The land-birds and game-birds of New England; with descriptions of the birds, their nests and eggs, their habits and notes, with illustrations;

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FORTHE PEOPLE

FOK EDVCATION

FOR SCIENCE

LIBRARY

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THE AMERICAN MUSEUM

OF

NATURAL HISTORY

i^:^!^ ^.^^.^-^

THE

LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS

OF

NEW ENGLAND

WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BIRDS, THEIR NESTS
AND EGGS, THEIR HABITS AND NOTES

WITH ILL US TEA TIONS

BY

H. D. MINOT

SECOND EDITION
EDITED BY WILLIAM BREWSTER

To him who in the love of Nature holds
Communion with her visible forms, she speaks
A various language.

Bryant's Thanatopsis

BOSTON AND NEW YORK

HOUGHTON, MIFFLIN AND COMPANY

(Cbe lltitiEwibe prejjs, CamliriD0e

1895

Copyriglit, 1876,
By henry DAVIS MINOT.

Copyright, 1895,
By CHARLES SEDGWICK MINOT.

All rights reserved.

The Riverside Press, Cambridge, 3fass., U. S. A.
Electrotyped and Printed by H. O. Houghton and Company.

CONTENTS.

Page

Biographical Notice vii

Editor's Preface ^

Preface to the Original Edition xv

Introduction 1

Chapter I. First Order. Passeres 23

§ 1. Thrushes (Turdldce) 24

2. Bluebirds {Saxicolidce) 47

3. Kinglets and Gnatcatchers (SylviidcB) 50

4. Titmice (Paridce) 56

5. Nuthatches (Sittince) 61

6. Creepers (Certhiidce) 66

7. Wrens {Troglodytida) 68

8. Wagtails (Motacillidce) 78

9. Warblers (Si/lvicolidce) ........ 79

10. Tanagers (Tanagridce) ....... 136

11. Swallows {Hirundinid(E) ....... 140

12. Waxwings (Ampelidce) 152

13. Vireos (VireonidcB) 154

14. Shrikes {Laniidce) 166

15. Finches {Fringillidce) 171

16. Larks (Alaudidce) 246

17. Orioles (Icteridce) 249

18. Crows (Corvidce) 270

19. Flycatchers {Tyrannidce) 281

Chapter II. Second Order. Picarice 304

20. Goatsuckers (Caprimulgidce) 305

21. Swifts (CypselidcB) 310

22. Hummingbirds {TrochilidcB) 313

23. Kingfishers {Alcedinidce) 317

24. Cuckoos {CucuUdcE) 319

25. Woodpeckers {Picidm) 323

Chapter III. Fourth Order. Raptores 339

26. Owls (Strigidce) 340

27. Hawks and Eagles (Falconidce) 359

28. American Vultures (Cathartidce) 392

IV CONTENTS.

Chapter IV. Fifth Order. ColumbcE 394

29. Pig-eons {Columbidce) 395

Chapter V. The Ga>ie-Birds 403

30. Grouse (Tetraonida) 403

31. Partridges (Perdicidce) 412

32. Snipe (Scolopacidce) 418

Appendix.

A. An Ornithological Calendar for Eastern Massachusetts . . 433

B. Distribution of the Birds of New England .... 441

C. D. The Use of the Keys 443

C. A Key to the Eggs of Massachusetts .... 445

D. A Key to the Land-Birds of New England . . . 452

E. Coloration Peculiar to Young Birds or to Mature Birds in the

Winter Season ........ 461

F. Abstract of the Game Laws of Massachusetts . . • 465

G. Additions to Mr. Minot's List of the Land-Birds and Game-

Birds of New England ...... 466

Index to English Names 481

Index of Scientific Names 490

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

Page

Plate 1 facing 1

Fig. 1. Wood Thrush . 25

2. Chickadee 57

3. Winter Wren 69

4. Blue Yellow-hacked Warhler 101

5. Scarlet Tanag'er .......... 137

6. Warbling- Vireo 162

7. Butcher-bird 166

8. Purple Finch 179

9. White-throated Sparrow ........ 225

10. Towhee Bunting 234

11. Shore Lark 246

12. Cow-Bird 254

13. Baltimore Oriole 262

14. Crow Blackbird . 267

15. Traill's Flycatcher 294

16. Night " Hawk " 309

17. Yellow-bnied Cuckoo 320

18. Golden- wing-ed Woodpecker 324

19. Hairy Woodpecker . . 334

20. RufPed Grouse 407

21. Quail 413

22. Woodcock 419

BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICE.

Henry D. Minot, the author of " Land-Birds and Game-
Birds of New England," was born on August 18, 1859, in
Koxbury, near Boston. He was the sixth child and fourth
son of William and Katherine Sedgwick Minot.

His parental home comprised about thirty acres of land,
sheltered by large trees and abundant shrubbery, with a
varied, undulating surface, including also some acres of
swamp. It stood on the edge of the Great Forest, which
then stretched from Walk Hill Street to the town of Dedham
on the west, and to the Blue Hills and the Great Ponds in
Canton and Braintree on the south. Farms and small settle-
ments were scattered through these forests, and there were
large clearings where the timber and wood had been cut off,
and had been followed by a free growth of New England
shrubbery. Nature seemed to have fashioned this country
for the dwelling-place of birds. The forests, the open farm
fields, the thickets and hedgerows and swamps, afforded every
form of food and shelter suited to their wants ; and most of
the birds native to eastern Massachusetts, or occasional visi-
tors there, coidd with careful search be found.

On the home grounds, from seventy-five to a hundred nests
were built every spring, and the broods therein successfully
raised, for the birds were carefully protected. Cats, Hawks,
gray squirrels. Crows, Jays, and snakes were summarily dealt
with ; every note of alarm was promptly answered with an
efficient rescue, and all the spring and early summer the air
was fiUed with the melody of happy birds.

From early childhood, Mr. Minot showed a great fondness
for Nature, and her influence and charm increased with every
added year of his boyhood. He never wearied of wandering

EDITOR'S PREFACE.

The " Land-Birds and Game-Birds of New England" is, in
many respects, a remarkable and interesting book. Written
by a youth of seventeen, with, as I am assured, almost no out-
side help of either a literary or scientific kind, it found favor
at once, and for nearly twenty years has been ranked among
the authorities on the subject of which it treats. It has evi-
dently owed this popularity partly to the large amount of
original matter which it contains, partly to the pleasant style
in which it is written, and in no small degree, apparently, to
the attractive personality of Mr. Minot himself. Most of
the biographies relate to his own experience or impressions,
and in the main they are exceedingly well done, for, in addi-
tion to the essentials of good composition — unity of style, and
simplicity, terseness and vigor of expression — they are not
wanting in touches of a somewhat quaint humor and of unmis-
takably sincere and elevated sentiment. Their author had
a clear head, a true heart, and a well-defined purpose, combined
with an amount of literary taste and ability very rare in one
so young. He was deeply in earnest, full of warm yet rever-
ent love of nature, wholly unconscious of, or indifferent to,
certain conventional methods of investigation and expression,
yet in the main careful in observation, temperate of state-
ment, and singularly logical and dispassionate in argument.
It is true that his literary style is marred, here and there, by
evident immaturity of thought and expression, and lack of
experience occasionally led him into statements of more than
doubtful scientific accuracy ; but these shortcomings have
been rightly judged with much leniency in view of the gen-
eral soundness of his work. Moreover, had our author been
older and wiser his style woidd almost certainly have lost that

xii EDITOR'S PREFACE.

peculiar freshness, that marked naivete, that subtle personal
flavor, which, as already pointed out, are obviously among its
chief attractions.

In revising a text-book on natural history for a new edi-
tion it is customary to omit positive blunders, to recast or
rewrite partially erroneous or misleading passages, and to
pad more or less liberally with fresh material. But Mr.
Minot's work is not a mere text-book, and it has seemed to
me that treatment of the kind just indicated would scarcely
add to its intrinsic value and usefulness. It was not, when it
first appeared, either a comprehensive or an exhaustive trea-
tise, and to attempt to make it so now, when the sum of know-
ledge of New England ornithology is at least fourfold what
it was in 1877, would tend to obscure, if not to destroy, the
original character of the book, besides swelling its bulk to
far beyond the limits of desirability.

Hence my editorial touches have been of the lightest.
They are intended, not to bring the subject down to date,
but merely to help the reader to approach the book from
the standpoint of the present day, and to use it intelligently
in connection with more modern works. In other words,
I have assumed that the " Land-Birds and Game-Birds "
may be safely trusted to stand, as it has so long stood, on its
own merits.

Everything that I have personally contributed, excepting
the list of added species in the new Appendix, appears in
the form of foot-notes signed by my initials, all the unsigned
foot-notes having been taken from the first edition. It will
be noticed that some of my paragraphs relating to distribution
do not differ in substance from Mr. Minot's ; but most of the
latter are so inadequate (they habitually refer only to Mas-
sachusetts and in some instances exclusively to " near Boston")
that it has seemed best to supply a full set of independent
notes on this important branch of the subject. These notes
are of necessity brief, but it is hoped that they will give a
sufficiently clear and definite account of the general range
of each species in New England and the seasons at which it
may be found in the different States.

EDITOR'S PREFACE. xiii

As to my other foot-notes, it may be well to explain that,
excepting in a few cases which possess unusual interest, I
have abstained from criticising points in regard to which
there are grounds for a fair difference of opinion or impres-
sion, and have confined myself to questioning or correcting
statements which are positively known or generally believed
to be erroneous ; and further, that I have made no attempt
to supplement Mr. Minot's biographies by additional matter,
save where this fills a conspicuous blank, — as in the case
of a nest and eggs which were unknown to him, — or where
what I have added directly qualifies or explains something
that he has said.

Practically the whole of the text, — including the ingenious,
but intricate and perhaps useless, keys and tables in the Ap-
pendix, — has been reprinted in nearly its original form ; the
only important changes being the following : (1) Family
titles have been introduced as page headings. (2) The scien-
tific names of birds throughout the work, with very few ex-
ceptions,* have been made to conform with those adopted in
the latest editions of the " A. O. U. Check List," now almost
universally followed by American writers. (3) Some of the
English names of birds have been changed slightly in form or
spelling, or with respect to the use of capital letters. Ex-
cept in a very few cases, however, all the vernacular names
given by Mr. Minot have been retained and no new ones added.
(4) The parentheses, which in the first edition inclosed the
numbers and letters used to designate species and certain sec-
tions of the text, have been omitted. (5) The notes and
additions which originally appeared in the Appendix have
been reproduced in the form of foot-notes to the matter to
which they respectively relate. (6) The punctuation has
been to some extent emended. (7) Certain words and sen-.

* Most of these exceptions could not be avoided without disturbing the
system of numbers by which Mr. Minot designated genera and species and
which he habitually used instead of page references in the text of his biogra-
phies ; e. g., the genus Syrnium with its species " (A) cinereum " and " (B)
nebulosum.^^ Had these species been placed respectively under the genera
Scotiaptex and Syrnium^ to which they are now referred, the sequence of num-
bers must have been either broken or changed.

xiv EDITOR'S PREFACE.

tences have been transposed or changed in accordance with
some marginal notes and suggestions entered by Mr. Minot in
his personal copy of " Land-Birds and Game-Birds " and in-
tended by him for use in a new edition, but no other liberties
of this kind have been taken.

It only remains for me to express my thanks to Mr. Henry
A. Purdie and Mr. Walter Faxon for much kind assistance
and advice, and to wish the book itself Gods23eed.

WILLIAM BREWSTER.

January, 1895.

PREFACE.

This book has been written from a desire to interest, if not
to instruct, young people in tbat most attractive branch of
natural history, the study of birds. If this j)wi'pose is ac-
complished, I trust that its deficiencies may be pardoned. In
my early study of ornithology, I felt great need of some simi-
lar book ; hence my attempt to supply it.

The volume will fill a place hitherto vacant in ornitholo-
gical literature. The works of Wilson,^ Audubon,^ and Nut-
tall,^ are costly, and rarely offered for sale, having been in a
great measure superseded by modern authors. The recent
and most complete work on American ornithology,* that of
Messrs. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway, is also costly. Mr.
Samuels's book on the " Birds of New England and Adjacent
States"^ has been thought too expensive to be within the
reach of all, and more or less inaccurate and incomplete. Dr.
Coues's admirable " Key to North American Birds," ^ which
is probably the best book of reference for collectors, and
students of inanimate hirds^ treats merely of structure, clas-
sification, and specific descriptions. The same author's
" Field Ornithology," ' and Mr. Maynard's '* Naturalist's

1 American Ornithology. Wilson. 9 of New England and Adjacent States.
vols. Philadelphia, 1814. Brought E. A. Samuels. 1867.

down by Ord to 1827. Also 4 volumes ^ Key to North American Birds, vfMh.
by Bonaparte, of the birds not given by a list of fossil birds. Coues. Natural-
Wilson, Philadelphia, 1833. ists' Agency, Salem, Mass.

2 a. Ornithological Biography. Au- "^ Field Ornithology, with A Check-
dubon. 1838. b. Enlarged to Birds List of North American Birds.^ Coues.
of America in 1844. Naturalists' Agency, Salem, Mass.

^ A Manual of the Ornithologi/ of the « The Check-List has been published

United States and Canada. Nuttall. separately. The older Smitlisonian list

1832, 1840. may be obtained from the Naturalists'

* North Ainerican Birds. Baird, Agency, Salem, Mass. To the above-
Brewer, and Ridgway. Little, Brown, mentioned books of reference may be
& Co., Boston, 1874. added various local catalogues, and the

^ Birds (or Ornithology and Oology) first volume, lately published, of Life-

xvi PREFACE.

Guide," ^ have also been written for collectors, being cbiefly
manuals of taxidermy.^ The former, so far as it extends, is
the fuller of the two.*

The author of this ornithological biography has endeavored
to make it inexpensive, trustworthy, original, and not a com-
pilation. He is aware that it is incomplete, treating only of
the land-birds and game-birds, which are of all, however, the
most accessible to a majority of persons, the most numerous,
and certainly the most generally interesting. He hopes, how-
ever, that should this volume be favorably received, some
naturalist will undertake the biography of the wading and
swimming birds, which he himself is incapable of doing, not
having had opportunities to make sufficient observations.
This volume may be found further incomplete, and he hopes,
therefore, that criticisms and corrections will be freely made,
that into a second edition, should there be one, he may incor-
porate additional facts. That he might not be, or seem, guilty
of plagiarism, he has written his biographies before reading
those of others, and has afterwards consulted Wilson, etc.,
for such interesting facts as were unmentioned by himself.
These borrowed statements, or passages quoted for their in-
trinsic value, have been invariably attributed to their authors,
or placed in quotation marks.^^ Sometimes, however, in spite

Histories of the Birds of Eastern Penn- ■which the figures of the larger birds

sylvania, by Thomas G. Gentry. are often admirable, while those of the

** The Naturalisfs Guide, " with a smaller kinds are generally very much
complete catalogue of the birds of less successful. The letter-press con-
Eastern Massachusetts," and notes sists of short biographical sketches,
relative to their migrations, etc. C. J. and synopses of classification." «
Maynard. Fields, Osgood, & Co., « This work was long since com-
Boston, 1870. pleted. It has met with a cold recep-

^ In the appendix to the first edition tion, however, and is not to be recom-

Mr. Minot also mentioned the follow- mended. — W. B.

ing : Studers Ornithology, " the birds of * Several important works have

North America, drawn, engraved, and been since added to the above list,

colored from life by Theodore Jasper, among them two of especial value to

A. M., M. D. ... To be published (by students of New England birds, viz.,

subscription, at one dollar for each New England Bird Life, by Coues and

number) in about forty parts, many Stearns, and a reprint of NuttalFs Man-

of which have already been issued, ual, edited by Montague Chamberlain.

Each part contains one uncolored, and — W. B.

three colored lithographic plates, in i° In the case of a few rare birds,

PREFACE. xvii

of these precautions, he has employed much the same words
as other writers in describing the same facts. The biogra-
phies of the game-birds have been contributed by a friend,
except those of the Canada and Pinnated Grouse.

The author has endeavored to mention in detail the ordi-
nary or minor notes of various birds, since these are often
more satisfactorily characteristic than musical notes, which
are usually heard during a limited portion of the year. He
has, moreover, endeavored, when possible, to convey an idea
of several songs through the medium of words, but he has
generally been obliged to employ other means, since it is dif-
ficult to do the former satisfactorily. It is probable that,
were a dozen persons asked to express verbally any music of
this kind, they would each employ different syllables. Many
birds have two or three easily distinguishable combinations of
musical sounds, or in different districts of the country have
songs which are very distinct. The notes of many Warblers,
particularly those occurring in Massachusetts as migrants
only, need to be learned and studied more than those of any
other group of our avifauna. The author does not pretend
to have treated these completely or satisfactorily, the less so
that he has lost several memoranda. The Warblers sing,
however, during their migrations in spring, particularly in
the early morning, more than many naturalists suppose. Mr.
Allen, in the preface to his "Notes on some of the Rarer
Birds of Massachusetts," makes the following admirable and
instructive remarks on the variation in birds' songs, distribu-
tion, etc.

" Only by knowing thoroughly the fauna of a locality can
the subsequent changes in it, induced by its becoming more
densely settled, or by other causes, be traced. As is well
known, the mammalian and bird faunae of all the older settled
parts of the United States are vastly different from what

the author has satisfied himself with which he cannot personally attest, such
corroborating the statements of others, as that Vultures feed chiefly on carrion,
instead of making statements based etc. These cases are principally con-
entirely upon his own authority and fined to remarks on distribution and
experience. He has not hesitated, habitat,
however, to state very general facts,

xviii PREFACE.

they were two hundred years ago. These changes consist
mainly in the great decrease in numbers of the representa-
tives of all the larger species, not a few of which are already
extirpated where they were formerly common ; a few of the
smaller species of both classes have doubtless increased in
numbers. Two causes operate unfavorably upon the larger
ones ; the disforesting of the country and the sporting pro-
pensities of the peo^ile, everything large enough to be shot,
whether useful or otherwise, being considered as legitimate
game. . . . Many of the water-fowl that are now only transient
visitors, as the Canada Goose, the several species of Mergan-
ser, Teals, Black Duck and Mallard, undoubtedly once bred
in this State, as did also the AVild Turkey and the Prairie
Hen. ... In comparatively recent times, geologically speak-
ing, probably other causes, as climatic, have been operating
to effect a gradual northward migration, in certain species at
least. These changes are of great interest, not only generally,
but in a scientific point of view, and we shall be able to trace
them and their causes only by comparing, from time to time,
exhaustive faunal records of the same localities.

" In a district so little diversified as that portion of Massa-
chusetts lying east of the Connecticut River, it is perhaps
a little unexpected that marked discrepancies should occur
in the observations made at adjoining localities by equally
competent naturalists, in respect to the relative abundance of
certain species. As every experienced observer must have
noticed that the birds of passage, as many of the Warblers
especially, vary greatly in numbers in different years, and in
the time occupied by them in passing a given locality, it is
less surprising that at different points they should vary in
abundance the same j^ear. Among the birds that regularly
breed in the district in question, there are some that are not
equally common at all points. . . .

" Birds, as probably other animals, are not quite so invari-
able in their habits as has been commonly supposed, nor in
the precise character of their notes and songs, or the situation
and materials of which they compose their nests. Hence one
should not rashly question the accounts given by usually re-

PREFACE. xix

liable authorities, because in particular instances they do not
accord with their own observations. Neither should differ-
ences in habits, in song, etc., be taken as infallible evidence
of a difference of species. . . . Howuniversally the Chipping
Sparrow (^Sinzella socialis) breeds in trees, and generally at
an elevation of several feet, is well known, but several au-
thentic instances of this bird's nesting on the ground have
come to my knowledge, one of which I myself discovered.
Variations of this character in other species are of occasional
occurrence, examples of which have doubtless been met with
by every experienced collector.

"The materials which birds select in the construction of
their nests are well known to vary in different localities ; the
greater care exhibited by some species to secure a soft warm
lining at the north that are much less precautious in this re-
spect at the south, is already a recorded fact. Aside from
this, the abundance of certain available materials occurring at
only particular localities gives a marked character to the nests
there built, which serves to distinguish them from those from
other points. Some of the Thrushes, for instance, make use of
a peculiar kind of moss at some localities that elsewhere, from
its absence, are compelled to substitute for it fine grass or dry
leaves. At Ipswich, on Cape Cod, and perhaps generally in
the immediate vicinity of the sea, the Purple Grackles ( Quis-
calus versicolor) and Red-winged Blackbirds (^Agelceus plicB-
niceus)^ and in fact numerous other species, in building their
nests often use little else than dry eel-grass or ' sea-wrack,'
which results in nest-structures widely different in aj^pear-
ance from those of their relatives residing in the interior.
Every egg-collector is aware of the wide variations eggs of the
same set may present, not only in the markings and in the
tint of the ground color, but in size and form, and especially
how wdde these differences sometimes are in eggs of different
birds of the same species. Also how different the behavior of
the bird is when its nest is approached, in some cases the par-
ents appearing almost utterly regardless of their own safety
in their anxiety for their eggs or helpless young, while other
parents of the same species quietly witness the robbing of

XX PREFACE.

tlieir nest at a safe distance, and evince no extraordinary emo-
tion. Those who have witnessed this, and have also watched
the behavior of birds when undisturbed in their quiet retreats,
will grant, I think, the same diversity of disposition and tem-
perament to obtain among birds that is seen in man himself.

" In respect to the songs of birds, who that has attentively
listened to the sinq-ino; of different Robins, Wood Thrushes
or Purple Finches, has not detected great differences in the
vocal powers of rival songsters of the same species ? Differ-
ent individuals of some species, esj^ecially among the Warblers,
sing so differently that the expert field ornithologist is often
puzzled to recognize them ; especially is this so in the Black
and White Creeper (^Mniotilta varici) and the Black-throated
Green Warbler (^Dendrceca virens). But the strangest ex-
ample of this sort I have noticed I think was the case of an
Oriole Qlcterus Baltimore) that I heard at Ipswich last sea-
son. So different were its notes from the common notes of
the Baltimore that I failed entirely to refer them to that bird
till I saw its author. . . . Aside from such unusual variations
as this, which we may consider as accidental, birds of unques-
tionably the same species, as the Crow, the Blue Jay, the
Towhee^i and others, at remote localities, as New England,
Florida, Iowa, etc., often possess either general differences in
their notes and song, easily recognizable, or certain notes at
one of these localities never heard at the others, or an absence
of some that are elsewhere familiar. This is perhaps not
a strange fact, since it is now so well known that birds of
the same species present certain well marked variations in size
according to the latitude and elevation above the sea of the
locality at which they were born, and that they vary consider-
ably, though doubtless within a certain range, in many struc-
tural points at one and the same locality. In other words,
since it is known that all the different individuals of a species
are not exactlv alike, as thouo-h all were cast in the same die,
as some naturalists appear to have believed.

" Certain irregularities in the breeding range of birds have

^^ It is to be remarked that a variety of this bird has reeeutly been found in
Florida.

PREFACE. xxi

also come to light. It is perhaps not remarkable that a pair
of birds of species that regularly breed in northern New Eng-
land should now and then pass the summer and rear their
young in the southern part, as has been the case in certain
known instances in the Snow Bird (Junco hy emails)^ the
Pine Finch (^Chrysomitris 2^inus')^ and the White-tliroated
Sparrow (^Zonotrichia alhicollis) ; but it is otherwise with the
Snow Bunting (^PlectTO'plianes nwalis)^ which rarely breeds
south of Labrador, of which there is a single well authenti-
cated instance of its breeding near Springfield. The casual
visits of northern birds in winter, which we may suppose
sometimes results from their being driven south by want of
food or the severity of the season, are also less remarkable, it
appears to me, than the occurrence here of southern species,
as of the two Egrets, the Little Blue Heron (Florida caeru-
led) the Gallinules and other aquatic species, which never, so
far as known (with one exception perhaps), breed so far north.
In the latter case they are generally young birds that reach
us towards fall in their chance wanderings.

" It may here be added that the cause of the migration of
our birds still offers an interesting field for investigation.
Observers are of late noting that in the case of some northern
species that reach us only occasionally in their winter migra-
tions, young birds only are at first seen, but if the migration
continues the older birds appear at a later date. But some-
times young birds only are seen. This frequently happens in
the case of the Pine Grosbeak (^Pinicola eneucleator). The
cause of their visits is not always, it is evident, severe
weather ; the last named species appearing sometimes in No-
vember, — weeks before severe cold sets in, — while at other
times it is not seen at all during some of our severest winters.
The probable cause is more frequently, doubtless, a short sup-
ply of food, as last winter was remarkable in this state for its
mildness and for the great number of northern birds that
then visited us. It has repeatedly been observed that on
their first arrival these unusual visitors are generally very
lean, but that they soon fatten ; an argument in favor of the
theory that their migration was compelled by a scarcity of
food.

XXU PREFACE.

" Probably fewer birds are actually permanently resident at
a given locality than is commonly supposed, for species seen
the whole year at the same locality, as the Blue Jay, the Tit-
mouse, the Brown Creeper, and the Hairy and Downy Wood-
pecker, etc., in Massachusetts, are represented, not by the
same, but by different sets of individuals, those seen here in
summer being not those seen in winter, the species migrating
north and south, en masse, with the change of season. We
are generally cognizant of a migration in a given species only
when the great ' bird wave ' sweeps entirely past us either
to the north or south. Some species, however, seem actually
fixed at all seasons, and are really essentially non-migratory,
as the Spruce Partridge, and Quail ( Ortyx Virginianus') are
in New England. But only a small proportion, doubtless,
of the so-called non-migratory birds at any given locality are
really so.*

" In connection with this topic of migration, the fact that
some of the young or immature individuals of our marine
birds, as the Herring Gull (^Larus argentatus) and other
species of that family, and several of the Tringae, linger on
our coast during summer, while the adult all retire north-
ward, is one of some interest. Mature and strong birds only,
in species that breed far to the north, evidently seek very
high latitudes. Birds of the first year also appear to roam
less widely than the older. In different species of the Gull
family it is generally only the mature birds that in winter are
seen far out to sea, though in the same latitudes the young
may be numerous along the coast. All observant collectors
are well aware of the fact that those birds that first reach us
in the spring, of whatever species, are generally not only very
appreciably larger, but brighter plumaged and in every way
evidently more perfect birds than those that arrive later ; and
that in those species that go entirely to the north of us there
is a much larger proportion of paler colored and immature
birds, especially among the Sylvicolidce, or warblers, towards

* '* In respect to the proof whereon Boston Society of Natural History^ Vol.
this proposition rests, see my remarks i, Pt. iv, p. 488 (foot note)."
on this point in the Memoirs of the

PREFACE. xxiu

tlie close of the migrating season than earlier. Hence the
presence here of a few individuals in summer of species that
usually go farther north is not always sufficient evidence that
the species breeds with us." ^^

Good illustrations are of great assistance to young students,
teaching them, better than words, characteristic details of
structure, and the general differences of appearance in the
birds of various families or groups. The illustrations of this
volume are woodcuts in outline, the only satisfactory form,
not greatly increasing its cost, of which the author has be-
thought himself. He has drawn most of the figures from na-
ture— he hopes with accuracy, though, since the scales vary,
and (when fractional) are only approximate, they do not sat-
isfactorily represent the relative size of the birds figured.^^
The outlines of the Chickadee, Night " Hawk," and Golden-
winged Woodpecker, have been copied from Wilson's pictures ;
those of the Winter Wren were suggested by a picture in Dr.
Coues's "Key to North American Birds." The details of
structure have all been drawn from nature by the author,
though several hints have been taken from the latter volume.
The outlines of birds very well known, or nearly related to
others figured, have been omitted. It may be here remarked
that in the figure of the Traill's Flycatcher the tail is broader
and more rounded than is observable in the living bird when
at rest. In some other figures, the notch of the bill is in-
distinct.

This volume contains several facts never before published,
so far as the author knows, except a few, which have appeared
in magazines and pamphlets. It also possesses new features
which wiU, it is hoped, facilitate the acquisition of a thorough
knowledge of our birds, though it contains no more scientific
details than necessary. The classification, with slight changes
in sequence, is that used by Professor Baird and Dr. Coues.
The introduction (which is divided into sections, marked by

^2 Several passages or sentences have, ^^ These have not heen drawn so as
for convenience, been omitted in this to exhibit the longest primary, spurious
extract. feathers, scutellce, or the like, imless in

the plate.

xxiv PREFACE.

letters) relates chiefly to the formation of a collection of eggs,
containing, however, a section on structural details, and an-
other on classification. Each of the succeeding chapters
treats of an ornithological order ^ though the last treats of the
game-birds. Each chapter is divided into sections, which are
continuously numbered throughout (in Arabic figures), and
which mark the w2iViou^ families (subfamilies being otherwise
indicated). The genera of each section are marked by Ro-
man numerals, and the species belonging to them by capital
letters in parenthesis. The biography of each species is
divided into four parts : a, a description of the mature birds
(but not of the young, for which see the Appendix E) ; 5, a
description of tlieir nest and eggs ; c, a description of their
habits, and c/, of their notes. In the first part, various
minute details are freely omitted, which it has been thought
unnecessary to introduce. In spelling the English names of
birds, the following system has been here adopted. Specific
names are begun with cai3ital letters to distinguish them from
similar names of groups (e. g.^ the Crow Blackbirds) ; when
they are composed partly of a family-name, such as "thrush,'*
that name is never compounded with another (e. ^., Wood
Thrush) ; when they are compounds of " bird," that word is
united by a hyphen to a noun immediately preceding, but not
to an adjective, except in cases to the contrary established by
long usage (e. g.^ Cat-bird, Blue Bird, but Swamp Black-
bird). *

Finally, that this book may prove useful to students, inter-
esting to lovers of nature, and acceptable to the public, is the
hope and wish of its

1876. Author.

* These rules have not been strictly followed in the present edition. — W. B.

Plate 1.

1. Booted tarsus of a Robin. 2. Bill of a Robin. 3. Scutellate tarsus of the Brown
Thrush. 4. Bill of the Brown Thrush. 5. Bill of a Nuthatch. 6. Bill of a Creeper. 7, 8, 9,
Bills of Warblers : 7, genus Hdminthopaga; 8, Deiidrceca ; 9, Myiodiodes. 10. Wing-feather
of the Cedar-bird, with horny appendage. 11. Head of a Cedar-bird, with crest raised.
12. Bill of the Goldfinch. 13. Bill of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 14. Bill of the Sharp-
tailed Finch. 15. Tail-feathers of the same bird. 16. Bill of a Crossbill. 17. Hind-toe
and claw of the Snow Bunting. 18. Bill of the Red-winged Blackbird. 19. Bill of
the Canada Jay. 20. Bill of the Great Crested Flycatcher ; 21, as seen from above.
22. " Mucronate " tail-feathers of the Chimney Swift. 23. Head of the Chimney
Swift. 24. " Syndactyle " foot of the Kingfisher. 25. Bill of the Downy Woodpecker.
26. Raptorial bill, genus Accipiter. 27. Tip of bill, genus Falco. 28. Bill of a Pigeon.
29. Tarsus of a Pigeon.

LAND-BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS OF
NEW ENGLAND.

INTRODUCTION.

§ A. Ornithology is the science of birds, and oology that of
eggs, or, in a common but limited sense, that of birds' eggs.
The two are intimately connected, and often form a joint
study, one embracing the other. They are useful, because,
when properly pursued, they cultivate observation and a love
of nature, and necessitate healthful exercise. " Ornithology,"
says an enthusiastic but anonymous writer,* " has two depart-
ments, which are more or less incompatible, namely. Natural
History and Science, or the study of animate birds and of
those inanimate. The former, especially as opposed to an ex-
treme of the latter, I recommend to all young students as
the higher and better pursuit of the two. I further advise
them, when not shooting at targets or legitimate game, never
to fire a gun. My own experience has proved that, when
science is so far advanced as at present, one can obtain an ac-
curate knowledge of our birds, and a good collection of their
eggs, by following the above rule and having proper books of
reference, or a like resource. Egg-collecting can be con-
ducted under humane principles. A parent-bird should never
be shot, except in cases of extreme necessity, it being often
preferable even then to snare the female by placing a slip-
noose of horsehair around the inner edge of her nest and at-
taching it to some neighboring object. I myself, from as
near a standpoint as possible, and often aided by an opera-
glass, observe, if I can, the female when actually upon her
* That is, H. D. M.

2 INTRODUCTION.

nest, since other birds may be about it, and may even make
complaints from sympathy, or because their own nests are
near by.^ Should she fly too soon, I either return after a
few moments' absence or concealment (as I often do in prefer-
ence to doing mischief by keeping her too long from her nest),
or I follow her with my eye, endeavoring not to lose sight of
her nor to confuse her with any other species, and note, so far
as possible, all her markings, which, until I became an expert,
I always noted down on the spot, to compare with full descrip-
tions at home. Practice enables one to recognize many birds,
particularly the larger ones, at a glance, and to note readily
the most characteristic markings ; but there is no objection to
shooting Hawks, which are less easily identified otherwise than
smaller species. There are some persons who are too inaccu-
rate to follow this method, and with such, or with those per-
sonally unknown to you, it is well never to exchange. Males
are generally more easily identified than females, and fre-
quently sit upon their nests, though most often appearing
when their mates are disturbed. Confusion may easily arise
from two varieties of one species, but both forms rarely occur
in the same district, and, according to a strict definition of the
word ' variety,' can never normally do so. The only varie-
ties (not belonging to original types) which occur in New
England among land-birds are the Gray-cheeked Thrush, the
Bronzed Blackbird ,2 and the Ked-naped Woodpecker, of which
the first-named has been sometimes ranked as a species, and
at least has not been known to breed in the eastern United
States.^ *

" Bird-collecting, on the other hand, unavoidably leads to

1 It may be added that Cow-birds manim hypochrysea), the Nelson's and
always lay their eggs in the nests of Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrows (Sm-
other birds. See § 17, III. modromus caudacutus nelsoni and A. c.

2 " This bird is thought to build in subvirgatus), the Bicknell's Thrush
holes, while the Crow Blackbird does (Turdiis alicim bicknelli), and the Cana-
not." dian Ruffed Grouse {Bonasa umhellus

3 See, farther, § 13, I, D, and E, for togata), have been since added. The
the very slight distinction between the Gray-cheeked Thrush is now consid-
Warbling and Philadelphia Vireos. ered a good species, and the Red-naped

* Several subspecies, such as the Woodpecker has been eliminated from
Yellow Palm Warbler (Dendroica pal- the New England list. — W. B.

INTRODUCTION. 3

more or less cruelty, in many cases to absolute barbarity, and
is at present carried to an alarming excess. Slaughter by
hundreds should be permitted among only a few eminent and
competent naturalists, such as Messrs. Allen and Coues.
Otherwise, it becomes an outrage upon nature, a positive
injury to science, and a mere source of seK-gratification.
Young collectors, who are not to become scientists, should
form their collections for the sake of beauty in nature, and
might well be satisfied with two good specimens, well-mounted,
of each kind, namely, the mature male and female.* In the
case of a scientific collection this would be wholly inadmissi-
ble, and collectors should certainly shoot any specimen of a
kind never before taken in that district where they may
chance to meet it, or those birds which they find in a country
new to themselves, or perhaps to all ornithologists. Other-
wise, may I venture to ask what new facts one can make
known from owning the skins of several hundred unfortunate
Robins ? All our rarer birds, or those of market value, are in
danger of being altogether exterminated, through a foolish
sense of glory on man's part, or through his reckless destruc-
tion of other than human life. It is also to be regTctted that
so many birds are shot before laying their eggs, owing to the
condition of their plumage, and their abundance, during or
immediately after their spring migrations. Nature's resources
should be drawn upon only in cases of necessity, or in contri-
bution to the advancement of mankind. Violation of nature,
as of the natural laws, must entail misery, and finally cause
us bitterly to regret our present thoughtlessness and inhuman-
ity ; errors which will probably continue until stricter and
efficient laws, consequently more general and simple laws, are
passed."

The above remarks may need modification, but they express
a spirit worthy of serious reflection.

§ B.* In forming a collection of eggs the chief requisites
are: —

* This is most sound and wholesome * The following remarks are ad-

advice, and is especially pertinent to dressed to the inexperienced only,
the present time. — W. B.

4 INTRODUCTION.

(1) Boxes of various sizes. Those of a cylindrical shape
and made of tin are the best, as they take up least room in the
pocket, and are easily slipped in and out. A box which can-
not be carried in the pocket is comparatively worthless.

(2) A supply of cotton wool, a cheap material and the
most satisfactory for packing on account of its elasticity.

(3) A cabinet.

(4) A knife to cut small branches or the like.

To these may be added climbing-irons, egg-drills, blow-
pipes, etc., though not absolutely necessary.

§ C. In winter, or as spring approaches, study the descrip-
tions of various birds, nests, eggs, and the nature of the local-
ities as well as the position in which the latter are usually
found. Find in advance suitable spots for the search of any
desired nest, especially if you do not live in the country.

§ D. If in your rambles you should see a nest (not an old
one), approach it carefully to see the bird ; this being gener-
ally indispensable, as eggs are often to be identified through
the parent only. If the female, who usually sits upon the
nest much oftener than the male, flies too soon, retire, and
return in a few minutes. Adopt the same plan for a bird
whom you have flushed from the ground, and do not at once
recognize. If you fail to find the nest (granted that there be
one there, and that the bird was not merely feeding^), on re-
turning, note the exact spot from which she rises. If you think
to recognize her, make yourself positive of facts. If not, note
with the utmost accuracy her size, markings, and the shape of
the bill, and identify her as soon as possible.^ To determine
her size, remember that the Hummingbird is about 3^ inches
long, the Song Sparrow or Snow-bird 6 or more, the Robin
about 9|^, and the Crow nearly 20. Also observe the compar-
ative length of her tail.

^ Many birds, when frightened from ^ Shooting- the parents when collect-

their nests on the ground, feign lame- ingybr yourself is optional. See quoted
ness or distress. remarks in § A.

INTRODUCTION. 5

§ E. If you have an opportunity, study the works of Wilson
and Audubon. The former's figures are very lifelike, and
their coloring generally true, though often too high-toned or
otherwise incorrect. It is still more worth your while to
examine the collection of the Boston Society of Natural His-
tory.^ If this is inaccessible to you, another is probably more
worthy of your attention than descriptions, or even accurate
paintings.

§ F. A nest containing sound eggs, but without the parent
birds, generally indicates that all the eggs have not been laid,
or that the parents are temporarily absent. Should you find
an incomplete nest, you must judge for yourself how soon it
will be finished. A pair of our smaller birds, in the latter
part of May or in June, ordinarily spend from five to ten days
in building one, and sometimes end their work sufficiently in
advance to allow the female a vacation for a day or even two.
Earlier in the season, other birds are generally occupied two
or three weeks. Woodpeckers are very uncertain in this
respect, and it is often difficult to decide when their nests
should be broken into to get the eggs, unless one can watch
them closely at their work (carried on chiefly in the morning)
and observe the final cessation of chips.* The Creepers, Nut-
hatches, Chickadees, and certain Wrens customarily lay their
eggs in deserted Woodpeckers' holes or other cavities, which
they line with warm materials, though the Chickadees occa-
sionally excavate for themselves with great and long-continued
labor.

After the first egg has been laid, one is generally added on
each succeeding day (apparently most often in the morning)

" The building- of this Society is on since separated, and are now exhibited

Berkeley Street (near Boylston) in in a room devoted to the fauna of New

Boston. It is at present open to the England. — W. B.

public on Wednesdays and Saturdays * A small wire scoop, furnished with

from 10 A. M. to 5 p. M. The birds of gauze netting-, and attached to a long-.

New England are not separated from flexible wire handle, can be used to ex-

those belonging to other parts of the plore the hole and remove or if neces-

world." sary replace the eggs. — W- B.

« The New England birds have been

6 INTRODUCTION.

until the complement is made,^ before which time the nest
should not be visited, except in cases of necessity. Most
birds lay four or five eggs (occasionally three or six) in a set,
commonly fewer in that of a second brood than before. Many
Wrens, Titmice, and Kingfishers often la}^ more ; the former
even ten, or very rarely twelve. Gallinaceous birds are also
prolific, and two or three hen-birds are said sometimes to lay
in the same nest. Hummingbirds, Eagles, and Pigeons, usu-
ally lay two eggs in a set, as do also old birds of other species,
particularly among the Hawks and Owls. Many sea-birds
have only one. If a nest be found with the same number of
eggs for two or three days, the proper inference generally is
that no more will be laid. If the egg of a Cow-bird (§ 17,
IH) be discovered, it should be taken home, or destroyed (at
a distance from the nest), unless observations are to be made
upon the young when hatched.

§ G. A method of finding nests, w^hich may often be prac-
ticed with success, is that of " tracking " birds, when seen
with food for their mates or material for building. It is gen-
erally a wearisome and patience-exhausting process, and fre-
quently causes disappointment. It may be facilitated by the
scattering of feathers, horse-hairs, string, cotton-wool, straw,
etc., in places where they will attract the attention of the
architects in whose work you are interested. The nests of
Woodpeckers may often be found by tracing to its source the
loud rapping of the builders, or by observing on the ground
the chips, which are usually fresh (unless, as is rarely the
case, the excavation be made in an unsound tree).

§ H. When you take eggs, pack them at once, bearing in
mind that the smaller ones are very delicate, and even the
larger ones easily broken. ^ If they are of the former class,

^ To this law the chief exceptions to even seven days, generally being

are the birds of prey and the Cuckoos ; four.

but among the smaller laud-birds the ^ Much danger will be obviated by

average rate of laying is one a day. blowing the eggs first, when practica-

Thus among difFerent species the time ble. If fresh eggs are allowed to grow

for laying four eggs varies from three cold, or to remain long unblown, the

INTRODUCTION. 7

having taken from the box most of the cotton wool, leave a
layer on the bottom, in which make a slight depression with
the finger, and place the first egg. The following rules should
be observed : (1) An egg must not come in contact with an-
other, with the bottom, sides, or cover of the box. (2) The
cotton wool must be tightly packed. To pack it loosely is a
mistake frequently made, and attended by consequent acci-
dents. (With larger eggs less care is required, and those of
Hawks or Owls may often be carried safely in a handkerchief.)
When all the eggs have been safely stowed away, the box
should be put in the pocket in such a way that they shall not
be violently jarred when a fence is clambered over, or the
body otherwise ungently moved. A small nest, if either rare
or curious, should be taken with any small branches to w^hich
it may be attached, and brought home in a suitable box or
basket, and not squeezed in the hand or pocket ; a bulky one
may be safely carried in the hands. A nest on the ground
must be taken up with peculiar care, as it may otherwise fall
apart, and should afterwards, if necessary, be stitched to-
gether. Nests, to be properly preserved, must be placed in
some receptacle where they will be free from dust, and, if
composed of woolly materials or of feathers, constantly sup-
plied with benzine or crystallized camphor, to prevent the
ravages of moths.

Eggs, to be sent by mail or express, should not be packed
so tightly as for ordinary transportation, and may be first sur-
rounded by tissue-paper. " Single eggs," says Dr. Coues,
*' may be safely mailed to any distance in auger-holes bored in
wood." Boxes may be sent by mail at a trifling cost when
not sealed. Tin boxes, such as are used for tobacco, with
tightly fitting covers, are the best.

§ I. On reaching home, the eggs must not be left in places
where they are likely to be broken or lost, but at once blown
and placed in your cabinet. The following are directions for

contents are less easily removed. The for two or even three days. See § I
reverse is said to he the ease when eggs and note.
containing embryos are left unblown

8 INTRODUCTION.

blowing an egg in the old-fashioned way, which possesses two
or three advantages over the modern process (among others,
that of not requiring expense, to many persons an important
consideration*) : —

Holding the egg lightly between the thumb and forefinger
of the left hand, with a sharp pin in the right hand, make a
small hole at or near the smaller end, and at the greater, or on
the same side, a large one in accordance with the size of the
egg^ which is next placed between the thumb and forefinger of
the right hand. Then place your mouth at the smaller hole,
and breathe out gently but steadily, and the contents, if fresh,
run out at the other. Be sure that none are left, and even
remove, if possible, the lining of the shell, though no risk
should be run of breaking the latter. When any difficulty
occurs, shake the egg^ or give a quick puff if safe to do so ;
otherwise, inject a little water from the mouth. In certain
cases, shaking is even preferable to blowing. During the pro-
cess of incubation, the contents of an egg thicken, and the
young is gradually formed, until the blowing finally becomes
impossible. When the egg is not fresh, enlarge the larger
hole (but never the other), and blow persistently and patiently,
taking care that the yolk or young does not, by suddenly
slipping out, allow the egg to collapse between your fingers,
or break it by being forced through too narrow an exit. If
the contents are too thick to blow easily, they should be care-
fully cut off with small scissors, whenever protruding beyond
the shell. If it is impossible to blow the egg, enlarge the
holes so as to allow the gas to escape freely, but surround
them with camphor-gum, as otherwise the odor is extremely
disgusting, and the egg, after losing its original colors, grad-
ually drops to pieces. I have seen eggs successfully kept in
this way, decomposition being quickened by the occasional in-
jection of water.

The modern and very general manner of blowing eggs
necessitates the use of several instruments : the blow-pipe and
egg-drill, which are the most important, the syringe, forceps,

* Blow-pipes and egg-drills of ex- easily obtainable that these considera-
cellent quality are now so cheap and tions no longer have weight. — W. B.

INTRODUCTION. 9

dissecting-sclssors, etc. To follow this method, drill with a
light twirling motion a small hole on one side of the egg, re-
move from the opening the inner membrane, which often (as
in the larger of t7.oo holes) interferes with further action, and
insert the blow-pipe. Then breathe gently, not forcibly, and
the contents, if fresh, will flow out about the pipe ; but, if they
do not, a little water should be injected, and the egg gently
shaken. Should there be further difficulty, inject warm water,
put the egg in a dark, warm place, with the hole turned up-
ward, and at the end of a few hours, after shaking it, remove
as much as possible of the yolk, etc., which must finally be
altogether disposed of, particularly in the case of white eggs.
Then inject more water, and again leave it. Young may be
cut up by slender scissors, having delicate blades at an angle
with their handles, and removed by a fine wire slightly
hooked, or by small forceps. Fresh eggs, if not too large,
may be "blown," or rather sucked, by means of a suction-
tube with a bulb. Specimens, when thoroughly rinsed and
ready for the cabinet, should be placed on blotting-paper to
dry (with the opening turned downward), where not exposed
to a strong light. Carbonate of soda is said to render a hard-
ened yolk soluble in water, but it must not come in contact
with the outer shell. There are various other details, too
numerous to mention, connected with the blowing of eggs by
instruments, such as gumming a series of very thin paper
wafers * about an opening made in a delicate shell, such as
that of a very small specimen, of one cracked, or of one nearly
hatched. 10

Note. — Take care in making a hole not to injure any mark-
ings ; and, when blowing, place beneath the egg a pail or basin
containing a few inches of water, to catch it, should it slip.
An egg when full is very easily broken, but when blown may
often be dropped without injury on to a carpet or soft sur-
face. One with the contents entirely removed floats in water
with only about a third or less of the shell beneath the level of

* Flexible collodion is still better preceding- paragraph have been bor-
for this purpose. — W. B. rowed from various articles on this

^'^ Several ideas expressed in the same subject.

10 INTRODUCTION.

the surface. A thin-shelled egg may be held to the light to
insure emptiness.

§ J. Eggs may be cleaned with a soft, wet rag, dipped in
tooth-powder, or by the careful use of an ink-eraser (with a
flat, pointed steel blade), though the latter may injure the
surface. Certain eggs (but none of those described in this
vohime) are calcareous, and their chalky shells cannot be safely
cleaned. Others, moreover, have a certain " bloom," like that
of a grape, which can be washed off.

To mend an egg, if broken into bits of manageable size,
take one a little smaller and of no value, wet it, or coat it
with a very delicate varnish, and place on it the bits of shell
in their proper positions, so that they shall fit together. For
large eggs, a mould of putty, if carefully shaped, may be used
instead. Cracks may be brushed with collodion. The common
method of gluing bits together with mucilage and thin paper
is often clumsy or dangerous, and, even if successful, generally
ruins the fair appearance of any specimen.

§ K. Promptly place your eggs, when blown, in your
cabinet, and have some means of identifying them afterwards.
Labels should be altogether avoided, as they greatly mar the
beauty of a collection, and any writing on the shell should be
condensed and placed on the under side, where it will be in-
conspicuous (or near the "drill-hole," if there be one). There
are various methods of marking, but whichever be followed
should be uniformly observed. Perhaps the best is to write ^^
on each eo^o' a number of the Smithsonian or Dr. Coues's Check-
list * (followed by S. or C, to indicate which) ; for instance, on
a Wood Thrush's egg either 148 S. or 3 C. To this may

11 Purple ink will be found to flow present day number tbeir eg-g'S with

more freely than ordinary black ink. pencil, and many will not accept in ex-

Fig-ures should be fine and made with change specimens which bear ink

care. They may be written on a bit of marks. — W. B.

paper gummed over the "drill-hole," * The Check-List of North American
though it is better to write on the shell Birds, published by the American
itself, unless too delicate, or unless the Ornithologists' Union, is now very gen-
egg be very small." erally taken for this purpose. — W. B.

« Nearly all the collectors of the

INTRODUCTION. 11

be added another number, referring to your note-book, which
should be a blank-book, with long but wide pages, ruled by
lines forming several columns of suitable width. In these
columns (with proper headings) should be written first the
number of reference, and then the name of the bird, its
number on the check-lists ; the number of eggs originally in
the nest, by whom collected or from whom obtained, the place
and date of collection ; also, when desirable, remarks as to the
size, incubation, or peculiarities of the eggs, the jDosition and
structure of the nest. It is often well to avoid mention of the
place where the eggs of Hawks, Herons, etc., were found, as
these birds frequently build conspicuous nests in restricted
localities, to which, if not too much disturbed, they return
year after year. Secrecy is often as desirable for an ornitholo-
gist as for a sportsman. Eggs should be arranged in the proper
sequence of families, etc., and those of each species should be
kept distinct from others. All of one kind may be grouped
together, or duplicates may be separated from better and
representative specimens.

§ L. A cabinet may be strictly a cabinet, consisting of
pigeonholes or shelves, and screwed to the wall, or a box, a
long and rather flat one being the best, or a chest of drawers,
which is the most convenient. The latter may be fitted with a
series of small, shallow trays made of paper or pasteboard,
though these diminish the attractiveness of a collection, and
are more or less dangerous. I have found a rather deep layer
of fine sea-sand, such as may be got at almost every grocer's
store, much more satisfactory, since it forms a pleasing back-
ground for the eggs, which can be firmly fixed in it, and is
always exempt from moths or other insects : fine sawdust is
the best substitute.

All cabinets should be dark when closed, as many eggs fade
when exposed to the light, particularly those which are blue
or green.

§ M. Having now followed the eggs from the time when the
mother was scared from her nest until they were placed in a

12 INTRODUCTION.

cabinet, I shall return to speak of the difficulty in frightening
certain birds when incubating, chiefly the Hawks. Individuals,
rather than species, vary in this respect, though the smaller
are undoubtedly more often timid than others. One Hawk
glides silently from her nest as you approach ; another flies
when you rap the tree energetically with a stick ; whereas a
third remains until the crackling of branches, as you ascend,
causes her to seek safety in flight. Hawks, moreover, are
often obliged to leave the nest, after the eggs are laid, if their
mates either die or fail to give them enough food. As about
ninety per cent or more of the nests found in a large '' hawk-
ery " are old, except a few nests belonging to Crows and
squirrels, and as Hawks and Owls, moreover, often inhabit
such, not always rebuilding them, one naturally is doubtful
about climbing far, on finding a large nest of sticks, which is
likely to contain eggs only once out of ten times. A Hawk
cannot often be seen when sitting on her nest, and the only
signs, which rarely deceive, are the small feathers, which
usually cling to the nest or to a branch near it. Dead leaves
inside of a nest indicate further emptiness, or occupation by
squirrels, who usually, in building, heap together hay, straw,
and pine needles. In the absence of all the above-mentioned
signs, judgment is required, but no further rules can be safely
laid down. It may be remarked that smaller birds are also
often brave or even bold in protecting their nests.

In climbing, never leave one hold before testing and secur-
ing another ; remember that pine limbs are less to be trusted
than those of hardwood trees ; place your feet, if possible,
next to the trunk, and, if inclined to dizziness, do not look
down. Gloves, old clothes, a soft hat (and climbing-irons,
when convenient) form the necessary outfit, as large eggs may
be safely brought down in a cloth cap, grasped firmly by the
teeth. Never take one egg from a set in a Hawk's nest if you
wish for the rest, as these latter will often disappear mysteri-
ously before your return. None of the Hawks ({. e. Falco-
nidoe)^ with the exception of the Ospreys and Eagles, show a
disposition to attack. These latter have been known to inflict
dangerous wounds, and at the same time are, I believe, the

INTRODUCTION. 13

only species generally occupying the same nest year after year,
with the exception of the Duck Hawk (?) and Sparrow Hawk.*
I do not recaU many other birds who do so, with the marked
exception of the Swallows and Pewees, who sometimes rebuild
their old homes.

§ N. All birds have an affection for some haunt, whither, if
left undisturbed, they return every spring. These haunts are
often extensive, enabling them to change their residence annu-
ally, until they are driven away. Catbirds frequently return
every year to the same thicket, and I have known the Red-
eyed Vireo to build her nest in the same tree where it was
built and robbed the year before. Likewise Pewees very often
choose successively two or three building-sites close to one
another. The less familiar species are not so attached to par-
ticular spots, but generally build their nests each summer in
the same tract of land (a Tree- warbler in the same woods, etc.).
Hawks (and occasionally even Crows) become attached to a
certain grove or pine wood, and build near the same place sev-
eral years in succession, sometimes though repeatedly robbed.
Woodpeckers (who always lay their eggs in holes) do not
usually, so far as my observations have extended, occupy the
same holes twice, but leave them to be used by Chickadees or
other birds.f Feelings of attachment are much stronger in
some species than in others, being often nearly extinct. They
are more marked in civilized districts, where there is less
range of country than in other parts of the State. Many
birds forsake their haunts, if disturbed, but apparently some-
times return after a long absence. The evidence of identical
birds returning to the same spot is very strong, particularly
in the case of individuals peculiarly marked.

§ O. There are not many birds who, in a temperate cli-
mate, do not habitually raise a second brood, and there are

* The Red-shonldered Hawk fre- t The Flicker (Colaptes auratus) is

quently returns to the same nest. — an exception to this rule. At least it
W. B. frequently occupies the same hole for

several successive seasons. — W. B.

14 INTRODUCTION.

probably very few who do not do so, if tlie first is broken up
or destroyed. They rarely raise the second in the same nest
as the first, but generally build another (often hurriedly) near
the site of the former, particularly if that has been disturbed
or removed. The principal exceptions to this latter statement
are the Pewees, Swallows, and those birds who lay their eggs
in holes. The second set of eggs usually appears from four to
six weeks after the first, if that has not met with serious mis-
haps ; otherwise, sooner. If a Hawk's nest be robbed,^^ the
parents commonly repair an old nest near by, often hastily
lining it with evergreen or the like, and at the end of about
a fortnight two or three eggs are laid. The Sharp-shinned
Hawks, Kingfishers, Golden-winged Woodpeckers, and very
probably other species, are said to continue sometimes for
several days, though continually robbed, to lay eggs almost
daily, after the first sets have been taken.

Smaller birds have been known to build a second, and even
a third nest, within a few feet of the previous ones, when these
were removed. They have also been known to cover the eggs
of a Cow-bird, by building a second story, or even a third,
which became their own nursery. Such cases are, however,
exceptional, and lead me to speak of desertion.

§ P. Birds differ widely in respect of desertion, the Wood-
peckers, especially the Golden- winged, being in case of dis-
turbance uncertain in their movements. The latter often leave
forever the excavation on which they are at w^ork, if they
imagine that they are watched, though occasionally they are
regardless of those passing by. If their eggs be disturbed,
they sometimes " desert," and at other times the female con-
tinues to lay eggs in the manner already described. She often
deepens her nest, and lays a second set. A general ride is
that birds will not desert their nests (if not injured) when
one eg^ is taken from three or four, two from iive or six, and
three from more than six. Never handle a nest or eggs not
to be at once taken ; the bird does not perceive your " touch,"
as many persons suppose, but one's hand very often so dis-

^2 Unless that of a Marsh (or Sparrow ?) Hawk.

INTRODUCTION. 15

turbs the nest and the exact position of the eggs, that the in-
trusion becomes very marked. As a rule, a nest should never
be visited from the time of its discovery until all the eggs are
laid, and an egg should never be taken except from a com-
plete set.

§ Q. Should you find a nest of value, when you have not a
box, mark the spot by observing some conspicuous landmark,
unless it be necessary to take the nest at once. Otherwise,
carry large eggs, and those taken from a hole or a frail nest,
wrapped in a handkerchief, and carry small eggs in their
nests, placed upright, with a handkerchief tied tightly over the
whole. Packing in either case is desirable, soft, clean moss
generally being the best material to be found in the woods.

When a hole is enlarged with a hatchet or knife in order to
reach any eggs, the parent almost invariably " deserts," and it
is therefore necessary to break it open at the proper time,
since aU or no eggs should be taken from such a nest. In at
least one of the cases before cited, relating to the Pigeon
Woodpeckers, the hole was large enough to allow the inser-
tion of the hand and fore-arm. This species, however, as has
already been remarked, frequently deepens the hole to lay
again ; so do other Woodpeckers.

§ R. Health, energetic perseverance, honesty, experience,
and moderation, are the necessary qualities or cardinal virtues
of a wise and successfid collector. For young oologists it is
an excellent rule, which has, however, many exceptions, never
to take more than one egg from a nest, nor to have m-ore than
two or three of one species, except when (very) rare, pecul-
iarly marked, or suitable for an advantageous exchange.*

Jf inexperienced, do not make exchanges with another inex-
perienced person, who may unintentionally cheat you, or with
one unknown to you, who may purposely cheat you. Kemem-

* It is now very generally the rule bird life, but at least one specimen of

to collect egg3 in sets with the nests. each kind of nest is essential for study

Doubtless this practice leads, in many and comparison. — W. B.
cases, to unnecessary destruction of

16 INTRODUCTION.

ber that eggs often vary greatly in value in different parts of
the country, and do not accept any price-list as a basis for ex-
change. Endeavor by energy to arrive at approximate com-
pletion, have some definite object in view, such as a cabinet
comprising all the eggs of Massachusetts, and do not unwisely
form a miscellaneous collection everywhere incomplete.

§ S. To know the notes of all our birds is a great help in
finding their nests, and in finding, distinguishing, or studying
the birds themselves, who sing chiefly on or soon after their
arrival from the South, during their migrations, and the mat-
ing-season in spring or early summer. It is best to study
their music at sunrise or in the early morning (particularly
in the case of species migrating), and also at evening. Even
families may (to a limited extent) be classified by their notes.
To study birds in relation to their habits or notes walk in
their haunts, continually pausing to catch the slightest sound,
which, if not recognized, should be traced to its source, and
waiting to allow the birds to gather about or approach you.
If necessary, follow them silently and persistently ; but re-
member that stealthiness sometimes alarms them more than
an open approach.* If several species be together, do not be
misled by the confusion of their songs, and do not hastily
attribute the note of one kind to another bird immediately
near. Both squirrels and " chipmonks " frequently produce
notes which might excusably distract the attention of an un-
practiced ornithologist. By looking up, especially on very
clear days, you may often see Hawks, or other birds, flying
over silently.

An opera-glass, if a sufficiently strong magnifier, or occasion-
ally a telescope, will be found very useful, as it enables one
to recognize a bird without disturbing it, and to distinguish
colors, when the object is distant, or at a great height among

* Birds which haunt thickets, reeds, ' ' sereeping " sound. This excites their

or the tops of tall trees may be fre- sympathy or curiosity, or both, and

quently lured from concealment or will frequently draw about the per-

brought down near the ground by pla- former nearly all the small birds which

cing the lips against the back of the inhabit the neighborhood. — W. B.
hand and making a continuous, shrill

INTRODUCTION. 17

branches. It is harder to distinguish colors just before or
after sunset than at other times of the day, particularly if
they be exposed to the sunlight. That hour should therefore
be avoided.*

It will be found very advantageous to make observations
continuously from day to day, as one will not only see many
birds who otherwise would escape him, but will acquire an
invaluable familiarity with their little characteristics (which
one may often think insignificant), and so an intimacy with
the birds themselves, which will enable him, for instance, to
detect the presence of the Brown Creepers by their shrill and
slightly tremulous tsip^ where another person might require
more certain indications or more impressive evidence. More-
over, one will find that intimacy suffers from interruption, and
that knowledge is easily lost, however thoroughly gained.
Therefore, one may chance to find a familiar song no longer
associated with any bird. On the other hand, those who in
studying nature are obliged to do so at intervals will be sur-
prised at the amount of pleasurable acquaintance which they
can form with her at odd moments. There are few places
where birds cannot be studied to advantage, not excluding the
hearts of our cities, where may be found Creepers, Nuthatches,
Titmice, Warblers, Vireos, Flycatchers, Shrikes, etc., some-
times even Hawks. Finally, it is to be remembered that
birds are frequently erratic, and that observations on their
abnormal habits are, as a rule, interesting observations rather
than important discoveries, f

§ T. Of anatomy and details of structure I shall not here
speak at length, since they are not referred to in this volume
more often than convenience requires.^^ The hill consists of
two mandibles, the line between which is called the (/a2ye or
often the commissure. The true cere, which belongs only to
the Parrots and birds of prey, is a thick skin which covers the

* Gray days are trying. — W. B. 13 The reader is referred for a full

t This last paragraph appeared on treatise to the introduction of Dr.

p. 443 of the Appendix of the first Coues's Key to N. A. Birds.

edition. — W. B.

18 INTRODUCTION.

upper mandible at its base, and in which are the nostrils,
though often concealed by feathers.

The principal wing-feathers are the j^f^imaries, which (with
possible exceptions) are always nine or ten, except in flight-
less birds, and which form the end or " point" of the wdng.
They are the long outer feathers, of which the shafts (if the
wing be spread) are more or less parallel, forming an evi-
dent angle with those of the adjoining secondaries. A so-
called " sjjunous " 2:»'imari/ is usually the first or outermost,
when very much shorter than the rest. (It differs from the
" bastard wing " or " spurious quills " in being a single feather
and beneath the second primary.) The ^' should er^^ of the
wing is the •• bend " near its connection with the body. The
tail is €ve7i or square, rounded or forked^ as viewed when
half-closed ; if slightly forked, emarginate, if very deeply
forked, foi^cate. A cuneate tail is the exact opposite to one
forficate.

The tarsus, often called the " leg," extends from the base of
the toes to the first joint above, and in a majority of birds is
unfeathered. If without scales in front (unless near the bot-
tom), it is " hoofed,'' or if with scales, scutellate. (If covered
with very small scales which do not overlap one another, it is
reticulate ; or it may be granulated, as in the Fish-hawk.)

The following is a vocabulary of several other descriptive
terms. Auricular s (or ear-patcK), the feathers behind, but a
little below the level of the eye. Circumocular, about the eye.
Crown, top of the head (usually above the eye). Eye-patch,
SL tract of color inclosing the eye. Eye-stripe, a line running
through the eye (so to speak). Interscapulars, feathers on the
back between the wing-shoulders, or between the head and
rump. Iris (pi. irides), a colored circle inclosing the pupil
of the eye. Lore, the feathers about the base of the bill, or
between the bill and the eye.* Maxillary line, one running
backward from the gape, and bordering the throat. MedAan
line, one dividing the crown. Nape (or nuchal patch), the
hind-head (properly above the cervix, or hind-neck). Super-

* A more precise definition would be "the space between the eye and the
base of the upper mandible." — W. B.

IXTRODUCTTOX. 19

ciliary line, a stripe immediately above the eye. Vermicula-
^i'o?2, very fine " waves." ^ signi^es the male, J the female;
= sigTiifies '* equal to,'" ^ " more than," and <^ "less than."
•• Inch " or "inches" is abbreviated to ^/?., and decimal num-
bers (written with a dot before) generally indicate hundredths
of an inch.

Except where there are indications to the contrary, the
" upper parts "' generally include the upper surface of the
wings and tail ; but the " under parts " frequently refer to
the body only. The "crown" includes the forehead (or even
the nape too). The "rump" (or lower back) often includes
the upper tail-coverts, the " belly," the under tail-coverts, etc.
The " sides " invariably refer to those of the breast and belly.

§ U. Measurements of both birds and eggs are made in
straight lines between two points. To measure the length of a
bird, lay it on its back, and make the tip of the bill (so far as
reasonable), and the end of the longest tail-feather, touch the
ruler or paper on which they are laid ; then measure the dis-
tance between these points. Measure (with compasses) the
tarsus in front, and the bill from the tip of the upper man-
dible to the feathers actually or apparently belonging to the
forehead.i^ The " depth " of a bill is its vertical width near
the base, when closed. Eggs may be measured by dividers,
or by a ruler with a slide. For accurate measurements a
ruler marked deciunally (or even with hundredths) is best.
-^Q of an inch equals about .06.

§ V. Birds as a class are composed of subclasses : these
are grouped into orders (such as the Baptores or " birds of
prey"), which are didded into families (as the Baptores
into Strigidce, Falconidc^, etc., or the Hawks, including
Eagles, the Owls, and the Vultures). The orders are some-
times more primarily divided into suborders, and families
into subfamilies. Thus the Passeres consist of the Oscines
or singing passerines, and the Clamatores or non-singers : ^°

^* There are other methods of mak- ^° A rather technical distinetion.

in? this measurement.

20 INTRODUCTION.

likewise the Turdidce consist of the Turdince^ or typical
Thriislies, who have a " booted " tarsus, and the Miminoe^* or
Mocking- thrushes, who do not possess this feature. Combina-
tions of less important distinctions in structural detail char-
acterize the genera ; and therefore birds belonging to the
same genus have exactly the same structure. The difference
between sjyecies is marked by coloration, and often size. To
illustrate the foregoing, take as a subject the common Song
Sparrow. He belongs to the Insessof'ian group, the order of
Passeres^ and the suborder Oscines. His family is that of
the Fringillidoe^ or Finches, and his genus Jlelosjyiza. His
specific name is fasciata, but there is also a variety, M.fallax.
" Extremely similar ; wings and tails slightly longer ; paler,
grayer ; the streaks not so obviously blackish in the centre.
Whole of the Rocky Mountains and Great Basin ; scarcely
distinguishable." (Coues.)

The classification of birds (or other objects in nature)
necessarily entails certain absurdities, being more or less artifi-
cial. The method of modern classification is that of descend-
ing from the higher to the lower groups, but sequence is too
often insisted on among groups which diverge (so to speak)
from a common centre. The division of families, genera, etc.,
is more or less arbitrary, a certain degree of difference being
necessary to separate them, whereas minor (or fractional)
differences cause intermediate groups. Let x represent the
degree of dissimilarity between two genera ; then — repre-
sents the difference between two subgenera (of the same ge-
nus) ; 1-f-— between subfamilies, 2x between families, 2 -|-^
between suborders, and 3 a? between orders. Forms in nature
are everywhere so delicately blended that theoretically it is
almost impossible to "draw any lines.'' A species (even
though exhibiting much individual variation) is constituted
by all those birds who, since the present organization of birds
has existed, might be the descendants of a single pair.

[The phenomena of albinism, atid melanism can here be only
briefly referred to. In the latter, which is very rare, birds are

* American omitholog-ists now consider the Miminm a subfamily of the
Troglodytidce. or Wrens. — W. B.

INTRODUCTION. 21

abnormally dark or black. In albinism, wbicb is not uncom-
mon, birds are partially or wholly abnormally wbite (or even
yellow) ; sometimes they are partly bleached. Such condi-
tions of plumage need cause confusion only among birds of
the same genus^ and rarely then, being seldom complete.]
There are often varieties^* geographical races, or forms ren-
dered appreciably distinct by the effects of climate, etc. By
a strict definition of the term, varieties must have different
distributions (at least during the breeding-season), though
accidental stragglers may occur far from their usual habitat,
A specific type is usually the variety first named. Hyhrids^ or
" crosses," are the joint offspring of two species, but they do
not often occur among birds in a natural state.

A bird's scientific name consists of a generic (subgeneric)
and specific, or also subspecific, title; e. g., Turdus {Hylo-
cichhi) swainsoni, var. alicice, or simply Turdus alicioe. ^^ f
Family names end in idce^ those of subfamilies in ince. Sci-
entific names are usually begun with a capital, are italicized,
and, when following English names, put in parentheses.
Specific names, however, are ordinarily spelt without a capital,
unless derived from proper names. J

Note. — Many still existing scientific names are unworthy
of retention, but they have not been altered in this volume on
account of the established rule of priority, which necessitates,
however, many incongruities. The authorities for these names
are given in the second index. Great care has been bestowed
upon the orthography of English names, since great latitude
exists in this respect, no system being yet established. Certain
rules have here been followed, with the exceptions produced
by general or the best usage.

* "Subspecies" is the term now in the conneetinsr "var." ; e. g., Turdus

g-eneral use for geographical forms. — alicice hicknelli. — W. B.

■^ B X The capitalization of proper spe-

16 Turdus alicice is often ranked as a eific names has been discontinued by

species. American ornithologists, whose custom

t The names of subspecies are now in this respect has been followed in the

written as simple trinomials without present edition of Mr. Minot's book. —

W. B.

22 INTRODUCTION.

Aves, or hlrds^ form a class of the Animal Kingdom, and
have, in their classification, been primarily divided by eminent
ornithologists into three subclasses (lately dispensed with,
however, in " North American Birds") : Aves Aerece or I71-
sessores (aerial birds or " perchers "), Aves Terrestres or
Cur sores (terrestrial birds or '' runners "), and Aves Aqua-
ticce or Natatores (aquatic birds or " swimmers "). The gen-
eral rule of division is this : hind toe ^"^ on a level with the
other toes, " perchers " ; hind toe not insistent ^" and feet not
fully webbed, " runners " ; hind toe elevated,^*^ but feet fully
webbed, " swimmers." This rule is applicable only to typical
forms, with which other forms are ranked through evident
affinity. It is to be remarked that, in a great measure, aes-
thetic or intuitive perception is the best means of determining
position. By modern classification birds are arranged on the
descending method, by which the highest and most refined
types occupy the highest position.* Thus, the Cursores in-
clude those birds who scratch for their food (Turkeys, Grouse,
etc.), and the waders (such as Snipe, Plover, Herons, Rails,
etc.). These two suborders (^Gallince and Grallatores^ rep-
resent^^ (in the approximate proportion of one to four) about
two elevenths of North American birds. The Natatores
include various sea-birds, the Swans, Geese, Ducks, Terns,
Gulls, Pelicans, Petrels, and Cormorants, and form about one
fourth of our fauna. The Insessores include all the tyj^ical
land-birds, 377 of the 635 North American sj^ecies admitted
in Dr. Coues's check-list, and more than one half of about
300 species known to have occurred in Massachusetts. In
this volume I have, with the exception of the game-birds,
treated the typical land-birds only. The Insessores contain
five orders, described in the following chapters.

1^ In certain eases wanting, or appar- writers on North American birds, be-

ently wanting. gins with the lowest and most general-

* This order was reversed in 1886 ized forms, the Grebes, and ends with

by the Committee on Classification and the highest and most specialized, the

Nomenclature of the American Omi- Thrushes and Bluebirds. — W. B.

thologists' Union, whose check-list, i** In number of species (according to

now almost universally followed by Coues's list).

CHAPTER I.

FIRST ORDER. PASSERES.

These birds " are tlie typical Insessores^ as such represent-
ing the highest grade of development, and the most complex
organization, of the class. Their high physical irritability is
coordinate with the rapidity of their respiration and circula-
tion ; they consume the most oxygen, and live the fastest, of
all birds." ^^ All our forms, at least, are characterized as fol-
lows : bill without a cere, or a soft basal membrane ; front toes
never only two, or united throughout (i. e. two of them), hind
toe never wanting ; tail-feathers twelve. This group may be
characterized, as a ivhole, as the only order of birds of which
all the species invariably build a nest in which to lay their
eggs. Among the birds breeding in Massachusetts there is no
exception to this rule, except the parasitic Cow-bird.

" Passeres, corresponding to the Insessores proper of most
ornithologists, and comprising the great majority of birds, are
divisible into two groups, commonly called suborders, mainly
according to the structure of the lower larynx. In one this
organ is a complex muscular vocal apparatus; in the other the
singing parts are less developed, rudimentary, or wanting.
In the first, likewise, the tarsus is normally covered on either
side with two entire horny plates, that meet behind in a sharp
ridge ; in the other these plates are subdivided, or otherwise
differently arranged. This latter is about the only external
feature that can be pointed out as of extensive applicability ;
and even this does not always hold good. For example,
among our birds, the Larks (Alaudidce')^ held to be oscine,
and certainly to be called songsters, have the tarsus perfectly
scuteUate behind." ^^

19 Dr. Coues ; Key to North American Birds.

24 LAND-BIRDS.

The Oscines, or singing Passeres^ technically considered the
only musical birds, form about one third of our ornithological
fauna, and in Massachusetts are represented by eighteen
families.

The Clamatores^ or non-singing Passeres^ are represented
by the Flycatchers (§ 19).

§ 1. The TURDID^, or Thrushes^ now considered the high-
est group among birds, and ranked accordingly, are 6|— 12
inches long. Bill not conical (which term in ornithology
necessitates rather straight outlines, and a depth approaching
the length), but at least twice as long as high ; with the upper
mandible usually hooked and slightly notched ; also bristled
and with open nostrils (pi. 1, fig. 2). Average length of the
tarsus about 1.15 inch ; middle toe nearly or quite equal ;
other toes considerably shorter, and approximately equal.
Primaries ten, the first being more or less spurious. Tail
never forked, but often rounded, and of twelve feathers^ as in
all our other oscine birds. The Saxicolidce (§2) and Sylvi-
idce (§ 3) differ but little in structure or plumage ; their col-
oration is, however, very much brighter, and their tails (at
least in the genera Sialia and Reguhis) are more or less
forked. Our Bluebirds are, moreover, seven inches long or
less, and our " Sylvias " all less than five.

The typical groups of these three families (including the
subfamilies Turdince and RegulincB) are characterized by
hooted tarsi (pi. 1, fig. 1). The other subfamilies, MimincB
and Polioptilinoe (the Mocking-thrushes and Gnatcatchers),
have scutellate tarsi (pi. 1, fig. 3), and rather long, rounded
tails. I am inclined to think that the Harporhynchi (Gen.
Ill) are entitled to the rank of a subfamily.* Their bills are
unnotched, unhooked, and frequently curved (pi. 1, fig. 4).
Their eggs, moreover, are markedly different from those of all
other Thrushes. The common Bluebird may be considered a
representative of the Saxicolidce^ while the Sylviidce are
closely related to the Titmice and Warblers. The Wood

* Harporhynrhus, with Mimns and Galeoscoptes, has heen since removed from
the family Turdidce and placed with the Troglodytidm. — W. B.

THRUSHES.

25

Thrush and Catbird are good types of their respective
groups, though several Thrushes nest upon the ground, or
have spotted eggs.

The subfamilies of the Thrushes are : —

TURDiNiE, Genus Turdus^ I.
(Highly musical.) Subgenus Hylocichla (^A-E, -^ Fig. 1).
(Moderately musical.) Subgenus Planesticus (-F).

MIMING, Genera II and III.

I. TURDUS. (HYLOCICHLA.)

A, MUSTELmus. Wood Thrush. " Song Thrush J' A
common summer resident in Massachusetts.*

Fig. 1. Wood Thrush, (i)

a. About eight inches long. Above, soft but bright red-
dish brown (or " tawny "), gradually becoming soft " olive-
dushy " on the rumj), tail, and end of the wings. Beneath,
white, with a very slight buff tinge upon the breast ; spotted
on the breast and sides with dark brown (or " dusky").

b. The nest sometimes closely resembles that of the
Robin, but it is often composed outwardly of moss and even
twigs, though subject to considerable variation in composition

^ The Wood Thrushes. The Robins Massachusetts, and rare or accidental

{F) are well known ; (G) has been sep-
arated from them, and placed in sub-
genus Hesperocichla.

* A summer resident, very common
and generally distributed in Connecti-
cut, less numerous and more local in

north of the latter State, excepting,
possibly, near the shores of Lake
Champlain in western Vermont, where
it is said to breed regularly in some
numbers. — W. B.

26 LAND-BIRDS.

and structure. It is built, never very far from the ground, in
a bush or tree, in the woods (especially those of low growth),
and often in a swampy place. The eggs of each set are four
or five,* and like those of the Robin, but smaller, measuring
1.1 0-1.0 Ox. 70 of an inch. Near Boston those of the first
set are usually laid in the last week of May; those of the
second, if any, in the early part of July.

c. The Wood Thrushes probably represent the highest
type among birds ; excelling all others, except their imme-
diate relatives, in details of structure, in the quiet beauty of
their coloration, and in the refinement of their habits ; and
they are certainly to be ranked among the finest singers of the
world.

Though possessed of comparatively little power of flight,f
yet the Wood Thrushes, like most other birds, migrate very
far (more than a thousand miles), — about the tenth of May
reaching Massachusetts, to the northward of which, in New
England, they rarely go. But they are common in southern
New Enoland from the time of their arrival until that of
their departure in September or October ; during the summer
months inhabiting groves and woods of various kinds,
oftenest, perhaps, those which are swampy or of low growth.
In such places they build their nests and rear their young,
and there get the necessary supply of insect food, either from
the ground, over which they can run with some rapidity, or
from the bushes and trees, among which they move with such
leisure and dignified grace as becomes royalty. The most con-
spicuous feature in the natural history of these birds is the
apparent modesty and the actual love of privacy or solitude,
which they generally, though not invariably, possess. These
lend a charm to the study of their habits and their music, but
they also cause difficulty in acquiring an intimacy with them,
— a difficulty, however, which can be overcome. Though the
Wood Thrushes are so fond of individuality and retirement

* Sets of more than four eggs are of flight are probably not really infe-

exceptional and very rare. — W. B. rior to those of any of the other mem-

t The Wood Thrush is certainly a bers of its family. — W. B.
bird of sedentary habits, but its powers

THRUSHES. 27

that they are never properly gregarious, and that they prefer
retreats in woodland, where they are unlikely to be disturbed,
to all other suitable haunts, yet they often build their nests in
quite conspicuous places, and frequent the immediate neigh-
borhood of man. Nor are they then more shy than under
other circumstances, — in fact, the female is generally prompted
by instinctive motherliness to sit as bravely on her nest, when
built upon a roadside, as when in a swamp of alders. The
Wood Thrushes usually sing from a high branch, whereas
they find their food on or near the ground ; but, wherever they
are, they generally preserve, except when running, a rather
erect attitude, observable also in the Robin and the other
(typical) Thrushes. If I have forgotten to speak of other
habits, let the reader go to the haunts already described, or
to cool woods on the banks of some rapid-running brook, and
there learn them.

d. In the cool of the morning, or at evening, from the
time when the sun sets until dusk becomes dark, the Wood
Thrush, having mounted to a perch so high that his outbursts
of heavenly music shall not be confined to earth or lost in the
surrounding shrubbery, pours out such a melody that he seems
at every utterance " to be endeavoring to recall his very soul,
that fled to heaven on the winged notes of his last liquid mel-
ody." At other times of the day, if it is cloudy, or if he is in
dark, cool woods, he sings while he is busied in providing for
himself or his family, and as he moves through the bushes.
His song is rarely one continuous strain, but consists of many
detached variations, a series of liquid, metallic, rich, powerful,
and expressive notes, which are so exquisite that the all-ab-
sorbed and unobtrusive musician seldom if ever fails to charm
whoever hears him. Yet, it ought to be remembered that,
though some Wood Thrushes can produce such music as per-
haps no other birds can rival, others of them are greatly infe-
rior to their fellows.

The ordinary notes of the Wood Thrush are a mellow cJiirp^
more metallic and less melancholy in tone than that of the
Wilson's Thrush, a chuck (sometimes combined with it), and
a simple c^ip, such as belongs to a large majority of all the
birds described in this volume.

28 LAND-BIRDS.

All who wish to have an insight into the charms which
attend the study of animated birds should observe the Wood
Thrush in his native haunts, and faithfully attend the delight-
ful concerts which he so often repeats, in the cooler hours of
the day, in June, July, and even August.

B. FUSCESCENS. Wilson's ThrusJi. Tawny Thrush,
Common Thrush. " CheeuryP " Veery.^^ ^' Nightingale^
In Massachusetts the most common of the Wood Thrushes
(iA-E). *

a. 7-7J inches long. Above, soft, bright reddish brown
(or " tawny "). Beneath, white ; breast strongly tinged with
fulvous (or a pinkish brown), and, together with the sides
of the throat, sparsely — sometimes almost imperceptibly —
streaked with small dusky spots.

h. The nest is usuaUy placed on the ground, and rarely
in a bush or low tree. It is generally composed of grasses
and dead leaves, to which grape-vine bark is sometimes added,
and it is often lined with finer grasses and roots, or even
horsehairs. I have commonly, but not always, found it in
tussocks of grass or hillocks of moss, in swamps or near them.
The eggs average .85X.60 of an inch, and are light blue,
green-tinted. In Massachusetts, the first annual set (of four
or five t) generally appears in the last week of May, or the
first of June ; a second set (of three or four) is sometimes
laid in July.

c. The Wilson's Thrushes are in Massachusetts the most
common of the so-called " Wood Thrushes," but in northern
New England are rare, being generally much less common
in New Hampshire and Maine than the Hermit or Swainson's
Thrush. They reach the neighborhood of Boston, in their
annual spring migrations, almost invariably on or about the
eighth day of May, and very often before pear-trees have blos-
somed, — a fact which I mention, because the blossoming of

* A common summer resident, breed- ously in the Alleghanian than in the
ing throughout New England, save on Canadian fauna. — W. B.
the higher mountains, but more numer- t Sets of more than four are very

seldom met with. — W. B.

THRUSHES, 29

ttose trees has frequently been spoken of as coincident with
the arrival of these birds from their winter homes in the South.
Their first appearance is in those haunts where they pass the
summer ; and in the swamps three or four sometimes collect
and engage in the quarrels entailed by courtship, previous to
mating. The Wilson's Thrushes, though not so fond of soli-
tude as the Wood Thrush, are rather shy, and yet they often
wander in quest of food to the orchard, garden, and the im-
mediate neighborhood of man or his dwellings. They prefer,
however, to remain in the swamps and the adjacent woods,
during a great part of the day. They can run over the
ground with rapidity, but in the woods they usually poke
about quietly among the pine needles and dead leaves, where
they can find the insects on which they feed, and in the
swamps walk over the decayed vegetation, which has become
matted on the ground, or has gathered on the stagnant pools
of water. W^hen disturbed, while thus busied, they generally
fly to a bush near the spot, and sit there quite motionless, oc-
casionally uttering their chirp, until it seems safe to return
to their interrupted occupation. They also obtain much of
their food from trees, and are particularly fond of pine groves,
where they may often be seen, generally on the broader-backed
limbs. When perching, they prefer these to the smaller
branches, and a post to a fence-rail, apparently liking a broad
surface to stand upon rather than one which they must grasp.
They are rarely seen far from the ground, and seldom pro-
tract their flight for more than a hundred yards, except occa-
sionally when conveying food to their young from a compara-
tively remote orchard, garden, or swamp.

They deserve to be regarded on a cultivated estate not only
as sources of pleasure, but also as extremely useful. Mr.
Samuels, in an article on the Robin in his book entitled
"Birds of New England and Adjacent States," says; "In
fact, the Thrushes seem designed by nature to rid the sur-
face of the soil of noxious insects not often pursued by most
other birds. The Warblers capture the insects that prey on
the foliage of the trees ; the Flycatchers seize these insects as
they fly from the trees; the Swallows capture those which

80 LAND-BIRDS.

have escaped all these ; the Woodpeckers destroy them when
in the larva state in the wood ; the Wrens, Nuthatches, Tit-
mice, and Creepers, eat the eggs and young that live on and
beneath the bark ; but the Thrushes subsist on those that
destroy the vegetation on the surface of the earth." ^^

d. The voice of the Wilson's Thrushes is not so fine as
that of the Wood Thrush, and, when heard from a near stand-
point, sounds peculiarly muffled, though, when heard at a
greater distance, it becomes mellow and much clearer. From
the first of June until the time of their departure (the first of
September) draws near, one may often hear in the day-time
the simple song of these birds, " cheeury^ cJieeury^ cheeury^'' ^^
which they give utterance to generally from some bough in
the pine groves or in the other woods which they frequent. It
is in the summer evenings that this song is somewhat pro-
longed, becoming " more glorious " ; and the male, when his
mate is on her nest, sometimes repeats it at night, whence he
is among the birds upon whom the epithet " Nightingale "
has been bestowed.

The ordinary note of the " Veeries" is a characteristic and
peculiar chlrp^ a liquid sound, often uttered in a seemingly
petulant and melancholy tone ; besides which they often give
utterance to cJiijjs^ chicles^ " lisps " like those of the Cedar-bird,
and a harsh " grating " sound, much like that of other birds^
and peculiar to the mating-season.

The two Thrushes already described are summer residents
in Massachusetts. The other (typical) Thrushes, whom I am
about to describe, only pass through this State, spending their
summers in a more northern climate.

C. AONALASCHK^. PALLASii. Hermit ThvusJi. " Swam])
Thrush.''' " Swamp Robin'' Common near Boston in April
and October. *

21 Many Thrushes obtain much of sists of three or four triplets on a de-
their food from trees ; the Swainson's seending- scale, in each triplet the first
Thrushes most of it. Many Sparrows note being- the highest.

feed as Thrushes do. * Breeds abundantly throughout

22 This chant, which is not unlike northern New England, the more ele-
some of the Wood Thrush's music, con- vated portions of central and western.

THRUSHES. 31

a. About seven inches long. Ahovie^ soft dusky olive,
becoming rufous on the rump and tail. Under parts white ;
breast buff-tinged and darkly spotted ; sides olive-shaded.

6. The nest of the Hermit Thrush, which has rarely been
found in Massachusetts, is placed almost invariably upon the
ground, occasionally in swamps, but more often on sunny,
sloping, and shrubby banks near them. It is much like that
of the Wilson's Thrush (^), though usually rather larger,
coarser, and more loosely constructed. The Hermit Thrushes
often lay two sets of three or four eggs, one in the first week
of June and one about a month later. Their eggs are very
much like those of the " Veeries" (^), but are larger, aver-
aging .90 X .65 of an inch. They are light greenish blue,
never spotted. *

c. In the woods about Boston (and of course in other
woods), whether swampy or dry, and also along the wooded
roadsides, from the middle of April until the first of May, one
may see a great number of Hermit Thrushes. During their
stay here, these birds, often in pairs, and sometimes in small
parties (a fact which shows that their name is not altogether
an appropriate one), spend their time, for the most part in
silence, busied among the dead leaves and underbrush, occa-
sionally resting on a low perch, and rarely flying far when
disturbed. They are quiet birds, and, though often easily ap-
proached, prefer those places where they are not likely to be
intruded upon. On leaving this State in the spring, they pass
on to northern New England and to Canada, where they spend
the summer and rear their young, being in some localities the
most common Thrushes. In October, they return to Massachu-
setts, in the course of their journey to their winter homes in
the South, and a few linger until November is well advanced.^^

Massachusetts and on Cape Cod, spar- ^6 ^j, Maynard, writing of the Her-

ingly and locally in eastern Massachu- mit Thrush in The Naturalist's Guide,

setts and northwestern Connecticut, says that he has "taken it in Coos

Elsewhere in southern New England County, New Hampshire, on October

an abundant early spring and late au- 31st, although the ground was covered

tumn migrant. It has been found with snow, six inches deep at the time ;

several times in midwinter near Boston, also in Oxford County, Maine, as late

— W. B. as November 6th." He adds that " a

* There are said to be occasional ex- few undoubtedly breed here."
ceptions to this rule. — W. B.

32 LAND-BIRDS.

During their sojourn here in autumn, they frequent the ground
much less than in spring, and feed largely on various kinds of
berries, many of which they find in swamps. *

These birds are to be associated with October, when the
roads, hardened by frost, are neither muddy nor dusty, when
the paths through the woods are strewn with the soft fallen
leaves, which rustle pleasantly beneath one's feet, when the
clear, cold, exliilarating weather is well adapted to exercise,
when the maples are in the utmost splendor of their brilliant
coloring, and finally when the hills, covered with the oaks of
low growth, where once forests stood, glow with the rich crim-
son, which at last becomes a dull brown, showing winter to be
near at hand.

d. The Hermit Thrushes very rarely sing except in the
summer season, and generally, while with us, their only notes
are a mellow ckirp^ a loud chuclc^ rarely uttered (especially in
spring?), and a single low whistle, which seems to come from
a more distant point than that which the bird occupies. When
frightened from their nests they often utter a very character-
istic dissyllabic note, expressive of their sorrow. Their song
is strikingly fine, and recalls the melody of the Wood Thrush
to one familiar with that melody, though lacking the power
and full music of the latter, being, as Mr. Burroughs has said,
silvery rather than golden. It usually begins with a few low,
rich notes, followed by higher ones.

Though the Hermit Thrushes bear a strong general resem-
blance to the two other " Wood Thrushes," whom an inex-
perienced observer is likely to see in any part of this State
(J. and ^), yet they are rarely seen in the company of those
birds, preceding them in the spring migrations, and returning
to the South later. They sometimes are found during their
annual journeys in company with the Gray-cheeked or Swain-
son's Thrush, but the former is rare, and seldom has any red-
dish brown tinting on the upper parts, and the latter has both

* The Hermit Thrushes are said through southern New England than

occasionally to catch flies in the man- I have indicated in my biography of

ner of Swainson's Thrushes, who per- those birds. [Appendix to first edition,

haps are more common migrants p. 443.]

THRUSHES. 33

rather distinct habits and notes. Let the young student, who
wishes to distinguish several closely allied species, mark the
points of difference^ and not the similar characteristics of
each, and let him avoid employing only one means of distinc-
tion, such as coloration.

D. USTULATUS SWAINSONII. Swainsou's Thrush. Olive-
hacked Thrush. " Swamp Rohin " .^ A rather rare migrant
through Massachusetts. *

a. 1-1^ inches long. Above, soft, dusky olive (occa-
sionally with a reddish brown tinge). Sides of the head buff,
and breast strongly tinged with the same color. The latter
and the sides of the throat, thickly spotted with dusky. J^ye-
ring hvff.

h. The nest is a rather bulky structure, usually composed
of twigs, mosses, grasses, leaves, etc., with no mud, and some-
times lined with the coal-black hairs of a certain moss. It is
placed in a spruce, low tree, or perhaps a bush, from three to
ten feet above the ground. It is often built beside a road or
wood-path. The first set, of three or four eggs, is laid in the
first or perhaps more often the second week of June ; the
second set is laid four or five weeks later. The eggs are much
like those of the Scarlet Tanager, being about .95x.70 of an
inch, and light blue olive-tinged, either finely marked with
indistinct brown, or coarsely spotted (with a few fine mark-
ings beside), chiefly at the great end, with obscure lilac and
two shades of brown.

c. Though the Swainson's Thrushes are by no means very
common migrants through eastern Massachusetts, yet an
ornithologist at all active can hardly fail to meet with them
in spring. Groves of tall hemlocks are among the places,
where, about the middle of May, I have seen these birds, not
on the ground, but among the branches of the trees, from
which they occasionally dart into the air and catch insects

* Swainson's Thrush is an abundant where in southern New England is

summer resident of most of the spruce known only as a late spring- and early

forests of northern New England. It autumn migrant. It occurs very regu-

also breeds very commonly on Mt. Gray- larly about Boston, and often in consid-

loek in western Massachusetts, but else- erable numbers. — W. B.

34 LAND-BIRDS.

in the manner of Flycatchers. I have also met them in swampy
roads, or even in orchards, and have observed them on the
ground, often moving quite rapidly, or pausing in a rather
erect attitude. Probably it is partly because of their usual
shyness while migrating, partly because they often frequent
the higher branches, and partly because two of their ordinary
notes are very much like those of the Snow-birds (of whom a
few linger in May), that they are often considered rarer than
they are. Before June all the Olive-backed Thrushes pass
beyond the limits of this State, and many spend the summer
in northern Vermont or New Hampshire, and in Maine, some
of them revisitino^ the neiohborhood of Boston about the first
of October, when the wonderful instinct of migration prompts
them to return to Florida, or still further to the south. In
Bethlehem, among the White Mountains, I have studied the
habits of these birds, who there inhabit various kinds of
woodland, particularly those which have. swamps or brooks in
them, but keep nearer the ground, and exhibit much less shy-
ness in those wild woods than they habitually do when travel^
ing.

In autumn, however, they are much less shy and active than
they are in spring ; and during the fall migrations, they may
be found in woods and copses. There they pick up food from
the ground and the lower branches of bushes or trees, since at
that season there are few winged insects, of a size acceptable
to them, to be caught in the air, and since before the severer
frosts of autumn have come, and before the Hermit Thrushes
are abundant, a large supply of food suitable to them can
be found among the dead leaves, many of which have then
already fallen.

To resume the remarks just interrupted : In the woods of
the White Mountains, they sing ahnost throughout the sum-
mer, and often throughout the day, for the old forests of New
Hampshire are always cool and shady. They more often sing,
however, in the early morning or at sunset, as does the Wood
Thrush, and, like that bird, they frequently perch on a high
and prominent bough when about to sing. They usually stay
on their nests rather more boldly than the Hermit Thrushes

THRUSHES. 35

are wont to do, and watch over their young, when they have
left the nest, with great care, showing as warm an interest in
their offspring as I have ever seen displayed in birds.

d. The ordinary note of the Swainson's Thrushes, espe-
cially when in their summer homes, is an attractive one, exactly
resembling the word " whit " brusquely whistled in a tolerably
low tone and very quickly. Their song-notes exhibit less
variation than those of any of their immediate relations, being
all nearly on the same pitch, and reminding one forcibly of the
less brilliant singers among the Wood Thrushes, and bearing
more resemblance to the notes of that bird than to those of
any other. Though, as I have said, less varied than those of
the other " Wood Thrushes," they are sweet, clear, and liquid,
and possess great charm.

The other notes of the Olive-backed Thrushes are a chuck
of alarm, a feeble tsip quite uncharacteristic, and a cry of
chick^ chick-a-sit^ etc., like that of the Snow-bird, to which I
have heard them give utterance in spring, when chasing one
another through the branches, or when slightly alarmed. They
have also a feebly whistled peep^ heard chiefly in autumn.

The " New Hampshire Thrushes," though they correspond
to the Wood Thrush of Massachusetts, are yet inferior to that
bird. How, then, would they be ranked by Buffon, who wrote
of the latter, says Wilson, " that the Song Thrush of Europe
had, at some time after the creation, rambled round by the
Northern ocean, and made its way to America ; that advancing
to the south it had there (of consequence) become degenerated
by change of food and climate, so that its cry is now harsh
and unpleasant, ' as are the cries of all birds that live in wild
countries inhabited by savages' " ?

E. ALICIA. Gray-chccTcecl Thrush. Alice's Thrush.
Arctic Thrush. In New England a rare migrant. *

a. 7|— 8 inches long. Above, soft, subdued olive green.
Sides of the head gray. Beneath, white, with little or no buff ;

* A late spring- and early autumn always outnumbered by the closely-
migrant, never at all common, during allied but smaller bicknelli mentioned
some seasons positively rare, and nearly in the appendix, — W. B.

36 LAjSTD-BIRDS.

breast and sides of the throat spotted with dark brown. It is
said that specimens of this species grade inseparably into
others of swainsonii (-D). But distinctions are not to be based
wholly on coloration.*

h. The Gray-cheeked Thrushes build their nests in arctic
countries, most often on the ground. The only ^gg of this
species in my collection is like that of the Swainsou's Thrush,
but more thicldy and minutely marked. (See Z), 6.)

c. The Gray-cheeked Thrush is thought by some orni-
thologists not to be a valid species, but, if not a species dis-
tinct from the Swainson's Thrush, it is a very distinct variety
or geographical race. It differs from that bird slightly in
coloration, and markedly in distribution, habits, song, and
notes.

The Arctic Thrushes are the rarest of those who migrate
through Massachusetts, particularly that part which borders
upon the sea, since they generally prefer a more inland route
to the north than this State affords. I have occasionally seen
them in the latter part of April or in May, but they are shy
and very timid, so that it is difficult to approach them closely,
as, when startled, they fly about restlessly. Perhaps, on this
account, they have escaped general observation. They are
eminently terrestrial birds, and spend nearly all their time on
the ground, picking up their food among the fallen leaves in
such places as the Hermit Thrush frequents ; often preferring,
however, dry land and solitary spots, where they run but little
risk of being disturbed. They stand rather more erectly than
the " Swamp Kobins " so called (T. ^^aZZasn), but it must be
remembered that erectness of bearing is a general character-
istic of all "Wood Thrushes." They pass the summer in the
arctic region, and, on their return to the South, pass through
the neighborhood of Boston about the first of October, but are
then extremely rare, since " in the fall migrations they follow
for the most part a route far from the sea-shore."

* Since this was written the specific name hicJcnelli (see Appendix), breeds
distinctness of these Thrushes has been commonly among, but does not inter-
established beyond question by the breed with, the Swainson's Thrushes,
discovery that a small form of T. alicice, which inhabit the upper slopes of many
recognized as a subspecies under the of the New England mountains. —W.B.

THRUSHES. 37

d. Their ordinary note is a single low, and perhaps to
some ears rather melancholy whistle, — " when." As to their
other notes I am uncertain, and I have never heard their
song, but Dr. Brewer, in " North American Birds," says that it
is totally different " from that of all our other Wood Thrushes.
It most resembles the song of T, pallasii^ but differs from it
in being its exact inverse, for whereas the latter begins with its
lowest and proceeds on an ascending scale, the former begins
with its highest and concludes with its lowest note. The song
of the T. swainsonii^ on the other hand, exhibits much less
variation in the scale, all the notes being of nearly the same
altitude."

(MERULA.)

F. MiGRATORiA. (^American) Robin. An extremely
common summer resident in Massachusetts, where a few pass
the winter.*

a, 9-10 inches long. Above, dark (olive) gray; head
and tail almost black, both with white spots. Breast of a
peculiar ruddy red or orange-brown, in pale specimens merely
dun-colored. Chin, under tail-coverts, etc., white, more or
less black-streaked. Bill generally yellow.

h. The Robins build their nests in bushes, vines, the larger
garden-shrubs, or most often in trees; evergreens, particu-
larly pines and spruces, being preferred to all others. Where
these latter are wanting, they often build their nests in orchard-
trees, or in those which shade the streets ; occasionally, how-
ever, placing them about some building. The nest is " sad-
dled " to a bough or placed in a fork, from three to fifty feet
above the ground, and is a very firm though rather rude struc-
ture, consisting chiefly of mud, and of dry grass or its equiv-
alent.

* An abundant summer resident of they often appear suddenly in large

the whole of New England, frequently flocks. These winter birds are proba-

spending the entire winter, also, in shel- bly summer residents of the far north,

tered places where food abounds, even Our own summer birds doubtless come

as far north as the White Mountains. with the great spring flight, which an-

As a rule, however, few Robins are seen nually begins early in March and lasts

between December 15 and January 20. well into April. — W. B.
Late in January or early in February

38 LAND-BIRDS.

The eggs of each set are four or five,* delicate greenish
bhie,f and about 1.15 X .80 of an inch. I have found freshly
laid eggs of this species from May first until the twentieth of
July ; two or even three broods being usually raised if the
parents are undisturbed.

c. The Robins are undoubtedly in summer the most abun-
dant of all the birds in Massachusetts, and to most country-
residents in this State are probably the most familiar ; but in
northern New England they are much less common than in
most other parts of the Eastern States. Dr. Brewer, however,
has written that " in the valleys amongst the White Moun-
tains, where snow covers the ground from October to June,
and where the cold reaches the freezing-point of mercury,
flocks of Robins remain during the entire winter, attracted by
the abundance of berries." A few certainly spend the winter
about us, in the swamps, and also in cedar- woods ; for, though
these latter contain but few berries, or none, yet the thick foli-
age of many of the trees affords safe shelter from heavy
storms of snow, when protection is much needed. Though
I have seen companies of Robins in February, it is not usually
until the early part of March that they come from the South ;
on their arrival, collecting in flocks and feeding on barberries,
small fruits of the same kind, and such other suitable food as
they can find. They retire, at this season, a few minutes before
the hour of sunset, generally passing the night in spruces ;
and, in the early morning, arising before the sun, they betake
themselves to the southern slope of some hill, where the snow
has melted, thus offering to them the comfort of a little bare
ground, and there they pass the day.

It is very wonderful that birds employed in active exercise
throughout the day, perhaps a bright one, when the heat of the
sun is strong, can pass the night in sleep and inactivity, when
but little shielded from the bitterness of the weather in March,
that month which in New England is, with ghastly inappro-
priateness, called the first month of spring. It is also wonder-

* Sets of more than four eggs are times (but very rarely) marked Trith
very uncommon. — W. B. fine, faint, but perfectly distinct spots

t The eggs of the Robin are some- of reddish brown. — W. B.

THRUSHES. 39

ful that, whereas in midwinter most birds sleep fourteen or fif-
teen hours out of twenty-four, and pass only nine or ten in ex-
ercise, in the latter part of June, when the longest days of the
year occur, they require little more than half that amount of
rest to counterbalance the fatigue of at least sixteen hours'
work. I have known Robins to awake and to begin their daily
duties before half j^ast three o'clock in the morning, and to be
still moving about after eight in the evening ; at that season
of the year, moreover, when the male must provide for his
young as well as for himself. In the case of many birds,
either the male or the female sits on the nest, whilst the other
forages, but I have known instances in which the male never
sat on his nest, so that all the active duties in the care of his
family devolved upon him.

The Robins continue to come from the South until the first
of April, and during the greater part of that month are in-
clined to be gregarious, but they finally separate, and many
begin to build ; many waiting, however, until May, or even
June. As is well known, in the cultivated parts of the country
they do not often retire to the woods (except in winter), pre-
ferring to remain in open lands, in the neighborhood of man,
and about cultivated estates, and are so little wild as to inhabit
Boston Common and other equally frequented places. In the
country, they pass the summer in villages and such other
haunts as I have described, gathering into flocks in the latter
part of August, and journeying to warmer climates in Septem-
ber or October. Robins are in some parts of the State so
plentiful that in May sixty of their nests, containing eggs,
were found in an area of fifteen acres. Had Massachusetts
then been populated by these Thrushes in that proportion
of parent-birds to an acre, it would have contained nearly
40,000,000 of them, whereas I suppose that it actually con-
tained less than 1,000,000.

To those who consider Robins either useless or injurious to
man the following remarks on the nature of their food may be
of interest. In winter and in the early part of spring, they
feed chiefly upon berries, such as those of the barberry, poison-
ous " ivy," etc., but as soon as the frost is expelled from the

40 LAND-BIRDS.

ground, they begin their attacks upon the earthworms, and con-
stantly renew them throughout the summer and in September,
wherever earthworms are abundant. One may often see Robins
gathered on a lawn, particularly after hard showers, eagerly
engaged in unearthing their prey, now running along so quickly
that it is almost impossible to detect the motion of their feet
(which, in fact, is not hopping, but walking), now stopping,
and, having cocked their heads to one side that their ears may
be near the ground, listening intently, then passing on, or
perhaps stopping, and with two or three vigorous strokes of
their bills, pulling out the worms, which are soon disposed of.
When they fail to secure their prey, after a few bold " digs,'*
they generally move on and do not make any further attempt
to obtain it. They make extensive raids upon cherries " and
strawberries," when i^ipe^ and feed upon ripe pears and apples,
especially in autumn, generally meddling with these latter fruits
when fallen to the ground, and not when on the trees. In re-
turn for these robberies, they destroy innumerable "cut-
worms" and other injurious creatures of the same kind, and
confer, in this way, great benefits upon farmers and fruit-
growers, for they are much more dependent upon the flesh of
insects than upon other food. I think that there is no doubt that
between fifty and a hundred Robins eat a million worms and
injurious caterpillars, if not more, during their annual sojourn
in the neighborhood of Boston. Professor Tread well has re-
corded the instance of a young Robin in confinement, who ate
in twelve hours 140 per cent of his own weight, and consumed
fourteen feet of earthworms.

The Robins possess greater powers of flight than do the
other Thrushes, and can fly far and rapidly, often moving
through the air at a considerable height above the ground,
particularly when migrating. They have a habit of jerking
their tail, which the '' Wood Thrushes " do not possess, and
which is particularly noticeable when they utter their notes of
alarm. They are not brave, with individual exceptions, but
are easily frightened, particularly when sitting on their nests,
and yet they are by no means shy, and frequent familiarly the
neighborhood of man.

THRUSHES. 41

d. The Robins have besides their song, and a very faint
whistle like the Cedar-bird's lisp, but one note, which is con-
stantly varied, usually being in the winter, early spring, and
fall more dreary than in the summer, when it is sometimes
merely a chirp^ but at other times it is uttered in a tone of
exciteaient or vehemence and rapidly repeated. The cry of
the young is somewhat harsher than that of the mature birds,
who are very pleasant singers, and often warble a cheerful,
energetic song, consisting of a few monotonous notes, which
are repeated with some little variation, chiefly in the morning
and at dusk, in spring or summer.

It is to be hoped that eventually the American people will
become as fond of the American Robins as the English are of
their smaller " Robin Red-breasts," whose name our Pilgrim
Fathers bestowed upon the Thrushes of this country, now so
common and familiar to uSo

(HESPEROCICHLA.)

G. N^viA. Varied Thrush, Oregon Rohin. One speci-
men of this bird, whose proper habitat is the Pacific Slope,,
has been taken at Ipswich, Mass., in December.*

a. 9-10 inches long ; slate color. Beneath, orange brown.
Band across the breast, black. Under tail-coverts, white.
5 duller.

h. The eggs of this species measure about 1.15X.80 of an
inch, and are greenish blue, darkly spotted.

c. Its habits are presumably much like those of our
Robin.

d. " From this bird it may be readily distinguished by the
difference of its notes, which are louder, sharper, and deliv-
ered with greater rapidity." Dr. Cooper " describes the song
as consisting of five or six notes in a minor key, and in a scale
regularly descending."

* This still remains the only known men referred to is now in the collection
instance of the occurrence of the Varied of the Boston Society of Natural His-
Thrush in New England. The speci- tory. — W. B.

42 LAND-BIRDS.

n. MIMUS.

A. POLYGLOTTUS. Moching-hird. A very rare or almost
accidental summer visitor to southern New Enoland.*

a. 9-10 inches long. Above, rather light ashy gray. Be-
neath, white. Wings and tail dark, with conspicuous white
patches.

h. The nest is built near the ground, often in a conspicu-
ous situation. Audubon describes it as " coarsely constructed
on the outside, being there composed of dried sticks of
briars, withered leaves of trees, and grasses, mixed with wool.
Internally it is finished with fibrous roots disposed in a cir-
cular form, but carelessly arranged." An egg before me
measures 1.00 X. 75 of an inch, and is of a very light dull
blue, rather coarsely spotted with lilac and rather faint pur-
plish or reddish umber.

c. So many Mocking-birds have recently been captured
in New England, and Massachusetts itself, that they cannot
longer be well considered escaped cage-birds. They must
therefore be ranked here as very rare sunmier residents. Since,
however, their presence is almost exceptional, since their hab-
its are much like those of the common Catbird, since their
powers of mimicry and song are well known, and finally, since
I am personally unacquainted with their natural mode of life,
I have thought it best not to attempt their biography in this
volume. For an enthusiastic and splendid description, I refer
my readers to the second volume of Wilson's " Ornithology."

(GALEOSCOPTES.)

B. CAROLINENSIS. Catbird. A common summer resi-
dent, t

a. 8|^-9 inches long. Slate-colored. Crown and tail,
black. Under tail-coverts, chestnut red.

h. The nest of the Catbird, which in Massachusetts is
usually finished in the last week of May, is generally placed

* A local and very uncommon but t An abundant summer resident, save

probably quite reg-ular summer resident in the more northern or mountainous

of southern New England, seen often- parts of New England, where it is

est on or near the coast. One or two generally uncommon, and in places

specimens have been taken in Massa- altogether wanting. — W. B.
chusetts in winter. — W. B.

THRUSHES. 43

in a bush, thicket, or briar, and is composed outwardly of
sticks (and sometimes one or two rags intermixed), being
lined with strips of bark from the grape-vine or cedar, dead
leaves, rootlets, and other things of the same sort. The eggs
of each set are 3-5, usually four, of a fine dark green, bluish-
tinted, and measure about .95 X .70 of an inch. Two broods
are sometimes raised in the summer.

c. The Catbirds are in summer very common in the old
Bay State, and are familiar to many of its inhabitants, usu-
ally appearing in their haunts here in the first week of May,
some returning to the South in September, others waiting
until the middle of October. Though very numerous in the
cultivated districts of Massachusetts, they are rather rare in
the northern parts of New England ; and yet " they have been
met with in arctic countries," as have Robins also. They for
the most part prefer the neighborhood of man and of culti-
vated soil, though one may often find their nests in wild spots,
far from any house, since they roam over all the open country.
Though never properly gregarious, individuals do the work of
a host in destroying injurious insects ; eating the caterpillars,
which they find in orchards, shrubbery, bushes, and thickets,
and feeding upon " cut- worms," which they obtain in ploughed
lands. This fare they vary by occasionally catching winged
insects, as they fly through the air, but more often by eating
berries of various kinds, chiefly such as grow in swamps.

From the nature of their usual employment, they rarely have
occasion to perch very far above the ground, or to take other
than short flights, since they pass most of their time in shrub-
bery,— when frightened, generally taking refuge in a thicket,
or a clump of bushes, so as to be effectually lost to sight.
Though not habitually bold, they are often brave, in resenting
intrusions on their nests, giving a warm reception to cats,
driving away or killing snakes, and occasionally flying at
men. Two things are easily observable in the habits of these
Thrushes, namely : When on the ground, they can move about
with agility, and when perched, they often flirt their tails, or,
when singing, depress them in a peculiar manner which renders
their attitude rather ludicrous. In autumn, before their de-

44 LAND-BIRDS.

partiire, the Catbirds become rather reserved and shy, and I
have sometimes been able to detect their presence only by
occasionally hearing their characteristic cry, or seeing them
fly into " scrub " or other shrubbery, with their broad tails
expanded to their fullest extent, as they crossed some road or
path and dove into a thicket beyond. Their habits in the
fall of the year illustrate the fact that in spring most birds
can easily be detected, if even carelessly sought for at the
proper season, because of their song, their comparatively little
shyness, and those bright tints which, in the case of many
birds, are exchanged for duller tints when the summer either
is over or draws near to its end ; whereas in autumn, on the
other hand, many birds quietly, and in silence seldom bro-
ken, continue to speud their days about us, and to migrate
through those places where they were conspicuous in spring
escaping our observation through their greater shyness and
retirement. There are two other partial explanations of the
actually and apparently greater abundance of certain birds
when passing to the north through eastern Massachusetts
than when returning, — which are, that in the autumnal mi-
grations many species for the most part choose a more inland
route, and that in spring the Warblers, for instance, are
prompted to their long journeys by a sudden outburst or a
gradual approach of genuine warmth, such as gives life to
the insects on which they feed ; whereas in fall, unless star-
tled by a sudden visitation of cold, they gradually leave their
summer homes, and by degrees straggle (if I may use the ex-
pression^ to their winter haunts.^^

d. The song of the Catbirds, which is very much like
that of the Brown Thrush, is in some respects a striking one,
for the tone and accent are very marked ; and, though some of
the notes are rather harsh or uncouth, others are very mellow.
This song is not a definite or limited one, but is repeated for
several minutes together, from the time of their arrival until
the summer is nearly over, especially at evening ; but it is not
unf requently marred or interrupted by the mimicry of others'

2^ It is hoped that the author will be excused for these digressive remarks by
those persons who are well acquainted with the facts mentioned.

THRUSHES. 45

notes, for, though the Catbirds do not possess the wonderful
powers of the Mocking-birds, yet they are clever mimics, imi-
tating Quail, Pewees, Least Flycatchers, and even Hens, with
great exactness. I have been more than once deluded by these
musicians into the belief that I distinctly heard birds whose
presence I justly but little expected in the places where I have
thus been momentarily deceived. The Catbirds have a mellow
chuck^ a chattered alarm-note, which I am inclined to think that
they seldom use, and a familiar harsh cry, which resembles the
"mew" of a cat, whence their common name, and also, prob-
ably, that instinctive but irrational antipathy which many
boys entertain for this bird.

HI. HARPORHYNCHUS.

A, RUFUS. Brown Thrush. " Song Thrush^
" Thrasher^'' " MamsP A common summer resident in
southern New England.*

a. About eleven inches long. Above, bright reddish
brown ; below, white (or tinged), streaked with dark brown, but
throat unmarked. Wings with white bars. Tail very long.

h. The nest is placed in a bush (occasionally in a tree,
such as the cedar) or on the ground ; never far from it. When
placed in a bush, sticks are generally used in its construction ;
in all situations the nest being usually composed, wholly or
partly, of strips of cedar bark and the like, together with dead
leaves and similar substances. The eggs are dirty white, cov-
ered with very numerous and minute light brown markings,
and average 1.05 X .80 of an inch, or more. One specimen
is slightly tinged with green. In eastern Massachusetts, two
sets of these eggs (containing four or five) are laid every year,
the first of which commonly appears in the last week of May,
though sometimes exceptionally in the second week.

c. Not only do the notes of the Brown Thrush bear a
strong resemblance to those of the Catbird, but their habits

* A common summer resident in lower and more cultivated portions of

southern New England, where it is very the country. Its times of arrival and

generally distributed. To the north departure correspond closely with those

of Massachusetts it is found only spar- of the Catbird. — W. B.
ingly and more or less locally, in the

46 LAND-BIRDS.

also correspond closely to those of their relation. The " Song
Thrushes " reach the neighborhood of Boston more often in
the first than in the second week of May, or perhaps most often
in the last week of April, and are common summer residents
throughout southern New England, many not withdrawing
until October. They are rare, however, in northern Vermont,
New Hampshire, and Maine. Though on their arrival one may
often see them on cultivated estates and near houses, yet they
almost invariably, so far as I know, pass their summers in that
species of shrubbery known as " scrub," or in low cedar
woods, where underbrush abounds, and are much less familiar
toward man than are their relations the Catbirds. They feed
upon berries, caterpillars, wasps, or beetles, and, while en-
gaged in procuring them, may often be seen moving from bush
to bush, with a characteristic flight, and with their long tails
so outspread as to be very conspicuous. When they perch, the
'' Thrashers " flirt or depress their tails in the manner of the
last species, to whom I have already referred ; and they like-
wise are very bold in the defense of their nest, often hissing
with the vehemence of a pugnacious goose. They frequently
have refused to leave their nests on my approach, unless to
fly at me in a way which used to frighten me heartil}^ when
young. They are so brave and at the same time so unsociable
as rarely or never to congregate, either for the sake of mutual
protection or of companionship. They may be seen, however,
in pairs, rustling loudly among the dead leaves, or hopping
along the ground with remarkable agility. I have called them
" brave," and yet, when their young are reared, they resume
their natural shyness, avoid man, and on his approach dis-
appear in the surrounding shrubbery ; but the instinct of
motherhood can inspire bravery in those habitually timid,
when emergencies occur which require courage.

c?. The loud chuch of the Brown Thrushes, their inde-
scribable note of alarm or displeasure, and their song are all,
as has been intimated, much like those of the Catbird. Their
song is very pleasing, being loud, emphatic, and wonderfully
varied ; so much so that it is sometimes well-nigh impossible
to believe that one bird can produce such widely different

BLUEBIRDS. 47

notes ; but, though called " mockers," the " Thrashers " never
mimic other creatures, so far as I have observed. Often, if
interrupted, when singing, they softly repeat the syllables
" tu-whit, tu-whit," and immediately resume their song. In
May, at evening, I have often listened to them, when, having
chosen a high perch, they have sung sweetly and loudly ; and
it was when thinking of such singing that Wilson wrote :
" The human being, who, amidst such scenes, and in such
seasons of rural serenity and delight, can pass them with cold
indifference, and even contempt, I sincerely pity ; for abject
must that heart be, and callous those feelings, and depraved
that taste, which neither the charms of nature, nor the melody
of innocence, nor the voice of gratitude or devotion can
reach."

§ 2. SAXICOLIDu^. Stonechats and Bluebirds, (See

§1.)

I. SIALIA.

A. siALis. (^Eastern) Bluebird. Very common in Mas-
sachusetts during the warmer half of the year.*

a, 6 1 -7 inches long. Above, bright blue (in females, im-
mature specimens, and specimens in winter plumage, often in-
terrupted by dull-colored patches). Belly, white ; other under
parts, bright ruddy brown or chestnut. § usually much
duller or paler than $ .

b. The nest is generally placed in the hole of a tree or
post, or in a bird-box. The eggs, which measure about .85 X
.62 of an inch, are light blue (very rarely white). f Two sets
of 4-6 are usually laid each year in this State, of which the
first commonly appears about the first of May.

* Breeds throug-hout New England, t Although white eggs of this species

but only very sparingly in the more are certainly uncommon, they are by

northern and mountainous portions, no means very rare, for one or more sets

It has been found in midwinter near can be found in most large collections.

Boston, but is not often seen in that It is probable that certain Bluebirds

neigbborhood between December 1 and always lay white eggs, for those of

February 20. It winters abundantly, each set are invariably uniform in color,

however, in southern Connecticut. — and I know of an instance where two

W. B. clutches of colorless eggs were taken

from the same pair of birds. — W. B.

48 LAND-BIRDS.

c. The familiar Bluebirds are the first birds to corae from
their winter homes to the Eastern States ; for they reach the
neighborhood of Boston, invariably no later than March, and
sometimes in February. They have once reached it, accord-
ing to Dr. Brewer, on the twenty-eighth day of January, though
never known to pass the winter here. In summer they are
very common and generally well known throughout southern
New England, though comparatively rare to the northward,
as in the case with many other of our common birds. Whilst
migrating, they usually fly very high, and one may often be
apprised of their coming, before seeing them, by hearing their
warbled note, which they frequently utter when on the wing.
By the middle of March they become quite common, and may
be seen in small companies, perched on telegraph-wires or
ridge-poles of barns, on fences or trees, occasionally calling to
one another, or moving from place to place. Cheerless as the
season then is, they contrive to exist, though naturally insec-
tivorous, until warmer weather causes an abundance of in-
sects ; and they even mate during the cold weather with which
spring is inaugurated in this part of the world. In April,
they gather various warm materials, and build their nests by
placing them in a bird-box, or at the bottom of a hole in some
tree ; and in these nests their eggs are laid about the first of
May, when but few other of our birds have begun incubation.
The haunts of the Bluebirds are well known, and few natu-
ralists can pass through farms, orchards, gardens, or fields, or
travel over roads through cultivated lands and villages, with-
out associating with them these companions of every student
of nature. The Bluebirds are not only pleasant friends, but
are also useful laborers in behalf of agriculturists, as is proved
by the nature of their food, and the manner in which they
obtain it. Though in the early spring, and more so in fall,
various berries afford them nourishment, yet in May, and
throughout the summer, they feed quite exclusively upon in-
sects, chiefly upon beetles, many of which are injurious. As
they often rear two or even three broods of young during their
annual stay in Massachusetts, they necessarily destroy an in-
calculable number of pests (at the rate of between fifty and a

BLUEBIRDS. 49

hundred thousand to a pair in four months). So soon as the
young of the first brood are old enough to leave the nest, the
female soon begins again to lay, while the male takes charge
of the young, teaching them how to catch their prey. He may
often be seen to perch in some open spot, and, flying into the
air (much in the manner of Flycatchers), to seize some passing
insect, or, pausing with rapidly quivering wings, to snap up
some grasshopper or beetle from the grass, immediately return-
ing to his perch. Though the Bluebirds have been known to
take long flights, when traveling, yet they rarely fly far at
other times, and though when journeying they move through
the air at a considerable height, at other times they usually
remain rather near the ground, but they never, as a rule,
stand on it, except occasionally when collecting bits of straw
or the like, with which to build their nests. In autumn they
gather in small flocks, and in October generally depart from
this State, though a few linger until November.

d. The only song of the Bluebirds is a repetition of a
" sadly pleasing " but cheerful warble of two or three notes,
tinged (so to speak) by a mournful tone. This they often
give utterance to when on the wing, as well as when perched.
In autumn, and when with their young, their usual note is a
single sad whistle, but they occasionally use a peculiar chatter
as a call-note to their young, whose notes differ from those of
their parents.

I shall here close my account of these birds, deservedly
popular as forerunners of spring, companions of man, and
cheerful, beneficial laborers, by quoting a few lines from one
of Alexander Wilson's poems.

