  its  inside  she  uses 
the  hark  from  tlie  dead  hranches  of  the  chestnut,  which  .she  heats  and  pecks 
to  pieces  with  her  bill,  making  it  soft  and  plial)le,  or  gathers  the  I'allen 
leaves  of  the  pine,  or  some  other  soft  material,  which  she  finds  conveniently, 
as  a  lining,  which  is  about  one  inch  in  thicknes.s.  It  is  thirteen  inches  in 
diameter  from  oiusiile  to  outside,  and  seven  inches  in  diameter  on  the  inside, 
while  its  depth  is  two  and  a  half  inches.  The  female  usually  lays  five  eggs, 
which  are  spherical,  of  a  dirty-white  color,  and  marked  with  large  blotches 
of  brown ;  on  somcr  they  cover  almost  the  whole  egg,  while  others  are 
marked  mostly  on  the  large  end,  ami  some  even  of  the  .same  nest  are  so 
faintly  marked  as  to  ajipear  almost  wholly  white.  They  are  2.V2  inches  in 
length  and  LlJo  in  diameter. 

In  Jamaica,  according  to  Mr.  March,  these  Hawks  do  not  confine  them- 
selves to  any  particular  mode  or  place  for  breeding,  height  seenung  to  be 
their  chief  object,  lie  has  found  their  ne.st  in  a  ipute  accessible  tree,  not 
nn)re  than  twenty  feet  from  the  ground,  and  near  a  frei^uented  path.  In 
anotlier  instance  a  ])air  nested  for  several  years  on  the  roof  of  the  turret  of 
tlie  1)elfryof  tlie  Spanishtown  Cathedral  church.  The  nest  he  describes  as  a 
j)latf(irm  of  dry  sticks,  more  tiian  a  toot  across  and  two  or  three  inches  thick. 
The  bed  of  the  nest  is  about  si.\  inches  across  and  two  deep,  of  line  inner 
bark,  grass,  and  leaves,  containing  four  or  five  eggs,  nearly  sjiherical,  meas- 
lu'ing  2.2;")  by  2.7")  inches,  of  a  dirty  fir  clayish  white,  dashed  with  blotches 
and  spots  of  vaudyke-brown  and  umber,  olten  running  with  a  light  shade 
into  the  ground-color. 

The  eggs  of  the  Red-tail  exhibit  great  variations  in  nearly  every  respect 
except  their  shape,  which  is  ]iretty  uniformly  a  s])heroidal-oval.  Their  ground- 
color varies  from  white  to  a  dingy  rusty  drab,  their  markings  vary  greatly 
in  colors,  shades,  size,  frefpiency,  and  distribution.  In  some  the  markings 
arc  small,  few,  and  light,  and  the  egg  a])pcars  to  be  of  an  almost  homoge- 
neous brownish-white.  In  others  the  ground  is  comjdetoly  concealed  by 
large  and  coidlueut  blotches  of  deej)  and  dark  puri)lish-brown,  burnt  umber, 
and  a  peculiar  shade  known  as  Dutch  und)er.  In  .some -the  markings  are 
distriljuted  in  fine  and  frecjuent  granulations,  diffused  over  the  entire  surface 
of  the  egg,  producing  the  eil'ect  of  a  color  of  uniform  nmbor  brown,  through 
which  the  groiunl  of  yellowi.sh-Avhite  can  only  be  traced  by  a  magnifying- 
glass.  Four  eggs  in  my  cabinet  average  2.22  inches  in  length  by  1.72  in 
breadth.  The  largest  egg  measures  2.")")  by  1.0(1  inches;  the  smallest,  2.10 
by  1.70.  The  capacity  of  the  largest  to  the  smallest  is  nearly  as  five  to 
i'our. 

The  season  in  wliich  this   Hawk  deposits  its  eggs  varies  considerably. 


FALCON  T  D.l';  —  Til  l']    K A  LC(  >  X  .S.  9  q  ^ 

i\rr.  .fiick.sdii  (.f  West  Clii'ster,  '      ;;.,  pves  March  24  tlio  earliest,  and  Ajail 
l.>  the  hiti'st,  ill  wliifli  he  lias  met  with  its  I'resli  egjis. 

Mr.  llulgway  ohtaiiied  twu  ryn's  of  this  Hiuvk  a'.  Mount  Carinel,  111.,  on 
the  Gth  ot  ]\Iareh,  tlie  iiust  havinj,'  been  coninieneeil  early  in  Felininry.  il 
v.-as  placed  on  thusiiiiunit  ol' a  lilaLk-,i;iini  tree  {X//m<  ninltijluni),  and  rested 
I'.pon  tlie  toimiu^t  hraiielies,  about  ninety  leet  I'roiu  the  ground.  Il  wa.s  lined 
with  corn-Iiu.sks,  galliered  IVoin  a  liel.l  close  liy.  The  ey,us  (Xo.  ll',740,  S.  I. 
Collection)  measure,  lesjiectiveiy,  2.45  and  L'.r.O  in  len<;th,  by  l.tto  and  2.(1(1 
in  breadth.  Tlieir  color  is  jilain  Idiiish-white,  entirely  free  I'roin  niarkinj^s 
of     ly  kind. 

hi  California,  the  var.  nilnrux  is  stated  to  l)e  common  in  all  parts  of  tlie 
Sta'e  not  destitute  of  trees,  and  to  reside  i)ermanently  wlierever  found,  pair- 
in-,'  only  durin--  the  l>ieediii,^-.season.  They  i)rey  ujion  hares  and  other 
small  (piadrupeds,  upon  smaller  liirds,  and  upmi  rejilile.s.  Dr.  Cooper 
states  that  at  time.s,  when  food  is  plenty,  they  become  excessively  fat.  They 
are  known  to  occasionally  seize  a  fowl  from  the  farm-yard.  I)urin,L;  the 
middle  oi'  the  day,  in  the  eokl  weather,  they  are  said  to  soar  veiy  high  in 
the  air,  and  occasionally  to  disajqiear  also  in  tlic  manner  of  their  eastern 
relatives,  the  Buhv  humilis.  They  are  said  to  be  abundant  and  resident 
species  in  WasJiington  Territory,  bavin-  been  found  by  Dr.  Suckley  quite 
numerous  at  I'uget  .Sound,  but  scarcer  on  the  Ujiper  Colunil)ia,  east  of  the 
Cascade  ^Mountains.  It  seems  to  be  more  daring  than  is  common  with  the 
homdis,iov  \)v.  Suckley  states  that  while  he  was  stationed  at  Fort  Steila- 
coom  he  noticed  that  the  poultry-yards  Avere  as  much  harasseil  by  tliis 
Hawk  as  Ity  the  Goshawk,  not  hesitating  to  seize  poultry  from  the  very 
doors  of  the  dwelling-houses. 

Dr.  Kennerly  states  that  this  Hawk  was  met  with  by  him  between  the 
coast  of  Texas  at  Indianola,  and  the  l!io  (Jrande  at  YX  I'aso  del  Xorte.  It 
seemed  to  feed  indifferently  upon  reptiles,  particularly  li/.ards,  and  the 
smaller  ([uadrujieds  and  birds. 

Dr.  Cooper  states  that  the  nests  of  this  species  are  numerous  in  the  val- 
leys and  on  the  lower  mountains  of  California.  They  are  generally  built  in 
the  forks  of  a  sycamore  or  other  large  trees,  and  formed  of  twigs  jiretty 
finely  constructed,  and  with  a  very  distinct  cavity.  Eggs,  taken  by  Dr. 
Coo])er  near  San  Diego,  were  laid  about  the  2()tli  of  ^farch,  and  were  three 
in  number.  They  measured  2.28  by  1.7()  inches,  were  of  a  dull  yellowish- 
white,  with  faint  brown  ,s])ot.s.  While  Dr.  Cooper  was  climbing  to  the  nest, 
the  old  birds  darted  towards  him  from  a  neighboring  Ijlufl',  but  when  Mithin 
a  lew  feet  of  his  head  they  turned  away  and  did  not  attempt  to  make  an 
assault. 

Two  eggs  belonging  to  the  variety  caliirun  were  obtained  by  Mr.  E.  Samuels 
near  Petaluma,  Cal,  in  1S.")(; ;  measure  2.:?1  inches  in  length  by  1.87  in 
breadth.  The  .shape  of  one  egg  is  an  almo.st  exact  ovoid,  slightly  tending  to 
a  spheroid,  one  end  being  hardly  perceptibly  larger  than  the  other.     Its 


2<)2  NORTH  AMERrCAN  BIRDS. 

,L,'ii)iiiicl-color  is  a  very  lij^ht  bull',  tlio  spottint;s  and  niarkiiifjs  jjiviiif,'  to  it 
tlie  I'tl'cct  (it  a  yclliiwisli-white.  It  is  uuirkuil  over  tlio  entire  siidiKo  with 
lilotelu's,  (laslies,  and  lines  of  a  lii^iit  tint  (jf  a  laown  tending,'  to  Vandyke. 
Tiiese  are  mixed  with  niarkinj^s  of  a  lit,diter  ])uri)lish-l)rown.  The  inarkini;s, 
(it  both  shade.s,  are  ehielly  oblonj^'  in  sluqie,  and  nm  wiih  the  Ienjj;th  of  the 
ej,',ii.  They  bear  no  resendilanee  to  any  ej,'gs  of  tlie  B.  horcalis  Unit  I  liave 
ever  .seen,  and  are  unlike  tIio.se  of  otiier  Hawks  .so  far  as  1  am  aware.  It 
was  built  iin  the  tdji  of  a  large  evergreen-oak,  at  lea.st  seventy  feet  from  the 
ground,  and  was  constructed  entirely  of  large,  coarse  sticks,  lined  with  a  few 
stray  feathers.  The  male  bird  was  shot  as  it  flew  from  the  nest,  which  was 
.so  hidden  by  the  thick  branches  that  it  would  have  escaped  detectiim. 

The  black  form  ot'  this  s]iecies  was  tirst  described  by  JMr.  Cassin  as  Bitlco 
nil  urns,  in  IiS.k'i,  from  a  specimen  procured  liy  Dr.  Henry  near  Fort  Web- 
ster, New  !\Ie.\ico.  In  this  ]iluniage  it  was  afterwards  met  with  by  ]\Ir. 
Emanuel  Sanniels,  near  retaluma,  in  Califonua,  who  found  it  breeding,  and 
was  fortunate  enough  to  secure  the  ]iarent  bird  on  its  nest. 

Tlie  nest  was  built  near  the  to]i  of  an  evergreen-oak,  at  the  height  of 
about  sixty  feet  from  the  ground,  and  contained  two  eggs  Just  on  the  point 
of  hatching.  It  was  constructed  of  sticks,  and  was  lined  with  moss.  Both 
bii'ds  were  about  the  spot.  Tlie  male  bird,  manifesting  much  more  courage 
than  his  mate  in  resistance  to  the  intruders,  was  shot.  The  female  was 
wounded,  but  escajied. 

One  of  tliese  eggs  measures  2.2."i  inches  in  length  by  1.79  in  breadth.  Its 
cai:)acity  is  cousiditrably  less  than  that  of  the  specimens  just  described;  its 
shape  is  a  much  more  oblong-oval;  one  end  is  evidently  more  pointed  than  the 
other.  Its  ground-color  is  a  diily  cream-white,  covered,  chiefly  at  the  larger 
end,  with  blotches  and  sniidler  nuirkings  of  a  dark  shade  of  a  lirown  almost 
exactly  corresponding  Mith  that  known  as  vandyke-brown,  with  smaller 
]iiarkings  and  sjiottings  of  a  lighter  .shade  of  the  same.  The  latter  are  dis- 
tributed at  intervals  over  its  entii'e  surface. 

A  nest,  found  by  Mr.  Xantus  near  Fort  T(!Jon,  is  stated  by  him  to  have 
been  found  in  a  swamp.  It  was  built  in  a  water-oak,  was  about  fifteen  feet 
from  the  ground.  The  nest  was  very  large  and  was  built  of  coarse  sticks. 
It  contained  four  eggs. 


^oo" 


Buteo  harlani  (ATDT-nnx). 

HARLAirs  HAWK;    "BLACK  WABBIOB." 

Fako  luirlani,  Arn.  I>.  Am.  1S;U,  \\\.  xxxvi  ;  In.  Oni.  liioj,'.  I,  441.  —  Rkf.wf.r  (■\Vii,.s.), 
Am.  Oni.  Syiiop.  18.52,  684.  Biitrn  harlnni,  UiiN.vi'.  List,  18^8,  .'i.  —  Aun.  Synop. 
1839,  6.  — Gn.vv,  List  n.  Rrit.  Mus.  18. —  Di-  Kay.  Z.iiil.  X.  Y.  II,  11.  — Stkicki.. 
Oni.  Syn.  1,  an. —  Cass.  I'.irds  X.  Am.  18."i8,  li4  (ailult,  Imt  not  the  ili'soii]itioii  of 
youiif;,  wliiih  is  tliut  of  1!.  hi>iriilis,  v:ir.  oilitrim).  -  ('(in:s,  P.  A.  X.  S.  IStit!,  43. — 
filiAV,  llixinl  List,  I,  7  (iiiuler  li.  //«;•('«/('.■.).  — KiDdWAV,  P.  A.  X.  S.  Dec.  1870,  142.— 
CouES,  Key,  1872,  21  (i. 


FALCOXIU.E  — THE   FALCONS. 


21)3 


Sp.  CriAR.  Form  strong  an,l  la.avy,  like  /;.  borenlh,  hut  still  iimiv  rnliust;  tibial  plimios 
unusually  dovclopc.,1,  lon.i.^  a„.l  l„„s..  thfir  .m,!.  rea.'hin-  t.,  or  boyoiul  the  has.  of  ,1,,'. 
toes;  latoral  toos  ncaily  .Miual.     Four  o,.n.r  i.riu:..n,.s  ,vith  ii,uor  webs  cut.     Dini.Misions  • 

r-7'l-^;""r';'""^\'""'  ''^"-l'^"";  ™'"'""-  l-^'U;  tarsus.  2.7^-;i.2:i;  nu.l.U..  to.; 
i->"  i./U.  t.olors:  ^^.arly  unilorni  black,  v.irving  Irom  a  sooty  to  a  carbonaoeon.s  tint 
wit.  more  or  less  of  eoneealed  pure  while.  .1,/,,//.  Tail  ,-onfu.se,llv  n.ot(le,l  lonfrilmli- 
nally,  with  grayish,  .lu.sky,  nnil  white,  olten  tin^^e.l  or  niix.Ml  with  "ruth.is.  the  dillerent 
Sbmles  varynig  m  relative  mnount  in  .liUerenl  lu.lividuals;  a  snhterminal  han-l  of  hlaek. 
loang  lail  grayish-brown,  crossed  by  about  nine  very  regular  and  sharply  defined, 
broad  bands  of  black,  about  e.pml  in  width  to  the  gray  ones. 

AduU  male  (Lawrence,  Kaus.is,  Oct.,  LS71  ;  in  Col-" 
le<'tion  of  Kansas  University).  (Jeneral  color  deep, 
almost  carbonaceous,  l,lnck,  showing  much  exposed 
white  on  the  head,  neck,  and  breast,  all  the  leathers 
of  which  are  snowy  white  beneath  the  surfa.c  the 
black  being  merely  in  the  form  of  tear-shaped  spots 
on  the  terminal  portion  of  the  feather :  chin  lores 
and  front  pure  white  ;  upper  parts  in  general,  the 
posterior  lower  parts  and  the  linin-  of  the  wing,  with 
the  black  unbroken,  hut  all  the  feathers  —  excqit  the 
under  wing-eoverts—  more  or  le.ss  .spotted  with  while 
iieneath  the  surface,  on  a  grayi.sh  ground ;  these  spots 
being  u.sually  arranged  in  pairs  on  each  side  of  the 
shaft,  on  the  tlanks;  tail-eoverta,  above  imd  below, 
spotted  irregularly  with  bright  rufous,  in  nearly  etiual 
amount  with  the  black  and  white.  Aluhe,  primary 
coverts,  and  primaries,  with  quadrate  spots  of  phiiiibj- 
ous  on  their  outer  webs,  forming  transverse  bands; 
under  surface  of  j.rimaries  plumbeons-gray  except  at 
ends,  but  much  broken  by  coarse  marbling  of  white, 
this  prevailing  anteriorly,  where  it  is  much  confused, 
but  posteriorly  about  equal  with  tlie  grayish,  and  ex- 
hibiting a  tendency  to  form  quadrate  .spots.  Tail,  with  the  ground-color  white,  but  this 
nearly  hidden  on  the  upper  surface  by  a  longitudinal  mottling  of  dark  and  licrht  ashy  this 
growing  more  uniform  terminally,  where  it  becomes  slightlv  snflused  with  reddish  and 
crossed  by  a  subtermin.al,  broad  but  broken  and  irregular,  band  of  black,  the  tip  a-ain 
very  narrowly  grayish  and  reddish. 

Wing-formula,  4,.-3,5-2,G;  1  =  10.  Wing,  1,5.00;  tail,  8.80;  eulmcn,  1.00;  tarsus 
2.7o;  middle  toe,  l.-W;  lateral  toes  equal.  Plumage  of  the  Hanks,  abdomen,  tibia)  and 
erissum  remark.ibly  lengthened  and  lax,  the  latter  reaching  within  two  inches  of  the  tip 
of  the  tad,  and  the  tibial  plumes  reaching  to  the  base  of  the  toes. 

AduU  female  (G,851.  Rio  Grande,  lat.  ^2°  ;  Dr.  T.  C.  Henry,  U.S.  A.).  Whole  pluma-e 
purplish  black,  or  chocolate-black,  with  a  purplish  lustre;  feathers  everywhere  pure  wlii'le 
at  bases,  this  expo.sed,  however,  only  on  the  occiput,  or  where  the  feathers  are  disarranged. 
Forehead,  lores,  and  cliin  white.  Secondaries  and  primaries  more  brown  than  oIIum-  por- 
tion.s,  cros.sed  by  distinct  bands  of  black, -about  six  on  the  secondaries.  Whole  linin- 
of  the  wing  and  upper  tail-coverts  eontinuou.s,  unvariegated  black.  Under  surface  of  the 
primaries  ashy-white,  more  .sl.^ty  terminally;  ends  with  distinct,  and  other  portions  with 
olKsolete  mottled,  bars  of  dusky.  Tail  ashy-brown  on  outer  webs,  white  on  inner:  both 
with  a  confused,  rather  longitudinal  mottling  of  blackish;  terminally,  there  is  a  broad 
nearly  continuous  subterminal  l)and  indicated  by  lilotches,  these  mixed  very  slightly  with 
a  rufous  tinge.      Primaries  injured  by  shot,  therefore  proportions  of  the  quills  cannot  he 


0851. 

Buteo  hnrlani' 


294  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

dctciiiiiiii'd.     "Winp:  l').7") ;  tail,  !).!();  oiiliiit'ii,  1.00;  tdrsus,  2.!)lt;  iiiidillo  toe,  l.fiO;  outer, 
1.].") ;   iiiiicr,  1.15. 

Ynuii;/  (Pliil.  Aciiil.  ("oil.;  San  Antonio,  Texas.  1800;  Dr.  A.  L.  Heormann).  Like  the 
pi'eeedinj,',  bnt  liasal  \\ '  .te  ■allier  more  exposed,  and  soniewiiat  t'nivons  on  liie  breast  ;  tiie 
sides,  nxillars,  lining'  oi'  the  winjr,  and  lower  tail-covcrt.'f  Imve  very  obsolete  triinsverse 
spot.s  ol'  the  same.  I'lider  surfaee  ol'  primaries  imvarie-jrated  silvery  white  anterior  to 
their  cinaifrinalion.  beyond  whieli  .hey  are  more  hoary,  alon^  the  edjri"  black,  this  portion 
with  about  live  transverse  s|)ols  ol'  lilaek.  Tail  {riayish  ashy-brown  to  the  tip,  crossed 
with  about  nine  very  sharply  delined  bands  of  black,  ol'  eipial  width  with  the  gray  ones. 
Lores  grayisli-w-hite.  Wiii-f-lbiinnla,  4,  3,  o-'2-(l -7  -  8  =  1.  Winj:,  14.'2.") ;  tail,  10.00; 
tarsns,  .'i.2.") ;  middle  toe,  1.70. 

IIaii.  .Sontheni  Mississippi  Valley,  from  Louisiana  (And.)  and  Texas  (.Mns.  S.  I.); 
north  to  Eastern  Kansas  (Coll.  Kansas  I'niv.). 

Localities  (piotcd:  Guatemala  (Sclatek,  Ibis  I,  2I(J  ('!));  Arizona  (Couks,  P.  A.  N.  S. 
1800,  4:i). 

There  is  not  a  doubt  in  my  mind  as  to  tlie  propriety  of  separating  tliis 
hird  from  any  close  relationsliip  to  the  B.  borailis,  nor  of  the  correctne,ss  of 
considering  it  the  J>'.  harhaii  of  Auihilxni.  It  only  can  he  referred  to  Audu- 
lion's  jdate  and  descri])tion,  Ijoth  of  which  agree  perfectly  with  the  younger 
])lumage  described. 

Tlie  specimens  Mr.  ("assin  describes  as  the  "adult"  B.  liarlnni  arc  really 
such  ;  but  those  which  he  describes  as  the  "  young  "  are  the  young  of  the 
"Western  Hed-tail  {B.  hornilis  var.  raiurm).  Tiie  California  specimens  to 
which  Afr.  ("assin  refers,  as  identified  by  Mr.  Lawrence  as  />'.  /Ktrlani,  are  in 
reality  the  melanistic  condition  of  B.  mirnnsoiii,  or  the  "imii/iititus"  of  (^assin. 
The  present  bird  apjH'iirs  to  be  restricted  to  Louisiana,  Te.xas,  New  Mexico, 
and  adjacent  portions,  u(U'tli  to  Kansas,  and  probaldy  Eastern  Mexico. 

Hahits.  Tills  Hawk  was  first  described  by  Audul)on  from  a  pair  obtained 
by  him  near  St.  Francisville,  Louisiana.  They  had  bred  in  tlmt  neighbor- 
hood for  two  seasons,  were  shy  and  difficult  of  approach,  and  for  a  long 
while  ehided  his  pursuit.  The  female  was  shot  while  sailing  over  his  head, 
and  wounded  in  the  wing.  He  endea\ored  to  preserve  it  alive  and  to  carry 
it  as  a  present  to  the  Zoological  Society,  but  it  refused  all  foo"d  and  died  in 
a  few  days.  This  specimen  is  now  in  the  British  Museum.  The  male  bird 
was  also  obtained  a  few  days  later,  and  this  too  was  brought  to  him  yet  alive 
but  also  wounded.  It  was  even  more  fierce  and  wilder  than  the  female, 
would  erect  the  feathers  on  its  head,  open  its  bill,  and  prepare  to  strike  with 
its  talons  when  any  object  was  brought  near  to  it. 

This  species,  tiiough  smaller  than  the  Ited-tail,  to  which  he  regarded  it  as 
allied,  Audubon  thought  greatly  superior  to  it  in  flight  and  dtiring.  Its  fliglit 
is  described  as  ra])id,  greatly  protracted,  and  so  powerful  as  to  enable  it  to 
seize  the  jirey  with  apparent  ease,  or  effect  its  escape  from  its  stronger 
antagonist,  tlie  Ked-tail,  which  pursued  it  on  all  occasions.  It  had  been  seen 
to  pounce  ujion  a  fowl,  kill  it  iilmost  instantly,  and  afterwards  drag  it  along 
the  ground  several  liundred  yards.  It  was  not  seen  to  prey  on  hares  or 
s(|uirrels,  but  seemed  to  evince  a  marked  preference  for  poultry,  partridges. 


FALCONIDJ<;  —  TIIJ;;    FALCl  )NS. 


and  the  snmllor  spocic-s  of  wild  duck.  Ho  saw  none  of  the  youn-,  luit  was 
told  that  they  appeared  to  he  of  a  hwlen-jrray  color  at  a  distance,  and  at  the 
approach  of  wniter  hecanie  a.s  dark  as  their  i)arei!ts. 

^  Mr.  Dresser  states  that  he  noticed  liiis  hird  on  several  ..ccasjons  near 
San  Anionio  l).it  was  not  lortiinate  enou^Ii  to  sho(.t  one.     Ho  received  one 

Mcciuien  that  l;a,l  hoen  shot  hy  a  lad  on  the  Medina  l.'iver.  JI,.  was  in- 
-  rnied  hy  a  man  living  near  there,  who  was  a  oood  sportsman  and  a  carefnl 
observer,  that  he  had  several  times  found  their  nests,  and  Dr.  Jleennaini  is 
.said  to  have  obtained  the  eggs  there  several  years  befoio.  Dr.  Cones  did  not 
meet  with  it  m  Arizona,  where  it  jirobably,  however,  will  \(.t  be  found 
Specimens  hnAi.,  boon  received  from  Mexico,^  as  is  stated  by  Vassin  and  a 
]5u/zara,  which  Mr.  Salvin  referred  to  this  species,  was  seen  by  him  near 
Duefias,  where  it  was  liy  no  means  common. 

A  specimen  of  this  species  has  recently  been  taken  in  Kansas,  near  Law- 
rence, as  recorded  by  Professor  Snow,  and  fully  identified  at  the  Smith- 
sonian lastitutiou. 


Buteo  cooperi,  Cassin. 

COOPER'S  BBD-TAILEB  HAWK. 

Batco  cooperi,  Ca.s.s.  P.  A.  X.  S.  I'hilad.  VIK,  18,^0,  253.  -  In.  WmU  N.  Am.  1858,  31    i.l 
XVI.- Com,..  &  S.cK.  P.  ]{.  |{.  1!..,,,.  XII,  ii.  1860,  HS.-Okay.  Hand  List,  I,  8. -I 
RluoWAV,  \\  A.  N.  S.  Dtr.  1870,  1^12.  -  (.'(.rEs,  Key,  1872,  43. 

Sp.  Char.     Adult  (8.525.  Santa  Clara.  Califoniia,  Oct.  18.-,ti:  Dr.  J.  G.  Cooper).     [loail 
neck-,  and  whoU;  lower  parts  white ;  UnuIums  oI'  Ihe  head      ■ 
and  neek  witii  medial  loufvitudinal  streaks  of  Mack,  the 

while  prevailinfT  on  the  occiput  and  snperiiliary  re<rion,  '^ 

—  the  black  predominatin>(  over  the  cheeks,  forming  ii 
"mu.stadie";  throat  with  line  lanceolate  blacki.sh  streaks; 
.sides  of  the  )>reast  with  broader,  nioie  euneale  niark- 
insrs  of  the  s.mie :  flanks  with  narrow,  ianceolute  stripes, 
the.se  extending  spar.sely  across  the  abdomen;  tibia;,  and 
lower  tail-coverts  innnacMlate.  the  inner  face  of  the  for- 
mer, however,  Avitli  faint  specks.  T'pper  phnnatri!  in 
general  dark  plnmbeous-brown,  inclininir  to  black  on  the 
back;  iilumbeons  clearest  on  primaries!,  which  are  uni- 
formly of  this  color,  the  inner  ones  inclining  to  line  cine- 
reou.s.  8ca[)nlars  and  wing-coverts  .spattered  with  white 
beneath  the  surl'ace.  Rum])  black;  upper  tail-coverts 
white  tinged  with  rufous,  and  with  irregular,  di.«tant  trans- 
verse ))ars  of  blackish.  Tail  wilh  light  rufous  prevailing, 
but  this  broken  up  liy  longitudinal  daubs  and  wa.shes  of 
oinereons,  and  darker  mottliugs  ruiuiing  longitudinally  on 
both  wel)s  ;  basally,  the  ground-color  approaches  white  ; 
tips  white,  and  a  distinct,  but  very  irregular,  sulit(?rniinal 
band  of  black,  into  which  the  longitudinal  mottlings  melt ; 
outer  wells  of  lateral  feathers  entirely  cinereou.s,  and  with- 
out the  black  band.     Under  side  of  the  wing  white,  with  a  large  black  space  on  the 


So2a. 

Biitto  cooperi. 


2U6 


NORTH  AMEuiCAX  BIltDS. 


liiiiiiff  iR'ar  tlio  edpo;  nndor  surfaci?  of  ;  I'imarics  wliiti;  finterior  to  tlicir  eiiiarfrinntion, 
liiu'ly  mottled  with  ashy,  and  with  indistinct  trunsvcrsi-  hands  ti'rniinally.  Fourtli  (iiiiil 
Ii)n},a'st;  third  shorter  llian  (iUli;  sut'ond  eijual  to  sixtli ;  first  oiiuul  to  tentli.  Wing, 
15.75;  tail,  i>.l(>;  tarsus,  15.25 ;  niiddlo  toe,  1.70. 

This  remarkable  llawk  is  eertainly  not  to  he  referred  to  the  li.  boreulis,  as  has  heen 
siin-iji.'sted,  the  proi)ortions  ol'  the  two  heinj,'  (Hiite  diU'erent,  while  there  is  no  similarity  of 
plumai^o.  In  phnnaife,  liutet)  fuojii'ri  VL'ry  closely  resendiles  the  adnlt  of  Airhibiileo  fer- 
ruijineun,  and  the  sng^estion  has  huen  made  that  it  is  a  hybrid  between  this  and  the  Ued- 
tail.  The  markiiiffs  of  the  head,  and  the  jteneral  tint  of  the  upper  parts,  are  almost 
precisely  as  in  the  former  bird,  while  the  tail  is  exactly  similar  in  character  of  markinf.'s, 
the  only  diflTerence  beinjr  ihe  more  reddish  tinge  and  black  subterniinal  band,  which  are, 
in  fact,  the  only  characters  ai)pro.\imating  it  to  the  Butm  horcuUs.     The  feet  are,  however, 


Buteo  cooperi  (adult). 

very  much  stronger  than  in  the  .1.  ferrm/iiieiis.  «hile  the  tarsus  is  very  much  longer  than 
in  boreali.i,  scarcely  more  so,  however,  than  in  the  former.  The  black  patch  on  the  lining 
of  the  wing,  however,  is  a  feat>n-e  shared  by  neither  of  these  birds,  being  one  entirely 
peculiar  to  the  linteo  rooperi.  But  one  specimen  —  the  one  described  above  —  is  known 
to  have  been  obtained.  Mr.  .T.  X.  Allen,  in  his  ■'  Notes  on  some  of  the  Rarer  Birds  of 
Massachusetts"  (.see  '-American  Naturalist,"  Vol.  Ill,  p.  518,  and  a  separate  paper,  p.  14), 
mentions  the  capture  of  this  species  near  Cambridge,  Mass.,  but  probably  did  not  actually 
see  it.  The  specimen  in  question  being  in  the  po.«.session  of  Mr.  C.  J.  Maynard,  he  kindly 
sent  it  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution.  On  examination,  it  proved  to  be  a  young  Buteo 
lineatus,  differing  from  the  average  in  somewhat  lighter  colors. 
IIab.     Santa  Clara  County,  California. 


FALCONin.i:  — TIIK   KAI/'ONS.  -JHy 

Tlio  iiPiirest  ally  f)l'  tliis  specios  is  llic /A  yl/v),/\  iif  tlin  I'alii'iirclic  ii't'ulin 
(Norllicn  Asia  iiiul  AtVii'ii  and  iKU'liuiis  (if  I'luniia'),  wliidi  has  I'xacily  llic 
si/.o  aiitl  ]pr(i|M)ili()iis  of  tliu  juvsciit  bird,  and  in  ccitain  stages  a  vciy 
f.indlar  jduMiajiic.  I  Iiavo  not  sum  an  lUKHu'stioiialilo  adult  of  />'. /iro.r,  \n\t 
spc'cinions  almost  adult,  in  tlio  (.'ollcclion  of  tlii-  lioston  Society  of  Natural 
Histor/,  from  tliu  Himalaya  .Mountains,  ronu-  romarkaldy  closi'  to  //.  nio/nri 
in  ]ilunia,i;i',  liavinu  like  it  a  lihudv  spot  on  the  under  side  of  tlie  win;^-,  lait 
apiKUvnlly  on  the  under  iirimary-coverts,  instead  of  on  the  liniuf,',  near  the 
edge;  tho  tail  is  also  very  similarly  colored,  rpon  the  whole,  I  consider 
tlio  JJ.  coopcri  to  bo  ii  good  species,  with  //  J'lra.r,  ( imelin,  of  Asia,  etc.,  as  its 
nearest  relative,  unless  it  ])roves  to  lie  a  hybrid  between  Jlulm  ImrniUfi  and 
A I'vli ihntio  fcvniijl nni!^,  whicii  I  think  is  le.ss  likely  to  lie  the  ca.se. 

Haiiits.  a  single  individual  of  this  bird  was  .shot  liy  l>r.  Cooper  near 
Mountain  Viow  in  Santa  Clara  Valley,  California,  in  November,  l<S."i."i.  It  still 
remains  unii^uc  in  collections,  and  during  his  more  I'ecent  e\]ilorations  Dr. 
Cooper  has  not  been  able  to  obtain  any  additional  sjiecinuMis  or  see  any  like 
it.  Those  he  mistook  for  this  bird  and  to  which  he  refers  in  his  report  on 
the  birds  of  Washington  Territory,  he  is'  satisfied  were  only  the  Airlt  ■ho 
firrKt/iiicits.  The  suggestion  of  Sclater,  that  the  bird  is  not  di.stiiu't  from 
Biiti'o  iri//hro)i<ihis,\s  negatived,  according  to  .Mr.  liidgway,  by  the  fact  of 
their  actually  belonging  to  dilferent  sections  of  the  genus. 


Genus  ARCEOBUTEO,   itiiEini. 

Arehihutm,  Rrkiim,  1828.     (Tvjic,  Fulfn  hnjopus,  (iMKi.is.) 
Trinrchin,  K.MT,  1829  (iicr.  Lkacii,  1816).     (Same  typo.) 
ButnUtin,  Lkss.  1831.     (Sniiu.  typo.) 

1  liiitaquila,  IIiiiic.s.  1844.     ('Vy\»',  Bvl<((ii<(lii  strnphiitta,  Hones.) 
1  Hemiaetus,  llolKi.s.  1844.     (Same  type.) 

Char.  Similar  to  Bvfeo.  Imt  h'\\\  nnd  foot  wenkor,  wiufrs  lonpor.  aurl  t.irsi  foatliors  in 
front,  to  tlio  toes.  Bill  small,  o<)inpro.«,<!e(l  antoiiorly,  Imt  vciy  broad  throufrli  tho  frapp; 
upper  outline  of  the  core  ascending  liasally ;  nostril  bro.idly  oval,  nearly  lioiiz<intal.  Tar- 
sus den.'ely  feathered  in  front  and  on  tho  sides  down  to  the  base  of  the  toes :  naked  be- 
hind, whore  covered  with  irregidir  scales.  Tarsus  more  than  twice  as  long  as  the  middle 
toe;  basal  half  of  the  toes  covered  with  .small  scales;  outer  toe  longer  tlian  tln'  inner; 
claws  long,  strongly  curved,  aeiUo.  Feathering  of  the  head  and  neck  normal.  Wing 
very  long;  the  third  to  fourth  rpiill  longest;  first  shorter  than  seventh  ;  outer  I'onr  or  live 
with  inner  webs  deeply  emargin.'ited.     Tail  moderate,  rounded.     Plumage  lull  and  soft. 

The  relationship  of  this  well-marked  genus  ajipears  to  be  nearest  to  Bnf(o 
and  Cirrus,  with  an  approach  to  Cirroiiis  in  (;haracter  of  the  ]>lumage,  esjie- 
cially  the  wing.  The  Old  World  species,  belonging  to  the  subgenus  (?)  Buta- 
fjuila,  numbering  two  or  three,  according  to  dilTerent  authors,  I  have  not 
seen,  and  conse([uently  cannot  say  whether  they  are  really  congeneric  with 
the  American  speoies  or  not.     Exclusive  of  these,  two  species  are  known, 

VOL.  III.  3S 


298 


NDUTII  AMKltlCAN  IJIliDS. 


botli  ol'  wliit'li  holoiii,'  (()  Niiitli  Auu'i'ica,  oiio  of  tlicm  (.1.  iai/dpn.'i)  lioiii^' 
fouiul  also  ill  Kiiiopi!  iiiid  Alricu.  Tliosu  iUWvv  very  cdiisiilunilily  IVoin  each 
other,  in  the  details  of  external  structure,  lU'obably  (|uite  as  nuu  li  as  tlicy  do 


..^' 


64338,f. 


■5|#v, 


i/  „.f 


M338,  91. 


54338,  < 


64338 


S4338,f 


MSSfl,  Arrhibuteo  lagopus. 


41720.  A.  ffrnii^htftis. 


from  the  Asiatic  forms  above  mentioned.  The  following  synopsis  will  ex- 
press the  difl'ei'ences  between  the  two  North  American  species,  and  between 
the  American  and  European  races  of  the  one  common  to  both  continents. 

Species  and  Races. 

Common  Characters.  Tail  iiunv  or  k'sy  white  Imsall}- ;  inner  wel)s  of  the  pri- 
maries wliiie,  without  bars,  anterior  to  their  einargination.  Head  and  neel< 
witli  lon.E;itiKlinal  streai<s  of  wliitish  and  dusky  (exeeiit  in  melanistic  indivi(hinls 
of  la^/o/inii  var.  .iniirli-Ji)hcmnis). 

1.  A.  ferrugineuB.  Winu-,  lo.'JO- 17.110;  tail,  9.r>0-ll.t)0:  culuion,  1.00- 
1.20;  tarsus,  3. 10 -.■5.4.");  niid.lle  too,  1.40-1.G;J.  Hill  wide,  the  ba,«e  very 
broad  and  depressed.  Beneath,  cnntinuous  pure  white,  without  lonspicnons 
spots,  except  .sometimes  a  I'cw  scattered  ones  alonp  the  sides  and  across  the 
abdomen ;  breast  innnaculate.  or  with  only  narrow  .shaft-streaks.  Upper 
parts   always  with  more  or  less  rufous.     Adult.     Upper  parts  and  tibiae 


I'ALCONIIU';  — TIIK    KAI,(<)NS.  21)9 

tilic  niroiis,  llic  fniiiicr  Willi  liiii^'iluiliiiiil  spots,  tin'  liilliT  willi  li'aiisvcrsc 
liiiis,  111'  lilackisli.  SccDinlaiii's  {iml  |iiiiiiiirir>  |ililli|liri)iis,  llic  Inltcr  willi 
a  Imary  cnst.  Tail  wliili'.  waslicij  willi  paii'  asli,  mihI  micuc  hi'  li'ss  slniiicil 
aliiiii.'  llii' cii^.'cs  111'  llic  rcallu'is  (IdiiLriliuliiiiilly)  willi  lij,'lit  riiluiis;  .sdiiic- 
liiiu's  wllli  a  liailly  ili'liiicij  iinlicaliiiii  ol'  a  liiisliy  siililci'iiiiiiai  Imr.  l'o"»7. 
Aliovc  (link  ^Tiiyi-h-lirnwii,  with  mily  llic  lidnlcis  of  llic  fcallifrs  iiirmw 
1)1'  iiclirai'iMiiis;  lilija'  wliilc,  with  s|iiu'm'  li'aiisvt'Psi'  spdis  of  dark  lunwii. 
Tail  wliili'  only  on  Kasal  lliiiil,  ami  on  iniii'i-  wclis,  the  rcinainiii^'  pop- 
lion  lirowni.-li-asliy,  with  srvcial  niiii'c  oi'  less  dislincl  iliirkcr  liands.  Ilith. 
Wi'sliTii  N'oitli  Anu'iica.  iVoni  A  ri/ona,  California,  and  <  hcKnn,  oa.-^l  to  the 
(ii-cal  I'laiiis. 

•J.  A.  lagopuB.  Win^'.  I0.7.")- I,>^.'iu;  tail,  8.711  -  lit..'.n;  niliiicn,  .sn- 1.110; 
lai'.-iis,  'J.oil -'-'.so  ;  niidilli'  toe,  {..'lit  -  l..'(l).  liill  nari'ow,  coiiipi-c.^scd  ;  lic- 
ncatli  inoi'L'  or  less  spotted  witli  dii>ky,  wliicli  iisinilly  |ifcdoiiiinati's ;  lirnist 
witli  lai'^'^c  spots  of  iliisky  ;  no  inl'oiis  on  nppcr  parts,  nor  on  tiliia'.  Ailnll. 
Wliilisli,  with  tiiinsvi'i'sc  dnsky  spots.  ( >n  the  lower  pails,  the  dusky  spots  of 
cloiidin^rs,  laf^'i'st  and  most  siilViised  antri'ioily  (on  the  JiiLinlnin  and  lucasl). 
Toi'ininal  port  ion  of  the  tail  with  seviTid  irrejrnlar  dusky  liand.s.  (SoincMinics 
almost  I'litircly  hlack,  varyinjr  in  shade  lium  a  iii'ownisli  to  a  cailioiiaicons 
tint!)  Yoiiii;/.  Above  <ri'ayish-lii()wn,  lon^ntiidinally  spottuil  with  dnsky, 
and  moie  or  less  I'dfrfd  with  pale  ochrnceons,  or  riisly  whitish.  IJcnuath 
Oflirac'i'oiis-wliite,  with  the  spots  larfrest  anil  most  siiD'ii.sed  posteriorly,  form- 
ing'a  wide,  more  or  less  conlinnons  lii'lt  ai'i'oss  the  alidoinen ;  niarkini;s  on 
the  jiii;nlnm  and  breast  lonjjitiidinal.  Terminal  jiortioii  ul'  the  tail  withdut 
transverse  liars. 

Spots  on  the  jiifrnliim,  in  the  adult,  sull'iised  into  a  nearly  nnironn 

patch.     Never  melanislie  (?).     I/uh.    Kuropi'         .         .         .        var.  I  a  i/  o  ji  11  s} 
Spots  on  th(!  jngnhiii',  in  'he  adult,  .sealtered.     I''re(pieiilly  nielanistic. 

Ildb,    North  Ameriea   ......         var.  na  11  f  I  l-Jolia  11 11 1,1 , 

*  Arehihul'i)  hnjopun  (niH'NN.),  OltAY.  Fulcn  /(iiin/inx,  IJiuss.  Orii.  lior.  p.  J,  sp.  l.'i  (1"()4)  ; 
Pf.xn.,  (!mi.;i,.,  1,,.\tii.,  Siii.Mss.,  D.vrii.,  Sii.vw,  N.vu.m,,  Mr.vi;ii.  JlKfcn  /iKjupiix,  Sri-.i'ii.  it 
Auer.  Bnttivlis  Imjopun,  HoN.vr.,  (lli.vv,  IiAII.i.Y,  Mokii.,  lil.icll.  Ar(hib-''o  liiijuinat,  Cii.vv, 
Oi'ii.  n.  (I'd.  2),  p.  3  ;  1811,  ct  Afi -r.  (N'ot  of  Ami'iieaii  writi'is,  nor  when  ti.sed  fur  the  Aiiicri- 
caii  bird  !)     llah.     Nortli  and  Ci'litral  Kilfipe  ;  Xorllierii  AlViea. 

A  coiiiparisoii  nf  tlic  Aiiieriean  \\\vv  witii  '-."lii's  of  sixteen  European  spci  hui'iis  shows  eoiistaiit 
dilli'riMii'i'S  ill  the  birds  of  the  two  lontiiients, — quite  enough  to  establish  a  dilfeieiiei' of  rner, 
although  not  of  spceific  value.  The  Kuropcaii  bird  is  inueh  the  darker  beneath,  the  bhukisli- 
brown  spots  on  juguluin  and  breast  bei:>g  blended,  or  sulVused,  .so  as  to  give  the  predoiiiiiiatiiig 
tint  to  this  region. 

These  ililfereiu'es,  thniigh  eonstaiit  and  quite  apprei'iable  on  eoinparisoli,  are  very  slight,  while 
the  jiroportioMs  are  about  the  same.  A  young  .--lieeiinen  of  the  F.uropeau  style  dilfeis  I'roin  Ameri- 
ean  in  entire  iibsenee  of  rufous  tinge  to  white  of  head,  neek,  and  lower  ]iarts,  less  eoiuplete  band 
neross  the  abdomen,  iiiiiiiaeuliite  white  ear-eovevts,  eheeks,  and  throat  ;  the  tibiiu  and  tarsi  are 
also  miioli  more  thiekly  sjiottcd  thiin  in  tlie  Aiin  rieaii  young  ;  there  is  also  more  white  on  base 
of  outer  surfaee  of  luimaries. 

List  of  Specimens  examined.  —  Nat.  Mas.,  (5;  I'liibid.  Ac;>d.,  8  ;  Host.  Soe.,  2.     Total,  10. 

Akasuremcnts.  —  ^ .  Wing,  10.00;  tail,  8.70;  en!m>>n,  .jiO  ;  tarsus,  2.30;  middle  toe,  1.30. 
Speeimens,  1.  9-  ^^'i"g>  IS.'^O;  tail,  9.75;  culmeii,  .95;  tarsus,  2.C0  ;  middle  toe,  1.50. 
Specimens,  1. 


;5Q0  NORTH  AMERICAN  lURDS. 

Archibuteo  ferrugineus  (Lkiit). 

CALIFOBNIA  SQTTIBSEL  HAWK. 

/■'n/co  fcrnitjitiru.i,   LlcilT,  lieil.  Trans.  ]8;i8,  p.  42!l.     Ldijopus  ferruijiHcm,  FllAsKii,  Pioc. 
Zoi'l.  iSoc.  Loml.  1844,  y.  37.     Airhihuti'ufen-iigiiieua,  (ili.VY,  Orii.  li.  fol.  sp.  'A,  1S44. 

—  C'.\s.s.  li.  (if  ('ill.  &  Te.v.  18r)4,  p.  104;  liiiils  X.  Am.  ISns,  34.  -  H.pn.U'.  ('(.iisp. 
Av.  p.  18.  —  SiiiiiKl..  Oni.  .syii.  I,  41,  IS,")"..  —  Hkkum.  T.  It.  li.  liqit.  VII,  31,  1857. 

—  t'oul'.  &  SiTK.  I'.  1!.  1!.  Hi'|it.  .Xll,  ii,  14!l,  18(i0.  —  TdlKs,  Vvm\.  Oiii.  Ariz.  p.  Id, 
1866  (iinntiunicnl  notes).  —  I'.l.vk is r.  Iliis,  III,  1861,  318  (SaskiUulu'wan  :  ('},'f,'sl. — 
Fli.vsKi!,  I'f.  'L  S.  1844,  37.  —  <!li.\V,  llaiiil  List,  I,  10,  186'...  Archibuko  injidis, 
(iu.'v,  l,ist  I!,  liiit.  Mus.  II.  iW  1S44:  (ion.  li.  I'ol.  pi.  vi. 

Rp.  CiiAit.  A<hill  iiinle  (4 1 .7 1'.>,  Fort  Wliipplo,  Arizona,  Dfc.  •_>,  ISO! ;  Di-.  Cones).  Gi-oiind- 
folor  of  liojnl  and  neck  white;  eaili  I'eatlier  with  a  medial  streak  of  olaek,  these  growing 
broader  posterii^'ly,  and  alonij'  \\w.  npper  border  of  the  ear-coverts  are  so  blended  as  to 
lorin  an  indi.stinct  stiipe  baek  I'loin  llie  eve.  Entire  lower  parts  (e.xcept  tibia)  and  whole 
uniler  snrt'aee  of  the  winir  eontinnons  pnre  white;  breast  with  a  faint  tin,u:e  of  delieate 
oehraeeoiis  ;  tibia  and  larsns  reddish-while.  tini>'ed  with  or  incliniiif;' to  deep  I'errnijinons 
on  npper  portion,  and  with  ninnerons  transvcise  bars  of  darker  lerrnj,'inons  and  l>lackish; 
sides  of  the  breast  with  a  veiy  few  hair-like  shaft-streaks  of  black;  Hanks  with  a  {'<:v;  dis- 
tant, dark  ferrniiinous  bars;  axillars  with  two  or  three  cordate  spots  of  ferru.ninons  near 
ends;  f'athers  of  the  lininj;  next  the  body,  with  blendeil  irregularly  hastate  spots  of 
rufous:  under  primary  coverts  shading  into  cinereous  on  terminal  half,  ami  with  obscure 
broailly  hastate  spots  of  a  darker  shade  of  the  same  ;  primaries  slaty  beyond  their  emargina- 
tion,  deepening  gradually  toward  their  tips.  Hack,  scapulars,  and  lesser  and  middle  wing- 
{'overts  line  rufous,  each  fealhei-  with  a  broad  median,  longitudinal  spot  of  brownish 
])huulicou,s-blaek,  these  on  the  back  rather  exceeding  the  rufous;  longer  wing-coverts  and 
secondaries  a.sh^'-umber.  with  very  obsolete  transverse  bands  of  darker;  primary  coverts 
more  ashy,  and  more  distinctly  banded ;  prinuiries  line  chalky  cinereou.s,  this  lightest  on 
outer  four;  shafts  pure  white.  Rum])  nearly  unifoi-m  bi'ownish-black,  —  posterior  feathers 
rulbus  with  medial  lilack  blotches;  upper  tail-coverts  snowy  white  on  outer  welis,  inner 
webs  more  rufous;  a  few  concealed  blackish  transverse  spots.  Tail  pale  pearly  ash,  be- 
coming white  basally,  and  with  a  wa.sh  of  dilute  rufous  along  the  edge  of  outer  webs; 
inner  webs  while,  with  an  ashy  tinge  thrown  in  longitudinal  washes;  outer  leathers 
nearly  while,  with  faint  pale  ashy  longitudinal  mottlings ;  shafts  of  tail-feathers  pure  white. 
Fourth  (|iiill  longest;  third  but  little  shorter;  second  v<'ry  much  shorter  than  fifth;  first 
intermediale  between  seventh  and  eighth.  Wing,  IG.".");  tail,  0.20;  tarsus, '2.9,j ;  middle 
toe.  l.li.i. 

"Length,  'I'lJtO;  extent,  54. "lO.  Iris  clear  light  yellow;  cere,  edges  of  commissure,  and 
feet  bright  yellow;  bill  very  d.  rk  bluish  horn;  mouth,  |inrplish  ilesh-color,  livid  bluish 
along  edges." 

Adult  femtflf  (11,720,  Fort  Whipple;  Dr.  Cones).  .Vlmost  exactly  like  the  male,  but 
black  spots  on  rulbus  portions  of  upper  parts  much  restricted,  forming  oblong  spots  in 
the  middle  of  each  leather;  riiiup  almost  entirely  rufous,  varicgatcil.  however,  with  black. 
Longitudinal  lines  on  breast  more  (listinct ;  transverse  bars  on  Hanks  and  abdomen  more 
numerous;  tibial  and  tarsal  feathers  wholly  deep  rufous  or  ferrnginons,  the  bars  more 
blackish.  Third  and  fourth  rpiills  equal  aixl  longest;  second  intermediate  between  fifth 
and  sixth;  first  c(pial  to  eighth.  Wing.  17.2.")  ;  tail.  0.7") ;  tarsus,  2.!).") ;  middle  toe,  1.40. 
"Length,  2.'5.2o  ;  <'xtent,  5G.50.     Iris  light  oehraccous-lirown." 

Yonnij  fcmitle  (C,SS3,  Los  Angelos,  California;  Dr.  Ileermann).  Crcneral  plumage  .above, 
grayish-brown ;  iuterseapulars,  scapulars,  lesser  and  middle  wing-coverts,  and  feathers  of 


FALC;)>^ID.K  — TIIK    FALCOX!^.  3Q] 

head  and  nock,  cdfrod  laterally  willi  liijht  niloiis;  sccoiidaiit's  passiuj:  limadly  into  pale 
ashy  at,  ends;  priniaiiis  slaly-lirown,  with  oli.snno  darker  hands;  iii)  appearanee  of  llu'se, 
liowever,  cm  secondaries;  rnnip  tiUirely  blackisli-lmiwii ;  upper  tail-ciivcrls  wholly  white. 
Tail  hoary  slate,  liasal  third  (or  more)  white,  the  jnmtion  of  the  two  colors  irrefjidar  and 
broken;  tip  obscurely  paler ;  fcalhers  obsenrely  blackish  alonjr  edges,  and  with  obsoh'te 
transverse  si)o(s  of  the  same;  while  previiilin;,'  on  inner  webs.  Beneath  ontirelv  pin>" 
while,  scarcely  varicfrated ;  tibia-  and  tarsi  willi  a  lew  scattered  small  transverse  spots  of 
blackish  ;  Hanks  with  lari;pr,  more  cordate  spots  of  the  .same.     (Breeils  in  this  plinna^'c.) 

IIai!.  Western  North  America  from  California  to  the  Missouri,  and  from  the  Sas- 
katchewan to  Te.\.is. 

Localities:  Texas  (Fort  Stockton),  (Dukssku,  Ibis,  IStio,  31;.'.);  Western  Arizona  (Couks. 
I'r.  A.  N.  S.,  IWiti,  10). 

I,I.«T    OK    SPFX'IMKN'S    EX,\MIXKn. 

Nat.  Mns.,  10;  Philad.  Acad.,  2;  Boston  Soc,  2;  Coll.  H.  llidgway,  2.     Total,  1(5. 

^f(^<^KHl•ei)lenls. 


SfT.  Wing.  Jhil. 

$      15.90-  IT.tUi        !).5()-  10.50 

9       17.(H)- 17.00      10.50-11.00 


Culmen, 
1.00-  1.18 

1.08-  1.20 


Titrsus.  Middle  Tor.     |        Spfcimenii. 

3.10-3.45 


3.20  -  3.40 


1.-10-1.5I*  (i 

1.(50-1.05  0 


Tlic  Viiviatioii.s  in  this  .s]K'('ie.s  are  very  .sliglii,  and  never  .sullicient  to  nii.s- 
lead  tlie  student.  One  s].ecimen  (20,r)0(»,  <J ;  Fort  Tejon,  Oal. ;  J.  Xantu.s) 
did'ers  from  tlie  adults  described  in  liaving  tlie  alxlonien  ((iiite  clo.sely  barred, 
the  streaks  on  tii((  breast  distinct,  tlie  rufous  above  linginjf  the  secondtiry 
coverts,  and  s])readin<i;  o\er  the  upper  tail-coverts,  while  the  tibite  iind  tarsi 
are  of  a  very  deep  ferruoinous,  —  the  liars  black. 

In  a  specimen  from  'he  Platte  ('),'^77,  i ;  W.  S.  Wood)  white  iirevails  on 
the  tibiiv,  the  bars  beinjj;  dark  fewuginous  ujion  a  white  ground  ;  the  ilanks 
are  similarly  marked,  the  other  lower  parts,  however,  immaculate ;  there  is 
much  conceided  white  on  the  scapulars.  The  rufous  tinge  of  tlie  tail  is  very 
deep,  wiiile  there  is  a  transverse  series  of  black  blotches,  indicating  the 
course  of  a  transverse  band  near  the  end. 

H.vniTS.  The  California  Stpiirrel  Hawk  a]ipcars  to  be  an  exclusively 
western  species,  occurring  as  far  to  the  east  as  Nebraska  and  Kansas,  and  as 
far  to  tlie  north  as  the  Plains  of  the  Saskiitchewan  and  Washington  Terri- 
tory. It  occurs  as  far  to  the  southeast  as  Texas,  and  has  been  found  also 
in  New  Mexico  and  in  Arizona. 

This  species  was  first  noticed  and  described  in  a  paper  on  the  natural  his- 
tory of  California  imbli.slied  in  the  Transactions  of  the  lloyal  Academy  of  Ber- 
lin, in  I808,  by  Professor  Lichtenstein,  a  Prus.sian  naturalist.  It  was  fir.st 
brought  to  the  notice  of  American  naturalists  by  ^Ir.  Kdward  ^M.  Kern,  of 
Philadelphia,  who  accompanied  Colonel  Fremont  in  his  expedition  of  184G, 
and  who  brought  home  specimens. 

Dr.  Coues  found  it  (piite  alaindant  alwrnt  Fort  W]ii]iple,  where  it  was 
especially  numerous  in  the  winter,  and  where  also  he  tiiinks  it  probable  that 
it  is  a  permanent  resident.     He  found  it  more  genemlly  frequenting  mead- 


802 


NOUTll  AMEIUCAN  lilUDS. 


ows,  plains,  and  the  more  open  woods.  He  usually  found  their  stomachs 
fdled  M-itli  arvicohu  and  otiiur  small  (piadrupeds  peculiar  to  that  country. 
It  could  always  be  readily  recoj;nized  by  its  conspicuously  white  under 

parts,  contrasted  with 
its  dark  chesnut  tibiie 
and  reddisii  back. 

At  San  Peilro,  on  the 
southern  coast  ol'  Cali- 
i'ornia,  he  again  found 
this  Hawk  very  com- 
mon. It  there  ali'dits 
very  Ireely  on  the 
ground,  where  he  often 
observed  it.  At  Fort 
Whipple  he  only  saw  it 
on  trees.  At  San  Pedro 
its  choosing  thus  the 
Imre  jdain  uiay  have 
Ijcen  a  matter  of  neces- 
sity. 

Dr.  Kcnnerly  ob- 
served a  single  individ- 
ual of  this  sjiecies  in  a 
"  prairie-dog-town  "  of 
large  extent,  near  Fort 
Davis.  It  was  intently 
watching  at  the  hole  of  one  of  these  animals.  While  in  this  position,  it  was 
observed  to  strike  at  the  prairie-dog  with  its  claw,  when  one  of  these  ani- 
mals i)rotruded  its  head.  As  it  was  very  intently  watching  its  prey,  it  was 
easily  approached  and  shot. 

Dr.  Heermann  observed  this  Hawk  in  the  valley  of  the  Sacramento,  where 
lie  thought  it  rather  rare,  but  afterwards,  during  his  connection  with  the 
government  surveying  party  under  Licuteufint  Williamson,  in  the  southern 
part  of  the  State,  he  found  it  very  abundant.  On  one  occasion  hve  or  six 
individuals  were  in  view  at  the  same  moment,  among  the  mountains,  sixty 
miles  east  of  San  Diego.  It  was  there  much  more  abundant  than  any  other 
sjjecies.  As  large  tracts  of  that  country  frecjuented  by  these  birds  are  en- 
tirely without  trees,  they  alight  on  the  ground  or  on  some  slightly  elevated 
tuft  of  grass,  or  a  stone,  where  they  sit  patiently  for  hours  watching  for 
their  i)rey,  which  was  always  found  to  consist  of  mice  and  other  small 
quadrupeds.  In  one  instance  the  crop  was  found  filled  with  the  remains  of 
a  ground  stpiirrel. 

Dr.  Heermann  state?  tliat  he  found  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  bird  on  the 
Consumnes  liiver.    The  nest  was  in  the  fork  of  an  oak,  and  was  composed  of 


Archibutro  ffrrtii^ineux. 


FA IX'ON  1 DA-.  —  THE   FA LCON S.  303 

coarse  twigs  and  lined  with  grasses;  tliii  eggs  were  two  in  nunil)er,  wliitt" 
witii  I'aint  brown  daslies.  Tlie  nest  was  placed  in  the  centre  of  a  large 
bunch  oi'  mistletoe,  and  would  have  escaped  notice  liad  not  the  Hawk,  in  Hy- 
ing, betrayed  her  rcUeat. 

The  eggs,  however,  di her  essentially  in  size  from  those  mentioned  by  Capt. 
lilakiston,  and  it  is  (juite  pussilile  that  Dr.  llecrniann  was  mistaken  in  his 
identification.  One  of  the.se  eggs  was  iiguied  in  the  North  American 
Oology,  and  resembles  nnuh  more  an  egg  of  Swainson's  JJuzzard  than  any 
egg  I  have  since  seen  of  Uiis  species. 

The  specimens  procured  by  Mr.  Korr  were  taken  in  the  Tulare  Valley, 
in  January,  1840,  and  are  staled  in  his  notes  to  have  been  remarkalily  fat, 
and  in  excellent  condition  geni'rally,  so  that  some  of  his  party  shot  these 
birds  whenever  opportunity  olfered,  for  the  mess-kettle,  and  considered  them 
very  good  eating.  • 

Dr.  t'ooi)er  states  that  in  the  s]»ring  and  fall  these  Hawks  abound  in 
Southern  California,  migrating  in  summer  through  the  interior  jdains  of  the 
Columbia  and  the  I'latte  Ifivers,  at  least  as  far  north  as  the  Dalles.  He  found 
it  in  winter  at  Martinez,  and  is  of  the  ()[)inion  that  few  migrate  beyond  the 
State.  It  was  usually  to  be  seen  slowly  sailing  over  the  jdains,  sometimes 
in  circles,  and  occasionally  [jouncing  down  obliiiueiy  on  its  prey,  which  con- 
sists i)rincii)ally  of  the  large  ground  sipiirrel.  It  rarely,  if  ever,  attacks 
])oultry,  and  limits  its  prey  to  wild  animals,  and  is  therefore  a  decided  friend 
to  the  farmer. 

Capt.  lUakiston  met  with  tiiis  bird  breeding  lietween  the  north  and  the 
south  branches  of  the  Saskatchewan  IJivc  r.  April  :')(!,  l.SGS.  The  nest  was 
placed  in  an  a.spen-tree,  twenty  feet  from  the  ground,  was  composed  of  sticks, 
two  and  a  half  feet  across,  and  lined  with  bulfalo  woul.  The  eggs  were  '"our 
in  nun  r.  Those  taken  from  another  nest  near  the  same  locality  were  tive 
in  number.  This  nest  was  in  a  tree,  and  was  only  ten  feet  aliove  a  lake. 
Two  eggs  were  taken  by  Mr.  JJourgeau  on  tin;  Sa.skatcliewan  I'lains,  July  9. 
These  differences  in  seasons,  from  A])ril  to  July,  are  suggestive  either  of  great 
variations  in  the  time  of  nesting,  or  of  there  being  two  broo's  in  a  .season. 
The  eggs  obtained  l)y  Capt.  Blakiston  measured,  one  2.(iU  by  2.('()  inches,  the 
other  2.00  by  l.ll."»  inclies,  and  are  described  as  having  been  white  with  large 
distinct  blotches  and  smaller  sjjecks  of  two  shades  of  brown.  The  other  was 
more  obscurely  blotched  with  a  paler  brown,  and  at  the  same  time  freckled 
all  over. 

An  egg  of  tliis  sjiecies  taken  by  H.  R.  Durkee  near  Gilmer  in  "Wyoming 
Territory,  May  l>,  1870,  measures  2.4;>  inches  in  length  by  l.Uo  in  breadth. 
The  ground-color  is  a  creamy  white,  over  which  are  very  unif'o"'idy  distrilt- 
uted  on  every  ]iart  of  the  egg,  in  nearly  eipial  ]»roportions,  blotcues,  ])lashes, 
and  smaller  markings  of  a  dark  lairnt  umber.  The  ne.st  from  which  this  egg 
was  taken  was  composed  of  sticks,  and  was  jdaced  among  rocks.  The  nest 
cctntaine'd  but  one  egg.  The  parent  binl  was  secured,  and  there  was  no 
question  as  to  identification. 


304  NOKTII  AMERICAN  UIIIDS. 

Archibuteo  lagopus,  vm.  sancti-johannis  (Penx.) 

ROirOH-LEOaEI)  HAWK;  BLACK  HAWK. 

Fah-o  nancti-johaniiis,  1'knn.  Ant.  Zoul.  pi.  ix,  178.'>.  —  (Imeu  Sy.st.  Nat.  p.  273,  17S9.  — 

L.vril.  Iiuli'.x  Oni.  p.  U,  17SHi;  Syii.  1,  77;  Utn.  Hist.  I,  270.  -  Daiu.  Tr.  Oni.  II, 

105,  1800.  —  Sii.vw,  Zoiil.  VII,  150,  180i).  -  Bos.U'.  Ann.  Lye.  N.  Y.  II,  32.  —Aid. 

Oni.   Biog.   II,  381,  1831.  —  Giii.vii),    H.   Loiif;  Island,  j).  (5,   1814.  —  Kr.uii,  Trans. 

Oinel.  II,  .')07,  17il2.     liiitco  miicli-jti/uiiiiii.i,  .l.viii).   (Was.)  Am.   Oni.   II,   287,   288, 

1832. —  NriT.  Mini.  Oin.  V.  S.  &  Tanad.  p.  98,  1833.  —  I)k  Kay,  Zoiil.   N.  Y.  II,  7, 

111.  ii,  lig.  3,  1844.     Btitai'ten  suncti-joliunnis,  t'rv.   Keg.  An.   (ed.   1),  i,   323,  1829.— 

HdXAi'.  List,  ]).  3,  1838.     Archihulco  miieti-johanms,  Gkay,  Gen.  B.  I'ol.  sp.  2,  1844  ; 

List  B.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  39,  1844.  —  Bo.nai'.  t'onsp.  Av.  ji.  18,  1850.  — Cass.  Birds  Calif. 

&  Tex.  p.  103,  1854.  —  Blaklst.   Ibis,   III,  ISGl,  318  (eggs).  —  Kai'I',  Monog.   Fale. 

Cont.  Oni.  1850,  p.  75.  —  SriiicKL.  Oni.  Syn.   I,  40,  1855.  —  Buewku,  Oology,  1857, 

34,  pi.  iii,  f.  28.  — (.'As,s.   Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  33.  — Ghay,  Hand  Li.st,   I,  10,  1869. 

Fairo  spfulkcus,  Gmki..  Syst.  Xat.  p.  273,  1789.  —  Latii.  hid.  Oni.  p.  27,  1790  ;  Gen. 

Hist.  I,  279.  —  Dauii.  Tr.  Oni.  II,  109,  1800.    lUiteo  spadicrus,  Vikill.  Ois.  Am.  Sept. 

I,  34,  1807.     Fiiln,  lariopas,  Wii.s.  Am.  Oni.  pi.  xxxiii,  1'.   1,  1808.  — BiiKW,  (Wils.) 

Am.  Oni.  Syn.  t)48,  1852.  —  Boxap.  .\nn.  Lye.  \.  Y.  II,  32;  Isis,  1852,  1138.  — Ari). 

Birds  Am.  p'    .Ixvi,  422,   1831  ;  Oni.  Biog.  II,  377;  V,  217.     Butco  higopus,  Run. 

Faun.  Bor.  Am.  II,  pi.  xxviii,  1831.  — AiMi.  Synop.  p.  8,  1839.  — James.  (Wils.)  Am. 

Oni.  1,  77,  1831.  ^.Iaimi.  (Wils.)  Am.  Orn.  II,  p.  54,  1832.  — Nnr.  Man.  Oni.  p.  97, 

1833.  — Peaii.   B.  Jliiss.  p.  79,  1841.     Aixhihuteo  /ai/opiis,  Ca.ss.   Birds  N.  Am.  1858, 

p.  32.—  BitKWEK,  Oology,  1857,  3t),  pi.  iii,  f.  29.  — Cooi-.  &  SrcK.  P.  K.  U.  Kept.  VI li 

ii,   148,  1860.  —  CouEs,   Prod.  Oni.  Ariz.  p.  16,  1866.    Fa/co  ni<jcr,  Wils.  Am.  Oni. 

pi.  liii,  figs.   1  and  2,   1808.  -  Latii.  Gen.  Hist.  pp.  256,  257,  1821.     ISutco  niqer, 

Stkimi.  Zoiil.  XIII,  pt.  ii,  p.  47, 1815.  —  Vio.  Zoiil.  .louni.  I,  340. — Tames.  (Wils.) 

•Am.  Orn.   I,  pp.   79.  80,  1831. -Cuv.   Kig.  An.   (ed.  '»),  i,  326,  1829.     Biiteo  atcr, 

ViElLL.  Nouv.  Diet.  Nut.  Hist.  IV,  482,  1866;  Enc.  Metli.  Ill,  1227. 

a.  Xormol  /ihnnuge. 
Sp.  Char.  Adult  male  (43,073,  Fort  Resolution,  June ;  J.  Lockhart).  Ground-color 
of  the  upper  parts  dull  umber-eineroous,  this  more  rufous  on  the  .^boulders,  and  dull  white 
on  nape,  scapular.s,  inner  secondaries,  and  upper  tail-coverts;  rump  entirely  black,  feath- 
ers bordered  with  whitish.  All  the  feathers  above  with  central  olilong  or  irregular  spots 
of  black,  this  color  predominating  on  top  of  head,  and  forming  transver.se  bands  acro.ss 
the  wing-coverts  and  secondaries;  upper  tail-coverts  pure  white,  each  marked  with  an 
exceedingly  irregular  transverse  sjiot  of  black.  Tail  white  on  bas.al  two  thirds,  and  nar- 
rowly, but  sharply,  tipped  Avitli  the  same;  subtermi.ial  portion  pale  mottled  cinereous, 
■with  a  very  broad  zone  of  black  next  tiie  terminal  white,  and  anterior  to  this  tlire<;  nar- 
rower and  more  irregular  bands  of  the  .same.  Primaries  blackish-cinereous,  with  obsolete 
darker  bands.  Ground-color  of  head  and  lower  paits  .lull  whit<' ;  eheeks  tliickly  streaked 
with  black;  ear-coverts  an<l  throat  more  spar.sely  streaked ;  forehead  and  sub-orbital  re- 
gion plain  whitish.  Breast  with  larg(>,  longitudinal  but  very  irregular,  oblong  spots  of 
dark  brown,  these  largest  and  somewhat  confluent  laterally ;  lower  part  of  Im-ast  with 
much  less  numerous  and  less  longitudinal  spots;  tibiae  strongly  tinged  with  nistv,  and 
with  tarsus,  abdomen,  crissum,  and  Hanks  having  irregular  transverse  spots  of  blacki.sh- 
brown ;  lower  tail-coverts  imvariegafed.  Lining  of  wing  white,  with  numerous  spots  of 
blac^k,  these  becoming  more  nisty  towards  the  axillars ;  a  large  space  of  continuous  clear 
black,  covering  the  under  primary  coverts  and  the  coverts  immeiliately  anterior ;  under 
surface  ol  primaries  and  secondaries  pure  white,  the  fcrmer  becoming  lilack  at  end.s,  the 
latter  ashy;  no  bars,  except  toward  shaft.s.   of  the  latter.     Fourth  quill  longest;  third 


I'ALCONID.E  — THE   FALCO^fS.  305 

oqunl  to  (iftli;  .•Jccoiul  iutcrini'diate  botweoii  fifth  and  sixth;  first  equal  to  uighlh.  Winu', 
l().oO;  tail, 'J.OO;  tarsus,  •ISA);  middle  lou,  l.liO;   hill,  1.311  aiul  .1)0. 

Adult  J'emale  ("28. lati,  rhiliid('l|ihia,  I'a. ;  .1.  Kridui).  Guucrally  similar  to  tlu-  male. 
On  liead  and  iiaiic,  however,  tiie  yellowish-white  inedominates,  the  eeiitral  hlaek  Ijeiiij,' 
niiieii  re(hieed;  on  the  other  hand,  there  is  less  white  on  the  upper  parts,  the  dull  eine- 
reous-drah  heiiii:'  I'.iiirh  more  evenly  sjiread  ;  darker  markings  less  conspieuoiis.  Tail 
while  only  at  tlu'  base,  the  reiiiaiiiing  portion  lieiii^'  pale  einereous-dralp  erii,-.sed  with 
lour  or  live  dislinet,  very  regular  bands  of  l)la(k,  the  ti[)  being  very  broadly  ashy. 
Flanks  with  grouiid-eolor  light  umber-drab,  and  marked  with  transvor.se  bands  of  black. 
Lower  surl'aeo  generally  as  in  the  male;  tail-coverts  with  two  or  three  blaekish  spots, 
ap|iarently  out  of  plaee.  Fourth  quill  longest;  (ifth  mueli  shorter  than  third;  seeond 
intermediate  between  lifth  and  sixth;  first  intermediate  between  .seventh  and  eighth. 
Wing,  17.00;  tail,  !).00;  tarsus,  2.40  ;  middle  toe,  1.30;  bill,  1.30  and  .85. 

Youny  (25,934,  United  States).  Upper  surface  generally  light  umber,  becoming  lighter 
on  scapulars  and  middle  wing-eoverts,  liut  showing  nowhere  any  trace  of  spots  or  bamls; 
wings,  .scapulars,  and  back  with  blackish  shall-streaks;  priunu'ies  approaching  lilack  toward 
ends,  becoming  white  basally ;  upper  tail-coverts  white,  with  a  Im.stato  stripe  of  brown 
along  shaft ;  tail,  basal  half  white,  terminal  half  ])lain  drab,  becoming  darker  terminally, 
the  tip  narrowly  white.  Head,  neck,  and  lower  phimage  in  general,  white  stained  with 
ochraecous,  this  deepest  on  til)ia!  and  tarsi ;  head  and  neek  streaked  with  dark  Iji'own,  car- 
coverts  .almost  immaculate;  lircast  with  oblong  spots  of  clear  l)rown;  Hanks,  abdomen, 
and  anal  region  continuous  uniform  rich  purplish  vandykc-brown,  forming  conspicuous 
transverse  belt ;  tibia^  and  tarsi  scarcely  varied,  the  few  uiarkings  longitudinal ;  lower  tail- 
coverts  immaeulato.  Under  side  of  wing  much  as  in  adult;  black  area,  however,  more 
extended  ;  lining  much  tinged  with  rufous,  and  with  longitudinal  streaks  of  dark  brown. 

6.  Mclanintic  rcmUtion. 

Adult  male  (28,153,  Philadelphia;  .1.  Krider).  Oeneral  plumage  bl.ickish-brown,  the 
head  streaked  by  whitish  edges  of  the  feathers;  wing-i'overts,  secondaries,  primaries, 
and  tiliial  plumes  paler  terininally ;  tarsi  mottled  with  whitish;  iqjpcr  and  lower  tail- 
coverts  tipped  obscurely  with  white.  Tail  narrowly  tipped  with  dull  white,  and  with 
about  five  very  obsolete  pale  ashy  bands.  Lining  of  wing  black,  spotted  with  white  near 
edge;  whole  under  surface  of  the  primaries  pure  white  anterior  to  their  emargination, 
beyond  which  they  are  black.  Third  and  fourth  quills  equal  and  longest;  second  inter- 
mediate between  fifth  and  sixth;  first  sho"ter  than  .seventh.  Wing,  1(5.00;  tail,  8.85; 
tarsas,  2.45;  middle  toe,  1.25. 

Adult  female  (12,008,  riiiladelphia;  C.  Drcxler).  Continuous  pure  carbonaceous  black; 
forehead  white;  occiput  same  beneath  surface.  Tail  paler  at  tiji,  and  crossed  with  tour 
ill-defined  though  continuous  bands  rf  ashy  white,  the  la.st  of  which  is  distant  over  two 
and  a  half  inches  from  the  tip;  lov.  .r  tail-coverts  with  a  few  white  spots.  AVholt>  lining 
of  wing  glossy  coal  black  ;  under  smface  of  primaries,  anterior  to  their  emargination,  white 
motth'd  with  .a.<liy.  Fourth  and  fifth  quills  ecpial  and  longest;  third  only  a  little  shorter; 
second  a  little  longer  than  .sixth;  first  intermediate  between  seventh  .and  eighth.  Wing, 
1().50;  tail.  9.00;  tarsu.s  2.50 ;  middle  toe.  1.20. 

YiiuiKj.  Similar,  but  the  tail  dusky,  growing  whiti.sh  toward  the  base,  and  without  any 
bais. 

Hah.  Whole  of  North  America  north  of  Mexico,  but  breeding  northward  of  the  United 
States. 

Localities:    Western  Arizona  (Couks,  Pr.  A.  N.  S.,  18G0,  48). 

LIST    OF    SPKCIMKSS    KXAMINF.l). 

National  Museum,  44;  Phil.idclphia  Academy,  17;  Boston  Society,  1;  Museum  Com- 
voL.  III.  39 


300 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


pariifivo  Zoblosry,  Cambridjrc,  10;  Cab.  G.  N.  Lawrence,  (1;   Coll.  W.  S.  Browor,  3;    R. 
Iti(lf,nvay,  4.     Total,  8.j. 

Med.iiirenieiil.'i. 


.sVr. 

Wing. 
15.80-  1(5.80 

IhiV. 

Cutmrn. 
.H5  -    .90 

Tttrsiis. 
2.75  -  2.80 

MiMle  Toe. 

Specimens.       \ 
18 

<? 

9.80  -  lO.(K) 

1.35 

9 

Hi.l,-)-  17.70 

9.00-10.50 

.90-  l.(H) 

2.80  - 

i.;jo-l.4o 

8 

15.7.")-  18.(K) 

9.00-  11.00 

.80-  1.00 

2.15-:}.(MI 

1.20-  1.50 

40 

Tliat  all  the  North  Ainericau  Uoiigh-leg},'ed  Hawks,  wliether  light  or  dark 
(excepting  of  course  the -.•l.y('/v'«//i/i('(^s),  aro  one  species,  and  also  one  race, 
tiiere  aji])ears  to  be  but  little  doubt ;  a  critical  conijiarison  and  minute  ex- 
amination of  about  one  hundred  specimens  also  proves  that  the  dark  plu- 
mage, usually  separated  as  "  A.  sancti-johiDinis"  has  notiiing  to  do  witli  age, 
sex,  season,  or  locality,  but  that,  as  in  Butiv  bonvlis  var.  cu/uriis  and  B. 
sindnsmii,  it  is  a  purely  individual  condition,  black  birds  being  black,  and 
light  birds  being  light,  from  ihe  iirst  iduniage  till  death.  Each  phase  has  its 
young  and  adult  stages  distinctly  marked,  as  the  above  diagnoses  point  out. 
It  liowever  ajipears  to  be  the  fact  tiiat  certain  regions  are  frequented  more 
by  birds  of  one  color  than  anotiier,  and  of  the  many  hundreds  of  specimens 
sent  from  the  Arctic  regions  to  tlie  .Smithsonian  Institution  by  officers  of  the 
Hudson's  Hay  Company,  none  exhibited  tlie  blackish  plumage  which,  on  the 
other  hand,  ajijiears  most  abundant  about  Hudson's  Bay. 

The  Nortli  American  birds  are  distinguishable  from  European  ones  (var. 
Ingopns)  by  the  characters  given  in  the  synopsis  on  p.  1G19,  and  description, 
on  p.  16  24. 

H.VBiTS.  Tlie  Rough-legged  Hawk  of  Nortli  America  bears  so  close  a 
resemblance  to  the  Eur()i)ean  species,  in  all  respects,  —  plumage,  habits,  and 
eggs,  —  that  the  two  are  generally  considered  to  be  identical.  Tiie  distriliu- 
tion  of  tlie  American  variety  appears  to  be  nearly  tlironghout  the  entire 
Union,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  coast  of  the  I'acific,  and  from  New  INlexico 
to  the  Arctic  cgions.  It  was  taken  at  Fort  Steilacoom,  and  at  Shoal-water 
Bay  in  Washington  Territory,  by  Drs.  Suckley  and  Cooper.  It  was  not  seen 
by  Mv.  Dresser  in  Texas  nor  by  Dr.  Woodhouse  in  New  Mexico,  but  it  was 
taken  near  Zuni  by  Dr.  Kennerly,  was  found  from  Mimbres  to  the  liio 
(irande  by  Dr.  Henry,  and  obtained  near  Fort  Fillmore  by  Captain  Pope, 
and  at  Fort  Massachusetts  by  Dr.  Peters. 

Tlie  Ikough-legged  Hawk  is  quite  abundant  in  spring  and  fall  in  the 
neighljorliood  of  Niagara  Falls.  In  the  fall  of  1872,  ]\Ir.  James  Booth  met 
witli  a  pair  of  this  species,  accompanied  Ity  their  young.  Tlie  latter  were 
fully  grown.  The  male  bird  was  in  very  black  i)lumage,  while  the  female 
was  unusually  light,  the  pair  thus  presenting  well-marked  illustrations  of 
the  two  types,  the  black  .i((iirfi-Jo}iiinni<s  and  the  common  la(/o]ms.  The 
l)arents  were  secured,  and  are  now  in  the  museum  of  tlie  Boston  Society  of 
Natural  History.     One  of  the  young  was  also  shot,  but  I  did  not  see  it. 


FALCONID.K  — THE  FALCONS. 


307 


It  was  said  to  have  liccn  only  a  little  less  dark  iiliiinaj^'od  than  tlio  male 
parent. 

It  is  very  alnindant  throughout  the  Arctic  rcM^ions,  where  it  was  found 
breeding  in  the  Anderson  Itiver  country  hy  ^Ir.  !MacFarlane,  from  whom  were 
received  valualile  notes  and  a  large  number  of  specimens  of  birds  and  eggs. 
It  was  oliserved  generally  by  Dr. 
liichardson's  party,  but  owing  to 
its  extreme  wariness  only  a  single 
specimen  was  obtained.  Iiiciiard- 
son  noted  its  arrival  in  liie  fur 
countries  in  April  or  ]May,  and 
gives  the  time  of  its  departure  as 
early  in  October. 

Dr.  Kennerly  mentions  finding 
this  Ilawk  (piite  abundant  in  the 
vicinity  of  the  I'ueblo  Zuni,  where 
it  confined  itself  in  the  neighbor- 
hood of  the  stream,  watching  eager- 
ly for  ducks,  which  seemed  to  be 
its  favorite  prey. 

Dr.  Cooper  found  a  large  num- 
ber of  the.se  I'uzzards  on  a  low 
point  near  the  sea-coasts,  at  Shoal- 
water  Bay,  Wasliington  Territory, 
in  October.  This  \mnt  was  cov- 
ered with  small  ])ines,  on  the  dead  tops  of  which  they  were  observed  sitting 
in  the  manner  of  owls.  Occasionally  one  woidd  dart  down  after  a  movise, 
and  alight  a  short  distance  off.  At  fimes  they  would  call  to  each  other 
with  a  loud  scream,  but  they  usually  sat  motioidcss  and  silent  i'or  hours 
together.  Some  remained  there  throughout  the  winter,  and  he  had  no  doubt 
that  a  few  build  near  the  mouth  of  the  Columbia,  where  he  saw  young 
birds  in  July.  In  California,  the  same  writer  states,  this  H])ecies  is  only 
a  winter  visitor,  and  has  never  been  observed  by  him  south  of  Santa  Claia 
Valley. 

Dr.  Cones  mentions  the  taking  of  a  single  specimen  of  this  bird  in  the 
Territory  of  Arizona  in  the  winter,  but  no  others  were  oltserved. 

Audul)on  never  met  with  this  species  south  of  Xorth  Carolina  nor  west  of 
the  Alleghanies.  He  regarded  it  as  a  sluggish  bird,  confining  itself  to  the 
meadows  and  low  grounds  bordering  the  rivers  and  salt  marshes,  where  its 
principal  food  appeared  to  be  moles,  mice,  and  other  small  qiuulru])eds.  He 
has  never  known  it  to  attack  a  duck  on  the  wing,  although  it  will  occasion- 
ally pursue  a  wounded  one.  I'Acept  when  alarmed,  it  flies  low  and  sedately, 
and  manifests  none  of  the  daring  courage  or  vigor  so  conspicuous  in  most 
Hawks.     They  arc  also  described  as  somewhat  crepuscular  iu  habit,  watching 


Arrhibuteo  hgopus  (Euro|i*') 


;JU8 


NORTH  AMEllICAN  JJlllDS. 


lor  tlieir  fond  lon^f  after  sunset,  and  Mv.  Iiicliardson  speaks  of  their  hunting 
lor  their  i)rey  "  hy  tlie  sub(hied  dayli,yht  wliieli  ilhiininates  even  the  niid- 
niyht  liours  in  tlie  hiyli  ])arallel.s  i)f  hititude."  Vm-  lliese  nocturnal  hunts  it 
is  well  fitted  by  tlie  softness  of  its  plumage,  which  renders  its  lliyht  noiseless, 
like  tliat  of  the  more  nocturnal  birds. 

These  l)irds  were  once  (juite  abundant  in  tlic  low  lands  and  marshes  in  the 
vicinity  of  IJoston,  Init  are  now  com])aratively  rare.  Tiiey  weie  abundant 
during  October  and  November,  and  again  in  Aiiril.    They  usually  kept  on  or 


Archihuteo  snnrti-jo/iannis  (black  pluuiugi'J. 

near  the  ground,  appeared  to  feed  chiefly  on  small  (quadrupeds  or  reptiles, 
were  ne\er  known  to  molest  the  poultry-yard,  or  e\'en  to  destroy  other 
birds. 

They  were  very  wary,  and  wlion  approached  with  a  gun  would  slowly  and 
delil)erately  move  off  to  a  safer  distance.  Wilson  found  them  quite  abun- 
dant, during  the  winter  months,  in  the  meadows  on  the  Delaware  and  Schuyl- 
kill Ri\  er.s,  near  I'hiladelphia,  where  they  are  still  common.  Though  ren- 
dered very  shy  by  tlie  frecpient  attempts  made  to  slioot  them,  they  would 
never  fly  far  at  a  time,  usually  from  one  tree  to  another,  making  a  loud 
squealing  noise  as  they  arose.     Tlioy  all  disappeared  early  in  Ajiril. 

He  also  speaks  of  them  as  common  during  winter  in  the  lower  parts 
of  jMaryland,  as  well  as  in  the  extensive  meadows  below  Newark,  N.  J. 
He  mentions  jiaving  often  seen  this  Hawk  coursing  over  the  surface  of 
meadows  long  after  sunset,  and  many  times  in  jiairs.  They  roost  near  these 
low  grounds,  and  tak"  their  station  at  daybreak  near  a  ditch,  watching  with 
patient  vigilance  for  their  prey. 


FALCOMD.i:  — TIIJ']    FALCONS.  ;:;()<) 

Wilson,  Au(1ii1k)ii,  ami  Xiittiill  appear  to  have  kiinwii  iiotliinj,'  in  rci^avd 
to  till'  liivcdinjf  oi' tliL'  Koni^'li-lL^yi'd  JIawk.  A  yaW  was  seen  liy  llicliaidsnn 
at  tlie'ii'  nest,  wliii'li  was  built  of  sticks,  anil  on  a  lolly  tree  .standin,^'  on 
a  low  moist  alluvial  ])oint  of  land,  in  a  licnd  of  tlio  Saskatchewan  ;  li\it  tlu'y 
wi'i'i!  too  wary  to  he  shot,  and  he  makes  no  mention  of  their  e^|;s. 

^rynejihews,  II.  J{.  and  F.  11.  Storev,  found  a  pair  of  Ilouji;h-le,u,ui'd  Hawks 
nesting  on  a  roeky  clilf  on  the  eoa.st  of  l,alirador,  near  the  liarlmr  of  llras 
d'Or.  Tlie  nest  was  very  rudely  constructed  of  sticks,  and  placinl  on  a  high 
rock  directly  over  the  water,  inaccessible  from  i)el(iw,  but  readily  aiqiroached 
ironi  above.  it  contained  three  young  liirds  and  an  egg.  The  young 
Hawks  were  just  ready  tu  lly,  and  all  scramliled  out  as  the  nest  was  ap- 
proached, and  rolled  the  egg  to  the  bottom  of  the  clilf,  but  without  injiu'ing 
it.  The  nest  contained  four  or  live  large  rats  jieculiar  to  that  region,  col- 
lected by  the  old  birds  for  their  young.  The  old  birds  Mere  in  the  light 
jdumage.  At  the  same  time  a  young  bird  was  taken  alive  from  another 
iiest  by  one  of  the  sailors  of  their  Jtarty,  -which  was  tpiite  lilack  even  in  its 
immature  dress,  and  strikingly  different  J'rom  the  young  just  mentioned. 

]\Ir.  ^lacFarlane's  very  complete  and  careful  notes  mention,  in  detail,  no 
less  than  llfty-eight  nests  of  this  species  as  procured  and  ideiitilied  by  his 
party.  Of  these,  forty-six  were  built  on  trees,  generally  spoken  of  as  being 
large  pines,  and  usually  about  twenty  feet  from  the  ground.  Twelve  nests 
were  found  liuilt  on  the  edge  of  steeji  dill's  of  shaly  mud  on  the  banks  uf 
creeks,  rivers,  and  lakes. 

The  n(!sts  that  were  taken  from  trees  are  described  as  having  heen  built 
in  a  crotch,  not  far  from  the  toj),  and  to  have  l)een  formed  externally  of  dry 
twigs,  sticks,  and  small  branches,  warndy  lined  with  down,  feathers,  and  line 
hay.  Those  fotind  upon  cliffs  and  high  river-banks  were  made  of  similar 
materials,  but  usually  with  a  smaller  base  of  sticks,  and  a  greater  supply  of 
hay,  moss,  and  other  soft  materials.  The  number  of  eggs  varied  from  three 
to  live,  never  more  than  the  latter,  and  were  at  times  in  differing  stiiges 
of  inculndion  in  the  same  nest.  Wlnuiever  the  nest  was  approached,  the 
parent  birds  always  manifested  great  uneasiness,  and  uttered  vociferous 
screams  of  distress.  The  eggs  were  generally  found  from  the  27th  of  May 
to  the  25th  of  June.  Those  taken  after  the  2(lth  of  June  usually  con- 
tained well-developed  embryos.  The  sjiecies  was  met  with  by  Mr.  ^lac- 
Farlanc  in  great  abinidance  in  various  localities,  —  near  Fort  Anderson, 
lower  down  on  the  Anderson  Kiver,  near  the  Arctic  coast,  anil  in  the  vicinity 
of  IJendezvous  Lake. 

One  of  the  Indians  collecting  for  ^Ir.  MacFarlane  informed  him  that  on  the 
9tli  of  June  he  discovered  the  nest  of  one  of  these  Hawks  on  a  ledge  of 
shaly  mud.  As  he  could  not  kill  the  parents,  he  set  a  snare  about  the  nest. 
CJoing  to  it  later  in  the  day,  he  was  disappointed  at  linding  his  snare  set 
aside,  the  eggs  gone,  and  the  birds  not  to  be  seen.  He  presumed  the  parents 
had  removed  the  eggs,  of  which  there  had  been  three,  to  a  safer  place. 


310  NOUTII  AMERICAN  DIUDS. 

St'vural  Hosts  woro  also  taki'ii  on  the  shores  nnd  among  the  islets  of  the 
Arctic  coast,  west  u\'  Livcipool  I'.ay. 

Tiic  i'li'^  of  the  lioiii;ii-ic,m,'f(l  Hawk  taUcu  liy  the  Sloivrs  in  i.uhnuh)!- 
measures  2.0(1  inches  in  ien^tli  hy  I..S.S  in  iircaiUii,  anil  is  nearly  s|iliurical. 
TJie  uroMiul-color  is  a  soiled  wiiite  or  a  li^ht  (lnil>,  and  is  marked  with  a  lew 
faint,  ill-deiined  spots  of  lii;iit  umher,  distributed  at  intervals  over  the  entire 
surlace. 

Two  European  specimens  in  my  eollection  are  so  nearly  like  the  American 
that  till'  same  description  woulil  answer  lor  lioth.  They  are  a  trille  hirj^'er, 
but  their  color  and  markings  arc  exactly  the  same.  These  ejfgs  vary  from 
2.2a  to  2.12  inches  in  leiijj;th,  and  the  breadth  of  each  is  1.7")  inches.  In  one 
s])ccinien  the  j,'round-cohir  is  of  a  deeper  shade  of  dingy-white,  with  larger 
blotches,  and  its  ])urplish-slate  markings  are  internungled  with  those  of 
und)cr.  A  fourth,  from  Switzerland,  varies  from  most  others  of  this  species, 
iind  is  marked  over  a  crcain-colored  ground  with  very  numerous  and  tjuite 
large  blotches  of  dinerent  siiades  of  nud)cr  and  .sepia-i»rown.  It  measures 
2.25  by  1.0;j  inclu's. 

Six  eggs  taken  by  Mr.  MacFarlane  iia\e  an  average  linigth  of  2.18  and  an 
average  la'cadth  of  1.7!l  inches.  Their  greatest  length  is  2.24,  and  their  least 
2.12  inches.  There  is  but  very  little  variation  in  their  breadth,  or  only 
from  l.TlJ  to  1.80  inches.  Occasionally  these  eggs  are  of  a  nearly  uniform 
dingy-white,  nearly  unmarked,  and  only  by  very  faint  cloudings.  These 
cases  are  .ire.  v.euerally  they  have  a  creamy-white  ground  and  are  boldly 
marked  witn  blotches  of  a  varying  intensity  of  umber  or  .sepia-brown.  In- 
termingled with  tlie.se  are  ob.scure  marking.s  of  a  purplish-slate. 

Till!  dark  variety  of  the  Wough-legged  Falcon,  recognized  by  some  as  the 
A.  n(()irfi-Juli(iiiiiis,  Mr.  Ifidgway  is  disposed  to  regard  as  rather  an  individual 
melanism  of  the  common  species,  rather  than  as  a  distinctive  rcace.  In  this 
form  it  appears  to  be  (|uite  generally  distril)uted  over  the  continent,  rather 
in  isolated  pairs  than  as  n  common  bird.  It  was  not  taken  on  the  Anderson 
liiver  liy  ^Ir.  ^lacFarlane,  whine  the  hif/opin^  style  was  extremely  comnutn, 
hundreds  of  .skins  having  been  .sent  by  him  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

Tiie  dark-colored  liirds  are  seen  occasionally  in  ^las.sachu.setts  in  the  win- 
ter season,  and  are  usually  found  fretpienting  low  alluvial  tracts  in  search 
of  small  (juadrupeds  and  frogs,  and  occasionally  well-marked  specimens  have 
been  secured  in  the  neighborhood  of  Boston.  A  ])air  was  found  breeding 
near  the  mouth  of  the  Kennebec  lliver  in  Maine,  and  the  eggs  were  secured. 
They  were  not  readily  distinguishable  from  those  of  the  common  Iiougli- 
leggcd  Hawk.  It  is  also  said,  on  the  authority  of  Mr.  John  Krider  of 
Piiiladelphia,  to  have  been  found  breeding  in  New  Jersey,  and  the  eggs 
taken.  The  ])arent  bird  was  not  secured.  These  eggs  resemVded  well-marked 
eggs  of  the  /ai/opus.  Wilson,  who  ob.served  l>irds  in  this  plumage  on  the 
marshy  banks  of  the  Delaware,  describes  tliem  as  remarkably  shy  and  wary, 
frequenting  river-banks,  and  feeding  on  mice,  moles,  and  other  small  game. 


rALCUMDJ:  — TIIK    I'ALCUNS.  HU 

siiiliiijf  11  j;(i(m1  (leal  miil  iit  a  ^icat  li('i,L;lit,  wliicli  is  not  tlic  lialiit  ol'  ilic 
liujtijHiK,  ami  was  seen  liy  liim  tci  kill  a  Duck  while  on  liic  wiii^'.  Il  lias 
bui!ii  SUCH  to  sil  tor  an  liniir  at  a  tinu-  uu  a  .staki;  l)y  tliu  side  of  iiiaislics, 
in  nil  almost  iicipcuiliciilar  jMisitinn,  as  if  doziii,!,'.  iL  ilifs  with  jii'cat  t'asi', 
uml  taTasionally  with  j,'i<'at  swiltncss,  and  larcly  with  any  lla|i|iini,'  oi'  the 
\vinj,'s;  was  nmst  nnmcnms  on  the  iH'l.iwaii!  in  the  winter,  ImiI  was  occasion- 
nlly  to  lie  seen  tiieie  in  the  .sumiaer.  Sueli  is  Wilson's  account  ol'  its  haliits 
as  observed  hy  hiin,  ami  these  are  partially  eonlirmed  liy  N'ullall  from  his 
own  observations.  It  is,  however,  (juite  probable  that  they  are  mistaken  in 
(daiminj,'  an  essential  or  spetitic  dilferenee  in  the  habits  o|'  tla;  two  former. 
^Ir.  Audubon  re^'arded  it  as  the  ailult  of  the  Iikjoihix,  and  apjiears  not  to  have 
been  familiar  with  its  luibits. 

Captain  I'dakiston  mentions  the  occurrence  of  tlic  dark  bird  on  the  Sas- 
katchewan riain.s,  where  the  ])arent  bird  and  three  clip's  were  obtained  by 
M.  r>ourgeau,  a  French  collector,  in  the  summer  of  IS.'kS,  and  where  it  is 
spoken  of  as  not  nncomnion.  Mr.  Andrew  Murray,  in  his  Contributions  to 
the  Natural  llLstory  of  the  Hudson  Ijay  Territories,  records  specimens  from 
Hudson  liiiy  and  the  country  lying  lietween  its  western  shore  and  Lake 
Winnipeg.  Dr.  tlambel  speaks  of  this  bird  as  common  in  California.  Dr. 
Cooper  refers  to  one  obtained  by  Mr.  Lonjuin  at  San  Francisco.  Mr.  Law- 
rence cites  it  among  the  birds  of  New  York.  Mr.  I'xiaidman  ^ives  it  as  rare 
near  Calais.  Mr.  Verrill  also  gives  it  among  the  birds  of  Western  Maine, 
where  the  hiyopns  was  not  observed,  but  where  this  form  was  a  regular 
winter  visitant. 

The  Storer.s  found  the  IJlack  Hawk  not  uncommon  on  the  cliffs  near  I'ras 
d'Or,  and  their  observations  of  its  habits,  as  contrasted  with  those  of  the  still 
more  connnon  Hough-legged  Hawk,  left  no  d(ad)t  in  their  mind  of  their 
specific  distinction.  While  the  Black  Hawk  was  oUscrved  to  be  a  bold, 
vigorous,  and  spirited  bird,  easy  and  swift  in  its  motions,  and  ]ireying  upon 
other  birds  wliile  on  the  wing,  the  IJ(»ug]i-legged  was  comparatively  sluggish, 
inofi'ensive,  and  subsisted  only  u]ion  rats,  mice,  moles,  frogs,  and  other  small 
game.  A  nest  containing  young  birds  was  found,  and  one  of  the  latter 
caught  alive.  Both  old  and  young  wi're  in  the  same  black  ])lumage.  The 
young  Hawk  was  fierce  and  intractable,  and  its  whole  air  and  manner  were 
utterly  unlike  the  conduct  of  the  young  of  the  other  species.  Unfortunately, 
it  broke  from  its  confinement  and  escaped. 

The  eggs  from  New  Jersey,  attributed  to  this  bird  by  IMr.  Kridcr,  vary  in 
the  number  and  de])th  of  coloring  of  their  markings,  the  blotches  in  one 
being  darker  and  less  generally  distributed.  They  measure  2.0G  by  1.G9  in- 
ches. Their  ground-color  is  a  yellowish  white,  intermingled  with  which  are 
faint  markings  and  blotches  of  a  brownish-puqile.  Over  these  are  diil'used 
continent  blotches  of  russet-brown. 

An  egg  from  near  Wiscasset,  taken  \)y  Edmund  Smith,  Esq.,  the  parent  (if 
which  was  secured,  measures  2.22  by  1.75  inches,  has  a  white  ground,  and  is 


.'Ill'  NOUTII  AMKKIt'AN  IlIItDS. 

iiiiirkcd  1111(1  lilutclicil  Willi  (1(.|'|)  uiiilicr-lin.wu.     Tlicm!  iimrlsiiif,'s  nro  cliiollv 

al  (iiic  end  iiiul  only  vuiy  in  tliiur  ilui.lli,  mid  an;  unniixwl  with  any  otlu^r 
sliadin''  or  colurs. 


(ii:.\is  AQUILA,   Ai'ctohum. 

J'/id/'i,  ,M(i;iiii,  ir.-,ii.     (T.v|ic,  Fii/m  c/iryswlDs,  I, inn.) 

./."A.v,  Nirzstii,  1840.     (.Saiiii' tyipi'.) 

llin-nitctiis,  18-lJ,  iin.l  l[in-<irlits,  184,-,,  Kavi'.     (\\\»\  Fiih, paiimtus,  Omki,.) 

I'f,rnic/i(s,  Kai-1',  KS41.     (Tvpc,  Fiiko  nilhiriinis,  Daiii.) 

I'ninrfii.s,  Kaii',  1811.     (TviH',   l'ii/h(,-(iii,/,i.i;  Laiii.) 

Ps((i(l(irh(n,  lldiMi.s.  ISIJ.      (Tyiic,  Fiiico  iHiiiitli,  TK.M.M.) 

TulniiiHiin,  Ili.As.  1845.     (Hiiiiie  type. ) 

Fiilii/iiKir/iis,  lli,As.  1,848.     (Siiinc  ty)i('.) 

tiKN.  CiiAn.     Fdiiii  lobiisi  niul  .'^tnictiiio  powurl'iil;  tlio  beariiifr  and  jroiipi-al  a.«port  tliiit 


laooG,? 


54338,  ^ 


■    life  A 


>»■:; 


1»124,?{ 


:>^ 


912S.   IJttliailiis  Ifiicoriplialus  41i)01  •  19n(i(;  ■  loi^d     <      i      i 

f)4.M«.    Ardiihulf.it  laifiipiis  ^tarslls  from  Iwliind), 

of  /^./..  and  .br/,,^«/eo.     Wi.ij,  lo.if^,  the  pri.uanc.  lonj?  ami  strong,  with  tlu.ir  onuu^ina- 


FALCON  I  DA']  -  'I'U  E    K A  LC(  )N  A  3 1  ;•{ 

tions  Very  ilcop.  Tail  ratlior  slioit,  slij;lilly  rouiidoil  i>i'  wcdi^'c-slmpcd.  Dill  .simii^aM-  tliiiii 
in  tlio  iprt'CL'dlii},'  gciicrn,  its  oulliiios  iiuiiily  ]uuiiI1l'1,  iiml  '.lie  li|)  somuwiiat  iiicliiifl  liack- 
waril  at  tlic  point  |  coinniissiii'i,' wilii  a  nioiu  i)r  less  pioniincnt  H'titoon ;  nostril  narrowly 
oval,  vertical;  >l<iii  ol'  the  ucre  very  hard  ami  lirtu.  SuiM'rriiiary  .shii'lil  very  prominent. 
Fi'et  Very  strong',  llie  nieiiilirane  lulween  tiie  outer  and  niiddii!  toes  very  well  developed; 
tni'siis  less  llian  twice  as  lonj,'  as  the  inidiUo  tot;;  outer  toe  eipml  to,  or  longer  than,  the 
inner;  claws  very  lon^'  and  stroiij.'',  very  iniieli  gra<luated  in  size;  seiitellie  of  the  toes 
snudl  except  on  the  terminal  joint,  where  tliey  lorni  liroad  transverse  plates;  tarsi  den-;ely 
feathered  all  round  down  to  the  base  of  the  tot's;  tihial  phnnes  well  developed,  loose- 
wchlied,  their  ends  reaching  down  to  or  heyond  the  ba.se  of  the  toes.  Feathers  of  the 
nape  and  occiput  laneeolate,  acute,  and  distinct,  Ibrining  a  nuchal  "  capo  "  of  dillerently 
formed  feathers.  Third  to  lifth  (|uill  longest;  first  shorter  than  the  .seventh  ;  outer  five  or 
six  with  their  iniiei'  webs  deeply  emarginuted. 

Tlii.s  genus  i.s  almost  peculiar  to  the  Old  World,  wiiere  about  seventeen 
80-ealled  species  are  known,  while  America  has  no  meml)er  of  the  genus 
exclusively  its  own,  the  single  North  American  .species  being  the  same  as 
the  European  one.  Though  the  details  of  external  structure  vary  somewhat, 
and  the  size  ranges  from  that  of  a  JJn/iv  to  that  of  a  sea-eagle  {Ifd/iid'lits), 
the  generic  characters  given  in  the  lilmve  diagnosis  a))ply  well  to  idl  the 
species.  The  species  oi  Jlctcrojins,  Hodgson,  1842  (A.  vutlayensis,  I!i:ix.  and 
//.  (jurneyi.  Gray),  I  remove  entirely  from  Aquilu,  since  tiiey  differ  so  strik- 
ingly in  many  important  respects.  With  the  general  aspect  of  A(j)ti/(i, 
HctrrojiHS  has  the  outer  toe  disproi)ortioniitely  shorter  than  the  iinier  (in- 
stead of  equal  to  it,  or  longer),  whicli  curious  feature  it  shares  only  with 
Gernnoi^piza  of  tropical  America,  and  J'o/i/boroalvs  of  South  Africa,  —  both 
terrestrial  Buti-onine  forms  of  sjjecialized  structure.  An  entirely  peculiar 
feature  of  Hetcropus  is  the  great  length  and  straightncss  of  the  claws.  Its 
bill  is  more  like  that  oi'  Arch ibi/feo  than  like  that  oi  Aqitila. 

The  Xorth  American  and  European  races  of  the  single  species  which  oc- 
curs on  tiie  former  continent  may  be  distinguished  as  follows :  — 

Species  and  Races. 
A.  chryaaStuB.    Win?,  •.>.".,00  -  27.00 ;   tail,    14.00  -  10.00  ;  culmen,   1.50- 
l.ilO ;  tar.sns,  3.40-4.20  ;   middle  toe,  2.40  -  3.10.    Third  to  fifth  cpiill  longest 
first  shorter  than  seventh  or  eighth.    Coloi'  blackish-brown,  ornniber-))rown, 
nearly  uniform,  except  on  the  tail ;  niiclml  cape  of  lanceolate  feathers,  and 
tarsi  of  a  paler  and  more  tawny  tint.     Adult.    Tail  transver.'sely  clouded  with 
ashy,  and  not  white  at  the  l)aso;  feathers  of  tin;  body  not  distinctly  white 
beneath  the  surface.     Yonncj.    Tail  with  the  basal  half  plain  white,  the  ter- 
minal portion  plain  blackish  ;  feathers  of  the  body  distinctly  white  beneath 
the  surface.     If<ih.    Xearctic  and  Pala.'arctic  Realms. 

Tarsi  of  adult  pale  umber;  of  young,  dirty  whitish.     Ili'h.    Palrearctic 

Re.ilni \m:  cliry  sail  Ins} 

Tarsi  of  adult  deep  umber;  of  young  light  brown,     ilah.    Nearctic 
Realm var.  can  a  delists. 

1  Aqiiiln  rJiri/.iaefii.i,  var.  chrii.inetiin  (FjNN.).     Aquihi  Valeria,  Aldin,   B,  IT.  1)1.  ii.     Aquilii 
chrijsaelus,  Bliiss.  Orn.  I,  431,  ct  Aucr.     Fako  chrijsa&us,  LiXN.  S.  N.   1760,  125.     Aquihi 
Vol,,  m.  40 


314  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Aquila  chrysaStus,  mh.  canadensis  (Lixx). 

OOLSKNEAOLK;  BINO-TAILED  EAGLE. 

Jqiiila  chriisKcfiis  (not  of  Linn  1),  Kiiii.  &  Sw.  F.  I'..  A.  II,  IS;!!,  12.  —  .lAun.  (Wii.s.)  Am. 
Oin.  II,  1SL!2,  304.  —  \',i>s\v.  I,i.-;t,  IS^S,  2.  —  All).  Sviiop.  18;i!i,  <),  -  DkKay,  Zoiil. 
N.  Y.  II,  4,  pi.  vi,  f.  H  (,/»!•.).  — t'.vss.  n.  Cal.  &  Ti'.v.  lu'.t.  —  SrisicKl,.  Orii.  Syii.  I, 
.5.')  (ill  jiait).—  Hkkwkk,  Oolofiy,  18;'>",  •15. — C'oi'ks,  Key,  1872,  210.  Faico  clirijsae- 
tiis,  (Linn.)  M.\x.  Ciili.  .f.  1858,  VI,  !l.  —  Hi-.v.s.  I'.ri-.  XVI,  Vcr.s.  Dcutsch.  Oiu.  1802, 
83  ("iilisoliitcly  iilciitiial  with  Kuioiicau  "  ).  Fiih-i)  miKdliiisi.i,  Linn.  S.  N.  {n\.  10), 
17(50,  88.  Aquila  miiiiilcnsis,  Wii.s.  Am.  Oni.  1808,  pL  Iv,  f.  1.  -Ilr.r.iiM.  T.  It.  It. 
Rppt.  II,  18.^..''.,  30.  -t'A.ss.  Hiiils  N.  Am.  18r)8,  11.  —  fofKs,  V.  A.  N.  .S.  IStiG,  13. 
—  Gray,  Ilaml  Li.st,  I,  40.  Falco  niijcr,  C-mi'.i.  S.  N.  359.  Aquila  uobilin,  Pall. 
Zoiig.  l{o.s.  A.s.  1811.  Aquila  J'ulm  (not  ol"  Linn  !),  Nirrr.  Man.  Orn.  1833,  (52.— 
Pkab.  B.  Ma.ss.  1841,  71. 

Sp.  Char.  Adult  mah  (•J4,l(;7.  Fort  Crook,  North  California,  Dec.  2');  D.  F.  rarkin- 
son).  General  pluinaire  I'uliirnum.s-lilaek,  this  doepe.-it  on  the  head,  thi-oal,  lower  snrface 
in  general,  under  siirlaee  ol'  the  wnig.-;,  haek.  .seapnlans,  .shoulilei-.-;,  seeoiidarie.<,  i)riiiiarie.s, 
and  rump;  middle  and  .<eeondarv  \vini;-eovert.'!,  upper  and  under  tail-eovert.<,  tarsi  and 
inside  of  tihi;o,  consideralily  paler,  inclininij;  to  light  uinher.  Laneeolate  feather.i  of  ocoi- 
pnt  and  nape  with  the  ex]io.<ed  ])ortioiis  light  l'ulvou.«,  the  .shafts  blaek  ;  dusky  beneath  the 
surfane.  Tail  lilaek,  somewhat  paler  on  bas.il  half,  .and  with  about  three  irregular,  obso- 
lete xigzag  bands  of  })ale  brown  (on  two  middle  feathers  ashy) ;  no  coneealed  white  on 
bre.nst.  Fifth  quill  longest;  third  and  Iniutli  intermediate  between  fifth  and  si.\th;  seeond 
eonsiderably  shorter  than  sixth;  first  intermediate  lietween  eighth  and  ninth.  Length, 
."51.00;  e.xtent,  7S.;]0.  AViiig.  24.r)0;  tail,  1;5.40;  eulmcn,  l.GO;  from  b.tse  of  eere,  2.1"); 
tarsus,  3.85;  middle  toe,  2.40;  hind  elaw  (chord)  1.00. 

Adult  female  (12,00(),  Washington,  D.  C,  March  7,  1800;  C.  Drexler).  Almost  exactly 
like  the  male.  Blaek  covering  forehead,  ear-coverts,  cheeks,  chin,  throat,  forcneek,  and 
under  parts  generally  (I'xcopt  the  tarsi,  inside  and  front  ol"  tibia-,  and  lower  tail-coverts, 
which  are  light  fidvons,  the  tarsi  palest),  more  tawny  than  in  the  male.  The  lanceolate, 
pale,  tawny  feathers,  which  in  the  male  cover  only  the  occiput  and  neck,  in  the  female  ex- 
tend forward  over  the  top  of  the  b.ead,  leaving  the  forehead  only  blackish.  I'pper  parts 
and  tail  as  in  the  male.  Fourth  quill  longest;  third  .^lightly  shorter  th.nii  fifth;  .second 
intermediate  between  sixth  and  seventh;  first  intermediate  between  eighth  and  ninth. 
Wing,  20.00;  tail,  14.2.");  culmen,  1.70;  tar.su.s,  ;!.80;  midille  toe,  2.70;  hind  claw,  2.15; 
inner  toe,  1.90;  outer,  2.00;   inner  elaw,  1.80;  middle,  1..'55;  outer,  1.10. 

Youuij  male  (40,084,  Camp  ftrant,  near  Tiii'son,  Arizona,  July  l(),  1807;  Di-.  E.  Palmer). 
Continuous  deep  sepia-black,  with  a  purplish  lustre;  breast  and  .scapulars  with  large  con- 
cealed spots  of  pure  white;  lanceolate  feathers  of  the  "mane"  dull  brown,  not  con.spicu- 
ou.sly  diflerent  from  the  throat;  under  surface  of  ]iriinaries  .showing  much  while  li.asally, 
this  most  extended  on  inner  feathers.  I'pper  and  under  tail-coverts  more  brownish  than 
the  rump,  the  basal  portion  white.     B.a.sal  half  or  more  of  tail  white  (more  ashy  on  outer 

i»il((iiaeluii,  Miiiss.  Orn.  I,  434.  Falco  mclnuaetu.i,  Linn.  S.  N.  124.  Aquila  rcfiin,  Lkss.  Tr. 
Orn.     Fidm/ulvu.f,  Linn.  .S.  N.  17r)0,  125  {i/ouikj). 

List  of  S/icrimeiin  craminrd.  —  Nat.  Mils.,  4  ;  I'liilad.  Acad.,  14  ;  IJo.st.  Soc,  2  ;  Mus.  ram- 
bridge,  1  ;  .Mus.  ,I.  C.  Sharp,  .Tr.,  1.     Total,  22. 

Mnisurniiriils.  —  g.  Wing,  23.80-24.30;  tail,  14.00  -  14.. lO  ;  ■iilmcn,  l.l!S-1.70;  tarsus, 
3.40;  middle  toe,  2.40  2.45.  Spi'cimcns,  2.  ?.  Wing,  25.00-25.50;  tail,  14.00-14.50; 
culiiicn,  1.80-1.85  ;  taiv.is,  3.80-  4.10  ;  middle  toe,  2.85-3.10.     Specimcii.s,  3. 


FALCONir'.E  —  THE  FALCD.NS. 


316 


featliors),  distinctly  dcfiiR'tl  iiiraiiist  tlio  broad,  imrc  Mack,  terminal  zone;  tarsi  didl  white, 
elonded  wilii  dihile  lirownisli ;  iiisi<Ie  iif  tiliiie  with  leathers  tippccl  with  white. 

You iKj  female  (older?)  (!»,1'J1,  Was]iinj,'ton,  D.  ('.,  Dec.,  lS,j(i;  15.  Cros.>;).  Similar,  hut 
black  inoro  brown;  "mane"  as  in  adult;  tarsi  dull  whitish  brown;  lail-coverts  (lee]i 
iindii'r-brown ;  tail  as  in  younir  male,  lint,  terminal  band  narrower,  th(!  white  oecnpyiiifr 
nearly  the  ba.';al  two  thirds.  Wiiiir,  -5.7(1;  tail,  11. 7o;  ciihnen,  1. ().");  middle  toe,  L'.Sil; 
hind  claw,  'J.liit. 

Had.  Whole  of  North  America  north  of  Mexico ;  most  conuiion  in  mountainous  re- 
gions. 

I.IST    OK    SPKClMKNti    KX.VMIN'flD. 

Natioii.il  Jliiseun:,  8  ;  Philadelphia  Academy,  2  ;  Boston  Society,  2  ;  Cambridge  Muse- 
um, 2  ;  Coll.  K.  Ridgway.  2.     Total,  10. 


\Sex. 

« 
o 

j  9  I  i'5.(IO-27.(Mt 


Wing. 

23.00 -24.50 


Ihil. 


Mednurcmriifs. 
Ciilmen. 


Tarsun.         \    Middle  Tot. 
14.00- 15.00  I   l.,')0-l.()2      ;j.U5-3.80 


15.(K)-1().00  I   1.08-1.85 


4.15-4.20 


2.40-2.SO 
2.55  -  2.80 


Specimens. 


A  young  male  t'roin  Massacliu.sotts  (Xo.  '.V^,  l.exinj;toii ;  Dr.  S.  Kueelaiul), 
in  the  collection  oi'  the  lUiston  Society  ol'  Natural  History,  has  the  tail  ])lain 
black,  tiie  extreme  liase  and  ti])  white. 

Thou"li  the  tloklen  Eaiiles  of  North  America  ciin  lie  distin'mished  bv  the 
chiiracters  jiiveii  in  the  diajiiiosis  on  p. ''Il2  iVom  those  of  Etiroiie,  the  dif- 
ferences are  apjirecitible  only  on  direct  comparison.  The  American  liird  is 
darker  in  all  its  shades  of  color,  the  diflerence  beino;  mo.st  marked  in  the 
youn_n'  phnnaye,  which  in  var.  rliriimi'hi.'i  has  the  tarsal  features  nearly  white, 
and  in  var.  randdcni^i.^  light  brown,  the  ))rown  of  other  jxu'tions  lieing  also 
considerably  dtirker.     The  American  l)ird  aiipears  to  be  nither  the  larger. 

H.MtiTS.  The  lling-tailed  or  CJolden  Kagle  of  Xorth  America  is  found 
throughout  the  continent  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  I'acitic,  and  from  New 
jMe.xico  to  llio  higher  Arctic  regions. 

In  its  geograjihical  distril)ution,  the  Golden  Eagle  of  North  America  ap- 
])ears  to  be  chietly  conlined  to  the  mountainous  regions,  and  the  more  north- 
ern ])ortions,  but  to  be  nowlu-rti  al)undant.  Sir  John  llichardson  saw  but 
few  individuals  in  the  Arctii'  regions,  nor  does  he  appetu-  ever  to  have  met 
with  its  ne.st.  Individtud  birds  on  the  Atlantic  coast  have  lieen  occasionally 
obtained,  —  oiu'c  as  far  south  as  rhiladel])hia,  tvice  at  Washington, —  but 
very  rarely.  Several  sjiecimcnis  a])ipear  to  have  been  obtained  among  the 
mountains  of  Now  Mexico  by  Dr.  Henry's  ]iartv. 

Although  iu)t  meutioued  by  either  Dr.  Heeriuann  or  Dr.  Uambel  in  their 
lists  of  the  birds  of  Ciilifornia,  it  was  found  in  Oregon  by  Dr.  Townsend,  and 
is  .said  by  Dr.  ('oo])er  to  be  (luite  cominon  in  tihnost  all  jiarts  of  California 
during  the  colder  months.  It  is,  however,  mu.'h  less  numenms  than  the 
White-headed  Eagle.  It  is  very  much  more  a  mountain  bird,  and  its  de- 
scent into  the  i)lains  or  to  the  sea-c(mst  is  said  to  be  (juite  nire.     Dr.  Adol- 


316 


NORTH  AMERICAN  J31Rb3. 


phus  Heerinaim,  in  his  Eeport  of  the  survey  between  Fort  Yuma  and  San 
Francisco,  speaks  of  seeing  one  of  these  birds  near  Liveruioro  I'ass,  and  of 
meeting  others  in  Nortliern  California,  and  of  an  individual  killed  in  the 

mountains  near  Mokelum- 
ue  liiver.  He  regarded  it, 
both  in  that  state  and  else- 
where, as  a  rare  and  wild 
bird.  It  is  not  mentioned 
as  occurring  in  Greenland. 
It  was  found  breeding  in 
Napa  A'alley,  Cal,  by  Mr. 
F.  Gruber. 

A  bird  was  secured  alive 
in  Brighton,  near  Boston, 
in  1837, by  being  taken  in 
a  trap  wliich  had  been  set 
for  another  purpose.  Its 
occurrence,  howevei',  near 
the  sea-coast,  is  very  rare, 
and  even  among  the  moun- 
tiiins  it  is  never  found  ex- 
cejit  in  occasional  pairs. 
It  breeds  in  the  mountain- 
ous portions  of  Maine,  New 
Hampshire,  Vermont,  and 
Xew  York,  and  was  for- 
merly not  unfreqnent 
among  the  cliffs  of  tlie  Hudson  liiver.  Steamboats  and  railroads  have, 
however,  driven  this  wild  bird  from  its  romantic  retreats  in  that  (piarter. 
In  Franconia,  N.  H.,  for  quite  a  number  of  years,  a  pair  occupied  a  nest  on 
an  inaccessible  rock,  near  the  top  of  a  mountain,  known  as  Eagle  Clitt',  in 
sight  of,  and  opposite,  the  Profile  House.  Kepeated  efforts  have  been  made 
to  reach  its  nest,  but  thus  far  w'*^iiout  success.  In  the  sunnner  of  1855  a 
renewed  attempt  was  .nade  to  scale  the  precipice  over  whicli  the  shelving 
rock,  on  whicli  the  nest  stands,  i)rqjects.  A  party  was  formed,  and  iilthough 
they  succeeded  in  ascending  the  mountain,  whicli  had  never  been  achieved 
before,  they  could  reach  only  a  point  beyond  and  above,  not  the  nest  itself. 
The  attempt  to  pass  to  it  Avas  abandoned  as  too  perilous.  The  party  re- 
ported a  large  coVection  of  bones  in  its  immediate  vicinity,  with  other 
evidences  of  the  accumulated  plumler  of  many  years,  as  well  as  a  i)lentiful 
supply  of  fresh  food  at  the  time  visited. 

Witliout  here  seeking  to  affect  the  (piestion  of  identity  of  species,  it  is 
interesting  to  note  certain  peculiarities  in  the  European  Golden  Eagle  so  far 
not  noticed  or  of  rare  occuiTence  in  the  American  birds.     Mr.  I.  W.  P.  Orde 


Aquila  chrymitiis. 


FALCOXID.E  —  THE   FALCONS. 


317 


Ai/iiila  mnwiensis. 


in  the  Ibis  (.f  ISGl  (p.  112),  gives  a  very  inftjresting  account  of  a  pair  of 
Golden  Eagles,  which  the  previous  season  built  their  nest  in  a  large  Scotch 
tir-tree,  in  a  wood  on  the  southern  bank  of  Glen  Lyon,  in  Perthshire,  ^v•ithin 
a  few  hundred  yards  of  JMeggerine 
Castle.     Four  eggs  were  laid,  two 
of  which  were  hatched.     The  nest 
was  one  of  the  Eagles'  own  con- 
struction, and  is  specially  interest- 
ing from  being  in  sucii  near  i)rox- 
inuty  to  human  habitations.     Mr. 
Tristram   (Iliis,    18r.<J,   p.    283,  in 
liis  valuable  note  on  the  birds  of 
North  Africa),  while  he  never  ob- 
served this  Eagle  in  any  of  the  clifi's 
among  the  mountain  ranges  of  the 
desert,  found  it  almost  gregarious, 
so  abundant  was  it  among  the  Day- 
ets.     In  one  wood  he  saw  no  less 
than  seven  pairs  of  the  Eagles,  each 
pair  with  a  wqa.     There  were,  be- 
sides, many  unoccupied  nests,  and,  indeed,  very  few  terebinths  of  any  size 
were  witiiout  a  huge  platform  of  sticks  on  the  topmost  boughs.     The  birds 
were  undisturbed,  and  consequently  very  fearless.     On  the  other  hand  Mr 
Salv.n,  m  the  same  volume  (p.  180)  among  the  mountains  of  Eastern  Atlas 
describes  very  different  manner  of  life  in  the  same  birds.    "Whatever  rock  a 
pair  may  choose  for  their  eyrie,  there  they  reign  alone  in  dignified  solitude,  nor 
do   hey  allow  a  single  Vulture,  Kite,  or  indeed  any  other  species  of  rapacious 
bird  to  occupy  with  their  nest  a  single  spot  in  the  same  rock,  however  eligible 
or  the  purpose ;  nor  are  these  other  species  ever  t<»  be  seen  in  the  haunts  of 
their  exclusive  majesties.     The  whole  southern  precipice  at  Djebel  Dekma 
was  thus  tenanted  by  a  single  pair  of  this  Eagle,  as  also  several  other  rocks 
that  came  under  our  notice.     Instances  of  the  Golden  Eagle  buildinc.  i„ 
trees  were  by  no  means  of  unfrequent  occurrence" 

The  extreme  southern  range  of  the  European  bird,  its  gregarious  hab:., 
and  the  frequency  ot  its  building  in  trees,  are  all  i-culiarities  not  observed 
sultttr"'''''  *°""'     '^''"^  ""''  "°'  necessarily  conclusive,  but  are  at  least 

The  Golden  Eagle  in  this  country  usually  constructs  its  nest  on  the  sides 
ot  steep,  rocky  crags,  where  its  materials  are  coarsely  heaped  together  on  a 
projecting  shell  of  rock.  These  consist  of  large  sticks,  loosely  an-anged,  and 
lined  with  other  softer  materials.  In  rare  instances  they  are  said  t^o  build 
on  trees,  where  rocky  cliffs  are  not  to  be  met  with.  The  eggs  are  usually 
three  in  number ;  sometimes  two,  or  only  one.  Mr.  Audubon  describes  them 
as  measuring  3.50  inches  in  length  by  2.50  in  breadth  ;  the  sheU  thick  and 


318  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

smooth,  dull  white,  bruslied  over  with  undefined  pntches  of  brown,  which  are 
most  numerous  at  the  larger  end.  This  (lesciii)tion  is  not  quite  accurate  in 
rej^ard  to  size.  The  European  egg  is  prcsumetl  to  be  larger  than  the  American, 
yet  the  largest  I  have  ever  seen  measures  but  3.19  inches  in  length  by  2.31 
in  breadth.  An  egg  of  the  Kuropean  bird  in  tlie  British  Museum,  and 
another  represented  in  Hewitson's  British  Oiilogy,  which  closely  resembled 
it,  were  marked  over  the  entire  surface  with  small  but  distinct  blotclies  of 
reddish-brown  on  a  wiiite  ground.  One  in  my  collection,  taken  in  Scotland, 
is  nearly  unmarked.  A  distinctly  bhiish-white  ground  is  faintly  stained 
with  a  few  very  obscine  markings  of  slate  and  purplisli-brown. 

Mr.  MacFarlane  furnishes  very  full  and  interesting  notes  and  observations 
on  the  habits  of  our  cnnailcnsis,  as  attentively  .studied  by  him  in  the  :  eigh- 
borhood  of  Anderson  Jtiver,  near  the  Arctic  Ocean.  Our  limits  will  only 
permit  us  to  give  a  summary  of  his  valuable  memoranda.  In  a  large 
majority  of  instances  the  nests  were  l>uilt  against  the  i'ace  of  a  steep  bank, 
some  sixty  or  seventy  feet  from  tlie  ground,  and  about  thirty  from  the  sum- 
mit. They  were  very  strongly  constructed  with  dry  sticks,  usually  of  willow, 
and  formed  a  platform  on  the  top,  in  tlie  centre  of  which  the  eggs  were 
found  on  a  bed  comjjosed  of  moss,  hay,  and  feathers.  These  platforms  were 
usually  about  six  by  seven  feet,  and  ranged  from  ibur  to  six  in  lieight.  It  is 
said  to  be  "  not  very  scarce  in  tliat  quarter,"  and  to  be  "  a  resident,  in  tlie 
summer,  of  the  entire  Arctic  coast  and  rivers."  Mention  is  made  of  ten 
nests  observed  l)y  him,  and  eggs  taken  therefrom.  In  several  instances  these 
eggs  were  wliite  and  unspotted,  exciting  liis  doubts  whether  they  might  be- 
long to  the  lintcoccplinlus. 

According  to  Mr.  IMacFarlane  they  lend  on  ducks,  mice,  and  other  small 
animals,  partridges,  and  tlie  fawn  of  the  reindeer.  In  confinement  they  are 
fierce  and  nearly  untamalde,  though  they  readily  eat  the  food  that  is  given 
them,  whether  fi.sli  or  meat.  Even  wlien  taken  young  from  tlie  nest  they 
evince  the  same  fearless  and  intractable  disposition.  In  one  instance  a 
young  female  killed  its  older  companion  by  piercing  it  with  her  talons. 
When  first  observed,  she  was  standing  on  and  ])lucking  tlie  featliers  from 
the  body  of  the  .slain  liird.  This  was  tlie  second  bird  tliis  .same  ferocious, 
but  comparatively  tame,  Eagle  had  thus  destroyed.  When  the  cage  was 
removed  outside,  tliough  the  weatlier  was  very  cold,  the  Eagles  did  not  seem 
to  mind  it  m..  h,  but  exercised  themselves  witli  juirping  off  and  on  their 
roo.sting-i)ole,  and  seemed  very  mucli  interested  in  all  that  was  taking  place 
w'ithin  the  Fort  square.  They  kept  their  plumage  in  a  cleanly  conditio!'., 
and  were  genertilly  a  A'ery  clean  liird  in  all  respects.  During  the  fhie  weather 
the  Eagles  were  more  lively  than  on  other  occasions.  When  feeding  they 
•'rooped  both  Aviiigs,  and,  if  disturlied,  arched  tlicir  necks  and  moved  their 

(ids  in  a  threatening  manner,  spreading  out  their  tails  like  a  fan.  Tliey 
grasped  the  meat  or  fish  in  the  talons  of  either  leg,  and  tore  it  with  their 
beaks.    After  feeding,  they  invariably  removed  any  blood  or  other  impurities 


FALCONID.E  —  THE   FALCONS.  319 

that  niiiy  liave  adhered  to  the  beak  by  scratching  it  witli  their  talons  or 
nilibinLT  it  against  the  bars  of  their  cage.  Several  of  these  birds,  in  confine- 
ni(!iit,  especially  tiie  female  referred  to,  when  their  cage  was  approached, 
would  endeavor  to  attack  Mr.  MacFarlane,  descending  from  their  sleeping-pole 
and  making  a  rusii  at  tiie  front  bars  of  tlie  cage,  spreading  tlie  wings  and 
flaj)ping  them  witli  great  force,  and  making  active  demonstrations  with  beak 
and  talons.  Occasionally  tliey  would  get  out  of  their  cages  ;  tlien  it  was  no 
easy  matter  to  get  them  back  again,  as,  wlien  approacheil,  they  would  tlu'ow 
tliemselves  on  tiieir  backs  and  thrust  out  their  talons  in  tiie  most  fornuda- 
ble  manner.  Tiiey  nest  as  early  as  tiie  last  of  A])ril  or  early  in  May,  as 
largely  developed  embryos  were  found  on  the  27th  of  May.  Wlien  tiieir 
nests  were  pillaged  they  generally  deserted  them ;  but  in  one  instance,  wiiere 
tlie  female  had  been  snared  upon  her  nest,  and  the  eggs  taken,  the  same 
nest  was  occupied  the  following  season  by  the  male  with  another  mate.  The 
new  mate  was  shot,  and  proved  to  be  a  mature  bird.  Almost  invariably  the 
male  birds  were  too  wary  to  bo  either  shot  or  taken  in  a  snare.  Two  of 
the  nests  of  this  bird,  pointed  out  by  the  Indian.s,  appeared  to  have  been  used 
for  several  years,  and  had  been  known  to  their  discoverers  for  six  or  seven 
years  previous.     The  nests  taken  were  in  about  latitude  6'.)°  30'. 

In  one  jiaiticular  case  a  nest  had  been  discovered  two  years  ])reviously  by 
MacFarlanci's  Ksipiiiiio  interpreter.  It  had  been  occujiied  that  season,  and 
a  pair  of  Eagles  had  lieen  recognized  as  its  inmates.  In  1863  the  nest  was 
known  to  have  been  reoccupied,  though  he  did  not  visit  it.  On  the  17tli 
of  ]\Iay,  1804,  he  went  to  it  and  found  both  Eagles  engaged  in  repairing  it. 
The  female  apj)cared  to  act  as  the  builder,  and  the  male  as  the  carrier  of  the 
materials,  as  well  as  the  provider  of  provisions.  The  nest  was  not  complete, 
and  contained  two  half-eaten  Ptarmigans,  but  no  eggs.  It  was  built  against 
the  face  of  a  steep  bank  of  a  small  stream,  and  was  of  considerable  bulk. 
When  first  constructed,  the  nest  of  this  Eagle  is  comparatively  small,  but  as 
it  is  reiunatcd  every  season,  it  ultimately  becomes  large  and  bulky.  A 
quantity  of  dry  sticks  and  twigs  are  laid  lengthways  over  the  greater  ])ortion 
of  the  jilatform  of  the  previous  season,  and  the  sj)aces  between  are  filled  up 
by  smaller  twigs,  mosses,  and  hay,  and  the  centre  is  then  covered  with  the 
two  latter  ingredients,  intermixed  with  deer's  hair,  etc.  This  annual  addition 
varies  in  thickness  I'rom  three  to  eighteen  inches.  In  no  instance  did  Mr. 
MacFarlane  find  or  hear  of  any  accumulation  of  bones  or  other  debris  of  food 
either  on  or  in  the  neighborhood  of  the  nests.  In  three  instances  the  nests 
were  constructed  in  the  tojjs  of  tall  pines.  In  these  cases  the  sandy  nature 
of  the  soil  did  not  favor  their  building  on  the  sides  of  cliffs. 

Tlie  "  Mountain  Eagle,"  as  this  sjiecies  is  called  throughout  the  western 
regions  of  the  United  States,  was  found  by  ]Mr.  Kidgway  to  be  a  common 
sjiecies  througliout  the  Oreat  Basin  along  the  line  of  the  40tli  parallel.  It 
was  daily  seen  soaring  about  the  mountains,  and  nested  on  inaccessible  cliffs. 
A  pair  —  the  female  leading  —  were  observed  to  give  chase  to  a  Sage  Hen 


320  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

{Crntroccrcus  nrophasianus),  clmsing  her  on  tlie  wing  until  the  fugitive 
drojiped  down  to  tlie  ground  from  exhaustion,  when  she  was  picked  up  by 
the  foremost  of  tlie  Eagles,  who  then  flew  off  together  to  the  summit  of  the 
mountain  range  (the  East  Humboldt)  near  by,  where  they  probably  had 
their  nest. 

An  egg  of  this  bird,  taken  by  ]\Ir.  \\.  MacDonald  among  the  mountains 
west  of  the  Lower  Mackenzie  liiver,  measures  2.()()  inches  in  length  by  2.18 
in  breadth.  The  ground-color  is  of  a  rich  junkish  cream-color,  boldly  dashed 
with  large  blotches  of  three  or  four  varying  similes  of  umber-brown,  inter- 
mingled with  a  few  finer  markings  of  a  lighter  shade  of  brown,  and  a  few 
clouded  markings  of  a  purplish-shite.  These  markings  are  groui)ed  and 
confluent  about  the  smaller  end.  Other  si)ecimeus  vary  to  whitish,  with 
faint  obsolete  blotches. 

Genus  HALIAETUS,  Savigxy. 

Halinelus,  Savio.  1809.     (TyiM',  Fuku  idbkUhi,  Lixs.) 

Thalnssoaehts,  Kait,  18-14.     (Typo,  Fiilm  pflngivwi,  Pai.I.AS.) 

Cuncuma,  Hnncsox,  1837.     (Typo,  Falco  mticci,  Tk.m.m.) 

Pontoaelus,  IvAvr,  1844.     (Same  typo.) 

Blnyrna,  Bl.AS.  1841).     (Saiiui  type.) 

Polwui'tu.i,  Kaut,  1847.     (Type,  Falco  kllii/deltis,  HoiisF. ) 

IcthiikiHus,  Lafu.  1839  (ncc  Kaui>,  1829).     (Siiine  type.) 

Gen.  Char.  Form  robust,  and  organization  powerful,  a.s  in^l}«i7«;  size  large.  Bill 
very  large,  usually  somewhat  inflated,  the  chord  of  the  arch  of  the  culnien  more  than 
twice  the  length  of  the  cere  on  top;  eonnnissure  with  a  more  or  le.ss  distinct  festoon  and 
sinuation  l)ehiud  it.  Nostril  oval,  obliquely  vertical.  Feet  robust  and  strong,  the  tarsus 
less  than  one  and  a  half  times  the  middle  toe;  tarsus  feathered  in  front  and  on  the  sides 
for  about  one  half  its  length ;  front  of  the  tarsus  and  top  of  tlie  toes  with  an  imperfectly 
continuous  series  of  tran.sversc  scutelhc,  entirely  interrupted  in  the  region  of  the  digito- 
tarsal  joint;  the  other  portions  covered  with  roundish,  .somewhat  granular,  scales,  the.se 
larger  on  the  posterior  face.  Claws  large,  strongly  curved,  and  more  obtuse,  and  less 
graduated  in  size,  than  in  AqviJa.  No  trace  of  a  web  between  outer  and  middle  toes. 
Wing  very  large,  tlie  primaries  well  developed  and  strong;  third  to  fifth  quill  longest; 
first  longer  than  the  ninth ;  outer  five  to  six  with  inner  webs  deeply  emarginated.  Tail 
variable  in  length  and  shape,  usually  short  and  rounded,  ouneate  and  with  fourteen 
feathers  in  //.  pelagicus,  and  nearly  even,  and  with  twelve  feathers,  in  //.  macei,  the  rest 
.ill  having  twelve  feathers,  varying  in  form  with  the  species.  Feathers  of  the  neck,  all 
round,  lanceolate. 

The  species  of  this  very  strongly  marked  genus  vary  between  great  ex- 
tremes in  the  details  of  their  external  structure  ;  but  these  variations  I  con- 
sider to  be  mainly  specific,  though  two  well-defined  subgeneric  divisions 
should  be  made,  one  to  include  the  Old  World  If.  Icncoyaster,  H.  vocifer, 
and  H.  idhycctm,  whicli  have  five,  instead  of  six,  outer  quills,  with  their 
inner  webs  cut,  and  the  tarsus  with  the  frontal  and  posterior  rows  of  broad 
transverse  scutellte  nearly  as  well  developed  and  continuous  as  in  Buteo. 
The  last  of  these  species  has  the  claws  nearly  uniform  in  size,  and  contracted 


FALCON  1 DJE  —  TITE   FALCOXS. 


321 


and  rounded  undernoalh  nlinnst  as  much  as  in  Pamhon;  but  tlie  otlior  spe- 
cies an;  less  so,  eacli  iliU'eiino-  in  this  lespect,  so  that  I  consider  this  as  only 
mdicatiiiy  the  greatest  perlection  in  tlie  specialization  of  the  piscatorial  typo 
of  modified  structure.  In  the  possession  of  iburteen  tail-feathers,  its  very 
large  hill,  naked  lores,  and  general  aspect,  the  //.  2>c/a</irHs  shows  an  ap- 
proach to  the  Old  ^\•orkl  Vultures. 

About  nine  species  arc  known,  of  which  only  two  belong  to  Xorth  Amer- 
ica, one  ol'  them  (II.  Iciicocqihulus)  being  peculiar  to  that  contiueut.   Tropical 


625U9:  9128.    HaUaltus  Uacacephalus. 


281C0. 


//.  pitagiciis. 

America  is  without  a  single  representation  of  the  genus.  The  majority  of 
t be  species  be  ong  to  the  Indian  region,  only  the  ff.  albinlla  and  IlU^.iacs 
b  longing  to  the  Pahearctic  Eealm,  the  former  representing  the  western,  and 
.c  at ter  peculiar  to  the  eastern,  district  of  that  zoiigoographical  division  ;  it 
S  'r  *7'"7:;''"^'^  ^^'-'-^.^gl^^  into  the  Xearctic  fauna.  The  habits  of  Uie 
Sea  Eagles  differ  considerably  from  those  of  the  true  Eagles  (Acjuifn)  in  very 
nnpor  ant  respects;  they  frequent  the  shores  of  the  sea,  lakes,  or  lai4  rivers 
instead  of  mountainous  portions,  and  feed  chiefly -some  of  the  species 
entire  y- on  hsh.  Those  of  the  subgenus  lUioaetus  are  almost  precisely 
Hive  J'andioH  in  their  habits.  "^ 

41 


vor,.  tii. 


322 


NORTH  AMKRICA-N  BIRDS. 


Tlic  three  elnsely  allied  species  helonginn;  to  tlio  iiortheni  portions  of  the 
Nortliern  neiiii,s])liere  may  he  (Hstiiiguislieil  hy  tlie  charaeter.s  given  in  the 
following  synopsis. 

Species  and  Races. 

C0M.M0N  CirAKArTKR.s.  Adult.  Jiil'  nio,  and  iiit;  yellow.  Tiiit,  and  some- 
times the  head  and  ncik,  white.  i-iKinj.  ]5ill  and  eere  black;  iri.s  dark  Ijiown. 
Tail,  head,  and  neck,  lilaekish. 

A.   Tail  oriburleen  feather.s,  enneate,  or  }jradnatcd,  Ibr  nearly  half  its  length. 

Xo.stril  with  it.s  lower  end  aente,  bevelled  gi'adiially  to  the  level  ol'lhe  (;ere  ; 

npper  outlme  ol'  the  cere  very  convex ;  lore  naked. 

1  I/tiUaelus  pchiijiais  (1'ai.i,.).     Fn/cn  pchijicKx,  Pai.LAS,  Zeog.  Hos.  As.  I,  343,  pi.  ix.    .Iqiii/ii 
j>.,  KiTTL.,  Hoik.     Hulinetitu  p.,  Sied.,  Giiav,  Cass.  B.  C'al.  &  Tex.  I,  pp.  3],  110,  pi.  vi  (9)  ; 


Haliaitus  pela^icits. 


Ib.  Bird.s  N.  Am.   1858,  42.      Thalaxsnaehtu,   ICait,  ^^\\\1.      Fulcn  Inicnptr.riis,  Temm.     Faho 
impcrator,  KlTTL,     Hab.    Northenstcrn  Asia,  Japan  (Sieiioi.d)  ;  Kuinschatka. 


FALCOXID.E  — THE   FALC()N8.  323 

1.  H.  pelagicus.'  W'ms,  2-i.')0 -•20.00;  tail,  1:5.50  -  10.00;  culmcn, 
2. flit:  iKiiih  (if  liill,  1.80;  ueiv,  on  top,  1.10;  taivsus,  3..")0 ;  micldlL' too, 
2.!».').  Adult.  Foii'licad,  iriuatiT  \viiii;-cov<.'i'ts,  abdonit'ii,  and  tail,  white; 
otluT  pdilioiis  l)l,icki.-iii-l)i'i)\VM  (.VrcT.).  Yoiiiiij.  Daik  unibci' or  black- 
ish-lii'o\vn,  llio  I'catlicrs  of  ihc  licad  and  nec-k  willi  liijliter  .■^liaft-stix'aks; 
tiTtials  (cxt.'i'pt  at  ends)  and  lia.<al  lliird,  or  uiorc,  of  inner  webs  oC  tail- 
Ibaliiec-,  white;  tail-eovert.s  mucK  nii.xed  wilii  the  saniL'.  Ilith,  North- 
iMstern  Asia.  , 

B.  Tail  of  Iwelve  leather.-J,  only  .';lii,ditly  roundeii.  Lower  end  of  tlie  nostril 
roinided,  openin;;  more  alirnpliy  inward;  upper  outline  of  the  cere  nearly 
straight;  lores  seantily  featliered. 

2.  H.  albicilla.  Winj;,  2;3.(HI--JS.OO;  tail,  1  l.oO- 10.00  ;  enlmen,  2.0.5 - 
2.2(1;  laisiis,  ;!.;!() -li.SO;  middle  toe,  2.o(l  -  2.0.") ;  depth  of  bill  about 
1.4.") ;  cere,  on  top,  .8.>.  Adult.  Head  and  neck  pale  j^rayish-fulvou.s, 
or  dirty  yellowisli-iri'ay,  not  abruptly  li^diter  than  the  body.  Tail, 
only,  pine  white.  Itest  of  the  plnma;;e,  including,'  the  tail-eoverts, 
dark  fjraj'ish-brown,  inclining  to  blackish  on  the  primaries.  Yoiunj. 
Prevailing  tint  of  the  upper  parts  light  isabclla-color,  or  pale  grayish- 
cinnamon,  each  feather  having  a  terminal  triangular  spot  of  blacki.sh- 
brov,  n.  Ilrcast  soiled  white,  wilji  broad  stripes  of  brownish-black; 
rest  of  the  lower  parts  lu'arl}'  uniform  fulvous-brown,  the  tibiiu  darker. 
Ilith.    Europe;  Egypt;  (ireenland. 

3.  H.  leucocephalus.  Wing.  20.00-20.00;  tail,  10.")0- 1.').50 ;  cul- 
nien,  1.8.")- 2.2(1;  tarsus,  2.O.")  -  ii.VO ;  middle  toe,  2,3.")  -  3.10  ;  depth 
of  bill  about  1.30;  cere,  on  the  top,  .80.  Adult.  Head  and  neck, 
tail  and  tail-coverts,  pure  v.hite,  immaculate  (except  in  transition 
dress).  Rest  of  the  plmnagc  brownish-black.  Yoiiiuj.  Brownish-black, 
.showing  miK'l'.  concealed  while  at  the  bases  of  the  fe.ithers;  ground- 
color inclining  to  umbcr-browu  on  the  upper  surface;  on  the  lower 
parts,  the  b.asal  white  much  exposed  and  predominating,  the  blackish 
forming  longitudinal,  tear-shaped  spots.  Head  and  neck  brownish- 
blaek,  the  penieillated  feathers  of  tlie  nape  seldom  wi'h  whitish  points. 
Tail-feathers  and  primaries  black,  the  inner  webs  usually  more  or  less 
marked,  longitudinally,  with  bufly-whitish.  Iluh.  The  whole  of  North 
America. 

.Si'.  CiiAi!.  Kofoi.v  ./(•mft/c(?)  (28,100,  Amoor  River  ;  Mr.  Burlingamc).  Form:  very  similar 
to  //.  albkiUti  and  //.  hucocrphala,  but  bill  altogctlii'r  luorc  robust,  and  feet  rather  less  so,  than 
in  these.  Tail,  of  fourtecu  I'eutiicrs  !  grtiduated  for  about  one  half  its  length.  Dimensions  : 
About  the  size  of  the  female  of  the  two  other  species,  t'olor  :  nenerally  dusky  vandyke-browii, 
a  medial  line  on  the  lanceolate  feathers  of  the  neek,  and  the  border  of  the  sipiaiiiate  ones  of  the 
tibiie,  deei.lcdiy  lighter.  Kntire  plumage  white  at  the  lia.se,  this  exposed  wherever  the  feathers 
are  disarranged,  and  iirevailiiig  on  the  (•rissuni.  Tertials,  basal  half  of  inner  webs  of  primaries, 
the  wholi-  tail,  and  iijiiier  tail-eoverts,  white  with  a  yellnwish  tinge.  Tertials,  ui)per  tail-coverts, 
and  tail-feathers,  with  a  large  terminal  spot  of  clear  giayish-blaek  ;  on  the  tail  these  form  a  rather 
irregular  teniuiial  zone,  being  on  the  middle  feather  narrower,  and  broken  into  fine  blotches. 
IJill,  cere,  lore,  and  feet,  yellow  ;  end  of  upper  mandible,  and  the  claws,  black.  Wing-formula, 
3,  4,  2,  5-G-7  =  1.  Wing,  21.r.0  ;  tail,  13.50  ;  culuieu,  2.G0  ;  depth  of  bill,  1.80  ;  cere,  on 
top,  1.10  ;  tarsus,  3.50  ;  middle  toe,  2.95. 


324  NOUTII  AMEUICAN  BIRDS. 

Haliaotus  albicilla  (Li.w). 

OBAT  BEA-EAOLE. 

AquHa  tilhiciUa,  nuiss.  Oni.  I,  4'J7,  17<iil.  —  Pali,,  '/mv^.  Koss.  As.  I,  34.'.,  1811.  — lir.s- 
icK.  Isis,  IS'il,  |>|i.  S78,  8Si'2.  —  Sw.vixs.  Classir.  li.  II,  •JUT,  1S;!7.  —  Knil,.  nriliai,'. 
/i)i)l.  jit.  i,  ji.  7tl  (an;it.),  18'JO.  —  Tvzi:sii.M/„  Krv.  /(ml.  l.SIs,  \\.  •_'.!.'i.  —  IIaii.i.v, 
Oni.  Siiv.  I,  11(1,  ISOa.  —  S.  I.DXiiril.  Kami.  IJrIj,'.  I'-  -I'A,  1812.  Vnllin-  iill,iri//ii, 
Li.NN.  Syst.  Nat.  p.  12;i,  17(i(>.  Juihv  tilhkillu,  1'i:nn.  Iliil.  Zoill.  \>.  CI,  |il.  A,  181-J; 
oil.  Svo,  1812,  I,  •.'(ii>,  111.  .wiii.  —  Gmki,.  Syst.  Nat.  \<.  2."i3,  178i).  —  Lath.  IikI.  Oni. 
I,  i),  1790;  Syii.  I,  ;Jl!,  1781  ;  Siipi..  1,  11,  1802;  UiMi.  Ili.st.  I,  40  A,  1821.  —  Odmaxn, 
Nov.  Aft.  Snc.  Tps,  IV,  22.').  —  Shaw,  ZduI.  VII,  70,  1M2.  —  Tr.MM.  iMaii.  Om.  jil. 
i,  40  ;  lit.  iii,  2ii,  1S20  ;  Tali.  Mctli.  \k  3,  IHIJO.  —  Kini,.  Kiiiif.  Vii;,'.  pi.  ii,  f.  2,  18^2. 

—  liiirNN.  Oni.  Ilor.  p.  3,  1704.  —  Faiikii,  riml.  Islainl,  Oiii.  ji.  1,  1822.  —  Nat.m.  Nat. 
Viif,'.  Ucul.silil.  cil.  iiov.   I,  224,  pis.  xii,  xiii,  .\iv,  l.>«22  ;  Naolitr.  \i.  330,  pi.  ix,  f.  17. 

—  FlM.sclI,  Viig.  Di'Ut.sclil.  jil.  Ixix,  "0,  173!>.  IMiiti-his  iiUiicilhi,  Vyv.  I'cf,'.  Aiiiiii. 
(I'll.  1),  I,  yi.'i,  1817  ;  (imI.  2),  I,  330,  1S20.  —  1!i:sn.  Oanl.  Zuiil.  Siu'.  II,  33,  1831.— 
Wi:l!N-.  Atl.  Ois.  Kill-.  1820.  —  Li:ss.  .Man.  Oni.  I,  8."),  1828.  — Vii;.  llaill.  I.ilc,  p.  048. 
Si;i.r.Y,  r.iit.  Oni.  I,  13,  jil.  ill,  iii',  1833.  —  (idii.n,  li.  Eur.  pi.  x,  1»37.  —  lf<iNAl\ 
Kiir.  i:  \.  Am.  I!,  p.  3,  1838  ;  ('at.  I'lr.  Eur.  p.  10,  1842  ;  ('(Ui.'-p.  Av.  p.  l.'i,  18."iO  ; 
It.'V.  ft  .Ma-;.  Zoiil.  p.  r.31,  isri4.  —  Cas.s.  I?.  Calif.  .^  Tfx.  I,  )..  Ill,  18r)4.  —  (IliAY, 
GiMi.  15.  p.  3  ;  I'd.  2,  p.  4  ;  Inl.  sp.  1,  pi.  vii,  lig.  8.  —  Hiir.ll.M.  Vii^.  IVutsilil.  I,  14, 
pi.  iii,  f.  1,  1831.  — C'As.s.  llinls  N.  Am.  43,  1SG8.—  .Scl.Ar.  Pr.  Z.  S.  1803,  2.'i7  (Ibuii.I  in 
Ncwiouiicllaiiil  ami  Nova  Scutia  —  tliis  dispriivcn  I).  —  Ei.l.ror,  Minis  N.  .\.  I.  J/n/ini'liiii 
a'liii-ill<i,  (!i;av,  llaiiil  List,  I,  III,  ISOO.  .Ii/iti/n  nnsi/niiin,  lliiiss.  Orii.  1,  p.  437  {.Jin:), 
1700.  —  Kiirr.,  lli'itiiij;.  Zoiil.  pt.  i,  ji.  (id,  pi.  iv,  lii,'s.  1,  3,  3  ;  pi.  v,  f.  1.  I'.i/cn  ossi- 
/i-d'/iis,   l.isN.  Syst.  Nat.  p.  124,   17(i(i.  —  (iMr.i..  Syst.   Nat.  p.  2."i."i,  1780. -- Eai  ii. 

Iiid.  Oni.  p.  12,  1700  ;  .Syn.  I,  30,  1781  ;  Sujip.  1,  0,  1802  ;  (icii.  Hist.  1,  48  {Jm:), 
1821.— Daiii.  Tr.  Oni.  II,  04,  18(i().  —  Shaw,  Zuid.  VII,  pi.  xviii,  1  SOI).  —  Haiti,. 
Lix.s.  Tr.  VIII,  277  (var.).  .Iquila  /ciionr/ili'ilii,  Mr.vr.i;,  Tasilii'uli.  Dcut.sidi.  Viiu'idk. 
p.  lii,  ISlO.  Fdhn  iiiiliiiintua,  Omki,.  Syst.  Nat.  p.  2."i4,  1780.  Fnh-o  iiViii-innhix, 
Cmkl.  .'^yst.  Nat.  y.  2.JS,  1780.  Fn'ro  hiiuiUn-iin,  I.Arii.  liid.  Oni.  \>.  l.'i,  1700  ;  .Syn. 
I,  30,  .sp.  10,  1781  ;  (Irii.  Hist.  I,  47  1!,  1821.  — SllAW,  ZikH.  VII,  80,  1800.  Ftdco 
]>ii;iiir;/ic<,  Daiii.  Tr.  Oni.  II,  02,  1800.  Fi/cn  nllticillii  hircnUn,  Faiiki!,  Isi.s,  1827,  Ji. 
."■jO  ;  Prod.  Island,  Orn.  p.  1,  1822.  llulkclua  iiisus,  Savki.  Pcscr.  E|,'yp.  pt.  i.  80, 
1S09.  —  ViKu.i,.  l-aun.  Eram;.  \i.  10,  pi.  v,  lifc.s.  1,  2.  —  Pkci..  Mi'iu.  So.'.  .Sc.  I.illc, 
1S31,  p.  213.  -Li:.s.s.  Tr.  Orn.  p.  40,  pi.  viii,  lig.  2,  1831.  —  liorx,  Orn.  Prod.  I,  10, 
pi.  ix,  X,  182.'). 

Sp.  Char.  Adult  nuile  (.'JG.O.II,  Eiiropo ;  .'^cliliiter  Collection).  Plnmngc  nlmost  con- 
tiiniously  imilicr-browii.  hcpoiiiiii!,'  Iilauk  on  tlic'  ])rimarie.<! ;  on  the  liead  and  neek  njiproadi- 
\uii  pale  f^TOyisli-lirown.  Tail  (Init  not  the  eoverts)  white,  nnieh  mottled  willi  dusky  at 
ba.se ;  shal'is  of  the  cinills  white.  Wiii.ir-I'orinnln,  .'5-2  =  4-  5  -  C,  1.  AVin,<r,  23.00 ;  tail, 
11.50;  cnlnien,  2.20;  depth  of  hill,  1.4");  cere,  above,  .S.j ;  tarsus,  3.30;  middle  toe,  2.50; 
outer,  2.00;  inner,  1.70;  posterior,  1.40.     Bill  mid  feet  yellow. 

Young.  Head  and  neck  blaekish-brown,  Ceathers  whitish  beneath  the  surface,  the  long 
pcneillnte  featli(>rs  of  the  nape  tipped  inconspieuonsiy  with  the  same  ;  prevailini;-  color  of 
the  upper  surface  is.ibella-color  (iinich  more  reddish  than  in  corresponding  age  of  huco- 
cepJialns)  each  feather  with  a  terminal  triangular  spot  of  blaeki.sh-brown  ;  tertials  more 
whitish.  Secondaries  rich  dark  brown;  ]iriniaries  deei)  black,  their  .shafts  dark  brown. 
Tail  browni.sli-black  much  spotted  with  isaliella-color,  or  soiled  creaniy-whitc,  this  occu- 
pying most  of  the  inner  webs.  Breast  soiled  white,  each  feather  with  a  conspicuous 
broad  medial  stripe  of  brownisii-black;  abdomen  more  I'lilvous  ;  tibiic  nearly  uniform  dark 
brown.     Hiiinj)  nearly  uniform  vinaccous-lulvous.     Bill  black.     Feet  yellow. 


FALCONID.E  —  THE   FALCONS. 


325 


Male  (riO.tl.!",  Xorth  Enioi.c;  Scliliiticr  Coll.).     Wi"^'.  '.''l.OO;  mil,  VISA);  m\\w\\.  H.'-'O. 
iH-muli;  (.'jlViaiJ,  Noitli  1.1' Kiiiopc;  .Scliluilcr  Coll.).     Wilier. 'i.S.(H):  lull,  lU.UO;  culiuou, 
■_'.4.");  ilcptli  of  bill,  \Sm\  ccmc  iiljovc;,  JO;  laisiis,  ;!.().'>;   iiiiddk'  tui',  o.iJO. 
lliib.    Europu  and  in  Gifcnland. 

LIST  OK  i<PKcr.Mi:S!<  i:XA.Mixi;i>. 
National  Musoum,  ;!;  Pliiladul|iliia  Acmk'niy,  3 ;  New  York  Mliscmiui,  U;  Boston  So- 
ciety, 2  ;  Ciinibridiji!  Musonni,  1.     Totid,  11. 

MeuHiircmenta, 


St.. 

<?  Ad. 

Winit. 

7)1(7. 
ll..-)(»- 

Ctthmn. 

•ri.m  -  24.(H) 

2.1()-l'.2() 

^  Juv. 

24.75  -  2().0() 

I2.r)(»- 

2.O.")  -  2.2(» 

9  Juv. 

27.80  -  28.()0 

14.(H)-16.()() 

2.2()-2.4r> 

Tiirsim. 

Miihllr   Titr. 

S/firinitll 

:j.:jo-a.7»> 

2..")() -:!.«.■) 

•) 

3.8(1- 

2.70- 

2 

3.r)0  -  3.(i:) 

2.!)")  -  3.,'>() 

2 

Habits.  TIio  Whito-tailcd  or  Gray  Sea  Eairle  is  coimnoii  to  the  .sea-coast 
ol'  Europe,  where  it  iiihabit.s  only  tiie  parts  of  the  country  adjacent  to  the 
sea,  and  rears  its  young  on 
the  dill's.  It  occurs  in  Green- 
land, and  is  on  that  groinid 
inchidcd  in  the  fauna  of 
Xorth  America.  It  has  not 
yet  been  traced  south  of 
Gneidand,  nor  has  it  been 
found  in  any  part  of  our 
continent. 

Tlie  Sea  Eagle  in  Europe 
is  rarely  found  iidand.  It 
l)uilds  its  nest  on  rocky  cliffs 
projecting  over  the  water,  on 
the  shores  of  Scotland,  the 
Orkney  and  Shetland  Isl- 
ands, Norway,  Russia,  etc. 
Tiie  nest  is  constructed  of 
sticks,  or,  wliere  these  are 
not  convenient,  of  .seaweed. 
The  eggs  are  two  or  three  in 
number.  Their  ground-color 
is  a  clear  white,  usually  unmarked,  but  occasionally  stained  with  small,  faint 
spots  of  light  brown.  Tiie  moasurements  of  two  in  my  collection,  both 
from  Scotland,  but  obtained  at  dilierent  times  by  H.  F.  Walter,  Esq.,  of 
London,  are  as  follows :  Length  2.69  inches,  breadth  2.19  inches ;  length  2.13 
inches,  breadth  2.25  inches. 

The  following,  in  relation  to  their  breeding  and  distribution,  is  taken  from 
Mr.  Yarrell's  excellent  work  on  the  Birds  of  Great  Britain  :  — 

"The  White-tailed  Eagle  builds  its  nest  on  high  rocks,  and  lays  two  eggs, 


ffnUnluf  nlhirllln  (Europe). 


826  SOUTH  AMKUICAN  J!1I!I)S. 

uliout  the  same  .size  of  tliosc  of  "hi  (loldon  Katilc,  Imt  with  very  littlo  or  no 
rud  cnliir  on  tliu  white  j,'ruuii(i.  '\'\\v  \inn\<^  luc  at  livsl  covered  with  ii  .soiled 
white  down,  and  even  al  this  ai,'e  tiie  heaks  anil  elaws  of  the  eaj^lets  are  of 
very  liirgo  size.  A  pair  of  (loldi'n  Ka;j;le.s  have  lieen  known  to  icar  their 
younjf  in  the  .same  .sjiot  for  eij;ht  seasons  in  succession  ;  and  Mr.  Mndie  'las 
menti(»ned  that,  hein^  thus  altaehed  to  a  luirtienlar  locality,  their  y<ainj,', 
when  ah>^  to  provide  for  themselvi's,  are  driven  away  hy  the  parent  hirds  to 
gut  their  living  elsewhen!;  l)ut  the  more  erratic  White-tailed  Kagles,  (iiiilting 
the  breeding  station  when  the  .season  is  ended,  leave  their  young  to  foiage 
over  the  district   in   which   they  have   lieen   lai.sed.     In  coniinemcnt,  the 

White-tailed  Eagle  sometimes  becomes  sociable One  kept  by  Mr.  Hoy 

laid  three  eggs  in  the  same  season;  and  a  female  in  the  possession  of  Mr. 

.Selby  laid  an  egg  after  liaving  been  kejit  in  coniinemcnt  twenty  years 

The  White-tailed  Kagle  breeds  in  *.lie  llcl)ri(le.s,  in  Orkney  and  Shetland. 
Mr.  Dunn,  in  his  useful  CI uide  t'.  these  latter  islamls,  names  the  jiarticidar 
localities  in  which  they  may  lie  found,  but  states  that  they  arc  much  more 
numerous  in  winter  than  in  summer.  This  accords  with  the  opinion  of  Mr. 
Temininck  and  others  that  this  sjieeies  returns  to  the  .southward  from  high 
northern  latitudes  as  the  sea.son  advances.  .  .  .  This  Eagle  frciiuents  Den- 
mark, Sweilen,  the  west  coast  of  Norway,  and  from  thence  as  far  north  as 
Iceland  and  Greenland,  but  is  not  found  in  Xorth  America.  Air.  Temniinck 
believes  that  this  Eagle  follows  the  tlocks  of  geese  that  annually  resort  to 
the  Arctic  regions  in  snnnner  to  rear  their  young.  It  is  found  in  Siberia,  at 
Lake  JJaikal,  and  inhabit^^  Hussia,  from  whence  to  the  southward  it  is  spread 
over  the  European  continent  generally." 


Haliaetus  leucocephalus  (Linn.). 

BALD  EAGLE;  AMEBICAN  EAGLE. 

Aqttihi  hucoccphiihi,   Hniss.  Oni.   I,   4-J2,  17<!i>.  —  Vir.it.l,.   Ois.   Am.  .Sept.  pi.  iii,   1807. 

—  Pallas,  Zoo;;,  lioss.  As.  I,  347,  IMl.  SwAiN.sdN,  flassif.  1!.  11,  207,  1S37  ; 
Aiiiiii.  Mciiaj,'.  106,  1838.  —  .S.  LdXiicn.  I'liun.  IVIj,'.  Wi,  18-12.  F<iko  !ciicocq>li(i/iis, 
I, INN.  Sy.st.  Nat.  124,  17G().  -Omkl.  Sv.st.  Nat.  2.'.'),  1789.  —  I,ath.  liid.  Oin.  11, 
1700;  Syii.  I,  2!>,  17S1  ;  Siipp.  p.  0,  l>s(>2  ;  (icn.  Hist.  I,  43,  l.sjl.  -  Pr.xx.  Airt. 
ZoiH.  jip.  104  and  lOt!,  17.S.''..  —  Wo.s.  Am.  Oni.  ])\.  xxxvi,  1808.  -  Tk.mm.  Man.  Orii. 
pt.   i,   52;   pt.    ii,    27,    1820;    Tab.   Mulli.    3,    183(1. -Shaw,  Zdiil.    Vll,    78,    1809. 

—  BoNAi'.  Ann.  I.yc  N.  Y.  II,  26.  —  (!l!i;i-.x,  .Sillinian's  Am.  .louin.  IV,  89;  Isis, 
1832,  ]!.  ll.'iO.  —  Am.  Oin.  liinj;.  I,  160,  1831  ;  Ilirds  Am,  pi.  xxxi,  1831.  —  nni.wui!, 
(WiLs.)  Am.  Oni.  .Symip.  083,  18,'.2.  Ifuli'irhi^  Icucofqihihix,  Savki.  —  I'rv.  Hej,'. 
An.  (inl.  2),  I,  326.  —  Li:ss.  Tr.  Oni.  p.  40,  18:31.  —  Sir.Pii.  Zoid.  -XllI,  pt.  2,  p.  13, 
1826. —  Jam r.s.  (Wils.)  Am.  Oni.  1,  21,  33,  1808.  —  .Tai!I>.  (Wils.)  Oni.  II,  89,  307. 

—  Kicll.  F.  V>.  A.  II,  1."),  1831.  — Hkxnktt,  Oavd.  Zoid.  Soc.  II,  37,  1831.  —  Bonai'. 
Enr.  &  X.  Am.  15.  3,  1838;  Cat.  Ucp.  Eiir.  19,  1842;  Consp.  Av.  l."-.,  18.')0  ;  IJrv. 
ct  Mag.  Ziud.  1854,  p.  531.  — Max.  Cali.  .Tonrn.  VI,  1858,  3.—  Hlakiston,  Ilii-s, 
III,  1861,  320.  —  Dkkssf.I!,  Iliis,  1865,  328  (Texas,  liivcdinu').  —  fioCLl),  H.  Eiiv.  pi. 
xi,  1837.  —  OiiAV,  Gen.  B.  fol.  .sji.  3,  1844  ;  I.i.st  Birds  Brit.  Mus.  2,  1844. —  Am. 
Syuop.sis  Birds  Am.  10,  1839.  —  Nuttall,  Man.  Orn.  U.  S.  k  Canad.  72,  1833.  — 


FALCON] Ihi;  — Til K   FAU'nNS.  ;}27 

Tkai.!,  r.  S.  I'A-iil.  i:x|..  71,  ISlf*.  —  r,;.\ii,  llinls  Musm,  73,  1S41.  — fliHAi-n,  lllnls 
Lijii^'  Island,  II,  1SI4.  —  WiMiiHl.  Sit.  I':.\;il.  Ziiti.  i^  <()l<imil.  6.',  l.s.'.a.  —  I'assin,  II. 
Calil'.  A:  Tcv.  I,  111,  1^".4.  —  Dr.  Kav,  Zcil.  N.  Y.  II,  .1,  pi.  i,  T.  1,  IMl.  -  IIi.i;iiM. 
r.  It.  It,  llrpt.  VII,  yil,  l.s.".  —  Ni;\vn.  I'.  I!.  1!.  I!>lit.  VI,  7:'.,  }>:>:.  Wi;i;n.  All. 
OU.  I'.m'.  KS'-'(i.  —  liiii.iiM,  ViiKi'l  iMit.sihl.  17,  iNill."  <'As.>i.  llinls  N.  Am.  IS.W, 
la.  — C'ni.r.  .'t  SrcK.  I'.  It.  11.  liipt.  .\ll.  ii,  l.'.l,  18iio. —Cniis,  I'roil.  II.  Ariz,  la, 
IStill.  Ifii/i'ii'/ilM  /I'lirmijiliiiliis,  (Inw,  Ihin.l  List.  I,  Iti  (ISiill).  Fulcn  aimtiilun, 
(iMKi,.  Sy>l.  Niil.  i'K'*,  17Mt.  —  I-Aill.  Iml.  Oiii.  M,  17iMi;  Syu.  I,  Ilii,  17S1  ;  tii'ii. 
Ilisl.  I,  '^ilii,  l^Jl.  -l»Ail).  Tr.  Oiii.  II,  51,  ISdd.  —  Vir.11,1..  Oi.s.  Am.  Si'iPt.  I, 
DO,  18(t7.  Falcii  i>!iijiirijus,  Dai'D.  Tr.  Oni.  II,  i!'.',  18iM».  fn/o,  ns-si/ninim,  Wii.;*,  Am. 
Oni.  pi.  Iv,  f.  -J  {Jiir.),  1808.  Faloi  knanjUKln;  I.AIII.  (ii.'U.  Hist.  I,  'HI,  1821. 
;'('///((■  iilliieillii,  F.viir.it,  Faun.  Hrn;nl.  53,  1780.  Faku  iMahinijluni,  Arn.  Mag. 
Nat.  Hist.  si'V.  1,  I,  18-'s,  ll-i.  —  III.  Oiii.  Iliog.  I,  "i8  ;  Iliids  Am.  pi.  xi.  —  Ill:r.wi:ii, 
(Wii.s.)  Am.  Urn.  iis;i.  —  .Ia.mi;.^.  (Wii.s.)  Am.  Oni.  IV,  'Jtil.  J/alinvtiii  u-itshimjloui, 
.lAiiii.  (\Vii,s.^  Am.  Orn.  II,  1)2,  —  lin.NAP.  List,  1838,  3.  —  (Iisay.  <ien.  M.  .sp.  4. — 
All).  Synop.  liirds  Am.  10. —Cans.  IJ.  Cal.  &  Tex.  110. —  In.  Ilirds  N.  Am.  1858, 
42.  —  SriiicKi..  Orn.  Syn.  I,  51,  N'o.  82.  Faico  icnshiwjlonianua,  Nt^TT.  Ma.n.  pi. 
l.xvii.     Ilalhd'tiis  kucucrpliKliis,  liliKWini,  Oulogy,  1851,  48,  pi.  iv,  f.  37. 

Sp.  CuAii.  AiIhII.  Entire  liciicl  aiul  iit'ck,  iippiT  nnd  lower  tiiil-covorts,  nnd  tail,  im- 
mnciilalc  pure  while.  Itest  of  the  phiniafre-  browni.sh-ldiiek,  the  I'ealiiers  liidinj;  toward 
the  edj,'cs,  these  paler  hordeis  ))ein,u'  iiio.st  eoiispic'iioii.s  on  llie  ujiper  surt'aee.  Primaries 
uiiiioriii  deep  bhiek,  Dill,  core,  superciliary  shield,  and  feet,  deep  chrome-yellow ;  iris 
Naples-yellnw.  Mu'c  (12,1)17,  Phihuleiphia;  C.  Diexler).  Win;;,  'J'-'.OO;  tail,  lO.'jO;  eul- 
Mieii,  l.!)0;  top  ol'  cere,  .80;  deptli  of  bill,  l.:!(1:  tars^us,  3.00;  iiiithlle  toe,  2.C0;  outer, 
2.00;  inner,  1.50;  posterior,  1.30.  Wiiiif-foriniila,  3  =■■=  4  -  5,  2-(>;  1  ■=  7.  Femuh 
(11,!)8G,  Philadelphia;  C.  Divxler).  Wiuj.,  2.").00;  tail,  12.7");  culmen,  2.20;  top  of  cero, 
.80;  tarsus.  3.10;  middle  toe,  2.85.  Wiufi-formula,  3  =  4,5-2-0-7-1,  8.  Yunng. 
.Second  year  (?)  (Xo.  58.1)77,  Mount  Carniel.  Wabasli  County,  Illinois,  Dee.;  D.  RidL,'way). 
Head  and  neck  lirowiiish-blaek,  white  beneath  the  surliur,  tiie  iienicilhitu  ones  of  the  nape 
tipped  with  ])alo  brown.  Prevailinjj:  color  of  other  portions  blackish-brown,  inclining  to 
umber  on  the  dor.sal  refrion,  wing-covcrts,  and  lower  p.irts;  all  the  feather.s  white  at  their 
rools,  this  niueh  exposed  on  the  lower  parts,  where  the  brown  forms  teai-shaped  terminal 
s|)ots;  axillars  and  lining  of  the  wing  white,  each  feather  of  the  hitter  region  with  a 
medial  lanceolate  .stripe  of  blackish- brown.  Primaries  and  tail  brownisli-black ;  inner 
wcbi?  of  secondaries  and  tail-feathers  .epatterod  longitudinally  with  creaniy-whito.  Bill 
and  cere  lilack;  iris  brown;  (cet  yellow.  Wing,  25.50;  tail,  15.00;  culmen,  2.10;  tarsus, 
3.10;  middle  toe,  2.G0. 

Youn<i,  first  year  (No.  41,595,  Ea.storn  United  States?).  Whole  plumage  nearly  uni- 
formly black,  this  very  continuous  above;  beneath,  the  b.asal  white  is  much  oxpo.sed,  pro- 
ducing a  somewhat  spotted  appearaii(;o.  Primaries  and  tail  deep  black,  the  inner  webs 
of  the  hitter  sprinkled  with  cream-color. 

l'o)(H(/ i'»  (/r»ci)  (Washington,  D.  C).  Downy  covering  imiform  deep  sooty-gray;  the 
sprouting  feathers  on  wi.igs,  etc.,  all  brownish-black. 

Specimens  from  the  Pacific  Coast  have  the  plumage  rather  deeper  black:  but  scarcely 
any  other  dill'erenees  are  appreeialilc.     Me.isurements  of  specimens  are  as  ibllows:  — 

"Male"  (?)  (15,838,  Sitka;  Bischonf).     Wing,  24.50;  tail,  12.50;  culmen,  2.00. 

/>;nf(/e  (4.').8.35,  "  "        ).        "       25.00;     "     12..50:       "        2.20. 

Of  tlie.se,  the  male  is  continuous  dec;-  black,  the  head,  lu  k,  tiiil,  and  tail-coverts  pure 
white  in  sharp  contrast;  the  female  is  less  continuously  black.  —  more  so,  however,  than 
in  eastern  specimens;  the  white  portions  are  as  pure  as  in  the  male. 

An  immature  bird  (!),130.  Shoahvater  B.iy,  W.  T.,  Feb. ;  Dr.  Cooper)  is  .ilmost  like  the 
Illinois  specimen  described,  but  is  somewhat  larger,  measuring,  wing,  2G.00;  tail,  15.00; 


328 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


c'ulinen,  2.20.  It  ilifTors  Komowliat  in  ])liimii,u'o  also,  tho  lower  parts  beiiipr  nearly  nni- 
Ibrmly  li;.'ht  isaliella-color,  not  vario<ratutl  by  the  black  spots ;  the  whole  winp;  (e.\cc])t  tlie 
qiiills)  is  pale  isabella-brown,  the  wing-eoverts  with  terminal  trianjjular  spots  of  black ; 
the  back  is  also  light-coloi'ed,  like  the  wings. 


Haliai  lus  Umocrphalus. 

Ilnh.    Entire  continent  of  North  America,  north  of  Mexico. 

Localities  quoteil:    Upper  Texas;  breeds  (Dresser,  Ibis,  18G5,  Go).    Western  Arizona 
(CocES,  P.  A.  N.  S.,  18GC,  49). 


FALCONID.E  —  THE   FALCONS. 


329 


LIST   OF   SPKCIMKNS    KXAMINKD. 


NiUioniil  Muscuni,  17;  Philadelphia  Academy,  14;  Boston  Society,  3 ;  Museum  Com- 
parative Zoology,  3;  Coll.  R.  Uidgway,  2;  Coll.  J.  C.  Sharp,  Jr.,  1;  W.  S.  Urewer,  I. 
Total,  41. 

Measurements. 


Sex. 

ir/ng. 

IhiV. 

fnhnm. 

Tarsus. 

MiMle  Toe. 

SiieeimtHS, 

i  Ad. 

20.00 -23.00 

ll.(H»-13.(X) 

1.85-2.00 

±<>:>      3.40 

2.35  -  2.(i5 

10 

(J  Juv. 

23.50  -  25.00 

12.00-15.25 

1.95-2.20 

3.20-3.30 

2.7(»-2.90 

5 

9  Ad. 

23.50-25.00 

12.50-13.50 

1.90-2.20 

3.40  -  3.(iO 

2.55-2.80 

7 

9  .Tnv. 

25.50  -  2(i.00 

15.00-  15..")0 

2.10-2.20 

3.25-3.70 

2.55-3.10 

2 

Tlie  "Bird  of  Wasliiiigton "  of  Audubon  was,  without  the  leiist  doubt,  a 
very  large  immature  female,  in  about  the  second  year:  the  discrepancies  be- 
tween Audubon's  figure  and  description,  and  the  real  characters  of  the  young 
Bald  Eagle,  are  very  prol)ably  tlie  result  of  carelessness  and  faulty  memory  ; 
the  stretch  of  wing  of  "  10  feet  2  inches"  is,  no  doubt,  an  e.vaggeration  ;  and 
the  peculiar  scutellatinn  of  the  tarsus,  as  exhibited  in  his  plate,  was  as  cer- 
tainly caused  by  this  portion  of  the  figure  being  worked  up  from  memory. 
The  probability  is  also  that  the  description  was  made  up,  or  at  least  very 
much  added  to,  from  this  plate,  as  there  is  no  record  of  Mr.  Auduljon's  si)eci- 
mens  having  been  preserved.  It  is  by  no  means  strange  that  persons  should 
consider  these  large  grayish  Eagles  a  different  species  from  the  smaller 
white-headed  ones,  since  their  proportions  are  as  different  a.**  their  colors  ; 
and  tiuougliout  the  country,  unsciei'.tiric  people,  and  among  them  experienced 
hunters,  distinguisli  tlie  thre(!  stages  described  above  as  the  "bald,"  "big 
gray,"  and  " black"  Eagles.  Notliing  is  more  certain,  however,  than  that  all 
are  only  different  stages  of  one  and  the  same  bird. 

Tn  the  preceding  table  of  measurements  the  old  and  immature  specimens 
are  given  separately,  in  order  to  prove  the  remarkable  fact  that  the  latter 
have  longer  wings  and  tails  than  the  former.  This  feature  is  not  confined  to 
the  ])resent  bird,  however,  but  applies  as  a  general  rule  to  all  Fnlroiiidci: 

Habits.  Tlie  White-headed  Eagle  is  widely  diffused  throughout  the 
North  American  continent,  from  about  latitude  58°  north  to  the  Gulf  of 
Mexico  and  Central  America. 

Sir  John  Richardson,  in  Fauna  BorraH-Americnna  (Vol.  II,  p.  15),  states 
that  he  did  not  meet  with  this  species  north  of  G2°  although  he  found  it 
comuKjn  between  that  point  and  Lake  Superior.  He  also  states  thnt  they 
leave  the  fur-countries  in  October,  when  the  rivers  arc  '  ozen.  Subsequently, 
in  his  expedition  overland  to  the  Arctic  Seas,  in  1848,  he  found  occasion  to 
change  his  first  impressions  quite  materially.  Ho  gives  it  as  abundant  at 
Half-Moon  Lake,  in  latitude  5fi°  north.  He  also  .speaks  of  finding  both  the 
Osprey  and  White-headed  Eagle  building  their  nests  on  the  banks  of  Bear 
Lake  Biver,  in  about  GO"  north.  We  find  in  his  notes,  that  White-headed 
Eagles  made  their  appearance  at  Fort  Confidence,  latitude  60°  54',  as  early 

42 


VOL.  ni. 


330 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


as  May  17,  l)efore  tlie  ice  had  given  way  in  the  livers ;  and  in  his  tables 
of  phenomena  observed  at  the  Cumberland  House,  in  latitude  54°,  we  also 
observe  tliat  a  White-headed  Eagle  was  seen  as  early  as  the  24th  of  Alaich, 
"  being  aluiost  always  the  first  of  the  sununer  birds  which  arrives." 

Mr.  MacFarlane  found  these  Eagles  breeding  on  Lockhart  Iliver,  latitude 

67°  30',  but  does  not 
regard  it  as  abundant 
in  that  locality,  and 
from  the  information 
he  has  received  from 
the  Indians,  he  pre- 
sumes latitude  ()8°  to 
be  its  extreme  north- 
ern range.  In  the  fol- 
lowing year,  1862,  this 
suj)])(i.sition  was  in  part 
confirmed  by  his  find- 
ing a  i)iiir  breeding  on 
the  .same  river,  near  its 
junction  with  the  An- 
derson, in  latitude  68° 
north.  ]\Ir.  B.  II.  L'oss 
states  that  it  ranges  to 
the  Arctic  Circle,  and 
is  numerous  around 
Great  Slave  and  Bear 
Lakes.  It  proved  to 
very  common  at  Sitka,  where  Bischoff  obtained  a  number  of  si)ecimens. 

Dr.  Cooper,  during  his  journey  northward  to  the  49th  degree,  found  this 
one  of  the  most  abundant  birds  of  the  Falcon  tribe  in  Washington  Terri- 
tory, particularly  along  the  Columbia  Iliver.  It  is  a  constant  resident  in 
the  Territory,  and  is  said  to  lay  its  eggs  as  early  as  February.  He  saw  largo 
numbers  along  the  Columbia,  sitting  on  some  log  or  cliff  over  the  water. 
He  never  met  with  it  about  high  mountain  tops  nor  on  the  plains  east  of 
the  Kocky  Mountains. 

Dr.  Newberry  mot  \\ith  this  Eagle  in  the  interior  of  Northern  California, 
along  the  Sacramento  and  San  Joa([uin  Bivers.  He  found  it  very  connnon  at 
the  Cascades  of  the  Columbia,  at  the  Falls  of  the  Willamette,  and  still  more 
al)undant  about  the  chain  of  lakes  in  the  Klamath  l)asin,  and  also  in  the 
Cascade  Bango,  among  the  mountain  lakes,  and  wherever  fish  was  attainable. 
They  exhibited  little  shyness,  and  wore  easily  1)rought  within  rifle  range. 

In  Fhnida,  Mr.  Allen  found  this  l)ird  very  common,  breeding  as  early  as 
January.  It  was  very  abundant  on  the  upper  St.  .Tolni's,  and  es])ecially  so  at 
Lake  Monroe.     It  is  also  equally  common  in  Texas,  according  to  Dresser, 


Haliaftu.1  leucacephaim. 


FALCONID^  — THE  FALCONS.  331 

especially  near  the  lieadwaters  of  some  of  the  rivers.  He  was  told  \>y  liis 
Cfuide,  Westfall,  that  in  j)assiiig  a  distance  of  I'oity  miles  ho  had  noticed 
eigiit  nests.  It  also  hreeds  ou  tlie  Altacosa.  Dr.  Woodliouse  found  tliese 
l)irds,  init  nowhere  very  abundant,  from  the  Gulf  of  ^lexico  to  the  Pacific, 
along  Ins  entire  route,  and  Dr.  C'ouos  observed  them  neai'  Fort  Whipple. 

The  statements  of  Ttanminck  tliat  this  Ea>^le  lias  been  taken  accidentally 
in  Central  Europe,  Switzerland,  and  Ciermany,  and  also  that  it  breeds  in 
Northwestern  Europe,  are  not  now  credited  ;  and  more  recent  scrutiny  of 
tlicse  su])iiosed  facts  cast  discredit  upon  them,  and  show  tliat  there  is  no 
well-authenticated  instance  of  its  having  been  detected  in  Europe. 

The  White-headed  Eagle  appears  to  be  e(iually  well  ada])teil  by  nature  lor 
the  endurance  of  heat  or  cold,  and  is  ajiparently  indilferent  to  eitlier.  Its 
residence  is  infhienced  only  by  its  abundance  of  food,  especially  tliat  of  fish  ; 
and  it  seems  to  matter  very  little  whether  tliat  plenty  is  jirocurable  within 
the  Arctic  Circle  or  on  the  coast  and  rivers  of  Florida  and  Texas.  In  ])laces 
like  the  Falls  of  Niagara,  where  the  stream  is  ever  liable  to  contribute  the 
remains  of  animals  destroyed  by  the  descent  of  the  torrent,  this  Eagle  is  espe- 
cially abundant.  Unscrupulous,  greedy,  voracious,  not  select  in  its  choice 
of  food,  and  capable  of  providing  for  itself  when  necessity  compels,  we  find 
this  not  altogether  unsuitable  emblem  of  our  country  now  enacting  the 
tyrant  and  rol)ber  and  plundering  the  Fishhawk  of  the  i'ruits  of  its  in- 
dustry, now  sharing  with  the  liaven  and  the  Vulture  the  dead  salmon  of 
the  Columbia,  and  in  other  places  diving  for  ai'd  catching  its  own  fish.  The 
impetuosity  and  skill  with  which  it  pursues,  overtakes,  and  robs  the  Fish- 
hawk,  bearing  off  a  fish  it  has  just  taken,  must  be  witnessed  to  be  appreci- 
ated ;  and  the  swiftness  with  which  the  Eagle  can  dart  down  upon  and  seize 
the  booty,  which  the  Hawk  has  been  compelled  to  let  fall,  before  it  reaches 
t)ie  water,  is  not  the  least  wonderful  feature  of  this  striking  performance. 
On  the  banks  of  the  Columbia,  where  there  are  no  Fishhawks  to  depend 
upon,  this  bird  finds  an  easy  subsistence  on  the  vast  numbers  of  dead  and 
dying  salmon  which  abound ;  and  in  Florida  Mr.  Allen  has  observed  it 
dive  and  catch  its  own  fish.  This  is  also  confirmed  by  the  statements  of 
other  naturalists.  Wilson  also  accuses  this  Eagle  of  destroying  great  num- 
bers of  young  pigs  in  the  Southern  States,  ycmng  lamb^,  and  evu.i  sickly 
sheep ;  and  in  one  instance  it  attempted  to  carry  off  a  child,  which  was  only 
saved  by  its  dress  giving  way. 

