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‘HOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHY. |
By a ay
ped NET e Aol
ORNITHOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHY,
OR AN ACCOUNT OF THE HABITS OF THE
BIRDS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,
ACCOMPANIED BY DESCRIPTIONS OF THE OBJECTS REPRESENTED
IN THE WORK ENTITLED
THE BIRDS OF AMERICA,
TOGETHER WITH AN ACCOUNT OF THE DIGESTIVE ORGANS OF MANY
OF THE SPECIES, ILLUSTRATED BY ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD.
BY JOHN JAMES AUDUBON, F.R.SS.L.&E.
FELLOW OF THE LINNEAN AND ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETIES OF LONDON ; MEMBER OF THE LYCEUM
OF NEW YORK, OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETY OF PARIS, THE WERNERIAN NATURAL
HISTORY SOCIETY OF EDINBURGH; HONORARY MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF NATURAL
HISTORY OF MANCHESTER, AND OF THE SCOTTISH ACADEMY OF PAINTING, SCULPTURE,
AND ARCHITECTURE ; MEMBER OF THE AMERICAN PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY, OF THE
ACADEMY OF NATURAL SCIENCES AT PHILADELPHIA, OF THE NATURAL HISTORY SOCIETIES
OF BOSTON, OF CHARLESTON IN SOUTH CAROLINA, THE QUEBEC LITERARY AND HISTORI-
CAL SOCIETY, THE ORNITHOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, &c. &c.
EDINBURGH :
ADAM & CHARLES BLACK, EDINBURGH;
LONGMAN, ORME, BROWN, GREEN & LONGMAN, LONDON.
MDOCCEXXXIX.
PRINTED BY NEILL AND CO. OLD FISHMARKET, EDINBURGH.
INTRODUCTION.
How often, Good Reader, have I longed to see the day on
which my labours should be brought to an end! Many times,
when I had laid myself down in the deepest recesses of the
western forests, have I been suddenly awakened by the appa-
rition of dismal prospects that have presented themselves to
my mind. Now, sickness, methought, had seized me with
burning hand, and hurried me away, in spite of all my fond
wishes, from those wild woods in which I had so long lingered,
to increase my knowledge of the objects which they offered to
myview. Poverty, too, at times walked hand in hand with me,
and on more than one occasion urged me to cast away my pen-
cils, destroy my drawings, abandon my journals, change my
ideas, and return to the world. At other times the Red Indian,
erect and bold, tortured my ears with horrible yells, and threat-
ened to put an end to my existence; or white-skinned murderers
aimed their rifles at me. Snakes, loathsome and venomous,
entwined my limbs, while vultures, lean and ravenous, looked
on with impatience. Once, too, I dreamed, when asleep on a
sand-bar on one of the Florida Keys, that a huge shark had
me in his jaws, and was dragging me into the deep.
vi INTRODUCTION.
But my thoughts were not always of this nature, for at
other times my dreams presented pleasing images. The sky
was serene, the air perfumed, and thousands of melodious notes,
from birds all unknown to me, urged me to arise and go in
pursuit of those beautiful and happy creatures. Then I would
find myself furnished with large and powerful wings, and,
cleaving the air like an eagle, I would fly off and by a few
joyous bounds overtake the objects of my desire. At other
times I was gladdened by the sight of my beloved family,
seated by their cheerful fire, and anticipating the delight which
they should experience on my return. The glorious sun would
arise, and as its first rays illumined the earth, I would find
myself on my feet, and while preparing for the business of the
day, I would cheer myself with the pleasing prospect of the
happy termination of my labours, and hear ‘in fancy, the praises
which kind friends would freely accord. Many times, indeed,
have such thoughts enlivened my spirits; and now, good rea-
der, the task is accomplished. In health and in sickness, in
adversity and prosperity, in summer and winter, amidst the
cheers of friends and the scowls of foes, I have depicted the
Birds of America, and studied their habits as they roamed at
large in their peculiar haunts.
Few persons can better than myself appreciate the pleasures
felt by the weary traveller when he sees before him the place
of repose for which he has long been seeking. Methinks I see
him advance with a momentary renovation of vigour, and, al-
though heavily laden, with expanded chest and brightened
eye. He has now reached his home, embraced his family, laid
aside his gun, and thrown off his knapsack ; while his faithful
dog, glad too no doubt, lays himself down, wags his tail, and
INTRODUCTION. men
casting glances of friendship around, kindly licks the hands of
the children who are caressing him. Anxiety of another
nature now prevails among the members of the happy group;
the contents of the traveller’s wallet are sought for, and ar-
ranged in view of the whole family. One looks at this and
likes it, another has caught hold of a different object, the oldest
perhaps reads the “journal,” while some prefer gazing on the
sketches “from nature.” Meanwhile the traveller and his
dearest friend feel perfectly happy in being once more together
—never again to part.
Now, Reader, you may,well imagine how happy I am at this
moment, when, like the traveller alluded to, I find my journeys
all finished, my anxieties vanished, my mission accomplished ;
and when I expect soon to see myself and my dearest friends
seated beneath lofty and fragrant trees, listening to the gay
carollings of the Mocking Bird, or the sweet though perhaps
melancholy song of my favourite the Wood Thrush. Fishing-
tackle, bird-nets, and a good gun, will then be often exchanged
for the pencil and the pen; and, although I can never entirely
relinquish the pleasure of noting new facts in zoology, or of
portraying natural objects, whether on canvass or on paper, I
shall undertake few journeys, save short rambles for amuse-
ment. If I have a regret at this moment, it is that I cannot
transfer to you the whole of the practical knowledge which I
have acquired during so many years of enthusiastic devotion
to the study of nature.
You will perceive that the number of species of birds which
have been discovered, figured, and described, since the publi-
cation of the American Ornithology, by ALEXANDER WIxson,
is very great. Indeed, the list is now extended to double the
Vill INTRODUCTION.
length that it shewed, at the period of his death, or even when
his work was completed by the addition of the ninth volume.
Yet I am confident that very many species remain to be added,
by future observers, who shall traverse the vast wastes, extend-
ing northward and westward from the Canadas, and along the
western slopes of the Rocky Mountains, from Nootka to Cali-
fornia. Nay, [look upon the whole range of those magnificent
mountains, as being yet unexplored, for the few scientific tra-
vellers who have traversed it, have merely, as it were, picked
up the scattered objects that crossed their path. Of this Iam
persuaded, in consequence of the many conversations I have
had with my friend Tuomas Nurratt, and the notices which
I have received from Dr TownsEnp, as well as the valuable
observations transmitted in a letter to me by my friend Dr
Ricuarpson. Both Captain James Ross, and Captain Bacx,
of the British Navy, have assured me that they saw curious
birds, which they were unable to procure. Indeed, this has
been the case with myself, even in some of the inhabited por-
tions of the United States, as well as in Labrador and New-
foundland. Therefore, Reader, I would strongly advise you to
make up your mind, shoulder your gun, muster all your spirits,
and start in search of the interesting unknown, of which I great-
ly regret I cannot more go in pursuit,—not for want of will,
but of the vigour and elasticity necessary for so arduous an
enterprise. Should you agree to undertake the task, and
prove fortunate enough to return, full of knowledge, laden with
objects new and rare, be pleased, when you publish your work,
to place my name in the list of subscribers, and be assured that
/ will not “leave you in the lurch.”
INTRODUCTION. ix
Now, supposing that you are full of ardour, and ready to
proceed, allow me to offer you a little advice. Leave nothing
to memory, but note down all your observations with ink, not
with a black-lead pencil; and keep in mind that the more par-
ticulars you write at the time, the more you will afterwards
recollect. Work not at night, but anticipate the morning
dawn, and never think for an instant about the difficulties of
ransacking the woods, the shores, or the barren-grounds, nor
be vexed when you have traversed a few hundred miles of
country without finding a single new species. It may, indeed
it not unfrequently does happen, that after days or even weeks
of fruitless search, one enters a grove, or comes upon a pond,
or forces his way through the tall grass of a prairie, and sud-
denly meets with several objects, all new, all beautiful, and
_ perhaps all suited to the palate. Then, how delightful will
be your feelings, and how marvellously all fatigue will va-
nish! Think, for instance, that you are on one of the de-
clivities of the Rocky Mountains, with shaggy and abrupt banks
on each side of you, while the naked cliffs tower high over
head, as if with the wish to reach the sky. Your trusty gun
has brought to the ground a most splendid “ American phea-
sant,” weighing fully two pounds! What a treat! You have
been surprised at the length of its tail, you have taken the
precise measurement of all its parts, and given a brief descrip-
tion of it. Have you read this twice, corrected errors, and
supplied deficiencies? ‘‘ Yes,’ you say. Very well; now you
have begun your drawing of this precious bird! Ah! you
have finished it. Now, then, you skin the beautiful creature,
and are pleased to find it plump and fat. You have, I find,
studied comparative anatomy under my friend MaceiLiivray,
% INTRODUCTION.
and at last have finished your examination of the esophagus,
gizzard, coeca, trachea, and bronchi. On the ignited dry cast-
ings of a buffalo, you have laid the body, and it is now almost
ready to satisfy the longings of your stomach, as it hisses in
its odorous sap. The brook at your feet affords the very best
drink that nature can supply, and I need not wish you better
fare than that before you. Next morning you find yourself
refreshed and reinvigorated, more ardent than ever, for suc-
cess fails not to excite the desire of those who have entered
upon the study of nature. You have packed your bird’s-skin
flat in your box, rolled up your drawing round those previous-
ly made, and now, day after day, you push through thick and
thin, sometimes with success, sometimes without; but you at
last return with such a load on your shoulders, as I have often
carried on mine. Having once more reached the settlements,
you relieve your tired limbs by mounting a horse, and at length
gaining a sea-port, you sail for England, if that be your coun-
try, or you repair to Boston, New York, or Baltimore, where
you will find means of publishing the results of your journey.
When I presented you with the fourth volume of this work,
I was in fair Edina; and now, when I offer you the fifth, I am
in Edina still. What beautiful walks there are, Reader, around
that superlatively beautiful city! The oftener I have rambled
along them, the more I have thought with deep regret, that
now at last I am on the eve of bidding those walks, and
the friends whom I know I possess there, a last adieu. No
man, methinks, can ever leave a country where he has been
kindly treated, without a deep feeling of sorrow. When I left
England, and all my dear friends there, that feeling was as
pungent as it is at this moment, when | am about being thrust
INTRODUCTION. xi
into a coach, to travel as fast as horses can speed, towards Bris-
tol, there to place myself on board that leviathan of the At-
lantic, “ the Great Western,” to be paddled to my own native
shores. But then, Reader, the remembrance of much kind-
ness, and the gratitude resulting from it, will ever warm my
heart. Whether far or near, I will ever try to communicate
with those dear friends, and with you too, good Reader, should
you be desirous of my doing so.
Late in the month of July last, whilst [ was engaged in ar-
ranging the notes now in this volume, under the title of an
Appendix, I had the great pleasure, one evening, of finding
myself in the company of my worthy friend Dr Bacuman, of
Charleston, and of my eldest son, whose name you cannot fail
to recollect. The former had crossed the Atlantic, with the
view of re-establishing his health by rambling over Europe,
the latter had come from London to be my constant compa-
nion. The days which we enjoyed together were few, but de-
lightful; and when, at the end of a fortnight, my friend left
us, I felt as if almost alone, and in the wilderness. August
came in course, and in that month my beloved wife and the
rest of my family joined me. My friend Maceitiivray and
myself were up to the elbows among the birds which I had
brought in spirits with me from America, I acting as secretary,
he as prime minister. Under his kind tuition, I think I have
learned something of anatomy, which may enable me, at some
future period, to produce observations that may prove interest-
ing even to you, good Reader, for I promise that no sooner shall
[have returned to America, and procured specimens of any of .
the species, whose digestive and respiratory organs have not
been described in this work, than I will try to examine them
xii INTRODUCTION.
in detail, and publish the results in the Journals of some of
our scientific institutions.
When September had mellowed the general aspect of nature,
the long-cherished desire of obtaining a glimpse of the High-
lands of Scotland filled our hearts anew, and we resolved to
visit the mountains and lakes so beautifully described by the
illustrious Scorr. The weather was as fine as we could wish.
My good friend Maccitiivray, by way of obtaining a holiday,
accompanied us, and, independently of the pleasure derived
from his conversation, we found him useful in pointing out ob-
jects with which he was familiar, and of which we might other-
wise not have learned the history. Early one morning we start-
ed, seven in number, for I took with me my dear little grand-
child, not above two months old, with the desire, perhaps, of let-
ting her breathe the mountain air. Every one acquainted with
Edinburgh, knows the Chain-Pier at Newhaven. There, then,
at eight o’clock we were, walking along its tremulous planks
with a feeling of giddiness, and presently after found ourselves
seated in the stern of a small steamer, bound for Stirling.
There was no wind, the skies were serene, and the smooth
waters were alive with shoals of young herrings, over which
hovered gulls of various species. On some bare rocks near
Aberdour, on the opposite coast, stood numerous cormorants,
while along the shore, guillemots and auks dived or flew, as
our boat approached them. After passing many beautiful
spots, we entered the narrow passage of the “ Queen’s Ferry,”
and presently obtained a view of the distant hills. At length
we reached what I thought a very remarkable place for Scot-
land, a considerable extent of land embanked, and so much
resembling some portions of the shores of the lower Mississippi,
INTRODUCTION. xiii
that, had the thermometer been at 86°, I should have looked
upon it as well adapted for the cultivation of sugar, cotton, or
tobacco. But the steamer, slow as was its progress, moved
too fast for me; and if ever I again visit the Highlands, it
shall be on foot, for no man, with nerve and will, and an ad-
mirer of the beauties of nature, can ever truly enjoy the plea-
sures of travelling, unless he proceed in that manner. After
a while, we entered what I would call a singular narrow and
tortuous bayou, winding amongst green meadows and corn-
fields, and on whose margins some herons walked with mea-
sured steps, while groups of lapwings flew over us so merrily,
that we thought they had a holiday too. From the willows
and ash-trees on the banks, “‘cushats” started in great numbers,
alarmed by the noise of our paddles. Narrower and more
shallow became the bayou, and at length our boat stuck in the
mud. After a while, however, the sound of oars came on our
ears, and, ere half an hour elapsed, the party from Edinburgh
was, amidst much mirth and some sorrow, exchanged for the
party from the hills of the north, as anxious apparently to
reach their home, as we were to leave it farther behind. Now
see us packed close in two great boats, rowed vigorously for a
while, then towed along the margin, just in the way that Ca-
nadian boatmen still proceed, by means of a cordelle, or as the
Kentuckyans were wont to do thirty years ago on the Ohio
_ and Mississippi. But, Reader, here we all are at Stirling.
Nature must, I think, at one time have felt, as I would call it,
“quite pleasant ;” for in this place she has produced a marvel-
lously close imitation of one of her own works. At least, such was
my impression when [ found myself walking around the walls
of Stirling Castle, so much did the rock at first resemble that.
xiv INTRODUCTION.
of Edinburgh; although in the details the two crags are very
different. With delight we gazed on the beautiful valley be-
neath us, until our eyes meeting with the wall of dark-blue
mountains in the distance, we wished that CLAUDE LORRAINE
had transferred the landscape to canvass, as he had done hun-
dreds of others far less beautiful or grand.
At Stirling we had a good dinner, for which a good price was
paid. Soon after we were on our way to the hills, comfortably
enough stowed into a large post-chaise. Before we arrived at
the village of Doun, however, darkness overtook us, so that we
did not until nine reach Callender. There, we found a good
house, kept by a good woman of the name of Stewart. Our
friend Maceitirvray had stopped there before ; and, although
there may be equally good taverns or hotels in Callender, we
found no reason to regret our having taken his advice, for in
Mrs STrEwart’s we spent the night very comfortably.
If travellers are sluggards, I pity them in my heart ; for,
depend upon it, nature is never more beautiful than whilst she
bathes herself, in the morn, in her own dewy waters. Then,
traveller, whoever you may be, arouse yourself, leave your
couch, emerge from good Mrs Srewart’s house, walk to the
bridge opposite, and gaze upon the magnificent landscape
around ; then lean over the parapet, and trace the nimble trout
balancing itself in the pure stream that here slowly moves to-
ward the rapids below. The meadows, though it was autumn, _
were yet green, the hills purpled with heather; and, as the
sun’s rays dispelled the mist that lingered on the summits of
the mountains, I thought that, in all my life, I had never be-
held scenery that interested me more. Delightful country !
said I, how I should like to spend a summer here, amid clouds
INTRODUCTION. xv
and mists, sunshine and pleasant showers! Fresh egos, new
milk, excellent ham, capital Scotch “ porridge,’ with bread,
butter, and tea, constituted our breakfast, after which we
marched in a body to the Falls of Bracklin, guided by a rosy-
cheeked Highland lassie, stopping now and then by the way
to pick up a wild flower, a blue bell, a “ gowan,” or a dog-rose,
or to listen to the magpies and titmice. Pretty high we have
climbed to a piece of moorland, where, no doubt, had we dogs
and guns, with privilege to shoot, we might maim perhaps a
grouse, perhaps a black-cock. But list! The roar of the cata-
ract comes faintly on the ear; there is the very stream which,
descending turbulently into the ravine, hurries to join the river
below. Descend that narrow rocky pass with care, and trip
lightly along that crazy bridge, wind to the right, reach the
jutting angle of that rock, and now gaze upon the scene! I
have looked at hundreds of streamlets in America equally tur-
bulent, but I doubt if, after all, I have seen one so curiously
confined within its rocky shores, or so abrupt in its various
jets. Clusters of the bright-red_ berries of the mountain ash
hung over the rocks, which were crusted with lichens; and,
as I looked around on that sequestered spot, I thought what a
secure retreat it might afford on occasions to some of the wild
Celts of the olden times, who lived at variance with their
Saxon neighbours in the valley below. I felt as if I were
amongst them, enjoying the pleasure of living in the wilds, and
then bethought me of the many similar spots yet belonging to
our own Sons of the Forest.
Returning towards Callender, and emerging from the wood,
we were surprised to see some hundreds of cows, all belonging
to the village below, grazing on what might well be called the
xvi INTRODUCTION.
finest of fore-grounds. The sun, now high, had considerably
enriched the tints of the distance, which were mellowed
into a hue bordering on the softest of modest purple; the
small birds were rejoicing in the trees, the blue peat smoke of
the village curled in spiry streams, and all nature seemed as
happy as ourselves. But now, here we all are, on board our
post-chaise, bound for the Pass of Leny and Loch-Lubnig. On
3 proceeding, we found on the left side a brook, hurrying along
to reach the level of the meadows of Callender vale, and passed
some curiously grouped masses of blocks, amongst which, as
our conductor informed us, badgers and foxes had often been
bayed and worried. At the top of this beautiful pass, which
is covered with brushwood, the country opens a little, and we
saw on the creek the pretty Dipper, now skimming along, now
perched on a stone in the water, in which it plunged at inter-
vals in search of the food best suited to its appetite. On the
opposite side the hills rose to a considerable height, here and
there pleasantly sprinkled with black-faced sheep, and at
length the lake opened to our view, flanked by an abrupt crag
on one side, and long ferny slopes on the other. Beautiful
miniature of grander objects of the same nature, how pleasant
to me seemed, from the spot where I stood and gazed upon
you, the green valley around, and how singularly well adapted
to the scene was the white lodge in the distance, as contrasted
with the pure tints of the sky above and the waters beneath !
Were I wealthy enough, I should spend at least a month here
every summer. The lake, we were told, abounds in fine trout,
the hills around afford grouse of different species, and the
neighbouring forest is well stocked with roe and red-deer.
Here we took our lunch; and, while we were refreshing
ourselves with the water of the lake, and a few drops of
INTRODUCTION. xvii
mountain-dew, our friend Maccinitvray pointed out to us the
ridges on which he had rambled the previous winter when they
were covered with snow.
Retracing our way, we again approached Callender, and
crossing the stream, drove through a lane in the direction of
the Trosachs. Finding it rather tiresome to ride all day,
some of us threw off our coats, and footed it pleasantly.
Two small lakes were passed, and we were admiring the
purple blossoms of the heather, when we overtook an ar-
tist and his beloved on foot, both from London. Putting
their extra luggage in our carriage, we continued our march
and reached, nearly all at the same moment, the tavern of the
Trosachs.
Here we met with many people from different parts of the
world : Cockneys, Irishmen, and “ Blue-noses,” some very thin,
others over thick, some low, and some high in figure and man-
ners. It was quite strange to me to hear a group of English-
men talking, not of the scenery, but of the precious qualities
.of their wines in Middlesex. Some who had navigated Vir-
ginia Water, wondered whether Loch Lomond and Loch Ka-
therine, were to be compared with Lake Huron and Lake Su-
perior. They sucked their cigars in front of the tavern, walked
nowhere, and thought of little else than their dinner.
- The traveller, who has passed over vast tracks of densely
covered woodland, cannot be expected to gaze on trees of mo-
derate size with much admiration, and perhaps on this very
account I did not look upon the wooded crags of the Trosachs,
as I should have done had they been naked, rough, and angu-
lar, for I felt satisfied that they were abrupt and high enough
to produce quite a sensation on the mind. The Trosachs, how-
b
XViil ‘ INTRODUCTION.
ever, are admired by the many, chiefly or entirely on account
of Scott’s description of them, and I am far from being sorry
for this. To me, the peep of Loch Katherine obtained from the
landing-place, after running and frisking along, and rolling my-
self among the heather, was absolutely delightful. With that
most curious innate desire which there is in us of becoming
older, for the purpose of enjoying the morrow, I went to rest,
anxious to see the morn, and discover what existed beyond
the crags that had bounded my view.
Thus, Reader, we spent half a day and a whole night at
the inn on Loch Achray, and rose betimes expecting an early
breakfast and an early departure; but no, the breakfast was
late and hurried, the whole house, one might have thought, had
just caught fire, every one called for the waiter, for his lug-
gage, his bill, and the boat; and when the bustle was over,
you might have seen a long procession issue from the hostelry.
Giving way to the anxious, we lagged a little behind, and thus
had a nice boat to ourselves, while the rest were uncomfort-
ably crammed into another.
Loch Katherine, in my humble opinion, is a beautiful sile
of water. We were told that some parts of it are of extreme
depth ; but what rendered it so pleasingly welcome to me, was
the prospect ever-changing, enlarging, and becoming more and
more grand, as the ridges of hills came successively into view.
Methinks, Reader, I am at this very instant gazing upon the
heathery knolls and bracken-covered slopes of those rude moun-
tains, for to me wild, melancholy, and sublime scenery is ever
the most pleasing, and as we passed the jutting headlands of
the lake, I could not help giving it a few drops more than. it
already contained. I wished, indeed, that the wind had proved
INTRODUCTION. xtc
contrary, or that we had been forced to stand still until dark-
ness had closed the magnificent landscape gradually and peace-
fully from the view. Would that I could once more gaze on
the beauties of Loch Katherine! Our rowers, however, indif-
ferent to all save the shillings looked for, pulled uncommonly
well, and in due time brought us to a very dirty landing,
crowded with small ponies, ready-saddled, and standing by
the side of a smoky hut, in which they who had not eaten
enough at the Trosachs gorged themselves anew.
Now, our ladies, the maid, and our sweet babe are all mount-
ed, while my friend MacciLiiIvray, my sons, and your humble
servant, are going ahead on foot. The road is rough enough,
but the sun shines brightly, and all are merry. When heated,
we drink from a brook, and when hungry munch the contents
of our pockets. Overtaking and leaving behind a very fat
Englishman, we laugh, and seeing a broad-shouldered and
sturdy Celt ahead, we strive to makeuptohim. Of the Gaelic
language I know nothing, and yet it gives me great pleasure
to hear it spoken by our friendly companion and the moun-
taineers, as we trudge along. Now down a very steep and
narrow pass we wind, and unexpectedly as it were find our-
selves on the rocky shores of the famed Loch Lomond. How
beautiful those three rugged and peaked mountains opposite,
those green and wooded slopes, and that placid blue lake that
stretches out before us, narrowing to the westward and ex-
panding in the opposite direction.
Here we found a few small stone cabins, some fat bairns,
abundance of ale, and a_ sufficiecy of capital whisky. The
artist and his beloved were sketching a little cataract that
tumbled over a crag into the lake. Pony after pony, and one
XX INTRODUCTION.
pedestrian after another, are seen descending the pass, and in
the rear, puffing and melting is the rubicund and ample-
bodied admirer of Burgundy wine. All eyes are directed
down the lake, so anxious are all for the arrival of the steamer.
For my part, I really care not, but would gladly camp among
the heather, or go in search of a Polecat or a Blackcock. We
eat, we drink, we laugh, and now Rob Roy is talked of, and
we all know that there is one of his hiding-places close by.
Here then we are, on this craggy point, from which a heap of
great blocks has fallen, and now we ascend toward a small
triangular hole, which seems more fitted for the retreat of a
badger than of “ an honest man” like the Red Rob. Ladies
can hardly venture here, but men may easily ascend, and
now, “one after another, gentlemen, if you please,” says the
guide, this advice being here quite as necessary as for a person
to tell another that a goose is not a turkey. With the aid of
a very old and crazy ladder we descend into the hole; and
now, Reader, being positively in Rob Roy’s Cave, open your
eyes, stare around, and, if you please, tell us what you see.
Why nothing! all is darkness, damp, and slime. Were I the
keeper of this celebrated. spot, I would have it quite a different
place before next September.
“Pull away for the opposite shore, good men, and you JoHN
Woopuouss, take the tiller.” Now we proceed slowly but
steadily toward the landing-place of Tarbet. Friend Mac-
GILLIVRAY and I are put ashore, and we stride along a beauti-
ful turnpike road to the house. It is a commodious house,
and I should be well pleased to reside here a while every sum-
mer. We had scarcely been comfortably settled, when the
steamer’s cargo of wayworn travellers came in thick upon us,
INTRODUCTION. xxi
excepting the Burgundy-wine admirer, who somewhere gave
us the slip. For the better part of two days we enjoyed our-
selves in walking, riding, and visiting the neighbouring inlet
of Loch Long, with the romantic valley of Glen Croe.
Our voyage to the head of Loch Lomond, and subsequently
to its lower extremity, was very pleasant. From Balloch we
were carried in crowded coaches to Dumbarton, where we ar-
rived just in time to be hurried on board of a Glasgow steamer,
which for half an hour stuck in the mud at the mouth of the
Leven, affording us more time than was necessary to see the
strangely abrupt crag on which Dumbarton Castle is built.
At length we arrived at the far-famed Broomielaw.
Next day it rained, but we were assured that rain is of no
importance in Glasgow, and we congratulated ourselves on
the beautiful weather which we had in the Highlands. Having
visited the Museum of the University, and that of the Ander-
sonian Institution, in both which we were treated with kind-
ness, as well as the Cathedral with its multitudinous tombs, the
necropolis, the bridges, and the principal streets, not forgetting
the Salt Market, for the sake of honest Bailie Nicol Jarvie, we
left the mercantile metropolis of Scotland, and posted toward
Lanark. The scenery of the beautiful and fertile valley of
the Clyde is of a very different nature from that of the hills
which we had just visited, and the contrast was agreeable ;
but, excepting the celebrated Falls, which have so often
been described, and the Cave in which the Patriot WaLLacr
concealed himself from his many foes, this tract did not pre-
sent objects on which I love to dwell. Still less does the bar-
ren moor that occupies the heights between Lanark and the
plain of the Lothians, over which we passed, until the beauti-
xxii INTRODUCTION.
ful city of the north, with its picturesque “ Craigs,” again glad-
dened our sight.
Pleasant as our trip had been, it seemed not to have bene-
fited the health of my good wife, for in a few days after our
return to Edinburgh, she was again taken ill. There is no lack of
excellent physicians in that city, and we had the good fortune
to fall upon one who not only restored her to health, but who
has become a truly excellent and most valued friend. To this
gentleman, Dr JoHN ARGYLE ROBERTSON, of 58 Queen Street,
for his most efficient aid, and most kind and gentle treatment,
we can never cease to cherish the most lively feelings of affec-
tion. It is a curious part of my history, that during the whole
time of my sojourn in Britain, none of the principal medical
advisers whom we had occasion to employ would receive any
recompense from us. In London, Mr Betx, and in Edinburgh
Mr Nasmyru, the most dexterous and celebrated dentists of
their respective cities, thus afforded us their aid; and in the
former place Mr Puitires, Dr CarswE LL, and Dr Roscoe treated
us with as much attention as if they had expected the most
liberal fees. To all these excellent friends, whose liberality
we have thus experienced, and whose professional aid has been
so beneficial to us, we shall ever prove most grateful.
Here I have had the pleasure of meeting with several of
my American friends, and some of my patrons ; among others,
Epwarp Harris, long since introduced to you, Augustus
TuornDYKE, Esq. of Boston, Messrs CooLepGe and DrxweELu
of the same city, Mr Krucer and his Lady from New York.
Of our English friends several have also visited us: Lady Ra-
vENsworTH, Lady GeorGiAnA LippELL, the Honourable THo-
MAS LippDELL, Miss FoTHEerGILL of York, and JonaTHan Bram-
INTRODUCTION. xxiii
WELL, Esq. of Sheffield. But now, Reader, let us change the
subject.
The measurements of the specimens described in all the
volumes now in your hands, have been taken after the same
plan. The length has been measured while the bird was lying
flat and extended on its back, from the point of the bill to the
tip of the tail, to the extremities of the wings, naturally closed
by the sides, and to the end of the longest toe, the legs and
feet being stretched to the full length. In Owls and other
birds whose heads are large and rounded, the same method
has been followed, the measurement not having been taken
along the curvature of the parts, as is the practice with other
persons. The wings have been measured from the carpal joint
or flexure to the tip of the longest quill; the bills from the
base of the ridge to the tip, and from the opening of the
mouth to the end of the lower mandible; the tarsi from joint
to joint ; the toes from their base to the root of the claws, and
the latter along their back, following the curve. The colours
of the bills, eyes, legs, and claws have been given from fresh
specimens, unless in a few instances where skins only have
been seen by me. This is especially the case with the spe-
cies received from Mr Nutratt and Dr Townsenp. Many
specimens of the digestive organs, and other parts, of the birds
described, have been deposited in the Museum of the Royal
College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, from the President of which
I have received letters of thanks.
Besides the species described in this volume, and portrayed
in the fourth volume of my Illustrations, I have presented
you with several which reached me in London, and even in
Edinburgh, after the “ Birds of America” were finished. A
XXIV INTRODUCTION.
rather voluminous Appendix contains corrections and addi-
tional facts, together with an account of the digestive and re-
spiratory organs. At the end of the volume you will find the
names of all my subscribers who have continued to receive the
fasciculi of my plates until the work has been completed. Those
who have stopped short, and discontinued their subscriptions,
it is unnecessary to mention; but of them there are now up-
wards of one hundred and twenty.
To Professor Trait and the Curators of the Library of
the University of Edinburgh, for the liberality of which they
have allowed me the use of many valuable works not other-
wise to be procured, I offer my sincere thanks; as well as to
Professor Jameson for the specimens sent to him by the late
Dr MerepirH GairDNER, which he has had the kindness to
lend me from the rich Museum under his charge. Allow me
also to mention the names of a few friends to whom I shall
ever feel most deeply indebted. The first on the list is W1L-
LIAM MacaiLiivray, and I wish that you, Reader, and all the
world besides, knéw him as wellas I do. Thenext is WILLIAM
Curupertson, Esq., originally of London, but now a citizen of
New York. I have to offer my most sincere thanks also to B. F.
Duncan, Esq. of Charleston in South Carolina, for his valuable
and friendly assistance ; and to CoarLes Kpmonpston, Esq. of
the same city, for his exertions in procuring specimens in
spirits.
I have pleasure in saying that my enemies have been few,
and my friends numerous. May the God who granted me
life, industry, and perseverance to accomplish my task, forgive
the former, and for ever bless the latter !
Should you feel inclined to read the little book, which will
INTRODUCTION. XXV
immediately follow this under the appellation of a Synopsis
of the Birds of North America, call on my friends, Messrs
Apam and Cuartes Brack, on the North Bridge of Edinburgh,
and they will hand it to you. Now, Reader, farewell! may
you be successful in all your undertakings! may you be heppy
abroad and at home! and may the study of the admirable
productions of Nature ever prove as agreeable to you as it has
been to me.
JOHN J. AUDUBON.
EpinsureH, lst May 1839.
; fe ay F
el
“ot
Wy hes ais - Fa
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Red-and-white-winged Troopial,
Yellow-headed Troopial,
Bullock’s Troopial,
Red-cockaded Woodpecker,
Lark Finch,
Prairie Finch, .
Brown Song Sparrow, .
Brent Goose,
Louisiana Hawk, .
Townsend’s Warbler,
Arctic Bluebird,
Western Bluebird,
Chestnut-collared Lark-Bunting,
Black-headed Siskin,
Black-and-yellow-crowned Finch,
Arctic Ground-finch,
Audubon’s Warbler,
Hermit Warbler, .
Black-throated Grey Wate:
Glaucous Gull or Burgomaster, .
Scarlet Ibis,
Lazuli Finch, :
Clay-coloured Bunting, .
Oregon Snow-finch,
Black-throated Green Warbler, .
Blackburnian Warbler,
Macgillivray’s Warbler,
Icterus tricolor,
Icterus xanthocephalus, .
Icterus Bullochii,
Picus querulus,
Fringilla grammaca,
Fringilla bicolor,
Fringilla cinerea,
Anser Bernicla,
Falco Harrisii,
Sylvia Townsendi,
Sylvia arctica,
Sylvia occidentalis,
Emberiza ornata,
Fringilla magellanica,
Emberiza atricapilla,
Fringilla arctica,
Sylvia Audubonii,
Sylvia occidentalis,
Sylvia nigrescens,
Larus glaucus,
Ibis rubra,
Fringilla amena,
Emberiza pallida,
Fringilla oregona,
Sylvia virens, . :
Sylvia Blackburnie, .
Sylvia Macgillivrayi,
Page
XXViil TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Mourning Warbler, .
Connecticut Warbler,
Arkansaw Siskin
Mealy Redpoll,
Louisiana Tanager, .
Townsend’s Bunting,
Painted Bunting,
Red-breasted Merganser,
Black-throated Guillemot,
Knob-billed Phaleris,
Curled-crested Phaleris,
Horned-billed Guillemot,
Golden-eye Duck,
Eared Grebe,
Semipalmated Sandpiper, .
‘Trumpeter Swan,
Dusky Albatross,
American Scoter Duck,
Havell’s Tern,
Trudeau’s Tern, . thy
Marsh or Gull-billed Tern,
American Swan, .
Violet-green Cormorant,
Townsend’s Cormorant,
Californian Partridge,
Golden-winged Warbler,
Cape May Warbler, .
Brown Creeper,
Californian Nuthatch,
Hairy Woodpecker, .
Red-bellied Woodpecker, .
Red-shafted Woodpecker, .
Lewis’s Woodpecker,
Red-breasted Woodpecker,
Maria’s Woodpecker,
Common Three-toed Woodpecker,
Phillips’s Woodpecker,
Canadian Woodpecker, .
Sylvia Philadelphia,
Sylvia agilis,
Fringilla psaltria,
Fringilla borealis,
Tanagra ludoviciana,
Emberiza Townsendi,
Emberiza picta,
Mergus Serrator,
Uria antiqua,
Phaleris nodirostris,
Phaleris cristatella, .
Ceratorhyncha occidentalis,
Fuligula Clangula,
Podiceps auritus,
Tringa semipalmata,
Cygnus Buccinator, .
Diomedea fusca, .
Fuligula americana,
Sterna Havelli,
Sterna Trudeaui,
Sterna anglica,
Cygnus americanus,
Phalacrocoraz resplendens,
Phalacrocorax Townsendt,
Perdix californica,
Sylvia chrysoptera,
Sylvia maritima, .
Certhia familiaris,
Sitta pygmea, .
Picus villosus,.
Picus carolinus,
Picus mexicanus, .
Picus torquatus, .
Picus ruber,
Picus Martine,
Picus hirsutus,
Picus Philipsui, .
Picus canadensis.
19
81
85
87
90
90
91
92
100
101
102
104
105
108
110
114
116
117
122
125
127
133
148
149
152
154
156
158
163
164
169
174
176
179
181
184
186
188
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Harris’s Woodpecker,
Audubon’s Woodpecker,
Common Ptarmigan,
White-tailed Grous, .
Dwarf Thrush,
Townsend’s Ptilogonys,
Canada Jay,
Crimson-winged Troopial,
Brown Pelican,
Rough-legged Falcon,
Plumed Partridge,
Welcome Partridge,
Lazuli Finch, .
Crimson-necked Finch,
Grey-crowned Linnet, .
Cow-pen Bird,
Evening Grosbeak,
Townsend’s Finch,
Anna Humming Bird, .
Californian Vulture,
Bachman’s Oyster-catcher,
Townsend’s Oyster-catcher,
Townsend’s Surf Bird, .
Slender-billed Guillemot, .
Western Duck,
American Flamingo,
Burrowing Owl, .
Little Night Owl,
Little Columbian Owl, .
Short-eared Owl,
Bullock’s Troopial,
Baltimore Oriole,
Mexican Goldfinch, .
Varied Thrush, :
Commen Water Thrush,
Little Tyrant Flycatcher, .
Small-headed Flycatcher, .
Blue Mountain Warbler,
Picus Harrisii,
Picus Auduboni, .
Lagopus mutus,
Tetrao leucurus,
Turdus nanus, . .
Ptilogonys Townsendi,
Corvus Canadensis,
Icterus Gubernator,
Pelecanus fuscus,
Falco lagopus,
Perdix plumifera,
Perdix neoxenus,
Fringilla amena,
Fringilla frontalis,
Fringilla tephrocotis,
Icterus pecoris,
Fringilla vespertina,
Fringilla Townsendi,
Trochilus Anna,
Cathartes californianus,
Hematopus Bachmanii,
Hematopus Townsendi,
Aphriza Townsendi,
Uria Townsendi,
Fuligula dispar, .
Phenicopterus ruber,
Strix cunicularia,
Strix passerina,
Strix passerinoides, .
Strix brachyotus,
Icterus Bullockii,
Icterus Baltimore,
Fringilla mexicana, .
Turdus nevius,
Turdus aquaticus,
Muscicapa pusilla,
Muscicapa minuta, .
Sylvia montana,
XXIX
19]
194
196
200
201
206
208
211
212
217
226
228
230
230
232
233
235
236
238
240
245
247
249
251
253
255
264
269
271
273
278
278
282
284,
284,
288
291
294.
XXX TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Bartram’s Vireo, .
Short-legged Pewee Tivos, :
Rocky Mountain Flycatcher, .
American Dipper,
af DESCRIPTIONS OF SPECIES NOT FIGURED.
Delafield’s Yellow-throat, .
Parkman’s Wren,
Morton’s Finch,
Imperial Woodpecker, .
Lineated Woodpecker, .
Gairdner’s Woodpecker,
Drummond’s Snipe, .«
Western Gull,
Franklin’s Rosy Gull,
Ross’s Gull,
Yellow-nosed Albatross,
Black-footed Albatross,
Gigantic Fulmar,
Pacific Fulmar, P
Slender-billed Fulmar, .
SPECIES SEEN IN THE UNITED STATES, BUT NOT
Vireo Bartramit,
Muscicapa Richardsonii, .
Muscicapa nigricans,
Cinclus americanus,
Sylvia Delafieldii,
Troglodytes Parkmanit,
Fringilla Mortonii, .
Picus imperialis,
Picus lineatus,
Picus Gairdnerii,
Scolopax Drummondit,
Larus occidentalis,
Larus Franklinii,
Larus Rossii,
Diomedea hae aa
Diomedea nigripes,
Procellaria gigantea.
Procellaria pacifica,
Procellaria tenuirostris,
CHARACTERIZED.
Bachman’s Hawk,
Fork-tailed Owl,
Brown Ibis,
American Pheasant,
Nuttall’s Whip-poor-will,
Red-backed Woodpecker, .
Green-tailed Sparrow,
Townsend’s Mocking Thrush,
White-tailed Cormorant,
White-rumped Cormorant,
Falco Bachmanii,
Strix forficata,
Tantalus fuscus,
Phasianus americanus,
Caprimulgus Nuttallii, .
Picus pyrrhonotus,
Fringilla chlorura,
Turdus Townsendi,
Phalacrocorax leucurus,
Phalacrocorax leuconotus, .
296 |
299
302
303
307
310
312
313
315
317
319
320
323
324
326
327
330
321
333
334
334
334
335
335
335
336
336
336
336
(i meee) }
APPENDIX.
Turkey Buzzard,
Black Vulture or Carrion Crow,
Caracara Eagle,
White-headed Eagle,
Osprey or Fish Hawk,
Peregrine Falcon or Seedaceackod
Hawk,
Pigeon Hawk, .
Petit Caporal,
American Sparrow Hawk,
Swallow-tailed Hawk,
Mississippi Kite,’ .
Goshawk,
Stanley Hawk,
Cooper’s Hawk,
Broad-winged Hawk,
Red-tailed Hawk,
Black Warrior,
Red-shouldered Hawk,
Winter Hawk,
Snowy Owl,
Barred Owl,
Barn Owl,
Little Screech Owl,
Great Horned Owl, . .
Little Owl,
Chuck-will’s-widow, .
Night Hawk,
Purple Martin,
Common Barn Swallow,
Republican or Cliff Swallow, .
White-bellied Swallow,
Cathartes Aura,
Cathartes Iota,
Polyborus brasiliensis, .
Falco leucocephalus, .
Falco Halidetus, .
sae Falco peregrinus,
Falco columbarius,
Falco temerarius,
Falco sparverius,
Falco furcatus,
Falco plumbeus,
Falco palumbarius,
Falco Stanleyit,
Falco Cooperti,
Falco pennsylvanicus,
Falco borealis,
Falco Harlani,
Falco lineatus,
Falco hyemalis,
Strix nyctea,
Strix nebulosa,
Strix flammea,
. . Strix Asio, .
Strix virginiana, .
Strix acadica, .
Caprimulgus carolinensis,
Caprimulgus virginianus,
Hirundo purpurea, , .
Hirundo rustica, .
Hirundo fulva,
Hirundo bicolor, .
Page
339
345
351
354
362
365
368
368
370
371
374
375
376
376
377
378
380
380
380
382
386
388
392
393
397
401
406
408
41]
415
417
XXxil
American Swift, .
Tyrant Flycatcher,
Olive-sided Flycatcher,
Great Crested Flycatcher,
Common Pewee Flycatcher,
Wood Pewee, .
Traill’s Flycatcher,
Small Green-Crested F Tphacatia:
Least Flycatcher,
American Redstart, .
Green Black-capped privasealion?
Yellow-throated Vireo, .
Red-eyed Vireo, ae
Warbling Flycatcher or Vireo,
White-eyed Vireo,
Solitary Vireo,
Yellow-breasted Chat,
Great Cinereous Shrike,
Loggerhead Shrike, .
Mocking Bird,
Cat Bird,
Ferruginous Thrush,
American Robin or Migratory
Thrush,
Hermit Thrush,
Wood Thrush,
Tawny Thrush,
Golden-crowned Thrush,
Shore Lark,
Brown Titlark,
{ Prairie Titlark,
Blue Bird, me
Yellow-poll Warbler,
{ Children’s Warbler, .
Azure Warbler,
Blue-green Warbler,
Hemlock Warbler,
Autumnal Warbler, .
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Cypselus pelasgius,
Muscicapa Tyrannus,
Muscicapa Cooperi, .
Muscicapa crinita,
Muscicapa fusca,
Muscicapa virens,
Muscicapa Traillii, .
Muscicapa acadica, .
Muscicapa pusilla,
Muscicapa Ruticilla,
Muscicapa Wilsoniz,
Vireo flavifrons, .
Vireo olivaceus,
Vireo gilvus,
Vireo noveboracensis,
Vireo solitarius,
Icteria viridis,
Lanius Excubitor,
Lanius ludovicianus,
Turdus polyglottus,
Turdus felivox,
Turdus rufus, .
Turdus migratorius, .
Turdus minor,
Turdus mustelinus,
Turdus Wilsonii, .
Turdus aurocapillus,
Alauda alpestris, .
Anthus Spinoletta,
Anthus pipiens,
Sylvia Sialis, .
Sylvia estiva, .
Sylvia Childrenii,
Sylvia azurea,
Sylvia rara,
Sylvia Parus, .
Sylvia autumnalis,
432,
419
420
422
423
424.
425
4.26
427
427
428
428
428
4:30
431
432
433
433
434
435
438
440
441
442
4A5
446
4.4.6
447
448
449
449
4.52
453
453
456
456
AST
457
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
f Pine-creeping Warbler, .
Vigors’s Warbler, .
Black-throated Blue Warbler,
Pine-swamp Warbler,
Black-and-yellow Warbler,
Blackburnian Warbler,
Bay-breasted Warbler, .
Worm-eating Warbler, .
Prothonotary Warbler, .
Nashville Warbler, .
Tennessee Warbler, .
Swainson’s Warbler,
Maryland Yellow-throat,
Roscoe’s Yellow-throat, .
Green Black-capt Warbler,
{ strvina Ye Warbler or
Hooded Warbler, .
Selby’s Flycatcher,
American Gold-crested Wren,
Great Carolina Wren,
Marsh Wren, .
Bewick’s Wren, .
Wood Wren, . . . .
Nuttall’s Short-billed Marsh Wren.
House Wren, .
Black-and-white Creeper, .
Crested Titmouse,
White-breasted Nuthatch, .
Red-bellied Nuthatch, .
Carolina Titmouse,
Blue Jay,
Raven,
American Crow, .
Fish Crow, .
Boat-tailed Grakle,
Sylvia pinus,
Sylvia Vigorsit,
Sylvia canadensis,
Sylvia sphagnosa,
Sylvia maculosa, .
Sylvia Blackburnie, .
Sylvia castanea,
Sylvia vermivora,
Sylvia Protonotarius,
Sylvia rubricapilla,
Sylvia peregrina, .
Sylvia Swainsonii,
Sylvia Trichas,
Sylvia Roscoe,
Sylvia mitrata,
Sylvia mitrata,
Muscicapa Selbyi,
Regulus tricolor, .
Troglodytes ludovicianus,
Troglodytes palustris,
Troglodytes Bewichii,
Troglodytes americana,
Troglodytes brevirostris,
Troglodytes edon,
Certhia varia, .
Parus bicolor, .
Sitta carolinensis,
Sitta canadensis, .
Parus carolinensis,
Corvus cristatus, .
Corvus Coraz, .
Corvus americanus,
Corvus ossifragus,
Quiscalus major, .
C
Purple Grakle, or Common or \ uicsniiadernatan
Blackbird,
Rusty Grakle,
Quiscalus ferrugineus,
-
XXxiii
457
A45T
458
458
458
459
459
460
461
461
462
462
463
463
464
465
465
465
466
467
467
4.69
469
4:70
ATT
A72
473
ATA
ATA
415
416
ATT
479
480
481
483
XXXIV TABLE
Orchard Oriole,
Rice Bird, ‘
Red-winged Starling,
Cow-pen Bird,
Meadow Lark,
Cedar Bird,
Snow Bunting,
White-throated Bunting,
Yellow-winged Bunting,
Henslow’s Bunting,
Sharp-tailed Finch, .
Macgillivray’s Finch,
Purple Finch,
Grass Finch or Bayngd Bunt-
ing,
Indigo Bunting,
Tree Sparrow,
Snow Bird,
Song Sparrow,
Swamp Sparrow,
Blue Grosbeak,
Pine Finch,
American Goldfinch,
Common Crossbill,
Towhee Bunting,
Fox-coloured Sparrow, .
Rose-breasted Grosbeak,
Cardinal Grosbeak,
White-crowned Sparrow,
Savannah Finch, .
Painted Finch,
Chipping Sparrow,
Summer Red-bird,
Yellow-billed Cuckoo,
Black-billed Cuckoo,
Ivory-billed Woodpecker, .
Pileated Woodpecker,
Red-headed Woodpecker, .
OF CONTENTS.
Icterus spurius,
Icterus agripennis,
Icterus phoeniceus,
Icterus pecoris,
Sturnus ludovicianus,
Bombycilla carolinensis,
Emberiza nivalis,
Fringilla pennsylvannica,
Fringilla passerina,
Emberiza Henslowi,
Fringilla caudacuta,
Fringilla Macgillivrayii,
Fringilla purpurea,
my Fringilla graminea,
Fringilla cyanea,
Fringilla canadensis,
Fringilla hyemalis,
Fringilla melodia,
Fringilla palustris, .
Fringilla coerulea,
Fringilla. pinus, .
Fringilla tristis,
Loxia curvirostra,
Fringilla erythrophthalma,
Fringilla iliaca, .
Fringilla ludoviciana,
Fringilla cardinalis,
Fringilla leucophrys,
Fringilla savanna,
Fringilla Ciris,
. Fringilla socialis,
Tanagra estiva,
Coccyzus americanus,
Coccyzus erythrophthalmus,
Picus principalis,
Picus pileatus,
Picus erythrocephalus, .
485
4.86
— AST
491
492
494
496
497
497
498
499
499
500
502
503
504
505
507
508
508
509
510
511
511
512
513
514
515
516
517
517
518
520
523
525
533
536
TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, .
Three-toed Woodpecker,
Downy Woodpecker,
Golden-winged Woodpecker, .
Ruby-throated Humming Bird, .
Belted Kingfisher,
Blue-grey Flycatcher,
Canada Flycatcher, .
Passenger Pigeon,
Carolina Dove,
White-headed Pigeon,
Zenaida Dove,
Ground Dove, .
Wild Turkey, .
Pinnated Grous,
Ruffed Grous, . :
Spotted or Canada Grous, .
Virginian Partridge,
American Coot,
Clapper Rail, or Salt-water Marsh
Hen,
Sora Rail,
Virginian Rail,
Yellow-breasted Rail,
American Golden Plover, .
Kildeer Plover,
Wilson’s Plover, .
Ring Plover,
American Ring-Plover,
American Oyster-catcher,
Sanderling, aca
Pectoral Sandpiper, . ,
Solitary Sandpiper, .
Common American Snipe,
Semipalmated Snipe or Willet,
Yellow-shank,
Long-billed Curlew,
Hudsonian Curlew,
Picus varius,
Picus tridactylus,
Picus pubescens,
Picus auratus,
Trochilus Colubris, .
Alcedo Alcyon,
Musicapa cerulea,
Musicapa canadensis,
Columba migratoria,
Columba carolinensis,
Columba leucocephala,
Columba Zenaida,
Columba passerina, .
Meleagris Gallopavo,
Tetrao Cupido,
Tetrao umbelius,
Tetrao canadensis,
Perdiz virginiana,
Fulica americana,
‘ Rallus crepitans,
Rallus carolinus,
Rallus virginianus,
Rallus noveboracensis,
Charadrius marmoratus,
Charadrius vociferus,
Charadrius Wilsonius,
Charadrius melodus,
Charadrius semipalmatus,
Hematopus palliatus,
Tringa arenaria,
Tringa pectoralis,
Totanus chloropygius,
Scolopax Wilsoni,
Totanus semipalmatus,
Totanus flavipes,
Numenius longirostris,
Numenius hudsonicus,
XXXVi TABLE OF CONTENTS.
Esquimaux Curlew, .
Great Marbled Godwit,
Hudsonian Godwit,
White Ibis,
Hyperborean Pileeap
Great White Heron,
Great Blue Heron,
Night Heron,
Reddish Egret,
Louisiana Heron,
Snowy Heron,
Least Bittern, .
Canada Goose,
Brent Goose,
Eider Duck,
Scaup Duck,
Pintail Duck,
Green -winged Teal,
Harlequin Duck,
Wood Duck,
Hooded Merganser, .
Red-necked Grebe,
Eared Grebe,
Pied-billed Dobchick,
Red-throated Diver,
Black Guillemot,
Razor-billed Auk,
Double-crested Cormorant,
Florida Cormorant,
Frigate Pelican, ee
Great Black-backed Gull,
Herring Gull,
Common American Gull,
Cayenne Tern,
Sooty Tern,
Noddy Tern,
Black or Short-tailed i
Pomarine Jager, .
Wilson’s Petrel,
Numenius borealis,
Limosa Fedoa,
Limosa hudsonica,
Ibis alba, ,
Phalaropus hyberboreus,
Ardea occidentalis,
Ardea Herodias,
Ardea Nycticorax,
Ardea rufescens,
Ardea ludoviciana,
Ardea candidissima,
Ardea exilis,
Anser canadensis,
Anser Bernicla,
Fuligula mollissima,
Fuligula Marila,
Anas acuta,
Anas Crecca,
Fuligula histrionica,
Anas Sponsa, .
Mergus cucullatus,
Podiceps rubricollis,
Podiceps cornutus,
Podiceps carolinensis,
Colymbus septentrionalis,
Uria Grylle,
Alca Torda,
Phalacrocorax dilophus,
Phalacrocorax floridanus,
Trachypetes Aquilus,
Larus marinus,
Larus argentatus,
Larus zonorhynchus,
Sterna cayana,
Sterna fuliginosa,
Sterna stolida,
Sterna nigra,
Lestris pomarinus,
Thalassidroma Wilsonii,
590
590
592
593
595
596
599
600
604:
605
606
606
607
610
611
614
615
616
617
618
619
620
623
624
625
' 627
628
629
632
634
636
638
638
639
641
642
642
643
645
(| xxxvili )
LIST OF ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD.
18 Digestive organs of Picus querulus, : Z Full size,
2. Proventriculus, stomach, and duodenum of Anser Bernicla,
3. Rectum, cceca, and oviduct of Anser Bernicla,
4. CEsophagus, stomach, and duodenum of Mergus
Serrator, : : : ‘ Less than half-size,
5. Coeca of Mergus Serrator, ; : . Full size,
6. Proventriculus, stomach, and duodenum of Cygnus
americanus, . ; : E Half size,
7. Intestine of Cygnus americanus, . . One-third do.
8. Proventriculus, stomach, and duodenum of Pelecanus
Suscus, : . : : \ Half size,
9. Ova, oviduct, cloaca, rectum, and cceca of do. : Full size,
10. Digestive organs of Buteo lagopus, . é Half size,
11. GEsophagus of Phenicopterus ruber,
12. Coeca of Pheenicopterus ruber, : ; ‘ Full size,
13. Digestive organs of Phenicopterus ruber, .
14. CEsophagus and stomach of Icterus Baltimore, a
15. CEsophagus, stomach, and duodenum of Cathartes Aura, Half size,
16. Duodenum of Cathartes Aura, : ‘ : Full size,
17. Internal surface of stomach of Cathartes Aura,
18. Section of brain, and nasal cavity of Cathartes Aura,
19. External nares of Cathartes Aura,
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
. Digestive Organs of Cathartes atratus,
. Nasal cavity of Cathartes atratus,
. Digestive organs and trachea of Polyborus brasili-
ensis, : One-third size,
Proventriculus, stomach, and intestine of Falco leu-
cocephalus, Full size,
Ceeca, rectum, and cloaca of Falco leucocephalus,
(Esophagus, stomach, and duodenum of Falco furcatus,
External aperture of ear of Strix nyctea,
External ear of Strix nebulosa,
Head of Strix americana,
Page
16
27
28
98
98
143
143
214
215
225
262
262
263
281
341
342
342
343
344
348
349
353
360
361
373
385
387
390
XXXViii LIST OF ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD.
29. External aperture of ear of Strix Asio, . : Full size, 392
30. CEsophagus, stomach, and duodenum of Strix virginiana, Half size, 395
31. Ceeca of Strix virginiana, F : ‘ Full size, 395
32. Head of Strix virginiana, : ‘ 5 -» _- 396
33. Head of Strix acadica, . : ; : So 19)°)
34. Digestive organs of Strix acadica, : : --. 400
35. Digestive organs of Caprimulgus Carolinensis, . scp 4038
36. Digestive organs of Hirundo purpurea, . 5 -- 408
37. Digestive organs of Vireo flavifrons, . : w. 428
38. Digestive organs of Alauda alpestris, 5 ‘ ». 448
39. Digestive organs of Sylvia Sialis, . ; gi Aas
40. Digestive organs of Troglodytes ludovicianus, . : -. 466
41. Digestive organs of Sitta Carolinensis, . ; . 473
42. Digestive organs of Corvus cristatus, ; ; we = 475
43. Digestive organs and trachea of Corvus americanus, aoe, pO
44. Digestive organs of Quiscalus versicolor, 5 ssneg 402
45. Digestive organs of Icterus pheniceus, . . .. 489
46. Esophagus and stomach of Zcterus pecoris, : on. Pee
47. Ceca of Icterus pecoris, ; 3 ; ee 491
48. Digestive Organs of Sturnus ludovicianus, ‘ : hy aap
49. Digestive Organs of Bombycilla carolinensis, . y NE 495
50. Digestive Organs of Fringilla leucophrys, ; : os pe
51. Digestive Organs of Coccyzus Americanus, : . ote pee
52. Coeca of Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, . : ‘ Seo. Ga
53. Digestive Organs of Picus principalis, , ; --. _ 926
54. Lateral view of head, tongue, hyoid bones, cesophagus, and
trachea of Picus principalis, : : : vee ees
55. Same part viewed from beneath, : : : so: 28
56. Digestive Organs of Picus pileatus, ; , a woe ey Ed
57. Glosso-laryngeal muscles of Picus auratus, : , jee oe ee
58. Lateral view of head of Picus villosus, . ‘ : was DAS
59. Hyoid bones of Picus villosus, seen from above, : . 543
60. Trachea of Trochilus Colubris, . 4 ; ; ea 545
61. Digestive Organs of Trochilus Colubris, ; . wee | oes
62. Head and hyoid bones of Trochilus Colubris, from above, nas. purely
63. Head and hyoid bones of Trochilus Colubris, from beneath, as 545
64. Tongue of Trochilus Colubris, ; Twice the natural size, 546
65. Digestive Organs of Alcedo Alcyon, ; ; . — Fullsize, 548
554
66. Digestive organs of Columba migratoria,
LIST OF ENGRAVINGS ON WOOD. XXXIX
67. Digestive organs of Tetrao Umbellus, . ; . Half size, 562
68. Digestive Organs of Perdix virginiana, : . Fullsize, 566
69. Cceca of Perdix virginiana, : : : ; Pe DOO
70. Proventriculus, stomach and intestine of Fulica americana, oe OOS
71. Cesophagus, stomach, and duodenum of Rallus erepitans, eos nO
72. Cocca, rectum, and cloaca of Rallus crepitans, . F aon el
73. Digestive Organs of Charadrius Wilsonius, : F La 577
74. Digestive Organs of Hematopus palliatus, : . Half size, 580
75. Digestive Organs of Totanus semipalmatus, - . Full size, 585
76. Digestive Organs of Numenius longirostris, ; P sae 587
77. Digestive Organs of Limosa Fedoa, : : . ... 590
78. Esophagus, stomach, and duodenum of Jdis alba, . aad ee DOF
79. Cceeca of Ibis alba, : 3 : 594
80. Digestive Organs of Phalaropus hyperboreus, . : ou
81. Digestive Organs of Ardea occidentalis, : : Row ee
82. Digestive Organs of Ardea Herodias, . : é sso, 603
83. Proventriculus and stomach of Anser canadensis, : swotot GOB)
84. Proventriculus, stomach, and duodenum of Fuligula mollissima, ... 612
85. Cceca and rectum of Fuligula mollissima, : : osetie Ge
86. Digestive Organs of Podiceps rubricollis, ; ‘ site O2E
87. Proventriculus and stomach of Podiceps carolinensis, . avalon) G24
88. Proventriculus and stomach of Colymbus septentrionalis, | O26
89. Coeca of Colymbus septentrionalis, : : ; «-. 626
90. Digestive Organs of Phalacrocorax dilophus, . ° aor § 630
91. Digestive Organs and trachea of Tachypetes Aquilus, zee O30)
92. Digestive Organs of Lestris pomarinus, : - ... 644
93. Digestive Organs of Thalassidroma Wilsonii, . ... 645
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ORNITHOLOGICAL BIOGRAPHY.
|
RED-AND-WHITE-WINGED TROOPIAL.
IcTERUS TRICOLOR.
PLATE CCCLXXXVIII. Mate.