[In Autumn]
" The bluebird, forsaken, yet true to his home,
Still lingers, and looks for a milder to-morrow,
Till, fore'd by the horrors of winter to roam,
He sings his adieu in a lone note of sorrow.

" While spring's lovely season, serene, dewy, warm,

The green face of earth, and the pure blue of heav'n,
Or love's native music have influence to charm,
Or sympathy's glow to our feelings is ^^ giv'n,

28 In the original "are," evidently through inadyertenee.

60 LAND-BIRDS.

*' Still dear to each bosom the bluebird shall be ;

His voice, like the thrilling-s of hope, is a treasure ;
For, thro' bleakest storms if a calm he but see,
He comes to remind us of simshine and pleasure ! "

Note. The European StonecLat or " "V^Tieatear " QSaxi-
cola oenanthe) occurs in nortliern North America as a wan-
derer, and is included by Dr. Coues in his " List of the Birds
of New England." * In his " Key " he describes it as follows
(the length being 5-6 inches ?) : " Adult : ashy gray ; fore-
head, superciliary line, and under parts white, latter often
brownish-tinted ; upper tail coverts white, wings and tail black,
latter with most of the feathers white for half their length ;
line from nostril to eye, and broad band on side of head,
black ; bill and feet, black ; young everywhere cinnamon
brown, paler below. ..."

§ 3. SYLVIID^. (See § 1.)

I. REGULUS.

A. CALENDULA. Ruby-cvoicned " Wreny Huhy -crowned
'•''Kinglet.'" -^ Common in Massachusetts in April and
October.!

a. 4-4J inches long. Above, greenish olive ; below, white,
impure and yellow- tinged. Wings with two white bars, and
(like the tail) with light edgings. Eye-ring, impure white.
Crown in mature specimens with a scarlet patchy wanting in
immature birds (and females? 2^); moreover, in some speci-
mens, small and orange-colored.

* The only authentic record of the no proofs of this have been as yet ob-

actual occurrence of the Wheatear in tained. — W. B.

New Eng-land is that by Mr. Boardman ^ I have seen in spring- pairs of these

{Bull. N.O. C. Vol. V. 1880, p. 115) of birds, highly colored, and apparently

a specimen taken by Mr. George Moses fully matured, of whom the males had

on Indian Island, near Eastport, Maine, a brilliant carmine patch, and the fe-

August 25, 1879. — W. B. males no patch at all, or none evident. *

2^ These birds have been called " Mr. Minot's evident distrust of the

" Kinglets " from their scientific name belief (very g-eneral at the time he

(Regulus), meaning "little king." wrote) that the sexes are indistinguish-

t A very common spring and au- able when in mature plumage was well

tumn migrant. There can be very lit- founded, for it is now definitely known

tie doubt that it breeds sparingly and that the female usually lacks all trace

locally in northern New England, but of the scarlet crown-patch ; and one

KINGLETS. 51

h. I believe that there is no record of the nest and eggs
having ever been discovered. They are probably like those of
allied British species, and of the Golden-crowned " Wren " *
iB, 6).

c. The little Ruby-crowned " Wrens," almost the smallest
of North American birds, with the exception of the Humming-
birds, habitually pass the summer in the countries which lie to
the northward of New England. ^^ They reach the neighbor-
hood of Boston, when traveling from the north, in the first or
second week of October, and are quite common throughout
that month, a few lingering until the middle of November, and
still fewer occasionally passing the winter here.f In autumn,
regardless of the cold frosts, they always seem to be happily
employed, either in pairs or singly, in ransacking trees in
woods or orchards and elsewhere, for the small insects and
eggs which lie concealed beneath the bark and in its crevices.
They can but rarely be detected here in winter, since they com-
monly spend that season in the indefinite " South." In spring
they generally return to us about the middle of April, and are
very common until the middle of May or earlier, when they
totally disappear. They may be found in orchards or wood-
land, and about cultivated estates, everywhere leading the
same busy, restless life, which they never for a moment for-
sake, while daylight lasts. They may be seen now clinging
to some cluster of opening leaves or budding flowers, perhaps
head downwards, now hopping to a neighboring twig, now fly-
ing into the air dexterously to seize a passing insect, then
calling to their mates if they be near, or uttering their sweet
and joyous song. Though not gregarious, they are of a socia-

reeent writer on the subject (Mr. Beck- they occasionally breed in Pennsylva-

ham) has been unable to find any evi- nia." Mr. Charles C. Abbott, in speak-

dence that she ever possesses this adorn- ing of their breeding" in New Jersey,

ment. — W. B. says that " at least we have as evidence

* The nest and eg-g-s are now well of this their presence in June, and also

known. As Mr. Minot predicted, they that of their young in August."

are essentially similar to those of the t There is no good evidence that

Golden-crested Kinglet. — W. B. the Ruby-crowned Kinglet ever passes

31 Wilson, however, says: "From the winter in any part of New England,

the circumstance of having found them — W. B.
here in summer, I am persuaded that

52 LAND-BIRDS.

ble disposition toward other birds, and in fall often associate
with Chickadees, Nuthatches, Creepers, " Gold-crests," and
Downy Woodpeckers, and in spring with various migrating
Warblers, if there be any to join, whose habits are at all like
their own. They are not usually shy or suspicious, but are so
engrossed in their important occupations that they are easily
approached, and are not disturbed when closely watched.
They have but little time to think of danger, and continue
their career of constant activity (interrupted only by darkness
and incubation), apparently regarding all living things as
creatures innocent as they themselves.

d. In autumn and winter their only note is a feeble lisp.
In spring, besides occasionally uttering an indescribable queru-
lous sound, and a harsh " grating " note, which belongs exclu-
sively to that season,* the Ruby-crowned " Wrens " sing ex-
tremely well, and louder than such small birds seem capable
of singing. Their song commonly begins with a few clear
whistles, followed by a short, very sweet, and complicated
warble, and ending with notes like the syllables tu-we-ioe^ tiir-we-
we, tu-we-we. These latter are often repeated separately, as if
the birds had no time for the prelude, or are sometimes merely
prefaced by a few rather shrill notes with a rising inflection.

It is astonishing, under existing circumstances, that neither
nest nor egg of the Ruby-crowned " Wrens " has been dis-
covered, or at least described. It is probable, and on their
account it is to be hoped, that they may long continue to
rear their young in happiness and peace, undisturbed by nat-
uralists, in the immense forests of the north.

B. SATRAPA. Golderb-crowned " Wren.^^ Golden-
crowned " Kinglet.''^ " Gold-crest^ Moderately common
from October until April or May. f

* The harsh, grating- notes, as well Hampshire. Breeds throug-hout the

as the song-, are occasionally heard in spruce forests of northern New Eng-land

autumn. — W. B. and in the higher portions of Berkshire

t Everywhere common during the and Worcester counties, Massachu-

migrations, and always present in win- setts. A single well-authenticated nest

ter in moderate numbers, at least as has been taken at Lynn, Massachusetts,

far north as southern Maine and New — W. B.

KINGLETS. 53

a. Like calendula (^), except on the head. Crown, with
a yellow patch (inclosing in (J a scarlet one), bordered in
front and on the sides by a continuous black line.

h. The nest of these birds had never, so far as I know,
been discovered by any naturalist, previously to this year
(1875). Wilson, indeed, thinking that the English " Gold-
crest " was identical with ours, which is not the case, quoted
a description of the nest and eggs of that bird from Dr.
Latham. '^^ I therefore have the honor of recording the discov-
ery * of the nest of the Golden-crowned " Wren," which I made
this summer (1875), on the sixteenth day of July, in a forest
of the White Moim tains, which consisted chiefly of ever-
greens and white birches. Having several times observed the
birds there, I at last detected them in the act of conveying
food to their young, and soon tracked them to their nest. This
hung four feet above the ground, from a spreading hemlock
bough, to the twigs of which it was firmly fastened ; it was
globular, with an entrance in the upper part, and was com-
posed of hanging moss, ornamented with bits of dead leaves,
and lined chiefly with feathers. It contained six young birds,
but much to my regret no eggs, f

c. The Golden-crowned " Wrens " come to Massachusetts
from their summer homes in the latter part of October or in
November, and, though a majority of them move on to the
South, many pass the winter here, and continue their residence
in this State until April or even the second week of May.
During the winter they are for the most part gregarious, and
may often be seen in small flocks, moving about among trees ;
more often among those (such as birches) which spring up be-
side wood-paths than those growing elsewhere. But they also
visit cultivated lands and orchards, generally avoiding ever-
greens X (so far as I have observed), probably because they do

32 American Ornithology, Vol. I, p. t The eggs of the Golden-crested

127. Kinglet measure about .56 X .44 inches.

* I have just learned, from the fourth They are creamy white, with exceed-

number of the Nuttall Ornithological ingly numerous and fine markings of

Club Bulletin, that the nests of this pale wood brown and a few larger

Kinglet had been found previously to spots or blotches of brown or lavender,

my discovery. [Appendix to first edi- — W. B.

tion, p. 44.3.] J Mr. Minot's experience was cer-

54 LAND-BIRDS.

not readily find among them, in cold weather, the small insects
and their eggs which infest the bark of other trees, and upon
which they chiefly depend for food.^ I have always found them
more abundant on the edges of lanes through our woods than in
other places, and there one may watch them scrambling about
from twig to twig and from tree to tree, so busily engaged as
almost to ignore one's immediate presence. They are not quite
so restless as the Ruby-crowned " Wrens," but are equally so-
ciable, and often join the merry Chickadees and their follow-
ers, in pursuit of their common prey. In spring, when the
cold of winter has become somewhat modified, they are rather
less social, roam more freely, and finally move northward, their
place being immediately supplied by others, who have been
living in a warmer climate. These possess habits more nearly
akin to the habits of the Ruby-crowned " Wrens " than to
those of their predecessors, and frequently catch insects in the
air, or get them by fluttering before some opening cluster of
leaves, — while so doing, causing their wings to quiver rapidly,
" and often exposing the golden feathers of their head, which
are opened and shut with great adroitness," which they also
more frequently do when skij^ping about from bough to bough.
Many pass the summer in northern Maine, and in certain jDarts
of the White Mountains, but none breed in a more southern
country, unless in New Jersey, as Dr. Abbott thinks is the
case. They are '' quite common at Umbagog in June " ; " and
judging from the condition of female specimens taken, lay their
eggs about June 1st." Messrs. Maynard and Brewster " found
several pairs in the thick hemlock woods, that evidently had
nests in the immediate vicinity."

d. Beyond an occasional weak note, or a cry of tsee-tsee-
tsee, the Golden-crowned " Wrens " are usually silent, whilst
staying in their winter homes, except on the approach or

tainly exceptional witli respect to this Titmice all affect the pines in winter,

point, inasmuch as the Golden-crested and therefore I am at a loss to explain

King-let's preference for evergreens, the apparent dislike of these birds to

especially spruces and hemlocks, is or- those trees in that season. About the

dinarily not less marked in winter than fact I do not think myself mistaken,

at all other seasons. — W. B. They share the Chickadee's partiality

^ The Nuthatches, Creepers, and for white birches.

GNATCATCHERS. 55

arrival of spring, when they sometimes give utterance to a
twittered warble which resembles the weaker song-notes of the
Chickadees. In their summer homes they have a song, which
Mr. Maynard has described as " a series of low, shrill chirps,
terminating in a lisping warble " ; and when with their young,
they twitter constantly, as do also many other birds.

Note. — Cuvier's "Kinglet" (^Regulus cuvieri) is a source
of conjecture to all modern ornithologists. It was obtained
by Audubon near the banks of the Schuylkill River, in June,
1812. Only one specimen was taken, which differed from sa-
trapa in having the crown-patch entirely vermilion and two
black stripes on each side of the head. I have suspicions of
having seen this species in New England, but they are too
vague to render the sujjposed circumstance probable.*

II. POLIOPTILA.

A, c^RULEA. Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. A very rare or
exceptional summer resident in New England.f

a. 4-4|^ inches long. " Clear ashy blue, bluer on head ;
forehead, and line over eye, black (wanting in 5) ; outer tail-
feather white." Bill, feet, and rest of the tail, black. Under
parts, (bluish) white.

h, " The nest is placed on a tree, from ten to fifty feet
above the ground, and is cup-shaped, firm, but small and
neat." An e^g in my collection measures .60 X .48 of an inch,
and is j»jaZe greenish blue, dotted with reddish brown and a
little obscure lilac.

c. d. The Blue-gray Gnatcatchers are said to have wan-
dered to Massachusetts, but their usual habitat is further to
the southward. They are insectivorous, and dart " about from
one part of the tree to another with hanging wings and erected
tail, making a feeble chirping, tsee^ tsee, no louder than a
mouse." (Wilson.) They generally hunt " on the highest

* No second specimen of Cuvier's head-marking" or a hybrid between R.

Kinglet is known to have been taken, satrapa and R. calendula. — W. B.

and there can be little doubt that the t A rare and probably only acci-

bird described and figured by Audubon dental summer and autumn visitor, not

was either abnormal with respect to the known to breed. — W. B.

56 LAND-BIRDS.

branches." Mr. Burroughs says of this bird in " Wake
Robin " : " Its song is a lisping, chattering, incoherent warble,
now faintly reminding one of the Goldfinch, now of a miniature
Catbird, then of a tiny Yellow-hammer, having much variety,
but no unity, and little cadence." He previously remarks, in
his charming sketches, that " in form and manner it seems
almost a duplicate of the Catbird, on a small scale. It mews
like a young kitten, erects its tail, flirts, droops its wings, goes
through a variety of motions when disturbed by your presence,
and in many ways recalls its dusky prototype."

§ 4. The PARID^, or Titmice^ together with the next two
families, the Nuthatches and Creepers, form a natural, plainly-
colored group, and might appropriately be called " tree-glean-
ers." They all lead an active life, scrambling about among
trees in search of insects and their eggs, but never flying far,
though partially migrant. The Chickadees not unfrequently
alight on the ground, and often hang head downwards,
but they never habitually cling to the trunk. The Creepers,
on the other hand, climb much like Woodpeckers, confining
themselves to the trunks or larger upright limbs, and never
touch the earth ; while the Nuthatches in their habits are in-
termediate between the two. As regards music, however, the
Chickadees are intermediate, for the Nuthatches are wholly
unmusical, while the Creepers have a warbled song. They
all, however, agree in building a nest in some cavity, usually
the hole of a tree, and in laying small, white, spotted eggs ;
but the Titmice are the most prolific, laying in one set always
more than five eggs, and sometimes more than ten. They
are all unsuspicious and sociable, though, in Massachusetts,
only the Chickadees are strictly gregarious. The three
families are all partially characterized as follows : length less
than seven inches ; bill neither hooked nor notched ; tarsi
scutellate ; toes not completely cleft ; primaries ten, the first
short or spurious ; tail-feathers twelve. In the Paridce the
bill is short, stout, pointed, and with convex outlines, the nos-
trils are concealed, the tarsus is " longer than the middle toe
and claw," the tail is long, and about equal to the wings. In

TITMICE. 57

the SlttidcR the nostrils are likewise concealed, but the bill is
long, rather slender, acute, and with a convex outline beneath
only ; the tail is short (pi. 1, fig. 5). In the CertUidoe the
biU is slender and decurved, the nostrils are exposed, and the
tail-feathers are stiff and pointed (pi. 1, fig. 6). All the Creep-
ers and Titmice of North America belong to the typical groups
or subfamilies, Certhiince and Parince.

I. PARUS.

A. ATRiCAPiLLUS. Black-ccipped Titmouse. Chickadee,
Common in Massachusetts throughout the year, but much
less abundant in summer than in the other seasons.*

a. ^-h\ inches long. (Tail and wings 2^.) Above, ashy,
variously tinted. Beneath, white, in winter often tinted with
" rusty " or buff. Crown^ nape, and throaty black; interven-
ing space^ (nearly) white.

h. The Chickadees either select a natural cavity or a de-
serted Woodpecker's home, or with great
labor excavate a hole for themselves in a
post or a tree. They rarely select a sound
tree, but much prefer a decayed one, par-
ticularly a white birch, in which from
one to thirty feet above the ground, on
the side (or often on the top of a trunk,
if a broken one), they make an excava-
tion, from three inches to a foot deep,
with a narrow entrance, if possible. At
the bottom they place warm and soft
materials, such as hairs, moss, feathers,
and wool ; and the female, usually in the
last week of May (near Boston), lays six
or sometimes more eggs — often again ^^^- ^' Chickadee, (i)
laying, later in the season. The eggs average .63 X .50 of an
inch ; and are white, either spotted with reddish brown or finely
freckled with a rather paler shade, approaching flesh-color.

* A permanent resident, everyrvhere ently most numerous in autumn and
common at all seasons, but in Massa- winter. — W. B.
chusetts and to the southward appar-

68 LAND-BIRDS.

c. The Chickadees are so abundantly distributed, or well
represented by closely allied species, throughout the greater
part of North America that probably to a majority of its
inhabitants they are, on the whole, more familiar than any
other birds. They are common residents in all the New
England States, but in many parts of Massachusetts are
much less common in summer than in winter, when many
have come from the north. At the beginning of every
new year, they may be found in abundance in the neighbor-
hood of Boston, more often in small flocks than otherwise.
One may then watch them closely, for they are not shy,
as they move about among the higher branches, and the
lower branches, or even on the ground, where they peck
at fallen cones, or at such refuse as can afford them any nour-
ishment. When on the trees, their motions are characterized
by constant energy; and the better to obtain their minute
prey (small insects and eggs, such as infest bark) they assume
many peculiar attitudes, to maintain which great (compara-
tive) muscular strength is required — such attitudes as
hanging by the claws, or clinging to cones with the head
downwards. They are so merry, genial, and sociable, that
their society is sought for, as it were, by other birds, such as
Creepers, Nuthatches, Downy Woodpeckers, and " Kinglets,"
whose habits are much like their own, and who frequently join
them in their pleasant rambles and active scrambles. They
roam wherever there are trees, be they near houses or in the
depths of the forests, in valleys or on hillsides ^^ ; but ever-
greens, particularly pines, and white birches are their favorites.
They never take other than short flights, and often, as Wilson
says, " traverse the woods in regular progression from tree to
tree," in this manner traveling several miles every day. They
are very unsuspicious, and allow one to approach closely, so
that by remaining motionless I have often induced them to
surround my person. Mr. Samuels mentions an instance of
one perching on the toe of his boot as he sat in the woods ;
and a young man of northern New Hampshire once told me
that they were so tame in cold weather as to feed from his
^ Among the White Mountains to an elevation of 4,000 feet (?).

TITMICE. 59

hand ; but his friends were possibly young and inexperienced,
or at least probably had passed the summer in some country
uninhabited by man.

In regard to the manner in which the hardy little Titmice
pass the night, I have some interesting information to offer
to my readers, and I shall here quote from my ornithological
diary. " February 10th. This afternoon, just before sunset,
I noticed two Chickadees, feeding on the ground, and peck-
ing at a bone, to which a remnant of meat was attached.
After saving one of them from a cat, who was stealing
towards and was about to catch them, I remained there
fifteen minutes. They scarcely left the ground during that
time, except to take a low perch, until half-past five, when
one flew away over the house-top and disappeared. The other
continued to hop about on the ground ; and then, without any
intimation of his purpose, abruptly flew to the piazza, whither
I followed him. He took possession of a Pe wee's nest, which
stood upon the top of a corner-pillar, adjoining the house,
and, having stared at me for a moment, tucked his head under
his wing, ^ and apparently leaned against the wall. I think
that he went to sleep almost immediately, for, on my stepping
from the piazza, he started (as if from sleep) and turned to
look at me ; but he soon composed himself once more to his
slumbers." " Feb. 12th, 1875. I found my friend, the Chick-
adee, fast asleep to-day at 5.35 P. M." " Feb. 18th. I have
continued to find the Chickadee retiring to rest in the nest on
the piazza. Another retires as regularly at sunset, and sleeps
in a hole of a white birch, evidently once a Chickadee's nest,
perhaps his own." "March 13th. At five minutes after six
this morning a Chickadee suddenly uttered his ' chick-a-dee-dee-
dee ' from a pine, and then for five minutes repeated his whistle
oi pe-wee. Two companions then came, and the small flock,
thus formed, moved off."

In spring the Titmice gradually disperse, many to seek more
northern homes, and some, after mating, to prepare homes for

^ I have here emphasized this fact, uloxxs supposition that wild birds ever
becatise I have lately read, where I do put their bills under their wing's when
not now remember, that it was *' a ridic- sleeping " !

60 LAND-BIRDS.

their offspring here. In summer they are shyer than in win-
ter, and often retire to secluded spots to rear their young, for
whom they exhibit a tender affection, wliich sometimes prompts
them, if robbed of their eggs, boldly to follow the intruder,
uttering plaintive cries and whistles, which almost force one
to repent of having disturbed the peace of such loving parents.
In autumn, when family cares are over, the Chickadees gather
in companies and resume a merry life.

d. They have a great variety of simple or quaint notes,
all of which seem to be expressive of perpetual happiness, for
many of them are constantly repeated throughout the year,
and none are restricted to one season. Besides their weU-
known chsLut, '^ chick-a-dee-dee-dee-dee^'' which has given them
their name, they have an exquisite whistle of two notes (nearly
represented by high G and F, upon the piano), which is very
sweet and clear, and various minor but equally expressive
notes (among them a simple tsij^^^ as well as certain guttusal
cries, one of which sounds like a rapid utterance of the French
phrase " tout de suite," and is indicative, as it were, of the
restless disposition of these birds.

The Chickadees are universal favorites, and no birds have a
better right to be than these social and happy pygmies. I have
invariably found them to be very amiable, rarely disputing one
with another ; but Wilson considered them quarrelsome, and
speaks of having followed one, the singularity of whose notes
surprised him. Having shot it, he found its skull fractured
(as he supposed by a companion) but afterwards healed. One
passed the winter in my neighborhood whose chant may be
tolerably well expressed by the syllables " chick-a-pu-jm-pu,''
the latter notes being somewhat like those of a Canary-bird,
but there is no reason to believe that his cranium was cracked.

B, HUDSONicus. Hudsonian Chickadee. Hudson Bay
Chickadee.^
a. About five inches long. "Pale olive brown; crown,

* Found at all seasons throughout and certainly more locally distributed
northern New Eng-land, where, how- during the breeding season than in
ever, it is apparently less numerous autunm and winter. It may now be

NUTHATCHES. 61

similar, but browner ; below on sides, and behind, pale chest-
nut." " Chin and throat, brownish black."

c. The Hudson Bay Titmice pass the summer in arctic
countries (and in northeastern Maine ?), usually penetrating
northern New England in cold weather only. Their habits
resemble those of the common Chickadees. " Mr. Brewster
took a single specimen at Concord, Massachusetts, on October
29th, 1870," the only recorded instance of their capture in this

State.*!

d. Their song-note is harsher and " more quickly given "
than that of our Chickadees.^^

§ 5. SITTIN.E. Nuthatches. (See § 4.)

I. SITTA.

A. CAROLINENSIS. White - breasted Nuthatch. White-
bellied Nuthatch. Common here, in spring and autumn, in
certain localities. In Massachusetts, a few pass the summer,
and a few the winter. J

a. About six inches long. Above, ashy blue. Outer tail-
feathers, black with white patches. Wings, marked with the
same colors. Under tail-coverts, tinged with " rusty." Other
under parts and sides of the head (even above the eyes), white.
Crown and iiape^ black (in young and §, impure, restricted,
or wanting).

b. The nest and eggs correspond closely to those of the
Chickadee (§ 4, ^, 6), but the eggs are larger, averaging .80 X
.60 of an inch, and are rather coarsely spotted with (reddish)
brown and purplish. Four or five are said to constitute the

safely regarded as a somewhat fre- in New England. [From Appendix of

quent if not regular winter visitor to first edition, p. 443.]

Massachusetts, and a few specimens t The nest and eggs are essentially

have been taken in southern Connect- similar to those of the common Chick-

icut and Rhode Island. — W. B. adee. — W. B.

* The Hudsonian Titmice probably ^^ Maynard.

breed in several parts of northern New % Breeds throughout New England,

England, and in the Adirondacks. but nowhere in very great numbers,

They wander in winter so far to the while in many localities it is one of the

southward as Connecticut, and more rarest of the summer birds. During

than one has been obtained in Massa- the autumn migration it is at times

chusetts. The Crested Tomtit {Lopho- comparatively common. It winters in

phanes hicolor) is said to have occurred small numbers at least as far north as

Massachusetts. — W. B.

62 LAND-BIRDS.

usual set, but at what time they are laid in Massachusetts I
am uncertain.*

c. The White - bellied Nuthatches are abundant in but a
few parts of New England. In eastern Massachusetts they
are less rare in spring and autumn than in the other seasons ;
but only a few breed or pass the winter here. As it seems
advisable to quote from Wilson a full description of some
bird's habits to show the usual style of that author, I shall
here give his remarks about these birds. After describing
their appearance, their non-identity with the European Nut-
hatch, and their nest and eggs, he writes as follows : —

" The male is extremely attentive to the female while sitting,
supplying her regularly with sustenance, stopping frequently
at the mouth of the hole, calling and offering her what he has
brought, in the most endearing manner. Sometimes he seems
to stop merely to inquire how she is, and to lighten the tedious
moments with his soothing chatter. He seldom rambles far
from the spot, and when danger appears, regardless of his own
safety, he flies instantly to alarm her. When both are feed-
ing on the trunk of the same tree, or of adjoining ones, he is
perpetually calling on her ; and from the momentary pause
he makes it is plain that he feels pleased to hear her Teply.

" The White-breasted Nuthatch is common almost every-
where in the woods of North America; and may be known at
a distance by the notes quanh^ quank^ frequently repeated, as
he moves upward and down, in spiral circles, around the body
and larger branches of the tree, probing behind the thin scaly
bark of the white oak, and shelling off considerable pieces of
it in his search after spiders, ants, insects, and their larvae. He
rests and roosts with his head downwards ; and appears to
possess a degree of curiosity not common in many birds ; fre-
quently descending, very silently, within a few feet of the root
of the tree where you happen to stand, stopping, head down-
ward, stretching out his neck in a horizontal position, as if to
reconnoitre your appearance, and after several minutes of si-

* In eastern Massachusetts this Nut- ally as many as nine, eg-g^, the sets are
hatch begins laying about April 20th. not always completed until nearly or
As it usually lays seven, and occasion- quite May Ist. — W. B.

NUTHATCHES. 63

lent observation, wheeling around, he again mounts, with fresh
activity, piping his unisons as before. Strongly attached to
his native forests, he seldom forsakes them ; and amidst the
rigors of the severest winter weather, his note is still heard
in the bleak and leafless woods, and among the howling
branches. Sometimes the rain, freezing as it falls, encloses
every twig, and even the trunk of the tree, in a hard trans-
parent coat or shell of ice. On these occasions I have ob-
served his anxiety and dissatisfaction, at being with difficulty
able to make his way along the smooth surface ; at these times
generally abandoning the trees, gleaning about the stables,
around the house, mixing among the fowls, entering the barn,
and examining the beams and rafters, and every place where
he may pick up a subsistence.

" The name Nuthatch has been bestowed on this family of
birds from their supposed practice of breaking nuts by re-
peated hatchings, or hammerings with their bills. Soft-shelled
nuts, such as chestnuts, chinkapins, and hazelnuts, they may
probably be able to demolish, though I have never yet seen
them so engaged ; but it must be rather in search of maggots
that sometimes breed there, than for the kernel. It is, how-
ever, said that they lay up a large store of nuts for winter ;
but as I have never either found any of their magazines, or
seen them collecting them, I am inclined to doubt the fact.
From the great numbers I have opened at all seasons of the
year, I have every reason to believe that ants, bugs, small
seeds, insects, and their larvae, form their chief subsistence,
such matters alone being uniformly found in their stomachs.
Neither can I see what necessity they could have to circumam-
bulate the trunks of trees with such indefatigable and restless
diligence, while bushels of nuts lay scattered round their
roots. As to the circumstance mentioned by Dr. Plott, of the
European Nuthatch ' putting its bill into a crack in the bough
of a tree, and making such a violent sound, as if it was rend-
ing asunder,' this, if true, would be sufficient to distinguish
it from the species we have just been describing, which pos-
sesses no such faculty. The female differs little from the
male in color, chiefly in the black being less deep on the head
and wings."

64 LAND-BIRDS.

To tlie above extract I have only to add that it should be
remembered that Wilson wrote this account in Pennsylvania,
in the first years of this century, and that further knowledge
of this bird's habits may be obtained by studying those of the
Red-bellied Nuthatch, who leads a very similar life.

d. The note of the White-bellied Nuthatch is monotonous,
unmusical, and yet striking ; it differs from that of the next
species in usually being pitched on a somewhat lower key.
There is also another note, properly distinct, which is rather
more subdued, though shriller. This scarcely differs in tone
from the ordinary cry of the Red-bellied Nuthatch. Both
sounds are sure to attract the attention of a naturalist who
may hear them for the first time, and to remain fixed in his
memory.

B. CANADENSIS. Red-helUed Nuthatch. In eastern Mas-
sachusetts, common in October, and less so in winter and
spring.*

a. 4J-5 inches long. Above, bright ashy or leaden blue.
Outer tail-feathers, black, white-spotted. Beneath, (pale) rusty-
colored, except on the chin, which is white. In $ , crown and
broad stripe through the eye, black. Intermediate space (and
forehead), white. In 5 , no black cap, and eye-stripe dusky.

h. The eggs are exactly like those of the Chickadee (§ 4,
I, ^) ; and moreover the nest is in many respects like the
nest of that bird, though sometimes placed in a horizontal
limb of a decayed tree, a situation in which I have never
found the home of a Titmouse. In northern New England

* The breeding range of this species autumn, and do not return until late the
correspondsratherclosely to that of the following spring. Hence it happens
Golden-crested Kinglet, and may be that in eastern Massachusetts and to
roughly defined as embracing the entire the southward they are irregular visit-
spruce-forested regions of northern New ors, exceedingly abundant some years,
England, including, also, portions of nearly or quite absent during others.
Berkshire and Worcester counties, The bulk of the flight passes through
Massachusetts. Throughout this area the region about Boston in September
the Red-bellied Nuthatches frequently and October, but many birds are seen
remain during- the entire year, but when earlier than this, and a few usually
their favorite food — the seeds of the remain during the following winter,
spruce and balsam — is scarce or want- There is seldom if ever a well-marked
ing, they migrate southward in early return flight in spring. — W. B.

NUTHATCHES. 65

the female lays about June first, and occasionally again in
July.

c. The Red-bellied Nuthatches habitually spend the sum-
mer in the woods and forests of northern New England and
other rather cold countries, though a few may occasionally
breed in this State, particularly in the western and well-
wooded parts. They appear in Massachusetts about the first
of October, and I have invariably found them quite common
during that month in the neighborhood of Boston. Many
retire to the South in November ; and those who pass the win-
ter here may easily escape observation, for they are generally
silent, often frequent the large tracts of woods which are but
little penetrated by man in midwinter, and not unfrequently
almost lose their individuality, so to speak, by joining troops
of Chickadees. They are by no means rare in April or the
early part of May, when many pass through in their annual
spring migrations. As I have intimated, they are so social
as to unite somewhat with other birds, but they are not often
gregarious in Massachusetts, and usually are seen singly or in
pairs, and not in flocks, as they are further north. They are
more fond of pines than other trees, feeding upon their seeds,
as well as on the insects about them. Here the Nuthatches
are to be found, busied in almost every conceivable attitude,
sometimes moving up and down the trunk, as often with the
head pointing downward as upward, and at other times scram-
bling about the branches or the cones. They do not confine
themselves, however, to trees, for they sometimes climb about
fences or old buildings, and occasionally descend to the
ground, where they pick up fallen seeds. In comparing this
species with the White-breasted, Wilson says that " its voice
is sharper, and its motions much quicker than those of the
other, being so rapid, restless, and small as to make it a diffi-
cult point to shoot one of them. When the two species are in
the woods together, they are easily distinguished by their
voices, the note of the least being nearly an octave sharper
than that of its companion, and repeated more hurriedly."

d. The only note of the Red-bellied Nuthatch is an unmu-
sical sound, like the word " ank," which, says Mr. Maynard,

66 LAND-BIRDS.

is repeated, more deliberately and less querulously in the breed-
ing-season than at other times ; a fact which I also have
noticed. It is, however, varied considerably in pitch at all
times of the year.

§ 6. CERTHIID^. Creepers. (See § 4.)

I. CERTHIA.

A. FAMiLiARis AMERICANA. BrowTi Creeper. In eastern
Massachusetts, very rare in summer, but common in winter.*

a. About b\ inches long. Bill, slender and decurved ; tail-
feathers, rigid and acuminate (as in other Certhiince). Below,
white. Tail, unmarkedo Other upper parts, curiously and
finely marked with several browns and whitish.

h. Wilson says that " the Brown Creeper builds his nest
in the hollow trunk or branch of a tree, where the tree has
been shivered, or a limb broken off, or where squirrels or
Woodpeckers have wrought out an entrance, for nature has not
provided him with the means of excavating one for himself."
Mr. Gregg (in a " Catalogue of the Birds of Chemung County,
New York ") says that ^' the nest of this species is built of dry
twigs attached to the sides of some perj^endicular object " ; and
that he " discovered one on the attic of a deserted log house ;
the nest rested upon the inner projection of the gable clap-
board, and was cemented together with a gummy or gelatinous
substance." The only nest that I have found in the neighbor-
hood of Boston was a few feet from the ground, placed in the
cavity formed by the reuding of a tree by lightning. The
eggs, which were fresh on the twentieth day of May, were
grayish white, speckled with reddish brown, chiefly at the
larger end, and measured about .60 X .50 of an inch. A nest
containing young, found in a New Hampshire forest, was much
like one found " in a large elm in Court Square, Springfield,
about ten feet from the ground, and built behind a strip of

* In southern New England the its normal summer range is limited very
Brown Creeper is a very common spring strictly to the Canadian fauna. It
and autumn migrant and a not uncom- breeds regularly on Mount Graylock,
mon winter resident. Although it has in western Massachusetts, and through-
been twice found nesting in eastern out the spruce forests of northern New
Massachusetts and once at Springfield, England. — W. B.

CREEPERS. 67

thick bark that projected in such a way as to leave a protected
cavity behind it." * Dr. Brewer has described the eggs as
"nearly oval in shape, with a grayish white ground, sparingly
sprinkled with small, fine, red and reddish brown spots. They
measure .55X.43 of an inch."

c. In eastern Massachusetts the Brown Creepers are in
winter common, less so, however, than in March, April, and
October, when migrating from south to north or vice versa ;
on the milder winter days they may often be seen, as in spring
and fall, about open woodland, near houses, and " even in vil-
lage streets " ; whereas during the colder weather they frequent
thicker and more sheltered woods. Only a very few pass the
summer in this State, a much larger number inhabiting the ex-
tensive forests of northern New England, during that season.

Like the Titmice and Nuthatches (with whom they often as-
sociate, not being themselves gregarious), they are habitually
among trees ; but, unlike those birds, they rarely if ever de-
scend to the ground, and never hang with the head downwards.
They are constantly in pursuit of insects ; hunting for them
somewhat in the manner of Woodpeckers, by clinging to the
trunk or larger branches of the trees on which they have
alighted, propping themselves with their stiff tail-feathers,
and moving about as securely as on a flat surface. Their pro-
gress is generally systematic, for they usually alight near the
foot of the tree, and climb up toward the top ; but they are
often induced, perhaps by a lack of insects, to desert one tree
for another, before they have examined it thoroughly. More-
over, they often ascend in spirals, particularly on the trunks
of the pine, one of their favorite trees, and thus confuse the
observer, as they are soon lost to sight. Often, when I have
awaited their appearance on one side, they have flown off to a
neighboring tree, or, when I have run round to their side, they
have climbed round to mine. But they are not shy, and it is
not difficult, when aided by even a very little experience, to
" keep track " of their movements, and to watch their motions.

d. The ordinary notes of the Brown Creepers are a feeble
lisp, a chip which they generally repeat when flying, and a

* This is now known to be the usual or typical situation of the nest. — W. B.

68 LAND-BIRDS.

peculiar cry of cree-cree-cree-cree^ which is much less often
heard than the others. Their indescribable song is a very
pleasant one, being somewhat like the far finer music of the
Winter Wren, and is varied, some of the notes being loud and
sweet, while others are much feebler and less full in tone. It
is repeated both in spring and summer, but never, I think,
before March.

The Creepers are harmless birds, and, as well as their allies,
the Titmice and Nuthatches, should be considered extremely
useful, since they help largely to preserve our trees and to pro-
tect forest growth. While men continue unwisely to destroy
large woods in this State, thus exposing others and leaving no
pro\H[sion for the future, these birds will be more and more
needed to remove those prominent causes of vegetable decay,
injurious insects. Therefore they should be preserved.

§ 7. The TROGLODYTID^, or Wrens, form a distinct
group, though quite closely allied to several families. They
are insectivorous, and pass their time near the ground. Though
not climbers, they are eminently creepers. They are migratory,
but not gregarious. They are for the most part (possibly in
all cases) musical. They lay several or many eggs in one set ;
these are small, white, reddish, or brown, and generally finely
marked. The Troglodytes inhabit shrubbery or woodland, and
build their nest in some cavity, such as the hole of a tree ;
but the Cistothori frequent marshes or meadows, and build a
globular nest, which is suspended among the reeds, or in the
grass. The Troglodytidce are characterized as follows : colors
plain ; general size less than six inches (though in one North
American species eight) ; bill rather long and slender, unbris-
tled and un notched ; nostrils exposed, but overhung by a scale ;
tarsi scutellate ; toes partly united ; primaries ten, but the first
very short; tail-feathers not acuminate (fig. 3).

The MotaciUidce (§8) are in New England represented
by one species only (belonging to the subfamily Anthince).
They possess the following features : average length, about
six inches (?) ; bill slender, somewhat notched, scarcely bris-
tled, but above " slightly concave at base " ; nostrils exposed;

WRENS.

69

tarsus scutellate ; " hind toe considerably longer than the
middle one " ; primaries nine. The Wagtails are virtually
terrestrial Warblers closely allied to the Seiuri.

It may be observed that our land-birds, as at present
arranged, form a series which may be artificially classified by
food. Thus the higher Oscines are chiefly insectivorous,
the Shrikes partly insectivorous but otherwise carnivorous,
while the subse-
quent families are
chiefly granivo-
rous. The Clama-
tores and Pica-
rice^ the Raptores^
and the Columbce^
form a very simi-
lar sequence, the
Pigeons being, so
to speak, vegetari-
ans.

Fig. 3. Winter Wren *

I. TROGLODYTES.

A, HiEMALis. ^'^ Winter Wren. Wood Wren. Quite
common in Massachusetts, during the migrations, in April
and October.!

* The specimen, from which the fig-
ure of the Winter Wren was drawn (p.
69), had an unusually short tail, in con-
sequence of which the figure must be
considered inaccurate in regard to that
feature. [From Appendix of first edi-
tion, p. 443.]

3^ This species has been placed by
Baird in this genus (subgenus Anorthu-
ra), by other authors in the genus Anor-
thura, with the specific name hyemalis
CD troglodytes. Professor Baird has
recently called it a variety of the Eu-
ropean T. parvulus. I have here called
it the Wood Wren, because Audubon's
so-called " Wood Wren " {T. america-
nus) is now known to be the same as
the House Wren (T. aedon), and be-

cause the Winter Wrens inhabit woods,
almost exclusively, whereas our other
Wrens do not. The name is therefore
extremely appropriate. For the Great
Carolina Wren (Thryothorus ludovici-
anus), see a note at the end of this bio-
graphy.

t The Winter Wren breeds abun-
dantly throughout northern New Eng-
land, commonly on Mount Graylock,
and sparingly and locally in the north-
ern portions of Worcester County, Mas-
sachusetts. Elsewhere it occurs only
during the migrations, when it is never
very numerous, and in winter, when in
Massachusetts, at least, it is invariably
rare. — W. B.

70 LAND-BIRDS.

a. About four inches long. Tail, rather short. Essentially
like the next species in coloration ; but superciliary line, and
(generally) markings on the wing, whitish. Habits very
different.

h. Five eggs, not quite fresh, which I took from a nest in
the White Mountains on the 23d of July, 1875 (probably
those of a second set), were pure crystal white, thinly and
minutely speckled with bright reddish brown, and averaging
about .70 X .55 of an inch. The nest, thickly lined with
feathers of the Ruffed Grouse, was in a low moss-covered
stump about a foot high, in a dark swampy forest filled with
tangled piles of fallen trees and branches. The entrance to
the nest, on one side, was very narrow, its diameter being less
than an inch, and was covered with an overhanging bit of
moss, which the bird was obliged to push up on going in. Dr.
Brewer describes other eggs as measuring .^b X .48 of an inch,
and " spotted with a bright reddish brown and a few pale
markings of purplish slate, on a pure white ground." The
nest containing these eggs, which were six in number, " was
built in an occupied log hut, among the fir leaves and mosses in
a crevice between the logs." It was found by Mr. William
F. Hall " at Camp Sebois, in the central eastern portion of
Maine."

c. The Winter Wrens are not very common in this State,
and are generally seen here only in April and October, when
migrating. They spend their summers in the most northern
parts of New England and the cold countries beyond, and
their winters to the southward of Massachusetts. ^^ They are
so little social as generally to travel singly, and to avoid the
neighborhood of man, usually frequenting, when journeying,
woods, or roadsides bordered by them, though I have also seen
them in woodpiles near houses or barns. In such places they
busy themselves about the piles of brush and logs ; when
frightened often taking refuge in stone walls, if any be near,
where, on account of their small size and great activity, they
are as much at home as squirrels. When they have once taken
to such a retreat, it is impossible to keep sight of them for

^ I have heard of but few instances of their being seen in this State in winter.

WRENS. 71

any great lengtli of time. Wilson says that in winter they are
" quite at home, even in the yards, gardens, and outhouses of
the city," ^^and also speaks of their singing while in Pennsyl-
vania.

I have several times seen them in the forests of the White
Mountains, both in valleys and on hillsides, — in those grand,
dark, and cool forests, which have been left undisturbed by
man for years, if not forever, where the ground is covered with
fallen trees, with logs piled upon one another and covered
with rich moss, and where the damp soil, unparched by the
sun, in summer gives birth to innumerable ferns, of great
variety and extraordinary beauty. In such spots, their natural
haunts, the Wood Wrens seemed to be less shy than they com-
monly are during their migrations (which is not the case with
most birds), and I have there often watched them, creeping
agilely about with their long legs, and constantly " ducking "
their bodies in their peculiar manner, or singing from the top
of some brush-heap or some pile of tangled limbs.

d. When traveling they are silent, but they have an ex-
quisite song, which I have often heard in their summer homes.
It is one which cannot fail to attract the attention of an obser-
vant person, though it may lead to a long search for the musi-
cian, before he is found. It is very lively and hurried, and the
notes seem to tumble over one another in the energy with
which they are poured out. They are full of power, though
many are shrill, and are garnished with many a gay trill ; in
some passages reminding one of the Canary-bird's song, though
infinitely finer. Their tone and spirit are wonderful, and alone
render them quite characteristic. Dr. Brewer speaks of the
" querulous note " of these birds, which I do not remember to
have ever heard.*

One of the prettiest little scenes that I have ever seen in
nature was partly enacted by a Winter Wren, who, in nimbly
scrambling about a stone wall, nearly ran into a " chipmonk,"
basking in the sun on the top of it. The surprise and pert-

^^ Wilson wrote these words nearly * The call-note is a sharp tick re-
seventy years ago [about 1805], when peated several times in quick succes-
Philadelphia was a city of about eighty sion. — W. B.
thousand inhabitants.

72 LAND-BIRDS.

ness of both creatures, at this unexpected meeting, were very
ludicrous and yet very charming.

Note. — Thryothorus ludovicianus. Great Carolina Wren.
Said to have occurred in Connecticut.*

a. Nearly six inches long. Above, reddish brown ; be-
neath, chiefly tawny. Superciliary stripe, white or buify.
Wings, tail (and under tail-coverts ? ), black-barred. Wings,
often somewhat white-spotted.

h. " The nest is composed of various warm materials,
placed in a cavity, such as the hole of a tree or some hole
in a building." An egg in my collection measures about
.75 X .55 of an inch, aud is dull white, spotted somewhat
coarsely with obscure lilac and several rather quiet browns,
which are chiefly collected at the crown.

c. The Great Carolina Wrens ( Thryothorus ludovicianus)^
so far as I know, have not previously been reported as visitors
to Massachusetts, but there are at present [1875] two appa-
rently passing the summer in a small wooded swamp near
Boston. It is believed that they have arrived since the fourth
of July, soon after which my attention was attracted by their
loud notes, which I immediately recognized through their gen-
eral likeness to the notes of other Wrens, and the descriptions
of Wilson and Audubon. It is further believed that they are
now building or have recently built their nest, the female be-
ing rarely seen, though the male often visits the shrubbery
about the house. Though unwilling that they should be shot,
I have no doubt as to their identity, partly on account of their
music, which I have never before heard, though familiar with
our birds. Moreover, the description of the birds which I wrote
on the spot, where I first obtained a good view of the male,

* In addition to the birds mentioned reported {Bull. N. O. C, Vol, VI, 1881,

by Mr. Minot, three specimens have p. 54) seeing two birds (one of which he

been since taken in Massachusetts, the shot) at Rye Beach, New Hampshire,

first at Lynn, July 6, 1878, by Mr. August 7, 1880. The species has been

George O. Welch ; the second in repeatedly taken in Connecticut, and

Brookline, November 4, 1883, by Mr. at least once in Rhode Island, but even

Arthur Smith ; the third in Cam- in the extreme southern portions of

bridge, September 27, 1891, by Mr. C. New England it is evidently of rare

F. Batchelder. Mr. Spelman has also and irregxdar occurrence. — W. B.

WRENS. 73

corresponds in every important particular to the descriptions
given by standard authors. To facilitate the detection of these
birds elsewhere in Massachusetts, I offer a slight sketch of
their habits and notes, as just observed.

The Carolina Wrens, being shy, are not easily studied, for,
on man's approach, they often discontinue their song, and hide
themselves in the surrounding shrubbery, or in a neighboring
wall. They sometimes betray their presence, however, by their
quarrelsome disposition and their noisy anger at the supposed
intrusion of other birds. They remain near the ground, fly-
ing a little way with a rather loud fluttering, actively hopping
from twig to twig somewhat impetuously, and with the tail
often cocked in the air, or pausing to sing, when they assume a
more upright posture, accompanied by a depression of the tail.

Their notes, except their chatter, which is much like that
of the House Wren, are generally loud, musical whistles,
which exhibit great variation. Sometimes they form a series
of triplets, all of which may individually be on a descending or
an ascending scale ; sometimes they resemble the word chir-
rup^ the first syllable being much dwelt upon, and at other
times may be well represented by the syllables we'-u^ we'-u^
we'-u^ we^-u. This music is often delivered with volubility, but
it is always characterized, apart from any similar notes to
be heard near Boston, by a remarkable clearness or openness.
Such is the biography of the Carolina Wrens in Massachusetts.

To this account it may be added, that the Carolina Wrens
are not always shy, that they are ventriloquists, and that they
possess a greater variety of sweet musical notes than has been
indicated in the foregoing account. It is now believed, after
further observations, that they arrived before July, and chose
for their home a drier and sunnier place than the above-men-
tioned swamp, to which, however, they (or at least the male)
have frequently wandered.

B, AEDON. House Wren. A very common summer resi-
dent in southern New England, though locally distributed.*

* A summer resident, locally com- cially in Comiecticut), where it is found
mon in southern New England (espe- chiefly in or near towns and villages ;

74 LAND-BIRDS.

a. 4J-5^- inches long. Above, rather dark Wren brown.
Below, light creamy or grayish brown (rarely rusty brown).
Everywhere finely " waved " with darker brown, but not con-
spicuously on the crown. Coloration, variable. Superciliary
line, sometimes whitish. Tail lo-2 inches long.

h. The nest, generally a heap of twigs lined with warmer
materials, is usually built in a bird-box, or in a hole of a post
or tree ; but also it is often built in very extraordinary situa-
tions, such as the sleeve of a coat (Wilson), a clay pot, a dis-
used spout, or other equally odd place. The eggs of each set
are six to nine ; like those of the Long-billed Marsh Wren
(§ 7, II, 5), but much lighter and more reddish ; they average
about .60 X .48 of an inch. In eastern Massachusetts, two
sets are occasionally laid in the summer, one usually appear-
ing in the first week of June.

c. The House Wrens, though rare in the northern part of
New England, and so locally distributed in the southern por-
tion as never to be seen in certain parts of it, are yet common
in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and Connecticut, and even
very abundant in some parts of these States. They usually
reach the neighborhood of Boston in the first week of May,
and leave it in September, when the frost has made it hard
for them to get their ordinary food, which consists entirely of
spiders, other insects, and their eggs. The House Wrens
frequent exclusively cultivated grounds, and the immediate
neighborhood of man, so much so as to be "' very numerous in
the gardens of Cambridge," * and other like cities. They are
so fearless as to have built in occupied houses, and so imper-
tinent and quarrelsome as sometimes to seize upon the nests
of other birds for their own convenience, regardless of rights
of property or ownership, and they invariably drive away from
their own homes other Wrens who may have intruded. They
are, moreover, so brave as often to attack cats, generally with

less nnmerous, but apparently more since driven all the House Wrens from
■widely dispersed, in northern New Eng- Cambridge, but they (the Wrens) con-
land, where it often breeds at rather tinue to breed in moderate numbers in
high altitudes and in places remote certain parts of Arlington, Belmont,
from the habitations of man. — W. B. Brookline, and a few other outlying
* The English Sparrows have long towns near Boston. — W. B.

WRENS. 75

success. When not engaged in quarrels or robbery, in build-
ing or incubation, they are busy in hunting for insects, par-
ticularly spiders, in shrubbery, gardens, and orchards ; and
they do not ramble about in the gloomy recesses of wood-
piles as the Winter Wrens do. But in winter, when far away
from their summer homes, and yet enjoying warm weather,
their habits are different from those with which we are here
familiar. Mr. Allen, in speaking of their habits in Florida,
in winter, says that they keep " so closely concealed that it is
difficult to shoot " them " except when on the wing. ^^ Both
this and the Carolina Wren are exceedingly quick in their
movements, and if they are watching the collector when he is
about to shoot at them, they are pretty sure to dodge the
charge ; although he finds the bushes and foliage where the
bird sat riddled by the shot, he usually searches in vain for
the specimen he is sure he ought to have killed. When ap-
proached in old grassy fields or pine openings, they will allow
one to almost tread on them before attempting to get away,
and then, instead of taking to wing, often seek to escape by
running off like a mouse beneath the grass. The term
' House ' Wren, usually applied to this bird, is decidedly a
misnomer, since it frequents the fields, the thickets, and even
the forest, as much as the vicinity of houses. In the wilds of
Florida, where human habitations are few, there is nothing
whatever in its habits to suggest this name."

Other instances might be cited to show how very injudi-
ciously names have often been bestowed upon birds, more so
than in the present case, with which there is but little fault to
find. Particularly should be condemned the practice of naming
species after the place where they were first captured, for the
title may afterwards become utterly inappropriate.

d. The House Wrens have a chirp not unlike that of an
insect, a peculiar chatter, and a charming song, which cannot
be satisfactorily described, as is the case with the music of
most other birds. This song consists of a few loud and
sprightly notes, followed by a loud and very characteristic

*'^ I have here taken the liberty of very slightly altering the text, without
changing its meaning, that it might better accord with my own.

76 LAND-BIRDS.

trill, which is its most prominent feature. It may often be
heard in the summer and in May.

11. CISTOTHORUS.

A, STELLARis. ShoH-hilled Marsh Wren, Meadow
Wren. In New England, a rather rare summer resident,
found only in the warmer parts.*

a. About 4| inches long. Below, white. Breast and sides,
of a light warm brown. Wings and tail, barred. Like C
palustris above, but streaked with white on the back, nape,
and rump.

h. The nest is essentially like that of the next species,
but no mud is used in its composition ; it is generally placed
in fresh-water marshes or meadows (being sometimes built in
long grass), and the hole is usually on the under side.f The
eggs are generally six, J sometimes more, very frail, white, and
about .55 X -43 of an inch. The first, and commonly the only,
set is laid, in eastern Massachusetts, in the early part of June.§

c. I must confess to not being so very familiar with the
Meadow Wrens as I should like to be before writing their nat-
ural history, for in the southern parts of New England they
are very generally rare, and in the northern parts are not to
be found at all. They come to eastern Massachusetts about
the middle of May, and inhabit the fresh-water marshes and
meadows, in certain localities, until the latter part of August,
when they retire to the South. |1 On their arrival, they busy
themselves in building their peculiar nests, and it has been
observed that they generally build several near together, every
year, perhaps for the sake of protection. They are generally
occupied in hunting for insects among reeds, rushes, or tall
grass, but it is not easy to assure one's self of this fact, since

* A summer resident of southern % Seven eggs are frequently laid. —

New England, locally common in east- W. B.

ern Massachusetts, and known to breed § There are commonly if not usually

at least as far north as Rye Beach, New two layings, the first late in May or

Hampshire. — W. B. early in June, the second early in July.

t This is incorrect, for the position — W. B.
of the entrance-hole is the same in the || Many birds remain in eastern Mas-
nests of the two species, at least as a sachusetts through September, and a
rule. — W. B. few well into October. — W. B.

WRENS. 77

they are shy, and, to use a sportsman's expression, " lie very
close." They can also creep about and through the reeds as
silently and actively as a mouse.

d. The Meadow Wrens have a harsh unpleasant chatter,
but also a simple and yet very pleasant song, which reminds
one of the songs of certain Sparrows, though often character-
ized by a peculiar Wren-trill.

B. PALUSTRis.*! Marsh Wren. Long-hilled Marsh Wren,
Less common in Massachusetts than the preceding species.*

a. 5-5 J inches long. Above, brown. Below, white ; sides
shaded with brown. Tail, dusky-barred. Wings and under
tail-coverts, slightly marked. Interscapulars and crown, quite
or nearly black ; the former white-streaked. Superciliary line,
white.

h. The nest is suspended among the reeds or long grass, or
is built in a bush in marshes. It " is formed outwardly of wet
rushes mixed with mud, well intertwisted, and fashioned into
the form of a cocoa-nut. A small hole is left two thirds up,
for entrance, the upper edge of which projects. . . . The inside
is lined with fine soft grass, and sometimes feathers. ..."
(Wilson.) The eggs are usually six,f and are laid in early
June. They are light (reddish ?) chocolate brown, so finely
marked with a darker shade as to appear, from a distance,
uniformly dark, and average about .58 X .45 of an inch.

c. The Marsh Wrens are not to be found in northern
New England, and in Massachusetts are even less common
than the Meadow Wrens, to whom they are very closely allied
in their habits. They frequent a few of both the salt-water
and fresh-water marshes in this State, from the middle of May
until the latter part of August. They spend their time in pro-

*^ By some authors placed in the sive marshes on or near the coast or

genus Te/?na<oc?yfes (considered by Baird bordering sluggish streams. Of late

a subgenus). years a few birds have been found reg-

* Not known to occur regularly any- tdarly each winter in the Fresh Pond

where north of Massachusetts, but in swamps at Cambridge. — W. B.

the eastern part of this State and to the t Sets of six eggs are exceptional,

southward an abundant summer resi- although by no means rare. The usual

dent, breeding by hundreds or even number is five. — W. B.
thousands in some of the more ezten-

78 LAND-BIRDS.

curing the insects, on which they habitually feed, from the
reeds and grasses, among which they move with great agility.
Being rather less shy than the Short-billed Marsh Wrens,
they may more often be seen, frequently in their favorite
attitude, with their tail cocked in the air.

d. They have a harsh chatter, if it can properly be so
called, a peculiar sound ; but I have never heard them sing,
nor have I ever heard a well-authenticated case of another
person doing so.*

There are, I regret to say, no pretty traditional tales to be
told about our Wrens, nor is there any hereditary affection for
them, such as is felt for " Jenny Wren " in England.

§ 8. MOTACILLID^. Wagtails. (See § 7.)

I. ANTHUS.

A. PENSiLVANicus. Bvown Larh " Titlark.'' ''Pipit.'"
" Wagtail.'' A common migrant, in spring and autumn, along
the coast of New England, f

a. About 6| inches long. Above, pure dark brown
(" olive-shaded " ?), slightly streaked. Under parts and super-
ciliary line, light buffy brown. Breast and sides, dusky-
streaked. Tail, dark ; outer tail-feathers, partly white.

h. The Titlarks breed chiefly in arctic countries, and never
in New England.

c. They pass through Massachusetts in spring and autumn,
when traveling to and from their summer homes, and are then
common on the seashore, "in the Fresh Pond marshes of
Cambridge," and sometimes in old fields. They usually collect
in loose flocks, and feed on seeds and insects, which they pick
up on the ground, where they can run with ease and rapidity.
They have a singular habit of jerking their tails, which is very
noticeable. W^hen disturbed, they generally fly away to quite

* The bird is really a conspicuous reaching" Massachusetts from the north

and persistent singer. Its song bears about the middle of September, always

some resemblance to that of the House abundant through October, rarely here

Wren, but is more guttural, discon- after the middle of November, and not

nected, and emphatic, and on the whole known ever to occur in winter. It has

less musical, although by no means been observed in spring from March

unpleasing. — W. B. 29 to May 20, but is seldom if ever

t A spring and autumn migrant, very numerous at this season. — W. B.

WARBLERS. 79

a distance and high in the air, resuming their work, if it may
be so called, when they alight. They retire in summer to
breed in Labrador and other cold countries, where they are
said to sing.

d. When with us their only note is a feeble one, a simple
chirp, which is often repeated.

§ 9. The SYLVICOLID^,* or American Warblers, form
a group, which may perhaps be best defined negatively. By the
omission, however, of the Icterinm (or Chats), who probably
should be ranked as a family intermediate between the War-
blers and Tanagers, their characteristics may be considered the
following. Length, 4-6 1- inches ; bill twice as long as high ;
commissure entirely straight or slightly curved, unless inter-
rupted by a terminal notch ; nostrils exposed ; tarsus scutel-
late ; " hind toe shorter than the middle " ; primaries nine (fig.
4). It is doubtful how many subfamilies there should be,
but the following well-defined groups exist.

Seiurince, or Lark-ivarhlers (I). Bill notched, scarcely bris-
tled. Birds streaked beneath. Tail not marked or forked.

Geothlypince, or Thicket-warhlers (II, III). Bill notched,
scarcely bristled. Birds wholly unstreaked. Tail not marked
or forked. In Geothlypis, the wings are approximately equal
in length to the tail.^

HelminthojMlince, or Worm-eating Warblers (IV, V, VI).
Bill acute, unbristled and unnotched^ (pi. 1, fig. 7).

Mniotiltince, or Creeping Warblers (VII, VIII). Bill
scarcely bristled, and never (very) distinctly notched ; hind
toe much longer than its claw. (Except in structure, how-
ever, the Parulae and Mniotiltae are widely different.)

Sylvicolince, or Wood-warblers (IX, X). Bill notched, and
with short bristles (pi. 1, fig. 8). Tail not unmarked, unless
in (Estiva, where it is slightly forked. In other cases white-
blotched. JPerissoglossce are characterized by the tongue.

Setophagince, or Fly-catching Warblers (XI, XII). Bill
noticeably broader than high, also notched, usually hooTced,
and always with long bristles^ (pi. 1, fig. 9).

* Now Mniotiltidce. — W. B. 4^ Characteristics italicized do not

belong^ to other Warblers.

80 LAND-BIRDS.

This last group is ranked as a subfamily, the others being
united by Dr. Coues as Sylvicolince, though Prof. Baird further
sets apart the Geothlypinoe. (For remarks on Icterince^ see
§ 10.) The Warblers are, no doubt, to many persons the most
charming of our birds. They are eminently peaceful, and pret-
tily colored, brightly, sometimes brilliantly. Musically, how-
ever, they are generally surpassed by the Thrushes, Vireos, and
Finches. They are insectivorous, migratory, and in some cases
gregarious, except in summer. Among their nests are some
of the neatest and prettiest specimens of bird-architecture.
The eggs are, for the most part, four or jfive, white, spotted
with brown and lilac.

I. SEIURUS.

A. NOVEBORACENSis. Northern Water ''^ Thrush,'' Water
" Wagtail.''^ Common, perhaps locally so, during their mi-
grations through Massachusetts, where, however, a few breed.*

a. 5|— 6 inches long. Dark brown above (tinged with
olive). Superciliary line and under parts, white tinged with
yellow. Throat and breast, thickly spotted with very dark
brown. " Feet, dark."

h. The nest is usually built on or near the ground, in a
swamp or at least the neighborhood of water. The eggs of
each set are usually four, average .85 X .67 of an inch, though
variable in size, and in coloration closely resemble those of the
Golden-crowned " Thrush " ((7, 6).t A nest which I found
near Boston contained fresh eggs in the first week of June.

c. The Water " Thrushes " are to be found in northern
New England as summer residents, but, though a very few
pass the summer in Massachusetts,^ they are common in this

* A eommon summer resident bear only a general family resemblance,

throughout most of northern New Eng- — W. B.

land, but in Massachusetts and to the | It is not impossible that the North-
southward known only as a migrant of em Water Thrush occasionally breeds
very regular and abundant occurrence in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, —
in both spring and autumn. — W. B. where, indeed, a single specimen was

t The eggs of the Northern Water found in summer, a few years since, by
Thrush are usually much more heavily Mr. Faxon, — but Mr. Minot's state-
marked than those of the Golden- ment, that he found a nest near Boston,
crowned Thrush, to which indeed they has been very generally discredited,

WARBLERS. 81

State, or, at least, parts of it, only during their migrations,
in the third and fourth weeks of May, and the first or second
of September. While in the neighborhood of Boston, they
stay near streams and bodies of water or in wet woodland,
and pick up the little insects and other things ujjon which
they feed, almost exclusively from the ground, often wading,
however, in shallow water. When sojourning here they are
not very shy, and it is eas}^ to approach them so as to watch
their peculiar motions, which recall those of the Sandpiper,
and are yet partially characterized by a constant jerking of
the tail, — a habit which belongs to several other common
birds, such as the Pewee, who depresses the tail, however,
instead of jerking it upwards. The Water " Thrushes " are,
on the other hand, very shy in their delightful summer homes,
and would almost escape notice but for their very charming-
song. As it is, they are rarely seen, for they are very nimble
on the ground, and on man's approach leave their paddling in
the mountain-brooks, and their pleasant labors on the banks,
to hide in thickets or underbrush. Imagine a forest, which
man has never invaded, and through it flowing a cool, clear
stream, whose course is broken by the rocks, round which it
bends, or over which it falls into some foaming pool, and you
will know the haunts of these birds ; imagine music which
can hardly be excelled, and you can faintly realize the charms
of such places, if you do not already know them.

d. " The Water ' Thrush's ' song is loud, clear, and exqui-
sitely sweet, and begins with a burst of melody, which be-
comes softer and more delicate until the last note dies away,
lost in the ripple of the stream, above which the birds are
generally perched. It is probably sometimes repeated at
night, as is the song of the Wood ' Wagtail,' and how en-
chanted should I be to hear it in the coolness of the woods
and stillness of the night." It may quite often be heard in
spring, during the migrations and the season of courtship,

and certainly requu'es confirmation, former species breeds reg-ularly in

If his bird was a Water Thrush at all, northern Connecticut and Rhode Is-

it is quite as likely to have been 8. land, not far from the southern borders

motacilla as S. noveboracensis, for the of Massachusetts. — W. B.

82 LAND-BIRDS.

as well as the ordinary note of these birds, a sharp chicJc^
which usually expresses alarm. As I have heard it, how-
ever, it is a simple song, merely characterized by unusual
loudness and clearness. It is greatly to be regretted that
not more persons are familiar with the pleasing music
of the Water " Thrushes," whose love of retirement has,
unfortunately, allowed few others than naturalists to know
them.

B. MOTACILLA. Lcirge-hUled Water " Thrush.'^ Water
Warbler. So far as I know, the only instances known of this
bird coming to Massachusetts and northern New England
are those recorded by Mr. Allen, who shot one " April 28,
1869, on Mount Tom," and by Mr. Irving Frost, who shot
another " at Norway, Maine, in May, 1865."*

a. About six inches long. Like the last species, but be-
low, buffy, chiefly behind, with fewer and less prominent streaks
(none on the throat), and with " legs pale."

h. The nest and eggs are like those of the common Water
" Thrush," but the eggs are a little larger, averaging .90x .70
of an inch.

c. The Large-billed Water " Thrushes " have a very dif-
ferent habitat from their immediate relations, and very rarely
occur in New England. They are closely allied to the Water
" Wagtails " in habits ; like those birds, frequenting woodland
and the neighborhood of water, and being addicted to wading
and to jerking their tails.

d. Their ordinary note is probably the same chuch^ but
their song is said to be more glorious than that of the other
species, which I have just described. It begins with loud,
clear, and ringing notes, and ends with the softer notes, which
die away almost imperceptibly. It was this song that Wilson
described as having heard the Water " Thrush " utter in the
vast cane-brakes of the South, where these birds find a home
during a part of the year.

* The Large-billed Water Thrush but it is not known to occur, at least
breeds commonly throughout most of regularly, anywhere north of the north-
Connecticut as well as in Rhode Island, em boundaries of these States. — W. B.

WARBLERS. 83

C. AUROCAPILLUS. Golden-crowned " Thrush.'" " Oven-
bird.^'' " Wag tail. ^^ In Massachusetts a common summer
resident.*

a. Q-^\ inches long. Olive above. Below, white. Breast
and sides, (darkly or) black-streaked. Croitm^ orange^ bor-
dered by black strijoes. (Details omitted.)

b. The nest is placed on the ground, in the woods. It is
usually lined with hairs, and is generally but not invariably
roofed. The eggs of each set — only one being commonly laid
in Massachusetts, and that about June first, or perhaps earlier
— are usually four, averaging between .90x.70 and .80X.62
of an inch. They are subject to considerable variation, but
are generally (creamy) white with either minute lilac markings
about the crown, or markings of reddish brown and faint lilac,
scattered (not very thickly) chiefly in blotches, either all over
the Qgg^ or only about the greater end.

c. The birds of whom I am about to write are variously
called Golden-crowned " Thrushes," having formerly been
classed with the Thrushes ^^ (and their crown being dull
orange), "Oven-birds," because of the usual construction of
their nests, and " Wagtails," because of their habit of flirting
their tails, by which name I shall refer to them. They are
common summer residents throughout New England ; much
less so, however, in the northern parts, though known to breed
in arctic countries. They generally reach Massachusetts in
the first week of May, and leave it in September, sometimes
lingering almost until October, quite unobserved, because of
their rarely broken silence at that season. They frequent
woodland of various kinds, but pine groves are perhaps their
favorite haunts. In such places they are usually to be seen on
the ground, walking about quietly, silently, and with an amus-
ing deliberateness, and picking up their food from among the
fallen leaves ; but they betake themselves to trees (rather than
to bushes), when frightened, when engaged in their pretended

* A summer resident of universal dis- New Hampshire, and Vermont. —

tribution, breeding- abundantly in every W. B.

suitable piece of woodland from south- ^^ Mr. Maynard adheres to this ar-

em Connecticut to northern Maine, rang-ement.

84 LAND-BIRDS.

or real quarrels during courtshIi3, or wlien they wish to utter
their peculiar chant. They are endowed with strong parental
affection, and, when the nest is approached, both male and
female exhibit great concern, or the latter, if disturbed whilst
sitting on her nest, feigns lameness, as many other ground-
nesting birds do, and flutters nimbly away, until, having led
the unwary pursuer to a distance, she " takes to wing."

d. The " Wagtails' " loud monotony — wee-chee^ ivee-chee,
wee-chee, wee-chee, ivee-chee, wee-chee, wee-chee^ wee-chee, wee-
chee, tcee-chee^ — which is repeated rapidly with a steadily
increasing volume, is heard, at intervals, throughout the day.
Their ordinary notes are a chuck of alarm, and a sharp chick,
employed chiefly during the period of mating. At night I have
often heard the male sing very sweetly, his chatter being
followed by a low musical warble, such as I have rarely heard
him utter during the day, except sometimes at dusk. He gen-
erally pours out this music while descending through the air
from a height to which he has just mounted ; but these per-
formances are almost exclusively confined to the season when
his mate is sitting on her eggs or young.

The " Wagtails " are much oftener heard than seen, the
more so that they are never gregarious ; but the oddity of
their familiar chant, the quaintness of their habits, and their
strong conjugal and parental affection, must ever endear
them to the appreciative naturalist.

II. GEOTHLYPIS.

A. TRICHAS. Maryland " Yellow-throat.^^ Black-masked
Ground Warbler. A common summer resident throughout
New England.*

a. About five inches long. (J , olive green above. Fore-
head, and a broad bar through the eye^ black, bordered above
by grayish. Belly, white. Other under parts, yellow. 5 5 with
no black or grayish. More olive above. Head, browner.
Beneath, white ; yellow less and paleiv,

* An abundant summer resident of near Boston have been recorded. —
the whole of New England. Two in- W. B.
stances of its occurrence in midwinter

WARBLERS. 85

1). The nest is usually placed on tlie ground, — almost in-
variably beside a brook or in a swamp, but occasionally in a
thicket or briar. It is composed of (leaves), fine grasses, etc.,
is often lined with hairs, and is sometimes roofed. The eggs
average .70 X .55 of an inch, and are white, sometimes with
no markings, but commonly with a few reddish brown blotches
about the greater end, or with a ring about the crown of fine
reddish brown and lilac markings, or with numerous spots and
blotches of the same colors distributed over the entire sur-
face. They vary greatly in coloration, but the ground-color is
always (?) white, and is not usually much marked. In all
parts of New England two sets of these eggs are laid annually,
as a rule, in Massachusetts, the first generally appearing in the
last week of May.

c. The Maryland " Yellow-throats " are probably (on an
average, throughout New England) the most abundant of our
Warblers in summer, and in certain parts of Maine and New
Hampshire are nearly the most common birds. They come to
Massachusetts, from their southern winter homes, in the first
or second week of May, and do not altogether leave it before
October. On their arrival, before retiring to the places where
they build their nests, they spend much of their time in trees,
often those on cultivated estates ; but, later in the season, they
betake themselves to swamps, thickets, and bushes along the
roadsides, and are then seen cliiefly on or near the ground.
They constantly move their tails, both when on the ground,
and when hopping from twig to twig, for they rarely take
other than short flights. In their haunts, which cannot be
well defined or enumerated, they are ever busy, when not in-
terrupted, in catching the insects and caterpillars upon which
they feed ; and yet, though not shy, they are continually
watchful, and mindful of intruders.

fZ. Besides a sharjD chuck^ which is loud enough to attract
the attention of every passer-by, a simple cMcJc, less often
heard, and a chatter, much finer and less harsh than that of
the Catbird, the Maryland " Yellow-throats " have a charac-
teristic set of notes, which resemble the syllables wee-chee-chee^
repeated several times, with a marked emphasis on the wee.

86 LAND-BIRDS.

This is varied to toee-chee-chee-wee^ which is repeated in the
same manner, and again to a song, which is not unlike that of
the Yellow Warbler, though sufficiently distinct.

The Maryland " Yellow-throats " are among our most bene-
ficial birds, and cannot in any way do injury to man or his
property. Whoever is unfamiliar with them can easily make
their acquaintance, and a charming acquaintance it will prove
to be. In a certain place, where I took many walks, these
birds seemed to be traveling companions, whenever I followed
the highways, so constantly did I see them along the road-
sides.

B. PHILADELPHIA. 3fourning Warbler. Quite com-
mon (locally) in certain parts of northern New England as a
summer resident, but a very rare migrant through Massachu-
setts, where none pass the summer, so far as I know.*

a. Five inches or more long. Olive above. Beneath,
bright yellow. Head, warm (ashy) gray. Throat, black, often
waved with gray.

h. The eggs and nest correspond closely to those of the
Maryland Yellow-throat in every respect, but the eggs, so far
as I know, are never either plain white or coarsely marked.

c. The Mourning Warblers are among the birds who are
extremely rare in Massachusetts, even during the migrations,
though they breed quite commonly in certain parts of northern
New England, and also in places much further to the south-
ward. During their occasional brief sojourn in this State, in
the latter part of May, and still more rarely in September,
they usually frequent the haunts of the Maryland Yellow-
throats, but are also sometimes seen examining the foliage of
tall trees (up the trunks of which, for a little way, I have
strong reason to believe that they sometimes scramble). I
invariably see in spring a few pairs in the " scrub," especially
where swampy. In their summer homes they inhabit copses

* A not iincommon but rather lo- lock in western Massachusetts, but else-

cally distributed summer resident of where in southern New England known

northern New England, breeding also only as a rare spring and still rarer au-

in positive abundance on Mount Gray- tumn migrant. — W. B.

WARBLERS. 87

and thickets in open spots, finding their food in piles of brush,
on the ground, etc., never, however, jerking their tails in the
manner of their relations.

d. The Mourning Warblers have a sharp chirp, a feeble
tsip^ and a warbled, liquid song (likened to that of the House
Wren, Water Thrush, and Maryland Yellow-throat), which
is generally delivered from a high perch.

ni. OPORORNIS*

A. AGiLis.^ Connecticut Warbler. A mig:rant in New
England. Extremely rare in spring, and generally rare in
autumn, though more than a hundred specimens were taken
at Cambridge in two years, when these birds were extraordi-
narily abundant in the fall.f

a. About 5|^ inches long. Above, olive green, becoming
ashy -tinted on the head. Eye-ring, whitish. Throat (and
upper breast), ashy or brownish. Other under parts, yellow.
Crown, olive in autumn.

h. I believe that the nest and eggs of these birds have
never been discovered by any ornithologist. f

c. The Connecticut Warblers have hitherto, with two re-
markable exceptions, been very rare migrants through Mas-
sachusetts : but they may become more common hereafter. §
I have seen them but once in spring (then only an individual

* This is now made a subgenus of J A nest and egg's, positively iden-

Geothlypis. — W. B. tified by the capture of both of the

^ The Kentucky Warbler (O. for- parent birds, and now in the National

mosa) may stray to New England, Museum, were taken near Carberry,

though I know no instance of its so do- Manitoba, June 21, 1883, by Mr. Ernest

ing. It has been known to breed in E. Thompson. The nest '" was entirely

eastern New York. composed of dry grass, and sunken level

t A late spring and early autumn with the surface " in the top of a low

migrant, exceedingly rare at the former mossy mound. " The eggs, four in

season, but during the latter half of number, measured .75 X .56 in. Before

September rather common throughout being blo^Ti they were of a delicate

most of southern New England, and, at creamy white, with a few spots of lilac

a few places (especially the Fresh Pond purple, brown, and black, inclined to

swamps in Cambridge), positively abun- form a ring at the large end." {Aiik,

dant at times. There are as yet only a Vol. I, April, 1884, pp. 192, 193.) —

few records for northern New England. W. B.

— W. B. § It is much more probable that they

were overlooked prior to 1870. — W. B.

88 LAND-BIRDS.

on the tenth of May), and but a few times in September. The
following observations were made at the Fresh Pond marshes
of Cambridge, in the autumns of 1870 and 1871, and illus-
trate the habits of these birds.

" Mr. Henshaw found them almost constantly engaged in
seeking their food on the ground. When startled, they would
fly up to the nearest bush, upon which they would sit perfectly
motionless, in a manner closely resembling the Thrushes. If
not further disturbed, they immediately returned to the ground.
... If greatly startled, they took a long flight among the
bushes, and could rarely be found again."

d. I have heard them utter only ^si/>s and chirps whilst in
their usual haunts, namely, swampy thickets, and shrubbery
near them. I have never heard their song, nor read any de-
scription of it.*

IV. HELMITHERUS.

A. VERMIVORUS. Worm-eating Warhler}^ Though found
in Maine, this species very rarely comes so far to the north-
eastern part of the United States as to reach New England. f

a. About 5J inches long. Greenish olive above. Head
and under parts, buff. The head is marked with two dark
stripes bordering the crown, and two running from the eyes
to the back.

h. The nest is placed on or near the ground. The eggs are
described as averaging about .70 X .55 of an inch, and being

* Mr. Thompson says that the song- bier {H. swainsoni) has been erroneous-
is " somewhat like the song of the ly reported from Massachusetts.
Oven-bird, but different in being in t A summer resident of southern
the same pitch throughout instead of Connecticut from Bridgeport eastward
beginning in a whisper and increasing to Saybrook, near the shores of the
the emphasis and strength with each Sound, and up the valley of the Con-
pair of notes to the last." He renders neeticut River at least as far as Essex,
it by the syllables " beecher-beecher- breeding rather commonly in a few
beecher - beecher - beecher - beecher.'''' An- places. A single specimen has been
other type ' ' nearly resembled the syl- taken at Hartford and another (in early
lables ' Fru-chapple fru-chapple fru- autumn) at Cambridge, Mass. Verrill's
chappie whoit,^ . . . uttered in a loud, vague statement (Proc. Essex Inst.,'Vol.
ringing voice." (Proc. U. S. Nat. Ill, p. 156) to the effect that this War-
Mus., Vol. XIII, 1890, pp. 621,622.) bier is a rare summer visitor to southern
— W. B. Maine is now generally discredited. —

*^ The closely allied Swainson's War- W. B.

WARBLERS. 89

pure white, minutely spotted with reddish brown, chiefly at the
larger end, where lilac is intermixed.

c. The Worm-eating Warblers so seldom come to this State
that, I regret to say, I have never seen them here. The vari-
ous accounts of their habits and notes which I have read are
more or less conflicting and unsatisfactory ; but from them
1 have gathered that the Worm-eating Warblers inhabit both
woodland and shrubbery, and usually feed on caterpillars and
spiders, which they find on the ground, or " among the dead
leaves of a broken branch," being very nimble in securing
their prey. They are never gregarious, but, even during their
migrations, travel alone or in pairs, sometimes, however, with
their young in autumn.

d. Their notes are " a feeble chirp," a " complaining call "
of " tsee-dee-dee^^^ and a song which has been variously de-
scribed, but which, from all accounts, does not seem to be a
very pleasing one.

I regret that I am obliged to write brief, and on that ac-
count less interesting, biographies (if I may so far flatter my-
self) of some of the Warblers, about whom, because of their
general rarity here, I know little, and cannot obtain much in-
formation.

V. PROTONOTARIA.

A. CITREA. Prothonotary Warhler. So far as I know-
there is but one authentic instance of this bird being captured
in New England — then at Calais, Maine, on October 30th ! *

a. About 5J inches long. Golden yellow. Back, oliva-
ceous. Rump, light ashy blue ; wings and tail, darker. Tail-
feathers, marked with white.

5. Dr. Brewer speaks of three nests. One of these " was
built within a Woodpecker's hole in a stump of a tree, not

* Si9ce the above was written, a num- near Auburndale, Massachusetts, June

ber of Prothonotary Warblers have been 20, 1890. As this bird was seen in the

taken in southern New England. Most same place on the previous day, and a»

of them have occurred during- the mi- it was in full song on both occasions,

grations, — in May or August, — but there are some grounds for suspecting

Mr. F. H. Kennard has a male which that it was breeding, although no proof

was shot on the banks of Charles River, of this was actually obtained. — W. B,

90 LAND-BIRDS.

more than three feet high " ; another " was built within a
brace-hole in a mill " ; and a third " in a hollow snag, about
five feet from the ground, in the river bottom." The eggs
average .68 X .55 of an inch, and are cream white, with lilac,
purplish brown (and black) markings.

c. The Prothonotary Warblers have little or no right to be
included in the list of the birds of Massachusetts, and I have
never seen them here (unless perhaps once a pair, at dark in
October). They prefer the borders of streams, and neigh-
borhood of water, to drier ground, and swampy thickets to
the woods and forests. Otherwise, their habits are essentially
like those of the Worm-eating Warbler and other allied species.

d. Their ordinary note is said to be like the feeble ts'q:) of
the White-throated Sparrow, but of more characteristic notes
I know nothing.* The " Prothonotaries " strongly resemble
the Blue-winged Yellow Warblers, who are much more likely
to occur in southern New England, and therefore should an
inexperienced student meet either in his rambles through this
State, let him carefully note which it is.

VI. HELMINTHOPHILA.

A. PINUS. Blue-vnnged YelloiD Warbler. No one, I be-
lieve, has reported the presence of this bird in New England,
except Mr. Sarauels.f

a. About five inches long. Like the Prothonotary War-
bler ; hut rump (like the back), olive, wing-bars and tail-
blotches, white (or nearly so), and eye-stripe, or lore, black.

* The ordinary song is a loud peet, what resembles the song of the Canary,

tweet, tweet, tweet, varied to peet, tsweet, given in an undertone with trills or

tsweet, tsweet, or tsiveet, tr-sweet, tr-sweet, water notes interspersed. — W. B.

tr-sweet. At a distance the notes resem- t This Warbler is a common sum-

ble those of a Solitary or Spotted Sand- mer resident of southern Connecticut,

piper, but near at hand they possess a butisnotknown to occur regularly north

peculiar penetrating quality. The bird of Hai-tf ord, and is most numerous in

has another and very different song, the country immediately bordering on

which it utters while flying slowly with the Sound and the lower valley of the

a trembling, fluttering motion of the Connecticut River. Several specimens

wings, carrying the head high and the have been taken in Massachusetts,

tail wide spread. Although so low and where, however, the species does not

feeble as to be inaudible many rods seem to have attained a permanent

away, this song is very sweet. It some- foothold. — W. B.

WARBLERS. 91

h. The nest is placed on the ground, in wooded land. The
eggs average about .70 X .55 * of an inch, and are white, with
a few reddish brown spots about the greater end.

c. The Blue- winged Yellow Warblers, being foreigners to
New England, I can only describe through others. Wilson
says of this species that it '* haunts thickets and shrubberies,
searching the branches for insects ; is fond of visiting gar-
dens, orchards, and willow trees, of gleaning among blossoms
and currant bushes ; and is frequently found in very seques-
tered woods, where it generally builds its nest." Mr. Samuels,
whose account has been rejected by some ornithologists, says :
'' In 1857, in the month of May, about the 12th or 15th, I
found a small flock in a swamp in Dedham, Mass. They were
actively employed in catching flying insects, and were so little
mistrustful that they permitted me to approach quite near,
and observe their motions. I noticed nothing peculiar in
them ; but they had all the activity and industry of the true
arboreal warblers."

d. Dr. Brewer says that "in regard to the song of this
bird, Mr. Trippe states that its notes are very forcible and
characteristic. He describes them as a rapid chirrup resem-
bling chuucJiicli^ k'-a-re-r^ r' r' / / (!). According to Mr.
Ridgway they are wonderfully like the lisping chirrup of the
Coturniculus 2>cLsseriniis " or Yellow-winged Sparrow.

B. CHRYSOPTERA. Golden-wiuged Warhler, A rather
uncommon, or even rare, summer resident in Massachusetts-!

a. About five inches long. Above, slaty blue. Whole crown
and broad wing-bars, rich yellow. Below, white. Throat and
stripe through eye, black. Tail-feathers, white-blotched. J
with less pure colors than (J.J

h. The nest is placed on the ground, in woodland, gener-
ally near swamps, and is variously lined. Four eggs taken

* These measurements are consider- numerous during the migrations, al-

ably above the average. — W. B. though it is not known to go much fur-

t Locally common in summer in va- ther north. — W. B.
rious parts of southern New England, % The female has the throat ashy

especially in eastern Massachusetts, instead of black. — W. B.
where, however, it appears to be most

92 LAND-BIRDS.

from a nest which I found near Boston average about .68 X
.55 of an inch, and are white, marked, chiefly at the great end,
with reddish brown. They were taken on the 8th of June and
correspond with those found by Mr. Maynard on June 12,
1869.

c. The Golden-winged Warblers have at last been recog-
nized as summer residents in Massachusetts of no very great
rarity, and are not so largely migrant through this State as
was once supjiosed, for indeed it probably forms nearly their
most northern limit. They reach the neighborhood of Boston
about the 10th of May, and do not retire to the South until
September. During the summer they inhabit woodland, par-
ticularly that which is swampy, but soon after their arrival
I have several times met them among the trees on cultivated
estates, where I have noticed, contrary to the observations of
some other persons, that they remain chiefly on or near the
ground (not infrequently, however, among the higher
branches), and rarely catch insects on the wing. On the
contrary, they often recall the Titmice. They have a habit,
observable in their relations, of occasionally hopping from
the ground to snap an insect from the foliage above.

d. Their notes are a tsip^ a louder chip, and a sharp alarm-
note. They also have a brief and rather unattractive song
of four or five peculiar syllables, uttered in a characteristic,
rather harsh tone, and resembling dsee'dsee-dsee-dsee.

BB. LEUCOBRONCHiALis. WMte-tlirocited {Golden-ioinged)
Way^hler.

The following Is an extract from the " Quarterly Bulletin
of the Nuttall Ornithological Club," for April, 1876 (Vol. I,
No. 1).

" Description of a New Species of HelmhithopJiaga ; hy
William Brewster. Helminthophaga leucohronchialis.
PL I.

" Adult male : summer plumage. Crown, bright yellow,
slightly tinged with olive on the occiput. Greater and middle
wing-coverts, yellow, not so bright as the crown. Superciliary

WARBLERS. 93

line, cheeks, throat, and entire under parts, silky white, with
a slight tinge of pale yellow on the breast. Dorsal surface
— exclusive of nape, which is clear ashy — washed with yellow,
as are also the outer margins of the secondaries. A narrow
line of clear black passes from the base of the upper mandible,
through and to a short distance behind the eye, interrupted,
however, by the lower eyelid, which is distinctly white. No
traces of black upon the cheeks or throat, even upon raising
the feathers. Bill, black. Feet, dark brown. Dimensions —
length, 5.19 ; extent, 7.88 ; wing, 2.45 ; tarsus, .71 ; tail, 1.86 ;
culmen, .53.

" It will be seen from the above description that this bird
resembles most closely the Golden-winged Warbler {Helmin-
thophaga chrysojDterd).

" The entire absence of black or ashy on the cheeks and
throat, the peculiar character of the superciliary line, and the
white lower eyelid, present, however, differences not to be recon-
ciled with any known seasonal or accidental variation of that
species. The restricted line of black through the eye gives
the head a remarkable similarity to that of Helminthojphag a
pinus^ but the semblance goes no farther.

" The specimen above described was shot by the writer in
Newtonville, Mass., May 18, 1870.* It was in full song when
taken, and was flitting about in a thicket of birches near a
swampy piece of oak and maple woods. As nearly as can be
remembered, it did not differ much in either voice or actions
from H. chryso'ptera. The first notice of this specimen ap-
peared in the ' American Sportsman,' vol. v, p. 33. . . .

" As previously remarked, the differences in coloration in the
present bird from any of its allies are so great, and of such a

* Mr. Purdie has since unearthed "a since collected in Connecticut, New-
very typical example shot by Mr. Sam- York, New Jersey, and elsewhere to the
uel Jillson, in Hudson, Mass., in May or southward. H. leucobronchialis, how-
June. 1S5S," and now in the collection ever, is no long-er regarded as a valid
of Williams College. {Bull. N. O. C, species. Some ornithologists consider
Vol. IV, July, 1879, p. 184.) This and it a hybrid between H. chrysoptera and
the bird originally described by me are H. pinus, \f\n\e others believe that it
the only specimens known to have been represents merely a dichromatic phase
taken in Massachusetts, but very many of the latter. — W. B.
(probably at least fifty in all) have been

94 LAND-BIRDS.

nature, as to render any theory of accidental variation exceed-
ingly unlikely, while hybrids — at least among the smaller
species of undomesticated birds — are of such shadowy and
problematical existence that their probable bearing upon the
present case is hardly worthy of consideration."

C. RUFICAPILLA. NasJivUle Warbler. Quite common as a
migrant through this State, where a very few regularly breed.*

a. About 4|^ inches long. Above, dull olive. Beneath,
yellow. Back of head., slate. Crown, more or less marked
with chestnut red. In J , head-markings indistinct, and crown-
patch often wanting.

h. The nest is placed on the ground, either in some open
part of the woods, or amongst the shrubbery of some southerly
facing bank. It is commonly composed of dead leaves, strips
of thin bark, grasses, etc., and is often lined with hairs. The
eggs of each set are four,t averaging about .63 X .50 of an inch,
and are here laid about the first of June. The eggs are white,
and vary between the extremes of being finely and thickly
marked about the crown with lilac, and being thinly and
coarsely blotched at the greater end with reddish brown ; these
markings being sometimes combined.

c. The Nashville Warblers are summer residents through-
out New England, but apparently they are more numerous in
the northern than in the southern portions. In Massachusetts,
they are rare during summer, but are common at the time of
their migrations, which here occur about the middle of May ^
and of September. In spring and autumn, whilst traveling,
they habitually frequent lightly-timbered woodland, and some-
what, also, shrubbery about houses, but where they are resi-
dent in summer they chiefly affect dry scrub-land, often that
which is partially wooded. Their constant activity and indus-

* The Nashville Warbler breeds a sing-le authentic record of its oc-

throughout New England, from the currenee in midwinter near Boston. —

shores of Long Island Sound to the W. B.

Canadian border, but more numerously t Five are frequently if not usually

in the northern than in the southern laid. — W. B.

tier of States. It is everywhere com- ^ I have seen them from the 5th

mon during the migrations. There is imtil the 20th.

WARBLERS. 95

try, combined with their general adherence, while travelino-,
to the higher branches of the pines, chestnuts, oaks, and
maples, which they usually prefer to other trees, often render
it difficult to detect their presence, even when they are quite
abundant. They travel singly or in pairs, and remain lono- in
one tree or cluster, not being easily frightened. The two
great difficulties in studying the habits of our Warblers are the
almost nondescript coloration of some species in autumn, and
the fact that many kinds, even in spring, can only be identified
by most naturalists upon a close examination, to obtain which
it is necessary to shoot the birds, when, of course, their habits
can no longer be studied. It is for these reasons that it is
important to know the minor notes of various species, for by
these one often can easily distinguish two species otherwise
closely alike, especially if such notes are associated with other
more marked characteristics. One can in this way always dis-
tinguish " Yellow-rumps " at a great distance, for though their
ordinary '' chuck " is very much like that of the " Black-polls "
(who are here in autumn at the same time), yet their manner
of flight is different.

d. The ordinary notes of the Nashville Warblers are a sim-
ple chij^^ a loud chinks and a peculiar alarm-note (?) entirely
characteristic, which is hardly, I think, as Wilson says, much
like " the breaking of small dry twigs, or the striking of small
pebbles of different sizes smartly against each other for six or
seven times," though it may be recognized by that description.
It is " loud enough," as that author says, " to be heard at the
distance of tliirty or forty yards."

Their song is simple but pretty, more resembling that of the
common Summer Yellow-bird {D. mstivct) or Chestnut-sided
Warbler than that of any other species. It may be represented
by the syllables icee' -see-icee' -see^ wit' -a-wit^ -a-wW .

D. CELATA. Orange-croivned Warbler. This species was
reported from Maine by Audubon, and a specimen was shot
by Mr. Allen at Springfield on the 15th of May, 1863.*

* Of rare but probably reg-ular occur- autumn, when most of the known spe-
rence during the migrations, at least in eimens have been taken. There is a

96 LAND-BIRDS.

a. Essentially like the Nashville Warbler ( (7) ; hut with
the slate of the latter wanting, the chestnut supplied by orange
brown, and the yellow green-tinged.

h. Nest and eggs probably like those of the last species.

c. The Orauge-crowned Warblers are unknown to me per-
sonally, but probably there is little or no difference between
their habits and those of the Nashville Warblers, to whom they
are very closely related. Probably they frequent open wood-
land and orchards, and display a like agility in capturing their
prey among the higher branches.

d. Their song Dr. Gambel " describes as commencing in a
low, sweet trill, and ending in tshe-iq^.^^ "Their usual note
is a sharp chip."

Dr. Brewer thinks that Audubon's account of this bird is
incorrect,* but whether that is the case or not I do not know.

Bonaparte, in his continuation of Wilson's Ornithology^
says : '' During winter, the Orange-crowned Warbler is one
of the most common birds in the neighborhood of St. Augus-
tine, Florida, almost exclusively frequenting the orange trees.
Their manners resemble those of the kindred species, though
they have a remarkable habit of constantly inflecting the tail
like the Pewee. The note consists of a chuck, and a faint
squeak, but little louder than that of a mouse."

E, PEREGRINA. Tennessee Warhler. A very rare migrant
through Massachusetts, though a summer resident in northern
New England.!

a. About 4| inches long. Above, yellow-tinted olive

mounted bird in the collection of the dantly about Lake Umbagog, Maine,

Boston Society of Natural History, but it has since practically deserted that

which was shot at Lynn, Massachu- locality. Elsewhere in northern New

setts, January 1, 1S75. — W. B. England it has been found in summer

* It is probably incorrect "wdth respect at various places, but seldom in any

to the nest and eggs and the assertion numbers. In southern New England it

that the species breeds in easi ern Maine occurs only during the migrations, when

and certain of the Maritime Provinces, it is never at all common. An old rec-

but in all other respects it is excellent, ord of a supposed nest and eggs taken

— W. B. at Springfield, Massachusetts, should be

t Between the years 1871 and 1875 discredited. — W. B.
the Tennessee Warbler bred abun-

WARBLERS. 97

green, with modifications. Superciliary line and under parts,
white (or yellowish). §, duller above. (See synopsis, p. 79.)
h. The nest and eggs are essentially like those of the
Nashville Warbler, though the eggs vary, and exhibit certain
peculiar forms, and though the nest is " often placed in woods."

c. The Tennessee Warblers are extremely rare in eastern
Massachusetts, and are nowhere common in New England,
except in a few northern localities, such as Lake Umbagog,
where they are summer residents. They journey through this
State in the latter part of May, and again about the middle
of September. I have met them here twice in open wood-
land ; Mr. Maynard shot four males, on apple trees in New-
tonville, between the 18th and 24th of May, 1869; a pair
were shot by Mr. William Brewster, near Mt. Auburn, on
high oak trees; and Mr. Allen has "taken it repeatedly at
Springfield, where he has always esteemed it rare." Audubon
considered these birds active, and also expert fly-catchers, and
speaks of their mellow ticeet^ uttered when they are on wing,
or when fluttering before clusters of leaves. Wilson has
written of the first specimen that he obtained that "it was
hunting nimbly among the young leaves, and like all the rest
of the family of worm-eaters, seemed to partake a good deal
of the habits of the Titmouse."

d. "Its notes were few and weak." "Its song bears a
resemblance to that of H. rujicapilla^ only the notes of the
first part are more divided, and the latter part is shriUer.
The male, while singing, is generally perched on some high
dead branch. In this habit it resembles the IL riijicapilla
and H. dirysoptevar (Maynard.) " Its notes resemble the
low, subdued whistle of the common Summer Yellow-bird."
(Boardman.)*

VII. MNIOTILTA.

A. VARIA. Black and WJiite " CreeiJery A common
summer resident in southern New England, though rarer fur-
ther to the northward. t

* Mr. Maynard' s description of the t A summer resident, abundant and
song is much the better of the two here very generally distributed in southern
quoted. — W. B. New England, but northward of Massa-

98 LAND-BIRDS.

a. Five or more inches long. Belly, white. Otherwise
black. Wings barred, tail spotted, and other parts streaked,
with white. But 5 white beneath, (obsoletely} streaked on
the sides. (Details omitted.)

h. The nest is built in woods and groves, and is placed on
the ground {rarely^ in the hole of a tree). The eggs average
.65 X .55 of an inch ; are elliptical ; and are white (cream-
tinted), covered with small and rather dark brown blotches
and spots, chiefly at the great end, or evenly sprinkled with
small lioht reddish brown markings. One set of four or five
is here laid in the last week of May (sometimes earlier or
later), and occasionally a second when the season is more
advanced.

c. The Black and White " Creepers " are very common
summer residents throughout southern New England, though
rare in the more northern parts, where in many large tracts
even of wooded land they are not to be found at all. They
reach eastern Massachusetts, sometimes as early as the last
week of April, sometimes not until the second week of May,
and remain here until September, during a j^art of which
month migrants of this species continue to pass through from
the north on their way to the south. These Warblers gener-
ally inhabit woodland of various kinds, but occasionally visit
orchards and like places near the habitations of man, toward
whom they exhibit no shyness, and also seek their food among
the bushes of the "scrub," where they find the caterpillars,
small insects, and insect eggs, upon which they habitually
feed. They differ from all our other Warblers in their method
of obtaining their food, which is to a certain extent entirely
distinctive, though much like that of the true Creepers ((7er-
tJiiidce)^ from whom they principally differ in being much
less systematic in their researches, and in occasionally busy-
ing themselves upon the ground. They pass most of their
time in scrambling about the trunks and larger limbs of trees,
rarely perching, and also in running over old fences, such
as contain rotten and moss-grown or lichen-covered wood.

chusetts mucli less numerous, and in the New Hampshire a comparatively scarce
spruce forests of northern Maine and and inconspicuous species. — W. B.

WARBLERS. 99

While thus engaged, they almost invariably keep their head
pointed toward the direction in which they are moving. They
rarely take other than short flights, when not traveling, but
after remaining for a moment on the trunk of one tree, seldom
longer, fly to a neighboring one. They are never strictly gre-
garious, but they possess such conjugal and parental affection
that they are often seen in pairs or even family groups.
When the female is frightened from her nest on the ground,
which is often partially concealed, she usually feigns lameness,
and flutters away with trailing wings and tail, in the hope of
distracting the intruder. (Dr. Coues speaks of these birds
building in the holes of trees, which, says Dr. Brewer, "is
probably an error, or, if ever known to occur, an entirely ex-
ceptional case." I have found two of their nests near Boston
thus situated, of which the first was in a pine grove, in the
cavity of a tree rent by lightning, and about five feet from
the ground, and the other on the top of a low birch stump,
which stood in a grove of white oaks. These facts show how
erratic birds frequently are in changing their habits, and how
much corroborative testimony is needed to establish a single
fact in natural history.)

d. The Black and White " Creepers " have a very great
variety of notes, and perhaps utter more distinct sounds, ex-
clusiv^e of song, than any other of our birds, though it is very
possible that other Warblers with whom I am less familiar
possess the same power. The notes of the so-called " Creep-
ers " are a weak but pure tsij) ; a harsher ^si/>, much like that
of the Chestnut-sided Warbler ; a loud chick^ which sometimes
becomes a chinh ; an alarm-note, chick-a-chich^ chick-chick; a
chant, if it can properly be so called, of tsee-tsee-tsee-tsee^ which
is uttered in another tone so as to sound more like che&-
chee-chee-chee ; and their rather feeble and unmusical refrain
of wee-see^ wee-see^ loee-see^ luee-see^ icee-see. To the last and
most frequently repeated chant a few sweet and musical
notes are generally added in May and June, and these com-
bined form their only song.

There are hardly any birds more familiar to the ornithologist
in the woods than the Black and White " Creepers," since

100 LAND-BIRDS.

they are common, are free from shyness, and usually remain
near the ground, with their boldly marked plumage in eon-
sj^icuous contrast with the bark of the white oaks and chest-
nuts, to which they so often turn their attention. They are
eminently useful, and few creatures do more good in protect-
ing the growth and life of our forest-trees, and the trees of
woodland freshly sprung up to supply the place of a former
growth.

VIII. COMPSOTHLYPIS.

A. AMERICANA. Blue Yellow-hached Warbler. " Blue
Yellow-hach.'''' A summer resident in northern New England,
and usually a common migrant through Massachusetts, where
a very few breed.*

a. About 4| inches long. Above, blue, ashy-tinted, with
a yellowish patch on the back. Lore, black. Tliroat and
part of the breast^ yellow^ loith a rlcli^ darh hroionish j)ateli.
Upper throat, immaculate. Other under j^arts, wing-bars, and
tail-spots, white. $ , rather duller, with less distinct mark-
ings. (Details omitted.)

6. The nest is globular, with an entrance on the side, and
is composed principally of hanging mosses. It is usually
placed in the woods, twenty or more feet from the ground,
toward the end of a bough. It has four or five freshly laid
eggs in early June, which average about .62 X .48 of an
inch, and are white (or cream-tinted), with spots and conflu-
ent blotches of reddish brown and lilac, chiefly about the crown.

c. The " Blue Yellow-backs " are summer residents through-
out the eastern United States, more commonly in northern
Maine and New Hampshire than in Massachusetts, where

* A summer resident whose distri- part of Cape Cod, the Blue Yellow-back

bution is strictly coextensive with that occurs throughout most of the interme-

of the TJsnea " moss," in, or of, which diate or central portions of New Eng--

it invariably builds its nest. Thus it land, as well as near the eastern coast

happens that, although a common and of Massachusetts, chiefly as a migrant,

characteristic bird of the extensive co- although a few birds breed here and

niferous forests of northern New Eng- there at more or less widely separated

land, and still more abundant in south- localities wherever their favorite TJsnea

em Connecticut, Rhode Island, and is found. — W. B.
Massachusetts, including the greater

WARBLERS.

101

Fig. 4. Blue Yellow-backed Warbler. (|)

only a few breed, chiefly, probably, in the valleys of the Con-
necticut and Nashua rivers. Near Boston they are extremely
rare in summer, but are generally common in the second and
third weeks of May and September, during their migrations,
being, however, sometimes rare, and sometimes extremely
abundant. I can in
no way, I believe, bet-
ter describe their
habits than by detail-
ing the observations
which I made upon
them this spring
[1875], when they
were very numerous
in my immediate
neighborhood. They
came on the eleventh
of May, and did not
wholly disappear until the twenty-second of that month, after
which I saw none, except a few in autumn. They chiefly fre-
quented the budding maples, the orchard trees, and the shrubs
and bushes which were just pushing forth their young leaves ;
sometimes alone, more often in pairs, and less commonly in
small parties of three and four. They constantly skipped
from twig to twig, much as a Chickadee does, often turning
their heads in peculiar attitudes so as to reach the cran-
nies behind the buds, and occasionally even hanging head
downwards, the better to effect their purposes through their
constant activity. They would often take short flights into
the air in order to seize some passing insect, and then would
immediately return to their former avocations, usually on the
same tree. A great charm in the disposition of these pretty
and graceful little birds was their entire fearlessness of man,
which was so absolute that I many times was within two or
three feet of them, even when I was moving. The " Blue
Yellow-backs," while migrating, may also be found in the more
open and lightly timbered woodland, but seldom among the
pines. In their summer homes they inhabit both the ever-

102 LAND-BIRDS.

greens and hard-wood trees, wherever grouped in abundance,
and very generally prefer the higher branches, where they
build their nests (for they never, so far as I know, descend to
the ground). These nests are beautiful objects, and very ad-
mirable architectural works, which distinguish their builders
from all the other members, at least the American members,
of their large family, the Warblers ; for though nearly all of
them build neat and pretty nests, none ever construct nests so
striking in appearance as these, which are globular, with an
entrance on one side. They are often suspended from the
bough of a hemlock, and are usually composed of rather long
Spanish moss,* which is a very pretty material for nest-build-
ing. Wonderful must that instinct be which enables the little
Warblers to weave the long threads together with security and
compactness, and finally to arrange them in the desired form
that the globular shape may be so nearly perfected. From
cases of which I have known, I have strong reason to believe
that these nests in Massachusetts are sometimes, perhaps ac-
cidentally, not entirely rounded, but are left largely uncov-
ered, which I at one time supposed to be due to the warmer
climate ; but I have since learned that specimens from the
Southern States are like those from Maine, and perfect in
shape.

d. The ordinary notes of the " Blue Yellow-backs " are a
tshij)^ a chich^ often loud, a cry of chich-a-chick-chich^ and
occasionally a trill, which approaches a chatter. Their song,
which I have often heard in May, as well as in June, though
rather weak and unmusical, is yet quite loud, more so, I think,
than some other authors have represented. It begins with a
trill of rising inflection and marked accent, which is followed
either by twitters, or by notes which remind me of those of
the "Black-throated Greens," or by still others like them. In
this song I have sometimes recognized a peculiar hoarse tone,
which seemed to characterize it strongly.

* The Usnea is sometimes called by in New England, although in the South
this name, and is doubtless the species its long streamers inclose and conceal
referred to by Mr. Minot, for the true innumerable nests of the Blue Yellow-
Spanish moss (Tillandsia) is not found backed Warbler. — W. B.

WARBLERS. 103

IX. PERISSOGLOSSA*

A. TIGRINA. Cape May Warbler. In Massachusetts,
generally extremely rare, especially in autumn. In summer,
" common at Umbagog," Maine.f

a. 5-5| inches long. Above, yellowish olive ; back, dark-
streaked. Crown, dark. Lores, black. Beneath, bright yellow.
Breast and sides, black-streaked. Throat strongly tinged with
the bright orange brown of the ear-coverts. Rump, yellow.
Wing-bars and tail-spots, white ; former often fused.

• 6. A nest found in the neighborhood of Boston closely
resembled that of the Yellowbird (X, A) in every respect. J
The five eggs, which were fresh in the first week of June, also
were like those of that species, and probably unlike the usual
form, described by Dr. Brewer as measuring " .70 X .55 of
an inch," and having " a pinkish white ground, blotched with
purple and brown of various shades and tints. They are dis-
posed chiefly about the larger end, usually in a ring."

c. The Cape May Warblers are very rare in Massachusetts,
more so, however, during some years than during others, and
are so very seldom to be seen near Boston that I have no in-
formation to offer to my readers in regard to their habits.
Mr. Maynard has never seen them in the eastern part of this
State, where, however, some were shot from (blossoming?)
apple trees by Dr. Bryant, but he found them common at
Umbagog, Maine, where they spent their time in the tops of
the taller evergreens. In northern New England they are
summer residents, but in the southern parts can hardly be con-
sidered as other than very rare migrants. I have occasionally
seen them in May, but only once in September, which is j^artly
due to their frequenting so much the higher branches, where
they are not easily detected.

* Now a subgenus of Dendroica. latter region before 1879, and since tliat
t A late spring and early autumn year I have never detected it in sum-
migrant, usually of great rarity. In nier in any part of New England, al-
1862 Mr. Boardman reported it a com- though there can be little doubt that
mon " summer visitant " to Calais, it still breeds in some of our remote
Maine, and from 1S71 to 1875 it bred northern forests. — W. B.

really abundantly throughout the conif- f This account cannot be received

erous forests about Lake Umbagog, in with much confidence, for it omits to
western Maine. It utterly deserted the state by whom the nest was found,

104 LAND-BIRDS.

X. DENDROICA.

A. ESTIVA. (^Summer) YellowhWdy* (^Blue-eyed) Yellow
Warhler, Golden Warbler. In southern New England a very
common summer resident.*

a. About five inches long. Yellow with modifications.
Breast, and even the back, streaked (often indistinctly) with
orange brown. Tail-Leathers not blotched with tohite as in
all other Dendroicce.

b. I shall describe the nest at length, as it is essentially
like those of several other species. It is comj^osed outwardly
of very fine grasses, interwoven with woolly or cottony mate-
rials, which form a substantial wall. This is often covered
with caterpillar's silk, and is lined with wool, down from
plants (particularly a dun-colored kind), horsehairs, and rarely
feathers. Nuttall aptly calls this structure "neat and dur-
able." It is to be found on cultivated grounds and in gar-
dens, as well as in pastures and swamps, though even a dif-
ferent situation is sometimes chosen ; it is generally placed in a
low bush, such as the barberry or currant bush, but occasion-
ally in the branches of a shade tree at a considerable height
above the ground.

The eggs average .67 X .50 of an inch, and are usually
either grayish white, green-tinted, with spots and blotches of
lilac (which is often obscure) and various browns, chiefly
about the larger end, or (more rarely) white, with lilac (ob-
scured) and sandy or yellowish brown markings grouped prin-
cipally about the crown. The above colorations are the ex-
tremes, between which there are various intermediate forms.
It is remarkable that the eggs, though so variable, are very
generally characteristic of the birds, and unlike those of other

and contains no assurance that the birds setts it is less numerous and more local,

were properly identified. — W. B. The chief reason for this, apparently, is

^■^ The Goldfinch {Spinus tristis, that the bird dislikes heayy forests, es-

§ 15, IV, A) is also called the Yellow- pecially such as abound in coniferous

bird. trees, for, where the country is to its

* An abundant summer resident of liking-.it penetrates very far northward,
the greater part of southern New Eng-- even, it is said, to the shores of the Arc-
land. To the northward of Massachu- tic Ocean. — W. B.

WARBLERS. 105

Warblers. In eastern Massachusetts, four or five eggs are
laid about the first of June, but no second brood is raised
unless some accident befalls the first.

c. The Yellowbirds are the most common and familiar of
all our Warblers ; and who is there that does not, or who ought
not, to know these beneficial and charming little birds, who are
pleasantly associated with the coming here of actual spring,
since generally in the first week of May they come from the
South ? Throughout the summer they are to be found about
us ; but when autumn comes they leave us, and generally be-
fore the first week of September has passed away they have
gone. Yet they are very hardy, and stray to the arctic shores^
though hardly anywhere common to the northward of Massa-
chusetts, where they are, in most parts of the State, abundant.
They inhabit pasture-land and cultivated grounds, being not
infrequently seen near houses, and never retiring to the woods.
They are not sufficiently social to gather in flocks, but, on the
contrary, though of a pleasant-tempered and affectionate dis-^
position, seem always to be absorbed in the search of insects,
through our orchard trees, shade trees, and shrubbery. They
never seek for these insects on the ground, or in the higher
tree-tops, and rarely seize them in the air, but whilst pursuing
them continually move among the lower branches, occasionally
taking short flights.

d. The Yellowbird's song is simple, yet very pleasing,
and one does not become tired of it, though repeated often, as
it has several variations. It nearly resembles the syllables
wee-chee-ivee-chee-ioee-i-u^ but is like the song of several other
warblers. The loud cMi'p of the Yellowbirds is often heard
from the branches, among which they are busy, and often is
repeated plaintively, when their nest is disturbed.

Though probably less familiar toward man than many
people suppose, the Yellowbirds do not repel his advances,
and certainly greatly benefit him by their constant industry in
destroying insects, particularly small caterpillars and canker-
worms, of which they are very fond.

106 LAND-BIRDS.

B, DISCOLOR. Prairie Warhler. In eastern Massachu-
setts, a summer resident of no great rarity.*

a. About 4J inches long. Olive above, with brick red
spots on the back. Under parts, bright yellow. A peculiar
mark on the side of the head, and side-streaks on the throat
and breast, black. (Details omitted.)

h. The nest of the Prairie Warbler differs from that of the
Yellowbird (^) in being usually lined thickly with liorse-
hair (whereas the other is often lined with a dun-colored
plant-down), and in being almost invariably semi-pensile. It
is usually placed within a few feet of the ground, in a bush or
low tree, in a rocky pasture or the " scrub." The eggs average
,65 X .52 of an inch, and are pure white, generally either with
delicate lilac (and a few inconspicuous light brown) markings,
which form a ring about the crown (such being those which I
have found near Boston), or with lilac, purplish, and umber
brown markings. Near Boston, one set of three or four
eggs f is laid in the first week of June.

c. The Prairie Warblers are among the smallest and most
retired of their family. They are summer residents in the
eastern United States so far to the northward as Massachu-
setts, in which State they are rather rare in the western part,
but quite common in some other parts. In certain localities
near Boston they are quite abundant from the second or third
week of May until the latter part of August. They frequent
almost exclusively rocky pasture lands and the " scrub," and
I have but once seen or heard them elsewhere, in that case
having heard their song in some shrubbery on a cultivated
estate, far from their usual haunts. Though perhaps, as Wil-
son remarks, easily approached and not shy, yet they almost
invariably shun the neighborhood of man, and live rather
solitary in pairs among the pastures where they build their
nests. There, when household duties do not interfere, they
are busied, not with such marked activity as some other

* A summer resident of southern however, it is seldom found more than

New England, very numerous in por- ten or fifteen miles from tide- water. —

tions of Connecticut and Rhode Island, W. B.

especially near the coast, and common t Sets of five eggs are by no means

locally in eastern Massachusetts, where, uncommon. — W. B.

WARBLERS. 107

Warblers, from dawn until evening, in searching among the
branches of low bushes and saplings for the small caterpil-
lars and insects upon which they feed. They do not usually
make any demonstrations if their nest is examined, but
remain quietly in the neighborhood of it until they can safely
return. They do not attempt to lead off the intruder by
feigning lameness, as many other Warblers do, especially
those who habitually build their nests on or very near the
ground.

d. Their song cannot fail to attract the attention of every
person who hears it, and who takes an interest in birds. Its
notes, resembling the syllables zee-zee-ze&-zee-%ee-zee-zee^ are ut-
tered in a very peculiar tone, and each note is a little higher
and louder than the preceding. The birds, on uttering it,
frequently depress their tail. The ordinary note of the often
silent Prairie Warblers is a chirr, ^

C. PENNSYLVANICA. CJiestnut-sided Warbler. In
southern New England, a common summer resident.*

a. About 5 1 inches long. Back, light ashy yellow, black-
streaked. Under parts, white. Wing-bars the same, gen-
erally forming one patch. Crown, yellow, bordered by white.
Lore, continuously with a line through the eye and one down
to a chestnut red patch on the side of the breast^ black.

b. The nest is usually coarser than that of the Yellowbird
(^), and contains fewer woolly materials. It is often com-
posed outwardly of narrow strips of thin bark or dried grasses,
mixed with a few bits of plant-down, and inwardly of very
fine straw, which is lined with hairs. Such is the description
of two nests before me. The nests are commonly placed from
two to eight feet above the ground in a low bush, shrub, or
sapling, and are either built in a fork or otherwise secured

* If a census could be made of the Warbler is a bird of very general

Warbler population of New England at distribution. It does not, however,

the heig-ht of the breeding- season, it is breed in pine w oorls nor in cultivated

probable that the individuals of this grounds near houses or towns, and it

species would be found to outnumber is somewhat less numerous in north-

those of any other excepting, possibly, em than in southern New England,

the Oven-bird, for the Chestnut-sided — W. B.

108 LAND-BIRDS.

(but are never pensile). The situations generally chosen are
the '' scrub-lands," or open woods in low grounds containing
bushes, vines, etc. Near Boston they are usually finished, and
contain four or five fresh eggs, about the first of June. The
eggs average .68 X .50 of an inch, and are generally white
with purplish or reddish brown spots and blotches, which are
sometimes confluent. These markings are either scattered
over the egg^ more thickly at the larger end than the other,
or are grouped in a ring about the crown. An egg of this
species in my collection is buff (darker than that of the Wood
Pewee) with a few lilac markings, but I have seen no others
like it.

c. The Chestnut-sided "Warblers are summer residents
throughout New England, but are much more abundant in the
southern parts than further to the northward. They reach
the neighborhood of Boston in the second week of May, and
pass the entire summer here. They are never gregarious, but
usually they are particularly common at the time of their
spring njigrations, when they frequent considerably the shrub-
bery and trees of cultivated estates, before retiring to their
summer haunts. Their habits at this time have often reminded
me of those of the "Yellow-rumps," for they are often much
in the air, taking flights at quite a height from the ground,
that is, from thirty to sixty feet above it. At other times
they glean quietly among the foliage of the maples, and other
budding trees, generally among the lower branches. Occa-
sionally they perform a rapid and graceful movement through
the air to seize some passing insect, or stand like a Flycatcher
to watch the flies and gnats, which they now and then secure
by darting after them. They never seek their food upon the
ground, so far as I know, and only descend to it when picking
up materials for their nests. Their haunts in summer are
chiefly pasture lands, "scrub," and open, moist woodlands,
such as contain oaks, chestnuts, and maples, and an under-
growth of bushes, vines, and saplings. I have never met
these birds in thick or dark woods, and have but once seen
their nest placed in an evergreen, it being in that instance in a
low spruce by a brookside. It is to be remembered, however.

WARBLERS. 109

that in different sections of the country birds show preference
for different kinds of land, and often vary their habits to an
extent that is surj)rising, and even confusing. Finally come
those variations in coloration, caused by climate, which have
occasioned so much discussion as to species and varieties.
All this shows that properly one man ought not to write the
natural history of other than a small tract of country, and
that, before the habits of our birds can be thoroughly known,
it will be necessary to station competent naturalists, who can
devote their whole time to making observations and accurately
noting them, at various points in the regions of the different
faiinm^ and all of whom shall work under a system and a
superintendence. This plan is not at present a feasible one,
but the advantages of it would be numerous, for the flights
of birds (particularly should ornithologists be stationed near
meteorological observation-posts) could be foretold with con-
siderable accuracy to sportsmen and other ornithologists,
who are already, however, by far too destructive.

(?. The ordinary notes of the Chestnut-sided Warbler are
a soft Uip^ a louder and harsher ^si^^, uttered in a peculiar tone,
and much like that of the Black and White " Creeper," and
a rather loud cAip. Mr. Samuels speaks of their having, " at
times, a rattling cry something like the alarm-note of the
Maryland Yellow-throat." Their song is attractive and mu-
sical, though containing but a few simple notes. One variation
resembles the syllables wee-see-iuee-see-ioee-see (each of which is
higher than the preceding, except the sixth, which is lower
than the fifth). The other common variation is almost exactly
like the song of the little Yellowbird (^), and consequently
like that of various other Warblers.

D. CASTANEA. Bay-hrecistecl Warhler. (^Autuynnal

Warbler .^) Through eastern Massachusetts a rare migrant.*

a. About 5 J inches long. Back, light ashy yellow, black-

* A late spring" and early autumn has been found breeding among the

migrant through southern New Eng- White Mountains and at several other

land, varying greatly in numbers in dif- localities in northern New England. —

ferent years, but seldom very common, W. B.
at least in eastern Massachusetts. It

110 LAND-BIRDS.

streaked. Under parts, white. Wing-bars, white, (generally)
forming one patch. Forehead and sides of head, black. Crown,
throat, and breast, chestnut (or deep chestnut red). Belly and
ear-patch, usually buff-tinged, but sometimes white. § ,with
paler chestnut than the (J .

h. The nest is rather coarsely built, and is placed in the
bough of an evergreen (usually the hemlock) from ten to
twent}^ feet above the ground. Four or five eggs (in one case
reported by Mr. Maynard, six) are laid in northern New
Hampshire and Maine in the second week of June. These
eggs average .68 X .50 of an inch, and are bluish green, with
markings of brown and lilac, generally gathered in a ring
about the crown.

c. The Bay-breasted Warblers are among the many species
who appear in Massachusetts as migrants only, and who pass
the summer in a colder climate.^^ They are, as a rule, very
rare throughout the State in s]3ring, and in autumn are never
seen here. Mr. Allen, however, in speaking of this species,
says that "in the Connecticut valley it is generally more or
less common and sometimes very abundant."

The Bay-breasted Warblers arrive here, after leaving their
winter homes in the South, in the third or fourth week of May,
and frequent the woods and trees in open lands. I have gen-
erally seen them among budding maples, which, like willows,
possess great attractions for the migrant Warblers, but I have
also seen them among pines. T^hey are extremely active, and
busily seek for their food among the branches, occasionally
fluttering before the clusters of foliage ; they are not very
shy, and usually permit a near approach.

They are rare among the White Mountains ; but Mr. May-
nard speaks of them as being the " most abundant of the
Sylvicolidm at Umbagog," * and adds that " these birds are

^^ I have since learned that specimens linger about Boston through the first

have been taken here in both June and week of June, and visit us again late

July, a in July on their way southward. —

« This, however, should not be taken W. B.

as necessarily indicating that the spe- * This Warbler, like the Cape May,

cies ever breeds in eastern Massachu- practically deserted the region about

setts, for several other northern birds Lake Umbagog, between the years 1875

WARBLERS. Ill

found in all the wooded sections of this region, where they
frequent the tops of tall trees." He thinks that they are
"confined during the breeding season to the region just north
of the White Mountains range," and makes the following
interesting remarks on their travels. "This species," says
he, " together with Geothlyins Philadelphia and Helmintho-
phaga pei^egrina^ seems to pursue a very eccentric course
during the migrations. Avoiding the Eastern and Middle
States, the majority pass along the borders of the Great
Lakes, through Ohio, southern Illinois (Ridgway), down the
Mississippi Valley, across into Texas, and so on into Mexico
and Central America, where they winter. Returning in spring
they (at least D. castanea) pursue a more southern route,
keeping along the coast as far as the New England States,
where they ascend the Connecticut Valley, generally avoiding
eastern Massachusetts."

d, " The first part of the song is like that of the Black-
poll Warbler, but it has a terminal warble similar to that
of the Redstart, to which it bears a striking resemblance,
with the exception that it is given with less energy." The
Bay-breasted Warblers are usually silent during their migra-
tions.

Note. — The above quotations from Mr. Maynard are from
his pamphlet, entitled " A Catalogue of the Birds of Coos Co.,
N. H., and Oxford Co., Me., with Annotations, etc."