The  White-headed  Eagle  l)reeds  along  the  Atlantic  coast  from  the  St.  Law- 
rence to  Florida,  and  thence  westward  to  Mexico  along  the  coast  and  anion" 
the  triiiutaries  of  the  Gulf.  In  the  interior  it  breeds  as  far  north  as  the 
Arctic  Circle. 

liichardson  states  that  it  abounds  in  the  watery  districts  of  Ru]iert's  Land, 
and  a  nest  may  be  looked  for  within  every  twenty  or  thirty  miles.  Each 
pair  appropriates  a  certain  range  of  country,  on  which  they  are  said  to  suffer 
no  intruders  of  their  own  sjiecies  to  encroach ;  but  the  nest  of  the  Osprey  is 


332  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

ofte.i  placed  at  no  great  distance  from  tliat  of  tlie  Eagle.  Some  of  the 
voyagers  had  the  curiosity  to  visit  an  Eagle's  nest,  which  was  bnilt  on  the 
cleft  summit  of  a  balsam  poplar,  of  sticks,  niiiny  of  them  as  thick  as  a  man's 
wrist.  It  contained  two  young  birds,  well  fledged,  with  a  good  store  of  fish 
in  a  very  odoriferous  condition.  While  the  men  were  climbing  the  tree,  the 
female  jmrent  hovered  close  around,  and  threatened  an  attack  on  the  in- 
vaders ;  but  the  male  kept  aloof,  making  circles  high  in  the  air. 

In  California,  where  tiie  rocky  coast  is  destitute  of  convenient  trees,  the 
White-headed  Eagle  resorts  to  rocky  cliffs  as  tlie  safest  and  most  convenient 
places  for  nesting.  We  have  the  authority  of  Ificliardson  for  the  same  de- 
viation from  its  usual  resort  to  trees  in  parts  of  the  fur-countries  \\here  the 
latter  are  wanting.  The  climate  apparently  exerts  a  certain  influence,  though 
not  so  much  as  might  be  supposed.  In  the  Southern  States  it  nc.-^ts  seven 
weeks  earlier  than  in  Maine,  in  both  of  which  regions  it  is  resident  through- 
out the  yeiir.  P'arther  north,  where  the  severity  of  the  cold,  by  closing 
the  ponds  and  rivers  with  solid  ice,  places  tlieir  food  Ijeyond  their  reach, 
and  where  they  are  only  visitants  in  the  warmer  season,  they,  of  course,  nest 
still  later,  for  the  reason  that  they  do  Jiot  reach  these  regions  until  after  the 
breeding  season  of  more  southern  birds  of  the  species. 

In  the  extreme  Southern  States,  as  in  California,  the  White-headed  Eagle 
breeds  as  early  as  February.  In  Maine,  the  general  im])ression  has  been 
that  the  eggs  are  not  deposited  before  May,  and  at  a  still  later  period  in  the 
more  nortliern  portions  of  the  United  States.  More  recent  observations 
show  this  to  be  incorrect,  and  that  these  birds  breed  at  a  much  earlier 
season  of  the  year.  INIr.  Audubon  speaks  of  having  once  shot  a  female  on 
her  eggs,  near  the  Mississippi,  as  early  as  tlie  17th  of  January.  Dr.  Gambel 
found  White-headed  Eagles  nesting  on  the  cliffs  along  the  shores  of  the 
Pacific  in  February  and  March. 

Having  occasion  to  visit  the  State  of  Maine  imApril,  1856,  near  the  Dama- 
riscotta  IJiver,  the  banks  of  which  stream  are  i'requented  by  these  birds  on 
account  of  the  abundance  of  fish,  I  was  informed  that  a  pair  had  con- 
structed a  nest  in  a  neighboring  wood,  which  they  had  occupied  for  .several 
successive  years.  The  jirevious  season  (1855).  late  in  May,  my  informant 
had  climbed  a  tree  in  the  immediate  neighborhood,  commanding  a  full  view 
of  the  nest.  It  then  contained  young  nearly  growTi.  From  this  statement 
I  was  led  to  conclude  that  there  was  no  time  to  be  lost  if  we  would  secure 
the  eggs  before  hatching.  We  accordingly  visited  the  nest  on  the  27th 
of  April,  and  found  it  situated  on  a  tall  pine,  at  least  sixty  feet  from  the 
ground.  Tlie  tree  stood  in  a  swam])y  wood,  within  a  few  rods  of  the 
stage  road,  and  not  more  than  half  a  mile  from  the  village  of  IJamari.scotta. 
It  contained  no  limbs  or  branches  to  facilitate  ascent  for  at  least  the  distance 
of  tliirty  feet,  and  the  trunk  at  the  base  was  from  six  to  nine  feet  in  circum- 
ference, rendering  it  impossible  to  mount  the  tree  by  the  aid  only  of  the 
hands  and  feet.     My  assistant  was,  however,  drawn  up,  by  means  of  a  rope 


FALCO^ilDJi  — THE  FALCONS.  333 

fiisteiied  round  his  body,  to  a  lieight  where  the  l)rauohes  of  the  tree  rendered 
the  renminiler  of  the  ascent  coini)aratively  easy.  While  he  was  asceniliug, 
we  observed  several  Eagles  ilying  over  our  lieads,  but  at  a  great  heiglit.  One 
only  ai)proached  us ;  but,  as  soon  as  we  were  noticed,  the  bird  made  a  precip- 
itate retreat.  It  was  apparently  conveying  food  to  the  nest,  and  was  not  at 
first  aware  of  our  presence ;  after  which  it  hovered  .'.  distance,  uttering 
hoarse,  disagreeable  cries  of  disjdeasure,  not  uidike  the  imperfect  barking  of  a 
dog.  No  attempt  was  made  to  molest  or  interrujit  the  man  as  he  ascended 
to,  or  after  he  had  reached,  the  nest.  We  found,  when  he  had  climbed  to 
the  nest,  that  the  female  had  been  sitting  upon  it  all  the  wiiile,  and  only  left 
when  the  unwelcome  caller  was  near  enough  to  have  reached  lier  witii  his 
hands.  She  too  Hew  over  the  man's  head  in  somewhat  close  ])ro.\imity,  utter- 
ing fretjuent  cries  of  distress,  but  maile  no  eflbrt  whatever  to  attack  lam. 

Tiie  nest  was  found  to  contain  no  egg,  and  but  a  single  l)ird,  apparently 
about  a  fortnigiit  old.  It  was  some  six  or  seven  inches  in  length,  its  weight 
between  one  and  two  ])ounds,  and  its  head  ami  claws  disproportionately 
large.  It  was  covered  uniformly  with  a  thick,  clo.se,  and  soft  downy  ])lum- 
age,  whicli  was  of  a  clean  dei;])  straw-c(jlor.  There  was  not  tlie  least  admix- 
ture of  gray  or  brown.  Tiie  y<Hing  bird  was  completely  heljjless,  and  uttered 
almost  constant  cries  for  food.  It  ate  readily  whenever  (ish  or  meat  was 
oll'ered  it,  but  was  unable  to  support  itself  upon  its  legs.  It  was  taken  to 
my  host's  house,  where  it  was  well  cared  for,  and  for  a  while,  with  careful 
attention,  it  did  well  and  grew  apace,  manifesting  a  most  inordinate  and 
insatial)le  ai>i)etite. 

Tiie  nest  was  described  to  me  by  my  assistant  as  a  platform  between  iive 
and  si.K  feet  in  diameter,  and  at  least  four  in  thickness.  It  was  constructed 
of  regular  layers  of  large  sticks,  each  several  feet  in  length,  gnd  from  an  inch 
to  an  inch  and  a  half  in  thiclAiess.  Its  surface  was  jierfectly  Hat,  and  was 
"  finished  off,"  to  use  his  expression,  with  tufts  of  grass,  dry  leaves,  mosses, 
lichens,  small  twigs,  etc.,  etc.  He  found  in  it,  by  the  side  of  the  young 
Kagle,  four  or  five  large  eels,  each  of  which  was  about  two  feet  in  length, 
showing  that  the  parent  birds  provide  liberally  for  their  own  wants  and 
those  of  their  young. 

Estimating  the  age  of  the  young  Eagle  at  ten  days,  and  allowing  four 
weeks  for  incubation,  and  at  least  one  week's  interval  between  the  deposition 
and  the  commencement  of  the  parent  bird's  sitting  upon  it,  we  have  very 
nearly  the  exact  period  at  which  the  egg  was  laid,  March  1?>. 

Tills  occurred  at  the  coldest  ])eriod  of  the  season,  when  the  ground  was 
covered  with  snow  to  an  unusual  depth,  and  wlu'ii  the  thermometer  indi- 
cated a  temperature  at  that  time  fre([uently  as  low  as  1;"°  below  zero. 

The  nest  is  usually  of  great  size,  composed  of  sticks  from  tliree  to  five  feet 
in  length,  pieces  of  turf,  weeds,  and  moss.  Its  diameter  is  about  five  feet, 
and  its  depth  is  not  unfrequently  as  great.  In  tlie  wanner  localities,  where 
it  breeds,  the  pair  usually  frequent  the  same  nest  throughout  the  year,  and 


334  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

make  it  tlieir  permanent  place  ol'  resort.  This  is  also  true,  i)robably,  wher- 
ever this  Eagle  remains  throughout  the  year.  ^Ir.  T.  H.  Jackson,  of  West 
Chester,  Pa.,  informs  me  that  he  met  with  tln-ee  fresh  eggs  of  this  species  in 
Maryland,  on  the  11th  of  February,  1871. 

The  eggs  are  usually  two,  sometimes  tin-ee  or  ibur,  in  number ;  they  are 
nearly  spherical,  e(|ually  rounded  at  either  end,  and  more  or  less  granulated 
on  their  surface.  Their  color  is  a  dull  white,  un.spotted,  but  often  stained  by 
incubation  to  a  dirty  white  or  a  light  soiled  drab.  Two  eggs  in  my  collection 
present  the  following  measurements:  Length  ;>  inches,  breadth  2.75  ;  length 
2.88  inches,  breadth  2.8(t.  The  first  was  obtained  in  New  Jersey  by  Alex- 
ander AVilson,  the  ornithologist  ;  the  latter  by  Dr.  Trudeau,  in  Louisiauta. 

Another,  taken  from  a  nest  in  Texas  by  Dr.  Ileermann,  measured  2.80  by 
2.20  inches.  A  fourth,  from  Sitka,  measures  2.75  by  2.25  inches.  These 
measurements,  .so  far  as  they  may  be  taken  as  typical,  exhibit  but  little  varia- 
tion in  size  between  the  most  northern  and  the  most  southern  s]iecimens. 

Several  nests  were  met  with  and  the  eggs  taken  by  Mv.  ^lacFarlane  near 
Anderson  Tiiver.  They  were  gencriilly  built  in  high  trees  not  far  from  river- 
banks.  In  a  few  instances  the  parents  made  hostile  demonstrations  when 
their  nests  were  robbed,  but  generally  kept  at  a  safe  distance,  nttering  loud 
and  discordant  sounds.  The  nests  were  built  of  dry  sticks  and  decayed 
branches,  and  lined  with  deer's  hair,  messes,  hay,  and  other  similar  soft  mate- 
rials. 

Mr.  Dall  was  informed  by  the  Indians  that  tliis  species  breeds  among  the 
Alaskan  mountains  on  inaccessil)le  cliffs.  This  statement,  however,  may 
have  had  reference  to  the  Golden  Ea<de. 


h'alro  coinniunh  (Knropo),  p.  1.3S. 


CATHARTIKJi  —  THE  AMERICAN   VULTURES.  335 


Family  CATHARTID^.  —  The  American  Vultures. 

auharlMa.  Giiay,   18-12. —  Hi'.vlioy,   P.   Z.   S.   1867,   p.  463.     Cat/uiiiina;  Lafu.   1839. 
Sarcorluimphidoc,  (.iliAY,  1848.     Gri/jiliiaa;  Hkicii.  ISuil. 

The  cliaracter.s  of  tliis  faniily  have  been  given  in  sufficient  detail  (III,  1), 
so  tliat  a  short  <lia,L,niosis,  .sliowiiig  its  ino.st  readily  observable  peculiarities, 
will  here  be  siillicieut. 

Char.  Whole  head,  nnd  sometimes  thu  nock,  nuked;  eyes  prominent,  and  not  shaded 
by  a  superciliary  shield.  Cere  much  elongated,  much  deprcs.^ed  anloiioi ly  below  the  very 
arched  cnlnien ;  nostrils  hMigitudinal,  horizontal,  the  two  conilucut  or  perforate.  Middle 
toe  voi-y  long,  and  the  hind  one  nnich  iilibreviated.  A  web  between  the  base  of  the  inner 
and  middle  toes. 

The  family  Vulturidcc}  as  long  recognized,  included  all  the  naked-headed, 
carrion-feeding  Eajjtores  of  both  tlie  Old  and  the  New  World.  The  later 
researches  of  science,  however,  liave. shown  the  necessity  of  separating  the 
Vultiu'cs  of  the  latter  continent  from  those  of  the  former,  and  ranking 
them  as  a  distinct  faniily,  while  at  the  same  time  the  Old  AVorld  Vultures 
are  found  to  be  merely  modi  tied  Fahonklw.  The  resemblance  between  the 
Cuthirtldcv  and  the  vulturine  Falvonidw  is  merely  a  superficial  one  of  anal- 
ogy, and  not  one  of  aihnity.  Being  the  scavengers  of  the  countries  tliey 
inhabit,  tlie  latter  thus  perform  the  same  oifice  in  nature  as  the  former,  and  for 
adaptation  to  a  similar  mode  of  life  their  e.\-ternal  characters  are  modified  to 
correspond.  Close,  however,  as  is  tiie  external  resemblance  between  the  two 
groups,  tlieir  osteological  structure  and  internal  anr^tomy  is  entiivly  different. 
Tlie  CathurtMlw  differ  from  the  Vulturincc^  as  to  their  external  structure 
in  the  following  particulars,  the  osteological  structure  being  entirely  diflerent 
in  the  two  groups,  the  latter  being  like  the  Falconidcr  in  all  the  characters 
which  separate  the  latter  family  from  the  CrifharHda-.. 

Cathartidae.    Nostrils  horizontal,  perforate ;  a  well-developed  web  between  the  inner 

and  middle  toos,  at  the  ba.se. 

ViUturinae.   Nostrils  vertical,  not  perforate ;  no  trace  of  web  between  inner  and  middle 

toes. 

In  habits,  the  Catlmrtidw  resemble  the  vulturine  Ffdconida  of  the  Old 
World.  "  They  lack  the  strengtJi  and  sjiirit  of  t\-pical  Raptorvs,  and  rarely 
attack  animals  capable  of  oflering  resistance ;  they  are  voracious  and  indis- 
criminate gormandizers  of  carrion  and  animal  refuse  of  all  sorts,  — efficient 
and  almost  indispensable  scavengers  in  the  warm  countries  where  they 
abound.  They  are  uncleanly  in  their  mode  of  feeding ;  the  nature  of  their 
food  renders  them  ill-scented,  and  when  disturbed  they  eject  the  fetid  contents 

1  Established  by  Vigoi's,  in  1825. 

a  From  the  Vulturincc  are  excluded  the  gtuex^  Gypxim  mA  Neophron,  each  of  which  i.roba- 
Dly  constitutes  a  subfamily  by  itself. 


OQP. 


NOIiTII  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


of  the  crop.  Although  not  truly  gregarious,  they  nsaeinblo  in  multitudes 
where  i'ood  is  plenty,  iiml  some  species  breed  in  CDUimiuiities.  When  gorged, 
they  appear  heavy  and  indisposed  to  exertion,  usually  passing  the  i)eriod  of 
digestion  motionless,  in  a  listless  attitude,  with  their  wings  hall"  spread.  But 
they  spend  must  oi'  the  time  on  Aving,  circling  higli  in  the  air  ;  their  fligiit  is 
easy  and  graceful  in  the  extreme,  and  capable  of  being  indefinitely  pro- 
tracted. On  the  ground,  they  habitually  walk  instead  of  imigressing  by 
leaps.  Possessing  no  vocal  apparatus,  the  Vultures  arc  almost  mute,  emitting 
only  a  weak  hissing  sound."     (CoL'ES.) 

The  Cathartidfc  all  Ijeloiig  to  the  tropical  and  warm  ten)]ierate  portions  of 
Die  continent,  only  one  sj)ecies  {I{hinof)rjiphns  anra)  extending  its  range  as 
far  as  the  border  of  tlie  colder  regions.  The  famous  Condor  {t^iircorhamphus 
grjjphas)  of  the  Andes  and  the  equally  large  California  species  {Pscv.do(jrij- 
pliHS  I'lilifiiniiaiKOi)  are  among  the  largest  birds  of  fli.ulit  in  the  world,  being 

exceeded  in  size  by  none,  and  rivalled 
but  by  one  or  two  of  the  Vidtures 
of  tlie  Eastern  Hemisi)here. 

The  following  diagnoses  based  upon 
the  external  structure  are  sufhcient 
to  characterize  the  very  well-marked 
genera  and  subgenera  of  this  family. 
Tlie  distinctive  osteological  characters 
which  accompany  these  external  fea- 
tures afford  still  more  decided  differ- 
ences, and  are  illustrated  by  the  iig- 
*  ures. 


S.  gryphus,  J,  Chile.    K  "«*•  slie. 


S.  paiia,  $ ,  Mazatlan.    }i  nat.  size. 


Genera  and  Subgenera. 

A.  Crop  naked.  Male  with  a  lle.«liy  crest,  or  lobe,  attached  to  the  top  of  the 
cere.  Bill  very  robust  and  .stronp:,  i  .s  outlines  very  convex ;  cere  much  shorter 
than  the  head. 

1.  SarcorbamphuB.     Entire  neck  bare;  nasal  cavity  entirely  open ;  pos- 
terior claw  vuiy  lliiok  and  stronirly  curved.     Tail  even. 

Se.Kes  difi'eront,  the  female  hickinpf  any  fleshy  caruncles,  or  appendages, 
on  the  head  and  neck.  Frontal  lobe,  or  fleshy  crest  of  male,  extending 
frnni  the  anterior  liorder  of  the  cere  to  tlie  middle  of  the  crown;  throat 
witli  a  median  wattle,  or  "  dewlap  "  ;  side  of  tlie  neck  wi'li  a  somewhat 
convoluted  or  twisted  caruncle,  extending  from  the  side  of  tlie  occiput 


CATIIAUTID.E  — THE   AMERICAN   VULTUUES.  337 

ol)liquely  dowiiwinil,  iicimss  tlu'  neck  to  iionrtliu  lower  extremity  of  the 
gnl.ir  wattle ;  lower  part  of  tlu;  forencck  witii  a  ])endeiit  llesliy  iipiieii- 
(lage.  Plumage  bejfiuiiiiig  below  ilie  iieek  l)y  a  ereseentio  ruff  of  soft 
while  down,  or  cottony  feathers,  around  the  posterior  portion.  Pri- 
maries  longer  than    the   secondaries;    front   of  the    tibio-tarsal  joint 

feathered SarcDrliamphwi} 

Sexes  alike,  the  I'eniale  possessing  the  earuneiilar  appendages  of  the 
head  as  well  as  the  male.  Frontal  lobe  attached  to  only  the  middle 
))ortion  ol'  the  cere,  aliove  the  nostril;  ilnoat  without  a  ine(lian  wattle; 
side  of  the  neck  without  any  caruncles;  no  apijeiulafje  on  the  foreneek  ; 
auricular  region  with  longitudinal  corrugations,-  an.'  occiput  densely 
haired.  Plumage  beginning  below  the  neck  by  a  ruli'  of  broad,  well- 
developed,  normal  feathers.     Primaries  not  longer  than  the  secondaries. 

Front  of  the  tibio-tarsal  joint  naked Catlinries* 

B.  (Viip  feathered.  Male  without  a  fleshy  crest,  or  other  appendages,  on  the 
head.  Uill  less  robust,  variable  as  to  strength,  its  outlines  only  moderately  con- 
vex;  cer(!  nearly  ccpial  to  iho  head  in  length.     Sexed  alike. 

a.  Entire  neek  bare;  i)lumage  commencing  abruptly  in  a  ndf  of  lanceolate, 
or  penicillate  fealhers,  these  (!ontinued  on  the  breast  and  abdomen.  Head 
mni'h  elongated,  the  U])per  outline  a  -slightly  convex  i)lane,  the  forehead 
depressed  liclow  the  level  of  the  very  elevated  dorsal  outline  of  the  cere. 
Posterior  claw  very  thick  and  strongly  curved. 

2.  PseudogryphuB.  Nostril  occupying  only  the  posterior  third  ol'  tho 
na.sal  orilice,  its  anterior  end  acute.  Bill  weak,  the  terminal  hook  only 
slightly  developed,  tho  mandibles  broader  than  deep,  the  lower  as  deep 
as  the  upper.  Head  and  neck  w't)iout  corrugations  or  cannicles. 
Tarsus  .slightly  longer  than  the  middle  toe;  fourth  or  fifth  quill  longest; 
extremities  of  the  (piills  reaching  to  or  beyond  the  end  of  the  tail.  Tail 
ev(>n.     (P.  cdUfomianus.) 

h.  Only  the  upper  half,  or  le.ss,  of  the  neck  bare ;  plumage  commencing 
gradually  with  norm.'d,  broad  featheis ;  feathers  of  breast  and  abdomen 
broad  and  normal.  Head  only  mo<lerately  elongated,  the  upper  outline 
irregular,  the  forehead  elevated  above  the  dorsal  outline  of  the  cere.  Bill 
strong,  the  terminal  hook  well  developed.  Posterior  claw  weaker,  less 
curved. 

3.  RhinogryphuB.  Nostril  occupying  the  whole  of  the  nasal  cavity, 
its  anterior  end  broadly  rounded  ;  cere  as  deep  as  broad,  the  up|)er  and 
lower  outlines  divergent  posteriorly,  the  former  considi-rably  arched; 
lower  mandible  much  less  deep  than  the  upper.  Skin  of  the  neck  with- 
out corrugations;  a  semicircular  tuft  of  antrorse  radiating  bristles  in 
front  of  the  eye.  Wing  very  long,  the  primaries  re.iohing  to  or  l)eyond 
the  end  of  the  tail.    Tail  much  rounded,    (/i.  aura  and  R.  hurrnviitnus.) 

4.  Catharista.  Nostril  occupying  only  the  posterior  half  of  the  nasal 
cavity,  its  anterior  end  contracted  and  acute;  cere  depressed,  much 
wider  than  deep,  its  ui)per  and  lower  outlines  parallel,  the  former  not 
perceptibly  arched;  lower  mandible  as  deep  as  the  upper;  skin  of  the 
neck  transversely  corrugated;  no  tuft  of  bristles  in  front  of  tiie  eye. 
Wing  short,  the  primaries  reaching  scarcely  to  the  middle  of  the  tail. 
Tail  even,  or  slightly  emarginate.     (C.  atratus.) 

»  Snrcorlmmpliit/i,  DfMfcmi,,  180(5.     (Type,  rul/iir  r/n/phiis,  Linn.) 

«  CMMrten,   Il.MOKit,   1811.     (Typo,  Fu//iir  2>(il>",   LiSN.)     Giiimr,icx,  VlF.lI.t,.  181(i.     (.Simiim 
type.)    Oi/parchus,  Ghoa.  lSi2.     (Same  type.)    Hanorhamjihus,  Aver,  (in  part). 
VOL.  111.  43 


338 


NOR'"II  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


(Jknus  FSEUDOORYPHUS.  RimnvAY. 

Cathartcs,  Aitt.  (in  part.) 

Gks.  ("iiak.    Si/.u  very  large,  and  aspect  vulturiiii.'.     Ili'ad  inucli  i.-longati'd,  witli  rofriilar 

outlines;  1  In' out  ill'  lioiul  mid  iicrk  l>iin' 
ol  Toathors,  the  skin  liiintly  wiinklcd,  Ijut 
free  IVoni  corrufriitions  or  caruncles.  Nos- 
tril small,  oecupyintr  only  the  jHisterior 
third,  or  less,  of  the  nasal  oriliee,  its  an- 
terior end  aente.  Plmuafre  heLriuuin^  at 
the  bottom  of  the  neck  in  a  i  ull'  of  lan- 
ceolate, aemninate  feathers,  these  eon- 
tinued  over  the  hreast  anil  alulomeii. 
Winjfs  very  larjje,  the  primaries  and  seu- 
ondaries  well  developed,  the  former  lon- 
f;est,  and  reaehini;  to.  or  lieyond,  tlu'  end 
of  the  tail  ;  fo\irth  or  lifih  i|nill  lonjresi  ; 
outer  live  with  inner  welis  appreeiably 
sinnated.     Tail  even.     Sexes  alike. 


/*•«/ iiJosri/p/tus  cafifiirniamrt. 


'  1  nut.  Kizv. 


The  .single  sjiecies  compo.siiig  llii.s  very  di.stinet  geim.s  lielongs  to  Western 
North  America,  iiiid,  so  far  as  known,  lia.s  the  most  restricted  distribution  of 
any  large  rajitorial  hird  in  the  world.  It  is  remarkable  ibr  its  very  large 
size,  all  its  dimensions  nearly,  if  not  quite,  ecjualling  those  of  the  famed 
Condor  of  the  Andes  {Sarvovhnn pirns  (jvjiplnis). 


Pseudogryphus  californianus  fSiivw). 

CALIFOKKIA  CONDOR,  OR  VULTURE. 

t'liUur  ealifoniiiiiiiis,  Sii.vw,  Nat.  Misi;.  IV,  pi.  (('ci,  1707  ;  Zoiil.  VII,  10,  1809.  —  l.ATli. 
Syn.  .Siipp.  II,  3,  1802;  liid.  Oru.  Snpp.  2;  Oen.  Hist.  I,  7.  —  .Iamks.  (Wii.s.)  Am. 
Orn.  IV,  259,  1S31.  —  Doroi,.  Zobl.  .lomn.  IV,  32s  ;  Isis,  18;il,  110.  —  Kkicii.  Prakt. 
Nat.  ViijT.  p.  18.  Citlhnrlcs  enlifnruiunns,  Cl'V.  \Vv<i.  An.  (ed.  2),  I,  310,1829.— 
BoNAPAin-E,  Ann.  L.vc.  N.  Y.  11,  221  ;  Isis,  1832,  113:.  ;  Li.st,  1  ;  Consp.  Av.  9. - 
.Swains,  fla.isif.  B.  II,  206,  1837.  —  Ran/..  Klcni.  di  Zool.  Ill,  23.  —  Ohav,  Oen.  B. 
sp.  3,  pi.  ii.  —  Dk  Kav,  Zoiil.  N.  Y.  II,  3,  1844.  —  Nutt.  Man.  I,  39,  18153.  —  Arn. 
Birds  Am.  ].l.  orcrxxvi,  1831;  Orn.  Bioji.  V,  240;  Synop.  p.  2,  1839.  —  Bim-w. 
(Wii.s.)  Synop.  i>.  832,  isr)2.  —  Peai.e,  T.  S.  Expl.  Kxp.  VIII,  .''.8.  —  Stimckt..  Orn. 
Syn.  I,  3,  18;-,.-,.  —  Kai-p,  Tliierr.  p.  229.  —Cassis,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  5.  —  Hr.KKM. 
P.  R.  R.  Rcpt.  II,  29,  18.')5.  —  Newis.  P.  R.  R.  Ri'pt.  VI,  73,  1857.  —  Coor.  &  Sick. 
XII,  ii,  141,  1860.  —  Coi-ES,  Prod.  Orn.  Ariz.  p.  6,  18C6.  —  Okay,  Hand  List,  1,  3, 
1869.  —  Tavi.ok.  Hvitclniis'.s  t'.ila.  Mag.  Ill,  1859,  537  (lip.  of  egg  and  young).  —Oru- 
NEY,  Cat.  Rajit.  B.  1864,  39.  —  Sclat.  P.  Z.  S.  1866,  .366  (with  fig.  from  life)  ;  1868, 
183  (fig.  of  young  from  life,  .same  specimi^n).-  Coites,  K.'V,  1872,  222.  Cathnrishi  oiH- 
forviavna.  OuAV,  I-ist  B.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  4,  1844.  Sinrnrhirm/ilnis  atlifnnncus,  SteI'II. 
Zoiil,  XIII,  6,  1815. —  Vio.  Zoiil.  .louni.  II,  375. —  Rich.  &  .Swains.  F.  B.  \.  II,  1, 
1831.  —  Lieirr.  Orn.  Calif,  p.  8,  pi.  i.  Catluirtes  vulturinus,  Te.mm.  PI.  Col.  31,  1820. 
—  LE.SS.  Man.  Orn.  VII,  10,  1828. 

Sr.  Char.     Wing,  .30.00  -  3.').00  ;    tad.  l.'j.OO- 18.00  ;    enlmen.  about  l.oO;    length   of 
head,  6.50-7.00;   tarsus,  about  4.o0- 5.00 ;  middle  toe,  4.00-4.50;  outer,  3.10;  inner, 


CATIIAIITID.K-TIIK   AMEUlfAN    Vri/ri'KKS.  33;) 

3.00;    postc'iiiii',    l.lit;    iiiiiMlu  diiw    (l(>li<,'i'sl),   l.'iK;    posteriDi-  (sliurtcsl),  l.!)0.      Toliil 
ll'll^tll,  .1.')  -  ."jO  ;    fXtrlil  uf  will^s,  iihdill  1)  i)l'  ll)  fui'l. 

A'hilf.  Itill  yullowi.sh  wliitu  ;  niiUuil  skin  of  llic  lii'ud  niul  iifi'k  oraiifjt'  niul  I'od  ;  iris 
(.■iinuiiii'  (autliors).  Ociifial  i)liiiiiii,i.'is  dull  liliick,  the  iippcr  surfacu  with  n  liiiiit  bliiisli 
liisiri',  tile  fcatlicrs  (I'Xci'ptiii;,'  tin  primary  coverts,  secondary  eovurts,  mid  n'nii};i's)  pass- 
in;,'  inlii  ilull  lirownisli  on  llicir  niarfjiiis,  prodncuiLr  a  scpiaiiialo  a])poiiranii'.  Scapulars 
and  (nidH' apprecialily)  llio  sfcoiiduries  and  llu;ir  ciovcris  with  a  hoary  grayisli  cast,  llic 
lalliT  wliilr  lor  most  of  llioir  exposud  portions  (prodnrin^'  a  hand  ai'ross  the  win^'),  the 
wliilo  Collowinn'  tliu  (■di,'L's  oC  ihc  sucondarii's  nearly  lo  their  ends;  primaries  and  tail- 
iealher.'-,  willi  their  shafts,  nnilorm  dee|)  l>lai,>k.  Whole  lining'  of  die  wing  (oxeept  the 
outer  border)  nnil  axillnrs  pure  white.  Lower  parts  eonlimions  dull  earlionaeeous-lilaek, 
the  tips  of  the  peni<'illale  feathers  with  a  hoary  or  chalky  tinge.  (No.  41.(14!),  Monterey, 
California;  Dr.  C.  A.  Canlicld.  Wing,  .'32.00;  tail.  1').00  ;  enhnen,  l.ad;  depth  of  hill, 
l.'JO  ;  length  of  head,  7.00  ;  cere,  on  toi),  li.OO  ;  [Joint  of  hill  to  anii'rior  end  of  nostril,  2.50; 
tarsMs,  ,").()();  middle^  toe,  4.20.) 

Viiiiii;/.  Bill  dii.sky  ;  nakeil  skin  of  the  head  and  neck  ilusky,  and  more  or  le.s.'*  covered 
wiih  soft,  griiyish  down.  I'lmnage  dnller  black,  with  the  white  wholly  nb.senl.  (Xo. 
41.7(1".  Monterey;  C.  A.  Canlield.     .Measmenieiits  as  in  tho  last.) 

Lo(,-alilies;  Fort  Yuma  (Couks,  Pr.  Ac.  Nat.  Sc.  IStJO,  42). 

ll.vi!.  Pacilic  Coast  region  from  mouth  of  tho  Colorado  to  the  Columliia?  Southern 
Utah  (Hkssuaw). 

Ii.\i!!i'.s.  Tliis  liir<i;e  Vulture,  so  tar  a.s  is  known,  is  restricted  to  tlio  area 
on  the  I'acific  ('oa.st  i'roni  the  Columbia  River  to  tiie  Coltjrado,  iiiul  extendino; 
as  far  to  the  east  as  the  Sierra  Xevada.  None  are  known  to  htne  been  taken 
in  Mexieo,  and  it  very  rarely  o;oes  north  oi'  the  Columbia  It  is  said  to 
be  most  connnon  in  the  iiot  interior  valleys  of  Ctdifbrnia,  where  are  larj^e 
herds  of  cattle,  upon  which  it,  to  a  large  extent,  depends  for  its  food.  JJr. 
Cooper  .saw  none  on  the  Colorado,  and  met  with  none  east  of  the  San  Ber- 
nardino Mountains.  Even  at  Fort  Mohave  the  cattle  killed  during  the  five 
months  he  resided  there  did  not  attrsict  one  of  these  Vultures. 

Dr.  Cooper  did  not  see  these  binis  in  any  number  along  the  sea-coast,  and 
has  noticed  none  on  the  islands  or  in  the  highest  Sierra  Xevada.  Yet  they 
are  said,  when  other  food  is  scarce,  to  feed  on  dead  seals  and  whales ;  but 
this  fact  he  has  never  witnessed. 

Dr.  Newberry  states  that  it  was  to  him  a  pleasant  ])ortion  of  every  day's 
experience,  in  liis  march  through  the  Sacramento  Valley,  to  watch  the  grace- 
ful evolutions  of  this  Vulture.  In  its  colors  the  combination  was  a  ])leasing 
one,  while  its  (light  was  easy  and  effortless  beyond  that  of  any  other  bird. 
Tliough  a  common  bird  in  California,  he  found  it  much  more  shy  and  diffi- 
cult to  siioot  than  its  associate,  the  Turkey- Huzzard ;  anil  it  was  never  seen 
in  such  nundjers  or  exhiliiting  such  familiarity  as  the  smtdler  species  which 
swarm,  and  tire  such  efHcient  scavengers,  in  our  southern  cities.  Afttn-  his 
piirty  left  the  Sacramento  \'alley,  he  saw  very  few  in  the  Klamath  I^tisin, 
and  met  with  none  within  tho  limits  of  Oregon.  It  is  occasionally  found 
there,  but  much  more  rarely  than  in  California. 

Dr.  Newbeny  states  that  a  fine  s]iecimen  presented  to  Dr.  Sterling  on  his 
return  to  San  Francisco  ate  freely  of  the  meat  given  him,  and  was  for  some 


340 


NOUTII  A.ME11K"AX  IHRDS. 


time  kept  nlive.  It  was,  liownvi-r,  iiiipaticiit  of  cimfiiiciiu'iit,  and  suocuecled 
ill  teiiiiii^'  (111!  conl  tiiat  conliiiud  liiiu  rrniii  lii.s  li'<j;s,  and  in  iiiakiii<,'  liis  escape. 
Dr.  Cooper  also  .saw  one  of  liii'so  Vidtiin-s  in  cmiliiuMiit'iit,  at  Moiiterev,  in 
llie  ])o.sse.ssion  of  Dr.  Cunliidd.  Tlii.s  wa.s  u  fidl-i;ri)\vn  individual  which  ho 
liad  raisL'd  from  tiio  nest.  It  had  iiecn  led  exclusively  on  fre.sh  meat,  had 
no  offensive  smell,  and  was  clean  and  shining.     It  was  yentle  and  familiar, 


Pfiudoitryphus  rnlifnrninnus. 


but  seemed  stupid,  and  dozed  most  of  the  time  on  a  fence.  This  was  subse- 
quently presented  to  the  Zoijlotfical  Society  of  Loudon,  and  formed  the  sub- 
ject of  our  fij^ure.  The  figure  of  the  young  bird  on  the  ne.xt  page  is  taken 
from  a  ])hotograph  of  the  same  specimen  at  an  early  age. 

T)r.  Heermann,  in  his  I{e]iort  on  Lieutenant  Williamson's  Survey,  mentions 
having  observed  this  Vulture  sading  majestically  in  wide  circles  at  a  great 
height,  and  ranging  by  its  powers  of  flight  over  an  immense  sjjuce  of  coun- 


CATliAUTID.E  — THE   AMERICAN    VULTI:HKS.  34] 

try  in  soivreh  of  food.  Often  when  liuiitin^'  in  tlie  Ti'Jun  V'liUcy,  if  iinsiiccivss- 
fiil,  tlioy  wiiiild  lie  scvt-rul  iioMis  witlioiit  seeing  uno  of  tiiis  specii's  ;  Imt  (w 
soon  us  tliuy  succeeded  in  l>iiii;,'iii,L;  down  any  liirj^o  j,'iinie,  tlieso  l)irds 
would  be  seen  risin;,'  iiliovo  tlie  horizon  before  the  body  liiul  j,'rown  cold,  and 
slowly  sweepin";  towards  tiiein,  intent  upon  their  share  of  the  j,'aine.  In  the 
al»senee  of  the  hunter,  unless  well  ]irotecteil,  these  marauders  will  be  siu'e 
todrai,'  out  from  its  coneealment  the  slain  animal,  even  thou^^h  carefully  cov- 
ered with  Immches.  I)r.  ileermann  states  tlial  lie  has  known  them  to  draj,' 
out  and  devour  a  deer  witliin  an  hour.  This  Vulture  possesses  immense 
muscular  jMiwer.  Dr.  Ileermann  has  known  four  of  them  to  dran  the  body 
of  tt  youn;,'  ^'rizzly  liear, 
that  weij,'hed  over  a  hun- 
dreil  pounds,  tlu^  distance 
of  two  hundred  yards. 
Dr.  (.'ooper  states  that  it 
visits  the  Columbia  Itiver 
in  autumn,  wlien  its 
shores  :\\v  lineil  wiiii  j,'reat 
luimbers  of  dead  salmon, 
on  which,  in  company 
witli  other  birds  and  va- 
rious animals,  it  feasts  for 
a  coupli!  of  months.  He 
considered  it,  lu)wever, 
only  a  visitor  at  certain 
seasons,  and  not  a  resi- 
dent evcMi  through  the 
ie  tlid  not  .see 
it,  nor  did  he  lu^ar  of  its  jn-esence  at  l'u<iet  Sound. 

It  is  stated  by  Douj^las  that  the.se  Vidtures  will  in  no  instance  attack  any 
livini,'  animal  unless  it  be  ,so  severely  wounded  as  to  be  unable  to  walk. 
Their  senses  of  si^ht  and  smell  are  very  acute,  especially  the  former;  and 
when  searching  for  jirey  they  soar  to  a  very  <,'reat  heijiht,  and  if  they 
chance  to  discover  a  wounded  animal  they  immediately  follow  iind  attack  it 
whenever  it  sinks  down.  The  finst  comers  are  soon  followed  by  others,  and 
it  is  not  lonj;-  before  the  carcpss  is  reduced  to  a  skeleton.  After  thus  feed- 
ing, they  remain  for  a  wiiile  .sluggish  and  reluctant  to  move.  At  these  times 
they  perch  on  dead  trees,  with  their  heads  drawn  down,  and  their  wings 
drooping  over  their  feet.  Ivxcept  after  feeding,  or  when  protecting  their 
nests,  they  are  said  to  be  very  wary,  and  are  with  great  didiculty  shot  by  the 
'lunter.  Their  flight  is  described  as  slow,  steady,  and  graceful,  and  they 
glide  along  with  little  or  no  perceptible  motion  of  the  wing.s,  the  tips  of 
which  are  curved  upward  in  flying,  in  the  manner  of  the  Turkey-Buzzard. 
They  are  said  to  appear  most  numerous  and  to  soar  the  highest  preceding 
thunder-storms  and  tempests. 


342  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

])i'.  Tdwnsend  states  tliat  in  thoir  walk  tlicy  rcsi'iabh^  a  Turkey  strutting 
uvor  lli(!  ,i,'niuu(l  witli  j^nsit  iliguity,  luit  aro  cluuisy  and  awkwarii  when 
tlicy  t'ucloavur  to  liastou  tlioir  nioveiueiit.s.  When  tlicy  attenij)t  to  rise  from 
the  pound  they  always  lio])  several  yards,  in  imler  to  jiive  an  ini])etus  to 
their  lieavv  Ixuly.  Dr.  Cooper  diseredits  the  statement  of  Mr.  Taylor,  that 
this  \'ulture  has  been  known  to  kill  and  carry  olV  a  hare  in  its  claws.  These 
are  strai^uhtand  weak,  and  not  adapted  for  such  uses. 

Ur.  lleerniann  states  tliat  a  nest  of  this  liird  with  vounL;  was  discovered 
in  a  tliicket  on  the  Tuolunuie  K'iver.  It  was  about  eii^lit  feet  back  from  the 
entrance  of  a  crevice  in  tlie  rocks,  completely  surrounded  and  masked  by 
tliick  underbrusji  and  trees,  and  composed  of  a  few  loose  stick-  thrown  ne<,'- 
ligently  tonetlier.  He  found  two  other  nests,  of  a  like  eonsiruction  and 
similarly  situated,  at  the  head  of  Merced  JJiver  and  in  the  mountains.  From 
the  latter  tlie  Indians  were  in  the  habit  of  yearly  robbing  the  young,  to  kill 
at  one  of  tlieir  festivals. 

^Ir.  Alexander  S.  Taylor,  of  Monterey,  published  a  series  of  jtapcrs  in  a 
California  journal  relative  to  this  Vulture.  In  one  of  tlie.se  he  mentions  that 
a  Mexican  nnichiro,  in  liunting  among  the  highest  peaks  of  the  Santa  Lucia 
range,  disturbed  two  jjairs  of  them  from  their  nesting-places,  and  brought 
away  from  one  a  young  bird  a  few  days  old,  and  from  tlie  other  an  egg.  There 
was  no  nest,  the  eggs  having  been  laid  in  the  hollow  of  a  tall  old  robles-oak, 
in  a  stce]i  hiimnira,  near  the  summit  of  one  of  tlie  highest  petiks.  Tln'se 
birds  are  said  by  some  hunti'rs  to  make  no  nest,  but  sim})ly  lay  their  eggs 
on  tiu^  ground  at  the  foot  of  old  trees  or  on  the  bare  rocks  of  solitary  peaks. 
Others  allirm  that  they  .sometimes  lay  their  eggs  in  (dd  nests  of  Kagles  and 
lUizzards.  Mr.  Taylor  states  that  the  egg  weighed  1(1.50  ounces,  the  con- 
tents weighing  8.7").  The  egg  was  of  a  dead  dull  white  eohir,  the  surface  of 
the  shell  slightly  roughened.  It  was  nearly  a  i)erfect  ellipse  in  shape,  and 
measured  4.riO  inches  in  length  by  2.I><S  in  diameter.  The  egg-shell  held 
nine  lluid  ounces  of  water.  The  young  A'ulture  weighed  ten  ounces.  His 
skin  was  of  an  ocreous-yellow,  covered  witli  a  tine  down  of  a  dull  white. 

Dr.  Canlield  iid'ormed  Di'.  Cooper  that  he  lias  secsn  as  many  as  one  hun- 
dred and  titty  of  tlicse  liirds  at  one  time  and  ]ilace  in  the  vicinity  of  ante- 
lojK's  he  hact  killed,  and  noticed  that  they  invariably  sighted  their  prey.  They 
are  often  killed  liy  feeding  on  animals  tliiit  have  been  poisoned  vith  slrycli- 
nine.  'i'licy  are  not  feared  l)y  the  ruinlin-ds,  yet  Dr.  Cantield  has  known  a 
numl>er  to  attack  a  young  calf,  .sepaiate  it  from  its  motlier,  and  kill  it.  A 
raqncro  having  killed  a  large  grizzly  bear,  left  it  on  the  jilains  near  the  sea- 
shore, to  return  to  the  house,  about  three  miles  distant,  for  a.ssi.stance.  On 
his  return,  after  an  alisence  of  aliout  two  hours,  a  Hock  of  these  Vultures 
had  cleaned  tlie  entire  carcass,  leaving  oid>-  the  skin  and  the  skeleton.  This 
^'ulture  :iii(1  the  T'.irl:cy-r.;i/./.ani  otten  feed  together  over  the  same  carcass, 
and  generally  do  some  tigliting  together.  Many  of  them  nest  in  the  high 
mountains  east  and  s(juth  of  the  (,'arnielo  Valley,  and  also  near  Santa  Cruz, 


CATirAHTID-K  — THE   AMEIMCAN    VrLTUUE8.  ;.54;j 

as  \v(!ll  as  ill  tlio  Santa  Lucia  raiij,'e,  and  aiv  louiid  lliore  tliroiigliout  the 
year,  hut  in  giiMtcr  nuniixTs  IVniii  .Inly  to  Nuvoniher. 

All  ogg  uf  tliis  speuios,  in  liiu  collection  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution 
('J,!)8o),  from  San  JJal'acl,  California,  olilained  liy  Dr.  ('.  A.  Canlichl,  incasiiivs 
4.4(1  inciics  in  length  by  L'..''*  in  breadth.  It  is  of  an  chmoatc-oval  shape,  but 
is  deciilcdly  more  pointed  at  the  smaller  than  at  the  kryer  end.  In  color  it 
is  of  a  uniform  pale  greenish-blue,  almost  an  usliy  yreenish-wlute,  and  with- 
out spots. 


(iio 


IMS  RHINOGRYPHUS,   IJidgw 


i',,//„nic-i,  Aver,  (in  iwrt).     (T.v|ii',  i'lilhd-  (iki-h,  \..) 


AV. 


liK.v.  Chau.  Sizt'  inciliiiiii  (:ilii)iit  viywA  lo  Xco/i/irai,).  ihc  wiiitrs  and  tail  well  devcl- 
o|km1.  th,.  ivmi-cs  very  l.m.u-  and  lar^c.  Head  ami  u|i|mt  iK.rlion  .if  llii;  neck  naked;  tja. 
.<kin  .-iinoolh,  or  nicivly  wiiiikl.'d  ;  a  .sciniciicular  paleh  (if  anlror.M'  liri.^^llo.-;  InMbiv  the  eyo. 
SosUW  very  lai-v.  xvilli  liolii  i-mU  luoadly  lonndcd,  occiipyinjr  the  wiiolo  cC  liic  iia.sal 
orilii'f.  I'cn-  coiitraeted  anirrioi'ly.  and  as  d(H'|.  a.s  hroad  ;  lower  maiidilile  nol  .-o  deep  as 
tiie  npiier.  Plnnia-e  Ix-innin.;'  -radnaily  on  llie  neek,  with  liroaii,  ronnded,  nornial  U'ulli- 
eis.  Ends  oC  primaries  reaeiiin.i,''  beyond  tiie  end  of  the  tail;  third  or  fourth  nuill  loimvst ; 
outer  live  with  inner  wehs  appnviahly  sinuated.  Tail  mueh  rounded;  mid.Ue  loe  .^liu'lilly 
longer  than  the  tarsu.s.     Sexes  alike. 


U.  num.      '4  nut  size. 


^^->^^>"^^ 


\ 


7/^ 


/i.  fiurrnfiiiinrs.    (\^.) 


li.  num.     ( '.,'.) 


Tlie  species  of  this  genus  are  only  two  in  number,  one  ol'  them  {aura)  ex- 


344  NORTH   AMERICAN    BIRDS. 

tending  over  the  whole  of  Anieiica,  with  the  exception  of  tiie  colilor 
portions;  tlie  otlier  (burrovuiniis)  confined  to  the  eastern  tropical  region. 
They  may  be  distinguislied  as  follows  :  — 

Species. 

Common  Cihuactkhs.     Gcnonil  plnniagc  nearly  miirorm  blackish ;    no  white. 
Adult.     Hill  white;  liuail  roddi.sli.     Yoniuj.    Bill  and  huail  dusk  \ .  ur  blackish. 

1.  R.  aura.  Upper  hull"  of  the  neck  bare  nil  round.  Feathers  of  the  upper 
surliice  with  brown  borders.  Winy-,  20.00  -  2:3.00  ;  tail,  about  12.00.  Hnh. 
Entire  ■       ■  iient  and  islands  of  America,  except  the  colder  portions. 

2.  R.  burro vianus.'  Only  the  head  and  throat  naked,  tlie  featliers  of  the 
neck  extending  up  to  the  occiput.  Feathers  of  the  upper  .surface  without 
lirown  bordeis.  Winj,',  lS.00-18.oO;  tail,  9.00.  Hah.  Eastern  Tropical 
America  (Brazil;  Eastern  Mexico??). 


Rhinogryphus  aura  (Linn.). 

TUBKET-BUZZAItD;  BED-HEASES  YtTLTXTBE. 

Vuttur  nnra,    I.lXN.  Syst.   Nut.   122,   17U6.  — Gmkl.   Syst.  Nat.  246,  1789.  —  Latii.   .Syn. 

I,  9;  .Syn.  Supp.  I,  2;  hul.  Oni.  4.  —  Ocn.  Hist.  I,  12,  pi.  iii.  -  Pkxn.  Ar<f. 
Zoiil.  I,  221.  — Ma1!T.  Trnv.  t'arol.  p.  285.  —  ViKii.i,.  Ois.  .\ni.  Sojit.  i>l.  ii.  —  Okd 
(Wii.s.)  Am.  Orn.  pi.  l.vxv,  f.  1.  —  AuD.  Edin.  New.  Phil.  Jouni.  1!,  172. --Dauw. 
.lourn.  Hes.  p.  (j8.  —  Wagl.  I.sis,  1831,  517. — SilAW,  Zool.  VII,  3().  —  8i;i,Ls,  I'roc. 
Zoiil.  Soe.  jit.  V,  p.  33  ;  Maf,'.  Nat.  Ser.  2,  I,  G38.  —  I.Knuu,  Voy.  Ttiiierif.  Triiiit.  etc. 

II,  204.  Cnthartes  oitra,  Il.i.io.  I'rod.  Syst.  236,  1811.— Crv.  l{i'<;.  An.  (cd.  1), 
308;  (ed.  2)  I,  317.  —  Si'ix,  Av.  Bras.  I,  2.  —  Vic.  ZoiJl.  .louni.  -  I.Kss.  Man.  Orn. 
I,  73  ;  Tr.  Orn.  p.  28.  —  Hc.nai-.  Ann.  Lyo.  N.  Y.  II,  23  ;  Isis,  1832,  p.  113.5  ;  List 
Kur.  &  N.  Am.  li.  p.  1.  —  Kicii.  &  .Swaiss.  F.  B.  A.  II,  4.  —  .Taisd.  (Wii.s.)  Am.  Orn. 

1,  3;  IV,  24.'>.  —  Bi!F.wi:i!(WiLs.)Syiiop.  p.  682.— Ib.  N.  A.  Oiilogy.  —  Am.  Birds  Am. 
pi.  cli  ;  Orn.  Bioj,'.  II,  339  ;  Synop.  Birds  Am.  )).  2.  —  Nrrr.  jMnn.  I,  43.  —  Swaix.s. 
Clas.sif.  B.  II,  2(t'.  —  Dauw.  Zool.  Beng.  pt.  iii,  p.  8.  —  Guav,  (mmi.  B.  lol.  sp.  2  ;  List 
B.  Brit.  Mus.  ]).  3  ;  List   (Jen.  &  Snbgen.  Brit.  Mus.  p.  2.  —  Di;  Kay,  Zoiil.  N.  Y.  II, 

2,  pi.  V,  f.  12.  —  Oos.SK,  Birds,Iam.  1.  — Pkai.e,  U.  S.  Kxpl.  Exp.  VIII,  58.  — RiiiniKsn. 
I'rakt.  Nnt.  Viig.  p.  26.  —  Kkhii,  Tran.sl.  Gmel.  II,  472.  —  Max.  Beit.  Ill,  64.  —  Hini. 
(.SciioMii.)  Fann.  Brit.  Oniana,  ]>.  742.  —  Caji.  (T.scmni)  Av.  C'onsp.  Wieg.  Anliiv, 
1844,  262  ;  Fann.  Per.  Orn.  p.  71.  —  D'Oun.  Synop.  Av.  Mag.  Zoiil.  p.  2  ;  Voy.  Am. 
Mi'iid.  Ois.  ]).  38  (H.  Sagra)  ;  Hist.  Nat.  Cnba  Ois.  p.  4.—  Liciir.  Verz.  Donbl.  j).  63. 
—  Hakti,.  .Syst.  Ind.  Azar.  Pax.  p.  1.  —  Max.  Cab.  .lonrn.  VI,  1858,  2.  -  (iniNKY, 
Cat.   Knpt.   15.   1864,  42.  —  DiiicssEii,  Ibis,   1865,  322  (Texas).  —  Coue.s,   Key,  1872, 

'  Hhinogrtiplni.i  hurrnrinnii.i  (Oassin).  Otthnrlts  hiirrnriniiu^,  Ca.ss.  P.  A.  N.  S.  II,  1845, 
212.—  Ir.  Birds  Am.  1.S58.  1.— C.iiAV,  Hand  List,  I,  1869,  .3,  No.  19  —  Cnri:s,  Key,  1872, 
222.  Cnthiirt'-s  iinihllnKVi,  Nam',  von  Pr.l.zi'.l.x,  Sitz-lu'r.  Wieii.  Ak.  1861,  7.  —  C-I-UNKY,  Cat. 
l!a].t.  B.  1864,  46.  -Set,,  k  Sai.v.  P.  Z.  S.  1867,  .589  (Amazon).  -  Pki.z.  Orn.  Bras.  I,  1868,  1 
(Brazil).  —  Ellkh-,  lllnstr.  Birds  X.  Am.  II.  -C.hay,  Hand  List,  I,  1869,  3,  No.  20. 

Sp.  CllAIl.  Very  similar  to  y;.  nurd,  hut  iieek  feathered  behind  U|)  to  the  oeeiput,  and  the 
plumage  nniforndy  bhuk.  (he  fcatlwrs  of  the  baek  and  wings  without  brown  borders.  Ailult 
(34,984,  Brazil;  Nati  r.lil'.l!).  Bill  white  ;  naked  skin  of  the  head  and  throat  reddish.  Wing- 
fornudn,  3,  2,  4  =  1.  Wing,  18.50  ;  tail,  9.00  ;  eulmen.  .90  ;  ei're  aliove,  1.20  ;  tarsus,  2.10  ; 
ndddle  toe,  2.25  ;  outer,  1.35  ;  inner,  1.10  ;  jiosterior,  .80.  Hah.  Eastern  Tropical  Ameriea. 
Brazil  (Pr.i.zi'.i.N  &  Natteiikii)  ;  .Vinazon  (Scl.  &  Sai.v.)  ;  ??.lamaiea  (Siiakpe)  ;  ??  Vera  Cruz, 
.Mexico  (Ca.ssi.n). 


CATIIAIITID.K-TIIE   AMKRICAN    VI'LTIUKS.  ;>45 

222.  /Vrnio/iti-ni.i  mim,  Stkimi.  Zoi.l.  XIII,  jit.  ii.  i'.  7.  l>2i;.  \'i,lliii-  inln.  Mm. in. 
St.  Cliil.  )..  20;'.,  1782.  -(l.\li;i..  Syst.  Nat.  ]>.  217.  H.M  L.  Ti.  Orii.  II,  -Jo.  l-\iii. 
Clcn.  Ili.st.  I,  15.  Ca/liinics  io/ii,  I5i:i|iii.  I'lor.  Ziiul.  Sdc.  pi.  ii,  |i.  ins  ;  .\iiii.  Xut. 
Ili.st.  XIII,  4'.l8.  f.ilhiirti-s  riiji,-n/li.i,  Snx,  Av.  Wnx.  I,  2,  1.'<2-1  (iiiioti'  Ciitcsliy,  pi. 
vi).     Caf/inrlrs  /(i//i/ii ii(/iriis,  Sir.Mirr.,  Ann.  &  .Maj;.  N.  II. 

Si-.  ClIAH.  lifiiutli,  iilmiit  27.(10  -  ;!(t.(10  ;  cxti'iit  1)1'  wiuL,'.-;,  alKiiit  H  Ircl  ;  wri-lil,  I  - ." 
lioiiiiil.-:.  Wiiifr,  20.(10 -'J.i.lM  I;  tail,  lI.(Mt- 1 2.00.  Culmcii,  about  l.iMi;  larsiis,  2.2.")-2.:;o  ; 
luiiliUc  tot",  2.')0 ;  outor,  l..")-"):  iniuT,  1.2");  po.';t('rior,  .80.  Iii.<  iiiiilior;  laisi  and  tnis 
tlii'ty  wliitisli,  liiif,'c(l  with  yellow  oi'  flc^h-coloi'. 

AdiilK  Bill  clialk-wliiti' ;  iiakcil  sl<iu  of  tlio  hcail  .and  nvA<.  livid  criin.^oii,  approachiu;,' 
diliiti'  (•ariuiiic  on  the  cere,  and  .-;oMn'tiines  with  wliilisli  papilla-  on  the  crown  and  iM/lbro 
the  eye.  (Icneral  plnnia^'(-  Iilai-k.  tlii-^  deepest  and  nnironn  on  the  lower  parts;  upper 
part.s  with  a  violet  lustre,  eliaiif;ilij;  to  frreeiu.sh  posteriorly,  all  the  leathers  of  tln^  dorsal 
region  and  the  wing-coverts  passing  into  lirown  on  ils  hordi-rs.  Primaries  and  tail-leath- 
ers dull  Mack,  their  sliaHs  clear  ])alo  hrown.  ^  (Xo.  12.01.").  Maryland;  M.  F.  Foi-ci-). 
Wing,  22.00;  tail,  12.00;  cnhneii,  .!)."> ;  tar.sn.s.  2.;10  ;  middle  toe,  2..'>0  ;  on  t  or,  1. ."..". ;  iinicr. 
1.2");  posterior,  .:50.  9  (Xo.  49,(i81,  C.iinp  Orant,  Arizona  ;  Dr.  K.  Palmer).  Wing,  2(i.iMI ; 
tail,  ll.,-)0. 

young.  Bill,  .oiid  naked  skin  of  the  head  and  neck,  livid  Mackish,  the  o(-cipnt  and  nape 
with  more  or  less  of  whitish  down.  Plnlnage  more  nnilormly  Mackish,  the  hrowth.-h 
borders  above  le.ss  distinct;  the  rcllections  of  the  i)lumage  rather  grec-n  than  violaceons. 

ll.Wi.    Whole  of  Temperate  America;  resident  to  hit.  38°  north. 

Localities:  Gnaleniala  (Set..  Ibi.s,  1,21.'));  Cuba?  (Caii.  Jonrn.  II,  l.xxi.\  :  tiiNni.Acii, 
resident)  ;  Bahamas  (I>i!yaxt,  Pr.  Bost.  Soc.  1850)  ;  .Tanniica  ((lo.s.si:) ;  Ecnador  (.•<cl.  I'r. 
Z.  S.  1800,  287);  Ilondnr.is  (.Set,.  Ibis,  IF,  222);  Trinidad  (Tavi.oi!,  Ibis,  isdl,  78);  8. 
Texas  (DuK.«si:ii,  Ibis,  18(),j,  322,  breeding);  Arizona  (CoiKS,  Prod.  ISGC,  42);  Para 
(Sci..  it  Sai,v.  18G7,  589). 

Aftor  having  compared  numerous  speciineii.s  of  tliis  ,s]iecies  iVom  all  parts 
of  its  raiio-e,  incliKliiig  Cliile,  Tatagonia,  Terra  del  Fuego,  the  We.st  India 
I.slaads,  and  all  jiortions  oi'  Middle  America  and  the  United  States,  1  am 
tinaljle  to  ajiprecitite  diHerences  according  to  locality,  and  cannot  recognize 
any  geograjihical  races.  As  a  rule,  the  s])ecimeiis  from  intertropical  regions, 
tis  niiglit  l)e  expected,  are  the  smallest  anil  most  brightly  colored.  The 
smallest  in  the  scries  are  those  from  Lower  faiifornia. 

H.vw'i's.  Probably  none  of  the  birds  of  America  have  so  extendctl  a  dis- 
tribution as  this  Vulture,  occurring,  as  it  does,  in  greater  or  less  idniiiditnce 
fromliigh  nortliern  latitudes  at  the  Saskatchewan,  throughout  North  America 
from  tlie  Atlantic  to  the  Pacific,  and  in  all  portions  of  .South  America,  oven 
to  the  Straits  of  ^Magellan.  On  the  Atlantic  coast  it  is  not  co.nmon  north 
of  Central  New  Jtf.sey,  though  occtisionally  individuals  have  been  seen  as 
far  north  as  New  liruiiswick  and  Nova  Scotia.  Several  specimens  have  been 
taken  in  various  ])arts  of  New  Knglaiul.  from  Calais,  ]\re.,  to  Connecticut. 
^Ir.  Lawrence  cites  it  as  of  rare  and  irregular  occurrence  near  New  ^'oik.  Tn 
one  instance  he  noticed  a  coni]iany  of  nine  individiinls  .at  I'ockawiiy.  Long 
Island.  West  of  the  Alleghanies  it  has  a  much  le.ss  restricted  distribution, 
trom  Central  America  almost  to  the  Arctic  regions.  It  is  found  more  or  less 
frequently  in  all  tin;  iMiddle,  the  Southern,  "Western,  and  Northwestern 
States,  without  an  excoi)tiou.     It  is  met  with  in  large  numbers  throughout  tlie 

vol..  111.  44 


34G 


NORTH  A.MEHICAN  BIRDS. 


I'litirc  I'iicilic  foust  nf  Xovth  America,  from  Lower  California  to  Wushiiif^tou 
Territory,  ^fr.  J  )ontila.s  saw  vast  mimliers  of  tiiis  si)eeies  in  Canada,  near 
Sandwicli  and  Lake  St.  Ouir,  durinj;  their  breeding-season.  Dr.  IJicliardsnii 
.speaks  of  their  ha^inij;  lusher  summer  iniyratictiu:  in  the  interior  of  the  conti- 
nent tiiau  on  tlie  Pacific  coast,  finilinfj;  it  along  tiic  haidvs  of  the  Saskatciie- 
wan,  ill  latitude  o.V,  lute  in  tlie  montli  of  June.  Mr.  Say  met  with  them 
in  latitude  o!)",  and  Lewis  and  Clarke  noticed  them  near  the  Tails  of  tlie 
Cohimliia  liiver,  in  latitude  48".  Mr.  lUakiston  states  that  an  individual 
was  .shot  at  tiie  l!ed  JJiver  Settlement  as  early  as  Ajiril  1*7,  while  the  winter's 
snow  was  still  covering  the  ground  to  the  dejjth  ol'  a  foot  and  the  rivers  wei'e 
ice-hound.  He  also  observed  it  at  Fort  Carlton,  in  latitude  5:5°,  on  the  7th 
of  ^fay,  and  again,  on  tiie  2d  of  Seiitember,  in  latitude  49'. 

'Mv.  T.  U.  Jackson,  of  West  Chester,  I'a.,  informs  me  that  this  Vulture  has 


been  known  to  breed  at  rarkerslmrg,  liftceii  miles  west  of  the  former  ]tlace, 
in  tiie  summer  of  1870,  and  that  they  also  breed  rather  ])lentifully  on  the 
banks  of  tlie  Su.S(|uehanna,  laying  tlanr  eggs,  two  in  number,  in  caves  among 
the  rocks,  as  early  as  tlic  loth  of  Ajiril,  and  that  some  remain  in  that 
vicinity  nil  winter. 

Dr.  Coo])er  mentions  theirgreat  abundance  (hiring  tlie  siiinmer  in  all  parts 
of  "Wasiiington  Territory,  freipienting  tlie  vicinity  of  ]H'airies  and  river-lianks, 
but  never  appearing  along  the  coast.  They  arrive  at  l*iiget  Sound  about 
the  middle  of  May,  and  undoubtedly  breed  in  the  Territory.     Dr.  Suckley 


CATHAUTJI)/K  — THE   AMERICAN   VULTlllES.  347 

met  with  them  at  Fort  Dulles,  in  Oregon,  a iid  also  011  I'uget  Sound.  He 
also  met  with  them  not  lav  IVoni  IVMiliina.  Dr.  XewlieiTy  also  observed  them 
in  Caiironiia  and  Ore.uon,  i|uite  eommon  in  the  vicinity  of  the  towns  and 
about  the  ureat  rivers,  in  the  Klamath  l}a.sin  it  was  more  rare,  and  on  the 
Des  Clnites  lie  scarcely  saw  any  ;  Imt  on  the  C'olumliia,  especially  l)elow  the 
CVtscades,  they  were  very  iilentiful. 

Dr.  lleermann  found  this  l)ir(l  ran,L;in,i;-  over  the  whole  extent  of  California, 
meeting-  them  in  <;reat  numl)ers  in  the  vicinity  of  Fort  Yuma,  at  the  junction 
of  the  Colorado  and  (!ila  {{ivers. 

In  the  AVest  India  Islands  these  birds  occur  in  Cuba,  Jamaica,  and 
Trinidad ;  but  accordinji  to  Mr.  K.  C.  Taylor,  neither  this  nor  any  other  spe- 
cies of  Vulture  occurs  in  any  of  the  islands  between  Trinidad  and  St.  Thomas, 
not  even  in  T(jl)a,!.fo  or  I'orto  Itieo.     At  T'linidail  they  are  very  abundant. 

Mr.  C!.  C.  Taylor  found  this  Vulture  common  in  Honduras,  wliere,  how- 
ever, it  does  not  go  much  into  the  towns  and  villages,  but  is  usually  seen 
on  the  out.skirts  and  in  the  forests,  in  (lualemala,  Mr.  Salvin  found  it 
not  nearly  .so  abundant  as  ('.  n/i'iit-ns,  and  there  also,  as  in  Honduras,  it 
fre(piented  the  more  unodtivateil  and  tbrest  districts,  leaving  to  the  latter 
all  the  duties  of  the  .scavenger.  Cajjtain  C.  C.  Alibott  found  this  Vulture 
very  common  in  the  Falkland  Islands,  remaining  the  whole  year  round,  and 
breeding. 

The  llight  of  the  Turkey-Ihizzard  is  graceful,  dignified,  and  easy.  It  sails 
witli  a  steady,  even  motion,  with  wings  ju.st  a.)0ve  tlie  luiri/.ontal  position, 
with  their  ti]is  .slightly  raised.  They  ri.se  from  the  ground  with  a  single 
Ixuiud,  give  a  few  thi])s  to  their  wing.s,  and  then  proceed  with  their  pec\diar, 
soaring  llight.  Tlu^y  lise  very  higii  in  the  air,  moving  round  in  large  circles. 
They  are  of  gngarious  habit.s,  and  usually  as.sociato  in  com])anies  of  from  ten 
to  a  much  larger  number.  They  feed  upon  all  kinds  of  animal  food,  and  are 
accu.sed  by  Audubon  of  sucking  eggs  and  devouring  the  young  of  Herons  aiul 
other  liirds.  Yet  in  Trinidad  lliey  were  observed  by  Mr.  K.  C.  Taylor  associat- 
ing with  the  ])oultryap])arently  upon  the  most  amicable  terms,  and,  although 
surrounded  with  chickens  of  all  sizes,  tiiey  were  never  known  to  molest 
them.  'Sir.  Audulton  also  states  that  they  devour  birds  of  their  own  s]iecies 
when  dead.  They  are  said  to  walk  well  on  tlu;  grnnid  and  on  the  roofs  of 
houses,  and  as,sociate  and  even  roost  in  company  with  the  Black  \'ulture. 
Dr.  lleermann,  wlio  observed  them  on  the  desert  lietween  the  Colorado  and 
( 'arissa  Creek,  where  they  iind  an  amj)le  supjily  (jf  food  I'rom  numerous 
animals  that  there  perish  from  want  of  grass  and  water,  states  that  tliey 
seenjed  to  be  on  terms  of  amity  both  with  the  liavens  and  the  California 
Vultures,  but  retire  on  the  ajiju'oach  of  the  prairie  wolf,  lie  adds  that 
when  a  company  of  these  ^'ultures  have  once  conunenced  u])on  a  carcass,  a 
scene  of  plunder,  noise,  confusion,  and  dis])ute  ensues,  baltling  all  descrii)tion. 
F^ach  one  strives,  as  best  he  nuiy,  to  bolt  the  morsel  he  has  seized,  or  tu  rob 
his  neighbor  whose  booty  is  too  voluminous  to  ije  despatched  at  (jnce.     As 


348  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

illtistratinj,'  the  ])eculiai'  fli<;lit  of  this  species,  Dr.  Xewlii'iry  nii'iitions  Unit, 
hii\in<,'  occasion  to  shout  one  lor  tlie  inirpose  of  tletovinininj,'  its  identity,  tlic 
woiuuk'il  l)ir(l  niiidc  no  motion  indicatinj;-  it  imd  heen  struck  by  tlie  shot,  but 
sailed  on  witli  widely  expanded  and  motionless  \vin,^s  as  before;  gradually  it 
"  began  to  descend  in  wide  and  regular  circles,  till  iinally,  without  a  wing- 
tlap,  it  settled  as  lightly  as  a  I'l'atiier  on  the  jmiirie,  and  remained  motion- 
less." Upon  going  to  the  bird.  Dr.  Newberry  found  it  resting  in  the  grass, 
the  wings  still  widely  and  evenly  expanded,  but  the  head  drooping  and  life 
extinct. 

In  the  Southern  States  this  Vulture  is  found  eiiually  in  cities  and  largo 
villages,  and  near  the  coast,  as  well  as  in  the  interior,  in  comjiany  with  the 
iUack  Vulture  (C.  (dratus),  although  the  latter  species  is  chietly  confined  to 
the  coast,  and  is  rare  in  the  interior.  It  is  noticeable  that  in  (Juatemala  and 
Honduras  its  habits  are  somewjiat  different  in  these  respects,  being  only 
found  in  wihl  ))laces,  leaving  the  cities  and  sea-coast  to  the  exclusive  occu- 
pancy ol'  the  151ack  X'ulture.  Mr.  (i.  C  Taylor,  who  observed  these  birds  in 
Kingston,  Jamaica,  states  that  they  were  the  only  species  seen,  and  that  they 
were  always  to  lie  found  either  on  the  roofs  of  the  houses  or  feeding  on  the 
carrion  in  the  streets.  They  made  great  noise  with  their  feet  as  they  clat- 
tered over  the  shingles  of  the  roofs. 

In  Trinidad,  where  Mr.  E.  C  Taylor  found  this  bird  much  less  numerous 
than  the  (driituA,  it  kept  to  the  ojien  country,  and  was  not  found  in  the 
towns.  He  could  always  readily  distinguish  it  by  its  more  graceful  ilight 
and  its  aijuiline  ajijjearance.  They  were  generally  to  be  seen  skimming 
over  the  tree-tops,  as  if  trying  how  near  they  could  go  without  touching. 
On  the  Orinoco,  though  more  numerous  than  in  Trinidad,  they  did  not 
freriuent  tiie  towns  in  the  same  familiar  manner  witli  the  IJlack  A'ulture. 

The  Turkey-Uuzzards,  as  well  as  the  Black  Vultures,  are  evidently  aided  by 
a  very  ])owerful  sight  in  distinguishing  their  food  at  a  great  distance.  They 
are  freipiently  known  to  collect  in  large  nundiers,  from  great  distances, 
around  the  dead  liodies  of  animals,  where  none  were  in  sight  before.  But  it 
seems  equally  certain  that  they  are  also  assisted  by  an  only  less  powerful 
sense  of  smell.  Mr.  Hill,  cited  by  Mr.  Gosse,  mentions  a  remarkable  instance 
where  these  Vultures  were  attracttnl  by  a  strong  smell  of  carrion  to  the 
house  of  a  (iennan  emigrant,  lying  sick  of  a  fever,  and  where  his  neglected 
food  had  become  olfensive.  In  this  instance  the  sense  of  smell,  unaided  by 
that  of  sight,  must  have  guided  these  birds. 

ISIr.  O.  (,'.  Taylor,  wliile  residing  at  Kingston,  often  used  to  puzzle  the 
Vultures  by  throwing  dried  bird-skins  stuH'ed  with  cotton  out  upon  an 
adjacent  roof.  Few  .seconds  would  ela])se  before  a  Vulture  would  pounce 
n]ion  tlii'm,  and  manifest  a  great  disappointment  in  finding  notiiing  to  eat  in 
skins  of  so  promising  an  ajjiiearanco.  He  once  \vra])ped  the  carcass  of  a  bird 
in  a  ])iece  of  paper,  and  threw  it  into  the  top  of  a  thickly  leaved  tree  near 
his  window.     There  it  remaiued  for  a  long  while,  the  Vultures  sweeping 


CATirAHTID.'E— THK   A-MKIUCAN    Vl'LTURKS.  349 

witliin  11  low  feet  of  it,  almost  bnisliiiii,'  tlie  loiivos  with  tlu'ir  \viiif,'.s,  tlicir 
smise  111'  smell  iiit'ormiujf  tliciii  lluit  tlieru  wiis  sumutliiiig  fallible  clusu  by, 
but  their  siylit  tailing  to  solve  tiie  problem,  owing  to  the  enclosiue  of  the 
object  in  an  envelope. 

Tiie  Tuikey-Miizzanl  lireeils  on  or  near  the  ground,  usually  in  hollow  trees, 
stumps,  or  decaying  logs.  It  generally  constructs  no  nest,  deiiositing  the 
eggs  with  little  or  no  preparatory  pain.s  lor  their  shelter.  ^Ir.  Urd  found 
them  breeding  as  early  as  the  month  uf  May  in  the  deep  recesses  of  the 
.solitary  swamps  of  New  .Jersey.  He  describes  the  nest  as  formed,  without 
any  painstaking,  in  a  truncated  hollow  tree,  and  in  excavated  stumps  or  logs, 
and  mentions  the  number  of  eggs  as  from  two  to  four.  Except  in  regard  to 
tiie  nund)er  of  eggs,  which  is  jirobably  never  more  than  two,  these  observa- 
tions sulistantially  correspond  with  other  accounts  of  their  lireeding.  In 
Jamaica,  Mr.  CJosse  mentions  that  the  situations  usually  selecled  by  the 
Turkey- 1 hiz/ard  of  that  i.sland  for  laying  and  hatching  its  eggs  an;  hollows 
and  ledges  of  rocks  in  secluded  places  or  inacce.'^sible  crags  and  cliffs.  A 
litth' dry  trash,  hi!  adds,  or  decaying  leaves,  are  all  the  apology  for  a  nest. 
On  the  i.sland  of  (lalveston,  where  this  Vvdture  was  plentii'ul,  Mr.  Audubon 
.several  times  found  its  nest  on  a  level  ])art  of  the  .salt  marshes,  either  under 
the  widespri'i'  '  branches  of  cactuses,  or  among  tall  grass  growing  beneath 
low  bushes.  Mr.  T.  H.  Jackson  found  this  Vulture  nesting  in  Maryland, 
with  fresh  eggs,  from  A\m\  10  to  May  I. 

Dr.  ('.  Kollock,  of  Cheraw,  S.  C,  informs  me  that  in  his  neighliorhood 
both  this  species  and  the  lilack  Vulture.  freipKiit  places  in  tlie  interior 
of  swamps  and  thick  woods,  generally  called  Buzzards'  roosts.  They  con- 
gregate there  through  the  year  in  large  nuniber.s,  and  usually  lireed  in 
the  immediate  vicinity.  Mr.  Audubon  visited  (me  of  these  roosts,  near 
Charleston,  S.  (,".,  which  extended  over  two  acres  of  'ground,  and  uas  entirely 
destitute  of  vegetation. 

Mr.  Dresser,  wlio  found  this  .species  one  of  the  nio.st  common  birds  of 
Southern  Te.xas,  gives  a  somewhat  difl'erent  account  of  tlicir  nesting.  He 
found  them  breeding  all  through  the  country  on  the  banks  of  .streams  wliere 
the  timlier  all'orded  a  secure  shelter.  He  saw  many  nests  on  the  banks  of 
tlie  Medina,  Altacosta,  and  San  Antonio  liivers ;  and  these,  he  states,  wcr(> 
large  and  bulky,  composed  of  sticks,  and  generally  placed  at  some  height  on 
a  cy])ress  or  an  oak  near  the  river-bank. 

Captain  C.  C.  Al)bott  .states  f  11)18,  18(51,  p.  140)  that  in  the  Falkland 
Islands  they  lay  their  eggs,  two  in  nnndier,  but  sometimes  three,  under  a 
high  bank  amongst  bushes,  or  on  tlie  top  of  a  dead  balsam  log,  without  con- 
structing any  nest.  The  time  of  their  laying  was  the  first  week  of  Xovem- 
ber.  The  young  birds  have  the  bare  sjiace  of  the  head  and  neck  of  a  bluish 
color,  as  also  the  feet.     The  old  birds  go  in  ])airs  the  whole  year. 

The  eggs  exhibit  slight  deviations  in  size,  and  occasionally  the  nn.inri! 
of  their  markings,  yet  for  the  most  part  preserve  specific  ciiaracteri.stics. 


350  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Tlie  Ibllowiug  are  tlie  ]iro])fntinii,s  of  tniir  s]»eciinfiis,  wliicli  will  represent 
their  xismil  variations:  l!.8l  inches  by  l.!)4;  'I.l'i  1)V  1.H7  ;  2.04  liy  1.87; 
2M'2  hy  1.!I4.  These  were  from  New  .lersey,  South  C'aroliim,  Louisiana,  and 
Taniaulipas  (MexieoJ.  The  more  common  varieties  have  a  j,n'ouncl  of  a 
light  cream-eolor,  marked  with  large  eonfluent  spots  of  reddish-l)rown  or 
chocolate,  chietly  ])reilominating  at  the  largi-r  end,  Inil  ;ilso  sparsely  scattered 
over  the  entire  egg.  liitermi.xed  with  these  are  le.ss  im  ([ueiit  markings  of  a 
ligiit  purj)lisii  or  lilac  shade  of  drab.  These  are  often  so  faint  as  only  to  be 
perceptible  on  a  close  examination.  An  egg  taken  some  years  since  in  Xew 
Jersey,  by  Alexander  Wilson,  and  somewhat  faded,  is  marked  over  the  en- 
tire shell  with  conlluent  s]K)ts  of  a  dark  greenish-brown,  with  no  ])erceptible 
shades  of  red  or  purple.  Another  variety  from  Ciieraw,  S.  ('.,  has  a  ground 
of  nearly  pure  wiiito,  is  very  nearly  uns])otted,  and  is  only  marked  with  a 
few  small  dots  and  lines  of  retl  and  indistinct  purple  at  the  larger  end. 


Oenus  CATHARISTA,   Vikii.lot. 

Calharistd,  \[FM.i..  1810.     (Type,  Viiltni-  utmtiis,  li.viiTu.v.M.) 
CniYii/u/iiis,  I.  (iKoFFUciV,  18r>4. 
Ciillidrks,  Arur.  (in  |)uitK 

Okx.  CirAi!.  .'^ize  of  Fihi'nnf/ri/jifiiis,  hut  more  robust,  willi  sliortcr  win<rs,  .tlid  very  dif- 
fcri'iit  lliirlit.     Wiurrs  with  liio  rciiiii;!'.'!  iiliiircviatcd.  tlic  itriiuarios  soaioclj'  roncliinp  to  the 

middle  of  tilt!  tail.  Tail  even,  or  laiiitly  eiiiaiffiuatod.  Iload 
and  upper  portion  of  IIk!  nci/k  naked,  the  feather.s  extendin<r 
f'artlier  up  l>eliin<l  tliaii  in  trout;  naked  skiu  of  llie  .side  of 
the  neck  transversely  (•orru,i;ale(l ;  no  lii'Istles  liefore  the  eye. 
Nostril  narrow,  occupying:  only  about  the  posterior  half  of 
the  nasal  oriliee,  its  anterior  end  eonti-acted  and  aeiite.  Cere 
not  eoutraeted  anteriorly,  lint  the  np))er  and  lower  outline 
I  parallel;  much  depre.«,sed,  or  broader  than  deep.  Plumage 
befriiniinrr  gradually  on  the  neek  with  normal,  or  broad  and 
Cnihnrhin  ntrnta.    '.,  imt.  sine.        rounded,  feathers.     Fourth  or  (ifth  qnill  longest;  outer  five 

with  inner  webs  sinuated.     Tarsus  longer  than  middle  toe. 

This  well-marked  genus  is  composed  of  a  single  s])ecies,  which  is  confined 
to  the  tropical  and  warm  temperate  portions  of  America.  The  dill'erence 
frftm  the  othcsr  Vultures  which  this  bird  exhilnts  in  its  habits,  and  especially 
in  its  flight,  is  ve.y  striking,  and  furnishes  additional  characters  distinctive 
of  the  genus. 


CATHAUTID.E-T11E  AMKUICAN   VULTLUKS.  Jj^l 

Catharista  atrata  (Hautham). 

CABBION  CBOW;  BLACK  VTJLTITBE. 

rultur  utratns,  Hautham,  Tmv.  I'urol.  ^sn,  17'J2.  -Mkykk,  Znol.  Ann.  I,  290.  —  Oiiii 
(Wii.s.)  Ami.  Orn.  jil.  Ixxv,  1'.  •!.  —  Aiu.  liiiils  Am.  pi.  uvi.  —  liuLWsT.  Kd.  Joiiiii.  rtc. 
Scr.  1,  VI,  15(5.  Cdlhiiiiis  oIivIhs,  I,i;ss.  Man.  Oni.  1,  73,  lb2f<.  —  Knil.  it  ."^wains. 
F.  li.  A.  II,  «,  ls:il.  -l)Ai:w.  ,Iourn.  \Ws.  p.  (iS  ;  Zool.  liwij;.  jit.  iii,  p.  7.  ~  .SwAis.s. 
C'liissif.  15.  II,  20li.  —  .Iamks.  (\Vii..s.)  Am.  Oni.  I,  10.—  Hukwku  ^^VlI.s.)  Am.  Orn. 
Synop.  Uinls  Am.  p.  i)S2.  —  In.  N.  A.  Oolofjy.  —  All).  iSynup.  Uirils  Am.  p.  3. 
—  IJkmxi.  ^l•LH^  Z(Hil.  .Shi-,  pt.  xi,  i>.  lOS  ;  Am.  Nat.  Hist.  XIII,  4U8.  —  linsAi'. 
t'onsp.  p.  y.  —  I)K  Kav,  Zoiil.  X.  Y.  II,  a.  —  liKlLli.  I'rakt.  Nat.  Vii},'.  p.  27.  —  Cas.s. 
liiiil  N.Am.  1S.".8,  ;'..  —  ColKs,  Kry,  1872,  222.  Vatlmrista  iilnUus,  llKAV,  llaml 
List,  I,  IStii),  3,  No.  10.  i'lilliiv  imra  tiiijii-  ji,  ICi;ui;,  Tiaii.sl.  tlnu'l.  473,  1792 
Fiifhir  aura  (not  of  Linn  1),  1)ai-i>.  Tr.  Oiu.  II,  10  ((luotcs  I'l.  Enl.  187,  1800). 
Vatlui-  Hi-ubu,  Vll-.ILI,.  Ois.  Am.  Sept.  pi.  ii,  1807.  —  Lath.  (ten.  Hist.  I,  14. 
CallMiiiH  iiriihii,  Lkss.  Tr.  Dm.  p.  27,  1831.  —  U'Oim.  Voy.  Am.  Muriil.  Ois.  p.  31, 
pi.  i.  I'erainptcriis  urtibit,  Srv.vn.  Zoiil.  XIII,  7,  pi.  x.xxi,  1820.  Fitltur  iota, 
.TaiU).  (Wii.s.)  Am.  Orn.  Ill,  22(i,  18.!2.  — Oiii.  (Wil,s.)  Am.  Orn.  (wl.  2).  iVai. 
jilii-oii  Ma,  Vvv.  l!;>j,'.  An.  (cil.  2),  .1,  317,  1820.  (.'atliarh.f  iota,  lioXAi-.  Ann.  Ly<'. 
N.  li.  p.  23  ;  Lsis,  1832,  p.  1135  ;  List,  p.  1.  —  Kixci,  Voy.  I5uag.  I,  532.  —  Nirrr. 
Man.  I,  40.  —  I'kam;,  L'.  S.  E.xpl.  Kxp.  VIII,  59.  Catharlcs  fivtcns,  Ii.l.io.  JIns. 
Ik'rol.  —  Licirr.  Verz.  Doubl.  p.  03,  1823.  —  Guay,  Gen.  B.  sp.  1,  pi.  i,  f.  3.  —  iLvx. 
Hcitr.  Ill,  58.  —  Hirii.  .Sciio.Mn.  Faun.  lirit.  Giiian.  )>.  742. — Cah.  Av.  C'onsp.  Wii'};. 
Archiv,  1844,  202  ;  Faun.  IVr.  Orn.  p.  71.  —  IIautl.  Syst.  Ind.  Aziir.  p.  1. 

8i".  Char.  Form  heavy ;  the  wiiijrs  ami  tail  short,  the  latter  .square ;  the  remipe.s  and 
rectrice.s  very  hard  anil  still',  liill  .stronfr,  the  inantlibles  broader  than  deep,  and  of  aliout 
equal  depth,  the  terminal  hook  well  developed  ;  upper  and  lower  outline.s  of  the  cere  paral- 
lel, and  ne.irly  strai^dit.  No.stril  narrow,  its  anterior  end  eontractod  and  point(!d.  AVinar, 
17.00-17.00;  tail,  7.')0  -  8.00  ;  enlmen,  .90  -  .!).j ;  tarsus,  3.00;  middle  toe,  2.00;  outer, 
1.90;  inner,  l.oO;  posterior.  .7."). 

Adult.  Bill  blaekish,  the  ponit  horny  wliitc;  naked  skin  of  the  head  and  ujiper  part  of 
the  neek  blaeki.sli.  Entire  plinnajre  eontinuous,  perfectly  uniform  dull  black;  piimaries 
beuoniing  grayi.sh  basally  (more  hoary  whitisli  on  their  under  surfaee),  their  shafts  pure 
white  for  their  whole  lenirth. 

$  (119;!;3,  St.  Simon's  Island,  Tleorfria  ;   Dr.  Wilson).     Winjr,  17.50;  tail,  8.2"). 

Hah.    Trojiiial  and  warmer  portions  of  America,  especially  near  the  sea-coast. 

HAiiiTS.  The  Black  Vulture  or  Carrion  Crow  of  the  Southern  States, 
thouoli  ibuiid  in  a  much  less  extended  area  than  the  Turkey  Vulture,  ha.s  yet 
a  very  wide  distribution.  It  is  ([uite  conunon  along  our  Atlantic  and  Cmlf 
coasts  from  North  (,'arolina  to  Ale.xico.  It  does  not  occur  on  the  Pacific 
coast  of  the  United  States,  though  given  by  Douglas  as  being  abundant  on 
the  Columbia  Iiiver ;  indeed,  it  has  not,  that  I  am  aware  of,  been  detected 
west  of  the  Kocky  Mountains.  It  is,  however,  as  Dr.  (jrambel  states,  very 
common  about  the  Gulf  of  ("alifornia,  iind  at  Mazatlan,  i)articularly,  he  saw  it 
around  the  town  in  large  com])anies.  On  the  Atlantic  coast  it  is  not  often 
met  with  farther  north  than  Wilmington,  N.  V..  I  could  not  detect  it  near 
Norfolk,  Va.,  nor  could  I  ascertain  that  it  was  known  ever  to  occur 
there.     Accidental  specimens  have  been  taken,  two  oa  the  coast  of  Massa- 


352 


NORTH  AMERICAN  JURDS. 


cliusi'tts  ami  one  in  the  I'my  of  Fnndy  ;  Imt  sudi  (iccauToiices  mv  very  rave. 
Aliinj^-  the  const  of  all  the  Southern  States,  I'runi  North  Carolina  to  Texas,  it 
is  niiicii  more  ahundant  than  its  kindred  si)eeies,  even  where,  in  the  interior 
of  the  same  State,  it  is  i'ar  less  t're(iiieiit.  Alonj,'  the  banks  of  the  Mississippi 
and  its  tributaries,  as  far  as  Ohio  to  the  east  and  Illinois  to  the  north,  it  is 
found  more  or  less  abundantly  at  certain  seasons.  It  is  met  with  in  several 
of  the  West  India  Islands,  though  rare  in  Jamaica.  Tt  is  abundant  through- 
out Central  America,  and  occurs  in  nearly  all  jiarts  of  South  America.  Speci- 
mens were  Imnight  from  Chile  by  Lieutenant  (iilliss,  olitained  near  Santiago, 
where  it  was  not  common,  and  only  found  in  the  mountiiino\is  regions  of  the 
interior.  Darwin  fixes  its  extreme  southern  limit  in  latitude  41°  south,  near 
the  liio  Negro,  and  he  did  not  meet  witli  any  in  Chile  or  Patagonia. 

Mr.  K.  C.  Taylor,  in  his  paper  on  the  Birds  of  the  West  Indies,  mentions 


Catharista  ntrala. 

the  great  abundnnre  of  r.lark  Vultures  at  Port  of  Spain,  in  Trinidad.  Thoy 
swarmed  over  the  town,  covered  the  roofs  of  the  houses,  and  li\ed  on  the 
best  terms  with  the  poultry.  So  tamo  and  familiar  were  they  that  he  often 
poked  them  with  his  stick  or  umbrella  as  ho  walked  through  the  streets.  At 
night  they  roo.sted  in  the  trees  in  tho  gardens  and  .sciuares  of  the  town.  They 
were  very  aliundant  all  over  Trinidad  and  in  the  ])avts  of  Venezuela  he 
visited,  but  ho  found  none  in  any  of  the  i.slands  from  Trinidad  to  St.  Thomas. 
This  species  was  not  found  in  Jamaica  by  Mr.  Gosse,  but  Mr.  IMarch  after- 
wards re])orted  it  as  a  "  recent  settler." 

]\rr.  G.  C.  Taylor  (This,  1.S60,  p.  22)  found  the  Black  Vulture  very 
abundant  in  Honduras,  wiiero  it  is  always  to  be  seen  in  the  villages, 
sitting  on  tho  roofs  of  the  houses,  wheeling  in  Hocks  high  in  the  air,  or 
feeding  on  the  ofl'al  in   the  streets.     They  wore  very  tame  and  very  nu- 


('ATIIAIITID.K-TIIK   AMKKICAN    VlI.TIliKS.  (■-,'» 

liierous,  forty  or  lil'ty   lii'inn   rrci|iKMi(ly  seen  in  a  single!  coiiiiiany.     Tlioy 
iiliouudeil  ill  all  ]iarts  ol  Cciitiiil  America  llial  lu-  visited. 

\\itii  till'  cxci'ijtioii  (if  (Jidai'iilim  ninrritnis,  .Mr.  Salviu  rryanls  tliis  siiocics 
as  tla;  iiio.st  familiar  liird  in  (iiiateiiiala.  At  iii^dit  tlicy  retirwl  to  tins 
forests,  and  in  tlio  early  moriiiii!,'  trooiicd  back  to  tlicir  post.s  in  tlio  stivct.s 
and  lanes,  and  alioiit  tliu  tops  of  tiiu  lioiiscs  and  cliiiirlies.  Tlicy  f,'ciiera!ly 
iicstiMl  in  till!  furcsts,  llioii^ii  in  Anlimia  (iiialemala  lliey  were  said  to  nse 
the  rnins  of  tlic  old  diurclies  for  liiat  purpose. 

]\rr.  Dresser  found  tliis  Viiltiiri'  alMait  e(juall\  (•oniinon  with  tha  Ji.aurft  on 
the  Lower  I'io  (iraiide,  lait  iiiucli  less  common  near  San  Aiitoni(j.  lie  usu- 
ally found  the  two  species  in  comi)any,  attended  also  by  the  J'o/i/liuni.s  amln- 
boiii  and  Cra.rli'c.r  Itnrylsi.  They  were  found  hreediiij,'  iinioiij,'  tlii!  rocks  al 
Systerdale,  where  they  were  said  to  he  the  only  species  found. 

I)r.  Coues  did  not  meet  witli  any  in  Arizona,  nor  were  any  taken  on  tliu 
survey  of  the  ]\Ie.\ican  hoiindary.  In  South  Carolina  he  considered  it 
chielly  confined  to  lla^  lower  country,  while  the  V.  nurd  is  more  generally 
distrilmted  over  the  Slate.  The  two  meet  toj^ether  iVeidy,  and  as  tiiey  circle 
about  ill  each  other's  company  they  allbrd  an  e.veelleiit  opportunity  of  no- 
ticing- the  nreat  ditferences  in  their  mode  of  ilieht  and  in  the  outliiie  of  their 
liodies  and  wiiius.  On  the  other  hand,  Wilson,  Ord,  and  others  deny  that 
the  two  kinds  live;  to.nether. 

In  tlie  Southern  Atlantic'  cities,  especially  Charleston  and  Savannah,  the 
r.iack  Vulture  is  a  semi-domestic  bird,  and  is  very  abundant.  It  is  als(j  to 
be  found  in  the  interior,  but  is  neither  so  common  nor  so  tame. 

Tiie  (\ifharl>iUi  alyiilos  is  said  to  be  much  more  sensitive  to  cold  than  the 
(ii'm,  and  when  the  weather  is  at  all  uufavm'able  they  cower  anaind  the  tops 
of  chimneys  to  enjoy  the  heat.  Thou-h  tolerated  "and  even  protected  by 
law,  their  lilthy  habits  render  them  a  source  of  annoyance  to  those  wlio.so 
hou.ses  they  freciiient.  'J'heir  value  as  scavenn-ers  and  the  .services  they  render 
in  the  removal  of  ofllil  render  them  almost  a  necessity  in  Southern  cities. 

r.oth  in  their  mode  of  ili,o|,t  ;„„i  j,,  ,i„.j,.  „„ivenu-iits  upon  the  j.nmnd 
this  spcMcs  dilfers  materially  from  the  Turkey-P.uzzard.  The  latter^Avalks 
steadily  wliilo  on  the  nnamd,  and  when  it  mounts  does  .so  bv  a  single  ii])- 
ward  spring.  The  JJiack  Vulture  is  ill  at  oa.se  on  the  yrouiid,  move^  awk- 
wardly, and  when  it  e.s.says  to  tly  npward  takes  .severaMeai.s  in  a  sliulllin-r 
sid.'lono-  manner  before  it  can  rise.  Their  tli-ht  is  more  labored,  and  is  con" 
tinueil  by  Happing  .several  times,  alternating  with  .sailing  a  limited  distance. 
Their  wings  are  held  at  right  angles,  and  their  feet  j-rotrude  bevoiid  their 
tail-leathers.  In  all  these  respects  the  dilferences  between  the  two  liirds  are 
very  noticeable,  and  plainly  mark  the  sjiecies. 

Mr.  Audubon  states  tliat  at  tiie  commencement  of  the  mating-season,  early 
in  February,  the  gesticulations  of  the  males  are  verv  conspFcuous.     They 
strut  in   the  manner  of  a  Turkey-cock,  open  their  wings,  lower  their  heads, 
and  utter  a  puHiiig  sound  that  is  anylhiug  but  musical. 
VIM.,  m.  43 


J]-,4  NORTH  AMEltKWN  V.Uim. 

Alcxiiiidfr  Wilson  (Ics.'rilx'.s  witli  i^Tciit  iniiuitciii'ss  a  sceiiu  he  witncssi'd 
lu'iii'  ( 'liarli'stoii,  wiii'ie  tlin  I'luva.s.s  ut'  a  Imiso  was  (Untuned  by  tlu'si;  liinls, 
tlui  ^'ntuad  for  luiudivds  ol'  yards  around  liciiij,'  lihudv  with  tlii-ni.  Ho 
L'oiiutud  at  0111!  tiiiif  two  liiiiidicd  and  tliiity-scvi'ii,  wliih;  otlicrs  won-  in  tlio 
air  tlyiii,L!  around,  lie  vtiiiturcid  witiiin  a  tow  yards  ol'  tliu  horse  without 
their  hiediiij,'  his  jireseiiee.  Tliey  IVeciUi'iilly  atlaclved  one  aiintlier,  li^ditin^' 
will)  their  (laws  and  striking  witii  tiieir  ojieii  \vinj,'s,  tixiiii,'  their  daws  in 
each  other's  liead.  They  made  a  iiissiiig  siuiiid  with  ojieii  iiKaiths,  reseiii- 
hiiiiL;  that  jiroiliieed  hy  tliriisting  a  red-liot  jioker  into  water,  and  oeeasionally 
a  siuilliiiig  noise,  as  it  eh'ariiig  tiieir  nostrils.  At  times  one  would  emerge 
with  a  largo  fragment,  and  in  a  nioinent  wonhl  he  surrounded  l>y  several 
others,  who  would  tear  it  in  {lieees  and  soon  cause  it  to  disappear. 

The  I'daek  Vulture  hrceds  on  or  near  the  ground  in  the  .same  manner  as 
the  Turkey- 15u/zard,  in  hollow  1ol;s,  decayed  tnink,s  of  trees,  and  stumps, 
and  also  without  this  proteetion,  tlu,-  hare  earth  only  being  made  use  oi'.  It 
is  .said  to  make  no  nest.  The  eiigs  seldom,  if  ever,  e.Ncecd  two  in  numlier. 
Tlie.se  are  greater,  liotli  in  their  length  and  capacity,  than  those  of  the  Turkcy- 
Euzzard,  although  the  measurements  of  the  birds  themselves  would  seem  to 
show  the  latter  to  be  apparently  the  larger  bird.  The  average  weight  of  the 
Black  Vulture's  egg,  however,  is  about  one  ])ound,  or  fifteen  per  cent  greater 
than  that  of  the  Ihi/.zard.  Three  from  t'liarleston,  (Jalveston,  and  the  l!io 
Grande  furnish  the  foUowing  measurements:  8.81  inches  by  1.1I4;  ;'»  by  2.00; 
3.()()  by  1.04.  The  ]irineipal  dill'erence  between  the  eggs  of  this  and  the  jire- 
cediiig  s]H'cics  is  in  regard  to  their  si/e.  Their  ground-color  is  the  .same,  or 
nearly  the  .same, —  a  yellowish-white  or  cream-color,  almost  never  a  ])uro 
white,  and  only  in  exce])tional  cases.  The  eggs  are  more  elongate  in  their 
.shape,  and  the  blotches  are  usually  larger.  These  are  of  a  dark  reddish- 
brown,  conlluent,  and  cliiefly  distributed  around  the  larger  end.  There  are 
also  markings,  smaller  and  less  fic(|U(Mit,  of  lilac  and  ]iuridish-dral),  similar 
to  tho.se  noticed  in  tlie  eggs  of  C  (inni.  An  egg  from  the  Itio  Grande  is 
marked  with  small  si)ots  of  reddish-brown  and  obscure  lilac,  equally  dis- 
tributed over  the  whole  surface  on  a  ground  of  cream-color. 

]\Ir.  Audubon  is  jiositive  that  this  A'ulture  never  breeds  in  trees,  and  that 
they  never  build  any  nest,  but  deposit  their  eggs  on  the  ground,  on  a  dead 
log,  or  in  a  hollow  tr(>e.  Twenty-one  days  are  retjuired  for  Imtchiiig  their 
eggs,  on  which  the  male  and  female  sit  by  turns  and  feed  each  other.  The 
young  are  covered  witii  a  light  cream-colored  down,  and  are  fed  with  regur- 
gitated food,  in  tlu!  manner  of  Pigeons.  As  soon  as  they  are  able,  tlify 
follow  their  ])arents  through  the  Avoods,  at  which  ]K'riod  their  entire  head 
and  neck,  which  afterwards  become  bare,  are  covered  with  feathers. 


CATIIAIITTD/K-TIUJ   A.MKUICAN   VULTUUK8. 


355 


NOTE. 


The  following  fijrures  are  given  to  illustrnto  sonio  oftho  rrniiial  nnd  stprtinl  pcciilinritica 
of  I  ho   Catlmrlidw. 


14.    Sarcorhiimphus  sr>M.hus,  One  llalf  natural  size 

•not).    Pseudognvhus  caKfornianus. 


7=Ca     RMnofryplms  aura.        Cue  half  natural  s 
■5S3-     Catharista  alrata.  •■  .. 


35C 


NOUTir  A.MEHJCAN  BIRDS. 


33^9. 


ijSS. 


9007. 


9007. 


■';]^-     '■"" K^V|■l|"^>.llif.,rnia„„J         .. 

0^7.    Sar.cirhaiiiphus  iMpa 


3369. 


■Slcrnuni.  „,^    OlicfoNrll,  naturaUiz, 


COLI'MIUD.K  — TIIK    I'UiKONS.  857 


Family   COLUMBID-SJ.  - -Tin;  l'n;i;(-\s. 

CiiAli.  The  liiisul  jiortioii  ol'  i1h>  hill  covcrril  liy  a  sofi  skin,  in  wliirli  an>  siluali'il  tho 
nostrils,  (iviTliinii;  liy  an  inriniilicnl  lie,  liy  valve,  the  apical  [Mirli>in  liaiil  and  conM'X. 
'I'lu'  himl  tiM^  (HI  tlic  sanic!  level  willi  llie  resl ;  the  aineiioi-  tni'S  wiliioiil  iiieinlirane  al  tlie 
l)a>e.     'i'arsi  mure  or  less  nalvi'd ;  I'overeil  lalerally  and  lioliind  wilii  liexau'unal  scales. 

Till  liill  (>r  tho  Ciihuiibiilir  is  always  .slioitoi  tlian  tho  lioad,  thiiiiir  in  tlio 
iiii(hilo;  tho  basal  half  oovorod  liy  a  soft  skin  ;  tiio  apical  ixirtiouol  hutii  Jaws 
hanl ;  tho  uppei'  "iio  vory  convex,  blunt,  and  liroad  al  tiio  ti[),  wiiore  it  is 
also  .somewhat  docuisod.  Tiiore  is  a  loni;'  nasal  ,i;roo\'o,  tiio  iiosterior  poi'tioii 
oocupiod  by  a  cartilaginous  soalo,  covered  by  a  soft  core-liki^  skin.  Tiio  nos- 
trils constitute  an  olonj^atod  slit  in  tlu;  lowoi'  bordi'r  of  tiiii  scale,  'i'iio  (miI- 
men  Ls  always  doprossud  and  convex.  The  bill  is  nc\ei'  notched  in  the  true 
Doves,  though  Diilimciilih-  siiows  well-dctincd  serrations.  Tiio  tongue  is 
small,  Hoi't,  and  somewhat  llesliy. 

The  wing  has  ten  ]iriniarics,  and  eleven  or  tw(dve,  rarely  fifteen,  seconda- 
ries;  the  hitter  broad,  truncate,  and  of  ne.uly  e(pial  length.  The  tail  is 
rounded  or  c moate,  never  forked. 

Tho  tarsus  is  usually  short,  rarely  longi/r  tlian  the  middh!  toe,  scutellato 
anteriorly,  and  wilji  hexagonal  plates  laterally  and  behind  ;  sometimes 
naked.  An  intor-digital  membrane  is  eitho"  wanting  entirely,  or  el.so  is 
very  slightly  indicated  bolweoii  the  middle  and  outer  tui'S. 

Tiio  valualilo  monogra])li  of  ISoiiaparto  in  the  second  i)art  of  Ci>n--<}u'rtii^ 
Aridiii,  renders  the.  task  of  arranging  the  .American  Vdliniihidif  in  pro]ier 
se(iuenco  and  of  determining  their  syiinnoniy  compaiatixely  easy.  He 
divides  tho  family  into  Luiiliuld  )inii(i\Culuinhinii\  Ttdiiifiiiii^Ziiiindino:,  and 
/'/i(i/iiiiiv,  the  ,seo(md  an<l  fourth  alone  occurring  in  >.'urLh  America.  They 
may  bo  brielly  distinguisiied  as  follows:  — 

Columbinae.     Tarsus  sliorl,;-  tlian  the  lateral  toe;  foalliered  aliove. 
Zenaidiuae.     Tarsus  ioiiiier  tlia.i  the  lateral  toes;  entirely  liare  of  feathers. 


SntF.vMii.v  COLUMBINiE. 

CiiAi!.  Tarsi  Stout,  short,  with  trinisverse  .-.eulellio  anteriorly;  feathered  tor  llu' hasal 
third  iihov.',  hut  not  at  all  li.thiud.  Toes  leiiL'thened,  the  lati'r;d  deeidi'dly  loiejer  than 
the  tarsus.      Winjis  ieii.Lilhened  iind  [loinli'd.     Size  lar-c.     Tail-feathers  twelve. 

'I'liis  section  id'  doves  embraces  the  laigest  North  American  s]iecies,  and 
among  lliciii  tlie  more  arboreal  ones.     Tlie  genera  are  as  follows  :  — 

ColuRiba.     Head  lar^'i- :   tail  short,  hroiid,  and  rounded. 

'ulcr  toe  much  loiejer  than  ihi'  inner;   hill  liither  short,    tout         .         Cnhiinhit. 
( »uler  toescariely  loiiL'er  than  llie  inner;  hill  leiiL'lhened,  eoin[)re.s.scd     l'aliiiji».iias, 
Ectopistea.     Head  vory  small;  tail  much  len^lheiiod,  eiineate. 


358 


NORTU  A.MERICAx^f  BIRDS. 


Genus  COLUMBA,   Lin.v.els. 

Cohtmba,  Lixn/Eis,  Syst.  Nat.  1  ";!,">.     (Tyi'o,  Culumha  licin,  L.) 

Gen.  Cii.vn.  Bill  stout  and  r.itlicr  sliort ;  cuinien  from  the  base  of  the  feathers  about 
two  fifths  the  head.  Lateral  toes  and  claws  al)out  equal,  reachinfj  nearly  to  the  base  of 
the  niidille  elaw  ;  the  claws  rather  Un)<s,  and  not  ninch  curved.  Tail  ratiier  short,  rounded, 
or  nearly  even ;  as  lonj,'  as  from  the  carpal  joint  to  the  end  of  secondaries  ni  the  closed 
wing.     Second  and  third  quills  longest. 

Tlie  gomis  Colmnha,  as  cliaracterizetl  above,  includes  tlie  C.  Uvia,  or  doinestic 

J'igeoii,  the  diileiences  lie- 
tween  it  and  the  American 
forms  heing  very  sliglit. 
lieichenliach  and  Bona- 
parte separate  tiie  Xortli 
American  liirds  from  Cn- 
h'nihd,  under  tlie  name  of 
t'li/i>r<i  liK.f,  wliile  C.  Icxco- 
vcjiltaln  anil  a  near  ally 
of  the  West  Indies  (C. 
corcimix)  liave  been  jilaeeti 
in  the  subgenus  I'ldar/i- 
(riiaa,  Iieiclienl)ach. 

The  variations  of  form 
among  the  n\imerous 
American  mendiers  of 
Cohrmhri  are  more  witii  the  s])ecies,  however,  than  with  groups,  and  withal 
are  so  exceedingly  slight  that  i'u  attempt  at  subdividing  the  genus  is  .scnrcely 
justifiable.  Tliev  may  be  arranged  by  the  style  of  coloration  as  i'oli(j\vs. 
None  of  the  American  si)ecies  have  the  forepart  of  tlie  neck  metallic,  as  in 
the  European  species,  or  Co/iniih((  proper,  as  restricted,  and  in  which  these 
metallic  feathers  have  tlie  fibres  loose  and  lilended,  instead  of  being  com- 
pact ;  the  feathers  also  ha\e  a  well-detined  sipiamate  arrangement  in  nearly 
or  cjuite  all  the  American  Coluuihcc. 


Cohtmfin  fnsriata. 


Species  and  Varieties. 

A.  Tail  with  a  broad  terminal  b.'uid  abruptly  litrhler  in  color  ih.in  the  basal 
portion,  and  with  a  more  or  less  wcU-deliiied  bLackish  band  across  the  middle. 
Nai)e  with  metallic  reflections. 

a.  A  narrow  nu.'hal  lnoid  of  while;  the  metallic  fcalheis  licneath  this,  with 
their  outlines  distinct,  produciiifj  a  si|uaniate  appearance. 

1.  C.  fasciata.  I!lacl<isli  baml  across  the  middle  of  tin"  tail  narrow, 
an<l  badly  dctined,  and  t'oncealed  by  tlie  coverts;  terminal  [lorlion  of 
the  tail  iniich  lighter  than  the  hiusal  part.    Bill  yellow;  eri.ssuni  wliiiish; 


COLUMBID.K  —  Til !■:  I'Ki KONS.  35<) 

hood  and  antnior  lower  parts   asliy  viiia(.'cniis-piiriil(' ;   <lorsal   rogioii 

ashy. 

Bill  tipped  with  lilai.'k;  wiiig-covi-rts  noiispieiKmsly  edi'ed  wilii 
white;  liaciv  witli  an  olivaceous  east.  Wintr,  8.S(';  tail,  G.IO; 
culineii,  .7");  larsii--,  l.l.'i;  niidclle  (oe,  l.M  ;  oiili'i',  IM') ;  ililier, 
.04.  JJdb.  I'aeilie  Province  of  the  railed  ^^tates,  sontli  to  Guate- 
mala          \iw. /(t  sc  iu  la  . 

])ill  enliiely  yellow  ;  winy-eovei  ts  not  distinctly  oilujed  with 
wiiite;  haek  v.-ith  a  liliiish  cast.  Winir.  8.,'il) ;  tail,  <i.2(» ;  enhneii, 
.J^^d;  taisns,  l.(M  ;  niiddle  toe,  l.'J7  ;  outef,  1.0(1;  inner,  .SS.  Hah. 
Cdsta  kiea         ........  vai'.  albiliuca} 

2.  C.  araucaua.^  Itiaek  band  across  the  middle  ol'  the  tail  as  liroacl 
as  tlie  teiniinal  lii;htor  one,  and  wholly  exposed;  terniimil  l)ortioii  not 
lighter  than  the  base.  Eill  black  ;  erissnni  dcef)  slate  :  bond  and  lnwer 
parts  deep  piu'plish-vinaccous  ;  dorsal  region  like  th(^  lueast.  Wing, 
S.'i^);  tail,  0.20;  cnlmeii,  .58; ■  tarsus,  1.13  ;  middle  toe,  l.'Jti;  outer,  .90; 
inner,  .7".     llah.    ("bile. 

6.  No  nuchal  bar  of  white  ;  metallic^  leathers  of  the  naiic  with  their  Iibres 
blended,  producing  a  soft  even  surliu'c. 

3.  C.  caribaea.'  Tail  much  as  in  'C./anci'dla,  but  with  a  much  greater 
contrast  'ictwecn  the  nearly  equal  dark  basal  and  light  terminal  por- 
tions; the  former  more  unil'orinly  dusky,  not  showing  any  distinct 
darker  internicdiato  band.  ]5ill  lilack  ;  bond  and  lower  paits  light 
ashy-piidvish   vinaceous  ;  ciissuni   white;  dorsal  region   ashy.      Wing, 

8.70;   tail,  C.DO;  eul n,    .81;   tarsus,    1.0.");   middle    toe,    l.'JS ;  outer, 

.90:  iinie;-,  .88.     I/ab.     Jamaica. 

4.  C.  rufilia.*  Terminal  liglit  baud  of  the  t:  il  narrow,  badly  defined. 
IJill  bla(;k.  Foieheaij,  ilorsal  region,  lesser  \.  ing-cover(s,  neck  and 
breast,  deep  cho<.-(ilale-|)urple  ;  forepart  of  the  back  with  a  violet 
rellection.  Otiiei'  ])ortioiis  niaiidy  ashy.  Wing,  7..')0;  tail,  5.00;  cul- 
men,  .08  ;  tarsus,  .97  ;  middle  toe,  l.lli  ;  ontei-,  .89;  inner,  78.  Jfah. 
]!ra/.il,  north  to  (iualcmala. 

B«  Tail  of  a  uniform  shade  throughout. 

a.  A  metallic  "eap('"  on  the  nape,  each  fealher  bordered  \,iih  bkudc,  pro- 
ducing a  conspicuously  sipiamale  appearance;  above  this,  a  broad,  tran.".- 
vcr.«e,  crcscentio  patch  of  dark  maroon  color.  No  vinaceous  tints  on  the 
body. 

5.  C.  leucocephala.  Hood  white;  mpt.allic  capo  brassy-green  ;  throat, 
cheeks,  etc.,  dark  ]ilu:nbeous-slate,  like  tlu!  r(>st  of  the  plumage.  Bill 
yellow  only  at  the  tip.  Wing,  7.70;  tail,  5.50;  culmon,  .00  ;  tarsus,  1.00 ; 
middle  toe,  1.25  ;  outer,  .85;  inner,  .8.'i.    Ilab.    Cuba,  and  south  Floriila. 

1  ''/nliimliK  fdseinfrt,  yva:  iillii/'iira.  Culiniiha  aUii/iiicd,  "Oiiay,"  lioN.VP.  Consp.  VI,  18.'7, 
.11.     i'/iliird-iKis  a.  ('.\li.  J.  ISG'.t,  211. 

2  Columlia  nmucaiw,  Lkss.  Voy.  de  la  ViM\.  Ois.  t.  40.  Culiirnhn  (Iniisni,  Tr.MM.  I'l.  Col. 
502.     (',  iiii rliliiiiiiilLs,  Kino. 

"  Ciitiiiiilia  airilimi,  (Imki.in,  S.  \.  l7^sS,  77:!.  —  (!i)ssi-„  H.  ,Iaiii.  2in.  M.Maii,  1'.  A.  N.  S. 
riiiliid.  18(J3,  301.     I'atuiiMiMs  c.  Sci..  1'.  Z.  S.  ISOl,  SO.  -- lJi:icll.   Ilaiidb.   O.'s  tab.  230,  (>,  f. 

:vM->. 

*  Culnhiba  riifinii,  (Tk.M.m.)  Ur.icil.  Ilaiidb.  ()2,  tab.  222,  f.  2.")8H,  2584.  —  I.AWi!.  .\ini.  X.  V. 
Lyo.  ISCl,  VII,  333,  No.  2S1  (raiiaina).  —  Set,.  &  S.u.v.  1>.  Z.  S.  iMid,  108  ^.\niazon).  —  In. 
1867,  590.  — ScL.  Ibis,  I,  222  (C.uatei  liO.  —S.u.v.  P.  Z.  S.  1867,  150  (Vuragua).  —  Ib.  1870, 
115  (Costa  Rioa).  —  Keinh.  Vid.  Med.  Xat.  For.  1870,  50  (Brazil). 


3G0  NOUTII  AMKRICAX   lUUD!^. 

(j.  C.  corensis.'  Ilniid.  -wilh  ii'iniiiiiiiij;  portioiis  of  head  and  ntrk, 
l)Uiiilisli-viiiiic('i)us;  inclallii' cape  viiiai'C(ius-[iiir]ili'.  Bill  wliolly  ^'oUow. 
Will,;;,  8.(M(;  tail,  5.70;  ciiliiicn,  .(i,'i  ;  tai'siis,  1.0.");  middle  toe,  1.1!,"); 
outer,  .S(j;  iiiuci-,  ..s.'J.  //((/),  I'oilo  Uico;  St.  Thoiniis;  SuiitoDuiiiiiiyo; 
Santa  Ci-n/. 
b.  No  nii'tallic  icIlfctioiiK  on  the  nn.\H\ 

Ili'ad  and  neck,  all  ronnd,  lower  paits  to  the  anal  rej;loii,  and  a  ])ateh 
on  tlie  lesser  wimj-covei'ts,  reddish  ehu(,'olate-pnrple.  U(  st  of  pInniaLje 
.slaty-lilne,  darker  on  tail  aiul  piiinaries,  and  uu>]v.  olivaeeons  on  the 
dorsid  rcLiion. 

7.  C.  flavirostris.  Feallieis  of  the?  Inrehead  reachinir  Ibiward  to  the 
anterior  end  of  the  nasal  lohe.  and  wholly  covering;  the  eeiv  on  top. 
Clllnien  mui.-h  arched.  J?ill  ami  elaws  yellow.  Wiiii;-,  7.>*n  ;  tail.  .").M>; 
enhnen,  .o'J  ;  tarsu.s,  l.(j;!;  middle  toe,  l.l.');  onler,  .N2  ;  inner,  .75. 
Ildh.  Midille  Aini,'ri(;a,  and  sonthern  ijoiMler.s  of  Middle  I'rovinee  of 
United  Slates,  friiin  Arizona  and  the  Uio  (iraiide;  sonlh  to  Costa  Rii.'a. 

8.  C  iuornata.-  Feathers  ol' the  forehead  r<'aehinj,'  lorwar(l  to  only 
nhont  the  nnddle  of  the  nasal  lolie.  leaving'  the  top  of  the  eere  naked; 
ciilineii  oidy  moderately  arched,  liill  and  ilaws  hlaek.  Winu,  It.'iO  ; 
tail,  (i,(!0;  (Milinen,  .7."> ;  tarsus,  I. Ill;  middle  toe,  1.17;  outer,  LIS; 
imier,  .07.     JIab.   .lamaiea. 


Columba  fasciata,  S.vy. 

BAND-TAILED  PIGEON. 

Cuhimhi  f.iannid.  Say,  l,oii;;'s  V.x\»-A.  I!,  Mts.  II,  !>•.>:!,  10.  —  lio\.  Ain.T.  Oni.  I,  lS-2.'), 
77,  pi.  viii.  ^  \V.\(!i,i;i;,  .'<y>t.  Av.  1N-J7,  '"/"/.(//",  No.  17.  -  Nr  rr.\i,l.,  Man.  1,  183:2, 
11-J4.  — Ai-n.  (»rn.  I!i(«.  IV,  1S:!8,  47'.i,  pi.  cirl.wii.  hi.  .Syn.  l.s.!!",  U)l.  — In.  lUids 
Aniir.  IV,  ]>4'_',  Jill',  pi.  celxxi.\. — 'rselllDl,  Kainia  rcniaiia,  lsU-4lJ,  Ni).  'Jlil. — 
Isi'.wiif.i!i;Y,  Ziiel.  Cal.  &  (ii.  Kmilr,  l!cp.  1'.  U.  IJ.  VI,  iv,  Jii  —  riAiiin,  liirds  N.  Am. 
ISSS,  r)|,i7. — Cooi'f.li,  Orn.  t'al.  I,  ls7o,  "inii.  I'ldnrn-itus  /Ksrinta,  ISonai'.  Cciiisp.  II, 
1854,  al.  I'tildfiilut  III, >iii/i's,  Vh;oi:s,  Zonl.  IJiTchcy's  Voyage,  isy.*,  20,  pi.  .\. 
<.'hlvr(Liii(s  iiiuiti/is,  lli;ieii.  Konrs  \\.  cc.x.wii,  li^.  24M. 

Sr.  CiiAli.  .Miove  ash,  inclininir  to  olivaeeons  on  the  hack,  anil  with  a  line  hlnish  cast 
on  the  rtinip.  nndei'  snrfaee  of  winirs,  and  sides.  The  primaries  .ami  hasal  portimi  of 
the  tail  dnsky.  l.arjj-er  win;j--coverls  and  secondaries,  wilh  pi'iniaiies,  di.-liinily  cdijcd 
with  white;  teiininal  ihird  of  tail  of  iicMrly  thi'  same  lint  as  the  win^-covert.s,  hnl  the 
liasal  poiliciii  iniic'h  darker,  wilh  a  rather  iiidi.-tinct.  narrow  dnsky  hand  helwei'ii  tlu"  two 
shades,  a  lillli'  licvnnd  the  lip^  uf  the  upper  coverts.  Whole  head,  lateral  and  front  pari  >>[' 
neck,  and  lower  pails  lo  the  anal  re^inii,  ashy  vin.-K.'cons-pnrple,  lighter,  and  more  pii.!<isli 
on  the  .'didoim'ii  ;  chin  eonsiderahly  liirhler;  anal  n.'Lrion  and  crissnni  while.  A  narrow 
half-eollar   of  while   across  the  upper  portion   of   the   nape;    feathers   heiiealh  this  dull 

'  Ciihiiiihii  rurriisix,  (l.\ii:i,.  S.  \,  I,  ls7S,  ">:!.-     l^.vi. l.l':,  1'.  Z.  .'>.  ls.')7,  '2'-\'i  |S;nitii  l)iiiiiiii,L;ii). 

-Ni:wroN,  Ihis  1,  -J.'!'.'  (.Siuita  Cni/.l.  ("a a.  .1.  IV,  InS  (Ciiha*.  -  Tavlhi:,  llii>,  l.silt,  T7'  (St. 
TliDliias).      /'filiii/iii  IIII.1  r.   lii;i(  III.NIi.   Ilalhlli.  t.di.  'J'J'2,  f.  'J.'iSl. 

-  Cii/iiiiiliii  iiiiii'ii(i/ii,  Vliaiiis,  I'r.  Zcilil.  Sue.  1847,  ;!7.  —  Dl'.  I.A  Saoha,  Vcpy.  I'lle  dc  Cuha, 
Ois.  t.  ^S.  —('All.  .1.  IV,  Kill  (Ciilia*.  —.Si  I..  1'.  Z.  S.  IStll,  ,H0.  ^  liiieii  losii.  Ilaiidl).  &1,  tah. 
•2±1,  (.  •-'.'.s-J.  -  (liMii.,  IJ.pcit.  lull.  I,  Isiiil,  -JUS.  .Maui  II,  1'.  A.  N.  S.  lS(l;l,  Udl  (.lamaka). 
V.  ritlimi,  (Jossi:,  I!,  .lain,  iimt  ''.  nilinK  nf  'I'i.m.mimk  I). 


('(•I.i'MnilLK  — TIIK  PIOEOXS. 


:\(\] 


iiii'tiillic    golik!n-}.'ix'fii,    with    111)    CM.'wixioiml    l)i'()uzy    n'llci'tinu,    the    t'ciillicrs    sihiicwIkiI 

s(|ii!iiiiatt'.      Hill  iiiid   i'l'ft  y<'llc)\v,  lilt'  luniiui' liliick   at   tin,'  cml ;  ii'i-;   reel.     [,i'ii,i.'lli,  alMiul 

l").Ol);   uiiij;',  S.SO ;  tail,  (i.  id.     /•'I'liiiilc  siiiallor,  and  less  (lucply  cDlorL'il,  tlic  iim|ili>li  lint 

more!  ashy;  scuiicliiiics  with  llu' 

iiiirlial    whilr  haml    (iliscilcic   or 

wauliiiu'';  till'  aliiloiiu.'ii  whitish, 

dr. 

IIaii.  I'arilic  rroviiici'  of 
riiituil  Slat<'s,  and  laMc-lamls 
of  Mcxii'ii.  to  (iiiali'iiiala.  Oax- 
ara  (Si-i,.  1S!")S,  .'i(l-l)  ;  Xalapa, 
IS,')!»,  ;!(;i)  (("(ii;i)ovA,  IS.')(i,  ."..■)ll); 
Gualciuala  (Sai.vin,  J  his,  II, 
27(i)  ;  Korl  \Vhi|i[pli',  Arizona 
(CoiKS,  1'.  A.  X.  S.  ISGii,  l);i); 
Vera  Crii/.  alniiii'  I'cirion  (Si'.\f. 
M.  Most.  So(.'.  I,  oi\2). 

S]it'(.'iim'ii.s  —  even  those 
Ironi   the   siiiiu!    locality—  •  m„,»/« /;»■/«/«. 

\iirv  ii  oveat  deal    in   size, 

particularly  as  to  tlic  hill,  and  there  is  also  considerable  variation  in  the 
shade  and  deptli  as  wtdl  as  the  extent  oi  tlie  ]nii'](lish  tint  ;  tliis  varies  i'rom 
a  piiriilish-chocolate  tint  to  nearly  violactsous,  and  sometimes  tinges  the  ends 
of  the  lower  tail-coverts;  sonxetimes  the  hack  has  faint  hronzy  reflect  ions. 
CJnatemalan  skins  have  the  white  edgings  to  the  wing-covert.s  less  conspicu- 
ous tlian  in  northern  ones,  showing  an  approximation  to  the  featiu'es  of  var. 
((Uiilliiid  of  Costa  Iiic'i;  they  also  have  a  shoi'ter  hill  tlian  California  s])eci- 
nuMis.  Oregon  hirds,  on  the  other  hand,  have  longer  bills  than  the  (,'alifor- 
iiia,  aiul  are  considerably  darker  in  color. 

li.vi'.rr.s.  The  liand-tailed  I'igeon  was  first  met  within  Long's  exjjedition 
to  tlu;  Iiocky  Mountains,  and  descrilied  by  Say  in  1S2:>.  It  is  found  from 
tlie  northern  IJocky  Moinitains  westward  to  the.  I'acilic,  and  i'rom  Central 
America  nortliward  along  the  wiiole  of  the  I'acilic  Coast  as  far  to  the  north 
as  \Va.shingtoii  Territory,  and  ])rolialily  ])ortions  of  I'ritish  Columbia. 

Mr.  Town.send,  ([Uoted  by  Audulion,  noticed  this  I'igeon  from  the  eastern 
spurs  of  the  Itocky  ]\I(aintains  acro.ss  to  the  Colundiia  IJiver,  where  ili  was 
very  al)un(hint.  lie  noticed  their  arrival  in  very  great  numliers  on  tlm  17th  of 
April,  and  they  continued  in  large  flocks  even  while  breeding.  Their  lireediug- 
placcs  were  on  the  baidvs  of  the  river,  the  eggs  were  ])laced  on  the  ground, 
under  small  hushes  without  any  nest,  where  numliers  congregated  together. 
The  eggs  wtire  two  in  nninber,  and  are  de.scrilied  as  of  a  yellowish-white  color, 
some  inclining  to  a  bluish-white  with  minute  white  dots  at  the  larger  end. 

These  birds  feed  on  the  berries  of  the  Idack-elder  and  the  buds  of  the 
balsam  pojtlar.  When  sitting  on  tlie  trees,  tiiey  hud<lle  clo.se  together  in  the 
manner  of  the  Carolina  I'arrot,  and  many  may  lie  killed  at  a  single  discharge. 
Tiaur  tie.sli  is  said  to  be  fender,  juicy,  and  line  eating. 

vol..  ill.  46 


n02  NORTH  AMHi;i(U\  lUHDS. 

jMr.  Nuttall  states  that  this  rigcon  is  always  in  lldcks,  and  in  Oregon  kueps 
(inly  in  tiic  thifk  Inicsts  ol'tiic  Ciluniliia  and  the  Wahlami't,  and  dniing  lliu 
suninicr  is  uunv  jiartiiulaily  alaindant  in  the  alhnial  gnivt's  ol'  tiu'  la'tiT 
river,  where  he  ('(inslaiilly  hi'ard  its  cdding,  and  saw  it  in  large  llucks, 
feeding  (in  tiie  Ijcrries  dl'  tiie  eider,  tiui  Ctiriu's  ini//((//i,  and  ihe  see(l-gernis 
uiul  yuiuig  ])(ids  (if  till'  lialsani  iMijiiar.  Its  call  is  simiewhat  similar  to  that 
of  the  Camlina  Dove,  hut  is  readily  distinguisiialile,  is  nltt'red  at  the  usual 
intervals,  and  is  repeated  an  hmir  (ir  twn  at  a  lime,  ehielly  in  the  nmrning 
and  evening.  It  remains  on  the  lower  jiart  of  tiie  Cnlumiiia  nearly  tiie 
whole  year,  feeding  on  tlie  lierries  ni'  the  tree  cunud,  moving  soutii  only  in 
the  severity  of  winter. 

'Slv.  Salvia  found  this  I'igeou  at  Volcan  di'  Kiiego,  in  (luateniala.at  an  ele- 
vation of  six  thousand  feet, and  at  Coiian.  it  was  (|uite  common  in  the  high 
forests  of  the  Volcano. 

Dr.  NVoodliouse  met  with  small  flocks  of  tliese  Pigeons  in  diiferent  jiarts 
of  New  ^le.xico,  and  especially  in  tlie  San  Francisco  Mountains,  now  in- 
cluded witiiin  the  limits  of  Arizona. 

Tiiis  species  Mas  found  at  I.os  Xogales.  in  ^Mexico,  .Inly,  185;"),  hy  I)r. 
Keinierly,  and  at  New  Leon  hy  Lieutenant  Couch.  Dr.  Kennerly  states 
that  these  lieautii'ul  liirds  Winv  often  oliservcd  in  the  valleys  of  tlie  Santa 
Cruz  and  Los  Xogales  Jiivers,  as  well  as  among  the  oaks  on  tiu;  adjacent 
hills.  Jn  the  niontli  of  June  they  were  found  in  small  flocks  of  four  or  five, 
rarely  more.  When  flying,  the  wings  ofte!i  caused  a  Ihqiping  noise,  simi- 
lar to  that  made  liy  the  domestic  Tigeon. 

Dr.  Ne wherry,  in  his  Itejiort  on  tlie  /.oology  of  Colonel  Williamson's  route, 
states  that  he  met  with  this  Pigeon  at  several  ])oints  of  his  journey.  He 
speaks  of  it  as  an  attractive  hird,  aliout  the  size  and  with  many  of  the  lialiits 
of  th(>  domestic  i'igeon.  At  McCumliers,  northeast  of  Fort  Heading,  the 
first  individual  was  .seen  and  killed  liy  one  of  his  ]iarty.  In  that  region  they 
were  not  rare,  and  during  the  season  of  acorns  they  sulisist  on  those  of  the 
scrul)-oak,  which  alioiinds  in  that  vicinity.  On  the  ('(dundiia  they  were  seen 
in  ]iairs,  and  near  the  !)alles  might  readily  be  mistaken  for  domestic  doves. 

])r.  Suckley  found  lliis  Pigeon  a  very  common  hird  in  A\'asliington  Terri- 
tory, es]iecially  west  of  the  Cascade  Mountains.  He  saw  Imt  a  single  flock 
containing  five  individuals  east  of  those  mountains.  In  IS.'if),  the  first  birds 
of  this  s]iecies  that  arrived  in  the  spring  made  their  ap])earance  about  the 
l."itli  of  ^hiy,  whicli  he  found  to  li(>  their  customary  time  of  arrival.  One  or 
two  individuals  were  first  ,s(>en,  and  within  two  or  three  days  thereafter  the 
main  body  of  the  migration  followed.  A  small  numlier  remained  through- 
out the  summer  to  breed,  the  rest  proceeded  I'arthi'r  nortli.  Those  that 
remained  gener.dly  made  their  nosts  in  the  tiiick  fir  forests  near  water.  Dur- 
ing the  summer  they  subsisted  on  wild  cherries  and  other  berries,  and  laccr 
in  tlie  S(!ason,  in  tlie  setthid  parts  of  tiie  country,  on  grain.  About  the  first 
week  iu  September  large  flocks  congregated  on  the  stubble-lields  in  the 


COLUMliJD.K  —  THE  PIGEON'S. 


363 


virinity  of  Fort  Stoilacodin,  mid  f(ir  two  or  tlirec  wirk.s  tliereat'tor  tlicir  nuin- 
l)i'rs  were  daily  aiigiiiuiilud  liy  an'ivals  I'miu  lliu  north.  Soiuu  ol'  the  tlncks 
tliat  lio  ^a\v  ill  Scipteiiihcr,  lie  .slates,  imi.st  liave  contained  at  lea.st  a  tlioii- 
sand  individuals.  He  was  tohl  that  on  liie  eiiltivated  districts  (Ui  ( 'nwlit/, 
Iliver,  at  the  same  seasmi,  tiiey  were  in  .still  j,'reater  luiinlier.s.  By  the  otii 
of  Uctdlier  all  had  siuklenly  disapiieared,  e.vcept  a  lew  stragj^lers,  j^cncrally 
yoiiiin-  hirds.  In  their  Hiyhts,  l>r.  Suckley  state.s,  they  are  not  (Hiite  as  eoiii- 
jiaetly  crowded  as  in  the  case  of  the  i'asseiiger  I'i,t>eoii.  Diirin.L;  the  suiniiier, 
while  they  weiv  hreediiii,',  their  co(.iii,n-  and  calls  could  lie  heard  (juite  a  Iuiilc 
distance.  The  iianio  of  this  bird  u:  the  Ni.S(iually  Lin-iia-e  is  "  lIul)l)oli,"  in 
imitation  of  their  call.  In  the  aulunm  tlie.se  birds  are  said  to  be  excellent 
oatiiii;-. 

According  to  Dr.  Coojier,  these  rigeons  arrive  at  the  t'ulumbia  Iliver  in 
A]iril,  and  lro(iuent  all  the  lorests  of  tiu!  Territory  until  the  end  of  October, 
wlieii  they  retire  south.  They  keep  about  the  borders  of  prairies  and  clear- 
ing.s,  and  freipiently  do  much  damage  to  fields  of  grain,  though  never  found  in 
.sucli  immense  numbers  as  the  common  rasseiiger  I'igeoii  east  of  the  Missis- 
sipi.i.  In  June  they  lay  Uvo  white  eggs  about  tiie  size  of  those  of  the 
House  I'igeou,  on  the  ground  near  streams  or  o])eiiings,  and  without  con- 
structing any  nests.  During  tlie  summer  they  were  observed  t(j  feed  uimii 
wild  peas,  wild  cherries,  and  other  wild  fruits  ami  lierries,  which  are  very 
abundant.  UiU-v  in  the  season  they  .seem  to  depend  upon  acorns  and  other 
nubs.  Their  cooing  is  very  niucii  like  that  (jf  the  common  rigeon.  lie  .saw 
noiu^  east  of  the  Cascade  l.'ange. 

^  -Mr.  Kidgway  did  not  meet  with  this  Pigeon  in  his  route  iroin  the  Sierra 
Nevada  eastward  to  the  Rocky  Mountains,  along  the  lino  of  the  4()tli  paral- 
lel, and  it  is  sappo.sed  not  to  occur  in  that  latitude  excejit  near  the  Pacific 
Coa.st. 

An  egg  uf  this  I'igeon,  given  me  liy  Dr.  Ilohlen,  of  Stockton,  and  ob- 
tained in  the  Coast  Kange,  is  oval  in  sliap.e,  ecjually  rounded  nt  either  end. 
and  of  a  dull  white.  It  measures  1.4'.)  iiudies  in  length  by  1.1.-.  in  breadth. 
Another,  in  the  Sniilhsonian  collectiun,  measures  l.Go  bv  1:20  inches. 


Columba  leucoccphala,  Li.vn. 

WHITE-HEADED  PIGEON. 

aiiaiihr,  ln(cn,-rphfh,,  I, inn.  Syst.  Xat.  I,  Ur.S,  lOt.  —  n,.xAi..  ,T.  A.  N.  S.  Ph.  V,  182.'! 
3(1;  .Syii.  110;  .\.,i.  Oni.  [I,  LS'J.'^,  H,  ,,].  xv. -T^rrr.  Man.  I,  :832,  Cyi:,  ^Iacd' 
On..  I'.icc;.  II,  l,>5n4.  W.i-  V,  rw7,  1.1.  .Ixxvii;  Pints  Am.  IV,  1,S42,  ;iir.,  pi.  .■dxxx. - 
Ti.MM.  Pi-  (I  (lalliu.  I,  .I5i).  -Oossi:,  Pints  .lani.  1S17,  ■21t:).- Paii;i.,  Pints  X.  Am. 
].S.-,S,  .'iilO.  -  M.vncil,  P.  .\.  N.  ,S.  lSli:i,  ydl  ,say.-:  thoiv  an.  tw„  .spcrii.s).  /•„/„,//,>■»./.■ 
Iriu-ncrph.ilas,  lii;icill,Nl!.  ,Sy.s(,  Av.  l,sr,l,  xxv  :  Ic.  Av.  lal).  -li^S  ami  25.-..  -^  Be. nap. 
C'oii.sp.  II,  1854,  .'-,1.  -Oi-M.i,.  I'ahan.  ,l„.u„,  1850,  107.  -  Ukicii.  ILmab.  04,  tab 
223.  f.  1257,   125S,  25.-|,  2S(i3,  2S04. 


304 


NORTH  AMKUKIAN   IMllDS. 


Sp.  I'liAii,    (iciiiTalcdlor  vurv  ilark  slalc-liliic,  primaries  mid  tail  <lark(M'.     ('jjiior  liall'orilic 
lu'ail,  liiHii  liio  liill  to  the  iiiipo,  pure  white,  imt  leaeliiii).'  tlio  cdire  of  llie  eyelids  ;  n  trian^'iilar 

pali'li  dl'  daik  iiiarooii-pnrple 
i):i  llie  iieeijml,  and  lielow  il.  a 
seiiiieiiciilai'  ''  eape "  cmeriiij;- 
till'  nape,  of  nielallic  brassy- 
},'i'een,  each  leather  distinelly 
l)oi(k'i'eduxleiiially  with  velvety- 
lila(,'k,  prodiieini,'  a  sunainate  ap- 
peaianee.  liill  dec'p  purple,  ihn 
end  li^dit  liliie:  ii'is  while;  lef;s 
deej)  lake-fed.  In  skins  the  bill 
dusky  tipped  with  yellowish,  tlio 
feet  yellow.  Sexes  similar. 
Len,L;lh,  Hi..')!!;  win'/,  7.00;  tail, 

II.M!.  SoMthei'li  Keys cil' Florida 
(inelndin^f  Indian  Key)  and  \Ve.st 
Indies     i,'enei;dly.  ir<>ndnras 

(MoouK,  1".  Z.  S.  1S.VI,  (!1); 
Santa  Ciiiz  (Xdwton,  Ibis,  I, 
'.'");!);  Cuba  ((.'.mi.  .1.  IV,   107); 


Cdlittuhfi  It  urt,rfphala. 


Bahamas  (1!i!vant,   I'v.  Host.   Soe.  VII,  18.-)<i)  ;  .Fainaioa  (GossK,  B.  3.2'M);  I'oito  Rico 
(Tavi.oi!.  Ibis,  ISdI.  171);  Cuba  ((iiN-m,.  Repeit.  I,  ISUd, 'J!I8);  Santa  Baitholuniy  (.SiNn. 

ui'v.  I8r;i(,  -,x:,). 

llAlilTS.  Tli(!  "Wliiti'-Iiciidcd  rio'cdu  ofcui'.s  in  (lie  more  .snutlicrii  of  tho 
key.s  dl'  Florida,  liiit,  s(i  iar  ms  I  am  nwiiiv,  lias  iicvtiv  Ik'l'ii  taken  on  tiny  {laib 
of  the  mainland.  It  is  an  alamdant  speuii-.s  in  Cuha,  .ramaica,  and  in  mo.st 
of  the  otlicr  NN'ost  India  Islands. 

Tliis  Dove,  according'  to  Atidiilion,  niTivi's  on  tlic  soutliorn  keys  o|'  Florida 
about  the  2()tli  of  April,  .sometimes  not  until  the  tir.st  of  ^lay.  On  the  l>(lth 
of  A])ril  he  shot  .scvei'al  Just  id'ter  their  arrival  i'rom  across  the  G'llf  Stream. 
He  noticed  them  as  they  ai>])roiiched  the  shore,  skimming'  alon;^  the  surftice 
of  the  water,  and  Hyine;  with  oroat  ra])idity,  in  the  manner  of  the  Ilcjuse 
I'ijicon.  As  they  a|i]iroached  tlie  land  they  rose  to  til )  ./tit  a  hundred  yards, 
iiyiug  in  circles  as  if  to  survey  the  C(juntry.  To  ]irocure  sjieeinieus,  it  was 
necessaiy  to  force  them  out  from  the  dark  retreats  in  which  tlu^y  htid 
alighted.  They  were  at  all  times  exceeilin.yly  shy  and  M-ary,  jirolndily  on 
account  of  the  war  that  is  incessantly  wtiged  ai^ainst  them,  their  flesh  hein.L,' 
very  Juicy  and  linely  flavored.  This  shyness  is  only  jjartially  abated  (.'ven 
duriuo-  the  breed in;^-season,  as  they  will  silently  slide  from  their  nest  when 
sittiii,ii-,  if  it  is  apimiached,  and  retreat  to  the  dark  shade  of  the  man,u!r(»ves,  and 
do  not  return  for  an  interviil  to  their  charee.  Tliey  weie  more  abundant  in 
the  nK)re  southern  keys,  e.\ce])t  the  sterile  Tortue;as. 

Accoi'dino[  to  Afr.  Mtirch,  there  are  two  varieties  of  this  I'igeon,  known  as 
the  F)aldpiitc  in  Jamaica,  distinoui.shed  as  tiie  Mountiiin  and  the  Manj^rove 
Baldpate.     The  latter  he   has   never  met  with  in  the  mountains,  but  both 


roLU.MIJll).K      TUK  I'KiKoNS.  JJCT) 

kinds  resort  at  all  times  to  tlie  lowlands  and  nian^jrovc-swanips  aloni^  tlio 
coasts,  and  to  tlic  nci,nid)orin,i,'  islands  and  keys  (l'i;;'e(iii  Island  and  the  two 
(ioat  Islands  in  iiartieiilai),  where  tliey  luced  in  numliers,  makini;-  their  nests  in 
trees,  soini'  at  liij^h  elcNatioiis.otiiers  so  low  as  to  he  within  reaili  oi' a  jierson 
standin.u,  aceordin.i;'  to  thi'  eonv(^nienee  of  tiie  site.  Lari^e  nnniliers  ol'  sijiialis 
are  oltiui  taken  IVoni  these  ])laees  and  hroiiyht  into  the  towns  for  sale.  They 
feed  in  coni|)any  in  the  niorninj,'  and  alterno(Mi,  and  iis  they  olten  feed  at  a 
distance  from  tiieir  roost in.Lf-plaees,  lur^i'  tlocks  are  sometimes  seen  in  the 
early  inornin,^  and  evi;nin;4  passinn-  and  rejiassin.i;'  overheail,  sometimes  in 
hij,di,  at  other  times  in  low  lli.^ht,  ^oin^i;'  to  and  returninif  from  tin;  feeding- 
ground  or  convenient  waturinji;-])laee.  Their  food  is  ^lain,  fruit,  and  herries, 
nuts  iuid  seeds  ;  and  they  commit  serious  deiacilations  on  the  ( iuiiiea-eorn 
fields,  not  only  hy  the  (luautity  tlii'v  devour,  lait  hy  hreakinL,'  down  the 
hrittle  cornstalks  with  tlit^  wei;^lit  of  their  liodics.  They  art;  easily  kejit 
in  confinement,  and  often  hretMl  and  heconie  (|uiet  and  contented,  hut  take 
the  earliest  o])])ortunity  of  emanei,';ition.  The  nest  is  a  iilatform  of  sticks 
and  twigs  loosely  |iut  together,  and  hedded  with  softer  materials,  M'ith  a 
slight  hollow  in  the  centre.  The  eggs  are  two,  glarish-white  in  color,  vary- 
ing in  form  and  dimensions,  hut  usually  long  oval,  measuring  l.(i;>  inches  in 
length  hy  l.V.\  in  hn.'adth. 

According  to  Mr.  L(>yland  (Ihis,  T,  ]>.  :'2'2)  this  I'igeon  inhahits  the  keys  or 
small  islands  on  the  coast  of  Ifonduras. 

It  was  found  at  St.  Croix  liy  Professor  Alfred  Xewton,  frei|uenting  the  hills 
in  the  north  of  the  island,  and  occasionally  in  tlu'  hrush-land  on  the  south 
sid(!.  it  was  not  very  connuon,an<l  was  .said  to  l)e  a  visitor  from  I'orto  Kieo  ; 
hut  it  undouhtedly  iireeds  on  the  island  of  St.  Croix,  as  rrofessnr  Newton 
obtained  a  young  hird,  siiot  duly  L'S,  which  C(add  not  have  lelt  tlie  ne.st 
many  days.  A  caged  specimen  of  this  bird,  that  had  been  in  the  jiosse.ssion 
of  Dr.  Carden  of  St.  Croix  several  years,  was  given  to  Professor  Xewton  by 
that  genth'man,  and  ])re.sented  to  tlie  Zoiilogical  Society  of  London. 

Mr.  Audubon  found  the  nests  placed  high  or  low  according  to  circum- 
stances, but  never  saw  two  im  the  same  tree.  He  lias  met  with  them  on 
the  to[)  of  a  cactus,  only  a  few  feet  from  the  ground,  or  on  a  low  branch  of 
a  mangrove  almost  touching  the  water.  They  are  said  to  resemlile  that  of 
the  connnon  Passenger  Pigeon,  but  are  more  compact  and  better  lined;  the 
outer  ])art  being  compo.sed  of  small  dry  twigs,  the  inner  of  fibrous  roots  and 
grasses.  The  eggs  are  two,  of  an  opa(|U(i  white,  roundish,  and  as  large  as 
those  of  the  common  Pigeon.  Mr.  Audubon  thiid<s  that  theses  liirds  may 
have  several  broods  in  a  season.  None  were  known  liy  him  to  visit  the 
mainland  of  Florida. 

In  captivity  the.se  birds  may  hv.  easily  managed,  and  !)reed  readily,  as  Mr. 
Audubon  witnessed  in  the  aviaries  of  Dr.  Wilson  and  l!ev.  Dr.  Paclinian  of 
Charlestmi,  S.  C. 

In  confinement  they  are  said  never  to  lay  more  than  a  single  egg.     The 


,",r.n  -NoilTll  A.MEU1CAN  lilllDS. 

meiisuiviiiuiit  ol'  tln'ii  ru^'s,  as  givi'U  liy  Mr.  AiKhilioii,  i.'s  l.'M  inches  in  iun^^lli 
by  1,U(J  ill  In'fiidili.  Ku,s;.s  in  my  caliinct  I'miii  Cnlia  niciisiii'i'  1.4lt  liy  l.o;! 
inches.  They  arc  of  ii  piirt;  hut  nul  u  hrilliiinl  while  eolor,  ecjiiui  iit  eitiier 
end  and  oval  in  shajie. 


Columba  flavirostris,  ANacilei!. 

RED-BILLED  DOVE. 

Columbii  Jlariivstrin,  WAfil.i:!!,  I^is,  ls31,  Tilli.  —  L.vwiir.Nci;,  Aiiniils  N.  Y.  I,yc.  V.  May, 
18.')1,  lit).  —  ltAll;i>,  Minis  X.  Am.  IbfiS,  iV.i8,  pi.  Ixi.  —  111.  Mi'.x.  U.  II,  Hirds  21, 
pi.  x.viii.  —  t'lMii'Kit,  Uiii.  Cal.  I,  1S7II,  >")iiS.  Vliloiwiwn  Jluviruxlris,  Hosai'.  C'ons|>. 
Av.  II,  1*:>4,  .O-J.  -  liiatllKXIi.  llaiulli.  01.  /  Columba  soliliirin,  McC'ai.i.,  I'r.  A.  N. 
•So.  I'liila.  Ill,  .luly,  1S47,  233  (liiu  draiieU',  IV.xas.  Uescriptioii  rclViiiiif,'  jiidliably 
to  this  .siK'rit'.sK 

Sp.  CiiaI!.  Si'c'iiikI  and  lliinl  iiuills  (■(|ual.  ami  (li'cidcdly  ]i)iii;(.m'  lliaii  tlie  lir.st  and 
i'oui'lli,  also  nearly  ciinal.  Tail  tiuiicalt',  slii.'iitly  rii\Mi(liMl.  Ilrail  and  neck  all  nmnd, 
lir<'a><t,  and  a  iar;:(_'  jiatcli  on  \\\v  middle  and  lesser  winir-enveits,  lii;lil  cliDi-ulate-red,  the 
latter  deeper  and  more  Dpaipie  red  ;  the  middle  nC  the  liai'k,  seapnlar.s,  ;uid  lertials  olive  ; 
tlio  rest  of  liocly.  \vin;.;s.  and  tail  very  dark  siaty-hlne  ;  the  inl'ei'ior  and  eoneealed  sinfaee.s  oC 
the  latter  lilack.  Hill  and  le<;s  yellow  in  the  dried  .skin,  said  to  he  jjurjile  in  lilb  ;  eyes 
purple.     LenirUi.  M.(M) ;  win>j,  8.00;  tail,  5.70. 

Ham.  Lower  Rio  (Irande.  and  Mexico,  sonth  to  Costa  Itica.  Oaxaea  (Set,.  ISoO,  ;5!)I); 
Cordova.  L«.")(!,  :W.))\  Ilondunis  (Tavi.oI!,  Ihis.  11.  •_'2(1;  Rai.v.  This.  III.  ;!."));  City  of 
Mexieo  (,-!(i..  I'.  Z.  S.  1804,  178) ;  Sonthea.stern  Texas,  breeding  (Duksskr,  Ibis,  18(;0,  23)  ; 
Costa  liiea  (Laui!.  IX.  134). 

Tliere  is  no  triice  of  any  metallic  scale-like  feathers  on  the  neck  of  this 
.species.  The  win<,'- feathers,  inchidiiij;  tlie  greater  cnvert.s,  are  wliitish  on 
their  external  border.  There  is  .sometimes  a  tinge  of  tlie  red  on  the  inside 
of  tlie  wing. 

The  C.  hionidta  of  Jamaica  (see  synopsis)  i.s  wonderfully  similar,  except 
in  the  form  and  color  of  the  bill ;  the  plumage  of  the  two  does  not  difler  in 
the  minutest  ])articular.  The  West  Indian  bird  is  much  the  larger,  however, 
the  bill  black,  and  very  difl'erently  shajied. 

The  Colnmhit  soUtaiia  of  McCall  ajipears  to  l)e  closely  related  to  this . 
species,  but,  judging  from  the  description,  seems  to  diller  in  having  the 
head  and  neck  bluisli  ratlier  than  red.     It  may  jjossildy  be  the  i'emale  of  C. 
flaviros/ri.<i,  as  tliis  sex  usually  litis  ii  bluish  tinge  instead  of  red;  the  smaller 
size,  too,  would  i'avor  this  supposition.^ 

1  auliniihn.ioh'hi,-!'i,  MeCAi.l.,  Pr.  A.  \.  Sc  riiilu.  Ill,  ,Tuly,  1817,  233.  "Length,  13  iiiclips 
9  liiii's,  etc.  Aliir  extent,  23  iii<hi's.  Wiiij;,  IVoiii  the  llcxiirc,  7  iiiehcs  5  lines.  Tar.sus,  1  inch  ; 
iiiiildl(^  tee,  1  inch  2  lines  ;  lirst  toe,  0  lines,  luid  hiiiirer  thmi  the  third  ;  nails  li^ht  llcsh-color  ; 
feet  and  Icfjs  deep  rcil.  Iris  dark  orange.  Kill  nheve,  1  inch  1  line,  bnt  feathered  to  within  .'i 
lines  of  the  tip  ;  reddish  near  the  base,  whitish  near  the  lip.  Ileail  chocolati'-blne.  Throat 
chooolate-wliite.  Neck  and  bri'ast  bluish-(diocolatc  with  brilliant  rcllcctions.  ISacli,  belly, 
fl:inks,  under  wins-''overts.  and  j;i''''b'r  exterior  wing-coverts,  light  red  color,  the  last  faintly 


(•(jl.rMlilD.K-TlIK  I'KiKdNS.  307 

IIahits.  Tlic  lu'il-liillcil  Dovoclniius  a  |iliu'i'  in  lln^  Xorlli  Aiucriciin  rmiiiii 
only  a.s  ii  ivsidciil  in  llic  valley  n\'  the  Lhwh'I'  lii"  (Iruiulc  IJivcr.  It  a|)|icai'.s 
also  to  \k'  Iniinil  (111  and  iicai'  liic  miH'-cnasI,  ot'  Mexico  and  ('cntral  Anii'i'ica. 

It  was  tiiki'ii  al  N(!\v  Lmiii,  JMcxici),  in  ^^a^l■ll,  l<S."(;!,  liy  l,i(!utt'nanl  Cduuli, 
ami  (111  llio  llio  (Jruiidi!  liy  Mr.  A.  Sdioll.  it  was  lirsl  scuii  liy  llie  inriiicr 
ill  tiu!  tliick  woody  liottonis  oj'  tlio  San  dnaii,  New  Lcdii.  'I'liu  Ijirds  wcro 
(iiiitu  coniiiKiii,  lull  I'cinaincd  very  siiuhidcd.  Tlify  mv.  said  to  Ik;  ol'  very 
rapid  tlii^lit. 

Mr.  ( r.  ('.  Taylor  (ibis,  1S(1(I.  p.  L'Hiij  inciitioiis  Ijndiiin'  tliusi',  liirds  not  iiii- 
coininon  on  Ti^n'i't;  island,  in  lioiidiuas,  Init  did  not  incct  with  them  in  tho 
interior.  lie  speaks  of  iheiu  as  very  liamlsoiiie  birds,  liut  ,L,'ives  no  acconnt 
ol'  tlieir  haliit.s. 

Mr.  Henry  K.  J)resser  round  the  llod-billeil  I)ove  (juite  eoinmon  near 
Matainoras,  and  brecdin;;'  there.  Dnring  the  autuinii  j^retit  qnaiitities,  as 
well  as  of  the  /rHcuji/ri'c  and  the  idrd/iiiriisi.-i,  are  bron,i;hl  to  the  market  for 
.sale.  At  iJrownsville,  also,  these  birds  were  nut  uneoininoii,  Imt  Mere  I'onnd 
tor  only  a  short  distance  towards  the- interior  ol'  Texas,  and  none  were  .seen 
liij^her  np  tho  Jiio  (Jrande  than  Ikonm.  A  ^^exiciln,  wlio  shut  doves  for  tlie 
niiirket,  inforined  ^Ir.  Dresser  that  he  had  I'onnd  thi.s  species  breedinjj;  near 
the  town  of  Alatanioras,  and  tiiat  it  builds  a  nest  somewhat  similar  to  that 
of  Z.  (•((r(iliiuii.si--<,  but  that  its  two  e,iii;s  are  somewhat  hirL^er.  Their  stomachs 
were  found  tilled  witii  a  kind  of  liluelierry. 

E«,'Li;s  in  the  Derlandier  collection  are  oval  in  shape,  equal  and  slif^^htly 
tajieriiiL,'  at  eitlnn"  end,  and  of  a  creamy-while  coh)r.  They  measuve  1.18 
inches  in  length  by  .'JO  of  an  inch  in  breadth. 


Gexus  ECTOPISTES,   Sw.mnsox. 

/■'(•/opin/cs,  SwAINsox,  /()()!.  .lour.  Ill,  ISii?,  'M2.     (Tvpi",  (Ailiiiid/a  migr<ifi)ri<(,  !,.) 

Gi:x.  Cii.vi;.  \U'm\  very  small.  Bill  .'iluirl.  Iilack ;  culiiicn  one  tliinl  the  vr>\  nf  the 
head;  Ibatliurs  of  the  chin  niniiiiiLf  very  fiir  I'urward;  n'onys  very  slinrt.  Tai'si  V(>ry  short, 
half  C'jvorod  antorioi'ly  by  foatlnTs.  Iiiiicr  latci'al  daw  imn'h  lai'LTci-  ihaii  oiiti'i'.  iiM..'hin,u: 
to  tho  liaso  ol'  the  tiiiddlo  oii(>.  Tail  very  loiiy  and  I'.xcu.ssivi'ly  (ninuatc;  aliovc  as  lonjf  as 
tho  win^s.  Fast  ]iiiinaiy  lontrost.  Hlack  sjiots  on  .si^;ap(ila]-s;  a  black  and  a  nifous  .'ipot 
on  inner  welis  ol'  tail-leathers. 

This  oeims  i.s  readily  dislinnuislied  from  the  oilier  Cdlinnhiiirr  by  the 
exce-ssively  lenj,'thened  and  acute  middle  feathers.  It  formerly  included  the 
Coltiinha  (■(iroh'iinixi.f,  \n\l  this,  with  more  pro])riety,  has  been  erected  into  a 
diU'erent  genus,  and  will  be  found  in  the  next  section. 

bordorod  with  white.  T.csscr  winfj-covi'rts  chocolate-riMl,  I'orming  a  bright  shoidilfr-spot  of 
elliptical  shape.  Qiiill-foatluM's  dusky,  tiii!,'i'd  with  lead-color  on  the  outer  vanes.  Third  primary 
longest.  Tjiper  and  under  tail-coverts  bluish  lead-color.  Tail,  5  inches,  slightly  rounded,  of 
twelve  feathers ;  dusky." 


368 


xoijTii  A^r^;HICAN  r.iHDs. 


Tlu!  ErfDjiisfrs  ruif/rofnria  is  blue  alxivi",  tlio  male  ]nii'])li,sh-rG(l  lioiicatli, 
the  i'emale   Iji'owiiisli-asliy,  passing  into  wliitish  behiiul.     Tiie  wing  above 


Erliipislf s  tnii^ratorin. 


and  scapulars  arc  spotted  with  bluish-l)lack,  the  sides  of  the  neck  with 
metallic  gluss  ot  soHcrino-purple  ;  the  inner  webs  of  tail-feathers  have  each 
a  rui'ous  and  a  black  spot. 


Ectopistes  migratoria,  Savainson. 

WILD  FIOKON;   FASSENOEB-FIOEON. 

Cohimhd  iniitnit(i)-iii,  LiXN.  Syst.  Niit.  1,  17<iG,  285.  —  (!.m.  1,  38!>.  —  I''<ii;sti:i:,  I'liil.  Tmiis. 
T.XII,  1772.  :i!i>s.  — "Wilson,  Aim.  Oin.  1,  ISOS,  102,  iil.  xliv.  — W.vgi.ki!,  Syst.  Av.  1827, 
Xo.  91. — .\iii.  Oni.  r.idj,'.  I,  18:n,  31!>  ;  V,  TiUl,  i>l.  Ixii.  Eelojiistis  miiirtiloria, 
SwAiNsos,  Zoiil.  .lour.  Ill,  1827,  3.-).').  -  lis.  V.  IJnr.  Am.  II,  1831,  3(13.  -  Hon. 
Coiisii.  \v.  II,  1854,  59.  —  All).  Syii.  1839,  194.  —In.  Hinls  Am.-r.  V,  1842,  25,  1>1. 
polx.xxv.  —  "  Kkicii.  Iioiii's  .\v.  t:il).  249,  ligs.  1377,  1379."  —  IJaiud,  Miicls  X.  Am. 
1858,  (iOO.  —  Ma.x.  (ill).  ,1.  VI,  18.58,  424.  —  Loud,  Pr.  l{.  A.  I.  IV,  122  (ikitisli 
Coliimliiii,  IVnm  iriast  ;  nest  mi  j;roiiiiil). — ConrKi!  &  Sicki.ky,  218.  —  CiKirKU,  Oni. 
Cai.  I,  1879,  .509.  Cnlinnlui  odimknsix,  I.ixN.Krs,  Syst.  Xiit.  I,  17(it),  284.  —  Om.  I, 
1788,  785.  Fcmnlc  or  yoiiiif,'.  (Prior  name?)  Columhu  amcricana,  "Kai.m,  It.  II, 
527."     P(i!<.iniif,i-  I'ii/riin,  Pknnani-,  11,  322.  —  I-atii.  Syii.  II,  ii,  (iCl. 

Sp.  CllAit.  Tail  with  twi'lvc  fcatli(.'rs.  Tppi'i-  parts  <,'oiiorally,  incliidinjr  -siili's  of  body, 
licfid,  and  neck,  an<l  tlic  fliin.  liliic.  IJciioatli.  purple  lirowiiisli-rccl.  I'adiiiu:  behind  into  a 
violet  tint,  .\iial  rej^idii  anil  under  tail-eoverts  blnisli-wliile.  Scapulars,  inner  tertial.s, 
and  middle  oC  baek  widi  an  (>liv(>-brown  tinfie  ;  the  win^'-coverts,  seapular.'!,  and  inner 
terti.ils  with  larpe  oval  spots  of  liliie-blaek  on  the  outer  webs,  mostly  eoiieealed,  except 
on  the  latter.  Priiu.'uies  blackish,  with  a  border  of  pale  bluish  tiiiired  internally  with  red. 
Middle  tail-feather  lir<i\vii ;  the  rest  jiale  bhu;  on  the  outer  web,  white  internally;  each 
with  a  ])atcli  of  reddi.sh-brown  at  the  base  of  the  inner  web,  followed  by  another  of 
black.     Sides  and  back  of  iieok  richly  glcssi'd  with    metallic  j^oklen-violet  or  reddish- 


COLL'.MUID.E  — THE   PIGEONS. 


309 


purplo.  Tiliia;  l)liiisli-vi()lct.  ]{ill  bliick.  Foi't  lake-reil.  Tlio  (I'lniilo  is  suialli.T,  niiicli 
duller  ill  (.'olor,  iiioro  oliviici-jtis  uhovo  ;  bi'iiuiitli,  pale  ash  iusteail  of  icil,  I'Xi'c'pl  a  liii_y;i' 
on  the  iiL'uk  ;  the  juffiihiiii  tiiii,'eil  with  t)liv(',  the  throat  whitish.  Length  of  niali',  17.00; 
win,L',  KoO;  tail,  S.-JO. 

Had.     North   America  to  hiirh   Tentral    Plains;   West  llnniholilt  Mountains,  Nevada 
(September;  llinow.vY).     Cuba  ((luxui..  Rep.  1,  18()(J,  ;i02  ;  Cau.  J.  IN,  llL'j. 


Erlnpistex  inigmtnrin. 


Tlie  l)liie  of  tlit3  si(U)  of  tlie  lieml  e.xtciids  to  the  throat  and  cliiii.  The 
ui)i)er  part  of  tlic  hack  and  Icssur 
coverts  <ave  (jf  a  (hirkcr  lihio  tlian 
the  head  and  riun]i.  The  iiuiev 
imniarics  are  more  hrnadly  mar- 
gined with  light  lihie,  whicii  taj)er.s 
oif  to  the  end.  The  axilhirs  and 
under  surface  of  tlie  wing  are  light 
l)lue.  The  longest  .scapidars  have 
tiie  lilaek  on  both  webs.  Tiiere  is 
no  blue  on  the  outer  web  of  tiie 
first  tail-feather,  which  is  white, 
as  is  the  inferior  surface  of  the  tail 
generally. 

In  some  sjjecimens   the  entire 
head  all  round  is  l.ilue. 

The    immature   male   varies   in 
having  most  of  the  feathers  of  the  head  and  Ixidy  margined  with  whiti.sh. 

Habits.  The  common  Passenger  Pigeon  of  North  America  is  found 
throuy-hout  the  continent  in  yreat  abuiulance,  from  the  Atlantic  to  the  yreat 
Central  I'lains,  and  from  the  Southern  States,  in  wjiich  it  only  occasionally 
occurs,  to  at  least  the  62d  (larallel  of  northern  latitude,  in  tlie  interior. 

liichardson  states  that  this  Pigeon  arrives  in  the  fur  countries  in  tlie  lat- 
ter part  of  May  and  leaves  in  October.  ( )n  the  coast  of  Hudson's  IJay  it 
reaches  no  fai  titer  than  the  ."iSth  jiarallel,  and  only  in  very  tine  summers,  but 
in  the  interior  or  in  liie  warmer  central  districts  it  attains  to  the  G2d  degree. 
^Ir.  Hutciiins  mentions,  as  a  remarkable  occuiTence,  that  a  ilock  of  these 
Pigeons  visited  York  Factory  and  remained  two  days. 

It  is  not  fouiivl  on  the  Pacific  coast.  Dr.  Stickley  only  met  witli  a  single 
bird  in  innnature  plumage  on  a  brancli  of  Milk  Uiver,  in  Xeliraska,  about 
one  hundred  and  seventy-five  miles  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains  ;  he  thinks 
the  eastern  base  may  be  considered  tlieir  western  limit.  Dr.  Coojier  has 
seen  it  at  Fort  Laramie,  but  lias  never  seen  nor  heard  of  it  in  Oregon,  though 
Townsend  mentions  it  as  found  there. 

Dr.  Woodiioiise  found  these  Pigeons  connnon  throughout  the  Indian  Ter- 
ritory in  the  spring  and  fall,  during  t'vir  migrations. 

Captain  Blakiston  noticed  the  first  arrival  of  the  Passenger  Pigeons  at 
Fort  Carlton,  on  the  2;3d  of  May.     Py  the  ?niddle  of  June  numerous  flocks 

vol..  111.  47 


370  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

were  moving  iiorthwanl.  These  could,  at  a  long  distance,  be  readily  distin- 
guished I'roui  Hocks  of  water-l'owl  or  waders,  liy  their  llight  being  in  no  par- 
ticular order.  On  the  Mackenzie,  Mr.  Jio.ss  olj.served  tliese  Itirds  as  far  nortli 
as  Kort  Norman  in  Litituile  0.")°,  while  on  the  eoa.st  of  Hudson's  IJay  they 
are  only  found  as  far  as  r)8°,  even  in  warm  summers. 

The  Wild  I'igeon  a])i)ears  to  be  almost  entirely  inllueneed  in  its  migra- 
tions by  the  abuiKhmce  of  its  food,  excepting  in  tiiosc  jiarts  of  the  coinitry 
in  which  it  lias  not  been  known  to  remain  during  winter.  Even  in  these 
movements  it  is  largely  influenced  by  instinctive  considerations  of  i'ood. 
Evidently  the  temperature  has  liut  little  to  do  with  their  migrations,  as  they 
not  unfreiiuently  move  northwanl  in  large  eolunnis  as  early  as  the  7th 
of  March,  with  a  thermometer  twenty  degrees  below  the  freezing-point.  In 
the  spring  of  1872  a  large  accumulation  of  these  birds  took  jtlace  early  in 
March,  in  the  eastern  portion  of  New  York.  They  were  jnvsent  in  the 
forests  about  Albany,  and  were  taken  in  such  immense  numbers  that  the 
markets  of  New  York  and  Doston  were  very  laigely  su])plieil  witli  them. 

As  early  as  the  10th  of  March  they  were  ascertaint'd  to  have  in  their  ova- 
ries full-grown  eggs,  ready  for  e.xt'lusion.  In  Kentucky  they  have  heen 
known,  according  to  Audubon,  to  remain  summer  and  winter  in  the  same 
districts  for  several  successive  years,  in  consequence  of  tlie  great  abundance 
of  food,  while  in  other  parts  of  the  State  none  were  to  be  met  with.  Tliey 
suddenly  di.sa]ipeared  as  soon  as  the  beech-mast  had  become  e.xhansted,  and 
did  not  return  for  a  long  jjcriod. 

The  Wild  Pigeons  are  capable  of  pro])elling  themselves  in  long-continued 
flights,  and  are  known  to  move  with  an  almost  incredible  rajmlity,  passing 
over  a  great  extent  of  country  in  a  very  short  time.  It  is  (juite  a  connuon 
and  well-ascertained  fact  that  Pigeons  are  captured  in  the  State  of  New  York 
with  their  cro])S  still  tilled  with  tlie  undigested  grains  of  rice  that  must  have 
l)een  taken  in  the  distant  fields  of  (Jeorgia  or  South  Carolina,  apjiarently 
proving  that  they  must  have  ])assed  over  tlie  interveiung  space  within  a 
very  few  hours.  Audubon  estimates  the  rajjidity  of  their  llight  as  at  least 
a  mile  a  nunute. 

The  Wild  Pigeons  are  said  to  move,  in  their  flight,  by  (piickly  rci)eated  flaps 
of  the  wings,  which  are  brought  more  or  less  near  to  the  body,  according  to 
the  degree  of  velocity  ivcpiired.  During  the  love-season  they  often  fly  in  a 
circling  manner,  supjiorting  themselves  with  both  wings  angularly  elevated. 
Before  alighting,  they  break  the  force  of  their  flight  Ijy  rejieated  lla]»]tings. 

Their  great  jiowers  of  flight,  and  the  ability  thus  given  to  change  at  will 
their  residence,  and  their  means  of  renewing  a  supply  of  food,  are  also  thought 
to  be  seconded  by  a  remarkable  power  of  vision,  enabling  them  to  discover 
their  food  with  great  readiness.  Mr.  Audubon  states  that  he  has  observed 
flocks  of  these  birds,  in  passing  over  a  sterile  i)art  of  the  country,  fly  high  in 
the  air,  with  an  extended  front,  enabling  them  to  survey  hundreds  of  acres 
at  once.     When  the  land  is  richly  covered  with  food,  or  the  trees  well  sup- 


COLUMHID.E  — THE  PIGEONS.  371 

plied  Avith  mast,  tlii'y  ily  low  in  order  to  discovfr  the  part  most  ploiitil'uUy 
su])plie(l. 

8bvuriil  writers,  who  have  witnessed  the  occasionally  i-normons  ili<,dits  of 
these  I'igeons,  lia\  e  j^iven  very  full  and  •i,rai)hic  accounts  of  their  inunense 
ninnl)ers  that  seem  hardly  credil)le  to  those  who  have  not  seen  them. 
Mr.  Aiiduhon  relates  that  in  IHlo,  on  his  way  iVom  Jlendersou  to  Louisville, 
in  crossing  tl'e  barrens  near  Hardenslmrg,  he  observed  these  birds  Hying  to 
the  southwest  in  greater  numbers  than  he  had  ever  known  before.  lie 
attempted  to  count  the  dilferent  ilocks  as  lliey  .successively  pas.sed,  but  afler 
counting  one  hundred  and  sixty-three  in  twenty-one  minutes  he  gi>ve  it  \ip 
as  imjiracticable.  As  he  journeyed  on,  their  numbers  siemed  to  increase. 
The  air  seemed  filled  with  I'igeons,  and  the  light  ol'  noonday  to  be  obscured 
as  by  an  eclipse.  Not  a  single  bird  aliglited,  as  tlie  woods  were  destitute  of 
mast,  and  all  Hew  so  high  that  he  faih'd  to  reach  any  with  a  rille.  Jle  sjjeaks 
of  their  aerial  evolutions  as  beautifid  in  the  extreme,  especially  when  a  Hawk 
pressed  upon  the  rear  (jf  a  Hock.  All  at  once,  like  a  torrent,  and  with  a 
noise  like  that  of  thunder,  tluy  rushed  together  into  a  compact  mass,  and 
darted  forward  in  undulating  lines,  descending  and  sweeping  near  the  earth 
with  marvellous  velocity,  then  mounting  almost  ])eip('ndicularly  in  a  vast 
colunni,  wheeling  and  twisting  so  tliat  their  continued  lines  seemed  to  re- 
.senible  the  coils  of  a  gigantic  serpent.  During  the  whole  of  his  journey 
from  Hardcn.sburg  t(j  Louisville,  fifty-five  miles,  they  continucid  to  i)ass  in 
undiminished  nnmliers,  luid  also  did  so  during  ihe  thret;  following  days.  At 
times  they  Hew  so  low  that  multitudes  were  ilestroyed,  and  for  many  days 
the  entire  popidatiou  seemed  to  eat  nothing  else  but  I'igeons. 

AVhen  a  Hight  of  Tigoons  discoveis  an  abundant  supply  of  food,  suflicient 
to  induce  them  to  alight,  they  are  saitl  to  jia-ss  around  in  cindes  over  the 
jilace,  making  vaiious  evolutions,  after  a  while  jiassing  lower  over  the  woods, 
and  at  length  alighting;  then,  as  if  smhlenly  ahirmed,  taking  to  flight,  only 
to  return  immediately.  These  manceuvres  are  rep-ated  with  various  indica- 
tions of  indecision  in  their  niovemcnt.s,  or  as  if  apprehensive  of  unseen 
danger.s.  During  these  nianceuvres  tlie  HaiJjiing  of  their  many  thousand 
wings  causes  a  revcrbeiation  suggestive  of  distant  thunder.  When  at  last 
settled  n])on  the  ground,  they  industriously  search  among  the  fallen  leaves 
for  the  acorns  and  the  lieech-mast,  the  rear  Hoc'  mtinually  rising,  ])assing 
over  the  main  l>ody,  and  realighting.  Tiie.se  changes  are  so  frequent  that  at 
times  the  wlmle  collection  appears  to  be  in  motion.  A  largo  extent  of 
ground  is  thus  ideared  in  a  sur[)risingly  short  space  of  time,  and  cleared  with 
a  comjileteness  that  is  descrilied  as  incredible.  They  are  usually  satiated  by 
the  middle  of  the  day,  and  ascend  to  the  trees  to  rest  and  digest  their  food. 
On  these  occasions  the  Pigeons  are  destroyed  in  innnense  number.s,  and 
their  abuiuhuuH!  in  large  extents  of  the  country  has  been  very  sensibly 
reilnced. 

In  its  movements  on  tlie  ground,  as  also  when  alighted  on  the  branches 


372  NORTH  A^n:i!i('AX  birds. 

of  tri'ps,  tho  Wild  Pijicon  is  rciniirkalile  fur  its  case  and  grace.  It  walks  on 
the  ,Lcr(mnd  and  also  un  the  linili.s  of  trees  with  an  ca.sy,  j;raceful  motion, 
frecmently  jcrkinji;  its  tail  and  moving  its  neck  backward  and  forward. 

]\lr.  Aiidulion  states  tliat  in  Kentucky  lie  lias  repeatedly  visited  one  of 
the  remarkable  ruosting-places  tu  wliich  these  birds  resort  at  night.  This 
one  was  on  the  banks  of  (ireen  IJiver,  and  to  this  jdace  the  birds  came  every 
night  at  sunset  arriving  from  all  direction.s,  some  of  them  from  the  dis- 
tance of  several  hundred  miles,  as  was  conjectured  from  certain  oUservations. 
This  roost  was  in  a  jjortion  of  the  forest  where  the  trees  were  of  great  mag- 
nitude. It  was  more  tlian  forty  miles  in  length,  and  averaged  three  in 
breadth,  it  had  been  occupied  as  a  roost  about  a  fortnight  when  he  visited 
it.  Their  dung  was  several  inches  deep  on  the  ground,  covering  the  whole 
extent  of  the  roost ing-j dace.  .Many  trees,  two  feet  in  diameter,  had  been 
broken  down  l)y  their  weight,  as  well  as  many  branches  of  the  largest  and 
tallest  trees.  The  forest  seemed  as  if  it  had  been  swept  by  a  tornado. 
Everything  gave  evidence  that  the  nundier  of  ])irds  resorting  to  that  part 
of  tlui  forest  must  lie  immense.  A  large  number  of  persons  collected  before 
sunset  to  destroy  them,  ])rovi(le(l  with  torches  of  pine-knots,  and  armed 
with  long  ])oles  and  guns.  The  Tigcjons  began  to  collect  after  sun.set, 
their  ajijiroach  prccctled,  even  when  they  were  at  a  distance,  by  a  noise 
like  that  of  a  hard  gale  at  sea  souniling  in  the  rigging  of  a  acsscI.  As 
the  birds  passed  over  him,  they  created  a  strong  current  of  air.  The 
birds  arrived  by  thousands,  fires  were  lighted,  and  the  work  of  destruc- 
tion conniienccd.  ^lany  were  knijckcd  down  by  the  ])ole-men.  In  many 
ca.ses  they  collected  in  such  s(diil  masses  on  the  branches  that  several  of 
their  perches  gave  way  and  fell  to  the  ground,  in  this  way  destroying  hun- 
dreds of  the  l)irds  beneath  them.  It  was  a  scene  of  great  confusion  and 
contiinied  until  past  midnight,  the  Pigeons  still  continuing  to  arrive.  The 
sound  made  by  the  birds  at  the  roost  could  be  heard  at  the  distance  of  three 
miles.  Ah  day  ajjiiroached,  the  noise  in  some  measure  subsided  ;  and  long 
before  objects  \vere  distinguishable  the  Pigeons  began  to  move  off,  and  before 
dayliglit  all  that  were  able  to  fly  had  disappeared.  TJie  dead  and  wounded 
liirds  were  then  collected  and  piled  into  heaps  by  those  who  had  assembled 
for  the  pin'])ose. 

Though  for  the  most  ])art  living,  moving,  and  feeding  together  in  large 
companies,  the  Wild  Pigeon  mates  in  ]iairs  for  purposes  of  breeding.  They 
have  several  broods  in  the  season,  and  commence  nesting  very  early  in 
the  spring,  the  time  being  considerably  affected  by  the  amount  of  food. 
In  the  sjtring  of  1849  an  innn(!nse  number  of  these  birds  collected  on  Fays- 
ton  Mountain,  near  Montpelier,  Vt.,  although  at  the  time  of  their  coming 
the  weather  was  very  cold  and  the  ground  covered  with  snow.  There 
they  seemed  to  find  a  great  abundance  of  food,  berries  of  the  mountain-ash 
and  such  other  fruit  as  they  could  procure,  and  there  they  remained,  breed- 
ing in  great  numbers,  until  late  in  the  sunnuer.    Tliey  were  still  collected  in 


COLUMBID/E  — THE  TMGEONS.  373 

June,  altliou^'li  tli(i  whole  iiuiglilxu'lioud  was  warring  u])oii  llieiu  for  many 
miles  iiioiiud,  iiiul  the  Markets  ol'  J>ust(jn  ami  other  places  were  largely 
siiinilied  with  them. 

In  llie  extensive  forests  of  Kentucky,  Mr.  Audubon  found  tlieni  usually 
collecting  and  breeding  in  trees  of  great  height,  and  always  at  a  convenient 
distance  I'roni  water,  rt'.sorting  tiiither  in  countless  myriads.  Tiieir  note,  (hir- 
ing breeiling,  is  descrilied  as  a  siiort  cou-cuo,  nuich  briefer  than  in  the  domes- 
tic I'igeon,  wiiile  their  usual  call-note  is  a  rejjetition  of  tlie  monosyllables 
kcc-kcc-kci' ,  tiie  iir.st  note  being  louder  and  the  last  fainter  than  the  rest.  In 
the  love-season  the  male  puts  on  the  pompous  manners  peculiar  to  all  I'igeons, 
and  follows  the  female  with  drooping  wings  and  exj)anded  tail,  the  body  be- 
ing held  in  an  elevated  attitude  and  the  throat  sw(dlen.  Occasionally  they 
caress  one  another  in  the  same  maimer  in  wliicli  they  feed  their  young,  by 
introducing  the  bill  of  one  into  that  of  the  other  and  disgorging  the  contents 
of  their  crops. 

Their  nests  are  composed  of  a  few  dry  twigs  laid  crosswise,  anil  built 
upon  the  bram-hes  of  tn-es.  From  fifty  to  a  luuulred  were  seen  by  Audubon 
in  the  same  tree,  and  were  said  to  be  fretpiently  at  11  considerable  height. 
The  few  I  have  seen  were  in  low  trees,  and  not  more  than  ten  feet  from  the 
ground.  The  (!ggs  are  never  mon?  than  two  in  nund)er,  jiure  white,  and  of  a 
broadly  elliptical  form.  During  inculiation  the  male  bird  feeds  the  mate  and 
afterwards  assists  in  supidying  the  young  ijirds,  and  both  birds  are  C(jnspicu- 
ous  in  their  demonstrations  of  affection,  both  to  each  other  and  to  their  off- 
spring. The  young  brood,  usually  both  .se.xes  in  (uie  nest,  leave  their  parents 
as  soon  as  they  are  able  to  shift  for  themselves. 

In  the  New  England  States  and  in  the  more  cultivated  part  of  the  country 
these  birds  no  longer  breetl  in  large  communities.  The  instance  near  Mont- 
pelier,  in  1849,  is  the  only  marked  exception  that  has  come  within  my 
knowledge.  They  now  breed  in  isolated  pairs,  their  nests  being  scattered 
through  the  woods  and  seldom  near  one  another. 

The  Wild  l''geon  has  been  successfully  kept  in  aviaries,  and  has  occasion- 
ally bred  in  confinement. 

Wilson's  account  of  the  habits  of  these  I'igeons  is  substantially  corrobora- 
tive of  that  of  Audubon.  He  witnessed  their  migrations  in  vast  numbers, 
in  various  parts  of  the  country,  —  in  Western  Xisw  York,  in  IVnnsylvania, 
in  various  parts  of  Virginia,  where  he  beliehl  their  inuneiise  flocks  witli 
amazement,  but  where  they  were  mere  straggling  parties  compared  with  the 
congregated  millions  he  saw  in  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  Kentucky.  He  also 
noted  their  habit  of  fre(|uenting  the  same  roosting-place  night  after  night, 
even  when  they  were  compelled  to  Hy  sixty  or  eighty  miles  each  day  to  their 
feeding-places.  His  account  of  their  roosting- places  is  similar  to  that  of 
Audubon,  corroborating  the  accumulation  of  the  dung  covering  the  surface 
of  the  ground  and  destroying  all  the  grass  and  underbrush,  the  breaking 
down  of  large  limbs,  and  even  of  small  trees,  by  the  weiglit  of  the  birds 


374  NouTir  A.Mi;i:ii'AN  }fijaxs. 

clii.stt'i'iii;4  Olio  aliovc  iiii"tln'i',  aiul  lliu  trei's  tliciiisi'lvo.s  iit  liisl  killwl  us  com- 
jik'tt'ly  iis  if  ginllod  liy  iiii  iixo. 

Olio  of  (lie  l)iv(^cliii<,'-i)liici's  visited  by  Wilson,  not  far  from  Slu'lhyvilk-, 
Ky.,  stivtc'iir(l  tliion^li  tliu  forest  in  iioariy  a  noilli  and  soutli  diroctioii. 
'I'liis  was  si'vcial  miles  in  lu'cadtli,  an<l  ujiwanls  of  forty  miles  in  extent, 
in  tins  immense  tract  nearly  every  tree  was  fiiniislied  with  nests  wheriiver 
there  were  liranches  to  aceomniodato  them,  lie  was  informed  by  those  who 
had  sought  to  ]iliinder  the  nests  of  the  s(juai)s,  thai  tlu-  iioiso  in  the  woods 
was  .so  great  as  to  terrify  their  horses,  and  that  it  was  ditlieult  for  one  per- 
■soii  to  hear  another  sjieak.  The  yroniid  was  strewed  with  broken  limbs,  eggs, 
and  yoiMig  l'igeon.s.  Hawks  wt-re  .sailing  about  in  great  numbers,  wliilo  from 
twenty  feet  u])wards  to  the  toi)s  of  the  trees  there  v  as  a  jtcrpetual  tumult 
of  crowding  and  ihittering  multituiles  of  I'igeoiis,  their  wings  resounding 
like  thunder,  and  mingled  with  the  frequent  crash  of  falling  trees.  In  one 
instance  he  counted  ninety  nests  in  a  siiigli!  tree. 

AVhen  on  his  way  from  Shelliyville  to  Frankfort,  AVilson  witnesscil  an  im- 
mense llight  ()f  these  liirds,  and  was  astonished  at  tiieir  apiiearance.  They 
were  Hying  with  great  steadiness  and  ra]>idity  in  .several  strata  deep  and  very 
close  together.  From  right  to  left,  as  far  as  the  i-yo  could  reach,  this  vast 
procession  extended  its  immense  breadth,  seeming  everywhere  equally 
crowded.  F'or  more  than  an  hour  by  the  watch  he  stood  and  ob.servcd 
this  prodigious  ])roce.ssion,  wliicli,  instead  of  liminishing,  seemed  rather  to 
increase  both  in  numbers  and  rapiditj'.  Three  hours  laier,  as  he  was  enter- 
ing Fraiiklbrt,  the  living  torrent  above  his  head  was  as  numerous  and  ex- 
tended as  when  iirst  observed.  Wilson  com])uted  the  number  of  Figeons  in 
this  flight  at  over  two  thousand  two  hundred  million.s. 

The  most  southern  jioiiit  at  which  this  I'igeoii  is  known  to  breed,  as  given 
liy  Wilson,  was  in  the  Choctaw  country,  in  MLssissij)))!,  in  latitude  3:^°. 

Mr.  I'idgway  olitained  a  single  sjiecimen  of  this  sjiecies  in  the  West  Hum- 
boldt Mountains,  in  September,  1807.  It  was  a  young  bird,  and  had  bceu 
feeding  on  the  berries  of  a  s]>eeies  of  Coi'nua. 

The  eggs  of  the  Wild  Pigeon  vary  considerably  in  length,  and  also  some- 
what in  breadth.  They  average  about  1.45  inches  in  length  and  1.05  in 
breadth.  They  are  white  in  color,  have  an  o\Til  shape,  and  are  equally 
rounded  at  both  ends. 

SrmwMiLV    ZENAIDIN^. 

Char.  T,ir.<i  .'stoiit.  Icntrllicnod  ;  ahviiys  lonu'or  than  tlio  latoml  too?,  aiifl  entirely 
without  fcatliiTs;  tho  tiliial  joint  u.>iially  dcnuiU'il.  Tarsus  sonioliuies  with  iiexa^'onal 
scales  anteriorly.     Tail-featliers  sometime.^  foiirteeii. 

This  sulifamily  is  readily  distinguished  from  tho  ])receding  by  the  longer 
and  more  denuded  tarsi,  the  feet  being  much  better  fitted  for  a  terrestrial 
life.     The  following  sections  belong  to  it :  — 


("()I,IM1JII).K  — TIIK  PKiKONS.  vj'j-tj 

Zeuaideae.     Si/.c  iiuKli'iali'.     \Viiii,'s  liMiu'thi'iu'il.  iiciilc,  ilic  [iiimarios  iiiiich 
lonj,'t'r  lli:\n  llic  souoiiiliirii's.     Tarsus  suult'llalc  aiitciidil)'.     A  lilackisli  s[)ot 
boiieath  tlic  aiii-ii'iilais  ;   lail-l'callu'is  ti|i|ii'il  willi  wliilc,  and  with  a  lilarUish 
subtoniiiiial  liar.     Sides  of  the  iii'ck  w  ilh  a  luclallir  ltIhss. 