How delightful, I have often exclaimed, must have been the feel-
ings of those enthusiastic naturalists, my friends Nutratt and Town-
SEND, while traversing the ridges of the Rocky Mountains! How
grand and impressive the scenery presented to their admiring gaze,
when from an elevated station they saw the mountain torrent hurling
its foamy waters over the black crags of the rugged ravine, while on
wide-spread wings the Great Vulture sailed overhead watching the de-
parture of the travellers, that he might feast on the salmon, which in
striving to ascend the cataract had been thrown on the stony beach!
Now the weary travellers are resting on the bank of a brawling brook,
along which they are delighted to see the lively Dipper frisking wren-
like from stone to stone. On the stunted bushes above them some cu-
rious Jays are chattering, and as my friends are looking upon the gay
and restless birds, they are involuntarily led to extend their gaze to the
green slope beneath the more distant crags, where they spy a mountain
sheep, watching the movements of the travellers, as well as those of
yon wolves stealing silently toward the fleet-footed animal. Again
the pilgrims are in motion ; they wind their pathless way round rocks
and fissures ; they have reached the greatest height of the sterile plat-
form ; and as they gaze on the valleys whose waters hasten to join
the Pacific Ocean, and bid adieu, perhaps for the last time, to the dear
friends they have left in the distant east, how intense must be their
VOL. V. A
2 RED-AND-WHITE-WINGED TROOPIAL.
feelings, as thoughts of the past and the future blend themselves in
their anxious minds! But now I see them, brother-like, with lighter
steps, descending toward the head waters of the famed Oregon. | They
have reached the great stream, and seating themselves in a canoe, shoot
adown the current, gazing on the beautiful shrubs and flowers that or-
nament the banks, aud the majestic trees that cover the sides of the
valley, all new to them, and presenting a wide field of discovery. The
melodies of unknown songsters enliven their spirits, and glimpses of
gaudily plumed birds excite their desire to search those beautiful thick-
ets; but time is urgent, and onward they must speed. A deer crosses
the stream, they pursue and capture it; and it being now evening,
they land and soon form a camp, carefully concealed from the prying
eyes of the lurking savage. The night is past, the dawn smiles upon
the refreshed travellers, who launch their frail bark; and .as they
slowly float on the stream, both listen attentively to the notes of the
Red-and-White-winged Troopial, and wonder how similar they are to
those of the “ Red-winged Starling :” they think of the affinities of
species, and especially of those of the lively birds composing this beau-
tiful group.
Indeed it is not a little interesting to the practical ornithologist to
see the amalgamation as it were of species belonging to certain families,
and of none more than of the birds formerly known by the names of Quis-
cali and Icteri. He who attends to the manners of these birds will be
inclined to assimilate them on the one hand to the Crows, and on the
other to the Finches, while many of their habits indicate that they are
quite different from either.
The first striking resemblance between Quiscalus major, Q. versico-
lor ; Icterus tricolor, I. phaniceus, I. Gubernator, I. ferrugineus, and the
Cow Bird, is found in the circumstances of their all moving in flocks,
mixing more or less with one another, and shewing a decided attach-
ment to man, founded entirely on self-interest, and the benefit which
results to them from his agricultural labours. They are all loqua-
cious, fly in dense whirling masses, alight equally well on trees, poles,
or fences proper for roosting, as well as on the rank plants of marshes
and meadows. They walk with ease, indeed with a considerable degree
of grace, and are never seen to hop or leap. Although some of these
species may give a preference to the more immediate neighbourhood of
RED-AND-WHITE-WINGED TROOPIAL. 3
the sea than others are wont to do, those which go farthest inland will
rarely spend a night anywhere else than on the sedges surrounding the
ponds or lakes of the interior. In this respect, these different species
remind you of a similar habit in our Common American Crow, which
differs from the Fish Crow, the latter, as I have already informed you,
retiring to the tops of low trees in the midst of swamps to spend the
night, and often at a considerable distance from any open water.
The birds of which I now particularly speak are all in a manner
omnivorous, and although their bills differ considerably in shape, some
being stouter or less conical, or less pointed than others, they are all
fond of grain, and in a greater or less degree are looked upon by the
husbandman as depredators. Their notes are more chattering than
musical, and they are exceedingly prone to be garrulous at all seasons
of the year. Fond of flesh, they not unfrequently devour the young of
birds weaker than themselves; and they have a habit of perching on
cattle, to search for the insects among their hair. While the Boat-
tailed Grakle is fond of seeking for crayfish, fiddlers, or fry that have
been cast on the shore, or of watching the dying oyster on the exposed
bank, the Crow Blackbird will be found following the plough, picking up
grubs and worms, or tearing the tender blades of the maize, in company
with Redwings, Cow Buntings, and Ferruginous Grakles. All these
species form their nests pretty much alike, and when they are placed
on trees introduce into their composition some dung or earth, in which
respect they resemble the American Crow. Lastly, I may state, that,
to my taste, their flesh is very far from exceilent.
The beautiful species of this group which forms the subject of the
present article was discovered in Upper California by my friend Tuo-
mas Nutraut, Esq., from whom I received the specimen represented
in the plate, together with the following account. “ Flocks of this
vagrant bird, which, in all probability, extends its migrations into
Oregon, are very common around Santa Barbara in Upper Califor-
nia, in the month of April. Their habits are similar to those of
the Red-winged Icterus, but they keep in large flocks apart from
that species, which also inhabits this country as well as Mexico.
They are seldom seen but in the near suburbs of the town, feeding at
this time almost exclusively on the maggots or larve of the blow-flies,
which are generated in the offal of the cattle constantly killed around
the town for the sake of the hides. In large whirling flocks they are
4 RED-AND-WHITE-WINGED TROOPIAL.
seen associated with the Cow Birds, Common Grakles, Red-wings, and
a small species with an orange-yellow head, flitting about in quest of
food, or perching on the orchard trees in the town, where they keep up
an incessant chatter and discordant confused warble, much more harsh
or guttural than the note of the Cow-bird. They are also common
around Monterey. With the female, and the circumstances of breed-
ing, I am not acquainted.”
IcTERUS TRICOLOR.
Adult Male. Plate CCCLXXXVIII. Fig. 1.
Bill nearly as long as the head, conical, straight, moderately stout,
tapering to a fine point; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly
straight, being a little convex at the base, the ridge a little flattened
toward the base, where it runs into a short tapering process, the sides
rounded, the edges inflected, the tip a little depressed ; lower mandible
higher at the base than the upper, with the angle rather short and wide,
the sides rather flat at the base, convex toward the end, the edges in-
flected, the tip acute; the gape-line straight, but at the base deflected.
Nostrils oval, in the fore part of the short nasal depression.
Head of moderate size, ovate, with the forehead flattened ; neck
short; body moderately stout. Feet of ordinary length; tarsus rather
stout, compressed, with seven large anterior scutella, of which the up-
per are blended, and two lateral plates meeting at an acute angle be-
hind ; toes rather large, compressed, the first much stronger, the outer
a little shorter than the inner ; claws large, arched, compressed, acute.
Plumage soft, blended, glossy, the feathers ovate and rounded.
Wings of ordinary length, the second and third quills longest and
equal, the first shorter than the fourth ; the outer secondaries abrupt,
and slightly repand. ‘Tail of twelve broadly rounded feathers, rather
long, almost even, the lateral feathers being only two-twelfths of an
inch shorter than the longest.
Bill and feet black, iris hazel. The general colour of the plumage
is glossy bluish-black ; the smaller wing-coverts deep carmine, their
lower row white.
Length to end of tail 9 inches ; bill along the ridge 13; wing from
flexure 5; tail 3x4; tarsus 124 ; hind toe £4, its claw 7% ; second toe 3,
its claw #4; third toe 4%, its claw 3; fourth toe 74; its claw 74.
RED-AND-WHITE-WINGED TROOPIAL. 5
This species is very intimately allied to the Red-winged Starling,
Icterus pheniceus, being of the same size, and almost entirely of the
same colour. The bill is a little more slender, and has the ridge at
the base rather elevated and convex, that part being flattened in the
other species ; the tail in the present is even, but in the other well
rounded ; the red on the wing is deep carmine, edged behind with
pure white, whereas in the other it is scarlet, edged with pale orange
yellow.
Another species very intimately allied to both, Psarocolius Guber-
nator of W acute, has the bill considerably shorter and higher, the wings
longer, and the tail slightly rounded. It is similar in size, and of the
same black colour ; but differs in having the feathers of the head and
neck abrupt at their extremities, and presenting a velvety texture, as
well as in being furnished with a uniform scarlet patch on the wing,
neither edged with white, as in Jcterus tricolor, nor with yellow, as in
Icterus phoniceus.
nerd
YELLOW-HEADED TROOPIAL.
ICTERUS XANTHOCEPHALUS, Bonap.
PLATE CCCLXXXVIII. Maue, Femarz, anp Youne.
Tals species was first made known as an inhabitant of North Ame-
rica by the naturalists of Major Lone’s expedition to the Rocky
Mountains. According to Dr Ricuarpson, “ the species ranges in
summer to about the fifty-eighth parallel,” but has not been found to
the eastward of the Mississippi, where it “ arrives from the southward
in the middle of May, and by the 20th of the same month reaches the
Saskatchewan, where it associates with the Redwing, and, being more
numerous, commits even greater havoc in the corn-fields. Mr Nut-
TALL has favoured me with the following notice respecting it. ‘“ On
the 2d of May, around the Kansa (Texian) Agency, we now saw abun-
dance of the Yellow-headed Troopial, associated with the Cow-bird.
They kept much on the ground in companies, the males (at this time)
by themselves. In arable or loose soil they dig into the earth with
their bills in quest of insects and larvee, are very active, and straddle
about with a quaint gait, and now and then, while on the ground, which
they wholly frequent, in the manner of the Cow-bird, whistle out with
great effort, a chuckling note sounding like ho-kukkle-ait, often varying
into a straining squeak, as if using their utmost endeavour to make
some kind of noise in token of sociability. Their music, if such it
deserves to be called, is however even inferior to the harsh note of the
Cow-bird. Are they also polygamous? Afterwards, in the month of
June, by the edge of a grassy marsh, in the open plain of the Platte,
several hundred miles inland, we met with the nest of this bird con-
taining several spotted and blotched greenish-white eggs, not much un-
like those of the Red-winged Icterus.” To this Dr TownsEnp adds:
—* Icterus xanthocephalus inhabits the western plains of the Missouri
and banks of the Platte River to the Black Hills. The nest of this
species is built under a tussock in marshy ground, formed of fine grasses,
and canopied over like that of the Meadow Lark. The eggs, from two
to four, are of a bluish-white, covered all over with minute specks of
purple, largest and most numerous at the great end. It associates
YELLOW-HEADED TROOPIAL. 7
with the Cow-bunting, and alights on the backs of the horses. Its note
is very harsh and grating, and does not resemble that of the Red-
winged Blackbird.”
I have represented a male, a female, and the head of a young bird
approaching towards maturity.
IcrERUS 1cTEROCEPHALUS, Ch. Bonap. Amer. Ornith. vol. i. p. 27. pl. 3, fig. 1, 2.
IcTERUS XANTHOCEPHALUS, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 52.
AGELAIUS XANTHOCEPHALUS, Swains—SaFFRON-HEADED Maize-Birp, Richards.
and Swains. Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 281.
YELLOW-HEADED Trooriat, Nuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 176.
Adult Male. Plate CCCLXXXVIII. Fig. 2.
Bill shorter than the head, stout, straight, conical, tapering to a
fine point ; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight, being
slightly convex at the base, the ridge a little flattened toward the base,
where it runs into a short tapering process, the sides rounded, the ed-
ges inflected, the tip a little depressed; lower mandible rather higher
at the base than the upper, with the angle short and wide; the sides
convex at the base, toward the end rounded, the edges involute, the
tip acute ; the gape-line straight, but at the base deflected. Nostrils
oval, in the fore part of the short nasal depression.
Head of moderate size, ovate, with the forehead flattened ; neck
short ; body moderately stout. Feet of ordinary length ; tarsus rather
stout, compressed, with seven large anterior scutella, and two lateral
plates, meeting behind at an acute angle; toes rather large, compres-
sed, the first much stronger, the outer a little shorter than the inner
and united with the third as far as the second joint ; claws long, little
arched, compressed, laterally grooved, very acute.
Plumage soft, blended, glossy ; the feathers generally ovate; those
on the upper part of the head stiffish and somewhat silky. Wings of
ordinary length, the first, second, and third quills almost equal, the se-
cond being longest; outer secondaries slightly emarginate. Tail ra-
ther long, rounded, the lateral feathers four-twelfths of an inch shorter
than the longest.
Bill and feet black; iris hazel. The head, the upper part of the
hind neck, the fore neck and part of the breast, orange-yellow, the
throat paler ; the feathers along the base of the bill, the loral space, a
8 YELLOW-HEADED TROOPIAL.
band below the eye, and a narrower one above it, black. The rest of
the plumage is glossy black, excepting two bands on the outer part of
the wing, formed by some of the smaller coverts, and the primary
coverts, which are white.
Length to end of tail 9 inches; bill along the ridge 13; wing from
flexure 512; tail 4,4 ; tarsus 1,4; hind toe 7%, its claw 7% ; second toe
rz, its claw 74; third toe +4, its claw © ; fourth toe #, its claw 79.
Female. Plate CCCXXXVIII. Fig 3.
The female, which is much smaller, is of a uniform greyish-brown
colour, with the feathers at the base of the upper mandible, a band over
the eye, and the fore part of the neck light yellow ; the throat dull white,
, and the feathers on the middle of the breast margined with white toward
the end. The bill and feet are dusky brown.
Young. Plate CCCLXXXVIII. Fig. 4,
The head represented is that of a young male assuming the plu-
mage of the adult.
Gaya)
. BULLOCK’S TROOPIAL.
Ictervus BouLwocki, Swains.
PLATE CCCLXXXVIII. Mate.
Accorpine to Mr Nurratt, who has favoured me with so many ob-
servations relative to the birds described in this and the preceding vo-
lume, “‘ Butiock’s Oriole occurs in nearly the same localities as the
Yellow-headed Troopial. About fifty or sixty miles to the north-west
of the usual crossing-place of that branch of the La Platte called La-
rimie’s Fork, we observed it making a nest quite similar to that of the
Baltimore Bird. This species, which I have since seen in upper Cali-
fornia, where it arrives (around Santa Barbara) in the beginning of
May, has the same plaintive fifing warble, but more brief and less va-
ried. ‘The males also, as usual, arrive in flocks considerably before the
females. They have likewise the same habit of concealing themselves
for a length of time while carefully gleaning for small larve, or sip-
ping the nectareous juices of the opening blossoms of the trees they
delight to frequent. On the Platte, the only trees they can resort
to are the Balsam poplars, which border the stream. In all respects
this species resembles the Common Baltimore Bird, which it supersedes
from the first great bifurcation of the Platte, to the shores of the Co-
lumbia, extending at least as far as the borders of Old California. Mr
Butuock, its discoverer, also met with it throughout the table-land of
Mexico.”
Since the above notice was transmitted to me, I have received ano-
ther from Dr TownsEnp, along with a female and a young male, both of
which I have figured in Plate CCCCX XXIII. “ It inhabits the Rocky
Mountains near the Black Hills and theforests of the Columbia River.
In the latter place it isa rather plentiful species. Its usual note consists
of a single quavering call somewhat like one of the notes of the Scarlet
Tanager, Tanagra rubra. At other times it warbles a little, but not
with half the sweetness or compass of its near relative the Baltimore.
It is a very active species, so much so indeed that it is very difficult
to get a shot at it while sitting, but it is easily killed on the wing. It
evidently breeds here, and has probably now a nest (June 16th), but I
10 BULLOCK’S TROOPIAL.
have not been able to find it. The female is rarely seen, and is parti-
cularly shy and noiseless.”
XantTuHorNus Buxzocki1, Swainson, Synopsis of Mexic. Birds, Phil. Mag. 1827,
p. 436.
Adult Male. Plate CCCLXXXVIII. Fig. 5.
Bill a little shorter than the head, conical, very slightly decurved,
compressed, tapering to a very attenuated point ; upper mandible with
the dorsal line almost straight, being very slightly convex, the ridge
narrow, its basal extremity tapering, the sides convex, the edges over-
lapping, the tip extremely sharp ; lower mandible with the angle long
and of moderate width, the dorsal line and that of the crura slightly
concave, the sides erect and nearly flat at the base, convex toward the
end, the edges slightly inflected, the tip extremely slender; gape-line
straight, declinate at the base. Nostrils elliptical, with a small opercu-
lum above, in the fore part of the nasal membrane, half-way between
the ridge and the margin.
Head ovate, of moderate size; neck short; body rather slender.
Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tarsus much compressed, with
seven large anterior scutella, and two longitudinal plates behind form-
ing avery thin edge ; toes of moderate size, the hind toe much stronger,
the lateral about equal, the third and fourth united at the base. Claws
rather long, moderately arched, much compressed, laterally grooved,
very acute.
Plumage soft and blended, the feathers ovate and rounded. Wings
of moderate length, the first four quills nearly of equal length, the first
being scarcely two-twelfths shorter than the second, which is the long-
est, but scarcely exceeds the third. Tail rather long, straight, rounded
and slightly emarginate, the middle feathers being one-twelfth, and the
lateral three-twelfths shorter than the longest.
Bill greyish-blue, dusky along the ridge; feet and claws light blue.
The upper part of the head, the hind neck, and the anterior portion
of the back, with the loral space, some feathers at the base of the
lower mandible, and a rather narrow longitudinal band on the fore neck,
deep black; the anterior part of the forehead, a band over the eye,
the cheeks, sides of the neck, and the breast rich orange-yellow ; the
rest of the lower parts paler; the lower wing-coverts and the anterior
BULLOCK’S TROOPIAL. 11
edge of the wing pale yellow; the hind part of the back and the upper
tail-coverts yellow, tinged with olive, purer on the rump ; wings brown-
ish-black, with a large patch of white formed by the outer small coverts,
and the edges of the secondary coverts, besides which the quills are
all margined externally with white, the secondaries more broadly.
The four middle tail-feathers are black, all the rest orange-yellow,
with a dusky patch near the end, broader on the inner, narrower and
fainter on the outer.
Length to end of tail 71 inches ; bill along the ridge 72 5; wing from
flexure 4,4; ; tail 3; ; tarsus 1%; hind toe 44 ; its claw 77; second toe 72,
its claw z ; third toe 74, its claw “4; fourth toe 7%, its claw 4.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXXXIII. Fig. 2.
The Female is smaller and differs greatly in colouring. The bill
and feet are as in the male. The upper parts are greyish-olive, lighter
on the rump, on the head and upper tail-coverts tinged with yellow ;
the loral space dusky, the anterior part of the forehead, a band over
the eye, the cheeks, and sides of the neck, with the fore part of the
breast light greenish-yellow; the throat dull white, the lower wing-
coverts and edge of the wing very pale yellow, the rest of the lower
parts greyish-white, slightly tinged with olive. The wings are dark
brown, the larger small-coverts tipped with greyish-white, the secon-
dary coverts and quills edged with the same. The tail dull oliva-
ceous yellow. This description is taken from an individual killed on
the 21st June 1836, on the Columbia River.
Length to end of tail 7 inches.
Young Male. Plate CCCCXXXIII. Fig. 1.
_ A young male, killed on the Columbia River, on the 21st June 1836
and in its first plumage, resembles the female in all the upper parts,
including the tail, of which the four outer feathers, however, are more
yellow. The loral space, and a streak on the throat, shorter and nar-
rower than in the old male, are black, the band on the eye, the cheeks,
the fore neck, and part of the breast, pale yellow; the rest of the lower
parts as in the female.
( 12)
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER.
Picus QUERULUS, WIiLs.
PLATE CCCLXXXIX. Mate anp FEMALE.
Tuis species, which was first described by Witson, is found abun-
dantly from Texas to New Jersey, and inland as far as Tennessee.
Pine-barrens suit it best, and it is nowhere more numerous than in those
of the Floridas, Georgia, and South Carolina, where, at any time of
the year, one is sure to be saluted by its peculiar note, or to see it busily
and cheerfully engaged in searching for food, or flitting from one tree
to another.
In quickness of motion it approaches more to the Common Three-
toed Wookpecker, than any other with which I am acquainted. It
glides upwards and sidewise along the trunks and branches, on the
lower as well as the upper side of the latter, moving with astonishing
alertness, and at every motion emitting a short shrill and clear note,
which can be heard at a considerable distance. While on wing it also
emits this note at the commencement of each curve of its undulated
flight. Often when alighted it issues a tremulous note, which is also
short, sharp, and shrill, and during the love season its cries resound
through the pine-woods. Near Bayou Sara in Louisiana, I once
slightly wounded two males, which I put into my hat in order to carry
them home. ‘The first, on being brought to the ground, was easily se-
cured, but the case was different with the other, for it at once hopped
off toward the nearest tree, crying loudly all the while, and on reach-
ing it ascended as if unhurt. However I obtained it by accidentally
knocking off the bark with a clod of earth. It defended itself courage-
ously, and pecked at my fingers with so much vigour that I was ob-
liged to let it drop several times out of my hand. Confined in my hat,
they remained still and sullen, and when I looked at them they both hid
their heads, as if ashamed of their situation. Whenever I chanced to
fire my gun, it alarmed them, and they uttered a plaintive ery, dif-
fering from their usual note while at liberty. One of them died before
I reached the house, probably through the great heat; the other how-
ever was well, and I put it into acage, every part of which it examined,
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. 13
until finding a spot by which it thought it might escape, it began to
work there, and soon made the chips fly off. In afew minutes, it made
its way out, and leaped upon the floor, uttering its common cluck, hop-
ped to the wall, and ascended as if it had been on the bark of one of
its favourite trees. The room being unfinished, the bricks were bare,
and as it passed along, it peeped into the interstices, and seized the
spiders and other insects which it found lurking in them. I kept this
bird two days, but when I found that the poor thing could procure no
food, I gave it its liberty, and was glad to find that its wounded wing
was so far healed as to allow it to fly thirty or forty yards at a time, so
that it had a good chance of being able to reach its favourite pines
again, with the scent of which it was strongly imbued.
When on a high tree, it looks as if entirely black. Generally too,
even when seen close at hand, the red line over the eye is covered by
the adjacent feathers; at least this was the case with the two indivi-
duals mentioned above. The one which died had its gizzard crammed
with the heads of small ants and a few minute coleopterous insects. It
is fond of the company of our small Woodpeckers, as well as of Sylvia
pinus and Parus Carolinensis.
I have found this bird mated in January in the Floridas, and en-
gaged in preparing a breeding place in February. The nest is not
unfrequently bored in a decayed stump about thirty feet high, the
wreck of a noble pine, destroyed by the irresistible fury of a hurricane.
The eggs, which are usually four, although I have found as many as
six, are smooth and pure white. The young, like those of our other
species, crawl out of their holes, and on the branches around wait for
the food brought by their parents, until they are able to shift for them-
selves.
In the winter months, I have seen several of these birds enter a
hole at dusk, where they probably remained all night; and in cold
drizzly weather I have observed them doing the same at various hours
of the day. When wounded, I have several times seen them making
toward these retreats. There is little difference between the sexes,
excepting that the red line over the eye is wanting in the female.
Witson’s measurements are less than those of any individuals which I
have examined.
It is generally believed that all Woodpeckers are strictly insec-
tivorous ; but this opinion is by no means correct, for many species
14. RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER.
feed on grain and fruits of various kinds. Some of them even come
to the ground to search for those which have fallen from the trees, as
I found to be the case with the present species, which I repeatedly ob-
served so occupied in the Pine Barrens of the Floridas. On such oc-
casions it is always silent. It moves in pairs at all seasons, and is ex-
tremely pugnacious during the period of incubation, when each male is
constantly giving chase to intruders of its own kind. During these
encounters, its cries are incessant, and much louder and sharper than
on more ordinary occasions.
RED-cocKADED WooDPECKER, Picus QuERULUS, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 103,
pl. 15, fig. 1, male.
Picus auEeRu us, Oh. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 46.
ReEpD-cocKaDED WoopPeEckER, WVuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 577.
Adult Male. Plate CCCLXXXIX. Fig. 1.
Bill somewhat shorter than the head, straight, rather slender, ta-
pering, angular, at the point compressed and abrupt ; upper mandible
with the dorsal line straight, the ridge sharp, the sides sloping, the na-
sal groove with a prominent narrow ridge, rather nearer the ridge than
the edge at its commencement, but joining the latter about a third
from the tip, the edges sharp and direct; lower mandible with the
angle rather short and narrow, the dorsal line straight, the ridge sharp,
the edges convex toward the end, the tip compressed, but abrupt.
Nostrils basal, lateral, linear-oblong, broader at the base.
Head of moderate size, ovate, convex above; neck rather short;
body moderate. Feet short, rather slender; tarsus short, anteriorly
scutellate, laterally covered with angular scales, posteriorly with a row
of narrow scutella ; toes four; the first short, the second next in
length, the fourth directed outwards and backwards, and longer than
the third; claws large, strongly arched, compressed, deeply grooved
on the sides, tapering to a very acute point.
Plumage very soft and blended; feathers at the base of the bill
bristly and directed forwards so as to cover the nostrils. Wings
long ; the first quill extremely small, being only ten-twelfths long ;
the second four-twelfths shorter than the third, which is one-twelfth
shorter than the fourth, this being the longest. Tail long, cuneate,
of twelve feathers, the lateral very small, weak, and rounded, the rest
RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER. 15
strong, with the barbs worn at the end, the tip emarginate, the shafts
being worn.
Bill greyish-blue, with the upper mandible dusky toward the ridge.
Iris hazel. Feet greyish-blue, claws of the same colour, dusky along
the ridge. The upper part of the head, the hind neck, the loral space,
and a band down each side of the neck glossy black ; feathers at the
base of the bill, a band over the eye, and a large patch on the side of
the head white. Margining the black behind the eye, is a streak of
bright carmine, formed by a series of very slender feathers. All the
upper parts, including the wings, are blackish-brown, transversely
banded with white. Tail black; the fourth feather obliquely white on
the outer web toward the end, the next with the white extended to the
inner webs toward the end, it being barred with black on the inner ;
the second white, with five black bands on the inner web and one on
the outer; the first or lateral feather white, with a black patch near
the base of the inner web. The lower parts are white, the sides of the
lower part of the neck, and of the body, marked with oblong black
spots.
Length to end of tail 83 inches; extent of wings 1423; bill along
the ridge 2; wing from flexure 4,4 ; tail 37%, the lateral feathers 144 ;
tarsus 7 ; hind toe #2, its claw 74; inner toe 4, its claw 24; middle
toe 3%, its claw 3%; outer toe 4, its claw 7.
Female. Plate CCCLXXXIX. Fig. 2.
The Female is somewhat smaller, but resembles the male in colour,
with the exception of wanting the red streak behind the eye.
Length to end of tail 72 inches, to end of wings 63, to end of claws.
63; extent of wings 13.
The roof of the upper mandible is slightly concave, with a promi-
nent middle ridge ; the lower mandible more concave, with two ridges
and a median groove. The tongue is 103 twelfths long, slender, its
breadth 1 twelfth, its sides parallel; it tapers to a point at the end,
where it is margined with acicular bristles directed backwards. The
hyoid bones curve round the back of the head, converge, and run along
the middle of the skull to the base of the bill, without curving to either
side. The palate is flattened, the posterior aperture of the nares linear,
with an anterior slit, which is margined with papille. The aperture
16 RED-COCKADED WOODPECKER.
of the mouth is 41 twelfths in width. The ceso-
phagus, a 6, is 2 inches 8 twelfths long, narrow,
uniform, its breadth 2 twelfths. The proventri-
cular belt, b, is 43 twelfths long. The stomach,
cde, is of moderate size, oblong, 83 twelfths
in length, 6 twelfths in breadth; its muscles
rather strong, its tendons large, the epithelium
dense, longitudinally rugous, and of a reddish
colour. The intestine, ¢ fh, is 9 inches long,
its upper portion 2 twelfths in diameter, its nar-
rowest part 14 twelfth; the rectum 3 twelfths in
diameter, gradually enlarging into the cloaca, 7.
The trachea, which is 1 inch 8 twelfths
long, and of about 65 rings, measures 1 twelfth
across at the upper part, gradually contracts a
little, and is furnished with strong contractor
and sterno-tracheal muscles. The bronchi are
of moderate length, with about 15 half-rings.
The contents of the stomach were remains
of insects, and small round very hard dark-
brown seeds. During the autumnal and winter
months, this species is wont to feed on the
berries of several species of Smilax, on grapes,
and at times even on the common Poke-berries.
I am also persuaded that whilst the Pines are
in bloom, much of their flowers is used, perhaps
more as a relish, than as an essential article of
food.
ii Cols J
LARK FINCH.
FRINGILLA GRAMMACA, Say.
PLATE CCCXC. Mate.
Tuts beautiful species is another of those of which we owe our first
knowledge to Colonel Lone’s party, who discovered it on their expedi-
tion to the Rocky Mountains. To the Prince of Mustenano we are
indebted for the first figure of it. That naturalist states, in the short
account he has given of it, that “ it sings sweetly, and often continues
its notes while on the wing,” and to this I can only add the following
statement with which I am favoured by my friend Mr Nurraty:
*‘ This species, in small flocks, in the spring season, when we saw
it, appears rather frequent on the ground, resting on it in silence, or
merely uttering a feeble chirp. They do not appear on the central
table-land, or on the western plains. We therefore had no opportunity
of learning any thing of their habits in the breeding season. I believe
they are occasionally seen at no great distance from the upper settle-
ments of the Missouri.”
FrINGILLA GRAMMACA, Say, Ch. Bonaparte, Amer. Ornith. vol. i. p. 47, pl. 5, fig. 3.
Larx Fincu, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 480.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXC. Fig. 1.
Bill short, stout, conical, compressed toward the end; upper man-
dible with the dorsal line very slightly convex, the ridge extending
but a short way on the forehead, where it tapers to a point, the sides
rounded, the edges direct and overlapping, the tip pointed, the gape-
line nearly straight, a little deflected at the base; lower mandible of
the same breadth as the upper, with the angle very short and broad,
the dorsal line ascending and straight, the back broad, the sides round-
ed, the edges inflected, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, small, roundish,
concealed by the feathers.
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck short, body full. Feet of mo-
derate length and rather slender ; tarsus rather short, compressed, an-
teriorly covered with seven scutella, posteriorly with two longitudinal
VOL. Vv. B
18 LARK FINCH.
plates meeting so as to form a very sharp edge ; toes moderate, the first
strong, the lateral equal ; claws rather long, slender, much compressed,
laterally grooved, moderately arched, very acute. ;
Plumage soft and blended, the feathers ovate. There are short
bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings of moderate length ;
the outer three quills nearly equal, the third longest, but exceeding the
first only by one-twelfth of an inch, and the second by a quarter of a
twelfth ; the fourth not much shorter, the rest slowly decreasing; the
outer secondaries emarginate, the inner tapering to a blunt point, one
of them considerably elongated. Tail rather long, rounded.
Bill reddish flesh-colour, the upper mandible tinged with dusky.
Feet and claws flesh-colour. On the upper part of the head are three
longitudinal bands of white separated by two of light red, the anterior
part of which is black. ‘The upper parts are light greyish-brown, lon-
gitudinally streaked with dusky, the central part of each feather being
of the latter colour, the hind part of the back and the rump without
streaks. On the wing are two faint bands of yellowish-white, formed
by the tips of the first row of small coverts, and those of the primary
coverts, and a patch of the same formed by the bases of the outer pri-
maries ; the quills dusky brown, slightly margined with whitish, the
inner secondaries with light red; the tail darker, all the feathers ex-
cepting the middle terminated by white, which on the outer occupies
more than a third of its length, and extends nearly to the base of the
outer web. Below the eye is a white streak ; the cheeks are light red,
with an anterior black spot ; under them a broad white band extends
from the lower mandible and curves upwards, separated from the throat
which is white by a short line of black on each side. The lower parts
are yellowish-white, the lower part of the neck greyish, the sides tinged
with greyish-brown, the lower wing-coverts greyish-white.
Length to end of tail 63 inches ; extent of wings 81; bill along the
ridge $$, along the edge of lower mandible 74; wing from flexure 3,3; ;
tail 3; tarsus yz; hind toe #4, its claw 24; middle toe 74, its claw 34.
( 19°)
PRAIRIE FINCH.
FRINGILLA BICOLOR, TOWNSEND.
PLATE CCCXC. Mate anp FEmAte.
This species, of which there are in my possession several specimens,
presented to me by my friend Mr Nutrat1, was discovered by that
zealous naturalist and his companion Dr TownseEnp on the plains of the
Platte, and briefly characterized in the Journal of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia. From its general appearance, and
especially from what is known of its habits, I consider it closely allied
to the Rice Bunting, Hmberiza oryzivora ; but as my object has always
been to describe our birds, without caring much how they are named,
I here adopt the appellation given by its discoverers, the latter of whom
has favoured me with the following notice respecting it.
“'The Prairie Finch inhabits a portion of the Platte country, in large
flocks. It is strictly gregarious, and feeds upon the ground, along which
- it runs like the Grass Finch, Fringilla graminea, to which it is some-
what allied, As the large flocks, consisting of from sixty to a hun-
dred individuals, were started from the ground by our caravan in pass-
ing, the piebald appearance of the males and females promiscuously in-
termingled, presented a curious, but by no means unpleasing, effect.
While the flock is engaged in feeding, the males are frequently obser-
ved to rise suddenly to a considerable height in the air, and poising
themselves over their companions, with their wings in constant and ra-
pid motion, they become nearly stationary. In this situation they
pour forth a number of very lively and sweetly modulated notes, and
at the expiration of about a minute descend to the ground, and course
about as before. I never observed this bird to the west of the Black
Hills.”
_ Mr Norratt’s notice respecting it is as follows:—‘ On the 24th
of May, soon after crossing the north branch of the Platte, we met with
this very interesting species of F’ringilla. 'The males associated in
flocks with the Cow Birds, uttering a most delightful song. Towards
evening in particular, we sometimes saw them in all directions around
us on the hilly grounds, rising to a little height, hovering and flapping
20 PRAIRIE FINCH.
their wings, at the same time singing something like weet, weet, wt, wt,
wt, notes betwixt the hurried warble of the Bob-o-link, and the melody
of the Sky Lark. It is in short one of the sweetest songsters of the
prairie, is tame and unsuspicious, the whole employment of the little
band being an ardent emulation of song.”
FRINGILLA BICOLOR, PRAIRIE FINCH, Townsend, Journal of Acad. of Nat. Sciences
of Philadelphia, vol. vii. p. 189.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXC. Fig. 2.
Bill short, robust, conical, compressed ; upper mandible a little nar-
rower, with the dorsal line very slightly convex, the ridge slightly pro-
longed on the forehead, the sides convex and bulging, the edges direct, the
gape-line nearly straight, deflected at the base, the tip sharp and a lit-
tle exceeding that of the lower mandible ; the angle of the latter short
and very broad, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the back
broad, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the tip pointed. Nostrils
basal, oval, in a very short deep depression, nearly concealed by the
feathers.
Head rather large ; neck short ; body full. Feet of ordinary length,
rather strong; tarsus of moderate length, compressed, anteriorly covered
with seven scutella, behind with two plates meeting so as to form a
very thin edge; toes of moderate size, the hind toe stouter, the lateral
equal. Claws rather long, arched, much compressed, laterally grooved,
tapering to a very acute point.
Plumage soft and blended, the feathers ovate and rounded. There
are distinct but small bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings
of moderate length; the outer three quills nearly equal, the second
being longest, the fourth slightly shorter than the third; outer secon-
daries broadly rounded and emarginate ; inner tapering to a rounded
point, one of them, when the wing is closed, little shorter than the outer
primaries. Tail of moderate length, a little rounded, the lateral fea-
thers shorter than the longest by two and a half twelfths.
The bill is light blue, the upper mandible somewhat dusky along
the ridge ; the feet and claws reddish-brown. The general colour of
the plumage is greyish-black, the rump blackish-grey. The quills are
blackish-brown, the inner secondaries black. There is a large patch of
PRAIRIE FINCH. 2!
white on the wing including some of the smaller coverts, the tips of
the first row, and the secondary coverts ; the primaries and outer secon-
daries are narrowly, the inner secondaries broadly margined with white,
with which most of them are also tipped. The middle tail-feathers
are black, the rest brownish-black, all narrowly edged with white, and
having a narrow speck of the same at the end of the inner web. Some
of the feathers on the abdomen and the lower tail-coverts are also tip-
ped with white.
Length to end of tail 7 inches ; bill along the ridge #4, along the
edge of lower mandible 74; wing from flexure 3;,; tail 234; tarsus
. 1 4. 1 4h. 1 EBs 3
it; hind toe #4, its claw #3; middle toe 74, its claw 7%.
Adult Female. Plate CCCXC. Fig. 3.
The Female, which is smaller than the male, differs greatly in colour.
The bill is dusky above, pale beneath ; the feet as in the male. The
upper parts are greyish-brown, streaked with dusky brown, the lower
white, with oblong spots of brownish-black, the abdomen nearly pure,
the sides tinged with reddish-brown. The quills are dark brown, edged
and tipped with reddish-white, and the patch on the wing is of the same
tint. The tail feathers are also dark brown, the outer externally edged,
and all tipped with white on the inner web.
. Length to end of tail 64 inches; bill along the ridge 24 ; wing from
flexure 33; tail 23°; tarsus +}; hind toe 34, its claw ;4; middle toe
#4, its claw 34.
( 22 )
BROWN SONG SPARROW.
FRINGILLA CINEREA, GMEL.
PLATE CCCXC. Mate.
Or this bird I have received the following account from Mr Nur-
TALL :— This species, so much allied to Fringilla iliaca by its brown
colour, inhabits the woody districts of the Columbia, very generally as far
as the sea-coast, and continues as far south as Upper California. It is a
somewhat familiar and agreeable songster, mounting some low bush,
and singing, at intervals, for hours together, much in the manner of
the Song Sparrow, but with a sweeter and more varied tone. We heard
their cheerful notes throughout the summer; and every fine day in
winter till the month of November, particularly in the morning, their
song was still continued. The nest and eggs are scarcely distinguishable
from those of the Song Sparrow, the former being chiefly formed of
dry grass, and lined with finer blades of the same, or with deer hair.
They keep much in low ground and alluvial situations, amidst rank
weeds and brambles, where they are frequently to be seen hopping and
searching after insects, like so many Wrens or Swamp Sparrows, which
they so much resemble also in plumage. They are as usual very soli-
citous for the safety of their young or eggs, keeping up an incessant
chirp, and are nearly the whole summer, like the Song Sparrow, engaged
in the cares of breeding. We have found this species also very com-
mon in Upper California.
Dr TownseEnp speaks of it as follows :—‘* This species inhabits se-
veral hundred miles of the Platte country in great numbers, as well as
the banks of the Columbia River. It affects generally the low bushes
of wormwood (Artemisia), from the sumiit of which it pours forth a
variety of pretty notes. It appears to be a very pugnacious species.
Two of them, probably males, are often observed fighting in the air ;
the beaten party goes off crest-fallen, and the conqueror repairs to the
nearest bush, where he tunes his pipe to a lively and triumphant stave
in honour of his victory. I again met with this bird, though not plen-
tiful, in June 1825, on the waters of the Columbia River near the
mouth of Lewis River. I never observed it in the vicinity of the lower
settlements. The sexes are almost precisely alike in plumage.
BROWN SONG SPARROW. 23
FRINGILLA CINEREA, Gimel. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 922.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i.
p- 445.
CrnereEous Fincu, Arct. Zool. vol. ii. No. 260.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXC. Fig. 4.
Bill short, stout, conical, compressed toward the end; upper man-
dible with the dorsal line very slightly convex, at the base and toward
the tip, the ridge narrow, and extending a short way on the forehead,
where it tapers to a point, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the
tip pointed, the gape-line nearly straight, a little deflected at the base ;
lower mandible of the same breadth as the upper, with the angle very
short and broad, the dorsal line ascending and straight, the back broad
at the base, the sides rounded, the edges involute, the tip pointed.
Head of moderate size, ovate; neck short; body full. Feet of
moderate length and rather stout; tarsus rather short, compressed, an-
teriorly covered with seven scutella, posteriorly with two longitudinal
plates meeting so as to forma very sharp edge; toes moderate, the first
strong, the lateral equal; claws rather long, slender, much compressed,
laterally grooved, moderately arched, very acute.
Plumage soft and blended, the feathers ovate. There are no dis-
tinct bristles at the base of the upper mandible. Wings short, con-
cave, broad, much rounded; the first quill four-twelfths and three-
fourths shorter than the fourth, which is the longest, the rest very little
graduated, the outer secondaries slightly emarginate, the inner not
elongated. Tailrather long, slender, much rounded, the lateral feathers
being five-twelfths of an inch shorter than the longest.
Bill dusky, the lower mandible reddish-brown toward the base.
Feet and claws dusky reddish-brown. The general colour of the upper
parts is dark olivaceous brown, all the feathers dusky in the centre ; the
wing-coverts, inner secondaries and tail-feathers more or less tinged
with red on the margins. Over the eye is a dusky greyish line; on
the cheek a whitish line, and beneath it a dusky brown band; the throat
and fore part of the neck white, with longitudinal brown streaks, the
middle of the breast brownish-white, the sides dark greyish-brown, as
are the lower tail-coverts.
Length to end of tail 6 inches; extent of wings 8; bill along the
ridge 7} ; wing from flexure 2,2; tail 2}; tarsus +}; hind toe #, its
claw #3; middle toe #4, its claw #.
The Female is similar to the male.
(24a)
BRENT GOOSE.
ANSER BERNICLA, Bonar.
PLATE CCCXCI. Mate anp Femate.
Tue extent of the migrations of this species remains as yet unknown.
Its progress along our Atlantic shores in October, November, and De-
cember, is varied, and in a great measure uncertain, it being appa-
rently induced to tarry or to proceed by the changes which may happen
in the temperature. It in fact appears to remain along the coast until
forced away by the intensity of the cold, when it resumes its flight,
and removes to countries beyond the southern limits of the United
States.
The Brent Goose may be considered as a salt-water bird, for it
never ascends our rivers beyond the influence of the tides, nor is found
on inland lakes or ponds, unless it be wounded, and happen to alight
accidentally in such places. To this natural predilection for salt-water
may be attributed its habit of flying round the projections of capes and
headlands : it very seldom passing directly over a neck of land, unless
suddenly surprised and alarmed by the gunner.
This species has never been seen by my friend Dr Bacuman in
South Carolina. I never observed any on the lakes or shores about
the mouths of the Mississippi, nor any where in the course of my route
to the Texas. While I was in that country, I did not find any person
who could give me sufficient reasons for believing that it ever tarries
there. Where it may go in winter is therefore to me unknown.
The flesh of this bird I consider as excellent food. The young in
autumn, or about the time of their first appearance on our eastern coast,
Massachusetts for example, are tender, juicy, and fat; and are as well
known to the epicures of Boston as the more celebrated Canvass-back
is to those of Baltimore.
Its flight resembles that of our other Geese, being in ordinary cir-
cumstances rather slow and sedate. As to its cry, although I have
often seen hundreds of individuals at a time, I have not been able to
tune my ears so as to liken its cacklings to the sounds produced by “a
pack of hounds in full cry,” as alleged by Witson. The Brent Goose
BRENT GOOSE. 25
is a shy bird, not easily approached ; it swims well, and when wounded
can dive with great expertness, as I have more than once witnessed.
Its food consists of marine plants, which I have often found in its giz-
zard, along with coarse gravel and fragments of shells, which latter
were so thick as to lead me to think that the bird had not broken them
for the purpose of getting at the animal. In walking it moves with
lighter and quicker steps than even the Barnacle Goose, Anser leucop-
sis. It is very easily tamed, and when thus subjugated eats any kind
of grain, and crops the grass well with its head slightly inclined to one
side. It has been known to produce young in captivity.
Of its manner of breeding I am ignorant; and all that has been
stated on the subject is, that it breeds in great numbers in northern
latitudes, for example, on the coasts and islands of Hudson’s Bay and
the Arctic Sea, and that it lays white eggs.
I have represented a pair which were shot in spring, when their
migratory movements are more regular than in autumn.
Anas Bernicra, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 198.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 844.
Brant, Anas Bernicia, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. viii. p. 131, pl. 72, fig. 1.
Awser Beryicta, Ch. Bonap., Synops. of Birds of United States, p. 378.
Awser Brernicta, Brent Goose, Richards. and Swains. Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii.
p. 469.
Brant or Brent Goose, Wuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 358.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXCI. Fig. 1.
Bill much shorter than the head, higher than broad at the base,
somewhat conical, slightly depressed toward the end, narrowed and
rounded at the tip. Upper mandible with the dorsal line sloping, the
ridge a little flattened at the base, convex toward the end, the sides
sloping, the edges soft, the oblique marginal lamellz short, transverse,
about 25 on each side, the unguis round, convex, striato-denticulate on
the inner edge. Nasal groove elliptical, commencing at the base, and
extending to beyond the middle of the bill; nostrils lateral, medial,
longitudinal, narrow-elliptical, open, pervious. Lower mandible straight,
depressed, with the angle very long, rather wide, somewhat rounded,
the sides sloping outwards, the edges soft, with about forty lamelle.
Head small, oblong, compressed. Neck rather long and slender.
Body full, slightly depressed. Feet short, stout, placed a little behind
the centre of the body ; legs bare a little above the tibio-tarsal joint
26 BRENT GOOSE.
Tarsus short, compressed, covered all round with angular reticulated
scales, which are smaller behind. Hind toe extremely small, with a
very narrow membrane ; third toe longest, fourth a little shorter, but
longer than the second ; all the toes reticulated above at the base, but
with narrow transverse scutella towards the end; the three anterior
connected by a reticulated membrane ; the outer with a thick margin,
the inner with the margin extended into a two-lobed web. Claws
small, arched, rather depressed, especially that of the middle toe, which
has the inner margin expanded.
Plumage close, rather short, compact above, blended on the head,
neck, and lower parts of the body. The feathers of the head and neck
small and oblong, of the back very broad and abruptly rounded, of the
breast and belly broadly rounded. Wings when closed extending a
little beyond the end of the tail; primaries very strong, decurved, the
first longest, the second almost equal ; secondaries long, broad, rounded.
Tail very short, rounded, of sixteen feathers.
Bill and feet black. Iris hazel. Head and neck all round black,
glossed with blue. A small streak under the eye, and a spot on the
chin, white ; on each side of the neck a patch of the same formed by a
number of the feathers which have a white band near the end. The
general colour of the upper parts is brownish-grey, the feathers termi-
nally margined with light greyish-brown ; the quills, and primary co-
verts greyish-black, the primaries darker ; the upper tail-coverts white,
the tail greyish-black. The fore part of the breast is light brownish-
grey, the feathers terminally margined with greyish-white; the grey
tint gradually fades into white, which is the colour of the abdomen,
sides of the rump and lower tail-coverts; the sides of the body grey,
the feathers broadly tipped with white ; axillar feathers and lower wing-
coverts grey
Length to end of tail 242 inches, to end of claws 254; extent of
wings 48; bill along the ridge 1,4, along the edge of lower mandible
1,4; wing from flexure 13; tail 44; tarsus 14; hind toe 34, its claw
#4; middle toe 1,5, its claw #4. Weight 33 lb.
Adult Female. Plate CCCXCI. Fig. 2.
The Female, which is somewhat smaller, is similar to the male.
Length to end of tail 23 inches, to end of wings 24, to end of claws
233 ; extent of wings 443. Weight 22 lb.
BRENT GOOSE. 27
An adult female procured by Dr Tuomas M. Brewer of Boston.
The roof of the mouth is concave, with a median row of short pa-
pillze, two lateral series of flattened laminz, and some irregularly scat-
tered intermediate prominences, the lower mandible more concave.
The tongue is fleshy, with the base papillate, the sides parallel and
furnished with recurved papilla, the tip rounded and thin, the entire
length 1 inch 5 twelfths. The cesophagus, a, which is 13 inches long,
is exceedingly slender, its diameter when contracted not being greater
than that of the windpipe, or about 4 twelfths, but it is capable of be-
ing dilated to 6 twelfths ; its inner coat thrown into prominent longi-
tudinal ruge. The proventriculus, ad, is enlarged to the breadth of
11 twelfths, its glandules simple, cylindrical, 2 twelfths long. The
stomach, cdef, is a very highly developed museular gizzard, placed
Kig.1.
28 BRENT GOOSE.
obliquely, and of an elliptical form, its length being 1 inch 9 twelfths,
its breadth 2 inches 11 twelfths. This great breadth is caused, as in
other birds of this family, by the vast size of the lateral muscles, of
which the left, d, has a thickness at the middle of 1 inch 43 twelfths,
the right, ¢, of 1 inch 3 twelfths, this leaving but a very small space
between the two grinding surfaces, which are placed obliquely. The
lower muscle, /, is narrow and of moderate thickness. The epithelium
is soft unless on the two grinding plates, which are of an elliptical
form, a little concave, smooth in the middle, longitudinally grooved to-
ward the margins. The proventricular belt of glandules is 1 inch 3
.
Fig.2.
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BRENT GOOSE. 29
twelfths in breadth. The stomach contained a large quantity of pure
quartz sand. The pylorus is destitute of valve. The duodenum ¢ gh,
has a diameter of 43 twelfths, and curves at the distance of 5 inches ;
the intestine is disposed in longitudinal folds, there being 16 turns,
and measures 5 feet 11 inches in length. It retains a pretty uniform
breadth as far as the rectum, Fig. 2, ab, which enlarges to 7 twelfths.
The cceca, acc, which come off at the distance of 5 inches from the
extremity, are 54 inches in length, very narrow, their diameter at the
base being about 1 twelfth, towards the end 2 twelfths, and their great-
est breadth toward the middle 33 twelfths. In Fig. 2 is seen part of
the oviduct, d 4, which opens at the distance of 4 inch from the anus,
opposite 6, and above or anterior to the ureters. In this bird there is
no decided cloaca, which is equally the case with other species of this
family, and with such birds generally as pass their faeces in a compact
cylindrical form. In this respect, Swans, Geese, and Ducks are ana-
logous to Pheasants, Grous, and Partridges; they being in fact aqua-
tic Gallinacez.
The trachea is 11 inches long, its diameter at the upper part 43
twelfths. It isa little flattened above, less so in the middle, and some-
what compressed at the lower extremity, where its diameter is 3
twelfths. There are 150 free osseous rings, and 15 additional united
rings at the lower part. The inferior larynx is destitute of muscles.
The space between the last ring of the trachea and the first bronchial
ring is large, being 44 twelfths in length. The bronchi are very short,
rather wide, with about 10 incomplete rings, the extremities of which
nearly meet. The lateral muscles are strong, and there is a pair of
cleido-tracheal, and a pair of sterno-tracheal muscles, the former coming
off at the distance of 22 inches, the latter at that of 1 inch 2 twelfths,
from the inferior larynx. The cleido-tracheal muscle is a direct con-
tinuation of part of the contractor, but the sterno-tracheal is indepen-
dent of them, and attached to two rings of the trachea. The contrac-
tor muscle terminates in the solid tube, at the distance of 9 twelfths
from the inferior larynx.
( 30 )
LOUISIANA HAWK.
Fatco HARRIsi.
PLATE CCCXCII. Frmaxe.
Tue varying modes of flight exhibited by our diurnal birds of prey
have always been to me a subject of great interest, especially as by
means of them I have found myself enabled to distinguish one species
from another, to the farthest extent of my power of vision. On consi-
dering this matter, I have become fully convinced that a greater
length of the wings in any one species is not, as most naturalists have
imagined, an indication of its greater power of flight. Writers of the
present day who, judging of the flight of birds from such circumstances,
think that those species which have longer and, as they suppose, more
complete wings, fly with more rapidity than those whose wings are
comparatively short, are, in my opinion, quite mistaken. They judge
in this matter, not from experience, but from appearance, having pre-
viously determined theoretically that a long wing is a more efficient
instrument than a short one; and being acquainted with birds only
through the medium of skins and feathers, presume to inform us as to
their comparative agility. The power of flight in birds of any kind
depends not upon the length, amplitude, or shape of the wings, but
upon the rapidity with which these members are moved, and the mus-
cular energy applied to them. It is not a little surprising to me that
not one of the authors who has written on this subject, has spoken of
the mode of flight of our Turkey Buzzard, which, notwithstanding its
very ample wings, is one of the very slowest birds; for, although it
manages to rise to a great height, all its movements are laborious and
heavy, unless when it is at some considerable elevation. The ampli-
tude of its wings serves it in sailing only, never in enabling it to pass
swiftly through the air, as birds of much shorter wings, but greater
muscular energy, are wont to do.
The Golden Eagle, which has universally been considered as a bird
of most extraordinary powers of flight, is in my estimation little more
than a sluggard, though its wings are long and ample. It is true that it
can sustain itself for a very considerable time on wing, but the observer
LOUISIANA HAWK. 31
cannot fail to see that, instead of being swift, it moves slowly and some-
what heavily. For this reason it is rarely seen to give chase on wing, but
depends more on the weight of its body while falling or swooping on its
prey from a certain height than upon any dexterity or velocity of
flight. Eagles while swooping do not use their wings as a medium of
propelling themselves farther than by nearly closing them, that they
may descend with more rapidity, in doing which they produce a loud
rustling noise, which I have often thought has a tendency to frighten
the quarry so much as to render it unable to seek for safety by flight
or speed of foot. The Golden Eagle can, indeed, soar to a very great
height, but this it accomplishes by a circling or gyratory flight of a
very slovenly character, and not much superior to that of Vultures
or birds still more nearly allied to itself. Thus, Reader, I would
look on this celebrated bird as one of the slowest and heaviest of its
tribe ; and would place next in order our Red-tailed Hawk, Falco borealis,
which being also possessed of ample wings, of considerable length,
moves through the air, and pounces upon its prey in a similar manner.
Then in succession will come the Black Warrior, Falco Harlani; the
Broad-winged Hawk, F’. Pennsylvanicus ; the Red-shouldered Hawk,
F. lineatus ; the Common Buzzard, F. Buteo; and the Rough-legged
Falcon, /. lagopus or F'. Sancti-Johannis, which is in a manner the very
counterpart of the Golden Eagle, as well as every other species en-
dowed with no greater powers, and furnished with wings and tails of
similar size and form ; although, of course, some slight differences are
to be observed in these different species, on all of which I would will-
ingly bestow the distinctive name of Swoopers. All these birds are more
or less indolent ; one might say they are destitute of the power of dis-
tinguishing themselves in any remarkable manner, and none of them
shew a propensity to remove to any great distance from the place of
their birth, unless, indeed, when very hard pressed either by want,
of food or by very intense cold.
The next group which attracts the attention of the American orni-
thologist is that composed of such birds as are provided with longer
and almost equally broad wings, but assisted by more or less elongated
and forked tails. Of this kind are our Swallow-tailed Hawk, Falco Sur-
catus ; the Black-shouldered Hawk, . dispar; and the Mississippi
Kite, F'. Mississippiensis. These species assume what I would call a
flowing manner of flight, it being extremely graceful, light, buoyant,
32 LOUISIANA HAWK.
and protracted beyond that of most other hawks. They are, however,
devoid of the power of swooping on their quarry, which they procure by
semicircular glidings of greater or less extent, according to the situa-
tion or nature of the place, over the land or the water, on the branches
or trunks of trees, or even through the air, while in the latter they are
wont to secure large coleopterous insects. These species are provided
with short, strong tarsi, are scarcely able to walk with ease, wander to
great distances, and possess very little courage. i
After these long-winged fork-tailed hawks, comes the Marsh Hawk,
Falco cyaneus, which, by its easy manner of flying, it being supported by
ample wings and tail, is in some degree allied to them, though it is
by no means a bird of rapid flight, but one which procures its food by
patient industry, and sometimes by surprising its prey. Its style of
chase is very inferior to that of those species which I consider as not
only the swiftest, but the most expert, active, and persevering marau-
ders. The Marsh Hawk is connected with these by its long and slen-
der tail, and also by its propensity to wander over vast tracts of country.
It may be said to swoop or to glide in procuring its prey, which con-
sists both of birds and small quadrupeds, as well as insects, some of the
latter of which it even seizes on wing.
Taking somewhat into consideration the usual low flight of the lat-
ter species, I feel induced to place next it the very swiftest of our Hawks,
as I am convinced you would consider them, had you witnessed, like
me, their manners for many successive years. These are the Goshawk,
F. palumbarius, Cooper’s Hawk, F’. Cocperi, the Pigeon Hawk, F’. co-
lumbarius, and the Sharp-shinned Hawk, /’. fuscus. Though their wings
are comparatively short, somewhat rounded, and rather concave, they
have longer bodies and larger tails than any other of our hawks. The
tail is used as a rudder, and appears most effectually to aid them in their
progress on wing. None of these birds ever pounce on their prey, but
secure it by actual pursuit on wing. Industrious in the highest degree,
they all hunt for game, instead of remaining perched ona rocky eminence,
or on the top branch of a tall tree, waiting the passing or appearance
of some object. They traverse the country in every direction, and dash
headlong in the wildest manner, until their game being up they fol-
low it with the swiftness of an arrow, overtake it, strike it to the ground
with wonderful force, and at once fall,to and devour it. Although the
flight of our Passenger Pigeon is rapid and protracted almost beyond
LOUISIANA HAWK. 33
belief, aided as this bird is by rather long and sharp wings, as well
as an elongated tail, and sustained by well regulated beats, that of
the Goshawk or of the other species of this group so very far surpasses
it, that they can overtake it with as much ease as that with which the
pike seizes a carp. I have often thought that the comparatively long
tarsi of these Hawks, as well as their elongated and padded toes, are
of considerable assistance in securing their prey on wing, as they throw
these members to the right and left, upward or downward, when about
to come into contact with the object of their pursuit. In boldness and
ferocity they probably surpass all other birds of prey.
The next race is composed of the species called ‘* True Falcons,”
of which we have the Jer Falcon, Falco Islandicus, the Peregrine
Falcon, F’. Peregrinus, the Pigeon Hawk, F’. Columbarius, and the Spar-
row Hawk, F. Sparverius. These birds are probably the most highly
organized of the series. Their wings are pointed and somewhat broad ;
their tail is not only considerably elongated, but has a firmness and
elasticity not seen in that of the other species. While in Eagles and
other sluggish birds of prey, the motions of the wings are slow, in the
species now under consideration they are strong and quickly repeated.
They moreover possess the power of swooping in a higher degree than
even the Eagles, for although much smaller birds, they are if any thing
still more compactly formed, whilst they are at the same time endowed
with at least a fair power of flight, so that they give chase to the swift-
est birds, and not unfrequently overtake and destroy them. In their
migrations they differ from the slow-flying species, which seldom re-
move far from the place of their birth, for they appear to delight in
following the myriads of the feathered tribes from which they have de-
rived their subsistence during summer in the northern regions, to those
southern countries in which they are sure of obtaining an ample sup-
ply, each species pursuing those on which it more usually preys. Thus,
some, as the Peregrine Falcon, will remove as far as the confines of
Mexico or the extreme portions of California. The Jer Falcon, which
mostly feeds on hares and grous, belonging to northern countries, and
which of course migrate southward to a very short extent, rarely ad-
vanees far ; while the Pigeon Hawk, as daring as the Peregrine, follows
the Red-wings, Rice-Birds, and other small migratory species, with a
pertinacity not in the least surpassed by that of the Peregrine Falcon
itself.
VOL, V. ce
34 LOUISIANA HAWK.
The group of our American birds of prey of which the species dif-
fer most strikingly from the rest, contains the Bird of Washington,
Falco Washingtonii, the White-headed Eagle, /. leucocephalus, and
the Fishing Hawk or Osprey, F. Ossifragus. Looking upon these
three species as more or less connected in respect to their general
habits, while each of them differs from the rest, I hope you will ex-
cuse me, Reader, if I now take a glance at them separately. He who
generalizes at random might perhaps be induced to compare the Fish-
ing Hawk to nothing else than a very large and clumsy Tern, for like
most birds of that group, it is known to range in a desultory manner
over the waters of our bays and estuaries, and along the shores of the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. It poises itself a while on spying its prey
just beneath the surface of the water, glides or plunges headlong upon it,
and thus secures it at once, or experiences the same disappointment that
Terns themselves do on many occasions. It is true, however, that the
Fishing Hawk does not, Tern-like, secure its finny prey with its bill ;
but what of that, if it plunges into the deep and seizes its quarry there ?