E. STRIATA. ^^ Blach-polV Wai'hler. Autumnal War-
bler (f). Common migrants through Massachusetts both in
spring and autumn.*

a. About 5| inches long. (J , back streaked with oliva-
ceous Cash?) and black. Crown down to the eyes^ hlach.
Sides of the head and under parts, white. Sides of the breast

and 1879, but one or two pairs bred on of the wooded mountains of northern

a large wooded island in the lake in New England, chiefly above an eleva-

1881 . — W. B. tion of fifteen hundred feet. It breeds

* One of the most abundant and uni- also on Grand Manan and probably

versally distributed of our Warblers along more or less of the Maine coast,

during the spring and autumn migra- — W. B.
tions, and a common summer resident

112 LAND-BIRDS.

marked witli black streaks which crowd into a fine chain
running to the bill. Wing-bars and tail-blotches, white.
5 , dusky olive green above, black-streaked. Under parts,
not (usually) pure white, or very markedly streaked.

h. The nest is essentially like that of the " Black-throated
Green," though coarser. It is usually placed near the ground,
in an evergreen, and always in the thick woods. It has never
been found in Massachusetts. In northern New England it
is generally finished in the latter part of June. The eggs of
^ach set, usually four, average about .68 x .50 of an inch,
and are commonly (grayish?) white, with spots and blotches
of purplish and different browns. The blotches predomi-
nate, and are scattered over the whole o^^g. Other forms
occur.

c. The Black-poll Warblers are usually among the most
common migrants through this State to northern New England
and the countries beyond ; but, like other migrants, they vary
greatly in abundance from year to year in certain places, and
occasionally are quite rare near Boston in spring. They usu-
ally make their appearance here late in the season, and, though
I have seen them in the middle of May, they generally do not
arrive before the last week of that month, and then remain
kere, or continue to pass by, throughout the first few days of
June. They at that time frequent evergreen and hard-wood
trees indifferently, hunting for insects among both the lower
and higher branches, and occasionally seizing them in the air.
They are less gregarious than in the fall of the year, and one
often sees pairs or individuals, — much more often than when
they are returning, probably because at the time of their spring
migrations they are mated for the summer. But a very small
proportion of them pass the summer in northern New Hamp-
shire, a larger number being then resident in northern Maine
and the majority in Canada and Labrador. They affect exclu-
sively the woods and forests with a great many evergreens,
and rarely visit the lightly timbered and more open woodland.
They return to eastern Massachusetts in the last week of
September, and are commonly plentiful during a greater part
of October. They often frequent pines in preference to all

WARBLERS. 113

other trees, generally remain among the upper branches or in
the very tree-tops, and spend most of their time in snapping
up passing insects, which they sometimes take an opportunity
to do whilst moving from one tree to another.

d. The " Black-polls " have soft and loud chips^ an un-
musical ti-ill,* shorter than that of the "Chipper," and three
or four notes, suggestive of knocking pebbles together. Their
song is monotonous, weak, and unmusical. It resembles the
syllables, tsi-tsi-tsi-tsi-tsi, repeated in a nearly unvarying
tone.

[£J^. Autumnal Warbler. (See Appendix E, family
Sylvicolidce.^

I do not propose to occupy much space in discussing the
question. Are the Autumnal Warblers mentioned by Wilson,
Audubon, and Nuttall, the young of " Black-poll " or of the
Bay -breasted Warblers? I have only " Wilson's Ornithology "
at hand, and unfortunately no specimen of the bird in question.
But the weight of evidence seems to show that the bird as col-
ored and described by Wilson represents the young of the
latter ; and yet is it not possible that he may have accidentally
obtained a young Bay-breasted Warbler from among a com-
pany of "• Black-polls " ? ^^ Coues admits that the young of
the two species are so much alike as often to be indistinguish-
able. It is certain that the small Warblers seen here in Octo-
ber, which resemble the Autumnal Warblers, are young
" Black-polls," as is indicated by the fact of their abundance
and by their habits. Mr. Maynard states it as a positive
fact.t

Their note is a feeble Cedar-bird-like lisp; but Wilson
speaks of the males warbling in autumn " low, but very sweet
notes," which perhaps is a mistake. (See D, d, E^ cZ.)]

F. BLACKBURNi^. Blackhumian Warbler, Hemlock

*This, as well as the sound "of however, colored like those of the

knocking- pebbles together," is really " Black-poll," and not like those of the

one of the forms or variations of the " Bav-breast."

song. — W. B. t It is not now questioned by any

*^ The legs in Wilson's picture are, one. — W. B.

114 LAND-BIRDS.

JVarble7\ Generally not a common migrant through Massa-
chusetts, where this species occasionally breeds.*

a. About 4 J inches long. ^ , dark above. Wing-patch,
white. Head, throaty and breast^ brilliant orange^ with a
border to the crown, and a broad stripe through the eye,
black. Sides, black-streaked, and belly nearly white. 5 ?
essentially like § striata (^E) above. Superciliary line,
throat, and breast, yellow. Otherwise like (J .

b. A nest of this species, containing young, which I found
in northern New Hampshire, was placed about twenty feet
from the ground in a pine. Another, which I was so fortunate
as to find in a thick hemlock wood near Boston, was also about
twenty feet above the ground. It contained three young and a
yet unhatched egg^ which measures .65 X . 50, and resembles
the egg of the Chestnut-sided Warbler ( (7), being white, with
lilac and principally reddish brown markings, groTiped at the
larger end. Mr. Maynard thought that the '' Blackburnians "
built in the highest branches of the spruces and hemlocks, and
such is very probably their custom.

c. The male Blackburnian Warblers are the handsomest
of all their large family, for the combination of delicacy and
brilliancy in the orange of their throat is unsurpassed. It is
a curious fact that they are ajDparently much more numerous
than the females during the migrations, which is the case with
several other birds.f This phenomenon has never been satis-
factorily explained, and cannot be accounted for merely by the
superior gayety of the male's coloration. It has also been

* Breeds abundantly throughout with this Warbler, but also with many

northern NewEngland and in Berkshire — perhaps most— North American birds

and Worcester counties. Massachusetts, in which the sexes differ widely and the

sparingly and locally in eastern Massa- male alone is brilliantly colored. In-

chusetts, and occasionally (it is said) in deed, there can be little doubt that with

Connecticut. Throughout the greater some birds the males outnumber the

part of southern New England, how- females in the proportion of at least

ever, it occurs only as a migrant, fre- three or four to one. This numerical

quently common in spring, but usually, discrepancy is doubtless more or less

if not invariably, very uncommon in essential to the perpetuation of species,

autumn. — W. B. the males of which, owing to their con-

t The males are actually, as well as spicuous plumage, are exposed to un-

apparently, more numerous, not only usual dangers. — W. B.

WARBLERS. 115

observed that, when traveling, the males of many birds precede
the females, and that in winter they occasionally remain
in somewhat colder climates. ^^

The Blackburnian Warblers usually reach eastern Massa-
chusetts about the tenth of May, though I have seen them as
early as the twenty -first of April,* when I observed a pair feed-
ing upon ivy berries, the insects upon which they generally
feed not then being common. They are usually rather rare
here, and make but a brief stay among our woods and trees,
showing a fondness for pines and other evergreens. I have
seen as many as three males together, though they more often
travel singly. They do not often catch insects in the air, but
usually remain in trees at a moderate height. Mr. Allen, in
his "Notes on Some of the Rarer Birds of Massachusetts,"
says that in " some seasons they are extremely abundant at
some localities, and commonly are not rare except in particular
situations. Mr. Scott observes that for several weeks in May,
in 1866, he could remain at a single place in the woods and
shoot ten to twenty per hour." This statement has been
severely but amusingly criticised : " Several weeks must indi-
cate at least three, and had he shot ten hours a day, as he well
might have, he would in that time have shot th7'ee thousand
or more from a single place in the looods.""

An interesting anecdote, relative to these birds, has been
communicated to me by a student in the Institute of Tech-
nology. On the eleventh of May, 1875, a male of this species
fell through the ventilator in the topmost story on to the floor
of the drawing-room, stunned. He was finally placed on the
sill of an open window, from which, when revived by the fresh
air and sun, he afterward took flight.

In summer, the Blackburnian Warblers are common in
northern New England, where they inhabit woodland, par-
ticularly evergreen swamps ; but in Massachusetts they are
extremely rare, or rather accidental.

d. When together in family parties, they twitter con-

^ The fact stated in relation to their * An exceptionally early date. —
wintering has not, I believe, been well W. B.
determined.

116 LAND-BIRDS.

stantly. Their ordinary note is a cAz/9, or weak syllables like
those uttered by the Golden-crowned " Wrens," as tsee-tsee
or tsee-tsee-tsee. Their song is not very musical, though
simple and pleasing. As I have heard it in their summer
homes, it resembles the syllables wee-see-wee-see-wee-see (wee-
see-ick'). As heard in spring I may liken it to wee-see-wee-
see, tsee-tsee-tsee-tsee-tsee-tsee-tsee-tsee. The latter syllables
are on an ascending scale ; the very last is shrill and fine.

G. c^RULEA. Ccp.7mlean Warhler. Blue Warbler, It
is possible and probable that this species may occasionally
stray to Massachusetts, but I know no instance of its having
done so.*

a. 4-4 J inches long. (J , of an exquisite blue, black-
streaked. Under parts, white, with sides streaked. Wing-
bars, white. In the (unstreaked ?) $ the blue is greenish,
and the white yellowish. Superciliary line also yellowish.

h. Audubon says : " The nest is placed in the forks of a
low tree or bush, more frequently on a dogwood tree. It is
partly pensile. . . . The fibres of vines and of the stalks of
rank herbaceous plants, together with slender roots, compose
the outer part, being arranged in a circular manner. The
lining consists entirely of the dry fibres of the Spanish moss.
The female lays four or five eggs, of a pure white color, with
a few reddish spots at the larger end."

c. I have never seen the Caerulean Warblers, and I have
never known them to stray so far to the northward as Massa-
chusetts, though, indeed, reported from Nova Scotia. They
are said to prefer the deep woods, where they inhabit the
tree-tops.

d. Audubon speaks of their song as " extremely sweet
and mellow," but Mr. Ridgway says that they possess " only
the most feeble notes " (Dr. Brewer).! This is one instance

* A very rare and perhaps only aeci- t The song- is a g-uttural trill much

dental summer visitor to Connecticut like that of the Blue Yellow - backed

and Rhode Island, not known to have Warbler, and hence possessing about an

been ever taken in Massachusetts or in equal degx'ee of musical (?) merit. —

any of the more northern New Eng- W. B.
land States. — W. B.

WARBLERS. 117

among many, and a simple one, of disagreement between two
authorities (in this case, the former probably being the less
trustworthy). I have seen no less than six wholly different
descriptions of the song of one species, the name of which I
do not now remember, none of which seemed to me reliable or
satisfactory, and yet they were all written by men whom one
would naturally regard as good authoritieSo Moreover, it was
very evident that not more than one or two were descriptive
of the same notes, though the bird in question had but one
song. It is, therefore, certain that some of these authors
attributed to this bird music that it never uttered. In most
cases of the kind it is to be remembered that many birds
have two songs, many variations of one song, or a simple un-
musical chant, to which a terminal warble is added in May
or June.

H, C^RULESCENS. BlacTc-thro Cited Blue Warbler. Carv'
ada Warbler. Generally not very common during their
migrations through Massachusetts.*

a. Five inches or more long. g , slaty blue above, white
beneath. Sides of head and whole throat, continuously jet
black. Wings and tail, dark ; the former with a large white
sj)ot on the edge of the wing (at the base of the primaries)
and no bars. 5 -> above, dull olive green, blue-tinged. Below,
white or yellowish. Wing-spot characteristic, but sometimes
inconspicuous.

b. The nest is probably always built near the ground, and
most often in an evergreen.f An egg found by Mr. Bur-
roughs and described by Dr. Brewer is grayish white," marked
around the larger end with a wreath, chiefly of a bright
umber brown with lighter markings of reddish brown and
obscure purple. A few smaller dottings of the same are

* A common spring- and autumn mi- t In northern New England the nest

grant, breeding sparingly and locally in is usually built in a yew ( Taxus cana-

northern Connecticut and northern cen- densis), in Connecticut and among the

tral Massachusetts, very abundantly in mountains of Virginia and North Caro-

Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and lina in a laurel (Kalmia latifolia). —

commonly throughout most of northern W. B.
New England. — W. B.

118 LAND-BIRDS.

sparingly distributed over the rest of the egg. Its measure-
ments are .70 by .50 of an inch."

c. The Black-throated Blue Warblers are not only summer
residents in the more northern New England States, but also
in Massachusetts, where, however, they are very rare as such,
unless in the western and more mountainous portions. They
reach the neighborhood of Boston in the third week of May,
and are more common here from that date until the first of
June than at any other period of the year. They return to
the South in September, and I have seen them as late as the
last day of that month.* An instance has been reported of a
pair passing the winter in Boston, which was a most extraor-
dinary circumstance, since their usual habitat at that season is,
I believe, beyond the United States. Birds, however, often
wander, so far as direct evidence goes, more than a thousand
miles from their usual homes, sometimes perhaps intention-
ally, but more often, probably, because forced to do so in
search of food, or by adverse weather. It is generally diffi-
cult to understand their eccentric movements on land, whereas
it is easy to understand why birds who have ventured out
to sea should be compelled by winds to deviate from their
course.

When with us in spring, the " Black-throated Blues " are
to be seen generally in pairs or singly, but occasionally in small
companies of three or four, in which latter case quarrels fre-
quently arise between the males. They are very dexterous in
obtaining their insect prey ; sometimes seizing it in the air,
with the skill of a true Flycatcher, and at other times finding
it among the branches of the various trees which they frequent.
Now they twist their heads into seemingly painful postures,
the better to search the crannies in the bark or blossoms, now
spring from a twig to snap up an insect in the foliage above

* I take the last opportunity offered made near Boston, I am inclined to be-
to record an observation which I have lieve that this species is always a rather
just made (Nov. 19, 1876), that of a late migrant in fall, and that individu-
Black-throated Blue Warbler busied als may occasionally pass the winter in
in catching insects among weeds, and New England. [From the Appendix
also in some trees, where were several (p. 443) of the first edition.]
Chickadees. From other observations

WARBLERS. 119

their heads, instantly returning, and now flutter before a cluster
of opening leaves, with the grace of a Hummingbird. Occa-
sionally they descend to the ground, and are so. very tame that
once, when I was standing motionless, observing some War-
blers near me, one hopped between my feet to pick up a morsel
of food. I have often been able to make close observations
upon birds, by remaining entirely motionless and allowing
them to gather about me, and thus have accurately learned
their habits, without disturbing their happiness.

d. The ordinary note of the " Black-throated Blues " is a
simple chip^ which is sometimes closely repeated, after the
manner of the Chipping Sparrow. They have also a chatter,
employed chiefly as a battle-cry, and a loud alarm-note, resem-
bling the chuch of the Snow-bird. The males have an unmu-
sical song, the tone of which resembles somewhat that of the
Blue Yellow-back's song, or that of the Night Hawk's note,
being peculiar, and rather harsh or guttural. It usually con-
sists of three (rarely four) syllables, of which the last two are
the highest in tone and the most emphatic, and sounds like
^^ zwee-zwee-zwee.''^ It is sometimes varied and lengthened so
as to resemble the syllables [che-wee] che icee [see] wee-see
zv;ee. It is characteristic in tone, and is wholly unlike the
music of our other Warblers, with the exception of one form
of the song of the " Black-throated Green." *

/. VIRENS. Blach-tliroated Green Warbler. " Blach-
throated Green.^^ In New England a common summer resi-
dent, but " rather confined to certain districts." f

a. About five inches long. (J , olive green above. Wings
and tail, dark, with white-edged feathers ; former white-barred.
Whole side of head^ rich yellow (with occasional indistinct
markings). Throat and breast, black. § (and $ in autumn),
with the black restricted or wanting. Other under parts,
white or yellowish. Outer tail-feathers, largely white.

* The tone is still more nearly like g-inia juniper groves of southern New

that of the song- of the Golden-wing-ed Eng-land, but also very common and

Warbler. — W. B. g-enerally distributed throughout the

t A summer resident most abundant, spruce and balsam forests of Maine,

probably, in the white pine and Vir- New Hampshire, and Vermont. — W. B.

120 LAND-BIRDS.

h. The nest is usually placed in a pine, in a horizontal
fork near the end of a bough, from twenty to fifty feet above
the ground (but sometimes lower). It is finished in June,
sometimes in the first week, sometimes not until the last. It
is composed outwardly of narrow strips of thin bark, bits of
twigs from vines, dried grasses, and such odds and ends as the
birds have found convenient to employ, and inwardly of bits of
wool, feathers, and plant-down, but is generally lined with
hairs and fine shreds of vegetable substance. It is usually
small, neat, and very pretty. The eggs of each set are three
or four, and average .67 X -55 of an inch. They are commonly
(creamy) white, with reddish or umber brown, and 2^urplish
markings, grouped principally about the crown. These mark-
ings are for the most part either clear and delicate, or a little
coarse and obscure ; but the eggs are better characterized
by their shape, being rather broad in proportion to their
length.

c. I owe much to the charming little " Black - throated
Greens " for the pleasure which they have many times afforded
me ; but I know no means of requiting them, unless by writing
their biography with peculiar care.

They are summer residents throughout New England, but
are particularly common in certain parts of eastern Massachu-
setts. They prefer pines to all other trees ; but in the regions
of the Nashua and Connecticut valleys, in the North, and
whilst migrating, they are to be found in " mixed " woods, in
the former cases especially those which contain other ever-
greens. They reach Boston (which now comprises tracts of
genuine country) about the fifth of May, sometimes earlier,
but rarely much later, and, generally, for a day or two before
the middle of that month are very abundant, owing to the
migrants bound for homes in a colder climate. After these
passengers have disappeared, the " Black-throated Greens "
here confine themselves almost exclusively to groves of pine
or cedar, chiefly those in high land, and only occasionally stray
to orchards or other places, though so tame as sometimes to
visit vines growing on the piazza, where I have known them
to build their nests. They remain here throughout the summer,

WARBLERS. 121

and do not altogether disappear until the first week of Octo-
ber. They do not often catch insects in the air, except in
spring, and rarely descend to the ground, except for the sake
of taking a bath, which they do so prettily that an apprecia-
tive spectator cannot fail to enjoy it as much as the birds
themselves. They find their food principally among the
branches of the evergreens which they frequent, are con-
stantly active whilst in search of it, and never rest in the man-
ner of the Pine Warblers, who are much lazier. They gener-
ally remain in one spot for several minutes, and then fly to
another at quite a distance, seldom staying long in one group
of trees. Though active, they are not restless, as many of
their kindred are, but rather are comparatively deliberate in
their motions. There is to me a fascination in watching these
birds, as they move among the tree-tops, and a charm in listen-
ing to their drowsy notes, which (without poetical exaggera-
tion) seem to invite one, on a warm day, to lie dowu and
slumber on the pine needles that are strewn over the ground
— though to persons too practically minded, the mosquitoes
at that season permit no such repose.

d. The ordinary notes of the " Black-throated Greens '*
are numerous, being a tsip^ a chich^ which is sometimes soft
and sometimes loud, a cheeky a chuck^ which is used chiefly as
a note of alarm, and a sharp chink^ which is generally indica-
tive of distress. Their song has several variations, of which
the two most often heard are wee-see-wee-see-wee-see (in which
the middle notes are the highest) and wee-see-wee-see-see (in
which the second note is higher than the rest, the second coup-
let uttered in a lively way, and the other notes drawled out in
a manner peculiar to this species). To these simple chants a
few terminal notes are not infrequently added, which some-
times consist of a repetition, and, rarely, resemble those of the
*' Black-throated Blue's " music. These songs are very char-
acteristic ; and, if one has once heard them, he cannot often
confound them with those of other birds.

The " Black-throated Greens " are, to me, with perhaps the
exception of the Pine Warblers, the most attractive members
of their family, on account, I think, of their pleasing, familiar,

122 LAND-BIRDS.

and oft-repeated songs, which are heard from the time of their
arrival nearly throughout the summer, which form so fitting an
accompaniment to the whisperings of the pines, and to which
I am never weary of listening. Another reason, however, is
that they show a fondness for the pines as great as my own,
though, no doubt, from very different motives. The majesty
of those trees, their gracefulness, their freshness throughout
the year ; their beauty in summer, when, after a hard shower,
the light of the setting sun breaks upon them ; their beauty in
winter, when their branches are loaded, many to the ground,
with snow, or when they are covered with glittering ice ; their
whisperings in the breezes of spring and summer, their sighing
and whistling in the southern gales, and finally their odor,
combine to render them the finest, I think, of all our forest
trees.

e/. viGORSii. Pine Warbler. (^Pine-tree Warbler,^
Pine-creeping Warbler. (" Pine Creeper.'''') A common
summer resident in the pine tracts of Massachusetts.*

a. ^hr^ inches long. Upper parts, olive. Belly and two
wing-bars, white. Superciliary line, throat, and breast, bright
yellow. 5 , duller, often with little yellow below. In both
sexes, "tail-blotches confined to tico outer pairs of tail
feathers^ large^ oblique.^''

b. The nest is usually to be found in the same situation,
and is otherwise essentially like that of the " Black-throated
Green " (/).t Though generally finished in the last week of
May, it has been found in the earlier part of the month. The
eggs of each set are usually four, and average .67X.'52 of an

* The distribution of the Pine War- and balsam forests which cover so much

bier in New England is practically if of the interior of northern New Eng-

not very strictly coextensive with that land. — W. B.

of the pitch pine {Pinus rigida). It is t The nest of the Pine Warbler is
a very common summer bird in eastern usually built near the end of a branch
Massachusetts, especially on Cape Cod, among the pine needles by which it is
and extends to the northward and east- well concealed, whereas the Black-
ward on or near the coast as far, at least, throated Green Warbler ordinarily
as Mount Desert, but it is very rare in chooses a stout fork or limb well with-
Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and in the body of the tree. — W. B.
apparently wanting in the great spruce

WARBLERS. 123

inch. They are white, with purplish and brown markings, or
fine markings of three shades of brown, sprinkled chiefly at
the " great end."

c. The Pine Warblers have a very extensive breeding-
range, and are probably to be found in summer throughout
New England, in the pine-wooded districts. They are the first
of their family to reach the Eastern States in spring, and I
have seen them near Boston on the first of April. They usu-
ally, however, arrive here in the first or second week of that
month, and return to the South in the latter part of September,
occasionally lingering until the middle of October. Except
in the summer season, they are often more or less gregarious,
and associate with the " Red-polls " (Z>. 2Kdmariim liyi^o-
chrysea) and " Yellow-rumps." Moreover, in winter, spring,
and fall, they find much of their food upon the ground, like the
other Warblers that I have just mentioned, particularly the
former. They derive their name of "Pine Creepers" from
the fact that they occasionally cling to the trunks of trees,
and that they can move along the horizontal limbs with ease
and activity; but I have never known them to progress in
the manner of the Creepers or Woodpeckers.

Their habits in summer do not differ very essentially from
those of the " Black-throated Greens." At that season, and
more particularly at the time of their migrations in April, they
may be found in woods of various kinds ; but they have a most
marked preference for pine woods and groves, from which they
occasionally ramble to near orchards. They do not often catch
insects in the air, but generally seek them among the higher
branches ; and it is often difficult to discover their whereabouts
— the more so that seemingly they are capital ventriloquists.
They have always seemed to me quiet and rather indolent, and
remarkably attentive to their dress. I have sometimes seen
them pause, for at least fifteen minutes, to smooth their feath-
ers or to rest, every minute " drawling out " their sweet note
quite mechanically. At other times they are very active, and
it is then impossible to keep sight of them for any great length
of time. As I have observed males, both in spring and sum-
mer, who apparently had neither mates nor nests, I think it

124 LAND-BIRDS.

quite certain that there are bachelors among birds.^i The
Pine Warblers are not only extremely useful in protecting
our evergreens, but are also very charming, partly, no doubt,
because there is a spice of " something " in their character
which we cannot altogether sanction from a moral point of
view.

d. Their note is as deliciously drowsy as that of the
" Black- throated Green," but is not so often repeated, though
heard both earlier and later in the year. It is apparently a
delicately trilled whistle, but really a series of fine notes, as is
proved by the fact that the birds open and shut their bills
whilst emitting the sound. It closely resembles one of the
Snow-bird's whistles, and also the trill of the Swamp Spar-
row. The Pine Warblers have also a cAip, and a few weak
notes, such as chip-a-see, and we-chee-we-chee-ive-chee^ which
are not very expressive, or often heard.

IT. PALMARUM HYPOCHRYSEA. ^^ Red - polV WaMer.
Palm Warbler. " Yellow Med-poll.^'' A common migrant
through Massachusetts.*

a. About five inches long. Dull olive above, (obsoletely)
streaked. Crown, reddish crimson (or " chestnut "). Beneath,
yellow, inconspicuously streaked on the breast with bright
reddish brown. Tail-feathers with a few white blotches. (De-
tails omitted.)

h. The nest is said to be placed on the ground, usually in
a swampy locality. The eggs of each set are four (?) ; average
about .70 X '^^ of an inch ; and are (creamy) white, with
purplish, faint lilac, and reddish brown markings, chiefly at
the larger end.

c. The Yellow " Red-polls " pass the summer in the north,
almost entirely beyond the limits of New England, and the

^1 There is other evidence that such only as a common spring and autumn

is undoubtedly the case. An interest- migrant, but it breeds sparingly and

ing article on the subject has been writ- locally in eastern Maine, and rather

ten by Mr. Abbott of New Jersey. commonly and generally in New Bruns-

* Throughout most of New England wick and Nova Scotia. — W. B.
the Yellow Red poll Warbler occurs

WARBLERS. 125

winter in the South, and consequently appear in Massachusetts
as migrants only. They are usually common near Boston
in the latter part of April and the first week of May, as
well as in the latter part of September and sometimes the
earlier part of October. Their favorite haunts are swamps and
their neighborhoods, but they also frequent " scrub," hedge-
rows, plowed lands, gardens, and orchards. They almost
invariably gather in loose flocks, and often associate with
other Warblers, and with various Sparrows. They are much
more terrestrial in their habits than any of their immediate
relations (i. e., the Dendroicoe) and always are on or not
very far from the ground. They fly quite gracefully, and are
nimble when on the ground or when moving from branch
to branch in a bush or tree. Their most noticeable habit,
and the one which best distinguishes them from the rest of
their family, is that of flirting their tails, almost exactly as
the common Pewee does. They do this particularly when
on their perches, from which they often fly directly to the
ground to seize some small insect or seed which, while perched
above, they have spied in the grass, or perhaps on the bare
earth.

As I have mentioned the food of this species, perhaps it
will not be amiss to speak of that of this large family in gen-
eral, the Warblers, and of their usefulness to man. Though
certain kinds often eat seeds (generally those of the pine or of
weeds), and others partake of small berries in spring and au-
tumn^ a majority feed exclusively upon insects. These insects
include the smaller caterpillars, various small winged insects,
in one case particularly those insects which infest the bark of
trees, and which the Nuthatches do so much to exterminate,
and, more generally, those which frequent the foliage and blos-
soms, epecially at the time of the spring migrations. They
often include, moreover, spiders, but rarely the beetles ; in the
destruction of the latter, larger birds are more efficacious.
Thus, though many Warblers are neutral in regard to the agri-
cultural, and what are often considered the most important,
interests of man, none, so far as I know, do him any injury,
whereas many greatly benefit him in the preservation of our

126 LAND-BIRDS.

orchard trees, our shade trees, our evergreens, and even our
shrubbery and garden plants. Though not, I trust, altogether
useless, the above remarks seem almost unnecessary, as very
fortunately the Warblers have never, I believe, been perse-
cuted.

d. The ordinary notes of the Yellow " Ked-polls " are a
chip^ which sometiuies is closely repeated several times, and a
chuck, which is less loud than that of the Snow-birds, but much
more mellow. They have also in spring a few expressive twit-
ters, a few rather weak musical notes, and their true song-note,
which is a whistled trill, less sweet and smooth than that of
the Pine Warbler. It is possible that in their summer homes
these birds i3roduce a fuller song, but I have no evidence of
it. I am, moreover, inclined to think that they never siiig
very agreeably.

X. CORONATA. Yellow-rumped Warhler. " Yellow-
rump,^'' " Myrtle Birciy " Willow Warhler.''^ A very
common migrant through Massachusetts.*

a. About 5| inches long. $ , in spring and summer, slaty ;
black-streaked. Wings, browner, and concealing the rump,
when closed. Throat and belly, white. Crown, rump, and
a patch on the side of the breast, bright yellow. Wing-bars,
etc., white. $ , in fall and winter, and $ , generally browner,
with less pure colors. Young, brown above, and white below,
with a few slender side-streaks sometimes extending across the
breast ; rump, yellow. Various intermediate stages of color-
ation also exist.

b. '• The nest is usually placed in a bush, is constructed of
various soft materials, and is lined with horsehairs, down, or
some other suitable material." Mr. Maynard speaks of nests
found in northern Maine in early June, all of which "con-
tained four fresh eggs," as being built in low spruces about

* In southern New England an abun- the coast as far as Scarboro, Maine. It

dant early spring- and late autumn mi- breeds commonly in parts of Worcester

g-rant, also found reg-ularly in winter, and Berkshire counties, Massachusetts,

often in large numbers, throughout and throughout most of northern New

southern Connecticut, on Cape Cod. and England. — W. B.
at various localities northward along

WARBLERS. 127

four feet from the ground, and constructed of hemlock twigs,
lined with feathers. A nest which I found in northern New
Hampshire was somewhat different, and contained three eggs,
which were white, marked with purplish and brown, and aver-
aged .68 X .50 of an inch. Dr. Brewer describes others as
measuring about .75 X -^^ of an inch, and being white, or
often bluish, " blotched and spotted with reddish brown,
purple, and darker shades of brown."

c. The *' Yellow-rumps " are among the most abundant
of all the migrants who travel through Massachusetts, being
always very common here at times between the twentieth of
April and the last of May, and again in the latter part of Sep-
tember and in October. They pass the summer principally
in Labrador and Canada, and also to a certain extent in the
White Mountain region, and northern Maine ; but I know
no well-authenticated instance of their passing it in this State.
I have, however, known them to pass the winter here, though
usually at that season they inhabit the most southern United
States and even warmer climates. I have several times, in
December and January, found them near Boston, in swamps,
where they were feeding upon the berries, and also among
cedars.^^

Whilst here in spring, they are to be found on the road-
sides, in swamps, in pastures, in " scrub-land," and amongst
the trees and shrubbery of cultivated estates, but rarely in
woods, though in northern New England such are their sum-
mer haunts. They generally move about in flocks, often very
loose ones, inclusive of immature specimens in various stages
of coloration. They prefer the orchard and hard-wood trees
to the pines, and usually take their perch among the latter to
look out for passing insects. They more generally frequent
the higher than the lower branches, and from these fly to snap
up insects in the air, usually at some distance, afterwards
often alighting in another tree. At other times, unlike the
Flycatchers, they glean among the branches and look for in-
sects among: the foliao^e and blossoms. In autumn their habits
are essentially the same, except that they are more upon the

^2 Mr. Charles C Abbott states that they pass the winter in New Jersey.

128 LAND-BIEDS.

gTOund, feed more upon berries, sometimes those of house-
vines, aud show a greater liking for hedge-rows and like
places, where they often associate with the " Yellow Red-
polls " or with the Sparrows. They may generally be dis-
tinguished at a distance by their habit of being much in the
air, and of taking long flights (as compared with those of
other Warblers) at quite a height above the ground.

d. The " Yellow-rumps " have a soft cAi/>, and a loud check
or chuck (which sometimes is softened to chwp). I have often
heard them sing in May, throughout the day, much like the
Purple Finch, but without the richness, fullness, continuity, or
melodiousness of that bird's music, especially if heard from
a near standpoint. This song is often varied, and sometimes
has reminded me of certain of the Maryland Yellow-throats'
notes. In October I have once or twice heard the " Yellow-
rumps " utter a warble, which was soft, sweet, and very rich.

JSL MACULOSA. Black and Yellow Warbler, ""Magnolia
Warhler.^^ A rather rare migrant through Massachusetts.*

a. About five inches long. Dark above. Hump, yellow.
Crown, ashy (blue?). Forehead and a broad bar through
the eye, black. Under parts, yellow ; breast, black-streaked.

Wing-patch, etc., white. $ , with head -markings and streaks
less distinct.

b. The nest is usually built in a low spruce, often near a
path through the woods, three or four feet from the ground,
and is finished in the first week of June. (A second is some-
times built about the first of July.) It is composed outwardly
of pine needles, hemlock twigs, or the like, and is lined with
horsehairs or the black fibres of a certain moss. The eggs
average .63 X -50 of an inch, and are white, with lilac and
brown, or umber brown, markings, often forming a ring about
the crown. Some eggs of this species that I found in north-
ern New Hampshire are clouded at the larger end with obscure

* A late spring and early autumn of Worcester and Berkshire counties,
migrant through southern New Eng- Massachusetts, and throughout north-
land, often commou and at times abun- em New England. — W. B.
dant. It breeds plentifully in portions

WARBLERS. 129

lilac and three shades of a beautiful, bright, but peculiar
brown.

c. The Black and Yellow Warblers perhaps are, with the
exception of the Blackburn ian Warblers, the handsomest of
their family, and therefore it is to be regretted that they are in
Massachusetts only for a short time in the latter part of May,
being even then not common. They arrive here about the
middle or twentieth of that month, and linger for a few days ;
but, after having passed the summer in the woods of Canada,
northern New Hampshire, and Maine, they return to the
South by an inland route, avoiding this State, or at least the
eastern part of it. Whilst here, they frequent woods, trees,
and shrubbery of various kinds, particularly spruces, gener-
ally in pairs or singly. They do not exliibit so many traits of
the Flycatchers as several other Warblers do, but usually catch
insects in the air only as they move from one tree to another.
They generally alight among the lower branches, to which
chiefly they confine themselves, and among which, as well as
about the blossoms, they industriously search for insects and
their eggs.

d. The song of the Black and Yellow Warblers is sweet
and musical. It is sometimes rather soft, vividly recalling the
song of the Yellowbird (and allied songs), and less so that
of the " Yellow-rump," being to a certain extent like both.
At other times, it is louder, and again like that of the Yellow-
bird (Z). cestiva'), with additional musical notes. The ordi-
nary notes of these birds are a tsip^ a cry of tsip-tsip-tsip, a
soft and loud chip^ a chick or chink like that of the Rose-
breasted Grosbeak, and an anh., which recalls the similar note
of the " Golden Robin." Unfortunately, of all these numer-
ous sounds not one is distinctively characteristic of these
Warblers, who are somewhat shy ; but fortunately, on the
other hand, bright colors cannot always be concealed.

This species is the last of the twelve Dendroicce who inva-
riably visit Massachusetts every year, and five of whom com-
monly breed here. The birds of this genus (^Dendroicd) are
in many ways the most charming members of the feathered
creation, being prettily and brightly colored, and extremely

130 LAND-BIRDS.

graceful and dexterous in their motions. Their songs, though
never very striking or brilliant, are simple, pleasing, and mu-
sical, and their nests and eggs are models of beauty. In
addition to these charms, these birds are extremely useful,
and do much to protect our trees and shrubs from the inju-
ries of caterpillars and the numerous winged insects that
infest them.

XL SYLVANIA.

A. CANADENSIS. Canada " F'lycatcher.''' Canada Fly-
catching Warbler. A summer resident in northern New Eng-
land, but rare in Massachusetts, except as a migrant.*

a. 5-5 J inches long. In general appearance like the Black
and Yellow Warbler (X, J/), but with no white on the wings
and tail. (J , ashy blue above of a curious tint, and bright
yellow beneath. Crown almost streaked with black. Super-
ciliary line, yellow. Throat bordered by a black line, from
the bottom of which black streaks (often wholly inconspicu-
ous) run down the breast. $ , with the blue impure and
black restricted.

h. The nest is usually placed on the ground, in swampy
woodland. In eastern Massachusetts four or five eggs are
laid about the first of June. These eggs average .68 X .50 of
an inch, and are white, generally clouded delicately at the
larger end with brown and lilac.

c. The Canada '' Flycatchers " are common summer resi-
dents in the woods of northern New England ; but in Mas-
sachusetts, though their nests have been found, for instance, at
Lynn, they are rare except as migrants.f They arrive at Bos-
ton on the twentieth of May, or even later, and I have observed
them here traveling as late as the fifth of June. During their

* In most parts of southern New Eng- counties, and universally throughout

land the Canadian Warbler is seen only northern New England. — W. B.

during the migrations, when it is usu- t In the region about Boston they

ally rather common, but it breeds spar- are now known to breed regularly, but

inglyandlocallyinConnecticut and east- only in small numbers, in the towns of

em Massachusetts, very generally and Milton, Dedham, Lincoln, Bedford,

rather numerously in the more elevated and Concord. — W. B.
portions of Worcester and Berkshire

WARBLERS. 131

visits, which are individually brief, they frequent woodland,
often that which is swampy, though also dry pines, and the
shrubbery in or near it. Occasionally they venture to gardens
and shrubbery near houses ; but they are naturally fond of re-
tired or even secluded spots. They journey singly or in pairs,
and are never gregarious, nor often very numerous in any one
place. Among the White Mountains they frequent those for-
ests where the undergrowth of ferns and living plants, and the
entanglement of moss-covered logs and stumps, are both so
rich.

The Canada Warblers are very active, occasionally alighting
on the ground, and almost invariably keeping near it, and
move among the shrubbery from one low branch to another,
continually catching insects in the air. They occasionally run
over fences or walls with great ease, and, in fact, in all their
motions exhibit grace and agility. They are not very shy, and
suffer a near approach to inquisitive persons. When, however,
their nest is approached, they become vigilant and anxious,
particularly the males, who plainly show their distress. These
latter, in such cases, often fly about among the branches above
one's head at quite a distance from the ground, emitting their
notes of complaint, but at other times, mindful of household
cares, continue to collect insects among the bushes and lower
limbs of the surrounding trees. I remember watching one,
who in fifteen minutes, during my presence, collected as many
moths and caterpillars, continually uttering his loud cliuck^
and yet I could not find his nest, so well did he avoid indicat-
ing its immediate whereabouts. I have known Catbirds, in
a like way, to sing even while holding in their bills a worm,
or perhaps material for their nests : it certainly seems a diffi-
cult performance.

d. The Canada " Flycatchers " have a very sweet and
agreeable song, which unfortunately is not often to be heard
here. It is simple, like those of the other Warblers, but is
rather more pleasing than those of the Yellowbird or Red-
start, which it usually resembles. Their ordinary notes are a
soft and loud cAip, and a chuck^ which is almost exactly like
that of the Maryland " Yellow-throat."

132

LAND-BIRDS.

B. PUSILLA.^^ Green Blaok-eapited (^Flycatching War-
bler or) " Flycatcher'^ ( Wilson s) " Black-cap,^' A migrant
through eastern Massachusetts in spring.*

a. Five inches long, or less. Olive above. Bright yellow
beneath. Crown, black; but in 5 obscure, or simply olive.
Forehead, yellow.

5. The nest is built in a bush or shrub, and near the
ground. The eggs average .63X .48 of an inch, and are white,
marked with reddish brown at the larger end.f

c. Dr. Brewer says that the " Wilson's Black-cap is found
throughout the United States from ocean to ocean, J and as far
north as Alaska and the Arctic shores, where, however, it is
not common." I know no instance of these birds passing the
summer so far to the southward as New England, though they
may occasionally do so. They are quite common in eastern
Massachusetts between the tenth and the last of May ; but I

53 The Hooded Warbler (S. mitrata)
never, so far as I know, strays to Massa-
chusetts or any part of New England,
though vaguely reported to do so." I
have, therefore, omitted it. Descrip-
tion : 5 or more inches long. Olive
above, andbright yellow beneath. Tail-
feathers with a few white blotches.
Male ^vith head black, except on the
sides and forehead, which are golden
yellow. The Small-headed Flycatcher
(Muscicapa minuta) is an entirely apoc-
ryphal species.

« The Hooded Warbler has been
since taken in eastern Massachusetts,
but it is not known to occur regularly
north of Comiecticut, in the extreme
southern portions of which, along the
shores of the Sound and for a short
distance up the valley of the Connect-
icut River, it is. In many localities, a
really abundant bird, nesting both in
swamps and on hillsides, chiefly in
thickets of the mountain laurel {Kal-
mia latifolia). — W. B.

* A late spring and early autumn
migrant, usually rather common. It
has been found breeding in the extreme

northeastern part of Maine, but is ap-
parently absent from the greater por-
tion of northern New England during
the summer season. — W. B.

t Mr. Minot afterwards found a nest
of this species in Colorado. It was in
a bushy swamp '' on the ground, imder
a low, spreading branch of dwarf wil-
low, and beneath an almost natural
archway of dry grasses, opening towards
the south. It was composed outwardly
of shreds loosely set in a hollow, and
inwardly of fine grass-stalks, with a
few hairs. It measured 21 inches across
inside, by half as much m depth. The
eggs were five in number, about 0.60 X
0.50 in size, and dull whitish in color,
thickly freckled with dark rusty brown
and some slight lilac markings, and
with some blotches at the larger end, —
in three cases on the crown, and in two
about it." (New England Bird Life,
I, p. 172.)— W. B.

X The bird, which inhabits the Pa-
cific slope of the United States, is now
regarded as a distinct subspecies, to
which the nsimepileolata has been given.
— W. B.

WARBLERS. 133

have never seen them at other times of the year. They fre-
quent singly, or in pairs, woods, thickets, and the neighbor-
hood of streams and water. They usually, but not always,
remain near the ground among the bushes and shrubbery, often
snapping up insects in the air, and even seeming to turn sum-
mersaults. They are constantly active, and are among the
busiest of our transient visitors.

d. Their song is much like an extension of the Redstart's
notes, and not unlike the song of the common Yellowbird (i>.
cestivd)^ though rather less pretty. They have also a chip (a
chuck f ) and some harsh notes, resembling the syllables zee-zee-
zee-zee^ of which the latter are the lower in tone.

XII. SETOPHAGA.

A, RUTiciLLA. Eeclstart, In the greater part of New
England a common summer resident.*

a. About t)\ inches long. $ , lustrous black. Sides of
the breast, patches on the wing, and basal half of the tail-
feathers, except the middle pair, flame-color, or in some places
nearly vermilion. Belly, white. § , greenish above, and white
beneath. Vermilion of the male simply yellowish. Wings
and tail elsewhere dark (the latter from below seeming almost
black-tipped, but otherwise yellowish). The female is rather
a nondescript in appearance.

h. The nest is placed in a fork, sometimes next to the
trunk, in a low tree or shrub, from five to twenty feet above
the ground. It is composed of thin strips of bark, dried
grasses, caterpillar's silk and other soft materials, and is some-
times lined with horsehairs. The four or five f 6ggs of each
set usually average .Qk> X .50 of an inch, and are white, with
purple or lilac, and brown (not very dark), scattered quite
thickly at the larger end and thinly at the other. They can
generally be easily distinguished.

c. The Redstarts are familiar to all the ornithologists of
New Eugland, though much less common in many northern

* A very common summer resident rare and occasionally altogether want-
of the whole of New England excepting ing. — W. B.

the higher mountains, where it is often t Sets of five eggs are very seldom

found. — W. B.

134 LAND-BIRDS.

and western localities than in other parts, where they are the
most common of the woodland Warblers. They are summer
residents throughout the northeastern United States, but they
pass the winter in a warmer climate. They reach Massachu-
setts between the fifth and tenth of May, and leave it in the
early part of September ; but, except in spring, when I have
seen three or four together on their arrival, I have never ob-
served them to be at all gregarious. They frequent woods and
groves of various sorts, but generally avoid isolated trees and
shrubbery. Occasionally, however, they approach the ground,^
though they usually remain at some distance from it, often at
a great height. During their residence here, they never wan-
der far, and never take other than very short flights. They
are, however, continually catching small flies, gnats, and mos-
quitoes in the air. They also search for them among the
branches, in the manner of the Vireos, and their handsome
tail, outspread, then shows to great advantage. They are
more wonderfully active and dexterous than most other War-
blers, renowned as they all are for their industry and skill.

The male Redstarts, inclusive of the young in various
stages, who, for a long time, much resemble the females,
are more abundant than the opposite sex, and consequently,
though otherwise peaceful, they often have occasion in May
to quarrel for the possession of the females. Though easily
caused to desert their nests, they possess great conjugal and
parental affection, as do nearly all the more highly organized
birds. Inclination to desertion varies with individuals more
than with species, but is widely different among the several
families and orders.

d. The song of the Redstarts is simple and pleasing, but
constantly varied. Sometimes it is merely a rather shrill che-
wee-o or cJie-ivee-o-ioee-o. at other times it is che-icee-see-icee-see-
wee^ or a soft wee-see-wee-see-wee, much like the song of the
Yellowbird (Z>. cestivd), and again a series or repetition of a
few gentle notes which form an indefinite song.

The Redstarts have also a soft cAy;, which is often repeated

5* I have since observed that the female obtains much food for her young
from the ground.

WAflBLERS. 136

in the manner of a Snow-bird, a loud cTiip^ a chick^ and a few
miuor notes of no importance.

XIII. ICTERIA.

A, viRENS. Yellow - breasted Chat. Chat, In New
England of rare occurrence, and in the three southern States
only.*

a. Seven inches long. Above, bright olive green. Throat
and breast, rich yellow. Belly, and superciliary line, white.
Lore, black.

h. The nest is composed of leaves, grasses, strips of bark,
etc., and is placed in a thicket, bush, or brier. The eggs aver-
age about 1. X-80 of an inch, and are white, sometimes with
reddish brown and obscure lilac spots sprinkled over the sur-
face (often more thickly about the crown), and sometimes with
rather faint lilac blotches only (which are occasionally confined
almost entirely to the smaller end), — these being the two
extremes of coloration.

c. Of the remarkable Yellow-breasted Chats I shall here
make but brief mention, since they have never fallen under my
personal observation, and because of their very rare occur-
rence in New England. I have never seen them near Boston,
and I know but two instances of their capture here. They
reach Pennsylvania " about the first week in May," and inhabit
"close thickets of hazel, brambles, vines, and thick under-
wood." During the mating-season they perform the most ex-
traordinary antics in the air, often at night.

d. While so doing, and at other times, they utter a great
variety of extraordinary sounds, some of which are musical
whistles, and others '' like the barking of young puppies," " the
mewing of a cat," or equally peculiar noises. Wilson, from
whom I have already quoted, says that " all these are uttered
with great vehemence, in such different keys, and with such
peculiar modulations of voice, as sometimes to seem at a

* An abundant summer resident of at least regularly. Throughout the

southern Connecticut, and rather com- remainder of Massachusetts it is, gen-

mon, also, in certain portions of Essex erally speaking, a rare bird. It has

County, Massachusetts, to the north- been found breeding in two places in

ward of which it is not known to occur, Berksliire County. — W. B.

136 LAND-BIRDS.

considerable distance and instantly as if just beside you ; now
on this hand, now on that." Wilson's biography of this bird
is extremely interesting, but unfortunately too long for tran-
scription.*

§ 10. The TANAGRID^, or Tanagers, form a brilliant
group, intermediate between the Finches and Warblers (see
fio-. 5). They have nine primaries, and scutellate tarsi. All
the North American species are characterized more or less
plainly by a tooth in the middle of the commissure. The
Scarlet Tanager may be considered a type. They have been
called " dentirostral Finches," but, on the other hand, are
closely allied to the Warblers through the Chats.

The Icteriinm^ however, are distinguished as follows from
the Taiiagers and all other Warblers, except GeoMypes :
wings about equal in length to the tail. They differ from
Geothlypes in having an unnotched, unbristled bill, which is
not more than twice as long as high, if as much ; also in size,
being larger than any of the true Warblers. " They are rep-
resented in the United States virtually by one species only."

The Am2)elidce (§ 12) are in New England represented only
by the Amjyelince, or Waxwings. This subfamily should, per-
haps, stand near the Clamatores (to whom the Corvidce bear
no direct affinity), but their true position has not yet been de-
termined. They are usually placed next to the Swallows, whom
they resemble in the scutellate tarsi, and in the bill, which is
broad, and only about half as long as the commissure. (See
§ § T, U, of the Introduction.) They have, however, ten

* To the accounts of the Warblers, the ground, and, moreover, have been

it may be added that several Orang^e- found exceptionally among- the White

crowned Warblers have now been ob- Mountains, at Bethlehem ; that the

tained in Massachusetts (for which in- Hooded Warbler has been definitely

formation I am chiefly indebted to Mr. reported from Connecticut ; and that

H. A. Purdie) ; that the Blackburnian the Yellow-breasted Chats are reported

Warblers are considered by a friend, to be common summer residents at

rather to the contrary of my own ob- Ovster Bav, Long- Island, where Blue-

servations, to be very expert fly-catch- birds winter, and where Cedar-birds

ers, and that I have seen them near Bos- have been seen in autumn in flocks of

ton on the tenth of October ; that the more than a hundred. [From the Ap-

Prairie Warblers sometimes feed upon pendix (p. 443) of the first edition.]

TANAGERS.

13T

primaries, of which the first is spurious, and a notch in the
bill. They are also crested, and in full plumage have curious
wax-like appendages to certain quills, "and sometimes the
tail-feathers " (pi. 1, figs. 10 and 11). They show an affinity
to the Flycatchers, in their eminent skill in fly-catching,'^ as
occasionally displayed, and in their want of musical powers,
for, though absurdly called " chatterers," they are notably
silent birds. Moreover, " their tarsus is not strictly oscine."
They are gregarious. The common Cedar-bird may be taken
as a type.

I. PIRANGA.

A. ERYTHROMELAS. Scarht Tanagev. Though locally
distributed, a generally common summer resident in southern
New England.*

Fig-. 5. Scarlet Tanag-er. (|)

a. About 7^ inches long. g , scarlet ; winsfs and tail
black. 5 <> olive green above ; below, (o-reenish) yellow.

h. The nest is loosely constructed of straws, twiors, etc.,
and is usually placed from ten to thirty feet above the ground.

^^ It is to be remembered, however,
that the birds of many families are very
skillful in preving- upon insects in the
air, scarcely less so than the true Fly-
catchers.

* A. shimmer resident of the whole
of New England, very common in most

localities south of the northern border
of Massachusetts, but fonnd onlv spar-
inglv and to some extent locallv in the
coniferous forests of northern Maine,
New Hampshire, and Vermont. — W.
B.

138 LAND-BIRDS.

generally in an oak wood, but sometimes in an orchard or in
evergreens. Here three or four eggs are laid about the first
of June, averaging .90 X .65 of an inch (though I have a speci-
men measuring 1.10 X .70 of an inch). They are strongly
like the eggs of the Swainson's Thrush (1, I, Z>), being light
greenish blue, with usually rather faint (but sometimes thick
and strong) markings of umber brown, sometimes replaced by
purplish.

c. The gaudy Scarlet Tanagers are summer residents
throughout the eastern United States, but are rare in northern
New England and Canada, beyond which they never (?) go.
They reach eastern Massachusetts in the second or third week
of May, and leave it in September, but during their stay here
are rather confined to localities. They frequent orchards, and
groves of chestnuts, oaks, and nut-trees, often showing a pref-
erence for swampy woods if not too thick. They feed upon
the larger winged insects, upon caterpillars, upon seeds and
berries, and so never have occasion to be much on the ground.
They often arrive in pairs, but at other times appear in small
parties of three or four, mating later, after the males have
fought the quarrels incident to the period of courtship. In
the latter part of May they build their loosely constructed
nests, and the females lay their eggs, the incubation of which
occupies them about thirteen days, — the usual period of incu-
bation among most of the insessoriaii birds. In this stage of
their household duties, the wonderful wisdom everywhere dis-
played in nature is peculiarly noticeable. The brilliantly
colored males carefully avoid the nest, and approach it, when
necessary, with caution and stealth, fearful of betraying its
presence ; whereas the females, with their plain coloration as-
similated to the surrounding foliage, sit upon it with safety,
and care for their young. If, however, the nest is actually
invaded or hostilely approached, the males show themselves,
with their plumage in bold and rich contrast to the green
leaves ; and I have known them to carry off the eggs, — how,
I cannot positively say. I have known several instances of
birds removing even their young, though in many it seemed
almost impossible for them to do so. In the case of the

TANAGERS. 139

Scarlet Tanagers, to whicli I have just referred, one could
plainly see their eggs from the ground through the bottom of
the nest, which was frailly composed of straw. During my
ascent of the tree, without disturbing the branch in which the
nest was placed, I observed the parents several times return-
ing, and, upon my arrival at a point from which I could look
into the nest, I found it empty. A careful search disclosed
no pieces of broken shell or traces of the yolk on the lower
branches, or on the ground, directly below. The eggs were
undoubtedly conveyed to a place of safety, but whether ever
returned or successfully hatched, I do not know.

d. The Scarlet Tanagers have an agreeable song or whis-
tle, which reminds one of the Robin's music, or the finer and
delicious music of the Rose-breasted Grosbeak ; but it differs
from both in having a certain harshness. Their ordinary
note is a pensively uttered chip-churi\ which is often intro-
duced so as to interrupt their warble. Such other notes as
they may have, I do not now recall.

B. RUBRA. Summer JRed-hird. Of very rare occurrence
in Massachusetts, being for the most part an inhabitant of
the Southern States.*

a. 7|~8 inches long. $ , vermilion. J , like $ erythro-
melas (^), but duller, and with brownish rather than gTcen-
ish shades. (Coues.)

5. '* The nest is usually built on one of the lower limbs of
a post-oak, or in a pine sapling, at a height of from six to
twenty feet above the ground." ^^ The eggs average about .90
X .^^ of an inch, and are of " a bright light shade of emerald
green, spotted, marbled, dotted, and blotched with various
shades of lilac, brownish purple, and dark brown." (Dr.
Brewer.)

c. The Summer Red-birds have been taken in Massachu-
setts but a very few times, though they have wandered so far

* Although a g-ood many Summer breeding within our limits, nor does it

Red-birds have been taken in New visit us with any apparent regularity.

England, especially in Massachusetts — W. B.

and Connecticut, the species does not ^ This statement is made on the au-

appear to have been as yet found thority of the late Dr. Gerhardt.

140 LAND-BIRDS.

to the north as Nova Scotia. Wilson says of this species
that " its manners . . . partake very much of those of the
Flycatcher ; for I have frequently observed both male and
female, a little before sunset, in parts of the forest clear of
underwood, darting after winged insects, and continuing thus
eno-ao-ed till it was almost dusk." " The food of these birds
consists of various kinds of bugs, and large black beetles. In
several instances I have found the stomach entirely filled with
the broken remains of bumblebees. During the season of
whortleberries they seem to subsist almost entirely on these
berries ; but in the early part of the season on insects of the
above description."

d. '' The note of the male is a strong and sonorous whis-
tle, resembling a loose trill or shake on the notes of a fife,
frequently repeated ; that of the female is rather a kind of
chattering, approaching nearly to the rapid pronunciation of
chicky-tucky-tuck, chicky-tiichy-tuch, when she sees any person
approaching the neighborhood of her nest. She is, however,
rarely seen, and usually mute, and scarcely to be distinguished
from the color of the foliage at a distance."

Having never seen the Red-birds alive, I have no further
remarks to make upon their habits.

§ 11. The HIRUNDINID^, or Srvallows, may be distin-
guished from all our other birds by the following combined
features. Tail-feathers twelve ; primaries nine ; tarsi short
and scutellate ; bill broad, low, short, and with the culmen
(or upper outline) only half as long as the gape, which ex-
tends to the longitude of the eye. They have remarkably
long wings, conformably to their mode of life and " constant
aerial activity." Most of our species have a highly metallic
lustre (in certain parts), which, except in the Martins, is
similar in the two sexes. This feature is not, so far as I know,
observable in any other family, unless among the Ducks.

Our insessorian birds may, in regard to color, be classified
as follows : —

1. Partly metallic ; sexes alike. Certain Swallows.

2. Partly metallic ; sexes unlike. Certain Hummingbirds
(^TrochilincB}.

SWALLOWS. 141

3. Partly metallic, male only. Certain Pigeons.

4. Lustrous or brightly colored ; sexes alike. Crows, cer-
tain Jays and Warblers.

5. Lustrous or brightly colored ; sexes unlike ; females
duller, etc. Bluebirds, Martins, certain Warblers, Finches,
and Starlings ; also one Flycatcher * (southwestern United
States) (and the Blue Crow?).

6. No metallic tints ; sexes much alike ; male characterized
by a color-patch, wanting or much restricted in the female.
"Wrens" or Kinglets, Nuthatches, Woodpeckers, certain
Warblers (and Finches?).

7. Male brightly, female plainly colored.^^ Tanagers ;
certain Warblers, Finches, and Starlings.

[8. Plainly colored ; °' with bright crown-patch in both
sexes, certain Flycatchers ; with tail brightly tipped, the
Waxwings.]

9. Plainly or dully colored.^" Sexes alike. Thrushes,
Gnatcatchers, Titmice, Creepers, Wrens, Wagtails, Vireos,
Shrikes, Flycatchers, Swifts, Cuckoos, Owls, most of the
Hawks, certain Warblers, Swallows, Finches, Starlings,
Jays, and Pigeons.

10. Plainly or dully colored.''^^ Sexes unlike. *' Goatsuck-
ers," Kingfishers, Harriers, and smaller Falcons. Perhaps
also certain Finches, the Bobolink, and Blue Crow.

The Swallows are preeminently insectivorous (perching less
often than any other oscine birds), and consequently are mi-
gratory. They are also preeminently social and consequently
gregarious, at least very often. Most of them breed in com-
munities or in colonies, to which they return each spring in
greater numbers than before. These settlements, as I have
once or twice observed among the Bank Swallows, are formed
by a very few pairs, whose number is often but slowly in-
creased from year to year. It is probably in this manner that
the Cliff Swallows have gradually become dispersed over east-

* Pyrocephalus rubineiis mexicanus. blue, olive, olive green, and even yel-

— W. B. low, especially in connection with green,

^^ Black andiwhite, the various browns are often considered plain colors (chief-

and grays, are eminently the plain col- ly in contrast),
ors. In this sjTiopsis, however, grayish

142 LAND-BIRDS.

ern North America, where possibly they were once unknown.
There are probably no birds whose past history would be more
interesting- than that of the Swallows. No birds better or more
curiously exhibit the modifying influence of civilization than
these. Those kinds who formerly built on cliffs, or in the
hollows of trees, now build their nests almost exclusively, in
Massachusetts, in situations about the buildings of man. It is
said by Dr. Cones, who quotes from Dr. Rufus Raymond,
in " The American Naturalist," for June, 1876, that an in-
stance of the Bank Swallow using an artificial nest, so to
speak, has already occurred. Dr. Raymond says : " The
White Water Valley Railway, in Brookville, Indiana, is built
upon stone piers, and spans the hydraulic canal, some five or
six feet above the water. While at the depot during the past
summer I saw a Bank Swallow fly under the building with
several blades of grass in her bill ; and being curious to see
what she would do with them, I watched her, and saw her
carry them through a two-inch auger hole, which had been
bored through a pine board. The spot was inaccessible,
owing to the water ; but I know from the droppings about the
hole that this was her nest." * It is almost needless to add
that this species usually burrows in sand. The Swallows lay
four or five eggs, which are white and unmarked, or spotted
with brown and purplish.

I. CHELIDON.

A, ERYTHROGASTRA. Bam Swallow. A very common
summer resident in most inhabited parts of New England. f
a. About 4J inches long from bill to fork of the tail.

* Mr. Ridgway has sug-g-ested that settled portions of the whole of New

this anecdote, quoted from the Natural- England, but steadily diminishing in

ist, is probably referable to the Rough- numbers in the neighborhood of most

•winged Swallow, a bird closely resem- of the larger towns and cities, espe-

bling the Bank Swallow, and common cially in eastern Massachusetts. This

in that section of the country, where change is doubtless due to the fact that

the circumstance quoted is reconcila- the old-fashioned country bams are

ble to the usual habits of this species, being rapidly replaced by structures in

[From the Appendix (p. 443) of the which no apertures are left for the free

original edition.] ingress and egress of these beauti-

t A common summer resident of the ful birds. — W. B.

SWALLOWS. 143

Above, a dark, lustrous steel blue. An imperfect collar, the
same. Under parts and forehead, chestnut red. Belly and
lower breast, paler. Tail forficate. Outer feathers much
longer than the others (from ^-2 inches), and all, except the
middle pair, with a white spot.

h. The nest is placed on the beams or rafters of a barn or
similar building, and usually is finished here by the middle of
May. A set of four or five eggs is then laid, and often another
in June, or even in the early part of July. The eggs average
.75 X .55 of an inch, and are white, sprinkled tolerably thickly
with purplish and brown.

c. The Barn Swallows are to be found almost throughout
New England. They reach the neighborhood of Boston gen-
erally in the last week of April, but sometimes earlier, and
return to the South in the first week of September. They
are usually very common in those places where they are
found, since they are almost invariably more or less colonial.
They are particularly abundant in old country villages, and
about farms, where most of the barns, on account of their
liberal size, afford them, among cobwebbed rafters, plenty of
suitable nesting-places. I shall sketch the habits of these
birds by considering their manner of life, through its various
stages.

The Barn Swallows, when young, are constantly supplied
with food by their parents, until they are able to take short
flights in the barns, from beam to beam. Later, they venture
from these buildings, but are obliged to be at rest much of the
time, and still to be fed by their parents. As they become
more accustomed to the exercise of their wings, they fly more
boldly, procure much or all of their own food, and are by the
first of September strong enough to bear the fatigue of their
long migratory flights to the South. On their return in the
spring, they are capable of remaining on the wing through at
least fifteen hours of the twenty-four. Their manner of flight
is rapid and graceful, and so interesting as well to repay close
attention. They rarely fly far near the ground, nor do they
reach such a height as some other species. They prefer tele-
graph wires to other perches, and on these, long rows of them

144 LAND-BIRDS.

may often be seen ; and, in fact, these wires seem almost to
influence these birds in their choice of a summer home.

It was formerly believed that the Barn Swallows, and others,
passed the winter torpid in mud at the bottom of lakes, and
in caves. Much astounding evidence has been produced to
prove the correctness of this absurd theory, which is, however,
too unnatural to exist long under the rule of modern science.
Wilson is eloquent in his condemnation of this belief, and
considers it too ridiculous to be worthy of serious refutation,
which is, in fact, the case.

d. The young Barn Swallows often utter a series of twit-
ters, which resemble the laugh of a tickled child, and the older
birds also have various twitters, some of which are sprightly
and musical.

e. I shall not describe at length the twitters and guttural
cries of the various Swallows, both because they are more
easily learned than described, and because, when described,
they can hardly aid one in distinguishing the different species.

The Barn Swallows are so well known that I have men-
tioned no details in their habits. Their colonizations, their
constantly uttered notes, and their flights, are familiar to nearly
all, and the latter have long since been made the theme of
many an author.

n. PETROCHELIDON.

A. LUNIFRONS. Cliff Sicallow. Eave Swallow. " Re-
publican.'''' Locally very abundant in New England, but
much less so, probably, than they will be ten years hence.*

a. About five inches long. Tail scarcely forked. Upper
parts, and a spot on the breast, steel blue. RumiJ, sides of
the head, and throat, chestnut red. Breast, paler; belly, white.
Forehead, brownish.

h. The nest is generally somewhat bottle-shaped, is com-
posed chiefly of a delicate mud-plaster, often intermixed with

* Although the Eave Swallow has es- seldom or never seen. Mr. Minot's pro-
sentiallv the same general distribution pheey with regard to its numerical in-
in New England as the Barn Swallow, crease has not been fulfilled, or rather
it is very much more local, and within the reverse has taken place, particular-
many areas of considerable extent it is ly in eastern Massachusetts. — W. B.

SWALLOWS. 145

bits of straw, and is naturally brittle. It is placed under the
outside eaves of barns or outhouses, and never (?) in Massa-
chusetts on cliffs, as is usual in wilder parts of the country, in
accordance with the original habits of these Swallows. Several
of these nests, sometimes as many as a hundred, are generally
placed in a row. The eggs are essentially like those of the
Barnes wallow (11, I, ^), so much so as often to be indistin-
guishable, and are laid about the same time.

c. The Cliff Swallows, who in many ways closely resem-
ble the Barn Swallows, are resident in eastern Massachusetts
from the first week of May until September. They are very
abundant in certain localities in New England ; but, as they
are eminently colonial, they are not to be found scattered
through every township. They have essentially the same
habits as the Barn Swallows, except that they alight much
more frequently, — often upon the ground to pick up mud for
their nests. Their flight is not very noticeably different from
that of their relatives, and their notes also bear much the same
character, being, however, more like those of the White-bellied,
than those of the Barn, Swallow. It is difficult, as well as
almost unnecessary, for me to describe these minor distinctions,
and I shall therefore make no further mention of them.

The most interesting remarks to be made upon the Eave
Swallows are those which relate to their immigration from the
western United States to New England and other parts of the
country. An accurate account of their movements within the
last century could hardly fail to be interesting ; but I doubt if
a sufficient number of notes and dates can now be obtained to
effect this purpose. Indeed, the history of the so-called " Re-
publicans " would probably be far more interesting than an
account of their habits could be (partly because the latter are
well known, and the former is not). " When or where " the
Cliff Swallows " first appeared in Massachusetts," says Dr.
Brewer, "is not known. I first observed a large colony of
them in Attleboro' in 1842. Its size indicated the existence
of these birds in that place for several years. The same year
they also appeared, apparently for the first time, in Boston,
Hingham, and in other places in the neighborhood." The

146 LAND-BIRDS.

Eave Swallows are still increasing throngliout tlie Eastern
States, and are constantly making their apj)earance in places
where they have not been observed before. An excellent place
to study them, particularly for summer tourists, is Mount
Desert, where the birds were, and still are, I suppose, very
abundant (at least at Bar Harbor). Their habits are easily
learned, as they are constantly in the open air, and about the
village streets, where all, who wish to, may see them.

One agreeable trait in the character of the "Republicans"
is their general amiability. In spite of their gregariousness
and crowded dwellings, they never become confused, and rarely
quarrel. Could a map be drawn indicating the position of
their communities, all their colonies might well be named
Philadelphia.

d. See I, A, e.

Note. — Bonaparte, in his continuation of " Wilson's Orni-
thology," says of the Cliff Swallow: " A very singular trait
distinguishes the migrations of this bird. While the European
or white variety of the human race is rapidly spreading over
this continent, from its eastern borders to the remotest plains
beyond the Mississippi, the Cliff Swallow advances from the
extreme western regions, annually invading a new territory
farther to the eastward, and induces us to conclude that a few
more summers will find it sporting in this immediate vicinity,
and familiarly established along the Atlantic shores.

"Within ten or twelve years [date of writing, 1825], they
have become familiar in different localities of Ohio, Kentucky,
etc., whence they are extending very rapidly, and have recently
appeared in the western part of New York. In order to show
the rapid progress of this little stranger, we quote the follow-
ing passage from Mr. Clinton's interesting paper.

" The Fulvous Swallow 'first made its appearance at Win-
chell's tavern, on the highroad, about five miles south of
Whitehall, near Lake Champlain, and erected its nest under
the eaves of an outhouse, where it was covered by the projec-
tion of a roof. This was in 1817, and in this year there was
but one nest ; the second year seven ; the third twenty-eight ;
the fourth forty; and in 1822 there were seventy, and the
number has since continued to increase.'

SWALLOWS. 147

" ' It appeared in 1822 at Whitehall, on the fifth of June, and
departed on the twenty-fifth of July, and these are the usual
times of its arrival and disappearance,' "

Audubon states, but where I do not now remember, that the
Cliff Swallows were found in New England on the first settle-
ment of a certain town in it, many years ago.

m. TACHYCINETA.

A. BICOLOR. White-hreasted Sioallow. White-bellied
Swallow. A common summer resident nearly throughout
New England.*

a. About six inches long. Lustrous steel green above, f
White beneath.

h. The nest is usually built in a martin-box or other like
receptacle, and, in Massachusetts, very rarely in the hole of a
tree, as is not unfrequently the case in many other States.
The eggs of each set are four or five, $ average .75 X.55 of an
inch, and are white, unmarked. Two broods are generally
raised.

c. The White-bellied Swallows usually announce spring to
the people of Boston and its vicinity in the first week of April ;
but after their arrival they are sometimes obliged, when dis-
couraged by the cold, to retreat temporarily southward to a
warmer latitude. As our ancestors long since discovered this
fact in relation to their Swallows, they have lianded down to us
the wise proverb that "one swallow does not make a summer."
The White-bellied Swallows return to their winter homes about
the middle of September,§ when all the other Swallows have

* Twenty years ago this Swallow bred t Many breeding- but perhaps imma-

abundantly over the greater part of tnre females have only a trace of gTeen

New Eng-land, nesting- chiefly in holes on the upper parts. — W. B.

in trees in the more northern portions, | Sets of six eg-g-s each are by no

almost invariably in bird-houses in means uncommon, and I once found a

Massachusetts and to the southward, nest containing- seven eg-g-s, all of which

Its numbers in the north have not di- had been laid apparently hy the same

minished, but throug-hout southern bird. — W. B.

New England the House Sparrow has § They often occur about Boston in

long- since driven it from the cities and early October, frequently up to the

larg-er towns, and it is fast becoming- 10th or 12th and occasionally as late as

an uncommon summer bird, although the 15th. — W. B.
great flights pass and repass through
this region during migration. — W. B.

148 LAND-BIRDS.

gone (and I have seen them here as late as the twenty-third).
The}^ congregate " upon the salt marshes during the latter part
of August and first of Sej)tember, literally by millions ; the air
is so completely filled with them that it is almost impossible to
discharge a gun without killing some " (Maynard). They may
also be seen at that season perched in long lines on fences,
ridge-poles, and wires, or slowly moving through the air at a
considerable height, generally in large flocks, catching insects
as they fly. In spring they travel more often singly, and fly
rather indirectly but with great rapidity, no doubt occasionally
deviating from their course to seize a passing gnat or fly.

In summer they are to be found in nearly all the cultivated
districts of Massachusetts, and in many of the wild as well as
other districts of more northern lands, where, in many places,
they retain their primitiv^e habit of nesting in hollow trees, as,
says Mr. Maynard, they have also nested lately at IjDswich, in
this State. As, however, they are now rather dependent upon
the nesting-places provided by man, they are perhaps as com-
mon in Boston and other cities as in the country, if not more
so. They are less locally distributed than other species, and
on this account are probably better known. They are, I
think, quicker in their motions than the other Swallows, and
also differ from them in not being colonial, except in their
primitive state, though several sometimes occupy apartments
in the same box, and thus show the social spirit of their family.
They often skim over fields, ponds, or rivers, with an exquisite
grace, but at other times mount to a great height — so far as to
be wellnigh lost to sight. They are less peaceable than the
Barn Swallows, and often quarrel in the air at the period of
mating ; but this species is justly regarded, among all our
birds, as one of man's most pleasing companions.

The White-bellied Swallows are fond of wandering, more so
than their relatives, and often may be seen two or three miles
from their homes, now flying across the valleys, now dashing
above the hills, and now gliding over the water, as if actually
on its surface. Embodiments of grace, activity, and power,
they sweep through the air, and show us by their ever varied
flight how many things have been created to give us pleasure
from variety alone, as well as from intrinsic beauty.

SWALLOWS. 149

d. Their notes are rather more eccentric and guttural than
those which I have abeady mentioned, but are equally full of
animation.

IV. CLIVICOLA.

A, RIPARIA. Bank Swalloio. Sand Martin. Locally
common throughout New England.*

a. About five inches long. Upper parts, and a band
across the breast, dull brown. Under parts, white.

h. The nest is constructed of a few loose materials, and is
placed at the bottom of burrows dug out by the birds. These
excavations are from fifteen to twenty-four inches deep, and are
made in sand-banks, usually those on the sea-shore or near
other bodies of water, but sometimes those on the roadsides
or in other situations. The eggs average .68 X.50 of an inch,
and are white ; being almost exactly like those of the White-
bellied Swallow, though smaller. Two sets of four or five are
generaUy laid in the course of the season, of which the first
appears here in the latter part of May.

c. The Bank Swallows are in New England the most
plainly colored of their family, and the only ones who retain
here their former habits of nesting. They migrate at the same
time as the Cliff Swallows, but I have never observed them in
company with those birds. They may be seen in their sum-
mer haunts flying either over the surface of land and water or
at some height in the air, though rarely very far above the
ground. They fly much like the other Swallows, though per-
haps less steadily and with less sailing, but they seldom wan-
der far from the banks in which their nests are placed. They
are found throughout New England, and much further to the
northward, but are confined to localities, both because of their
disposition to colonize, and the necessity of their selecting a
place where the earth is of a character suitable to their pur-
poses.

As it is impossible for them to burrow in all kinds of earth,
their choice of a summer home is undoubtedly influenced very

* A smniner resident, breeding" in colonies, often comprising hundreds of
individuals, wherever suitable sand or earth banks are to be found. — W. B.

150 LAND-BIRDS.

considerably by the nature of tbe soil. Extremely interesting
details may be learned through the study of their excavations,
as these latter vary greatly in size, depth, and the angle at
which they run, in accordance with the variation of the soil.
The Bank Swallows invariably select a bank, the sand of which
will not " cave in," and then burrow to a stratum where the
pebbles, which might fall down upon their eggs or young, are
not found. Their colonies sometimes increase from year to
year with rapidity, and, if not disturbed, in the course of a
few seasons consist of a large number of excavations.

How wonderful is that instinct which enables these Swallows
to find out the best places for their homes, and how wonderful
their skill in making these secure ! When a small party boldly
advance to a country hitherto unknown to them, who can de-
fine that sense which enables them to discover and select the
most fitting bank for their purposes, or even the best part of
it? What, indeed, prompts them to part from their fellows
and to become pioneers in new settlements? Instinct can
never be fully understood by man, nor its workings.

Wilson, speaking of the " Sand Martins," says : " We have*
sometimes several days of cold rain and severe weather after
their arrival in spring, from which they take refuge in their
holes, clustering together for warmth, and have been fre-
quently found at such times in almost a lifeless state with the
cold, which circumstance has contributed to the belief that
they lie torpid all winter in these recesses."

d. The Bank Swallows are usually more silent than the
other species, though one might not gather this impression
from a flock ; and their notes are less musical.

V. PROGNE.

A. SUBIS. Purple Martin. " Blach Martin'' Martin.
" Cape Cod Swallow'' The Martins, though formerly abun-
dant, are now very generally rare in New England, being
confined to a few tracts of country and to localities.*

* Although the Martin breeds extensive tracts of country which ap-

throughout New England, as well as pear to be in every way suited to its

still further to the northward, it is sin- habits, and returning to others, season

gularly local in its distribution, avoiding after season, with unfailing regularity.

SWALLOWS. 151

a. 7-8 inches long. "Lustrous blue black; no purple
anywhere. The $ and young are much duller above, and more
or less white below, streaked with gray." (Coues.)

h. The nest and eggs are essentially like those of the
White-bellied Swallow (HI) in every respect, except that the
eggs are larger than those of that bird, averaging .95 X .70
of an inch.

c. The Purple Martins reach eastern Massachusetts on
the first of May, or earlier, and leave it about the first of Sep-
tember. They are very locally distributed, and in many places
are at present never seen. They are " very abundant upon
Cape Cod," and are perhaps as common in Boston * and other
cities as in the country. They are allied in many ways to the
White-bellied Swallows — particularly so in their habits. The
latter, however, become more common every year; but the
Martins have deserted many places, where they were once well
known, though they are probably multij^lying in their present
homes.

" The Martin," says Wilson, " differs from all the rest of our
Swallows in the particular prey which he selects. W^asps,
bees, large beetles, particularly those called by the boys gold-
smiths^ seem his favorite game. I have taken four of these
large beetles from the stomach of a Purple Martin, each of
which seemed entire and even unbruised."

" The flight of the Purple Martin unites in it all the swift-
ness, ease, rapidity of turning, and gracefulness of motion of
its tribe. Like the Swift of Europe, he sails much with little
action of the wing^s."

d. " His usual note, peuopeuo peuo^ is loud and musical ;
but it is frequently succeeded by others more low and gut-
tural." To the above extract I have nothing of interest to
add.

It nests only in or near cities, towns, and parent, and they are doubtless at least

villag-es, in boxes put up for its accom- partly responsible for the slow but

modation. Its superior size and stren^h steady diminution in the numbers of

enable it to hold at bay the hordes of the Martins which has been generally

House Sparrows which regard its snug- noted in New England during recent

habitations with longing eyes, but these years. — W. B.

insidious little pests have been seen to * None, so far as I am aware, now

destroy the Martin's eggs or young breed iu or very near Boston. — W. B.
during the temporary absence of the

152 LAND-BIRDS.

§ 12. AMPELID^. Waxwings. (See § 10.)

I. AMPELIS.

A. CEDRORUM. Cedar-bird, Cherry-bird. (^Carolina)
Waxwing. " Canada Robing A common resident in New
England, but nomadic and irregular in appearance.*

a. 6-7 inches long. Of a peculiar warm brown (or
creamy chocolate ?). Chin, black. Forehead, and a broad
stripe through the eye, continuously the same. Belly, yellow
(or yellowish). Under tail-coverts, and some fine markings
on the head, white (or whitish). Tail, yellow-tipped. Strange
appendages, resembling bits of red sealing-wax, are found,
often upon the wings, and sometimes upon the tail, of fuU-
plumaged sjiecimens.

b. The nest is rather bulky, and is composed of fine
grasses, weeds, roots, fibres, leaves, strips of bark, etc., some-
times lined with finer grasses or hairs. It is usually placed
in an orchard tree or in a cedar, but sometimes in other situa-
tions — such as the tops of birches or pasture trees, commonly
from eight to twenty feet above the ground. Four or five
eggs are laid in the latter part of «Tune or in July. They
average about .80 X .60 of an inch ; and are of a dirty bluish
white, with black and a few dark purplish spots.

c. The Cedar-birds, to a certain extent, spend the winters
in eastern Massachusetts, but otherwise arrive from the South
in the first or second week of March. In summer they are
found throughout New England, and are in most places com-
mon. Through winter they remain in flocks, — usually in
retired parts of the country, — and feed upon berries until
spring, when they venture into more open districts. At this
time their demeanor is not such as to inspire cheerfulness in
the person observing them, for they visually sit motionless
upon the tops of bare trees, and occasionally give utterance

* A common summer resident, breed- time between the middle of January
ing- throughout New England, but de- and the latter part of February, large
cidedly most numerously in the north- flocks arrive from the south, and remain
ern portions. In southern New Eng- throughout March and well into April,
land, the Cedar-bird winters sparingly There is a second migration in May,
and locally, but in most localities it is composed, perhaps, of our local sum-
seldom seen during- November, Decem- mer birds. — W. B.
ber, and the first half of January. Some

WAXWINGS. 153

to their dreary whispers, until they fly away. They move
through the air rapidly, steadily, and as if under military dis-
cipline, so unbroken are their ranks. They commonly disap-
pear, like several other birds, at uncertain times of the year,
and undoubtedly go to some place where their favorite food is
abundant while they are absent from one's own neighborhood.
In May they usually become common, and appear in smaller
companies in almost all parts of the open country. These
flocks finally become divided into pairs, who build their nests
when nearly all our other birds have hatched the eo-a-s of
their first or even second broods. The Cherry-birds, in sum-
mer, sometimes imitate the habits of the Flycatchers (to whom
they are, perhaps, more closely allied than is now admitted),
and I have seen them perform graceful evolutions in the air,
in the manner of the King-birds. As their name indicates, they
sometimes eat cherries, but much less often than is commonly
supposed by certain farmers, who are but too ready to dis-
charge their guns at these birds, in spite of their usefulness
in destroying caterpillars.

Nuttall, in speaking of the Cedar-birds, says: "An eye-
witness assures me he has seen one among a row of these birds
seated upon a branch dart after an insect, and offer it to his
associate when caught, who very disinterestedly passed it to the
next, and each delicately declining the offer, the morsel has
proceeded backwards and forwards before it was appropri-
ated."

d. The " wheezy " lisp of the Cedar-birds seems to be the
only sound which they emit, throughout the year, and they
often utter it when on the wing. Dr. Brewer says of a young
cage-bird that " besides its low lisping call, this bird had a
regular faint attempt at a song of several low notes, uttered
in so low a tone that it would be almost inaudible at even
a short distance."

The Cherry-birds are certainly handsome, particularly if
their crest be raised, though they possess but little bright
coloring ; and there are probably few birds who find a readier
sale at the country taxidermist's than these. In regard to
their habits, they are perhaps uninteresting ; but their manner
of flight, when in parties, is nearly unsurpassed.

154 LAND-BIRDS.

I may here remark that the Cedar-birds often show a fond-
ness for some one tree, to which they persistently return, even
if disturbed several times. One Sunday I remarked six in a
bare maple, and, again passing the place on the following
Sunday, I was surprised to observe them perched in the same
tree, as if they had not moved for a week.

B. GARRULUS. Bohemian Waxwing. Northern Wax-
wing. A northern bird, of which, so far as I know, no speci-
men has ever been obtained in this State.*

a. 7-8 inches long. Like the Cedar-bird (^), except
as follows. Brown, partly orange-tinted. With white on the
wings, but little on the head ; and with no yellow on the
belly. Under tail-coverts^ chestnut reel.

h. These birds never breed in the United States, or at least
the southern portions. The eggs are described by Dr. Brewer
as measuring about 1.00 X .70, or less. They are of a color
varying " from a light slate to a yellowish stone-color," and
are much spotted, chiefly with some dark purplish shade.
They are considered very rare.

c. The Waxwings are of very rare occurrence in the eastern
United States, being habitual residents of the North and
West, but they have occasionally wandered so far to the south-
ward as Massachusetts and even Connecticut. I have never
seen them ; but I suppose their habits to be in every way like
those of the Cedar-birds. They are said to be shy and watch-
ful, but very affectionate.

§ 13. The VIREONID^, or Vireos (sometimes called
*' Greenlets "), possess the following features in common with
the Lajiiidce, or Shrikes (§ 14), at least with our subfamily,

Laniinoe.

* A very rare and irreg-ular -winter Viekary, at Lynn, Massachusetts, Feb-

visitor from the north. The most m- niary 18, 1877. The species has been

teresting instances of its occurrence are once taken in Connecticut by Dr. Wood,

tl o 56 given by Mr. Allen, of eleven and it has been also reported on Lon^

specimens, shot by Mr. S. J^llson, at Island. I can find no records of its oe-

Bolton, Massachusetts, in January, 1864, currence anywhere in New England,

and of a single female taken b} Mr. N. within the past fifteen years. — W. B.

VIREOS. 155

Bill rather short and stout, distinctly notched and hooked,
also well furnished with bristles; tarsus scutellate ; primaries
ten, but with the first in the Vireonidce often spurious, or
seemingly absent. (Fig. 6.)

The Laniidce differ distinctly in being more than seven
inches long, in having the " sides of the tarsi scutellate be-
hind," and in having long, rounded tails. The bill, moreover,
is large and stout (not so broad as high, and scarcely twice as
long), while the feet are comparatively weak. The Shrikes
might well be called " raptorial Passer es^^'' being notorious for
their boldness and mode of slaughter among other birds, etc.
They are unsocial and immusical, though perhaps mimics.
Like the Vireos, normally they are never seen on the ground ;
but they possess a much stronger flight than their small rel-
atives. They build rather bulky nests in the woods, and lay
eggs, rather coarsely marked, and never (?) with a pure white
ground. The Butcher-bird is a type (fig. 7).

The Vireos, on the other hand, are small, insectivorous birds,
allied in habits to many of the Warblers. They frequent, for
the most part, woodland, and are rarely if ever seen upon the
ground. They usually flutter among the branches in search
of their prey, though they occasionally snap it up in passing
from tree to tree. They are not gregarious, though extremely
affectionate toward one another, and peaceable in their rela-
tions to other birds. They are very musical, and warble
cheerfully, energetically, arid often very sweetly. They build
small, cup-shaped, pensile nests, which are rarely softly lined.
The eggs are four or five, and pure white, with a few small
spots near the larger end, of some shade of brown.

Our species have been divided into several subgenera, but I
have here followed Dr. Coues in uniting them under one genus.

I. VIRBO.

A. SOLITARIUS. Solitary Vireo. Blue-headed Vireo,
Rather rare, in Massachusetts, especially as a summer resi-
dent.*

* In soutliem New England the Sol- migrations, but it also nests occasionally
itary Vireo is oftenest seen during the in Connecticut, regularly but more or

156 LAND-BIRDS.

a. About 5 1 inches long. Olive green above, and white
beneath. Head, bluish ash ; eye-ring, and line to bill, white.
Sides olive-shaded. Wing- and tail-feathers white-edged, and
wings white-barred.

h. The nest of the Solitary Yireo is open and pensile, like
those of the other Vireos. It is placed, never far from the
ground, in the fork of a horizontal branch, always in the woods,
and sometimes in swampy ones. It is usually larger, and
more loosely constructed of somewhat finer materials, than
that of the "Red-eye" ((7). One, now lying before me, is
composed chiefly of thin strips of pliable bark, is lined with
fine grasses and a very few roots, and is somewhat ornamented
outwardly with plant-down, lichens, and bits of dead leaves.
Audubon speaks of others as being lined with hairs, which I
have never known to be the case. In Massachusetts, three or
four eggs are laid in the first week in June. * They average
.77 X .58 of an inch, and are pure white, with a very few
minute and generally reddish brown spots, principally at the
larger end.

c. The Solitary Vireos are less well known than our other
Vireos, since they are more given to solitude, and never fre-
quent the immediate neighborhood of man. In this respect
they resemble the White-ej^ed Vireo ; but they are much less
common here, for in the breeding season the southern limit of
their range is about the northern limit of the latter's. They
are common summer residents throughout northern New Eng-
land, inhabiting there the woodland strictly, but as such are
very rare in Massachusetts. Indeed, some ornithologists have
expressed doubt as to their actually breeding here, but I have
found their nest near Boston, f and have seen, with the bird

less sparingly and locally in eastern same season. Thus I have found full

Massachusetts, plentifully in some of sets of eg-gs before the close of May,

the higher portions of Worcester Coun- and on other occasions have watched

ty, sparingly again in Berkshire Coim- birds which did not begin building

ty. In northern New England its breed- until the middle of June. — W. B.
ing distribution is rather more general t The Solitary Vireo now nests reg-

and uniform, but it is nowhere very ularly and quite commonly at certain

numerous. — W. B. localities in Milton and Canton only a

* The date of nesting of this species few miles distant from Mr. Minot's

varies greatly in different seasons and former home. — W. B.
perhaps with different pau'S during the

VIREOS. 157

on it, a nest in the Nashua Valley (below Lancaster) which
a companion found. I have heard of other instances, which
establish the fact beyond doubt.

The Solitary Vireos are in Massachusetts to be found as
migrants in the last week of April and again in September,
but are not at either time abundant. They inhabit throughout
the year both the dry and swampy woods of oaks, maples, and
nut-trees, avoiding the evergreens,* and among the branches
search for their insect food. Though fond of retirement, they
are not shy or timid, especially when moved by parental affec-
tion. I have known the female to stay on her nest until I
could almost lay my hand upon her, and then to remain imme-
diately about my person, often approaching within a foot of
me, and constantly uttering her plaintive cries. These notes
generally bring the males to the scene, who are, however, as
is the case with many birds, less willing to expose themselves.

d. The music of the Solitary Vireos is delicious, and is
particularly agreeable in an otherwise still and cool forest, be-
ing peculiarly harmonious with those two charms of Nature,
woodland stillness and woodland coolness. Their song, like
that of the Red-eyed Vireos, is a continuous warble, but is
more musical, mellow, and tender, and is uttered in another
tone. It is particularly sweet at the mating season, in the
early part of May. These birds, who are unfortunately almost
silent during their migrations, have a few low whistles also,
and a querulous note (like the syllable anli)^ much like that
of the " Eed-eye," but yet distinct.

B. FLAVIFRONS. Yellow-thvoated Vireo. Not a common
summer resident in Massachusetts, except locally .f

a. Nearly six inches long. Olive green above, becoming
bluish ash on the rump. Throat and breast, bright yellow ;

* This is directly contrary to my ex- greater part of southern New England,

perience, for I have found that the bird exclusive of certain elevated portions

is rather partial to groves of white of Worcester and Berkshire counties,

pines and hemlocks, and several of the Massachusetts. It is not known to

nests that I have taken were built in occur regularly or in any numbers

one or the other of these trees. — W. B, much to the northward of Massachu-

t A common summer resident of the setts. — W. B.

158 LAND-BIRDS.

belly, white. Eye-ring, etc., yellow. Wings and tail, gener-
ally dark ; former with two white bars.

h. The nest of this species is pensile, but rather larger
and deeper than those of the other Vireos, being between 3
and 3^- inches wide, and nearly as deep. It is placed in the
fork of a horizontal branch, from three to fifteen feet above
the ground, as often in the orchard as in the woods, though I
have found it in pines. It is composed of narrow strips of
thin bark, such as that of the cedar or large vines, is lined
with pine needles or grasses, and is usually ornamented on
the outside with caterpillar's silk and large pieces of lichen.
The four eggs, which are generally laid here in the first week
of June, average .80 X .60 of an inch, and are white, with
black and either purplish or brownish spots, which are some-
times, but not usually, quite numerous (about the crown).

c. The Yellow-throated Vireos reach eastern Massachu-
setts in the second week of May, and leave it in September.
They are locally distributed through our State, and are rare
in certain neighborhoods. They are (perhaps) our handsom-
est Vireos, and certainly possess great charms as singers.
Tliey excel all their relations in architectural taste and skill,
and construct a beautiful nest, ornamented outwardly with
lichens, jdant-down, and caterpillar's silk, but plainly or even
roughly finished inside — thus differing from that of the Hum-
mingbird, which it otherwise resembles very much, except in
being pensile. It is altogether one of the prettiest nests to
be found among our specimens of bird-architecture. It is ex-
tremely interesting to watch it in the progress of its construc-
tion. The birds are occupied about a week in that process,
beginning by firmly twining dry grasses around the twigs
from which it is to be suspended, and always working down-
wards until the frame is completed. It is almost impossible,
even on watching them closely, to tell exactly how they weave
the grasses together, or how they attach many of their orna-
mentations. Wonderful is that innate skill which enables
them, with their simply constructed bill alone, to fashion a
home for themselves, of which man with his complicatedly
organized fingers, and the aid of all his inventions, cannot

VIREOS. 159

(probably) make the like ! It seems probable that instinct
rather than any acquired skill insures perfection (and yet it
is perhaps true that many birds have improved in architec-
ture from generation to generations^). On the last day, the
female is chiefly occupied in smoothing and shaping the nest
by turning round and round inside, and then on the following
day, or the next, begins to lay her eggs.

The Yellow-throated Vireos frequent the woods which are
lightly timbered with oaks, chestnuts, and maples, or even
pines, and also orchards. Among the branches of the trees
in these places they are almost continually moving in search
of caterpillars and other insect food.

d. Their song lacks the expression of the Solitary, the volu-
bility of the Red-eyed, the quaintness of the White-eyed, and
the tenderness of the Warbling Vireo's song, and yet, with
all these wants, is very charming. It is difficult to describe
it exactly, but it consists of two or three warbled notes on an
ascending scale, and then, after a pause, others with a falling
accent, all being repeated disjointedly in a characteristic voice.
Their ordinary querulous note is distinct from that of the
" Red-eye," being somewhat harsher, and is often rapidly re-
peated.

I may finally say of these birds whose biography I have
just written that they are useful to the farmer and agricul-
turist, and deserve on all accounts to be protected.

C OLIVACEUS. Red-eyed Vireo. A common summer
resident throughout New England.*

a. About six inches long. Olive green above (often of
quite an indescribable shade), becoming ashy on the crown,
which is bordered by a narrow black line. Superciliary line,
white ; eye-stripe, dusky. Under parts, white ; sides olive-
shaded. Wings and tail, generally dusky. Iris, red.

b. The nest is hung from a fork, usually near the end of

"^ It is to be considered that such im- distribution and exceeding- abundance,

provement as is here referred to arises found throug'hout New Eng-land wher-

from adaptation to circumstances rather ever there are woods, groves, orchards,

than from efforts to realize an ideal. or even only scattered shade trees. —

* A summer resident of ubiquitous W. B.

160 LAND-BIRDS.

a limb, between four and twenty feet above the ground, in the
woods, in a shade tree, in an orchard tree, or occasionally in a
pine. It is small, and cup-shaped; but, though very service-
able, is rarely very neatly made. It is constructed of strips
of thin bark, occasionally of that of the white birch, is lined
almost invariably with pine needles, where pines exist, and is
sometimes ornamented, if I may say so, with chips, bits of
newspaper or wasps' nests, and caterpillar's silk. It is fin-
ished here about the first of June ; and in the first week of
that month four or five * eggs are laid. These eggs average
.83 X.62 of an inch, and are white, with a few brownish
black spots at the larger end. A second set is sometimes
laid in July.

c. When I announce that I am going to write about the
habits of one of our most familiar birds, and the most voluble
songster that we possess, who all through the day, when nearly
every other bird is quiet, prolongs his cheerful warble in almost
every grove, — sometimes even among the trees of our cities,
though such haunts he usually avoids, — many will know that
I refer to the Red-eyed Vireo. These Vireos may be found
throughout New England in the latter part, if not nearly the
whole, of May, in the summer months, and in September.
They inhabit many kinds of woods, also groves, and clumps or
rows of trees about houses, particularly those near wooded land.

They show more familiarity to man than the other species,
except the Warbling Vireos, and are almost everywhere com-
mon and well known. They rarely pursue insects in the air
in the manner of the Flycatchers, but seize them as they them-
selves flutter among the branches of the trees, in which they
usually remain at no very great height from the ground. I
have noticed that the males, while the females are upon their
nests, generally select a spot at some distance from them, which
they make their haunt and concert-grove. They have never
struck me as very active insect-hunters, since they devote so
much of their time to music. They evidently, however, never
suffer from hunger, and they are certainly diligent in the
care of their young. They are very affectionate toward one

* I have never known the number to exceed four. — W. B.

VIREOS. 161

another, and are fond of returning to the same spot year
after year. It is pleasant to observe this attachment to their
summer homes, and to know where to welcome them as old
friends, when they return in the spring.

d. Their song consists of a few notes, which are warbled
again and again with little intermission or variety (and which
are sometimes interrupted now and then by a low whistle).
This music would be monotonous, were it not for its wonderful
cheerfulness, energy, and animation, in these qualities resem-
bling the Robin's song. The " Red-eyes " have also a chij), a
chatter like a miniature of the Oriole's scold (and to be heard
in the season of courtship), and a peculiarly characteristic
querulous note, which, like others, cannot be described accu-
rately, whence the advantage of studying birds through nature,
and not through books.

The Red-eyed Yireos are deservedly popular on account of
their cheerful disposition, and enlivening song, which is kept
up (less steadily, however, in the latter part of the season)
from the time of their arrival until they leave us for the South,
when the autumnal frosts become too severe, and the weather
too cold, to admit of a sufficiency of the insect food upon
which they depend.

D. GILVUS. Warbling Vireo. A common summer resi-
dent in Massachusetts, but very much less abundant than the
" Red-eye."*

a. About five inches long. Above, a dull olive green,
which approaches mouse-color. Crown, ashy tinged. Rump,
brighter ; wings, darker and browner ; and sides of the head,
paler. Superciliary line, dull white. Under parts, white —
distinctly shaded on the sides (but feebly on the breast) with
the color of the back, or light olive green.

h. The nest is usually placed at a considerable height
above the ground (from twenty to sixty feet), and rarely else-

* A common summer bird of south- of northern New England, especially

em New England, but, as a rule, found about the outskirts of the White Moun-

only in or near towns or villages or in tains, but it seldom, if ever, enters the

belts of large trees along the banks of primitive forests of that region. — W.

streams. It also breeds in many parts B.

162

LAND-BIRDS.

where than in an elm, poplar, or buttonwood tree. It is
always pensile, but Audubon speaks of one fastened to the
trunk of a tree, in which situation I have never found it, so
far as I remember. The eggs of the Warbling Vireo are white,
with a few " reddish black " or brown spots at the larger end,
and average about .77x .58 of an inch. A set of four or five
is laid near Boston in the first week of June.

c. The Warbling Vireos reach eastern Massachusetts in
the second week of May, and leave it in the same week of
September. They are common in many parts of our State,
and I have seen them in northern New Hampshire ; but in

some localities they
are very rare.
Though they do
not, I think, show
quite so much fa-
miliarity towards
man (at least here),
as some authors
have represented,
yet they are cer-
tainly to be found,
to some extent, in cities, towns, villages, and thickly populated
neighborhoods — for instance, among the elms of Boston Com-
mon. Though occasionally seen in the haunts of the Yellow-
throated Vireos (^), they seem to be particularly fond of rows
of, or solitary, elms, poplars, and basswood trees — particu-
larly those beside roads or near houses. They usually remain
among the higher branches as they search for insects ; and, on
account of their size and quiet colors, they might easily be
overlooked, were it not for their music.

d. Their ordinary notes are like those of the Red-eyed
Vireos, but less loud and querulous. Their song is exquisitely
sweet, and, though quite distinct, recalls vividly that of the
Purple Finch (§ 15, III). Dr. Coues, in speaking of the War-
bling Vireo, says that " its voice is not strong, and many birds
excel it in brilliancy of execution ; but not one of them all
can rival the tenderness and softness of the liquid strains of

Fig. 6. Warbling Vii-eo. (i)

VIREOS. 163

this modest vocalist. Not born ' to waste its sweetness on the
desert air,' the Warbling Vireo forsakes the depths of the wood-
land for the park and orchard and shady street, where it glides
through the foliage of the tallest trees, the unseen messenger
of rest and peace to the busy, dusty haunts of men."

E. PHiLADELPHicus. QBrothevly-love Vireo.') Phila-
delphia Vireo.*

a. This Vireo, if a distinct species, differs from Vireo gil-
vus (Z>) in a doubtful technicality only. Dr. Cones pronounces
it " almost indistinguishable from gilvus, except by absence of
spurious quill," and says that the colors of the latter species
are " precisely " the same.f Is it not doubtful if one feather
among hundreds (though, perhaps, an important one) can
characterize a bird as more than a variety ?

b. d. I suppose that the nest, eggs, and song of this
bird are essentially the same as those of the Warbling Vireo. J

c. The Philadelphia Vireo is probably a migrant through
Massachusetts, having been obtained at Philadelphia, also in
Maine, and at Moose Factory (to the southward of Hudson
Bay and James Bay). I have never seen it here, so far as
I know, nor have I seen any specimens shot here. I have
no observations to make upon its habits, which I suppose to
correspond closely to those of its immediate relations. Mr.
Brewster, in the " Bulletin of the Nuttall Ornithological

* The Philadelphia Vireo has been of the Red-eye. A nest found by Mr.

taken in southern New England only Ernest E. Thompson near Duck Moun-

during the migrations, where it is ap- tain, Manitoba, June 9, 1884, " was

parently one of the very rarest of our hung' from a forked twig- about eight

migratory birds. It has been found in feet from the ground, in a willow which

the breeding season at Franconia and was the reverse of dense, as it g-rew in

Dixville Notch in New Hampshire ; the shade of a poplar grove. The nest

and in the region about Lake Umbagog, was pensile, as usual with the g-enus,

in western Maine, it is not uncommon formed of fine grass and birch bark,

during the entire summer. — W. B. The egg's were four in number, and

t The two species are perfectly dis- presented no obvious difference from

tinct, and their coloring is not " precise- those of the Red-eyed Vireo, but unf or-

ly " the same, philadeiphicus having tunately they were destroyed by an ac-

very much more yellowish on the un- cident before they were measured."

der parts, especially in spring. — W. B. {Auk, II, July, 1885, p. 306.) This nest

X The song is wholly unlike the War- was positively identified by the cap-

bling Vireo's, but closely similar to that ture of the female parent. — W. B.

164 LAND-BIRDS.

Club," says ; " On Sept. 7th, 1875, I shot a female of this
beautiful little species in Cambridge, Mass. It was feeding in
company with several individuals of Vi7'eo olivaceus, in a low
willow tree." *

In a more recent number, Mr. Ruthven Deane says that
several specimens have been obtained in Maine, both in June
and September, and that the Philadelphia Vireos may be con-
sidered summer residents about Lake Umbagog.

i^. NOVEBORACENSis. White-eyed Vireo. " Politician''
In southern New England a rather common summer resi-
dent, though very locally distributed.!

a. About five inches long. Above, bright olive green ;
below% white. Sides of the body, eye-ring, wing-bars, etc.,
(bright) yellow. Iris, white.

h. The nest is almost invariably placed in a low tree, bush,
or vine, two or three feet from the ground, generally, but not
always, in the woods, whether dry or wet. It is pensile, and
essentially like that of the " Red-eye," though prettier and
often characterized by being largely composed of newspaper,
or paper from wasps' and hornets' nests. The eggs, more-
over, are strongly like those of the Red-eyed Vireo, but are
generally a little smaller, and longer in shape. They are laid,
near Boston, about the first of June.

c. The White-eyed Vireos differ from their relatives in
several respects. They are summer residents in eastern Mas-
sachusetts, but are so locally distributed as to be extremely
rare or wanting in some places, though common in others.
To the westward of the Connecticut River, in New England,
they are so uncommon that the few specimens obtained may
almost be considered stragglers. They reach the neighbor-
hood of Boston, at least those who breed here, in the second

* Two specimens have since been dant in southern Connecticut, locally

taken in eastern Massachusetts, one at common in eastern Massachusetts on or

Magnolia. September 18, 1879, the other near tide- water, but rare or absent

at Brookline late in September, 1881. throughout the interior and western

— W. B. portions of that State. Not known to

t A summer resident of certain por- occur regularly anywhere north of Mas-

tions of southern New England, abun- sachusetts. — W. B.

VIREOS. 165

week of May ; but as to their general distribution and migra-
tions I have not clearly made up my mind. Massachusetts
has been generally considered their northern limit, but I feel
quite confident of having seen them, in past years, apparently
migrating through this State, in April and October. I have
once or twice seen the Solitary Yireos in the latter month,
when they were obliged to feed upon berries, as the " Red-
eyes " do in September, and I find in my note-book that I ob-
served a " While-eye " (or a species, hitherto undescribed,
much resembling it) on the 18th of October, traveling with
many other birds in a " wave."

These "bird-waves " are extremely interesting, and, to show
their nature, I shall quote from my Journal : —

" Nov. 15th, 1873. This morning, while wandering about
the place under the delusion that the passage-birds (or most
of them) had fairly gone, an immense flock of birds suddenly
appeared, evidently traveling from the north southward,
and were soon scattered over the place. Among them were
many Snow-birds, White-throated, Fox-colored, Tree, and
Song Sparrows, Ruby-crowned ' Wrens,' Golden-crowned
' Wrens,' Nuthatches, Brown Creepers, and Chickadees.
Never have I seen an assemblage of birds exhibiting such a
variety of species. At noon most of them had disappeared."

The White-eyed Vireos frequent lightly timbered woods,
particularly those which are in low land and contain a second
growth about the taller trees, and also swamps, thickets, and
the "scrub." They have a habit of moving their tails, much
like the Shrikes. They keep nearer to the ground than our
other Vireos, and are so shy that, if they were silent, they
would rarely be seen as they busy themselves in the common
pursuit of their family, that of insects.

d. When, however, their nest is approached, they display
themselves, and are usually very vehement in their expres-
sions of anger (unlike their relations, particularly the Solitary
Vireos), and utter a harsh scold or chatter, and sometimes a
peculiar mewing, or other querulous cry. Their song is very
peculiar or even eccentric, and is very loud for such small birds.
It is full of character, energy, and vehemence, though some of

166 LAND-BlRDa

the lower whistles are sweet and quite different in tone. It
partakes of the owners' nature, much as the human voice does,
and indicates the almost fiery temperament of these little
Vireos, which is so markedly in contrast with the cheerfulness,
gentleness, and calmness of other members of their family.
Their music is constantly varied, and in it one may occasion-
ally hear the apparently mimicked notes of other birds.

§ 14. LANIID^. Shrikes, (See § 13.)

I. LANIUS.

A. BOREALis. (^Gr eat Northern) Shrike. '•'' Butcher-hirdy
A winter visitant to Massachusetts, but never very common.*

a. 9-10 inches long. Above, light bluish ash, very light
on the rump. Below, white, very finely waved with black
(often almost imperceptibly). Edging of crown, eye-ring
and middle of the forehead, white. Rest of forehead, contin-
uously with broad stripes through the eye, black. Wings and
tail, black, with white markings.

Fig. 7.

h. The nest is placed in the woods, in the fork of a bush,
not far from the ground. It is composed of leaves, grasses,
and roots, is often lined with feathers, and is finished early in
the season. One set of eggs contains from four to six, aver-
aging 1.10 X .80 of an inch. A specimen before me is blotched
and spotted, most thickly about the crown, with faint lilac, and
light sandy and yellowish brown ; others are darker.

* A winter resident, common for a bird of its solitary habits and predatory
disposition, but seldom seen in any considerable numbers. — W. B.

SHRIKES. 167

c. The Shrikes have the cruelty of the Hawks, but not the
stateliness of some, nor the gracefulness of others. Neither
have they the charms of many passerine birds, for they are
wild, and, moreover, incapable of uttering musical sounds.*
Yet there is attached to them that interest which is naturally
attached to birds who differ so distinctly from others, and
about whom much is yet to be learned.

The Great Northern Shrikes, or the well-known " Butcher-
birds," are virtually the sole representatives of their family in
New England. They breed in the forests of northern Maine,f
but in other parts occur principally as winter visitants, re-
maining near Boston from the first of October until April " or
even May." They vary greatly in abundance from year to
year, following, to a great extent, the migrations of our very
irregular visitors, the " Red-polls " and Pine Finches.

While with us, they are usually to be seen singly or in pairs,
about farms, orchards, fields, and meadows, though so ex-
tremely bold as to take up their abode in the Public Garden
and on the Common of Boston, where they prey upon the
English Sparrows, and have several times been shot. When
on the watch for their prey, they take a percb not far from the
ground, and may be observed to flirt their tails much like the
Pewees, now and then taking low and rapid flights from bush
to bush, or from tree to tree, particularly if pursued. On de-
tecting what they wish to seize, they pounce upon it, if upon
the ground, or pursue it through the air, if it be a bird, with
force, great rapidity, and an almost infallible certainty of aim.
As their bills are particularly powerful, the muscles about
their head highly developed, and their feet naturally weak,
they use the latter solely for perching. They use their bills,
on the other hand, to seize the birds which they pursue, gen-
erally by the neck, thus suffocating them, and afterwards
to tear their flesh.

* Herein Mr. Minot did the Butcher- the Great Northern Shrike is known to
bird injustice, for it has a really pleas- have ever been taken in any part of
ing- song-, not unlike that of the Brown New England, and there are now ex-
Thrasher, but more disconnected and cellent reasons for believing- that all
less loud and varied. — W. B. the New England Shrikes' nests which

t Although this assertion has been have ever been reported were really

frequently made, especially by the ear- those of L. excubitorides. — W. B.
lier writers, no fuilv identified nest of

168 LAND-BIRDS.

Their food consists of grasshoppers, mice, and principally
our smaller winter birds of the Finch-tribe who associate in
flocks, — the Snow-birds, Snow Buntings, Tree Sparrows,
" Red-polls," and Pine Finches. I have seen one dart after
a flock of Goldfinches, who escaped by flying upwards. The
Shrike followed with effort and a rather laborious flight, until,
despairing of success, he turned and dropped wdth the speed
of an arrow, arresting himself instantaneously on approaching
the earth. He afterwards dashed into a company of Tree Spar-
rows, who showed much less address in escaping his clutches.
They separated and fled to the bushes : he followed one through
a thicket and seized him on the other side. The Shrikes have
several times been known, in their boldness, to enter cages, and
to kill the inmates, though sometimes fortunately trapped them-
selves afterwards.

The " Butcher-birds " are best known by their notorious
practice of impaling their food upon thorns or the like, thus
securing, according to a European superstition, nine victims
every day, whence they are in some places called " nine-kill-
ers." There are three theories often advanced to explain this
extraordinary and characteristic cruelty, as follows : That the
Shrikes are fond of tainted meat ; that they are naturally provi-
dent for the future ; and that they employ their food, to a cer-
tain extent, as bait. The former of these theories may be
refuted by the evidence, which has, I believe, been generally
given, even from observations upon specimens in confinement,
that the " Butcher-birds " never feed upon these stores. The
last theory is absurd, as Wilson has already demonstrated,
since they can at any time, by swiftness and dexterity of flight,
seize a small bird who ventures near them, and need never
resort to guile or deceit, and since, if grasshoppers be the crea-
tures impaled, our winter birds, upon whom the Shrikes prey,
are all granivorous or seed-eating, never touching insects (ex-
cept, perhaps, in summer), and since in many cases the victims
impaled are birds, who certainly would not serve satisfactorily
as bait to attract their friends. I regret very much that I have
not had opportunities enough for studying thoroughly the habits
of the " Butcher-birds " to decide this question, but, in want of

SHRIKES. 169

evidence, I am inclined to suppose that they keep up this mur-
derous practice solely from instincts of cruelty, * and perhaps
other instincts, allied to the thieving and hiding propensities
of the Magpies and their relations, though, indeed, their acts
are murder in the first degree and without secrecy. In brief,
is it not probable that they exercise this barbarity and ferocity
simply in sport, and for their amusement ? I cannot, at pres-
ent, offer to the public any more satisfactory explanation.

d. Audubon and Nuttall both state that the Great North-
ern Shrikes imitate the notes of other birds to attract their
attention and to allure them into danger, but I have known no
modern ornithologists to confirm these statements, which at
present need corroboration. Whilst here in winter, the Shrikes
are usually silent, and I have but once heard them uttering
any sounds. About the middle of March I observed a pair
in a field overrun with mice, and heard their extraordinary
note, brief and often repeated, which resembled the buzz of a
small insect (with somewhat of a squeal intermixed?). I at
first, in my haste and ignorance, attributed this sound to the
field mice, but afterwards supposed that it was probably a
cry confined exclusively to the mating season of the birds, to
whom it certainly belonged.

I shall close this biography by inserting a very entertaining
passage from an old English book on Falconry, which I find
quoted in Mr. Wood's interesting book, "Homes without
Hands."

"Sometimes upon certain birds she doth use to prey,whome
she doth entrappe and deceive by flight, for this is her desire.
She will stand at pearch upon some tree or poste, and there
make an exceeding lamentable crye and exclamation, such as
birds are wonte to do, being wronged or in hazard of mischiefe,
and all to make other fowles believe and thinke that she is very
much distressed and stands in need of ayde ; whereupon the
credulous sellie birds do flocke together presently at her call

* There is no more real cruelty in- victims before suspending- them, and

volved in this habit than in the prac- frequently, although certainly not inva-

tice, on our own part, of hanging- up riably, he returns to and devours them,

poultry, game, etc. ; for the Shrike, — W. B.
like the poulterer, invariably kills his

170 LAND-BIRDS.

and voice, at what time if any happen to approach neare her
she out of hand ceazeth on them, and devoureth them (un-
grateful subtill fowle ! ) in requital for their simplicity and
pains.

" Heere I end of this hawke, because I neither accompte her
worthy the name of a hawke, in whom there resteth no valor
or hardiness, nor yet deserving to have any more written upon
her propertie and nature. For truly it is not the property of
any other hawke, by such devise and cowardly will to come by
their prey, but they love to winne it by main force of wings at
random, as the round winged hawkes doe, or by free stooping,
as the hawkes of the Tower doe most commonly use, as the
falcon, gerfalcon, sacre, merlyn, and such like."

B, LUDOViciANUS EXCUBiTORiDES.* WTiite-rumped
Shrike. But rarely obtained so far to the northward as Mas-
sachusetts.!

a. 8-9 inches long. Like the Butcher-bird (^), but more
slaty above, and generally with no white on the head (except
on the throat), the eye-stripes meeting on the forehead.

b. The nest is said to be much less elaborate than that of
the " Butcher-bird," though the eggs are very similar to those

* In the original edition this stood same shape and proportions as in typi-
as " Collurio ludovicianus, Loggerhead cal excubitorides. This last considera-
Shiike." Since Mr. Miuot wrote, how- tion, taken in connection with the fact
ever, there has been much discussion that these Shrikes are believed to have
as to whether our New England birds come to New England from the west-
should be called Loggerhead or White- luard within the last twenty-five years,
rumped Shrikes, or both. As a mat- makes it seem practically necessary to
ter of fact they are neither, but, like call them excubitorides. In any case
the birds which occur in New York, they must all bear the same name, for
Ohio. Indiana, Illinois, and the upper the presence or absence of a whitish
Mississippi Valley generally, they are rump is a purely individual character-
variously intermediate in coloring be- istic. — W. B.

tween typlcaWwc/oyicmnJis and excubi- t This Shrike is now known to breed
torides. The rump is seldom conspicu- regularly and in some numbers at vari-
ously white, and often no lighter than ous localities in the more open parts of
the back, but the general coloring, as Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont,
a rule, is more nearly like that of the but in southern New England it is found
western than the southern form, while only in autumn, winter, and spring, and
the bill is invariably much too slender is never at all common,
for ludovicianus and essentially of the

FINCHES. 171

of that bird. Dr. Brewer says : " The spots are usually larger
and more scattered than in the eggs of L. horealis,''''

c. The Loggerhead Shrike is chiefly an inhabitant of the
Southern States, and I have heard of but few instances of its
capture in New England or in the State of Massachusetts. It
is, however, says Mr. Allen, in his " Notes on the Karer Birds
of Massachusetts," a summer resident at Hamilton, in Canada
West, on the northern shore of Lake Ontario (Mcllwraith),
and has been known to breed at Buffalo, New York. Wilson
says that '* this species inhabits the rice plantations of Carolina
and Georgia, where it is protected for its usefulness in destroy-
ing mice. It sits, for hours together, on the fence, beside the
stacks of rice, watching like a cat ; and as soon as it perceives
a mouse, darts on it like a Hawk. It also feeds on crickets
and grasshoppers." *

d. He adds that " its note, in March, resembled the clear
creaking of a sign board in windy weather."

§ 15. The FRINGILLID^, or Finches^ form our largest
family (the Warblers being second in size), and include the
Sparrows, Buntings, Linnets, Grosbeaks, and Crossbills. They
are chiefly granivorous (or at least vegetarians), and conse-
quently are less migratory than insectivorous birds. They are
very sociable among themselves, and in some cases gregarious.
They are clad both plainly and brilliantly, sometimes with
crests; and are in nearly all cases musical, sometimes very
highly so. Some of them are eminently field-birds, and on this
account are easily observed in the country. As architects they
are not to be ranked high, though their nests are often very
neatly built. Their eggs exhibit great variety in colors and
markings, and two (or even three) sets of four or five are laid
by several species in one season, even so far to the northward
as Massachusetts.

* The chang-e of names explained in the matter quoted from "Wilson is also
a preceding footnote would naturally no longer appropriate. As it is out of
require the substitution in the opening the question to rewrite the whole par-
lines of this paragraph of Wliite- agraph I have decided to leave it just
rumped for "Loggerhead" Shrike, as it appeared in the first edition,
and Western for " Southern " States. I Fortunately the habits, nests, etc., of
shotdd be tempted to take this liberty the two birds are not essentially dif-
"with the original text were it not that f erent. — W. B.

172 LAND-BIRDS.

They (or at least our species) are characterized as follows.
Bill, for the most part, not twice as long as high, but stout,
more or less conical, with the mandibles generally meeting at
their tips : commissure usually with a more or less evident
angle ; bristles often wanting ; tarsi scutellate ; primaries nine.
They may be divided into three groups : (Gen. I-VI and
VII ?) Wings long ; feet not strong ; sexes generally unlike ;
males brightly colored. Birds of rather boreal distribution,
of comparatively strong flight, and largely arboreal (except
in genus VII). (Gen. VII ?-XVIII.) Birds chiefly terres-
trial : also plainly colored, and sexes generally alike ; com-
missure frequently with the r.ngle feebly marked. (Gen.
XVIII 7-XXIII.) Birds chiefly arboreal, and handsomely
or brilliantly colored ; sexes unlike. Distribution rather
southern. Bill stout, somewhat curved above ; angle well
marked. (Gen. XXIV, XXV, are placed at the end, be-
cause not properly parts of our fauna.) (Figs. 8, 9, 10.)
Possibly the Starlings should be united with the Finches, and
ranked as a subfamily. (See § 17.)

The following genera require special notice : —

Loxia. Bill with the mandibles crossed (j)l. 1, fig. 16).

Pinicola. Bill stout, hooked^ and with curved outlines.

Sjnniis and Acanthis. Bill conical, and pointed. Upper
mandible often growing beyond the lower, as sometimes seen
in other Finches and Blackbirds (pi. 1, fig. 12).

Plectrophenax. Hind claw very long (pi. 1, fig. 17). In
subgenus Centrophanes (including Iappo?iicus, but not nivalis)
hind claw straightish ; bill unrufted.

Ainmodramus. Bill comparatively slender. Tail-feathers
narrow and pointed. (PI. 1, figs. 14, 15.)

Coturnicidus* closely related.

Passerella. Birds partially rasorial, as also in certain allied
species.

Hahia. Bill deep, stout, and bristled ; upper outline much
curved, commissure strongly angulated (pi. 1, fig. 13). The
details of structure vary with every group or genus, but the
Finches in general are easily recognized by their coloring. I

*Now considered a subgenus of Ammodramus. — W. B.

FINCHES. 173

have arranged the genera (represented in New England) in
what seemed the best sequence.

The position of the Larks (^Alaudidce^ § 16) is apparently
doubtful. The typical Sky Lark of Europe (Alamla arven-
sis) has been introduced into this country ; but yet the true
American Larks belong to the subfamily —

Calandritinm *(fig. 11). They are characterized as follows :
Bill (in Otocoris) twice as long as high, pointed, and with
the upper outline convex ; nostrils concealed ; primaries nine ;
tarsi '' scutellate and blunt behind as in front, with a deep
groove along the inner side, and a slight one, or none, on the
outer face " ; ^^ hind claw very long. The common Shore Lark
is the type.

I. LOXIA.

A. CURVIROSTRA MINOR. Bed CrossUll. Commoii
Crosshill. To be found in Massachusetts as an extremely
irregular visitor from the north, f

a. MandibUs crossed (as in B). About six inches long.
$ , chiefly of an almost brick red, with wings and tail dusky
or nearly black. $ , often with a strong yellowish suffusion.
Wings and tail, dark. Above, of a shade varying from brown-
ish to olive, with dusky streaks. Eump, almost yellow. Be-
neath, paler, more or less streaked.

6. The nest is built in the early part of spring, or even, it
is said, in winter. Mr. Paine found one in a leafless elm, in
East Randolph, Vermont, early in the month of March. The
parents were so tame that it was necessary to remove them
forcibly from their eggs, which " were four in number, and
measured .85 X -53 of an inch. They have a greenish white
ground and are beautifully blotched, marbled, and dotted with
various shades of lilac and purplish brown."

c. The Crossbill, on account of his many peculiarities, is

* This subfamily is not recog-nized t Breeds throug-hout the conifer-

in the A. 0. U. Cheek-List. — W. B. ous forests of northern New England,

^9 In the Oscines, " the tarsus is nor- whence it wanders southward at irreg-

mally covered on either side with two ular intervals, visiting southern New

entire horny plates, that meet behind England, often in great numbers, U9*i-

in a sharp ridge." (Coues.) ally in autumn and winter, but fre-
quently at all seasons. — W. B.

174 LA]SrD-BIRDS.

an interesting subject for study. His most marked oddity is
that which Wilson has spoken of in admirable language. That
author says : " On first glancing at the bill of this extraordi-
nary bird one is apt to pronounce it deformed and monstrous ;
but on attentively observing the use to which it is applied by
the owner, and the dexterity with which he detaches the seeds
of the pine tree from the cone, and from the husks that inclose
them, we are obliged to confess on this as on many other occa-
sions where we have judged too hastily of the operations of
nature, that no other conformation could have been so excel-
lently adapted to the purpose," etc. (Wilson, vol. iv, p. 44.)

Tlie exact distribution, the regular breeding-habits, and the
migrations of the Crossbills are not, at present, perfectly
understood. These birds migrate (it is supposed and well-
nigh proved) in accordance with the abundance of food in
their usual habitat (northward of the 44th parallel of latitude).
Hence they are sometimes not seen at all in Massachusetts
during the year, and at other times appear as early as August,
and remain until June (whence it has been assumed that they
breed here*).