Bill    lun^'tiic'liccl,  iiiiich    di'|ii('sst'd.      A   white    paleh   oil    ihewilljr;   lli> 
blaek  sjiots  on  the   seapiilais  ;   phnnaj,'e  ashy,   li,L;hter   lieneath.     'I'ail  of 
twelve  I'ealiiei's,  rounded         ........  .\Mope!ia. 

Bill   smaller,    more    eonipi'essud.       No    while  patch     on    the    wing; 
scapulars  with  lilaek  spots.     .Vhovi'  olivuecoiis,  lieneath  vinaeeou.s. 

Tail  of  twelve  leathers  rounded         ......       Zi'iitihhi. 

Tail  ol'  rourteeii  leathers,  j^radnated  or  ciiiieate     .  .  .        Zeiiiiiiluru. 

Chamaepelieae.  Size  verv  small.  \Viiij;s  rounded,  the  primaries  seareely 
longer  than  the  tertials.  Tarsus  sentellale  anteriorly.  No  lilaekish  sjiot 
bfiioath  the  aurieulars  ;  no  nu'tallie  gloss  on  sides  of  the  neek. 

Tail  of  twelve  leathers,  lenglheiu'd  (mueli  longer  than  wings),  donlily 
rounded,  the  lateral  feathers  mneh  shorter;   the   three  outer  pairs  with 

white  terminally Scdrda/ella. 

Tail  of  twelve  leathers,  short  (luueh  less  than  wings),  simply  roiiniled, 
the  lateral  feathers  only  slightly  shorter ;  oi;ler  feathers  without,  white 
terminally,  or  with  only  a  slight  e(lgiug.       Wiug-eoverts  with  oliliijue 
black  .spot.s,  and  body  without  transverse  lilai'kish  bars. 

Outside  of  the  tarsus  with  a  nairow  feathered  striji;  lining  of  tlu! 
\viiig  blackish       ..........      Tiil/uicotil. 

Outside   of  the   tarsus   without    a   featheied   strip;  lining  of  the 

wing  wholly  nifon.s C/iunui'jielui. 

Starnoenadece.  Size  moderate  (generally  a  little  larger  [\\i\u  ZciKiidii)  ; 
form  robust,  or  (piail-like.  Legs  very  stout ;  tarsi  decidedly  longer  than 
the  middle  toe,  variously  scaled  anteriorly.  Wings  .short,  very  broad,  and 
Uiuch  rounded,  but  the  ]iriiiiaries  decidedly  longer  than  the  secondarii's. 

Legs  very  stout  ;   tarsi  covered  with  hexagonal  scales  ;  crown  blue  :  a 
black  gnlar  patch,  bordered  below  by  white         ....  SliiriKriuis, 

Legs   moderate  I    tarsi    covered    anteriorly   with   transverse   .seulellie. 
Crown  never  blue,  and  throat  without  black  or  white  markings      .       (leotrijrion. 

The  jfcneni  charactovized  abovo  are  till  more  tir  k'.'ss  nearly  related  to  others 
l»elon,!^iii>f  to  Smith  iVinorica,  and  nniny  ol'  thcst;  a])])an'ntly  lorm  coiniectini^ 
links  between  the  .several  North  American  ones.  Thus,  "  ColionhitKi"  pinii, 
(Jray  (of  Chili),  and  C.dirpilam  (of  l'ai'aj,niay),  are  almost  exactly  intermedi- 
ate between  t^ranfufc/ld  and  C/iama-pclio,  both  in  form  and  colors.  "  Lvp- 
toptUd"  is  in  reality  scarcely  more  than  a  very  larne  C/i((iiwpi/ii(  with  an  nj)- 
proach  to  Zrnnida  in  n^orc  lenothened  jiriiuaries,  and  to  (•rnfri/i/nii  in  the 
lengtlieneil  tarsus. 

" Peristcin"  vincrm  is  afjiun  a  slightly  eidarocd  reproduction  of  Cluimcv- 
jH-lio,  with  the  same  pattern  of  cohmitioii,  but  withont  rufous  on  the  inside 
of  the  wing. 

StKnunum  and  Cfeotri/i/on  are  nearly  coimected  by  the  ff.  cliiri(/i((nsis,  which 
agrees  with  the  genus  to  which  it  is  referred  in  the  scutellato  tarsi,  and  with 
Slariiiiman  in  tiie  pecnlitir  structure  of  the  feathers  of  the  neck,  which  have, 
as  in  that  "  oonus,"  a  still",  compact  structure,  and  rather  raylike  arrangement. 


376 


NOKTII  AMKIUCAN  -mUbti. 


(Jknls  MELOFELIA,  1{()nap. 

M,' /ope! ill,  lioXAl-.  Cdiisi..  II,  I>i.L-.  IS.Vt,  81.     (Type,  r'l.himhi  /eiicop/cru,  L.) 

(ii:N.  CiiAit.  Siiiiil:!!-  lo  Zi'iKiida;  lliu  oiUital  ivgioii  and  loro  iiioru  iiakuil ;  tlio  liill 
loii-fi-;  tlu'  inidill,,.  too  loii-.'i- ;  tli.^  hiiiduf  sliortiT.  Tarsal  st'iitellio  in  a  sinj!d(>  series 
aiilencdy.  Kirsl  ,,iiill  neai'ly  as  Idiijj  as  tl,e  seuond  and  lliinl.  A  large  white'^pateli  on 
wing-cnvei-ts.  lower  parts  light  ashy. 

This  j;ciius,  like  nearly  all  the  Xorth  Amencaii  ones,  is  represented  by 
but  a  sinyio  species  in  the  United  States. 


Melopelia  leucoptera,  (Linn.)  Boxap. 

WHITE-WINOED  DOVE. 

Cohimha  kiicop/rm,  Lixs.  Syst.  Nat.  I,  17.'.8,  Itil  (.laniaicii).  —  Gm.  Sy.st.  Xat.  I,  1788, 
rry.  —  Waci,.  Syst.  Av.  18'J7,  Columhit,  No.  71.  —  JIcCai.i.,  I'r.  A.  N.  Sc.  I'iiii.  W, 
1818,  til.  Zniia/a  /cucnjilcni,  (liiAY,  Gen.  li.  Tiirliir  humpterm,  (iii.ssi:,  |$.  ,fam! 
1847,  -Mi.  Mi/oj)f/iii  leucuji/eni,  I'xiXAl'.  Consp.  Av.  II,  18.")-1,  81.-^  MaiiM),  liird.s  N. 
Am.  18.-)8,  (503.  —  l{Kiriii;N-li.  llandli.  Taub.  2-2,  tab.  234,  f.  1417;  2.'..-),  f.  28()!». — 
Maikii.  p.  a.  N.  .S.  1803,  IWI.—ViHH'KK,  Orn.  Cal.  I,  1870,  51'..  !  CuLba  hmlo/l, 
Om.  .'<.  N.  I,  1788,  777.  Ciihiiiiba  tntiliuitti,  Ail>.  liirds  Am.  VII,  1843,  352,  pi. 
ccL'fXevi. 

Sp.  CitAi!.    General  color  fine  a.^liy,  with  an  olivaceous  cast  on  upper  surface,  the  middle 
tail-leathers  being  decidedly  brownish  ;  secondaries  and  prinuiries  blackish.    IJeneath  paler 

ashy,  with  a  light  drab  cast  anteriorly 
(lightest  on  the  throat),  the  .ibdonien 
and  sides  with  a  line  light-bluish  cast; 
anal  i-egion  white  crissuni  more 
bluish.  Occiput  with  a.  pin'pli.sh 
tinge.  A  spot  of  lilaek,  with  steel- 
blue  reflection  below  the  ears ;  a 
large  patch  of  white  on  the  wing, 
covering  the  lower  covert.s  from  the 
elbow  to  the  seeon<lai  les ;  .^iccondaries 
margined  terminally  with  white. 
Terminal  fourth  of  tail-feathers, 
except  the  two  medial,  ashy-white, 
preceded  by  a  snliteiminal  blackish 
band.  Mule  with  faint  purplish- 
golden  reflections  on  the  sides  of 
the  nock,  and  the  throat  and  jugu- 
lum  inclining  to  ochrey-vinaeeous; 
the  occiput  and  nape  decided  p\irplish.  Female  with  this  scarcely  apparent.  Male: 
M-ing,  G.80;  tail,  5.10;  culmen,  .84;  tarsn.«,  1.00;  middle  toe,  1.10.  Female  slightly 
smaller. 

ILu!.  Southern  border  of  United  States,  from  Tex.is  to  Arizona  and  Lower  California  ; 
Jlexico,  south  to  Costa  Iliea,  Cuba  and  Jamaica,  Oaxaca,  highlands  (Set,.  1858,  305)  ; 
Cordova  (1850,  309) ;  Jamaica  (Gossk,  B.  J.  304)  ;  Honduras  (Taylor,  Ibis,  II,'  227)  \ 


Mditpdia  leucoptera,  Iioii:i|>. 


<"()LrMI!II).K  — TIIK  1M(  IKONS. 


•  >  /  / 


Meioitflia  liitcoptfra. 


City  of  Mi'xii'o  (Sc'i,.  I'.  Z.  S.  ISlii,  ITS)  ;  SDUlluMstcni  TrXiis,  hrcrlin};  (I)i:ks»ki!,  IMs, 
18(10,  24)  ;  Culm  ((ii-nim,.  Ucp.  I,  "8(j(i,  ;ii)l)  ;  Korl  \Vl,ip|,lf,  Arizona  (Corns,  I'.  A.  X.  S. 
18(1(;,  !)3);   Costa  Rica  (I.vwit.  IX,  ll!!));  Yiicalaii  (Lawk.  IX,  'JOT). 

However  roiiiurkiilpli!  and  fxccptioiial  the  (listril)uti(iii  of  tlii.s  species  may 
a])|)L'iir  in  oceniTini.;  in  ("uIki  und  .Fuinaicii  iind  in  Mexico,  IVoni  tius  Alliinlic 
const  to  ( 'aiic  St.  l.,iicns,  ami  nortli 
to  Santa  I'Y',  Xcw  Mexico,  we 
have  yet  lieeii  unaMe  to  find  any 
tanj,'i1)le  diileivnces  in  .s])ecinien.s 
from  llie.se  extreme  localities. 
The  Jamaica  l)ird  lias  ratlier  a 
more  decided  wash  ol'  iirown  on 
the  neck  and  loreliead,  the  toes 
apparently  shorter  ;  l>iit  as  si)eci- 
mensironi  the  same  locality  vary 
ill  this  respect,  it  is  ])rolialile  that 
in  a  lar<,'e  series  such  diilerences 
will  disajjpear  in  the  average. 

Hahits.  This  specii-s  is  t'oiuul  on  the  Lower  IJio  (Jrande,  in  Arizona,  and, 
according  to  Dr.  Coojier,  in  California.  It  als(j  occurs  in  ]Me.xico,  and  was 
taken  in  Tamaulipas  by  Lieutenant  Couch,  March,  LSoH.  It  has  also  been 
met  with  in  several  nl'  the  West  India  Islands  and  in  Central  America. 

This  species  is  al»undaut  in  Jamaica,  where,  accordiuj;'  to  Mr.  ^Lirch,  it  is 
more  a  lowland  than  a  mountain  Dove.  They  are  .said  to  be  grej^'arious, 
usually  keeping  in  Hocks  of  from  ten  to  twenty,  liut  in  January  and  in  Feb- 
ruary, in  the  Guinea-corn  season,  and  at  other  times  when  the  Ccni  are  in 
fruit,  they  congregate  in  large  Hocks,  olten  of  several  hundreds.  Their  food 
is  principally  grain  and  seeds,  but  they  are  equally  fond  of  the  rijie  fruit  of 
the  ditferent  species  of  Cemia  abounding  on  the  savannas  and  salines  dur- 
ing the  summer.  Inland,  the  Wliite-wings,  in  the  same  manner  as  the 
IJaldpate,  breed  in  .solitary  jiairs  ;  Init  in  the  mangrove  swamjjs,  and  in  the 
islands  along  the  coast,  they  breed  in  company,  many  in  the  same  tree.  The 
nest  is  a  frail  platform  of  sticks,  with  a  slight  hollow  lined  with  leaves  and 
bark,  and  sometimes  a  few  feathers.  The  eggs  arc  two,  of  an  oblong-oval  .shape, 
glarisli-white  in  color,  measuring  1.31  inches  in  length  by  .94  of  an  inch  in 
l)readth.  Mr.  March  adds  that  tlie  White-wing  is  olten  \w.\)t  in  confinement, 
where  it  occasionally  l)reeds.  It  is  at  first  quite  wild,  tlulteriug  in  alarm  at 
the  approach  of  any  person,  but  afterwards  becomes  (piite  docile  if  attended 
with  care.  It  has  been  known  to  cross  and  mate  witli  the  Tartar  ri-surias,  a 
bird  which  has  been  introduced  into  .Famaica.  Mr.  INlarcli  had,  at  the  time 
his  paper  a])peared,  a  male  White-wing  mated  with  a  female  liingdovo. 

This  si)ecies  was  found  ai  Onioa,  Ilomluras,  by  ^Ir.  Leyland,  and  by  Mr. 
Salvia  about  Diienas,  (inateniala,  where  it  was  one  of  the  coiumou  Doves. 
It  was  found  on  the  ground,  in  the  open  savannas. 

VOL.  HI.  48 


^^i7H  NORTH  AMERICAN- UIItDS. 

Air.  (}.('.  Taylor  (Ibis,  ISCO)  found  tl.is  l.ir.l  al.uiulant  in  Central  America 
especially  on  the  I'acilie  eoa.st  an.l  in  ti.e  environs  of  (,'oniavagua.  He  adds 
tliat  lie  found  tliis  species  most  plentiful  in  the  vicinity  of  houses  and  corn- 
fields, whde  the  Z.  mrulinvHsis  seem  t.)  ].refer  the  woods  and  open  j.lains. 
lioth  were  easdy  shot,  and  we're  found  to  be  excellent  eating. 

Mr.  l)res,ser  fouiul  this  species  very  common  near  Matanumis  and  I'.rowns- 
ville,  and  as  tar  into  the  interior  of  Te.xas  as  Sal  Colorado,  after  which  it 
becomes  rare,  and  he  never  saw  any  farther  east  or  north  than  the  IJio  Nueces 
It  IS  not  uncomnKm  at  Eagle  I'ass,  when;  he  saw  many  in  cages  in  the  huK> 
ol  the  Mexican.s.  Their  stomachs  were  found  tu  contain  mai/e  and  cater- 
pillars. 

Air.  Xantus,  in  his  notes  upon  the  birds  of  Cape  St.  Lucas,  mentions  find- 
ing several  of  the  nests  and  eggs  of  this  Dove.  All  the  nests  mentioned 
contained  two  eggs.  One  was  in  the  fork  of  a  leafless  tree,  about  ten  feet 
from  the  ground ;  another  was  about  six  feet  high  and  placed  on  a  small 
d«arf-oak ;  and  a  third,  found  :\ray  20.  was  in  a  thorn-bush,  about  ten  feet 
iroin  the  ground.  Tn  one  instance  a  single  egg,  alrea.ly  incubated,  was  found 
on  the  top  of  a  large  cactus  trunk,  but  without  any  indication  of  a  nest. 

Tiic  eggs  of  this  species  are  oval  in  shape,  white,  of  e^nal  size  at  eitliex- 
end,  and  measure  l.;}5  inches  by  .'J2. 


Gexus  ZENAIDA,   Boxap. 

Zmaida,  Bonai-aiite,  Goog.  &  Comi..  List,  1838.     (Type,  CoUmba  zennida,  Bp.) 

Gen.  Char.  Bill  blnck;  the  culmon  nlmut  two  fiftlis  tlio  rest  of  the  liomi.  Tftrsi  a 
littlo  siioi-tor  tlian  the  iiii.ldln  toe  mid  claw,  Init  considerably  longer  than  the  lateral  toes. 
Tarsus  with  broad  sciitellie  anteriorly,  tliose  on  tlie  lower  half  bifid,  makin<?  two  hexa-'o- 
nal  .series.  Inner  lateral  to<-  a  little  the  longer.  Hind  toe  and  claw  as  long  as  the  inner 
lateral  -vitliont  claw.  AVings  lengthened  ;  second  and  third  qnills  longest.  Tail  .short, 
about  two  fifths  the  wings,  loinuled  or  a  littlo  graduated.  Orbits  feathered,  especially 
antei-ior  to  the  eye  ;  the  lids  bare. 

But  one  species  of  this  genus  belongs  to  our  fauna,  and  this  is  probably 
but  an  occasional  visitor. 


UOLUMllID.K  -  TIIH  I'IGEOXS. 


379 


Zenaida  amabilis,  JioxAP. 

ZENAIDA  SOVE. 

Culumba  zenttkla,  Honai-.  J.  A.  N.  Su,  V,  l.s^i,-,,  :jo.  -In,  Am.  Oni.  II,  1828,  ]il.  xv. — 
Waolkii,  Uk,  1821),  V4-J.  —  XriTAi.i,,  Miiii.  1,  1832,  «2r).  —  Arn.  Oin.  I'.i.i;;.  II,  1834, 
an-J ;  V,  fliVS,  1,1,  cLxii.  -.  111.  liiids  Aim.  V,  1S4_>,  1,  iiI.  c.I.wxi.  XniniiUi  ,i,wthi/h,  Ituv. 
List,  1838. —  111.  I'diisii.  II,  Ks,-,4,  S2.  ■  (Iossk,  liiids  .laiii.  184",  'Wl.  -  liKiniKMiAcil, 
Ic.iiics  Av.  "  tall.  2.".;'.."  -  (iiNii|.A<ll,  Caliaiiis's  .louni.  IS'Ui,  111.  --  liAlliK,  llinl.s  X. 
Am.  18,'.«,  ()II2.  -  Hicicll.  Ilaiulli.  Taiil..  21,  till).  2").".,  f.  2S»)7,  2SUS  ;  2,'.4,  f.  1412.  - 
Maisiii,  r.  A.  N.  S.  181)3,  3'j2.  XiiKiiila  imrita,  (JiiAV,  not  Cvluiabti  tiurilu  of 
I.iclitcnstciii  (^f.   niundtilii),  nut  of  TcmmiiK'k  (/.  miuiinictnui),  llili'  liuiiapaitf. 

Sp.  CiiAit.  Win.ffs  vi'iy  loii^r.  ivii<iiii)<;  to  tlic  liTininul  tluid  of  tlio  tail.  Above  ruildish- 
olivc,  Viuionsiy  olosscd  witii  u'lay  ;  tlio 
top  of  llie  lit'iwl  mill  tlio  luiili'i'  parts 
violi't-piiiplisli  ruil,  paiui'  on  tliu  chin 
mul  lliioiu.  Inside  of  wiii|,'s,  and  sides 
of  liody,  liliic  ;  {,'i'catel-  \viii;,'-covci'ls 
tiii.i,'ed  with  tile  .same.  t^liiiils  daik 
brown  ;  the  .secondaries  tipped  witli 
wliile.  Inner  tail-feat  liers  iil^e  tlie 
baeii ;  the  olliei-s  bine  aliove;  all  witji  a 
siibteiiiiiiial  bar  of  black,  beyond  wliicli 
the  bhie  is  li<,'liter,  assiiiniiij;-  a  whilisli 
tint  on  tlie  exterior  leiithers.  Winj,'- 
covt'rts  witli  coiicealed  spnis  of  l)la('k, 
wliieli  are  more  visilile  on  the  tertials ; 
a  spot  of  the  same  below  the  ear.  Hill 
black.    Feet  yeUowish.     Leiiylli,  lO.OO  ;  /.ninlaamuliiit. 

wiii.ir,  ().()() ;  tail,  4.00. 

IIaii.  Florida  Ki^y^i.  Cliieljy  on  or  near  Indian  Key  and  the  West  Indies.  Santa  Cruz 
(Nkwton,  Il)i.s,  1,  2');!,  e.mr,.;);  ('uba  (C.^i,.  .f.  \X ^  HI;  Ccsni..  Rcp.  I,  18GG,  301); 
Balianms  (Buvaxt,  I'r.  li.  VII,  LSo!)) ;  .faniaiea  (Gosse,  B.  J.  317) ;  .'i^ombrero  (Lawb.  \'III, 
09) ;  Porto  Rico  (Buy ant,  B.  P.  :8()G). 

Amon,<,'  iiiiiny  .specimens  of  tlii.s  species  Ijefore  us  is  one  from  Mr.  Ainlu- 
bon's  collection,  prolnibly  procnrud  in  Florida.  It  nnist  be  nnich  rarer  now 
than  formerly  on  the  keys,  as  several  collections  of  birds  made  on  Indian 
Key  do  not  include  any  specimens. 

The  Z.  hjiiioknva,  (Jray.i  of  Sontli  America,  is  very  similar,  but  lacks  any 
trace  of  the  broad  white  bar  iit  the  end  of  the  secondaries.  There  is  more 
white  on  the  tail,  the  feathers  of  which  are  narrower  at  the  ends ;  licsides, 
the  colors  generally  are  liffhter,  the  crissiim  being  creamy-white. 

IIaiuts.  The  Zenaida  Dove  was  for.nd  by  Mr.  Audubon  to  be  a  transient 
visitor  of  the  keys  of  East  Florida,  where,  according  to  his  observations, 
they  made  their  first  appearance  among  the  islands  around  Indian  Key 
aiiout  the  15th  of  April.    There  they  contiinied  to  increase  in  numbers  until 


1  Zenaida  hiipokucd,  "GlsAV,"  Boxap.  Coiisp.  11,  1857,  83. 


380  NORTH  AM KUIL'AN- BIRDS. 

(\>tnlH'r,  wlicn  lliov  nil  ivliiriu'd  to  tlu'  West  India  lalaiids,  whence  they 
eanu',  a. id  wlicre  tlii'y  are  most  niiniorous.  The  males  were  observed  to  reaeh 
the  keys  in  which  thev  ])assed  the  summer  to  lireed  before  the  females,  and 
were  lieard  cooing',  as  if  in  search  of  tiieir  mates,  at  least  a  week  before  the 
arrival  of  the  latter.  They  lie,Li;in  to  lay  their  (^'gs  about  the  first  of  ^Fay. 
When  they  Icavi',  in  their  autiunnal  mi,t,'rati()ns,  they  dejjart  in  small  groui)s 
by  laniilies. 

Tliese  birds  arc  said  by  Mr.  Audubon  to  be  (h'ound  Doves  in  habit. 
Tiicir  ilij,'ht  re.semliles  that  of  the  so-called  (Jround  Dove,  and  is  seldom 
higher  than  the  to])s  of  the  mangroves,  and  never  to  any  considerable  dis- 
tance exee])t  durin;,'  tlu'ir  migrations.  Though  they  alight  on  trees  with 
ease,  and  can  walk  well  among  their  branches,  they  s])en(l  the  greater  portion 
of  their  time  on  the  ground,  and  walk  well  there,  walking  or  running  in 
search  of  food  with  lightness  and  celerity,  and  invariably  roost  on  the  ground. 

Tiieir  flight  is  similar  to  that  of  the  Carolina  Dove  in  the  firm  movements 
of  the  wings,  though  they  do  not  produce  the  same  whistling  sounds.  Tn 
flying  over  the  water  they  keeji  near  its  surface  :  and  when  started  from  the 
ground  tiicy  only  lly  to  a  short  distance,  and  icalight  in  the  gra.ss  or  a  thicket. 
They  are  extremely  gentle,  so  nuich  so  that  ^Nlr.  Aiulubon  has  occasionally 
ai)i)roaclied  so  near  as  to  almost  t(au:h  them  with  his  gun  as  they  stood  gaz- 
ing at  him,  apparently  devoid  of  all  fear. 

They  Iireed  in  the  few  keys  that  are  covered  with  grass  and  low  shrubs. 
They  always  place  their  nest  on  the  ground,  often  with  so  little  concealment 
that  it  may  be  easily  discovered  by  any  one  .searching  for  it.  (Occasionally 
it  is  placed  between  tufts  of  grass,  the  tojis  of  which  bend  over  and  conceal 
it.  A  small  hole  is  scooped  in  the  sand  in  wliich  a  slight  nest,  composed  of 
matted  '  lados  of  dry  gra.sses,  is  placed,  circular  in  form,  and  embedded  in  an 
outer  cnilection  of  dry  leaves  and  twigs.  The  whole  fabric  is  said  to  be 
more  comjiact  than  the  nest  of  any  other  PigeoJi.  The  eggs,  always  two, 
are  described  as  pure  white  and  translucent. 

When  sitting  on  her  eggs  or  on  her  young,  the  female  rarely  moved  from 
them  exce])t  wh(;n  an  attempt  was  made  to  catch  her,  which  she  always 
evadcnl  with  great  dexterity,  gliding  with  great  (piickness  to  a  short  distance, 
and  watching  the  movements  of  the  intruder  with  drooping  wings  and  an 
air  of  deep  sorrow,  her  whoU'  frame  trembling  as  if  with  intense  cold. 

Mr.  Audubon  took  alive  two  of  the  young  birds,  which  he  fed  from  his 
mouth  with  Indian-corn  meal.  Tiiis  they  ate  with  avidity,  until  ])laced 
imder  the  care  of  a  common  tame  Tigeon,  that  at  once  fostered  them.  They 
lived,  and  were  taken  to  Dr.  nachman  in  Charleston. 

Their  notes  are  said  to  closely  reseud)le  the  cooing  of  the  Carolina  Dove, 
but  I're  somewhat  more  soft  and  tender.  During  midday,  when  the  heat  in 
the  central  ]iarts  of  the  keys  is  intense,  these  birds  are  silent. 

TJieir  flesh  was  found  to  be  excellent,  and  they  were  g(!uerally  very  fat. 
They  fed  on  grass  .seeds,  on  the  leaves  of  ciu'tain  aromatic  plants,  and  on 


('(tM'MBllKK      THE  I'lUPJUNS.  381 

various  kinds  of  IicitIos,  —  among  otliors,  onu  liighly  poisonous  to  man, — 
and  mingle  MJtli  their  food  particles  ol'  shells  and  gravel.  Tliey  have  two 
broods  in  a  season. 

An'ordinti-  to  ^Ir.  Audulton,  tlieir  eggs  measure  l.'J")  inches  in  length  by 
.87  tif  an  ineli  in  breadth,  and  are  abru])tly  pointed  at  one  end.  He  states 
that  they  propagated  readily  in  tlie  aviary  ol'  tlie  Karl  of  Derby,  some  being 
let  loose  in  the  hoi)e  of  introducing  them  into  England. 

This  species,  known  in  Jamaica  as  the  Pea  Dove,  is  not,  according  to 
March,  gregarious,  and,  although  terrestrial  in  habits,  is  often  .seen  and  heard 
on  trees,  and  also  roosts  there.  It  ni'sts  indiscriminately  on  the  ground  or 
in  trees,  making  a  slight  ])latform  of  sticks  and  twigs,  loosely  put  together. 
The  eggs  are  two,  oval  or  roundish-oval  in  shape,  and  white.  They  measure 
from  1.20  to  l.o2  indies  in  length  by  an  inch  in  breadth.  It  is  a  favorite 
cage-bird,  and  though  ap])arcntly  very  til.,'  1  and  restless,  becomes  very  tame 
and  docile,  and  will  take  grain  from  the  haiui  or  lips  t)f  its  feeder. 

In  Santa  Cruz  it  is  V'lown  as  tlie  Mountain  Dove,  and  was  there  found 
very  common  by  ^Ir.  Newton.  It  ail(irded  excellent  sjx)rt  and  was  very 
good  eating.  It  was  not  only  numerous  on  the  liills,  but  was  likewise  plen- 
tiful in  all  parts  of  the  island  suilicieiitly  overgrown  with  brush.  Mr.  Newton 
did  not  find  it  so  terrestrial  in  its  habits  as  it  is  stated  to  be  by  some  writers. 
Its  flight  is  .said  to  be  remarkably  rapid.  It  breeds  from  April  to  the  end  of 
July,  and  is  said  to  build  the  ordinary  I'igeon's  nest,  —  a  mere  platform  of 
twigs  in  a  bush  or  tree  at  any  height  from  a  few  feet  to  twenty.  It  lays  two 
eggs,  which,  in  Santa  Cruz,  were  foiuid  by  Mr.  Newton  to  be  perfectly  white, 
and  not  of  a  drab  hue,  as  stated  by  Mr.  (rosse.  The  young  birds  ai'c  often  taken 
from  the  nest  and  brought  up  without  much  dilliculty.  The  cooi.ig  of  this 
Dove  is  stated  to  much  resemble  the  noise  made  by  sounding  a  conch-sheU. 

The  eggs  of  the  Zenaida  Dove  are  mon;  rounded  in  their  shape  than  tho.se 
of  most  of  our  Pigeons,  are  white,  etiually  obtuse  at  each  end,  and  measure 
1.30  inches  in  length  by  .90  in  breadth. 


Genus   ZENAIDURA,    Boxap. 

Zciiaidiiri),  Honap.  Cons]).  Avium,  II,  1854,  84.     (Tyiii>,  Col umbii  enrol ixam.i,  L.) 
ren'.i.iiirn,  ('ah.  .loiir.  fiii'Om.  IV,  IS.'jt!,  111.     (Same  tyjw.) 

Gkn'.  CiiAU.  I$ill  weak,  black ;  oulnu'n  from  iVontal  foathors  about  ono  third  the  head 
above.  Tarsus  not  quite  as  h)nj,'  as  middle  toe  and  claw,  but  considerably  lonjrer  than 
the  lateral  ones ;  covered  anteriorly  by  a  siuirle  series  of  scutella\  Inner  lateral  claw 
considerably  lonjjer  than  outer,  and  re.ichin<r  to  the  base  (>!'  middle.  Winjjs  jwinted  ; 
second  quill  lonp;est;  first  and  third  nearly  equal.  Tail  very  long,  equal  to  the  wings; 
excessively  graduated  and  cuneati!,  of  fourteen  feathers. 

The  fourteen  tail-feathers  render  this  genus  very  conspicuous  among  the 
North  American  doves.  It  was  formerly  placed  with  the  Pivssenger- Pigeon 
in  Ectopiatcs,  Init  has  nothing  in  common  with  it  but  the  lengthened  tail, 


382 


XURTII  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


•IS  it  l)eloiigs  to  a  difreroiit  siiliiiiniily.     At  present  three  species  are  known, 
i-wo  of  them  recently  described.      Unless  Z.  yucatancnsis  proves  to  be  a 


1180 


Zenaiilum  carolinensis. 


hybrid  between  Zcnuida  amahilU  and  Zcmndura  carolinensis,  it  may  be 
expedient  to  nier^e  Zcnuida  and  Zcnaidum  into  one,  since,  if  yucaknsis 
pro  re  to  be  u  perniaiieiit  form,  the  additional  pair  of  tail-feathers  is  all  that 
is  left  to  characterize  Zawidiira  ;  and  when  we  consider  that  the  wedge-tailed 
ffaliaius  j)da;jirtis  has  fonrteen  tail-feathers,  while  the  round-tailed  species 
have  (.nly  twelve,  it  seems  reasonable  to  consider  the  diflerence  as  merely 
specific  in  this  case  also. 

A.  Secondaiifs  l)i-oiully  tippud  with  Avliito. 

Z.  yucatanensis.'    Beneath  entirely  deep  pnrph.sh-vinacooii.s.    Wing',  fi.OO; 
tail,  4.0U;  eidnien,  .58;  tansus,  .80;  middle  toe,  .90.     //nft.    Yucatan. 

B.  Secondaries  not  tipped  with  wliite. 

Z.  carolinensis.  Beneath  light  purplish-vinaceon.-;  anteriorly;  crissum 
nearly  white.  Win-  o.DO  ;  tail,  0.00;  cnlinen,  ..".O;  tarsus,  .80;  middle  toe, 
.82.  I/iih.  Whole  ot"  North  America,  south  to  Panama;  West  Indies. 
Z.  6raysoni.=  Beneath  .Milirely  nnilorm  deep  reddi.sh-cinnamon.  Winp, 
0.00;  tail,  .'"i.lo;  cnlnien,  .84  ;  far.<n.-<,  1.08 ;  middle  toe,  .97.  Hah.  Socorro 
Wand,  western  coast  of  ilexico. 

1  Zamu/um  ,/Ha,l,nu'„s,:i,  Lawi;.  Ann.  N.  Y.  IX,  1869.  This  bird  is  .so  .■xactly  inteniicdiatp 
betwpiMi  the  Z.  caroUnmms  and  Zcnaida  amnhilis,  as  to  lead  us  to  stroufjlv  susix-ct  it  is  a 
l.yhrid  hctwccn  tlic  two.  With  tli."  Z.  am.li„n,sh  it  a-rccs  only  in  ,H..s.scsshi<;  fourteen  tail- 
l.athei.s  ;  the  coloration  and  size  an.l  shape  ol'  the  hill  hcins  exactly  those  of  Z.  anmbilis, 
wlnle  the  tnil-fcalliers  arc  internie.liate  in  length  and  .shape  between  those  of  the  two  species. 
The  colors  diller  from  those  of  Z.  .imubilis  only  in  bcinj?  of  a  just  appreciably  lighter  shade,  there 
hemgthe  same  broad  white  tip  to  the  secondiuies,  lailliant  steehblue  suhauricular  spot,  and 
•h'cp  reddish  ciissuMi,  characterizing  the  Z.  oiwihili.s,  as  .listiuKuishiMl  from  Z.  mmlhinm,. 

•  Zni,n,l„ra  ,im,is,m!,  Lawi:.  Aim.  \.  V.  Lye.  February,  1871,  17.  A  very  distinct  species, 
remarkable  for  its  lar^e,  yery  lonj,',  and  nncli  d.'iiresscd  lull,  and  dee|.  feiruginou.s,  in.stead  of 
limkish-vinaecous,  lower  Jiarts.  The  specimens  are  unfortunately  uU  young  birds,  thouL'h  they 
■nc  hdly  ^'rown. 


COIJ  WllMDJ';  -TUi:   I'KiKU.NN 


383 


Zenaidura  carolinensis,   Hdnap. 

CASOLINA  OR  COMMON  DOVE. 

'.'ohtidhit  enrol inntsii,  Linn.kl's,  Syst.  Nut.  I,  1700,  iiSO,  No.  :;7.  —  Latham,  Iiul.  II,  17'JO, 
013.  —  Wll.s(.s,  Am.  Orii.  V,  181:2,  !)],  \A.  xliii.  -  At  n.  Oni.  Vmx^.  1,  Isai,  HI  ;  V, 
1S39,  555,  jil.  xvii. — XriTAl.l,,  ^Maii.  I,  18;52,  (>20.  'J'lirhir  citro/iiicii.iis,  ISiilssun, 
I,  11(1,  jil.  viii.  L'r/n/ii.i/is  (■iini/iiiriisi.i,  liicil.  List,  lS:i7.  —  I'liis.  Iliiils  Aiiicr.  V, 
ISl'J,  MO,  1)1.  oclxxxvi.  XmiiUbira  fdi-nlinriisis,  rxiNAP.  Cmisii.  Av.  U,  1851,  S4  (tyjM'). 
—  Haiim),  liirils  X.  Am.  185S,  001.  —  l!i;i(  iiinii.  Ilaiidli.  Tiiiili.  Ill,  tali.  211),  f.  13.^0- 
82. — Ciiof.  &  Sf(  Ki..  218. --<'<iiil'.  dill.  CaL  L  1870,512.  IVn'ssnrn  aiivHiicii.sis, 
C'Ali.  Cal).  .lour.  1850,  111,  112  O.^'l"''-  ''"liiinlui  iiiiiiyiiinfii,  LtSN.  Sy.st.  Xal.  L  1700, 
2SC,  Xo.  40  (best  (Icsi'iiiitioii).  -  \Va(.i.i;i!,  Syst.  Av.  1827,  Xo.  HI.  -  In.  I.sis,  1831, 
51il.  Edoplatea  niiirifinnlii,  (lu.vv,  I..i.st,  I5r.  Mils.  !  EflojnsU.i  iiutniiiii'Uiis,  Wood- 
IloUisK,  I'r.  A.  X.  .S,..  VL  .[line,  1S52,  101.  —  lit.  ExpL  Ziifii  &  Color.  1853,  03  ;  IJiids, 
jil.  V  (Ca!iailiaii  livi'i-,  .\ik.  linmatiiic  liiiill.  i  Z'  iinid.arii  miicijiinlhi,  liuNAl'.  C'ou.sp. 
Av.  H,  1851,  85. 


Aliovc  liliii.sli,  althoiipjli  this  is  overlaid  with  light 


Zennii/itra  enrnlinensis- 


Sp.  CitAit.  Tail-rciitlii'rs  fotirtoi'ii. 
brownisli-DJivc,  Ksiviiif;-  tlie  lilm.'  piirc 
only  on  the  top  i>t'  iIk;  IkiuI,  the 
cxtofior  of  tlio  wings,  ami  the  iipiicr 
siirCiu.'O  of  tlu!  tail,  wliirh  is  even 
slightly  tingfd  with  this  color.  The 
entiro  head,  except  the  vi'rtex,  the 
sides  of  the  neck,  and  the  under  paits 
generallj',  light  lirownish-viiiaceoiis, 
strongly  tinged  with  purple  on  the 
breast,  heeoiiiing  lighter  liehiiid,  and 
[lassing  into  brownish-yellow  or 
ereaiiiy-ochraeeons  on  the  anal 
region,  tiltiiU,  and  inider  tail-coverts. 
Sides  of  the  noek  with  a  patch  of 
ine(allie  ptn'pli.sh-red.  Sides  of  body 
anil  inside  of  wings  elear  light  blue.  Wing-eoverls  and  .si-apuhirs  spotted  witli  black, 
mostly  eoneealed,  and  a  small  oblong  pateh  of  the  same,  with  a  stecd-bluo  refleetioii, 
below  the  ear.  Tail-feathers  .seen  I'roni  below  1ilaei<isli.  the  outer  web  of  outermost, 
white,  the  others  tiiipeil  with  the  .same,  the  color  becoming  more  and  more  bluish  to  the 
innermost,  which  is  brown.  Seen  from  above  there  is  the  same  gradation  from  white  to 
light  blue  in  the  tips;  the  rest  of  the  feather,  however,  is  blue,  with  a  bar  of  black 
anterior  to  tlii'  light  tip,  which  runs  a  littli>  forward  along  the  margin  and  shall  of  the 
fealher.  In  the  sixth  feather  the  color  is  uniform  bluish,  with  this  bar;  the  seventh  is 
without  a  bar.  Hill  black,  the  angle  of  the  mouth  carmine.  Female  smaller,  and  with  less 
red  beneath.  JiCiigth  of  male,  ri.So;  win.u',  •'-  .'") ;  tail.  0.70.  IJare  orbits  pale  blue,  with 
a  green  tint ;  iris  dark  brown;  feet  lake-red.  Yoiinf/ with  the  feathers  of  upper  parts 
and  jugiilum  margine(l  with  paler  ;  the  tints  more  brownish. 

Had.  Throughout  rniled  States  from  Atlantic  to  Paiilic.  Cuba;  Middle  America  to 
Panama.  Localities:  Oaxaca  (.*=*ci..  l.S.V).  :!!»l);  Cordava  (18.')fi.  .'J.')!))  ;  fJitatemala  (Ibis, 
1,222);  Cuba  (Cap.  .T.  IV.  HI;  CtNiM..  ilep.  T,  ISOO.  ;?()|)  ;  Honduras  (Tavi.or.  Ilii.s, 
11,227);  Southeastern  Texas  (Dui:ssi:u,  Ibis.  ISIKi.  21.  breeds)  ;  Fort  Wliipplc,  Arizona 
(CouK.s,  P.  A.  N.  S.  1800,  !);i)  ;  Costa  Uica  (Lawu.  IX,  i;i'J)  ;  Yucatan  (IX,  207). 


384  NORTH  a.\[i:rican  birds. 

Specimens  from  the  wliole  of  Nortli  America,  soutli  to  Costa  Eica  and 
the  West  India  Islands,  are  identical  in  colors  and  proportions. 

Specimens  from  Cnba,  Jamaica,  and  other  West  India  Islands,  resenililo 
examples  from  the  eastern  United  States,  but  are  considerably  smaller,  the 
Aving  measuring  less  than  S.^U  iuclics.  The  dark  blotches  on  the  Avings 
ai)l)ear  of  unusual  size,  the  niibus  tinge  on  tiie  back  is  more  decided,  and 
the  under  parts  are  more  dee^ily  colored.  In  these  respects  they  resemble 
somewhat  skins  from  Cape  St.  Lucas,  collected  by  Mr.  Xantus. 

IlAniTrt.  The  Carolina  l)ov(!  is  found  tliroughout  tlie  United  States,  in 
nearly  all  i)arts,  from  tlie  Clulf  of  Mexico  to  Canada,  and  from  the  Atlantic 
coast  to  the  I'acilic.  It  occurs  also  in  the  West  Indies,  in  Mexico,  and  in 
Central  America.  It  is  found  in  the  southern  part  of  ISIaine  as  far  to  the 
eastward  as  C.lais,  but  was  not  collected  by  Mr.  Verrill  at  Xorway,  and  is 
not  known  to  occur  in  the  northern  part  of  that  State.  Partlier  west,  it  is  met 
with  to  the  Canada  line  ;  a  few  l)eing  known  to  breed  near  Hamilton,  and 
others  to  pass  the  winter  near  Salt  Springs,  according  to  Mr.  Mcllwmith. 
Tliey  occur  with  more  or  less  abundance  in  different  parts  of  Massachusetts, 
but  are  generally  (piite  rare  except  in  one  or  two  localities.  In  nearlj'  all 
the  rest  of  tiie  United  States  they  are  wiilel}'  and  generally  distributed,  and 
often  abundant.  In  some  parts  of  the  country  they  are  cherisheil  for  their 
confiding  trust  in  the  protection  of  man  ;  while  in  othei-s  they  are  hunted 
on  account  of  their  delicacy  as  food,  and  are  very  .shy  and  difficult  of  ap- 
proach. In  Carlisle,  Penn.,  I  found  them  one  of  the  most  connnon  birds, 
frequenting  the  gardens  and  orchards,  and  breeding  often  in  close  proximity 
to  the  houses.  In  Western  Massachusetts,  on  the  other  hand,  where  they 
were  once  quite  abundant,  tliey  have  been  so  persistently  hunted  that  they 
are  very  shy,  and  have  become  quite  rare. 

In  Kansas  and  in  Colorado  they  were  frequently  foinid  by  Mr.  Allen,  and 
in  the  latter  region  also  by  Mcsgrs.  Aiken  and  Holden.  On  the  Plains,  in 
the  absence  of  any  trees  in  which  to  build,  they  were  in  the  habit  of  con- 
structing their  nests  on  the  ground,  in  some  instances  depositing  their  eggs 
in  a  mere  depression  in  the  sand,  with  hardly  iiny  pretence  for  a  nest. 

This  bird  was  obtained  in  Tamaulipas,  Mexico,  by  Lieutenant  Couch;  at 
Pinggold  Barracks,  Texas,  by  INIr.  J.  II.  Clark ;  near  San  Elizario,  by  Dr. 
Kennerly ;  and  on  the  Colorado,  by  IMr.  Schott.  Mr.  Clark  found  the  vicinity 
of  Pinggold  Barracks  a  great  resort  for  many  birds  of.  this  f\innly  for  the 
purpose  of  nesting ;  the  luxuriant  development  of  the  Opmitia,  and  other 
vegetation  equally  impassable,  affording  the  means  of  defence.  Hundreds 
of  at  least  half  a  dozen  species  were  to  be  seen  every  evening  on  the 
banks  of  the  river  after  water.  Lieutenant  Couch  found  it  in  great  numbers 
from  the  llio  Grande  to  beyond  the  Sierra  Madre,  generally  near  the  ranches, 
though  often  in  the  forests.  It  seemed  inclined  to  court  the  society  of 
man  for  protection  and  food.  It  was  also  very  abundant,  according  to  Dr. 
Keuuerly,  iu  the  vicinity  of  San  Elizario,  banding   in   large  flocks,  and 


COLUMDID  E  — THE  PIGEONS.  3g5 

feeding  in  the  wheat  and  corn  fields.      It  was  also  observed  as  far  west  as 
Santa  Criiz,  in  Sonora. 

Dr.  Newberry  met  with  this  Dove  in  all  parts  of  'Jalifoi'iiia  and  Oregon 
visit(\d  by  him.  Dr.  Suckley  mentions  it  as  very  abundant  throiigli- 
out  AVashington  Territory  and  Oregon.  At  Fort  Steilacoom  it  arrives  and 
deimrts  at  about  the  same  time  as  the  Culumwi  fasciatn.  Dr.  Cooper  states 
it  to  be  common  about  prairies  and  farms  of  the  interior,  and  ])robably  some 
remain  all  winter  in  the  Territory,  though  they  rarely  appear  at  any  time 
near  tlie  coast  border. 

Dr.  K'Minerly  found  this  species  about  Hill  AVilliams  Fork,  in  New 
Mexico,  and  also  in  the  vicinity  of  San  Antonio,  Texas,  and  along  the  Gulf 
coast;  but  travelling  west  about  two  hundred  miles  from  the  former  place, 
they  jcemed  sudchiiily  to  disapjiear. 

According  to  Mr.  Salvin,  this  Dove  was  very  al)undant  about  Duefias,  in- 
habiting only  the  open  districts.  It  congregated  in  flocks,  and  was  resident. 
Mr.  G.  C.  Taylor  frequently  met  with  it  in  Honduras,  wiiere  they  were 
generally  seen  in  small  Hocks  of  from  six  to  ten. 

Dr.  Woodliouse  mentions  that  the  mournful  notes  of  these  birds  were  to 
be  heard  continually  throughont  the  Indian  Territory  and  the  greater  part 
of  Texas  and  New  Mexico,  in  all  of  which  countries  it  breeds. 

Mr.  Dresser  found  this  Dove  a  familiar  resident  in  every  part  of  Texas 
and  ^lexico  that  he  visited.  He  saw  many  of  tlieir  nests,  all  slightly 
built  of  sticks  placed  on  the  branch  of  a  niesquite  tree  or  busli,  containing 
two  pure-white  eggs.  In  two  instances  the  nesti  were  on  the  ground.  He 
met  with  one  nest  with  fresh  eggs  as  late  as  September  7. 

These  l)irds  are  migratory  in  the  Northern  States,  and  partially  so  in  the 
Middle  States,  their  movements  being  irregular,  and  evidently  dependent 
upon  the  abundance  of  their  food.  In  North  and  South  Carolina,  and  in 
otiier  parts  of  tiie  country  south  of  Pennsylvania,  tliey  collect  together  in 
the  winter  months  in  considerable  numbers.  Wilson  states  that  on  tlie  2d 
of  February  he  saw  a  Hock  of  many  hundreds  of  these  birds  near  Newbern, 
N.  C. ;  find  near  tlie  Savannah  River,  in  Georgia,  the  woods  were  swarming 
with  them.  They  return  to  the  North  in  March  or  early  in  April,  and  dis- 
jierse  very  generally  over  the  country  in  pairs,  rarely  more  than  two  or 
three  of  tliese  being  seen  together.  They  are  then  occasionally  to  be  seen 
in  roads,  dusting  themselves  or  procuring  gravel.  Where  not  molested,  tiioy 
often  visit  the  farm-yards,  and  even  occasionally  feed  witii  tlie  poultry,  take 
water  from  the  drinking-places  of  the  cattle,  and  become  i)artially  domesti- 
cated. 

When  their  breeding-season  is  over,  usually  early  in  August,  they  again 
collect  in  small  Hocks,  which  unite  in  larger  collections  when  they  move 
southward  in  their  migrations. 

Their  flight  is  rapid,  vigorous,  and  strong,  and  the  flapping  of  their  wings 
is  accompanied  by  a  peculiar  whistling  sound.     They  can  fly  with  great 

vol,.  III.  49 


386  NORTH   AMEi;i(JAN"mKlJS. 

swiftness,  can  readily  alight  on  trees,  antl  move  with  facility  among  the 
branches. 

Their  love-notes,  which  commence  in  the  early  spring,  are  celebrated  for 
their  peculiarly  sad  and  touching  ))laintiveness  of  sound,  though  the  birds 
tiiemselves  exhibit  in  their  appearance  and  manners  at  this  time  anything 
but  an  a2)i)earance  of  grief  or  mourning,  being  exceedingly  lively  and  sjiort- 
ive  in  their  rudearments.  These  notes  are  re])eated  almost  continually, 
in  a  succession  of  four  or  five  notes  sounding  like  uh-coo-roo-coo  or  oh-cuu- 


ruo-coo-roi). 

This  I'igeon  feeds  on  seeds,  grain,  buckwheat,  Indian  corn,  the  berries  of 
various  shrubs  and  plants,  and  the  smaller  acorns  of  the  live-oak  .and  other 
oaks.  They  are  also  accused  of  visiting  the  gardens  and  consuming  peas. 
They  swallow  great  quantities  of  gravel. 

In  l*enn,sylvania  they  are  said  to  nest  as  early  as  the  first  of  May.  They 
probably  have  more  than  one  brood  in  a  season,  as  the  nests  found  at  Carlisle 
about  the  middle  of  June  were  found  to  contain  perfectly  fresh  eggs.  Their 
nest  is  a  rudely  constructed  fabric  of  small  twigs  laid  together  in  an  inartis- 
tic manner,  and  lined  with  a  few  finer  stems  and  rootlets,  and  is  placed  on 
the  horizontal  branch  of  a  tree,  in  a  vine  or  evergreen,  or  even  on  the  ground. 
The  last  was  the  general  position  of  their  nests  on  the  I'lains,  and  occasionally 
is  noticed  at  the  East.  Wilson  found  nests  thus  placed  in  Pennsylvania 
and  elsewhere. 

Dr.  Coues  mentions  this  bird  as  an  abundant  summer  resident  in  Arizona, 
where  it  arrives  the  last  week  in  April  and  remains  into  October.  The 
presence  of  this  bird  on  the  dry  sandy  wastes  of  that  Territory  always 
proved  a  sure  indication  of  the  presence  of  water,  the  nature  of  its  food,  con- 
sisting ordinarily  of  dry  hard  seeds,  rendering  an  abundant  supply  of  water 
necessary  to  its  existence. 

Mr.  Audubon  states  that  these  birds  breed  in  Louisiana  in  April,  and 
sometimes  as  early  as  March,  and  have  there  two  bioods.  They  roost  at 
night  on  the  gi-ound,  among  the  long  grasses  found  growing  in  abandoned 
fields  ;  and  occasionally  they  resort  to  the  dead  foliage  of  trees,  and  to  various 
kinds  of  evergreens.  Their  flesh  is  said  to  be  remarkably  fine,  tender  and 
juicy,  especially  when  the  birds  are  fat,  and  by  some  is  regarded  sis  supe- 
rior to  that  of  either  the  Snipe  or  the  Woodcock. 

This  I)o\'e  can  easily  be  induced  to  breed  in  aviaries,  ewm  though  caught 
when  old,  and  will  have  several  broods  in  a  season. 

In  Southern  Illin(jis  they  have  been  observed  by  Mr.  Ilidgway  to  breed  in 
various  situations,  either  on  the  ground  in  grain-fields,  on  the  tojjs  of  stumps, 
or  the  top  of  a  niil  fence,  as  well  as  in  trees  and  bushes.  They  nest  from 
the  beginning  of  April  to  the  middle  of  September.  They  were  also 
remarkably  abundant  along  the  line  of  the  40th  parallel,  according  to  Mr. 
Ilidgway,  even  in  the  most  desert  tracts. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  measure  1.15  inches  in  length  by  .86  in  breadth ; 


COLUMJJID.-E  —  THE  riGEONS. 


J]87 


they  are  of  an  oblong-oval  shape,  white  in  color,  and  nearly  equal  at  either 
extreunty. 

Gexl-.s  SCARDi^J'ELuA,  Boxap. 

Scanla/cHa,  Bon.  Co...si,,.otu.s,  II,  18S4,  85.     (Ty,.,.,  Co/umba  squamosa,  Temm.) 

Gkn.  Cur.  Bill  lengtlicu.,! ;  cul.nei.  inoro  than  half  the  length  of  the  head  measured 
hoin  fiontiil  l,.atlior,s.  Foot  a.s  iu  ChmmvpeUa. 
Wing  with  the  turtials  nearly  as  lonf;  a.s  thu 
primaries;  shorter,  however,  than  "the  Hrst 
primary.  Tail  eon.sidfrahly  lon-er  than  the 
winjr,  of  twelve  feather.^,  of  peculiar  shape  ;  the 
ten  middle  feather.s  nearly  oven,  or  very  shjrhtly 
dccrea.Mng  toward  the  .^de.s,  h„t  the  internre.liio 
considerably  .sliorter,  while  the  lateral  pair  are 
much  the  shortest;  the  feathers  are  naiTow, 
especially  toward  the  end,  but  the  tip  is  obtuse.  ' 


Scarda/ella  inca 


Two  species  are  known  ;  one  North  American,  the  otlier  confined 
America. 


to  South 


Species  and  Varieties. 

C0.M.U0N  CnARACTERs.  Brownish-gray  above,  paler,  and  with  a  vinaceous 
cast  antenorly,  beneath.  Each  feather  with  a  terminal  dusky  crescentie  bar 
produemg  a  squamato  appearance  ;  inner  webs  of  quilk  chestnut ;  axillars  black  • 
about  ternnnal  half  of  three  outer  tail-feathers  white. 

a  squamosa.'  A  white  patch  on  the  win-coverf^  and  secondaries- 
abdomen  and  crissmn  white.  Black  cre-scentie  bars  very  heavy.  AVin-' 
3.00;  tail,  4.10.     Ilab.    Brazil,  Ecuador.  ^  ^' 

S  inca.  No  white  patch  on  wings ;  ab.lo.nen  and  crissum  pale  ochraceons. 
B  ack  bars  very  faint  on  breast,  obsolete  on  throat.  Wing,  3.75;  tail,  4.40. 
nab.    Mexico  and  Guatemafa;  Rio  Grande  of  Texas. 


Scardafella  inca,  Bonap. 

SCALT  DOVE. 

Scarc^fena  /„c«  (Bon-ap  )  Scr,.  P.  Z.  S.  18.59,  391.  -  R.,cn,.:xB.  Handb.  19.  tab.  250. 
f  13J3  tab.  2^,3,  f.  1410.  -I,u..oT,  IHust.  II.  pi.  xxxWi.  -  Coop.  Orn.  Cal.  I,  1870. 
519.  Seanl,,Jd/a  squanws,,  ("  Tk.m.m.")  Waol.  I.si.s,  1831,  519  (not  of  Ten.minck  !).  _ 
Haikd,  Bads  N.  Am.  1858,  605. 

Sp.  CirAU.  Above  ashy-brown,  becoming  purer  and  lighter  ashy  on  the  wimrs.  Beneath 
pale  ashy-haceous  wuh  a  pinkish  tinge  anteriorly,  becoming  pale  ochraceons  on  the 
abdomen,  fbne  .and  cr,.snn,.  Outer  webs  and  ends  of  prin.aries,  and  tail-feathers  (except 
the  mtermedKc)  dasky.  Every  feather  (except  rectrices  and  prin.aries)  terminated  with  a 
crescenfc  bar  of  dusky ;  these  b.ars  heaviest  on  the  mantle,  upper  tail-coverts,  and  on 

»  Scardafilla  sqnanwsa.  Cnhmha  s,iuamosa,  T.-m.n,.  Pig.  ot  Oal.  I,  59.  A  specimen  of  tliis 
Slices  fron,  Venezuela  has  the  black  bars  everywhere  twice  as  l,road  as  in  Brazilian  examples. 


388 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


tliu  sidos  and  flniiks,  faintest  on  the  jiiffiiliiin,  olisoleto  on  throat.     Priinarioi?  and  lining 
of  wiiiij  mostly  deep  clicstnut ;  axilliirs  bliiek  ;  lateral  tail-fuather  with  the  tonniiial  half 

white,  on  both  webs;  .second  and  third  feathers  with 

a  yradually  derrcasiiiu;  aiiionnt  of  white.    Se.xes  .«iiiiilnr. 

y^diiiir/  .einiilar,    but   feathers  faintly  mottled,  and  mark- 

iM;,'s    less    shar])ly    delined.      Wiiifr,    3.75  ;    tail,  4.40  ; 

(•uliiien,   .47 ;  tarsns,  .57  ;  middle  toe,   .58.      Female  a 

littio  smaller. 
IIab.     Rio    Grande    A'alley,    south    to   Giiatemida. 

Arizona   (Tucson,  Beiidire);    Oaxaea   (Scr..  1859,  391, 

e,u-j,'s);  Cordova  (IB.'jO,  399);   (itiatemala  (Ibis  I, 'J123j ; 

Honduras  (Tayi.oh,  Ibis,  II,  227);  City  of  Mexico  (Scl. 

P.  Z.  S.  18G4,  178.) 


SrnrtlnffUa  hirn. 


Specimens   i'roni    Nicaiiigua    to    Texas    and 

Mazatlau  do  not  vary  ajtpreciably. 

Habits.     Our  inrormation  in  regard  to  the  distribution  and  habits  of  this 

specitis  i,s  (juite  incomplete.     It  was  met  witli  near  Cadereita,  in  the  State 

of  Xew  Leon,  ^lexico,  by  Lieutenant  Couch,  wlio  procured  a  specimen  April 

18,  is:):'.. 

It  w;is  also  found  in  flocks  in  company  with  CJiamnpeUa  rvfipennis,  near 
San  Pedro  and  Peten,  Honduras,  by  Loyland.  ]Mr.  Salvin  met  witli  only  a 
single  specimen  at  Duenas.  On  the  coast  it  was  more  numerous,  resemblin<' 
in  its  habits  the  common  species  of  tlie  district,  Ckama-jwlia  imsscrina. 

The  ■■'  Long-tailed  Ground  Dove  "  is  said  by  Mr.  G.  C.  Taylor  to  be  very 
common  in  Honduras,  where  it  is  generally  seen  in  pairs.  Tiiey  were  found 
to  be  \ery  good  eating,  but  too  small  to  rejiay  tlieir  cost  where  ammunition 
was  so  scarce. 

It  Avas  found  breeding  near  Laredo,  Texas,  by  Dr.  H.  ?>.  Butcher,  July  1, 
18GG.  The  nest  (S.  I.  12,890)  is  said  to  have  been  built  in  the  fork  of  a 
small  mesquite-tree,  and  to  have  contained  two  eggs.  Tlie  eggs  are  similar 
to  those  of  the  ChamwpcUa  imsserina,  white,  of  an  oval  shape,  nearly  equally 
obtu.se  at  either  end. 

iMr.  Xantus  found  this  Dove  breeding  abundantly  at  Cape  St.  Lucas.  The 
maximum  number  of  eggs  was  invariably  two.  One  nest  was  found  in  a 
leafless  acacia  about  six  feet  from  the  ground ;  another,  iound  May  2G,  was 
about  five  feet  high,  in  a  small  thorn-bush  ;  a  third  was  at  the  height  of  eight 
feet,  and  also  ])laced  in  a  bush  ;  others  were  placed  in  small  oaks,  in  cacti,  in 
opuntia,  and  otiier  situations,  all  above  the  ground  at  heights  varying  from 
five  to  eiglit  feet. 

The  eggs  of  this  Dove  are  of  a  white  color,  are  oval  in  their  shape,  of 
about  etpial  size  at  either  end,  and  measure  .91  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .70 
in  breadth. 


COLUMBIDJ!;  — TUE   I'lGEONS. 


389 


Geni-s  CHAMJBPELIA,   Swaix.sox. 
ChaviccpcUa,  Swainscn,  Z„o1.  Jour.  Ill,  1827,  3.ii.     (Typ..,  Colamba  passtrina,  I. 


Culiiiun  more  than 


Gkn.  Ciia:i.     Sizo  VL'iy  siimll.     Hill  sk-nilcr,  olong.itoil 
hend  meimured  fioin  rrontal  f'oathoi-s.     L.'j,'s  stout, 
T  loiiKPi-    tlian    Literal    toe.:    ciinal    to    tlio 

niiu..le  witliout  its  daw;  covcreil  nntcriorly  liy  a 
single  suric's  of  sfutelliu.  Winjrs  broad;  the 
tertials  excessively  len;,'tiieneil,  nearly  as  loni,'  as 
the  primaries,  ([uito  ecinal  to  the  (irst  primary. 
Tail  nearly  as  long  as  the  wiiio-s  ;  rounded 
laterally. 

This  group  embraces  the  most  dimimi- 
tivc!  Doves  known  to  naturalists.  A  single 
species  is  found  abundantly  in  the  southern 
United  States ;  anotlier  is  found  in  north- 
ern South  America.     They  may  be  distinguished  as  follows :  — 


half  the 


C/tamtrprtia  jxtsserhm. 


C.  passerina.  Feathers  of  jugulum  with  a  duslcy  central  spot ;  occiput  and 
nape  squamated  with  dusky.  Hab.  Southern  Atlantic  and  Gulf  States, 
whole  of  Mexico  (including  Lower  California),  Central  America,  New 
Granada,  Venezuela,  and  West  Indies. 

C.  griseola.'  No  central  duslcy  spot  to  feathers  of  juguluni,  and  no  scale- 
hke  markings  on  occiput  or  nape.     Hub.    Brazil  and  New  Granada. 


ChamsBpelia  passerina,  Swaixson. 

OBOVND  DOVE. 

Co!umbapas.,crvia,  LiNNiEUs,  Syst.  Nat.  I,  17G6,  285.  -  Latham,  Ind.  Orn.  U,  1790,  611 
-W.LsoK,  A.„  Orn.  IV,  1811,  15,  pi.  xlvi.  _  Wagi.kk,  Syst.  Av.  Cohnnba,  No.  88. 
-Aun^  Orn.  Hiog.  H,  1834,  471  ;  V  1S39,  558,  pi.  elxxxii.-In.  Hirds  Amor.  V. 
1842,  19,  p  oelxxxui.  -Sun„.  Ofv.  1809,  580  (SI.  Bavlhohuoy.)  Cohunha  (Goum) 
P„s.cvma,  BoKA...  Obs.  Wils.  1825,  No.  181.  -  NrrrA,.,.,  Man.  \,  1832,  035.  Clue- 
mcpeha  passenna,  SWA.xsos-,  Zool.  Jour.  IH,  1827,  358.  a>u>nc,/,cNa  passcrinn, 
BOKAP.    L.st,   1838  -Id.  Conspe.tus,   II,    1854,  77. -Gosse,   Birds  Ja.naL,   1847 

on-'T^":"',  •   '^'"-    '^"^'   "O^S'-SCL.    P.  Z.  S.  1859,  391   (Oaxa.a)  ;  1857, 

200  (\alapa) ;  Ib,s,  I,  223  (Ouaten.ala)  ;  P.  Z.  S.  1864,  178  (City  of  Mrxiro).  -Cvn  J. 

/n\'"n  '!'"'■  ~''""'''^''''  ''■  ^'''  ^^'^^  'l'"'*"  I«™).  -  I-^^vn.  Ann.  Lvc.  I.\,  134 
(Co,sta  Ru-a),  207  (VuoatnuK -MA,;e.,,  P.  A.  N.  S.  1803,  302  (.Tamaiea).^- Coopki!. 
Uin.  Cal.  I,  18/0.  516.  ri/r,ji/mms  pfm'rlnus,  Rkiciikm).  Ilaudb.  Taub.  13  (1801  ?), 
TT  -f  n  ^*^"  ~  "  '  *"^'  '^^'  ''•  ^^'^'  '  ^20.  Clminccpclia  qnmatina,  Boxap.  Consp. 
U  /,  (Bogota).  ChamccpcHa  albivilta,  Boxap.  Consp.  II,  77  (Cartl.agena).  Chama:- 
pchavav  pallcscens.  Bmv.d,  P.  A.  N.  S.  Philad.  1859  (Capo  St.  Lucas).  -  Coopeb 
Orn.  Cal.  I,  1870,  517. 


>  Cliamccpelia  (jriscola,  Spix,  Av.  Bras.  t.  75,  a   f  2 
56  (Brazil). 


Rei.nii.  Vid.  Med.  Nat.  For.  1870, 


390 


NOIITII   A^fKI{I('AN•IJIIU)a 


8i'.  CiiAU.     Iliii'k,  nim|i.  cxiiosnl  siiiCiiPc  of  tcrliiils,  unci  htil  iiliovc,  niiiforiii  ^'rnj'isli- 
olivu ;  lu'ck   iiIhivc   iuhI   nuclpiil  liiigfd  witli  liliiisli  ;  loii'licail,   sides  nf  ln'iul,   anil    neck, 

unilcr  parts  frciicrnlly,  and  losscr  iii)iu'r\vin(,'- 


^-^.N, 


Clintnirprtin  pfisarriim. 


i:>^.  V     ,/  (.'ovci'tSjlif;!!!  i)ui|ilisli-n'il,tinf;L'd  with  dusky 

towanls  tlic  tail,  Fcallicis  oi'  tli(!  head, 
neck,  and  roic-hiiMisI,  niarj,'iniMl  witii  ti 
daikcf  sliadc  ol'  llir  j;i-ound-c()lor;  tiic  loro- 
licad  and  rliin,  cudy.  ncai'ly  Mnifoiin.  Kcatli- 
L'ls  of  the  l)ii'a.-i  dnsky-l)i()\vn  in  llic  ci'nlro, 
tills  most  conspicnims  on  iho  jiignliiin. 
rndci'  winif-uovoils,  axillais,  and  qnilis, 
lirownisli-oraiiirc ;  tin;  lattur  niai'<;incd  cx- 
toinully  and  tijiiicd  witli  diisky-lirown,  tlio 
Icitials  almost  cnliicly  of  this  coloi-.  Middle 
tail-leathers  like  the  liaek  ;  the  others  mostly 
lilai'k,  the  outer  one  odjri'il  towards  tlio  tip 
with  white.    The  ex])osed  surliieo  of  the  winf,' 

variously  marked  with   lilotehes  exhiljitinj,'  lilack,  sleel-liliie,  and   violet.      JJill  and  feet 

yellow;  the  former  tippeil  with  biowii.     Femule  with  little  or  none  of  the  pnrplish-rod. 

Yoiiiig  duller  than  the  adull  fi'inale,  the  feathers  of  np[)er  parts  with  a  narrow  terminal 

bar  of  white.     Lenu'th,  (;..')() ;  win<r,  .'i.'iO  ;  tail,  'J.HO. 

II.M).     South    Atlantii;    and   Gulf  eoasts;    very    rarely  as    far  north  as  Washiiifiton. 

Southern   and    Lower  California ;    whole    of  Midtllo    Ameiica,   to    New   Granada  and 

Venezuela ;  West  Indies, 

SiieciiuL'iis  viiry  considoiftbly  in  llie  (loi)tli  nl"  tlio  vinaceous  tints,  but  the 
vaiicition  i,s  neuily  as  nnich  with  tho  individual  as  with  the  hicality.  As  a 
rule,  Florida  tind  West  Inditi  skins  are  most  deeply  colored,  those  from 
Afe.xico  (particularly  from  Cape  St.  Lucas  and  Orizaba)  beinjf  much  paler  in 
all  the  tints  (yav.  pa/lcsirtii^,  Daird) ;  but  specimens  from  (luatemala  and 
Costa  Iiica  are  undistingui.shable  from  the  averaoe  of  the  Florida  series. 
S])ecimcns  from  New  (iranada  (labelled  6'.  ^;vni'</;'««,  Bonap.),  Venezuela 
(labelled  0.  aUnritta),  and  the  Amazons,  are  more  like  Ciipe  St.  Luciis  speci- 
mens, dilferino;  from  them  only  in  .slightly  smaller  size,  the  colors  being  the 
same  in  the  minutest  particulars,  except  that  the  crissum  is  pcrhai)S  more 
whitish,  the  dusky  centres  of  the  feathers  being  more  concealed.  These 
generalizations  are  based  on  fifty-six  specimens  in  the  Smithsonian  Museum. 

IIahit.s.  According  to  ^Mr.  Auduljon,  this  Dove  is  found  from  the  lower 
parts  of  Louisiana  to  Capi^  Hatteras,  following  the  coast  (juite  round  Florida, 
but  is  seen  very  seldom  to  any  distance  in  the  interior.  lie  met  with  none  in 
the  State  of  ^lississijjpi.  They  were  more  abundant  among  the  sea-i.slands 
of  (leorgia  and  the  middle  portions  of  the  coast  of  Fast  Florida  than  any- 
where else. 

This  bird  has  also  been  taken  at  Monterey,  California,  by  W.  Hutton,  and 
a  single  accidental  s))ecimen  has  been  ol)tained  ne.ir  AVashington,  T),  C. 

Sj)ecimens  were  obtained  near  !Matamoras,  in  Tamaulipas,  by  T)r,  Berlan- 
dier,  and  subsequently  by  Lieutenant  Couch,  who  generally  found  them  in 
the  forests  or  o])en  fields  at  a  distance  from  dwellings.     They  were  observed 


(•(iM  Mitin.K  -TiiK  pmn(»Ns.  ;{<jl 

to  tly  l(i\v,  iiml  only  for  short  (lisliuiccs,  iiinl  to  speiiil  luo.sL  of  their  tiiiu;  uii 
thu  {ground. 

Ill  Jaiiiiiiua,  acronliiij-  to  Mr.  .Miirch.thf  (irouiid  Dove  soint'tiinus  porches, 
mill  always  roosts,  on  low  lu'cs  ;  hut  is  otlu'rwisc  ^fiicrally  found  in  pairs, 
fewliiij,'  on  tlu!  ground  on  small  j^rain  and  seeds.  Several  pairs  may  be  .seen 
i'eedin^  toj,'ctlicr,  hut  they  do  not  assoeiate.  It  is  .siiid  to  lie  very  tame,  uiid 
to  he  found  about  homesteads  and  in  streets  and  roads.  It  also  breetls  in 
low  trees,  the  cashew  and  the  dogwood  seeming  to  be  preferred.  It  is  very 
rarely  kept  as  a  cage-liird,  as  its  note  is  a  jilaintive  mournful  coo,  and  there 
is  a  Creole  superstition  that  misfortune  will  happen  to  any  one  so  treating 
it.  The  nest  is  slightly  made  of  twigs,  HikmI  with  grass,  and  built  in  a 
fork  or  hollow.  The  eggs  are  two,  of  a  rounded  oval,  white,  .S7  of  an  inch 
by  .('.!). 

According  to  Mr.  Salvin,  this  Dove  is  one  of  the  most  familiar  binls  of 
the  central  region  of  (Juatemala,  where  it  is  the  only  small  (Irouud  Dove 
found.  In  the  coast  region  its  ]>lace  was  supplied  by  at  least  two  other 
species.  It  is  abundant  at  I)uenas,  residing  all  the  year,  and  breeding  in  the 
cochineal  plantations,  where  it  deposits-its  eggs,  two  in  number,  on  the  grouii' 
under  the  rows  of  "nopal."  It  is  called  Tortolita  by  the  inhabitants.  IIo 
found  its  nest,  both  on  the  ground  and  elevated  a  few  feet  al)ove  it. 

Mr.  Dresser  found  these  birds  eomiiion  near  Matamoras,  and  generally 
noticed  them  on  the  road  between  ^latamoras  and  Hrownsville,  as  well  as  on 
a  sand-plain  close  to  Fort  Drown,  tJii  the  Te.xaii  side  of  the  river.  In  the 
interior  of  Texas  he  did  not  meet  with  any,  except  once,  in  April,  on  the 
Medina  near  San  Antonio. 

Mr.  Audubon  describes  the  llight  of  this  Dove  as  low,  easy,  and  accom- 
panied Ijy  a  whistling  sound,  produceil  by  the  action  of  the  wings  when 
the  bird  is  surprised  and  forced  to  ily.  It  is  less  protracted  than  that  of 
most  other  species,  and  seldom  extends  more  than  a  hundred  yards  at  a  time. 
It  seems  much  attached  to  its  chosen  locality,  and  almost  immediately  re- 
turns to  it  after  having  been  driven  away.  While  it  alights  on  trees  and 
iiKJVes  with  ease  among  the  branches,  and  mostly  nests  in  low  trees  or 
bushes,  the  ground  is  its  usual  jilace  of  resort,  where  it  runs  with  facility,  and 
in  moving  always  keeps  its  tail  considerably  ele\ated.  It  appeared  to  be  fond 
of  alighting  on  fences,  where  it  can  be  heard  cooing  for  half  an  hour  at  a 
tune. 

These  Pigeons  are  met  with  in  groujis  of  four  or  five,  and  seldom  more  than 
ten  or  twelve  are  seen  together.  They  appear  to  prefer  the  thinly  gmssed 
sandy  portions  of  cotton-tields,  pea-patches,  and  similar  places.  In  East 
Florida  they  may  even  be  secui  in  the  villages,  resorting  to  the  orange-groves 
and  breeding  in  them.  At  St.  Augustine  they  are  often  found  within  the  inner 
court  of  the  old  Spanish  fort,  rising  almost  perpendicularly  in  order  to  escape 
above  the  parapets.  They  are  easily  caught,  and  readily  become  domesticated. 
A  pair  taken  when  their  young  were  quite  small,  and  placed  in  an  aviary,  con- 


n02  NORTH  AMERICAN  •IirRDS. 

tinned  tniinnrisli  tliom  until  rnll-<,M'(t\vn,  and  urtorwards  misod  (i  second  brood 
I'ldin  tlic  sanic  nest.     Tlicy  wi-n*  led  on  rice  and  oilier  sniall  ;,'rain. 

Tliu  nest  of  liiis  Hpucius  is  de.scriltcd  as  eompai't,  and  as  larj,'e  for  the  size 
of  tliu  liird.  It  is  composed  of  dry  t\vij;.s  cxtornally,  and  witlun  is  made  of 
dry  grasses  disjiost'd  in  a  eircnlur  form.  Tliis  is  usually  l)uilt  in  hedges  or 
low  hushes,  and  anion,!:,'  tla^  liraiiehes  of  oran;4e-trees.  The  eggs  arc  two,  pure 
white,  and  with  one  end  usually  much  more  obtuse  than  the  other.  They 
are  two  in  number,  but,  as  Mr.  Audubon  Htates,  ov  \;asionally  the  uest  con- 
tains three.     Two  broods  are  raise<l  in  a  season. 

In  the  vicinity  of  I'liarlcstoii  these  birds  were  observed  to  reniain  all  the 
year,  though  tlie  greater  ])roportioii  reth'cd  south  or  to  the  sea-i.slands. 

In  the  Florida  Keys  Mr.  Audubon  met  with  them  among  the  islands  re- 
sorted to  by  the  Zcnaida  Doves,  and  also  on  Sandy  Island,  near  Cajie  Sable. 
In  the  latter  place  they  were  so  gentle  that  he  a]>proached  to  within  two 
yards  of  them.  Their  nest  was  on  the  top  of  a  cactus,  not  more  than  two 
feet  from  tla;  grountl. 

'Their  food,  in  a  wild  state,  consists  of  grass-seeds  and  various  small  ber- 
ries, with  which  they  swallow  a  large  proportion  of  gravel  to  assist  digestion. 
They  are  extremely  fond  nf  dusting  themselves  in  the  sand,  lying  down  in 
it  in  the  manner  of  various  gallinacecais  birds. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  of  a  uniform  bright  white  color,  are  slightly 
more  pointed  at  one  end  than  at  the  other,  and  measure  .85  of  an  inch  in 
length  by  .03  in  lireadlii. 

This  s])ecies  was  i'ound  in  abundance  at  ('a]>e  St.  Lucas  by  !Mr.  Xantus. 
They  were  nestii.g  from  A\ml  15  until  August  2'.),  and  evidently  had  two  or 
more  broods  in  a  season.  Their  nests  were  usually  placed  in  low  cactuses, 
near  the  ground,  or  in  small  shrubs.  Their  nests,  eggs,  and  general  habits,  so 
far  as  we  can  gather  them  from  the  meagre  notes  of  Mr.  Xantus,  are  in  no 
wise  diflbrent  from  those  of  the  more  eastern  birds. 


Genus   OREOFELEIA,   RKicnExnAcu. 

Oreopchia,  Rkichesbacii,  Handbueh  der  .spcciellcn  Oniitliol.  I,  i,  1851,  page  xxiv.    (Typo, 
Columba  martiniea,  L.) 

Gen.  Cn.\R.  Bill  leiigthonod,  slender ;  culmen  half  the  rest  of  the  head  from  the 
frontal  feathers.  Feet  large,  .stout ;  tar.<i  longer  than  the  nii<kllc  toe  and  elaw,  covered 
anteriorly  by  transverse  .scntellic.  Inner  lal(M'al  daw  longer  than  outer;  reaching  beyond 
the  base  of  the  middle  one,  the  outer  tailing  .short  of  it.  Hind  toe  and  claw  more  than 
half  the  niidiUe.  Quills  and  tail-feathers  very  broad ;  the  wings  rounded  ;  second  and 
third  quills  longest,  the  first  intermediate  between  the  fourth  and  lillli.  Tail  suborbicular, 
the  shafts  convex  outwardly  ;  the  feathers  rounded,  an<l  a  little  graduated. 

Of  this  genus,  which  is  peculiar  to  America,  two  well-marked  species 
may  be  distinguished. 


COLUniD.K  —  TlIK   I'iai';ONH. 


898 


O.  martinloa.  AImpvk  (■licsliinl-niloiis,  the  crown  ami  iiaiu;  willi  piiriilisli- 
f;i('cii,  till'  iowi'i-  pait  III'  iiapi!  willi  i,'iilili'ii-;,'iri'ii,  tlic  luirU  with  violi't,  llio 
otiii'i'  iippiT  pai'ls  with  liiij,'lit  piirpli>li-ii'il  iilii'i-liiiiiti  ;  lii'iii'iitii  ]iiiikisli- 
wiiiti',  iiiDM'  piiipli>ii  1)11  111!'  jiij;iiliiiii.  A  ilistiiii'tly  liiariicil  li^'lil  .-^liipr  cm 
till' check,  bonlcicil  hcluw  hy  olio  ol' piiiplisii-iL'il.  Li'lij,'lli,  10."n;  wiiijr, 
fi.'.Mt;  tail.  .'.."').  Ilnh.  K17  West,  Kloi'iilu  (?)  Ciiha,  ami  Mailiiiiiiiii'. 
O.  montana.'  Ahovo  ilccp  oi-iiii^rc-nirmis,  without  liiii;ht  ri'lk-ulioiis,  hut 
with  an  opac|ni'  ^rloss  of  ii'ilili.-.h-piii|ili'  on  the  hai  k  ami  nape,  lieiieatli 
oi'hi'ni.'eoiis,  iiicliniiij,'  to  vinai'eoiis  011  the  jn^'uliiin.  Cheek;  without  disliiiet 
whitish  bnr  borilpi'cd  helow  hy  H'ddisli.  Wing,  5.70.  Hub.  ivthiiitic;  rugion 
of  Mil  ;llu  Ainoriua  fmin  Xalapa  to  IJiazil ;  West  Iiulies. 


Oreopeleia  martinica,  \\m\i. 

KEY  WEST  PIGEON. 

Cotumha  mnrtinkn,  Omf.i.in,  I,  1788,  7S1  (not  of  Temiiiinok).  Omtnjynii  mnrlinicn, 
IJiiXAi".  C'ciiisp.  Av.  II,  USTil,  74.  —  t'Ai).  .(our.  IV,  injii,  1(18.  Unn/ieliiti  tnarlinicuna, 
Hi;ieil.  Syst.  Av.  18,')1,  pagi'  xxv.  —  In.  "leolies  Avium,  tah.  257,  lig.  1131."  C'nlumba 
mimliinii,  Aud.  Oin.  Iliog.  II,  18:51,  '<82,  pi.  cl.wii.  —  In.  Syii.  ISau,  191.— Iii. 
Bii'ds  Am.  V,  1842,  14,  pi.  ct:l.\.\xii.  Ni-nALi,,  Man.  1,  (2(1  «d.,)  184H,  750  (not 
of  Mnn.Tu.s).  XiiKiiibi  unmlinid,  lioSAi'.  (leu)^.  &  t'uniii.  List,  l,s:)8.  "  Cu/iuiiliiijullina 
7noH/(TH'(,  Ti;m.mixik."  "  Vd/umhu  niiisldira,  l,i:.Miii'.VK,"  liciNAr.  (iiiit  nl'Ti'iiiiiiiiick). 
Orcii/h'/n'ii  mar/ ill  if",  llAiiiD,  liiiils  X.  Am.  1858,  ii07.  —  Caii.  .1.  IV,  lull  (Cuha). — 
GlTNUL.  KopiTt.  Ciih.  I,  IBOO,  2i)'J  (Cuba).       Itllen.  llaiidh.  Tauh.  31,  tab.  257,  lig.  1432. 

Sp.  Char,  ftfonnd-eolor  of  tliu  upper  parts,  including  wing  (both  surface.-:),  and  tail- 
feathers,  cliestnut-nil'oiis;  the  up- 
per part  ol'  head  and  neck  with 
nietnllie  rellections  of  green  nnd 
pur|)lo  ;  the  back,  rump,  nnd 
wing-coverts,  with  relleelions  of 
nietallio  light-purplish  or  violet. 
There  is  a  white  band  from  the 
lower  mandible  along  side  of  the 
head,  bordered  below  by  purplish- 
red,  like  the  forehead,  and  a 
similar  band  through  the  eyes, 
which  are  without  metallic  lustre. 
The  breast  is  very  light  purplish- 
reel,  fading  to  white  towards  the 
tail  and  chin.  The  feathers  of 
the  under  tail-coverts  arc  dusky- 
brown  at  the  l)ase.      Length,   10.70  ;    wing,  0.00  ;   tail,  .'1.7.5. 

Had.    Key  West,  Florida ;  Cuba  nnd  Martinique,  perhaps  elsewhere  in  the  West  Indies. 

Habits.  The  Key  We.st  Pigeon  is  foniirl  within  the  I'anna  of  the  United 
States  only  in  the  extreme  sontheni  portion  of  Flori'li-,  and,  so  fin-  as  known, 
only  on  tlie  island  of  Key  West,  where  ^fr.  Anduhon  met  with  tlioni,  and 
enjoyed  a  limited  opportunity  of  ob.servino'  tlieir  habits.     He  describes  the 


Oreoj}eteiu  martinica. 


vol,.  HI. 


*  O^coiKkia  montana.     C'olumha  montana,  Lixx.  S.  N.  1758. 
50 


394 


NORTH  AMERICAN  WRDS. 


Orenpeleia  mnrlinira. 


iliyht  as  low,  swift,  ami  prr)tractecl,  as  he  saw  tl.em  passing  from  Cuba  to 
Key  West.     They  moved  iu  loose  flocks  of  from  five  or  six  to  a  .lozen,  and 

so  very  low  as  to  almost  seem  to 
touch  the  surface.     They  were  fond 
of  going  out  early  in  the  morning 
from  tlieir  thickets  to  cleanse  their 
plumage  in  tlie  slielly  sand,  but  on 
the  least  aj)proach  of  danger  would 
My  back  to  the  thickest  part  of  the 
woods,   throw   tliemfdves  on   the 
ground,    and    run  off  with    great 
rapidity.     Their  movements  of  the 
tail  and  neck  are  similar  to  those 
of  the  Ciirolina  Dove.     Tlieir  coo 
is  said  to  be  neither  so  soft  nor 
so  prolonged  as  that  ,.f  the  common  Dove,  and  n.ay  be  represented  by  tlie 
syllable   vhoc-irhoc-oh-oh-oh.      When   su.ldenly  approached,   they   utter   a 
guttural  gasping  sound.     They  are  said  to  alight  on  the  lower  branches  of 
shrubby  trees,  and  to  delight  in  the  neighborhood  of  shady  ponds  always 
inhabiting  l,y  preference  the  darkest  solitudes.     Whatever  may  have  been 
their  abundance  on  Key  AVest,  in  Mr.  Audubon's  time,  it  is  certain  that  they 
are  very  mre  there  now,  as  I  am  not  aware  of  their  having  been  taken  of 
late  years  by  any  of  the  numerous  collectors  who  have  visited  South  Rorida 
since  Mr.  Audubon's  time. 

The  nest  is  described  as  formed  of  light  dry  twigs,  in  shape  much 
resembling  that  of  the  Carolina  Dove.  Occasionally  it  is  placed  on  the 
ground,  and  is  then  less  elaborate.  Some  are  placed  on  large  brandies  near 
the  ground,  while  others  are  built  among  slender  twigs. 

Towards  the  middle  of  July,  according  to  .Air.  Audubon,  they  become  so 
abundant  that  sportsmen  are  able  to  shoot  a  score  or  more  in  a  day  They 
feed  on  berries  and  the  seeds  of  various  plants,  and  are  especially  fond  of 
the  fruit  of  the  sea-gi-ape. 


Gexus  STARNCENAS,   Bonaparte. 

StanuvHos,  B-.N-ArAiyri:,  G..^.  &  Co  q..  I.ist,  1838.     (Type,  ColumJm  cjanoccphala,  L.) 

Gkn.  Char.  IJill  sliort ;  eulnion  about  ono  thinl  tl.o  rest  of  liea.l,  nioa-siired  from  tlic 
irontal  Icatliers.  L.-s  vory  stout  and  lai-e ;  tardus  bare  on  llie  entire  tibial  joint  nnd 
covered  wfh  l.e.x.njronal  scales,  largest  anteriorly,  lon-er  than  the  mid.lle  toe  and  claw. 
Inuer  lateral  elaw  the  larger,  reacliu.g  the  base  of  the  nii.ldle  elaw  ;  all  the  elaws  short 
thick,  and  l,lunt.  Iliud  toe  au.l  elaw  .short;  half  the  mi.ldle.  Wings  .short,  broad  and 
concave  ;  niueh  rounded.     Tail  short,  broad,  nearly  even,  but  slightly 'vaulte.l. 

The  single  species  of  Dove  composing  the  genus  in  many  respects  resem- 
bles the  Partridges  or  Quails,  both  in  external  appearance  and  in  manners. 


COLUMniD.K  -  THE   PIGEOXS. 


395 


Starnoenas  cyanocephala,  J'.ox. 

BIiTTE-HEADES  PIGEON. 

Columha  c„anocep1u,h,,    Uss.  Sy.st.   Nat.    I,  ir.lO,  282.  -  Gm.->.,n   Svst   I    178S   77fl 

II    is'/ro''  'a     "':•     •^•""•~  'VV-.'<v.M«7„.   n.,XA...   List,   lS38.1ln   ('ons.' 
I  ,  18M,  <>!>.- An..  «yn.  183!..  193. -In.  I!i,-,l.s  An,..,-.  V.  1842   23   pi   cdxxxiv 

18'-,l    „   vvv   ,1         ••    "     •     ;^^-    *'"■"""'«  <V/""-><-,v</,„A,,  liKuiiKSiuc.t,  Sy.st..,naAv 

muc;:aiilal  Turlh,  Latiia.m,  Syii.  II,  ji,  651. 
SP.C„..n.     Bill  blno,tl>o  (lesl.y  part  at  tl.o  l.a.so  cannine.     Iris  brown  scale,  of  foot 

==i:;;  3x;:;!^ ''- "-  -  -- «----  -^^-^:L^. 

centrally.  Chin  and  throat 
blaek,  with  a  narrow  border 
of  white  below.  A  wliito 
lino  begins  in  the  chin,  and 
passes  under  the  eye  to  the 
occiput.  Sides  of  head  above 
this  and  foreheml  black  • 
crown  bine.  Length,  10.70; 
wing,  .').40;  tail,  4.35. 

Hah.  West  India  Islands  ; 
according  to  Audubon  foinid 
occasionally  at  Key  AVest, 
Florida,  anil  other  southern 
keys. 

The  axillars  tiiul  muler 
suriiico  of  the  wiiij^s  are 

The  hind  toe  iu  this  .species  is  not  strictly  in  the  same  plane  with  the 
others,  but  placed  a  little  ahove  their  point  of  insertion 
ILuuTs.     This  haiKlsome  Pigeon  belongs  to  the  fauna  of  the  West  India 

keys  of  Honda.  Ihey  are  a  common  .species  in  Cuba,  from  which  island  i 
h3w  are  stated  by  Mr.  Audubon  to  migrate  each  year  to  ;ertain  of  t  Ikt  it 
J  orida,  w  ere,  however,  they  are  rarely  seen  on  account  of  their  living'  .^ 

of  Key  West.    Ihey  were  near  the  water  picking  gravel,  but  they  would  not 
suffer  a  near  approach.     lie  saw  a  pair,  al.o,  that  had  been  t^ken  wr, 
young,  on     Mule  Keys."     These  fed  well  on  cmcked  corn  and  rice  bu   h 
was  unable  to  obtain  any  further  information  in  respect  to  them 


Starncrnas  ri/anorephala. 


396 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Tliough  abundant  in  Cnl.a  tliis  species  does  not  appear  to  have  been  found 
in  Jamaica,  except  as  an  imported  bird  irom  tlie  former  island,  contrary  to 

the  assertions  of  various    writers,  as 
Tennninck,  Rrisson,  and  others.     Mr. 
Gosse  was  not  able  to  trace  its  presence, 
tliougli  its  existence  among  the  pre- 
cipitous woods  on  the  north  side  of 
that  island  he  regards  as  quite  possible. 
Like  Orcopckia  martinica   and  Zc- 
mtida  ainabilis,  tliis  species,  thougli  de- 
scribed by  Audubon  as  not  being  rare 
on  the  keys  of  South  Florida,  has  not 
been  met  with  in  that  State  by  later 
exploiters. 

„  ,  .      ,  -^n  egf?  of  this  species  laid  in  con- 

fin  nent  in  the  aviary  of  Dr.  Bachmau,  in  Charleston,  S.  C,  is  of  a  rounded- 
oval  shape,  and  of  a  uniform  creamy-white  color;  it  measures  1.43  inches 
in  length  by  1.10  in  breadth. 


Starnmms  eyanocephnla 


C1{ACID.K_TJJE  CUP.ASSOVVS 

397 
FAMav  CRACID^.__TnE  Cukassows. 

Char.     Body  large,  but  ratlior  slonder  •  l.ill  ,. 
long,  robust,  without  any  spur     Tn       '  "''  '''''  "'''''"^J !  '"*'  lengthened-  Ic-s 

Messrs.  Sclater  aiitl  Salvin  n,  fi    • 

-  -^wtj,  Uuhue  tlie  subfamilies  as  follows—- 

iprr*'" ""' "™- ""-  -'."""o  i.i.i.»  .„.,„  „„„  .„„„„„ 

Top   of  head  with  a  bony  tubercle  •  infemn.  i    '        "         "  ^^-  ^'^'"'^opi'w. 

nostrils  concealed         .        f  '  '"''-™'**^"'  «P''«--'^  ^lensely  feathered  ; 

'         ■         •         •     I^J-    Oreniihusiiiw. 

the  acellila.  '  "' '"  ''°'"*<' '"  '""'  ^Y  a  lino  .Im,™  tl„o„..|! 

-«VW.  „„e  specie^  ^^t^  ^  ^e  uS  ."L^ "  '""•     ''""' 

Subfamily  PENELOPINiB. 

This  is  the  most  extensive  sertinn  r.r  n      • , 
Sclater  and  Salvin,  no  less  til     1  1  n  „;""*''  ""'^''^^'"-  ^ "".^  to 
are  as  follows :  -  "urty-mne  species.     The  genera  indicated 

A.  A  central  fold  of  skin  on  the  throat. 
Outer  quills  narrow,  but  entire 
Throat  feathered 

TJiroat  naked.  '        '        " 1.  Stegnotema. 

Sexes  similar 

Sexes  different      ."■■•••••       2.  Penelope. 
Outer  quills  emarginated.  '*••••      3.  Penelopina 

Gular  fold  short 

Ou'a'-foldlengthened;  linear    "        '*••••  4.  Pipile.      • 

B.  No  central  gular  fold.  ••••••  '>.  A      rria 

Throat  feathered  ;  outer  quills  en,argi„ated 

TW  naked;  witU  a  cent..  Hne  of  Jly,;,.,^  Cer  quillfe-r"— 

7.  Ortallda. 


398 


NOIITII  AAIEHICAN  BIRDS. 


Gexl-.s   ORTALIDA,  Meruem. 

Of  Orfalula,  as  clmracterizo.l  above,  Afessrs.  Sclater  and  Salvin  enumerate 
e.gl.teen  spec.es;  like  tl.e  rest  oi  the  ianiily,  all  American.     Of  these  only 

37977    J  V^' 


Ortaliffa  maccaUi, 


one  has  so  far  been  detected  withh,  our  limits,  although  it  is  by  no  means 
improbable  that  the  0.  rolloccj,haIa,Wa.^lov  (Sclater  and  Salvin,  Pr.  Zool 
hoc.  1«7(),  o3  /),  may  yet  be  detected  in  New  JMexico  or  Arizoua.^ 


Ortalida  vetula,  mu:  maccalli,  Daihd. 

THE  TEXAS  CHACALACCA. 

Ortalida  rctiila,  Lawuv.sue.  Ann  N  Y  I.vi>  v  is-,i  m;     ,v  i.  n     , 

I.S,  ,830   1112  a.l  1831.  517.)-  S,.,.  &  S....V.  P.  Z.  S.  1870,  538.   (C.  1,^    2 
«a.ne  a.s  P.  ntu!a,  Waouch).     OHalMa  .oUoccpMa,  Cassix,  Ill„st.  I,  ,x.  1855   26 
Buhm'"  ,..'^°* ''-f  "^-/'f  "-^"'"'''.  Waou.:u,  Isis,  1830,  1112.)     Ortalula  Jca.ui, 

I,!  ,,  ^l-J:~^'  ^■•"■'''"K^--I-^^^--'-  An...  N.  Y.  IX,  20P  (Yuc«ta„).  _Sr,..  & 
Sa.,v.  p.  Z.S.  1870,  538  (Ilo.uhn,..,,  Vera  Cruz,  Guaton.ala).  _  U,,,r„END  Ha  lb 
-l.r  B,..  Or,,.  Lief.  v,„,  145.      ( Do.scibe.s  ,„or,>  nj„lt  spod„,..n,s.) 

Sr.  C..AR      Ilo,ly  above  -lark  frree„i..h-olivo;  bei.eatl,  brow„i,.h-vellow.  ti,ir,ed  witl, 
ohve.     Head  a„.l  „pp.r  part  of  neck  ph.mbeo.,.     Tail-lLathe,.  l„st,.-„„s  ,.;«,,  all  tipped 

»  M..ssr.s.  S.-Iater  a,„l  Salvi,.  <listi„fr.,i.sli  tli(i  allicl  .spocics  as  follows  •  - 

O.   tW«A«,  WaKlor.     B,owi,i.sl,.oliv.. ;    tho  l„.a,l  pl„,„beo„.s,   lifrhtor  lH..,oath  ;  the  middle  of 


CRAClDvE  — THE  CURASSOWS. 


390 


with  white,  cxfppt  the  iiiiihlle  one.  iM-alhor.s  aloiiff  the  iniihlie  oC  the  tlirnat  lilack  ; 
outer  etlfre  of  jn'imaries  tinged  willi  f^iiiy.  Eyes  brown,  15111  iiml  feet  lead-colored. 
Length, '23.00;   wing,  8..'>0;  tail,  ll.iKt. 

IIab.    Valley  of  the  llio  Grande,  and  southward  to  Guatemala. 

Tliis  form  is  ilistiiiguislialtlo  IVnin  0.  rvtula,  as  rostrictcil,  of  wliich  it  is 
llio  nortlieni  riiprosentativc,  by  the  paler  and  less  fulvous  colors,  and  li>,dit(;r 
—  often  nearly  white  —  tips  to  the  tail-feathers,  besides  other  minor  dif- 
ferences in  coloration.  The  two  cannot  be  separated  specilically,  however, 
since  they  undoubtedly  grade  into  each  other. 

Hadits.  Tliis  very  remarkable  liird,  belonging  as  it  does  to  a  form  pecu- 
liar to  this  continent,  is 
the  only  species  fouml 
within  the  limits  of  the 
United  States,  and  only 
within  a  (juite  restricted 
area  in  the  valley  of  the 
Kio  (Irande.  Xumerous 
si)ecies  of  this  family 
are  found  in  the  warmer 
countries  of  America, 
especially  ^lexico  and 
Central  America,  all  or 
nearly  all  of  which  ap- 
pear to  Ijo  capable  of 
domestication,  and  some  of  whicii,  including  the  present  species,  have,  in 
repeated  instances,  been  (|uite  as  completely  domesticated  its  our  common 
Turkey. 

Birds  of  the  family  to  which  the  Te.xan  species  belongs  differ  in  a  very 
marked  manner,  in  habits,  from  most  Oalluuiaa;  inasmuch  as  they  not  only 
live  almost  exclusively  in  deep  forests,  but  are  also  remarkable  for  habitually 
freiiuenting  trees,  feeding  upon  their  foliage,  and  building  their  nests  within 
their  branches,  more  in  the  manner  of  the  smaller  birds.  They  are  all  said 
to  have  loud  and  discordant  voices,  and  are  generally  of  a  black  or  dark 
plumage. 

Specimens  of  this  bird  were  taken  at  Boquillo,  in  New  Leon,  in  the 
spring  of  1853,  by  Lieutenant  Couch,  who  speaks  of  them  as  gregarious  and 
as  seeking  their  food  wholly  or  in  part  on  trees.  According  to  ^Ir.  Clark, 
they  do  not  occur  higher  up  the  Kio  Grande  than  the  vicinity  of  Ringgold 
Barracks,  inhabiting  the  deepest  cha])arrals,  which  they  never  quit.     They 

the  liclly  tinged  with  ochmccous  or  rusty  ;  t.iil,  hiuuzcd  green  ;  the  tivo  lateral  feiithers  tijipcd 
with  white  or  hufl".  Length,  21.00  ;  wing,  7.70  ;  tail,  U.OO  ;  tarsus,  2.50.  Ifub.  Texas  to 
Honduras,  on  east  side  of  Mexico. 

A  near  ally  to  0.  ntida  is  the  0.  Ii-wmjitxlra,  Oould  (S.  &  S.  p.  .ISO)  from  Paeific  eoast  of 
Central  Anieri(ra.     This  dilfeis  in  pure  whito  of  under  jiarts.     The  size  also  is  eousiderably  less. 


ihtd'iila  tnnrcalti. 


400  NORTH  AilEUICAN  -BIRDS. 

arc  inactive,  and  for  tlie  most  of  the  time  sit  about  in  flocks  in  these  thickets, 
feediny  on  leaves.  Tlie  Mexican  name  of  Chdcalarm  is  sui)po.sed  to  be  de- 
rived i'rcmi  the  noise  with  whicli  at  times  they  make  tlie  valleys  rinjf, 
and  which  may  be  well  imitated  in  kind,  but  not  in  strength,  liy  putting  the 
most  stress  ui)ou  the  last  t\V(»  syllables.  No  sooner  does  one  take  up  the 
song  than  others  chime  in  I'rom  all  quarter.?,  till,  apparently  exhausted,  the 
iioisc  gradually  dies  off  into  an  interlude,  only  to  be  again  renewed.  These 
concerts  take  place  in  the  morning  and  evening.  The  birds  are  quite  gen- 
tle, are  easily  tamed,  and  are  saitl  to  cross  with  the  couimon  domestic  fowl. 

Mr.  Dresser  states  that  the  Chacalacca  is  very  common  near  Matamoras 
and  Ih-ownsville,  and  that  in  the  autunni  great  numbers  are  exposed  for 
sale  in  the  market  of  the  latter  place.  The  ^lexiciins  are  said  to  hold  it 
in  liigh  esteem  for  its  fighting  (pmlities,  and  often  keep  it  in  a  domesticated 
stale  and  cross  it  with  the  common  fowl,  making  use  of  the  hybrid  for  cock- 
fighting,  ^fr.  Dresser  was  so  informed  by  many  Mexicans,  upon  who.se  word 
lie  placed  reliance,  and  was  an  eyewitness  of  a  fight  in  wiiich  one  of  these 
hylirids  was  engaged.  Mv.  Dresser  had  a  tame  one,  when  at  Matamoras, 
tiiat  became  so  familiar  that  he  could  hardly  keep  it  out  of  his  room. 
This  bird  would  occasionally  go  away  for  a  day  or  two,  and  pay  a  visit  to 
the  poultry  belonging  to  a  neighbor ;  whenever  he  missed  it,  he  had  only  to 
go  to  a  poultry-yard  near  the  house,  where  it  could  generiiUy  be  found. 

This  species  was  first  taken  within  the  United  States  by  Colonel  McCall, 
who  oljtained  it  in  Texas,  and  who  enjoyed  and  improved  unusually  good 
opportunities  to  observe  the  habits  and  manners  of  this  bird.  From  his 
notes,  (quoted  by  Mr.  Cassin,  we  give  the  following:  — 

"  This  very  gallant-looking  and  spirited  bird  I  saw  for  the  first  time 
within  our  territory  in  tiie  extensive  forests  of  chaparral  which  envelop  the 
IJesaca  de  la  I'alnia.  Here,  and  for  miles  along  the  Lower  llio  Grande,  it 
was  abundant ;  and  throughout  this  region  the  remarkable  and  sonorous 
cry  of  the  male  bird  could  not  fail  to  attract  and  fix  the  attention  of  the 
most  obtuse  or  listless  wanderer  who  might  chance  to  approach  its  abode. 
I>y  the  Mexi(  is  it  is  called  Chiac-vhia-lacca,  an  Indian  name,  with- 
out (loul)t  derived  from  the  peculiar  cry  of  the  bird,  which  strikingly  resem- 
bles a  repetition  of  these  syllables.  And  when  I  assure  you  that  its  voice, 
in  compass,  is  equal  to  that  of  the  Guinea-fowl,  and  in  hai-shness  but  little 
inferior,  you  may  form  some  idea  of  the  chorus  with  which  the  forest  is 
made  to  ring  at  the  hour  of  sunrise.  At  tl;at  hour,  in  the  month  of  April,  I 
have  observed  a  proud  and  stately  fellow  descend  from  the  tree  on  which  he 
liad  roosted,  and,  mounting  upon  an  old  log  or  stump,  commence  his  clear, 
shrill  cry.  This  was  soon  jesjionded  to  in  a  lower  tone  by  the  female,  the 
latter  always  taking  up  the  strain  as  soon  as  the  importunate  call  of  her 
mate  had  ceased.  Thus  alternating,  one  pair  after  another  would  join  in 
the  matutinal  chorus,  and,  before  the  rising  sun  had  lighted  up  their  close  re- 
treat, the  woods  would  ring  with  the  din  of  a  hundred  voices,  as  the  happy 


CRACTD^:  — THE  CFRASSOWS.  401 

couples  met  after  the  period  of  separation  and  repuse.  When  at  length  all 
this  clatter  liad  terminated,  the  i)arties  (quietly  betook  themselves  to  their 
morning  meal.  If  snrju'ised  while  thus  employed,  they  would  fly  into  the 
trees  altove,  and,  ])eering  down  with  stretched  necks,  and  heads  turned  side- 
ways to  tlie  grouiul,  tliey  would  challenge  the  intruder  witli  a  singular  and 
oft-repeated  croaking  note,  of  which  it  would  he  ditlicult  to  give  any  adequate 
idea  with  words  alone." 

Colonel  ^IcCall  adds  that  the  volubility  and  singularity  of  its  voice  is  its 
most  striking  and  remarkable  tiiiit.  While  on  his  march  from  Matamoras  to 
Tampico  he  had  encamped,  on  the  ilOth  of  December,  at  the  spring  of  Encinal, 
whence,  a  short  time  Ijefore  sunset,  he  rode  out  in  search  of  game.  Passing 
through  a  woodland  near  the  stream,  his  ears  were  saluted  with  a  strange 
sound  that  resembled  somewhat  the  cry  of  the  panther  {FpUh  onra).  Ho 
was  at  a  loss  to  what  animal  to  ascrilie  it,  and,  dismounting,  crawled  cau- 
tiously through  the  thicket  for  some  distance,  until  he  came  upon  an  opening 
where  there  were  some  larger  trees,  from  the  lower  branches  of  one  of  wiiich 
he  ascertained  that  the  sound  proceeded.  There  he  discovered  a  large  male 
bird  of  this  species,  ascending  toward-s-  the  top  of  the  tree,  and  uttering  this 
hitherto  unheard  sound,  as  he  sprang  from  branch  to  branch  in  mounting  to 
his  roost.  In  a  few  moments  his  call  was  answered  from  a  distance,  and  soon 
after  he  was  joined  by  a  bird  of  the  year.  Others  followed,  coming  in  from 
different  quarters,  and  there  were  in  a  little  while  five  or  six  upon  the  tree. 
One  of  these  discovered  the  intruder  and  gave  the  alarm.  Tlie  shigular  cry 
of  the  old  bird  ceased,  and  they  all  began  to  exhibit  uneasiness  and  a  dis- 
position to  fly,  whereupon  Colonel  McCall  shot  the  old  bird. 

Colonel  IMcCall  also  states  that  the  eye  is  a  remarkable  feature  in  the  liv- 
ing birds  of  this  species,  being  full  of  courage  and  animation,  equal,  in  fact, 
in  brilliancy  to  that  of  the  finest  gamecock.  He  frequently  noticed  this 
bird  domesticated  by  the  Mexicans  at  Matamoras,  Monterey,  etc.,  and  going 
at  large  about  their  gardens.  He  was  assured  tliat  in  that  condition  it  not 
unfrequently  crossed  with  the  conmion  fowl. 

In  the  wild  state  the  eggs  are  said  to  be  from  six  to  eight,  never  exceeding 
the  last  number.  They  are  white,  without  spots,  and  rather  smaller  than  a 
pullet's  egg.  The  nest  is  usually  on  the  ground,  at  the  root  of  a  large  tree 
or  at  the  side  of  an  o'  '  log,  where  a  hole  several  inches  deep  is  scratched  in 
the  ground ;  this  's  lined  with  leaves,  and  the  eggs  are  always  carefullj'^  cov- 
ered with  the  same  when  the  female  leaves  them  for  the  purpose  of  feeding. 
If  disturbed  while  on  her  nest,  she  flies  at  the  intruder  with  great  spirit  and 
determination. 

Eggs  of  this  species,  from  Matamoras,  are  of  an  oblong-oval  shape, 
equally  pointed  at  either  end,  and  measure  2.35  inches  in  length  by  1.G5  in 
breadth.  They  are  of  a  dirty-white  color  with  a  light  tint  of  buff,  and  have 
a  slightly  roughened  or  gi'anulated  surface. 

VOL.  ui.  51 


402  NORTH  AMEKICAX  UIRDS. 


Family  MELEAGRIDiE.  —  The  Tuukeys. 

C.iAR.  Bill  ni„d.M-.ito ;  tl.o  nasal  lbs«o  l.aro.  Head  and  neck  without  fcaliuTS  but 
wilh  s.'attfif.l  liaiis,  and  n.oio  or  loss  caruuculatcd.  An  extensil.le  fleshy  process  on  the 
loiehcad,  but  MO  dt'velopnuMit  of  the  bone.  Tarsus  aimed  witii  spurs  in  the  male.  Hind 
toe  elevated.     Tail  nearly  as  long  as  the  wing,  truncate,  of  more  than  twelve  feathers. 

Tlie  family  Mclcafjrida',  or  Turkeys,  as  at  present  known,  is  entirely  con- 
fined to  North  and  Middle  America,  and  represented  only  hy  the  genus 
Mvhwjris.     It  forms,  in  combination  with  the  Guinea-fowls  {Namididw),  the 
riieasants  and  conunon  fowls  {Phusianidcv),  and  the  Grouse  and  rartritlges 
{Tdrmnidcv),  a  peculiar  group,  to  which  the  name  Alcderopodcs  has  been 
given  by  Professor  Huxley;   this  group  is  well  distinguished   from  the 
Cracidcc  and  the  Mvf/cqjodidw  (which  form  together  an  opposed  group,  called 
Pcriskropodcs),  in  addition  to  the  characters  eimmerated  under  the  ianiily 
nanies,  by  s.  lient  characters  developed  in  the  sterinim.      In  the   present 
family  and  its  relations,  as  all  may  recall  from  experience  at  the  dinner- 
table,  the  sternum,  or  breast-bone,  is  divided  into  a  long  narrow  keel  (lophos- 
teon)  extending  far  backwards ;  while  towards  the  front,  from  each  side,  and 
separated  by  a  very  dee])  notch  from  the  median  portion,  a  wing  (pleiiros- 
teon)  originates  obliquely,  and,  soon  splitting  in  two,  extends  also  far  back- 
wards ;  in  front,  two  processes  (called  costal)  project  well  forwards.    In  the 
Cracidcc  and  Mcijapodidcv,  on  the  contrary,  the  sternum  is  not  so  split,  the 
keel  and  wing,  as  above,  being  more  continuous  and  the  notch  compara- 
tively shallow;  the  costal  processes  are  also  comparatively  small  and  obtuse. 
Externally  the  Turkeys   have  considerable  resemblance  to  the  Guinea- 
fowls  {Numididw),  but  they  differ  from  them  in  having  a  backward  process 
of  the  second  metacarpal  bone,  and  in  the  form  of  the  costal  processes  of 
the  sternum  and  of  the  acromial  process  of  the  scapular ;  while  they  are  dis- 
tinguished from  the  Guinea-fowls  and  all  others  by  the  form  of  the  pelvis 
(the  post-acetabular  area  is  greater  than  the  pre-acetabular,  and  is  also  longer 
than  broad),  and   by  the   furcula   (wish-bone),  which  is   very  weak  and 
straight,  with  its  point  (hypocleidium)  straight  and  rod-like.     To  Professor 
Huxley  we  are  indebted  for  having  first  pointed  out  most  of  these  characters. 
Although  the  number  of  known  species  of  Mckarjridai  as  we  understand 
them,  is  limited  to  two  now  living,  the  I'amily  was  apparently  well  repre- 
sented in  former  geological  periods,  no  less  than  three  having  been  already 
described  from  more  or  less  perfect  remains  ;  of  these,  two  have  been  found 
in  the  post-pleiocene  of  New  Jersey,  one  of  which  {Mcleacjris  altus,  Marsh, 
or  M.  supcrhus.  Cope)  was  taller  than  the  common  Turkey,  while  the  other 
{Mclcngris  cclcr,  Afarsh)   was  much  smaller.     The  third  species   {Mcleagris 
antiquns,  Marsh)  lived   at  a  still  earlier  date,  its  remains  having  been 
obtained  in  the  miocene  bctls  of  Colorado. 


MELEAGHID.K  —  THE  TURKEYS. 


403 


Genus  MELEAGRIS,   Linn.gus. 

Melcarjris,  Linnaeus,  Syst.  Xat.  173-..    (Typo,  Melcagris  rjallopavo,  Linn.) 

6e\.  Char.     Li-fjs  with  traiisverso  scutclla'  before  niul  buliind  ;  rctic'iilated  laterally. 
Tarsi  with  spurs.     Tail  rouiuled,  rather  loii};,  usually  of  eighteen  leathers.     Forehciitl 


Meliasris  galtopavo. 

with  a  depending  fleshy  cone.    Head  and  the  upper  half  of  the  neck  without  feathers. 
Breast  of  male  in  most  species  with  a  long  tuft  of  bristles. 

Species  and  Varieties. 

M.  gallopavo.  Head  livid  blue,  legs  red,  general  color  copper-bronze,  with 
copper  and  green  reflections,  each  feather  with  a  velvet-black  margin  ;  all  the 
quills  brown,  closely  barred  with  white.  Tail-feathers  chestnut,  narrowly 
barred  with  black ;  the  tip  with  a  very  broad,  subterminal  black  bar.  ' 

Tail-coverts  dark  purplish-chestnut  throughout,  with  the  tips  not  lighter. 
Tip  of  tail-feathers  scarcely  paler  chestnut  than  the  ground-color.      TInb. 

Eastern  Province  of  United  States xar.  gallopavo. 

Tail-coverts  chestnut,  the  tips  much  paler,  sometimes  almost  white.  Tip 
of  tail-feathers  light  l)i'owni.sh-yellow  or  white  ;  sometimes  with  the  coverts 
broadly  whitish.  Hub.  Southern  portion  of  Western  Province  of  United 
States,  from  Texas  to  Arizona.  Table-lands  of  Mexico,  south  to  Orizaba, 
Mirador,  etc vht.  mexicanus. 


404 


NOKTII  AMKIMCAN  IflUD.S. 


Tlie  M.  occUtifim^  of  lloiuluras  ftiid  Vucatiiu  is  a  very  ilistiiict  species,  mid 
one  which  vies  with  tiie  J'/ut/iianiihr  ol'  Asia  in  the  brilliancy  of  its  coloring. 
It  is  very  rare  in  collections,  and  has  a  very  restricted  distribution. 


Meleagris  gallopavo,  var.  gallopavo,  Linx. 

WILD  TUBXET. 

Mclmyrh  gallopavo,  Lisx.tu'm,  Syst.  Nat.  I,  U.'iS,  156.  —  (Jmkms,  I,  1788,  732.— 
I.ATii.VM,  IikI.  Orii.  II,  17mi,  (iI8.  —  SiKi'iiKSs,  in  Slmw's  Zuiil.  XI,  i,  ISIU,  \M 
(iloimstiu  bin!).—  lioNAl'.  Am.  Orii.  I,  1825,  7'.i,  ]>1.  ix.  —  Al'lt.  Oiii.  lUoj,'.  I,  18111, 
1  mill  33  ;  V,  183ii,  IJi)\),  \>\.  i.  —  lu.  IJinls  Aiiicr.  V,  18-12,  42,  jil.  cclx-wvii,  I't'l.x.xxviii. 
—  NuTT.M,!.,  Muii.  I,  1832,  (530.  —  ItKiciiKNU.vcii,  Systi'iiiii  Av.  1851,  \<\.  xxvi.  —  In. 
Iconi'.s  Av.  tab.  289.  —  lUiiiit,  Hmls  N.  Am.  1858,  lil5.  —  Diiksskh,  Ibis,  1800,  25 
(Soiithcasti'iii  Texas,  IiicmIs).  —  M.vx.  I'al).  .1.  VI,  1858,  420.  Miihaijcii  itinerimmi,  lUll- 
TU.v.M,  Travels,  17itl,  2i)0.  Mckiuji-iHuijIirslrii,  ViKii.i..  Nouv.  Diet.  IX,  447.  t/allopueo 
sjjhmtri.s,  I.KrdNTi:,  I'r.  A.  N.  .Se.  I'liil.  1857,  17U.  Mikwjris  ffni,  Viimi.i.ot,  Galciiu 
Ois.  II,  1S24,  10,  [il.  X.  —  (ilt.vv.  Cat.  (iall.  V,  42.  1807.—  Wild  Turknj,  C'l,AYTo.s, 
riiilos.  Trans.  XVII,  1003,  0!)2.  —  PKXXANr,  I'hilos.  Tniiis.  LXXI,  1781,  67.  —  lu. 
Arctic  Zoiil.  '.'().  178.  American  Turkey,  Latham,  Syn.  II,  ii,  676.  Oallu/Hiiv 
si/h-cslri.i,  Xuctv  AiiijUtc,  liAV,  Syn.  51.  (Iiillopuvo  sijhrstris,  Catksdv,  Carol.  I,  1730, 
App.  !>.  xliv.  —  HiiiK.so.N,  Orn.  V,  1700,  102. 

Sp.  Ciiah.  The  naked  skin  of  the  head  .ind  neck  i.>*  l)bie;  the  excrescence.s  purphsh- 
red.  The  legs  are  red.  The  feathers  of  the  neck  and  body  generally  are  very  broad, 
abrujitly  truncate,  and  each  one  well  defined  and  scale-like;  the  exposed  portion  coppery- 


Meleagris  gallopavo. 

bronze,  with  a  bright  coppery  redention  in  some  light.<!,  in  the  .«pecimcn.s  before  us  chiefly 
on  the  under  part.s.  Each  feather  is  abruptly  margined  with  velvet-bl.ick,  the  bronze 
as.suniiiig  a  greeni.«h  or  purplish  .shade  near  the  line  of  junction,  and  the  bronze  itself 
sometimes  with  a  greenish  reflection  in  some  lights.     Tiie  black  is  opaque,  except  along 

1  Meleagris  occllatus,  Tkmm.,  Cabot,  Pr.  Bost.  Soe.  Nat.  Hi.st.  I,  73. 


MELHAGRID.K  — TIIK   TIKKKVS.  4()f, 

tlio  fxtrcmu  tip,  wlicrc  llicri!  is  n  iiu'liillic  jjloss.  Tlic  I't'iitiicis  of  thu  lower  \nu-k  ami 
riiinp  arc  hliiuii,  with  littlu  or  no  coppur  ),'loss,  Tliu  I'entliL'i.s  ol'  tlie  »'uIva  lioliiiul,  nud 
tlic  covi'ils,  upper  and  nndci,  aiu  ol'  a  very  diiii\  pin|ili>li-eliestniit,  witii  pwrpli.-'li- 
nielidlie  relleetious  near  tiie  end,  and  a  snhterniiMal  )iar  of  Idaek;  the  ti|i.s  are  of  tiiu 
opaipie  pnrplisii-clicstnut  referred  to.  The  conconlod  portion  of  tiie  coverts  is  dark  eiiustnut 
liarrecj  rather  lini'ly  witli  lilaek  ;  the  hlack  wiiK'r  tiian  the,'  interspaces.  The  tail-feathers 
are  dark  lirownish-ehestnnt,  with  nnnierons  transverse  hars  of  hlaek,  which,  when  most 
distinct,  an-  ahont  a  ([narter  of  an  inch  wide  and  ahout  double  their  intersi)a<'es ;  the 
uxtreme  tip  for  ahont  half  an  inch  is  plain  chestnut,  lighter  than  the  ground-color ;  and 
there  is  a  l)road  snhterniinal  har  of  hlack  ahout  two  inches  wide  on  thu  outer  feathers, 
and  narrowing  to  al)ont  thrci'  ipiartcrs  of  an  inch  to  the  cenlial  ones.  The  innermost 
pair  scariM'ly  shows  this  hand,  anil  the  others  are  all  much  l)roken  and  confused.  In 
addition  to  the  black  bars  on  each  feather,  the  chestnut  interspaces  are  sprinkled  with 
black.  The  black  liands  are  all  most  distinct  on  the  inner  weljs;  the  intcisiiaces  are  eon- 
sideralily  lighter  below  than  above. 

There  are  no  whitish  tips  whatever  to  the  tail  or  its  coverts.  The  leathers  on  the 
middle  of  the  belly  are  downy,  oi)a(iue,  and  tipped  obscurely  with  rusty  whitish. 

The  wing-coverts  are  like  the  back  ;  the  (piills,  liowever,  are  blackish-brown,  with 
nmnorous  transverse  bars  of  white,  half  the  width  of  the  intcrspac;es.  The  exposed  sur- 
faces of  the  wing,  liowever,  and  most  of  the  inner  secondaries,  are  tinged  with  browuish- 
rnsty,  the  uppermost  ones  with  a  dull  copper  or  greenish  glo.s.s. 

The  female  dillers  in  smaller  size,  less  brilliant  colors,  absence  generally  of  bristles  on 
the  breast  and  of  spur,  and  a  nnich  smaller  lleshy  process  above  the  base  of  the  bill. 

ifdle.  Length,  48.00  to  .iO.OO  ;  extent,  fiO.OO  ;  wing,  '21.00  ;  tail,  18.50.  Weight,  IG  to 
35  lbs.     Female.    Weight  about  12  lbs. ;  measurements  smaller  in  proportion. 

Had.  Eiustern  Province  of  the  United  States,  and  Canada,  West  along  the  limbered 
river-valleys  towards  the  llocky  Mountains ;  south  to  the  Gulf  coast. 

There  is  some  question  as  to  the  names  to  be  applied  to  the  two  races  of 
Northern  Mdccujris,  and  especially  as  to  wliich  is  entitled  to  bear  the  name 
of  (jaUopaco.  The  original  description  of  M.  ijaUoparo  (quotes  the  New  Eng- 
land Turkey  as  described  by  Kay,  but  as  far  as  the  characters  j,'iven  i^o 
refers  rather  to  the  domestic  form,  which  is  e([iiivalent  to  U.  mcimna  of 
Gould.  In  tliis  state  of  the  case  we  therefore  think  it  as  well  to  use 
gallopavo  for  the  eastern  race,  although  the  arguments  of  ^lajor  Leconte  and 
others  in  favor  of  applying  it  to  the  wild  Mexican,  and  its  derivative  the 
domestic  viiriety,  are  not  without  much  weight. 

Habits.  The  Wild  Turkey  i.s  found  throughout  eastern  North  America, 
from  South  Carolina  northward,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  Te.xas  and  Arkan- 
sas. It  has  probably  become  an  extinct  species  in  New  England,  tliough 
witliin  a  few  years  individuals  have  been  sliot  in  Montague,  Mass.,  and  in 
other  towns  in  Franklin  County.  The  construction  of  railroads,  however, 
and  the  settlement  of  the  country,  have  probably  led  to  their  final  extermina- 
tion ;  at  least,  I  have  known  of  none  being  taken  within  the  limits  of  Massa- 
chusetts for  several  years. 

In  the  unsettled  portions  of  the  Southern  and  Western  States,  and  in  the 
country  watered  by  the  Mississippi  and  the  Missoiui  liivers  and  their  atHu- 
ents,  these  birds  are  comparatively  plentiful,  though  the  question  of  their 


400  NOIITM  AMKiaCAN  niRDS. 

final  extinction  is  prol)al)ly  only  one  of  tiiuc,  and  that  not  very  distant.  In 
Audiilion's  day  tlioy  wero  to  bo  Ibund  alon^'  tho  whole  line  of  the  AUogha- 
nies,  where  they  wtill  occur,  l)ut  have  become  very  wary  and  to  be  approachod 
only  with  the  j^reatest  ditliculty.  In  Louisiana  and  in  Kentuclcy,  Audubon 
found  tiieiu  most  alnindant,  and  in  these  States  he  enjoyed  the  most  favor- 
able opportunities  for  ol)servinjf  thi'ir  very  remarkable  habits  in  regions  tlien 
comparatively  undisturbed  by  tlie  intrusion  of  civilized  man.  They  are  said 
to  be  not  uncommon  in  Virginia,  and  arc  not  unirt;t|uently  met  with  even  in 
tho  vicinity  of  Washington. 

]Jr.  Woodhou.se  found  this  species  abundant  throughout  the  wooded  por- 
tions of  the  Indian  Territory  and  Texas.  While  in  tiie  Creek  country  his  ])arty 
killed  numbers  of  them  daily.  Many  of  them  were  very  large,  and  weighed 
ujiwards  of  nineteen  pounds  eacli,  altho\igh  at  tliat  time  tliey  were  in  poor  con- 
dition.    Tliey  were  quite  abundant  along  the  Iiio  San  Pedro  in  Texas. 

Mr.  Dresser  found  the  Wild  Turkey  common  in  all  tlie  ]iortions  of  Texas 
and  Mexico  that  he  visited,  and  ])articularly  so  on  tlie  river's  l)etwccn  San 
Antonio  and  the  JJio  (.Irande.  His  first  Turkey  hunt  was  on  tlie  X'^pper 
Medina  IJiver,  about  forty  miles  from  San  Antonio.  It  proved  to  be  wary 
and  difficult  to  approach  in  the  daytime ;  but  by  watching  to  see  where 
they  roosted,  and  visiting  them  by  mooidight,  one  or  two  conld  generally  be 
secured.  They  generally  preferred  roosting  in  high  cottonwood-trees,  on 
the  banks  of  a  stream,  perching  as  high  n])  as  possible.  He  once  saw  eleven 
Turkeys  on  one  large  bough  of  a  cottonwood-tree  on  the  ^ledina.  When 
the  pecan-nuts  are  ripe  the  Turkeys  become  very  fat,  as  they  are  extremely 
fond  of  these  nuts,  which  are  very  oily.  One  very  plump  bird  was  found, 
after  it  had  been  dressed,  to  weigh  sixteen  pounds.  Mr.  I )iesser  was  in- 
formed by  the  hunters,  that,  for  a  nest,  the  Turkeys  scratch  a  hole  in  the 
ground,  or  make  a  sort  of  nest  in  the  grass  under  a  busii.and  that  the  eggs 
resemlde  those  of  the  tame  Turkey,  exce[)t  in  being  smaller  and  more  elon- 
gated in  form.  The  Mexicans,  on  the  Upper  lUo  Grande,  sometimes  domes- 
ticate tlie  "Wild  Turkey,  and  at  Piedras  Negras  Mr.  Dresser  saw  two  that 
had  been  caught  when  quite  young  and  had  become  very  tame.  Tlie  female 
was  then  sitting,  and  the  eggs,  when  examined,  were  found  to  agree  with 
the  account  given  him  by  the  hunters. 

Mr.  Audubon,  in  his  very  full  and  minnte  account  of  their  habits,  speaks 
of  them  as  irregularly  migratory  and  gregarious,  their  migrations  having 
reference  only  to  the  abundance  of  food,  and  the  meeting  together  in  the 
same  localities  lieing  to  a  large  degree  caused  by  the  same  source  of  attrac- 
tion, —  the  supply  of  mast  in  certain  regions.  In  this  way  they  desert 
sections  where  the  supply  is  exhausted,  and  advance  towards  those  where 
it  is  more  plentiful. 

Late  in  October  these  birds  assemble  in  flocks  in  the  rich  bottom-lands  of 
the  Western  ri\ers,  the  male  birds  associating  in  parties  of  from  ten  to  a 
hundred,  and  keeping  apart  from  the  females.     The  latter  are  simultane- 


Ml'JLliAliUlD.K  — TIIK   TUUKKVrt.  407 

ously  innviiij,'  iiitct  tlm  saiiio  rci^'ifiiis,  Itut  only  in  snuill  fdinily  ;,'r()U))a,  cacli 
It'iidin};  its  own  Hock,  tlion  neiuly  grown.  Clmdimlly  tliiiy  miito  with  otiier 
I'liniilios,  i'orniing  at  leiigtli  imrtios  of  soventy  or  eiglity.  Tlicy  aro  .naid  to 
avoid  very  carot'iiUy  the  old  niahis,  who  have  tliu  very  impanMital  <lis])ositioii 
to  destroy  tlio  yonng  liirds  cvini  wlicn  ni-arly  j^rowii.  Thcsi!  migrations  aro 
niado  on  loot  oxccitl  wht-n  tiiuy  aro  conipellod  to  cross  a  stri'uni.  On  thoir 
first  coming  to  tho  banks  of  a  river  they  are  said  to  make  a  luiuso  there  of 
one  or  two  days  before  they  attempt  to  cross,  the  (dd  males  strutting  about 
u])  and  down  the  lianks,  making  a  loud  gobbling,  and  calling  to  one  another 
as  if  to  raise  their  courage  to  a  l)etitting  jMiint.  Kven  the  i'cmales  and  the 
young  assiune  something  of  the  same  pompous  demeanor,  sjireading  out  their 
tails,  running  round  one  amtther,  and  making  a  loud  purring  noise.  At  longtii, 
after  this  prolonged  preparation  for  the  ]tassage,  they  all  mount  to  the  top 
f»f  a  high  tree,  anil,  at  a  signal  given  by  their  leader,  take  flight  for  the 
opposite  shore.  Occasionally  some  i'all  into  the  water,  Avheu  these  bring 
the  wings  close  to  the  body,  spi'eiul  out  the  tail,  and  plying  their  legs 
with  great  vigor  move  rapidly  towards  the  shore,  where,  by  a  violent  effort, 
they  extricate  themselves  from  the  water.  After  thus  crossing  a  stream  of 
any  magnitude,  they  aro  often  found  in  a  l)ewildered  state,  and  fall  an  easy 
prey  to  the  hunter. 

Where  their  food  occurs  abundantly  they  se]mrato  into  smaller  flocks,  com- 
posed of  birds  of  all  ages  and  sexes.  At  times  they  are  known  to  approach 
farndiouses,  associate  with  the  domesticated  fowl,  and  enter  the  corn-cribs  in 
quc^'o  of  food,  passing  the  fall  and  the  winter  in  this  manner. 

Early  in  February  the  love-season  is  said  to  commence,  the  first  demon- 
strations being  made  by  the  males,  but  for  some  time  persistently  avoided 
by  the  females.  At  this  period  the  sexes  roost  apart.  When  a  female  utters 
a  call-note,  the  male  birds  within  hearing  return  the  cry,  uttering  notes  simi- 
lar to  those  M'ith  which  the  domestic  Turkey  greets  any  very  unusual  sound. 
If  the  call-note  has  been  uttered  by  a  female  on  the  ground,  the  males  tly  to 
tho  place,  si)reading  and  erecting  their  tails,  drawing  their  heads  back  on 
their  shoulders,  depressing  their  wings  with  a  quivering  motion,  and  strutting 
pompously  about.  At  the  same  time  they  emit  from  their  lungs  a  succession 
of  very  peculiar  pufls.  On  these  occasions  the  males  often  encounter  each 
other,  and  desperate  contests  ensue,  which  fre(]uently  have  a  fatal  termina- 
tion, caused  by  furious  blows  inflicted  on  the  hefid.  When  one  Cock-Turkey 
has  thus  destroyed  its  rival,  it  is  said  to  caress  the  dead  body  in  an  appar- 
ently affectionate  manner. 

When  the  Turkeys  have  mated,  the  connection  is  supposed  to  last  for  that 
season,  though  a  male  Turkey  is  often  known  to  have  more  than  a  single  mate; 
and  the  hens  ai'e  said  also  to  keep  a])art  from  the  males  while  they  are  laying 
their  eggs,  for  the  cock  would  inevitably  destroy  them.  At  the  end  of  the 
love-season  the  males  become  emaciated,  and  cease  to  gobble.  They  then 
separate  entirely  from  the  females,  and  keej)  apart  by  themselves  until  they 
recover  their  strength,  when  they  reunite  in  small  flocks. 


408  NORTH  AlfERICAN  BIRDS. 

Tlie  female  is  said  to  begin  to  deposit  her  eggs  about  the  middle  of  April, 
selecting  for  that  ])ur])ose  a  ])lace  as  much  concealed  as  possible  from  her 
many  enemies.  The  nest,  always  on  the  ground,  consists  of  a  few  witli- 
ered  leaves  in  a  hollow  scratched  out  by  the  side  of  a  fallen  log,  or  the  top 
of  a  ])rostrate  tree,  or  under  a  tiiicket,  or  witliin  tlie  edge  of  a  cane-brake, 
but  always  in  a  dry  jdace.  The  eggs  sometimes  amount  to  twenty  in 
number,  thougli  tliere  are  usually  from  ten  lo  fifteen.  They  are  described 
as  of  a  dull  cream-color,  sprinkled  with  reddish  dots.  When  the  female 
leaves  her  nest,  she  is  said  to  be  very  careful  to  cover  them  with  leaves,  so 
that  it  is  always  diflicult  for  any  one  to  find  them.  Mr.  Audubon  observed 
that  Turkey-liens  not  unfretpiently  selected  small  islands  in  which  to  deposit 
tlieir  eggs,  a])parently  on  account  of  tlie  great  ma.sses  of  drift-timber  which 
accumulated  at  their  heads,  in  whidi  tliey  could  seek  protection  and  shelter. 

If  a  female  is  approached  Avliile  sitting  on  her  eggs,  she  rarely  moves  un- 
less she  is  discovered.  ^Mr.  Audubon  has  fre(piently  fa])proached  within  a 
few  paces  of  a  ni^st,  the  female  remaining  undisturbed.  Tliey  seldom  aban- 
don their  nest  when  it  lia.s  been  discovered  by  man,  but  forsake  it  if  any  of 
tlie  eggs  liave  been  destroyed  by  any  kind  of  animal.  If  tlie  eggs  are  taken 
or  destroyed,  the  female  ])repares  i'or  another  nest,  but  otherwise  has  only  one 
brood  in  a  season.  Audubon  also  states  that  he  haa  known  several  liens 
associate  together,  de]H)sit  their  eggs  in  the  same  nest,  and  rear  their  broods 
together,  having  once  found  three  hens  sitting  on  forty-two  eggs  in  a  finglo 
nest,  f»ne  i'emale  at  least  being  always  present  to  protect  it.  When  the  eggs 
are  near  hatching,  the  female  will  not  leave  her  eggs  under  any  circumstances 
and  will  suffer  herself  to  be  made  a  prisoner  rather  than  abandon  them. 
The  mother  assists  the  young  birds  to  extricate  themselves  from  the  egg- 
shell, I'aresses  and  dries  them  with  her  bill,  and  aids  them  in  their  first 
efforts  to  totter  out  of  the  nest.  As  the  brood  follow  her,  she  is  very  watch- 
ful against  Hawks  or  other  enemies,  spreads  her  wings  a  little  to  [irotect 
thcni,  and  calls  them  close  to  her  side,  keeping  them  on  dry  ground  and  care- 
fully guardin;^-  them  from  wet,  which  is  very  injurious  to  them  when  young. 
When  two  weeks  old,  they  begin  to  be  able  to  follow  their  mother,  nt  night 
to  roost  in  the  low  limb  of  some  tree,  and  to  leave  the  woods  in  the  daytime 
in  quest  of  berries  and  other  food.  The  young  usually  fcsd  on  various  kinds 
of  small  berries  and  insects.  The  full-grown  Turkeys  prefer  the  pecan-nuts 
and  wild  grapes  to  any  other  kind  of  food. 

They  are  also  said  to  feed  on  grass,  various  kinds  of  plants,  corn,  and 
other  grain,  see'ls,  fruit,  and  also  upon  beetles,  small  lizards,  tadpoles,  etc. 
In  feeding  in  the  woods,  they  turn  over  the  dry  leaves  witli  their  feet,  and 
seem  instinctively  to  know  the  presence  of  suitable  food.  They  not  unfre- 
quently  betray  their  presence  in  the  neighborhood  by  the  bare  places  they 
thus  leave  beliind  them  in  the  woods  where  tiiey  have  been  feeding. 

Alter  heavy  falls  of  snow  and  the  formation  of  a  hard  crust,  the  Turkeys 
ire  said  to  be  compelled  to  remain  several  days  on  their  roosts  without  food 
thus  proving  their  capalility  of  enduring  a  continued  abstinence. 


MELEAGRID-E  — THE  TURKEYS.  409 

Turkeys  are  hunted  in  various  ways  iintl  by  diflercnt  expedients  to  facili- 
tate tlieir  destruction.  In  the  spring  they  are  attracted  by  drawing  the  air,  in 
a  peculiar  manner,  through  one  of  the  second  joint-bones  of  a  wing.  The 
sound  thus  imxlucod  r(!send)k's  tlie  voice  of  tiie  female,  on  hearing  whicli 
the  male  comes  up  and  is  siiot.  Tlie  cry  of  the  Darrcd  Owl  is  also  imitated 
at  night  where  Turi<eys  are  at  roost,  wiio  betray  tlie  jdace  by  their  rolling 
gol)ble,  uttered  when  alarmed.  One  of  the  most  common  methods  of  captur- 
ing Wild  Turkeys  is  by  means  of  a  trap  known  as  a  Turkey-pen.  A  cov- 
ered ench)sure  is  made,  constructed  of  trees,  about  four  feet  liigh  and  of  Aari- 
ous  sizes,  closed  everywhere  except  at  one  end,  where  a  small  opening  is  left 
through  wliich  a  snudl  trench  is  dug,  slo])ing  very  gradually  at  both  ends, 
into  and  from  tlie  pen.  The  portion  nearest  the  enclosure  is  covered.  This 
passage-way,  the  interior  of  the  pen,  and  the  vicinitj'^  of  the  oiieiiiug,  to 
some  distance  into  the  forest,  are  strewn  with  corn.  The  Turkeys,  attracted 
by  the  corn,  follow  it  into  the  pen,  and  when  tliey  wish  to  leave  endeavor 
to  get  out  by  the  sides,  but  have  not  iiitelligeiico  enough  to  escape  by  the 
openirg  through  whicli  they  entered.  In  this  manner  they  are  sometimes 
entrai)ped  in  great  numbers. 

In  unsettled  parts  of  the  country,  AVild  Turkeys  are  often  known  to 
associate  with  tame  ones,  sometimes  to  fight  with  tlieiii  and  to  drive  them 
from  <^lieir  food. 

Air.  Audubon  su])posed  our  common  tame  Turkey  to  liave  originated  in 
these  birds,  yet  in  his  accounts  of  the  liabits  of  the  latter  he  luentioiis  sev 
eral  indications  of  divergence.  A  Wild  Turkey  wliich  he  had  rcfared  almost 
from  the  shell,  and  which  had  become  very  tame,  wouhl  never  roost  with  the 
domesticated  birds,  but  always  betook  itself  at  night  to  the  roof  of  ti:e  house, 
where  it  remained  until  dawn. 

Mr.  l}aclinian  states  that  Wild  Turkeys  kept  in  confinement,  in  a  condi- 
tion of  partial  domestication,  but  separate  from  the  domestic  birds,  lose  the 
brilliancy  of  their  plumage  in  the  third  generation,  become  of  a  pale  brown, 
and  have  here  and  there  an  iiitermi.xture  of  white  feathers.  On  the  other 
hand,  Major  Leconte  states,  most  positively,  that  the  Wild  Turkey  has  never 
been  known  to  become  so  nearly  domesticated  as  to  jjropagate  its  race  in 
confmement,  notwithstanding  the  many  efforts  made  to  accomplish  this  re- 
sult. This  statement  is,  however,  negative,  and  must  be  taken  with  reserva- 
tion. In  IH.j^,  in  Mr.  IJarnum's  grounds,  near  Niagara  Falls,  I  saw  AVihl 
Turkeys  with  broods  of  young  l)irds,  though  how  far  successful  this  atteiuiil. 
proved  in  the  se(iuel  I  do  not  know,  and  Dr.  ]>aclinian's  statement  se-nns  to 
be  quite  jiositive  evidence  that  they  can  be  thus  reared. 

Mr.  Audubon  describes  the  eggs  of  the  Wikl  Turkey  as  measuring  2.87 
inches  in  length  and  U.(K)  in  breadth,  and  rather  pointed  at  one  end;  their 
grouud-coh)r  is  given  as  of  a  uniform  pale-yellowish  tint,  marked  all  over 
with  ])ale  rusty-brown  spots. 

Specimens  in  my  collection  vary  from  2.55  to  2.'M>  inches  in  length,  and 

vol,.  MI.  r)2 


410  NORTH  IMERICAN  BIRDS. 

in  breadth  from  1.85  to  1.75  inches.  They  are  of  an  elongate-oval  shape, 
are  pointed  at  one  end,  quite  obtuse  at  the  other.  The  ground  is  a  rich  dark 
cream-color,  very  generally  spotted  with  rounded  blotches  of  a  rare  umber- 
brown. 


Meleagris  gallopavo,  var.  mexicana,  Gould. 

MEXICAK  TTTSKET. 

Meleagris  tnexieana,  Gould,  Pr.  Zool.  Soc.  1856,  61.  —  Baird,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  618.  — 
CouEs,  P.  A.  N.  S.  Philad.  1866,  93  ( Fort  Whipple,  Arizona).  —  Elliot,  Illust.  II, 
pi.  xxxviii.  -  Baikp,  Rept.  Agricultural  Dept.  for  1866  (1867)  288.  —Cooper,  Orn. 
Cal.  1,  1870,  523.     Meleagris  gallopavo.  Gray,  Cat.  Gallinaj,  Brit.  Mus.  V,  1867,  42. 

Sp.  Char.  Similar  to  var.  gallopavo,  but  feathers  of  the  rump,  the  tail-coverts,  and 
tail-feathers,  tipped  with  whitisli,  instead  of  dark  rusty  ;  gloss  more  greenish.  $  (44,731, 
Mirador)  :  Wing,  20.50;  tail,  18.50;  culmen,  1.00;  tarsus,  6.50;  middle  toe,  3.50. 

Had.  Rocky  Mountains,  from  Western  Texas  to  Arizona,  and  south  along  the  table 
land  of  Mexico. 

Wild  Turkeys  from  the  vicinity  of  the  Kocky  Mountains  differ  strikingly 
from  those  east  of  the  Mississippi  in  the  feathers  of  the  sides  of  the  body 
behind,  and  in  the  tipper  and  under  tail-coverts.  These  are  all  tipped  with 
light  brownish-yellow  for  about  half  an  inch,  more  or  less  with  the  region, 
and  the  tail  is  tipped  witli  the  same.  The  chestnut  ground  of  the  tail  and 
coverts  is  also  considerably  lighter.  The  gloss  on  the  feathers  of  the  run)p 
is  green,  not  purple.  The  coverts,  too,  lack  in  a  measure  the  purple  shade 
in  the  chestnut.  The  metallic  reflections  generally  have  rather  more  green 
than  in  the  eastern  bird. 

In  one  specimen  (9,  10,030,  from  Fort  Thorn)  the  light  edgings  are 
almost  white,  and  so  much  extended  as  to  conceal  the  entire  rump.  All  the 
feathers  of  the  imder  parts  of  the  body  are  edged  broadly  with  white,  and 
the  tail  is  tipped  with  the  same  for  more  than  an  inch.  This  specimen  also 
has  the  head  considerably  more  hairy  than  in  the  eastern  skins,  but  the 
others  from  the  same  region  do  not  difl'er  so  much  in  this  respect  from 
eastern  ones. 

Two  specimens  from  thb  Llano  Estacado  of  Texas  are  e>  actly  intermediate 
between  New  Mexican  skins  end  examples  from  Arkansas,  the  former  being 
typical  mexicana,  and  the  latter  slightly  different  from  true  gallopavo.  These 
Texan  specimens  have  the  tips  of  the  upper  tail-coverts  pale  ochraceous, 
instead  of  pure  white  ;  in  tiie  Arkansas  skins  these  tips  are  rufous-chestnut, 
instead  of  dark  maroon-chestnut,  as  in  typical  gallopavo  from  Pennsylvania 
and  Virginia. 

Many,  or  indeed  most,  specimens  of  mexicana  have  the  black  subter- 
minal  zone  of  the  tail  with  a  more  or  less  distinct  metallic  bronzing,  which 
we  have  never  seen  in  any  specimens  of  gallopavo. 


MELEAGRID^  — THE  TURKEYS.  411 

It  is  to  this  race  that  we  are  indebted  for  the  origin  of  our  domestic 
Turkey,  and  not  to  that  of  the  eastern  parts  of  North  America. 

Habits.  There  is  very  little  on  record  as  to  the  possession  of  distinctive 
peculiarities  by  this  race  of  North  American  Turkeys.  If,  as  is  now  generally 
supposed,  it  be  the  original  source  whence  the  domestic  fowl  was  derived,  we 
are  all  sufficiently  conversant  with  its  performances  iu  the  barnyard,  and 
its  excellences  for  the  table.  ^ 

Specimens  of  its  eggs  collected  in  Arizona  exhibit  no  noteworthy  dif- 
ferences from  the  (jnllopuvn. 

In  the  accompanying  foot-note  we  reproduce  an  article  on  the  origin  of 
the  domestic  Turkey,  by  Professor  Baird,  published  in  the  Report  of  the 
Agricultural  Department  for  18G6,  which  contains  some  points  of  interest, 
bearing  on  the  origin  of  the  domestic  Turkey  and  the  habits  ot  'le  Mexican 
variety.^ 

*  As  with  nearly  nil  the  animals  which  have  been  brought  under  domestication  by  man,  the 
true  origin  of  the  common  bamyard  Turkey  was  for  a  long  time  a  matter  of  uncertainty.  As  a 
well-known  writer  (Martin)  observes  :  "  So  involved  in  obscurity  is  the  early  history  of  the 
Turkey,  and  so  ignorant  do  the  writers  of  the  sixteenth  aniT  seventeenth  centuries  appear  to  have 
licen  about  it,  that  they  have  regarded  it  as  a  bird  known  to  the  ancients  by  the  name  of 
Mckacjris  (really  the  Guinea-fowl  or  Pintado),  a  mistake  which  was  not  cleared  up  till  the  middle 
of  the  eighteenth  ci'ni.iry.  The  appellation  of  "turkey,"  which  this  bird  bears  in  England, 
arose  from  the  supposition  that  it  came  originally  from  the  country  of  that  name, — an  idea 
entirely  erroneous,  as  it  owes  its  origin  to  the  New  World.  Mexico  ivas  first  discovered  by 
Grigalva  in  1518.  Oviedo  speaks  of  the  Turkey  as  a  kind  of  IVacock  abounding  in  New  Spain, 
which  had  already  in  15'i6  been  transported  in  a  domestic  state  to  the  West  India  Islands  and 
the  Spanish  Main,  whert;  it  was  kept  by  the  Christian  co'.onists. 

It  is  reported  to  have  been  introduce<l  into  England  in  1541.  hi  1573  it  had  become  the 
Christmas  fare  of  the  farmer. 

Among  the  luxuries  Ixdonging  to  the  high  condition  of  civilization  exhibited  by  the  Mexican 
nation  at  the  time  of  the  Spanish  conquest  was  the  possession  by  Montezuma  of  one  of  the  most 
extensive  zoological  gardens  on  record,  numbering  nearly  all  the  animals  of  that  country,  with 
others  brought  at  much  expense  from  great  distances,  and  it  is  stated  that  Turkejs  were  supplied 
as  food  in  large  numbers  daily  to  the  beasts  of  prey  in  the  menagerie  of  the  Mexican  emperor. 
No  idea  can  be  formed  at  the  present  day  of  the  date  when  this  bird  was  tiist  reclaimed  in  Mexico 
from  its  wild  condition,  although  probably  it  had  been  \ .  own  in  a  domestic  state  for  n"my 
centuries.  There  can,  however,  be  no  question  of  the  fact  that  it  was  habitually  reared  by  the 
Mexicans  at  the  time  of  the  concjuest,  and  introduced  from  Mexico  or  New  Spain  into  Europe  , 
early  in  the  sixteenth  century,  either  directly  or  from  the  West  India  Islands,  into  which  it  had 
been  previously  carried. 

It  has,  however,  always  been  a  matter  of  surprise  that  the  Wild  Turkey  of  easteni  North 
America  did  not  assimilate  more  closely  to  the  domestic  birdtn  color,  habits,  and  by  interbreed- 
ing, although  until  recently  no  suspicion  was  entertained  that  they  might  belong  to  dilferent 
8iX!cies.     Such,  however,  now  apiiears  to  be  the  fact,  as  I  will  endeavor  to  show. 

The  pro[)osition  I  present  is,  that  there  are  two  species,  or  at  least  races,  of  Wild  Turkey  in 
North  America,  — one  confined  to  the  more  eastern  and  southern  United  States,  the  other  to  the 
southern  Rocky  Mountains  and  adjacent  part  of  Texas,  New  Mexico,  Colorado,  and  Arizona  ; 
that  the  latter  extends  along  Eastern  Mexico  as  far  south  at  least  as  Orizaba,  and  that  it  is  from 
this  Mexican  species,  and  not  from  that  of  eastern  North  AnicrioA,  that  this  domestic  Turkey  is 
derived. 

In  the  Proceedings  of  the  Zoological  Society  of  London  for  1856  (i>agp  01),  Mr.  Gould  charac- 
terizes BA  new  a  Wild  Turkey  from  the  mines  of  R.'al  del  Norte,  in  Mexi<»,  under  the  name  of 


412  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Me!<^Orismc^ana,  and  is  tl.e  first  to  suggest  that  it  is  .lerivd  from  tl.o  don.esticated  bird  and 
5/  Z'  "r"T-""  '"'''  u"'"^'  "'  ^■"^'""  ^'"•*"  ^"'^"-'  °"  ^"-'>  '-'  -tains  tl.™e  o? 
the  c  ...uny-whUo  fps  of  the  tail-feathers  a,.d  of  the  upper  tail-coverts,  will,  some  other  po  of 
unno  „„porta„ce.  I  suggest  that  the  Wild  Turkey  of  New  Mexico,  as  referred  to  bj  v  ous 
vv liters,  belongs  to  tins  new  spe.ies,  and  not  to  the  M.  rjalh/mvo 

In  18.^8,  in  the  Report  o„  the  birds  eolleeted  by  the  I'acitie  Hailroad  Expedition  (Vol.  IX  p 
618  of  the  smes  of  Paeific  Kailroad  Reports),  1  referred  to  this  subjeet,  and  established  tl^ 
existence  m  North  America  of  two  species  of  Wild  Turkey.  _  one  belo  iging  to  .  ttn  tie 
oU.r  ...........  North  America.     Much  additional  material  L  since  eorroblL  ^l!::  ::S 

Uxa.,  the  o  he.  ,s  now  known  to  belong  to  the  J.lauo  Estacado  aud  other  parts  of  Western  Texas 
to  New  Mexico,  ami  to  Arizona.  "'siein  itxas, 

The  recnit  ac-iuisition  of  a  fn.e  male  Turkey  by  the  Smithsonian  Institution  from  the  vicinity 
of  Mount  Orizaba    in  Mexico,  and  it.s  comparison  with  a  skin  from  Santa  Fe,  enables  me  to  as    rt 
he  positive  Identity  of  our  Western  and  the  Mexican  .species,  and  one  readi  y  .separallfiU 
.ter  known  wild  bird  of  the  ..as.ern  United  States.     There  is  now  little  LL  to  doubt  t 

e  North  American  an  hypothesis  which  explains  the  fact  of  the  diflieulty  in  establishing  a 
cross  iH'tween  (mr  wild  ami  tame  birds.  "••"mif,  a 

The  presumed  dillerenees  between  the  two  species  n.ay  be  briefly  indicated  as  consisting 
pnieipallymthecreamyor  fulvous  white  of  the  tips  of  the  tail-feathers  ami  of  the  Jeahers 
overlying  the  base  of  the  tail  and  of  the  hinder  part  of  the  back  of  the  Mexican  aud    y  I'c" 

WT';!::;''  Z  ^■"'""■"h  ""n;"^"  ''''"-'  ^'-tnut.brown  of  the  same  parts  in  the  IZ 
Wild  T«, key.  There  are  other  dilferenccs.  but  they  are  less  evident,  ami  those  indicated  will 
readily  serve  to  distinguish  the  two  species.  maicatea  wiu 

The  tnie  wild  bird  of  ea-sfrn   North  America  always  has  the  tips  of  the  tail-feathers  and 
upper  tail-covert  of  a  chestnut-brown  color  ;  the   Mexican  species  and  its  de.seenda^  1^  t 
barnyard  never  exhibit  this  feature. 

Somet^imes  this  domesticated  bird  is  exactly  like  its  wild  original,  difl-ering  only  in  rather 

!^Z  ;^t''"'"    1  ?"  '""'  '"""  "'  *'"  ''""■'  -""•  "'■'^'^ '  »"'»  "f  this  aifexaiifple  m™y 
seen  m  the  Mu.seuin  of  the  Smithsonian  Institution. 

lu!!^.  onnr  '";"f  ."'■*':';  '''""'^?"'=  •'"■•'  ^^•''''•''  '^  -"ti-Iy  Waek.  sometimes  even  including  the 
aig<.  rpiiUs.  which  in  both  species  are  natnrally  banded  with  white,  an.l  in  this  there  may  l» 
little  or  no  trace  of  any  bands  at  the  end  of  the  tail  and  of  its  upper  coverts  ;  but  whatever 
may  be  the  asseverations  of  the  sportsman,  the  poultry-.lealer,  or  the  farmer,  as  to  the  "wild 
ness  of  any  particular  bird,  or  v.diat  the  circumstances  attendant  upon  its  capture  or  death  by 
nlinelv^'if  ,T"r^'  "7''!;""T'  '"''"''"t  confidence  may  be  placed  in  the  test  above  indicated, 
na  miy  .  ,f  the  tips  of  tail  and  tail-covert  are  chestnut-brown,  the  specimen  belongs  to  the  J/ 

Sr  r  °''  'T'- '"''"'  "-•  ''  ""  ""-^  ^'^  -^  "'"'^^  ^"*"-«'y  ^'-••^  -  -y  «hade  on  hitSi  or 
light  fulvous,  then  it  is  a  "  barnyard  "  fowl. 

wh!m  tle"r'-l'."  '■'"■'",'  ^'"^  "  ''"''  "■""""  ^y  ^'-  ^'"■*°''""'  th«  occomplished  naturalist,  to 
T*hom  the  Smithsonian  Institution  owes  the  specimen  of  the  wild  Mexican  bird  referred  to  above 
will  be  read  with  interest.  "uuve, 

"MiRADOE,  State  or  Vm\  Crot, 
,.,  .  Ja..uary  20,  1807. 

I  am  entirely  of  your  opinion  in  regard  to  the  origin  of  the  domestic  Turkey,  as  our  wild 
hrd  dilkMs  from  the  tame  only  in  the  less  amount  of  development  of  the  fatty  lobes  of  the  head 

''J/f/.„,,ny„«,ncrn,.M-s  tolerably  abunda^^    in  this  neighborhoo.l.  Monging  more  especially 
to  the  sparsely  overgrown  savannas  between  the  n-gion  of  the  oaks  and  the  coast,  the  Tierra 
(-«  lente    ^    warm  region  '  pro,«^r.     It  is  a  very  shy  bird,  living  in  families  like  the  wild  Geese 
and  keep        sentinels  on  the  watch  whenever  the  flock  is  feeding  in  the  vicinity  of  threatened 

.tS^o!.-:;;::"^"^^  "r  r  •^•^"^  -'^  ^"^^^^'^  «„  L  ground.  an/seLleht; 
its  teet  to  a,d  in  the  sear,-h  for  food.     In  running.  th«v  swiftest  dog  cannot  overtake  it.     It  is  not 


MELEAGRIDiy  — THE   TURKEYS.  4J0 

very  fond  of  taking  to  flight,  but  its  powers  in  this  respect  arc  not  beliind  those  of  any  of  the  allied 
lonns.  Its  br«-.l.ng.se,.son  is  in  March  or  April,  when  the  hens  separate  fron.  the  males  to 
reun.  c  u.  o  lanulies  again  in  September.  Their  general  habits  .luring  this  season  are  much  as 
with  the  .lomestio  b.r.l,  altliough  I  cannot  say  whether  th..y  inflate  and  swell  then.selves  out  in 
he  same  manner.  I  am,  however,  inclined  to  doubt  it,  as  the  specimen  I  have  han.lled  did  not 
have  the  tips  of  the  wing-feathers  worn  away  as  in  the  barn-yard  breed.  The  female  lays  from 
three  to  twelve  brownish-rcd,  spotted  eggs  in  the  high  grain,  and  hatches  them  out  in  thirty  days 
as  ,s  the  case  with  the  tan,e  Turkey.  The  llesh  of  the  wild  bird  is  dry.  but  very  sweet,  like  th^ 
tame  fowl,  and  like  the  latter  is  dark  on  tin-  back  and  legs,  and  white  on  the  breast  an.l  wings 

Ihe  white  meat  of  the  flesh  on  the  breast  of  the  Mexican  and  the  tame  Turkey,  as  compared 
with  the  darker  meat  of  the  common  North  American  wild  bird,  is  a  fact  of  importance  to  bo 
taken  into  considenition. 

"The  exact  distribution  of  the  Mexican  Wild  Turkey  southward  and  westward  is  not  ascer- 
tamed,  nor  is  it  known  that  it  occupies  the  western  jKirtion  of  the  Mexican  country.  In  Yuca- 
tan and  Northern  Guatemala  it  is  i-eplaced  by  a  third  species,  the  Ocellate.l  Tynk.y  (Mclcagris 
o^ata),  rather  ess  1,1  size,  but  far  more  striking  in  appeamnee,  being  marked  in  the  tail  ^HY, 
spots  .somewhat  ike  the  'eyes'  of  the  tail  of  the  Peacock.  The  thr.e  species  thus  belong  to 
Mexico  and  northern  parts  of  Central  America.  ^ 

"  Very  truly  yours, 

"C.  SARTORIUS." 


414  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Family  TETRAONIDiE.  —  The  Grouse. 

As  already  stated,  the  Tetraonidce  are  pre-eminently  characterized  amoncr 
gallinaceous  birds  by  their  densely  feathered  tarsi,  and  by  the  feathers  of 
the  nasal  fossa  or  groove,  wliich  fill  it  completely,  and  conceal  the  nostrils 
The  toes  are  usually  naked  (feathered  to  the  claws  in  the  Ttarmiaans)  and 
with  pectinations  of  scales  along  the  edges.  The  tail-feathers  vary  from 
sixteen  to  eigliteen  and  even  twenty  in  number;  the  tail  is  rounded,  acute 
or  forked.  The  orbital  region  is  generally  somewhat  bare,  with  a  naked 
stripe  above  the  upper  eyelid,  beset  by  short  fringe-like  processes,  while 
many  genera  have  an  inHatal)le  air-sac  on  the  side  of  tlie  neck. 

The  following  synoptical  table  will  give  a  general  view  of  the  North 
American  Tdraonidw,  although  the  arrangement  is  more  artificial  than 
natural.  The  species  of  Tetrao  and  Bonasa  inhabit  wooded  re-ions- 
Lagopus  belongs  to  the  more  arctic  portions  of  the  continent  and  the  snowy 
ridges  of  the  llocky  Mountains ;  the  others  are  found  in  the  great  prairies  of 
the  West,  Centrocercus  being  confined  to  the  sterile  plains  covered  with  sac^e 
or  wormwood.  ° 

The  following  synopsis  is  intended  to  aid  in  defining  the  genera,  but  does 
not  proless  to  constitute  a  natural  arrangement. 

Genera. 

A.  Leg.s  feathered  to  and  on  the  basal  membrane  of  tlie  toes,  which  are  bare. 
No  ruff  on  the  side  of  the  neck,  which,  however,  has  an  extensible  bare  space.  ' 
Canace.  Tail  broad,  nearly  even,  or  truncate,  and  rounded  laterally,  two 
thirds  tlie  wing.  Nasal  fossae  scarcely  half  the  cuhnen. 
Centrocercus.  Tail  excessively  lengthened  and  cuneate;  longer  than  the 
wmgs.  Nasal  fossaj  two  thirds  the  culmen.  Shafts  of  feathers  on  the 
lower  throat  very  spinous- 

PedloBcetes.     Tail  very  short,  but  graduated,  and  with  the  two  middle 
featiiers  (perhaps  tail-coverts)  lengthened  beyond  the  rest,  and  two  thirds 
as  long  as  the  wing  ;  the  next  longest  half  the  wing.    Nasal  fossa  not  half 
the  length  of  cuhnen.     Shafts  of  throat-feathers  normal. 
B.  Legs  feathered  to  the  lower  end  of  tarsus. 

Cupidonia.    Tail  very  short,  truncate,  but  laterally  graduated;  half  the 
wings.    Sides  of  neck  with  long,  pointed,  or  lanceolate,  stiff  feathers.    Nasal 
fossae  scarcely  one  third  the  culmen. 
C  Legs  feathered  to  the  claws. 

Lagopus.   Tail  about  two  thirds  the  wing,  truncate;  of  sixteen  to  eighteen 
feathers.    Most  species  becoming  white  in  winter ;  none  of  the  other  genera 
exhibiting  this  peculiarity. 
D.  Lower  half  of  tarsi  bare,  with  two  rows  of  scutelte  anteriorly. 

Bonasa.    Sides  of  neck  with  a  ruff  of  broad,  truncate,  soft  feathers.     Tail 
very  broad,  square,  as  long  as  the  wings. 


TETRAONID^  —  THE  GROUSE. 


Genus   CANACE,   Rkicuenbach. 


415 


Gen.  Char.  Bill  smooth,  with  no  lateral  grjove,  depressed,  or  broader  than  hi^h. 
Feathers  of  the  head  and  neck  all  normal,  i.e.  no  crest,  nor  lengthened  plumes  of  any 
kind.  Tail  lengthened  (i.e.  nearly  equal  to  wing),  rounded,  the  feathers  broad  to  the 
end ;  consisting  of  from  sixteen  to  twenty  feathers.     Toes  naked. 

Subgenera. 

Canaoe.  Tail  of  sixteen  feathers ;  no  air-sac  on  side  of  the  neck.  Size  small.  (Type, 
T.  canadensis,  L.) 

DendragapuB.  Tail  of  twenty  feathers ;  an  inflatable  air-sac  on  side  of  the  neck. 
Size  large.     (Type,  T.  obscuriis.  Say.) 

The  American  species  of  Wood  Grouse  appear,  on  comparison,  to  ho 
generically  distinct  from  Tctrao,  of  the  Old  World,  (type,  Tctrrw  urogullus,) 
and,  moreover,  are  themselves  comprised  under  two  definable  subgenera. 
Canace  proper  has  a  near  relative  in  Falcijjcnnis,  Elliot,  (type,  Tefrao 
falcipmnis,  Hartlaub,)  of  Siberia,  which  differs  merely  in  the  attenuation 
of  the  primaries,  and  seems  to  us  not  separable  from  Camicc.  There  is 
no  European  genus  nearly  related  to  our  birds.  T.  nrofjrdlvs  differs  very 
essentially  in  high,  compressed,  and  light-colored  bill,  elongated  and  stiffened 
feathers  of  the  whole  head  and  neck,  metallic  colors,  etc.  T.  {Lyrurus) 
tetrix  approaches  nearer  in  the  bill,  but  also  has  metallic  colors  and  a  very 
peculiarly  formed  tail.  Thus  it  seems  absolutely  necessary  to  adopt  the 
name  Canace,  of  Eeichenbach,  as  a  generic  term  by  which  to  designate  the 
American  Wood  Grouse. 

Subgenus    CANACE,    Reichknbach. 

Canace,  Reichesbach,  Av.  Syst.  Nat.  1851.     (Tyjie,  Tctrao  canadensis,  L.) 

Gek.  Char.  Tail  of  sixteen  feathers,  rounded,  the  feathers  broad  to  the  end.  A  colored 
(red  or  yellow)  "  comb  "  of  naked  skin  over  the  eye.  Xo  inflatable  air-sac  on  side  of  the 
neck.     No  crest,  nor  unusual  plumes,  about  the  head  or  neck. 

Species  and  Varieties. 
T.  canadensiB.    Above  distinctly  barred  with  plumbeous  and  black ;  beneath 
black,  with  a  white  border  to  the  throat,  a  white  pectoral  band,  and  white 
markings  on  the  sides.     Female  barred  with  ochraceous,  gray  and  black 
above,  and  with  orange-ochraceous  and  black  on  the  lower  parts. 

Tail  rounded,  tipped  with  rufous ;  upper  tail-covert.s  tipped  narrowly 
with  deep  ash.  Hah.  British  America,  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains, 
from  Ala,ska  (Yukon  region)  to   northern  border  of  United   States! 

_,  .,         ,  var.  canadensis. 

lail  nearly  even,  black  to  the  tip,  or  else  with  a  narrow  white  termi- 
nal bar;  upper  tail-coverts  broadly  tipped  \vith  pure  white.  Hab. 
Northern  Rocky  Mountains  to  the  Pacific  coast.        .        ,       var.  fr an k 1 1  „  i 


416  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Canaoe  canadensis,  var.  canadensis,  Lixn. 

8PBUCS  ?ABTBIDGB;  CANADA  OBOUSB. 

Teirao  canatUnsis,  LiNV.  Syat.  Nat.  I,  17.  >,  150.  —  FoitsrKii,  Phil.  Trans.  l^XII,  1772, 
389.  — Saiiine,  ZoiJl.  Ajip.  Frniiklin's  K.xpcd.  G83.  —  UiiNAi-.  Ainer.  Orii.  111,1830, 
pi.  xxi,  f.  2,  ?.—  III.  Am.  I'liil.  Tmiis.  Ill,  N.  S.  1830,  391.  —  Iticil.  F.  Hor.  Aiiier. 
II,  1831,  34ti,  pi.  I.\ii,  9.— NiTTALL,  Mini.  I,  1832,  667.  -All).  Oiii.  Hiog. 
II,  1831,  437  ;  V,  1839,  563,  pi.  elxxvi.  —  In.  IJiiils  Aiiiir.  V,  1842,  83,  \<\.  cclxciv. 
—  |{.viRn,  lJird.s  N.  Am.  1858,  622.  —  Maynaku,  U.  E.  Mass.  1870,  138  (Massnchu- 
sotts).  —  C01TK.S,  P.  A.  N.  S.  1801,  226.  —  CiiiAY,  Cut.  Brit.  Miis.  1867,  86.  —  Dall 
&  Haxsisteu,  Tr.  C'liicngo  Ac.  I,  1869,  287.  —  Fishcii,  Abh.  Nat.  Verz.  Ill,  1872,61. 
Canacc  canndeii.t,  ,  Heicu.  Av.  Syst.  Nat.  1851,  p.  xxix.  (Type,  Bd.NAr.  Coinptcs 
Keiulu.s,  XLV,  1857,  428.  —  Elliot,  P.  A.  N.  S.  1864,  23.  —  In.  Moiiog.  Tctraon.  pi. 
Tclnw  canacc,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  I,  1766,  275.  Black  Spotted  Healhcock,  KuwAiius, 
Glean,  pi.  uxviii.     Spoiled  Orouae,  Pennant. 

Sp.  Char.  Tall  of  sixteen  feathers.  Above  black.  Featlier.?  above  di.stinctly  banded 
with  |i1uiii1h!0us;  Ijeneuth  uiiiforin  black,  -with  a  ])ectoral  band  of  while,  and  white  on  the 
sides  of  the  belly.  Chin  and  throat  above,  black.  Tail  with  a  broad  brownish-orange 
terminal  band.     Length,  10.20;  wing,  6.70;  tail,  .'J.44. 

Female  smaller,  but  somewhat  similar ;  the  black  bars  al)ove  broader,  the  inner  gray  bars 
of  each  feather,  including  the  t.ail,  replaced  by  broader  ones  of  brownisli-oiange.  The 
inider  parts  have  the  feathers  black,  barred  with  the  brownish-orange,  whi(;li,  on  the  tips 
of  the  belly-feather.'!,  is  pure  white.  The  clear  continuous  black  of  the  head  and  breast 
is  wanting.     The  scapulars,  greater  coverts,  and  sides  are  streaked  as  in  the  male. 

A  female  (No.  .'50.13G,  G.  A.  Boardman)  from  Maine  differs  from  the  above  description 
in  having  the  ground  of  the  plumage  a  bright  orange-rufous,  the  distinct  bars  of  which 
are  broader  than  the  black  ones ;  this  is  probably  an  autumnal  bird,  nnd  represents  the 
peculiar  plumage  of  that  .season. 

Milieu  vary,  iudividu.ally,  in  the  extent  or  uniformity  of  the  black  of  the  breast. 

Siieoiinens  from  Alaska  (Xiilato,  Xodiak,  etc.),  Red  River,  Liard's  River  and  Fort  Liard, 
Hudson's  Bay  Territory,  Canada,  and  Maine,  appear  to  be  absolutely  identical. 

The  young  in  downy  state  are  pale  bufT-yellow ;  the  head  aViove,  with  the  back  and 
wings,  pale  fulvous;  a  black  stripe  on  side  of  head  (from  bill  to  end  of  auriculars),  two 
spots  on  crown,  and  transverse  crescentic  spots  on  back  and  wings,  black. 

Hab.  Spruce  forests  and  swamps  of  the  Northern  United  States  to  the  Arctic  .seas  ; 
west  nearly  to  Rooky  Mountains. 

Hahits.  This  bird,  variously  known  as  the  Spruce  or  Wood  Partridge, 
Canada,  Black,  or  S]x)tted  Grouse,  is  found,  in  favorable  localities,  from  the 
^'ortlieru  United  States  as  far  north  as  the  woods  extend,  to  the  Arctic 
Ocean,  l)einjf  found,  even  in  midwinter,  nearly  to  the  70th  parallel.  Sir  Jolin 
Iiichardson  found  all  the  thick  and  swampy  black-spruce  forests  l)etween 
Canada  and  the  Arctic  Sea  abounding  with  this  species.  In  winter  it  de- 
scends into  Maine,  Northern  New  York,  and  Michigan.  Its  migrations  are, 
however,  only  ]>artial,  as  it  is  found  in  tlie  severest  weather  of  midwinter,  in 
considemble  numbers,  as  far  north  as  latitude  67".  A(!cording  to  Mr.  Doug- 
las, west  of  the  liocky  Motintains  it  is  nqdaced  by  the  7\  frankUuL  This 
bird  is  said  to  percli  iu  trees,  in  flocks  of  eight  or  ten,  and  is  so  stupid  that 


TKTUAON 1  D.K  -  T 111:  (J UDUSE.  417 

it  iniiy  1)C  takoii  by  ,slipi)in,i,'  ii  iiooso,  I'ustenod  tn  the  end  of  ii  stick,  over  its 
head.  When  distiirljod,  it  Hies  lieavily  a  short  distance,  and  then  ahyiits 
again  amonj;  the  interior  liraneiiea  ol"  a  tree,  Kicliardson  invariably  I'onnd 
its  crop  filled  with  the  buds  of  the  sjjruce-trees  in  tlie  winter,  auil  at  that 
time  its  flesli  was  very  dai'k  and  had  a  strong  resinous  taste.  In  districts 
where  the  Finns  InniLfiinut  grows  it  is  said  to  prefei'  tlie  buds  of  that  tree. 
In  the  summer  it  feeds  on  berries,  which  render  its  flesh  more  jjalatable. 

Captain  IMakiston  states  tliat  he  lias  found  tliis  .species  as  far  we.st  as  Fort 
Carlton,  and  Mr.  Hoss  has  traced  it  northward  on  the  Mackenzie  to  the 
Arctic  coast. 

Mr.  Audubon  mot  with  it  in  iNIaine,  in  the  vicinity  of  Kastport,  where 
they  were  only  to  be  met  with  in  the  tiiick  and  tangled  forests  of  spruce  and 
hackmatack.  They  were  breeding  in  the  inner  reces.ses  of  almost  impene- 
tralile  woods  of  hackmatack  or  larches.  He  was  informed  that  they  breed 
in  that  neighborhood  about  the  middle  of  May,  a  full  month  sooner  than 
they  do  in  Laltrador.  In  their  love-season  the  males  are  .said  to  exhibit 
many  of  the  singular  manners  also  noticealile  in  tlie  other  members  of  this 
family.  They  strut  before  the  female  on  tlie  ground,  something  in  the  man- 
ner of  the  common  domestic  Turkey-cock,  occasionally  rising  in  a  spiral 
mfiiiiier  above  her  in  the  air ;  at  the  same  time,  both  when  on  the  ground  and 
in  the  air,  they  beat  their  wings  violently  against  their  body,  thereby  pro- 
ducing a  peculiar  drumming  sound,  which  is  said  to  be  much  clearer  than 
the  well  known  drumming  of  the  Kufl'ed  Grouse.  These  sounds  cau  be 
heard  at  a  considerable  distance  from  the  phice  where  they  are  made. 

The  female  constructs  a  nest  of  a  Ited  of  dry  twigs,  leaves,  and  mosses, 
which  is  usually  carefully  concealed,  on  the  ground  and  under  low  horizontal 
branches  of  fir-trees.  The  number  of  eggs  is  said  to  vary  from  eight  to 
eighteen  in  number.  It  is  imagined  by  the  common  people  that  where 
more  than  ten  eggs  are  found  in  the  same  nest  they  are  the  ])roduct  of  two 
females,  who  aid  each  other  in  their  charge.  The,  eggs  are  described  by 
Audubon  as  of  a  deep  fawn-color,  irregularly  splashed  with  different  tints 
of  brown.  They  lia\e  but  a  single  brood  in  a  season,  and  the  young  follow 
the  mother  as  soon  as  they  leave  the  shell. 

As  soon  as  incubation  commences,  the  males  desert  the  females  and  keep 
in  small  flocks  by  themselves,  removing  to  different  woods,  where  they 
usually  liecome  much  more  shy  and  \\'ary  than  at  any  other  season  of  the 
year. 

In  their  movements  on  the  ground  these  birds  are  said  to  resemble  our 
common  (^)uail,  rather  than  the  Kufled  Grouse.  They  do  not  jerk  their  tails 
in  the  manner  of  the  latter  bird,  as  they  walk,  nor  are  they  known  to  burrow 
in  the  snow  ;  Init  when  they  are  pursueil  they  invariably  take  refuge  in  trees, 
from  which  they  cannot  be  readily  made  to  Hy.  When  driven  from  one 
place  of  refuge  to  another,  they  accompany  their  flight  with  a  few  ducks,  and 
those  sounds  they  repeat  when  they  alight.     Wlien  a  flock  thus  alights,  it 

VOL.  III.  53 


418  NORTH  AMKRICAN  BIllDS. 

limy  all  bo  readily  secured  by  a  little  precaution  and  pains.  It  is  said  that 
they  are  so  unwary  and  regardless  id'  the  near  jjiesence  of  man,  that  when 
thus  in  the  imagined  shelter  of  a  tree  tiiey  will  permit  themselves  to  be  aj)- 
l)roaelied,  tlie  whole  (luck  shut,  or  even  knocked  down  with  ii  stick.  Some- 
times they  may  all  lie  taken  alive,  one  alter  the  other,  by  means  of  a  noose 
afli.xed  to  the  end  of  a  long  pole. 

According  to  Audulion,  tlie  Canada  (irou.se  indicate  the  approach  of  rainy 
■weather  by  retiring  to  rocwt  at  an  unusual  time  in  the  day,  wiienever  a  storm 
is  impending.  If  observed  to  tly  up  to  their  roost  at  midday,  it  rarely  fails 
to  rain  or  snow  before  the  evening ;  and  ii",  on  the  contrary,  they  remain  busily 
engaged  in  search  of  food  until  sunset,  the  night  and  the  foUowing  morning 
are  pretty  sure  to  be  fresh  and  clear. 

The  young  of  this  Grouse  are  very  strong  and  active  from  the  moment  they 
are  hatcheil,  and  are  able  to  lly  at  a  very  early  age.  "Wlieii  in  Labrador,  ^Ir. 
Audubon  almost  walkeil,  by  accident,  upon  a  female  Canada  (Jrtaise,  sur- 
rounded by  her  young  brood.  This  was  about  the  middle  of  »ruly.  The 
affrighted  mother,  upon  perceiving  him,  rutlled  up  all  her  feathers  in  the 
manner  of  the  common  Hen,  and  advanced  close  to  him  as  if  determined  to 
defend  her  offspring.  Her  distressed  condition  claimed  his  forbearance,  and 
she  was  allowed  to  remain  in  safety.  As  soon  as  he  retired  she  smoothed 
down  her  plumage  and  uttered  a  tender  maternal  chuck,  when  the  little  ones 
took  to  their  wings  with  ease,  though  they  appeared  to  bo  not  more  than  one 
week  old. 

Mr.  Audubon  found  this  Grouse  moulting  as  early  as  the  20th  of  July. 
At  that  period  the  young  were  generally  already  able  to  lly  fully  a  hundred 
yards  in  a  single  flight.  They  alighted  on  low  trees  and  were  easily  taken 
alive. 

This  Grouse  feeds,  in  the  summer,  on  berries  of  various  kinds,  as  well  as 
upon  the  buds  and  leaves  of  se\eral  diiferent  kinds  of  plants  and  shrubs. 
In  the  autumn  they  gorge  themselves  with  the  berries  of  the  Solomon's  Seal. 
At  this  season  their  flesh  is  nmch  the  best.  In  tiie  winter,  when  they 
feed  on  the  buds  of  the  hackmatack  and  the  spruce  and  firs,  and  also 
upon  the  leaves  of  the  spruces,  as  stated  by  Eichardson,  they  have  a  bitter, 
disagreeable  taste,  and  are  hardly  fit  to  eat. 

This  G-rouse  may  be  readily  kept  in  confinement,  and  even  made  to  breed  ,■ 
there.     ]\Ir.  Tiiomas  Lincoln,  of  Dennysville,  fed  some  of  them  on  oats,  on 
which  food  they  appeared  to  thrive  very  well. 

The  eggs  of  this  food  vary  in  length  from  1.75  inches  to  1.68,  and  in 
breadth  from  1.22  to  1.20  inches.  Eggs  taken  at  Fort  Ecsolution,  by  Mr. 
Kennicott,  have  a  ground  of  a  deep  dull  cream-color,  shaded  with  ochre. 
Tliey  are  of  an  oblong-oval  shape,  speckled  and  marked  with  spots  of  a  dark 
chestnut-color.  In  these  specimens  tlie  spots  are  larger  towards  the  smaller 
end. 


TCTUADNID.K  —  TIIK  < iUuUSK 


419 


Canace  canadensis, 


viir. 


franklini,  Douglas. 


FBANKLiN'S  OB0U8E. 

Tilma  j'niitkNiii,  Doriii.As,  Trims.  I.inii.  Sue.  XVI,  1S-J!>,  i:!!i.  —  Itiiii.  F.  I  tor.  Am.  II, 
1831,  aiS,  |p1.  Ixi.  Il.\ii:ip,  I'.inis  N.  Am.  ISj.s,  (123.  —  I.oiin,  I'r.  !!.  A.  liisl.  IV, 
18(i4,  VS-i  (lii'twi'cn  Hdiky  Momitaiiis  and  (Uscadcs).  •— Okay,  t'at.  Hrit.  Mils.  1807, 
80.  — Cooi'KR  k  .Si  rKl.MY,  :i»il.  -  Cool'.  Orii.  Cal.  I,  1870,  5ai).  Tiinio  lumukims,  vur, 
IJoNAl'.  Am.  (liii.  Ill,  18.iii,  17,  jpI.  x.v.  iTrtnin  fusai,  ()v.\^.  (Jiithiif's  (icog.  (2il 
Am.  e<l.)  II,  18ir>,  317.  (liasfil  (111  .small  luiiwii  I'lica.siiiit  of  Lewis  A;  Clark,  II,  182, 
which  very  inoluilily  is  this  sjiccii's.)  Canaci:  franklini,  Kl.l.lor,  P.  A.  N.  8.  1804. 
—  In.  MciiKif;.  Tctraoii.  [il. 

Sp.  Char,  l^imil.-ir  to  C.  c«Hn(/e«.s(,v,  liui.  with  the  tiiil-teiUlii'rs  entirely  Mack,  without 
onm<;e-bi'o\vii  termiiml  bniicl ;  the  upper  tuil-covcrt.s  broniUy  tipped  witii  white.  The  tuil 
le.ss  rounded.     Wiiifr,  ".I!") ;  tail,  'j.d'J. 

Hah.  Northern  Hoeky  Mountaiii.s,  near  llie  Uniteil  Stute.s  boundary,  uiul  west  to  Coattt 
Kanjje. 

Tlie  ilifTevence  from  mnndcnsis  is  very  apprecialilo,  though  wc  cannot  con- 
sider it  as  of  siiecific  importance.  Tiiis  consist.s  chiefly  in  the  rather  longer, 
more  even  tail,  with  broader  feiithers,  which  are  pure  black  instead  of  very 
dark  brown,  and  entirely  without  the  orange  termhial  band.  The  white  .streaks 
on  the  scapidars  are  larger  terminally,  and  much  more  conspicuous,  and  the 
upper  tail-coverts  are  conspicuously  barred  terminally  with  white,  not  seen 
in  the  otlier.  The  female  differs  j'rom  that  of  cunadoms  in  the  white  bars 
at  the  ends  of  the  tail-coverts,  and  in  having  the  tail-feathers  tipped  with 
whitish  instead  of  oranjie-brown. 


C.  franUM. 


C.  canafiensis. 


Habits.  From  the  Kocky  ^fountains  to  the  Pacific,  and  from  Oregon  to 
high  northern  latitudes,  this  variety  replaces  tlie  common  Spruce  Partridge 
of  the  Eastern  Continent.  Sir  Jolm  Ikicliardson,  as  well  as  Mr.  Urummond, 
regarded  these  birds  as  oidy  ii  western  variety  of  the  cnnndoifiiii.  Tlie  latter, 
who  had  ample  opportunities  for  studying  the  mannci's  of  both,  was  nnable 
to  perceive  any  difference  between  them.  ]\Ir.  Douglas  took  a  different 
view,  though  he  admitted  that  tlieir  habits  were  essentially  the  same. 
Swainson  also  regarded  the  two  birds  as  distinct  species.     This  variety  is 


420  NOUTH  AMKKR'AN  JllKDS. 

stated  ly  Iiiclmnlsnii  to  iiiluiliit  tlio  valleys  nl'  ilic  itocky  IVrountrtiiiH,  from 
tlu)  scturci's  of  tlio  Missciiri  to  tliosi'  of  tlm  ■UiK'kt'iizio  ;  aiitl  on  tlit-  iiiitlioiity 
of  Mr.  Douylas,  it  in  also  to  lie  seen  spariiij;ly  oil  the  oliivated  iilatforiiis 
that  skirt  tlio  snowy  jieaks  of  Mount  iI(»o(l,  Mount  St.  Hcloiis,  an.  of  Mount 
IJukur,  wlii'rc  it  is  .said  to  run  over  tliu  slmttored  rocks  and  aiuonj,'  the  bni.sli- 
wood  with  ania/in,n  spcH'd,  only  usinjj;  its  wiiij,'s  as  a  last  (ilfort  to  cscapo. 
Mr.  Douglas  al.so  s  U-s  that  it  makes  its  nest  on  the  grouml,  of  dried  leaves 
antl  grass,  not  unfrequently  at  tiio  foot  of  decayed  stumps,  or  l>y  the  siile  of 
fallen  tindier  in  tht;  mountain  wood.s.  The  eggs  are  incorrectly  dcscrihcd  as 
of  a  dingy  whiteness  and  as  smaller  than  those  of  the  Kuropean  VohnnJia 
jifi/iniiliHH. 

J)r.  Suckley  found  this  Grouse  abundant  in  the  Iiocky  as  well  as  in  the 
iUttcrroot  and  the  Cascade  Mountains,  and  in  Washington  Territory,  near 
the  Yakima  Passes.  It  is  known  to  the  Indians  as  the  Ti/ci-hitll«-kiilla, 
meaning  tiie  t/iiitlrmon-hinf.  It  was  only  'ound  plentiful  in  the  eastern 
portion  of  Washington  Territory.  Specimens  of  this  species,  sent  by  Dr. 
Suckley  to  tiie  Smithsonian  In.stitution,  were  procured  by  Mullan  in  St. 
JMary's  Valley,  in  the  Ifocky  ilountains.  They  were  (juite  common  in  that 
region,  and  were  readily  obtainable,  as  they  were  very  tamo  and  unsusiacious. 
Mr.  George  Gibbs  informed  Dr.  Suckley  that  in  November,  1847,  ho  obtained 
in  the  Willamette  Valley  a  small  (house  that  may  probably  be  referred  to 
this  species. 

]\Ir.  Lord  thinks  thot  this  species  is  rarely  found  west  of  the  Cascades ;  but 
on  the  eastern  side  and  along  the  whole  district  lying  between  the  Cascades 
and  the  Itocky  Mountains  it  is  coii,.iion,  always  keeping  among  the  m(nm- 
tains,  to  the  height  of  .seven  thousand  feet.  He  regards  them  as  one  of  the 
most  stupid  of  birds.  When  sevcnd  are  Hu.shed  together,  they  tly  u])  into 
the  nearest  ]iine-tree,  from  which  you  cannot  frighten  them  with  sticks  and 
stones.  He  has  often  shot  several  in  a  tree  where  there  were  others  without 
the  latter  attem])ting  to  Hy  away.  During  the  winter  they  remain  in  the 
deej)  woods  and  .sheltered  ])lace.s,  and  feed  on  the  buds  of  the  pines.  They 
nest  in  early  ^Fay,  and  have  chickens  in  Jtine  and  July.  He  was  of  the 
ojjinion  that  these  l)irds  do  not  pair ;  but  from  the  large  number  of  females, 
as  comjjared  with  the  males,  he  thinks  they  are  polygamists. 

Cajjtain  Blakiston  considers  this  variety  to  be  confined  to  the  Rocky 
Mountains  and  the  country  between  that  range  and  the  Pacific.  He  met 
Mith  it  for  the  first  time  while  following  an  Indian  trail  through  a  thick  pine 
wood.s,  from  the  summit  of  the  Kootenay  I'ass  into  the  valley  of  the  Flathead 
River.  The  bird  arose  and  perched  itself  on  a  projecting  branch,  when  he 
was  at  once  struck  with  the  dissimilarity  to  the  Canada  Grouse,  which  was 
made  still  more  apparent  by  the  whiteness  of  its  flesh.  Afterwards  he 
procured  other  specimens.  He  describes  them  as  being  quite  as  unsuspicious 
and  stupid  as  the  Canada  Grouse,  allowing  themselves  to  be  shot  on  the 
trees  without  making  any  attempt  to  escape. 


TKTUAONIDvE-  THE  GUOUSE. 


421 


SiiKiENr.s  DENDRAGAPUS,   K 


I.I.IOT. 


/>,;„lm,j„,,us,  V.i.uuT,  V.  A.  N.  S.  i'hil„,l.  istil.     ,'iyp,..  'IMr.,,,  „hs,;<n>s,  Sav.) 