The Bird of Washington which is also a fishing Eagle, glides over its
prey, and seizes it mostly in the manner exhibited by Gulls. The
White-headed Eagle, which, as I have told you before, also dives after
fish on some occasions, and pursues the smaller kinds in shallow water
by wading after them, will also attack birds and quadrupeds of various
species, and thus may be looked upon as one of the most singularly
gifted of our diurnal birds of prey.
The species now before you belongs to the group of what may be
called indolent or heavy-flying Hawks. The specimen from which I
made my drawing, was procured by a gentleman residing in Louisiana,
who shot it between Bayou Sara and Natchez. A label attached to one
of its legs authorizes me to say that it was a female; but I have re-
ceived no information respecting its habits ; nor can I at present give
you the name of the donor, however anxious I am to compliment him
upon the valuable addition he has made to our Fauna, by thus enabling
me to describe and portray it. I have much pleasure in naming it af-
ter my friend Epwarp Harris, Esq., a gentleman who, independently
of the aid which he has on many occasions afforded me, in prosecuting
my examination of our birds, merits this compliment as an enthusias-
tic Ornithologist.
LOUISIANA HAWK.
to
Or
Fatco Harristt.
Adult Female. Plate CCCXCII.
Bill short, robust, as broad as high at the base, compressed toward
the end ; upper mandible with its dorsal outline sloping a little at the
base, then decurved, the sides nearly flat, the edge with a slight fes-
toon, the tip prolonged, trigonal, descending, acute ; lower mandible
with the angle rather long and wide, the dorsal line convex, the edge
decurved toward the end, the tip obtuse. Nostrils rather large, ovate,
oblong, oblique.
Head large, ovate, flattened above, with the superciliary ridges
projecting. Neck of moderate length; body full. Feet of ordinary
length, very robust; tarsus strong, roundish, feathered anteriorly for
somewhat more than a third, and having thirteen scutella, covered be-
hind with sixteen scutella, reticulated on the sides and at the lower
part ; toes strong, of moderate length, the first and second thickest, and
nearly equal; the first with four, the second with five, the third with
eight, the fourth with six entire scutella, the parts toward the base with
transverse series of rectangular scales; claws long, stout, arched, mo-
derately compressed, flat beneath, tapering to a very acute point; the
inner edge of that of the middle toe sharp.
Plumage rather compact, the feathers broadly ovate and rounded ;
ths space between the bill and the eye covered with small bristle-pointed
feathers ; the feathers on the outer side of the leg not much elongated.
Wings long, broad, much rounded ; the first quill four inches shorter
than the fourth, which is longest, the fifth longer than the third, and
the seventh longer than the second ; the first four having the inner web
cut out; secondaries broad and rounded. ‘Tail long, broad, slightly
rounded, the lateral feathers three-quarters of an inch shorter than the
longest.
Bill light blue at the base, black toward the end; cere and feet yel-
low ; claws black. ‘The general colour of the plumage is deep choco-
late brown; the quills darker ; the upper and lower wing-coverts, and
the feathers of the legs brownish-red, the wing-coverts with a central
dusky streak, which is enlarged on those toward the edge beyond the
carpal joint, and on the secondary coverts, so as to leave only the mar-
gins red. The feathers of the rump are faintly margined with red,
36 TOWNSEND’S WARBLER.
and the upper tail-coverts are barred and tipped with white. The
tail is brownish-black, with two broad bands of white, the one at the
base, the other terminal.
Length to end of tail 24 inches ; bill along the ridge 142; cere 73;
wing from flexure 153; tail 101; tarsus 3,74 ; hind toe 1%, its claw 17% ;
second toe 144, its claw 124; third toe 2, its claw }3; fourth toe 1y%,
its claw 7%.
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER.
Syiv1iA4 TownsENDI, Nutra.
PLATE CCCXCIII. Mate.
Me Norratt has honoured this beautiful Warbler with the name
of his friend and companion Dr Townsrenp. It was procured about
the Columbia River. All the information respecting it that I possess
is contained in the following brief notice by the former of these cele-
brated naturalists. ‘* Of this fine species, we know very little, it being
one of those transient visitors, which, on their way to the north, merely
stop a few days to feed and recruit, previous to their arrival in the
higher latitudes, or afterwards disperse in pairs, and are lost sight of
till the returning wants and famine of the season impel them again to
migrate, when, falling on the same path, they are seen in small silent
flocks advancing toward the retreat they seek out for their temporary
residence. As this species frequents the upper parts of the lofty firs,
it was almost an accident to obtain it at all. The female remains
unknown.”
Syztvia TownsEnn1, (Wutiall), TowNsEND’s WaRBLER, Towns. Journal of Acad. of
Nat. Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. vii. p. 191.
Adult Male in Autumn. Plate CCCXCIII. Fig. 1.
The specimen here described was shot by Dr TownsEnp on the
28th October 1835, on the Columbia River, and is in perfect plumage.
TOWNSEND'S WARBLER. 37
Bill short, slender, somewhat conical, compressed, straight, pointed,
upper mandible with its dorsal outline slightly convex toward the end,
the ridge narrow, the sides convex, the edges a little inflected, with a
very slight sinus in the place of the notch, the tip slightly declinate and
acute ; lower mandible with the angle short and narrow, the dorsal line
ascending, and very slightly convex, the sides rounded, the edges in-
volute. The gape-line is straight; the nostrils basal, oblong, opercu-
late, partially concealed by the feathers.
Head rather small, ovato-oblong ; neck short; body rather slender.
Feet of moderate length, slender ; tarsus longish, slender, compressed,
anteriorly with seven scutella, posteriorly with two longitudinal plates
meeting at a very acute angle behind ; toes rather small, the hind toe
stouter, the lateral equal; claws of moderate length, well curved, much
compressed, laterally grooved, very acute.
Plumage soft and blended. Wings of moderate length, rather
pointed ; the first quill one-twelfth of an inch shorter than the second,
which is almost as long as the third, and about half a twelfth longer than
the fourth ; the other primaries slowly graduated ; the outer secondaries
emarginate, the inner not elongated. Tail of moderate length, even.
Bill dusky. Feet and claws flesh-coloured. The upper parts are
light olive, anteriorly tinged with grey, on the rump with yellow ; all
the feathers dusky in the centre; the cheeks, ear-coverts and throat
are black, the feathers on the latter edged with yellow ; a band over
the eye, from the bill to behind the ear, a broader band on the side of
the neck running into the former, and a patch on the fore part of the
breast, bright yellow; the rest of the lower parts white, but the sides
marked with oblong dusky spots. The wings are blackish-brown, with
two conspicuous white bands, formed by the tips of the first row of
coverts and by those of the secondary coverts. The tail-feathers are
blackish-brown, edged with greyish-yellow ; the two lateral on each
side white, excepting a dusky band occupying the terminal half of the
outer web, and a small portion of the inner; there is also a white spot
near the end of the inner web of the next feather.
Length to end of tail 43% inches, bill along the ridge 8, ; wing from
flexure 23%; tail % ; tarsus 7; hind toe #, its claw 7 ; middle toe 54,
. 2
its claw 34.
ARCTIC BLUE BIRD.
SYLVIA ARCTICA.
PLATE CCCXCIII. Mare anp Femate.
Tus beautiful species, first introduced to the notice of ornitholo-
gists by Dr Ricuarpson, who procured a single specimen at Fort
Franklin, in July 1825, is merely a summer visitor to the Fur Coun-
tries. Both the male and the female are represented in my plate. The
latter I believe has not hitherto been figured. Mr Nutratt’s notice
respecting this interesting bird, so closely allied to Sylvia Sialis, is as
follows :
*¢ Sialia arctica. Ultramarine Blue-bird. About fifty or sixty
miles north-west of the usual crossing place of that branch of the Platte
called Larimie’s Fork, in the early part of June, this species of Sialia
is not uncommon. The female utters a low plaint when her nest is
approached, the place for which is indifferently chosen in a hole ina
clay cliff, or in that of the trunk of a decayed cedar. At this time the
young were hatched. The nest is made of the usual material of dry
grass in very insignificant quantity. 'They are more shy than the com-
mon species, and have the same mode of feeding by watching on some
low bush or plant, and descending for an insect. We afterwards saw
anest of this species on a cliff of the Sandy River, a branch of the
Colorado of the West, The female and male were both feeding their
brood, The former chirped and appeared uneasy at my approach, and
at intervals uttered a plaintive yéow. The male sings more quaintly
and monotonously than the commen kind, but in the same general
tone and manner.”
To this Dr Townsenp adds that it is found in the “ Forests on the
banks of the Platte River, in the vicinity of the Black Hills, and in
the same situations on the banks of the Columbia. This species,” he
continues, “ was observed in the winter at Fort Vancouver, associat-
ing with S. occidentalis, They confine themselves chiefly to the fences
in the neighbourhood of the Fort, occasionally flying to the ground,
and scratching in the earth for minute insects, the fragments of which
were found in their stomachs. After procuring an insect, the male
ARCTIC BLUE BIRD. 39
usually returned to the fence, and warbled for a minute most delight-
fully. Its note, although like that of our common Sialis, is still so dif-
ferent as to be easily recognised. It is equally sweet and clear, but of
so little power (at least at this season) as to be heard only at a short
distance. In the spring it is louder and bolder, but is at all times
much less strong than that of the common species.”
Eryrwaca (Sratia) arctica, Swainson. THe Anrcric Biur-srep, Richards. and
Swains. Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 209.
Arctic Bivue Brrp, Sraura arctica, Nuttall, Manual vol. u. p. 573.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXCIII. Fig. 2.
Bill of ordinary length, nearly straight, broader than high at the
base, compressed towards the end ; upper mandible with the dorsal line
straight and declinate, until near the end when it becomes convex, the
ridge narrow, the sides convex towards the end, the edges direct and
overlapping, with a distinct notch close to the narrow deflected tip ;
lower mandible with the angle of moderate length and narrow, the
dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges direct, the tip narrow.
Nostrils basal, oval.
Head rather large; neck short ; body moderately full. Feet of or-
dinary length, slender; tarsus compressed, covered anteriorly with
seven long scutella, posteriorly with two very long plates meeting so
as to form a sharp edge; toes of moderate length ; the first stouter, the
second and fourth nearly equal, the third much longer ; claws mode-
rate, well curved, slender, compressed, laterally grooved, tapering to a
fine point.
Plumage soft and blended, with considerable gloss; short bristles
at the base of the upper mandible. Wings very long ; the first quill
very small, being only seven-twelfths of an inch long, the second one-
twelfth shorter than the third, which is longest, but exceeds the
fourth only by half a twelfth, the other primaries rapidly graduated ;
the outer secondaries emarginate, the inner not elongated. ‘Tail long,
deeply emarginate, of twelve strong feathers, of which the medial are
five-twelfths shorter than the lateral.
Bill and feet black ; iris brown. The general colour of the upper
parts is light azure blue, approaching to smalt blue ; the quills and
larger coverts dark greyish-brown, the outer tinged with blue, the pri-
40 ARCTIC BLUE BIRD.
maries broadly margined with light blue, the secondaries with greyish-
blue, the inner chiefly with dull white. The tail feathers are also
brown, gradually more blue toward the base, and all broadly margined
externally with that colour. ‘The sides of the head, the fore part and
sides of the neck, and the anterior half of the breast, light greenish-
blue; that colour gradually fading on the hind part of the breast ; the
abdomen and lower tail-coverts greyish-white.
Length to end of tail 74 inches; bill along the ridge 3%, along the
edge of lower mandible 7 ; wing from flexure 474; tail 214; tarsus
7, hind toe 7g, its claw 77; middle toe 74, its claw 2%.
Adult Female. Plate CCCXCIIL. Fig. 3.
The Female differs greatly. The parts which retain the same co-
lour are the rump, wings, and tail, of which, however, the blue edgings
are less pure and of less extent, and the outer primary and outer tail-
feathers are margined externally with white. The upper part of the
head, the hind neck, the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts are light
greyish-brown, margined with pale greenish-blue ; the cheeks and sides
of the neck are paler; the fore part of the neck and the anterior por-
tion of the breast are light greyish-brown, on the breast tinged with
red; the rest of the lower parts of an undecided brownish-white tint ;
the lower wing-coverts pale greyish-brown, edged with white, the lower
tail-coverts with a medial dusky streak.
Length to end of tail 63 inches; bill along the ridge &; wing
from flexure 47% ; tail 2735; tarsus {2; hind toe 74, its claw #4, mid-
dle toe §, its claw 34.
The above descriptions are taken from skins procured by Dr
TownsEnD on the Columbia River. That of the male is from a speci-
men shot in June 1835; and that of the female from one shot on the
26th of the same month and year. Of two other specimens in my pos-
session, a male agrees with that described, but bas the blue of the upper
parts deeper, and of a tint approaching to that of the common species.
The female is also similar to that described, but has a dull white spot
before the eye, and the upper part of the throat brownish-white.
There are some slight errors in Mr Swarnson’s description of this
bird in the Fauna-Boreali Americana, which, however, may be ex-
cused, as he had only a single skin. Instead of the bill being more
WESTERN BLUE BIRD. 4]
faintly notched than in “ Sialia Wilsoni,” it is more decidedly so; and
although somewhat more elongated, it is not less broad at the base.
It is stated that “the second quill-feather is the longest ; the first and
third are equal, and about a line shorter; the tenth is an inch anda
half shorter than the second.” Now in all my four specimens, the first
quill is diminutive or rudimentary, little more than half an inch long,
as it is in “ Sialia Wilsoni,” although it has been overlooked in the de-
scription of that bird in my second volume ; the second quill is a little
shorter than the third, which is the longest, and the tenth is one
inch and seven-twelfths shorter than the third, in another, half a
twelfth less, in a female an inch and three-twelfths. I have not seen
any specimens having the upper parts “ ultramarine blue,” and I think
an approximation to that tint belongs to younger birds, while the old
males are rather smalt-blue.
This species is distinguished from the Common Blue Bird by ha-
ving the wings longer, straighter and more pointed. In the male the
fore-neck amd breast are light greenish-blue, whereas in the other spe-
cies they are brownish-red. The two species, however, are very inti-
mately allied, as they also are with that which comes next to be de-
scribed.
WESTERN BLUE BIRD.
SYLVIA OCCIDENTALIS.
PLATE CCCXCIII. Mare anp FEMALE.
Or this handsome bird, which was discovered by Dr Townsenp,
and described in his name under the denomination of Sialia occidentalis,
Mr Nourraty has favoured me with the following notice :—‘ The
Western Blue Bird possesses many of the habits of our common kind.
The male is equally tuneful throughout the breeding season. Mount-
ing some projecting branch of an oak or low pine, he delivers his de-
lightful ditty with great energy, extending his wings, and exerting all
his powers as it were to amuse his sitting mate, or to allure attention
to his short, often-repeated, but thrilling lay. In the midst of all this
charming employment economy is rarely forgotten, and a crawling
42 WESTERN BLUE BIRD.
beetle or busy insect is no sooner seen than snatched up by our still
watchful songster, who resumes his wonted perch, to be again inter-
rupted by the cares of providing a subsistence ; or, reiterating his
melody, strives to drown the song of some neighbouring rival by
tender strains and more earnest endeavours. He appears also equally
solicitous with out common species to shew his affection for his
mate, whom he constantly accompanies, feeds, and caresses, with an
ardour of affection seldom rivalled. His song is more varied, sweet
and tender than that of the common Sialia, and very different in
many of its expressions. In the small rocky prairies of the Columbia,
near its bank, where I first heard and saw this species, they were ex-
ceedingly shy, probably in consequence of the presence of birds of prey,
which prowled around, and it was with difficulty that we got sight of
them, but afterwards, in the vicinity of Santa Barbara, in Upper Cali-
fornia, I saw them in considerable numbers, and very familiar, making
at this time (April) their nests in the knot-holes of the oaks which
abound in the neighbouring plains. We first met a flock of young birds
alone, in the winter, near to Fort Vancouver, flitting through the tall
fir trees, like so many timorous and silent winter passengers. ‘These
had so much the appearance of young of the common species, that for
some time we paid little attention to them ; but their silence, the ab-
sence of the usual complaints of ¢ shaye vit, &c., and at length their dif-
ferent notes, convinced me of their being distinct, previous to any exa-
mination of their plumage. This species, unlike Scalia arctica, does
not extend to the mountains, but seems constantly to affect similar. si-
tuations with our common kind, along the coast of the Pacific, as ours
does along that of the Atlantic.”
I have given figures of both the male and the female in their spring
dress.
SIALIA OCCIDENTALIS, WESTERN BLUE BIRD, Townsend, Journal of Acad. of Nat.
Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. vii. p. 188.
Adult Male in summer. Plate CCCXCIII. Fig. 4.
This species in size and form, as well as in colour, is very similar
to the Common Blue Bird. Its bill is of ordinary length, nearly straight,
broader than high at the base, compressed toward the end ; upper man-
dible with the dorsal line straight and a little declinate at the base,
convex toward the end, the ridge narrow, the sides convex toward the
WESTERN BLUE BIRD. 43
end, the edges direct and overlapping, with a slight notch close to the
narrow deflected tip ; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length
and narrow, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges direct,
the tip narrow. Nostrils basal, elliptical, operculate, partially con-
cealed by the feathers.
Head rather large ; neck short; body moderately full. Feet of or-
_dinary length, slender; tarsus compressed, covered anteriorly with
seven scutella, behind with two long plates meeting so as to form a
thin edge; toes of moderate length; the first stouter, the second and
fourth nearly equal, the third much longer; claws moderate, well
curved, compressed, laterally grooved, tapering to a fine point.
Plumage soft and blended, with considerable gloss. Short bristles
at the base of the upper mandible. Wings very long; the first quill
very small, being only seven-twelfths of an inch long, the second half
a twelfth shorter than the third, which is longest, but only exceeds the
fourth by three-fourths of a twelfth; the other primaries rapidly gra-
duated ; outer secondaries emarginate, inner not elongated. ‘'ail ra-
ther long, deeply emarginate, the middle feathers being four-twelfths
of an inch shorter than the longest.
Bill and feet black; iris brown. The general colour of the upper
parts is bright blue of a tint approaching to ultramarine ; a broad band
across the fore part of the back, and the scapulars, chestnut-red ; the
quills and larger coverts dark greyish-brown, the outer webs blue, the
primaries light brown at the end, the secondaries faintly margined with
whitish. The tail-feathers are also brown toward the end, but blue
toward the base ; the lateral with the margin of the outer web whitish.
The sides and fore part of the neck are light blue, tinged with grey,
the fore part of the breast and the sides of the body light chestnut-
red ; the rest of the lower parts greyish-white tinged with blue.
Length to end of tail 7 inches; bill along the ridge 7%, along the
edge of lower mandible 4 ; wing from fiexure 4,°, ; tail 239 ; tarsus 19,
hind toe 74, its claw 74 ; middle toe 7%, its claw 75.
Adult Female in summer. Plate CCCXCIII. Fig. 4.
The Female differs from the male in the same degree as that of the
Arctic Blue Bird from its male; the upper parts being light greyish-
brown tinged with blue, which is brighter on the rump ; the wings and
tail are as in the male, but with less blue; the lower parts are bluish-
grey, the breast and sides light brownish-red tinged with grey.
44 CHESTNUT-COLLARED LARK BUNTING.
Length to end of tail 62 inches ; bill along the ridge #2 ; wing from
flexure 41; tail 23% ; tarsus }2 ; hind toe 34, its claw 24 ; middle toe ,8,;
its claw 33.
In size and form there is little difference between the three species
of Blue Bird, namely, Sylvia (or Sialia) Sialis, arctica, and occiden-
talis. 'The first of these species has the wings shorter than the other
two, in which the primary quills are remarkably elongated ; its bill is
also shorter, and its general habit seems to be somewhat more robust.
Males of the three species are easily distinguished by their colours.
S. Sialis is of a rich bright blue above, brownish-red beneath anteriorly ;
S. arctica, is of a light smalt or greenish-blue above, and of a paler tint
of the same beneath anteriorly ; S. occidentalis is of an intermediate tint
of blue, approaching to ultramarine, with a chestnut band across the
back, the throat also blue, but the fore part of the breast red. The in-
timate affinity of the three species affords one of the most striking in-
stances of this kind that are met with.
The plant represented Calycanthus floridus, the Carolina Alespice,
much esteemed on account of the fragrance of its large purple flowers,
abounds in the Southern States, growing on the margins of swamps
and rivulets.
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LARK-BUNTING.
EMBERIZA ORNATA.
PLATE CCCXCIV. Mate.
Dr TownsEnp procured a single male of this new species, respect-
ing which he has sent me the following notice. ‘ It is by no means a
common bird; keeps in pairs, and appears to live exclusively upon the
ground ; is remarkably shy, and although I saw the female several times
I was unable to procure it.” Were my young friend at my elbow, I
would certainly ask him a few questions, and in particular where he
procured this species.
CHESTNUT-COLLARED LARK BUNTING. 45
PLECTROPHANES ORNATA, CHESTNUT-COLLARED Fincu, Townsend, Journal of Acad.
of Nat. Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. vii. p. 189.
Adult Male in spring. Plate CCCXCIV. Fig. 1.
Bill short, conical, pointed ; upper mandible with the dorsal line al-
most straight, the sides convex, the edges a little inflected, the tip
slightly declinate ; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded,
the dorsal line ascending and very slightly convex, the edges inflected,
the tip acute ; the gape-line ascends a short way at first, and is after-
wards nearly straight, and there is a small narrow prominence on the
palate.
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck short ; body full. Feet of mo-
derate size ; tarsus compressed, covered anteriorly with seven scutella,
behind with two longitudinal plates meeting so as to form a very thin
edge ; hind toe stout, lateral toes nearly equal; claws long, slender,
compressed, little curved, that of the hind toe elongated.
Plumage soft, full, blended, on the back somewhat compact. Wings
rather long and pointed, the first quill longest ; tail rather long, nearly
even.
Bill yellow, with the tips dusky. Feet and claws yellowish flesh-
colour. The upper part of the head, a streak and some spots behind
the ear, and the breast, black ; a broad band over the eye, the throat
and sides of the neck, the abdomen, lower tail-coverts, and three late-
ral tail-feathers white, the latter edged externally with dusky. There
is a broad transverse band of yellowish-red on the hind neck; the up-
per parts are yellowish-grey, the feathers dusky in the centre ; the quills
and larger coverts dusky with yellowish-grey margins, as are the four
middle tail-feathers.
Length to end of tail 5} inches ; bill along the ridge #4 ; wing from
flexure 3;%; tail 1 {2 ; tarsus {3 ; hind toe #, its claw 4.
(i), 4B)
BLACK-HEADED SISKIN.
FRINGILLA MAGELLANICA, VIEILL.
PLATE CCCXCIV. Mate.
Waite residing at Henderson, on the Ohio, I, one cold morning
in December, observed five males of this species on the heads of some
sunflowers in my garden, and, after watching them for a little time, shot
two of them. The rest rose high in the air, and were soon out of sight.
Considering the birds very nearly allied to our Common American
Goldfinch, I was surprised to find the head black at that season. Their
notes resembled those of the Pine Finch, Fringilla pinus, but in their
manner of feeding, as well as in their flight, they precisely resembled
the American Goldfinch, Fringilla tristis. All my subsequent endea-
vours to meet with this species failed, and I am unacquainted with the
female.
FRINGILLA MAGELLANICA, Vieill.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXCIV. Fig. 2.
Bill short, conical, compressed toward the end, very acute ; upper
mandible a little broader than the lower, with the dorsal outline slightly
convex, the sides convex, the edges a little inflected and overlapping,
the tip slightly declinate ; the gape-line straight, but a little deflected
at the base ; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dor-
sal line straight, the sides convex, the tip acute. Nostrils basal,
roundish, concealed by the feathers.
Head of moderate size, roundish-ovate. Neck short. Body ra-
ther full. Legs of moderate length ; tarsus short, compressed, slender,
covered anteriorly with seven scutella, and thin-edged behind; toes
slender, compressed, scutellate, the first large and stouter, the lateral
nearly equal; claws long, compressed, moderately curved, very acute.
Plumage soft and blended. Wings rather long, pointed; the first
and second quills equal, the third one-twelfth shorter, the other pri-
maries rapidly graduated ; the outer secondaries emarginate. ‘Tail
rather short, emarginate.
BLACK-AND-YELLOW-CROWNED FINCH. 47
Bill dusky ; feet and claws reddish-brown. The head and throat
are black; the back yellowish-green, the rump and lower parts green-
ish-yellow; the wings black, with two bards of yellowish-green ter-
minating the first row of small coverts, and the secondary coverts, and
a conspicuous band of yellow on the basal portion of all the quills, most
of which are margined toward the end with the same. Tail yellow at
the base, black toward the end.
Length to end of tail 43 inches, bill along the ridge 44, ; wing from
flexure 23%; tail 14$; tarsus £%; hind toe 75, its claw 34; middle toe
44, its claw jz.
BLACK-AND-YELLOW-CROWNED FINCH.
EMBERIZA ATRICAPILLA, GMEL.
PLATE CCCXCIV. Mate.
Tue only account which I have received of this handsome Finch,
long since known to the ornithologist, is from Mr Nurrari :—“ We
first observed the young of this species on the central table-land of
the Rocky Mountains, in the prairies, and mostly running on the
ground. We heard no note from them. We afterwards saw a few
stragglers, in the early part of winter, in the thickets of the forests of
the Columbia River, near Fort Vancouver, accompanying the Fringilla
leucophrys. It is probable that they come there to pass the cold sea-
son. They are equally seen at this time, and until late in the spring,
in the woods and thickets of Upper California.
EMBERIZA ATRICAPILLA, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 875.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i,
p- 415.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXCIV. Fig. 3.
Bill short, stout, narrower than the head, conical, somewhat com-
pressed toward the end, acute; upper mandible with its dorsal out-
line nearly straight, the ridge convex and obscure, the sides rounded,
the edges somewhat inflected, with a very small notch at the end, the
48 BLACK-AND-YELLOW-CROWNED FINCH.
tip a little declinate ; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded,
the dorsal line slightly convex, the sides rounded, the edges involute,
the point acute. The gape-line nearly straight, at the base a little de-
clinate ; the palate concave. Nostrils basal, roundish, open, partially
concealed by the feathers.
Head rather large, ovate; neck short ; body full. Legs of mode-
rate length, rather stout; tarsus of moderate length, compressed, co-
vered anteriorly with seven scutella ; toes rather large, scutellate
above, the first stronger, the lateral nearly equal, the third and fourth
connected at the base. Claws rather long, moderately arched, slender,
compressed, laterally grooved, acute.
Plumage full, soft, and blended. Wings of ordinary length; the
first quill two and a half twelfths shorter than the second, which is
longest, but scarcely exceeds the third, which in like manner is very
slightly longer than the fourth, the other primaries moderately gra-
duated ; the outer secondaries slightly emarginate, the inner not elong-
ated. ‘Tail long, rounded.
Bill reddish-brown, dusky toward the point; feet flesh-coloured,
claws dusky. The upper part of the head is black, with a longitudi-
nal median band of yellow, changing behind to grey ; upper parts yel-
lowish-brown, tinged with grey, the feathers of the fore part of the
back, scapulars, and wing-coverts with a central dusky spot; quills
and larger coverts dark brown, bordered with reddish-brown, paler on
the primaries ; the tips of the first row of small coverts, and of the se-
condary coverts, white, forming two bands across the wing. Tail
greyish-brown, the feathers edged with yellowish-grey. The sides of
the head, throat, fore part and sides of the neck, sides of the body, and
fore part of the breast, light grey, the sides tinged with yellow, the
rest of the lower parts brownish-white.
Length to end of tail 8 inches ; bill along the ridge # ; wing from
flexure 37, ; tail 37, ; tarsus 3; hind toe #4, its claw #; middle toe
iz; its claw a.
A young male, shot by Dr Townsrenp, on the Rocky Mountains,
on the 12th of July 1834, has all the upper parts dull yellowish-grey,
streaked with dusky ; the wings and tail dusky brown, the quills edged
with reddish-brown, the two bands on the coverts light reddish-brown ;
the lower parts whitish, streaked with dusky, the throat white, with a
band of dusky spots on each side from the lower mandible.
(49:4)
ARCTIC GROUND-FINCH.
FRINGILLA ARCTICA, SWAINS.
PLATE CCCXCIV. Mate anp FEMALE.
Tuts handsome species was first described by Mr Swatnson in the
Fauna Boreali-Americana. Dr RicHaxrpson in the same work states,
that it was observed only on the plains of the Saskatchewan, where he
supposes it breeds, as one specimen was obtained late in July. It
arrives there in the end of May, and frequents shady and moist clumps
of wood, being generally seen on the ground. It feeds on grubs, and
is solitary and retired. My friend Mr Norratt has furnished me with
the following account of it :—
“‘ We found this familiar bird entirely confined to the western side
of the Rocky Mountains. Like the common Towee, it is seen to
frequent the forests amidst bushes and thickets, where, flitting along
or scratching up the dead leaves, it seems intent on gaining a humble
subsistence. It is much more shy than the common kind, when ob-
served flying off or skulking in the thickest places, where it is with dif-
ficulty followed. In a few minutes, however, the male, always accom-
panying his mate, creeps out, and at first calls in a low whisper of re-
cognition, when, if not immediately answered, he renews his plaintive
par par or pay payay, until joined by her; when, if the nest be invaded,
he comes out more boldly, and reiterates his complaint, while there re-
mains around him the least cause of alarm. When undisturbed during
the period of incubation, he frequently mounts a low bush in the morn-
ing, and utters at short intervals, for an hour at a time, his monoto-
nous and quaint warble, which is very similar to the notes of the Towee ;
but this latter note (towee) so continually repeated by our humble and
familiar Ground Robin, is never heard in the western wilds, our pre-
sent species uttering in its stead the common complaint, and almost
mew, of the Cat Bird. On the 14th of June, I saw the nest of this
Species, situated in the shelter of a low undershrub, in a depression
scratched out for its reception. It was made of a rather copious lining
of clean wiry grass, with some dead leaves beneath, as a foundation.
The eggs were four, nearly hatched, very closely resembling those of
VOL. v. D
50 ARCTIC GROUND-FINCH.
the Towee, thickly spotted over, but more so at the larger end, with
very small, round, and numerous reddish chocolate spots. As usual,
the pair shewed a great solicitude about their nest, the male in parti-
cular approaching boldly to scold and lament at the dangerous intru-
sion. This species extends into Upper California, and is occasionally -
seen there with the brown species of Swainson, Pipilo fusca.”
Dr TownsEnp informs me, that it is called ‘‘ Chlawa-th” by the
Chinook Indians, and is abundant on the banks of the Columbia where
it is found mostly on the ground, or on bushes near the ground, rarely
ascending trees. His description of the nest and eggs agrees precisely
with that of Mr Nurratt.
The eggs of this bird in my possession measure an inch and an
eighth in length, and seven-eighths in breadth. ‘They are broadly
rounded at the larger end, and fall off rather abruptly at the other ex-
tremity. The spots and markings are vermilion, intermixed with lar-
ger spots of neutral tint, on a pure white ground.
Pyrerra (Preto) arctica, Swainson, Arctic GRounD-F incu, Richards. and Swains.
Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 260.
Arctic Grounp-Fincu, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 589.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXCIV. Fig. 4.
Bill short, robust, narrower than the head, conical, somewhat com-
pressed toward the end, acute; upper mandible almost straight in its
dorsal outline, being very slightly convex, the ridge narrow and well-
marked, the sides convex, the edges somewhat inflected, the tip a little
declinate ; lower mandible with the angle short and broad, the dorsal
line slightly convex, the sides rounded, the edges involute, the point «
acute. The nostrils basal, roundish, open, partially concealed by the
feathers. The gape-line nearly straight, a little deflected at the base.
Head rather large, ovate; neck shortish; body robust. Legs of
moderate length, rather stout ; tarsus of moderate length, compressed,
covered anteriorly with seven scutella; toes rather large, scutellate
above, the first stronger, the lateral nearly equal, the third and fourth
connected at the base. Claws rather long, moderately arched, slender,
compressed, laterally grooved, acute.
Plumage full, soft, and blended. Wings of ordinary length, the
fourth quill the longest, the third and fifth next and nearly equal, the
ARCTIC GROUND-FINCH. 51
second shorter than the sixth, the first seven and a half twelfths of an
inch shorter than the fourth. Tail long, rounded, of twelve strong
feathers. '
Bill brownish-black. Iris red. Feet and claws reddish-brown.
The general colour of the plumage is black, that colour extending over
_ part of the breast, the sides and lower tail-coverts orange-red, the cen-
tral part of the breast and abdomen white, the feathers of the tibize
dusky, margined with whitish. An elongated patch on the outer web
of all the scapulars ; a small terminal spot of the same on the first row
of small coverts and on the secondary coverts, and a large patch at the
end of the inner web of the outer three tail-feathers on each side, white.
Length to end of tail 84 inches, bill along the ridge 7%, along the
edge of lower mandible * ; wing from flexure 31; tail 4,%,; tarsus 15
hind toe 7, its claw #; middle toe 2, its claw 7.
Adult Female. Plate CCCXCIV. Fig. 5.
The Female is smaller. The parts which are black in the male, are
blackish-grey, which on the fore part and sides of the neck is tinged
with reddish-brown. In other respects there is not much difference in
the plumage.
Length to end of tail 8 inches; bill along the ridge ;4; wing from
flexure 37; tail 4; tarsus 1; hind toe #4, its claw #4, ; middle toe 44, its
claw 3.
The male above described was shot by Dr TownsEnp on the Columbia
River, on the 14th May 1835 ; the female on the 11th October 1834.
In form, size, and colour, this bird is most closely allied to the
Towhe Finch, Pringilla erythrophthalma of Linnzus, from which, how-
ever, it is at once distinguishable by the spots of white on the scapu-
lars and wing-coverts which are wanting in that species. The latter on
the other hand has a patch of white on the basal part of the outer webs
of the primaries, that part being black in the present species.
( 52)
AUDUBON’S WARBLER.
SyYLvid AuUDUBONI, TOWNSEND.
PLATE CCCXCV. Mate ann FEemate.
TuHIs species, so very intimately allied to Sylvia coronata, that an
observer might readily mistake the one for the other, was discovered
by Dr Townsrnp, who has done me the honour of naming it after me.
He states, that “ the Chinook Indians know it by the name of ‘ Fout-
sah, and that it is very numerous about the Columbia River, arriving
there in the middle of March, and remaining to breed, but disappear-
ing in the end of June. In the beginning of October it is again seen,
with its plumage renewed. Its voice so nearly resembles that of the
Chestnut-sided Warbler as to render it difficult to distinguish them.
It keeps in the most impervious thickets, and is always silent when en-
gaged in seeking its food.” Mr Nurtatr has favoured me with the
following animated account of it.
“ This elegant species, one of the beautiful and ever-welcome har-
bingers of approaching summer, we found about the middle of April,
accompanying its kindred troop of Warblers, enlivening the dark and
dreary wilds of the Oregon. The leaves of the few deciduous trees
were now opening rapidly to the balmy influence of the advancing
spring, and flowers but rarely seen even by the botanist, sent forth their
delicious fragrance, and robed in beauty the shady forests and grassy
savannahs. But nothing contributes so much life to the scene as the
arrival of those seraphic birds, the 'Thrushes and Warblers, which, unit-
ing in one wild and ecstatic chorus of delight, seemed to portray, how-
ever transiently, the real rather than the imaginary pleasures of para-
dise. Nor in those sad and distant wilds were the notes of the gilded mes-
senger of summer (Sylvia wstiva) the less agreeable that I had heard
them a thousand times before. The harmonies of Nature are not made
to tire, but to refresh the best feelings of the mind, to recall the past,
and make us dwell with delight upon that which best deserves our re-
collection. But what was my surprise to hear the accustomed note of
the Summer Yellow-Bird delivered in an improved state by this new
Warbler, clad in a robe so different but yet so beautiful. Like that
species, also he was destined to become our summer acquaintance, breed-
AUDUBON’S WARBLER. 53
ing and rearing his offspring in the shady firs by the borders of the
prairie openings, where he could at all times easily obtain a supply of
insects or their larve. On the 8th of June the young of this species,
at that time so much like those of the Yellow-Rump, were already out
in small roving and busy flocks, solicitously attended and occasionally
fed by the still watchful parents. We may notice in this species as a
habit, that, unlike many other birds of its tribe, it occasionally frequents
trees, particularly the water oaks and the lower branches of those gi-
gantic firs, which attain not uncommonly a height of 240 feet. In the
branches of the latter, near a cliff, opening on a prairie by the banks
of the river Columbia, I have reason to believe that a pair of this fine
species had a nest, as great solicitude was expressed when I several
times accidentally approached the place.”
I have given figures of the male and female, taken from specimens
obtained by Dr TownsEnp on the Columbia.
Sytvia Aupusoni, AupuBoN’s WarBLeER, Townsend, Journal of Acad, of Nat.
Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. vii. p. 190.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXCV. Fig. 1.
Bill short, straight, rather strong, tapering, compressed toward the
end ; upper mandible with its dorsal outline slightly convex toward the
slightly declinate acute tip, the sides convex, the edges sharp and
overlapping with a slight notch near the tip; lower mandible with
the angle rather short and of moderate width, the dorsal line ascend-
ing and almost straight, the edges a little inclinate, the tip acute.
Gape-line straight ; nostrils basal, oval, operculate, partially concealed
by the feathers.
Head of ordinary size, ovate; neck short; body rather slender.
Feet of ordinary length, rather slender; tarsus compressed, covered
anteriorly with a few long scutella, sharp behind; toes slender, free,
the outer united as far as the second joint ; the hind toe proportionally
large ; claws arched, of moderate length, slender, much compressed,
tapering to a fine point.
Plumage soft, blended, without gloss. Wings rather long, little
curved; second and third quills longest, fourth almost equal, and
slightly longer than the first, which is scarcely a twelfth of an inch
shorter than the second ; outer secondaries slightly emarginate ; inner
not elongated. Tail rather long, slightly emarginate, the lateral fea-
thers bent outwards.
54 AUDUBON’S WARBLER.
Bill and feet black. Iris brown. The general colour of the plu-
mage above is ash-grey, streaked with black ; the crown, rump, upper
part of the throat and a patch on the sides, rich yellow; first row of
small coverts largely tipped, and secondary coverts broadly margined
with white, which thus forms a conspicuous patch on the wing. Quills
and tail brownish-black, narrowly margined with brownish-grey ; outer
margin of the two outer tail-feathers on each side white, and a patch
of the same colour on the inner webs of the outer three towards the
end. There is a small white spot on each of the eyelids; the loral
space and cheek are black; the lower part of the neck anteriorly, the
fore part of the breast, and the sides, are variegated with black and
white, the latter colour margining the feathers, the rest of the lower
parts white.
Length to end of tail 5? inches ; bill along the ridge 73; wing from
flexure 3,1, ; tail 23%; tarsus 3%; hind toe 3%, its claw 74, middle toe
4, its claw ?4.
Adult Female. Plate CCCXCV. Fig. 2.
The female is rather less, and wants the yellow spot on the crown,
although the feathers there are tinged with that colour at the base.
The upper parts are light brownish-grey, streaked with dusky ; the
lower parts whitish, tinged with brown, and streaked with dusky ; the
throat and rump are yellow, but of a paler tint than in the male, and there
are but slight indications of the yellow patch on the sides. The wings
and tail, are as in the male; but the two rows of coverts have much
less white on their outer edges, and the white patches on the tail-
feathers are of less extent.
Length to end of tail 53 inches ; bill along the ridge # ; wing from
flexure 214; tail 21.
In size, form, and proportions of parts Sylvia Auduboni, and S. coro-
nata are, it may be said precisely similar, the differences that can be
pointed out being extremely insignificant. Thus the bill is slightly
longer, and the tarsus slightly shorter in S. Auduboni. The colours of
the two species are also exactly alike, the only difference in this re-
spect being that the throat of this new species is yellow, while that of
the other is white.
HERMIT WARBLER.
SYLVIA OCCIDENTALIS, TOWNSEND.
PLATE CCCXCY. Mate anp FEMALE.
Or this species discovered by Dr TownsENpD and Mr Norvatt, in
the forests of the Columbia River, all that I know is contained in the
following notes from these enterprising naturalists :—‘“ The Hermit
Warbler,” says Mr Nutra t, “I have little doubt, breeds in the dark fo-
rests of the Columbia, where we saw and heard it singing in the month of
June. It isaremarkably shy and solitary bird, retirimg into the darkest
and most silent recesses of the evergreens, where, gaining a glimpse of
light by ascending the loftiest branches of the gigantic firs, it occupies
in solitude a world of its own, but seldom invaded even by the prying
Jay, who also retreats, asa last resort, to the same sad gloom. In con-
sequence of this eremitic predilection, it is with extreme difficulty that
we ever got sight of our wily and retiring subject, who, no doubt breeds
and feeds in the tops of these pines. Its song, frequently heard from
the same place, at very regular intervals, for an hour or two at a time,
is a soft, moody, faint, and monotonous note, apparently delivered
chiefly when the bird is at rest on some lofty twig, and within con-
venient hearing of its mate and only companion of the wilderness.”
Dr TownsEnn’s note is as follows :—“I shot this pair of birds near
Fort Vancouver, on the 28th of May 1835. I found them flitting
among the pine trees in the depth of a forest. They were actively
engaged in searching for insects, and were frequently seen hanging
from the twigs like Titmice. Their note was uttered at distant inter-
vals, and resembled very much that of the Black-throated Blue Warbler,
Syleia canadensis.”
Syivia occipenTALIs, Hermit WarsieEr, Townsend, Journal of Acad. of Nat.
Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. vii. p. 190.
Adult Male in Summer. Plate CCCXCV. Fig. 3.
Bill short, straight, rather strong, tapering, acute, its dorsal outline
very slightly convex, the sides convex, the gape-line straight. Head
of ordinary size, ovate ; neck short; body rather slender. Feet of or-
56 HERMIT WARBLER.
dinary length, rather slender ; tarsus compressed, covered anteriorly
with seven scutella, sharp behind; toes slender, free, the outer united
as far as the second joint; the hind toe proportionally large ; claws
arched, of moderate length, slender, much compressed, tapering to a
fine point.
Plumage soft, blended, without gloss. Wings of moderate length,
rather convex ; the outer three quills almost equal, the third longest ;
the inner secondaries not elongated. Tail of moderate length, slightly
emarginate.
Bill black ; iris brown; feet yellowish-brown. The general co-
lour of the upper parts is bluish-grey, spotted with black; the upper
part of the head, which is similarly spotted, the cheeks, and the sides
of the neck are bright yellow ; the throat black, the rest of the lower
parts white. The feathers of the wings are dusky, edged with grey-
ish-white ; and there are two transverse bands of white, formed by the
tips of the first row of small coverts and the outer webs of the second-
ary coverts. The tail-feathers are brown, excepting the two lateral on
each side, which are white.
Length to end of tail 532 inches; bill along the ridge 74; wing
from flexure 2;%; tail 1;%; tarsus 7; ; hind toe ;4, its claw 74; mid-
dle toe #2, its claw #4.
Adult Female. Plate CCCXCV. Fig. 4.
The bill and feet as in the male. The upper parts are of a duller
grey, tinged with brown ; the yellow of the head is less extended and
not so bright; the throat is whitish, spotted with dusky; the other
parts are similar.
THE STRAWBERRY TREE.
Evonymus Americanus, Willd. Sp. Pl. vol. i. p. 1132.—Punrsu, Flora Amer. vol.
i. p. 168.
This beautiful shrub, which attains a height of five or six feet, is
common in most parts of the United States, growing in low or swampy
ground, and in shady places, is characterized by having the branches
quadrangular, the leaves subsessile, elliptico-lanceolate, acute, and ser-
rate. The fruit is large, round, tuberculate, of a scarlet colour, and
very ornamental.
Ur ar)
BLACK-THROATED GREY WARBLER.
SYLVIA NIGRESCENS, TOWNSEND.
PLATE CCCXCV. Mate.
Tuts is another of the interesting species discovered and named
by Dr Townsenp, who informs me that it is called “4h Kah a qual”
by the Chinook Indians ; that it is abundant in the forests of the Co-
lumbia, where it breeds and remains until winter ; and that the nest,
formed externally of fibrous green moss, is generally placed on the
upper branches of the oak, suspended between two small twigs. Mr
Nurratt’s notice respecting it is as follows :—‘ This curious species,
so much resembling Sylvia striata, was seen to arrive early in May;
and from its song more regularly delivered at intervals, in the tops of
deciduous-leaved trees, we have little doubt but that they breed in the
forests of the Columbia. On the 23d of May I had the satisfaction of
harkening to the delicate but monotonous song of this bird, as he bu-
sily and intently searched every leafy bough and expanding bud for
larvee and insects in a spreading oak, from whence he delivered his
solitary note. Sometimes he remained a minute or two stationary,
but more generally continued his quest for prey. His song, at short
and regular intervals, seemed like ’t shee *t shay t shaitshee, varying the
feeble sound very little, and with the concluding note somewhat slen-
derly and plaintively raised.”
For the drawing of the plant represented in this plate, and no-
ticed in the preceding page, I am indebted to my much esteemed friend
Miss Martin.
SYLVIA NIGRESCENS, BLacK-THROATED GREY WaRBLER, Jownsend, Journ. of Acad.
of Nat. Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. vii. p. 191.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXCV. Figs. 5, 6.
Bill shortish, straight, rather strong, tapering, compressed toward
the end; upper mandible with the dorsal outline convex and declinate
toward the acute tip, the sides convex, the edges sharp and overlap-
ping, without notch; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded,
the dorsal line very slightly convex, the edges a little inclinate, the
58 BLACK-THROATED GREY WARBLER.
tip acute. Gape-line slightly arched ; nostrils basal, oval, operculate,
partially concealed by the feathers.
Head of ordinary size, ovato-oblong; neck short; body slender.
Feet of ordinary length, slender ; tarsus rather long, compressed, ante-
riorly covered with seven long scutella, of which the upper are blended
behind with two long plates, meeting so as to form a sharp edge ;
toes short, slender, free, the outer united as far as the second joint ;
the hind toe proportionally large, the inner toe shorter than the outer ;
claws arched, of moderate length, much compressed, laterally grooved,
very acute, that of the hind toe much stouter.
Plumage soft, blended, without gloss. Wings of moderate length,
little convex, pointed ; the outer three quills nearly equal, the second
longest, the fourth little shorter than the third, the outer primaries ra-
pidly graduated; secondaries narrow, the outer rounded and slightly
emarginate, the inner not elongated. ‘Tail rather long, slightly
rounded and emarginate, of twelve rather narrow and weak feathers.
Bill and feet black. Ivis brown. The general colour of the upper
parts is bluish-grey, streaked with black, of the lower white, the sides
marked with narrow black streaks; the upper part of the head and
nape, the loral space and cheeks, and the fore part of the neck, with a
small portion of the breast, black; a band from near the nostrils to
near the eye yellow; a band of white over the eye, and another from
the lower mandible along the side of the neck, white. The wings,
and tail are blackish-brown, the feathers edged with bluish-grey ; two
bands of white on the wing, formed by the tips of the first row of pri-
mary coverts, and the outer edges of the secondary coverts; the outer
margin of the first quill is also white; as are those of the outer two
feathers of the tail, with the greater part of the inner web of the outer
three.
Length to end of tail 5; bill along the ridge 72; wing from
flexure 2,8; tail 2; tarsus 3; hind toe 2%, its claw 7; middle toe
48 j
44, its claw 7%
The above description is taken from a male shot by Dr TownsEnp,
on the 16th June 1835, on the Columbia River. A male shot by him
on the 28th October of the same year, differs only in being of a more
uniform bluish-grey above, the black spots being concealed by the ~
elongated filaments, and there being more grey than black on the head.
GLAUCOUS GULL OR BURGOMASTER. 59
The black on the throat is in like manner partially concealed by the
white tips and margins of the feathers. Another male, shot on the
14th May, is intermediate in colouring.
In its colours this species has a considerable resemblance to Syl-
via varia, as well as to S. coronata and S. Auduboni, to which latter
two species it is more allied in form than to the former, which differs
in having the bill much longer and more compressed, the tarsus shorter,
and the hind toe much longer.
GLAUCOUS GULL OR BURGOMASTER.
LARUS GLAUcus, Brunn.
PLATE CCCXCVI. Aputt Mate anv Youne.
I rounp this species on the coast of Labrador in very small num-
bers, all paired, in the month of July; but our endeavours to dis-
cover their nests were unavailing, and their shyness, which surpassed
even that of the Great Black-backed Gull, prevented us from seeing
much of their habits. I have never met with one on any part of our
Atlantic coast, and Iam much disposed to believe that those which
may retire from the Arctic regions, where they are numerous, follow
the north-west shores of America, as is indeed the case with many of
the hyperborean birds, they giving an unaccountable preference to that
side of the continent. It is true that I have often been told at Boston
and New York that the Glaucous Gull had not unfrequently been pro-
cured there ; but in no instance could I place any reliance upon the
report, for when the supposed Glaucous Gull was shown to me, it pro-
ved to be merely a large specimen of the Herring Gull, Larus argentatus.
Dr Ricnarpson, who had good opportunities of observing this bird,
speaks of it as follows :-—
*« This large and powerful Gull inhabits Greenland, the Polar Seas,
Bafhn’s Bay, and the adjoining straits and coasts, in considerable num-
bers, during the summer. Its winter resorts in America have not
been mentioned by authors ; and the Prince of Musienano informs us,
that it is exceedingly rare in the United States. It is notoriously
60 GLAUCOUS GULL OR BURGOMASTER.
greedy and voracious, preying not only on fish and small birds, but on
carrion of every kind. One specimen killed on Captain Ross’s expedi-
tion disgorged an auk when it was struck, and proved, on dissection,
to have another in its stomach. Unless when impelled to exertion by
hunger, it is rather a shy inactive bird, and has little of the clamorous-
ness of others of the genus. ‘There is a considerable variety in the
size of individuals. Captain Sazine found most of his specimens
smaller than the Z. marinus, but the largest individual of either spe-
cies which he met with, was a male of L. glaucus, killed in Barrow’s
Strait. Its length was thirty-two inches; extent of wing sixty-five
inches ; weight four pounds and a quarter. Its tarsus was three inches
and a half long, and its bill, which was prodigiously strong and arched,
measured upwards of four inches. The eggs of this Gull are pale
purplish-grey, with scattered spots of umber-brown, and subdued laven-
der-purple.”
My figures were taken from specimens kindly presented to me by
my friend Captain James Crarxe Ross, R. N.
Larus exaucus, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 600.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p, 814.—
Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 361.
Larus ciaucus, BurcomastER GuLL, Richards. and Swains. Fauna Bor.-Amer.
vol. ii. p. 416.
Guiavucous Gut1, or BurcomastER, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 306.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXCVI. Fig. 1.
Bill shorter than the head, stout, compressed, higher near the end
than at the base. Upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight
for half its length, declinate and arched towards the end, the ridge
convex, the sides very rapidly sloping and slightly convex, the edges
sharp and somewhat inflected, the tip rather obtuse. Nasal groove
rather long and narrow ; nostrils in its fore part, lateral, longitudinal,
linear-oblong, wider anteriorly, pervious. Lower mandible with the
angle long and narrow, the outline of the crura decurved toward their
junction, where there is a prominence, beyond which the outline ascends
and is slightly concave, the sides erect and nearly flat, the edges sharp
and a little inflected.
Head large, ovato-oblong, narrowed anteriorly. Neck of moderate
length, strong. Body full. Feet of moderate length, rather slender ;
GLAUCOUS GULL OR BURGOMASTER. 61
tibia bare for three quarters of an inch; tarsus somewhat compressed,
covered anteriorly with numerous much curved scutella, laterally with
angular scales, behind with numerous smali rectangular scales ; hind
toe very small and elevated, the fore toes of moderate length, slender,
the fourth longer than the second, the third longest, all scutellate above,
and connected by reticulated entire membranes, the lateral toes mar-
gined externally with a thick narrow membrane. Claws small, slightly
arched, depressed, rounded, that of the middle toe with an expanded
thin inner margin.
The plumage is very full, close, elastic, soft, and blended, on the
back somewhat compact. Wings very long, rather broad, acute; the
first quill scarcely two-twelfths of an inch shorter than the second,
which is longest, the rest of the primaries rapidly graduated ; secon-
daries broad and rounded. Tail of moderate length, nearly even, being
slightly rounded, of twelve broad rounded feathers.
Bill gamboge yellow, with a carmine patch towards the end of the
lower mandible, and the edges of both mandibles at the base of the
same colour. Edges of eyelids red, iris yellow. Feet flesh-coloured,
claws yellowish. The head, neck, lower parts, rump, and tail, are pure
white ; the back and wings light greyish-blue ; the edges of the wing,
and a large portion toward the end of all the quills, white.
Length to end of tail 30 inches ; bill along the ridge 27%, along the
edge 34; wing from flexure 193; tail 82; tarsus 233; hind toe 24, its
claw %; second toe 79, its claw #5; middle toe 25%, its claw £% ; outer
toe 21, its claw 7b.
The Female, which is somewhat less, resembles the male.
Young in full plumage. Plate CCCXCVI. Fig 2.
The bill is yellow to a little beyond the nostrils, black at the end ;
the feet flesh-coloured, the claws dusky. The iris brown. The gene-
ral colour of the plumage is very pale yellowish-brown ; the feathers
of the back with a large dusky spot towards the end; the quills and
tail-feathers barred with the same.
( 62 )
SCARLET IBIS.
IBIS RUBRA, VIEILL.
PLATE CCCXCVII. Aputt Mate anno Younse.
Ir was supposed by Witson, and since his time by others, that this
brilliantly coloured Ibis is not uncommon in the southern parts of the
United States. This opinion however is quite erroneous, and I have
found the Scarlet Ibis less numerous than even the Glossy Ibis; indeed
I have not met with more than three individuals in a state of liberty, in
the whole range of the United States. These birds occurred at Bayou
Sara, in Louisiana, on the 3d of July 1821. They were travelling in
a line, in the manner of the White Ibis, above the tops of the trees.
Although I had only a glimpse of them, I saw them sufficiently well
to be assured of their belonging to the present species, and therefore I
have thought it proper to introduce it into our Fauna. Writson’s figure,
I believe, was taken from a living specimen, not however procured with-
in the limits of the United States, and which was kept for some time
in Peale’s Museum in Philadelphia. My drawing of the adult male,
and that of the immature bird, were made from specimens also procured
beyond our limits. It is said that the habits of this bird are very si-
milar to those of the White Ibis, of which I have given you a long ac-
count; but, as I have not had opportunities of observing them, I judge
it better to abstain from offering any remarks on this subject.
TanTALUs RUBER, Linn, Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 241.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 703.
Scanrer Isis, Tanratus RuBER, Wils. Amer. Ornith, vol. viii. p. Al, pl. 66, fig. 2.
Isis ruBRa, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 311.
Scarier Isis, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 84. ‘
Adult Male. Plate CCCXCVII, Fig. 1.
Bill very long, slender unless at the base, deeper than broad, com-
pressed, tapering, arcuate, obtuse at the tip. Upper mandible with
the dorsal line arched in its whole length, the ridge convex, broader to-
ward the end, the sides at the base nearly erect, towards the end very
convex and narrow, the ridge separated in its whole length from the
SCARLET IBIS. 63
sides by a deep narrow groove, the edges inflected and sharp. Nostrils
basal, dorsal linear, direct. Lower mandible nearly equal to the upper,
narrower toward the end, its angle long, very narrow, and protracted in
the form of a groove to the tip, the dorsal line decurved, the sides erect
on the crura, convex toward the end, the edges sharp but strong, like
those of the upper.
Head small, compressed ; neck long and slender ; body rather full,
deeper than broad. Feet very long, stout; tibiz bare about a third of
their length, and covered all round with hexagonal scales ; tarsi long,
moderately compressed ; anteriorly covered with numerous broad scu-
tella, the rest with hexagonal scales, toes long, the first small and slen-
der, the third longest, the fourth considerably shorter, the second shorter
than the fourth, all covered above with numerous scutella, laterally with
angular scales, beneath flattened, with thick soft margins ; the anterior
connected at the base by membranes, of which the outer is larger ; claws
small, arched, compressed, obtuse, that of the middle toe with a sharp
thin edge.
Anterior part of the forehead, sides of the head to beyond the eyes,
skin at the base of the lower mandible, and the upper part of the throat
bare. Plumage in general soft, rather blended; the feathers of the
head and neck narrow, of the other parts ovate. Wings long, ample ;
primaries very strong, the third longest, the fourth longer than the se-
cond, the first longer than the fifth; secondaries broad and rounded.
Tail short, arched, nearly even, of twelve rounded feathers.
Bill, feet, and bare parts of the head, pale lake. Iris yellow. The
plumage is of a nearly uniform bright scarlet, excepting the shafts of
the quills and tail-feathers, which are white, and the terminal portion
of the outer four primaries, which are bluish-black.
Length to end of tail 29 inches ; bill along the ridge 63; along the
edge of lower mandible 64; wing from flexure 11}; tail 3354; bare
part of tibia 144 ; tarsus 33%; ; hind toe 174, its claw 7% ; second toe 1,%,
its claw 3% ; third toe 7, its clawz% ; fourth toe 274, its claw 4.
Young assuming the plumage of the adult. Plate CCCXCVII.
In its first plumage the young has the bill and feet brownish-grey,
the bare parts of the head pale flesh-colour ; the plumage of the head,
neck, and upper parts of a uniform brownish-grey ; that of the lower
white ; the quills and tail-feathers dusky.
Individuals of this species differ much in size,
( 64 )
LAZULI FINCH.
FRINGILLA Amana, Bonap.
PLATE CCCXCVIII. Mate.
Tue Lazuli Finch, one of the handsomest of its tribe, and allied to
the Indigo Bird, Fringilla cyanea, was added to our Fauna by Tuomas
Say, who procured it in the course of Lone’s expedition already men-
tioned. A figure of the only specimen then obtained was given in the
continuation of Witson’s American Ornithology by the Prince of Mu-
sicNano. It has been my good fortune to procure a fine pair from Dr
TTownsEND, who shot them on the Columbia River, on the 3d of June
1836, so that I have been enabled to represent the female, which has
not hitherto been figured, as well as the male. That enterprising na-
turalist has informed me, that “ the Chinook Indians name this species
Tilkonapaooks, and that it is rather a common bird on the Columbia, but
is always shy and retiring in its habits, the female being very rarely
seen. It possesses lively and pleasing powers of song, which it pours
forth from the top branches of moderate-sized trees. Its nest, which
is usually placed in the willows along the margins of the streams, is
composed of small sticks, fine grasses, and cow or buffalo hair.”
A nest of this species presented to me by Mr Nutra tt, who found
it on the Columbia River, is fastened between thestemand two branches
of a large fern, round which many of the fibres are woven. It is fun-
nel-shaped, six inches in length, three inches in breadth externally at
the mouth, from which it gradually tapers. Internally its diameter at
the mouth is two inches, and its depth three. It is composed of fibrous
lichens, mosses, decayed leaves and grasses, of coarse texture and rudely
interwoven. It is lined with finer fibres and a few horse hairs.
The figure of the female will be seen in Plate CCCCX XIV, Fig. 1.
Lazuxir Fincu, Frincinta ama@na, Ch. Bonaparte, Amer. Ornith. vol. i. p. 61,
pl. 6, fig. 4.
Frinciiia amena, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 106.
Lazutt Fincu, Wuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 473.
LAZULI FINCH. 65
Adult Male in summer. Plate CCCXCVIII. Fig. 1.
Bill short, robust, conical, a little bulging, straight, acute ; upper
mandible broader, its dorsal outline somewhat convex, the ridge nar-
row, the sides sloping and a little convex, the edges sharp, with a slight
notch close to the narrow declinate tip; gape-line a little deflected at
the base; nostrils basal, roundish, partly concealed by the feathers ;
lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line ascend-
ing and very slightly convex, the sides rounded, the edges involute,
the tip acute.
Head of moderate size, broadly ovate; neck short; body rather
full. Feet of ordinary length; tarsus much compressed, covered an-
teriorly with seven scutella, of which the upper are blended, posteriorly
with two long plates, meeting so as to form a very thin edge; toes
free, of moderate size, the first large, the lateral equal, the middle
toe longer than the first. Claws slender, compressed, well arched,
acute. |
Plumage full, soft, blended. Wings of ordinary length, the second
and third quills longest, the first nearly one-twelfth of an inch shorter
and about equal to the fourth; outer secondaries slightly emarginate,
inner not elongated. ‘Tail of moderate length, emarginate, of twelve
obtuse feathers.