Though often here in autumn and spring, they are commonly
driven to our latitudes in the winter months ; then, usually in
flocks varying in number from three or four to hundreds, they
are to be seen busily engaged in extracting seeds from the
cones of our evergreens. They are good climbers, moving
much like Parrots, but with more agility. They occasionally
eat berries ; and they also descend to the ground, having a
fondness, it is said, for saline substances. It is somewhere
stated that in arctic countries they often become so engrossed
in their feeding, when on the ground, that they can easily be
caught with a net, or knocked over with a club. Whilst near
Boston in winter, they exhibit neither shyness nor stupidity,
but, when started from a tree, often return to it, after ma-

* Red Crossbills may certainly be conclusively shown by the condition of

seen near Boston every month in the their sexual organs while the birds are

year.andsoraetimes quite as numerously with us. There is g'ood evidence, ho w-

in May and June as during- the autumn ever, that a few pairs nested in a grove

and winter, but that they do not breed of pitch pines near North Truro on

here, iinless possibly fortuitously, is Cape Cod in April, 1889. — W. B.

FINCHES. 175

noeuvriTig in the air in the manner of the " Red-polls." They
generally fly at a considerable height, and sometimes at a very
great elevation, at least great relatively to the powers of flight
which belong to this family of birds. In spring, the Crossbills
do mischief in attacking the buds of various trees ; and Mr.
Maynard speaks of their eating the tops of oats in autumn, at
Albany, Maine.^^ They are said to build their nests often in
February or March, and therefore their presence in summer
may not properly indicate the districts in which they breed,
though such immature specimens were obtained by Mr. Horace
Mann, at Weston, Massachusetts, in May, 1862, that Mr.
Allen thinks it " hardly possible " that they were born far
from that place.^^ The nest of the Crossbills has been found
at Milltown, Maine, by Mr. Boardman, and these birds may,
therefore, breed quite extensively in that State and north-
eastern New Hampshire, having been " common at Umbagog,
according to Mr. Deane, during the summer of 1870," and
according to Mr. Brewster, being " very common at Franconia
in summer." ^^ Their habitat in the breeding season may be
generally considered as the vast hemlock and spruce forests of
the north.

d. As Wilson says, they "have a loud, sharp, and not
unmusical note " and " chatter as they fly." They sometimes
utter in spring quite a sweet song, which has the character of
their ordinary cries, as is noticeable in the music of the birds
nearly related to them, the Pine Grosbeaks, " Red-polls," Gold-
finches, etc.

B. LEUCOPTERA. White-wingcd CrosshilL Much less
common in Massachusetts than even the preceding species.*
a. Mandibles crossed (as in J.). About six inches long.

^ The Naturalist^s Guide, p. 111. Co., Me., etc., 54th species, p. 16, pam-

^1 Notes on Some of the Barer Birds phlet.

of Massachusetts, in pamphlet [pp.30, * TheWhite-wingedCrossbillismnch

31, 32], and in American Naturalist, less common than L. minor. It visits

"vol. iii, pp. .50.5-.")19: .'^6^-585; 631- southern New England at wider inter-

648 ; and nnmbers for Nov., Dec., and vals and seldom in equally great num-

Jan., 1869-70. hers, and breeds more sparing-ly, but

^^ C. J. Mavnard, A Catalogue of the still not infrequently, in our northern

birds of Coos Co., N. H., and Oxford coniferous forests. — W. B.

176 LAND-BIRDS.

Essentially like MINOK, but with white wing-hars^ and a much
rosier hue in the male.

h. An egg described by Dr. Brewer " is pale blue, the
large end rather thickly spattered with fine dots of black and
ashy lilac ; is regularly or rather slightly elongate-oval, the
small end rather obtuse. It measures .80 of an inch in length
by .bQ in breadth."

c. The White-winged Crossbills are much rarer here than
the Red Crossbills, since they habitually reside in more north-
ern countries, though, indeed, on the authority of Mr. Deane
and Mr. Brewster said to be "common at Umbagog in June,
1870, and at Franconia in summer." ^^ They are seldom seen
in Massachusetts, though occasionally common in winter, and
known to migrate much further to the southward. So far as I
have had opportunities to observe, they resemble closely in
their habits the other species, feeding chiefly upon the seeds of
our evergreens, both obtaining these and climbing dexterously,
and sometimes seeking food upon the ground, having a par-
tiality for saline matter. Mr. Maynard says that they feed
" upon the seeds of beach-grass," " at Ipswich, Massachusetts,"
and that he " obtained a specimen on June 13, 1866, which
was shot on an apple tree in Newton ville," * and was " fiUed
with canker-worms."^* This, says Mr. Allen, was "a male in
fine breeding plumage," and therefore it is possible that these
birds may occasionally breed in this State, though at the same
time it is possible that the specimen in question may have
wandered from the north, having previously reared his young
in April or May. Instances of equally strange freaks among
birds have been known to occur, such as wandering more than
a thousand miles from a regular hahitat. It is to be remarked
that these instances take place almost wholly at the time of
the migrations in autumn or early winter.^^

^^ C. J. Maynard, 55tli species (p. 16, for there are no g-ood reasons for sus-

pampKlet), -Bjrc?s o/" Coos Co., N. H., pectino- that the White- wing-ed Crossbill

etc. ever breeds in Massachusetts. — W. B.

* This species is rarely found in east- ^^ The Naturalisfs Guide, pp. 1 1 1-1 12.

em Massachusetts, or indeed anywhere ^° For example, the occurrence in

in southern New England, after June 1. Massachusetts of the Varied Thrush,

The bird taken by Mr. Maynard was Lark Finch, and Gray King-bird,
doubtless merely a belated straggler,

FINCHES. 1T7

d. The song of the White-winged Crossbills, says Dr.
Brewer, is ''irregular and varied, but sweet and musical."
These birds have a plaintive cry, distinct from the notes of
the Red Crossbill.

11. PINICOLA.

A. ENUCLEATOR. PiJie Gvosbeok, In Massachusetts a
winter visitant of very irregular appearance.*

a. 8-9 inches long. $ , carmine. Back, dusky-streaked.
Belly, almost white. Wings and tail, dusk}^ (or black) ; for-
mer with much white. § , " ashy gray above and streaked.
Paler below, and not streaked." Crown (and rump), marked
with rusty yellow.

h. Dr. Brewer says : " No positively identified eggs of
the American Pine Grosbeak are as yet known in collections."
A European specimen measures about l.OOx.75 of an inch,
and is greenish, blotched and spotted with brown and purplish,
chiefly dark tints. Mr. Boardman found near Calais, Maine,
" in an alder bush, in a wet meadow," a nest and two eggs,
referable to this species.

c. The Pine Grosbeaks spend the summer season in the
cold regions which lie to the northward of New England, and
though, I believe, common winter residents in Maine and New
Hampshire, are rather rare, or at least irregular, in their ap-
pearance about Boston, and other parts of this State. They
are sometimes common here throughout the winter, wandering
in large flocks from place to place ; but at other times they
are wholly absent during the year, or at the most are seen but
once or twice after a cold " snap " or a heavy storm. I have
seen tbeiii from the first of November until the latter part of
March, though their departure usually occurs earlier in the
season, since they habitually breed in March and A])ril. It is
to be remarked that among our winter birds of this family, the
young almost invariably predominate, and often are unaccom-
panied by mature specimens. This interesting fact has not, so

* A common but irregular winter has been found repeatedly in midsum-

visitor to southern New Eng'land. some- mer among the mountains of northern

times — as in the winter of 1892-93 — New England, where it doubtless

occurring in very great numbers. It breeds sparingly, — W. B.

178 LAND-BIRDS.

far as I know, been satisfactorily explained, though it may
possibly be due simply to an inability of the young to with-
stand the cold so well as their parents.* Yet these birds are
supposed to be regulated in their migrations almost entirely
by supplies of food, and not to be affected by cold, since in
severe winters they are often much less abundant here than in
mild seasons. To determine questions of this sort, much
philosophical study, technical knowledge, comparison of notes,
and cooperation of different sciences is greatly needed.

The Pine Grosbeaks frequent the pines and other evergreens
almost exclusively, feeding largely upon their seeds, but also
upon buds and berries. Mr. Maynard speaks of their being
so unsuspicious that they can be easily captured by a noose
attached to a pole, but I have never observed such indiscretion
on their part.f In general appearance they bear a strong re-
semblance to the Robin ; but they possess powers of flight
even superior to those of that bird. Large flocks often travel
many miles, from time to time, in the course of a day, moving
at some height, and the individuals rising and falling in their
flight. The Pine Grosbeaks are also very much at ease among
the trees, though not such clever climbers as the Crossbills.
They seem, whilst here, to remember those long winter nights
of the north, which " become less and less separated by day-
light, the farther to the northward that they occur, until at the
pole tliey become fused into a j)eriod of darkness which lasts
for six months." I have observed that they generally retire
before sunset, whilst other birds are still occupied in feeding,
and collect among the branches of some thickly foliaged ever-
green. The " Red-polls," on the other hand, are given to
late hours, so that their respective habits are probably to be

* It is almost certain that the yonng natural discrepancy in this respect is
male of the Pine Grosbeak, like that doubtless still further increased by the
of the Purple Finch, does not often if ravag"es of birds and animals (ineluding"
ever acquire the full plumage until it man) of prey, who are more likely to
is more than one year old, and there are select a bright than a dull-colored in-
some reasons for believing' that a cer- dividual from the flock. — W. B.
tain proportion of males never become t It is absurdly easy to take them
"red." Hence it is probable that at in this v ay, especially when they are
all times and places the " gray " birds hungry and feeding on or near the
largely outnumber the " red." The ground. — \V. B.

FINCHES.

179

accounted for solely by a difference of taste, since both species
inhabit much the same regions. Certainly Nature has created
much for the sake of pleasing man by variety alone.

d. The Pine Grosbeaks have a characteristic single note,
a loud, clear, but somewhat plaintive whistle, which is often
repeated several times, and also a few subdued whistles, not
audible at any great distance, I here quote briefly from my
Journal. " March 13, 1875. This morning I arose at 5.15,
and went out at 5.40, when Crows were beginning to fly over.
At 5.55 a Red-poll, who was among some pines, awoke and
gave his call, which was answered by two or three of his com-
panions, who were near him, likewise in pines. . . . He
finally woke up a solitary Pine Grosbeak, who uttered his
call-note several times, and remained in the neiahborhood
until 6.15, when he perched on the top of a pine, and sang for
several minutes. His song was sweet and very much like that
of the Purple Finch, but was now and then interrupted by
his ordinary cries."

III. CARPODACUS.

A. PURPUREUS. Purple Finch. " Linnet.^' In New
England, a common resident in summer, but only occasional
in winter.*

a. About six inches long.
Crown-feathers erectile. (J i
carmine, of very different shades
and intensities in different spe-
cimens. Back, dusky streaked ;
belly, almost white. Edgings
of the wings, reddish. 5 -> ^^i"
vaceous brown, and streaked,
except on the belly, which, as

Fig. 8. Purple Fincli. {\)

* A common summer resident, breed-
ing nearly everywhere, but most nu-
merously in the coniferous forests of
northern New England. A few birds
usually remain through the entire win-
ter in southern New England, and oc-
casionally they occur at this season in

extraordinary numbers throughout our
entire territory. These fluctuations
are apparently governed solely by the
winter food supply, and are in no wise
dependent on conditions of tempera-
ture or snowfall. — W. B.

180 LAND-BIRDS.

well as a superciliary line, is white. Wings and tail, like those
of the male, but with no reddish.

h. The nest is usually composed of fine rootlets, weed-
stalks, and grasses, being lined with hairs ; but its materials
vary greatly in some cases. It is placed in a pine, cedar, or-
chard tree, or occasionally a bush or hedge, from five to twenty
feet above the ground. The eggs of each set are four or five,
and average .75 X .55 of an inch or more. They are of a
light greenish blue, marked rather thinly and chiefly at the
larger end with specks, blotches, and scrawls, of very faint
lilac, and of blackish. The first set is laid about the first of
June or earlier, and a second often appears in July.

c. The Purple Finches are well known on account of their
charming song, and the gay or brilliant coloring in summer of
the males, who attract, especially if in flocks, the attention of
many a person who is habitually inobservant. A few pass the
less severe winters in eastern Massachusetts, but in doing so
usually frequent swamps of cedar trees, or retired places where
seeds and berries are sufficiently abundant. The " Linnets "
generally arrive here from the South on the first of April or
earlier, but sometimes not until May, and then appear in the
open country, when the males and females often congregate
in small flocks, usually feeding upon the buds of various trees.
The males are not at this time of the year in full dress,* and
perhaps on this account, if these birds may be supposed to
have human vanities, are often alone or apart from the females.
They are, however, in full song, and, perched on some high
branch, sing loudly, as if under the delusion that winter dis-
appears in April.

When much startled, the " Linnets " usually fly for some
distance at a considerable height. Li May they usually be-

* This, and the opening sentence of it sometimes immediately succeeds the
the paragraph, imply that the carmine first or "nestling" plumage of the
plumage is worn only in the breeding young, and further, that a certain pro-
season, whereas it is really common to portion of the "gray" males never be-
all seasons, and once assumed is prob- come " rerf." This theory is not as yet
ably never again changed. It was for- supported by much evidence, but there
merly thought to be invariably charac- are some grounds for believing that
teristic of fully mature birds, but there it may prove to be well founded. — W.
are ornithologists who now suspect that B.

FINCHES. 181

come very abundant, and also mischievous, since they " feed
on the stamina of various fruit-blossoms." * They also gather
in large flocks on the ground, where, not unfrequently in com-
pany with the Goldfinches or other members of their family,
they pick up various seeds and perhaps other food. They are
summer residents throughout New England, though less com-
mon to the northward, and frequent principally cultivated or
open lands, though occasionally to be met with in woods.
Their song may not unfrequently be heard in September, when
most other birds do not sing. In October they become quite
rare, and finally, usually before November, forsake their sum-
mer haunts. Those seen here in the former month are very
possibly migrants from the north.

d. The music of the Purple Finch is a warbled song, which
would be monotonous, were it not sweet, mellow, and full-
toned. Both sexes sing. In autumn they often give utter-
ance to a few notes, which recall those of the Bluebird. Be-
sides their customary " chink," which they utter particularly
when on wing, they have a variety of less important notes.
The most pleasing of these is their " pewee," which is often
softly repeated by the females, and the most striking a single
whistle, to be heard chiefly or wholly in autumn, and which
recalls that of the Great Crested Flycatcher.

The " Linnets " are much more common and generally dis-
tributed through this State than formerly, and are gradually
becoming quite fearless of man. They are now so tame as
often to build their nests in hedges, and on account of their
several attractions should be allowed to increase, in spite of
the injuries that they may do us in spring. They resemble in
habits the Pine Grosbeaks, from the irregularity of both their
appearance and abundance from year to year. In studying
the Purple Finches, one must not confuse their song with that
of the Warbling Vireo,^*^ or even with those of the Robin and
sonie other birds, nor the notes already mentioned with those
of the Great Crested Flycatcher ^~* and Bluebird.^^

* This, however, has not been shown ^^ § 13, I, D.

to injure the trees, or even to reduce, ^^ § 19, II, A.

materially, their crops of fruit. — W. B. ^^ § o.

182 LAND-BIRDS.

n^. SPINUS.

A. TRiSTis. (^AmeHcaii) Goldfinch, ^'' Yelloiohird.'''' ^^
" Thistle-hird.'" Common in New England throughout the
year, but more abundant in summer than in winter. Like
the Cedar-birds, they breed very late in the season.*

a. About 4| inches long. $ (from April 1st f until Sep-
tember 20th?), bright yellow, "inclusive of lesser wing-cov-
erts." Crown, wings, and tail, black. Upper tail-coverts,
whitish ; but wing-markings and tail-spots entirely white. J ,
dusky olivaceous yellow above ; paler or yellowish beneath.
Wings and tail, less purely colored than in the male, who in
winter resembles the female, though much browner.

h. The nest is usually composed of fine grasses (or strips
of bark), and is lined with down from thistles and other plants,
and sometimes with hairs. It is quite deep or cup-shaped, but
is substantial, neat, and compact. It is placed in a pasture
bush, a shade tree (especially on roadsides), perhaps an apple
tree, or a like situation, commonly between five and twenty
feet above the ground, and almost invariably in a crotch. I
have known it to be just completed as early as the tweKth of
June, and as late as the first week in August. The eggs of
each set are five or six, average about .63 X .50 of an inch, and
are faint bluish white (rarely with a few faint markings?).

c. The Goldfinches, perhaps the most graceful members
of their large family, are very common and well known, and
one could hardly select from all the Finches, or from all birds,
more charming objects of study. They are summer residents
throughout a greater part of the eastern United States, are
common in Massachusetts, and are very abundant in (certain
parts of) northern New Hampshire, and probably the whole
of northern New England. They are very hardy, and remain
in the neighborhood of Boston throughout the year.

^^ There is a Warbler (§ 9, X, A) also t The change from winter to sum-
called the Yellowbird. mer plumage certainly begins in April,

* A resident species of universal dis- but it is rarely, if ever, perfected until

tribution, perhaps more numerous in late in May, at least in New England,

summer than in winter, but found com- — W. B.
monly at all seasons in nearly every
part of New England. — W. B.

FINCHES. 183

Ornithologists very generally have advanced the theory that
those birds who pass the summer in a locality where the spe-
cies which they represent are resident throughout the year
retire in winter to the South, leaving their place to be sup-
plied by others of the same kind from the north. Mr. May-
nard, however, ingeniously argues that this is not the case,
at least with the Hairy Woodpecker."^ However the case
may be, it is certain that many Goldfinches pass the winter
near Boston.

In those months during which snow generally covers the
earth, they wander, usually in small flocks, feeding, as at other
times of the year, upon the seeds of pines or weeds, and such
suitable things as they can find upon the ground. The males
are then in their winter dress, and do not assume their gay
summer livery until April. In March the " Yellowbirds " be-
come rather common, and in April abundant. About the first
of May, or even later, they often associate in large companies
with the Purple Finches and other members of their family,
and frequent orchards and various places where they can pro-
cure food from the ground. The song of the male (for the
female does not sing) may often be heard at this time, pre-
vious to and during which they ramble over open country and
cultivated lands, rendered noticeable by the jet black and
bright yellow of the gayer sex. These flocks are gradually
broken up, but at all seasons of the year the so-called " Yellow-
birds " show a social spirit, whence, even in summer, two
or three often enjoy one another's society and fly about to-
gether.

The followinof observations on their habits in summer were
made among the White Mountains, where, in certain districts,
they were very numerous. The Goldfinches there inhabited
the pasture land, in which they often built their nests, over
which they wandered, and from which chiefly they obtained
their food. There were in the place but few trees on the road-
sides, except such as formed the part of some wood (and in
woods these birds never build their nests*), but the large

■^•^ The Naturalist's Guide, p. 129. exceptions, even in the country about

* This rule is subject to occasional Boston. — W. B.

184 LAND-BIRDS.

bushes, which in many places supplied this want, answered the
Goldfinches' purpose as well. On these bushes, or the tele-
graph-wires and posts, males and females, or when the latter
were on their nests, a solitary male or several, often perched.
They occasionally alighted in the road to pick up food, but
not very commonly. The daintiness and evident enjoyment
of their bath was very charming. They usually waded into a
gently flowing brook, which rolled over clean sand, and then
showered themselves with the water tossed up by the splashing
of tlieir wings, bobbed their heads into the clear stream, next
dressed their feathers, and finally flew away, twittering ex-
pressions of their pleasure. In the early part of the summer
they often appeared in the gardens and fruit trees of the vil-
lage, but in Septsmber congregated where thistles were abun-
dant. On the heads of these weeds they perched, until the
stalks swayed to the ground ; and, when this brief ride was
finished, they bent over to feed upon the seeds. In the same
way do they often treat the garden-iris in summer, when the
rich blue or purple of that flower forms a most gorgeous con-
trast with their plumage. AVhilst assembled, the Goldfinches
are always extremely harmonious, and seem to express their
happiness by their delightful cries.

Their flight, as every one who knows them must have ob-
served, consists of a series of marked undulations, and occa-
sionally of great circles in the air. If pursued by any bird of
prey, they mount in circles often to a great height, knowing
well that they are safe only when above their enemies ; and,
though their powers of flight are not great, I have never seen
a Hawk or Shrike who was sufficiently persistent to exhaust
them, and thus to secure his prey.

To retui'n to those '' Yellowbirds " who have passed the
summer in Massachusetts, they (or latterly substitutes from
the north) are tolerably abundant in September, and less so in
October. Sometimes at this season they associate with the
sparrows, and feed in asparagus beds, old vegetable gardens,
and like places. Before October has passed away, they become
quite uncommon, and assume many of their winter habits.
Their haunts are much the same throughout the year, and

FINCHES. 185

include the whole country, with the exception of the woods,
meadows, and swamps.*

d. The male Goldfinch has a lively and sweet, but not
full-toned song, characterized by his ordinary notes, and re-
sembling that of the " Canary," his near relation. In listening
to it, one may hear harsh notes, and then a sweet cJie-we or che-
loe-we, I have heard it in April, October, and the intervening
time, most often in the first-named month and in May. He
has also a very sweet and almost pathetic cry, which to me has
a singular fascination, but it is not easily to be distinguished
from the corresponding notes of the '^ Red-poll," Siskin, or
Canary-bird. Both sexes own a low whistle, heard chiefly in
summer, and rarely then, and their characteristic twitters,
which these birds commonly utter at every undulation of their
flight, and often when perched. Such other sounds as they
occasionally produce are less noticeable, and are among those
details regarded only by one intimate with birds and with
their individual traits.

In writing this volume, I have been struck with the thought
that the biographer of birds has, at least in one respect, a
pleasanter task than the biographer of a human friend, for he
has never to speak of death ; for, since we regard all of a spe-
cies as virtually one being, and rarely regard distinctions be-
tween individuals, we are necessarily led to consider them as a
perpetual being, though, indeed, instances are known to modern
history of the apparent extinction of a race, such as that of
the Great Auk, owing to persecution, and the comparative
helplessness of this creature in escaping his enemies, particu-
larly man.

Should the Goldfinches ever cease to exist, let this be their
eulogy : the Goldfinches were peculiarly attractive on account
of their apparently happy disposition, and their sprightly, ex-
pressive twitters, which were never exchanged for the weak
and almost mournful notes which many other birds adopt in

* These exceptions should not have growth of black and gray birches and
been made, for in Avinter the Gold- alders, on the seeds of which they de-
finches often frequent the wildest and pend larg-ely for subsistence during the
most extensive tracts of woodland, es- colder months. — W. B.
peeially where there is an abundant

186 LAND-BIRDS.

autumn and winter. What more could have been reasonably
asked than that these birds should be finely colored, sing
sweetly, have a variety of charming notes, possess a peculiar
flight and attractive habits, be common and resident through-
out the year, and frequent the neighborhood of man ?

B. PiNUS. Pine Finch. " Sishin.^^ An irregular winter
visitor to Massachusetts, occasionally lingering here until
June, and having been known to breed at Cambridge.*

a. About 4| inches long. Flaxen ; paler below. Thickly
streaked with darker, rather finely so on the head and under
parts. Wings and tail, black, with much yellow, which, in the
breeding season, is more or less suffused throughout the plu-
mage.

h. Dr. Brewer says : " Early in May, 1859, a pair of these
birds built their nest in the garden of Professor Benjamin
Peirce, in Cambridge, Mass., near the colleges. It was found
on the 9th by Mr. Frederick Ware, and already contained its
full complement of four eggs,f partly incubated." " The eggs
are of an oblong-oval shape, of a light green ground-color,
spotted, chiefly at the larger end, with markings of a light
rusty brown. They measure .71 by .50 of an inch."

c. So irregular are the habits of the American *' Siskins "
that I have never clearly understood their distribution and
annual movements. Though these birds have been known to
breed exceptionally at Cambridge, in Massachusetts, they
usually breed in New England only to the northward of that
State, such as in certain places among the White Mountains
and about Lake Umbagog. They are sometimes common in
Massachusetts during the winter, and at other times are alto-
gether absent then, presumably, in the latter case, not passing
to the southward of their summer range. And yet they are

* A common resident of northern t One of these eggs — faded, dust-
New England, visiting southern New stained, and partly broken — is still
England at irregular intervals in au- preserved in the collection of the Mu-
tumn and winter, often occurring in seum of Comparative Zoology at Cam^-
immense numbers at the former season, bridge. — W. B.
Its nest and eggs have been twice taken
in Massachusetts. — W. B.

FINCHES. 187

said by Wilson to have been common in Pennsylvania for a
number of successive winters, and are known to occur occasion-
ally on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico. The most interest-
ing fact in their natural history is their frequent appearance
near Boston in April and May, or even in June and July, even
when not observed in the preceding winter. Mr. Maynard
supposes that their journeys are chiefly governed by the snow ;
but m}'- own observations do not altogether confirm this theory,
which I do not think supported by the facts relative to the
feeding of these birds, or to their appearance here, for the Pine
Finches occasionally reach Boston in autumn, before the snow,
and even as soon as the young are able to travel, though, indeed,
these latter are rarely hatched before August.*

The Siskins may be observed in winter to wander in flocks
from place to place, being, like their various near relations,
entirely nomadic at that season. They fly in undulations like
those of the Goldfinches, to whom they bear a very strong re-
semblance in other ways. '^ They live upon the seeds of weeds,
and those of the several evergreens, feeding both upon the
ground and in trees. They may often be seen clustered at the
top of some tall pine, busied in extracting the seeds, or cling-
ing to the cones of a spruce, with an ease which clearly indi-
cates their habits. They are also fond of birch seeds, which
are highly esteemed by many of our winter birds, particularly
the Ruffed Grouse. They are graceful in their movements, and
their attitudes, when feeding, are always pretty ; but they are
not such climbers as the " Red-polls."

d. The Pine Finches are closely allied to the Yellowbirds
and " Red-polls " by their notes, and their sweet call is almost
indistinguishable from the call-notes of those birds. Their
song and their twitters, though distinct from those of the
Goldfinch, are yet much like them; but their twitters, most

* Mr, Minot's impressions on this of cold or snow, but simply by a fail-
point have been amply confirmed by ure of the food supply. — W. B.
the observations of later writers. In- '^ Mr. Allen, in his ' ' Winter Notes
deed it is now very generally admitted of an Ornithologist," published in the
that the irregular southward journeys American Naturalist, considers the
of these as well as other northern breed- Siskins swifter in flight, their notes
ing birds are caused not by an excess " milder and more wiry."

188 LAND-BIRDS.

often uttered as they fly, are much louder and less musical.
They have also a very characteristic note, resembling the word
wee^ uttered in a peculiar tone with a rising inflection, and,
moreover, if I remember correctly, a loud and rather unmu-
sical trill.

V. ACANTHIS.

A, LiNARiA. " Red-poll.''^ Red-poll Linnet. Lesser
" Red-poliy Another irregular visitant to New England, in
the winter season only, being in some years very common and
in others altogether absent, at least in Massachusetts.*

a. About K>\ inches long. Upper parts, flaxen, dark
streaked. Beneath, whitish, more or less dusky streaked.
Wings and tail, dusky, with white edgings ; the former with two
naiTow whitish bars. Crown^ carmine ; " rump, white or rosy,
always streaked with dusky." In the mature $ the breast is
bright rosy, and the under tail-coverts paler and streaked.

[Dr. Coues has endeavored to establish one or two varie-
ties of this species, which it is perhaps necessary to accept.
They are '^ K^. fuseeseens^\ Diislcy Red-poll., a darker form;
with " rump scarcely lighter," and " sides heavily streaked,"
which Dr. Coues supposes may occur from the wearing of the
feathers, and var. exilipes^X Ameriean Mealy Red-poU., with
flaxen paled to whitish, and rump unstreaked in adults, "rep-
resenting," says Dr. Coues, "the true Mealy Redpoll, A. ca-
nescens., of Greenland."]

h. The " Red-polls " breed in arctic countries on the
ground, § and lay four or five eggs, which are light greenish
blue, with a few brown spots, and which average about .Qb X
.50 of an inch.

c. The " Red-polls " are occasionally the most abundant
of our winter birds, but, on the other hand, several successive
winters often pass without their occurrence in Massachusetts.

* An irregular, but at times most pes, a rare -winter visitor to New Eng-

abundant winter visitor, not known to land. — W. B.

breed in New England. — W. B. § The nest is built in birches, alders,

t Not now considered a valid form, or willows, usually near, but never, so

— W. B. far as I am aware, actually on the

I Now Acanthis hornemannii exili- ground. — W. B.

FINCHES. 189

They breed in the arctic countries, and when obliged to travel
to the southward, as they sometimes are, it is supposed, by
lack of food, occur in the United States in November, April,
and more often the intervening months. They move in flocks,
which vaiy in size, but sometimes consist of two hundred or
even more, and which are frequently augmented by the
companionship of Goldfinches and other birds. These flocks
always seem, however, to consist of more than one species, since
the individuals, among whom the young predominate, repre-
sent various colorations at the different periods of their growth.

The '' Red-polls " wander continually during their visits, and
hence are very irregular in appearance at different localities.
I have never observed them to feed from the evergreens, but
they have a marked fondness for the seeds of white birches
and of alders, and according to Brehm, the German ornitholo-
gist, pass the summer among birches in the most northern
part of Europe. They often gather where the coarse field-
weeds project above the snow, on banks or roadsides, and also
feed upon the ground. They allow quite a near approach,
and when finally so startled as to take flight, often return to
the spot just left, after circling in the air. Though not alarmed
by man's approach, they are often shy of venturing near to
buildings, though I remember to have seen two staying for a
moment to feed with Snow-birds on some grain scattered be-
fore the window of a dining-room.

The following extracts from my Journal will illustrate the
habits of these birds. " March 4th. Sunrise in Boston at 6.30
A. M., sunset at 5.55 P. M. . . . At twenty minutes before
six this afternoon, whilst I was exercising the dogs, a 'Red-
poll ' alighted near me in a small apple tree. He j^aid almost
no attention to me or my companions, though we were noisy,
and I was at one time within five feet of him. The dogs I
finally sent away. The bird at first uttered his sweet call-
note, in order, I su})pose, that he might obtain the compan-
ionship of his mates, if any were near, and occasionally other
sounds to express his satisfaction, as he obtained from the
bark bits of food so minute as to be invisible to my eye. He
displayed thoroughly his great skill in climbing, and often, in

190 LAND-BIRDS.

searching tlie crannies of the bark, hung with his head down-
wards. He soon became silent, and I remained motionless
until five minutes after six. I then observed another ' Red-
poll,' who flew over at some distance, and at a considerable
height from the ground, apparently about to ' take perch ' in
a neighboring pine grove. My friend, a moment later, took
to flight and seemed (it was then dusk) to alight in a pine."

" March 13th. This morning I went out at twenty minutes
before six, when Crows were already beginning to fly over.
Quarter of an hour later, a ' Red-poll,' who was in the pines

which border Street, awoke and gave his call, which was

answered by two or three of his companions, who were near
him, likewise in the pines. These birds then warbled for
about five minutes and afterwards flew away."

*' March 22d. This morning . . . the ' Red-polls ' awoke
at quarter of six among the pines, but not those in which
they were before, and at once sang. I next observed a soli-
tary one, who flew over at a great height, but the rest gath-
ered into flocks and set about the business of the day, fly-
ing to a distance. The Goldfinches showed much the same
habits. At six I found one in a pine, singing very sweetly,
but he soon flew away, after uttering a few twitters."

" March 28th. This morning I left the house at half-past
five, but spring has made the birds rise very early, for on
going out, I saw the Crows and ' Red-polls ' flying over. At
six, two of the latter, who have lately been very common,
alighted near me, to rest in their early rambles."

"April 6th. A few 'Red-polls' flew over to-day, but they
are becoming scarce."

"April 24th. This afternoon a 'Red-poll' {JEgiothus
linarius')^ who shows no wounds, nor as yet any signs of de-
composition, was picked up in the barn-cellar, the doors of
which were shut."

d. The "Red-polls" have a sw^eet call-note, like that of
the Goldfinch or Siskin, and a simple " chit," often so repeated,
especially by a flock, as to resemble the twitterings of the
former bird, or even those of the latter. Their song is quite
like the Yellowbird's (^S. tristis^, but is distinct, since all
their ordinary notes are introduced.

FINCHES. 191

The winters when these happy, pretty little birds are com-
mon are always much enlivened by their presence, and those
years are richer for the naturalist which bring us their visits
from the arctic countries.

VL LINOTA*

A. BREWSTERi. ''^ Bvewstev'' s Linnet. One specimen,!
not clearly referable to any known species or variety, was ob-
tained by Mr. William Brewster, at Waltham, Mass., from
a flock of common '' Red-poUsc"

a. It is described as follows in Messrs. Baird, Brewer,
and Ridgway's " North American Birds."

" General appearance, somew^iat that of ^. Unarms^ but no
red on the crown, and the sides and rump tinged with sulphur
yellow ; no black gular spot. 5 ^f^^' Ground-color above,
light umber, becoming sulphur yellow on the rump, each
feather, even on the crown, with a distinct medial stripe of
dusk^^ Beneath, white, tinged with fulvous yellow anteriorly
and along the sides ; sides and crissum streaked with dusky.
Wings and tail, dusky; the former with two pale fulvous
bands ; the secondaries, primaries, and tail-feathers, narrowly
skirted with whitish sulphur yellow. A dusky loral spot, and
a rather distinct lighter superciliary stripe. Wing 3.00 ;
tail 2.50; tarsus .50 ; middle toe .30. Wing formula, 1, 2,
3, etc."

Vn. PLECTROPHENAX.

A. NIVALIS. Snoio BuntingP '' Snow-flaker An
inhabitant of the "far north," visiting New England in
winter, in large assemblies. J

* Now Acanthis. — W. B. J A perfectly regular visitor to the

'- Since named ^giothus flavirostris whole of New England, but less numer-

var. hrewsteri. [Now Acanthis brew- ous inland than along the coast. The

stern. — W. B.] bulk of the spacies passes to the south-

t This specimen remains unique. It ward of Boston in November, and to

is probably a hybrid between Acanthis the northward in March, but many

linaria and Spinus pinus. — V^. B. large flocks remain through the entire

'3 Sometimes called " White Snow- winter. At Brandon, Vermont, near

bird," in distinction to the so-called the shores of Lake Champlain, Snow

Black or Blue Snow-bird. Buntings are said to regularly spend

192 LAND-BIRDS.

a, 6|-7 inches long. In the breeding season^ pure white
with black variegations, and a black bill. In winter^ bill
brown, and the plumage endlessly varied. A specimen before
me, a very fair type, is chiefly white, with a rich dark brown
on the crown, becoming lighter and warmer on the back of
the neck and on the rump. The interscapulars are vaguely
streaked with white, black, and brown, these colors extending
to the scapulars. Wings and tail, chiefly black and white.
Under parts, snowy white, with a light warm brown patch on
each side of the breast. Specimens have been obtained pure
white, and unmarked.

h. Mr. Macfarlane found on the arctic coast a " nest sit-
uated in a cave in a sand-bank." " The eggs, five in number,
are of a dull white, with perhaps a faint bluish cast, sprinkled
and spattered with dilute yellowish rufous, the markings most
numerous toward the larger end; they measure .95 of an inch
in length by .64 in breadth."

c. The Snow Buntings are quite regular as winter visitors
to New England, appearing in November, April, and the inter-
vening months. They are very restless, and roam over the
country in flocks, which sometimes contain thousands of indi-
viduals. They have very good powers of flight, and hence can
take long flights whenever their wishes or instincts prompt
them to do so. They generally move to the northward when
long-continued fine weather occurs, and to the southward on
the advent of heavy snow^-storms, and therefore have acquired,
in their winter haunts, the name of " bad-weather birds," a
title which originated in Europe, where they are well known.
The Snow Buntings for the most part breed in arctic coun-
tries, but a pair have been known to build their nest near
Springfield,* Massachusetts, and, says Mr. Maynard,'* " this

the winter "in flocks of from ten or 70). In view of the confusion of names

fifteen, to thousands of individuals." — between this species and the Snow-bird

W. B. {Junco hyemalis), it is probable that the

* This refers to a note by Mr. Allen, birds seen by Mr. Bennett were of the

who says : " Mr. C. W. Bennett tells latter species. In any ease the record

m.e that a pair spent the summer of is too meagre of details to be seriously

1862, and reared their young, in Spring- considered. — W. B.
field" {Proc. Essex Inst., IV, 1864, p. '* A Catalogue of the Birds of Coos

FINCHES. 193

species may breed on the tops of some of the ranges of Maine
and New Hampshire.* I have a note of a well authenticated
instance of a large flock being seen on Mount Katahdin, in
early August, 1869." None, however, have ever been re-
ported in summer from Mount Washington, the highest peak
in New England, and I saw none on walking up Mount La-
fayette, another prominent peak, in the early part of Septem-
ber, though it was very cold at the summit, and the true
Snow-birds {Janco hy emails) were very abundant at com-
paratively great altitudes, where the vegetation was stunted.
Audubon speaks, however, of a nest f found among the White
Mountains, in July, 1831, and seen by Wm. M. Boott, Esq.,
of Boston. It is probable that the Snow Buntings normally
belong to the United States as winter visitors only, and as
such occur so far to the southward as Kentucky, if not still
further. They are not so shy as one might reasonably sup-
pose them to be from their habits in summer, but near Boston
frequent the " Back Bay lands," the roads, and roadsides.
They often obtain seeds from the weeds in fields and plowed
lands, but they are most common on and near the sea-shore,
where they feed much upon small shell-fish. Wilson says :
" In passing down the Seneca River towards Lake Ontario, late
in the month of October, I was surprised by the appearance
of a large flock of these birds feeding on the surface of the
water, supported on the tops of a growth of weeds that rose
from the bottom, growing so close together that our boat
could with great difficulty make its way through them. They
were running about with great activity ; and those I shot and
examined were filled, not only with the seeds of this plant,
but with a minute kind of shell-fish that adheres to the leaves.
In these . . . aquatic excursions they are doubtless greatly
assisted by the length of their hind heel and claws. I also

Co.^ N. H., and Oxford Co., Maine, ing-season. by good field omitholofrists,

etc. ; 57th species, p. 17 of pamphlet. none of whom have found anv trace of

* It is now safe to say that this is Snow Buntings there. — W. B.

highly improbable, at least in so far as t There can be little doubt that this

the New Hampshire mountains are nest was that of a Snow-bird {Junco hy-

concernsd, for their summits have been emails). — \V. B.
repeatedly visited, during the breed-

194 LAND-BIRDS.

observed a few on Table Rock, above the falls of Niagara,
seemingly in search of the same kind of food. " Mr. May-
nard speaks of thousands feeding on the seeds of beach-grass,
at the Ipswich Sand-hills.'^ The Snow Buntings run with
ease and rapidity, like the Larks, and fly with considerable
swiftness, when in flocks often whirling like a flurry of snow
before alighting on the ground. They are the most pictur-
esque of our winter birds, and often enliven an otherwise
dreary scene, especially when flying, when they seem almost
like an animated storm, driven before a gusty wind.

d. Their principal notes are a clearly piped whistle, and
a peculiar chirr^ which they often utter when on wing. Their
song, rarely to be heard in Massachusetts, is short and simple,
but rather sweet.

CALCARIUS.

B. LAPPONicus. Lapland Longspur. Lapland Bunt-
ing. Eare in Massachusetts, where it is present in the win-
ter season only; "common on the Ipswich Sand-hills."*

a. Q-Q^ inches long. (J , in the breeding season, with the
crown, forehead, sides of the head, throat, and upper breast,
continuously black. Superciliary line, whitish, continuing
down the side of the chestnut red patch on the back of the neck.
Interscapulars, dark brown or blackish, with lighter edges.
Lower breast and beUy, whitish; the former more or less
streaked. Wings and tail, dusky ; the former marked with
bay (and white), the latter with conspicuous white patches.
(J , in winter, with the black interrupted and the chestnut red
less pure. 5 , with the throat much like the breast, crown
like the back, and the chestnut almost wanting.

h. In eggs from Anderson River, " where distinctly visible,
the ground color appears to be of yellowish gray. . . . The
blotches are of various shades of brown, with shadings of olive,

'5 The Naturalist's Guide, p. 112. writers, that it winters in Massachu-

* An early spring- and late autumn setts, requires confirmation, but there

migrant, rare in most parts of New is one explicit and apparently authen-

England. but regailarly common at Ips- tic record of " several specimens noted

wich, Massachusetts, in November, on February 21, 1879," at Brandon,

The statement repeatedly made by Vermont. — W. B.

FINCHES. 195

purple, or red, and at times almost black." " They measure
.80 X .60 of an inch."

c. The " Longspurs," as their name indicates, have re-
markably long- hind claws, such as also belong to the Snow
Buntings, to whom they are as closely allied by habits and
notes as otherwise. They are still more northern in their rano-e
than those birds, and pass the summer in arctic countries
only. Brehra says, from his own observations at this season
in the extreuie north of Europe, that they may be found
among the birch woods there, where they often perch upon the
trees, feed much upon the gnats which swarm in the toondras,
and sing only when on the wing, often hovering like the Lark
when doing so, whereas the Snow Buntings usually perch on
rocks, and are not naturally shy. They occur in Massachu-
setts as rare winter visitors only, and as occasional stragglers
in large flocks of Snow Buntings or Shore Larks, though, says
Mr. Maynard, '' common on the Ipswich Sand-hills." They
frequent almost exclusively the coast or the lands near it,
feeding on seeds and small shell-fish. They run nimbly, fly
swiftly, and chiefly affect the ground, but occasionally perch
in trees.

d. They have a shrill diin\ and a rather melancholy caU
of two syllables. Their song is said to be simple but sweet,
with their call-notes often introduced.

VIII. CHONDESTES.

A. GRAMMACUS. Lark Finch. An inhabitant of the
western United States, one, however, being " taken in
Gloucester, in 1845, by S. Jillson." '^ *

«. About 6 1 inches long. " Crown, chestnut, blackening
on forehead, divided by a median stripe, and bounded by
superciliary stripes, of white ; a black line through eye,
and another below eye, inclosing a white streak under the eye
and the chestnut auriculars ; next, a sharp black maxillary

■^'^ Mavnard, N aturalisV s Guide, p. mens, the first taken at Newtonville,

112. Gloucester is on the coast of November 24, 1877, the second shot at

Massachusetts, north of Boston. Magnolia, August 27, 1879, the third

* There are now records of at least seen, only, at Framingham, April 0,

three additional Massachusetts speci- and again on the 2yth, 1883, — W. B.

196 LAND-BIRDS.

stripe not quite reaching the bill, cutting off a white stripe
from the white chin and throat. A black blotch on middle of
breast. Under parts, white, faintly shaded with grayish brown ;
upper parts, grayish brown, the middle of the back with fine
black streaks. Tail, very long, its central feathers like the
back, the rest jet black, broadly tipped with pure white in
diminishing amount from the lateral pair inward, and the
outer web of the outer pair entirely white." (Dr. Coues.)

h. The nest of these birds is most often built upon the
ground. " The maximum number of their eggs," says Dr.
Brewer, " is five." Their average measurement is .85 by .Q^)
of an inch. The ground color is usually a grayish white,
rarely a light brown, marbled and streaked with waving lines,
and a few dots of black or a blackish brown."

c. The Lark Finches, since but one specimen has been
taken in this State, namely, at Gloucester, in 1845, have no
more claim to be considered or treated as birds of Massachu-
setts, than a Turk who passes a day and night at Paris to
be called a Frenchman ; but, in conformity to the strict but
not unreasonable demands of modern science, I give a brief
account of its habits, formed from the observations of other
naturalists. The Lark Finches feed principally upon seeds
which they obtain upon the ground. They are most abundant
in prairies and other open lands, though they also visit trees,
or resort to their immediate neighborhood. Li general hab-
its, they resemble the White-throated Sparrows (^Z onotrichice^
next to whom they should properly stand).

d. Mr. Ridgway considered their delightful song, which is
usually delivered from a perch, as the finest belonging to the
Finches.

IX. AMMODRAMUS.

A. MARITIMUS. Sea-side Finch. Almost wholly absent
from Massachusetts, though said by Dr. Coues to be, or to
have been, abundant in New Hampshire.*

* An abundant summer resident of found in eastern Massachusetts. The

salt and brackish marshes in southern New Hampshire record by Dr. Coues

Connecticut, bordering' Long Island " arose in a slip of the memory on his

Sound. A few stragglers have been part, the birds which he found in plenty

FINCHES. 197

a. About six inches long. Tail-feathers, narrow and
pointed, as also in caudacittus. Superciliary line f j om bill to
eye, and edge of the wing, yellow. Upper parts, and side-
shading below, brown or gray, olive-tinted, the former more or
less streaked. Under parts, white ; breast, tinted with brown,
and faintly or obsoletely streaked. Wings and tail, plain,
scarcely marked. Side-markings on the head, vague.

h. " The nest is usually placed in a tussock of grass, in
the fresh- water marshes, or on the sea-shore beyond the reach
of high tide." The eggs measure about .80X.57 of an inch,
and are white, gray-tinged, thickly, finely, and most often
evenly marked with brown, which is sometimes confluent or
predominant at the crown.

c. I regret that I know nothing of the habits of the Sea-
side Finches, and that I cannot add to what has appeared in the
various meagre accounts of these birds already published. Dr.
Coues considered this species abundant on the coast of New
Hampshire, but '' Mr. Brewster .... has looked for it in
vain at Rye Beach." Mr. Maynard doubts the occurrence of
these birds on the coast of Massachusetts, but, says Mr. Allen,
in his " Notes on the Rarer Birds of Massachusetts," " they
were formerly known to breed in the Chelsea marshes, and
probably do still." Wilson speaks of the Sea-side Finch as
"keeping almost continually within the boundaries of tide-
water," and adds that " amidst the recesses of these wet sea
marshes it seeks the rankest growth of grass and sea-weed,
and climbs along the stalks of the rushes with as much dex-
terity as it runs along the ground, which is rather a singular
circumstance, most of our climbers being rather awkward at
running." "'''

d. Their notes are said to be a cliirp^ and a song, hardly
worthy of the name, which is somewhat like that of the
Yellow-winged Sparrow.

B. CAUDACUTUS. Sharp-tailed Finch. A summer resi-
dent in Massachusetts, but rare, being chiefly confined to a
few marshes.*

at Rye Beach, in the fall of 1860, hav- " Yo\. iv, p. 08.

ino- been Sharp-tailed Finches," {New * A very common, but somewhat

England Bird Life, I, -p. 261.) — W. B. local summer resident of the entire

198 LAND-BIRDS.

a. About 5|- inches long. Tail-feathers more sharply
pointed than in maritimus. (Edge of the wing, yellowish.)
Crown, brownish, black-streaked, and with a median line.
Superciliary line^ and sides of the head^ orange hronm. Ear-
patch, and back, brown or gray, olive-tinted ; the latter dark-
streaked (with feathers pale-edged). Beneath, white ; breast,
brownish yellow, black-streaked.

h. The nest and eggs * resemble very exactly those of the
Sea-side Finch, being found in marshes and on the sea-shore.
The eggs measure about .77X.55 of an inch, and are white,
gray-tinted, thickly, finely, and usually evenly marked with
brown, which sometimes predominates about the crown, or is
confluent. Mr. Brewster says that they are not laid here until
the first week of July, but these may belong to a second set.f

c. With the Sharp-tailed Finches I can claim no intimate
acquaintance. They probably do not occur to tlie northward
of Massachusetts, where they are chiefly confined to a few lo-
calities, such as the salt-water marshes of Charles River, and
those at Ipswich. These places they reach in April, and do
not leave until October, or even the latter part of that month.
They sometimes frequent the fresh-water marshes, but gener-
ally prefer the sea-coast and its neighborhood. They run very
nimbly, and make their way so cleverly among the rushes and
tall grass that one cannot easily see them except by "flushing "
them, when they take a short flight and immediately drop to
conceal themselves. They are already very rare in this State,
and, I fear, will be soon exterminated here, | as, from their
scarcity, they are unwisely persecuted every year by enter-
prising naturalists. Their extermination is facilitated by their

coast of southern New England, breed- bird really has two sets, of which the

ing- only in salt and brackish marshes, first is laid during- the first week of

and not certainly known to occur to the June. — W. B.

northward of Rye Beach, New Hamp- % This was a misconception of the

shire. — W. B. true state of affairs at the time the

* The egg's are usually smaller and passag-e was written, and the fears ex-
much more finely marked than those pressed for the future were equally ill-
of the Sea-side Finch. The latter spe- founded, for the Sharp-tails, although
cies rarely if ever lays more than four certainly very local, continue to breed
eg-g-s, whereas the Sharp-tail commonly numerouslyin many of the salt marshes
has five. — W. B. along the coast of Massachusetts. —

t This inference was correct. The W. B.

FINCHES. 199

confinement to a few places, where they may be considered,
in a broad sense of the term, colonial. Dr. Brewer says that
their flioht " is quite different from that of any other bird,"
and, as I have myself observed, that " in flying they drop their
tails very low."

d. Their single ordinary note is " rather more mellow than
that of the Sea-side Finch," but their song has little or no
merit, and consists of but a few notes.

X. COTURNICULUS*

A, SAVANNARUM PASSERINUS. Yellow-wlnged Sparrow.
A summer resident in Massachusetts, but in many parts
rare. I

a. About five inches long. Crown, very dark, with a
brownish yellow median line, and a lighter superciliary line.
Interscapulars, dull bay, black-streaked, and edged with brown-
ish yellow. Kump, brown and gray intermixed. Beneath,
brownish yellow or buff (obsoletely streaked) ; % belly, almost
white. Wings edged with bright yellow, and with a patch
(the lesser covert) yellowish ; otherwise corresponding to the
back and tail.

h. The nest is usually placed on the ground, in a field or
pasture, is often lined with hairs, and is here finished in the
last week of May. Four or five eggs are then laid, averaging
.78 X.60 of an inch, and normally are white, with a wreath of
blended reddish brown and obscure lilac spots about the greater
end, and a few scattered spots of the former color elsewhere.
In some cases the markings cover the greater end, so that
there is no distinct ring.

c. My own observations have shown me that the Yellow-
winged Sparrows are rare, at least in some parts of eastern
Massachusetts, though common in others, during their com-

* Now a subgenus of Ammodramus. and found sparingly in southern New

— W. B. Hampshire and Vermont. — W. B.

t A summer resident of southern | Fully mature birds in breeding-
New England, abundant in southern plumage have the under parts quite
Connecticut, on Nantucket, and about immaculate, save on the sides of the
Springfield, Massachusetts, locally breast, where there are a few faint
common in eastern Massachusetts, streaks. — W. B.

200 LAND-BIRDS.

paratively brief residence here through May and the summer
mouths. Mr. Maynard, however, considers them as " not un-
common " throughout this district, beiug " very numerous on
Nantucket Island " ; but Mr. Allen is, I think, right in believ-
ino- them to be more abundant in the western than in the other
portions of the State, as, for instance, near Springfield. To
the northward of Massachusetts they perhaps do not occur.
They frequent almost exclusively dry fields, particularly such
as are sandy or do not contain a luxuriant vegetation, and
feed upon seeds and insects. They are rather shy, and often
nimbly escape a near approach. They run with ease, and
never leave the ground, except to take a short, low flight, or
to perch upon the top of some weed, or on some fence.
Though often more or less collective, they are never strictly
gregarious.

d. Their ordinary notes are a chiri% much like the note of
some insect, and an occasional chick. Their song is so pecul-
iar as to be quite characteristic, and may be represented by
the syllables " chick', chick-a-see,^^ with the chief accent on the
last and highest of these. Wilson speaks of their " short,
weak, interruj)ted chirrup."

B. HENSLOWii. Henslow^s Bunting. Henslow's Spar-
row o A summer resident in Massachusetts of rarity.*

a. Five inches long (or less). Like ^jasseW/iws (^,a) but
" more yellowish above, and with sharp maxillary, pectoral,
and lateral black streaks below." (Coues.)

h. The nest, which is somewhat coarse, is built upon the
ground. " The eggs," says Dr. Brewer, " five or six in number,
somewhat resemble those of the C.passerinus. Their ground
color is a clear bright white, and they are spotted with well-
defined reddish brown markings and more subdued tints of
purple. The markings, so far as I have seen their eggs, are

* Henslow's Sparrow is now known herst, sparingly and locally in Berk-

to breed throughout most of Massachu- shire County. It has been also found

setts (excepting Cape Cod), commonly in summer in northeastern Connecticut,

but very locally in the eastern part of at Webster, New Hampshire, and at

the State, quite numerously in portions Pownal, in southern Vermont. — W. B.
of Worcester County and near Am-

FINCHES. 201

finer and fewer than those of passerinuSj and are distributed
more exclusively around the larger end. The eggs measure
.78X.60 of an inch, and are of a more oblong oval than those
of the common Yellow-wing."

c. The Henslow's Buntings are very rare in Massachusetts,
though said by Mr. Maynard '^ to seem " more common at
some localities in the State than " their immediate relations,
the Yellow-winged Sparrows. Like these latter birds they
frequent fields (and chiefly, so far as my observations prove,
those which are dry or sandy),* and are always on or near the
ground. They feed on seeds and insects, and easily secure the
smaller beetles, etc., from the facility with which they run and
make their way among the weeds and grass. Mr. Maynard '^
has recorded that he " took two males in a wet meadow on May
10, 1867," whose " song-note " was " like the syllables ' see-
icick^' with the first prolongedly and the second quickly given."
I have seen the Henslow's Sparrows here only in May and the
warmer part of summer ; but, though Massachusetts is consid-
ered as their northern limit, I have suspicions, upon which I
shall not here enlarge, that they occur in at least one sj^ot
among the White Mountains. I may add that this species was
at first recorded in this State, as Bachman's Finch QPeuccea
cestivalis)^ an error afterwards corrected.

d. Mr. Ridgway, as quoted by Dr. Brewer, speaks of
" the tail being depressed, and the head thrown back at each
utterance " of their notes.

XL PASSERCULUS-t

A. PRINCEPS. Ipswich Sparrow. A northern species,
but lately discovered reaching New England in winter. %

''^ As quoted by Mr. Allen in his | The Ipswich Sparrow breeds — so

Notes on Some of the Barer Birds of far as is known — only on Sable Island,

Massachusetts: off Nova Scotia. In autumn it occurs

* Their characteristic haunts in Mas- more or less commonly along- practi-

saehusetts, at least during the breeding- cally the entire coast of New England,

season, are rather wet — or at least A few birds reach Massachusetts by

springy — meadows. — W. B= the middle of October, but the bulk of

'^ In his Naturalist's Guide, p. 117. the flight passes between the 25th of

t Now a subgenus of Ammodramus. that month and the 15th to the 20th of

— W. B. November. The return migration in

202 LAND-BIRDS.

a. Mr. Maynard describes as follows the first specimen
obtained (though the italicizing is my own) : '^ Back grayish ;
the middle of the feathers having a black centre edged with
rufous. Tojy of head streaked with dusky and pale rufous,
divided hy a broad strij^e of ^^a/e yellowish ichite. There is
also a whitish superciliary stripe extending from the base of
the bill to the back of the head. Ear-coverts grayish, with a
rufous tinge." (Description of wings here omitted.) White
wing-bars " rather indistinct." ^^Tail hrownish^ with the tips
of the feathers and terminal half of the outer tveh of the outer
tail feathers fale yelloioish ivhite ; the rest of the tail-feathers
narrowly edged with the same. Under parts, including under
tail-coverts, pure white. Feathers of the sides of the throat,
with a broad band across the breast and sides, streaked with
rufous, with dusky centres. The throat is indistinctly spotted
with dusky. A triangular spot on the sides of the neck, below
the ear-coverts, j^ale buff ; ears dusky. Bill dark brown, with
the base of the under mandible paler. Eyes and feet brown."
Length, six inches (or more).

c. That I may do full honor to Mr. Maynard, as the dis-
coverer of a bird, not before described, in a country well pop-
ulated by naturalists of all sorts, I shall here transcribe at
length his own remarks about the Ipswich Sparrow, which he
at first erroneously supposed to be the Baird's Sparrow,^^ Pro-
fessor Baird having pronounced it to be that species. This
mistake, however excusable on the part of the latter gentle-
man, who is ranked as the foremost of American naturalists,

spring occurs ordinarily during- the lat- collection, shot in the Fresh Pond

ter half of March and the first ten days marshes at Cambridg-e, is, so far as I

of April. A few scattered birds spend am aware, the only specimen that has

the entire winter on the eastern coast been actually taken out of sight and

of Massachusetts, but by far the greater sound of the sea. — AV. B.

number go south of Cape Cod. They ^o Until within the last two or three

are common in January and February years [1873] this latter bird, a species

on Long Island, the coast of New Jer- confined to the western United States,

sey, and at Cobb's Island, Virginia, was known to ornithologists by one

while two specimens have been cap- specimen only, one of those shot by

tured in Georgia. Mr. N. C. Brown Audubon " upon the banks of the Yel-

has reported seeing what he believed lowstone River, July 26, 1848." Lately

to be an Ipswich Sparrow at Lake others have been shot, and their habits

Umbagog, Maine, but a bird in my studied, in northern Dakota.

FINCHES. 203

shows the necessity of strict accuracy and the utmost care iu
scientific investigation.

Mr. Maynard says : " The Ipswich Sand-hills, where the
specimen was procured, is a most peculiar place. I never
have met with its equal anywhere. Years ago these Sand-
hills, which are three miles long by three fourths of a mile
across, and contain about one thousand acres, were covered
with a thick growth of pine trees. Protected by these trees,
and among them, dwelt a tribe of Indians, whose earlier
presence is indicated, not only by tradition, but by numerous
shell heaps scattered over the Sand-hills at irregular intervals.
Indeed, even now the ashes of camp-fires may be seen, appar-
ently fresh. Upon the advent of the white man, the usual
event transpired, namely, the disappearance of the trees ; and
to-day, with the exception of a few scattering ones at the
southeasterly corner, near the house of the proprietor of the
Sand-hills, Mr. George Woodbury, not a tree is to be seen.
All is bleak and barren. The surface of the ground, once
covered with a slight deposit of soil, has become a mass of
shifting sands. Many times has the present owner had cause
to resfret the want of foresio^ht in his ancestors in removing;
the trees, as the several acres of arable land around the house
are now covered with sand, including a valuable apple-orchard.
Upon this orchard the sand has drifted to the depth of thirty
feet. Some of the trees present the curious phenomenon of
apples growing upon limbs that protrude a few feet only above
the sand, while the trunk and lower branches are buried !
The Sand-hills, in places, are covered with a sparse growth
of coarse grass, upon the seeds of which, as I have remarked
elsewhere, thousands of Snow Buntings feed. There are, in
some places, sinks or depressions with the level of the sea.
In these sinks, which, except during the summer months, are
filled with fresh water, a more luxuriant growth of grass aj>
pears. Walking, on December 4, 1868, near one of these
places, in search of Lapland Longspurs, I started a Sparrow
from out the tall grass, which flew wildly, and alighted again
a few rods away. I approached the spot, surprised at seeing
a Sparrow at this late day so far north, especially in so bleak

204 LAND-BIRDS.

a place. After some trouble I again started it. It flew
wildly as before, when I fired, and was fortunate enough to
secure it. It proved to be Baird's Sparrow. When I found
I had taken a specimen which I had never seen before, —
although at that time I did not know its name or the interest
attached to it, — I instantly went in searcli of more. After
a time I succeeded in starting another. This one, however,
rose too far off for gunshot, and I did not secure it. It flew
away to a great distance, when I lost sight of it. After this
I thought that among the myriads of Snow Buntings that
continually rose a short distance from me I again detected it,
but I was perhaps mistaken. I am confident of having seen
it in previous years at this place, earlier in the season."

"... As might be expected, I heard no song-note at this
season, but simply a short chirp of alarm."

The Ipswich Sparrows are now known to be regular winter
visitants from the north along the coast of New England.
They also occur inland, as I observed two, who were extremely
shy, in a sandy field at the distance of several miles from the
sea.

B. SANDWICHENSIS SAVANNA. Savaiinali Sparroic. A
rather colonial species, locally common in the summer season
thrcmghout New England.*

a. About 5|^ inches long. With no bright tints (espe-
cially about the interscapular), and rarely a prominent pectoral
blotch, as in the Song Sparrow (XIII, A ; who sometimes,
however, lacks the latter feature), and never with a chestnut
patch on the wing, or conspicuous white on the tail, as in the
Grass Finch (XII, A). Feathers above, brownish gray, on
the tail scarcely marked, but elsewhere pale-edged, and darkly

* This Sparrow breeds throughout generally distributed, nesting- frequent-
New England, but in eastern Massachu- ly in narrow valleys or small clearings
setts and to the southward it is decided- far back among the mountains. It is
ly uncommon or at least local, excepting not known to winter in any part of New
on or very near the coast ; whereas in England, but it comes to us very early
Berkshire County, Massachusetts, and in spring and remains late into the
in northern New England, it is very autumn. — W. B.

FINCHES. 205

streaked, most finely upon the crown. Superciliary line and
edge of the wing, yellowish ; a faint line dividing the crown,
whitish. Beneath, white (or huffish), with dark streaks,
brown-edged. A little bay is to be found on the wings, and
among the interscapulars.

h. The nest is built on the ground, in the various summer
haunts of this bird. It is composed chiefly of dry grasses,
and in eastern Massachusetts is finished in the second week
of May. Four or five eggs are then laid, averaging .75X.55
of an inch, exhibiting great variation, and often approaching
those of other Sparrows. Some are dull white, faintly and
minutely marked, most thickly at the crown. Dr. Brewer
says : " In some the ground color, which is of a greenish white,
is plainly visible, being only partially covered with blotches
of brown, shaded with red and purple. These blotches are
more numerous about the larger end, becoming confluent and
forming a corona. In others the ground color is entirely con-
cealed by confluent ferruginous fine dots, over which are
darker markings of brown and purple and a still darker ring
of the same about the larger end."

c. The Savannah Sparrows show a marked preference for
the sea-coast, and the islands near it, and are to be found nmch
farther to the northward along the coast-line than in the inte-
rior, where, however, they frequently occur to the southward of
the mountain-chains in northern New England. To the in-
land, rather than along the shore, they are locally distributed,
being the most colonial of all our Sparrows. Though collec-
tive, they do not cluster as the Swallows do, but many often
pass the summer in one place, and several pairs frequent the
same field, or the same strip of shore. They reach eastern
Massachusetts, where they are particularly " abundant in the
salt-water marshes and their neighborhood," in the second or
third week of April ; but many soon pass to the northward.

They have a settlement, if I may so call it, at a place in the
White Mountains, where I made the following observations.
They there inhabited the fields and pasture-lands. In the ear-
lier part of July they were seen in small flocks, or families, to
visit gardens in the search of food ; and, even so late as the

206 LAND-BIRDS.

twenty-third of that month, a nest was found containing fresMy
laid eggs. As well-grown young were also then observed, they
doubtless reared two broods ; and certainly until the latter
part of August they remained in the fields where they had
built their nests. Although they were eminently terrestrial
in habits, and fed and nested on the ground, yet they not un-
f requently alighted on the fences between the pastures, and by
the roadsides, or rarely on the telegraph-wires. They were
very nimble on the gTound, often chasing the insects that con-
stituted their chief food ; and usually, when frightened from
their nests, they feigned lameness, and endeavored to lead one
from the spot, — whereas the Bay-winged Buntings generally
flew at once to some near fence. Unlike these latter, they
did not often venture to the roads, except when, autumn draw-
ing near, they associated with the " Grass Finches," and fol-
lowed their habits more closely than during the breeding sea-
son. In September they seemed less numerous than in July,
but wandered mucli more freely over the country.

In Massachusetts, a few stay until November, but a major-
ity pass to the southward earlier, and I have never known any
to spend the winter in New England. There is nothing very
characteristic in their flight, w^hich is usually short and low.
They are often shy, and can never be closely approached when
on the ground ; and, though they sometimes feed in gardens
near houses or barns, they commonly prefer the more remote
fields, where civilization is not busy.

d. Their notes are interesting, as distinct from those of
other birds, and, so far as I know, are appreciably like only
those of the Yellow-winged Sparrows. Besides a low chijj (?)
they have a peculiar cldrp^ which one might reasonably attrib-
ute to some loud-voiced cricket or beetle, and which also bears
resemblance to the "Night Hawk's" ordinary cry. Their
song-notes are very characteristic, and are drawlybut musical.
They nearly resemble the syllables c}iip-chir)\ sometimes ex-
tended to cMp-chee., cliee-chee-cliir7\ or so varied as to be a song.

In describing three common birds, frequently confused by
the ignorant or inexperienced, namely, the Savannah Finch,
the Bay-winged Bunting, and the Song Sparrow, I have en-

FINCHES. 207

deavored so to mark the characteristic differences as to render
their identification a matter of no difficulty. These streaked
species, as well as their ground-nesting relations, are often
indiscriminately called " Ground Sparrows " ; and likewise a
Sparrow's nest found in a bush is referred to the equally vague
" Bush Sparrow." One may often hear it said that " the
Ground Sparrow sings charmingly " ; but whether this refers to
the Field, Song, or Bay-winged Sparrow, it is impossible to
say, though doubts are lessened if the bird is described as
streaked beneath. It is to be observed that the Savannah
Sparrows (with generally dull tints) are most common near
the sea, often frequenting marshes, and, like the Yellow-winged
Sparrows (unstreaked beneath) who have a preference for dry
and sandy fields, are quaintly but not sweetly musical. The
Song Sparrows (with generally bright tints) to a certain extent,
as the Swamp Sparrows (unstreaked beneath) do exclusively,
pass their time in swamps and meadows, and both are sweet
musicians, as the Bay-winged Buntings, characterized by their
conspicuously white outer tail-feathers, also are. The little
" Chipjjers " and Field Sparrows (imlike the above-mentioned
" Yellow-wings ") are brightly tinted above, and (like them)
unstreaked below, the former having the breast light gray, the
other pale brown or buff. The former is often found in the
immediate neighborhood of man, and is unmusical; but the
latter sings most charmingly from the fields, pastures, and
bushy " scrub," which he is ever in. The little streaked female
of the Purple Finch, a mellow warbler, should be kept distinct,
as should the Lincoln's and the Henslow's Sparrows, who are,
however, very rare in Massachusetts, especially the Lincoln's
Finch.

Xn. POOCiETES.

A. GRAMINEUS. '' Gvass Fincli.^' Bay-xinnged Bunting.
Bay-toinged Sparrow. Vesjjer Sparrow. A common resi-
dent in New England, except in the winter season.*

* A common summer resident, breed- of the mountains of Berkshire County,

ing- wherever there are g-reen fields and Massachusetts, and of northern Maine,

pastures, from our southern and eastern New Hampshire, and Vermont. — W.

coasts to clearings high on the slopes B.

208 LAND-BIRDS.

a. About six inches long. A jjatch on the icing (the lesser
coverts), chestnut. The outer tail-feathers^ white. Above,
grayish brown, darkly streaked, most finely on the crown which
is not divided. Below, white (often buff-tinged) ; breast and
sides streaked with brown or black. Wings marked with bay.
Eye-ring, white.

h. The nest is invariably placed on the ground, generally
in a pasture or field. It is lined with fine roots, dried grasses,
or horsehairs. In Massachusetts two sets of eggs are laid,
one in the last week of May or earlier, and the other a month
or more later, each containing four or five. These average .80
X .60 of an inch, but exhibit several variations in coloration.
One specimen before me is white, irregularly spotted and
blotched with a rather light reddish brown and extremely faint
lilac, and measures .87 X -65 of an inch. Another is dull livid
white, with fine but almost invisible markings scattered over
the eg^., and a few large umber brown spots, some of which
are surmounted with black. These forms are almost two ex-
tremes. A third has scrawls and vermiculations on it, and
there are still others entirely distinct in character.

c. The Bay-winged Buntings, with the exception of the
Song Sparrows and " Chippers," and perhaps the Goldfinches,
are the most abundant members of their family to be found in
New England, during summer. Though they sometimes reach
eastern Massachusetts in March, they more commonly appear
in the second or third week of April, and become plenty before
May. Usually a few only can be found here in November,
the majority returning to the South in the preceding month.
A very few may possibly spend the winter in this State, but I
have never known them. In early spring, they are to be
found in fields, pastures, vegetable-gardens, and plowed
lands, often in association with other species, or gathered by
themselves. They are not so persistent in remaining on or
near the ground as the Savannah Sparrows (being rather less
nimble), are not so much confined as those birds are to certain
localities, and are not, I think, usually so common near the
sea-shore as in the interior. They have, however, a much
more limited distribution, being found in summer neither so
far to the northward nor southward.

FINCHES. 209

The so-called Grass Finches, though they spend much of their
time on the gTouud, often alight on the ridge-poles of barns,
and on fences, or on telegraph-wires, — generally those by the
roadside, where fields are near at hand. They often venture
to the roads, where they pick up food, and sometimes dust
themselves ; and they are generally undisturbed by a near ap-
proach. When approached in the fields, they often run ahead,
if a person walks behind, occasionally ''squatting," so to speak,
as if to rest. The whole or partial whiteness of their outer
tail-feathers, noticeable as the birds fly, renders the Bay-
winged Buntings easily recognizable. These Finches build their
nests in fields and pasture-lands, usually produce their first
set of eggs in the early part of May, and raise two or even
three broods in the course of one summer, so that their duties
to their young are often not completed until August. In the
latter part of that month, and later in the season, they are
chiefly gregarious, and, perhaps associated with Song or Sa-
vannah Sparrows, frequent in large flocks the roadsides, and
their other feeding-grounds. Their flights are less confined
than those of the Savannah Finches, though they are not
much on the wing. They are, however, bolder than those birds,
though like them they avoid to a certain extent the neighbor-
hood of houses.

d. The song of the Bay-winged Buntings is quite loud
and clear, and resembles that of the Song Sparrow ; but it
is entirely distinct, and rather sweeter though less lively. It
often may be heard in the heat of a summer noon, but is more
often repeated towards dusk, whence the name of " Vesper
Sparrow." It is my impression that I have heard it once or
twnce at night; and I have certainly heard it in October. Their
ordinary note, a chip^ is in no way characteristic.

XIII. MELOSPIZA.

A. FASCIATA. Song Sparrow. A resident in Massa-
chusetts throughout the year. In summer very abundant in
all the New England States.*

* A summer resident of the whole of the most abundant of our birds,
of New England, and everywhere one Song Sparrows are seldom if ever seen

210 LAND-BIRDS.

a. 5|-6J inches long. (Head-markings, never prominent,
are as follows : crown ba3% finely streaked with black ; me-
dian and superciliary stripes, impure white ; side-markings
often vague.) Interscapulars^ hright reddish brown (or
" baj^"), pale-edged, and black-streaked. Tail brown, some-
times faintly barred. (Rump, brown with a few markings.)
Under parts, white (shaded with brown behind), with black
streaks, brown-edged, on the breast and sides, generally coales-
cing into a conspicuous blotch on the former (and into maxil-
lary stripes). Wings in no contrast to the back.

b. The nest is composed of dried leaves, stalks, grasses,
and the like, and is often bulky. The lining consists of finer
materials of the same sort, or of horsehairs. The nest is
most often placed upon the ground in fields and pastures, fre-
quently under shelter of a bush or tussock ; less commonly in
bushes and thickets on or near meadows, or in shrubbery and
hedges near houses. Wilson speaks of one found in a cedar
tree, five or six feet from the ground ; and I have seen or heard
of several peculiar specimens, such as one built in a broken
jar. The eggs vary considerably in size, and greatly in color-
ation, often resembling those of other species. In eastern
Massachusetts two or three sets of four or five (rarely six) are
usually laid in the course of the season, the first appearing
about the first of May, or even earlier, when snow is on the
ground. Several different specimens are now before me. The
first measures .85X -60 of an inch, and is dull white (perhaps
green-tinged)^ faintly but thickly blotched with a purple-tinged
brown. The second is elliptical, measuring .78 X .60 of an
inch, and is dull white, thickly but irregularly marked with the
same purple-tinged brown of a somewhat darker shade, and
with traces of lilac. The third is almost elliptical, measures
.80 X .58 of an inch, and is marked thickly but finely with
brown and lilac. The fourth measures .78 X .55 of an inch,
and is white, tinged with greenish gray, and minutely marked

in the interior of Massachusetts or to often in considerable numhers, through

the northward during midwinter, but the coldest seasons, in sheltered

on or near the coast of Massachusetts, swamps and in briery thickets near

and very generally (it is said) through- streams. — W. B.
out Connecticut they may be found,

FINCHES. 211

with sandy brown, a little lilac, and one or two black scrawls
near the crown. The fifth is light blue, greenish-tinged, finely
marked and also irregularly blotched, chiefly at the crown,
with Vandyke brown and a little lilac, and measures .78 X .58
of an inch. The sixth measures .77 X .55 of an inch, and is
of a light but bright greenish blue, chiefly marked by cloudings
of Vandyke brown (in some places umber) and lilac, grouped
in an irregular ring about the larger end. A seventh resem-
bles strongly the ordinary egg of the Swamp Sparrow, and
another is dull white, with marking so feeble as to be almost
invisible. Still other forms exist, with various combinations,
to detail all of which would be impossible.

c. On winter days one may sometimes see certain small
birds, skulking from thicket to thicket in the swamps, or in
other cheerless places, occasionally hopping on the ground to
pick up the seeds which have fallen from the weeds upon the
snow, and now and then emitting a rather melancholy note :
these are the Song Sparrows, for a few always pass the winter
in eastern Massachusetts, though strange to say much less com-
mon, at least in one township, during the past very mild winter
than in the preceding one, an extraordinarily severe season.
This was also the case with the Kobins. Besides having seen
the Song Sparrows, I have also heard their song near Boston,
in every month of the year ; ^^ but in the winter they are rare.
About the middle of March they first practice their spring
carols ; and those who have passed the colder weather in the
South then return to their spring haunts. During the latter
part of March and early April they are extremely abundant,
particularly in swamps and about vegetable-gardens, and in
those places associate with other species, especially the Fox-
colored Sparrows. They also become less shy than they are
in winter, and some, to a certain extent, frequent shrubbery
about houses, where, however, I have known one to remain
throughout the year. Wherever they may be, at this season,
they are in full song, and their haunts resound with the confu-

^1 Mr. Maynard also says (in The it («'. e., the Song Sparrow) every month
Naturalist's Guide., p. 118): "Mr. in the year; has even heard it sing in
Brewster informs me that he has taken January."

212 LAND-BIRDS.

sion of a liundred melodies poured out by these birds and tlieir
associates. Though the Song Sparrows cannot properly be
called gregarious, yet in spring they often collect in large
numbers at their feeding-grounds ; but gradually many leave
us to pass the suaimer in a more northern country, and others
begin to build their nests here. During the breeding-season
they occupy the neighborhood of these nests, the various situ-
ations of which have already been mentioned. In many locali-
ties, other than those in which I have made my own observa-
tions, such as the fields and pasture-lands of the interior, and
those of New Hampshire or Maine, they perhaps pass the
spring as they do the summer, in those fields and their imme-
diate surroundings. In such places they are probably in
spring less common and less gregarious than in the country
previously described. As they raise two or three broods every
year, it is .not until August (or a little earlier) that they are
freed from their household cares. Like several other birds,
they divide the labors of rearing their young, and the males,
while their mates rear one brood, often build the nest for
another, and are busied until summer is well advanced.
Later in the year they collect at their feeding-grounds, but not
so abundantly as in the spring, since the fall migrations of this
species extend through a greater length of time than the others.
During the former the Song Sparrows are most common
throughout a part of September and October, and associate
with various other Finches, rather preferring, at this season,
dry grounds to the swamps. It is impossible, however,
exactly to define the nature of the places in which they may
then be usually found. After the middle of October, they
appear and disappear until only those are left who pass the
winter with us. At all times of the year, except during the
matin g-season, they are rather shy, and, when startled, almost
invariably dive into some near brush-heap or thicket, where
they are well concealed. They commonly prefer the neigh-
borhood of the ground, running quite nimbly on it, but much
more often perch in trees, even at a considerable height, than
is commonly supposed. They have a gently undulating flight,
flying low and never very far.

FINCHES. 213

In summer they are to be found throughout a greater part
of northern North America, even so far to the southward as
the Gulf of Mexico (though in the West represented by several
varieties), being abundant and well known in almost all parts
of New England ; and, indeed, in a majority of places they
are, with the exception of the Chipping Sparrows, the most
common of all the Finches. It is impossible to define accu-
rately all their haunts, since these vary according to the
nature of the country, and somewhat according to the seasons ;
but their haunts, and moreover all those minor habits which
have not been fully detailed, may easily be learned by the
ornithological experience of one or two years.

d. The song of the Song Sparrow is sweet, lively, and
poured out with an energy which doubles its charm. It has
several variations, which might excusably be attributed to
two or three species ; but the one most often heard is that
which they give utterance to in the spring. This is an
indescribable song, characteristic of itself. It usually begins
with a thrice repeated note, followed by the sprightl}" part of
the Qiusic, concluding with another note, which, like the first,
is often tripled.^^ The Song Sparrows have also eccentric
music, peculiar to the mating-season ; and. in autumn they
often soliloquize. In the earlier part of spring they sing
most loudly, in summer they are much less often heard ; in
fall they sing unfrequently, and in winter seldom. Occa-
sionally they pour out their music, when dropj^ing to the
ground from some perch above the fields, with wings out-
stretched. Their ordinary notes are a characteristic, sharp
chiick^ or " hoarse c^ee/;," as it variously sounds, and a chip^
less often heard, which resembles that of several other
Sparrows.

The Song Sparrows, regarding man's so-called " interests,"
are neutral, feeding principally upon seeds or small berries ;
but with those who know them are justly favorites, particu-
larly on account of their sprightly song, which, if we except
the Bluebirds' note, is the first to be heard in spring.

^2 See account of the Red-winged Blackbird's notes (§ 17, IV, A, d).

214 LAND-BIRDS.

B. LiNCOLNii. Lincoln^s Finch. Lincoln's Sparrow,
Of great rarity in Massachusetts, occurring as a summer resi-
dent.*

a, 64 inches long. Below, white ; dusky-streaked, except
on the belly. Breast hand (and side-shading), hy^oitmish
yellow. Above, grayish brown ; crown and back, streaked
with blackish, brownish, and paler; tail, scarcely marked.
Wings, with some bay and white. [Abridged from Coues.]

h. The nests hitherto found have all been placed upon the
ground. An egg in my collection measures about .75 X .55
of an inch, and is light green, finely blotched all over with
a medivmi brown, which is purple - tinged. Dr. Brewer de-
scribes others, having " a pale greenish white ground," " thickly
marked with dots and small blotches of a ferruginous brown,"
etc.

c. The Lincoln's Finches are very rare in Massachusetts, a
few specimens only having been hitherto obtained in this State.
Their summer habitat is an extensive one, — "the United
States from Atlantic to Pacific," — including the north, for
they were "first met with by Mr. Audubon in Labrador."
As I have seen them but once, my brief description of their
habits is gathered from Dr. Brewer's account of them.^
The Lincoln's Finch is allied in habits to the Song Sparrow,
singing " for whole hours at a time " from the top of some
shrub, often diving into thickets, and, when frightened, flying
" low and rapidly to a considerable distance " (as the Song
Sparrow does not) " jerking its tail as it proceeds, and throw-
ing itself into the thickest bush it meets." Audubon found
the Lincoln's Sparrows chiefly near streams ; and apparently
these birds are often gregarious, at least during the migra-
tions.

* Lincoln's Sparrow is now known bridg-e, and in the course of a single

to occur very regularly during the morning I have started a dozen or more

spring and autumn migrations at many birds from a single field at Lake Um-

localities in both northern and south- bagog. It has not as yet been found

ern New England. It is, while with breeding in New England, but its nest

us, a silent, retiring bird, easily over- has been taken in the Adirondacks.

looked, and hence by many collectors it — W. B.

is considered a prize of considerable ^^ My biography of this species was

rarity. But at the proper seasons it written before I had access to the works

is often not uncommon about Cam- of Audubon.

FINCHES. 215

d. Their song is said to be a fine one, and is described
" as composed of the notes of a Canary and a Woodlark of
Europe." They have also a " chuck."

C. GEORGIANA. Siuamp Sjjarroic. In Massachusetts,
on the whole, a common summer resident.*

a. 5o-6 inches long. Crown, bay (in (J in autumn and
5 , black-streaked, and divided by a light line). Forehead
(" and nuchal patch " ?), often black. (Side-markings on the
head not prominent.) Side of head, and the breast, warm
gray or "ash." Latter sometimes marked with obsolete
streaks, which become more distinct on the sides (which are
often brown-washed). Chin and belly, almost white. Inter-
scapulars, bay, boldly black-streaked (and pale-edged).
Rump, the same. Tail, not strongly marked ; wings, much
edged with bay.

h. The nest is placed in swamps, and on or near meadows,
usually in a tussock of grass, but sometimes in a low bush.
It is much like that of the Song Sparrow, and is finished
about the middle of May. The eggs of each set, two sets
being often laid in the season, are four or five, and average
about .80 X -60 of an inch. They are white, tinged with
gray, green, or blue, finely marked with brown (and lilac),
and irregularly blotched or even splashed, usually more
thickly about the crown than elsewhere, with two or three
shades of a brown, varying in tint from sandy brown to
umber. I have seen eggs, both of the Song and Tree Spar-
rows, very closely resembling them.

c. There are few greater charms in Nature than her first
music in spring ; and the simple chant of the Song Sparrow
in March makes the heart gladder than the melody of the
Wood Thrush in June. Yet the cheerful song of the former,
when first heard to ring through the meadows, inspires but
delusive hopes of spring, and it is therefore that the sweet

* The Swamp Sparrow breeds raer bird. A few individuals regu-

throughout New Eng-land wherever larly pass the winter in the Fresh Pond

it finds fresh-water swamps or mead- marshes at Cambridge, Massachusetts,

ows suited to its requirements, and in — W. B.
many localities it is an abundant sum-

216 LAND-BIRDS.

but more modest notes of the Swamp Sparrow, heard later,
may afford to those who hear them a more lasting pleasure.
But this bird is unfortunately ahnost unknown except to the
student of birds, owing to his continual residence in swamps,
meadow-thickets, or even marshes, his rareness in many
places, and above all his shyness. It is, therefore, with
pleasure that I shall endeavor, so far as possible, to intro-
duce him to my readers.

The Swamp Sparrows are locally common throughout New
England, but most so to the southward and eastward. They
reach the neighborhood of Boston in the earlier part of April,
and remain there until October or even November. They
inhabit exclusively wet lands, chiefly those which are rather
secluded, or which contain bushes and shrubbery. They are
shy, and it is almost impossible to study their habits except by
penetrating their haunts and resting there motionless. They
may then be observed to move from bush to bush, but not
"jerking their tails as they fly," or to run quite nimbly on the
ground, where they find much of their food, which consists of
seeds, berries, and insects. They are not so collective as the
Song Sparrows often are, nor have I often seen them perched
in trees. On the contrary, they are very terrestrial, often
scratching like the Fox Sparrows, or wading in shallow
water.

d. The Swamp Sparrows excel all our other Finches in
the variety of their distinct notes, and on this score are per-
haps to be ranked as the first musicians of their family. Of
these notes their mellow clinch^ their harsh scold, and their
song, bear a strong resemblance to the corresponding notes of
the Catbird. This song is much less pleasing than the sweet,
clear trill, much like that of the Pine Warbler or Snow-bird,
which generally replaces it in spring, or their low warble
occasionally to be heard in autumn. They have also a soft
cliip^ a querulous note, and certain expressive twitters. Like
the Song Sparrows, who sing chiefly in the early morning
and at dusk, they keep comparatively late hours, and often do
not retire until it is almost dark. I remember to have seen
one at evening in the eccentric expression of his passion dur-

FINCHES. 217

ing the season o£ love, dart from a thicket, mount in the air,
and take quite a rapid, circuitous flight, continually utteriug
a fine, steady trill, until, having returned to the thicket, he
dived into it, ejaculating a few broken musical notes, after
which all was still. Song with birds is often a passion, or
the effect of one ; and the Chaffinches in France are said,
when caged, and placed as rivals near one another, to sing
until one finally succumbs, often falling dead on the floor of
his cage !

XIV. SPIZELLA.

A. sociALis. Chipping Sparrow. '''' Chipper P Etc.
^'' Hairhird'^ A very common summer resident in Massa-
chusetts, and almost throughout the United States.*

a. About 5 1 inches long. Cro^vn, chestnut ; forehead,
black (former in J often black-streaked). Interscapidars,
reddish brown, edged with paler and black-streaked. Rump,
ashy (slightly streaked ?). Tail, forked, and dusky mth pale
edgings. Superciliary line, light ; eye-stripe, dark. Under
parts, white ; lower throat and breast, very light warm gray
(="pale ash"). Two narrow white bars on the wdngs,
which otherwise accord with the back and tail. (Bill, black,
occasionally paler; never reddish as in pusilla.')

h. The nest is almost invariably composed of fine rootlets
(occasionally — in pastures — of straw, and therefore com-
paratively bulky), and is lined with horsehairs, whence the
name " Hairbird." I have one made entirely of v/hite hairs,
and strikingly different from all other specunens of bird-
architecture. The nest is usually placed, not far from the
ground,^^ in shrubbery near houses, in piazza-vines, or in
cedar trees — particularly those in pastures; also not infre-
quently in pines or orchard trees, and less often in shade
trees. The eggs average .68 X .48 of an inch, and are light
but bright bluish green, with dark purplish and black mark-

* One of our most abundant and ^^ In a few exceptional cases it has
universally distributed summer resi- been found upon it.
dents, breeding- practically everywhere
throughout New Eng-land. — W. B.

218 LAND-BIRDS.

ings, whicli form a ring about the large end (and are rarely
like the scrawls on the eggs of the Blackbirds (§ 17, IV).
In Massachusetts, two sets of four or ^\e * are usually laid
every year, the first of which commonly appears about the
first of June.

c. The Chipping Sparrows are the most familiar and
abundant summer residents, in Massachusetts, of all the
numerous Finches. They reach the neighborhood of Boston
about the twentieth of April, but are not at that season gre-
garious, and about the first of May become abundant, soon
afterwards beginning to build their nests. They inhabit
more or less pasture-land, but particularly affect the neigh-
borhood of man — to such a degree that they were formerly
abundant on Boston Common, though they have lately been
somewhat supplanted by the English Sparrows. They fre-
quent lawns, orchards, gardens, the neighborhood of houses,
and public ways. They often obtain on the roadsides the
small seeds which constitute a part of their food, and, when
so doing, are rarely disturbed by the approach of man.
They feed also very largely in summer upon small caterpil-
lars, inclusive of the dreaded canker-worms, and are thus
beneficial. Towards one another they are rather pugnacious,
but perhaps playfully so. Their flight, never a long one, is
in no way peculiar. They often perch upon fences, and
sometimes between two narrowly separated pickets, which
well illustrates their littleness. They rarely perch or fly at
any great height from the ground, and indeed are not com-
monly to be seen in tall trees, unless in the lower branches,
for instance, of the pines, in which they often build their
nests. There is hardly a populated district of Massachusetts
where they are not common, but to the northward of that
State they gradually become rarer, though in summer found
in arctic countries. In northern New Hampshire, they are
not very numerous, and there they collect in small flocks as
early as August. In Massachusetts they congregate in Sep-
tember, sometimes to the number of a hundred, but do not
associate much with other species. They disappear in the

* The number of eggs in a set rarely exceeds four. — W. B.

FINCHES. 219

early part of October,* and retire to pass the winter in the
South. Before their departure they frequent the roadsides,
or vegetable-gardens, where they can obtain abundant food,
and may often be seen to pursue one another, uttering their
rather weak battle-cries.

d. Their ordinary note is a single cAi;?, like that of the
Tree Sparrow. But the " Chippers " also possess a variety
of combined chijJS, and a series of querulous twitters, which
they employ as a battle-cry. Their nearest approach to a
song is a long, dry-toned, unmusical trill, which, from their
perch on fence or tree, they often repeat during the breeding
season and summer. These trills have several variations,
which are sometimes combined, one with a rising inflection
being followed by a more open one with a reverse inflection.
It is said that individuals have actually been known to sing,
and very sweetly, but such cases are wholly exceptional.

The Chipping Sparrows are " so tame as to be fed with
crumbs from the table," so fearless of man as to be much
favored by him, and so common that they may eventually
become as intimate in our households as certain birds of
Europe are in those of their country.

B. MONTICOLA. Tree Sparrow?^ ''Arctic Chipper^
In Massachusetts, a winter resident, generally quite common
and regular in appearance. f

a. About six inches long. ("Bill, black above, yellow
below.") Cro^vn, chestnut, in winter slightly marked.
Superciliary line, dull white ; eye-stripe (and maxillary line),
dark. Interscapulars, bright bay, pale-edged, and black-
streaked. Rump, unmarked; tail, dusky ("black") with
white edgings. Under parts, white. Sides of head, lower
throat, and upper breast, 2,A\^ -tinted ; the latter with a dark
central hlotch. Sides, however, and rarely the whole under

* They are ordinarily common up to t An abundant spring- and autumn

the middle of this month, and a few migrant, and a very common winter res-

usually linger as late as the 24th or ident, not known to breed anywhere

25th. — W. B. within our boundaries. — W. B.

85 Not to be confused with the Eng-
lish Tree Sparrow (XXV).

220 LAND-BIRDS.

parts, brown-washed or buffy. Two conspicuous wing-bars,
white ; part of the wing, black. Wings otherwise as in socia-
lise " in keeping with " the back.

h. The Tree Sj^arrows breed in arctic countries only.
Their eggs are strikingly like those of the Swamp Sparrow
and allied species (XIII, C), exhibiting some variation. A
specimen before me measures about .77 X -55 of an inch, and
is of a faint and vague blue or green, finely marked with
brown all over, clouded with umber brown about the crown,
and splashed in one or two places with a pale and peculiar
tint of the same color. Dr. Brewer says that the eggs " meas-
ure .85 X -65 of an inch." " Their ground-color is a light
green," " freckled with minute markings of a foxy brown."

c. With the exception of the Snow-birds, the Tree Sparrows
are the most regular in appearance of all the Finches who visit
us in winter, but who pass the summer in a colder climate.
They are, moreover, more or less common during their s]3ring
(and fall) migrations. They fi.rst make their appearance in
eastern Massachusetts in the last week of October, or the
first of November ; but many are then on their way to the
South. In the last part of the latter month they become com-
mon, and continue to reside here throughout the winter. They
usually go about in small flocks, sometimes, however, in pairs
or singly ; but, when such is the case, several may usually
be found in the same immediate neighborhood. They feed
exclusively (?) upon various seeds, and consequently spend
their time mostly in fields where the weeds are not entirely
covered by the snow, — in vegetable-gardens where the stubble
of the summer's crop, or the withered asparagus stalks, furnish
them with food, — or in the roads and on the roadsides.
When on the ground, the Tree Sparrows are quite nimble,
as is highly consistent with their mode of life, since they gen-
erally feed when on the ground itself, though they some-
times perch upon the tops of weeds, and still more often may
be seen in trees, frequently collecting in apple trees. They
prefer open grounds, and rather avoid the neighborhood of
houses, though I have known one to join Snow-birds who were
feeding on a piazza. They are not usually shy ; and, indeed.

FINCHES. 221

I have seen them in village streets, and have at other times
approached within five yards of them, when occupied in
picking up their food. AYhen frightened, they do not dive
into thickets or bushes, as some other Sparrows do. Their
flight when short is low, when long is high, but at all times is
rapid. The Tree Sparrows do not mingle much with other
species, but seem to prefer one another's society, generally
living in peace, though occasionally an unpleasantness takes
place, when a brief combat ensues. In April they return to
the north, but those who have passed the winter further to the
southward than Massachusetts return at this season, sometimes
lingering here until the second week of May.^^ These spring
migrants associate somewhat with other birds, and are, more-
over, rather more shy than those who have been winter visitors
in the same neighborhood. I have occasionally seen them in
the " scrub," when they were quite wild and quickly took to
flight on a near approach.

d. The ordinary note of the Tree Sparrows is a chijo^ which
is more or less characteristic, and yet resembles that of the
Chipping Sparrow. When they fight, these birds utter queru-
lous but still musical twitters, which recall their own sons^
rather than any of the Chipper's notes. The following passage
is a quotation from Dr. Brewer's account of the Tree Spar-
rows, and describes their music as fully as it would be possible
for me to do : " . . . During November, the marshes of Fresh
Pond^" are filled with them, when their wailing autumnal
chant is in marked contrast ^vith the sweet and lively song,
with which they enliven the spring, just before they are about
to depart for their summer homes." " In regard to their
song, Mr. William Brewster informs me that they usually
commence singing about the 25th of March. Their song is a
loud, clear, and powerful chant, starting with two high notes,
then falling rapidly and ending with a low, sweet warble.
He has heard a few singing with their full vigor in November
and December, but this is rare." " During the love-season,
the Tree Sparrow is quite a fine musician, its song resembling

^^ They must not then be confused ^" At Cambridge,
with the Chipping- Sparrows (A).

222 LAND-BIRDS.

that of the Canary, but finer, sweeter, and not so loud. In
their migrations, Mr. Audubon states, a flock of twenty or
more will perch upon the same tree, and join in a delightful
chorus. Their flight is elevated and gracefid, and in waving
undulations." Just before their departure the Tree Sparrows,
when in flocks and feeding on the ground, often produce an
agreeable chorus, though at other times simply twitters.
Occasionally in winter an individual emits a few musical
notes.

From my acquaintance with the Tree Sparrows, I have
almost involuntarily learned to associate them with a winter's
afternoon drawing to its close, a clear sunset, with perhaps
dark clouds above, and a rising northwest wind, which sweeps
across the fields, to warn us of to-morrow's cold. The almost
mournful chip of these birds, as they fly to their nightly rest,
has always seemed to me a fitting accompaniment for such a
scene.

C, PUSILLA. Field Spcm^oio. A common summer resi-
dent in Massachusetts, frequenting pasture lands and the
" scrub." *

a. bl inches long. (" Bill, pale reddish.") Crown, rufous
red. Sides of the head, vaguely marked. Interscapidars,
bright bay, black-streaked, with pale edging (or rarely none).
Kump, median, unmarked. Tail, dusky black ; feathers pale-
edged. Wings (as in horealis,^ and) with two inconspicuous
white wingbars. Beneath, white ; breast and sides distinctly
washed with brown. (Line dividing the crown, and nuchal
patch, both faintly ashy, or wanting.)

h. The nest is placed on the ground or in a low bush, in
my own neighborhood generally the latter, and in a field, a
pasture, or the scrub-land. When placed in a bush, it is usu-
ally composed of fine straws, and sometimes fine twigs also,
and is occasionally lined with horsehairs, as is nearly always

* A common sixramer resident- never seen actually within the primi-

throughout southern New England and tive, coniferous forests of the latter

the more open and settled parts of reg-ion. — W. B.

northern New England, but seldom or t Spizella inonticola? ^W. B.

FINCHES. 22a

the case when it is on the ground. Each set of eggs, two sets
being often laid in a season, of which the first appears here in
the last week of May, consists of four or five eggs, which
average about .70 X -50 of an inch, and are white (gray-
tinged), with scattered spots of lights ahnost flesh-coL)red, red-
dish brown, which rarely are so confluent as nearly to conceal
the ground-color.

c. The Field Sparrows, though quite common here in sum-
mer, are not so generally well known as they deserve to be.
Though found in Maine, New Hampshire, and Vermont, yet
Massachusetts is the most northern of the New England
States in which they are common. In spring they come to
the neighborhood of Boston in the latter part of April, at
about the same time as the Chipping Sparrows, like them not
collecting in flocks at this season ; and about the middle of
May they begin to build their nests. Their usual haunts, in
summer, are pastures, fields (rather seldom those near
swamps), and the "scrub." In these places they feed upon
seeds and caterpillars, and occasionally, to obtain the former,
venture to the roads and roadsides. But they are habitually
much less familiar towards man than their near relations, the
well-known Chipping Sparrows, and lead a more retired life.
In September they collect in flocks, and leave us before
October is far advanced.* At this time they are bolder than
before, and associate somewhat with other species — especially
the " Chippers " ; feeding on the roadsides, and in pastures,
stubble-fields, and vegetable-gardens. Their powers of flight
are not great, though they are quite nimble on the ground,
and they do not ordinarily perch at a greater height than on
fences or bushes. When frightened, they often disappear
into shrubbery ; but the female, when on her nest, is often
courageous, and permits a near approach.

d. As has just been said, the Field Sparrows occasion-
ally remain on their nests (particularly when these are in

* This is a mistake, for they regu- into November. There is one well
larly remain through October and are authenticated instance of the winter-
usually numerous up to about the 25th ing of the species near Boston. — W. B.
of that month, while a few linger on

224 LAND-BIRDS.

bushes), until one can see them looking up with an anxious,
appealing expression, which is very charming. Sometimes,
however, almost always if the nest is on the ground, they take
to flight, when one intrudes too boldly, though they at once
return to the immediate neighborhood, and express their feel-
ings by the utterance of repeated chips, Wilson speaks of
their chirruping^ by which he probably refers to their occa-
sional twitters; but he says that they have no song. The
Field Sparrows do sing, however, and very sweetly, most often
in the early morning and towards evening. Their notes are
sweet and very clear, and have been likened to the tinkling
of a bell. They open with a few exquisitely modulated
whistles, each higher and a very little louder than the preced-
ing, and close with a sweet trill. But they are often varied ;
and, says Mr. Allen, "the songs of the males" in Florida
" were so different from those of the northern bird that the
species was almost unrecognizable by me from its notes."
The little Field Sparrows, however, are always charming
singers, and no sounds are more refreshing, on a warm after-
noon of early summer, than those which they produce.

XV. ZONOTRICHIA.

A. ALBicoLLis. White-throated Sparrow, " Peahody-
hird,^'' " White-throaty A common migrant through Mas-
sachusetts, many breeding in northern New England.*

a. 6-7 inches long. Crown, to just below the eyes,
black, with a median line and superciliary line, white, the
latter, however, bright yellow from the bill to the eye. Sides
of the head, ash, or warm gray ; breast and sides, lighter.
Throat and belly, white (the latter being separated from the
ash of the head by a narrow black maxillary line). Back,
reddish brown, black - streaked, and feathers pale -edged.

* The White-throated Sparrow ly pass the winter in sheltered swamps

breeds abundantly throughout most and thickets near the coast, and the

of northern New England, very com- species has also been reported as win-

monly on Mount Grayloek, sparingly tering in Connecticut, but at most local-

in the northern part of Worcester ities in southern New England it is

County, Massachusetts, and occasion- known only as a spring and autumn

ally in eastern Massachusetts. In the migrant. — W. B.
last-named region a few birds regular-

FINCHES.

225

Rump and tail, unmarked ; latter of a vague grayish brown,
rump, ashy-tinted. Wings with two white bars, which are
not prominent, and a yellow edge. 5 , with less pure and
defined colors than the male.*

6. The nest is built on or near the ground, in woodland

Fig. 9. White-throated Sparrow. (^)

or sometimes pastures, and generally resembles that of the
Snow-bird or Song Sparrow. The first set of four or fivef
eggs is laid in New Hampshire about the first of June, a sec-
ond often coming later. The eggs average .85 X .65 of an
inch, and are grayish white, finely marked and clouded with
a dark brown. Paler types also exist, resembling some eggs
of the Song Sparrow.

c. The White-throated Sparrow is one of the largest,
handsomest, and most charmingly musical, of all the New
England Sj)arrows.^^ These birds habitually pass the winter

* A few females are quite as richly
colored as the mature males. — W. B.

t Sets of five eggs are very uncom-
mon. — W. B.

"^8 Since I have begun this article
with the use of the singular number, I
will here quote an explanation of why,
in ornithological writings, it has been
objected to, in reference to birds. ' ' It
necessitates the general use of either
the pronoun she (which is not custom-
ary, except in sometimes speaking of a
bird of prey), or the pronoun he (which
hardly generalizes to a sufficient extent

one's remarks when applied to a species,
and which sometimes causes an unin-
tentional apparent distinction between
the male and female or their habits),
or the pronoun it, which is the worst
of all. For to speak of animated birds
as its and whiches, to any one who has
studied them and regards them as
friends, is as unpleasant as it would be
to hear an acquaintance referred to by
the neuter. By the use of the singular,
better expressions can sometimes be
formed than by that of the plural, and
the use of the pronouns he and she is

226 LAND-BIRDS.

in that country wliicli is so often indefinitely referred to as
"the South " ; and I have heard of but one supposed instance
of their remaining in Massachusetts throughout the winter,
which instance came to my notice (from an insufficient author-
ity) in the year 1874, when another specimen was reported
from a town near Boston, in the latter part of July. The
White-throated Sparrows usually come to that neighborhood,
when on their way to their summer homes, about the twen-
tieth of April or a few days later, but in severe seasons not
until May. During their stay here, which is commonly of
between one and three weeks' duration, they spend their time
in stubble-fields, roadsides, cultivated estates, and like places
(also rarely in swamps) ; associating somewhat with other
Finches, particularly with those who are migrating at the
same time ; generally being themselves in small flocks, though
separate individuals may now and then be seen. They feed
almost entirely upon seeds, which they pick up from the
ground ; but they are not very quick in their movements^
They are rather shy, and, when frightened, usually fly to trees,
not often perching at a greater height than thirty feet above
the ground. They are not, however, so shy as never to come
near houses, if they find the precincts attractive; but they
seem to be most bashful when they sing. Unfortunately they
do not sing very much in spring, and, indeed, some natural-
ists have told me that they have heard them utter here only
their ordinary notes. In summer, the " AYhite-throats " in-
habit northern New England (or the countries beyond), as^
for instance, Mount Desert and the White Mountains. In
both these places they frequent the woodland, especially that
of " light growth," or the spruce trees, and I have often heard
them there near the tops of high wooded hiUs. I say " heard

sometimes effective or necessary ; but Goldfinch, which is abundant here, is

in general, the plural is preferable for resident throughout the year. It sings

obvious reasons. The following exag- in May, and lays its eggs in June, etc'

gerated examples require no explana- Though strictly incorrect, it is allow-

tion. ' The Crow is black. He builds able by custom even to say, ' They

his nest in pines, and lays four eggs lay their eggs in June ' ; but the plural

in May.' ' The Robin is a common sometimes is certainly undesirable."
bird, and she is well known.' ' The

FINCHES. 227

them," for one rarely sees tliem, because of their shyness.
If I remember rightly, it is about the first of August that
they almost cease to sing ; and, as autumn approaches, they
show less attachment to their summer haunts. It is in Sep-
tember that they again make their appearance in Massachu-
setts, and, from the middle of that month until the latter
part of October, they are tolerably common, though a little
irregularly so. In the autumn their habits are much the
same as in the spring, but they are rather less gregarious. I
have seen a solitary individual so late as the fourteenth of
November, and I have, moreover, occasionally heard these
birds sing during their fall migrations.

d. The ordinary note of the White-throated Sparrows is
a rather feeble " tseep^^' much like that of the Fox-colored
Sparrows, and indeed of other birds. Their song is sweet,
clear, and exquisitely delicate, consisting of whistled notes,
which have been likened to the words, — "Old Sam Pea-
body, peabody, peabody, peabody." ^^ This song is often
somewhat varied ; and, again, snatches or parts of it are some-
times sung. It is more often whistled in the morning and at
evening than any other times of the day, and it may some-
times be heard at night. How often have I listened to its
almost plaintive tones in the stillness and cool of the New
Hampshire woods, and how charmed have I been to hear it
sung at night, as one may sometimes hear it in the summer
homes of these attractive birds !

B. LEUCOPHRYS. Whlte-CTOwned Sparroio. A generally
rare migrant through New England, breeding in the north.*

^^ It usually beg-ins with a note cut. Of late years — perhaps because

pitched at about D on the piano, fol- "we have learned just when and where

lowed by one higher, which is succeeded to look for them — these benutiful

by several triplets (2-5), each of which Sparrows appear to visit the reg-ion

is pitched a little lower than the preced- about Boston in greater numbers than

ing-. It is sometimes prefaced by a few formerly. They are never really com-

low twitters. mon, but a g'ood observer may often

* A spring" and autumn migrant, not meet with three or four in a day and

uncommon during some seasons, espe- upwards of a dozen in a single season.

eially in the White Mountains and in — W. B.
"western Massachusetts and Connecti-

228 LAND-BIRDS.

a. About seven inches long. Crown, like that of alhicollis
(^), but with the median and siqjerciliary lines much broader,
and meeting behind. Rump and tail, and the under parts also,
as in albicolliSy but with the colors beneath less distinct. Nape
and sides of head, light-colored. Back, streaked with brown
( = " purplish bay " ) and ashy white. Wings, with two white
bars.

b. " Eggs of this species, from Wyoming Territory, meas-
ure from .90 to .95 of an inch in length by .70 in breadth, and
are of an oblong-oval shape. The ground-color is a light
greenish white, thickly marked with reddish brown and lighter
markings of an obscure purplish brown. The intensity, depth
of coloring, and size of the darker brown markings, vary.
They are principally disj^osed about the larger end." [Dr.
Brewer.]

c. I shall not here give a detailed account of the White-
crowned Sparrows, since they are closely allied to the White-
throated Sparrows, of whose habits and notes a full description
has been given in the preceding pages. They are rare in
eastern, but not so in western Massachusetts, through which
State they pass about the middle of May, and again in Sep-
tember or early October. It is in spring, when traveling to
the land north of the United States, that they are most com-
mon. They do not often mingle with the " White-throats " ;
but often reach the neighborhood of Boston rather later, and,
instead of gathering in flocks, usually go about individually or
paired. They feed on the seeds, and perhaps the insects which
they can obtain in swamps, stubble-fields, or on the roadsides ;
but they also frequent woodland. They are so shy as to escape
general notice, the more so from their strong resemblance to
the " Peabody-birds " (Z. albicollis).

d. I have heard them sing during their brief stay here but
once or twice. Their song, and their '' tseep," are almost
exactly like those of the White-throated Sparrow, already de-
scribed.*

* Mr. Minot evidently made some very different in both form and tone

mistake here, for the song of the from the song- of the White-throated

White-crowned Sparrow is most nearly Sparrow. — W. B.
like that of the Vesper Sparrow and

FINCHES. 229

XVI. PASSERELLA.

A. ILIACA. Fox-colored Spai^i^ow. Fox Simrroio. A
common migrant through New England, but never resident
there.*

a. About seven inches long. Above, bright rusty red or
fox-color ; back with large, and crown with small, ashy streaks.
Wings, rusty, with two slender white bars. Below, white ;
marked, except on the belly, with chains of rusty or fox-col-
ored blotches, which are here and there confluent.

h. The nests and eggs, as is the case with many others
which are not to be found in New England, I must describe
through other writers. Dr. Brewer says : " Their eggs meas-
ure from .92 to an inch in length, and .70 in breadth. They
are oblong in shape. Their ground-color is a light bluish
white, thickly spotted with a rusty brown, often so f uUy as to
conceal the ground."

c. The Fox-colored Sparrows are the largest and most
strikingly handsome of all our Sparrows, and as musicians are
unsurpassed by any birds of that group. They are among the
few land-birds that are known to occur in New England as mi-
grants only, passing the summer in Labrador f and other cold
countries. While journeying to the South, they are in Massa-
chusetts during the latter part of October, as well as tlirough-
out November, and I have seen them here so late as the ninth
of December. Though they are then less often found in
swamps, and do not sing, their habits are otherwise the same
as in the spring. At that season, on their return to the north,
they usually reach Boston about the middle of March, and are
common for a month or so, a few even lingering until May.
They frequent for the most part swampy woodland, unless the
water be frozen, though also gardens, stubble-fields, the road-
sides, and occasionally the immediate neighborhood of houses
(usually, in the last case, only as individuals). They gener-
ally gather in parties of from five to twenty, and often associ-
ate with other birds, such as the Song Sparrows or Snow-birds,

* An abundant spring- and autumn t Their most southern known breed-

migrant throughout New England. — ing-grounds are the Magdalen Islands
W. B. in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. — W. B.

230 LAND-BIRDS.

particularly the former. In the early morning their songs,
when blended with those of these Sparrows, form a loud and
very striking, but confusing and misleading chorus. The Fox
Sparrows are rather shy, when frightened taking flight to
trees (especially the pines) ; but they pass most of their time
upon the ground, where they feed principally upon seeds, and
such morsels as they find beneath the fallen leaves. They
have a peculiar habit of scratching, much like Hens, and thus
turn over the pine needles, etc., or rake the grass.

d. Their most pleasing characteristic is their song, which
is rich, full, loud, clear, and ringing, though tinged with a
slightly mournful tone. It can be well imitated by the
human whistle, but cannot be well described, owing to its
several variations. It may often be heard here, chiefly in the
cooler hours of the day, in March or April. It is sometimes
abridged to a sweet warble, to which twitters are occasionally
added. The Fox-colored Sparrows have also a rather dreary
lisp or " tseej)^^ and a loud chuck^ which is more rarely heard.
In my Journal is the following anecdote of a young bird
of this species. " Nov. 24th. . . . Observing him on a
branch above me, I whistled the spring song of this SjDar-
row, being curious to observe his conduct. Whereupon the
youngster swelled his throat, opened his bill, and apparently
tried to sing, producing, however, only a few weak hisses.
This he repeated several times, as often as I whistled. Find-
ing, however, none of his companions about, as I had probably
led him to suppose, he soon returned to the asparagus-bed
near by." His instinct of song, and his futile efforts to
answer my deceptive notes, afford much food for interesting
thought.

If anything can add freshness to the freshness of a bright
morning in spring, it is the music which the Fox Sparrows
produce at that season, and it is well worth the effort of early

XVII. JUNCO.

A. HYEMALis. Snoio-hird.^^ In Massachusetts, com-

^^ Often called the Black or Blue Snow-bird, in distinction from the Snow
Bunting, or " White Snow-bird."

FINCHES. 231

raon from September until May ; in winter, for the most part,
only present with the snow, or just before storms.*

a. ^-^\ inches long. Outer tail-feathers, always pure
white. In full plumage, slaty black, with the breast and belly
abruptly white. Often, especially in winter specimens or the
females, the black and white of the under parts are shaded
into one another, and all the black is less pure, with brown
edgings on the wings (and back), or is even replaced by a
rich, warm, dark brown, which also tints the breast and sides.

h. The nest is built on the ground (often near roadsides),
sometimes on a stump or log, and rarely in a bush or low ever-
green. Four or ^-^^ eggs are laid about the first of June
among the White Mountains, and often others in July. These
average .80 X .60 of an inch, and vary from pale grayish white,
marked thickly and delicately, but very faintly, with lilac, to
bluish or greenish white, spotted and blotched, chiefly about
the crown, with reddish brown, umber, and often purplish.
The nest may be found both in woods and pasture-land, differ-
ing from those of the various Warblers in being much larger,
and sometimes coarser.

c. The Snow-birds spend the siunmer in the woodland of
the White Mountains, and other parts of northern New Eng-
land (occasionally in the highlands of western Massachu-
setts ?), but in the autumn pass with regularity to the south-
ward of their summer range. They are common in winter from
New Hampshire to Florida, and near Boston occur so early as
the latter part of September, and so late as the middle of May.
They frequent, while here, the woods, roadsides, stubble-fields,
etc., for the most part in small flocks, and often accompanied
by Sparrows. They are so tame as fearlessly to approach our
houses and barns in the country ; and they may be attracted
to piazzas, particularly those with shrubbery near, by the
scattering of cracked-wheat or oats. In spite of their familiar-
ity, they are easily startled, and fly immediately, at the pres-

* The Snow-bird breeds abundantly sparingly in the northern parts of

throughout most of northern New Eng- Worcester County, Massachusetts,

land, very commonly on Mount Gray- Elsewhere it is an abundant spring

lock and several other mountains in and autumn migrant and a more or

western and central Massachusetts, less common winter resident. — W. B.

232 LAND-BIRDS.

ence of real or imaginary danger, to trees or shrubbery. They
hop quite nimbly on the ground, and while there constantly
open and shut their tails with rapidity. They occasionall}^
scratch like the Fox-colored Sparrows, or by a quick backward
motion toss up the snow. I have seen them make passage-
ways in this manner to reach the wheat placed for them on a
stand, and such long ones that they disappeared in the re-
cesses. They are quarrelsome, and in them we may see feebly
reflected many of the human passions. They have, I believe,
a topographical instinct, as is indicated by the prompt collec-
tion of apparently the same individuals on the above-men-
tioned stand, after the first fall of snow, at the beginning of
two or three successive winters. They follow quite strictl}^,
except in autimm and spring, the snow-line, often rather dis-
appearing from Boston during the heavy thaws, and returning
just before or with the storms. They are said to be common
about Plymouth, New Hampshire, during the warm " spells,"
though absent in cold weather. In March and April they be-
come rather shy, and are much among trees, such as the pines,
from the branches of which they utter a great variety of musi-
cal notes. As soon as the milder weather comes, they migrate
to the northward, and they are often scarce here in spring.

They are sometimes affected by a faintness or dizziness,
which may apparently cause death, as I have several times
found them lying dead, without a feather ruffled, or without a
perceptible wound, with food abundant at the time. Once,
in walking through the woods, my attention was attracted by
the sound of some object falling, and, upon turning, I saw
upon the ground a Snow-bird lying on his back. When I
gently picked him up, he fluttered away to a branch, from
which he soon afterwards reeled and again fell. After a
brief chase, during which he flew feebly, usually alighting on
the ground, I captured him again. On being taken to my
room, he was for some while listless, but afterwards picked
up a few of the grains spread for him on the floor, though
he refused water. He soon began to fly about the room,
most often against the window-panes, and was finally allowed
to escape, when he perched in a bush, where half an hour

FINCHES. 233

later lie was found, looking ratlier forlorn, though sufficiently
active to escape a recapture.

The Snow-birds, as I have discovered from several observa-
tions made in March, though early risers, are very drowsy at
sunrise. At that season they usually passed the night in
evergreens, and before six o'clock in the morning gathered at
some lilacs and other bushes, where many slept or rather
napped, for several minutes, near the ground, though others
were actively employed. So great was their drowsiness that
I could approach them closely before they made the effort to
rouse themselves. Other birds, observed at the same time,
such as the " Red-polls," Crows, and Robins, seemed to awake
with a desire for immediate activity, except those who sang
before leaving their roosts.

d. The Snow-birds have a loud chitcTc^ and cries of c/uY,
cJiit-a-sit^ or the like, which they utter particularly as they
take to flight. ^1 They have also in spring a great variety of
twitters, trills, and even tinkling sounds, which are often so
combined as to form a lively song. The notes which they
employ when excited or quarreling strongly resemble the
sound produced by the shying of a stone across the ice.
Their trills are often so like those of the Pine Warblers,
though more open and more like twitters, that it is difficult
to distinguish them when the birds are together in the pines.
These notes also differ but little from those of the Swamp
Sparrow, in whose haunts, however, the Snow-birds rarely
occur.

As the most common and regular of our winter visitors, and
almost the only ones who ever seek the neighborhood of man,
the Snow-birds are certainly entitled to our affection ; and
their liveliness cannot but afford pleasure, when brought
directly in contrast at our very doors, so to speak, with the
cold and storms of midwinter.

Note. — According to Mr. William Brewster (Bulletin,
Nuttall Ornithological Club, April, 1876, Vol. I, No. 1) a
female Oregon Snow-bird (Junco oregonus) was " shot
91 See § 1, I, D.

234

LAND-BIRDS.

in Watertown, Mass., March 25tli, 1874." * ^ , black ; 5 ,
browner. Lower breast, etc., white. Back and wing-edgings,
" dull reddish brown " ; sides, paler.

XVIII. PIPILO.

A. ERYTHROPHTHALMUS. Towhee Bunting. " Toivhee.''
''Chewinkr '' Ground RoUn:' '' 3farsh Rohi?i:' " Swamp
Robiiu'^^ A common summer resident in Massachusetts,
but not common to the northward of this State. f

Fig-. 10. Towhee Bunting, (i)

a. 8-8J inches long. (Iris, in the summer season red, ex-
cept in the young ; otherwise, white or nearly so. J) (J , black ;
lower breast, belly, and nearly the whole of the outermost tail-
feathers, white. A conspicuous patch on the side of the breast,
chestnut (with paler traces of it behind). Wings and tail
with some white, besides that mentioned. ^ , oi ^ deep, warm
brown where the male is black.

h. The nest, which near Boston is generally finished in the
last week of May, is to be found in the " scrub " and low wet

* On re-examination this bird proves
to be a typical example of Junco hye-
malis shufeldti Coale, a form very
closely related to the true oregonus,
from which it was separated some time
after the original determination of the
Watertown specimen was made. —
W. B.

^'- This name has been applied indis-
criminately to several different birds.

t A common summer resident of

southern New England, breeding- also
sparingly and somewhat locally in the
less elevated and older settled portions
of northern New England. There is a
record of a specimen taken in January
at Portland, Connecticut. — W. B.

I This is incorrect. The iris is
whitish in a southern form (alleni), but
in true erythrophthalinus it is red in old
birds at all seasons, and dark ashy or
light brown in the young-. — W. B.

FINCHES. 235

woods. It is placed on the ground, or near it in a pile of
underbrush, and is composed of twigs, dead leaves, grasses,
and roots. The eggs of each set are usually four, averaging
1.00 X .75 of an inch ; and their ground-color is white, often
tinged with brown or gray. The markings are usually very
fine, rarely in blotches, and never coarse. They are sometimes
most prominent about the crown, and sometimes are scattered
evenly over the egg, often being very minute and numer-
ous. Their colors are various browns, and occasionally lilac
also.

c. The Towhee Buntings are common almost throughout
the eastern United States, though rare to the northward of
Massachusetts and not known to occur beyond the White
Mountains. In other parts of the country they are repre-
sented by numerous closely allied species and varieties, as
are other of our common birds, such as the Soug Sparrow, of
whom there are said to be no less than six distinct races in
the West and Northwest.^^ The " Towhees " usually reach
Boston (which now includes much country within its limits)
in the first week of May, sometiuies earlier, sometimes later,
and leave it in September or early October. On their arrival
they sometimes appear in the copses and shrubbery of cidti-
vated estates, but they usually desert these later in the season,
and frequent almost exclusively swampy woodland, and the
" scrub," often that growing on hillsides. The '' scrub " is a low
or bushy •' growth " of trees, consisting chiefly of oaks and
birches, and may be found for the most part in dry and hilly
lands, particularly such as once contained pines. Here among
the underbrush the " Chewinks " busy themselves, always on
or near the ground, except when the males mount some low
perch to sing. They searcli for seeds and insects under-
neath the leaves and decayed vegetation, which they turn over
by scratching, much like Hens ; when disturbed, leaving the
ground to eye the intruder, but, unless pursued, immediately
returning to their former occupation. They may often be seen
flying across the road or paths, with their broad, white-edged
tail wide spread. They never are gregarious, except so far

93 Dr. Coues.

236 LAND-BIRDS.

as to gather in family parties during the autumn and their
migrations at that season. It is not always easy to catch sight
of them, particularly when they are near their nests, which they
conceal with extraordinary care, and often with much success.
Though shy, they often seem saucy ; and while one person
com^^lains of their chirruping to and starting his horse, another
says that, on the discovery of their nest, they express their
sorrow so impudently as to rousd his indignation.

(/. Their most characteristic note is a " tow-hee^'' of which
the last syllable resembles in tone the chirp of the Wilson's
Thrush, though sometimes much more petulant. They have
also a whistled " whit'-a-whit'-a-whit'," often re23eated in the
fall, when it sounds quite melancholy, and a loud chuck.
The males have a simple but sweet song, often poured out in
the early summer from some dilapidated fence or brush-heap,
which may be represented by the words '^ che we we we, wee,"
the last being an indefinite trill. This chant is frequently
prolonged by the addition of other notes, and, says Mr. Allen,
in his '' List of the Winter Birds of East Florida," " as is
well known, the song of " this bird " at the North consists of
two parts, nearly equal in length but otherwise quite dif-
ferent," though in that of " the Florida bird the last half
is almost entirely omitted." Mr. Samuels speaks of their
having, moreover, "a quavering warble difficult of descrip-
tion."