(iDV.  riiAii.      Tail  ,,!■   iwrnty  i;.„lli..|s,  inn.i.li.d,  mtli...'  largo  (about  two  tliinls  il.o 
will};)  ;  th.'  Icnthcrs  l.ioad  to  tlio  ti,H,  which  are  uhnost  trunuutftl.    A  coloiv.l  (ornngo  or 


litrao  obaeurus. 

yellow)  "  comb"  of  naked  skin  over  the  eye,  and  an  inflatable  air-sac  on  side  of  the  neck 
JNo  crest  or  other  unusual  plumes  about  the  head  or  neck. 

Species  and  Varieties. 
Cobsourus.  Above  nearly  uniform  pluinboous-du.ky,  minutely  mottled 
on  the  wnifTs.  Tail  uniform  bla.k,  with  or  without  a  l.j^hter  terminal  band 
and  sometuues  lin...ly  and  obseurely  mottled  above.  Lower  parts  nearly 
uniform  clear  plumbeous,  or  blackish-.hisky ;  a  dusky  half-collar  on  the 
throat;  chin  and  throat  white,  varie-ated  with  du.-ky.  Lcn<vth  about 
20.50;  winjr  0.40;  tail,  7.45.  Fe,naJe  smaller,  the  colors  more  variegated, 
with  tiie  dusky  less  continuous,  and  less  in  amount. 
A.  Tail  rounded,  with  a  distinct  terminal  band  of  clear  plumbeous. 

Above  brownish-a.«hy,  minutely  mottled  (transversely)  with  dusky 
and  to  a  less  e.xtent,  with  yellowish-browu.  Deneath  line  puroashy. 
Hab.  8ierra  Nevada  (from  Fort  Crook  southwards)  and  Rocky 
Mountains,  from  the  Uelljrate  re.rion  to  New  Mexico  .  var.  obscurus 
Above  brownish-black,  minutely  and  sparsely  mottled  with 
slate  and  rusty-brown.  Ber.ath  dark  plumbeo,;.  (In  northern 
specimens,  especially  in  females  from  Ritka,  much  washed  with 
dark  castaneous-rusty.)  Hab.  Northwest  coast  mountains  from 
Oregon  to  Sitka        .        .        .  „„,.    e    ,.    . 

yai:  /uliffinosus. 


422 


NORTH  AMEItlCAN  IJIHDS. 


B>  Tail  noail)'  oven,  and  without  any  ti-nninal  lifjhtor  Imml,  or  clso  havinj;  it 

badly  defiiRMJ. 

Colors,  in  oilier  respects,  of  var.  nhsciir)i.i,  l>ut  elioeks,  etc.,  less 
dusky,  llab.  Koeky  Mountains  ol'  liritisii  America,  south  to  the 
Yellowstone  and  Ilellgatc  region  of  United  States  (where  grading 
into  var.  (»ft.s'CH)'».s)        ......  var.  r  ichurdson  i . 


Canace  obscurus,  vur.  obscurus,  Say. 

DUSKY  GBOUSE. 

Tetmo  obseiirits.  Say,  Long's  E.xped.  H.  Mts.  II,  1823,  14. —  Box.  Mon.  Trtrnn,  Am.  Phil. 
Tiuns.  Ill,  im\  ;5itl.  — III.  Am.  Oni.  111,1830,  jil.  .will.  -  U.uud,  Birds  N.  Am. 
1858,  0-20.  —  .Sci,.  r.  Z.  .S.  1858,  1.— CiiAY,  Cut.  Brit.  Mu,s.  V,  1807.  86.  —  Coop. 
Orii.  Cal.  1,  1870,  520  (in  jiart).  Vdniice.  olmiira,  Bonap.  Comptes  liciulus,  XLV, 
1857,  428.  JktiUmijdjnts  uhsciirus,  Ki.i.ior,  P.  A.  N.  S.  1804,23.  —  In.  Jlouog. 
Ti'traoii.  pi. 

Sp.  CiiAK.     Male  (19,101,  Doer  Creek,  Neb.,  Fob.   13;  G.    II.  Trook.)     Ground-color 
above  slaty-black,  but  this  almost  completely  overlaid  by  a  minute,  transverse  mottling 


Camirr  obsciintn. 

of  bluish-!\.sh,  —  pale  brown  on  .scapulars  and  secondaries,  —  mostly  on  terminal  portion 
of  the  feather.s.  Scapulars  with  a  conspicuous  .shall-strcak  and  terminal  spot  of  white. 
Terminal  band  of  tail  .sharply  and  abruptly  defined,  pure  pale  bluish-ash.  and  1.50  inches 
in  width.  Tail  slightly  rounded  (about  .80).  Jiower  parts  line  bluish-a.sliy,  becoming 
lighter  posteriorly,  mor(>  plmiibeous  anteriorly.  On  the  sides  of  the  juguliim  the  feathers 
snowy-white  beneath  the  surface,  and  this  nmch  cxpo.sed,  producing  a  somewhat  broken 
but  conspicuous  patch.  Throat  while,  with  transverse  creseentic  bars  of  dusky ;  this 
barred  white  curving  upward  to  the  auriculars,  behind  a  uniformly  blackish  malar  patch ; 
lores  and  post-ocular  region  with  distinct  white  spots,  producing  an  inconspicuous  stripe 
from  the  bill  through  the  eye.  All  the  feathers  of  the  lower  jiarts  margined  terminally 
with  white,  this  growing  broad  on  the  Hanks  and  crissinu,  the  former  of  which  have  a 
more  browni.sli  and  mottled  s.  ouiid.  and  broad  white  .shaft-stripes.  Lining  of  wing 
almost  wholly  white.  Tarsi  ashy-white.  Length,  2 LOO;  wing,  10.00;  tail,  8.00;  tarsus, 
1.80 ;  middle  toe,  1.80. 


TETRAOXID.E-TIIK   GROUSE.  403 

Female  (')S,'X]n,  T'iuliili  Mountains,  July  '>,  ISdS;  ]{.  Ridijway).  Souu'wliat  similar  to 
mtile  ill  pnttoin,  Duslcy-hliiciv  abow,  luucU  lirokon  liy  narrow  transverse  bars  ofyellowisli- 
I)ro\vn ;  tliese  liroad,  reu'ular,  ami  sliarply  delined  anteriorly,  jiosleriorly  broken  and 
mottled,  ^[iddle  tail-l'ealiiers  nuieii  mottled,  obseurini,'  llie  ashy  tip:  ash  beneath  un- 
liroken  only  on  the  alidomen  ;  the  juj;nlum,  sides,  ete..  having'  transverse  bars  of  yellowish- 
lirown.     Winir,  H.70;  tail,  (i.Od. 

Yoiiiiy  (r)8.(i.")8,  rinlah  Mountains,  July  5,  18(iS;  R.  ItidLTway).  .Vbove  yellowish- 
brown,  the  teatheis  with  eouspienons  slialt-streaks  and  deltoid  terminal  spots  ol'  white; 
both  webs  with  large,  transverse,  rou'.dish  .spots  of  blai'k  ;  .seeondaries  with  si.x  bands  of 
black  and  white,  both  broken,  however,  by  eoarse  inoltliii<,'s ;  tail  like  the  seeondaries. 
lieneath  dull  whitish:  juj;uhnn  and  sides  with  rounded  spots  of  black,  tho.se  on  oppositi^ 
Webs  not  joininir.  Head  yellowish-white,  crown  spotted  with  black:  an  indistinct  du.sky 
stripe  over  lores  and  upper  edgu  of  aurieulurs. 

H.vii.  Rocky  Mountain  reirion  of  tht;  I'nited  States,  principally  .south  of  South  Pass, 
and  Sierra  Nevada,  north  to  Orcf^on  and  south  to  San  I'ranci.sco  Mountain.s,  New  Mexico. 

Tlio  "  Dusky  CSiouso"  fiouied  and  described  by  Mr.  Audubon  of  this  spe- 
cies, is  not  the  bird  of  Say,  nor  based  on  specimens  collected  by  Town- 
scud.  The  figures  were  probably  taken  from  the  skins  in  possession  of  Mr. 
Sabine,  referred  to  by  ]>onai)arte  in  American  Oruitliolooy  (Vol.  Ill,  1 828, 
ilO),  which  Sabine  proposed  to  name  after  liichardson.  Doujflas,  in  descriliing 
hi.s  Tdmo  richanlsoni,  quotes  "  Sabine  MSS.,"  but  does  not  descril)e  his  speci- 
mens, and,  as  far  as  his  incomplete  description  goes,  seems  to  have  had  the 
true  T.  obscnnis  before  him.  liicliiirdson's  description  and  figure  belong  to 
tiie  second  species,  the  same  with  Audubon's.  Wilson's  figures,  in  Illustra- 
tions of  Zoi'tlogy,  1831  (plates  xx.x,  xx.xi),  arc  taken  from  specimens  received 
from  Mr.  Sabine,  of  the  same  species,  but  in  diiferent  and  less  perfect 
jdumage  than  Mr.  Audubon's. 

Habits.  This  species  was  first  discovered  and  described  by  Say  in  1820, 
though  its  existence  had  previously  been  known  to  the  fur-trappers.  Its 
food  consists  of  various  berries,  and  the  flesh  is  said  to  be  very  palatable. 

Dr.  Newberry  i)ronounccs  this  (house  decidedly  the  handsomest  of  all  the 
American  birds  of  this  family  ;  its  flesh  white,  and  fully  equal  to  that  of  the 
eastern  KuH'ed  Grouse  or  (^)uail.  It  is  said  to  inlial)it  the  cvei-grecn  forests 
excltisively,  and  to  be  found  not  uncommonly  in  the  Sierm  Nevada,  as  well 
as  in  the  wooded  districts  of  the  country  lying  between  the  Sacramento  Val- 
ley and  the  Colund)ia.  In  the  Cascade  Mountains  Dr.  Newberry  found  it 
iLssociated  with  the  Ifulfcd  (irouso,  which  it  resembles  in  habits  more  tlian 
iiny  other  species.  Wben  on  the  ground  they  lie  very  clo,sc,  flying  nj>  from 
your  very  feet  as  y  jii  a])proach  them,  and,  when  llusht  1,  always  take  to  a 
tree,  from  which  they  cannot  be  dislodged  except  by  shooting  them.  In  the 
s])ring  the  nude  sits  motionless  on  a  Itrancli  of  a  ])ine  or  ,.  jpruee,  and  uttei-s 
a  booming  call,  which,  by  its  remarkable  ventrilo(|uiiil  powers,  seems  rather 
to  mislead  than  to  direct  the  sportsniiin,  uidess  he  is  experienced  in  shooting 
tiiis  kind  of  Grouse. 

Mr.  George  Gil)bs  informed  Dr.  Suckley  that  he  has  mot  with  the  Dusky 
Grouse  as  far  .south  as  the  Itussian  IJiver  Mountains,  in  California,  and  found 


424  NOllTII  AMERICAN  lilllDS. 

it  also  common  on  the  east  sitle  of  the  (Cascades,  as   far  north  as  the  49th 
IKinillel. 

Dr.  Coojicr's  account  of  these  birds  is  substantially  similar  to  the  account 
given  by  Dr.  Suckley  of  the  fill  i(/ino-'iits.  Ifu  found  it  common  in  most  of 
the  forests,  especially  in  the  dense  sjiruce  woods  near  the  coast.  It  was 
rarely  seen  on  the  open  prairie.  In  tlie  dense  woods  it  was  exceedingly 
dillicult  to  detect.  During  ^lay,  near  the  coast,  and  till  August,  on  the 
mountains,  the  low  tooting  of  this  Grouse  was  heard  everywhere,  .sounding 
something  like  the  cooing  of  a  rigeoii,  but  in  the  same  deep  tone  as  the 
drumming  of  the  I'ulfed  (Irouse.  Dr.  Cooper  also  mentions  its  remarkable 
powers  of  ventriloipiisn',  so  that  while  the  bird  may  be  sitting  on  a  tree 
directly  over  your  head  ilie  sound  seems  to  come  from  jilaces  (^lite  remote. 

Dr.  Woodhouse  states  that  tlie  Dusky  (irouse  is  found  among  the  moun- 
tains about  Santa  Fe,  in  New  Mexico. 

This  (irouse  was  lirst  met  with  by  ^Ir.  llidgway  on  the  Sierra  Nevada,  in 
the  vicinity  of  Carson  City,  where  it  was  seen  in  the  possession  of  Indians 
who  had  been  hunting  on  tlie  mountains.  It  was  found  on  the  East  Hum- 
boldt Mountains,  in  the  month  of  Sei>tember,  and  at  that  time  occurred  in 
small  docks,  consisting  chiefly  of  young  l)irds,  and  probably  composed  of 
single  families.  Afterwards,  in  the  summer  of  18(j!l,  it  was  found  in  consider- 
able abundance  in  Parley's  Park,  a  few  miles  from  Salt  Lake  City.  It  there 
chietly  inhaltited  the  coi)ses  ^f  scrub-oaks  along  the  lower  border  of  conifer- 
ous woods.  In  July  it  was  found  in  the  Uintah  Mountains  in  very  great 
abundance,  and  for  a  while  formed  the  chief  subsistence  of  the  party. 
It  was  there  known  as  the  Mo\nitain  (irouse.  Nothing  very  distinctive  was 
ascertained  in  regard  to  its  habits,  except  that  it  was  .said  to  resemble  very 
closely,  in  manners,  the  Pulled  (irouse.     Its  ile.sh  was  excellent  eating. 

Dr.  Suckley,  in  a  series  of  papers  on  the  Grouse  of  the  United  States 
which  were  read  before  the  New  York  Lyceum  in  LSfiO,  states  that  this  spe- 
cies probably  extend  their  range  to  (juite  a  distance  south  of  latitude  40° 
along  the  line  of  the  Pocky  jMountains,  in  New  Mexico.  This  writer  claim- 
ed to  have  met  with  them  near  Pike's  Peak,  in  the  Cheyenne  Pass,  and  in 
1853  he  found  them  in  great  numbers  in  Lewis  and  Clarke's  Pass,  west  of 
Fort  IJenton.  lie  also  found  them  abundantly  in  Oregon  and  on  the  slopes 
of  the  Cascade  and  Coast  Eanges,  extending  wherever  pine  or  fir  timber 
occurs,  to  the  very  borders  of  the  ocean.  The  Black  Hills,  in  Nebraska,  he 
gives  {IS  their  mo.st  eastern  limit. 

The  same  author  corrects  the  statements  of  Douglas  as  to  certain  habits 
of  this  sjjecies.  The  nuiles  are  said  not  to  be  particularly  pugnacious,  and 
very  rarely  forsake  the  boughs  of  the  pine  or  fir  trees  for  a  rocky  eminence. 
They  feed  on  berries  only  during  a  brief  season  in  autumn,  at  all  other  times 
of  the  year  sulisisting  upon  the  leaves  of  the  pine  and  fir,  especially 
those  of  the  Douglas  Fir.  This  food  imparts  a  strong  resinous  flavor  to  the 
flesh  of  this  (irouse,  which,  however,  is  not  unpleasant,  and  after  a  while  be- 


TETRAOXID.E  — THE  GROUSE.  425 

eonips  (|uite  attractive  to  tlie  epicure.  The  iDvc-iuitcs  of  this  bird  arc  r>aicl 
to  he  deep,  soi't,  phiiutive,  hut  luiiiiusical,  ami  rcseinliUi  the  wliirrinj,'  soumls 
made  by  p.  rattan,  swiiiij;-  ra])i(lly  and  in  j(!rks  tlirou>,'li  tlie  air.  These  notes 
usually  l)()j,nn  the  first  week  in  March.  The  y()nn<j;  are  altle  to  liy  feebly  by 
the  first  of  'Fuly.  ]'>y  the  last  of  AiiiL,nist  tlun*  have  attained  tiieir  full  size. 
In  the  winter  tiiey  retire  to  the  to]is  of  the  loftiest  firs,  where  they  ])u.ss 
the  season  in  an  almost  immovable  state  of  hibernation.  IJetween  July  and 
winter  they  may  be  readily  shot.  Once  rai.sed,  tliey  invarialily  ily  to  trees. 
They  heed  but  little  the  report  of  a  j^un  unle.ss  they  have  been  wounded. 
Their  tlesh  is  said  to  be  midway  between  the  color  of  the  Pinnated 
and  the  liufl'ed  Grouse,  ])artakinj,'  (jf  their  ^'ood  qualities,  but  surpassing 
either. 

The  e<,'<fs  of  this  S])ccies  are  oval  in  sha])e ;  one  end  is  a  little  more  obtuse 
than  the  other.  Tiie  ground  is  of  a  i)ale  cream-color,  and  is  marked  with 
small  rounded  sjjots  of  reddish-brown.  These  are  more  numerous  and  larger 
towards  the  larger  end.  They  measure  l.'J5  inciies  in  length  and  1.45  in 
breadth. 

Canax3e  obscurus,  var.  fuliginosus,  Ridgway. 

0KE60N  DUSKT  OB0U8E. 

?  Tctrno  ohsnirun,  NKWisicunv,  P.  1!.  li.  Rcjit.  VI,  iv,  18.")7,  0:3.  —  Conr.  k  SucKr..  219.  — 
Li)l!l),  IV.  1!.  A.  Inst.  IV,  122  (liiitisli  Columbia).  —  I ).\i,i,  k  IJanm.stkii,  Trans. 
Chicago  Ac.  I,  18Gi),  287  (Alaska). —Fin.sch,  Ab.  Xat.  Ill,  1872,  61  (Alaska). 

Sp.  Cii.vu.  Boneatli  jilaiii  daik  pliunlicous,  without  whitish  hnnlcrs  to  tlio  fuather-s 
except  on  Hanks  and  eris.-nm ;  whole  iieail  almost  nniloinily  plain  ihisky-hlaek.  Tarsi 
dark  plnmheons.     Winur,  !>.5();  tail,  l.'ti);  tarsns,  1.7");  inid<lle  too,  l.Sil. 

Female  (ll,82(i,  Chiloweynck  Depot,  Wa.shiii}i;toii  Territory,  Anj:.  G,  18.')8  ;  C.  B. 
Kennerly).  Aliove  black,  broken  by  transverse  mottlings  of  bright  reddi.sh-brown  or 
rul'oiis;  the.se  eonfnsed  posteriorly,  Init  in  Ibrni  ol'  I'egnlar  transverse  bars  anteriorly. 
Below  <lnsky-phinibeon.s,  plain  on  abiloiuen,  witii  sagittate  spots  on  jnguluni,  and  deltoid 
ones  on  the  (lanks,  etc.,  of  reddisii-while.     Length,  20.0t) ;  wing,  8..'J0  ;  tail,  G.30. 

AdiiU  male  (4,5(1-),  Ca.seaile  Monntains,  Dr.  Newberry).  Above  plain  fiiliginou.s-black, 
the  mottlings  scarcely  apparent.  No  white  markings  on  scapulars  ;  tail-band  deep 
phnnbeou.s.  oidy  .(!0  wide,  but  well  defined. 

Yuiiiif/  (11,S27,  Chiloweyuek  Depot),  .^^iniilar  to,  but  much  more  reddi.li  liuiu,  ^uu.ig 
of  var.  ohsciiriis. 

TIah.    Northwest  coast  region,  from  Oregon  to  Sitka. 

A  mule  (4G,07(I,  May,  ISfifj;  Bisehotr)  from  .Sitka  is  nmeh  mottled  with 
bright  reddish-rusty  on  'he  dorsal  region,  and  washed  with  the  same  on  the 
forehead.  (Tail-band  .GO  of  an  inch  wide).  A  female  (40,(173,  .Sei)t.,  18GG) 
from  same  locality  is  so  strongly  washed  with  dark,  almost  eastaneous,  ferru- 
ginous as  to  a])i)ear  mostly  of  this  color  above,  this  being  very  bright  on 
the  crown  and  forehead. 

Habit.s.     This  race  is  the  more  northern  and  northwestern  coast  form  of 
vol,.  III.  64 


426  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

the  Dusky  Grouse,  and  is  found  from  the  rohimbia  Iiiver  and  British  Colum- 
bia to  Alaska.  According  to  1  )r.  Suckley,  it  i.s  jicnerally  known  as  the  Blue 
Grouse  in  Ore,i,'on,  and  is  also  called  tlie  Pine  Grouse,  as  well  as  the 
Dusky  Grouse.  He  met  witii  it  for  the  first  time  wlien  his  J)arty  had 
reached  tlio  main  cliain  of  the  IJocky  Mountains,  and  where  tliey  found  it 
exceediujily  aljundant,  as  afterwards  in  the  l»lue  ^lountains  of  Oregon,  the 
Cascade  Mountains,  and  in  all  the  timbered  country  between  the  Coast 
Itange  ami  tlie  Pacific  Ocean.  Aliout  the  middle  of  Xovendjer  these  birds 
are  .said  to  entirely  disappear,  and  it  is  very  i-are  to  meet  with  even  a  .single 
individual  between  that  jjcriod  and  tiie  2(lth  of  the  following  !March.  As  to 
tlieir  whereiibouts  during  this  period  there  is  a  great  difl'erence  of  opinion 
among  the  settlers.  Some  maintain  that  they  are  migratory  and  retire  to 
the  south.  t)thers  are  of  the  opinion  that  they  retire  to  the  tops  of  the 
highest  evergieen  trees,  where  they  pass  the  cold  season  in  a  state  of  partial 
torpor  among  tlie  thickest  foliage  of  the  branches.  As  these  T)irds  are  known 
to  subsist  on  the  leaves  of  the  Coniffrrv,  and  can  always  obtain  sufficient 
water  from  tlie  snow  and  rain-drops  to  sujijdy  their  wants,  Dr.  Suckley  was 
inclined  to  favor  the  latter  explanation  of  their  absence.  He  saw  one  of 
these  birds  on  the  ground  during  a  fall  of  snow,  in  January,  near  the  Nis- 
qually  lUver,  in  Washington  Territory,  and  he  was  informed  that  a  hunter 
near  Olympia,  whose  eyesight  was  remarkably  excellent,  was  able,  any 
day  during  the  winter,  to  obtain  several  birds  by  searching  carefully  for  them 
among  the  tree-tops  of  the  tallest  and  most  thickly  leaved  firs.  This  requires 
much  better  eyesight  than  most  men  possess,  for  these  birds  are  of  a  sombre 
hue,  crowd  very  clo.sely  to  the  limb,  and  sit  there  immovable.  They  are 
therefore  veiy  difficult  to  find  among  the  dense  branches. 

The  first  indication  of  their  ])re.sence  in  spring  is  the  courting  call  of  the 
male.  Tliis  is  a  jirolonged  sound,  resembling  the  whir  of  a  rattan  cane 
moved  rapidly  through  tlie  air.  This  is  repeated  severcal  times  with  consid- 
erable rapidity,  and  then  stops  for  a  brief  interval.  This  is  said  to  be  pro- 
duced by  the  alterniite  inflation  and  contraction  of  sacs,  one  on  each  side 
of  the  throat,  which  are  usually  concealed  by  the  feathers,  and  are  covered 
by  an  orange-colored,  thick,  corrugated  skin.  At  Fort  Steilacoom  these  birds 
were  very  abundant  during  the  spring  and  early  sunniier,  and  were  mostly 
confined  to  the  forests  of  firs.  Later  in  the  season,  and  after  hatching,  they 
are  more  generally  found  on  the  ground  in  search  of  berries  and  seeds. 
When  alarmed,  they  seek  safety  among  the  dense  foliage  of  the  trees,  .seem- 
ing instinctively  to  understand  the  advantage  of  thus  hiding.  He  has  known 
an  entire  flock  of  five,  concealed  among  the  ferns  and  grass,  to  be  shot  one  by 
one,  without  an  attempt  being  made  by  a  single  individmd  to  fly.  This 
Grouse  is  said  to  be  a  very  fine  table  bird,  its  pine  taste  only  adding  to  its 
game-flavor.     Their  full  weight  is  from  2  J  to  3i  pounds. 

Dr.  Cooper  never  met  with  the  nest  of  eggs  of  either  of  the  races  of  the 
Dusky  Grouse,  but  in  June  flocks  of  half-grown  young  were  killed  by  the 


TETRAOXID.E  —  TMK   GROrSE. 


427 


Indians  near  rnfjet  Sound  In  winter  thi-y  were  so  rarely  seen  west  of  the 
mountains  that  tliey  are  lielieved  to  kee]>  entirely  in  the  trees.  In  October, 
lSr)3,  he  saw  a  Hock  running  throuj,fh  the  snow  near  the  Spokane  Plains, 
one  of  which  was  shot ;  but  he  never  afterwards  met  with  any  in  the 
winter. 

Mr.  J.  K.  Lord  found  this  (Jrouse  almost  exclusively  on  the  western  side 
of  the  Iiocky  Mountains.  It  a])i)eared  at  Vancouver,  .  Nisqually,  and 
along  tiie  banks  of  the  Fraser  Kivcr,  about  the  end  of  March,  the  male  bird 
aiuiouncing  liis  coming  l»y  a  kind  of  love-song.  This  is  a  booming  noise, 
repeated  at  short  intervals,  and  so  deceptive  tiiat  Mr.  Lord  has  often  stood 
mider  tlie  tree  where  the  bird  was  jicrched  and  imagined  the  sound  came 
from  a  distance. 

Mr.  Nuttall  found  this  Grouse  breeding  in  the  shady  forests  of  the  region 
of  the  Columbia,  wliere  he  saw  or  heard  them  throughout  the  summer.  He 
describes  the  tooting  made  by  the  male  as  rescndiling  the  sound  caused  by 
blowing  into  the  bung-hole  of  a  l)arrel.  They  breed  on  the  ground,  and  are 
said  to  keep  the  brood  together  all  winter. 

Town.send  describes  the  eggs  as  numerous,  of  a  cinereous-brown  color,  blunt 
at  both  ends,  and  small  for  the  l)ird.  Tlie  actions  of  the  female,  when  the 
young  are  following  her,  are  said  to  be  exactly  similar  to  those  of  the  Ruffed 
Grouse,  employing  all  the  artifices  of  that  bird  in  feigning  lameness,  etc.,  to 
draw  off  intruders. 


Canace  obscurus,  var.  richardsoni,  Douglas. 

BICHABDSON'S  DUSKT  OBOTTSE. 

Tetrao  obsciinis,  Avr^.  Oiii.  Pjioj;.  IV,  1S38,  M4G,  i.l.  teciw.  -  lD.»Syn.  1839,  283.  —  In. 
B.  Am.  I,  1842,  89.  -  Nutt.  Oiii.  I,  1840,  t)09.  —  Swain.s.  F.  H.  A.  II,  1831,  344,  pi. 
lix,  1.x.  'I'llrao  rich((rilmn!,  Dori.i,.  Limi.  Trims.  XVI,  141.  —  Lonn,  Pr.  K.  A.  I. 
IV,  122  (iH'twci'ii  C'liscade  and  Kocky  Mountains).  —  C.it.w,  Cat.  B.  Brit.  Miis.  V,  1867, 
86.  iJcndmiiapm  rk/um/soui,  Ki.i.ioT,  P.  A.  X.  S.  1864,  23.  —  lu.  Moiiog.  Tetraon. 
]il.  —  Wii.sos,  Ilhist.  1831,  pi.  XXX,  xxxi. 

S['.  CiiAH.  Tail-foatlRT.*  broad  and  nearly  truncated  :  tail  almost  perfectly  square,  and 
black  to  the  tip,  with  tlio  torniinal  band  cither  only  faintly  indicated  or  entirely  wantiufr; 
ill  all  other  respects  exactly  like  var.  ob.icnni.1.  Male  (1S,;J!»7,  Browns  Cut  off.  N. 
Roc'ky  Mountains ;  Lieutenant  Mullan).  Length,  about  20.00;  wing-,  9.00;  tail,  7.30; 
tarsus,  1.70:  middle  toe,  l.So.  Fem,ilo  (1S,:!98,  forty  miles  west Of  Fort  Benton; 
Lieutenant  Mullan).     AVing,  8.00;  tail,  0.00;  tarsus,  l.GO;  middle  toe.  l.fiO. 

Il.vn.  Rocky  Jlountains  of  British  America,  .south  to  the  Yellowstone  and  Hollgate 
region  of  tlie  United  States. 

No.  18,377,  Ilellgate,  and  otiiers  from  localities  where  this  form  and  var. 
ohsruriin  approach  each  other,  have  the  terminal  zone  of  the  tail  of  the  usual 
width,  and  even  sharply  defined  ;  but  it  is  so  dark  as  to  be  scarcely  dis- 
tinguishable from  the  ground-color. 


428  XORTir  AMEIUC.VN  HIRDS. 

llAmrs.     Tn  iv<rar.l  1..  distinctive  i.oculiaritie.s  in  l,i,l.it.s  and  manners 
of  this  i(n-in  (.niroase,  if  it  ])ossosses  any,  (nir  inlbrniation  is  qnite  limited' 
In  Its  external  inarkin-s  and  in  si/e  it  ai)i.ears  to  be  readily  distin.niisjuil.le 
from  the  T.  (Hmnrm  either  speeitically  m  as  a  well-marked  interior  race 
Mr.  J.   Iv.   Lord  refers  to  it  in  his  acconnt  of  the  oh>^vHvm,  where  he  states 
tlint  hetween  the  Cascades  an.l  the  Ifocky  INfonntains  the  Dusky  Grouse 
ai.].ears  t.,  1.,!  rei.laced  by  a  well-marked  variety,  if  not  a  distinct  species     In 
size  It  IS  a   trille  smaller,  but  the  -reat  mark  of  distincli.m  is  the  entire 
absence  of  the  white  band  at  the  end  of  the  tail.     In  their  habits,  in  their 
l-onods  (,i  arrival  and  departure,  or  rather  of  a].].earance  and  disai.pearance 
the  two  varieties  are  pronounced  to  be,  in  every  re.s].ect,  similar.     Jn  re.>ard 
to  their  unexplained  di-sappearance  and  reappearance,  iAIr.  Lord  is  of^the 
opinion  that  these  birds  do  n.^t   migrate,  l.ut  only  retire  into  the  thickest 
trees,  and,  living  on  the  buds,  pass  the  winter  thus  sheltered  in  the  tree- 
tops. 

Captain  IJlakiston  thinks  that  this  si.ecies  is  the  form  that  inhabits  the 
interior  of  I5ritisli  North  America,  and  refers  the  figure  of  the  male  in 
Kichardson's  Fmum  to  the  rh'har,hmi,~i\^^  I5Iack-tailed  and  smaller  species 
In  his  wanderings  he  met  with  these  birds  only  in  or  near  the  pine  woods 
on  the  slopes  of  the  Kocky  Mountains;  but,  having  killed  only  females  he 
could  not  feel  certain  of  the  species.  These  (irousc  range  towards  the 
laeihc  as  far  as  the  Cascade  Mountains  of  Oregon  and  British  Columbia 
and  along  the  Jiocky  Mountains  from  the  head-waters  of  the  I'latte  to  the 
Liard  Eiver,  a  tributary  of  the  Mackenzie.  When  the  ranges  of  the  two 
species  are  fully  defined,  he  thinks  the  T.  rkhanhonl  will  be  found  the 
more  northern  bird. 

The  eggs  of  Tdmo  rivhmUoni  are  very  similar,  except  in  size,  to  those  of 
the  ofer^^nw,  resembling  them  closely  in  their  ground-color,  as  well  as  in  their 
markings.  In  ^  the  specin;eiis  in  ti.e  cabin(;t  of  ihe  Boston  Nafural'Hislory 
Society  the  .s])ots  are  smaller,  a  little  less  distinct,  and  less  numerous. 
The  eggs  are  1.75  inches  in  length,  and  from  L3o  to  L3G  inches  in  breadth. 

Genus  CENTROCERCUS,  Swaixson. 

Ccnlroccrcus.  Swain-.son-,  F.  H,  A.  II.  1831,  49(;.     (Typ,.,  Tetrao  uvoplumanus,  Bon.) 

Gns-.  C„AR.     Tail  o.xr,..sively  lo,ifr,l,o,R.,I  (lon.iror  than  tl„>  winj?,-),  ouneate,  tho  feathers    ' 
a  1  hmceolnto  and  attoauato.    Lowe,-  tliroat  an.l  ..i.kvs  of  the  nook  with  ..tinene.l,  apparently 
a  .raded,  spnunts  foather.s.     Xasal  fossa,  e.xtending  very  far  forward,  or  along  about  two 
tlnnls   of  tho    cuhnen.      Color  niottlo.l    ydlowish-j^^rayish    and    dti.skv    above;    beneath 
wh>t,..h  with  blaek  abdominal  patch.     Stomach  not  muscular,  but  soft;  as  in  the  Raptorial 


TETRAONID.E  — THE  GROUSE.  ^29 

Centrocercus  urophasianus,  (J!on.)  sw. 

SAGE-COCK ;    COCK  OF  THE  PLAINS. 

Triran  iiroii/ifisi,,,,,)^,  lioxAl'.  /uol.  .lour.  HI,  Jan.  ]S28,  211.  --  In.  Am.  Oin.  HI,  1830 
111.  xxi,  r.  1.  -III.  .M„ii.  n/niu,  in  Tmn.s.  Am.  Phil.  Soc.  N.  S.  Ill  isyo  y<t(i  -' 
l)..iT,i,.is,  Tnins.  l,inn.  S..c.  XVI,  182!),  IIW.  -  X.nT.vu.,  Man.  I,  1832,  U.i.i.'-An. 
<>.n.  liioy.  IV,  1838,  ;^(.3,  ,,1.  ,rd.vxi.  _  In.  IJinls  AnuT.  V.  1842,  Km,  ,,1.  c.xcvii  _ 
.\i;wi.i:iii;v,   Zunl   Caj.  &  o,,  i(,„„„,    |.,.,,  ,.   ,.    ,;    j.,„,^,   y,^   ^^.^   j^^.^^  ^^        ^^^^ 

Cal,.  ,1.  VI,  18.-i8,  431.  -  Wm.sun.  Il|„st.  1831,  ,,1.  .xxvi,  .x.xvii.      yw„,„  ,r,,,,,„«.cv;.; 
»nv</,„,sw„«,v,   Sw.    I.'.  I5.,i-.  Am.    II,    1831,  3.W,  pi.  Iviii.  -  (;,t.vy,  Cat.  li.  li.it    M«s 

III,   4<i,  1844.-  n.\ ,   liirds  .N.   Am.  1858,  (124.-    r,mv.   &  Siciil..    222. -,Uiii) 

(iamc   Hiids,   Nat.    I.ik    IV,    140,    |.l.   .wii.  —  Ki.Mc.r,    I'.   A.   X.   S,  lS(i4         —  Ib 
MonoK.  'IVtiaon.  i.l.-(in.\Y,    I'at.    IJiit.    .Mus.  V,  18t;7,  87.  -- (•oo|..'&  Siru.  222. — 
<'o')l'.  Orn.  Cal.  1,  1870,  .-,3(>.     ('a,/,wn-i(.s  i,m/,/„'.wnu,.i,  J.viiinxi;,  Cam.'  liinls,  Xat 
Lit..   Itinls,  IV,  140,  pi.  .xvii.     //  7V//v,»  phmHiidhoi,  Oiti),  (iuthilr'.s  (!,.,.«.  (2a  Am 
e.l.)  II,   ISl.'i,    317,  luiscd  on   Lewis  &   Clark,    II,  181.     Cock-  u/ t/u- I'/uhH,  Uwi.s  & 

(-'I..\1!K,    II,    180,    Sp.    2. 

Sp.  Cmak  Tail-ll.aliu.i-s  twenty.  Ahovc  vari...!  with  hlack,  i;iavisli-l,row.i,  an.l 
MowM,si-y..llnw  ;  .ovort..  havi,,.^-  all  tin.  h.atlM.rs  ..troak.Ml  with  the  latter,  lienoafh 
Lad<;  th,.|,r..a.stwl>,l,.;  th.M,,,,„.r  li'alluM.s  with  spiny  ..halLs ;  the  lower  streaked  with 
nlaek;  tail-e„vertswilli  white  tips;  Hie  si,le«  also  with  niueii  white.  Afale.  Len.'th  ;!;iOO- 
WM,n,  i;j,.U;  tail,  l;!.00.  Fe>nal..  Length.  21. 5();  winj,,  10.75;  tail,  7.50.  C/M 
(  pper  suHaee  hrownish-f^ray,  lower  .rayish-whi.e.  Above  irre^jularly  an.l  eoarsely 
niarl.le.l  with  hiaek,  the  markings  most  .■oiispieiious  on  the  head.  Bill  black. 
II.M).    Artemisiti,  or  sa<,'e,  plains  of  tiie  .Vorthwest. 

irAitiT.s.     Tlie  Cock  of  tlie  Plains  aj^peair,  to  bo  confined  to  dry  and 
steiilo  regions,  from  tlie  Black   Hills  to  Calitornia  and   Ore-on  and  from 
15ntisl.  (/olnnil.ia  nearly  to  xVrizona,  but  only  in  tbo.se  portio.is  of' the  jjlaius 
111  which  the  Arfnmsi,,,  or  saoe,  abounds.     It  ,\va.s  met  with  by  .Townsend 
ior  the  first  tiniA  about  fifty  miles  west  of  the  Black  Hills.    He  did  not  find 
them  111  the  valley  of  the  Snake  Iii\er,  but  .saw  them  aj-ain  at  Wallah-W^il 
lull,  on  the  banks  of  the  Columbia,  and  near  the  mouth  of  tlie  Lewis  h'iver 
He  only  found  it  on  the  ].lains  that  produce  the  wormwood,  on  which  plant 
It  feeds,  and  in  consequence  of  which  the  flesh  becomes  .so  bitter  that  it  is 
unfit  for  food.     It  was  very  unsuspicious  and  easily  approached,  rarely  flyin- 
unless  hard  pressed,  and  running  ahead  at  the  distance  of  a  few  feet  cluck" 
ing  like  the  common  Hen.     When  disturbed,  it  would  often  run  under  the 
horses   leet.     According  to  his  account  it   rises  very  clumsily,  but,  when 
once  started,  flies  with  great  rapidity  and  also  to  a  great  distance.     It  is  said 
to  have  the  sailing  motion  of  the  Pinnated  Grouse.     They  are  abundant  in 
autumn  on  the  branches  of  the  Columbia,  at  which  time  they  are  regarded 
as  good  food  by  the  natives,  and  are  taken  in  great  tpiantities  in  nets. 

Mr  Nuttall  met  with  this  (}rouse  in  considerable  minibers  on  the  north 
l.mncii  of  the  Platte.  They  were  always  on  the  ground  in  small  flocks  or 
pan-s,  by  no  means  shy;  but  when  too  nearly  approached,  uttering  a  rather 
luud  but  short  guttural  cackle,  and  rising  with  a  strong  whirring  sound 


430 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


TliL-ir  notes,  at  times,  strongly  reseinMed  those  of  tlie  common  Hen  He 
never  n.ot  with  them  in  any  forest,  nor  have  they  been  taken  near  the  coast 
ot  Calit'drnia. 

This  species  was  first  obtaine.l  by  Lewis  and  Clarij's  party  in  their  expe- 


Cfnlrnrrmis  iirophnsinnii.^. 

dition  to  the  Rocky  Mountains.  It  was  afterwards  met  with  by  Douglas 
who  pubhshed  in  tlie  Li.niiean  Transactions  (X\l,  p.  l;3.S)  an  account  of  its 
liabits.  He  described  its  fliglit  as  slow,  unsteady,  and  as  affording  but  little 
amusement  to  the  sportsman  ;  being  a  succession  of  fiutterings,  rather  than 
anytliing  else.  Tliey  ri.se  hurriedly,  giving  two  or  tin-ee  flai)s  of  the  win" 
swinging  from  side  to  side  in  their  movement,  and  gradually  falling,  making 
a  whirring  sound,  at  the  same  time  uttering  a  cry  of  cuck-cuck-cnd;  like  the 
common  rhea.sant.     They  pair  in  March  and  April. 

At  the  mating-season  the  male  is  said  to  select  some  small  eminence  on 
tlie  banks  of  streams  for  the  very  singular  performances  it  goes  through  with 
at  that  period  in  tlie  presence  of  its  mate.  The  wings  are  lowered  and 
dragged  on  the  ground,  makhig  a  buzzing  sound ;  the  tail,  somewhat  erect,  ia 


TETRAOXID.E  — THE  GROUSE.  43I 

spread  like  a  fUn  ;  the  l)are  and  yoUow  u-sophaj^us  is  inilated  to  a  prodit,'ious 
size,  and  said  to  become  nearly  iialt'  as  large  as  its  body,  while  the  silky 
llexile  feathers  on  the  neck  are  erected.  Assuming  this  grotesipio  form,  the 
binl  proceeds  to  display  a  singular  variety  of  attitudes,  at  the  same  time 
ciianting  a  love-song  in  a  confused  and  grating,  but  not  an  offensively  dis- 
agreeable tone,  represented  as  resembling  Uwrr-hurr-hiirr-r-r-r-huo,  ending 
in  a  deeji  and  hollow  utterance. 


Centroeerau  uropliasianus. 

Their  nests  were  found,  by  Douglas,  on  the  ground,  under  the  shade  of 
Artemisia,  or  when  near  streams,  among  Phnlaris  armidinacea,  and  were  care- 
fully constructed  of  dry  grass  and  slender  twigs.  The  eggs  are  said  to  be  as 
many  as  from  thirteen  to  seventeen  in  number,  and  the  period  of  incubation 
to  be  twenty-one  or  twenty-two  days.  The  young  leave  the  nest  soon  after 
they  are  hatched. 

In  the  winter  these  birds  are  said  to  be  found  in  large  Hocks  of  several 
hundreds,  in  the  spring  in  pairs,  and  later  in  the  summer  and  fall  in  small 
family  groups.  They  were  abundant  throughout  the  barren  arid  plains  of 
the  Columbia  and  in  Northern  California,  but  were  not  met  with  east  of 
the  llocky  ^Mountains. 

Dr.  Newberry  regards  this  Grouse,  when  in  full  plumage,  as  rather  a  hand- 
some bird,  and  much  better  looking  than  any  figure  he  has  seen  of  it.  it  is 
much  the  largest  of  American  (irouse,  weighing  from  five  to  six  pounds. 
The  female  is  much  smaller  than  the  male,  and  is  of  a  uniform  sober-brown 
color.  The  male  bird  has  a  distinctive  character  in  the  spaces  of  bare 
orange-colored  skin  which  occupy  the  sides  of  the  neck,  and  are  usually  con- 
cealed by  the  feathers,  but  may  be  inflated  to  a  great  size.  The  species  was 
not  found  in  the  valleys  of  California,  but  belongs  both  to  the  fauna  of  the 
interior  basin  and  to  that  of  the  Kocky  Mountains,  the  dry  desert  country 
lying  on  both  flanks  of  this  chain.  He  first  found  it  high  up  on  Pit  River, 
and  ouce  came  suddenly  upon  a  male  in  an  oasis  near  a  warm  spring,  which 
started  up  with  a  great  flutter  and  rush,  and,  uttering  a  hoarse  hek-1u:k, 


432  NORTH  AMKUICAX  BIRDS. 

How  ofl"  with  an  irrejfiilar  hut  roiiiarkahly  woU-sustniiied  flight,  whicli  was 
continued  until  the  hinl  was  out  of  sight.  In  searching  around  he  scjon 
found  its  mate,  which  rose  from  under  a  sagc-l»ush  with  a  noise  like  a  whirl- 
wind. Tiiis  specimen  was  secured,  and  tiiese  birds  were  afterwards  found  to 
he  (juite  altundaut,  hut  very  strong-winged  and  ditlicult  to  kill.  It  was  no 
uncommon  tiling,  Dr.  Kenuerly  states,  for  him  to  pour  a  full  charge  of  shot 
into  them  at  a  short  di.stance,  dishnlgiiig  a  (piantity  of  feathers,  and  yet  to 
have  them  ily  off  to  so  great  a  distance  before  they  dropped  that  he  could  not 
follow  them.  He  found  them  only  in  the  vicinity  of  the  sage-bushes,  under 
which  they  were  usually  concealed.  He  afterwards  saw  them  very  abun- 
dant on  the  siiores  of  VV^rightand  lUiett  J^akes.  In  one  instance  he  observed 
a  male  bird  to  sink  down  on  tlie  ground,  as  the  train  approached,  depressing 
its  head,  and  lying  as  motionless  as  a  stick,  wliicli  it  greatly  resembled.  As 
ho  moved  towards  it,  the  bird  lowered  its  head  until  it  rested  on  tlio  ground, 
and  made  itself  as  small  as  possible,  and  did  not  rise  until  he  had  arrived 
within  fifteen  feet  of  it.  West  of  the  Cascade  Hange  it  did  not  occur, 
and  all  its  preferences  and  habits  seemed  to  fit  it  for  the  occupancy  of  the 
sterile  region  of  the  central  desert.  Its  ilesh  is  dark  and  highly  iiavored 
with  the  wormwood.  The  young,  if  parlioiled  and  stewed,  are  said  to  be 
quite  good ;  but,  on  the  whole,  tjiis  Grouse  is  inferior  for  the  table  to  any 
other  American  species. 

Dr.  Cooper  gives  this  Itird  as  common  in  Washington  Territory,  on  the 
higli  barren  hills  and  deserts  east  of  the  Cascade  Mountains,  and  limited  in 
its  range  by  the  growth  of  the  Artcmida  tridentatu,  the  leaves  of  which 
shrub  seem  to  be  tlie  principal  part  of  its  food ;  the  Hesh  tasting  so  strongly 
of  it  as  to  1)0  unpalatable.  He  saw  none  north  of  the  Spokane  I'lains,  the 
country  being  apparently  too  woody.  On  those  plains  they  were  very  com- 
mon. He  describes  its  flight  as  more  heavy  and  less  noisy  than  that  of 
most  Grouse,  and  when  they  are  started,  it  commonly  extends  a  long  dis- 
tance before  alighting. 

Dr.  Suckley  found  the  Sage-Cock  abundant  on  the  plains  of  Oregon,  near 
Snake  liiver,  on  both  sides  of  the  Blue  Mountains,  as  also  along  the  line  of 
the  Columbia,  on  the  open  plains,  and  on  the  sage  barrens  of  the  Yakinm 
and  Simcoe  Valleys,  —  in  fact,  where  er  the  artemisia  was  found.  The  leaves 
of  this  shrub  either  are  preferred  or  are  necessary  to  its  existence,  for  no 
other  food  was  found  in  their  full  stomachs,  even  in  localities  where  abun- 
dance of  grass-seed,  wild  grain,  gi-asshoppers,  and  other  kinds  of  food,  might 
be  found.  This  species  has  apparently  the  power  of  going  a  long  while 
without  water.  Lieutenant  Fleming  informed  Dr.  Suckley  that  he  found 
them  about  twelve  miles  west  of  Fort  Larsimie,  but  they  were  not  seen 
east  of  that  point  so  far  south.  In  August,  1853,  one  was  procured  about 
two  hundred  miles  east  of  the  Rocky  Mountains.  He  also  observed  a  small 
flock  on  the  plains  bordering  on  ]\Iilk  River,  in  Nebraska.  Near  Soda  Liike, 
the  sink  of  the  Mohave  River,  Dr.  Cooper  met  with  it,  which  is  without 


TKTHA( ).\ I D.K  —  TUK  (iltorSE. 


4^3 


doubt  tho  most  soiitlioni  jM.iiit  ut  which  it  has  l)ouu  discovered.    Dr.  Cones 
lias  never  met  with  it  in  Arizunu. 

Mr.  liidf-wiiy  encountered  il  ('verywliere  in  tho  (ireat  Basin  where  there 
was  a  thrifty  -rowlh  nl'  the  art.Mui.sia,  wliieh  appears  everywhere  to  regu- 
late its  existence.  He  eurrolionites  tiic  acu'ounls  j-iven  of  its  heavy,  lumlier- 
iug  tii-ht;  anil  when  it  lias  once  escaped,  it  Hies  so  far  tliat  the  sportsman 
rarely  has  a  second  opportunity  to  Hush  it.  Jt  rises  apparently  with  great 
ellbrt.  lie  was  told  by  the  settlers  of  Nevada  and  I'tali  that  the  Sage-Hen 
was  never  known  to  touch  grain  of  any  kin.l,  even  when  found  In  the 
vicinity  of  grain-Helds.  This  is  attributed  to  a  very  curious  anatomical 
pecuharity  of  the  species,  — the  entire  uljsence  <.f  a  giz/ard;  having  instead 
a  soft  membranous  stomach,  rendering  it  impossil)le  to  digest  any  hard  Ibod. 
In  a  large  number  of  specimens  dissected,  nothing  was  found  Ijut  grass- 
hopljers  and  leaves  of  the  artemisia. 

Two  eggs  in  my  cabinet,  IVom  Utah,  measure,  one  2.20  by  l.oO  inches,  and 
the  other  2.15  by  1.4o.  They  are  of  an  elongate-oval  shape,  slightly  pointed 
at  one  end.  Their  ground-color  varies  from  a  light-greeiush  drab  to  a  drub 
shaded  with  bull:  They  are  thickly  freckled  with  small  rouuded  spots  of 
reddish-brown  and  dark  chestnut. 


Genus  FEDKSCETES,   Raird. 

PeUitBcctes,  Bahid,  IJiids  X.  Am.  IS.W,  r,2r,.     (lyy,,,  Trlrm,  j,h,ma„eUm,  Linn.) 

Gkn.  Cn.AR.     Tuil  short,  jrra.luate.l ;  i.xelu..ivL.  of  ,1...  much   hMifrtlu.,,,..]    ...iddlo  part 
where  are  two  feathers  (porhai>.s  tail-covert,s)  with  parallel  e.l^es  an.l  truncated  e.uls 


Pttliaceles  phasianelltis 


half  the  fidl  rounded  win..     Tar.^i  densely  feathered  to  the  toes  an.l  between  their  base... 

Neck  w.thout  peculiar  feathers.   Culmen  between  the  nasal  fossa>  not  half  thb  total  length 

VOL.  III.  55  6    • 


434 


NORTH  A.MKUK'.VN  lilllDS. 


Speoies  and  Varioties. 
P.  phasianellus.  Aliovc  Mnicf^iilucl  with  Iihhsvl'iso  spots  of  ^'ullowish- 
liidwii  1111(1  liliiik;  wiii},'-c()viTis  with  liii(,'i',  roumlish  wiiiic  .s|)()i,s ;  uiitc'r 
wclis  oC  priiimiii's  with  c|iiiiilriitc  wiiilc  spcils.  Itciicalli  wliilr  iiiili'iiiJi'ly 
iiiul  iiloiiy  tiu'sidi'.s,  witii  \'-simiiL'il  iimiks  ol'  bi'owii  of  diLslvy.  .Suxf.-i  uiiiie 
in  color  mid  shr. 

Above  hlmkish-diisky,  viirit'(,'uti'd  trulisver.Mcly  witli  yt'llowisii-liiiuvii ; 
scii|uiliir.s  wilii  hniiul  white  medial  loii^'iliidinal  streiiks  dl'  while. 
Miirkiii;;.s  helow  elenr,  miiroiiii  lilaekish-diisky.  Toes  eiitifely  hiddeii 
by  tin;  loll},'  hail-like  leathers  of  the  taisiis.  Head  and  neek  wilii  the 
ffi'ound-eolor  while,  the  throat  heavily  spotted  wilii  dusky.  Huh. 
IJritisii  Aliieiiea  to  .\retie  rejriolis  ....        \n\:  iih  d  n  i  a  ii  r  1 1  n  s. 

Above  yellowi.xh-lirown.  niixeil  with  reddish,  and  variej.;ated  trans- 
versely with  blaek;  .scapulars  without  white  lonffitiidinal  spots,  Mark- 
ili{;s  beliealh  clear  i)ale  brown,  with  dusky  borders.  Toes  entirely 
bare.  Head  and  neck  deep  bull',  the  throat  not  spoiled.  Iltih,  Prairies 
and  ])laiiis  of  norlhern  L'.  S.,  IVoin  Wisconsin  and  Illinois  to  (trciroii. 

\iir.  CI)  I II  III  hill  II II  s. 


Fedioecetes  phasianellus,  vm.  phasianellus,  Klliot. 

BHABF-TAILED  OSOUSE. 

Telriiiiphiiniiinel/un,  LiNX.  S.  N.  I,  (cd.  Id,)  17r)8,  p.  KiO.  —  Foiisr.  Phil.  Trans.  LXII,  1772, 

a'.tj,    4i)."j.    -   Ci.MKL. —  b.Vri!. —  l!oN.   CdIII]).  List.  —    SaIIIXK.  —  Kl>W,Vl!l)S.  — lillilAlllt- 

.soN.  Cniliveeiriisji.  (i.  1{.  Okay,  t'at.  H.  lirit.  iMus.  Box.  Coiiipt.  lii'iid. —  (Swaixs. 
V.  \i.  A.  tin  part  f).  Piiliievelcs  ji.  (not  iif  Maiiik,  Binls  X.  Ami.)—  Ki.i.iot,  P.  A.  N.  .S. 
Phihul.  1802,  402-404.  — In.  Jloiior;.  Tftriioiiiiuc,  pi.  —  Murray,  K<liiib.  Phil.  J.  1850 
(Trout  Luke  Station).  —  Dai.i.  &  IIaxxistkii,  Tr.  Chiciigo  Ac.  I,  18()!l,  287.  —  Ohay, 
Cat.  IJrit.  Alus.  V,  18l>7,  88.  Tch-no  iiroijiil/iin,  var.  /i,  LiXX.  S.  N.  I,  (cd.  12.)  273. 
Pcdiueccles  l-eiinkolli,  SfcKl.KY,  P.  A.  N.  S.  Pliilad.  18t>l. 


Sp.  Char.     Prevailinp  color.s,  clear  dusky-black  above,  and  pure  white  beneath;  no 
bufT  about  the  head.      Upper  parts  variegated  with  transverse,  rather  zijrzaff,  spots  of 

yellowish-brown  ;  scapu- 
lars with  broad,  elliptic^il, 
lonfritndinal  medial  spots 
of  pure  white;  wing-cov- 
crt.s  with  large  rouiidcil> 
and  outer  wel  is  of  primaries 
with  smaller  and  more 
quadrate,  spots  of  pure 
white.  lireast  thickly 
covered  with  broad  V- 
.'ihapod,  and  the  sides  will) 
less  numerous  sagittate,  marks  of  uniform  dear  slaty  or  dusky.  Legs  densely  feathered, 
the  long  hair-like  feathers  reaching  beyond  the  claws,  and  completely  hiding  the  toes. 
Throat  thickly  spotted  with  dusky.  No  appreciable  diflerenccs  in  plumage  between  the 
sexes.  Miih  (;n,fil6,  Fort  Re.solution,  Dec.  18()2;  J.  Lockhart).  Wing,  8.C0;  tail,  4.50, 
the  two  middle  feathers  one  inch  longer. 

IIah.    British  America,  from  Hudson's  Bay  Territory,  south  to  northern  shore  of  Lake 
Superior,  and  west  to  Alaska  and  British  Columbia. 


Ptdiaertes  phasianellus. 


TETRA0NIDJ5  — THE  GROUSE.  435 

IIadit.s.  The  Arctic  rorni  of  tho  Sliarp-tailcd  Grouao  is  found  tlirouf»hoiit 
tlio  Arctic  rej,'ioii.s,  from  Alaskii  soutliwiinl  and  eiistward  to  an  cxttMit  not 
fidly  ascertained.  Mr.  Dall  states  tliat  this  variety  is  not  uncommon  at 
Fort  Yukon,  wliero  Mr.  Lockliart  found  it  l)reedin;.f  and  olitained  its  oj,'j,'s. 
It  lias  also  been  seen  some  two  hundred  miles  down  the  river,  hut  it  is  said 
not  to  he  found  below  the  canon  known  as  the  Ifamparts.  ('ai»taiu  Ivetch- 
uni,  in  Ilia  adventurous  winter  trip  from  Nulato  to  Fort  Yukon,  is  said  to 
have  killed  .several  of  these  birds.  Specimens  are  in  the  Smith.soniau 
Museum  from  Moose  Factory  and  elsewhere  along  the  southern  part  of 
Hudson's  IJay,  and  it  is  said  to  bo  abundant  about  Nipigoii  Lake,  north  of 
Lake  Superior. 

Mr.  Kennicott  found  the  nest  of  this  bird  at  Fort  Yukon,  at  the  foot  of 
a  clumi>  of  dwarf  willows.  It  was  in  dry  ground,  and  in  a  nigioii  in  which 
these  willows  abounded  and  wereiiiiito  thickly  interspersed  with  other  trees, 
especially  small  spruces,  liut  no  large  growth.  The  nest  is  said  to  have  been 
similar  to  that  of  Cn/ili/oniu  ni/iufo.  Mr.  L(jckhart  also  found  it  breeding 
in  the  same  region.  Tlie  nests  seen  by  him  were  likewise  built  on  a  rising 
ground  uniler  a  few  small  willows. 

Itichardsoii  lussigns  as  thu  northern  limit  of  this  species  the  region  of  the 
Great  Slave  Like,  latitude  01°,  ami  as  its  most  southern  ])oiiit  latitude  4 P. 
It  was  found  in  abundance  on  the  outskirts  of  the  Saskatchewan  jdains  and 
throughout  the  wooded  districts  of  the  fur  countries,  frequenting  the  open 
glades  or  low  thickets  on  the  borders  of  lakes,  especially  where  the  forests 
have  been  partially  cleared ;  i)erching  on  trees  in  the  winter,  but  keejiing  to 
the  ground  in  the  summer ;  and,  at  all  seasons,  met  with  in  small  Hocks  of 
from  ten  to  sixteen.  They  are  said,  early  in  sjiring,  to  select  some  level 
place,  where  a  covey  meets  every  morning  and  runs  round  in  a  circle  of  about 
twenty  feet  in  diameter,  so  that  the  grass  is  worn  quite  bare.  If  any  one  ap- 
proaches this  circle,  the  birds  .S(iuat  close  to  the  ground  ;  but  if  not  alarmed 
by  a  too  near  approach,  they  soon  stretch  out  their  necks  to  survey  the  in- 
truder, and  resume  their  circular  course,  some  running  to  the  right  and  others 
to  the  left,  meeting  and  crossing  each  other.  These  "  partridge-dances  "  are 
said  to  last  a  month  or  more,  or  until  the  female  begins  to  incubate-  This 
Grouse  rises  from  the  ground  with  the  usual  whirring  noise,  and  alights  again 
at  a  distance  of  a  few  hundred  yards,  sometimes  on  the  ground  or  on  the 
bnuiches  of  a  tree.  In  winter  they  hide  in  the  snow,  and  make  their  way 
with  ease  through  the  loose  drifts,  feeding  on  the  buds  of  the  willows, 
larches,  aspens,  etc.  In  summer  and  autumn  their  food  is  principally  ber- 
ries. They  are  said  to  lay  about  thirteen  eggs  early  in  June :  the  uest  being 
on  the  ground,  formed  of  grasses  lined  with  feathers. 

The  eggs  of  this  variety  closely  resemble  those  of  the  columhianus,  but  are 
generally  of  a  decidedly  darker  ground.  They  average  1.75  inches  in  length 
by  I  28  in  breadth.  Their  ground  is  a  dark  tawny-brown  minutely  dotted 
with  darker  spots  of  brown. 


436  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Fedioecetes  phasianellus,  var.  oolumbianus,  Baird. 

COLUMBIA  8HABP-TAIL. 

Tclrao  phnnifinrHiis,  (not  of  I,inn.,U>iii),  Ciutlir.  Gfofj.  (2(1  Amor,  oil.)  II,  317,  1S15. — 
NriT.  —  Am.  —  N Kwn.  —  lio.s.  Syn.  aiul  .Viii.  < >rii.  --  Vom:  &  SfcKi,.  —  Max.  Cab.  J. 
VI,  1858,  4;ir).  CfiitroivrcHs J).  Swain.s.  I".  II.  A.  —  Honat.  C'oiiip.  lioiul.  Piilimrlc.i 
p.  I5aii:i>,  lUnl.s  N.  Am.  IS'iS,  (i2ti.  I'lin.iiiniii.i  roliinihioiiKH,  Oki),  (iiitlir.  (!ooj;.  (2(1. 
Am.  0(1.)  !1,  :il7,  ISIi'i.  J'r</i(raii:i  ro/iimhiaiiii.i,  Ki.i.ior,  V.  A.  N.  S.  I'liiliid.  lSti2, 
40;i.  —  III.  Monoj;.  'rctiaoniiKV.  ('("ii'Ki!,  Orii.  C'al.  1,  1870,  o32.  Tttrao  urophasia- 
lulhi.s,  DiUdi..  Tiiiiis.  Limi.  Soc.  XVI,  Ktd,  1J>2!(. 

Sr.  CllAK.  rrcvailini,'  colois  yt'lKnvi.'^li-ln-owii  and  white;  proiiiid-color  of  head  and 
neck  deep  liufl".  KpiHT  ])art.-i  varic<jalc(l  with  traii.svi  r.-so  .*!p(>t.s  of  lilaok,  and  nioro  or  less 
tinjrod  Willi  rnsly;  .scapnlais  wiliionl  lon,<;iln<linal  s|)()l.-;  of  whil(^ ;  wiiii;-coV(  and 
outer  wi'lw  of  primaries  witii  lar^'c  (■(inspiciioiis  .sjiol.s  of  pure  white,  the  former  roundish, 
the  latter  more  (piadrate.  Mrea.st  and  .sides  with  V-shape(l  TnarkiuLTS  of  |)ale  J'ellowish- 
lirown,  lioidered  with  (lu.sky.  Throat  innnaciilate.  ■  only  niimilely  speekle(l  ;  feathers 
of  tarsus  short,  the  toes  completely  hare.  No  appreeiahle  dill'erenee  hetween  Ihe  sp.\e.s. 
Male  CJ'JjOll  Simiahnioo,  Wa.shini^ton  Territory;  Dr.  Keiinerly).  Winfr,  8.(10;  tail, 
4.4(',  'wo  middle  leathers  one  inch  lontrer.  Feiiiak  (1!),17.'3,  Rose  Urier  Creek ;  V.V. 
Uayden)!    Winp;,  8.>*t> ;   tail,  4.(10. 

Hah.  Plains  and  prairies  of  Ihe  riiiled  States,  from  Illinois  and  Wi.seonsin,  west  to 
Ore;j;on,  Nevada,  etc.  ;  .south  to  Colorado,  New  Mexico,  ele. 

H.viU'l's.  Tlii.s  species  is  tlit?  more  soutlicfii  of  the  two  varieties  of  Sharp- 
tailed  Grouse  iVmiiil  in  North  America.  Owiiio  to  tlie  eoiifiision  wliich  lias 
existed  until  recently,  in  wliich  both  the  northern  and  southern  races  have 
lieen  considered  as  one,  the  ooogriipliical  distrilmtion  of  each  may  not  he 
detined  with  complete  exactness.  The  present  form  is  lonnd  in  Illinois  and 
Wisconsin,  and  westward  to  Orejron  ami  Washington  Territory,  and  as  far  to 
the  noiih  as  British  Columbia  and  the  southern  portions  of  the  Saskatche- 
wan Valley. 

Dr.  Xewberry  found  this  Grouse  associated  with  the  Prairie  Chicken  on 
the  prairies  bordering,'  on  the  Mi.ssissip])i  and  the  Mis.soiiri,  and  frequently 
confounded  with  that  bird,  thou,!,'ii  readily  distiii.guisiiable  liy  its  lighter  plu- 
mage, its  speckled  bivast,  and  smaller  size.  It  is  always  the  least  abundant 
of  the  two  species,  when  found  together.  The  range  of  this  Grouse  e.vtends 
much  farther  westward  ;  the  ritpido  being  limited  to  the  valley  of  the  Alis- 
sissi])pi,  while  the  former  is  found  as  far  we.st  as  the  valleys  of  California. 
North  of  San  Francisco  his  ptirty  first  found  it  cm  a  ]U'airie  near  Canoe 
Creek,  lifty  miles  norliiciist  of  Fort  I'ejiding;  subseiiuently,  on  a  levtd  graws- 
covured  plain  in  the  upjier  cafion  of  Tit  IJiver,  these  birds  were  met  with  in 
great  abundance.  Tiiey  were  tilso  found  about  the  Klamath  Likes  and  in  the 
])es  Cliiites  Uasin,  as  far  as  (he  Dalles.  Tlu!  ilesh  was  very  much  like  that 
of  the  I'rairie  Chicken.  This  liird  is  sitid  to  lie  close,  and  when  fhisiied  to 
lly  oil",  uttering  a  constantly  repeated  kuck-kuvL-kucIc,  moving  with  steadi- 
ness and  considerable  swiftness.     It  is,  however,  easily  killed.     The  young 


TKTRAONID.E  — THE  GUOUSE.  437 

birils  arc  fiit  niul  tender,  and  as  they  fall  on  the  grassy  pi-airie  scatter 
their  feathers,  as  if  torn  to  j)ieces. 

vVccordiiig  to  Dr.  Suckkn',  the  Sliarp-tailed  (Irouso  entirely  replaces  tiio 
Pinnated  (tronse  in  Washington  Territory.  He  first  noticed  it  near  old  Fort 
Union,  at  the  nioutli  of  the  ^'cllowstone  IJiver.  From  tiiat  i)oint  to  the 
Cascade  Mountains  of  (Jregon  and  "NVasIiington  Territoiy  it  was  exci'cdingly 
abundant  wherever  there  was  ojion  country  and  a  sufliciency  of  food.  In 
certain  jdaces  they  were  in  great  nundiers  in  tlie  autumn,  congregating  in 
large  tlocks,  esjiecially  in  the  vicinity  of  patches  of  wild  ry(>,  ami  more  re- 
cently near  settknuents  where  there  were  wheat-stulililes.  They  reseml)le  the 
riimated  (Jrouse  in  hal)its.  "Where  they  are  numerous,  they  may  freciuently 
be  found,  on  cold  mornings  in  tiu;  autumn  or  early  winter,  perched  (Ui  fences 
or  on  leallcss  trees,  sunning  themselves  in  the  early  suidight.  At  Fort  Dallas 
a  young  bird,  scarcely  two  days  old,  was  found  on  the  first  of  A[»ril.  This 
early  incubation  seems  to  prove  that  they  must  have  more  than  one  brood 
in  a  season.  The  young  (irouse  was  confided  to  tlic  charge  of  a  Hen  witii  a 
brood  of  young  cliickens ;  but  it  refused  to  as.sociate  with  them,  and  esciiped, 
probably  to  ju'risii  of  cold.  Dr.  Cooper  adds  that  this  (irouse  is  I'ound  in 
Wasliington  Territory  only  in  the  low  alluvial  ]irairics  of  the  streams  enii)ty- 
ing  into  the  Cidumbia  east  of  tiie  Ca.scade  Mountains,  where  it  was 
found  in  fiocks  of  several  hundreds.  Tiicy  shun  high  grounds  and  forests 
entirely.  The  only  cry  he  ever  heard  them  utter  was  a  cackle  when  sud- 
denly started  from  the  ground.  Their  wings  make  a  loud  whirring,  as  among 
others  of  this  fanuly. 

Mr.  J.  Iv.  Lord  found  this  species  abundantly  distributed  on  the  western 
slope  of  the  IJocky  Mountains,  ranging  rigiit  and  left  of  the  49th  j)arallcl. 
It  was  i>articnlarly  innnerous  on  the  i)lains  near  the  Kootanie  Uiver,  round 
the  O.soyoos  Lakes,  and  in  the  valley  of  the  Cidumbia.  He  did  not  meet 
with  any  on  the  western  side  of  the  Cascade  Kange.  It  is  also  found  in  the 
Ked  River  settlements  and  in  Northern  Minnesota. 

Mr.  Elliot  is  quite  in  error  in  stating  that  this  Crou.se  does  not  occur  cast 
of  the  ^rississi])])i  as  it  is  found  nearly  throughout  Xorthern  Illinois  and 
Southern  Wisconsin.  1  iiavc  seen  a  Hock  within  thirty  miles  of  Chicago, 
and  have  from  time  to  time  had  their  eggs  from  Dane  County,  Wisconsin. 

Mr.  Lord  regards  this  Grouse  as  remarkable  both  for  its  field  cpialitics  — 
such  as  lying  well  to  a  dog,  rising  with  a  loud  rattling  whir,  fre(piciiting  open 
gra.s.sy  ju'airics,  and  Hying  as  straiglit  as  an  arrow  —  and  for  its  excellence  as 
a  table  dainty.  For  didicacy  of  llavor  its  llesii  is  uneipudled.  With  the  fur- 
traih'rs  this  species  is  known  as  the  Sjiottcd  Chicken,  and  is,  furthermore,  the 
^V.•/.s-/l■///  of  the  Kootanie  Iiulians.  Its  singular  <'ondiinat  ion  of  cohns  —  wliite, 
black,  and  brownish-yellow  —  makes  it  exactly  i  .•.scnd)le  thegriMind  on  which 
it  lives,  and  admirably  harmonizes  witii  the  dead  twigs  and  h'aves  of  the  ar- 
temisia,  the  dry  and  sandy  soil,  the  brown  of  the  withered  buuch-gr.i.ss,  and 
the  sombre-colored  lichens  of  tiu^  rocks.     It  often  requin^s  a  keen  and  prac- 


438  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

tised  eye  to  distinguish  one  of  these  birds  from  the  ground  on  which  it  has 
fallen,  even  though  the  eye  he  kept  on  the  spot  where  it  was  seen  to  fall. 
Tliis  similarity  of  colors  with  those  of  the  prairie  no  doubt  effectually  con- 
ceals tliem  from  tlie  hawks  and  owls. 

Its  favorite  haunt  is  on  open  grassy  plains  in  the  morning,  keeping  con- 
cealed in  tiie  long  thick  gra.ss,  coming  about  midday  to  the  stream  to  drink, 
and  to  dust  itself  in  the  sandy  banks.  It  s(^1dom  goes  into  the  timber,  al- 
ways remains  close  to  the  prairie,  and  never  retires  into  the  depth  of  the 
forests.  It  lays  its  eggs  on  the  open  prairie  in  a  tuft  of  grass,  or  near  the 
foot  of  a  small  hillnck,  nesting  early  in  spring,  and  depositing  from  twelve 
to  fourteen  eggs.  Tin  nest  is  a  mere  hole  scratched  in  the  earth,  with  a  few 
grass-stalks  and  root-fil»res  laid  careles.sly  and  loosely  over  the  bottom.  ]Mr. 
Lord  describes  the  egg,s  as  of  a  diirk  rusty-brown,  with  suuiU  splashes  or 
speckles  of  darker  brown  thickly  spattered  over  them. 

After  nesting-time  they  ai)pear  in  broods  about  the  middle  of  August,  the 
young  birds  being  about  two  thirds  grown.  At  this  time  they  frequent  the 
margins  of  small  streams  wlicre  tliere  is  thin  timber  and  underbru.sh.  After 
the  middle  of  Sejjtember  tliey  begin  to  pack,  two  or  three  coveys  getting  to- 
gether, and  flock  after  ilouk  joining  until  they  accumulate  into  Innidreds.  On 
the  first  appearance  of  snow  they  begin  to  percii  on  tiie  dead  branches  of 
a  pine  or  on  the  tops  of  i'encos.  Near  Fort  Colville,  alter  snow  fell,  'hey 
assembled  in  vast  numl)ers  in  tiie  large  wheat-stubbles.  They  became  wary 
and  shy,  the  snow  rendering  every  moving  thing  so  consiiicuous  that  it  was 
next  to  inipo.ssiblc  for  dogs  to  hunt  them. 

The  food  of  this  (Irouse  consists  i)rincipally  of  berries  in  the  summer 
months,  such  as  the  snowberry,  the  bearberry,  the  haws  of  the  wild  rose, 
and  the  whortleberry,  grain,  tlie  larvaj  of  insects,  grass-seeds,  etc.  In  the 
winter  tiiey  run  over  the  snow  with  ease  and  celerity,  dig  holes  in  it,  and 
burrow  underneath  in  the  manner  of  a  Ptarmigiin.  During  the  two  win- 
ters ]\Ir.  Lord  spent  at  Colville,  flocks  of  these  birds  congregated  around  the 
hayricks  at  their  mulc-canip.  In  a  temperature  often  30"  and  more  below 
zero,  and  the  snow  several  I'eet  deep,  they  were  strong,  fat,  and  wild,  and  did 
not  appear  to  sutler  at  all  from  the  intense  cold.  Indeeil,  they  are  said  to  , 
])air  very  early  in  the  spring,  long  before  the  snow  has  gone  off  the  groimd, 
and  tiieir  meeting  is  jirccedei'  by  some  very  singular  performances,  which 
are  called  by  the  fur-traders  chicken-dances,  to  .several  of  which  ]\Ir.  Lord 
was  an  eyewitness,  (iroujw  of  tlmse  l)irds  assemble  for  tlieir  dances  either 
al)out  sunrise  or  late  in  the  afternoon,  selecting  for  the  purpose  a  high  round- 
topjjcd  mound,  which  in  the  course  of  their  evolutions  becomes  worn  (juite 
bare.  At  one  of  the  diinces  witnessed  by  Mr.  Lord  there  were  altout  twenty 
birds  present ;  the  birds  nearest  him  were  head  to  head,  like  gamecocks  in 
lighting  attitude, — ^tlie  neck-feat liers  rulTed  up,  tlie  little  sharp  tail  elevated 
slraigiit  on  end,  liie  wings  dropped  close  to  tlie  ground,  liut  keeping  up  a 
r.'ipid  vibration  or  continued  drumming   sound.     They  circled  round  and 


TETRAOXID J<:  —  THE  aROUSE.  4;5<) 

round  envh  otlier  in  slow  waltzing-  time,  always  niaintaininu;  tlio  name  atti- 
tude, Imt  neviu-  .stvikiuji;  at  each  otlicr.  Soiuetinu's  llic  pace  increusud,  and 
(tiio  imrsuod  the;  otlicr  until  tlio  latter  faced  alxiut.  Utiiers  jumped  ahout 
two  feet  in  the  air  until  out  of  breath,  and  then  strutted  ahout  in  a  peculiar 
manner;  and  otlu'rs  went  nuirehiug  aliout  with  tails  and  heads  as  high  u[) 
as  they  could  get  thenr. 

Captain  lUakiston  states  that  on  tlu!  Saskatchewan  this  species  was  very 
generally  distril)uted  throughout  the  interior.  Ho  met  with  it  Just  beh)W 
the  forks  of  the  Saskateiicwan,  and  traced  it  to  the  western  base  of  the 
liocky  Mountains,  lie  found  it  lireeding  at  I'ort  Carlton.  He  regards  the.se 
birds  as  of  i)olygani(ms  habits.  In  the  fall  they  are  found  in  families,  in 
the  semi-wooded  country  bordering  on  the  ]irairies.  They  ]iereh  on  trees, 
fre(iuently  at  the  \^>\y  to)),  and  liieircro])S  are  found  stulfed  out  with  berries. 
These  are  chiefly  the  fruit  of  tiie  bcarlierry,  the  ground  juniper,  the  snow- 
berry,  the  small  ])raii'ie  ro.ses,  the  liull'alo-bcrry,  and  several  kinds  of  limls. 
They  have  also  been  known  to  feed  on  caterpillars  and  other  insects  l)aked 
and  crisped  by  jirairie  lives.  (,'aptain  Hlakiston  was  also  an  eyewitness 
of  one  of  the  singular  love-])erforni.ances  of  tliese  birds,  known  as  dances. 
His  account  of  it,  which  is  very  full,  is  almost  exactly  in  correspondence 
with  the  account  referred  to  as  given  by  Mr.  Lord. 

Mr.  Itidgway  met  with  this  Grouse  at  one  locality  only,  encountering  them 
late  in  Sejitemberin  the  Up])er  Humlwldt  Valley.  There  it  was  found  incon- 
siderable nundiers  in  the  rye-grass  meadows  on  the  foot-slopes  of  the  Clover 
Mountains.  They  were  stailled  from  the  ground,  where  they  were  hidden  in 
the  grass,  and  when  surprised  fre(iueutly  took  refuge  in  the  willow-thickets 
along  the  streams  near  by.     Their  ilcsh  was  ibund  to  be  most  excellent. 

The  eggs  of  this  sjtecies  vary  considerably  in  size,  but  average  about  1.80 
imilies  in  length  and  l.:>0  in  bn^adth.  They  are  oval  in  shape,  slightly 
pointed  at  one  end.  Tlieir  grouml  varies  from  a  light  clay  to  a  dark  rusty- 
bri.wn,  generally  ))lain,  but  Imiuontly  speckled  mimitcly  with  fine  dottiugs 
of  a  darker  brown. 


Genus  CUPIDONIA,    Unirur.MiArn. 

Cupidonia,  Reiciiknu.v.ii,  Av.  Sy>t.  Nat.  18.^)0,  j..  .xxix.     (Type,  T,h;u,  ci,/wln,  I,.) 

Okn.  Cii.Mi.  Tiiil  of  ei,L;liti'(Mi  l'catlii.'r.s.  .xliort,  liiiH'  llic  Iciijrlhcm'il  wiiij^s;  tho  luatlicis 
stim-nud  and  iiioro  or  less  gnuluatfil.  Uaie  iiillataljlL'  air-san  of  tlio  iicdc  concealed  l)y  a 
tiit't  of  lonjr,  .■;titr  lanceolate  feathcr-i ;  an  incons|)icM(ms  cicst  on  tin;  vertex.  Taivi 
feathered  only  (o  neaf  the  ba.^e.  the  lower  joint  .scntellat.'.  ("nlnien  lielween  the  nasal 
fus.su  .scarcely  one  ihii'd  the  total  lenu'lh. 

This  genus,  as  far  as  known,  is  entirely  i)eculiar  to  North  America,  where 
but  one  siiecies,  M'ith  two  races,  is  known. 


440  NORTH  AMKRICjVN  lilllDS. 

Species  and  Varieties. 

C.  oupido.  Ground-nolor  ahovu  yoUowish-bi-own,  tinged  with  grayish  and 
reddish  ;  l)eneath  wliilc ;  whole  upper  and  lower  parts  variegated  with 
transverse  hands,  —  those  l)eneath  regular,  l)roa<l,  sharply  delined,  and  plain 
dusky-brown,  those,"  above  more  broken,  bK)a<ler,  and  deep  black.  Head 
bull',  with  a  broad  vertieal  stripe,  a  broad  one  beneath  the  eye  from  bill  to 
ears,  and  a  patch  on  lower  side  oC  auriculars,  lirownish-black. 

Tarsi  clothed  with  long  hair-like  feathers,  the  bare  posterior  face 
entirely  hidden.  Dark  bars  aliove,  .lid  or  inor(!  in  width,  dee])  black; 
those  beneath,  about  .20  wide,  and  dark  brown.  Top  of  head  nearly 
uniformly  blackish;  face-stripes  dusky-black.  Bill,  .40  deep,  ..'jQlong; 
wing.  9.00.  lldh.  Prairies  of  the  Mississippi  Valley  :  south  to  Louisi- 
ana; formerly  eastward  to  Long  Island  and  Pennsylvania  .  .  var.  cupido. 
Tarsi  clothed  with  .short  feathers,  the  bare  posterior  face  conspicuously 
exposed.  Dark  bars  above  less  than  .20  in  width,  dark  grayish-l)rown  ; 
those  IjoneaMi  about  .10  wide,  and  pale  grayish-brown.  Toj)  of  head 
with  only  a  .;light  spotting  of  blackish  ;  facc-niarkings  reddish-brown. 
IJill,  ..'!.-)  deep,  ."m  long,  from  nostril ;  wing,  8.30.  Ilah.  Southwestern 
Prairies  (Texas  y) \w.  pallid  ici  ncltis. 


Cupidonia  cupido,  var.  cupido,  Baiud. 

PBAISIE  HEN;   FBAIBIE  CHICKEN;  PINNATED  OSOUSE. 

Tdrao  cupido,  Linn.  Syst.  Nat.  I,  17.58,  IGO.  —  Cm.  I,  751.  —  L.vril.   Iiid.  Orn.  U,  1790. 

—  Wilson,  Am.  Orn.  IH,  1811,  104,  jil.  .\xvii.  —  lioN.  Mon.  Tdnw,  Am.  Phil.  Trans. 
in,  1830,  392.  —  XuTTAM.,  .Mail.  \,  t)(J2.  —  All).  Drii.  Hiog.  II,  1834,  490;  V,  1839, 
5u9,  pi.  I'lxxxvi.  —  I]i.  Birds  Aiiii'r.  V,  1842,  93,  pi.  icxoxvi. — Koell,  AViogniann's 
Arihiv,  183(i,  i,  1.09.  —  .^L\.\.  Cab.  .1.  VL  1858,  439.  Bonaxn  cupido,  Stkpiikn.s, 
Shaw's  (!cn.  Zoiil.  XL  299. — (litAV,  Cat.  Mrit.  .Mus.  V,  1867,  88.  Cupidonia  ameri- 
cana,  Hku'II.  Av.  Syst.  Nat.  IS.'iO,  i>.  xxi.x.  —  Honap.  Comptes  Kcndu.s,  XLV,  1857, 
428.     Cupidonia  cupido,  IJAlltn,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  628.  —  Ki.l.ior,  P.  A.  N.  .S.  1864. 

—  In.  MoMog.  Tctraoii.  pi.  —  Duksseii,  Ibis,  1866,  26  (Brownsville,  Texas).  —  May- 
NAi!i>,  H.  E.  Mass.  1870,  138  (Martha's  Vineyard,  and  Nau.shon  Island,  JIass.) 

Sp.  Char.  Midi'  (lO.OOO,  Tremont,  Illinois;  W.  I.  Shaw).  G-round-color  above 
ochraceous-browii,  tinged  with  grayish;  beneath  white,  tlu^  feathers  of  tliejugulum  dark 
rusty-chestnut  beneath  the  surface;.  Ile.ad  mostly  deep  bull'.  Upper  parts  much  broken 
Ijy  broad  transverse  spot.s.  or  irregular  bars,  of  deep  black,  this  color  predominating  large- 
ly over  the  lighter  tints.  Primaries  and  tail  ])lain  dusky;  the  former  with  roundish  spots 
of  pale  ochraceous  on  outer  web.s,  the  latter  very  narrowly  tipped  with  white,'.  Lower 
parts  with  regular,  contiinious,  .sharply  defined  l)road  bars,  or  narrow  bands,  of  clear 
dusky-l)rown.  A  broad  stripe  of  plain  browni.sh-black  on  side  of  head,  beneath  the 
eye.  from  rictus  to  end  of  aiu'iculars;  a  blotch  of  the  same  beneath  the  midiUe  of  the 
auriculai's,  and  the  tof)  of  the  head  mostly  blackish,  leaving  a  liroad  superciliary  and 
maxillary  stripe,  and  the  whole  throat  immaculate  Imff.  Neck-tufts  3.50  inches  long,  deep 
lilack  ;  th(>  iongi'r  one's  uniform,  the  .sliorte'r  with  only  the  edge  black,  the  whole  middle 
portion  ])ale  bull',  shaeling  into  elee])  reddish-rusty  next  to  the  black.  Wing,  9.00 ;  tail, 
4.50;  liill,  .40  deej)  by  .50  long,  from  nostril;  tarsus,  2.10;  midelle  too,  1.85.  Female 
similar,  but  with  .shorteT  anil  ine'onspiciious  e;ervieal  tufts.  Yoiini/  (25,098,  Rorkford, 
Illinois  ;  Blacknian).  Above,  ine;liiding  tail,  ycUowisli-tirown  ;  featlu'rs  with  conspicuous 
white  shaft-streaks  and  large  blotches  of  deep  black.      Outer  webs  eif  primaries  with 


TETUAON I D.E  —  THE  GROUSE. 


441 


Cupiitoiiia  rupifttj. 


whitish  spots.     Top  nf  licad  rusty-lirowii  witli  n  lilack  vi-rtical  ami  a  (hisky  nnri(.'iilar 
patcli.     Lower  parts  yellowish-whiti',  with  iri-cfrulurly  dofiiicd,  transverse,  grayish-ln-owii 

broad     liars;      anteriorly  

more  sp()tt(Ml,  the  jii<,'nluni        -^^^^^      Va    """^^ii-  170't* 

tinired  with  brown. 

Chkk  (2."),!)89,  Rock- 
ford,  111.).  Bright  lenion- 
buir,  lingnd  on  sides  and 
jiiguhiui  with  reddish ; 
upper  parts  nnicli  washed 
with  rusty.  A  narrow 
Burieulnr  streak,  blotches 
on  the  vertex  and  occiput, 
n  stripe  across  the  shoul- 
der, and  blotuhe.s  down 
the  middlo  of  tlie  back 
and  rump,  doej)  bla(,-k. 

Hau.  T'rniries  of  the  Mis- 
sissippi Valley,  from  Lou- 
isiana, northward.  East 
to  Poeono  ^[onntains, 
Pennsylvania,  Formerly 
alou^  the  eastern  coast  of 
the  United  States  from  Long  Island  to  Cape  Cod,  or  farther.  A  few  still  left,  on 
Naushon  (?)  and  Martha's  Vinej'ard. 

A  pair  from  Calcasieu  Pass,  Louisiana,  most  resemble  Illinois  specimens, 
but  are  smaller  (winj;,  8.60,  instead  of  'J.OO),  and  there  is  rather  uku'o  reddish, 
with  less  blaciv,  in  the  plumage, 

Habits.  The  i'innated  Grou.se,  more  generally  known  tiirough  tlu;  country 
as  the  I'rairie  Chicken  or  Prairie  Hen,  once  occurred  as  far  to  tiui  east  as 
Massachusetts,  a  few  still  remaining  on  the  island  of  Martha's  Vineyard, 

and  where  it  was,  in 
the  early  settlement  of 
the  country,  a  very 
abundant  bird  ;  and  to 
tlie  soiitliwe.st  to  Texas 
and  throughout  the 
Indian  Territory,  wliere 
it  ap])ei)r.s  to  be  extend- 
ing with  the  areas  de- 
veloped by  civilization. 
While  at  the  East  this 
l)ird  has  almost  entirely 
disappefireil,  in  consetiuence  of  the  increase  of  poindation,  and  except  here 
and  there  in  a  few  small  ami  distant  districts  has  disa]ipeared  from  the 
Middle  and  Eastern  States,  at  the  "West  and  Soutliwest  it  lia.'  greatly 
extf,ndeil  its  distribution,  api)eariiig  in  considerable  mimbers,  and  constantly 
(•or,,  ni.  56 


Cupittonia  citpido. 


442  XOUTIl  AMKItlCAN  BlUDS. 

increasiiifT  as  the  country  is  settled  and  the  land  cnltivated  with  grain. 
Even  in  Illinois,  where  tlu'ro  has  heen  ii  large  increase  of  population  during 
the  i)ast  ten  years,  these  liirds  are  known  to  have  Iieconie  nnieh  more 
numerous.  It  is,  however,  jirohalde  that  they  will  again  he  driven  irom 
this  region  when  the  population  heeomes  (juite  dense.  Mr.  Allen  met 
with  this  species  in  .several  point.s  in  Kansas  and  in  Colorado,  where  they 
had  either  Just  made  tiieir  ai>i>carance,  or  where  they  had  recently  heen 
noticed,  and  were  oltserved  to  he  on  tlu;  increase.  The  small  remnants 
lei't  in  Massachusetts  are  prolecteil  hy  law,  which  may  preserve  them  a  few 
years  h)nger;  and  in  Illinois  and  other  Western  States  stringent  ])rovisions 
.seek  to  ])revent  their  wanton  destruction.  In  Michigan,  according  to  Mr. 
1).  i).  Hughes,  this  (h'ouse  is  common  in  the  two  S(mthern  tiers  of  counties, 
hut  is  rarely  met  with  in  that  State  farther  north,  —  an  ahsence  attrihutahle  to 
the  want  of  open  country  and  suital)le  food,  as  west  of  Lake  Michigan  it  is 
I'ound  in  great  ahundance  much  farther  nortli.  In  the  more  .southern  portion 
of  the  State  it  is  already  very  rare,  and  in  localities  com]iletely  c.xternunated. 

Dr.  Woodhouse  lound  this  bird  quite  aliundant  througliout  the  Indian 
Territory;  more  numerou.s,  however,  in  the  vicinity  of  .settlements.  During 
the  tall  of  18-49,  as  he  was  passing  down  the  Arkansas  IJiver,  along  the  road 
leading  from  Kort  (iihson  to  Fort  Smith,  these;  birds  were  in  large  Hocks, 
feeding  among  the  oaks  upon  the  acorns;  hundreds  were  to  be  seen  at  the 
same  time.     It  was  also  very  common  throughout  Eastern  Te.xas. 

Mr.  J)resser  found  the  Tinnated  (ii'ouse  very  common  in  travelling  from 
Brownsville  to  Victoria,  after  leaving  the  chaparral  and  entering  the  jmiirie 
country.  Throughout  the  whole  of  the  jtrairie  country  of  Texas  it  is 
abundant. 

They  were  found  by  Mr.  Audubon  esi)ecially  abundant  in  the  States  of 
Kentucky,  Missouri,  Illinois,  and  Indiana,  where  his  ol i.servations  date  back 
more  than  half  a  cent\ny,  and  when  the  country  was  com])arativcly  unset- 
tled. It  was  there,  he  states,  in  what  was  then  known  as  the  Uarrens  of 
Kentucky,  that  before  sunrise,  or  at  the  clo.se  of  the  day,  he  "  heard  its  curi- 
ous boomings,  witiu^ssed  its  ol)Stinate  battles,  watched  it  during  the  progress 
of  its  courtshi]is,  noted  its  nest  and  eggs,  and  foUowed  its  young  until,  fully 
grown,  they  betook  themselves  to  winter  (juarters." 

"When  he  first  removed  to  Kentucky  the  Pinnated  (Irouso  were  so  plen- 
tiful, and  went  licld  in  such  low  estimation,  that  no  hunter  deigned  to  shoot 
them.  They  were,  moreovei',  looked  ui)on  with  ill-favor  by  the  inhabitants 
on  account  of  the  mischief  they  connnitted  among  the  fruit-trees  of  the  or- 
chards during  winter,  when  they  fed  \\])(ni  the  buds,  or  in  the  spring,  when  they 
consumed  the  grain  in  tlie  fields.  In  those  days,  in  the  winter,  this  CSrouse 
woidd  enter  the  farn)-yard  and  fe(!(l  among  the  ])oultry,  Avonld  even  alight  on 
the  hous(vto])S  or  walk  in  the  streets  of  the  villages.  On  one  occasion  he 
caught  several  alive  in  a  stable  at  Henderson,  where  they  had  followed  some 
Wild  Turkeys.    Twenty-five  years  later,  ISIr.  Audubon  adds,  in  the  same  coun- 


TKTUAONID.K-  TIIK  (iltolSE.  443 

try  whore  tlicyliiul  hccii  so  very  iiliiuKliiiit,  sciinxly  (uic  could  lio  loiiiid.  Mr. 
Aiidiilioii  .si)uuks  (if  tlujir  Hi,'lliii,L;  in  Mastfrii  iiuirkuts,  in  l.S4(t,  at  IVoni  tivi;  to 
tun  dollars  jier  pair.  Tiiis  is  so  no  lon;.;er,  i'acilitios  in  railroad  transportation 
ftnd  tliuir  continued  abundance  at  tiie  West  rendi-rin.i^  tiiem  a  comparatively 
pleiitiiul  and  clieaji  article  oi'  i'ood. 

^Ir.  Audnl)on  mentions  tliat  at  tlie  same  purio<l  lii(>y  were  still  to  he  nu;t 
with  in  .some  ])ortionsoi'  Xew  .leisey,  in  the  "  brushy  "  ]iliMusot'  Lonjf  Island, 
on  Mount  De.sert  Ishiiid  in  the  State  of  Maine,  and  also  in  another  tract  of 
liarreu  country  ninir  Mar's  llill  in  the  same  Slate.  In  regard  to  the  two  last- 
named  localities  he  may  have;  heen  misinl'oriucjd. 

Mr.  Lawrence  menti(ms  this  species  as  still  occnrriiin  in  the  vicinity  ot  Xew 
York  City.  Mr.  Tnrnliull  mentioned  it  as  now  very  rare,  lait  occasionally  natt 
with,  in  the  counties  of  ^lonroe  and  N'ortliam])lon  in  reiinsyhania,  aial  on 
the  plains  in  Xew  Jerstsy.  It  is  not  rtiferred  to  l)y  either  Professor  Vi^rrill 
or  Mr.  IJoardman  as  occurring-  in  atiy  ])art  of  Maine.  It  is,  iiowever,  j,dven 
by  Mr.  Mcllwraith  as  an  occasional  visitor  near  Hamilton,  in  Caiiaila,  on  the 
Avestern  frontier,  a  I't^w  individuals  hein^'  occasionally  ol)served  alon^i;  the  l)anks 
of  tiie  St.  Clair  Iliver,  l)ut  not  known  to  occur  farllu'r  east. 

Mr.  Audui)ou  also  nu'utions  having'  found  tliese  birds  abundant  in  all  the 
vast  ])lains  bordering  on  the  prairies  of  the.  Arkansas  Wiver,  and  on  tho.se  of 
the  Opclousas  in  Louisiana. 

In  the  earliest  da  nf  spriuii',  o\en  before  the  snows  have  all  been  melted, 
these  birds  no  longer  kec])  in  large  tlo(d<s,  but  .separate  into  smaller  i)arties, 
and  the  niatiug-sensou  commences,  during  v,-hich  tiieir  manners,  especially 
tho.se  of  the  male,  are  very  ])eculiar  and  striking.  A  jiarticular  hicalitv  is 
selected,  to  wliich  they  resort  until  incubation  has  commenced.  The  males 
meet  in  this  place,  and  engage  in  furious  battle;  with  one  another.  At  this 
sea.son  they  are  es])ecially  conspicuous  for  their  great  ])ompositv  of  bearing; 
with  tails  out.spread  and  incliiujd  forward  to  meet  the  exi)anded  feathers  of 
their  neck,  and  with  the  gdoladar,  orange-colored,  bladder-like  recei)tacles  of 
air  on  their  necks  distended  to  their  utmost  ca])acity,  and  issuing  a  ])eculiar 
sounil,  .spoken  of  as  hmniiin;),  these  birds  strut  about  in  the  i)re,s(!uce  of  one 
another  with  various  manifestations  of  jealous  dislike  and  animosity,  .soon 
ending  in  furious  contests.  Their  wings  are  <leclined,  in  the  maiuKM-  of  the 
Cock-Turkey,  and  rustle  on  the  ground  as  tlie  birds  jiass  ami  repass  iu  a  rapid 
niauner  ;  their  liodies  are  dejavsspil,  and  their  notcis  iialicate  their  intense  ex- 
citement. Upon  the  a])pearance  of  a  female  answering  to  tliciir  calls,  they  at 
once  engage  iu  their  desjierate  encounters.  They  rise  in  the  air  and  strike 
at  one  another  iu  the  inanuer  of  a  gamecock,  and  several  engagi;  in  a  mis- 
cellaueiais  .scrimmage,  until  the  weaker  give  way,  and,  one;  after  another,  .seek 
refuge  in  the  neighboring  bushes,  the  few  remaining  victors  discontinuing 
their  contests  as  if  from  shecu'  exhaustion. 

The  "  booming  "  or  "  tooting  "'  sounds  mad(!  by  the.se  birds  is  heard  before 
daybreak,  and  also  at  all  hours  before  sunset,  iu   ])laces  where   they  are 


444  .  NORTH  AMEUIOAN  UIHDS. 

altuniliiiit  and  tame ;  but  where  tlioy  are  rare  and  wild  tliey  are  seldom  heard 
al'U'r  simrifsr,  and  tlieir  nieetin<,f.s  tlien  are  in  silence.  Kven  in  tlie  fall  the 
youiiy  males  evince  their  natural  jaij^nacity  by  enjj:a<,'inj^  in  short  battles, 
which  tiieir  jiarents  usually  interrupt  and  jait  a  sti)]i  to. 

This  bird  nests,  according,'  to  tlie  locality  in  which  it  is  met  with,  from  the 
bejiinniiiL,'  of  A]ail  to  the  la.st  of  May.  In  Kentucky,  Mr.  Aiulubon  lias  found 
tlieir  nests  witii  eygs  early  in  April,  but  the  avera^'e  ))eriod  there  was  the  first 
of  May.  Their  nests  he  describes  as  somewhat  careles  ,  formed  of  dry 
leaves  and  grasses,  interwoven  in  a  tolerably  neat  manner,  and  always  very 
carefidly  placed  among  the  tall  grass  of  some  large  tuft  in  tlie  ojjcn  ground 
of  the  i)rairies,  or,  in  Ijarren  lands,  at  the  foot  of  a  small  bush. 

The  eggs  are  said  to  be  from  eight  to  twelve  in  number,  never  more ;  they 
are  larger  and  more  spheiical  than  those  of  the  common  loiihil/us,  and  are  of 
a  dark^;r  shade.  The  female  sits  upon  them  aljout  twenty  days,  and  as  soon 
as  the  young  can  extricate  themselves  from  the  shell  the  mother  leads  them 
away,  the  male  having  previously  left  her. 

Early  in  the  fall  the  various  broods  begin  again  to  associate  together,  and 
at  tliL  approach  of  winter  it  is  not  uncommon  to  see  them  in  tlocksof  several 
hundred  individuals. 

The  young  broods,  when  come  upon  suddenly  and  taken  by  surprise,  in- 
stantly scatter  and  sc^uat  clo.-^e  to  the  ground,  so  that,  without  a  dog,  it  is  im- 
possible to  find  them.  The  mother  gives  a  single  loud  chuck  as  a  signal  of 
danger,  and  the  young  birds  rise  on  the  wing  and  fly  a  few  yards  in  different 
directions,  and  then  keej)  themselves  perfectly  still  and  ([uiet  until  the  mother 
recalls  them  by  a  signal  indicating  that  the  ]ieril  has  ]iassed.  In  the  mean 
while  she  resorts  to  various  devices  to  draw  the  intruder  away  from  the 
place. 

This  Orouse  raises  but  a  single  brood  in  a  season  ;  and  if  the  first  Laying  has 
been  destroyed  or  taken,  the  female  seeks  out  her  mate,  makes  another  nest, 
and  produces  another  .set  of  eggs.  These  are  usually  smaller  in  size  and  less 
in  number  than  those  of  her  first  laying. 

The  Pinnated  Crouse  is  said  to  be  easily  tamed,  and  may  be  readily 
donu'sticated,  though  I  do  not  know  that  the  experiment  has  been  thoroughly 
tried.  Mr.  Aiulubon  once  kejjt  sixty  of  them  in  a  garden  near  Henderson, 
Ky.  Within  a  week  they  became  tame  enough  to  allow  him  to  approach 
them  without  being  frightened.  He  supplied  them  with  abundance  of  corn 
and  other  food.  In  ihe  course  of  the  winter  they  became  so  gentle  as  to  feed 
from  the  hand,  and  walked  about  his  garden  like  so  many  tame  fowl,  mingling 
occasionally  with  the  poultry.  In  the  spring  they  strutted,  "  tooted,"  and 
fought  as  if  in  their  wild  state.  Many  eggs  Avere  deposited,  and  a  number  of 
young  birds  wore  hatched  out ;  but  they  proved  so  destructive  to  the  vegetables 
that  tlie  ex]ieriinent  was  given  uj)  and  the  Grouse  were  killed.  The  male  birds 
w(!re  conspicuous  for  their  courage,  and  would  engage  in  contest  with  the  Tur- 
key-cocks, and  even  with  the  dunghill  cock,  rather  than  yield  the  ground. 


TKTUAUNID.K  — TllK  GUOUSR  445 

In  severe  wtiutlior  these  liirds  liave  lieeii  kunwii  tn  roost  in  trees,  but  tliey 
generally  prefer  to  rest  on  the  ^^roiind.  Advuiitiige  is  someliiues  taken  to  se- 
ciiro  them  by  visiting  their  resting-iilaees  in  the  night  witli  nets.  Un  tiie 
ground  they  walk  somewhat  in  the  manner  of  the  eomnioii  Hen,  Ijut  in  11 
more  erect  attitude.  Wiien  surprised,  they  ri.se  with  a  whirring  .sound  ;  but 
if  th'  y  pere((ive  the  approaeii  of  any  one  at  a  sullituent  distanee,  they  run 
olf  with  consideraltle  speed,  and  iiide  by  sipiatting  in  the  grass  or  among 
busiies.  They  are  fond  of  du.sting  themselves  in  ploughed  tields  or  in  du.sty 
roads,  rearranging  their  feathers  in  tiie  maimer  of  tiie  Wihl  Turkey. 

When  the  female,  with  her  young  l)rood,  is  surpri.sed,  she  in.stantly 
rallies  up  her  feathers,  and  acts  as  if  she  contemplateil  Hying  in  your  face  ; 
this  she  rarely,  if  ever,  attempts,  but  resorts  to  various  artitiees  to  decoy  the 
intruder  away. 

Their  flight  is  said  to  l)e  strong,  regular,  and  swift,  and  may  be  protracted 
to  the  distanee  of  several  miles.  It  is  less  rapid  than  that  of  the  niiihcl/i(x, 
and  the  whirring,  as  they  rise  from  tiie  ground,  less  conspicuous.  As  they 
rise,  they  utter  four  or  live  very  distinct  clucks,  l)ut  at  times  tly  in  silence. 

Their  Hesh  is  dark,  and  the  Havor  is  very  distinctly  gamy,  and  is  generally 
regarded  as  e.Kcellent. 

In  the  love-season  the  males  inllate  the  two  remarkai)le  air-bladders, 
which,  in  color  and  shajie,  resendile  small  oranges,  lower  their  iieads  to  the 
ground,  oi)en  their  liills,  ami  give  utterance  to  very  singular  iuid  distinctly 
separated  notes,  by  means  of  the  air  contained  in  these  receptacles,  rolling 
somewhat  in  the  manner  of  tlie  beatings  of  a  mullled  drum.  The  air-reser- 
voirs are  alternately  filled  and  emptied  as  they  make  these  sounds.  Their 
notes  may  be  heard  to  the  distance  of  nearly  a  mile.  When  these  skins  arc 
punctured,  they  are  no  longer  resonant. 

The  late  Mr.  DavidEckby,  of  Uoston,  furnished  :\Ir.  Audubon  with  a  full 
ttccount  of  their  habits,  as  observed  by  him  in  Martha's  Vineyard,  and  also 
on  the  island  of  Xashaweiia,  where  they  were  then  kejit  in  a  preserve.  They 
were  observed  never  to  settle  down  where  the  woods  were  thick  or  the  bushes 
tangled,  but  invariably  in  the  open  spaces  ;  and  as  they  never  start  u])  from  the 
thick  foliage,  but  always  seek  todisengage  themselves  from  all  embarrassment 
in  their  flight  by  reaching  the  nearest  open  .space,  they  offer  to  the  sportsman 
a  very  fair  mark.  'J'he  sound  they  utter  in  rising,  when  hard  pressed,  is  said  to 
resemble  the  syllables  coo-tvo-roo.  They  were  ob.served  to  feed  on  the  berries  of 
the  barberry,  which  abound  on  those  islands,  boxberries,  cranberries,  the  buds 
of  roses,  pines,  and  alders,  and  on  the  nuts  of  the  post-oaks,  and  in  the  sum- 
mer upon  the  more  esculent  l)erries.  At  the  West  they  freciuently  feed  on 
the  seeds  of  the  sumach.  They  are  also  vmy  destructive  to  the  buds  of  the 
a])ple,  and  are  very  fond  of  the  fruit  of  the  fox-grape  and  the  leaves  and 
berries  of  the  mistletoe.  During  the  planting-season  their  visits  to  the  wheat 
and  corn  fields  are  often  ]iroductive  of  great  damage. 

Three  eggs  in  my  collection,  taken  from  a  nest  near  Osage  Village,  in  In- 


446  Noirrii  a.mi;i{I('an  imrds. 

dian  Territory,  wliicli  cuntaiiiocl  .sixtoi-u  o;j:<,'h,  iiicaMuru,  one  l.(i;j  l)y  1.20 
iiicIioM,  anotlier  I.d.'!  by  l.l'S,  niid  tlie  tliinl  1.7")  l>y  l.L'H  iiu'lie.s.  Tlu-y  are 
of  a  rniiiided-oval  sliajx',  more  ohtiise  at  one  end  (liaii  the  otlier,  and  of  a 
unilbrni  eolor,  wliieli  varies  IVum  a  light  elay-color  to  a  darii  lawny-brown. 
Tiie  eggs  are  sometimes,  but  not  always,  minutely  sprinkled  w  ith  brown. 


Cupidonia  cupido,  var.  pallidicinctus,  Kiixav.w. 

THE  TEXAS  FBAIBIE  HEN. 

Ciijiiiluiiiit  cii/iido,  vi\r.  i)(i//i(liciiirtHs,  liMKiW.w. 

.Sp.  Cii.vu.  Siiiiiliw  lo  Viii'.  fUjiiilii,  Iml  iilmvc  tioiuly  (■(iimlly  brtriuil  with  iml(>  priiyisli- 
oi'lnm'coii.s  iiiul  dusky  or  lilnckish-liiowii.  IfL-nctilli  wliitc,  wilii  liiiiil,  Imt  .Klmiijly  ilcliiicd, 
iiaiiow  liars  of  [lalu  firayisli-liniwii.  Toj)  of  lii-ad  with  hi,'ht  bars  provaiiiiifr;  lioii(l-strij)es 
n'ddish-browii.  J/((^'  (U),()07, 1'rniries  orTo.\a.s.  .Slaked  rhiiiis?  ;  Capt,  J.  Pope,  U.  S.  A.). 
Wiiij,',  8.30;  tail,  4.20;  tarsu.i,  1.70;  miildli-  toe,  1.50.  /■'nnale  (10.00,"),  f;aiiiu  louality, 
I'tc).    Winj;',  S.L'O. 

Hau.      Southwusturii   Prairies  (.Staked  Plains.  Te-xas?). 

In  its  relations  with  the  C.  vupido,  this  race  bears  a  direct  analog}-  to 
Pfcliinrfc.'i  ro/tniibknms,  as  compared  with  J\  2>}i"siiiii(//ii,%  and  to  Or///.r  tr.ra- 
nii.%  as  distinguished  from  0.  rlri/inidiiiis.  Thus  in  a  much  less  develop- 
ment ol'  the  tarsal  feathers  it  iigrees  with  the  southern  Pcdiordn,  while  in 
paler,  grayer  colors,  and  smaller  size,  it  is  like  the  southwestern  Orly,!:. 


Gkxl's  BONASA,   Sticpukn-s. 

Uniinsn,  .Stf.I'HKXs,  Shaw's  Ocii.  Zoiil.  .\I,  1819.     (T.vpe,  Tdriio  boncisia,  L.) 
Tctmslcs,  Kkys.  &  Bl.\.s.  Wirb.  Kiirop.  1840,  p.  l.xiv. 

Gen.  Cii.vii.  Tail  wideniiifr  to  the  end.  its  f<>at,lieis  very  broad,  as  long  as  tli(>  wings; 
the  feathers  soft,  and  I'ighteen  in  number.  Tar.si  naked  in  the  lower  half;  covered  with 
two  rows  of  hexagonal  scales  anteriorly,  a.s  in  the  Orfi/f/iinc.  Sides  of  toes  strongly 
pectin.itod.  Naked  space  on  the  side  of  threat  covered  by  a  tuft  of  bread  .soft  feathers: 
Portion  of  culinen  between  the  nasal  fossa;  about  one  third  the  total  length.  Top  of  head 
with  a  soft  crest. 

This  genus,  in  its  partly  naked  tarsi,  with  two  rows  of  scutelliv  anteriorly, 
indicates  a  close  approach  to  the  American  Partridges,  or  Quails.  It  lias  a 
single  European  representative,  the  B.  tn/Irrstris,  .Steph. 

Species  and  Varieties. 

B.  umbelluB.  Rump  with  cordate  light  spot,« ;  sides  with  transverse  dark 
spots.  Tail  with  two  gray  bands  (one  terminal),  with  a  broad  blackish  zone 
between  them.  Cervic.il  tufts  ,glos.sy  black  or  dark  brown,  with  a  isemi- 
metallic  steel-bluo  or  green  border. 


TKTIl.VON'ID.K  — THE  OROl'SK  447 

I'rcvailiii;,' roldi'  lui^rlil  iicliracooiis-iiilniis ;  tail  always  rulbu-t  in  llii' 
Miiiiili'  anil  .Soiillu'iii  Slates,  ocfifidiially  j,'i'ay  on  tin.-  Ailofjliaiiy  Mdiiii- 
taiiis,  and  in  Ni^w  Hn^^laml  Slate.-;  usually  f,'iay  in  Eastern  Jlritish 
Aineriea.     Ilah.     Daslern  I'inv  iiK  e  nf  Nuilli  Anierica         .        var.   n  nih  ellun, 

I'reVftililii,'  Cdliir  lilMish-ashy  :  tail  always  pale  a>li.  Il<il>.  liiieky 
Mountains  of  I'liiteil  Slates,  ami  interior  feuiolis  of  liritish  Aineriea, 
to  llie  Yukon var.  a  in  It  f  llo  ides, 

I'n.'vailiiif,' eolor  liaik  lerrnj^inous ;  tail  always  dark  liTrnj^'iiions  near 
the  (•oast,  oeeasioiially  iliU'k  frray  in  inoiintainoiis  i'i'i,'ions,  //nh,  Noitli- 
west  coast  rcffioii  (Oi'erri)n,  Wasliin^^ton,  liiitisli  Colninl>ia,  utc.)      var.  sahini. 

Tliu  alidvo  .syiio])sis  is  iutoiidcd  to  i)i'esoiit  in  the  .siinplost  Ibnntho  cluimc- 
tori.stic  I'uiitiirt'S  ut'  tliu  tlivcu  (lefiiiiihlo  lucu.s  of  tlii.s  oxctiiidiiioly  variiibk) 
.species,  as  e.xliihited  in  a  lioht  ni.stv  riiloiis-tailed  f'unn  of  the  Atlantic 
State.s,  a  ])ak'  oiay  asliy-tailed  I'oi'ni  of  tiie  Koeky  Mountains  of  the  I'nited 
States  and  Ih'itisli  Anu'vica,  and  a  ihivk  rusty  rufoiis-taiUnl  form  of  the 
northwest  coast  rej^ioii.  These  three,  wlien  based  on  s[ieciinens  from  the 
regions  where  tlieir  cliaracters  are  most  exaooemted  and  uniform,  appear 
suthciently  distinct;  Init  wlien  we  find  that  specimens  from  the  Xew  Kng- 
huid  States  have  tiie  rufous  bodies  of  uiiiIhIIiik  and  gray  tails  of  umbc/luidrs, 
and  tliat  examjiles  from  Eastern  Oregon  and  Wasliiuoton  'I'erritory  have  the 
dark  rusty  bodies  of  siililnl  and  gray  tails  of  Hinhdloiilea,  and  eontinue  to 
see  that  tlie  transition  lietweeii  any  two  of  tlie  tliree  forms  is  gradual  with 
tlie  locality,  we  are  unavtjidably  led  to  the  conelusittn  that  they  are  merely 
geograjiliical  modifications  ol'  one  species.  The  continuity  of  the  dark  suh- 
lerminal  tail-liand  in  iinihr/liis,  iiiid  its  interru])tiou  in  mnhcUoidcs,  —  charac- 
ters on  wiiich  great  stress  is  laid  by  Mr.  Klliot  in  his  monograph,  above  cited, 
—  we  find  to  be  contradicted  by  tlie  large  series  whieli  we  have  examined  ; 
neitlier  condition  seems  to  be  the  rule  in  eitiier  race,  luit  the  character 
proves  to  be  utterly  unreliable. 

In  the  less  elevated  and  more  soutiiern  jiortions  of  the  Eastern  Province 
of  tlie  United  State.s,  as  in  tiie  Mississippi  Valley  and  the  States  bordering 
the  (!idf  and  South  Atlantic,  the  rufous  ty])e  is  prevalent;  the  tiiil  being 
always,  so  far  as  tiie  s])eciniens  we  have  seen  indicate,  of  an  ochraceous- 
rufous  tint.  Specimens  with  gray  tails  first  occur  on  the  Alleghany  ^loun- 
taiiis,  and  become  more  common  in  the  Xew  England  States,  the  specimens 
from  Maine  having  nearly  all  gray  tiuls.  S])ecimens  from  Labradir  approacii 
still  nearer  th(^  var.  vnihrlloiilri^^  —  the  extreme  gray  condition,  —  and  iigree 
witli  Alaskan  si)eciiueiis  in  having  more  Iirown  than  those  i'rom  tlie  interior 
]iortions  of  liritish  America  or  the  Hoeky  Mountains  of  the  United  States. 
More  nortliern  s]iecimens  of  the  iidand  form  have,  again,  a  greater  anioimt 
of  white  than  those  from  the  south  or  coastward.  Passing  southward  from 
Alaska  toward  Oregon,  s])ecimens  become  darker,  until,  in  the  dense  humid 
forests  of  the  region  of  tlie  Columbia,  a  very  dark  jilumage,  with  little  or  no 
gray,  ])revails,  most  similar  to,  but  even  more  reddish  and  nmch  darker,  than 
the  style  of  the  Southern  States  of  the  Eastern  I'rovince.     Passing  from  the 


448 


NoliTII   A.MKKU'AN   lUKDS. 


low  const  I'orost.s  to  tlioso  of  tlio  mouiitdins,  wis  tind  a;,'niM  equally  dark 
spcfiint'iis,  lull  with  ^liiyisli  tails;  tlic  amount  of  j,'ray  iiicroiwiiij,',  and  lis 
sliiuUi  li;,'lit(^iiiiij,',  as  \vu  ai>iii'oauli  the;  central  IJocky  Mountains, 

Tlii^  Anit'iican  .siit'cius  of  JIoiuisk  jiossussl-s  a  (|uiti'  near  analo^'nu  in  tlii' 
L'.  si//risfris,  I'lona]!.  {Ti/nin  bomiHin,  Linn.),  or  Ila/ul  (Iroiiso,  of  Kuropo. 
'J'liis  s|)i'('i('s  lias  almost  t-xactly  tlii'  samo  pattern  of  coldration  (in('lii(liii,i,' 
tail-markiii^sj,  lait  is  vory  iiuuli  smalk-r,  lias  the  uock-tiifts  nitlinRMitary 
iind  white,  and  the  throat  black,  iustea'i  of  just  the  ruvcrsu. 


Bonasa  umbellus, 


var. 


umbellus,  Sikiukxs. 


BUFFED  QB0U8E;   PABTRIDOE;   PHEASANT. 

Tctnio  iiiiiUHii.1,  1,IXN.  Sy-t.  Nut.  I,  Utiti,  'i;.'),  »>.  —  AVil.sdN,  Am.  Orii.  VI,  1812,  id,  \>\. 
.\li.\.  —  DcpidUTV,  fab.  N.  11.  I,  ISJio,  13,  1.1.  ii.  —  An..  Oru.  Wwfr.  j,  is;ii,  211  ; 
V,  r.OO,  111.  xli.  —  111.  Itinls  Aiiirr.  V,  1M2,  72,  pi.  c.xiiii.  Tiinio  {/I'linasid)  nui- 
kilns,  M.pn.vp.  Syii.  1S2S,  12ii.  —  In.  .Mmi.  Tihiin,  Am.  I'liil.  Tiaiis.  Ill,  1,S30,  3S!i. 
—  NriT.M.i.,  Man.  1,  ls;!2,  (i.'ir.  JUiiumii  iimU/lim,  Svkvuv.ss,  Sliaw,  (Icn.  Z(.ijl. 
XI,  1S24,  30U.  —  Bd.N.vr.  t'om|itc.s  litiidns,  XI. V,  is.'.T,  42S.  —  H.viiii.,  liirds  X.  Am. 
1858,  (.30.—  lii.Llt)T,  Monog.  Tctr.  \A.  (iUAY,  (at.  Iliit.  Mils.  V,  181.7,  80.  Tc/nio 
hiijiilii.i,  l.iNN.  1,  17(1(1,  27.".,  8.  —  KonsTKi!,  I'hilos.  Trans.  I.XII,  1772,  393.  ri/mn 
liiiiijiiiiKis,  l!.\i:ri!AM,  Travils  in  K.  Klmiila,  17!*1,  2!i().  Jiiijl'cil  C/niKsc,  ami  Hhuulilcr- 
knut  ii'ruKnr,  I'dnn.v.vt  &  IjAiuvm. 

Sp.  CiiAii.     Aliovc  (i('liiai'i'i)iis-liiown,  liiicly  inottli'il  with  frrnyish  ;  tlu>  .«('a|Milars  and 
wing-L'oveil.s  willi  imlc  silial'l-stivak.-,  tliu  niiui)  and  iiiipur  tail-covort.s  witli  iiu'dial  (.'ordatu 

spots  at' [talc  j;i'ayisli.      Tail 
"  32312  \         ocliraci'i.u.s-riiloiis,  iiiUTow- 

ly  l.ari'cd  with  I. lack,  cro.sscd 
tcrmiually  with  a  narrow 
hand  of  pale  ash,  thon  a 
hroadcr  one  of  black,  this 
]in'in'(k'd  hy  ainilhiT  a.-hy 
one.  (Ill  .si>i'L'iiiu'iis  Iroiii 
the  Ail('),'liaiiy  Mountains 
and  New  Eiiji-land  States, 
thi-  tail  usually  liiorc  or  less 
L'l'ayish  to  ihi^  hast',  soiiiC- 
tiiiu's  entirely  destitute  of 
ruli.us  tiuire.J  Throat  and 
t'oivncck  oehracL'ous.  Low- 
er parts  while  ((.ehraeeous 
beneath  the  siirlae(0,  with 
l.road  transverse  bars  of 
dilute  l.rowii,  tliese  mostly 
concealed  on  the  abdomen. 
Lower  tail-eoverts  pale 
ochraceons,  each  with  a  terminal  deltoid  spot  of  white,  bordered  with  dusky.  Neck-tufts 
hrownish-blaek.  I.en^rth,  18.00;  win":.  7.20;  tail,  7.00.  Female  smaller,  and  with  the 
neck-lufts  less  developed,  but  colors  similar.  Yonnij  (:'.i),l(!l.  St.  Steplien'.s,  X.  B. ; 
G.  A.  lioardmaii).     Brown  above,  and  dinjry-white  beneath  ;  a  rufous  tinge  on  the  seap- 


Bonasa   umbellus. 


TKT11A(  >N  1  D.l':  —  Til  !•;  ( J U(  )VHK 


449 


iilai'8.  FiMilliiM's  of  till'  juffiilmn,  luick,  Hciipiiliit's,  mid  win^'-covcrls  with  l)ronil  mcdini 
Nti'cnks  of  li>;lit  oclinu'cdiis  uiid  liliick  spots  on  llm  \vt'l).s  ;  jiij;uliiui  with  ii  stnmj,' 
liiiir  tiii>,'t'.  Sccoi  laiics  uml  \viii>,'-i'ovi'its  siiiiiij,'ly  iiiotlk'il  tniiisvcrsi'ly.  liciui  cliii},'y 
bull',  llio  ii|)pi'r  |mrl  more  rusty  ;  a  post-oiiilar  or  uuriciilai'  dusky  palcli,  mid  u  lull  of 
dusky  fcalliurs  o\\  (lu'  vertex.  C/iirh:  Al)i>vt'  lif,dit  rid'ous,  liciiealli  rusty-white;  uiiiforui 
iiliiive  and  l)ek>\v  ;  u  dusky  [lost-oeiilar  streak,  iiielinin;;  duwnwarils  across  the  aurieuhus. 
Hill  wiiilisii. 

Hah.  Eastern  Province  of  Xorth  Arncrie.i;  in  tlie  northeastern  portion.s  (.Vew  Kng- 
land,  Labrador)  and  Allegiiaiiy  .Mountains  iiicHnin^'  toward  var.  nmhdlns  in  havin;,'  a 
(,'niy  tail. 

IIviiITs.  This  M-('ll-kiu)\vii  liifd  —  the  coiniiioii  liivcli  I'ai'tiidoo  f)t'  tlio 
Ili'itish  l'rovince.s,  tin;  i*iirtii(lf,'e  of  Now  Kiij^liiiitl  mid  llio  West,  and  tliu 
I'lioiisaiit  of  tliu  ^[iddlu  Statu.s  —  is  found  thrmi^'Iiout  tlio  woodud  porlioiis  of 
uiistui'ii  Nortii  Aiiu'fifii,  from  (!t!or),Mii  to  Xova  Scotia,  and  from  tliu  Atlantic 
to  tlio  Jiocky  ^Mountains.  Kicliardsoii,  in  his  description  of  its  habits  in  tho 
Fauna  Jiorettli-Amiricanu, status  that  he  met  witii  it  as  far  north  as  thu  oOth 
jiaraUul  of  latitudu,  and  mentions,  in  a  note,  tiiat  Mr.  Drunimond  prounrud 
S])ui'imeii3  on  the  sources  of  thu  I'eacu  liiver,  in  the  vaUey  of  the  Iioeky 
Alouutuius,  iu  uu  wise  difl'urunt  iioni  tlioso  ttvkeu  on  the  Suskatchuwun.     On 


Banasa  vmbtUus. 

the  banks  of  tlie  latter  river  it  was  found  very  i)leiitifiil,  frequenting  tlie  horse- 
paths and  the  cluarud  spaces  about  tlie  forts.  In  winter,  when  the  jiround  was 
covered  with  snow,  it  occurred  in  Hocks  of  ten  or  twelve,  perchiii^r  on  trees. 
These  Hocks  could  lie  approached  without  difliculty,  and  several  birds  succes- 
sively shot  from  tlie  same  tree  without  c.xcitino;  the  alarm  of  the  survivors,  if 
the  lowest  were  shot  first.  When  disturlied,  like  most  Grouse  they  Hew  off 
very  swiftly,  with  a  loud  whirrinj,'  sound,  and  to  a  considerable  distance  before 
alij^htins.  The  male  in  s])rin<>-  makes  a  very  siii<jular  loud  noise,  resem- 
bliiig  the  quick  roll  of  a  drum,  which  is  produced  by  rapid  strokes  of  the 
vol..  III.  57 


450  NORTH    A.MKUICAN   BIRDS. 

wiiifTs,  and  which  may  he  lioard  to  quite  a  distance.  Tn  the  niatintjt-season 
tlie  male  .struts  about  in  the  ])resence  of  tlie  I'euiale,  in  the  manntu'  of  a 
Turkey-cock,  its  wings  drooping,  its  tail  erected,  and  its  ruffs  displayed. 

ThisGrou.se  is  a  cinistant  resident  in  the  district  in  which  it  occurs,  and, 
as  a  general  rule,  is  in  no  sen.se  migratory,  though  it  is  stated  by  Audubon 
that  in  some  regions  where  they  are  very  abundant  they  perforin  ])artial 
sorties  at  the  approiich  of  autumn.  These  only  occur  in  mcjuntainons  regions 
in  which  during  tlie  winter  montlis  tiiere  is  an  insuliicieiicy  of  food.  Tliese 
movements  have  been  noticed  on  tlie  lianks  of  tlie  Ohio  and  the  Susiiuehanna 
Kivers.  Tiieir  jouriieys  occur  in  the  month  of  October,  when  they  are  in 
tlie  best  condition  fui  the  table,  and  they  are  much  sotigiit  after.  In  tiie 
spring,  those  which  have  escajted  return  to  tlie  regions  from  which  they 
migrated.  Mr.  Audubon  states  that  in  October,  1S2(),  he  observed  a  large 
number  moving  from  the  States  of  Ohio,  ludiaiia,  and  Illinois  into  Kentucky, 
many  of  which  were  shot,  and  taken  to  the  Cincinnati  market. 

Tliis  (irouse  is  found  wherever  wooded  country  is  to  be  met  with,  and  is 
especially  fond  of  the  craggy  sides  of  mountains  and  hills,  and  the  borders 
of  rivers  and  small  streams.  They  also  often  occur  in  I'oiisiderable  nnni- 
liers  in  low  lands,  and  were  discov(>red  liy  Air.  Audubon  l)recdiiig  in  the 
thickest  cane-brakes  of  Indiana  and  Kentucky. 

Tiiey  find  in  the.se  wooded  regions  at  once  the  means  of  food  and  shelter. 
In  these  localities  they  lireed,  and  there  tliey  may  usually  be  seen  at  all 
seasons  of  the  j'ear.  They  are  thus  to  be  met  with  in  nearly  all  the  Southern 
States,  being  iibundant  in  the  Carolinas,  in  Kentucky,  Tennessee,  and  Missis- 
sippi, as  far  to  the  southwest  as  Xatchez.  They  are  not  known  to  occur  in 
any  ])art  of  Louisiana.  Dr.  Newberry  did  not  encounter  this  bird  within 
the  limits  of  California,  but  found  them  very  ab\indant  in  the  wooded  por- 
doiis  of  the  Cascade  ^lountains  aii(l  in  the  Willamette  Valley.  The  Oregon 
specimens  were  generally  darker  tlian  the  eastern  varieties,  but  the  habits 
were  apparently  everywhere  the  same. 

In  many  important  resjtccts  the  habits  of  this  bird  a])pear  to  l)e  essentially 
difi'erent  from  those  of  the  Pinnated  Grouse.  Uiilik(!  that  species,  it  is  rarely 
met  with  on  o])eii  ]ilaiiis.  'i'liough  the  food  of  the  two  species  a])])ears 
to  be  very  similar,  this  jieculiarity  and  diiterence  ol'  abode  is  ipiite  striking. 
This  is  more  iioticealile  at  the  South  than  in  the  more  northern  and 
V  'estern  portions  of  the  country,  whei'e,  however,  this  specie^  seems  to  seek, 
and  the  mpiilo  to  avt)id,  the  wooded  sections. 

They  differ,  also,  in  their  more  solitary  (lis])osition,  being  never  seen  in 
groups  of  more  than  four  or  five,  and  rarely  otiier  tliaii  singly  or  in  ])airs. 
Wilson  observed,  while  travelling  among  tlie  mountains  of  l'enn.sylvania. 
tliat  these  birds  left  the  woods  early  in  the  morning  to  seek  tlie  open  path 
or  road  to  ]iick  up  gravel  or  to  glean  among  the  drojijtings  of  tlie  horses, 
and  he  was  thus  enabled  to  supply  himself  without  leaving  the  ]tath.  On 
the  ground  they  Mere  observtul  io  move  with  great  .stateliness,  spreading  out 
tlieir  1>road  fan-like  tails. 


TETUAUNTU.K— THE  GROUSE.  45I 

The  lliyiit  of  this  (Jrouso  is  low,  straij^litt'onviirtl,  and  mroly  protvactud 
more  tlian  a  tow  Imudicd  yards  at  a  time,  ll  is  somewliut  stitl',  and  i)er- 
I'oriued  with  ircv^ueut,  almost  eoiitiimal,  lieatiiii,'s  of  its  wings.  When  it  is 
ilusiied  from  its  nest,  o''  is  suddenly  startled  iwmi  the  ground  by  a  dog,  it 
rises  with  a  loud  whirring  sound,  whieh  noise,  however,  is  not  made  when 
the  bird  ri.ses  of  its  own  aceoi'd.  Its  movements  on  the  ground  are  very 
stately  and  graeeful,  e.xeept;  when  it  is  approaehed  t("  .  near,  when  it  runs  in 
a  rapid  manner,  lowers  its  head,  and  spreads  its  tail,  and  eitiier  seeks  .shelter 
or  takes  to  tliglit.  When  it  hides  in  the  bushes,  it  usually  si^uats  and 
remains  elose.  Tlieyare  dillieult  birds  to  shoot  on  the  wing,  the  more  .so  tb'it 
they  mak<'  \adden  and  une.xpeeted  ehanges  in  the  direetion  of  their  i'..-nt. 
Wiien  tliey  light  on  a  tree,  they  are  more  readily  followed  and  shot.  The 
prevale;;:  notion  that,  where  several  (jf  these  l)irds  are  in  the  same  tree, 
sewral  may  be  proeured  if  you  are  careful  to  shoot  the  lowest  one  each 
time,  was  not  verified  l>y  Mr.  Audubon's  experience. 

The  lov(vseason  of  the  Partridge  commences  early  in  March,  and  is 
indicated  liy  the  (h'umniing  of  male  liird.s.  This  sound  is  i)rodueed  liy  the 
male  bird  only,  who,  standing  on  a  I'allen  log  or  on  an  elevated  rock  in  the 
most  retired  ])ortion  of  the  woods,  lowers  his  wings,  expands  his  taii,  con- 
tracts his  neck,  and  seems  to  inllate  his  whole  body.  Tiie  tufts  of  feathers 
on  either  side  of  the  neck  are  elevated,  and  the  liird  struts  and  wheels 
aliont  in  tiie  most  pompous  manner  jiossilile  to  imagine.  After  mano'U- 
vring  in  this  manner  for  some  time,  he  begins  to  strike  the  sides  of  his  own 
body  with  his  still'ened  wings  with  shf)rt  and  rapid  strokes.  These  become 
nunc  and  more  rapid,  until  the  noi.se  they  ])roduce  seems  continmnis.  These 
souiiils  may  be  heard  at  all  liours  of  the  day,  but  more  gener.illy  early  in 
the  morning.  Tlie  .sound  tiius  ]iroduced  has  generally  been  comi)ared  to 
that  jiroduced  by  beating  together  two  distended  liladder.s.  l>ut  this  gives 
one  a  very  inade(iuate  idea  of  the  rolling,  reverberating,  ventriloquistic 
noise  which  tiiese  birds  thus  occasion.  It  is  more  like  the  di.stant  and 
closing  reverlierations  caused  I'y  remote  thunder,  and  seems  to  the  listener 
much  ni'urcr  than  it  really  is.  It  may  be  inutated  in  several  ways,  so  as 
even  to  decei\e  the  bird,  ami  to  biing  him,  in  a  fatal  impulse  of  jealousy,  to 
t'     .shot  of  the  sportsman. 

n  the  s]iring  these  birds  teed  on  the  Ijuds  of  several  kinds  of  trees, 
esi)eciaily  the  birches.  In  Maine  they  are  i)articularly  fond  of  the  buds  (if 
the  black  birch,  which  gives  to  their  ilesii  a  peculiar  and  very  agreeable 
ilavor,  and  from  tins  in  certain  localities  they  are  known  as  the  Hirch 
Partridgi^  Tiicy  also  feed  largely  on  the  esculent  berries  of  the  sunnner, 
as  raspberries,  blueberries,  and  huckkn)erries,  and  in  the  fall  become  plump 
and  fat,  and  are  esteemed  a  great  delicacy. 

Mr.  Audubon  states  that,  as  this  bird  rises  from  the  ground,  it  utters  a 
cackling  note,  which  it  repeats  si.x  or  seven  times,  and  then  emits  a  lisping 
whistle,  like  ''e  cry  of  some  young  biril,  which  is  rather  remarkable.    When 


452  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

tlie  jfround  is  covered  by  a  fall  of  lij^lit  snow,  these  birds  dive  into  it  and 
conceal  themselves,  sometimes  burrowinff  tlirmi<;li  it  to  the  depth  of  several 
feet.  Wlien  pursued,  tliey  tie(|iiently  escajw  in  this  numner.  Many  are 
taken  under  the  snow ;  others  are  snared  by  nooses,  or  by  means  of  figure 
of  four  tra])S. 

This  Grouse  is  more  or  less  ])()ly<,'amous,  and  l)otli  sexes  are  somewhat 
promiscuous  in  tlieir  intercourse.  The  males  only  remain  with  tlie  females 
until  incubation  has  commenced,  and  then  keep  by  tliemselves,  unless  re- 
called l)y  tlie  females  when  their  eggs  have  been  taken  or  destroyed.  The 
males  occasionally  indulge  in  severe  contests  for  the  ])ossession  of  the 
female,  but  not  to  the  same  extent  as  with  the  Pinnated  Grouse. 

The  female  places  her  nest  in  some  retired  spot,  usually  on  the  edge  of 
the  woods,  or  n  ;ar  an  opening  in  it,  always  on  the  ground,  and  often  under 
the  shelter  of  a  projecting  rock  or  a  fallen  log.  Tlie  nest  is  very  rude  and 
simj)le,  consisting  of  only  a  few  leaves  laid  in  a  depression  and  not  woven 
togetlier.  The  eggs  are  from  seven  to  twelve  in  number,  and  are  generally 
of  a  uniform  yellowisli-brown  color,  and  are  \ery  rarely  mottled  or  spotted. 
During  incubation  the  Partridge  sits  very  closely,  and  permits  a  near 
apprcjach  before  she  M'ill  leave  her  charge.  The  young  Partridges  leave  the 
nest  as  soon  as  tliey  are  hatched,  following  tlieir  motlier,  who  calls  to  tliem 
with  a  clucking  sound  not  unlike  that  of  the  connnon  domestic  Hen.  The 
mother  is  very  devoted,  courageous,  and  wily  in  defending  them.  Coming 
suddenly  upon  a  young  brood  of  Partridges  squatted  with  their  mother  near 
the  roadside  in  n  woods,  my  first  knowledge  (jf  thSir  presence  was  received 
from  the  old  bird  Hying  directly  at  my  face,  and  tlien  tumbling  about  at  my 
feet  with  frantic  manifestations  of  distress  and  imitated  lameness.  In  the 
mean  while  the  little  ones  scattered  in  every  direction,  and  were  not  to  be 
found.  As  .soon  as  she  was  satisfied  of  tlieir  safety,  the  parent  fiew  to  a 
short  distance,  and  I  .soon  heard  her  clucking  call  to  them  to  come  to  her 
again.  Altogether,  it  was  one  of  the  most  striking  scenes  of  jiarental  devo- 
tion and  well-managed  interverition  I  ever  witnessed.  When  I  came  upon 
the  mother,  she  had  sipiatted  upon  the  ground,  and  the  young  had  taken 
refuse  under  her  wings. 

Tlie  males  keej)  apart  fnnn  the  females  and  the  young  until  the  approach 
of  winter,  when  they  rea.ssemble  in  tlieir  search  for  food.  In  severe  seasons, 
when  the  snow  lies  very  deej),  especially  in  Pennsylvania,  they  are  said  to 
feed  on  the  buds  of  tlie  Mountain  Laurel,  or  some  other  poisonous  slirub 
which  imparts  a  poisonous  character  to  their  ficsh.  In  Maine  they  have 
been  accused  of  resorting  to  a])ple-orchards  and  destroying  the  fruit-ouds, 
thus  occasionally  causing  a  serious  injury  to  the  prospective  harvest.  We 
apprehend  there  is  some  foundation  for  these  charges. 

Mr.  William  Street,  of  Easthampton,  who  resides  on  Mount  Tom,  writes 
me  that  he  has  found  this  Grouse  very  numerous  in  that  vicinity.  Having 
lived  in  a  secluded  place  ten  years,  and  having  met  with  those  birds  con- 


TKTRAONrD.E  — THE  GROUSE.  453 

stantly  by  day  and  l)y  ni^dit,  he  lias  been  able  to  note  some  interesting 
peculiarities  in  their  habits.  The  druraniing  by  the  male  is  ol'ten  made  on  a 
stone  as  well  as  a  log,  the  same  perch  l)eing  resorted  to,  when  once  chosen  l)y 
a  male  bird,  as  long  as  it  lives.  In  one  instance  he  knew  one  of  these  Par- 
tridges persistently  adhere  to  its  druiuming-place,  even  though  tlie  woods  had 
all  been  cut  away  and  a  new  road  made  close  by  its  post.  Tlitiy  vonst  on 
the  ground  as  well  as  on  trees,  when  near  their  home,  and  just  where  night 
overtak(!S  them.  They  can  fly  l)y  night  as  well  as  by  day,  when  disturljcd, 
as  he  has  often  had  occasion  to  notice,  having  started  them  up  at  all  hours 
of  the  night.  They  are  very  local  in  their  habits,  and  never  wander  more 
than  a  hundred  rods  from  the  drumming-place  of  the  male.  This  spot 
seems  to  be  the  central  point  around  which  thoy  live.  The  young  kec]) 
with  the  old  birds  throughout  the  fall  and  winter,  and  select  their  own 
homes  in  the  spring,  not  far  from  those  of  their  ])arcnts.  When  a  Hock  is 
started  up,  they  .separate  and  fly  in  every  direction;  but  if  one  sits  quietly 
down  and  keeps  perfectly  still,  in  less  than  an  hour  he  will  see  them  all 
coming  l)ack,  on  foot,  and  all  at  about  the  same  time. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  measure  l.GO  inches  in  length  by  1.15  in  breadth. 
They  are  usually  unspotted  and  of  a  uniform  dark  cream-color,  occasionally 
marked  with  darker  blotches  of  the  same.  They  are  of  au  elongated  oval, 
pointed  at  one  end. 

Bonasa  umbellus,  var.  umbelloides,  Douglas. 

THE  MOUNTAIN  FASTBIOOE. 

TetrcM  nmhdioides,  Doutu..  Linn,  'riuns.  XVI,  1829,  148.  Bonasa  umbellus,  var.  umbelMdts, 
li.viiin,  liirds  N.  Am.  ISnS,  \>2i)  (appendix),  lionam  umbclloides,  Ki.MOT,  P.  A.  N.  S. 
1804.  liumtm  umbellus,  Al'u.  —  Dall  &  U.vnnistek,  Tr.  Cliiwigo,  Ac.  I,  1869,  287 
(Alaska,  interior). 

Sp.  Ciiau.  In  ]iattern  ol"  coloration  exactly  FJniilar  to  Kwhelhis,  but  colors  tlifferont. 
Riifoiis  tints  almost  wliolly  replaced  hy  graj',  the  ground-color  of  the  tail  always  (ine 
light  ash.     N^eck-tiil'ts  deep  glo.>;sy -black. 

Had.  Rocky  .\[ountaiiis  of  the  United  States,  and  interior  of  Briti.sh  America,  tiom 
Alaska  (on  the  Yukon)  to  Canada,  where  grading  into  var.  nmbellus. 

H.viUTs.  Ill  regard  to  the  habits  of  this  variety  we  have  no  information. 
It  was  found  by  Mr.  Drummond  among  the  Kocky  Mountains,  near  the 
sources  of  tlio  tributaries  of  the  Saskutchewan.  He  states  that  those  ho 
met  with  v,ere  at  least  one  third  smaller  than  the  iimbdh(s,  had  a  much 
grayer  plumage  and  a  shorter  rullle.  lie  regarded  it  as  a  distinct  species 
from  the  common  Partridge,  which  he  also  encountered  in  the  same  locality. 

Mr.  Iiidgway  met  with  this  variety  on  the  Wahsatch  Mountains  in  Octo- 
ber and  during  the  summer.  It  was  known  in  that  locality  as  the  Pine 
Hen,  in  distinction  from  tl.,  T.  obscurus,  which  was  known  as  the  Mountain 
Grouae. 


454  NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

Tlie  ej,'gs  of  this  variety  uieixsuro  l.Gl'  iuclics  iu  length  by  1.20  in  breadth. 
Their  prouiid-ciilDr  is  ii  deeji  uuit'orm  creiiin,  darker  than  in  the  umhdlus. 
They  are  ucea.siuually  nuirketl  witli  dark  tints  of  the  same. 


Bonasa  umbellus,  vur.  sabini,   Doiglas. 

THE  0BE60N  6B0TJSE. 

Trlrao  snhiiii,  ]')oroi,.\.s,  Trans.  Linn.  Sno.  XVI,  ],s-Jii,  137.  —  Kicii.  F.  Hor.  Am.  II,  lS:n, 
,•54:3.  /  Trlrnu  Hiahi-lliix,  l!i(  11.  F.  lioi'.  Am.  II,  ISai,  312.  —  Ni;wiii;i!iiY,  Zool.  Cal. 
&  Or.  Ituntc,  l!('ip.  I'.  I!.  1{.  Suiv.  VI,  iv,  1^;")",  Ol.  liowisa  suliini,  li.vilil),  liinls 
N.  Am.  lt>.")f*,  U31.  —  CooiM-.ii  .t  .SicKi.r.Y,  224.  —  Ki.i.ior,  I'.  A.  X.  S.  IStll.  —  In. 
Monog.  'IVtnion.  —  Lni:l>,  I'r.  1!.  A.  I.  IV,  123  (l!r.  Col.).  —  (in.w,  Cat.  I'.rit. 
Mus.  V,  lb(J7,  89.  —  Dai.i.  &  IUnmstku,  Tr.  (.'iiicago  Ac.  I,  18G!t,  287  (Alaska  coast). 
—  t'ool'Kit,  Oin.  C'ul.  I,  1870,  54(1. 

Sp.  C'iuh.      Similar    to   var.    iiinbi'Hiis,   lint    much   darker.      Tlie  rufoii.s    tiiit.s   almost 
Ciistaneoiis,  and  ilu;  dusky  niarkiiiirs  larjxcr.     Loii^'tii,  alioiit  IS.nO;  wiuu',  7.30;  tail,  G.70. 
II.Mi.    Coast  Mountains  of  Oiviion,  Wasliingtoii,  and  Urilisli  Columbia. 

The  specimens  of  Jltiffed  Clrouse  i'rom  tlie  Pacifie  coast  dilfer  very  greatly 
from  others  in  much  darker  tints  of  coloration,  altiioiigh  the  jiattern  is 
])recisely  the  same.  The  ujjper  parts  are  dark  orange-chestnut,  mottled  with 
black,  the  cordate  light  spots  very  distinct.  The  feathers  of  the  brea.st  are 
strongly  tinged  with  reddisli-yellow  ;  those  of  the  sides  marked  with  broad 
and  consiiicuous  bars  of  black,  instead  of  the  obsolete  brown.  The  under 
tail-coverts  are  orange-chestnut,  with  indistinct  bars  of  black,  and  an  angular 
terminal  blotch  of  white.  All  the  ligiit  brown  l)lotches  and  edgings  of  the 
eastern  variety  are  here  dark  Ijrown  or  black.  Tiie  jugular  band  between 
the  rutlles  is  very  conspicuously  black.  S])ccimens  from  Kastern  Oregon  and 
Washington  have  dark  gray  tails,  ami  thus  incline  toward  var.  mnhelloiilcs. 

Haiuts.  The  "Western  IJuifed  (lrou.se  was  found  aljundant  by  Dr.  Sui'k- 
ley  iu  the  timbered  districts  throughout  Oregon  and  Wasinngton  Territory. 
Its  habits  seemed  to  be  identical  with  those  of  the  eastern  birds.  t)wing 
to  the  mildness  of  the  season  in  the  vicinity  of  P'ort  Steilacoom,  the  males 
commence  drumming  as  early  as  January,  and  in  Feln'uary  they  are  heard 
to  drum  throughout  the  night.  In  the  autumn  they  collect  in  gre.-it  num- 
bers iu  the  cmb-apjtle  thickets  near  the  salt  marshes  at  the  mouths  of  the 
rivers  emptying  into  Puget  Sound.  Tiiere  they  feed  for  about  six  weeks 
on  the  ri])e  fruit  of  the  northwestern  crab-apple,  the  I'ljrm  rivularis  of 
Nuttall. 

Dr.  Cooper  also  .ipeaks  of  this  Grouse  as  very  abundant  everywhere  about 
the  borders  of  woods  and  clearings.  It  was  common  near  the  forests  east  of 
the  Cascade  Mountains  uj)  to  tlie  4'.ith  degree.  These  liirds  vary  in  plu- 
mage there,  a  ])ale-grayish  hue  ])redominating.  West  of  the  mountains  they 
are  all  of  a  very  dark  brown.  There  was,  however,  no  ])erceptil)le  difference 
in  their  htiliits  or  cries  from  tliosu  of  the  same  liird  elsewhere. 


TETRAONID.E  — Till']  GROUSE.  455 

Mr.  J.  K.  Lord  assi;4n.s  to  tliis  species  an  e.xteiuled  {^eojfraphical  raiij^e 
west  ol'  tliu  IJocky  ^[(jiiiitains,  —  tVoiii  the  liorders  of  California,  thrmigliout 
Orej,'on  and  AVasliiugton  Territnries,  extending  higli  up  on  the  sloi)es  of  the 
I'lOcky  Mountains,  ])lentiful  in  all  the  tiniliered  lands  between  the  Cascades 
and  the  rocky  ruts  along  the  hanks  nf  the  Coliiiuhia,  over  tlie  ridge  of  tlie 
Cascades,  and  down  their  western  sloi)es  to  Krazer's  IJiver,  in  all  the  islands 
of  till!  Gulf  of  Georgia,  and  e\cry\\here  on  A'ancouver  Island  to  its  extreme 
northern  end,  and  on  the  niaiidand  as  far  nortli  as  latitude  ijo".  The  hahits 
of  tliis  Grouse  arc;  ilescril)ed  as  singularly  (irratic,  and  its  ibod  as  varied  in 
its  character.  In  tiie  .s])ring  their  favorite  haunt  is  in  the  vicinity  of  stag- 
nant pools,  or  in  the  brush  around  a  marsh  in  winch  the  wild  swamp-crab, 
the  black  l)irch,  and  the  alder  grow.  lu  sucli  places  they  mate,  and  during 
the  lireeding-season  are  said  to  be  very  constant  and  devotoil.  During  the 
time  of  ])airing,  and  at  intervals  after  tlieir  young  are  hatched,  tlie  male;  pro- 
duces the  .sound  known  as  drumming.  Tiic  bird  is  said  to  sipiat  on  a  log  or 
a  I'allen  tree,  motionless  as  though  it  had  no  life.  Suddenly  all  the  feathers 
apjiear  as  if  reversed,  the  tail  is  erected,  tlui  rulf  round  its  neck  stands  out 
stilf  and  rigid,  and  the  wings  droop  as  if  broken.  These  .slowly  vibrati;,  and 
then  produce  a  .sound  loud  an '  clear,  like  tiie  thrum  of  a  double-bass  string. 
Then  the  wings  move  with  increased  rapidity,  and  the  sound  becomes  a  con- 
tinuous thn)bl)ing  hum.  It  then  suddenl}'  ceases,  and  after  a  few  minutes 
the  same  performance  is  repeated. 

^Ir.  Lord  also  states  tliat  he  has  seen  the  males  of  this  s])ecies  fighting 
furiously  during  the  pairing  season.  liulhng  up  their  necks,  with  their 
heads  and  I)acks  almost  in  a  straight  line,  and  witli  wings  droppeil,  tliey  circle 
round  and  round  each  other,  .striking  and  jiecking  until  tlie  vampiished  gives 
in,  and  the  victor  nanuits  upon  a  log  and  proceeds  to  drum  furiously. 

Their  nest  is  comjileted  al)out  the  end  of  ^lay,  and  is  always  placed  under 
a  log  on  tlie  ground,  or  at  the  foot  of  a  bush.  It  is  eompo.sed  of  a  (|uantity 
of  dead  leaves,  lineil  with  dry  grasses,  bits  of  moss,  and  a  few  feathers. 

Mr.  Lord  adds  that  he  found  at  lettst  ten  nests  of  this  bird  in  om^  swain]i 
near  the  Spokaiui  Prairies.  Fi'oin  ten  to  fourteen  eggs  was  aliout  the  average 
nund)er;  they  are  described  as  in  color  of  a  dirty  white,  and  witliout  any 
sjiots  or  freckles  of  a  darker  shade.  The  cluckens  at  once  leave  the  nest 
and  follow  their  mother,  wiio  calls  them  with  a  clucking  sound,  in  the  man- 
ner of  a  Hen,  covers  tliem  wiicn  resting,  and  uses  all  kinds  of  feints  and 
stratagems  to  lure  an  intruder  from  her  young,  tiuttering  along  close  to  his 
feet  a.s  if  her  wings  were  entirely  disabled,  and  then,  when  her  chickens  have 
had  time  to  conceal  themselves,  suddody  darting  olf.  When  friglitened,  this 
Grouse  rises  with  a  loud  rattbng  s(jun(!  ;  but  its  natural  u]iward  movement 
is  noiseless. 

After  the  chickens  are  old  enough,  the  Hock  removes  to  ojien  hillsides 
•where  grass-seed,  berries,  and  insects  are  in  alaiiidance.  This  Grouse  never 
packs,  but  remains  in  liroods.     In  the  fall,  before  tiaiy  liegin  to  feed  on  the 


456  NORTH  AMEIUCAN  JURDS. 

spnice  butls,  tlioir  fli^sli  is  said  to  be  delicious;  hut  al'ter  the  snow  shuts  them 
uir  liom  other  I'ood  tliey  feed  on  the  fir  buds,  and  then  their  tlesh  ucijuires 
a  strong  ilavor  of  turpentine. 

In  tlie  tree  this  (house  is  not  an  easy  bird  to  discover;  so  closely  does  its 
lilnniai,'e  roseniblo  tlie  lichen-covered  bark  that  it  is  diilicult  to  distinguish 
them,  esjK'tially  as,  when  alarmed,  they  crouch  down  lengthwise  with  the 
linil),  and  thus  become  concealed. 


Genus   LAGOPUS,   A'ieii.lot. 

Lagopus,  Vieillot,  Analysp,  1810.     (Type,  Telnw  hifjupus,  L.) 

Gf.n.  Char.  Nasal  groove  diMiscly  clotliotl  with  feathor.^.  Tail  of  sixteen  or  eijfliteen 
feathers.  Le},'s  closely  feathered  to  tliu  claws.  The  northern  species  snow  white  in 
winter. 

The  rtarmigaiis  inhabit  the  northern  regions  of  both  hemispheres,  and 
with  Ihe  Arctic  fox  and  hares,  the  lennuings,  and  a  few  other  species,  charac- 
terize the  Arctic  zone.  They  aws  of  rare  occurrence  witiiin  the  limits 
of  the  United  States,  though  farther  north  they  become  abundant.  The 
species  all  change  to  white  in  winter,  except  L.  acoticus,  which  appears  to  be 
merely  a  permanently  dark,  soutiiern,  insidar  form  of  L.  alius.  (See  Alfred 
Newton  in  I'roceedings  of  the  Philadelphia  Academy,  July,  1871,  pp.  DC,  97.) 

Species  and  Varieties. 

\.  Tail-feathers  always  with  more  or  less  hlaek. 

1.  Ii.  mutUB.  Bill  small,  .slender,  the  lenfrth  from  the  nasal  groove  to  the  tip 
deeiiit'dly  mure  than  the  height  through  the  base.  Male  in  winter  witli  a 
black  stripe  on  the  lores. 

^  in  snnnner  with  nniform  black  leathers  on  tlie  breast;  autumn.al 
jilinnuge  blui.sh-gr.w,  mottled.     Huh.    Norlliern  Europi;     .         .      \:u:  m  utus. 

^  in  summer  without  uniform  black  feathers  on  the  lireast.    Autumnal 
plumage  orauge-nifous.     Hub.    Northern  North  America;  Greenland; 

Iceland var.  r  ujtesiris. 

•J.  L.  albus.    Bill  large,  stout;  tiie  length  from  the  nasal  groove  less,  or  not 
more,  than  tlio  liciglit  through  the  biuso.     Male  in  winter  without  black 
stripe  on  lores.      Hah.     Northern  Europe  and  northern  North  America. 
B.  Tail-feathers  entirely  pure  white.  , 

;i.  L.  leucuniB.  Winter  plumage  wholly  white.  Hah.  Alpine  summitfi  of 
the  Western  mountain-ranges,  from  Colorado  to  Oregon  and  Washington, 
and  north  into  British  America. 


TETliAoNID.E  -  THE  UKOUSE. 


457 


Lagopus  albus,  Aud. 

WIUOW  GROUSE;  WHITE  PTARMIGAN. 

Tctrao  alhus,  Omki.in,  I,  17N.S.  7;-i(,  (lliuls.m's  liuy).  -  Ut,..   In.l.  On..  II,  039       Laao- 
pus  a/0,,.  Mu.  Syu.  183U,  207.  -  In.  Minis  Mu.r.  V,  1812.  lU.  ,,|.  ....xd...  -  l!„s  I 
Am.  llul.  Ill,  new  .s.-r.   ,,.  3i.3,  s,,.  :il;i.  -  (Ikav,  (i,,„.    |i.  HI.  _  M.vnti,,  |ii,,is  \' 
Am.  1858,  ti3;i.  -  |5..ii.;.  Isis,  1S2-.'.  r,i,S.  -(iii.vv,  Cat.  I!.  IJiit.  .M„.s.  Ill,  17    ISIl  ~ 
o.NA...    (!..,«.&   .■„„„,.    List.   IS.    ,,.    14,  Xn.  L'S8.-|.:i,,,,„T,    .Mo,„«.   IVfaun.    ..L  _ 
(OIKS,   r.A.N.  .S    ,,s.il,   -7.-(!..vv,  ,■„,.    ,,.it.   Mus,    V,   ,,s„7,  80.-D.vu,  & 
.VNN,sT,:u      1,,   ,.|„,„.„    Ar.    I,    18(1..,    •J.S7.  -  K,Ns,„,    AM,.    Na,.    Ill,    1872,    02 
Alaska).     y,7m»  {U,,„p„s)  „//,„,,    X.-tiam,,  Man.  I,  (2,1  .m1.,)    im(i,  81.i.     /  7V/»,„ 
%'V-.S   P.Mt.sr,.:K.    Phil.    Trans.    LXll,    1772.    3..,,.       T,n;,o  .,/ic,-N,   .Sa-wsm,   A,,,.. 
F.^nkhns  N.„.r.081.-I!,..„.    A,,,,.  I'any  s  2,1   V„ya«..,   347. -^Ar...   (),„.  Mi:,..!,, 
1831,   028,   ,J.   ,..x..,.  -  Sap..  A,,,,.    Frank.    Narr.    ,,.    ,i81.       'JVfn,..  ^L.„,„,,„.)  s„n,:e,i, 
.SWA.N.s,,.s,   K    Mor.    An,.    II,  ,,s.n,   3.^1.  -  Z:„„„,-«.v  ..    V,.vx.u.   M.    Eu,-.    ,,1.      ,n,it,' 
trroits,',  1  KN.NA.NT.      Tr/n„>  /„/,/.„„ i,;is,  (i.Mi;L.  Syst.  Xat.  I,  7.''<1.  sp.  25.  -  L\iii    I,„l 
Orn.  II    OK),  s,,.  12.      Trfr,,.,  ,rh,^s„k;  Tk.MM.  Pig.  ,.t  fiall.  III.  225.      La,„.in,.  's,,!,,,,'. 
]Hn„s.  X„..s.  (In,.  S,„.,..  I.  307,  .s,..  130.     /.„„„/„,,  h,;,c/,,„t,„l,/h,,,   Tk.m.m.'  Man     (),„ 
I,  328.-(ioULi.,  H.  Eur.   pi.  cdvi. -liuAV,   Oen.  li.  111.  _  Hon  a,-,   (oas...  List' 
44,  .No.  300.  ' 

S,..  Chah      Bill  v,..v  .to„t.     Bill  as  l,i,.h  as  the  .li,.tanoc.  fro,„  the-  ..a.sal  p.oove  to  it.s 
whJ  '  l^laek,  narrowly  tipped  with  whit.;  wi„.  (e.x,,.pt  upper  coverts)  pure 

S,„nmer     M,ih  a■^^o:,,  Fort  An,ler..on.  September  8  ;  M.ieFarlane).     Ilea.l  neck  and 
jugulumaoepewnamon-rufou,.;   who'.e  upper  part.,  (except   wint,^s)  paler,  tnorc   fulvous 


Lngnpiis  nlbiis. 

brown,  b,.„a,lly  an,l  clc,..ely  barrel  with  black.     T„p  of  head  spotted  with   black  an.l  the 
juj.„„n  and  n,.,.k  w„l,  ..catlcr..,!   bars  of  ,ho  smne.     Win.,  7.50  :  I,.'-,    40  fro,,    ,"    tril 
and  ....deep.     J^,n,.,e  (53,52G,  Fort  Anderson,   June,  18G5;  MacFarlane).     Zw^tt 
VOL.  ni.  58  ^  1  " 


458 


NORTH  AMEUICAN  13IIJDS. 


inajrc  (except  wings,  tail,  and  lejrs)  fiilvoiis-lmn',  heavily  spotted  and  l)arred  above,  and 
refrularly  Ijarreil  lieneatii,  witii  liiaek.     Wiiifr,  T.'JO;  bill,  .4i)  l)y  .40, 

Wiiilrr.  Kiitiie  pliiiiia<,'e.  except  the  tail  (wlileli  is  black  witli  a  wliite  tip),  iiiimacii- 
latc  siiowy-wliite;  shafts  of  piiiiiaries  black.  Male  (:i4,!)0S,  Northwest  I!,,  Lalnador; 
I).  Siiilih).  Will!;,  7..j(i;  bill.  .41i  by  .4.").  Female  (."j(>,t)00,  Nulato,  Lower  Vukon,  .\pril  12, 
18(i7  ;  W.  II,  Dall).  Win;:,  7.')0;  bill,  A'>  by  .42. 

CliieL'  (2,048,  Fort  .\iidersoii,  .July,  18()4).  I'levailiiij.'  I'olor  frreciii.sh-biilV,  tiiijrecl  with 
.«iilphiir-yellc)W  on  the  throat  and  abdoiiieii.  ami  washc(l  with  I'lilvoiis  on  the  upper  iiart.*. 
A  lar;;e  oval  vertical  jiatch  of  ehestiiiit-nilbiis,  bordered  all  roiinil  by  a  black  line,  which, 
from  the  oceiput,  is  continued  down  the  nape  in  a  broad  distinct  stripe  of  black.  On  the 
npper  part  of  the  back  this  stripe  bil'incatt's,  and  continues  in  two  broad  parallel  stri])es 
to  the  lower  part  of  rump,  where  they  again  unite.  A  black  strijie  acro.ss  the  wing  and 
one  throu<,di  the  eye  and  anriculars. 

Had.    Arctic  America  from  Newfoundland  to  Sitka. 


H.vniTS.  Iiicliarflson  rcgardud  tliis  species  a.s  an  inhabitant  of  the  fur 
countries  from  the  oOtii  to  the  70th  parallel  of  Lititiido,  being  jiartially 
migratory  within  those  limits.     It  wtis  found  to  breed  among  the  viUlitys  of 

the  liocky  Mountains, 
on  the  barren  grounds, 
and  along  the  Arctic 
coasts.  On  the  ap- 
proach of  winter  it 
collects  in  flocks,  and 
retires  southward  as  the 
severity  of  tlic  weather 
incrcivses.  Tiioy  re- 
main, however,  in  con- 
siderable numbers  as 
fiir  north  as  latitude  07° 
even  in  the  coldest  win- 
ters. It  was  found  to 
be  toleral)ly  abundant 
at  the  (Joth  jiarallel  all 
L„,'n!ms  „ii„„.  ^j^^j    ^,^,_^j.^     assembling 

in  vast  flocks  on  the  shores  of  Hudson  Bay  in  the  winter  time.  Mr. 
Hutchins  states  that  ten  thousand  of  these  birds  have  been  ea])tnred  in  a 
single  season  at  Severn  IJiver.  IJichardson  adds  that  in  1.S19  these  birds 
made  their  first  appearance  at  Cumlierland  House,  latitude  'A°,  in  the  second 
week  of  November,  and  that  they  returned  to  the  northward  again  before 
the  begimiing  of  s]iriiig.  In  the  winter  they  are  said  to  shelter  themselves 
in  thickets  of  willows  and  dwarf  birches,  on  the  banks  of  mar.shes  and 
lakes,  the  liuds  of  the  smidler  shrubs  being  the  ]irinci]ial  jiart  of  their  food 
at  that  season.  Denuded  sandy  spots  were  their  favorite  resorts  in  the  day- 
time, but  they  iiassed  their  nights  in  holes  in  tin;  .snow.  When  ])ur.sued  by 
sportsmen  or  birds  of  prey,  they  often  terminate  their  flight  by  hastily  div- 


TETUAOXID.K  — THH  GltOLSR  .jr,() 

iiiif  into  tlir  loos(i  snow,  workiii.i,'  tlicii'  wiiy  iRMicitlli  its  surl'iico  with  loii- 
siiliM'iihlc  cult'iity.  Ill  tliick,  windy,  or  snowy  wt'utlior  tliey  wcro  vory  siiy, 
])orcliin,L,'  on  tiio  tiillcr  willows,  wlicin  it  roijnircd  a  sluu'i)  ^'y^'  ^^  tlistinj,niish 
tliiMU  IVoni  lliikos  of  snow.  In  the  suniincr  siMson  they  f'ucd  chiefly  on  thu 
lierriL's  oi'  thi;  alpine  iiibntns  and  other  shriihs  ami  i)lant.s,  wliicdi  are  laid 
bare  by  thu  thaw,  and  which  do  not  disaiijiear  nntil  they  are  rei»hieud  by  a 
new  croj).  They  incnl)ate  about  the  bej^inninu'  of  .Iniie,  at  wliich  time  the 
females  inonlt.  Th-  males  assnme  their  red-colored  jplnmaue  as  soon  as  the 
rocks  and  eminences  become  bare,  at  which  time  they  are  in  the  habit  of 
standing;  iipon  huye  stones,  calling  in  a  loud  and  croaking  voice  to  their 
mates,  which,  still  in  their  white  wintry  yarb,  are  hidden  in  the  snows  l)e- 
low.  These  birds  are  move  ustially  in  motion  in  the  milder  light  of  night 
than  in  the  broad  glare  of  day. 

Captain  l.lakistun  traced  this  (Jrouse  across  the  interior  from  Hudson's  I»ay 
to  near  the  Itoeky  Mountains,  and  obtained  a  single  specimen  near  Kurt 
Carlton.  It  does  not  come  down  every  winter,  however,  so  far  south  on  the 
U]il)er  Saskatchewan.  Xear  Lake  Winnipeg,  at  Fort  Cumlierland,  and  to  th'j 
eastward,  they  are  common  every  winter,  and  nundiers  are  ol)tainod  from 
the  shores  of  Hudson's  Uay.  Mr.  l!oss  gives  this  species  as  common  on  the 
^Fackenzie.  Mr.  Jiobert  MacFarlane  found  it  arcjund  Fort  Anderson,  where, 
he  writes,  it  was  always  very  numerous  in  that  (quarter  at  all  seasons, 
and  generally  not  diHicult  of  ai)proach.  During  the  breeding-sea.son  the 
males  were  to  lie  found  jierched  upon  trees  and  .stumps  in  the  vicinity  of 
the  nest,  while  the  female  would  rarely  leave  the  latter  until  almost  trodden 
on.  They  are  also  said,  by  Mr.  MacFarlane,  to  assume  their  summer  plu- 
mage eai'lier  than  the  males,  differing  in  this  statement  from  Dr.  Ilichard- 
son's.  Their  nest  is  always  on  the  ground,  and  consists  only  of  a  few  de- 
cayed leaves  jilaced  in  a  depression.  Sometimes  other  materials,  such  as 
hay,  moss,  feathers,  etc.,  are  found.  While  incubating,  the  female  occa- 
sionally sits  so  close  as  to  allow  herself  to  be  caught,  rather  than  leave  the 
nest. 

They  begin  to  nest  early  in  June,  varying  a  little  with  the  season,  not 
conuuencing  so  soon  where  the  ground  at  that  period  was  still  covered  with 
snow.  F]ggs  taken  from  the  oviduct  were  almost  invariably  pure  white  in 
color.  In  one  instance  an  egg  taken  from  the  oviduct  of  a  female,  June  H, 
that  had  previously  deposited  eight  eggs  the  same  season,  was  covered  with 
coloring  matter  or  marking  so  soft  as  to  adhere  to  the  fingers  when  touched. 
After  the  female  has  once  begun  to  lay,  Mr.  MacFarlane  observed  that  she 
dejiosits  one  egg  each  day  until  the  whole  number  has  been  reached.  This 
varies  from  eight  to  ten. 

The  males  were  always  observed  in  the  immediate  vicinity  of  the  ne.st, 
and  began  to  as.sume  their  summer  moult  about  the  6th  of  June,  most  of 
their  necks  at  that  time  being  already  of  a  reddish-brown  color.  The  mista 
were  always  on  the  giound,  and  were  mere  depressions  lined  with  a  few  soft 


460  NORTH  AMERICAN  HIRDS. 

inatcrinla,  geiiPi'iilly  leaves,  (lefiwiuiially  iiiiii^'Ied  with  featliers,  hay,  etc.,  tlio 
ieatliei'H  olteii  lieiiij,'  tlieir  own.  The  saiiio  nest  was  ol'ten  luiido  use  of  in 
suceessive  seasons.  Kggs  were  I'ountl  as  late  as  the  U4tli  of  .(mie,  and  the 
female  in  supimsed  to  sit  aliiait  tiu'ee  weeks  before  hatcldnjf.  Oceasionally 
ejj;!4s  were  found  drop|)ed  on  the  bare  ^'round  witiiout  any  sij^ns  of  a  nest. 
In  one  instance  tiie  v'^<^  was  ])ure  wiiite,  like  one  taken  from  the  oviduct. 
It  was  found  lyin<,'  on  the  hare  ground,  without  tho  least  aii])earanee  of  a 
nest  in  its  vicinity. 

In  one  instance  where  a  nest  was  met  with,  on  the  hanks  of  Swan  T'iver, 
by  Mr.  MacFarlane's  jiarty,  ni  ruiifc,  the  female  was  almost  trodden  under 
foot  before  she  fhiltered  olf,  when  she  at  once  turned  aliout  to  face  her  ene- 
mies, sju'eadinj.;  her  winj^s  and  ruHling  her  feathers  as  if  to  attack  or  frighten 
them  away.  In  linother  case  a  nest  containing  only  one  fresh  ejjg,  in  which 
the  female  had  l)ut  just  bejj;un  to  dejiosit,  was  found  as  Lite  as  June  2."). 
Other  ejij,'s  found  June  27  contained  very  large  embryo.s.  Another  nest, 
examined  a  fortnight  later  (July  10),  had  in  it  ten  ]ierfectly  fresh  egg.s. 
Mr.  MacKarlane  inferred  that  this  nest  had  lieen  robbed  nt  an  early  ])eriod 
of  the  .season.  This  time  she  apimrcntly  made  no  attempt  at  another 
laying. 

In  several  instances  where  both  birds  were  ))resent  near  a  nest  that  wiis 
taken,  the  male  bird  would  make  his  presence  known  by  giving  utterance  to 
very  jjcculiar  rough  notes,  indicative  of  alarm  and  of  distress  at  the  ])ro- 
ccedings.  In  one  instance  a  nest  was  found  in  the  midst  of  a  clumi)  of  very 
small  stunted  willows,  within  thirty  feet  of  the  spot  where  ^fr.  ^MacFarlane's 
tent  was  iiitched.  This  was  on  the  21.st  of  June,  but  the  nest  cscajied 
notice  until  the  22d  of  July,  wjien  the  female  was  almost  trodden  on  as  she 
was  sitting  on  her  eggs,  where  she  had  probably  had  her  nest  during  their 
entire  stay.  The  eggs  were  warm  when  taken,  and  their  contcmts  were 
slightly  develoi)ed.  During  the  night  the  male  I'tarmigan  disturbed  the 
encampment  liy  keeinng  up  a  con.stant  utterance  of  his  rough  and  rather 
uni)leasant  notes.  In  another  instanc(i  the  female  lluttered  off,  calling,  and 
pretending  to  be  l)adly  wcmnded  ;  while  the  male  bird,  in  the  vicinity,  made 
his  near  jire.sence  known  by  the  loud  manner  in  which  he  e.xpres.sed  .his 
disaj)prol)ation  of  such  jtroceedings. 

In  one  instance  where  an  Indian  had  found  a  nest  of  this  I'tarmigan, 
which  then  contained  seven  eggs,  the  femah^  was  seen,  and  the  notes  of  the 
male  bird  were  heard.  He  placed  a  snare  about  the  eggs,  l)ut  on  returning  to 
the  nest  a  few  hours  afterwards,  he  was  surprised  to  fhid  that  si.\  of  the  eggs 
had  disappeared  during  his  brief  absence.  He  sui)])o.sed  a  fox  had  taken 
them ;  but  as  no  egg-shells  were  left  behind,  Mr.  MacFarlane  has  no  doubt 
they  Avere  removed  by  the  parent  birds. 

When  the  young  are  hatched  they  follow  the  parents,  both  of  whom  keep 
about  them,  and  display  great  courage  and  devotion  whenever  there  is  any 
occasion,  suffering  themselves  to  be  very  closely  approached,  and  utterly  re- 


TKTUA(»NII).K-riIH  (iUorsK.  461 

j,'imll(;.ss  of  ('.(inseiiucnct'.s  in  llirir  dcsiio  to  huvo  tlioir  youiij,'.  The.  lattiT 
Hi'o  vt'iy  Iiivrtl  to  rccojiiii/i',  owiiii;  to  ilioir  floso  rt'st'iubliiiicu  to  llic  ^'luss,  in 
wiiicli  tiiciy  sniiiit,  and  rt'iuaiii  ipcricctly  still. 

In  St;|)t(Miil)('i' iind  Octolicr  of  wuli  season  tlu;so  I'tanni^nms  aHsundilc  in 
liirgo  Hocks,  !>ut  diirin,!:,'  winlt:i'  si-ldoni  nioru  than  two  or  tlirec  do/un  wore 
ever  noticed  in  sin;,'k'  companies.  Tlicy  would  ol'tcn  alijj;Iit  and  t'eeil  in  the 
inmiediixte  presence  of  the  men,  and  would  evcni  permit  a  very  near  approach. 
Duriiif,' the  winter  they  wer(!  fre(iuently  to  be  met  with  hetween  Fort  An- 
derson and  Fort  (iood  llopi',  in  especial  abundani:e  about  the  last-mentioned 
post.  A.s  the  sprinj,'  apjtroached,  they  hojfau  to  iniji;rate  to  the  north;  so  that 
in  the  summer  .scarcely  a  I'tarmi^'an  was  to  be  .seen  .south  of  Lockhart  Iliver, 
on  their  usual  line  of  march  to  that  post.  In  February,  18.")'.),  Mr.  MaeFar- 
lan(!  found  them  numerous  to  the  very  bordin's  of  the  woodeil  country,  alonj^ 
the  banks  of  the  Lower  Andiu'son. 

jMr.  Donald  (iunn  states  that  this  Ptarmit^an  is  very  sol(h)m  to  bo  .seen 
south  or  west  of  Lake  Winnijieg,  but  is  found  in  all  the  country  north  and 
ea.st  of  that  lake  duriu},'  the  winter  season.  In  the  summer  they  are  said  to 
breed  arouml  Hudson's  ]Jay,  and  durinj,'  the  winter  to  bo  found  alonj;  the 
whole  extent  of  that  bay,  especially  if  the  winter  is  mihl.  Duriufj;  severe 
winters  they  yo  more  inland.  The  males  of  this  sjita'ies  are  said  by  ^^r. 
Guun  to  crow  morninLj  and  evening  in  the  same  maimer  as  the  Moor-fowl 
in  Scotland,  the  tone  and  notes  being  very  similar.  The  femah;  is  .said  to  lay 
from  ten  to  si.xteen  eggs,  Ijut  the  largest  nundier  taken  by  Mr.  MacFarlane 
ai)2)ears  to  have  lieen  ten.  The.se  birds  are  of  great  service  to  the  Indians, 
serving  as  food  when  larger  game  fails  ;  and  their  feathers  are  alsf»  a  con- 
sideral)le  article  of  trade,  .several  hundredweight  of  them  being  annually 
sent  to  London. 

Mr.  Dall  found  this  I'tarmigan  abundant  in  Alaska,  from  Fort  Yukon  to 
the  sea.  In  winter  they  feed  exclusively  on  willow  buds,  a  double-handful 
having  often  been  found  in  their  crops.  As  soon  as  the  ground  was  well 
covered  with  snow  they  appeared  on  the  river  in  coveys  among  the  willow- 
thickets.  They  were  rather  shy,  and  on  an  alarm  ilew  immediately,  but 
without  noise.  Tluiy  made  regular  paths  along  the  banks  of  the  river 
among  thi'  willows,  along  which  they  always  ran.  The  Indians  took  advan- 
tage of  these  to  snare  them,  and  caught  vhem  by  hundreds.  They  were 
abundant  in  the  fall  and  midwinter.  In  February  they  gathered  in  im- 
mense flocks,  and  disajipeared,  no  one  could  tell  where,  returning  about  the 
middle  of  March  as  suddenly  as  they  had  gone  away,  remaining  a  few 
weeks,  then  resorting  to  the  mountains  and  oj)en  country  to  breed.  In 
18G7  they  disappeared  February  lo  and  returned  April  1,  leaving  for  the 
mountains  ]\Iay  ;i.  The  following  year  they  left  February  10,  returned 
March  21,  and  left  for  the  mountains  April  28,  going  and  coming  in  large 
flocks.  They  begin  to  moult  about  the  mitldle  of  April,  the  feathers  of  the 
head,  edges  of  wings,  and  upper  tail-coverts,  changing  first.     At  this  time 


4G2  NOUTII  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

tlio  (.',ii])illai'ies  in  tlio  skin  of  lliu  iilMldiiicn  liccuiiie  eii;;urge(l  with  soroiis  fluid, 
iiiid  give  to  the  liiid  a  ilisgiistiiig  apin'iiniiRL'.  ^Ir.  J)all  olitainud  eggs  in  an 
()]n'n  tiindia  near  lliu  niuiitli  of  tiie  Vukon  in  tliu  latter  jmrt  of  June. 
The  female  (k'feniU'(l  iier  ne.st  Imively,  and  rather  than  desert  her  eggs 
all(j\ved  iier.self  to  lie  turn  tu  jiieces  liy  a  dog. 

^Ir.  r>iinni.ster  wa.s  also  struck  with  the  .strong  attaehineut  shown  to  each 
other  hy  both  sexes  during  tiie  Itreeding-season.  He  has  known  the  male 
hird  to  sacrifice  iiis  o\\n  life,  rather  than  ilesert  liis  woundeil  mate.  He 
mentions  them  as  conunon  at  St.  Michaels  and  tlie  adjoining  mainland 
during  the  greater  part  of  tiie  year,  hut  especially  abundant  in  the  spring, 
wlien  they  are  found  singly  or  in  pairs  all  over  the  country.  In  the  fall 
and  winter  ihcy  kept  more  to  tiie  tliickets  of  willows.  Tiie  greater  part 
of  tiiem  were  suppostd  to  have  gone  into  tlie  wooded  di.strict  of  the  interior 
for  1  tetter  shelter  and  more  al)uudant  lood. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  vary  t!onsideral)ly  in  length  and  breadth ;  they 
average  about  l.S.'i  inches  in  length  and  1.20  in  breadth,  and  are  oval  in 
shape,  one  end  a  littlelessobtu.se  than  tiie  other.  They  are  all  beautifully 
variegated  and  marked  with  bold  confluent  l)l(jtches  of  a  dark  claret  color, 
upon  a  ground  of  a  dee])  cream  tinged  with  a  reddish  shading. 


Lagopus  mutus,  var.  rupestris,  Li:a(  ii. 

BOCK  FTABMIOAN. 

Tctrao  rupcslrh,  Gmklix,  Syst.  Nat.  I,  17SS,  7.'il  (Ijiiseil  on  Itotk  fliousp  of  rcnuaiit). — 
Latii.v.m,  IikI.  Oni.  II,  1700,  ;nj.  —  Saiiinm:,  Suiii)l(iii.  rmrv's  Fir^t  Voya<;o,  pagfi 
txcv.  IticiiAunsdN,  .\ip|i(iiil.  I'iiny's  Scicnnl  Voyii^'i',  .'iiS.  —  All).  Oin.  IMog.  IV, 
18^8,  483,  111.  eiclxviii.  Liiijiijins  riiiicsti-h,  Lkacii,  Zoiil.  .Mi.s'.;.  II,  '2i)0.  —  IJdx.  List, 
1838.  —  All).  Syn.  208.  —  In.  Birds  Aiiicr.  V,  1S42,  122,  pi.  cuci.  —  liAiui),  Hints  N. 
Aiii.  18.")S,  ii'i't.  —  Ei.i.ioT,  Mouof,'.  Tctnioii.  pi.  —  (iiiAV,  Cat.  Brit.  Mus.  V,  1807,  02. 
—  Dai.i,  &  Hannistku,  Ti-.  Chicago  Ac.  I,  1809,  287.  Tclnio  (Lagopus)  rtijir.stris, 
Swains.  F.  lior.  Am.  II,  18:31,  iijl,  pi.  Ixiv.  Altmifn  nijhstris,  Riacil.  Av.  Syst.  Nat. 
]8.'il,  pajjc  xxix.  Hurl.-  (irifKv,  1'knnant,  Arctic  Zuiil.  II,  312.  [akjujius  hlmiilornm, 
Fail  I'roil.  der  Islaiul.  dni.  page  (i.  —  Gkay,  (!cii.  —  In.  Cat.  Ii.  Brit.  Mils.  Ill,  47, 
1844.  Tctrito  liiijiijiiis  ishniiliciis,  Silil.Ki;.  Rev.  Ciit.  il«s  Uis.  d'Eur.  p.  76.  Tifruo 
Mmdifiis,  Bkf.hm,  Eur.  Vo«.  II,  448.  Linjopus  rcinhardti,  liitKilM.  Likjojihs 
(irnniliDiitintx,  liluaiM,  Viigcll'ang,  p.  cclxiv,  note.  ?  TcffKO  Idilo/tlts,  Saiuni-  E.  Suppl. 
Tally's  First  Voyage,  p.  cxcvii.  —  Saiiim:,  •!.  Fiaiiklin's .louv.  (iS2.  —  Kit  ii.  Ajip.  Pany's 
Second  Voyage,  3.'il).  Tilnin  {i.'I;ioi)Uk)  niiitiis,  IJicli.  F.  U.  A.  II,  1831,  350.  Tcfmo 
viiilii.1,  Am.  Oiii.  liiog.  V,  1830,  196.  J.i'ii„,m.-<  viiilus,  (Ikay,  Cat.  15.  Miit.  Mus. 
lS(i7,  91  (Ft.  Itesidntion  and  Ft.  Simpson).  Lfiiin/nis  nmcrkatms,  All).  Syn.  1839, 
207,  R  Aim.  V,  1812,  110,  i)l.  cec.  —  liAiUD,  liiids  N.  am.  1858,  037. 

Sp.  CllAii.  ]'>iil  .'^lender;  di.stniice  I'miii  tlii'  nasal  groove  to  tip  (.,'!."))  greater  than  lioigtit 
nt  base  (.27).  In  suiiiiiier  the  featliL-rs  of  hack  hlack,  handed  distinctly  with  yellowish- 
hi-own  and  tipped  with  while.  In  wiiitei-  while,  the  tail  hlaek;  tlio  male  with  a  black 
bar  ficiiii  bill  Ihioiigh  eyi".  Size  considerably  le.ss  than  that  of  i.  a/6«s.  Length,  about 
14.50;  wing,  7.oO:  tail,  4.")<>. 


TKTRAOXID.K  — THK   (Wtor.-^Iv  403 

Frmnlr  \n  amnmcv  (■14,").'^2,  rtiiii'cn  (iroumls,  .Iiiiu' '_'!•,  iSfit  ;  R.  ManF;irlaiip).  WiiiLis 
(I'xct'iil  iippci- ('(-.vcits)  iinil  1('l:.s  wliilc;  tail  (except  iiitei'iiieiliie),  lilaek.  iiairowly  tipped 
with  white.  Rest  ot'  ])hmia;:e  lij,'lit  iiehraeeons  111-  liiiir,  sniiie  Ceathefs  tipjiecl  willi  white, 
anil  all  with  l)i'iiail  traiisvefse  liai's  of  lilaek,  this  enlor  pievailiiiL''  "ii  the  ilorsal  ceLiioii. 
On  the  lower  siirl'aee  the  liiiir  liais  exoeoil  tho  Ijlaek  ones  in  width.  Wing,  T.'Jti ;  taisns. 
1.15;  midillu  toe.  .!)();   hill,  .:j.")  hy  .27. 

IIau.     .Vrctii'  .Vnieiiua. 

The  L.  )iui/iis  of  Kiii'itpe  a])]H!ars  to  diflbr  only  in  its  summer  nnd  nti- 
tumiiiil  iiluiiiiiot's  frtim  tlie  proseiit  form,  iind  is  llieii  only  distinmiislied 
iiy  tlie  uniformly  liltick  foatliers  on  tlu'  lircast  in  tlio  ff)rinor,  and  tlic  l)liiish 
cast  in  the  latter  stiine.  Those  in  the  winter  iilumtioe  tlnit  we  liavc  exiim- 
ined  are  ahsolutely  identical  in  size,  ]  import  ions,  and  color  with  the  Ameri- 
can liirds. 

H.VHlTS.  According'  tu  Iliitehins,  this  i'tiirmit^'an  is  inimerons  at  the  two 
extremes  of  Hudson's  ]>ay,  Imt  does  nut  ai)pear  at  tlu;  middle  settlements  of 
York  and  Severn  (except  in  very  severe  seasons,  when  the  Willow  (h'ouse 
n\v.  scarce;  and  ("ajitain  Sahiiie  intVirmed  Ji'irhardsun  that  they  alioiinded  on 
^Fclville  Island,  Itititude  7.")',  in  the  slimmer.  Tliey  arrived  there  in  their 
snow-white  winter  dress  about  the  12th  of  ^fay.  V>y  the  end  of  the  month 
till'  females  iiad  bejiun  to  assume  their  colored  plumiii;e,  which  was  com- 
pleted liy  the  tirst  week  in  .Tune,  when  the  change  in  the  |)luma,ue  liad  only 
just  commenced  in  tlie  males.  Some  of  the  latter  were  found  as  late  as  the 
middle  of  June  in  their  unaltered  winter  [ilumaee.  This  (!ronse  was  also 
found  on  the  ^Melville  peninsula  and  the  Iiiirreu  (Jrounds,  rarely  ^oing  farther 
siaith,  even  in  the  winter,  than  latitude  'I'.V"  in  the  interior,  Imt,  on  the  coast 
of  Hudson's  liay,  descendin.ti;  to  latitude  o.S°,  and  in  severe  seasons  still 
farther  to  the  southward.  In  its  oeneral  manners  and  mode  of  livino'  it  is 
.said  to  re.semhle  the  i^////'.y,  but  does  not  retire  so  far  into  the  wooded  coun- 
try in  the  winter.  At  that  sea.son  it  freipients  the  more  ojieii  woods  on  the 
borders  of  lakes,  especially  in  the  (j.">th  parallel,  Ijut  the  liulk  of  tliis  species 
remains  on  the  .skirts  of  tli(>  liarreu  (Jrounds.     They  incubate  in  .Tune. 

^Ir.  MacKarlane  found  this  sjiecies  breedino-  about  Fort  Anderson,  and  on 
the  ikirren  Urounds  east  of  the  Horton  iiiver.  They  nest,  in  a  similar  man- 
ner to  L.  (t/biia,  on  the  ffround,  placin,^  the  materials  in  a  depression  on  the 
ground,  and  usiiiLj  hay,  withered  leaves,  and  a  few  leathers,  tind  makiicj;  a 
rather  loose,  ill-arranged  nest.  This  is  usually  placed  on  an  open  common, 
sometimes  near  the  banks  of  a  small  stream.  They  were  niori!  early  in  their 
briiedino-  than  the  (i/lms/dH  youn,!.;'  Ptarmigans  of  a  goodly  size  are  mentioncil 
as  having  been  seen  June  IM).    The  eggs  ranged  from  four  to  eight  in  number. 

The  female  sits  very  clo.se,  and  rather  than  leave  will  sometimes  sutler 
herself  to  be  taken  by  the  haml.  In  one  instance  when  a  nest  was  ap- 
proached, the  female  crouched  as  much  as  jiossilile,  in  the  hope  that  she 
might  not  be  noticed,  wliicli  would  have  hap])ened  had  not  one  of  the  iiarty 
observed  her  eye.     Her  summer  ])luniage  was  a1mo.st  exactly  of  the  same 


464  NOIiTri  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 

color  witli  tlio  soil,  and  liiirdly  tlistinguislialtle  from  it.  Tho  man  was  within 
tliHic  lect,  and,  making  a  swooj),  caught  her  on  the  nest. 

E.xcepting  in  1X()2,  Mr.  MacFarlane  did  not  meet  with  any  of  this  species 
west  of  the  Swan  Hiver,  on  his  various  journeys  to  Franklin  J>ay.  Every 
sua.'^on,  almost  innnediately  on  leaving  the  woods  fringing  Swan  JJiver,  hirds 
began  to  lie  secni  as  I'ar  as  and  all  along  tiie  Arctic  coast.  Although  con- 
stantly f<mnd  feeding  in  large  numlters  on  tiie  r»arrens,  it  was  always  dith- 
cult  to  find  their  nests.  They  were  most  numerous  between  lloitou  Eiver 
and  Franklin  Uay,  and  were  frc(iuently  seen  standing  singly,  or  feeding  on 
the  ground,  or  an  occasional  jtair  might  l)e  seen,  Init  it  was  seldom  any  num- 
ber were  observed  in  company. 