Bill and feet brownish-black. The head and neck all round are of
a beautiful greenish-blue, as are the hind part of the back and rump;
the loral space black; the fore part of the back, the scapulars, the
wings and tail are brownish-black, all the feathers margined with blue ;
the wing crossed by a conspicuous white ‘band formed by the first row
of small coverts, and an obscure band of bluish-white formed by the
tips of the secondary coverts. On the fore part of the breast is a broad
band of light brownish-red ; the sides, lower wing-coverts, and tibial
feathers are bluish-grey ; the rest of the lower parts white.
Length! to end of tail 53% inches; bill along the ridge #4; wing
from flexure 37, ; tail 244; tarsus 7; hind toe 4%, its claw 7; middle
6 j 28
toe $2, its claw 74.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXXIV. Fig. 1.
The Female has the bill and feet like those of the male ; the upper
parts light greyish-brown, the hind part of the back and the rump
greenish-blue, but of a faint tint; the cheeks and throat pale reddish-
VOL, V. E
66 CLAY-COLOURED BUNTING.
grey; the lower part of the neck, and the fore part of the breast light
greyish-red, the sides, lower wing-coverts, and tibial feathers light
brownish-grey, the rest of the lower parts white. The wings and tail
are blackish-brown, the feathers slightly edged with blue ; the trans-
verse bar on the wing narrower than‘in the male, and brownish-white.
Length to end of tail 5,4 inches; bill along the ridge #, ; wing
from flexure 2'$; tail 24; tarsus 74, hind toe and claw 7%; middle
toe and claw 23.
CLAY-COLOURED BUNTING.
EMBERIZA PALLIDA, SWAINSON.
PLATE CCCXCVIII. Mate.
Tuis homely-looking little bird was discovered by Dr Ricnarpson,
who states that it ‘* visits the Saskatchewan in considerable numbers,
frequents the farm-yard at Carlton House, and is as familiar and con-
fident as the common house-sparrow of England.” My friend Mr Nort-
TALL, in speaking of it as allied to Fringilla pusilla of Witson, states
that it is distinct in its habits, it being a prairie bird, not seen in the
woods, and occurring only in spring, although in all other points it
agrees with the species just mentioned. It was not met with by him
far up the Platte, but is supposed to visit the prairies of the Missouri
down to the line of settlements. My drawing represents a male. A
female in my possession differs only in being rather smaller.
EMBERIZA PALLIDA, CLay-coLoURED Buntine, Richards. and Swains. Fauna Bo-
reali-Americana, vol. ii. p. 251.
Ciay-coLouRED Buntine, Vutiall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 584.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXCVIII. Fig. 2.
Bill short, strong, conical, compressed toward the end, acute ; upper
mandible rather broader than the lower at the base, but less deep be-
yond the nostrils, its dorsal line declinate and slightly convex, the sides
convex, the edges direct, the gape-line ascending to beyond the nos~
tiie dik oe
CLAY-COLOURED BUNTING. 67
trils, afterwards straight, the tip acute ; loyver mandible with the angle
short and rounded, the dorsal line almost straight, the sides rounded ;
the edges inflected, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, roundish, partially
concealed by the feathers.
Head ovate, of moderate size; neck short; body rather slender.
Feet of moderate length, slender; tarsus compressed, with seven an-
terior scutella, and two plates behind, meeting so as to form a sharp
edge ; toes free, the first stronger, the third much longer than the late-
ral, of which the inner is somewhat shorter than the outer; claws of
moderate length, arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, acute.
Plumage soft and blended, on the back rather compact. Wings of
moderate length, rather rounded, the first quill two-twelfths of an inch
shorter than the second, which is scarcely longer than the third and
fourth, the other primaries slowly graduated ; the secondaries rounded,
the inner not elongated. Tail long, emarginate, of twelve narrow
feathers, of which the middle are three-twelfths of an inch shorter
than the outer.
Bill yellow, greyish-brown toward the end. Feet flesh-coloured,
claws dusky brown. The general colour of the upper parts is light
yellowish-brown, each feather having a central streak of brownish-
black ; the streaks on the rump are fainter and more slender. The quills
and tail-feathers greyish-brown, narrowly margined with brownish-
white. Over the eye is a long band of brownish-white ; the cheeks are
pale brown, the sides of the neck are very light buff, the rest of the lower
parts greyish-white, the sides of the body tinged with greyish-brown.
Length to end of tail 5,2, inches; bill along the ridge # ; wing from
flexure 274; tail 23%; tarsus #}; hind toe 3, its claw 7; middle toe
Bas 23
73, its claw 73.
The Female is similar to the male, but has less yellow on the sides
of the neck, and is somewhat smaller.
Lenth to end of tail 5;% inches; bill along the ridge #4 ; wing from
flexure 274; tail 23; tarsus 7; hind toe and claw 3%; middle toe
and claw 75.
This species has some resemblance to F’ringilla pusilla, from which,
however, it is easily distinguishable. The bill is longer and much
more slender, its wings and tail also longer, and the latter more deeply
emarginate. There are none of the reddish-brown tints conspicuous
68 OREGON SNOW-FINCH.
in the Field Sparrow, which, moreover, has the gape-line less deflected
at the base, and has the palate concave, in place of being knobbed.
The specimens from which the above descriptions have been taken were
procured on the 15th of June 1834, on the Rocky Mountains, by Dr
TowNsEND.
OREGON SNOW-FINCH.
FRINGILLA OREGONA, TOWNSEND.
PLATE CCCXCVIII. Mare anp FEMALE.
Tuis species, which is so nearly allied to our Common Snow Bird,
Fringilla nivalis, is another of those recently added to our Fauna by
Dr TownsEnp, from whom I purchased several specimens. All that I
know of its habits is derived from the following notice given me by
Mr Nourratu. “ It was first seen by us in the woods of the Columbia,
in the autumn and winter, flitting about in small flocks, always in the
forest, never in the open fields, or on the way-sides. At this time they
rarely utter an occasional chirp, or remain wholly silent. We after-
wards saw them inhabiting the same woods throughout the summer,
in diminished numbers, or in pairs, but I do not recollect hearing them
utter any song, though they are probably not silent in the season of
breeding. With the nest, eggs, and young I am not acquainted.”
I have represented the male and female from specimens procured
by Dr TownsEnpd on the Columbia River, on the 5th October 1834.
Frineitta Orecana Orecan Snow Fincu, Townsend, Journ. of Acad. of Nat.
Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. vii. p. 188.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXCVIII. Fig. 3.
Bill short, rather small, conical, considerably compressed, acute ;
upper mandible a little broader than the lower, its dorsal line straight,
slightly declinate at the tip, the sides convex, the edges slightly in-
flected, but overlapping; the gape-line straight ; lower mandible with
the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex,
eps
OREGON SNOW-FINCH. 69
the edges a little inflected, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, roundish,
concealed by the feathers.
Head rather large, broadly ovate ; neck short; body full. Feet of
moderate length; tarsus rather short, stout, with seven anterior scu-
tella, of which the upper are blended, sharp-edged behind ; toes rather
strong, the first stout, the middle one considerably longer than the la-
teral, which are equal; claws rather long, arched, compressed, laterally
grooved, tapering to a fine point. _
Plumage very soft and blended. Wings shortish, curved, rounded,
the first quill three and a half twelfths of an inch shorter than the se-
cond, which is half a twelfth shorter than the third, and about the same
length as the fourth; the secondaries rounded. Tail rather long,
slightly emarginate.
Bill reddish-white, the tip dusky. Iris hazel. Feet and claws flesh-
coloured. The head, neck all round, and a portion of the breast black,
the feathers faintly margined with grey; the rest of the lower parts
white, excepting the sides, which are tinged with brown. The fore
part of the back is dark reddish-brown, the hind parts dull grey. The
smaller coverts, secondary coverts, and inner secondaries are dusky,
with broad light-brown margins; the primary coverts, and the rest of
the quills brownish-black, narrowly edged with brownish-white. The
tail is of the same dark colour as the wings, excepting the two outer
feathers on each side, which are white, the second, however, having a
part of the outer web dusky, and the third having a white streak on the
inner web toward the end.
Length to end of tail 61 inches ; bill along the ridge #4; wing from
flexure 374; tail 274; tarsus +2; hind toe 74, its claw #4; middle toe
eS , a
44, its claw #3.
Adult Female. Plate CCCXCVIII. Fig. 4.
The Female has the bill and feet coloured like those of the male.
The head and neck are blackish-grey, the feathers edged with paler ;
the back and wing-coverts dull reddish-brown ; the wings and tail as
in the male; the breast and abdomen white, the sides pale reddish-
brown.
Length to end of tail 53 inches; bill along the ridge 7; wing
from flexure 3; tail 274; tarsus 24; hind toe and claw £4; middle toe
and claw 34.
70 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.
Tue Liserty Busu.
Aza.ea nupiriora, Willd. Sp. Pl. vol i. p. 831.—Punsu, Fl. Amer, vol. ii. p. 152.
—Pentanpria Monoeynia, Linn.
This plant, of which the drawing was made by Miss Marty, oc-
curs in dry situations in most parts of the United States, from their
northern limits to Florida, and exhibits many varieties in the colour
and size of its flowers. It is characterized by having the flowers nearly
naked ; the leaves lanceolato-oblong, smoothish on both sides, ciliated
on the margins; the flowers large, not viscid, with the tube longer
than the segments ; the teeth of the calyx short and roundish, the sta-
mens very long,
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.
SYLVIA VIRENS, Latu.
PLATE CCCXCIX. Mate anp Femare.
I nave traced this species from the Texas to Newfoundland, al-
though at considerable intervals, along our Atlantic coasts, it being of
rare occurrence or wanting in some parts, while in others it is abun-
dant; but in no portion of the United States have I met with it so plen-
tiful as around Eastport in Maine, where I saw it in the month of May.
Many remain all summer in that State, as well as in Massachusetts,
and the northern parts of New York ; and some are found at that sea-
son even in the higher portions of Pennsylvania. On the coast of La-
brador it was not observed by me or any of my party, and it is not
mentioned by Dr Ricuarpson as having been seen in the Fur Countries.
Its habits are intermediate between those of many of our Warblers
and the Vireos, the notes of which latter it in a great measure assumes.
It usually makes its appearance in Maryland and New Jersey about
the first week of May, when it is observed to be actively engaged in
BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER. 7]
searching for food, regardless as it were of the presence of man. Its
movements when proceeding northward are rapid, and it advances
through the woods solitarily or nearly so, it being seldom that more
than two or three are found together at this time, or indeed during the
breeding season, at which period each pair appropriates to itself a cer-
tain extent of ground. Its retrogade march is also rapid, and by the
middle of October they all seem to have passed beyond the limits of
our most southern States.
The food of this species consists during the summer months of va-
rious kinds of flies and caterpillars, many of the former of which it
captures by darting after them from its perch, in the manner of Fly-
catchers and Vireos, emitting like them also a clicking sound from its
bill. In the autumn it is often seen feeding on small berries of vari-
ous sorts, in which respect also it resembles the birds just mentioned.
I never found the nest of this bird, of which, however, Mr Nutraty
has given a minute description, which I shall here, with his permission,
place before you. ‘“ Last summer (1830), on the 8th of June, I was
so fortunate as to find a nest of this species in a perfectly solitary situa-
tion, on the Blue Hills of Milton. The female was now sitting, and
about to hatch. The nest was in a low, thick, and stunted Virginia
juniper. When I approached near to the nest, the female stood mo-
tionless on its edge, and peeped down in such a manner that I imagined
her to be a young bird; she then darted directly to the earth and ran,
but when, deceived, I sought her on the ground, she had very expertly
disappeared ; and I now found the nest to contain four roundish eggs,
white, inclining to flesh-colour, variegated, more particularly at the
great end, with pale purplish points of various sizes, interspersed with
other large spots of brown and blackish. The nest was formed of cir-
cularly entwined fine stripes of the inner bark of the juniper, and the
tough white fibrous bark of some other plant, then bedded with soft
feathers of the Robin, and lined with a few horse hairs, and some slen-
der tops of bent grass ( Agrostis ).”
My friend describes the notes of this species as follows :—“ This
simple, rather drawling, and somewhat plaintive song, uttered at short
intervals, resembles the syllables "te de’ territica, sometimes tederisca,
pronounced pretty loud and slow, and the tones proceeding from high
to low.” These notes I am well acquainted with, but none can de-
scribe the songs of our different species like Norra,
72 BLACK-THROATED GREEN WARBLER.
I have represented the male and female; the latter, I believe, has
not been hitherto figured.
Syivra virens, Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 537.
Biack-THROATED GREEN Wanreter, Sytvia ViIRENS, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. ii.
p- 127, pl. 17, fig. 3.
Syzvia vrrens, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 80.
Biack-THRoATED GREEN Warster, Nuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 376.
Adult Male. Plate CCCXCIX. Fig. 4.
Bill short, straight, rather strong, ‘tapering, compressed toward the
end, acute ; its dorsal line very slightly convex, the sides convex, the
notch extremely small, the gape-line straight ; lower mandible with the
angle short and broad, the dorsal line ascending and nearly straight,
the edges a little inflected, the tip acute. Nostrils basal, oblong.
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck short ; body slender. Feet of
ordinary length, slender; tarsus extremely compressed, covered ante-
riorly with seven scutella, of which the upper are blended, sharp be-
hind; toes slender, free ; the first proportionally stout, the third much
longer than the lateral, which are nearly equal ; claws arched, of mo-
derate length, slender, much compressed, tapering to a fine point.
Plumage soft, blended. Slight bristles at the base of the upper
mandible. Wings of moderate length; the outer three quills nearly
equal, the second, which is longest, exceeding the first by only a quarter
of a twelfth; the outer secondaries faintly emarginate, the inner rounded.
Tail of moderate length, slightly emarginate, the middle feathers be-
ing two twelfths of an inch shorter than the longest.
Bill black ; feet dusky. Iris hazel. The general colour of the up-
per parts is yellowish-green ; the anterior part of the forehead, a band
over the eye, the cheeks and the sides of the neck, bright yellow; the
fore part of the neck, the anterior part of the sides, and some spots on
the hind part of the latter, black; the rest of the lower parts white.
Quills and tail-feathers brownish-black ; two bands of white on the
wing, formed by the first row of small coverts, and the tips of the se-
condary coverts. The quills are margined with greenish-white ; the
greater part of the outer two tail-feathers, and a patch on the inner
web of the next, white.
Length to end of tail 44$ inches ; bill along the ridge #4 ; wing from
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER. 73
flexure 24; tail 2;,; tarsus #4; hind toe 7%; its claw 3%; middle toe
ae
zz, its claw ?4.
Adult Female. Plate CCCXCIX. Fig. 2.
The Female; which is somewhat smaller than the male, has the up-
per parts similar, with less yellow on the forehead, the loral space, a
band under the eye and the auriculars greenish ; the yellow band over
the eye less bright, and the yellow on the sides of the neck of less ex-
tent. The fore part of the neck is white, tinged with yellow above,
and with grey beneath ; the lower parts are white as in the male, and
the sides are streaked with black; the white markings on the wings
and tail, as in the male, but of less extent.
Length to end of tail 43 inches ; bill along the ridge #4 ; wing from
flexure 27% ; tail 2; tarsus { ; hind toe ?#, its claw 7g; middle toe 34,
its claw 3.
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.
SYLVIA BLACKBURNIZ, Latu.
PLATE CCCXCIX. Frmate.
I nave nothing to add to the account given in vol. ii. p. 208, of the
habits of this species. It was not observed by either Mr Nurratt or
Dr TownsEnp on the Rocky Mountains or on the shores of the Pa-
cific Ocean. My young friend Dr Tuomas Brewer of Boston, having
kindly furnished me with a description of a nest of this Warbler found
by him, I introduce it here, as illustrative of the differences as to con-
struction and materials which these fabrics often exhibit. In a letter,
dated October 30. 1837, he says, ‘“‘ I had the extreme good fortune to
obtain the nest and eggs of this bird the past summer. I presume
a short account of them will not be amiss, it being extremely rare in
this part of the country so far to the south. The nest is rather sloven-
ly built of dry grass, leaves, and strips of the bark of the grape-vine
74 BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.
loosely put together, and is lined with a few horse hairs and fine grass.
It measures three inches in external breadth, two internal, and is two
and a half inches deep externally, and two inside. The eggs are ex-
tremely beautiful, having on a crystal white ground dots and lines of
a reddish-brown, chiefly disposed at the larger end. They measure
eleven-sixteenths of an inch in length, by seventeen thirty-second parts
in breadth. They are in the shape of an abrupt cone, and at slight view
would seem to be oval. This is the only instance in which I have
known them breed in Massachusetts.”
The Female is here represented, I believe, for the first time.
Syztvia Bracxsurntia, Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 257.
Adult Female. Plate CCCXCIX. Fig. 3.
The Male having been minutely described in the second volume, it is
unnecessary to give the proportions of the female, which are similar.
The bill and feet are of a lighter tint; the general colour of the upper
parts is light olivaceous, each feather dusky in the centre, those on the
middle of the back and the upper tail-coverts with a more distinct
blackish patch, the former margined externally with white; the wings
and tail are marked with white like those of the male, but are of a
lighter or dusky brown tint. There is a faint greenish-yellow spot
on the top of the head, the feathers on which part are tipped with
dusky; the band over the eye is dull yellow, that on the lore and cheek
brown, the fore part of the neck is also yellow, tinged however with
orange ; the sides are less strongly streaked with black.
Length, to end of tail, 4;% inches ; bill along the ridge # ; along
the edges of lower mandible § ; wing from flexure 27; tail 234;
tarsus 3, ; hind toe 72, its claw 23; middle toe xz, its claw #.
( 75 )
MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER.
SYLVIA MACGILLIVRAYI.
PLATE CCCXCIX. Mate anp FemMate.
Wuen I first saw the specimens of this bird, which had been trans-
mitted by Dr Townsenp to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Phi-
ladelphia, I considered them as identical with Sylvia Philadelphia of
Wuson ; but on subsequently comparing them with a number of in-
dividuals of the latter species, procured by my friend Epwarp Har-
Ris, Esq. in our Middle and Eastern Districts, I found differences suf-
ficient to indicate their being specifically distinct. In consequence of
this first impression, the two figures in the plate representing a male
and a female procured on the Columbia River, were erroneously named
“Mourning Warbler, Sylvia Philadelphia.” But now, thinking that I
cannot do better than dedicate this pretty little bird to my excellent
friend Wittiam Maccittivray, Esq., I feel much pleasure in intro-
ducing it to the notice of the ornithological world, under a name which
I trust will endure as long as the species itself.
Dr TownsEnp, who found it on the banks of the Columbia, states
that it is “ mostly solitary and extremely wary, keeping chiefly in the
most impenetrable thickets, and gliding through them in a cautious
and suspicious manner. It may, however, sometimes be seen towards
mid-day perched upon a dead twig over its favourite places of conceal-
ment, and at such times warbles a very sprightly and pleasant little
song, raising its head until its bill is almost vertical, swelling its throat
in the manner of its relatives.”
Mr Norratz has also favoured me with the following interesting
account of it.—‘* This species is one of the most common summer resi-
dents of the woods and plains of the Columbia, appearing early in May,
and remaining until the approach of winter. After the manner of the
Maryland Yellow-throat, it keeps near the ground in low bushes, where
it gleans its subsistence. When surprised or closely observed, it is shy
and jealous, immediately skulking off, and sometimes uttering a loud
snapping clink. Its note has occasionally the hurried rattling sound
of Turdus aurocapillus, resembling Ptsh Ptsh tish tsheetee, alternating inta
76 MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER.
ish tsh tsh teet "shee. Another male, on the skirts of a thicket, called
out at short intervals vish vishtyu, changing to vit vit vit vityw and vit
vit vityu, sometimes, when approached, dropping his voice and abbre-
viating his song. Another had a call of wisht visht, visht e visht Pshew
and visht visht vishteshew or vititshee. On the 12th of June, a nest of
this species was brought to me, containing two young birds nearly
quite fledged, in the garb of the mother, pale yellow beneath, and
brightish yellow-olive above. The nest was chiefly made of stripes of
the inner scaly bark of probably the White Cedar, Thuya occidentalis,
lined with slender wiry stalks of dry weeds, and concealed near the
ground in the dead mossy limbs of a fallen oak, and further partly
hidden by a long tuft of Usnea. It was less artificial than the nest of
the Yellow-throat, but of the same general appearance, and concealed
in a similar situation, probably in a thicket near the ground. On re-
turning the nest to the place it had been taken from, I had almost im-
mediately the satisfaction of seeing the anxious parents come to feed
their charge, and for some days they shewed great anxiety on being
approached.”
« This,” says my friend Mr Harris, “ is the warbler that so closely
resembles the S. Philadelphia. Mr 'Townsenp has brought in more
specimens, which agree with the others in the very distinctive mark of
the white eyelids, with dark spots from the base of the bill to the eyes,
and also dark on the front at the root of the upper mandible. I can-
not but think it entirely distinct.”
Syztvra MaceityivRayti.
Adult Male in Summer. Plate CCCXCIX. Fig. 4.
Bill short, straight, conico-subulate, compressed toward the end,
acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line declinate, straight, a little
convex at the end, the ridge narrow, the sides convex, the edges direct
and overlapping, with a slight notch, the tip narrow; lower mandible
with the angle of moderate length and narrow, the dorsal line ascend-
ing and slightly convex, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the tip
acute; the gape-line straight. Nostrils basal, lateral, oblong, opercu-
late, exposed.
Head of moderate size, ovato-oblong; neck short; body rather
slender. Feet rather long; tarsus slender, longer than the middle toe,
MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER. 77
much compressed, covered before with seven scutella, behind with two
longitudinal plates meeting so as to form a thin edge; the lateral toes
nearly equal, the third much longer, and united at the base to the
fourth, hind toe stronger and rather large ; claws moderately arched,
extremely compressed, laterally grooved, acute.
Plumage soft and blended, with little gloss; wings rather short,
somewhat concave; the second, third, and fourth primaries having the
outer web cut out toward the end; the second quill is longest, the third
a quarter of a twelfth of an inch shorter, the fourth half a twelfth
shorter than the third, and one-twelfth longer than the first ; the other
primaries very slowly graduated, the longest or second being only five
and a half twelfths longer than the first secondary. All the quills,
primary as well as secondary, are rounded; and there are only nine
primaries. Tail rather long, rather narrow, slightly divaricate and
considerably rounded, the lateral feathers a quarter of an inch shorter
than the middle, which are longest; all the feathers rather narrow, but
scarcely pointed.
Upper mandible brownish-black, its edges in their whole length
pale yellowish flesh-colour, as is the lower mandible, which, however,
is a little dusky at the end. Iris hazel. Feet and claws flesh-coloured.
The upper part of the head, the hind part and sides of the neck, are
deep ash-grey, tinged with blue; the back, scapulars, and rump light
olive-green ; the wings and tail greyish-brown, the edge of the wing
and the outer margin of the first quill bright yellow, the other primaries
narrowly edged with greenish-yellow, the secondaries of a paler brown
externally, as are the tail-feathers. From the ridge of the upper man-
dible to the eye is a broad band of velvet-black, which extends a little
way under the eye; on each eyelid is a distinct patch of pure white,
but that colour does not surround the eye, the marginal feathers of the
eyelids being black before and behind. The fore part of the neck and
a portion of the breast, to the distance of an inch and five-twelfths from
the bill, are greyish-black, with lunulate greyish-white markings, each
feather being margined with that colour; the breast, abdomen, lower
tail-coverts, and lower wing-coverts, are bright yellow, the sides of the
body yellowish-green.
Length to end of tail 5 inches, extent of wings 62; bill along the
ridge 7%, along the edge of lower mandible 74 ; wing from flexure 2,5 ;
tail 2,4; tarsus 12; hind toe 7, its claw »; middle toe ,%, its claw
Th
78 MACGILLIVRAY’S WARBLER.
Adult Female. Plate CCCXCIX. Fig. 5.
The Female, which is scarcely smaller, resembles the male in the
upper parts, but has the head and sides of the neck of a lighter grey,
which colour also extends over the lower part of the fore neck and a
portion of the breast, leaving the throat greyish-white. The eyelids
are edged with white, as in the male ; and the lower parts are, as in it,
bright yellow. The bill and feet have the same colours as those of the
male.
Length to end of tail 5 inches ; bill along the ridge ; ; wing from
flexure 243; tail 2,3,; tarsus 32; hind toe and claw 7%; middle toe
83
and claw #3.
The above descriptions are taken from a male and a female obtained
by Dr 'TownsEnp on the Columbia River, in May 1835. Three other
males shot at the same time agree with that described in size, propor-
tion of parts, and colours, but vary a little in the tint of the head, which
in some is of a lighter grey. In all, the black loral band is very con-
spicuous, as are the white marks on the eyelids.
The young are stated by Mr NurrAtt to resemble the female.
This species, as has already been observed, is very intimately allied
in form, proportions, colours, and habits, with that described by W11-
son, under the name of ‘‘ Mourning Warbler, Sylvia Philadelphia.” His
account of it is as follows:—‘ The bird from which the figure in the
plate was taken, was shot in the early part of June, on the border of a
marsh, within a few miles of Philadelphia. It was flittimg from one
low bush to another, very busy in search of insects, and had a sprightly
and pleasant warbling song, the novelty of which first attracted my
attention. I have traversed the same and many such places, every
spring and autumn since, in expectation of again meeting with some
individual of the species, but without success. I have, however, the
satisfaction to say, that the drawing was done with the greatest atten-
tion to peculiarity of form, markings, and tint of plumage; and the
figure on the plate is a good resemblance to the original.
The Mourning warbler is five inches long, and seven in extent ;
the whole back, wings, and tail, are of a deep greenish-olive, the tips
of the wings, and the centre of the tail-feathers excepted, which are
brownish ; the whole head is of a dull slate-colour, the breast is orna-
MOURNING WARBLER. 79
mented with a singular crescent of alternate transverse lines of pure
glossy white, and very deep black; all the rest of the lower parts are
of a brilliant yellow ; the tail is rounded at the end; legs and feet, a
pale flesh-colour ; bill brownish-black above, lighter below ; eye hazel.”
This single bird, thus procured and described, was supposed by
some to' be merely a variety of another species. But several indivi-
duals have been found since, and I have in my possession two males,
presented to me by Mr Harris, who procured them near Philadelphia,
This species I have not represented in my Illustrations, having at first
conceived it to be identical with the specimens from the Columbia
River ; but its description may here be introduced with propriety.
MOURNING WARBLER.
SYLVIA PHILADELPHIA, WIL1s.
Movurnine WaRBLER, Sytvia PuitapELPuia, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 101,
pl. 14, fig. 6.
Syrvia Puinapenrauia, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 85.
Movenine Warster, WVutiall, Manual, vol. i. p. 404.
Bill short, straight, conico-subulate, compressed toward the end,
acute ; upper mandible with the dorsal line declinate, straight, a little
convex at the end, the ridge narrow, the sides convex, the edges direct
and overlapping, with a slight notch, the tip narrow ; lower mandible
with the angle of moderate length and narrow, the dorsal line ascend-
ing and slightly convex, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the tip
acute ; the gape-line straight. Nostrils basal, lateral, operculate, ex-
posed.
Head of moderate size, ovato-oblong ; neck short; body rather
slender ; feet rather long ; tarsus slender, longer than the middle toe,
much compressed, covered before with seven scutella, behind with two
longitudinal plates meeting so as to form a thin edge; the lateral toes
meeting so as to form a thin edge; the lateral toes nearly equal, the
third much longer, and united at the base to the fourth, hind toe
80 MOURNING WARBLER.
stronger and rather large ; claws moderately arched, extremely com-
pressed, laterally grooved, acute.
Plumage soft and blended, with little gloss; wings of moderate
length, somewhat concave ; the second, third, and fourth primaries
having the outer web cut out toward the end ; the second quill is long-
est, the third scarcely a quarter of the twelfth of an inch shorter, the
fourth half a twelfth shorter than the third, and a quarter of a twelfth
shorter than the first; the other primaries slowly graduated, the long-
est or second being only eight and a half twelfths longer than the first
secondary. All the quills, primary as well as secondary, are rounded ;
and there are only nine primaries. Tail rather long, considerably
rounded, the lateral feathers a quarter of an inch shorter than the mid-
dle, which are longest ; all the feathers rather narrow and obliquely
pointed.
Upper mandible brownish-black, its edges in their whole length
pale yellowish flesh-colour, as is the lower mandible, which, however,
is a little dusky at the end. Iris hazel. Feet and claws flesh-coloured.
The upper part of the head, the hind part and sides of the neck, are
deep ash-grey, tinged with blue ; the back, scapulars, and rump deep
olive-green ; the wings and tail greyish-brown, the edge of the wing
and the outer margin of the first quill bright yellow, the other pri-
maries narrowly edged with greenish-yellow, the secondaries of a paler
brown externally, as are the tail-feathers. From the ridge of the
upper mandible to the eye is a rather broad band of black, which ex-
tends a little way under the eye, but is not nearly so conspicuous as
that of the species above described ; nor are the eyelids marked with
white, their marginal feathers being all dusky grey. The fore part of
the neck and a portion of the breast, to the distance of an inch and
five-twelfths from the bill, are deep black, with lunulate white mark-
ings, each feather being margined with that colour ; the white edges
of the lower black feathers being extremely narrow leave a crescent of
nearly pure black; the breast, abdomen, lower tail-coverts, and lower
wing-coverts are bright yellow, the sides of the body yellowish-green.
Length to end of tail 5 inches ; “extent of wings 8;” bill along
the ridge #4, along the edge of lower mandible #4; wing from flexure
2,7,; tail 274; tarsus 7%,; hind toe 34, its claw 34; middle toe 3%, its
. 23
claw 75.
‘
ee - e es
ow Ut be
— Se
=
¢
CONNECTICUT WARBLER. 81
The principal differences between Sylvia Macgillivrayt and S. Phi-
ladelphia may now be pointed out. The bill is considerably more com-
pressed in the former, which has the tarsus a twelfth of an inch longer,
the tail four-twelfths longer, and the wings two-twelfths shorter. Al-
though in both the outer four quills are longest, yet the proportions
are different, the first quill being longer than the fourth in S. Phila-
delphia, and the reverse being the case in S$. Macgillivrayt. 'The colours
are nearly the same in both ; but the latter is distinguished by its two
white palpebral spots, which have never been observed in the other.
The difference observable between the tip of the longest primary and
that of the first secondary in these two species, is still more remark-
able in another species very closely allied to these, and of which a pair
of young birds have been figured in Plate CX X XVIII, and described
in my second volume under the name of “ Connecticut Warbler, Sylvia
agilis,” bestowed upon it by Wixson, who, however, never saw an adult
individual.
CONNECTICUT WARBLER.
SYLVIA AGILIS, Wits.
Tuts species is larger and stouter than those above described,
and differs from them in having the wings much longer and more
pointed, the first quill being longest, as well as in colour, the fore neck
of the male being ash-grey, without lunulated markings, although
otherwise the colours are nearly similar. Whu1son’s account of it is as
follows :—‘* This is a new species, first discovered in the State of Con-
necticut, and twice since met with in the neighbourhood of Philadel-
phia. The different specimens I have shot correspond very nearly
in their markings ; two of these were males, and the other undeter-
mined, but conjectured also to be a male. It was found in every case
among low thickets, but seemed more than commonly active, not re-
maining for a moment in the same position.
“‘ Length five inches and three quarters; extent eight inches ; whole
VOL. Vv a
82 CONNECTICUT WARBLER.
upper parts arich yellow-olive ; wings dusky brown, edged with olive ;
throat dirty white or pale ash; upper part of the breast dull greenish-
yellow; rest of the lower parts a pure rich yellow ; legs long, slender,
and of a pale flesh-colour ; round the eye, a narrow ring of yellowish-
white ; upper mandible pale brown, lower whitish ; eye dark hazel.
« Since writing the above, I have shot two specimens of a bird,
which in every particular agrees with the above, except in having the
throat of a dull buff-colour, instead of pale ash. Both of these were
females ; and I have little doubt but they were of the same species with
the present, as their peculiar activity seemed exactly similar to the males
above described.”
The males described by Witson, however, I have reason to think
were young birds in their second plumage. Those which I have de-
scribed in my second volume, at p. 227, were also young birds in that
stage, a male and a female. An adult male in my possession may be
described as follows :—
Connecticut WaRBLER, Sytvra aciiis, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. v. p. 64, pl. 39,
fig. 4.
Adult Male.
Bill short, straight, conico-subulate, compressed toward the end,
acute ; upper mandible with the dorsal line declinate, convex toward
the end, the ridge narrow, the sides convex, the edges direct and over-
lapping, with a slight notch, the tip narrow ; lower mandible with the
angle of moderate length and narrow, the dorsal line ascending and
slightly convex, the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the tip acute ;
the gape-line slightly arched. Nostrils basal, lateral, oblong, opercu-
late, exposed.
Head of moderate size, ovato-oblong ; neck short; body rather
slender. Feet rather long; tarsus slender, of the same length as the
middle toe, much compressed, covered before with seven scutella, be-
hind with two longitudinal plates meeting so as to form a thin edge ;
the lateral toes nearly equal, the third much longer, and united at the
base to the fourth, hind toe stronger and rather large ; claws slightly
arched, extremely compressed, laterally grooved, acute.
Plumage soft and blended, with little gloss; wings long, very °
slightly concave ; the second and third (but not the fourth) primaries
CONNECTICUT WARBLER. 83
having the outer web cut out toward the end ; the first quill is longest,
exceeding by half a twelfth the second, which is one-twelfth longer
than the third, the rest rapidly graduated, the distance between the tip
of the longest or first primary and that of the first secondary being ele-
ven-twelfths of an inch; all the quills are rounded, and there are only
nine primaries. Tail of moderate length, rather narrow, slightly
rounded, the lateral feathers two-twelfths of an inch shorter than the
middle, which are longest ; all the feathers acuminate.
Upper mandible dusky brown, its edges lighter, lower mandible
flesh-coloured, with the tip brown. Iris hazel. Feet and claws pale
flesh-coloured. The head, and neck all round, with a portion of the
breast, rather deep ash-grey, the throat paler; aring of yellowish-white
margining the eyelids, no dusky band on the loral space as in the other
species ; the back, scapulars, and rump are rich olive-green ; the breast,
abdomen, lower tail-coverts, and lower wing-coverts bright yellow,
excepting the sides, which are greyish-green. The wings and tail are
greyish-brown, the edge of the wing yellow, the first quill narrowly
margined with the same, the other primaries edged with light green.
Length to end of tail 53 inches, extent of wings 8; bill along the
ridge #4, along the edge of lower mandible # ; tarsus +$; hind toe 74,
its claw 7; middle toe #2, its claw ?4.
Adult Female. The Female resembles the male in the upper parts,
but has the head of the same tint as the back; the throat light yel-
low, the sides of the neck, anda broad band across its fore part, together
with the sides, brownish-yellow. The yellowish-white ring round the
eye is as conspicuous as in the male.
The young male and female, represented in Plate CX XXVIII,
have been described with sufficient accuracy at p. 228 of Vol. IT.
This species differs from the others in having the wings much longer,
the tarsus shorter in relation to the middle toe, the claws much more
slender and much less arched, and in the colours as above described.
These three species, which are nearly allied to Sylvia Trichas, and
with it may constitute a distinct genus or subgenus, differ from each
other much in the same degree as the Wood Wren, Willow Wren, and
Chiff-chaff of Europe differ from each other. Should they be referred
to the genus Trichas, they might be named and characterized as fol-
lows :—
84 CONNECTICUT WARBLER.
Trichas agilis, Wis.
Wings long, with the first quill longest, and exceeding the first se-
condary by eleven-twelfths of an inch; the middle toe and claw longer
than the tarsus; the tail of moderate length, nearly even, with acumi-
nate feathers.
Male olive-green above ; a ring of yellowish-white round the eye;
the head, neck all round, and part of the breast ash-grey, the sides
greyish-green, the rest of the lower parts bright yellow, Length 52
inches, extent of wings 8.
Female olive-green above, yellow beneath, the sides of the neck and
a band across the breast tinged with brown.
Trichas Macgillivrayi, Aun.
Wings short, the second quill longest, the fourth longer than the
first, the tail long, considerably rounded, its feathers rounded ; the tar-
sus longer than the middle toe and claw.
Male olive-green above, the head, hind part and sides of the neck
bluish-grey ; the fore neck and part of the breast greyish-black, lunu-
lated with greyish-white ; a black loral band; a conspicuous white
spot on each eyelid ; the lower parts bright yellow. Length 5} inches.
Female olive-green above, yellow beneath, the sides of the neck and
a band across the breast ash-grey.
Trichas Philadelphia, Wuts.
Wings of moderate length, with the second quill longest, the fourth
shorter than the first; the tail long, considerably rounded, its feathers
scarcely pointed ; the tarsus longer than the middle toe and claw.
Male olive-green above ; the head, hind part and sides of the neck
bluish-grey ; the fore neck and part of the breast deep black, lunulated
with white ; a blackish loral band, margins of eyelids dusky-grey, the
lower parts bright yellow. Length 5 inches, extent of wings 8.
Female olive-green above, yellow beneath, the sides of the neck
and a band across the breast ash-grey, the throat yellowish-white.
SEN. ay ey
ere’)
ARKANSAW SISKIN.
FRINGILLA PSALTRIA, Say.
PLATE CCCC. Mate.
Turs pretty little species first added to our Fauna by Tuomas Say,
who procured it in the course of Colonel Lone’s expedition to the
Rocky Mountains, visits the lower parts of Louisiana at irregular pe-
riods, although always during winter. I have procured individuals a
few miles from Bayou Sara. They fly loosely together, alight after per-
forming some evolutions, made as if to ascertain the absence of danger,
and, as soon as they are on the trees or on the ground, proceed to search
for food. The only notes I heard them utter, somewhat resembled
those of Fringilla tristis, the American Goldfinch. They are impatient
birds, and seldom remain long in the same spot, but change to and fro
in the same locality. No individuals of this species were observed by
Nottatt or TownseEnp in the course of their journey to and across the
Rocky Mountains. My figure is that of an old male drawn at Bayou
Sara.
Arxansaw Siskin, FrinciLta psatTria, Say, in Long’s Expedition, vol. ii. p. 40.
—Ch. Bonaparte, Amer. Ornith. vol. i. p. 54, pl. 6, fig. 3.
FRINGILLA PsaLTRiA, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 111.
Arkansas Siskin, Wuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 510.
Adult Male. Plate CCCC. Fig. 1.
Bill short, conical, stout, compressed toward the end, the tip acute ;
upper mandible with the dorsal line somewhat convex, the ridge indis-
tinct, the sides rounded, the edges sharp, declinate at the base, the tip
narrow ; lower mandible with the angle very short and semicircular, the
dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges inflected, the tip acute.
Nostrils basal, round, concealed by the feathers.
Head rather large, broadly ovate; neck short; body moderate.
Feet of moderate size ; tarsus rather short, compressed, with seven an-
terior scutella, and two plates behind meeting so as to form a very sharp
edge ; toes rather large, the lateral equal, the first stouter ; claws ra-
86 ARKANSAW SISKIN.
ther long, moderately arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, very
acute.
Plumage very soft and blended; short stiffish feathers at the base
of the bill. Wings rather long, little concave ; the second, third, and
fourth primaries cut out toward the end ; the second longest, the first half
a twelfth shorter, the third scarcely a quarter of a twelfth shorter than
the second, and exceeding the fourth by a twelfth and a half, the next
four and a quarter twelfths shorter ; some of the inner primaries and
most of the secondaries distinctly emarginate. Tail rather short, deeply
emarginate, the feathers obliquely pointed and divaricate.
Bill flesh-coloured, the upper mandible dusky toward the end. Feet
and claws reddish-brown. 'The upper part of the head is deep black ;
the hind neck, back, and scapulars yellowish-green, each feather green~
ish-brown in the centre ; the rump greenish-yellow, the upper tail-co-
verts dusky, margined with greenish-yellow, as are the smaller wing-
coverts. The other coverts and quills are black ; the secondary-coverts
broadly tipped with pale yellow, which forms a conspicuous band across
the wing ; the quills are margined with yellowish-white, the inner more
broadly ; all the quills, the outer three, and the inner secondaries ex-
cepted, are white toward the base. The tail is brownish-black, the
feathers narrowly edged with brownish-white, and all, excepting the
two middle and the lateral, with a white space at the base, which runs
out along the outer margin forming a conspicuous patch. All the lower
parts are bright-yellow, but the cheeks and the sides of the neck are
tinged with green, and the feathers of the chin are blackish in the
centre. |
Length to end of tail 43 inches; extent of wings 8; bill along the
ridge #3, along the edge of lower mandible % ; wing from flexure 274 ;
tail 2; tarsus 72; hind toe 72, its claw # ; middle toe %, its claw 7%.
The Female is similar to the male, but wants the black patch on
the head, that part being green like the back.
all
MEALY REDPOLL.
FRINGILLA BOREALIS, TEMM.
PLATE CCCC. Mate.
Wuitst in Newfoundland, I procured four specimens of this curi-
ous bird, all of which were shot while feeding on the berries of the
Summer Apple. It was inthe month of August, and I well remember
the pleasure I felt when at the same moment several Indian boys ap-
proached and offered me their waterproof bark baskets filled with those
delightful berries equally pleasing to my taste and that of the Mealy
Redpoll. One of the birds appeared to me to be an adult, but to have
already changed its spring livery for the plainer one exhibited in the
Plate. The others were evidently younger, as none of them shewed
the least appearance on the forehead, cheeks, breast or rump, of the
red colour that existed on the same parts of what perhaps was their
parent.
In their habits I could see no difference between them and the Com-
mon Redpoll; but their notes, although in some degree similar, as is
usually the case in all birds of the same family, differed sufficiently to
induce me to believe that this mealy-coloured bird is quite distinct from
the species above mentioned, although very nearly allied to it. I wish
it were in my power to describe this difference of modulation, which
seems to me still vibrating in my ear; but I cannot, and therefore must
be content with assuring you, that the notes of the two birds are as
nearly the same, and yet as distinct, as those of the American Gold-
finch, Fringilla tristis, and the European bird of the same name, Frin-
gilla Carduelis.
Removing from one spot to another with the peculiar activity and
capriciousness of the Linnet family, they would fly from one portion to
another of the wild natural meadow on which I watched them nearly
an hour before I shot them, alight here and there, peck at the berries
a few moments, and suddenly, as if affrighted, rise, perform various
wide and circling flights, im deep undulations, and at once alighting
repose for a short while.
Like Titmice, and often with downward inclined head, they fed,
88 MEALY REDPOLL.
chatted to each other, and then resting for an instant plumed them-
selves. These occupations they would have continued much longer
had not the trigger of my gun been touched at a favourable moment,
on which I walked to the spot and picked up the little flock, all of
them having been killed at one shot.
I and my party had procured a good number of Common Redpolls in
the rugged country of Labrador, but not a single bird of this species ;
which yet removes during winter to our middle districts. A specimen
in my possession was procured near Moorestown in the State of New
Jersey by my valued friend Epwarp Harris, Esq. and I have seen
several others that were obtained near Baltimore in Maryland.
That the Mealy Redpoll becomes a richly coloured bird at the ap-
proach of the breeding season I feel quite confident, and I will now
venture to give you some idea of its appearance at that happy period
of its life. Then, I would say, the cheeks and the whole under part
of the body, excepting a large black patch on the throat, are of a rich
carmine, as is the rump. The spots seen on the sides of the breast,
and along the lower parts of the body, almost to the femorals, disap-
pear, and the upper parts, or the shoulders and back, become almost
of a uniform rich brown, as those parts are in the Common Linnet of
Europe.
The present species is rather larger than the Common Redpoll.
The colour of its bill even during winter, differs in being of a rich yel-
low, and its legs, feet, and claws at that season are pure black, instead
of reddish-brown.
On two occasions I have seen the Mealy Redpoll associated with
the American Siskin, in the beginning of October in the province
of New Brunswick. ‘They were then feeding on the seeds of neglected
sun-flowers.
Gnros-BEC BOREAL, FRINGILLA BOREALIS, Temminck, Manuel d’Ornithologie, part
iii. p. 264.
Adult Male. Plate CCCC. Fig. 2.
Bill short, strong, conical, much compressed toward the end ex-
tremely acute ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge
narrow, the sides convex, the edges sharp and overlapping, without
notch, the tip acuminate ; lower mandible with the angle short and se-
MEALY REDPOLL. 89
micircular, the dorsal line straight, the ridge narrow, the sides convex,
the edges sharp and inflected, the tip very acute. Nostrils basal,
roundish, covered by stiffish reversed feathers.
Head of moderate size, roundish ; neck short ; body moderate.
Feet of moderate length, rather slender ; tarsus short, compressed, an-
teriorly covered with a few scutella, of which the upper are blended,
posteriorly with two longitudinal plates meeting at a very acute angle ;
toes rather stout, the first with its claw as long as the third with its
claw ; the lateral toes equal; claws large, moderately arched, much com-
pressed, acute.
‘Plumage soft, blended. Wings rather long; the first three quills
almost equal, but the second longest ; the second, third, and fourth, cut
out on the outer web toward the end ; the outer secondaries emarginate.
Tail rather long, deeply emarginate or forked, the middle feathers
being half an inch shorter than the outer.
Bill yellow, with the ridge of the upper mandible dusky ; iris brown ;
feet and claws black. The upper part of the head crimson, the fea-
thers of the cheeks, sides of the body and hind part of the rump pale
carmine. A band edging the fore head, the loral space, and the throat,
black. The upper parts are dusky, streaked with brownish-white, the
margins of the feathers being of the latter colour, and the former gra-
dually disappearing on the hind part of the back and rump, which are
nearly white, tinged with rose-colour; the lower parts greyish-white,
the sides streaked with dusky. The wings and tail are dusky, with
greyish-white edges, and two transverse bands of the same on the tips
of the first row of small coverts and the secondary coverts.
Length to end of tail 5} inches ; extent of wings 9 ; bill along the
ridge +z; wing from flexure 37%; tail 2,4; tarsus 77; hind toe 3,
its claw #, ; third toe 7%, its claw 34.
The Female, which is somewhat less, has the black of the forehead
and throat tinged with brown, the crimson patch on the head of less
extent, the sides and rump destitute of red.
wee)
LOUISANA TANAGER.
TANAGRA LUDOVICIANA, WIAs.
PLATE CCCC. Fig3. Femare.
Two figures of the male of this species you have seen in Plate
CCCLIYV, since the publication of which I have received a fine speci-
men of the female, accompanied by a note from Dr TownsEnp, in
which he says that “ this handsome bird is called Lh kok koot by the
Chinook Indians. It is rare on the banks of the Platte, but rather
common in the woods and oak groves of the Columbia. None were
seen after leaving the Black Hills, until we reached the lower country.
Its voice is generally harsh, being a low and guttural churr, but it at
times sings with considerable spirit. The female is very silent and
retired in her habits, and is therefore seldom seen.”
The Female here represented has already been described at p. 387
of vol. iv.
TOWNSEND'S BUNTING.
EmMBerizéA TOWNSENDI.
PLATE CCCC. Fig. 4.
Of this species only a single specimen has yet been found, which
was lent to me by Dr TownsEnp to be figured and described. No-
thing is known of its habits. You will find a description of this bird
at p. 183 of vol. i.
BF se ee ee Oe ed ee ee ee ee
eT
Ge sae)
PAINTED BUNTING.
EMBERIZA PICTA, SWAINSON.
PLATE CCCC. Fig. 5.
Tuts handsome species was discovered by Dr Ricuarpson in April
1827, on the banks of the Saskatchewan River, associated with the
Lapland Longspur. Only one specimen was procured at Carlton
House, which has been figured by Mr Swainson in the Fauna Boreali-
Americana. My own figure of this species was drawn from the same
specimen, which was kindly lent to me for that purpose by the Coun-
cil of the Zoological Society. That the Painted Bunting at times re-
tires far southward, probably accompanying the Lapland Longspur, is
a fact for which I can vouch, having seen one on the shore of the Mis-
sissippi in December 1820, which however I missed on wing after ha-
ving viewed it about two minutes, as it lay flat on the ground.
EmBeriza (PLECTROPHANES) PicTa, PainteD Buntine, Richards. and Swains.
Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 250.
Paintep Buntine, WVuittall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 589.
Adult Male. Plate CCCC. Fig. 5.
Bill short, conical, stout, compressed toward the end, acuminate ;
its outlines straight, the lower mandible a little narrower than the up-
per at the base; the gape-line straight, slightly deflected at the base.
Nostrils basal, rounded, partly concealed by the feathers. .
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck short, body compact. Feet of
ordinary length ; tarsus compressed, anteriorly covered with seven large
scutella, sharp behind; toes of moderate size; the lateral toes equal,
the hind toe stout ; claws long, slightly arched, laterally grooved, com-
pressed, very acute, that of the hind toe much elongated.
Plumage soft and blended, the feathers somewhat distinct on the
back and wings. Wing long, pointed, the second quill longest, the
first nearly equal; the second, third, and fourth primaries attenuated
on the outer web toward the end. Tail rather long, deeply emargi-
nate.
92 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.
Bill dusky, lower mandible yellow toward the base. Feet and
claws reddish-brown. The upper part and sides of the head are deep
black, with three bands of white on each side, one extending from the
base of the upper mandible, over the eye, and along the side of the
neck : another passing under the eye and over the ear ; the third border-
ing the throat. There is also a brownish-white patch on the nape. A
band across the hind neck and fore part of the back, and all the lower
parts buffy-orange. The feathers on the upper parts of the body,
blackish-brown, edged with light brown ; the quills, and their coverts
brownish-black, edged with pale brownish-red ; the first row of large
coverts black, margined with white, the next two rows white, the rest of
the small coverts brownish-black. The tail-feathers are brownish-black,
margined with pale greyish-brown, excepting the two outer on each
side, which are white, margined externally towards the tips, and along
the inner webs, with brown.
Length to end of tail 63% inches; bill along the ridge #4; wing
from flexure 3}; tail 2 ; tarsus 1%; hind toe #4, its claw 3°; middle toe
1, its claw 5%.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.
MERGUS SERRATOR, Linn.
PLATE CCCCI. Mate anp Femate.
Tue range of the Red-breasted Merganser is of vast extent. In
North America I have found it pretty generally dispersed during win-
ter and even to a late period in spring, from the Texas to Labrador ;
and in the Fauna Boreali-Americana Mr Swarnson describes a male
killed on the Saskatchewan. No date is mentioned, nor is any
thing said as to its habits, which would lead me to believe that it
must be a rare bird in the Fur Countries. It is found on the western
coast however, and has been shot not far from the mouth of the Columbia
River by a gentleman of Boston engaged in the fur-trade, and who is
well acquainted with the water-birds of our country. In winter it is
to be met with throughout the Union, on almost every unfrozen stream ;
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 93
but when the cold increases so as to close the waters it removes south-
ward until it finds a suitable place.
This species is by choice mostly dependent on fresh water for its
sustenance ; but when the winters are very severe it throws itself into
the salt lagoons or bays, and there seeks for prey to which it is not
well accustomed, and which is ratber more difficult to be overtaken,
than that which is confined in the narrow mountain-streams for which
it shews a natural predilection greater than even that of the Goosander,
Mergus Merganser. It breeds in many parts of our Middle and Eastern
States, and on two occasions I have found the female in charge of her
brood in the lower parts of Kentucky. In the States of New York,
Massachusetts and Maine it is by no means a rare occurrence to meet
with the nest of this bird along the borders of small secluded lakes.
It is as common at this season in the British provinces of New Bruns-
wick and Nova Scotia, and it is still more plentiful on the islands of
the Gulf of St Lawrence, as well as on the streams of Newfoundland
and Labrador.
The Red-breasted Merganser is best known throughout the United
States by the name of “ Shell-drake.” It is, like all the species of its
tribe, a most expert diver, and on being fired at with a flint-locked gun
generally escapes by disappearing before the shot reaches the place
where it has been. Its flight is similar to that of the Goosander, being
strong, rapid, and remarkably well sustained when it is travelling to
a considerable distance. Gluttonous in the extreme, it frequently
gorges itself so as to be unable to rise. I have several times seen one
of them obliged to eject a great part of the contents of its stomach and
gullet before it could fly off, and some which I have kept a day or two
in confinement have died in consequence of swallowing too many fishes.
‘The “ Shell Drake,” according to the latitude of the place which it
has selected, and the degree of forwardness of the season, begins to
form its nest from the first of March until the middle of May. Some
nests which I examined in Labrador had not their full complement of
eggs until about the 20th of June. In that country, as well as in se-
veral parts of the United States, where I have found the nests, they
were placed within a very short distance of the margins of fresh-water
ponds, among rank grasses and sedges, or beneath the low bushes. The
nest bears a great resemblance to that of the Eider Duck, but is a good
94 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.
deal smaller, and better fashioned. It is made of dry weeds and mosses
of various kinds, and is warmly lined with down from the breast of the
female bird, for the male leaves her as soon as she has completed the
laying of the eggs, the number of which I have never found to exceed
ten, they being more frequently six or eight. It is a very remarkable
fact that the eggs in this family of birds are usually even in number,
whereas in most land birds they are odd. The eggs of the Red-breasted
Merganser measure two and a half inches in length, an inch and five-
eighths in breadth, resemble in form those of the domestic fowl, and
are of a uniform plain dull yellowish cream-colour.
When one approaches the nest, the female usually slides or runs off
a few paces, and then takes towing. I have never observed the paths
to the nests which some authors have described, and cannot well ima-
gine why there should be any such, as this bird is capable of taking
flight as readily as any with which I am acquainted. Ituses the great-
est precaution in retiring to the nest ; and on more occasions than one
I have remained well concealed at a short distance for upwards of an
hour before the bird came back to her eggs. Perhaps this may tend to
shew that there is less necessity for keeping the eggs warm, even when
they are about to be hatched, in this than in other species, which are
known to resume incubation as soon as possible.
The young betake themselves to the water a few hours after birth,
and are from the first so expert at diving as to be procurable only with
great difficulty. Indeed, when they are about a fortnight old, they
move with astonishing rapidity, whether on the surface, where they
run with almost the speed of a greyhound, or in the water itself, in
which they shew themselves as much at home as if they were seals or
otters. The only means of catching them that I have found success-
ful is to throw stones at them, whenever they rise, until becoming
fatigued, they make for the shore, where they stretch themselves out
and remain quite still, so that you may go up to them and take them
‘with the hand.
At the approach of autumn they resemble the old females ; but the
sexes can easily be distinguished by examining the unguis or extremity
of the upper mandible, which will be found to be white or whitish in
the males, and red or reddish in the females. The young males begin
to assume the spring dress in the beginning of February, but they do
not acquire their full size and beauty until the second year.
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 95
The Red-breasted Merganser is a shy bird. The males especially
are extremely suspicious and vigilant, after they have left the females
incubating, and when they congregate in flocks of from five to twenty
on some sequestered clear stream, to renew their plumage. The moult
is completed in the end of July or beginning of August, and at that
season I had the greatest difficulty in procuring them, for, being then
almost unable to rise from the water, they seemed to dive with an alert-
ness proportionally greater.
The flesh of this bird is tough, and has a fishy taste. I have re-
presented a male and a female, along with a new species of Sarracenia,
which is found abundantly from Pensacola to Georgia, as well as in
some parts of South Carolina.
Menrcvs Serraror, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 208.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 829.
—Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 397.
RED-BREASTED MErGansER, Mercus SErrator, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. viii.
p- 91, pl. 69, fig. 2., male.
Mereus Serrator, ReD-prEasTED MeErGaANsER, Richards. and Swains. Fauna
Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 462.
Rep-BrEastED MERGansER, lVuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 463.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCI. Fig. 1.
Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, tapering, higher
than broad at the base, nearly cylindrical toward the end. Upper
mandible with the dorsal outline sloping gently to the middle, then
straight, along the unguis suddenly decurved ; the ridge flattened at
the base, and gradually becoming convex ; the sides sloping rapidly at
the base, convex toward the end, the edges serrated beneath ; the un-
guis oblong, much curved, abruptly rounded at the end. Nasal groove
elongated ; nostrils subbasal, linear, direct, pervious. Lower mandible
with the angle very narrow, and extended to the unguis, which is obo-
vate ; the sides nearly erect in their outer half, with a long narrow
groove, the edges serrate within.
Head rather large, compressed, oblong. Neck rather long and some-
what slender. Body full, depressed. Feet placed far behind, short,
stout; tibia bare for about a quarter of an inch; tarsus very short, com-
pressed, anteriorly covered with small scutella, and another row on the
lower half externally, the sides reticulated, the hind part thin edged.
Hind toe very small, with an inferior free membrane; anterior toes
96 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.
half as long again as the tarsus; second shorter than fourth, which is
almost as long as the third, all connected by reticulated webs, which
are deeply concave at the margin ; the outer toe slightly margined, the
inner with a broad marginal membrane. Claws rather small, very
slightly arched, compressed, acute, that of the middle toe with a thin
inner edge.
Plumage moderately full, dense, soft, glossy. Feathers of the head
and upper part of the neck somewhat silky, blended, very narrow, elon-
gated along the median line, so as to form a very conspicuous erectile
crest, divided into two parts, those below the upper occipital region
and the nape being shorter, leaving two long tufts. Feathers of the
back rather compact, of the lower parts blended. Wings short, of mo-
derate breadth, convex, acute; primaries narrow, tapering, the first
longest, the second only half a twelfth shorter, the rest rapidly gra-
duated; secondaries rather short, narrow, rounded, the inner elongated
and tapering. ‘Tail short, much rounded, of eighteen rounded, sub-
acuminate feathers.
Bill deep carmine, dusky along the ridge, the unguis yellowish.
Iriscarmine. Feet bright red, claws greyish-yellow. Head and upper
part of neck greenish-black, glossy, with bright green reflections along
the sides, and purplish on the crest. On the middle of the neck is a
broad ring of white ; and on its lower part a broad band of light brown-
ish-red, longitudinally streaked with dusky, each feather being laterally
margined with that colour. The lower parts are pure white, except-
ing the sides of the body and rump, which are transversely undulated
with greyish-black, and the larger wing-coverts, which are ash-grey.
The fore part of the back, and the inner scapulars, are deep black ; the
feathers at the shoulder, or anterior to the wing white, with a broad
margin of black ; some of the anterior wing-coverts ash-grey ; the other
small wing-coverts, the outer scapulars, and the terminal half of the se-
condary coverts, pure white; the basal portion of the latter, the pri-
mary coverts, and primary quills, black, the latter tinged with brown-
ish-grey ; the secondaries white, with their base and the outer margin
of most black, which colour predominates on the inner. The middle
and hind part of the back ash-grey, undulated with white and FIBA s
the tail brownish-grey.
Length to end of tail 243 inches ; to end of wings 222; to end of
claws 253; extent of wings 33; bill along the ridge 2;4,; wing from
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 97
flexure 94; tail 3,5, ; tarsus 174; hind toe #, its claw ,; inner toe 14%,
its claw #4; middle toe 27%, its claw #%; outer toe 2 7, its claw ?4.
Weight 2 Ib. 8 oz.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCI. Fig. 2.
The Female, which is of about the same size, differs in having the
crest shorter, and in wanting the broad abruptly-terminated feathers
anterior to the wing. The bill and feet are of a paler tint ; the head and
fore part of the neck light reddish-brown, the throat and all the under
parts white, excepting the sides of the body and rump, and the larger
wing-coverts, which are brownish-grey. The hind neck, back, tail-
coverts, tail, scapulars, and wing-coverts are brownish-grey, the fea-
thers margined with paler. The wings are greyish-black, with a large
white patch, formed by the terminal portions of the secondary coverts,
and the greater part of some of the outer secondaries.
Length to end of tail 24 inches, to end of claws 242; extent of wings
341, bill along the ridge 2;4; wing from flexure 93; tail 35. Weight
2 Ib. 13 oz.
The young of both sexes when fully fledged resemble the female.
The males assume the plumage of the adult at their second moult.