XIX. EUSPIZA.

A. AMERICANA. BlacTc-throated Bunting, Very rare
in Massachusetts, where it has occasionally been found in the

* Although several of the earlier abundant, and at many localities west
writers state that in their time (forty of the Alleghanies and east of the Mis-
years or more ago) the Black -throated sissippi its numbers have diminished
Bunting was a common summer resi- steadily and more or less rapidly. The
dent of southern New England, it is now causes of this wide-spread diminution
unquestionably one of the rarest spe- are at present obscure, but the facts
cies known to breed within this region, indicate that the species is not likely
Moreover, within the past two decades ever to reestablish itself in New Eng-
it has practically disappeared from the land. — W. B.
Middle States, where it was formerly

FINCHES. 237

a. About 6 1 inches long. $ . Crown, yellow, rendered
olive by an admixture of black, which here and there appears
in streaks. Back of the neck, and side of the head, ashy. Su-
perciliary line, and edge of the wing, bright yellow; breast,
paler. Other under parts, white ; lower throat with a broad
black patch, forming a cross-bar. Upper parts, dull brown ;
interscapulars, black-streaked. Wings, with bright chestnut,
wanting in the § , who has less yellow, and no black beneath
except in streaks.

h. The nest is usually built upon the ground in dry fields,
and the eggs are bright, light blue, green-tinged, averaging
.75 X .55 of an inch.

c. The Black-throated Buntings are extremely rare so far
to the northward as Massachusetts, where, says Dr. Brewer,
only two of their nests have been found, to which may now
be added a third, which I myself found with fresh eggs, in
the early part of June, at Canton. It was in a dry grassy
field, near cultivated land, and such a place as these birds are
said usually to inhabit. The female left her nest on my ap-
proach, and, after running through the grass, perched on a
low fence, from which she, together with the male, watched
me silently. These were the only living specimens that I
have ever seen. The Black-throated Buntings, says Wilson,
" arrive in Pennsylvania from the south about the middle
of May; abound in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and
seem to prefer level fields covered with rye-grass, timothy, or
clover." . . . They are " never gregarious ; but " are " almost
always seen singly, or in pairs, or, at most, the individuals of
one family together." " Their whole song consists of five
notes, or, more probably, of two notes ; the first repeated
twice and slowly, the second thrice, and rapidly, resembling
chip^ cMp^ che che cM. Of this ditty, such as it is, they are
by no means parsimonious," and like " the Yellow-Hammer
of Britain . . . they are fond of mounting to the top of
some half-grown tree, and there chirruping for half an hour
at a time." Wilson's description of their eggs is wholly in-
correct.

238 LAND-BIRDS.

XX. PASSERINA.

A. CYANEA. Indigo Bird. A common summer resident
in southern New England, but less so to the northward.*

a. About 5|- inches long. ^J , bright indigo blue, darker
on the head, reflecting green in the light. Wings and tail,
darker, with much blackish. § ^ above, a peculiar shade of
warm brown ; below, lighter, flaxen-tinted, souietimes streaky.

b. The nest is built in bushes or open shrubbery, not in-
frequently near a house. It is composed outwardly of dead
leaves, dry weed-stalks, grasses, etc. ; and is lined with finer
materials of the same sort, or with hairs ; often being quite
bulky. In eastern Massachusetts four or five eggs f are laid
in the last week of May, or later. They average .75 X .55 of
an inch, and are white, often blue-tinged, and perhaps occa-
sionally marked.

c. The Indigo Birds are common in New England as sum-
mer residents, occurring so far to the northward as Bethle-
hem among the White Mountains, ^^ though, according to Dr.
Brewer, locally distributed through eastern Massachusetts.
They arrive at Boston in the second week of May, and during
their residence here, of about four months, frequent not only
the pastures, woodland of low growth, and the " scrub," but
shrubbery near houses, where they frequently build their nests,
one of which, says Dr. Brewer, was occupied by a pair for five
successive summers. They feed both upon insects and seeds,
but principally the latter, which they often search for on the
ground, even on the roadsides. They can fly quite rapidly,
and in summer, even when there is no necessity for such wan-
dering, often fly more than a mile at a considerable height,
moving from one pasture to another. They are rather shy,
and sometimes find this a convenient manner of escaping the
annoyance of intrusion. In autumn they are gregarious, and
associate in small flocks with other Finches. The females

* A common summer resident of very rare — if, indeed, they ever occur,

rather general disti'ibution throughout — W. B.

New England, — perhaps most numer- ^* Mr. Wm. Couper says that they

ous in the northern portions, — but not breed near Quebec, in Canada, where,

known to occur on Cape Cod. — W. B. however, they are not common.

I Sets of more than four eggs are

FINCHES. 239

are insignificant little birds, occupied, during their stay here,
chiefly with household cares ; but the males, from their bright
plumage, glistening with the reflections of the varying lights,
and from their music, so persistently repeated, except near
their nests, are always consj)icuous, and ever insist on making
their presence known.

d. The song of the males is of varying length, sweet and
lively, but rather weak, forcibly reminding oue of the Warblers.
The Indigo Birds have also a cA//9 and a loud chuck. Wilson,
in speaking of this species, says : " It mounts to the highest
tops of a large tree and chants for half an hour at a time. Its
song is not one continued strain, but a repetition of short
notes, commencing loud and rapid, and falling by almost im-
perceptible gradations for six or eight seconds, till they seem
hardly articulate, as if the little minstrel were quite exhausted ;
and after a pause of half a minute or less, commences again
as before. Some of our birds sing only in spring, and then
chiefly in the morning, being comparatively mute during the
heat of noon ; but the Indigo Bird chants with as much anima-
tion under the meridian sun, in the month of July, as in the
month of May ; and continues his song, occasionally, to the
middle or end of August."

XXI. GUIRACA.

Ao CiERULEA. Blue Grosbeak. I know no instance of
this bird's capture in Massachusetts ; but it has been shot on
Grand Manan Island.*

a. About 6|^ inches long. $ , above, dark blue, almost
indigo, with no reflections. Wings and tail, black ; the former
with a few brown markings. 5 5 warm brown above, lighter
and flaxen-tinted below. Winers with light bars.

h. The nest is built in a tree or bush ; and the eggs are
light blue, averaging about .95X.T0 of an inch.

c. The Blue Grosbeaks, so far as I know, cannot be prop-
erly considered as birds of New England, though they have oc-

* An exceedingly rare strag-g-ler 1880, p. 184) of a male which was

from the South The only record for taken in Brookline, May 29, 1880, by

Massachusetts appears to be that by Mr. Gordon Plummer. — W. B.
Mr. Allen {Bull. N. O. C, V, July,

240 LAND-BIRDS.

currecl both in New York and New Brunswick. Mr. Herrick,
in his " Partial Catalogue of the Birds of Grand Menan," an
island off the coast of the latter country, says that " in the
spring of 1861, Mr. Cheney shot a fine ^ specimen and sent it
to G. A. Boardman, Esq., in whose cabinet it now is." This
specimen has been spoken of as having been obtained in Maine,
which I suppose to be an error, ^^ The Blue Grosbeaks are
probably closely allied to the Indigo Birds otherwise than
merely by their coloration and structure ; but I can ascertain
but little about their habits. " They are," says Wilson, " timid
birds, watchful, silent, and active," feeding " on hemp seed,
millet, and the kernels of several kinds of berries."

d. " Their most common note is a loud chuck ; they have
also at times a few low sweet toned notes." Their song is
elsewhere described " as a rapid, intricate warble, like that
of the Indigo Bird, though stronger and louder." They also
sino: at nio'ht.

XXII. HABIA.

A. LUDOViciANA. Rose-hreastecl Grosbeak. A common
summer resident in Massachusetts, though still scarce in many
places.*

a. About eight inches long. (J , with the upper parts,
whole head and neck, black. Rump and under parts, white.
A large patch on the breast, and also the fore part of the wing
inside, bright carmine. Wings and tail, black, marked conspic-
uously with white. § , with no white on the rump or tail, and
but little on the wings, and with none of the male's carmine,
that on the wings being replaced by saffron, which sometimes
tints the breast. Upper parts, flaxen brown, and under parts,
white, dark-streaked, most thickly above, and most finely upon
the crown. Eye-stripe, dark ; line below, superciliary strii^e,
and median line, dull white. AVings and tail, plain.

^° I have since learned that I am * This Grosbeak breeds throughout

probably mistaken about the occurrence New England, and in most localities is

of this bird in New England, since Mr. a common summer bird, but it is rare

Boardman (Froc. B. S. N. H., IX, p. in some sections and does not seem

127) speaks of it as "very uncertain " to occur at all on Cape Cod. — W. B.
at Calais, Maine, though " common in
the spring of 1861."

FINCHES. 241

h. The nest, a rather frail structure, is composed of straws,
leaves, or twigs, and is sometimes lined with hairs. It is often
built in the shrubbery or trees of cultivated estates, but is
also to be found in barberry bushes in pasture-land, or oaks,
etc., in the woods, especially damp woods. An instance is
known of its being found in a pine, fifty feet from the ground,
though usually not placed very high. The eggs, which are
here laid generally in the first week of June, are three or
four, and average 1.00 X .75 of an inch. They are marked
quite thickly but coarsely, usually with rather dull reddish or
purplish umber. Their ground-color varies from greenish
blue to dull olive green. They strongly resemble several
other eggs. (See the Key.)

c. The male Kose-breasted Grosbeak possesses, combined
in such a degree as few other birds do, gay beauty of plumage,
and fine powers of song, though the female is plain, incon-
spicuous, and for the most part silent. He, therefore, absents
himself from the immediate neighborhood of his nest, except
when obliged to approach it, or when relieving his mate from
the fatigue of incubation, as he occasionally does. He is rare
to the northward of Massachusetts,* where he is common in
many places, though still locally distributed. He reaches
Boston in the second week of May, and returns to the South
in September, not being sufBciently hardy to withstand the
cold accompanying a hard frost. He frequents not only
lightly timbered or swampy woods, but orchards, groves, and
shrubbery on cultivated estates. He feeds chiefly upon
berries and seeds, and obtains the latter from various trees,
such as the birches and alders. He also eats buds, often
committing depredations on our fruit trees ; and he must be
considered as injurious to agriculture. He frequently plucks
blossoms, and, dexterously cutting ofp the petals, etc., lets
them fall, while he retains the ovary which contains the seeds.f

* The Rose-breasted Grosbeak is crops of fruit. On the contrary, both

now known to be very common at are probably benefited by the process,

many localities in northern New Eng- which is, in effect, a sort of fruit prun-

land. W. B. ing-, seldom if ever more severe than

t As in the case of the Purple Finch, that practiced by thrifty horticultur-

there are no good reasons for assuming ists. — W. B.
that this injures the trees or even their

242 LAND-BIRDS.

He occasionally seeks for morsels on the ground, and may be
seen rustling among the fallen leaves and decayed vegetation.
He usually, however, remains at some height above the
ground, and rarely flies near it. He is rather shy and watch-
ful, there being nothing in his habits to render him noticeable.

d. He is not always silent during the day, when feeding ;
but it is at evening in May or June that he sings most loudly
and sweetly. Then, perching near the toj) of some low tree,
he pours out an exti'emely mellow warble, like that of the
Robin, but very much finer. Sometimes, in the love-season,
he sings at night, and with an ardor w^hich adds to the beauty
of his song. There is a peculiar charm in hearing birds sing
at night, for their music is more distinct and impressive in
the general silence which there then is, and awakes the ima-
gination. The cries of the Owls would not seem so unearthly,
were they heard only in the day, nor would they inspire such
terror to the superstitious, — a terror which the darkness
naturally increases or partly creates.

The Rose-breasted Grosbeaks have as an ordinary note a
sharp chink, which bears some resemblance to the cry of the
Little Spotted or Downy Woodpecker, but is more like a cer-
tain note of the Black and Yellow Warbler. They are never
gregarious, but occur here for the most part in isolated pairs,
who in autumn are sometimes followed by their young. They
are said sometimes to sing well in confinement, "though,"
says a correspondent, " one, which I had for several months,
was for a long while silent, until one morning he burst into
song, and sang gloriously for almost an hour, when he fell
dead on the floor of his cage ! " The males sometimes warble
when on wing, and they probably moimt in the air, when they
sing at night. Their merits as musicians will, it is sincerely
to be hoped, ever protect them from persecution as occasional
depredators on our shrubs and trees.

XXIII. CARDINALIS.

A. CARDINALIS. Cardinal Grosbeak. Cardinal Bed
Bird. Cardinal-bird. " Cardinal.'' Red Bird.^ " Vir-

96 Not to be confused with the vermilion Summer Bed-bird (§ 10, 1, B). The
Cardinal has a red bill.

FINCHES. 243

ginia Nightingale.'" Accidental in Massachusetts, and rare
so far to the northward.*

a. About 8|- inches long ; crested. ^ , black about the
bill, but otherwise of a brilliant vermilion, which is dull upon
the back. 5 •> ^^"^^^ brown above, much paler beneath, with
vermilion on the crest, and traces of it elsewhere.

h. The nest seems to resemble strongly that of the Rose-
breasted Grosbeak, though more substantial. The eggs aver-
age 1.05 X .80 of an inch, and are white, evenly spotted with
(dull) brown and faint?- lilac.

c. The gorgeous Cardinal Grosbeaks seem to have oc-
curred occasionally in Massachusetts as wanderers from the
South, and not merely as escaped cage-birds. They are habit-
ually summer residents for the most part in the Southern
States, where they inhabit shrubbery, groves, thickets, and
like places. They feed principally upon various seeds and
grain, and are probably somewhat injurious on this account.
Not only are the males extremely brilliant, and very conspic-
uous in their haunts, but both sexes sing finely.

d. " They are in song," says Wilson, " from March to
September, beginning at the first appearance of dawn, and
repeating a favorite^ stanza, or passage, twenty or. thirty times
successively ; sometimes with little intermission for a whole
morning together ; which, like a good story too often repeated,
becomes at length tiresome and insipid. But the sprightly
figure, and gaudy plumage of the Red Bird, his vivacity,
strength of voice, and actual variety of note, and the little
expense with which he is kept, will always make him a
favorite.''

It is said that a stuffed specimen can never convey an ade-
quate idea of the Cardinal Grosbeak's beauty, as the intensity
of his color disappears very soon after death.

XXIV. PASSER.

A. DOMESTicus.^^ House Si^arroiD. Eiiglisli Sparrow.

* The Cardinal is a rather rare and ^^ This species apparently belongs

perhaps only chance visitor to southern to the genus Pyrgita « (XXV).

New England, but it breeds reg-ularly « The A. 0. U. Committee did not

in Central Park, New York. — W. B. rule on this point. To avoid a chang-e

244 LAND-BIRDS.

An imported bird, common in many of our cities and towns,
and rapidly infesting the country.

a. About six inches long. Nostrils covered. (J , above,
reddish brown, black-streaked ; but crown, rump, etc., ashy.
Forehead, lores, and throat, black ; other under parts, brown-
ish or grayish. 9 ' without black on the head ; brown of
the back rather grayish.

b. The eggs are often somewhat elongated, the length
being about .85 of an inch, and the breadth sometimes no
more than .55. They are dull white, or grayish, marked with
ashy, and sometimes purplish or dark brown. These mark-
ings are commonly spread over the egg numerously and
evenly.

c. The House Sparrows, or, as they are better known to
Americans, the English Sparrows, have been introduced into
the United States within twenty years, and into Boston within
ten years.* They are now abundant in many cities and towns ;
but the wisdom of their introduction is greatly to be doubted.f
They are extremely prolific, and it is not improbable that a
pair may often produce thirty young in one year, for they
begin to build their nests even in winter. This dispropor-
tionate increase, and their tyrannical disposition, render them
dangerous to our birds, many of whom they have already
driven from Boston Common. So long, however, as they
confine themselves to their present haunts, and do not invade
the country, they will not be insufferable. As to their value,
though it is said that they have greatly checked the ravages
of canker-worms, they are very destructive to fruit-blossoms,
and they are now too pampered by luxury to be efficiently
useful, being constantly provided with food and with lodg-
ings. They are regardless of cold, and nearly so of man,

of niiinbers I leave this and the next York, where, however, they were not

following genus as they stood in the set free until early the following spring,

first edition of Mr. Minot's book. — W. They were first introduced into Boston

B. inl868. — W. B.

* The first House Sparrows are said t It is now very generally deplored,

to have been brought to this country in biit the evil can never be undone. —

the autumn of 1850, when eight pairs W. B.
were imported into Brooklyn, New

FINCHES. 245

but, except in their familiarity, they possess no charms, being
unmusical.

d. Their only notes are chirps or twitterings, which may
be almost constantly heard.

XXy. PYRGITA.

A. MONTANA. Tree Simrrow,^'^ Mountain Sparroio.^
(But recently detected among our English Sparrows, being
likewise imported birds. The following account of their
appearance is quoted from the "American Naturalist," for
January, 1876.)

" It will interest ornithologists to know that the Tree Spar-
row of Europe {Pyrgita montanct) has lately been discovered
to be a resident of the United States.

"Tlie resemblance of this species to the English House
Sparrow has led me to be on the watch for it since the intro-
duction of the latter, but without success until I found it in
St. Louis, Mo., last spring. Here I found the new species
abundant, but was unwilling to take any until the breedino-.
season was over. Four skins sent to Mr. G. N. Lawrence, of
New York, are pronounced by him to ' agree accurately with
the plate and description of this species.' He also informs
me that about five years ago Mr. Eugene Schieffelin noticed
fifty or sixty of these birds in the store of a bird-importer in
New York, where they were unrecognized; and these were
probably afterwards sold as or with P. domestica. This is
undoubtedly the explanation of their occurrence here, and
further search will very likely show their presence in other
localities.

" With a general resemblance to the common House Spar-
row, Pyrgita montana is readily distinguished by its chest-
nut crown and the similarity of both sexes and the youno-.

98 Not to be eonfoimded with the were, almost without doubt, escaped

American Tree Sparrow (XIV, B). from cages.

Several other European birds, such * Mr. Minot's reasons for including-

as the Serin Finch, and the Goldfinch this species are not obvious. So far

of that country, are said to have oc- as the Editor is aware, it has never been

curred m Massachusetts ; but they detected in any part of New England.

— W. B.

246

LAND-BIRDS.

In St. Louis it considerably outnumbers P. domestical and,
as is the case in Europe, it prefers the outskirts of the city
and the country. In other respects these two species closely
resemble each other." — Dr. James C. Merrill, U. S, Army.

§ 16. ALAUDID^. Larks. (See § 15 ad finem.)
I. OTOCORIS.

A. ALPESTRis. Shore Larh. Horned Lark. " Sky
Lark.'' Quite common in Massachusetts in winter, chiefly
on or near the sea-shore.*

1-1\ inches lono-. Above, salmon-colored brown,

a.

vaguely streaked with dusky brown. Outer tail-feathers,
black ; outermost, white-edged. Throat and superciliary line,

Fig. 11. Shore Lark, (i)

pale yellow. Large patch or crescent on the breast, and
smaller one under the eye, black. Belly, etc., white. (In
fall and winter specimens, tints generally duller, and mark-

* An abundant early spring and late
autumn migrant along the entii-e New
England coast ; found, also, in win-
ter, — commonly on Cape Cod and
along the shores of Long Island Sound,
locally and sparingly about Boston,

and to the northward, as far at least
as Portland, Maine. Inland it is sel-
dom seen except during the migrations,
and then in much smaller numbers
than near the shores of the ocean. —
W. B.

LARKS. 247

ings more obscure.) In living specimens the lengthened
feathers above the ear form two slight " horns." Feet, black.
Hind claws, very long.

h. The Shore Larks breed far to the westward and north-
ward of New England ; but, though " seen by Mr. W. Brew-
ster, in July, 1869," * they have never been known to breed
in this State. Their nests are built on the ground, and their
eggs are grayish, thickly marked with brown, and sometimes
lilac, and average .90 X .65 of an inch.

c. The Shore Larks come to New England, from the
north, in October, and remain until April. They may be
found in Massachusetts, throughout the winter, in loose scat-
tered flocks, often associated with other birds, such as Snow
Buntings, chiefly on the beaches and marshes along the shore,
and never, as a rule, very far from the sea-coast. In spring,
however, when the snow has been much melted, they some-
times venture inland, and in plowed lands, fields, and roads,
pick up many of the seeds, and perhaps a few of the insects,
upon which they habitually feed, or which at least afford them
satisfactory nourishment. They are very nimble, when on
the ground, where they are most of the time, but they have
a singular habit of hiding behind stones or in holes, so that
when man approaches he is obliged to play at " hide-and-seek "
with thera, before gaining their acquaintance. They retire
in summer to Labrador, where they build their nests near the
sea, on the moss-covered rocks.

d. The Shore Larks seem to possess notes much like those
of their celebrated European relation, for, says Wilson, they
" have a single cry, almost exactly like that of the Sky Lark
of Britain," and " are said to sing well ; mounting in the air,
in the manner of the Song Lark of Europe ; but this is only
in those countries where they breed." Audubon speaks of the
male uttering a very soft and plaintive note, when his nest
has been disturbed.

* At Concord, Massachusetts. It is now known to breed sparingly along

probable that these birds (there were the western borders o£ New England,

two of them) were really Prairie — W. B.
Horned Larks (O. a. praticola),a, form

248 LAND-BIRDS.

The famous trait of tlie English " Sky Lark " is probably
known to most readers of this volume, — his manner of flying
toward the sky, constantly pouring out his delicious music,
until almost lost to sight. The poet Shelley has addressed
this bird in these spirited lines : —

" Hail to thee, blithe Spirit !

Bird thou never wert,
That from heaven, or near it /

Pourest thy full heart
In profuse strains of unpremeditated art

" Higher still and higher

From the earth thou springest
Like a cloud of fire ;

The blue deep thou wingest,
And singing still dost soar, and soaring ever singest.

" In the golden lightning

Of the sunken sun
O'er which clouds are brightening,

Thou dost float and rim.
Like an unbodied joy whose race is just begun.

" The pale purple even

Melts around thy flight ;
Like a star of heaven

In the broad daylight
Thou art unseen, but yet I hear thy shrill delight.

" Teach me half the gladness

That thy brain must know.
Such harmonious madness

From my lips would flow
The world shoTild listen then, as I am listening now ! "

The last stanza of Wordsworth's " Ode to the Sky Lark "
is also very fine : —

" Leave to the nightingale her shady wood ;

A privacy of glorious light is thine.
Whence thou dost pour upon the world a flood

Of harmony, with instinct more divine ;
Type of the wise, who soar, but never roam —
True to the kindred points of Heaven and Home."

Note. — " The famed Skylark of the Old World ''(Alauda
arvensis)^ says Dr. Brewer, "can rest on a twofold claim to be
included in a complete list of North American birds. One
of these is their occasional occurrence in the Bermudas, and in

ORIOLES. 249

Greenland. The other is their probably successful introduc-
tion near New York." *

a. Nearly eight inches long. Above, grayish brown ; be-
neath, white, or buff-tinged ; above and below, much streaked
with dusky. Outer tail-feathers, white. (Details omitted.)
Young much more yellowish, and less streaked.

h. Of two eggs in my collection, one measures .95 X .65
of an inch, and is grayish white, thickly and minutely marked
with ashy brown, forming a dark ring about the crown.
The other is tinged with green, is more evenly marked, and
measures .90 X .70 of an inch. The nest is built upon the
ground.

§ 17. The ICTERID^ (or Starlings f) include the Black-
birds, Orioles, etc. As Dr. Coues says : " The relationships are
very close with the Fringillidm on the one hand ; on the other,
they grade toward the Crows ( Corvidce}. They share with the
fringilline birds the characters of angulated commissure and
nine developed primaries [also scutellate tarsi, etc.], and this
distinguishes them from all our other families whatsoever ; but
the distinctions from the Fringillidce are not easily expressed.
In fact, I know of no character that, for example, will relegate
the Bobolink and Cow-bird to the Icteridce rather than to the
Fringillidfje^ in the current acceptation of these terms. In gen-
eral, however, the Icteridm are distinguished by the length,
acuteness, and not strictly conical shape of-the unnotched, un-
bristled bill, that shows a peculiar extension of the culmen
on the forehead, dividing the prominent antiae of close-set,
velvety feathers tliat reach to or on the nasal scale."

With the exception of the Stiirnellce (or Meadow Larks),
who show an affinity to the true Larks, the sexes are unlike,
and the males are largely or wholly black, often higlily lus-
trous.

* Now established and not nncom- ties hold that the two families are not

mon on Long- Island, New York, but very closely related, and the Icteridce

not reported as yet from any part of are now usually called Orioles. Hence

New England. — W. B. I have adopted this name for the pag-e

t The true Starlings (Sturnidce) are headings, but for obvious reasons have

confined to the Old World, and the Ic- been forced to let " Starlings " stand in

teridce to America. The best authori- the main text. — W. B.

250 LAND-BIRDS.

The Orioles are arboreal ; but the other Starlings are in a
great measure terrestrial, being walking birds. They are
generally granivorous rather than insectivorous, and are
migratory and gregarious. The Orioles, however, form a
distinct group, ranked as a subfamily, Icterinm (Gen. V).
Bill rather slender, and acute, with upper and lower outlines
both more or less curved ; tail rounded. Birds non-grega-
rious, and scarcely granivorous ; fine musicians, and clever
architects, building pensile, woven nests. (Fig. 13.) The
other subfamilies are : —

Agelaiince (I-IV), (fig. 12). Bill generally stout ; upper
and lower outlines both uncurved ; tail nearly even. I, II,
sweetly musical ; tail-feathers pointed. II, III, bill fringil-
line. IV, bill as in pi. 1, fig. 18. I, bill similar, but elon-
gated. Quiscalince, or Grackles (VI, VII), (fig. 14). Bill
with the edges noticeably turned inward, with upper outline
much curved, but lower nearly straight. Birds scarcely mu-
sical, but eminently gregarious. Nests rather rude, and never
on the ground.

I. STURNELLA.

A. MAGNA. Meadoiv Lark. Old-field Larh. " Marsh
Quail. ^^ A common summer resident of New England, and
known to have occurred here in winter.*

a. About 10-|- inches long. Upper parts, sides, etc.,
brown, with much pale edging, and blackish chiefly in streaks.
Outer tail-feathers, largely white. Median and superciliary
lines, pale ; a part of the latter, the edge of the wing, and
the under i^arts^ bright yellow^ with a blaclc crescent on the
breast. The female is rarely more than ten inches long.

b. The nest is built often on or beside a tussock, and
usually on or near a meadow. It is composed chiefly of
grass, except perhaps the lining, and is often ingeniously con-
cealed by a more or less perfect arch. The eggs of each set
are four, or sometimes five, average 1.10 X .80 of an inch,
though variable in size, and are white, marked with (reddish)

* A resident of southern New Eng- during- the winter months. It also
land, common near the coast at all sea- breeds sparingly in some of the less
sons, less numerous and more local in- elevated and more open parts of north-
land, where it is seldom or never seen em New England. — W. B.

ORIOLES. 251

brown and lilac, sometimes finely and faintly, though occa-
sionally with splashes. They are laid near Boston in the
latter part of May, though possibly a second set may be laid
later.

c. During what are called the "open" winters, the
Meadow Larks may be found scattered throughout southern
New England, where they are common in summer even so
far to the northward as the White Mountains. Usually,
however, they appear in Massachusetts about the middle of
March, and they may then be found in almost every broad
meadow which is bordered by rising ground. Though they
often perch in tall trees and in bushes, yet they are most
often upon the ground, where, like the true Larks, they walk
and do not hop. They obtain their food, which consists of
insects and seeds, from meadows, fields, and occasionally
plowed land. They fly with a rapid but intermittent
quivering of their wings, usually near the ground, but not
unfrequently at a considerable height. They are, when
mated, very affectionate, often flying to meet one another,
or calling back and forth. They are also shy, rarely admit-
ting a near approach, and they frequently conceal their nest
by an arch of the long grass in which it is usually built. In
autumn, when collected in flocks, they are sometimes pursued
by gunners, from whom, I suppose, they have received the
name of " Marsh Quail," which is not altogether inappropri-
ate, since "they are generally considered, for size and del-
icacy, but little inferior to the quail." They are in the fall
even more shy than before, though in winter, at the South,
" they swarm among the rice plantations," says Wilson, " run-
ning about the yards and out-houses, accompanied by the
Killdeers,^^ with little appearance of fear, as if quite domes-
ticated."

d. The Meadow Larks have a single rather shrill note or
whistle, another note which is much like that of the Night
" Hawk," a peculiar guttural chatter, and a plaintive whistle,
consisting of four or five notes (of which the first and third
are usually higher than those immediately succeeding, and the

99 A kind of Plover.

252 LAND-BIRDS.

last most dwelt upon). Though subject to such variation as
sometimes to suggest the songs of two different species, their
music always expresses the same sweetness, plaintiveness, and
almost wildness. It is uttered, not only from the ground and
from the tree-tops, but very often when the birds are on the
wing.

11. DOLICHONYX.

A. ORYZivORUS. Bobolink. Reed-hird. Rice-bird.
" Shunh Blachbird.^^ A common summer resident through-
out the northeastern United States.*

a. (J , about 1^ inches long. From arrival in Nev/ Eng-
land until August, blach ; hind-neck, buff, interscapulars
streaked with the same ; shoulders, rump, and upper tail-cov-
erts, nearly white. At other times like 5 \ yellowish brown
above, darkly or blackly streaked (as are also the sides) ;
wings and tail, dark, with pale edgings ; median and supercili-
ary stripes, and under parts, brownish yellow.

b. The nest is built upon the ground, in fields of long
grass, or in meadows, and is more or less concealed. It is
usually finished, near Boston, in the last week of May. The
eggs are four or five,t averaging .90 X .70 of an inch, and are
white, tinged with brown, gray, or rarely green, and generally
blotched, splashed, or clouded, with a dark, dull brown. The
colors are, however, variable, occasionally resembling those of
the Rose-breasted Grosbeak's ^gg.

c. The Bobolinks are common summer residents of New
England, but chiefly in the southern parts. From other writers
it may be gathered that they pass the winter far to the south-
ward (being, according to Gosse, migrants through Jamaica),
enter the Gulf States in large flocks during March or April,
and thence proceed northward, plundering on their way the
farmers, and in Virginia doing " great damage to the early
wheat and barley, while in its milky state." They reach

* Although less ntimeroiis than for- mountains, but rare or absent at most

merly, still a very common summer places on Cape Cod. — W. B.

resident of the more open portions of t Sets of six eggs are common, and

New England, even at rather high seven are occasionally laid by one bird,

elevations among the more northern — W. B.

ORIOLES. 253

Boston (but never in flocks) about the tenth of May, and are
soon dispersed over the grassy fields, orchards, and meadows,
which are their summer homes. There they may be seen in
pairs, perched on some tree or fence, while the male carols to
his mate, or walking on the ground in search of their food,
which consists of seeds, of spiders, beetles, and other insects.
There they build their nests, which are by no means easily
found, being often artificially concealed by the parents, and
naturally protected by the uniformity of the long grass every-
where near them. In the latter part of July, or in August,
the males gradually lose their summer dress, and resemble
the females, with whom, as well as with their young, they
associate, sometimes in great numbers. They then frequent
the sea-shore, visit the grain-fields, and do mischief by eating
oats and corn. They also begin their journey to the South,
and may be heard flying overhead even at night, when their
note is distinct in the general silence. What instinct or
sense enables birds to migrate so accurately is yet unex-
plained ; but how they can, as many species do, travel several
hundred miles by night is still further a mystery.

The Reed-birds, " about the middle of August," says Wil-
son, " revisit Pennsylvania on their route to winter quarters.
For several days they seem to confine themselves to the fields
and uplands ; but as soon as the seeds of the reed are ripe
they resort to the shores of the Delaware and Schuylkill in
midtitudes ; and these places, during the remainder of their
stay, appear to be their grand rendezvous. The reeds, or wild
oats, furnish them with such abundance of nutritious food
that in a short time they become extremely fat ; and are sup-
posed, by some of our epicures, to be equal to the famous
Ortolans of Europe. Their note at this season is a single
chink, and is heard overhead, with little intermission, from
morning to night." After attacking the rice-fields of the
South, many proceed to the West Indies, reaching Jamaica,
where they are called " Butter-birds," " in the month of Oc-
tober." Gosse adds that they visit " the guinea-grass fields,
in flocks amounting to five hundred or more."

d. What adjectives can describe the Bobolink in May and

254

LAND-BIRDS.

June ? He is jolly, rollicking, madly happy, recklessly happy.
Nothing sober pleases him ; he perches on the elm, because its
branches rock and wave in the breeze more than those of
another tree ; then he spreads his wings, and, bursting into
ecstatic song, sails to the ground, perhaps caresses his mate,
then soars again to another perch, and again carols. Who
imagines that he has any control over his merry music ? It is
a scientific fiction. His song is like champagne, and his notes
bubble out, when he opens his bill ; and yet, just as too much
champagne is surfeiting, so may be too much of his merry
jingle.

From his notes originate his name '' Bobolink," and perhaps
the Indian name " Conqueedle " (of the orthography I am
uncertain) ; and from them has been formed the following
amusing version of his song, which, if repeated rapidly with
a rising inflection in each part, illustrates it very well : —

" Tom Noodle, Tom Noodle, you owe me, you owe me, ten
shillings and sixpence ! " "I paid you, I paid you ! " " You
did n't, you did n't ! " " You lie, you lie ; you cheat ! "

The ordinary note of the Bobolink is a peculiarly metallic
chuch ; but there are also others less often heard, some of
which are slightly querulous.

III. MOLOTHRUS.
A. ATER. Coio-hird.

Fig. 12. Cow-Bird

Cow Blackbird. Coio Bimting.
Cow-inn Bunting^
etc. A common sum-
mer resident of New
England, and noto-
rious for the practice
o£ laying eggs in the
nests of other birds.*
About

* The Cow-bird breeds nearly every-
where in New Eng-land, but in the high-
er portions of Massachusetts, among" the
White Mountains, and throughout the
extreme northern portions of NeAY
Hampshire and Maine, it is decidedly

a.

1 ^

' 2

uncommon, and in some localities per-
haps altogether wanting. A few birds
occasionally spend the entire winter in
Connecticut and eastern Massachusetts.
— W. B.

ORIOLES. 255

inches long. (J, iridescent black; head of a warm silky
brown. $ , smaller, entirely brown ; beneath, paler (and of-
ten streaky ?).

h. The eggs average .90 X .65 of an inch, though greatly
varying in size, and are white, thickly sprinkled, or finely
blotched, with brown and generally faint lilac.

c. The Cow-birds, like the Cuckoos of Europe, ^^ present
a most interesting phenomenon in nature, for, instead of pro-
viding for their young, they deposit their eggs in the nests of
other birds. They are also, unlike all our other birds, poly-
gamous, being equally without conjugal or parental affection.
I shall here follow their history from the earliest period of
their life, when they are left to the mercies or care of their
foster-parents, among whom I may enumerate, from my own
observations, the Bluebirds, Golden-crowned " Thrushes,"
Maryland "Yellow-throats," Black and White "Creepers,"
Summer Yellowbirds, several other Warblers, Red-eyed and
White-eyed Vireos, " Chippers," several other Sparrows, and
the Pewees ; also, on the authority of others, the Goldfinches,
Meadow Larks, and Brown Thrushes. Commonly one egg^
sometimes two, and rarely three, or even four, are found in the
chosen nest. I am satisfied, from indirect evidence, that the
eggs are often laid near the nest, if on the ground, and after-
wards placed in it. Generally they are laid later than those
of the rightful owners, though sometimes earlier. The pro-
prietors, on discovering the intrusion, occasionally destroy the
foundling, still more rarely build over it a second story, or
even a third, which becomes the nursery for their own young,
or, in some cases, even desert their home ; but more often, after
manifestations of their displeasure, they adopt the helpless
stranger. As the Cow-bird's Qgg is almost invariably some-
what larger than others in the nest, it receives a larger share
of warmth, in consequence of which the others frequently
become stale, when they are removed and destroyed by the
parents. Even should the legitimate eggs receive an equal
share of warmth, those of the parasite are first hatched, since

100 Quj. Cuckoos, who build their own nests, have been called '' Cow-birds "
from their notes.

256 LAND-BIRDS.

they, in many cases, apparently require a shorter period of
incubation. Thus the young Cow-bird, who is, as I have once
or twice observed, hatched in tlie middle of the nest, is able to
dislodge his companions, who soon perish, while he grows to
fill up gradually the space left.^^^ Carefully nourished and
brooded over until well grown, and more than old enough to
provide for himself, he at last leaves his foster-parents, and,
with a wonderful instinct, searches out and joins his own fel-
lows and kin. The Cow-birds lay from April until the middle
of June ; each female probably (from analogy) laying four or
five eggs in one season, and presumably at irregular intervals
rather than in regular succession from day to day.

These birds are gregarious throughout the year. Before
November they leave Massachusetts, and migrate to the South,
where they often associate in large numbers with the " Red-
wings " or other Blackbirds. About the first of April, they
return to the neighborhood of Boston, where, at that season,
they are most often seen in small flocks, in which the females
predominate. In moving about the country, they generally
perch on or near the tops of trees, and from the very summit
of some pine their notes may often be heard. They feed upon
seeds, and upon insects, particularly beetles, to obtain which
they frequent roads, pastures, and plowed lands. From
their fondness of seeking food about cattle their common
name has arisen. When on the ground, they move with an
extremely awkward gait, which is ordinarily a walk, though
occasionally more rapid in the pursuit of some insect. The
male pays his court, such as it is, to several females indiffer-
ently; and these latter, when ready to lay, retire from the
flock. They become anxious, skulk about from bush to bush
and tree to tree, as if troubled by a guilty conscience, and
watch the motions of the smaller birds. On discovering a
nest, they seize the opportunity of absence on the part of its
owners to drop their eggs, and then return to their compan-
ions. After these ceremonies one both hears and sees less of
the Cow-birds than before, until the autumn, when, joined by

^^^ As he claims all the time of his foster-mother, her own eggs are ofteu
sujBFered to decay before being hatched.

ORIOLES. 257

their young, they often form large flocks. They are then
chiefly dependent upon seeds, and are less common in
pastures.

d. There is something ludicrous, and yet pitiable, in the
efforts of the male to express his passions musically. It is
often as painful to hear him and see him, as to converse with
one who stutters badly. He ruffles his feathers, spreads his
wings and tail, gives a convulsive movement to his body, and
yet produces nothing but a shrill, unmusical cliich-see. He
often adds to this, or splutters out at other times, a chattering
call, quite distinct from that of any other bird, or utters a few
low guttural notes, not audible at a distance. He has in
common with other members of his family a loud chuch ; but
he is not wholly destitute of musical powers. One may often
hear in spring, from the top of some tree, a clear, pensive,
but rather shrill whistle, usually followed by a few similar
but falling notes. These belong to the Cow-bird, who also
whistles sometimes as he takes to wing.

There is much yet to be studied in the habits of these birds,
and much that requires the attention of a specialist.* Even
the ornithologist who devotes his time to his proper pursuit is
too much occupied in May and June to make the necessary
observations. Few monographs in natural history could be
more interesting than one of the Cow-birds.

IV. AGELAIUS.

A. PHCENICEUS. Red-ioinged Blachhird. Swamp
Blachhird. 3£arsh Blachhird. " Bed-icing,^ A very
common summer resident throughout Massachusetts, f

a, $ , about nine inches long, lustrous black ; shoulders,
scarlet, bordered by a color varying from brownish yellow to
whitish. 5 , about 7| inches long. Back, etc., dark brown

* This still remains eminently true, meadows deep among- the mountains

— W. B. or far back in the primitive forests of

t One of our most abundant sum- the north. It has been found in Jan-
mer birds, breeding in great numbers uary in Connecticut, and of late years
wherever there are bushy swamps and a few birds have regularly passed the
open marshes of sufficient extent, and winter in a sheltered swamp at Cam-
often in smaller colonies about pools or bridg-e, Massachusetts. — W. B.

258 LAND-BIRDS.

or blackish, with lighter edgings, median and superciliary-
lines. Beneath, white or whitish, sharply and thickly dark-
streaked (except on the throat).

h. The nest is built in swamps, and on meadows or
marshes, either on the ground, when it is generally placed
upon a tussock, or in a bush, the alder being frequently
chosen for this purpose. Says Mr. Maynard : " I have found
the nests on an island in the marshes of Essex Eiver, placed
on trees twenty feet from the ground ! In one case, where
the nest was placed on a slender sapling fourteen feet high,
that swayed with the slightest breeze, the nest was constructed
after the manner of our Baltimore Orioles, prettily woven o£
the bleached seaweed called eel-grass. So well constructed
was this nest, and so much at variance with the usual style,
that had it not been for the female sitting on it, I should
have taken it for a nest of /. Baltimore. It was six inches
deep." The nest of the Red-winged Blackbird is generally
constructed of dry grasses or partly hairs (occasionally
also of roots), which are firmly attached to any neighboring
branches or stalks, or which form a very neat hollow in the
grass. In eastern Massachusetts it is finished soon after the
middle of May. The eggs of each set are four or five,
average 1.00 X .T5 of an inch, and are very faintly blue, with
a few scrawls and often blotches (chiefly at the larger end)
of dark brown, black, and rarely lilac.

c. The Red-winged Blackbirds pass the winter in many of
the Southern States. Wilson, in recording his observations
there, says : " Sometimes they appeared driving about like
an enormous black cloud carried before the wind, varying its
shape every moment. Sometimes suddenly rising from the
fields around me with a noise like thunder; while the glitter-
ing of innumerable wings of the brightest vermilion amid the
black cloud they formed, produced on these occasions a very
striking and splendid effect. Then descending like a torrent,
and covering the branches of some detached grove, or clump
of trees, the whole congregated multitude commenced one
general concert or chorus, that I have plainly distinguished
at the distance of more than two miles, and when listened to

ORIOLES. 259

at the intermediate space of about a quarter of a mile, with
a slight breeze of wind to swell and soften the flow of its
cadences, was to me grand and even sublime. The whole
season of winter that with most birds is passed in struggling
to sustain life, in silent melancholy, is with the Red-wino-s
one continued carnival. The profuse gleanings of the old
rice, corn, and buckwheat fields supply them with abundant
food, at once ready and nutritious ; and the intermediate
time is spent either in aerial manoeuvres, or in grand vocal
performances, as if solicitous to supply the absence of all the
tuneful summer tribes, and to cheer the dejected face of
nature with their whole combined powers of harmony."
Though Wilson does not deny the great injuries which these
birds do to crops, where agriculture is extensively carried on,
yet he estimates at the time of his writing that they ate, in
four months spent in the United States, 16,200,000,000
noxious insects !

The Swamp Blackbirds are to be found in suimner so far
to the northward as the 57th parallel of latitude, though in
many parts of northern New England altogether absent.
They are sometimes the first birds to visit us in spring,
though generally preceded by the Bluebirds. They are said
to have reached Massachusetts in February, and even excep-
tionally to have passed the winter here. Ordinarily, however,
they appear in March, though with no great regularity, the
males preceding the females ; and previously to mating, wliich
occurs about the first of May, they are more or less grega-
rious. During the period of arrival, they may be observed
flying at a considerable height in the air, and often uttering
their loud chuch^ though sometimes silent. Later in the
season, they visit plowed lands and fields, to obtain what-
ever suitable food they can find, walking over the ground in
search of it, and, when frightened, betaking themselves to the
nearest trees, where they frequently cluster in large numbers.
They roost at night in bushy meadows and in swamps.
When the weather permits, they frequent these by day, and
also the open meadows, from which their notes are constantly
heard. They soon mate, and in May begin to build their

260 LAND-BIRDS.

nests. At this time there is always more or less commotion
in the communities which they usually form, and they con-
stantly fly back and forth, frequently chattering. This is
particularly the case with the males, who often perch upon
some tree to sing or whistle, and who consequently make
much noise about their family cares. They are certainly
most devoted parents, and often defend their nests bravely,
even when intruded uj)on by man. In July they become gre-
garious, some flying southward, and in the early part of
autumn they desert the inland meadows, resorting to their
various feeding-grounds. " In the salt marshes, or near the
sea, they collect in large flocks, which not unfrequently
contain more than a thousand individuals." Hawks, farmers,
and unambitious sportsmen diminish their numbers in a
certain measure, but not, I suppose, very appreciably. The
" Red-wings " fly rapidly and strongly; moving their wings
with more swiftness but less regularity than the Crows.
When perching, they often flirt their tails. Owing to the
nature of their haunts, rather than to any natural shyness,
they are not easily approached very closely.

d. Their ordinary note is a loud, mellow cJiuch^ or some-
times chech. The variety of sounds, however, which they can
produce is correspondent with their general noisiness. The
chorus of a flock in spring suggests the combined creaking of
many wheelbarrows, being an indescribable confusion of vari-
ous unmusical notes. Later, their chatter, which has some
resemblance to the Cow-bird's, though distinct, may often be
heard, particularly when the birds are excited. The male's
song note, conh-a-ree^ is familiar to all who live near his
haunts ; but also, as if not satisfied with this musical (or un-
musical) effort, he frequently warbles during the season of
courtship. Perching prominently on some bush or tree, he
spreads his tail, slightly opens his wings, and produces what
is no doubt agreeable to his taste and that of his mate, even
if not wholly so to ours. It suggests the Catbird's song
deprived of melody. He has, however, a far pleasanter note,
a clear, plaintive whistle, which is sometimes merely " pheu,"
but which at other times consists of three distinct syllables.

ORIOLES. 261

I can at present add nothing of interest to the history of
the " Red-wings," but any omissions may easily be filled by
the study of their habits, which is attended with little or no
difficulty.

Note. — One specimen of a Western species, the Yellow-
headed Blackbird (^XanthoceiDhalus xantliocej^halus)^ " was
shot in an orchard, at Watertown, about the 15th of October,
1869." (Maynard.) * About 10 inches long. Black; head,
etc., largely yellow ; wing-patch, white. Female and young,
smaller, much duller.

V. ICTERUS.

A. GALBULA. Baltimore Oriole, Golden " Robin.''
'-'• Fire-hirdr ^^ Hang -nest.'' In New England, a generally
common summer resident, though rare to the northward. f

a. About 7 1 inches long. ^ , wdth the head, interscapu-
lars, wings, and a part of the tail, black. Otherwise orange
of varying intensity, but with white on the wings. 5 ? ^'i^^
duller colors, the black being skirted or glossed with olive, and
" sometimes entirely wanting."

h. The nest is one of the most interesting specimens of
bird-architecture to be found in New England. It is pensile,
being from five to eight inches deep, and is generally fastened
(near the end) to the bough of an elm or orchard tree, where,
often beyond the direct reach of all enemies, it swings wdth the
slightest breeze, though secure from destruction by the most

* There are several subsequent ree- esting" extralimital occurrence is that

ords: by Mr. Allen {Bull. Essex Inst., reported by Dr. Merriam (Bull. N. O.

X, 1878, p. 18) of two specimens shot at C, VI, 1881, p 24 3) of a bird shot at

Eaatham, Massachusetts, September 10, Godbout River, Province of Quebec,

1877; by Mr. W. E. Treat {Auk, IV, early in September, 1878, by Mr. N. A.

1887, p. 2.56) of a supposed female Comeau. — W. B.

taken near Hartford, Connecticut, late t A summer resident, very common

in July, 1884 ; by Mr. Ridgway {Ibid.) throughout most of Massachusetts and

of a young female shot on Metnie (Ma- southward, but in northern New Eng-

tinic ?) Island, Maine, August 9, 1883, land less numerous, more local, and

by Mr. Fred Raekliff ; and by Mr. E. K. seldom or never seen in the wilder and

Colbron {Orn. and OuL, XIII. 1888, p. more heavily timbered sections. — W.

189) of a female killed near Stamford, B.
Connecticut, in July, 1888. An inter-

262 LAND-BIRDS.

violent gale. It consists of plant-fibres, dry grasses, and
such materials as may be accidentally obtained, sucb as
thread, string, yarn, wool, and bits of cloth, all of which are
firmly interwoven. Though its structure and shape exhibit
much variation, yet it is usually enlarged near the bottom and
warmly lined, most often with hairs. It is frequently built

Fig. 13. Baltimore Oriole,

beneath a canopy of leaves, so as to be sheltered from the
rays of the sun. In Massachusetts, it is generally finished
in the last week of May, or about the first of June. Dr.
Abbott believes it to be built, when in exposed situations, so
as to conceal the sitting bird, especially from Hawks, but
otherwise to be more open at the top.

The eggs of each set are four, five, or sometimes six, average
.90 X .60 of an inch, and are white, feebly tinged with an in-
definite color, or bluish, and are marked (but not thickly) with
lines, scrawls, and spots, of brown, black, and often faint lilac.

c. The male Golden " Robins " are among the few brilliant
birds that come so far to the northward as New England.
They reach Massachusetts about the tenth of May, and are
soon followed by the females. Though abundantly distributed
through this State, they are not common beyond it. Wherever
they go, they attract attention by their bright colors, their loud
notes, and their peculiar nest. This latter structure requires
the labor of a pair for a week or ten days. It is most interest-
ing to watch its progress ; but I have generally found it un-
satisfactory to observe birds while building, so far as regards

ORIOLES. 263

learning exactly the manner in which they work. The " Fire-
birds " are exceedingly clever architects, and a most skillful
knitter would be puzzled to construct a piece of work like
theirs, or even to understand how the original manufacturers
produce it. They do so by fastening at both ends a piece of
string, or grass, to the twigs between which their nest is to
hang, by winding and twisting it around them. Having fast-
ened many other pieces like these, so as to cross one another,
and to form a loose pouch, they interweave other materials with
care and skill, finally adding the lining. As Nuttall says :
"- There is sometimes a considerable difference in the manufac-
ture of these nests, as well as in the materials which enter
into their composition. Both sexes seem to be equally adepts
at this sort of labor ; and I have seen the female alone perform
the whole without any assistance, and the male also complete
this laborious task nearly without the aid of his consort, who,
however, in general, is the principal worker." The young,
soon after being hatched, clamber to the edge of the nest, and
are there fed by their parents. They climb well, "but some-
times tumble to the ground.

The Baltimore Orioles frequent our orchards, gardens, and
the woods. They have a marked fondness for elms, and among
them may often be seen in villages, or even on Boston Com-
mon. I do not doubt that they are beneficial to man, for,
though they certainly destroy the blossoms of fruit-trees, they
are chiefly dependent upon insects, and check the ravages of
caterpillars more than any other of our birds. They feed also
upon berries, and occasionally search for food upon the ground,
where, however, thev are but seldom seen. The male s"ener-
ally spends his time in wandering from one group of trees to
another, often flying vigorously for quite a distance. Then
perching near the top of some flowering shrub or tree, he deals
destruction around him, while he whistles exultingly. He is
apparently never burdened with family cares, but, on the
contrary, suggests the jovial man who frequents a convivial
club.

d. His whistled notes are loud and clear, but, though sub-
ject to variation, are often monotonous. They never form a

264 LAND-BIRDS.

continuous or rapid melody, but tlie same sounds occur again
and again, especially his loud " tu-icee^ tu-icee'^ They are
much less often heard after the middle of June than before,
and finally cease some time before his departure in Septem-
ber. When engaged in combat (as frequently happens in
May) he twitters ; at other times be utters a querulous anh.
His ordinary note, however, is a harsh chatter, which becomes
vehement, whenever he is excited.

B, SPURius. Orchard Oriole. In Massachusetts, the
northern limit of this species, a rare summer resident.*

a. About seven inches long. $ , with the head, inter-
scapulars, wings, and tail, black ; a narrow wing-bar, white.
Otherwise chestnut, or chestnut red. 5 '> rather smaller ;
olive yellow or olivaceous above, brownish on the back, and
yellowish (or "greenish yellow") beneath. Wings, darker,
with two whitish bars.

h. The nest differs from that of the Baltimore Oriole in
being less cylindrical and rarely or never more than five inches
deep ; in Massachusetts it is seldom finished before the second
week of June. W^ilson, speaking of a specimen, says : " I
had the curiosity to detach one of the fibres, or stalks, of dried
grass from the nest, and found it to measure 13 inches in
length, and in that distance was thirty-four times hooked thro'
and returned, winding round and round the nest ! "

The eggs are generally smaller, less elongated, and more
spotted than those of the Golden " Kobin" ; averaging about
.80X.60 of an inch.

c. The Orchard Orioles do not reach Massachusetts until
after the middle of May, and leave it on the approach of au-
tumn. I have but seldom seen them, since they are rare so
far to the northward, though said to have occurred at Calais,
in Maine. As has been observed by various authors, they are
livelier than the Baltimore Orioles, and flirt their tails in a
much more marked manner. Audubon speaks of their socia-

* A summer resident of southern but common in southern Connecticut
New England, rather rare and very — W. B.
local in most parts of Massachusetts,

ORIOLES. 265

bility towards one another, observable in the South, where
they are abundant.

d. They whistle more rapidly than the Golden "Robins";
but their notes are very generally considered inferior and less
mellow.

VI. SCOLECOPHAGUS.

A. CAROLiNUS. Rusty Blackhird. Rusty GracMe. Not
known to occur in Massachusetts, except as a migrant.*

a. (J, about nine inches long. In "high" plumage,
black, with chiefly green reflections. Otherwise, black, inter-
rupted by brown or " rusty." § , smaller and much browner
than the male.

h. Mr. Samuels, in speaking of several nests observed by
him on the Magalloway River in Maine, says that they " were
all built in low alders overhanging the water : they were con-
structed of, first, a layer of twigs and brier-stalks ; on this
was built the nest proper, which was composed of stalks and
leaves of grass, which were mixed with mud, and moulded
into a firm, circular structure, and lined with fine leaves of
grass and a few hair-like roots. The whole formed a large
structure, easily seen at the distance of a few rods through
the foliage."

The eggs average about 1.00 X .75 of an inch, and are
bluish or greenish, much spotted with brown, but apparently
rarely marked with scrawls or lines. These characteristic
markings are also sometimes wanting in the eggs of the Crow
Blackbird.

(The irrelevancy of the following opening is due to the
omission of an introductory paragraph, relative to the Rusty
Blackbirds and their distribution.)

c. As is well known, the animals belonging (or indigenous)
to a country constitute its fauna. But, in a large country
like North America, it has been found that different districts

* The Rusty Blackbird breeds spar- most places in New England it is seen

ingly and locally in the wilder and only during the migrations in spring

more elevated portions of the northern and autvimn, when it is always common

tier of States, and is said to occasionally and often abundant. — W. B.
pass the winter in Connecticut, but at

266 LAND-BIRDS.

(bounded by isotberal lines) are inhabited by distinct groups
of birds, or ornithological /<:m?i(«. In New England there are
two faunce^ the Canadian and Alleghanian, which are chiefly
separated by the approximate latitude of 44°, or the isotheral
line of 65°. This line is just to the southward of Mount De-
sert and the White Mountains.* Most species belong to sev-
eral faunce^ but not, as a rule, to merely a part of any one.
There are several Alleghanian species, however, who have not
been found, so far as I know, to the northward of Massachu-
setts. On the other hand, several Canadian species have been
known to breed in this State, chiefly, I believe, along water-
courses (such as the Nashua Valley), or along mountain-
ranges. Birds may often be detained or prevented from
reaching their usual summer homes, and therefore obliged
to remain in a warmer climate, especially in the case of young
birds who do not breed. Some species are distributed in an
exceptional manner; thus the Red-bellied Nuthatches are
common summer residents in the Canadian district, and breed
in the Carolinian fauna^ but not in southern New England.
I have likewise observed that the Great Crested Flycatchers
are more common among the White Mountains than in east-
ern Massachusetts. The Long-billed Marsh Wren, moreover,
has been found in Greenland. During the migrations, espe-
cially in autumn, birds frequently wander several hundred
miles from their usual habitat^ and, even in summer, may
occur to the northward of tlieir usual range. Several kinds
have even crossed the Atlantic, being driven to sea by winds,
and afterwards alighting on ships. Finally in the list of wan-
derers are to be included escaped cage-birds. ^^^

The Rusty Blackbirds pass the summer in northern New
England (chiefly northwestern Maine ?) and in all the coun-
tries beyond, except the arctic regions. They winter in the
Southern States, where they are frequently met with in large
flocks. They reach Massachusetts in March, lingering into
April, and return in autumn, when they are most abundant in

* It should have been mentioned i^'- i„ the appendix is a list of the

that the Adirondacks belong to the species belonging to our t\vo/aH??OE.
Canadian faunal district. [Appendix
to first edition, p. 444.]

ORIOLES.

267

October, though often seen in November. Whilst migra-
ting, they are gregarious, and also associate, from time to
time, with other Blackbirds. They frequent wet i^laces, par-
ticularly if bushy, though, in fall, they may be observed in
woodland, often resting grouped in some low pine. They
probably do but little mischief to the farmers near Boston,
though they sometimes collect in plowed lands. Their food
consists of seeds, insects, and Crustacea. To obtain these,
they pass much of their time upon the ground, where they
walk in the manner of their family, frequently jerking their
tails. Though much less often seen near the habitations of
man than the Crow Blackbirds, they are not very shy of
man's approach, usually flying, when disturbed, to some neigh-
boring tree or bush.

d. While they are here, their ordinary note is a chuck like
that of the next species. Their song-notes are not, as I have
heard them, musical, but resemble those of the other Black-
birds, particularly when united in chorus. The Rusty Grackles,
however, are com])aratively very silent, though said to have
in their summer homes a musical and agreeable note. Mr.
Samuels says that a female, whose nest he approached, on fly-
ing " uttered a chattering cry, almost exactly like that of the
female Redwing when disturbed in a similar manner."

VII. QUISCALUS.

A. QUISCULA.
Crow Blachhircl.
Purple Grachle.
In Massachusetts,
a common summer
resident in certain
localities.

a. The following
description, and
that of ceneus^ is quoted (with abridgment) from Messrs.
Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway, to show what distinctions these
gentlemen believe to exist between the typical Crow Black-
bird and the variety ceneus, " General appearance glossy

Fig. 14. Crow Blackbird, (i)

268 LAND-BIRDS.

black ; whole plumage, however, brightly glossed with reddish
violet, bronzed purple, steel blue, and green ; . . . wings and
tail black, with violet reflections, more bluish on the latter ;
the wing-coverts frequently tipped with steel blue or violet.
Bill, tarsi, and toes, pure black ; iris, sulphur yellow." About
12J- inches long. Female considerably smaller, and less
lustrous.

h. The nest is placed from six to sixty feet above the
ground, most often in an evergreen, or perhaps occasionally
in the hollow of a tree. It is a rather coarse structure,
often cemented with mud. Its chief materials are small
sticks, dry grasses, and other vegetable matter. In eastern
Massachusetts, it is finished about the middle of May, after
which four or five eggs are laid. These average about 1.25 X
.90 of an inch, and exhibit great variation. The following de-
scriptions are taken from several eggs before me. 1. Strongly
bluish, with almost imperceptible lilac markings, and a few
spots and thick scrawls of blackish brown. 2. Strongly green-
ish, marked abundantly with dull, faint brown, and a few
blackish scrawls. 3. Light creamy gray, with some scrawls
much subdued, as if washed out, or washed over with the
ground-color, and others heavy and prominent, suggesting a
tremulous handwriting made with a very broad-nibbed pen.
4. Of an indefinite light shade with numerous small blotches
of a subdued, dull brown. 5. Dirty white, minutely marked
with light purplish brown, and one blackish blotch. 6. Very
light greenish, faintly and evenly marked with lilac and duU
brown. In short, the ground-color varies from a rather strong
bluish green to various faint and indefinite shades, and the
markings (which are often coarse scrawls or blotches) from
blackish to light and vague colors, all of which are for the
most part dull, the brightest being rusty brown.

c. The Crow Blackbirds are common summer residents in
southern New England, though very much confined to certain
localities (as Cambridge), where they live more or less in
communities. They are said to reach eastern Massachusetts
in March, but I have not observed them until April, when
they often appear in very large flocks, flying at a considerable

ORIOLES. 269

height, and commonly moving northward. They then roost in
low pine woods at night, and during the day resort to plowed
lands and fields. If frightened from their roost, they rise with
a loud roar of their wings, and many noisy exclamations. In
the latter part of September, and in October, they may be
found near Boston in flocks of several hundreds, visiting open
woods, for beech-nuts or acorns ; also lawns, orchards, and
farms. While thus assembled, they continually chatter so
loudly as to be heard at the distance of a mile or even more.
They obtain most of their food from the ground, over which
they walk, occasionally with greater agility than one might ex-
pect. They feed upon seeds, small nuts or sometimes berries,
and various insects, especially those which infest the soil.
Though in this way beneficial, they do great injury by their
depredations on grain-fields, and their fondness for the eggs
and young of other birds. Disagreeable as it is to witness
the extermination of any feathered creature, I should not hes-
itate to sign a death-warrant in the case of these robbers.
They are remarkably fearless, and unhesitatingly familiar
toward man, often closely approaching houses, or entirely
disregarding the various scarecrows employed to intimidate
them. Their flight is somewhat undulatory, but is very vig-
orous.

d. The Crow Blackbirds have a loud chuck or chech, vari-
ously uttered, an occasional chatter or whistle, and in spring
a rather unmusical warble, hardly to be graced with the name
of song. When united in chorus, their varied notes, which,
though unmusical, have a certain cadence, being not disagree-
able when heard at a proper distance, suggest a concert of
wheelbarrows. The Crow Blackbirds are by no means silent
thieves.

B. QUiscuLA ^NEUS. Bronzcd BlachUrcl. Bronzed
Grachle, In Massachusetts, perhaps a migrant only.*

* Quiscalus quiscula et ceneus. The which breed abundantly (but very lo-
respective areas of distribution in New eally) in northern New England are
England of these subspecies are not nearly if not quite all true Bronzed
even now very definitely known, but it Grackles. Of those found about Bos-
is reasonably safe to say that the birds ton fully ninety per cent are equally

270 LAND-BIRDS.

a. This variety (recently established, whether rightfully
or not I cannot say) is described as follows by Messrs. Baird,
Brewer, and Ridgway. " Metallic tints rich, deep, and uni-
form. Head and neck all round, rich silky steel blue, this
strictly confined to these portions, and abruptly defined be-
hind, varying in shade from an intense Prussian blue to
brassy greenish, the latter tint always, when present, most
apparent on the neck, the head always more olivaceous ; lores
velvety black. Entire body, above and below, uniform con-
tinuous metallic brassy olive, varying to burnished golden
olivaceous bronze, becoming gradually uniform metallic pur-
plish or reddish violet on wings and tail, the last more pur-
plish ; primaries, violet black ; bill, tarsi, and toes, pure black ;
iris, sulphur yellow."' About thirteen inches long. Female
smaller and less lustrous.

h. The Bronzed Blackbirds are thought to build in hollow
trees, " a manner of breeding now known to be also occasional
in the habits of the imrinirexis''' * The eggs are like those
of the Purple Grackle, exhibiting great variation.

c. The Bronzed Grackles do not probably differ in habits
from the well-known Crow Blackbirds ; at least no salient
point of difference has yet been discovered. In New
England, they are summer residents in northern Maine, but
are only migrants in more southern portions, appearing near
Boston in (April and) October. Their chief habitat consists
of the Mississippi Valley and British Provinces.

§ 18. The CORVID^ include the Crows^ Ravens^ Books,
Daws, Pies, and Jays, All those of the eastern United States
are characterized as follows : More than seven inches long ;

pure ceneus, the remaining- ten per cent Long Island, t^neus is rarely found in
showing- more or less marked traces of summer, and throughout the Middle
quiscula blood, while an occasional States it is known to occur only during
specimen appears to be typical quis- the migrations. — W. B.
cula. Along the southern borders of * =^ quiscula. There are no con-
Massachusetts, including most of Cape stant differences in the breeding habits
Cod, in Rhode Island, and especially in of the two forms, both nesting in holes
southern Connecticut, the two forms or on the branches of trees according
intermingle, interbreed, and intergrade to circumstances. — W. B.
m the most bewildering manner. On

CROWS. 271

bill very stout, but pointed ; nostrils concealed ; tarsi scutel-
late ; primaries ten, with the first short and only half as long
as the second. The sexes are alike in coloration.

The Crows and Jays are the most nearly omnivorous of our
birds, and much the most mischievous. Like the Blackbirds,
they are social, more or less gregarious, noisy, and almost
wholly unmusical. Moreover, they are partially migratory.
They build comparatively neat nests of sticks, etc., generally
in evergreens. Their eggs are most often green (or brown),
darkly spotted ; with four, five, or sometimes six, in a set.
In this climate, but one brood is usually raised.

Our Corvidce are divided into two subfamilies : —

Cormnce or Crows (genus I). Wings much longer than
the tail ; feet large and stout ; colors dull, or dark and lus-
trous.

Garridinm or Jays (II and III). Wings not longer than
the tail ; feet comparatively weak ; colors dull or bright
(chiefly blue) ; birds often crested.

I. CORVUS.

A. AMERICANUS.^^^ CroiL\ Commoii Croic. A common
resident throughout New England.*

^°^ The 'Rayen {C. corax principalis) regularly visits the interior of north-
does not now occur in New England, ern New England in late autumn and
unless in the extreme northeast." It winter, and it has heen twice taken in
is twenty-four inches long, lustrous Massachusetts within the past twenty
hlack, '• with the throat-feathers acute, years. It douhtless still hreeds spar-
lengthened, disconnected." The Fish ingly along the coast of Maine. — W. B.
Crow (C ossifragus) may occasionally * The Fish Crow is now known to
occur on the shores of Connecticut. It hreed in small numbers in southern
is sixteen inches long or less. Wilson Connecticut, and one specimen has been
says that their voice is "hoarse and taken in Massachusetts — atWareham,
guttural, uttered as if something stuck July 16, 1884, by Mr. E. A. Bangs. —
in their throat, and varied into sev- W. B.

eral modulations," and that they fre- * An abundant spring and autumn
quently sail 'Svithout flapping the migrant and very common summer res-
wings, something in the manner of the ident, also wintering numerously along
Raven." Mr. Wm. Brewster is confi- the coast from Maine to Connecticut,
dent that he saw a Fish Crow at Cam- and more sparingly, but still very gen-
bridge " on the morning of March 16th, erally, in the less wild and elevated
1875." ^ parts of the interior, at least in Massa-

" This is incorrect, for the Raven chusetts and southward. — W. B.

272 LAND-BIRDS.

a. Twenty inches long or less. Lustrous black; reflec-
tions chiefly violet.

h. The nest is placed from twenty to eighty feet above
the ground, commonly in a pine (or a cedar), and often so as
to be almost entirely concealed from beneath. It is usually
hollowed to the depth of several inches, and is, for so large a
bird, a very neat structure. It is composed of various mate-
rials (frequently including dry grass), of which the most char-
acteristic are generally the sticks outside, and the lining of
bark (consisting of strips taken from cedars or grape-vines).

It is, in Massachusetts, finished between the tenth of April
and the tenth of May ; and four or five eggs are then laid.
These average about 1.60 X 1.25 of an inch, and are spotted
sometimes coarsely and sparsely, sometimes thickly and finely,
occasionally in both ways. The ground-color is a gTcen of
varying shade ; the markings are variously brown, olive,
dusky, and rarely purplish. The eggs of the Eaven and Fish
Crow differ but little except in size, the former being more
than an inch and three quarters long, the latter much less.
The Ravens usually build on cliffs.

The eggs of the Crow often exhibit abnormal forms, among
which Dr. Brewer enumerates some which are green but un-
marked, some which are wliite but spotted with reddish
brown, and one which has different grounds on the opposite
sides. Another, in my collection, has a strong bluish tinge,
like that of a Thrush's ^gg^ and only a few dark spots.

c. The Crows are common residents in eastern Massa-
chusetts throughout the year. How far to the northward
they may be found in winter I cannot say. During that
season they are not uncommon near the sea, where they most
readily obtain food. As their habits vary with the seasons,
it is interesting to observe the changes. I shall therefore
begin their biography by detailing the life which they lead
from the opening of the year until the period of courtship.

The Crows are said to suffer extremely from cold weather
in certain parts of the country, and even to die of starvation ;
but, near Boston, they seem to fare very well. At night they
roost in thick evergreens, to which they retire j^romptly at

CROWS. 273

evening, and from wliicli they arise in the morning before
any other birds. As they are very sociable (among them-
selves) throughout the year, they are seen often in small
parties, and occasionally in very large flocks. They obtain
most of their food by the sea, to which they fly in the early
morning. They there eat various shell-fish, and the refuse,
such as dead fish, which may usually be found along the
shore. They are, however, omnivorous, eating grain, fruits,
insects, and all sorts of flesh ; and a winter day never passes,
when they may not also be seen searching in the interior for
such morsels as may be found there. On the approach or
arrival of spring, their numbers increase appreciably, and
mating takes place. At this time, they frequently amuse
themselves, before roosting, by playing in the air, flying
round and round, or chasing one another. This forms a
picturesque sight, especially if seen against the glow of a set-
ting sun. The Crows sometimes begin to build so early as
the middle of March. For this purpose, they gather, chiefly
from the ground, large sticks, which they pick up and carry
in their bills. In April, when the softer materials are
needed, they visit fields or orchards, and pluck the long, dry
grass. In the woods they strip off the bark of cedars, and
from the pastures often obtain cow-hair or horsehair. They
are so wary and cautious that it is extremely difficult to
watch them while building, for, on the discovery of danger,
they fly about in a purposely indefinite way, so that one can-
not learn more than the general direction in which they carry
their materials. If their nest be approached, when finished
but not occupied, the parents are soon to be seen overhead,
frequently cawing^ but careful not to betray its situation.
After incubation has begun, they sit on the nest bravely,
generally not leaving it until the tree is rapped. Upon this,
the female disappears, but often, in case of further intrusion,
soon returns with numerous sympathizing companions, who
loudly proclaim the distress of the community. During
April, the Crows are beneficial, and frequent plowed lands
or fields for the purpose of obtaining various destructive
insects. But, when obliged to provide for their young, they

274 LAND-BIRDS.

themselves become injurious and very destructive, exhibiting
more than at other times a carnivorous taste. They do most
mischief in destroying the young and eggs of various emi-
nently useful birds; and this is the most serious charge
which can be brought against them. They occasionally kill
field mice, and even, it is said, chickens. I have also seen
them feeding on snakes, but whether killed by themselves or
not, I do not know. In the latter part of summer, and in
autumn, they feed chiefly upon berries and grain. The
young, constantly nourished by their parents, grow rapidly,
and, at the end of about five weeks, show no pin-feathers,
appearing in full dress when half-grown. They can then
walk readily, and even fly for a short distance. I have never
had but one pair, who, when found, apparently had tumbled
from their nest, as a dead one was lying near by. Previously
to experience, I had vaguely supposed it necessary to feed
young birds at least once an hour, in order to keep them
alive. To my surprise, I was able to reduce the diet of my
proteges to three meals a day, even before they were well
fledged. The young are easily nourished upon meat, particu-
larly if raw, and upon worms, or occasionally even bread
soaked in water. In October I have often remarked a scar-
city of Crows, who probably then pass to the South, to be
replaced by others from the north, who resume their winter
habits in November.

Our Crows walk with a slow, measured step, which Audu-
bon considers " elevated and graceful." That author adds
that they frequently alight " on the backs of cattle, to pick
out the worms lurking in their skin, in the same manner as
the Magpie, Fish-crow, and Cow-bird " ; this I have never ob-
served. They fly with a regular, but seemingly slow beat of
the wings, which is occasionally relieved by sailing, especially
in a high wind or when the birds are about to alight, which
they most often do at some height from the ground, though
also fond of fences. It is common to see them with ragged
wings, as if injured by shot ; but the loss of several feathers,
even if confined to one side, does not seem to interfere with
their naturally vigorous flight. As they often fly at a great

CROWS. 275

height, and very rarely near the ground, they are frequently
obliged to fight against the winds, and even to " tack," that
they may reach their destination.

The natural characteristics of the Crows are sagacity, cun-
ning, and a tendency to thievishness. The difficulty of ap-
proaching these birds with a gun is proverbial. They are
brave in defending their nests from the approach of other
birds ; but, in turn, are very commonly pursued and annoyed
by the pugnacious King-bird. They frequently follow Hawks,
who easily avoid, and seemingly disregard them ; and they
take great pleasure in mobbing Owls, whom they surround
with noisy greetings, whenever discovered in the day-time.
Wilson, however, quotes an anecdote of one being killed by
a large Owl at evening.

d. The notes of the Crow, which are highly unmusical,
are ordinarily a slightly prolonged caw^ or a shorter och fre-
quently repeated. There is another distinct cry, more gut-
tural, which suggests the rattling of a rope through a pulley.
This I at first attributed to individuals with " broken " voices,
but I am now inclined to believe that it is merely peculiar to
the season of spring. It is perhaps also used as a note to
their young, whose voice is feebler and distinct from that
of their parents. The Crows, in producing their notes, are
obliged to gesticulate, when perched, and occasionally (in in-
dividuals) to suspend the motion of their wings, when flying.

Of all our birds, the Crows and Jays are doubtless most
worthy of being destroyed. The former have not, however, I
think, diminished in numbers, as Mr. Allen believed to be the
case when he wrote his catalogue ; but, on the contrary, have
steadily increased. They are in summer abundant throughout
a larger part of New England.

II. CYANOCITTA.

A. CRISTATA. Blue Jay. A common resident through-
out Massachusetts.

*

* A common resident of the whole migrations (especially in autumn) than
of New England, but apparently much at other seasons. — W. B.
more numerous everywhere during the

276 LAND-BIRDS.

a. 11-12 inches long, and crested. Above, purplish blue ;
beneath, white, becoming distinctly gray on the breast, and
bluish on the throat. Wings and tail, bright blue, more or
less black-barred, and white-tipped (except the primaries).
Collar and frontlet, black.

5. The nest is generally placed in a low pine, or other
evergreen, often near the trunk, from five to twenty feet above
the ground. The chief materials are usually sticks or twigs,
and fine roots which form the lining. Four or five eggs,* aver-
aging 1.20 X -80 of an inch, are laid, near Boston, about the
twentieth of May. They are brown or green (resembling the
lighter shades used in frescoing), more or less spotted with
subdued brown and often obscure lilac.

c. If the old proverb be true, that "handsome is that
handsome does," the Blue Jay is not to be admired, in spite of
his strikingly beautiful plumage. On the contrary, he is to be
despised as a murderer, a thief, a rioter, and a disturber of the
general peace. In the slaughter of babes (if I may extend
the use of this word) he " out-herods Herod." He sneaks into
the nests of smaller birds, sucking their eggs, or killing their
young (of which he often eats the brains, but leaves the rest),
and spreading sorrow wherever he goes. In the stealing of
grain, he rivals the Crow. He even sneaks into the store-
house, and like a rat, devours the corn there. As a leader of
riots, though a coward, he does not hesitate occasionally to
tease the Hawks (for which, says Wilson, he sometimes pays
dearly), or to take advantage of the Owls, when confused by
the daylight, to heap insults upon them. As a disturber of
the general peace, he delights to spread terror among other
birds by imitating the cries of Hawks, or to deceive them by
pretending distress ; no less often do his cries disturb man, and
drown the sweet melodies which one might otherwise hear in
all our woods and groves. On account of his bad habits, his
noisiness, his fine colors and crest, he is frequently shot ; and
the number of Jays near Boston has lately, I think, materially
diminished, whereas the cunning Crows much less often fall
victims to the revenge of their numerous enemies.

* Sets of six eggs are occasionally found. — W. B.

CROWS. 277

The Blue Jays are residents in Massachusetts through all
the seasons, but in winter are somewhat rare, as they also are
to the northward, even during summer. They are gregarious
throughout a greater part of the year, but are necessarily more
or less separated, as is always the case during the breeding-
season. They are, like the Crows, omnivorous ; but they have
a peculiar fondness for acorns and beech-nuts, which they are
said to store for the winter. They frequent the woods chiefly,
in which they build their nests, particularly among the ever-
greens. They may often be seen, however, in open lands, but
comparatively seldom on the ground. They fly vigorously, but
not with the steady, monotonous beat of the Crows. They are
said to be amusing pets, having in confinement the gayety and
roguishness natural to their tribe. I am told that they may be
easily caught, by being made drunk with corn dipped in whis-
key. Grain impregnated with poison is also used to kill them.
Though common in summer, they are, perhaps, most abundant
in autumn, when I have once or twice seen as many as twenty
together not far from Boston. In winter they are often scat-
tered ; but in spring they reunite, remaining in flocks until
May, when they separate to build, becoming less impudent and
more shy.

d. Their notes vary endlessly from loud, characteristic
screams to soft, musical whistles, though all are somewhat
characterized by the same tone. The Blue Jays are very noisy,
and possess not only the power of ventriloquism, but also that
of mimicry. They imitate the cries of the Sparrow Hawk,
and those of the " Hen Hawks," with great exactness, so that,
were not these sounds so often heard near houses, they might
easily deceive even an experienced naturalist. There is one
note, to which I would particularly call attention, a guttural
cry not unlike the sound produced by the rapping of Wood-
peckers. This may be heard in spring especially, and is ap-
parently a love-note. The Jays, on uttering any sounds, are
obliged to gesticulate in a most ludicrous manner, unless when
screaming on the wing.

278 LAND-BIRDS.

HI. PERISOREUS.

A. CANADENSIS. Canada Jay. " Whiskey-Jack."' A
resident of northern New England and tlie countries beyond.*

a. 10-11 inches long. Ashy or leaden above ; dull gray
beneath. Head, and tips of tail and certain wing-feathers,
dull white ; but hind-head very dark.

h. A nest of the Canada Jay, found by Mr. Boardman,
and described by Dr. Brewer, " is woven above a rude plat-
form of sticks and twigs crossed and interlaced, furnishing a
roughly made hemispherical base and periphery. Upon this
an inner and more artistic nest has been wrought, made of a
soft felting of fine mosses closely impacted and lined with
feathers." An Qgg in my collection measures 1.20 X .75 of
an inch, and is grayish, evenly marked with brown. Unlike
other specimens, it is green-tinted.

c. The Canada Jays do not much inhabit New England,
so far as I know, except in northern Maine, where they are
resident. As Audubon has apparently had many opportuni-
ties of observing these birds, I shall here quote his biography
nearly in full, as I have already quoted one of Wilson's. " I
have found this species of Jay," says Audubon, " breeding in
the State of Maine, where many individuals belonging to it
reside the whole year, and where in fact so many as fifteen
or twenty may be seen in the course of a day by a diligent
person anxious to procure them. In the winter, their num-
bers are constantly augmented by those which repair to that
country from places farther north. They advance to the
southward as far as the upper parts of the State of New
York, where the person who first gave intimation to Mr.
Wilson that the species was to be found in the Union, shot
seven or eight one morning, from which number he presented
one to the esteemed author of the ' American Ornithology,'
who afterwards procured some in the same neighborhood.

* The Canada Jay may be found at from still further north. The Canada

all seasons throughout the more exten- Jay is said to have been seen in Massa-

sive coniferous forests of northern New chusetts on several occasions, and there

England, and in places is sometimes is one authentic record of a specimen

very common, especially in autimm, taken near Cambridge, in October,

when there is an evident migration 1889. — W. B.

CROWS. 279

This species is best known in Maine by the name of the
' Carrion-bird,' * which is usually applied to it on account of
its carnivorous propensities. When their appetite is satisfied,
they become shy, and are in the habit of hiding themselves
amongst close woods or thickets ; but when hungry, they
show no alarm at the approach of man, nay, become famil-
iar, troublesome, and sometimes so very bold as to enter
the camps of the ' lumberers,' or attend to rob them of the
bait affixed to their traps. My generous friend, Edward
Harris, Esq., of Moorestown, New Jersey, told me that
while fishing in a birch canoe on the lakes in the interior of
the State of Maine, in the latter part of the summer of 1833,
the Jays were so fearless as to alight in one end of his bark,
while he sat in the other, and help themselves to his bait,
taking very little notice of him.

" The lumberers or woodcutters of this State frequently
amuse themselves in their camp during their eating hours with
what they call ' transporting the carrion bird.' This is done
by cutting a pole eight or ten feet in length, and balancing
it on the sill of their hut, the end outside the entrance being-
baited with a piece of flesh of any kind. Immediately on see-
ing the tempting morsel, the Jays alight on it, and while they
are busily engaged in devouring it, a wood-cutter gives a smart
blow to the end of the pole within the hut, which seldom fails
to drive the birds high in the air, and not unfrequently kills
them. They even enter the camps, and would fain eat from
the hands of the men while at their meals. They are easily
caught in any kind of trap. My friend, the Eev. John Bach-
man, informed me that when residing in the State of New
York, he found one caught in a snare which had been set with
many others for the common Partridge or ' Quail,' one of which
the Jay had commenced eating before he was himself caught.

" In the winter they are troublesome to the hunters, espe-
cially when the ground is thickly covered with snow, and food
consequently scarce, for, at such a time, they never meet with
a Deer or Moose hung on a tree, without mutilating it as much
as in their power. In the Bay of Fundy I observed, several

* " Meat Hawk " is also a name in very general use in Maine. — W. B.

280 LAND-BIRDS.

mornings in succession, a Canada Jay watching the depar-
ture of a Crow from her nest, after she had deposited an egg.
When the Crow flew off, the cunning Jay immediately repaired
to the nest, and carried away the egg. I have heard it said
that the Canada Jay sometimes destroys the young of other
birds of its species, for the purpose of feeding its own with
them ; but not having witnessed such an act, I cannot vouch
for the truth of the report, which indeed appears to me too
monstrous to be credited.

" I have often been delighted by the sight of their grace-
ful movements on alighting after removing from one tree to
another, or while flying across a road or a piece of water.
They have an odd way of nodding their head, and jerking their
body and tail, while they emit their curiously diversified notes,
which at times resemble a low sort of mewing, at others the
sound given out by an anvil lightly struck with a hammer.
They frequently alight about the middle of a tree, and hop
with airy grace from one branch to another until they reach
the very top, when they remove to another tree, and thus pro-
ceed through the woods. Their flight resembles that of the
Blue Jay, although I do not consider it quite so firm or pro-
tracted.

"The Canada Jay breeds in Maine, in New Brunswick,
Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador. It begins so
early as February or March to form its nest, which is placed
in the thickest part of a fir tree, near the trunk, and at a
height of from five to ten feet. The exterior is composed of
dry twigs, with moss and grass, and the interior, which is flat,
is formed of fibrous roots. The eggs, which are from four to
six, are of a light grey color, faintly marked with brown.
Only one brood is raised in the season. I found the young-
following their parents on the 27tli of June, 1833, at Labrar
dor, where I shot both old and young, while the former was
in the act of feeding the latter."

The remainder of Audubon's biography is chiefly quotations
from other authors, or descriptions of the birds. The follow-
ing paragraph, however, is of interest. Still referring to the
Canadian Jay Audubon says : —

FLYCATCHERS. 281

" Its range is very extensive, as I have specimens procured
by Mr. Townsend on the Columbia River,* and it has been
observed by Dr. Richardson as far northward as lat. 65°.
The former of these naturalists states that he found 'these
birds at the site of old Fort Astoria, on the Columbia River.
They were very noisy and active ; the voice is strong and harsh.
The Indians, however, say that they are rarely seen, and that
they do not breed hereabouts.' Mr. Titian Peale has ob-
tained it in the neighborhood of Philadelphia, and I have the
body of one procured there by himself in October, 1836."

d. The cry of the Canada Jays seemed to Mr. Samuels
like that of the Blue Jay ; to Mr. Maynard, like that of the
lynx. These birds have also a low chatter ; but their notes
vary, like those of their familiar relatives, though not, so far
as I know, ever imitative.

§ 19. The TYRANNID^ (or true Fhjcatchers) are the
sole North American representatives of the Clamatores^^ and
in turn are themselves represented only by the Tyranninm or
typical Flycatchers. (With the exception of the Pyrocephali)
they are characterized as follows. Sexes alike in coloration ;
colors plain, being green, brown, or gray, usually olive-tinted,
yellow and white. Birds subcrested, or with erectile crown-
feathers. Bill about one third as deep as long, but half as
wide, conspicuously hooked, notched, and bristled (pi. I, figs.
20, 21) ; mandibles rather thin and hollow ; tarsi scutellate as
already described ; primaries ten, tail-feathers twelve. (Fig.
15.) The Flycatchers are eminently insectivorous and migra-
tory, though some species feed partly upon berries, and mi-
grate quite late in the fall. They are, as a rule, rather pug-
nacious, and are never gregarious. Though not possessed of
much power of flight, they rarely touch the ground. They are,
however, admirably clever on the wing, and, darting from their
posts of observation into the air, often snap up several insects
at a time, and with distinct clicks of the bill. They are ex-

* The bird -whieli inhabits the Co- the Oregon Jay (Perisoreus obscurus).
lumbia River region is now considered — W. B.
a distinct species, and is known as 1°* See beginning' of Chapter I.

282 LAND-BIRDS.

tremely energetic, and often show it in their indefinably char-
acteristic voice, which, though never strictly musical, is yet
pleasing and striking. The Great Crested Flycatchers build
their nests in the hollows of trees, and the Pewees about
buildings or on rocks ; but the others build their nests (vary-
ing in neatness) in bushes or trees.* The eggs are four or
five, and white, creamy, or buff, in most cases unmarked or
else spotted with brown and lilac.

The three genera of smaller Flycatchers may be distinguished
as follows : —

Sayornis (III) : tail forked, frequently flirted ; tarsus
longer than the middle toe. Contopus (IV) : tail slightly
forked, never (?) flirted ; tarsus shorter than the middle toe.
Emjndonax (V) : tail even or rounded, and depressed upon
the utterance of the very abrupt, energetic soTi^-note, when
the head also is thrown back.

I. TYRANNUS.

A. TYRANNUS. (^Tyrant Flycatcher.) King-bird. Bee
''' Martiii.''^ Field ^'' Martin.''^ A common summer resident
in New England.f

a. About eight inches long. Above, very dark gray,
slightly brownish on the wings. Crown and tail, black ; the
latter broadly white-tipped, the former with erectile crown-
feathers touched with orange or vermilion. (Many wing-
feathers, and the outermost tail-feathers, white-edged.)

[The Gray King-bird (Jl dominicensis) is about nine
inches long, and is rather grayer, with the " tail conspicuously
forked," and not broadly white-tipped. " An immature spe-
cimen was taken by Mr. Charles I. Goodale, at Lynn, on
October 23, 1868"; "its usual habitat being Florida and
the West Indies."]

h. The nest of our King-bird is commonly placed from
five to fifteen feet above the ground, in a horizontal fork, or

* The Yellow-bellied Flycatcher ceptions to the above rule among our

places its nest in mossy banks and western Flycatchers. — W. B.

among the roots of fallen trees — never, t A common summer resident of

so far as is known, on the branches of practically the whole of New England.

trees or bushes. There are other ex- — W. B.

FLYCATCHERS. 283

on the limb, of an orchard tree. Sometimes it is built even
nearer to the ground, in the crotch of a low sapling or stout
bush, in some field or pasture. It is composed of the fine
stalks of various weeds and grasses, intermixed with plant-
down, to which are often attached bits of " sweet fern," dead
leaves, or moss, and it is frequently lined with horsehairs. In
this State it is finished about the first of June. The eggs of
each set are four or five,* and average 1.00 X .T5 of an inch.
They are creamy white, with a few large, spots of lilac, and
umber, or occasionally reddish brown. These spots are some-
times replaced by blotches, and, in two specimens before me,
by large splashes of several shades of brown.

c. The male King-bird is so well known for his pugnacity
from the time of mating until his young are reared, that it is
scarcely necessary for me more than to allude to this important
trait in his character. He particularly dislikes Crows, whom
he often pursues for at least half a mile. As he generally
teases them by descending on to their backs, he is frequently
obliged to mount to a considerable height in the air. From
his courage in driving away from his summer home both
Hawks and Crows, he deserves protection among the farmers,
and though he may occasionally feed upon bees, he destroys
an immense number of other winged insects, upon which
chiefly he depends for food.

The King-birds are common summer residents almost
throughout New England, but they inhabit principally culti-
vated lands and populated districts. They frequent orchards,
gardens, and fields, rarely or never resorting to the woods ;
on the contrary, they may often be seen immediately about
houses, especially on farms. They reach Massachusetts in
the second week of May, and leave it in September. They
are never, whilst here, strictly gregarious, but small parties of
three or four may often be seen in spring. It is common to
see two males paying attentions to a female. The victor soon
after follows his mate to search for a building-site. I am in-
clined to believe that among all birds the female has most to

* So far as my experience goes, the King-bird never lays more than four eggs,
and usually but three. — W. B.

284 LAND-BIRDS.

do in the selection of a situation for her nest, as is very natu-
ral, since slie is generally tlie chief builder and occupant.

The King-birds feed almost exclusively upon winged insects,
which they seize with a click of the bill, and in the manner
of all true Flycatchers. They perch on some bough, fence,
or wire, carefully watching for their prey, then make a sally,
and snap up a fly or even several, often returuing to their
former post, which is usually not far from the ground, being
sometimes merely the stalk of a weed. They also vary this
mode of capture, by darting upon some insect in the grass, or
by hovering and skimming over the surface of water. They
usually fly with a rapid nervous beat of the wing, and fre-
quently hover, either to reconnoitre, or to feed from some flock
of gnats who are hovering likewise and swarming in the air.
They bathe by plunging into the water, after which they fly
to some twig, and dress their plumage. They perch rather
erectly, and rarely alight upon the ground, unless to pick up
something for their nests.

d. Their notes are shrill twitters, which often resemble
those of the Swallows. They are loud,' sharp, and rather
vehement. Among them may be heard the syllable hing^
which constantly recurs. Though the King-birds are plainly
dressed, and though they have no song, they are entitled to
both our respect and affection.

n. MYIARCHUS.

A, CRINITUS. Great Crested Flycatcher. In New Eng-
land, a rare summer resident.*

a. About nine inches long. Crown-feathers, erectile, often
forming a loose crest, and dark-centred. Above, " dull green-
ish olive," inclining to dusky on the wings and tail. Beneath,
pale yellow ; but throat gray (or "pale ash"). Tail-feathers,

* A suTnmer resident of somewhat Within a radius of twenty or thii-ty

peculiar distribution in New England, miles of Boston to the north and west

breeding very numerously and g-ener- the bird is positively rare at all seasons,

ally in Connecticut, and commonly but to the south, in Canton and por-

throughout much of northern New tions of Milton, it nests in almost

England, but only very sparingly and every suitable orchard. — W. B.
locally in most parts of Massachusetts.

FLYCATCHERS. 285

largely chestnut ; primaries edged with the same. (Eest of
the wing with much white edging, forming two inconspicuous
bars. Outer tail-feathers edged with yellow.)

h. The nest and eggs differ strikingly from those of all
our other birds. The nest, which in New England is finished
in the first or second week of June, may be found in woods
or orchards. It consists of a few materials, placed in the
hollow of a tree, among which cast-oif snake-skins are almost
invariably to be found. The eggs of each set are four or
five,* and average about 1.00 X .75 of an inch. They are
buff or creamy, spotted with lilac, and curiously streaked, or
'• scratched," with purplish and a winy brown.

c. The Great Crested Flycatchers are summer residents in
all the States of New England, but aj^parently they are no-
where common. They reach Massachusetts about the middle
of May, and ordinarily remain there four months, but once, so
late as the first of November, I saw one not far from Boston,
who was fat and in excellent condition, in spite of the cold
season. The Great Crested Flycatchers for the most part fre-
quent woods, though sometimes seen in orchards or in small
groups of trees. They rarely enter the evergreens, but prefer
some collection of hard-wood trees, where there are clearings
and tracts of dead timber. In such a place they select their
summer home, over which they assume a despotic right, and
from which they drive any other birds whom they may con-
sider as intruders. They usually remain at a greater height
than the King-birds, frequently perching near the tops of tall
trees. Moreover, they often fly more rapidly and freely,
though often with a striking similarity. They catch insects
in the same manner, and feed upon them during spring and
the early summer ; but in autumn, unlike our other Flycatch-
ers, they seem to be almost wholly dependent upon various
berries, among which may be mentioned huckleberries. In
this season, they may occasionally be seen in family parties,
but, in spring, I have never observed more than two together.

d. In regard to their notes, my experience obliges me to
differ from other writers. Wilson and Audubon both speak

* Sets of six eg-gs are not at all uncommon. — W. B.

286 LAND-BIRDS.

of their note as a loud, harsh, disagreeable squeak, and subse-
quent writers have repeated this statement. I have watched
the Great Crested Flycatchers many times at all seasons, ex-
cept in winter, for the express purpose of hearing this cry,
but I have never heard them utter any sound to which the
above description is applicable. On the contrary, I have at
all times heard them utter a single loud, brusque note (not
unlike the ordinary call of the Quail), which it is difficult to
imitate well, though one may do so by whistling and suddenly
drawing in the breath. These Flycatchers have also a few
low notes, which are likewise whistled. I do not wish to
deny the accuracy of my predecessors, but merely to state
that there is certainly one sound familiar to me, which seems
to have escaped their attention, and that what they describe
is very probably a querulous cry.

III. SAYORNIS.

A. PHCEBE. Pewee (^Flycatcher). Phoehe-hird. Bridge
Pewee. A common summer resident throughout the cultiva-
ted parts of New England.*

a. Seven inches long or less. Tail, forked ; crown-feath-
ers, erectile, and very dark. Above, dark olive brown, in
autumn (after the moult) approaching olive green. Sides
always, and the breast often, shaded with the same. Under
parts, otherwise white (or very pale yellow, chiefly behind,
and brightest in autumn. Eye-ring, edging of the wings and
of the outer tail-feather, inconspicuously white.) The throat
is sometimes streaked. Bill^ wholly hlach.

b. The nest of the Pewee is most often built on a beam or
pillar, or under the eaves of some building, occasionally those
of a bridge. It was primitively attached to a wall of rock,
either on a cliff, or in a cave, but, so far as I know, it is no
longer often to be found in Massachusetts thus placed.f It is

* A common summer resident, breed- t Nests built on cliffs or ledges, on

ing practically everywhere in southern projecting roots or stones in gravel or
New England, but in the three north- sand banks, and among the roots of up-
em States confined chiefly to the settled turned trees, are still frequently met
portions of the country. — W. B. with in Massachusetts in places remote

from buildings. — W. B.

FLYCATCHERS. 287

rendered firm by mud, to which are added various materials,
of which the most conspicuous is generally moss ; and it is
commonly lined with horsehairs. The eggs of each set are
usually five, average about .75 X -57 of an inch, and are pure
white (rarely spotted?). Near Boston, one set is generally
laid in the first or second week of May, and another in June.
I have known a pair, who built in a shed partly surrounded
by glass, to raise three broods in one season, of which the
first was hatched about the fifth of May. An egg from the
third set measures .65 X .50 of an inch, or less.

c. There are few birds dearer to an ornithologist than the
Pewee, and no birds are better entitled to the aifection of a
friend, if usefulness, cheerfulness, familiarity towards man,
and charm of manner, deserve our regard. In fact no bird
is more home-like than this species, who is almost the first to
announce spring at our very doors, and who is the foremost
to establish his home where we have established ours, and
who returns persistently, if unmolested, to the same shed or
barn, year after year. Audubon even proved in one case that
the young returned with their parents, thus increasing the
little colony which already existed on his plantation. No bird
is more peaceable or less jealous than the Pewee, who looks
hospitably upon all his neighbors, and it is common to find
several pairs on the same estate, living in happiness and
peace.

As I sit down to write out of doors, I find that my at-
tention is but little confined to my biographical labors. I
have placed in the shrubbery around the piazza several
bits of cotton-wool, which readily attract the attention of
the various birds who are now building. A male Redstart
is singing in the oak on the bank, while his mate cautiously
approaches a vine, from which my chair is scarcely a yard
distant, and, seizing several shreds of the wool, flies ofp.
Eager to discover her home, just as I have already discov-
ered those of nearly all her friends (and mine too), I step
on the lawn to watch her motions. She flies to the nearest
group of trees and disappears, while I fix my eyes upon the
cotton-wool, to watch her return; but, when some sound

288 LAND-BIRDS.

causes me to turn my head, I see her pulling at another
piece, in the opposite direction. How cautious she is of
betraying her purpose, and what a vacillating course she
takes from tree to tree ! Is she not evidently an unusually
cautious bird? A neighbor, one of her own species, with-
out waiting for warmer weather, has already finished a
nest, and laid eggs, in a birch on the edge of the swamp,
and a " Black-tlu'oated Green," who built in the piazza-vines,
last year, showed no hesitation in building while persons
were near. But here is the Redstart again; she is now
refreshing herself by catching flies. It is after nine o'clock,
and she has probably worked for several hours ; but she
denies herself rest, and again approaches the vine, this time
to gather several little strips of bark, with which she flies
directly to the orchard. As she enters a pear tree, pauses
a moment, and then flies off, I feel sure that her nest is
there, and so post myself close to the trunk of a neighboring
apple tree, motionless and silent, to await her return. She
immediately reappears, and, apparently not realizing my
presence, enters her nest, which is already shaped, and with her
bill firmly presses her materials into position. She next gath-
ers something from a tree in the orchard, but, on seeing me
as I move, she is frightened, and utters a chij^^ though her
mouth is quite full. Just then a most familiar sound falls
upon my ear, and recalls me to my biography. On looking
u}), I see two Pewees providing food, either for their own
young, or for some helpless Cow-bird who has been left to
their care. What labor they are obliged to undergo!
Probably no less than a thousand insects must be procured
each day for several weeks. One spring, when the season
was backward, and the same pair were behindhand in
building, they proceeded to construct, side by side in a
shed, two nests, which were finished at the same time.
While the male fed the young of the first brood in one
nest, the female laid the eggs of a second brood in the
other ; but whether this was their original design, or not,
I cannot say.

The Pewees reach Massachusetts about the first of April,

FLYCATCHERS. 289

and rarely, if ever, before the last week of March. They
arrive singly, and the males seem quite dispirited until the
appearance of their mates, when they at once assume their
usual cheerfulness. The same pair return every year to
the same spot, during their life-time, and, should one of
them die, the other often finds a new mate, with whom, in
the following spring, he returns to his old quarters. The
Pewees >are summer residents in all the States of New
Eno-land, but in the northern sections are not common,
though elsewhere abundant and generally well known. They
frequent farms, and cultivated or open lands. They are
nowhere shy, but occasionally the rapidity with which they
check tlieir course on entering the building which contains
their nest, seeing there some person, shows that they pos-
sess a share of the timidity natural to most birds. Though
they frequently feed upon berries, such as those of the
poisonous " ivy," they are chiefly insectivorous. In hunting
for their usual prey, they choose a perch in some open
spot, and rarely at any great height from the ground.
They then flirt their tails, or from time to time utter their
note ; but, on seeing an insect, they fly, and commonly seize
it instantaneously, though sometimes obliged to give chase,
which they do most adroitly. They often resort to the edge
of ponds or streams, where gnats or mosquitoes abound. In
feeding from a swarm of very small insects, they frequently
hover with the body almost erect, and sustained by a rapid
beating of the wings. Their flight is quite characteristic, but
cannot be well defined ; it is rarely protracted, unless directed
toward their nest. They never alight on the ground, unless
to i^ick up some material for building or to perch upon a
heap of earth. In autumn, they are not confined to their
usual haunts, but wander quite freely about the country,
though rarely to be found in woods. I have never seen them
near Boston later than the sixteenth of October, and a major-
ity pass to the southward much earlier.

d. The Pewees possess a greater variety of notes than a
superficial observer would suppose. They have a loud chij)
(more or less characteristic), being, I believe, the only non-

290 LAND-BIRDS.

oscine (or unmusical) birds who possess this note. They have
also a ivhit^ a single rather melancholy whistle, but seldom
heard, and various twitters, of which some are querulous and
others not unlike those of the King-bird. Besides these
sounds, of which the latter are heard chiefly in spring, they
utter quite constantly during the breeding-season, though
much less often in summer, and rarely in autumn, their famil-
iar and cheerful note, pee-^6'ee, which is subject to more or less
modification. Occasionally, in April, a Pewee darts into the
air, and, hovering or fluttering in a circle, repeats this note
so rapidly and excitedly as to produce eccentric music, which
might almost without impropriety be called a song. There is,
I believe, nothing which I can say to endear these birds to
the naturalist, more than they are now endeared to all who
know them.

IV. CONTOPUS.

A. BOREALis. Olive-sided Flycatcher. A rather rare
summer resident.*

a. About 7| inches long. Tail, considerably forked ;
crown-feathers, erectile and dark-centred. Above, of an inde-
scribable " dark olive brown " ; sides (almost meeting across
the breast), shaded streakily with the same. Under parts,
otherwise white or yellowish. Wings, with more or less ob-
scure white edging. Bill^ hlach above only.

b. The nest is much less finished and artistic than that of
the Wood Pewee, and is, moreover, nearly always placed in
an evergreen or orchard tree. It is frequently built in a pine,
from fifteen to even fifty feet above the ground, being placed
in the fork of a horizontal limb. One before me is shallow,
and is composed of twigs, fine strips of bark, stalks of field-

* A more or less common sum.mer miles of Boston to the north and west,

resident of northern New England, es- but during the past ten or fifteen years

peeially of the great coniferous forests it has nearly if not quite deserted this

of northern Maine and New Hampshire, region. It still nests in considerable

where it is very generally distributed, numbers on Cape Cod, and very spar-

and in places numerous. It used to ingly in the more elevated parts of

breed sparingly but regularly at a Worcester and Berkshire counties,

dozen or more localities within twenty Massachusetts. — W. B.

FLYCATCHERS. 291

weeds, and a little moss. The eggs of each set are usually
five,* average about .85 X .65 of an inch, and in Massachu-
setts are laid in the second week of June. They are white,
or creamy, spotted with lilac and reddish brown.

c. The Olive-sided Flycatchers may be classed among
those birds who, at least in Massachusetts, are neither rare
nor common. They reach this State about the middle of May,
and leave it in September. They may more often be found
among evergreens than any other of their tribe, and most often
occur in orchards or among pines. They are expert flycatch-
ers, and have the habit of selecting a post, frequently a dead
stump or decayed limb, to which they continually return. In
common with other members of their family, they have a
quarrelsome disposition, in consequence of which they often
engage in broils, even among themselves. They are, however,
no more gregarious than other Flycatchers.

d. Their notes possess the tone which largely characterizes
this family of birds. Sometimes they are merely querulous
whistles, like pu-'pu-])u (often somewhat lengthened), and at
other times form a distinct song-note, " eA i^li^hee^or li 'phe-
hea^ almost exactly in the tone of the circular tin whistle or
bird call, being loud, shrill, and guttural at the commence-
ment." (Nuttall.) These notes are subject to marked varia-
tions, which I find it impossible to describe satisfactorily.

B. viRENS. Wood Pewee. In Massachusetts, a common
summer resident-!

a. Six inches long or more. Tail, forked ; crown-feathers,
erectile. Bill^ hlach above only. Wings, always with two
narrow whitish bars. Otherwise the coloration is essentially
that of the Common Pewee (III). (See p. 286.)

* The usual number is three, but t The Wood Pewee breeds through-
sets of four are not uncommon. On out New England, arriving late in
the other hand, the bird sometimes lays spring and departing early in autumn,
only one or two. None of the numer- It is a rather common bird in most
ous nests which I have found — or localities, but about Boston its num-
seen in the possession of other collec- bers have been slowly but steadily
tors — have contained more than four diminishing for the past ten or fifteen
eggs. — W. B. years. — W. B.

292 LAND-BIRDS.

h. The nest is artistic, and in its character quite unique,
though in some respects not unlike that of the Humming-
bird. It is composed chiefly of fine grasses, or weed-stalks,
which are mixed with the silk of spiders or caterpillars.
It is rather shallow, and, being thickly covered outside with
lichens, seems a part of the moss-grown limb to which it
is "saddled." It is usually placed on a horizontal branch
of the oak, or some like tree, in a grove or rather lightly
timbered wood, from ten to forty feet above the ground.
Near Boston, four or five eggs * are laid about the middle of
June. They average .70 X .55 of an inch, and are buff
or creamy, with a few large markings, at the greater end,
of lilac and umber, or reddish brown.

c. The Wood Pewee is one of the four common Fly-
catchers in southern New England, and even in the north-
ern parts is not a rare summer resident. He is one of the
latest migrants in spring, and does not reach Massachusetts
until the third or even the fourth week of May. He an-
nounces his arrival by his plaintive notes, which he utters
in his favorite haunts, the woods and groves. These places
he rarely leaves, for he is rather reserved and unsocial,
having little to do with man or other kinds of birds,
though very affectionate to his mate and young. There is
sometimes an air of seeming melancholy about him which
is quite touching, but undoubtedly he either takes a pleasure
in sadness, or else he is not sad. He is not very often
seen, but he may easily be observed from his habit of
returning to one spot. I have known one to choose the
dead limb of a pine, to which he resorted every evening
for about an hour, and sometimes in the course of the
day. There I often saw him with his mate, but since the
building of their nest the place has been deserted. The
limit of his wanderings from his nest seems to be about
one eighth of a mile, and, to some extent, he may at certain
hours be found at nearly the same place from day to day.'

* This again is certainly an over- doubtful if more than four are ever
statement, for tlie number of egg-s in laid. — W. B.
a set rarely exceeds three, and it is

FLYCATCHERS. 293

Tlie Wood Pewees, when perching, do not flirt their
tails in the manner of the Common Pewee, though they
sometimes move them, when nervously quivering their wings.
They usually choose a perch between ten and forty feet
above the ground, from which they sally, often snapping
up a dozen insects at a time. Although they fly quickly,
they are rarely on wing for more than a minute,
unless playing together and chasing one another through
the branches. They frequent almost exclusively woods
and groves, either of pines or deciduous trees, either dry
or swampy, and they rarely wander even to orchards. They
resort to wet places, chiefly in the evening, when they are,
perhaps, most active. The insects which abound near pools
of stagnant water afford them rich repasts, and opportunities
of displaying their adroitness to its best advantage. Au-
dubon says that "this species, in common with the Great
Crested Flycatcher, and the Least Wood Pewee, is possessed
of a pecidiarity of vision, which enables it to see and pursue
its prey with certainty, when it is so dark that you cannot
perceive the bird, and are rendered aware of its occupation
only by means of the clicking of its bill."

d. The Wood Pewees possess a sufficient variety of notes
to characterize several species. All these sounds are nearly
whistles, uttered in a plaintive and often a drawly tone.
None of them are loud, and many are audible only at a
very short distance. The most characteristic of these notes
is pee-u-ee^ often abbreviated to pee-u^ and this is frequently
repeated. Other syllables, less often heard, are (cli^) pe-o-e^
whit^ loJiit-pee^ and pu pu pu pu uttered very softly. In ad-
dition to these there are certain querulous and guttural cries,
which are employed chiefly during the season of love. The
Wood Pewees become more or less silent in autumn, but I
have heard and seen them in the White Mountains so late
as the 17th of September. They usually leave Massachusetts
about the middle of that month.

V. EMPIDONAX.

A, PUSILLUS TRAiLLii. TvailV s Flycatcher. Rare in

294

LAND-BIRDS.

eastern Massachusetts ; most common in the latter part of
May.*

a. Six inches long, or less. Tail, even ; crown-feathers,
erectile, dark-centred ; bill, not black. Above, dark olive
green, usually tinged with brown. Beneath, white, shaded
with the color of the back on the sides, with grayish on the
breast, and with yellow behind. Eye-ring, and two wing-bars,
(yellowish) white.

&. The nest of this species is usually placed not far from

the ground, in a swamp
or near a brook, and fre-
quently in an alder bush.
It is composed of grasses,
stalks of weeds, and nar-
row strips of bark. Sev-
eral eggs which I got
among the White Moun-
tains average about .65
X -50 of an inch, and
are creamy, or pale buff,
with a few dots of red-
dish brown at the larger
end. Dr. Brewer de-
scribes others as white, "marked almost entirely about the
larger end with larger and well defined spots and blotches of
purplish brown."

c. The Traill's Flycatchers are common summer residents
in many parts of northern New England, and of western Mas-
sachusetts, but near Boston they are very rare. They are
most common in the latter part of May, when they may occa-
sionally be seen in copses, thickets, and swampy woodland.
They are then migrating, and are often entirely silent. Nearly
all pass on to the northward. Among the White Mountains,
they frequent wet woodland, sheltered water-courses, and

* A common summer resident at of northwestern Connecticut. In east-
most suitable localities in northern New ern Massachusetts it occurs regularly,
Eng-land, also breeding not uncommon- but only in very small numbers, duiing
ly in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, the spring migrations in late May and
and in the adjoining elevated portions early June. — W. B.

Fig. 15. Train's Flycatcher, (i)

FLYCATCHERS. 295

bushy, swampy fields. Unlike many other Flycatchers, they
are somewhat shy of man's approach. They usually remain
within fifteen feet of the ground, but they sometimes take
both higher and longer flights than I have ever known the
Least Flycatchers to take. They are in fact much less
stationary than most of their relations, though their general
habits are the same. They live much on the edges of the
woods, and often occur along the roadsides, where, from the
tops of the bushes and lower trees, they utter their peculiar
notes. I have been led, partly from observations on this
species, to believe that probably the line separating tYfofauncR
(such as the Alleghanian and Canadian ^'^^) can never be pre-
cisely defined, since birds of the same district vary considerably
in their latitudinal range. This is the case even in more
or less restricted localities. While walking southward
through the Crawford Notch, I saw or heard Traill's Fly-
catchers from the Willey House to a point several miles
nearer Conway, and beyond this point the Least Flycatchers
(who are comparatively rare in the Canadian district) were
soon heard. No more of the former were seen, but the
latter were frequently observable down to North Conway,
where (at least in one grove) the Swainson's Thrushes and
Black-throated Blue Warblers were apparently common. The
dividing line, already spoken of, must necessarily be irreg-
ular, because affected by altitude as well as latitude. Among
the White Mountains, one often finds it quite sharply de-
fined by the general face of nature and by the atmosphere.

The Traill's Flycatchers do not, so far as I know, occur
near Boston in autumn, and it is probable that they return
to the South by an inland route,* as is the case with many
other birds.

d. Their ordinary note is a slightly querulous pu^ which
is often repeated, and which recalls the voice of the Great
Crested Flycatcher. Another note is pu-ee^ which is uttered
in a peculiar tone, very distinct from that of the Wood

^°^ See § 17, VI, A, c. plumage which was shot at Cambridg-e,

* This is probably true as a rule ; Massachusetts, August 24, 1875. —
but I have a young bird in full autumn W. B.

296 LAND-BIRDS.

Pewee, thougli somewhat like that of the Goldfinch's plain-
tive note. Their song-note is delivered energetically and
forcibly, the head being tossed or thrown back, and the
tail depressed. It resembles the syllables che-hee-u^ and is
distinct from all other notes that I have ever heard.

Nests of this species which I have lately examined are cup-
shaped, but shallow. They are usually built very near the
ground, and, according to Mr. Henshaw, in an upright forh.

B. MINIMUS. Least Flycatcher, Least '-'Pewee'' "(7Ae-
5ec." A common summer resident throughout Massachu-
setts.*

a. Five inches long or more. Except in size, scarcely
different from E. traillii (A), unless somewhat grayer.
Notes and eggs, however, distinct.

h. The nest is placed from five to twenty feet above
the ground, on a horizontal limb (frequently where it forks),
occasionally of a shade-tree, but more often of a tree in
some orchard or wood. It is sometimes built in a crotch,
and then resembles the Goldfinch's nest. It is composed
of fine grasses, rootlets (and pine needles), firmly woven
together with caterpillar's silk, cobwebs, cottony or woolen
substances, and such accidental materials as thread or string.
In eastern Massachusetts, four or fivef eggs are usually laid
in the first (or second) week of June; occasionally others
in July. They average .60 X -50 of an inch, and are white
or creamy.

c. The Least Flycatchers are common summer residents
almost throughout New England, though rare in some of
the northern portions. They reach Massachusetts in the
first week of May, and remain there until the middle of
September. They affect both woods and orchards, in culti-
vated districts rather preferring the latter, particularly if
somewhat neglected and unfrequented. As a rule, they do
not resort to pine groves, or to very thick woods, as the
Wood Pewees often do. They prefer woodland composed

* A comraon summer resident of the f Sets of more than four eggs are

whole of New England. — W. B. extremely rare. — W. B.

FLYCATCHERS. 297

of birclies, maples, and beeches, and do not show the fond-
ness for low growth and wet lands, so often observable in
Traill's Flycatcher. They generally return every year to
their chosen home, and apparently, when once mated, are
wedded for life. Occasionally, however, an intruder presents
himself, in the hope of winning the female's affections, and
in these cases the male becomes irritated and furious. But
ordinarily, though of a rather jealous disposition, he is not
very pugnacious. After becoming settled in their summer
homes, the Least Flycatchers often limit their movements,
and confine themselves to some group of trees much more
closely than I have observed any other birds to do. This
may be due to a desire to protect their homes. They are
both less expert and less active than many other Flycatchers,
and sometimes remain for a considerable length of time on
one perch, uttering their loud song-notes. They do not
depend exclusively upon insects in the air, but occasionally
pick them up in the foliage of trees, among which they
pass their days, though they sometimes alight on a fence or
the top of a weed. They flirt their tails, but never in the
decided and continuous manner of the Common Pewee,
and, on delivering their song-note, throw the body back, in
the manner of Traill's Flycatcher.

d. This song-note is loud and emphatic, but wholly unmu-
sical, and resembles the syllables che-bec. It is frequently
repeated, occasionally at night, often for half an hour at
a time, and sometimes so hurriedly as to become an unmu-
sical song. The other notes are a single lohit, and queru-
lous exclamations Qioheu^ wheu^ when) which are more or
less guttural and subdued.

The Least Flycatchers, though common and well character-
ized by their striking notes, escaped the attention of Wilson,
and apparently that of Audubon, until it was called to the
then new species by Professor Baird. This is an excellent
instance of the rule that the more one knows, the more one
sees, though it is natural to suppose that the reverse might
be the case. Hence, " most discoveries are accidental, or, at
least, indirect." Young students, on beginning to study

298 LAND-BIRDS.

birds, will almost invariably from year to year discover
species whicb they have never before observed^ though they
may often have seen them, and will find many species com-
mon which they before considered rare. And this is not
merely because beginners set too high a value on all com-
mon objects, but because their observation, on being culti-
vated, is greatly increased. It has, however, been said, some-
what sarcastically, that inexperienced students see more rare
birds and nests than an experienced naturalist can ever find.

C. FLAViVENTRis. Yelloio-hellied Flycatcher. Not com-
mon in New England.*

a. About b^ inches long. Above, olive green; sides,
shaded with the same; otherwise, beneath^ decided yellow.
Lower mandible, eye-ring, wing-bars, etc., yellowish (or even
yellow). TaiU even or rounded.

b. Dr. Brewer found a nest of this species which closely
resembled that of the Indigo Bird, at Grand Manan, near
the shore, "about two feet from the ground, placed in the
fork of a bush." The eggs were white. " Those procured
by Mr. Boardman were sprinkled with minute dots of red-
dish brown. Their measurement is .68 X -52 of an inch."
Two eggs which I got in the White Mountains measure about
.75 X .55 of an inch, and are pure white, unmarked. f

c. The Yellow-bellied Flycatchers are the rarest members
of their family in New England, and, though their distri-
bution is probably similar to that of Traill's Flycatcher,
yet apparently they are in no district very common. I
have rarely found them near Boston, and generally have

* A common, but somewhat local the Yellow-bellied Flycatcher are now
summer resident of northern New Eng- known to have a decided creamy-
land, not known to breed anywhere in ground color and to be always (at least
southern New England, but of regular normally) distinctly spotted. The
occurrence there during the migi*ations, nest, moreover, is not placed in a bush
when it is sometimes fairly numerous, but either in the side of a moss-cov-
— W. B. ered bank or among the earth-laden

t There can be little doubt that the roots of a fallen tree. As a rule this

eggs taken by Mr. Minot, as well as Flycatcher lays four eggs, but there is

those found by Dr. Brewer, belonged one record of a set of five. — W. B.
to some other species, for the eggs of

FLYCATCHERS. 299

seen only two or three in June or the latter part of May.
There is little to observe, other than their shyness,
their fondness for shrubbery and wet lands, their low
and characteristic note (approached only by one of the
Goldfinches which is rarely heard), and the occasional
flirting of their tail. Mr. Maynard's notes are very inter-
esting. He says: "On May 31, 1869, I shot the first
specimen I had ever seen living; the next day (June 1st)
I took eight of both sexes in a few hours! Between this
time and the 10th I took two or three more. I do not
doubt that it has occurred in previous seasons, but, being
unaccustomed to its low note, — which is like the syllable
peaYQvj plaintively and prolongedly given, — and its retir-
ing habits, I had not detected it before. The specimens
captured were all, with the exception of the first, — which
was shot on a tall oak, — taken in low, swampy thickets.
It keeps near the ground, is rather shy, and upon the ap-
pearance of the intruder instantly ceases its song."

d. In his " Catalogue of the Birds of Coos Co., N. H.,
and Oxford Co., Me., etc." Mr. Maynard says : " We found
it in dark swamps at Upton. Here, for the first time, I
detected this species with any other note than the low pea.
It was like the syllable hil-lic very gravely given, with a
long interval between each utterance. The song was even
less energetic than that of Traillii?^^ While singing, the
birds were perched on low limbs. Both male and female used
this note."

Dr. Brewer says that Mr. Boardman "has heard this
bird give forth quite a pleasing, though somewhat monot-
onous trill. This, according to Dr. Hoy, resembles ^^ea-
wayk-pea-ivdyh^ several times repeated in a soft and not un-
pleasant call or song."

1*^^ I do not know whether the song-- twms, and is somewhat harsher. There
note of Traill's Flycatcher, as described is perhaps thirty seconds interval be-
by this author, is one which I have al- tween each ke wink.'''' Mr. Brewster,
ready described, or one which I have likcAvise, in speaking' of the male, says :
never heard. I can hardly reconcile it " His song- consisted of a single dissyl-
to my own observations. He says : labic strain, ke'wing, uttered in a harsh,
" This species has a most peculiar note peevish voice," etc. (Quoted by Dr.
like the sjWahles ke win k ; this is not so Brewer.)
quickly given as the se wick of E. mini-

300 LAND-BIRDS.

D. ACADicus.^^^ Small Green-crested Flycatcher, Aca-
dian Flycatcher. Hardly to be ranked as a bird of New
England.*

a. About six inches long. Tail, even ; crown-feathers,
erectile (as in all Flycatchers), and dark-centred (?). Like
F. flciviventris in coloration, but rather less bright above,
with the yellow beneath very pale, or confined to the hinder
parts. Eye-ring, etc., yellowish ; breast, shaded with olive
green.

h. The nest is built in a tree, not very far from the
ground. An e^gg in my collection measures about .85 X .65
of an inch, and is white, with a feio brown markings at
the larger end.

c. Mr. Henshaw, in comparing this species with Traill's, ^^^
says : " In New England, if the Acadian Flycatcher be found
at all, it is in the character of a very rare visitant, and I am
inclined to believe that all of the various quotations assign-
ing this bird to a place in the New England fauna may be set
down as instances of mistaken identification, not excepting the
evidence of Mr. J. A. Allen, who states that E. acadicus is a
rare summer visitant near Springfield, Mass. I am inclined to
think that Mr. Allen's acadicus were really traillii, more es-
pecially since, in recounting the habits, he says, ' It breeds in
swamps and thickets, which are its exclusive haunts.' This
accords perfectly with the habits of F. traillii^ and is utterly
at variance with those of acadicus^ as elsewhere shown. f

" As at present made out the Acadian Flycatcher reaches no
further north along the coast than New Jersey. Nor in the

lo*^ This species is considered by some took a nest and three eggs at Hyde

authors as probably identical with E. Park (near Boston), Massachusetts.

trailli,"' next to which it should stand. {Ornithologist and Oologist, volume

As it is questionably a bird of New XIII, October, 1888, page 160). I have

England, I have placed it at the end of examined these specimens, and the par-

the group. ent bird is now in my collection. — ■

" No one now doubts the specific dis- W. B.

tinctness of E. traillii and E. acadicus. 108 Quarterly Bulletin of the Nuttall

— W. B. Ornithological Club, Cambridge, Mass.

* A very rare summer resident of f " Since penning the above I under-

Connecticut and eastern Massachusetts, stand that Mr. Allen allows this view

In June, 1888, Mr. Frederick W. Hill to be correct."

FLYCATCHERS. 301

interior does its range appear to extend much if any higher.
. . . The nest is disposed in a horizontal fork. Dr. Whea-
ton ... is of the opinion, that the eggs of acadicus average
a little longer and slenderer than those of trailing and have
perhaps a yellower buff tinge. ... Of the Acadian he
says : ' It is never found in company with, or in such local-
ities as are frequented by, the Traill's. In all cases it is
found in upland woodland, preferably, and I might almost
say as far as my observation extends, in beech woodland.
I have never seen it even during the migration in other
places.' "

Note. — Empidonax pygmoeus. Pygmy Flycatcher.

a. About five inches long or less. Crown-feathers, erec-
tile. Tail, even. Coloration, so far as known, like that of
other small Flycatchers (JEmpidonaces), but apparently with
little olive tinting above, and no yellow beneath. [Moreover,
with no huffish suffusion, etc. ?] Outer weh of the outermost
tail-feather (and possibly, but not probably, more of the tail),
tchite.

c. Soon after noon, on the twelfth day of May, 1875, whilst
walking about my father's place near Boston, I caught sight
of a small Flycatcher in some shrubbery which stood near an
open field, and which consisted of barberry -bushes, a w^hite
birch, etc., while near this place were several apple trees,
pines, isolated oaks, and other trees. By his habits, his erected
crown-feathers, and his style of coloration, I knew him to be
a Flycatcher ; on observing his size and even tail, I ascribed
him to the genus Empidona?: (or a closely allied genus) ; and,
on noticing that his tail was edged with white to the depth of
an eighth of an inch or more, when closed, I believed him to
be a new species. In Dr. Coues's " Key to North American
Birds," but two Flycatchers, ever found in the United States,
are mentioned, who have the outermost web of the tail white.
Of these, Emindonax ohscurus,* \Yright's Flycatcher (a bird
of the southwestern United States), is much larger than pyg-
mceus — for I noticed a Pewee, who chanced to alight beside

* =E, wrightii. — W. B.