Mr.  Dall  .states  that  this  species  was  not  unconnnon  in  the  liomanzoff 
^Mountains,  northwest  of  Fort  Yukon,  but  did  not  know  of  its  being  found 
farther  south  or  wcist.  It  was  obtained  Ijy  S.  Weston  at  Fort  Yukon,  and 
among  the  mountains  by  Mr.  ^IcDougal. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  closely  resemble  those  of  L.  alhus,  but  are  some- 
what smaller  in  size.  They  measure  1.03  inches  in  length  by  1.18  in 
breadth,  varying  slightly  in  size.  Their  ground  is  a  deep  reddish  cream- 
color,  nearly  covered  by  large  blotches  of  a  reddish-chestnut,  giving  a  beauti- 
fully variegated  effect  to  the  whole. 


Lagopus  leucurus,  Swainsox  &  Eiciiardson. 

WHITE-TAILED  FTABMIGAN. 

Tctrao  (Lagopm)  Icucuni.i,  Sw.  &  IJirii.  F.  15.  A.  1,  1831,  356,  pi.  Ixiii.  —  Xutt.  Man. 
Orii.  II,  1834,  G12.  —In.  I,  (2.1  (m1.,)  ISiO,  8-J(i.  —  DoidL.  Tr.  Liiin.  Soo.  XVI,  140. 
Tctrao  kucurus,  AUD.  Om.  Hiog.  V,  1839,  200,  pi.  cecc.vviii.  Lagopus  leucurus,  \v\>. 
Syn.  1839. —  In.  B.  Am.  V,  1842,  125,  pi.  oecii.  —  On.VY,  Gen.  III.  —  B.viisi),  Bmls 
N.  Am.  1858,  637.  —Box.  Coiiip.  List.  441,  No.  291.  —  Kli.iot,  P.  A.  X.  S.  1804.  — 
111.  Moiicg.  Tctraoii.  pi.  —  Gkav,  Cat.  Biit.  Mtis.  V,  1867,  93.  —  Coopek,  Orn.  Cal.  I, 
1870,  542. 

Si>.  Cii.vR.  yfale?  winter  (■i,'uS,  Fort  TIalkctt,  Liard'.s  River).  Entirely  pure  white, 
inclu(liii,!r  the  tail.     Winj.',  0.70;  tar.-us,  1.00;  iniiUl'.e  toe,  1.00;  bill,  .T)  hy  .29. 

Summer.  Win!:.«,  tail,  abilomen,  eri.ssum,  and  legs  immaculate  snowy-white.  Ground- 
color of  re.-it  of  plumajre  prayish-wliite  on  head  and  neek  and  ashy-bull  on  other  portions, 
finely  and  rather  ,«par.sely  spiinkled  with  l)laek,  —  more  in  form  of  ra<.'ged  tninsver.se 
bars  anteriorly  and  on  side.«.  (?.  10,002,  Camp  Skagitt,  N.  W.  B.,  August  10;  C.  B. 
Keniierly.) 

TLvn.  Al]iine  .summits  of  tlie  Western  mountain.s,  from  lat.  .'i9°  in  the  Rocky  Moun- 
tains north  into  British  America,  and  we.st  to  the  Cascades  of  Oregon,  Wa.shington, 
and  British  Columljia. 

H.MMTs.  This  species  was  first  procured  by  Mr.  Drummond,  and  described 
by  Swainson  in  the  "  Fauna  Borealis."  Five  specimens  were  taken  on  the 
Kocky  Mountains  in  the  olth  parallel,  and  another,  by  Mr.  MacPherson,  on 
the  same  chain,  nine  degrees  farther  north.     They  were  said  to  have  all  the 


TETRAOXIDJ.;- THE  GROUSE  ,pr 

405 

l.al.itsof  th.  otJier  I'tanuigans,  and   to  inhabit  the  snowy  peaks  near  tlie 
mo^h  of  the  (-oI,„nhia.  as  well  as  the   loi^  Hd,es  of  tl'lio^k;  W 

tril!I^ori:f  thi   ^'"^^.  "'''t'^  '"•"""*''""  ■"  ''^''''  ''  the  habits  and  dis- 
o  ot  th.s  species.     It  seenis  to  be  conKned  entirely  to  the  ran^e  of 

the  l.ocky  Mountains,  and  to  be  Ibund  only  au.on,  their  Idghest  poi  tfoc 
curnng  at  least  as  far  to  the  sonth  as  Cochetope  I'als,  in  latit^ul!.    "     {    v 

r  ;;;^r  P ';  z  ""'"t'^^'  ^^^^"^-  '^^^^''-"^  --  "••'-'-^  -'^ 

y  r-iptain  h.  B.  Maroy.on  his  march  from  Fort  Brid-'er  in  Utah  nr.rn««  fl,. 
i^.cky  Mountains  to  Santa  Fe.    They  were  met  with  n  ^  U.     ^X 
mountains  not  far  from  Cochetope  Pass.  ^ 

Mr.  Charles  E.  Aiken  writes  me  that  he  has  been  informed  that  this  bird 
IS  common  on  Snowy  Kanoe,  in  Colorado  Territory.  He  was  in  on^^l  v 
aii  01  nuner,  who  chumed  to  have  met  with  thei  birds  l.^  d  I"!^  thi 
top  o  the  range  m  June,  that  their  nest,  composed  of  leaves  and  " n  s  ! 
placed  on  the  gz.un.l  among  l,u,shes  on  hillsi.les  ;  that  the  e^V  a  fou  tV, 
m  numl^r,  of  a  hght  blmsh-brown,  marked  and  spotted  .i^tZ^^lIZ 

'^^'■fi  m'^'/I^""  ^^^'"-  ^^''^■'  •^'»"^'.    18'-')  >"entions   findin-   anion-  the 
snow-fields  ol  the  higher  parts  of  the  mountains  of  Colorado  \hVo  1 

zz :;  :!:r^''^''  ^^--  ^'—  not  m::tSh  t::x 

io„ion  ot  s„o^^      Ihe  1  tarmigans  were  (luite  common,  and  in  the  winter 

An  egg,  given  to  Mr.  Allen  as  a  genuine  e-v"  of  this  sivnioo  w.o  ,  i 
Mount  L,„c„„,Co,„.,,„,  .,  .M,,  1,1.,.,.  ^^l    uT7l:2^ZZ 
l,apc.  .a„d  „,o,,,,.,,,, ,.,  „.oIl  „s  it,  „„,,a,,oct  o,„.,l.ti„„  ,x.„.,itt«    it,  fe,"  I 
to  bo  c,t„„ate,l.  al,o„t  1.80  inoho,  ,,y  1.20  i,.  b,,„,„|,.       „  .,„,  „1  S     2 
ocl.,ac„„„s  c,ea„.-col„,,  „,„,ko.l  ,vitl,  s„,nll  ,.o,„„,cd  „,„,3  "of  "I    ,  „lt 


>-or,.  in.  ji9 


466  NUKTII  AMEKIUAN  BIRDS. 

Family   PERDICIDiE.  —  The  Pautkidoes. 

CiiAR.     Xostril.s  protfclLMl  by  u  luikuil  si;alo.     The  tai-si  bare  and  suutellato. 

TIk!  I'a-il irii((r  dilTer  Irom  ihe  (ii'uuse  in  tlio  buro  lei^s  and  naked  nasal 
(Vissio.  They  aro  imicli  smaller  in  size  and  more  abundant  in  si)ecies.  Tiiey 
are  widely  distributed  over  tiie  surliiee  of  tlie  j^lolje,  a  lai'ge  number  belong- 
iiii,'  to  America,  where  the  subt'anulies  have  no  Old  World  representatives 
whatever.  Tlie  head  seldom,  if  ever,  shows  the  jjaked  space  around  and 
ab(ne  the  eye,  so  common  in  the  Tdmonuhr;  ami  tlie  sides  of  the  toes 
scarcely  exhibit  the  peculiar  pectination  formed  by  a  succession  of  small 
scales  or  plates. 

SciiFAMii.v  ORTYGINiE. 

Char.     Bill  stout,  the  Iowit  i,iaii,lil,lo  iiioiv  or  los.s  ImlcMitato  on  each  side  near  the 
end. 

The  OHjujincr  oi'  IJonajiaile,  or  OdoiitopJiorimr  of  other  authors,  are 
ciiaracterized  as  a  group  l)y  the  bidentation  on  either  side  of  tiie  edge  of 
lower  mandible,  usually  concealed  in  the  closed  mouth,  and  sometimes 
scarcely  apprecialde.  The  bill  is  short,  and  rather  high  at  Iiase  ;  stouter  and 
shorter  than  what  is  usually  seen  in  Old  V/orld  I'artridges.  The  culmen  is 
curved  from  the  base;  the  tip  of  the  bill  broad,  and  overlapping  the  end  of 
(he  lower  mandible.  The  nasal  groove  is  short.  The  tail  is 'rather  broad 
and  long. 

Synopsis  of  Genera  found  in  the  United  States. 

(t.  Heii'l  icithiint  crest. 

Ortyx.     Tail  not  m.ieh  more  than  ludi'  the  wings ;  outstretched  feet  reach- 
ing lieyond  the  tail. 

h.  Head  irilh  it  crest  „f  u  few  Jowi  narrow.  Irel-shuped  feathers. 
Oreortyx.  Cre-st-leathers  very  long,  linear ;  tail  .scarcely  niure  tlian  half 
the  wings;  bill  stout;  el.aws  blunt,  the  lateral  not  reaching  the  base  of  the 
middle  i;law.  Toes  of  the  ontstretehed  toot  reachi.ig  l)eyond  the  tail. 
Lophortyx.  Crest-feathers  widening  nuieli  terminaily,  and  reiMUVed  at  the 
ends.  Tail  nearly  or  ([uite  as  long  as  wings.  Bill" rather  small.  Claws 
aeute,  the  lateral  reaching  to  the  base  of  middle  one.  Toes  not  reaching  the 
til)  "f  ''lil- 

c.  Crest  soft,  fnll,  and  tufted:  composed  of  short,  broad,  depressed  feathers. 
Callipepla.  Crest  springing  from  the  crown.  Wing-coverts  normal.  Tail 
stiHencd,  uearly  a.s  long  as  the  wing.s.  Claws  .small,  .-.cute;  outstretched 
leet  not  reaching  the  lip  of  tail. 

Cyrtonyx.  Cre.-t  occipital.  Wing-coverts  greatly  ileveloped.  Tail  very 
small  and  soil ;  half  a.s  long  as  the  wings.  Toes  short  ;  claws  very  long, 
blunted  ;  outstretched  feet  reaching  much  beyond  the  tip  of  tlu-  tail. 


J'EUDICIDJ.:  -  THE  J'ARTlilDGES. 


4G7 


All  the  ZN^crtli  Ain.;ric(in  Qnails,  oxeopt  Cinionn.r  numaia,  have  the  inner 
torlianes  edged  nilernally  wilJi  whilLsh  or  hull',  lunning  a  conspicuous  line 
on  each  side  oi  the  rump  when  the  wings  are  closed. 


Genus   ORTYX,   Strphens. 
Orliix,  Stephens,  Shaw's  (!..„.  Zoi.l.  X).  i,si-i.     (Type.,  r.l.;,,,  rh-;nmmv>s;  I.) 

Gkn  C,.A.!.  JJillsto.X.  Ilea.l  ontiMy  without  any  nvst.  Tail  .hort,  soarndv  more 
than  hall  the  win-  .omposod  of  niudfiatuly  soft  leathers.  WinRs  nonual.  Lt-/duvd- 
oped,  the  toes  r(Ni(liin;r  considerahly 
beyond  the  tip  of  the  tail;  the  lateral 
toes  short,  equal,  their  elaws  rallinn- 
decidedly  short  of  the  base  of  the  mid- 
dle claw. 


The    genus     Orfi/.r    endmces 

numerous   s])ecies,  more    oi'   less 

resend)ling  the  well-known  Uuh- 

white  of  the  I'luted  States.    Tluiy 

are   chiefly   confined  to  Mexico, 

Central  America,  and  the  West 

India  Islands.  Xortli  America 
and  the  West  India  Islands  con- 
tain hut  one  species,  and  this  is 
so  exceedingly  variai,l,,  in  ,>lumage  that  it  is  only  at  extreme  points  of  its 
range  that  diflerent'os  ac(piire  sufhciciit  constancy  to  he  considered  worthy 
of  esi-ecial  notice.  The  regions  of  its  extremes  of  variation  are  the  n.,rth- 
eastern,  southeastern,  and  southwestern  limits  of  its  range ;  the  modifica- 
tions attauiing  in  Cuha  and  in  Texas  sufficient  value  to  have  heen  deemed 
of  s].ecific  importance.  But  comparing  even  the  three  extremes  of  pluma-re 
the  differences  tire  found  to  consist  only  in  a  varying  amount  of  tlie  several 
col(jrs,  specimens  from  intervening  I'egions  forming  the  connecting  links. 

Species  and  Varieties. 

O.  virginianus.  Head  longitudinally  striped,  with  a  dark  superior  and 
lateral  stripe,  a  lifrht  siipereiliary  stripe  (continuing  down  the  side  of  the 
neck),  and  a  light  -.dar  patch ;  these  stripes  blackish  and  pure  white  in  the 
male,  and  rusty  and  oohraceous  in  the  f.Mnale.  Above  inottle.l  with  rusty 
and  grayish;  the  latter  pr(>vailing  posteriorly,  the  former  anteriorlv.  Upper 
part  of  the  rnmi.,  scapulars,  and  upper  wing-coverts  more  or  less  bhtehed 
with  black.  Beneath  whit(.,  with  transverse,  somewhat  V-sliapcd  bars  of 
black ;  sides  striped  with  rufous  ;  lower  tail-coverts  rufous,  with  black 
medial  arrow-head,  and  both  webs  tipped  with  ronndisli  spots  of  rusty 
white.  •' 


Orli/r  i-irsininnim. 


468  NORTH  AMEiaCAN  BIRDS. 

Black  fjiilar  coUiu-  nl'  the  nuih  .50,  or  less,  in  width. 

Reckli.sh  tints  iirrviuiiiiLj ;  those  iiciii-ly  I'luiiiiiuoua  on  the  upper 
parts,  where  tin;  niottliiiKs  are  iiiinulo.  Distiiiet  Mack  hlotches  on 
the  scapulars,  tertiais,  and  upi)er  part  of  rump.  Winjr,  4.2.")  (Florida, 
Southern  Illinois,  llissonri,  etc.)  to  4.,SII  (northeastern  L'nited 
States).     Iliih.     Eastern  Province  ol'  the  United  States;  Jamaica? 

var.   (•  i ri/  in  id  ii  us. 

Grayish  tints  prevaiiins;;  no  contimious  I'olor  on  the  n|iper  parts, 

where  the  mottlinj^s  are  coarse  and  .ijcncral.     \o  distinct  l.lauk 

blotches  on  the  scapulars,  etc.     «^iular  lilack  collar  narrower.    Winp, 

4.10  to  4.50.     Ilidt.    riains,  from  Texas  to  Kansas  (where  it  j,'railcs 

into  vir(jiiii(t)ius) mu:  texci  n  us. 

Black  gular  collar  much  ino'v  than  .'>0  in  width. 

Black  niarkinfrs  pred(iminatin,tr  in  the  male.  Female  hardly  dis- 
tinguishable I'roni  that  ol'  var.  lexanus.     Wing,  4.10.     Ilab.    Culm. 

var.  r  h  ha  ii  en  .s  t.s'.' 


Ortyx  virginianus,  var.  virginianus,  Bonvp. 

QTTAIL;  PARTEIDGE;  BOB- WHITE. 

Tclriio  rliyi II i,i lilts,  hiss.  Syst.  Nat.  I,  1700,  277,  10  (female  ?).  —  Omklin,  1,  17S8,  701. 
Pcnlix  riiyinidiiii,  L.vrii.  Iml.  Orn.  Ii,  1790,  e,')0.  —  Wilson,  ,\m.  Orn.  VI,  1S12, 
21,  pi.  xlvii.  —  Doi-dUTY's  Cab.  I,  1830,  37,  pi.  iv.  -  At  D.  Orn.  liiog.  I,  1831,  388  ; 
V,  1839,  i,(ii,  pi.  l.vwi.  Pcrdi.,:  {Orti/.,)  vinjinidna,  Uonap.  Obs.  Wils.  1825,  Xo.  2()3. 
Orljix  vii-fjiiii,iii,i,  .1  liniNK,  Xat.  Library  liirds,  IV,  {Jaine  Uirds,  101,  pi.  x.  —  Don, 
List,  1838.  -All).  Syn.  1839,  199. —  In.  Hirds  Amor.  V,  1842,  .19,  pi.  cclxxxix. — 
GofLi),  Moil.  Odont.  pi.  i.  —  lUiiiii,  Bhds  X.  Am.  1858,  040. —Xewton,  Ibis,  I, 
255  (Santa  Cruz  ;  introduced  1).  —  Bijvant,  15.  Pr.  VII,  1859  (Bidiama.s  ;  introduced  '.). 
—  ScLATKi!,  P.  Z.  S.  1801,  80  (Jamaica).  —  Maiicu,  P.  A.  X.  S.  1803,  303  (Jamaica). 
-Max.  Cab.  J.  VII,  18.58,  444. —  Okay,  Cat.  Brit.  Mas.  V,  1807,  75.  —  I'owi.i: li. 
Am.  Xat.  Ill,  Dec.  1809,  535  (habits).  Pi-ri/ix  (Co/iiii,,)  i-iri/iiiiaiia,  NrrrALi,,  Man. 
I,  1832,  040.  Telnio  moi-ilKiK/kiis,  Uss.  Syst.  Xat.  I,  1700,  277,  18.  —  Cmki.ix,  I, 
1788,  761,  17.  Pcnlix  mai-i/inidiai,  Latham,  Ind.  Orn.  II,  1790,  050.  Tctrao  iiiliior, 
I5ai!T1!AM,  Travels,  1791,  290  bis.  Pcrdix  Immtlis,  ViKli.i.or,  Xouv.  Diet.  —  In. 
(iaierie,  II,  4-1,  pi.  ccxiv.  (Mijx  borci/h,  SrKi'll.,  Shaw's  Zoiil.  XI,  1819,  377. 
Vinjinia  Pai-tnihji;  Latham,  Syn.  II,  ii,  777.  Ortiix  castunciis,  Gori.D,  P.  Z.  S.  X, 
182.  —In.  Jlon.  Odont.  (A  somewhat  melanistic  plumage,  occasionally  seen  in  speci- 
mens from  Iowa,  Illinois,  etc.  ?) 

Sp.  Char.  Forehead,  and  line  through  the  eye  and  along  the  side  of  the  neck,  with 
chin  and  throat,  white.  A  band  of  black  across  the  vertex,  and  exteiuling  backwards  on 
the  sides,  within  the  white,  and  another  from  the  maxilla  lieneath  the  eye,  and  crossing 
on  the  lower  part  of  the  throat.  The  under  parts  are  whit(>,  tinged  with  brown  anteriorly: 
each  feather  with  several  narrow,  obtusely  V-shaped  bands  of  black.  The  forepart  of 
back,  the  side  of  the  breast,  and  in  front  just  lielow  the  l)la<'k  collar,  of  a  dull  i)inkish- 
red.  The  .side!?  of  body  .and  wing-coverts  brownish-red  ;  the  latter  almost  uniform,  with- 
out indication  of  mottling.  Scapulars  and  upper  tertiais  coar.sely  blotched  with  lilack, 
and  edged  internally  with  lirownish-yellow.  Top  of  head  reddish ;  the  lower  jiart  of 
neck,  except  anteriorly,  streaked  with  white  and  black.  Primary  ((uills  unspotted  brown. 
Tail  a.sh.  Femnle  with  the  white  markings  of  the  head  replaced  by  brownish-yellow ;  the 
black  ones  with  brownish. 

1  Ortifx  viiyiiiiniius,  vm:  cidifini'iisis.  Or/i/x  aibaiiaisis,  "  Gould." —  Guay  &  Mitch.  Gen. 
Ill,  514.     Ortyx,  .sp.  2.  —  Gori.ii,  Mon.  Odont. 


I'HUDICID.E  — TIIK  I'AU'l'UIlXiKS. 


469 


Young.  Ilpiid  ashy,  willi  a  ti.'irrow  poi^t-driiliir  wUili.'  stripe,  and  the  crnwii  spottcil 
with  lilat'k  ;  tiiroiil  wiiili.-ii.  JJciii'alli  pale  (liii;.'y-asliy,  with  whitish  siiafl-sticaixs,  and 
without  l)hiil»  liars  or  other  iiwukiii^s.  Aliove  redihsh  or  olivneeoiis  ihali,  tlie  I'ealhcrs 
with  whitisli  sliall-slreaiis,  and  a  larf,'e  blac'U  spot,  mostly  on  upper  web. 

I'liirh:  Head  iHiiu'V  lndV;  an  auricular  (hisUj' elongated  pot,  and  a  verlieal  [lateh  ol' 
ehostnut-rulbus,  widenin;;  on  the  ocuiput. 

Lenj,'tii,  lit.(M);  winj;-,  l.VO  ;  tail,  ZM. 

Ilab.    Eastern  United  i^tales  to  ihe  hiidi  ("enlral  Plains;   Devil's  IJiver,  Ti'xas? 


S])eciinens  f'loiii  Missouri  and  Soutliern  Illinois  uro  intornuMlinte  liotwoon 
the  typical  /•//•///« /«««.s  of  the  Xortheastein  States  anil  Floriila  i^xaniples,' which 
approach  in  every  respect,  except  the  broad  jugular  collar,  the  var.  c/i/MHcnsi's. 

The  size  is  scarcely  greuliT, —  ^  . 

the  range  in  Florida  liirds  he-  "^"^^  :  ~'~f^" 

ing  wing  4.10  to  4.:>(l,  while 
the  average  ol'  Missouri  and 
Southern  Illinois  series  is 
about  4.25  ;  again,  in  northern 
and  ea.stern. specimens  the  wing 
is  4.70  to  4.8(1.  In  colors, 
Southern  Illinois  and  Florida 
birds  are  also  very  similar ; 
but  in  Florida  there  is  less 
tendency  to  black  blotches  on 
scajjulars,  etc.,  while  in  s])eci- 
niens  from  the  southern  part  of 
the  i)eniiisula  the  bill  is  aj)pre- 
ciably  larger.  From  the  plains 
of  KaiLsas  specimens  are  inter- 
mediate betw^cen  these  Illinois 
birds  and  the  var.  fcmnns.  "">"  '■<'>•'•"'""'"■ 

A  jjiiir  of  Quails  from  Jamaica,  probably  derived  from  Continental 
l)arents,  are  less  dillerent  from  United  States  specimens  than  are  those  from 
Cuba  or  Texas.  In  size  they  are  like  the  former,  and  have  idso  an 
efpially  large  bill ;  the  male,  however,  is  not  darker  beneath  than  Southern 
specimens  of  rirf/iniaiLHx,  while  the  female  is  absolutely  undistinguishable 
in  color  from  examples  of  that  race  from  the  ^fiddle  States. 

Hahits.  The  present  species,  known  in  Xew  England  and  in  certain 
other  ])arts  of  the  country  as  the  Quail,  and  in  the  jMidtUe  and  Southern 
States  as  the  Partridge,  —  either  of  which  names,  belonging  to  other  and  quite 
different  birds,  is  inap])ropriatc,  —  is  found  throughout  the  eastern  ])ortion  of 
North  America  fnuu  Florida  to  Maine,  and  from  the  Atlantic  to  Texas  on 
the  south  and  to  the  Central  Tlains.    I'artially  successful  attempts  have  been 


'  The  Florida  bird  has  bi'eii  lately  charactcrizud  as  \iu.  Jhiriilanus  by  Dr.  Couos,  in  hi.s  Key  to 
North  Aniorican  lUrds. 


470  NORTH  AMEIUCAN  nUlUH. 

iiiadu  to  introduce  it  in  I'lali,  and  its  aioa  itroiuiscs  to  (ixtcnd  much  iartliov 
west  tlian  its  oiij^inal  limits.  This  spL-cies  lias  also  hoon  aeclimatutl  in 
Jamaica,  and  now  abounds  in  all  parts  of  that  island.  Thoro  they  are  said, 
by  ^Fr.  March,  to  niaki;  no  nest,  but  to  lay  on  the  <,'ri)und,  in  lufts  of  j,'rass- 
roots  or  under  clumps  of  Ituslics,  usually  from  twelve  to  twenty  eg,i,'s.  These 
are  smaller  than  with  us,  m(!asurin<,'  1.2")  indies  by  an  inch.  Mr.  March 
adds  that,  during  incubation,  the  male  may  usually  be  found  sittiiif,'  on  a 
low  branch  in  the  vicinity  of  the  ne.st,  but  does  not  assist  in  incul)ation. 

The  Quail  lias  also  l)cen  introduced  into  the  islaiul  of  St.  Croi.x,  and  is 
now  very  connumi  in  al!no.st  every  part  of  it,  being  especially  abundant  in 
the  grass  lands  of  the  southwestern  ]iart.  Their  hal)its  appear  to  be  some- 
what modilied  by  their  jdace  of  alioihi,  as  'Sir.  Xewton  has  several  times 
.seen  birds  of  this  species  fly  up  frnin  tiie  giDund  wiieii  ihished,  and  jiercli 
upon  trees.  He  also  states  that,  .so  far  as  he  could  find,  their  nest  is  never 
covered  over,  as  descrilied  by  s(une  writta's,  but  consists  merely  of  a  siiallow 
hole  scraped  in  the  ground,  in  which  is  dei)osited  a  little  dried  grass  or 
"trash."  the  leaves  of  the  sugar-cane.  It  is  often  phiced  to  leeward  (if  a 
protecting  cane  "  stool." 

This  bird  is  probably  found  in  all  the  New  England  States,  though  its 
presence  in  Maine  is  not  certain,  and,  if  found  there  at  all,  is  luily  met  with 
in  the  extreme  s(tuthwestern  portion.  It  is  also  rare  in  Vermont  and  New 
Hampshire,  and  only  found  in  the  southern  i)ortions.  It  is  not  given  by  Mr. 
15oardman,  nor  by  l'rof(!ss(U'  Verrill.  Farther  west  it  has  a  iiKire  northern 
distribution,  being  found  in  Xorthern  Xew  York  and  in  Southern  (Canada. 
Mr.  McHwraith  gives  it  as  resident  in  the  neighborhood  of  Hamilton. 

In  many  parts  of  Massachusetts  the  Quail  has  become  a  very  rare  bird, 
owing  to  the  ravages  caused  by  sportsMcn  and  the  severity  of  winters,  heavv 
falls  of  snow  being  frequently  particukrly  fatal  to  them. 

The  Quails  are  not  migratory,  rarely  moving  to  any  extent  Irom  the  .spot 
where  they  were  hatched,  even  in  ipiest  of  food,  and  are  easily  aifected  by 
scarcity  of  food  or  l)y  the  .severity  of  the  winter  season.  In  hi!avy  falls  of 
snow  they  freiiuently  huddle  together  on  the  ground,  and  alhnv  themselves 
to  be  buried  in  the  drifts.  If  the  snow  is  light,  they  can  easily  extricate 
themselves,  and  run  over  its  surface  in  quest  of  berries  and  the  .seeds  of 
shrubs;  but  if  the  fall  be  followed  by  a  partial  thaw,  and  a  crust  forms, 
the  birds  are  made  prisoners  within  its  impenetrable  cover,  and  miserably 
perish  of  hunger.  In  the  .severe  winter  of  ]HG(')  and  18()7,  large  numbers 
of  Quails  thus  perished  throughout  all  parts  of  Massachusetts.  When  the 
snow  melted,  they  were  fouiul,  in  numei'ous  instances,  crowded  close  together 
and  embedded  in  the  frozen  drifts. 

Unlike  most  birds  of  this  family,  the  American  Quail  never  collects  in 
large  flocks,  l>ut  usually  moves  in  small  fanrily  groups,  varying  in  number 
from  ten  to  thirty,  but  too  often  reduced  to  a  mere  renmant  by  the  inroads 
of  the  sportsman.    Wiien  there  are  two  broods  in  a  season,  the  second  brood 


I'KI!I>I('II».K      Till-:  l'.\liTi;il»(iK8.  471 

unitfs  with  tilt'  first,  iiml,  ii'  iiuiiinlcstcd,  tlit-y  kL'c|)  t(ijj;i'tlior  until  tlu!  spiiny, 
uudi'i'  till-  Ljiiidiiiici'  ui'  tiic  piirt'iits.  In  tiio  iiiatiiij,'-.si'iis(iii  ijicy  usually  si'pa- 
ratu  iuln  pairs,  tliiiui;li  (M'casioiially  a  uialc  will  associalr  witii  nuuv  than  a 
.sinj,'le  Ibnuilc,  in  whicli  case  lia'ir  juint  pnidiii'l  is  united  in  thu  same  nest. 
In  the  spring  ol'  l.S.'iO  1  found  nut'  of  the  nusts  whi(^h  contained  no  less  than 
thirty-two  t',i,'j,'s.  Tiie  nest  was  placed  on  the  side  of  a  hill,  in  an  ojien  jias- 
lure,  within  a  low  rods  of  tiie  main  street,  and  in  the  midst  of  the  ]irinci]iivl 
villaj,'e  in  llinnham.  It  was  couipaialively  small,  composed  of  coarse  stems 
of  Lfi'ass,  arched  at  the  to]i,  with  tiie  eiitrunee  on  one  side,  and  the  ej,%'s 
were  promiscuously  piled  one  upon  another.  The  latter  were  removed  for 
the  purpose  of  ascertaining;-  the  exact  mimher,  l)Ut  very  carefully  replaced; 
yet  the  parent  iiirds  deserle(l  them,  as  tiiey  ari'  said  always  to  do  ii  their 
e^j,'.s  are  handled.  An  attempt  was  made  to  hatch  the  e,i,',us  under  a  common 
Hell,  hut  it  proved  un.siiccessful.  As  the  nest  was  in  .so  exjiosed  a  place,  it 
is  (|nite  po.ssilde  that  its  ahandonmont  by  the  parent  may  have  heun  occa- 
sioned by  other  causes  than  our  touching;  the  ef,',us, 

These  liirdsare  always  found  in  i^roiinds  more  or  less  open,  ])referriiii;  those 
in  which  there  is  aiiundaiice  of  low  trees  and  clusters  of  shrubs  in  which 
they  Clin  shelter  themselves,  on  the  edytis  of  woods,  where  they  occasionally 
hide  or  roost  on  low  branches  near  the  .!j;round.  Their  favorite  food  is  seeds 
of  various  plants,  and  bi-rrics  ;  and  in  the  fall  of  the  year,  or  late  in  summer, 
they  feed  largely  on  j;rasslioppeis,  and  on  this  food  they  thrive  and  beconK! 
very  fat.  They  an^  also  very  fond  of  buckwiieat,  corn,  and  all  tln^  liiiuls  of 
f^iaiii.  In  conlinement  they  i-at  betH'hnuts,  acorns,  and  other  kinds  of  nuts,  if 
broken  for  them.  In  villages  wlii're  liieyare  not  molested  they  become  very 
tame,  freely  ap]ii'oacli  the  liarnyards  to  feed  with  the  ])Oultry,  and  will  even 
come  at  the  call  of  their  friends  and  jiick  u]>  food  thrown  to  them.  This  is 
especially  noticeable  in  Florida,  wlun'c  the  representatives  of  the  small  race 
of  the  s])i'cies  found  there  are  very  numerous  ami  remarlvably  conlidiu;^. 

The  (iHiail  is  estecuned  a  great  delicacy  as  an  article  of  food,  and  is  sought 
for  the  market  by  means  of  traps,  nets,  and  various  kinds  of  snares,  and  by 
sportsmen  with  the  gun  and  dogs.  Tt  is  naturally  unsuspicious,  is  easily 
ajiproaclied,  and  in  tla;  thickly  settled  parts  of  the  c(juntry  its  ranks  an;  al- 
ready greatly  thinned.  It  is  gradually  disajipearing  from  New  England,  and 
is  now  very  ran*  in  large  tracts  where  it  wa.s  once  ([uite  abundant.  In  some 
localities  they  have  only  been  retained  by  the  importations  of  others  from  a 
distance.  They  are  of  gentle  disjiosition,  art;  aiijiarently  much  attached  to 
each  other  both  in  the  conjugal  and  in  the  jiarental  relations,  and  always 
keep  closely  together  in  the  small  tlocks  associating  together.  In  the  fall 
the  old  birds  remain  with  their  olfspriug  of  the  season,  and  direct  the  move- 
ments of  their  family.  They  always  keep  close  together,  by  day  as  well 
as  by  night,  roost  on  the  ground  under  the  shelter  of  bushes  in  a  circle,  their 
bodies  closely  impacted,  and  their  heads  forming  the  exterior.  This  con- 
duces alike  to  their  safety  and  to  their  warmth. 


472  NORTH  AMHIUCAN  UIRDS. 

Liito  in  April  or  I'lirly  in  May  tliuy  coustrucl  tlieir  nests,  alwiiy.s  on  llus 
groiuul,  usuiilly  under  tlie  proti'ction  of  sonio  cluster  ol'  iKislies,  in  u  depres- 
sion. It  is  often  on  the  slope  of  a  sniuU  eniinenee.  It  is  very  simple,  the 
niatei'ials  loosely  ]>ut  to^etlier,  and  wholly  of  (;oarse  stul)l>li'  or  straw.  All 
that  I  have  seen  have  Iteen  arelied  over  at  the  toii,  and  with  a  partially 
covered  entrance ;  lajt  1  am  told  that  it  is  as  often  open  as  covered.  The 
ej,'gs  are  .spoken  of  in  the  hooks  as  from  iifteen  to  twenty.  1  have  never 
found  less  than  twenty-four,  and  from  tliat  numlier  to  thirty-two.  1  think 
tliat  each  female  lays  but  altout  eijrht,  and  that  severa'  '"jmales  make  use  of 
the  same  nest,  —  never  less  than  two,  nor  more  than  four.  Hut  this  opinion  is 
conjectural  rather  than  ascertained.  Tiiey  have  two  broods  in  a  season,  tiic 
second  in  Au,i,'u.st,  at  Mhich  time  the  male  is  enj,'a^'ed  in  leadin.L,'  the  first 
brood,  of  which  he  takes  charu;e  when  they  are  hardly  half  grown,  lie  is  a 
courageous,  watchful,  and  devoted  guardian.  Once  as  I  was  rapidly  descend- 
ing a  path  on  the  side  of  a  hill,  among  a  low  growth  of  scrub-oak  f  came 
suddenly  u])on  a  covcsy  of  young  (jMiail,  feeding  on  lilueberrii's,  and  directly 
in  the  ])atii.  They  did  not  see  me  until  I  was  close  upon  them,  when  the 
old  bird,  a  tine  old  male,  tlew  directly  towards  me  and  tumbled  at  my  feet  as 
if  in  a  dying  condition,  giving  at  the  same  time  a  shrill  whistle,  exjtressive  of 
intense  alarm.  I  stooped  and  ])ut  my  hand  upon  his  extended  wings,  and  could 
easily  have  caught  him.  Thi'  young  birds,  at  the  cry  of  the  2»arent,  ilew  in  all 
directions;  ami  their  dev(jted  I'atliei'  soon  followed  them,  and  began  calling  to 
them  in  a  low  cluck,  like  the  cry  of  the  Urown  Thresher.  The  young  at 
this  time  were  hardly  more  than  a  week  (jld,  and  seemed  to  lly  perfectly 
well  to  a  short  distance.  The  female  was  nowhere  to  be  seen,  but  may 
liave  been  previously  killed,  or  may  have  been  already  in  her  second  incuba- 
tion at  that  early  stage.  The  young  run  as  soon  as  they  are  hatched,  and 
from  the  first  aid  their  flight  with  their  wings  ;  when  pursued,  I  have  never 
known  them  to  .scpuit  in  the  manner  of  the  Iiuffed  Grouse,  but  rather  to 
hide  themselves  in  thick  bushes  or  tufts  of  grass,  running  from  these  if  dis- 
covered. 

The  male  bird  has  a  loud,  clear,  and  very  distinctive  whistle,  whicii  in 
New  P^ngland  is  interpreted  as  iV'o  more  wet,  or,  if  his  utterance  is  more 
hurried  and  excited,  as  Mure  -m-t ;  and  there  are  those  who  still  attach  to 
these  utterances  a  meteorological  significance.  Tn  other  parts  of  the  country 
this  cry  is  su])posed  to  be  Ah  Boh-irkifr,  or  Boh-white,  and  the  birds  are  not 
unfrequently  called  Bob-Whites,  a  name  suggested  by  Professor  Baird  as  a 
good  specific  designation.  Their  note  wheii  calling  their  young  brood  is  very 
different,  and  is  a  low  twitter,  suggestive  of  affection,  caution,  and  gentle  care. 
It  is  soft  and  subdued,  and  would  readily  escape  notice. 

They  make  a  loud  whirring  sound  when  they  take  to  flight,  but  they 
rarely  fly  to  any  distance,  even  when  nwst  alarmed,  as  their  flight  is  some- 
what laborious.  They  often  escape  by  running  ou  the  ground,  especially 
when  they  are  not  suddenly  startled. 


I'KUDIcrn.K-TlIL'  I'AKTUIIXJES.  4yg 

Mr.  Au.lul...,,  .staU.,s  that  ut  tl>o  Wc-.sl  thi.s  Mnl  pcTfoms  uccu.si.,nal  nu- 
gniliuMs  t„wanl.s  llu-  «..uihou«l  in  ihu,\m;  in  tl.o  maimer  .,1'  tl.o  Wild  Tur- 
ivoy;  but  I  ..anuot  iiiKl  tliat  otliurs  l,avu  iioUcmI  ll,is  ..(•(•unviict.  r.i  the 
SnulhenuuHl  WcsUth  Stal.s,  .Im.,v  tl.is  s,,oci.H  is  very  i.let.tin.i;  thev  are 
taken  m  nn.nense  nutul.Ts  in  lar,.-  nets,  into  wind,  tl.ey  are  cauti,.u,sly  and 
slowly  driven  l>v  a  party  i.f  inuiLer.s. 

This  si.ecie«  with  proper  pains,  n.ay  I.e  easily  raised  in  cniinonu-nt,  ir 
dueedU.  breed,  and  trained  into  a  cund.tio,,  „f  paHia]  don.osticatiun.     K'ov 
i)r.   Laehnnu.  of    Charleston,   S.  ( •. ,   .n,,,eded   in  ubtaininj,,  bv  hatehinK 
under  a  l.,ntant  Hen,  a  brood  of  young  (,)uails.     Cunfini.,,.  then.'with  their 
loster-niother  lor  a  lew  days,  they  were  soon  tan-ht  to  follow  her  like  v.,un- 
chickens,     n.ey  were  fed  at  (irst  on  curds,  but  soon  be^ran  to  oat  cnicked 
Indian-eorn  an,l   millet.      They  were   i-ermitteil   to  stray  at  lar-^e  in  the 
garden,  one  wing  of  eaeh    having    been   shortene.I.      They   became   very 
gentle,  and  were  in  the  habit  „r  iullnwing  Dr.  J5avhnian  throu-di  his  house 
seating  themselves  on  the  table  at   which  he  was  writing,  occasionally,  in' 
play,  pecking  at  his   hands  or  running  oil'  with  his  pen.     At  ni-ht  thov 
nestled  in  a  coo,,  in   the  ganlen.     Although  these  pets  had  no  opportunit'v 
ot  hearing  any  other  .sounds  than  those  of  the  poultrv,  the  male  binls  com- 
menced in  the  spring  their  not  unmusical  note  of  B„lj.>r/u/r,  at  first  low  but 
increasing  ,n  lomlness,  until  th.y  were  heanl   through  the  whole   neighbor- 
iioud.     llieir  notes   wore  j.recisely   like   those  of  the   wild  birds.     As  the 
spring  advanced  the  males  became  very  pugnacious,  and  continued  contests 
took  place  among  them.selves,  as  w.-ll  as  with  the   I'ige.ms  and  the  poultry 
aat  mtrudeil  on  their  premi.ses.     Tia-ir  eggs  were  j.laced  under  a  Hen  and 
hatched  out.     The  experiment  went  no  further,  but  was  ciuito  sullicient  to 
demonstrate  the  p(jssibility  of  their  domestication. 

Wilson  relates  that  in  one  instance  a  female  of  this  species  set  upcn  an.l 
hatched  out  tlie  eggs  of  the  common  Hen.  For  seveml  weeks  after,  his  in- 
formant occasionally  surprised  lier  in  various  ,.arts  of  the  plantation  witii 
her  brood  of  chickens,  on  which  occasion  she  e.vhil)ited  every  in<lication  of 
distress  and  alarm,  and  ])ractised  her  usual  maiianivres  for  their  preservation. 
She  continued  to  lead  them  about  until  they  were  larger  than  herself,  and 
their  mannors  had  all  the  shyness  and  timidity  and  alarm  of  young  (,)ua(l,s. 

Mr.  Allen  states  (Am.  Xat.,  July,  1872)  that  this  species  has  been  recently 
introduced  into  the  (iveiit  Salt  Lake  X'alley,  and  in  1871  was  giving  i.romise 
of  multil^lying  rapidly  and  becoming  thoroughly  naturalized,  young  birds 
having  been  raised  in  the  summer  of  1871. 

The  eggs  of  this  species  are  of  a  pure,  brilliant  white  color,  shaq.ly  pointed 
at  one  end,  and  obtusely  rounded  at  the  other.  They  average  about  1.35 
inches  in  length  by  one  inch  in  breadth. 


vDi,.  III.  60 


474  NUKTll  AMEIUCAN  BIRDS. 


OrtyK  virginianus,  \ar.  texanus,  L.v\vin;xcE. 

Urtyx  l(j-(inus,  Lawkknii.,  '  iiii.  N.  V.  Lye.  VI,  Ainil,  ISjy,  1.  -  liAliil),  Hinls  N.  Am. 
1858,  041,  i>l.  l.\ii.  ~-  In.  .Mix.  1!.  II,  lUids,  2-J,  [il.  .x.xiv.  —  L)l!i;s.si;ii,  Ibis,  18tit),  27 
(S.  K.  'lV.\iis;  liivnls).  —  (iiiAY,  Cat.  liiit.  Mils.  V.  18(i7,  7.J.  —  Hkkk.M.  .X,  c  18. 

Sp.  C'liAit.  (ii'iKMiil  aiipcai'aiiet'  that  of  O.  ri'iyiiii(nius.  Cliiii,  tliioat,  t'oivliuail,  and 
•stripe  over  tiie  eye,  wliite.  Stripe  liehiiul  tlio  eye,  continuoiis  witli  a  collar  aem.s.^  the 
lower  part  of  the  tliroat,  hlaciv.  Under  parts  white,  witli  zigzag'  tran.sverse  bars  of  blaek. 
Above  ]iale  lirownish-reil,  stron<,'ly  tiiiired  with  at^li,  the  feather.s  all  faintly  though  di.s- 
tiiietly  mottled  with  lilaek  ;  the  lower  baek,  seapidar.s,  and  tertials  mueh  blotche<l  with 
lihiek,  tiie  latter  edged  on  both  side.s,  and,  to  .some  e.xtent,  transversely  barred  with 
bidwnish-white.  Seeondaries  with  transverse  bars  of  the  same  on  the  outer  web.  Wing- 
eoverls  coarsely  and  con.spicuously  barred  with  blaeki.sh.  Lower  part  of  neck,  except 
belore,  streake(l  with  blaek  and  while. 

Fvmith'  with  the  white  of  the  head  changed  t(j  l)rownish-y'.'llow ;  the  l)lack  of  the  head 
wanting.     Length,  9.00  ;  wing,  l.li.');  tail, 'J.S.j. 

ILvn.  Southern  Texas  and  Valley  of  the  liio  Grande:  Repul)lican  River,  Kansas; 
Washita  Rivi'r,  Indian  'I'erritory. 

H.vniTS.  This  form,  wliicli  appears  to  bo  confined  to  tlie  southern  portion 
of  Te.xas  and  to  the  valley  of  the  l!io  tJrande  Kiver,  was  first  descrilted  by 
Mr.  Lawrence  in  iS;");!.  It  has  i)een  taken  in  the  neigiiboriiood  of  San 
Antonio  and  on  tlie  Xiieces  IJiver  liy  Captain  I'ope;  on  Devil's  liiver  by 
Major  William  H.  Emory  ;  at  Fort  Clark,  on  the  I'ecos  IMver,  near  Liiredo, 
Te.xas,  at  Matainoras,  and  near  New  Loon,  ^le.xieo,  iind  in  other  localities, 
by  Lieutenant  Conch.  According  to  Mr.  Clark,  they  were  very  abundant  in 
the  valley  of  the  IVcos,  as  well  as  in  all  Southwestern  Te.xas.  They  were 
much  like  the  common  Virginia  (Juail  in  haljits  as  well  as  iu  appearance, 
and  to  his  ear  the  note  of  this  bird  was  absolutely  identical  with  that  of 
the  common  (Juail.  Ho  has  often  been  a  spectator  of  fights  among  the  males 
of  this  variety.  To  tliis  account  Dr.  Keunerly  adds  that  he  ol (.served  them 
everywhere  in  considerable  numbers  from  tiie  coast  to  the  headwaters  of 
Devil's  Iviver,  and  also  along  the  Pecos  liiver;  but  farther  west  than  this 
none  were  seen.  In  the  ojien  prairie  lands  great  numbers  were  always 
found  early  in  tiie  morning  in  the  road.  The  clo.se  resemblance  of  its 
habits  to  those  of  the  common  Partridge  was  also  noticed. 

This  Quail  was  first  observed  liy  Dr.  Ileermann  in  abumlance  on  the  Pecos 
River,  altliough  seen  some  days  iirevious  to  reaching  that  point.  Their 
numbers  increased  as  they  neared  civilization,  and  near  San  Antonio  they 
became  very  ]»lentifiil.  'I'ho  call  of  the  male  bird  is  said  to  consist  of  two 
notes  repeated  at  intervals,  which  are  less  loud,  clear,  and  ringing  than  those 
of  the  common  0;7//,/'  rmi'unnniis.  They  feed  on  the  open  ]»rairies  on  gra.ss- 
seeds,  grains,  berries,  and  insects,  ami,  if  alarmed,  take  refuge  among  the 
scattered  mestpiite-trees  and  clumps  of  bushes.  When  hunted,  they  lie  to 
the  dog  in  the  manner  of  the  common  species,  and,  if  Hushed,  fly  in  a  direct 
line,  witli  a  loud  whirring  noi.se,  caused  by  the  shortness  and  itipid  motions  of 


PKUDICID.E-Tlll.;  I'AKTRllHil'JS  i^- 

tlie  win.irs.     An  ogo-  of  this  l.inl,  lmu.,1  l.y  ]),..  Ileeriuauu  clroppo.l  un,ni  the 
mu  ,  wus  ni  Unm  au.l  color  like  tl.iit  of  li.c  (•o.nnion  ^uail,  l.,u  suuiUor 

Air   l).^8s.r  states  tl.ut  in  Texas  this  bird  is  known  as   the  "Co.un.on 
lartmlge     of  the  eountry.     ]le  found  it  abundant  everywhere  in  localities 
suitable  to  Its  habits.     Near  Matanioras  it  was  very  eon.nion,  an.l  was  the 
only  speeies  of  Quail  he  noticed  there.     At  ICagle  I'ass  and  I'iedras  Xeoras 
where  the  soil  is  .san.ly,  the  grass  .scanty,  and  cacti  abundant,  he  .saw  only 
one  bevj-  but  plenty  of  the  Co//ij,,pf,  .,,,„„„,,.     Xear  San  Antonio  only 
tins  Qua.1   is  lound,  nor  did  he  observe  any  other  species  in  travellin-^o- 
wards  the  northeast.     Amongst  the  Bandara  Hills,  where  he  n.et  with"the 
Masscna  1  artndge,  he  also  fonn.l  the  Texan  (,)uail  in  the  Nalley  an.l  near  the 
nmize-fields.      In  travelling  IVoni  Brownsville  to  San  Anto.do  the  Texan 
gnaii  was  everywhere  abundant  except  in  the  sand-.lese.ls.     This  s.-ecies 
was  found  to  be  rathe.  =rreg.lar  as  to  its  breeding-sea.son,  as  he  found  youn.^ 
bn-ds  near  Matanioras  e.,ly  in  July,  and  in  September  again  met  with'ouite 
you,...- bn'ds  near  the  Nueces  L'iver,  and  Dr.  ileern.ann  informed  him  that 
lie  had  likewise  procured  eggs  near  San  Antonio  late  in  Sei.teniljer      He  ob- 
tained a  set  of  their  eggs  taken  near  San  Ant.,nio,  which  are  very  similar  to 
those  ol  the  Ortyx  viryinianus,  but  are  sligiitly  smaller. 

Genus   OREORTYX,   Baird. 

Orcortyx,  BAini,,  Birds  of  N.  A,,,.  18.^8.     (Tyj,.,  Or,,,.,- indu,  DoroLA.s.) 

a^x  C„AR.     Body  stout,  l.roa.l;   bill  largo;  a  nro.^t  of  two  or  ,hr.v  n,,,,.],  ..lon^ated 

noar  feathers,  spr,„,n„.  iro.n  ti.c  n.idcllo  of  tl,.  vorlox  ;   tail  short,  broad,  ...ar..o  in  Ir 

ha„  hah  the  win,,  rounded,  the  longest  feathers  no,  „.n..h  excedin.  ,ho  .o     ■  s        " 

Un  eloped,  the  elaws  extendn,.  beyond  the  tip  of  the  tail ;  the  lateraUoes  short,  tie   X 

ckv  falhn,  eonsulerably  short  of  tlie  base  of  the  middle.     Very  similar  to  Or,,r,  exl^^ 

in  the  crest.    Sexes  similar.  •    '  "-^"-'l"- 


Oreortyx  pictus,  B.urd. 

PWMED  PABTEIDGE;   MOUNTAIN  QUAIL. 

Odont.  pi.  xv.-Ni.:w«Euuv.  Hop.  R  K.  K.  VI,  ,v,  1857, '..3.  -  IIkkkm  X  s  61 
0|  -/,.,.y«.»yWv,  Goru,,  Pr.  Zo.l.  So.  V.  1837,  42.-An..  Sy„.  ISa,;,  .oa  -  ' 
B  d.s  Amcr.V.  1842,  60,  pi.  ..xn.  /',  .//„■  ,,,„„y;,,„,  .vn..  Orn.  ni„«.  V  IS  .' 
220,  pi  CCC..XXU.     Lo,,l,orn,r.j,!,n„ifn;,,  X,-rTA,.L,  Man.  I,  (2d  -d.,)  1840,  7!.l      Onor- 

c^tu:!^^     ''  ""■  ^'"- '''''  '''■  -  '"""^"  ^  ^••-'^'■'-'  '''■  -  ^'— '  0- 

Sp.  CnAH.     ITe.nd  with  a  crest  of  two  straight  feather..,  mneh  longer  than  the  bill  and 
head.     Antenor  half  of  the  body  ,rayi,.h-plnmbeons  ;  the  upper  par-s  gene     Iv     i 
oous-brown  with  a  slight  shade  of  rufons,  this  ext-n.ling  narrowlv  along   he  ,  e 

crest.     Head  beneath  tlie  eyes  and  Uiroat  orange-chestnut,  border;d  ulo  ig  the  o  li,    a    , 


476 


NORTH  AMERICAN  UlRDS. 


3U3S  £ 


n  short  ilistuiice  l)ehin(l  by  black,  boundocl  antoriorly  and  supfriorly  by  wliito,  of  which 
color  is  a  short  line  behind  the  eye.     Posterior  half  of  the  lioily  beneath  while;  a  lai;,'(! 

central  patch  anteriorly  (liifurcat- 
inf;  behind),  wilh  the  Hanks  and 
til)ial  featliers,  orange  chestnut- 
brown  ;  the  siilcs  of  body  showiuj^ 
black  anil  white  bands,  the  former 
color  tinged  with  chcstnnt.  L'n- 
der  tail-coverts  black,  streaked 
with  orange-chcstnnt.  Ui)per 
tertials  margined  internally  with 
whitish.  Feinulf  dilfering  only 
in  .-ilightly  shorter  crest.  Length, 
10.51) ;  wing,  ;'>.0t) ;  tail,  :!.'J5.  Jav. 
Body,  generally,  pale  brown,  the  feathers  of  the  upper  ])arls  minutely  barred  with  darker, 
and  with  medial  shaft-streaks  of  blackish ;  lower  uinagc;  plain  brown.  JJrcast  clear 
ashy,  presenting  a  well-defined  area.  Head  pale  bi  .vn,  similar  to,  but  lighter  than,  the 
body,  with  a  conspicuous  vertical  and  lateral  (auricular)  broad  slri]ie  of  dark  umber- 
brown.  Featlans  of  the  flanks  blackish,  liroadly  bonlered  with  dingy  whitish.  A  .short 
truncated  tul't  of  hair-lik'3  featliers  on  the  crown.  (Described  from  figures  in  Gr.iyson's 
plate.) 

IIab.  ilountain-rauges  of  California  and  Oregon  towards  the  coast.  Nevada  (eastern 
slope  and  foot-hills  of  the  Siena  Nevada;   RihowayJ. 

There  are  two  ([uite  difVeveiit  raco.s  of  this  species,  Imt  which,  however, 
pass  gradually  into  each  other,  and  must  l)e  considered  as  merely  the 
extremes  of  one  species.     They  may  Ije  defined  as  follows  :  — 

1.  Var.  pirtus.  Pure  ash  conlined  to  the  pectoral  region;  the  russet- 
brown  or  rusty-olivaceous  of  the  upper  parts  covering  whole  neck  and 
crown;  forehead  entirely  ashy.  ^.  Wing,  0.25  ;  tarsus  shorter  than  miiMle 
toe  (1.27;  middle   toe,    l.;5(1).     Hab.    Washington  Territory,   Oregon,  and 

upper  coast  region  of  California.  "* 

2.  Var.  }>  I II  in  if  ems.  Pure  ash  covering  whole  pectoral  region,  and 
crown,  nape,  and  upper  part  of  back  ;  the  grayish-olivaceous  above  conlined 
to  the  pos.erior  parts.  Forehead  distinctly  whitish.  Wing,  5.25  ;  tarsus 
longer  than  middle  toe  (1.27 ;  middle  toe,  1.25).  Hab.  Sierra  Nevada, 
and  Southern  California  to  Cape  St.  Lucas. 

H.^iUTs.  The  Mountain  Quail  of  California  is  said  by  Dr.  Newberry  to 
be  similar  in  some  respects  to  the  common  Partridge  of  Europe.  It  is  no- 
where very  common,  but  occurs  sjiaringly  throughout  the  entire  length  of 
California  and  (,)regon  to  at  least  the  Columbia,  and  jirobably  beyond  it, 
having  much  the  same  rangt;  witli  the  mlifnrnicv:^,  thougli  everywhere  a 
rarer  bird,  and  always  confined  to  the  hills  and  mountains.  Its  habits  are 
similar  to  those  of  the  other  s])e('ies  of  tliis  family,  but  it  is  less  gregtirious, 
and  is  more  .shy.  It  is  usually  found  in  the  chaparral,  whore  it  is  ]nit  up 
with  difficulty,  as  it  seeks  safety  by  running  on  the  ground  rather  than  by 
flight.  On  tile  first  of  August,  at  the  base  of  Lassen's  Butte,  I  )r.  Newberry 
found  a  solitary  hen  with  a  brood  of  very  young  chicks.  The  brood  scattered 
like  young  Partridges,  uttering  a  piping  note  like  that  of  young  chickens. 


PEllDICID.E 


THE  PAllTRIDOKS. 


/  t 


OrenrtifT  picttts. 


and  when  all  was  still  again  weve  recalled  l)y  the  mother  with  a  duih,  niuuh 
like  the  call  ut'  tlie  coiinuon  Hen.  The  party  I'retiueutly  saw  coveys  ami 
broods  of  tiiese  birds,  the 
young  of  which  were  about 
half  grown,  until  they  reached 
tlie  plains  of  Tit  lliver. 
None  were  seen  in  the  Kla- 
math Lake  basin,  the  country 
being  too  bare  and  flat.  They 
were  tagiiin  met  with  among 
the  hills  bordering  the  Wil- 
lamette Valley,  and  were 
found  from  the  Columbia,  al- 
most uninterruptedly  througli 
the  Siskiyou,  Calapooza,  and 
Trinity  Mountains  to  Cali- 
fornia. They  are  favorite  pets  with  the  miners,  by  whom  they  are  frequently 
kept  in  confinement,  and  not  unfrequently  connnand  a  higli  price.  Their 
flesh  is  said  to  be  white  and  excellent,  and  fully  equal  to  that  of  any  of  the 
family. 

According  to  Dr.  Cooper,  this  Quail  is  very  rare  in  Washington  Territory,  a 
few  small  coveys  having  been  met  with  about  Vancouver,  as  he  was  informed 
by  the  officers  in  the  gari'ison.  He  never  succeeded  in  finding  any,  tiiough 
he  hunted  for  them  several  times  with  a  dog.  They  became  (pute  common 
soutli  of  the  Columbia,  towards  the  prairies  of  the  Willamette.  He  inquired 
especially  for  them  in  other  parts  of  the  Territory,  l)>it  never  heard  of  them. 
In  California,  south  of  San  Francisco,  this  bird  is  said  to  be  a  rare  curiosity 
to  the  market-hunters,  one  or  two  sometimes  occurring  among  flocks  of  the 
Caliibrnia  Quail.  It  is  known  to  them  as  tlu  Mountain  Quail.  Dr. 
S\ickley  states  that  the  birds  in  the  Willamette  Valley  were  introduced  tliere, 
and  that  they  are  now  nudtiplying  rapidly  upon  the  prairies  l)ack  of  Fort 
Vanco\iver.  With  a  very  little  care  it  is  thought  the  whole  of  the  Territory 
may  become  well  stocked  with  them,  as  the  absence  of  foxes  west  of  the 
Cascade  Mountains  and  the  mild  open  winters  are  favorable  for  their  in- 
crease. 

Dr.  Heermann  found  tlie  birds  of  this  species  wild  and  difficult  to  procure, 
flying  and  scattering  .t  the  least  syni})tom  of  danger,  and  again  calling  each 
other  together  with  a  note  expres.sive  of  great  solicitude,  much  resembling 
that  of  a  Hen-Turkey  gathering  her  brood  around  l\er.  During  tlie  survey 
he  observed  these  birds  only  once,  and  then  but  for  a  few  minutes,  as  tliey 
were  passing  through  a  deep  canon  leading  down  to  Elizabetli  Lake.  They 
were  .seen  by  the  hunters  on  the  mountains  surrounding  Tejon  Valley  ;  but 
though  he  went  several  times  in  search  of  them,  he  obtained  none. 

Mr.  Kidgway  met  with  the  Mountain  Quail  on  the  foot-hills  of  the  Sierra 


478 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Noviula,  in  tlie  vicinity  ot  (!enoa  and  Carson  City,  and  also  in  the  mountain- 
ranges  lying  iniuit'diately  to  the  eastward  of  tlie  Sierra.  It  was  (juite  rare 
and  very  diHicult  to  discover,  and  when  found  was  generally  met  with  acci- 
dentally. He  oljtiiined  it  in  November  in  the  thick  cha])arral  at  the  eastern 
base  of  tlie  Sierra  Nevada.  In  May  he  secured  a  pair  in  the  cedar  woods  a 
little  to  the  eastward  of  Carson  City,  and  in  December  a  tlock  was  met  with 
on  the  Comstock  Mountains  near  Pyrandd  Lake.  Its  call-note  when  a 
tlock  is  scattered  is  almost  exactly  like  that  of  a  Hen-Turkey,  only  propor- 
tionally weaker.  When  a  Hook  is  startled,  they  utter  a  confused  chuckling 
note,  something  like  that  of  the  connuon  eastern  Quail.  The  male  has  a 
very  pleasant  crowing-note,  which  sounds  some  like  koo-hvo-kuuc.  The 
settlers  in  Nevada  say  that,  previous  to  the  settlement  of  that  coiuitiy  by 
the  whites,  this  Quail  was  not  found  east  of  the  .Sierra  Nevada,  and  alUrm 
that  they  followed  the  Avagon-roads  over  the  mountains,  in  the  rear  of  trains 
and  wagons,  for  the  purpose  of  picking  up  the  grain  scattered  along  the 
rcjad.  Mr.  Itidgway  does  not  give  full  credit  to  the  truth  of  these  state- 
ments, as  he  was  informed  l)y  tlie  Indians  at  Pyramid  Lake,  that,  within 
the  memory  of  the  oldest  members  of  their  tribe,  it  had  always  been  found 
in  that  vicinity. 

An  egg  of  this  species  taken  l)y  Dr.  Canfield,  neai-  Monterey,  California, 
measures  1.45  inches  in  length  by  1.10  in  breadth.  It  is  oval  in  shape  ;  one 
end  is  considerably  more  pointed  than  the  other.  It  is  of  a  very  rich  cream- 
color,  with  a  reddish  shading,  and  unspotted. 

Genus   LOFHORTYX,   Bonap.vhte. 


Lophorlijy,  Boxat.  Ooog.  k  Coiuii.  List,  1838.     (Tj'pc,  Tdrao  califor>iicu.i,  .Shaw.) 

Gf.<j.  Char.     Iload  with  a  crest  of  longtlieneil  feathers  .springing  from  the  vertex,  the 
.shafts  in  tlie  same  vi.'rtical  plane,  and  the  webs  roof-shaped  and  overlapping  each  other ; 

the  number  varies  from  two  to  six 
or  more ;  they  widen  to  the  tip, 
where  they  are  slightly  recurved. 
Tail  lengthened  and  graduated,  nearly 
as  long  as  the  wing,  composed  of 
twelve  stifT  feathers.  Wings  with  the 
tertials  not  as  long  as  the  prima- 
ries ;  the  coverts  without  any  unusual 
development.  Claws  rather  short ;  the 
lateral  reaching  to,  but  scarcely 
beyond  the  liase  of  the  middle ;  the 
.Sexes  very  different. 


Lophortyx  mlifnmicus. 

outstretched  toe  not  reaching  the  tip  of  the  tail. 


The  two  North  American  species  of  the  genus  have  the  anterior  half  of 
the  body,  and  the  upper  parts  generally,  plumbeous ;  the  feathers  of  neck 
above,  and  on  the  sides,  pointed  and  margined  with  black.  There  is  a  white 
bar  across  the  head  above,  between  the  eyes,  which,  i)a8sing  backwards,  is 


PERDICIU/E—  THE  l'ARTl{lD(iEa 


471) 


bordered  behind  and  intenuilly  by  black;  a  second  conuuences  at,  the  jios- 
terior  border  of  tlie  eye,  and  tlien  borders  tliu  black  ol'  the  i/Iiin  and  tlimat 
laterally  and  l)eiiind,  the  black  rcaciiinj,'  uj)  to  the  eye  and  Ijordered  anteriorly 
by  a  white  line  from  eye  to  bill ;  lielly  i)ale  bull',  with  a  large  .sjiot  in  the 
centre  ;  the  tlauks  streaked  with  white.  The  diagnoses  of  the  species  are  as 
follows :  — 

Vpi'ti'x  and  occijiiit  lifrlit  smoky  ulivc-hmwii ;  loreliciul  whitish;  patcli  in 
thi!  miihlk'  of  the  lioliy  oianu'e-chi'stniit  :  I'uathuis  of  liicast  witii  nariow 
lilack  ('ilf;('s  ;  sides  of  liody  nhvacLMiiis-jihinilpcoiis         ....   L.  riilifitrniots. 

Vertex  and  <>eei[Hil  clear  chestniil-brown  ;  forehead  bhicldsh  ;  [latcli  in 
middle  of  belly  bhic-k ;  noie  of  the  belly-feathers  witii  blaek  ed|,'es;  siiles 
of  body  bright  ehestnnt         ...  .....        A.  (/iiinhfli. 


Lophortyx  californicus,  P.()x\p. 

CALIFORKIA  QUAIL. 

Tclrao  cnUfcrnicii'),  Shaw,  Nat.  Misi'.  jil.  ccixlv  (jirior  to  1801).  Prrdii'  mlifnniii-n, 
Latham,  .Suppl.  Iml.  Orn.  II,  App.  1801,  p.  Ixii.  —  At  n.  Orn.  I'.lii.i,'.  V.  1S31»,  ir.2, 
pi.  I'ci'L'xiii.  —  HcniiiNCs,  Cal.  Mag.  II,  1S.')7,  •^^  {inmi/citl  nf  liinl  nnil  i/.i  cijus). 
Viijij:  cnlifiiniicd,  Srr.i'llKNs  in  Shaw's  Zoid.  XI,  ISli),  384.  —  .Iaimiink,  (iainc  ISinls, 
Nat.  I.ihr.  IV,  lo4,  pi.  xi.  — Civ.  1{.  An.  Illust.  imI.  (Ijsciiux,  |il.  Ixiv.  —  I5i.NNi.rr, 
Gardens  &  .Mcna.n.  Zuiil.  .S.ic.  II,  i\\  {inHidcuD.  —  \vik  Syn.  lS:ii»,  lit'.i.  —  ll>.  liirds 
Anicr.  V,  1842,  liT,  pi.  cix.-.  I'lnlir  {Oi-Ijij-)  nili/oniini,  I5onai'.  Syn.  1828,  12.'>. 
Lophorlijxmllfiii-Difii,  Bonap.  IJ.st,  1838.  —  Ncttam.,  Man.  1,  (2il  nl.,)  1840,  789.  — 
BAon),  liird.s  N.  Am.  1858,  ti44.  —  (iu.VY,  (at.  lirit.  Mu.s.  \,  1807,  78.  —  Cooi-KU  & 
SrcKI.KY,  221)  (to  Ciilnnihia  I!ivrr).  —  f'ool'Kl!,  Orn.  Cal.  I,  1870,  ',\\K  Cnf/i/hji/a 
cali/oniiiK,  (ioii.i),  .Mon.  odont.  ]il.  xvi.  —  Hr.icHKNnAcH,  Av.  Syst.  ISiiO,  i>\.  xxvii. 
—  Newbeim!Y,  Hep.  P.  1!.  1!.  VI,  iv,  lSr)7,  'J2. 

Sr.  CllAR.  Crest  blaek.  Anterior  half  of  body  and  upi>er  parts  ])lnnil)Ooiis  ;  the  wings 
and  l)ack  glossed  with  olive-brown.  Anterior  half  of  head  above  brownish-yellow,  the 
shafts  of  the  slid'  feathers  blaek  ;  behind 
this  is  a  white  traiisver.se  liaiul  which 
pa.sses  l)ack  along  the  side  of  the  erown  ; 
within  this  white,  anteriorly  and  laterally, 
is  a  black  snlVnsion.  The  vertex  and 
ocoipnt  are  light  brown.  Chin  and 
throat  blaek,  inargine<l  laterally  and 
behind  by  a  white  band,  beginning 
behind  the  eye.  Belly  pale  bnll"  an- 
teriorly (an  oraiigi'-lirown  ronnded 
patch  in  the  middle)  and  white;  laterally, 
the  feathers  all  niargiiK.'il  alirnptly  with 
blaek.  The  feathers  on  the  sides  of 
body  like  the  back,  streaked  eentrally 
with  white.  Feathers  of  top  and  sides 
of  neck  with  the  nini-gins  and  shafts 
black.  Under  tail-coverts  bull',  broadly 
streaked  eentrally  with  lirown. 

Ffwiile  similar,  without  the  white  and  black  of  the  head ;  the  feathers  of  the  throat 
browni.>ih-yellow,  streaked  with  brown.  The  huff  ami  orange-brown  of  the  belly  want- 
ing.    The  er>'st  short.     Length,  0.50:  wing,  4.:i'_' ;  tail,  4.12. 


iMphortyx  cati/omiciis. 


480  NOUTII  AMERICAN  lUUDS. 

YouiKj.  lifiul  iis  in  tlif  iuiuli  tbnialo.  L'i)i)er  parts  ]mU"  brown,  finely  mottled  traiiis- 
versely  with  blaek ;  sua])ular.s  ami  t'eatheM  of  tiie  back  with  yellowish-white  shaft-streaks, 
wideniiii.''  at  the  end  of  the  featlicr,  and  with  a  larp;e  bla<'k  spot  on  eaeh  web. 

Chirk,  (li-onnd-eolor  dingy  white,  tinged  on  tlie  head,  wings,  and  upper  parts  with 
pale  rusty.  A  broad  strijje  on  oeeiput  and  \\i\\w  innl)er-brown ;  upper  parts  with  rather 
confused  and  rather  elongated  niottlings;  an  indistinct  ain'icular  spot.  Ueneath  plain  dull 
white. 

IIaii.  Valley  portions  and  foot-hilL  of  the  I'acilic  Provinee  of  the  United  States,  south 
to  Cape  .Ht.  Lucas. 

ILvHiT.s.  Tliis  heaiitil'iil  species,  according  to  Dr.  Newberry,  is  called  the 
Valley  (^iiail  in  California,  to  distinguish  it  from  the  I'liiined  Quail,  wiiich 
inhabits  the  hills  and  the  liighlands,  and  is  called  the  Mountain  Quail. 
Tlie  conunon  Valley  Quail  of  ("alifornia  inliabits  the  prairies  and  tlie  grain- 
fields  of  tlie  cultivated  districts,  tind  fre([uents  the  thici<ets  which  border 
the  streams,  usually  in  coveys  of  from  a  dozen  to  a  hundred  individuals, 
except  during  the  breeding-season,  when  it  is  Ibund  only  in  pairs.  Like  the 
eastern  Quail,  tin;  male  bird  is  very  fond  of  sitting  on  some  stump  or  log 
l)roJectiiig  above  the  grass  and  weeds  wliich  conceal  his  mate  and  nest  or 
brood,  and,  especially  in  the  early  morning,  uttering  his  peculiar  cry,  — 
whistle  it  can  hardly  be  called.  This  note  is  spoken  of  as  being  rather 
harsli  and  disagreeable  than  otherwise,  and  somewhat  resembling  that  of 
some  of  the  Wcjod^ieckers.  Dr.  Newberry  adds  that  it  may  be  represented 
by  the  syllables  liMc-kdck-kAck-M,  the  first  three  notes  being  raj)idly  re- 
peated, the  last  prolonged  with  a  falling  intiection.  As  a  game  bird  he 
regards  this  Quail  as  inferior  to  the  eastern  one,  tliough  of  etpial  excellence 
for  the  table.  It  does  not  lie  so  well  to  the  dog,  does  not  afford  as  good 
sport,  and  takes  to  a  tree  much  more  readily  than  the  eastern  Quail.  It 
is  found  in  all  the  valleys  of  California  and  Oregon,  both  those  in  tlie  interior 
and  those  tliat  open  on  the  coast.  It  is  not  found  in  the  deep  forests,  nor 
on  the  mountains  at  any  considerable  elevation,  nor  in  the  interior  basin 
where  water  and  vegetation  are  scarce.  Specimens  were  taken  by  his  party 
in  different  parts  of  the  Sacramento  Valley,  at  Fort  Jones,  and  in  the  Wil- 
lamette Valley,  near  the  Columbia.  In  all  these  there  was  no  appreciable 
difference.  This  bird  is  said  to  make  no  elaborate  nest,  but  to  lay  a  large 
number  of  eggs  on  the  ground,  wliich  are  generally  hatched  in  June.  This 
bird  is  susceptible  of  domestication,  and  forms  quite  an  ornament  for  parks, 
in  which  tliey  thrive  witli  proper  care. 

Dr.  Suckley  states  that  this  Quail  was  successfully  introduced  into 
Washington  Territory,  on  the  prairies  near  Puget  Sound,  in  tlie  spring  of 
18.J7,  by  Governor  Charles  H.  Mason  and  Mr.  Goldsborough.  Two  lots 
were  introduced,  and  by  the  following  winter  had  increased  largely.  Mr. 
Gil  lbs  mentions  having  met  with  great  numbers  of  these  birds  on  Russian 
lUver  in  1851,  and  again  on  the  Klamath  in  1802  Tliey  were  very  tame, 
but  took  to  the  buslies  when  disturbed,  perching  on  the  limbs.  Like  the 
Sharp-tailed  Grouse,  they  gathered  in  large  flocks.     This  was  the  case  even 


1'KU1)1C[D.E  — THE  PAUTKIDGES.  4yi 

wlioii  youiij,',  and  it  luis  been  thence  inlerred  that  sevenil  females  boloni,'  to 
one  niiiK,  and  wilh  tlieir  liroods  all  run  lonothcr. 

Dr.  Kennei'ly  state.s  that  his  \Y,niy  lirst  met  with  this  beantiinl  ravtrid,L,'e 
upon  reaching  the  waters  of  the  ^lohave  itiver,  and  during  the  march  up  the 
stream  he  found  it  very  aliundant,  as  well  as  anumg  the  settlements  along 
tlie  coast.  1I(!  couhl  perceive  no  dillerence  in  its  habits  from  those  of 
Loph orfi/.i:  (ja in luii. 

L)r.  Heennann  states  that  he  found  the  ('alifornia  (,)uail  very  numerous  as 
far  south  as  Vallecita,  where  conunences  the  desert  that  extends  to  the 
Colorado,  forming  an  apjjarently  impassal)le  barrier  between  it  and  the  close- 
ly allied  species,  (tambel's  Partridge.  WIumi  Hushed  from  the  ground,  it  in- 
variably Hies  to  the  trees,  if  in  a  wooded  country,  where  it  sijuats  so  closely 
lengthwise  on  a  branch  that  it  can  rarely  be  seen  when  thus  hidden.  It 
will  not  lie  to  a  dog,  but  runs  until  it  is  forced  to  Hy.  It  may  be  readily 
tamed,  and  in  California  is  often  domesticated  with  the  poultry.  Several 
years  since,  according  to  Dr.  Hecrmann,  an  attemjit  was  made  to  introduce 
these  birds  into  Long  Island,  which  at  iii'st  promised  to  be  successful;  but 
unfortunately,  after  the  first  season,  they  wore  all  exterminated  by  the  gun- 
ners for  the  New  York  market. 

iMr.  liidgway  met  with  this  species  only  on  the  west  slope  of  the  Sierra 
Nevada,  and  at  an  altitiule  of  not  more  than  four  or  five  thousand  feet.  He 
had  no  opportunity  to  learn  anything  in  regard  to  its  habits,  but  was  enabled 
to  listen  to  its  notes.  The  call-note  of  the  male  is  very  peculiar,  and  re- 
sembles somewhat  the  syllaljles  Inck-knck-kee,  the  accent  being  on  the  last 
.syllable.  The  connuon  note  of  the  male  bird,  when  disturbed  with  its  mate 
in  the  bushes,  and  proliably  having  a  brood  of  young  in  the  vicinity,  was  a 
sharp  2)(V,  precisely  like  the  common  note  of  the  Cardinal  (Jrosbcak. 

The  nest  of  this  bird  is  made  in  the  oi)en  field,  or  at  the  foot  of  a  Inish, 
and  is  compo.sed  of  loose  grasses  arranged  without  much  care.  The  eggs  are 
.said  to  be  twelve  or  sixteen  in  number,  and  are  yellowish  or  grayish  white, 
spotted  and  dashed  with  dark  brown  or  liurnt-unilier. 

Mr.  Titian  IJ.  Peale,  in  his  Notes  on  the  Wilkes  expedition,  mentions  ob- 
serving this  si)ecies  in  the  mountainous  regions  of  Southern  Oregon,  near  the 
43d  degree  of  north  latitude,  wliich  he  regarded  as  their  farthest  northern 
range.  He  fre(]uently  observed  them  collecting  at  night  to  roost  in  trees. 
At  such  times  their  call-note  was  plaintive,  and  had  a  .slight  resemblance  to 
the  words  ciif-cut-cnt-mr-fon.  Sjteohnens  of  this  bird  were  taken  alive,  kept 
by  niembei-s  of  tlie  expedition,  and  brought  to  the  city  of  Washington  by  a 
route  equal  to  the  circumference  of  the  globe,  where  they  produced  one  brood 
of  young. 

Soda  Lake,  the  "sink"  of  the  ^NFohave  River,  the  beil  of  which  is  usually 
quite  dry,  except  in  spots,  for  many  miles,  is  said  by  Dr.  Cones  to  be  just 
where  tliis  si)ecies  and  the  L.  (fornhvU  find  a  neutml  ground,  the  western 
l)ird  following  the  watercourses  until  arrested  by  the  desert. 

vol..  in.  (il 


482  NORTH  AMEUICAN  BIRDS. 

Mr.  Xiuitus  fount!  this  Quail  bieodiiij,'  in  great  abundance  at  C.ajie  St. 
Lucas.  In  one  inslance  ho  Ibuml  Ibiu'  ogg.s  uii  tlio  l)are  .sand,  under  a  pile 
of  driftwoud,  wiUiout  any  trace  of  a  nest.  In  .inutlier,  tin-ee  egys  were 
omul  on  the  bare  ground,  uniler  a  fallen  cactus.  In  a  third  case  there  were 
nine  eJ,',^•s,  also  laid  on  the  bare  j,'round,  but  in  tlie  siiade  of  a  jasinine-busli. 
Tliey  were  IVi'ijuently  Ibund  siieltered  under  jiilcs  of  driftwood. 

Tlie  cii'i^s  of  this  (^Juail  are  sultject  to  great  variations  in  marking,  and  also 
ditfcr  sonuiwhat  in  size.  They  are  siiarply  pointiid  at  one  end  and  rounded 
at  the  otlier.  One  egg,  measuring  l..'!U  in  Icngtli  by  l.OU  in  breadth,  has  a 
ground-color  ol'  a  creamy  white,  freckled  witli  markings  of  a  uniform  shad- 
ing of  an  olivaceous-drab,  .\notlier,  measuring  1.22  by  .91  inches,  has  the 
ground-color  of  the  same,  but  the  markings  are  larger  and  more  contkient, 
and  their  c(jlor  is  a  rusty  drab.  A  tliird  is  1.18  by  .\)i)  inches ;  ground-color 
a  creamy  white  marked  by  largo  scattered  spots  of  a  chestnut-brown. 

Lophortyx  gambeli,  Gambel. 

OAHBEL'S  QTTAIL. 

Lophortijj.:  (jambcU,  "  Nutt.vi.l,"  O.v.Mlu:!.,  P.  A.  X.  S.  Philatl.  I,  1843,  260.  —  McCall, 
P.  A.  N.  S.  V,  Juiip,  1851,  221.  —  lUiun,  Birds  N.  Am.  1858,  045.  —  In.  Me.x.  U.  II, 
ninls,  22.  —  DliKssEl!,  Ibis,  ISGti,  28  (Uio  GiiiiuU'  to  Nueces  ;  breeds).  —  CouEs,  P.  A. 
N.  S.  ISGC,  94  (Fort  Whiiiple,  Arizona).  —  In.  Ibis,  18(5(i,  4G  (Imbits).  —  Okay,  Cat. 
Brit.  Mus.  V,  1807,  70.  —  IIkkh.m.  P.  K.  W.  U.  X,  C,  1».  -In.  X,  8,  60.  —  Cooi-Kit, 
Orn.  Cal.  I,  1870,  553.  CidlijK/ila  (jamhili,  Oouu),  Mon.  Odont.  pi.  xvii. — Cass. 
Ulust.  I,  II,  1853,  45,  1)1.  ix.     Callipcpla  vmiista,  Goru),  P.  Z.  S.  XIV,  1846,  70. 

Sp.  Char.  Goin'r.!!  color  (jiiicreoiis ;  abdomen  plain  whitish;  inner  or  upper  webs  of 
tertials  broadly  edired  with  white.  Elongated  Teathers  of  the  sides  bright  chestnut  with 
a  medial  streak  of  white. 

Male.  The  a.sh  on  the  breast  of  a  bluish  cast,  and  the  whitish  of  the  belly  strongly 
tinged  with  yellowisli-liulV,  espeeiully  anteriorly  ;  abdomen  ',vith  a  black  patch.  Anterior 
half  of  the  head,  and  wiiolc  throat,  deep  black,  bonlered  posteriorly  with  two  broad,  well- 
defmed  stripes  of  white,  —  the  upper  of  these  crossing  the  middle  of  the  vertex  and  run- 
ning backward  above  the  auiiculais  to  the  occiput ;  the  other  beginning  at  the  posterior 
nngl(!  of  the  eye  and  running  downward.  Vertex  and  occiput  bright  rufous,  bounded 
anteriorly  and  laterally  with  black.  Crest  of  lilack  elongated,  club-shaped,  and  con- 
siderably recurved  feathers,  springing  from  the  vertex  just  behind  the  black  bar,  one  and 
a  half  inches  long.  Wing,  4.70;  tail,  4..30 ;  bill,  .50  long,  and  .25  deep;  tarsus,  1.1."); 
middle  toe,  1.1'). 

Female.  Head  jjlain  grayish,  without  white,  black,  or  ru'bus;  no  black  on  abdomen, 
which  also  lacks  a  decided  bull'  tinge  ;  the  cinereous  of  breast  without  bluish  cast.  Crest 
dusky,  less  than  one  inch  long.     Wing,  4..')5  ;  tail,  4.20. 

Young.  Upper  jiarts  ashy  l)rown.  miinitely  and  indistinctly  mottled  tr.insversely  with 
dnsky  ;  scapulars  and  wing-coverts  with  white  shaft-.streaks,  the  former  with  pairs  of 
dusky  spots.     Breast  and  sides  with  olisolete  whitish  bars  on  an  ashy  ground. 

Chick.  Dull  sulphur-yellowish;  a  verticid  jiatch,  and  two  parallel  stripes  .along  each 
side  of  the  back  (four  altogether),  black.     (I)escribecl  from  Gray.son's  plate.) 

Hah.  Colorado  Valley  of  the  United  States ;  north  to  Southern  Utah,  and  east  to 
Western  Texas. 


rERDiciD.Ti;  — THE  parthidges.  4 S3 

An  adult  iiiiilo  onllcctcd  in  Soutliern  I'tah  by  ^Fr.  Ileusluiw  of  Licii- 
tciumt  WliecU'i's  Kxpuditinn  ditleis  t'ruiii  idl  otliui's  which  wi;  iiiivc  slh'ii, 
intdudiiii^  a  hirgo  series  I'nnii  the  .same  locality,  in  having  the  alxloiiu'ii 
diictly  pluniljeou.s,  with  a  lew  eloudings  of  lilaek,  in  the  place  of  a  niii- 
i'onnly  black  ])atc]i.  Kxcvjtt  in  this  respect,  iiowever,  it  does  not  differ  at 
all  I'roni  other  adult  male  sj)ecimens. 

IlAlilTS.  (iambel's  Cartridge  was  obtained  by  Dr.  Kenncrly,  near  San 
Elizario,  Texa.s,  and  on  Colorado  IJiver,  California,  l)y  Mr.  A.  Schott,  and  also 
by  J)r.  Kenncrly.  It  was  not  ob.served  by  Dr.  Kenncrly  until  he  reached 
the  valley  of  the  I!io  (Irande,  nor  did  he  meet  with  any  farther  west,  in  any 
part  of  jNIexico,  than  San  Bernardino,  in  Sonora.  Though  closely  rescndiling 
in  its  habits  the  Scaly  Partridge  {Ca/hjicpla  squaiiutfii),  ixnd  in  some  in.stances 
occujiying  the  same  districts,  he  never  found  the  two  species  together. 

According  to  Mr.  J.  11.  Clark,  this  sjiecies  was  not  met  with  east  of  the 
Rio  tJrande,  uor  farther  south  than  Presidio  del  Xorte.  I'nlike  the  sijiimukiIk, 
it  is  very  common  for  this  species  to  sit  on  the  branches  of  trees  and  bushes, 
particularly  the  male,  where  the  latter  is  said  to  utter  the  most  sad  anil 
wailing  notes.  They  are  so  very  tame  as  to  come  about  the  Mexican 
towns,  the  inhabitants  of  which,  however,  never  make  any  efl'ort  to  caj)- 
ture  them.  They  only  inhabit  wooded  and  well-watered  regions,  and  are 
said  to  feed  indifferently  on  insects  or  on  l)erries  ;  in  summer  tluty  make 
the  patches  of  Siilftiunn  their  home,  feeding  on  its  quite  jialatable  fruit. 
When  flushed,  this  Quail  always  seeks  the  trees,  and  hides  successfully 
among  the  branches. 

Dr.  Kenncrly  found  this  beautiful  species  in  great  nundjcrs  during  the 
march  of  his  party  up  the  l!io  CJrande.  Large  flocks  were  continually 
crossing  the  road  before  them,  or  were  seen  hudilled  together  under  a  bush. 
After  passing  the  river  he  met  with  them  again  so  abundantly  along  Par- 
tridge Creek  as  to  give  rise  to  the  name  of  that  stream.  Thence  to  the 
dreat  Colorado  he  occasionally  saw  them,  but  after  leaving  that  river  they 
were  not  again  seen.  They  are  said  to  liecome  quite  tame  and  half  do- 
mesticated where  they  are  not  molested.  When  i)ursued,  they  can  seldom 
be  made  to  fly,  de[)ending  more  upon  their  feet  as  a  mode  of  escaj)e  than 
upon  their  wings.  They  run  very  rapidly,  but  seldom,  if  ever,  hide,  and 
remain  close  in  the  grass  or  bushes  in  the  manner  of  the  eastern  (i|uail. 

From  Fort  Yuma,  on  the  Colorado  liiver,  to  Eagle  Springs,  between  El 
Paso  and  San  Antonio,  where  he  last  saw  a  flock  of  these  birds.  Dr.  Heer- 
mann  states  he  found  them  more  or  less  abundant  whenever  the  party  fol- 
lowed the  com-se  of  the  Gila,  or  met  with  water-holes  or  streams  of  any 
kind.  Although  they  frequent  the  most  arid  ]iortions  of  the  country,  where 
they  find  a  scanty  subsistence  of  grass-seed,  mesipiite  leaves,  and  inisects, 
they  yet  manifest  a  marked  preference  for  the  habitations  of  man,  and  were 
much  more  numerous  in  the  cultivated  fields  of  Tucson,  IMesilla  Valley,  and 
El  Paso.     Towards  evening,  in  the  vicinity  of  the  Mexican  villages,  the  loud 


IS4  NOKTII  AMKIMCAN  lUIlDS. 

call-iKitoa  of  tlio  iimlo  l)ir(l.s  miiy  lu;  licanl,  ;;,illii'iiii^'  tlic  sciittorcd  uiciiibors 
of  till'  lliK'ks,  |)R'\inus  lo  issuing'  tidiii  tlic  cdvci'  wlu'ic  tlicy  have  liccii  coii- 
coiilcil  (.lurinij;  tlic  day.  lii'surtiiij;'  to  tlic  tniils  imd  tlit'  mads  in  scair.li  of 
siilisisU'iicu,  while  tliu.s  cii^amtd  tlicy  niter  a  low  .soft  note  wliieli  ketips  the 
llock  to<j;ether.  They  are  iiol  of  a  wild  iiatiive,  nfu^n  ])erniit  a  near  aiiproauh, 
seldom  lly  nnless  suddenly  Ihishetl,  ami  seem  to  ]n'ei'er  to  escape  IVoni  dangei' 
liy  retreating'  to  dense  thickets.  In  another  rujiort  Dr.  Ileerniann  men- 
tions Undine;  this  species  in  ('alil'orniii  on  the  Mohave  tlesurt,  at  the  jioiiit 
where  the  river  empties  into  a  kirj,'e  salt  lake  l'ormin,i,'  its  lerminu.s.  The 
lloek  was  wild,  and  conld  not  lie  approached.  Afterwards  he  oliservod 
them  on  tii"  IJij,'  Laj^oon  of  New  Iliver.  At  Fort  Ynma  they  wore  (piite 
abundant,  con^'re,u;atin)j;  in  lar<;e  coveys,  freiinoiitin^  the  thick  underwood  in 
the  vicinity  of  the  mesiniite-trees.  Their  stomachs  were  found  to  l)e  tilled 
with  the  seeds  of  the  me.sipiite,  a  few  jL,'rass-seeds,  and  the  berries  of  a 
parasitic  plant.  On  beinj,'  suddenly  Hushed  these  birds  .separate  very  widely, 
but  imnu'diately  uiion  ali,i.;litin^'  commence  their  call-note,  rusemldiny  the 
.soft  chir]i  of  a  younj;  chicken,  wjiich  is  kej)t  up  for  .some  time.  Tiie  alarm 
over,  and  the  ilock  once  more  reunited,  they  relajise  into  silence,  only 
l)roken  by  an  occasional  cluck  of  the  male  bird.  Once  scattered  they  can- 
not be  readily  .started  a;;ain,  as  they  lie  close  in  their  thick,  bu.sliy,  and  im- 
penetral)le  covert.s.  Near  Fort  Yuma  the  Indians  catch  them  in  snares, 
and  briu";  them  in  ''real  nundiers  for  .sale. 

Dr.  Sanniel  W.  Woodhousc  tirst  met  with  this  species  on  the  liio  (Jrande, 
about  fifty  miles  below  Kl  I'aso,  up  to  wliicli  jdace  it  was  extremely  abundant. 
It  was  by  no  means  a  shy  bird,  freipiently  coming  alioiit  the  houses ;  and  he 
very  often  observed  the  males  perched  on  the  top  of  a  hi.gh  bush,  uttering 
their  ])e"uliarly  nuairnful  calls.  Me  found  it  in  (piitc  lar;;e  flocks,  feed- 
inj,'  ])rinei])ally  on  seeds  and  lierries.  It  became  scarce  as  he  a])proaclicd 
Dona  Ana,  above  which  ])lace  he  did  not  meet  with  it  again.  lie  again 
encountered  it,  however,  near  the  head  of  l>ill  Williams  Itiver,  and  after- 
ward.s  on  the  Tam])ia  Cicek,  and  it  was  exceedingly  abundant  all  along 
the  (Ireat  Colorado,  lie  was  informed  that  thoy  are  never  found  west 
of  the  Coast  IJange,  in  California.  Aiiout  Camj)  Yuma,  below  the  mouth 
of  the  Oila  Iiiver,  they  were  very  abundant  and  very  tame,  coming  (piite 
near  the  men,  and  picking  up  tla;  grain  wasted  by  the  mules.  They  are 
trapped  in  great  numbers  by  the  Indians. 

This  (^uail  is  given  by  'Sir.  Dresstn-  as  octnirring  in  Texas,  but  not  as  a 
conunon  bird,  and  only  found  in  certain  hjcalities.  At  Muddy  Creek,  near 
Fort  Clark,  they  were  not  uncommon,  and  were  also  found  near  the  Nueces 
Iliver. 

Dr.  Cones  (Ibis,  ISfiG),  in  a  monograph  upon  this  s]iecies,  describes  its 
carriage  upon  the  ground  as  being  firm  and  erect,  and  at  the  same  time  light 
and  easy,  and  with  coloi-s  no  less  pleasing  than  its  form.  He  found  them 
to  bo  exceedingly  abundant  in   .\riznna.  and   soon  after  his  arrival  in  the 


I'KUDICID.K  — TlIK   I'Ain'lllIXHiH.  4^5 

Tcrritciry  lie  oanic  iipnii  u  ludiMl  tluit  wiis  jiist  (uit  n|'  (lu>  c^'ir,  Tlii'v  wt'ic 
li(i\vt!V(.'r,  so  activr,  iiml  liid  tlifiiist'lvcs  so  (Icxtcrimsly,  tluiL  lir  could  uol 
t'litcli  one.  Tills  wiiH  lull!  in  -Inly,  and  tiirouj,'liout  the  loUowin;,'  month  he 
met  broods  only  a  few  days  old.  The  I'oUowinj,'  siiriu^'  he  Ibiind  the  old 
Mills  mated  by  A|)i'il  L'.'i,  and  met  with  the  first  chick  on  the  first  of  dime. 
lie  inf'eis  that  this  sjiecies  is  in  incubation  during  the  whole  of  May,  dune, 
duly,  and  a  i)art  of  August,  and  that  they  nii.se  two,  and  (tveii  three,  broods 
in  a  season. 

A  single  brood  .sonuitimes  emliraces  from  fifteen  to  twenty  young,  which 
by  Octoiier  are  nearly  as  large  as  their  pariMUs.  Whih;  umler  tiie  care  of 
the  latter  they  keep  very  chise  together,  and  when  alarmed  eitiier  run  away 
rapidly  or  .scpiat  so  closely  as  to  be  difficult  tu  flu.sh,  and,  when  forced  up, 
they  .soon  alight  again.  They  often  take  to  h)W  limbs  of  trees,  huddle 
closely  together,  and  permit  a  close  approach.  Tiie  f'rst  intimation  that  a 
bevy  is  near  is  a  single  note  rej)eated  two  or  three  times,  followed  liy  the 
rustling  of  leaves  as  the  tloek  start  to  run. 

The.se  birds  are  .said  to  be  found. in  almost  every  l'^"ality  except  thick 
pine-woods  without  undergrowth,  and  are  particu'arly  fond  fif  thick  willow 
copses,  heavy  chaparral,  and  i)riery  undergrowth.  They  prefer  .seeds  and 
fruit,  l)ut  insects  also  form  a  large  jiart  of  their  food.  In  the  early  s])ring 
they  feed  extensively  on  the  tender  fresh  buds  of  yoiing  willow.s,  which 
give  t<i  their  fle.sh  a  bitter  ta.ste. 

This  (^)uail  is  said  to  have  three  distinct  notes, — the  common  cry  uttered 
on  all  occasions  of  alarm  or  to  call  the  bevy  together,  which  is  a  single  mel- 
low clear  "chink,''  with  a  metallic  resonance,  repeated  an  indefinite  niiml)er 
of  times;  then  a  clear,  loud,  energetic  whi.stle,  re.semliling  the  syllables 
hilliiik-killi.ilc,  chiefly  heard  during  the  i)airing-season,  and  is  analogous  to 
the  hoh-vliilf  of  the  common  (^uail ;  the  third  is  its  love-.song,  than  which. 
Dr.  (,'oues  ailds,  nothing  more  unmusical  can  well  be  imagined.  It  is 
littered  by  the  male,  and  only  when  the  female  is  incubating.  This  song  is 
poured  forth  both  at  sunrise  and  at  sunset,  from  sonu;  topmost  twig  near 
the  spot  where  his  mate  is  sitting  on  her  treasures ;  and  with  outstretched 
neck,  drooping  wings,  and  plume  negligently  dangling,  he  gives  utterance  to 
his  odd,  guttural,  energetic  notes. 

The  flight  of  these  birds  is  exceedingly  rapid  and  vigorous,  and  is  always 
oven  and  direct,  and  in  shooting  only  re(|uircs  a  (juick  bund  and  eye. 

Tn  his  journi\y  from  Arizona  to  the  I'acitic,  Dr.  Coues  found  these  birds 
singularly  abundant  along  the  valley  of  the  Colorado ;  and  he  was  again 
struck  with  its  indifference  as  to  its  place  of  residence,  being  ecpially  at 
home  in  scorched  mesijuite  thickets,  dusting  itself  in  sand  that  would  blis- 
ter the  naked  feet,  the  thermometer  at  117°  Fall,  in  the  shade,  and  in  the 
mountains  (jf  Northern  Arizona,  when  the  pine  boughs  were  bending  under 
the  weight  of  the  snow.  He  also  states  that  Dr.  Coojjer,  while  at  Fort 
Mohave,  brought  up  some  young  Gambel's  Quails  by  placing  the  eggs  under 


480  NORTH  AMKiaCAN   IllltDH. 

11  ciiiiiiiiiiii  llcii,  imtl  I'duiiiI  111)  (lin'uiilty  in  (Iniiicsticiitini,'  llioni,  so  tlmt  tlipy 
ii.ssiu'iiilcil  IVi'dy  witli  tliu  liiiriiyiml  luwls.  Tlic  t'uj,'^,  In*  adils,  mv  white,  or 
yi'llowish-wliitf,  witii  limwii  spots,  miil  wv.w  iiutclicil  out  in  twciity-iour 
(lays.  Tilt'  nest  is  siiid  to  lie  a  ratliiT  v\u\v  stniclim',  alioiit  ciiilit  iiiclios 
wide,  and  is  usually  liiddt'ii  in  tho  ^'rass.  Tiii-  i',i,%'.s  nunilicr  Ironi  twolvo  to 
soviMitoen. 

Captain  S.  (I.  h'rt'iieli,  nuot  d  liy  Mr.  Cassin,  writes  that  ho  met  with  this 
spci'ics  on  the  Itio  (irandc,  seventy  niilcs  lielitw  I'll  I'aso,  and  from  that 
point  to  the  place  named  their  numliers  constantly  increased.  They  iip- 
]>eared  to  he  partial  to  the  abodes  of  man,  and  were  very  numerous  alioiit 
the  old  and  decayed  Imildinj^'s,  j,'ardens,  Helds,  and  vineyards  around  Pre- 
sidio, Fsoleta,  and  Kl  I'aso.  During,' his  stay  there  in  the  summer  of  ISol, 
every  iiKU'iiin^'  and  evenin.i,'  their  welcome  call  was  heard  all  around  ;  and  at 
early  and  late  hours  they  were  constantly  to  be  found  in  the  sandy  roads 
and  paths  near  the  villajfes  and  farms.  In  the  middle  of  the  hot  summer 
days,  however,  they  rested  in  the  sand,  under  the  siiade  and  jirotectioii  of 
the  thick  chaparral.  Wiicn  disturljcd,  they  j^lided  thi'ounh  the  bushes  very 
swiftly,  sehlom  resovtiii;^  to  lli;^ht,  uttering  a  jteeuliar  chirjiini,'  note.  The 
parents  would  utter  the  same  cliirpiiii,'  cry  whenever  an  iitti'mi)t  was  made 
to  capture  their  younL,^  'i'lie  malis  and  fi!male  bird  were  always  found  with 
the  youiii,',  showing,'  much  alfection  for  them,  and  even  endeavoring  to  attract 
attention  away  fro.n  them  by  their  actions  and  cries. 

Colonel  Met 'all  (I'roc.  Phil.  Ac,  June,  ISfd)  also  gives  an  account  of  this 
bird,  as  met  with  by  him  in  Western  Te.xas,  between  San  Antonio  and  the 
iJio  (Jrande  Iliver,  as  well  as  in  New  Mexico,  lie  did  not  fall  in  with  it 
until  he  had  reached  the  Limjiia  Iliver,  a  hundred  miles  west  of  the  I'eeos, 
in  Texas,  where  the  Acacia  (jlamlnhn^tt  was  more  or  less  common,  and  the 
mes(juite  grasses  and  other  plants  bearing  nutritious  seeds  were  abundant. 
There  they  were  very  niimerous  and  very  fat,  and  much  disjiosed  to  seek 
the  farms  and  cultivate  the  ac(juaintance  of  man.  About  the  rancho  of 
Mr.  White,  near  Kl  Paso,  he  I'ound  tliem  very  numerous,  and,  in  Hocks  of 
fifty  or  a  hundred,  resorting  morning  and  evening  to  the  barnyard,  feeding 
around  the  grain-stacks  in  company  with  the  poultry,  and  receiving  their 
portion  from  the  hand  of  the  owner.  He  found  them  distributed  through 
the  country  from  the  Limpia  to  the  Rio  (irande,  and  along  the  latter  river 
from  Eagle  Spring  Pass  to  Dona  Ana. 

The  same  careful  observer,  in  a  communication  to  Mr.  Cassin,  gives  the 
western  limit  of  this  species.  He  thinks  it  is  confined  to  a  narrow  belt  of 
country  between  the  .'51st  and  iUth  parallels  of  latitude,  from  the  Pecos 
Iliver,  in  Texas,  to  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  the  contiguous  desert  in  Califor- 
nia. It  has  not  been  found  on  the  western  side  of  these  mountains.  Colonel 
McCall  met  with  it  at  xilamo  Mucho,  forty-four  miles  west  of  the  Colorado 
Iliver.  West  of  this  stretches  a  desolate  waste  of  sand,  —  a  barrier  which 
effectually  separates  this  s])ecies  from  its  ally,  the  California  Quail. 


rKllDrCID.K-TIIK  I'AltTlUDOKS.  4^7 

Tliis  spccicfl  is  kiiuwii  to  Ixi  iiluiiKlaut  in  tin-  cniiiitry  iiround  tin'  sourci's 
of  till!  (lilii  Itivur,  iiiitl  liiis  iilsii  ln-cii  Imiiul  iildiijj;  tliut  river  I'nmi  llui  rinii) 
villiii,'OH  to  its  luuiilli,  ami  tliuio  is  no  doiiiit  tliiil  it  iiiiuiliits  tlio  entiro  valley 
of  till!  liila.  It  was  also  eoiiiuutii  almi^'  tlie  ( 'nlorado  iJiver,  as  far  as  tlie 
nioiilli  of  tlie  (iilu,  ami  lias  lieen  met  witli  in  tlial  valli^y  as  liiuli  up  as  Tain, 
pia  CifL'U,  latilinl(!  ."U" 

Colonel  Met'all  ivj,'arils  tliis  speiics  as  less  wild  ami  vi,L,nlaiit  than  tlie 
California  species.  It  is  later  in  lueeiliiii;,  as  coveys  of  youiij,' California 
Quails  were  seen,  one  fourlli  j^rown,  .Uiiie  4,  wliile  all  the  hinls  of  (ianiliel's 
wore  without  their  youui;  as  late  as  .lune  hi.  The  voice  of  liie  niali!  at  this 
seiLSon  is  (Icscriliotl  as  slrikiui^ly  ricli  ami  lull.  The  cry  may  he  imitated  l>y 
shiwly  jmiiKainciujj;  in  a  low  toim  the  syllahles  kiia-irn/r,  htti-uutlc.  M'hcn 
the  day  is  calm  ami  still,  these  notes  may  he  heard  to  a  surprisiiii,'  distance. 
This  .soiijf  is  continued,  at  .short  intervals,  in  the  evening,',  Ibr  aliout  an  hour. 
Later  in  tho  scas(tn  when  ti  covey  is  dispersed,  the  cry  for  reassenihliii;,'  is 
said  to  resomhle  i/ku-cI  qita-cl.  The  voice  of  this  hird  at  all  seasons  bears  a 
P'eal  re.semlilanc(!  to  that  of  the  California  (i)uail,  hut  has  no  I'csemhlance  to 
that  of  the  eastern  OHii.v  viiyiuidiia.  In  their  crops  wiae  found  the  loaves 
of  tho  mos(iuite,  coleopterous  insoi^ts,  wild  jfoosoborrics,  etc. 

An  ej^fy;  of  this  species,  taken  hy  I)r.  Palmer  at  Camp  (Irant,  measures 
1.2")  inches  in  lenj,'tli  hy  l.OO  in  hreadth.  Tho  <,n'ouml-color  is  a  cream 
white,  beautifully  marked  with  ragged  spots  of  a  deep  chestnut.  In  sliapu 
it  closely  corresponds  with  tho  egg  of  the  California  Partridge. 


Genus  CALLIPEFLA,  W.\oi.i:r. 

CallipeplatWAahiiK,  Isis,  1832.    (Type,  Orlii.f  squnmntd,  Vic.) 

CrKV.  Char.  Head  willi  ;\  ln'oad,  .short.  (li>pro.<sc'(l  liiflt'il  crc.^t  of  so(\,  thiclc  leather.s 
spriiifring  fmin  tlie  vinti'.K.     l  ••licr  charactci',  a.<  in  Lojihofti/.r.     Sc.xe.s  .>;iiiiiiar. 

The  .single  United  States  species  is  of  a  bluish  tint,  without  any  marked 
contrast  of  color.  The  feathers  of  the  neck,  breast,  and  belly  have  a  narrow 
edging  of  black. 

Callipepla  squamata,  Ckay. 

SCALED  OB  BI,TTE  FASTRIOOE. 

Ortijx  squamatics,  Viooii.s,  Zniil.  .louvi;  V,  is.-jn,  27.').  —  Abkut,  Pr.  A.  N.  So.  Ill,  1847, 
221.  CaVipcpJa  sqnamnin,  GiSAV,  Gen.  Ill,  184G,  .'iU.  —  M'Cai.i.,  Pr.  A.  N.  So.  V, 
1851,  222.  —  Cassix,  111.  1,  v,  isri4,  129;  pi.  xi.v.  —  OciUM),  Mon.  Oiloiit.  pi.  xix. — 
nAiui.,  niids  N.  Am.  1858,  04(5.  —  In.  Mcx.  B.  II,  Hints,  23. —Oka v,  Cat.  Brit.  Mus. 
V,  18(>7,  78.  —  IIi-.KitM.  X,  C,  19.  —  Coop.  Oin.  Cal.  I,  1870,  556.  CaVipephi  slmiua, 
Waoi.ki!,  Isis,  XXV,  1832,  278.  Tctmo  cri:<latii,  Dv.  i.\  Llavk,  Kogistro  trimcstiv, 
I,  1832,  114. 


488 


NOirni  AMKKICAN  lilllDS. 


Sp.  ("iiau.  Iload  willi  a  full,  hioml,  ilaUonctl  crest  of  soft  (•loni.'ali'd  (i-atlwrs.  I'lcvail- 
iiijr  ciiloi-  pliiiiiliuous-gray,  willi  a  tini'  liliiisli  cast  on  jiiiriiliiin  ami  nape,  wliitisli  on  tlio 
l)clly,  llic  ccntial  jioition  of  which  is  inoiv  or  less  lin;_'cil  with  hrowiiish  ;  soniotiincs  a 
conspicuous  ahdoniinal  patcli  of  dark  rusty,  the  exposed  surface  of  the  wiiius  tillered  with 
liirht  ycllowish-hi'own,  and  very  linely  and  almost  iiiiiiercciiliMy  inottli'il.  Head  and 
throat  witliout  marking's,  liirlit  u'rayish-plunilieoiis;  liunat  tin,i;ed  with  ycllowish-hrown. 
Featiiers  of  neck,  ujipcr  jtart  of  liac.'k,  and  under  parts  nencrally,  excc|it  on  the  sides  and 
liehin<l,  with  a  narrow  hut  well-dclined  inarjrin  of  lilackish,  produciiiL,'  tiie  clleet  of  iia- 

hricated  scales.  Fi'athers  on  the  sides 
streaked  centrally  with  white,  linicr 
ed.LTe  of  inner  tcrtials,  and  tips  of  lonpf 
feathers  of  the  crest,  whitish.  Crissuin 
rusty-while,  streaked  with  rusty.  Fe- 
male similar.  Lenjith,  O.-'jO  ;  winir, 
4.80;  tail,  4.10. 

[l.Mi.  Talilc-lands  of  Mexico  and 
valley  of  llio  Grande  of  Texas.  Most 
alnnidant  on  the  high  hrokcn  table- 
lands and  mesquite  plains. 


H.VBiT.-!.  This  l)ii'(l  was  first  tloscril)e(l  as  a  Mexican  species  in  1830  liy  !Mr. 
A'igdvs.  For  a  long  while  it  has  been  an  extremely  rare  species  in  col- 
lectinns,  and  its  liistory,  habits,  and  distribution  remained  unknown  until  the 
explorations  ot'  tlie  naturalists 
made  in  the  surveys  under  the 
direction  of  the  national  gov- 
ernment. It  was  first  noticed 
witliin  the  territory  of  the 
United  States  by  Lieutenant 
Abort,  Topographical  Engi- 
neer, who,  in  his  IJeport  of  the 
examination  of  New  Mexico, 
furnishes  sever.al  notes  in  rela- 
tion to  this  species.  In  No- 
vember, 1840,  he  mentions 
that,  after  having  passed 
through  Las  Casas,  while  descending  through  a  crooked  ravine  strewed  with 
fragments  of  rocks,  he  saw  several  tlocks  of  this  species.  Tiiey  were  runring 
along  witli  great  velocity  among  the  clumps  of  the  kreosote  jilant.  At  the 
report  of  the  gun  oidy  three  or  four  rose  u]),  the  rest  seeming  to  depend 
chiefly  on  their  Heetnesa  of  foot.  Their  stomachs  were  found  to  l)e  filled 
with  grass-seeds  and  hemipterous  insects. 

Captain  8.  (i.  French,  in  notes  (pioted  by  Mr.  Cassin,  mentions  meeting 
with  tiiese  birds,  in  tlie  Siime  year,  near  Camargo,  on  the  IJio  (Irande.  At 
Monterey  none  were  seen  ;  but  on  tlie  ])lains  of  Agua  Nueva,  a  few  miles 
south  of  Saltillo,  they  were  observed  in  ct)nsideral)le  numbers.  He  after- 
wards met  with  them  on  the  ll^jjper  Rio  rrrande,  in  the  vicinity  of  Kl  Paso. 


Caltifteplit  yfiiiitiiala. 


I'KKDICID.K— TIIK   PARTRIDlJKS.  4SU 

Tlidii.uli  Inmid  ill  tlio  same  si'ctioii  of  (•(mntry  with  (iiiiiiber.sQimil,  they  were 
not  olisened  to  ii.ssdciate  to^^ctlier  in  the  .Siime  lloek.  Their  I'livurite  resorts 
were  Siimly  chai)arral  and  uiesiniite  hushes.  Through  these  they  ran  with 
great  swil'tness,  resorting  only,  when  greatly  alarmed  by  a  sudden  apiiroaeh, 
to  their  wings.  They  were  very  shy,  and  were  .seMom  t'nund  near  Habita- 
tions, though  once  a  large  covey  ran  through  his  camii  in  the  sulnirlis  of 
El  I'aso. 

Colonel  McCall  (Proc.  Phil.  Ac.  V,  ]>.  '2'2'2)  mentions  meeting  with  this 
species  throughout  an  extended  region,  from  (amargo,  on  the  Lower  IJio 
Grande,  to  Santa  Fe.  They  were  most  numerous  lietween  the  latter  jilaee  and 
Dona  Ana,  preferring  the  vicinity  of  watercourses  to  interior  tracts.  Tliev 
were  wild,  exceedingly  watchful,  and  swift  of  foot,  eluding  ]iursuit  with  sur- 
prising skill,  scarcely  ever  resorting  to  tlight  even  on  the  open  sandy  grouiul. 
For  the  table  tlu'y  are  said  to  possess,  in  a  high  degree,  the  requisites  of 
jjlumj)  nuiscle  and  delicate  flavor. 

In  a  subseipient  sketch  of  this  specijs,  ([Uoted  Ity  Mr.  Cassin,  the  same 
writer  gives  as  the  habitat  the  entire' valley  of  the  IJio  (Irande,  —  a  terri- 
tory of  great  extent  from  north  to  south,  and  embracing  in  its  stretch 
between  the  Jtocky  ^Fountains  and  the  (lulf  of  Mexico  every  variety  of 
climate.  This  entire  region,  not  exce])ting  even  the  mountain  valleys  cov- 
ered in  winter  witii  deej)  snow,  is  inhabited  by  it.  It  was  found  by  liini 
from  the  li'tth  to  the  38th  degree  of  north  latitude,  or  from  below  Monterey, 
in  Mexico,  along  the  bordei-s  of  the  San  Juan  Piver,  as  high  uj)  as  the  Taos 
and  other  nortluirn  brunches  of  the  I!io  (Jrande.  lie  also  found  it  lu-ar  the 
head  of  the  lliado  Cr  'ck,  which  rises  in  the  Pocky  Mountains  and  runs  east- 
wardly  to  the  Canadian. 

Wherever  found,  they  are  always  resident,  proving  their  ability  to  endure 
great  extremes  of  heat  and  cold.  In  swiftness  of  foot,  no  s]iecies  of  this 
family  can  compete  with  them.  When  running,  they  hold  their  heads  high 
and  keep  the  body  erect,  and  seem  to  skim  over  the  surface  of  the  ground, 
their  white  plume  erected  and  spread  out  like  a  fan. 

On  the  Mexican  side  of  the  Kio  (Jrande  this  species  is  found  farther  south 
than  on  the  western  bank,  owing  to  the  rugged  character  of  the  country.  In 
Texas  its  extreme  southern  point  is  a  little  above  Peinosa,  on  the  iirst  high- 
lands on  the  bank. 

Don  Pablo  de  la  Llave,  a  ^fexican  naturalist,  states,  in  an  account  of  this 
s])ecies  (Pegistro  Trinu!stre,  1,  j).  144,  Mexico,  18!?L*),  that  he  attem])ted  its 
domestication  in  vain.  In  conlinement  it  was  very  timid,  all  its  movements 
were  rapid,  and,  although  he  fed  his  specimens  lor  a  long  dnu'  each  day, 
they  seemed  to  become  nu)re  wild  and  intractalile.  It  was  found  by  him 
in  (ill  the  mes(|uit(^  regions  of  Northern  Mi'xico. 

Specimens  of  this  Partridge  were  taken  iii^ar  Sari  Pedro,  Texas,  by  INIr.  .1.  II. 
Olark,  and  in  Xew  Leon,  I\Iexico,  liy  Lieutenant  Couch.  According  to  Mr. 
Clark,  they  are  not  found  on  the  grassy  prairies  near  the  coast.     He  met  with 

vol..  III.  (i2 


4*M)  NOUril  AMEUK'AX  ItUUJS. 

thorn  uii  Devil's  iliver,  in  Texii.s,  wluiio  liis  atteiitimi  was  at  tivst  directed 
tu  theiu  liy  their  very  peculiar  note,  which,  wiieii  tirsl  Jieard,  suj^gested 
to  him  the  cry  of  some  sjiecies  of  sc^uirrel.  In  th(!  valley  of  the  Lower  lUo 
Grande  he  also  met  with  these  birds  in  companies  of  a  ilozen  or  more.  Their 
food,  on  the  jirairies,  ap])eared  to  lie  entircdy  insectivorous  ;  while  on  the 
Lower  Itio  (Jrande  all  the  specimens  that  were  procured  had  their  liills 
stained  with  the  berries  of  the  opnntia.  They  were  not  shy,  and  would 
rather  get  out  of  the  way  by  running  than  by  Hying.  At  no  time,  and  under 
no  cin.'umstances,  were  they  known  to  alight  in  liushes  or  in  trees.  They 
were  only  known  to  make  mere  scratches  in  the  grtjuiid  for  nests,  and  their 
situations  were  very  carelessly  selected.  Young  birds  were  i'ound  in  June 
and  in  July. 

Lieutenant  Couch  first  met  with  this  species  about  si.xty  leagues  west  of 
Matamoras,  and  not  until  free  from  the  prairies  and  bottom-land.  It  was 
occasionally  noticetl,  apparently  associating  with  the  Orti/.r  kxuno,  to  which 
it  is  very  similar  in  haliit. 

Dr.  Kennerly  found  them  everywhere  where  there  was  a  jjermanent  supply 
of  fre^'.i  water,  trom  Limi)ia  Creek,  in  Te.xas,  to  Sau  ISernardino,  in  Sonora. 
They  were  met  with  on  the  mountain-sides,  or  on  the  hills  among  the  low 
mesquite-bushes  and  b.irrea.  They  a]»pareutly  rely  more  upon  their  legs 
than  upon  their  wings,  ascending  tl.e  most  precipitous  dill's  or  di.sappearing 
among  the  bushes  with  great  rai)idity. 

The  most  western  jjoiiit  at  which  Dr.  lleermann  observed  this  species  was 
the  San  I'edro  liiver,  a  branch  of  the  tJila,  east  of  Tucson.  There  a  flock  of 
these  birds  ran  before  him  at  a  quick  i)ace,  with  outstretched  necks,  heads 
elevated,  crests  erect  and  exjiandeil,  and  soon  disappeared  among  the  thick 
bushes  t)\at  surrounded  them  on  all  sides.  After  that  they  were  seen  occasion- 
ally until  they  arrived  at  Lym})ia  Springs.  Lieutenant  Barton  informed  Dr. 
Heermanu  that  he  liad  procured  this  species  near  Fort  Clark,  one  hundred 
and  twenty  miles  west  of  San  Antonio,  where,  however,  it  was  quite  rare. 
It  was  found  abiuulantly  on  the  open  plains,  often  starting  up  before  the 
party  when  passing  over  the  most  arid  jiortions  of  tlie  route.  They  also 
seemed  partial  to  the  pi'airie-dog  villages.  These,  covering  large  tracts  of 
ground  destitute  oi'  vegetation,  probably  offered  the  attraction  of  some 
favorite  insect. 

Dr.  Woodiiouse  met  witli  this  .species  on  only  one  occasion,  as  the  party 
was  passing  up  the  liio  (rrande,  at  the  upper  end  of  Valleverde,  on  the  west 
side  of  the  river,  on  the  edge  of  the  sand-hills,  feeding  among  the  low  bushes. 
They  were  exceedingly  shy  and  (juick-footed.  He  tried  in  vain  to  make 
them  fly,  and  they  evidently  preferred  their  feet  to  their  wings  as  a  means 
of  esca])e.     lie  was  told  that  they  were  found  above  Santa  Fe. 

Mr.  Dresser  Ibund  this  species  on  the  Kio  Grande  above  IJoma,  and  be- 
tween the  Kio  Grande  and  the  Xueces  they  were  quite  abundant ;  wherever 
found,  they  seemed  to  have  the  country  to  themselves  to  the  exclusion  of 


PERDICID.E  —  THE  PARTRIDGES. 


491 


other  sppciu.s.  Ho  reports  tlicm  as  very  diHiciilt  to  shoot,  for  the  reason 
that,  whenever  a  lievy  is  disturljed,  the  birds  scatter,  and,  riiunin,L,'  with 
outstretched  necks  and  erectetl  crests,  dotlge  through  the  hushes  like  rah- 
hits,  so  as  soon  to  lie  out  ot  reach.  He  has  ihus  seen  a  Hock  ot  ten  or 
filteen  disappear  so  entirely  as  to  rcnjlcr  it  iuipossilile  to  obtain  a  single 
one.  If  left  nndisturbcd,  they  conunencc  their  call-note,  wliich  is  not  unlike 
the  chirp  of  a  chicken,  and  soon  reunite.  It  was  utterly  out  of  the  (piestion 
to  get  them  to  rise,  and  the  only  way  to  procure  specimens  was  to  shoot 
them  on  the  ground.  Near  the  small  villages  in  Mexico  he  found  them 
very  tame;  and  at  Presidio,  on  the  liio  tirande,  he  noticed  them  in  a  corral, 
feeding  with  some  jioultry.  lie  did  not  meet  with  their  eggs,  but  they  were 
described  to  him,  by  the  Mexicans,  as  dull  white,  with  minute  redtlish  spots. 
The  egg  of  the  Cullipcplu  nqiKDndtw^A  regularly  oval,  lieing  nmcli  more 
elongated  tlian  with  any  other  species  of  this  family.  It  measures  l.;!"* 
inches  in  length  by  .95  in  breadth.  Its  grouml-color  is  a  creamy  white,  and 
its  surface  is  minutely  freckled  with  specks  of  a  pale  drab. 


Gexus   CYRTONYX,    (Jori-D. 


Ctjrtonyx,  GoULD,  Mod.  Oilontoiih. ;  184.'>.     (Tynr,  Ortip:  massciia.  Lesson.) 


Gkx.  Char.  Bill  very  .stout  iuid  mlxist.  llciul  with  a  broad,  soft  occipital  crest  of 
short  deeunibont  fcather.-j.  Tail  vi'ry  short,  liall'  the  length  ol'  the  wings,  couiposfd  of 
soft  feather,*,  the  longest  scMii'ely 
longer  than  the  coverts ;  much  graihi- 
nted.  Wings  long  and  broad,  the 
coverts  and  tertials  so  much  enhirged 
as  to  conceal  the  quills.  Feet  robust, 
e.xtending  considerably  beyond  the  tip 
of  tlie  tail.  Claws  very  large,  the 
outer  lateral  reacliing  nearly  to  die 
middle  of  the  central  anterior.  The 
toes  without  the  claws,  however,  are 
very  short.     Se.xes  very  dilVerent. 


Cyrtonyr  niasseiKi. 


This  genus  diilers  very  mtich 
from  its  North  Americni)  allies  in 
the  great  deveh)i>ment  of  the 
feathers  composing  the  wing- 
coverts,  the  very  .short  and  soft  tail,  and  the  very  short  toes  and  long  claws. 
It  is  almost  worthy  of  forming  the  tyjie  of  a  ('.  inet  .subfamily,  so  many 
and  great  are  its  peculitirities.  The  single  North  American  representative  is 
the  only  one  of  our  species  with  round  white  spots  on  the  lower  surface  and 
black  ones  above.  A  second  species,  C.  orvlhttus,  is  found  in  Southern  Mexico. 
Tliey  may  be  distinguished  as  follows :  — 


492 


NORTH  AMERICAN  BIRDS. 


Species. 
C.  massena.  Sliafl-slrciiks  of  \vin},'-foallii'i's  yollowish-whiti? ;  siilos  with 
siiiiill  loiiiicl  wliili' spdl.-; ,  iiiiMlial  lowi'i- itarls  dark  iiiai(inii-L-liusliiiil.  llitb. 
Nortlii'i'ii  Moxii'ii,  and  ndjacciil  jiortioiis  of  the  I'liilfd  States,  IVoiii  the 
Ujiper  Rio  Grande  and  Colorado  Valleys!,  south  to  Mazalian. 
C.  ocellatUB.'  Siiaft-streaks  of  wiiii,'-lealliers  chestiLiil-riiloiit!.  Sides  with 
laij,'u  nifoiis  spots,  medial  lower  pai-ts  bright  rufous,  lighter  anteriorly. 
Hub.  Southern  Mexico,  and  Guatemala. 


Cyrtonyx  massena,  Gould. 

HASSEKA  FABTBIDGE, 

Orttjx  viassciM,  Lesson,  Cent.  ZoiJl.  1830,  180.  —  Fin.scm,  Abli.  Xnt.  1870,  "  (Gnadela- 
jara).  Cijrtoiiijx  mansfiiti,  (ioll.li,  >lou.  Odoiit.  IS.'iO,  14  ;  tab.  vii.  —  .M'C'ali,,  I'r. 
A.  X.  Sc.  V,  18.^)1,  221.  -C.vssix,  lllnst.  I,  i,  ISSa,  21,  jil.  x.xi.  —  Rkkmknii.  Syst. 
Av.  18,iO,  pi.  xxvii.  —  B.\iui>,  Bird.s  N.  A.  lS.-)8,  ti47.  —  In.  Mc'.\.  B.  II,  Birds,  23.  — 
Dkfsskii,  llii.s,  18t)<>,  2it  (Bandera  Co.,  IVxas  ;  breeds).  —  Coi:i:s,  P.  A.  X.  S.  186t),  95 
(Fcjit  Whijijilc,  Arizima).  —  (iu.vY,  Cat.  Brit.  Mus.  V,  ISti/,  74. —('oof.  Orn.  Cal.  I, 
1870,  ^tUi.  Orhij:  miiiilrzuiiKi:,  Vionus,  Zuol.  Jour.  V,  1830,  275.  OihnitoplKinia  milea- 
(ji-i.^,  W.\(ii.i;ii,  l.sis,  XXV,  1832,  271».  Tclniu  ijultata,  Dv.  L.\  Llavk,  liegistro  Triiue.stn!, 
I,  1832,  145  (Cassix). 

Sf.  Chah.  Mule.  Head  striped  with  white,  l)laok,  and  lead-color;  chin  black.  Feathers 
above  streaked  eenlrully  with  whitish,  those  on  the  outer  surface  of  the  wings  with  two 

series  of  rounded  black  spots.  Central  line  of 
breiist  and  belly  dark  chestnut ;  the  abdomen, 
thighs,  and  crissum  black ;  the  sides  of  breast 
and  l)ody  lead-color,  with  round  white  .spots. 
Legs  l)Uie.  Length,  8.75  ;  wing,  7.00;  tail,  2.50. 
Female.  Prevailing  color  light  vinaceons-cin- 
nanion,  tlio  upper  parts  barred  and  streaked  as 
in  the  male.  Head  without  white  or  black 
stripes.  Sides  with  a  few  narrow,  irregular 
streaks  of  l)Iaek. 

YoniKj.    Somewhat  similar  to  the  adult  female, 

but  lower  parts  whitish,  the  feathers,  especially 

on  the  breast,  with  tiansver.^e  blackish  spots  on 

both  wel)s. 

Chick.     Head  dingy  white,  with  a  broad  occipital  elliptical  patch  of  chestnut-brown, 

and  a  blackish  streak  behind  the  eye.    Above  rusty-brown,  ob.scnrely  spotted  with  black ; 

a  white  stripe  on  ea(;h  side  of  the  rump.     Beneath  almost  uniform  dull  white. 

Hah.  Chielly  on  the  Upper  Rio  Grande  from  the  high  jjlains  of  the  Pecos.  Fort 
■\Vhipple,  Arizona;  Northern  Mexico,  southward,  on  the  west  coa.st,  to  Mazatlan. 

Habits.  This  Quail  was  first  met  with  hy  Lieutenant  Coucli  in  the  canon 
Guyaijueo,  about  twelve  leagues  south  of  Monterey.  Though  rather  shy  they 
seenieil  (juite  at  home  in  tlie  cultivated  fields  and  sttibbles  of  the  ranches. 
Mr.  Clark  tirst  noticed  the  species  among  a  flock  of  the  Orti/x  tvcaiia. 
Once,  on  Hushing  a  covey  of  the  latter,  a  bird  was  seen  to  remain  beliiud,  and 
showed  110  inclination  to  follow  the  rest.     It  att.om2)ted  to  hide  in  the  grass, 

1  Cyrtonyx  occl/atim,  Gould,  P.  Z.  S.  IV,  p.  78.  —  In.  Moxoo.  OJont. 


Cyrtonyx  ma.tsfna. 


PERDiriD-K  —  THE  PA IlTm DO ES.  493 

but  (lid  not  ily,  and,  when  slint,  provod  to  bo  a  Massona  Quail.  Mo  says  tlioy 
occur  citiicr  in  ])aii'.s  or  in  tlocks,  and  wlicn  once  Ibislied  Hy  iartlicr  tlian 
the  Virj,'inia  Quail,  but  do  not  lie  so  close.  They  may  be  approached 
within  a  tew  feet,  and  followed  u]),  jiarticularly  when  in  pairs,  ruiniin^ 
alon<.f  before  one  like  .so  many  douKvstic  fowl.  Tliey  are  of  (|uiot  a.s  well 
a.s  of  retired  habits,  and  a  subdued  tliouj^h  sharp  note  is  the  only  noise  that 
Mr.  (,'lark  ever  heard  them  make,  and  tliat  only  when  frightened.  He  ha.s 
known  tliein  to  be  pursued,  and  all  the  liarrels  of  a  six-shooter  fired  one  after 
another  witliout  alarminu  them ;  and  tliey  were  forced  to  fly  at  last  only  Ity 
an  attack  of  stones  and  clubs.  He  first  met  with  them  in  tlie  nei,i;hliorhood 
of  San  Antonio,  and  found  tiiem  thence  sparsely  distributed  as  an  inhaliitant 
both  of  jirairies  and  mountains  as  far  westwanl  as  Sonora.  Tliey  are  wilder 
than  the  Scaled  l*artridf,'e,  arc  less  consjiicuous  and  noisy,  and  are  never  seen 
in  flocks,  or,  like  the  latter,  living  about  old  camps.  Their  haunts  are  j^'en- 
erally  far  removed  from  the  halntations  of  man,  and  the  indifference  they 
sometimes  manifest  to  his  ])resence  seems  to  be  due  to  i},niorance  of  the 
danger  from  the  power  of  that  enemy.  Though  distributed  over  tiie  same 
country  as  the  C.  sqiuunata,  they  are  never  found  in  such  liarren  regions, 
always  seeming  to  prefer  the  districts  most  luxuriantly  covered  with  vege- 
tation. 

Dr.  C.  B.  R.  Kennerly  states  that  this  bird  was  never  seen  farther  south  in 
Texas  than  Turkey  Creek.  In  that  vicinity  it  was  very  common,  and  it  also 
occurred  at  various  points  thence  to  the  Itio  Grande.  In  the  valley  of  this 
river  it  was  very  rarely  seen,  giving  way  aitjiarently  to  the  Scaly  and  to 
Gambel's  Partridge.  West  of  the  river  it  was  very  connnon,  as  far  as  the  party 
travelled,  wherever  there  was  a  permanent  sujjjdy  of  fresh  water.  In  the 
valley  of  the  Santa  Cruz  Kiver  and  among  the  adj.acent  hills  it  w-as  ex- 
tremely abundant.  In  the  months  of  June  and  July  it  was  oliserved  there 
always  in  pairs,  while  in  Texas,  in  the  months  of  October  and  November,  it 
was  found  in  very  large  Hocks,  sometimes  of  various  ages,  from  the  very 
small  and  partly  Hedged  to  the  fnll-grown  bird.  When  hunted,  they 
hide  very  closely  in  the  grass,  and  Dr.  Kennerly  has  often  known  the 
Mexican  soldiers  in  Sonora  kill  them  with  their  lances  by  striking  them 
either  while  oi.  the  groiuid  or  just  as  they  rise.  Some  of  these  men  were 
very  expert  in  the  business,  and  obtained  a  good  many  in  the  course  of  a 
day's  travel. 

1  )r.  Woodhouse  met  with  this  species  a  few  miles  above  the  head  of  the 
Tlio  San  Pedro,  where  he  secured  a  single  specimen.  He  was  informed  by 
Ca]»tain  S.  (}.  French  that  when  he  first  ])assed  over  exactly  the  same  route  in 
1849,  he  met  with  a  inimber  of  them  in  different  localities, — at  the  head  of 
San  Pedro,  Howard  Springs,  and  also  at  Eagle  Springs, —  showing  evidently 
that  they  have  a  range  over  the  country  lying  between  the  Pio  Grande  and 
the  San  Pedro  Rivers.  He  also  stated  that  he  had  never  met  with  any  near 
the  settlements,  but  always  among  the  wild,  rocky,  and  ilmost  barren  hills  of 


494  NORTH  AMElllCAN  lUKDS. 

that  country.  They  aiv  iiiDri'  scx'iahle  and  not  so  sliy  as  tlio  otlier  species 
of  this  liiniily.     Tiieir  food  appears  to  l)e  principally  insects. 

Mr.  I )re.s.ser  .states  that  this  liini  is  locally  known  as  the  lllack  Partritlj^e. 
For  some  time  he  sonjiiht  foi'  it  near  San  Antonio  without  success,  hut  ulti- 
mately found  it,  in  Noveniher,  among  the  Uaiulera  llill.s.  In  its  haliits  he 
.states  it  is  more  like  the  Texan  (i^uail  than  any  other;  hut  on  the  wing  it  is 
easily  distinguished,  it  ilies  .so  heavily,  though  very  swiftly.  When  dis- 
turhcd,  they  scpuit  very  close,  and  will  not  move  until  approached  very 
closely,  when  they  generally  rise  u]t  from  under  one's  !'eet.  Hi'  did  not 
meet  with  this  (j)uail  in  any  other  part  of  Te.xas  than  Handera  County,  hut 
was  told  that  it  is  ahuiulant  in  the  hilly  country  at  the  head  of  the  Leona, 
and  that  it  is  also  found  nt^ar  Laredo. 

In  some  remarks  on  the  hirds  of  Western  Texas,  puhlished  in  the  Proceed- 
ings of  the  Philadelphia  Academy  in  ISol,  Colonel  McCall  gives  the  first 
ini'ormation  to  the  public  touching  the  haliits  of  this  interesting  species. 
We  learn  from  his  narrative  that  it  was  not  met  with  hy  him  iiefore  cross- 
ing the  San  I'edro  IJiver,  but  that  it  was  soon  after  seen  in  the  rocky  re- 
gions into  which  he  then  entered  ;  and  thence  as  I'ar  as  the  Kio  Pecos, 
a  tlistance  of  on(i  hundred  and  forty  miles  westwardly,  it  was  frequently 
.seen,  though  it  was  not  anywhere  very  common.  This  entire  region  is  a 
desert  of  great  extent,  north  and  south;  the  general  face  of  the  country  is 
level,  and  pi'oduces  nothing  but  a  s])arse  growth  of  sand-plants.  Water  was 
found  only  at  long  intervals,  and  lixcept  at  such  points  there  was  ajjparently 
neither  food  nor  cover.  There,  among  projecting  rocks  or  the  borders  of  dry 
gullies,  or  in  loose  scrub,  this  bird  was  met  with  by  Colonel  ^IcCall. 

The  habits  of  this  species  appeared  to  him  to  be  diiferent  from  those  ol' 
any  other  kind  of  Partridge  he  had  ever  met  with.  They  were  in  coveys 
of  from  eight  to  twelve  individuals,  and  ai)peared  to  be  sini])le  and  affection- 
ate in  dis]iosition.  In  feeding  they  separated  lait  little,  kee[iing  u])  all  the 
whihi  a  social  chid:  They  were  so  gentle  as  to  evince  little  m  no  alarm  on 
the  apjiroach  of  man,  hardly  moving  out  of  the  way  as  they  pas.sed,  and 
only  running  off  or  flying  a  kwx  yards,  even  when  half  their  number  hail 
been  .shot.  Cohaiel  ]\IcCall  was  of  the  opinion  that  they  might,  with  very 
little  ditticulty,  be  domesticated,  though  naturally  inhabiting  a  barren  waste 
nowhere  near  the  habitation  of  man.  The  call-note  is  spoken  of  as  very 
piHtuliar.  The  bird  was  not  seen  by  his  party  after  crossing  the  Pecos  Ifiver. 
Mr.  (itmld,  without  any  information  in  regard  to  the  habits  or  economy  of 
this  species,  in  his  Monograph  of  American  Partridges,  judging  from  the 
comjiarative  shortness  of  the  toes  and  the  great  development  of  the  claws, 
ventured  the  opinion  that  the  habits  would  be  found  very  different  from 
those  of  other  members  of  the  family,  which  opinion  is  thus  confirmed.  Mr. 
Ca.ssin  thought  he  could  trace  in  the  circular  spots,  numerous  in  the  lower 
part  of  the  body,  an  analogy  in  character  to  the  (iuinea-fowLs,  which  is  fur- 
ther shown  by  their  habit  of  continually  uttering  their  notes  as  they  feed, 
and  by  other  similarity  in  their  manners. 


I'KUDICID.I-;      TIIK    l'Ain'l!ll)(il'>'.  4;(.-, 

{'a])tiiiii  S.  (1.  Fn-iicli,  citiMl  liy  Mi.  ('iissin.  iiu'iitions  inootin.u  witli  tliis 
Piirtridf^c  in  tlio  simiiiu'r  of  lS4(i,  wlicii  mpssiiii;  \\\c  tiililci-liimls  tlmt  cxtciKl 
wcstwanily  Iroiii  San  Aiitmiio,  in  Tt'xas,  lu  New  .Mexico.  On  tlio  sides 
of  a  higli  rocky  mountain  near  tlic  siininiit,  lie  oliserved  several  of  tlien; 
only  a  fi'W  (wl  in  advance  of  liini.  'i'liey  were  innnin^  alonj;'  over  llu! 
fra,muenls  of  rttcks  and  tliroii^li  llie  dwaii  Imslics  wliicli  yrew  wherever 
then'  was  snilieient  soil,  lie  was  attracted  iiy  their  handsome  ])lnmaLi;e  and 
their  extreme  neiitlcness.  A  few  days  after,  when  encam])e(l  <ni  tho  head- 
waters of  the  river,  he  niin'm  met  with  a  covey,  and  from  that  point  occa- 
sionally encountered  them  on  tlie  route  to  the  I'ecos  Ifiver,  a  distance  of 
over  a  inindred  miles,  lie  did  not  meet  with  them  auain  until  he  came  to 
Kai,'le  Sprinji's,  in  a  mountainous  region  ahout  twenty-live  miles  from  tlie 
l{io  (irande.  In  the  spring-  of  l-Sf)!,  on  tlu^  sanu'  r(aite,  lie  saw  only  two  of 
these  birds,  and  was  led  to  the  belief  that  tiiey  niv  not  at  all  niiiuerous. 
They  appeared  to  inlialiit  the  rocky  sides  of  the  iiKainlains  and  hills,  in  the 
desolate  rej^ion  of  elevated  idains  west  of  the  fertile  jiortioiis  of  Texas.  In 
no  instance  did  he  meet  with  any  .of  these  birds  near  the  settlements. 
Wild  and  rocky  hillsides  seemed  to  be  their  favorite  resort,  where  trees 
were  almost  unknown  and  all  vegetation  was  very  scant.  The  coveys 
showed  lait  little  alarm  on  beinj;'  approached,  and  ran  alon.n  over  the  rocks, 
occasionally  attemptin.i;  to  secrete  themselves  beneath  them.  In  this  case 
they  could  lie  aiijiroaclKHl  to  within  a  few  feet  When  startled  by  the  tiring 
of  a  <i\\n,  they  tly  but  a  lev,-  yards  bel'ore  a,tj;ain  aliglitin,y,  and  exhibit  but 
little  of  that  wildiiess  jieculiar  to  all  tlie  other  species  of  Parlridue.  The 
contents  of  the  croji  in  ("aptain  Krenchs  specimens  consisted  exclusively  of 
frannuMits  (A'  insects,  jti'iiicijially  urasshojipers.  Xo  trace  whatever  of  food 
of  a  ve,u(!table  character  was  found. 

Don  I'alilo  tie  la  T-lave,  (juoti'd  by  Mr.  Cassin,  furnishes  the  followinu;  ac- 
count of  the  habits  of  th  s  Partridge,  observed  by  him  in  specimens  taken 
near  the  city  of  Mexico. 

"It  is  only  a  few  days  since  the  third  s]wcies  has  been  brought  to  me.  It 
is  rather  smaller  than  the  l'orni(!r  (T.  .vy/zfo/;*'/"),  and  its  deportment  is  en- 
tirely dilferent.  It  carries  its  head  habitually  resting  on  its  shoulders,  the 
neck  being  excessively  .small  and  deilexed,  and  in  everything  it  shows  an 
amiability,  and,  so  to  speak,  kindness  of  character  {inid  hn/ii/iii/  dc  mrnr/i  r), 
which  is  not  found  in  any  other  species  of  this  genus,  and  it  is  naturally  so 
tame  and  domestic  as  to  i>ermit  itself  to  be  ciiught  witli  the  hand.  These 
birds  are  always  united,  forming  a  covey,  and  whenever  one  is  sejiarated  the 
others  follow  it.  They  do  not,  like  others,  wi.sh  to  sleep  tin  elevatetl  i)laccs, 
but  sit  on  the  grtiund,  tlrawing  very  near  ttigether.  Their  ntites,  which  are 
not  varietl,  are  very  low  and  soft,  ami  I  have  never  heanl  loud  cries  from 
the  male.  When  they  are  frightened  they  shtiw  much  activity  and  swift- 
ness ;  at  other  times  theii-  gait  and  movement  are  habitually  slow  and  ilelib- 
erate,  carrying  the  crest  pulled  u])  {fxpanadu)," 


APPEJ^DIX 


VOL.  III. 


63 


I. 

ADDITIONS  AND  COURKCTIONS. 


DuRlxo  the  consideiuble  interval  of  time  since  the  printing  of  tliis  work 
was  commenced,  many  additional  facts  have  come  to  light  in°ri-ard  to  tliu 
habits  and  geograi)hical  distribution  of  the  land  birds  of  Xorth  America  ; 
andwliile  several  so-called  siiecies.have  jiroved  to  be  mere  races,  or  even' 
of  less  rank,  some  others  have  I)een  added  to  tlie  list.  The  more  important 
of  these  are  herewitli  subjoined. 

Most  of  the  new  facts  here  announced  are  the  results  of  the  more  recent 
labors  of  Cai)tain  Charles  P.endire,  First  Caval-y,  U.  S.  A,,  and  of  Messrs. 
J.  A.  Allen,  C.  E.  Aiken,  Dr.  E.  Coucs,  H.  W.  llenshaw,  .Air.  C.  J.  Maynard, 
and  others,  whose  names  are  mentioned  in  their  appropriate  i)laces. 


Turdus  paUasi,  van  nanus  (I,  20).  Dr.  Cooper  has  sent  to  the  Sniitlisonian 
Institution  skins  of  his  T.  iiainis,  and  tlicy  prove  to  be  T.  ustu/afii.'<.  'I'lic  snniiiso 
expressed  on  page  21,  tliat  tlio  nest  and  eggs  descrll)cd  by  Dr.  Cooper  as  those  of 
the  former  in  reahty  belonged  to  the  latter  species,  is  tluis  undoubtedly  correct. 

Turdus  pallasi,  var.  auduboni  (I,  21).  A  nest  with  the  eggs  (S.  I.  1(J,.'?l'()) 
of  this  species  was  taken  near  Fort  Ellis,  Montana,  July  Ifi,  1872,  by  C.  tf.'.Mer- 
riam,  attached  to  Dr.  Hayden's  ])arty.  Tlic  nest  is  large  and  bulky  for  the  size 
of  the  bird,  is  dccjjly  saueer-sliaped  in  form,  measuring  G  inches'  in  external 
diameter  by  3  in  depth.  The  cavity  of  the  nest  is  3  inches  in  (Hamcter  by  about 
1.75  deep.  It  is  composed  entirely  of  green  mosses  and  lined  witli  fine  grass 
leaves. 

The  eggs  were  three  in  number,  in  shape  broadly  ovate  and  oljtusely  rounded 
at  either  end.  They  measure  .85  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .72  in  breadth  ;  their 
color  is  a  rather  deep  greenish-liluc,  almost  exactly  like  those  of  rimliis  mhjmtorius. 

The  nest  was  built  in  a  small  pine-tree,  about  eiglit  feet  from  the  ground,  in  the 
pine  regions  of  the  mountains.  In  its  position  it  differs  from  any  now  known 
of  the  Turdus  pnllasi,  which,  so  far  as  known,  builds  invariably  on  the  gi'ound. 

Harporhynchus  OceUatus  (I,  30).  This  is  probably  a  Mexican  form  of 
//.  citiereus. 


500  Al'PKXDIX. 

HarporhynchUB  rufus  (I,  37).  Acuordiuj,'  to  Mr.  Allen  (Bull.  Mua.  Cump. 
Ziiii.,  No).  Ill,  No.  (i,  J).  i;tl)  tills  Hiweies  is  foiiinl  on  tlio  eiistern  slope  of  tlie 
JtiifiiV  MiiiintiiiiiH  ill  ('(iloriulo.  It  i.s  not  inuliided  in  the  "  liinls  of  Ciilil'oriiiii," 
but  Dr.  Coiipur  states  tlmt  in  Septeinlier,  1870,  lie  found  ii  strii;,'f,'lei'  iit  ('leiir 
Lal<o,  elose  to  the  lower  town.  It  was  in  a  tliieket  witli  its  western  cousins,  Imt 
possessed  unniistiilvalily  all  tiie  fliarueteristius  of  the  eastern  bird,  Unfortunately, 
it  was  not  secured.  As  tliis  species  is  short-winded  and  nearly  resilient  in  nuiny 
Incalilies,  its  occurrence  so  far  from  its  usual  resort  is  suinewhut  reniarkiilile.  It 
had  none  of  the  appearance  of  a  caye-bird. 

HarporhynchUB  curviroBtriB,  var.  palmeri  (I,  43).  Four  spcciincus  from 
Tucson,  .XrizDiia,  were  recently  forwariled  for  examination  by  Dr.  ('ones,  collected 
by  the  indcliiti^rable  Captain  Ucndire,  l'.  S.  A.,  when  stationed  at  that  post.  The 
specimens  are  all  true  jmlmrri  in  the  charactors  which  definitely  separate  it  from 
currlroslriK,  its  nearest  ally,  and  show  the  seasonal  discrejiancies  in  the  shades  of 
color.  A  male  and  female,  collected  in  November,  ditl'cr  from  the  types,  which  are 
summer  birds,  in  beinj;  of  a  brownish-plumbeous  above,  even  more  ashy  than  in 
any  specimens  of  ciiri'iruKtris  which  we  have  seen.  In  all  other  respects,  however, 
they  are  ty])ical  examples  of  vnr.  pa/mrri,  anrl  substantiate  the  validity  of  this 
well-marked  form.     The  measurements  of  these  two  specimens  are  as  follows  :  - — 

cf .    Wing,  4.00  ;  tail,  4.il(» ;  culmen,  1.4.")  ;  tarsus,  1.25  ;  middle  toe,  1.00. 

9.        "      4,20      "     4.80  "       1.40         "       1.20  "  .90. 

The  description  of  this  form  was  first  publi.shed  by  Dr.  Cones  in  "Key  to 
North  American  Hirds"  (October,  1872),  p,  Sol,  the  typo  being  specimen  No. 
Gl,.")8!),  Mus.  S.  I. 

HarporhynchUB  bendirei,  Coues  (Am.  Nat.  Vol.  VII,  June,  1873,  p.  330, 

fig.  (iit). 

Cii.\n.  Nearly  .'iiinilar  to  //  jmJinrri  in  color,  l)iit  whiter  on  the  breast,  and  apparently 
more  ocln'.ieeous  on  tiie  flank.-*.  !Nbicli  smaller  than  //.  palmeri,  with  smaller  and  very 
dilTcreiitly  shaped  l>ill.  Afale  (not  adult),  No.  2,(!8fi,  M,is.  K.  C.  Wing,  4.10;  tail,  4.50; 
ciihnci),  l.l.'i;  lar.'iiis,  1.20;  middle  toe,  .88.  Female  (.idiill).  No.  2,088,  Mus,  E.  C. 
Winjr,  ;5.«(>;  tail,  4.4(t;  culincn,  1.1,">;  tar.sus,  l.b'j ;  iniiklle  toe,  .88. 

Jlab,    Tucson,  Arizona. 

This  new  form  Dr.  Coues  considers  to  be  most  nearly  related  to  the  //.  cinereus 
of  Cape  St.  Lucas ;  and  judging  from  its  eggs,  lately  sent  to  the  Smithsonian  In- 
stitution by  Captain  Bendire,  such  appear  to  be  really  its  affinities. 

The  eggs  sent  i)y  ('aptain  Bendire  (No.  10,480,  Mus.  S.  I.)  measure  1.00  in 
length  by  .80  in  breadth,  and  are  three  in  number.  Their  ground-color  is  a  dull 
bluish-white,  spotted  with  a  very  faint  shade  of  reddish-brown,  the  spots  thickest 
round  the  larger  end. 

HarporhynchUB  crissalis  (I,  47).  Captain  Bendire  found  this  species 
breeding  abundantly  near  Tucson,  Arizona  (See  Coues,  Am.  Nat.  VI,  June,  1872, 
370).  The  eggs  in  all  instances  were  similar  to  those  described  as  found  by  Dr. 
Palmer,  ii:ispotted,  and  in  size,  shape,  ond  color,  hardly  distinguishable  from  the 
eggs  of  the  common  Robin  (T.  mujratorius).  They  are  of  an  oblong-oval  shape, 
rounded  and  nearly  equal  at  either  end,  and  measure  1.10  inches  in  length  by  .75 
in  breadth. 


APPENDIX. 


601 


Uarpnr/iynchus  mlivivus. 

Harporhynchus  redivivus  (I  .i',\     'r-i,, 
Kcwl,,, o,l«  l,vl,.|in,.    ».         ■".  •"'.  ..f  •'-|.l'>i..l.i>i.  I";!     |.,,,r,,„,, 

.,..*■.  .»..c;;i;i;:::;:rt '-';;■;■''■''■■  ";■ " "■-■  -■ » 

0,.]„.fvi.    1  .,  '«  >"i„i(uion.s.     if  iH  not  known  to  <.iciir  lu'iir  tlioSc'i  of 

""I.I.      It  niiist  tluTcforo  1)0  vorv  noiiilv  pr.i-f.iin  fi..>f  u 

o,,..  ::;;„■  "t-r;: :  zzT'  - ''-" '-  '"'^  -'* ■  ^- 

Groenlun.I,  i,i  tliis,  i.c-iiaps,  i„  a  measure  in- 
dorsing Pctcrniann's  suggestion  timt  (Jreon- 
land  extcn.ls  across  the  polo  nearly  to  the 
Asiatic  coast  and  to  Alaska. 

Sialia  mearicana  (1,  C>->).    This  species 

h.is  been  obtained  in  Western  Iowa  l.v  Mr. 
Atkinson. 

Regulus  calendula  (I,  7n).  We  pre- 
sent the  outlines  of  bill,  feet,  wings,  and  tail, 
onntted  in  their  proper  place. 

PoUoptila  cseriTlea  (I,  78).     Mr.  Aiken  has  taken  this  species  in  El  Paso 

^rd  m  the  .Lowing  ^^c.z  ^^^^^ ::: 2:t:z:z''z:i 

eastern  b.rds.     He  also  states  that  .t  is  the  prevailing  and  probably  the  only  fonn 


Hegitliis  calendula. 


502  APPENDIX. 

in  nil  tho  northern  nnd  wcstoni  parts  nf  tlic  Stiitc  of  Califoniia.  About  September 
20,  \f>7'2,  this  si>eeies  came  in  great  nunihers  to  the  vicinity  of  San  iJiiena- 
ventura  ami  remained  there  all  winter,  going  to  tho  mountains  northward  by 
March  I'O. 

Folioptila  melanura  (I,  HI).  Dr.  (J()0])er  informs  me  that  while  he  found 
I',  oini/tii  eonunon  in  September,  he  saw  none  of  this  species  near  San  llueua- 
ventnra  until  November  ll',  when  small  parties  ajjpeared  moving  westward  fnmi 
the  colder  desert  regions  east  of  the  mt)untaius.  They  kept  entirely  in  the  arte- 
misia  thickets  among  the  sandy  and  dryest  tracts,  never  going  into  the  high  trees 
like  /'.  iMrnlea.  In  form,  color,  restless  habits,  and  scolding  mew,  this  species  is 
said  to  1)0  a  perfect  miniature  and  mimic  of  the  Catbird. 

According  to  Captain  Ueudii'e  the  species  is  not  connnon  in  Arizona,  where  he 
met  with  three  nests.  "One  before  nic,  found  July  iT),  1872,  fastened  in  a  bunch 
of  mistletoe,  or  rather  suspended  in  it,  is  composed  of  a  species  of  wild  hemp  fibres 
nicely  woven  together,  and  lined  with  a  few  feathers  and  exceedingly  fine  grass. 
The  nest  is  ver\-  neatly  made  :  Outer  diameter,  2  inches  ;  inner,  1.(10  ;  depth,  1.50. 
The  mnnher  of  eggs  is  tivc,  ground-color  pale  green,  with  spots  of  light  reddish- 
brown  color  scattered  over  the  egg.  Measurement,  .TO  by  .40  of  an  inch.  Their 
notes  are  a  rather  harsh  twitter,  kept  up  for  some  time.  They  arc  active  little 
birds,  and  arc  ver^'  restless. 

Chameea  fasciata  (I,  si).  Mr.  Allen  thinks  that  he  saw  this  species  in  Col- 
orado Territory.  See  Am.  Nat.  VI,  June,  1872,  and  Bull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zool.  Ill, 
No.  (■).  p.  181. 

Lophophanes  inornatUS  (I,  91).  Mr.  Aiken  has  obtained  this  species  in 
Kl  I'aso  Comity,  Colorado,  where  it  is  connnon,  while  Mr.  Ilenshaw,  the  naturalist 
of  Lieutenant  Wheeler's  expedition,  foimd  it  abundant  in  Southern  I'tah.  These 
Kocky  Momitain  specimens  are  much  grayer  and  somewhat  larger  than  those  from 
California. 

Farus  rufescens  (I,  104).  Nests  and  eggs  of  a  Pomx  which  undoubtedly 
belong  to  this  species  were  found  by  Mr.  Will'am  A.  Coci])cr,  at  Santa  Cruz,  Cal. 
One  of  these  nests,  sent  to  the  Smithsonian  Institution,  was  found  about  four 
miles  from  Ssinta  Cruz,  April  22,  187-"?.  The  nest  was  composed  of  moss  and  fine 
bark,  largely  inti'rmingled  witii  the  fur  of  ral)bits  and  other  uiall  (|uadrupeds.  It 
was  built  in  a  hole  in  the  liranch  of  a  tree  about  ten  feet  from  the  gromid.  The 
branch  was  about  half  a  foot  in  diameter  and  was  partially  decayed.  Tho  cavity 
was  about  a  foot  in  length  from  the  nest  to  the  j)lace  where  tho  bird  gained  an 
entrance,  which  was  a  small  hole  about  an  inch  and  a  ipiarter  in  diameter.  The 
eggs  were  seven  in  niunber  and  contained  ]Kirtially  formed  end)ryos.  They 
measure  .04  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .-vl  in  breadth,  resemble  tiie  eggs  of  the 
atrial jiilhif,  but  are  more  sparingly  marked  witii  s])ots,  rather  more  minute  and 
of  a  lighter  shade  of  reddish-brown,  on  a  white  ground. 

Sitta  pygmsea  (I,  120).  This  bird  is  ijrobably  a  geographical  form  of  S.  pii- 
silla,  as  suggested  l)y  Mr.  Allen  (Hull.  Mus.  Comp.  Zoiil.,  Vol.  Ill,  No.  G, 
p.]  I-.). 

Sitta  pusilla  (I,  122).     Young  s))ccimens  collected  at  Aiken.  S.  C,  by  Mr. 


APPENDIX. 


503 


C.  11.  Mcrriani,  nre  quite  clift'orciit  in  color  from  tiio  iidiilt  iilimmgo.  The  head  is 
pule  dull  ashy,  iiisteail  of  li^ht  liaii'-lii-o«  n,  luid  the  eoloi'.s  are  duller  generally. 
There  is  a  near  ajiproaeh  to  S.  jii/i/nmn  \n  their  a])]>earanee. 

Campylorhynchus  brunneicapillns  (I,  13:2).     'I'his  sjieeies  has  hccn  eol- 

leeted  at  Toiiuerville,  Southei'u  I'tali,  iiy  Mr.  lienshaw,  and  in  Southern  Nevada 
hy  .Mr.  Bisehotf,  naturalists  to  l.,ieutenant  Wheelei-'s  ex[iedition. 

Salpinctes  ObSOletUS  (I,  1  :!•'>).  The  rani:e  of  this  speeies  has  l.een  reiuark- 
ahly  e.xtended  hy  the  capture  of  a  specimen  iu  l)ecatur  County,  Southern  Iowa, 
where  others  were  seen,  hy  Mr.  T.  .M.  Trippe.  See  f'roc.  Hoston  Soc.  N.  if., 
December,  1872,  j).  2'M>. 

Catherpes  mezicanus,  var.  conspersus  (I,  \'-'>\>).    Nmnerous  specimeus 

obtained  in  Colorado  by  Mr.  Allen  and  Mr.  .Vilicn,  and  in  Southern  I'tah  by  Mr. 
Henshaw,  establisii  tl  j  fact  of  >;reat  uniformity  in  the  characters  of  this  race,  and 
its  distinctness  frou)  var.  iticrlrdinis.  On  pai;e  l.'?"J  "it  is  noticed  that  it  is  a  re- 
markable fact  that  this  northern  race  should  be  so  much  smaller  than  the  Mexican 
one,  especially  in  view  of  the  fact  that  it  is  a  resident  bird  in  even  tlie  most 
northern  ])arts  of  its  ascertained  iiabijat."  As  we  find  this  peculiarity  exactly 
paralleled  in  the  T/iri/of/ionm  hijoriciniixs  of  the  Atlantic  States  (see  below),  may 
not  those  facts  ])oint  out  a  law  to  the  eflect  that  in  species  which  beloni.'  to  essen- 
tially tr(ij)ical  families,  with  oidy  outlying-  ^'cnera  or  s])ecies  in  the  temperate  zone, 
the  iiicreanc  In  .si:e  iritfi  /dlitm/f  /,>■  (inrnnl  the  vcijinn  < if  the  lii'ihext  di  filnjnucnt  nf  the 
(frnup  ? 

Dr.  Cooper  nK>t  with  two  sj)eeimens  of  this  species  in  California  in  1S7l';  one 
about  twelve  miles  back  of  Snn  Diego,  the  other  the  same  distance  back  of  San 
Buenaventura,  and  both  at  the  foot  of  lofty,  rugged  mountiiins.  Their  song  ho 
compares  to  loud  ringing  laughter  ;  it  is  so  shrill  as  to  be  heard  at  (piite  a  distance, 
and  seems  as  if  it  nnist  bo  produced  by  a  much  larger  bird. 

Thryothorus  ludOVicianus  (I,  1  ll.').     Specimens  of  this  species  i  ., 

Fla.,  are  nnieh  darker  colore<l  th.-m  those  from  the  Middle  States  (Maryland,  Illi- 
nois, and  southward),  as  might  be  expected  ;  but  very  sti'angely,  they  are  also 
niuch  largci".  In  colors  they  very  nearly  resemble  var.  hcrlHinluri,  from  the  Lower 
Rio  Grande. 

A  specimen  in  Mr.  Ridgway's  collection  (No.  I,8(i4,  January  9),  from  Miami, 
Fla.,  compares  with  one  from  Southern  Illinois  (No.  \,(\iyl,  Mt.  Carmel,  .lanuary, 
1871)  as  follows:  — 


No. 
1,8(W 

Locality. 

Miami,  Fla. 
Mt.  Caniiel.  111. 

StT. 

Wing. 

Tail. 

Culmrn. 
.80 

TorjiM. 
.80 

,  Middle  Tot. 
.00 

'       .,-,.5 

1>.75 

2.4r) 

■H'M 
2.30 

In  coloration  they  are  more  nearly  alike,  the  Florida  si)ecimen  being  hardly 
appreciably  darker  on  the  upper  surface,  though  the  lower  parts  are  much  deei)er 
ocin-aceous,  almost  rufous.  The  Illinois  specimen  is  deep  ochraceous  beneath, 
just  about  intermediate  between  Maryland  and  Florida  specimens.  Another 
Florida  specimen  (No.  <)2,7.'>.'^,  Mus.  S.  I.  ;  C.  J.  Maynard)  measuns  :  wing,  L'.."»0  ; 
tail,  2.40  ;  culmen,  .8."). 


504 


APPENDIX. 


3073 


Cistotliorus  sletlaris. 


Thryothorus  bewicki,  var.  leucogaster  (I, 

147).  Spociuiens  of  tliis  form  were  obtained  at 
Toqiierville,  Southern  Utah,  in  October,  1872,  by 
Mr.  Ilcnshaw,  attached  to  Lieutenant  Wheelers  ex- 
pcdition. 

Troglod3rtes   parvulus,  var.  hyemalis   (I, 

155).    Dr.  Cooper  has  noticed  a  few  of  these  Wrens 
Tr„^io,i!,„s,mn-uiu,,yaT./„ja„aii,.       ^^^.^j.  ^,„j  Buenavcntura  in  winter,  after  November 

10.     They  probably  reside  in  tlie  suuuuer  in  the  liigh  coast  mountains  lying  east 

as  well  as  in  the  Sierra  Nevada.     Outlines,  omitted  before,  are  liere  given. 

CiStOthoruB  Stellaris  (I,  15t)).     .Mr.  Ucnsiiaw  obtained  good  evidence  of  this 

l)ii(l's  breedinif  at  Utah  Luke.     Nests  and  eggs  were 

found   in  a  farm-house,  unquestionably  those  of  tiiis 

species,   and  said  to  have  been  obtained  among  the 

tules  or  sedges  along  the  shore  of  the  lake.     Outlines 

of  this  species  are  here  given. 

Anthus    ludovicianus    (I,    171).      Mr.    Allen 

found  this  .species  breeding  in  the  summer  of  1871  on 
the  summit  of  .Mt.  Lincoln,  Colorado  Territory,  above 
the  timber-line,  at  an  .lititude  of  over  l.'J.OOO  feet. 

Helmitherus  vermivorus  (I,   187).     Professor  Frank  H.  Snow  procured  a 
specimen  of  this  species  near  Lawrence,  Kansas,  May  G,  1873. 

Helmitherus  swainsoni  (f,  190).  Was  obtained  in  Florida  by  Mr.  W. 
Thiixter. 

Helminthophaga  virginiae  (1,  199).  Very  common  in  El  Paso  County, 
Colorado,  where  it  was  oi)taineil  by  Mr.  Aiken. 

Helminthophaga  luciee  (I,  200).  We  are  indebted  to  Captain  Bendire  for 
the  discovery  of  the  nest  and  eggs  of  this  comparatively  new  Warbler.  Hr  first 
met  with  its  nest  near  Tucson,  Arizona,  May  19,  1872.  Unlike  all  the  rest  of 
this  genus,  which,  so  far  as  is  known,  build  their  ne.sts  on  the  ground,  this  species 
was  found  nesting  something  after  the  maniio"  of  the  common  <'.ray  Creeper,  be- 
tween the  loose  baik  and  tiie  trunk  of  a  dead  tree,  a  few  feet  from  the  ground.. 
Except  in  the  .•  smaller  size  the  eggs  also  l)ear  a  great  resemblance  to  those  of  the 
Creeper.  In  shape  they  are  nearly  si)herical,  their  ground  is  of  a  crystal  white- 
ness, spotted,  chiefly  aronn<l  the  lai'ger  end,  with  <]ne  dottings  of  a  purplish  jd. 
They  measure  .5-1  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .4.')  in  breadth. 

Helmiathophaga  celata,  var.  lutescens  (1,  204).  See  Am.  Nat.  Vol.  VII, 
October,  187:5,  p.  (iOG. 

Helminthophaga  peregrina  (1,  205).  Obtained  in  EI  Paso  County,  Colo- 
rado, in  Septemlier,  187.'i,  by  .Mr.  Aiken. 

Parula  americana  (1,  208).  Obtained  in  May  in  El  Paso  County,  Colorado, 
by  .Mr.  Aiken. 

Dendroica  vieilloti,  var.  bryanti  (I,  218).     See  Am.  Nat.  VII,  October, 

1873.  p.  (JOO. 


APPENDIX.  505 

Dendroica  auduboni  (I,  220).  in  July,  1870,  Dr.  Cooi)cr  fnuiul  families  of 
this  species  fully  Hedged,  wniulering  through  the  woods,  at  the  suiiunit  jiass  of  the 
Central  Pacific  Railroad,  7,000  feet  altitude,  coutirnnuu'  his  sui)positiou  that  they 
breed  in  the  high  Sierra  Nevada.  There  they  arc  very  numerous  in  summer, 
following  the  retreating  snow  to  this  elevation  about  May  1,  when  the  males  are 
in  fidl  plumage,  retaining  it  till  August.  THeir  song  is  always  faint,  and  similar 
to  that  of  IJ.  astiva. 

Dendroica  caerulea  (I,  23r>).  A  nest,  containing  one  egg,  of  the  C'terulean  War- 
bler, was  obtained  in  June,  187.'{,  by  Frank  S.  Booth,  the  son  of  James  liimth,  Esq., 
the  well-known  taxidermist  of  Drunnnondville,  Ontario,  near  Niagara  Falls.  The 
nest  was  built  in  a  large  oak-tree  at  the  iieight  of  fiftv  feet  or  more  from  the  ground. 
It  was  })laced  horizontally  on  the  upper  surface  of  ■:  'ender  limb,  between  two  small 
twigs,  and  the  branch  on  which  it  was  thus  saddled  was  only  an  iiu-h  and  a  half  in 
thickness.  Being  nine  feet  from  the  trunk  of  the  tree,  it  was  secured  with  great 
ditticulty.  The  nest  is  a  rather  slender  fabric,  somewhat  similar  to  the  nest  of  the 
Itedstart,  and  (piite  small  for  the  bird.  It  has  a  diameter  of  '!},  inches,  and  is  1] 
inches  in  depth.  Its  cavity  is  2  inches  wide  aflhe  rim,  and  1  inch  in  depth.  The 
nest  ehieHy  consists  of  a  strong  rim  firmly  woven  of  stri|)s  of  fine  bai'k,  stems  of 
grasses,  and  fine  pine-needles,  bound  round  with  flaxen  fibres  of  j)lauts  ami  wool. 
Around  the  base  a  few  bits  of  hornets'  nests,  mosses,  and  lichens  av(^  loo.sely  fastened. 
The  nest  within  is  furnished  with  fine  stems  and  needles,  and  the  flooring  is  very 
thin  and  slight.  The  egg  is  somewhat  similar  in  its  general  apiiearance  to  that 
oi  D.  (vstiva,  but  is  smaller  and  with  a  ground-color  of  a  diH'erent  shade  of  green- 
ish-white. It  is  oblong-oval  in  shape,  and  measures  .70  of  an  inch  in  length  by 
.50  in  breadth.  It  is  thinly  marked  over  the  greater  portion  of  its  suiface  with 
minute  dottings  of  reddish-brown.  A  ring  of  confluent  blotches  of  purple  and 
reddish-brown  surrounds  the  larger  end. 

Dendroica  blackbumiee  (I,  237).  Obtained  at  Ogden,  Utah,  in  Septem- 
ber, 1871,  by  Mr.  Allen  (Bull.  Mns.  Comp.  Zoiil.  Ill,  No.  5,  p.  KIH). 

Dendroica  dominica  (I,  240).  A  su[)erb  nest  of  the  Yellow-throated  AVar- 
bler  was  taken  by  Mr.  (Jiles,  nc .  r  Wilmington,  N.  ('.,  in  t'le  spring  of  1872. 
The  nest  was  enclosed  in  a  pendent  tuft  of  Spanish  moss  {Tillauihia  usnenkten), 
and  completely  hidden  within  it.  Its  form  is  cup-shaped,  and  it  is  made  of  fine 
roots,  nii.xed  with  much  downy  material  and  a  few  soft  feathers,  and  evcept  in  its 
situation,  does  not  diflbr  much  from  other  nests  of  this  genus.  Otiier  nests  have 
since  been  received  from  Mr.  (;iles  ;  also  a  nest'  of  Puritln  americ<i)i<i  similarly 
situated.  Mr.  Hidgway,  from  an  examination  of  the  nests,  infers  that  this  situation 
is  not  constant,  but  that  in  other  localities  where  the  moss  is  not  found  this  War- 
bler may  build  in  thick  tufts  of  leaves  near  the  extremity  of  droojiing  branches,  or 
in  other  similar  situations. 

Dendroica  dominica,  var.  albilora  (I,  241).  See  Am.  Nat.  VII,  October, 
1873,  p.  GOO. 

Dendroica  graciee,  var.  decora  (I,  244).  See  Am.  Nat.  VII,  October, 
1873,  p.  «08. 

Dendroica  castanea  (I,  251).     This  Warbler  is  cited  by  us  us  exceedingly 

VOL.  ni.  04 


506  APPENDIX. 

nirt!  in  Enstom  Massiichnsftts,  tlu)ii;;li  not  unknown.  A  renmrkaMo  exception  to 
this  otherwise  >,'enenil  rule  occinred  in  tlie  sjpi'inj,'  of  iSTli.  For  several  days,  in 
tlio  latter  part  of  May,  they  were  foinul  in  irreat  ahuntlanee  in  the  vicinity  of 
IJoston.  As  tiie  same  nnusual  occurrence  of  tiiis  species  in  large  nuniliei's  was 
noticed  by  Mr.  Kunilien  in  .Southern  Wisconsin,  it  is  proltalile  that  ahaii;'  the  4L'd 
parallel  something  occurred  to  cause  a  deviation  from  their  usual  migrations. 
The  long  ]iaiise  of  this  species  in  its  spring  migrations,  and  its  appearance  in 
large  ninnliers,  are  not  known  to  have  occurred  before. 

Mr.  Salvin  (ll)is,  April,  lf<7:')  expresses  the  oi)inion  that  this  Warbler,  in  its 
Houthern  migration,  does  not  pause  in  its  Hight  from  the  Southern  I'nited  States  to 
stop  in  any  of  the  West  India  Islands,  nor  in  any  point  of  Central  America  north 
of  Costa  Iiica.  It  is  by  no  means  rare  at  Panama  during  the  winter.  We  may 
therefore  infer  that  in  both  its  southei-n  and  its  northern  migrations  long  flights 
are  made,  at  certain  jieriods,  over  sections  of  country  in  which  they  do  not  appear 
tit  all,  or  where  only  a  straggling  few  are  ever  seen,  and  that  their  abundance  in 
187-  was  exceptional  and  due  to  causes  not  understood. 

Dendroica  nigrescens  (1,  2.'")8).     Obtained  in  EI  Paso  County,  Colorado; 

AlKKN. 

Dendroica  occidenteilis,  D.  townsendi,  and  D.  nigrescens  (T,  2r)8,  205, 
2(')(i).  While  travelling  over  the  Cuyamaca  Mountains  east  of  San  Diego,  in 
A])ril,  1872,  Dr.  trooper  found  ]>.  nrr/c/cjild/ii,  for  the  tirst  time,  (|nite  common. 
They  seemed  to  be  still  migrating  during  the  last  week  of  April,  but  perha])s  were 
only  moving  upwards,  being  numerous  between  the  elevation  of  ],'}()()  and  4,000 
feet,  while  heavy  frosts  still  occnrred  at  the  latter  height.  They  probably  go  in 
May  as  high  as  (),L'O0  feet,  the  sunnnits  of  the  highest  peaks,  which  are  densely 
covered  bv  coniferous  trees.  J).  tuii'iiKi-inU  and  1).  iiliiri'Kccus  were  in  com|)anv 
with  (icridi'nOtlis  in  small  flocks,  among  the  oaks,  and  all  seemed  to  be  following  an 
elevated  route  northward.  In  18(i2,  Dr.  Cooi)er  found  them  among  the  chapaiTal 
'ilong  the  coast,  but  he  regards  this  as  excei)tional  and  probably  occasioned  by  iv 
severe  storm  in  the  mountains,  as  he  saw  none  in  1872  in  a  spring  of  average 
mildness.     Thoy  occur  al)out  Petaluma  as  early  as  .\])ril  I. 

Seiurus  ludovicianus  (I,  2S7).  Mr.  E.  Inger.soll  met  with  the  nest  and 
eggs  of  the  Large-billed  Thrush  near  Norwich,  Conn.  The  nest  was  sunk  in  tlio 
ground,  in  some  moss  and  in  the  rotten  wood  underneath  the  roots  of  a  large  tree 
on  the  banks  of  the  Vantic  IJiver.  it  was  covered  over,  except  just  in  fi-ont,  by 
the  roots.  The  nest  was  2i  inches  in  internal  diameter  and  rather  shallow,  and 
was  somewhat  loosely  constructed  of  fine  dry  grasses  and  little  dead  iibrons 
mosses.  About  the  nest,  but  forming  no  part  of  it,  were  several  loose  leaves. 
These  were  chiefly  in  front  of  the  nest,  and  served  as  a  screen  to  conceal  it  and  its 
occupant.  The  nest  itself  was  placed  tnider  the  edge  of  the  bank,  about  ten  feet 
iibove  the  water.  The  eggs  were  four  in  mnnber  and  were  cpiite  fresh.  Unblown, 
they  have  a  iieantiful  rosy  tint,  the  groinid-color  is  a  lustrous  white,  the  egg  hav- 
ing a  })olished  surface.  They  are  more  or  less  j)rofusely  spotted  all  over  with  dots 
and  specks,  and  a  few  obscure  zigzag  markings  of  reddish-brown  of  two  shades, 
and  umber,  with  faint  touches  of  lilac  anil  very  pale  washing  of  red.  These  mark- 
ings are  much  more  thickly  distributed  about  the  largi'r  end.  but  nowhere  form  a 


APPENDIX.  507 

riiit;.  Tlioy  ivscnililc  tlic  cj.'<j:s  of  S.  niinicupif/us,  but  diilor  in  tlu'ir  Honicwhat 
nmiider  shape,  the  Iji'illiuiit  jiulish  of  tlicir  jri'diiiul,  mid  tlio  i^roiitcr  distiiictiiosH 
of  tlic  niiirkiiij;.s.  They  varied  from  .7")  to  .80  of  an  iucii  in  leiigtli,  and  from  .(JO 
to  .1)2  in  hreadtii. 

Geothlypis  (F,  '_".»•")).  Kd-  a  new  synoj)sis  of  ail  tlie  species  of  thi.s  j^enus,  sco 
Am.  Joiirn.  Science  and  Arts,  \ol.  X,  l)i'cenil)er,  11^72. 

Geothlypis  trichas  (I,  L"J7).  Dr.  Cooper  fmnid  tiiis  specii's  wintei'inj^  in 
large  nuniL)er.s  near  .San  Buenaventura.  Tliey  fie(piented  tiie  driest  as  well  as 
the  wettest  sjjots. 

Oeothlypis  macgillivrayi  (1,  :?0;>).  We  now  consider  tiiis  form  a  gco- 
grapliical  race  of  .V.  j/fii/tnlc/jihid.  (See  Am.  Journ.  Science  and  Arts,  Vol.  X,  Do- 
eonibur,  1872.) 

MjriodiOCtes  pusillus,  var.  pileolatUS  (I,  31!)).  See  Am.  Nat.  VI 1,  Octo- 
ber, it<7;i,  p.  GUf>. 

Setophaga  piCta  (I,  322).  This  species,  not  included  in  tlic  pi-ecoding 
paues  amony:  North  .\merican  IJirds,  waij  noticed  on  only  two  occasions  by  Cajitain 
Charles  liendire  in  the  vicinity  of  Tucson,  Arizona.  This  was  on  the  -ith  of 
April,  and  again  on  the  12th  of  September,  1872.  He  thinks  that  they  \u\- 
(piestionably  breed  in  the  nioimtains  to  the  northward  of  Tucson.  When  seen 
in  September  they  a[)peared  to  be  moving  .southward,  on  their  way  to  their  winter 
(piarters.  He  saw  none  throughout  the  sunnner.  (See  Am.  Nat.  VI 1.)  l>y  letter 
from  -Mr.  Henshaw,  we  learn  that  he  has  obtained  this  s]iccies  at  Apache,  Arizona. 

Vireosylvia  olivacea  (I,  3(ilt).  Obtained  at  Ogden,  Utah,  in  Se2)tembcr, 
1871,  by  Mr.  Allen. 

Lanivireo  SOlitariUS  (I,  373).  Dr.  Cooper  found,  A])ril  30,  1870,  a  male 
of  this  species  in  full  plumage  and  singing  delightfully  on  a  ridge  aliove  JMiiigrant 
(iap  on  the  west  slope  of  the  Sierra,  about  r),.500  feet  altitude,  and  where  the  snow 
\va.s  still  lying  in  deej)  drifts.  Ho  is  contident  that  he  saw  the  same  species  at 
Copperopolis  in  February,  1804.  He  thinks  there  is  no  doubt  that  to  some  extent 
they  winter  in  the  State. 

Lanivireo  SOlitariUS,  var.  plumbeus  (1,  378).     El  Paso  County,  Colorado; 

AlKKX. 

Vireo  pusillus  (T,  391).  Dr.  Cooper  found  this  species  near  San  Buenaven- 
tura as  early  as  March  20,  1872,  where  it  was  quite  common.  On  the  22d  of 
AjM-il  ho  found  a  nest  pendent  between  the  forks  of  a  dead  willow  branch.  This 
was  tive  feet  from  the  groimd,  built  on  the  edge  of  a  dense  marshy  thicket, 
of  flat  strips  and  fibres  of  bark,  and  lined  with  fine  grass,  hair,  and  feathers. 
There  were  a  few  feathers  of  the  Barn  Owl,  also,  on  the  outside.  The  nest  meas- 
ured three  inches  each  way.  The  eggs  wei'o  laid  about  the  28th,  were  four  in 
number,  white,  with  a  few  small  black  specks  mostly  near  the  larger  ends,  and 
measin-ed  .0!)  of  an  inch  in  length  by  ..")1  in  breadth. 

Phaenopepla  nitens  (I,  10")).  Captain  Bcndire  writes  me  that  he  found  this 
sjiecios  conunon  in  the  vicinity  of  Tucson.  Arizona,  during  the  sinnmer,  a  few  only  re- 


508  ArrEXDTX. 

nminiiig  diiriiii,'  the  winter;  most  of  these  had  white  C(lginji:s  on  nil  their  feathers, 
and  were  probably  jonng  of  the  year.  Their  fliglit  is  described  as  wavering,  some- 
thing liite  that  of  Coluptes  viexicanits.  AViiile  flying  tliey  utter  a  high  note,  resembl- 
ing u'liiiif-wliHif,  repeated  scverid  times.  Ho  never  heard  them  sing,  as  they  are  said 
to  do,  altiiougli  he  has  watched  them  frecpiently.  They  arc  very  restless,  and  are 
always  fomid  alioiit  the  mistletoe,  on  the  berries  of  which  they  feed  almost  extlu- 
sively.  The  nest  is  saddled  on  a  horizontal  branch,  generally  of  a  mes(piite-tree. 
It  is  a  shallow  stnictiii'c,  about  4  inches  across;  its  inner  diameter  is  '1\  inches, 
<le|ith  \  an  inch.  It  is  coni[Kiscd  of  fine;  sticks,  fibres  of  plants,  and  lined  with  a 
little  Cottonwood  down  and  a  stray  feather.  The  (irst  nest  was  fonnd  May  10. 
Tiiis  was  ])rincipally  lined  witli  tiie  shells  of  emi)ty  cocoons.  The  mnnber  of  eggs 
was  two.  Thongh  he  foinid  moro  than  a  dozen  nests  with  eggs  and  young,  he 
never  fonnd  more  than  two  in  a  nest.  Their  ground-color  varies  from  a  greenish- 
white  to  a  lavender  and  a  grayish-white,  spotted  all  over  with  different  shades  of 
brown.  Tiie  s])i)ts  are  all  small,  and  most  al)nndant  about  the  larger  end,  and  vary 
greatly  in  their  distriiiutions.  In  size  they  range  from  .97  of  au  inch  to  .84  in 
length,  and  in  breadth  from  .(515  to  .00. 

Collurio  ludovicianus,  var.  robustus  (I,  420).  See  Am.  Nat.  VII,  Octo- 
ber, i,s7;i,  J).  fio'J. 

Certhiola  newtoni  (I,  427).     See  Am.  Nat.  VII,  October,  1873,  p.  Gil. 
Certhiola  caboti  (I,  427).     See  Am.  Nat.  VII,  October,  1873,  p.  G12. 

Certhiola  barbadensis  (^  (I,  427).      See   Am.   Nat.   VII,   October,    1873, 

Certhiola  frontalis         i  p-  ()12. 

Fjnranga  hepatica  (I,  440).  Captain  Bendire  found  what  he  identified  as 
this  species  breeding  near  Tucson,  Arizona.  Its  nests  and  eggs  resembled  those  of 
P.  (I'stlva.  The  latter  vary  in  length  from  1.02  inches  to  .95,  and  in  breadth 
from  .70  to  .07  of  an  inch.  Their  ground-color  is  a  pale  light  green.  Some  are 
sparingly  marked  over  the  entire  egg  with  very  distinctive  and  conspicuous  blotches 
of  purplish-brown  ;  others  are  covered  more  generally  with  finer  dottings  of  the 
same  hue,  and  these  are  so  numerous  as  partly  to  obscure  the  ground.  In  shape 
the  eggs  are  ol)long  oval,  and  arc  of  nearly  e(iiuil  size  at  either  end.  This  species 
was  also  obtained  by  Mr.  Ilenshaw,  at  Apache,  Arizona. 

As  no  skins  of  the  parent  appear  to  have  been  preserved,  it  is  not  improbable 
that  the  bird  in  question  may  be  really  P.  a-ativti,  var.  cooperi. 

Hesperiphona  vespertina,  var.  montana  (I,  450).     Two  ad(dt  males 

obtained  at  Waukegan,  Illinois,  in  Jamiary,   1873,  by  Mr.  Charles  Douglass,  are 
typical  examples  of  the  Rocky  Mountain  form. 

Pinicola  enucleator  (I,  453).  Dr.  Cooper  mentions  having  shot  a  fine  male 
of  this  species  near  the  smnmit  of  the  Central  Railroad  Pass  at  an  elevation  of 
about  7,000  feet.  It  was  in  a  fine  orange-red  plumage.  It  was  moulting,  and 
appeared  to  be  a  straggler. 

P3ITrhula  cassini  (I,  457).  Since  the  publication  of  the  article  on  this  spe- 
cies we  learn  from  Cabanis  (Journal  fur  Ornithologie,  1871,  318,  1872,  315)  that 
the  species  is  not  \mcommon  in  the  vicinity  of  Lake  Baikal,  in  Siberia,  and  that  it 


APPENDIX.  509 

has  even  been  observed  in  Beljrium  (Cronimelin,  Archives  Nci^rlunduiscs).  Tlic 
bird,  therefore,  like  tiie  PhylloimeuMe  hoirn/in  {P.  hriniiroHl,  nuinl)  niid  MoUicilla 
Jidvii,  is  to  be  considered  ns  Siberian,  strnggHng  to  coutineutnl  Alaska  in  the  sum- 
mer season. 

ChrysomitriS  psalttia  (I,  474).  See  Am.  Jotira.  of  Science  and  Arts,  Vol. 
IV,  December,  187-,  for  a  special  paper  upon  the  races  of  this  species  and  their 
relation  to  climatic  regions. 

Chiysomitris  psaltria,  var.  arizonae  (I.  47C.).     On  the  7th  of  May,  1872, 

Dr.  (.'ooper  saw  a  single  specimen  (male),  which  he  had  no  doubt  was  of  this  bird, 
at  Kncinetos  llanch,  thirty  miles  north  of  San  l)iego.  It  was  feeding  with  other 
species  among  dry  sunflowers.  He  also  saw  another  near  San  IJuenaventura  in 
Jamiary,  187.'J. 

Lozia  "leucoptera,  var."  bifasciata  (I,  483).  At  the  time  when  the 
synopsis  of  the  species  of  this  genus  was  prei)ared,  we  had  not  seen  any  specimens 
of  the  Etiropean  White-winged  t'rossbill.  A  recent  examination  of  specimens  from 
Sweden  has  convinced  us,  however,  that  the  species  is  entirelj-  distinct  from  leiirop- 
tfi-a,  and  more  nearly  related  to  rurvlivstrn,  with  the  .several  fcins  of  which  it 
agrees  quite  closely  in  the  details  of  f(irm  and  proportions,  as  well  as  in  tints,  with 
the  exception  of  the  markings  of  the  wing. 

LeucOStiCte  tephrocotis  (1,  r)04).  The  specimens  collected  by  Mr.  Allen 
in  Colorado,  mentioned  in  the  foot-note  on  page  5(t.5,  and  there  said  to  l)e  the  sum- 
mer dress  of  L.  tcp/iromtig,  we  now  l)elieve  to  lie  a  distinct  form,  which  may  be 
named  var.  australi.t,  Allkn,  characterized  as  follows  :  — 

Lcucoslictc  te2>hnicoti.i,  vnr.  auslrali.i,  Am.ks,  MSS.  Lriicosticle  ti'phrocnih,  Ai.i.KS",  Am.  Nat. 
VI,  No.  5,  May,  1S72.  —  In.  Hull.  Mu.s.  Coinp.  7mA.  Vol.  Ill,  No.  0,  pp.  121,  102. 

CiiAR.  Similar  to  var.  tophrorotis,  Imt  without  any  gray  on  tlio  head,  tlie  red  of  the  ab- 
domen and  wing-covorts  briglit  carmine,  instead  uf  dilute  ro.'ie-color,  and  the  bill  deep  black, 
instead  of  yellow  tipped  with  du.sky.  Prevailing  color  raw -umber  (more  earthy  than  in 
var.  tephroroti.i),  becoming  darker  on  the  head  and  approaching  to  black  on  the  forehead. 
Nasal  tnfts  white.  Wings  and  tail  dusky,  the  secondaries  and  primaries  .'<kirted  with 
paler;  lessor  and  middle  wing-coverts  and  tail-coverts,  above  and  below,  broadly  tipped 
with  rosy  carmine,  prodncing  nearly  uniform  patches ;  abdominal  region  with  the  feathers 
broadly  tipped  with  ileep  carmine  or  intense  crimson,  this  covering  nearly  unil'orndy  the 
whole  surface.     Pill  and  feet  deep  black. 

MiiJe  (N.\  l.">,724,  Mus.  C.  Z.,  Mt.  Lincoln.  Colorado,  July  2o,  1871 ;  J.  A.  Allen).  Wing, 
4.20;  tail,  3.10;  cnlmen.  .4.5;  tarsus,  .70;  middle  toe,  .60. 

Female  (Mt.  Lincoln,  July  25 ;  J.  A.  Allen).  Wing,  4.00  ;  tail,  3.00.  Colors  paler  and 
duller,  the  red  .ilniost  obsolete. 

I/ab.  Breeding  on  Mt.  Lincoln,  Colorado,  above  the  timber-line,  at  an  altitude  of  about 
12,000  feet.     (July,  1872,  J.  A.  Allen.) 