When about a fortnight old, the young, such as I found them in La-
brador, are entirely covered with soft down, which is dusky reddish-
brown on the head and hind neck, greyish-brown on the back, with
three white patches on each side, one terminating the wing, another a
little behind it, the third, which is larger, behind the leg. The lower
parts greyish-white ; a white band from the eye to the bill, a reddish-
brown band under the eye and along the side of the neck.
An adult male examined. The roof of the mouth is flat, with a
median prominent line; the upper mandible with about 35 conical,
compressed, recurved, tooth-like lamelle on each side ; the lower with
about 60. The aperture of the mouth is dilatable to 13 inch, but in
its ordinary state measures only 9 twelfths across. The tongue is nar-
row, tapering, 1 inch 8 twelfths long, with numerous papille at the
base, and lateral series of recurved bristles. The aperture of the ear,
as in all the diving piscivorous birds, is extremely small, being only 4
twelfth in diameter, and in this respect resembling that of the Seals
VOL. V. G
98 RED-BREASTED MERGANSER.
among the Mammalia. This kind of ear forms the extreme contrast
to that of the nocturnal rapacious land birds. In the Ducks and Geese
it is also small, but much superior in size to that of the Mergansers.
The cesophagus, a bcd, is twelve inches long, its diameter at the upper
part 14 inch, farther down 1 inch and 7 twelfths, within the thorax 1
inch 4 twelfths, at the proventriculus 14 inch.
It is thus extremely
Fig. 1.
wide, like that of other diving piscivorous
a birds. The stomach, de, is roundish, of
| A a Moderate size, 1 inch 8 twelfths in length,
A | 1 inch 11 twelfths in breadth. Its lateral
= = muscles are of moderate thickness, its epi-
= thelium tough, with two grinding surfaces
A SS of a roundish form, and thus resembling that
le a of Ducks. The contents of the stomach
are remains of fishes and a great quantity of
ee = avel. The inner surface of the cesophagus
a tee smooth when extended, es, a
=
= contracted, with longitudinal series of mu-
cous crypts with wide apertures, which be-
= come more numerous and close toward the
Ze a proventriculus. The glandules of the latter
EN organ are irregularly distributed, forming a
belt 13 inch in breadth. They are cylindri-
Fig. 2.
Zz c
NS il ig
RED-BREASTED MERGANSER. 99
cal, the largest being } inch long, and 14 twelfth broad. The duo-
denum, fg, has a diameter of 73 twelfths, but beyond its curve con-
tracts to 34 twelfths. The intestine is convoluted into numerous
folds ; its length is 5 feet 2 inches, its diameter about 3 twelfths ;
but that of the rectum 443 twelfths. The cceca, Fig. 2, which come
off at the distance of 4 inches from the extremity, are 11 twelfths
long, 24 twelfths in their greatest diameter, and obtuse at their ex-
tremity.
The trachea is 114 inches long, and is remarkable for a large dila-
tation above the middle, 2 inches in length and 11 twelfths in breadth,
below which the tube becomes ; inch in diameter, afterwards enlarges
to 43 twelfths, then continues 4 twelfths, and ends in an enormous di-
latation of an irregular form, of which the greatest diameter is 2 inches.
It is composed of a bony frame, with two lateral membranous spaces.
The rings of the trachea, 152 in number, are broad and firmly ossified,
but about 30 at the lower part are very narrow in their anterior half ;
about ten are incorporated with the dilatation ; the contractor muscles
are very large, expand over the sides of the dilated part, and continue
downwards, becoming narrower, and ending at the commencement of
the tympanum. ‘There is a pair of very large cleido-tracheal muscles,
and another of sterno-tracheal; but there are no inferior laryngeal
muscles properly so called, the slip from the contractor ending with-
out reaching the last ring. The bronchi come off at the distance of
9 twelfths from each other, and are short, but wide, and composed of
about 20 half rings.
In the trachea of a female, which is of a nearly uniform diameter
throughout, the number of rings is 150, with 10 united rings, 5 of which
extend beyond the bone of divarication, forming the lower larynx, which
has no remarkable dilatation. The bronchial half rings are 20.
( 100 )
BLACK-THROATED GUILLEMOT.
URIA ANTIQUA.
PLATE CCCCII. Apuct ann Youne.
Tuts species, which is said to occur on the north-west coast of
America, has not been met with by me. The figures in the plate were
taken from specimens in the Museum of the Zoological Society of Lon-
don, by permission of the Council.
Auca antiqua, Gel. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 554.—Lath. Ind. Ornuith. vol. ii. p. 795.
Adult. Plate CCCCII. Fig. 1.
Bill shorter than the head, stout, straightish, compressed toward
the end; upper mandible with the dorsal line declinate and convex,
the sides sloping, the edges sharp and overlapping, the tip rather ob-
tuse ; lower mandible with the angle long and rather wide, the dorsal
outline ascending, straight, the sides sloping outwards and flattened,
the edges thin and direct, the tip acute with a slight sinus behind.
Body full and compact; neck short and thick; head rather large,
ovate. Feet short, stout, placed far behind; tibia bare for a short
space ; tarsus very short, compressed, covered anteriorly with oblique
scutella, behind with angular scales ; hind toe wanting ; anterior toes
scutellate, of moderate length, connected by emarginate webs, the in-
ner toe much shorter than the outer, which is nearly as long as the
middle. Claws rather small, moderately arched, compressed, rather
acute.
Plumage dense, blended, glossy. Wings of moderate length, nar-
row, pointed ; primaries tapering, the first longest, the rest rapidly
graduated, secondaries rounded. ‘Tail very short, rounded.
Bill and feet yellow, claws dusky. The head and upper part of the
neck are black, excepting a band of white elongated linear feathers,
beginning over the eye and extending down the hind part of the neck,
and a broad band of white commencing behind the ear and curving
forwards, to join the white which is the general colour of the lower
KNOBBED-BILLED PHALERIS. 101
parts, with the exception of the flanks, which are black. All the up-
per parts also are greyish-black.
Length to end of tail 103 inches ; bill along the ridge 74; along the
edge of lower mandible 1;% ; wing from flexure 5; ; tail 14; tarsus 13;
middle toe 14%, its claw 74.
Ku
L wy™ sits
f -
Young fully fledged. Plate CCCCII. Fig. 2.
The young bird has the bill black, the feet dusky, the upper parts
blackish-grey, each feather black in the centre, the lower greyish-yel-
dow, transversely barred with dusky, the tail broadly tipped with
white.
KNOBBED-BILLED PHALERIS.
PHALERIS NODIROSTRIS, Bonar.
PLATE CCCCII. Apvutr.
Tuts bird, which at first sight bears a considerable resemblance to
the Little Guillemot, Uria Alle, I have also represented from a specimen
belonging to the Zoological Society of London. The following de-
scription, however, is taken from one in my own possession. The species
is said to occur on the north-west coast.
Adult. Plate CCCCII. Fig. 3. ;
Bill shorter than the head, stout, quadrangular at the base; upper
mandible with a roundish, compressed, decurvate knob on its ridge, be-
tween the nostrils, beyond which the outline is deflected and convex,
the sides sloping, the edges sharp and overlapping, with a sinus be-
hind the small rather obtuse tip; nostrils linear-oblong, operculate,
basal, near the margin ; lower mandible with the angle rather long, the
dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the sides sloping outwards
and flat, the edges directed outwards, thin, the tip acute, with a slight
sinus behind.
Body full and compact; neck short and thick; head rather large,
ovate. Feet short, stout, placed far behind ; tibia bare for two-twelfths
102 CURLED-CRESTED PHALERIS.
of an inch ; tarsus very short, compressed, covered anteriorly with ob-
lique scutella; hind toe wanting; anterior toes united by emarginate
webs ; the inner toe considerably shorter than the outer, which is nearly
as long as the middle. Claws rather small, moderately arched, com-
pressed, rather acute.
Plumage dense, blended, glossy above. Wings of moderate length,
narrow, pointed ; primaries tapering, the first longest, the rest rapidly
graduated ; secondaries rounded. ‘ail very short, rounded, of four-
teen feathers.
Bill orange-red, with its base, including the knob, greyish-blue ;
feet dusky grey, claws brownish-black. The general colour of the upper
parts is brownish-black ; the fore part and sides of the head streaked
with linear, acuminate, elongated, white feathers ; the tips of the secon-
daries also white. The cheeks and a small portion of the throat at the
base of the bill, are dusky ; the lower parts white, mottled with dusky,
the tips of the feathers being of that colour.
Length to end of tail 6 inches; bill along the ridge 7%, excluding
the outline of the knob, which is 74 in height, and about the same
length, along the edge of lower mandible ;4,; wing from flexure 4;
tail 1}; tarsus 3; inner toe 74, its claw #,; middle toe +9, its claw
3h. 10 4 2
#1 ; outer toe 72, its claw 7%.
CURLED-CRESTED PHALERIS.
’ PHALERIS CRISTATELLA, GMEL.
PLATE CCCCII. Apu tr.
My drawing of this singular bird, which also belongs to the north-
west coast, was taken from a specimen in the Museum of the Zoologi-
cal Society. Since thenI procured one for description, from Mr LEap-
BEATER.
ALca CRISTATELLA, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 552,—JZath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii.
p. 794.
CURLED-CRESTED PHALERIS. 103
Bill shorter than the head, stout, straightish, broad at the base,
compressed toward the end. Upper mandible with a prominent basal
rim as in the Puffins, its dorsal outline convex and declinate, the sides
sloping, a prominent line descending from the base of the ridge to the
anterior part of the nostril, which is linear-oblong, and near the mar-
gin, besides which there are several faint grooves; at the base is a
somewhat triangular horny plate detached from the rest of the man-
dible, of which latter the margin is very convex behind the nostrils,
then ascends, forms a slight festoon before them, and finally a deep
sinus behind the decurved, narrow, but rather obtuse tip. Lower man-
dible with the angle rather long and wide, the dorsal line ascending
and a little convex, the sides sloping outwards, a ridge passing obliquely
from behind the angle to near the tip, the edge sinuate in correspon-
dence with that of the upper, the tip truncate.
Body full and compact ; neck short and thick; head rather large,
ovate. Feet short, placed far behind; tibia bare for a quarter of an
inch ; tarsus very short, much compressed, anteriorly with small ob-
lique scutella, the rest reticulate ; hind toe wanting ; anterior toes scu-
tellate, connected by emarginate webs ; the inner toe much shorter than
the outer, which is of the same length as the middle, claws rather stout,
moderately arched, compressed, rather obtuse; on the anterior part of
the forehead is a tuft of about twenty linear recurved feathers, of which
the longest measures 2} inches.
Plumage dense, blended, glossy. Wings of moderate length, nar-
row, pointed; primaries incurved, tapering, the first longest, the rest
rapidly graduated ; secondaries rounded. ‘Tail very short, rounded, of
fourteen rounded feathers.
Bill orange; feet greyish-blue. The general colour of the upper
parts is brownish-black, of the lower deep purplish-grey. There is a
short line of elongated linear acuminate white feathers, commencing
under the eye, and proceeding along the side of the neck.
Length to end of tail 10 inches; bill along the ridge 7%, along the
edge of lower mandible 1; wing from flexure 67 ; tail 1,4; tarsus 1,4 ;
inner toe +3, its claw #4 ; middle toe 144, its claw 7%; outer toe 1,4, its
claw To:
( 104 )
HORNED-BILLED GUILLEMOT.
CERATORHYNCHA OCCIDENTALIS, Bonar.
PLATE CCCCII. Apvutr.
Or this species, which, like all the others in the plate, is from the
north-west coast of America, the figure was taken from a specimen lent
to me for that purpose by the Prince of Musienano.
CERORHINCA OCCIDENTALIS, Ch. Bonap. Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 428.
Western Crerorurnca, WVuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 538.
Bill shorter than the head, stout, straightish, broad at the base,
the mouth measuring seven-eighths of an inch across, compressed to-
ward the end; upper mandible with an oblong compressed knob on
the ridge between the nostrils, beyond which the dorsal line is decli-
nate and decurved toward the end, the sides sloping, the edges sharp,
the tip narrow, obtuse, with a distinct notch immediately behind it ;
the gape-line slightly arched ; lower mandible with the angle long and
rather wide, the dorsal outline ascending and straight, the sides sloping
outwards and flattened, the edges thin and direct, the tip acute. Nos-
trils linear, near the margin, pervious.
Body full and compact ; neck short and thick; head large, ovato-
oblong. Feet short, stout, placed far behind ; tibia bare for a short
space ; tarsus very short, anteriorly scutellate, laterally reticulate ; hind
toe wanting ; anterior toes scutellate, of moderate length, connected by
emarginate webs, the inner toe much shorter than the outer, which is
nearly as long as the middle. Claws rather small, slightly arched,
compressed, rather acute.
Plumage dense, blended, rather glossy on the upper parts. Wings
of moderate length, narrow, pointed; primaries tapering, the first
longest, the rest rapidly graduated, secondaries rounded. Tail very
short, even, of sixteen elastic feathers.
Bill orange-yellow ; feet greyish-yellow. The general colour of the
upper parts is black, as are the cheeks, the upper part of the fore neck
and its sides ; the lower parts white. ‘Two decurved white bands on
the sides of the head, one commencing over the eye, the other at the
GOLDEN-EYE DUCK. 105
angle of the mouth, both being formed by elongated, linear, acuminate
feathers. 'The shafts of the wing-feathers are reddish-brown above,
white beneath.
Length to end of tail 154 inches; to end of claws 162; bill along
the ridge 124, not including the outline of the knob, which is #4 high,
along the edge of lower mandible 1}, breadth of upper mandible
below the knob, 2; wing from flexure 6}9; tarsus 1/4; inner toe 1;%,
its claw 7; middle toe 14, its claw £4; outer toe 1yy, its claw 7p.
GOLDEN-EYE DUCK.
FULIGULA CLANGUL4A, BonapP.
PLATE CCCCIII. Mare in Summer.
I wave been induced to give a figure of the Golden-eye in what I
consider its summer plumage, because I find it figured and described
by Dr Ricuarpson and Mr Swainson in the Fauna Boreali-Ameri-
cana, under the name of ** Rocky Mountain Garrot, Clangula Barrovit.”
Before offering any remarks on this alleged new species, it may be ex-
pedient to give a description from the specimen represented in the
plate, which was presented to me by the Earl of Drersy, to whom it
was given by a member of ‘one of the late Arctic Expeditions. Let
the reader turn to the description of the Golden-eye, at p. 322 of vol.
iv.; and compare with it the following :
With regard to the form and proportions of the parts, and the
structure and arrangement of the plumage, there is no difference what-
ever. All that is requisite to be remarked on the latter subject is,
that the second primary is longest, as is the case in several specimens
of that commonly called the Golden-eye. The colours are also simi-
lar, with very slight differences.
Bill black. Feet orange-yellow, webs dusky, claws black. Head
and upper part of neck deep greenish-blue, changing to deep dusky
purple in certain lights. Back, posterior scapulars, inner secondaries,
edge of wing, alula, primary coverts, primary quills, and four outer se-
condaries, black, the back being darker and glossy, the wing-feathers
106 GOLDEN-EYE DUCK.
tinged with brown. An oblong, curved patch of white between the
bill and eye, broader and rounded at its lower part, which is on a level
with the rictus, becoming narrower upwards, and ending in a recurved
point, which extends to five-twelfths of an inch above the level of the
eye and of the base of the upper mandible. Lower part of neck all
round, sides of the body anteriorly, the lower parts generally, the sca-
pulars, excepting their margins which are black, a broad band across
the wing formed by the first row of small coverts, and several of the
others, of which the base only is black, and a large patch formed by
the tips of some of the secondary coverts, and six of the secondary
quills, pure white. These two patches of white on the wing are se-
parated by an intervening band of black, which is not apparent in the
more usual state of the bird, in which however it is seen on turning
aside the tips of the smaller coverts. Axillar feathers and lower wing-
coverts dusky ; the elongated feathers of the sides have the inner, some
of them also the outer margins, and many of them a large portion of the
tip, black, that colour on those of the innermost covering the whole
inner webs. The feathers on the legs, along the sides of the rump, and
some under it, dusky. The tail brownish-grey.
Length to end of tail 213 inches; bill along the ridge 1%, from the
angle 1;%, along the edge of lower mandible 2; wing from flexure 93% ;
tail 4; tarsus 15%; ; hind toe 7 ; its claw #3, second toe 2, its claw 7,
third toe 22, its claw #3; fourth toe 274, its claw 7’.
It will be perceived on comparing Plates CCCXII, and CCCCIII,
as well as the above description and that given at p. 324 of the fourth
volume, that the only differences that can be pointed out between the
Golden-eye, and what is called the Rocky Mountain Garrot, are such,
referring to size, as are to be found in every species of bird; a conspi-
cuous black band crossing the wing of the latter, which is to be seen
only on raising the feathers in the former, but which not the less exists
in it also ; and the black tips of some of the elongated feathers on the
sides, which are generally white in the ordinary state of the plumage.
hese however are very insignificant differences, not at all comparable
to such as are found in different states of many other ducks, for ex-
ample, Fuligula glacialis, and F. rubida.
In the next place, it is to be remarked that in one common Golden-
eye before me, the head is all green excepting a very small portion of
ae
GOLDEN-EYE DUCK. 107
the forehead, that in another it is all purple, and in a third green on
the cheeks and purple on the top. Therefore it is obvious that the
colour of that part cannot be taken as an unvarying specific distine-
tion.
The authors of the Fauna Boreali-Americana consider the Golden-
eye when it has a semilunar patch before the eye, and a black band
separating the white patch on the wing, as a distinct species, differing
from the Golden-eye when it has a roundish patch before the eye, and
no perceptible black band on the wing ; and call the bird in its former
state “ Clangula Barrovii,” characterizing it as follows :—‘* Head and
upper parts of the neck pansy-purple, with a large crescentic mark be-
fore each eye; white speculum separated from the band on the coverts by
a black stripe.” Now this character, in so far as regards the “ pansy pur-
ple,” supposing it to be universal in all crescent-spotted individuals, is not
at all distinctive, because there are round-spotted individuals that have
the whole head of precisely the same tint, which, however, in neither the
one nor the other is “ pansy” or violet purple. As to the white patch
before the eye, I find it varying greatly in form and extent, being, for
example, in one individual, roundish and entirely placed below the
level of the eye; in another nearly rhomboidal, in a third oblong, be-
ing, as it were the original round spot elongated above and below, in
a fourth, ovate, elongated backwards, but not upwards, in a fifth cres-
centic, and in younger birds scarcely perceptible, as is the case in the
Buffel-headed Duck Clangula Albeola at various stages of its life.
In the length of the tarsus and toes there are no remarkable dif-
ferences, and the scutella of both alleged species are the same in num-
ber and form. It is stated that in “ Clangula vulgaris,” the “ bill is high
at the base, narrower towards the point,” and in “* Clangula Barrovit,”
that it is “ shorter and narrower towards the point,” while the feathers
of the fore head, instead of rising to a point on the ridge of the bill,
as in the Golden-eye, terminate with a semicircular outline. I find
no difference in the latter respect, and as to the former, I observe
great differences in the breadth of the upper mandible in undoubted
specimens of Clangula vulgaris, apparently dependent upon the degree
in which the edges of the upper mandible have expanded or contracted
in drying. In the measurements of the two supposed species, as given
by the writers alluded to, there are no other differences than such as
we find in different individuals of almost any species. Although they
108 EARED GREBE.
have given no description of the female of the Clangula vulgaris for
comparison, that of the female of the C. Barrovii agrees in all respects
with the female of the former. :
Finally, finding in my specimen of “ Clangula Barrovii,” that the
feathers of the neck, and of the white patch before the eye, are ob-
viously much worn, as are the tips of the smaller white wing-coverts,
and the white parts of the tips of the scapulars, beyond which the black
margins extend unaltered, I think it is thus, in the first place, easy to
account for the appearance of the black band on the wing; and, second-
ly, cannot but infer that the alleged Rocky Mountain Garrot is simply
the Golden Eye in its summer plumage.
It may be remarked that Brisson’s description and figure of the
“ Garrot,” represent it in that state in which Mr Swarnson has con-
sidered it as constituting a distinct species.
This species is abundant on the Columbia River, where it was pro-
cured by Dr Townsenp, who has sent me a fine specimen of the male,
having a narrow bill, an elliptical, but not crescentic, white spot, the
head green, purplish above, and no black band on the wing, but the
posterior lateral feathers margined and tipped with black, This spe-
cimen therefore presents a combination of the characters of both al-
leged species.
EARED GREBE.
POoODICEPS AURITUS, Latu.
PLATE CCCCIV. Anpuut anp Youne.
Tue specimens from which my figures of this species of Grebe
have been taken, were lent me by my noble and kind friend the Right
Honourable the Earl of Drersy, who received them from North Ame-
rica, where, as I am assured, it is not uncommon, although it has not
been my good fortune to meet with it.
Popicers auritus, Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. 11. p. 781.
Earep Doscuick or Grese, Vuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 256.
EARED GREBE. 109
Adult Male. Plate CCCCIV. Fig. 1.
Bill shorter than the head, as broad as high at the base, compressed
and slightly recurved toward the end; upper mandible with the dorsal
line straight and slightly declinate to beyond the nostrils, then direct,
but slightly descending toward the tip, the ridge convex, the edge in-
curved, the tip acute; lower mandible with the angle long and ex-
tremely narrow, the dorsal line beyond it ascending and slightly con-
vex, the sides sloping outwards and a little convex, the edges direct,
the tip acute. Nostrils linear, basal, rather small, pervious. Gape-
line almost straight, being a little recurvate.
Head of moderate size, oblong, compressed ; neck long, slender ;
body depressed. Feet short, large, placed close to the extremity of
the body; tibia feathered to within two-twelfths of an inch of the
joint; tarsus extremely compressed, its anterior edge with a row of
small scutella, the sides with broad scutella, beyond which are some
irregular scales, the posterior edge with a double line of small promi-
nent scales; first toe very small, with an inferior membrane, fourth
longest ; anterior toes scutellate, connected at the base by a membrane,
and having on both sides an expanded web-like margin, marked with
oblique lines, and having a crenulate edge ; claws flat, that of the third
toe very broad, obliquely obovate, abrupt.
Plumage very soft, blended, on the lower parts silky, on the back
glossy and rather compact. Feathers on the occiput a little elongated ;
a tuft of very long, loose, linear feathers, on each side of the head,
rising from over and behind the eye, and covering the ears. Wings
small, acute ; primaries much curved, the first longest, the second al-
most equal, the rest rapidly graduated ; secondaries short, rounded.
Tail a slight tuft of loose feathers.
Bill black, tinged with blue. Iris blood-red. Feet dusky grey ex-
ternally, greenish-grey on the inner side. ‘The tufts on the sides of
the head are orange, anteriorly more yellow, posteriorly red ; the head
and upper part of the neck are deep black ; the rest of the upper parts
brownish-black, the wings greyish-brown, with a broad patch of white,
the secondary quills being of that colour. The throat, fore part and
sides of the neck are dull black, its lower part with some spots of the
same ; the rest of the lower parts glossy silvery-white, excepting the
sides of the body and rump, which are light red.
Length to end of tail 13 inches ; bill along the ridge 43, along the
110 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.
edge of lower mandible 1,4 ; wing from flexure 57; tarsus 1/4; hind
toe and claw #4; second toe to the end of the claw 1;% ; third toe 2;
fourth toe 23.
Young in autumn. Plate CCCCIV. Fig. 2.
In this state the tufts of the head are not developed, and the fea-
thers of the neck are softer. The bill is greyish-blue, dusky above ;
the feet as in the adult. The upper parts are brownish-black, the
neck tinged with grey behind; the secondary quills are white; the
throat and a broad band, curving beneath the ear so as almost to meet
the other on the nape, greyish-white ; the neck brownish-grey all round
at its upper part; the lower parts silvery-white, the sides of the body
and rump tinged with dusky grey.
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.
TRINGA SEMIPALMATA, WILS.
PLATE CCCCV. Aputr.
Tuts species enters the Texas early in April, in great numbers,
although in small parties, some composed of young, others of old birds,
and not unfrequently accompanied by Tringa pusilla, Charadrius semi-
palmatus, Ch. melodus, and Ch, Wilsonii. At this season it moves north-
ward with celerity, both along the shores of the sea and those of some
of our larger streams, by routes which they also follow in their retro-
grade migration at the approach of winter. Many, however, remain in
the southern parts of the United States all summer, and I have seen
numbers of them on the coasts, as well as on the Keys of Florida.
There being a very remarkable difference of size in individuals of the
same sex, and still more between males and females, the latter being
the larger, I was induced to compare a great number of them, and in
consequence have concluded that the difference depends on age, for the
young of either sex are generally pretty similar as to the length of the
bill and legs, during their first autumn and winter. In Labrador I
shot a whole brood when just able to fly, together with several old
birds, which kept apart. Among the latter I found differences as to
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. 111
size and proportions enough to induce persons having nothing better
than skins, to imagizie that several species might be made out of them.
About the period when these birds prepare to return southward, they
congregate in large flocks, the young separate from the old. In La-
brador this takes place from the beginning to the middle of August.
There I found this species dispersed in pairs, and having nests, early
in June ; but all our endeavours to procure any were fruitless, so cun-
ningly had they disposed of them, and so effectually did they mislead
us by squatting on the moss for several minutes at a time, as if sitting
on their eggs. On our approaching them on such occasions, they would
run or fly off to a short distance, in various directions, and renew their
wiles.
I have often seen considerable flocks of this species along the shores
of the Ohio and Mississippi during autumn, and have reason to believe
that some are also to be found then on the Missouri. At this season,
when they feed on fresh-water insects, worms, and small coleoptera,
they are very fat, and afford excellent eating ; which is rarely the case
when they are along the sea-shores, as their food then consists of small
shell-fish and marine insects, for which they are often seen probing the
sands in the manner of Curlews. They are active, quarrelsome, and impa-
tient, moving from one spot to another unexpectedly, and perhaps re-
turning to the same place a few minutes after. On taking wing, they
utter their tweet tweet simultaneously, and whilst on the ground emit
murmuring sounds peculiar to themselves. Their flight is swift and
well-sustained, and when alarmed, or previous to alighting, their evo-
lutions through the air are very pleasing to the beholder.
SEMIPALMATED SaNDPIPER, TRINGA SEMIPALMATA, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. vii.
p- 131, pl. 63, fig. 4.
TrRinGA sEMIPALMATA, Ch. Bonap., Synops. of Birds of United States, p. 316.
SEMIPALMATED SanpPiPER, Vutiall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 136.
Bill as long the head, slender, straight, compressed, tapering from
the base to near the point, which is slightly swelled, but with the tip
rather acute. Upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge
narrow and convex, a little broader and flattened towards the end, the
sides sloping, with the nasal groove extending to near its tip ; lower
mandible with the angle very long and narrow, the outline straight,
112 SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER.
towards the end slightly declinate, the sides sloping a little outwards,
‘with a groove extending to near the tip, which is a little widened and
rather obtuse.
Head of moderate size, oblong, compressed. Neck rather short.
Body compact, ovate. Feet of moderate length and slender ; tibia bare
a fourth of its length ; tarsus of moderate length, compressed, scutel-
late before and behind, so as to leave scarcely any intermediate space ;
hind toe very short and extremely slender ; anterior toes rather long,
slender, connected by webs of which the outer is larger and extends to
opposite the second joint of the third toe, both however margining the
toes to their extremity ; the outer toe alittle longer than the inner, and
not much exceeded by the third. Claws small, much compressed, ta-
pering, slightly arched, that of the third toe larger, with the inner edge
a little dilated.
Plumage soft, blended on the neck and lower parts, somewhat com-
pact on the upper. Wings long, pointed; primaries tapering, obtuse,
the first longest, the second a twelfth and a half shorter, the rest ra-
pidly graduated; outer secondaries incurved, obliquely pointed, inner
straight, tapering, one of them reaching to nine-twelfths of an inch from
the tip of the longest primary. Tail rather short, doubly emarginate,
that is, with the middle feathers a quarter of an inch longer than the
lateral, which are a little longer than some of the intermediate.
Bill greenish-dusky ; iris hazel; feet dull yellowish-green, claws
black. The upper part of the head, the cheeks, the hind part and
sides of the neck, are ash-grey, streaked with dusky ; on the rest of the
upper parts the feathers are dusky brown, margined with pale grey,
those on the rump and the upper tail-coverts blackish-brown; secon-
dary coverts tipped with white ; alula and primary coverts brownish-
black, the latter tipped with white ; primary quills greyish-black, with
white shafts ; secondary quills gradually more grey ; the primaries ex-
ternally edged with white toward the base, as are the outer secondaries
in a fainter degree, as well as terminally, some of them also having the
greater part of the imner web greyish-white. The two middle tail-
feathers greyish-black on the inner web, their outer web and all the
other feathers ash-grey. The anterior part of the forehead, and a band
over the eye greyish-white : the lower parts of the neck and body white.
Length to end of tail 6 inches ; to end of wings 63, to end of claws
74 ;extent of wings 123; bill along the ridge 1z’s ; wing from flexure 4 ;
—— 4
Pt abe Fy
SEMIPALMATED SANDPIPER. 113
tail 1,5; bare part of tibia 4; tarsus }}; hind toe #4, its claw 74;
middle toe 7%, its claw 35. Weight 1 oz.
The Female is considerably larger than the male, but otherwise
similar.
In winter the upper parts are ash-grey tinged with brown, each
feather with a central dusky line.
In a female preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is flat, with
the edges a little prominent, and two medial series of reflected papille.
The tongue is 103 twelfths long, slender, papillate at the base, con-
eave above, rather obtuse and somewhat jagged at the extremity, horny
in nearly its whole length. The extremity of the upper mandible is
somewhat scrobiculate ; the lower mandible deeply concave. The ceso-
phagus, which is 24 inches in length, is very slender, being scarcely so
wide as the trachea, its diameter nearly uniform, and about 1; twelfth.
The stomach is elliptical, a little compressed, 4 inch long, 44 twelfths
broad, its lateral muscles moderately developed, its tendons large, the
epithelium tough, longitudinally rugous, and of a reddish-brown colour.
It contains particles of quartz and small seeds. The intestine, of
which the diameter is generally 1 twelfth, measures 10 inches in length ;
and the cceca, which come off at the distance of ? inch from the extre-
mity, are 1 inch long, and three-fourths of a twelfth in their greatest
diameter.
The trachea, which is 1 inch 10 twelfths long, passes to the right
side of the neck, along with the cesophagus, as in all birds destitute of
crop, is considerably flattened, and varies in diameter from 11 twelfth to
2twelfth. The rings are about 98; the bronchial half rings about 15.
The lateral muscles are strong, and terminate in the sterno-tracheal,
at the distance of a twelfth and a half from the inferior larynx, which
is destitute of any other muscle than a slender continuation of the con-
tractor, which goes to the first bronchial ring.
VOL. V. : H
( 114 )
TRUMPETER SWAN.
Cycnus BuccinéTOR, RicHARDSON.
PLATE CCCCVI. Anputt.
Havine nothing to add to what has already been said of this species
in the Fourth Volume (p. 536), where the young was described, I pro-
ceed to give an account of the external form and colour of the adult.
Cyenvs Buccinator, Richardson.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCVI.
Bill longer than the head, higher than broad at the base, depressed,
and a little widened toward the end, rounded at the tip. Upper man-
dible with the dorsal line sloping, the ridge very broad at the base,
with a large depression, narrowed between the nostrils, convex toward
the end, the sides nearly erect at the base, gradually becoming more
horizontal and convex toward the end, the sides soft and thin, with
forty-five transverse, little elevated lamelle internally, the unguis ob-
ovate. Lower mandible narrow, flattened, with the angle very long,
rather narrow, anteriorly rounded, the sides convex, the edges erect,
inclinate, with about twenty-six external lamellz, and about seventy
above, the unguis obovate-triangular. Nasal groove elliptical, subbasal,
covered by the soft membrane of the bill; nostrils submedial, longi-
tudinal, placed near the ridge, elliptical, pervious.
Head of moderate size, oblong, compressed ; neck extremely long
and slender; body very large, compact, depressed. Feet short, stout,
placed a little behind the centre of the body; legs bare, an inch and a
half above the joint ; tarsus short, a little compressed, covered all round
with angular scales, of which the posterior are extremely small. Hind
toe extremely small, with a very narrow membrane ; third toe longest,
fourth very little shorter, second considerably shorter ; anterior toes
covered with angular scales for nearly half the length, scutellate in the
rest of their extent, and connected by broad reticulated entire mem-
branes. Claws rather small, strong, arched, compressed, rather obtuse,
that of the middle toe much larger, with a dilated thin edge.
PRIS ew dy rs
TRUMPETER SWAN. 115
A portion of the forehead about half an inch in length, and the
space intervening between the bill and the eye, are bare. Plu-
mage dense, soft, and elastic; on the head and neck the feathers
oblong, acuminate ; on the other parts in general broadly ovate and
rounded, on the back short and compact. Wings long and broad, the
anterior protuberance of the first phalangeal bone very prominent ;
primaries curved, stiff, tapering to an obtuse point; the second longest,
exceeding the first by half an inch, and the third by a quarter of an
inch ; secondaries very broad and rounded, some of the inner rather
pointed. Tail very short, graduated, of twenty-four stiffish, mode-
rately broad, rather pointed feathers, of which the middle exceeds the
lateral by two inches and a quarter.
Bill and feet black, the outer lamellate edges of the lower man-
dible, and the inside of the mouth, yellowish flesh-colour. The plu-
mage is pure white, excepting the upper part of the head, which varies
from brownish-red to white, apparently without reference to age or
sex, as in Cygnus Americanus and Anser hyperboreus.
Length to end of tail 68 inches ; bill along the ridge 474, from the
eye to the tip 6, along the edge of lower mandible 4,7, ; breadth of
upper mandible near the base 13%, near the end jfee wing from flexure
27; tail 83; tarsus 4;% ; first toe 1%, its claw 3%; second toe 4,3, its
claw 1; third toe 6, its claw 1/3; fourth toe 514, its claw tee
( 116 )
DUSKY ALBATROSS.
DIOMEDEA4 FUSCA.
PLATE CCCCVII. Aputr.
Tue skin from which I made my drawing of this species was pre-
pared by Dr TownseEnp, who procured the bird near the mouth of the
Columbia River. Of its habits or distribution I am entirely ignorant.
Having failed in finding any figure or description of an Albatross agree-
ing entirely with it, I have been induced to consider it as new.
DIOMEDEA FUSCA.
Adult. Plate CCCCVITI.
Bill longer than the head, nearly straight, stout, much compressed.
Upper mandible with its dorsal outline straight and declinate until
about one-third of its length, when it becomes a little concave, and
along the unguis curves in the third of a circle, the ridge narrow,
pointed at the base, separated in its whole length by a groove margined
below by a prominent line from the sides, which are erect and convex,
the edges sharp, the unguis decurved, strong, andsharp. Nostrils sub-
basal, prominent, tubular, having a horny sheath, and placed rather
nearer the ridge than the margin. Lower mandible with the angle
narrow, reaching to the tip, and having at its extremity a slender in-
terposed process ; the outline of the crura gently ascending, and nearly
straight, towards the end a little deflected, the sides ascending and a
little convex, with a groove in their whole length as far as the unguis,
filled by a membrane, which is wider at the base, the edges sharp, the
tip compressed, its upper edges decurved.
Head rather large ; neck of moderate length, body full. Feet rather
short, stoutish; tibia bare for an inch, covered all round with small
angular scales ; toes three, long, slender, the two outer a little shorter
than the middle, the inner considerably shorter; they are covered above
with small angular scales at the base, in the rest of their extent with
scutella, and connected by emarginate webs, the outer and inner with
an external membrane. Claws rather small, slender, slightly arched,
rather depressed, convex above, somewhat obtuse.
AMERICAN SCOTER DUCK. 117
Plumage full, soft, and blended. Wings very long and very narrow,
the humerus and cubitus being extremely elongated ; the first primary
longest, the rest very rapidly diminishing ; secondaries extremely short.
Tail of moderate length, cuneate, of twelve strong feathers, of which
the outer are rounded, the inner gradually more acute, the middle
feather exceeding the lateral by two inches and three-fourths.
Bill black ; feet yellow, claws greyish-white. The head and upper
part of the neck are greyish-black, tinged with brown; the rest of the
neck, all the lower parts, the back and rump are light brownish-grey ;
the scapulars darker, the wings coloured like the head; the primary
quills and tail-feathers greyish-black, with white shafts. The eyelids
are narrowly margined with white feathers, their anterior part ex-
cepted.
Length to end of tail 34 inches ; bill along the ridge 44$, along the
edge of lower mandible 3,55 ; wing from flexure 21; tail 11; bare part
of tibia 1; tarsus 35%; inner toe 37, its claw £4; middle toe 444,
£2)?
its claw 7% ; outer toe 434, its claw 7%.
AMERICAN SCOTER DUCK.
FULIGULA AMERICANA.
PLATE CCCCVIII. Mate ann Femate.
Tue American Scoter ranges along the whole coast of our Atlantic
States, in the latter part of autumn and during the winter, extending
as far southward as the mouths of the Mississippi, beyond which I have
not observed it. A few pairs breed on the shores of Labrador, but the
great body of these birds proceed farther north, although the limits of
their migration in that direction are as yet unknown.
On the 11th of July 1833, a nest of this bird was found by my
young companions in Labrador. It was placed at the distance of about
two yards from the margin of a large fresh-water pond, about a mile
from the shore of the Gulf of St Lawrence, under a low fir, in the
manner often adopted by the Eider Duck, the nest of which it some-
what resembled, although it was much smaller. It was composed ex-
118 AMERICAN SCOTER DUCK.
ternally of small sticks, moss, and grasses, lined with down, in smaller
quantity than that found in the nest of the bird just mentioned, and
mixed with feathers. The eggs, which were ready to be hatched, were
eight in number, two inches in length, an inch and five-eighths in
breadth, of an oval form, smooth, and of a uniform pale yellowish co-
lour. I afterwards found a female with seven young ones, of which
she took such effectual care that none of them fell into our hands.
On several occasions, when they were fatigued by diving, she received
them all on her back, and swimming deeply, though very fast, took
them to the shore, where the little things lay close among the tall
grass and low tangled bushes. In this species, as in others, the male
forsakes the female as soon as incubation commences.
This bird usually flies low over the water, although its flight is
swift and well sustained. On land it moves more awkwardly than the
Eider Duck, but in diving it is perhaps superior to that species.
During their stay along our shores, they congregate in vast multitudes,
and being often shot on wing in numbers, are sold in all the markets
of our maritime cities; but their flesh is very dark and has a strong
fishy flavour, so as to be very unsavoury. It sometimes happens that
during violent gales the Scoter is forced into fresh-water rivers, from
which, however, it returns to the salt bays, inlets, or outer sandy shal-
lows of the coast, as soon as the weather permits. They are extremely
abundant about Boston, New York, the New Jersey shores, and the
Chesapeake ; but less so to the southward, until you reach the salt
lakes about New Orleans. ‘Their food consists of. shell-fish of small
size, marine plants, and insects.
The difference between this species and the European bird of the
same name, uligula nigra, being now well known, it is unnecessary to
say any thing on the subject. I have given figures of the adult male
and female, but am not acquainted with the changes which the plu-
mage undergoes. The young are covered with pure black hair-like
down. In the winter season, at which time the male in the plate was
drawn, the colour of the bill is much less bright than in spring, or
during the period of breeding, when the males, after they have left
the females, associate together in parties, and moult in August.
It has been supposed that we have two species confounded under
the common name of Scoter ; but I have not succeeded in finding more
than one, and my zealous young friend, Dr Tuomas M. Brewer, of
AMERICAN SCOTER DUCK. 119
Boston, who is quite competent to the task, has been equally unsuc-
cessful, although in the course of the last two years he has examined a
great number of individuals.
Orpem1a Americana, Swainson. American Scoter, Richards. and Swains. Fauna
Bor.-Americana, vol. ii. p. 450.
American Scorer Duck, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 422.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCVIII. Fig. 1.
Bill a little shorter than the head, very broad, higher than broad at
the base, much depressed toward the end, which is semi-elliptical. Upper
mandible with the dorsal outline convex at the base, descending and con-
cave in the middle, again convex toward the end ; the basal part tumid
with a median groove, the ridge broad and slightly convex between the
nostrils, the sides at first nearly erect and concave, gradually becoming
more depressed and convex, the sides soft, internally lamellate, nearly
parallel for half their length, dilating a little to beyond the nostrils,
then contracting ; the unguis very large, broadly elliptical. Lower
mandible flattened, with the angle long and rather narrow, the dorsal
line slightly convex, the edges parallel, the tip rounded, the unguis
very broadly elliptical. Nostrils medial, elliptical, pervious, near the
ridge.
Head large, oblong, compressed, rounded above. Eyes of moderate
size. Neck short and thick. Body large and much depressed. Feet
very short, placed rather far behind ; tarsus very short, much compres-
sed, having anteriorly in its whole length a series of small scutella and
above the outer toe a partial series, the rest covered with reticular an-
gular scales. Hind toe small, with a free membrane beneath ; anterior
toes nearly double the length of the tarsus, connected by reticulated
membranes having a sinus on their free margins, the inner with a lobed
marginal membrane, the outer with a thick margin, the third and fourth
about equal and longest. Claws small, that of the first toe very small
and curved, of the middle toe largest, with a dilated inner edge, of the
rest slender, all rather obtuse.
Plumage soft, dense, blended, slightly glossed. Feathers on the
head and neck of a velvety texture, being very small, oblong, with the
terminal filaments disunited. Wings rather short, narrow, and pointed ;
primary quills curved, strong, tapering, pointed, the first with the in-
120 AMERICAN SCOTER DUCK.
ner web cut out towards the tip, leaving the feather less than a quar-
ter of an inch in breadth at the distance of an inch and a half from its
extremity ; the second longest, exceeding the first by half an inch, and
the third by one-twelfth, the rest rapidly graduated ; secondaries broat
and rounded, the inner elongated and tapering. ‘Tail very short, gra-
duated, acuminate, of sixteen pointed feathers.
The bulging part of the upper mandible is bright orange, paler
above, that colour extending to a little before the nostrils ; the rest of
the upper mandible, including its basal margin to the breadth of from
three to two twelfths of an inch, black, as is the lower mandible. Iris
brown. Feet brownish-black. The general colour of the plumage is
black, on the lower parts tinged with brown; the inner webs of the
quills brownish-grey.
Length to end of tail 19 inches, to end of wings 17, to end of claws
20; extent of wings 334; bill along the ridge 1}} ; wing from flexure
97, ; tail4; bare part of tibia ,4, ; tarsus 17 ; hind toe $4, its claw 24 ;
second toe 23%, its claw 74; third toe 23%, its claw 22 ; fourth toe 213,
its claw 3§. Weight 2 lb. 9 oz.
Adult Female, Plate CCCCVIII. Fig. 2.
The Female, which is a little smaller than the male, has scarcely
any protuberance at the base of the bill, which is entirely brownish-
black. The upper parts are of a light sooty-brown colour, the lower
light brownish-grey.
Length to end of tail 17 inches ; extent of wings 293.
This species differs very little from the European Scoter, being
nearly of the same size, proportions, and colours. The male differs
from that of the other species in having the sides of the unguis narrowed,
and the orange patch on the upper mandible less extended beyond the
nostrils, and destitute of the median black line and lateral streak. There
is less difference in the colour of the plumage however, than has been
represented ; for adult males of this species are not sooty-brown above,
but deep black.
An adult male, from Dr T. M. Brewer, of Boston. The roof of
the mouth is very concave and broad, with a median ridge, on which
there are six papille towards the base. There are about 25 large la-
mellz on each side of the upper mandible, besides a number of smaller
a
AMERICAN SCOTER DUCK. 12]
ones anteriorly ; about 40 on each side of the lower mandible. The
tongue is 1 inch 10 twelfths long, its greatest breadth 93 twelfths ;
the papille at the base long and pointed, the sides furnished with two
rows of bristles, the tip thin-edged and rounded. The aperture of the
glottis, and that of the posterior nares, are beset with minute papille.
The esophagus is 103 inches long, of moderate width, its greatest dia-
meter being 10 twelfths ; that of the proventriculus 1 inch. The sto-
mach is a strong gizzard of moderate size, 1} inch in length, and 1 inch
10 twelfths in breadth ; its left lateral muscle 10 twelfths in thickness,
the other 9 twelfths ; the epithelium tough, dense, forming two round-
ish slightly concave grinding surfaces. The proventricular glandules,
which are rather small, of a roundish form, 14 twelfth long, form a
belt 13 inch in breadth. The contents of the stomach are particles of
quartz. The intestine is 4 feet 11 inches long, rather wide, its diame-
ter pretty uniform, and about 44 twelfths. The cceca, which come off
at the distance of 4 inches from the extremity of the gut, are 8 inches
in length, 24 twelfths in their greatest diameter, with the extremity
obtuse.
The trachea is 6} inches long, flattened, its breadth 5 twelfths,
contracting at the lower part to 4 twelfths. Its rings are but partially
ossified, being cartilaginous at the back part. It is entirely destitute of
those remarkable dilatations seen on the trachea of Fuligula perspi-
cillata and F’. fusca. 'The bronchi, however, are of very large size,
being 1 inch 4 twelfths long, their greatest breadth 1 inch. The infe-
rior larynx is very small, being only 3} twelfths in breadth, in which
respect it differs from that of most other male ducks. It is indeed very
remarkable that this species, so nearly allied to the Velvet and Surf
Ducks, should present no dilatations, either at the upper larynx, or in
the course of the trachea, as are seen inthem. This fact is one of
many tending to shew that the strictest affinity in some points of struc-
ture is not always accompanied with a strict resemblance in some of
the organs supposed to exhibit generic peculiarities. The trachea of
the male of this species merely resembles that of the female of the
other species. Its rings are about 100; those of the bronchi 30. The
contractor muscles are strong, and terminate at the commencement of
the lower larynx. There are cleido-tracheal and sterno-tracheal mus-
cles, but no inferior laryngeal.
( 122 )
HAVELLS TERN.
STERNA HA4VELLI.
PLATE CCCCIX. Anputr.
I wave several reasons for naming this Tern after Mr Roserr
Have t, of Oxford Street, London. In the first place I consider him -
as one of the best ornithological engravers in England. Secondly, I
feel greatly indebted to him for the interest which he has always
evinced in my publication, which, I dare venture to assert, is the largest
work of the kind that has hitherto appeared, and the engraving of
which has cost him much trouble and anxiety. Thirdly, I consider
myself entitled to express my gratitude in this manner, the individual
on whom I confer the honour being more deserving of it than many
to whom similar compliments have been paid.
I shot several individuals of this species out of a number congre-
gated on the broad eddies opposite New Orleans, in1820. They were
engaged in picking up floating coleopterous insects ; but after I had fired
several shots, and was rowing to those which had fallen on the water,
the rest flew off. Since that time it had not been my fortune to meet
with any birds of the same species, until I visited the Texas in the
spring of 1837, when two of them were procured.
SrernaA HavEttt.
Adult in winter plumage. Plate CCCCIX. Fig. 1.
Bill about the length of the head, rather stout, much compressed,
acute. Upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly declinato-convex,
the ridge convex at the base, very narrow in the rest of its extent, the
sides sloping at the base, nearly erect and convex toward the end,
the edges sharp and inflected, the tip very narrow. Nasal groove ra-
ther. short, but with a channel surmounted by a ridge running from its
anterior part to the edge of the mandible about half an inch from the
tip. Lower mandible with the angle very narrow and acute, extend-
HAVELL’S TERN. 123
ing to beyond the middle, the outline of the crura a little concave, that
of the rest ascending and straight, a slight prominence or angle being
formed at their junction, as in Gulls, the sides erect and slightly convex,
the edges sharp and inclinate, the tip acuminate, the gape-line slightly
arcuate,
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck of moderate length ; body slen-
der. Feet small ; tibia bare for seven-twelfths of an inch ; tarsus very
short, compressed, anteriorly scutellate ; toes small, slender ; the first
extremely small, the third longest, the fourth much longer than the
second ; all scutellate above, the anterior connected by reticulate webs,
of which the inner is more deeply emarginate. Claws moderately
arched, compressed, very slender, that of the middle toe much larger,
and having its inner edge somewhat dilated.
Plumage soft, close, blended, very short on the fore part of the
head. Wings very long, narrow, and pointed ; primary quills tapering
to an obtuse point ; the first longest, the second half an inch shorter, the
rest rapidly graduated ; secondaries short, incurved, obliquely pointed,
some of the inner proportionally longer and narrower. Tail of mode-
rate length, deeply forked, of twelve feathers, of which the middle are
rounded, and three inches and a quarter shorter than the outer, which
taper to a slender point.
Bill black, with the base of the lower mandible tinged with brown.
and a very small portion of the tip yellowish. Iris brown. Feet
orange-yellow ; claws dusky. Surrounding the eye, and extending to-
ward the nape, is a broad band of black; the fore part of the head,
the lower eyelid, and all the under parts are pure white ; the hind part
of the head and the nape are dusky grey, mixed with white. The rest
of the upper parts are light greyish-blue, excepting the rump which is
white, the primary coverts and quills as well as the tail-feathers and
their coverts, are hoary, with the shafts white; but five of the quills
are dusky on the outer web, on the inner along the shaft, and on the
inner margin toward the end.
Length to end of tail 153 inches ; bill along the ridge 1,4, along
the edge of lower mandible 274; wing from flexure 10; ; tail to end
of middle feather 235, to end of longest feather 67,; tarsus 43, hind
129
This species differs from the Marsh Tern, Sterna anglica, in being
124 HAVELL’S TERN.
. less robust, in having the bill a little longer and much more slender, its
height at the angle being #4, whereas in that species it is 4 ; in ha-
ving the tarsus shorter and much more slender, the feet yellow instead
of being black, the claws more slender, and the tail more deeply forked.
The figure in the plate, which is that of an adult bird yet in its
winter plumage, has: the lateral tail-feathers obliquely truncate, but
this was caused by accident, for these feathers in my other specimens
run to anarrow point. My specimens from the Texas are also in their
winter plumage. One of them is coloured as above; but the other is
a young bird, which may here be described.
The bill is somewhat shorter and more tinged with brown; the
lower parts, the rump, the outer web of the lateral tail-feathers and the
sides of the neck are white ; the wings as in the adult, but the prima-
ries internally margined with white, and the secondaries tipped with
the same; the upper part of the head, and the rest of the upper parts,
are light yellowish-brown, intermixed with greyish-blue, and there is
the same black band on the side of the head as in the adult.
( 125 )
TRUDEAUS TERN.
STERNA TRUDEAUI.
PLATE CCCCIX. Anpvutrt,
Tuis beautiful Tern, which has not hitherto been described, was
procured at Great Egg Harbour in New Jersey, by my much esteemed
and talented friend, J. Truprav, Esq. of Louisiana, to whom I have
great pleasure in dedicating it. Nothing is known as to its range, or
even the particular habits in which it may differ from other species.
The individual obtained was in the company of a few others of the
same kind I have received from Mr Trupeau an intimation of the
occurrence of several individuals on Long Island.
STERNA TRUDEAUI.
Adult in winter plumage. Plate CCCCIX. Fig. 2.
Bill about the length of the head, rather slender, much compressed,
acuminate. Upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly declinato-
convex, the ridge rather broad and convex at the base, very narrow in
the rest of its extent, the sides sloping at the base, nearly erect and
convex toward the end, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip very
narrow. Nasal groove rather short, but with a slight channel, sur-
mounted by a ridge, running from its anterior part to the edge of the
mandible about three-fourths of an inch from the tip. Lower mandi-
ble with the angle long, very narrow, and pointed, the outline of the
crura a little concave, that of the rest ascending and straight, a very
slight prominence or angle being formed at their junction, the sides
erect and slightly convex, the edges sharp and inclinate, the tip acumi-
nate, the gape-line slightly arcuate.
Head of moderate size, ovato-oblong, neck of moderate length; body
slender. Feet small; tibia bare for half an inch; tarsus very short,
compressed, anteriorly scutellate ; toes small, slender; the first ex-
tremely small, the third longest, the fourth much longer than the se-
cond, all scutellate above, the anterior connected by reticulate webs,
of which the inner is more deeply emarginate. Claws moderately
126 TRUDEAU’S TERN.
arched, compressed, very slender towards the end, that of the middle
toe much larger, and having its inner edge somewhat dilated.
Plumage soft, close, blended, very short on the fore part of the
head. Wings very long, narrow, and pointed ; primary quills tapering
to an obtuse point; the first longest, the second half an inch shorter,
the rest rapidly graduated; secondaries short, incurved, obliquely pointed,
some of the inner proportionally longer and narrower. ‘Tail of mode-
rate length, deeply forked, of twelve feathers, of which the middle are
rounded, and three inches shorter than the outer, which taper to a
slender point.
Bill black, with part of the base of the lower mandible, the edges
of both mandibles, and their tips to the length of five-twelfths of an
inch, yellow. Iris brown. Feet orange-yellow; claws dusky yellow.
Surrounding the eye, and extending toward the nape, is a band of
blackish-grey ; the fore part of the head, the lower eyelid, the cheeks,
and the upper part of the throat, are white. The rest of the upper and
lower parts are light greyish-blue, excepting the axillar feathers, the
lower wing-coverts, and the rump, which are white; the tail-coverts
and tail are greyish-white. The primary coverts and quills are hoary,
but the outer five are dusky grey on the inner web, toward the mar-
gin, and less so along the shaft, and on the outer web; but the shafts
of all the quills and tail-feathers are white, as are the inner edges of
the primaries and the tips of the secondaries, the inner excepted.
Length to end of tail 16 inches ; to end of wings 15; bill along the
ridge 1;%, along the edge of lower mandible 2; ; wing from flexure
1018; tail to end of middle feather 2;%, to end of lateral feather 5% ;
tarsus 1,4, ; hind toe 7, its claw }3,; middle toe {$, its claw a
This species has the bill more slender than Havell’s Tern, and dif-
ferently coloured, the tarsus shorter, and the lower parts of the body
and neck of the same tint as the upper, whereas that species is white
beneath.
It is probable that both species have the upper part of the head
and the nape black in summer.
Gge7:y
MARSH OR GULL-BILLED TERN.
STERNA ANGLICA, Montacu.
PLATE CCCCX. Mate.
Havine taken six specimens of the Marsh Tern of America to the
British Museum, and minutely compared them in all their details with
the specimens of the Gull-billed Tern which formed part of the collec-
tion of Colonel Monracu, and were procured in the South of England,
I found them to agree so perfectly that no doubt remained with me of
the identity of the bird loosely described by Witson with that first
distinguished by the English Ornithologist.
I have shot several Marsh Terns out of the same flock, in the early
part of spring, when the youngest must therefore have been nearly a
year old, and found them all equally perfect and beautiful in their
plumage, but differing considerably in the length of their bills, tarsi,
toes, and wings, in so much that a person bent on forming new species
might easily gratify his inclination by founding “ specific characters”
on differences, which however would be merely those of males and
females of different ages. With me the habits of birds, when minutely
and faithfully described, go much farther to establish the identity of
individuals found in the different parts of the globe, than the best and
closest descriptions of prepared skins. Colonel Monracvu informs us
that the Gull-billed Tern, Sterna anglica, resorts by preference to lakes
and rivers of the interior; and Mr Setsy states, that “ on the Euro-
pean continent it frequents the marshes and the lakes of Neusidel and
Platten in Hungary.” The same naturalist also says: ‘ Upon investi-
gating specimens from North America, I feel no hesitation in consi-
dering the Marsh Tern of Wuitson’s North American Ornithology to
be the same bird, although Mr Orp (in his eighth volume of that work)
is inclined to regard it as distinct, in consequence of some difference
between the length of the bill and tarsi, as expressed in a drawing of
Sterna aranea that he examined, and the proportions of those parts in
the first species as given by Monracu and TEmMincx.”
Now, Reader, allow me to lay before you an account of the habits
of the Marsh Tern, a figure of an adult individual selected from among
128 MARSH OR GULL-BILLED TERN.
three shot within a few hours of each other, and the measurements of
several recent birds. You may then judge whether or not our bird is
that described by Montacu.
The Marsh Tern is pretty abundant about the salt-marshes of the
mouths of the Mississippi in the beginning of April; and by following
the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, you will find that it comes to us from
beyond the Texas, as many make their appearance along that coast in
a straggling manner during spring, there being seldom more than half
a dozen together, and generally only two. Their journeys are per-
formed over the waters of the sea, a few hundred yards from the shore ;
and when in want of food, they diverge from their ordinary course, and
ranging over the land satisfy their hunger, when they resume their
route.
Excepting the Cayenne Tern, I know no American species that
has so powerful a flight as the present. To this power is added an
elegant lightness that renders it most conspicuous and pleasing during
the love season. Then “ the happy pair” are seen to rise in elegant
circling sweeps, almost in the manner of Hawks, and only a few feet
apart, until they attain a height of about two hundred yards, when they
come close together, and then glide with extended pinicns through the
air, the male over the female, both emitting tender and plaintive notes,
while they vary their evolutions at the same height for five or six mi-
nutes. After this the winged lovers separate, plunge towards the earth
with wonderful rapidity, resume their ordinary notes, and seek for food
in concert. The usual cry of these birds is rough, sharp, distinguish-
able at a considerable distance, and often repeated as if to assure each
other that they are near. When an accident happens to the female du-
ring the breeding season, her mate manifests a most affectionate concern ;
but the female in such a case acts differently. On shooting several
males on various occasions, whether they were killed outright, or fell
wounded on the earth or the water, I observed that the female would
only take a round as she rose above the reach of shot, and move off at
once to some considerable distance ; but when the female dropped, if
on the water, the male would plunge headlong toward her, and alight-
ing by her side, would do all in his power to aid her in swimming or
flying off. If she fell on the ground, he would alight there, and exhi-
bit the same marks of anxious care, thus affording to the gunner the
best possible opportunity of destroying him.
MARSH OR GULL. BILLED TERN. 129
The Marsh Tern swims buoyantly but not swiftly, and when wounded
does not attempt to dive, but when taken in the hand bites rather
severely, though without uttering cries, in which latter respect it differs
from the other species. Whilst travelling or inspecting the pools of
the marshes, or the bayous intersecting them, it passes at a consider-
able height with quickly repeated movements of the wings, and when
looking for food, it darts through the air and slides toward the waters,
as if about to dive for fish. I have observed them coming over large mud-
flats and marshes to bayous, apparently for the latter purpose; but I
believe that these birds never immerse themselves in the water, as
other Terns are wont to do; nor do I think that they procure fish, as,
on examining a number of individuals near the mouths of the Missis-
sippi, in the Texas, and at Great Egg Harbour, I never found any other
food in their stomachs than insects of various kinds, including coleop-
tera, which were unknown to me. In many instances, when near the
places first mentioned, my friend Epwarp Hargis and myself saw them
catching insects on wing over a small pond of almost putrid water, the
surface of which was entirely covered with a thick green layer of water-
plants. The same manner of procuring food was observed over the
dry land at Barataria, where they seized insects by diving as it were
close to the ground and again rising to a considerable height. Their
plunges were performed with great velocity, generally by the males and
females alternately. In two or three instances, I have seen some of
these birds plunge towards the water at sea, but always close on the
shore, and have supposed that when insects are scarce on the land, par-
ticularly during their migration southward, they may be forced to feed
upon fish ; but this is merely a supposition, in support of which I have
no fact to offer. I look upon what has been said as to their feeding
along the sea-shores “ almost exclusively on strand birds and their eggs,”
as ridiculous and absurd.
On the 24th of May I observed this species mastered and driven
from its feeding grounds by the King-birds, Muscicapa Tyrannus, and
the Martins, Hirwndo purpurea. Iam inclined to believe that these
birds migrate in the same manner as many of our terrestrial species,
that is, the females first, by themselves, and afterwards the males.
The Marsh Tern deposits its three eggs on the dried rushes found
in the salt marshes at a short distance from the water, and carefully
placed beyond reach of any ordinary encroachment of the tides; for, as
Witson has truly said, this species forms no nest. ‘The eggs differ con-
VOL. V. I
130 MARSH OR GULL-BILLED TERN.
siderably in their markings. They are generally an inch and three-
quarters in length, an inch and half an eighth in breadth, smooth, of a
greenish or olivaceous tint, largely marked with irregular splashes of
dark umber, almost black, disposed around the broadest part, leaving the
apex with only a few small dots of the same colour, similar dots being
as sparingly dispersed toward the smaller end, which falls off toward
the extremity, and is there gently rounded. The parents sit more upon
them than is usual with Terns which drop their eggs on the sands, and
they do not leave their charge in cloudy weather. The young have the
bill of a dull reddish orange-brown colour, the legs and feet of a less
deep tint of the latter colour, which is retained by them until late in
the winter, when these parts become black, and so continue for life.