302 LAND-BIRDS.

the latter, that seemed to be at least two inches longer, if not
more. On the other hand, I did not observe in E. pygmceus
the huffish suffusion, and yellow lower mandible, said to be
the characteristics of Mitreplioriis fulvifrons YSLV.pallescens,*
a bird of the same size, but belonging to a Mexican genus
(though first called by Dr. Coues " Empidonax pygmceus^
Buff -breasted Flycatcher," when obtained by him at Fort
Whipple, Arizona). It hardly seems possible that the Buff-
breasted Flycatcher should have strayed to Massachusetts,
though similar instances of wandering have occurred before
among birds. I feel quite confident that the bird in question
is a new species, probably belonging to the genus Empidonax^
though possibly to Mitrephorus^ or even to a new genus (to
be called 3Iuscaccipiter). After trying to identify my bird,
and having hurriedly, and yet with as much care as possible,
endeavored to learn all the details of his coloration, I pro-
ceeded to study his habits.

For about three minutes I watched him (for he was not shy,
and at first allowed me a very near approach), as he flew from
his perch into the air, and, in the manner of the true Fly-
catchers, caught the smaller insects, showing great dexterity
during his aerial excursions, which were all short, so far as I
observed. He returned each time to his former perch or to
one near it, and then occasionally flirted his tail, in the man-
ner of the Pewee, but with much less energy. Finally, either
by an accidental sound I frightened him, or he cared no
longer to stay, for he flew away to one of the higher branches
of a neighboring oak, and so from tree to tree, until lost to
sight. I suppose this Pygmy Flycatcher to have been a mi-
grant, passing through on his way to the northward with
various other small birds, who were abundant at the time.

Either owing to its great rarity, or its general likeness to
other species (especially the Least Pewee), this species, if in-
deed genuine, has hitherto escaped the notice of our natural-
ists ; but it is hoped that, now being on their guard, these
gentlemen will succeed in obtaining specimens, or that I myself
may do so, for, on first meeting it, I had no gun. That this

* =^ Empidonax fulvifrons pygm(ms. — W. B.

FLYCATCHERS. 303

bird was a partially albino Least Pewee (^E. minimus) seems
wholly improbable. Even its general appearance and habits
seemed distinct from those of that bird. I think, moreover,
that I should have discovered a Least Pewee there earlier in
the season, having been there every day previously, and the
Least Pewees having arrived several days before ; for, as is
well known, these birds usually frequent their haunts pretty
persistently ; finally, I have not seen my bird since. This
matter must be left to the consideration of the public, until
more satisfactory evidence can be produced.*

* As no additional specimens of this the bird above described was, as Mr.

supposed species have been since met Minot sug-g-ested, a Least Flycatcher

with, either in New England or else- (£". minimus), with an unusual amount

where, there can be little doubt that of white on the tail. — W. B.

CHAPTER II.

SECOND ORDER. PICARI^.*

This order is a " wayfarers' home," establislied to receive
those birds who do not belong elsewhere (in science, a poly-
morphic group). The (North American) birds composing it
are characterized by the combination of a bill without any cere
or soft membrane, and one of the following features : tail-
feathers, ten ; foot, syndactyle by the union throughout of the
middle and outer toe ; front toes, two in number. There are
also internal and other features which are more or less charac-
teristic. Either the bill or the toes always present certain
peculiarities.

There is an important element in classification which is
often overlooked : that of latent features. These are frequently
undeveloped. For instance, the chief, and let us momentarily
suppose, the only, difference between the typical Thrushes and
Mocking-thrushes is in the tarsus, or so-called " leg." In the
latter group it is always scutellate (or divided into scales) — at
least, in front ; whereas in the former Thrushes, when adult, it
is " booted " (i. e., without scales, unless near the toes). Yet a
young Robin with scutellate tarsi is no less a typical Thrush ;
his tarsi are virtually " booted," and will become so upon nor-
mal growth. Those of a young Catbird never will. Is not
abnormal growth frequently due to the persistent latency of
normal features ? As another example, the females of two
closely allied species may be exactly alike in coloration, size,

* In the A. 0. U. Cheek-List this or- it impracticable to make the chang-e

der is not used, the Goatsuckers, Swifts, here, since it would have necessitated

and Hummingbirds being placed in the rewriting- of much of the original

the order Macrochires, the King- text, relating- to ordinal and family

fishers and Cuckoos in Coccyges, and characters, which, of course, was not to

the Woodpeckers in Pici. I have f oimd be thought of. — W. B.

GOATSUCKERS. 305

and structure. They may differ, however, in the latent power
of producing distinct eggs ; they may differ less in the latent
instinct of building different nests, or still less in the latent
power of producing eggs, many of which contain the germs of
very distinct male birds. Hence the freshly laid eggs of two
species may be indistinguishable except in latent, undeveloped
features, though, since like produces like, they may be identi-
fied through the parent birds.

Note. — The third order, PSITTACI (Parrots and their
allies), is not represented in New England. Its members
have toes in pairs, and an essentially raptorial bill. (See
Chap. III.)

§ 20. The CAPRIMULGID^ (or Goatsuckers, of which
the American species are typical, and belong to the subfamily
Caprimulgince) and the CYPSELID^ (or Sivifts, § 21,
pi. 1, fig. 23) form a natural group * possessing the folio wing-
features : gape, extensive, and about six times as long as the
culmen (or upper outline of the bill) ; feet, small and weak ;
primaries, ten ; tail-feathers, ten. The Goatsuckers may be
distinguished from the Swifts by the more or less bristled
bill, the feet slightly webbed at the base, and the elevated
hind toe. This last feature, however, also belongs to the
Chceturince, a subfamily containing the Chimney " Swallows,"
and differing further from the true Swifts in having unfeath-
ered tarsi. The Chceturce (§ 21, I) have mucronate tail-
feathers, in which the shaft projects beyond the webs. (PI. 1,
fig. 22.)

The Simfts probably possess powers of locomotion superior
to those of any other living creatures. With their long,
pointed wings, they are said to fly sometimes at the rate of
two hundred and fifty miles an hour. They are strictly in-
sectivorous and migratory, and more or less colonial. " They
never perch, but many resort to hollows, as in trees, for the

* Dr. Shuf eldt regards the Swifts as alone among modem systematists. — ■
most nearly related to the Swallows, W. B.
but in this opinion he stands nearly

306 LAND-BIRDS.

purpose of roosting and of nesting." Their nests are attached
to some more or less perpendicular surface, and are con-
structed partly or even wholly of a gummy saliva. The eggs
are white and rather elongated.

The Goatsuckers are generally nocturnal or crepuscular,
and, as a rule, do not fly about in the day-time, unless when
cloudy. When resting, they do so on the ground, or perch
lengthwise on a bough or fence. They are insectivorous, cap-
turing moths and smaller insects at some height in the air,
also migratory and often gregarious. They are larger than
the Swifts, who are also somewhat crepuscular, and their plu-
mage is much variegated. They build no nest, but lay two
eggs on the ground, or near it. There are two American
genera.

I. Antrostomiis. Bristles, very conspicuous ; tail, rounded.
Birds strictly nocturnal.

II. Chordeiles. Bristles, short ; tail, forked ; wings, very
long. (Fig. 16.)

I. ANTROSTOMUS.

A, vociFERUS. Whippoorwill. ^^Night-jary A well-
known summer resident throughout New England.*

a. About 9 J inches long. Tail., rounded. Throat-
patch, and tips of outer tail-feathers, in ^ white, in J light
browTi. Crown, black-streaked. Otherwise indescribably
variegated or mottled with several quiet colors. The Chuch-
wiir s-ividow (^A. carolinejisis) of the Southern States pos-
sesses a very similar coloration, but is a foot long.

h. The eggs are laid on the ground in some dry part
of the woods, no nest being made, unless a slight hollow be
scratched among the fallen leaves. They are ellijitical, aver-
age 1.25 X .85 of an inch, and are creamy, spotted rather
sparsely, chiefly with lilac and lavender. In Massachusetts
two eggs are laid about the first of June.

c. The Whippoorwills, wherever known, are well known,
and yet by the common people they are rarely seen. Were
it not for their loud and famous notes, they might well be

* A common summer resident throughout New Eng-land. — W. B.

GOATSUCKERS. 307

considered by collectors rare. As it is, they are known to
be common at various points throughout New England, as
well as other parts of the country ; but their distribution is
probably irregular and local. They reach the neighborhood
of Boston in the latter part of May, and leave it before or
soon after the arrival of autumn. In habits they differ from
the Night " Hawks " very distinctly, though, according to
Wilson, the two species ^vere once confused even by natural-
ists.* They are strictly nocturnal, unless occasionally active
towards the end of a cloudy afternoon. During the day, they
retire to some well-shaded spot in the woods (or occasionally
the "scrub"), and there repose, resting on the ground, or,
more often, perched upon a limb. Their feet are so small
and weak that they never (?) perch crosswise, but lie along
the bough. I have but rarely found them sleeping, but on
such occasions I have always observed this ^peculiarity. Like
most of the Owls, they are dazed by a strong light, and in the
day-time usually allow a near approach. At evening they
become active, and are said to continue so until dawn, partic-
ularly on moonlight nights. They are never, I believe, quite
so gregarious as the Night " Hawks " very often are, though
in spring there is rivalry between the males, who seem to chal-
lenge one another. The Whippoorwills also prefer to fly near
the ground, rather than among the clouds or at any great
height. Hence their food must differ considerably from that
of their relative. Audubon in speaking of this species says :
" It passes low over the bushes, moves to the right or left,
alights on the ground to secure its prey, passes repeatedly
and in different directions over the same field, sjcims along
the skirts of the woods, and settles occasionally on the
tops of the fence-stakes or on stumps of trees, from whence it
sallies, like a Flycatcher, after insects, and, on seizing them,
returns to the same spot. When thus situated, it frequently
alights on the ground, to pick up a beetle. Like the Chuck-
will's-widov/, it also balances itself in the air, in front of the
trunks of trees, or against the side of banks, to discover ants,

* They are still very generally regarded by country people throughout New
England as one and the same bird. — W. B.

308 LAND-BIRDS.

and other small insects that may be lurking there. Its flight
is so light and noiseless, that whilst it is passing within a few
feet of a person, the motion of its ^vings is not heard by him,
and merely produces a gentle undulation in the air. During
all this time, it utters a low murmuring sound, by which
alone it can be discovered in the dark, when passing witliin a
few yards of one, and which I have often heard when walking
or riding through the barrens at night." The young rim
about much like young Partridges.

d. The most characteristic note of these birds is a loud
whistle, which resembles more or less distinctly the syllables
ichi2>j)oor-v:iU. It is said to be never repeated, except after
dark, and when the birds are perched, as on a fence or roof.
It is most commonly heard in Jime, and is usually preceded
by a dkl:^ as if produced by a snapj)ing of the bill. The other
notes of the Whippoorwills are low, sweet whistles (ichit^
whit, ichit) and occasionally a rather harsh and guttural chat-
ter. Mr. Xuttall says that the young have a low, mournful
pe-ugh. It is probable, at least in New England, that few or
no superstitions are now attached to these birds.

II. CHORDEILES.

A. TiRGixiANUS. Night ''Hawhr "Bull-bat:' A
common summer resident throughout New England.*

a. About nine inches long. Tail^forhed. Variously mot-
tled, or variegated. (J , with a white, and 5^ with a reddish,
throat-patch. $ , with hoth a white wing-patch and white
tail-spots.

h. The eggs, of which two are here laid about the first of
June, are dropped upon rocks, upon the ground, or occasion-
ally upon a flat roof. They have been found variously in
cities, pastures, fields, and woods. They are elliptical, aver-
age about 1.25 X .85 of an inch, and are light gray, or brown,

* Although the Xight Hawk breeds dom or never seen excepting during

throughout Xew England, it is a bird migration. As a rule, it nests on the

of somewhat local distribution, espe- sides or summits of bare rocky hills

cially in Massachusetts and to the or ledges remote from the habitations

southward, where, throughout many of man. — W. B.
areas of considerable extent, it is sel-

GOATSUCKERS.

309

thickly and finely marked with lilac, dark brown, and some-
times slate-color.

c. The Night " Hawks " have not been named alto-
gether appropriately, for, though to
a certain extent crepuscular (be-
longing to twilight or dusk), they
are not nocturnal. There is, how-
ever, a strong resemblance in their
general method of flight to that of
certain Hawks, as well as to that
of the Swifts, and the latter part of
their name is warranted by their
general appearance at a distance.
They fly with ease, and sometimes,
when favored by a wind, wdth much
rapidity. They often mount to a
great height, so as to be fairly lost
among the clouds, and comparative-
ly seldom skim over the earth, in
the manner of the Whippoorwill.
They move through the air very irregidarly, and often change
their course at nearly every flapping of their wings, as they
dart about in the search of the winged insects upon which
they feed. They fly about freely in the day-time, especially
if it be cloudy, but they are generally rather silent in very
sunny weather. They occasionally alight upon the ground,
and move about, but whether in search of earth or insects I
am uncertain, — probably the former.

The Night " Hawks " are common summer residents through-
out New England, but, according to Mr. Allen,^^^ do not win-
ter in Florida, as many Whippoorwills do. They usually
reach Massachusetts in the earlier part of May, or sometimes,
it is said, in April. Separate individuals or pairs are not un-
common, but they may often be seen migrating in companies,
containing even two dozen, for they are more or less gregari-
ous throughout the year. They show a fondness for pasture-
land and uncultivated districts, though quite common in

109 J. A. Allen, List of the Winter Birds of East Florida, with Annotations.

Y\g. 16. Night " Hawk." (i)

310 LAND-BIRDS.

Boston and other cities, where they have been found to lay
their eggs on flat roofs. They are probably more abundant
in northern New England than in Massachusetts, in some
places forming large colonies. Near Wilson's Mills in Maine,
says Mr. Samuels, " in the space of every four or five rods, a
female was sitting on her eggs." Both Wilson and Audubon
speak of the female's endeavors, when frightened during incu-
bation, to lead the intruder away by feigning lameness and dis-
tress. In this case, though less so than with many other birds
who build no nest, it is difficult to find the eggs. If these be
left undisturbed when found, they are sometimes removed,
very probably in the capacious mouths of their parents, as
Audubon states to be the case with the Chuck- wiU's-widow.
The Night " Hawks," like the Whippoorwills, perch length-
wise, but unlike them frequently utter their notes on wing.

d. Their ordinary note is peculiar and indescribable,
though I have heard it well imitated by the hmnan mouth.
It is usually called a loud, harsh squeak, but I know no
sounds like it, except the notes of one or two other birds. It
is very striking, and, if heard from a near standpoint, rather
startling. The male Night " Hawk" produces an equally ex-
traordinary sound, which is heard chiefly during the season of
courtship. Momiting to some height, he falls, head foremost,
until near the ground, wdien he checks his downward course,
and then the " booming " is heard, a sound " resembling that
produced by blowing strongly into the bung hole of an empty
hogshead." I am uncertain as to what causes this noise, hav-
ing found it impossible to make any close observations. Wil-
son thought it produced by the mouth ; Audubon, by the con-
cussion caused by a change of position in the wings. The
Night " Hawks " all leave New England in September.

§ 21. CYPSELIDiE. Swifts. (See § 20.)
I. CHiETURA.

A. PELAGICA. Chimney Swift. Chimney " StvaUow.^'
A common summer resident throughout New England.*

* There are probably few if any the southern and eastern coasts to the
square miles in all New England, from northern and western frontiers, which

SWIFTS. 311

a. About five inches long. Sooty brown, glossed with
green above ; throat, much paler. Lores and wings, black.

h. The Chimney " Swallows " soon after their arrival con-
struct their curious nests, which are composed of twigs firmly
glued together by " a fluid secreted with the birds." These
nests are now placed in chimneys, almost universally through-
out civilized parts of the country, but they have been found
attached to boards, and the eggs were originally laid in hol-
low trees or stumps. The eggs of each set are four, average
.70 X .50 of an inch, and are pure white, unmarked.

c. The Chimney Swifts possess powers of flight which are
probably unsurpassed by those of any bird not belonging to
this family. It is almost certain that they often fly no less
than a thousand miles in the course of twenty-four hours.
When providing for their young, they are sometimes busy dur-
ing a greater part of the day, and even continue their labors
at night. Usually, they become active at a very early hour,
sometimes even before dawn, and retire during the warmer
part of the day, unless it be cloudy, when they continue their
exercise. At evening, they renew their activity and do not re-
tire until a comparatively late hour. The Chimney " Swal-
lows " are common summer residents throughout New England.
They reach Massachusetts in the first week of May, and leave
it in August or September. They have altered their habits
conformably to civilization, and here roost and nest exclu-
sively in chimneys. Formerly they occupied hollow trees, and
Audubon describes as follows a visit to one of their haunts, a
large, hollow sycamore near Louisville, in Kentucky. " Next
morning I rose early enough to reach the place long before
the least appearance of daylight, and placed my head against
the tree. All was silent within. I remained in that posture
probably twenty minutes, when suddenly I thought the great
tree was giving away, and coming down upon me. Instinc-

are not crossed and recrossed many barns and out-buildings ; but in Massa-
times each day, during the summer, by chusetts and to the southward they
these free-roving and interesting birds, probably breed exclusively in chim-
in northern New England they still neys. They pass the winter far to the
nest occasionally in hollow trees and southward of the United States. —
very frequently on the inner walls of W. B.

312 LAND-BIRDS.

lively I sprung from it, but when I looked up to it again,
what was my astonishment to see it standing as firm as ever.
The Swallows were now pouring out in a black continued
stream. I ran back to my post, and listened in amazement to
the noise within, which I could compare to nothing else than
the sound of a large wheel revolving under a powerful stream.
It was yet dusky, so that I could hardly see the hour on my
watch, but I estimated the time which they took in getting
out at more than thirty minutes. After their departure, no
noise was heard within, and they dispersed in every direction
with the quickness of thought." Audubon estimated their
number at nine thousand. The Chimney Swifts never rest ex-
cept in their roosting-places, to the walls of w4iich they cling,
partly supported by their stiff tail ; and, so great is their mus-
cular vigor, that they never rest by perching. As has already
been mentioned, they often rest at noon, or seek refuge during
violent storms. On this account, they are very abundant
sometimes, and at other times are not to be seen. On enter-
ing a chimney, they fall boldly head-foremost in a very uncon-
cerned way. Their general flight is so varied that it is
difficult to describe. It consists of rapid sailing, combined
with quickly repeated strokes of the wings, and sudden turn-
ings in every direction. It has so much force that they break
off twigs for their nests without any diminution of speed. It
is almost unnecessary to say that they feed entirely upon
winged insects, the indigestible parts of which they are said to
disgorge in pellets.

The Chimney Swifts may easily be distinguished from the
true Swallows by their peculiar and more rapid flight, their
long wings, and their apparent want of tail (as seen from a
distance). They sometimes skim over w^ater, but more often
fly at a considerable or even a very great height.

d. Their only note is a loud chip^ often repeated quickly
and vehemently, so as to bear a resemblance to the twittering
of the Swallows. Their young, who are born blind, have a
much feebler voice.

HUMMINGBIRDS. 313

§ 22. The TROCHILID^ (or HummingUrds) are in
North America represented only by the typical subfamily,
Trochilinm (while the other group, " PhcethornithincB^ repre-
senting about one tenth of the whole, is composed of duller
colored species especially inhabiting the dense forests of the
Amazon "). The Ruby-throated Hummingbird is an excellent
type of the group. The bill is very long and slender, being
of a nearly equal depth throughout ; the feet are small ; the
wings are long and with ten primaries ; the tail is ten-feath-
ered.

The ALCEDINIDu^ (or Kingfishers, § 23) are in America
represented fragmentarily by the subfamily Cerylince. They
differ strikingly from all the families to which they are allied
by position in classification. The common Belted Kingfisher
is a good type. The bill is stout and pointed, about one fourth
as deep as long ; the tarsi are extremely short ; the feet small,
and syndactyle from the union of the outer and middle toes
nearly throughout (pi. 1, fig. 24) ; '^^^ primaries ten, but tail-
feathers twelve.

The Coccygince (or Ameinccm Cuckoos^ form a distinct sub-
family of the large and much varied family, CUCULID^ (or
Cuckoos, § 24). They are quite closely related to some of the
Woodpeckers, but show little affinity to the other picarian
groups. They are characterized as follows : bill deepest at the
base (?), with upper outline convex, and the lower concave ;
toes arranged in pairs ; tail-feathers ten ; feathers above the
tarsus long and flowing.

The Cuckoos are insectivorous, and eat great numbers of
caterpillars ; but unfortunately they often rob the nests of
other birds, though not, like the European Cuckoos, parasitic.
On account of their peculiar notes, however, they have been
called " Cow-birds." They are migratory, but not gregarious.
They build rude and frail nests, of sticks or the like, in a bush
or tree, and lay several plain bluish or greenish eggs, often at
irregular intervals.

11*^ In many other birds the toes are partly united at the base.

314 LAND-BIRDS.

I. TROCHILUS.

A. COLUBRIS. Riihy-throated Hummingbird. ^^^ A sum-
mer resident tliroughout New England.*

a. About 3 J inches long. Golden green above ; white be-
neath. Wings and tail, brownish jiurple. (J , with the sides
green, and the throat metallic, reflecting ruby red. Tail,
simply forked. 5 ' with the tail slightly forked, and " double-
rounded," more or less black-barred, and, on the outer feathers,
white-tipped.

b. The Hummingbird's nest may be considered a perfect
type of bird-architecture, and, as such, though composed of
simple materials, gathered chiefly from weeds, and though con-
structed by but a single instrmnent, is one of the most beauti-
ful objects in nature. Had not man ideal in art, his works
could not be favorably compared with such a production as
this. " What enlightened person," says an anonymous writer,
whom I have already quoted, " can gaze upon this nest without
regretting that man should in the progress of civilization so
often forget nature, fail to appreciate her, or even wi'ong her ? "
The Hummingbird's nest is usually placed on the limb of an
orchard-tree or oak, though occasionally fastened to the stalk
of a large weed.^^ Its depth is about half an inch, and its
diameter inside is rarely more than twice that. The walls are
thick, and are composed of plant-down, bits of fern, the silky
husks of certain seeds, and other soft materials. These are so

11^ A " Linn^'s Emerald " {Agyrtria have rendered such an imposition com-
tohaci) " was captured hj Mr, WU- paratively safe and easy. — W. B.
liam Brewster, at Cambridge, in Au- * A summer resident of the whole of
gust, 1864 ; it was moulting, and ap- New England, breeding rather numer-
parently a female." Though this bird ously in certain parts of southern Con-
may actually have wandered here from necticut and northern Maine and New
its home in South America, yet such an Hampshire, but only sparingly in east-
incident is not likely to occur again." ern Massachusetts. — W. B.

" There are perhaps good grounds i^- Wilson says that he has " known

for the suspicion — now very generally instances where it was attached by the

entertained — that the specimen here side to an old moss-grown trunk ; and

referred to was substituted by the tax- others where it was fastened on a strong

idermist from whom it was received rank stalk, or weed, in the garden."

for the bird which I shot and placed in I have been told that the Humming-

his hands for preservation. At least birds were once very abundant on the

my slight acquaintance at that time Isles of Shoals, where there were no

with even our commonest birds would trees.

HUMMINGBIRDS. 315

thickly coated with lichens as closely to resemble the branch
to which they are attached. Near Boston, two eggs are laid
in each nest, in the early part of June. They are white, ellip-
tical, and half an inch long or even less.

c. Our little Hummingbirds deserve renown, not only for
their small size, exquisite colors, and eminently pleasing
architecture, but also for their hardiness, courage, and admi-
rable flight. They are known in summer to occur so far to
the northward (if not further) as the fifty-seventh parallel of
latitude, which crosses Hudson Bay and northern Labrador.
They are summer residents throughout a larger portion of the
eastern United States, and as such are common in New Eng-
land. They reach Massachusetts in the second week of May,
and I have seen them near Boston, so late as the twenty-third
day of September.ii^ They generally arrive in pairs, and return
to the same home every year. The male protects his honor
and rights with undaunted courage, and often teases very large
birds in expression of his anger, though he may be " incompe-
tent," says Wilson, " to the exploit of penetrating the tough
sinewy side of a Crow, and precipitating it from the clouds to
the earth, as Charlevoix would persuade his readers to be-
lieve." He also finds occasion to battle with intruders of his
own kind, but it is impossible to understand the details or re-
sult of such a duel, so confusing is the intense quickness of
the combatants. In fact, the Hummingbirds are so small,
and so extremely swift in all their movements, that it is as diffi-
cult to observe them, unless stationary or seemingly so, as to
follow the course of a shooting star. So rapid is the beating
of their little pinions, that whenever flying they produce a
loud humming, and when pausing before a flower, seem to be
immovable, while the presence of their nearly invisible wings
is scarcely indicated except by the constant buzz and whirr.
The Hummingbirds have two distinct methods of feeding,
easily observable upon studying their habits. They may be
seen darting from flower to flower, and thrusting their long
slender bills into the heart of the blossoms, not only to pro-

^^^ Coincidentally Mr. Maynard gives the same day as his latest date of ob-
servation.

316 LAND-BIRDS.

cure the honey, but to obtain the smaller insects which feed
upon it. Of all the various flowers which they visit, they
show a marked fondness for those which are trumpet-shaped,
such as belong to the bignonia and honeysuckle. They do
not frequent the lower and more humble kinds, but prefer
those which are large and showy, and grow on shrubs, bushes,
and vines. The taller garden-flowers also attract their atten-
tion.* They are not wholly nectar-fed, as has poetically and
popularly been supposed, but are chiefly insectivorous. They
may be seen perched on some twig, from which they shoot
into the air, and with great address seize the gnats and smaller
insects, many of which are invisible to the naked human eye.
They sometimes perch as if merely to rest, the female espe-
cially. They never alight upon the ground, but they sometimes
perch upon weeds, and have been known to perish from being
caught in the burs of the burdock.^^^ They choose for their
haunts not only orchards, gardens, and groves near them, but
also forests, as I have several times observed among the White
Mountains. It is probable that they much more often fre-
quent the woods in civilized districts than is commonly sup-
posed. Though jealous and daringly pugnacious, yet they
are known to congregate occasionally in flocks, chiefly during
the migrations. Though apparently very hardy, yet they
have never, I believe, been successfully kept in confinement
for more than a few months. The principal obstacles in rear-
ing them are the injuries which they receive, if allowed to fly
about a room, their suffering from cold, and the difficulty of
providing proper food, since any prepared sirup apparently
does not satisfy them except when young.

* To my biograpliy of the Humming- ^^^ This fact has been communicated

bird I will here add that one fluttered to the Naturalist by Mr. A. K. Fisher,

about the artificial flowers on the hat The original discoverer of the dead

of a young lady sitting out of doors, bird (or rather its remains, a skeleton)

and that another, having become entan- " found a live one on a plant near by."

gled in cobwebs, so that he could not Mr. Fisher himself found a Yellowbird

see, remained on the twig of a piazza- {Spinus tristis) thus caught, who "tore

vine, the twig having been cut off by itself away, leaving a number of its

scissors, while carried through the house, feathers on the burs." He also found

and imtil his plumage was cleared of a Yellow-rumped Warbler "fastened

the web, and his sight restored, when to the same kind of plant."
he at once became active. [From the
Appendix (p. 444) of the first edition. ]

KINGFISHERS. 317

d. Their only note is a chirp ^ which immediately suggests
the voice of an insect.

No birds are more generally beloved and admired than our
Hummingbirds, and America may well boast of a treasure
which no other country possesses.

§ 23. ALCEDINID^. Kingfishers. (See § 22.)

I. CERYLE.

A. ALCYON. Belted Kingfisher. Kingfisher. A resi-
dent of New England in summer, and occasionally in winter.*

a. About 12^ inches long. Upper parts, sides, and a
breast-band, ashy blue. Head-feathers, darker, forming a
loose crest, and giving a rough outline to the hind-head.
Wings and tail also partly darker, and white-spotted. Broad
collar (interrupted behind), lower breast, etc., white. The
latter in 2 with a band (often imperfect) of a chestnut
color, which extends along the sides, and sometimes mixes
with the band above. ^^^

h. From the abundant evidence recently offered on the
subject of the nest, and from my own limited experience, it
may be gathered that it varies in length, though sometimes
nine feet long, that it may be either straight or have a bend,
and that it is rarely lined at the end, except with fish-bones,
as is sometimes the case. That the Kingfishers always make
a hurroiD in a bank of sand or gravel, in which to lay their
eggs, and that they most often do so near water, and not far
from the ground, are undisputed facts. The eggs of each set
are six or seven, average 1.35 X 1-05 of an inch, and are
pure white.

c. Tlie Belted Kingfisher is well known, and " in the sum-
mer is found in every portion of North America, to the Arc-
tic Ocean on the north, and from the Atlantic to the Pacific." ^^^

*A common summer resident US " ggyeral specimens in the Smith-
throughout New Eng-land, breeding sonian collection marked female (per-
nearly everywhere, but most numer- haps erroneously) show no indication
ously about the borders of lakes and of the chestnut."

streams in the more northern parts of ^^^ Messrs. Baird, Brewer, and Ridg-

the country. It occasionally passes the way's North American Birds.
winter in southern New England. —
W. B.

318 LAND-BIRDS.

In New England, this species is occasionally resident through-
out the year, but more often appears about the first of April,
and remains until late in the autumn. Near Boston * it prob-
ably cannot be much longer ranked as a common bird, since,
being naturally shy, unsocial, and averse to the intrusion of
man, it prefers wilder and less cultivated portions of the coun-
try.

Our common Kingfishers are more conspicuous than actu-
ally abundant, and two pairs are rarely found to occupy the
same hunting-grounds. They may be found scattered
throughout the State, and stationed at mill-ponds, lakes,
rivers, and trout-streams. Such places are their chosen
haunts, and there they search for their prey, while some
neighboring sand-bank affords them a place to excavate their
long burrow^s, which they do with both bill and feet. They
are frequently obliged to wander in search of their food, as
I have seen them in warm weather flying across the country at
some distance from any large body or stream of water. They
fly rapidly, with an intermittent beating of the wings. When
watching for fish, upon which they feed almost exclusively,
they perch on a fence or tree which stands immediately next
to or overhangs the w^ater. From this post they regard the
water closely, sometimes flirting their tail or soimding their
loud rattle. On seeing a fish, they plunge, so as to be com-
pletely immersed, and seizing it wdth their sharply pointed
beak, carry it to shore, w^here they quickly sw^allow it. Some-
times they hunt like Hawks, and, flying over the surface of the
ponds, hover before plunging. On the approach of man, they
usually retreat to resume their occupation in a less disturbed
quarter. They do not attack large fish, but prefer those
which are collectively called "small fry." Audubon states
that he has seen them plunge into the sea, but the ocean
must ordinarily be too rough for them to easily detect the
small objects of their search. They frequently use their nest
as a resort, probably making it regularly a retreat for the
night, Gosse speaks of these birds as reaching Jamaica
" about the beginning of September." In speaking of a pair,

* It is still not uncommon near Boston, even in the breeding- season. — W. B.

CUCKOOS. 319

which he afterwards obtained, he says: "Once both birds
seized the same fish, nearly at the same moment, and rising
with it into the air, each tugged in contrary directions, until
the grasp of one gave way. At last my assistant Sam . . .
shot them both. The first was only wounded, and falling into
the water swam out seaward, striking out boldly, the wings,
however, partially opened. On being seized he proved very
fierce, erecting the long crest, and endeavoring to strike with
his pointed beak. He got hold of my thumb, and squeezed
so powerfully, that the cutting edge of the upper mandible
sliced a piece of flesh clean out. He was tenacious of life,
for though I pressed the trachea until motion ceased, he
repeatedly revived."

d. The only note of the Belted Kingfisher is loud
and harsh, resembling the sound produced by a watchman's
rattle.

§ 24. CUCULID^. Cuckoos. (See § 22, adfinem.)

I. COCCYZUS.

A, AMERICANUS. Yellow-hUled Cuckoo. A summer res-
ident in Massachusetts, but rather rare.*

a. About twelve inches long. Lower mandible, ahnost
entirely yellow. Above, drab, or " quaker " brown (with
bronzy reflections). AVings edged with cinnamon. Outer
tail-feathers, wholly black and white. Beneath, white.

h. The nest is hardly worthy of the name, but is generally
a frail structure composed of a few twigs, and j^laced in a
bush or low tree, not far from the ground. I have usually
found it in dry places, such as dry woods, bushy pastures, and
occasionally orchards, or even the " scrub." Near Boston, it
is built about the first of June ; " built," however, is not a
term invariably applicable to this nest, as I have known it to

* A common summer resident of the coast as far to the north and east

Connecticut and eastern Massachusetts, as Calais, Maine, and also in western

but rare or wanting in the more ele- Vermont, near Lake Champlain. Near

vated parts of central and western Boston, its numbers vary greatly in

Massachusetts. In northern New Eng- different years. Some seasons it is

land it is seldom or never seen in the quite as numerously represented as the

wilder or mountainous portions of the Black-billed Cuckoo, during others,

interior, but it has been found along- comparatively scarce. — W. B.

320 LAND-BIPvDS.

consist of a cotton rag, which was firmly caught in the thorns
of a barberry bush. The eggs, which in many cases are laid
at irregular intervals, average 1.25 X .87 of an inch, and are
light greenish blue, but rarely or never elliptical.

Fig. 17. Yellow-billed Cuckoo. (^)

c. The Yellow-billed Cuckoos have evidently become very
much less common near Boston than they once were, and are
now considered rare in many if not all parts of New England.
In general habits they are closely allied to the more common
Black-billed Cuckoos, whose habits will be fully detailed in
the next biograi)hy. They differ chiefly in having a rather
less rapid flight, a greater fondness for high, dry, and wooded
lands, and a somewhat different diet. Their habit of laying-
eggs at intervals of several days, also observable in the other
species, is enough to distinguish them from nearly all our
other land-birds. It is not rare to find their nest containing
both young and eggs at very different stages of development.
I once found a Robin's nest in the same condition, but such a
case w^as wholly exceptional. The female Cuckoo, w^hen ap-
proached while on her nest, usually sits bravely, but finally
throws herself upon the ground, and flutters away, uttering
piteous and uncouth sounds, which can hardly fail to distract
the attention of an egg-hunter ; but this device rarely succeeds,
and is resorted to too late.

d. The notes of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo do not differ
distinctly from those of the Black-biUed species, though often
harsher.

CUCKOOS. 321

B. ERYTHROPHTHALMUS. Blach-hUhd CucTcoo. A sum-
mer resident of all the Eastern States, but more common to
the southward.*

a. Nearly a foot long. Eye-ring, red. Above, drab or
" quaker " brown (with bronzy reflections). Beneath, white,
often slightly tinged. Outer tail-feathers, white-tipped (and
slightly sub-tij^ped with blackish).

h. The nest differs from that of the Yellow-billed Cuckoo
in being most often built in wet lands, and in being less care-
lessly constructed ; strips of bark, or leaves, are often added
to the usual sticks and twigs. It is placed in a bush, low tree,
or brier, not far from the ground, and here is finished in the
first week of June. The eggs are darker and greener than
those of the other species, and are eUiptical.-\ They average
about 1.15 X .8T of an inch.

c. The Black-billed Cuckoos are moderately common sum-
mer residents in southern New England, but to the northward
become rare. They reach Massachusetts in the third week of
May, and leave it in the earlier part of September. They
arrive singly or in pairs, and at once announce their arrival by
their peculiar and characteristic notes. They frequent woods
and shrubbery, particularly in low grounds or swamps, and
visit orchards or cultivated lands. They fly rapidly, and often
quite far, moving their wings with regularity. On alighting
in a bush or tree (for they seldom alight on the ground), they
choose a perch sheltered by the foliage, and often move their
tail in an odd, deliberate manner, as if just about to fly off.
They are eminently cowards, and rely much upon concealment,
but, perhaps on this account, they may often be closely ap-
proached by man. They feed partly upon berries, and also,
it is said, upon " fresh-water shell-fish and aquatic larvae,"
but they are chiefly insectivorous. They undoubtedly confer
great benefits upon agriculturists, and are our principal birds
to attach and devour cater pillars in the nest. On the other

* A eonimon summer resident of t The difference in shape is not

practically the whole of New England, sufficiently constant to he of much

but found most numerously in the cul- value as a means of determination,

tivated parts of Massachusetts, Rhode — W. B.
Island, and Connecticut. — W. B.

322 LAND-BIRDS.

hand, they do great mischief in destroying the eggs of other
useful birds. Like arrant cowards, as they are, they take op-
portunities to approach stealthily the nests of many birds,
whom they would be afraid to encounter, and then feast on
the eggs of the absent parents, after which they hurry away.
They are scarcely less destructive in this way than the black
snakes, though I have never known them to kill young birds.
In this connection, it may be remarked that the common
red squirrels (often called red " ferrets ") greatly check the
increase of our birds, though the little " chipmonks " are, I
believe, quite harmless in this respect. These latter, often
called striped or ground squirrels, are much less adroit climb-
ers than the former, and are comparatively seldom seen in
trees. Recently, however, I observed one who was feeding at
noon on a large stone, which he had established as his dining-
table, and who, after his meal, climbed up a stump luxuriantly
covered with the poisonous " ivy," evidently to enjoy a siesta.
There, curled up on one of the branches, at some height from the
ground, he rested for some while, occasionally allowing him-
self " forty winks," but usually keeping his eyes open to dan-
ger. He was undoubtedly disturbed by his children at home ;
but he must provide for them ; so he reluctantly descended,
and, filling his pouches to an almost incredible extent, disap-
peared down his hole in the lawn. The red " ferrets " are said
to throw young birds wantonly from the nest. This I have
never observed, but I have frequently seen them aj)parently
hunting for nests and actually robbing them of eggs. They
climb cleverly, leap without hesitation from bough to bough,
or tree to tree, and scamper over the ground with rapidity,
even doing so while carrying one of their young between their
teeth.

d. The notes of the Cuckoo are all unmusical, and more or
less uncouth and guttural. They are much varied, being
sometimes coio-cow-cow-coiv-cow, cow-cow, sometimes cuckoo-
cucJcoo-cuckoo, sometimes cuc1cucoio\ ciic1cucow\ and at other
times low. Many of them are very liquid, but I have heard
one cry which has an affinity to that of certain Wood-
peckers. The Cuckoos may sometimes be heard at night.

WOODPECKERS. 323

§ 25. The PICID^ (or Woodpeckers) form a remark-
ably distinct group, characterized by having two toes in front,
and two (or only one) behind ; ten primaries, of which the
first is spurious, and a stiff tail of twelve feathers, of which
the outermost are also spurious.

In Colaptes (standing at one end of the group, and next
to the Cuckoos), the bill is three or four times as long as
high, rather slender, pointed, and with the commissure, as
well as the upper outline, convex ; the nostrils are exposed.

In Dryohates (a genus near the other end, containing typ-
ical Woodpeckers), the bill is stouter, the outlines nearly
straight, the end blunted or truncate, and the nostrils con-
cealed. In other genera, the bills are more or less interme-
diate. In this family, as in some others, it has not been
thought advisable to present certain divisions in classification,
which have been recently established in scientific works.

(See figs. 18 and 19, and pi. 1, fig. 25.)

In Colaptes^ the birds are largely terrestrial, feed much
upon ants, and frequently perch upon branches crosswise.

In Sphyrapicus^ the birds possess a peculiar tongue, and
do mischief by stripping off bark, and feeding on the lining.

In Picoides^ the birds are three-toed, and boreal.

In Ceop)}iloeus^ the birds are crested, and wholly (?) non-
migratory.

The Woodpeckers are all more or less brightly colored, at
least the males, and the sexes are differently colored.* They
are principally noted for hopping about the trunks and larger
limbs of trees, supported by their tails, and rapidly hammer-
ing with their bills to extract the grubs, etc., upon which they
feed, as well as on berries, or sometimes even grain. They
are often social, but never strictly gregarious, so far as I
have observed, partly, perhaps, because permanent residents
in their summer homes or only partially migratory. They
frequent forests, woods, and orchards, where they build their
nests by excavating a neat hole in sound or decayed wood.

"^ To this there are exceptions ; as, sexes of which are alike in color. —
for example, in the case of the Red- W. B.
headed Woodpecker (25, II, A), the

324

LAND-BIRDS.

In this, which contains no lining, from four to six very smooth
white eggs are laid. The notes of the Woodpeckers are un-
musical, being variously screams, or rather shrill notes, pitched
on a high key.

I. COLAPTES.

A. AUKATUS. Golden-winged Woodpecker. Pigeon
Woodincher. ''Flicker:' '' High-liohr " Yell oio-shaf ted
Woodpecker:'' " Yellow-hammer:'' (Also eight other names.)
In Massachusetts, a common summer resident, but much less
abundant in winter.*

a. About 12J inches long.

Above, umber brown, black-
barred ; tail and primaries,
chiefly black ; rump^ tvhite.
Crown and nape, dark gray,
with a scarlet crescent be-
hind. Throat and upper
breast, cinnamon or "lilac
brown " ; the latter with a
black crescent, and (J with
a black maxillary patch.
Under parts, otherwise
white, variously tinged, and
black-spotted. Wi7igs and
tail, (chiefly) bright yellow
beneath.

b. The nests of our va-
rious Woodpeckers differ
but little except in size or
situation. They always consist of a hole, generally excavated
by the birds themselves in a tree, or rarely in a post, which
may be either sound or rotten. They are usually made more
than six feet from the ground, and more often in a trunk than
in a limb. They vary in length from six to evien forty
inches, and are enlarged near the bottom, though rarely or

* Very common throug-hout New and to the southward it also regularly
England from April to October or spends the winter in fair numbers, es-
November. In eastern Massachusetts pecially near the coast. — W- B.

Fig. 18. Golden-winged Woodpecker. {\)

WOODPECKERS. 325

never lined. They are not always straight, but the entrance is
almost invariably round, unless arched, as is often the case
with those of the present species. No nests require more pa-
tience in construction than these ; yet they are, in their way,
masterpieces, being smooth, symmetrical, and, as it were,
highly finished.

The nest of the " Flicker " may be found in maples, oaks,
apple trees, and occasionally pines or birches, but more often
in some collection of trees than in an exposed place. In Mas-
sachusetts, it is finished about the middle of May, or earlier.
The eggs, like those of all Woodpeckers, have a smooth, wMte,
unspotted ^i" shell, and are often elliptical. They average
about 1.15 X .90 of an inch.

c. As is indicated by the great number of nicknames be-
stowed upon them, the Golden-winged Woodpeckers are com-
mon and well known throughout a large tract of coimtry. In
fact, they may be found in summer from the Gulf of Mexico
to Hudson Bay, and in many places, inclusive of Massachu-
setts, they may be found throughout the year. Near Boston,
however, they are rather rare in winter. They usually become
common between the middle of March and the first of April,
and continue so until the approach of winter. Though social,
and in autumn somewhat gregarious, they usually arrive in
pairs, who return every year to their former haunts, but who
generally build a fresh nest. This latter work they begin in
April. Having chosen a suitable tree, by the roadside, in the
orchard, or the woods, they proceed to excavate, the male and
female laboring alternately. Observe one at work. Clinging
to the trunk with his feet, but supporting himself by his rigid
tail, he draws back his muscular head, delivers a vigorous
stroke, and cuts a chip from the wood, which is generally
dropped on the ground just outside. The hole (about three
inches wide) is gradually deepened at the rate of between one
half and a whole inch each day, so that he can cling to the
lower edge of the entrance while working. Finally he is lost
to sight, and his operations can no longer be watched, for usu-

1" There are frequently apparent markings, which can easily, however, be
■washed off.

326 LAND-BIRDS.

ally, if closely approached, he ceases his labors and flies away.
Indeed, he is so suspicious as sometimes to be startled by the
sound of distant footsteps, and even to desert an unfinished
nest if discovered. Moreover, he is fastidious, and often, dis-
pleased with the result of his first efforts, begins again in an-
other place or a different tree. It is nearly or quite as common
to find the uncompleted excavations of this species and the
Downy Woodpecker, as to find their finished nests. I have
seen a tree with eight of the latter and three of the former.
Immediately or soon after the middle of May (near Boston),
six eggs are generally laid, sometimes at irregular intervals.
A dozen eggs or more, however, have been found in the same
nest, but these had probably been laid by two or more females.
The female, if robbed of her eggs, sometimes continues to lay,
or, after deepening the hole, lays another set. Even this is
often taken by boys, to whom few birds are more familiar
than these. The young at an early age scramble out to the
fresh air, and about their native tree, until old enough to fly.

The Pigeon Woodpeckers, as they are often called, fre-
quent woods, orchards, pastures, fields, roadsides, and nearly
all our trees, except the evergreens, for which they show no
fondness. They may often be seen upon the ground, actively
engaged in the destruction of ants (which chiefly constitute
their diet), or hopping over our lawns in search of other in-
sects. Sometimes, fluttering before a vine, they seize its ber-
ries ; sometimes they visit gardens not only for grubs but for
grain ; and sometimes, like true Woodpeckers, they hop about
trees in the search of insects, or of their larvae and eggs.
They usually perch crosswise, as our other Woodpeckers rarely
do. They fly with ease, and often rapidity, moving through
the air at a moderate height in gentle undulations, with an in-
termittent beating of the wings. They are naturally shy, and,
though found in man's society, rather avoid his near approach.
They are also affectionate, merry, and even noisy. Buffon
supposed them to lead a dull, toilsome, and wearisome life, —
an idea which both Wilson and Audubon have indignantly
refuted.

d. The three principal notes of the Pigeon Woodpeckers

WOODPECKERS. 327

are : (1) A loud scream, wholly without the savageness obser-
vable in those of many birds of prey, but, on the contrary,
rather jovial ; (2) the rapid repetition of another unmusical
though merry sound ; and finally a lower note, chiefly of affec-
tion, to which many of their names owe their origin, such as
that of "Flicker." This last cry is a series of dissyllabic notes,
and sounds like icick' -a-wick' -a-wich' -a-wich^ -a-wich! -a-wick' -a.
This is rarely heard unless two birds are together.

The Golden-winged Woodpeckers are undoubtedly less ben-
eficial than many others of their tribe, but they never do
enough injury to warrant their death at the hands of farmers.
They are, however, but little molested, I believe, except by
young sportsmen.

II. MELANERPES.

A, ERYTHROCEPHALUS. ^^^ Becl-Jieaded Woodr^ecker.
Scarcely now to be ranked as a bird of Massachusetts.*

a. About 9^ inches long. Head, crimson. Interscapu-
lars, wings, and tail, blue black, highly glossed on the back
and shoulders. Other parts (and the secondaries), white.

h. The eggs average about 1.10 X .85 of an inch. See I,
A,K

c. The Red-headed Woodpeckers were once common about
Boston, but I have seen but one within the last five years. I
know no part of New England where they are not rare, and
I shall therefore quote a large part of Wilson's biography of

^1^ The Red-bellied Woodpecker (3/. said to nest regularly and rather com-

carolinus, with the crown and nape monly in western Vermont, but every-

bright red, or in the female partly so) where else in New England it appears to

may rarely occur in New England." be of rare and exceptional occurrence,

** Two specimens have since been especially in the breeding-season. In
taken near Boston : the first, a female, the autumn of 1881, however, it ap-
shot by Mr. William Adair in a chest- peared in very great numbers in north-
nut grove at Newton, November 25, em Connecticut and eastern Massa-
1880 (Bull. N. O. C, Vol. VI, April, chusetts. About Boston the greatest
1881, p. 120) ; the second, an adult numbers were seen during the latter
male, killed by Mr. Matthew Luce, Jr. , part of September, in October, and early
at Cohasset, May 28, 1881 (ibid., July, in November; but many birds spent the
1881, p. 183). There are a few other entire winter, and a few pairs nested
records for southern New England. — the f oUoAving spring. There is also a
W. B. record of a nest found at Brookline,

* The Red-headed Woodpecker is Massachusetts, in June, 1878. — W. B.

328" LAND-BIRDS.

this species. " There is perhaps no bird in North America
more universally known than this. His tri-colored plumage,
red, white, and black glossed with steel blue, is so striking,
and characteristic ; and his predatory habits in the orchards
and corn fields, added to his numbers and fondness for hover-
ing along the fences, so very notorious, that almost every child
is acquainted with the Red-headed Woodpecker. In the im-
mediate neighborhood of our large cities, where the old tim-
ber is chiefly cut down, he is not so frequently found ; and yet
at this present time, June, 1808, I know of several of their
nests within the boundaries of the city of Philadelphia. Two
of these are in button-wood trees (Platanus occid en talis), and
another in the decayed limb of a large elm. The old ones I
observe make their excursions regularly to the woods beyond
the Schuylkill, about a mile distant ; preserving great silence
and circumspection in visiting their nests ; precautions not
much attended to by them in the depth of the woods, because
there the prying eye of man is less to be dreaded. Towards
the mountains, particularly in the vicinity of creeks and rivers,
these birds are extremely abundant, especially in the latter
end of summer. Wherever you travel in the interior at that
season, you hear them screaming from the adjoining woods,
rattling on the dead limbs of trees, or on the fences, where
they are perpetually seen flitting from stake to stake on the
roadside, before you. Wherever there is a tree, or trees, of
the wild cherry, covered wdth ripe fruit, there you see them
busy among the branches ; and in passing orchards, you may
easily know where to find the earliest, sweetest apples, by ob-
serving those trees, on or near which the Red-headed Wood-
pecker is skulking; for he is so excellent a connoisseur in
fruit, that wherever an apple or pear is found broached by
him, it is sure to be among the ripest and best flavored.
When alarmed, he seizes a capital one by striking his open
bill deep into it, and bears it off to the woods. When the In-
dian corn is in its rich, succulent, milky state, he attacks it
with great eagerness, opening a passage through the numerous
folds of the husk, and feeding on it with voracity. The gir-
dled, or deadened timber, so common among corn fields in the

WOODPECKERS. 329

back settlements, are his favorite retreats, whence he sallies
out to make his depredations. He is fond of the ripe berries
of the sour gum ; and pays pretty regular visits to the cherry
trees, when loaded with fruit. Towards Fall he often ap-
j^roaches the barn or farm house, and raps on the shingles and
weather boards. He is of a gay and frolicsome disposition ;
and half a dozen of the fraternity are frequently seen diving
and vociferating around the high dead limbs of some large
tree, pursuing and playing with each other, and amusing the
passenger with their gambols. Their note or cry is shrill and
lively, and so much resembles that of a species of tree-frog
which frequents the same tree, that it is sometimes difficult to
distinguish the one from the other."

Wilson eloquently defends this bird, proving his beneficial
nature. He adds : " The Red-headed Woodpecker is, prop-
erly speaking, a bird of passage, though even in the eastern
states individuals are found during moderate winters, as well
as in the states of New York and Pennsylvania ; in Carolina
they are somewhat more numerous during that season, but
not one tenth of what are found in summer. They make
their appearance in Pennsylvania about the first of May ; and
leave us about the middle of October."

III. SPHYRAPICUS.

A. VARius. Yellow-hellied Woodpecker. ^^^ In Massa-
chusetts, chiefly a migrant.*

a. About 8^- inches long. Wings and tail, black and
white. Above, brownish or yellowish, marked with black.
Beneath, yellowish ; sides, black-streaked. Crown-patch,
scarlet; throat-patch, scarlet, or in § whitish. Border
of both patches, and eye-stripe, black. Head otherwise
white or yellowish.

5. The nest is to be found in woods or sometimes orchards.

119 A Mexican species, Melanerpes county, Massachusetts. Elsewhere in

aurifrons^ bears the same name. southern New England, it is known

* This Woodpecker breeds very only as a spring and autumn migrant,

commonly throughout the primitive occurring very numerously at some

forests of northern New England, and localities, at others, in limited numbers

sparingly on Mt. Graylock, in Berkshire only. — W. B.

330 LAND-BIRDS.

The eggs of each set are four or five,* and average about
.95 X .80 of an inch. See I, A, h.

c. The Yellow-bellied Woodpeckers probably occur in
eastern Massachusetts as migrants only, though summer res-
idents to the westward ("beyond Springfield"), and to the
northward, as in Canada, or the northernmost parts of New
England, where they are quite common. Near Boston, I
have seen them about the middle of April, and again in Oc-
tober, but I have always found them rare. They are some-
what shy, and usually silent. They travel singly or in pairs,
and frequent woods rather than orchards. I have seen a pair,
however, on a pine tree, so near a house, that they were fired
at with a parlor-rifle from the windows. As each bullet struck
the tree, near the spot where the male was at work, if he
moved, it was only to return immediately. He escaped ap-
parently uninjured and continued for some time to dig out a
hole in the trunk, for what purpose I am uncertain, as this
was on the 4th of October, and on the following day he dis-
appeared. If any of our Woodpeckers are injurious, this spe-
cies (including the next variety) is the only one. The Yel-
low-bellied Woodpeckers are well known to strij) off the bark
of various trees, not to obtain insects so often as to feed upon
the inner bark. Sometimes, like the Downy AYoodpeckers,
they bore deep holes, especially in orchard trees, whence they
have been called " sap-suckers." f They feed upon berries, and
quite often, in common with other members of their family,
catch insects in the manner of Flycatchers, by darting at them
from a perch. Their tongue is peculiarly constructed, and
they cannot obtain an abundance of food in the characteristic
manner of their tribe. Though they sometimes visit fallen
logs, they do not, however, so far as I know, ever seek it on
the ground. They fly in undulations and rarely very far.

* Sets of six eggs each are common, obtaining their sap, which it drinks

and I have found seven in one nest. — greedily. An exhaustive and very in-

W. B. teresting article on the subject, by Mr.

t It is now definitely known that Bolles, has been published in the Auh

the Yellow-bellied Woodpecker bores (Vol. VIII, No. 3, July, 1891, pp. 256-

small holes in the bark of various spe- 270). — W. B.
cies of trees for the express purpose of

WOODPECKERS. 331

Among the White Mountains, they may be seen not only in
the woods, where removed from civilization, but also not un-
frequeutly along the roadsides.

d. Their ordinary note is an indescribable whine, like a
puppy's moan, though Mr. Maynard thought that their alarm-
note closely resembled that of the Blue Jay. But many of
our Woodpeckers delight in a music peculiarly their own, yet
not unlike the drumming of the Ruffed Grouse. In spring,
alighting on some tree, particularly one which is somewhat
hollow and resonant, they rap loudly. The male and female
often do this in response to one another, and it is, almost
undoubtedly, a love-note. It is the only music which our
Woodpeckers can produce, and it is for them by far the
easiest way of expressing their affections.

Sphyrapicus varius nuclialis^ so-called, the Red-naped or
Red-throated Woodpecker, is probably an abnormal form, or
a distinct species, or else its occurrence in New England must
be quite accidental. The last is probably the case, as it is
said that only two si3ecimens have been taken in this part of
the country, and nuchalis may be treated as a western race.
It differs from true varius in having a red patch on the
hind-head or nape, and more or less red on the throat of the
female. Yet, in Messrs. Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway's " North
American Birds," it is stated that of the true varius a female
from Washington, D. C, has red on the throat, and a male
from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, has it on the nape.* The habits
and notes of the Red-naped Woodpeckers are described as
similar to those of the Yellow-bellied kind, and the biograph-
ical details of one (except as regards migrations and distri-
bution) are applicable to the other.

* Occasional eastern specimens of other essentials, and are now generally

the Yellow-bellied Woodpecker show regarded as mere aberrant examples

a band of red on the nape, and the fe- of true varius. Hence the Red-naped

males sometimes have red on the Woodpecker is no longer included

throat ; but although in these respects in the list of New England birds. —

they more or less closely resemble the W. B.
western form nuchalis, they differ in

332 LAND-BIRDS.

IV. PICOIDES.

A. ARCTicus. (^Northern or) Black-bached Three-toed
Woodjjecker. A resident of northern New England, but of
accidental occurrence in Massachusetts, in fall or winter.*

a. About nine inches long. Wings and tail, black and
white. Upper parts (and a maxillary line), glossy black.
Beneath, white, banded on the sides with black. (J , with a
yellow crown-jDatch.

b. The nest may be found in forests, chiefly in evergreens.
The eggs seem to average about -90 X .75 of an inch ; but two
in my collection measure 1.05 X -85. See I, A, b.

c. The subjects of this biography have been given a name
which is no less resounding than their rapping in the forests ;
namely ; Northern Black-backed Orange-crowned Three-toed
Woodpeckers. ^^^* These birds are extremely rare or accidental
in Massachusetts, and in no part of New England are common
summer residents, unless far to the northward, where they are
resident throughout the year, though more common in winter.
I have found the nest among the White Mountains, but I
have not often seen the birds. They are common summer res-
idents, however, in some parts of the Adirondacks. They in-
habit the extensive and thickly timbered forests, frequenting
the evergreens rather more than other species (unless the
next). They lead an active life, and, like others of their
tribe, are restless. They partly examine the trunk, perhaps,
of a fine hemlock more than a hundred feet high, and then,
as if dissatisfied, fly down to hop about a fallen log. They
may occasionally vary this life by fly-catching, and in autumn
undoubtedly feed on berries, in spite of the inexhaustible
insect-wealth of the forests in which they live. They fly in
undulations, but rather rapidly, often screaming as they
do so.

d. Their loud, shrill notes cannot easily be described.

* A rather common but somewhat occurring at irregular intervals, but not

local resident of the wilder and more so very rarely, in Massachusetts, and

heavily timbered portions of northern occasionally visiting Connecticut. —

New England, whence it sometimes W. B.

wanders southwards, in autumn and i^o This f^^jj title has actually aj)-

winter, into southern New England, peared in print.

WOODPECKERS. 333

Audubon considered tliem " like those of some small quadru-
ped suffering great pain " ; but I have never heard the " shrill,
harsh, rattling cry " which Dr. Cooper ascribes to this species.
Authors must, however, necessarily differ in their descriptions
of what it is nearly impossible to describe satisfactorily.

B. AMEBIC ANUS. Banded Three-toed Woodpecker.
Much rarer in New England than the last species.*

a. Essentially like the Black-backed Woodpecker (^), but
with the back banded by white.

h. " The nest and eggs do not differ from those of P. arc-
ticusy

c. The Banded Three-toed AYoodpeckers have an arctic
(or circimipolar) distribution, and in New England are rarer
than even the Black-backed Woodpeckers. They have not
been captured in Massachusetts, except in a few isolated in-
stances, of which I find only one recorded. They probably
breed in northern New England to a limited extent, since
" Mr. Brewster took two adult males at Gorham, July 30th,
1870, and one at Umbagog the first week in June, 1871."
Mr. Maynard says : " I took a single specimen at Errol, Octo-
ber 31st, 1869. This species has a harsh, discordant note."
Audubon never saw these Woodpeckers, and drew his figures
from specimens lent him by the Council of the Zoological So-
ciety of London. I have scarcely been more fortunate, hav-
ing seen but one. This was on the roadside, not far from the
Glen House in the White Mountains, and in August. Dur-
ing the momentary glimpse which I then had, I observed no-
thing peculiar in his habits. I have never found their nest or
seen their eggs.

V. DRYOBATES.

A. viLLOSUS. Hairy Woodpecker. Not common in

* Although this Woodpecker has ieut River, it is not so very uncommon

practically the same general range in for a bird of its solitary and retiring

New England as P. arcticus. it is in disposition. It is one of the rarest of

most places very much less numerous, the irregular winter visitors to Massa-

Among the White Mountains, however, ehusetts. — W. B.
and about the sources of the Connect-

334

LAND-BIRDS.

Massachusetts, but abundant in the forests of northern New
England, where it breeds.*

a. About 9^ inches long. g^
with a scarlet patch on the hind-
head. Under parts, central back, and
outer tail-feathers, white. (Feath-
ers about the nostrils, yellowish.)
Otherwise black and white.

[Note. There are western va-
rieties of this and the next species,
with a soiling of gray on the breast,
and without white spots on the wing-
coverts.]

h. The eggs of each set are four
or five, and measure .85 X .65 of an
inch, or more. The nest is built in
woods, or sometimes orchards, and in
Massachusetts is finished about the
tenth of May. See I, A^ h
c. The Hairy Woodpeckers are resident throughout the
eastern United States, and in summer, if not also in winter,
may be found from the Gulf of Mexico so far to the northward
as forests extend, f Yet they rarely breed in eastern Massa-
chusetts, and are not even common in winter. The constant
decrease of woodland in this part of the State has caused them
in a great measure to desert it, but in the forests of Maine
and New Hampshire they are abundant throughout the year.
Near Boston, they frequent orchards as much as the woods.
Excepting in being much less familiar toward man, and fonder

Fig. 19. Hairy Woodpecker. (5)

'^ A resident of essentially the whole
of New England, breeding- very com-
monly throughout the heavy forests of
the northern tier of States, not uncom-
monly in the wilder and more elevated
parts of Worcester and Berkshire
counties, Massachusetts, elsewhere
only very sparingly and locally. There
is sometimes a well-marked autumnal
migration through eastern Massachu-
setts, and in some seasons, during late

October and early November, the spe-
cies is comparatively common about
Boston. — W. B.

t The small dark form of the ex-
treme Southern States is now recog-
nized as a distinct subspecies, which is
called audubonii, while the large, light-
colored bird found north of the United
States in British America has been also
separated, under the name leucomelas.
— W. B.

WOODPECKERS. 335

of solitude, they scarcely differ in habits from the common
little Spotted or Downy Woodpecker. Audubon has repre-
sented these birds in no less than six assumed species, so great
is the variation in size, and in the colors of the young. He
even undertook to point out differences in manner and voice
between those of New Hampshire and those of Maine. Here
his imagination almost undoubtedly led him astray, so easy is
it for man to deceive himself by seeing, as he thinks, what he
is determined to see.*

d. The Hairy Woodpeckers have both a loud, shrill cry,
not unlike that of the '* Flicker," and a sharp chuch^ which
resembles the characteristic note of the next species. Both
of these notes, however, are somewhat peculiar, and need not
often be confused with those of other species.

B. PUBESCENS. Downy Woodpecker. A common sum-
mer resident throughout New England, but less abundant in
winter, f

a. About 6 J inches long. Outer tail-feathers, barred with
black. Otherwise like D, villosus QA),

h. The nest is built in various trees, among which the
apple tree, birches, and poplars, are frequently selected. It
has occasionally been found in a post. The entrance is two
inches or less in diameter, whereas that of the " Flicker's"
nest is usually from two to five inches high. The eggs, of
which four or five are usually laid, near Boston, in the fourth
week of May, measure .80 X .60 of an inch, or less.

c. The Downy Woodpeckers, like their near relations the
Hairy Woodpeckers, are resident throughout the wooded por-

* Audubon's splendid imagination t The Downy Woodpecker has the

and boundless enthusiasm doubtless same general range in New England as

led him into mistakes and exaggera- Z). villosus, but it is much more evenly

tions which a person of colder temper- distributed, and breeds almost if not

ament would have avoided. But had quite as commonly in eastern Massa-

Audubon lacked these qualities — es- chusetts and southward, as in our more

sential to his genius — he could never northern forests. Throughout most of

have produced what, in many respects, southern New England, however, it is

is the greatest work on ornithology apparently somewhat more numerous

that has ever appeared, viz. : the Birds in autumn and winter than at other

of America. — W. B. seasons. — W. B.

336 LAND-BIRDS.

tions of eastern North America, in many places being com-
mon and well known, as is the case in Massachusetts, where,
however, they are less numerous in winter. In autumn they
may be seen followed by Titmice, Creepers, Nuthatches, and
" Wrens," whose society they seem to enjoy, though not them-
selves gregarious. They are not only sociable, but are very
familiar towards man, showing no alarm at his approach, and
preferring orchards, roadsides, and woods about houses or
barns, to the forests for which many of their relations have a
marked fondness. Except on these points, they are fair types
of their whole family.

They are only partially migratory, and are often resident in
one locality throughout the year. They are usually mated
for life, and on this account are frequently seen in pairs instead
of singly. They are active or even restless. They sometimes
eat berries, or catch insects on the wing, but I have never
seen them on the ground. They generally pass the day in
moving from tree to tree, from which they obtain insects,
their larvae and eggs, in the bark or beneath it. They fly in un-
dulations, rarely far or high, and alight with both feet on the
trunk or larger limbs. They hop about with great ease, but
generally move with the head pointing ujiward. Sometimes
they merely pick up their food from the crannies of the bark,
but at other times they extract wood-borers and other insects
from the wood. For this purpose they dig out small circular
holes of about the size made by a large awl, and with these
often encircle a large tree. In forming these holes, which are
healthful to the trees and not injurious, they draw back their
muscular head, and deliver their blows so rapidly as to pro-
duce a trenmlous sound or rattling, which I find it impossible
to imitate even by drumming with all my fingers on a board.
They seize their prey by thrusting out their long tongue,
which is coated with a sticky fluid. They work at their nest
for about a month, chiefly in the early morning and in the
afternoon. The male and female incubate alternately, and,
if intruded upon after their young are hatched, exhibit much
alarm. They often fly above the heads of men or dogs who
may intrude, constantly uttering their loud note of alarm, and

WOODPECKERS. 337

more often perching crosswise than at other times. They
occupy their okl nests or other cavities as retreats for the
night or from very severe weather. They are very hardy, but
not unfrequently in winter, during a blinding snow-storm or
a pelting rain, one may start them from some decayed tree,
on shaking it, or rapping it with one's cane. Should they
pass the winter to the southward and return in the spring,
they immediately resort to their former lodgings, unless some
rude blast has destroyed these, in which case I have known
them hurriedly to make an excavation in a neighboring stump.
d. Their ordinary note is a chinh or cldck^ which they
most often utter on alighting on some tree or fence. Occa-
sionally they repeat this rapidly (as chich-a-cMck-chich-cMch-
chick^. These notes, unless uttered in anger, seem indicative
of the little Woodpecker's contented disposition and constant
happiness.

VI. CEOPHLCBUS.

A. PiLEATUS. Pileated Woodpecker. Black ''- Log-
cockr " Woodcock.^'' In New England, almost entirely con-
fined to the " timbered " districts of the north.*

a. About eighteen inches long. Nearly black ; a slight
superciliary line, a broad stripe from the bill to the sides,
wing-patch, etc., white. Crest, scarlet ; in ' § , black in front.
$ , with a scarlet cheek-patch.

5. " The eggs, which are six in number, average 1.25 X
1.00 of an inch, or more." See I, A^ h.

c. The Pileated Woodpeckers are in New England the

* This fine species cannot apparently In Jvrne, 1883, 1 saw a pair of Pileated
adapt itself to the changed conditions Woodpeckers on Mt. Graylock, and an-
■which so speedily follow the settlement other pair was seen by Mr. Purdie,
of our country. It is evidently a bird May 31, 1892, on Mount Toby, while
of the primeval forest, and is every- Mr. Bailey took two sets of eggs (both
where fast retreating before the en- laid by the same bird, however) near
croachments of man. Hence, while Winchendon in Worcester County,
there can be no doubt that it formerly Massachusetts, in 1890. Throughout
bred throughout southern New Eng- the wilder portions of Maine, New
land, it is now practically extinct in this Hampshire, and Vermont, these Wood-
region, although stragglers are oeca- peckers are still common in many
sionally shot in autumn or winter in places. — W. B.
Connecticut and eastern Massachusetts.

338 LAND-BIRDS.

largest, most spirited, and wildest of their tribe, but to the
southward they yield to the larger '' Ivory-bill," and in Cen-
tral America to the magnificent Cami^epliilus. imperialis.
They live exclusively in heavily timbered country, where they
frequent the forests, undisturbed by man, and the backwoods.
There, solitarily or in pairs, they remain throughout the year,
unless tempted by grain to wander to the fields. They are
said to withstand alike the cold of Labrador and the heat of
Florida, but in southern New England they are no longer
found, though not rare in some parts of the AVhite Mountains,
and in like latitudes. They are rather shy, but they may
sometimes be seen dexterously stripping off in large sheets
the bark of decayed trees and logs, in order to lay bare the
remains beneath. " If wounded on a tree, they cling desper-
ately ; if shot while flying, they defend themselves with cour-
age, often inflicting severe wounds with their powerful bills."
They fly in undulations, but rather laboriously, owing perhaps
to their great size. They are probably the only members of
their family in New England whom the Hawks never attack.
One of our common Woodpeckers may sometimes be seen
adroitly dodging around some limb, while a disappointed
Hawk endeavors to seize him ; but should there be a pair of
his enemies, unless he can take refuge in a hole he does not
always escape.

d. The Log-cocks, besides the loud rolling sound of their
hammering (audible for even a mile), often produce a loud
cackling, not wholly unlike that of a Hen. Hence, a country-
man, asked by a sportsman if there were Woodcock in a cer-
tain place, answered that he often heard " them hollering in
the woods " !

CHAPTER III.

FOURTH ORDER. RAPTORES.

The birds of prey constitute tins well-defined order. Their
bill, like that of the Parrots, is stout (generally about as deej^
as long), and strongly hooked ; it is likewise furnished with a
true cere, containing the nostrils but often concealed by feath-
ers. The toes, however, are not arranged in pairs, but on the
general plan of three in front and one behind ; the feet are
highly muscular, and furnished with sharp, fully developed
claws, called ''talons." These are the i3rincipal external fea-
tures.

The birds of prey are noted for the strength, rapidity, grace,
or ease, of their flight, and, in many cases, for their extraordi-
nary power of sailing. With the exception of the Vultures,
they are famous for their spirit, variously displayed in energy,
boldness, or courage, and for their carnivorous taste. For the
most part, they feed upon smaller birds, quadrupeds, snakes,
fish, and even insects, which they capture for themselves. They
are hardy, being furnished with thick feathering, and with an
encasement of fat, which enables them to withstand the cold
and to live without food much longer than human beings can.
They are to a large extent non-migratory, and those that
migrate probably, in a great measure, do so to follow their
prey rather than to avoid the winter w^eather in their summer
homes. They have been known to travel in large flocks, and
the Fish Hawks are said often to build their nests in commu-
nities, but ordinarily they are eminently unsocial, though faith-
ful to their chosen haunts.

The Vultures are gregarious, cowardly, voracious, but rather
slothful, and feed chiefly on carrion, which they frequently
disgorge, when disturbed ; whereas both the Hawks, and the

340 LAND-BIRDS.

Owls esi^ecially, eject in pellets only what is indigestible. Their
only notes are said to be hisses or grimts. The Plawks, on the
other hand, possess various screams or whining whistles, while
the Owls are famous for their ludicrous or doleful cries, and
for their hooting.

§ 26. There are many things which cannot be defined ex-
cept in their typical states, and, in the classification of birds,
the typical species often characterize a group by certain fea-
tures, which species evidently allied may possess only in part.
Thus the Owls may be defined as " nocturnal birds of prey,"
though some kinds hunt in daylight like the Hawks. All our
StrigidcB^ however, possess the following structural features
(besides those which characterize all Rcq^tores) : head large,
and capable of being turned in every direction without any
movement of the body ; eyes looking more or less directly for-
ward ; ear-feathers often forming noticeable tufts or " horns " ;
nostrils concealed ; tarsi feathered ; general plimiage very soft
and thick. The colors are sober and much variegated, but
alike in both sexes. The female is generally larger than the
male.

The Owls fly silently. Eichard Hill, Esq., in Gosse's " Birds
of Jamaica," says : " They search for their prey, as if they
were pursuing it w4th the vigilance of the hound. They skim
along the surface of the earth, glide among trees, explore ave-
nues, sweep round, rise and fall, wheel short, and dart down,
but never sail in circles. Their wide staring eyes are placed
in what may be called their face, being right forward in front,
and have scarcely any field of vision laterally. They there-
fore hunt wdth a forward and downw^ard gaze, like dogs over
a field. The globe of the eye of these nocturnal Iia2)tores, be-
ing immovably fixed in the socket by a strong elastic cartila-
ginous case, in the form of a truncated cone, they have to
turn their heads to view objects out of the path of flight ; and
their neck is so adapted for this exertion, that they can with
ease turn round the head in almost a complete circle, without
moving the body."

Some Owls lay their eggs on the ground or in the hollows
of trees, but most kinds build a rude nest of sticks, or select

OWLS. 341

an old nest of a like nature. Their eggs are 3-6, subspheri-
cal, white or whitish, and usually without a very smooth shell.
Their peculiar notes, or hootings, are elsewhere noticed.

I. STRIX.

A. PRATixcoLA. (^Americaii) Barn Owl. This bird
has not recently occurred in Massachusetts more than once
or twice.*

a. " Tawny, or fulvous brown, delicately clouded or marbled
with ashy and white, and speckled with brownish black ; be-
low, a varying shade from nearly pure white to fulvous, with
sparse sharp blackish speckling ; face, w^hite to purplish brown,
darker or black about the eyes, the disk bordered with dark
brown ; wings and tail barred with brown, and finely mottled
like the back ; bill, whitish ; toes, yellowish. ... § , 17
long ; wing, 13 ; tail, 5|^ ; $ , rather less. U. S., Atlantic to
Pacific, southerly ; rare in the interior, rarely N. to New Eng-
land." (Coues.)

h. "It is not uncommon in the vicinity of Washington ;
and after the partial destruction of the Smithsonian building
by fire, for one or two years a pair nested on the top of the
tower." f "Its nests hava been found in hollow trees near
marshy meadows " (Brewer), and, in certain parts of the
country, the Barn Owls make burrows. The eggs average
1.70 X 1.30 of an inch, and are bluish or dirty (yellowish)
white.

c. The Barn Owls of America are much less well known
than those of Europe, and no longer occur in New England,
if, indeed, they ever existed there except as stragglers. Mr.
Allen, in his "Notes on Some of the Rarer Birds of
Massachusetts," records the capture of one in this State, near
Springfield, in May, and that of two others in Connecticut.
To the southward and westward the Barn Owls are common
in many places. Says Dr. Brewer : " The propensity of the
California bird to drink the sacred oil of the consecrated

* A rare and perhaps only aeciden- t Two pairs of Barn Owls nested in
tal straggler to southern New England, this tower in 1893. — W. B.
— W. B.

342 LAND-BIRDS.

lamps about the altars of the Missions was frequently referred
to by the priests, Avhenever any allusion was made to this Owl."

Audubon says that " this species is altogether nocturnal
or crepuscular, and when disturbed during the day, flies in an
irregular bewildered manner, as if at a loss how to look for a
place for refuge. After long observation, I am satisfied that
our bird feeds entirely on the smaller species of quadrupeds,
for I have never found any portions of birds about their nests,
nor even the remains of a single feather in the pellets which
they regurgitate, and which are always formed of the bones
and hair of quadrupeds.''

d. I can find no description of any note belonging to this
species.

11. ASIO.

A. wiLSONiANUS. Long-eared Old. In Massachusetts,
a resident throughout the year.*

a. About fifteen inches long. Ear-tufts, consj^icuous.
General colors, fulvous and dark brown or blackish. Above,
finely variegated, and mixed with whitish. Breast, etc.,
streaked, and also barred below. Tail (like the primaries,
etc.), mottled and barred. Eyes, j^artly encircled by black.

h. The nest is most often that of a Crow or Hawk, slightly
repaired. Sometimes, however, it is a fresh one, built by the
birds themselves in some dark wood of evergreen, from ten to
fifty feet above the ground ( "on which," by the way, "the
eggs are occasionally laid"). The eggs are pure white, as are
those of most Owls, and average about 1.60 X 1-35 of an
inch. In Massachusetts, one set, varying in number from
three to six, is laid about the middle of April.

c. The Long-eared Owls are perhaps the most numerous
of American Owls, and are common near Boston, where they
remain throughout the year. In spite of their comparative
abundance, they are rarely seen, since they frequent the woods
by day, and fly abroad only at night, unless, as often hap-

* Said to be a resident of the whole most numerous in late autumn, when

of New England. In Massachusetts there is often a well-marked flight —

and to the southward it is not uncom- especially along the coast — from

mon (for an Owl) at all times, but is regions further north. — W. B.

OWLS. 343

pens, they are driven out and rabbled by the Crows. They
are easily approached in a strong light, as their vision is de-
pendent upon darkness, but they usually roost in thick swamps,
or dark and unfrequented woods of evergreen. At dusk they
become active, and silently hunt for their prey, sometimes
flying over fields and meadows, and sometimes perching to
watch for it. Their hearing is no less acute than their sight.
They feed upon small birds and quadrupeds, or even large
insects. They are unsocial, and generally lead a solitary life,
but Wilson speaks of seven being found in one tree.

d, I have never heard them utter any notes, and they are
probably silent except during the season of love. Audubon,
however, says : " When encamped in the woods, I have fre-
quently heard the notes of this bird at night. Its cry is j^ro-
longed and plaintive, though consisting of not more than two
or three notes repeated at intervals."

B. ACCIPITRINUS. Short-eared OwL Marsh Old. A
resident of Massachusetts, most abundant near the sea.*

a. About fifteen inches long. Ear-tufts, inconspicuous.
General colors, dark brown, and fulvous whitening beneath
(on the belly, wings, etc.). Chiefly streaked, but on the tail,
primaries, etc., etc., barred (and slightly mottled). Eyes com-
•pletely encircled hy hlach.

h. The nest is a rather slovenly structure, built on the
ground, most often in rather wet places. The eggs of each
set are usually four, averaging about 1.50 X 1-30 of an inch.

* An early spring- and late autumn is not to be found near Boston during-

migrant, reg-ularly common and some- the months of January and February,

times actually abundant on the marshes That it formerly nested at several

and sand hills of the New England i^laces on the Massachusetts coast is

coast. It occurs throughout the in- open to no doubt. At various times

terior, also, but seldom, if ever, in between 1869 and 18T8 I found it very

any numbers. Although writers have common in June, July, and August on

very generally asserted that this Owl Nantucket and Muskegat ; but Mr.

regularly spends the winter in Massa- George H. Mackay tells me that it is

ehusetts, I have yet to see a specimen no longer seen in summer on these

taken here at that season, and our local islands. I know of no authentic rec-

taxidermists (whose experience, for ob- ord of its breeding in any part of New

vious reasons, is well-nigh conclusive England within the past ten years. —

on such a point) agree that the bird W. B.

344 LAND-BIRDS.

They are white, and somewhat spherical. Several which I
took from two nests, near Boston, had apparently been laid
about the middle of April.

c. The Short-eared Owls, though resident in Massachusetts
throughout the year, are much less common than some other
species. They are generally considered more abundant near
the seashore than elsewhere, and even resort to marshes.
They usually rest during the day on the ground or near it,
and, when flushed, fly as if dazed, and soon alight. I have
seen them abroad, however, on cloudy days. They sometimes
occur in woods, particularly such as are swampy, but, in hunt-
ing, they more often fly over meadows or fields, moving their
wings silently, and often sailing directly forward for a consid-
erable distance. They also perch to watch for their prey,
which seems to consist chiefly of mice and insects. Occasion-
ally, when startled on the ground, they move off in leaps,
more quickly than one might suppose them to be capable of
leaping, but they commonly take to wing. Audubon speaks of
them as common in the Floridas during the winter, and says :
''Indeed I was surprised to see the great number of these
birds which at that period were to be found in the open prai-
ries of that country, rising from the tall grass in a hurried
manner, and zig-zagging for a few yards, as if suddenly
wakened from sound sleep, then sailing to some distance in
a direct course, and dropping among the thickest herbage."
He adds: "I never started two birds at once, but always
found them singly at distances of from twenty to a hundred
yards." . . . The Short-eared Owls are partially migratory.

d. Their notes, if they have any, I have neither heard, nor
seen described.

III. SYRNIUM.

A. CINEREUM. Great Gray Old. Cinereous Old. Very
rare so far to the southward as Massachusetts, occurring there
in winter only.*

* An irregular winter visitor to New considered one of the very rarest of
England, oftenest seen in the more our raptorial birds. An exception
northern States, but even there justly to this rule occurred in the winter of

OWLS. 345

a. Extreme length, thirty inches. General colors, cinere-
ous or ashy brown, and a paler shade. "Waved" above;
streaked on the breast ; harred on the belly ^ tail, primaries,
etc.

h. One Qgg in Dr. Brewer's cabinet measures 2.25 X 1.78
of an inch.

c. The Great Gray Owls exceed in size all other American
sjDecies, and stand no less than two feet high. They seem,
however, to be much less spirited than many others of their
tribe. Mr. Dall considers them very stupid, and states that
they may in day-time be caught by the hand. They are arc-
tic birds, and do not come to New England except as very
rare winter visitors. I observed one in some pine woods near
Milton, in the early part of 1875, towards the end of an ex-
ceptionally severe winter. He was roosting in a partially
dead tree, at about thirty feet from the ground. He instantly
perceived my approach, and watched me dreamily. He re-
fused to leave his perch until the tree was rapped violently,
upon which he started with a few silent flaps and sailed away.
Owing to his great size, and his wings spread to their full ex-
tent, he presented a formidable appearance. He did not seem
to have difficulty in finding his way among the trees.

The Great Gray Owls, according to Mr. Dall's observations,
*' feed principally upon small birds, and he took no less than
thirteen crania and other remains of ^^giothus linaria [or
Lesser Red-poll] from the crop of a single bird."

d. Their notes have been described as tremulous, and not
unlike those of the Screech Owl.

B. NEBULOSUM. Barred Old. '^ Hoot OidJ' A resi-
dent in Massachusetts throughout the year.*

1890-91, -when, throughout eastern England, said to breed commonly in
Maine, these 0\vls were killed in such Connecticut, but throughout Massa-
numbers that a single taxidermist (Mr. chusetts and to the northward found
Crosby of Bangor) received no less only very sparingly and more or less
than twenty-seven specimens. This locally, except in autumn and win-
flight extended, also, to eastern Mas- ter, when it sometimes appears in
sachusetts, where, however, only a few comparative abundance. These au-
birds were taken. — W. B. tumnal flights are of irregular occur-
* A resident of the whole of New rence. — W. B.

346 LAND-BIRDS.

a. About eigliteen inches long. General colors, brown
(cinereous above), and white (or tawny). Chiefly barred, hut
on the helly streaked. Eyes, small, very dark, and bordered
on the inner edge with black.

h. Evidence indicates that the Barred Owls usually build
their own nests, choosing for a site some crotch next to the
trunk of a pine or oak. The nests are finished in the latter
part of April, and three or four eggs are then laid. These
latter are white, and generally measure about 2.00 X 1.70 of
an inch.

c. The Barred Owls are apparently common residents in
all the Atlantic States, but near Boston they have probably
decreased in numbers proportionally to the decrease of wood-
land. They may, however, not unfrequently be seen during
the day, reposing in some thick wood of pines or hemlocks.
On such an occasion, they watch your motions, as you approach,
and should you walk from one side of the tree to the other,
they follow you with their eyes, turning their head as if they
must infallibly twist it off, but not moving the body. No
creature for solemnity and soberness could better be fitted for
the office of judge, and I am sure that every culprit would
quail before such a stern, unvaried, and unceasing gaze. The
effect of their behavior in a dark wood is not unlike that of
entering a darkened chamber, and observing the eyes of a grim
ancestral portrait, everywhere following, as if to shame one
out of some degeneracy. It is often difficult to start these
Owls, but sometimes, if your back is turned, they take the op-
portunity to glide away silently, and I have noticed that on
such occasions they do not seem to be much embarrassed by
the light. They hunt at night, and are said to feed upon
small birds, mice, snakes, frogs, and also larger game. I am
inclined to believe that the males and females live apart ex-
cept in the early spring season, when their hootings are heard
even during the day.

d. Their hootings are guttural, and though ludicrous,
rather startling. Audubon thought that they might be com-
pared to an affected burst of laughter. It has been asserted
that the voice of the male is much weaker than that of his
mate, as w^ell as much less often heard.

OWLS. 347

IV. NYCTALA.

A. TENGMALMi RiCHARDSONi. QAmprican) Sjmrrovj
Old. Bichardson's Old. In Massaclmsetts, extremely rare.*

a. About lOi inches long. Except in size, essentially like
iV. acadica (^).

h. Dr. Brewer describes one egg as measuring 1.28 X
1.C6 of an inch.

c. The American Sparrow Owl is another species, whose
occurrence in Massachusetts, even as a winter visitor, is
quite accidental, and about whose habits not much is appar-
ently known by modern ornithologists. I have never seen
one alive, and I shall therefore quote the brief biography of
Audubon, who in his turn is obliged to quote from Richard-
son.

" I procured a fine male of this species at Bangor, in Maine,
on the Penobscot, in the beginning of September, 1832 ; but
am unacquainted with its habits, never having seen another
individual alive. Mr. To^vnsend informs me that he found
it on the Malade River Mountains, where it was so tame and
unsuspicious, that Mr. Nuttall was enabled to approach
within a few feet of it, as it sat upon the bushes. Dr. RiCH-
AEDSON gives the following notice respecting it in the •• Fauna
Boreali- Americana ' : — ' When it actually wanders abroad in
the day, it is so much dazzled by the light of the sun as to be-
come stupid, and it may then be easily caught by the hand.
Its cry in the night is a single melancholy note, repeated at
intervals of a minute or two. Mr. Hutchins informs us that
it builds a nest of grass half way up a pine tree, and lays
two white eggs in the month of May. It feeds on mice and
beetles. I cannot state the extent of its range, but believe
that it inhabits all the woody country from Great Slave Lake
to the United States. On the banks of the Saskatchewan it
is so common that its voice is heard almost every night by
the traveler, wherever he selects his bivouac'

* An irreg-ular and very rare winter possibly breed in northern New Eng-
visitor to the whole of New England, land, as its eg-gs have been taken on
reported oftenest from Maine. It may the Magdalen Islands. — W. B.

348 LAND-BIRDS.

B. ACADICA. Acadian Old. Saio-icJiet OioL In Mas-
sachusetts, not common, unless in autumn.*

a. Wlien erect, about six inches high. Above, chocolate
brown ; head streaked, back spotted, and tail barred, with
white. Beneath, white, streaked (in blotches) with reddish
chocolate. (Tarsal feathers, tawny.) Eyes, encircled by
black. Bill, black. (In A, " bill, yeUow.")

b. " The eggs are generally laid in the hole of a tree, and
are four to six in number." f An egg, which I found in a pine
wood near Boston, about the first of May, evidently belonged
to this bird. It was lying on the ground (not far from a tree,
in which I had previously seen an Acadian Owl), and to it were
attached two feathers, which correspond exactly to those of
a stuffed " Saw-whet." ^The egg was cold, and slightly cracked.
It has a remarkably smooth, white shell, and measures about
1.00 X .90 of an inch.

c. The little Acadian Owls are residents throughout New
England, but near Boston, so far as I have observed, they are
very rare in summer, being most numerous in autumn. They
are apparently more social than other species, as " they have
been known to occur in small parties." I have, however, al-
ways met them singly. During the day, they remain in woods
and swamps, often ensconced in the hole of a tree, though they
sometimes perch on a bough. They may be closely approached
on a bright day, and if disturbed do not fly far. Immediately
after sunset, however, they become full of animation and cour-
age, and even venture into open lands. One would suppose it
difficult for them to find enough food, but they undoubtedly
surprise small birds at roost, easily detect the slightest move-
ment of any small quadruped in the grass, and readily pick up
such insects as sing through the night, or indeed others. They
probably do not often feed on reptiles.

d. Their extraordinary love-notes are doubly deceptive,

* A comparatively common resident during- autumn and winter, when, at

of northern Xew England, breeding irregular intervals, it is often taken in

also sparingly and locally in Massa- considerable numbers. — W. B.

ehusetts and rarely in Connecticut. In t Sets of seven eggs are not un-

most parts of southern New England, common. — W. B.
however, it is seldom seen, excepting

OWLS. 349

from their strong resemblance to the noise of a saw-mill, and
from the ventriloquism with which they are uttered. I have,
however, vainly tried to produce similar sounds through vari-
ous combinations of files and saws. The Saw-whet Owls, as
they are called on account of these notes, have also a single
low cry.

V. MEGASCOPS.

A. ASiq. Screech Owl. Mottled Oiol. lied Old. A
common summer resident, but here rare, or absent, in winter.*

a. Averaging nine inches in length. Gray, or brownish
red, paler below ; variously marked, chiefly wdth black.

h. The eggs are laid in the hollow of a tree, an apple tree
being frequently selected, in which are often placed a few
simple materials, such as leaves or dry grass. The eggs, of
which four are here laid about the middle of April, average
1.35 X 1-20 of an inch, though occasionally specimens mea-
sure 1.50 X 1-30 of an inch. They are white, and nearly
spherical.

c. The Screech Owls are probably the most well-known of
the American Owls, owing to their general abundance in the
United States, their frequent occurrence near the haunts of
man, and their peculiar tremulous notes. During the day,
they rest in the hollow of a tree, a thick evergreen, or even
the hay-loft of a barn, but from these retreats they are some-
times driven by impertinent Jays and other tormentors. They
seem dazed by the light, and sometimes, when perched on a
fence in the sunlight, as occasionally happens, they may easily
be approached and even captured. At dusk they become

* Throughout most of southern New coniferous forests of northern New

England this species is resident and England, hut it breeds at many locali-

deeidedly the commonest of our Owls, ties in the more open and cultivated

It affects rather than shims thickly parts of Maine, New Hampshire, and

settled regions, and when not too much Vermont. Mr. Minot was certainly

persecuted frequently breeds in or mistaken in thinking that it is " rare,

near towns and cities. In June, 1893, a or absent, in winter " about Boston,

nest with young was found in the Class for it is apparently more numerously

Day elm at Harvard College in the very represented there at that season than

heart of Cambridge. The Screech Owl at any other, excepting, possibly, late

is seldom or never seen in the great autumn. — W. B.

350 LAND-BIRDS.

active, often uttering tlieir cries, which may be heard at all
hours of the night until early morning, though never, so far as
I know, in the clay. They search the woods, fields, meadows,
and often the neighborhood of houses and barns, now gliding
like a shadow near the ground, or among the trees, and now
perching to call to their mates or companions. They feed upon
mice, various insects (many of which they catch upon the
wing), and occasionally small birds. They are probably bene-
ficial to the farmer, like some other Owls, who differ in this
respect from the Hawks. Our night Owls, though aided by
very keen sight, and by a flight so silent that their jDresence is
often indicated only by their shadow, undoubtedly find it
more difficult to obtain birds at roost than other creatures who
betray themselves by moving. The Screech Owls as pets ex-
hibit many of those traits, more or less characteristic of tlieir
whole family, which are less easily observed in the birds at
liberty. I shall therefore quote from the '' American Natu-
ralist " an extremely interesting article by Mr. Maynard, on
" The Mottled Owl in Confinement," from which, however, I
am reluctantly obliged to omit several passages. He says : —

"On June 15, 1867, I observed some boys around a small
Owl which was perched on a stick. On closer examination I
found that it was a young Mottled Owl (^Scojys asio Bona-
parte). It was staring about in a dazed manner and seemed
half stupefied. I easily persuaded the boys to part with it for
a trifle, and took it home. I should judge that it was about
two weeks old. ^^^ It Avas covered with a grayish down. I
put it in a large cage, and gave it some meat which it ate, but
not readily, for it seemed frightened at the sight of my hand,
and at my near approach would draw back, snapping its beak
after the manner of all Owds. It soon grew tamer, however,
and would regard me with a wise stare, as if perfectly under-
standing that I was a friend.

" In a short time it would take food from me without fear ;
I never saw it drink, although water was kept constantly near
it. Its food consisted of mice, birds, and butcher's meat, on

121 This fact renders it probable tbat this species sometimes rears a second
brood.

OWLS. 351

which it fed readily. I kejit the bird caged for about two
weeks, during which time it became quite tame, but would
not tolerate handling, always threatening me with its beak
when my hands approached it. As the wires of its cage broke
its feathers when moving about, and as it hardly seemed re-
signed to confinement, I opened its cage and gave it the free-
dom of the room, leaving the windows open night and day.
About this time I gave it the name of ' Scops,' to which in a
little while it would answer, when called, with a low rattle,
which sounded like the distant note of the Kino^fisher.

" When a bird is given it for food, it takes it in its claws,
and with its beak invariably pulls out the wing and tail feath-
ers first, then eats the head, then devours the intestines ;
then, if not satisfied, it eats the remainder of the bird, feath-
ers and all.

'' That this Owl sees tolerably well in the day-time I have
proved to my satisfaction. I caught a mouse and put it alive
into an open box about two feet square. This I placed upon
a bench near Scops, who was attentively watching my move-
ments ; the moment it saw the mouse, the Owl opened its eyes
wide, bent forward, moved its head from side to side, then
came down with an unerring .aim, burying its talons deep in
the head and back of the mouse. Looking up into my face,
and uttering its rattling note, as if inquiring, ' Is n't that
well done ? ' it flew back to its perch with its struggling prey
grasped firmly in its talons, wdiere it killed the mouse by
biting it in the head and back. During the whole act it dis-
played considerable energy and excitement.

" Scops will, in taking birds from my hand, almost always
look up in my face and utter its subdued rattle. In sleeping,
it usually stands on one foot, both eyes shut, but sometimes
stretches out at full length, resting on its breast. When
sound asleep it awakes instantly on its name being pronounced,
and will answer as quickly as w^hen awake. I have heard it
utter its peculiar quavering note on one or two occasions,
which, notwithstanding its reputed mournfulness, has much

352 LAND-BIRDS.

that sounds pleasant to my ears. When moving along a
plane surface, Scops progresses, with a half walk, half hop,
which is certainly not the most graceful gait possible.

" When out at night among the trees Scops acts in much
the same manner as when in the house, hoj^ping from limb to
limb, looking about with a quick, graceful motion of the head,
sometimes turning the head around so that the face comes
directly behind.

" When it returns to the house in the morning, daylight is
often long passed, and even sunrise. The alarm note is a kind
of low moan ; this was often uttered at the sight of a tamed
gray squirrel (but with which it has now become better ac-
quainted), and always at the sight of its old enemy, the dog.

" While flying. Scops moves through the air with a quick,
steady motion, alighting on any object without missing a foot-
hold. I never heard it utter a note when thus moving.
When perching, it does not grasp with its claws, but holds
them at some distance from the wood, clasjDing with the soles
of the toes. When it has eaten enough of a bird, it hides
the remaining portions in any convenient place near by. . . .

" Sometimes in the day-time it will take a sudden start, flit-
ting about the room like a spectre, alighting on different ob-
jects to peer about, which it does by moving sidewaj^s, turning
the head in various directions, and going through many
curious movements; but it always returns to its perch and
settles down quietly.

" I once placed a stuffed Owl of its own species near it,
when it ruffled its feathers, gave a series of hisses, moans,
and snappings of the beak, and stretched out one wing at full
length in front of its head as a shield to repulse what it took
to be a stranger invading its own domains. As the stuffed
bird was pushed nearer. Scops budged not an inch, but looked
fiercer than ever ; its ruffled back-feathers were erected high,
its eyes sparkled, and its whole attitude was one of war.

" Some time since, the building in which my pet was kept
was torn down, and the bird was absent for two weeks ; but
a new building has been erected near the site of the old one,
and to-day I found Scops in the new cellar, sitting on a pro-

OWLS. 353

jecting stone of tlie wall, as much at home as in the old place.
From this it can be seen that its affection for locality is very
strong. Notwithstanding Scops's long absence, it is as tame
as ever, taking its food from my hand, and behaving in the
old manner." . . .

d. The ordinary note of the Screech Owl is a tremulous,
continued hooting, repeated at short intervals. Wilson has
likened this to the " shivering moanings of a half frozen
puppy " ; it resembles somewhat the distant baying of a fox-
hound, though not so deep. In spring, it is varied to what is
more like an unearthly laugh, and it is not surprising that by
the superstitious this cry should be considered ill-boding ; yet
there is almost a fascination in listening to it.

VI. BUBO.

A. viRGiNiANUS. Great Horned OwL In Massachusetts,
a resident throughout the year.*

a. Extreme length, twenty-seven inches. Plumage, vari-
able ; but large ear-tufts and white throat-patch constant. A
fine specimen before me is marked with dark brown, whitish,
and tawny. Above, finely variegated; tail, primaries, etc.,
distinctly barred. Beneath, more or less finely barred ; under
tail-coverts, pale, with a few waves of dark brown.

b. The Great Horned Owls are said sometimes to lay their
eggs in the hollow of a tree, or even in the fissure of a rock.
Usually, however, they build a large nest of sticks, at some
height above the ground, next to the trunk of a pine or occa-
sionally of a hemlock. For this purpose, they choose some
dark and unfrequented wood, where in March, or even Feb-
ruary, they lay their eggs, three or four in number. These
measure 2.25 X 1.90 of an inch, or more, and are white, or
sometimes yellowish.

c. The Great Horned Owls are the most spirited and de-

* Although nowhere very iiiimerous, Hampshire. Like all of our New
the Great Horned Owl breeds every- England Owls, it is to some extent
where in New England where there are migratory, for at times, in late autumn,
extensive woods of large trees. It well-marked flights are noted in east-
is commonest about the lakes and ern Massachusetts and elsewhere. —
streams of northern Maine and New W. B.

354 LAND-BIRDS.

structive of their tribe in North America, in many parts of
which, including New England, they are not uncommon.
They are resident in Massachusetts throughout the year.
They frequent the thick woods, from which they roam at
night over the open country and visit the farm-yard. They
usually roost among some clump of evergreens during the day,
and occasionally may be closely approached before they take to
flight. But on cloudy days, they see well, and, exceptionally,
even hunt for their prey, which consists of rabbits, squirrels,
skunks. Partridges, poultr}^, and the like. They fly with
great strength and ease, often sailing, even in circles, like the
Buzzards. Apparently they inhabit the same neighborhood
throughout the year, but lead a solitary life during a larger
part of it.

Nothing can more gratify a romantic imagination than
musings on the life of this Owl. Imagine the scenes that
characterize his existence. Fancy him perched on some tree :
a silent watcher, he survey- s the country shrouded in darkness
or fantastically lit by the moon, listens to the sighing of the
breeze through the pines, and marks the waving of the mys-
terious shadows ; then, spreading his wings, he sails away
with the silence of a spirit, ready to pounce upon his unsus-
pecting prey, and alights in some still more romantic spot,
perhaps by a lonely river in the forest; now, he wanders
through a war of elements which man shrinks from, through
darkness, cold, and falling snow, or goes abroad in a gloom
impenetrable except to him and his fellow-wanderers, in furi-
ous winds, and in down-pouring rain ; at last, he pounces upon
some poor animal, and, tearing him piece-meal, begins his noc-
turnal repast. Next, he startles some traveler by his unearthly
cries, perhaps united to the quavering note of the Loon.

What scenes he may have beheld, an unknown witness ;
what deeds of darkness he might disclose I But all this he en-
joys. His savageness and wildness of disposition are evident.
No other word than " devilish " can describe the Great Horned
Owl in confinement. Approach him in some corner, remark
his unconquerable spirit, observe his glaring eyes, as he slowly
opens and shuts them, and listen to his hisses. Approach

OWLS. 355

him with a light, see him contract the pupils of his eyes, and
then, as you retreat, expand them until they seem like glow-
ing orbs of fire. Ajjproach him with food, and observe the
eager ferocity with which he swallows it, — when possible,
doing so at a single gidp. Approach him again, attempt to
soothe him, and you cannot hesitate to pronounce him an
irreclaimable savage.

d. His cries are all unearthly. Sometimes he utters a
horrid scream, sometimes notes w^hich suggest the strangida-
tion of some unhappy person in the woods, and at other times
his loud hooting, hoo-hoo-hoo-hoo. Being, it is said, attracted
by camp-fires, like other species, he often amuses the traveler
with these agreeable and soothing sounds. In short, no bird
has a character less pleasant to contemplate than the Great
Horned Owl.

In the space left by a change in the text, it may not be
amiss to give an amusing instance of the fictions credited by
some old writers. Charlevoix, says Wilson, wrote that cer-
tain Owls caught mice for their winter's store, and, confining
them, fattened them on grain.

yil. NYCTEA.

A. NYCTEA. Snoioy Oid. In Massachusetts, not uncom-
mon in winter near the sea.*

* The Snowy Owl has been eharac- spring- migrant along the coast, a few

terized by most writers as a "winter remaining- through the winter." This,

visitant "to New Eng-lancl. This state- however, must be still further quali-

ment, although certainly true as far as fied by the adjective "irregular," for

it goes, is not sufficiently exact, for by during- some years no Snowy Owls are

far the g-reater number of the birds reported from any part of New Eng--

that enter northern New England in land, while in others only a very few

late September and early October pass are seen. Indeed, they do not occur

to the southward of Boston before the in really large numbers oftener than

end of November, returning (that is, once in every four or five years. The

such of them as have escaped the g-reatest flight on record took place in

eager pursuit of g-unners and taxi- the autumn of 187G, when most of the

dermists) in March and early April, leading New England taxidermists se-

Hence, with respect, at least, to the cured from fifty to one hundred and

region north of Cape Cod, it would be fifty birds each. The Snowy Owl is

more correct to term the bird " a com- occasionally taken inland. — W. B.
mon autumn and not uncommon early

356 LAND-BIRDS.

a. About two feet long. Snowy white ; more or less
marked with brown or blackisli.

6. The eggs are laid on the ground in arctic countries.
They are white, and nearly or quite ^\ inches long.

c. The Snow}^ Owls, as their very thick and white plumage
suggests, are arctic birds, though in winter * they wander
southward in considerable numbers, being then more common
in Massachusetts than any other species of this family with so
high a range. It is said that, though rare in the interior, they
are of not unfrequent occurrence along the coast, since they
feed much upon fish, which they often catch for themselves.
They have several times been captured on the islands of Bos-
ton Harbor, and I am quite confident of having seen one fly
over the city. They may also be met with further inland,
where they feed upon quadrupeds and birds. They hunt
chiefly during the day, or just after sunset, and, instead of
pouncing upon other birds, often pursue them on wing, thus
resembling the Hawks. As they feed upon Grouse (or even, it
is said, upon Ducks and Pigeons), they evidently possess great
speed. Owing to their size and handsome plumage, they are
striking objects in winter scenery, though often rendered in-
conspicuous by their likeness to the snow and ice. Though
spirited, they exhibit much less ferocity than the Great
Horned Owls, and are said to be more tractable as pets.

d. Wilson says of this species that " its voice is so dismal
that, as Pennant observes, it adds horror even to the regions
of Greenland by its hideous cries, resembling those of a man
in deep distress." The same author, in describing the method
of fishing pursued by this Owl, says : " Unlike most of his
tribe he hunts by day as well as by twilight, and is partic-
ularly fond of frequenting the shores and banks of shallow
rivers, over the surface of which he slowly sails, or sits on a
rock a little raised above the water watching for fish. These
he seizes with a sudden and instantaneous stroke of the foot,
seldom missing his aim."

OWLS. 357

VIII. SURNIA.

A. ULULA CAPAROCH. American IlaicJc Owl. Day
Old. A winter visitant to Massachusetts of rare occur-
rence.*

a. About sixteen inches long. General colors, dark brown
and white, the former predominating above. Wings, tail, and
under parts barred, but throat streaked. Face, partly bordered
by black, and narrow, approaching the Hawk type.

h. " The nest is built in trees. The eggs, six in number,
are white, and average about 1.50 X 1-25 of an inch."

c. No other families of birds present such difficulties to the
naturalist and biographer as the Hawks and Owls. Their gen-
eral scarcity and shyness, their life of solitude and retirement,
their frequent residence in inaccessible or little frequented
places, and their silence during the greater part of the year,
render it difficult to become intimate with their habits or, in
some cases, with their notes. Such is eminently the case with
the Hawk Owl, of whom apparently no adequate biography
has yet been written. I have seen it but once, and can add
little or nothing to former accounts. These birds, like several
other S23ecies, inhabit the arctic regions, not only of America
but also of the Old World. They very rarely visit Massachu-
setts, though " not imcommon in northern New England in
autumn or winter " and said to have even bred in Maine.
They are noted, not only for their physiognomy, which corre-
sponds to their mode of life, but for their habit of hunting dur-
ing the day like a Hawk. It is probable, however, that they
see well at niaht, as the one which I observed was active at
dusk. His flight was much like that of a small Hawk, and
seemed less absolutely noiseless than that of other Owls. Mr.
Dall, as quoted by Dr. Brewer, says of this species that " it is
very fond of flying, towards dusk, from the top of one small
spruce to another, apparently swinging or balancing itself,
calling to its mate at intervals, while chasing or being chased

* An irregular winter visitor, not vals — perhaps on the average once in

positively known to breed in any part every four or five years — our taxider-

of New England. In Massachusetts mists receive a good many specimens

and to the southward it is of very rare from Maine and New Hampshire. —

occurrence, but at greater or less inter- W. B.

358 LAND-BIRDS.

by it." Dr. Richardson says: "When the hunters are shoot-
ing Grous [^/c], this bird is occasionally attracted by the re-
port of the gun, and is often bold enough, on a bird being
killed, to pounce down upon it, though it may be unable from
its size to carry it off. It is also known to hover round the
fires made by the natives at night."

d. " Its note is said to be a shrill cry." . . . (Dr.
Brewer.)

IX. SPEOTYTO.

A. CUNICULARIA HYPOG^A. Burrowing Oiol. Prairie
Owl. One shot in Massachusetts, at Newburyport, May 4,
1875.122*

a. " Above, grayish brown, with white, black-edged spots ;
below, tawny whitish, variegated with reddish brown, chiefly
disposed in bars ; face and throat, whitish ; crissum and legs,
mostly unmarked ; quills, with numerous paired tawny white
spots, and tail-feathers barred with the same ; bill, grayish
yellow ; claws, black ; 9-10 long. . . . Prairies and other open
portions of the United States west of the MississijDpi, abun-
dant ; lives in holes in the ground, in prairie-dog towns, and the
settlements of other burrowing animals, using their deserted
holes for its nesting place. There is certainly but one species
in this country ; it is a mere variety of the S. American bird."
(Cones.)

h. The eggs are described by Dr. Brewer as white, and as
averaging about 1.35 X 1.15 of an inch.

c. The peculiar Burrowing Owls habitually occupy the
prairies and open lands to the westward of the Mississippi
River, and there is but a solitary instance of their appearance
in New England. They were formerly supposed to live habi-
tually as members of a " happy family," in the immediate com-
pany and dwellings of both rattlesnakes and j^rairie dogs, but
such a state of things has been shown to be fabulous. From the
accounts furnished by Say to Bonaparte, the following facts

1-^ The authority for this statement preserved in the mounted (North Araer-

is Mr. R. Deane. iean) collection of the Museum of Com-

* This still remains the only known parative Zoology at Cambridge. —

New England specimen. The bird is \Y. B.

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 359

may be gathered. The Burrowing Owls frequently occupy
the villages of the marmots, whose deserted holes they use,
instead of digging others for themselves. They are abroad
during the day, and apparently feed, chiefly on insects. " They
manifest but little timidity, and allow themselves to be ap-
proached sufficiently close for shooting ; but if alarmed, some or
all of them soar away, and settle down again at a short distance ;
if further disturbed, their flight is continued until they are no
longer in view, or they descend into their dwellings, whence
they are difficult to dislodge."

d. "The note of our bird is strikingly similar to the
cry of the marmot, which sounds like cAeA, cheli^ pronounced
several times in rapid succession ; . . . this cry is only uttered
as the bird begins its flight."

§ 27. The FALCONID^ are the typical Raptores, charac-
terized by not having the ear-tufts, forward-looking eyes, and
concealed nostrils of the Owls, or the naked head, elevated hind
toe, and slightly w^ebbed front toes of our Vultures ( Cathar-
tidce^ § 28). " The eyes, as a rule (but not always), are sunken
beneath a projecting superciliary shelf, conferring a decided
and threatening gaze." The tarsus is either naked or feath-
ered, but the feathers above it are long and flowing (with
certain exceptions, as in the Fish-hawks).

The Hawks and Eagles are essentially diurnal birds of prey,
not usually feeding on carrion. Some nest on cliffs, some on
the ground, and others in the hollows of trees ; but most of
them build nests in trees, chiefly of sticks. The eggs of each
set are from two to six, and are laid early in the season.
They are rarely subspherical like Owls' eggs, but are for the
most part whitish, and generally blotched.

In this family there are several distinct groups.

The Harriers (Genus I). Face with a slight ruff, forming
an imperfect disk (such as belongs to the Owls). Flight
usually low, somewhat irregular, but not rapid. Nest built
on the ground. Our species is characterized by white upper
tail-coverts.

The Falcons (II). Upper mandible with a distinct pointed

360 LAND-BIRDS.

tooth behind the notch.^^^ Highly raptorial birds of medium
size. Flight in some respects inferior to that of

The True Hawks (III, IV). Tarsi not scuteUate behind,
or feathered to the toes, which are always webbed at the base.
Birds of comparatively slender form, with a rapid, protracted
flight, occasionally interrupted by straight sailing, even at
short intervals. They capture smaller birds with rapidity
and energy.

The Buzzards, including the Eagles (Y, VI, VII, VIII).
Without the characteristics of the other groups. (In VI,
VII, tarsus feathered to the toes.) Heavy and robust birds,
with a beautiful and often sublime flight. They frequently
sail upwards or forwards without moving the wings, generally
doing so in circles. They usually pounce upon their prey
from above, and often perch long to watch for it.

The Fish Hawks (IX). " Plumage lacking aftershafts,"
and oily. Feet very large. See IX.

I. CIRCUS.

A, HUDSONius. Marsh Haiok. American Harrier. A
common summer resident throughout New England.*

a. Upper tail-coverts, ivhite. Mature (J , extreme length
about eighteen inches. Above, bluish gray, becoming white
beneath ; often marked with brown. Wings tipped ivith
black, 5 , extreme length about twenty inches. Upper parts,
and streaks beneath, dark brown. Markings above, under
parts, and bands on the tail, soft reddish rusty.

h. The nest, composed of grasses or occasionally sticks, is
built, unlike those of all our other Hawks, upon the ground,
usually in a meadow, or other wet place. The eggs, of which
in Massachusetts four are laid about the tenth of May, aver-
age 1.80 X 1-35 of an inch, and are white, often tinged with
blue, and often marked with brown.

c. The Marsh Hawks are among the least ambitious of

123 The birds of this genus have been land, but at most places seen more

distributed into several subgenera not numerously during the migrations, in

here presented. See PI. 1, fig. 27. early spring and late autumn, than in

* A rather common summer resident the breeding-season. — W. B.
of practically the whole of New Eng-

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 361

their family, for the most part remaining near the ground,
contenting themselves with such humble prey as mice, snakes,
or frogs. They may usually be seen flying low over meadows
and fields, or wandering about the shores of some pond ; but
they also visit farms, and even molest poultry. Sometimes
they beat about for their game ; at other times they perch
upon some fence to digest their last meal or to watch for an-
other. They generally fly irregularly and leisurely, with in-
termittent sailing, up or down, to the right or left. But occa-
sionally they mount higher, and sail about with ease ; in au-
tumn, when following the migrations of smaller birds, they
even pursue these on wing, and often with success. Custom-
arily, however, they drop upon their prey on the ground, and,
after hurriedly poising, fall with a very certain aim, immedi-
ately rising, should they fail, but, if successful, feeding upon
the spot. Their motions are characterized by ease and light-
ness, but their wings seem too long for rapid motion. The
Marsh Hawks generally leave New England in autumn, and
return in April. In summer they are among the commonest
of our Hawks.

d. Their love-note is an indescribable scream, which is not,
however, wholly characteristic, though distinct from any
scream of the Buzzards. Their winter notes, says Audubon,
" are sharp, and sound like the syllables pee^ ^jee, pee^ the first
slightly pronounced, the last louder, much prolonged, and
ending plaintively."

11. FALCO.

A, RUSTICOLUS GYRFALCO.* Gyrfalcoii, Gerfalcon, {Jer-
falcon.^ In Massachusetts, an extremely rare winter visitor, f

a. About twenty-four inches long. Everywhere white,
much marked with dark brown or black. Of several races,
variety islandicus is said to be the only one which occurs in
New England. In this form, white is especially predominant
on the head.

* Given as IP. gyrfalco in the origi- tumn and winter visitor, chiefly to
nal edition. — W. B. northern New England. — W. B.

t An ii-regular and rather rare au-

362 LAND-BIRDS.

h. The eggs are said to measure about 2.40 X l.TO of an
inch, and to be much less darkly marked than those of the
Duck Hawk. The nests are built on cliffs.

c. Audubon describes as follows their habits in Labrador : *
" Their flight resembled that of the Peregrine Falcon, but was
more elevated, majestic, and rapid. They rarely sailed when
traveling to and fro, but used a constant beat of their wings.
When over the Puffins, and high in the air, they would hover
almost motionless, as if watching the proper moment to close
their pinions, and when that arrived, they would descend
almost perpendicularly on their unsuspecting victims.

" Their cries also resembled those of the Peregrine Falcon,
being loud, shrill, and piercing. Now and then they would
alight on some of the high stakes placed on the shore as bea-
cons to the fishermen who visit the coast, and stand for a few
minutes, not erect like most other Hawks, but in the position
of a Lestris or Tern, after which they would resume their avo-
cations, and pounce upon a Puffin, which they generally did
while the poor bird was standing on the ground at the very
entrance of its burrow, apparently quite unaware of the ap-
proach of its powerfid enemy. The Puffin appeared to form
no impediment to the flight of the Hawk, which merely shook
itself after rising in the air, as if to arrange its plumage, as
the Fish Hawk does wdien it has emerged from the water with
a fish in its talons."

To this account I can add nothing, having never seen these
birds, who are of accidental occurrence so far to the southward
as Boston. I may here express my regrets at having had no
opportunities of extending my researches to Labrador, from
which a wealth of knowledge is undoubtedly to be obtained.
Indeed, " an author should devote himself to travel and to one
study," as has been said by a predecessor.

B. PEREGRINUS ANATUM. American Peregrine Falcon.
Duel' Haich. Great-footed Hatch. Very rare in Massachu-

* This quotation really relates to Labrador and occurs most frequently
the Black Gyrfalcon {Faico rusticolus in New England. (See Appendix.) —
obsoletus), the form which breeds in W. B.

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 363

setts, though known to have bred on Mount Tom, near Spring-
field.*

a. About eighteen inches long. Above, dark ash (brown-
ish or bluish, according to age), "waved" with a paler shade.
Tail, banded. Beneath, white or buffy ; breast spotted, and
sides barred, with black. Forehead, whitish ; cheeJcs^ black.

h. The nest, if any, is built on a cliff, in some spot not
easily accessible. A set of four eggs, found in this State, was
laid in the early part of April. The Duck Hawk's eggs aver-
age about 2.20 X l.TO of an inch, and are creamy, buff, red-
dish, or even brick-red, blotched and clouded with (several
shades of) dark brown, often of a reddish tinge. A specimen
in my collection presents a form or appearance^ frequently ob-
servable in other eggs, that of having had the upper and darker
markings removed.

c. The spirited Duck Hawks (the American representa-
tives of the famous Peregrine Game-falcons) belong to the
highest nobility of their tribe, rarely descending from the dig-
nity of open warfare, and pursuing birds on the wing with
unsurpassed courage, speed, and skill. They are known to
breed in several isolated parts of New England, where they
are probably resident throughout the year, but in eastern Mas-
sachusetts, though they may occur along the coast in autumn
or winter, they are extremely rare. Audubon, from his devo-
tion to the pursuit of birds, was undoubtedly more familiar
with the birds of prey than any other of our writers ; and,
having had no opportunities to study the habits of the Duck
Hawk, I shall quote from him.

" The flight of this bird is of astonishing rapidit}^ It is
scarcely ever seen sailing, unless after being disappointed in
its attempt to secure the prey which it has been pursuing,

* The Duck Hawk still breeds reg-- however, it is seldom seen excepting

ularly at a few widely separated local- during the migrations in spring and

ities among the mountains of northern autumn, when it is not uncommon, es-

New England and on Mt. Tom in pecially along the coast and near our

Massachusetts, while as late at least as larger lakes and rivers. A few birds

1877 a pair nested on Talcott Moun- pass the winter in southern Xew Eng-

tain, near Hartford, Connecticut, land. — W. B.
Throughout most of New England,

364 LAND-BIRDS.

and even at such times it merely rises with a broad spiral cir-
cuit, to attain a sufficient elevation to enable it to reconnoitre
a certain space below. It then emits a cry much resembling
that of the Sparrow Hawk, but greatly louder, like that of the
European Kestrel, and flies off swiftly in quest of plunder.
The search is often performed with a flight resembling that of
the tame Pigeon, until, perceiving an object, it redoubles its
flappings and pursues the fugitive with a rapidity scarcely to
be conceived. Its turnings, windings, and cuttings through
the air are now surprising. It follows and nears the timor-
ous quarry at every turn and back-cutting which the latter
attempts. Arrived within a few feet of the prey, the Falcon
is seen protruding his powerful legs and talons to their full
stretch. His wings are for a moment almost closed ; the next
instant he grapples the prize, which, if too weighty to be car-
ried off directly, he forces obliquely toward the ground, some-
times a hundred yards from where it was seized, to kill it, and
devour it on the spot. Should this happen over a large extent
of water, the Falcon drops his prey, and sets off in quest of
another. On the contrary, should it not prove too heavy, the
exulting bird carries it off to a sequestered and secure place.
He pursues the smaller Ducks, Water-hens, and other swim-
ming birds, and if they are not quick in diving, seizes them,
and rises with them from the water. I have seen this Hawk
come at the report of a gun, and carry off a Teal not thirty
steps distant from the sportsman who had killed it, with a
daring assurance as surprising as unexpected. This conduct
has been observed by many individuals, and is a characteristic
trait of the species. The largest Duck that I have seen this
bird attack and grapj)le with on the wing is the Mallard.

" The Great-footed Hawk does not, however, content him-
self with water-fowl. He is sometimes seen following flocks
of Pigeons and even Blackbirds. For several days I watched
one of them that had taken a particular fancy to some tame
Pigeons, to secure which it went so far as to enter their house
at one of the holes, seize a bird, and issue by another hole in
an instant, causing such terror among the rest as to render
me fearful that they would abandon the place. However, I
fortunately shot the depredator.

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 365

" They occasionally feed on dead fish that have floated to
the shores or sand bars. . . .

" Whilst in quest of food, the Great-footed Hawk will fre-
quently alight on the highest dead branch of a tree in the im-
mediate neighborhood of such wet or marshy grounds as the
common Snipe resorts to by jDreference. His head is seen
moving in short starts, as if he were counting every little
space below; and while so engaged, the moment he spies
a Snipe, down he darts like an arrow, making a rustling noise
with his wings that may be heard several hundred yards off,
seizes the Snipe, and flies away to some near wood to devour
it.

" It is a cleanly bird, in respect to feeding. No sooner is
the prey dead than the Falcon turns its belly upward, and
begins to pluck it with his bill, which he does very expertly,
holding it meantime quite fast in his talons ; and as soon as
a portion is cleared of feathers, tears the flesh in large pieces,
and swallows it with great avidity. If it is a large bird, he
leaves the refuse parts, but, if small, swallows the whole in
pieces. Should he be approached by an enemy, he rises with
it and flies off to the interior of the woods, or if he happens
to be in a meadow, to some considerable distance, he being-
more wary at such times than when he has alighted on a
tree."

Audubon elsewhere adds : "I never saw one of them attack
a quadruped, although I have frequently seen them perched
within sight of squirrels, which I thought they might easily
have secured, had they been so inclined." He also says :
" Many persons believe that this Hawk, and some others,
never drink any other fluid than the blood of their victims ;
but this is an error. I have seen them alight on sand bars,
walk to the edge of them, immerse their bills nearly up to
the eyes in the water, and drink in a continued manner, as
Pigeons are known to do."

The Duck Hawks are so destructive, and so much opposed
to the interests of sportsmen, that, in spite of their admirable
spirit and strength, it is not to be regretted that they are rare
in Massachusetts.