Since  the  descriptions  of  the  several  stages  of  L.  tephrocotis  were  cast,  we  have 
received  from  Mr.  H.  W.  Elliott  —  Assistant  Agent  of  the  United  States  Treasury 
Department,  stationed  at  St.  Paul's  Island,  Alaska,  an  accom])lished  and  energetic 
collector  —  numerous  specimens  of  Z.  grueinvcha  in  the  breeding  plumage.  The 
fact  that  these  s])ecimen8  have  the  gray  of  the  head  as  well  defined  as  do  examples  in 


510  AI'l'ENDIX. 

the  winter  iiliiiimge,  while  the  red  is  at  the  sumo  time  miicli  intensified,  induces  ns 
to  modify  our  views  exiiressod  on  i)iige.s  504,  ;")().5,  in  regard  to  Mr.  Allen's  (-'olorudo 
specimens,  and  to  rej.'in-d  them  as  representing  a  race  which  must  have  the  head 
dusky  (it  (til  xednoii'.  and  tiat  a  seasonid  phase  of  var.  te/i/iramlifi.  The  winter 
plumage  i)rol)al)ly  tlitfers  from  that  descriiied  above  only  in  the  red  heing  of  a  soft, 
rather  dilute,  rosy  tint,  instead  of  a  harsh  liright  carmine  ;  the  hill  is  also  proba- 
bly yellow  in  winter,  since  in  the  i)reeding  specimens  of  (/rixciimv/id  from  Alaska 
the  bill  is  lilack,  while  in  winter  examples  it  is  yellow,  with  only  the  point  dusky. 
A  series  of  seven  fine  specimens  sent  in  by  Mr.  J.  11.  ISatty,  the  naturalist  of 
Dr.  Hayden's  expt'dition,  confirm  the  validity  of  this  fia-m,  and  even  so  much  as 
Migiri'st  to  us  the  possiliility  of  its  eventually  proving  a  distinct  species,  more 
nearly  related  to  A.  Iiniinieiitnch't  than  to  L.  ti/i/irucolix.  Tiiey  were  c<illected  on 
some  one  of  the  iiigh  peaks  of  Colorado,  but  as  Mr.  IJatty's  notes  have  not  come 
to  hand  we  cannot  tell  which.  The  specimens  are  all  males,  and  resendile  Mr. 
Allen's  specimens,  except  that  they  are  pei-haps  moi-e  highly  colored.  'J'hey  all 
have  the  t/tnxi/  tinged  with  carmine,  and  in  some  the  tinge  is  very  deep,  —  on  one 
extending  over  the  whole  breast  and  throat,  up  to  the  cheeks  and  bill.  We  hope 
to  learn  soon  from  Mr.  Batty  some  interesting  details  regarding  this  series. 

Centronyz  bairdi  (I,  r)."?!).  The  past  year  has  been  a  remarkably  fortunate 
one  fta*  our  knowledge  of  this  species,  and,  owing  to  the  investigations  of  Mr.  C. 
E.  Aiken,  Dr.  Cones,  and  Mr.  J  I.  W.  Henshaw,  it  cannot  now  be  classed  among  the 
rare  birds  of  our  country  ;  the  total  ninnber  of  si)eciniens  collected  by  these  gentle- 
men amounting  to  more  than  one  hundre<l.  The  first  exanii)le  — the  second  one 
then  known  —  was  collected  by  .Mr.  Aiken  in  I'll  I'aso  County,  Colorado,  October  9, 
1872,  and,  being  in  the  soft  autuumal  ])lumage,  appeared  to  be  so  di.stinct  from  the 
type  that,  after  a  careful  com])ari.sou  of  the  two  specimens,  Mr.  Ridgway  wrote  Mr. 
Aiken  that  it  was  in  his  opinion  diil'erent,  and  accompanied  his  letter  b}-  a  com- 
parative diagnosis  of  the  two  supposed  species.  The  Colorado  specimen  was  then 
described  in  the  .\merican  Naturalist  (Vol.  VJI.  .Vpril,  1873,  p.  23(1)  as  Coifroni/r 
oc/ir(ir<'ji/i(iliis,  AiKKX.  On  the  Gth  of  May,  1873,  Mr.  Aiken  obtained  another 
specimen  at  the  same  locality  ;  and  this  one,  being  forwarded  to  Mr.  Uidgway  for 
comparis(ai,  proved  to  be  so  decidedly  intermediate  between  the  ty]>os  of  C.  l/ainli 
and  C.  "ochfocrp/uiliin"  that  they  immediately  suggested  the  probability  of  their 
being  seasonal  stages  of  one  species,  —  6'.  fxtlrdi  ix-presenting  the  very  fiided  and 
much  abratled  midsmnmer  dress  ;  C.  ocltrorep/m/its  being  the  autumnal  di'ess, 
probably  of  a  young  l)ird,  with  the  pattern  of  coloi-ation  distinct,  and  the  colors 
soft  and  deep  ;  and  the  May  specimen  the  spring  plumage,  just  intermediate  be- 
tween the  two  others. 

During  the  past  summer  (1873)  Dr.  Cones  collected  about  seventy  specimens  along 
the  northern  border  of  Dakota,  from  just  west  of  the  Pend)ina  Mountains  to  the 
second  crossing  of  the  Mouse  lliver.  The\'  frequented  the  open  prairie  exclusively, 
associating  in  vast  nund)ers  with  Xcorori/s  sprai/iiei  and  P/irtr<ij>hiiiif.i  oriintiis,  these 
three  being  the  most  abundant  and  characteristic  birds  of  the  ])rairie.  I'y  the 
middle  of  July  young  birds  were  already  oliserved  ;  and,  ecpially  young  ones  being 
taken  in  the  middle  of  August,  it  is  presumed  that  two  broods  were  raised.  The 
splendid  suite  of  specimens  brought  in  by  Dr.  ('ones  compri.ses  both  adult   and 


AITKNDIX.  r,i  | 

j-onnp:  birds.  Of  tlic  former,  mnny  exiiniplcs  exactly  match  Aiuliilion's  type,  wliili; 
others  iipproacli  very  closely  -Mr.  Aiken's  speeiiueii  in  the  sjirinjr  plinnnjie.  TIk; 
yiiini;.',  however,  iiro  in  ii  plumage  entirely  new.  Wo  give  below  descriptions  of  the 
several  stages  of  plumage  :  — 

Ail'df  mith  ill  K/ir!i,<j  (\o.  2,111,  Miis.  R.  R.,  El  Pnpo  Counly,  Polonido,  :X[ay  fi.  W.' ; 
C.  E.  AiUrn).  (iroimd-eolor  ot'llie  lieiul  iluop  Inill',  L'l'owing  paluf  towanl  tlie  tliroal,  wliirli 
is  wiiilc ;  crown  slmrply  streakoil  with  ilccp  lilack,  tlic«:treaks  nggrej,'atc(l  latciiilly  so  as  in 
form  two  biiikuu  stripes;  a  cuiicalc  s|ieck  of  black  lU  the  iiosl-siipcrior  coriici-  of  the  au- 
riciilars;  maxillary  stripe  deep  liull"  lioiiiided  aljovo  and  below  by  eoiiliiiiioiis  slrii)es  of 
bliick,  —  one  liom  the  rictus  aloii.i,'  lower  edi;e  ofelieeks,  the  other  from  side  of  chin  ilowii 
side  of  throat.  Above  pale  hair-brown,  the  leathers  paler,  or  brownish-white,  exteruiilly, 
and  l)rownish-bla('k  centrally.  ]5ene:ith  white,  tinijed  with  Imlf  across  the  Juuuhnn,  wliere 
thickly  marked  with  cuneate  streaks  of  deep  black;  sides  sparsely  streaked,  the  streaks 
niore  brown.  ''Legs  and  lower  niandilile  llesh-c(_)Kii- j  upjier  iiiaudilile  honi-color:  Iocs 
and  claws  dusky.  Length,  o.C2;  extent,  0.(1 1."  Whig,  2.80;  tail,  2.1.");  culnien,  A')\ 
tarsus,  .80;  nuddle  toe,  .00. 

Adult  feinule  in  siimmri;  exactly  similar,  hut  rather  smaller,  and  the  colors  duller  ami 
paler. 

Yoinig.  in  first  plumage.  Similar  in  general  appearance  to  the  adult  in  fall  plumage,  but 
the  markings  more  sull'used.  All  the  contour  feathers  of  the  dorsal  surface  sharply  bor- 
dered terminally  an<l  laterally  with  white;  sticaks  .n  (ho  breast  heavier  ami  shorter. 

Adult  male  in  riulKwn  (Xo.  1,113,  ^lus.  C.  E.  A.,  Kl  I'aso  County,  t'nlniailo,  October  !>, 
1872).'  Ground-color  oi'  the  head  deep  ochraceous,  deepest  on  tlx;  midille  of  the  crown, 
and  gradually  fading  to  bufl'y-white  on  the  throat;  featiiersof  the  crown  with  broad,  deep 
black  medial  streaks,  these  luu'rower  toward  the  middle,  ibrmiug  two  lateral  liroadly  lilack- 
streakcd  areas,  with  an  intervening,  badly  defnied,  deep-ochraceons,  narrowly  streaked 
stripe.  A  distinct  bkx'k  spot  behind  the  upper  jiosterior  corner  of  the  auriculars;  a 
smaller  one  at  the  middle  of  their  posterior  edge,  and  two  black  streaks  borderin.ir  the  li.irht- 
ochraccous  maxillary  stri|)e,  —  a  narrow  one  from  the  rictus  along  the  lower  edge  of 
the  deeply  ochraceous  ear-coverts  and  suborbital  region,  and  a  heavy  ••  liridle '' on  each 
side  of  the  throat.  Lower  parts  bulTy-white,  fading  ii.to  nearly  pure  white  i.osleriorly ; 
juirulum  crossed  by  a  series  of  heavy  cuneate  deep-black  streaks,  these  continuing  back- 
ward along  the  sides,  but  becoming  reddish  on  th<'  Hanks;  tiliia'  bro\vnish-u:ray.  Xcc'k. 
later.'dly  and  jiostoriorly,  li.irht  ochraceous-yellow,  each,  feather  with  a  sharply  deliMcd 
medial  streak  of  black.  Dorsal  feathers  di'cp  black  centrally,  tluMi  hair-brown  (not  reij. 
dish),  and  broadly  bordered  with  white,  both  latendly  an.l  terminally.  Rump  and  upper 
tail-coverts  reddish  hair-brown,  each  feather  broadly  liordercd  with  bully-white  and  with 
a  black  shaft-streak.  Gcnc-ral  .aspect  of  the  wings  grayish-pinkish  ochriueous.  the  feathers 
all  blackish  centrally  ;  outer  web  of  outer  primary  pure  white.  Tail-li'athers  iilack,  skirled 
with  whitish  ashy-ochraceous.  this  lieconiing  imre  white  on  the  lalci-al  pair  ol  b  athers, 
the  exterior  of  which  is  pale  gray  centrally.     Linintr  of  wing  iunnaculate  pure  white. 

Wing,  3.00;  tail,  2.40;  culnien.  .45;  de|.lh  of  bill,  .23;  tarsus.  .8.') ;  middle  toe,  .(".3 ; 
lateral  toes,  .20  shorter;  hind  toe,  ..3.").  End  of  the  wing  formeil  by  the  four  outer  (piills, 
of  which  the  seconil  and  third  are  eipial  and  longest,  the  fust  and  fourth  equal  and  just 
a|)preciably  shorter :  tertials  considerably  longer  than  the  secondaries,  ami  only  .20  shorler 
than  the  longest  primaries.  Tail  deeply  emarginated  (fork  .20  dee[>),  the  lateral  feathers 
longest. 

The  following  measurements  of  about  tiiirty  fresh  specimens,  kindly  furnished 
us  by  Dr.  Coues,  indicate  the  normal  variation  in  size  :  "  Tiie   males  range  from 

'  This  sppi'iraen  Is  the  typo  of  C.  m-hroerjilmhts,  Aikkn,  Ain.  Nut.  AMI.  Ai>ril,  IST^i,  p.  236. 


612  APPENDIX. 

5.10  to  n.SS  in  luii^'lli,  by  9.10  to  !).8.')  in  extent,  avcrntrinj,'  iiliout  n.^f)  by  9.50. 
The  Nliortest-winj^ed  spocinieu  wiis  a  fenmlc,  exinindiu;,'  (S.H.l,  tiiougii  measuring 
5.50  in  len^^th  ;  the  winy  ordiniirily  ninyed  from  12.75  to  3.00." 

])r.  (.'ones  iiiso  fiirnisiies  the  Ibllowing  tieeount  of  tiie  Imbits  of  tills  species,  which 
we  print  verbatiiii :  — 

"  Out  of  tiiirty-one  siwciniens  collected  July  14  and  15,  twenty-nine  were  males, 
one  female,  and  one  younj,'.  'I'liis  remarkable  j)reponderance  of  males  collected 
was  owini;  to  the  fact  that  those  attracted  my  attention  as  they  sat  singing  on  the 
tops  of  the  weeds  and  low  bushes  ;  the  females  being  jn'obably  down  in  the  grass, 
incui)ating,  or  attending  to  their  young,  —  at  any  rate  not  singing.  In  general 
appearance  and  maimers  they  were  so  similar  to  Savanna  .Sparrows  (PaDxercii/iis 
siii'diiiKi)  with  which  tiiey  were  here  associated,  that  they  could  only  be  distin- 
guished at  gunshot  range  after  several  days'  close  observation.  The  song  resembles 
that  of  the  Savanna  Sjjarrow,  but  may  soon  be  learned  ;  it  consists  of  two  or  three 
chirps  and  nil  indetiuite  trill  — ,-//),  zip,  sip,  iin-rrrrrr—in  a  mellow  tinkling  tone. 
The  birds  rise  from  the  grass  with  a  quick  flickering  flight,  seldom  going  far  before 
re-alighting.  They  remain  in  this  ])orti(Hi  of  the  country  at  least  until  October. 
Though  scattered  over  the  prairie,  they  tend  to  gather  in  little  colonies  ;  that  is  to 
say,  one  might  ride  a  mile  or  so  without  seeing  any,  and  then  find  numbers  in  the 
same  spot.  After  leaving  the  prairie  included  in  the  bend  of  the  Soiiris  River, 
none  were  seen  on  the  Coteau  de  Missouri ;  though  this  may  have  beni  owing  to 
the  lateness  of  the  season.  Late  in  July  I  scared  a  female  off  her  nest  on  the 
prairie  :  the  bird  ran  slyly  through  the  grass,  like  a  mouse,  for  some  distance,  be- 
fore taking  wing  ;  her  actions  being  like  those  of  Plcclrophaiien  onuitim  under  simi- 
lar circumstances.  Unfortunately,  however,  the  nest  was  not  found  ;  but  it  will 
almost  certainly  be  found  to  be  built  upon  the  ground,  like  that  of  Poocfvtes,  Pas- 
gerculus,  and  other  allies." 

We  learn  by  letter  (dated  October  7,  187.^)  from  Mr.  H.  W.  Henshaw,  the  natu- 
ralist of  Lieutenant  Wheeler's  expedition,  that  he  has  obtained  (somewhere  along 
the  line  of  their  route,  apparently  in  New  Mexico,  but  the  locality  is  not  mentioned) 
about  thirty  specimens  of  what  he  supposes  to  be  this  bird  in  the  fall  plumage.  In 
regard  to  their  habits,  Mr.  Henshaw  writes  as  follows :  "  It  is  essentially  a  plain 
bird,  with  habits  about  half-way  between  those  of  the  Savanna  and  Yellow-winged 
Sparrows,  both  of  which  were  abundant  in  the  same  locality." 

Flectrophanes  ornatUS  (I,  520).  The  abundant  material  brought  in  by  ro- 
ceiit  collectors,  among  whom  we  may  mention  particularly  Mr.  Allen  (see  Bull.  Mus. 
Comp.  Zoiil.  Ill,  No.  0,  p.  135)  and  Dr.  Cones,  throws  additional  light  upon  the 
relationship  of  this  species  and  P.  " me/anomiis"  (I,  521),  and  affords  conclusive 
evidence  of  their  identity.  The  latter  is  merely  a  high  stage  of  jjlumage,  with  the 
lesser  coverts  deep  black,  instead  of  brown  as  in  midsummer,  and  rufous  borders 
to  the  black  feathers  of  the  lower  parts,  which  become  worn  off  in  midsummer. 

Fasserculus  alaudinus  (1,  537).  Dr.  Cooper  informs  me  that  in  July, 
1873,  he  found  young  but  fully  fledged  birds  of  this  species  quite  common  along 
the  beach  near  Santa  Barbara,  and  where,  jwssibly,  they  may  have  been  mistaken 
by  Dr.  Heermann  for  P.  rostrattin.  One  he  shot  closely  resembled  in  plumage  the 
young   Afelnspua  heenmnni.      They  had    been,    without  doubt,   hatched  on  the 


APrENDIX.  513 

grassy  liills  near  by,  niul  may  breed  further  Houtli  on  the  mountains.  P.  anthiiiim 
was  numerous  all  summer  in  tlio  neighboring  marshes,  but  not  away  from  salt 
water. 

Passerculus  princeps  (I,  510).  AiUlitionul  speeimcns  collected  at  Ipswich, 
Mass.,  by  Mr.  Maynard,  and  on  Lon;^  Island  by  Mr.  Liiwrence,  confirm  the  validity 
of  this  form,  and  likewise  considerably  extenil  its  known  range. 

Cotumiculus  passerinus,  var.  perpallidus  (1,  h'A]).  First  described  in 
C'oues's  Key,  October,  187l',  p.  1.17. 

Cotumiculus  lecontei  (1,  •'i.jH).  Seven  s))ccln)cns  of  tiiis  interesting'  species 
were  collected  in  Au),'ust,  187."J,  by  Dr.  Cones,  while  attached  to  the  Northern 
Boundary  Survey.  Five  of  them  were  obtained  August  D,  at  the  hoadwatei-s  of  the 
Souris  Uivcr,  on  a  bdinidless  prairie.  They  inhabited  the  low  jxirtio'.::,  of  the 
prairie,  where  the  grass  was  tail,  recalling  to  mind  the  sea-shore  marshes  inhabited 
by  tho  Anunoth'omi  of  the  Atlantic  coast.  In  habits  they  entirely  resembled  the 
seaside  Buntings  (.(.  camhicnlns  and  A.  vuirititimx). 

These  specimens  reveal  the  fact  that  Leconte'  Bunting  is  (juite  as  much  an 
AmnwdrumnK  as  a  Cotiiniiruhis,  being,  in  fact,  just  intermediate  between  .1.  anidn- 
ciitiis  and  C.  hmslowl,  agreeing  most  nearly  with  the  latter  in  style  of  coloration, 
and  exactly  resembling  the  former  in  form,  tho  roctricos  being  even  longer,  stitl'er, 
and  more  acute.  This  renders  it  necessary  to  unite  AmiiKx/nimitx  and  C'ltuniicithiH 
into  one  genus,  recognizing  them  as  subgenera,  definable  chiefly  b^-  the  different 
stylo  of  coloration  of  the  superior  surface  in  the  two  groups.  The  name  Aiiimo- 
droimis  stands  as  the  proj)er  designation  of  the  genus,  being  of  earlier  date. 

Several  stages  of  plumage  are  represented  in  the  series  obtained  by  Dr.  Cones ; 
and,  the  diagnosis  of  the  species  given  on  p.  5.')2  being  taken  from  a  very  defective 
specimen,  we  give  here  short  descriptions  taken  from  the  elegant  skins  before  us. 

Ailiill  male  (Xo.  3.442.  Coll.  E.  C).  Ground-color  of  tlie  bead  while,  tiiigi^d  with  hulY 
on  tiic  niiixillic,  and  with  asli  on  tho  auricular.^ ;  crown  with  two  Ijroad  black  stiipcs, 
separated  by  a  narrow  medial  one  of  wliilisli;  nuchal  fcather.s  bright  rufous!,  edjred  witii 
ashy-white,  and  sliaftod  with  black;  dor.^al  feathers  black,  broadly  edged  exteriorly  with 
white,  an<l  interiorly  narrowly  skirted  with  nifoiis.  Beneath  entirely  while,  iMiL'cd  on 
the  throat  with  bu(T,  and  streaked  on  the  sides  —  from  tho  breast  to  the  flanks  —  with 
black.     Length,  o.OO ;  extent,  7.10;  wing,  2.10;  tail,  2.00;  cnlmcn,  .42;  tar.sus,  G8. 

Adult  female  (N'o.  ,3,443,  E.  C).  Kesembling  the  male,  but,  being  in  les.s  ahr.iihMl  plu- 
mage, the  colors  more  pronounced.  The  head  is  deep  bnfl'(jiist  as  in  Ammndvomun  aiit- 
dandns),  tho  aurinulars  .ind  lores  distinctly  grayish-white,  and  tho  medial  stripe  of  tho 
crown  ashy-white,  except  the  anterior  third,  Avhich  i.s  liiin'.  On  the  lower  part.«,  the  whole 
lower  side  of  the  head,  the  entire  lireast,  sides,  flanks,  and  tibia?,  are  deep  biift',  the  sides 
shar])ly  streaked  with  black.  The  abdomen,  anal  region,  and  crissum  are  pure  wdnte,  in 
marked  contrast.  Length,  5.00;  extent,  7.0(»;  wing,  2.00;  tail,  2.10;  culmen,  .45; 
tarsus,  .70. 

Young  (Nos.  3,444,  3,445,  and  3,440,  E.  C).  Ground-color  above  dull  Ijuff,  below  white ; 
the  pattern  of  the  old  birds  seen  in  tho  markings,  whii'li,  however,  are  jmre  black,  all  red 
and  brown  tints  being  absent,  — except  on  the  wings  and  tail,  which  are  nearly  as  in  the 
adult. 

Anunodromus  maritimus  (I,  560).  Mr.  Maynard  has  discovered  a  very 
remarkable  new  local  form  of  this  species  in  Florida,  which  he  has  named  var. 
nigresceng,  possessing  the  following  characters  :  — 

VOL.  in.  65 


514  AI'PEN'DIX. 

AiiiiiHiilroiiiiis  miirilimiis   "iir.  iiii/iviirrii.H,  ItilHiw.vY. 

CiiAii.  Alicivc  lihii'k,  ncui'ly  iiiiii'cirin,  iukI  with  u  I'aiiit  lirownisli  cast;  dnrsiil  fciitljcrs 
witli  tlit'ir  iiiilcr  (mI;,'c.s  nanowly  >.'i'iiyisli-\vliilci  ifiiii^ri's  aiul  tail-l'rallicf.s  c'(i),'i'il  with 
olivc-liiiiwii  :  iil;_'i'  ul  ihf  wiii^'  lirij;ht  jraiiilHPj;i'-yc;.iiw  ;  sii|iia-liinil  .h1iJ|ic  (lri'|>  yt'll  i\v  to 
aliovc  the  miildlc  of  the  cyt';  an  oliscuii'  sii|ira-aiiriiiilar  .-iliiiH'  dl' ((hvi'-fiiayisii.  Lmi's, 
aiiiiiMihits,  ami  chi't-ks  iicaily  iiiiil'uriii  lila(i<;  lnwci'  pails  [iiiii'  wiiitc,  covi'ii'd  with  )iii>ail 
sli')'ai\s  III' lihick,  the  anal  rc^'ion  and  niiililli'  line  ul' tiic  llnoat  unly  nnstri'akcd.  Win};, 
U.ld;   tail,  '_'.')(l;  cnlnicn,  ..'m  ;   taisns,  .!l.");   iniddli-  toe,  Jt-").     (IM,'),'i,  Coll.  U.  K.) 

.SpoiMinciis  of  viir.  iimritiiiiun  from  Fort  Muuoii,  Nortli  C'tiroliim,  uru  imicli  diirkur 
tlmn  ('tmiu'i'ticut  oxiiiiiples. 

Zonotrlchia  leucophrys,  var.  gambeli  (F,  r>(;<)).     ,S|ieciiiKMi8  riom  tlio 

I'acilii'  ('(uist,  which  aru  tnio  i/miilir/i,  aro  iiiiit'onnly  ditroront  from  MidiUc  I'rov 
iiico  exiiinplus  in  st'verid  iiiiportiiiit  jwrticulurs  ;  tlio  folors  arc  all  darker,  the 
nwli  iiioro  stiiuhru,  and  tlio  ilorsal  struakH  Hooty-lilack  instead  of  clicstiint  brown. 
Jn  cverytliin};  exui'iit  the  coloration  of  tlic  head  thoy  closely  rcMeinhlo  Ji.  coro- 
natii.  The  Middle  I'rovnice  form  may  l)C  named  Zonotrlchia  Uiicojihrys,  var. 
iiitermcilio,  Itid^cway. 

Junco  (I,  •u^).  For  a  new  8yno|wis  of  tlio  gcnns,  see  Am.  Nat.  VII,  October, 
187:?.  ]).  til:{. 

Junco  hyemalis,  var.  aikeni  (F,  .'•84).  First  described  in  Am.  Nnt.  VII, 
October,  187:5,  p.  (il"). 

Junco  oregonus  (I,  T)^\).  Dr.  Cooper  writes  that  the  Oregon  Snowbird  frc- 
(jnents  the  Sieira  Nevada,  lat.  3!)°,  np  to  an  elevation  of  !),()0()  feet.  He  fonnd  a 
nest  with  three  eggs  at  an  elevation  of  abont  7,0(»()  feet,  July  28,  1870. 

Poospiza  belli  (I,  503).  A  fall  specimen  from  Dr.  Cooper,  collected  at 
Saticoy,  (.'alifornia,  Octolier  8,  1872,  shows  a  new  plumage  of  this  form,  and  sub- 
stantiates the  remarkable  diH'erence,  in  every  stage  of  ])lnmage,  from  var.  neiHiileims 
(I,  r)',t4).  It  differs  from  specimens  of  the  latter  in  the  corresponding  dress,  in  the 
following  particulars  :  — 

Snli-maxillary  bridle  deep  lilaek,  very  broad,  and  reaching  to  the  bill;  pcctornl spot con- 
.■ipicnoMs,  lilack;  siclcs  strongly  washed  with  ochrnccons;  above  <lark  plnnibeous  instead 
of  light  ash;  no  trace  of  streaks  on  the  back.  Wing,  2.80  ;' tail,  3.00;  ciilnien,  .40;  tar- 
sns,  .80.     (N'o.  (i;!,(;.-)2,  Mus.  S.  1.) 

Spizella  monticola  (II,  3).  Collected  by  Ilenshaw  in  Southern  Utah,  in 
October,  1872.     I'robably  found  throughout  the  Middle  Province  region. 

Spizella  SOCialis  (II,  7).  Dr.  Cooper  informs  ns  that  the  Chipping  Sparrow 
freipients  the  Siena  Nevada,  near  latitude  39",  up  to  9,000  feet  elevation,  in  sum- 
mer, and  is  the  only  species  of  S{)izella  to  be  seen  there  at  that  season. 

Spizella  pallida,  var.  breweri  (II,  13).  Dr.  Cooper  met  with  this  species 
arriving  from  the  South,  in  small  flocks,  April,  187:5,  frequenting  bushy  gronnds 
ten  miles  iidand.  They  had  the  song  and  habits  as  described,  but  were  not  seen 
in  the  low  country  in  summer. 

Melospiza  lincolni  (II,  31).  Dr  Cooper  writes  that  in  July,  1870,  he 
fonnd  this  species  nnmerous  at  and  near  the  summit  of  the  Central  Railroad  ir.  an 


APPENDIX.  515 

elevation  of  from  7,000  to  0,000  feet.  'I'liov  were  nhviiys  alioiit  luarsliy  thickets, 
often  eltiftu  to  tieids  of  perpeti'iil  Mnow.  Tliuy  liii'l  there  raised  their  younj;,  which 
were  mostly  tledjreil.  Jle  founii  a  lu  st  witli  one  e;rii  on  tlie  grouml.  As  ho  fonnil 
tliis  July  1'7,  lie  thinks  that  without  donlit  it  raises  twi)  broods  in  a  season  <'ven 
in  that  suhalpine  retcion.  The  sonj;  he  fomid  i|uite  dill'erent  from  that  of  the  other 
Mflonftiiiv,  heing  fainter,  more  lively  and  continnons,  like  that  of  some  Wren  or 
Warhler. 

Melospiza  palustris  (H,  :)().  ColKrted  in  Southern  Ctah  (Washington), 
Octoher  L'.t,  1872,  liy  Mr.  llenshaw.     (Mus  S.  !.,  No.  (i;i,.-)(>(».) 

Peucaea  festivalis,  var.  arizonaB  (II,  \\).  First  described  in  Am.  Nat. 
Yll,  October,  if<7;»,  p.  (il(i. 

Foucsea  CarpaliS.  An  additional  species  of  Peiirivo  has  been  discovore(l  in 
Arizona  by  that  dilip-nt  collector.  Ijieuteninit  (now  Cajjtain)  «'harles  Mendire, 
U.  S.  A.  It  has  been  described  (Am.  Nat.  VII,  Jinie,  187;J,  p.  322)  by  Dr.  (Jones 
na  Peucwa  cttrjia/in.     Its  characters  are  as  follows  :  — 

I'lticirii  ciir/iiilin,  Cori'.s.     Hiit'ous-slioulilcri'd  S|iuri'ow. 

Si'.  CiiAii.  llescnililiiij.'  in  ^.'ciieial  iippcaniiicc  ii  hiyr  Sjiisillu  jiitsillii,  ImU  willi  rufous 
lesser  \viui;-cover(s,  and  l)lucki«li  ricliil  and  iul'ni-iMiixilliiiy  streiiks.  Alxive  ;,'ruyisli  eartli- 
liiowii,  each  fcntlier  with  the  medial  ])ortion  dusky,  fi'iniinjr  conspicuous  bliick  streaks  on 
the  dorsal  rciriou,  iuid  dusky  ccnlics  to  the  wiii;;-ciiv.'rls  luid  Iciiials.  Nape  and  ruuip 
plain,  and  iiuin^  ashy.  Ciowu  anil  lesser  winir-covcrls  plain  rul'ous,  llie  fmiucr  liividi'd 
anteriorly  with  a  whitish  nicilial  lin<'.  IJcncalli  asiiy-white,  iucludiufr  n  well-ddiued 
.isuperciliary  and  maxillary  sti'ipc,  wiiidi  have  a  sliL;hl  liully  linjrc  'fhiDnt  ni'arly  pure 
while,  liordered  on  eacli  side  l^y  a  eouspicuous  iiiu'i'ow  .ili'cak  nl'  l)liick;  wiiilisii  uiiixiliary 
stripe  l)ordered  above  liy  a  dusky  rirtid  streak.  Itili  rcddisii,  darker  on  tiie  cuiuicn.  Tarsi 
dilute  l)ro\vn  ;  toes  horn-browu.  WiiiLT,  2. •')<';  tail,  2.".");  cnliucu,  .1.");  tiusus,  .SO;  middle 
toe,  A'). 

Jlah.    Tucson,  Arizoiui.    (No.  (i2,:!72.    Se])l(Miiber,  1S72,  Captain  C.  Jirndire,  V.  S.  A.) 

Another  specimen,  supposed  to  be  a  female,  in  winter  plumage  (Tucson,  .lanuiiry 
10,  187.'5)  ditters  (piite  appreciably  in  its  markings  iind  colors.  The  crown  is  more 
streaked,  every  feather  being  edged  lateridly  with  ashy-gray ;  the  blackish  streaks 
on  the  back  and  scapulars  arc  more  distinct,  and  the  inner  web  of  the  lateral  tail- 
feather  is  broadly  bordered  with  whifc  terminally.  It  measin-es,  wing,  2..')'  ,  tail, 
2.90;  cnlmen,  .45;  tarsus,  .70.     "Length,  ^.7;");  stretch,  7.80." 

Captain  Bendiro  informs  mo  that  ho  found  this  species  rather  eonnnon  i-i  tho 
vicinity  of  Tucson.  It  was  generally  seen  in  company  with  J'<i(tKj>h'i  hilineiiUi. 
Its  usual  call-note  resembled  tho  syllables  :ih-:il/-ril>.  He  believed  it  to  be  a  resi- 
dent of  Arizona  throughout  tlie  year.  It  commences  nesting  early  in  June,  gen- 
erally building  in  tho  small  mesqnitc  bushes,  sometimes  not  over  six  inches,  seldom 
more  than  four  foot,  from  the  groinid.  Tho  nests  are  eonipo.sed  ol  tine  dry  grasses 
and  rootlets,  and  lined  with  the  Hue,  slender  soed-to|is  of  the  secatow  or  rye-grass, 
and  sometimes  with  a  few  hairs.  The  nest  is  very  deep,  and  is  firndy  fixed  into  a, 
fork  of  the  bush  in  which  it  is  built.  The  eggs,  when  fresh,  lU'c  of  a  jiale  green 
Color,  and  average  .7.'{  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .58  in  breadth,  are  unspottetl,  are 
generally  four,  seldom  five,  in  a  nest.  One  nest  with  four  eggs  was  found  Septem- 
ber 11,  1872. 


516  APPENDIX. 

?a8Serella  (II,  49).  The  capturo  of  a  spucimen  exactly  intermediate  between 
P.  iliacu  and  J',  iowitsniidii,  at  Saticoy,  California,  December  14,  1872,  by  Dr. 
Cooper,  renders  it  extremely  probable  that  all  tiie  known  forms  of  this  genns  are 
but  geograj)hieal  mces  of  one  species.  The  characters  of  this  specimen  (No.  63,Gi)l ) 
are  as  follows :  Most  like  i/iaca  in  reddish  tints  and  coloration  of  the  head,  with 
occasional  nearly  pure  ashy  lights,  but  with  the  suffused  pattern  of  townseiulii. 
Wing,  3.G0  ;  tail,  ;5.(iO  ;  cnlmen,  .:>() ;  tarsus,  1.00. 

Fasserella  megarhynchus  (II.  r)7).  Dr.  Cooper  fomid  this  species  common 
between  r),()()0  and  7,000  feet  elevation,  on  tiie  Central  Pauitio  Ilailroad  line, 
where  most  of  the  countr\'  was  still  covered  with  .snow.  One  or  two  were  to  be 
found  in  every  tiiickot  at  distances  of  a  quarter  of  a  mile,  already  paired  and 
having  selected  their  summer  residence,  having  remained  in  close  proximity  to  the 
snowy  region  all  winter.  In  July,  on  a  second  visit  to  the  mountains,  he  observed 
them  still  singing  occasionally,  at  Truckee,  near  6,000  feet  altitude,  on  the  east 
slope. 

Euspiza  americana  (II,  <>;'>).  According  to  Mr.  Allen  this  species  is  abun- 
dant at  Dcnvor,  Colorado,  being  found  entirely  across  the  Plains  to  the  eastern 
slope  of  the  Rocky  Mountains. 

Guiraca  ceenilea  (II,  77).  Has  been  obtained  in  El  Paso  County,  Colorado, 
by  Mr.  Aiken. 

Cardinalis  virginianus,  var.  igneus  (IT,  103).  Has  been  found  in  El  Paso 
County,  Colorado.  Specimens  from  Eastern  Kansas,  collected  by  Mr.  Allen,  seem 
also  to  be  referriblc  to  this  form. 

Fipilo  erythropthalmus  (II,  109).  Specimens  collected  by  Dr.  Coues  at 
Pembina,  Minnesota,  in  June,  1873,  have  (both  males  and  females)  a  greater  or  less 
number  of  minute  white  specks  more  or  loss  distinctly  indicated  on  the  portion 
where  the  large  white  spots  of  the  western  forms  are  located.  This  points  to  the 
probability  tiiat  all  the  black  races  ranged  in  the  synopsis  under  nuiculatm  (includ- 
ing the  latter  itself)  must  bo  referred  to  erythropthalmus. 

Fipilo  mesoleucilS  (II,  125).  Captain  Bendire  found  this  species  breeding 
in  Soutiieni  Arizona,  in  the  neighborhood  of  Tucson.  One  nest  was  found  August 
2,  another  September  4,  1872.  IJoth  were  built  in  mesquite-trees,  and  were  six 
feet  from  the  ground,  —  an  unusual  position  in  birds  of  this  family.  The  eggs  are 
also  peculiar,  and  differ  from  any  of  this  genus  I  have  ever  met  with,  having  more 
resemblance  to  eggs  of  Stiirnellie,  especially  to  the  mi/ifnrin  of  South  America.  The 
eggs  from  one  nest  are  one  inch  in  length  by  .73  in  breadth,  have  a  bright  white 
ground,  with  a  sliglit  tinge  of  bluish,  and  arc  boldly  plashed,  especially  around  the 
larger  end,  with  distinct  deep  dashes  of  reddish  and  purplish  brown.  A  few  of 
these  blotches  are  scattered  irregularly  over  the  entire  egg,  but  the  greater  portion 
are  gi-ouped  around  the  more  obtuse  end.  The  eggs  are  of  oval  shape,  be*h  ends 
rounded,  one  slightly  less  than  the  other.  The  eggs  in  another  nest  are  more 
nearly  hcrical,  with  less  difference  in  the  ends;  the  ground-color  is  more  dis- 
tinctly white  ;  the  spots,  of  reddish-brown,  are  finer  and  more  concentrated  about 
the  larger  end  ;  and  the  faint  markings  of  puiplish  are  much  more  numerom. 
These  measure  .74  by  .90  of  an  inch. 


APPENDIX.  517 

This  species  has  also  been  found  resident  in  El  Paso  County,  Colorado,  by  Mr. 
Aiken. 

Fipilo  aberti  (II,  128).  Captain  Bcndire  found  this  species  breeding  abun- 
dantly in  the  vicinity  of  Tucson,  in  Southern  Arizona.  The  nests  were  not  on  the 
ground,  as  is  usual  among  the  more  northern  forni.s  of  Pipilos,  but  in  trees  and  in 
bushes  at  the  heigl  t  of  several  feet  from  the  ground.  One  nest  was  taken  July 
28,  in  a  small  ash  tree,  and  another  was  found  on  the  same  day  in  a  willow-tree, 
more  than  eight  feet  from  the  ground.  Tiie  eggs  bear  a  dose  resemblance  to  those 
of  Pijnio  fitscna  and  to  those  of  J'.  <i//)it/ii/ii,  having  a  ground-color  of  very  light 
blue,  marked  almost  exclusively  around  the  larger  end  with  a  wreath  of  irregular 
blotches  of  dark  purplish-brown.  They  are  of  a  rounded  oval  shape,  are  c|uite 
obtuse  at  one  end,  and  vary  in  length  from  .i)7  of  an  inch  to  .88,  and  in  breadth 
from  .70  to  .7.1. 

Fipilo  chlonims  (II,  131).  Dr.  Cooper  met  with  none  of  this  species  in  the 
Sierra  Nevada  between  3,000  and  7,000  feet  elevation  in  April,  1870,  when  they 
were  leisurely  working  their  way  up  from  the  lower  country  ;  but  in  July  he  found 
them  from  Trnckee,  0,000  feet  on  the  east  slo[)e,  up  to  the  summit,  7,000  feet, 
but  not  higher.  They  were  then  feeding  half-grown  young.  Dr.  Albert  Kellogg 
found  a  nest  on  the  gnmnd,  with  four  eggs,  spotted  near  the  larger  end  on  a  bluish 
ground.  The  males  were  still  singing  occasionally  and  very  melodiously,  and  had 
the  same  cry  of  alarm  or  anger  as  the  J'i/n'/o  eri/t/iyopt/m/mus.  Dr.  Cooper  also 
met  with  this  species  at  Clear  Lake,  near  the  end  of  September,  showing  that  they 
j)r()bably  breed  in  the  northern  Coast  Range. 

Dolichonyz  Oryzivorus  (II,  149).  Specimens  from  every  portion  of  the 
Plains,  and  vm.-sL  to  the  ureat  Basni,  have  the  black  inter.ser  and  more  continuous, 
tiie  nuchal  patch  clear  ochraceous-white,  the  scapulars  and  runiji  unshaded  white, 
and  the  white  of  the  back  confined  to  a  median  line.  The  bill  and  feet  are  also 
jet-black,  instead  of  horn-color.     They  constitute  var.  albinnc/ia,  Ridgway. 

Icterus  CUCUllatUS  (II,  193).  E.\cept  in  the  materials,  which  difference  may 
be  more  h)cal  than  specific,  the  nests  of  this  species  are  hardly  distinguisiiable 
from  those  of  /.  spiiriiix.  A  nest  from  Capo  St.  Lucas  (S.  I.  No.  4,954),  collected 
May,  18G0,  by  Mr.  Xantus,  is  basket-shaped  and  pendulous,  suspended  on  two  sides 
to  the  numerous  twigs  of  each  fork  of  a  drooi)ing  branch.  In  structure  it  is 
exactly  like  that  of  /.  spitriiis,  and  is  composed  of  dry  wiry  grasses,  lined  scan- 
tily with  vegetable  down.  The  length  is  six  inches,  lower  side  of  aperture  only 
two  and  a  half  inches  from  the  bottom.  Another  (S.  I.  No.  1,940)  taken  May  2tt, 
18.')9,  at  San  Jose,  Lower  California,  by  Mr.  Xantus,  is  a  veiy  elaborately  wrontdit 
basket-shaped  nest.  The  circumference  of  the  circular  rini  is  nuich  less  than  the 
greatest  girth  of  the  nest.  The  lower  wal'  and  base  of  the  nest  are  very  thick. 
The  whole  is  composed  of  fine  wiry  grasses  and  scantily  lined  with  vegetable  down 
and  soft  flaxy  fibres.  The  external  diameter  is  .l.OO  inches,  the  internal  2.10, 
height  about  3.00,  and  the  depth  of  the  cavity  2.80. 

Captain  Charles  Bendirc  met  with  this  species  in  Southern  Arizona.  It  was 
first  noticed  by  him  on  the  15th  of  April,  but  he  thinks  they  had  arrived  nearly 
ten  days  previously,  and  that  the  date  of  their  coming  may  be  given  as  during  the 


518  APPENDIX. 

first  week  of  April.  He  describes  it  as  a  sliy,  active,  and  restless  bird,  generally 
frequenting  the  extreme  tops  of  the  tallest  cottonwood-trees  near  the  borders 
of  the  watercourses,  which,  however,  are  usually  dry.  'i'here  the  bird  flutters 
tlirough  the  dense  foliage  in  search  of  insects,  and  is  scarcely  ever  seen  for  more 
than  an  instant  at  a  time.  It  conunences  building  about  the  first  of  June.  The 
nest  is  suspended  from  the  extremities  of  tlie  lower  branches  of  an  ash,  walnut, 
mesquite,  or  Cottonwood  tree,  and  is  exclusively  composed  of  fine  wire-like  gi'asses, 
which  are  made  nse  of  while  green  and  pliable,  and  sparsely  lined  with  the  silky 
fibres  of  a  s[)ecies  of  Awlcju'dK.  These  grasses  are  interlaced  in  such  a  complicated 
mninier  as  to  form,  even  when  dry,  a  very  strong  structiu'c.  The  dinjensions 
of  a  est  are :  Inner  diameter,  three  inches  ;  inside  depth  the  same  ;  outside 
from  five  and  a  half  to  four  inches  wide  and  about  four  deep.  The  eggs  are 
from  two  to  four  in  ninnber,  usually  three,  are  of  a  pale  bluish-white  ground, 
spotted  with  dark  lilac  and  umber-brown  about  the  larger  end.  The  largest  eggs 
measure  one  inch  by  .04.  Captain  Bendire  adds  that  he  cannot  regard  this  Oriole 
as  a  fine  singer.  Besides  a  usual  chattering  note  resembling  the  syllables  r/uir- 
c/iiir-c/inr,  frecpiently  repeated,  it  has  a  call-note  something  like  hui-wit,  which  is 
also  several  times  repeated. 

Icterus  baltimore  (II,  19i5).  Extends  its  range  westward  to  the  Rocky 
]\Iountains.     Collected  in  Kl  Paso  County,  Colonido,  by  Mr.  Aiken. 

Icterus  bullockii  (II,  199).  Extends  eastward  to  Eastern  Kansas,  where  it 
is  not  uncoiumon.     (See  Snow's  Catalogue  of  the  Birds  of  Kansas,  1873.) 

Corvus  cryptoleucus  (II,  242).  According  to  Mr.  Aiken  this  species  is 
abundant,  and  nearly  replaces  ('.  atrnlonrm  along  the  eastern  base  of  the  Rocky 
Mountains,  as  far  north  as  Cheyenne. 

Captain  Bendire  found  this  a  resident  species  in  Southern  Arizona,  and  met 
with  two  nests  at  the  base  of  the  St.  Catharine  Mountains,  near  Tucson.  One  of 
these  contained  three,  the  otiier  four  eggs.  These  he  described  ns  very  light  col- 
ored, so  pale  that  if  mixed  with  hundreds  of  others  of  tiiis  family  they  could  be 
picked  out  witliout  difficulty.  Their  ground-color  is  said  to  be  a  very  pale  green, 
witli  darker  markings  nnming  more  into  lines  than  spots ;  in  fact,  very  few  spots 
were  found  on  either  set.  The  size  of  the  largest  was  1.85  inches  by  1.33,  that 
of  the  largest  1.70  by  1.19.     They  were  not  common  in  the  vicinity  of  Tucson. 

Cyanura  (11,  271).  For  a  special  treatment  of  the  races  of  C.  sfelferi,  see  Am. 
Journ.  Science  and  Arts,  Janiuiry,  1873. 

Cyanocitta  califomica  (II,  298).  Dr.  Cooper  has  ascertained  that  this 
species  does  occur  on  the  eastern  slope  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  b.it  lower  down  than 
the  regicm  he  visited  in  18(13.  He  found  a  few  at  Verdi,  close  to  the  eastern  boun- 
dary-line of  California,  at  about  4,500  feet  elevation,  in  July,  1870.  He  saw  none 
elsewhere. 

Tyrannus  VOCiferans  (II.  327).  Captain  Bendire  writes  that  this  species 
arrives  in  the  neighborhood  of  Tucson  about  tlie  midille  of  April,  but  does  not 
commence  nesting  until  the  middle  of  .Tune.  All  the  nests  he  found  wore  difficult 
to  get  at,  being  generally  placed  on  a  branch  of  a  large  cottonwood-trec,  and  at  a 
distance  from  the  trunk.     The  nest  is  described  as  very  largo  for  the  size  of  the 


APPENDIX. 


519 


bird  composed  of  sticks,  weeds,  dr^  grasses,  and  lined  with  hair,  wool,  and  the  inner 
so  t  hbres  oF  bark  of  the  cottonwood.  The  ns,..l  con.plen.ent  of  e-s  is  three, 
seldom  four.  J  hey  measure  from  1.00  by  .75  to  1.10  by  .80  of  an  inch,  are  of  a 
creamj^wlute  color,  with  large  isolated  spots  of  a  reddish-brown,  scattered  princi- 
pally  about  the  larger  end. 

Myiarchus  (II,  329).  For  a  discussion  of  the  races  of  M.  lum-encii  considered 
m  their  re  at.on  to  climatic  color-variation,  see  Am.  Joiu-n.  Science  and  Arts 
December,  1872. 

Sayornis  (II,  3:59).  The  outlines  of  species  of  Sayonds  given  below  arc  addi- 
tional to  those  already  published. 

Empidonaac  brunneus  (II,  3G3).  Specimens  in  the  collection  of  the  Bos'on 
Society  bear  the  MSS.  name  of  E.  olivus.  But  we  cannot  find  a  reference  to  this 
name. 

Empidonax  minimus  (II,  372).  Has  been  collected  in  El  Paso  Countr, 
Colorado,  by  Mr.  Aiken. 


Sayornis  sayia. 


Sayornis  fuscus. 


520 


APPENDIX. 


Sayoma  nigricans. 

Bmpidonaac  Obscurus  (II,  381).  Dr.  Cooper  found  a  few  of  this  species 
T.  altering  in  a  large  grove  of  balsam,  poplars,  and  willows,  which  retained  most  of 
their  old  leaves  till  spring,  near  San  Buenaventura.  Those  shot  were  remarkablv 
gray,  and  were  supposed  to  have  been  blown  down  from  the  borders  of  the  desert 
by  the  violent  northoast-wind. 

Pyrocephalus   meacicanus    (II,  387).      Captain    Bendire    found    the    Red 
Flycatcher  (piite  abundant  in  Southern  Arizona,  where  they  breed   as  early  as 
Apnl.     They   were   most  common    in    the  neighborhood  of  Reledo  Creek,   near 
Tucson,  and  were  generally  foimd  in  the  neigldmrhood  of  water.     Their  nests  were 
in  various  situations,  in  one  instance  in  a  cottonwood-tree  thirty  feet  from  the 
ground,  in  another  in  the  forks  of  a  mesquite  not  more  than  ten  feet  from  the 
ground.     The  nests  were  small,  slight,  and  loosely  made,  and  not  readily  i)reserved. 
They  were  made  externally  of  twigs,  line  bark,  stems  of  plants,  etc.,  and  lined  with 
hair  and  feathers.     The  usual  number  of  eggs  was  three,  and  never  more.     E.xcept 
in  size  these  bear  a  close  resemblance  to  the  eggs  of  .]fih',if„ii  forfirntm.     Their 
ground  IS  a  rich  cream-color,   to  which  the  deep  purplish-brown   markings  with 
which  they  are  blotched  imparts  a  slight  tinge  of  red.     These  markings  Tre  few, 
bold,  and  conspicuous,  and  encircle  the  larger  end  with  an  almost  continuous  ring! 
In  shape  they  are  of  a  roimdish  oval,  and  measure  .GG  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .,15  ■ 
in  breadth.     The  nest  and  oggs  of  this  sjjccios  were  also  obtained  at  Capo  St.  Lucas 
by  Mr.  John  Xantus,  and  the  eggs  correspond.     Dr.  Cooper  found  two  male  birds  of 
this  species  in  a  grove  near  the  mouth  of  the  Santa  Clara  River,  six  miles  from  San 
Buenaventura,  in  October,  1872.     They  had  obtained  their  perfect  i)luma.'e  but 
seemed  to  be  young  bii-ds.     They  hunted  insects  much  like  a  Sayomis,  and  utLieU 
only  a  faint  chirp. 

ChordeUes  popetue.  var.  minor  (TI.  400).  Specimens  from  Miami,  Florida, 
collected  by  Mr.  Maynaid,  agree  very  nearly  with  typical  examples  of  var.  mi>w'r 
from  Cuba,  both  in  size  and  color,  and  should  possibly  be  referred  to  that  race. 
A  male  (7,414,  Mus.  C.  J.  M.)  measures:  wing,  7.00  ftail,  4.15.  The  colors  are 
those  of  var.  popetue,  with  less  rufous  than  in  the  single  specimen  of  minor  with 
which  it  has  been  compared. 


APPENDIX.  rj.,2 

ChordeUes  texensis  (II,  400).  D,-.  C..opor  shot  a  single  specimen  of  this 
species  near  San  Biienaveiituin,  April   18,   1873. 

Anteostomus  carolinensis  (II,  410).  This  species  has  Leon  detected  bv 
Mr.  ItKlgway  in  Southern  Illinois  (Wabash  County),  where  it  is  a  rare  siu.unJr 
sojourner. 

PanyptUa  melanoleuca  (fl,  424).  Dr.  Cooper  saw  n.auv  of  this  species  in 
the  canon  of  Santa  Anna,  Hying  about  in.ccc...ible  cliffs  of  sandstone,  where  they 
doubtless  had  nests,  May  L>0.  He  saw  also  then,  .near  San  15uenaventin-a,  August 
-o,  when  they  ean.e  down  to  the  valley  from  the  sandstone  cliHs  ten  miles  dis- 
tant. Ihey  afterwards  hunte.l  insects  ahnost  .laily  near  the  coast,  living  hi.d. 
dunng  the  calm  morning,  but  when  there  were  sea-breezes  living  low  and  a..iinst 
It.  After  a  month  they  disap,.eared,  and  none  were  seen 'until  Decend.er  14, 
when  they  were  again  seen  until  the  I'Oth.  None  were  seen  during  the  rains, 
or  untd  Pebruary  I'G,  when  they  reappeared,  and  after  April  5  thev  retired  to  the 
mountams. 

Nephoecetes  niger  (II,  4l'.)).  Dr.  Cooper  informs  us  that  a  fine  specimen 
of  tins  rare  bird  was  taken  at  San  Francisco  in  the  spring  of  1870,  and  brought 
to  Mr.  b.  Gruber.  It  had,  from  some  cause,  been  driven  to  alight  on  the  ground, 
from  winch  .t  was  not  able  to  rise,  and  was  taken  alive.  The  exact  date  was  not 
noted. 

Chaetura  vauad    (II,  435).     Dr.  Cooper  states  that   in   the  spring  of  1873 
Ins  Swift  appeared  as  early  as  Ajiril  22  near  San  Buenaventura.     The  ^car  before 
he  hrst  saw  them  near  San  Diego  on  the  2Gth. 

Geococcyac  californianus  (II,  472).  Has  been  found  in  El  Paso  County, 
Colorado,  by  Mr.  Aiken. 

PiCUS  gairdneri  (II,  512).  Fo„r  eggs  of  this  Woodpecker  were  taken  by 
Mr.  ■\\  dham  A.  Cooper  near  Santa  Cruz,  Cal.,  from  a  hole  in  a  tree,  one  side  of 
which  was  much  decayed.  Four  is  said  to  be  ^he  usual  number  of  their  eg-s 
although  five  were  found  in  one  instance.  The  eggs  resemble  those  of  P.  pubescel^ 
and  measure  .75  of  an  inch  in  length  by  .57  in  breadth. 

Sphyropicus  varius  (II,  539).  Collected  in  EI  Paso  County,  Colorado,  by 
Mr.  Aiken. 

Centurus  uropygialis  (II,  558).  Captain  Rendire  found  this  Woodpecker 
the  most  connnon  of  the  family  in  the  vicinity  of  Tucson,  Arizona,  where  it  was 
resident  throughout  the  year.  Like  nearly  all  of  its  kindred,  it  is  an  exceedingly 
noisy  bird.  It  apj)ears  to  be  a  resident  species  throughout  the  year  in  all  the  south- 
ern portions  of  the  Territory.  Its  favorite  localities  for  nesting  appear  to  be  in  the 
gigantic  trunks  of  the  large  Cere„«  ;,i<i,n,U;ix,  which  jdants  are  called  by  the  na- 
tives Suwan-ows.  These  are  easily  excavated,  and  form  a  remarkably  safe  place  in 
which  to  rear  their  young  ones,  on  account  of  the  many  thorns  with  which  these 
cacti  are  protected.  Their  eggs  are  usually  four  in  number,  but  sometimes  are 
only  two,  and  resemble  those  of  all  the  other  kinds  of  Woodpeckers  in  their  color 
and  in  their  rounded  oval  shape.  They  average  .98  of  an  inch  in  length  and  .70 
in  breadth.    Usually  two,  and  occasionally  even  three,  broods  are  raised  in  a  season. 


VOL.  III.  6G 


522 


APPENDIX. 


Striz  pratincola  (IH.  i;5).  Dr.  Cooper  infdrms  us  tlmt,  tli()ii<;li  most  of 
these  Owls  lire  resident  in  California  south  of  latitude  35°,  there  is  a  migration 
southward  in  fall  from  the  north.  Creat  numi.ers  of  them  ajjjjeared  near  San 
J'.ueiiaventura  aiiout  Oetoher  I'O,  1872,  for  a  few  days,  and  most  of  them  went  still 
farther  .southward.  They  return  north  about  the  first  of  April.  On  the  12th  of 
April  he  found  a  nest  built  four  feet  up  in  a  pejjper-troe  {Hdiims  iii»//,),  forming,' 
part  of  a  hed-re,  composed  of  coarse  sticks,  straws,  and  dry  horsc-dim<;;  inside,  shal- 
low but  sfron;L'ly  built,  and  containing;  two  eggs. 

Falconidae  (III,  103).  Tlic  following  outlines  of  tlio  Falccmula-  were  omitted 
in  their  proper  places. 


^^^^ 


'■^<&- 


C8983.    Falco  richardsoni 


43139,  <-    '■       '^ 

43139.    Falco  gyrfalro,  var.  facer 


■J  38083,9. 


5482.   Fako  lanarius,  viir  jwhjngrus. 


Chamaepelia  passerina  (HI,  38'J).     Dr.  Cooper  states  that  an  individual  of 
this  species  was  kdled  by  Mr.  Lonjuin  at  San  FraucLsco,  in  Mav,  1870      Mr  Lor 
qum  also  obtained  several  at  San  (Jabriel,  Los  Angeles  Count vf  several  years  ..re- 
vious.  '  ■■  ' 

Tetrao  obscurus  (III.  421).  Dr.  (\>oper  found  this  species  in  April  1870 
at  the  edge  of  the  melting  snow,  near  Cisco,  about  0,000  feet  altitude.  They  werO 
St. 11  more  numerous  at  Emigrant  (Jaj.,  r,,300  feet  altitude,  where  snow  lav  only 
m  patches,  an.l  at  Truckee,  on  the  east  slope,  where  there  was  no  .snow,  andwhero 
he  foun.l  two  of  their  eggs  in  a  deserted  nest  within  sight  of  the  town.  In  July 
he  found  them  near  Verdi,  near  the  State  line.  This  is  the  limit  of  their  ran-^e 
They  also  frecp.eut  the  edge  of  perpetual  snow,  at  an  elevation  of  9,000  feet,  more 
numerously  than  below. 

„.°"^  virginianus,  var.  floridanus  (in,  409,  footnote).  Specimens  from 
Miami,  Ma.,  exhibit  the  peninsular  extreme  of  this  species.  Thcv  are  alt<,gethcr 
more  like  var.  cnban.ush  than  like  vh-;,u,l,n,n.  proper,  yet  thev  difler  uniformly  in 


appp:ndix.  523 

Riich  essential  respects  from  the  f'uliiiTi  furm  tlmt  tliey  merit  a  distinctive  name. 
The  cliarncteristic  t'eatiuvs  of  tliis  form  lire  the  foUowing:  — 

CiiAii.  Al)ove,  with  (lurk  lihiish-;.'riiy  |iii'ViiiliiiL.'.  niii_v  tiic  anterior  ]iiirl  of  the  liiii-l<  Ipciiiir 
wnslicd,  or  mixed,  with  reiidisli ;  seapnlar-i  and  teilials  ([iiile  coiispiciioiisly  lM)r<l('i('d  \\\l\\ 
whitisli.  Tlie  wliole  frniy  siniiice  more  or  less  luoUifd  or  barred  witii  lilack.  Tiie  head- 
stripes  are  iicarlv  iiiiirormly  hlaelc,  with  only  a  little  rusty  mixed  in  llic  >.rcipnl  ;  tlie  hlack 
ffidar  eollar  is  niiicli  extended,  encroai'liinu'  on  the  liirc.at,  anteriorly,  so  as  to  leave  (miIv  an 
inch,  or  less,  of  white,  and  ]i(isterii)rly  invadi's  the  jnirnliini,  so  that  there  is  nmre  than  an 
ineli  of  eonlinuoiis  Idaek.  ami  ovei' this  distanee  wheri'  lilaek  predominates.  The  entire 
uhdonien,  anal  re^'ion,  and  lu'easl  are  iieavily  liarred  with  lilaek.  the  Idaek  liars  nn  the  l.reast 
nlmost  eiinallinj,'  IIk;  white  fines  in  width.  The  sides,  Hanks,  and  erissnrn  are  lu'arly  nni- 
form  rnliins,  iIk;  feathers  of  the  former  with  white  edjres,  broken  by  the  extensidiis  of 
the  blaek  streak  which  runs  inside  the  white,  while  thi;  latter  have  heavy  blaek  medial 
streaks  and  white  terminal  spaces. 

The  female  is  similar,  except  in  the  eohtr  of  the  heacl,  which  is  exactly  that  of  var. 
texiDi  im, 

Winp,    i,  4.:!0--}.40;    9.  4.;3.').     Culmen.  .do-.tl.');  tarsns.  1.15-1.2(1:    niiddhMoe, 

i.or>-i.U). 

OreortjrZ  piCtUS  (111,  17")).  Dr.  Cooper  f<iini(l  these  birds  alrojidy  ]>iiire(l 
nctir  the  snininit  of  the  Sierra  Nevada,  where  the  snow  was  Imt  half  melted  otf, 
and  they  scarcely  descended  below  the  limits  of  the  snow  in  the  coldest  weather. 
In  Ju"ly  ho  saw  younj;  birds  just  hatched  near  Triickce,  at  an  elevation  of  (),<)()() 
feet.  This  was  on  tiie  21th.  On  the  2Sth  another  brood,  ii  little  older,  was 
seen  lit  the  foot  of  Mt.  Stanford,  about  8,(t(M)  feet  above  the  sea.  .Most  of  the 
broods,  however,  were  nearly  fledned  at  tiiat  time.  Dr.  Cooper  also  mentions 
that  he  found  this  Quail  not  rare  in  the  mountains  east  of  San  Diee:o  above  an 
elevation  of  3,800  feet.  He  thouiLfht,  also,  that  lie  heard  this  bird  in  the  Santa 
Anna  range  cast  of  Aimaheim.  It  also  exists  in  the  .Santa  In.'z  Mountains,  six- 
teen mile.'*  ea.st  of  lr>ii.\  Buenaventura,  at  an  altitude  of  from  ;i,0(IO  to  1,000  feet. 
It  seems  to  be  confined  to  the  zone  of  coniferous  trees,  rarely  if  ever  coming  below 
them.     Mr.  Henshaw  has  obtained  this  species  at  Apache,  in  Arizona. 

Lophortyz  gambeli  (III,  182).  Captain  Hendire  found  this  Quail  breeding 
in  the  vicinity  of  Tucson,  in  Arizona,  near  Itillito  Creek,  occasionally  nesting  in 
situations  above  the  ground.  One  nest,  seen  .Fune  7,  1872,  contained  three  fresh 
eggs.  It  was  two  feet  above  the  ground,  on  a  willow  stump,  and  in  an  exposed 
place,  near  the  creek.  Tiie  nest  was  composed  of  the  leaves  of  the  cottiiiwood- 
tree.  In  some  instances  he  found  as  many  as  eighteen  eggs  in  one  nest.  Tlieso 
closely  resemble  the  ege-s  of  the  California  (i)uail,  so  nuicii  so  as  to  be  hardly  dis- 
tinguishable from  them.  They  are  all  of  a  rounded  oval  shape,  sharply  tai)ering 
at  one  end,  and  (|uito  obtuse  at  the  other.  They  measure  1.21  inches  in  lengtii 
by  one  inch  in  their  iirgest  breadth.  Their  ground-color  varies  from  a  deep  cream 
to  a  light  drab.  Some  arc  sparingly  marked  with  large  and  well-detined  spots, 
most  of  them  circnl.ar  in  shape,  and  of  a  rich  pin-plish-brown  color.  In  others  the 
whole  stu'facc  is  closely  sprinkled  with  minute  spots  of  yellowish-brown,  inter- 
mingled with  which  are  larger  spots  of  a  dark  purple.  This  species  was  obtained 
in  Southern  Utah  by  Mr.  Henshaw. 


n. 


EXPLANATIOX  OF  TERMS   USED  IN  DESCRIBING  THE 
EXTERNAL  FORM  OF  BIRDS. 


»^t 


Turdus  migralorlus,  I. 


REFERENCES  TO  THE  FIGURE.  - 

N.  B.    In  the  figure  the  adjacent  regions  are  separated  by  a  double  bar,  with  the  letters  be- 
longing to  each  affixed. 


A.  The  body  in  general. 

B.  The  region  of  the  head. 

C.  "        "       "       neck. 

D.  "        "        "       trunk. 


E.  The  region  of  the  tail. 

F.        '       wings. 

G.  "        "        "       legs. 
H.  The  feathers. 


Note.  — I  am  under  obligations  to  Professor  SundeTall  of  Stockholm  and  Dr.  Sclater  of  London  for  asxistance 
In  correcting  and  improving  the  present  article.— S.  F.  Bairo. 


APPENDIX. 


525 


B.   HeacL 


9. 

Bill  in  general. 

82. 

Front  head  (»incipnt), 

10. 

Mnxillu. 

83. 

Hind  iieiid  (occiput). 

11. 

Muiidiblc. 

84. 

Forehead. 

20. 

Itiilgo. 

86. 

Frontal  points. 

21. 

Tip  uf  maxilla. 

89. 

Lores. 

22. 

Keel. 

40. 

Ophtlialmio  region. 

23. 

Anglo  of  chin. 

41. 

Orbits. 

27. 

Anglo  of  mouth. 

42. 

Checks. 

28. 

Commissure. 

43. 

FCyehrows. 

28t. 

,  Nostrlis. 

44. 

Temples. 

80. 

Cnp  (pilous),  includes  82, 83. 

45. 

I'urotici. 

81. 

Crown  (vertex). 

C.   Neck. 

40. 

Chin. 

48. 

Hind  neck  (includes 

49, 

60). 

62. 

Thront 

49. 

Niipc. 

53. 

.Tugulura. 

60. 

Scruir. 

64. 

Side  neck. 

61. 

Fore  neck  (includes 

52, 

,63). 

D.    Trunk  or  Body. 


er. 

Back  (Includes  68,59). 

62. 

Breast. 

68. 

Upper  back. 

63. 

Abdomen  (includes  64, 65) 

59. 

Lower  back. 

64. 

Kpigaslrium. 

60. 

Hump. 

65. 

lielly. 

61. 

Mantle  (back  and  wings  together). 

B.    TaiL 

60. 

Crissum. 

70. 

Tail  feathers  (or  rcctrices). 

73. 

Lower  tail  coverts. 

72. 

Upper  tail  coverts. 

F.    Wings. 


75. 

76. 
77. 
79. 
80. 
86. 


07. 

08. 
103. 
103i. 
112. 


Primary  quills. 
Secondary  quills. 
Bend  of  wing. 
False  wing  (alula). 
Scapulars. 
Primary  coverts. 


O.    Legs. 


Thigh  (concealed  under  skin). 

Shin  (tibia). 

Heel  joint. 

Tarsus. 

Foot. 


89.    Secondary  coverts  (include  92, 
93,  94). 

92.  Greater  wing  coverts. 

93.  Lesser  wing  coverts. 

94.  Middle  wing  coverts. 

95.  Edge  of  wing. 


110.  Toes. 

126.  Outer  toe. 

127.  Iinicr  too. 

128.  Middle  toe. 

129.  Hind  toe. 


Fon  the  purpose  of  defining  the  form,  markings,  coloration,  and  other  pccidiari- 
ties  of  birds,  the  ditferent  regions  of  tiie  body  have  received  names  by  which  intcl- 
U<'ible  reference  can  be  made  to  any  portion.  It  is,  perhaps,  hardly  necessary  to 
say  that  all  living  birds  have  a  head  supported  on  a  neck,  with  jaws  extended 
into  a  bill  covered  with  a  homj'  sheath,  or  with  skin,  the  two  jaws  situated  one 


526  APPENDIX. 

above  tho  other,  and  always  destitute  of  teeth.  The  anterior  pair  of  limbs  is 
developed  into  win^s  wliich,  however,  are  not  always  ctipal.lo  of  use  in  flight ; 
tho  posterior  servo  as  legs  for  tho  support  of  the  body  in  an  oblique  or  nearly 
erect  position.  The  body  is  covered  witii  feathers  of  variable  structure  and  clmrac- 
ter,  both  in  tho  young  bird  and  the  old.  (Tiie  wings  are  apparently  wanting  in 
some  fossil  species.) 

The  following  terms,  English  and  Latin,  arc  those  most  geuernlly  cm].Ioyed  in 
describing  the  external  form  of  birds,  and  are  ])rincipally  as  defined  by  flligor. 
In  cases  where  there  is  no  suitable  English  word  in  use,  the  Latin  equivalent  vn\y 
is  given.  Tho  figure  selected  for  illustration,  drawn  by  Mr.  iJ.  Ridgway,  is  that 
of  tho  common  American  robin  {Turdtts  mifjratorius,  L.),  and  will  be  familiar  to 
most  students  of  ornitliology. 

A.    Body  in  Oeneral  {Corpus). 

1.  Feathers  {Phmrr).    A  dry  elastic  olycct,  witli  a  ccntrnl  stem  nt  one  end  forming  n  liol- 

low  horny  tube  implanted  in  the  Mn  nt  its  tip,  tlio  otlier  feutlicrcd  on  op|)ositc  sides. 

2.  Quills  (Pcmur).     Thu  large  stiff  feathers  implanted  in  the  posterior  edge  of  the  winj;  and 

in  the  tail. 

3.  Plumage  {Plihsls).     The  general  feathery  rovcring  of  the  body. 

4.  XTnfeathered  {Implumis).    A  portion  of  skin  in  whieh  no  feathers  arc  inserted. 

5.  Upper  parts  {Xotimm).    The  entire  upper  surfaec  of  the  animal.    (Sometimes  restrietcd 

to  the  trnnk.) 

6.  Lower  parts  (  aastrmim).    The  entire  lower  surface  of  the  animal.    (Sometimes  restricted 

to  the  trnnk.) 

7.  Anterior  portion   (Steiliia-iim).    The  forward  part  of  tho  body  (about  half),  both  upper 

and  under  surfaces,  including  the  chest. 

8.  Posterior  portion  {UrcEum).    Tho  hinder  portion  of  ilic  body  (about  half),  including  the 

abdominal  cavity, 

B.    The  Head  (Caput). 

9.  Bill  {nostrum).    The  projecting  jaws,  one  above  the  other,  united  by  a  hinge  joint  behind, 

and  covered  by  a  horny  sheath,  or  a  skin,  and  enclosing  the  mouth. 

10.  Maxilla,  or  upper  jaw  {ifarilh). 

11.  Mandible,  or  lower  jaw  (^famlibula). 

18.  Bampbotheca.    The  homy  covering,  or  sheath  of  the  jaws.  '' 

13«  Rhinoth*.  ;a.    The  covering  of  the  upper  jaw. 

•4.  Onathotheca.    The  covering  of  the  lower  jaw. 

15.  Cere   {Cera,  or    Ceroma).    A  skin  nt  the  base  of  the  maxilla,   in  certain  birds. 

(In  birds  without  n  horny  sheath  to  tho  bill,  the  cere  may  be  considered  as 
extending  to  its  very  tip.) 

16.  Edges  of  bill  (TomiVi).    The  margins  of  upper  and  lower  jaws  whore  they  come  in 

contact.     We  have  thus  a 

17.  Maxillary  tomium,  and  a 

18.  Mandibular  tomium. 

19.  Oape  or  Commissure  {Commissum).    The  junction  of  the  tomia,  or  of  the  two  bills. 


Al'l'KNDIX.  527 

Head  {Conllmtrd). 

80,         Ridge  {('iilinrn).    Thp  upper  outline  of  the  bill  when  viewed  Intcrnlly  ;  extending  from 
bii80  of  bill  to  llio 

31.  Tip  (Ihrimm), 

82.  Keel  ( (I'niii/n).      The  lower  oiitliiio  of  tlip  bill  viewed  Internlly  ;  extending  IVoin  the 

an^le  of  tlic  cliin  to  tliu  tip. 

83.  Angle  of  the  ohin  (Aii(juliis  nienlnlis),     Tlic  point  wliere  tlio  two  brunches,  or  runil, 

of  the  lower  jaw 

94.  (Onathidia,  Ilmiii)  nnito,  tlienec  to  be  continued  to  its  tip  ii.>i  tlie 

115.  Myxa  (Si/miihi/m's). 

S6.  Malar  region  (llafto  mulari.i).     Tlic  outside  of  the  base  of  lower  jnw  ;  u.^imlly  covered 

with  fenthurs. 

27.  Angle  of  the  mOMth  (Annulm  oris).   The  nn^le  formed  by  the  mandible  and  maxilla; 

the  posterior  hoiindury  of  the  gape  or  comnii.ssurc,  tiic  tip  of  bill  being  the  anterior. 

28.  Nostrils  (Aarfs). 

29.  Head,  ns  restricted  ( Caput).    The  head,  exelusivo  of  the  bill. 

30  Cap  {Piletis).    The  whole  top  of  head  from  the  base  of  bill  to  nnpe. 

31.  Crown  (  Veiier).    The  hi;;hest  central  portion  of  the  to|)  of  bead  (between  the  cars). 

32.  Sinciput  {Sinciput).     The  anterior  half  of  cap  (from  bill  to  middle  of  crown). 

33.  Occiput  {Occiput).     The  posterior  Indf  of  cap,  (from  midillc  of  crown  to  the  nape). 

34.  Forehead  {Frous).    From  base  of  bill  to  crown  (usually  anterior  to  line  of  eye;. 
3.5.  Nape  {Xuchii).     Sec  49. 

36.  Frontal  points  (/Ih/iVt).    The  two  projecting  feathered  angles  of  the  forehead  cmlirn- 

cing  the  base  of  the  culmen,  or  included  between  the  frontal  ongic  of  the  maxilla  and 
the  angle  of  the  mouth  (not  always  present). 

37.  Mastax  (.l/((.<,'(ir).     The  side  of  the  fore  part  of  the  head,  adjacent  to  the  base  of  the 

nnxilla,  and  distinguished  by  its  feaihers  or  it.>  color. 

38.  Caplster   {Cajiislrum).      The  anterior  portion  of  the  head  all  round  the  bose  of  the 

bill. 

39.  Iiore  {iMium).    Narrow  space  Ixjtwcen  the  bill  and  the  eye,  on  each  side. 

40.  Ophthalmic  region  {Reijioopluhnlmica).    Space  round  the  eye. 

41.  Orbits  {Orbita).     The  innermost  portion  of  the  ophthalmic  region  immediately  adjacent 

to  the  eye. 

42.  Cheeks  (GVfKc).    See  Malar  region. 

43.  Eyebrow  {Hupei-citia).    A  longitudinal  stripe  immediately  above  the  eye. 

44.  Temples  ( Tempora).     Whole  side  of  the  head  behind  the  eye  or  between  the  eye,  top  of 

head,  and  the  ear. 

45.  Parotic  region  (/?«7iopnro^cn).     Space  around  the  cars. 

46.  Chin  {Menlam).    Space  embraced  biuween  the  branches  of  lower  jaw. 


C.    The  Neck  (Collum). 

47.  Neck  {Collum).    The  part  connecting  the  head  and  trunk,  enclosing  t!io  neck  vertebrte. 

48.  Hind-neck  {Cervix).     The  upper  or  posterior  portion  of  the  neck,  from  occiput  to 

back. 
40.  flape  {Nucha).     The  portion  of  hind  neck  nearest  the  head. 


528  Al'l'KNDJX. 

Neok  {Conliimnl). 

50.  Auchenium  {Auchmium).    The  portion  of  liind  nork  ncaroRt  the  Lack,  the  "  scruff" 

uf  tliu  neck. 

51.  Fore-neok  {(lutliir).    The  inferior  or  anterior  portion  of  neck,  ftflm  the  chlu  to  iho 

hroiLHt. 
52".  Throat  ( O'utit).    Tlio  upper  port  of  fore  neck,  or  that  nearest  the  chin. 

53.  Jugulum  {.liii/iihim).     'I'lii-  lower  part  of  fore  mek,  between  the  tliroat  nnil  tlw 

breast.     (Divided  into  upiier,  niidille,  and  lower.) 

54.  Side  neck  {Puraurlienium).    Tlio  sides  of  tlie  neek,  iKJtwccn  the  front  and  the  hind 

neek. 

55.  Collar  (Tur^iieji).    A  ring  of  any  kind  cucireling  the  neck. 

D.    The  Trunk  (Tnincus). 

50.  Trunk  ( Trmirm).     Tliat  portion  of  tlie  liodv  cnelosinp  tlic  viscera  and  intestines,  and  carry- 

inji;  tlio  neek  and  head  at  one  end,  the  tail  at  the  other,  as  also  the  four  limbs. 
57.  Back  (Uomim).     The  portion  of  the  upper  suifaec  of  llie  trunk,  from  the  neck  to  the 

rump,  and  corresponding;  to  the  dorsal  aiul  sacral  vertelaip. 

68.  Upper  back  [Inlerscapuliiiin).     The  upper  portion  of  the  back,  or  alonf;  the  dorsal 

vertebra) ;  between  tlie  shoulder-blades,  and  opiiosite  the  breast,  sometimes  called 
duisum  anticiiin. 

69.  Lower  back  (7oy/"»i)-   Tho  lower  portion  of  the  back  r'ong  the  sacral  re;:ion, 

from  the  upper  back  to  the  rump,  aiul  oj)po8ito  the  belly,  somciimua  called  dorsum 

60.  Rump  {L'inpi/rjiiim).    The  portion  of  the  upper  side  of  the  trunk  corresponding  to  the 

caudal  vertebra-. 

61.  Mantle  {Straiiulum  ;  Pallitnn).     Tho  back  and  the  outside  of  the  folded  wings  taken 

tofiether. 
GlJ.  Ventral  region  {Riyio  vrntmlls).     Under  side  of  body,  indudini;  hrcnst  and  abdomen. 

62.  Breast  {Peiius).     The  most  anterior  portion  of  the  lower  surface  of  trunk,  representing 

the  region  of  the  sternum  or  breast  bono  (between  thcjuRulum  and  the  abdomen). 

63.  Abdomen  {Alxhmni).     The  under  side  of  body,  between  the  breast  and  the  anal  rcy;ion, 

64.  Epigaster  (E/)»/risrn'i/m).     The  anterior  portion  of  abdomen,  next  to  the  breast. 

65.  Belly  (  VeiiUr).     The  hinder  portion  of  tho  abdomen,  next  to  the  anal  renion  or 

crissum. 

66.  Anal  region  (Crissum).     The  region  aroimd  the  anus,  Iwlow  the  tail,  and  opposite  to 

the  rump.     Fretpiently  ineliules  under  tail  coverts. 

67.  Flanks  (Ilyimihondria].     The  sides  of  the  soft  p:irts  of  the  body. 

68.  Humeral  region  (UiyiohumcmUs).    The  anterior  portion  of  the  sides;  that  in  which 

the  wing  is  implanted.  ^ 

E.     The  TaU  (Cauda). 

69.  Tail  (Cauda).    The  feathers  forming  tho  posterior  extremity  of  tho  body,  implanted  on  tho 

OS  coceygis,  or  rump  bone. 

70.  Tail  feathers  (/iVc/c/ccs).     The  long  individual  feathers  belonging  to  the  tail. 

X„TK.  —  Tei/mhiii  ( (•'!j  1  arc  coverts  in  general,  whether  of  wing  or  tail.     GilypltrUi  are  tail  coverts. 
7tc(m-e«(b3),  wing  coverts. 


AIM'KNUIX.  529 

Tail  {Conliniiril). 

71.  Tail  ooverta  {('aly/ilerm).    The  funtliers  ovcrlylnpf  and  covering  tlie  boseof  the  toll 

TuuthiTK;  the 

It,  Upper  (siiijeriorea)  lii'ing  those  iiliovc,  niul 

78.  Lower  (iiij'uions)  tfiosu  1k:Iow  ;  nomt'iimcs  cuticcniin;;  or  proji'etiu);  bc^uiid  the  toil. 

F.    The  Wings  (. !/-»). 

74.  Winga  {Alic).     The  niitorioi'  |iiiir  ol  liml)s  <ir  tlie  liird,  used  in  flight. 

79.  Primary  quills,  ur  quills  of  the  first  series ;  Haiid-quills  ( Hi  iiwim  fmmoruc). 

The  (usiiallv)  ten  still'  t'ciitlKTS  inserted  on  tlie  hand  or  lirst  juini  (nirtacar|nis  aii<I 
di};it),  or  from  tlie  liend  ol'the  win^  lu  the  tip. 
70.  Secondary  quills  or  quills  of  the  second  series;  Arm-quills  (/iVmi>.s  mnni. 
diirii ;  I'liinii  riiliili).  The  inner  iiiiills,  or  Ihosu  inserted  aloii^r  tlie  postcridr  eil;.'e  of 
the  forearm  or  im4(V«s.  The  innermost  of  the.se  (|iiills,  soiiieiime!(  loiij;er  or  dilleient 
from  the  rest,  are  fre(|nenll_v  ealled  teitials.     {I\iiiiif  Urlitinn .) 

77.  Bend  of  the  wing  {F/eruni,  I'lua).    The  un^de  uf  junction  of  llie  hand-Joint  and  that 

of  the  forearm. 

78.  Armpit  {A.rllln).     The  under  side  of  the  insertion  of  the  win;;  into  the  liody. 

79.  False  or  Bastard  wing  (.l/ii/-/).     A  series  of  several  stillenecl  feathers  on  the  edj,'e  nf 

the  win;;,  overlying  and  exterior  (o  the  primary  quilU,  und  inserted  on  the  thunih  joint 
of  the  hanil. 

80.  Scapulars  {Penmr  nfniiiilores)      Stiffened  feathers  inserted  on  the  shoiilder-hlade  or  the 

insertion  of  arm   {lutineriis),  and  tilling  up  the  interval  between  the  secondary  tjuilU 
nnil  the  body. 

81.  Asdllars  {/\iiii(r  a.rllliiie:i).    Similar  feathers  connecting  the  under  surface  of  the  win^' 

and  the  body,  and  coneealed  in  i ho  closed  win;;. 

82.  Speculum,  or  Mirror  {Sjimtlum  ula).      A   brillifintly  colored  portion  of  the  win;j 

especially  in  the  diieks,  over  the  extremities  of  the  .secondary  (|iiills,  and  finnied  in  on 
one  side  (in  the  closed  win;;)  by  the  primary  quills,  or  the  other  by  the  .scapulars. 

83.  Wing  coverts  ( Tei^lrices).    Tlie  smaller  feathers  of  the  wing.     The 

84.  Upper  (,«H/)cn'o)vs),  side  above  or  outer.     The 

85.  Lower  (iiifiriom),  below,  or  inside,  and  overlying  the  bases  of  the  ipiills.     These 

and  the  (piills  form  the  surfaces  of  the  winys. 

86.  Primary  coverts  ( Ttclriccs  piimarm).    The  feathers,  which  cither 

87.  Upper  or 

88a  Under  overlie  the  bases  of  the  primary  quills.     These  are  on   the  upper  or 

under  surface  of  the  wins  !  ""t  "f'^'u  distinL'uished  in  des<ripti'in3. 

89.  Secondary  coverts  ( Tcdricci  sccumlaritt).    The  leathers  'vliich,  as 

90.  Upper  and 

91.  Under,  cover  the  bases  r>f  the  secondary  quills,  on  the  upper  or  under  surface  of 

the  win;;s,  being  generally  those  referred  to  as  "  coverts." 

93.  Greater  coverts  {Tectrires  iiiajnirs).     The  longest  coverts  projecting  beyond  the 

rest,  and  resting  directly  upon  the  bases  of  the  secondary  quills. 

93.  Lesser    coverts    { Tntrins   mimn-rs).      The   succession   of  many  series  of  small 

feathers  beginning  at  and  covering  the  anterior  edge  of  the  wing,  very  small  at 
first  and  increasing  in  si/.c  l>chind. 

94.  Middle   coverts    (Tectrkes  medix).    One  or  more  raws  of  coverts,  intenucdiatc 

in  size  as  well  as  position,  between  the  lesser  and  greater  coverts, 
vol..  III.  67 


530  AITKNDJX. 

Wings  {Cotilinued). 

95.  Edge  of  the  ^7lng  {Camptcrimn  ;  Margo  carpi).    The  smnll  feathers  covering  the  an- 

terior cilgu  of  the  wing,  both  along  the  forearm  and  the  hand  or  lirst  joint,  inehidiiig 
tiie  bead  of  the  wing. 

G.    The  Legs  {Pedes). 

96.  Legs  {Pities).     The  posterior  pair  of  limbs  inserted  in  the  pelvis,  and  used  in  walking  or 

running. 

97.  Tbigh  (Femur).    The  basal  joint  of  the  leg,  its  head  artienlating  with  the  pelvis.     This 

is  generally  ini'iedded  in  the  llesh,  and  covered  by  the  skin  so  as  not  to  be  appreci- 
able, es])eeially  i.i  the  prepared  speeiniun. 

98.  Shin  (Tibia),    Tl.;i  second  or  middle  joint  of  tlic  leg,  nrtienlutcd  above  to  the  thigh, 

below  to  the  tarsus.  'I'he  upper  part,  soniri  .os  the  whole,  is  envelojx'd  in  flesh, 
and  covered  by  skiu  and  feathers ;  sometimes  the  lower  extremity  is  covered  by  lioriiy 
plates,  ilio 

99.  (Cuemidium), 

100.  Foot  joint  ( I'oeldrllmim).     The  junction  of  the  tarsus  below  with  the  foot. 

101.  Podotheca  (Pwlollimt).    The  horny  or  skinny  covering  of  lower  tibia,  tarsus,  and  feet. 

102.  Knee  (  Gmu).     The  junction  of  the  thigh  with  the  leg,  usually  concealed  by  the  skin. 

103.  Heel  joint  (Siiffhiyo).     The  junction  of  the  leg  with  the  tarsus. 

103i.  Tarsus  ( 'J'arsus).  The  third  joint  of  the  leg  and  next  to  the  tibia  ;  covered  generally 
with  horn,  sometimes  with  naked  skin  or  feathers,  never  with  tlesh  ;  the  toes  are  ar- 
ticulated to  its  lower  extremity.  Tlii-*  joint  corresponds  to  the  ankle  joint  of  the  human 
body. 

104.  Instep,  or  Front   of  tarsus  (Armlar.iiiim).     The   anterior  face  of  the  tarsus, 

usually  covered  by  small  jilaics,  which  in  the  higher  groups  are  united  into  one; 
sometinu's  covered  by  skin. 

105.  Side  of  tarsus  (fum'um'uni)  ■ 

106.  Back  of  tarsus  {Phinta  larni).     Ilomologieally  the  Sole  (PItmta). 

107.  B.ee\  (Oi/iannia:  Talus).     The  upper  [wsiirior  extremity  of  the  tarsus. 

108.  Spur  (Culrnr).     Any  bony  sharp  process  or  8i)ine  implanted  on   the  tarsus,  as 

in  the  rooster. 

109.  Scutellae  (Srntelln).     The  succession  of  small,  tisually  rectangular  plates,  applied 

against  the  anterior  face  of  the  tarsus,  and  the  upper  surfnce  of  toes.  These 
sometimes  encircle  the  tarsus  coin|iletely,  meeting  on  the  inner  side ;  sometimes 
reach  half  round  with  similar  half  rings  on  tlie  buck  side  of  the  tarsus  ;  are  some- 
times divided  into  polygonal  plates;  arc  .sometimes  fused  into  a  continuous  plate, 
either  anteriorly  or  laterally.  Modifications  of  structure  in  this  resi)eet  indicate 
diflcrcnces  in  rank  ami  systematic  ]iositi(m  of  the  highest  v.iUie. 

110.  Scutellate  tarsus.     When  the  tarsus  is  covered  with   transverse  or   polygonal 

scales,  as  de-eribed  above. 

111.  Booted  tarsus.     Where  the  anterior  face  is  covered  with   a  continuous  liorny 

plate  not  divided  into  .scntella'. 

112.  Foot  (Pes).     The  toes  aiul  tarsus  taken  together. 

113.  Top  of  foot  {A<Ti)po(liii)ii).     The  entire  upper  surface  of  the  foot. 

114.  The  track  (/Vhhi).     The  entire  lower  surface  of  the  foot. 

115.  Heel  pad  (P/cnidi  Tuber).    The  posterior  portion  of  the  ;ie/ma,  immediately  under 

the  joint  of  the  foot,  and  frequently  prominent. 


AH'KNDIX. 


581 


Legs  {Continual). 
116 


Toes  (Digiti).  Ihc,  usually  four,  sometimes  three,  very  rarely  two,  articulated  portious 
olthc  leg  liin-ed  on  the  lower  extremity  of  the  tarsus.  When  all  four  are  present,  one 
is  usually  behind,  sometimes  two  betbro,  and  two  IxOiind. 

117.  Top  of  toes  (Arraliicliilum).     The  up|)er  surface  of  the  toes  individually. 

118.  Soles  of  toes  {//i/jH^lacti/lum).    The  lower  or  plantar  surface  of  the  toes  indi- 

vidually. 

119.  Side  of  tnes  {Parmlwli/lum).    The  sides,  in  any  way  distinguished  from  the 

soles. 

120.  Phalanges.     The  several  bones  eomposiiifj  a  toe. 

121.  Claw  (['ni/iies).     The  horny  tips  sheathinj;  the  last  joint  of  the  toes. 

122.  Claw  joint  {fihi:u)n;/L/iiuiii).      The  terminal  lK)ne  of  the  toe,  carrying;  or  armed 

with  the  elaws. 

123.  Pads  ( Ti/luri).     The  swellings  or  bidbs  on  the  under  side  of  tlie  phalanges. 
Those  Toes  arc 

124.  Anterior  which  are  directed  forwards; 
•2.'».                  Posterior,  directed  backwards  ; 

126.  Exterior,  on  the  outer  side  of  the  foot ; 

127.  Interior,  on  the  inner  side  of  the  foot ;  the 

128.  Middle  toe  is  the  centrid  of  three  toes  dircpte('  fonvarda. 

129.  Hind  toe  (//,i//«j).    The  single  toe  directed  backwards.     This  is  homologically 

the  tiist  or  great  too  directed  backward.     It  is 

130.  Insistent  {/«^•^^^«.s•),  when  the  tip  at  least  touches  the  ground,  but  the  base  raised 

above  the  level  of  the  rest  ; 

131.  Incumbent  (/»r/,,«^m),  when  its  whole  under  surface  touches  the  ground  ;  and 
133.                  Elevated  (.Urahis  ;  mimtas),  when  raised  so  high  that  the  tip  does  i;ot  touch  the 

ground  at  all. 

133.  Unarmed  toe  [Digitus  m„l,r„s).     Toe  without  a  claw.     The  tarsus  is  unarmed 

when  without  a  spur. 

134.  Fringed  toe  (AV///h.s  Ah;,,,//,,,,,,).  A  lateral  membranous  margin  to  the  toes.    This 

135.  Fringe  {Lomti)  may  be 

136.  Continuous  (,to,/,n„«,h),  or 

137.  liObed  or  Scolloped  {Mmiiini). 

188.  Membrane  (/'«/„»,-,).     A  skin  cither  soft  or  covered  with  scales  or  feathers  con- 

necting  two  adjacent  toes  together  at  the  base,  and  sometimes  extending   to  or 
Iwyond  their  tips.     The  foot  so  constructed  is  called 
139.  Palmate  (/«/«,„/„.,)  when  the  anterior  toes  only  are  so  connected  and 

141.  Oared  (.!>Ve/«„o/„,.s),  where  all  the  toes,  inelnding  the  hinder,  are  so  connecte.l  in 

the  cormorants,  etc.      The  feet  nuiy  be  half,  or  semipalmate  ;   entirely  or   toti- 
palniatc. 

Note.  In  tho  usual  arrangement  of  the  toes,  of  throe  before  and  one  bcl,l,„l.  the  binder  corresponds 
to  the  sreat  toe  of  man,  or  the  fn-st;  the  inner  anterio,-  is  the  second;  the  middle  is  tlie  third-  and  the 
outer  IS  the  lourth.  When  the  toes  are  in  pairs  or  two  I.efMre  and  two  behin.l.  it  is  the  onlcr  or  fnnrth 
toe  that  IS  turned  baekwnr.ls,  as  is  the  woodpeckers.  In  the  Trouons,  l„,wever,  tl,e  inner  toe  is  revered 
W  ith  scarcely  nn  exception  in  birds,  the  hinder  or  first  toe  has  two  joints:  tlic  inner  cid )  has  tlnee'  the 
middle  (3d)  has  four;  and  the  outer  (4th)  has  (ive,  or  a  fcrnuda  of  2.3.4.5.  In  the  tvpienl  Canvl- 
mulgula,  the  outer  toe  has  only  four  phalanges  the  Ibnnnia  being  2.3.4.4.  I'ii.allv,  in  some  Cy,„eli,/ct 
(Cypselu,  and  Pnnytila),  we  have  the  inid.lle  and  outer  toes  with  three  |oints  onlv  each,  the  lonnnia  be- 
ing 2.3.3.3.  When  there  arc  but  three  toes,  the  hinder  or  lirst  is  wanting;  the  ostrich  ( Strulhio)  has  but 
two  toes,  lackins!  the  first  and  .second. 


532  APPENDIX. 


H.    The  Outer  Covering  {Indumentum). 

142.  Outer  covering  (Indumentum ;  Ptilosis).    The  exterior  of  the  bird  in  detail. 

143.  Feathers  (I'liimcv).     Composed  of  ihe  stem  and  the  webs. 

144.  Stem  (.St'(i/>u.'i).     The  entire  central  axis  oi  ihn  fuatlier. 

145.  Quill  {Culamus).    The  hollow  homy  liasnl  jiortion  of  the  feather. 

146.  Shaft  {niiachis).     The  solid  terminal  portion  of  the  stem  in  which  the  fibrrs 

are  implunled. 

147.  Webs  (Ptyonia).    The  series  of  fibres  implanted  on  cnch  side  the  shaft,  generally 

stiff,  and  having  little 

148.  Hooks  or  barbules  along  the  edges,  by  which  adjacent  ones  interlock ;  somctiiiu's 

so.'t,  with  the  barbules  not  interlocking,  the  barbules  sometimes  wonting.     The 

149.  Inner  ^reb  (Pogonium  intirnum)  is  situated  on  Ihe  inner  side  of  the  shaft ;  the 

150.  Outer  (externum),  on  the  outer  side. 

131.  Vane  (  Vexillum).    The  shaft  and  webs  lakcn  together,  or  the  portion  of  the  fcatlier 

left  when  the  barrel  or  quill  is  cut  away. 


GLOSSARY. 


GLOSSARY  OF   TECHNICAL  TERMS  USED   IN 
DESCRIPTIVE    ORNITHOLOGY. 

Indudimj  a  number  o/promncnt  Anntomkal  and  rin/swlngical  Terms. 
(ri!i;i'Aiii:i)  nv  Da.  Corivs.) 


ADDd'MEN  or  Ab'domex,  )(..  Belly  ;  part  of 
gastrffium  ))etween  steriiuiii  and  anus.     (03  ) 

Abdom'ixai,,  «.     Purtiiining  to  tlic  bcllv 

Abdl'c'tio.v,  h.  Act  of  canyiiij,'  a  iinil,  away 
Irom  tlie  axis  of  the  body.  Oppuscd  to  nd- 
duclwn.     Musides  so  ai^tinf,'  are  KbiliiHnrs. 

Aniiit'RANT,  a.  Deviating  from  ordinary  char- 
actor. 

Al)Nou'.MAl„  a.  Of  liighly  unusual,  c.xtraor- 
dinary  character  ;  deformed  ;  monstrous. 

Abor'tivk,  a.  Suiipressi'd  ;  remaining  or  l)e- 
coming  imperfect.  The  nostrils  of  tlie  cormo- 
rant are  abortive. 

AcAR'iDKs,  n.  pi.     Certain  external  parasites 

AcLip'i rniNK,  a.  Hawk-like ;  belonging  to  Ac- 
ci/)ilrcs.  ° 

Accumatiza'tion,    n.      Naturalization,    with 
reteienc(;  to  the  etl'ect  of  a  new  country  ution 
the  economy. 
AcErAB'i-t,i:M,  n.     Pelvic  cavity  for  reception 

ol  head  of  femur. 
AciiiL'Ms  (tcndt)),  H.     Tendon  of  principal  ex- 
tensor muscle  of  foot.  I 
Acic'iTLAit,  as.     Needle-shaped;  .sharp  and  verv 

slender. 
AoRdDAc'rvn-M,  H.      Top  of  toes  collectively 

(117.)     (Little  used.) 
Acuo'.MMX,  n.     Process  of  the  scapula. 
AtRopo'i>UTM,  „,     Entire  upper  surface  of  foot. 

(II a.)     (Little  used.) 
A(;RorAR'siL'.M,  n.    Front  of  tarsus,  correisimnd- 
ing  to  the  human  instep.   (104.)  (Little  used). 
Acu'MIXATE,  a.    Taimring  gradually  to  a  point. 
Acute',  a.     Sharp-pointed. 
Ad-  {ill.  composilion).     To  ;  towards. 
Adduc'tion,  n.     Act  of  drawing  a  limb  toward 
axis  of  body.     Mus.de^  so  acting  are  adduc- 
tors.    Compare  Abductiox. 
Ad'enoid,  a.     Glandular ;  glandiform. 
Ad'ipose  (tissue),  a.  for  n.     Cellular  tissue  hohl- 

ing  fat  in  special  vesicles. 
Adoles'cesce,  »,.     Youth. 
Ame'nal  (body),  a.  for  n.     A  .small  organ  cap- 
ping the  kidney.  '    : 


Am-i.T',  a.  or  11.     Grown  to  full  size  ;  mature 

/KKirilocNATll'or.s  a.  Having  tlie  palate 
bones  disposeil  as  in  a  sparrow  or  other  iias- 
.scrine  bird. 

Ai-'i  T.UKNT,  a.  Bringing  to  or  towards.  Op- 
Jiosed  to  cftcirnt. 

Al-KiNKii',  II.     Ji)ined  or  n-Iated  by  alllnity. 

AKhlN'irv,  II.  (.tiiality  of  .lirect  relalion  ;"  con- 
lormity  ;  agreement.  Mc.rphologii'al  atlinili, 
imiilies  rclati.mshi])  by  gcn.'tie  descent ';  telc- 
ological  iijfiiiil;/  cannot  l)e  iiroin'rly  predi- 
cated. •     I      J    I 

Al-'TKii-sKAn-,  n.     Scape  or  stem  of  the  sup- 
plemcntary  plume  springing  from  many  feath- 
ers, or,  oltener,  suih  plume  it.self. 
Ai.'.v,  »..  ;  pi.  ,il,K.     Wing;  the  anterior  limb  of 

birds.     (/;i.) 
A'r.AR,  (I.     Pertaining  to  the  wings. 
Ai.AT'r.s,  a.     Winged. 

Al'uini.sm,  )(.     State  of  whiteness,  complete  or 
jiiirtial,   resulting   from  dehciencv   or   entire 
lack  of  ingment  in  the  skin  and  its  appen.la.'es 
Albi'.so,  II.     An  animal  allected  with  albinism. 
.Ai.niNoT'ic,  ft.     Atlected  with  albinism. 
Ai.m:'.MEN,  >,..    Transparent  glairy  fluid  of  which 

wbil(i  ol  egg  mainly  consists. 
Ai,iir'Mi\(,L-,s,  re.     Containing  or  consisting  of 

nioumen. 
Al.iMKN'TARV,  n.     Pertaining  to  the  digestive 

organs  or  nutritive  fuiii'tion. 
Alisimik'noii),  „.   "  Wing,"  or  expanded  pa.t  of 

sphenoid  bone. 
Al.l.ANio'i.s,  II.    A  certain  organ  of  the  embryo. 
.^1.  l.F.x,  w.     .Same  as  Hai.i.I'x  (which  seci     ' 
Ai/ti;kes   ».  pi.     Bini.s  ,,.,,,,.,1  ,„  the  nest  and 

fed  by  the  parents. 
Ar.TRi.  'lAi,,  a.     Having  the  nature  of  Allrices. 
AL'n.A,  11.     Literally,   little  wing.      The  bas- 
tard wing,  composed  of  the  feathers  that  are 
set  on  the  so-called  thumb. 
.\L'L'r.An,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  bastard  wing. 
ALVE'oLl-s,  n.     Socket,  particulaHy  of  a  tooth 
Ai.'viN-E,  a.    Pertiiining  to  the  lower  belly  (said 

chiefly  of  intestinal  discharges). 
A.M'BrLATO!iv,  a.     Same  as  Gradiext  (which 
see). 


53G 


GLOSSARY. 


ill  (uivity  1)1'  the  iiiiKi-  i-nv. 
to   the  amis  ;    sitiiatt'U 


Am'xkin,  h.    a  certain  organ  of  tlio  cmlirvo. 
A.Mo'ris,  (I.    DiMiotiiif;  tlic>  liiml  too  so  clcvnlivl 

mill  sliort  tlmt   tlii'  tip  iloi's  not  tipiwli  tlic 

groiiiid.     (l:i"J.) 
A.Mi'iiiAiirmici'iUAi-,  ".      PiMiDtiiif;    n    slidiii},' 

joint,  or  oiii'  i'ii[ialili'  of  niixnl  iiiovfiiifnt. 
Ami'HK  iKl.'lAN.rt.    Saiil  of  a  vcrtt'lirii  wlirn  both 

fiids  of  its  cfiitriiiii  ail'  iMi|)|Kii.     CoiiojioMcl- 

ing  tcniis  nw  jirooilimi,  ciipiMil  in  IVoiit,  and 

o/ii.sllKifirliKii,  I'lijipid  lii'liind 
A.Mi'ri.'r.A,  II.    A  ii-rti ' 
A'sai.,   «.     I'l'.laiiiinj; 

alioiit  till!  .iims, 
Asai.cic'kaI.,  ((.     I'i'-.  iiig  analogy;  iidated  l>y 

aiial..^y. 
Anai.'oiiy,  II.      Qnality  of  likeness  in  rertain 

(frc'iiiially  siiiiciliiiiil    or   incoiisidcralili')   rc- 

spfits,    lictwicii    tilings    essentially    nnliki-. 

There  may  lie  analogy  entirely  withont  homol- 
ogy, as  hetweeii  the  wing  of  a  liird  and  of  a 

hu'tterdy. 
AXAsioMo'sis,  II.      Inosenlatioii   or  intereoiii- 

nuinieation  of  two  or  more  vessels. 
An'atink,  a.     Diiekdike. 
AscilYT.o'.sis  or  Ankyi.ci'sis,  h.     liestrietion  or 

loss  of  motion  in  n  iiatiiially  movable  joint  ; 

also,  any  ooiissitieation. 
An'i'onai.,  It.     I'ertaiiiing  to  the  cIIhiw. 
Asiii.K  (iK  Chin  =  Ancii.i's  Mknti.  Cl'i.) 
Axi;i.K  ok  Jlcurii  =  AMin.rs  Okis.  (27.) 
AN'cii.r.s   O'lils,    II.      I'oiner   of   the   month  ; 

eipiivalent  to  eommissiiral  point. 
Ax'NoriXE,  II.     A  bird  one  year  old,  or  wliieh 

has  once  uionlted. 
An'xi'i.ah,    a.     Hinged. 
An'mi.cs,  )(.     liing. 
Ano.m'ai.ois,   a.      Extremely   iirognl  ir  ;    very 

strange  or  unnsiial  ;  eoiitrary  to  natnral  order 

(nearly  synonymous  with  nhiioniiiil). 
As'sKniNK,  a.      Pertaining    to    the    Aiiscrrs ; 

goose- like. 
An'tk-  (//(  cmii position).     Before;  ns,  antcocu- 

Irii;  aiitmrbitnl,  etc. 
ANTKliiou,  a.     Forward  ;  in  front  of. 
Antki'.ioii  riiiiTioN.    (7.)   See  Stetiii.eijm. 
AXTKKIOU  Toi'.s.     (124.) 
An'ti-  (ill  c<>mjin.<)ilii)ii).     Against. 
An'ti.i-:,  )(.  pi.     Frontal  ]ioints  ;  projections  of 

feathers  on  either  side  of  base  of  cnlmen.    (3().) 
AxrinitAcii'iiM,  ii.     Cubit  or  forearm. 
A'si's,  II.     Outlet  of  refuse  of  digestion.     In 

birds,  the  same  oritii'e  disehiirges  the  produets 

of  the  genito-nriiiaiy  organs. 
Aou'ta,  II.     The  lirst  great  artery,  immediately 

issuing  from  the  left  ventricle  of  the  heart. 
Aou'ru'.  a.     Pertaining  to  the  aorta. 
ArKini'uA,  H.    An  opening;  as,  itpciiiira  auris, 

ear-o)iening. 
A'l'KX,  n. ;  ])1.  apices.    Tip  or  point  of  anything. 
Aronv'Ai,,  It.     A  portion  of  ;lie  "  horn  "  of  the 

hyoid  lione. 
Al'oxKinii'sis,  n.    I'road,  strong,  fibrous  nicin- 

braiie  or  band  ;  faseia. 
Ai'iM'ii'vMs,  n.     Any  natural  bony  prominence 

of  notable  size. 
Al'Piisi:ii',   a.     .Mutually    fitted,    adapted  ;    set 

over  against ;  meeting  (losely  and  exactly.  The 

tomia  of  the  bill  are  usually  apposed. 
AlTE'iucM,  H.\  pi.  aplrriit.   Tract  of  .skin  where 

no  feathers  grow.     Compiue  Pteryla. 


AfjfAT'rr,  a.  Pertaining  to  the  water;  .said  of 
birds  frei|uentiiig  water,  and  thence  drawing 
subsistence. 

.A'gl'i'ors,  ir.  Watery.  Said  of  the  fluid  in  the 
anterior  ihamber  of  the  eye.     See  Vrriir.ois. 

.\(/i  ll.iNK,  (I.  Kagle-like  ;  belonging  to  the 
^li/in'/iiia: 

AliAill'xnij),  II.  One  of  the  tliree  enveloping 
niembraiies  of  the  brain,  between  tliu  ditra 
mall  I-  anil  the  plit  nuilir. 

Aliliiili'irnl.E,  (/.     Tree-inhabiting. 

Aci'ii'i'.TVi'i;,  II.  Original  plan  or  idea  of  .stnic- 
tiire,  modified  or  lost  by  subseiinent  sjiccial- 
ixatioii. 

Ali(llElYl''liAl,,  a.  Having  the  i)iimitive  pat- 
tern or  original  idaii  of  strnetnre. 

Ai;i  'i  ATI',,  '(.  liow-.shaped  ;  bent  regularly  and 
gradually. 

Aiii.'oi.A,  II. ;  ]p1.  (inula;.  Small  naked  space  on 
the  feet  lietweell  .scales. 

AliK'niAi!  Tissi  K.  The  light  cellular  connec- 
tive tissue  of  the  body. 

AliMll.'l.A,  K.  liing  of  color,  like  a  bracelet, 
aroiiiid  lower  eiiil  of  cius. 

AltM'i'lT,  II.    (78.)    See  Axil.I.A. 

Al!l  k'iiiai.,  It.  Pertaining  to  arteries  ;  as,  arte- 
rial system,  nrterial  blood. 

Ali'l  r.iiY,  II.  Vessel  conveying  blood  from  the 
heart. 

Aisriiii.A'Tlox,  ji.     A  joining  together  ;  joint. 

AlsTlr'il.ls,  JI.  .loiiit  of  a  finger  or  foe  (com- 
monly used  to  signify  the  hinge  itself,  but 
better  to  designate  any  one  of  the  segments 
joined  by  aificiilation). 

Ai!rii-i'(  lAi.,  a.  F.laborate  ;  skilfully  or  art- 
fully contrived.  Some  birds  build  highly  ar- 
lijii-ial  nests.  Also,  arbitrary ;  a.s,  an  nrlijicinl 
classification,  more  or  less  at  variance  with 
that  which  a  iintiiral  system  may  be. 

Ali'rts,  n.  ;  pi.  alius.     Any  member,  limb. 

Akyt'f.xoii),  a.  Denoting  certain  ossicles  of 
the  larynx. 

AscAit'iUKs,  n.  pi.    Certain  intestinal  parasites. 

Asii  or  Asii'V,  a.     Pale  gray. 

Asi  El!'xAl.(;iV;,v),  n.  Denoting  "fioating"  ribs; 
those  not  joining  the  sternuni. 

AsTiSAii'Ai.rs,  H.  One  of  two  proximal  tarsal 
bones  of  biril.s,  early  confiuent  with  the  tibia. 

Asv.mmet'uicai.,  a.  Ineven  ;  ilisproportion- 
ate  as  to  op)iosite,  as  right  and  left,  parts. 

.VsYM'.METiiv,  11.  ])isproportion  of  ilu]ilicate 
parts  or  oigaiis,  or  of  those  which  are  repeated 
on  opipo.site  sides  of  a  plane  or  axis. 

Ar'AvisM,  II.  Ivcvcrsion,  or  tendency  to  revert, 
to  characters  of  ancestral  stock. 

A  I'lAs,  II.  First  cervii  111  vertebra,  articulating 
with  the  occipital  bone. 

AtkI'.s'ia,  II.     Closure. 

.Vt'koi'hy,  II.     See  lIvi'F.UTitoriiY. 

ArTKx'iAi E,  a.  Growing  gradually  slenderer 
toward  an  exfremity;  or,  narrow  ly  jiroduced 
for  a  long  distance  ;  in  neither  case  neces- 
.sillily  sharp-pointed,  wliiih  would  be  rather 

ilK'il  itiiltati'. 

.\  1  I  yi''iiai.,  a.  Of  particular  char.icter  acquired 
ill  s]ieciali/alion  from  a  common  type. 

AiTHE'xifM,  n.  Lower  back  part  of  neck  ;  the 
.scrnlf.    (.50.)   (Little  used.) 

Af'HAi.  or  Anui'ULAU,  </.  Pertaining  to  the 
ear. 


GLOSSARY. 


)37 


Ar'Kici.K,  n.  The  external  enr  ;  wantiiij;  or 
imperl'ect  in  birds.  Also,  ciivity  (rlf,'lit  ami 
left)  of  tlif  heart  reccivint^  Mooil  from  the 
system  inul  liinf,'s  ;  also  ealled  iilriinn, 

Auuic'i'LAUs,  n.  pi.  IVculiar  feathers  nvcrly- 
iiiR  the  ear-n|H'iiiiig. 

ArTocii'riioxoiH,  a.     ln<iif;enons. 

Auriic'KXors,  a.  I,iterally,  self-prodiieiiif;. 
In  homology,  developing  from  distiiiet  and 
independent  eentres.     Opposed  to  cj'dfjcixnii. 

Af'rni'sv,  n.  Personal  obst'rvation  or  exami- 
luition. 

Autop'ticai.,  a.     Personally  inspeeted. 

AlvruM'NAi,  Pl-fM'AiiE.  Tliat  ensning  from  the 
first  monlt,  if  anv,  or  prior  to  the  spring 
moult,  from  whic)i  it  is  dill'erent  in  many 
birds. 

A'viAitv,  11.  Plaec  where  birds  are  kept  cap- 
tive. 

Avic'l'i.a,  n.  Little  bird;  hence,  nestling, 
fledgling,  or  any  nngrown  bird. 

Avicfi.'llMiE,  n.     Care  of  birds. 

A'vis,  H.;  pi.  (iiv.i.     Hird. 

Axii.'i.A,  u.  Armpit  ;  hollow  beneath  the 
shoulder.     (78.) 

Ax'lLl.Ali  or  Ax'ti.i-Ai!Y,  a.  Pertaining  to  the 
armpit. 

Ax'll.i.AltlEs,  H.  pi-  Lengthened  or  other\?ise 
distingnlslK^l  feathers  growing  from  the  axil- 
lary region.     (HI.) 

Ax'is,  n.     Seeond  lervieal  vertebra.     Also,  an 

imaginary   line  pas.^ing  along  the  middle  of 

>iy  one  of  the  three  mutually  ]>erpemlieular 

planes  of  the  body,  the  longitudinal,  vertical, 

and  transverse.     Also,  a  pivot. 

A'zvoos,  a.     Single,  in  the  sense  of  not  paired. 


B. 


Back,  «.  Upper  surface  of  body  projier,  cor- 
res|)onding  to  dorsal  and  sacral  vertebrie.  In- 
cludes Inti'.rsl'apimum  and  Teucum  (which 
see),     (ill.) 

Back  of  Ne(.'K.  Cervical  region.  Includes 
Ni.'CiiA  and  Ckuvix  (which  see).  Eiiuivalent 
to  hind-neck.     (48.) 

Back  of  Tau'sus.  Hinder  edge  and  hiiuler 
half,  on  each  side,  of  tar.su.s.  See  PtAxrA. 
Ilomologically  the  sole.     (lOfi.) 

Band  or  Bau.  Any  cro.sswise  color-mark,  trans- 
ver.se  to  long  axis  of  the  body. 

B.wii'En  or  Bauuf.d,  a.     Marked  crosswi.se. 

Baiiii,  11.  Any  one  of  the  lamina;  composing 
the  vane  of  a  feather. 

Bai'.'ba,  n.  Beard.  Lengthened  or  otherwise 
distinguished  feathers  of  chin  or  throat. 

Bakrai'i-s,  II.     Bearded. 

Bak'huel,  n.  Barb  of  a  barbule,  not  hooked. 
Com|mre  Hami'm:s. 

Bah'bule,  n.     Barb  of  a  barb.     (148.) 

Ba'sal,  a.  Pertaining  to  the  base  ;  situate  at 
the  base. 

K\'i-   1  "■     Button! ;  root;  origin. 

B.\sihy'oid,  71.     Central  tongue-bone. 

Ba.siciccip'ital,  n.  Basal  element  of  the  oc- 
cipital bone  ;  centrum  of  hindermost  cranial 
vertebra. 

Basipter'ycoid,  71.     A   boss  or   protuberance 


of  the  base  of  the  s)<heiioid  bone,  often  mova- 
biy  abutting  against  the  pterygoid  bone. 

Basispiii/noii),  II.  Basal  element  of  s))henoid 
bone  ;  centrum  of  .second  cranial  vertebra. 

Beak,  n.     Bill.     See  li(isTi;tM.     ^9.) 

Bki.'i.y,  n.     Sec  .XniHiMKN.     (»):'•.) 

Belt,  n.  Bar  or  band  of  color  more  or  less 
completely  encircling  the  body. 

Bi.Ni)  (IK  \Vis(j.  Angle  or  ))roniinence  formed 
at  carpus  in  the  folded  wing. 

Br.v'Ei.i.Kli,  rt.  Having  two  plane  surfaces 
meeting  obli(piely. 

Bl'.v'v,  n.     Flock  of  quail. 

Ill-  (in  f()i)i/)iisiliuii).     Twice  ;  double. 

Bini.ioc.'uAriiY,  ii.  History  or  other  account 
of  the  literature  of  the  .subject. 

Bl'cEi'.s,  n.  Principal  flexor  muscle  of  fore- 
arm. 

Bl'.SAUY,  n.  Double,  in  sense  of  compounded 
of  two. 

Bi.so'miai,,  a.  Of  two  terms.  Also,  noting  a 
.system  of  nomenclature  in  which  each  oliji'ct 
has  two  nanv's,  generic  and  specilic.  This  is 
thi^  generally  aih)pted  system  at  present. 

Blol-'ociY,  ;(.  The  study  of  living  beings,  as  to 
the  laws  and  results  of  organization.  It  is 
more  comprehensive  than  physiology. 

Bidtax'y,  (I.     K(|uivalent  to  taxonomy. 

Biven'teI!,  )i.  Name  of  a  double-bellied  muscle 
of  the  neck. 

Bi.as'tiiI)E1!.m,  n.     Superficies  of  the  early  cm- 
liryo. 
,  lUiAr-snArr.i)  {I'lil),  n.     Having  plane  of  each 
sidi'   of   tail   meeting    tlie   other    obli(|U(dy, 
making  a  re-entiancc  above  and  keel  below. 

Boot,  II.     The  tarsal  envelopi!  when  entire. 

lii)i)T'El)  (Itirsiis),  II.  Having  the  tarsal  enve- 
lope entire,  i.  e.  umlivided  in  most  or  all  of 
its  extent,  by  fusion  of  the  usual  scales  or 
jilatcs.     (HI.) 

Bd'liEAl.,  (I.     Northern. 

BiLSS,  n.  Stud  ;  knob  ;  protuberance  ;  short 
stout  process. 

BiiAcii'iAi,,  (I.     Pertaining  to  the  wing. 

Bl!A(ilYi''rEltoi!s,  a.     Short-winged. 

BiiAciiVf'liOf.s,  ((.     Short-tailed. 

BliEA.sT,  II.     (()'2.)     See  PEUTf.s. 

Bnis'TLE,  It.  Small  stilf  hair-like  feather,  es- 
pecially about  the  mouth  or  eyes.  Compare 
ViimissA. 

Bron'cihai.,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  bronchi. 

Bitos'ciius,  n.  ;  pi.  bronchi.  Fork  or  branch 
of  the  windpipe  below,  leading  to  either  lung. 

Birc'cAL,  a.  Pertaining  to  the  cheeks  inter- 
nally. 

Buff,  Bi-ffy  ;  a.  Pale  brownish-yellow  ;  color 
of  yellow  buckskin. 


CAPu'cors,  a.     Falling  off  cirly. 

(\e'cal,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  eiEca. 

C.t:'cf.M,  «. ;  pi.  caw.  (Pronounced  .src'citm.) 
Intestinal  cul-de-sac  at  junction  of  smaller 
and  larger  intestines,  usually  present  paired 
in  birds  ;  sometimes  a  foot  long.  (.\l.so  writ- 
ten ciKciiin,  ccem.) 

Cal'amls,  n.  Quill  ;  the  dry,  hard,  horny 
puition  of  the  stem  of  a  feather   below  the 


VOL.   III. 


U8 


538 


GLOSSARY. 


wpI),  hollow  or  finrtly  pithy,  and  translucent. 
Calamus  +  rlindiis  =  sciipus.     (Mii.) 

Calca'skal,  ((.  I'fitaiiiiiiK  to  the  bai^k  n[(]M'r 
jKtrtion  of  the  taiso-im'tatai-siis  (tuimis  ol'  or- 
dinary lanpuaj^c). 

Calca'skim,  ji.  Heel  ;  Iwi'k  upp(!r  part  of 
tarso-nii'tatarmis.  Sanii!  aste/M.i.  (107.)  Oiio 
of  the  tiliial  condyles  is  l>y  .some  regarded  as 
the  honiolopie  of  the  calcaneuni. 

C'ai.'cau,  n.     Spur;  sharp  iiorn-covered  hone 
cored  process  on  thcshauK  of  many  liirds  ;  a  I 
Biiiiilar  horny  |iroc^ess  on  the  nietacarjial  boin  . 

Calcakat'i's,  n.     Spurivd. 

C'AUA'uK.tif.s,  II.  Chalky.  A  cormorant's  egg 
is  covered  with  ailaiirous  substance. 

CAU'lK'ir,  II.  Calcifying  ;  an  e])ithet  of  that 
portion  of  the  oviduct  where  the  egg-shell  is 
formed. 

Camu'ula,  n.     Same  a.s  Hoot  (which  .see). 

Cai.'i.ks,  )i.    New  lK)iiy  matter  joining  a  fraetur(^ 

CAl.viTK'ltiA,  H.  pi.  Tail-coverts;  the  snuiUer 
leathers  underlying  or  overlying  the  base  of 
the  tail.  (Little  used.)  See  ClllssUM  and 
Tkctiiu'Es  ('Ain.K.     (71.) 

Ca'i.vx,  91.  I'edicellatcd  ovarian  eajisule  of  two 
membranes  with  lax  ti.ssue  an<l  ve.s.sels,  rup- 
turing at  a  ]poiiit  called  the  .stiijma  to  dis- 
charge the  ovum,  then  collapsing  and  Wom- 
ing  absorbed. 

Cami'TIc'imim,  n.  Front  and  ater  border  of 
wing  as  far  as  the  boue  e.\tends.  (Little 
u.sed.)     (Ur..) 

Canamc'imm,  h.     Little  groove. 

Can'ckm.atku,  ((.     Denoting  bony  network. 

Can'tiii'.x,  11.;  |)1.  onillii.  Comer  of  eye 
where  the  lids  meet  ;  commis.sural  ))iiint  of 
eyelids,      t'linlhi  are  anterior  and  posterior. 

Cai",  h.     Pll.Kls  (which  sec).     CM.) 

Cai''ii.i.aiiy,  II.  or  n.  Of  hair-like  slcnderness. 
The  .snialle.st  bloodvessels  are  the  cajiillarics. 

CAi'i.s'riiATK,  a.     Hooded  or  cowli'd. 

Capis'i'IU'M,  ».  Hood  or  cowl ;  fiont  of  head 
all  around  bill.     (38.) 

Cat'itate,  a.  Said  of  a  feather  having  en- 
larged extremity. 

CAPll'ri.uxi,  7!.     Head  of  a  rib. 

C'AP'sn.An,  a.  Denoting  certain  ligaments  that 
completely  invest  a  joint. 

Ca'pitt,  n.  ;  gen.  aipilis,  \i[.  capita.  Head. 
(9,  29.) 

Cau'diac,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  heart. 

Caki'na,  ».     Keel;  under  ridge,  a.s  if  a  keel. 

Cau'ixate,  a.  Keeled  ;  ridged  beneath  as  if 
keided  ;  liaving  a  keel,  as  the  sternum  of  most 
birds. 

Car'inate  (birch),  n.  Those  possessing  a  keeled 
sternum  ;  th(>  grouji  Cariun/a:  as  contrasted 
with  J'atiliv. 

Cau'.nkoi's,  a.     Fleshy. 

CAItNlv'oitois,  a.     Flesh-eating. 

Cakot'iI)  (iirli-nj),  a.  for  n.  The  jirincipal  blood- 
ves.s(d  of  the  ni'ck,  single  in  most  birds,  .some- 
times ]iaired  as  in  nutmmalia. 

Cah'pai,,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  wri.st. 

Cah'i'ai.  An'ci.k,  )(.  Prominence  formed  at  the 
wrist-joint  when  the  wing  is  closed.  It  is 
practically  an  important  point  regionally, 
since  the  universally  used  nu'asurement, 
"length  of  wing,"  is  from  this  |ioint  to  the 
end  of  the  longest  ciuill. 


CAii'ptTs,  n.    The  wrist;  especially  its  bones. 

CAU'iii.AGt:,  n.  A  whitish,  iiard,  and  solid,  but 
elastic,  llexible,  and  solldile,  substance  of  the 
body,  permanent,  or  becoming  osseous  by  de- 
position of  bone-earth.  H  occurs  in  the 
windpipe,  in  many  joints,  and  elsewhere. 

CAitrii.Ad'i.Nofs,  ft.  Like,  containing,  or  con- 
sisting of,  cartilage. 

Caii'i;sii.k,  ».  Small  fleshy  excrescence,  par- 
ticularly about  the  head,  usually  naked,  and 
wrinkled,  warty,  or  brightly  colored. 

CAUrN'fri.ATE,  ".     Having  caruncles. 

Cai'da,  ?i.  The  tail.  (ti!t.)  In  descriptive 
ornithology,  generally  oidy  the  tail-feathci's 
are  meant.  ''(((/(/« /id  (•/(•m/«W.«  =  I5oai-sii  A  PKD 
Tail  (which  sec). 

('Af'liAli.     Harkwards  ;  toward  the  tail. 

Cau'dai.,  a.  Pertaining  to  the  tail;  as,  caudal 
vcrti'bra',  or  c(»»rf(»/extrennty  ;  but  we  hardly 
say  caiiilii/  feathers. 

Cem.,  ji.  Any  closed  sac  containing  fluid  or 
other  .substance. 

( 'Kl.'l.c  l.A  li,  a.    Having  cells  ;  compo.sed  of  cells. 

CK.N'riiK  OK  (iiiAv'iTY,  H.  Point  of  a  body  about 
which  the  wlude  is  balanced,  and  which,  if 
siijiporti'd,  supports  the  whole.  In  a  tlyiug 
bird  the  centre  of  gravity  is  below  the  mid- 
dle of  the  body,  so  that  the  bird  is  naturally 
ballasted. 

('Ks'Tltr.M,  71.  ;  pi.  centra.    Body  of  a  vertebra. 

Cki'Ii'ai.ai).     Forwards;  towards  the  head. 

Ckpiiai.'ic,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  head. 

Cki'Hai.o-cku'cai,  ((M'/.v),  a.  Denoting  the  long 
axis  of  the  IhhI  v. 

Cl'.'ltA,         j  li. 

CKliK.  ' 


Fleshy,  cutaneous  or  niembra- 


MiK,        >      nous,  often  feathered,  I'overing  of 

( 'Klio'.MA,  )  ba.se  of  bill  of  many  birds,  as  jiar- 
rots,  hawk.s,  and  owls ;  ditl'ering  thus  in  texture 
from  the  rest  of  tlu;  rhiiuiphuthcca,  and  usu- 
ally also  showing  an  evident  line  of  demarca- 
tion. When  present,  the  nostrils  are  always 
jiicrced  in  its  .substance,  — at  least  at  its  edge. 

Ceiiatohy'al,  n.  A  jiortion  of  the  "horn"  of 
the  hyoid  bone. 

Cek'cai.,  a.  Pertaining  to  the  tail.  (Little 
used. ) 

CF.Iil'.lU'.l.'l.Alt,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  cerebellum. 

Cekehki.'lim,  n.  Little  brain  ;  the  hinder, 
lower,  smalli.'r  nniss  of  the  brain,  in  birds 
striate  tran.sversely. 

('Ku'EnitAi,,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  brain. 

CEli'Kimo-sPixAl.  («j/.v  111'  cii/inim).  The  whole 
neural  axi.s,  or  column  of  nerve-.substance  en- 
closed in  the  spinal  canal  and  cranium. 

CEn'EnitrM,  n.  Brain  jirojier,  or  larger  brain, 
as  distinguished  from  the  cerebellum. 

Cep.i'men,  n.     Ear-wax. 

Ceu'vicAL,  a.  Pertaining  to  the  hind-neck; 
as,  a  ecrcieal  collar.  Al,so,  pertaining  to  the 
whole  ncc'k  ;  as,  rerrieal  vertebra;. 

Ceu'vix,  ».  Hind-neck  ;  from  occiput  to  in- 
tcrscapulinni,  including  najie  and  scrulf.    (48). 

ClIAI.A/i'.K,  n.  pi.  Twisted  filaments  of  con- 
dcn.sed  albumeii  forming  a  thread  at  each  l>ole 
of  the  yolk,  steadying  it  by  attjichmeut  to  the 
lining  membrane  of  tlie  egg,  and  balancing  it 
in  such  manner  that  the  "  tread  "  stays  up- 
permost. 

Chai.azif'kkous,  a.  Denoting  the  layers  of 
condensed  albumen  which  form  the  chalaza'. 


GLOSSARY. 


539 


Char'acter,  ?i.  Any  mntorial  nttrihuto  sus- 
ceptible of  (Icfiiiition  (or  usi'  in  (lc',sin|iti(in 
aikI  cliLssiKoatinii,  Also,  ii  niuu  of  sncli  iittri- 
butes  ;  ns,  of  passcriiii'  rhnnirlrr. 

Ciias'ma,  h.     Dcrussiilion  of  tlir  optic  nerve. 

f'lll'.KK,  H.  ()ilt.siile  of  liiisc  (if  lower  JHW  ;  iilso, 
tlie  correapoiuliiiK  region  of  upper  J nw.  Com- 
pare (iKN.t;  and  Mai.au  Hkhiun.  Citi.)  (The 
term  i-stlitfereiitly  employeil  liy  various  writers, 
ami  is  at  best  not  definite.) 

Clliv,  n.  Space  between  forks  of  lower  jaw; 
njipi'r  throat.     SccMkntI'M.     (4(1.) 

C'lio'lioin,  ».  Vascular  l)lack  nienibrane  of  the 
eye,  Ixitween  retina  ami  .selenitic.  Chnroiil 
plr.iun,  a  certain  fold  of  the  pin  iim/i  i; 

Ciivi.K,  V.  A  certain  intestinal  lluid  resultinj,' 
from  <lif;e.stioM. 

ClIVMK,  )i.  A  certain  )iroduct  of  inconiiiletod 
digestion. 

CicAriili'll.A,  II.  Dark  spot  on  tlie  .surfact?  of 
a  fecundateil  yolk.     See  Vot.k. 

rii.'iArKi),  It.  liristly  ;  furnislu'il  with  bristles, 
or  small  bristle-like  feathers  ;  fringed. 

Cll.'lu.M,  n.\  )>1.  ciliii.  Bristly  or  hair-like  feath- 
er, about  the  month  and  eyes  especially.  See 
VimiissA  and  Skta. 

Pink'ukois,  ((.     Of  an  ashy  color. 

C'liii  I'M-  (ill  rniiijiofiiHiiii).  Around  ;  about  : 
as,  cirrii  Hill  nut,  ciiriiiiinrhifii/,  rircuinaiiral, 
—  around  the  anus,  orbit,  ear,  etct. 

C'iRcrMi)i<  'riiiN,  II.  Movement  of  a  limb  by 
which,  if  completed,  a  com'  is  descrilied. 

C'lRim'<"l-s,  a.      riifteil. 

Class,  ii.  Fundanu'ntal  division  of  animal.s  : 
the  f/ii.1.1  of  Birds;  the  rlii.in  .Ins. 

Cl.AssiFliA'riox,  II.     Systematic  arrangement. 

Clav'hi.i;,  II.  Collar-bone.  In  birds,  the  two 
clavicles  usually  unite  to  form  the  furciilum, 
nierrv-thoufjht  or  wish-bone. 

Ci.avk  'ri.Aii,  ((.     I'crtainini;  to  the  clavicles. 

Ci-AW,  II.     (1-21.) 

Cl.AW-.ioiNT,  11.     (122.)     See  Ifllizns-YCIHI'M. 

Cmt'oius,  II.  Krectile  venereal  orjjan  of  the 
female,  homologue  of  the  male  penis,  present 
in  some  birds. 

Cloa'ca,  n.  Knlarged  lower  end  of  straight 
gut,  receiitacle  of  products  of  genito-urinary 
.system  and  refuse  of  digestion. 

Clutch,  n.     Ne.st-complement  of  eggs. 

CsF.'.MlAL,  a.  Pertaining  to  the  cms  or  .shin. 
F'liuivalent  to  critrnl. 

Cnemid'h'm,  11.  End  of  cms,  naked  in  most 
wading  bird.s. 

Coc(vi;i:'ai,,  n.  Pertaining  to  the  tail,  espe- 
cially to  its  bones  ;  synonymous  with  cniiiln/. 

Cof'i'V.x,  II.  Tin'  tail,  lus  to  its  bones  collec- 
tively. Os  coixi/ifi.i.  Any  oni'  of  the  tail- 
bones,  or  coccygeal  vertcbi-.e. 

CociiM.KA,  M.    A  certain  portion  of  the  inner  car. 

('(K'iTM,  II.;  ]il.  riiva.     See  C.WTM. 

Cui'liac,  '(.  Pertaining  to  certain  of  the  ab- 
dominal viscera.  Little  n.sed,  excepting  as 
the  name  of  e.  certain  artery,  the  cieliar,  im/.s-. 

Coi'ti'.s,  n.     Sexual  intercourse. 

Col'i.AR,  n.  Ring  of  color  around  neck.  See 
TouQi-Es.     (.55.) 

Col'lum,  71.  Neck  ;  part  of  body  between  and 
connecting  head  and  trunk.     (47.) 

Colora'tiok,  n.  Coloring  ;  pattern  or  mode  of 
coloring,  or  the  colors  collectively. 


Coi.UMEi.'l.A,  n.  Hone  or  cartilage  of  the  inner 
ear  of  Sniirojinidii,  answering  to  the  .^lapct  of 
nnimmalia. 

CoMH,  II.  Kn'ct  fleshy  lengthwise  process,  or 
caruncle,  on  top  of  head,  as  in  the  domestic 
cock. 

Co.M.Mis'sriiAi,  I'lXNT.  l'<iint  where  thi'  ap- 
pos<'d  edges  of  the  mandililes  meet  and  join  ; 
corner  of  the  mouth.  Kipiivalent  to  angle  of 
the  mouth,  itiiijiilii.i  iiris. 

CoM'MissriiE,  II.  (I,at.  ciiii  ami  iiiilln,  to  put 
or  lay  together.)  Line  of  closure  of  the  two 
njan<lil>les  ;  track  or  trace  of  their  apposel 
edges  when  the  jaws  are  closed.  Often  ini- 
]iroperIy  used  to  signify  the  n/ifiiiini  lifhrrm 
the  mandibles  ;  luit  this  is  ii/iirhini,  nri.i, 
<fii/ii;  rirhi.s.  ('iiiiiiiiissiiri'  is  the  whole  riiiin 
oris,  (mtline  of  the  nioutli,  when  such  outline 
of  up]ier  and  under  jaw  is  made  one  in  closure 
of  the  mouth. 

CoMl'l.EX'fs,  H.  Name  of  a  certain  cervical 
muscle. 

CoMl'liKssEti',  (I.  Narrowed  sidewise  ;  higher 
than  wide.     The  opposite  i>{  i/i/mssiil. 

Cn.Mi'iiEssEii'  ('('//),  a.  Folded  together,  as  in 
the  barnyard  cock.    ==  ('ninlii  finiijircssn. 

CoNA'iiii'.M,  II.  Same  as  I'tNKAi,  honv  (which 
see). 

Con'cAVK,  ti.  Hollowed,  as  the  inner  side  of  a 
curved  line  or  inner  face  of  a  curved  surface. 
Opposite  of  ciwr'M'. 

Con'dvi.i",  n.  Articular  eminence  of  bone  in 
hingi'-joints. 

Ciin'hmi'.nt,  II.  Run  together;  grown  together ; 
coalesced. 

CoMitos'rUAl.,  ".  Having  a  conical  bill,  like  a 
sparrow's. 

CoN.ii  Ncri'VA,  71.  Vascular  mendir.ini'  lining 
till'  cvelids  and  rellected  over  the  front  of  the 
eyeball. 

CoN'NArE,  (T.  Born  or  inoduced  together;  orig- 
inally united  ;  joined  from  the  beginning. 
>'oiin/itioii  is  earlier  ami  more  intimate  or 
complete  union  than  fnnllitiiirr. 

CoNTisr'irv,  71.  Part  of  a  thing  between  its 
ends  in  any  way  distinguished. 

(^oN'Tni-R  I'eath'eus,  71.  The  general  plumage 
of  perfect  featlier.s,  lying  external  and  deter- 
mining the  superficial  .shape  of  a  bird.  Dis- 
tinguished from  (hum  friiljifrs. 

<'()ii'A((iii>  (limie),n.  Large  stout  bone  connect- 
ing shoulder  with  sternum. 

CnltlA'i  Tors,  a.  Denoting  integument  of  dense, 
tcmgli,  leathery  texture. 

Co'iiifM,  77.     Same  as  Cutis  (which  see). 

CoR'XKA,  11.  Transparent  ]K)rtion  of  the  eye- 
ball. 

Coii'NKor.s,  11.     Horny. 

C(iR'xil'H-MK,  (I.  Tuft  of  feathers  on  head, 
erected  like  a  horn. 

('(ik'nc,  11.     Horn. 

Coito'xA,  71.  Top  of  he.-id.  Kquivalent  to  cap 
or  pileua.  Vertex  is  the  highest  point  of 
corona. 

Cor'oxate,  n.  Having  coronal  feathers  length- 
ened or  otherwise  distinguished. 

Cor'its,  17.     Body,  as  a  whole. 

CoR'ptTs   Callo'sum,   n.      Mass   of   transverse 


540 


GLOSSARY. 


white  fibres,  ronncctiiig  the  eerebrnl   hemi- 

s|ili>'irs  ;  wanting  in  liint.s. 
Cou'TIiAl.,  n.     Kxteinnl,  us  o|))x>se(l  to  medul- 

Ian/, 
Cds'iAl.,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  rilw. 
I'iistik'kiuh's,  (t.     Kib-bearing,   as   tlie   dorsal 

vertebnu. 
Cot'yi.k,  It.     Same  as  AfKTAitfi.uM. 
Cox'a,  h.     Hip. 

(  'ha'niai,,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  skull. 
('iiA'.Mi^M,  n.     SknII. 

(HKsT,     j  It.     Any  lengthened  featliers  of  top 
Cui.'s'ta,  (       or  sides  of  lieud. 
('KMi'KIKoHM,  a.     Sieve-like. 
C'lM'coii),  a.     Name  of  u  certain  larj-ngcal  car- 
tilage. 
I'ms'sHM,  n.     ProiKM'ly,  the  under  tail-coverts 

collectively.      Oltener  nsed  to  designate  the 

cirounianal  ])lninage.     (titi.) 
Clid'rAi'llYTE  {(irpraiiiimi).     A  concavity  on  the 

outside  of  the  .sknll  on  each  .side  behind,  tilled 

with  inusch'  ;  temporal  fo.ssa. 
CnowN,  w.     Pileiis;  top  of  head,  csiiocinlly  the 

vertex. 
('Rf'ciAi,,       )a.    In  the  shape  of  a  cross.    The 
C'lU'iii'ouM,  \      irucu'l  list  is 

tally  conclusive. 
Ciiru!n'us,  7(.     Name  of  a  certain  muscle  of  the 

thigh. 
Clii'MiAL,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  cms,  or  shin. 
t'Kl'S,  H.      The  shin  ;    segment  of  the  leg  be- 
tween the  thigh  and  ankle,   represented  by 

the  tibia. 
riiY.s'rAi,LiNK  (lens),  a.     See  Lkss. 
Cu'niT,  It.     The  forearm. 
Ci'ditai,,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  forearm. 


one  expeninen- 


bag  "  ;   closed 


f'f'cn.LATK,  a.     Hooded 

CfL-DE-sAc,  «..     "Bottom  of  a 
end  of  a  cavity. 

C'ri.'.MKN,  II.  Itidgo  of  upper  mandible  ;  highest 
median  lengthwise  line  of  the  bill.     (20.) 

rui.'.MiSAi,,  <i.     Pertaining  to  the  culmen. 

f'fi.ruiKns'ruAi.,  a.  Having  the  bill  shaped 
like  a  heron's. 

Ci'N'kate,       )  a.     Wedge-shaped.      A  cuneate 

CrN'EIFOit.M,  \  tail  has  the  middle  feathers 
longest,  the  rest  succe.ssively  regularly  short- 
ened. 

rvN'ElFORM  (hone),  n.     One  of  the  wrist-bones. 

Cur.so'kiai,,  a.  Running  ;  pertaining  or  be- 
longing to  an  obsolete  group,  Ciirsores  or 
ninners. 

Pointed  as  a  spear-head. 
Pertaining  to  the  .skin.    Same 


rr.s'riDATE,  a. 
CuTA'.NEor.s,  a 

as  dcrvKiL 
C't-'Tlci.E,  n. 


Scarf-skin  ; 


o\iteiTnost  layer  of 
skin,  which  continually  exfoliates. 

Cu'tis,  n.  Skin;  thetnie  skin,  as  distin- 
guished from  cuticle  and  subcutaneous  tis- 
sue.     Corium  and  (lermn  are  synonymous. 

Cyst,  n.     Sac  holding  pathological  pioducts. 


Dac'tyi,,  n.    Finger  or  toe.    Equivalent  to  digit. 
Dactyi.othe'ca,  n.     Covering  of  the  toes. 
Dasyp.f.'dic,  a.     Synonymous  with  jUilopxdic. 
DEriD'rous,    n.      Temjiorary ;    falling    early. 
The  doi-sal  plumes  of  the  egret  are  deciduous. 


DEcoMmsEl)',   a.      Separate;    standing  apart. 

A  i/fCDinpnsrd  crest  has  the  feathers  standing 

away  from  each  other. 
I)K(iM'nENT,  n.     Lying  or  hanging  downward. 
Deci'uvei)',  ".     (iradually  curved  downward. 

( )pposed  to  recurved. 
nEcr.s'sATE,  a.     (.'rossj'd  ;  intersected. 
Dkeeca'tupn,  71.     Act  of  discharging  the  con- 
tents of  the  cloaca. 
I)K(il.i,-n'Tl(iN,  ».     Act  of  swallowing. 
Dl'-rEi'rioN,  71.    Sanu' as  defecation.    Also,  the 

matters  so  di.schargeil. 
I)ei.'T(pii),  (I.     Triangular.     A  muscle  over  the 

shoulder  is  .so  named. 
Dr.Ml-  (in  composition).     Half;  same  as  semi-. 
Uen'iahy,  n.     An  epithet  of  the  foremost  elc- 

nuMit  of  the  com|H)und  manilibular  bone. 
IlE.N'rATE,  j  a.      Toothed  ;    notched  as  if 

DENTIc'fl.ATE,   \       toothed. 
Dentio'ekoi-.s,  ft.      Hearing  teeth.      The   Ich- 

t/iifoniis,  Apalomis,  and  Odontopleryx  {!)  are 

denti()en»is  birds. 
DENriiios'riiAl.,  n.    Having  the  bill  notched  as 

if  toothed.      Belonging  to  a  certain  obsolete 

order,  Ihntiroslres. 
nENTl'riiiN,  71.     Act  of  cutting  teeth. 
Demda'tion,  71.     State  of  nakedness;  act  of 

laying  bare. 
Dem.'dei),  rt.     Naked;  laid  bare. 
1)EiU!'.SI'M.      Below. 

DeI'I.U'.MATE,      )  „  p  f     .1  /i  \ 

I)EIM,U.MA'-ns,    1    "•      »"•■<■  '>ff"«tl«"'-«-      (*•) 

Dei'HEsseh',  a.  Flattened  vertically.  Oppo- 
site of  compressed. 

Deisa.'im,  71.  Bottom  or  lower  part  of  the 
neck.     (Little  used.) 

Dek'.mal,  a.  Pertaining  to  the  skin  ;  made  of 
skin  ;  cutaneous. 

Deu'.mai,  Ai'i'EN'DACiE.  Any  outgrowth  from 
the  skin. 

DEHTUdTiiE'cA,  a.     Covcriug  of  end  of  bill. 

Dek'tri'.m,  71.  Knd  of  maxilla,  in  any  way  dis- 
tinguished.    (21.) 

Desmoonath'ous,  a.  Having  the  palate  bones 
united. 

Des'.moid,  a.     Ligamentous. 

Desqi-ama'tiox,  n.     Peeling  off. 

Dex'tuap,  «.     Toward  the  right  side. 

Dex'trai.,  u.     Of  or  on  the  right  side. 

Dl-  (/7i  composition).     Twice  ;  double. 

PlAfiNo'si.s,  71.  Distinctive  knowledge.  Also 
characterization,  or  a  brief,  jirecise,  and  exclu- 
.sively  pertinent  delinition.  Diniptosis  is  nearly 
.synonymous  in  this  sen.se  with  definition;  both 
dill'er  from  description  in  omitting  non-essen- 
tial imrticulars  ;  but  definition  niay  include 
jioints  equally  applicable  to  some  other  object. 

DiA(iX()s'ric,  a.  Distinctively  and  exclusively 
characteristic.  Feathers  arc  diagnostic  of 
birds. 

DrAi'il'ANOf,s,  a.     Transparent. 

Di'aviiragm,  n.  Midritf;  nuusculo-tendinous 
jiartition  between  thorax  and  abdomen,  rudi- 
mentary or  wanting  in  birds. 

Diapiiracmat'ic,  a.  Pertaining  to  the  dia- 
phragm. 

Diapoph'ysis,  7t.  Transverse  process  of  a  ver- 
tebra. 

Diarthro'sis,  n.  Movable  articulation  of 
bones  in  general. 


OLOSSARY. 


541 


Dias'tasis,  j  (I.     A   separation  of  bones,  pnr- 
Dias'tema,  j      tii'iilarly  the  crnniiil  ones,  (ir  of 

ti'i'tli,  from  cnrli  ntlirr. 
DlAs'roi.E,   n.     Dilatntion  of  tlie  heiirt,  altnr- 

niitinR  with  tiie  ni/sloli;  or  cimtriiction,  occii- 

sioiiin^  inilsution. 
Diciiht'omoi'h,  a.     Divided  into  ]iiiir.s. 
Dkiiiio.MATIC,  a.     Of  two  colors,  us  tlie  "  red  " 

and  ",i;riiy  "  ))laniHges  of  Srii/iii  anio. 
DlUAc'TM.ni's,  a.     T\vo-toe<l,  iis  tlio  ostridi. 
DiciAs'ruic,    It.      Doulile-lieilied  ;    name   of  a 

certain  muscle. 
DliilT'lOKAIiK,  II.     Walking  on  tlie  toes.      ()|i- 

posed  to  jiliintiijraik. 
DinnvH,  n,;  it\.  diijiti.     Digit.     Finger  or  toe. 

(110.) 
DiMoiii'lllc,  a.     Of  two  forms. 
DllM.o'li,  H.     Light  spongy  network  of  hone  be- 
tween inner  and  outer  surface  of  tlie  skull. 
Disc  (ir  Disk,  h.     Set  of  radiating  feathers  of 

peculiar  shape  or  texture  around  the  eye  of 

owls. 
DissEi'iMF.s'ri-.M  Xau'ii'M,  n.     Same   lus  .icp- 

turn  iiariitm,  which  see. 
Dls'iAl),  a.     Toward  an  extremity. 
Dis'tai,,  a.     Iteniote  ;  situate  at  or  near  an  ex- 
tremity ;  ojipo.sed  to  pnu'iiiui/. 
Dls'riiliocs,  '(.     Two-rowed  ;  s[iread  apart  on 

either  side  of  a  middle  line,  as  the  hair.s  of  a 

.sciuirrel's  tail,  or  tlie  tail-feathers  of  the  Ar- 

chifoplerij.r,. 
Ditok'ol's,  II.     Producing  but  two  eggs,  as  the 

pigeon  and  hnmniing-liiid. 
Dirii'xAi.,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  daytime. 
DivAii'ic.vTE,    a.      Uranching   olf;    spreading 

apart ;  cniving  away. 
Drvi'.RTi<'i!i,UM,  n.     An  otTshoot  of  the  small 

intestine. 

Toward  the  back.      Opposite  of 


Doii'sAI),  a. 

renlrad. 

Dok'sal,  a. 

DoR'si'M,  n. 


Pertaining  to  the  hack. 
Piack  ;    upper  surface  of  trunk 
from  neck  to  rump.     (.j7.) 

Down,  n.  Small  soft  feathers  of  plumulaceous 
structure,  generally  growing  about  the  roots 
of  phtnue,  and  concealed  by  them.  See 
Plumuls. 

Down'v,  a.  Of  plumulaceous  structure.  A 
part  of  the  plumage  is  of  down-feathers,  nnil 
the  bases  of  the  contour  feathers  usually  also 
are  of  downy  structure. 

Duct,  u.  Any  tube  for  conveyance  of  an  ani- 
mal product ;  as  oviduct,  sperm-(/«e?,  lachry- 
mal dud. 

Duod'knai,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  duodenum. 

Dcud'esitm,  n.  A  short  jiortion  of  the  n]iper 
intestine  next  to  the  gizzanl,  receiving  the 
pancreatic  and  hepatic  .secretions. 

Du'ka  Ma'pek,  h.  Outer  nieniliranous  invest- 
ment of  the  bruin. 

Dusk'y,  a.     Of  any  undefined  dark  color. 


E. 

Eared,  a.  Having  lengthened  or  highly  col- 
ored auricular  or  other  feathers  on  the  side  of 
the  head.     Eared  grebe  ;  \ang-C(ircd  owl. 

Ec'DYSis,  n.  Moult ;  the  shedding  and  renewal 
of  plumage. 


KniN'oMY  (also  written  (rcmwinii),  n.  Physical 
or  tihysiologiciil  dis|)osili()u.  (laterally,  ivgu- 
lation  of  a  liouseholil. ) 

Ki'To-  (ill  i-oiii/ioniliiiii).     Outer. 

K<TiiZo'nN',  II.  Kxternnl  parasite,  as  a  louse  ; 
siinu!  as  I'/iixitiiii.     (^ppo^cd  to  i'hIikii^'hi. 

KnuN'rATK,       /  It.      Toiillilcss,    as    nearly   all 

Kiik.n'tii.iiits,   \      birds  are. 

KllOE  (IK  WiMi.      (!».'>.)      .See  ('AMlTKllir.M. 

Kk'ki'.kk.st,  (».  Conveying  outward  or  away; 
opposeil  to  iilTiri'iil. 

Ki.'k.mkni',  II.  .\  simple  ultimate  conslitnent 
part  of  a  compound  oigaii.  The  cintrum  is 
an  iliiiifiU  of  a  vertebra. 

Kl,'i;VATKri,  ((.  Said  i>f  the  hinil  toe  when  iu- 
■serteil  above  the  level  of  the  others. 

Kl.iix'iiAri:,  '/.    Leugtln'Mi'd  beyond  usual  ratio. 

KMAli'dlNATi:,  ".  Notched  at  the  end  ;  slightly 
forked,  espei'ially  in  ciuse  of  a  tail  so  slia[ied  ; 
also  notched,  or  abruptly  narniwed  along  the 
edge,  in  its  continuity,  ius  the  border  of  many 
a  wing-ipiill. 

K.MlKisitiiNT,  II.  State  of  perfect  health,  as  in- 
dicated by  condition  of  fatness  not  amounting 
to  eor))nlcnci'  or  obesity. 

KM'niiVD,  II.  Keenndated  gi'iin  or  rucliuieiif  of 
an  animal  ;  .said  of  a  birii  until  hatched,  and 
therefor(^  eorres]ionding  to  fiftiis  in  mammal- 
ogy. 

K.Miiitvoi.'ocv,  II.  .Seicni'c  ,ir  study  of  the  de- 
veliipmeiit  of  animals  liel'ore  birth  or  hatching. 

JvMiiUVos'ii',  ".  I'ertaining  to  an  eiiiluyo;  be- 
ing an  embryo  ;  unt  yet  Imtelied. 

Ena.m'ki,,  n.  The  lianl  white  substance  cover- 
ing tli(^  teeth. 

KNAnriiuo'sis,  )(.     liall-and-.soeket  joint. 

EscErii'Ai.os,  II.  Contents  of  the  cranium, 
especially  the  brain. 

Endiicak'uium,  II.  Lining  membrane  of  the 
heart. 

ENDoii'Esors,  n.  01  internal  growth  or  forma- 
tion ;  intcrstitially  deposited,  (.'oniparc!  au- 
fnijrniiu.i.      Opposed  \i)  I'l'ittji' units. 

Endoskei.'eton",  It.  The  skeleton  proper,  or 
skeleton  as  eomnionly  nndci-stood  ;  the  inner 
bony  framework  of  the  body.  (I'sed  in  dis- 
tinction from  f.vodrlc/im  or  dcnnoskrlcton, 
such  as  some  animals  possess.) 

Knti'.u'H',  a.  Belonging  or  relating  to  the  in- 
testines; intestinal. 

Ksro-  (//(,  finiipo-titiun).      Inner. 

Ei'KNcki'ii'alon,  n.  Hindmost  segment  of  the 
brain. 

El'I-  (ill  compn.iifion).  On  ;  ujion  ;  over.  Op- 
posed to  Itjipi)-. 

Ei'ihEit'.Mis,  It.     Cuticle  or  .scarf-skin. 

El'imii'VMls,  n.  An  associate  organ  of  the  tes- 
tis, in  bjiils  a]>pareiitly  a  remnant  of  the  pri- 
mordial kidney. 

P^l'IiiAs'ritirM,  It.  Pit  of  stoniach  ;  upper  belly, 
next  to  breast.  (.\  region  not  well  distin- 
guished in  birds.  The  term  is  scarcely  used.) 
(«4.) 

Ei'IGLot'tis,  n.  (Jristly  flap  on  to])  of  wind- 
pipe, rudimentary  or  wanting  in  birds. 

Ei'KiNATH'or.s,  It.     Hook-billed. 

EnoT'ir,  a.  for  ».  A  certain  clement  of  the 
auditory  capsule. 

EPiPH'vsis,  n.  Gristly  cap  on  the  end  of  a 
bono,  afterward  becoming  bony  and  united. 


542 


GLOSSARY, 


Kriri.F.i''nA,  n.     An  ol)li(|n<'l.v  Imckwonl  hony 

process  (if  a  vprtibml  lih. 

Kl'lillK'i.ir.M,  II.  Sin«'iiiciiil  lavt'f  of  niiiPouK 
iiK'niliniiii',  Soiiii'MiiirN  iil.sii  till'  tliii'k  toiif;li 
niriiilii'iiiii'  lining  tin'  nW./Mii. 

Ei'I1IIi;'m.\,  II.    11(11  ii.vi'.vi'rc.si'ciic'PtiiMiii  the  bill. 

Kl'lZ(i'(>N,  II.     All  cxtciiiiil  )paiii.sit('. 

Ki'l/.(i(il'l( ,  ".      I'lii'iiHilic  niiioiiK  aiiiiniils. 

KitKc'ill.K,  (/.  Sii»(('iitili|('  of  liciiiK  I'liisi'd,  as 
a  cfcMt  ;  or  cajialilc  of  swelling  uiul  stiU'eiiiiiK, 
ns  a  |i('iiis, 

Kli'YriiiilsM,  11.  A  particular  state  of  pluinajje 
elianiclcrizcil  by  excess  of  red  pifjineut  ;  it  is 
well  sliowii  ill  .SVo/M  iisiii  and  other  owls.  (( 'oni- 
paic  itUiiiii.'^iii  and  iiii/init.iiii.) 

Ki'H'.Miiin,  II.  OiKMif  the  cranial  bones,  in  the 
niLsal  region. 

Ervr'iiAl,,  (I.  Of  exceptional  ehamcter.  Tend- 
ing; away  from  a  particular  type.  Opjiosed  to 
iilhl/iinil. 

Ei'.sT.\'(lll.\N  {tiihr),  a.  foni.  The  air-tul)e  from 
the  fauces  to  the  inner  ear. 

EvKN  (Jiiil),  II.  Having  all  the  feathers  of  ('(jnal 
length.    Al.so  called  rniii/ii  in/iiii/i.i  or  iii/iijrii. 

Kx-  {ill  ciiiii/iii.iiliini).    Out  ;  out  of;  away  from. 

E.XcKKs'cKNCE,  II.  Outgrowth,  llesliy  or  ciita- 
neoii.s. 

Exciik'ta,  v.  fil.  Kxorenient,  or  other  animal 
refuse. 

Kx'(  UKTiiltY  or  Ex'cnF.TlVE,  n.  Having  power 
or  (piality  of  excreting.  />(')r/i'H,7ditl'ers  from 
.secreting,  in  that  the  substance  resulting  is 
to  be  eliminated  from  the  (H'oiioniy,  not  u.sed  ; 
e.  g.  saliva  is  .sirn-tnt ;  urea  is  r.i-cirliil. 

Ex(i(Tii''irAi.,  n.  or  ii.  One  of  the  lateral  ele- 
ments of  the  occipital  bone. 

Exod'r.sois,  n.     I'roduccd  by  outgrowth. 

ExdsTo'sis,  II.  Any  morbid  bony  outgrowth  or 
enlargement. 

ExTF.s'soii,  II.  (ieneric  name  of  nuLwlci  that 
extend  or  straighten  a  limb  or  any  of  it.s  seg- 
ments. 

ExTK'nioli  ToF-s.     (12(1.) 

ExriiEM'li'v,  II.  Any  limb,  member  ;  equal  to 
niimbnim,  ni'lu.i. 

Ev'as,  n.     An  uniledgod  hawk. 

Eve'brow,  ji.     (43.)    See  SrpuRrii.irM. 

Ey'ky  or  Kv'rie,  ii.     Nest  of  a  bird  of  prey. 


F. 


Fabf.i.'i.a,  n.     A  certain  .sesamoid  bone. 

Fa'cet,  n.  Smooth,  flattened  artiiuilating  sur- 
face. 

Fa'ciai.,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  face. 

Fa'cies,  ji.  Facu  ;  whole  front  of  head,  ox- 
c('|)ting  the  bill. 

F-k'cai.,  n.  Pertaining  to  excrement ;  exere- 
nieiititious. 

F.k'ce.s,  ii.  pi.     Excrement ;  dung. 

FAl/rmmM,  t  "•  Si^'kL-.'^linpod;  .leytho-shaped. 
FAi.'roxiNE,  a.    Like  a  hawk  ;  belonging  to  the 

Fii/coiiiilir. 
Fai.se  Wino.     (79.)    See  Ai.ri.A. 
Falx  Cerebri,  n.     A  certain  fold  of  the  dura 

malcr. 
Family,  n.      Systematic  group  of   the  grade 

betweon  order  and  genus,  generally  distin- 


guislied  or  denoted  by  the  terminntion  -idee, 

as  Fiikiiii-ida;. 

Fa.s'cia,  H.  Hroad  band  of  color.  Also,  equiva- 
lent to  AroNF.i'iin.sis  (which  see). 

Fas'ciatkii,  n.     Itroadly  banded  with  color. 

Fas'ck  l.K,  II.      Bundle. 

l::;::n!';"AVK,  I  -  ""■■"'^••^ 

FAHiUi'iArK,  II.  Hundied  together  into  conical 
sha|H',  or  with  enlarged  head,  like  a  wheat- 
sheaf. 

Fat'ies,  11.  The  jaw.s,  internally;  back  of  the 
mouth.     I'ompare  Pharynx. 

FeATHEII,  II.  (1  ;  HH.)  See  Pu'ma,  Pessa. 
Any  one  of  the  objects  which  oolleetively  con- 
stitute the  peculiar  covering  of  birds. 

F'Ei'ri.KNT,  ((.     Excreiiicntitiona. 

Ff.i  Ts'iiArEi),  a.  Impregnated;  made  fruit- 
ful ;  said  of  the  germ  of  an  egg  which  has  re- 
ceived the  male  element. 

Feci'mia'i'idn,  fi.  Impregnation;  the  usual 
e()nse(iu('licc  of  the  i(iinplcted  joint  net  of  th(! 
ovarian  and  spcvniatic  organs, 

Fi'.ciN'Drrv,  n.     Fruitfuliiess. 

Fi;m'(i1!A1,,  II.  Pertaining  to  the  thigh,  or  part 
of  leg  from  hip  to  knee. 

Ff.'.mik,  II.  Thigh-bone.  Also  used  synonym- 
ously with  //liij/i.     (ii7.) 

Feses'tiiate,  II.  Furnished  with  openings 
(fromyiiK'.i^m,  a  window). 

Fe'kai.,  (I.  Wild  ;  not  tamed.  Oppo.sed  to 
iliiiiiinlir.  The  inallard  is  the  J'lrcil  stock  of 
the  tame  duck. 

FEiutnii.N'Kou.s  or  FEURr'niKors,  n.  Rusty- 
rcd. 

FE'risor  FcE'Tfs,  11.  Fiiborn  young.  (Hut  the 
unhatched  young  of  birds  are  oftener  called 
ciii/iriiiis.) 

Finuii.'i.A,  II. ;  pi.  fihrillai.     Little  fibre. 

Fin'Ris,  11.  Certain  animal  substance  of  fibrous 
composition,  found  in  the  blood  and  else- 
where. 

Fi'DUd-cAR'Tll.Ar.E,  11.  A  kind  of  cartilage  of 
librous  structure,  such  as  that  between  verte- 
bra" and  many  other  joints. 

Fin'fi.A,  II.  Smaller  outer  leg-bone,  lying  along- 
.side  the  tibia. 

Fil'a.mext,  II.     Thread  or  slender  fibre. 

Fli.AMESr'oi'.s,  )  IT.     Threadlike  ;  comjw.sed  of 

Fll.'iFtiRM,  (  filaments ;  oftener,  very  nar- 
rowly linear. 

Fii.oi'i.i'ma'ceou.s,  a.  Having  the  structure  of 
a  filoplmne. 

Fli.'ori.i'ME,  n.  Thread-like  or  hair-like  feath- 
er ;  one  with  .slender  scaiie,  and  without  web 
in  mo.st  or  all  of  its  length. 

Fni'iiRiATEl),  a.     Fiinged. 

Fl.ssii'Al.'MAiK,  a.  Lobiped  and  semipalmate, 
as  a  grebij's  foot  is. 

Fis'su'Ei),  a.  Having  cleft  toes.  Opiiosed  to 
palmi/ird. 

Fissiikis'tral,  a.  Having  the  bill  cleft  far  be- 
yond the  base  of  its  horny  jiart. 

FlssiRds'TREs,  JI.  An  obsolete  order  of  cleft- 
billed  birds. 

Fl.AM'.MlLATET),  H.    Peivaded  with  reddish  color. 

Flaxk,  11.    Hinder  part  of  side  of  trunk.    (67.) 

Flap,  ji.     See  Loma. 

Flex'ion,  ji.  Rending  (of  a  limb).  Opposed  to 
ejeteiufion. 


GI,()!>!8A11Y. 


043 


Fi.F.x'iiH,  II.  (IciiiMic  iinme  of  II  iini8i'li>  that 
liciids  II  liiiili  ui'  luiy  III'  its  itrffiiii'iits, 

Fl.KXl'llA  (ii/ii),  II.  lii'llcl  111'  till'  wlli>,",  rill|iiil 
nii<;li' ;  salii-iit  aiii;li'  iir  |ii'iiniiiii'Mi't'  riirini'il  at 
the  wrist  wlicii  tin'  wiiiH  is  lijlilni,     (77.) 

Fl.EX'niK,  n.     Sec  l''l.KxriiA. 

Fl.(>(''ti'l.KM',  a.  I'riliiliiiiij;  to  till'  iii'iuliar 
down  of  newly  liatolifd  or  unlli'ilpil  yoniiK 
birds.  (Not  nsrd  in  oniitliolo),'y  in  its  rorn- 
nion  sense  oi  llidij.) 

Fl-iii'fiM,  ji.  A  iHrnliar  l<ind  of  [iliiniaKe  of 
Hitn|ile  strneture  (>{eneniliy  downv),  I'oniid  in 
unlli'(l;,'ed  liirds,  at  liisl  urowiuK  ilircctly  from 
the  skill,  afterwards  for  tin*  most  |iart  iiHixid 
to  tlie  tip  of  the  true  feaflier,  of  wiiiidi  it  is 
the  jireeiirsor,  or  rallier  llie  liist-fonneil  imrt ; 
and  liiially  falling  oil',  in  |isiloiiiedii'  liin' 
the  lloeens  is  only  assoeiatnl  with  the  true 
plunmjje,  Hprontiiif,'  from  the  fiitnie  |ileiylie 
nlone  ;  in  ptilopa'dic  liirds  it  also  s|iroiiis 
from  the  a|itei'ia,  and  in  so  far  is  nncoiiiiei'ted 
with  future  |ilnnm;re  ;  the  whole  liody  is  in 
siieh  eases  densely  ilolhid.      (Siiiiili-nill.) 

FiK'TI'.s,  a.      Same  as  l''l'.ri's  (whieh  see). 

F(il/l.lci,K,,  II.     Minute  secretory  sue. 

F(il.l.l(.'ll..\ll,     \ii.    Having  follicles  ;  coni|iosed 

Fol,I.H:'l-|,ATK,  i       of  follicles. 

Foot,  ji.     (112.)     See  l*);s. 

Foor-.ioiNT,  n.  .Innctiou  of  toes  colleclively 
with  the  metatarsus.  (1(1(1.)  See  riiliAli- 
TiiiirM. 

Foka'mks,  H.;  \t[.  fiiniin'iiiii.     Hide;  ojieninj;; 

iierforatioii.  Fiiniiinn  iiiiiiiiiiiin,  the  lar},'e 
lole  in  tlie  iM'ei|iital  hone  trausniittin;;  the 
neural  axis.  Furiiiiuii  /nmndii,  iirejjular  va- 
cuity hetween  certain  hones  at  hase  of  skull. 
The  fiirnmi'ii  rutiiiiilnni  transmits  the  optic 
nerve  ;  t'liniiiiiii  oriili\  the  tii;ieminiil  nerve  ; 
the  latter  is  also  a  name  of  the  opcninf{  he- 
tween rii^ht  and  left  sides  of  the  heart. 

Foltr.'llKAl),  )i.  Front  of  head  from  bill  to 
crown.     (34.)     See  Kiiiis.s. 

FoiiK-NKt-K,  It.  Whole  front  of  colluui,  from  chin 
to  breast  ;  whole  throat.     (51.)    See  (icrril!. 

Foii'KliArr.,  (/.      Deeply  forked. 

FoliKKO  (/"//),  ('.  Having;  the  outer  feathers 
lonj;est,  the  rest  gradually  successively  short- 
ened to  the  middle  pair  ;  when  these  are 
again  leni;theneil  .somewhat,  the  tail  is  .said 
to  he  diinblii  forkril. 

Fds'sA,  )i.  ;  pi.  /'().s'«i;.  Pitch  ;  excavated  ]ilai'c. 
Used  ehielly  in  the  plural  to  denote  the  pits 
or  grooves  in  which  most  birds'  iio.strils 
open. 

Fos'sii,,  fl.  or  !i.  OuiT  imt  of  the  ground.  Par- 
ticularly, any  organized  body,  or  remains, 
trace,  or  mould  of  stich  body,  naturally  buried 
in  past  time  by  geologic  agencies.  The  Airlni  - 
oplerij.c  niiicrunin,  of  the  .Inrassic  formation 
of  Solenhofen,  a  mcsozoie  bird,  is  the  oldest 
known  ornithic  tos.iil. 

Fosso'iiiAL,  ((.  r)iggiiig  into  the  earth  for  a 
Imbitation. 

Fos'l'Kll.  This  word  and  its  various  eoni|iounils 
are  used  in  their  common  senses  in  treating 
of  the  rehitions  of  young  cowhirds  and  young 
cuckoos  with  the  birds  U|ion  which  they  arc 
parasitic. 

Fo'vE.\,  II.     A  slight  depre.ssion. 

Free,  u.     Said  of  the  leg  when  not  enclosed  to 


the  knee  in  the  eoinmon  integtiment  of  the 
ImmIv. 

'im'.'mm,  ((,     Itridlc  ;  hence,  any  clieikstri|H'. 

iilNiiK,  II.    Marginal  menibraui':  also,  marginal 
row  of  h'athcis.     (l;t.').)    S<t' I.o.ma. 

'UINIIKII  TliK.      (llil.) 
noss,  II.     Forehead.     (;U.) 

'iniN'rAI.,  II,      rcrlaining  to  tlie  forehead. 

'lioN'rAl.  HiiNK,  H.     I'rincipal  1    ue  of  the  fore- 
head. 

'miN'lAI.  I'nINI-.s. 

'liiiNr  UK  Taksi's 

'KllllV'llJtlllS,  ((. 

ii.iii'rNins,   II. 

blown. 

fi.'viiis,  II.     Of  a  brownish-yellow  color. 
'ili'iArn,  II.      I''iirkcd  ;  I'nrlicalc. 
ru'iii.Aor  Kiii'ii  i.CM,  u.  The  merry-thought 

or  wish-bone;  the  two  clavicles  or  collar-lioncs 

taken  together.     Also  called  os  fiiivuliini. 
is'i  Ill's,  ((.     Of  a  dark-brown  color 
r'siKDiiM,   a.      Siiindlc-shapi 

each  end. 


o. 


Sec  AMI.V;.      (I1(J.) 
,      Instep.     (101.) 
Vruiteatiiig. 
Sooty-brown  ;   dark   smoky 


taiM'ring  at 


(Iai.'katk,  ff.  f'overed  as  with  a  helmet  ;  said 
of  certain  gallinules,  coots,  etc. 

Oai.i.,  h.     Ililc  ;  the  seerclion  of  the  liver. 

(lAl.i.-lil.Ali'liKU,  II.  .Membranous  .sac  attached 
to  liver  for  holding  bile. 

(iAi.i.-iiiir,  //.  Tube  for  conveyance  of  bile  into 
the  intestine  ;  the  i/iicfiis  rliii/oliii'liiin. 

Oai.i.ina'i  Kills,  II.  lielonging  to  the  iliilliniv; 
having  the  nature  of  the  domestic  fowl. 

(!anii'i.|o\,  ,(.;  pi.  (jiiiKjUu.  Xatniiil  knot-like 
enlargement  of  a  nerve. 

(iAl'R,  II.  Opening  of  the  mouth  ;  area  of  the 
opened  liioulh.  ("JS.)  Compare  linns  and 
CoMMissrui;. 

(lAsrii.K'iM,  II.  The  whole  under  part  of  ii 
bird,     (lii.) 

(lAs'ruir,  II.  I'ertaining  to  the  .stomach  or 
Udly.  The  r/irsVc/c  juice  of  birds  is  the  secre- 
tion of  the  pniri'iilrlniliin,  or  follicular  sloni- 
aidi,  not  of  the  gizzard  or  grinding  muscular 
stomach. 

("lAsritiiiNi-.'Mirs,  «.  A  muscle  of  the  back  of 
the  leg. 

(Ikmk.i.'i.i,  II.  )>/.  The  twins;  certain  in, isclos 
of  the  pelvis. 

(iE'.N.v,  II.  Cheek;  feathcivd  side  of  niider  man- 
dible.    (4lt.)     See  .Mai.au  h'KiiliiS. 

(iEn'khativk  Or'hans,  II.  Organs  of  reproduc- 
tion in  either  sex. 

(iKNT.U'li',  II.  IVrtaining  to  a  genus  ;  as,  (/o 
inric  character,  ijfiierir  description. 

(■r.s'l'.sis,  II,  Act,  mode,  or  conditions  of  rejiro- 
duetion.  In  .science,  i/nii'si.i  notes  rather  the 
laws  and  results  of  origination  of  individuals 
or  species.  The  "genesis  of  species"  is  a 
term  eipiivalent  to  the  cvolntion  of  species 
from  antecedent  forms,  with  some  ;  with  oth- 
ers, their  origination  by  creative  liat. 

OKNKr'li',  a,  IVrtaining  to  genesis.  Oenttic 
descent,  or  ijcniiie  succession  in  sjiecies,  is 
maintained  by  tlio.se  who  hold  the  theory  of 
evolution. 

(lE'.Nl',  ».     Knee  ;  joint  of  femur  with  tibia. 

ttE'xfs,    /(.  ;    pi.   ijen'cra.      An  assemblage  of 


544 


GLOSSARY. 


.sjH'oios,  or  a  single  siiecics,  oon.stituting  a 
taxoiuiiiiic  yionii  cil'  valui'  iiixt  l«'lo\v  that  of 
tlic  laiiiily. 

fiKN'YS,   II.       Sci'  OoNYS. 

Gi:u'minai,  Vi>'1(I.k,  ii.     Cell   in  the  vitcllus 

liaviiii;  a  dark  spot. 
G 1 1) IK  IS i;',  /  (I.   .SwDJloii ;  iirotulicrant ;  hunipt'il; 

ClIll'llI'lS,    (  llllIlclltMl. 

Giiiiios'rrv,  H.     .\  swi'lliiij;  or  ]irotul)eraiici'. 

<!lc.K.'i:il'M,  )>.     Gizzanl. 

(ilN'(il.v.\u;.s  »■  lliiif,'i'-joiiil.  The  knee  ami 
elbow  are  (jiiujliiiiiiiiil,  or  hinged  joints. 

Glaii'kui's,  ((.     Smooth. 

Glaxii,  «.  A  soil  llishv  orfjan,  in  whieli  llnids 
of  tlie  Inidy  aie  modifnd  to  foiiii  new  pro- 
vUiets,  to  be  used  in,  or  eliminated  from,  the 
economy.  lint  some  organs  without  iluits, 
and  the  fnnetion  of  which  is  unknown,  arc 
called  ijhiiiils,  as  th<'  thynnis,  thyroid,  ami 
pineal.  The  liver  is  the  largest ;//"/('/ of  the 
body.  The  proventricnlusisa;//'(H'/«/(0'organ. 

Gi.an'iiii„\I!,  (I.  I'crtaining  to  glands  ;  having 
glands  ;  consisting  of  glamls. 

Gl.ANs,  /(.      Mead  of  the  penis. 

Gi.os'sA  or  Gi.ot'ta,  n.     Tongue. 

Gi.os'so-iiv'ai.,  h.    I'lineipal  boiieof  the  tongue. 

Guis'.sii-i'iiAliVS'OKAi.,  a.  Pertaining  to  the 
tongue  an  '.jaws.    A  certain  nerve  is  so  called, 

Gl.l'T.KAl.,  K.  I'citaining  to  the  buttocks  ; 
certain  muscles  arc  so  called. 

Git'r.KIs,  ».     A  ni'lsde  of  the.sideof  the  ruin)). 

GnATIIIIi'IIM,    ».;     pi.    :i,(illlliilill.         HraMcllof 

the  lower  jaw  as  far  as  it  is  naked.  (Oftcner 
nsi'd  in  the  plural.)     ("24.) 

GNAriiiiTiiK'iA,  II.  Covering  of  the  lower  man 
dible.     (14.) 

GoNvnr.'Ai.,  ('.  Pertaining  to  the  numdilmlar 
symphysis. 

tio'NV.s,  >i.  Keel  or  lower  outline  of  the  bill  as 
far  as  the  niandil>ular  rami  are  \iiiitcd.  (The 
wonl  is  commonly  but  erroneously  so  written, 
as  if  lioni  the  Gicek  ;/«»»,  knee,  or  protu- 
berance of  the  bill  ;  it  is  rathi'i' Iron' the  (i  reck 
(jiiiii!<  (ijiiijiK).  signifying  chin.-  -  Sunilirnn.) 

GoU'oKr,  ii.  Thmal -patch,  distinguished  by 
color  or  tcxtinc  of  ilie  feathers. 

Giia'diknt,  11.  Walking  or  ruindng  by  .ste)is. 
Op])osed  to  .iiillii/iirii,  or  leaping. 

Gi!Ali'iAri;ii,   '(.     Changing  length  at   regular 
intervals,  in  regular  siicccssion  ;  said  chiclly  i 
of  the  tail  whi'U  its  feathers  regularly  shorten  ■ 
successively  by  moiv  ami  more  innn  the  mid-  ! 
die  to  tile  outer.  I 

GRAMlMV'iiKiirs,  a.     Grass-eating. 

Gl!ANlv'oi!iil\s,  II.     .Sccil-ealing.  | 

GUAN'il.ATr.,  ('.  lioughcued  with  nmuerous  i 
small  (■levatioiis,  like  shagreen.  (.Said  idiielly  ; 
of  till'  tarsus.)  j 

GiiKAriui  \ViNc;-(  civ'i'.i-rs,  /(.     Tlu'  .single,  lon- 
gest,  most  posterior  series  of  the  secondarv  i 
set.    ('.lii  "   ' 

<il!iii  Nii-(iM,'(iK  (ill  oiiliiijii),  II.  Theeolor  of  the 
geUiMal  surface  of  tin'  egg-shell,  as  distin- 
guished fi-om  its  markings. 

(iiiYPAN'liM,  II.  Noting  a  particular  form  of 
bill,  in  which  the  culuK'n  is  nearly  straight, 
but  bent  ilown  at  the  tip. 

Gu'l.A,  ii.  rpjier  foreneek,  adjoining  chin  ; 
ujiper  throat.     (;V2. ) 

Gu'lar,  a.      Pertaining  to  the  upper  foreneek. 


Gm'TATE,  n.     Having  drop-shaped  spots. 

(iiT'riKoit.M,  ((.     Urop-shaped. 

tii'r'rni,  ii.  The  whole  foreneek.  (.11.)  (But 
ijiittnriil  is  rarely  used  in  this  conm'ction.) 

Gymnoi'.k'dic,  /(.  Synonymous  with  psito- 
jiirilic. 

Gymnouui'.nal,  a.  Having  unfeathercd  nos- 
trils. 


H. 


Haii'itat,  71.  Loi'ality  or  region  frequented  by 
a  s|K'cies  ;  its  geogmphical  distribution. 

llAii'rrr.s,  n.     Habitude  ;  mode  of  life. 

HAHi'l.K,  II.  Long  eervi<'al  feather  of  the  do- 
mestic cock. 

H.t;'.MAi,  Alien,  n.  The  lower  ring  of  a  (ideal- 
ly or  actually)  eonqilete  vertebra,  emilosing  a 
section  of  the  jirincipal  vascular  and  visceral 
.systems,  as  the  neural  arch  does  a  section  of 
the  principal  nervous  system.  In  birds  thu 
hieinal  arch  is  complete  only  in  the  thoracic; 
region. 

H.k'.mai.  SriNK,  II.  An  ideal  transverse  section 
of  the  .sternum  corresiionding  to  any  one  pair 
of  ribs,  completing  the  hiemal  arch  inferi- 
oily. 

H.i-;MAl'oril'vsis,  ».  Segment,  actual  or  poten- 
tial,  of  the  luemal  arcli  between  the  pleura- 
jiophysis  and  hicmal  s|iine.  In  birds  it  ac- 
tually exists  in  the  thoracic  region,  as  the 
Klirniit  rill,  movably  articulated  with  the 
sternum  and  the  vertebral  rib,  which  latter 
is  the  pleurapophysis. 

ILtl.MATir'li-,  II.     Of  a  bloody-red  color. 

H.KMAToiiir.u'.MA,  II.  AVarm-bloodcd  animals 
collectively  ;  the  antithesis  is  liaiiiiilncrija. 

Hai.'i.i  lAl.,  ((.     Pertaining  to  the  hallux. 

Hai.'i.I'x,  II.  The  hind  toe.  Thi^  name  is  re- 
tained, even  when  th<'  hind  toe  is  brought 
round  to  the  front.  When  the  toes  are  in 
jiairs,  it  is  the  inner  of  the  two  hind  ones, 
exce)iting  in  I'mi/niii/n.  in  the  genus  I'i- 
ciiitli.i  the  actind  single  hind  toe  is  not  the 
hallux,  but  the  fourth  toe  reversed,  there  be- 
ing no  hallux.  This  toe  may  ahvay.-  be 
recognized  by  presence  of  not  more  tha  i  .wo 
joints.  It  is  the  inie  usually  wan'.ingin  three- 
toed  birds,  and  is  freipicntly  rudimentary  or 
functioides.s,  even  when  present.  Its  large 
size,  with  largest  claw,  and  specialization  of 
its  llexor  mu.sele,  marks  the  passerine  or 
highest  gronj)  of  bird.s.  (121».)  (Sonu'thnes 
written  liiilh-.i'  or  alJi-.r.) 

Hai.o'.nk.s,  ;(.  pi.  Certain  appearances  of  the 
yilk,  probably  due  to  the  margins  of  its  suc- 
cessive layers. 

Ham'ilatk,  h.     Hooked. 

IIam'ii.is,  /(. ;  ]il.  liaiiiii/i.  Hooked  fringe  of 
a  liarbnle  ;  hooked  barbicel. 

llAMi-Qril.l..s,  II.     Primary  remiges.     (75.) 

IJAs'iArK,  ((.     Si)enr-head  .shaped. 

Ilr,Aii.  II.     (!>,  '211.) 

lll.Kl.,  /'.  (llir.)  .See  (\m.(ANK1s  and  TaU'.s. 
rpper  back  part  of  tarso-metatarsus  (tarsus 
or  shank),  rarely  resting  on  the  ground  in 
birds  wlu'ii  standing  eiTct.  (Commonly,  but 
most  impro|ierly,  called  /iiiiv.) 

IlKKi.-.niiNr,  n.  (Kiy.)  See  Sifkkago.  Thi 
tibio-tarsal  articulation,  as  it  in  culled  :  that 


GLOSS  AKV. 


54;j 


lu'twci'n  the  li'fj  (cnia'),  iiiid  the  tnrso-mi'iatiir- '  llY'iiiiinizi:.     Td  cross  and  licar  iiioii;^icl  oM- 

su.s  (shiiiik).     \Vilh  lew  cxci-iilions  iiiiKint,' I'lT-  sinin^'. 

tiiiii  Hn/iliiirs,  it  always  lirmls  liai'kvvani  ;  thr  Hv'oin,          |  ti.    rcrlaiiiiiij,'  U<  the  va  lii/nii/fs  or 

ylvKv  always  lias  its  ciiiivcxiiv  lorwanl.  11yiiI1i'i:.vn,  j      tonj^iic-lHuic,    or,   timrr   gi'iicr- 

IIki'.i.-i.\1i, /(.    (UJ.)    ricriia;  iiiln:r  (which  SCI').  ally,  lo  tin' tongue  itself. 

Till'  |Histcri(ir  imrtioii  ol'  jirlnut,  iiiiiiicdiatcly  llvi'Ai'iii'ii'vsis,    n.       Moiiy    ])rocc.s.s   from    the 

iindi'r  the  foot-joiiit,    iiiid  fiviniciitly  |iroini-  niidi'r  side  of  a  vcrlchra,  .soiiictiiiica  very  large, 

liclil.       (I'.Mt    foil-imil    shiiiilil    not    \v    used  as  in  the  loon. 

in  this  coiMii'clioii,  sinci'  the  /(,;:/  (ni/iani  'is)  llw[-,\i-(i.i''i,ii/>iii)i/i(iii).     Same  as,vi//)(.7--(whieli 

is  at   lie   top  of  the   tarsus,   ami   not  at  the  see). 

hotloiii  where  the /ii(7-/««/ lies. )     (11.').)  llYri;iil!o'iii:AN,  i(.     Northern;  lioival. 

II  KMl- (/■/(.  ei)//i/"«/Vi.iii).    Semi-;  deiiii- ;  half.  llYi'i;i;iiii:iiM'ArisM,  ».     Slate  of  umi.sually  in- 

llKi'Ar'lc,  '(.     rertaiiiiiij;  to  the  liver;  as,  /i«-  creased  or  intcnsilied  cohnation. 

/)i((('i:  artcrv,  /(cyii'/io  .secretion.  llvi't;ii'ri!OI'llY,  ».      Inordinate  eiilai;;"menl  of 

Hi;ri:iioii|-.'NKots,  «.     of  dill'en'nt  or  dissimiliir        a  part  or  mga to  excessive  iiiitiitii>n. 

nature  ;  of  mixed  or  miscellaneons  chiractci.    ;  'IMie  opposite  of  itli-njiliu.  or  the  wasiinj;  away 

Hl-.x'AiidX,    /I.      I''ij,'iire   of  six   sides   and   six'  of  an  oi;nan  tliroiii;h  delicient  iiiitiiiion. 

edi^cs.                                                                           i  HyI'o-  (id  ci/iiijM.si/ioii).       Same  as  mih-  (which 

Hk.x Ao'iiN'AL,  (/.     llaviiij;  six  sid<'s  ami  wlffes.     |  see). 

lIliii;i;'NAi,,  II.     rertaiiiiiii,' to  the  winter  time.     Hvi'oriiciN'iii;iiM,  ».    The  llank.    ((M'U r  usi'd 

(Ni'ilher  this  nor  n-s/lni/  nrr  inmli   iiscil,  al-  :  in  the  [dnial,  liiiiiiicli"ii'h-iii,  llanks.)     (ii7.) 

thoiii^li  i-i'nia/  ami  nnliuinml  are  coMliniially  ,  llYI'niiAi'i  yi.im,  /).      Solo  of  the  toes.      (11^.) 

employed.)  HYl'ooAs'rnic,  «.      L'mler  m'  behind   the  belly. 


(Little  useil). 
HYrocNArii'ofs,  ('.      Ilavim,'  the  under  inan- 
(lilde  loiij^er  than    tli<'   npper,   as   the   hla.k 
skinnner. 


HiND-M'.rK,  H.  (IS.)  See  ('KliVIX. 
HlSD-l'nK,  n.  (l:.'ll.)  Se(!  IIaI.I.I'X. 
Ill.NDKI!   1'a11T.S.       (.S.)      See  llLKlM. 

Hip,  n.     Joint  of  femnr  with  jielvis  ;   ]iroje 

tion  formed  hy   feiiioral  trochanter  over  the!  llvi'oi'ii'i.fM,    ii.      .Supplementary    plniiu'.    or 

joint.                                                                        \  aiei'ssoiy    plniiie,   spriiij^ini;   Iimiii    the   same 

Hllism:',  If.      Hairy;    rather   sliaiii;y,  as   the  hand  of  the  main  leather,     ('leneially  fonnd. 

feet  of  a  grouse.                                                          \  hut  waiitini;  in  many  families,  and  always  on 

Uisi'iii/kny,  n.     Formation  of  lissne.                   '  the  ipiills  of  the  wiiij,'s  and  tail.      Syiiony- 

JIlsroi/ocY,  It.      Minute   anatomy;    history  of  iiioiis  with  Ai^/inriVc^c/i/.s' as  f  neially  used. 

tissue.  II vrnKA'im,  n.  pi.      liarhs  of  ihe  liypoptihim. 

UlsroN'oMY,  II.     Laws  of  formation  of  tissue.  II  Yi'oiiKilANills,  /(.     .M'teishaft  ;  stem  orscap.' 

IIiiAI;'y,  i^      Of  a  jialc  silvery -;,'r,iy.  of  ih' supplementary  plume,    (leneially  u~ed 

lliil.iililll'NAt.,  i(.     llaviu};  the  nasal  holies  eon-  for  the  whole  nf  such   ai  cessory   feather,  hut 

tijiuie.is.  best  thus  ie>l i ictcl. 

liii.Miiiit.Nii'irY,  a.     Sameness;  siructiiral  simi-  llYl'oril'r.sis,  ,(.     .\  reasonable  pii'sunipt ion  or 

larity.  supposition  taken  as  premise  of  an  ari,'uiiieiit, 

Il(iM(i(iK'Ni;nfs,   (f.      of  the  same  kind  or  iia- I  mas  probably  true,  to  aecouiit  for«hal  i-- not 

lure.      Opposed    to    htiir'ujciit^iii.i.       A  liniiiij- \  nndcistood.      As  it  does  not  necessarily  rot 

;/(';ic<))(.«  f;ioup  contains  (Uily  structurally  re-  upon  fad,  it  has  not  the  >  eij^hl  or  dii,'nily  of 

lafed  forms.                                                                      l  lliem-ii. 