The Marsh Tern does not extend its migrations eastward along our
shores beyond New England; which will be understood by those who
know, that in a continued direction the rocky shores afford them no
place in which they could obtain food. But, from what I know of the
extraordinary power of flight of this bird, I am not at all surprised at
its being found in Europe, any more than I should be to find it cosmo-
politan.
I here present the different measurements carefully taken from fresh
birds of only four pairs, all shot in spring, and in full plumage, although
of different ages. Wutson’s measurements are as follows: ‘ fourteen
inches in length, and thirty-four in extent.”
BER) MP) ee
Length to end of tail, . 138 142 143 134 1383 133 143 14
Peasy ccattetas met claws, 11 123 12 11} 123 122 W@ 11
See ee eee wings, 141 15 154 144 144 131 153 143
Extent of wings, . . 33 343 343 333 34 34 353 35
Mbarans Mamata wieght, “tl a 18 (aE et p | ie Be
‘The weight of the four male birds was 63 0z., 5%, 63, 71. The fe-
males were quite as heavy.
GULL-BILLED TERN, StERNA anexica, Mont. Ornith. Dict. Supplt.
Mars TERN, STERNA ARANEA, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. viii. p. 143, pl. 72, fig. 6.
Srerwa aRnaneEa, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 354.
Marsu Tern, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 269.
Adult Male in summer. Plate CCCCX.
Bill about the length of the head, rather stout, compressed, acute
Upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight to the anterior
edge of the nostrils, then arcuato-declinate, t e ridge rather broad and
EE og
MARSH OR GULL-BILLED TERN. 131
rounded at the base, narrowed toward the end; the sides sloping at the
base, nearly erect and convex toward the end, the edges sharp and in-
flected, the tip although narrow somewhat obtuse. Nasal groove com-
paratively short ; nostrils basal, oblong, direct, pervious. Lower man-
dible with the angle very narrow and acute, extending to beyond the
middle, the outline of the crura a little concave, that of the rest ascend-
ing and straight, a prominence or angle being formed at their junction
as in Gulls, the sides erect and slightly convex, the edges sharp and in-
clinate, the tip acute, the gape-line straight for half its length, then
slightly arcuato-declinate.
Head of moderate size, ovate; neck of moderate length ; body slen-
der. Feet small; tibia bare for nearly half an inch ; tarsus very short,
compressed, anteriorly scutellate; toes small, slender; the first ex-
tremely small, the third longest, the fourth considerably shorter ; all
scutellate above, the anterior connected by reticulated webs, of which
the inner is more deeply emarginate. Claws a little arched, compressed,
very slender, that of the middle toe much larger, and having its inner
edge somewhat dilated.
Plumage soft, close, blended, very short on the fore part of the
head. Wings very long, narrow, and pointed; primary quills taper-
ing to an obtuse point; the first longest, the second ten and a half
twelfths of an inch shorter, the rest rapidly graduated ; secondaries short,
incurved, obliquely rounded, some of the inner proportionally longer
and narrower. Tail of moderate length, forked, of twelve feathers, of
which the middle are rounded and an inch and seven-twelfths shorter
than the outer, which tapers to a narrow but obtuse point.
Bill black, as are the feet. Irisbrown. The upper part of the head,
the nape, and part of the hind neck, deep black ; sides of the head, in-
cluding a line margining the base of the upper mandible, fore neck,
and all the lower parts white; upper parts pale greyish-blue; the
edges of the wings whitish ; the primary quills hoary on the outer web,
deep grey on the inner, but with a large portion toward the base
lighter, the shafts and those of the tail-feathers white ; the tail is of a
paler tint than the back, and the outer feather is nearly white.
Length to end of tail 14 inches; extent of wings 34; bill along
the ridge 14%, along the edge of lower mandible 27,; wing from
flexure 12,4; tail to end of middle feather 374, to end of lateral fea-
ther 443; tarsus 11; first toe #3, its claw 74; middle toe 12, its
43
claw #3.
132 MARSH OR GULL-BILLED TERN.
A female from the Mouths of the Mississippi, April 1. 1837. On
the roof of the mouth are three
longitudinal ridges ; the posterior
aperture of the nares is linear,
with an anterior slit; the tongue
slender, tapering, 1 inch 2 twelfths
long, papillate at the base, the
outer papilla on each side larger,
the tip sharp and horny. The ceso-
phagus, abc, is 5 inches long, very
wide, its greatest diameter 9
twelfths. The stomach, cde, is ob-
long, 1 inch 2 twelfths in length, 10
twelfths in breadth; its lateral
muscles moderate. Its contents
are coleopterous and hymenopte-
rous insects, together with small
crabs. The epithelium is thick,
strong, prominently rugous, of a
reddish-brown colour, and exactly
resembling that of the smaller
Gulls. The proventricular glan-
dules are very small, and form a
belt 4 inch in breadth. The intes-
tine, fg h 7%, which is 1 foot 8 inches
long, is wide, its average diameter
being 43 twelfths. The cceca,
which come off at the distance of
2 inches from the anus, are very
small, being 3 twelfths long, and 1
twelfth in diameter.
The trachea is 4 inches 2
twelfths long, at the upper part 4
twelfths in breadth, gradually con-
tracting to 13 twelfth. The rings,
about 110, are feeble and unossi-
fied. The bronchial rings are
about 20. The contractor muscle
=e ae” a
Serie ie apf aecton
—
i
Se ag Fa
AMERICAN SWAN. 133
is so thin as to be scarcely perceptible ; the sterno-tracheal extremely
slender. There is a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles.
The stomach of another female contains the remains of crustaceous
animals, one of which, nearly entire, is a small roundish crab, 11
twelfths in breadth.
AMERICAN SWAN.
CyGNus AMERICANUS, SHARPLESS.
PLATE CCCCXI. Mate.
Ir was undoubtedly supposed by the authors of the Fauna Boreali-
Americana that this species of Swan, more recently shewn by Dr J ‘
T.Suarpress of Philadelphia to be distinct, was the same as Bewicx’s
Swan, Cygnus Bewickit, equally well characterized by my friend Wit-
LisaM YARRELL, Esq. as distinct from the Common Wild Swan of
Europe, C. ferus. But it has fortunately happened that while the au-
thors above alluded to, my friends Dr Ricnarpson and Mr Swarnson,
gave the name of Cygnus Bewickii to the species now under considera-
tion, they actually described the C. Americanus of SHaRPLEss. Of this
I have satisfied myself by comparing the measurements of a specimen
procured at Igloolik, in Lat. 66°, on the 19th June 1823, with those of
several recent individaals obtained at Baltimore and Philadelphia ;
three of which are in my possession, preserved inrum. These I have
found to correspond with the Igloolik bird, as nearly as is usually the
case in birds of the same species, differing only in details modified by
age and sex. The latter Swan is described as “‘ pure white, except the
crown, nape, and superior parts of the neck, which are deeply tinged
with reddish-orange, and the belly which is slightly glossed with the
same. Bill black; cere orange (that colour entirely behind the nos-
trils); irides also orange ; feet black ; old birds entirely white, and
young ones grey.” All these circumstances belong to our present spe-
cies, as well as to the Trumpeter Swan, excepting the colour of the
bill of the latter.
Whilst in London, in the winter of 1837, I had ampie opportuni-
134 AMERICAN SWAN.
ties of examining recent specimens of the Wild Swan, C. ferus, as many
of these birds were offered for sale in the markets. A single glance at this
Swan was sufficient to satisfy me that it had never been found in North
America ; whilst Bewicx’s Swan is always so much smaller in all its
parts than any of the species here mentioned, that it cannot well be
mistaken for any of them; and I feel almost quite confident that it has
not hitherto been discovered in America, any more than the Whistling
Swan, CO. musicus of BecustEern, Anas Cygnus of Latuam, although this
latter has a place in the Synopsis of the Prince of Musicnano.
Dr TownseEnp has sent me a fine specimen of Cygnus Americanus pro-
cured on the Columbia River, where it is called by the Chinook In-
dians Hiass-tkoop-kalakala, and corresponding exactly with one of my
specimens which was shot near Baltimore. He states that it is much
more abundant there in the autumn and winter than C. Buccinator, and
thus corroborates the statement of Lewis and CLarxx as to the latter
being less numerous than the other, in the proportion of one to five.
Captain Lyon describes the nest of the Common American Swan
as built of moss-peat, nearly six feet long, four and three-quarters
wide, and two feet high exteriorly; the cavity a foot and a half in
diameter. The eggs were brownish-white, slightly clouded with a
darker tint.
I ‘have never observed any Swans of this species along the At-
lantic coast, or on the rivers that open upon it, beyond Cape Hatte-
ras in North Carolina; and although they are very numerous on the
waters of the Chesapeake Bay and the streams adjacent, as well as
in other parts of the Middle Districts, I am yet of opinion that the
great body of them spend the winter about the Columbia River, ex-
tending their autumnal migrations westward, along the shores of the
Pacific Ocean, into California, and that the columns formed by these
birds when about to leave their breeding grounds in high latitudes, di-
vide into parties, of which the less numerous bands make their way
from certain points as yet unknown, towards our Middle Districts, while
the rest are perhaps following the valleys of the Rocky Mountains.
When travelling to a distance they proceed at a great height, with
a steady and well-sustained flight, though by no means so rapid as
that of the Trumpeter Swan, this difference probably arising from
thé greater weight and alar extent of the latter. They usually move
in long lines forming the acute angle of a baseless triangle, the leader
AMERICAN SWAN. 135
often changing his position and falling into the rear. On several occa-
sions I have seen seven or eight leading the long single files behind
them in a kind of disorderly crowded manner, which was continued
until the birds were out of sight.
Not having had sufficient opportunities of studying the habits of
these birds on the waters of the Chesapeake, where they are most nu-
merous whilst in the Middle Districts, 1 here present you with an ac-
count of them kindly transmitted to me by Dr Suarrtess of Philadel-
phia :—
“ About the first of September, the Swans leave the shores of the
Polar Sea, according to FranxK.1n, and resort to the lakes and rivers
in about the latitude of Hudson’s Bay (60°), where they remain pre-
paring for a departure for the winter until October, when they collect
in flocks of twenty or thirty, and seizing favourable weather, with the
wind not opposed to the direction of their flight, they mount high in
the air, form a prolonged wedge, and with loud screams depart for
more genial climes. When making either their semi-annual transmi-
gration, or on shorter expeditions, an occasional scream equal to ‘ how
do you all come on behind ?” issues from the leader, whicly is almost
immediately replied to by some posterior Swan with an ‘ all’s well’ vo-
ciferation. When the leader of the party becomes fatigued with his
extra duty of cutting the air, he falls in the rear, and his neighbour
takes his place. When mounted, as they sometimes are, several thou-
sand feet above the earth, with their diminished and delicate outline
hardly perceptible against the clear blue of heaven, this harsh sound
softened and modulated by distance, and issuing from the immense
void above, assumes a supernatural character of tone and impression,
that excites, the first time heard, a strangely peculiar feeling.
“Tn flying, these birds make astrange appearance ; their long necks
protrude and present, at a distance, mere lines with black points, and
occupy more than one-half their whole length, their heavy bodies and
triangular wings seeming but mere appendages to the prolonged point
in front.
‘When thus in motion, their wings pass through so few degrees of
the circle, that, unless seen horizontally, they appear almost quiescent,
being widely different from the heavy semicircular sweep of the Goose.
The Swan, when migrating, with a moderate wind in his favour, and
mounted high in the air, certainly travels at the rate of one hundred
136 AMERICAN SWAN.
miles or more an hour. I have often ¢émed the flight of the Goose,
and found one mile a minute a common rapidity, and when the two
birds, in a change of feeding-ground, have been flying near each other,
which I have often seen, the Swan invariably passed with nearly double
the velocity.
“The Swans in travelling from the northern parts of America to
their winter residence, generally keep far inland, mounted above the
highest peaks of the Alleghany, and rarely follow the water-courses
like the Geese, which usually stop on the route, particularly if they
have taken the sea-board. The Swans rarely pause on their migrating
flight, unless overtaken by a storm, above the reach of which occur-
rence they generally soar. They have been seen following the coast
in but very few instances. They arrive at their winter homes in Oc-
tober and November, and immediately take possession of their regular
feeding-grounds. They generally reach these places in the night, and
the first signal of their arrival at their winter abode is a general burst
of melody, making the shores ring for several hours with their vocife-
rating congratulations, whilst making amends for a long fast, and
pluming their deranged feathers. From these localities they rarely
depart unless driven farther south by intensely cold weather, until
their vernal excursion. When the spring arrives, a similar collection
of forces as at the north takes place in March, and, after disturbing the
tranquil bosom of the water for a night, by incessant washing and
dressing, and alarming the quiet neighbourhood by a constant clatter
of consulting tongues, they depart for the north about daylight with a
general feu-de-jove of unmusical screams.
“‘ The Chesapeake Bay is a great resort for Swans during the winter,
and whilst there they form collections of from one to five hundred on
the flats, near the western shores, and extend from the outlet of the
Susquehannah river, almost to the Rip Raps. The connecting streams
also present fine feeding grounds. They always select places where
they can reach their food by the length of their necks, as they have
never, so far as I can learn, been seen in this part of the world, to dive
under the water, either for food or safety. Hearne says, that at Hud-
son’s Bay, “‘ by diving and other manceuvres, it is impossible to take
them by the hand while moulting.” I have often seated myself for
hours, within a short distance of several hundred swans, to watch their
habits and manners, and never saw one pass entirely under the water,
AMERICAN SWAN. 137
though they will keep the head beneath the surface for five minutes at
a time.
“* The food they are most partial to, is the canvass-back grass ( Valis-
neria Americana), worms, insects, and shell-fish, never, I believe, touch-
ing fish, however hardly pressed for support. The Geese and Swans
frequently feed, but never fly, together.
‘¢ These birds are so exceedingly watchful, that if there are but three
of them feeding together, one will generally be on guard, and, when
danger approaches, there is some mute sign of alarm, for I have never
heard a sound at such times.
‘* However much noise has been made before, the instant an alarm
occurs, there is perfect silence, their heads are erected, a moment’s ex-
amination determines the course, when, if the case be not too urgent,
they depend on swimming, if escape be necessary. They rarely fly
even from the pursuit of a boat, unless very closely followed, and when
they do arise from the water, either for escape or from choice, it is
generally with a scream, and when alighting, particularly if among
others, there is usually a “ how d’ye do” sort of expression on all sides.
Even when wing-broken, these birds can swim with great rapidity, and
if not otherwise hurt, a single oarsman in the best constructed boat
can rarely overtake them. A gentleman who resides on the Chesa-
peake near Brush River, informed me, that a few years since, he had
wounded a Swan, and afterwards cured and tamed it. To prevent it
from flying away, he clipped its wing, but it occasionally escaped to
the water, where he had often followed it for several miles, with two
rowers before he could catch it. The unwounded birds have frequently
been seen to collect around a crippled companion, and urge it to escape,
pushing it forward, and I have been informed by good authorities, that
they have been observed to place themselves on each side of a disabled
Swan, supporting a broken wing, and almost lifting the object of their
affectionate care out of the water.
* Whilst feeding and dressing, Swans make much noise, and through
the night their vociferations can be heard for several miles. Their
notes are extremely varied, some closely resembling the deepest base of
the common tin-horn, whilst others run through every modulation of
false note of the french-horn or clarionet. Whether this difference of
note depends on age or sex I am not positively assured.
“ ‘The Swan requires five or six years to reach its perfect maturity of
138 AMERICAN SWAN.
size and plumage, the yearling Cygnet being about one-third the mag-
nitude of the adult, and having feathers of a deep leaden colour. The
smallest Swan I have ever examined, and it was killed in my presence,
weighed but eight pounds. Its plumage was very deeply tinted, and
it had a bill of a very beautiful flesh-colour, and very soft. This Cyg-
net, I presume, was a yearling, for I killed one myself the same day,
whose feathers were less dark, but whose bill was of a dirty white ;
and the bird weighed twelve pounds. This happened at a time when
my attention was not turned scientifically to the subject, and I have
forgotten other singularities of the specimens. By the third year the
bill becomes black, and the colour of the plumage less intense, except
on the top of the head and back of the neck, which are the last parts
forsaken by the colour. Swans of the sixth year have assumed all the
characters of the adult, and very old birds have a hard protuberance
on the bend of the last joint of the wing. When less than six years
of age, these birds are very tender and delicious eating, having the
colour and flavour of the goose; the latter quality, however, being
more concentrated and luscious. Hearne considers a Swan, “ when
roasted, equal in flavour to young heifer beef, and the Cygnets are very
delicate.” As these birds live to a great age, they grow more tough
and dry as they advance, the patriarchs being as unmasticable and un-
savoury as the Cygnets are tender and delightful.
‘“‘ There are many modes practised in the United States of destroying
these princely ornaments of the water. In shooting them whilst fly-
ing with the wind, the writer just mentioned declares, “ they are the
most difficult bird to kili I know, it being frequently necessary to take
sight ten or twelve feet before the bill.” This I should consider an
unnecessary allowance, unless driven by a hurricane, but, on ordinary
occasions, the bill is aimed at, and if going with a breeze at a long shot,
a foot before the bill would be quite sufficient. The covering is so ex-
tremely thick on old birds, that the largest drop shot will rarely kill
unless the Swan is struck in the neck or under the wing, and I have
often seen large masses of feathers torn from them, without for an in-
stant impeding their progress.
«« When wounded in the wing alone, a large Swan will readily beat
off a dog, and is more than a match for a man in four feet water, a stroke
of the wing having broken an arm, and the powerful feet almost oblite-
rating the face of a good-sized duck-shooter. They are often killed by
AMERICAN SWAN. 139
rifle-balls thrown from the shore into the feeding-column, and as a ball
will richochet on the water for several hundred yards, a wing may be
disabled at the distance of half a mile.
“‘ These birds are often brought within shooting range, by sailing
down upon them whilst feeding, and, as they arise against the wind,
and cannot leave the water for fifteen or twenty yards, against which
they strike their enormous feet and wings most furiously, great advan-
tage is gained in distance. They must be allowed on al/ occasions to
turn the side, for a breast-shot rarely succeeds in entering.
“ When two feeding coves are separated by a single point, by dis-
turbing the Swans in one or the other occasionally, they will pass and
repass very closely to the projection of land, and usually taking, as
they do, the straight line, each gunner, to prevent dispute, indicates the
bird he will shoot at.
“In winter, boats covered by pieces of ice, the sportsman being
_ dressed in white, are paddled or allowed to float during the night into
the midst of a flock, and they have been oftentimes killed, by being
knocked on the head and neck by a pole. There is, however, much
danger in this mode, as others may be engaged in like manner, and
shooting at a short distance, the persons might not be distinguished
from the Swans. These birds seem well aware of the range of a oun,
and I have followed them in a skiff for miles, driving a body of several
hundreds before me, without the possibility of getting quite within
shooting distance.
“'The skins of Swans still covered by the down, which is very thick,
are often used in our country for bonnets and tippets. The Indians
also employ the skins for dresses for their women of rank, and the
feathers for ornaments for the head.
“When more than one person is shooting, it is usual for each to
select a particular Swan, and if there be not enough for all, two will
take a particularly good bird, and, if it be killed, will decide its pos-
session afterwards, by some play of chance. Few are willing to take
the first bird, even though their position of Jast in the direction of flight
would compel them, according to usage, to do so, not only from the
difficulty and uselessness of killing the old ones, but because there is
much less chance of a stray shot from a neighbour’s gun assisting in
the destruction.
‘In the autumn of 1829, the writer, with another person, was on
140 AMERICAN SWAN.
Abby Island, when seven Swans were approaching the point in one
line, and three others a short distance behind them. The small group
appeared exceedingly anxious to pass the larger, and as they doubled
the point at about sixty yards distance, the three formed with the
second bird of the larger flock, a square of probably less than three feet.
At this moment both guns were discharged, and three Swans were
killed, and the fourth so much injured that he left the flock and reached
the water a short distance in the bay ; but it being nearly dark his
direction was lost. These, with another that had been killed within
an hour, and three which were subsequently obtained, were all of less
than five years of age, and averaged a weight of eighteen pounds.
“The Swans never leave the open shores of the bay for the side
streams, and the Geese rarely through the day, though they often re-
tire to the little inlets to roost or feed at night. Few of these large
game are found after their regular settlement, above Spesutie Island,
but lay on the flats in mingled masses of from fifty to five hundred,
down the western shores, even as far as the Potomac. During a still
night, a few Swans may often be seen asleep in the middle of the bay,
surrounded by a group of far more watchful Geese; and the writer
has paddled at day-break one morning within ten feet of an enormous
sleeping Swan, who had probably depended for alarm on the wary
Geese, by which he had been surrounded, but which, as we approached,
had swam away. By an unforeseen occurrence, when a few seconds
would have enabled us to have stunned him by a blow, he became al-
armed, and started in a direction that prevented a probable chance of
killing, from our position, and the tottering nature of the skiff.”
AMERICAN WILD Swan, Crenus AmEricanus, Sharpless, Amer. Journal of Science
and Arts, vol. xxii.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXI.
Bill rather longer than the head, large, higher than broad at the:
base, gradually becoming more depressed. Upper mandible with the
dorsal line concave at the commencement, then descending and very
slightly convex to beyond the nostrils, at the end decurved; the ridge
broad and flat at the base, gradually narrowed, convex toward the end ;
the sides nearly erect and somewhat concave at the base, gradually
sloping, and towards the end convex, the margins nearly parallel until
AMERICAN SWAN. 141
toward the end, when they widen a little ; the tip rather abruptly
rounded, the unguis truncato-obovate. Nostril medial, elliptical, di-
rect, near the ridge; nasal groove elliptical. Lower mandible flat-
tened, slightly recurved ; the angle long and rather narrow, the edges
parallel, the tip truncate, the unguis somewhat triangular.
Head of moderate size, oblong, compressed. Neck very long and
slender. Body very large. Feet short, stout, placed a little behind
the centre of the body ; tibia bare for an inch and a half, and reticu-
lated ; tarsus short, moderately compressed, reticulated all round with
angular scales, of which the anterior are larger ; hind toe very small,
seutellate above, granulate beneath; anterior toes longer than the tar-
sus, the outer a little shorter than the third, all reticulate above as far
as the second joint, scutellate in the rest of their extent, connected by
webs of which the margin is entire, the outer with a thick margin, the
inner with a broader two-lobed margin. Claws of moderate size, arched,
strong, rather acute, that of the middle toe with the inner edge di-
lated.
Plumage full, compact above, blended beneath ; feathers of the
head and neck softer, small, ovate, rounded. Wings ample, convex ;
the first quill eight-twelfths of an inch shorter than the second, which
is longest, but scarcely exceeds the third; the first, second, and third
ut out on the inner web. Secondaries long, broad, and rounded.
Tail very short, much rounded, of twenty broad rounded feathers, of
which the lateral are an inch and nine-twelfths shorter than the
middle. The bill and the bare space on the fore part of the head black,
with an orange oblong patch from the anterior angle of the eye ; sides
of lower mandible and inside of mouth yellowish flesh-colour. Ivis
brown ; feet and claws black. The plumage is entirely pure white.
Length to end of tail 53 inches, to end of wings 504, to end of
claws 58; extent of wings 84; bill along the ridge 4, from the tip to
the eye 4,5; wing from flexure 223; tail 77; tarsus 4,% ; hind toe
fs, its claw 33 second toe 3,,, its claw 4; third toe ;%, its claw
41. fourth toe 4,%; its claw 7%. Weight 194 Ib. Another individual
weighed only 14 lb.
Individuals of both sexes have the upper part of the head anda
portion of the neck tinged with brownish-red.
The Female is somewhat smaller, but otherwise similar.
The young in its first plumage is of a uniform light bluish-grey,
142 AMERICAN SWAN.
paler beneath, the fore and upper parts of the head tinged with red,
the bill reddish flesh-colour, dusky at the point ; the spaces between
the eye and the bill, and between its basal angles, covered with mi-
nute feathers, which entirely disappear in the adult. The feet are
dull yellowish flesh-colour.
An adult Female, procured at Philadelphia. The edges of the upper
mandible are soft, with about 40 transverse lamellz, which do not pro-
ject beyond the margin; those of the lower with about 60 marginal
lamellx, the outer lamellz only 22. Bill along the ridge 4; inches,
from the angle of the eye to the tip 419; lower mandible along the
edge 34; depth of bill at the angle of the mouth 1,%, its breadth at the
nostrils 1,4;, near the end 1,4. The roof of the mouth is deeply concave,
with a medial prominent line, on which is a series of hard tubercles.
The width of the mouth is 1 inch 5 twelfths. The eyes are very small,
their diameter being 5 twelfths; the aperture of the ear 4 twelfths. The
internal cells are of vast size ; the right thoracic being 4 inches long,
the right abdominal 6 inches, the right hepatic 53, the left hepatic 4,
the left abdominal 31, the left thoracic 3. The heart is proportionally
of large size, being 3 inches 2 twelfths in length, 2 inches 10 twelfths in
breadth. The esophagus, Fig. 1, abc, is 2 feet 2 inches long, much
narrower than the intestine, its average diameter being only 4 twelfths,
but at the lower part of the neck it dilates to 8 twelfths ; on entering
the thorax, it passes obliquely to the left side, and the proventriculus, be,
has a diameter of 1 inch 2 twelfths. The inner coat of the cesophagus
is thrown into strong longitudinal rugz, and the muscular coat consists
of two layers, the outer composed of longitudinal, the inner of trans-
verse fibres. The stomach, de/q, is obliquely situated on the left side, and
is an extremely developed muscular gizzard, of an elliptical form, its
length being 2 inches 6 twelfths, its breadth 3 inches 10 twelfths.
The right lateral muscle g, is 1 inch 9 twelfths thick, the left ¢, 1 inch 4
twelfths. In the stomach is a large mass of very fine quartz sand, and
a great number of germinating seeds of an elliptical form, some about
5 twelfths long, and of a brownish-yellow colour, together with shoots
of Salicornia. The proventriculus is turgid with the latter. Its glands
are extremely numerous, of a cylindrical form, about 3 twelfths in
length. The epithelium, or inner coat of the stomach, is thick and
tough, the two grinding surfaces considerably concave, smoothish, of a
AMERICAN
horny texture, 1 inch 8
twelfths long, -1 inch 5
twelfths broad. There is
a large pyloric sac, from
which the duodenum, hi
jk, comes off. It curves
round the edge of the sto-
mach to the length of 81 &
inches, as represented by. ©
Fig. 2, ab, forming three-
fourths of a circle, and
reaching the sixth rib
on the left side; it then
curves back upon itself,
Ny)
")))})) ul}
be, to above the stomach,
where it receives the bi-
liary ducts, passes up-
wards and backwards
along the spine until it
nearly reaches the anus,
then returns forward as
far as the upper edge of the stomach,
then forms a small loop 3 inches long,
comes torward again, passes backward,
then forward, again backward and for-
ward, now becomes anterior, and curves
parallel to the duodenum, reaching
the seventh rib, then passes backward>
parallel to itself, as far as the liver,
curves again in the same direction, and
proceeds backward, then sweeps back-
ward behind to near the anus, where
it becomes accompanied by the ceca,
comes forward on the right side to
the anterior edge of the stomach, bends
abruptly backwards, and terminates in
the anus. It thus forms 16 curves or 8
folds. Its length is 11 feet 5 inches,
SWAN.
Fig. 1.
143
144 AMERICAN SWAN.
its average diameter 7 twelfths. The rectum is 7 inches in length, 8
twelfths in diameter. The cceca 11 inches long, their diameter for 3
inches only 2 twelfths, in the rest of their extent from 3 to 44 twelfths,
the extremity obtuse. The cloaca is of moderate size and of a globu-
lar form, with longitudinal ruge on its inner surface ; that of the rec-
tum is also longitudinally rugous, and covered with flattened papille.
The transverse muscular fibres of the intestine are all very well marked
in its whole extent ; the inner surface is covered with minute promi-
nences, arranged in regular series; the anterior portion beautifully
villous.
This species has 11 ribs, the anterior rib not joining the sternum.
The lungs are of large size, extending from the second to the ninth
rib, and having, therefore, 7 deep grooves on their upper and inner
surface. The trachea is 20 inches long; its breadth at the anterior
part 9 twelfths. It gradually diminishes to 7 twelfths, and is much
flattened until about 6 inches from the furcula, when it becomes gra-
dually cylindrical, reaches the curve of the furcula, bends a little up-
wards, and enters a cavity formed in the sternum, along which it
passes to the length of 6 inches, bends upon itself horizontally, returns,
passes up between the crura of the furcula, bends backwards, and en-
ters the thorax, its diameter in this part of its course being 7 twelfths.
The inferior larynx is laterally compressed, its last rings united. Ap-
pended to the last or semilunar ring on each side is a narrow membrane,
terminated by a very slender half ring ; the membrane intervening be-
tween it and the first bronchial ring is large. The bronchi themselves
are very short, compressed at the commencement, enlarged at the middle
into a roundish cavity 73 twelfths in diameter, afterwards cylindrical ;
their entire length 1? inch. The lateral or contractor muscles of the
trachea are large, and come off at the curve of the furcula, not following
the course of the trachea within the sternum, but passing directly across
to near the inferior larynx, where they terminate at the distance of 14
inch. The rings of the trachea are broad and well ossified ; there are
148 to the curve, 40 between the lower larynx and its exit from the
sternum. The right bronchus has 23, the left 21 rings.
In the external or subcutaneous cellular tissue of this bird, on the
right side, over the thorax, was found a cartilaginous tumour of a
roundish form, of which the greatest diameter was 13 inch.
Dr Suarpess, in a paper published in the American Journal of
AMERICAN SWAN. 145
Science and Arts, Vol. X XII., first distinguished this species from the
others with which it had been confounded, having obtained good dis-
tinctive characters from the peculiar curve of the trachea, and other
internal and external circumstances. A mature individual which he de-
scribes weighed 21 lb. Its principal dimensions were :—Length to end
of tail 54 inches; extent of wings 86; wing from carpus 23 ; middle
toe 6; intestine 127. The tail-feathers were 20. He then continues:
“The youngest and smallest specimen I have met with, had a very
soft, reddish-white bill, with a brown point, and measured three inches
from the point of the beak to the forehead ; six inches and one-eighth
to the occiput, and the usual position of the coloured spot was covered
to one inch and three-eighths in front of the eye, with small orange-
yellow feathers, which extended down to the gape. The plumage, to
the end of the tail and primaries, was of a deep leaden tint, and the legs
were of a light grey colour. This specimen measured six feet and
eight inches between the points of the extended wings ; four feet two
inches from the point of the beak to the tail, and weighed eleven
pounds. In the specimen above, the yellow spot on the bill was five-
eighths of an inch in length, starting at the front corner of the eye, and
running towards the nostrils, and one-fourth of an inch in breadth. In
twenty specimens I have now examined of the American Swan, I have
never seen this spot more than one inch in length, and half an inch in
_ breadth, and in many of them an oblong mark of the size and shape of
a little finger nail was alone found. In one specimen, which weighed
sixteen pounds, this spot was but one-fourth of an inch square, and did
not quite reach the eye. As the colour and extent of this spot are as-
sumed by Mr Yarrett as one of the principal external specific diffe-
rences between his two English Swans, I have taken particular care to
ascertain, beyond a doubt, the tint in the American bird, and I find
that it ranges from a pure gamboge-yellow to a bright red orange, and
without any regard to sex or age, except in the yearling, as above men-
tioned, when it is covered by small feathers. This mark is always in
the same position. The feathers continue, except at the anterior fourth,
where the yellow spot reaches them, to the very edge of the eyelids,
which are yellow. In every case, the bill has been one-eighth of an
inch narrower at the middle than near the point, and in all young birds,
‘ where the plumage had become white, a dirty-yellow tinge around the
head and back of the neck, marked its immaturity.
VOL. v- K
146 AMERICAN SWAN.
‘In several instances, a well-defined yellow or orange line ran from
the point of the feathers, between the legs of the lower mandible, forward,
to their junction at the point, and sometimes ended in a large patch of
the same colour. In every case, the tail had twenty feathers, although
in the younger ones, there were several of them still in the sheath.
The other external characters are common to the genus.
“The internal arrangements are those, ina great degree, of the
Bewick Swan. The windpipe is uniform in calibre, and, entering the
keel, takes the circuit of the horizontal pouch in the posterior flattened
portion of the bone, and returning out of the keel at the same orifice
it entered, winds round the merry-thought and goes to the lungs.
“In the specimen whose admeasurement is given in detail, the loop
of the trachea occupied a posterior cavity of two inches in transverse
diameter, leaving in the hollow of the loop, one inch of vacant space,
and projecting one-third of an inch above the inner surface of the ster-
num, but shewing no rise externally. In another preparation I pos-
sess, from a bird of equal age, the sternum is seven inches and a half
in a straight line drawn across the concavity of the inner surface, and
the posterior chamber extends to the extreme back edge of the bone,
the trachea penetrating the whole distance. In this case, the horizon-
tal chamber is three inches and one-fourth in transverse diameter, and
spreads, ononeside, three-fourths of aninch beyond the edge of the breast-
bone, and covering and resting on the ribs at that distance. The va-
cuity in the loop is two inches in diameter. A third instance gives
a bone seven inches and a half long, with the trachea extending to the
very posterior edge, and the chamber in the bone two inches and three-
fourths across, and covering the whole breadth of the sternum.
‘«‘ Another preparation, six inches and one-half long, of a younger
Swan than either of the preceding, developed a rising on the internal
surface of one inch in diameter, with the trachea entering but four in-
ches and three-fourths, and just assuming the horizontal position ; and
the very young bird, already mentioned, and which was no doubt a
yearling cygnet, produced a sternum six inches and one-half in length,
with the trachea entering three inches and one-half, and preserving a
vertical fold, and shewing merely a gentle swelling in the bone at the
posterior termination of a cavity four inches deep. In every instance,
the trachea, upon approaching this horizontal apartment, takes to the”
right to sweep round the cavity. The two portions uf the tube, although
AMERICAN SWAN. 147
in contact in the keel, are separated anterior to it by a strong ligament,
which stretches in aright line across from one limb of the merry-thought
to the other, and extends from the outlet from the keel to near the
union of the os furcatorium with the clavico-scapular bones. Lateral
ligaments also pass from the limbs of the merry-thought to these bones,
and form a chamber for the pulmonic portion of the trachea to lie in.
The muscles of voice pass from one portion of the tube to the other,
and are united to the sternum as in the English species. The bone of
divarication is placed perpendicular to the sternum, and is one inch and
an eighth from top to bottom, and the sides are so compressed that they
are nearly parallel. The space between this bone and the bronchial
rings is half an inch, and is occupied by a membranous tube, outside of
which extends another membrane from the edge of this bone to a de-
licate semi-circular bone on each side, which protects the structure
within.”
Dr Suarptess then states, that Mr Orp and he found the ribs to be
ten, and that “‘ the intestines were in every case coiled in seven oblong
folds, and two cceca, which were often of different lengths. The dis-
tinctive characters of Oygnus ferus, O. Bewickii, and C. Americanus, as
given by Mr Yarrett and Dr Suarptess, are then stated to be as fol-
lows :
C. ferus.—Beak black and semi-cylindrical; its base and sides even
beyond the nostrils yellow ; body white ; tail with twenty feathers ; feet
black.
C. Bewickii.—Beak black and semi-cylindrical ; base orange ; body
white ; tail with eighteen feathers ; feet black.
C. Americanus.—Beak black and semi-cylindrical ; sides of the base
with a small orange or yellow spot ; body white ; tail with twenty fea
thers ; feet black.
( 148 )
VIOLET-GREEN CORMORANT
PHALACROCORAX RESPLENDENS.
PLATE CCCCXII. Anvtv.
Tuts Cormorant, the most beautiful hitherto found within the li-
mits of the United States, was obtained by Dr Townsenp at Cape Dis-
appointment, near the entrance of the Columbia River. The specimen
from which the figure in the plate was taken, was transmitted to me
by that zealous student of Nature. The beautiful gloss of its silky
plumage suggested the specific name which I have given to it.
PHALACROCORAX RESPLENDENS.
Adult. Plate CCCCXII. Fig. 1.
Bill about the length of the head, slender, cylindrical, enlarged at
the base, and compressed toward the end, straight. Upper mandible
with the dorsal line very slightly concave, until on the unguis, where
it is decurved, the ridge convex, flattened toward the end, separated from
the sides by a narrow groove, the sides convex, the edges sharp and
straight as far as the unguis, which is decurved, convex above, acute,
its tip not extending beyond the level of the dorsal outline of the lower
mandible. No external nostrils. Lower mandible with the angle long
and very narrow towards the end, filled up by an extensile membrane
which does not extend beyond the level of the eye, its very short dor-
sal line considerably convex, the sides erect and very convex, the edges
sharp and inflected, the tip compressed and truncate.
Head small, oblong. Neck long and slender. Body rather full,
elongated, and depressed. Feet short, stout, placed far behind; tibia
feathered in its whole length ; tarsus very short, strong, much compres-
sed, covered all round with scales, of which a series on the inner side
anteriorly, and another on the outer, are scutelliform, the posterior very
small and roundish. Toes all placed in the same plane, connected by
reticulated webs, and covered above with numerous broad but very
short oblique scutella ; first toe smallest, fourth longest. Claws rather
small, strong, compressed, acute, convex above, arched, that of the
third toe pectinated on its inner edge.
VIOLET-GREEN CORMORANT. 149
Plumage silky, being very soft, blended, and highly glossed. Fea-
thers of the head and neck oblong, of the other parts ovate and rounded.
The small gular sac, and the space before and beneath the eye, with
the eyelids, bare. Wings rather small, broad ; primaries curved ; in the
only individual in my possession, in which they are not fully developed,
the first is an inch, and four and a half twelfths shorter than the se-
cond, which is longest, but exceeds the third only by a twelfth ; secon-
daries broadly rounded. Tail of moderate length, very narrow, much
rounded or cuneate, lateral feathers being an inch and ten-twelfths
shorter thanthe middle; the feathers, twelve in number, are narrow, with
very strong shafts.
Bill dusky, gular sac and bare skin about the eyes orange. Iris
light green. Feet black. The general colour of the plumage is deep
green, seeming black in some lights, and bright green and purple in
others. Along the sides of the neck and the hind part of the sides of
the body, are scattered numerous white piliform feathers terminated
by a pencil of filaments. The quills and tail-feathers are brownish-
black, and less glossy.
Length to end of tail 27 inches ; bill along the ridge 142, along the
edge of lower mandible 2;%, ; wing from flexure 10; tail 53; tarsus 1;% ;
hind toe }%, its claw 34; second toe 1,4, its claw { ; third toe 24, its
claw 3%; fourth toe 3 %, its claw 7%.
TOWNSEND'S CORMORA NT.
PHALACROCORAX TOWNSENDI.
PLATE CCCCXIIL. Fig. 2. Mate.
Two specimens of the Cormorant here represented were sent to me
by Dr Townsenp, who procured them at Cape Disappointment in the
beginning of October 1836. They are both marked as males, and
agree nearly in colour, but differ somewhat in the length of the bill,
and in the extent of the bare space at its base. One of them seems
to be in its first plumage, the other in that of the adult. Nothing.
150 TOWNSEND’S CORMORANT.
I believe, is known of the distribution or habits of this species, which
I have honoured with the name of its discoverer.
Puatacrocorax TOWNSENDI.
Male. Plate CCCCXII. Fig. 2.
Bill about the length of the head, rather slender, nearly straight,
compressed toward the end. Upper mandible with the dorsal line con-
siderably concave, until on the unguis, where it is decurved, the ridge
convex, flattened toward the end, separated from the sides by a nar-
row groove, the sides convex, the edges sharp and nearly straight as
far as the unguis, which is decurved, convex above, acute, its tip ex-
tending nearly a quarter of an inch beyond the level of the dorsal out-
line of the lower mandible. No external nostrils. Lower mandible
with the angle long and very narrow towards the end, filled up by an
extensible membrane, which extends to the level of the angle of the
mouth, the outline of the crura very slightly convex, that of the ter-
minal part descending and slightly convex, the sides convex, the edges
sharp and inflected, the tip compressed, with its marginal outline de-
curved.
Head rather small, oblong. Neck long, and rather thick. Body
full, elongated, and depressed. Feet short, stout, placed far behind ;
tibia feathered in its whole length ; tarsus very short, strong, much
compressed, covered all round with angular scales, of which the ante-
rior are larger, a series on part of the inner side anteriorly, and ano-
ther on the lower part of the outer, scutelliform. Toes all placed in
the same plane, connected by reticulated webs, and covered above with
numerous broad but very short oblique scutella; first toe smallest,
fourth longest. Claws rather small, strong, compressed, acute, convex
above, arched, that of the third toe pectinated on its inner edge.
Plumage soft, generally blended, compact on the back and wings,
glossy on the head, hind neck, and rump ; the feathers on the head and
neck oblong, on the back ovato-elliptical. The small gular sac, and
the space before and beneath the eye, with the eyelids, bare. Wings
of moderate size, broad; primaries curved, pointed, the first, second,
and third with the inner web cut out toward the end, the first three
and a half twelfths shorter than the second, which is longest, but ex-
ceeds the third only by one-twelfth; secondaries long and rounded.
TOWNSEND’S CORMORANT. 151
Tail of moderate length, very narrow, much rounded or cuneate, of
twelve narrow strong-shafted feathers.
Bill yellow, with the ridge brown; gular sac and bare skin about
the eyes orange. The upper part of the head and hind neck are dusky,
tinged with green, the hind part of the back greenish-black ; the rest
of the upper parts brownish-grey, each feather margined with black.
The quills are also brownish-grey, edged with black, the outer pri-
maries and the tail-feathers black. The sides of the head, the fore part of
the neck, and the breast light yellowish-brown, the middle of the neck
in front darker, the sides, abdomen, and tibial feathers, shaded into
brownish-black, tinged with green. On the sides of the neck and on
the hind part of the sides of the body are a few scattered white pili-
form feathers with a terminal pencil of filaments.
Length to end of tail 35 inches; bill along the ridge 23; along the
edge of lower mandible 37; wing from flexure 121; tail 67% ; tarsus 24 ;
first toe 1, its claw 7%; second toe 149, its claw ;%; hind toe 2;%z, its
claw 3°; ; fourth toe 34, its claw 7.
Another individual, apparently a bird in its first plumage, has the
head and upper part of the fore neck darker, the middle of the breast
lighter, the feathers on the back margined with greyish-brown and an
inner band of dark brown. Its bill is longer, but more slender, the
unguis less curved, the feathers not entirely obliterated from the space
before the eye, and extending farther on the gular sac. It is obvious-
ly however of the same species.
( 152 )
CALIFORNIAN PARTRIDGE.
PERDIX CALIFORNICA, LatH.
PLATE CCCCXIII. Mate anp Femate.
Tuis beautiful species was discovered in the course of the voyage
of La Perousg, and figured in the atlas accompanying the account of
that unfortunate expedition, but without any other notice respect-
ing its habits or distribution, than an intimation of its having been
found abundant in the plains and thickets of California, where it
formed large flocks. Dr Townsrnp has lately sent me a beautiful
specimen of the male, which he procured on the 6th of March 1837,
near Santa Barbara in California. I have to regret, however, that he
has not furnished me with any account of its habits. Mr Nurratt, in
speaking to me of this bird, informed me that it is very gentle or con-
fident, so as to be in a great measure regardless of the approach of man,
that its manners resemble those of our Common or Virginian Partridge,
and that the males in spring are seen perched on low bushes, where
they utter their love-notes in the same emphatic manner as the species
just mentioned.
PERDIX caLiFornica, Lath. Ind. Ornith. Supplt. p. 62.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXIII. Fig. 1.
Bill very short, stout; its dorsal outline decurved from the base,
the ridge narrow, the sides sloping and slightly convex, the edges sharp
and overlapping, the tip rather obtuse but thin-edged ; nostrils basal,
oblong, operculate, in the fore part of the wide nasal groove, which is
partially covered with feathers; gape-line a little arched; lower man-
dible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal line ascending and
slightly convex, the ridge broad, the sides convex, the edges sharp, the
tip obtuse.
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck short ; body full. Feet of mo-
derate length, stout ; tibia covered to the joint; tarsus rather short, a
little compressed, sharp-edged behind, covered all round with angular
scales, of which the anterior are very large ; toes four, the first small,
and placed higher than the rest ; the anterior long, rather slender, the
fourth considerably longer than the second, the third much the longest,
all scutellate above. Claws long, rather slender, arched, rather obtuse.
Plumage full, firm, blended. Feathers on the fore part of the head
- -,
CALIFORNIAN PARTRIDGE. 153
linear, recurved, stiff; those of the neck oblong, of the throat blended,
of the other parts generally broadly ovate. On the top of the head is
an elegant crest of elongated feathers, six in number, at first decurved,
towards the end recurved, narrow at the base, broad towards the end,
with the webs deflected, the longest an inch and two-twelfths. Wings
short, convex, much rounded, the fourth and fifth quills longest, the first
eight-twelfths of an inch shorter. Tail rather short, much rounded,
of twelve feathers.
Bill bluish-black. Iris dark hazel. Feet dull yellowish-grey, claws
dusky. The stiff feathers on the forehead are dull yellow; the crest
black, the upper part of the head dark-brown, margined with a band of
white ; the throat deep black, margined by a semilunar band of white
curving up to the eyes, behind which is a bare space. The hind part
and sides of the neck are light ash-grey, anteriorly approaching to
white, beautifully marked with black, each feather having a marginal
band and central line of that colour; the lower half of the neck ante-
riorly and a part of the breast, are greyish-blue, the rest of the breast
reddish-white, its central part chestnut-red, with semilunar black bands ;
the sides reddish-brown, each feather with a central white streak ; the
rest of the lower parts light yellowish-brown, faintly barred with dusky,
the lower tail-coverts with a central dark brown streak. The back and
wings are greyish-brown, the outer secondaries margined externally,
the inner internally with light red ; the tail brownish-grey.
Length to end of tail 9} inches; bill along the ridge 4, along
the edge of lower mandible 5% ; wing from flexure 4;% ; tail 34; tarsus
14; hind toe ;4, its claw 7% ; middle toe 1,4, its claw Hc
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXIII. Fig. 2.
The Female, which is a little smaller, has also a shorter tuft of
elongated feathers on the head, and is much less brightly coloured ;
the bill being brown, the feet yellowish-brown; the upper part of the
head dull reddish-brown, the throat and cheeks brownish-white, streaked
with dusky ; the hind part and sides of the neck greyish-brown, each fea-
ther with a median and marginal band of black, as in the male, but fainter;
the lower part of the neck and part of the breast brownish-grey, the
rest of the upper and lower parts as in the male, but much duller.
Length to end of tail 9 inches; bill along the ridge 3; wing from
flexure 4,4; tail 33%; tarsus 174; hind toe 7, its claw 24; middle
toe 1,%, its claw 35.
( 154 )
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER.
SYLVIA CHRYSOPTERA, LINN.
PLATE CCCCXIV. Maze ann FemMate.
AttHoucH I have met with this species entering the United States
from the Texas in the month of April, and have procured several spe-
cimens in Kentucky and Louisiana, as well as a single one in New
Jersey, I never had the good fortune to find its nest. When it first
makes its appearance in Louisiana or Kentucky, it usually resorts to
the higher branches of trees, where, amid the opening leaflets and blos-
_ soms, it actively searches for its insect food, occasionally following its
prey on wing to some distance, and moving by short leaps among the
twigs, in the manner of Sylvia carbonata of my first volume, which, in
its elongated and slender shape, it in some measure resembles ; al-
though the latter has been pointed out by the Prince of Musicnano as
identical with the Cape May Warbler, Sylvia maritima, in which erro-
neous opinion he has been supported by Sir Witi1am Jarpine. I
never could in the smallest degree assimilate the movements of the
Golden-winged Warbler to those of the Titmice. Indeed in this re-
spect these birds are quite different, as they are in their manner of
flight, which, in the species now under consideration is elevated, swift,
and irregularly undulated, until it is about to alight, when it dives to-
ward the spot selected by it, as most Warblers are wont todo. Inever
saw a bird of this species in autumn, and therefore infer that its south-
ward journey must be accomplished in a very secret and careful man-
ner, or by night. A male and a female are figured in their perfect
spring plumage.
Synvia curysoprera, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 333.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii.
p. 541. ;
GoLDEN-WINGED WaRkBLER, SYLVIA CHRYSOPTERA, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. ii.
p. 113, pl. 15, fig. 6, male——Bonap. Amer. Ornith. vol. i. p. 12, pl. 1, fig. 3, female.
GoLDEN-WINGED WaRBLER, Wuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 411.
Male in spring. Plate CCCCXIV. Fig. 4.
Bill shorter than the head, slender, conical, compressed toward the
end, tapering to an acute point; upper mandible with the dorsal line
almost perfectly straight, being very slightly convex toward the end,
the ridge narrow, the sides sloping at the base, rounded toward the
GOLDEN-WINGED WARBLER. 155
end, the edges a little inflected, without notch, the tip acuminate ; nos-
trils basal, oblong, operculate ; lower mandible with the angle rather
short and obtuse, the dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges
inflected, the tip acuminate, the gape-line nearly straight.
Head of moderate size, ovate; neck rather short; body slender.
Feet of moderate length, slender; tarsus longer than the middle toe,
much compressed, covered anteriorly by seven scutella, posteriorly by
two plates meeting so as to form a very thin edge; toes small, much
compressed ; hind toe comparatively large, lateral toes nearly equal,
middle toe much longer; claws moderate, well curved, much compres-
sed, laterally grooved, acute.
Plumage very soft and blended. Wings of moderate length, the
second quill longest, the third scarcely shorter, the first and fourth
about equal, the first with the outer web narrowed in its whole length,
the next three toward theend; secondaries long, rather narrow, rounded.
Tail rather long, nearly even, the middle feathers being scarcely a twelfth
of an inch shorter than the lateral.
Bill and feet black ; iris brown. The general colour of the upper
parts is light ash-grey, of the lower white ; the upper part of the head,
and a patch on the wing, formed by the first row of small coverts and
the secondary coverts, bright yellow; a band from the bill to the eye,
continued under it, and enlarging behind, so as to include the ear-
coverts, together with the throat to the extent of about an inch, black ;
a white band from over the eyes to behind the ears, and another from
the lower mandible down the side of the neck, enlarging as it proceeds ;
the sides under the wings very pale ash-grey. The quills and tail-
feathers are brown, edged with ash-grey; the outer three feathers of
the tail have a large portion of the inner web white.
Length to end of tail 41 inches, to end of wings 33; extent of
wings 7%; bill along the ridge #8, along the edge of lower mandible
#,; wing from flexure 2;%; tail 2}; tarsus #; hind toe 3%, its claw’
tz; middle toe, 7% its claw 7%.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXIV. Fig. 2.
The Female resembles the male, but has the tints less bright, the
sides of the head and the throat grey instead of black, and the white
bands on the head narrower and less extended.
Length to end of tail 4 inches, to end of wings 3%; extent of
wings 7}.
( 156 )
CAPE MAY WARBLER.
SYLVIA MARITIMA, Wits.
PLATE CCCCXIV. Mate ann FEemMaAte.
Or this beautiful species, which was first described by Witson,
very little is known. It seems to pass rapidly through our Middle Dis-
tricts in May. I have never met with a single bird of this kind on my
rambles, and am indebted for the fine specimens of both sexes in my
possession, and from which I drew the figures in the plate, to my gene-
rous friend Epwarp Harris, Esq. of Moorestown, New Jersey, who
procured them, with several others, in that district.
Care May Warsier, Syivia MARITIMA, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. iv. p. 99, pl. 54,
fig. 3, male.-—Bonap. Amer. Ornith. vol. i. p. 32, fig. 3, female.
Care May Wanster, Wuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 371.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXIV. Fig. 3.
Bill shorter than the head, slender, conical, compressed toward the
end, tapering to an acute point; upper mandible with the dorsal line
straight, somewhat convex toward the end, the ridge narrow, the sides
sloping at the base, convex toward the end, the edges thin and over-
lapping, without notch, the tip acuminate ; nostrils basal, oblong, oper-
culate ; lower mandible with the angle rather short and obtuse, the
dorsal line straight, the sides convex, the edges inflected, the tip acu-
minate; the gape-line slightly arched.
Head of moderate size, ovate; neck rather short; body rather
slender. Feet of moderate length, slender; tarsus longer than the
middle toe, much compressed, covered anteriorly with seven scutella,
posteriorly with two plates meeting so as to form a very thin edge; toes
smal!, much compressed ; hind toe comparatively large, lateral toes
nearly equal, middle toe much longer ; claws moderate, arched, ex-
tremely compressed, acute.
Plumage soft and blended. Wings of moderate length, pointed ;
the first quill longest, the second a quarter of a twelfth shorter, the
third a twelfth shorter; secondary quills of moderate length, faintly
CAPE MAY WARBLER. 157
emarginate. Tail of moderate length, slightly emarginate, the middle
feather being a twelfth of an inch shorter than the longest, the feathers
pointed.
Bill and feet black. Iris brown. Upper part of head, and fore
part of back yellowish-olive, streaked with dusky ; the rump, the throat,
and a collar scarcely meeting behind, yellow; a band over the eye and
the ear-coverts yellowish-red ; a white patch on the wing, formed by
the first row of small coverts, and the outer edges of the secondary
coverts white; quills and tail feathers blackish-brown, edged with dull
greyish-white ; the three outer of the latter having a white patch on
the inner web toward the end. The lower parts are yellow, fading into
white behind ; the fore neck, the fore part of the breast, its sides, and
the parts under the wing marked with longitudinal, oblong, black spots.
Length to end of tail 54 inches, to end of wings 3}; bill along the
ridge 3, along the edge of lower mandible ; wing from flexure 2,4 ;
tail 2; tarsus £; hind toe j%, its claw +; middle toe ;, its claw
24
12
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXIV. Fig. 2.
The Female resembles the male,’ but has the tints duller, the rump
greenish-yellow, the white patch on the wing less pure and of less ex-
tent, the ear-coverts dull yellow, the lower parts with more white be-
hind, and with the streaks less distinct.
In size and form this species is very similar to the last, but its bill
is shorter, thicker, and much less attenuated at the end.
( 158 )
BROWN CREEPER.
CERTHIA FAMILIARIS.
PLATE CCCCXV. Mate anv FEMALE.
Tue only parts of the United States in which I have not met with
this species during winter are the eastern and northern portions of the
Peninsula of the Floridas. This has appeared the more strange to
me, because I have observed several of these birds in Georgia, Alabama,
Mississippi, and Louisiana, at that season, during which it is not rare
in any of the States intervening between these and Maryland. In the
spring and summer months, or what is usually called the breeding sea-
son, the Brown Creeper may be found over the whole country, from the
thick woods of the northern parts of Pennsylvania to Newfoundland.
None were seen by my party or myself in Labrador, and as no men-
tion is made of this species in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, I suspect
that the want of sufficiently wooded localities prevents it from proceed-
ing farther north.
This bird alights on trees of all kinds, in the Carolinas on pines, in
Maine on maples, in Kentucky on hickories, oaks, or ash-trees; and
as, from the time when it is first able to fly, it is one of the most con-
stant roamers of the forest, you may meet with it in almost any part
of the woods. The taller trees, however, are generally preferred by
it, perhaps on account of its reluctance to fly from one tree to another
at a distance. It seldom leaves a tree without searching all its cran-
nies, from near the roots to the tops of the larger branches, which it
does with incomparable assiduity and care, yet by movements so rapid
that a person unacquainted with it might be inclined to think that it
runs up the trunk and branches, directly or spirally, above or beneath
the latter, without any other intention than that of reaching the end
of its journey as quickly as possible. The reverse of this, however, is
the case, for, shoot one of them when you please, you will find its sto-
mach crammed with insects and larve, such as occur on the trees.
When these are not found in abundance, the Creeper appears to dis-
cover the scarcity very soon, and instead of continuing its search, aban-
dons the tree when not many yards from the ground, and launching off
BROWN CREEPER. 159
shoots downward in its usual manner, and alights a little above the roots
of another in the neighbourhood. I have observed it when satiated,
remain still and silent as if asleep, and, as it were, glued to the bark,
for nearly an hour at a time. But whether the bird was really asleep,
or wished to elude us, is more than I can affirm, although I am inclined
toward the latter supposition, because toward night it retires to a hole,
where frequently as many as a whole brood repose together, as I have
on several occasions witnessed.
When on the move, the Brown Creeper emits at short intervals a
sharp, quick, rather grating note, peculiar to itself, and by which you
may, if acquainted with it, discover from a distance of more than sixty
yards, in calm weather, where it is. Yet, after all, it requires some
time, and a good eye, to perceive it, if on one of the upper branches of
a tall tree. The name of “‘ Gleaner,” applied to this bird, is, in my
opinion, very inappropriate ; for instead of its following the different
tribes of small Woodpeckers, or even Nuthatches, which, however, are
at times found in company with it, I have seen our little hunter tra-
vel over every part of a large and tall tree, and afterwards remove to
another, before the Woodpecker had hammered its way to a grub,
which it knew to be under the bark; and all the activity of our Nut-
hatches does not perhaps surpass that of the present species. Yet they
all pursue their avocations at the same time, and now and then on the
same trees, although this is by no means a constant habit with them.
WIiLson was of opinion that the Brown Creeper moves “rapidly and
uniformly along, with his tail bent to the tree, and not in the hopping
manner of the Woodpecker ;” but I must differ from him, for the bird
at each move actually hops, assisted by the pressure of its elastic tail,
which indeed is the case with all our Woodpeckers, whether on the up-
per or the lower surface of a branch. This may be easily seen on plac-
_ ing a Brown Creeper in a cage containing a piece of a branch covered
with scaly bark.
This bird breeds in the hole of a tree, giving a marked preference
to such as are small and rounded at the entrance. For this reason, per-
haps, it often takes possession of the old and abandoned nests of our
smaller Woodpeckers and Squirrels ; but it is careless as to the height
of the situation above the ground, for I have found its nest in a hole in
a broken stump which I could reach with my hand, although I could
not examine it on account of the hardness of the wood. All the nests
160 BROWN CREEPER.
which I have seen were loosely formed of grasses and lichens of various
sorts, and warmly lined with feathers, among which I in one instance
found some from the abdomen of Tetrao Umbellus. ‘The eggs are from
six to eight, but in some instances I have found only five, when I have
supposed them to belong to a second brood. They measure five-eighths
and three-fourths of an inch in length, four and a quarter-eighths in
their greatest breadth. Their ground-colour is white, with a yellow-
ish tint, irregularly marked with red and purplish spots and dots, which
are larger and more crowded toward the broad end, leaving a space at
its apex nearly free, as is also the case with that of the narrow end;
there are small dots of pure neutral tint here and there, but none of
those “‘ streaks of dark brown” described by Witson.
The young, like those of our Woodpeckers and Nuthatches, remain
about the nest until they are able to fly, and in their minority are well
supplied with food. The members of a family usually remain together
until the next spring.
The males of this species are larger than the females. This dif-
ference is very apparent in the bill. In the winter months, the Brown
Creeper is not unfrequently seen in orchards, and at a short distance
from farm-houses ; but in the breeding season it retires to the interior
of the forests. Its food consists chiefly of ants, larvae, small insects,
and particles of lichens ; and, if one be placed near the nose, it is gene-
rally found to emit an odour like that of ants.
I have figured a male and female, the former on wing, for the pur-
pose of being more conveniently compared with the European Creeper,
which I am convinced belongs to the same species. I have to regret,
however, that only ten in place of twelve feathers have been represented
in the tail, which must have been defective in my specimen.
CERTHIA FAMILIARIS, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 184.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i. p. 280.
—Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 95.
Brown Creerer, CerTHIA FamiLiaRis, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. i. p. 122, pl. 8,
fig. 1.
Brown Creeper, Wuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 585.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXV. Fig. 1.