366 LAXD-BIRDS.

C. coLUMBARius. Pifjeoii Huioh. American 3ferlin.
Not very common in Massachusetts, though known to have
bred here.*

a. About 12 inches long. Ahove^ dark ashy bhie ; in the
young (and J ), ashy brown. Forehead, tip and narrow
bands of the tail, and markings on the wing, white or whitish.
Tail, in $ , also banded with black. Beneath^ white, tinged
with buff on the breast, with reddish behind, and marked
with dark brown.

h. The eggs average 1.50 X 1.20 of an inch, but otherwise
strongly resemble those of the Duck Hawk, unless more finely
marked. James Gatley, the so-called " Hermit of Hyde
Park," obtained in that town, several years before his death,
and before the pine woods were extensively cut down, a small
and neatly constructed nest of this species, together with the
parents and young. I have another nest and five eggs, which
I found near Boston in the early part of May. The latter,
which was built in a pine about twenty feet from the ground,
is composed of sticks, together w4th dry grass, strips of cedar
bark, and a little moss. The eggs are abnormal, being buff,
slightly clouded with a darker shade.

c. The Pigeon Hawks occur in the wdnter so far to the south-
ward as Florida, but at that season are rare in Massachusetts,
much more so than in spring or fall. They vary in numbers
from year to year, but occasionally breed here, and this I can
from personal experience positively assert. They are prob-
ably more abundant as summer residents to the northward,

* A common and very regular late long- since scattered and lost, and the
spring and early autumn migrant, oc- young birds obtained by Gatley have
casionally seen in winter, also ; at least also disappeared. Hence there is now
in Massachusetts and to the southward, slight chance that Mr. Minot's state-
It may seem hypercritical to doubt ments can ever be properly verified.
Mr. Minot's explicit and very positive Several other writers have claimed —
assurances that he has found this and it is certainly by no means improb-
species nesting near Boston, but none able — that the Pigeon Hawk some-
of his birds appear to have been shot times breeds m New England, but the
and positively identified, and it is no- fact remains that no fully authenti-
toriously difficult to distinguish our cated instance of this has ever been
smaller Hawks when living and at reported. — W. B.
large. The eggs here described were

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 367

as I have observed them, though never common, to be most
numerous near Boston in fall. Occasionally they may be
seen traveling, even in pairs, moving leisurely along at some
height in the air. They do not sail so much as most of our
Hawks, but often j^erch on a tree to watch for their prey,
which they pursue with indescribable speed and skill, and
with a rapid beating of the wings. They feed principally on
birds (even attacking those of their own size), pursuing them
through thick and thin, and following every turn with sur-
prising agility, until, overtaking their victim, they thrust their
talons into its vitals, causing instant death. They generally
begin their repast upon the spot, and do not carry off their
prey. They frequent the woods rather less than the Sharp-
shinned Hawks, but more often occur in pastures with scat-
tered trees, or about open lands. Their movements and
haunts seem more or less dependent upon the progress of the
smaller birds, whose migrations they often follow. • They are
somewhat shy of man, but are said to be so bold as to carry
off chickens from the farm-yard. In summer, I have seen
them among pines, where I have known them to build their
nest.

On consulting other authors, I find the following facts,
which I have either not mentioned or never observed. Wilson
says of this species : " Sometimes when shot at, and not hurt,
he will fly in circles over the sportsman's head, shrieking out
with great violence, as if highly irritated. He frequently flies
low, skimming a little above the field."

Samuels says: "The Pigeon Hawk, in alighting on a
branch or other object, always descends below the level of it,
and rises up ; and usually turns abruptly about, and faces
the direction from which it came, as soon as it has struck its
perch. This habit is observable in many of the other Hawks.

" While perching, the tail is often flirted up and down,
and the wings are partially opened and shut in a nervous
manner, as if the bird were anxious to be off again in the
pursuit of game."

Says Dr. Wood : " This bird, when sitting on a tree, so
closely resembles a Pigeon that it will oftentimes deceive the

368 LAND-BIRDS.

most expert hunter. One of the specimens brought me was
shot for a Pigeon, and the mistake was not discovered until
the bird was picked up. It is from this striking singularity
that I suppose it derives its name."

d. The notes of the Pigeon Hawk, heard chiefly in
spring, are quite characteristic, but, nevertheless, are not
easily described. In fact, it is almost or wholly impossible
to know the cry of our Hawks, unless learned directly from
nature.

D, SPARVERius. QAmericcni) Sjyarroiv ITaick. Amer-
ican Kestrel. In New England, a summer resident, locally
distributed.*

a. About eleven inches long. Crown, ashy blue, usually
with a chestnut patch of varying size. Head, otherwise white,
with generally seven large black markings, including one on
the nape. •Tail, often surrounded by white, and broadly (sub-)
tipped with black. Primaries, etc., black, with imperfect
white bars. Otherwise : — $ , brown above, becoming chest-
nut on the tail, nearly everywhere black-barred. Beneath,
white ; breast, (often buffy or reddish, and) streaked with
black (or dark brown). $ , smaller, and with few or no
black bars or streaks. Wing-coverts, ashy blue (sometimes
spotted with black).

h. The eggs are generally deposited in the hollow of a tree,
— often of one rather isolated, — a very rare circumstance in
the case of other Hawks. The eggs, four or five in number, or
even more, are laid in Massachusetts about the middle of May.
Two, taken from my cabinet, are fair specimens. One meas-
ures 1.35 X 1.20 of an inch, and is very light brown, with
small blotches of reddish " Vandyke." The other measures
1.35 X 1.20 of an inch, is somewhat spherical, and is finely

* Althoug-h tlie Sparrow Hawk in considerable numljers. It is occa-
breeds throughout most of New Eng"- sionally seen in Massachusetts and
land, it is very unevenly distributed in Connecticut in midwinter. Near Bos-
summer, being very rare or wholly ab- ton it apparently now breeds much
sent at some localities, rather common more commonly than was the case at
at others. It occurs nearly every- the time when Mr. Minot's observa-
where during the migrations, and often tions were made. — W. B.

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 369

freckled with two shades of russet, confluently so at the two
ends. Other specimens exhibit great variation in ground
colors, but they rarely have the large and prominent markings
often seen on the eggs of the Sharp-shinned Hawk.

c. The Sparrow Hawks, though their flight is compara-
tively weak, it being rarely or never much protracted, are
none the less active and daring. Perched on some tree or
fence, and occasionally flirting the tail, they eagerly watch for
their prey, which consists of mice, small birds, and even in-
sects. Then, as if restless and dissatisfied, they leave their
post, and fly off along the roadsides, over the fields, through
the orchards, but less often among the woods than in 023en
lands. Now pausing to reconnoitre, with a quivering of the
wings, now sailing briefly but with eminent grace, they pass
on swiftly, but not in the constant hurry which characterizes
the Sharp-shinned Hawk. Sometimes they pounce upon a
field mouse, which they often carry to a tree to eat ; sometimes
their quick eye detects a poor Sparrow or Thrush, and then they
dive into some thicket or chase on wing, generally with fatal
success. Their motions are characterized by more grace, but
less speed and fury, than those of the other small Hawks.
They are, however, equally cruel and destructive, and the
smaller birds find little or no protection in thickets or trees.
They usually perch and fly not far from the ground, and
never, so far as I have observed, mount to a great height.
Several anecdotes serve to show that they are very scrupu-
lous about their food, and do not like tainted flesh. They are
the least shy of our Hawks, and often exhibit a surprising de-
gree of familiarity toward men. They are also rather social,
and not uncommonly occur in family parties or pairs.

The Sparrow Hawks are distributed through New England
rather locally, but apparently are nowhere common. They
are especially rare in eastern Massachusetts, so far as I have
observed in confirmation of others, and, having never seen
them in winter, I suppose them undoubtedly to be migratory.
Mr. Maynard, however, considers them, though rare in winter,
resident throughout the year. In Florida they are " abun-
dant," remaining there at all seasons, though known to occur

370 LAND-BIRDS.

in high latitudes as summer residents. They seem to have a
marked fondness for home, and return to the same nesting-
place, even several years, it is said, in succession. Wilson
mentions a frequent circumstance in their life, which I have
never observed, and says : " The Blue Jays have a particular
antipathy to this bird, and frequently insult it by following
and imitating its notes so exactly as to deceive even those well
acquainted with both. In return for all this abuse the Hawk
contents himself with, now and then, feasting on the plumpest
of his persecutors ; who are therefore in perpetual dread of
him ; and yet thro some strange infatuation, or from fear that
if they lose sight of him he may attack them unawares, the
Sparrow Hawk no sooner appears than the alarm is given, and
the whole posse of Jays follow."

d. The notes of this species are loud and rather shrill, but
cannot be defined. It may be useful, however, for some per-
son familiar with British birds, to know that they were thought
by Audubon to resemble strongly those of the European Kes-
trel.

m. ACCIPITER.

A. VELOX. Sharjj-shinned Hawk, " Pigeon Hawh^
A common summer resident in many parts of New Eng-
land.*

a. About twelve inches long. Above, dark brown (becom-
ing ashier with age), with a few white spots, chiefly on the
hind-head and wings. Tail, lighter, with a few dark bands
(which are more distinct than those of the wings), and tipped
with pale brown or whitish. Beneath, white ; breast, closely
barred with light rufous brown, and throat penciled, but under
tail-coverts often unmarked. The shafts of the wing and tail
have a faint reddish gloss, as have also the basal portion of
the webs.

5. The nest is usually built in a pine, from twenty to forty
feet above the ground. It is composed chiefly of sticks and

* Found throughout New Eng'land still less numerously yet very regularly

very coramonly and generally during in winter — at least in eastern Massa-

the migrations, sparingly and some- ehusetts. — W. B.
what locally in the breeding-season,

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 371

twigs, placed in a fork or crotch next to the trunk. Near Bos-
ton, the eggs, about four in number, are laid in the second week
of May. They measure 1.50 X 1-25 of an inch or less, and
are white (tinged with blue or green), sometimes unmarked,
but more often with a few large and prominent markings of
dark brown, chiefly near the crown.

c. The Sharp-shinned Hawks are common summer resi-
dents throughout New England, but near Boston, so far as I
have observed, are extremely rare in winter, though I once
saw one boldly perched on the shafts of a wagon in a shed.
Though naturally shy, they are impudent, and, trusting to the
rapidity of their flight, often commit some daring robbery be-
fore the eyes of the farmer. They frequent the woods much
more than the Sparrow Hawk, and lie in wait there for a
passer-by. Should a Robin make his appearance, they give
chase, and though he fly never so quickly, they soon overtake
him. Sometimes, as they pass through the woods, they perceive
some bird feeding on the ground, whom they seize and bear off
almost before the traveler can understand what has happened.
So great is their eagerness and daring that their victims can
hardly find any refuge from their fury. Nuttall says in illus-
tration of their impetuous violence that " descending furiously
and blindly upon its quarry, a young Hawk of this species
broke through the glass of the greenhouse at the Cambridge
Botanic Garden, and fearlessly passing through a second glass
partition, he was only brought up by the third, and caught,
though little stunned by the effort. His wing-feathers were
much torn by the glass, and his flight in this way so impeded
as to allow of his being approached." The Sharp-shinned
Hawk characterizes all his movements with the same speed
and continual apparent haste, the same restlessness and
impetuosity. He often flies far, and even at a great
height, but much less often straight forward or with a
regular beat of the wings than the Pigeon Hawk. When
flying to a distance, his flappings are quick but somewhat
irregidar, but, when hunting, he moves nervously, now high,
now low, now to the right, now to the left, rarely having
the patience to sail protractedly. On following his prey, he

372 LAND-BIRDS.

does so as if attracted by an irresistible magnet, his movements
being instantly simultaneous with those of his quarry. He
generally carries off his food, and eats it in a tree. But his
prowess in comj^arison with his size is astonishing, and he
often pounces upon birds much larger or heavier than himself.
I have seen him fall upon Pigeon Woodjjeckers, and upon
plump Quail. In such cases, he feeds upon the ground, but
it is useless to rescue his victims, as they are almost invariably
found to be dead or past all recovery. These Hawks are said
by Audubon to act often in concert, but they usually hunt
singly. I have seen the Goldfinches escape from them by
mounting above them, even until almost lost to sight ; but
most birds, terrified by the fury of the onslaught, instinctively
dive into thickets or trees, which unfortunately afford them but
little protection. Whatever feelings of anger and indefinite
longings for revenge may be excited by the Sharp-shinned
Hawks, one cannot but admire their intrepidity and spirit.
Though they feed partly upon insects, yet they must be consid-
ered eminently destructive, and be ranked among the auda-
cious marauders who unhesitatingly plunder the farm. It is
common to find traces of their murders in carefully picked
bones or scattered feathers, along the wood-paths where they
have secured some prize.

d. Their notes are loud and shrill, but are not often heard
except in spring.

B. COOPERII. Cooper s Hawh. " Chicken Hawh^ In
New England, a summer resident.*

a. About eighteen inches long. Tail slightly rounded.
" Neck often marked with rufous." f Otherwise like the
Sharp-shinned Hawk (^).

* Throughout most of southern New t These supposed differences are not

Eng-land this species is — with the pos- constant. When in fully mature plu-

sible exception of Buteo lineatus — our mage, however, Cooper's Hawk has the

commonest breeding Hawk. It also crown decidedly darker than the back,

occurs in winter, but less often than whereas in the Sharp-shinned Hawk

A. velox. To the northward of Massa- the crown and back are nearly or quite

chusetts it is, in most j^laces, a rather uniform in color. — W. B.
rare summer resident. — W. B.

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 373

h. The nest lias a strong outward resemblance to that of
the Crow, and sometimes an imperfect resemblance through-
out. It is composed chiefly of sticks, which are neatly laid to-
gether near the top of a pine, a rather slender tree being not
unfrequently chosen. It is placed either in the topmost
crotch, or more often at the junction of two branches with the
trunk, from forty to sixty feet above the ground. Such are
the nests observed near Boston, where the eggs are laid in the
first week of May. Of these, the usual set of three or four
average about 1.90 X 1.50 of an inch, and are white, tinged
with blue (sometimes deeply), either unmarked, or with a few
brown blotches.

c. The Cooper's Hawks are common summer residents in
all the States of New England, but in many places are much
less numerous than other species. Their general habits and
manners are essentially the same as those of the Sharp-shinned
Hawks, but they have much less " dash," and are not so bold.
They are easily distinguished by their size. They may usu-
ally be seen flying just above the trees with a flapping of the
wings, then a straight and rather measured sail, — for they
rarely move in circles. They feed upon rabbits, squirrels,
water-fowl, and other birds, but not often on the smaller kinds,
as I have seen these near them, or about their nests, disre-
garded. They may be seen to pursue flocks of wild Pigeons
or other migrants with a beat of the wings as rapid as that of
their victims, and, seizing one, to bear it to some grove. Some-
times, in passing through the woods, they suddenly pounce
upon the Ruffed Grouse, for they do not hesitate to grapple
with creatures much larger than themselves. At other times,
they mark a Robin, and follow it wherever it goes, dashing be-
tween branches, through trees, and over the fields, rarely being
disappointed in the end. If possible, they carry their prey to
the woods, and I am inclined to think that during a continued
residence in one place, they often resort to the same tree. They
are well known to the farmers as " Chicken" Hawks.

d. Their cries suggest the exclamation of an alarmed Hen,
and consist of several successive notes, which Audubon con-
sidered similar to those of the Pigeon Hawk.

374 LAND-BIRDS.

IV. ASTUR.*

A. ATRiCAPiLLUS. American Goshmok. " Partridge
Hawh.''^ In Massacliusetts, a resident tkrougliout the year,
but very rare in the breeding season and summer.f

a. 20-24 inches long. Above, ashy or slate, becoming
blackish on the head. Tail with dark bands and a white tip.
Superciliary line and under parts, white ; the latter waved or
barred, and finely streaked, with ashy brown or slate.

h. The nest is usually built of sticks, etc., in a tall tree.
The eggs measure about 2.25 Xl-75 of an inch, or more, and
are white, strongly tinged with blue or green, and sometimes
marked with brown.

c. The handsome Goshawks are constant residents in
northern New England, and also in Massachusetts, where,
however, they are so extremely rare in summer that I have
found but one nest, J and have seen only two pairs. In winter,
they are seldom common near Boston, though their numbers
vary from year to year. They are very spirited and destruc-
tive, feeding principally upon rabbits, squirrels, Pigeons,
Grouse, and Ducks. They are also very active, perching and
sailing comparatively little. They move, often at a consider-
able height, with a regular beating of the wings, which is re-
doubled, should they give chase to a flock of birds, when they
move with a speed unsurpassed by that of any other Hawk. I
have seen one press into a company of Pine Grosbeaks and
seize one in each foot. On perceiving a single bird of tempt-
ing size, they sometimes secure it by diving from above, when,
without a moment's pause, they carry it to a perch. In the
woods they fly rather low, ready to drop upon their prey, but
so rapidly that one might imagine that their sight would be

* Now regarded as a subgenus of numbers. I have yet to see a speci-

Accipiter. — W. B. men taken in the breeding-season in

t The American Goshawk is regu- any part of southern New England,

larly not uncommon in autumn and — W. B.

winter in northern New England, | Mr. Minot's omission of the evi-

where it breeds, also, at least occasion- dence on which the identification of

ally. Ordinarily it is a rather rare this nest was based will of necessity

bird in southern New England, but at cause all careful compilers to reject

long and irregular intervals it visits the record. — W. B.
eastern Massachusetts in considerable

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 375

blurred. I have been surprised to observe how easily, when
guiding themselves among the trees, they detect the presence
of a Partridge or squirrel. They are not, however, capable of
constant activity, and occasionally, gracefully sailing up to
some perch, they watch for their prey, sometimes doing so in
open land. They stand with an erectness observable in other
Hawks, and are spirited even when at rest.

d. For a greater part of the 3^ear they live singly and
silently, but in spring I have heard them utter loud screams.

V. BUTEO.

A. BOREALis. Red-tailed Hawk (or Buzzard). {East-
ern) " Red-tail. " " Hen Haioh.''^ In Massachusetts, a resi-
dent throughout the year, but less common than the next
species.*

a. Extreme length, nearly tw^o feet. Above, dark brown,
marked with fulvous (chiefly on the head), and with white
(chiefly behind). Tail^ chestnut-red^ tipped with white, and
sub-tipped with black, but beneath of a uniform silvery gray.
Under parts, white (or tinged), marked with a varying shade
of brown, which generally forms an interrupted band across
the lower breast. A fine ijnmature specimen, now before me,
is more than two feet in length. Above, dark umber, more
or less interrupted by white, chiefly on the tail-coverts. Be-
neath, white ; sides blotched with umber brown, forniing a
darh zone across the lower breast. Feathers of the thigh
spotted or imperfectly barred with a lighter shade. Tail,
medium brown (often tinged with gray, but here with chest-
nut), barred with blackish, tipped with whitish; beneath,
light gray, and faintly barred.

b. The nest does not differ from that of the Red-shouldered
Hawk, unless in being sometimes less well lined, occasionally
rather less accessible, and more often built in dry woods.
For a description of the eggs, see B, b.

* The Red-tailed Hawk breeds spar- tions, when it is sometimes very numer-

ingly and somewhat locally through- ous. It occurs commonly in winter,

out New England, but at most places also, in Massachusetts and to the

it is oftenest seen during the migra- southward. — W. B.

376 LAND-BIRDS.

c. The Red-tailed Buzzards are the most majestic of our
Hawks, though surpassed by many in activity and speed.
They are in southern New England resident throughout the
year, but are said to occur to the northward only during the
summer season. Except in winter, they are much less com-
mon than the Red-shouldered Hawk, whose habits are so very
similar that I shall abbreviate this biography, and refer my
readers to the next. They sometimes sail even a mile without
moving the wings, or mount in circles till nearly lost to sight,
but they are ordinarily dependent upon the impetus given by
occasional flappings. They feed upon large birds, rabbits,
squirrels, snakes, frogs, etc., and not unfrequently fall upon
their prey from an elevation of several hundred feet. They
also often perch upon some tree, as in a meadow, and watch for
movements in the grass. They are somewhat shy and difficult
to approach, but they are bold enough to carry off poultry,
and I have been told of one actually caught in a hen-house.

d. I can perceive no essential difference between their
cries and those of the next species.

B. LiNEATUS. Med-shouldered Hawh (or Buzzard^,
" Hen Hawhy In Massachusetts, a common resident through-
out the year.*

a. Much less stout than the " Red-tail," and less in aver-
age size, the female being rarely or never more than twenty-
three inches long. The coloration is variable, but the follow-
ing description of a fine mature specimen will answer for
others. Above, dark brown. Head, streaked with rusty and
white ; back and rump, marked with the same colors. Tail,
and quill-feathers, black ; the former tipped, and both barred,
with white. Shoulders^ rich rufous or pheasant brown.
Beneath, white. Breast, etc., streaked, chiefly with fulvous,

* At most localities in Connecticut, throiig-hout the great coniferous for-

Rhocle Island, and eastern Massaehu- ests of northern New England, it is

setts this species is more numerously very seldom seen. It regularly passes

represented during the breeding-season the winter in southern New England,

than any other of our Hawks except- but is nearly everywhere less common,

ing^lcc«/)<7ercoo/;er»'; but in the wilder at that season, than the Red-tailed

and more elevated parts of central Hawk. — W. B.
and western Massachusetts, as well as

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 377

with which the belly, etc., is tinged and finely barred.
Under tail-coverts, white; tail, the same, with bands
of pearly gray. Immature birds have the white above and
black impure, the rirfous wanting or restricted. Beneath,
white, streaked (and spotted) with dark brown. " Tail be-
neath, silvery white." Under wing-coverts, usually more or
less fulvous, as in the adult.

h. The " Hen Hawks " generally build a fresh nest every
year, though they may occasionally occupy the same nest " for
several seasons," as Mr. Samuels states. Should their home
be destroyed during the season of incubation, they usually
repair an old nest for a second brood, as they sometimes do
for their first. Their nest, when finished, is a large structure
of sticks (from eighteen to thirty inches in diameter), and is
commonly lined with small branches of hemlock, or with tree
moss. It may be found in rather secluded or unfrequented
woods and pine groves, particularly those which contain
swamps, brooks, or ponds. It is placed next to the trunk of
a pine, or sometimes an oak, from fifteen to seventy-five feet
above the ground. It is seldom built in a young tree, or in
one at all isolated, and is rarely concealed by surrounding
foliage. Near Boston it is finished between the first week and
the last day of April, and two, three, or four eggs are then
laid. These often exhibit great variation, even when taken
from the same nest. Though varying in size and shape, some
being elongated, or somewhat pointed at the smaller end,
they average about 2.20 X 1.70 of an inch. From a series
in my cabinet, recently collected near Boston, the following
descriptions are taken. (1) White, evenly blotched and spot-
ted with lilac. (2) White, evenly but coarsely marked with
a pretty reddish brown. (3) White, with a few thin and
vague markings of chocolate. (4) Dirty white, not appre-
ciably marked. (5) Dirty white, with a very few fine scrawls
at the smaller end. (6) Dirty white, blotched at the smaller
end with umber. (7) Dirty white, clouded at the smaller end
with several shades of brown. (8) Dirty white, fadedly
blotched, chiefly at the smaller end. (9) Impure white,
blotched with faint reddish brown chiefly at the smaller end.

378 LAND-BIRDS.

and with a few dark markings. (10) Dirty white, faintly
blotched all over, but with a few chocolate spots. (11) Dirty
white, blotched faintly with purplish and reddish brown, but
with dark blotches on the crown. (12) Impure white,
with a ring of reddish brown blotches about the crown.
Some specimens have reddish or buffy ground colors, and
others are marked but little and faintly, or with a few isolated
blotches.

There is no salient point of difference * between their eggs
and those of the " Red-tail," of which several are now before
me.

c. The Red-shouldered Buzzards, so far as I have observed,
are the commonest Hawks near Boston, where they are resi-
dent throughout the year. They breed from Florida f nearly
to Hudson Bay. Their range is therefore much less exten-
sive than that of the "Red-tails," but their habits and man-
ners are very similar. The following biography is applicable
partly to both species, sometimes to one more than another,
but it may be remarked that the " Red-tail " is more robust,
spirited, and majestic.

The " Hen Hawks," and their immediate relations, are best
characterized by their flight and mode of hunting. Some-
times, propelled by an occasional and slight motion of the
wings, they sail in circles to a gTeat height, and, if favored
by a breeze, even rise until lost to sight, without any percep-
tible exercise of muscular power. Again, they often circle
without ascending, though at a considerable distance from the
ground. Thus the range of their vision is much extended,
while the keenness of their sight enables them to detect the
motion of a squirrel in the trees, or of birds and snakes in the
open lands over which they more often fly. On perceiving
the object of their search, closing their wings and tail, they
fall with a loud rustle until near the earth, when, checking
their speed, they drop unawares upon their victim. Should

* As a rule the egg-s of the Red- t The Florida bird is now regarded

tailed Hawk are larger and less heav- as a distinct subspecies, which is called

ily marked than those of the Red- Buteo lineatus alleni. — W. B.
shouldered Hawk. — W. B.

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 379

they fail, they rise, and in a second attempt it frequently hap-
pens that not even the cunning Quail can escape. They
sometimes fly lower, with more or less sailing, according to
the breeze or motion in the air, and, diving down, seize a
chicken, or even a hen, and bear it off with apparent ease.
At other times, they perch in a tree in their hunting-grounds,
and with an eager, intent expression, closely watch the sur-
rounding grass, down into which they drop when occasion re-
quires, or over which they again sail, instantly checking their
course and again alighting, shoidd anything attract their at-
tention. Then facing about, they wait until an opportune
moment, when, spreading their wings and for an instant hover-
ing, they pounce upon their prey. They rarely catch birds on
the wing, and never, so far as I know, pursue them. On the
contrary, if undisturbed, they sometimes remain perched for
hours, either waiting for the appearance of game, or digesting
a meal. In the woods, they not unfrequently catch squirrels,
diving at them when in some exposed situation. They usually
sail up to their perch, and stand erectly, often far above the
ground.

Their ordinary fare is composed of hares, often called " rab-
bits," squirrels^ minks, rarely rats or mice, snahes (especially
the striped kind or garter-snake), frogs^ Grouse, Quail, and
Poultry. The}^ do not, however, often catch our so-called Par-
tridges, owing to the latter's rapid flight and rather persis-
tent occupation of the woods, and it is not uncommon to find
these game-birds in groves where the " Hen Hawks " have
their nest.

It may be said that the natural home of the " Hen Hawks "
is the woods (in our climate, particularly those of old pines,
and such as are somewhat swampy), but it must be added that
during the day they are much away from home. Their favor-
ite hunting-grounds are open places, especially farms and
meadows ; but there are few kinds of land over which they do
not fly, including even our smaller cities. Occasionally they
may be seen in roads or perched on roadsides.

Towards man the " Hen Hawks " are naturally shy ; but
it is generally easy to approach them when gorged, or at other

380 LAND-BIRDS.

times to do so in a vehicle, or on horseback. On a horse, I
have actually passed under one. They frequently leave their
food when approached, instead of carrying it off in the man-
ner of many Hawks. Like other barbarians, they refuse to
show signs of suffering, or to allow their spirit to become sub-
dued. When shot and mortally wounded, they usually sail
on unconcernedly while their strength lasts, until obliged to
fall. If not dead, they turn upon their rump, and fight till
the last, like others of their tribe. Their eyes gleam savagely,
and they defend themselves with both bill and talons. With
these latter, if incautiously treated, they can inflict severe
wounds, and they sometimes seize a stick with such tenacity
that I have seen one carried half a mile through his persistent
grasp. I have never known one to be tamed, but, on the con-
trary, they sometimes die from refusing to eat. This is in
accordance with their natural pride, and their fondness for a
wild life.

In autumn and winter the " Hen Hawks " lead a solitary life,
but in summer, and more often spring, they may be seen in
pairs. They then hunt together, or sail high in circles, as if
to remove themselves from the common crowd of birds. Un-
less very seriously molested, they build their nest every year
in nearly the same place. The females vary as regards cour-
age or prudence, some leaving their nest on hearing one's ap-
proach, others waiting till the tree is rapped, and others until
one has begun to climb or has even ascended several feet. I
have never known them to attack man, v>^hen thus disturbed.
The young are fed for several weeks after being hatched, and
are often noisy.

d. The screams of our two " Hen Hawks " do not materi-
ally differ, if at all.* They are slightly prolonged, and are
usually repeated several times at once, as kee-o^ kee-o^ kee-o.
They are frequently heard, especially in spring, but are ex-
actly imitated by the Blue Jays.

* This is incorrect, for the respective Red-tailed Hawk never utters the hee-o
cries of the two species are really all or anything at all closely resembling
perfectly distinct and diagnostic. The it. — W. B.

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 381

O. LATISSIMUS. BroacUdnged Haiol: (or Buzzard).
To be seen in Massacliusetts during summer, and occasionally
winter, but more common as a migrant.*

a. Eighteen inches long or less. Above, umber brown,
with more or less pale edging, and showing white on the hind-
head. Tail, banded and tipped with white. Under parts,
white, variously streaked and barred with spots of medium or
rufous brown, of which traces are often found above. Throaty
bordered on each side hy a dark maxillary patcli. Young
with much white above, but that of the tail replaced by light
brown.

This species, like the other Buzzards, has the outer primary
(and others) emarginate^ i. e., with the inner web rather ab-
ruptly narrow towards the end. This Buzzard has three, our
others four emarginate.

h. The nest does not essentially differ, so far as I know,
from that of the Red-shouldered Hawk. An Qgg, which I
took from a nest with three young, found near Boston on the
sixteenth of May, measures 2.10 X 1.80 of an inch, and is
white, blotched and spotted with brown, chiefly of a jnirplish
shade.

c. The Broad-winged Buzzards are reported as common
summer residents in many parts of northern New England.
In Massachusetts, they are most common as migrants, but I
have seen one in winter, and have found two nests near Boston,
in neither of which cases did the female offer any resistance,
though Mr. Boardman considers them so spirited as to attack
intruders. Dr. Brewer, in the " Birds of North America,"

* Like the Pileated Woodpecker er parts of New England. It breeds
and a few other species, this Hawk is rather commonly in portions of Con-
evidently either unable or unwilling- to necticut and Worcester County, Mas-
adapt itself to a reg-ion which has sachusetts, and very generally and
been extensively cleared and culti- numerously throughout the great co-
vated. It loves the primitive forest niferous forests of northern New
and everywhere retreats before the England, especially near some of the
encroachments of man. Thus it has Maine lakes. During the migrations
happened that, while occasional nests it is by no means uncommon about
are still found in eastern Massachu- Boston, and it is said to spend the
setts, the bird is now practically con- winter occasionally in Connecticut. —
fined, during- the summer, to the wUd- W. B.

382 LAND-BIRDS.

says : " Mr. Mcllwraith, of Hamilton, Canada, has noted ex-
tensive migrations of this Hawk in March of different years,
as many as twenty or thirty being in view at one time, passing
at a considerable height, and moving in circles towards the
northwest." These Buzzards, though readily distinguished by
size from the " Hen Hawks," do not differ much in habits.
In common with those birds, they are often teased by King-
birds and Crows ; but on such occasions they show a quiet
dignity and unconcern, which is very striking.

d. The Broad-winged Hawks have a loud, whining whistle,
not unlike the familiar cries of the " Hen Hawks." These
may most often be heard in spring.

VI. ARCHIBUTEO.

A, LAGOPUS SANCTi-JOHANNis. Rough-leggcd Haioh (or
Buzzard). Black Haioh. In Massachusetts, a winter visitor
of great rarity.*

a. Tarsus feathered to the toes. Extreme length, about
two feet. Above, marked with various browns and white (or
yellowish). TaM^ black banded, but with the basal half ichite
and unmarked. Under parts, white, variously marked with
brown, which generally forms a broad band across the lower
breast. There is a so-called melanotic race, with the plumage
nearly uniform black or blackish, but with the forehead,
(throat), and more or less banding on the tail, white. This is
the Black Hawk, supposed by some writers to be the adult of
the other.

h. The eggs, as described by other authors, do not appar-
ently differ from certain forms among those of the " Hen
Hawks." SeeV, ^, 5.

c. The Rough-legged Buzzards occur in New England as

* An early spring- and late autumn ten or fifteen years the birds used to

migrant ; occasionally seen in midwin- occur commonly about Boston, and so

ter also, but everywhere rare at this very numerously at Northampton that

season excepting-, perhaps, in portions I have known upward of twenty to be

of Connecticut. Its principal paths killed there by a single collector in one

of migration through Massachusetts day. Within the past decade I have

are along the coast and the valley of seen very few in any part of New Eng-

the Connecticut Biver. Up to within land. — W. B.

HAWKS AND EAGLES. • 383

winter visitors only, and near Boston are rare, especially in
black plumage. They are noted for the following traits : gen-
eral sluggishness, fondness for hunting in the evening or to-
ward dusk, fondness for meadows, marshes, and low, wet lands,
and finally the simplicity of their fare, which consists chiefly
of frogs and mice, but also, it is said, of wounded birds. They
usually remain perched in their chosen haunts, regardless of
weather, until some small quadruped attracts their notice,
when, with the impulse received from a few beats of their
wings, they drop down upon their prey. They may sometimes
be seen sailing about with great ease and but little motion of
the wings. They often stand motionless for a surprising-
length of time. I remember passing over the Boston and
Providence Railroad in March, and remarking, at about eleven
o'clock in the morning, a Hawk of this species stationed on the
Fowl Meadows beyond Readville. On returning, toward sun-
set, I saw him in the same tree, though no doubt he had made
several sallies during the day. Such is the characteristic life
of the Rough-legged Buzzards ; but, in so cold a winter climate
as that of Boston, they are frequently obliged to resort to
woods and higher grounds. I have seen one catch a squirrel,
and another feed upon a Quail.

d, Wilson speaks of their "making a loud squeeling as
they arise, something resembling the neighing of a young colt ;
though in a more shrill and savage tone." Dr. Cooper speaks
of their " loud scream."

VII. AQUILA.

A, CHRYSAETOS. Golden Eagle. Ring-tailed Eagle
(young). In Massachusetts, extremely rare.*

a. 30-40 inches long. Tarsus^ thickly feathered. Dark
brown, varying from purplish to blackish, becoming rich ful-
vous on the hind-head and neck. Young, with the tail partly
white.

* The Golden Eagle is fast becom- tains, where a few pairs doubtless con-
ing a very rare bird in New England, tinue to breed, and every few years
but it may still be seen occasionally in one is taken in winter in Massachusetts
summer among- our northern moun- or Connecticut. — W. B.

384 LAND-BIRDS.

h. The nest is built on cliffs, or rarely in trees. The eggs
are most often two in number, and are three inches long or
more. They are white, usually blotched with brown. ^^*

c. Size always has a fascination for the world. The young
collector prizes a Hawk's egg more than that of the rarest
Warbler. The egg is big, the bird that laid it is big, the nest
in which it was laid is big, the tree in which the nest
was built is big, and the wood in which the tree grows
is big. In much the same spirit, the world has called
the Eagle and the lion king respectively of birds and of
beasts, on account of their large size and carnivorous tastes.
But modern writers have assured us that the lion is not a hero,
that he is even a coward, that he does not deserve his title,
which might better be bestowed upon the royal Bengal tiger.
The Eagle, however, though inferior in activity, speed, and
spirit to the little Sparrow Hawk, better merits the distinction,
from the majesty of his appearance and the sublimity of his
flight. He cannot justly, however, be considered superior to
all other birds, since he is merely a large " Hen Hawk," who
does not hesitate in many cases to feed on carrion, or on
the spoils which he robs from more industrious laborers than
himself.

The Golden Eagles are extremely rare in Massachusetts,
and are probably to be ranked as merely accidental winter
visitors. They are resident in mountainous and thinly popu-
lated districts of northern and western New England. Mr.
Brewster says that " a pair have bred for years on the cliff
directly over the Profile House.* They could be seen at
almost any hour of the day scaling about their eyrie, utter-
ing loud screams, but were especially noisy and active from
sunset to dark."

The Golden Eagles are so averse to the encroachments of
man that I can find no mention of their being common in

121 This description, as one or two ferred to were really Duck Hawks. I

of the others, is gathered from other have, however, since seen a Golden

writers. Eagle soaring over the summit of

* This was an unfortunate error of Mount Lafayette in midsummer. —

identification, for the birds here re- W. B.

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 385

any much inhabited district ; but the immense tracts of forest,
and the high mountain-ranges, in their usual haunts, enable
them to live remote from civilization. I have occasionally seen
them among the White Mountains. They may sometimes be
observed sailing at a vast height in wide circles, but with no
perceptible effort. I have watched them for hours, but only
once have I seen them plunge. One, who had been sailing
for a long while at the elevation of several hmidred feet, sud-
denly closed his wings and dropped with astounding velocity,
which might well take one's breath away. In his fall he dis-
appeared behind some woods, and I did not see him again.
The keenness of vision which this species must possess is won-
derful, but at how great a height they can distinctly perceive
their prey is uncertain. I have seen one sail at some distance
above the peak of Mount Lafayette, at least a mile above the
sea level, and, on crossing a valley beneath, suddenly descend,
as if his attention had been attracted by an object four thou-
sand feet beneath. Could man from the top of a monument
twenty times as high as that of Bunker Hill distinctly see a
cat directly beneath, or a fawn at the distance of two or three
miles, even if not running through grass or w^oods ? Yet man
might distinctly see and recognize a tolerably small quadru-
ped at the distance of a mile in a clear, level space, — whence
it seems possible that the powers of horizontal and perpendic-
ular vision are somewhat distinct, even when the same surface
of a body is seen. Audubon says of these birds that " young
fawns, raccoons, hares, wild turkeys, and other large birds
are their usual food, and they devour putrid flesh only when
hard-pressed by hunger, none alighting on carrion at any
other time."

d. The screams of the Golden Eagle are loud, harsh, and
rather savage, "resembling at. times," says Audubon, "the
barking of a dog, especially about the breeding season, when
they become extremely noisy and turbulent." . . .

VIII. HALIiEETUS.

A. LEUCOCEPHALUS. ''Bald'' Eagle. White-headed

386 LAND-BIRDS.

Eagle. '''•Bird of Washington,^^ In some parts of New
England not uncommon.*

a. 30-40 inches long. Tarsus^ naked. Dark brown.
Head, tail, and tail-coverts, white. Young, with little or no
white.

h. The nest is much like that of the Fish Hawk in every
respect. It is often, however, "partly composed of sods, and
is commonly built in the top of a dead tree." The eggs,
most often two in number, are laid in the early part of spring,
or even in winter. They are nearly three inches long, or
more, and are impure white or yellowish.

c. The "Bald" Eagles, unfortunately selected as emblems
of their country, are residents, at least in summer, from the
Gulf of Mexico to the Arctic Ocean. They are common in
many parts of northern New England, particularly along the
coast of Maine. In Massachusetts, they no longer breed, ex-
cept in a few places to the westward ; but they occasionally
appear along the shore, even in summer, when they undoubt-
edly often wander far in search of food. Wilson's picture of
this bird is in spirit one of his finest portrait-jiaintings from
nature; and as his biography is scarcely less admirable, I
shall quote several passages from it, adding a few observations
not there recorded.

This bird " has been long known to naturalists, being com-
mon to both continents, and occasionally met with from a
very high northern latitude, to the borders of the torrid zone,
but chiefly in the vicinity of the sea, and along the shores
and cliffs of our lakes and large rivers. Formed by nature
for braving the severest cold ; feeding equall}'^ on the produce
of the sea, and of the land ; possessing powers of flight
capable of outstripping even the tempests themselves ; una wed

* The Bald Eagle still breeds quite New England, but is rarely seen in

commonly along- the coast of Maine, winter north of Connecticut. Dur-

and sparingly (it is said) about some ing the summer months it is common

of the larger inland lakes and rivers of on Cape Cod and along the Sound in

northern New England. It is always southern Connecticut, but it does not

abundant in summer at Lake Umba- appear to have been found nesting

gog, but I do not think that it now in this region within recent years,

nests there. It is resident in southern — W. B.

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 387

by anything but man ; and from the ethereal heights to which
he soars, looking abroad, at one glance, on an immeasurable
expanse of forests, fields, lakes and ocean, deep below him,
he appears indifferent to the little localities of change and of sea-
sons ; as in a few minutes he can pass from summer to winter,
from the lower to the higher regions of the atmosphere, the
abode of eternal cold, and from thence descend at will to the
torrid or the arctic regions of the earth. He is therefore
found at all seasons in the countries he inhabits ; but prefers
such places as have been mentioned above, from the great
partiality he has for fish.

" In procuring these he displays, in a very singular manner,
the genius and energy of his character, which is fierce, con-
templative, daring, and tyrannical; attributes not exerted
but on particular occasions ; but when put forth, over-
powering all opposition. Elevated on the high dead limb of
some gigantic tree that commands a wide view of the neigh-
boring shore and ocean, he seems calmly to contemplate the
motions of the various feathered tribes that pursue their busy
avocations below : the snow-white Gulls slowly winnowing the
air ; the busy Tringse coursing along the sands ; trains of
Ducks streaming over the surface ; silent and watchful Cranes,
intent and wading ; clamorous Crows, and all the winged
multitudes that subsist by the bounty of this vast liquid mag-
azine of nature. High over all these hovers one whose action
instantly arrests all his attention. By his wide curvature of
wing, and sudden suspension in the air, he knows him to be
the FisJi Haiuh^ settling over some devoted victim of the
deep. His eye kindles at the sight, and balancing himself,
with half open wings, on the branch, he watches the result.
Down, rapid as an arrow from heaven, descends the distant
object of his attention, the roar of its wings reaching his ear
as it disappears in the deep, making the surges foam around I
At this moment the eager looks of the Eagle are all ardor ; and
leveling his neck for flight, he sees the Fish Hawk once more
emerge, struggling with his prey, and mounting in the air
with screams of exultation. These are the signal for our
hero, who, launching into the air, instantly gives chase, soon

388 LAND-BIRDS.

gains on the Fish Hawk, each exerts his utmost to mount
above the other, displaying in these rencontres the most ele-
gant and sublime aerial evolutions. The unincumbered Eagle
rapidly advances, and is just on the point of reaching his op-
ponent, when with a sudden scream, probably of despair and
honest execration, the latter drops his fish ; the Eagle, poising
himself for a moment, as if to take a more certain aim, descends
like a whirlwind, snatches it in his grasp ere it reaches the
water, and bears his ill-gotten booty silently away to the
woods."

" When driven, as he sometimes is, by the combined cour-
age and perseverance of the Fish Hawks from their neigh-
borhood, and forced to hunt for himself, he retires more in-
land, in search of young pigs, of which he destroys great num-
bers. In the lower parts of Virginia and North Carolina,
where the inhabitants raise vast herds of those animals, com-
plaints of this kind are very general against him. He also
destroys young lambs in the early part of spring ; and will
sometimes attack old sickly sheep, aiming furiously at their
eyes."

" The ajipetite of the Bald Eagle, though habituated to
long fasting, is of the most voracious and often the most in-
delicate kind. Fish, when he can obtain them, are preferred
to all other fare. Young lambs and pigs are dainty morsels,
and made free with on all favorable occasions. Ducks, Geese,
Gulls, and other sea fowl, are also seized with a^7dity. The
most putrid carrion, when nothing better can be had, is ac-
ceptable ; and the collected groups of gormandizing Vultures,
on the approach of this dignified personage, instantly disperse,
and make way for their master, waiting his departure in sul-
len silence, and at a respectful distance, on the adjacent trees."

" The flight of the Bald Eagle, when taken into consider-
ation with the ardor and energy of his character, is noble
and interesting. Sometimes the human eye can just discern
him, like a minute speck, moving in slow curvatures along
the face of the heavens, as if reconnoitring the earth at that
immense distance. Sometimes he glides along in a direct
horizontal line, at a vast height, with expanded and unmoving

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 389

wings, till he gradually disappears in the distant blue ether.
Seen gliding in easy circles over the high shores and moun-
tainous cliffs that tower above the Hudson and Susque-
hanna, he attracts the eye of the intelligent voyager, and adds
great interest to the scenery. At the great cataract of Niag-
ara, already mentioned, there rises from the gulf into which
the falls of the Horse-shoe descends, a stupendous column of
smoke, or spray, reaching to the heavens, and moving off in
large black clouds, according to the direction of the wind,
forming a very striking and majestic appearance. The Eagles
are here seen sailing about, sometimes losing themselves in
this thick column, and again reappearing in another place,
with such ease and elegance of motion as renders the whole
truly sublime.

" ' High o'er the watery uproar, silent seen,
Sailing sedate in majesty serene,
Now midst the sprays sublimely lost,
And now, emerging, down the rapids tost.
Glides the Bald Eagle, gazing, calm and slow,
O'er all the horrors of the scene below ;
Intent alone to sate himself with blood.
From the torn victims of the raging flood.' "

Wilson elsewhere says ; " The Eagle is said to live to a
great age, sixty, eighty, and, as some assert, one hundred
years. This circumstance is remarkable, when we consider
the seeming intemperate habits of the bird. Sometimes fast-
ing, through necessity, for several days, and at other times
gorging itself with animal food till its craw swells out the
plumage of that part, forming a large protuberance on the
breast."

The Bald Eagles do not invariably sail when flying, but
often progress by a continuous beating of the wings. They
also occasionally plunge through the air, even doing so, it has
been stated, from a height of several thousand feet, with a
loud rustle, which may be heard at a considerable distance.
Though notorious for their robbing of the Fish Hawks, they
sometimes condescend to fish for themselves in the manner of
those birds. This fact I have personally witnessed, and it
has been corroborated by other naturalists. They also attack

390 LAND-BIRDS.

wild fowl, especially if wounded, and have been known, on
finding a crippled Brant, to plant themselves upon it, and,
spreading their wings, to sail to shore.

d. The Bald Eagles are usually silent. A young one,
which I observed in confinement, snored when sleeping, and,
when awake, frequently hissed or uttered extraordinary sounds,
suggestive of the pig-sty, though not unlike disagreeable laugh-
ter. These are the chief items of interest which I can add to
Wilson's account.

IX. PANDION.

A. HALiAETUS CAROLiNENSis. Fish Hawh. American
Osprey. In New England, a summer resident, but very rare
in Massachusetts.*

a. About two feet long. Under j^cirts^ and the head^ white,
Mye-striioe^ and the upper parts, dark. Tail, banded. Breast,
spotted or streaked with brown. Feet, large and stout, pre-
senting, as does the plumage, certain peculiarities.

h. The nest is extremely large, being usually repaired and
added to from year to year. It is composed of sticks, of which
there is often a cart-load, and is lined with sea-weed, or other
coarse materials. It is built in a tree, near some body of
water, sometimes several being near together. It is placed at
various heights above the ground, but often near the top, even
of a dead tree. In New England, two, three, or four eggs
are laid about the first of May, or sometimes later. They av-
erage 2.40 X 1-TO of an inch, and are usually creamy, buff, or
reddish, thickly spotted and blotched with rich brown of sev-
eral shades, some of which are dark and others reddish. Oc-
casionally the eggs are white, with a few large markings of
umber brown.

c. The Fish Hawks, like their tormentors the " Bald "
Eagles, are summer residents in Florida, arctic countries, and
the lands between, but, unlike them, are very migratory, and

* Common throughout most of New sachusetts and Rhode Island ; spar-
England during the migrations, breed- ingly and locally in the interior of
ing very numerously and generally Maine, usually on the shores of the
along the coast of Maine, and about larger lakes and rivers. — W. B.
the head of Narragansett Bay in Mas-

HAWKS AND EAGLES. 391

do not winter in New England, where from April until late in
the autumn they are common. They are rare, however, in
Massachusetts, except during* the migrations, and are said to
breed no longer along the coast of this State, though a few un-
doubtedly do so in the interior, of which I have had satisfac-
tory evidence. They are everywhere most numerous on the
sea-shore (as is observable in Maine), but they also resort to
the neighborhood of rivers and large inland bodies of water.
They are everywhere characterized by their sociability and af-
fection, their perseverance and industry. They are well known
frequently to migrate and build their nests in companies, to
remain mated for life, and to feed their young longer, even
more abundantly, than any other Hawks. Though repeatedly
robbed by the tyrannical Eagles, they continue to fish undis-
heartened, and are said never to feed in any other way.

Their method of obtaining their prey is so interesting, that
were it not known even to children, from being frequently de-
scribed in books, it would daily excite wonder. It cannot,
however, fail to hold the attention of any one who may see it
for the first time, and I have never looked upon one of these
birds without instinctively watching his motions. The flight
of the Fish Hawk is much varied, but he may always be recog-
nized by the prominent bend of his wings. When traveling
directly forward, he flies with rather heavy flapj^ings, not un-
like those of a Heron, which are relieved by sailing. When
hunting, he more often moves in circles, and frequently at a
considerable height. He often deceives some eager spectator
by diving, as if to make a plunge, but he suddenly resumes
his course, and continues to sail quietly. Finally he becomes
absorbed in gazing at the movements of his prey ; then, hov-
ering for a moment, plunges, and, sometimes disappearing be-
neath the surface, dashes up the foam. Sometimes he seizes
so large a prize that a desperate struggle ensues, in which now
the fish and then the bird appears out of his element, and it
is said that he occasionally loses his life through being impru-
dent or too ambitious. Generally, however, he at once rises,
and with his prey in his talons, flies to the shore, where, if not
molested by robbers, he feeds in some tree upon his well-earned

392 LAND-BIRDS.

meal. He is either no glutton, or has an insatiable appetite,
for he is seldom or never seen gorged, but, when not eating, or
necessarily at rest, continues his active search. I do not know
what are the largest fish that he catches, but I have been as-
sured that one, which a bird dropped upon being frightened,
weighed fully six pounds. The Fish Hawks are very spirited,
and liave been known to wound seriously intruders upon their
nests, which, by the way, they are said by Wilson to repair in
autumn to withstand the winter.

d. Their notes are various, being sometimes piercing
screams, but at other times a succession of agreeable whis-
tles.*

§ 28. The American Vultures (CATHARTIDiE) have
the head chiefly naked, and the hind toe not on a level with
the others, which are slightly webbed. Two southern species,
the Turkey " Buzzard " ^^^ ( Cathartes aurci) and the Carrion
" Crow " (^Catharista atrata)^ have accidentally occurred in
Massachusetts once or twice.f The former is very dark ;
" head, red ; feet, flesh-colored ; bill, white . . . ; tail, rounded.
Length about 2^- feet ; extent, 6 ; wing, 2 ; tail, 1. U. S., from
Atlantic to Pacific, and somewhat northward ; abundant in
more southern portions ; resident as far north as New Jersey.
Nests on the ground, or near it, in hollow stumps and logs,
generally breeding in communities ; eggs, commonly two,
creamy white, blotched and sjDeckled, 2| X If." (Coues.)
The Carrion "• Crow," or Black Vulture, has the wings paler
beneath, and the hind-head feathered ; *' head, dusky ; bill and
feet, grayish yellow . . . ; tail, square. Smaller than auj'a,
in linear dimensions, but a heavier bird ; length about 2 feet,
wing, li ; tail, J. The difference in size and shape between
this species and awa is strikingly displayed when the birds

* By my description of the Fish ists^ Guide, of Mr. Maynard, p. 137,

Hawk's notes, I did not wish to im- 160th species.

ply that those notes were ever mu- t There are now numerous records

sical, but merely that they were not of the occurrence of the Turkey Buz-

always harsh or piercing. [From the zard in southern New England, and

Appendix (p. 444) of the original edi- several additional specimens of the

tion.] Black Vulture have also been taken.

125 See, for authority. The Natural- — W. B.

AMERICAN VULTURES. 393

are flying together, as constantly occurs in the Southern States ;
there is also a radical difference in the mode of flight, this
species never sailing for any distance without flapping the
wings. Nesting the same : eggs similar, but larger, or at any
rate more elongate ; * 3| X 2. Chiefly South Atlantic and
Gulf States, there very numerous, far outnumbering the Tur-
key Buzzard, and semi-domesticated in the towns ; N. regularly
to North Carolina, thence straggling even to Massachusetts
and Maine ; " etc. (Coues.)

As the Vidtures are of wholly accidental occurrence in New
England, and as their more characteristic habits are well
known, I shall not here present their biographies, which I
should be obliged to borrow from other writers. Some re-
marks as to their prominent peculiarities have already been
presented among those on the birds of prey, at the beginning
of this chapter.

* The eggs of the Black Vulture decided greenish tinge, whereas the
are not only larger than those of the ground color of the eggs of C. aura is
Turkey Buzzard, but they also show a either plain or creamy white. — W. B.

CHAPTER IV.

FIFTH OEDER. COLUMB^.

"An essential character," says Dr. Coues, "of birds of
this order, is seen in the structure of the bill : horny and con-
vex at the tip, somewhat contracted in the continuity, fur-
nished at the base with a soft swollen membrane in which the
nostrils open. There are four toes, three anterior, generally
cleft, but occasionally with a slight basal web, and one be-
hind, with a few exceptions perfectly insistent or not obviously
elevated. The feet are never lengthened ; the tarsus is com-
monly shorter than the toes, either scutellate or extensively
feathered anteriorly, reticulate on the sides and behind, the
envelope rather membranous than corneous. The plumage
is destitute of aftershafts." As this order in North America
is represented by but one family, the well-known Pigeons
(including the Doves), it is unnecessary to detail further its
peculiar features. The tw^o species of New England are ex-
cellent types. Their habit, however, of feeding their young
by regurgitation from the crop may liere be remarked.

The true " Game-birds " (Chapter Y) all belong to the
subclass Cursores^ or "terrestrial birds," and to the two
orders, Gallince and Grallatores. The Gallinm include the
Grouse, with the tarsi more or less feathered, and the Par-
tridges or Quail, with naked tarsi. Dr. Coues ranks these as
subfamilies, dividing our species into Tetraonince^ or true
Grouse, and Odontopliorince^ or American Partridges. The
Grallatores include the Snipe and Woodcock, who both belong
to the same family of the suborder Li7nicolce or Shore-hirds,
(It may be added that the OdontoplioriiK^^ or Ortyginm^ are
usually ranked as subfamilies of the Perdicidm^ or Par-
tridges, while the Grouse are ranked separately as Tetraoni-

PIGEONS. 395

dee. This latter arrangement has been followed in this vol-
ume.)

It is to be remarked that the Pigeons (^Columhidoe,
§ 29) show an affinity in several ways to the Rajytores^ or
birds of prey, as well as in structure to the Gallium,

§ 29. COLUMBID^. Pigeons.
I. ECTOPISTES.

A. MiGRATORius. Wild Pigeoii. Passenger Pigeon.
In Massachusetts, most common as a migrant.*

a. About sixteen inches long. Tail-feather s.^ ticelve. $ ,
above, dull blue ; beneath, dull red, paler behind. Sides of
the neck, highly metallic. Back, and part of the wings, olive-
tinged. Shoulders, black-spotted. Primaries, and long mid-
dle tail-feathers, black (or dark) ; the former variously edged.
Outer tail-feathers, white or bluish ; their inner webs, black,
and chestnut, at the base. Feet, yellow. 5 •> m^^ch duller
above, and blue or gray beneath.

h. The nest, a frail structure of twigs, is built on some
branch in the woods. In April or May, according to latitude,
one or two eggs are laid. These are elliptical, and pure
white, and measure about 1.50 X 1-10 of an inch.

c. No birds could more appropriately be chosen as
emblems of their country than the Wild Pigeons. They
occur throughout a large part of North America, and often in
such prodigious numbers that single companies have been
estimated to contain fifty times as many Pigeons as there are
now inhabitants in the United States. They wander almost
continually in search of their food, which consists chiefly of
grain, seeds, beechnuts, acorns, and berries. They possess
great powers of flight, and move with a rapid beating of the
wings at the rate of sixty miles an hour or often more. On
alighting, they flap the wings violently, as if to break the

* Since Mr. Minot wrote, the Wild their former haunts, but in winter con-
Pigeons have continued to decrease in siderable numbers still continue to
numbers, until at the present time visit Indian Territory, whence in De-
only occasional stragglers are seen in cember, 1892, and January, 1893, sev-
New England. Throughout the West, eral hundred dozens were sent to the
also, they have nearly or quite deserted Boston market. — W. B.

396 LAND-BIRDS.

force of their impetus. If frightened from their roosts (to
which they frequently resort several nights in succession),
they rise with a loud roar. When on the ground, they inva-
riably walk, but with no little grace. Many of their habits
may be traced in those of tame Pigeons, and in the appear-
ance of a single individual there is often a striking analogy
to that of a Hawk. In many places they have become com-
ixtratively rare through the excessive persecution of man, in
addition to the raids made upon them by birds of prey. This
is eminently the case in New England, where they were once
abundant. In summer they are now chiefly confined to the
northern and wilder districts, but in winter they may occa-
sionally be seen in more southern portions. They are most
abundant near Boston as migrants in April and October.
There is a low pine wood within the present limits of the city,
in which I have known flocks of several hundreds to roost
every year, but I have never known them to be disturbed.
The Wild Pigeons are still wonderfully numerous in many
parts of the Western States, and it was there that Wilson
made such observations as can no longer be repeated in any
place where I have seen these birds. Though toward the
latter end of my work obliged to quote more often than I had
hoped would be necessary, I do not hesitate to present to my
readers several extracts from Wilson's extremely interesting
biography.

After speaking of their range, he says : " But the most
remarkable characteristic of these birds is their associating
together, both in their migrations and also during the period
of incubation, in such prodigious numbers as almost to sur-
pass belief ; and which has no parallel among any other of the
feathered tribes, on the face of the earth, with which natu-
ralists are acquainted.

" These migrations appear to be undertaken rather in quest
of food, than merely to avoid the cold of the climate ; since
we find them lingering in the northern regions around Hud-
son's Bay so late as December ; and since their appearance is
so casual and irregular ; sometimes not visiting certain dis-
tricts for several years in any considerable numbers, while at

PIGEONS. 397

other times they are innumerable. I have witnessed these
migrations in the Genessee Country — often in Pennsylvania,
and also in various parts of Virginia, with amazement ; but
all that I had then seen of them were mere straggling parties,
when compared with the congregated millions which I have
since beheld in our Western forests, in the States of Ohio,
Kentucky, and the Indiana territory. These fertile and ex-
tensive regions abound with the nutritious beechnut, which
constitutes the chief food of the Wild Pigeon. In seasons
when these nuts are abundant, corresponding multitudes of
Pigeons may be confidently exj^ected. It sometimes happens
that having consumed the whole produce of the beech trees in
an extensive district, they discover another at a distance per-
haps of sixty or eighty miles, to which they regularly repair
every morning, and return as regularly in the course of the
day, or in the evening, to their general place of rendezvous,
or as it is usually called, the I'oosting i:>lace. These roosting
places are always in the woods, and sometimes occupy a large
extent of forest. When they have frequented one of these
places for some time, the appearance it exhibits is surprising.
The ground is covered to the depth of several inches with
their dung ; all the tender grass and underwood destroyed ;
the surface strewed with large limbs of trees broken down by
the weight of the birds clustering one above another ; and the
trees themselves, for thousands of acres, killed as completely
as if girdled with an axe. The marks of this desolation re-
main for many years on the spot ; and numerous places coidd
be pointed out where for several years after scarce a single
vegetable made its appearance."

In speaking of their breeding places, Wilson says : " In the
western countries above mentioned, these are generally in
beech woods, and often extend in nearly a straight line across
the country for a great way. Not far from Shelbyville in
the state of Kentucky, about five years ago, there was one of
these breeding places, which stretched through the woods in
nearly a north and south direction; was several miles in
breadth, and was said to be upwards of forty miles in extent !
In this tract almost every tree was furnished with nests,

898 LAND-BIRDS.

wherever the branches could accommodate them. The Pigeons
made their first appearance there about the tenth of April,
and left it altogether, with their young, before the twenty-
fifth of May.

" As soon as the young were f uUy grown, and before they
left their nests, numerous parties of the inhabitants, from all
parts of the adjacent country, came with wagons, axes, beds,
cooking utensils, many of them accompanied by the greater
part of their families, and encamped for several days at this
immense nursery. Several of them informed me, that the
noise in the woods was so great as to terrify their horses, and
that it was difficult for one person to hear another speak
without bawling in his ear. The ground was strewed with
broken limbs of trees, eggs, and young squab Pigeons, which
had been precipitated from above, and on which herds of
hogs were fattening. Hawks, Buzzards and Eagles were
sailing about in great numbers, and seizing the squabs from
their nests at pleasure ; while from twenty feet upwards to
the tops of the trees the view through the woods presented a
perpetual tumult of crowding and fluttering multitudes of
Pigeons, their wings roaring like thunder ; mingled with the
frequent crash of falling timber ; for now the axe-men were
at work cutting down those trees that seemed to be most
crowded with nests, and contrived to fell them in such a
manner, that in their descent they might bring down several
others ; by which means the falling of one large tree some-
times produced two hundred squabs, little inferior in size to
the old ones, and almost one mass of fat. On some single
trees upwards of one hundred nests were found, each contain-
ing one young only, a circumstance in the history of this bird
not generally known to naturalists. It was dangerous to
walk under these flying and fluttering millions, from the fre-
quent fall of large branches, broken down by the weight of
the multitudes above, and which in their descent often de-
stroyed numbers of the birds themselves. . . .

" I had left the public road to visit the remains of the
breeding place near Shelby ville, and was traversing the woods
with my gun, on my way to Frankfort, when about one

PIGEONS. 399

o'clock the Pigeons, which I had observed flying the greater
part of the morning northerly, began to return in such im-
mense numbers as I never before had witnessed. Coming to
an opening by a side of a creek called the Benson, where I
had a more uninterrupted view, I was astonished at their
appearance. They were flying with great steadiness and
rapidity, at a height beyond gun shot, in several strata deep,
and so close together that could shot have reached them, one
discharge could not have failed of bringing down several
individuals. From right to left far as the eye could reach,
the breadth of this vast procession extended ; seeming every-
where equally crowded. Curious to determine how long this
appearance would continue, I took out my watch to note the
time, and sat down to observe them. It was then half past
one. I sat for more than an hour, but instead of a diminu-
tion of this prodigious procession, it seemed rather to increase
both in numbers and rapidity ; and, anxious to reach Frank-
fort before night, I rose and went on. About four o'clock
in the afternoon I crossed the Kentucky river, at the town
of Frankfort, at which time the living torrent above my
head seemed as numerous and as extensive as ever. Long
after this I observed them, in large bodies that continued to
pass for six or eight minutes, and these again were followed
by other detached bodies, all moving in the same south-east
direction till after six in the evening. . . .

" To form a rough estimate of the daily consumption
of one of these immense flocks, let us first attempt to cal-
culate the numbers of that above mentioned as seen in
passing between Frankfort and Indiana territory. If we
suppose this column to have been a mile in breadth (and I
believe it to have been much more) and that it moved at the
rate of one mile in a minute ; four hours, the time it con-
tinued passing, would make its whole length two hundred
and fort}^ miles. Again, supposing that each square yard of
this moving body comprehended three Pigeons ; the square
yards in the whole space multiplied by three, would give two
thousand two hundred and thirty millions, two hundred and
seventy-two thousand j^igeons ! An almost inconceivable

400 LAND-BIRDS.

multitude, and yet probably far below the actual amount.
Computing each of these to consume half a pint of mast
daily, the whole quantity at this rate would equal seventeen
millions, four hundred and twenty-four thousand bushels per
day ! Heaven has wisely and graciously given to these birds
rapidity of flight and a disposition to range over vast uncul-
tivated tracts of the earth ; otherwise they must have perished
in the districts where they resided, or devoured up the whole
productions of agriculture as well as those of the forests.

" A few observations on the mode of flight of these birds
must not be omitted. The appearance of large detached
bodies of them in the air, and the various evolutions they dis-
play, are strikingly picturesque and interesting. In descend-
ing the Ohio by myself in the month of February, I often
rested on my oars to contemplate their aerial manoeuvres. A
column, eight or ten miles in length, would appear from Ken-
tucky, high in air, steering across to Indiana. The leaders
of this great body would sometimes gradually vary their
course, until it formed a large bend of more than a mile in
diameter, those behind tracing the exact route of their pre-
decessors. This would continue sometimes long after both
extremities were beyond the reach of sight, so that the whole
with its glittery undulations, marked a space on the face of
the heavens resembling the windings of a vast and majestic
river. When this bend became very great, the birds, as if
sensible of the unnecessary circuitous course they were tak-
ing, suddenly changed their direction, so that what was be-
fore in column became an immense front, straightening all its
indentures, until it swept the heavens in one vast and infi-
nitely extended line. Other lesser bodies also united with
each other, as they happened to approach, with such ease and
elegance of evolution, forming new figures, and varying these
as they united or separated, that I was never tired of con-
templating them. Sometimes a Hawk would make a sweep
on a particular part of the column, from a great height, when,
almost as quick as lightning, that part shot downwards out
of the common track ; but soon rising again, continued ad-
vancing at the same height as before ; this inflection was con-

PIGEONS. 401

tinned by those behind, who on arriving at this point dived
down, almost perpendicularly, to a great depth, and rising
followed the exact path of those that went before.

" Happening to go ashore one charming afternoon, to pur-
chase some milk at a house that stood near the river, and
while talking with the people within doors, I was suddenly
struck with astonishment at a loud rushing roar, succeeded
by instant darkness, which, on the first moment, I took for a
tornado about to overwhelm the house and every thing around
in destruction. The people observing my surprise, coolly said,
' It is only the Pigeons.' "

d. The Wild Pigeons have a cooing not unlike that of the
domestic birds. This is a love-note, and may be heard in
spring. Audubon says: "The common notes resemble the
monosyllables hee-kee-kee-kee^ the first being the loudest, the
others gradually diminishing in power."

II. ZENAIDURA.

A. MACROURA. Carolina Dove. " Turtle Dove'"' Mourn-
ing Dove. In New England, a smnmer resident. *

a. About tiuelve inches long. Tail-feathers^ fourteen^ and
bluish ; the outer ones, singly black-barred and white-tipped.
Feet^ carmine (and not yellow) . Otherwise, essentially like
the Wild Pigeon (I), but more brownish, and with a black
spot on the side of the head.

h. The nest is a frail structure of twigs, built in the woods
or sometimes in orchards. Two white and (nearly) elliptical
eggs, measuring about 1.10 X -80 of an inch, are laid in May.

c. The Carolina Doves differ distinctly from the Wild
Pigeons in being regularly migratory, very much less grega-
rious, only small flocks being ever seen in New England, in
not roosting closely together in trees, and in flying when in
flocks with a loud whistle of the wing, and seldom at a great

* A summer resident of irregular in the wilder and more elevated regions

and very local distribution, common in of central and western Massachusetts

many parts of Connecticut, on Cape and northern New England. A few

Cod and about Springfield and Con- are said to pass the winter in Connecti-

cord, Massachusetts, rare along the cut. — W. B.
coast of Maine, and seldom seen at all

402 LAND-BIRDS.

height. They do not occur to the northward of southern
New England, where they are summer residents of great rar-
ity in many places, though common, according to Mr. May-
nard, on Cape Cod. I have seen them from March until
October. They frequent open woods and grounds, grain-
fields, pastures, and even, it is said, barn-yards. There they
may be seen, often in companies, now walking sedately, now
more rapidly, and picking up the seed, grain, berries, etc.,
upon which they feed. Occasionally they alight on fences,
and flirt their long and handsome tails. They are eminently
affectionate toward one another, but toward man they are
often shy.

d. Besides a low chuckle, they have a peculiar and very
striking cooing, one of the saddest sounds in nature, though
sweet, and wholly inexpressive of the true feelings of the
Doves. It usually consists of four notes, which suggest the
sobs and moans of a most disconsolate lover, or of a person in
the deepest distress.

The briefness of this last biography will, it is hoped, be
excused. The author approaches the end of his long though
pleasurable labors with a certain feeling of eagerness and re-
lief, though glad to have paid even a slight tribute to nature,
science, and the inauguration of a second century in the life
of his country, for, through an unforeseen coincidence, as he
writes these last words, the distant boom of cannon on Boston
Common announces the hundredth anniversary of the Decla-
ration of Independence.

CHAPTER V.

THE GAME-BIRDS. (SEE §29.)

§ 30. TETRAONID^. Grouse,

I. DENDRAGAPUS.

A. CANADENSIS. ^^^ Canada Grouse. " Spruce Par-
tridge.'" A resident of northern New England, but in Massa-
chusetts accidental.*

126 The ^Vhite or Willow Ptarmigan
{Lagopus lagopus) is said to occm' as a
wiater visitant in northern New Eng-
land.'* At this time it is characterized
by the pure white plumage, and its
black confined to the tail. In sum-
mer it is marked with black and
browns. It is about sixteen inches
long. An allied but "rather smaller "
species, confined to arctic America,
has a slenderer bUl, and, in the male,
a black eye-stripe. The Ptarmigans
have feathered toes.

N. B. — The Wild Turkey has for
many years been exterminated in New
England.

" Only two Ptarmigan are known to
have been actually taken in New Eng-
land. The first of these, preserved in
the Essex County collection of the
Peabody Academy at Salem, was shot
at Manchester, Massachusetts, May 10,
1859. In the catalogue of the Acad-
emy it is entered with the remark :
" Supposed to be an escaped bird
brought from Labrador," a statement
since repeated in substance by Dr.
Cones (Proc. Essex Ins.,\ol. v, 1868, p.
289) with the addition of the words
" or Newfoundland " immediately fol-
lowing " Labrador." No one now con-
nected Avith the Academy is aware that
this supposition rests on any substan-
tial grounds, and it was perhaps based

wholly on the seeming improbability
that a Ptarmigan would wander so far
south of its usual range. If this be
true the long-accepted doubt has been
given undue weight. In any case the
Manchester bird must have come from
somewhere on the mainland of North
America, for it is a perfectly typical
Lagojms lagopus, a form not known to
occur on Newfoundland, where it is
replaced by the closely allied but easUy
distinguished L. I. alleni.

The other specimen was taken at
Kenduskeag, Maine, April 23, 1892
(cf. Merrill, Auk, ix, 1892, p. 300), and
is now in the collection of Mr. Manly
Hardy, who has kindly sent it to me
for examination. It proves to be also
an example of L. lagopus, and, like the
Manchester bird, is in full winter plu-
mage. — W. B.

* Although the Spruce Grouse has
been twice taken in eastern Massachu-
setts, its normal range does not extend
to the southward of the White Moun-
tains. StUl further northward it is
found throughout the wilder and more
heavily forested parts of Maine and
New Hampshire, but it is very irreg-
ularly and locally distributed, and is
nowhere at all common. It is one of
the most sedentary or non-migratory
of our New England birds. — W. B.

404 GAME-BIRDS.

a. About sixteen inches long. $ , black ; waved with a
paler shade above, and extensively edged on the breast and
sides with white. " Eye-brow," red. Head and wings, with
a few white markings. Tail^ usually of sixteen feathers^
and hroadly tipped icith orange brown. Brown markings
sometimes occur elsewhere in the male, and in the female are
persistently numerous.

h. The eggs, which are laid upon the ground, are de-
scribed by Mr. Samuels as " of a beautiful yellowish buff
color, with spots and blotches of two shades of brown : one
a purplish brown ; the other, a burnt sienna." In size they
differ but little from those of the Euffed Grouse.

c. The Canada Grouse are common residents in many
parts of northern New England, esj^ecially northern Maine,
but in Massachusetts they are of accidental occurrence, and I
find records of only two captures in this State, one " in the
hemlock woods of Gloucester, in September, 1851, another at
Roxbury." These birds are rare among the White Moun-
tains, so far as I know, as I have but occasionally seen them
there. Their chief haunts are evergreen swamj^s, where, if
approached by man, they sometimes exhibit a surprising
tameness, the mother of a young brood not hesitating boldly
to defend her charge. Their habits are essentially like those
of our " Partridges," who likewise, in wild places, if dis-
turbed while with their young, often fly at the intruder, gen-
erally attacking his feet, after which they immediately retreat
to collect the little ones, who have meanwhile hidden.

d. The Canada Grouse, like their better known relatives,
drum loudly ; at least I have strong reasons to believe so,
without having seen them in the act. Their ordinary note is
a chucl'.

II. TYMPANUCHUS.

A. CUPIDO. Pinnated Grouse. ^^ Heath Hen.'" In
New England, formerly somewhat common, but now almost
or quite extinct.*

* Since the above was written the Hens" of the "Western States. It is
Eastern bird has been shown to be supposed to be the original Tetrao cu-
specifically distinct from the "Prairie pido of Linnaeus, which was based on

GROUSE. 405

a. About eighteen inches long. Above, marked trans-
versely with black, white, and brown. Beneath, tawny, whit-
ening behind. Throat often unmarked, but breast, etc.,
barred with white (and brown). Wings and tail, dull brown,
generally marked with white. $ , with long feathers on the
neck, which, when erected, form two x>rominent " wings," also
with red " eyebrows," and beneath the " wings " a piece of
skin, which can be distended so as much to resemble a half
orange.

h. The eggs, which are laid on the ground, are brownish
drab or lighter, and average about 1.65 X 1.35 of an inch.

c. The celebrated " Prairie Hens " are here included
among the birds of New England, only on account of their
possible presence on a few islands off the southeastern coast.
I am informed, however, that they no longer exist on Nau-
shon, where they are not known to have ever been indigenous,
and that they are probably extinct on Martha's Vineyard.
Having never seen these birds alive, I am obliged to draw
my account from other authors. The Pinnated Grouse show
a marked dislike for water, and choose dry, wooded soils for
their haunts, such as are called '' barrens." They feed chiefly
upon berries, and also acorns. They usually roost upon the
ground, but often resort to trees, especially in cold weather,
during which they continue to reside in their summer haunts.
They fly less rapidly and with less whirr than the Ruffed
Grouse, and walk rather less gracefully. At the mating-
season, the males become very pompous and pugnacious.
They meet in the morning at an early hour, and engage in
fierce combat.

Catesby's plate and description of a In early colonial days T. cupido was
specimen said to have been obtained found at various localities on or near
in Virginia. The Western birds have the Atlantic coast from eastern Mas-
been separated into three forms, viz. : sachusetts (as far north, at least, as
Tympanuchus americanxis, Ti/mpanuchus Boston) to New Jersey, Pennsylvania,
americanus attwateri, and Tympanu- and (probably) Virginia, but it now
chus pallidicinctus. The first-named of exists only on the Island of Martha's
these is the commonest and most Vineyard, where it is universally known
widely distributed of the three, and as the '' Heath Hen." Although nom-
is the bird oftenest exposed for sale in inally protected by law at all seasons,
our Eastern markets. it is mercilessly persecuted, and is in

406

GAME-BIRDS.

d. It is at this time that they produce their peculiar
boomiug, or " tooting," which is so loud that it can be heard
at the distance of several miles. Their ordinary note is the
chucking which belongs to other Grouse.

The "Prairie Hens" are still abundant in the West,
whence thousands are forwarded to Eastern markets. Their
gradual extermination is greatly to be regretted.

III. BONASA.

A. UMBELLUS. Ruffed Grouse. '-^Partridge.'" ^^ Phea-
sant.''^ In many parts of New England, a common resident
throughout the 3^ear.*

a. About eighteen inches long. Above, reddish brown,
with numerous gray edgings. Erectile crown-feathers, and
interscapulars, marked with black. Ruff-feathers on the
sides of the neck, dark brown or black, with two or three

imminent danger of total extinction. —
W. B.

* In the twelfth (1766) edition of
his Sy sterna Naturce. Linnaeus described
two forms of the Ruffed Grouse from
eastern North America, but one of
them was practically lost sight of for
more than a century afterwards, imtil
in 1885 Mr. Ridgway nominally but
formally recognized it {Proc. U. S.
Nat. Mils., vol. viii, p. 355) as a sub-
species of umheUus. Two years later
he proposed {Manual N. A. Birds,
pp. 195, 196) to distinguish the birds by
the following respective characters : —

Bonasa umbellus. — "Upper parts
mostly or entirely rusty, the tail usu-
ally rusty ochraceous."

Bonasa umbellus togata. — " Upper
parts with more or less gray, often
mostly grayish, the tail usually gray
(sometimes tinged with ochraceous)."

To this it may be added that in run-
bellus the throat is usually plain buffy,
whereas it is nearly always consjiic-
uously marked with dusky in togata,
and further that the dark markings of
togata are ordinarily blacker and more

pronounced — especially on the sides
— than in umbellus.

The two forms are now very gener-
ally regarded as distinct. Both occur
in New England, but their respective
distribution is not as yet very accu-
rately known. It is safe to say, how-
ever, that the dark gray birds which
inhabit the primitive coniferous for-
ests of northern Maine and New
Hampshire, as well as some of the
higher mountains of southern New
Hampshire and western Massachu-
setts, are all nearly or quite typical
representatives of togata. Not less
typical of umbellus are the bright ru-
fous Grouse of Martha's Vineyard and
Cape Cod, but those found elsewhere
in eastern Massachusetts, as well as in
Connecticut (even as far south as Say-
brook), vary exceedingly in color and
markings (especially in the color of
the tail), and can seldom be satisfac-
torily referred to either of the forms
here considered. As a rule they are
more or less intermediate between the
two, but they also exhibit all manner of
individual and local variations. — W. B.

GROUSE.

407

metallic bars. Back, minutely speckled with black, and
streaked witli light grayish spots, which are black-edged.
Tail, gray, with a broad subterminal black band ; elsewhere
paler, or reddish, barred and finely vermiculated with black.
Primaries, marked with whitish on the outer webs. Under
parts, tawny, becoming white behind. Throat, unmarked, or

Fig. 20. Ruffed Grouse,

slightly waved; breast, with dull brown bars, dark-edged
above ; sides, with umber bars.* The tail usually has eigh-
teen feathers, and is rounded, as in the " Prairie Hen," but
is considerably longer. The auriculars (or ear-feathers) are
long and loose.

h. The eggs average 1.65 X 1-25 of an inch, vary from

* The coloration of the Ruffed
Grouse is variable, the tints varying'
from reddish to grayish. So in the
Quail, the chestnut is often restricted,
particularly in the females. In refer-

ence to the fifteenth line of p. 40S, it
is to he remarked that the Scotch
Capercailzie is called the ' ' Wood
Grouse." [From the appendix (p. 444)
of the first edition.]

408 GAME-BIRDS.

drab buff to rich reddish buff, and are sometimes spotted.
From eight to fifteen are laid together in the latter part of
May. The nest consists of a few leaves and grasses placed
on the ground, beside a log, rock, or tree, in the woods. It
is most often to be found in or near swampy lands. The last
which I examined, which contained eight fresh eggs about the
twenty-fifth of May, was placed in the " scrub," beneath an
interlacing of fallen switches. It was a hollow, about nine
inches in diameter, and was lined chiefly with bits of dry fern.

c.^'^'' Had our forefathers been as intolerant of error in
matters of science as in matters of faith, and had they wished,
in applying familiar names to common objects, that the Eng-
lish shoidd obtain by comparison an accurate impression of
what was found here, our Ruffed Grouse would have been
called " Wood Grouse," and not " Partridges," for they are
Grouse, though they differ strikingly from the English birds
of that name, as well as from our own " Pinnated Grouse,"
in frequenting the woods, in the whiteness of their meat, in
their want of sociability, and finally in their markings. The
three birds differ but little in size.

The Ruffed Grouse have in common with their English
relatives an indifference to danger early in the season, and, a
little later, cunning and wariness, combined with swiftness on
the wing. They resemble in habits the British Pheasants,
whence the name given to them in the South and parts of the
Middle States ; and, since the English Partridges scarcely re-
semble at all their namesakes in New England, it must be
confessed that the " Southerners " have come nearer the
mark, in calling the present species a Pheasant.

The Ruffed Grouse, or " Partridges," are very hardy, and,
though not migratory, may be found from Newfoundland and
the western British possessions to Georgia and New Mexico
on the south and west. We shall here describe their habits
in New England.

In the spring and early summer may be heard that remark-
able sound called "drumming." Whoever is fortunate

127 This biography, and the three following-, have been contributed by a
friend.

GROUSE. 409

enough to approach closely an old cock in the act of drum-
ming, will be well rewarded for the trouble that he may have
taken in so doing. Generally on a log or broad stump, or in
a cleared spot, the bird will be seen, j^uffed like a Turkey to
twice his natural size, with his crest erect, his ruffs extended
(as in the cut, fig. 20), and his tail spread, strutting about,
lowering or twisting his neck and head, and then suddenly
beating violently with his wings his inflated body.* This
causes a sound, which on a favorable day may be heard for a
mile or two, and which is often repeated at intervals for some
time. One can appreciate the muscular vitality of the wings
and the rapidity of their motion, by endeavoring to imitate
the sound on a cushion (or other surface) with the hand. It
will be found impossible to equal or even to a23proach the
rapidity of the repeated strokes.

The eggs, deposited from day to day, are generally laid be-
fore the first of June, and mature in about eighteen days.
The young leave the nest immediately, and find the greater
part of their own food, though the hen sometimes offers them
a few morsels. At this time, the latter part of June, and
indeed through the rest of the summer, the young broods
commonly frequent low, moist grounds in thick coverts, where
food is abundant and water at hand, and there they are sure
to be met with in a search for summer Woodcock. Should a
brood be disturbed, while still with the hen, the latter feigns
lameness, and decoys the intruder away, suffering him to put
his hand almost upon her, uttering a clucking of anxiety,
until she thinks him at a safe distance from her young, when
she darts off on the wing, her chicks having meantime hid-
den, and leaves the deluded victim of this pretty ruse to won-
der alone. Sometimes, she even bristles up and attacks the
offender, as well as she can, and much like a brooding Hen.

* The long- - vexed question as to bird's wing-s strike neither its body nor

how the Partridge drums is still a the log, but simply the air, and that

subject of dispute among- omitholo- the sound which they produce while the

gists and sportsmen. It will perhaps Partridge is drumming is essentially

never be settled to the satisfaction of the same as that heard when it starts

every one, but I have convinced my- in flight. — W. B.
self, by repeated observations, that the

410 GAME-BIRDS.

If the first nest be destroyed, a second hatching is often
entered upon. The young increase rapidly in size, and by
the first of Sej^tember are two thirds grown. Until then they
remain more or less together in a covey, and, if undisturbed,
even do so until the following spring. While young, they
suffer severely from exposure to unusual weather, especially
to cold and heavy rains, which are very destructive. More-
over, a species of wood-tick attacks them in summer, insert-
ing its triangular head beneath the skin.* It is said to be
especially dangerous when it attaches itself to the bird's
head or neck, but, at all events, many birds suffer from it.
They are also often infested with lice, and are occasionally
troubled by a kind of bot-worm, which resembles a large
maggot, and which must be fatal, since it reaches the flesh.

In the first part of the shooting- season, whether it be Sep-
tember or October, tolerable sport may be had with the birds
over a gun, if they have not been disturbed pre"saously, and
if they are abundant and in passable woods, though in the
wilderness or rough forest they can only be shot while sta-
tionary, as the woods are usually too thick and encumbered
to allow of shooting at them on the wing. In such places, or
wherever the birds are not suspicious of man, they often take
to a tree, if j^ursued by a yelping cur or spaniel, and, appar-
ently in a state of stupid wonder, allow the sportsman to
walk up and shoot them. Except in the wilderness, however,
it has never been my good fortune to have a covey wait,
while, beginning with the lowest on the tree, I might shoot
them one by one. This undoubtedly is and can be done, if
the birds are wholly unsophisticated, but I caution young-
sportsmen against too firm a belief and too high hopes
founded on such reports. Even with the very best of dogs,
the newest kind of breech-loader, the very acme of skill, and
an abundance of birds, it is very rarely the case that a good
bag is made. The birds seldom lie well to a dog, but steal
away so rapidly on foot, that, if the dog is sIoav and staunch,

* This tick often destroys practi- the opening of the shooting-season, the
cally all the broods of young through- sportsman finds only old birds. — W. B.
out wide sections of country, where, at

GROUSE. 411

they get away altogether, or, if the dog follows at an equal
pace, it is generally impossible, owing to the thickness of the
cover, for you to follow at the same rate. Again, half of the
birds, when startled, get into a tree, and one can see them
neither in the tree nor when they leave it. So on with one
vexation after another throughout the early season. As the
leaves drop, the birds become more shy and wary, getting up,
often silently, instead of with their usual whirr, at long dis-
tances, and often flying with immense rapidity. Yet it is a
pleasure to kill them. They fall with a satisfactory thud,
they fill up one's bag, and are a very good addition to the
larder. A few lucky chances at these seductive birds often
inveigle the old and sagacious sportsman into trying them
once more, though they all declare that the " Partridges "
ought not to be ranked among game-birds. Sometimes, after
a fall of light snow, the sportsman may pursue them success-
fully without a dog. He may also occasionally have good
luck with a dog, on an exceptionally cold autumn morning,
when the birds are more sluggish than usual.

The Ruffed Grouse feed throughout the summer on various
small fruits and berries, and upon such insects as come in
their way. They eat also small acorns, blackberries, grapes,
and beechnuts. On the arrival of snow, they begin to feed
on the buds of various trees and shrubs ; among others, upon
one or more kinds which often render their flesh unwhole-
some and poisonous. As spring opens, they often eat the
buds of apple trees and birches, of both of which they are
particularly fond. They are able to endure an excessive
degree of cold, and, so long as they can find sufficient food,
they do not apparently suffer from severe winters ; but some
perish, like the Quail, from being caught beneath the crust
of the snow, under which, as it falls, they frequently lie,
contrary to their habit of roosting in trees.

The flight of the Ruffed Grouse, when well under way, is
very rapid, and undoubtedly these birds sometimes accomplish
even the first forty yards of their flight in a second. They
usually rise rather slowly, especially in thick woods, and at
first afford an easy mark, unless late in the season, when, with

412 GAME-BIRDS.

a clear path, they go off with great speed. Having reached
the level of the tree-tops, a few yards suffice for headway,
and the latter part of their flight, extended sometimes to
several hundred yards, is usually made with very little motion
of the wings.

d. The ordinary notes of the " Partridges " are a chuck or
clucking, and the whining call of the hen to her young.

§ 31. PERDICID^. Partridges. (See § 30.)

I. COLINUS.

A. VIRGINIANUS. Quail. Partridge. ^' Bob White.''
In southeastern New England, a common resident.*

a. About nine inches long. (J , with the crown-feathers
somewhat erectile. Chief tint, reddish or chestnut brown,
somewhat restricted on the head, wanting on the tail and
middle of the under parts, but becoming chestnut red on the
sides. Head, with much black, but with the throat, forehead,
superciliary line, and edging of the lower feathers, white.
Upper parts, marked with black, gray, and tawny. Tail, gray,
scarcely marked ; quills browner, slightly mottled with tawny.
Breast, etc., waved or barred with black ; belly, chiefly white,
and less marked. 5 » with tints less bright, etc. ; the throat,
etc., buff.

h. The nest is not unlike that of the Ruffed Grouse, but
it is more neatly constructed, being frequently lined with
strips of bark, and is often built in more open or bushy
places. The eggs average about 1.20x1.00 of an inch, are
somewhat pointed, and are white (often slightly stained but
not strictly spotted). They are laid in the latter part of
May, and there are sometimes, according to Wilson, twenty-

*The northern boundaries of the v ere winter causes the utter annihila-

area occupied by this species in New tion of these outposts, and so thins

England cannot be very definitely or the ranks of the more southern birds

permanently stated, for the reason that several years may elapse before

that they are constantly changing-, they begin to recover the lost ground.

The birds increase rapidly under fa- Hence it has happened that they have

vorable conditions, and after a succes- not established themselves permanently

sion of mild winters push their way anywhere much to the northward of

well into southern Maine and New the northern borders of Massachusetts.

Hampshire. But the next really se- — W. B.

AIMERICAN PARTRIDGES.

413

four in the same nest, in which case two or three females prob-
ably contribute to the laying.

c. The Quail are abundant in the three southern States of
New England, except in the
colder and more hilly por-
tions. They are not found
much to the north or east of
Boston, in the neighborhood
of which, however, they are
resident throughout the year.
Our observations on them
naturally begin at that sea-
son of the year when they
relinquish their habits of ex-
treme cunning and vigilance
for those of confidence in
man's respect for domestic
life, that is, in the early part
of summer. Though among
the hardiest and most active
of feathered creatures, they
are prudent in spring, and do not commit themselves to the
risks of incubation until they have received full assurance of
fitting weather. In this respect they differ from the feebler
but more venturesome Woodcock, whose premature endeavors
to raise a family are often defeated by an unexpected snow-
storm. The Quail do not begin until May, when they an-
nounce the fact to all their neighbors within half a mile by
their loud, frank, and cheery whistle, which is generally trans-
lated into our uncouth language as "Bob White." The male
is not now constrained by fear, and, instead of any false pride,
he has a proper sense of his own comely appearance. He
knows that he is attending adequately to his department in the
great* business of nature, and is entirely willing that any one
should see him. He has no fear of man, but he keej^s an eye
to the Hawks, cats, and those other predatory enemies who
respect neither time, place, nor season. He is willing to take
any amount of the family responsibility ; Nature cannot ask too

Fig. 21. QuaU. (k)

414 GAME-BIRDS.

iniicli of him ; he will whistle to two or three wives if neces-
sary ; and he will even accept the law of Moses, and assume
the part of husband towards his brother's widow. Should his
wife propose a family of fifteen instead of nine, he does not
complain ; and, moreover, having escorted his j^oung family
about for a short time, he is ready to go through this once or
even twice more. In fact, he carries his amiability and in-
dustry so far as often to introduce a half-grown family to the
rigors of winter, so that it is not uncommon to find a covey of
these little " cheepers, " when hardly able to fly, even in No-
vember. A successful pair of Quail often turn out twenty-
five young in a season. During the period of incubation, the
Quail often appear on our lawns, or on the walls and fences
by the roadside. Though their bills are especially adapted to
crushing, and their crops to dissolving small grains and seeds,
they are also fond of grubs, worms, and other insects, and are
thus useful in destroying the farmer's pests.

When the armistice granted by law and custom is over, the
male, with his family, seeks securer spots, becoming restless
and active. From this time forward, he seeks safety in con-
ceahnent and silence, and only betrays his presence by the
plaintive call which his social instincts compel him to utter
when separated from his companions, or by the treacherous
scent of his body, which he cannot retain. Besides being
very uncertain in his daily wanderings, especially to those
who are unfamiliar with the locality, he is to a certain extent
migratory ; but his migrations, unlike those of the true Quail
of Europe, are always performed on foot, so far as possible.
We believe that this is not much the case in New England ;
though, from the accidental appearance of a covey in the
Berkshire Hills, and in those of New Hampshire beyond the
isothermal lines Avhich mark the northern range of these birds,
it may be inferred that they are very vagrant in their dis-
position. In Delaware and Maryland, however, coveys of
Quail often aj^pear, who are distinctively called " runners "
by the sportsmen there. On the western side of the Chesa-
peake, an old sportsman assured me that covey after covey
passed through the country, where food and shelter were

AMERICAN PARTRIDGES. 415

abundant, crossing the peninsula on foot, but often perishing
by the wholesale in attempting to pass the wider inlets, and
he added in proof of this that he had taken as many as forty
at a time from the middle of the river near his house.

To return to their habits here: At night, for at least
many days in succession, the Quail select the same spot to
sleep in, more usually in low ground, where the long grass
affords shelter and warmth. There they encamp, not huddled
together promiscuously and unadvisedly, but shoulder to
shoulder in a circle, with their heads out, so that in the event
of a sudden surprise they escape rapidly, and in every direc-
tion, without difficulty. Such roosting-places may very often
be found self -attesting, from the arrangement and accumula-
tion of hard, round fasces. Though they rarely take to wing
except when surprised, they almost invariably do so on leav-
ing their roost in the morning, which they do at an early
hour. Let us suppose ourselves to be accompanying Quail
on a day's ramble. They first fly from the swamp, perhaps
four or five hundred yards, to some copse adjoining a stubble-
field. After a little toilet and a few sips of dew, they break-
fast on the edge of the grain-field, keeping somewhat together,
though each seeks for himself, making an occasional demand
for halves upon the lucky finder of some luscious morsel.
Half an hour after sunrise, the birds have passed through the
long field more rapidly than usual, since the dew is not heavy,
owing to a breeze in the night. Otherwise, they might have
skirted the field to avoid getting wet, which they much dis-
like. Having reached a fallow field, the old cock suddenly
squats ; then, with wonderful rapidity and steps nearly eigh-
teen inches long, he runs across this land, the others following.
He passes through a dry oak wood, halts a moment for the
stragglers, takes breath, and then flies silently from the crest
of the hill across the little valley below. These hurried
movements are due to a lad with a gun and an old dog. The
latter of these new-comers stops suddenly as if paralyzed, and
then steps along slowly and stealthily to that part of the
stubble-field where the birds left it, stopping from time to
time for his master to come up. Puzzled, he now returns

416 GAME-BIRDS.

more rapidly, but circumspectly, to tlie point of tlie birds'
entrance on the field, and there he is again puzzled. His
master, after obliging him to go all through the stubble, after
tramping himself all over this, as well as the adjoining woods,
shoulders his gun and goes off. Meanwhile, our former com-
panions have wandered half a mile further, and, after drink-
ing in a lively little brook, have again taken a short flight.
They are now sitting half asleep in the sunshine on a dry,
sandy bank, though some are dusting themselves in little hol-
lows which they have scratched out, just as Hens do. In the
latter part of the afternoon they return, perhaps by very muck
the same route, and reach the old stubble-field ; but, just
when they are in the middle of this, a Hawk appears, and the
whole covey instantly squat. Should the marauder detect
them, notwithstanding the assimilation of their coloring to
that of the mould and dead vegetation, one must perish. The
danger is soon past, however, and the birds are feeding again ;
but they squat a second time, because our friend with the gun
has reappeared. His dog soon ascertains their position and
stops again, while the lad advances beyond him. The birds
suddenly spring up with a startling whirr, which is immedi-
ately followed by the hang, hang, of two gun-barrels, which
prove harmless. The old cock and one or tw^o more go to a
patch of scrub oaks, the old hen and three others to a grove
of maples ; no, they have gone into a nasty swamp. The others
have flown straight to a pine grove. The old cock and his
companions race over the dry leaves through the scrub oaks,
at the rate of a hundred and fifty yards in a minute, so that
one must trot to go as fast. The young do the same over the
smooth, dry carpet of pine needles. They pass along so rap-
idly, and the ground is so free from grass and undergrowth,
that no scent is left behind. Two or three birds are in the
pines, sitting close to the trunks or along the boughs. Two
others have dropped into a bunch of briers, and the rest into
bushes near by. Our friend has now passed through the in-
tervening copse ; he has reached the swamp, and has hunted
over it thoroughly, but without success. His fine-haired
pointer has refused to go among the briers. Had he waited

AMERICAN PARTRIDGES. 417

half an hour, until the scent of the birds had become stronger
through o^radual dissemination, his doof would have found
them easily. Tired and disappointed, he sits down to con-
sider, when suddenly two of the Quail whirr almost at his
feet. Meanwhile, the young birds have run half a mile, leav-
ing no scent, and those who were in the trees have silently
flown on to join their companions. By and by you m^j be
surprised to hear them calling each other together near the
old field, and apparently on the very ground which our friend
has searched so carefully. At last they will be back again at
their roosting-place safe and sound, even if pursued until
after dark. Now the lad also returns home, and explains his
ill luck by an extraordinary theory, read of in books, and
verified by his own experience, that our Quail have a wonder-
ful power of retaining their scent. The only sound argument
to prove this statement is that our game-birds, when very
young, by a thoughtful provision of nature, emit little or no
scent. ^^^

Though the Quail are very hardy, and can probably en-
dure very severe cold, they often perish in the snow. In
winter, they lie on the ground as usual, always allowing the
snow to accumulate, until morning, when they free them-
selves by united effort. Should a crust be formed, they fre-
quently find it impossible to escape, and so perish.

The haunts and habits of our Quail of course vary much
in different localities. In the South and West they are ac-
counted easy to shoot, but, being very abundant there, they
are less often followed into the " thick." In the wooded parts

128 Among the very numerous writ- " The question cannot be settled in
ers on this subject, none, so far as we this summary manner, for the writer
have observed, have claimed to pos- overlooks the important fact that the
sess that scientific and exact know- habit of retaining- scent is not common
ledge of the Quail's physiological struc- to all the Quail of any one locality or
ture and functions, without which it is region. On the contrary it is peculiar
idle to argue the question. When to certain individuals or bevies who in-
game-birds drop suddenly to the variably practice it when pursued by
ground and remain motionless, the sportsmen. Yet these individuals do
dog does not perceive them.<* Quail not drop more suddenly nor remain
most frequently alight in this way, but more motionless than the less fortunate
as soon as they begin to move, the birds which the dogs easily find and
effluvium escapes and is disseminated. point. — W. B.

418 GAME-BIRDS.

of New England, on the other hand, a good bag of Quail is
the best test of a sportsman's skill. A successful pursuit of
them requires the utmost vigilance and activity, a sure hand,
strong nerves, and great quickness together with nice obser-
vation. Their flight, late in the season, is much more rapid
than that of the Woodcock or Snipe. They are, moreover,
exceedingly tenacious of life. Their habits of capricious
wandering, of rapid running, of dropping suddenly like
stones, of resorting to trees, and of seeking covers which are
thick or rendered impenetrable by briers, necessitate vigor,
a certain aim, and a familiarity with their habits.

d. The principal notes of the Quail, which we have al-
ready spoken of, are both whistles. One (which is somewhat
like the whistle of the Great Crested Flycatcher) is a single
call-note, uttered as if the breath were drawn in at the latter
part, and is employed at all times of the year. The other is
heard in spring and summer, and consists of two or three
loud notes, of which each is higher than the preceding.
This latter is very well known, and is familiar to nearly all
persons who live in the country. The Quail have also a few
low twitterings, not audible at any great distance, and a
chuck,

§ 32. SCOLOPACID^. Snipe, etc.
I. PHILOHELA.

A. MINOR. ^^^ (^American') Woodcock. In New Eng-
land, most abundant as a migrant, but locally common as a
summer resident.*

129 The larger European Woodcock Its occurrence as an occasional strag-

{Scolopax rusticola) is said to have oc- gler is highly probable, however, for

curred in New England as a straggler. « it has been killed in Newfoundland, on

In this species, only the outer wing- Long Island, in New Jersey, and in

feather (or first primary) is attenuate, Virginia. — W. B.

i. e., extremely narrow.'' In the Amer- ^ This is an error, for in the Euro-

ican species tliree of the primaries pean Woodcock the first primary is not

present this appearance. attenuate, but is broad like the rest. —

" The grounds on which this state- W. B.
ment was made are not obvious, for, so * The Woodcock breeds throughout
far as I am aware, no fully identified most of New England, and very corn-
specimen of the European Woodcock monly still in many of the more remote
has ever been taken in New England, parts of Maine, New Hampshire, and

WOODCOCK.

419

a. About eleven inches long. Beneath, varying from
(very) pale reddish buff to ruddy chestnut, darkest on the
sides, whitening on the chin and cheeks. Above, varied with
the same tint, with black, and with grayish. Forehead

Fig. 22. Woodcock. %)

scarcely marked, but bordered by a dark, irregular (and
often indistinct) line from the bill to the eye. Immature
specimens are paler and gi-ayer above, and have several white
markings.

h. The eggs average about 1.50x1.20 of an inch, though
variable in size and shape, and are creamy, brownish, or clay-
color, spotted and blotched with lilac and rather dull or in-
distinct browns. In Massachusetts, a set of four is usually
laid about the middle of April. The places chosen are

Vermont, but iu Massachusetts and to
the southward its numbers have de-
creased steadily and very rapidly dur-
ing the past twenty years. Indeed, in
many localities, especially in eastern
Massachusetts, it has become a posi-
tively rare bird during the summer
The diminution in the number

of migrants, although sufficiently seri-
ous and alarming, is much less than
that of our local birds, and many of
the old-time coverts continue to afford
fairly good autumn shooting. The
species has been known to occur in
midwinter in southern New England.
— W. B.

420 GAME-BIRDS.

swampy groves, especially of alders or birches, and some-
times pastures or clearings. There is but little or no nest.

c. A " game-bird," though exceptions may be taken to al-
most any definition of this term, is generally understood to
be a bird that lies to a dog, and that can be shot only when
on the wing. This definition, however, excludes, and we
think rightly, the " Partridge " or Kuffed Grouse, who will
not lie to a dog, but who on the contrary often takes to a
tree, thus causing to the scientific sportsman constant annoy-
ance. But the Woodcock is^;ar excellence a game-bird, and,
though he may play in a game of life and death to him, he
adheres as scrupulously to rules of honor as any knight-
errant of old. He may have his cunning devices, but he
does not sneak or hide in trees. This conduct, however,
finds no corresponding sentiment in his rapacious and im-
provident pursuer, to whose reckless cravings for sport or
gain we in New England are indebted for the present scar-
city of the luscious Woodcock. Unless the laws, and general
feelings on the subject, are greatly modified, comparatively
few more years will suffice to nearly exterminate them.

The Woodcock are almost universally distributed over
North America, both as residents and birds of passage. We
shall speak here of their habits in New England only.
Though a friend once showed the writer a record of one or
more Woodcock killed in Massachusetts during every month
of the year, these birds are migratory, and, though appar-
ently often solitary in their flights, find their way, by an ad-
mirable instinct, through "the illimitable waste of air," at
least as far as from Labrador to Maryland. Many breed in
the Southern States, even as far south as the Gulf, while
others breed to the northward of Canada ; but all pass the
winter in the South, their northern range at that season
being, it is believed, Maryland. They reach the neighborhood
of Boston as early as March, and then, or more often early in
April, they may be found on those dry hillsides, which were
their last resorts in autumn. Almost immediately after their
arrival, they begin to mate, and they may be observed in the
dusk of evening to mount high in the air, going through a vari-

WOODCOCK. 421

ety of eccentric motions, and from time to time darting suddenly
down with great velocity. The eggs are laid early in April,
sometimes on a warm knoll, sometimes on a high, bare hillside.
After incubation has begun, it is extremely difficult to find
the birds ; a few days later the sportsman may easily find
three or four broods of young with one or both parents, w^here
he may before have hunted by inches without flushing a bird.
Should he, however, patiently search with his dog the dry
grounds, he may find them, perhaj)s ten yards, perhaps half
a mile, from the wet swale which he knows to be their favo-
rite feeding-ground. The same is the case in August ; also
in winter (in districts of the South, where in many localities
which the writer has visited the birds may be found in the
ratio of ten to a township). In no part of the country are
there Woodcock enough to occupy the wdiole of it ; they may
resort to any one of the many thousand acres outside of
the particular spot to which at particular times they
resort. While the young are feeble on the wing and
their parents are with them, twelve birds may be found
in summer in a swale of two acres, but later they
may be dispersed over many hundred times that space. Their
'' borings " (small, clean-cut holes made in soft earth by
their bills) may still, however, be seen in the same swale;
moreover, by j)atient watching at evening, their shadowy
forms may be detected, as they pass to the swamp, or cross
the roadway, and, by patient search, the same twelve birds
may be picked up one by one in odd places. This fact the
author has verified by experience, when the temporary laws
forbade the killing of the birds before August fifteenth.
Will any one who cannot gainsay these facts still uphold the
absurd old theory that Woodcock migrate in summer ? Since
this so-called disappearance is a notorious fact from Canada
to the far South and West, we venture to ask to what place
the birds migrate. To this there is no answer.

The period of incubation is supposed to be sixteen days,
but it may be longer. As soon as the young are hatched, it
becomes convenient and necessary that the whole family
should be in the immediate vicinity of a feeding-ground, and

422 GAJVIE-BIRDS.

it is asserted that the old birds frequently carry their young
thither in their bills.* Their food now consists of various
earth-worms, which they obtain by probing the ground with
their bills, evidence of which may often be found, usually in
soft, black ground. Their borings are certain signs, which
are eagerly looked for by the sportsman. They also glean
among decaying leaves and logs, and in low, moist, vegetable
growth; but from a peculiarity of structure or habit, their
soft animal food is so compressed and macerated in the swal-
lowing that the species eaten becomes indistinguishable, even
when the bird is shot just after eating. Rich, soft earth,
running water, and abundant shelter, are the most usual and
certain conditions for a summer cover.

The young birds mature very rapidly, but are usually only
two thirds grown in Jidy. From the fact that often neither
parent, or at most only one of them, is to be found with
the young in their summer cover, and that birds only half
grown are frequently shot in September or late in October,
it may be inferred that two broods are raised in a season. f It
is certain that a second set of eggs is laid, when those of the
first nest are destroyed, either by accident or by the common
vicissitudes of our climate, such as early snows, or long con-
tinued wet and cold. There are great differences in the pro-
ductiveness of different seasons. The writer recalls one within
a few years when there was a heavy snow-storm in the middle
of April, and afterwards floods caused by northeasterly rains ;
the same extensive grounds, over which he had been accus-
tomed to get three or four dozen birds in the course of July,
contained that year just seven old birds, while a large portion
of the few Woodcock found in September were mere fledg-
lings. Others made similar observations during the same
year.

By the first of August a majority of the Woodcock desert
the low, wet grounds, and scatter themselves all over the coun-

* The American as well as the Euro- t This opinion is not now generally

pean Woodcock has been seen to rise sustained, nor does it seem to rest on

and fly away with one of its young any very good evidence. — W. B.
firmly held between its thighs. — W. B.

WOODCOCK. 423

try, generally choosing, however, some dry spot, protected by
a dense second growth. The sportsman may chance to find
them, however, in the long grass of a meadow, and in a va-
riety of such places as corn-fields, pine groves, bunches of dry
alders, knolls of cedar, hillsides of birch, woods of chestnuts,
thickets of briers, etc. They are now moidting and half-
naked, and they can no longer make that peculiar whistle
which at all other times warns the sportsman. Though they
sometimes labor with their wings, as they heavily flutter up,
they as often fly off silently like an Owl, stealing along close
to the ground. They are usually found, too, upon very dry
land holding no scent, where they come merely to rest, and
upon which they have dropped without running about. If
disturbed, however, they occasionally steal away from the
dog on foot, running over the parched ground, and thus elude
him altogether, or get up out of shot or unperceived. On
this account, a pursuit of them at this time is unsatisfactory,
requiring for a good bag hard fagging, thorough knowledge
of the ground, great observation and vigilance.

In September, the Woodcock are again in better condition.
They are now less capricious, and are more easily found, fre-
quenting, for the most part, drier grounds. In October, the
birds are not only in prime condition, but they afford to
sportsmen the most enjoyable and eagerly sought-for shoot-
ing. They are found again in localities which may easily be
ascertained. The sportsman may always hope for the abun-
dant sport which follows a flight, for it is in October that
those remarkable movements of the birds occur. There is in
flight-time an uncertainty as to when and where the birds
may be found, which gives in the highest degree that element
of chance, without which the sportsman's life would lose half
its charm. Every one must form his own theories from his
own experience and knowledge of the grounds, but certain it
is that sometimes the lucky or sagacious sportsman may
reach a spot in which the birds are almost literally swarming.
Suddenly and inexplicably the cover becomes full of them ;
then as mysteriously it becomes vacant. One would suppose
that birds apparently so feeble on the wing must perform

424 GAME-BIRDS.

tliese long journeys by short stages ; but, thougb the Wood-
cock undoubtedly travel about much more actively than is
commonly supposed from one part of a district to another, so
that there are often local flights, yet it is well known that
they very often appear simultaneously over wide areas. The
writer himself has seen one in the gray of morning, a mile or
two from land on the open ocean, flying in as if from sea.
This bird was solitary, but in the afternoon of the same day
we found six or eight birds in a bit of wood where we had
never seen AYoodcock before, and no doubt the morning's
bird was among them.

It is quite evident that Woodcock do not fly in flocks, like
Plover or wild fowl, compactly and under the direction of a
leader, but that each travels independently, coming in contact
with his companions through their common tastes. Yet it is
said to be wise to leave a bird or two in every cover as " toll-
ers." Twice when the writer has met a flight, both occasions
being late in the afternoon, he has gone through the cover
once, thought it shot out, returned over the same ground as it
was growing dark, found half as many more, and still, as he
has stood after dark on the edge of the cover and has walked
away, he has perceived the birds dropping in one by one.
The next day scarcely a bird could be found there.

The Woodcock pretty generally disappear (near Boston)
by the twenty-fifth of October, though it is not uncommon to
have good shooting a fortnight later. It seems that the old
birds sometimes precede the young in their flights, as is the
case with the Sea Coot and Golden Plover. The wTiter once
weighed eighteen, shot on the second of October, whose aver-
age weight was seven ounces. This may have been owing to
some extraordinary combination of accidents; but every
sportsman is familiar with those very small, wiry, compactly
feathered, weather-tanned birds, w^ho appear in October, and
who are called, perhaps locally, " Labrador twisters."

The influence of w^eather upon the birds is an interesting
but puzzling study. A heavy rain or frost causes them to
shift their quarters from swamps to hillsides or vice versa ; a
drought or heavy flood drives them away altogether. In
autumn, just before a northeast storm, birds that have been

WOODCOCK. 425

on a ground the whole season sometimes seem very nervous
and restless, jumping up wildly and flying far ; in the same
cover, after the storm, no birds can be found.

The flight of the Woodcock, when first flushed, is short
and very slow. In summer, the same bird may often be shot
at eight or ten times, by persistent and thorough searching.
He lies with his head dropped on his shoulders, and on rising
makes one or two sharp whistles with his wings. It often
happens, however, especially if the bird goes on to dry
ground or into long grass, or if he drops, as he often does,
like a stone, without running, that the best dog cannot find
him by scent. Many and many a time in summer the bird
may be marked down accurately, and may be found only by
actually kicking him up. A little study shows this to be
quite accidental, depending upon the condition of the ground,
upon the kind of cover, and upon whether the bird runs or
not. It is a fact which has some bearing on the vexed ques-
tion whether or not the Quail voluntarily withhold their scent.

The structure of Woodcock's eyes is very peculiar, being
adapted to their habits of moving and feeding at night ; and
the birds not unfrequently fly against telegraph-wires in the
day-time, and are thus killed. Our species differs radically
from the European. The general appearance and markings
of the latter are wholly different, especially in his being
waved beneath. He is a third larger, two thirds less luscious,
much more indolent, and wholly silent on the wing. He may
be described generally as a cross between a Curlew and an
Owl. Our Woodcock is not a warbler, and does not alidit
on trees, the assertions of our farmers to the contrary not-
withstanding.

d. His notes are few and unmusical.* In spring, at the
time of his antics in the air, he utters a series of peculiar
and rather harsh but not very loud notes. Wilson speaks of
his " sudden quack^'^ and says that " when uttering his com-
mon note on the ground, he seems to do it with difficulty,

* To the ears of most persons, the of the water-whistles sold by boys in

vocal sounds which the Woodcock ut- our city streets. The cry whieli he

ters during his song- flights in early utters on the ground at this season is

spring are highly musical and pleas- certainly harsh and unmusical. — W. B.
ing. They resemble closely the notes

426 GAISIE-BIRDS.

throwing liis head towards the earth and frequently jetting
up his tail."' The young have a feeble '' peep."

II. GALLINAGO.

A. DELiCATA. (A}7}erican) Siiijic. Wlho?i's Snipe. A
common mio-rant throuoh Massachusetts.*

a. Average length, ten inches. Bill essentially like that
of the AVoodcock, and about as long. Head much less stout,
and tail longer, than the corresponding parts of that bird.
Crown, dark, with a light median stripe. Back, etc., va-
ried with black, brown, and a tint varying from chestnut to
whitish. Belly, etc., white ; generally unmarked, but with
the sides darldy barred. Breast, etc., somewhat tawny, and
streaked or mottled with brown.

b. The eggs have about the same measurements as those
of the Woodcock, but are much more pointed or " pyriform."
They are drab, often tinged with olive, and are blotched with
brown. '• The loosely constructed nest is built on the ground
in various wet places."

c. The Snipe, more particularly designated as Wilson's
Snipe or the '* English "' Snijie, differ so slightly from the
latter as to be substantially the same, if not wholly so. In
New^ England, they are birds of passage, breeding here but
rarely. Near Boston, they appear from the South as soon as
the frost is well out of the lowlands, where they feed, and
where they may be looked for as soon as the Bluebird enters
seriously upon her preparations for summer housekeeping, or
when the shad-bush is in bloom. Though they do not regu-
late their movements by the calendar, the sportsman will find
that in a series of years the most favorable season for spring
snipe-shooting is that between April tenth and twenty -fifth.
Stragglers and small '' wisps *" may be found sometimes in
]\Iarch, often in !May, and occasionally in early June. But
at this time of year they are uncertain and capricious in

* Throughout most of New England, birds reg-ularly pass the entire winter

occurs only duiing- the mig-rations. when on Cape Cod in bush-grown, briery

it is locally common: but it breeds swamps, where swift-running brooks

sparingly in eastern Maine and occa- or warm springs keep the gTound com-

sionally as far south as Massachusetts, paratively free from frost during the

or even Connecticut. A good many coldest seasons. — W. B.

SNIPE. 427

their habits, appearing and perhaps in a few hours disappear-
ing so suddenly and mysteriously as to cause the formation
of very different theories and speculations as to what are the
favorable conditions for a '* flight," and to make it impos-
sible for any person not living in the immediate vicinity of
the grounds, to count surely upon finding birds. As to the
flights, some say " clear warm weather with light westerly
winds," others " thick weather and southerly winds" ; some
look for Snipe after, and some before, a northeast rain-storm ;
and so on. Some say that thick weather makes them stop
here, others that clear weather helps them to get here. Each
theorist rejoices in his own wisdom, and there is not only this
uncertainty as to the time of arrival, but also an equally try-
ing one as to the locality in which the birds may be found.

Like Woodcock, the Snipe use their long and sensitive
bills for probing the mud or soft earth, and the perforations
which they make are often tantalizing evidences of their
recent occupation of the grounds ; but, unlike them, they are
usually, though not invariably, found and shot in the " open."
Like Woodcock, again, they are nocturnal birds, though the
modified arrangement and structure of their eyes enable them
to show greater observation and vigilance, to make long flights,
and to feed, as they frequently do, by daylight.

It is during the season of mating in spring that the actions
of the male birds are so remarkable and'interestino-. Kisina;
in the air to a great height, they dart and twist about with
wonderful agility, dropping plumb down from time to time in
the midst of these eccentric gyrations, and producing, as they
descend, a thrumming noise, possibly caused by forming the
wing into a sort of ^Eolian harp. The sound is peculiar and
unmistakable, resembling somewhat that made by throwing a
nail held crosswise in the hand, but it is much louder and
more full. It is said that at such times they will sometimes
alight temporarily on a tree or fence, but this observation the
author has never had the good fortune to verify, though he
once saw one alight upon a fence-post for a moment, not,
however, during an "exhibition."

The Snipe breed in the far north, and return to us in au-
tumn, when they will, if permitted, remain on that ground

428 GAME-BIRDS.

vvhicli is to their liking for several weeks. But though they
have been found and shot as early as August, and as late as
December, the most favorable time is between September 10
and October 25, and of this period the last fortnight is the
best j)ortion.

In all the accounts of these birds which are accessible to
him, the author finds the ancient, time-honored tradition, that
the Snipe always begin their flights by rapid zigzags, so that
it behooves the shooter either to fire at the instant when the
birds attain the height of their first spring, or to wait till
they have completed their zigzags and begin their steady
flight. The beginner, deeply impressed by these statements,
his mind filled with the idea that the flight of the Snipe is
much like that of a tortuous lightning flash through a cloud,
sets out, and, adopting one or the other of these absurd rules,
is sure to miss. Inasmuch as the Snipe, five times out of six,
in most weather does not spri?ig at all, to fire at the height
of the first spring means to the beginner to fire as soon as he
can, that is as much as possible before he gets his aim. On
the other hand, to wait until the bird has done with zigzag-
ging necessitates waiting until he has begun zigzagging, and,
as he generally does not zigzag at all, this involves waiting
some time. From the expression, "zigzag flight," would not
the natural impression be that the bird kept darting rapidly
with sharp, quick, short turns from side to side ? That such
is the Snipe's usual flight is certainly not true, though it is
undoubtedly often rapid and sometimes eccentric. The au-
thor's experience is, for these days of rapid travel, limited, but
after shooting Snipe at diiferent seasons in the British Pro-
vinces, in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maryland,
Delaware, Virginia, and North Carolina, he ventures to as-
sert that they almost never " zigzag " in their flight.*

* This assertion — with the state- very frequently is directly contrary to

ments to the same effect which precede the impressions of most persons who

and follow it — is simply inexplicable, have had occasion to study its habits,

coming as it does from a sportsman Indeed, the published testimony on

whose familiarity with Wilson's Snipe this point is so voluminous and conclu-

cannot be questioned. That this bird, sive that I need only add that the

when flushed, occasionally flies away " time-honored tradition ' ' to which the

in a straig-ht line is undeniably true, present wiiter alludes is, in my opin-

but that it does so habitually or even ion, unquestionably true. — W. B.

SNIPE. 429

Unless there is a high wind, or the birds have been very
much persecuted, they fly off, four times out of five, more or
less rapidly in a direct line, and near the ground. On a
bright, warm, quiet day, with a gentle breeze, they afford the
sportsman more easy shots in succession than any other game-
bird of New England, and, indeed, frequently flutter off so
indolently that to shoot them is a mere bagatelle even for the
most indifferent shot. Snipe usually start up the wind, and, if
the wind is high, often dart away fifteen or twenty yards, gradu-
ally ascending, and then either fall away gradually before the
wind till they cross it with a circumlinear flight, or, by
throwing up one wing, make a sharp angle in the direction of
their motion. But the abrupt change of direction is not com-
mon, and a rapid repetition of it rare. Sometimes, again, they
go off up wind, bearing first more strougl}^ on one wing than
on the other, thus producing a sinuous motion in regular
curves, varying a few feet on either side from a right line,
and crossing it, perhaps, every thirty or forty feet. Some-
times, again, they start by a rapid and almost perpendicular
ascent, and then sag away from the wind. The mode of flight
depends of course on certain conditions : the state of the at-
mosphere, the force of the wind, the nature of the ground,
the season, the bird's condition of body, etc. Snipe almost
invariably fly into the wind ; if a bunch of high reeds, a fence,
or a line of trees, is in the way, or if for any other reason
they ascend rapidly, they must afterward either fall off, flying
across or down the wind, or else tack uj) into it to get
headway. Since no bird can with rapidity start from a sta-
tionary position in the air against a strong wind, the more
nearly stationary that a bird is, so is his difficulty the greater.
If, on the contrary, there are no obstructions, and the birds
jump at once from the ground into the teeth of the wind,
taking a nearly horizontal line, there is less likelihood of their
tacking or falling away, for it is not so necessary. In spring,
the shooting is often more difficult, for the birds are light
weights, and in great training when they reach us. They are
both migrating and mating, and often seem to be in a state
of restless activity and nervous excitement, which makes it

430 GAME-BIRDS.

very difficult to kill or even to approach them. So it is also
in autumn, when the birds first appear ; they are frequently
wild and active, so much so as to make the pursuit of them a
series of vexations ; and yet, two days afterwards, the very
same birds, having got fat and a little more lazy, afford
delightful sport.

After hearing the accepted rules condemned, the reader
may well ask for some substitute, but such rules are like
rules of grammar ; a man may shoot well, and speak gram-
matically, knowing no rules ; he may know all rules and yet
be able to do neither. Yet to know what others have learned
is often useful. The success of sportsmen is more often due
to their manner of getting shots than to their manner of mak-
ing them. The chief difficulty in Snipe-shooting is the sud-
den and unexj^ected way in which the birds often jump, on
either side or behind ; but they may usually be marked down
with accuracy, as they throw up their wings to alight, and
they should then, as always, be approached down wind, no
matter how great a detour is necessary. By a study of their
habits the sportsman will soon find upon what days and in
what places they may be most easily and successfully shot.
More may generally be killed by a vigorous walker without a
dog than with one, if one prefers birds to pleasure. As to
the shooting, as in all shooting on the wing, you cannot shoot
too quickly or too deliberately ; when to fire quickly and
when deliberately is to be learned by practice only. As for a
precise rule, an old friend used to say : " Pull, as soon as the
gun touches the shoulder, if not sooner J'^ There is humor in
all wisdom, but perhaps an undue proportion in this advice
for practical use. All that can be said is : " Shoot as soon as
you know that the gun is right ; the sooner, the better."
After blowing a few birds to pieces, you will learn how far to
modify this rule. Many birds will be missed by being under-
shot, and many by not being shot at well ahead. Some sports-
men use number 8 shot ; some number 12 and intermediate
sizes. Number 9 does very well.

Autumn is the proper season for Snipe-shooting, both be-
cause the birds are then more certainly found and because

SNIPE. 431

they are then very delicious morsels for the table. With us,
when they arrive in spring, they are lean, dry, and sinewy,
from long and hard exercise ; the period of breeding has
already begun, and well-developed eggs may often be found in
the females. There is as much difference between the rich,
tender, and juicy meat of the well-fed, lazy, autumn bird, and
the meagre, dry, and sinewy flesh of the spring traveler, as
between that of a stall-fed ox and that of a dray-horse. Yet
there are many to whose coarse palates no difference appears.
No doubt, it is hard to relinquish all field-sports in the spring ;
without such relief the period of inaction is long and tedious ;
one's fingers itch for the trigger. Yet spring Snipe-shooting
is a sorry pastime, and a wasteful one, unworthy of the true
sportsman.

d. The notes of the Snipe are not susceptible of satisfac-
tory description ; their common note being a peculiar squeak,
while their extraordinary love-note is usually called " bleat-
ing."

APPENDIX.

A. AN ORNITHOLOGICAL CALENDAR FOR EASTERN MAS-
SACHUSETTS.

(Notes on the Insessores, or land-birds, only, excluding game-
birds, shore-birds, and waders.)

§ I. January.