HoMoi.iH;'irAI.,  /  a.    Structurally  related;  liav-  llYl'iiriir.r'lcAl,,   n.      IJeason.ably  |ucsuniptive  ; 

lloMiu.'odors,    j      in;;  structnial  allinity.     Op- ;  logically    supiiosilitious  ;     conditional;     as- 

po.sed  tn  iiiiii/nipiiis.  wliii  h  implies  similarity  sunicd  without  proof  but  with  fair  probability. 

of  appearance,  piir|M«e,  or  use  without  cone-  1 

spondin;;  iillinity.  I 

lIo.Miii.'iMiv,    1.      Slriielural  alllnity.   generally  |  I. 

im]ilyiiig   genetic    relationship.      Opposed    to  | 

nii'iliKiif,  or  mere  resi  lublancc.  IliKNTIKlrA'TIoS",   n.      Act  or  process  nf    '.eter- 
IIi>MorYl''l('At.,  i(.     Ol   iho  same  tyjic  of  siruc- i      mining  to  what  species  a  specimen  or  a  name 

ture.  I       belongs  ;  the  determination  so  made. 

Ilo.Mor'Yi'Y,    V.     A   (lartieular  kind  of  hoinol-  Ii)r.N'rii-v.     To  determine  the  name  of  a  speei- 

ogy.                                                                          ■  men  or  of  a  species  ;  to  ascertain  the  identity 
Hoii'.NoTINi;,  (/.  or  II.     'S'earling  ;  a  bird  of  the  •      of  a  certain  specimen  with  a  name,  or  name 

year.  ;      with  a  certain  species, 

Hf'Ml'.liAl.,  I',     rerlaining  to  the  humerus,  i.r,  li:Mi'iii.|-.,  n.     ,S;ii,l  nf  hawks  lacking  the  special 

more  gencM'ally,  to  the  upper  arm.  ipialilics  of  those  used  in  falconry. 

Ilr'.MKlii's,  H.    The  upper  arm  bone  ;  somi'timcs  lt.'i:i  M,  n.      Lower  poilion  of  small  intestine. 

the  whole  npiier-arin,  from  shoulder  to  dliow.  Ii.'iai,  h.      IJelaling  to  the  ilium,   or  luiuneh- 

Hy'ai.IM'..  I  (I.      Transparent,    like  glass  :    said  bone  :  also,  to  the  ileum. 

liY'Al.iilli.  (      idiiclly  of  the  vitivous  humor  of  li.'iiM,  li.    Ilaunch-bnne  :   |iriiicipal  bone  of  the 

(he  eye,  and  of  eerlain  appuiteiiancis  of  the  pelvis,  forming  with  the  i.seliiuni  and   pubis 

hack  ehamher  of  the  eye.  the  nx  iiiiiniiiiniitinn. 

Hy'iikii),  ((.  or  n.    Cross-born  between  two  spc-  I  M'lmirAri'.n,  n.     Kixed  shingle-wi.se  with  ovei- 

cies  ;  mongiel.  lapping  edge  or  end. 

HviiiUDiZA'iiii.v,  II.     Cro.ss-fi'rtiliziition.     I'ln-  Im.ma' '   i  a  1 1;,    a.      Inspottcd  ;     not    marked 

duclion  of  hybrids.  with  dill'reiit  eolor.^. 

vol..  III.  OH 


546 


GLOSSARY. 


iMiMATl'liE',  a.  Not  having  yet  assumed  final 
size,  sliu]ie,  ooloi',  or  other  conditions  of  tlie 
adult. 

Imper'kokate,  a.  Not  pierced  through  ;  also, 
closed  nil  (said  chielly  of  the  nostrils). 

Implacen'iai,,  a.  Having  no  placenta.  Hirds 
are  implaccnttil. 

Incised',  «.     Cutout;  cutaway. 

Incuba'tion,  n.  Act  of  setting  on  eggs  to  hatch 
them. 

iNCUM'nENT,  a.  DeiM-essed  or  bending  down 
upon  Homething  ;  laid  at  full  length  ;  chielly 
sai<l  of  the  hind-toe  when  its  whole  length 
rests  on  the  ground  or  otln-;  sup])ort,  owing 
to  its  low  insertion  on  the  level  of  the  rest. 
(131.) 

In'iI's,  II.  A  bone  of  the  inner  ear  of  mam- 
malia, held  by  high  authority  to  bi'  homolo- 
gous with  the  («  ijHudraium  of  birds  (which 
W!e).     See  also  Mallei's. 

I.n'dex,  n.  The  jirineipal  digit  of  the  wing  is 
often  so  called,  but  is  really  homologous  with 
the  third  or  middle  linger  of  mammals  ;  the 
polle.x  or  so-called  thumb  of  birds  beiiig  the 
homologiU'  of  the  mammalian  iiidex. 

In'doles,  n.      Natural  disjiosition. 

iNDrMEN'ri'M,  n.  Covering  of  birds  ;  the  pti- 
losis  or  ])hnnage.     (142.) 

In'ku.v-  (m  cotii  posit  Urn).  Below  ;  under;  op- 
posite of  s:'nra:  It  is  in  jiart  .synonymous 
with  sab;  nut  refei's  only  to  position,  wliile 
sith-  is  of  un»v  extensive  ap|ilication. 

iNFitAMAx'lLLAUV,  71.  The  Under  jaw  bone, 
or  mandible. 

ISKItAOIi'mrAL,  n.      I'elow  the  eye-.soiket. 

iNFrsinm'LiFOU.M,  n.     Iniiinelsli''pfd. 

JNKrMUii'ri.r.M,  n.  Funnel;  name  of  several 
dill'errnt  organs. 

IsdEs'rA,  ((.  ;//.  Things  eaten;  contents  of  crop 
or  stomacli.      Op]H).sed  to  njista. 

IxcLr'vir.s,  V.  Croji  or  craw.  Also  used  sy- 
nonymoii.sly  willi  chin. 

l.N'ciEN,  n.  The  gioin  :  wlience  the  adj.  in- 
ilitiiial.      (Little  used.) 

Is'iillNAL,  tt.     Pertaining  to  the  groin. 

IsNEU  The,  n.  (1'27.)  In  most  birds  the  sec- 
ond is  (lie  inner  anterior  toe  ;  in  the  trogons, 
the  third  or  middle  toe  l)e(<)iiii's  inner  anleiiiir 
by  reversion  of  the  second,  wliirh  is  then  in- 
ner |)ostirior.  In  a  few  exotic  kingfisliers, 
the  second  or  inner  anteiiiir  is  rudimentary 
or  wanting.  In  si^veral  birds  the  hallux  or 
lirst  or  liindcr  toe  is  reversed,  and  liccomes 
inner  anterior.  But  in  any  position  the  iunr.r 
toe,  properly  speaking,  is  the  second,  that  one 
with  only  three  joints. 

I.NSOM'lNATE  (//();i<-),  «•  The  liel vie  bone,  com- 
posed of  ilium,  ischium,  and  jailiis. 


INiis(  1  I.a'I'ION, 

(whii'h  ser). 

l.NSEITIV'oliolS,  i(. 
InsESS(i'|!ES,  II,    III. 

now  bccomin, 

iNSES.So'llIAr,,  II 


.*<aine     as    AnasioMosis 


Insert-eating. 
I'liching-birds  ;   an  order 
obs(dcte. 

[elating  to  jien  hing-birds. 


1nsis'ti;>:t,  u.  .Said  of  tlic  hiiul  toe,  when  its 
ba.sc  is  so  elevated  that  tlic  tip  only  touches 
the  ground.      (KJH.)  | 

I.N'sTiN(  T,  II.  linperl'cit  reason  ;  the  faculty 
of  doing  the  riglit  thing  without  knowing 
whv. 


Inteo'i'ment,   n.      A  covering  or  envelope  ; 

commonly,  the  skin. 
I.NTEK- (i»  co;n;>o»i/io«).     Between;  among. 
IsrEiiAUTic'uLAK,  a.     Betwccu  the  joints  ;  in 

a  joint  ;  as,  intcra rticalar  cartilage. 
Inteui'us'tal,  a.     lietweeii  two  ril  j;  as,  inter- 

custiil  muscle,  artery,  vein. 
iNTEitMA.x'iLLAitY  (biinc),  11.    Same  as  Puemax- 

ILI.AIIY  (which  see). 
l.N'TEUXdDE,  71.     Any  bone  of  a  linger  or  toe. 
I.NrEi;oit'nirAL,  a.     Between  the  eye-sockets. 
l.NTEiiJtA'MAL,  tt.      Between  the  forks  or  rami 

of  th(!  lower  jaw. 
iNTEituui'i'Ei),  a.     Discontinuous  ;  broken  up. 
I.STEH.scAi'n.'ifM  or  iNTEiiscAP't'Lf.M,  n.  Hegion 

of  the  upper  back  between  theshouUlers.   (,')8.) 
l.NrElts(Al''lil.A!t,    a.       Bi'tween   the   slioulilers. 

The    pluriil,    intirscnpniiirs   or   inter.scMipula- 

rii'S,  is  used  to  denote  the  feathers  of  such 

region  collectively. 
lNVA(i'lSATE,  (I.     Sheathed. 
I.NVEii'rEiiiiArE,   a.  or  11.      Having  no  back- 
bom'  ;  an  animal  without  a  backbone.     Op- 

]ioscd  to  rertihralt. 
I'liiAN,  liiili'tAN,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  iris. 
IlUDEs'cENT,  a.     Glitteiing  with  many  colore, 

which  idiange  in  diHerent  lights. 
I'kis,  71.     Circular  muscular  curtain  suspended 

[lerpcndicidarly  in  tlie  eye  between  the  a(pie- 

ous  and  vitreous  chambers,  having  a  hole  in 

the  centre  (the  pupil).     It  is  of  all  colore  in 

birils. 
Is(  iiiat'ic,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  Ischium. 
Is'riiHM,  II.     One  of  the  pelvic  bones,  the  hin- 

dermost. 
-Isii.     A  suflix,  forndng  an  adjective,  nsualbj 

denoting  ])os.ses.sion  of  a  (piality  in  less  de- 

gri'c  ;  especially  used  for  colors  ;  as,  blackish, 

not  (piite  bliick,  etc. 
IsTll'Ml's,  V.     Neck  or  narrow  strip  connecting 

two  larger  portions  of  same  region,  patch  of 

color,  etc. 


J. 


Jaw,  71.    See  Maxilla,    MAXi>rBLE. 

,I|'.jl''ni'M,    h.       Portion    of  intestine   between 
!      duodenum  and  ileum  (not  delinite,  and  little 

tl.seil). 
'.  .It'(;AL,  a.     Pi'itaiiung  to  the  zygoma. 
\  .]\'i\.\\.  (biinc),  II.     Same  as  7ii((/«c  bom,'. 
I  ,h'c;i'LAii,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  jugulum. 

.If'fifU'.M,  n.     Lower  tliroat ;  lower  foreneck. 
(53.) 

iIUNCTr'KA,  n.     Articulation  ;  joint. 


:  Keel,  H.    Same  as  fioxYs  (which  see).     (22.) 
\  Knee,  n.     Feinoro-tibial  articulation.     (N.  B. 
i      The    lieel-joint,  sitjl'm(fii,  or  tibio-metatarsal 
I      articulation,  is  often  iinjiroperly  called  Lnee.) 
'      (102.) 


La'iu:l,  71.  Card,  ticket,  or  similar  slip  of 
paper,  jiarchment,  etc.,  utlixed  to  an  object, 
giving  written  infoiinution  respecting  it. 


GLOSSARY. 


547 


Lau'i:i;ai'i;,    )  a.     Cut  or  slashed  on  tlio  ('ilf;(> 
LAClN'lAri;,   J      or  end  into  a  fringe  or  bnisli. 
LAcil'ltY.MAi.   (hnne),   a.      A   large    stout   iMiiif 

fonniufc  part  of  tlic  orbit. 
Laci'na,  II,     Small  pit  or  deprccsion  ;  nftfiier, 

an  open  space  or  vacuity,  as  in  the  palate. 
Laci'n.h,  ji.  /i/.     Certain  small  oxc'iivations  in 

bone  and  in  mucous  membrane. 
Laci's'tiiink.  a.     Lake-inliabiting. 
Lamu'doii),  a.      I,-sliaj)ed. 
LAMF.T.'r.A,  )(.;   pi.   Iinnrtln;  {  A  thin    plate   or 
Lam'ina,  ?i. ;  |>1.  /(KiiiiKi;       \      scab';   a  )ilat<'- 

like  )>roeess.       The  processes  insiib'  a  ihlck's 

bill  are   lamelhe  ;  tiie,  individual   barbs  of  a 

feather  are  lamina'. 
Lam'ki.i.aik,  /  ('.    Ilavin;;,  or  I'omposed  of,  hun- 
Lam'inatk,     (      iiiie,  or  series  of  plates. 
LAMr,i.i.iiiiis'n!A[.,  ('.      Havinf;  a  lamellati!  bill. 
LAMKi.i.iiios'rur.s,   ii.  pi.      A  group  of  lamel- 
late-billed birds  (the  duck  tribe). 
Las'ikolati:,   a.      Lam^e-head  sliajied  ;    taper- 
ing  narrowly    at   one   end,    less    so    at    the 

otiier. 
I/AKYN(!K'At,,  a.     Pertaining  to  tlie  laryn.x. 
IjAR'vn.v,  n.      Adam's-ajiph',   hollow  <'artiiiigi- 

iious  organ,   a  modification  of  the  windpipe 

either  at  the  top  or  Imttoni,   but   especially 

the    former  ;    the   lower  laryii-v   being  called 

Syrinx  (which  .sec). 
l.Ar'KiiAl.,  a.    To  or  towards  the  side  ;  on  either 

hand  fv mi  the  middle  line. 
Lai'kiiai.i.y,  a.     Sidewise. 
I.ATis'siMis,  a.  for  «.     A  certain  muscle  of  the 

back. 
Li'.iis.     (91).) 
IiF.Ns    {n-i/.il(tf/iiir),    )i.       A    circular    biconvex 

transparent  body  in  the  eye  which  brings  rays 

of  liglit  to  a  focus. 
Lksski!  WiNCi-ciivKlfls,  11.  i>!.    The  smap.  •  an- 
terior set  of  .si'coiidary  covert.s  ill  several  scries 

\i|)on  the  jilicit  iil<irin. 
I.F.VA'nil!,   II.     Oencric  name  of  muscles  that 

elevate  ;    as,   kmtor  p,i/fiilirii:,   lifter   of  the 

eyelid. 
Ll(i'\Mi;ST,  )(.      FibiiMis  baud  or  .sheet  binding 

bones  or  other  structures  togi'ther. 
Lioamkn'tu.m  Nu'cil.i;,  ii.    A  particular  strong 

elastic  ligament  along  the  nape  ami  cervix  of 

many  animals. 
Lkja.mf.n'tum  Tf;'iiks,  h, 

fibrous  cord  holding  the  heiui 

its  socket. 
Lim'hatk,  a.   Having  edging  of  one  color  against 

another. 
1,1'mf.s  Fai'ia'i.is,  II.    Facial  outline;  line  of  the 

feathers  all  around  the  bill. 
Ll.MK 'o'i..t;,   II.   )il.      A  group  of  sh(ue-wailers, 

as  plover,  snipe,  etc. 
LiMii'ipi.ixK,  n.     Shore-inhabiting. 
Lin'f.ah,    II.      Narrow,    with    straight    iparalhl 

.sides  ;  uiiilorinly  narrow  fiu-  a  long  dislaiue. 
I.In'ci'A,  n.     Tongue, 
liisis'cl,  II.  pi.     Hetieulations  of  the  podotheca. 

(Little  used.) 
Liv'Kli,  n.      See  (il.AM). 

l.o'nATF,,  j  ((.    Furnished  with  membranous  thips 
I.Diii.j,     \      (.said  chicllv  of  ^)«).     Scel.n.MAri- 

NTS.      (137.) 
I.oBE,  n.     Membranous  Map  (generally  curved, 

but  may  he  sliaip't-edged).     See  LoMA. 


A  particular  strong 
ul  of  the  femur  in 


Lo'ma,  n.  Lobe  ;  membranous  fringe  or  flap. 
(I.-}.-).) 

LoMAi'iNf.s,  a.  Furnished  with  lobes  or  Haps. 
(l;i4.) 

Liini:-kxskrt'i:!i,  a.  Said  of  tail-feathers  ab- 
ruptly much  longer  than  the  rest. 

Los<:ii'fn'm;s,  v.  pi.  .\  group  of  long-winge<l 
swiminiiig-birds,  the  gulls,  terns,  ami  petnds. 

LoNfilfKN'MNK,  ".  Having  long  wings  (reach- 
ing, when  folded,  beyond  the  tail). 

LoNdiRo.s'ruAi.,  ('.  Having  a  long  bill  (longer 
than  the  head). 

LoNciiios'i  iiKs,  II.  pi.  Ml  oUsolete  group  of 
long-billed  wading  bird.s. 

l,(iN(ils'si.Mis,  ((.  for  II.  A  certain  muscle  of 
the  back. 

L(iN(ilTl."'l)rN'Al,,  a.  Uunniiig  li'iigtlnvisc,  or 
in  direction  of  the  antero-posteiior  axis  of  the 
body. 

LnN'c.rs  Coi.'i.F.     A  certain  mu.side  of  the  neck. 

Lii'RAi,,  a.     I'ertaining  to  the  lore. 

I   "'i'r\i    (  "•    Space  Ix'tween  eye  and  bill.    (39.) 

LcpwKR  Hack,     (.lit.)     See  Tf.rcit.m. 

Ldwki!  .Iaw.     Lo\vi;r  Manihiilk.     (11.)    Sec 

MANIHIil.F,. 

LowKi!  Paris,     (t!.)    See  f!AsrR.f:r.M. 

LllWFl!  WlNd-COVF.RTS.      (H.'i.)     See  TK(  TRICKS. 
LdWF.R  TAII.-:()Vri!r.s.     See  CaI.YI'I  KRIA,  Cris- 
STM,   TKcrillCKS. 

Lim'tiaii,  II.     I'i'rtaining  to,  or  situate  in,  the 

loins.      In  birds,  a  liiniluir  region  or  linnlinr 

vertebra'  are  not  well  distingiiislied,  if  at  all  ; 

and  ill  many,   rib-bearing  vertcbrie  continue 

into  the  sacral  region. 
Lf.MliRlc'iFiiRM,    (/.       Same     as    Vkr.mif'iRM 

(which  .SCI'). 
Lf'Mi.A'rK,  II.     Narrowly  crescentic. 
Li'rr.ors,  n.     Clay-colond. 
LvMPllAl'ic,  a.  or  n.      I'ertaining  to  lymph  ; 

an  absorbent  vesscd. 
Ly'RATK,  a.     Lyre-shaped,  as  the   tail  of  Mc- 

Hicra  supcrba  or  JVtrmi  tctri.i: 


M. 


Mac'f.ratf.I),  a.     Soaked  to  softness. 

Mac'im.a,  II.     A  spot. 

Mac'l'i.ate.  n.     Spotteil. 

.Ma(i'ni"m,  a.  for  v.     One  of  the  carpal  bones. 

Ma'i.A,  11.  Hasal  portion  of  outsiilc  of  lower 
Jaw,  usually  feathered.  (Somi'timcs  used  for 
(•orrespoiiding  portion  of  U|>)>cr  jaw  ;  the  site 
and  boundary  of  ninl'i  and  iinm  are  not  well 
determined,  and  vary  with  writers.  Moth  lie 
on  side  of  head,  buck  of  bill,  and  under  lore, 
eye,  and  car.)     ('Jii. ) 

Ma'i.ar  1!i.'i;|iin.     Same  as  iiiiiin. 

MAi.i.Fn'i.rs,  II. \  )il.  iniillenli.  The  enlarged 
arlii'iilar  surface  of  the  bottom  of  the  tibia  ; 
in  birds  formeil  by  conllueiice  of  the  two  prox- 
imal tarsal  ossiclis. 

Mai.'i.kf.s,  II.  A  bone  of  the  inner  car  of  main- 
malia,  held  by  high  authority  as  probably 
honiolo/^ous  with  the  On  yiADKATrM  (which 
see). 

Mam'.ma,  )/.     Teat. 

Ma.m'.mahv,  ".  Feitaining  to  the  teats,  or  func- 
tion of  lactation. 


548 


GLOSSARY. 


MAN'nini.i",     I  n.     Jiiw.      Propi'ilv  tlic  iiii/Iit 
AlAMMii'ri.A,  j      jaw,  the  ii|i|ii'i' jaw  liiiiij;  hk/.c- 

il/n.     (11.) 
Mamuh'iiai!,  fi.     riitiiiniiif;  to  tlio  iiiidcijaw. 

(M(i.cill(irii  icliitis  to  tlif  ll|p|H'I' jiiW. ) 
JIaniiii  A'l'loN,  n.     iMiisticatioii. 
Manhu'catouy,   a.      I'l'itaiiiiiif^    to    niastica- 

tiuii. 
Mantmc,  n.      ((il.)     See  Stkacii.i'.m  and  I'ai.- 

ijr.M. 
Mani'hi!I1m  Stkk'm,  n.    (Liti'iaily  "liandlc") 

rniri'ss  ol'  liicasl-hoiie  on  IVoiil  horilcr  at  root 

of  k(M'l. 

Man'i:s,  n.  \h\m\  ;  all  of  the  wiiif,',  cxccptiiif; 
the  t'ciithcrs,  which  lies  hcyoiid  tlii'  wrist;  the 
iiielaeari>iis  and  ili^it.s,  with  a.s.sociatu  soft 
|iiHts.      It  eoire.sponds  with  /«s. 

J1aii'iii.iN(!,  n.  Fine  .spotting  and  strcakiiif; 
intermixed  ;  variegation  like  nniible.  The 
markings  are  more  dislim:t  than  in  clouding 
or  ncliiiliilii)ii. 

MaH'oINAI.  FlIINCK,   ?(.      See   LoMA.      (lU'l.) 

MAit'iiii,  n.  Margin.  Murttn  wrnhilis,  inner 
boundary  of  the  I'ork.s  ol'  the  mandihle.  Mur- 
iji)  ina/idi.t,  boundary  of  the  base  of  the 
mala. 

MAli.sr'i'll'M,  II.  Vascular,  erectile,  niembra- 
iions  organ  in  the  liack  ehainber  of  the  I'ye  of 
liii'ds,  su|i|i(i.seil  to  aiil  in  aecoininodation  of 
virion.      Also  ealli  d  piiiiii. 

Massk'h-.i;,  h.  One  of  the  muscles  that  ell'i'it 
mastication. 

MAs'rAX,  V.  "Side  of  the  forepart  of  head, 
adJaiiMit  to  the  base  of  the  bill."  (»7.)  (Lit- 
tle used,  and  undistinguished  from  loir.) 

MAs'nilli,  It.  Name  of  a  process  of  the  tcin- 
[loral  boni'. 

Jl  A' rni.K,  Ji.  Mould.  Tissue  or  organ  contain- 
ing something  and  determining  its  form  or 
other  condition. 

Maxii.'i-A,  II.  Jaw,  especially  the  njipcr  jaw, 
or  iitiuilhi  .iiiprritir  ;  the  iiiu.filia  iiifi'riur  hv- 
ing  especially  ealleil  innnilihiilii.     (10.) 

Max'ii.i.ai;,  Max'it.i.ai;y,  a.  I'ertaining  to  the 
upper  jaw.  Mii.rill'irii  Iiidii',  the  clu'ck-bono  ; 
in  birds  an  inconsiderable  bone  of  tin;  bill  it- 
self, not  of  the  cheek. 

MAx'ri.i.o-rAi.'AriNi;  (/miic),  ».  Certain  paired 
boru'  of  the  upper  jaw  in  the  ]ialate. 

MI'.a'pi'.s,  )!.  Passage  or  canal.  Mmliis  audi- 
liiriiis,  ear-passnge. 

Mi:'l>lAN,  f(.  Lying  in  the  nii<ldle  line.  Opposed 
to  liiln-iil. 

iMlilHAsi  I'.NTM,  II.  One  of  the  thoracic  par- 
titions. 

Miliil 'l.A,  H.  Marrow,  .^fiihtlln  sjiiniilis,  s|)i- 
nal  cord.  Midalhi  ohliiiitiiifn,  tract  of  nerve 
matter  between  cerebellum  and  spinal  cord 
proper. 

JIi:i,'an"is.m,  ii.     State  of  coloration   resulting 

from  excess  of  black  or  dark  pignic\it  ;  a  fre- 

ipunt  condition  of  hawks. 

Ml  I.AMs'llc,  )  1  ,r    .    I      -.1  1      • 

,,        ,     .,        i  a.     .\  Iccteil  with  UKlanism. 
iMi;i,AMiT'ir,    \ 

51i;M'in:ANA  I'l  pamMms,  ».  The  lining  mem- 
brane of  the  egg-shell,  formed  of  dense  modi- 
lieil  albumen. 

Mi-M'iu;ANr,  -II.  Thin  soft  sheet  of  various 
ftructure  covering  a  p  irt  or  (jrgan.  CirihrnI 
or  spiiuU  ■mciniiriiM.     See  Me.nisges.    yiHl- 


liilhui  mrmhranc,  the  third  or  inm'r  eyelid 
of  birils,  which  sweeps  acro,ss  the  ball.  Soft 
skinny  covering  of  the  bill  of  many  birds  is 
said  to  be  iiir„iliriiiiuns.  Webbing  of  the  toes 
is  the  interdigital  iiiniiliniiu;  Loinit  is  a 
fringed  im  inliriinr, 

Mi'..m'ii1!LM,  )i.;  pi.  niriiibi-'t.  Any  limb,  or 
otlicr  peripheral  |iarl,  as  a  bill,  as  distin- 
guished from  I'ody  proper  or  Intiiciis. 

Mi;ni.n'(1i;.s,  h.  p/.  Knvtdoiies  of  the  brain  or 
spinal  cord  ;  es]iccially  tlie  iliim  iintli-r  and 
pill  iiuiIim:  (The  singidar,  mniiiix,  is  scarcely 
u.sed.) 

Mi'.N'rAi.,  ((.     Pertaining  to  the  chin. 

MliN'riM,  V.  Chin;  soft  parts  between  the 
bramdies  of  the  lower  j.iw. 

Mkni-.nci  i'ii'ai.on,  II.  A  certain  brain-tract,  tho 
second  from  behind. 

Mivsi'.M  Kii'ic,  H.     Pertaining  to  the  mesentery. 

.Mks'knti.iiv,  II.  A  fold  of  the  peritoneum 
binding  the  intestines  in  ]ilaee. 

Mt;si:i!A'n,',  a.  Same  as  ilKsicNTEMC  (which 
see). 

Mi;'siAT.,  n.     \n  the  middle  ;  same  as  median. 

.Mi:.sn-  (ill  fiiiiipimiliiiii).     Middle;  nieilian. 

Mi;so.Mi;r'i!iiM,  v.  Partially  niu.scular  perito- 
neal fold  sU|>|Kirtiiig  the  oviduct. 

Mi:s(ii:iii'nhm,  n.  I'oition  of  bill  between  the 
nostrils.     (Little  ns<'d.) 

Misn.siiii'.MM,  n.  Middle  .segment  of  the 
breast-lone. 

Mkiaiak'I'AI.,  n.  or  h.  Pertaining  to  the  me- 
tacarpus ;  particularly  the  wrhHiu-piil  bone. 

Mr.i  AiAii'i'is,  ».  Hand,  exclusive  of  the  lin- 
gers ;  .sogmeut  of  the  wing  between  the  carpus 
and  the  digits. 

MirAfiNAi  ii'di'.s,  a.  Cro.ss-billed  ;  liaving  the 
]ioints  of  the  mandibles  passing  each  other  on 
the  right  and  left. 

l\ii.rAiAJ;'sAT.,  <i.  Pertaining  to  the  metatiu- 
sus  ;  jinrticularly  tin-  luc/iilnr.iiil  bone. 

MlcTAi  Ali'si  s,  II.  Foot,  exclusive  of  the  toes; 
segmi'iit  of  the  leg  between  the  tarsus  and  the 
digits,  eommonly  called  llir  .'Jtind;  and  iu  ile- 
.seriptive  ornithology  u.sually  known  as  the 
titrnii-i.  The  metatarsus,  however,  has  a  distal 
tarsal  ossicle  conlluent  with  it,  ,so  that  il  is 
actually  tursii-iiii'lidur.iiin.  in  birds.,  the  me- 
tatarsus propel-  (I'xchisive  of  the  conlluent 
tar.sal  bone)  consists  of  three  parallel  meta- 
tarsal bones,  more  or  less  completely  conllu- 
ent, and  of  the  associated  nnrssori/  nidtilarsid 
bone    which    bears    the    hallux.       Comjiare 

TAUsf.s. 

Ml-.TATAlt'srs  IIai.'i.itis,  71.  The  accessory  me- 
tatarsal bone,  as  just  said. 

Mlli'hM-;  Tni:,  «.  The  thin  I  toe  in  older  of  reck- 
oning, w  illi  fiw  exci'|itioiisfour-j(iinted.  When 
the  fouith  toe  is  revcrseil,  as  in  all  zygodac- 
tyh'  birils  c\\cept  tmgons,  it  becomes  th.- 
(iiiler  anterior  toe  ;  iu  trogon.s,  and  a  few 
birds  in  which  the  true  inner  or  second  toe  is 
wanting,  it  becomes  the  iiiiur  anterior  toe. 
It  is  never  vi'is.itile.  It  rarely  has  only  tlireo 
joints,  like  the  second  Um-.      ('l'J8.) 

Miii'iii.i.  WiN(i-(  i)v'i;i:rs,  or .Mi:'iiiANCnv'i;iirs. 
The  s(  lies  of  up]ier  coverts  of  the  .secondary 
set,  situate  in  one  or  nii  re  rows  between  the 
greater  and  lesser  coverts.  They  are  nsue'ly 
recognized  by  their  overlapping  each  otiier 


GLOSSARY. 


549 


in  tlie  revorse  (liii'ction  (i.  c.  iniii'i-  borili'i-  of 
Olio  oV('j'lii|i|iiim  uiitiT  boiiliT  (if  tlio  next  oiii'> 
t'lMiii  llic  others,  wliciici'  tlicy  iiro  soim'tiiiics 
vn\U-i\  li:rtn'cisjiiriri:iir,     (I'l.) 

Miiii;.v'ii(ix,  II.  I'ciioiliciil  (liiit  somctiiiii's  ii- 
ri-;;ular')  Joiinifyiii.ns,  or  cliiiii;,'!'  ol'  alindc,  of 
Mills  at  certain  seasons,  to  seenre  fooil,  eli-  i 
mate,  or  other  |ihysi(al  eoiiilitioiis  of  i-iiviidii- 
iiieiit  hest  suiteil  to  their  wants.  .Mi^iratioii 
is  fjenerally  iiic-riiliniial  (north-south;,  anil 
lielieved  liy  some  to  ]»•  mainly  aeeiim|ilislieil 
nlun.L;  a  ma^iietii:  mi'iiiliaii  :  Imt  it  is  ol'li'ii 
(|nite  otlierwise,  iiithieneed  by  to]i<iL,'ra)iliy, 
etc.,  or  altogether  i-aprieions.  In  llie  North- 
ern lleiiiis|iliere,  the  vernal  iiiii:iatioii  is; 
northward,  the  autumnal  in  llie  opiiosite  di- 
rei'tion. 

Mi.mk'sis,  n.  lliiniery  ;  iiioekiiiij;  siiimlati'd 
reseiiihlaiic'c  in  voiee,  sliaiie,  color,  etc. 

MiMf.r'lf,  ('.  Imitative  ;  f;iveii  to  niiiiiiery. 
Mini'lic.  nii'iloi/ii,  siiiinhitiMl  resemhlanee  in 
supi'i  lieial  res|iecls,  siieh  as  many  insei'ts 
hear  to  llio  twij,'s  or  leaves  they  re,,t  npoii. 

Mlli'llol!,  71.     See  .Sri'.il'l.f.M.      (S-J.) 

M()i.'i:cfi,i:,  It.  l'',niliryo  part  of  the  iiiiprej,'- 
nated  ovnni.     See  CirAinli'fl.fM. 

jMii[.'i.iimi.iisk,  ((.     Softly  downy. 

MnMH;'.VMois,  ((.  rairin.i{ ;  iiiatiiiL;  with  a 
siii;;le  ol"  of  the  opposite  sex.  liirds  uf  which 
the  male  assists  in  inenliation  and  can^  of  thi' 
yoang  are  called  ihmhlii  niniiiKjiiiiinnii. 

MnNui/.\MY,  1).      'riie  paired  stale. 

MnNOMiiu'i'llir,  (I.  Of  ihe  same  or  es.selitially 
similar  tyjie  of  striictiue.  Ojiposed  to  /'"/,7- 
iii'iriihli-. 

MoNorn'Kdi's,  r'.     I'liiparous;  li'.ying  a  single 

Mos'sir.i!,  /).     .Any  malforiiK'd  animal. 

Moiiriiiii.'iicv,  ;(.  'I'lie  siiince  of  form.  The 
doctrine  of  the  laws  of  furm.  Structure  it- 
self, c,aisiden-d  as  to  its  principles  ;  e.  g.  Ihe 
mor/i/iii/iiii!i  of  Ihe  odontoid  process  of  the  axis 
is  centrum  of  the  atlas,  tin-  iiviriiholiuiii-'il 
interpretation  of  the  tibial  condyles  is  tarsal 
ossicles.  The  segment  called  metatarsus  is, 
inor/ilto/oiji^'ii!//!,  taiso-meta tarsus,  jlonndogy 
rests  upon  morplndogy;  analogy  is  geni'rally 
predicalile  upon  tcdeology. 

Moii'sfs  DlAlioi.'lcfs,  II.  .\ii  I'pithet  of  the  in- 
fundilMilifonn  orilii-e  of  the  oviduct  which 
takes  in  the  ova. 

Mi(ii''.\i:cus,  fi.      I'roduiing  mueus. 

Mi'iciis  Mr.M'ni'.A.M;,  n.  Lining  of  the  ali- 
mentary and  other  intiaior  tracts  of  the  body, 
sec-ieting  mui'Us. 

Ml  '(ltd,  /(.     A  sharp  spine. 

Mi'riiuNAri'.,  (/.  Spini'-ti|i]ii'd,  as  tln'  tail  of  a 
swift. 

Mr'cis,  n.  riM'uliar  secretion  of  the  mui'ous 
inembralie. 

Mii.iii-'iDis,  II.  for,).    ,\  ci'rtain  s]iinal  mus(  le. 

.Mll.Tli''.\l!()rs,  ((.      I'rodueing  many  young. 

Ml's'i'l.K,  ii.  (iiiiisfii/iis.  pi.  iiiii\nili).  (tig.an  of 
animal  motion,  consisting  of  conlractile  libre. 
the  shortening  of  which  draws  upun  attacheii 
parts.  With  the  muscular  tissue  is  nsu.illy 
associated  a  fibrous  ligament,  the  tendon  or 
"leader."  Volunt.ary  inuseles  liavi>  striped 
fibre,  contracting  at  will  of  the  animal  ;  such 
are  nil  those  of  the  geiicial  .\v.stcni,  moving 


the  bones,  effcoting  locomotion,  mastication, 
etc.      Involuntary  ninsides  mostly  have  plain 

libre  contractih'  under  s] iai  stimuli  without 

oliedicnce  to  the  will  ;  su.  h  are  those  of  the 
intestines,  etc. 

Mi'.s'rfl.AI!,  (/.  Pertaining  to  muscle  ;  having 
imis(de  or  eoinposeil  of  muscle  ;  resulting  from 
muscle  :  as,  i/inKfit/'ir  libre,  iiiii!<''iil*ir  <ugan, 
iiiiiifii/iir  exertion.  .\lsu,  stiiuig,  vigorous  : 
the  filcnii  is  a  iiiiisi-iiliii-  bird. 

.Mf'licfs,  II.  I'naiiucd  ;  as,  a  tee  without  a 
tdaw,  an  uns[iurii'd  tarsus.     (I'i-'i. ) 

.Mvr,l.l-Ni|-.|'ll'.\I,oS,     „.        Wholi'    celebld-Spinal 

I'olumn. 
.\Iv'i;i.iiN.  II.     The  spinal  cord. 
Mvoi.r.M'MA,  )).     Sheath  of  miiscnlar  tilire. 
>Ivii|,'im;v,   (,.      I>oitiinc  or  di'scripliim  of  the 

inus(des. 
My.x'a,  II.      laid  of  the  niandilile,  as  far  as  the 

svmphvsis,  corre^poncling  to  the  deitruin  of 

tiie  iiuixilla.      (-J.')). 


N. 


N'an'i's,  II.  or  ».     Dwarf;  pigmy. 

Nati;,  /(.     (I'.t.)     See  NciiiA. 

Naii'is.  II.;  \<\.  iiin-'K.  Nostril  (always  paired). 
("2^.',.)  T\\f  t.i/i'ru'i/  »"/•/. V open  u)ion  the  bill, 
or  its  cere,  in  very  various  shapi'  and  position; 
the  iit/irmil  nuns  otieii  slit-wise  upon  the 
1 k  ]Kirt  of  the  palate. 

N\'sAI.,  /'.  I'ertainilig  to  the  licistlils.  Xiisn/ 
//"/o-.s,  a  pair  at  the  loot  of  ilic  uppi'r  mandi- 
ble. 

Nas'iI'M',  „.  About  being  burn  ;  beginlUo.,  to 
groiv  or  exist. 

Naia'tion,  /,.     .\ri  (if  swimming. 

.\ArAro'i:i;s,  n.  /it.  .\  ^roiip  of  swimming- 
binls. 

N'ArATo'llIAr.,  n.  Capable  of  swimming;  be- 
longing to  swiinming-biiils. 

Ni;Ai;i'ric',  n.  Indigiaions  to  the  northern  j.or- 
lion  of  the  Wcsti-ni  llemispheie. 

NKlifl,A'ri:ti,  ".  Clouded  with  various  indis- 
tinct eoliM'>. 

Nkc'K,   II.       (17.)      Sei>  Cdl.l.fM. 

Xi'.oc.k'an-,  //.  Indigenous  to  the  Western  Iliini- 
sphere  or  "  New  Woild." 

Xl',(is'sl\|-,,  /).  SubstaiU'c  of  the  "I'dible  birds'- 
nests." 

Ni:ns,soi,'n(iV,  ?(.      Study  nf  young  birds. 

Nr.oriioi'irAi,  n.  Indigenous  t.i  the  tiopii'al 
]i(Utlnn  of  the  Western  lleniisphiav. 

Ni:i;'vim:,  n.     \er\e  siiiisiaiicc. 

Nl'.l 'l!AI,,  ".  rertaiiiing  to  nerves.  Xiiimf 
rtiiiii/,  the  tube  ipf  the  baiklionc.  .Xinnil 
•Vi/io',  tin;  so-called  spinous  prnc^ess  of  a  Veite- 
liia.      Xi'iiml  ii.ii.i,  cerebro-spinal  axis.     ,\V//- 

i-'il  'irrll,   see  Nl'.IKArolMIVSIs. 

Nl'.riiAl'iiiMl'vsis,  ».  Till'  laminalc  proi'css  of 
a  vertelua,  which,  mei-ting  its  fellow  at  the 
neural  s])ine,  iloses  the  canal  for  traiisliiis>ioii 
of  the  spinal  cord. 

Ni:fi;ri.i'.M'.\tA.  n.     Sheath  of  ni'ivc  libre. 

Ni:n:ol.'iii;Y,  ».      Study  of  the  nerves. 

Nic'riTAiiNo  Mim'i'.ham:,  ii.  The  third  or 
inner  evclid  of  birds. 

Ninii''icA'Tiox,  n.  Nest-luiililing ;  moile  of 
nesting. 


550 


GLOSSARY. 


Ni'di's,  )i.     Nost. 

Ni'srs  FoiiMATi'vrs,  n.  Tin-  fonnntive  ton- 
(leiii'v  ;  the  unknown  law  wliicli  (Ictcriiiinfs 
the  nidiini'nt  of  iin  iiiiininl  to  tiik(^  its  pio])('r 
slmiH-,  "  I'licli  altrr  its  kind."   "  I'lnstic  toirc." 

Ndiik,      I  )i.      A  swt'llin){  ;    honci',  a  joint,  iis 

Nu'di'S,  (  Imni'.s  usiiiilly  ciilnigr  at  tlicir  nr- 
ticnlatinR  oxticniilics.     ('oin])aic  Inieiisodk. 

NoMr.N'ci.ATiitK,  ».  Tile  sum  of  the  woids  or 
ti'iins  ]M'('uliar  to  any  (li'|iaitnii'nt  of  knowl- 
odjTc  ;  as,  ornitliolo;^iiai  ndiiu-ucldtiin' ;  in  tins 
sense  eipiivalent  to  Irniiiiw/iiifii.  Also,  the 
naniinf!  of  olijei'ts  aecoi'ilinR  to  sonn'  tixed 
jirinei|ile  ;  as,  tlie  binomial  itiiiiiriii-liiliii'f.  It 
IS  essential  to  the  integrity  of  nomenelatnre 
that  it  shoiihl  rest  ui)on  elassifieation,  or  ln.f- 
niimiii/. 

Nox-.  Not.  A  friM|iient  ])relix  in  soientilie 
literature,  denoting  negation,  used  mueh  like 
(Iin-,  iiii-,  ill-,  ete. 

Nds'thii,,  II.     CJf^A.)    See  Xaims. 

Js'dT.K'iM,  II.  The  entire  u|i|)er  jiart  of  a  bird,   (.'i.) 

No'l'llA,  ".  Spurious.  |{y  (ilfi  iiiillni  has  been 
meant  the  scapular,  axillar,  and  tertiary  feath- 
ers (udleitively,  which  are  also  called  jini-n/)- 
tcniiii. 

Ni)'ruiiiiini),  II.  Primitive  eonditiou  of  the 
backbone. 

Nr'ciiA,  11.  Nape  ;  upper  part  of  cervix,  next 
to  oei.'i]mt.     (4!». ) 

Ni'iKAi.,  ".     Pertaining  to  the  naiK'. 

Nr'ci.K.ATKl),  n.  Containing  a  .special  cell  or 
cells. 

Xi  ii.r.o'f.r.s,  )i.     (ell  or  point  within  a  nucleu.s. 

Ni'ii.Eis,  II.     Special  cidl  within  another. 

Ni'tkikxt,  ('.    IS'oinishing  ;  nutritious. 

Xr  rni'rioN,  ii.  Jieiiairof  waste  that  ensues  by 
ihcomposition  in  aniuuil  life,  and  |iroinotion 
of  growth,  with  supply  of  new  assimilable 
material.  Alinientalion  is  the  act  of  supply  ; 
aliment  n'  nutriment  the  .supply  ;  nutrition 
the  result  of  its  assimilation. 


OAliRn  (font),  n.  Having  the  hind  toe,  as  well 
as  the  others,  full-weblied.  »See  SlKciA.Noi'o- 
IMII-.S.       (HO.) 

Onroit'nATF,,  n.     Inversely  heart-shaped. 

Oiil.njri;',  </.  Indirect;  a-slant.  Al.so,  name 
of  certain  abdondual  muscles. 

(Iri'l.OMJ,  ((.      Longer  than  broad. 

Cliii'vATI'.,  ".     Inversely  ovate. 

<)lis(  ii!i;',  ('.  Dark ;  not  evident ;  little  known  ; 
faintly  marked. 

Oli'soi.KTK,  (..  Disused  ;  litth?  used.  Al.so, 
synonymous  with  (ilincinr,  as  nhsn/ife  spots  ; 
also,  synonymous  with  iin/irrfiT/  or  nuliiiirii- 
liii-ij  :   the  himl  toe  of  the  petrel  is  ithsolfli-. 

Odtira'ioii,  II.  \  nmscle,  membrane,  and  fora- 
men of  the  |)idvis  are  respectively  so  called. 

f>in  I'M-;',  n.      lilunt.      (>]iposed  to  iinilr. 

Ocrli''llAl.,  f(.  or  II.  Pertaining  to  the  liind- 
hciid  ;   as,  orni/iilnl  lione,  luri/iitii/  region. 

Oi'riiMT,  ».     The  hind  head.      (!!:!.) 

tlri:i,'i.i-,«,  •/,  (Literally  "little  eye.")  Dis- 
tinct rounded  spot  of  color,  like  the  "eyes" 
of  a  peacock's  tail. 

0(  ii'uKV,  0(  ii'i'.F.nrs,  ri.    Color  of  yellow  ochre. 


0( 'itKAtF,  ff.    Booted.    See  Boor  and  Camovla. 

Oc'ii.d-Mo'ioii,  71.     A  nervi'  of  the  eye-mus(de.s. 

Oc'rt.r.s,  n.  Kye.  (The  adjective  oc«/((r  being 
applied  (diielly  to  processes  and  results  of 
.sight,  much  like  vi.iuii/,  rather  than  to  jiliysi- 
eal  attributes,  the  word  orbiltil  is  used  for  the 
latter  in.stead.) 

Onos'iojn  {]ii-my.i.i),  (I.  A  part  of  the  axis 
(second  cervical  vertebra)  is  so  called, 

(Kscii'il'Aiif.s,  ?i.  (iidlet  ;  tube  conveying  food 
from  mouth  to  stomach. 

()t.|-.i'i!AMiN,  II.  Upper  back  part  of  the  ulna, 
not  |)ronnnent  in  birds. 

()i.KA( 'I'oKV,  (I.  Pertaining  to  the  sense  of 
sujcll. 

Oi.KioMV'oiii,  II.  Having  few  or  imperfect 
.syringeal  muscles  among  Pri.i.inr.i. 

Oi.KJOTo'Kors,  n.     Producing  few  young. 

()i.iva'('Kiii:.s,  n.  Of  a  mixed  green  and  brown 
color. 

OMNlv'oiidf.s,  a.  Kating  anything  ;  feeding 
indiscriminately. 

O'.moim.ati'.,  ».  Shoulder-blade.  (0»i«-,  in  com- 
position, is  a  prefix  referring  to  the  shoul- 
der.) 

tl.M'i'llAi.os,  II.     Same  as  umhilifiis,  navel. 

Oiii.iHi'icAf,,  rt.     Pertaining  to  oiilogy, 

Oiil.'ocv,  n.     Science  of  birds'  eggs. 

Ol'Kli'cfl.r.M,  11.  I,id  or  cover;  flap.  The 
nasal  scale,  oi-  rooting  of  the  external  nostrils, 
is  the  npirciiliiiii  iKirin. 

Ol'HTllAl.'.MIc,  r».  Pertaining  to  the  oyp.  OpJi- 
lliiiltnif  region  is  e(piivalent  to  orbital  region. 

Or'rii',  II.  Pertaining  to  the  eye,  or  to  the 
sight.  Th(^  opiii:  nerve  issues  from  the  brain 
and  .sprend>--  into  the  retina. 

O'liAl.,  a.     Pertaining  to  tht^  mouth. 

OiMilc'n.AU,  a.     Circular. 

Oii'iirr,  )(.  Kye-.s<«-ket.  Also,  .synonymous 
with  orhiln. 

Oii'iirrA,  )i.  Cireuniorbital  region  taken  imme- 
diately around  the  eye-opening.     (41.) 

Oii'iiiTAi,,  ".     Pertaining  to  the  orbit. 

Oiiiii'ni-si'iiK'Noiii,  11.  Part  of  the  sphenoid 
bone,  fonuing  a  portion  of  the  orbit. 

Oii'DKlt,  I  II.    Iuclassitication,ngroup 

Oli'mi,  pi.  nrdiiir.i,  \      between  family  and  class. 

Ou'ruNAi.,  a.  Having  the  taxonomic  rank  or 
value  of  an  ordi'r. 

Oii'iiAN,  II.  Any  individual  part,  or  sj'.stem  of 
parts,  of  the  boily  having  a  specific  physio- 
logical function,  considered  with  reference  to 
its  action,  ))rocesses,  or  results.  Kye,  onjnn 
of  sight  ;  wing,  nrijnu  of  (light ;  stomach, 
liver,  orinniii  of  digi'stion  ;  mu.s(des  collec- 
tively, iifiinHS  of  locomotion. 

Oii'iiAMsM,  II.  Any  living  body  capable  of 
separate  existence. 

Ou'cAsM,  II.  Immoderate  excitement  ;  said 
chielly  of  .sexual  excitement,  of  which  the 
nnifism  is  the  height.     Krethisni. 

<1l!Nll  il'ir,  ".      Pi'rtai?iing  to  liirds. 

()i;Nrriio((H''i!(ii.rri;,  n.     Kossil  bird-dung. 

( li!Nrri[(U.'(M:v,  II.     Science  of  birds. 

(IliNiTlKir'oMV,  11.     Anatomy  of  birds. 

Os,  II.;  gen.  oris;  pi.  orn.  Mouth.  Cavuin 
oris,  cavity  of  the  mouth. 

Os,  II.;  gen.  n.isis :  pi.  ns.iri.  Bone.  Many  or 
most  names  of  individual  Iwmes  are  adjectives, 
\ised  substantively,  o,s  or  bone  Iving  under- 


GLOSSARY. 


551 


stood;  ft.s,  hijiitU  or  hi/oiilis,  hi/riiil  (lioiic)  or 
(us)  lii/dule.'i,  cti.'.  Till!  ijiniilridi'  lianc  or  <« 
qandiiiliiiii  is,  as  to  its  jiliysiiMl  I'lianntrrs 
ami  ollici',  not  I'liiiinl  in  niiiiiiiils  iiliiivr  liirils  ; 
it  liiii^rs  till!  liiwrr  jaw,  pti'iyf,'iiiil,  ami  malar 
bones  to  tlit'  rrst  ut  llir  skull.  It  is  rr<;iirdi!il  us 
tli«  liomoloHUr  of  till'  iiianiiiialian  im-iis  liy 
sonii',  by  otiicrs  as  prnliably  lii)iiiiilii}^oiis  with 
till!  nianinialiaii  mhIIiiis, 

Os'ciNK,  «.     Musical  ;  raiiabli'  of  siiijfiiif^. 

Us'ilNKs,  n.  pi.  A  group  iiC  singiny-liinls,  ))os- 
Ki'ssiiig  a  ooni|ili'X  voial  organ  of  iiiimi'ious 
syringi'iil  imisrlos,  conlVrring  iiiusinal  ability. 
Tlirsi!  all'  ri'garili'il  as  tin:  higlii'st  or  most 
jii'ili'itly  dcvrlopi'il  of  tlii'ir  rlass. 

O.^'sKors,  ((.      liiiiiy. 

Us'sii'm;,  II.     A  small  bom'. 

Ossik'ii',  ((.  liony  ;  nulirr,  having  power  to 
ossify. 

Os'siKIKl),  II.     BiToniP  bony  ;  unitcil  by  bom". 

Os'siKV.     To  form  bom'  ;  to  ihange  into  lioni'. 

OsrKDr.oii'iiAl.,  ((.     I'ertaining  to  osteology. 

O.sTEol.'oiiY,  II.  A  ileseri|)tion  of  bom-s.  Also 
ii.S(!il  to  ih'iioti'  the  o.sseous  system,  us  myol- 
ogy, neurology,  splanchnology,  likewise  are 
for  their  respective  systems. 

Os'iii:m,  n.      Doorway  ;  entrani/e. 

O'rir,  a.     I'ertaining  to  the  ear. 

O'riKlt.VNK,  n.  ". Skull  of  the  ear";  cavity 
containing  essential  organs  of  hearing. 

OlTKll    CliVKUlSll.       {WD      See    iNIll-.Ml'.STf.M 

ami  rm.osis. 

OlTKU  Wi;ii  (of  a  feather).  (ISit.)  See  Piiiii)- 
Mf.M  Exri-.iiNr.M. 

O'vAi,,         \ii.     Kgg-sliapeil  J  in  a  general  sense, 

()'v.\rK,      f      oblong  ami  cnrviliiiear.     Distinc- 

O'voll),        I       tions  which  may  subsist  between 

Oviiid'ai.,  )  these  wiinls  are  practically  ig- 
noreilaniDiigouIogical  writers,  who  usethem  in- 
tercliangea'ily  for  the  oblong  curvilini'ar  sha|H' 
when  the  curve  is  iineipial  at  the  opposite 
ends  ;  the  terms  <////;/ ,iv(7,  cl/ipmiiilii/,  being 
generally  il.scil  to  ilemite  a  curve  eipial  at 
both  ends.  The  tranverse  contourdini!  of  an 
egg  being  always  circular,  the  descriptive 
terms  reb'r  to  the  lengthwise  contour,  con- 
sidered either  as  of  a  surface  <u'  a  solid. 

OvA'liifM,   II.;   pi.  oniriii,     I  Organ  or    ti.s.sue 

O'vAliY,  II.;  pi.  ninn'es,  \      in  which  eggs 

originate  ;  they  siibseipiently  aci|uiie  albumi- 
nous deposit,  and,  in  birds,  a  calcareous  shell, 
ill  the  oviduct. 

(VviiPi  rr,  II.  Tube  conveying  eggs  from  ovary 
to  cloaca. 

Ovir'AKiii's,  1.  Producing  eggs  which  are  de- 
veloped after  exclusion  from  the  body.  Op- 
posed to  riiipuroii.i. 

Ovii'ii.si'iio.N,  11.     Act  of  layiii     iggs. 

O'viSAc,  II.  Ovarian  cavity  in  wliicli  an  egg 
originates,     (iraalian  vesicle. 

Ovii.A'riiiN,  II.  Formation  of  eggs  in,  and 
discharge  from,   the  ovary. 

O'virM,  II. ;  pi.  orii.  Kgg.  Soinetimes  synony- 
mous with  r.inhriiii. 


Pab'i'LVM,  «.     Food;  nouri.shmeiit  ;  alimeii  . 
Pahs.     (123.)    See  Tylaki. 


I  Tal^ARc'tic,  a.     Indigenous  to  tho  iiortlicru 
]iarts  of  the  Kasterii  llcmispliere. 
l'Ai..i;iiii.K'AS,   i(.      Indigenous  to  the   Easieru 

Hemisphere,  or  "Old  Worlii." 
rAi,.Kni:Nrriiol.'iiiiY,  11.     Science  of  fossil  birds. 
I  I'aI.'aMA,  II.     Webbing  between  the  toes.    (KiS.) 
I'Al.'AtAi.,    j  (t.     I'ertaining  to  the  iialate  ; /x(/it- 
I'Ai.'AriNK,  {      line  is  .said  especially  of  certaiu 
bones. 
I  I'ai.'ai'K,  11.     lioof  of  mouth. 
'  I'Al.'Ari  .M,  (I.      The  jialate. 
'  I'a'i.ka,  /(.     Fleshy  pendulous  skin  of  the  chin 
or  throat  ;  dewlap. 
I'aj.'i.iim,  II.     Sanieas  SriiAiill.l'.M  (which  see). 
I  Pai.'mak,  II.     rerlaining  to  the  under  surface 
I      of  the  pillion. 
'  I'ai.'ma ii:,     1  ".     Web-footiMl  ;  having  the  nn- 

i  I'AL.MA'n;!),  >       terior  toes    full-webbed.      Com- 

l'Ai,'.Mii'i;ii,  )      pare  Sem'ii'ai.maik  iind  Toti- 

I'Ai.MAri:. 
l'AT.'.MATr.   Fill  IT.      (l;i!i.) 
rAi.'i'i;iii!A,  II.     Kyelid. 
I'Ai.'l'KliKAl.,  fi.     I'ertaining  to  t!ie  eyelids. 
rAl.'l'KltliAri;,  '(.      Having  cyeliils. 
I'am  'iiKiii.i:,  a.     ilarsh-inhabiliiig. 
I'an'i  liKAs,   H.       A    lobulated   gland    near  the 

stomach,  the  secretion  of  which  pound  into 

the  diiodcnuni  ai'ls  digestion  by  iiiuking  an 

emulsion  of  fat. 
I'A.NCKKAi'ir,  (f.     Pertaining   to  the  pancreas; 

as,  iiiini-riiilii:  tluid. 
I'Ai'ii.'i.A,  ii.     Small   Ucshy  niiiplc-like  prumi- 

ncme. 
1'A1''II.I.ATK,  )  ,,      •  .,, 

I'Ac'ii.i.osf,  !"•     "iiving;iiv,/?a'. 

I'ac'i  1..K,  /(.  ]>l.     Pimples. 

I'ai'';  i.iiis,  (I.     Pimply. 
I  I'AliAliAi'rvi.i'M,  II.     Side  of  tiie  toes,  in   any 
I      way  distinguished  t'rom  top  or  sole.      (111).) 

(Little  used.) 

PAl;Ai;NArM'i)i  s,   n.      Having  both  iiiandibles 
i      of  eipial  length,  their  tijis  meeting. 
:  Paiiai'dI'M'vsis,  a.     t'ertain  lateral  process  of  a 
I      vertebra. 

PAiiAc'TKurM,  II.     Of  iinccrlain  meaning,  but 
I      has  been  ajiplied  to  the  scapular  region  or  its 
I       feathers.      (Little  used. ) 
I  Paiiasi  r'lr,  '(.     Habitually  making  use  of  other 
I       birds'  nests. 
Pauai AU'siiM,  II.    Side  of  the  tarsus,  in  any 

way  distinguished,     (lo.'i.)     (Little  used.) 
I\\liArn'\iM,  ?i.      Side  of  upper  mamlible  when 
dislinguislied  from  the  culiiicn.    (Little  u.seil.) 
Pauaii  ilK'sif.M,  v(.     Side  of  neck.    (5t.)    (Lit- 

th'  used.) 
Paukn'iiiy.m '.,    n.       Fssential   substance  of  a 

riania. 
I'aim'ktai.  {hiiiii.i),  ii.  for  n.      Expanded  bones 

forming  part  of  the  i-raniiim. 
PAi:j'i:ri:s,  n.     Wall. 

I'auoi Tie'irAl,  II.   for  ii.     Certain   leteral  ele- 
ments of  the  occipital  bone. 
I'AlLul'li',  ".      .\bout  the  ear.      (4."(.) 
I'Aliin'lli,  If.  or  II.     Pertaining  to  the  ear.     Ki- 
/iiriiilli/,   a  salivary   gland   situate   near   the 
ear. 
Pas'si:i!i:s,  «.  ///.     A  group  of  birds  including 

s|iariows  and  all  the  liigh.T  birds. 
Pas'skiiink,   u.      Sparrow-like,      licloiiging   to 
the  group  of  Pniarns. 


00^ 


GLOSSAUV. 


I'ai  ti.'i.A,  V,     Kin'c-]iaii  ;  kiico-i'iiii.    Sfsaiiuiid 

lull r  k]i jiiiiit. 

I'ai'km,  II.     ( l|i(]i. 

rAriliil.'diiY,  /(.      l'li\>iol()r;y  (if  Jiscusc. 

I'Kr'llls,  /(.      Siiliii' us  MAIJsCi'ir.M  (wliicl'  sc'cl. 

rr.r'iiNAiKi),  I      lions,  liUr  tlmsi'  o(  a  ciiiiiii. 
ri;(  riNA'iins,  II.     Ciinili-liki' lii.illiiiij;, 

I'lU'miLM.,  ((.       I'rilllillillj,'   111   lllr  llliast.      'I'lic 

jiriiiirnl.  niusili's  ul'  liiids,  tin in   nnnilicr, 

ai'i'   llii'   |ii'inri|ial  iini-s  in   puinl  ul'  Imlk    in 

niiisl  liii'iis  ;   liii'V  iniivc  llic  winu  as  a  wlmli-. 
I'ki'ii's,   II.      linvisl.     (li-J. )     Anli'iidr   |iiirliiin 

(if  liiwcT  pall  III'  tinnk,  liitwi'iij  jnunliiin  ami 

abildMic  II  ;  |ini|iiily,  I  lie  iv},'iiin  civrilyiiij^  ami 

I'DinaininK  llu'  IniMsl-lmnr,  lait  ^'I'licrally  vi'- 

.sti'ii-lrct  III  till'  iiioi'c  t'liiwaid  sirilliiiij  [lorliiiii 

of  sni'li  ii'iiicm. 
I'K'nr.s,  /;.;  |il.  iif/«,s'.     J'"cct.     (IM'i.)     l.cf;  licyullil 

Ihi'  I'liil  iif  the  tiliia. 
I'Kii'ni;!,,  II.    Narriiw  fcMit-slalk  nistt'iii  liy  wliicli 

an  urjian  is  altai'lu'il.     Saiiic  as  piihinr/i: 
I'ki.ai^'ic-,  (/.     l''n'i|iicnlinj,'  tlic  liiijli  sras. 
I'Ki.'i.ii  i.r.,  /(.     Any  very  ilrlicair  nifinluani'. 
I'r.i.'MA,  II.      'I'lir  ti-ark  ;  onliiv  Ihwit  snifai-i; 

of  tlir  toes.      (111.) 
I'ki.'vic,  ((.      I'diainiiif;  to  the  |ii']vis. 
I'Kl.'vis,  //.      Cavity  of  llic  liciily  fininiMl  liy  tlii' 

IK.SII    iiiiivmiiiiilii,  siii'i'iiiii,  ami  aurjix ;   nlso, 

tlicsc  liniii's  collritivcly. 
I'r.'MAi,,  a.     I'dtaininf;  to  the  ]ii'iiis. 
l'i;Nirii.'i.ATr,  11.     l!ri;sliy-tiii|Mil. 
I'i/ms,  It.     Till'  male  intniniiltriil  (ii;,'aii. 
I'rs'NA,  /(.     A  frathci-.     (Ii'iirially  a  riintiiiir- 

fralliiT    (jihiiiiii),    as    ilistiiij,'iiisliiMl    fnnii    a 

iloun-li'i'lliiT  (/'/"w»/i/) ;  jiiir/ii'iiliiflii,  a  laijj;i' 

still'  fiMlliri-  III'  till'   wing  or  tail,  one  of  tin' 

riiiii'ilin  or  nr/riws, 
Pknna'i  r.ms,   a.      Donotinj;  a  jiorfi'i't  foatliiT 

loniiiltlr  in  all  tlic  parts  a  fratlicr  can  liiive  ; 

ilistiiifini'lii'il  fiiini  /i/iiiiiiiluiriiiis. 
I'f.N'NiriiiiM,  II.     Niilinj,'  a  iiuisi  Ir  wliose  liliros 

all'  ai'iaiiui'l   aliiiig>iili'  of  a   i;ciitial   tcmloli, 

liki-  till'  Will  of  a  lialliiT. 
I'lJi'liinATI-;,  II.     I'iiTiiil  t!iiou,i;li.     (Saiil  cspc- 

I'ially  of  till'  nostrils  wlirii  witliont  a  sijiIum.) 
l'i;i;iiAi;'iin'.M,  n.      ISaj;  liolilini,' tlir  lii'ail. 
1'i:iiiii;a'mim,    n.      Sufi    |iarts   cnrlosiiif;   tlic 

skull  ;  especially  tlic  periostciini  of  tlic  hones. 
rr.iiiiis'ri'.r.M,   //.     Jlcinliraniuis   invcsliiiciit  of 

lione. 
riMMl'll'KliAi.  I'AiiTs.  V,  jil.    Snperlicial,  as  oji- 

piiscil  to  iiitciiur,  jiarfs. 
ri'Uii'ii'r.iiY,  //.     Siipcrlieies  ;  contour. 
I'KKisiwi.'i  ir,  ».    Dcnotiiif;  llic  |ieciiliar  motion 

of  llic  intesliiies  liy  wliiili  tliclr  contents  arc 

iiiflcil  iiiiwaiil  ;  till'  iirri.iliili, 
rr.iu  iiiNl'.'iM.  II.   'I'liiii  sniiiiilli  senilis  nicnilu-ane 

liiiiii;,'  till'   licUy,  ami  invesliiif;  nmst  of  the 

eonlaiiicil  organs. 
I'kiiiink'ai.,  (/.     IVrtaining  to  the  tiluila. 
rKi;iiM;'ls,  II.  for  n.     Name  of  a  lihiilar  ninsclc 
l'i;i:'\  ims,    o.       Open.       r.scil   .synonynionsly 

with  jii'rfiimli-  ill  respect  of  the  nostrils,  liiit 

licttcr  restrict cj  to  the  opposite  of  inipeivioiis 

or  elo.seil  (as  to  an  i.ilirnnl  opcninc). 
I'l'.s,  ;(.;   pi.  y/((/c.v  (wliii'li  sec).      Fuul.     ('.JIi. ) 
I'ts'.sn.r.s,  /I.     Cro.ss-lioiic  of  the  syiiii.\  ;  Imny 

liar  across  lower  enil  of  wiuilpipe,  at  point  of 

foikiii''  into  the  hioin  hi. 


Tki  iiii'sAi,,  ".  (I'seil  siihstimlively.)  .Sinio  a.s 
lii'ti'ims. 

l'i;'rii(iis,  ».  Sloiiy  ;  liciicc,  lianl.  'Wi:  pi  Irons 
liolie  is  ail  elciiicnt  iif  the  tenipoial  hone. 

I'li.v'i.ANX,  II.  \  pi.  /i/iiihiii''iin.  I'oniiiionly  any 
hone  of  a  linger  or  loc  Knuivalent  In  inlci- 
noilc  or  Joint  (not  ni-lii-ii/iiliiin).  I'roperly 
in  such  applicaliiiii  lacking  the  singular  nnni- 
licr, /i/iiiliiintis  heiiig  the  row  or  scries  of  the 
small  iligilal  hones,  taken  collect ively.     (12(1.) 

1'iiai:VMik'ai.,  ((.      I'citaiiiing  to  the  jiliarynx. 

I'llAK'VNX,  /(.  liack  eoniparlincnl  of  the  iiioiilh, 
hailing  ilirectly  into  the  icsophagiLs. 

I'inii.n'ii  ,  //.     J'cilainiiig  to  the  (liapliragm. 

i'llYs'HAl,,  ».  I'loilily  ;  uiaterial.  Opposed  to 
iiliilliil  or  /iiiir/iini/. 

i'llvsiiio'Mi.MV,  /(.  Counleiiaiiie,  ill  respect  to 
lciii|ii'r  of  niiiiil  ;  general  apjicaranee,  in  re- 
spect to  liahits. 

I'llYsini.'iiiiY,  //.  Science  of  animal  or  vegptnhlfi 
econoiiiy  ;  wieiiee  of  hoilily  functions,  pro- 
cesses, iiprralions.  It  is  less  coiii|irehciisive 
than  liiiiliiiiii,  or  the  science  of  life,  as  il.  takes 
acciiiiiit  only  of  material  or  |iliy.sieal,  nut 
)isycliical,  oHiee.s. 

I'i'a  .\Ia'ii;i;,  v.  Soft  vascular  mcnihranc  im- 
mcilialcly  investing  the  hraiii. 

Pl'c  INK,  ('.      Wooilpeckci-like. 

I'liri'liA,  II.      Pattern  of  coloring. 

I'lo'.Mi.sr,  II.     ('oloiiiig-matter. 

I'li.'Kts  (also  wriltcii  /li/iiiiii),  II.  The  cap; 
lop  of  licail  fniiii  hasc  of  hill  to  nape.      CM.) 

I'in'kai.  ItiiliY,  II.  j\  small  organ  as.sociateil 
Willi  the  hrain. 

Pls'liiN,  »/.  I'arl  of  the  wing  licyoinl  the  -rist 
e.\cliisive  of  the  feathers;  usually  thi!  nicla- 
eaipiis  ami  phalanges;  the  hami  liiiiie.  Not 
teehnieally  used  synonynionsly  with  i/iii/l  or 
■in'iiil. 

PlN'NArr.D,  (/.  Having  little  wing-like  tufts  of 
fealheis  on  the  neck. 

Pin'.nji-i.i1!M,  ".  An  epithet  of  the  jieiiguin's 
wing  ;  lin-like. 

Plsciv'iimirs,  ((.     Fi.sh-i'ating. 

Prn'riAliY,  «.  That  secretes  mucus.  J'iiiiilciril 
wriiil.iiiiii;  the  mucous  nicmlnauc  of  the  nasal 
]iassages.  I'ihiiliir!/  iihiiiil,  a  certain  appen- 
dage of  the  hrain. 

Pi.a'i.a,  ■(.     Stripe  of  color. 

1'i.an'ta,  a.  Hack  of  tarsus,  homohigieally  thfc 
.s(i/c.     (10t5.) 

Pl.AS'rAl!,  (/.  Pertaining  to  the  .sole.  A  cer- 
tain iiiii.sclc  is  the  iiliiiiliii-ia. 

Pi.a.\'tii;i;aii1.,  n.  Walking  on  ilie  hack  of  the 
tarsus  as  well  as  on  the  .soles  of  tlu-  toes. 
.Many  pygopodons  liiidsarc  (ilanligrade. 

I'l.As'.MA,  II.      Colorless  lluid  of  the  lilood. 

Pi.As'iIi',  ".  That  nicy  he  mnnldcil.  Korining 
or  .serving  to  form;  liislniiini/ic.  J'/a.itir  /mxe. 
See  Nisis  Foit.MAIIVls. 

Plki'iia,  II.  Jlcniliranc  lining  the  thora.x  and 
investing  tlie  lungs. 

I'l.f.riiAI'oi'll'Y.sis,  II.  Segment  of  the  Inemal 
arch  ne.\t  to  the  eeiitrum.  The  vertebral  rih 
of  a  hi  III  is  a  /iliiirn/m/iliiisis. 

Pi.r.x'l's,  II.  riiioii  in  network  of  nerves,  ves- 
sels, or  lihre.s.  Said  esjiciially  of  the  anasto- 
mosis of  nerves. 

Pi.i'i'A  Ala'kis,  or  I'l.i'cA  Pkkai.a'his,  n.  Tlie 
feathered  fold  of  skin  tm  the  front  border  of 


GLOSSARY. 


5o3 


the  wing  strctohotl  hy  nn  pinstio  tondon  frnin 

tlic    shouldtT    to   tlic   wrist,    loiuli'iin^    tin' 

siiiootii  stini<{ht  anterior  bonier  of  tlic  wiii^. 

{plica  ninria  is   rarely  used   for  the  fold  or 

bend  of  the  win^.) 
Pm'cA  InteIIIiIiiiTA'I.IS,  n.      Weliliinj;  between 

the  toes.      Siiiiie  us  pnhniiii. 
Pli'c.k    I'nrMiTi'v.K,  ».]>!.      Primitive  tolds  ; 

certain    |mriill(l   lines  observed   in   the  early 

embrvonal  traee 


Pm'ma, 


A  feather  in  general,      foinpare 


Pksna  and  Pl.f.Mti.A.  (1.)  A  fealher  ol 
whieh  the  two  webs  are  iMpial  and  alike  is 
called  isD/mi/oiiiiiis  :  otherwise  iDiiKo/imidiKiiis. 

PLU'.MAdK,  V.  The  feathers,  eollectively  ;  Pti- 
I.osis  (whieh  see). 

PuM'nKiPi's,  ./.  Having  the  color  of  tarnished 
lead  ;  dnll  bhiish-gray. 

Pl,lM'rri;ii,  «.      Having  the  feet  feathered. 

Pi.c'miisk,  j  II.       Feathery  ;  in  general,  having 

Pn'Mnr.s  I  feathers  ;  feathered.  C'om|-are 
Pr.NNACKor.s  and  Pi.iiMri.Ai  r.oi-s. 

Pl.f'Mri.A,  n.  A  down  feather,  lacking  certain 
qnalities  ami  parts  of  a  ponin, 

PLi'Mfi-A'cEors,  51.  Downy.  Compare  Penna- 
TEoi-.s. 

PN'EUMAT'if,  a.  Kelating  to  the  respiratory 
system  ;  permeated  with  air. 

PN'Ei'MooAs'ruir,  a.  Pertaining  to  Inngs  and 
bidly  ;  a  name  of  the  most  extensive  eranial 
nerve. 

PoDAiiTil'r.rM,  n.  Font-joint ;  the  articulation 
of  the  toes  eollectively  with  the  metatarsus. 
(100.  \ 

Po'nirM,  V.  Foot.  (Same  as  prs.)  (icnerally 
u.sed,  howev/r,  for  the  loci  collectively  with- 
out thi^  shank.     (1]2.) 

Podotiie'ca,  II.  Whole  envelope  of  tarsus  and 
toes.     (101.) 

Poc.o'nu'M,  H. ;  \A.  piHjntn'a.  Web  or  vanes  of  a 
feather.  (147.)  I'mjimium  r.rlmiutii,  outer 
web  (farthest  from  middle  line  of  the  body). 
PiHf/»iiu»i  iiilfniiiiii,  inner  web.     See  Pli'MA. 

Pdl'i.ex,  )i.  Thumb.  The  joint  which  bears 
the  alula  is  so  called,  though  it  is  homologous 
with  the  iiiile.t:  or  second  linger.  Spina  pit/li- 
caris,  or  'fiihcrcuhim  pnllicari;  the  horny 
spur  on  the  wing  of  some  liir<ls. 

PoLYG'AMOfs,  a.  Mating  with  more  than  one 
female,  like  the  domestic  cock. 

PoLYMon'riiif,  11.  Of  many  forms  ;  consisting 
of,  or  containing,  .several  ditlerent  types  of 
structure  :  as,  a  polymorphic  group. 

PoLYMY'oiD,  a.  Having  numerous  syringeal 
muscles  ;  noting  a  gronp  e(piivalcnt  to  Dsciiim. 

Polyxo'miai,,  h.  or  a.  Name  of  more  than  two 
words.  Consisting  of  several  wnrd.s.  The 
jwbjnomial  nomenclature  is  obsolete. 

Pulyio'kous,  a.  Multiparous ;  producing  many 
young. 

Pons,  Jt.     Bridge.     Certain  parts  of  the  brain. 

Poi'I.ite'al,  a.  Pertaining  to  the  back  of  the 
knee. 

PoR'l'Al,  ClRrn.A'nox.  Passage  of  blooil  from 
the  capillaries  of  one  organ  to  those  of  an- 
other, as  is  conspicuous  in  certain  of  the  di- 
gestive viscera. 

PosTAX'lAL,  a.  Situate  on  the  external  or  pos- 
terior (ulnar  or  fibular)  side  of  a  limb. 

Po.ste'rior  Portion.     (8.)    See  Urj;um. 


PosTEliloR  Toe.  (125.)  The  hind-toe,  or  that 
one  directed  backwaril,  is  generally  the  hal- 
lux ;  often  also  the  fourth  or  outer;  rarely 
the  second  or  inni'r.  The  hallux  is  generally 
meant  by  pnslirinr  Ion. 

Piisniii'iUTAl.,  ('.     Situate  bebinil  the  eye. 

I'liw'iii'.niKPWN  FEArir'i:i!s,  ».  pi.  Peculiar 
ini|ierfcct  featheis,  in  a  mailed  palidi,  which 
grow  co?itinnally,  and  as  lonstantly  break 
ilown,  with  a  .sc\irly  c.xl'oliation,  and  pervaded 
with  a  greasy  substance  ;  they  are  especially 
con.s|iicuiais  in  the  heron  trilie,  but  ure  also 
found  (dsewhcri'. 

Pii.EAx'iAi,,  '(.  Situate  on  tin'  internal  or  ante- 
rior (radial  or  tibial)  siile  of  a  lindi. 

Pr.kcd'ce.s,  ».  pi.  An  (dtsoleti^  gnaip  of  birds, 
able  to  run  about  and  feed  theniscdves  at 
birth. 

Pn.Erd'ciAL,  w.  Hidonging  to  tlii^  I'nectHva ; 
having  Ihi^  nature  of  I'l-iirncct. 

PR.Kl'l'.c'rfs,  V.  Fore-breast  ;  region  of  the 
craw.     Not  well  distinguished  homjininhiiii. 

I'REMAx'ri.i.ARY  (ho)ii),  a.  Till'  foremost  and 
prini'ipal  bone  of  the  upper  jaw.  Inlfrmaj:- 
illarji  is  synonymous. 

Piti;i''i(i;,  )i.  Foil  skin.  The  liomologons  stnic- 
tnre  occurs  in  .some  birds.  I'irpntial,  per- 
taining to  th(;  foreskin. 

PnEssiitiPs'riiAi,,  a.  Having  a  bill  like  that  of 
a  plover.      (Obsolete.) 

PliKsTEli'NiM,  )(.  Anterior  segment  of  the 
breast-bone. 

Pri'mary,  h.  ;  pi.  primnrifs.  Any  one  of  the 
(u.sually  ten,  often  nine,  rarely  eleven)  large 
stilf  cpiills  growing  upon  the  ]iinion  or  liand- 
lioiie,  as  distiiignislicd  from  the  .secondaries 
wiiiidi  glow  n])on  the  forearm.  They  form 
the  tip  of  the  wing,  and  much  of  its  surface. 

Pri'mary  WiNii-ifivr.RTs,  11.  pi.  Tlio.se  over- 
lying the  basi's  of  the  |irimarics. 

Priici'.'res  or  Prd'cf.ri,  ii.pl.  Same  as  RatiTvE 
^which  .see). 

Pr,oi.i(;'F.Riirs,  a.      See  Yoi.K. 

Prona'tion,  11.  A  particular  movement  of  the 
radius  U|)on  the  >iliia,  by  which  the  hand 
turns  over,  —  in  birds  it  is  very  slight,  if  it 
occur  at  all.  The  reverse  movement  is  termed 
mpinitlion.  The  muscles  elfccting  it  arc  jiro- 
nalors  and  svpivalor.i. 

Phoot'it,  a.  for  n.  An  eh-ment  of  the  audi- 
tory ca])3ulc. 

Prosencei'h'ai.on,  )!.  A  certain  tract  of  the 
brain,  the  third  from  behind. 

PRo'roi'LAsM,  11.  Primitive  common  emhryonic 
tissue,  out  of  which  dili'ercnt  organs  and  parts 
are  formed. 

PRoTovER'rKRR.E,  11.  j)l.  First  trace  of  the 
backbones. 

PROTnAc'rii.E,  )  a.     Susceptible  of  being  thrust 

PROTRr'sir.E,  I  forward  or  out,  as  the  tongue 
of  must  woodpeckers. 

PROVENTRlc'ri.r.s,  n.  Part  of  gullet,  usually 
enlarged,  next  to  giMard,  having  solvent 
glands  for  digestion.  It  is  the  true  s(flmrac/t 
of  1'  bird,  as  distinguished  from  the  gizzard  or 
grinding  stomach. 

Prox'imal,  a.  Proximate  ;  nearest  or  next  to 
any  centre  or  axis.  Opposed  to  distal  or  ter- 
minal. 

Psilopje'des,  «.  pi.      A  group  of  p.silopaedic 


vol..  iti. 


70 


554 


OT.OSSARV. 


liinls,  fiirtlipv  (iistinjjiiiNhoil  l>y  Itoing  born 
wiiik  iiiicl  lirlploHs,  (cil  ami  iciucil  in  the  nrst. 
Tlic  trim  iiiiiiiiiii/Kiili.i  is  .syiionynious. 

Psii.iiI'.k'hic,  II,  llavitif;  down  growing  only 
t'mni  tile  future  jilrrylii',  ns  tlii'  |>rc  rnrsor  of 
the  riiluri'  |ihniia<;r,  to  wliii'li  it  i.sNiilisi'(|iiL'ntiy 
ailixi'd  for  a  wliilc  and  then  falls  olf. 

I'mp'as,  II.     Name  of  ((rlaiii  |ii'lvir  ninsclos. 

rri'.iiAi'Di'ii'ysiN,  II.  IVrtain  process  of  eranial 
bones. 

Ttkii'.na,  n.     Heol-imd.     (11 T).) 

rrKKii'.MATA,  II.  /il.  (This  word  is  of  niu'ertain 
nieaiiinj;.)     (SH  ?) 

I'ri'.u'Yiiciii)  (hum),  n.  A  slender  boni'  eimneet- 
iu)'  the  i|uadrat>^  with  the  palatine. 

I'rKii'vi.A,  II.;  i>l.  pin- If  III-..  Area  or  Inni  on 
the  skin  where  featheis  },'row. 

rrEliYl.oc'KAlMlY,  II.  A  deseription  of  the 
plnniaf,'e,  espeeially  with  referenee  to  the  <lis- 
tribiilion  of  the  feathers  on  the  skin. 

rrKiiYi-ii'sis,  11,  rinniaf,'<',  I'onsidered  with 
referenee  to  its  distribution  on  the  skin. 

I'ri'i.A,  II,  (This  word  is  of  uneertain  mean- 
in-.)     (.SOO 

I'rii.di'.K'iPf.s,  V,  pi.  I'tilopa'die  birds.  Sueli 
lire  K<'iierally  able  to  run  aluait  at  birth,  or 
at  least  to  feed  thi'msidves.  jMisi/pnili'.i  is 
synonymous. 

rril.oH.K'nic,  It.  Clothed  at  birth  with  (loeeu.s, 
whieh  sprouts  not  only  from  tln'  future  ptery- 
la-,  but  also  from  apteria. 

rTi[,()'.si.s,  ».     Plumage.     (I!.) 

Pf'isic,  n.     Pertaininj,'  to  the  pubis. 

Pl'nis,  11.  The  most  anterior  bone  of  the  ]>el- 
vis.  In  birds  the  n.isn  piihi.s-  or  /iiilii:i  are 
separate,  there  beins  no  jiubie  syinpliysi.s,  and 
directed  MKUP  or  less  liaekward. 

Pri.'T.f.S  ».  A  ehiek  ;  yonng  bird,  before  its 
lirst  eomplete  pluniai^e. 

Pfl.'.MoNAiiY,  n.  I'ertaininR  to  the  lungs  ;  re- 
lating to  respiration. 

Pfi.'sr.s,  Pti.sK,  n.     IVating  of  the  nrterips. 

PfNc'rATi;,  n.  Dotted  ;  pitteil;  studded  with 
lioint.s. 

P^^•(■'TI'^r  SA'LiES.'i,  n,  Fir.st  trace  of  the  em- 
bryonie  heart. 

Pl'ril.'l.A,  II.  Central  blaek  di.sc  eircumserilied 
by  the  iris  ;  the  )iu])il  (a  /m/e,  not  a  substanee). 

Pll'lf.'l.AltY,  ".     Pertaining  to  the  pupil. 

PYtioe'iiiiKs,  ».  ;)/.  A  group  of  birds  distin- 
guished by  th(T  far  liaekward  position,  and 
deep  burial,  in  eonnnon  integument,  of  the  legs. 

PY(;iiI''i)I)(H'.s,  11:  Itelonging  to  I'l/iju/iiK/r.H,  or 
having  the  I'haraeter  of  that  grotip. 

Pv'iiOsirLK,  II.  Last  eoec.'ygeal  vertebra,  of 
p<'eidiar  size  and  shape  in  reeeut  birds  ;  also 
ealleil  the  riinin: 

PYl.rili'lc,  a.      Pertaining  to  the  ]iyloru.s. 

Pvi.d'r.rs, )(.  Opening  from  gizzard  into  duo- 
denum ;  isprcti(//i/,  valve  guarding  thisorilioe. 

Pvu'il'uli.M,  a.     Pear-shaped. 


Qt'A:ii!li,AT'i:nAi,,  n.     T''onr-sidod. 

(i)lAliltll,<M  'fi.AK,  11,  Kour-eliambered,  ns  tho 
heart  of  higher  vi'rtebrates  is. 

(,>fAK'liV,  H.     Prey  of  raptorial  birds. 

(.•iii.i.,  11,     See  Pr.NSA.     (2,  T."),  "ti,  146.) 

tJil'.NAllV,  (I.  Noting  a  certain  absurd  system 
of  elassilieation  whieh  ]iresumes  that  thero 
are,// IV  types,  or  sets  of  objeet.s,  in  every  nat- 
ural group. 

Qii.n'li'N.\,  II.     Set  of  five,  arranged  thus,  *•* 


HA'niAI,,  n.     Pertaining  to  the  radius. 
liA'hil,  II.  }il.      Ifarlis  of  a  main  feather. 
I  Iia'iih  A((t;ss(i'|!II,  ?i.  pi.     IJaibs  of  the  sup- 
plementary feather. 
i  IiAHId'i.I,  II.  pi.      liAluifl.Ks  (wliieh  see). 
liAHlo'i.i   A((i;ss(i'liil,  ii.pl.      ISarbules  of  tho 
supplementary  feather,  al'tershaft  or   hyjioi)- 
tilum. 

Outer  bone  of  forearm, 
pi.  niiiii.     Hraneh  or  fork.     Cina- 


Q. 


Qi'ADUAS'dii.AR,  n.    Four-edged  or  four-angled. 

tilAl)'i;.vrE,  ('.     .Squared. 

QiAu'e.Ari'.  Honm:,  /(.  See  Os  QfAiiRArrM.  .\ 
peculiarly  shaped  bone  inter|)Osed  between 
the  loW'Cr  jaw  and  the  rest  of  the  skull. 


pA'iiirs,  II. 

l!A'.\ns,  «.; 
thidea. 

liAi'ii'i:,  II.  Line  of  separation  of  two  parts  of 
an  organ  uheii  prominent  m  otlu^rwisc  dis- 
tinguished. 

IiArrn'iiiAi.,  II.     Pertaining  to  birds  of  prey. 

JiAri'r.K,  n.  pi.  Ifirds  with  Hat  sternnni,  as 
ostriches,  ennis  or  cassowaries,  and  the  ap- 
tery.x. 

liAl'i  (It's,  a.      Iloar.se-voieed. 

liicc'riMX,  ?).;  fil.  nr/n'ir.i.  Quills  of  the  tail. 
(7<1. )     (The  singular  is  little  u.sed.) 

Itr.i 'ii'M,  II.      Lower  straight  gut. 

I>r.(  'rrs,  n.     Nanu'  of  certain  muscles. 

UicciiivEi)',  a.  Hent  regularly  and  gradually 
upward. 

Hi.i'i.K(T'EP,  a.     Turned  backward. 

liEi'i.Ec'riipN,  11.  Play  of  color  changing  in 
ditlerent  light.s. 

Pkii'imex,  II.     Diet. 

]{e'(;io,  liE'r.ioN,  «.  Portion  of  the  body  in 
any  way  distinguished ;  dorsal  region;  cervical 
rifiiiin. 

Kr.'MEX,  II.;  ])I.  irmif/es.  Quill  of  the  wing. 
(7.'>,  (<!.)     (Little  used  in  the  singular.) 

liE'sAi,,  II.     Pertaining  to  tlie  kidneys. 

IiE'ie,  II.     Siimc  us  pli:rii,i. 

Ketii'it.ate,  h.  iilarked  with  network  of 
lines. 

liEricl'l.A'l  KIN,  il.     Network;  inosaie. 

liiiT'iNA,  II.  Kxpau.sion  of  the  o|)tic  nerve 
within  the  eye,  upon  which  images  of  ob- 
jects are  impressed. 

Hl'.TUAc'ril.E,  11.  Susceptible  of  being  drawn 
back  anil  ilriven  forward  as  a  hawk's  claw. 

Hl/niolisE',  II.      Directed  backward. 

KllAcil'is,  II.;  pi.  i-liitchidc.i.  Sea]ius  exclusive 
of  cal.imus  ;  .-iliaft  of  a  feather,  bearing  tho 
webs,  without  tht!  iiollow  horny  bairel. 
(Ibi.)     Also,  th(' spinal  eoluinn. 

l>riAMi'liciTiiE'i.A,  11.  Covering  of  tho  whole 
bill.     (I'J.) 

IJiii'sAi,,  //.     Pertaining  to  the  nose. 

HiiiNENcErii'Ai.ox,  11.  Foremo.st  tract  of  tho 
brain,  the  fourth  from  behind. 

litiiNoTliE'cA,  n.  Covering  of  the  upper  man- 
dible.    (13.) 


GLOSSARV. 


OOO 


lilll/ovvcll'li'M,  II.  Ti-niiiiial  Ikhic  uI'  ii  toe 
liiaiiiij;  a  rluw.     (I'J-J.)     (Lilllr  umi|.  ) 

KiIiim'IIhIIi,  ((.  I,oZi'ii;;i-sliii|"il.  Xaliii,'  of  11 
iiiiiNcli'  (if  till'  shdiilili'i -lilailc. 

llli  'l  I  s,  II.     dapi'  oC  till-  iiiiiiitli. 

IflMllK,  «.      ('II.MI'.N  (wlliill  sit).      (20.) 

lil'.M.V,    II.       Olltlillc  111"  11  slillikr  (l|irllillj,'. 

lil'.M.V  (il.nr'i'llll.s,  II.      ()|n'llillf;  III' till' Klotli'*' 

lil'.M.V  (Mils,  II.  Ki|ilivalrlit  to  l'().M.\lls.-<i;ill'. 
(wliull  SCI'). 

Kiis'iur.M, /I.  Hill;  lu'ak  ;  iinijii  tiiif,' I'lHi'iniit 
III'  lii'ail  lit'  liinls  ;  iit'  Iwii  jaws,  ii|i|H'r  ainl 
KiwiT,  I'linsisliii;;  nl'  a  fniliii'  i>l'  i  ritaiii  Imiirs 
ovi'i'  wliii'li  i.s  slii'li'lii'il  iiiili'allii'ri'il  .skiiiiiv 
or  liiiiny  iiii'iiiliiaiH',  llir  rliamiiliotln'ra.     (H.) 

Hiirsii'Kli  (llli/),  II.  Ilavilii,'  till' I  rill  lal  Trallirrs 
l()li;,'i'sl,  till'  ii'st  .siii'i'i'ssivi'ly  niailually  ami 
slightly  sliDi'li'i'.  A  tail  is  ilniilili-.i-iiiuuhil 
wlirii,  with  ci'iitial  tratlii'i's  sliiirtii'  than  thr 
iii'\l,  till'  rrst  aic  f^niiliialcil  as  hi'l'iiri'. 

Hi 'jii.MF.s  r,  II.     A  hi'fjiiiiiiMi,'. 

IiIIHmkn'iaiiy,  II.  l'iiilrMlii|ii'il  ;  iiii|ii'i'fi'i  tly 
I'lalKiiatcil  ;  r.\istiii)j  only  in  its  lii'i^iniiiiM^'s. 

Itt'Kf,  II.  Si'l  111' h'n;,'tlirni'il  iiiiitln'iwisi' iiiDili- 
fii'il  (ir  |i('i.'iiliarly  inloriil  fratlH'is  aiuuinl  the 
tliniat  ur  \\  linli'  iii'rk. 

lii'ii.v,  II.     iiiilKi'  iir  lai.si'il  fnlil  ;  wrinkle. 

HiiaisK'  or  Id'iiiil  s,  ((.     Wiinkli'il. 

Uu.Ml',  ».      Ulioi'YiilLM  (which  sue).     (GO.) 


S.M-'l!Al,,  a.     IVrtaiiiiiij;  to  the  saiTiiin. 

S.vi'lti'.M,  /(.  A  i'ijiii|iiiiiiiil  liiine  of  the  spine, 
oolniiosi'il  of  .sevi'iiil  um:liylii.sed  vertebra;  iif 
the  pelvie  legion,  with  whieh  the  iliiic  bones 
me  sutllleil. 

S.Vc'lKi-coi'iYiir.'.vi.,  a.  I*i'itaiiiini{  to  the  .sa- 
eiiini  eoiisiiliieil  as  eoniiuisin;,'  also  several 
('oi'i'y;,'eal  vertebrie. 

Saij'iti ATM,  II.  Anow-heail  sliaiied  ;  an  elon- 
ijateil  eoiilale  liffiire  with  Jiointeil  lobes. 

.Sai.i'va,  «.     S|)iltli'. 

Sai.'IvaI!V  (ir.AMis.     ()i;,'aiis  seeietiiifj  saliva. 

SAl.'TAioiiV,  ((.  I'l'oj^ressiii^'  by  leaps.  Op- 
posed to  iiinbitliitiirij  or  ijnidiciU. 

San'iiI'I.s,  )|.      Illniiil, 

Sai'iik'.sa,  11.     Priiiiipal  vein  of  the  h'j;. 

SAl!(ii[.r..M'.MA,  n.     Same  as  iiiiiiih-iiiinn. 

SAlsriili'irs,  a.  Name  of  a  eertain  musele  of 
the  li'S. 

SAiRiir'sinA,  )i.  A  primary  fjiiwp  of  verttbi'utn, 
c'omprisiiii;  binls  ami  reptilea. 

SArur'li.i;,  n.  /il.  Name  of  a  eertain  ]irinmt'y 
f{i'oiip  it(  .liv.i  formeil  for  the  reeeption  of  the 
.1  irliao/ifi'rii.i: 

Si'Ali'mii'.s,  ((.  Seabliy  ;  .seiirfy  ;  sealy.  Saiil  of 
a  .surf; roiigheneil  a.s  if  in  siuh  manner. 

ScAXsii'ui.vi.,  a.  L'ajiable  of  climbing,  a.s  a  wooil- 
peeker. 

.Scai'Holi's'ak,  )i.  One  of  the  earpals  or  wrist- 
bones. 

ScAi''l'l,A,  H.     Shoulder- blaili;. 

Si.'Al''il.Alt,  a.  Pertaining  to  tlie  shouldur- 
blaile  ;  a.s,  scapuhir  region. 

Sl'A1''ii,au,  )(.  Any  feather  of  a  series  growing 
on  the  pteryla  humeralis,  in  an  oblinue  line 
across  the.  hniiierus.  Sen imlava  is  generally 
said,    tlie   plural   desiguating   these   feathers 


ciillei'tively  ;   they  are  also  called  uni/iiilnrif.i. 
(.so.)   The  siapiilars  lill  up  what  would  other- 
wise be  an  iiilerval  between  the  inner  bonier 
I      of  the  wing  and  the  body.      Illigir's  word, 
I       llli  I'll  jilfi- II  III,  seems  to  ilesiLiliale   tlii'lii,  bill  is 
!      also  u.M'il  ill  all  I'liliiely  dlll'ercnl  sense. 
]  Sia'i'Is,  II.     Kiilire  stem  of  a  leather  ;  ealamiis 
I        I  ihaeliis.      (III.) 
Srlll/.iiiiNAlll'iMs,  ((.     Ibningthe  palate  boiies 

.separated. 
Sriil/.iiKlli'NAI.,   ".      Ilaviii;'   the   nasal    bones 

.se|iiirated. 

Sii'Ailr,  /(.     Same  as   i.Hi-liinlif  ;  pcrlaiiiiiig  to 
I       the  isehia. 

Sii.s'mii.\,  II.      A  cutting  apart  ;  fissuralinii. 
I  Sils'snii-siiAPr.l)  (/f//7),  ((.      Deeply  forliiiile. 

Si  I.KIiin'lr,    II.       Dense    oji.npie    iibinus    liieiii- 
I       bniiie  funning  niiisl   of  the  eyeliall. 

Sinl.'l.iil'Kli,  ((.       I.iibed.      (1;(7.) 

Srm.ii'i'Ai  isi;,  ((.     Snipe-like. 

SiKu'iiM,  II.      I!,ig  liiilding  testicles. 

Sirriii.'i.A  ri;,  ".     I'rovidcd  with  scutella. 

SiiTKi.'i.ATr.  Taksi-s.     (llo.) 

S(iri;i.'l.lM,  «.;  pi.  .svy'A ///(.  Scale,  .\iiyoneof 
the  divisions  iiilo  whidi  the  |iodiillieca  may 
1m;  briikeii  111  by  regular  lines  uf  impicssion  ; 
espi'cially  such  divisions  when  large  and  in 
regular  verlical  series;  various  smaller  divi.s- 
illlis    being   called    lY/ini/il/inll.l.       Si'lllrll'l    DC- 

eur  es| ially  on  the  anleiior  face  of  the  tar- 

,'<ns  and  top  of  the  toes  ;  often  also  on  the 
back  of  the  tarsus  ;  .soiiictiincs  they  completely 
encircle  the  tarsus.  When  thus  Large,  some 
ornithologists  call  them  smfti  ;  then  using 
sfiilfllii  for  the  smaller  irregular  reliciila- 
tions.  Si-iilrUii  aie.soinetiine.sob.soh'te.  (t'oin- 
nioiilv,  but  eri'Dtieouslv,  written  sculella:.) 
(loo.) 

SiT'llFnllM,  II.      Scalclike. 

Si  r'ri'.M,  II.  ;   pi.  sfiiln.      See  Sir  rr.M.VM. 

Si:r'iiMiAl;v  ( 'nv'i;iiis.  The  smaller  wing- 
feathers  growing  I'rum  the  forearm  and  its  re- 
gion, overlying  the  bases  of  the  secondarv 
iplills.     (,>>!i. ) 

Sr.(  'iPMiAiiv  (Jiii.i.s  or  Sr.c'oNDAliiEs.  Quills 
growing  upon  the  forearm. 

SKi;'.Mi;Nr,  ;i.  A  )iorlion  siieeially  distinguished. 
The  tarsus  is  a  sninlriif  of  the  leg. 

SKdMr.NiA'rinN,  11.  Division  into  parts.  Par- 
ticularly applied  to  a  process  which  takes  place 
ill  the  vitellus  or  yolk  during  iiieiibalion. 

Ski.'i.a  Tiii'cKA,  H.  A  certain  part  of  the  sphe- 
noid bone. 

Sk'mkn,  II.  The  male  fluid,  containing  sjier- 
niatozoa. 

Skmi-  {ill  I'oin/tii.iiliiiii).     Half. 

Skmii.i'nai!,  (/.     Crescenlic. 

Skmimkmiuianu'.sis,  II.  A  certain  muscle  of 
the  thigh. 

Skm'inai.,  II.  Pertaining  to  the  male  genera- 
tive Ibiid. 

Sl.MlN[l''f.liuls,  (1.  Secreting  or  conveying  se- 
men. 

Sl.Mli'Al.'.\lAri.,  (/.  Half  webbed  ;  having  a 
basal  nienibrane  between  the  front  toes  not 
reaching  to  their  ends. 

Sr..M'il'i.rMi;,  n.  Feather  with  peunaeeous  stem 
and  pluinulaeeous  web. 

SKMiri'.SDlNo'.sls,  II.  A  eertain  mu«;lo  of  the 
thigh. 


556 


GLOSSARY. 


Se'nile,  a.     Ageil ;  pertaining  to  old  age. 

Sense,  n.  Faculty  of  apprehending  external 
impressions  ;  as,  sense  of  sight,  hearing. 

Sen'sory,  a.     Kelnting  to  the  senses. 

Sep'ti'M,  n.  A  jjartition.  Same  as  Dissepi- 
ment. 

Se'ilous,  a.     Thin,  watery  (of  fluids). 

Seu'isate,  a.     Tootheil,  like  a  saw. 

Seiiua'tus,  a.  for  n.     A  muscle  of  the  trunk. 

Se'udm,  n.  Watery  portion  of  animal  fluids, 
especially  of  the  blood. 

Se.s'amoii)  {bone),  n.  A  small  rotund  bone  sit- 
uate in  the  substance  of  a  tendon  about  a 
joint. 

Se.s'.sile,  a.  Seated ;  i.  e.  witliout  a  stem  or 
]M'duncle. 

Seta'ceous,  a.     Bristly  ;  bristled. 

Se't^.,  n.  pi.     Bristles. 

Se'tifoii.m,  a.     Bristle-like. 

Se.x'ual,  a.     Pertaining  to  .sex. 

Sex'us,  n.     Sex. 

Shaft,  n.     (U(i.) 

Shank,  n.  Properly,  the  shin  or  tibial  segment 
of  the  leg.  In  case  of  birds  oftener  used,  but 
incorrectly,  for  the  tarsus  (tirso-metatarsus). 

Shin,  n.     (98.) 

Shoitldek,  11.     {(58.) 

Sin'iLAST,  ((.     Hi.s.sing. 

Side-neck,  n.     (64.) 

Side  of  Tausus,  n.     (105.) 

Side  of  Toes,  n.     (119.) 

Slii'.MolD,  (I.  S-shaped.  Several  parts  are  so 
called. 

Slt!N,        j  n.    Any  eluimcter  or  other  arbitrary 

Sui'Nr.M,  \  abbreviation  of  a  word  or  term. 
Prominent  among  those  used  in  ornithology 
are  :  ^,  ma/r. ;  9.  .female  ;  Q,  juv.  yoinuj, 
juvcjiis;  ad.,  arlii/t;  hornot.,  honioliiie;  pull., 
pulh(.%  chick;  sen.  or  sr.,  senior,  senex,  old; 
pt.,  plummje  ;  nupt.  temp.,  J)i  the  brecdimj 
season;  ;est.,  summer;  hy cm.,  winter ;  vein., 
spring ;  Aut.,  autumnal ;  unis.,  miiseiun;ci>\\., 
collection,  cahinc:l ;  syn.,  sipivni/m;  =,  equal 
to  ;  ^,  more  than  ;  <^,  less  than  ;  + ,  plus ; 
X  ,  in  n.  different  sense  ;  v.,  ride,  sec  ;  cf. ,  con- 
fer, consult  ;  i.  e.  or  h.  e. ,  that  is  ;  1.  c. ,  loco 
citato,  in  the  place  just  cited ;  op.  cit.,  the  vork 
cited;  h.  1.,  hoc  loco,  here  ;  auet.,  anett.,  au- 
thor, authors  ;  scrijit.,  vriter  ;  p.,  pnfic  ;  vol. 
or  t.,  rolume,  tome  ;  pi.  or  tb.,  plate,  tabula  ; 
{.,  or  fig.,  Jiijure ;  infra,  fc/oi«  (reference)  ; 
supra,  above;  <\n.,  qucri/ ;  ?,  query;  !,  crr- 
la  inly,  from  autopsy;  err.,  error;  cot.,  cor- 
rigenda ;  add.,  addenda  ;  descr.,  descT./)fion ; 
id.,  the  .idvi''  (|ier.son)  ;  ib.  or  ibid.,  there  (in 
the  same  place);  quid?  vhat  (may  it  be)? 
sc.,  scilicit,  to  wit  ;  viz.,  videlicet,  namely  ; 
excl.,  e.relusirc  of,-  n.,  nova,  novum,  new: 
var.,  variety  :  sp  ,  .ipeeies  .•  gen.,  genus ;  fam., 
family;  ord.,  order ;  n.  sp.,  n.  g.,  neut  speeiei>, 
genus.  Authors'  names  are  constantly  abbre- 
viated, with  the  first  one,  two,  or  three,  or 
other  most  characteristic  letters. 

SiNcii-'lTAL,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  sinciput. 

Sin'uifi't,  n.  Anterior  half  of  pileus,  from 
bill  to  vertex.     (;)2. ) 

Sinis'tuad,  a.     Toward  the  left. 
SlNIsiRAl,,  a.     On  the  left  side. 
Si'nus,  n.       Kanie   of    numerous   and   various 
cavities  of  the  body. 


Skei/eton,  n.     Sum  of  the  bones  of  a  body. 

It   geneiuUy    means   only    the    endoskclctov. 

proper,   or  internal  bony  framework  of  the 

boily,   as  distinguished   from  exoskeldmi  or 

drr  moskcleton. 
Sole,  n.     (ICti.) 
Soi.KS  OF  Toes,  n.     (118.) 
Sci'leus,  n.     A  muscle  of  the  leg. 
Spat' i;  late,  rt.    Spoon-shaped;  contracted  near 

the  end,  where  enlarged. 
Spb'cies,  n.     Aggregate  of  individuals  related 

by  geiK^tic  succession  without  notable  change 

of  physical  characters. 
Specif'ic,  a.     Of,  or  relating  to,  a  species ;  as, 

spccijic  name,  .specific  character. 
Spec'ulum,  n.     mirror  ,  brightly  colored  area 

on  the  .secondaries,  especially  of  duifks. 
Speiim,  n.    The  secretion  of  the  testicles  ;  same 

as  semen. 
Spei'.mat'ic,  a.     Pertaining  to  semen,  or  to  the 

organs  concerned  in  its  production  and  emis- 
sion. 
Speiimatozo'a,  n.  pi.      Essence  of  the  male 

seed. 
Sphe'noii)   {bo7ic),   n.     A   compound   bone  of 

the  .skull,  constituting  much  of  the  second 

cranial  .segment. 
SpiiExoin'AL,  n.     Relating  to  the  sphenoid. 
Spiiinc'tku,  n.     An  annular  muscle  constrict- 
ing or  closing  a  natural  orifice  ;   especially, 

sphincter  ani. 
Spi'nal,  a.     Kelating  to  the  backbone. 
Spina'lis,  a.  for  ;(.     Name  of  a  certain  mn.scle 

of  the  back. 
Si'iNE,  n.    Backbone.    Also,  any  sharp  project- 
ing point  of  bone  or  horn. 
Spinose'  or  Spi'nous,  a.     Sometimes  s-iid  of  a 

niucronate  feather. 
Splanch'xic,  a.     Visceral. 
Splancunoi.'ocy,  n.     Science  or  study  of  the 

viscera. 
Spleen,  n.     A  deep  red,  soft,  spongy,  ductless 

and  extremely  vascular,  abdominal  organ  of 

uncertain  function. 
Sple'nial,  a.     Name  of  a  certain  element  of 

the  mandible. 
Sple'nii's,  a.  for  n.     A  certain  cervical  muscle. 
Spi-r,  n.     (108.) 

Spi'rioi's,  a.     False  ;  bastard  ;  imperfect ,  ru- 
dimentary. 
Spi'r.ioi's  QriLL,  n.     The  first  primary,  when 

rudimentary  or  very  short. 
SpfMiiors  WiNd,  11.     Feathers  growing  on  the 

.so-called  thumb  of  birds. 
Sqitam'oi's,  a.     Scaly. 
Sta'pe.s,  n.     One  of  the  auditory  ossicles;  thi 

stirru.)-bone,  becoming  the  columella  in  .S'au- 

ro/isiila. 
STEOANop'oDor.s,  a.     Having  all  four  toes  full- 

webU'd.     (Ul.) 
Stel'latk,  a.     Starred. 
STE.M,  n.     (144.)     See  Scapi'S. 
.Ster'ii.e,  a.     I'nfiuitful  ;    infecund  ;    barren  ; 

noting  the  condition  of  tlie  female  corre8iX)nd- 

ing  to  impotence  of  the  male. 
Stkk'nal,  a.     Kelating  to  the  breast-bone. 
Ster'ntm,  n.     Breast-itone. 
STEiHi.t;'rM,  «.     Entire  anterior  half  of  a  bird. 

(7.)    (Little  used.) 
Stio'ma,  n.     See  Calyx. 


GLOSSARY. 


557 


Stif'ula,  h.     Newly  sprouted  featlier. 

Sto'ma,  n.     Mouth. 

Strag'ulum,  n.  i[antle  ;  back  and  folded 
wings  taken  togptlier.  Same  as  pallium. 
(61.)    (Little  u.si-d.) 

Stra'tum,  11.      Layer. 

Streak,  it.  Loiigthwiso  color-mark  ;  not  so 
strong,  firm,  or  large  as  stripe. 

Stri'a,  n.  ;  pi.  stricc.     Stripe  ;  streak. 

StrTate,  a.     Striped  ;  streaked. 

Stri'dknt,  a.     Shrill. 

Strkj'ise,  a.  Owl-like ;  belonging  to  the 
Striijidic 

SiRli'E,  n.    A  long,  strong,  sharp  streak. 

Stuo'.ma,  II.     Essential  texture  of  iny  organ. 

SrRf'TiUDUs,  a.     Ostrich-like. 

Sty'loid  or  Srv'LlFORM,  a.  Shaped  like  a  ]K'g 
or  pin. 

Sub-  (in  coinpusidon).  Under  ;  less  than  ;  not 
quite  ;  somewhat  ;  slightly  so.  .Sub-  dimin- 
ishes tlie  force,  point,  or  extent  of  application 
of  a  term. 

Sub-da'sai,,  a.     Near  the  base. 

Sub-class,  n.  An  intermediate  group  often  rec- 
ognized between  class  and  order,  of  less  tax- 
onoinic  value  than  the  former. 

Suikm.a'vias,  fi.     Beneath  the  clavicle. 

Sl-bf.\.m'ii.y,  k.  a  gro\ip  between  a  family  and 
a  genus. 

Subck'si'S,  71.  A  group  between  a  genus  and  a 
species.  (Often  used  ;  of  extremely  indefinite 
value.) 

Sl-bmax'ii.lary,  rt.  or«.  Under  tlngaw.  Also, 
equivalent  to  inferior  maxillary  or  mtindlhlc. 

SuBscAr'L'LAR,  u.  or  n.  Under  the  shoulder- 
blade  ;  name  of  a  muscle. 

SL'nrvi''ii.'Ai,,  a.  Not  quite  true  to  the  type  ; 
deviating  somewhat ;  .slightly  alierrant.  It 
express(;s  a  condition  between  typical  and 
abnrnml. 

Si'b'l'i.aie,  a.     Awl-shaped. 

Suffra'oo,  )i.  The  tibio-tarsid  joint ;  the  heel- 
joint.     (103.) 

SuFFU'sioN',  n.     A  "  running "  shade  of  color. 

Sui.'cate,  a.     Grooved  or  channelled. 

Sl'I.'cus,  )i.     A  groove  or  chaiinid. 

ii\:' fv.ix- (iti compimtiim).  Over;  abovo;  beyond; 
more  than.    The  ojiposite  (lualificatioii  of  suh-. 

SrPEUcii.'iARY,  (I.  Pertaining  to  region  of  eye- 
brow, aa  a  streak  of  color  over  tli(!  eye. 

SuPKRCll.'li'M,  n.      Kyebrow.      (4.3.) 

Sl'iM'.R-FAM'n.Y,  n.  K  group  containing  one  or 
more!  families,  yet  not  of  ordinal  rank. 

Sri'EilFli'iKs,  n.     The  exterior  in  general. 

Sui'e'iuoii,  a.  Lying  over,  above,  or  ujiper- 
mnst. 

SuPRUoci.'ir'iTAi,,  (I.  for  n.  The  superior  ele- 
ment of  the  occipital  bone. 

Super-dk'uku,  n.  A  group  containing  one  or 
more  orders,  yet  not  of  the  taxonomic  rank  of 
a  class.  (N.  B.  Super-genus  is  a  word  not 
yet  used.) 

Supina'tdr,  n.  Name  of  a  muscle  that  effects, 
or  tends  to  effect,  the  reveree  movement  of 
pronation,  (which  see). 

Supra-  {in  composition).     Same  ns  super-, 

SuPR.\CIL'|ARY,  a.      See  Sl'PRAOKBITAU 

SupRA-occip'lTAi.,  i".  for  n.  Sujwrior  element 
of  the  occipital  bone. 

SuPKAOii'BlTAl.,  a.    Situate  over  the  orbit. 


SuPRA-RENAL  (body),  (t.  lop  H.     See  Adrenal. 

Suuan'gular,  a.  Name  of  a  certain  element 
of  till!  mandible. 

SuR'si:.M.     Over ;  above. 

Su'ruRE,  n.     A  kind  of  immovable  articulation. 

SvM'iml.,  n.     See  Siu.s. 

SvMPATHETK' SvsrEM  (()/ ?itfrir.s).  That  por- 
tion of  the  nervous  .system  not  belonging  to 
tli(^  cerebro-spina!  axis. 

Sv.M'pilYsis,  n.  A  growing  together ;  as,  sym- 
pliijsis  pubis,  symplujsis  mcnti. 

Sv.N'APLTIino'sls,  a.      Same  as  suture. 

Svxcuu.sdkd'sis,  n.  t'artilaginous  union  or 
articulation. 

SvND.vc'rvLK  or  Svndai  'rvi.ors,  n.  Having 
two  toes  immovably  coherent  for  a  consider- 
able' distance. 

SvxdSE'.siiii's  (fixil),  (I.  Same  as  syndiiclijlc 
foot. 

Svn'iinvm,  n.  :  pi.  syit'nniinis  or  syiionh/nin.  A 
different  word  of  the  same  or  similar  nieau- 
ing.  Arcliiro/itcri/.r  macrui'ux,  (  hwn,  is  a  .t/z/i- 
vnym  of  Arc/i.  lilli'iijntpltini,   .Meyer.     Sjnn- 


ujini  is  the  converse  of  h 


'lOhUllll/llt, 


which  is 


the  sanu!  word,  of  dilfereiit  meanings.  Thus, 
Siilvirold,  Swainson,  a  bird,  is  a  liouioiiinu  of 
Sijlricola,  llunqdireys,  a  mollusk.  (Also  writ- 
ten synonyint.) 

Svnon'ymois,  II.  Kxpressiiig  the  same  mean- 
ing in  dilVcrcnt  terms.  [Si/tiiniymiciil  is  also 
written,  but  rarely.)  (.VIso  written  si/iiono- 
mous. ) 

Sy.non'vmy,  n.  A  collection  of  synonyms.  In 
this  .sense,  si/nnntimi/  is  a  burden  and  a  dis- 
grace! to  ornithology.  Al.so,  in  the  abstract, 
expression  of  the  same  meaning  by  dill'erent 
words.     (Also  written  si/aoiunni/.) 

.Svxo'viA,  n.  The  ])eculiar  glairy  fluid  which 
lubricates  joints.  So,  synoviul  ihiid  ;  sijno- 
riiil  membrane. 

Svn'iiiesis,  n.  Act  of  putting  together  this 
anil  that  fact  or  observation,  whence  to  de- 
dui!e  a  gi'neralization  ;  opjiosed  to  analysis. 
Also,  merely  comj><i.sifion. 

Sy1!ISc;e'ai.,  a.    Pertaining  to  the  lower  larynx. 

Sy'rinx,  «.  The  lower  larynx,  situate  at  the 
bottom  of  the  trachea,  at  the  fork  of  the 
bronchi.     The  vocal  organ  of  birds. 

Sys'toli;,  n.  T'ontractiou  of  the  heart,  urging 
on  the  blood.  Opposed  to  diuslole  (which 
sec). 


T. 


Tac'tilk,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  sense  of  touch. 

Tail,  n.     ((iit.)    See  Tai-da. 

Tail-cov'eiits  ».  ;;/.    (71.)    See  Calypteria. 

1  TArL-FKATlllltS,   ».  pi.       (70.)      See  HfXTRlCES. 

I  Ta'i.I's,  11.     Same  as  Calianeus  (which  see). 

I  Tar'sai,  a.     Relating  to  the  tarsus,  or  tarso- 

I      metatarsus. 

I  TAR'-so-METATAli'sfs,  n.  The  niorphohi;;ically 
correct  term  for  the  segment,  commoidy  called 
the  tnrsus  in  descriptive  onuthology,  —  that 
bone  reaching  from  the  tibia  to  the  toes,  and 
which  is  really  nearly  all  metatarsus,  but  has 
at  its  top  one  of  the  small  tarsal  bones  i!on- 
lluent  with  it,  so  tliat  in  itself  it  comprehends 
part  of  tarsus  as  well  as  all  of  metatarsus. 
Tar'sl'.s,  n.     The  ankle-bones,  collectively.    lu 


558 


(iLOSSARY. 


liirils,  tliore  are  no  persistently  separate  tarsal 
lM)n<'.s,  since  the  two  [iruxinial  ones  are  con- 
llueiit  with  the  extremity  of  the  tihia,  form- 
ing its  so-calleil  nialli'oli,  and  the  ilistal  one 
anehyloses  with  tlie  nietatarsns,  leaving  tlie 
tarsal  joint  U'tweeii  thein,  as  in  reptiles,  not 
hetween  the  tarsal  hones  ami  the  tihia,  as  in 
niaiiinialia.  Kut,  in  descriptive  ornithology, 
the  whole  segment  hetwei'ii  the  tihia  and  the 
toes,  commonly  called  the  shank,  is  usiuilly 
called  tarsics.  See,  also,  TAltso-MKTAl'Al!si-.s 
ami  JlKTArAitsrs.  (l();!j.)  (N.  I!.  In  the 
foregoing  "  Explanation,"  etc.,  the  word  tur 
»«.v  is  dclineil  as  nscd  in  descriptions,  not  in  its 
morphologically  corrci't  sense.) 

Tau'si-.s  15ac  K  OK     (KKi.)    Sir  I'l.AXTA  Taksi. 

Tau'sis,  liDDTKl).     (111.)     See  Hoof. 

Taxidkii'my,  '(.  Art  of  preparing  and  piv.serv- 
ing  .skins  .so  as  to  represent  the  appearance  of 
the  living  animal. 

TaxoNom'ic,  a.     C'la.ssilieatory. 

Taxon'o.my,  «.  Classilication  ;  rational  ar- 
rangement according  to  .some  scientific  prin- 
ciple.     Hiotaxy. 

Tw'riucKs,  )(.  j)t.  f'overts  ;  the  smaller 
featlK'rs,  either  of  wing  or  tail,  Imt  especially 
of  the  former  ;  tail-eoverts  bdng  calv])teria. 
(72,  7:!,  !%!.) 

Ti'.('ti!I(i:s  Ai..k,  v.  p!.     AVing-eovcrt.s. 

TKc'riMi  r.s  Caid.k,  n.  pi.     Tail-eovert.s. 

Ti:c'riii<i;s  Inkkiuu'isks,  ti.  pi.  Under  coverts. 
(7:i.) 

Ti:(  'ruKKs  PKnvEu'.s.K,  ».  pi.  Jledian  iipiwr 
wing-covcrts,  of  the  secondary  jset. 

Tec' run  Ks  Sii'icitio'iiiis,  n.  pi.  Upper  cov- 
erts.    (7-2.) 

Tr.d'.MlXA,  71.  ;*/.     Same  as /<(7/-/rc.9. 

Tl'.c'i'MK.sr,  -'.     Same  as  ititrf/umfnl. 

Ti;i.i;iii,(ig'i'      ,  «.     Relating  to  teleology. 

Tei.I'.oi.'imiy,  n.  Doctrine  of  linal  causes  ;  sci- 
enee  of  adai)tation  of  means  to  ends. 

Tk.m'i'I.es,  )i.  ;;/.     (14.)    Sec  Tkmi'iika. 

Tkm'i'oiia,  n.  jil.  Temples  ;  portion  of  sides 
of  head  between  eyes  and  ears.  (Scarcely 
used.) 

Tkn'ih)  or  Tks'iion,  ji.  Fihrous  cord  or  band 
of  attachment  of  mu.scle  to  bone  or  other 
pr.rts ;  a  "leader."  Ttndo  atliillis,  ham- 
string. 

Tkni'ii!()s'ti!AI.,  a.     Slender-billed. 

Tf.I!ati)1,'(1(;v,  )i.     Science  of  monsters. 

Te'i:i;s  or  Te'rete,  n.  Cylindri.al  ami  taper- 
ing ;  fusiform.     Also,  name  of  a  muscle. 

Teh'iU'.M,  II.  Lower  back,  between  interscapili- 
uni  and  urojiygium.  (Not  well  distinguished, 
and  little  n.sed.)      ("lil.) 

Tek'minai.,  ((.     At  the  end. 

TkI!.\iin'ci1.(m;'j('AI.,  a.     Kelatiiig  to  tenuinology. 

Teii.\iinoi,'(ic!Y,  n.  Science  of  calling  things 
by  their  right  names  accohling  to  .some  deter- 
mined principle.     Xomenclaturc. 

Teii'iiais,  Tek'tiaihes,  n.  /il.  Large  inner 
<|uills  of  wing  grow  ing  from  humerus  or  elbow. 
The  two  or  three  longer  inner  true  secoiiduries 
(which  .see)  are  often  imoiTcctly  called  tertial.s, 
especially  when  distinguished  by  .size,  sha]ie 
or  color  from  the  rest  of  tin?  secondaries. 
(7fi.) 

Tes'ti.s,  1.;  ]il.  le.ilcn.  Te-sticlcs  ;  male  organs 
secretin^'  *  j)erinatozoa. 


TKriiAnAi'TYi.K,  a.     Four-toed. 
Tiiai.'amt.s,  ;/.     A  certain  tract  of  the  brain. 
TllE'iA,  It.     Sheath. 
TliE'XAli,  «.      I'almar;  plantar. 
Tiie'iiky,  n.       Scientilic    .s]«'culatioii.       Pliilo- 
.sophical    explanation,     liesult    of   inference 
from  established  principles. 
TiM'.KMuii'ENor.s,    a.      II cat-producing,   as  all 

vital  processes  are. 
Tiiiiiii,  /(.     Segment  of  leg  between  Lip  and 

km-e.     (ii7.) 
Tll.iKAc'lc,  ((.     Pertaining  to  the  chest. 
Tllu'u.VX,  n.     The  chest  ;  segment  of  the  body 
enclosed  by  ribs,  sternum,  and  certain  verte- 
brie,  containing  heart  and  lungs. 
TllltoAT,  11.     Scedil.A.     (.52.) 
Tllf.Mli,  n.     ill  birds,  the  .so-called  thumb,  U|ion 
which  the  alula,   or  bastard  wing,  grows,  is 
homologically    the    index-linger.      Penguins 
lack  this  .segment. 
TllYlioHV'Ai.,  11.     An  element  of  the  hyoid  bone. 
Tiiy'i;i)II),  II.     Shield-.shaped.     Name  of  princi- 
pal laryngeal  cartilage. 
TiiY'iiiiii)  (.'AU'riLAGE.     One  of  those  forming 

the  larynx. 
Tlii'lA,  II.     IVineipal  and  inner  bone  of  leg  be- 
tween knee  ami  liecl  ;  the  shin-bone. 
Tlli'iAL,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  tibia. 
ToE,  Toes,  n.     (IIG.) 

To.MiiM,  «.;  ]d.  hiviiii.     The  cutting  edge  of 
the  bill.      There  is  a  superior  or  maxillary 
(omiiiiii,  ami   an   infi'iior   or  mandibular  U>- 
miiiiii;  each  is  double  (i.  c.  right  and  left)  ; 
togetluT  they  are  the  tomia,  mutually  apposed 
when  the  mouth  is  shut. 
Tor  iiK  TiiE.s.     (117.)    See  Acuoi)actylu.m. 
Tdli'yrATE,  n.     Kinged  ;  collared. 
Tiin'(,>iKs,  n.     liing  or   collar  of  color  or  of 
fcathcis    olhcrwi.se    di.stinguished.       Lewis's 
woodpecker   has  a  cervical   torques   both   in 
ccdor  and  texture  of  the  feathers. 
Ti  111  i>A  i.'.M  An:,  a.    1 1  aving  all  four  toes  webbed. 

SaiiK!  as  .itiijiniuimlims. 
Tiiacu'ea,  n.     AVindiiipe. 

Tuansvkuse',  a.      Crosswise;    in   direction  at 

right  angle  with  longitu<linal  axis  of  the  body. 

Ti;ea1)  {fi/llii:  Click-),  11.     (  icatriculum ;  molecule. 

See  Yolk. 
Tim-  (ill  comimsi/ioii).     Thrice  ;  treble. 
Tlu'cEl's,  n.    A  certain  extensor  miLscle  of  wing 

and  leg. 
Ti!I1>ai'tyi.e,  CI.     Three-toed. 
Timcjem'i.mt.s,  a.  for?i.    A  certain  cranial  nerve. 
Tr.lllE'DliAl,,  a.     Three-sided. 
Ti!:v'iAL,  fT.    Said  of  a  sjjecijic  name.    Opposed 

to  ifciicric. 
TltiicilAX'TKK,  H.     Prominence  at  top  of  femur. 
TlicHii'i.EA,  n.     A  pulley  ;  smooth  liony  surface 

over  which  a  tendon  plays. 
TlirN'i'ATE,  ".     ("ut  s(iuarely  off. 
TurN'uis,  n.     Trunk  ;  body  without  its  mem- 
bers.    (.50.) 
TniEli'i'i'i,L'.M,  n.     Tuliercle  ;   a  little  lump  or 

elevation. 
Ti'nk',  n.     Enveloping  membrane  of   varicuis 

organs. 
Ti'xicA  Ai.nniix'EA,  «.     Den.se  whitish  mc^m- 

branous  investment  of  the  testicles. 
Tiu'm.SAi.,  </.      Scroll-like;    name  of    certain 
bones  of  iia.sal  pas.sages. 


GLOSSARY. 


559 


TviAK'l,  n.  pi.     Pads  under  the  tons.     (123.) 

Tym'I'AMc  {li(mr),  (I.  loin.  Slime  ns  Os  Qtadbia- 
TUM  (\vhi<li  si'e). 

TYM'i'AsrM,  11.  Kar-dnim.  .Mso,  tlie  naked 
iiillatalile  air-sais  oii  llic  sides  of  the  iierk 
of  piouse,  an  eidai<,'enii'nt  of  the  ordinary 
eei'vical  veseivoiis  of  air  \\ liieli  eoinnmnieale 
witli  tlie  lironclii. 

Tyi'E,  n.  AVay  ;  ]ihin  ;  mode.  Also,  sign  or 
symbol.  The  ti/p'',  orfii/zird/fonii,  of  a  j^ronp 
is  that  wliii-h  exhibits  a  f^iven  .set  of  oharai- 
ters  most  perfeetly.  lint  the  ////«■  of  a  jjeniis 
is  n.sually  tlie  species,  if  any,  fioni  whic  li  the 
generic  charaeters  were  es|pe(ially  drawn  np, 
without  reference  to. siieh  ipialification  ;  whih', 
furthermore,  Ihc^  ////le  of  a  .siiivies,  in  current 
acec>])tatioii,  is  merely  tlie  specimen  from  whieli 
the  species  was  originally  described,  even 
though  it  may  very  ina(lei|iiately  represent 
such  species. 

Tyt'icai,,  (I.  Of  most  usnal  st...ctiire  ;  adher- 
ing strictly  to  a  given  plan  of  structure.  (IJut 
compare  Tvri;.) 


I'l.'sA,  n.     Inner  or  posterior  hone  of  forearm. 

I'l.'.NAl),  ((.     Pertaining  to  the  ulna. 

I'Mlui-'tiAi,,  (I.     Helating  to  the  nmbilic\is. 

UMnii.'iiATi;,  n.    Pitted,  as  if  with  an  umbilicus. 

U.Mnii.l'ci'.s,  II.  Navel.  Pitted  scar,  indicating 
point  of  entrance  of  jilaecntal  vessids  into  the 
fiptns.  Also,  any  similar  pit  or  depression, 
ns  that  on  the  .scape  of  ii  feather  at  Junction 
of  rhaehis  and  calamus. 

UxAiiMl'.l)  ToK.  Toe  bearing  no  claw.  See 
DliilTf.s  .Ml  Tlcf.'i.     (iy;i.) 

rs'ciFoiiM,  (t.      Hooked. 

rsDF.I!    .IaW.       See  MAMUllfl.lM. 

UxDKIt    PaKTS.      See   (JasTIIKIM. 

Undi'.ii  TAii.-covKiirs.     (13.)     See  Ciiissi-m. 

UsDKU  WiNc-covEiir.s.     (84.)    .See  Ti'.cTiiicr.s. 

UsDi'I.A'riux,  II.     Wavy  color-marks. 

Uxoilc'l'l.ArK,  II.     Clawed. 

Uxiifi.s,  ».;  pi.  iiiiijiu'.i.     Claw. 

Uxii''Ai!ors,  It.  Producing  but  one  young. 
Same  as  mimoli)h>iis. 

Ul'l'Kli   HaiK.     (58.)     See  IxTKlt.scAl'lt.lf.M. 

Ul'I-r.R  .Iaw.     (1(1.)     See  AfAXII.l.A. 

l'i'i'i;ii  Pauts.     (u.)     See  N'cit.f.im. 

ri'l'l',1!  TAll.-rovKin.s.     (72.)    See  CAi.Yl'Tr.utA. 

ri'i'KU  \ViX(i-iovF.iir.s.    (84.)    See  TKcri'.ici'.s. 

I'lt.K'f.M,  «.  Hinder  half  of  a  bird.  (8.)  (Lit- 
tle used.) 

PitF.'A,  II.     A  certain  component  of  tirine. 

I'uic'TF.lt,  II.  TuImi  conveying  urine  from  kid- 
ney to  cloaca. 

Uliii'rilltA,  ».  (iroove  in  iieiiis  f(U'  direction  of 
the  discharge. 

U'ltiXAitv  Hi.Ani)Ki!,  V.  A  certain  compait- 
nient  of  the  ehiaca,  in  .some  birds,  is  .so  named. 

U'lilxK,  II.  Liipiid  excretion  of  the  kiilneys,  in 
birds  voided  more  or  less  ndxed  with  the  lieci's. 

Uu(>-(iF..\'irAi,  or  tli;N'iTi>-i'i!iNAi!V,  ((.  Said 
of  organs  i-onnnon  to  tlie  two  ollices  im])lied 
ill  the  words,  or  of  such  organs  regardiHl  as 
associate  parts. 

Ukohv'al,  )i.  Median  backward  proi'Ps,s  of  the 
livoid  Imne. 


I'liorvo'irM,  V.     Rump.     (60.) 

P'tkius,  )i.  Womb.  Wanting  in  birds;  but  a 
lower  tract  of  the  oviduct  where  the  eggshell 
is  formed  has  been  loosely  so  called. 


V^\(■F'ITY,  n.  Defieieuey  in  a  part  ;  a.s,  tiraai- 
ill/  in  the  bony  iialate. 

Vaui'na,  n.  Any  sheath,  in  general.  Particu- 
larly, the  feniali'  sexual  pas.s;ige.  In  birds  the 
lowermost  tiact  of  the  oviduct  is  .somelimcs 
loosely  so  called. 

Va.sk,  m.     (151.)     See  Vkxii.i.im. 

VviiiKrv,  n.  A  nascent  species.  Piaetically, 
the  term  designates  a  set  of  objects  iiieoiii- 
plctely  distinguished  from  others  of  the  same 
species,  by  reason  of  slightness  of  the  dill'cr- 
ence,  or  presi'Uce  of  connecting  links. 

Va.s'cII.aI',,  ((.  Pernieated  with  blocidvcssels. 
Also  ci|uivalenl  to  ciixiilatonj ;  as,  the  vii.icil- 
liir  .system. 

Vas  I)i;f'i'.I!I.ns,  n.  TuIh' conveying  semen  from 
testes  to  cloaca. 

VA.s'ri'.s,  n.  for  II.    A  certain  nmsclc  of  the  tliigh. 

Vf.IN,  II.  Vessel  conveying  blood  from  the 
ciipillaries  to  the  heart.  Aiii'ri/  carries  blood 
/mui  the  heart. 

Vf.'n.k  Ca'v.e,  II.  pi.  Large  veins  jMUiring  blood 
from  the  system  into  the  heart. 

Vk'nois,  n.  Pertaining  to  a  vein  ;  a.s,  reiwu.i 
blood,  the  irnnii.s  system. 

Vi;N'ri:u,  ii.  Lcwi'r  belly.  (Not  well  distin- 
guished from  nhihitiiiii,  and  little  u.sed.)    ((15.) 

Vi.N'ri;Al),  a.     Towards  the  belly. 

VKN'rUAI.,  a.     Pertaining  to  the' lielly. 

VF.N'rniii.F,  ?i.  Chamber  of  the  heart,  right  or 
left,  whence  issue  the  pulmonary  arteries  and 
the  aort.i.  Compare  Aiiiici.F..  .Vl.so,  a  cavity 
of  the  cerebrum. 

VF.N'ri:i((Us,  n.     Swollen  ;  bulbous. 

Vkntiik  'cms  Pii'i.nii'.sis,  n.   Sameasf/Zr/c;-/;/))). 

VKsntli'i  LIS  Sill  F.NrruiA'rrs,  n.  .Same  as 
prm-iiilrifiihis. 

Vkumkli.a'  riuN,  II.  Very  tine  crosswise  mark- 
ing. 

Vi;i:'MiFim.M,  n.  Shaped  like  a  worm  ;  a.s,  a 
Woodpecker's  tongue.  Ll'.MliltlciFultM  is  the 
sami'. 

Vfk'nai,,  ((.     R(dating  to  the  spring. 

VuKlii'inis,  ft.     Warty. 

Vl'.lt's.VTir.l'.,  II.  Pevei-silde  ;  sn.sceptible  of 
turning  either  way. 

VKltrF.niiA,  ((.;  pi.  vrrlrlinr..  Any  bone  of  the 
.spine  ;  any  one  of  the  backbones. 

VKI!'ri:iii;Al,,  ".      Pertaining   to  the  backbone. 

VF.UTF.nilAlirF.'ia  \\.(.r<lllill),it.  Uw  II.     Passage  for 

an  artery  tlirongli  several  cervical  vertcbne. 

Vi;i:'Ti;Mi:Ari;,  ('.  Having  a  backbone;  also, 
used  sulistautively  for  ai:  animal  with  a  back- 
bone. 

VKii'ri.x,   II.     Crown  ;   highest  central  portion 

of   pjlells. 

Vi;s(  ic'ii.A  Sfmina'i.i.s,  ji.  A  structitie,  im- 
perfect or  wanting  in  birds,  for  storage  of  .se- 
men. 

VrsTi'rt's.  n.  or  ».  (  lothed,  i.  p.  feathered. 
Clothing,  i.  e.  plumage;  as,  lenli/ii.'i  vtijitii/li.i, 
liiveding  plumage. 


660 


GLOSSARY. 


Vexil'U'M,  n.  Rhachis  and  web  of  a  feather 
taken  together ;  all  of  a  feather  excepting 
calamus. 

Vinitis'sA,  71. ;  \>\.  rihri,i,ifr.  Bristly  or  bristlc- 
tipiK'd  feather  about  the  mouth  of  a  bird. 

Vic'rus,  re.     Food  ;  diet. 

Vli.'i.i,  n.  pi.  Soft  papulous  projection.s  of 
nienibrane. 

Vis'cuKAl,,  a.     Pertaiuing  to  the  viscera. 

Vis'crs,  )!.;  ])1.  viscera.  Any  interior  organ  of 
the  body,  but  especially  of  the  digestive  sys- 
tem. The  stomach  is  a  viscits  ;  the  intestines 
are  ciscera. 

Vi'sr.s,  11.     Visiou  ;  eyesight. 

Vl'rici.i.lNE,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  vitellus. 

Vi'TKi.i.i.NE  Mem'iiu.v.\e,  )i.  An  envelope  of  the 
vitellus. 

VlTKL'i.i  s,  71.     Yolk  (which  see). 

Vit'I!Eoi:s,  a.  (ilassy  ;  said  o\  the  humor  in 
tlie  buck  chamber  of  tlie  eye. 

Vit'ta,  ?i.     Uroa<l  band  of  color. 

Vo'.MEU,  71.  A  bone  of  tlie  .skull,  lying  at  the 
base,  in  the  median  line,  in  advanc(?  of  the 
sphenoid.  Also,  the  peculiarly  shaped  and 
enlarged  last  bone  of  the  tail,  or  pygostyle. 


w. 

Washed,  a.     As  if  overlaid  with  a  thin  layer 

of  dilferent  color. 
Wat'tle,    n.     A    naked,  flesliy,   and    usually 

wrinkled   and   highly  colored  .skin   hanging 

from  the  chin  or  throat,  as  in  the  cock  and 

turkey. 
Web,  71.     The  vane  of  a  feather,  on  cither  side 

of  the  rliachis. 
"Wedge-shaped,  a.    See  Cuneate. 


Whis'keked,  a.     Having  lengthened  or  bristly 

feathers  on  the  cheeks. 
WiNO,  71.     (73.)     See  Ala. 
Wing,  Bend  of.     (77.)    See  Flexura. 
Wi.NG-covEnTs,  71.  pi.     (83.)    See  Tectrices. 
WoLFF'iAN  Bodies,  7i.     Certain  organs  of  the 

embryo  associated  with  the  uro-gen.'tals. 


Xi'piioiD,  a.  or  71.      Sword-shaped.     Posterior 
prolongation  of  the  sternum. 


Yolk  or  Yelk,  ti.  "  Yellow  "  of  an  egg  ;  a 
soft,  opaque,  yellow  globular  mass,  enveloped 
iu  a  proper  membrane  (the  vitelline)  and  sus- 
pended in  the  white  by  the  chalazae.  It  has  a 
ceiitial  cavity  full  of  a  clear  substance,  fur- 
nished with  a  duct  leadin<j  to  a  mass  of  cells 
tvxmeA proliijcrous  disc  ;  adlicring  to  its  surface 
is  the  cicatrictilum,  or  "tread,"  which  becomes 
the  embryo. 


Zo'n'a  Pellu'cida,  n.  Consolidated  membra- 
nous envelope  of  the  primitive  ovum. 

Zoology,  ?i.  Natural  history  of  animals,  of 
which  ornithology  is  one  department. 

ZvGAPoru'ysis,  a.  Articular  process  of  a  ver- 
tebra. 

Zygodac'tvle,  a.  Yoke-toed  ;  having  the  toes 
in  jiaii's,  two  before  and  two  behind. 

Zygo'.ma,  71.     Malar  bone  and  its  connections. 

Zygomat'ic,  a.     Pertaining  to  the  malar  bone. 


INDEXES. 


VOL.  III.  71 


INDEX  OF  ENGLISH  NAMES. 


Alii,  FI.  488. 

Bee  Miutin,  II.  316. 

Hiril of  I'miulisc  (Texas),  ] 1. 31 1 

nilclsol'  I'rey,  HI.  1. 

Bluokliiid,  ISiewei'.s  II.  206 

Cow,  II.  I.IJ. 

Ciiinsdii  -  sliouUliTed,     II 
Iti;!. 

Crow,  II.  214. 

Rwlaiiil  White  shouldered, 
II.  10,5. 

Rl'(l«ill;,r,  II.  159. 

Rusty,  II.  2n;i. 
Savaniiii,  II.  488. 
Swaiiip,  II.  ],-,<». 
White-wiii;,f(.d,  II.  (il. 
YcIlow-hcadiMl,  II.  I(i7. 
Black  Warrior,  111.  2!fJ. 
Blufliird,  KasliTii,  I.  (i2.  I 

California,  I.  (i.-,.  | 

Kocky  .Moiiiitaiii,  I.  G7. 
Bobolink,  II.  141). 
BoK-Whit,.,  111.  4ii8.  I 

Bnll-Bat,  II.  401.  I 

Bullhinh,  Ca.ssin's,  I.  457.  ' 

Biintiii,!,',  Anlic,  ||.  119.  ' 
Bainl's,  I.  ,-,;{]. 
liay-\vin<,'c(l,  I.  rii'\ 
Black-irowiiiMl,  I.  ,573. 
lilai'k-tIiio.itc(l,  II.  05 
Bhii',  II.  S2. 
Canon,  II.  12,"). 
Chestmit-iollarcd,  I.  .I'^o 
Oiven-tailed,  II.  131. 
Hcn.slow'.s,  I.  550. 
Iii'ligo,  II.  82. 
Lark,  II.  (il. 
Leoonte'.s,  I.  552. 
Long-clawed,  II.  11 3. 
Mni'('own's,  I.  523. 
Painted,  II.  87. 
Seaside,  I    5(iO. 
Shaip-tailed,  I.  557. 
Smith'.s,  I.  518. 
Town.send'a,  II.  68. 
Varied,  I|.  86. 

AVesterii  Yellow-winced   I 
556.  ^    ' 

Yellow-wing..d,  I.  553. 
Burioii,  I.  465,  466,  468. 
Bush-Titinouse,  Black-eared,  I 
108. 

Lead-colored,  I.  110. 

Least,  I.  109. 

Yellow-headed,  I.  112. 
Butcher-Bird,  I.  415. 
BuzzanI,  Harris's,  III.  250. 


Bu/zard,  Tin";ev,  III. 
(-'aidinal,  C'a]u.,'|I.  103. 
Cirosliiak,  II.  Ui(i. 
Texas,  II.  115. 
Cathinl,  1.  52. 
Cedar- Bird,  1.  4(il. 
C'hacalaica,  Te.xas,  III.  .'(lis. 
Chajiairal  Cock,  II.  472. 
Chat,   Long-tailed,   I.  3(1!). 

YfUow-breasted,  1.  31)0. 
Chatterer,  Boheinian,  I.  3ii6. 
j  Cht'wink,  II.  loi). 
I  Kliirida,  II.  1]2. 

I  White-eyed,  II.  -112. 

Chickadee,     lirowii-caiiiied,     I 
'  lO.'i. 

('hestiiut-Iiaeked,  I.  104. 
I  Kasterii,  1.  <)(). 

I  lluilson'.s  Bay,  I.  J05. 

Long-tailed,  '|.  ;)!). 
Mountain,  I.  !)5. 
Woutlierii,  1.  1(12. 
I  Western,  1.  lol. 

I  White-liidwed,  1.  i)5. 

Chippy,  II.  7. 

Chuck- Will's  Wid.iw,  II.  410 
|Coek  of  till'  Plains,  III.  42i),  ' 
<'ondor,  California,  III.  338 
,  <'owliiiil,  II.  154. 
<'li'epers,   1.  124,  425. 
j  Cree|Hr,  Bahauia,  I.  428. 
I  Brown,  I.  125. 

Mexican,  I.  ]2S. 
Crasshill,  Mexican,  I.  488 
Red,   I.  484. 
■White-winged,  I.  488. 
Crow,  Carrion,  111.  ;!5]. 
Clarke's,  I|.  255. 
Common,  II,  243. 
Fish,  II.  251. 
Florida,  II.  247. 
Northwestern     Fish,      H 

248. 
White-necked,  H.  242. 
Cdckoo.s,  II.  470. 
Cuckoo,  Black-hilled,  II.  484. 
Mangrove,  II.  482. 
Vellow-bilied,  II.  477.         1 
Ciirassows,  III.  397. 
Dipper,  American,  I.  56.  ' 

Dove,    Carolina,    or    Common. 
III.  3S3.  '  I 

Crouiid,  III.  389.  i 

Red-billed,  III.  363.  | 

Scaly,  III.  387. 
White-winged,  III.  376.      ' 
Zenaida,  III.  379.  ! 


I  Ki'Kle,  American,  III.  gofj 
I  iiM,  111.  32ii. 

Caraeara,  111.  ;7S 

Coldcn,  111.  314. 

liing-tailcd.  111.  314. 

Knieiald,     Liniuviis's,     II 
4ti8. 
i  Falcons,  Hi.  KW. 

Falcon      Ann-,  ican     IViegnne, 
111.  132.  ° 

Aplomado,  III.  155. 
Black  IVirgiiii,.,  Ill    j;(7 
I'lairie,  111.  ]2;!. 
Finches,  I.  4(i)i. 
Finch,  Black-faced,  II.  93. 
Blanding's,  ||.  ];ji. 
California  I'nrple,  I.  4ti5. 
Canon,  II.  122. 
Ca.ssin's  I'lirjili.,  I.  .((jo. 
Crimson-fronted,     |.    4(i-, 

466. 
Fastern  Purple,  |.  .|(;2. 
Ciay-chccked,  |.  507."' 
(iray-crowiicd.  1.  501. 
Cray -cared,  I.  511s. 
•  lepbiirn's,  1.  5(17. 
Lazuli,  II.  ,S4. 
Lincoln's,  II.  3]. 
•Mountain,  II.  3 
I'iiiuted,  II.  ,S7. 
Summer,  II.  39. 
Vclhwthroated,  11.  65. 
Hieker,  II.  575. 
Cape,  II.  ,58.'?. 
Hybrid,  II.  582. 
Red-shafte.l,   1 1.' 578. 
Flycatcher,  Arkau.sa.s,  II.  .324. 
Ash-throatcd,  I|.  337. 
Bud'-breasted     Least       II 

386. 
Canada,  I.  320. 
Cassin's,  II.  327. 
< 'rested,  II.  334. 
Foik-taili'd,  II.  309. 
Creat-crcsted,  II.  334. 
Creen  Black-capped,  I.  317. 
Hanimond's,  II.  383 
Lea,st,  II.  372. 
Little,  II.  36(i. 
Mexicim    Olive-sided,     II 

356. 
Olive-sided,  II.  353 
Red,  II.  387. 
Shilling-crested,  I.  405. 
Sinall-lieaded,  I.  3l(j. 
Small    Green-crested,     1 1 
874. 


11 


INDEX   OK   i:N(iLISIl    NAMES. 


Flyciitclicr,     Swnllow-tiiil,     II. 
.'ill. 
Tniill'.s,  II.  :t(iii. 
\Vi'stirnVrlloH.l)clIic(l,  II. 

\Viinlit'.s,  II.  :!,si, 

V.-llutt.|„.lliiMl,  II.  li-S. 
Ocifah' liliuk,  ill.  117. 

liclaiiil,  III.  IIH. 

M.I''iirliiiic'.s,  III.  11.1. 

White,  III.  111. 
(iiiiitiatilii'i',  Aiizoiiii,  I.  SO. 

lilack-caiiiifd,  I.  81. 

lilui-Klay,  I.  7)i. 

Kastrni,'l.  7S. 

Lcail-idloiicI,  I.  80. 
(;oat.sii(ki'r.s,  II.  ;J!I8. 
Ooatsui.ki'1-,    Long-wiiigi'd,    11. 
401. 

Sli()rt-wiiij;i'(I,  II.   110. 
Cioliltiiiili,  .\ri/iiiia,  I.   170. 

Arkansas,  1.   474. 

lilack,  I.  478. 

I.awiiiirc's,  I.  478. 

Alc.\ic'aii,  I.  478. 

rini',   I.  480. 

IviK'ky  .Mdiiiilaii],  I.  474. 
Oosliawk,  .Viiiciiciiii,  III.  2;J7. 
tJiaklc,  lioat-tailcil,  II.  2'22. 

liiDiizid,  II.  218. 

Kliiiida,  II.  221. 

Civat-tailcil,  II.  22r>. 

runilf,  II.  21.'). 
Oiwnlit,  Florida,  1.  'MM. 

I'liiladidiilna,  I.  307. 

Ilcd-c'vcil,  1.  ;v;:i. 

Waildiiit;,  1.  ;i08. 

Wi'sti'in  Waibliiif;,  I.  371. 
(".riisli'ak,  lilackdicadcd,  II.  73. 

W-.y,  II.  77. 

Kxcniiif;,  !.  44i>. 

I'i.ir,  I.  4.-|3. 

Itdsc-lncasted,  II.  70. 
Cnmud-Tits,  I.  83,  84. 
<irous.>,  III.  414. 

<aiwida,  III.  410. 

Diiskv,  HI.  422. 

Kniiiklin's,  III.  41!l. 

On ^1)11,  III.  4.54. 

Oir^'Mi  Diiskv,  III.  42.'). 

riiinatiMl,  III.  44(1. 

Kii'liardson'.s    Diiskv,    III. 
427. 

Kuttlid,  III.  448. 

SIiaip-taiUMl,  III.  434. 

Shoiildci-knot.  III.  448. 

Spotti'd,  III.  410. 

Willow,  III.  4.'-.7. 
Ovrfali'on.     ,Sir  (Ji'H'ali'ou. 
iraiig-N<'st,  il.  19.5. 
llanicr,  Aiiii'iican,  III.  214. 
Hawk,  Aiiiciicaii  Spariow,  III. 
100. 

liaird's.  III.  263. 

Haii.l-tail,  III.  272. 

Hlack,  HI.  304. 

Bioad-wiiigi'd,  HI.  25'.". 

Califoriiiu     Squinel,      III. 
300. 

Cooper's,  HI.  230. 


Hawk,  (.'oopi'i's  Krd-taili'd,  HI. 

Duck,  HI.  132. 
Kisli,  HI.  184. 
HiuIkt's,  hi.  2.")4. 
Hailaii's,  HI.  202. 
Marsli,  HI.  214. 
M.xiian,  HI.  240. 
iMi'.xicuii  IJIiii'-backi'd,  HI. 

231. 
IMKi'om,  hi.  144. 
licMl-licIlicd,  HI.  277. 
l!fd-sIioiildficd,  III.  27,'). 
l;<'d-tailid,  HI.  281. 
l!oiigli-lcj,'H(Ml,  HI.  304. 
Sliaiip-sliimicd,  HI.  224. 
Sliaipwiiigcd,  HI.  200. 
Swaiiisoii's,  III.  2(i3. 
.Swallow-tailed,  HI.  102. 
Heatlu'ock,  Uluck-spottud,  HI. 

410. 

Higii-Hoid.T,  11.  r,Tr,. 

Hoot-Owl,  HI.  34. 
Hiiiise-Finili,  ('alilornia,  I.  408. 
Ilmiitner,  l!iil!';.l,  II.  4.57. 
Iliiiijiiiiijg-Iiirds,  il.  437. 
Iliiniiiiiiig-Iiii'd,  Aiiua,  II.  4.')4. 

Hlaik-ehimied,  II.  450. 

Ki'oad-tailiMl.  II.  402. 

Calliope,  II.  41;"). 

Costa's,  II.  4.")7. 

Ileloisa'.s,  II.  40.''). 

IJuliv-lliidatiMl,   II.  448. 

liul'dlis-liacked,  H.  4r)it. 

Xantus'.s,  II.  407. 
Indigo- liird,  II.  ,82. 
.laekdaw,  II.  222. 
,Iav,  Alaskan  (Irav,  II.  302. 

lilue,  H.  273. 

Blown,  II.  304. 

California,  II.  2,88. 

Canada,  II.  2it!>. 

Florida,  II.  2S.''). 

(ireeii,  II.  2!i.'i. 

I.ong-erested,  II.  281. 

Ma.xiinilian's,  II.  200. 

lioekv  .Mountain  (Irav,  11. 
3(12. 

Siena,  11.  27!». 

Steller's,  II.  277. 

ritraniarine,  II.  20.3. 

Woodhonsc's,  II.  201. 
Kestrel,  Aineriean,   III.  1()9. 
Kingliird,  II.  31(i. 

CoiKli's,  II.  320. 

Ciiiv,  II.  310. 
King-Blizzard,  III.  178. 
Kinglishers,  II.  301. 
Kiiiglislier,  li(dted,  II.  302. 

(ireen,  H.  3!M>. 

Te.xas,  H.  390. 
Kinglet,  Cuvier's,  I.  ".'). 

(Joldeil-erowiii'd,  1.  73. 

Kuby-erowned,  I.  7.'). 
Kite,     Blaek  -  .shouldered,    HI. 
198. 

Blue,  III.  203. 

Everglade,  HI.  203. 

Fork-tailed,  III.  192. 

Hook-bill,  III.  203. 


Kite,  Mississippi,  III.  203. 

White-tailed,  III.  198. 

l.aiiiier,  Aineriean,  IJI.  123. 
Lark,  Meadow,  II.  174. 

Old  Field,  II.  174. 

Western,  II.  17(1. 
Linnet,  Brewster's,  I.  501. 

House,  I.  40,''). 

Ived-hcadi'd,  I.  4li8. 
Log-Cock,   II.  .'i.'iO. 
Loggerhead,  I.  418. 

Western,  I.  421. 
Longspur,  Black-bellied,  I.  520. 

Black -.shouldereil,  I.  521. 

Chestnut -.shouldered,       I. 
523. 

Laphind,  I.  515. 

I'aintid,  I.  518. 
.Magpie,  II.  20(). 

V(dIow-bined,  II.  270. 
Martin,  Cuban,  1.  332. 

I'urple,  I.  32i». 

Sand,  I.  353. 
.Marsh-Wren,     I g-billed,     I. 

itn. 

Sliort-billed,  I.  l.V.t. 
.Merlin,  Aineriean,  HI.  144. 

lilack.  III.  147. 

I!icliard.s<in's,  HI.  148. 
Mocking-Bird,  I.  49. 
Moose-Bird,  II.  299. 
Night- 1  lawk,  II.  401. 

Ti'.\as,  II.  490. 

Westirii,  II.  404. 
Nonjiarcil,  II.  87. 
Nuthatch,    Brown  -  headed,    1. 
122. 

I'vgniv,  I.  120. 

Hed-irdlicd,  I.  11,8. 

Slender-billed,  I.  117. 

White-bellied,  1.  114. 
Orioles,  11.  147. 
Oriole,  AudulM)n'.s,  II.  186. 

Baltiinoic,  H.  195. 

Bnlloek'.s,  II.  199. 

Hooded,  II.  193. 

Orchard.  II.  190. 

I!i(l-wiiigrd,  II.  159. 

Scott'fi,  II.  1,8,8. 
Ospiev,  American,  IlL  184. 
Owls,' II I.  4. 
Owl,  Aineriean  Barn,  III.  13. 

American  Hawk,  III.  7.'). 

Anierioan  Snowy,  111.  70. 

American  Sparrow,  III.  40. 

Barred,  III.  34. 

BiiiTowing,  HI.  90. 

California  I'vgiiiy,  HI.  81. 

Feilner's,  HI.  58. 

(ireat  Gray,  HI.  30. 

(ireat  Horned,  III.  62. 

Keiinicott's,  HI.  53. 

Kiitlaiid's,  HI.  43. 

Lesser-horned,  111.  18. 

Little  lied,  HI.  49. 

Long-eared,  HI.  18. 

Marsh,  111.  22. 

Mottled,  III.  49. 

Ked-tailed,  III.  85. 

Richardson's,  III.  40. 


IXDEX    OF   EXGLUill    NAMHS. 


m 


Owl,  Siiw-whi'l,  III.   |:!. 
.Sliiirt-carnl,   111.  -J:.', 
fipi.llcd,  111.  :tS. 
Wi'sli'inliancil,  111,  :1.S. 


Siiiisurkcr,  l.ai};i'i-,  II.  5o;i. 

[.1'y.^rr,  11.  r)lllt. 
Si'isscii-Tail,  11.  ;ill. 
S(ivivli-(t\\l,  111.    I'.i. 


WivMcriiCrcal-liunud,  111.  ,  Sca-Ka^'lc,  Cray,  111.  Mlil. 


til. 

■\Vcstcni-mipttlfil,  III.  r<i. 

Whitcfniiitnl,  111.   |;i. 

AVhilncy'.s,  111.  ,><;. 
I'aisaiKi,   II,   \7'.i. 
raraki-i^t,  II.  i,s7. 
1 'a  in  Its,  II.  .'•pS,'.. 
ranol,  Caiiilin;!,  II.  ,'i!<7. 

llliiioi.s,  II,  ,'iS7. 

Oiaiific-licaili'd,  II.  ,")S7. 
Puit rill ■,'(',  111.   H.s,   Hii!,  Ids. 

Alassciia,  111.   I'.cJ. 

iMoiiMlaiii,  111.   I.'ilt. 

I'liiiuc.l,  111.  47.'). 

>SHil(Mi  or  lilui',  111.   187, 

S|ini('c',  III,   lit). 
Pewc.-,  II,  :il:s. 

lilaik,  II,  .'Mil. 

Say's,  II.  ;il7. 

S!i'iiil-l<';,'f,'iMl,  II.  ;it!(l. 

AVcstcni  Wiiod,  II.   ytiO. 

W.Hiil,  II.  ;!.-.7, 
Phcn.saiil,   111.   US. 
Phu'lK-r.inl,  11.  ;U.!. 
Pi;?('i)ns,  111.  :\'>7. 
Pigeon,  liaiiil-tailcd,  HI.  HilO. 

Hluo-lifaiU',1,  III.  :wrj. 

Kcv  West,  III.  :i',i:i, 

Passcii^iT,  111.  :'.il,s. 

\Vliiti-li-a.l.Ml,  III.  ;i(i3. 

Wild,  III,  ;)iw. 
Pipit,  .Viiiciicaii,   I.  171. 

Imiiii|mmii,  1.  17:'.. 

S|iraf,'iii''s,  I,  175. 
Poor- Will,  II.  417. 
Prairic-fliirkiii,  111.  44(1. 
Prairie- 1 1  111,   III.  441). 

Texas,  111.  44t>. 
Ptariiii;,'aii,  White,  111.  4r)7. 

lio'k,  III.  4iM 

Wliite-tailed,  III.  4ii4, 
Quail,  III.  4ii,S. 

Califiiriiia,  III.  479. 

(laiiilHd'.s,  III.  4S-2. 

Moiiiitaio,  III.  47'). 
Raven,   Anieriean,  II.  2'M. 
liedbird.  II.  liio. 

Smnnier,  I.  441. 
Redbreast,  Anieriean,  I.  ia. 
Red-Poll.  Lesser,  I.  4'.i:!. 

Mealy,  I.  4!)H. 
Redstart,  Anieriean,  I.  .f-Ji. 
Red-Tail.  Kastern.  III.  •>&!. 

St.  I.\iiiia.  III.  ■>i<:>. 

White-lielliod,  III.  2S4. 
Reedbird,  II.  141). 
Rieebird,  II.  14<,». 
Road- Runner,  II.  47"2, 
Robins,  I.  ■2.">. 
Robin,  Cape  St,  Lucas,  1,  'i?. 

liolden,  II.  19;-.. 

(Jround,  II.  109, 

Oregon,  L  29, 

Oregon  Ground,  II.  116, 
Sage-Coek,  IIL  429. 


I  SeedKatel,    Little,    11.   91 

'  Sharp-Tail,  ( 'oliiniliia.  III,  UW. 

Shiei-Laik,  11.   IH. 

Shrikes,  I.  412. 


.Swallnw,  liaiik.  I.  ;i,'i;i. 
lUrii,   I.  lili'.l. 
Chiniiiev,  II.  4;t'2, 
Cliir,  l.';i:ll. 
Lave,   I.  -Mi. 
liiiii;4li-\viii;jid,  I.  !1,'>((, 
Violet -Kl-eell,    I.   ;tl7. 

w  liite-iiriiiid,  I.  :;u, 

SH-ilts,  11.  421. 


Shrike,  (lieai  Northern,  1.  415.     .Swilt,  llluk,  11.  429. 


.Southeni,  1.    lis. 

White-runiped,  1.   121. 

White-.vin>;i  il,  1.  420. 
.Skylark,   II.  Liii. 

.Missouri,  I.  17'). 
Snowbirds,  I.  i>>ii. 
Snowbird,  tiref,riiii,  I.  'iSl. 

lied  balked.  1.  r,.s7. 

White-winj,'eil,  I.  ,")>4. 
Snow- Hunt iiii;,  1.  jli, 
,Sii|itaire,  Towiiseiid's,   I,  41)9. 
Sparrows,   I.  ri2S. 
Sparrow,  .\iizcina,  II.  41. 

.Artemisia,  I.  .'.91. 

Haihnian's,  II.  :i;i. 

liell's,  I.  :.ii:). 

lilark-ehilllled,    11.    1.'.. 

P.laek-l lied,-  I.  .'.77. 

lilaik-throated,  I.  r.9t). 

r.riw.rs,  II.  l:i. 

Calit'i.rnia  Shore,  I.  .'.:!9. 

Cassiii's,  II.  42. 

Chippinj,'.  II.  7. 

Clav-eoloied,  II.  11, 

Kieid,   II.   -., 

Kl.X-ioll.reil,    II.    -.0. 

(lol  lell-ilowned,    1.   573. 

Cr.iss,   I.  545. 

Ilaiiis's,   I.  577. 

Ileeriiiann's  Song.  II.  24, 

House,  I,  525, 

Ipswiih,  I,  540, 

Koliak  .Song,  II.  :!ii. 

Lark,   \.  5i;2. 

Little  lirowii,  II.  5, 

Northwest  Savanna,  I.  5;iS. 

Oregon  Song,  II,  27. 

liilloiis-erowned,   II.  45. 

linstv  Song,  II.  29. 

St.  Liieas,  I.  .M4. 

.Sainiiers  Song,  II.  2t>. 

.San  Diego,  1.  542. 

.Sivaiina,  1.  5li4. 

.Song.   11.  19. 

Swamp.  II.  :i4. 

Texas,  II.  47. 

Thiek-billeil.  11.  -.7. 

Townseiid's.  II.  5:!. 

Tree,   II.  :?. 

Western  Chipjiing,  II.  11, 

Western  Savanna,  1.  5li7, 

Western  .Song,  II.  22. 

Western  While-erownecl,  I, 
5li',i, 

Wliite-erowned,  1.  5l!H, 

While-throited,  I.  574, 
Starlings,  II.  2->S. 
Starling,  II.  229. 
Swallows,  I.  ;!2(i. 
Swallow,  AouleateJ,  IL  432. 


Oregon  (hi v.  II.  485. 

Whitethrnaleii;   II.   424. 
Taiiiigers.  I.  4:il. 
Tana^ir,  Louisiana,  I.  4;i7. 

.Siailel,  I.  4;!,-.. 
This.le.liiid,  I.  471. 
Thlader,   lln.vvn.   I.  .",7. 

Calil'ornia,  I.    15. 

Cape  St.   Lllias,   I.  40. 

Ciav  Cmve-liill,  I.  41. 

l.eii.ute's,  1.  41, 

Palmer's,  I.  4:!, 

lieil-vellled,   i,    47, 

Sa.'e,   I.    :i2. 

Texas,    1.  ;!9. 
Thrushes.   I.   1. 
Thrush,  .Mile's,  1.  11. 

Dwarf  Hermit.  1.  2(i. 

(loldeii-.rowned.  1.  2S0. 

(Irav- heeked,  1.  11. 

Hermit.  I.  IS. 

Louisiana  Water,  I.  2S7. 

Itoekv    .Mountain    Ilerniit, 
I.  21. 

Olive-baeked,  1.  14. 

Oregon,  1.  k;. 

lieii-wing.  1.  2:f. 

Ihilou-tailed.  I.  IS. 

Small-billed  Water.  I.  283. 

Swainson's.  I.  14. 

Tawiiv.  1.  9. 

Varied.   I.  29. 

Wilson'.s.  I.  9. 

Wood,  I.  7, 
Titlark.  1,  171, 
Titllliee.    1,   SO, 
Titmouse,  I'.laek-eapiied.  1.  9t>. 

like  k-rroi, ted.  1.  S7. 

Mlaek-tulted.   I.  9(1. 

Calirornia,  1.  91. 

(iray-lufteil.  1.  91. 

Striped-headed,    I.  93. 

Texas,  1.  9(1. 

Tufted,  I.  87. 

Wollweber  s,  1.  93. 
Towhees,  II.   109. 
Towhie.  Abert's.  II.  128. 

MroHii.  II.  122. 

Cape,   II.   127. 
Troupial,  II.  Is  I. 
Tuikev-Hii//aid.  111.  344. 
Turke\s,  111.  402. 
Tnike',,  .\Iexiean,  III.  410. 

Wild.  III.  KM. 
Tyrant  Klyeati  hers.  II.  30ti. 
Vireo.  Arizona,  I.  393. 

Hill's,  I.  389. 

niaek-i.'ai.lK'd,  I.  383. 

Bine-headed,  1.  373. 

Cussin's,  1.  37(5, 


IV 


INDEX   OV  KXdLlSlI   NAMES. 


Virpo,  [[iittntr.M,  I.  ns7. 
I.cml-idliircil,  I,  ;!77. 
I-nist,  1.  ;t'.il. 
Vliitc-cvctl,  I.  :!sr>. 
^(■llll\v -^iviii,  I,  ;tti(i. 

YrlldW-lliicalid,   I.  y7i». 
Viiltiiifs,  111.  JCi.'i,  ;i:!,s. 
Vultiiiv,  liliiik,  III.  ;ir>l. 
Kolhiwlnl,  III.  ;t|l. 
M'ti^liT,  I.  Ctlx, 
WifjIaiLs,  I.  KM. 
\Viif,'lail,  Wliilc,  I.  It).-,. 

^'l•ll(lw,  I.  1(17. 
Wuililcis,  I.   177. 
WaililiT,  .Ma.'.Ua  Willow,  I.  7(i. 

Arizona,  i.  •2l;t. 

AikIuIkim's,  I.  -J-Jll. 

liac'liiiiaii's,  I.  1<I4. 

liay-luiaslcd,   I.  -Ji'il. 

Hli'iik  and  W'liilc,  I.  ]8(l. 

lllack  and  Villow,  I.  iM. 

Hlacklmiiiian,  I.  •J:i7. 

Bhu  k-iimskcil   (! round,    I. 
2!)7. 

Black-I'.dl,  I.  ii4S. 

Black- tlinialccl      {"due,    1. 
'.'.-,  I. 

Blacktliroati'd      (!iav,     I. 
2i)8. 

Blark-tliniatcd    (iiccn,    I. 

Blue  .Monidaiii,  I.  271. 
Blui'-win;;cil  Villow,  I.  lit'). 
Blue     Y.dlow-liackcd,      I. 

208. 
(-'RMiilcan,  I.  2.'i'(. 
Capr  .May,  I.  212. 
Cnrlionat'cil,  I.  -JU. 
Clii'stnut-sidi'd,  1.  245. 
CoiiiicctiLiit,  I.  2110. 
('itM'iiini,',  1.  180. 
Ooldcii  S\vani|>,  I.  184. 
Ooldcn-wiiifji'd,  I.  192. 
Hooded,  1.  314. 
Kuntucky,  I.  293. 


Waililci',  Kirlland's,  I.  272. 
I.niy's,  I.  200. 
Miii;,'illivi:iy'.s   UiouMil,   I. 

;(o:i. 
Mai  viand  Yidlow-throiit.  I. 

207. 
Moniniiii,',  I.  301. 
.M VI 111',  1.  227. 
Na.slivilli',   I.   lOii. 
(Hivi'diiadid,  I.  2ri8. 
•  )lani;i'-rrowiifd,  I.  202. 
KniiiKi'-lliioatrd,  |.  •2:i7. 
I'aiilir  (Maiii,'i'-cioiviii'd,  I. 

201. 

I'i I  riipin;;,  I.  2(i8. 

I'liiiiii',   I.  27ii. 
I'lollioiiotaiy,  I.  184. 
lioiky  Moiii'ilaiii,  I.  ]0!l. 
Swaiiison's  .Swaiii|),  I.  100. 
'I'l'iincsM'!',  I.  2or>. 
'rowiisi'iid's,   I.  2li."). 
Vir^tiiiia's,  I.  lOO. 
AVi'sti-rn,  I.  2iiil. 
AVistiin    Yilliiw-iiiinp,    1. 


Woiidpirkir,  Ciipi',  11.  out. 
I'liwny,  II.  ."".(lO. 
(laiidnir'.s,  II.  f)12. 
(iiia,  II.  r,r,H. 
Ilaiiv,  II.  .'■|03. 
Ilanis's,  II.  ,107. 
Ivoiv-liillcd,  II.  40(1. 
'.addiTliarki'd,  II.  .'il.'j. 
Lewis's,  II.  .lOI. 
Nailow-liiiiited,   II.  ii73. 
Niittall's,   II.  .'•,21. 
riliiited,   II.  .''i.'iO. 
li'd-lielliiil,  II.  ri.-.4. 
lied-liivasled,   II.  nP, 
Ifed-eiukaded,   II.  .I.  .. 
Hid  lieadcd,  II.  [,iH. 
lied-naiied,  II.  .''i42. 
Wliile-liaeked,  Tluee-toed, 

II.  .-.:!2. 
Wlii>edieaded,  11.  ,''i26. 
Wliile-riiniiied,  II.  ;'i(i4. 
Williaiiisoii  s,  11.  r>45. 
Yellow-bellied,      H.      539, 

5."i7. 
Yellow-slialted,  II.  575. 


•J20, 
AVIiile-tlii-oated     Bine,     I.  !  Wrens,  i.  130 

2:i.''>.  ■\Vreii,  Ala.ska,  1.  157. 

Wiiriii-eatili;,'     Swaiii]>,     I.  ,  Beilandiei's,  1.  144. 

187. 
Yellow  lied-poll,  I.  ^7;!. 
Yellow-riiiiip,  I.  227. 
Yellow  -  throated  (.!iav,    I. 

240 


AVater  ( tiizel,  I.  5(). 
Waxwiii;;,  Nortlieiii,  1.  30(). 

Soiitlierii,   1.  401. 
AVlie.it-Ki;r,   I.  (iO. 
Wlii]!] rwill,  II.  413. 

Nutfall's,  II.  417. 
Whiskev-.laik,   II.  200. 
AVoodeo'ik,  Black,  II.  550. 
Woudiiecker,        Black  -  hacke 

Tluee-toed,  II.  530.  „.. 

Brown  lieaded,  II.  547.        |  Yellow-Bird,  I.  471. 

Calil'oriiia,  II.  50(5.  |  Suiiauer,  I.  222. 


Bewick's,  I.  145. 
Cactus,  I.  132. 
rafioii,  1.  130. 
Cape  Cactus,  I.  133. 
(ireat  Carolina,  I.  142. 
House,  I.  140. 
I.ouf^-tailcd  House,  I.  145. 
I'iirkinan's,  I.  ''53. 
I.'oik,  I.  13.5. 
Westi-ni  Wood,  I.  153. 
While-tliroaled    Hock,    I. 

130. 
Winter,  I.  155. 
Wood,  I.  14!». 
Til,  I.  84. 


INDEX  OF  SCIENTIFIC  NAMES. 


Abiinin,  III.  397, 
Acautliis,  I.  4!11. 

caiicscciis,  I.  4()8. 

ll()llH)lli,   I,  4C|;}. 

Acantliylis,  II.  m. 

I)cl'iif,'iiii,  II.  i:!2. 
VilU.xi.   II.  HI;-,. 
Accipitcr,  III.  li^o,  li-'i. 
a'.siiloii,  111.  I'lj.  " 
anUisiiicus,  III.  o.jr; 
cnroliiiciisis,  III.  kid. 
caiula  luivala,  III.  }',>•>. 
coopcii,  Hl.ii'jii^  ooo  .j.ji^ 
clomiiiii'i'Msis,  III.  m}' 
fnl('o   lifti    liiiiUoni.s,   l\\ 

111. 
fnlco  islaiiiiiiiis,  III.  Us. 
fiileo  inaculaliis,   HI.  ];i2. 
faico  uiffri;  III.  i:(7. 
fali'o   iiiscator  autillarum. 

III.  181. 
faIco  iiisoator  carolinen.si.s 

III.  184. 
friiiftillarius,  III,  ooo 
fniigill()i(l|..s,  HI.  2->r>. 
fiisiMi.s,  III.  2-.M,  2:25. 
BVilali-o,  III.  in. 
litliofalcci,  III.  14.2. 
iiU'xicaiir.s,  HI,  -j:)!. 
mil  VMS    i.aioliueiisis,     HI 

lit2. 
niiiidi-,  HI.  ](i!). 
raliiinliaiius,  IH.  144. 
pciiii.sylvanicus,  HI.  225 
pili'atiis,  HI.  2;i().  '    I 

piscatoiiu.s,  HI.  184. 
rufii'aiulus,  III.  282. 
tl'iiiotatn.s,  HI,  22(1,  222 
velox,  III.  225, 
Aetos,  III,  312. 
.Ej'iothus,  I,  448,  491. 
brewstc'ii,  I.  4!I3,  501. 
caneseeii-s,  I,  493,  498, 
exilipes,  I,  493, 
flaviiostris,  I,  493. 
fusoesoeiis,  I,  493. 
liolbblli,  I.  493, 
liuarius,  I,  493, 
rostratiis,  I,  493, 
iEgithaliscus,  I,  107, 
nielanotis,  I,  108, 
flavicpps,  I,  111,  112. 
iEgolius,  HI.  17. 
Msalon,  III,  107,  142, 
coluinbarius.  III.  144 
lithofalco,  III.  142. 
AgelainsB,  11.  147,  148, 


Agelaiiis,  H.  ms,  l.i.s. 
assiinilis,  \\    ]-,i| 
b'llliMKi,    11.  liMi. 

Klllll'lllalo]-,    H.    ],r,;i.    ],j;j 

ii'li'idicpliaiiis,  II.  i,i7. 
I(>ii^'i|ic.s,   11.  ii;;. 
pliiiliirciis,  II.   l,-,,s,   ]r,it 
lii'i>liir,  II.  LM),  I,;,-,. 
•Nantli.Mi.plialii.s,  H.  n;;. 

\V'",'""""I"""""'''  '•  1^''- 
Alaiiila,  11.  ];!.-,  ;  HI,  5]!). 

"K''''-iii.s,  II,  l:!i;. 

alpi'stiis,  II.  131),  14:1. 

an-crisis,   ll.  ]:i(i. 

lii'lipi'la,   II,  V.M. 

I'liiysiila'iiia,  II.  144. 

I'lininta,  II,  I43, 

iliilii'a,  1 1.  ]3(i, 

liiil'iviiiana,  I.  171. 

""■■iKiia,  II.  171,  174, 

iiiiiioi-,  II,  ]4(. 

molilalia,  1 1,  i;!(), 

jii'iiiisylvauica,  I.  171 

IHiiti'iisis,  I,  173. 

iiilira,  I,  171, 

I'lfa,  I.  I(i4,  170,  171  ;  H. 

11.  13(i. 
'■  ir4,  ]7,V 
II.  lim. 
I'if.    •I.'JI  I    H. 


391. 

II.  391,  392. 
II,  39ti, 


•scgi'tnin, 

xpragiiri, 

vu]j,'aris, 

•Mauiliila',     I, 

l.'i.'i, 

.Alfccliiji(la>,  II 

j  Alci'ili)  ali'VDii, 

1  aiiioricaiia 

•'abani.M,  II,  :j!Mi, 
RUani,   II.  392, 
jagila.'atc,  II,  392, 
luilis,  H,  391, 
viridi.s,  H,  39fi, 
Amazilia  .\aiitiisi,  H.  467, 
Aiiiiiioili-omn.s,  I.  529,  55(i 
Amiii.xlioiiiiis    bacliii'iaiii 
39. 
caudaputus,  I,  557. 
mncjrillivravi,  I,  580, 
maritimus,    I,   5(30  ■ 

615, 
paliistris,  II.  34. 
rostratns,  I,  542. 
nificcps,  II.  45. 
sanuieli.?,  II.  26, 
Ampelida!,     I,    3,    356, 

431, 
AmppliniE,  I,  39.5, 
Ampelis,  I,  395, 

americana,  I.  401, 


II, 


HI. 


395, 


I  Aiiipi'lisci'ilioniin,  I.  39H,  40I. 
I  Kaiiiiliis,   1.  ;i;ii;,  .joj,' 

I  I'li'i'iiiidpi,. 111111,  I.  m'i„j 

'  .siajis,  I.  (i;i. 

I  .\llf,'lls|i,.(,||,..s,    II.    4i,.J, 
■  •ViiiMtiiiua,  1,   1:11,  I4!i, 
j  •\iili'iiMi-,  HI.  l(i,-i. 
I  .\lllllilla^    1.    1)14,   ](;;i 
I  Aiitliiis,  I.  1411,  171," 
}  a'luaticii.s,  I.  171. 

l'nL,'(,||.ll.M>,    I.    1(14,    17(1, 

I'lii'niiiiiiri'i,  I.  o.,4 
liiili)vi(iaiiiis,  I.    170,    172 

17.'.,  2MI  ;   HI    5(19, 
I'l'iilisylvaiiiia,  I.   171 

pipipiis  I.  171. 

I'laliiisis,  I.  I7i),  173. 
■■'■iiiliaidti,  I.  171. 
'•(llii'llN  1,    171, 
111  Ills,  1.  17(1, 
■•^piiiolclta,  I,  171. 
spiaifiwi,  1.  17,-,. 
.Aiitmstdiiiiis,      H,     3()f)_     .j,^^ 

4(IS. 
Aiitrostiiiniis    iMroliii,.ti.c,i.s,    jj 
^"9,  410  ;  HI.  r,2X 
I'llliainMisis,   II.  400, 
iiiaiiDiiiystiix,  11.  409. 
iiiillalli,'  H.  4ii!i,  417, 
viiiifi.iii.s,  H.  4(19,  413. 
-Aplicloi'oiiia,  II.  2S2. 
califoniica,  H.  2S,S. 
I'l-issdlciicus,  II.  ,r,29. 
lliiiidaiia,  II.  2.S5, 
A|itcriiiis,  II.  ,-,._',s. 

aiiii'iiiaims,  H.  530. 
an-ticiis,  11.  530. 
liirsiitiis,  H.  5:!2. 
kaiiitilialkiiisis,  H.  529. 
tiiilaclvliis,  II.  529. 
•Ai|iiila.  IH',  ]ii5,  312 
all'iiilla.  111.  324. 
ami'iicana,  HI.  184. 
raiiadonsis,  IH.  3i:i,  314 
cliiT.saotu.s  HI.  313. 
fiilva,  HI,  314. 
halirehis,  HI.  183. 
lem-occplinla,  HI,  324,  326, 
mplaiiaetiis,  IL",  314. 
iiobilis.  III.  314. 
os.sifrafja,  IH.  324, 
pisoatrix,  III,  184, 
rp^i'i.  in.  314. 
Valeria,  HI,  313, 
Archibutpo,  III,  105,  297, 
fernigineus,       HI,      298 
300. 


VI 


INDEX   OF  SCIENTIFIC   NAMES. 


Arcliilmti'o  Infjopus,  III.  20S. 
icf,'iilis.  111.  ;iilO. 
.sanoli-juliiiiuiis,    HI.    -J'.!:', 
;wt. 

Ar{l\rti-i:i  iimcnlata,  II.  4(18. 
A.sio,  III.  17. 

I)iiiili_vi>tus,  111.  22. 

Itiilio  vir^'inianii.s  111.  ()2. 

i'ias.siio.>ilris,  1 1 1,  lil. 

i;alii|ia};(H'n.'>is,   111.  2:!. 

livpo^M'a,  III.  2.'i. 

inacTiiiliyiiclia,  1 1 1,  i!]. 

iiicxicana,  III.  01. 

nii'via.  111.  Jit. 

otu.s,  III.  17. 

j)eivsi'inatiir.  111.  IS. 

scops     laioliiionsis,      111. 
4il. 
Astragalimis      nicxiainus,      1. 
■178. 

tristis,  I.  471. 
Astur,  III.  22(1,  2:ltl. 

atiiiai)illiis,  III.  237- 

boiralis,  III.  2S2. 

ciiKMca,  III.  24."i,  24(i. 

I'oopi'ii,  III.  2:iO. 

luseiis,  111.  221,  27;"). 

liyc'tnalis,  HI.  27;"). 

latissiiiiiis,  111.  2')!>. 

))aliinil)aiiiis,  III.  2;!0,  2;i7. 

licnnsylviiiiii'us,   111.   22,'), 
25'.)'. 

plafiiata,  HI.  24"),  24(!. 

stiiulatii.s,  HI.  24,'). 

uiiicinctus,  111.  240. 

vclox,  HI.  22;"). 
Asturina,  HI.  10;"),  244. 

iiiti.la.  111.  24;"). 
AsyiiiK'.'iiiiiis,  II.  ,').')0. 

toi(]iiatiis,  11.  5t)l. 
Athene  cuiiiculavia.  111.  90. 

fenuffiiiia.  111.  85. 

finoiiia,  111.  81. 

hypogiva.  III.  90. 

nana.  III.  8;"). 

noctua,  111.  97. 

plialifnoiilos,  HI.  43. 

sociaiis,  HI.  90. 

wliitncyi,  HI.  8fl,  87. 

wilsoni",  111.  43. 
Attagcn  ni])(\stn.s  111.  4G2. 
Atthi.s,  II.  43S,  4,39,  464. 

anna,  II.  4;")4. 

hcloi.^ip,  II.  44.5. 
Aulanax,  11.  339. 

f'usi'ns,  II.  343. 

nigiii'iins,  II.  340. 

savu.s,  II.  347. 
Aiiiipa"nis,  I.  86,  111. 

ilavioi'|is,  I.  112. 
Ralbn.sanlus,  HI.  182. 
BasileutoriLs  belli,  I.  313. 

cnlicivoius.  1.  312. 
Bathmiiluius  major.  II.  306. 
Bidens  aiiraiitiiis,  HI.  129. 

(loniinicensis.  III.  166. 

sparveiius,  HI.  166. 
Rlaoicus  pallidiia,  II.  3.')1. 
Blatrrus,  III.  320. 
Ba^olophus,  I.  86,  87. 


RdeoUiplms  biii)lor,  I.  87. 
lionibycilla  aniclicana,  I.  401. 

caroiincu.sis,  I.  401. 

tiMlninini,  I.  401. 

l)|iniii(u|)t('mni,  I.  396. 
|{t)na.sa.  III.  414,  440. 

(•ii|>iil().  111.  440. 

sabiui.  111.  447,  4.")4. 

.sylvcsti-iH.  111.  44(). 

uniliclloiilcs,  HI.  447,  4;")3. 

unilicllus.  III.  440,  448. 
Brachyotiis,  III.  ,"),  17,  IS. 

anii'iii'aniis.  HI.  23. 

t-assini  {phi/c).  111.  23, 
1112. 

galopagocnsis.  111.  23. 

l)ahi,sliis,  111.  22. 
Bubo,  III.  0,  00. 

albilVon.s,  HI.  43. 

aictitiis.  III.  60,  64. 

asio,  HI.  49. 

c'laniator,  HI.  61. 

crassiiostii.s,  HI.  61. 

ludovii'ianus,  HI.  62. 

niagoUaniciis,  HI.  01,  04. 

niaxiniiis,  HI.  00. 

liicxicamis,   I II.  00,  01. 

otu.s,  III.  17. 

jiacilirii.s  H'.  01,  65. 

l)inii'ola,   HI.  02. 

siibarcticu.'i,  HI.  64. 

viiginianus  {p/nti),  HI. 
00,  62,  04,  0;">,  98,  99, 
100,  101. 

virginianns  arcticiis.  III. 
64. 

virginianus utlanticus,  I II. 
62. 

virginianus  pacilicus,   HI. 
64,  65. 
Budvtos,  I.  164,  167. 

Hava,  I.  167,  168. 
Butai'tcs,  HI.  297. 

lago])us,  III.  299. 

sancti-joliannis,  HI.  304. 
Butacpiila, 'hi.  297. 

stropliiata,  HI.  297. 
Butco,  111.  10.-),  254. 

albicauilatii.s,  HI.  206. 

albonotatus,  HI.  272. 

anicriianus.  111.  282. 

atir.  III.  304. 

bairdi.  III.  203. 

borcalis,  111.257,281,282. 

caliirus,  HI.  258,  292. 

conclnis,  HI.  203. 

cincrcus.  III.  203. 

I'oopcri,  HI.  25S,  27;"),  295. 

oo.staricensis,  HI.  285. 

elpgans.  III.  257,  277. 

I'crnigiiu'ocandus,  HI.  282. 

f'uligino.su.s.  111.  260. 

fiilviis,  HI.  282. 

fiiscus,  HI.  275. 

gallinivorii.s  HI.  282. 

galapagoen.'iis,  111.  254. 

gnttnrali.s,  HI.  203. 

lianintus,  III.  209. 

harlani,  III.  258,  292. 

harrisi,  III.  250. 


Buteo  hypinalis,  HI.  275. 

in.sigiiatua,  HI.  203. 

kridi'ri,  HI.  258,  284. 

lagopus,  HI.  299,  304. 

Icvcrianns,  HI.  282. 

linratus,  HI.  257,  276. 

liua.sainis,  HI.  285. 

niontaniis.  111.  203. 

nigcr.  III.  31)4. 

oxyplcnis,  HI.  256,  266. 

]H'iinsvlvani('Us,    HI.    256, 
259! 

.sancli-joliannis,  HI.  304. 

sjiadiiHMis,  III.  304. 

.swainsoni,  HI.  25t),  263. 

uniiinctns,  HI.  249,  250. 

vulgaris,  HI.  203. 

zouoccrcus.  III.  257,  272. 
CacicMis  alaudariu.s,  II.  174. 
I'a'rcba  cyanca,  I.  425. 
Orcbiila',  1.  103,  425,  431. 
Calaniospiza,  II.  59,  60. 

bicolor,  II.  61. 
f'alaiidrilina',  II.  135. 
ralliohclidon,  I.  327,  338. 

cyaiicoviiidis,  1.  338. 
Callii)"(pla,  HI.  406,  487. 

mlilbrnica.  111.  479. 

ganil)cH,  HI.  482. 

l)iita,  HI.  475. 

.'*i|uaniala,  HI.  487. 

slri'iiua,  HI.  487. 

vcnnsta,  HI.  482. 
C'allipblox  anna,  II.  454. 
Calocitta,  II.  264. 
C;dotliorax  calliope,  II.  445. 

cvano|iog()n,  11.  445. 
Calvptc,  II.  438,  439,  453. 

anna,  II.  4,53,  454. 

costic,  II.  453,  457. 

llorcsi,  II.  453. 

hclcii.T,  II.  453. 
Canipcphilus,  11.  493,  494. 

bairdi,  11.  496. 

inipcrialis,  11.  496. 

])rincii)alis,  H.  494,  496. 
Cani|ivl()rlivnclius,  I.  130,  131. 

ailinis,"!.  131,  133. 

brunnticapillu.s,     I.     131, 
132;  111.  508. 

scolopaccns,  1.  131. 
Can.icc,  HI.  415. 

canadensis,  HI.  416. 

franklini,  HI.  419. 

fuliginosus.  III.  421,  425. 

obscnrus,  HI.  421,  422. 

riehardsoni.  111.  422,  427. 
('a])riniulgidic,  II.  398. 
Capriniulgiiiie,  II.  398. 
Ca])rimnlgus  albicollis,  II.  399. 

acutipennis,  II.  400. 

acutus,  11.  400. 

aineriianiis,  II.  401. 

bradivpterus,  II.  410. 

caroliiien.sis,  II.  408,  410. 

olaniator,  H.  413. 

pxiiis,  II.  400. 

manromystax,  II.  409. 

nuttalli,"ll.  417. 

pof)etue,  II.  401. 