Bill a little shorter than the head, arched, very slender, much com-
pressed, acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line arched, the ridge
BROWN CREEPER. 161
narrow, the sides sloping at the base, nearly erect in the rest of their
extent, the edges sharp and arched, without notch, the tip acute ; nasal
groove rather long, narrow, feathered ; nostrils linear-oblong, opercu-
late ; lower mandible with the angle rather long, narrow, and pointed,
the outline decurved, the sides erect and convex, the edges inclinate,
the tip acute.
Head rather small, ovato-oblong ; neck short; body slender. Feet
rather short, very slender ; tarsus rather shorter than the middle toe,
very slender, much compressed ; toes extremely compressed ; the first
comparatively large, longer than the middle toe, including the claws ;
the inner toe shorter than the outer; claws long, slender, extremely
compressed, laterally grooved, acute, that of the hind toe very long.
Plumage long, loose, very soft; the feathers ovato-oblong, with dis-
united filaments. Wings of moderate length, very broad; the first
quill very short, being ten and a half twelfths shorter than the second,
which is four-twelfths shorter than the third, the fifth longest but
scarcely exceeding the fourth, which is one-twelfth longer than the third.
Tail long, graduated, of twelve moderately stiff pointed feathers, of
which the lateral are eight-twelfths shorter than the middle.
Upper mandible brownish-black, lower flesh-coloured, with the tip
dusky. Iris brown. Feet light reddish-brown, claws yellowish-grey. The
upper parts are reddish-brown, the head darker, the rump light brown-
ish-red ; all the feathers with a central dull whitish streak. Wings
deep brown, the coverts tipped, the secondary coverts barred at the
base with dull yellow, of which a broad band in the midst of a brown-
ish-black space crosses both webs of the quills, excepting the inner
webs of the outer four, and the outer webs of the outer three; most of
the quills have also a greyish-yellow patch along the outer web toward
the tip, which is dull-white, the tail-feathers are yellowish-brown, with
shafts of the same colour, the webs darker toward the end. A silvery
white band passes over the eye ; the cheeks are dark brown; the lower
parts are silvery-white, the sides tinged with brown.
Length to end of tail 53 inches ; to end of wings 4; to end of claws
47; extent of wings 83; bill along the ridge 3, along the edge of lower
mandible 2; wing from flexure 2,4, ; tail 2;; tarsus ; hind toe 3,
its claw 75 ; middle tce 7%, its claw #.
VOL. V. L
162 BROWN CREEPER.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXV. Fig. 2.
The Female is considerably smaller, and generally of a darker co-
lour, but otherwise similar.
Length to end of tail 53 inches, to end of wings 4}, to end of claws
43; extent of wings 8; bill along the ridge §.
The shafts and webs of the tail are somewhat undulated, so as to
give the appearance of their being barred with dusky. Younger in-
dividuals have the rump less red. Some have the lower parts almost
pure white, while in others they are dusky white, being soiled by mat-
ter rubbed from the trees.
On comparing four fresh and several dried specimens shot near
Edinburgh, with eight dried specimens from America, one of which is
from the Columbia River, I can find nothing on which to found a spe-
cific distinction.
The roof of the mouth is flat, but the mandible concave ; the poste-
rior aperture of the nares linear, margined with two rows of papillz. The
tongue is slender, decurved, long, measuring 64 twelfths, deeply emargi-
nate and papillate at the base, concave above, horny in the greater part
of its length, and tapering toa point. The cesophagus is 1 inch 8 twelfths
long, of moderate width, its average diameter 13 twelfth, without di-
latation. ‘The proventriculus is enlarged to 2 twelfths. The stomach
is a muscular gizzard, of a somewhat elliptical form, 5 twelfths long, 43
twelfths in breadth ; its lateral muscles very strong, the tendons of
moderate size ; the epithelium thin, tough, longitudinally rugous, red-
dish-brown. The contents of the stomach are remains of insects of
various kinds, and one large particle of quartz. The intestine is short,
being only 43 inches long; its greatest diameter 1 twelfth; the rec-
tum is dilated ; the coeca, which come off at the distance of 5 twelfths
from the extremity, are 3 twelfth long, and + twelfth in breadth.
(> 96s)
CALIFORNIAN NUTHATCH.
SITTA PYGMEA, V1GORs.
PLATE CCCCXV. Apuvtr.
The figures of this species were drawn from a specimen kindly lent
me by the Council of the Zoological Society of London. It was pro-
cured by Captain Brrcuey in Upper California, and is therefore enti-
tled to a place in our Fauna. Nothing is known of the habits of this
bird, nor do I even know the sex of the individual figured.
‘
Sirta pyemea, Vig.
Adult. Plate CCCCXV. Fig. 3, 4.
Bill of moderate length, rather slender, subconical, compressed, the
tip depressed ; upper mandible slightly convex in the dorsal outline, the
sides sloping, the edges sharp and overlapping ; lower mandible with
the angle short and rather narrow, the dorsal line ascending and
slightly convex. Nostrils basal, lateral, oblong.
Head rather large, ovate ; neck short; body short. Feet rather
short and strong ; tarsus compressed, anteriorly scutellate, behind
sharp ; toes free, scutellate above, the hind toe very large and strong ;
claws arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, acute, that of the
hind toe much larger.
Plumage soft and blended. Wings of ordinary length; the first
quill very small, the second considerably shorter than the third, the
fourth longest. Tail very short, even, of twelve rounded soft feathers.
Bill bluish-black. Feet and claws reddish-brown. 'The upper part
of the head and the hind neck are dull greyish-brown ; the upper parts
of the body dull leaden-grey ; the quills and tail-feathers dusky, mar-
gined with light grey, the two lateral tail-feathers on each side with a
white band toward the base ; the lower parts brownish-white.
Length to end of tail 3} inches; bill along the ridge 5; wing
from flexure 3,°,; tail 1}.
( 164 )
HAIRY WOODPECKER.
Picus vituosus, Linn.
PLATE CCCCXVI. Mare anp Femate.
Tuts species of Woodpecker has been confounded with another to
which it bears a great resemblance in its markings, but from which it
is distinguished by its smaller size, and the differences to be presently
pointed out. Wmutson, it appears, did not believe in the existence of
the Canada Woodpecker, Picus canadensis ; yet his figure of the Hairy
Woodpecker seems to me to be a representation of that species, while
his description belongs in part to both. These errors have been adopt-
ed by all his followers to the present day, although the specific dis-
tinctions between Picus villosus and P. canadensis have been clearly
recognised by my young friend Dr Trupzav, who has written to me
from Paris that both species are in the national museum there, and
are looked upon as the same bird. Mr Swarnson, who observed a dif-
ference between the birds of the present species received from New
York, and those of higher northern latitudes, has given an exact de-
scription and figure of the bill of P. canadensis, thinking that he was
describing P. villosus of Linnaxus. To this he was probably led by the
erroneous account given of the extent of the distribution of this species
northward.
The Hairy Woodpecker, P. villosus, is a constant resident in our mari-
time and inland districts. from the Texas, where I have found it nume-
rous, to theState of New Hampshire, as well as in all sufficiently wooded
tracts intervening between the junction of the Missouri and Mississippi,
and the northern borders of our great lakes. But not a single indivi-
dual of this species could I or my sons procure in the State of Maine,
where, however, the larger species, P. canadensis, was quite abundant,
and from whence it extends its migrations “ as far north,” according to
Dr Ricuarpson, “as the sixty-third parallel.” ‘ It remains,” he con-
tinues, “all the year in the Fur Countries, and is the most common
species up to the fifty-sixth degree of latitude, north of which it yields
in frequency to the three-toed species.”
Lively, noisy, and careless of man, the Hairy Woodpecker is found
HAIRY WOODPECKER. 165
at ail seasons in the orchards, among the trees of our cities, along the
borders of plantations, on the fences, or on the trees left in the fields,
as well as in the densest parts of the forests. Nay, Reader, I have
found this species, when in company with my friend Harris and my
youngest son, in the very midst of vast salt-marshes, about the mouths
of the Mississippi, where here and there a straggling willow or cotton-
tree bush occurred, as gay, busy, noisy, and contented, as it if had been
in the midst of the woods. In such localities it alights against the
stalks of the largest and tallest reeds, and perforates them as it is wont
to bore into trees.
In almost all parts of the Southern States, it becomes in winter
one of the most familiar species, and, like the Downy Woodpecker,
comes to the yard to glean the grains of corn left by the cattle. There
it may be seen hopping on the ground, among Turtle Doves, Cardi-
nal Grosbeaks, Red-bellied Woodpeckers, and several species of Black-
birds. At this season, its visits to the corn-cribs are extremely fre-
quent ; and curious indeed do the shrill notes of this lively and indus-
trious bird sound in the ear of the person who chances to surprise it
within the crib, from which it makes off, passing swiftly perhaps with-
in a foot or soof his hand. But no sooner has its escape been effected
than it will alight close by, on the top of ‘a fence-stake, and chuck
aloud as if in merriment. I have often observed it clinging to the
stalks of the sugar-cane, boring them, and apparently greatly enjoying
the sweet juices of that plant; and when I have seen it, in severe
winter weather, attempting to bore the dried stalks of maize, I have
thought it expected to find in them something equally pleasing to its
taste. Like all our other species, it clings, when shot, to the trunk or
branch of the tree, until quite dead, and even remains sticking for se-
veral minutes more.
The flight of this species is usually short, though rapid, in this re-
spect agreeing with that of some others allied to it, which are constant
residents in the United States, and differing from that of the migratory
species. It is seldom that more than the members of a family are seen
together, and even this only until the young are able to provide for
themselves. 'The migratory species, on the contrary, are frequently
observed to congregate upon trees laden with fruit. This never happens
with the Hairy, Downy, Yellow-bellied, Red-bellied, Canada, or Three-
toed Woodpeckers; among some of which, however, a certain change
166 HAIRY WOODPECKER.
of locality takes place from south to north and backwards, within the
limits of the United States, in spring and autumn.
The Hairy Woodpecker feeds on the larvze of most insects, as well
as on the insects themselves. It sometimes launches into the air after
a passing one, as indeed is the case with all the Woodpeckers with
which I am at present acquainted, although the larger species are less
addicted to this mode of pursuing their prey than the smaller. In
autumn it frequently feeds on berries near the ground, or on grasses
and other fruits among the tops of our tall trees. Its notes are sharp,
loud, and at times rolling, like those of others of our smaller species,
but frequently uttered singly whilst it is moving on wing or along a
tree.
The hole which it forms for receiving its eggs seldom exceeds two
feet in depth, after diverging from its first horizontal direction, some-
times running perpendicularly, but often obliquely. In the Southern
States two broods are frequently reared in the season; the first being seen
abroad in May, the other in the end of July or the beginning of August.
In the Middle Districts it rarely produces more than one brood. I
have regularly observed that those pairs which had two broods in Loui-
siana, raised both in the same nest, and that not unfrequently within
a few yards of a house. The eggs of the first hatch are usually six, of
the second four. In the Middle Districts the number varies from four
to six, and in two instances I found seven. They measure 1 inch in
length by 53 eighths in breadth, are elliptical or almost equally rounded
at both ends, smooth, pure white and translucent. The young remain
about the nest until well able to fly, as is the case with those of other
species.
Various writers state that the Hairy Woodpecker has been found in
England ; but this is very doubtful, and at present it does not seem that
there are any well authenticated instances.
I have figured a male and a female ; the latter, I believe, not having
previously been represented.
Pricus vitxosus, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 175 —Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol.i. p. 232.—
Ch. Bonap., Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 46.
Harry Wooppecker, Picus vitxosus, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. i. p. 150, pl. 9,
fig. 3, male ? ;
Harry Wooprecker, Nuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 575.
HAIRY WOODPECKER. 167
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 1.
Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, com-
pressed toward the tip, which is truncate and cuneate. Upper man-
dible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge very narrow, the sides
sloping and flat, the lateral angle or ridge nearer the edge, which is
sharp, direct, and overlapping. Lower mandible with the angle short
and rather wide, the dorsal line straight, the ridge narrow, the sides
flat at the base, convex toward the end, the edges inflected, the tip nar-
row. Nostrils oblong, basal, concealed by the feathers, and placed
near the margin.
Head large, ovate ; neck rather short ; body full. Feet very short ;
tarsus short, compressed, feathered anteriorly more than one-third down,
scutellate in the rest of its extent, as well as behind, on the inner side ;
toes four ; first small, but stout; fourth longest and directed backwards,
second and third united at the base; all scutellate above. Claws large,
much curved, compressed, laterally grooved, very acute.
Plumage very soft, full, and blended. A large’tuft of reversed stif-
fish feathers on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing
the nostrils; the feathers in the angle of the lower mandible also stif-
fish, elongated, and directed forward. Wings rather long; the first
quill very small, being only eleven-twelfths long, the second one inch
and eleven-twelfths longer, and five and a half twelfths shorter than the
third, which is one-twelfth shorter than the fourth, this being the long-
est, but scarcely exceeding the fifth; secondaries broad and rounded.
Tail of moderate length, cuneate, of twelve feathers, of which the late-
ral, which are rounded and unworn, are only one inch long, the next,
-also unworn, are nine-twelfths of an inch shorter than the middle, which
are pointed, having the shafts very strong and bristle-pointed ; all the
rest more or less pointed.
Bill bluish-grey, toward the end black. Iris brown. Feet bluish-
grey. The upper parts are black, spotted with white, the lower brown-
ish-white. The tufts of bristly feathers over the nostrils, and in
the angle of the lower jaw, are dull yellow; the upper part of the
head and the hind neck, are glossy black ; over each eye is a band of
white continuous with a transverse band of scarlet on the occiput,
usually divided into two patches by the continuation of the black of
the head ; a black band from the bill to the eye, continued behind it
over the auriculars, and joining the black of the hind neck; beneath
168 HAIRY WOODPECKER.
this black band is one of white, proceeding from the angle of the mouth
and curving backwards below the middle of the neck, so as to meet its
fellow behind ; this band is succeeded by another of black, proceeding
from the base of the lower mandible, and continuous with the black of
the shoulders. All the upper parts may be described as black, tinged
with brown behind; the feathers along the middle of the back tipped
with white, forming a longitudinal band of that colour; the wing-co-
verts, the anterior excepted, and quills spotted with the same, there be-
ing on the four longest primaries seven spots on the outer and five on
the inner web, on most of the secondaries five on each web ; but on the
outer quill only one patch on each web, and on the second two spots on
the outer, and three on the inner. The four middle tail-feathers are
glossy black, the rest black only towards the base, the outermost being
almost entirely white. The lower parts are white, tinged with dull
grey on the fore neck and breast, the sides with blackish-grey.
Length to end of tail 83 inches; to end of wings 73, to end of
claws 74; extent of wings 141; bill along the ridge 1yz; along the
lower mandible 1} ; wing from flexure 47%; tail 23; tarsus 19; hind
toe +5, its claw 743 second toe 7°, its claw 34 ; third toe 4%, its claw £,
fourth toe 7% its claw 7%.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 2.
The Female resembles the male externally, being however more
tinged with brown, especially on the quills, and wanting the red
patches on the occiput.
Length to end of tail 83 inches, to end of wings 74, to end of claws
74; extent of wings 15.
In an adult male, the roof of the mouth has a prominent middle
ridge, which divides posteriorly into two; the palate is convex; the
posterior aperture of the nares linear-olong, margined with papille.
The tongue is eleven-twelfths long, toward the end horny, pointed,
and furnished with two lateral series of acute reversed papille. The
horns of the hyoid bone curve round the occiput, converge on the top
of the head, then leave the median line, pass to the right side in a
groove round the anterior edge of the orbit, and are deflected back-
wards below the eye so far as near the level of its posterior angle. 'The
aperture of the mouth measures 53 twelfths across. The cesophagus
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 169
is 3 inches long, 34 twelfths in diameter, very slightly dilated at the
lower part of the neck. The proventriculus is scarcely enlarged ; its
glandules form a belt 4 twelfths in breadth. The stomach is oblong,
11 twelfths in length, 7 twelfths broad ; its lateral muscles very thin ;
the epithelium thin, tough, longitudinally rugous, reddish-brown, The
contents of the stomach are skins of large white larve with black heads.
The intestine is 93 inches long, the duodenum 2 twelfths in diameter.
There are no ceca. ;
The trachea is 2 inches 5 twelfths in length, its diameter 14
twelfth, gradually diminishing to 1 twelfth. The contractor muscles
are both anterior for the length of 14 inch, beyond which they become
lateral, and terminate in the sterno-tracheal at the distance of 2 twelfths
from the bifurcation.. There are no inferior laryngeal muscles. The
rings of the trachea, which are firm, and but slightly compressed, are
about 50 in number ; the bronchial half rings about 15.
According to Dr TownseEnp this species is found from the Rocky
Mountains to the shores of the Columbia River.
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
PIcus CAROLINUs, Linn.
PLATE CCCCXV. Mate anp Femate.
Mucx of what I have said respecting the habits of several of our
Spotted Woodpeckers applies to the present species, which differs, how-
ever, in the greater extent of its migration in the spring and summer
months, when the greater number of those which return from the south
to our Middle and Eastern Districts proceed considerably farther north-
ward than the Hairy Woodpecker, although not so far as the Canadian.
In winter I have found the Red-bellied Woodpecker the most abun-
dant of all in the pine barrens of the Floridas, and especially on the
plantations bordering the St John’s River, where on any day it would
have been easy to procure half a hundred. Indeed, on this account,
and from its well-known notes, the officers and men of the United
170 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
States’ schooner, the Spark, as well as my assistants, always spoke of it
by the name of chaw-chaw. Perhaps it partly obtained this name from
the numbers of it cooked by the crew in the same manner as the dish
known to sailors by the same name. It is, however, less common in the
United States than the Hairy Woodpecker ; but its range is as extensive,
for I have found it from the Texas to the extremities of the British pro-
vinces of Nova Scotia, and as far inland as I have travelled. It appears
however that it does not inhabit the Fur Countries, as no mention is
made of it by Dr Rrcuarpsoy, in the Fauna Boreali-Ameticana. It is
generally more confined to the interior of the forests, especially during
the time of its breeding, than the Hairy Woodpecker, although in
winter,I have found it quite as easily approached. In autumn it fre-
quently occurs in the corn-fields, where it takes its share of the grain,
in common with the Hairy, the Downy, and other Woodpeckers. It
is a lively and active bird, fond of rolling its tappings against the de-
cayed top-branches of trees, often launching forth after passing insects,
and feeding during winter on all such berries as it can procure. Its
flight is strong and better sustained than that of the Yellow-bellied or
Hairy Woodpeckers, and, like the Golden-winged species, it not un-
frequently alights across the smaller branches of the trees, a habit
which, I assure you, is oftener exhibited than has been supposed, by
all our species of this interesting tribe of birds.
I never found its nest in Louisiana or South Carolina; but it is
not uncommon to meet with it in Kentucky ; and from Maryland to
Nova Scotia these birds breed in all convenient places, usually more in
the woods than out of them, although I have found their nests in or-
chards in Pennsylvania, generally not far from the junction of a branch
+ with the trunk. The hole is bored in the ordinary manner. The eggs
are seldom more than four in number; they measure one inch and
half an eighth in length, three-fourths of an inch in breadth, are of an
elliptical form, smooth, pure white, and translucent. In so far as I
have been able to discover, this species produces only one brood in a
season. ‘The young remain in or about the nest until able to fly well.
The difference which this species exhibits in the sound of its notes
has always been a matter of interest to me; they fall upon the ear as.
if the bird were suffering from a severe catarrh, and yet may be heard
at times at the distance of a hundred yards. They resemble the
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 17]
syllable chow or chaw, quickly repeated during its movements, some-
times singly, but more usually doubled.
It feeds on all sorts of insects and larvee which it can procure, and
at certain periods its flesh is strongly impregnated with the odour of its
food. When procured in any part of the woods that have been burnt,
the feathers of its lower parts are almost black, from the carbonaceous
matter adhering to them ; and generally in winter, at least in the Flo-
ridas, I have found its plumage more soiled than in summer. I have
represented a male and a female, in their perfect spring plumage.
Picus carournus, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p- 174.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i, p. 231.—
Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 45.
RED-BELLIED WoopreckER, Picus carotinus, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. i. p. 113,
pl. 7, fig. 2. Male.
RED-BELLIED WoopPeEckER, Wuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 572.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXV. Fig. 3.
Bill about the length of the head, nearly straight, being very slight-
ly decurved or arched, strong, angular, compressed toward the tip,
which is truncate and cuneate. Upper mandible with the dorsal line
somewhat arched, the ridge very narrow, the sides sloping but convex,
the lateral angle slight, near the ridge, the edges sharp, direct, over-
lapping. Lower mandible with the angle short and rather narrow, the
crural outline concave, the dorsal line ascending and straight, the sides
ascending and convex, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip narrow.
Nostrils oblong, basal, concealed by the feathers, and placed about
half-way between the ridge and the edge.
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck rather short ; body full. Feet
very short ; tarsus very short, feathered anteriorly one-third down, in
the rest of its extent covered with a few large scutella, compressed,
with a series of small scutella internally behind ; toes four; first toe
small, fourth a little shorter than third, second and third united at the
base ; all scutellate above; claws large, much curved, compressed,
laterally grooved, very acute.
Plumage full, soft, and blended. A tuft of reversed stiffish fea-
thers on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the
nostrils; the feathers in the angle of the lower mandible also stiffish.
Wings rather long; the first quill very small, being only an inch and
172 RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
four-twelfths long, six and a half twelfths shorter than the third, which
is two-twelfths shorter than the fourth, the latter the longest, the fifth
almost equal; secondaries rounded, and slightly emarginate. Tail of
moderate length, cuneate, of twelve feathers, of which the lateral, which
are rounded and entire, are only an inch and a twelfth long, the next
also unworn, are ten and a half twelfths shorter than the middle, which
with those on each side have the tip slit, the shaft terminating abruptly.
Bill bluish-grey, dusky toward the end. Irisbrightred. Feet dusky
bluish-grey, claws dark brown. The upper part of the head and the
hind neck are of a shining bright carmine; the back and scapulars
transversely barred with black and white ; the rump and tail-coverts
with the white predominating ; the smaller coverts, secondary coverts,
and secondary quills, are also brownish-black, barred with white ; the
primary coverts unspotted ; the primary quills patched or spotted with
white at the base; the inner with several spots on their inner web,
and all narrowly margined externally and tipped with white. The
middle tail-feathers are black, with an oblique band of white occupying
part of the outer web, and the greater portion of the inner, which is
barred or spotted with black ; the next three on each side are black,
slightly tipped with white; the next also black, with seven external
and three internal white indentations; the outer feathers black, tipped
with white, but sometimes barred. The sides of the head and the
lower parts are pale grey, the former and the chin yellowish and tinged
with red, of which latter there is a shade over the breast, and a brighter
tint on the abdomen; the axillar feathers dusky, barred with white,
the lower tail-coverts yellowish-white, with a central dusky streak or
zigzag mark.
Length to end of tail 91 inches, to end of wings 7?, to end of claws
82; extent of wings 153; bill along the ridge 1,5, along the edge of
lower mandible 145; wing from flexure 5}; tail 37%; tarsus 94; first
toe 75, its claw 24; second toe £%; its claw 7; third toe 74, its claw
iz; fourth toe 34, its claw 7. Weight 23 oz.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 4.
The Female is somewhat inferior to the male in size, and differs in-
colour only in having the upper part of the head ash-grey, the feathers
at the base of the upper mandible of a dull reddish-orange, the lower
parts less tinged with red.
ee . *
oo we , .
sr ae
RED-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 173
Length to end of tail 8 inches, to end of wings 71, to end of claws 8;
extent of wings 143. Weight 24 oz.
In a specimen preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is nearly
flat, with a median prominent line ; the posterior aperture of the nares
linear, 9 twelfths long, and margined with papilla. The tongue is 2
inches long, nearly cylindrical for 13 inch, its terminal part tapering, slen-
der, covered with a horny sheath, on each of the edges of which are 12
recurved acute bristles. The horns of the hyoid bone curve over the oc-
ciput, meet in the median line of the head, and reach as far forward as the
vicinity of the right nostril, being, as usual, accompanied in their whole
length by a muscle attached to the lower jaw. The cesophagus is 31
inches long, its average diameter 5 twelfths. The stomach is muscu-
lar, roundish, 10 twelfths long, and of the same breadth, its tendons
circular and } inch in diameter. Its contents are remains of insects
and a large quantity of maize. The epithelium is tough, longitudi-
nally rugous, and of a reddish-brown colour. The intestine is 113
inches long, its average diameter 33 twelfths. The rectum, which is
4 twelfths in width, gradually enlarges to the cloaca, which is of an ob-
long form, with a diameter of half an inch. No cceca.
The trachea is 23 inches long, nearly of uniform diameter, only
varying from 13 twelfth to 1 twelfth, a little flattened, its rings about
60. The bronchi are slender, of moderate length, with about 15 half
rings. The lateral muscles, which are moderately strong, terminate
on the last ring of the trachea, from which also come off the sterno-
tracheal muscles ; there are no inferior laryngeal. .
(78)
RED-SHAFTED WOODPECKER.
PICUS MEXICANUS.
PLATE CCCCXVI. Mate anp Femate.
Tuts beautiful species was first described by Mr Swarnson from
Mexican specimens. The extent of its distribution is as yet imper-
fectly known, especially toward the north. My friend Mr NotrTa.y
States, that “among the narrow belt of forest which borders Lorimie’s
Fork of the Platte, we met with the Mexican Colaptes, and never
scarcely lost sight of it to the shores of-the Pacific. Its manners in all
respects are so entirely similar to those of the common species, that
the same description applies to both. It is, however, always a much
shyer bird, and frequents the ground less. In the breeding season it
utters the same echoing note of whittoe, whittoe, whittoe; the males at
the same time dodging after, and pursuing each other in jealousy and
anger. ‘They also burrow into the oak or pine trees, and lay white
eggs, after the manner of the whole family. How far they proceed to
the north I am unable to say.”. Dr TownsEnp informs me that it is
known to the Chinook Indians by the name of A-Koptil-Kow, and in
regard to habits is similar to Picus awratus, the male equally partaking
of the task of incubation.
I have represented the male and the female.
Cotaprres Mexicanvs, Swains. Synops. of Mex. Birds. Phil. Mag. No. 84.
CotarrEes Mrexicanus, Rep-SaarteD WoopreckER, Richards. and Swains. Fauna
Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 315.
RED-sHAFTED WoopreckeER, Wuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 603.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 5.
Bill slightly arched, strong, nearly as long as the head, angular,
compressed at the tip, which is scarcely truncate or cuneate. Upper
mandible with the dorsal line somewhat arched, the ridge narrow, the
sides sloping, the lateral angle quite close to the ridge, the edges sharp
and overlapping ; lower mandible with the angle long and rather nar-
row, the crural outline a little concave, the dorsal straight, the ridge
RED-SHAFTED WOODPECKER. 175
narrow, the sides convex, the edges inflected, the tip acute. Nostrils
basal, oblong, about half-way between the ridge and the margin, and
concealed by the feathers.
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck rather short ; body rather full.
Feet very short ; tarsus short, compressed, anteriorly feathered one-
third down, covered with six large scutella in the rest of its extent,
thin-edged, with an internal series of small scutella behind ; toes four ;
first small, third and fourth about equal, second and third united at the
base ; claws large, curved, compressed, laterally grooved, very acute.
Plumage very soft, full, blended. Feathers at the base of the up-
per mandible stiffish and directed forwards. Wings of moderate length,
the fifth quill longest, the fourth one-twelfth of an inch shorter, the
third three-twelfths shorter than the fourth, and exceeding the second
by one inch, the first only one inch and nine-twelfths long. Tail of
moderate length, cuneate, of twelve feathers, all pointed except the
outer, which is only an inch and three-quarters in length, the next one
inch shorter than the middle.
Bill dusky above and at the tip, light greyish-blue beneath. Iris
light brown. Feet greyish-blue. Upper part of the head and hind
neck light purplish-grey ; forehead and a band over the eye dull red;
the sides and fore part of the neck ash-grey, with an oblong patch of
bright carmine from the base of the lower mandible. The upper parts
generally are light greyish-brown, transversely spotted with black ; the
hind part of the back white ; the upper tail-coverts black, barred with
white. The shafts of the quills and their coverts are orange-red; the
smaller coverts coloured like the back; primaries and their coverts
brownish-black, most of them externally spotted with greyish-brown ;
secondaries brownish-black, spotted on both margins with greyish-brown.
Tail-feathers brownish-black, the two lateral on each side with several
light brown spots along the margin, the rest faintly edged with yellow-
ish-white, the shafts of all toward the base, and the greater part of their
lower surface orange-red, tinged with vermilion, as is the lower surface
of the wings. On the fore part of the breast is a crescentic patch of
black ; the rest of the lower parts are reddish-white, with numerous
round black spots.
Length to end of tail 134 inches ; bill along the ridge 12, along the
edge of lower mandible 1,4; wing from flexure 619; tail 419; tarsus
176 LEWIS'S WOODPECKER.
1y%; first toe #4, its claw 74; second toe 3%, its claw £4; third toe 7%,
its claw 72 ; fourth toe 9, its claw {4.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 6.
The Female resembles the male ; but has the tints somewhat duller,
and wants the red patch on the cheeks, that part being merely tinged
with red. An individual, marked by Dr Townsenp “ Female, Colum-
bia River, April 1, 1836,” is similar to the female as above described,
but has the lower surface of the wings and tail, with the shafts, of a
much paler tint, approaching to dull yellow, which induces me to think
that this species does not attain its perfect colouring until at least the
second year.
Length to end of tail 13 inches ; bill along the ridge 1,’5.
LEWIS'S WOODPECKER.
Picus ToRQUATUS, Wits.
PLATE CCCCXVI. Mate anp FEmaAte.
Here you have figures of the male and female of a beautiful and
singularly marked species of Woodpecker, discovered in the course of
the memorable journey of Clarke and Lewis to the Pacific Ocean, and
of which the first figure, being that of an immature male, was presented
by Witson. All that is at present known of its habits is contained in
the following notes addressed to me by THomas Nutratt, Esq. and
Dr Townsenv. ‘“ About the middle of July,” says the former of these
travellers, ‘‘ we first met with this fine species in our progress westward,
in the central chain of the Rocky Mountains, in the Cedar and Pine
woods of Bear River, on the edge of Upper California. They were al-
ready feeding their young, and inhabited the decayed trunks of the pine
trees. Afterwards, at the close of August, in the plains sixty miles up
the Wahlamet, flocks of from twelve to twenty together were to be seen
shifting backwards and forwards in trees near the woods of the River,
playing about like so many sportive Crows, which the young so much
LEWIS'S WOODPECKER. 177
resemble in colour. Now and then they would alight to feed, but re-
mained perfectly silent; they were very shy, the whole flock starting at
any near approach. Whether they have any note or call at other seasons
Tam unable to say. At this time one would scarcely have suspected them
of being Woodpeckers, for they perched in dense flocks almost like
Starlings, and did not climb the branches, or tap in the least, but merely
watched and darted after insects, or devoured berries like Thrushes.
We seldom saw this remarkable species in the dense forests of the
Columbia, or in any settled part of California.”
Dr Townsenp says, “ We first found them on Bear River, and af-
terwards on the Columbia, where they arrive about the first of May.
They are at first silent, but after incubation commences, they become
very noisy and remarkably pugnacious, beating away all other birds
from the vicinity of their nests. They frequently perch crossways
upon the smaller branches of trees, as well as against their trunks, climb
with the usual ease and activity of other species, and are in the fre-
quent habit of darting out from the tree on which they had stationed
- themselves, and after having performed a circular gyration in the air,
returning immediately to the branch from which they had started;
as they near the latter again, they spread their wings horizontally,
and sail to their perch like some of the Hawks. Both sexes incubate.”
Lewis’s WooprEckER, Picus torquatus, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. iii. p.31, pl. 20,
fig. 3.
Picus rorauatus, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 46.
Lewis’s WoopreckER, Nuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 577.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 7.
Bill about the length of the head, nearly straight, strong, compres-
sed, tapering, pointed, very slightly truncate and wedged at the tip.
Upper mandible with the dorsal line slightly arched, the ridge convex
at the base, very narrow in the rest of its extent, the sides sloping and
considerably convex, the lateral angle slight, and near the ridge, the
edges sharp, direct, overlapping, the tip almost acuminate. Lower
‘mandible with the angle rather short and wide, the crural outline con-
‘cave, the dorsal ascending, straight, the ridge narrow, the sides convex,
the edges sharp and inflected, the base faintly striated Nostrils ob-
long, basal, nearer the ridge, concealed by the feathers.
VOL, V. M
178 LEWIS'S WOODPECKER.
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck rather short ; body full. Feet
very short ; tarsus very short, feathered anteriorly more than one-third
down, in the rest of its extent covered with a few large scutella, com-
pressed, sharp-edged and internally with small scutella behind ; toes
four, first toe small, fourth rather longer than the third, second and
third united at the base; all scutellate above; claws large, much
curved, compressed, laterally grooved, very acute.
Plumage full, soft, blended, glossy above, rude beneath. A tuft of
reversed stiff feathers on each side at the base of the upper mandible ; the
feathers in the angle of the lower mandible also stiff. Wings long, the
first quill very small, being only an inch and a half in length ; the second
ten-twelfths shorter than the third, which is atwelfth and a half shorter
than the fourth, the fifth longest, being a twelfth and a half longer than
the fourth ; secondaries broadly rounded. Tail of moderate length, very
strong, of ten feathers, all of which are pointed and slit, the shaft ter-
minating abruptly, the lateral feathers ten and‘a half twelfths shorter
than the middle.
Bill dusky, bluish-grey toward the base. Feet bluish-grey. The
general colour of the upper parts is black, highly glossed with green ;
a band across the forehead, the throat, and a broad patch on the side
of the head, surrounding the eye deep carmine or blood-red; beyond
this the throat and part of the sides of the neck black ; a band of dull
white runs over the hind neck, and is continuous anteriorly with a large
patch of reddish-white occupying the fore neck and part of the breast, the
rest of the breast and the sides are rose-red, becoming of a deeper tint
backwards ; the lower wing-coverts, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts
black.
Length to end of tail 11 inches; bill along the ridge 144; wing
from flexure 775 ; tail 44; tarsus 14% ; hind toe 34, its claw ~; second
toe ,z, its claw 3 ; third toe 28, its claw ® ; fourth toe +$, its claw 3%.
1 12
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 8.
The Female resembles the male, being scarcely distinguishable by
her slightly duller tints, and the less extent of the red on the fore part
of the head. ‘A young bird obtained in September, has the bill quite
pointed, the red on the head scarcely apparent, that on the lower parts
intermixed with greyish-white, the fore part of the neck dull grey, and
the white ring on the hind neck wanting; many of the feathers there,
however, having one or two white spots near the end.
RED-BREASTED WOODPECKER.
PICUS RUBER, GMEL.
PLATE CCCCXVI. Mate anp FEmate.
SEVERAL specimens of this Woodpecker, which were procured by
Dr TownsEnp, on the Columbia River, are in my possession ; but I
regret that I have no other information to communicate respecting its
habits, than what is contained in the following note from my friend
Tuomas Notrait, Esq., who says, “ This species, seen in the forests
of the Columbia and the Blue Mountains of the same country, has
most of the habits of the common Red-headed species. It is, however,
much less familiar, and keeps generally among the tall fir-trees, in the
dead trunks of which it burrows out a hole for a nest, sometimes at a
great elevation. On approaching one which was feeding its young in
one of these situations, it uttered a loud reverberating @rr ?rr, and
seemed angry and solicitous at my approach. The same species also
inhabits Upper California as well as the north-west coast up to Nootka.
It is found eastward as far as the central chain of the Rocky Moun-
tains.” An egg taken from a nest which contained four, is an inch and
a quarter in length, three-fourths in breadth, smooth, equally rounded
at both ends, though somewhat elongated, and pure white.
Picus ruBER, Gmel, Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 429.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i. p. 228.
Picus FLAVIVENTRIS, Vieill. Ois. d’Amer. Sept. vol ii. p. 57.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 9.
Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, com-
pressed toward the tip, which is slightly truncate and cuneate. Upper
mandible with the dorsal line very slightly convex, the ridge very
narrow, the sides sloping, concave at the base, slightly convex toward
the end, the lateral angle farther from the ridge than from the mar-
gin at its commencement, and terminating on the edge about half-
way, the edges sharp, direct, overlapping. Lower mandible with the
angle short and rather wide, the crural outline straight, the dorsal
ascending and straight, the sides sloping outwards and slightly convex,
180 RED-BREASTED WOODPECKER.
the tip narrow. Nostrils linear-oblong, basal, concealed by the feathers,
and placed much nearer the margin than the ridge.
Head rather large, ovate; neck rather short; body full. Feet very
short ; tarsus very short, feathered anteriorly one-third down, in the
rest of its extent covered with a few large scutella; sharp-edged and
having internally small scutella behind ; toes four; first toe small ;
fourth slightly longer than third ; second and third united at the base ;
claws large, much curved, compressed, laterally grooved, very acute.
Plumage very soft, full, and blended. A tuft of reversed stiffish
feathers on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the
nostrils ; the feathers at the angle of the lower mandible also stiffish.
Wings rather long; the first quill very small, being only ten-twelfths
long, the second nine-twelfths shorter than the third, which is two-
twelfths shorter than the fourth, the latter being the longest, and ex-
ceeding the fifth by a twelfth and a half; secondaries rounded, and
somewhat emarginate. Tail of moderate length, cuneate, of twelve fea-
thers, of which the lateral is only eleven-twelfths long, and one inch
five and a half twelfths shorter than the next, which is eleven-twelfths
shorter than the middle, and slightly worn, the rest having the tip
slit, the shaft terminating abruptly.
Bill bluish-grey, dusky toward the end. Feet bluish-grey, claws
brown. ‘The upper part of the head, the neck all round, and a portion
of the breast deep carmine ; the tufts over the nostrils yellow, and from
them a white band to beneath the eye; the feathers of the eyelids black ;
the middle of the breast and the abdomen yellow; the feathers of the
sides of the body and rump, with the lower tail-coverts barred, or marked
with a pointed dusky spot, their edges yellowish-white. The upper
parts are black, the middle of the back spotted with yellowish-white,
the rump and upper tail-coverts white on the inner webs and toward
the tip on both. There is a large patch of white on the wing, formed
by some of the smaller coverts, the first row of small coverts and the
terminal portions of the outer webs of the secondary coverts. The
quills are black, the three longest with eight spots on the outer, and five
on the inner web, the second with four on the inner web and two on the
outer, the first with two on the inner web ; the secondaries more or less
tipped with white, but several of them without spots on the outer web. ©
The tail-feathers are black, the two middle with three or four white
spots on the inner web, or white with several black bands. Sometimes
MARIA’S WOODPECKER. 181
the lateral feathers are spotted on the outer edge, and several have a ter-
minal white edging.
Length to end of tail 9 inches; bill along the ridge 7, along the
edge of lower mandible 1;4 ; wing from flexure 545; tail 312, tarsus 75 ;
first toe #, its claw #4; second toe 7%, its claw #; third toe 7%, its
claw 24; fourth toe 74, its claw 4.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXVI. Fig. 10.
The Female differs only in having the tints somewhat fainter, the
white markings on the back smaller, and the yellow of the lower parts
duller.
Length to end of tail 8} inches; bill along the ridge }}; wing from
flexure 5;% ; tail 3,4.
MARIA’S WOODPECKER.
Picus MarTinZ.
PLATE CCCCXVII. Mate anp FEemMate.
Tuis well-marked species, which has not hitherto been described or
figured, was procured in the neighbourhood of Toronto in Upper Ca-
nada, by a gentleman who presented me with two specimens of it, a
male and a female, but who has requested me not to mention his name.
I am informed by this close observer of nature that its habits are as
nearly as possible the same as those of the Hairy Woodpecker, Picus
villosus, of which you have already seen an account, and that its eggs,
which rarely exceed six in number, are pure white and translucent. In
honouring this species with the name of Miss Marta Martin, I can-
not refrain from intimating the respect, admiration, and sincere friend-
ship which I feeltowards her, and stating that, independently of her other
accomplishments, and our mutual goodwill, I feel bound to make some
ornithological acknowledgment for the aid she has on several occasions
_ afforded me in embellishing my drawings of birds, by adding to them
beautiful and correct representations of plants and flowers.
182 MARIA’S WOODPECKER.
Picus Marrina.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 1.
Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, com-
pressed toward the tip, which, however, is not truncate, but very slightly
cuneate or worn on the sides. With this exception it is very similar
to that of Picus villosus and P. Canadensis, Upper mandible with the
dorsal line almost straight, being very slightly convex, the ridge very
narrow, the sides sloping and fiat, or slightly concave, the lateral angle
or ridge about half-way at its commencement between the ridge and
the margin, but in its course gradually approximating the latter, and
ending upon it about a fourth from the tip, edges sharp, direct, over-
lapping, tip rather acute. Lower mandible with the angle short and
rather wide, the crural line a little concave, the dorsal ascending and
slightly convex, the ridge narrow, the sides convex, the edges sharp
and inclinate, the tip narrow. Nostrils oblong, basal, concealed by the
feathers, and placed near the margin.
Head large, ovate; neck rather short; body full. Feet very short;
tarsus short, compressed, feathered anteriorly about half-way down,
with five large scutella in the rest of its extent, scaly and sharp-edged
behind ; toes four; first small and stout; fourth longest and directed
backwards; second and third toe united at the base; all scutellate
above. Claws large, much curved, compressed, laterally grooved, very
acute.
Plumage very soft, full, and blended. A large tuft of reversed
stiffish feathers on each side of the base of the upper mandible, con-
cealing the nostrils; the feathers in the angle of the lower mandible
also stiffish, elongated and directed forwards. Wings rather long; the
first quill very small, being only an inch and five-twelfths long, the
second half an inch shorter than the third, which is half a twelfth
shorter than the fourth, the latter being the longest, and exceeding the
fifth by two-twelfths; secondaries broadly rounded. Tail of moderate
length, cuneate, of twelve feathers, of which the lateral, which are
rounded and unworn, are only an inch and a twelfth long, the next, also
unworn, are one inch shorter than the middle, which are pointed but
slit, having the shaft broken off at a little distance from the tip, all
the rest more or less pointed, and either entire or slit.
Bill dusky. Iris brown. Feet bluish-grey. The upper parts are
black spotted with white, the lower greyish-white. The tufts of bristly
MARIA’S WOODPECKER. 183
feathers over the nostrils, and in the angle of the lower mandible, are
dull yellow ; the upper part of the head is scarlet, the forehead and oc-
ciput are black ; over each eye is a band of white ; a black band from the
bill to the eye, continued behind it over the auriculars, and joining the
black of the hind neck ; beneath this black band is one of white pro-
ceeding from the angle of the mouth and curving backwards below the
middle of the neck, so as almost to meet its fellow behind; this band
is succeeded by another of black, proceeding from the base of the lower
mandible, and continuous with the black of the shoulders. All the
upper parts may be described as black, tinged with brown behind ; the
feathers along the middle of the back tipped with white ; excepting
on the rump; the wing-coverts and quills spotted with the same, there
being on the four longest primaries seven spots on the outer, and four
on the inner web, on most of the secondaries five on each web ; but on
the outer quill only one patch on each web, and on the second four
spots on the outer and three on the inner web. The four middle tail-
feathers are glossy black, the next black on the inner web, and the
greater part of the outer toward the base, the rest black only at the
base, the two outermost being almost entirely white. The lower parts
are white, tinged with grey, and a little red, the sides faintly mottled
with dusky grey ; lower wing-coverts white, with a dusky patch toward
the edge of the wing.
Length to end of tail 93% inches ; bill along the ridge 1, along the
edge of lower mandible 1}; wing from flexure 4% ; tail 3;°, ; tarsus 72 ;
first toe ¥z, its claw 24; second toe ;,, its claw 24; third toe #, its
claw ££ ; fourth toe #%, its claw 3%. |
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 2.
The Female, which is somewhat smaller, differs in external appear-
ance only in having the upper parts duller and tinged with brown, the
lower more tinged with grey, and the bright patch on the head of a
yellowish-red tint and of much less extent.
This species is very nearly allied to Picus villosus, and is very si-
milar in its colours, but differs in having the mandibles pointed, in
being larger, in having the top of the head red or yellowish-red, and in
having its fourth toe longer than the third.
( 184 )
COMMON THREE-TOED ‘WOODPECKER.
PICUS HIRSUTUS, VIEILL.
PLATE CCCCXVII. Mate ann FEMALE.
Tue difference between this bird and that described in my second
volume under the name of Picus tridactylus was unknown to me until
clearly pointed out by the minute and accurate description of Mr Swa1n-
son in the Fauna Boreali-Americana. Indeed I had looked upon it
as the young of the species just mentioned. Not having met with it
myself, I can only refer you to the very short notice of Dr Ricnarp-
son, who says: “ This bird exists in all the forests of spruce-fir lying
between Lake Superior and the Arctic Sea, and it is the most com-
mon Woodpecker north of the Great Slave Lake. It much resembles
the P. villosus (by which I presume is meant P. Canadensis, as already
explained) in its habits, except that it seeks its food principally on de-
caying trees of the pine tribe, in which it frequently makes holes large
enough to bury itself. It does not migrate.”
I have represented the male and the female, from specimens lent
to me by the Council of the Zoological Society of London.
Picus uirsutvs, Vieill., Ois. de ’Amer. vol. ii. p. 124. *
Picus (aPTERNUS) TRIDACTYLUS, Swainson, ComMoN THREE-TOED WooDPECKER,
Richards. and Swains. Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 311, pl. 56.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 3.
Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, depres-
sed at the base, compressed toward the tip, which is very slightly trun-
cate and cuneate. Upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the
ridge very narrow, the sides sloping and flat, the lateral angle much
nearer the edge, which is sharp, direct, and overlapping. Lower man-
dible with the angle short and rather wide, the dorsal line straight, the
ridge narrow, the sides convex, the edges inflected, the tip pointed.
Nostrils oblong, basal, concealed by the feathers, and placed near the
margin.
Head large, ovate; neck rather short ; body full. Feet very short ;
COMMON THREE-TOED WOODPECKER. 185
tarsus short, compressed, feathered anteriorly more than one-third
down, scutellate in the rest of its extent, as well as behind on the in-
ner side ; toes three, the first wanting ; the fourth or outer reversed toe
considerably longer than the third, which is united to the inner at the
base ; all scutellate above. Claws large, much curved, compressed, la-
terally grooved, very acute.
Plumage very soft, full, blended. <A large tuft of reversed stiffish
feathers on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the
nostrils ; the feathers in the angle of the lower mandible also stiffish
and directed forwards. Wings rather long ; the first quill very small,
being only eleven-twelfths long, the second five-twelfths shorter than
the third, which is one-twelfth shorter than the fourth, this being the
longest, but scarcely exceeding the fifth ; secondaries broad and rounded.
Tail of moderate length, cuneate, of twelve feathers, of which the la-
teral, which are rounded and unworn, are only one inch long, the next,
also unworn, are one inch and one-twelfth shorter than the middle.
Bill bluish-grey, dusky toward the end. Feet bluish-grey, the scu-
tella and claws black. The general colour of the upper parts is deep
glossy black, the head with blue reflections, the back and wings tinged
with brown. The tufts over the nostrils are dull yellow; the anterior
part of the head pale yellow spotted with white ; a band of white, with
small dusky lines, passes from the angle of the mouth to the occiput;
the back is transversely banded with white ; the quills are brownish-
black, spotted and tipped with white, the four longest primaries with
seven spots on the outer, and five on the inner web, on most of the se-
condaries five on each web. The four middle tail-feathers are black,
the next black, largely tipped with white, the rest white, but except
the outer small feathers, with a black band at the base. The lower
parts are white, excepting the sides, and lower wing-coverts, which are
banded with black.
Length to end of tail 9 inches; bill along the ridge 1, along the
edge of lower mandible 1,% ; wing from flexure 44% ; tail 31 ; tarsus 24 ;
second toe ;5, its claw #, ; third toe 7%, its claw 3%; fourth toe 7, its
claw 3%.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 4.
The Female, which is somewhat smaller, differs from the male in
wanting the yellow patch on the head, the whole of that part being
black, with small white spots.
EC CNRE 89
PHILLIPSS WOODPECKER.
Picus PHILLIPSI.
PLATE CCOCCXVIL. Mate.
Tue only specimen of this beautiful Woodpecker that I have seen,
an adult male, was sent to me by my friend Mr Nutratz, who pro-
cured it in the State of Massachusetts. Nothing is known as to its
habits. In naming it after my friend Bensamin Puiuuirs, Esq., F.R.S.
I have the pleasure of testifying my esteem and gratitude towards one
whose kindness and generosity has often been experienced by me and
every member of my family. The beauty of this bird has induced me
to give two figures of it, by which its form and markings may be bet-
ter seen.
Picus PHILLIPsII.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXVII. Figs. 5,6.
Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, com-
pressed toward the tip, which is pointed. Upper mandible with the
dorsal line straight, the ridge very narrow, the sides sloping and flat,
the lateral angle half-way between the ridge and the edge at the base,
and running out upon the latter about two-thirds of its length, the
edges sharp and overlapping, the tip acuminate. Lower mandible with
the angle short and rather wide, the dorsal line straight, the ridge nar-
row, the sides convex toward the edges, which are sharp and inflected,
the tip acuminate. Nostrils oblong, basal, concealed by the feathers,
and placed near the margin.
Head large, ovate ; neck rather short ; body full. Feet very short ;
tarsus short, compressed, feathered anteriorly more than one-third
down, scutellate in the rest of its extent, and with a series of large
scales behind ; toes four ; first small, but stout; third and fourth about
the same length, second and third united at the base; all scutellate
above. Claws large, much curved, compressed, laterally grooved, very
acute.
PHILLIPS'S WOODPECKER. 187
Plumage very soft, full, and blended. <A tuft of reversed stiffish
feathers on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the
nostrils; the feathers in the angle of the lower mandible also stiffish,
and directed forwards. Wings rather long; the first quill very small,
the second five-twelfths of an inch shorter than the third, the fourth
longer than the latter by one-twelfth, but scarcely exceeding the fifth ;
secondaries broad and rounded. ‘Tail of moderate length, cuneate, of
twelve feathers, of which the lateral are only an inch and a quarter
long and rounded, the next an inch and two-twelfths shorter than the
middle, the rest worn and slit at the tip.
Bill dusky, its margins pale at the base. Irisred. Feet bluish-grey,
claws dusky. The tufts of feathers covering the nostrils are yellowish-
white; the fore part of the head to a little beyond the top orange-yel-
low ; the occiput and hind neck glossy black; over each eye is a band
of white passing to behind the auriculars ; a black band from above the
angle of the mouth to the eye, and behind it, including the auriculars ;
below this a white band from the angle of the mouth joining that over
the eye; and lastly, a narrower black band from the lower mandible.
The upper parts are black, tinged with brown behind; the feathers
along the middle of the back tipped with white ; some of the wing-co-
verts are tipped with white, and the quills spotted with the same, there
being on the four largest primaries seven spots on the outer, and five
on the inner web. The four middle tail-feathers are glossy black, the
rest black towards the base, that colour gradually diminishing so that
the outermost is almost entirely white. The lower parts are white.
Length to end of tail 103 inches; bill along the ridge 1,%, along
the edge of lower mandible 1,,; wing from flexure 5; tail 3,%; ; tarsus
IZ 9
Pat = aa . i
#2; inner toe 74, its claw 7’z; second toe xy, its claw 24; third toe ,%,
its claw ;°; ; fourth toe 43, its claw 7%.
This species is about the same size as P. canadensis, which it also
resembles in colour, but is distinguished by the yellow patch on the
head, and its thicker, and more pointed bill.
4
( 188 )
CANADIAN WOODPECKER.
Picus CANADENSIS, GMEL.
PLATE CCCCXVII. Matz.
T'u1s species, which has been overlooked by all the recent writers
on the birds of North America, although described and figured by
Borrow, I again introduce to your notice. If you compare my repre-
sentation of it, Fig. 7 of the present plate, with those of the Hairy
Woodpecker, Picus villosus, Figs. 1 and 2 of Plate CCCCXVI, you
will perceive that it is much larger, and somewhat differently marked,
although extremely similar in form and colours.
The most southern localities in which this species has been obser-
ved in the United States, in so far as I have been able to trace it,
whether personally or by means of my friend Dr Truprau, are the
northern portions of the State of Pennsylvania, in winter, where, how-
ever, it seems to be rare. It is more plentiful at that season in the
same parallel in the State of New York, beyond which, northward, it
is abundant up to the 56th degree, but then yields in frequency to the
Common Three-toed Woodpecker.
It was in the course of my journey through the State of Maine, on
which I was accompanied by my wife and sons, that I became aware
of its being distinct from the Hairy Woodpecker. There I found it
very abundant in the woods, around the farms, by the roads, and on
the fences. Its notes alone suffice to distinguish it from every other
species, being louder and much shriller than those of Picus villosus. It
also resorts to prostrate decaying logs lying on the ground, in quest of
food, much more than that species does, and quite as much as the Pi-
leated Woodpecker, P. pileatus. During its flight, the rustling sound
of its wings is very remarkable ; its passage from one tree to another
appears more laborious, and in all its movements it is less active, rest-
less, or petulant, than the Hairy Woodpecker. ‘Those which I ex-
amined contained remains of large coleopterous insects, together with
pieces of lichens.
Of its manner of breeding, eggs, or young, I unfortunately know
nothing. The number of figures in the present plate has prevented me
CANADIAN WOODPECKER. 189
from representing the female, which however differs from the male in
little more than in wanting the red patch on each side of the occiput.
Picus canADENsIs, Gimel. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 437,—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i.
p- 230.
Picus (DENDROCOPUS) vILLosus, Hairy WoopPrEcKER, Swains. and Richards.
Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 305.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 7.
Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, com-
pressed toward the tip, which is truncate and cuneate. Upper mandi-
ble with the dorsal line straight, the ridge very narrow, the sides slop-
ing and flat, the lateral angle or ridge nearer the edge, which is sharp,
direct, and overlapping. Lower mandible with the angle short and
rather wide, the dorsal line straight, the ridge narrow, the sides flat
and grooved for some way beyond the angle, convex toward the edges,
which are sharp and inflected, the tip narrow. Nostrils oblong, basal,
concealed by the feathers, and placed near the margin.
Head large, ovate ; neck rather short ; body full. Feet very short ;
tarsus short, compressed, feathered anteriorly more than one-third
down, scutellate in the rest of its extent, and with a series of large
scales behind; toes four, first small, but stout; fourth considerably
longer than the third; second and third united at the base ; all scutel-
late above. Claws large, much curved, compressed, laterally grooved,
very acute.
Plumage very soft, full, and blended. A large tuft of recurved
stiffish feathers on each side of the base of the upper mandible, con-
cealing the nostrils; the feathers in the angle of the lower mandible
also stiffish, and directed forwards. Wings rather long ; the first quill
very small, being only an inch and a twelfth long, the second two inches
Me longer, and seven-twelfths shorter than the third, which is two-twelfths
shorter than the fourth, this being the longest, but exceeding the fifth
only by one-twelfth ; secondaries broad and rounded. Tail of mode-
rate length, cuneate, of twelve feathers, of which the lateral, which
are rounded and unworn, are only one inch and two-twelfths long, the
next, also unworn, are eleven-twelfths of an inch shorter than the mid-
dle which are pointed, sometimes without having the very strong shafts
worn, but also sometimes having them broken off at the end; all the
rest are more or less pointed.
190 CANADIAN WOODPECKER.
Bill buish-grey, toward the end black ; iris brown ; feet bluish-grey.
The tufts of bristly feathers over the nostrils, and the angle of the
lower jaw, are dull yellow; the upper part of the head and the hind
neck are glossy black; over each eye is a band of white, continuous
with a transverse band of scarlet on the occiput, usually interrupted
in the middle ; a black band from near the bill to the eye, continued
behind it over the auriculars, and joining the black of the hind neck ;
beneath this black band is one of white proceeding from the angle
of the mouth and curving backwards below the middle of the neck,
so as to meet its fellow behind; this band is succeeded by another
of black, proceeding from the base of the lower mandible, and con-
tinuous with the black of the shoulders. All the upper parts may be
described as black, tinged with brown behind ; the feathers along the
middle of the back tipped with white; the wing-coverts, the ante-
rior excepted, and the quills spotted with the same, there being on the
four longest primaries seven spots on the outer, and five on the inner
web, on most of the secondaries five on each web, but on the outer
quill only one patch on each web, and on the second three spots on the
outer, and four on the inner web. The four middle tail-feathers are
glossy black, the rest black towards the base, that colour gradually di-
minishing so that the outermost is almost entirely white. The lower
parts are white, slightly tinged with reddish on the fore neck and breast.
Length to end of tail 104 inches, to end of wings 8 ; to end of claws
91; extent of wings 172: bill along the ridge 1,4; along the edge of
lower mandible 13; wing from flexure 5;,; tail 37%; tarsus 7%; hind
toe 24, its claw 72; second toe #4, its claw 7; third toe #%, its claw
£ ; fourth toe 7, its claw $.
The Female, which is somewhat smaller than the male, differs only
in being more tinged with brown, especially on the quills, and in
wanting the red patches on the occiput.
In form, and colour, this species differs in no appreciable degree
from Picus villosus, which it also resembles in the texture of its plu-
mage, and in the relative proportion of the quills and tail-feathers. But
it is much larger, its bill is proportionally stouter, and its fourth toe a
little more elongated. ‘The differences, however, are extremely slight.
The roof of the mouth is anteriorly nearly flat, with a prominent
median line ; the posterior aperture of the nares linear, 93 twelfths long,
and margined with papilla. The tongue is 13 inch long, somewhat cy-
CANADIAN WOODPECKER. 191
lindrical for 11 twelfths, in the rest of its extent slender, tapering, with
a horny sheath, having eight reversed bristles on each margin. The
horns of the hyoid bone pass along the median line of the head until
they are over the middle of the eyes, when they turn to the right side,
and are curved along a deep groove on the anterior edge of the orbit,
passing under the eye to opposite its middle. The cesophagus is 3 in-
ches 2 twelfths long, 31 twelfths in width, and of nearly uniform dia-
meter. ‘The stomach is rather small, elliptical, 9 twelfths long, 8
twelfths broad ; its lateral muscles moderately developed. The con-
tents are larve and coleopterous insects. The epithelium is dense but
thin, and longitudinally rugous. The intestine is 9 inches long, 23
twelfths in width at its anterior part. There are no ceca.
The trachea is 23 inches long, slender, about 23 twelfths in breadth,
a little flattened, and of about 60 rmgs. The bronchi are of moderate
length, slender, of about 12 half rings. The contractor muscles are
moderate ; the sterno-tracheals come off close to the inferior larynx,
which is destitute of muscles.
HARRIS’S WOODPECKER.
Picus Harrisii.
PLATE CCCCXVII. Mare ann Femate.
Ir is to Dr Townsrnp that we are indebted for the discovery of
this singularly marked species, of which he has sent me a pair of spe-
cimens in excellent preservation, both shot on the Columbia River,
the male on the 18th of January 1836, the female on the 7th of Septem-
ber 1834. Having been left at liberty to give names to whatever new
Species might occur among the birds transmitted to me by that zealous
naturalist, I have honoured the present Woodpecker with the name of
my friend Epwarp Harris, Esq., a gentleman to whom I am most
deeply indebted for many acts of kindness and generosity, and in par-
ticular for his efficient aid at a time when, like my predecessor Witson,
I was reduced to the lowest degree of indigence, and removed from
any individuals to whom I could make known my wants. But, inde-
192 HARRIS'S WOODPECKER.
pendently of his claim to scientific recognition as the friend and sup-
porter of one who has devoted his life to the study of birds, he merits
this tribute as an ardent and successful cultivator of ornithology, and
an admirer of the works of Him whose good providence gave me so
noble-hearted a friend.
Picus Harnisit.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 8.
Bill about the length of the head, straight, strong, angular, com-
pressed toward the end, which is truncate and cuneate. Upper man-
dible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge very narrow, the sides
sloping and concave to the lateral angle, which is nearer the edge, the
intervening space nearly erect, the edges sharp, direct, and overlapping.
Lower mandible with the angle short and of moderate width, the dor-
sal line straight, the ridge narrow, the sides convex at the base, sloping
outwards and nearly flat, with a faint ridge, above which they are con-
vex, the edges sharp, the tip truncate. Nostrils oblong, basal, con-
cealed by the feathers, and placed near the margin.