Visitants and residents ; those in brackets being always very rare,
those italicized being (rare or) absent during many winters, and those
marked with an asterisk (*) spending the winter, for the most part,
more to the southward : [Black Hawks], Blue Jays,* " Butcher-
birds," Cedar-birds,* " Chickadees," Crossbills, Crows, Downy Wood-
peckers, Golden-crowned "Wrens," Golden-winged Woodpeckers,*
Goldfinches, Goshawks,^ [Great Gray Owls], Great Horned Owls,
Hairy Woodpeckers,^ [Hawk Owls], Hawks (several which are sum-
mer residents), [Ipswich Sparrows] ?, [Gyrfalcons], Kingfishers* ?,
Lapland Longspurs,^ Meadow Larks,* Nuthatches, Owls (several
which are summer residents), Pine Finches, Pine Gh^osheaks, Pur-
ple Finches* ?, Red-bellied Nuthatches,* Red Crossbills, Red-polls,
Red-tailed Hawks, Robins,* [Rough-legged Hawks], Ruby-crowned
Wrens,* t Shore Larks, (G. N.) Shrikes, Snow-birds, Snow Buntings,
Song Sparrows,* [Three-toed Woodpeckers], Tree Sparrows, White-
bellied Nuthatches,* White-ivinged Crossbills, Wild Pigeons,*
Woodpeckers (see above). Winter Wrens* ?, and various sea-birds,
etc.

Note. The Black-throated Blue and Yellow-rumped Warblers,
and also the Red-winged Blackbirds, have been known exception-
ally to pass the winter here, and the Bluebirds are said to have
been seen here in January. %

^ Rare. J The supposed instance of the oc-

t This species should have been currence of the Black-throated Blue

omitted, as it is not known to occur in Warbler in winter at Boston is open

winter in any part of New England. — to serious doubt. The Long--billed

W. B. Marsh Wren, Yellow-rumped Warbler,

434 APPENDIX.

§ II. February.

The same birds may be found here in February as in January.
In the latter part of this month, the Bhiebirds, or even the Red-
winged Blackbirds, sometimes come ; and the Great Horned Owls
sometimes lay their eggs.

§ III. March.

lst-15th, the Song Sparrows and Snow-birds sing. The Blue-
birds and Blackbirds usually arrive from the South; the Song
Sparrows, and Robins (?), become more abundant.

15th-31st, the Robins, Cedar-birds, Meadow Larks, (and Golden-
winged Woodpeckers) become more abundant. The Rust}'' Black-
birds, Fox Sparrows (20-25), Bay-winged Buntings ? (25-31),
Cow-birds? (25-31), and Pew^ees? (25-31) appear.f Many winter
birds move to the northward.

§ IV. April.

During this month, the Screech Owls and others lay their eggs,
as do the Duck Hawks. The [Titlarks], Yellow-beUied Wood-
peckers, Winter Wrens, Night " Hawks," [Wild Pigeons], Carolina
Doves, Crow Blackbirds, and [Purple Finches] appear ; but with
great irregularity. Those inclosed in brackets are said often to pass
the winter here ; | those italicized often to arrive in March, but the
Night " Hawks " frequently do not come until May. Many winter
birds move to the northward in April, and other birds come from
the South with more or less regularity at about the following dates.

1st, (Pine Warblers, usually later), Bay-winged Buntings, Cow-
birds, Kingfishers, and Pewees.

10th (or earlier). White-breasted Swallows and Swamp Sparrows.

15th, Chipping Sparrows and Field Sparrows (usually not until

Swamp Sparrow, White-throated Spar- Bunting-, Bronzed Grackle, and King-
row, and Red-winged Blackbird now fisher. — W. B.

winter regularly, but only sparingly t To this list should be added the
and very locally, in eastern Massachu- Woodcock, Wilson's Snipe, Crow Black-
setts. Additional species, of which one bird, Ipswich Sparrow, and Savannah
or more individuals have been taken Sparrow. — W. B.
or seen in Massachusetts in midwin- % There is no good evidence to show
ter, are : the Hermit Thrush, Mock- that the Titlark ever passes the winter
ing-bird, Catbird, Nashville and Or- in Massachusetts, and if the Night
ange - crowned Warblers, Maryland Hawk ever arrives in April, its appear-
Yellow - throat, Field Sparrow, Cow ance at so early a date must be con-
sidered purely accidental. — W. B.

APPENDIX. 435

the 20th), also Hermit Thrushes, Pine Warblers, Red-poll Warblers,
Ruby-crowned " Wrens," Savannah Sparrows, (Sea-side and Sharp-
tailed Finches ?).t The Crows, and Red-tailed and Red-shouldered
Hawks, sometimes lay their eggs. |

20th, Chipping, Field, (and Savannah ?) Sparrows usually arrive.

In the latter part of this month, the Crows, and many birds of
prey, may lay their eggs. The following birds may arrive at this
time, though often not until May ; viz. : Barn Swallows, Black and
White " Creepers," Brown Thrushes, Least Flycatchers, Purple
Martins, Solitary Vireos, Towhee Buntings, White-throated Spar-
rows (sometimes on the 20th), and " Yellow-rump " Warblers.

Note. The dates of arrival can only be approximately given,
and it is to be remembered that the males of many birds arrive
before the females.

§ V. May. About the

1st, the Barn Swallows, Black and White "Creepers," Brown
Thrushes, Cliff (or Eave) Swallows, Least Flycatchers, Night
"Hawks," Purple Martins, Solitary Vireos, Towhee Buntings,
White-throated Sparrows, " Yellow-rump " Warblers, and Yellow-
winged Sparrows often arrive, though sometimes earlier or later.

5th, the Baltimore Orioles (?), Black and White Creepers,
Black-throated Green Warblers,^ Brown Thrushes, Catbirds,
Chimney-Swifts, Towhee Buntings, (Wilson's Tlu'ushes, Yellow
Warblers, usually about the 8th), and ^''Yellow-rump'" Warblers
arrive, those italicized (at least the B. T. and T. B.) generally
coming earlier.

10th, the loitering Fox Sparrows, and various winter birds, such
as the Golden-crowned "Wrens," Snow-birds, and Tree Sparrows,
finally disappear ; the Bluebirds, Robins, Song Sparrows, Bay-
winged Buntings or Grass Finches, Kingfishers, and Pewees often
lay their eggs, chiefly the first tliree ; and the Baltimore Orioles,
Blackburnian Warblers, "Black-cap " Warblers, Black-throated Blue
Warblers, Blue Yellow-backed Warblers, Bobolinks, Chestnut-sided
Warblers, Connecticut Warblers, § Golden-crowned " Thrushes "

t The Sea-side Finch is not knoAVTi to J The Woodcock also begins laying

occur at all in Massachusetts, except as at about this time. — W. B.

a chance straggler from further south, ^ These birds sometimes appear in

and it is very doubtful if the Sharp- April.

tailed Finch ever arrives before May. § The Connecticut Warbler occurs

— W. B. so very rarely in spring that it is hardly

entitled to a place in this list. — W. B.

436 APPENDIX.

(or "Oven-birds "), Golden-winged Warblers, House Wrens, Hum-
mingbirds, King-birds, Maryland "Yellow-throats," Nashville
Warblers, Redstarts, Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Warbling Vireos,
Water "Thrushes," Wilson's Tlu'ushes (usually earlier). Wood
Thrushes, Yellow Warblers, and Yellow-throated Yireos arrive.
(See 15th ad fin.)

15th, the Pine Warblers and Swamp Sparrows lay their eggs
(the former usually later) ; the Bank Swallows, Black and Yellow
Warblers, Black-billed Cuckoos, Cape May Warblers, Great Crested
Flycatchers, Indigo Bbds, Prairie Warblers, Red-eyed Vireos,
Scarlet Tanagers, Swainson's Thrushes, Whippoorwills, White-eyed
Vireos, and Yellow-billed Cuckoos arrive. f At this time, or more
often earlier. Cooper's Hawks, Marsh Hawks, Sharp-shinned Hawks,
and Sparrow Hawks lay their eggs. Swainson's Thrushes often
come earlier.

20th, the Bay-breasted, and B. and Y. Warblers, " Black-polls,"
Canada " Flycatchers," Mourning Warblers, Olive-sided Fly-
catchers, Orchard Orioles, Tennessee Warblers, Traill's Flycatchers
(and White-crowned Sparrows ? ^) arrive. About this time (earlier
or later), the (Red-winged) Blackbirds, Blue Jays, Pewees, Field
and Savannah Sparrows, Downy and Golden-winged Woodpeckers
lay their eggs.

25th, the Canada " Flycatchers " or Warblers, Wood Pewees,
and Yellow - bellied Flycatchers usually arrive. The Wood
Thrushes (sometimes, — also the Wilson's Thrushes?), the Barn
Swallows, Brown Tlu'ushes, Chickadees, Cliff Swallows, Crow
Blackbirds, Meadow Larks, Pine Warblers, Towhee Buntings, and
White-breasted Swallows lay their eggs.

§ VI. June. About the

1st, the last migrants are seen, such as the " Black-polls " and
Canada " Flycatchers " ; and at this time (or later, particularly in
the case of the Flycatchers, except the Pewee, the Hummingbirds,
Vireos, Bank Swallows, and many Warblers) the Baltimore Orioles,
Black-billed Cuckoos, Bobolinks, Catbirds, Chimney Swifts, Chip-
ping Sparrows, Golden-crowned " Thrushes " (or " Oven-birds "),
Indigo Birds, (Marsh Wrens?), Night "Hawks," Purple Finches,

t Most of these species ordinarily ^ These birds sometimes appear in
arrive before the loth, and the Bank April.
Swallow and Whippoorwill usually ap-
pear late in April. — W. B.

APPENDIX. 437

Rose-breasted Grosbeaks, Whipi^oorvvills, Wilson's Thrushes, Wood
Thrushes, Yellow-billed Cuckoos, Yellow-winged Sparrows, the Fly-
catchers (except the common Pewee), the Vireos, Tanagers, Hum-
mingbirds, and most of the Warblers lay their eggs. The Cedar-
birds, Goldfinches, Orchard Orioles, Wood Pewees, and perhaps
other birds (inclusive of the Marsh Wrens ?) rarely lay their eggs
before the middle of the month, the first two sometimes not until
July.

Note. The above dates, given for the neighborhood of Boston,
bear no reference to second broods. The names of several birds
have been purposely omitted, chiefly from difficulty in satisfactorily
stating or approximating the dates.

§ VII. July.

The following (insessorian) birds are summer residents of Massa-
chusetts, who have been known to breed here since 1870. Acadian
Owls,^ Baltimore Orioles, Bank Swallows, Barn Swallows, Barred
Owls, Bay-winged Buntings, Black and White " Creepers," Black-
billed Cuckoos, Blackburnian Warblers,^ Black-throated Blue War-
blers ?, ^ Black-throated Buntings,^ Black-throated Green Warblers,
Bluebirds, Blue Jays, Blue Yellow-backed Warblers,^ Bobolinks,
Broad- winged Hawks,^ Brown Creepers, Brown Thrushes, Canada
"Flycatchers," Carolina Doves, Catbirds, Chestnut-sided Warblers,
Chickadees, Chimney Swifts, Chipping Sparrows, Cliff Swallows,
Cooper's Hawks, Cow-birds, Crows, Crow Blackbirds, Downy Wood-
peckers, Duck Hawks, Field Sparrows, Fish Hcnvks, Golden-
crowned "Thrushes," Golden-winged Warblers, Golden-winged
Woodpeckers, Goldfinches, Goshawks,^ Great Crested Flycatchers,
Great Carolina Wrens ? (just discovered). Great Horned Owls, Hairy
Woodpeckers,® Henslow's Buntings,^ Hermit Thrushes ?, ^ House
Wrens, Hummingbirds, Indigo Birds, King-birds, King-fishers, Least
Pewees, Lincoln's Sj^arroivs, Long-billed Marsh Wrens, Long-eared
Owls, Marsh Hawks, Maryland " Yellow-throats," Meadow Larks,
Nashville Warblers, ' Night " Hawks," Olive-sided Flycatchers, ^
Orchard Orioles,* Pewees, Pigeon Hawks,® Pine Warblers, Prairie
Warblers, Purple Finches, Purple Martins, Red-bellied Nut-
hatches ?, ® Red-eyed Vireos, Red-shouldered Hawks, Redstarts,
Red-tailed Hawks, Red-winged Blackbirds, Robins, Rose-breasted
Grosbeaks, Savannah Sparrows, Scarlet Tanagers, Screech Owls,

^ (Very) rare in summer so far to * Very much more common to the
the southward. southward of New England.

438 APPENDIX.

Sea-side Finches,'* Sharp-shinned Hawks, Sharp-tailed Finches,^^
Short-billed Marsh Wrens, Short-eared Owls, Snow-birds,^ Solitary
Vireos,'^ Song Sparrows, Sparrow Hawks, Swamp Sparrows, To-
whee Buntings, Traill's Flycatchers,^ Warbling Vireos, Water
'• Thrushes," ^ Whippoorwills, White-bellied Nuthatches, White-
breasted Swallows, White-eyed Vireos, Wild Flgeons, Wood
Pewees, Wood Thrushes, Telloiu-hellied Flycatchers], Yellow-
bellied Woodpeckers,^ YeUow-billed Cuckoos, Yellow-breasted
Chats ?,^ Yellow-throated Vii'eos, Yellow Warblers, and Yellow-
winged Sparrows (107). The following other birds (of whom the
list is probably incomplete) also breed here : Ai'ctic Terns, Bit-
terns, Black (or Dusky) Ducks, Carolina Rails, Coot^ (Ftdica
avierica?ia), Great Blue Herons, Green Herons, '• Killdeer "
Plover, Laughing Gulls, Least Bitterns,* Least Terns, Little Blue
Herons ?,* Loons,^ Night Herons, Pinnated Grouse ^ (or Heath
Hens), Piping Plover, Quail, Ruffed Grouse (or " Partridges " of
N. E.), Roseate Terns, Solitary Sandj^ipers,^ Spotted Sandpipers,
Summer (or Wood) Ducks, Summer " Yellow-legs," Teal ?,^ UiDland
Plover, Virginia Rails, " Willets," Wilson's Terns, and Woodcock
(29). (Those italicized are very rare, at least as summer resi-
dents.) t

Note. The eggs of all the above birds form a nearly or quite
complete collection of the birds' eggs of Massachusetts. The Pine
Finches and Snow Buntings have been known to breed (altogether

^ (Very) rare in summer so far to in Massacliusetts ; and in respect to

the southward. the Carolina Wren, Northern Water

■* Very much more common to the Thrush, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher,

southward of New England. Goshawk, Pigeon Hawk, Coot (Fulica),

^ Confined in summer to western and Teal (Blue-winged) the accumu-

Massachusetts. lated evidence is barely sufficient to

^ See p. 404. suggest that they may have occasion-

t In accordance with the general ally done so. Hence it would be

plan of editorial work outlined in my safest to omit all these names from

introduction, the above list has been the above categ-ory. Very doubtful is

reprinted almost exactly as it stood in it, also, i£ the Black-throated Bunting-,

the first edition. Were it to be recast Short-eared Owl. Great Blue Heron,

our present knowledge of the sub- Killdeer Plover, or Willet continues to

ject would warrant many important breed regularly in Massachusetts, al-

changes. Thus, there are no longer though all of them were more or less

good reasons for believing that the common summer residents fifty years

Sea-side Finch, Lincoln's Finch, Snow ago. If included in the list, their names

Bunting-, Little Blue Heron. Solitary should certainly stand in italics ; as

Sandpiper, or Summer Yellow-legs should the name of the Loon, whose

has ever nested or is likely to nest eggs can now be taken only on the

APPENDIX. 439

exceptionally) at Cambridge and near Springfield t respectively ;
several birds, such as the Bald Eagles and Pileated Woodpeckers,
have been so far driven from the State as probably to breed here
no longer. In regard to the dates already given, there is apparently
evidence that our summer residents may have formerly arrived and
laid their eggs somewhat earlier than they do now.

In July, singing is much less constant than in May or June, de-
creasing as summer advances, though occasionally heard in autumn
(chiefly from the Finches), and rarely in winter (from the Song and
Tree Sparrows).

§ VIII. August.

During this month, many birds leave their summer haunts, and
even become gregarious, and some journey to the southward, as
is occasionally observable even in the latter part of July. The
Goldfinches, however, sometimes lay their first set of eggs after
July, during which month many other birds have their second or
even third broods.

§ IX. September.

During this month, the (smaller) Hawks are often abundant, many
migrating, but the migrations of our birds of prey cannot be easily
determined as regards the dates. The Baltimore Orioles, Bobo-
links, Chimney Swifts, Cuckoos, Flycatchers (except the Pewees and
occasionally the Great Crested Flycatchers), Henslow's Buntings,
House Wrens, Hummingbirds, Indigo Birds, Rose-breasted Gros-
beaks, Swallows (of whom some go in August), Tanagers, Vireos,
Warblers (or most of them ; see October), Wilson's Thrushes, and
Yellow-winged Sparrows finally disappear, many occurring as mi-
shores of a few remote ponds in Wor- Winter Wren, Mourning Warbler,
caster County. The name of the Fish Black and Yellow Warbler, Yellow-
Hawk should not be italicized, for this rumped Warbler, and White-throated
bird is now known to nest commonly in Sparrow have been ascertained to
Bristol County. The Brown Creeper, breed regularly and in considerable
Red-bellied Nuthatch, Black-throated numbers. It would not be difficult to
Blue Warbler, Snow-bird, Traill's Fly- suggest other changes in, or additions
catcher, and Yellow-bellied Wood- to, the above list, but those just speei-
pecker, are chiefly or wholly confined fied are perhaps sufficient for the
in the breeding-season to the more present purpose. — W. B.
elevated parts of central or western t The supposed breeding of tlie
Massachusetts, where, also, since Mr. Snow Bunting near Springfield rests
Minot's book was written, the Swain- on very insufficient evidence. — W. B.
son's Thrush, Golden-crested Kinglet,

440 APPENDIX.

grants. Some are to be seen only in the first week, but others may
occur up to late dates, as the Black-throated Blue Warblers (30th),
Golden-crowned " Thrushes " (26th), Hummingbirds, (23d), and
White-bellied Swallows (28th). f The Red-winged Blackbirds gen-
erally leave the meadows, and associate in the grain and stubble-
fields, etc. ; the Wild Pigeons appear in large flocks ; t and a major-
ity of birds are gregarious, particularly the White-bellied Swallows,
who, previous to their departure, often gather " upon the salt
marshes " "literally by millions." Even Hawks occasionally travel
in companies. In September, White-throated Sparrows and other
birds appear from the north.

Note. It has generally been in autumn that accidental strag-
glers, whose usual habitat is more than a thousand miles away, have
occurred in Massachusetts^

§ X. October.

During this month, the " Black-poll " Warblers, Brown Creepers,
Golden-crowned " Wrens," Nuthatches, Ruby-crowned "Wrens,"
Rusty Blackbirds, Titlarks, Winter Wrens, and " Yellow-rump "
Warblers, § are generally abundant ; and many winter birds arrive
from the north. In the latter part, the Sharp-tailed Finches and
many Song Sparrows finally disappear, and the Fox Sparrows come
from the north. About the

1st, the Brown Thrushes, Red-eyed Vireos (latest date Oct. 3d),
and Towhee Buntings disappear, the Olive-backed Thrushes || arrive
from the north, and the Crow Blackbirds (as well as the variety of
Bronzed Blackbirds) wander about in large flocks.

5th, the last Black-throated Green Warblers depart.

10th, the last Pine Warblers (latest date, however, Oct. 16th) ^
and Catbirds depart.

15th, the " Chippers," Field Sparrows, Pewees (latest date, Oct,
16th), Wood Thrushes, and most of the Bluebirds, Cow-birds,
Meadow Larks, Purple Finches, Red-winged Blackbirds, and
Robins disappear.

t These Swallows are often seen in || These Thrushes often appear in

large numbers during- the first two considerable numbers during the last

weeks of October. — W. B. week of September. — W. B.

J Alas ! they do so no longer. — W. B. IT Stragglers are occasionally seen

§ Most of these species arrive in Sep- even later than this. — W. B.
tember. — W. B.

APPENDIX. 441

§ XI. November.

During this month, many winter birds usually come from the
north, and, as in spring, " bird-waves " may occur ; Fox Sparrows
are common, and Hermit Thrushes finally disappear. In the early
part of November, the last Bay-winged Buntings, Blackbirds, Blue-
birds, Savannah Sparrows, and Swamp Sparrows, move to the
southward. I have seen Great Crested Flycatchers so late as Nov.
1st, and White-throated Sparrows on the 14th. f

§ XII. December.

I have seen Fox Sparrows, the last loiterers among our fall mi-
grants, so late as the 9th of December. During this month, addi-
tional winter birds may arrive from the north ; and the same birds
generally occur here as in January (§ I)

B. DISTRIBUTION OF THE BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

A LIST of the birds of New England, confined in the breeding-
season principally or wholly to the district of the AUeghanian Fauna
(southward of the 44th parallel of latitude), or southern New
England : Wood Thrush, (Mocking-bird), Catbird (?), Brown
Thrush, Long-billed Marsh Wren, Short-billed Marsh Wren, Golden-
winged Warbler, Prairie Warbler, (Yellow-breasted Chat), Yellow-
throated Vireo, White-eyed Vireo, (Summer Red -bird), Scarlet
Tanager, Henslow's Bunting, Yellow-winged Sparrow, (Sea-side
Finch), Sharp-tailed Finch, Field Sparrow, Lincoln's Sparrow,
Black-throated Bunting, Rose-breasted Grosbeak, (Cardinal Gros-
beak), Towhee Bunting, Meadow Lark, Baltimore Oriole, Orchard
Oriole, Purple Grackle (?), Black-billed Cuckoo, Yellow-billed
Cuckoo, (Red-headed Woodpecker), (Barn Owl), Carolina Dove,
(Heath Hen), and Quail (also several water-birds, etc.). t

A list of the birds of New England, confined in the breeding-
season principally or wholly to the district of the Canadian Fauna

t A few Swamp and Wliite -throated the Red-headed Woodpecker, so far as

Sparrows regularly pass the entire win- its distribution in New England is

ter in the Fresh Pond swamps at Cam- concerned, is rather a " Canadian "

bridge. — W. B. than an " AUeghanian " bird. Lin-

I The Scarlet Tanager, Rose-breasted coin's Sparrow is not known to breed

Grosbeak, Baltimore Oriole, and Black- in New England, and it should have

billed Cuckoo breed by far too com- been given among oiir migratory visi-

monly in northern New England to tors. — W. B.
be entitled to places in this list, and

442 APPENDIX.

(northward of the 44th parallel of latitude), or northern New
England : Hermit Thrush, Swainson's Thrush, [Northern] Water
" Thrush," Golden-crowned " Wren," Brown Creeper, Red-bellied
Nuthatch, Winter Wren, " Blue Yellow-back," Mourning Warbler,
Nashville Warbler (?), Tennessee Warbler, " Black-throated Blue,"
" Yellow-rump," Bay-breasted Warbler, Blackburnian Warbler,
" Black-poll," 1 Black and Yellow Warbler, Cape May Warbler,
(" Black-cap"), Canada " Flycatcher," Solitary Vireo, Great North-
ern Shrike,^ (Common Crossbill), (White-winged Crossbill), White-
throated Sparrow, Snow-bird, Rusty Blackbird, (Bronzed Grackle),
Canada Jay,^ Traill's Flycatcher, Yellow-bellied Flycatcher, Hairy
Woodpecker, Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, "Log -cock," Black-
backed Three-toed Woodpecker, Banded Three-toed Woodi^ecker,
(Acadian Owl), Golden Eagle, Bald Eagle, Fish Hawk, Goshawk,
(Pigeon Hawk), Broad-winged Hawk, Wild Pigeon, and Spruce
Partridge ; also several water-birds, etc. t

A list of the birds hitherto known in New England only as mi-
grants or winter visitants (the latter in brackets) : Gray-cheeked
Thrush, t Ruby-crowned " Wren " (?), Titlark,^ Connecticut War-
bler, Red-poll Warbler, § White-crowned Sparrow, and Fox Sparrow.
[Also (Varied Thrush), Hudsonian Titmouse (?),|| (Bohemian Wax-
wing), Butcher-bird (?), Pine Grosbeak, Red-poll, Snow Bunting,^
Lapland Longspur, Ipswich Sparrow, Tree Sparrow, Shore Lark, If
Great Gray Owl, Snowy Owl, Hawk Owl, Richardson's Owl, Gyr-
falcon. Rough-legged Hawk, and Black Hawk.] To the above list
are to be added the names of many water-birds, shore-birds, etc.

1 These birds scarcely breed except is now known to breed abundantly on

in the most northern and eastern por- many of the mountains of northern

tions. New England. — W. B.

t The Blue Yellow-backed AYar- ^ A few may sometimes winter/'

bier, Nashville Warbler, Hairy Wood- « Cf . my remarks in foot-note on

pecker and Fish Hawk have no real p. 484. — W. B.

claims to a place in this list ; and the § True ;ja//«arM?/i occurs only as

Hermit Thrush, Blackburnian War- a migrant; but the Yellow Red-poll

bier, Canada Flycatcher and Solitary (D. ]). hypochrysea) breeds in eastern

Vireo are by no means typical " Cana- Maine. — W. B.

dian " forms. There are no good rea- || This Titmouse breeds in northern

sons for thinking that the Northern New England. — W. B.

Shrike breeds in any part of New ^ With one extraordinary exception.

England, and it would be safer to in- See p. 192.

elude the Pigeon Hawk, also, in the IT The Prairie Horned Lark {0. a.

list of migrants. — W. B. praticola) is now known to breed in

I A small form {Turdus alicice Vermont and western Massachusetts.

hicknelli) of the Gray-cheeked Thrush — W. B.

APPENDIX. 443

C. D. THE USE OF THE KEYS.

It is impossible, so far as is known, positively to identify many
eggs, without some knowledge of the nest and parent-birds. In the
following ^^ Key to the Eggs of Massachusetts'" (C), the position,
and sometimes the structure, of the nest is the chief point dwelt
ujDon ; the colors of the parent-bii'ds being mentioned only when the
best means of identification. On observing a bird for the purposes
of this Key, note the general coloration (as in the Downy Wood-
pecker, black and wliite), ^particularly above, the color of the breast,
whether streaked (spotted) or not, the color of the crown and
throat, or of the entire head, and the color of the tail, whether the
outer feathers are white or not (best observed as the bird flies).
Observe any prominent markings, and, in large Hawks, the colora-
tion of the tail beneath. Eggs plainly colored belong to § I ; eggs
which are marked (not stained) to § II. In the former, the uni-
form color (as white) leads to the sections lettered A, B, C. In the
latter, the ground-color leads to similar divisions. The subsections,
(a), etc., are arranged according to the position of the nest. Under
each subsection, the list-numbers run continuously. Glance down
the column of the next figures (the extreme length and breadth of
the eggs expressed in hundredths of an inch), until you find a size
apparently corresponding to that of the ^g% in hand. If there are
several eggs together in the Key of nearly the same size, read
across the page until the right description is reached. You will
often find some characteristic or means of distinction in the names
of the birds. The figures at the end refer to the main work. List-
numbers (to the extreme left) in parentheses indicate rarity of the
corresponding nest in Massachusetts, or at least rarity under the
circumstances mentioned. > means more than ; < means less
than. Before two numbers connected by a cross (X)? these signs
affect both. ^ means male ; 9 means female. Occasionally, as
in the case with the Bald Eagles, birds breed before attaining their
f uU dress.

The " Ke2j to the Land-birds of New England " (D) has been
arranged as much by the coloration of birds as possible, but it can-
not be used without having the bird in question at hand.

On the first page, follow the lines of the table, and also the divi-
sions (beginning at the right), until a reference is reached. These
references are to sections of the main work, unless stated to be

444 APPENDIX.

to those of the Key. The former are In Arabic, the other in
Roman, numerals. On reaching the Key-section referred to, find
(if it is divided) the right division marked with a capital letter, or
even the subdivision, if any, which is marked by a small letter.
Glance down the column at the left (not ruled off), which gives the
chief color, the most conspicuous, or the one best characterizing the
species, until you find the color which applies to the bird in hand.
(This column is in many places wanting, or mentions some other
characteristic than the chief color.) Work to the right until a
satisfactory name or reference is reached. A glance at the size-
column, giving the length in inches, will often be an assistance, or
one at the list of birds, in whose names you may find expressed
some characteristic. To measure a bird, refer to § V of the Intro-
duction. Any characteristic written on a line is supposed to be
also written on all the lower lines, so far as empty directly beneath,
until a line is reached, containing words to the left of that space.
Observe carefully all foot-notes, and refer to § T of the Introduc-
tion for any descriptive terms not understood. ^ means 7}iale ;
9 means female. > means viore than ; < means less than.
Other abbreviations or abbreviated expressions will be easily un-
derstood (as yg. for young, ivh. for white, head-sides for sides of

the head). frequently is employed to mean ditto. The

general plan is one of reduction to a limited choice by the use of
various divisions, of working from the beginning toward the end, of
following certain alternations, and of working from left to right.

APPENDIX. 445

C. A KEY TO THE EGGS OF MASSACHUSETTS.

This list, limited to the eggs previously described in this volume,
is not wholly reliable, since several birds, not yet known to have
actually bred in Massachusetts, may do so occasionally, and since
eggs vary greatly, often presenting abnormal forms, or forms like
those of other kinds.

§ I. EGGS UNMARKED.

A. Color, white. ^
(a.) Laid in holes of trees (or posts and stumps).

1. > 1.25X1.00. Screech Owl. §26, V.

(2.) Av. 1.00X.90. Bird entirely brown and white. Acadian Owl. §26, FV, B.
3. >1.00X.80,< 1.25X1.00. Bird not red-headed. Pigeon Woodpecker. §25,1.
(4.) >1.00X.80,< 1.25X1.00. Bird red-headed. Red-headed Woodpecker. §25,11.
(5.) Av. .95X.80. Bird, crown scarlet, upper breast black. Yellow-bellied Woodpecker.

§ 25, III.
(6.) Generally >. SOX. 65. Bird >- 9 in., (chiefly) black and white. Hairy Woodpecker.

§ 25, V, A.
7. Generally <.80X.65. Bird <: 7 in., (chiefly) black and white. Downy Woodpecker.

§ 25, V, B.
(8.) Av. .75X.55. Bird metaUic green above. White-bellied Sivallmv.^ § 11, III.
(9.) Av. .80X.60. Usually blue. Bird with chestnut breast. Bluebird.^ § 2, I.

[The Martins and Chimney Swifts no longer (?) build in stumps (etc.), in N. E.]

(6. ) Nests built in trees (or bushes), but not in holes.

(1.) > 2.75X2.25. White, very impure or dirty. Bald Eagle. § 27, VIII.

2. 2.25 long (or more). Not often pure white. Great Horiied Owl.^ § 26, VI.

3. 2.00 long or less ; subspherical. Barred Owl. § 26, III, B.

4. Av. 1.90X1.50. Not spherical. Generally bluish; often marked. Cooper^s Hawk.
§ 27, III, B.

5. Av. 1.60X1.35. Nearly spherical. Long-eared Owl. § 26, II, A.

6. Av. 1.45X1.20. Generally marked. Sharp-shinned Haivk. § 27, III, A.

7. Av. 1 50X1.10. Elliptical. Nest loose and frail. Wild Pigeon. § 29, I.

8. Av. 1.10X.80. Nest loose and frail. Carolina Dove. § 29, II.

9. Av. .75X.55. Often bluish. Nest in bush or shrubbery. Indigo Bird. § 15, XX.
10. Av. .63X.50. Bluish. Nest in bush or shade-tree. Goldfinch. § 15, IV, A.

(11.) Av. .70X.55. Purewh. Nest in woods (?). Yellow-bellied Flycatcher.* § 19, V, C.

12. Av. .62X.50. Nest in (woods) orchard or shade-tree. Bird olive gray above. Least
Pewee. § 19, V, B.

13. (<) .50 long. Hummingbird. § 22, I.

[The eggs of the Buzzard Hawks and of TraiU's Flycatcher may sometimes be white.
See § II, A, d.-]

1 Many water-birds lay large white eggs, 3 gee B, (a), (1).

some in hollow trees, but these are all tinged * This Flycatcher has not as yet been actu-

with blue, green, or buff. Some of the Petrels, ally found breeding in Massachusetts. Its

however, lay a single small pure white eg%, eggs, moreover, are not pure white but creamy

but none do so here. white with distinct and often very conspicu-

2 The nests of these birds are usually well ous spots of reddish brown. — W. B.
lined, the Bluebird's generally most warmly ;

those of the Woodpeckers are rarely so.

446 APPENDIX.

(e.) Nest on the ground, or very near it.

1. Av. 1.80X1.35. Occasionally marked. 3farsh Hawk. §27,1.

2. Av. 1.50X1.30. Normally, almost spherical. Short-eared Owl. § 26, II, B.
(3.) Av. 1.20X.90. Blue-tinged, and nearly elliptical. Least Bittern.

4. Av. 1.20X1.00. White, often stained, and almost pointed at one end. Quail. § 31.

5. Av. .70X.55. Usually marked. Nest built near water. Yellow Throat. § 9, II, A.

(d.) Nest about buildings (2, 3, 6, usually in bird-boxes, 4 in chimneys).
(1.) > 1.50X1.25. Impure white. Barn Owl.* §26,1.

2. >.85X.65. Purple Martin. § 11, V.

3. <:.80X.60. White-bellied Swallow. §11,111.

4. Av. .70X.40. Chimney Sivift. § 21, I.

5. Av. .75X.57. Nest built on beam, or under eaves. Petvee. § 19, III.

(6.) Av. . SOX. 00. Usually blue. Bird with chestnut breast. Bluebird. § 2, I.

(e. ) Eggs laid in a burrow in a bank of sand or sometimes gravel.

1. > 1.25X1.00. Kingfisher. §23,1.

2. <1.00X.75. Bank Swallow. § 11, IV,

(/.) Nest built among reeds, or in tall meadow-grass.

1. Eggs small and brittle. Short-billed 3Iarsh Wren. § 7, II, A.

ig.) Nest very bulky, and built of sticks on cliffs.

(1.) > 3.00X2.25. Impure white ; usually marked. Golden Eagle. § 27, VII.

B. Color, blue, bluish green, or greenish blue, dark in "5 " only,
(a.) Nest made in trees (or bushes).
(1.) 2.25X1.75 or more. Extremely light. Occasionally marked. Goshawk. § 27, IV.

2. Av. 1.15X.85. Bird with reddish or dun breast, unmarked. Robin. § 1, I, F.

3. 1.00X.70 or more. Bird's breast thickly spotted. Tail, dusky olive. Wood Thrush.

§ 1, I, A.

4. Av. .85X.00. Bird, soft reddish browTi above, slightly spotted beneath. Wilson''s
Thrush. § 1, I, B. (Nest generally on the ground.)

5. Av. .90X.C5. Dark emerald green. Nest often in thicket. Catbird. §1, II, B.

(6.) .95X.65. Light blue, cf > <iark blue ; 9 , warm brown and flaxen. Blue Grosbeak. "^
§ 15, XXI.

7. 1.15X.87. Usually dull. ( Nest loose and frail. ^ Black (-billed ) § 24, 1, B.

8. Av. 1.25X.87. Rather light. I Eggs long or elliptical. ) Yellow \ Cuckoo. ) § 24, 1, A.

(6.) Eggs laid in a hollow tree or post, or in a bird-box.

1. Av. .80X.0O. Bluebird. § 2, I.

(c.) Nest made on the ground.

(1.) Av. <.75X.55? Nest made in dry fields. Black-throated Bunting. § 15, XIX.

2. > .75X.55. Nest made in wet woods, etc. Wilson''s Thrush. § 1, I, B.

{d.) Nest about buildings.

1. Av. 1.15X.85. Bobin. §1,1, F.

[Note. There are many Herons' eggs of the above color, but they are all > 1.25 long.
There are also many white eggs, tinged with blue (or green), and perhaps among them should
be included those of the Goshawk and Cooper's Hawk. Many Ducks' eggs are strongly tinged
with blue, green, drab, or yellowish. Most of them are laid on the ground or in hollow trees,
but all are more than an inch and three fourths long. The only Ducks commonly breeding in
Massachusetts are the Dusky Ducks, who build on the ground, and the Wood Ducks, who
build in hollow trees.]

* There is no authentic record of the breed- t There are no good reasons for believing

ing of the Barn Owl in Massachusetts. — that the Blue Grosbeak has ever bred in Mas-
■W. B. sachusetts. — W. B.

APPENDIX. 447

C. Color, brown, drab, or buff,
(a.) On the ground, except the last, and sometimes "3."

1. Av. 1.65X1.25. Pale drab buff to rich reddish buff.* Partridge. § 30, III.
(2.) Av. 1.G5X1.35. Brownish drab or paler.* JS^est where dry. Heath Hen. §30,11.

3, Av. 1.90X1.50. Drab. Birds usually colonial in swamps. Bittern.*

4. <: .72X.55. Usually marked. Nest among reeds. L.-b. Marsh Wren. § 7, II, B.

(b.) In the holes of trees, or rarely in a nest made in a fork.
1. About 2.00X1.50. Yellowish white, or very pale drab. Summer Duck.

For § II of this Key, see the next page.

* Often somewhat marked. * It is more than doubtful if the Bittern

ever breeds in colonies. — W. B.

448

APPENDIX.

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APPENDIX. 461

E. COLORATION PECULIAR TO YOUNG BIRDS OR TO
MATURE BIRDS IN THE WINTER SEASON.

Young birds are so called from the time of first being fully
feathered until the acquirement of all the characteristics of maturity.
They are for the most part more or less distinct from their parents
in general appearance, though often closely alike among themselves
in different species. But, since they are known on attaining their
full growth, but before attaining their full coloration, often to be
larger than their parents (owing to their long feathers), they in
some cases, particularly among the Hawks, seem mature before being
so.

Young birds may be classified in three divisions.

(1). Those with the male parents strikingly different from the
females, as in the Scarlet Tanagers, or Orchard Orioles. These at
first resemble the females, but afterwards, if males, assume gradu-
ally, but often slowly, the characteristic coloration of their sex, and
in this way sometimes pass through confusing changes.

(2). Those differing from their parents, who are essentially
alike, as in the Robins.

(3). Those who essentially resemble both their parents, as in the
Crows.

Young birds do not generally differ from their parents, except in
size and coloration, but those of all sj^ecies tvith " booted " tarsi
are said to have scutellate tarsi. (See § T of the Introduction,
etc.) The following is a synopsis of the Insessorian families.

Turdidce or Thrushes (§ 1). Young easily recognized, but often
more or less abnomially ^ spotted.

Saxicolidce or Bluebirds (§2). Y'oung essentially like the fe-
male ; when very young, spotted.

Regulince, " Wrens,'" or ^'Kinglets'' (§ 3). Y''oung essentially
like the female.^

1 I. e., abnormally in respect to maturity.

2 Young satrapa, if without crown-markings, may be known by the pres-
ence of a tiny bristly feather overlying the nostrils ; this is wanting in " calen-
dulus^ (Coues.)

462 APPENDIX.

Paridce or Titmice (§ 4). Class third.

SittidcB or Nuthatches (§5). Young like the females or less dis-
tinctly marked.

Certhiidce or Creepers (§ 6). Class third.

TroglodytidcB or Wrens (§7). Class third.

AnthincB or Titlarks (§8). Class third.

Sylvicolidce or Warblers (§ 9). Young students will find the
young of this family very confusing, from their frequent similarity
one to another, and their abundance during the fall migrations. It
is best to study Warblers in the spring, and to avoid immature birds
until the differences between their parents are mastered. The
young of those species not further mentioned, either resemble the
females or the males also, or are characterized by indistinct mark-
ings and impure colors, such as greenish blue, yellowish white, etc.
Eelminthoj^hila celata is " often difficult to distinguish in imma-
ture plumage ; but a general oliveness and yellowness, compared
with the ashy of some parts of ruficapilla, and the different color of
the crown-patch in the two species, will usually be diagnostic."
(Coues.) The young male of the " Black-throated Blue " {Den-
droica cceridescens) resembles the adult male, but the colors are
impure, and the black restricted. The immature " Yellow-rumps "
(D. coronata) are common during both migrations. Their color-
ation varies from an imperfect full dress to the following extreme.
Beneath, white or whitish, with slender streaks ; above, chiefly
brown, with more or less yellow, especially on the rump (which is
concealed by the wings when closed). The other young Dendroicce
with yellow rumps are maculosa (Black and Yellow Warbler) and
tigrina (Cape May Warbler). The former have more or less dis-
tinct (and pure ?) yellow beneath, " small tail-spots near the middle
of aU the feathers except the central " ; and are rather gray above.
The latter are greenish above. The young Yellow " Red-poll "
{D. palmarum hypochrysea), with a yellowish rump, has the " tail-
spots at very end of inner webs of two outer pairs of tail feathers
only, and cut squarely off, — a peculiarity distinguishing the species
in any plumage." (Coues.) Of the Bay-breasted Warbler {D.
castanea) the young " so closely resemble young striata ['' Black-
poU "], that it is sometimes impossible to distinguish them with cer-
tainty. The upper parts, in fact, are of precisely the same green-
ish olive, with black streaks ; but there is generally a difference
below — castanea being there tinged with huffy or ochrey, instead
of the clearer pale yellowish of striata ; this shade is particularly

APPENDIX. 463

observable on the belly, flanks, and under tail-coverts, just where
striata is whitest ; and, moreover, castanea is usually not streaked
on the sides at all." (Coues.) The young Blackburnian Warbler
is not unlike these, though sufficiently like the female to be distin-
guishable. The other species require no notice, unless the Young
Mourning Warblers {GeotJilypis Philadelphia), who have no
gray (?) or black, though recognizable from their shape and propor-
tions, unless confused with the " Yellow-throats."
TanagridcB or Tanagers (§ 10). Class first.

The young of these fami-
lies are recognizable from
their likeness to their par-
ents.

Hirundinidce or Swalloivs (§ 11).

Ampelidce or Waxivings (§ 12).

Vireonidce or Vireos (§ 13).

Laniidce or Shrikes (§ 14).

Fringillidce or Finches (§ 15). The young Pine Finch (Spinus
pinus) often resembles the young " Red-polls " (Acanthes), but
these species, unless very young, show respectively more or less
yellow or carmine. Our Sparrows are separable into two groups,
with the wings decidedly longer than the tail (genera Ammodra7ivus
and PooccBtes), and with the wing equal to or shorter than the tail
(genera Melospiza, Spizella, and Zonotrichia). The young Yellow-
winged Sparrow {A. savan7iarum p)asseri7ms) is spotted, but never
streaked, beneath. In the second group, the SpizellcB are character-
ized by their forked tails. The young of pusilla may be told from
that of socialis by the reddish bill, and (faint) streaks on the crown,
instead of on the rump (?). Young mo7iticola Ims the "breast,
throat, and crown, streaked.'"' Young Melospiza georgiana (or
Swamp Sparrow) is also streaked beneath. Other young Finches
are more easily recognized. In the Towhee Banting (P//;i7o ery-
thropjhthalmus) " very young birds are streaked brown and dusky
above, below whitish tinged with brown and streaked with dusky ;
but this plumage, corresponding to the very early speckled condi-
tion of Thrushes and Warblers, is of brief duration ; sexual distinc-
tions may be noted in birds just from the nest, and they rapidly
become much like the adults." (Coues.)

Aland idee or Larks (§ 16). Young easily recognized.

Icteridoi or Starlings (§ 17). Young like the females, but, in
the Cow-bird, streaked.

CorvidoB or Crows and Jays (§ 18). Class third (?). In the
Canada Jay {Perisoreus canadensis), the young are said to be
quite distinct, being much darker, duller, and browner.

464 APPENDIX.

Tyrannidce or Flycatchers (§ 19). In many species, the young
have rufous or ochrey edgings, especially on the wings.

The young of all our picarian birds (§§ 20-25) are easily iden-
tified, except those of certain Woodpeckers (FicidcB, § 25). In our
species of Dryobates, " young with the crown mostly red or bronzy,
or even yellowish." (Coues.) Young Sphyrapici have at first no
distinct markings, but are easily recognized. The crown shows
black, and then scarlet, very early. In Melarierpes erythrocepha-
lus (Red-headed Woodpecker), at first "young without any red,
the head and neck being grayish streaked with dusky ; breast with
an ashy tinge, and streaked sparsely with dusky ; secondaries with
two or three bands of black ; dorsal region clouded with grayish."
(B. B. and R.)

The Owls (Stingidce, § 26) belong more or less distinctly to the
third class. The young of Nyctala are described as more or less
brown beneath, where they are unmarked. Descriptions of the
young Hawks who are much unlike their parents {Falconidce, § 27)
may be found with those of the adults. The young of our two
Pigeons (Columbidce, § 29) resemble at first the females.

The adult hh^ds of many species change their dress for the
autumn and winter, so that the coloration is materially altered.

During the winter season (only), the males resemble the females
in the Bluebirds (Sialia sialis),* a majority of our Warblers
(several of whom lose an ashiness or grayness, observable above
in spring), the Tanagers (?),t many of the Finches (even several
plainly-colored kinds), and some of the Starlings, notably the
Bobolinks (Dolichonyx oryzivorus). The male " Yellow-rump "
{Dendroica coronata) and Goldfinches (Spinus tristis) become in
autumn more or less hrown, and remain so throughout the winter.

I have now detailed the most important seasonal changes ob-
servable in the (insessorian) birds of New England. I have often
quoted Dr. Coues, on account of his rank as an authority, and the
frequent terseness of his descriptions.

* This is incorrect, for the young ager changes in autumn to a plumage

male Bluebirds can be easily distin- closely resembling that of the female,

guished from the females in winter, or from which, however, it can be distin-

even in early autumn. When in the guished by the deep black coloring of

first or spotted plumage, however, the its wings and tail. The adult male

sexes are essentially alike. — W. B. Summer Tanager wears the red plu-

t The adult male of the Scarlet Tan- mage throughout the year. — W. B.

APPENDIX. 465

F. ABSTRACT OF THE GAME LAWS OF MASSA-
CHUSETTS.

It Is unlawful to take, kill, buy, sell, or have in possession the
following birds at the following times : Ruffed Grouse, or Wood-
cock, between the first day of January and the fifteenth day of Sep-
tember ; Quail, between the first day of January and the fifteenth
day of October ; Wood Ducks, Black Ducks, Teal, or " any of the
so-called Duck species," between the fifteenth day of April and the
first day of September (j^enalty for violation, a fine of twenty dollars
for each bird) ; Plover, Snipe, Sandpipers, Rails, or ''any of the so-
called shore, marsh, or beach birds," between the first day of May
and the fifteenth day of July ; Wild Pigeons, Gulls, or Terns,
between the first day of May and the first day of October (penalty,
a fine of ten dollars for each bird). English SjDarrows, Crow Black-
birds, Crows, Jays, birds of prey, Wild Geese, and " such fresh-water
and sea fowl " as are not above named, with their nests and eggs,
are not protected at any season. All other wild or undomesticated
birds, with their nests and eggs, are protected at all seasons (pen-
alty, a fine of ten doUars for each bird, nest, or egg).

The taking or killing of game or water birds by means of traps,
nets, or snares, and of wild fowl or •' any of the so-called shore,
marsh, or beach birds " by the aid of a swivel or pivot gun, or by the
use of a torch, jack, or of a boat propelled by steam or naphtha, is
prohibited at all seasons under a fine of twenty dollars.

Persons above the age of twenty-one who are engaged in the sci-
entific study of ornithology, or who are collecting in the interests of
a scientific institution, may obtain from the Game Commissioners, or
from the President of the Boston Society of Natural History, a per-
mit giving authority to take the nests and eggs of, or at any season
to take or kill, any undomesticated birds except Woodcock, Ruffed
Grouse, and Quail.

466 APPENDIX.

G. ADDITIONS TO MR. MTNOT'S LIST OF THE LAND-
BIRDS AND GAME-BIRDS OF NEW ENGLAND.

BY WILLIAM BREWSTER.

The following chapter treats chiefly of bii'ds not included by Mr.
Minot, most of them having been added to the New England list
since the first edition of his work appeared. In relation to such of
them as are believed to be merely accidental or very rare or irregu-
lar visitors I have given little or nothing beyond the records which
entitle them to mention in this connection ; but brief descriptions and
biographies have been supplied for all the species or subspecies which
are known to be regular and more or less common members of our
fauna. The chapter also contains a few notes and records which
were brought to my attention too late to be entered in the main
body of the work.

TuRDUS ALICIA BiCKNELLi. BicknelVs Thrush.

Differing from T. allcice (§ 1, I, £^) only in being somewhat
smaller. Length, about 6.25-7.25 ; wing, 3.40-3.80 ; tail, 2.60-
2.70 ; culmen, .50-.52 ; tarsus, 1.10-1.25.

This small, southern form of T. alicice, discovered by Mr. Eugene
P. Bicknell on Slide Mountain, Ulster County, New York, June 15,
1881 (cf. Bull. N. O. C, VII, 1882, pp. 153-159), and first de-
scribed by Mr. Ridgway (Proc. Nat. Mus., IV, 1881, pp. 377-379),
is now known to be a rather common late spring and early autumn
migrant through southern New England, and an abundant summer
resident of many of the higher mountains of New Hampshire and
Vermont. Mr. Langille has reported (Auk, I, July, 1884, pp.
268-270) that it breeds in considerable numbers on some small
islands off the southwestern end of Nova Scotia, and early in July,
1888, Mr. Walter Faxon took a perfectly typical specimen on the
summit of Mt. Graylock in western Massachusetts under circum-
stances which led him to believe that it had a mate and nest in the
immediate neighborhood (cf. Auk, VI, 1889, p. 106).

In northern New England BickneU's Thrush breeds from an alti-

APPENDIX. 467

tude o£ about 3000 feet (scattered pairs may be found lower than
this) to the extreme upper limits of tree growth, but most abundantly
among the dwarfed, densely-matted spruces and balsams which cover
such extensive areas on the upper slopes and ridges of our higher
mountains. Here, in an atmosphere always cool and ordinarily satu-
rated with moisture from passing clouds, it spends the summer in
company with such birds as Swainson's Thrushes, Winter Wrens,
Yellow-rumped and Black-poll Warblers, Juncos, White-throated
Sparrows, and Yellow-bellied Flycatchers. In many places it is
quite as numerous as any of these species, and in certain favored
localities it probably outnumbers them all put together. Neverthe-
less one may spend hours in its chosen haunts without getting a
fair view of a single individual, for, despite (or perhaps really be-
cause of) the fact that these solitudes are rarely invaded by man,
Bicknell's Thrush is, while breeding, one of the very shyest of our
smaller birds. As the intruder advances, forcing his way with diffi-
culty through the matted evergreens and stepping with necessary
caution to avoid the many hidden holes and crevices among the moss-
covered rocks, the birds, which have been singing or calling on every
side, become silent, and elude observation so cleverly that often not
one of them can be found. The best plan is to select a spot where
one has been heard singing, and patiently await its reappearance.
It is pretty sure to show itself before long, hopping sedately out into
some opening, flitting from place to place among the branches, or, if
it be a male, flying to the top of a spruce or balsam to sing or preen
its feathers in the sunshine.

Like most members of its family, Bicknell's Thrush is especially
noisy and active in the early morning, or when twilight is falling at
evening. At these times, if the weather be still and fine, the songs
and calls of numerous individuals may be heard rising from far and
near on the mountain-sides, mingling with each other and with the
notes of the White-throated Sparrows and Juncos.

The song is exceedingly like that of the Veery, having the same
ringing, flute-like quality; but it is more interrupted, and it ends
differently, — the next to the last note dropping a half tone, and the
final one rising abruptly and having a sharp emphasis. The ordi-
nary calls are a whistled ■pheu practically identical with that of T.
fuscesiceiis^ a harsh note which recalls the cry of the Night Hawk,
a low cluck much like that of the Hermit Thrush, and 2i pip or
peenk similar to that of Swainson's Thrush. The last is rarely
heard.

468 APPENDIX.

The nest of Bicknell's Thrush does not differ essentially from
that of T. swainsonii, in either construction or position. The eggs
are greener and more finely spotted than those of swainsonii.

Parus bicolor. Tufted Titmouse.

This Southern species, of which a bare mention was made by
Mr. Minot (see foot-note on page 61 of this edition, or Appendix,
page 443, of the original edition), is a rare and probably only ac-
cidental visitor to New England. It was long since accredited to
New Hampshire by Belknaj) (History of New Hampshire, Vol. Ill,
1792, p. 173), and to Connecticut by Linsley (Am. Jour. Science,
Vol. XLIV, 1843, p. 255), but the former record is, to say the least,
open to grave suspicion. No doubts, however, attach to the in-
stances given by Dr. Merriam of a specimen shot, February 27,
1872, and another seen in January, 1874, near Lyme, Connecticut,
by Mr. Josiah G. Ely, and of a bird taken near Hartford, Connecti-
cut, by Dr. D. Creary (Merriam, Rev. Birds Conn., 1877, p. 9).

Helminthophila lawrexcei. Laivrence's Warbler.

This is a " hypothetical " species, susiDected to be a hybrid be-
tween IT. 2^i'^us and If. cluysoptera, or to represent merely a color
phase of the latter. It has the throat and ear coverts black (gray
in the female) precisely as in cJirysoptera, but the upper parts are
bright olive green, the wing bands white, and the general coloring
of the under part rich yellow as in pinus. If a hybrid, it is, like
its near ally, If. leucobronchialis, an exception to the usual rule
that hybrids are infertile, for both forms have been found breeding,
and both are believed to mate indiscriminately with each other, as
well as with pinus and chrysoptera. If. lawrencei, although
nowhere at all common, is now known to be a regular summer
visitor to southern Connecticut, where, especially in the region about
New Haven, several sj^ecimens have been taken in a single season.

Dexdroica auduboxi. Audubon's Warbler.

Accidental. A young male taken by Mr. M. Abbott Frazar at
Watertown, Massachusetts, November 15, 1876 (cf. Frazar, Bull.
N. O. C, Vol. II, Jan., 1877, p. 27) remains the only known New
England specimen ; the recent record by Mr. A. H. Verrill (Auk,
Vol. X, July, 1893, p. 305) of two adult males, said to have been
shot by him at New Haven, Connecticut, in May, 1893, being gen-
erally discredited.

APPENDIX. 469

Dendroica DOMINICA. Yelloiv-throated Warbler.

The Yellow-throated Warbler is properly a bird of the south
Atlantic States not known to breed north of Virginia, but it occa-
sionally wanders to the Middle States and New England. Several
specimens are recorded for Connecticut (cf. Merriam, Rev. Birds
Conn., 1877, p. 17), and one was taken on the banks of Charles
River in Dedhara, Massachusetts, about the year 1868 (Purdie,
Bull. N. O. C, Vol. Ill, 1878, p. 146).

Dexdroica palmarum. Palm Warbler.

Although Mr. Minot gave both the above names in the original
edition, his description and biography relate wholly to the Yellow
Palm Warbler (D. p. hypochrysea), a strongly characterized sub-
species first described by Mr. Ridgway (Bidl. N. O. C, Vol. I, Nov.,
1876, p. 85). The two forms differ as follows : —

D. palmarum. — Smaller, the upper parts duller and grayer, the
yellow of the lower parts bright and continuous only on the throat,
chest, and under tail-coverts of mature birds. Young in autumn
and winter have the superciliary stripe dull whitish, the lower parts
(except the under tail-coverts, which are always yellow) brownish
white (sometimes with a tinge of yellow), the chest and sides
streaked with grayish brown.

D. p. hypochrysea. — Larger and more richly colored, the ground
color of the entire under parts bright yellow at all ages and seasons,
save in the nestling or first plumage.

The Yellow Palm Warbler, as already stated (see foot-note on page
124 of this edition), breeds sparingly in eastern Maine, rather numer-
ously in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia and northward to Hudson
Bay. It occurs commonly throughout most of New England dur-
ing its northward as well as southward migrations. D. palmarum
is supposed to breed only in the interior of North America (as far
north at least as Great Slave Lake). I am not aware that it has ever
been taken in New England in spring, but in autumn it visits us
quite regularly, appearing the last week of September, and hence a
little in advance of its near relation D.p. hypochrysea^ with which it
sometimes associates in early October, although usually, according to
my experience, it is found apart from the latter and either singly or
in little family parties of from two to four birds each. Although
perhaps never present in sufficient numbers to be called common it
is, on the other hand, by no means rare, for a good collector may
easily take several specimens in a single season provided he looks

470 APPENDIX.

for them at the proper times and places. The habits, song, nest,
and eggs of this form are not known to differ from those of the
Yellow Palm Warbler.

Stelgidopteryx serripennis. Rough-winged Swallow.

The Rough-winged Swallow is known to breed regularly in south-
western Connecticut, but only in small numbers and very locally
(cf. Coues and Stearns, N. E. Bird Life, 1881, Vol. I, pp. 187-189).
Its casual occurrence in Massachusetts is highly probable, but not as
yet established.

PiRAXGA LUDOYiciAXA. Western Tanager.

There are but two records of the occurrence of this "Western spe-
cies in New England ; one of an adult male caught in a cage, at
Lynn, Massachusetts, January 20, 1878, after a severe storm
(Brewer, Forest and Stream, Vol. XI, 1878, p. 95) ; the other of a
young male shot by Mr. H. W. Flint at New Haven, Connecticut,
December 15, 1892 (Flint, Auk, Vol. X, 1893, p. 86).

Mr. Manly Hardy writes me that a male Western Tanager was
killed near Bangor, Maine, about October 1, 1889, by a boy, who,
after keeping it for several days, took it to Mr. Crosby, the well-
known taxidermist of Bangor. It was then too far advanced in
decomposition to be preserved, but Mr. Crosby, before throwing it
away, compared it carefully with a Western skin, and found that the
two agreed j^erfectly. No published mention of this specmien has
been hitherto made.

Laxius ludoviciaxus excubitorides. White-rumped Shrike.

In my foot-note on page 170, Massachusetts should have been in-
cluded in the breeding range of this bird, for there is a record of
the finding of three nests (two of wliich contained eggs) at Williams-
town, in 1883 and 1886 (Tenney, Am. Nat., Vol. XXI, January,
1887, p. 90).

Coccothraustes vespertixus. Evening Grosbeak.

An incursion of these Grosbeaks early in 1890 is perhaps the
most remarkable and interesting episode in the annals of New Eng-
land ornithology, if, indeed, it be not wholly without parallel ; for
what other instance can be named of the nearly simultaneous appear-
ance, over the greater part of our territory, of a large and strik-
ingly colored bird not known to have hitherto crossed our boundaries ?

APPENDIX. 471

Its previous capture in New York State — in Essex and Onondaga
counties and near New York city — had prejDared us of course to
expect it here at any time as a rare straggler ; but he who had ven-
tured to predict that it would one day visit us in numbers would
have been justly considered a rash prophet. Yet, in the year above
mentioned, it came by hundreds if not thousands, and was taken or
observed in every New England State, excepting (apparently) Rhode
Island.

The records of this extraordinary flight — made chiefly in the
" Ornithologist and Oologist," " Forest and Stream," and " Auk," for
1890 — are too numerous to be given in this connection. They show
that the Evening Grosbeak came to us from the westward by way
of southern Canada (" large and numerous flocks " passed through
Kingston, Toronto, Hamilton, and southern Peel County, Canada,
in January) and New York State ; that it was seen first at North
Sudbury, Massachusetts, January 1, and last at Henniker, New
Hampshire, May 1 ; that it was most numerous during January,
February, and early JMarch ; and that most of the birds departed
before April. The flight extended quite to the coast (Lynn and
Crescent Beach, near Boston) in Massachusetts, and nearly to the
shores of Long Island Sound (Portland), in Connecticut. Its
extreme northeastern limits were perhaps reached at Orono (near
Bangor), Maine. In the Middle States the siDCcies visited Summit,
New Jersey, and Montoursville, Pennsylvania, a flock of about
forty appearing at the latter place in January and remaining until
April 30.

In New England, Massachusetts ap^jears to have represented the
area of greatest abundance. There are records for Boxford, Lynn,
Crescent Beach, Reading, West Roxbury, Wellesley, South Natick,
North Sudbury, and Taunton, in the eastern part of the State ; and
for East Brimfield, Amherst, Agawam (near Springfield), and
West Pelham, in the central portions. No doubt many other
places from which no reports have come were also visited. Ex-
cepting in a few localities the birds do not seem to have been really
numerous. As a rule they appeared in flocks of from five or six to
ten or a dozen members each, but pairs and solitary individuals were
often met with. Naturally enough — and very fortunately for our
local collections — the strange-looking birds attracted much atten-
tion and met with a pitiless reception at the hands of the country
sportsmen and taxidermists, by whom many specimens were killed
and preserved.

472 APPENDIX.

AcAi«THis LiXARiA ROSTRATA. Greater Red'poll.

AcANTHis LIXARIA HOLBCELLii. HolbcelVs Redpoll.

A. I. rostrata. — Considerably larger than A. Imaria ; the bill
much stouter ; the upper mandible heavier and more decurved, its
outline being noticeably convex, whereas in linaria it is nearly or
quite straight. General coloring darker than in linaria or holbcel-
lii ; the dark markings heavier ; the dorsal plumage with less
whitish ; the streaks on the sides coarser and blacker ; the forehead
darker ; the rosy color beneath (of the adult male) duller and usu-
ally confined to the breast and abdomen.

Males : Wing, 3-3.30; tail, 2.27-2.70; length of biU from base,
.40-.45 ; depth of bill at base, .25-.30.

Females : Wing, 2.95-3.25 ; tail, 2.34-2.60 ; length of bill, .33-
.42 ; depth of bill at base, .24-.30.

Hab. Southern Greenland in summer ; in winter visiting Mani-
toba, Labrador, New England, New York, northern Illinois, Minne-
sota, and doubtless most of the more northern United States east of
Dakota.

A. I. holbcellii. — Intermediate in size between linaria and ros-
trata. Color and marking essentially as in linaria, and bill of
similar shape but consj^icuously longer (.35-.43).

Hab. Northern coasts of Europe and Asia (Norway to Japan)
and portions of the coast of Alaska, wandering southward in winter
to eastern Canada (Quebec) and to New England.

During a " Redpoll winter " both these forms may be found in
New England (at least in eastern Massachusetts) associating with
A. linaria, but Holboell's Redpoll is of rare and perhaps only acci-
dental occurrence. Indeed, I know of but three Massachusetts
specimens. Two of these I shot at Swampscott, March 26, 1883 ;
the third was taken in Lexington, March 10, 1890, by Mr. Walter
Faxon.

The Greater Redpoll is often rather common, and in Febru-
ary, 1883, it occurred along the seacoast near Boston in positive
abundance. On the 19th of this month Mr. Spelman and I took
thirteen specimens at Revere Beach in about two hours, and on the
22d, at Nantasket Beach, two young collectors, by a few random
shots into an exceptionally large mixed flock of Redpolls, secured
forty specimens, of which six proved to be ^. linaria, and thirty-four
rostrata.

As one sees them in winter in New England the forms just men-
tioned, with A. hornemannii exilipes, do not differ appreciably in

APPENDIX. 473

notes, habits, or general appearance. It is true that A. I. rostrata
may be often recognized by its sujDerior size, but the birds as a rule
are so nervous and restless, and when in large flocks so constantly
in motion and so likely to depart altogether at any moment, that
a free use of the gun is ordinarily indispensable to positive identi-
fication.

Carduelis cardtjelis. European Goldfinclu

This species, originally introduced from Europe, has apparently
succeeded in establishing itself in the region about Boston, and per-
haps, also, in other parts of southern New England ; but it is still
a very rare bird with us, although it breeds regularly and not un-
cqmmonly in Central Park, New York City. It is quite as likely
to be seen in winter as at other times of the year, and does not
appear to leave us during even the coldest seasons.

Calcarius orxatus. Chestnut-collared Longspur.

This is an accidental visitor from the West, known to have oc-
curred but once in New England, — at Magnolia (near Gloucester),
Massachusetts, where an adult male was shot by Dr. Charles W.
Townsend, July 28, 1876 (Brewer, Bull. N. 0. C, Vol. II, 1877, p.
78).

Amiviodramus caudacutus xelsoxi. JSfelson's Sharp-tailed
Sparrow.

AzNiMODRAMus CAUDACUTUS SUBVIRGATUS. Acadian Sharp-
tailed Sparroiv.

A. c, nelsoni. — Smaller than caudacutus, the bill shorter and
usually slenderer ; the general coloring much richer and more
varied ; the buffy of the head, etc., deeper ; the Hght edges of the
dorsal feathers whiter ; the dark streaks on the lower parts finer,
duller, and less numerous ; the abdomen clearer wliite in strong con-
trast with the rich ochraceous buffy of the chest and sides.

A. c. subvirgatus. — Intermediate in size between caudacutus
and nelsoni ; the upper parts colored somewhat as in the former, but
paler and grayer ; the lower parts streaked sparsely as in nelsoni,
but the streaks broader and pale greenish gray, instead of dusky or
blackish.

At the time Mr. Minot's book was written neither of these forms
was known to occur in New England. Indeed, only one of them
{nelsoni) had been then recognized and described. Their respective

474 APPENDIX.

summer homes are still only imperfectly mapped, but nelsoni is sup-
posed to breed exclusively in the interior of North America, and
suhvirgatus to be restricted to the coasts of the Maritime Provinces
south of the mouth of the St. Lawrence.

Suhvirgatus is a very common migrant along the entire New
England coast wherever there are marshes suited to its tastes. In
the neighborhood of Boston it occurs in spring from about May 20
to June 8 ; in autumn from September 3 to November 5, but most
numerously in October.

Nelsoni has not as yet been taken in New England in spring,
and its apparent rarity at tliis season along the coast of the Middle
States (the mention in the Auk, Vol. X, 1893, p. 85, of a specimen
killed at Atlantic City, New Jersey, May 9, 1892, appears to be the
sole record) suggests the inference that its northward migration is
practically restricted to paths which lie west of the Alleghanies.
But on its way southward the bird visits us quite regularly, arriv-
ing early in October, and apparently staying only a very short time,
for my earliest and latest dates are the 8th and loth. Like suhvir-
gatus it frequents chiefly salt or brackish marshes near the coast,
and the two forms are often found together, or at least in close prox-
imity. Near Boston they occur in about the proportion of one
nelsoni to ten suhvirgatus, but in Connecticut nelsoni appears to be
sometimes the more numerous of the two (cf. Sage, Auk, Vol. VIII,
1891, p. 115).

Spizella breweri. Breiver's Sparrow.

A young male in my collection, shot by Mr. William Stone at
Watertown, Massachusetts, December 15, 1873, and brought to me
only an hour or two after its death, still furnishes the only New"
England record of this Western species (cf. Brewster, Am. Nat.,
Vol. VIII, 1874, p. 336).

Calamospiza melanocorys. Larh Bunting.

An accidental visitor from the West. The only recorded New
England specimen w^as shot at Lynn, Massachusetts, December 5,
1877, by Mr. N. Vickary (Allen, Bull. N. 0. C, Vol. Ill, 1878, p. 48).

Perisoreus canadensis. Canada Jay.

Since writing the foot-note on page 278 I have found, in the
Essex County Collection of the Peabody Academy, a specimen
which was shot by Mr. Lorenzo A. Smith, at Salem, Massachusetts,

APPENDIX. 4T5

October 25, 1878. This capture, which has not been heretofore re-
ported, antedates by nine years that of the bird recorded by me in
the "Auk" (Vol. VII, January, 1890, p. 91). The latter was
taken in Woburn, Massachusetts, and not, as originally reported, at
Arlington Heights.

Otocoris alpestris praticola. Prairie Horned Lark.

Smaller than aljyestris, and duller colored, with less yellow on
head, — the forehead and line over the eye soiled white without
trace of yellowish ; the yellow of the throat pale, often confined to
the chin, and sometimes nearly or quite wanting.

This form was first described in 1884 (Henshaw, Auk, Vol. I, July,
1884, jD. 264), when it was accredited to the region "south and west
of the Great Lakes," and to New York State. Its range has been
since considerably extended, and it is now known to breed sparingly
in Berkshire County, Massachusetts, as well as in Vermont and New
Hampshire. It also occurs along the coast of southern New Eng-
land during the spring and autumn migrations, but only in very
small numbers.

Sayorxis saya. Say's Phcehe.

An accidental visitor, known to have occurred but once in New
England — at North Truro, Massachusetts, September 30, 1889,
when an adult male was shot by Mr. G. S. Miller, Jr. (Miller, Auk,
Vol. VII, July, 1890, p. 228). The true home of this species is the
" western United States, from the Plains to the Pacific, south into
Mexico."

Tyranntjs \terticalis. Arkansas Flycatcher,

Another straggler from the far West, of which a specimen taken by
Mr. George E. Brown at Elliot, Maine, many years ago, has been
recorded by Dr. Henry Bryant (Proc. Bost. Soc. Nat. Hist., Vol.
X, 1865, p. 96). (Cf. also Purdie, Bull. N. O. C, Vol. I, 1876,
p. 73.)

MiL\njLus FORFiCATUS. Scissor-tailecl Flycatcher.

There are records of but two New England specimens of this
beautiful Flycatcher : the first taken by Mr. Carpenter at Waure-
gan, Connecticut, about April 27, 1876 (Purdie, Bull. N. O. C, Vol.
II, 1877, p. 21, and Merriam, Rev. Birds Conn., 1877, p. 50) ; the
second killed by Mr. C. W. Graham at St. Johnsbury, Vermont, ap-

476 APPENDIX.

parently in 1884, and said to have been placed in the collection of
Dartmouth College (Random Notes Nat. Hist., Vol. I, No. viii, Aug.,
1884, p. 3). Professor J. K. Lord of Hanover, however, writes me
under date of January 16, 1895, that no such specimen now exists
at Dartmouth College.

Antrostomus caroltnensis. Chuck-iviWs-widow.

An accidental visitor from the south Atlantic and Gulf States.
One was caught by a cat at Revere, Massachusetts, in October, 1884
(Osgood, Auk, Vol. II, April, 1885, p. 220). This specimen is now
in the Museum of Comparative Zoology.

BuTEO swAiNSOxi. Sivainsoii's Hawk.

Although properly a Western species, not known to breed regularly
or at least commonly anywhere east of the Mississippi River, Swain-
son's Hawk has occurred so many times in New England as almost
to warrant the inference that it is more than a mere accidental
visitor. The records are as follows : —

Massachusetts, three instances : " Salem, winter of 1871-72, Mus.
Peabody Academy " (Allen, BuH. Essex Inst., Vol. X, 1878, p.
22) ; Wayland, about September 12, 1876, collection W. Brewster
(Brewster, BuU. N. O. C, Vol. Ill, 1878, p. 39) ; Essex, 9 ad.. May
29, 1892, collection W. Brewster (Brewster, Auk, Vol. X, Jan.,
1893, p. 82).

Maine, three instances : Gouldsboro', September 15, 1886, collec-
tion W. Brewster (Auk, Vol. IV, April, 1887, p. 160) ; Glenburn
(eight miles from Bangor), May 19, 1888, collection W. Brewster
{ibid., Vol. V, Oct., 1888, p. 424) ; Calais, about October 8, 1892,
collection G. A. Boardman {ibid., Vol. X, Jan., 1893, p. 82).

On examining the bird reported by Mr. Allen I find it labeled
" Hamilton, April 20, 1872, Nelson Butler." As this agrees with
the original entry in the catalogue it seems probable that Mr. Allen's
statement was in some respects incorrect. The Peabody Academy
collection contains another specimen, hitherto unrecorded, marked
as taken on the " Pickman farm, Salem, October 28, 1889 ; R. L.
Newcomb." It may also be worth mentioning in this connection
that in 1893 a small Buteo, apparently wholly black in color and
a'lmost certainly B. sivainsoni, spent two days (April 8 and 9) on
the river meadows at Concord, Massachusetts. It was too shy to be
shot, but I had several opportunities of examining it with a good
glass at a distance of about one hundred yards.

APPENDIX. 477

It is a curious and possibly significant fact that all the Swainson's
Hawks thus far met with in New England have been representa-
tives of the black phase of the species ; but there is a record of a
brown bird taken in Onondaga County, New York, in October, 1877
(Brewster, Auk, Vol. X, 1893, p. 83).

Elaxoides forficatus. Sivallow-tailed Kite.

Among other treasures of a similar kind, the P^ssex County Col-
lection of the Peabody Academy contains the only known New Eng-
land specimen of the Swallow-tailed Kite, taken at West Newbury,
" on the last of September, 1882," and mounted by Mr. R. L.
Newcomb (cf. Coues, Bull. N. O. C, Vol. VIII, 1883, p. 61). The
species has been seen, however, on several other occasions : in Massa-
chusetts, at Whateley, about 1868 (AUen, Am. Nat., Vol. Ill, 1870,
p. 645) ; in Connecticut, at Lyme, July 2, 1877, by Mr. Josiah H.
Ely, and at Portland, during the summer of 1861, by Mr. W. W.
Coe (Merriam, Rev. Birds Conn., 1877, p. 77).

GYRFALCONS.

The Gyrfalcons are a puzzling grouj) of birds. They vary ex-
cessively in color, some individuals being almost uniformly dark
sooty brown, while others are pure white with a few black or black-
ish markings on the upper parts ; and these extremes appear to be
connected by nicely graduated and almost perfect series of inter-
grades. Hence it is not surprising that the exact number of species
or subspecies into which the group should be divided, the characters
by which these may be respectively distinguished and the names
which they should bear have furnished subject for endless discussion
and disagreement. At present four forms are very generally recog-
nized ; but it is doubtful if any one of these is specifically distinct
from its nearest ally or allies, although each is believed to be in the
main characteristic of, if not peculiar to, a certain geograj^hical area,
— at least during the breeding-season. In autumn and winter all
four forms wander and intermingle more or less freely ; but even
at the latter seasons their respective ranges do not perfectly coincide.
Thus, the Gray Gyrfalcon is said never to occur in the Scandina-
vian Peninsula, and in America the White Gyrfalcon rarely passes
south of the northern boundary of the United States.

It is difiicult to define and circumscribe the characters by which
the forms just mentioned may be respectively distinguished, for the
range of individual variation to which each is subject is not as yet

478 APPENDIX.

known. Hence the following diagnoses — as well as the rearrange-
ment of the New England records — are to some extent tentative.
The diagnoses are based partly on those in Mr. Ridgway's " Manual
of North American Birds " and partly on the results of a personal
study of about one hundred and thirty specimens, of which nearly
ninety are contained in the collection of the United States National
Museum. In connection with the records I have intentionally ig-
nored all reports of Gyrfalcons said to have been seen, or supposed
to occur, in New England, and have mentioned only specimens that
have been actually taken and are known to be still in existence.

Falco islaxdus. White Gi/rfalcon.

Prevailing color pure white ; the under tail-coverts always, the
thighs usually, unspotted ; the remainder of the plumage ordinarily
more or less marked with dusky or slaty ; but the crown, hind neck,
and entire lower parts nearly or quite immaculate in some old birds.

The only White Gyrfalcon known to have been taken in New
England, or, indeed, in the United States, is a specimen in my col-
lection shot at South Winn, Maine, about October 8, 1893, by a
young man named Wyman, who sent his prize to Mr. John Clayton,
a taxidermist at Lincoln, Maine, by whom it was mounted. This
specimen is a young bird, apparently a male, but unfortunately the
sex was not definitely ascertained. Mr. Ridgway, who has recently
examined it, agrees with me in considering it an undoubted repre-
sentative of F. islandus, although it is somewhat darker than aver-
age examples of this form.

Falco rustic olus. Gray Gyrfalcon.

Lower tail-coverts always more or less marked with dusky ; top
of head much streaked with white, often with white prevailing ; tail
crossed by alternating dark and white or whitish bars usually of
about equal width and sharply contrasted ; remainder of upper parts
conspicuously barred or spotted w4th grayish white, or light buffy on
a dark ground; under parts barred (in old birds) or striped (in
the young) with dusky on a whitish ground.

It is not improbable that the Gray Gyrfalcon will have to be ex-
cluded from New England lists, for the specimen in the Museum of
Comparative Zoology at Cambridge, taken near Providence, Rhode
Island, in the winter of 1864-65 (Allen, Am. Nat., Vol. Ill, 1869,
p. 513), and so often mentioned by writers as an example of this
form, is really an almost typical F. r. gyrfalco. There is, however,

APPENDIX. 479

another record — of a bird captured near Portland, Maine, Octo-
ber 13, 1877, and referred to F. islandicus {=z rusticolus) by Mr.
Brown (Proc. Portland Soc. Nat. Hist., April, 1882). This speci-
men is, I believe, in the collection of the Portland Natural History
Society. I have not yet seen it, but if it has been correctly identi-
fied it is the only New England example of rusticolus of which I
have any present knowledge.

Falco rusticolus GYRFAiiCO. Gyrfalcon.

Generally similar to F. rusticolus, but darker colored, especially
above ; the top of head with dusky prevailing, often uniformly
dusky ; the lighter tail-bands bluish gray (never conspicuously white),
and usually narrower than the dusky interspaces, often interrupted
and inconspicuous ; remaining upper parts dusky, often nearly uni-
form, but usually more or less diversified with paler ; lower parts with
white prevailing, or at least equaling the dusky marking in extent.

If the Gyrfalcons which visit New England were to be ranked in
the order of the relative frequency of their occurrence, this sub-
species would stand next after F. r. ohsoletus. It has been taken
in Maine : at the Katahdin Iron Works, Piscataquis County, Decem-
ber, 1876 (Purdie, Bull. N. O. C, Vol. IV, 1879, p. 188). In
Massachusetts : at Stowe in 1881 (Brewster, ibid., Vol. VIII, July,
1883, p. 184, where the specimen was wrongly referred to ohso-
letus) ; at Northampton, by Mr. E. O. Damon, in February, 1880
(H. G. Vennor, Forest and Stream, Vol. XIV, No. 11, April 15,
1880, p. 204) ; and at Melrose, January 1, 1891 (this specimen has
been recorded as a '' Black Gyrfalcon " shot " near " Lynn — Tufts,
Orn. and Ool., Vol. XVI, No. 4, April, 1891, p. 61). In Rhode
Island : near Providence, in the winter of 1864-65 (Allen, Am.
Nat., Vol. Ill, 1869, p. 513, where the specimen was fii*st recorded
under the name Falco sacer) ; at Point Judith, October 11, 1883
(Jencks, Auk, Vol. I, January, 1884, p. 94 ; also editorial in Random
Notes Nat. Hist., Vol. I, No. 1, January, 1884, p. 6).

The Maine specimen is now in the museum of the Brown Univer-
sity at Providence, Rhode Island ; the Point Judith bird is in the
New England collection of the Boston Society of Natural History,
and the Stowe and Melrose specimens are in my collection. The
Northampton bird, which is still in Mr. Damon's possession, is said
to have been identified by Mr. Ridgway (from a photograph) as a
typical F. sacer (^gyrfalco), and when I saw it some eight or ten
years ago I also considered it as belonging to this form.

480 APPENDIX.

Falco rusticolus obsoletus. Black Gijrfalcon.

Prevailing color dark plumbeous or plumbeous brown, sometimes
practically uniform, save on the under tail-coverts, which are said to
be always sjDotted with whitish, but usually with more or less whitish
markings on the lower parts, where, however, the darker color inva-
riably exceeds the lighter in extent, — excepting on the throats of a
few specimens.

Tlie Black Gyrfalcon is supposed to breed only in Labrador. It
is a rather rare winter, visitor to New England, where it has been
taken at the following localities : —

Maine : Near Calais, one or two specimens said to be in the col-
lection of Mr. George A. Boardman (Brewer, Proc. Bost. Soc Nat.
Hist., Vol. XIX, 1878, p. 306) ; Rockland, November, 1886, a
female now in my collection (Brewster, Auk, Vol. IV, January,
1887, p. 75) ; Eagle Island, about March 22, 1888, a female also in
my collection and not hitherto recorded.

New Hampshire : Twelve miles from IMilford, January, 1891 (?),
a bird mounted by Mr. James P. Melzer (Melzer, Orn. and Ool.,
Vol. XVI, No. 5, May, 1891, p. 79).

Massachusetts : Breed's Island, Boston Harbor, October, 1876,
(Cory, Bull. N. O. C, Vol. II, 1877, p. 27) ; a specimen now in
the collection of the Field Columbian Museum at Chicago, Illinois ;
Ipswich, November 7, 1874, a male in the Essex County Collection
of the Peabody Academy (Purdie, ibid., Vol. IV, 1879, p. 189) ;
Ipswich, March, 1893, a female mounted by Mr. N. Vickary, and
not hitherto recorded. I have not seen the specimen last named
nor do I know where it now is, but Mr. Vickary was kind enough
to send me a careful description, with some of its feathers, at the
time it was in his hands.

Rhode Island: Conanicut Island (near Newport), November 22,
1891, a female now in the Museum of the Natural History Society
of Newport (A. O'D. Taylor, Auk, Vol. IX, July, 1892, pp. 300,
301).

INDEX TO ENGLISH NAMES.

(For the terms used in descriptions, see § T of the Introduction.
No references are here made to works consisting of a single volume.
In other cases, the volume only is indicated, unless a species is re-
ferred to under different names. The first number after each name
usually refers to a page of this work. A stands for Audubon's
" Ornithological Biography," AA for Audubon's " Birds of Amer-
ica," B for Bonaparte's " American Ornithology," BB for Messrs.
Baird, Brewer, and Ridgway's " Birds of North America," N for
Nuttall's " Manual of the Ornithology of the United States and Can-
ada," W for Wilson's " American Ornithology," C for Dr. Coues's
" Check List," ^ and S for " Smithsonian Catalogue," ^ first 8vo edi-
tion.)

(1) Acadian Flycatcher. 300 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 256 ; S, 143.

(2) Acadian Owl. 3i8 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 4, p. 66 ; C. 328 ; S, 57.

(3) Acadian Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 473.

(4) Alice's (or Arctic) Thrush. 35; BB, 1 ; C. 5 cr ; S, 154.

(5) American Barn Owl, or the like. See Barn Owl, etc.

(6) Arctic Chipper. 219.

(7) Arkansas Flycatcher. 475.

(8) Audubon's Warbler. 468.

(9) Autumnal Warbler. 113 ; N, 1 ; W, 3. See young of the Bay-breasied (or " Black-poll " ?)

Warbler.

(10) Bald Eagle. 385 ; A, I ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 4, and 7, p. 16 ; C, 362 ; S, 43.

(11) Baltimore Oriole. 261 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 1, and 9 , 6 ; C, 216 ; S, 415.

(12) Banded Three-toed Woodpecker. 333 ; A, 5 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 (2d ed.) ; C, 301 ; S,

83.

(13) Bank Swallow. 149 ; A, 4 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 115 ; S, 229.

(14) Barn Owl. 341 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 6 ; C, 316 ; S, 47.

(15) Barn Swallow. 142 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 111 ; S, 225.

(16) Barred Old. 345 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C. 323 ; S, 54.

(17) Bay-breasted Warbler. 109 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 82 ; S, 197.

(18) Bay-winged Bunting. 207 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 161 ; S, 337.
{I'd) Bee '' Martin.'" 282. See (189).

(20) Belted Kingfisher. 317 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 286 ; S, 117.

(21) BicknelVs Thrush. 466.

(22) Birds of prey. Chap. Ill, p. 339; AA, 1 ; BB, 3; N, 1 ; C, 316-366; S, 1-62.

(23) Black and White " Creeper.'' 97 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 57 ; S, 167.

(24) Black and Yellow Warbler. 128 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 84 ; S, 204.

(25) Black-backed Woodpecker. 332 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; B, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 (2d ed.) ; C, 300 ; S,

82.

(26) Black-billed Cuckoo. 321 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 290 ; S, 70.

1 The author has carefully revised these numbers, so that they may be taken from the Index
ivithout hesitation.

482 INDEX TO ENGLISH NAMES.

(27) " Black-cap " ( Warbler, or " Flycatcher ")• 132 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C,

102 ; S, 213.

(28) Black-capped Chickadee. 57. See {S6).

(29) Black Gyrfalcon. 480.

(30) Black Hawk. 382 ; BB, 3 ; W, 6 ; C, = 356 ; S, 31.

(31) Black " Log-cock'' (or Woodpecker). 337. See (268).

(32) Black Martin. 150.

(33) Black-masked Ground Warbler. 84.

(34) " Black-poll " Warbler. Ill ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 (and 6, p. 101) ; C, 81 ;

S, 202.

(35) Black-throated Blue Warbler. 117 ; A, 2 (aud p. 279) ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 (and p. 406) ;

W, 2 (aud 5, p. 100) ; C, 76 ; S, 193.

(36) Black-throated Bunting. 236 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 191 ; S, 378.

(37) Black-throated Green Warbler. 117 ; A, 4 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 71 ; S, 189.

(38) Blackbirds. § 17, VI, VII, etc. ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1.

(39) Blackburnian Warbler. 113 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 80 ; S, 196.

(40) Blue-eyed Yellow Warbler. 104. See (438).

(41) Blue-gray Gnatcatcher. 55 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 23 ; S, 282.

(42) Blue Grosbeak. 239 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 195 ; S, 382.

(43) Blue-headed Vireo. 155. See (340).

(44) Blue Jay. 275 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 234 ; S, 434.

(45) " Blue " Snow-bird. 230 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 174 ; S, 354.

(46) Blue Warbler. 116 ; A, 1, pp. 255 and 258 ; AA, 2 ; B, ?, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 (p. 141,

and 3, p. 119) ; C, 77 ; S, 201.

(47) Blue-icinged Yellow Warbler. 90 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 62 ; S, 180.

(48) Blue Yellotv-backed Warbler. 100 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 58 ; S, 168.

(49) Bluebird. 47 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 16 ; S, 158.

(50) ''Bob White." 412.

(51) Bobolink. 252 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 210 ; S, 399.

(52) Bohemian Wazwing. 154 ; A, 4 ; AA, 4 ; B, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 118 ; S, 232.

(53) Brewer's Sparroic. 474.

(54) Brewster's Linnet. 191 ; BB, 1 ; C, 147 ; S, .

(55) Broad-u-inged Hawk. 381 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 6 ; C, 355 ; S, 27.

(56) Bronzed Blackbird. 269 ; BB, 2 ; C, ; S, .

(57) Brotcn Creeper. 66 ; A, 5 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 42 ; S, 275.

(58) Brown Lark. 78.

(59) Broun Thrush. 45 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 10 ; S, 261.

(60) ''Bull-bat." 308.

(61) Buntings. §§ 15, 17, passim ; p. 474.

(62) Burrowing Owl. 358 ; A, 5 ; AA, 1 ; B, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; C, 332 ; S, 58.

(63) Butcher-bird. 166. See (151).

(64) Buzzards. § 27, V, VI ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 6. See (374). For " American Buz-

zard " see (299).

(65) Ccerulean Warbler. 116. See (46).

(66) Canada Flycatcher. 130 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 103 ; S, 214.

(67) Canada Grouse. 403 ; A, 2 ; AA, 5 ; B, 3 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; C, 380 ; S, 460.

(68) Canada Jay. 278, 474 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 239 ; S, 443.

(69) " Canada Robin." 152. See (77).

(70) Canada Warbler. 117.

(71) " Cape Cod Swalloic." 150.

(72) Cape May Warbler. 103 ; A, 5 ; AA, 2 ; B, ? , 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 6 ; C, 85 ; S, 206.

(73) Cardinal Grosbeak. 242 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 203 ; S, 390.

(74) Carolina Dove. 401 ; A, 1 ; AA, 5 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 371 ; S, 451. For C. Wren,

(§ 7, I, note), see (146).

(75) Carrion " Crow." 392 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 9 ; C, 366 ; S, 3.

(76) Catbird. 42 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 9 ; S, 254.

(77) Cedar-bird. 152 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 119 ; S, 233.

(78) Chat. 135; A, 2 ; AA,4; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 100 ; S, 176.

(79) " Chatterers." § 12 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 118-121 ; S, 232-235.

(80) " Chebec." 296.

INDEX TO ENGLISH NAMES. 483

(81) Cheew-y. 28.

(82) Cherry-bird. 152. See (77).

(83) Chestnut-collared Longspur. 473.

(84) Chestnut-sided Warbler. 107 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 83 ; S, 200.

(85) " Cheu-ink.-" 234 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 204 ; S, 391.

(86) Chickadee.^ 57 ; A, 4 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 31 ; S, 290.

(87) " Chicken Hawk.'' 372 ; etc. See (94).

(88) Chimney (" Swallow " or) Sivi/t. 310 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 271 ; S, 109.

(89) ''Chipper'' or Chipping Sparrow. 217; A, 2; AA, 3; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 178;

S, 359.

(90) Chuck-icill's-ividow. 476.

(91) Cliff Swallow. 144 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; B, 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 114 ; S, 226.

(92) Common Crow, or the like. See Crow, etc.

(93) Connecticut Warbler. 87 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 95 ; S, 174.

(94) Cooper's Hawk. 372 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; B, 2 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; C, 339 ; S, 15.

(95) Cow-bird. 254 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 211 ; S, 400.

(96) Creepers. § 0. See (57), and, if necessary, (23).

(97) Crested Tomtit. 01, note.

(98) Crossbills. § 15, I ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 142-143o ; S, 318-319.

(99) Crow. 271 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 228 ; S, 426.

(100) Crow Blackbird. 267 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; B, ? , 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 225 ; S, 421.

(101) Crows. § 18, I ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; C, 226-231 ; S, 423-431 (?).

(102) Cuckoos. § 24 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 288-292 ; S, 67-71.

(103) Cuvier's Kinglet. 55 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C ; S, 163.

(104) Day Owl. 357. See (16G).

(105) Doves. § 29, II ; AA, 5 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; C, 371-377 ; S, 449-455.

(106) Downy Woodpecker. 335 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 299 ; S, 76.

(107) Duck Hawk. 362 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 9 ; C, 343 ; S, 5.

(108) Eagles. § 27, "Vai, VIII ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; C, 361-362 (and 363 ?) ; S, 39-43.

(109) Eastern Bluebird, or the like. See Bluebird, etc.

(110) Eave Swallow. 144. See (91).

(111) " English " Snipe. 426. See (412).

(112) " English Sparrow-." 243 ; C, 187.

(113) English Tree Sparrow, etc. 245, and note.

(114) European Goldfinch. 473.

(115) Evening Grosbeak. 470.

{116) Falcons. § 27, II ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; C, 341-347 ; S, 5-13.

(117) Ferruginous Thrush. 45. See (59).

(118) Field Lark. 250 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 214 ; S, 406.

(119) Field Sparrow. 222 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 179 ; S, 358.

(120) Finches. § 15 ; A A, 3 ; BB, 1 and 2 ; N, 1 ; C, 136-209 ; S, 303-398.

(121) Fire-bird. 261. See (11).

(122) Fish Crotc. 271, note; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 229 ; S, 429.

(123) Fish Hawk. 390 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 360 ; S, 44.
{12i) '' Flicker." 324. See (139).

(125) Flycatchers. § 19 (and p. 475) ; AA, 1 and 7 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 240-263 ; S, 120-

147.

(126) " Flycatchers." § 13. Also § 9, XI.

(127) Flycafching Warblers. § 9, XI and XII ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 101-105 ; S, 211-219.

(128) Fox Sparrow. 229 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 188 ; S, 374.

(129) Game-birds. Chap. V, p. 403 ; AA, chiefly 5 ; W, chiefly 6.

(130) Gerfalcon. See Gyrfalcon.

(131) Gnatcatchers. § 3, II ; C, 23-25 ; S, 282-284. See (41).

(132) " Goatsuckers." § 20 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; C, 264-268 ; S, lll-116ff.

(133) Golden-crowned " Thrush." 83 ; A, 3 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 92 ; S, 186.

(134) Golden-crowned " Wren " or Kinglet. 52 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; B, $ , 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ;

C, 22; S, 162.

(135) Golden Eagle. 383 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 7, p. 13 ; C, 361 ; S, 39.

2 Other allied Titmice are called " Chickadees," but always with a prefix.

484 INDEX TO ENGLISH NAMES.

(136) GoWen. "-Roftrn." 261. See (11).

(137) Golden Warbler. 104. See (438).

(138) Golden-icinged Warbler. 91 ; A, 5 ; AA, 2 ; B, 9, 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 63 ; S, 181.

(139) Golden-winged Woodpecker. 324 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 312 ; S, 97.

(140) Goldfinch. 182, 473 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; B, ? , 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 149 ; S, 313.

(141) Goshaick. 374 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 6, p. 80 ; C, 340 ; S, 14.

(142) Grass Finch. 207. See (IS).

(143) Gray-cheeked Thrush. 35 ; BB, 1 ; C, 5a; S, 154.

(144) Gray Gyrfalcon. 478.

(145) Gray King-bird. 282 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; C, 243 ; S, 125.

(146) Great Carolina Wren. 72 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 47 ; S, 265.

(147) Great {Cinereous or) Gray Owl. 344 ; A, 4 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; C, 322 ; S, 53.

(148) Great Crested Flycatcher. 284 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 247 ; S, 130.

(149) Great-footed Haick. 362.

(150) Great Horned Owl. 353 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 6 ; C, 317 ; S, 48.

(151) Great Northern Shrike. 166 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 134 ; S, 236.

(152) Greater Redpoll. 472.

{Wd) Green Black-capped '' Flycatcher.'" 132. See (27).

{\M) Green-crested Flycatcher. 300. See (1).

(155) " Greenlets " ^ Vireos, § 13.

(156) Grosbeaks. § 15, XXI, XXII, and XXHI, and p. 470.

(157) " Grouml Robin.'' 234. See (85).

(158) " Ground Sparroiv.'" § 15, passim (especially XIII, A).

(159) Ground Warbler. 84.

(160) Grouse. § 30 ; AA, 5 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; C, 380-388 ; S, 459-470.

(161) Gyrfalcon. 361, 477, 479 ; A, 2 and 4 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; C, 341 & 341a ; S, 11 and 12. See

§ 27, II, (A).

(162) '' Hair-bird.'' 217. See (89).

(163) Hairy Woodpecker. 333 ; A, 5 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 298 ; S, 74.
{l&i) '' Ha7ig-nest." 261. See (11).

(165) Harriers. § 27, I. See (213).

(166) Haick Owl. 357 ; A, 4 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 6 ; C, 326 ; S, 62.

(167) Hauks. §27 (especiaUy III and IV), and p. 476; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1; C, 333-363;

S, 5-46.

(168) ''Heath Hen." 404.

(169) Hemlock Warbler. 113 ; AA, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 5. See (39).

(170) Hen Hawks. § 27, especiaUy V, A and B ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 6.

(171) Henslow's Bunting (or Sparrow). 200 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 (2d ed.) ; C, 163 ;

S, 339.

(172) Hermit Thrush. 30 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; s C, 4 ; S, 149.
{ITS) '' High-hole," etc. 324. See (139).

(174) Holbcell's Redpoll. 472.

(175) Hooded '■'■Flycatcher" (or Warbler). 1Z2, note; A, 2; AA, 2; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ;

C, 101 ; S, 211.

(176) Horned Lark. 246. See (326).

(177) Horned Owl. 353. See (150).

(178) House Sparrow. 243 ; C, 187.

(179) House Wreii. 73. A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 49 ; S, 270.

(180) Hudsonian Chickadee. 60.

(181) Hummingbird. 314. See (311).

(182) Hummingbirds. § 22 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; C, 273-283 ; S, 100-106.

(183) Indigo Bird. 238 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; B, 9 , 2 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 199 ; S, 387.

(184) Ipswich Sjmrrow. 201 ; BB, 1 ; C, 158 ; S, .

(185) Jays. § 18, II and III (and p. 474) ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; C, 232-239 ; S, 432-444.

(186) Jerfalcon. 361. See (161).

(187) Kentucky Warbler. 87, note; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 96 ; S, 175.

(188) Kestrel. 368.

3 I am inclined to decide that fig. 2 of pi. 45 is that of the Hermit Thrush, wliereas confusion
with the Olive-backed Thrush occurs in the text.

INDEX TO ENGLISH NAMES. 485

King-bird. 282 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2, p. 66 ; C, 242 ; S, 124.
Kingfisher. 317 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 286 ; S, 117.

Kingfishers. § 23 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; C, 286-287 ; S, 117-118.

" Kinglets.'' § 3, 1 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 21-22 ; S, 161-163.

Kile. 477.

Lapland Longspur. 194 ; A, 4 ; AA, 3 ; B, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 153 ; S, 326.

Large-billed Water " Thrush.'' 82 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3, pi. 23 ; C, 94 ;

S, 188.
Lark Bunting. 474.

Lark Finch. 195 ; A, 5 ; AA, 3 ; B, 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 186 ; S, 344.
Larks. § 16 and p. 475 (also § 17, I, and § 8).
Lawrence's Warbler. 468.

Least Flycatcher (or L. " Pewee.") 296 ; AA, (1 ? ■*) 7 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; C, 258 ; S, 142.
Lesser ''Red-poll." 188 ; A, 4 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 146 ; S, 320.
Lincoln's Finch. 214 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 (2d ed.) ; C, 167 ; S, 368.

Linne's Hummingbird. 31i, note ; C, 283; S, .

" Linnet." 179. (Also, § 15, V and Yl.) See (282).

''Log-cock." 337. See (268).

Loggerhead Shrike. 170, 7iote; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 135 ; S, 237.

Long-billed Marsh Wren. 77 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 51 ; S, 268.

Long-eared Old. 342 ; A, 4 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3; N, 1 ; W, 6 ; C, 320 ; S, 51.

Longspur. 194, 473. See (194).

Louisiana " Thrush." 82. See (195).

Magnolia Warbler. 128. See (24).

Marsh Blackbird. 257. See (300).

3Iarsh Hawk. 360 ; AA, 1 ; B, 2, p. 30 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 6 ; C, 333 ; S, 38.

3Tarsh Owl. 343. See (328).

" Marsh Quail." 250.

" 3Iarsh Robin." 234. See (85).

Marsh Wrens. § 7, II, especially B ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 51^2 ; S, 268-269.

3Iartins. § 11, V. See (284).

3Iaryland '" Yellow-throat." 84 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1, and ? , 2 ; C, 97 ;

S, 170.
3Ta vis. 45.

3Taynard's Sparrow. 201. See (184).

Meadow Lark. 250 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 214 ; S, 406.
3feadow Wren. 70. See (327).

3fealy " Red-poll." 188 ; A, 5 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; C, 1466 ; S, 321.
3ferlin. 366.

3figratory Thrush = Robin. See (306).

3Iocking-bird. 42 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 8 ; S, 253.
3Tocking Thrushes. § 1, II, (and III ?) ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 7-14 ; S, 253-

261a.
3Iottled Owl. 349 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 318 ; S, 49.
3Iountain Sparrow. 245.
3[ourning Dove. 401.

3Iour7iing Warbler. 86 ; A, 5 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 98 ; S, 172.
" 3Touse Hawk." 360. See (213).
" 3Iijrtle-bird." 126. See (430).

Nashville Warbler. 94 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 67 ; S, 183.
Nelson's Sharp-tailed Sparrow. 473.
New York " Thrush." 82. See (195).

Night " Hawk." 308 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 267 ; S, 114.
"Night-jar." 306. See (396).

" Nightingale." A name applied to several American birds, as (381), (413), etc.
Nuchal Woodpecker. 331 ; BB, 2; C, 302rt; S, 86.
Nuthatches. § 5 ; A, 2 ; A A, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 38-41 ; S, 277-281.

* The 3Iuscicapa pusilla of Swainson is either this species or a variety of Traill's Fly-
catcher.

486 INDEX TO ENGLISH NAMES.

(243) Old-field Lark. 250.

(244) Olive-backed Thrush. 33 ; AA, " III, pi. cxlvu ; not the text " ; BB, 1 ; W, 5, pi. 45,

fig. 2 (?) ; C, 5 ; S, 153.

(245) Olive-sided Flycatcher. 290 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; C, 253 ; S, 137.

(246) Orange-crowned Warbler. 95 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; B, 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, G8 ; S, 184.

(247) Orchard Oriole. 264 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 215 ; S, 414.

(248) Oregon Jay. 281.

(249) Oregon Robin. 41.

(250) Orioles. § 17, V ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 215-220 ; S, 408-416.

(251) Osprey. 390. See (123).

(252) " Oven-bird.'' 83. See (133).

(253) Owls. § 26 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; C, 316-332 ; S, 47-62.
(2^) Pallas' s Thrush. 30. See (172).

(255) Palm Warbler. 124, 469 ; B, 2. See (296).

(256) " Partridge " = Quail, p. 412, and Ruffed Grouse, p. 406. See (286) and (312).

(257) '' Partridge Hawk." 374.

(258) Passenger Pigeon. See (409).
(250) '' Peabody-bird.'" 224. See (406).
(200) Peregrine Falcon. 362. See (107).

(261) Pewee (or " Phaibe ")• 286, 475 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 252 ; S, 135.
{2Q2) '' Pheasant.'" 406. See (312).

(263) Philadelphia Vireo. 163 ; BB, 1 ; C, 124 ; S, 244.

(264) Pigeon Hawk. 366 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 344 ; S, 7.
{265) '' Pigeon Haick." 370. See (324).

(266) Pigeon Woodpecker. 324. See (139).

(267) Pigeons. Chap. IV ; AA, 4 and 5 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; C, 367-370 ; S, 445-448 ; inc. Doves,

C, 377 ; S, 455.

(268) Pileated Woodpecker. 337 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 294 ; S, 90.

(269) ''Pine Creeper." 122.

(270) Pine {Bullfinch or) Grosbeak. 177 ; A, 4 ; AA, 3 ; B, $ , 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C,

137; S, 304.

(271) Pine Finch (or P. Linnet). 186 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 148 ; S, 317.

(272) Pine Warbler. 122 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 91 ; S, 198.

(273) Pinnated Grouse. 404 ; A, 2 ; AA, 5 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 384 ; S, 464.

(274) "Pi>i7." 78. See (368).
I2I0) '' Politician." 164. See (401).

(276) "-Prairie Hen " (or ''Prairie Chicken ")• 404, note. See (273).

(277) Prairie Horned Lark. 475.

(278) Prairie Owl. 358.

(279) Prairie Warbler. 106 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 86; S, 210.

(280) Prothonotary Warbler. 89 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 59 ; S, 169.

(281) Ptarmigan. 403, note.

(282) Purple Finch. 179; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 (and yg. 5) ; C, 139 ; S, 305.

(283) Ptaple Grackle. 267. See (100).

(284) Ptirple Martin. 150 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 117 ; S, 231.

(285) Pygmy Flycatcher. 301.

(280) Quail. 412 ; A, 1 ; AA, 5 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 6 ; C, 389 ; S, 471.

(287) Raven. 271, note; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 9 ; C, 226 ; S, 423.

(288) Red-bellied Nuthatch. 64; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 39 ; S, 279.

(289) Red-bellied Woodpecker. 327, note; A, 5 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 306 ; S, 91.

(290) Red-bird = Summer Red-bird, 139 ; = Cardinal Grosbeak, 242.

(291) Red Crossbill. 173 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 143 ; S, 318.

(292) Red-eyed Vireo. 159 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 122 ; S, 240.

(293) Red-headed Woodpecker. 327 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 309; S, 94.

(294) Red-naped (or Red-throated) Woodpecker. 331 ; BB, 2. See (241).

(295) Red Owl. 349 ; W, 5. See (229).

(296) " Red-poll " Warbler. 124 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; B, 2, p. 12 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 90 ; S, 208.

(297) " Red-polls." § 15, V, p. 188, 472 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1. See (201).

(298) Red-shouldered Hawk. 376 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 6, and 4, p. 73 ; C, 352 ;

S, 25.

INDEX TO ENGLISH NAMES. 487

(299) Red-tailed Hawk. 375 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 6 (pi. 52, fig. 1, 2) ; C, 351 ; S,

23.
Red-tcinged Blackbird. 257 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 212 ; S, 401.
Redstart. 133 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 and 5 ; C, 104 ; S, 217.
Reed-bird (or Rice-bird). 252. See (51).
'^ Re2mblican" Sicallou: 144. See (91).

Richardson's Owl. 347 ; A, 4, p. 559 ; AA, 1, p. 122 ; BB, 3 ; C, 327 ; S, 55.
Ring-tailed Eagle = Golden Eagle. 383. See (135).
Robin. 37; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 1 ; S, 155.
Rose-breasted Grosbeak. 240; A, 2; AA, 3; B, ?, 2 ; BB, 2; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 193;

S, 380.
Rough-legged ffaick. 382 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1, pp. 97, 98 ; W, 4 ; C, 356 ; S, 30.

See (30).
Rough-u'inged Swallow. 470.
Ruby-croivned " Wren " (or Kinglet). 50 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 21 ;

S, 161.
Ruby-throated Hummingbird. 314 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 275 ; S, 101.
Rufftd Grouse. 406 ; A, 1 ; AA, 5 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 6 ; C, 385 ; S, 465.
Rusty Blackbird (or Grackle). 265 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 221 ; S, 417.
Sand '' Martin.'" 149. See (13).
'^ Sapsucker." § 25, passim.

Savannah Sparroiv. 204 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 and 4 ; C, 159 ; S, 332.
"•Saw-ivhet'' Owl. 348. See (2).
Say's Phcebe. 475.

Scarlet Tanager. 137 ; A, 4 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 107 ; S, 220.
Scissor-tailed Flycatcher. 475.
Screech Owl. 349. See (229) and (295).

Sea-side Finch. 196 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3, pp. 103, 106 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 165 ; S, 342.
Serin Finch. 245, note.

Sharp-shinned Haivk. 370 ; A, 4 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 and 6, p. 13 ; C, 338 ; S, 17.
Sharp-tailed Finch. 197 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 166 ; S, 341.
Shore Lark. 246 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 53 ; S, 302.
Short-billed Marsh Wren. 76; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 52 ; S, 269.
Short-eared Owl. 343 ; A, 5 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 321 ; S, 52.
Shrikes. § 14 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 134-135a ; S, 236-239.
Siskin. 186. See (271).
' ' Skmik Blackbird. ' ' 252.

Sky Lark. 246, and note ad fin. of § 15 ; BB, 1. See (326).
Slate-colored Hawk (of Wilson). 370 ; N, 1 ; W, 6. See (324).

Small-headed Flycatcher. 132, note; AA, 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 6 ; C, ; S, 212.

Snipe. 426 ; AA, 5 and 6 ; BB, 4 ; N, 2. See (412).

Snoio-bird. 230 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 174 ; S, 354.

Snoio Bunting {or ''Snow-flake''). 191; A, 2; AA, 3; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3; C, 152;

S, 325.
Snoicy Owl. 355 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; "W, 4 ; C, 325 ; S, 61.
Social Sparroiv. 217. See (89).

Solitary Vireo. 155; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 127 : S, 250.
Song Sparroiv. 209 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 169 ; S, 363.
Song Thrush. 45 ; also 25. See (59) and (417).

Sparrow Hawk. 368 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, $ , 2, and (^, 4 ; C, 346 ; S, 13.
Sparrow Owl. 347. See (304).
Sparrows. § 15, IX-XV (English, XXIV, XXV) (and p. 473, 474) ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 and 2 ;

N, 1 ; C, 157-189a ; S, 331-376^.
Spotted Grouse (or ''Spruce Partridge "). 403. See (67).
Starlings. § 17 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; C, 210-225a ; S, 399-422.
Stonechats. 47.

Summer Red-bird. 139 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 108 ; S, 221.
Summer Warbler (or Yellowbird). 104. See (438).
Sivainson's Hawk. 476.
Sivainson's Thrush. 33. See (244).

1;

AA,

1;

BB,

2;

N,

1;

c,

257

; s

,140.

2 ;

AA,

3;

BB,

2;

N,

1;

w,

2 ;

c,

177;

s,

357.

2

; AA

, 1

; BB

,3

;N

1

; W

,9

c

365

s

1-

488 INDEX TO ENGLISH NAMES.

Swallow-tailed Kite. 477.

Swallows. § 11 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 111-117 ; S, 225-231a.

Swamp '■'■Robin.'" 234 ; also § 1, I, C (and D ?). See (85) and (172).

Swamp Sparroiv. 215 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 168 ; S, 369.

Swamp Thrush. 30. See (172).

Sivi/fs. § 21 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 (p. 48) ; C, 269-272 ; S, 107-110.

Tanagers. § 10 (and p. 470) ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 107-110; S, 220-224.

Tawvy Thrush. 28 ; W, 5. See (413).

Te?}gmalm''s Owl. A European Owl, of which Richardson's Owl is a variety.

Tennessee Warbler. 96 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 69 ; S, 185.

''Thistle-bird." 182. See (140).

''Thrasher." 45. See (59).

Three-toed Woodpeckers. § 25, IV, p. 332 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; C, 300-301a; S, 82-84.

Thrushes. § 1 ; AA, 3 (Mocking Thrushes, 2) ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 1-14 ; S, 148-156 and

253-261a.
" Thrushes." § 9, I ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 92-94 ; S, 186-188.
Titlark. 78 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 55 ; S, 165,
Titmice. § 4 (and p. 468) ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 27-37 ; S, 285-300.
" Towhee." 234 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 204 ; S, 391.
TraiWs Flycatcher. 293; A,
Tree Sparrow. 219, 245 ; A,
Tufted Titmouse. 468.
" Turkey Buzzard." 392 ; A
Turtle Dove. 401. See (74).
Tyrant Flycatcher. 282 ; W, 2. See (189).
Varied Thrush. 41 ; A, 4 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; C, 2 ; S, 156.
" Veery." 28. See (413).
Vesjyer Sparrou: 207. See (18).

Vireos. § 13 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 122-133 ; S. 240-252.
Virginia " Nightingale." 242. See (73).
Virginia Partridge. 412. See (286).
Vultures. § 28.

Wagtails. § 8 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 54-56 ; S, 1&4-166.
" Wagtails." § 9, I. See (367).

Warblers. § 9 (and p. 468, 469) ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 57-105 ; S, 167-219.
Warbling Vireo. 161 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 125 ; S, 245.
Washington Eagle = Bald Eagle (?). 386 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; S, 41.
Water " Thrush." 80 ; A, 5 ; AA, 3 ; s BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; (W, 3 ?) ; 0, 93 ; S, 187.
Wafer " Thrushes." § 9, I, A and B ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 93-94 ; S, 187-188.
Water " Wagtail." 80. See (389).
Water Warbler. 82. See (195).

Wazwings. § 12 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 118-119 ; S, 232-233.
Western Tanager. 470.
Wheatear. 50.

Whippoorivill. 306 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 265 ; S, 112.
" Whiskey- Jack." 278. See (68).

White-bellied or | Ntithatch. 61 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 38 ; S, 277.
White-breasted \ Swallow. 147 ; A, 1 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1; W, 5; C, 112 ; S, 227.
White-crowned Sparrow. 227 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 183 ; S, 345.
White-eyed Vireo. 164 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 129 ; S, 248.
White Gyrfalcon. 478.
White-headed Eagle. 385. See (10).
White Owl. 355. See (338).
Whiie-rumped Shrike. 170, 470.

White-throated Sparrow. 224 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 182 ; S, 349.
White-throated Warbler. 92.
White-winged Crossbill. 175; A, 4; AA, 3; B, ?, 2; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 142

S, 319.

° In Audubon's "Birds of America" considered identical with the Louisiana Water " Thrush. '

(409
(410
(411
(412
(413
(414
(415;
(41G
(417

(418
(419
(420
(421
(422
(423
(424
(425
(426
(427

(428
(429
(430;

(431

(432
(433
(434
(435
(43G
(437
(438

(440
(441

INDEX TO ENGLISH NAMES. 489

Wild Pigeon. 395 ; A, 1 ; AA, 5 ; BB, 3 ; N, 1 ; W, 5 ; C, 370 ; S, 448.

Willow Warbler. 126. See (430).

Wilson's " Black-cap.''^ 132. See (27).

Wilson's Snipe. 426 ; A, 3 ; AA, 5 ; BB, 4 ; e N, 1 ; W, 6, p. 18 ; C, 414 ; S, 523.

Wilson's Thrush. 28 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 5, p. 98 ; C, 6 ; S, 151.

Wi7i(er Falcon (of Wilson). 376 ; W, 4.

Winter Wren. 69 ; A, 4 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 50 ; S, 273.

Wood Pewee. 291 ; A, 2 ; AA, 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 2 ; C, 255 ; S, 139.

Wood Thrush. 25 ; A, 1 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 3 ; S, 148. Wood Thrushes,

§ 1, I, A-E.
Wood Wren = Winter Wren, 69 ; = House Wren, 73 ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; S, 272.
Woodcock. 418 ; A, 3 ; AA, 6 ; BB, 4 ; N, 1 ; W, 6 ; C, 412, (English) 413 ; S, 522.
'"Woodcock." 337.

Woodpeckers. § 25 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; C, 293-314 ; S, 72-99.
Worm-eating Warbler. 88 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 60 ; S, 178.
Worm-eating Warblers. § 9, IV, V, VI ; A A, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 59-69 ; S, 178-185.
Wrens. § 7 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; C, 43-52 ; S, 262-273.
" Wrens.'' § 3, I ; A, 2 ; AA, 2 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 21-22 ; S, 161-163.
Yelloiv-bellied Flycatcher. 298 ; AA, 7 ; BB, 2 ; C, 259 ; S, 144.
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker. 329 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; B, yg., 1 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; "W, 1 ; C, 302 ;

S, 85.
Yellow-billed Cuckoo. 319 ; A, 1 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 2 ; N, 1 ; W, 4 ; C, 291 ; S, 69.
Yellow-breasted Chat. 135; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 1 ; C, 100 ; S, 176.
{Yellow-crowned ot) "'■ Yellow-rump" Warbler. 126; A, 2; AA, 2; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W,

2, andyg.,5; C, 78 ; S, 194.
"■Yellow Hammer." 324. See (139).
Yelloiv-headed Blackbird. 261.
Yellow Red-polled Warbler. 124. See (296).
Yelloiv-shafted Woodpecker. 324. See (139).
" Yellow-throat." 84. See (219).

Yellow-throated Vireo. 157 ; A, 2 ; AA, 4 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; "W, 1 ; C, 126 ; S, 252.
Yellow-throated Warbler. 469.
Yellow Warbler. 104 ; A, 1 ; AA, 2, pp. 50 and 53 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1, pp. 364 and 370 ; W,

2 ; C, 70 ; S, 203.
Yellow-winged Sparrow. 199 ; A, 2 ; AA, 3 ; BB, 1 ; N, 1 ; W, 3 ; C, 162 ; S, 338.
Yellowbird = Yellow Warbler, 104 ; = Goldfinch, 182.
" Yucker." 324. See (139).

" This volume has not yet been published (November, 1876).

INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES.

Acanthis brewsterii, 191.

hornemannii exilipes, 188.

linaria, 188.

linaria liolbcellii, 472.

linaria rostra ta, 472.
Aceipiter, 374.

eooperii, 372.

velox, 370.
Agelaius phoeniceus, 257.
Agyrtria tobaci, 314.
Ammodramus, 199, 201.

caudaciitus, 197.

caiidacutus nelsoni, 473.

caudacutiis subvirgatus, 473.

maritinius, 196.
Ampelis cedrorum, 152.

garrulus, 154.
Anorthnra, 69.
Anthus pensilvanicus, 78.
Antrostoraus carolinensis, 476.

vociferus, 306.
Aqtiila ehrysaetos, 383.
Archibuteo lagopus sancti-johannis,

382.
Asio accipitrinus, 343.

wilsouiamis, 342.
Astur atricapiUus, 374.

Bonasa umbellus, 406.

umbellus togata, 406.
Bubo virg-inianus, 353.
Buteo borealis, 375.

latissimus, 381.

lineatus, 376.

swainsoni, 476.

Calamospiza nielanocorys, 474.
Calcarius lapponieus, 194.

ornatus, 473.
Cardinalis cardinalis, 242.
Carduelis carduelis, 473.
Carpodaeus purpureus, 179.
Catharista atrata, 392.
Cathartes aura, 392.
Ceophlceus pileatus, 337.
Certhia familiaris amerieana, 66.
Ceryle alcyon, 317.
Chsetura pelag'ica, 310.
Chelidon erythrog'astra, 142.
Chondestes grammaeus, 195.
Chordeiles virginianus, 308.

Circus hudsoniiis, 360.
Cistotborus palustris, 77.

stellaris, 76.
CHvicola riparia, 149.
Coccothraustes vespertinus, 470.
Coccyzus americanus, 319.

erythrophthalmus, 321.
Colaptes auratus, 324.
Colinus virginianus, 412.
Compsothlypis amerieana, 100.
Contopus borealis, 290.

virens, 291.
Corvus americanus, 271.

corax principalis, 271.

ossifragus, 271 .
Coturniculus henslowii, 200.

savannarum passerinus, 199.
Cyanocitta cristata, 275.

Dendragapus canadensis, 403.
Dendroica, 103.

sestiva, 104.

auduboni, 468.

blackburnisB, 113.

caerulea, 116.

caerulescens, 117.

castanea, 109.

coronata, 126.

discolor, 106.

dorainiea, 469.

maculosa, 128.

palmarum, 469.

palmarum hypochrysea, 124,
469.

pennsylvanica, 107.

striata, 111.

vigorsii, 122.

virens, 119.
Dolicbonyx oryzivorus, 252.
Dryobates pubescens, 335.

villosus, 333.

Ectopistes migratorius, 395.
Elanoides forficatus, 477.
Empidonax acadicus, 300.

flaviventris, 298.

minimus, 296.

pusillus traillii, 293.

pygmsBus, 301.
Euspiza amerieana, 236.

INDEX OF SCIENTIFIC NAMES.

491

Falco coliimbarius, 366.
islandus, 478.
peregrinus anatum, 362.
rusticolus, 478.
nisticolus gyrfalco, 361, 479.
rusticolus obsoletus, 480.
sparverius, 368.

Galeoseoptes carolinensis, 42.
Gallinago clelicata, 426.
Geothlypis, 87.

Philadelphia, 86.

triehas, 84.
Guiraca cairulea, 239.

Habia ludoviciana, 240.
Halifeetus leucocephalus, 385.
Harporhynchus ridfus, 45.
Helmiuthophila celata, 95.

chrysoptera, 91.

lawrencei, 468.

leucobronchialis, 92.

peregrina, 96.

pinus, 90.

ruficapilla, 94.
Helmitherus vermivorus, 88.
Hesperocichia nsevia, 41.
Hylocichla, 25.

Icteria virens, 135.
Ictei'us galbula, 261.
spurius, 264.

Junco hyemalis, 230.

Lagopus lagopus, 403.
Lanius borealis, 166.

excubitorides, 167-

ludovicianus excubitorides, 170,
470.
Linota brewsteri, 191.
Lophophanes bieolor, 61.
Loxia curvirostra minor, 173.

leucoptera, 175.

Megascops asio, .349.
Melaneipes caroliuus, 327.

erythrocephalus, 327.
Melospiza fasciata, 209.

georgiaua, 215.

lincolnii, 214.
Merula migratoria, 37.
Milvulus forficatus, 475.
Mimus polyglottus, 42.
Mniotilta varia, 97.
Mniotiltidse, 79.
Molothrus ater, 254.
Myiarchus crinitus, 284.

Nyctala acadica, .348.

tengmalmi richardsoni, 347.

Nyctea nyctea, 355.

Oporornis agilis, 87.
Otocoris alpestris, 246.

alpestris praticola, 475.

Pandion haliaetus carolinensis, 390.
Parus atricapillus, 57.

bieolor, 468.

hudsonius, 60.
Passer domesticus, 243.
Passerculus princeps, 201.

sandwichensis savanna, 204.
Passerella iliaca, 229.
Passerina cyanea, 238.
Perisoreus canadensis, 278, 474.
Perissoglossa tigrina, 103.
Petroehelidon lunifrons, 144.
Philohela minor, 418.
Picoides americanus, 333.

arcticus, 332.
Pinicola enucleator, 177.
Pipilo erythrophthalmus, 234.
Piranga erythromelas, 137.

ludoviciana, 470.

rubra, 139.
Plectrophenax nivalis, 191.
Polioptila casrulea, 55.
Poocsetes gramineus, 207.
Progne subis, 150.
Protonotaria citrsea, 89.
Pyrgita, 243.

montana, 245.

Quiscalus quiscula, 267.
quiscula seneus, 269.

Regulus calendiJa, 50.
satrapa, 52.

Saxicola oenanthe, 50.
Sayornis phoebe, 286.

saya, 475.
Scolecophagus carolinus, 265.
Seiurus aurocapillus, 83. "

motacilla, 82.

noveboracensis, 80.
Setophaga ruticilla, 133.
Sialia sialis, 47.
Sitta canadensis, 64.

carolinensis, 61.
Speotyto cunicularia hypogaea, 358.
SphjTapicus varius, 329.

varius nuchalis, 331.
Spinus pinus, 186.

tristis, 182.
Spizella breweri, 474.

monticola, 219.

pusilla, 222.

socialis, 217.
Stelgidopteryx serripennis, 470.

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