INDEX   OF  SCIENTIFIC   NAMES. 


Vll 


Capriiiinlj^'iis  piuinosus,  II.  Km 
nil'ii.s.  II.  4U). 
S('mil(iii|uiitii.s,  II.  4(»o, 
tt'.vciisis,  II.  4IM!. 
viixiiiiiimis,   II.   40(1,  4tU, 

41;!. 
vocircniiis,  II.  413. 
voiiffTiis,  II.  413. 
Ciimiaiii,  III.  ]7(i. 

viil^'iiris,  HI.  177. 
Canlclliiia,  I.  17!i,  312. 

nilira,  I.  31-_'. 
t'ardclliiicas  1.  17!>. 
Cardinali.s,  1 1,  (io,  l)i). 
cariicus,  II.  !ii). 
coi'ciiu'iis,  II.  sty. 
ignciis,   II.   9!!,   103  ;    III. 

Til.s. 
liliii'iiicoiis,  II.  ill), 
.siiinatiis,  II.  SI,"). 
vii},'iiiiaiiii.s,    1.    2!);");    II. 
!".i-]()l. 
Cuiduflis  lawiviici,  1.  478. 
lu.KUiisu.s,  II.  8(i. 
iiu'.\iiiiini.s,  1.  478. 
siiinoiiics,  I.  470. 
iwalliia,  I.  47 J. 
tiis;is,  I.  471. 
Caipoilaciis,  I.  447,  4."i!). 

calilWriiiLMis,  I.  4liO,  41);'). 
cas^iiii,  I.  45!',  4(i(). 
laiiiiliaris,  I.  4(i(i,  4(18. 
fioiilalis,  I.  4(iO,  4(>r.,  4()(i 
ha'iiionlioiis,  I.  4(iO. 
ol)siiini.s,  I.  4il(i. 
l>ui]imi'ii.s,  I.  4,V.t,  4(i'2. 
rhodoi'ulpns,  I.  4il(t,  4(i8. 
Catliaiista,  III.   337,  3."i(i. 
atiata,  III.  3.')'!,  3,')(). 
calitoniiamis,  111.   338. 
Cathaitis,   111.   337,   339,   343, 
3:)0. 
atiatus.  III.  351. 
aura,  HI.   341. 
biiiToviamis,  111.   341. 
califoniiaiiiis.  III.  3:!S. 
falklaudiciis,  III.  34j. 
I'u'ti'iis,  III.  3r.l. 
iota,  III.  34">,  3;')!. 
lulii'olli.s.  III.  345. 
iiruliii.  III.  3.'il. 
viiltiiniuis.  III.  338. 
Catliartidip,  111.  1,  335. 
Catliaitiiiii",  HI.  335. 
Ciitlianis  niidpoiiii'iii',  I.  3. 

ooeidontali.s,  I.  3. 
Cathfipcs,  1.  130,  137. 

couspfisus,   I.     139  ;    III 

5(18. 
iiu'xioamis,  I.  137  _  ];{<) 
Centioct'ivii.s,  111.  414,   (28. 
idiiisiamdlus,  III.  43(!. 
uropliasiiimis,  HI.  429. 
Centrophaiifs,  I.  510. 
catoaratu.s,  I.  515. 
Ia])poiii(;us,  I.  515. 
oniatu.s,  I.  520. 
Ceiitroiiyx,  I.  529,  530. 
baiidi,  I.  531,   540 
.  514. 


vol..  III. 


III. 

72 


('ciitiirca',  II.  492,  553. 
Ci'iitunis,  1 1.  5.-,;i. 

uuiirnuis,  II.  554,  557. 
caidlijiiis,  II.  553,  554. 
i-ai()liiicii>is,  H.  ■■,s7. 
i'l''j;aMs,  II.  5,-,7. 
liiivivciitiis,  II.  557. 
)iiiiriii.iiiiii,  1 1.  554. 
Ii\|ic)p(iliii.s,  II,  558. 
.saiilaini/i,  II.  557. 
siilK'lci;aiis,   11.  554. 
sulluivivi'iitri-,  II.  j-j.-.s. 
tiiidlii]-,  II.  554. 
liiopyf,'ialis,    I|.  554     5.> 
111.  523. 
(VdplildiMis  pilratus,  11.  55(1. 
Ci'lrliiiiis  .s|iaiviTiiis,  HI.  Idii 
Ci'ilhia,  I.  124. 

aiiiiTicaiia,  I.  125,  128. 
i-aii  iiiiiaiia,  I.  142. 
I'lista',  I.  124,  125. 
laiiiiliaiis,  I.  ]24,  125. 
flavciila,  1.  425,  428. 
I'lisca,  I.  125. 
iiiaiiilala,  I.  ISO. 
nii'xiiana,  I.  125,  128. 
pahistiis,  I.  ],kS,  ](J1. 
piiMis,  I.  ]'»5. 
CiTtliiada',  I.  124. 
Ci'l-tliiida',  I.  431. 
('(•itliioia,  1.  425. 
lialiaiMi'iisis,  I 
liaiiill,  I.  428. 
baiiaiiivdia,  I.  427. 
barliadoiisis,    I.    428  • 

512. 
bartliolciiiica,  I.  428 
lalhiti,  I.  427  ;   III.  512 
(•hloiiijiy^r,,,  J.  i-2S. 
ilciuiiiiicaiia,  I.  428. 
tiavfola,  I.  427,  428. 
fiDulalis,  I.  428  ;  ili 
liitiMiIa,  I.  427. 
iiiajiir,  I.  427. 
iMiniliiiia,  I.  212. 
iiiaitiiiicaiia,  1.  428. 
Iiicxiiaiia,  1.  428. 
minor,  I.  427. 
iii'wtiiiii,  I.  427  ;  HI 
pi'iiiviaiia,  1.  42N. 
pdituiii'iMisis,  I.  427. 
Cciylo,  II,  391. 

all  VDii,  11,  390 
a'Mi'iicaiia,  H,   39(i. 
calianisl,  ||,  39ii. 
Clia'tiira,   II.  422,  427,  431. 
ciiicicivcnliis,  H,  4:)]. 
p<daj;i(a,  II.  431,  432. 
pfla.sf>ia,  I 
poiiiiia,  II 
.sclatoii,  H 
.'^piiiicanda. 
vaiixi.   II.    431 
523. 
(^Iia'tnriiia-,  II.  422.  427. 
('liulc'opliaiH'.siiiacniius,  II.  225 
major,  II.  222. 
i|uisialii.s,  II.  215, 
viii'sceii.s,  II.  203. 
Cliamaia,  1.  S3. 


427,  428. 


HI 


51: 


51: 


.   132. 
.   131. 

431. 

II.  4.32. 
435  ; 


III. 


CliuiiiaM    fa.sciata,    I.     S3,    84 ; 

HI.  5117. 
''liaiiia'ada',   I.  8.3. 
Chama'prlia,  HI.  375,  389. 
iilliivilla,  HI.  389. 
fjianatiiia,   HI.  389. 
paljivscciis,  III.  389. 
pa.-i.'^ciiria.  III.  389, 
('Iiaiiia'pcJi.w,  111,  375. 
(  liaiiia'piMcs,  HI.  3!>7. 
Clii'lidoii  llialas.siiia,  1.  347. 
Clil.iii.s,  I.  207. 
ciiioiocfiTli',  II.  391. 
('lil<MM'iia.s  rasciala.  HI.  3(iO. 
Ilavii-ostiis.  HI.  3(j(i. 

ills,  HI.  3(io. 

('liondi'.slcs,  I.  529,  5(;-2. 
fiiaiiiniara,  I.  502. 
stiii,'aln.s,  I,  502, 
Cliord.'ii.'s,  11,  .•!99,  4(io_ 

aciitipciiiiis,  II,  4ii(i,  4ii(;, 
biasiliaims,  II,  4ii(i, 
Iiiinyi,  H.  4oo,  494. 
lalicculatii.s,   II,  4(111. 
minor,  II,  400  ;  III.  523. 
lii'inviann.s  ||,  4(i|i. 
piipctni'.  II.  400,  401. 
Naptii,  II,  4(l(i, 
tcxcn.^is,  II,  400,  40(i  ;   HI 

523, 
vii-,i,'inianus,  H.  401. 
ClirysoMiitiis,  1.  4  (7,  470. 

aii/ona',   1.   471,  470;   HI. 

513, 
I'olilinbiana,  I.  471. 
liiwirnci.  I.  471,  478. 
maiioplcra,  I.  480. 
naxicana,  1,  471,  470,  478. 
n..lala,   I.  471. 
pinns,  I.  471,  480. 
pwiltria,     470,    471;     HI 

513. 
tiisli-s,  I.  470,   171. 
Cicraba,  III.  28. 
(  ichlopsis  nitcn.s,  I.  40."). 
Cinclida',  I.  1,  2,  55. 
Cinclii.s  I.  55. 

amcriianns,  I.  50. 
nipiaticns,  I,  58, 
anli'.siacn,^,  I,  50. 
ini'xicanii.s,  I,  55,  5G, 
mortoni,  I,  50. 
pailasi,  I.  5(i, 
to\vn,sc::(li,  |,  5(i. 
uniioior,  I,  5(!, 
•'iivn.s,  HI,  i((4,  o|.2 
axillari.s,  HI.  J97, 
iain])i'.stris,  HI.  214. 
liiii'ivns,  HI.  214. 
cyani'iis.  III.  213. 
cyaiicns     Imd.sonin.s,     HI 

214, 
frcnatus,  HI.  214. 
iiisln'oniiii.s,  HI.  214. 
liiulsonin.s,  HI,  214. 
Iiycmalis,  HI.  275. 
,iai<lini.  HI.  -.212. 
niacioptfiu.s,  HI.  212. 
p.VKai'SU.s,  HI.  213. 
uliginosii.s,  HI.  214. 


Vlll 


INDEX   OF  SCIENTIFIC  NAMES. 


Cistothoriis,  1.  131,  158. 

eli'giiiis,  I.  159. 

]ialiulii'uln,  I.  Itil. 

puliLstris,  I.  KiO,  101. 

stillari.s,  1.  liV.t,  102  ;  III. 
60!t. 
Clado.S((i|)iis,  II.  ns,'). 

iiiu'liulis,  II.  542. 

lulur,  II.  r)44. 

vaiiiis,  II.  539. 
C'leptes,  II.  204. 

liiidsiiiiiius,  II.  266. 

inittalli,  II.  270. 
Cocooboius,  II.  76. 

(•lunilcus,  II.  77. 

luiloviciamis,  II.  70. 

mclaiioc'i'plialiis,  II.  73. 
Coccotliiaiistcs  ahcillii,  I.  449. 

caiiadciisi.s    I.  453. 

oanlinali      II.  100. 

ludovicii     I,  II.  70. 

iiiclano((]iiiala,  II.  73. 

rubri((dlis,  II.  7o. 

vcsjicitinn,  I.  449. 

virf,'iniaiia,  II.  KiO. 

vulgaris,  I.  44S. 
Cocpothraustiiia!,  I.  446. 
Coccvgiiiiv,  II.  470. 
Coccygiis,  11.  470,  475. 

amciii'aiiu.s,  II.  476,  477. 

bniidi,  II.  477. 

dciniiiiciis,    11.    472,    477, 
484. 

civtliroi>litIialimis,  II.  477, 
"484. 

julii'iii,  II.  477. 

mclaiioconplius,  II.  476. 

minor,  II.' 476,  482. 

pynhoiitcnis,  II.  477. 

scniculu.s  II.  4S2. 
Colaptcs,  II.  492,  573. 

auratiis,  II.  575. 

ayicsii,  II.  582. 

fhnsocaulosu.s,  II.  575. 

clnysoidi's,  II.  575,  583. 

collaiis,  II.  578. 

hybridu.s,  II.  582. 

mt'xicaiioidcs,  II.  574. 

mnxicaiiu.s,    II.    574,    578, 
582. 

rubricatu.s,  II.  574,  578. 
{^ollocallia,  II.  422. 
follmio,  I.  412. 

boreal  is,  I.  413-415. 

clcgaiis,  I.  414,  420. 

(■.xciibitnr,  I.  412,  414. 

(•X(\iliiti)roid<'s,  1.  413,  415, 
421. 

luddviiiaiius,  I.   413,   414, 
418. 

robustus,  I.  413,  420  ;  III. 
512. 
C'oliimb.1,  III.  357,  358. 

albiliiHMi,  III.  359. 

aniciiniiia.  III.  368. 

araueana.  III.  359. 

eaiiadciisis,  III.  368. 

caribcea.  III.  359. 

carolineiisis,  III.  381,  383. 

corcnsis,  III.  360. 


Columbtt     cvaiioii'pliala.     III. 
394,  395. 

di'iiisca,  III.  359. 

fasiiata,  III.  358,  360. 

llavirostris.  111.  360,  366. 

gri.sfola.  III.  389. 

hoilotl.  III.  37(i. 

inuniata.  III.  360,  366. 

Ii'iuoccpliala,      III.      359, 
364. 

liMicoptcra,  III.  376, 

livia.  III.  358. 

iiiargiiiata.  III.  383. 

iiiartinica.  III.  392. 

nicridiuiialis.  III.  359. 

niigratoria.  III.  367,  368. 

niuiiilis,  HI.  360. 

liioiitaiia.  III.  393. 

nivstacca,  III.  393. 

l>a'ssfriiia,  HI.  389. 

riilina,  III.  3,'.9,  360. 

solitaria,  HI.  366. 

sunaiiiosa.  III.  387. 

tnidcaiii,  III.  376. 

ze7iaida,  HI.  378. 
('oliinibidiv.  III.  357. 
Culiiinbigalliiia  inuiitaiia,    HI. 

393. 
Culuiiibiiia',  III.  357. 
Coiiiiisollilypis,  I.  207. 
!  Hiiit'i'itaiiiis,  I.  2(18. 

Kiittiiialis,  I.  208. 
I  Coiiiro.struiii  oniatuni,  I.  112. 

suiicri'iliosiini,  1.  2(i8. 
Contoi>iis,  11.  3119,  350. 

bahaiiit'iisis,  1 1.  352. 

bogoti'iisis,  II.  360. 

boivalis,     II.      350,     353, 
356. 

biiichytarsus,  II.  351. 

(•aril>aMis,  II.  351. 

(•<»i))rri,  II.  353. 

Iiisiiaiiiolcnsi.s,  II.  351. 

liigubiis,  H.  351. 

nicsdlcucus,  1 1.  353. 

oiluatcus,  II.  352. 

pallidu.s,  11.  351. 

pcitinax,  II.  351,  356. 

plcbcilis,  II.  361). 

puiic'iisi.s,  II.  352. 

richardsDiii,  II.  352,  360. 
!  schotti,  II.  351. 

sordidiilus,  II.  360. 
'  virpiis,    I.    249  ;    II.    3.'.2, 

!  356,  357. 

Connriis,  II.  585,  586. 

i-andini'iisis,  1 1.  587. 

liiildviciamis,  II.  587. 
CcpopiMastur,  HI.  220,  222. 
Coracias,  H.  264. 

incxicamis,  II.  299. 
('iirieiigiiatliif,  I.  431. 
('iinigv])\s,  HI.  350. 
I  l.'(.rtliyli'(),  I.  72. 

calendula,  I.  75. 
Corveie,  II.  231. 
Corvida',  I.  431  ;  II.  231. 
Corvinie,  II.  231. 
C'orvus,  II.  231,  232. 

aniericaims,  II.  243-247. 


Corvus  eaealoti,  II.  234. 

canadensis,  II.  297,  r99. 

carnivorus,  II.  233,  234. 

eaurinu.s  II.  233,  248. 

eulunibianu.s  II.  254,  255. 

torax,  II.  232. 

eoroiie,  II.  243. 

cristatus,  II.  271,  273. 

crvptoleueus,  II.  233,  242; 
I  'ill.  '■.20. 

IK.ridanu.s,    II.    233,    247, 
'  28'.. 

I  huiL^onious,  II.  266. 

I  janiaieensis,  11.  234. 

lencdgnaphalus,  II.  234. 

littorali-s,  II.  234. 

lugnbri.s,  II.  234. 

niegonyx,  II.  255. 

inexicanus,  II.  233. 

niinutus,  II.  234. 

na.sieus,  II.  234. 

ossilragus,  II.  233,  251. 

palliatus,  H.  288. 

peruvianus,  II.  294. 

pica,  II.  264-266. 

stelleri,  II.  277. 

.dtraniarinus,  II.  288. 
Corvdalina,  II.  60. 
"bieolor,  II.  61. 
Corythus,  I.  452. 

eainiden.sis,  I.  453. 

enueleator,  1.  453. 
Cotiiniiiulus,  I.  529,  548. 

bairdi,  I.  531. 

dor.saIis,  I.  549. 

liensluwi,  1.  549,  550. 

leeiintei,  I.  549,  552. 

nianiinbe,  I.  549. 

niexieanus,  II.  38. 
j  jm.sserinus,    I.    195, 

553. 

peri>allidup,   I.    549, 

I  111.  Sl.l. 

!  tixii-rus,  1.  553. 

Cotvie,  I.  327,  353. 

'  rijiaria,  1.  347,  353. 
Craeiihe,  III.  397. 
Craeinie,  HI.  397. 
Craxirex,  III.  248,  254. 

unii'inc'tus,  HI.  250. 
("rotophaga,  II.  470,  486. 

ani.  II.  486-488. 

Iievirostra,  II.  488. 

major,  II.  487. 

minor,  II.  488. 

rugirostra,  II.  488.  • 

•suleirostris,  II.  487. 
Ciiieirostra  leueoptera,  1.  488. 
;  Cneuliilii',  H.  469,  470. 
(.'ueidus   anierieanus,    II.    475, 
477. 

auratns,  II.  573,  575. 

candinensis,  II.  477. 

cinerosus,  II.  477. 

dominicensi.s,  II.  477. 

dominieus,   II.  477. 

erytliroplitliahnns,  11.  484. 

minor,  11.  482. 

senieulus,  11.  482. 
(.'ulicivcm  atrieapilla,  I.  81. 


549, 
656  ; 


INDEX   OF  SCIENTIFIC   NAMES. 


IX 


Culicivora  cnenilea,  I.  "8. 
mexicima,  1.  78,  81. 
towiisemli,  I.  40i>. 
Cuncuiiia,  III.  ;j20. 
Cupiiioiiia,  III.  414,  439. 
anicricana,  111.  44ii. 
cupido,  III.  44(1. 
pailidkiiictus,     III.     440, 
44ti. 
Ciiivvis  lunericaiius,  II.  477. 
Cuivirostiu,  1.  448. 
aiiiciioaiia,  1.  484. 
leULDiitcia,  I.  488. 
Cyaiioci'pliahis,   II.  2,")!). 
Cyaiiocitta,  II.  2»!4,  •271,  282. 
arizoiia-,  II.  284,  2!)2. 
caliloniica,    U.  2s;i,  288 ; 

111.  521. 
coui'lii,  II.  2S4,  2!»3. 
ciistata,  II.  273. 
floiiilaiia,  II.  283,  285. 
niaci'olopha,  II.  281. 
sonlida,  U.  284,  2U2. 
stellcri,  II.  277. 
suniiitluasti,  II.  283. 
suiiciciliosa,  1 1.  288. 
ultiainarina,  II.  284. 
uiiiioioi-,  II.  284. 
wodilliou.sei,  II.  283,  291. 
Cyaiioeoia.K     caliloinicus,     II 
288. 
cassini,  II.  2ti0. 
cristatus,  II.  273. 
cyanioapillus,  II.  295. 
lioiiilami.s,  II.  285. 
lu.xiiosus,  II.  295. 
stelieri,  II.  277. 
uiiicolor,  II.  284. 
ynciLs,  II.  295. 
Cyanoganulus     cristatus,     II. 
273. 
stclIcri,  II.  277. 
iiltranuiiiuus,  II.  293. 
Cyanolo.xia  ca;iulca,  II.  77. 
Cyaiio-spiza,  II.  59,  8.' 
anuena,  II.  81,  84. 
ciris,  II.  81,  87. 
cyanea,  II.  81,  82. 
leclaiiclicri,  II.  82. 
versicolor,  II.  81,  86. 
CyanuKi,    II.    2(54,    271  ;    III 
521. 
coronata,  II.  272. 
cristata,  II.  271,  273. 
diailemata,  II.  272. 
frontalis,  II.  272,  279. 
galeata,  II.  272. 
macrolopha,  II.  272,  281. 
stelieri,  II.  272,  277. 
Cyanuriis  cristatus,  II.  273. 
Uoridanus,  II.  285. 
stelieri,  II.  277. 
Cymiudis  cinerea,  III.  245. 

leucopygus,  III.  208. 
C'ypselidaj,  I.  320  ;  II.  421. 
Cypselinoe,  II.  422,  423. 
Cypseloides,  II.  422. 
Cypselus,  II.  422. 
borealis,  II.  429. 
melanoleucus,  II.  424. 


Cypselus  iiiger,  II.  429. 
pelasgius,  II.  432. 
I  poliiuus,  II.  4:jl. 

spiuicauda,  II.  431. 
I         spiuicaudu.s,  II.  432. 

vau.\i,  II.  435. 
Cyrtiiiiy.\,  111.  4(i(i,  491. 
inassciia,  111.  492. 
ocfllatns,  HI.  4!(2. 
Da'dalioii,  III.  -..'.'0,  23«i. 

iiitiihiiii,  111.  245. 
DiL-daliuin,  111.  229,  SM. 
Dendragapus,  III.  421. 
ol)siiirus,  III.  422. 
ricdiardsoiii.  111.  427. 
nendrocliclidun,  II.  422. 
Deudrocopus    priiiiipali.s,     II 
490. 
pUllCSITIlS,   II.   5(»!». 
varius,  II.  539. 
villosus,  11.  59.3. 
DiMidrofalco,  III.  142.     ~ 
DeiKlroica,  1.  178,  215. 
adelaida",  I.  22(1,  241. 
a'stiva,    I.    70,    200,    215 
2](i,  222,  234,  237,  24(i, 
277,  318,  324,  32.'>. 
albilora,  I.  220,  241  ;  111 

510. 
atrii'apilla,  I.  248. 
audulioiii,  1.  215,  219,  "■»! 
2(50,  272;   III.  ,509.     '  ' 
aureola,  I.  217. 
blaikbuniiic,  I.  220,   237  • 

III.  510. 
bryanti,  1.  2I8,  223;  III 

509. 
crt'rulea,  I.  219,  235  ;  III. 

510. 
Cicrulescens,    I.    218,    254. 

267. 
oanaden.sis,  I.  254. 
capitiilis,  1.  217. 
carbouata,  I.  214. 
castaiiea,  I.  215,  219,  248 
251,  271,313;  III.  510.' 
chrysoparei  I,   I.   221,  200, 

202,  266,  208. 
coronata,  1.  215,  219,  227 
230,  231,  254,  200,  272! 
decora,    I.   220,   244;  III. 

510. 
di.scolor,  I.  222,  276. 
doiniriica,  I.  215,  220,  240 

241  ;   111.  510. 
eoa,  I.  218. 
graciie,   I.   220,   241,   243, 

244,  260. 

gundlachi,  I.  216. 

kirtlarim,  I.  215,  221,  272.  ' 

maculosa,  I.  219,  232,  257.  | 

moutana,  I.  222,  271.  1 

iiigresceus,    I.    221,    258  ;  ' 

III.  511.      .  I 

niveiventris,  I.  266.  ! 

occidentalis,    I.    221,   261    j 

202,  266,  268  ;  III.  511.'  i 

olivacea,  I.  218,  258.  '< 

palmarum,     I.    215,    222,  ! 

269,  273.  ; 


Dendroica     pennsvlvanica,     I. 
21.5,  219,  24.5. 
petecliia,  I.  216,  217. 
pliarf'tni,  I.  220. 
pinus,    I.    222,    268,   271, 

274. 
pityojihila,  I.  221. 
rnliiapilla,  1.  217. 
ruliceps,  1.  217. 
niligula,  I.  217. 
.striata,  1.  215,  219,  248. 
superi'iliosa,  I.  ::i40. 
ligriiia,  I.  212. 
towiisciidi,     I.     221,     261 

202,  205  ;   111.  511. 
viiilloli,  1.  217. 
virens,   I.    221,    2;19,    261, 
202. 
I)ospi.ti.s  tyraurius,  II.  309. 
ni|ilo|iterus  vialiiu.s,  11.  472. 
Dolichdiiyx,  II.  148. 
agripeiiids,  II.  ]4it. 
biiiilor,  II.  ()]. 
orvzivoru.s,    II.    141);    ni 
519. 
Dryobates,  II.  500,  502. 
liarrisi,  II.  507. 
boinoru.s,  II.  512. 
leucoirielas,  11.  f,03. 
puliescrii.s,   11.  509, 
tuniti,  11.  512. 
villosus,  11.  503. 
nryoiiipus  ])ilcatus,  II.  550. 

priii(i|iali.s,  ||,  4!)t3. 
Drvopicu.s,  II.  548. 

pileatu.s,  11.  550. 
Dryotoiiius,  11.  548. 
pileatus,  II.  550. 
principalis,  II.  4U0. 
Dyctloiiiius,  II.  50],  514. 

scalaris,  II.  515. 
Dyctiopipo,  II.  514. 
scalari.s,  II.  515. 
Dysoriiilliia,  II.  297. 
^  canadensis,  II.  299. 

t  Kctojiistcs,  HI.  357,  367. 
I  carolinensis.  III.  383. 

I  niarginata.  III.  383. 

inargincdlus,  HI.  383. 
niigratoiia,  HI.  308. 
Elanoide.s,  111.  190. 
eaisius,  HI.  197. 
furcatu.s,  HI.  192. 
yetapa,  HI.  192. 
Klanus,  III.  104,  196. 
axillaiis,  HI.  197. 
cicsius.  III.  197. 
coruleus,  HI.  1!)7. 
dispar,  HI.  198. 
furcatus,  HI.  192. 
Icucunis,  HI.  197,  198. 
minor,  HI.  197. 
notatus,  HI.  197. 
scriptns,  HI.  197. 
Emberiza  americana,  II.  65. 
anujcna,  II.  84. 
arctica,  I.  538. 
atricapilla,  I.  573. 
bairdi,  I.  530,  531. 
belli,  I.  593. 


INDEX  OF  SCIENTIFIC   NAMES. 


F.mbcriza  biliiipatn,  I.  500. 

CTrulra,  II.  82. 

cniiiuli'ii.sia,  II.  3. 

chrvsops,  I.  538. 

ciiu'ica,  II.  30. 

(•iris,  11.  87. 

coioiiiitii,  I.  573. 

cvaiicii,  II.  82. 

cyaiu'lla,  II.  82. 

erytliidplillialina,  II.  ]09. 

glacialis,  I.  512. 

graniniaca,  I.  5(i2. 

lipiislowi,  I.  550. 

hyeiiialis,  I.  578,  .580. 

lapiKiiiica,  I.  510,  515. 

lateralis,  II.  100. 

lecontci,  I.  552. 

Iciuoplirys,  I.  565,  5()C. 

incxiiaiia,  II.  05. 

moiitaiia,  I.  512. 

iiiu.st"liiia,  I.  512. 

iiigio-rut'a,  I.  580. 

nivalis,  I.  510,  512. 

olivaci'a,  II.  03. 

oriiata,  1.  520. 

oryzivoia,  II.  148,  149. 

pallida,  II.  11,  13. 

pa-ssfiiiia,  I.  553. 

pci'oiis,  II.  154. 

liieta,  I.  518. 

piatt'iisis,  II.  50. 

jiiisilla,  II.  5. 

rostiata.  I.  542. 

luliiia,  II.  20,  53. 

sanihviclu'iisis,  I.  538. 

savanna,  1.  534. 

sliattiuki,  II.  11. 

townsenili,  II.  08. 

unalasclikiMisis,  II.  53. 
Embciiiagia,  I.  530;  II.  46. 

Man(lin<j;iana,  II.  131. 

chloruiii,  II.  131. 

iiilivii{,'ata,  II.  47. 
F,nii>i(lias  lusciis,  II.  344. 
Enii)i(loiiax,  II.  308,  302. 
alliiuulaiis,  II.  305. 
acadiius,  II.  305,  374. 
axillari.s,  II.  303,  305. 
balianicnsis,  II.  352. 
liaiidi,  II    303. 
liiai'liytai'.sns,  II.  351. 
brunnou.s,    II.    303  ;    III. 

621. 
difficilis,  II.  304,  378,  380. 
Ilav(sci'ns,  II.  30.^. 
Ilavipectus,  II.  304. 
Havivcntiis,  II.  303,  378. 
fulvilVons,  II.  385. 
{jiiseigularis,  II.  365. 
giisfipcctus,  II.  36,5. 
hanimondi,  II.  364,  383. 
liyjioxantlms,  II.  378. 
niaKnirostiis,  11.  365. 
minimus,    II.    364,    372 : 

III.  521. 
ob.scunis,     II.    364,    381  ; 

III.  521. 
jici'toralis,  II.  304. 
piisilhis,  II.  365,  366. 
nibiciinduB,  II.  385. 


Enijadnnnx  fiailli,  II.  365,  366, 
Jitiii. 
wiighli,  II.  381. 
Kphialitis,  III.  47. 
r.ldiialtrs  asio.  111.  40. 

clioliba,  III.  52. 
liieniopliila,  II.  135,  130. 
alpcsliis,  II.  140,  141. 
ihrysola-nia,  II.  140,  144. 
(•(Pinuta,  II.  143. 
ociidcntalis,  II.  140. 
licri'griiia,  II.  112,  144. 
K.igatiius,  I.  170,  312. 
I'liytiiraia  aictica,  I.  67. 

wil.soni,  I.  63. 
Eiytliro|)liiy.s  II.  475. 
anii'iic anus,  II.  477. 
ciytliioplillialnius,  II.  484. 
.scniculus,  II.  482. 
Kiytliiospiza,  I.  451);  III.  220, 
222. 
frontalis,  I.  400. 
)iurpui('a,  I.  402. 
tcplirdcotis,  I.  504. 
Kuhi.iax,  HI.  127. 
Kii.spina,  II.  65. 

aniciiiana,    II.     05;    III. 
518. 
Kusjiiza,  1 1.  59,  65. 
aniciicana,  II.  65. 
town.srndi,  II.  65,  69. 
Eustiinx.  II.  10. 
Euthlyiiis,  I.  312. 

canadensis,  I.  320. 
Eutohnaetus,  III.  312. 
F.ako,  III.  103,  106,  107,  127. 
a'niginosus,  III.  212. 
.Tsalon,  III.  142,  148. 
albicaudus.  III.  324. 
alb;>illa.  III.  320. 
allii^illa  boirali.s.  III.  324. 
alliigulaiLs,  III.  130. 
anicricanus.  III.  184. 
anatuni,  HI.  128,  132. 
aipiilinus,  HI.  282. 
aiundiiiaoi'us,  HI.  183. 
atii.apillus,  III.  237. 
auduboni,  HI.  144. 
aniantius,  III.  129. 
axillaiis.  III.  107. 
bomdli.  Hi.  312. 
lioivalis,  HI.  254,  2S2. 
biasilicnsis.  III.  170,  177. 
buinmi,  HI.  214. 
buteo,  HI.  254,  263. 
Imtco,  /3,  III.  111. 
but('oi<lt>s,  HI.  275.     ■ 
(W.sius,  HI.  143. 
canadensis,  HI.  314. 
candiian.s,   HI.    108,    111, 

112. 
eandioans  islandieus,    HI. 

113. 
Candidas,  HI.  327. 
carolinensis,  HI.  184. 
ca.ssini,  III.  132. 
cayennensi.s.  111.  184. 
ceneliiis,  HI.  159. 
clirv.sa;to.s,  HI.  312. 
oliiysaetiLs,  III.  313. 


Faleo  cineracens,  III.  2  2. 

einereu.s,  HI.  115. 

einnanioninus,  HI.  168. 

olaniosus,  HI.  197. 

eiriiileiis,  HI.  197. 

cidunibarius,  HI.  143,  144, 
225. 

eoinmunLs,   III.   127,    128, 
132. 

conunnnis,  f,  rj.  III.  132. 

eiHiperi,  HI.  230. 

cneullatiis,  HI.  ''30. 

cyanesi-ens.  III.  15.5. 

oyanens,  HI.  212.  214. 

deiroleucus,  HI.     V. 

disjiar.  III.  198. 

doniinieensis,  I'  ..  167. 

(iiiliius,  HI.  225. 

emcrillus,  HI.  ■43. 

feldegsii,  HI.  109. 

lenioralis,  HI.  154,  155. 

t'einigineus,  I II.  300. 

forticatus,  III.  190,  192. 

fidntali.s,  HI.  127. 

Inlvus,  III.  314. 

Iniratns,  HI.  190,  192. 

rnse(H:(erules<en.s,  HI.  155. 

tii.seus,  HI.  224. 

gabar,  HI.  220,  222. 

gia.'ili.s.  III.  106. 

gKeidandiens,  HI.  111. 

gvifalcd,     HI.     107,     108, 
'll3. 

gvil'aloo   norvegicus,    HI. 
"l08. 

Iialia>nis,  HI.  182,  183. 

Iianiatiis,  HI.  207,  209. 

hailani,  HI.  292. 

hanisi,  HI.  248,  250. 

hinnlariu.s.  III.  324. 

hienionhoidalis.  III.  130. 
liud.sonius,  HI.  214. 
Iivemalis,  III.  275. 
ie'thvaetus.  III.  320. 
inipeiator,  HI.  322. 
intuiniixtus,  HI.  142,  144. 
isabellinu.s,  HI.  171. 
islandieus,   HI.    108,    111, 

113,  114. 
jugger,  HI.  107,  109. 
'labiadoia,  HI.  108,  117. 
lagopu.s,     HI.     Ill,    297, 

299,  304. 
lanarius,  111.108,  109,  113. 
latissinins,  HI.  259. 
leneoeeplialus,  HI.  326. 
leueogaster,  HI.  327. 
leucoplirys,  HI.  161. 
leueo|iteius,  HI.  322. 
leveiianus,  HI.  282. 
lini'atu.s,  HI.  275. 
litholaleo,  HI.  142. 
lugger,  HI.  109. 
niaoei,  III.  320. 
maoropus,  HI.  129. 
melanaetus.  III.  314. 
nielanogenys,  HI.  129. 
luelanopteru.s,     III.    190  - 

198. 
melauotus.  III.  324. 


INDEX  OF  SCIENTIFIC  NAilES. 


XI 


Falco mexienniis,  III,  ijio,  123. 

niissi.s,sii)jiicnsis,   111.   -m-' 
203. 

n.Tviiis,  III.  132. 

iiiMcr,  111.  137,  304,  3U. 

iiifiiiii'ps.  III.  132. 

iiisiis.  111.  220,  222. 

nitidu.s,  111.  244,  245. 

nova'lii(lliiii(liii',    III.    220, 
230. 

olisiMinis,  III.  144. 

oliscili'tus.  III.  203. 

oriiMitalis,  III.  12S,  132. 

ossil'iiifiu.s,  III.  324,  327. 

lialunibiiiius,  III.  220,  23ti 
237. 

pe.'ilci.  III.  121),  i:i7. 

Iicla<,'i(ui.s,  III.  320,  322. 

peiiriatiis,  III.  ,",12. 
p>'iiiisylvaiiii'ii.<(.    III.    22,T 

2;")!). 
peioMiinus,   III.   127,  128, 

132. 
l>lancu.s.  III.  177. 
pliiiiilioa,  III.  202. 
|)liiiiilicu.s,  III.  2o:i. 
polyaffiiis.    III.    Ul!»,    110, 

V2:i,  137. 
phToi'lcs,  III.  2.") 4. 
IiySiii.,'Us,    III.    213,    324, 

327. 
rpgulus.  III.  142. 
richaiiLsDiii,  III.  148. 
rostrhaiims.  III.  208. 
nifir^ulaiis.  III.  12!),  130. 
nistieoliis,  III.  ill. 
sacci-.  III.  108,  110,  115. 
saiicti-johamii.s,  III.  ;j04. 
sihiricu.s,  HI.  14:). 
spailiiciis,  III.  214. 
.spailii'ous,  111.  304. 
.si>aiveiiiis.   III.   15!)     u;6, 

.suba'saloii,  III.  143. 

sulibiitco.  III.  142. 

sublaiiai'iu.s.  III.  ]09. 

sucklcyi,  III.  143,  147. 

temerariiis,  III.  144. 

tharus.  III.  177. 

tliiTmi>[iliiliis,  III.  loi). 

tliDiacicHs,  HI.  i:!0,  155. 

tillllHIKMllus,   III.  ir,!). 

timis.  III.  220,  222. 

uliffiiiosiis,  III.  214. 

uiiifiiictiis.  III.  24!t. 

velox-,  III.  225. 

vultunnus.  III.  312. 

wilsoiii,  III.  250. 
Fali'i)iii(la>,  III.  1,  103. 
FalcDiiliia',  III.  103,  ion. 
FicfJiila  oaiiadeiisis  Linevca,  I 
227. 
domiiiioa  ciiiere.a,  I.  240. 
jaiiiaiccusis,  I.  2S3. 
ludoviciana,  I.  208. 
Fringilla  icstiva,  II.  30. 
8e.stivalis,  II.  37,  39. 
albicollis,  |.  574. 
ambigua,  II.  154. 
anuTicjiiia,  II.  65. 


Fringilla  amcvna,  II.  84. 

ailioica,   II.  3. 

antica,  II.  110. 

atlata,  I.  585. 

atricapiUa,  I.  573. 

aiinjcapilia,  1.  ;-,73. 

bailiiiiaiii,  II.  30. 

l)iiiliir,  II.  1)0,  01,  03. 

MaiKlingiaiia,  II.  131. 

bori'.ilis,  I.  4;i8. 

bniiini'imiclia,  I.  504. 

iwriilca,  II.  77. 

ralcanila,   I.  51  'i. 

eaiiadciisis,  II.  1,  .•). 

caidiiialis,  II.  Kio. 

i-iitatol,  I.  478. 
cauilai'iila,  I.  553,  557. 
ililonira,  II.  131. 
fiiicica,  I.  578  ;  II.  27,  30. 
t'DTiiata,  I.  577. 
I'lissalis,  II.  122. 
lyaiica,  II.  82. 
cliiiiic?,tiia,   I.  525. 
<'rytliio|ilitliaIiim,   II.   104, 

100. 
I'asciata,  II 
l'i'nii«iiica 


285. 

2S8. 


10. 

II.  50. 
Ilavirollis,   II.  <\:,. 
i'liiiilali.s,   I.  40:,,  4(j(i. 
gaiiilicli,   I,  500. 
gi'orgiaiia,  II.  34. 
giaiiiim-a,  I.  544,  545. 
giaiiiiiiaca,  I.  5ii2. 
gii.si'iiiuclia,  1.  ;-,08. 
hiMislowi,  I.  r)50. 
luulsdiiia,  I.  5S0,  ;-,s,5. 
hyciiialis,     I.     r,:n      5S0 

II.  10. 
hypolonca,  II.  !)0. 
iliaoa,  II.  40,  50. 
JMiitdniin,  II.  5,  ,580. 
lappoiiica,  1.  515. 
Icili'Dpliiys,  I.  5(i(i. 
liiiaiii,  1'.  403,  501. 
liiii'oliii,  11.  31. 
littoialis,  I.  ^,-,7. 
liuloviciaiia,  II.  70. 
luacgilliviayi,  1.  5(J0. 
iiiaiiposa,  II.  87. 
maiitiiiia,  I.  500. 
iiii'laiiiH'cpliala,  II.  73. 
niclaiioxaiitlia,  1.  478. 
nicldilia,  II.  lii,  li). 
iiicniloiilcs,  II.  r>:i. 
nioiitiiola,  II.  3. 
iiivali.s,  I.  580. 
oivgoiia,  I.  584. 
palii.stris,  II.  34. 
passciina,  I.  .')48,  553. 
pocwis,  II.  1 ;-,:(,  i-,4. 
pcmi.sylvaiiii'a,  I.  .-,74. 
piiHis,  I.  480. 
psaltria,  I.  474. 
piiijmiea,  I.  450,  402 
piisilla,  II.  5. 
HiKMiila,  I.  577. 
riil'a,  II.  50. 
nifesfon.s,  I.  501. 
riitidor.sis,  I.  580. 
savanna,  I.  532,  534. 


Fringilla  savanarnni.  I.  553. 
■'iii''ialis,   II.  1,  7. 
spiniis,  I.  470. 

Irplll'iM'otis,   I.  ,104. 
t'vxi'hsi.s,  I.  478. 
tiistis.  I.  4711,  471. 
townscndi,  II.  ,•,:(. 
.xaiiloMiasi  lialis,  II.  73. 
vispcitina,  I.  448,  44!). 
zc'lia,  II.  !I3. 
Fiingiljidii',  I.  431,  44li  ;   II.  ]. 
<ial(M)sc()iitcs,  I.  3,  51. 
ranjiinciisi.s,  I.  ,",2. 
(lalli)piiV(i  .syl  vest  lis,  111.  404. 
<!aiTOlina',  II.  231,  2(;:i. 
<iai-rnlii.s  laMuli'si'cijs,  H 
laliloriiicus,  1 1.  2>2 
(•ariailcn>is,  ||.  20!). 
rristatiis,  II.  273. 
I'vanc'iis,  II.  2S5. 
(Iiiridanus,   II.  285. 
I'lisriis,   1 1.  20!). 
liixuosiis,   1 1.  2!I5. 
.sunliilus,  1 1.  284. 
stcllcri,  II.  277,  2S1. 
tracliyirliyncliiis,  ||.  200. 
iiltianiariini.s.  11.288,203. 
[  (iuiMiaia,  111.  I(i7. 
I  laiiarins,  |||.  liii). 

1  Occic'divyx,  II.    17(1. 
'  alliiiis,  II.  471. 

caliliiriiiamis,  II.  471.  47'>  ■ 
111.523. 
j  nicxiiaiiu.s,  II.  472. 

I  varii-gala,  II.  472. 

V(d()X,  II.  471. 
I  viatinis,  !I.  472. 

Oeopliilus  cvanoivpliulu.s.    III 
3!)5.  •  '  '         • 

Oi'opiciis,  II.  .';7;i. 

canipcstris,  II.  .'57;!. 
(•lirysoidcs,  II.  ,",S3. 
nibVii'atus,  II.  ;-,74. 
Oeolldypi'ii',  I.  17!i,  20.'). 
(ii'i)llilypiiia',  I.  178,  27!l. 
Gfotlilvpis,   I.    1711    205  •   III 
511. 
ivipiinoctialis,  I.  20{). 
caniiiiiiha,  I.  200. 
niacgillivravi,  I.  2!I7    303  • 

III.  512.' 
niidanops,  I.  200,  20S. 
pliiladrlpliia,   I.   2!>ti,   -'07 

301,  303. 
polioi'cpliala,  I.  296. 
rostratiis,  I.  2!M). 
.si'iiiillavus,  I.  206. 
spi'riiisa,  I.  2!lti. 
triclia.s,  I.  2!)6-2!i8  •   III 

512. 
vidatiis,  I.  296. 
[  Oeotrvgoii,  III.  .■!75. 
I  marlinioa.  III.  393. 

fJlabirostrcs,  II.  3<t9. 
Glaui'idium,  III.  6,  79. 
I  californionni.   III.  81,  83. 

I  frnngiiiciini    (jilote),    III. 

81,  8.5,  !t8-l01. 
I  gnoiiia.  III.  81. 

!  iiil'usiatuni,  III.  81. 


XIl 


INDEX   OF  SCIENTIFIC   NAMES. 


(ilauciiiimn  pnssorinuni.  III.  80, 

siju,  III.  7!). 
GI(iiini|iti'n-.x,  III.  212. 
(•'oiiii])li('ii,  II.  (i!). 
I'lrnilra,  II.  77. 
luclciviciiiiiii,  II.  7(1. 
mclnnoc'i'iilialii,  II,  73. 
Ornfiilii  liiirilii,  II.  21.j,  222. 
fi'i'nij;iii('ii,  II.  2li;i. 
imipiiiiii,  II.  21;"). 
(Hii.scalii,     II.     212,     215, 
222. 
firanntc'llus,  I.  17!'. 

vciiustil.s,  I.  30(i. 
Giyiiliiiiii',  III.  Xir>. 
(iiiiiaia,  II.  iV,),  7(>. 
abcillii,  I.  44i). 
iiiTiiloa,  II.  77  ;  III.  518. 
Iiidovii'iaiia,  II.  70. 
iiii'laiioociphala,  II.  71!. 
tiicnlor,  II.  7;i. 
GymiiDkitta,  II.  232,  25!t. 

cyaiioccjiliala,  II.  25i),  2rtO. 
GymiKiiliiiiu.s,  II.  25!). 

cvaiiociMilialii.s,  II.  2(i0. 
Gvpajrii.s,  III.  ;i37. 
Gyi)aiclui,s,  III.  ;j:i7. 
Gy|iog('raiii(iiL',  III.  2. 
lladKi.stonnis  alliiii.s,  II.  30(), 

af^laiiv,  II.  3i)(i. 
Hienioirhiius,  I.  45!). 
purpuii'a,  I.  4(!2. 
Haliaetus,  III.  105,  ;!20. 

albicilla,  III.  ,'520,  .323,  324. 
icthyai'tii.s,  III.  320. 
leupoL'ppliulus,     111.    323, 

32(i. 
leucogaster.  III.  320. 
nisus,  III.  324. 
lii-lagiciis,  II.  323. 
voeiler,  III.  320. 
washingtoni,  III.  327. 
Harpos  rcdivivu.s,  I.  35,  45. 
Harporliynchus,  I.  3,  35. 
oiiiereus,  I.  35,  36,  40. 
crissali.s,  I.  35,  37,  40,  47  ; 

III.  505. 
curvirostiis,  I.  35,  30,  41  ; 

III.  505. 
leeontei,  I.  44,  47. 
loiigiro.stiis,     I.     39,     41, 

144. 
ocellatus,  I.  35,   36  ;  III. 

504. 
palmeri,  I.  43  ;  III.  505. 
redivivii.s,  I.  35,  37,  40,  45, 

48;  III.  50.5. 
ruf'iia,   I.  33-37,  40,    46, 
.58  ;  III.  505. 
Hedymeles,  II.  59,  69. 
capitalis,  II.  70. 
ludovioiamis,  II.  70. 
mi'lanoceplialus,  II.  70,  73. 
Heleothreptus,  II.  399. 
Heliaptex  arcticiis.  III.  64. 
Helinaia,  I.  178,  186. 
bac'hmani,  I.  194. 
carbonata,  I.  211,  214. 
celata,  I.  202. 
ehrysoptera,  I.  192. 


Ilcliiiaia  pi'ivgrina,  I.  20,5. 
pioloiiiitaiia,  I.  184. 
iMliiicapilla,  I.  lUti. 
.solilaria,   I.  195. 
.swaiiisoiii,  I.  190. 
vcniiivipia,  I.  Ih7. 
IlcIioiPa'dica,  II.  438,  440,  460. 
ca.statu'ix'auda,  II.  467. 
inclaiicitis,  II.  41)1). 
xantu.si,  II.  466,  467. 
Ilflinintliopliaga,  I.  178,  191. 
bac'liinaniii,   I.  I'.ll,  194. 
rclata,    1.    192,    200,    202, 

204,  205,  317. 
I'lirvsoiitcia,  I.  191,  192. 
cifiva,  I.  184. 
gut  1 11  ml  is,  I.  191. 
liicia',    I.    192,    200  ;    III. 

509. 
lutf.siciis,  1.192,204  ;  III. 

5(19. 
olwcuia,  I.  192. 
oculaiis,  I.  191. 
pcrcgiiiia,  1.  191,  192,  205. 
piiius,  I,  liH,  105. 
niliiiiaiiilla,    I.    191,   196, 
199,  201,  203,   206,  310. 
solitaiia,  I.  195. 
Virginia',  1.  192,  199;  111. 
509. 
Hclriiitlicnis,  I.  178,  186. 
bai'hiiiani,  I.  194. 
chiy.soptciii.s,  I.  192. 
iiiigratoiius,  I.  187. 
peicgrinus,  1.  205. 
protunotarius,  I.  184. 
rubrifapilla,  I.  196. 
solitarius,  I.  195. 
swainsoiii,  1.  186,  187,190; 

III.  509. 
vt'iniivoni.s,  I.    186,    187 ; 
III.  509. 
IIpmiaetiLs,  111.  297. 
Ilcmipioem',  II.  427. 
pfla.sgia,  II.  432. 
Hcnicociehla,  I.  279. 
uurocajnlla,  I.  280. 
liuloviiiaiia,  I.  287. 
major,  I.  287. 
niotai'illa,  I.  287. 
noveboiacensis,  I.  283. 
Hcrpi'totlieies    sociabilis,    III. 

208. 
Hesperiphoiia,  I.  447,  448. 
abeillii,  I.  449. 
inontana,  I.  449  ;  III.  513. 
vespertina,  I.  449. 
Hcspeiocidila,  1.  3,  4,  28. 
Ilii'iacospiza,  III.  220,  222. 
Hieraetus,  III.  312. 
Hieiaspiza,  III.  220,  222. 
llieroaetus.  III.  312. 
Hierofalco,  III.  107. 
eandioans.  III.  111. 
gyrfalco.  III.  108. 
gia'landicu.s.  III.  111. 
islandicus.  III.  113. 
Hirundiniilai,  I.  326,  431. 
Hirundo,  I.  327,  338. 
aniericana,  I.  339. 


Hinindo  dominioensis,  II.  420. 
bicolor,  I.  185,  331,  344. 
cfpiulfa canadciiais,  I.  329. 
oayaiipii.sis,  II.  423. 
dncrca,  I.  353. 
cyaiKMivindi.i,  I.  327. 
fulva,  I.  334. 
li(iiT(M)iiiin,  I.  3;i9. 
l(Miciigasti-r,  I.  344. 
liiddviilaiia,  I.  329. 
luiiitVon.s,  I.  6ti,  334. 
tiiclaiKigastcr,  I.  334. 
nigra,  II.  428,  429. 
opilvx,  I.  334. 
pclagica,  II.  432. 
pcla.sgia,  II.  432. 
imiiMiica,  I.  327,  329,  332. 
rcspulilicaiia,  I.  334. 
riparia,  I.  353. 
riparia  anicrieana,  I.  353. 
iiila,  I.  339. 
riistica,  I.  339. 
scnipciinis,  I.  350. 
siiliis,  I.  329. 
tlialas.siiia,  I.  344,  347. 
vcisitidor,  I.  329. 
violac'ca,  I.  329. 
viridis,  I.  344. 
Il()l(i(piiscalu.s,  II.  213. 
llyliiis,  III.  10. 
HyilrolKita,  I.  55. 

nip.vicaiia,  I.  56. 
Ilydinpsali.s,  II.  399. 
Ilvli'iiiatliious  oedon,  I.  149. 
Hvlocichla,  I.  4,  22,  28. 
Hylotoiiius,  II.  494,  548. 

pileatus,  II.  550. 
Hyiiacaiitlius,  I.  470. 
Hy]iliantcs  alicillei,  II.  184. 
baltiniore,  II.  195. 
Imllooki,  II.  199. 
solitaiia,  II.  190. 
Hypomoipliiius  unicinctus,  III. 

249. 
Hypotiioichi.s  III.  142. 
ffisaloii.  III.  142. 
amantiiis,  III.  129. 
coIunibariiKS  III.  144. 
fcnioralis,  III.  155. 
Ictpiia,  I.  179,  306. 
auiicoUis,  I.  309. 
diitiKToIa,  I.  307. 
longicauda,    I.    307,    309, 

310. 
vplascpie/.i,  I.  307. 
vircns,  I.  307. 
viiidis,  I.  307. 
Ictpiianiu,  I.  178,  179,  306. 
loteridu!,  I.  431  ;  II.  147. 
IcU'iieiB,  I.  179,  306. 
letciiiire,  II.  147,  179. 
Icterus,  II.  179. 

abfillci,  II.  184. 
agripennis,  II.  149. 
auduboni,  II.  182,  ISP. 
aurioapillus,  II.  183. 
baltimore,    II.    183,    195; 

III.  520. 
biiUooki,  II.  183, 199;  III. 
520. 


IXDEX   OF   SCIENTIFIC   NAMES. 


XIll 


Icterus  cuculliitus,  II.  183,  193 
III.  r.ni. 
(loiiiiiiiccnsis,  II.  182. 
cmlu'rizoiilcs,  II.  l.'ii. 
frciiatus,  II.  l()7. 
«ni(limriiii(lii,  II.  18(i, 
gubcniiitor,  II.  Ida. 
liypoiiicliis,  II.  l,S-2. 
ii'tcroccpliiilii.s,  II.  ](J7. 
nii'liinoci'plialus,  II.   IS'i. 
iiii'laiiochiysiini,  II.  188. 
[iinisoniin,  II.  183,  188. 
|)('coris,  II.  ir,4. 
lietri>ii'i||:iliis,  II.  107. 
plKi'iiiiciis,  II.  ir,!). 
poitDiici'iisi.s,  II.  182. 
piustlicinclus,  II.  182. 
scotti,  !I.  188. 
spurius,  II.  183,  1<J0. 
tiicoloi-,  II.  1  (;■-,. 
vulijans,  II.  181,  181. 
Hajricii,  11.  ]S2,  188. 
xaiitliDccplialu.s,  I|.  ]ti7. 
Ictliifia.x,  III.  127. 
lcthy:etiis,  III.  320. 
Ictiiiia,  III.  104,  202. 

niis.sissippiciisis,  III.  203. 
pliiiiilii'a.  III.  203. 
Iiliutcs,  I.  312. 
Ispida,  II.  31!]. 

ludoviiiaiia,  II.  3i)2. 
Jcrnl'alco,  II  I.  ]o7. 
Jeiasi)iza,  III.  22o,  222. 
Jeiax,  III.  220,  222. 
Juiii'o,  I.  530,  57s  ;   III. 
nikeiii,    I.   57it,    ,''i81 

510. 

niticolu,  I.  580,  584. 
faiiifcps,  I.  570,  587. 
ciiicivus,  1.  580,  584. 
li.vcmalis,  I.  137,  274,  282, 

57S),  580. 
oregomis,  I.  570,  584  ;  III 

516. 
Iilia-iKitu.'i,  I.  580. 
Kiciieiia  aboni,  II.  128. 
fiisca,  II.  121,  122. 
iiitipiica,  II.  131. 
I.Hgopu,s,    II.    6i»0;   III.     414, 
456. 
allms.  III.  4,")(!,  457. 
anicricamis.  III.  4(>2. 
biachyilactyliis.  III.  457. 
iV'iTiiKiiicii.s",  III.  300. 
grceiilaiulicn.s,  HI.  402. 
i.slaiiiloniiii.  III.  402. 
leucurus.  III.  456,  464. 
iimtiis,  III.  456,  462. 
ri'iiihardti.  III.  462. 
rupi'stris,  III.  456,  462 
.sul)alpiim.s.  III.  457. 
Lamporiiis,  II.  438,  440. 
auiuleiitus,  II.  440. 
mango,  II.  440. 
poipliyiunis,  II.  440. 
viigiiialis,  II.  440. 
Laiiiidie,  I.  356,  412,  431.  j 

Lauius  agilis,  I.  359. 
ardosiaceus,  1.  418, 
boreaiis,  I.  416. 


516. 
;    III. 


Lauiu.s  caroliiii'iisis,  I,  418, 
cri.-Jtatiis,  I.  412. 
clfgaiis,  I.  420. 
cxi  uliitiii-,  I.  412,  41.5. 
I'Xculiitdioidt's,  I.  421. 
gaiTuIiia,  I.  305,  306. 
lahfora,  I.  420. 
ludiiviciamis,  1.  418,  421. 
olivaccii.s,  1.  363. 
si'ptcMtiioiialis,  I.  415. 
tyraiimis,  II.  316,  310. 
Laiiiviico,  I.  358,  ;(72. 
cassiiii,  I.  373,  376. 
Ilavil'iniis,  I.  358,  373,  370. 
j  plilinlica,  I.  358  ;    III.  512. 

I  pliimlit'iis,  I.  373,  377. 

pr(i|iiii(piiis,  I.  373. 
I  .solilaria,  I.  358. 

solitariiis,  1.373  ;   III.  512. 
Laidiyctcs,  II.  315. 
vcrliialis,  II.  324. 
viicili'iaiis,  II.  327. 
l-i'pt()sti)iiia,   II.  470. 

Idiigicaiida,  II.  472. 
I.i'pliinis  gali'atiis,  I.  405. 
l,ouciiii('r|ics    alliolarvatii.s,     II. 

526. 
I.ciudspiza,  III.  220,  236. 
Li'Uio.stii'tc,  I.  448,  502. 
liniiiiii'imiflia,  1.  504. 
iMiiiiicstris,  I.  504,  507. 
grisi'ijfcnys,  I.  5o8. 
gii-icimic'ha,   I.    504,    5o7, 

508. 
littciralis,  I.  504,  507. 
tcplirociitis,    I.    504;    III. 
51.3. 
I.i.ijdiiiioslii's,  II.  402. 
Linaria  aiiiciiraiia,  I.  403. 
Ixmniis,  I.  498. 
oaiic'scciis,  I.  408. 
Ilaviniiliis,  I.  501. 
liulliillli,  I.  49.3. 
liDiMi'iiiaiini,  I.  408. 
lini(diii,  II.  31. 
iiiiiKir,  I.  403. 
savanna,  I.  534. 
Ii'pluoiotis,  I.  504. 
I.inota  ■•.iiicsc'cns,  I.  408. 

inoiitiiiiii,   I.  501. 
I.itliDl'aIco     coluiiiliaiiu.s.     III 

144. 
I.opliophancs,  I.  86. 

atriiristatiis,  I.  87,  90. 
liii'olor,  I.  87,  92. 
iri.status,  I.  93. 
galcatus,  I.  93. 
inoinatius,    I.    87,   88,   91  ■ 

III.  507. 
nii.s.-iouiiciisi.s,  I.  87. 
«oIlwelH  ri,  1.  87,  93. 
LopliDityx,  III.  466,  478. 
I'alifoniica,  III.  479. 
gainbcli,  III.  479,  482. 
plniiiiffia.  III.  475. 
Lo.xia,  I.  483. 

an)eiicaiia,  I.  48,3.   ,84. 
bifasciata,  I.  483;   III.  513. 
cierulea,  II.  76,  77. 
CBiiom,  II.  92,  93. 


Lo.xia  caicliiialis,  ||.  90,  100. 
fiirvirostia,  I.  483. 
fiMiilcator,  I.  453. 
t'rvlhiin.i,   I.  459. 
liiMM,  I.  484. 
liiiiialayana,  I.  484. 
li'Ucoptciii,  I.  483,  488. 
liiddviciaiia,  II.  (i9,  70. 
tncxiiaiia,  I.  483,  488. 
"liMiiia,  II.  7(*. 
IMi.silla,  I.  484. 
pilyiipsittacu.s,  I.  484. 
nisi'a,  II.  70. 
violacoa,  I.  462. 
viij,'inka,  I.  441. 
i  Luiocalis,  II.  399. 
I  Maiiociiriis       paclivilivnolius, 
!  11.586.  '      ■ 

.Mi'gaicrylr  alcyim,  II.  392. 
Mi'gapiiMis,  1 1."  404. 
Mi'^'.uHiisraliis,  II.  214. 
.\Ii'j,'as((ips,  I II.    17. 
Mclajiipiius,  II.  559. 
SIclaiici|i(s.  II.  553,  550. 
alholiiivatii.'i,  II.  526. 
anniisiihoiis,  II.  5(;i,  ,573. 
crytlinicrplialu.s,    II.    500, 

564. 
Ilavijjiila,  II.  561. 
t'oiniicivdius.   II.  560,  566. 
niliiT,  II.  514. 
iiilirigulai'is,  II.  545. 
stlialipccMils,   II.  561. 
tliyioidfiis,   II.  547. 
fiMi|iialii.s,  1 1.  5ii0,  5(il. 
williamsoiii,  II.  54j. 
.Mclcaxridii',  III.  402. 
.Mcdeagiis,  III.  40.3. 

aiiiiTiiana,  III.  404. 
I'l'ia,  HI.  4114. 
f,Mlliipavii,  III.  403,  404. 
iiiixiciina.  III.  410. 
iiii'xii;in\i,s  III.  403. 
"icllalus.  III.  404. 
syhcstiis.  III.  404. 
.Mclittanlni.s  dominicensis,    II. 

31  !l. 
Alollisiiga  ludoisa,  II.  465. 
Molopplia,  III.  3/5,  376. 
Ii'llooptcia,  III.  376. 
Mclospiza,  1.  5:!0  ;   II.  ](i. 
I'incira,  II.  20. 
I'allax,  II.  18,  22. 
goiildi,  II.  26. 
guttata,  II.   19,  27,  29. 
ht'erniaiiiii,  II.  18,  24. 
insignis,  II.  10,  30. 
lincolni,    II.    19,   31  ;   III. 

516. 
iiu'lodia,    I.    146,   158;  II. 

18,  19. 
iiicxicaiia,  II.  18. 
palustiis,  II.   19,  34;  III. 

517. 
pectomli.s.  II.  18. 
nilimi,  I.  158;  II.  19,  27, 

29. 
saniuelis,  II.  18,  26. 
unalashkensis,  I.  168. 
MelospizeK,  I.  530. 


XIV 


INDEX  OF  SCIENTIFIC  NAMES. 


Mci'iila,  I.  4. 
Alitliii(p|il('ius,  1.  35. 
.Miiialhiiif,  III.  II,  ,s(i. 

wliitiicyi.  I II.  .s7. 
Miciii^'iaux,  III.  7i'. 
iMiciDiiisu.s,  III.  -J-Jd,  -'ii. 
AIi<i<i|>lyii.\,  111.  7!'. 

pilssc'iiiiii,   III.  HO. 
Miliui.s,  III.  I'.Mi. 
Milviilns,  II.  ;i(i7,  MILS. 

iMlliciltllS,    II.  [W.I,  311. 

.■^aviimi.s,  II.  ;i()!l. 

tviaiinus,  II.  :)(!!•. 

v'ioli'iitii.s,  II.  lidll. 
Milvus  cnicliiis,  111.  'Jii;!. 

dispar,  III.  Iii8. 

luivatus,  111.  1112. 

Icuciuiis,  III.  lll«. 

inis.sis.sl|)|)i('ii.sis,  111.  203. 
Miniimas  1.  2,  :!!,  34. 
Miimi.s,  I.  3,  4S. 

iiiioliiii'Msis,  I.  ^)\>. 

curviriistiis,  I.  41. 

li)ii;,'lr().stris,  I.  ;!!(. 

iiiiiiitaiiiis,  I.  ',\2. 

or|ili('iis,  I.  4!i. 

]MilVf,'lultiis,    I.  3,'!,  40,  4!t, 
:>-l:   III.  r)(i(i. 
MitrciiliDiiis,  II.  3(KS,  38,'). 

fnlvirmus,  II.  3,sri. 

liallc'sriMis.  II.  38'),  38tp. 

lilijudci'ious,  II.  38r). 
Mnicitilla,  1.  178,  18(1. 

lioicalis,  I.  18(1. 

l()iii;iii).stii.s  i.  180. 

iKivrliDiacclisis,  I.  '283. 

nibriiiviiilla,  1.  l!t(i. 

.striata,  I.  248. 

vaiia,    I.    180,    181,    2Ui, 
•213,    241". 

viiciis,  I.  2(il. 
MliioUltfa',  1.  178,  170. 
Mniotiltiila-,  I.  2!18,  431. 
Molotlini.s,    1.    182,    310;    11. 
148,    ir.3. 

olwiMinis,  II.  ir)4. 

jiccoiis,  II.  154. 
Mdiii'dula  puipmca,  II.  215. 
MoiitilViiij;illa  Iniiimcinuilia,  I. 
504. 

ftiisciimclia,  1.  508. 
Mor|)liiiii.s  uiiic'iiii'tiis,  III.  240. 
Mdtaoilla,  I.  I(i4,  Ki.'i. 

fei|iiiiin(tialis,  I.  290. 

Hjstiva,  I.  222. 

alba,  I.  11)5. 

anuiicaiia,  I.  208. 

aiiiDiaiiilla,  I.  270,  280. 

ainicdllis,  I.  184. 

liaiianivora,  1.  427. 

blaiklainiia',  1.  237. 

ca'iuloa,  I.  77,  78. 

oa'iiili'.-si'ciis,  I.  254. 

i.'aU'iulula,  I.  72,  75. 

calidiis,  1.  350. 

caiia,  1.  78. 

canadensis,  I.  227,  254. 

clirysdi'cpliala,  I.  237. 

clirysoptera,  I.  102. 

ciiiota,  I.  227. 


Mdtarilla  citTcH,  T.  183,  184. 

I'dionata,  I.  227. 

doininiia,  I.  24U. 

cinii's,  1.  208. 

Ilava,  I.  107. 

Ilavicauda,  I.  322. 

llavicollis,  I.  240. 

tlavilions,  I.  102. 

rusccsccn.s,  I.  283. 

Iiiidsonii'a,  I.  171. 

incana,  I.  237. 

jiini'di'iini,  II.  5. 

Iiidjviiiana,  I.  208. 

inaciild.sa,  I.  232. 

initiata,  I.  313,  314. 

ndvi'luiiaccnsi.s  I.  283. 

cinanllic,  1.  (id. 

|ialiiianini,  I.  273. 

liiMinsylvanii'i,  1.  245. 

])i'n.sili,s,  1.  240. 

pilwlala,  I    310. 

])inj,'iiis,  1.  227. 

]iii!tdiidtaiia,  1.  184.     • 

ii'j,'iiliis,  1.  72. 

iul)i^'iiid.sa,  I.  222. 

nitiiilla,  I.  322. 

.sialis,  I.  (i2. 

.striata,  I.  248. 

sn|u'r(iliiisa,  1.  240. 

ligrina,  I.  211,  212. 

nniliria,  I.  227. 

varia,  I.  180. 

vcrniivdra.  I.  186,  187: 

viri'iLs,  I.  2()1. 

varrcUi,  I.  105. 
Mota'cillidas       I.      1(>3,      104, 

431. 
.\li)ta.illina',  1.  104,  105. 
Mii.scicaiia,  1.  4. 

acadica,  II.  374. 

aninidsa,  II.  310. 

atra,  II.  343. 

l)(dli,  I.  313. 

I)i)naiiartci,  I.  320. 

lirasicri,  I.  312. 

canadensis,  1.  320. 

cantatrix,  I.  385. 

cardlincnsi.s,  I.  51,  52  ;   II. 
344. 

cdopcri,  II.  353. 

crinita,  II.  334. 

cucullala,  I.  314. 

(Icrliand,  1.  322. 

(loniiinccnhi.s,  II.  310. 

Imlicata,  II.  311. 

I'lilvilVdns,  II.  385. 

fiisca,  II.  343. 

f,'ilva,  I.  3t)8. 

fjnttata,  I.  18,  20. 

inornata,  II.  353. 

ludoviciana,  II.  334. 

mclddia.  1.  308. 

iniiiuta,  I.  310. 

nii(ricans,  II.  340. 

ndvcboraoensis,  1. 357, 382, 
385. 

nunciola,  II.  343. 

olivacca,  I.  358,  303. 

phcebe,  II.  343,  300. 

pusilla,  I.  317  I  II.  366. 


lliiscicapn    querula,    II.    357, 
374. 

rapax,  II.  357. 

rex,  1 1    310. 

riiliai<i.s.'.'i,  II.  360. 

nilira,  I.  4l?. 

niti.iila,  I.  322. 

savana,  II.  300. 

sava,  1 1.  347 

sdliyi,  I.  31 

KCiniatra,  II.  .^.J. 

sdlitaria,  I.  373. 

.striata,  I.  248. 

svlvicola,  I.  370. 

tiailli,  II.  300. 

Ivrannus,  II.  300,  316. 

v'crticalis,  II.  324. 

vircns,  II.  350,  357. 

virginiana  cristata,  II.  334. 

viridis,  I.  3d0,  307. 

Avilsdni,  I.  317. 
iMnsci(a)iida',  I.  320. 
Mviadestca",  1.  408. 
Mviadcsles,  1.  3,  4o8. 

fj.  iiiliarliis,  I.  408. 

(ili.sciiriis,  i.  400. 

tdwn.scndi,  1.  22,  400. 

nnit'dldr,  I.  400. 
Myianlids,  U.  3o7,  320;  III. 
521. 

antillarnni,  II.  332. 

cinera.sccns,  II.  332,  337. 

codperi,  II.  331. 

crinitus,  II.  331.  334. 

ervtiirdiercns,  11.  331. 

iriitabili.s,  II.  331. 

lawrcMcci,  II.  333. 

nie.xicanns,  II.  331,  337. 

ni<;i'i<'ans,  II.  340. 

iiifintapillus,  II.  333. 

nif,'riccps,  II.  333. 

]ierl^'iax,  II.  337. 

]ilia'deeplial(is,  II.  330. 

]ildcbo,  II.  332. 

stdlidus,  II.  331,  332. 

tristis,  II.  332,  333. 

tvraiinuliis,  II.  330. 

v'alidn.s,  II.  331. 

yiicatanensis,  II.  331. 
Mvidbins  borealis,  1 1.  353. 

crinitns,  II.  334. 

nuniiola,  II.  343. 

pallidn.s,  II.  351. 

.savus,  II.  347. 

stdlidu.s,  II.  332. 

vircns,  II.  357.  - 

Myiobonis,  1.  170,  312. 
Jlyidctonus,  1.  313. 

niitratiis,  1.  314. 

jiusilliis,  I.  317. 
Mviddioctca',  1.  170. 
Mviddidctcs,      J.      179,     312, 
313. 

cana.Icnsis,  I.  813,  320. 

forindsus,  I.  203. 

niiiiutus,  I.  313,  316. 

niitratus,  I.  313,  314. 

pardalina,  I.  320. 

pileolata,  I.  313,  319  ;  III. 
512. 


IXDKX   OF  SCIENTIFIC  NAMES. 


XV 


MyioJimM.'s    imsillns,    1.    ;!];(,     (JivopclWa  inaitiiiica,  III.  , •ill:} 


■n  I.  :n7,  :iln. 
wilMHii,  I,  III 7. 
-Mviiiiiax  c  liiiiliis,  II.  ,3;j.j. 
Myinililypis,  I.  ;)l-J. 
NauiliTiis,  III.  i(i|,  i!)(). 

I'nrlh'aliis,    III.   I  HI,  I!!;;, 
riiniiliis,  III.  11*1,  1!IL>. 
Xi'ocdiys,  I.  KM,  i;((,  171. 

"ina^jufi,  I.  17,-,. 
Xi'DjiliiDii  iiila,  III.  ;iril. 
Xc'|iliMM',tcs.  II.  i:;7,  .(2S. 

iiif,''!',  II.   12\>;  III.  r,-2:). 
Xcrliis,  III.  •_>ii-_'. 

lnl^si.s■,i|l|,i,•r|.sis,  |||.  o„;j 
|ilmiiliiMi.s,  1 II.  •_>(!:!. 
XipliaM  Jiyi'iMaiis,  I.  TiSd. 

iiiv-Miia,  I.  .-,,S|. 
Xi^asliii',  III.  2-.'ii,  •2->-2. 
Xlsiis  ((iiiiicii.  III.  •_':;(,  230. 
lusrii^.  111.  -j-j).  2-2',. 
liyciiiali.i,  III.  -^7-,. 
iiii'xicainis,  III.  -J-Jl,  2'M. 
Iiaiiliciis,  III.  22'). 
jic'iiiisylvaniius,  III.  2:Jci. 
iiiiiciiiiliis,  III.  '^tii. 
Xoctiia  auiila  iiiliior,  HI.  .Jii. 
l>nMliii,  III.  7!). 
ti'iTii),'iiica,  111.  Hr>. 
liassiTuia,   1 1 1.  8(t. 

Xi'tii ys,  I.  ](it,  17((. 

Xucil'iaj,'a  n)liii]iliiaiia,  II.   2"i.'). 
Xiicirniiri.il.,  II.  -j-'iii. 
Xiidiiiarcs,  ||.    Hio 
Xyitalc,  III.  (i,  :i<>. 
aliicluiii.  III.  ;]'.). 
ucadica.  III.   Ki,  4:j. 
allpirioii.s.  III.   |:i. 
fuiicica,  III.  :iil. 
liariisi,  III.   Id. 
kiitlandi.  III.  ;iil,  4;j. 
liinctoiniii,  III.  y;i. 
l)laiilici).s.  III.  ;S!>. 
ri(tlianlsoiii     (jihiti),     HI 

;ii)-  n,  i)7-iiii. 

tengiiialiiii.  III.  ;!!». 
Xyotaloiis  sty;,'ills,  HI.  17. 
Nycti'a,  IH.ti,  till,  61. 
aictica,  HI.  til,  70. 
caii(li<Ia,  III.  70. 
iiivia  {],l,tt,),  HI.   til,   70, 

98-102. 
scaiiiliai'a,  HI.  01. 
Xyctiliius,  II.  ;{!i,s. 
Xyi'lididiiius,  H.  ;il)l»,  -KM), 
allliiis  II.  ;j;»!l. 
alliiiiillis,  II.  ;{<ii». 
niii('rl(ii?ms,  H.  ;!!!!). 
•  Iciliyamis,  II.  ;ii»!(. 
Kiallaiius,  H.  ;)!)!). 
Kulaiii'ii.sis,  II.  :!i)!». 
O.Iilha'ca  sayi,  II.   ;U7. 
Oiloiitiiplioiiis    iiialwiKiis,     III 

-llfi. 
Onyohotas  gnihcii,   HI.   ";V> 

254. 
0]ioi()iiiis,  I.  178,  27i»,  2!iO. 
iifrilis,  I.  2'.I0,  2!ll,  Mill. 
CoiiiioMis,  I.  2!l(l,  2!»3. 
Oivoiii'lcia,  111.  3!»2. 


VOL.   III. 


I  liiiiiitana.  III.  ,'l:i:t. 

Orc(,|iliasiiia.,    111.  :!!I7. 
OviM.|,liasis  (liihiaiiiis,  HI.  ;!!»7 
'•ivoilyx.  III.    Iilti,    17,-,. 

piilils.  III.    17:.. 
Olt'(,.S(o|il(s,   I.   2,  .11. 

iiiiiiilaiiii>,    I.  .•12,   y:),    .(11 

II. 

t)riuliis  JjalliiiKirr,  ||.  lii,-,. 
ca.slanciis,  1 1.  Umi. 
canilaciiiiis,  I.  ;"..-,ii,  ,-,,-,7. 
I'osliit.ilj.   II.  IM. 
iloiiiinircii.sis,   II.  182. 
i  I'lTiiii,'! Ileus,  II.  2(r.',  2li;i. 

I'lisiiis,  IL  i -,i. 
ii'li'iiis,  II.  !8I. 
lui|i)viii,iiiiis,  II.  215. 
I  iiiiitaliis,  II.   1<.Mi. 

I  'lifter,  1 1.  2ii-'!,   21.-,. 

I  |iliH.nic,.M.s,  II.  ir,S,  l,ji). 

j  s|iiMiii.s,  II.  |!Mi. 

vailiis,  II.  liiii. 
Oritiuiis  wianj^cli,  II.  122. 
l>iiiisiiiya  aiiiia,  11.    IJ4. 
i  aisciiiii,  II.  .|i!(l. 

j  <'i>sla^,  II.    ir,:!,  4".7. 

Ifloisa,  II.    1(41,  Ki;-,. 
I  liioiitaiia,  II.    |(i2. 

trii'oli.v,  II.   1112.  j 

viiiilissiriia,  II.   1(18. 
Oi-plii'iis  caicjliiicnsis,  |.  52.         | 
ciirviriistiis,  I.   tl. 
ii'iic(i|itrriis,  I.  4!). 
Ii)iij;ii'(istiis,  I.  ;!!!. 
iiii'iiildidi's,   I.  20. 
iiiDiitaiuis,  I.  :n,  ;)•> 
Oi-taiida,  III.  :i|i7,  :iii8.  '• 
niaiiaili,  HI.  .•i!i8. 
liHlidripliala,  III.  ;i!»S. 
•^i-tyj,'liiu!.  III.  4(iO. 
Oi'tyx,  III.  liili,  407. 

calirdiiiica.  III.  470. 
I'asta Ileus,  HI.  408. 
(Miliaiieiisis,  HI.  408. 
floiidaiiiis,  HI.  4(l!l. 
iiiassi'ua.  III.  401,  4il2. 
Iiidliteziiiiiii',   HI.  4!l2. 
l>ii^ta,  HI.  47.5. 
pluniifera,  HI.  4715. 
.sciuaniata,  HI.  487. 
texaiius.  III.  4(i,s,  474. 
virKiiiiaiius,  HI.  407,  408. 
O.seines,  I.  ],  Ki;!^  jj-jo, 
(Jtoeiiiis,  II.  l:{!». 
riila,  II.  144. 
Otoeoiys  al|ii'stris.  II.  14;!. 
eliiy.sdla'iiia,   II.  141. 
<i>iiiuta,  II.  14:!. 
dieldiMilalis,   II.  1  1:!. 
peiv^'iiiia,  II.  ]4^2,  141. 
Otu.s,  HI.  5,  17. 

alhiiollis,   HI.  17. 
aiiiel'ieaiius,    HI.   IS. 
ailicii-eus,   111.   17. 
asi",  III.  17,  :,2. 
aiiiita.  III.  17. 
liiailivdtu.s,    III.     IS     2-' 

24." 
Loiiiiiiiuiis,  III.  17,  18. 


73 


Olus  enissirnstrls,  HI.  tJi. 
euri.|MUs,  HI.  17. 
Kaliijia},'Mii>is,   HI.  2;t. 
Klaeilis,  III.    17. 
ilalicus,  HI.  17. 
iiiaciiiiliyiiehiis,  HI.  01. 

Illexiral  Us,    1 1 1,  ll. 
j  llievius,    HI.     10. 

IMJusliis,   III.  2^2. 
Mf,'Uii|ia,  111.  IS. 
!  ■•'ly.niiis.  III.  17,  18. 

i  syKvsUis,  III.   17. 

j  vir;,'iiManu-.,  III.  ii2. 

I  viilf,'aiK,  III.   17. 

wil.Miiiiaiius    {/''ll/'),     HI. 
!  17,  IS,  IIS     |d|. 

l'acliyniiji|i|ius  a,;,daia',   I|.  ;ldi;. 

liiajoi-,   II.  :iini. 
I'aiidi.iii,  HI.  im,  182. 
alllreps.  III.   ls:i. 
aiiii'iicaiiiis.  III.   181. 
eaii>liiiiiisis,  HI.   ls:l,  Isi. 
fasiialus,  HI.  ISI. 
Iliivialis,  HI.  is.t. 
Iialia'tiis,   III.   182,  18:i. 
iiidiriis,  HI.  isii. 
lelleucephalus,   HI.   183. 
li!aiiiii.|,.s,   HI.  IS:i. 
raiiyplila,  II.  422,  42:i. 
j  eiiyaiieiisi.s,   H.  421. 

iiielaiKdi'iiea,  II.  421  ;  HI 
I  52:!. 

saiiiii-jiieroiiviiii,  H.  424 
I'aiida',  I.  00,  80,"  431. 
raiiiia',  I.  80. 
I'an.ides  llavieeps,  I.  112. 
rariiia,  I.   17s,  2117. 

a rii^aiia,      1.     2d7  -  "00 

•.i5;i;    HI.  .Id!), 
iuoriiala,  I.  2118. 
iiisulaiis,  I.  2(17. 
Iiitiayiniii,  I.  207. 
.supeivilidsa,  I.  208. 
I'am.s,  I.  so,  |i:|. 

allieseeiis,   I.  !H). 
amei-icaiiu.s,  I.  2d7,  208. 
amiexiis,  I.  !i:!. 
atrii-apilhis,      |.      04  .  j,^^ 
lim,  1(12,  Idli,  ld.5,  128^ 
157. 
iitiieai)illu.s  eanaden.sis,    I 

00. 
atiieristatiis,  I.  iiii. 
liicdldi',   I.  80,  S7. 
earoliiierisis,  I.  ss,  HI,  117 

10-2,  1S5. 
erislatus,  I.  SC,  87. 
erylliiiiii.phajiis,  I.  Id7. 
r.i.siiatu.s,  I.  s:i,  84. 
liud.siiMleus.  I.  HI,  07,  I115. 
iiiunialii.s,  I.  HI. 
leiicilis,   I.  :!l-2. 
liltoralis,  I.  Id;-,, 
iiiajiir,  I.  h:!. 
iiieridiiuialis,  I.  HI,  1(12. 
iiiiiiiiiius,  I.  KiH. 
iiiiiiiliiiiu.s,  I.  02-05,  lis. 
dceidelltalis,     I.     H4,    Idd, 

Idl,  1(14. 
palustiis,  I.  Oti,  1(13. 


XVI 


INDEX  OF  SCIEXTIFIO  NAMES. 


I'linis    rilfrscPIls,     T,     [tj,     ]0I  ; 

III.  r.iir. 

t«('|it('Mtiiiiiiiilis,   1.  !i|,  ',17, 

!•!!,  nn,  i<i7. 

siliiiicns,  1.  !».'),  lo'i. 

vii'^'iiiiiiiiiis,  I,  )i)i7. 
I'asHcr,  1.  .'i:i.1. 

uivtim.s,  I.  TidS. 

Iii<'iil<ir  liiiliatiic'iisit*,  II.  III!. 

ciinmli'ii.sis,  II.  ;t. 

tiniiii'.slli'ii-*,  I.  [i2f>, 

IH'iiiisylviiiilcu.s,  I.  riTt, 
I'lwsi'ri'iiliiu,   I.  .'i'.iW. 
ras.siiciilus,  I.  ,')'J!l,  fili'J. 

alaiidiim.s,  I.  !j;i;l,  fii'?  ;  III. 
r.I.'i. 

niiililiiiis,  I.  r>;!;i,  ri.'t;,  n:)!). 

<a.s.>iiiii,  II.  4'i. 
f;iittatiin,  I.  fiDM,  rdl. 
liiu'iiliii,  1 1.  :il. 
l>iiiu'r[ps,  I.  5U;i,  .')4(1  ;   III. 

rcistiatiis,  I.  n;!:!,  ncj. 

Baiuhviiliciisis,  I.  MW,  538. 
savanna,  I.  MH,  Ci'M. 
Zdnariiis,  II.  ■'!]. 
rassciclla,  II.  4ii  ;   111.  518. 
ciiiciva,  II.  ^7. 
iliaca,  II.  f.d. 
im'fjailiviiilius,  II.  49,  57; 

HI.  51 «. 
oli.siuia,  II.  50. 
nitiiia,  II.  -liK 
si'hi.staccii,  II.  4!»,  50. 
townsiudi,  II.  2!i,  4!t,  53. 
nnalashkcnsis,  II.  53. 
riisscicllina',  I.  440;  II.  48. 
I'assi'iina,  II.  f<l. 

caiidai'iita,  I.  557. 
c'iris,  II.  87. 
cyanca,  1 1.  82. 
iiijc;riiM)llis,  I!.  65. 
oiyzivoni,  II.  14it. 
ju'L'cris,  II.  154. 
jiiatcnsis,  I.  553. 
Patai,'i»'na.s,  III.  357. 

l('iicoc'c|>lialus,  III.  303. 
redicKii'tcs,  III.  414,  4315. 

coluniliiaini.s,      III.      434, 

430,  440. 
kcniiikotti.  III.  434. 
lihasiancllu.s,  III.  434. 
Podiiii'orvs,  I.  104. 
rondiiiiiius,  II.  179. 
allhiis,  II.  liM). 
atii-,  II.  203. 
cuciillatus,  II.  ni3. 
di)iniiiiifn.sis,  II.  188. 
Ilavigastcr,  II.  182. 
liviioint'la.s,  II.  182. 
kssoni,  II.  182. 
iiiKiicollis,  II.  100. 
jiortoiicciisis,  II.  182. 
.spurins,  II.  I'HI. 
viiidis,  II.  182. 
Poiirlo|ic,  III.  3!t7. 
lViiclo]iina,  111.  ;!i>7. 
IVnclopiiiie,  HI.  3!i7. 
Peicnoptenis  aiini,  HI.  345. 
ui'ubu,  HI.  351. 


I'crdicida',  HI.  1(10. 
I'lldlx  lidir.di.s.  111,  408. 
lalilnrnica,  II  I.  471'. 
iiiai'ilaiidica.  III.  408. 
liliiMiili  ra,  II  I.  475. 
vii>;iiiiaiia,  1 1 1.  4li8, 
I'nisiiicii.s,  II.  201,  2!t7. 

laiiadciislN   II.  2!i8,  2!tlt. 
iii|iilali.s,  II.  2'.I8,  302. 
inlaiLslus,  II.  2!t8. 
(ilisciinis,  II.  2!t8,  302. 
I'l'ii.ssdf^lDssa,  I.  17.^,  211. 
iarl«inata,  I.  212,  214. 
li^rina,  I.  211,  212. 
IVrissiira,  III.  381. 

candini'usis,  II  I.  383. 
IVtmcliiliddii,  I.  327,  334. 
Iiic'olor,  I.  344. 
luniliiins,  I.  331. 
swaiiisiini,  I.  334. 
tiialassina,  I.  347. 
I'l'lKua,   I.  530  ;    II.  37. 

ustivalis,  II.  34,  38,  30. 
aiiziimr,  II.    38,    41  ;   HI 

517. 
liacliniani,  II.  30. 
lioltiTil,  II.  38. 
JKUicardi,  II.  38. 
lariialis,  III.  517. 
cassini,  1 1.  41,  42. 
lincKlni,  II.  31. 
nolostiita,  II.  38. 
nilici'lis,  II.  38,  45. 
Phaliotyims,  111.  220. 
i  I'lia'iiicusoina  a'stiva,  I.  441. 
Iicpatica,  I.  437. 
nilira,  1.  43,''). 
Plupnisonia,  I.  432. 
a'stiva,  I.  441. 
nilua,  I.  435. 
PliiendiH'pla,  I.  405. 

nit<'iis,  I.  405. 
I'li.TllKirnithina',  II.  438. 
I'liasianus    coluinbiamis,     HI. 
430. 
iii.itnidt,  HI.  308. 
PliilciviiM.s.  H.  130. 
Plilydloniiis,  II.  548. 
Plic)li(,|,tVMX,  HI.  88. 
Phoiiipar'a,  II.  00,  02. 
lii.nl. ii',  II.  03. 
(an.na,  II.  !»3. 
iiKii.  hi,  1;.  03. 
..liva.'ca,  II.  03. 
oinissa,  II.  03. 
imsilla,  II.  03. 
zcna,  II.  0.3. 
Plnvn,>i>iiiis,  II.  501,  ,523. 
Pliniiopipo,  II.  523. 
Imicalis,  II.  524. 
I'livllobasiliMis,  I.  72. 
Pliyll..niani\s  I.  .358. 
liarliatula,  I.  300. 
Ilavoviriilis,  I.  306. 
olivac.'a,  I.  303. 
Pliyll.ipii.'iisti',  I.  00,  70. 
Ixiicalis,  I.  7o,  71. 
kciiiii.otti,  I.  70,  71. 
sylvi.nltrix,  I.  71. 
troohilus,  I.  71,  72. 


Pint,  II.  264. 

alMvi'iitris,  II.  205. 

(•irlid.'s.i'iis,  II.  280. 

caildala,   II.  205. 

I'liliiiciiKita,  II.  205. 

.ri.Mata,  II.  273. 

I'liiDp.'a,   II.  205. 

ImilsDuica,  II.  205,  206. 

nii'lan.di'ii.'a,  II.  2)i5,  200. 

in.ii'i.),  II.  303,  304. 

millalli,  II.  20.'i,  270. 

niKlic'diiini,  II.  205. 

st.'lli'ii,  II.  277. 
I'i.iw,  II.  402,  40.3. 
I'iLii.iiviis,  II.  232,  254. 

I'liliunliiaiiiis,  II.  255. 
Pi.iiia',   II.  40!P,  401. 
I'i.iiia',  II.  401,  402. 
I'i.'.)  cniza.l..,  I.  488. 
I'lc.idi's,  II.  404,  520. 

ani.rii'aun.s,  II.  520,  532. 

airti.iiN,  II.  528,  .530. 

nissiili'iii'iis,  II.  520. 

d.irsalis,  II.  520,  532. 

iMir.ip.i'iis,  II.  520. 

hirNutiis,  II.  532. 

trida.tylii.s,  II.  520. 
I'ic.ila])tcs    liniiiin'icaiiilliis,    I. 

132,  134. 
I'i.'UniMina',  II.  401. 
I'i.iis,  II.  403,  500. 

allidlaivatiis,  H.  .502,  .520. 

aiiiciliaiiiis,  1 1.  532. 

ar.ti.iis,  II.  530. 

aticitliniax,  II.  539. 

auiluli.iiii,  II.  503. 

nuratn.s,  II.  57.5. 

auiilVons,  II.  557. 

Lairdi,  II.  51.5,  517. 

Imgotiis,  II.  515. 

Ijoicalis,  1 1.  501,  523,  524. 

cafor,  II.  578. 

cana.lrnsis.  II.  503. 

eaiolinus,  II.  554. 

cOirysoidcs,  II.  583. 

ddisalis,  H.  532. 

(■lytliraiiilicn,  II.  554. 

I'lVtlird.i'plialiiK,    II.    550, 
'5t)4. 

Saii-.lni'ii,    H.    501,    512; 
HI.  523. 

grncili.s,  II.  515. 

fjiaysoni,  II.  501,  515,  517. 

}<iisi'ns,  II.  554. 

hanisi,  II.  .501,  .507. 

liiisiitii.s,  II.  532. 

hudsuni.a,  II.  20(i. 

Ii  villi. Ills      aiiiatd-iiu'xica- 
"iius,  II.  582. 

liyloi'.JiMis,  II.  507. 

iiidinatiis,  II.  507. 

jarilini,  II.  507. 

latliaiiii,  II.  578. 

l.vdMti,  H.  .500. 

I.Mi.'dni.'lanus,  II.  503. 

Iiiii'diiii'las,  II.  503. 

l.'M.M.tis,  H.  524. 

li'wisii,  II.  501. 

luoasaniis,    II.     501,    517, 
510,  520. 


INDEX   OF   SCIKXTIFIC   XAMKS. 


XVU 


Pk'iis  nmiiiiiit',  II.  rm, 
liiiii'liiis,  1 1,  .'iiiii. 
triciliiiMiis,  II.  riii'.i, 
iiii'liini>|Hi^Mii,  1 1,  fif'iii. 
Iiiciiiliiiii;ili>,   II.  .'id!!,  ^IJ 
liii'xiiiiiiiis,   11.  :,7s. 
liiiiiit.iiiils,   II.  riiil, 
Iliitiilia',  II.  .117, 

iiiittiilli,  II.  r>n],  ',17,  ;-,-)|| 

olisciinis,  II.  .1(i(. 
oriziiliii',  1 1.  ,11  j. 
(iniiitiis,  II.  ,117. 
]iiiniis,  II.  111. 
l>liilli|i.si,  II.  Ki.'i. 
jiili'iitiH,  II.  111), 
iniiicipalis,  II.   till!, 
imlirsirns  I.  i(i:i,  i.si ;  n. 

.lOl,  111-.',  ,1l)!l. 

lllll'llllllS,     II.    ,1'_>|. 

niliiT,  II.  itt. 
iiiliriiii|iilliis,  II.  r>03. 
iiiliiialiis,  II.  178. 
8niliiiis,  II.  ,10],  ,111    515 

l-'ll. 
si'|ilciilii(iimlis,  II.  ,1ii;!. 
.siiliiiii'.xicaiiiis,  II.  171. 
tli.viiiiili'us,  II.  .1:i1,  117. 
tiil-i|lliitlis,   II.  Ilii,  liil. 
triilactvliis,  II.  Iiis,  1;tll. 
tiirali,  II.  11-j. 
uiidafus,  II.  5:i-J. 
uiuliisiis,  II.  1.12. 
niiiiiiiatiis,  II.  5:!-_>. 
vaiiiis,  II.  5:)'),  i,:i'.K 
viiilliili,  II.  121. 
villosiis,  II.  mo,  init,  520. 
williaiiisdiil,  II.  145. 
wilsdiii,  II.  1-il. 
zi'liia,  II.  154. 
riliiiiiMiis,  II.  5:ii. 
niliii-,  II.  544. 
tli.viniclftis,  II.  547. 
vaiius,  II.  5:i!». 
Pinioola,  I.  447,  412. 
aiiH'rioaiia,  I.  4i;{. 
canailfiisis,  I.  4l:{. 
emiclrator,    I.    453  ;    III. 
5l:i. 
I'ipili',  III.  31)7. 
riliilo,  I.  34  ;  II.  (iO,  104. 

aluMti,   II.   10(i,   12fi,  128  ; 

III.  11!). 
nlliirollis,  II.  121,  122. 
alliijjiila,  II.  121,  122,  127. 
iilIiMii,  II.  los,  112. 
aivtiiMis,  II.  loll,  IKi,  Hi), 
liter,  II.  urn. 
ciiriiiaiii,  II.  lOi). 
clilorosiiiiia,  II.  105. 
chliiiiinis,    II.    10(i 

III.  511). 
cri.ssalis,  II.  121,  122. 
eryfhiophtlialiim.s,  II.  101 
106,  108,  mil;  III.  518 
fiiscus,  II.  10(i,  121. 
laU'rali.s,  II.  Kifi. 
iiiaiMony.\,  II.  105. 
iimciilatus,  II.  105,  108. 
inegalony.v,  II.  108,  113. 


131  ; 


I'ipiici  iiic'Miliiicii.s,  II.  121    ]•>" 
1  •-':■;  III.  lis. 

Cl|Vf,'MI|!lS    II.    lllS,    11(1. 

Iiiiwiii.iia,  I.  5stl. 

KiiprlviliiKa,   II.   IIMI. 

vili'M'iiis,   II.   101. 
I'ipia  piily;,l.iila,  I.  3ii7. 
rilylus  iiirilii,iilis,  II.  ion. 

KiillMliis,  II.  7;i. 
riaiic-liciis,  I.  4,  22,  21,  2.S. 
rialypsaiis  allinis,  II.  ili'iii. 
riatyilivhrliiis      pusilliis,      II 
:tllll. 

viii'sii'iis,  I.  :i7 1. 

riirtiopliaiics,  I.  4  IS,  110. 
lappoiiiciis,  I.  Ill,  111. 
liiaiiDWiii,   I.  11 1,  123. 
MirhuKuiiiis,   I.  11 1,  521. 
nivalis.   I.  Ill,  112. 
iiriiatiis,'  I.  Ill,  120. 
piiliis  I.  Ill,  lis. 
Miiiillii,  I.  118. 
I'ldi'.'ida',   I.  431. 
riycl,  liipliiiia',  II.  581. 
I'liilaiii-i',   II.  :!!lli. 
I'liilaxriiiii',  II.  3118. 
Tn'cilr  atiicapilla,  I.  IMi, 
caiciliiiiiisis,  I. -102. 
iiiclaiiolis,  I.  108. 
iiiiiiiina,  I.  imi. 
nircscciis,  I.  lot. 
I'dM'ilopiciiiis,  III.  214. 
iMiicalis,  III.  282. 
liiii'aliis,  III.  271. 
wilsdiii,  III.  21'l. 
PittiliMiiis,  III.  1111, 

(■iiiiiaiiiciiniiiiis.  III.  108. 
sparvciiiis.  III.  Kiit. 
ru'ciliipti  ry.\.  III,  202. 
pliimliciis.  III.  203, 
riilioai'liis.  III.  320. 
I'liiiuplila,   I.  77,  201. 

ra-nili'a,  I.  78  ;   III.  506. 

Icniticyi,  I.  78, 

inclaimra,    1.    78,    7i),    81  ; 

III.  507. 
liic.xicaiia,  I.  78. 
pluiiilica,  I.  78,  80. 
Polidptilinii',,  I.  till,  77. 
Pulylionis,  HI.  103,  176. 
aiiiliiliDiii,  III.  178. 
Iirasilifiisis,  III.  177,   178 
chcriway.  III.  177. 
tiuiiiurus.  III.  249. 
tliaius,  III.  176-178. 
viilf,'aii.s.  III.  177,  178. 
Poniatoihiinis  tiiiclimis,  1,  41. 
Pontoaiitus,  HI.  320. 
PoDi'Hitcs,  I.  52!t,  144, 
Kiaiiiiiirus,  1,  545. 
Poo.spiza,  1.  530,  5811. 

'"■Hi,  I.  33,  5itO,  593  ;  III. 

516. 
liiliiicata,  I.  589,  590. 
lateralis,  II.  106. 
iiiystacalis,  II.  589. 
iicvadriisis,  I.  590,  594. 
Psittaiiila",  II.  469. 
Progiii',  I.  326,  327. 
(-■oiieolor,  i.  328. 


:,     Profile crvptDliina,  I.  32S,  329, 
3;i2. 
llcilllotic'il,    I,   328. 
(lii'iiiMir"iisis,  I.  ;t28,  3211. 
i'li';<aiis,  I.  :i28,  330. 
ruivala,   1.  .328. 
li'iii(iL;as|(i',  I.  .•(211,  3;t;t. 
IIMHJrsIa,  I.  328. 

piiijiiii I.  328,  332. 

suliis,   I.  328,  .329,  332. 
I'liiloiKitaiia,  I.  17,s,  |83. 

liliva,   I.   183,   181,  289. 
I'salliia,   I.  I117. 

Ilavicips,   I.  112. 
Ilii'laNiilis,   I.   108. 
iilniiilira,  I.  nil. 
Psailripanis,   I.  86,   I07. 
inilaiKilis,  I,   107,   108. 
Illiniums,  I.  los,  iiiD,  120. 
|H'is(]Naliis,  I.   los. 
jilnnilir'is,  I.   los,  I  111. 
l'.saiiir(,liii..;  aniiiMillis,  1 1.  lii|), 
lialliiMiir.',  II.  1115. 
i-inijaeiiiiis,  II.  Mil. 
cyaiiiMcplialiis,   1 1,   206. 
giilii'iiialdi-.  II.   |(;;i. 

nii'lai plialiis,   II.  1S6. 

pi'idiis,  II.   111. 
iH'ispicillalus,  II.   167. 
iillienirclls,    II.    1511. 
Pwudai'liis,  II.  312. 
P.siMldoj;iypljiis,   III.  337,  338. 
laliriiiiiianiis  (/i/nl,),    |||. 
338,  .-ill,  lili;. 
I'si'lldoprociir,   1 1.  423. 
Psilorliiliiis.  II.  261,  303. 
I'yannccpliaiii.s,  II.  260. 
nicxicaniis,  1 1.  30 1. 
niiirio,  II.  :io4. 
Psittaca  randiiii'iisis,  II.  587 
Psitlai'ida',  II.  5s,1. 
I'sittariiia',   II.   181. 
PsittacMs  c'aroliiiii'iisis,  II.  587. 
liiddvicianus,  II.  587. 
inililaris,   1 1.  586. 
pascdia,  1 1.  1S6. 
.sticnims,  II.  186. 
tliala.ssiiiiis,  1 1.  587. 
Pteioaetiis,  III.  312. 
Pterociiciis,  III.  212. 
Ptiliigonatea',  I.  404. 
Ptilogoiiatiiia',  I.  395,  404. 
PtilogDiius  liiicrcns,  1.  405. 
I'tilogonys,  I.  405. 
nitciis,  I.  4115. 
towiisi'iidi,  1.  409. 
Pipilo  iuli|iilcus,  H.  131. 
Pnlsatrix,  HI.  28. 
Pygargtis,  HI.  212. 
Pyranga,  I.  432. 

ii'stiva,  I.  434,  441. 
urdi'ii.s,  I.  433. 
azane,  I.  434,  440. 
liidentata,  I.  433. 
t'oopcii,  I.  434,  444. 

I'lytlii cphala,  I.  43.3. 

piytliionndiL'na,  I.  433,  435. 
crythiiipis,  I.  437. 
hepatica,  I.  433,440;  III. 
512. 


XVIll 


iNi)i;x  OF  scikxtfi'k;  namks. 


rymii;;ii   liiili'viiiima,    I.     Ct'l, 
■\:\',,  l:i7. 

iiiivsUsi|'|iic'iisis,  I.  1 11. 

losi'ij^'iil.iiis,  I.   |;it. 

nilnii,  I.  ;tl,  IM-.;,  IDfi. 

riil'iiiins,  1.  i;(:i. 

Kiiii'ii,  I.  i:u. 

ifsiii.fii,  I.  i;il. 
I'vigitii,  I.  r.-j,"i. 

aniica,  II.  lilt. 

iliiliirHlica,   I.  ^l'..'.^. 

l'vr;;ilu'iiiis|>.isH'iiiiiis,  III.  ;JS!i. 
I'MXililiir.  I.    11(1,  .VJI. 
I'vidcciiliiililK.  II.  :i(l,H,  !)8tl. 

iijc  xiiaiiiis,    1 1.    M.H?  ;    III. 
.'■.■J-.'. 

Iialiiis,  II.  :\>^7. 

iilisiiinis,  1 1.  ;i.s7. 

niliiiii'iis,  II.  ;i,H7. 
ryriliula,  I.  117,  l.'>"i. 

cassini,  I.   l,-,7  ;  III.  .lilt. 

I'diciiira,   I.    I'i7. 

cliic'iitata,   I.    liiS. 

I'limlcatiir,  I.    ir>;i. 

ral<'iio>,tvis,  II.  ti(l. 

ridiilalis,  I.    Iiii;. 

Iiiiiiivirlaiia,   II.  70. 
I'yirliiildxia,   II.  (in,  HiV 

siiiiiata,  1 1,  ii.'i. 
Qiiisialina',  II.  1  17,  -i^^i. 
(jllisrallls,   II.  •Jll-.',  -Jli 

aliens,  II.  'Jl:!,  -JIS. 

u'liiiis,  II.  -.'I.H. 

aj;la'ii.s,  II.  •.'!:!,  li'Jl. 

assiiiiilis,  II.  °JI  I. 

Lariliis,  II.  -Ji:),  -l-H. 

liiai'liyiitcnis,  II.  ■Jl:',. 

lucwcVi,   II.  -IM. 

Icnujjinciis,  1 1.  •_'(!:). 

■jiiiKlJa.lii,  II.  •2]:\. 

iiillc'xiiosiiis,  II.  •_'](. 

iiiaciiiius,  1 1.  'JH,  •J'iS. 

iiiajor,  11.  21  t,  ■i'J2. 

iMi'xiiaiiiis,  1 1.  -Jit. 

iii^'ir,  II.  ■ii:!. 

Iiitiiis,  II.  •Jl.'). 

l>alustiis,  II.  Jl  I. 

|i('riivialilis,   1 1.  'J II. 

iniriniratus,  II.  Jl '>. 

|mr|iiiri'iis,  1 1.  Jl:i  -  JLI. 

tciministris,  II.  Jl  1. 

Vcl.si,o|,)|-,  II.  Jl;-.,  J18. 
I!ai>tiiivs,  III.  1. 
Iiixulina'.  I.  (i'.l,  7J. 
Ilc^llliiiilrs  |il((li'glllu«,  I.   72. 
IfcHiiIiis,  I.  7J. 

ltcj;iila    calc'iiiliila,  1.    84,    75  ; 
III.  r,Wi. 

cuvicii,  I.  7.'i. 

niystrtioiis,  I.  Ji)7. 

lubiniMis,  I.  7,'). 

satia|)a,  I.  7:"),  101. 
l!liiiiiani|iliiis,  I.  Jl.'i. 

a'stiviis,  I.  J  J  J. 

Iplacklmniia',  I.  J.37. 

I'aiiaili'iisis,  I.  J.54. 

castainnis,  I.  J,')l. 

clnys<'i)Iiis,  I.  JJ2. 

coioiiatii.s,  I.  J27. 

ili.st-olor,  I.  276. 


IthiinninpliilHiiiai'iiIiisiiM,  I,  282. 

iiiaiitiiiins,  I.  JIJ. 

(ilivaii'iis,  I.  J.'iS. 

|H'risili>,  I.  210. 

|iilllls,   I.  Jiis. 

niriis,  I.  J7;i. 

Miiatiis,  I.  2 IS. 

ti>,'iiiia,  I.  27;l. 

viiviis  I.  J(l|. 
I!liiiiM<;ry|ilMis,  III.  ;t:!7,  -MX 

itiiia  i/ildh),  III.  ;ill,  U&'i, 
:i.".(i. 

laiirov  iaiiiis,  I II.  ;tt|. 
Itliiii(>|ityiix,  III.  (id. 
Iiliijjiisiiix,  III.  (111. 
liliMirliiMloM,  III.  rJ7. 

I.'IiyiH'Ilntlllco.   III.    1(17,   l.VI. 
liliviiiliciii-.itlii    |ia(liviliviiilia, 

II    .--.Htl. 
liosliliaiiiiis,  III.  104,  207. 

Iiaiiiatiis,  III.  -.XIO. 

iii^'ii-.  III.  Jus. 

pliiMiliiiis,  III.  JOS,  20!t. 

.siii'ialiilis,  HI.  JoS. 

la'iiiiii'us.  III.  JO!*. 
Sa«ra',   II.  :i:i2. 
.Salj.iiiil.'s,   I.  Kid,  l:!». 

(ilisdlrtus,    I.      l;),-.,     110  ; 
III.   .'■■(IS. 
Saltalor  viiiilis,  H.   1(1. 
.Sail-Ill li.'iiii|>liiila',  III.  :i:t.'i. 
.Sarrii|'IiaiM|ililis,  III.  XUi,  'M'. 

ralil'iiiiiiiu.s  III.  :!:!S. 

1,'iviilius  ^///»^),  III.   35.5, 
:!.-.ii. 

|ia|iii  {/,/iifi-\.  III.  K.-.d. 
Siuuiitlirni  Uillii',  II.  ■17-J. 

calil'iii'iiiaiia,  1 1.    172. 

iiiar^'iiiata,  II.    17-2. 
Suxii-iila,  I.  .lO. 

ii'iiaiillii-,  I.    .Ill,   (ill  ,111. 
50(1. 

ii'iiaul!iiiiili's,  I.  (ill. 
.Saxiioliila-,  I.  1.  -J,  .5!i.  (iil. 
Sftyoiiiis,   II.     :Ui7,     :i:!!l  ;  III. 
.521. 

ai|iiatirii.s,  II.  810. 

riliirasri'iis,   II.  810. 

IllMils,   I.  -J!!;-)  ;    II.  818. 

latirosliis,  II.  8  Hi. 

iii;^iiiaiis,  II.  810. 

lialliilii.S  II.  817. 

sayiis,   II.  847. 
Siajiljiiliini.s  ]ialusti-i.s   II.  214. 
Suaiilali-ila,  III.  875,  8S,. 

ima.  III.  8S7. 

si|uaiiiiisa,  II  I.  887. 
Sooli'iiijilia^'us,  II.  202. 

cvanoii-iilialii.s.    III.     203, 
'  20(!. 

fimi.ijini'iis.  1.  77:  II.  208. 

ini-xiraini.s,  11.  20(). 

iiij;i'r,  II.  'J08. 
Siiojis,  III.  (I,  47. 

alliilVi.ii.s,  III.   18. 

a.sii.  (/'/"''■),  111.  48,  4il,  51, 
iis-lnl. 

cnaiiii,  III.  4.S. 

tlaniini-iila.  III.  58. 

Iloriilami.s,  Hi.  48,  51. 


Sni|i^  kiiiiiii'iiiti,   III.  48,  53, 
.55. 
iiiaivalll.  III.  40,  52. 
.v'iiiiliiri|Miv-,  III.  5(1. 
tl'irllii|i^i-.   III.  58. 
zuiva.  III.  47. 
.Si.tia|iti-x.  III.  .5,  J.S,  -Jll, 

rilii'iviiiii   {/ihilc).    III.    20, 

;!li,  OS-  jiij. 
Ia|i|iii|iii'llMi,  I II.  211,  8(1. 
Sriiliiiiliiliis  arailiriis,  III.  48. 
j  Sci-iiiiiu.-lri-s,  II.   IHJ. 
I  Si'iniiTic,  I.  17s,  J70 
.Si'iuiiis,  I.  17s,  J71I. 

aii|iira|iillii.s  I.    J70,   280, 

•J'.Ci.  8(1 1. 
pissr,    I.   JS4. 
Iiiiliiviriaiiii.s  I.   JSO,   2S.5, 

2.N7,  -JO.-.  ;   III.  .Ml. 
iiiiilarilla,  I.  2S7. 
iiiivi-liiiniii-ii.si.s,  1,280,281, 

2.^8,  280. 
snlrmiisii'iis,  I.  284. 
I.iiiiiiiisliis,  I.  JS8. 
.'<flas|iliiinis.  II.  48.S,  l:i!i,  458. 
iiistH',   II.  457. 

r.ai Ilia,  II.  4.'i|l. 

liiIiiiMi',  II.  4ii5. 
|ilii1vii-ri-ii.s  II.  4.'.S,  4G2. 
in  Ins,  II.  450. 
si'iiililla,  II.  451). 
.SitiiiLslivs,  II.  80ii. 
Si-tii|ilia!ia.  I.  170,  812,  32-2. 
Iiniia|iaili>i,  I.  82(1. 
raiiailrlisis,   I.  82(1. 
iiiiiiiata,  I.  'iJJ. 
iii^'iiiinrta,  I.  8J(i. 
jiiila,  I.  8J2  ;   III.  .IIJ. 
I  nilna,  I.  81-J. 

iiilii-illa,  1.  822,  8-28. 
j  wil.siiiii,  I.  817. 

.Si-tn|ilia^'i-a',  I.  17'.'. 
!  Si.|ii|ilia,i,'iMa'.  I.  178,  170,  311. 
i  Sialia,  I.  50,  (i2. 

all-lira,  I.  (12,  (iCi-  (i8. 
a/iirra,  I.  (>2,  (i8. 
i-a-llllrncdllis,  I.  (i5. 
lliarl'nliti'iii,   1.  07. 
iiii'xiraiia,  I.    (12,    05,    (!(), 

(is  ;   III.  ,SO(i. 
(irriilrlltalis,  I.  (i"). 
sialis,  I.  02,  (i(i,  (iS. 
Milsiiiii,  I.  ()2. 
.Si|ili(iiiiiiliis,  II.  309. 
Sitta,  I.  114. 

a.-.il.-ata,  I.   02,    114,   11.5, 

117. 
caiiailfiisis,    I.     114,    117, 

118,  121,  IJ-J. 
rariilim-iisis,    I.   114,    117, 

1-2-J. 
nii'IaiMii'i'|iliala,  I.  114. 
imsilla,  I.   114,  120,  122  ; 

111.  507. 
).Vf,'iiiii-a,  I.  02,   114,  120; 

III.  .507. 
varia,  I.  118. 
.Sittair.  II.  58.i. 

iiiilitaiv,,  II.  .5S«. 
paihvrlivm-lia,  II.  586. 


IXDEX   ()!.'  .SCIKNTii-'ic   NA.Mi;s. 


XIX 


Stdliilns  ildiiiiiiiicMsis,  II.  ;i;i'J, 

Stri|p| I  vie,   II.  .I'.ij. 

il'Viir'i.  II,  :i',i-j. 


sittiiciiiii',  II,  r.H,'-,. 

Sitliiiii',  I.  ,s(i,  li;t. 
SlilMvllls,   111,  •.'•JO. 

(■|lTlli«r|i|iiilllH,      III.    22(1,     Sliiiliilii,   HI.    1(1, 
,-'-'-•  S|iioi,.,,|„,  111,  .j|.j, 

|ilil,v|ilcins,  III,  2".St, 
SiH'iilylci,  111.  (1,  ,HS, 

I'diiii'iiliuiii,  III,  IMi. 


llll'l>'iMills,  111,   21  1, 

iiliKidiiMis,  111.  '.'I  I. 

•■^Iiixi'l.i'.   111.   I,   t. 


iliiiiiiM;;iri>iH,  III.  ,Sii,  IMI,     'Siiii|j^,,,|,iiii,.,   II,  :,x-, 


I'dsill,    111,   S'.l,   IK  I, 

(;i'Mll;ii'iii,  111,  .s'l, 

^'lhi(li'l<)ll|ii'lis|.i,   111,  IMI. 
ll,\|"W.'ii    {,:/>,/.),   Ill,    1)0, 

!'.•),  m    1(1 1, 

Siiciino|i|iilii,  II,  (id,  !l(l, 

allii;;iihM'is,  1|,  ill. 

iMciiclclli,  II,  Dl. 
.Sliliyiii|,i(iis,  II,   tut,  ri'.\r<. 

iKiihuli.s,  11,  ,",,i,s,  -,  |-j, 

nilii'i-,  11,  MX,  jll, 

tliyiipiilcus,  1 1,  ;,;(,s,  ,M7. 

variii.H,  111,  r,;t7,  r,:ji)  ;  ||| 
.';■.';!, 

williiiiii.sDiii,  II.  .liLS,  f,!,'-,. 
Sjiildciiviis,  111.  212, 
Hpiiiilcs,  11,  1, 

lltli;,'liliiiis,  II.   15. 

iiiiiiilii'dliis,  11.  ;|. 

|lll.sillll.s,    II.  ;"). 

.-^dciiijls,  11,  r. 
Mlil/a,   II,  >^]. 

aiiiii'iia,  II.  Ht. 

ciiis,  I.  lil.'i  ;  II,  .S/. 

cyani'a,  1,  lil")  ;   II,  ,S2. 

VlM'sicdliii',    11,   ,S(i.  I 

Spizaiiiciis,  111.  212. 
Siiizaj,'i'iiimi,s    iiiiiciiiitu.s,    |||. 

24!t.  j 

SiMzclIa,  I.  .ISO  ;   11.  1.  I 

niizoiin',   II.  2,  1 1.  I 

atri;,'iilaiis,  11.  :t,  1"). 

lircwcii,  II.  I:)  ;   111.  -,1(1,    I 

caiiadcMsis,  11.  :t.  i 

iiia.\iiiia,  I.  .'i(i(i. 

iiKiiiliciila,    II.   _,   3  ;    111    ' 
.'.Ki, 

IKilliila,  II,  2,  11. 

Ililirtdllllll,    II.   2. 

piisilla,  II.  2,  r>. 

.sliattmki,  II.  11. 

sdcialis,  II.  2,  7;   III.  51C. 
SpizilliM',  I,  ,")2!i. 
Sjiizcllina',  I.   llii,  r)28. 
Spiziaciriii.s,  III.  212, 
f^liiziiiii',  I.  44(i  ;   11.  58. 
Sjiizd^'iiatha',  1.    |:il. 
SiHirdpliila,   II.  !MI. 

vlctti,  11.  !•!. 

Stiuiicniailfa',  III,  :]",. 
Stt-niu'iias,  111.  ;t;,-,,  njit. 

I'yaiuHTpliala,  III.  ;!i)5. 
StcaUinii.s,  II.  ;j!),s. 
'•^ti'aliiiiiithiiai',  11.  HiiS. 
•"^'Kiioia'liia,  111.  ;ill7, 
!^ti|f,'i,ldptc'iT.\,  I,  :i27,  .'i5n, 

.sciriiiciiiiis,  I.  ;)5(). 
St.-llula,  II.  4:iH,  4;!!t,  44.-.. 

lalliopc,  II.  445. 
f'trnopsif,  II.  ;)|to. 
Stolida  hii>ay.siL'iisi.s,  II.  332. 


Slii.\,  III.  5,  1(1. 

ai'Miliia,   111.  4:t,  ,sii. 
Ilc'al||l'll^i^,    11 1.    13, 
aci'lainaldi',  1 1 1.  3(i, 
iiiliilVdiis,  111,   11, 
aiil.-d,   HI,  2H. 
aim  riiaiia,  HI.    l:|, 
iiivti.  I,  11 1.  (II,  70. 
asid,  HI.    17,   111. 
laai-liVdtMs,   111.   17,  22. 
Iinlid,  II 1.  (Id,  (12. 
lalil'di'iilca,   HI,  111), 
laiiadi'li^is,   III.  7"i, 
cilicicii.  III,  2S,  3(1. 
rlaiiiala,    I II,  III, 
ciassird-,tris,  1 II.  til, 
ciiiiii'iilaiia,  111,  ss,  lid. 
(iciicaliila,  HI,  13, 
rliila.  111.  ,sl; 
li'mi.L,'iiii'a,   1 1 1,  .s5, 
llaiiiiiKa,   111,  111,  II, 


Stiinnlla  rdllaiis,  II,  171, 

liipl npis,  II.   I7'.>,  |7ti. 

Ii|i|dvi(  jaiia,   II.   171, 
iM.ifiiia.  11.   172,  171. 
liiiiiilidi.,,lis,  11.   172. 
iiiixiraiia,  II.  172. 
Uif,'l.v|„,    I,    33;    II,    173, 
I7(i. 
Sliiini.ja',  II.  22.S. 
.SlIIIMll^,   11.  22H. 

lin.liis,  I.  •,:,,  .ID. 
^■dllali^   11,   I7I, 
.iiiii.rii,   11,   1,-,|. 
luildviiiaiHi-,  II    17 
lldVr  lii>piilii,|.,   il.   1,-,,, 
dlisilMllN.    11,    1,'||, 
pru'datdiiil^,   II,  l,",li, 
vill;;aii.s,  H,  22N,  22!'. 
Siiiiiia,  II 1,  il,  71, 

rriril;,'iiiia,   III.  85. 
liiiil.-.diiiii,  111.  "5. 
iia'via,  III.    111. 
pavscrinii,  1 1 1,  ,hii. 
illiila  (/-//..),  111.   ;ii»,    7.-,, 
!"H     1  (12. 

Sylviiiiia  1 apaitii,  1.  32d. 

iiiilral.'i,  1.  31  I, 
piiniilia,  1,  31(1. 
imsilla,  I.  317. 
niticilla,  I.  322. 


hvti  liiMsdiiiiis,  III.  7.-,,         .Sylvia  a'i|iiiiid,tialis,'  I,  2!i3. 


IVdiitajis.   Ill,  4.3, 
I'lMlcIra,   1 1 1,  75. 
rmriila.   111.   12, 
^'ilalciiiaja.   111.  11. 
liav.iiiciiM',  1 II.  7i». 
liialsiiiiia.   II  I.  75. 
Iiiiliiila,  111.  2.S. 
liypd;,M'a,    1 II.  '.Ml. 
.ia'vaiiici,   HI.  13. 
iiiaiidiliyiiclia    HI.  (11. 
inai'iiiata,   HI.  Ol. 
ina.Kliim.s,  HI.  112. 
iiic;.'iiilia,   HI.  (id,  (il. 
lai'via,  HI.    (!i. 
iiaciiiiitii,  I /I.  (11, 
iiclailosa,   ,11.  31, 
nivi^a,  111.  Ill, 
nyrtca,  HI.  m,  71). 
dins.  111.  17, 
passiTiiiii,   111,  30_  .|:)_  71) 
passcn'iidiiji's,  111.  ,sl. 
p'Ti'uiiiiatdr,  HI.  18. 
l"llala,    111.   12,  13. 
pliahi'Mdiilcs,  111.  .|3. 
plaliiicdla  (,/,/„/,),  HI.  11, 

lii,  !!.><- Idl, 
pllsilia.   111.  ,S(), 
P.V'fliara,  111,  80. 
••^iiilK,   1 1 1.  47, 
tciij,'iiialiiii,  HI,  3i),  40, 
Idnniatiis,   HI.  2S. 
iilnia.  111.  74. 
viifjiiiiaiia,  HI.  (12. 
"■a|iaciitliii.  111.  (il. 
StVdliilcipiiii^ja.  I.   452. 
Stnitlms  atriiiK'iitalis,  |I.  15, 
(■aiiii'c]is,   I,  587, 
oic'i^diin.s,   I.  584. 
Stuniclla,  II.  148,  171. 


ii'stivii,   1,  222. 

ajiilis,   I,  2!'d. 

aiiii'ricaiia,  I,  2dS, 

aiillidiilis,  1,  283. 

idiiliilidiii,  I.  22!». 

aiiiiiiillis,  I.  is  I. 

aiitiilMiialis,   1.  251. 

aziiiva,  1,  2;!5. 

I'ailiniiiiii,   I,  IHI, 

liilic^.-iala,   1,  235. 

lilacklainiia',   1,  23". 

fioniliM,   I,  235. 

I'aiiadi'iisis,  I.  251. 

I'ailidiiata,  I.  21  1. 

carulincii.-iis,  I.  222. 

ca.'it.iiica,   I.  251. 

(■(•lata,  1.  2d2. 

cliildiriii,  I.  222. 

idiivi.  I.  ;!5!l. 

cliiysdiitciii,  1.   1:12. 

I'iliiMiIJa,  1.  222. 

cdi'diiala,   I.  227. 
niliiiv(aa,  I.  312. 

disidlnl',  I.  27(i. 
ddiiifslicu,  I.  1411. 

Ilava,  I.  222. 
Ilavirdllis,   I.  240. 
(lavirrniis,  1.  Ili2. 
fdniidsa,  I.  2!(;i. 
lialscii,  I,  25,S. 
irtcl-dii'pliiil.l,   I,   2l,'i. 
iiiiaiia,  I.  237. 
.juiicdi'iiin,  II.  5. 
lati'ialis,  I.  2.37. 
lfiu;dj;astra,  I.   111(1. 
liMicopli'iii,  I.  254. 
liiddviiiaiia,  I.  141,  142, 
inai'f^illivniyi,  I.  303. 
iiiai'iiipus,  i.  254. 


XX 


INDEX  OF  SCIENTIFIC  NAIIES. 


Sylvia  niiiculosn,  1.  '232. 

iiiaj^iidliii,  1.  •J.'i'J. 

mai'ilaiiilii'ii,  I.  2!i?. 

iimritinia,  1.  'Jl-J. 

Iiii'xicaiia,  I.  IW). 

iJiiiiiita,  1.  -J7ii,  ;Uti. 

iiiis.MjuricMsis,  I.  2(15. 

iiiitiata,  I.  ;!U. 

iiiDiitaiia,  1.  271. 

iiashvillci,  I.  llMi. 

liii,'rcsci'iis,  1.  •2:)S. 

iKivclHiiacriisis,   I.  '283. 

<    .idiiitalis,   1.  2()(i. 

olivacca,  I.  SSH. 

jii  'iiianiiii,  ).  27;). 

]ialiistiis,  1.  2,')1. 

jiiUilaliiia,  I.  32(1. 

Jiaills,  I,  2;!7. 

lM'iinsylvaiii<'a,  I.  24."). 

jK'iisilis,  1.  24(1. 

]icn>f,'iiiia,  1.  2(tr). 

IK'tasodcs,  1.  3]  7. 

liliiladi'lpliia,  I.  301. 

liiiiiis,  1.  HI;'),  2(!S. 

]ii)|iiil()iiiin,  1.  235. 

l)icitMii(>taiia,  I.  183,  184. 

I>usi',la,  I.  2(18,  2.',4. 

latliboiiiii,  I.  222,  223. 

luticaiiilla,  1.  lUl,  l!»(i. 

sialis,  I.  ()3. 

.solitaiia,  1.  lit"). 

.s])liaf;no.sa,  I.  254. 

tiiata,  I.  248. 

.swaiii.sdiii,  1.  ISO,  liM). 

fifiiiata,  I.  2")8. 

fif,'iina,  1.  212,  271. 

tolinia'i,  1.  3(13. 
tonniata,  I.  208. 

towiiscmli,  I.  2»i.'). 
tli<lias,  1.  23!»,  2!l7. 
ti'i)<;)(Mlytcs,  I.  155. 
vi'lata, 'l.  2!l(;. 
viTiiiivDia,  I.  187. 
vigDi-sii,  I.  2()8. 
virciis,  1.  2(11. 
wil.sDiii,  I.  317. 
xaiitli(i|nf;ia,  1.  227. 
xaiitliocoa,  1.  227. 
Sylvicola,  I.  207,  215. 
ipsliva,  I.  222. 
agilLs,  1.  2!)0. 
aiiiiM-icana,  I.  208. 
aiiilnljoiii,  I.  220. 
bachinaiii,  ].  I'.U. 
blackliuniiio,  I.  237. 
cienilca,  1.  235. 
caiiadi'iisis,  I.  254. 
castaiiiM,  !.  251. 
ci'lata,   I.  202. 
clirysoptcia,  I.  102. 
I'liniiiata,  1.  227. 
discolor,  I.  27(). 
toniiiisa,  1.  203. 

ii'tcr ]iliala,  I.  24.'>. 

kirtlaiidi,  I.  272. 
limifrillivrayi,  I.  303. 
liiacillusa,  I.  232. 
iiiai'iliiiia,  1.  212. 
mitiiita,  1.  314. 
moiitaiia,  I.  271. 


Sylvii'ola  iiij,'ri'.soen,s,  I.  258. 
oicidi'iitalis,  1.  2(i(). 
olivaii'a,  1.  258. 
)ialiiianiin,  I.  273. 
liaiiiKisa,  1.  254. 
pai'daliiia,  1.  320. 
|iaiiis,  I.  237. 
pi'lisilis,  I.  240. 
lK'ivj,'riiia,  I.  20.5. 
(H'ti'iliia,  I.  273. 
piliiis,  I.  2()8. 
pdsilla,  I.  208. 
lathlidiiia,  I.  222. 
niliiitiipilia,  I.  106. 
rulicajiilla,  I.  273. 
.Militaria,  1.  105. 
.stiiala,  I.  248. 
.swainsoiii,  I.  100. 
ta'iiiata,   I.  258. 
tiiwiisciidi,  1.  2()."). 
viniiivDia,  I.  187. 
viiciis,  I.  2()1. 
Sylviidl.w,  1.  178,  211. 
Sylvioolidas  1-  J,  «'!',  1('>3,  1(!4, 

177. 
Sylvii'dliiiiv,  I.  178,  170. 
Sylviida',  I.  2,  (iit,  431. 
Svlviiiia',  I.  (iO. 
Syiiiia  iiyi-tca.  III.  70. 
Syniiuiii',  111.  5,  28. 

ahico  i/i/at,),  III.  28,  07. 
oiiicnMiiu,  III.  28,  30,  31. 
I'ulvi'sicii.s,  III.  20. 
lappiiiiicuiii.  III.  30. 
iicbuldsum.  III.  28,  20,34. 
oceidciitalc.  111.  28,  2!t,  38. 
sartorii.  III.  20. 
Tachvciiifta,  1.  327,  338,  344. 
bicdldc,  I.  344. 
thala.ssiiia,  I.  344,  347. 
Tacliytridirhis,  III.  254. 
'IViiidptviix,  III.  70. 
Tali)acdt"a,  HI.  375. 
Tanagra  a'stiva,  I.  441. 
I'dluiiibiaiia,  I.  4:i7. 
cyaiica,  II.  81,  82. 
luddvii'iana,  I.  437. 
iiiissis.sippi('nsis,  I.  441. 
nibia,  I.  435. 
varii'gata,  I.  441. 
Tanagridic,  I.  431. 
Tolmatodytos,  1.  131,  141,  158. 
aiiiiidiiiai'cus,  I.  l(jl. 
bcwickii,  I.  141. 
It'ucdfjastor,  1.  141. 
.spilurus,  I    141. 
Tci-asiii/a,  III.  220,  222. 
T.Tcstiisti'ii',  I.  170. 
Tcivsliistis,  I.  170. 
Tetrad  albus,  III.  457. 
bdiiasia,  III.  440. 
califdiiiioiis.  III.  478,  47i>. 
panadciisis,   HI.  415,  41(5, 

419. 
oiistata,  HI.  487. 
cii])idd,  III.  430,  440. 
fmiiklini,  HI.  415,  410. 
Iiisia,  HI.  410. 
fjiittnta,  HI.  402. 
islaiidii'us,  HI.  402. 


Tetrad  lagopus,  HI.  456,   457, 
402. 

lagopu.s     islaudieus,     HI. 
4(i2. 

lappdideus,  HI.  457. 

leoeunis,  III.  4(i4. 

maiilaiiilii'iis,  HI.  -168. 

iiiiiLdi',  HI.  408. 

imitii.s,  HI.  402. 

olisciinis,    HI.    41.5,    421, 
423,  425. 

plia.sianellus,  HI.  420,  433, 
436. 

rehiisak,  HI.  457. 

licliardsdiii,  HI.  427. 

iKpestiis,  III.  402. 

.sabini,  HI.  454. 

saliceli,  HI.  457. 

tdgatiiN  HI.  448. 

tviiipamis,  HI.  448. 

linibelldides,  HI.  453. 

uiidiellus,  HI.  448,  454. 

ui'dgallus,  HI.  434. 

urdphasiaiiidhis,  HI.  436. 

iiropliasiami.s,  HI.  428. 

viigiiiiamis,  III.  407,  468. 
Teti-acmida',  III.  414. 
Tetni.st.'.s,  HI.  440. 
Tlialassdaiitus,  HI.  320,  322. 
Tliauiiiatias,  II.  440,  468. 

litiniei,  II.  408. 
Therdinyia.'i  saya,  II.  347. 
Tbryomaiies,  1.  130,  144. 
Thiyothorus,  I.  130,   141,  142, 
148,  158. 

aiuiidiiiai'eii.s,  1.  101. 

bewiekii,  I.  142,  145. 

berlandieii,  1.30,  141,  144. 


147 


HI. 


137, 


leiicdgaster,    1. 
508. 

liltdialis,  I.  142. 

louisiame,  1.  142. 

luddvieiaims,    1.    30, 
141,  142  ;  111.  .508. 

iiiexieaims,  1.  137. 

l)iii\is,  1.  2(i8. 

s])iluriis,  I.  147,  154. 

tdiipiatiis,  I.  208. 
Tiaris  oiiiissa,  II.  03. 

imsilla,  11.  03. 
Tielidinis,  HI.  150. 
Timiuiieulus,  HI.  107,  159. 

ulaudaiius,  HI.  159. 

aii.stialis,  HI.  100. 

rinnainoiniiMi.s,  HI.  108. 

e(duiiilianus,  HI.  144. 

doniinieeiisis,  II!.  160, 107, 
171. 

isaliellinus,  HI.  106,  167. 

leiu'oplirys,  HI.  101. 

Jihaheiia,"  HI.  KiO. 

•sparveiiiides.  111.  Kil,  102. 

spaiverius.   111.   101,    166, 
107,  KiO,  171. 
Tdhnaetus,  HI.  312. 
Td.xostonia  curviio.stris,  1.  41. 

IiM'ontei,  I.  44. 

Idiigiiostie,  I.  39. 

rediviva,  1.  45. 

vetula,  1.  35,  41. 


INDEX   OF  SCIENTItrC   NAMES. 


XXI 


Tiicliiis,  1.  '2\K). 
iif,'ili.s,  I.  2110. 
bracliyilactylus,  I.  •2i»7. 
iiiiic>;illiviayi,  I.  :!(i.(. 
liiarilaiiiliitiis,  I.  21i7. 
licisonatiis,  I.  •iii?. 
i>liila(li'l|)liia,  I.  :i01. 
tcipliiocotis,  I.  -'ijo. 
tDliuimi,  I.  ;t03, 
Vi';;ata,  I.  ;iO;{. 
TliiiliDi^lossiirai,  II.  TiS"). 
Tli(liu| lions,  II.  i"ill2. 
TiichopiiH),  II.  M->. 
Tiidailvlia,  II.  :M\  j-,28. 
aii'tica,  I.  .'i:{ii. 
ildi'siiiis,  11.  :,:\->. 
iiiidulata,  11.  M->. 
TiiDivhis,  III.  1S2,  -j;!?. 
Tioclrilidi,,,  II.  l;i7,  4(j(i. 
Troi'Jiiiiiiiu,  II.  tiiS. 
Trocliiliis,  II.   CiS,  t:?!),  447. 
alrxaiiilii,  II.  4r)((. 
aniia,  II.  454. 
aiuvif,'astcr,  II.  448. 
calliiiii',  II.  44-,. 
(•(iliiliris,  II.  44S. 
ie'tiTc- ■plialiis,  II.  454. 
li'iicotis,  II.  4(i(i. 
niaciilatus,  II.  4(i8. 
niaiif;!),   II.  440. 
inclanotus,  II.  4ii(i. 
Iilatyci'icus,  II.  4(i2. 
iiil'iis,  II.  458. 
tobaci,  1 1.  4ti8. 
tobiifjt-nsis,  II.  408. 
t(il)aj,'o,  II.  4(i8. 
Tro^'Ki.lytcs,  I.  131,  148. 

a'cldii,  1.14(5,  148,  14!!,  u;2. 
alascciisis,  I.  14!»,  l",;-. 
aiiiciioanii.s,    I.    13(i,    ijn 

151,  153. 
aniiidiiiaceii.s,  I.  14],  142. 
aztcous,  I.  148. 
bewiekii,  I.  144,  145,  147. 
bicviiostris,  I.  \',\), 
I'lilvus,  I.  14!). 
byfiiialis,  I.  14!),  155,  158; 

III.  .5(18. 
latisfasciatiis,  I.  135. 
Ii'iii'Djrastfi',  I.  147. 
liltlovii'iaiiiis,  I.  142,  ltd. 
iiicxii'amis,  I.  13H. 
obsolotus,  I.  134,  135. 
pacilicus,  I.  14!i,  155,  158. 
paliistris,  I.  Kil. 
paikiiiaiiiii,    I.    148,    153, 

](i->. 
spiliinis,  I,  147. 
sti'llaris,  I.  158,  15!). 
sylvcsttis,  I.  153. 
Tio^'lodytiilie,  I.  130,  431. 
Tiupialis,  II.  148. 
'riyiiiiuMia  iii'loisii,  II.  4(1;-,. 
Tillclula.,  I.    1,    •_>,    5!l,  (!!),']3(l 

431. 
Turdiiia',  I.  2,  3,  31. 
Tiirdiis  {.iidiiifiiii.s},  I.  2,  4    "" 
5!>. 
aliciic,  I.   .5,  (i,  7,   n,   12, 
13,  16. 


Tliiillis  aoiialasilika",  I.  20. 
atcr,  II.  182,  l!tO. 
aiidulioiii,  I.   5,   7,   15,  l(i, 

•21  ;  III.  504. 
amii,'ai>illiis,  I.  280,  286. 
I'ai'dliiicrisis,  I,  52. 
0  ntiiiis,  I.  24,  27. 
I'diciiiatiis,  I.  280. 
dfiisus,  I.  8. 
fiisccsn'io-,  I.   4,  (i,  0,  15. 

21. 
KUItatiis,  I.  18. 
loiilsiiiiitis,  II.  2(13. 
iliaciis,  I.  22,  23. 
.jaiiiaici'iisis,  I.  24. 
,jiii,'nlaiis,  II.  182,  li»0. 
labradiirius,  II.  2o3. 
liiddviiiainis,   II.  287. 

IlK'lddllS,    1.   ,s, 

iiicnila,  I.  27. 
iiii^'ratdiiiis,  I.  13,  23-25, 

27,  28,  30,  48. 
iiiiiiiiims,  I.  14. 
iiiitidi-,  I.  3,  14,  18. 
Tiidiitaims,   I.  32. 
iiidtai-illa,  II.  287. 
nmsiciis,  I.  30. 
iiiustcliims,  I.  .1,   4    (i    7 

i»,  10,  15,  111. 
iia'viu.s,  I.  28,  20. 
iiaiius,  I.  ,5,  7    k;   -m  ■_>]  : 

111.504. 
HdVcbdiaci'iisis,   II.  ■'((3 
X".  22,  II.  203. 
dlivaifus,  I.  14, 
pallasi,    II.    4-7,    11,    12, 

11 -1(),  18,  282. 
liilaris,  I.  23. 
lidlyf,'li)itiis,  I.  48,  4i). 
niCiis,  I.  37,  144. 
silciis,  I.  y,  21. 
.swaiiisdiii,  I.   4,  ,5,  7,  11  - 

13,   14,   ]()-18,  282. 
tiiilias,  1.  207. 
uslulatus,  1.    5,    7,    13,  1,5, 

1(),  20,  4(i. 
vaiicj,'aliis,  I.  131. 
viiviis,  I.  30(i,  307. 
viscivonis,  I.  3,  22.  ! 

Hil.Minii,  I.  ',1.  j 

Tiiitiir  carDliiii'iisis,   HI.  383.      1 
liMicdptiins,  HI.  37(i.  I 

Tymiiiii,  II.  307. 
Tyniiiiiiche,  II.  30(>. 
Tyiaiiimla  acadioa.  II.  374. 

caiiba'a,  II.  351.  | 

ciiicrascciis,  II.  337. 
roioiiata,   II.  387. 
ci'iiiita,  II.  334. 
flavivcntiis,  II.  378. 
t'usca,  II.  343. 
Iiatiiiiidiidi,  II.  383. 
niiiiiiiia,  II.  372. 
iiiKiiiaiis,  II.  340. 
dlisiiira,   II.  381. 
pallida,  !l.  317. 
plidlic,  H.  :ii>o. 

pii.silla,  II.  302,  30(!,  378 
rirliaidsdiii,  II.  3(i(|. 
SiiVH,  II.  347. 


Tyniiimila  tniilli,  II.  3(>ii. 

viivtis,  II.  357. 
Tyianmili,  H.  3117. 
Tyianmis,  H,  307,  314. 
acadii-iis,  H.  374, 
antillai-iiiM,  II.  332. 
atiicrps,  II.  300. 
bcirrajis,  H.  353. 
caKiliiifiisis,  II.  315,  310. 
casiiiii,  II.  327. 
eodpi'ii,  H.  353. 
<'diulii,  II.  315,  320. 
I'liiiitiis,  II.  3.il. 

<1 iidn'iisis,  II.  315,  3111. 

I'diliiatiis,  II.  311. 
I'lisini.s,   11.  343. 
Kiisfiis,  II.  ;'r./. 
iiitivpidus    "1.  3it;. 
li'llroj,rast(T,  H.  ;;](!. 
liiddviciaims,  I'.  334. 
inatutiiiiis,   11.  310. 
iiiclaiicliDliius,     II.      3]r, 

320. 
iiii'xicaiiiis,  II.  311. 
iii^Micaiis,  11.  340,  353. 
plidOic,  11.  .332,  300. 
pipiii,  II.  3](i. 
piisilliis.  11.  3li0. 
savaiia,    II.  ;iii;). 
sayiis,  II.  .347. 
tniilli,  II.  3(i;i. 
viilicalis,  11.  31.-,,  324. 
viiviis,  11.  357. 
Vd.'ilcniii.s,    11.    31,5,    327  • 
111.  521. 
Uliila  liiacliyiitiis,  HI.  22. 
riuiiiMiiaria,  111.  <»(). 

Ila ca.  111.  13. 

Iii-biildsa,   111.  34. 
dtns.  III.   17.  iH. 
pasMTJiia,   111.  43. 
viixiiiiaiia.  111.  02. 
Ura.'spiza,  HI.  220,  222. 
I'l'dai'tiLs,  111.  312. 
I'l'dspiza,  111.  220,  222. 
I'lospi/ia,  HI.  220,  222. 
Uniliitiii.na  iiiiiiirula,  HI.  240. 
Wnniviua  biiilmiaiii,  I.  104 
irlala,  I.  202. 
riilviiapilla,  I.  187. 
iii^'ivsiTiis,  I.  25.S. 
pi'iiiisyhiuiica,  I.  187. 
pi'ii'i;iiiia,  I.  205. 
pi'dtdiidtaria,  I.  184. 
nibriiapilla,  I.  100. 
.'idlitaiia,  I.  105. 
.swaiiisniii.  I.  ]|io. 
Vcniiivdiiw,  I.  178,  183. 
Viivd,  I.  357,  358,  382. 

atiicapilliis,    I.    3,58,    382, 

383. 
bi'Ili,  I.  81,  .358,  38.3,   380. 
bdjidti'iisis,   I.  3(i3. 
laiiiiidli,  I.  3^3. 
("issiiii,  I.  370. 
ll.ivilVdiis.  1.  357,  370. 
Ilavdviridis,   I.  3ii(i. 
Kilviis,  I.  308. 
liiilldiii,  I.  .358.  .383,  .387. 
liiiisinis,  I.  385. 


XXII 


INDEX  OF  SCIENTIFIC  NAMES. 


Virco  novobomccnsis,    I.    357, 
358,  383,  385. 

oliviici'ns,  1.  357,  3(53. 

]iliila(l('l]iliicu.s,      1,      359, 
307. 

misilliis,  I.  358,  383,  391  ; 
III.  512. 

solitai'ins,  I.  357. 

.swaiusoiii,  1.  371. 

viciiiior,  1.  358,  383,  393. 

vi^orsii,  I.  2»i8. 

viifsii'iis,  1.  3t;3. 
Vircdnclla,  1.  382. 

^iimllaclii,  I.  382. 
ViicdiiiiLc,  I.  7ti,  3ot),  350,  357. 
ViicDsvlvia,  1.  357,  358. 

afjili.-.,  1.  359. 

altil<>i|Ua,  I.  3(>0. 

liai'lKulciiw,  I.  359. 

l)iirliatiila,     I.     357,     359, 
3(>(i. 

caliilias,  I.  358,  359. 

tliivi,  1.  359. 

cdliaiH'iisis,  I.  307. 

llavil'iDiis,  1.  379. 

Ilavoviiiilis,    1.    357,    359, 
3(>0. 

gilva,     I.   359,   300,    368, 
371. 

frilvius,  I.  357. 

josfplia',  I.  300. 

iiiagistcr,  I.  359. 

olivacca,  I.  357,  359,  303  ; 
111.  512. 

liliiladcliiliica,  I.  357,  307. 

]iluriil)i'a,  1.  377. 

pioiumjiiua,  I.  373. 


Vircosylvin  .solitaiia,  I.  373. 

swaiiisoui,  I.  300,  371. 
Vviltui- alUcilla,  HI.  324,  327. 

iitiatus,  HI.  .350,  351. 

amia.x,  HI.  312. 

aura,  HI.  343,  344,  351. 

auiu  iiigcr,  ft  III.  351. 

caliloi'iiiaims,  HI.  338. 

gi'Vpliii.s  III.  337. 

ii)ta.  111.  345,  351. 

jiapa.  111.  337. 

uiiiliu,  111.  351. 
VultuiiiiiB,  HI.  335. 
Wilsoiiiii,  I.  313. 

iiiinuta,  I.  310. 

]iiisilla,  I.  317. 
XaDtliixi'i.lialu.s,  II.  148,  107. 

iiti'ioii'iilialiiH,  II.  107. 

ln'ispiiillatu.s,  II.  107. 
Xantlimims,  I.  179,  182. 

alH'illci,  II.  184. 

Imllorki,  II.  199. 

giilii'iiiatdi',  1 1.  103. 

iiirlaiupicphalii.s,  II.  180. 

]iansi)niiii,  II.  188. 

l)liiriiii<Mis,  II.  159. 
XaiitliDUia,  II.  2(i4,  294. 

guatt'iiialfiisi.s,  II.  295. 

iiicas,  II.  295. 

luxuosa,  II.  29,''>. 
XciKii'iaugiis,  III.  520. 

alliiilarvatus,  11.  520. 
Xi'iioi liens,  II.  502,  520. 

alliolarvatus,  II.  520. 
Viingiiia?,  II.  491. 
Yiihaiitcs,  II.  179,  183. 
Z«bra|iiL'iis,  II.  553. 


Zi'tmapicu.s  knnpii,  II.  558. 
Zfliaiila,  111.  375,  378. 

aniabilis,  111.  379. 

auiita,  HI.  379. 

liyiHilciica,  HI.  379. 

li'ucoiiteia,  HI.  376. 

Jiiaciilata,  111.  379. 

iiiai'tiiiii:aiia,  HI.  379. 

iiKintaua,  HI.  3!>3. 
Zciiaiili'a',  111.  375. 
Zciiaidina-,  111.  357,  374. 
Zcimidiira,  HI.  375,  381. 

caroliiictisis,  111.382,  383. 

gfavsoiii,  HI.  382. 

inaigiiiclla,  HI.  383. 

yiiialnisis,  111.  382. 
Zdiiotiiihia,  1.  53(1,  505. 

alliiidllis,  II.  180,  574. 

aunicapilla,  I.  573. 

U'lli,  1.  593. 

Iiuiicardi,  II.  38. 

I'asNiiii,  II.  42. 

clilorma,  II.  131. 

c-oiiiiita,  I.  577. 

t'nidiiata,  I.  573. 

iallax.  II.  22. 

1'a.siiata,  11.  22. 

gainlicli,  I.  500,  509  ;  III. 
510. 

graniiiioa,  I.  545. 

li'iuoplirys,  I.  500. 

iiii'loilia,  II.  19. 

iiiunticola,  II.  3. 

pcimsylvaiiiia,  1.  574. 

plc'lii'ja,  II.  47. 

(lui'iiila,  I.  577. 
Zygodactyli,  II.  469. 


INDEX  TO  PLATES  OF  Li^ND  BIRDS. 


^Egiothus  brewsteri,.  I.  501,  pi.  22, 

exilipe.s,  (f  "   40S,      " 

fuscescens,  <f  "   4<J3,      " 

<<  >>     .1         11 

Agplaius  gubenintor  (shmdihi-), 

cC  II.  111.  33, 

giibcmator,  9  "   KUi,      " 

phopniceus,  cf  "   1 .")!»,      " 


"      {n/ioiildcr), 
tripolor  {.iliniihler), 


Alauda  arvciisis, 
Amniodioimi.s  oaudacutUN, 

maiitinuis, 
Aiiipelis  oeilrorum,  d 

{,'aiTlllus,  rf 

Anti'iiDr  uiiicinctiis, 
Aiithus  ludoviciamis, 

pratpii.sis, 
Antro.stoimis  oavoliiipn.sis, 
<f 

iinttalli,  cf 

VOciflTll.s,  <f 

Aqnila  oanadi'ii.si.s, 
Arcliibiiteo  ferruginciis, 

.saiicti-johaiini.s, 
Astur  atiieapillus, 
AHturiiia  plagiata, 
Atthis  licloisa, 
Auriparus  flaviceps, 


III. 
I. 


II. 


III. 


<f  II. 
I. 


itir), 


13(i,  pi.  32, 

t>')7,  [>\.  25, 

.")tiO,  " 

401,  id.  18, 

3!l(i,  " 
2.-)(l. 

in,  pi.  10, 

173,  " 

410,  pi.  4(i, 
417,       " 
413,       " 
314. 
300. 
304. 
237. 
246. 


pi. 
pi. 


47, 


Buna.sa  sabinoi, 
unibfUoides, 
umbcllu.s. 

Bubo  areticus, 

paoilioiis, 

virginiamis, 
Hudytcs  ilava, 
Buteo  bon^alis, 

calunis, 

cooperi, 

elcgan.s, 

harlaiii, 

krideri, 

lineatus, 

lucasaiius, 

oxypterus, 

peiiiisylvaiiicu.s, 

swuinsoni, 

zonocercus, 

CHlainnspiza  bicolor, 

VOL.  III. 


t'alamo.spiza  bioolor,       $    II.    61,  jil.  29, 

•  allipipla  .MiUiiiiiata,      d"  III.  487,  pi.  60, 

Caly|itt' aiiiia,  <f    II.  4j4,  pi.  47, 

costii!,  (f    "    4o7, 

(-'ampcpbilus  principalis, 

<f    "    4!l(i,  III.  4i>, 
•I  5    ..      ..     '    ,< 

('atiipyloiliyiicbiis  alliiii.-,      I.  133,  ]il.    8, 

bnimicii'apillu.s,  "    132,       " 

rjaiiacf.  caiiiiiU^nsi.s,  III.  416,  pl.lil, 


"     6 
"  11 


III.  4r.4. 
"    453,  pi.  61,  "  10 
"    448,      "       "    3 

"  64. 

"  65. 

"  62. 

I.  167,  pi.  10,  "     2 

III.  281. 

"  286. 

"  295. 

"  277. 

"  292. 

"  284. 

"  275. 

"  2.85. 

"  266. 

"  2.59. 

"  263. 

"  272. 

cf  II.    61,  pi.  29,  "     2 
7-1 


fraiiklini, 

fuliginosus, 

oli.scuni.s. 
It 

licliard.sdiii, 
rai(liiiali.s  coeciiiciis, 
ignciKs, 
plKr^iiiceiis, 
virginiami.s, 


9 
cf 

<f 

9 
(f 
<f 
<f 

9 

cf 


I'l 


419, 
4!t5. 
422, 

427, 

103, 

loo, 


pi.  .30, 


CttiiKidacus  californiiiis. 


cassim, 
« i 

IVoiitalis, 

hri'inori  1  >iis, 
rIiodo<M)i|iu.s, 
purpiiri'U.s, 


(f 
9 
cf 
9 
<f 
9 

cf 
cf 
cf 

9 


I.  465,  pi.  21, 
"    460,      " 
"    465,       " 


468, 
462, 


Cathari.sta  atrata.  III.  351, 

C'atJici|M'.s  iiii'xicaiiu.s,  I.  139,  ]d.    8, 

CV'ntroiMTcu.s  uioiiliasiaims, 

cflll.  id.  60, 


Oiitinnyx  baiidi, 
rciitiinis  auiifroii.'i, 

carolimi.s, 
<< 

uropygialis. 


"    429,  pi.  61, 

I.  531,  pi.  25, 

II.  557,  pi.  52, 

(i  it  (I 

"    554,      '• 

((  (t  (( 

"    558,       " 


Certbia  ainciiiana,  T.  125,  pi.    8, 

moxicana,  "    128. 

(Vrtbiola  babauiPii.si.s,  cf     "   428,  pi.  10, 

f.'ciylc  akyoii,  cf  II.  392,  pi.  45, 

cahaiiisi,  cf  "    39(i,       " 

Cluneturn  pelagii-'a,  tf  ' '    432,  pi.  45, 

vaiixi,  9  "    435,      " 

Chamxa  fa.<!oiata,  I.    f-i,  pi.    6, 

< 'Iiailiippplia  passriiiia,  cf  III,  389,  pi.  5K, 

•  'honde.ste.sgraiiimaoa,  cf  II.  562,  pi.  31, 


fig. 

3 

6 

il 

7 

t( 

8 

(t 
It 

1 
0 

*' 

6 

" 

5 

"   1 

It  2 

"  4 

"  « 

"  0 

"  9 

"  6 

'•  7 

"  10 
"  11 
"  4 
"  5 
"  3 
"  « 
"  12 
"  9 
"  7 
"     8 


2 
4 
6 
3 
3 
6 
1 
4 
2 
5 
11 

5 
6 
9 
7 
S 
8 
<! 
1 


XXIV 


INDEX  TO  PLATES   OV  LAND  BIKDS. 


Chordcilca  henryi,         J 

I>npctup, 

texoiisis,  cf 

Chrysoniitiis  lawrcnci,  rf 

niizoiut,  (f 

iiicxicnna, 
(( 

pimis, 
lisiiltria, 

tristia  (mimvirr), 
"      (winter), 
Cinclus  mcxicnims, 
I'iretix  liuilsoiiius, 
t'istotlionis  paliistiis, 

stelliiria, 
Coccyf;\is  iinicrirainis, 

crytliiophtlialmiis, 

minor, 
C'olaptes  aiiratus. 


9  " 
<f  " 
cf    " 

9    " 

(f  " 
<t    " 

It 

III. 
I. 

1  ( 

<}    II. 


chrysoidcs, 
(( 

hybridtis, 
mcxicaiius, 

Collurio  Ixjiealis, 


(Jur.) 

pxpuhitoioidcs,  <f  " 

liuloviciamis,  cf  " 

robust  us,  " 

Coluiuba  fasitiata,  S  I 

tiavirostris,  cf  " 

leueoc("i)liala,  cf  " 

Contopiis  borealis,  cf  " 

jH'rtinax,  cf  " 

riclianlsouii,  cf  " 

viroua,  cf  " 

Conurusearolinciisi.s,  (Ad. ) " 
(Jiiv.)" 

Corvua  aincricanus,  cf  ' ' 

carnivorus,  9  " 

caiiriinis,  cf  " 

eryptolt'ucus,  " 

(loridauus,  " 

nioxioanua,  cf  " 

ossifragua,  " 

Cotuniiculus  Jien.slowi,  9  I 

Icconti,  9  " 

ooliroceplialua,  II 

passprinus,  I 

pprpallidus,  " 

Cotyle  riparia,  cf 

C'rotopliaga  ani,  9 

Cupidouia  cu]iido. 


II 
III 


II.  404,  pi.  46,  fig. 

"  4(17. 

"  4(16,   "   " 

I.  478,  pi.  22,  " 
"   11    11   11 

"  476,   " 

<<  II  i< 

11  II  II 

"  480,   "  " 

"  474,   "  " 

"  471,   "   " 

56,  pi.  5,  " 
214. 
Kil,  pi.  9,  " 

H  (t       t( 

477,  pi.  48,  " 
••  484,   " 
"  482,   " 
"  57.5,  pi.  55,  ■' 

H  It        (t       (t 

"  583,  pi.  54,  " 
II   11    11   11 

"  582,   " 

"  578,  pl.  5.5,  " 

'*  tt        tt      tt 

I.  41.5,  pi.  19,  " 
i<   II    11   11 

"  421   "  " 

'  418,'   "  " 
"  420. 

II.  360,  pl.  57,  " 
'  366,   " 

"  363,   "  " 

'  353,  pl.  44,  " 
'  3.56,   " 

'  360,   "  " 

'  357,   "  " 

587,  pl.  56,  " 

tt        tt      (f 

243,  pl.  37,  " 
234,   " 

248,   "  " 

242,   "  " 

247,   "  " 
233,   " 
251,   " 

553,  pl.  25,  " 
5,52,   " 

pl.  46,  " 

553,  pl.  25,  " 
556. 

353,  pl.  16,  "  ] 

488,  pl.  48,  " 

440,  pl.  61,  " 


Cyanoapiza  cyanpa, 

l)arpllina, 

versicolor, 
11 

Oyanura  coronata, 

oristata, 

frontalis, 

macroloiilia, 

•stplli'ri, 
Cyrtony.x  niasspna, 


Dcndroica  luativa, 

alliiloni, 

auduboui, 

blackburnia?, 
11 

cicrulen, 
It 

ciprulpsccns, 
II 

pastanca, 
II 

cliryso|)arpia, 
coronita, 


9 
cf 

cf 

9 
(f 
<f 
cf 
cf 
cf 

cf 
9 


TI. 


Ill 


82,  pl.  29,  fig.  U 

"  "     6 

86,      "  "     9 

"       "  "  10 

pl.  39,  "     4 

273,  pl.  42,  •'     3 

279,  pl.  39,  "     2 

28],       "  "     3 

277,       "  "     1 

402,  pi.  61,  "     2 

"     pl.  64,  "     3 

II         II  1.     g 


pallidioitipta,  " 

C'yanopitta  arizouie,  11. 

palil'ornica,  cf    " 

coHplii,  " 

iloridaua,  cf    " 

sordida,  " 

suniicliiasti, 

woodlioiispi, 

Oyanos])iza  anirenii 
11 

ciris. 


cyanea, 


<f 
cf 
cf 

9 
<f 
9 
(f 


446. 

292,  ].l.  41,  " 

288,  ]d.  40,  " 
293. 

28.5,       " 

292,  pl.  41,  " 

pl.  40,  " 

291,       "  " 

84,  id.  29,  " 

t(                  tt  (  ( 

87,      " 

It       II  11 

82,       "  " 


discolor, 
doniiuica, 
giaciui, 
kirtlandi, 
maculo.sa, 

niontana,  " 

iiigrpsccns,  cf  " 

occidputalis,  cf  " 

olivacpa,  cf  " 

palniaruni,  cf  " 

ppnu.sylvanica,        cf  " 

(Jiiv.)  cf  " 

piuus,  cf  " 

striata,  <f  " 

9  " 

townspudi,  cf  " 

vinms,  cf  " 

Dolielionyx  orizyvorus,  cf  II. 

9  " 

Ectopistps  migi-atoria,    tf    " 
Elanus  Icucurus,  III. 

Embprnagra  rufivirgata,      II. 
Euipidonax  acadicus,     cf    " 

dillicilis,  " 

Havivputria, 

liaimuuudii, 

Miinimus, 

obscurua, 

piisillu.s, 

traillii, 
Erpmoi)liila  cornutn. 


222,  pl.  14, 

it 

1 

240, 

7 

229,  pl.  13, 

1 

237,       " 

2 

II         II 

3 

23,5,      " 

tt                  II 

10 
11 

254,  pl.  12, 

10 

11         II 

11 

251,  pi.  13, 

4 

It         11 

5 

260,  pl.  12, 

6 

227,       " 

9 

tt                  It 

12 

276,  pl.  14, 

9 

240,       " 

5 

243,       " 

10 

272.      " 

5 

232,      " 

2 

271,      •' 

3 

258,  pl.  12, 

8 

266,       " 

5 

pl.  14, 

4 

273,      " 

8 

245,  pl.  13, 

7 

II         11 

8 

268,      " 

6 

248,      " 

9 

t«                  It 

12 

265,  pl.  12, 

7 

261,       " 

4 

149,  pl.  32, 

4 

tt                  tt 

a 

<f  " 

cf  " 

cT  " 

cf  " 

cf  " 

cf  " 

cf  " 

(Jtw.)" 

Euspiza  anipricaiia,        cf  " 

9  " 

town.scndi,  9  " 

fak'o  anatuni.  III. 

caiidipan.s,  '* 

Polumbariu.s,  " 

I'emoralis,  " 

isabelliuus,  " 


368,  id.  57,  "    5 
.  198. 

47,  pl.  28,  "    3 

374,  pl.  44,  "  11 
380. 

378,      '•  "  12 

383,      "  "7 

372,      "  "  10 

381,      "  "6 

366,      "  "    9 

369,  "  "8 
141,  pl.  32,  "     1 

II          It  II     2 

65,  pl.  28,  "  11 

'  12 

68,       "  "  13 

132. 
111. 
144. 
155. 
171. 


INDEX   TO   PLATES  OF   LAXD   BIRDS. 


XXV 


(( 

113. 

14 

117. 

(( 

137. 

(4 

1-23. 

t( 

118. 

44 

115. 

(4 

KI'J. 

l( 

147. 

I 

52,1,1.    3, 

II. 

492,  pi.  48, 

1. 

3(13,  1,1.  15, 

14 

1.         11 

(4 

31(1,       " 

14 

44                  H 

(4 

2i)7,       " 

»* 

it                     4( 

II. 

81. 

*t 

85. 

II. 

77,  pi.  29, 

Falco  islaiidicus, 
liibiadom, 
pt'iilei, 
polyaftm.s, 
riohai'il.suiii, 
sneer, 
siMirveriius, 
suckleyi, 

Galcoseoptcs  carolinensia, 

Geocoecyx  ealilbniiaiius, 

(t 

Geothlypis  maegillivravi, 

'tf 

9 

Philadelphia,  cf 

trichiis,  <T 

9 

Glaucidium  califoniicum, 

i'ernit^iniHim, 
Guiraea  cieiiilea,  d" 

t(  $    "        **        ** 

Gyraiiokitta  cyaiiocephala, 

d    "    260,  pi.  38, 

Haliaiitu.s  albicilla,  1 1 1.  324. 

leucoLM'],halus,  "    32(i. 

Harpoihynehus  cinereus,  I.    40,  i>l.    4, 

crissitlis,  "      47,      " 

curvirostris,  "      41,  pi.    3, 

lecontei,  "      44,  pi.    4, 

longirostris,  "      39,  pi.    3, 

palnieri,  "      43. 

ledivivus,  "      45,  pi.    4, 

i-ul'us,  "      37,  pi.    3, 

Hedymeles  ludo\iciaiiiis, 

(f    II.    70,  pi.  30, 
<•         ^    <<      i>         i< 

melanoeephaliis,     cT    "      73,      " 
t*  ^    it      ((         tt 

Hcliopip.dica  xaiitusi,     J    "    467,  pi.  47, 
Hclmiuthophaga  haehiiiani, 

<f     I.  194,  pi.  11, 
celata  {var.  Cape  Lucas), 

1. 204,      " 
"      {var.  Florida),   "  " 

"     (var.  Itoeky  Mts.), 

I.  202,       " 
chry.soptcra,  cf    "    192,       " 

hicia;,  "    200,      " 

l)ercgi-ina  (in  Sjirinf/),  "    205,       " 
"        (inautiuini),"      "  " 

piiius,  cf   "    195,      " 

riiticapilla,  "    iy6,       " 

(wr.  Calif.)," 
virgiiiiie,  "    199,      " 

Helmitherus  swaiiisoni,      "    190,  pi.  10, 

veiinivorus,  "    187,      " 

Hesporiphona  iiiniitaim,       "    449,  pi.  22, 

vespcrtina,  J    "      "         " 

Hirundo  horrcorum,      <T    "    339,  ],!.  16, 
Hylotomus  pileatus,       9    II.  550,  pi.  56, 


«g- 


Icteria  longicauda,  1.  309. 

vireiis,  cf  "    307,  pi.  15, 

Icterus  auduboni,  cf  11.  186,  pi.  35, 

baltimore,  J  "    195,      " 

biillocki,  cf  "    199,  pi.  34, 


2 
9 
10 
11 
1 
7 

8 
12 
9 
10 
4 
1 
9 
4 


"  12 
"     1 

I 

"     3 


Icterus  bulloeki. 

9 

II 

.  199,  III.  31, 

lij. 

.  7 

cuculhitiis. 

cf 

" 

193,  pi.  35, 

6 

parisonini. 

cf 

tt 

1S8,       " 

4( 

7 

.si,iirius, 

cf 

tt 

190,  pi.  34, 

" 

4 

{Jtcv.) 

cf 

tt 

t*                     it 

4( 

5 

tt 

9 

tt 

It                    ti 

t4 

6 

wagleri. 

cf 

tt 

pi.  35, 

** 

2 

Ictinia  inississippieiisis, 

III 

203. 

.Tunco  aikeiii, 

cf 

1 

584,  pi.  26, 

44 

6 

eaiiiteps. 

cf 

44 

5S7,      " 

(4 

3 

hyemalis. 

cf 

** 

580,       " 

<* 

5 

oref^ouus, 

cf 

t4 

584,       " 

(4 

2 

Lagopua  alliua, 

11 

.  457,  111.  til. 

(( 

8 

"  {.iiiiiiiiirr),  cf 

** 

"     pi.  62, 

14 

1 

"  (irinlcr), 

(f 

it 

«         .. 

44 

3 

"  (muninrr) 

9 

*i 

tt        tt 

*t 

2 

leuciirus  {.luiniiicr 

,<f 

tt 

464,      " 

44 

ti 

riii,estris  (wiiilcr) 

cf 

H 

462,      " 

*' 

4 

"      (siimnur),  9 

t4 

" 

44 

5 

Laniviri^o  cassuii, 

cf 

I. 

376,  pi.  17, 

•* 

9 

llavil'rous. 

cf 

** 

379,       " 

*» 

5 

plumbea. 

cf 

" 

377,      " 

44 

10 

solitaria, 

cf 

** 

373,      " 

44 

8 

Leueostictc  arctous. 

** 

pi.  23, 

** 

10 

aiistralis. 

44 

" 

44 

9 

.    eaiiipi'stris. 

** 

507,       " 

4( 

7 

^liseitiucha, 
ittoi-.dis. 

cf 

" 

508,       " 

" 

5 

•* 

507,      " 

4t 

6 

te]ihroeotis, 

44 

504,      " 

t( 

8 

L(,phophaiiea  atricristatus, 

4( 

90,  pi,    6, 

•» 

2 

bieolor, 

tt 

87,      " 

44 

1 

iiioriiatus. 

44 

91,      " 

** 

3 

wollweberi. 

14 

93,       " 

** 

4 

Lophortyx  calil'ornicus 

,  III. 

479,  l»l.  61, 

** 

4 

n 

cf 

41 

"     pi.  64, 

({ 

1 

tt 

9 

(4 

((                  it 

44 

2 

giiinbeli, 

cf 

44 

482,      " 

(( 

4 

(( 

9 

(( 

44                    (( 

44 

ft 

Loxia  americaiia, 
tt 

cf 

9 

1. 

484,  pi.  23, 

tt                 i( 

44 

1 
4 

li!ueoi,tera. 

cf 

'* 

488,       " 

44 

2 

*' 

9 

*' 

a              it 

44 

3 

niexieaiia. 

it 

it 

Melaiierpcs  angustifrons, 

cf 


erythrocephalii'i, 
forniicivorus, 

tor(|iiatus, 
Meleagris  fjallopavo, 

niexieaiia, 
MelojM'leia  leueoptera, 
Melosjiiza  fidlax, 

guttata, 

heeriiiaiini, 

iiisigiiis, 

liiieoliii, 

nielodia, 

palustris, 
(t 

niliiia, 

.saiinieli.s, 
Micratlieiie  whitiieyi, 
Jlilvuliis  forlicatiis, 

tyraiiiiiis, 
Mimiis  jwljglottu.s. 


II.  573,  pi.  53, 


III. 

(4 
44 

IL 


5ill, 

1,1.  54, 

566, 

pi.  53, 

ti 

561, 

pi.  54, 

404. 

410. 

376, 

pi.  58, 

22, 

pi.  27, 

27, 

44 

24, 

44 

30, 

44 

31, 

** 

19, 

44 

34, 

pi.  28, 

IIL 
II. 


29,  pi.  27, 

26,       " 

87. 
311,  pi.  43, 
309. 

49,  pi.    3, 


"  4 
"  10 
"  12 
"  9 
"  8 
"  13 
"  6 
"  1 
"  2 
"  11 
"    7 


XXVI 


INDEX  TO  PLATES  OF  LAND  BIRDS. 


Mitrci)lionispallosoi'ns,  J 


Miiiotilta  vaiia, 
MulotiiriiM  ix'coris, 


;!««,  I>1.  44,  fig. 
IStl,  pi.  10,  " 
liVI,  1)1.  ;]•>,    " 


oliscunis,  cf 

Jrotacillii  allia, 

Jlyiadostes  towiisciiili,  cf 

"      (.,/in:) 

Myiaivliu.s  lincrasccns,  <f 

(•n?iitiis,  cf    " 

lawii'iicii,  cf    " 

Myi(iili(>i'li',scaiiadcii.sis,cr     I 

miimtiis,  " 

iiiitiatius,  cf    " 

V    " 

l)ili'olalus,  " 

pusillu.s,  cf    " 

?    " 

Nauflciiis  foificatus,  HI, 

Neorury.s  spraffut'i,  9      1. 

Nephu'cetcs  nig(>r,  ?    II. 

NisHs  coopeii,  IH. 

ruscu.s,  " 

iiicxiiaiius,  " 

Nyctali-  licliaidsoiii,  " 

acadii-a,  " 

Nyctua  scaiiiliaca,  ' ' 

Onyohotps  gruberi,  " 

Oporoniis  ujjilis,             cf  I 

9  " 

f'omiosa,                    cf  ' ' 

Oipopclria  iiiaitinica,     cf  1 1 1, 

Oroortyx  jiictn.s,              cf  " 

Oreoscoptcs  iiioiitamis,  I. 

Oitalida  niaealli,  |1. 

Ortyx  ti'Xauus, 

(( 

virgiiiiaiiu.s, 

Otns  bracliyotus, 
wilsoiiiamis, 

Paiidion  carnlinoiisis, 
I'any ptila  melanoleuca,  cf 


.  It!.-),  ].l.  10, 
40y,  pi.  18, 


I. 
11.337,  1)1.43, 


?  Ill 

cf    " 
cf     " 

9    " 


320,  pi.  l(i, 
31(1,       " 
314,  pi.  1.-), 

31  !1. 

317,  pi.  1(), 


lit2. 

17.'i,  pi.  10, 

42i",  pi.  45, 

230. 

224. 

231. 

40. 

43. 

70. 

254. 

.  2U0,  pi.  1,5, 
(<  (t 

2!»3,  " 
3!t3,  pi.  .-,8, 
47;'),  |)1.  03, 
32,  pi.  ;!, 
3!).s,  pi.  ru, 
474,  pi.  «;i. 

(  t  It 

22. 
18. 


13 

0 
<> 
'  7 
'  8 
'  1 
'  5 
'  6 
'  8 
'    7 

!• 
() 
2 

10; 
11   I 

3 
4 


rcri.somia  capitali.s, 

olisciinis, 
I'frissi)f,'los.sa  carboimta, 

tigiiiia,  cf 

9 
Pftrocliclidoii  hmifrons,  cf 
P('U(  iva  iv'stivalis, 

aii/oiiie, 

^■n^pa!i.'^, 

I'a.ssiiii, 

nilici  |)s, 
Pliii'iiDpi'pla  iiitciis 


cf    II.  302,  pi.  41,  fig.   4 


l'lioiii])am  zi'iia. 


cf 
cf 
cf 

9 

I  I'liyllopiicnstc  I)oiealis. 

1  I'ii'a  liiulsoiiica,  cf 

I  inittalli,  cf 

Pii'ii'diviiH  coliiinbiaiiiis, 

I'k'oidcs  anicricaiuis,      cf 

arcticiis,  if 

Picus  all)oIarvatus,         cf 


Panila  ami'iicaiia,  tf     T 

Paius  atricapillu.s  " 

caioliiicn.sis,  " 

hud.sonicu.s,  " 

niontanua,  " 

ocpidptitali.s,  " 

nifesc'ons,  " 

septentrionnlis,  " 

Pas.serculus  alaudiiiu.s,  " 

anthiniis,  " 

('al)oti,  11. 

giittatiis,  I. 

priiicci)s,  " 

rostiatus,  " 

.''niidwichf'n.sis,  " 

savanna,  " 

Pa.sscrclla  iliaca,  I|. 

ini'giurliynclia,  " 

sehistacpa,  " 

townspiidi,  9    " 
Pudia'ccti's  columbiamis.  III. 

pliasianelliis,  " 

Peiisorpu.s  canadcjisis,  J    II. 
"     (Jiir.)  " 


184. 
424, 
208, 

itfi, 
102, 
lO."), 

9.'-), 
101, 
104, 

.'537, 
.'■)39, 

.'■)44, 

540, 

542, 

538, 

534, 

50, 

i'7, 

56. 

53, 

434, 

43t), 

299, 


bovoalis, 

gaii-dncii, 

lianisi, 

lucasanus, 

nuttalli, 
(I 

puboseens, 

scalaris, 
(( 

villosus, 

.      "        (./"».) 
linicola  pnuclcator. 
It 

Pipilo  abcrti, 
alliigula, 
allcni, 
aicticus. 


cf 

9 

cf 

9 

rf 

9 

cf 

9 

cf 
cf 

9 

cf 
cf 


pi.  45, 
pi.  10, 
pi.    7, 


pi.  24, 

pi.  4rt, 
pi.  25, 

(t 

pi.  24, 

(  t 

It 

pi.  28, 


pi.  «(), 

pi.  41, 
pl.  42, 


'     3 

'     () 

'     2 

'  11 

'  10 

'     9 

1 

2 

12 

9 

8 

7 

10 

8' 

1 

3 

3 

4 


clilonirn,  cf 

dissalis,  (f 

ri-ytluoplitlialnius,  cf 

cf 

nipgalonyx,  9 

iTiPsnlcucu.s,  cf 

orcgoiin.s,  9 

Plcctropliancs  lapponicns, 

<f 

macpowni, 

molanonin.s, 

nivalis, 

nniafus, 

pii'ttis. 


,  Polioptiln  cirriiloa, 

mclaniira, 

pliiiiibca, 
Polyboiiis  aiidnboni, 
Pooca'ti's  giiiniinctis, 
Poospiza  belli, 

l)ilim'ata, 

npvadcnsis, 

Piogne  cryptoleui-a, 

subis, 
(I 

Protoiiotaria  uitiea. 


cf 
cf 
cf 
cf 
cf 

9 


III 

II, 

I, 


9 

<f 


■  214,  pl.  12, 

334,  pl.  10, 
II.  39,  pl.  28, 
"      41. 

pl.  40, 
"     42,  pl.  28, 
"      45,       " 
I.  40,-),  pl.  18, 

11.    93,  pl.  29, 

1.  pl.    5, 

II.  200,  1)1.38, 
"    270,      " 
"    25.'-),      " 

"    532,  pl.  50, 
"    530,       " 
"    52(1,       " 
<>      <>         >( 

"  524,  pl.  49, 

"  512. 

"  507. 

"  519. 

"  521,  pl.  ."50, 

"    509,  pl.  49,    ' 

"    51.5,  pi.  50,    ' 

"    50,3,  pl,  49,     ' 


I.  453,  pl.  21, 

1.  128,1)1.31, 
'    127,       " 
'     112. 

'    119,       " 

I      >>         II 

'  131,  " 

'  122,  " 

'  109,  " 

I  <i  II 

'  113,  " 
'  125,  " 
'    116,       " 

I.  51.5,  pl.  24, 

'    523,       " 

521,       " 

512,       " 

520,      " 

518,      " 
*(        II 

78,  pl.    0, 
81,      " 
80,       " 
,  178. 

545,  pl.  29, 

693,  pl.  20, 

590,       " 

594. 

332. 

329,  pl.  16, 


"     3 
"     1 

"  2 

"  13 

"  4 

"  8 

"  5 

"  0 

"  3 

"  4 

"  15 

"  10 

"  5 

"  1 

"  3 

"  4 

"  2 

"  1 

■'  7 

'  8 

'  8 


3 
0 
6 
7 
4 
5 
3 
4 
5 
1 
2 


"  11 

"  5 
"  6 
"  4 
"  8 
"  2 
"  3 
"  9 
"  10 
"  12 

"  7 

"  1 

"  6 

"  2 
3 

'•  4 

"  5 

"  5 

"  7 

"  6 

"     1 

"    9 


7 
10 


184,  pi.  10,    "    8 


IXDEX   TO   PLATES  OF  LAND  BIRDS. 


Psaltripnnis  melanotia,         I.  ins,  i,l     7 
iniriiinii.s,  "    ]()()'     ',.   ' 

plmrilii'iis,  "    J 10'      1. 

Pseiidogiyplnis  I'lilifoniinmis, 

III.IWS. 


Psilorhinus  iiiorio, 
Pyranga  icstiva, 

COOJM'l'i, 
it 

hi'imtica, 
Ituloviciaiia, 
rubiu, 
Pytpita  (loincstici 


?  II.  ;t04,  jil.  42, 

'f      I.  441,  1,1.  2(1. 

cf  "    444,  " 

9  "       "  .< 

cf  "    44(1,  " 

9  "      'I  >. 

cf  "    4.i7,  " 

9  "      " 

tf  "  r.m,  " 

9  X           <<  >1 

!'>■■!'!,  pi.  2;i, 


.   8 

•"^plifdtytii  Iiyjiopi'ii 

, 

III 

"I 

Spcniioiihila  morcli 

•ti. 

<f 

II 

1(1 

Sphyiopiiii.s  iiuclia 
nilicr, 

is. 

9 

It 

0 

tliyioiileus, 

cf 

it 

Ti 

vaiius, 

if 

tt 

(i 

" 

9 

tt 

1 

williaiiisoni, 

9 

tt 

2 

Spizclla  arizoiia', 

tt 

<i 

iitnVulai'i.s, 

cf 

1. 

1(1 

a 
4 

l)ii'\V('ii, 

IIIDIlticilIn 

<f 

II. 

xxvii 

no. 

'1.  pi.  2it,  lig.  17 
'■  pi.  i'.I.  '•  ;i 
4 
(i 
6 
1 
2 


:>4 


r,44.     " 
iVir.  pi.  .Id, 

M'J,  pi.  51. 


r.4.';, 
n. 
'•'>,  pi 


2(i, 


Pyroii'phalus  iiic.xicaiiii.s. 

Pyrrlm  a  .assiiu,  rf      |.  i-,j^    ,,.  ._,.5' 

O'lThiiliixia  siiiuata,      cf    II.    !tr),  Jil.  ;i(). 


Quis(;alu.s  icncus, 

uglreii.s, 

iiiacioiini.s, 
i( 

major, 
it 

jnirpiiri'iia, 

RegllllLS  ralciidula, 

I'livicri, 

satrapa, 
Kliiiiogn|iliiis  aura, 
Hostrliamus  sociabilis, 


"    21s. 
rf    "    221.  j)l.  37, 

i  "  ••^••i''- pi.  y(i, 
9  "    "      II 

cf      "      •>.).>  << 

9    "    ""' 

'f    "    ^11,  pi.  37, 

I-    7-.,  1,1.    5, 
<i      >i        ,, 

"     73,      " 
111.344. 

"    201». 


]■■!,  pi.  27, 
11.     " 


pallida, 

piisilla,  9    ■ 

.Miiiali.s, 
StaiiKi'iias  cyaiKxfipliala, 

cfll 
.Stcl(,'id()ptcryx  sciTiju'iinis, 

cf      1.  3.-1(1,  |il.  k;, 


7,      " 
3(10,  ])I.  r,H, 


Sali.iiirtes  ob.sol(.t.is,  I.    13.5,  ,,1.    g 

.^axicola  (I'liaiithc,  "      mi    ,,|     5 

Sayuniis  liiscu.s,  cf    11.343;  pi!  4r.' 

iiigiieans,  cf    "    ;j4()        ><    ' 

sayiis,  J'    .1    ;{,j.'       ., 

Sc.ar,latWla  inn.,  cf  III.  387.  pi.  58, 

i5coliM(.plialu.s  cyaiiooi'plialus, 

-  .  ?    II.  20(i,  pi.  35. 

t('rriic;incu,s.  cf    "    2(I3        " 

Scops  a.sii>.  111.  "49! 

Ilaiiiiiicola.  "      r,)^ 

lloriilana.  "      (-,7" 

kpimii'otti,  "      53! 

liiac'calli,  <•      ry£ 

Seiuru.i  aurocapilius,  I.  280,"  pi.  14 

ludoviciaiiiis,  cf    "    287       "   '    ' 

iiovpboiacpiifii.s,       cf    "    283        "        ' 
Splasphorus  platypcivius, 

cf    II.  4(>2,  1)1.  47,    ' 


■Stcllida  caltiopt., 
Stii.x  |p|atiiiiM)la, 
Stmiiclla  liia;;iia, 

liPf,'l('cta. 
."^tuiims  vulgaris, 
Siiniia  iihila. 
{jyiiiiiiiii  ciiiprpmii. 

iiibiilo.siiiii. 

oi'(,i(l(Uitale, 


'f    II.  445,  , 

III.     13. 
J     11.174,1,1.34, 
cf    "    ]7(i,       " 
^    "    ■-'•-'!•,  pi.  35, 
III.    7.5. 

"       30. 

"      34. 

"      38. 


11 

12 

4 


Taihyciiiefa  bicolor,      cf 
tliiilassiiia,  cf 

Tliauiiiatias  liniuvi. 

Tliry(itli(,nis  Uilaiidicii. 
bpwiiki,  cf 


I.  344.  pi.  Hi, 
"    347,       " 
II.  4(iS. 

I.  114.  pi.    9, 
"    145,       " 


nifus, 

Setophaga  picta, 
(t 

ruticilla, 
(( 

Sialia  aretica, 
iiipxicaiia, 
sialis, 

Sitta  aculpata, 

paiiadpiisis, 
(< 

oarolinensis, 
«( 

pusilla, 
pygimca, 


cf    "  45!t, 

<f    "  pi.  4(i, 

'f    "  pi.  5(), 

'f     I.  322,  pi.  l(i, 

"  67,  pi.    5, 

"  6,5,  " 

"  (i2. 

"  117. 

<f    "  118,  pl.    8, 

9    "  I.  .1 

cf    "  114,  " 

9    •'  .1  11 

"  122,  " 

"  120,  " 


11 
13 
12 


'  3 

'  1 

'  5 

'  4 

'  2 

'  3 

'    7 

■     8 

1 

2 

9 

10 


II 


lpii('o>Tasl(T, 
ludoviciamis, 
spiliinis, 
Tiwliiliis  alpxandii,      cf 

colubi-i.s.  if 

Tiof^lodytcs  avion, 

ala.si'cnsis, 

li.vcnialis, 

paiilicn.s, 

parkinanni, 
Tiirdns  alii'ins, 

andnboui, 

lonliiiis, 

I'lisppsccii.s, 

iliapiis, 

iiiigiatorius, 

iniistcliiius, 

nii'vius, 

nanus, 

pallasi, 

swain.soni, 

iistidatiis. 
Tyiannu.s  parolinpusis.  (f    \\,  z](;,  pl.  43^ 


147. 

142.      " 

147. 

■l.'io,  pl.  47, 
"    448,       " 
I.  11!»,  pl.    9, 
"    157,       " 
'    155,       " 
'  <■ 

'    1.5.3. 

'  11,  pl.    1, 

'  21,       " 

'  27,  pl.    2, 

;  !),  pl.    1, 

7,  pl.  1, 

29,  pl.    2, 
20,  pl.    1, 
18,       " 
14.       " 


I'OUcllI,  cf 

doniinicpiisis,  cf 

vcrtii'alis,  cf 

vopifemns,  cf 

Viieo  atrioapiliu.s.  if 

bplli.  cf 

liuttoni,  cf 

noveboraceiisis,  cf 

pusillus,  (f 


329. 

"    319.  " 

"    324,  " 

"    327,  " 

I.  383,  pl.  17, 

"    389,  " 

"    387,  " 

'    38.5,  " 

"    391,  " 


8 
11 

2 
3 

4 


"  1 
"     2 

"  5 
"  8 
"  9 
"  10 

"  3 

"  H 

"  1 

"  5 

"  4 

"  3 

'  1 

'  2 

'  7 

'  ti 

'  4 

'  2 

'  2 

'  d 

'  ,3 

'  4 

'  5 

(i 
13 
12 
11 
14 


XXVlll 


INDEX  TO  PLATES  OF  LAND  BIRDS. 


Virco  viciiiior,  rf 

Vircosylviu  bitrbutula,   if 

lliivoi'iridis, 

gilvii,  cf 

oliviKtcn,  cf 

pliiludKlpliica, 

BwaiiiBoiii, 


I.  393,  pi.  17,  lilt.  7 

"  am,  "  "  1 

"  am. 

"  3(i8,  "  "  3 

"  363,  "  "  2 

"  307,  "  "  4 

"  371. 


Xautliocc|)halu8  ieteroL'e])lmlus, 

<f   II.  167,  pi.  32,  "  9 

"  9    "      "    pi.  33,  "  9 

Xanthoura  luxiiosa,  "    29.5,  pi.  42,  "  1 


Zenaida  amaWIis,  cf  III.  379,  pi.  68,  fig.  3 

Zeiuiiiluia  caioliiicnsi.s,  cf    "    383,      "        "    2 
Zoiiotricliia  albicoliifi,    cf 
coronata,  cf 

gambeli,  cf 

iJuv.) 
leut'ophryu,  (Juv.)  cf    " 

cf 
quenila,  (Ad.)       cf 
"      (autumn) 


.  !>74, 

pi.  26, 

"  10 

673, 

t( 

"  1 

669, 

pi.  25, 

"  11 

<  t 

It 

"  12 

666, 

it 

"    9 

II 

tt 

"  10 

577, 

pi.  26, 

"    4 

<l 

H 

"    7 

PLATK  I.VII. 


•5 
i 

3 

lA 


1-^ 
o  u 


PLATE  I,Vin. 


^'^1^ 


3  i"- 

i---  5 

Ji    w    01 


§1 

ll 


5  i' 


1    = 

i3 


PLATE  UX. 


>^ft 


o    o 

(A   [/} 

n    rl 


•do* 


c    ~" 


fJ/5 


*oo» 


PLATE  LX. 


>i 


si 


i'o 


PLATE  LXI, 


PT-ATE  LXn. 


'■■>  ^^v^^^l&lS- 


PLATE   LXIII. 


I.   Ortyx  virijiiiinuub.      d   Pa.,  1715. 

'■     "        "9  '■■•'.■7.4. 

3         "    Itxanus.     a  Texas,  4099, 


4.  Onyx  lex.iruis.     9   Tixas.  9147. 

5.  Orcnrlyx  piclus.     J  Ciil.,  3935. 

6.  Callipepla  sijuamala.     d  New  Mcx.  9,84 


PLATE  IJCIV. 


I.  Lophortyx  californicus.     <f  Cal.,  9399. 
3.  "  "  T   Cal,.  3930. 

3.  Cyttoiiyx  inasscn.1.     (^  Texas,  10358. 


4.  Lophortyx  nainbelli      (S  Ari^.,  9178. 
:;.  "  "  V   \tiz.,  9i6r. 

o.  Cyrlonyx  niasscna.     ♦   Texas.  10256.