Head large, ovate; neck rather.short; body full. Feet very short ;
tarsus short, compressed, feathered anteriorly more than one-third
down, scutellate in the rest of its extent, as well as internally behind;
toes four ; first small, fourth longest and directed backwards, second
and third united at the base, the latter not much longer ; all scutellate
above. Claws large, much curved, compressed, laterally grooved, very
acute.
Plumage very soft, full, and blended. A tuft of recurved stiffish
feathers on each side of the base of the upper mandible, concealing the
nostrils. Wings rather long ; the first quill very small, being only an
inch and two-twelfths in length, and two inches and a twelfth shorter
than the second, which is eight-twelfths shorter than the third, the
fourth two-twelfths longer than the latter, but scarcely exceeding the
fifth ; secondaries broadly rounded, the outer slightly emarginate.
Tail of moderate length, cuneate, of twelve feathers, of which the lat-
ter, which is rounded and unworn, is only ten-twelfths long, the next,
also rounded, an inch and a twelfth shorter than the middle, of which
the shaft terminates so as to leave the tip slit.
Bill bluish-grey, as are the feet ; the claws brown. The tufts at the
a Ae ee
HARRIS’S WOODPECKER. 193
base of the upper mandible dull yellow, with the tips black ; the upper
part of the head glossy black ; over each eye is a band of white conti-
nuous with a transverse band of scarlet on the occiput; a black band in
the loral space, continued behind the eye over the auriculars, and joining
the black of the hind neck ; beneath this black band is one of white, pro-
ceeding from the angle of the mouth and curving backward below the
middle of the neck, but without meeting its fellow; this band is suc-
ceeded by another of black, proceeding from the base of the lower
mandible, and continuous with the black of the hind neck and shoulders.
All the upper parts are black, the quills tinged with brown ; but the
feathers along the middle of the back are largely tipped with white ;
the quills, excepting the inner three, are marked with small roundish
spots, of which there are five on the outer, and four on the inner web of
the four longest quills, while on the outer there is only an elongated
spot on the inner web, and on the next one spot on the outer and three
on the inner. The four middle tail-feathers are black, the next also
black, with a small part of the inner web, and a large portion of the
outer toward the end white; the rest white, with the base black ; the
outermost small feather almost entirely white. The lower parts are
_ brownish-white.
Length to end of tail 9 inches; bill along the ridge 14, along the
edge of lower mandible 1,5; wing from flexure 5,%; tail 34; tar-
sus 72; hind toe 7%, its claw 7; second toe 3%, its claw 7 ; third
toe 7/,, its claw 7%; fourth toe %, its claw 7%.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 9.
The Female resembles the male, but wants the red occipital band.
VOL. V. N
( 194 )
AUDUBON’S WOODPECKER.
Picus AuDUBONI, TRUDEAU.
PLATE CCCCXVII. Aputr.
My talented and amiable friend, Dr James Trupeav, has described
this species in the seventh volume of the Journal of the Academy of
Natural Sciences of Philadelphia, where he says, “ Hunting in a wood
fifteen miles from New Orleans, on the 26th of April 1837, my attention
was attracted by a very extraordinary note, and after some difficulty I
succeeded in getting possession of the bird from which it proceeded. It
was very wild, running on the trunks and limbs of trees with the agility
peculiar to the family, always contriving to keep on the side of the trunk
most distant from its pursuer. It was the species here described. I have
frequently examined the spot in hopes of getting more; and although
I have often heard its note, the bird has, in the very thick woods,
eluded my pursuit. The sportsmen with whom I have spoken of it,
suppose it to be a common species. It is probable that this curious
bird, respecting which I have learned nothing farther, has escaped the
observation of naturalists on account of its resemblance to the two spe-
cies already named (the Hairy and Downy Woodpeckers).”
The specimen mentioned above was presented to me by its disco-
verer, my obligations to whom, on account of the honour which he has
conferred upon me, I now gratefully acknowledge. My friend Mr
Swainson has also named after me a Woodpecker, procured in
Louisiana, but which I believe to be only an immature specimen of
Picus pubescens.
Picus Aupuzon1, AupuBoN’s WoopPeEckER, Trudeau, Journal of Acad. of Nat.
Sciences of Philadelphia, vol. vil. p. 404.
Adult. Plate CCCCXVII. Fig. 10.
Bill about the length of the head, strong, straight, differing from
that of any other North American Woodpecker in having both outlines
a little convex, and both tips acute. Upper mandible with the ridge
very narrow, the sides sloping and flat, the lateral ridge near the mar-
gin, the edges direct, sharp, and overlapping ; lower mandible with the
AUDUBON’S WOODPECKER. 195
angle rather long and narrow, the ridge very narrow, the sides convex,
the edges sharp and inflected. Nostrils basal, oblong, near the edge,
and concealed by the feathers.
Head rather large, ovate ; neck short ; body rather full. Feet
short ; tarsus feathered anteriorly nearly half-way down, scutellate in
the rest of its extent, and having a series of large scales internally be-
hind ; toes four ; the first very short, the fourth longer than the third,
which is united with the second at the base. Claws large, well curved,
extremely compressed, laterally grooved, very acute.
Plumage very soft, full, and blended. Wings rather long, the first
quill only an inch and a twelfth in length, the second five-twelfths
shorter than the third, which is one-twelfth shorter than the fourth,
and an inch longer than the sixth. Tail of moderate length, cuneate,
of twelve feathers, of which the outer is only eight-twelfths long, the
next ten-twelfths shorter than the longest.
Bill greyish-blue. Iris brown. Feet bluish-grey, claws brown.
The upper parts are black; the tufts covering the nostrils white; on
the anterior part of the top of the head are some feathers largely tip-
ped with yellow, a band of white passes over the eye; the loral space
and that behind the eye are black ; a band of white passes from the
angle of the mouth to the side of the occiput, and beneath it is a nar-
row band of black ; the feathers along the middle of the back are tipped
with white ; the wings are spotted with white, some of the smaller co-
verts, the larger coverts, and all the quills being marked with that co-
lour, of which there are six spots on the outer and four on the inner
web of the longer primaries ; the first primary has a slight spot at the
base of the outer web, and two spots on the inner; the second has
two spots on the outer, and three on the inner web, all the primaries
except the two outer have a terminal white spot, the secondaries two,
one on the outer, the other on the inner web. The four middle tail-
feathers are black, the rest white toward the end, that colour enlarging
so as to include almost the whole of the outer feathers. The lower
parts are dull white, having a tinge of brown, the sides very faintly
barred with dusky.
Length to end of tail 7 inches; extent of wings 184 ; bill along the
ridge 73, along the edge of lower mandible 1; wing from flexure 41;
tail 2;%; tarsus 74; hind toe 7, its claw 24; second toe 7%, its claw
73; third toe {, its claw 74; fourth toe £, its claw ys.
196 COMMON PTARMIGAN.
As Dr Trupgav remarks, “this species resembles the Hairy and
Downy Woodpeckers in plumage, but is very distinct, and is interme-
diate in size between them. It seems, in fact, to form a passage from
the one to the other.”
COMMON PTARMIGAN.
TETRAO MUTUS.
PLATE CCCCXVIII. Anputt IN SPRING.
Tue Common Ptarmigan of Britain, Lagopus mutus of Leacn, which
is said to occur on the Continent of Europe, although less abundant
there and confounded with the Rock Grous, Lagopus rupestris, has been
found by Captain Sazrnz on the islands lying on the south-west side
of Baffin’s Bay. At least, individuals of a species of Ptarmigan ob-
tained there have been considered as specifically identical with the
Scottish Ptarmigan. In the Fauna Boreali-Americana, Dr Ricuarp-
son remarks, that “ a specimen, in summer plumage, sent to Sir Joun
Frankuin from Churchhill River, was identified by JosEpH SaBIne,
Esq., with the Scotch Ptarmigan,—thus establishing it as an inhabi-
tant of the American Continent.” “I have not been able to trace that
specimen,” he continues, “‘ and I am informed, that the only authentic
examples from the New World are now in the possession of Lord Stan-
LEY, to whom they were presented by Mr Sazine.” The distinguished
nobleman here mentioned, my generous friend the Earl of Dersy, ha-
ving, with his usual liberality, lent me three fine specimens, I have re-
presented that which seemed to me the most beautiful. At the same
time, after due consideration, I am satisfied that, although the bird fi-
. gured by me, may be the Common Ptarmigan, it yet presents all the
characters of the Rock Grous or Ptarmigan. It is less than the Scotch
Ptarmigan, and its wings are much shorter, and even more concave ;
and in these respects it corresponded with the other two specimens,
which however had the plumage pure white, with the exception of the
tail-feathers and the shafts of the primaries. But however this may
be, whether these three specimens in the possession of the Earl of
COMMON PTARMIGAN. 197
Dersy, be the Rock Grous, or the Common Ptarmigan, or a species
distinct from either, I have seen three specimens in the Museum of
the Andersonian Institution of Glasgow, which were purchased from
Captain Sazine, and which I think may be referred to the Common
Ptarmigan, or at all events are different from the Rock Grous. In the
present state of our knowledge as to the changes and variations of plu-
mage in Ptarmigans, it is impossible to form a decided opinion in many
instances ; nor will the subject be free of doubt until each alleged spe-
cies has been traced through all its gradations. The following is the
description of the individual represented in the plate.
TETRAO Lacorus, Sabine (Capt.) Parry’s First Voyage, Supplt. p. 197.—Sabine (J.)
Franklin’s Journal, p. 682.— Richardson, Parry’s Second Voyage, Append. p. 350.
Terrao (Lacorus) mutus, THE Prarmican, Swains. and Richards. Fauna Bor.-
Amer. vol. ii. p. 350.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXVIII. Fig. 1.
Bill short, robust ; upper mandible with its dorsal outline curved,
the ridge and sides convex, the edges overlapping, the tip declinate,
thin edged, rounded ; lower mandible with the angle short and wide,
the dorsal line convex, the back broadly convex, the sides rounded, the
edges inflected, the tip blunt. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by
the feathers.
Head small, ovate; neck of moderate length; body full. Feet of
ordinary length, robust ; tarsus feathered, as are the toes ; the first toe
very small, the middle toe much longer than the lateral, which are
nearly equal, the inner being a little longer. Claws slightly arched,
depressed, broad, thin-edged, rounded at the end.
Plumage compact, the feathers ovate and rounded ; those on the
tarsi, toes, and soles, oblong, with loose stiffish barbs. Wings rather
short, concave ; the primaries strong, narrow, tapering, pointed; the
first an inch and ten-twelfths shorter than the second, which is four-
twelfths shorter than the third, the latter being the longest. Tail ra-
ther short, nearly even, of sixteen broad feathers, of which the two
middle are less strong, but longer than the rest by a quarter of an inch.
Bill black ; superciliary membrane scarlet; claws greyish-yellow,
dusky toward the base. The plumage is pure white ; but on the head,
sides of the neck, and back, are several new feathers which are broadly
198 COMMON PTARMIGAN.
barred with orange-yellow and dark brown. ‘The feathers in the loral
space are black only at the base. The shafts of the six outer quills
are brownish-black, and all the tail-feathers, the two middle excepted,
are greyish-black, with a terminal narrow band of white.
Length to end of tail 14 inches ; bill along the ridge 3, along the
edge of lower mandible ,*,; wing from flexure 8; tail 43; tarsus 1% ;
middle toe 1, its claw 7%.
The bill seems to be narrower than it generally is in the Rock
Grous, but the description and dimensions of this bird are in no way
different from those of an individual of that species in the same state
of plumage.
A specimen in the Museum of the Andersonian Institution, marked
“« Lagopus vulgaris, Ptarmigan, Melville’s Island,” is a male in winter
plumage. The bill is brownish-black, as are the claws. A black band
extends from the bill to the eye and behind it. The general colour of
the plumage is pure white, as are the two middle tail-feathers, the rest
greyish-black, narrowly tipped withwhite. Thethird quill is longest, two-
twelfths longer than the second, which exceeds the first by an inch and
five-eighths.
Length to end of tail 143 inches; bill along the ridge #5 ; wing from
carpus 8% ; tail 5; tarsus 1)4 ; middle toe and claw 1,2.
Another specimen marked ‘ Lagopus vulgaris, Ptarmigan, Melville’s
Island,” is in summer plumage. The general colour of the upper parts,
fore neck, and sides, is reddish-yellow, finely undulated transversely
with blackish-brown, and greyish-white ; the bars on the head and neck
larger. The middle tail-feathers are similar to those of the back ; the
rest brownish-black tipped with white. There is little white on the
lower parts, and that only in patches. The greyish-white undulations
in this individual tend to approximate its colouring to that of some spe-
cimens of the Scottish Ptarmigan, but still the prevailing tint is not
grey, but brownish-yellow.
Bill % of an inch long ; wing from flexure 8; tail 5; tarsus 14.
A specimen marked “‘ Ptarmigan, Melville Island, Aug. 15. 1820,”
is a young bird, marked like the old, but with the bands larger. The
fore part of the wings, the primaries, the secondary coverts, and the
abdomen, are white.
COMMON PTARMIGAN. 199
On the whole, I am inclined to think that these birds are different
from both Lagopus mutus and L. rupestris of authors ; but a more exten-
sive comparison of individuals from North America, Europe, and Scot-
land, would be necessary to extricate these birds from confusion.
Since the above was written I have found among my specimens of
Ptarmigans, one which agrees in all essential respects with Lagopus
mutus, and which could not be distinguished from several specimens of
the Scottish Ptarmigan, which I have seen.
Its general form is that above described, its bill more slender than
that of the Rock Grous, its claws rather narrow, with the sides parallel,
and the tip obtuse, the fourth quill is longest, exceeding the third by
two-twelfths of an inch, the second an inch and a quarter shorter, and
exceeding the first by an inch and a half, the tail, of sixteen feathers,
is even, but the middle feathers exceed the rest by a twelfth and a half.
The bill is brownish-black, paler at the end. The claws dusky,
yellowish-brown toward the edges. ‘The bird was passing from its
summer state to the winter plumage, and has therefore a number of
white feathers above ; but the head, cheeks, and hind neck are covered
with feathers, band rather narrowly with dusky and light yellowish-red ;
the back, scapulars, rump, and upper tail-coverts, are minutely undu-
lated and dotted with dusky, light yellowish-brown, and greyish-white,
with some large patches of brownish-black. On the fore part of the
neck and sides, are some feathers similarly coloured. The wings are
white, with the exception of a few of the inner secondaries, and one or
two coverts, and the brown shafts of six of the primaries. The lower
parts white. The two middle tail-feathers are white, but only growing,
the rest brownish-black, narrowly tipped with white, the loral band is
black.
Length to end of tail 14? inches; bill along the ridge 7%; wing
from flexure 8}; tail 4; tarsus 1%; middle toe 43, its claw 7%.
( 200 )
WHITE-TAILED GROUS.
TETRAO LEUCURUS, SWAINS.
PLATE CCCCXVIII. Apu.t 1n wInNTER.
Tuis pretty little Grous is an inhabitant of the Rocky Mountains,
where it was found by Mr Douctas and afterwards by Mr Drummonp,
who sent several specimens to England. It is said to extend as far as
the Columbia River, but has not been observed in that region by either
Mr Norrautu or Dr Townsenpv. All that is known of its habits is,
that they resemble those of the Ptarmigan. Mr Drummonp states,
that this bird never has the black stripe from the bill to the eye so con-
spicuous in the males of the other species. My figure was drawn from
the only specimen now in the Museum of the Zoological Society of
London.
TrETRAO (LaGoPUS) LEUCURUS, Swains. WHITE-TAILED Grous, Richards. and
Swains. Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 356.
WHITE-TAILED Grovs, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 612.
Adult in winter. Plate CCCCXVIII. Fig. 2.
Bill short, robust ; upper mandible with the dorsal outline curved,
the ridge and sides convex, the edges overlapping, the tip declinate,
thin edged and rounded ; lower mandible with the angle short and wide,
the dorsal line convex, the back broadly convex, the sides rounded, the
edges inflected, the tip obtuse. Nostrils basal, roundish, concealed by
the feathers. 1
Head small, ovate ; neck of moderate length; body full. Feet of
ordinary length, stout; tarsus and toes feathered ; the first toe very
small, the middle toe much longer than the lateral, which are nearly
equal. Claws slightly arched, depressed, broad, thin-edged, the tip ra-
ther pointed.
Plumage compact, the feathers ovate and rounded ; those of the
tarsi and toes with loose stiffish filaments. Wings short, concave ;
primaries strong, narrow, tapering, pointed; the third and fourth
longest. Tail rather short, slightly rounded, of sixteen broad feathers.
DWARF THRUSH. 201
Bill greyish-black ; superciliary membrane scarlet; claws greyish-
yellow, dusky toward the base. The plumage is entirely pure white.
Length to end of tail 12 inches; bill along the ridge 4%, along the
edge of lower mandible 7% ; wing from flexure 63; tail 4; tarsus 1,3;
middle toe and claw 1,4.
Dr Ricuarpson’s description of the summer plumage is as follows:
“ A summer specimen (lat. 54°). Head and neck shortly barred
with blackish-brown and pale wood-brown or brownish-white ; the front
of the neck paler. Dorsal plumage, tail-coverts, scapulars, tertiaries,
and the posterior lesser coverts, blackish-brown, cut about half-way to
the shafts by rather coarse ochraceous bars, intermixed with nearly an
equal number of feathers, ochraceous throughout and thickly undulated
with fine black lines. The breast, belly, and flanks are mostly pale
ochre, broadly blotched and barred with blackish-brown, intermixed on
the belly with some white feathers, and on the breast with a few of the
fnely undulated ones. The vent, legs, tail (which is only partially
grown), the outer border of the wing, primaries, secondaries, and
greater coverts, are white. The toes partially naked, not pectinated ;
the nails short and much worn.”
DWARF THRUSH.
TurDus NANUS.
PLATE CCCCXIX. Mate.
Tue history of our smaller Thrushes has been involved in obscu-
rity by the attempts which have been made to restore to some of those
described by Witson the names supposed to have been bestowed on
them by European writers, and by changing the names given by WIL-
son to such as could not satisfactorily be referred to previous writers.
The difficulties that present themselves when we attempt to recagnise
species ill figured and slightly described, are very great, and I have
often thought that too little credit had been given to Wi1son with re-
spect to the smaller Thrushes which he has described, and which no
202 DWARF THRUSH.
European writer, who has not studied their habits and procured the
birds in our woods, can correctly characterize, unless he may have
a great number of specimens, ticketed when obtained, and shewing
the differences as to size and markings that occur in old and young in-
dividuals, males and females, and which are the more difficult to judge
of on account of the general mutual resemblance of birds of this genus.
Experience has proved to me that the size, and to some extent, the
colour of the spots on the breast of our small Thrushes differ in winter
and summer, as the tips of the feathers become more or less worn.
Nature, however, has provided each species with characters, which may
with care and patience be understood.
The Wood Thrush, Zurdus mustelinus of Gmrtin, 7. melodus of
Wi1ts0n, is easily distinguished from our other small spotted Thrushes
by its greater size, purer colours, and more decided spots. It measures
eight inches in length, and thirteen in extent of wings. During the
breeding season, it is found from the head waters of the Missouri to
most parts of our Eastern Atlantic Districts, and beyond them as far |
as Nova Scotia, while, on the other hand, it is abundant in the Texas.
I saw none in Newfoundland or Labrador, and as no mention is made
of this species in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, it may be supposed
that it does not extend its northward movements much beyond the
skirts of the upper parts of the St Lawrence River. This Thrush
spends the winter in considerable numbers in the lower parts of Loui-
siana, in Alabama, and especially in the southern parts of the Floridas,
where I have heard its loud, clear, distinct notes in the months of De-
cember and January. My friend Dr Bacuman informs me that the
Wood Thrush arrives in South Carolina about the beginning of April,
when it sings sweetly for a few weeks, after which it disperses or dis-
appears, and that, although it breeds in the middle and mountainous
districts of that State, he has known no instance of its doing so in the
maritime parts. The eggs of this species measure one inch in length,
by five and a quarter eighths in breadth, and are, as I have already
said, of a beautiful uniform light blue colour.
The Tawny Thrush, 7urdus mustelinus of Witson, Turdus Wil-
sonii-of BonaparTE and Swatnson, and 7’. minor of Gmetin. The
eggs of this species differ greatly in size, colour, and markings from
those of the Wood Thrush, 7. mustelinus, or the Hermit Thrush, 7.
solitarius of Wiison. They measure seven-eighths in length by five
ae:
DWARF THRUSH. 203
and a half eighths in breadth, and, instead of being much rounded,
as those of the Wood Thrush are, they are elongated and rather
pointed at the smaller end, while their colour, instead of being pale
blue, as in that species, is a rather deep verdigris-blue, though not
quite so dark as that of the eggs of the Cat Bird, 7. felivow. To the
closet naturalist, however, these circumstances would prove of little
importance. In its habits the Tawny Thrush is much more terres-
trial, evincing at all times a propensity to spend its time on the
ground rather than on trees or even bushes. As I have already in-
formed you, this species possesses good vocal powers, and according
to my friend Mr Nutra t, is now and then, in the State of Massachu-
setts, where it breeds, compared to the nightingale of Europe, on ac-
count of its sweet and somewhat melancholy evening ditties. I am
induced to think that the authors of the Fauna Boreali-Americana have
mistaken the female of this bird for a distinct species, which they have
called Merula minor, considering it as Turdus minor of Gmetin. I am
the more confident of this, because the figure given in that work, which
is excellent, cotresponds exactly with the female specimens that have
come under my observation. ‘The male Tawny Thrush measures from
seven inches and two-twelfths in length, to seven inches and a half,
and in extent of wings from twelve to twelve and a half inches. The
female is nearly an inch shorter, and correspondingly smaller in all her
parts, although in colours and markings precisely similar to the male.
According to Dr Ricuarpson, “this species (Wilson’s Thrush, Fauna
Bor.-Amer. ii. 182) arrives on the banks of the Saskatchewan in May,
and during summer haunts the alder thickets and dense willow groves
that skirt the marshes. It doubtless breeds there; but I had no op-
portunity of finding its nest, nor can I speak of the extent of its range
to the northward.” I may add here that Witson was quite mistaken
as to the musical powers of this Thrush, when he stated that it has no
song. My young friend, Dr Tuomas M. Brewer of Boston, says, “ It
is not uncommon in Massachusetts, where it builds its nest in a low
bush, usually about one foot from the ground, ina very retired place. It
is with difficulty started from the nest, can easily be caught alive; but
when once driven off does not again make its appearance during the
presence of the intruder.”
I have by me a female specimen of a Thrush sent me by Dr Town-
SEND, who procured it on the Columbia River on the 19th June 1838,
204 DWARF THRUSH.
and which he considered as new, but which I find to differ in no other
respect from specimens of Turdus Wilsonti than in having some of the
spots on the sides of the neck and the breast of a darker brown. This
skin measures seven inches two and a half twelfths in length.
Our Common Hermit Thrush, 7urdus solitarius of Witson, is the
next in size, and the smallest of the North American species, with the
exception of that presently to be described. The males measure seven
inches in length, ten and a half in alar extent, the females considerably
less. This species is easily distinguished from the last by its having
little or no rufous tint on the fore neck and breast, and by the spots
there being decided, and of a blackish-brown colour.
I am of opinion that no distinctive character can be obtained from the
colouring of the inner webs of the quills as seen from beneath, those
parts being more or less yellowish or buffy in all the species.
Lastly, the smallest of our Thrushes is that represented in Plate
CCCCXIX, under the name of “ Little Tawny Thrush, Turdus minor,
Ge In ;” but which, after a more careful examination and comparison,
I am induced to consider as a new species, to which, on account of its
small size, may be given the name of “* Dwarf Thrush, 7. nanus.” It
is nearly allied to the Hermit Thrush, but is smaller, and has the
second and sixth quills nearly equal, whereas in 7. solitarius the second.
quill is considerably shorter than the sixth. It must be confessed,
however, that it differs very little from that species, excepting as to
size, and especially that of the bill. It is extremely rare in our Atlan-
tic districts, where, however, I have procured a few individuals. In-
deed, the first intimation which I received respecting it was from my
friend Dr Cuartes Picxerine of Philadelphia, who, having procured
one, had kept its wings and head, the smallness of which struck me at
once. I was then far from imagining that its native haunts were the
valleys of the Columbia River, from which, however, I have since re-
ceived it through the kindness of my friend Dr Townsenp, who has
also sent me its measurements, “length 6 inches, alar extent 9,” or one
inch less in length, and one and a half less in breadth than the Hermit
Thrush, with which it has probably been hitherto confounded.
Turpus Nanus.
Male. Plate CCCCXIX. Fig. 1.
DWARF THRUSH. 205
Bill short, nearly straight, compressed towards the end; upper
mandible with the dorsal outline a little convex, the tip slightly decli-
nate, the margins sharp, direct, overlapping, and slightly notched close
upon the tip; lower mandible with the angle rather long and narrow,
the dorsal line very slightly convex, the edges sharp and inflected, the
tip narrow. Nostrils basal, oblong, partially concealed by the feathers.
Head of ordinary size, broadly ovate; neck rather short ; body of
moderate size. Feet rather long; tarsus longish, slender, compressed,
anteriorly covered with a few indistinct elongated scutella, posteriorly
edged, longer than the middle toe ; toes scutellate above, lateral, almost
equal, the outer connected as far as the second joint; claws moderately
arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, rather acute, that of the
hind toe largest.
Plumage rather loose, blended. A few longish bristles at the base
of the upper mandible. Wings of ordinary length, the first quill seven
and a half twelfths long, the second two and three-fourth twelfths
shorter than the third, which is three-fourths of a twelfth shorter than the
fourth, the latter being the longest, the fifth half a twelfth shorter, the
sixth about the same length as the second, being scarcely half a twelfth
longer. Tail of moderate length, slightly emarginate, the middle fea-
thers being two-twelfths shorter than the outer.
Bill dark brown, yellowish toward the base of the lower mandible.
Feet flesh-colour. The general colour of the upper parts is light yel-
lowish-brown, changing on the rump and tail into dull yellowish-red.
Quills dusky, margined externally with yellowish-brown ; primary co-
verts yellowish-brown, dusky at the end; secondary coverts tipped
with yellowish-red, which on some of the inner runs a little way along
the shaft. Lower parts greyish-white, the neck and breast tinged with
yellowish-red, and marked with broad triangular blackish-brown spots ;
the sides with faint spots of olivaceous brown, the inner feathers grey-
ish-brown, as are the axillars and lower wing-coverts.
Length to end of tail 6 inches; extent of wings 94; bill along the
ridge 75, along the edge of lower mandible #4 ; wing from flexure 31;
tail 2}2; tarsus 1,',; hind toe #2, its claw #3; second toe 4%, its claw
fy; third toe #, its claw #4; fourth toe #4, its claw 2%. ;
This species agrees in many respects with Mr Swarnson’s Merula
silens, but is smaller. It has also the claws little curved, indeed much
206 TOWNSEND'S PTILOGONYS.
less so than those of his figure of Merula solitaria, which he describes
as having the “claws slightly curved.” But it seems impossible to
judge in this case, for in his Synopsis of the Birds of Mexico, Merula
silens is announced as Witson’s Hermit Thrush, and in the Fauna Bo-
reali-Americana Merula silens is said to be the same as that of the Sy-
nopsis, while at the same time Witson’s Hermit Thrush is reproduced
under the same English name as that of Merula solitaria, while Turdus
silens is said to be or to seem “ intermediate between Verula solitaria
and Merula Wilsonit.”
TOWNSEND'S PTILOGONYS.
PTitoconys TowNSENDI.
PLATE CCCCXIX. Femare. —
Tue only individual of this species that I have ever seen is a fe-
male, which was shot near the Columbia River, and kindly transmitted
to me by my friend Dr Townsenp, after whom, not finding any de-
scription of it, I have named it. The genus, which was instituted by
Mr Swarnson, is very remarkable, combining, as it appears to me, the
characters of some of the Flycatchers and Thrushes.
Pritoconys TowNsENDI.
Female. Plate CCCCXIX. Fig. 2.
Bill short, rather strong, somewhat triangular, depressed at the
base, a little compressed at the end; upper mandible with the dorsal
line convex at the end, the nasal groove wide, the sides convex toward
the end, the edges sharp, a distinct notch close to the short tip ; lower
mandible with the angle rather long and wide, the dorsal line ascend-
ing and convex, the sides convex toward the end, the edges sharp, the
tip small, with aslight notch behind. Nostrils linear, oblong, partially
concealed by the feathers which cover the nasal membrane ; gape-line
nearly straight.
TOWNSEND'S PTILOGONYS. 207
Head ovato-oblong ; neck rather short; body slender. Feet short
and rather slender ; tarsus shorter than the middle toe with its claw,
compressed, covered anteriorly with a long plate and two inferior scu-
tella, behind with two plates meeting so as to forma sharp edge. Toes
free, the outer only united for a short space ; hind toe rather large,
stouter, outer toe a little longer than inner, and more slender toward
the end ; claws moderate, arched, compressed, laterally grooved, acute.
Plumage soft and blended. There are slight bristles at the base of
the upper mandible, and the feathers in the angle of the lower are
somewhat bristle-tipped and curved forward. Wings long, rounded ;
the first quill very small, being only an inch long, the second four-
twelfths shorter than the third, the fourth longest, exceeding the third
by half a twelfth, and the fourth by one-twelfth, the rest rapidly gra-
duated ; secondaries long, rounded, the inner diminishing. Tail very
long, straight, emarginate, or doubly rounded, the middle feathers
being five-twelfths, the lateral two and a half twelfths shorter than
the longest.
Bill and feet black. The general colour of the plumage is dull
brownish-grey ; the quills and coverts dusky brown ; the edge of the
wing anterior to the primary coverts dull white ; the basal part of the
primaries pale yellow, of the secondaries ochre-yellow ; the edges of
all the quills dull greyish-white ; the secondaries with a faint patch of
light brownish-grey on the outer web toward the end. The middle
tail-feathers are greyish-brown, the rest blackish-brown, the outer
with an oblique patch of white, including from the tip a considerable
portion of the inner web, and more than two-thirds of the outer; the
next with a white patch at the end. The lower parts are paler than
the upper, the lower tail and wing coverts broadly tipped with dull
white ; some of the inner wing-coverts white.
Length to end of tail 8} inches, to end of wings 63; wing from
flexure 43; tail 4;4; bill alcng the ridge 3, along the edge of lower
mandible 3%; tarsus }2; hind toe #4, its claw ;; second toe #, its
Q?
claw 4; third toe 74, its claw 7%; fourth toe 1%, its claw 3.
( 208 )
CANADA JAY.
Corvus CANADENSIS, LINN.
PLATE CCCCXIX. Yowune.
I nave been induced to give a figure of the young of the Canada
Jay simply because my friend Mr Swainson has formed of it a new
species, under the name of Garrulus brachyrhynchus. The account given
of this alleged species, at page 296 of the second part of the Fauna Bo-
reali-Americana, is as follows :—‘‘ The only specimen brought home of
the Short-billed Jay was killed on the roof of the dwelling-house at
Fort Franklin. Its general appearance and manners resemble those of
the Canada Jay or Whisky-Jack so strongly, that we did not recognise
it as a distinct species, and consequently did not ascertain whether it
completely replaces the Canadian one in high latitudes, or whether both
exist in the same. localities.” The description of the habits of the
Canada Jay or “ Whisky-Jack,” in the same work, may here be re-
ferred to :—
“ This inelegant but familiar Jay inhabits the woody districts from
latitude 65°to Canada, and in the winter time makes its appearance in
the northern section of the United States. Scarcely has the winter
traveller in the Fur Countries chosen a suitable place of repose in the
forest, cleared away the snow, lighted his fire, and prepared his bi-
vouac, when the Whisky-Jack pays him a visit, and boldly descends
into the circle to pick up any crumbs of frozen fish or morsels of pem-
mican that have escaped the mouths of the hungry and weary sledge-
dogs. This confidence compensates for the want of many of those qua-
lities which endear others of the feathered tribes to man. There is
nothing pleasing in the voice, plumage, form, or attitudes of the
Whisky-Jack ; but it is the only inhabitant of those silent and path-
less forests which, trusting in the generosity of man, fearlessly ap-
proaches him ; and its visits were, therefore, always hailed by us with
satisfaction. It is a constant attendant at the fur-posts and fishing-
stations, and becomes so tame in winter as to eat from the hand; yet
it is impatient of confinement, and soon pines away if deprived of li-
berty. It hops actively from branch to branch, but, when at rest, sits
CANADA JAY. ° 209
with its head rétracted and the plumage of the body very loose. Its
voice is plaintive and squeaking ; though it occasionally makes a low
chattering, especially when agitated by the prospect of a supply of
food. It hoards berries, pieces of meat, &c. in hollow trees, or between
layers of the bark of decaying birches, by which it is enabled to pass
the winter in comfort, and to rear its young before the snow is off the
ground, and indeed earlier than any other in the Fur Countries. Its
nest is concealed with such care, that none of the Indians with whom
I spoke on the subject had seen it; but both Hutcuins and Hearne
inform us, that ‘it is generally built in a fir tree, of sticks and grass ;
the eggs are blue; and the young brood, which are quite black, take to
flight by the middle of May.’”
Now, to my eye, the Canada Jay is as elegant in its movements,
whether perched or on wing, as any other of our Jays, although its
apparel is certainly very homely. It is joyous and lively at all times,
even when, pushed by extreme hunger, it approaches the lonely camp
of the traveller, with the hope of obtaining a share, however small, of
his perhaps scanty fare.
Its range is very extensive, as I have specimens procured by Dr
TownsenD on the Columbia River, and it has been observed by Dr
Ricuarpson as far northward as lat. 65°. The former of these natu-
ralists 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 PEaue
has obtained it in the neighbourhood of Philadelphia, and I have the
body of one procured there by himself in October 1836.
The description given in the Fauna Boreali-Americana of the in-
dividual there represented, agrees in all respects with that of the bird
now before you, which, as I have said in my second volume, J saw fed
several times by its parent the Canada Jay. The differences pointed out
_as specifically distinctive are merely such as are presented by young
-and old birds of many species.
Corvus CanaveEnsis, Linn. Lath., &c.
Garrutus CanapDEnsis, Swainson., &c.
GaRRULUS BRAcHYRHYNCHUS, Richards. and Swains. Fauna Bor.-Amer., vol. ii.
p- 296. Young.
VOL, Vv. o
210 CANADA JAY.
The description of two young birds, one procured in Labrador, the
other in Nova Scotia, is, as to form and plumage, the same as that of the
adult given in vol. ii. p. 55, the latter however being corrected as fol-
lows: The bill, instead of being compressed, is broader than high at
the base, and moderately compressed only toward the end; the fifth
quill is longest, the sixth and fourth nearly equal ;'and the plumage is
remarkably soft, full, and loose, as in many Titmice.
In the young the plumage is still looser, the filaments being distinct,
but the feathers are shorter than in the adult. The wings and tail are
similar. The bill is dusky, with the edges of both mandibles yellow ;
the feet as in the adult. The general tint is very deep dull slate co-
lour, paler on the abdomen; the feathers at the base of the bill and
the ear-coverts greyish-black ; inner webs of the quills brownish-black 5
edges of the outer primaries yellowish-grey, of the rest bluish-grey ;
tips of all the quills, the three outer excepted, greyish-white ; tail ap-
proaching to dull leaden-grey, broadly tipped with dull yellowish-white.
Another young bird is similar, but with the bill darker, and a band of
dull white from the base of the lower mandible to the ears, as in the
individual represented in the plate.
The specimen presented by Mr Prats, and preserved in spirits,
presents the following characters. The tongue is triangular, flattened
above, tapering to a blunt emarginate point, and having a single pro-
minent papilla at the base on each side. The cesophagus is 31 inches
long, tapering, its diameter anteriorly 3 inch, below 4. Proventriculus |
A twelfths in breadth. The stomach is broadly elliptical, compressed,
11 twelfths long, 9 twelfths broad; its muscular coat 2 twelfths in
thickness, not divided into distinct lateral and inferior muscles; the
tendons elliptical, their greatest diameter 4 twelfths; the epithelium
thin, tough, brownish-red, longitudinally marked with broad ruge.
The contents of the stomach are numerous remains of insects, a large
hairy caterpillar, 2 inches long, and two persimon seeds. The intes-
tine is 173 inches long.
The trachea is 2 inches 5 twelfths long, flattened, tapering from 2
twelfths in breadth to 1 twelfth, of about 50 well ossified rings. ‘The
inferior laryngeal muscles are large, and four in number on each side,
exclusive of the sterno-tracheal. 'The bronchi are wide, of about 12
cartilaginous half rings.
( 211 )
CRIMSON-WINGED TROOPIAL.
ICTERUS GUBERNATOR.
Or this species, which appears to be abundant about the Columbia
River, I have received two specimens from Dr 'Townsenp, who pro-
cured them there. Having seen individuals from Mexico, I think it
probable that it returns to that country to spend the winter. Of its
habits however I regret that I am entirely ignorant.
IctTERUS GUBERNATOR.
PsaRocoLius GUBERNATOR, Wagler.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXX. Fig. 1.
Bill shorter than the head, conical, straight, stout, compressed to-
ward the end, tapering to a fine point ; upper mandible with the dorsal
line nearly straight, being a little convex at the base, the ridge a little
flattened toward the base, where it runs into a short tapering process,
the sides rounded, the edges inflected, the tip slightly depressed ; lower
mandible higher at the base than the upper, with the angle rather short
and wide, the sides rather flat and inclined inwards at the base, con-
_ vex toward the end, the edges inflected, the tip acute; the gape-line
straight, but at the base deflected. Nostrils oval, in the fore part of
the short nasal depression.
Head of moderate size, ovate, with the forehead flattened; neck short ;
body moderately stout. Feet of ordinary length; tarsus rather stout,
compressed, with seven large anterior scutella, of which the upper are
blended, the two lateral plates meeting at an acute angle behind; toes
rather large, compressed ; the first much stronger, the outer a little
Shorter than the inner ; claws large, arched, compressed, laterally
grooved, very acute.
Plumage soft, blended, glossy, the feathers ovate and rounded ;
those on the fore and upper parts of the head standing erect, so as to
present a velvety surface. Wings rather long, the second quill longest,
but exceeding the third only by half a twelfth, the first shorter than
the fourth ; the secondaries broadly rounded ; the second, third, fourth,
and fifth primaries cut out on the outer web toward the end. Tail of
212 BROWN PELICAN.
' twelve broadly rounded feathers, rather long, slightly rounded, the
lateral feathers being two-twelfths shorter than the middle.
Bill and feet black. The general colour of the plumage is glossy
bluish-black, on the head velvet-black ; the smaller wing-coverts scar-
let, at the base white.
Length to end of tail 9 inches, bill along the ridge ;; wing from
flexure 5;7, ; tail 4, ; tarsus 13%; hind toe ®, its claw 7% ; second toe
, its claw #, ; third toe 13, its claw 7%; fourth toe 7, its claw ys.
Female. Plate CCCCXX. Fig. 2.
The Female, which is much smaller, has the bill and feet greyish-
black ; the upper parts are dark brown, the feathers edged with light
brown ; the smaller wing-coverts edged with dull scarlet, the first row
with whitish ; the larger coverts, the quills and tail-feathers blackish-
brown, edged with yellowish-brown; the lower parts are dull brown,
but the throat, and a broad streak over the eye are dull orange.
BROWN PELICAN.
PELECANUS Fuscus, Linn.
PLATE CCCCXXI. Youne.
Since I wrote my account of the habits of this very interesting
bird, I have followed it westward as far as the inland bays of the
Texas, where I found it almost as abundant as on the coast of the
Floridas. In the former country however, I observed it breeding on
the ground, and on the small naked islets of the large bays margining
the Mexican Gulf. The nests were formed much in the same manner
as when placed on trees, and the eggs were of the same number as
stated. Here however, I discovered an error which I had com-
mitted in stating that there is a difference between the males and
females when in a state of maturity, for, having examined several spe-
cimens procured on the nest, in the act of incubation, I found that the
plumage of the fully adult female is precisely like that of the male;
BROWN PELICAN. 213
and I am now convinced that birds of both sexes are several years in
acquiring their full plumage, although the precise number of years is
what I have not yet learned. Some additional observations respecting
the habits of this species may now be stated.
During a severe gale, on the 7th of April 1836, the wind coming
from the north-west, I saw a flock of about thirty of these birds flying
only a few feet above the water, and against the gale. Having pro-
ceeded a few yards, they plunged into the water, generally to leeward,
and threw their bodies round as soon as their bills were immersed,
giving a very curious appearance to the wings, which seemed as if
locked. On seizing a fish they kept the bill beneath the surface for a
short time in a perpendicular direction, and drew it up gradually, when
the water was seen to flow out, after which they raised the bill toa
horizontal position, and swallowed the fish. In this way the whole flock
kept dashing and plunging pell-mell, like Gannets, over a space of about
one hundred yards, fishing at times in the very surf, and where the water
could not be more than a very few feet deep. Each of them must
have caught upwards of a score of fishes. As soon as they were sa-
tisfied, they flew in a line across the channel, and landed on low banks
under the lee of the island, opposite our harbour. During all the time
of their fishing they were attended by a number of Black-headed Gulls,
Larus Atricilla, which followed all their movements, alighting on their
heads, and feeding as I have already described. These Gulls followed
their purveyors to the same low banks to spend the night.
Notwithstanding all that has been said to the contrary by some Euro-
pean writers, I feel perfectly satisfied that these Pelicansmust makeample
use of some oily matter contained in the uropygial gland, as their plu-
mage is always dry in the midst of their continued plungings. On the
14th of the same month, my party happened to shoot a good number of
Brown Pelicans, among which was one slightly wounded in the body.
The sailors tied its bill with a piece of rope-yarn, and placed it in the
stern of the boat; but while they were again charging their muskets,
the bird recovered sufficiently to take to its wings, clear the boat, and
fly off. In such a condition it must necessarily have perished of hunger.
Pexecanus ruscus, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 215.
Young. Plate CCCCXXI.
214 BROWN PELICAN.
Bill greyish-blue, its edges and unguis greyish-yellow ; gular pouch
dull greyish-blue. Iris brownish-yellow ; bare space around the eye of
a dusky bluish tint, the feathers margining it yellowish-white. The
feathers of the head and neck are less downy than in the adult, and
those on the sides of the latter less elongated or pointed. The head
and neck are dark brown, as are the upper parts generally ; the secon-
dary and many of the smaller coverts margined with pale brown; the
primaries and their coverts as well as the tail-coverts brownish-black,
with white shafts. Feet and claws dull leaden colour.
In an adult female preserved in spirits the general peculiarities of
the organization are the same as those described in the American White
Pelican. The mouth and the sac appended to the lower mandible pre-
sent the same appearances. The cesophagus, a b ¢, measured from the
articulation of the lower jaw to the
stomach properly so called, is 2
feet 2 inches long. At its com-
mencement, or opposite the tongue,
its width is about 5 inches; it con-
tracts to the middle of the neck,
where it is about 2 inches; at the
\
L
\\
distance of 1 foot it becomes nar-
Z
rowed to 14 inch, and so continues ZZ SS
until it enters the thorax, when it A S
gradually enlarges, its diameter op- b A = =
posite the heart being 2 inches, and A =
at the proventriculus 2;%. Its mus- \— =
cular coat is of moderate thickness, 4 = Af
and composed of transverse exter-
nal, and longitudinal internal fibres;
its mucous coat is thrown into lon- gAX/
gitudinal plaits. The proventri- [Z y -
cular glands are cylindrical, 3 %
twelfths in length, 4 twelfth in
breadth, and occupy a belt 3 inches
broad; the inner surface of this
part is irregularly and tortuously rugous. The stomach c d, is extremely
>
, 7
Sy, byt NN)
Le.
assy
n\ Ww
L
MW
Sis
small, being as it were a slight sac appended to or terminating the ceso-
phagus, 13 inch long, and of the same breadth at its upper part. It
Tilt
Y ARAN
M7 :
S,
| ~ aS
= i
UO ‘
= \ }
NN
3
216 BROWN PELICAN.
communicates by an aperture 3 twelfths in diameter, with a sac, de, of a
roundish or somewhat triangular form, from which the duodenum, fg h¢,
comes off. For half an inch, at f, its diameter is only 24 twelfths, but it
then enlarges to 5 twelfths, and passes to the left side, curving forwards to
the level of the upper part of the proventriculus, and at the distance of 63
inches from its commencement returns upon itself, curves under the
right lobe of the liver, and is convoluted in longitudinal folds, of which
there are 26 in all, or 18 double folds. The intestine is 11 feet 11
inches long, and varies in diameter from 4 inch to 4 twelfths. The con-
tents of the gullet and stomach are two fishes, about 7 inches in length,
and 24 in depth, one entire, the other partially dissolved. The rectum
is 41 inches long, including the cloaca, which is a large sac capable of
being dilated to a diameter of 2 inches. The cceca are 1 inch and 10
twelfths long. This individual has several of the eggs or yolks largely
developed, the largest having a diameter of J inch, and ready to be re-
ceived into the oviduct, which is convoluted above the intestine, or be-
tween it and the kidneys, and is of very large size, having at its lower
part a diameter of 11 inch,
Fig. 2 represents, of the natural size, the extremity of the intestine,
ab; the cloaca, 6; the coeca, cd; the extremely enlarged, tortuous,
longitudinally, and obliquely, rugous oviduct, ¢ fg; and the ova or
yolks, ¢ 7, of which one is ready to pass into the tube, there to receive
the albumen and shell, and finally to be conveyed to the termination of
the guts.
The trachea is 1 foot 8 inches long, considerably flattened at the
upper part, round at the lower; its diameter about 74 twelfths ante-
riorly, 4 twelfths at the middle, 43 twelfths at the lower part. There
are 182 rings, which are exceedingly thin and slightly ossified. The
contractor muscles are slender, the sterno-tracheal moderate ; there are
no inferior laryngeal muscles. Beyond the last entire tracheal ring are
six half rings on each side, of which the last is very large, and the two
together extend to a width of 1 inch 2 twelfths. The bronchi, which
curve outwards, are rather short, very wide, their diameter anteriorly
being 7 twelfths ; the right bronchus with 32 half rings, the left with
24,
Crieiainy
ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON.
FALCO LAGOPUS, GMEL.
PLATE CCCCXXII. Aputr Mate anp Youna.
Durine the many years which I have spent in the woods, with the
view of becoming acquainted with all that refers to that wonderful
phenomenon—the desire in birds to migrate, my observations have been
numerous, as have been the thoughts suggested by them. Like many
others, I of course first observed that young birds reared in high lati-
tudes exhibit a greater propensity to remove far southward than their
parents, as if their more tender nature rendered it necessary for them
to seek climates, in which food and genial warmth are to be found for
the support of their weak constitution. That this is not the case ge-
nerally I am perfectly aware, for Swallows and many other birds, which
are delicately organized, find it necessary to remove far southward.
Yet the young of these species are in my opinion subjected to rules,
which I will presently lay before you.
Some species there are of which the old birds rarely if ever abandon
the countries in which they have been wont to reproduce, after they
have acquired their full firmness of constitution. Such are the Jer
Falcon, the Peregrine Falcon, and the species now under considera-
tion. The old Jer Falcon, for instance, which is found breeding in
the most northern latitude, seldom removes farther southward than
Labrador, where it also occasionally breeds, whilst even its young do
not advance beyond the northern parts of the State of Maine. The
old Peregrine, being less able to overcome the difficulties which would
beset it in winter, not unfrequently proceeds southward as far as
South Carolina, whilst its young are now well known to spend that
season in many parts of South America.
Now, what I have said regarding these two species seems to apply
equally to the Rough-legged Buzzard, Falco lagopus, of which very few
individuals in the plumage indicative of the adult state are found far-
ther south than the State of New Jersey, where the young birds of the
same species, in the most extraordinarily diversified plumage of their
218 ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON.
first year, are to be met with in the proportion of fifty to one. In all
our other Hawks the same propensity may be looked upon as existing,
although some trifling variations might easily be pointed out.
As in Nature, as well as in arithmetic, all rules that are true are
found to work equally well both ways, I think that it will be established
that the young of all such species as are wont in mature age to remove
farthest north to breed, will be found to tarry for the same purpose at
a greater or less distance from the place of their nativity according to
their respective ages and their increasing vigour, which may enable
them to undertake longer journeys than even their parents. For this
reason, I feel a considerable degree of assurance in saying that the
young of the Jer Falcon will be more abundantly met with breeding
on the coast of Labrador in its grey plumage, than the adult in its
white and slightly spotted garb, which will easily make its way to the
very highest latitudes. The Peregrine Falcon will of course be found
to act in the same manner, and this I partly established when I found
the lighter-plumaged birds of this species farther south than the old
ones, of which but a very few had stopped as it were at Labrador to
breed ; while, on the other hand, some twenty or more pairs of yet
brown-coloured birds were found with young in the rocky and moun-
tainous parts of that country.
I feel assured that the principle here laid down will be found to
exist in reference to all birds that are destined to remove from one part
of the world to another, for the purpose of breeding.
Whilst in Europe, where I have now spent many years, I have ob-
served further, that in late and cold springs the Nightingales that I
listened to, both in France and in the southern parts of England, were
by far the best singers; whereas, on the contrary, when the winter
had been mild, and the spring fine, these birds were more numerous,
perhaps as six to one, and their songs were diversified in point of com-
pass and effect. I therefore inferred that in cold springs few of the
younger birds make their appearance in these countries, the rest re-
maining and breeding in warmer climates.
What I have said respecting my having found Ducks of species
breeding in the Texas, which are generally known to proceed far north,
I look upon as another evidence of the truth of my principle. Should
it prove to be correct, it will no longer appear strange that the Rough-
legged Falcon in its old age should never have been observed in the
ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON. 219
southern parts of Europe, any more than to the south of the State of
Maryland in North America.
As connected with this subject, I may here offer a few observations
respecting the gradual improvement of the colours of birds, in their
progress toward maturity.
In the Rough-legged Falcon, which forms the subject of this article,
I feel convinced that the younger birds will generally be found to be
of much lighter tints than the old, and that these tints become, as in
all other species, stronger, purer, or firmer, with age. As this may call
for an explanation, I will offer it to you.
The colours of an old bird may be darker or lighter than that of the
young of the same species, until the latter has acquired its full plumage ;
but in the mean time the differences of which I now speak, will prove
apparent between the two birds on the slightest inspection of the ex-
perienced student of nature. In birds of which the colouring must
ultimately become splendent, the colours of the young are generally of
a different character, that is to say considerably duller; while in spe-
cies of which the adult exhibit dull colours, the young are found at first
to have their plumage almost similar to that of their parents. Such is
the case, for example, in the greater number of our Finches and Thrushes.
Whilst in those of more striking colours when old (that is, when they
have obtained their full colouring, whether at the first moult or at suc-
ceeding moults) the markings are such as at once suffice to indicate
the species to which they belong.
In the Hawk family I have observed that the younger the indivi-
dual is, the lighter are its colours and markings, and that even in those
which after a while either lose or gain the bands on the tail, the gene-
ral colour of that part becomes purer or more firm, whether barred, or
of a uniform hue, as in the case of our Red-tailed Hawk, Falco borealis.
The same observation will apply to our Falco Sparverius, and Buteo h-
neatus, the bands of the tail of which, like those of Buteo lagopus and
B. pennsyleanicus, become more purely white and black the more the
individual advances in age.
I have also observed that in all the old birds of certain species which
were able to reach the higher latitudes for the purpose of breeding, the
mass of their colouring was much superior to that of such birds of the
same species as were by circumstances rendered incapable of reaching
the same parallel. Thus, all the Finches which I found breeding in
220 ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON.
Labrador were greatly superior in point of colouring to those of the
same kind found breeding in our Middle States, and even as far north-
ward as Nova Scotia.
I will conclude these introductory remarks by stating, that after
the moult of even an old bird of any species, the plumage for a while
at least will appear softer and more downy, though more perfect, than
‘at any other period, its coat as it were resembling broad cloth fresh
from the manufacturer, with the superfine nap of its surface downy and
glossy.
I have in this plate represented an old male and a young bird shot
in November, to shew not only that the bird with dark plumage is spe-
cifically identical with that which is brown and variegated, but also
that our Rough-legged Falcon is the same as that of Europe. Since
the publication of my second volume, I have collected a great number
of specimens in America, of which there are not two that precisely
agree in the colours of their plumage, although in form and proportions
they are similar. I have also compared them with several Kuropean
specimens, and am quite satisfied as to the identity supposed by me to
exist between them.
My friend Dr TownsEnp has sent me the following note relative to
this species :— Black Hawk, Falco lagopus. \ found this bird breeding
on the banks of Bear River, west of the Rocky Mountains. Its nest
was placed in a willow ten feet from the ground, and formed of large
sticks. It contained two young almost fledged. The birds were in
the same plumage as that figured by you.” It is greatly to be regretted,
however, that my friend did not say expressly whether one of them
was dark and the other light, as may however be inferred, if he al-
ludes to the present plate. This, however, were it so, would not be
more strange than in the case of Eagles, which are not unfrequently
found mated and breeding in very different states of plumage.
M. Temminckx says that this species frequents the north of Europe
‘in autumn and winter, and it is at times seen in Holland. My friend
Mr Yarre zt states, that, “although it has now been killed once or
oftener in almost every county in England, it has rarely been known
‘to breed there, and is usually obtained in the spring or autumn, when
changing its latitude from south to north, or vice versa.”
It has never been observed in our Atlantic Districts as far south as
Carolina ; but from Maryland to Nova Scotia it is by no means scarce
in the latter part of autumn and during winter. The old birds, how-
=
ie a
ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON. 221
ever, both in America and Europe, rarely remove far from their ordi-
nary places of resort in the northern regions.
The number of meadow mice which this species destroys ought, one
might think, to ensure it the protection of every husbandman; but so
far is this from being the case, that in America it is shot on all occa-
sions, simply because its presence frightens Mallards and other Ducks,
which would alight on the ponds, along the shores of which the wily
gunner is concealed; and in England it is caught in traps as well as
shot, perhaps for no better reason than because it is a Hawk. But so
scarce is it in the latter country, that I never could procure one in the
flesh there.
My friend Mr Swarnson considered our bird in its immature plu-
mage, in which he has figured it in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, as
the true Falco lagopus ; and Dr Ricwarpson, in the same work, speaks
of it as follows :—“ A specimen of this bird, in most perfect plumage,
was killed in the month of September, by Mr Drummonp, on the
Smoking River, one of the upper branches of the Peace River. It ar-
rives in the Fur Countries in April or May, and, having reared its
young, retires southward early in October. It winters on the banks of
the Delaware and Schuylkill, returning to the north in the spring. It
is by no means an uncommon bird in the districts through which the
expedition travelled, but, being very shy, only one specimen was pro-
cured. A pair were seen at their nest, built of sticks, on a lofty tree,
standing on a low, moist, alluvial point of land, almost encircled by a
bend of the Saskatchewan. They sailed round the spot in a wide
circle, occasionally settling on the top of a tree, but were too wary to
allow us to come within gun-shot ; so that, after spending much time
in vain, we were fain to relinquish the chase. In the softness and ful-
ness of its plumage, its feathered legs, and habits, this bird bears some
resemblance to the Owls. It flies slowly, sits fora long time on the
bough of a tree watching for mice, frogs, &c., and is often seen skim-
ming over swampy pieces of ground, and hunting for its prey by the
subdued daylight, which illuminates even the midnight hours in the
high parallels of latitude.”
With this, in addition to what I have already said of the habits of
the Rough-legged Falcon, I conclude; adding, however, the measure-
ments of two American specimens, procured for me by Dr Tuomas M.
Brewer, of Boston, and preserved in spirits.
222 ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON.
Male. Female.
Length to end of tail, . ; 214 23
wings, : 214 23
ab claws, : 19 21
Extent of wings, . : : 514 554
These measurements, with those previously given by myself and
Witson, and those to follow, shew that, like many other birds, the
Rough-legged Buzzards differ considerably in size.
In order to render the history of this bird as complete as possible,
I shall here describe an adult male, an adult female, a young male in
its first plumage, a young male in its second plumage, and an indivi-
dual in the intermediate state.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXII. Fig. 1.
Bill short, as broad as deep at the base, compressed toward the
end; upper mandible with the cere rather short, the dorsal line nearly
straight and declinate as far as the edge of the cere, then decurved,
the ridge convex, the sides slightly convex, the sharp margin perpen-
dicular, with a slight festoon, succeeded by a broad sinus, the tip tri-
gonal, descending obliquely ; lower mandible with the angle wide, the
dorsal line convex, the back broadly convex, the sides convex, the
edges sharp, arched, and inflected, the tip obliquely truncate. Nos-
trils large, subovate in the fore part of the cere.
Head large, broad, flattened above, with the superciliary ridges pro-
minent. Eyes large. Neck of moderate length, body robust. Feet
rather short, robust; tarsi roundish, feathered in their whole length ;
toes short, and rather small; hind toe considerably shorter than the
second, the fourth smallest and connected with the third by a small
membrane ; all with four scutella at the end, the rest of their upper
parts covered with very small hexagonal scales. Claws long, mode-
rately curved, rather slender, considerably compressed, flat beneath,
tapering to a fine point.
Plumage remarkably soft, full, and rather blended, Space between
the bill and eye covered with dark bristle-tipped downy feathers.
Feathers of the head and neck lanceolate, of the back and breast broad
and rounded, of the legs short and narrow, excepting the outer tibial,
which are elongated and oblong. Wings long, reaching to the end of
the tail; the first four quills abruptly cut out on the inner web; se-
ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON. 223
condaries broad and rounded. In the individual here represented, the
third quill is longest, exceeding the fourth by two-twelfths of an inch;
but generally the fourth is longest, the third almost equal, the second
shorter than the fifth, the first nearly as long as the seventh. Tail
rather long, broad, slightly rounded, the middle and lateral feathers
equal, and only two-twelfths shorter than the longest.
Bill bluish-grey, toward the end black, cere yellow; superciliary
ridge yellowish-grey ; iris brown. Toes yellow, claws black, bluish
toward the base. The general colour of the plumage is deep blackish-
brown. The forehead and a large patch on the hind neck are white,
streaked with blackish-brown. All the feathers of the back, the sca-
pulars, the wing-coverts, the quills, and the tail-feathers, are white to-
ward the base,.and more or less barred with whitish, or light grey, or
pale brown ; in consequence of which the upper parts are obscurely
mottled. The axillar feathers, some of those on the sides, and some
of the tibial feathers, with the lower tail-coverts are similarly marked.
The white forms a conspicuous patch on the under surface of the wing,
as it occupies the greater part of the primaries as well as part of the
inner webs of the secondaries, being on all, however, more or less bar-
red with dusky. The tail may be described as brownish-black barred
with greyish-white tinged with brown, there being on the middle fea-
thers six of these black bands, the last very broad, the tips brownish-
white.
Length to end of tail 214 inches; to end of wings 213; extent of
wings 511; bill along the ridge +4, along the edge of lower mandible 13,
wing from flexure 17;%; tail 93; tarsus 24; hind toe 7%, its claw 17% ;
second toe 13, its claw 174; third toe 1;4, its claw 33; fourth toe 74;
its claw ,%.
Adult Female. An old female, alluded to at p. 381 of vol. ii, is
considerably larger, and has the bill stronger, but agrees with the above
in form and proportions; only the fourth quill is longest, as is general-
ly the case, and the tail is more rounded, the lateral feathers being
three-fourths of an inch shorter than the middle. The bill and feet
are coloured as above; but the plumage is of a nearly uniform choco-
late-brown, the feathers of the back, and the scapulars, having no light-
coloured band, although traces of them remain on the inner webs of
the quills and tail, which latter is without a subterminal bar of black, and
224 ROUGH-LEGGED FALCON.
slightly tipped with pale brown; but the bases of the quills remain
white, the broad patch on the under surface of the wing being conspi-
cuous. Some of the feathers on the forehead are margined with white,
and those on the nape are white excepting at their extremity. Pro-
bably this individual is older than the male above described.
Length to end of tail 23 inches, bill along the ridge 74 ; wing from
flexure 18}; tail 913; tarsus 3; hind toe 4, its claw 15%; middle
toe 1,55, its claw ;%.
A middle-aged male has been described at p. 380 of vol. ii.
A middle-aged female agrees entirely with the description there
given; but has a broad band of blackish-brown across the middle and
hind part of the breast.
Length to end of tail 253 inches; to end of wings 243; extent of
wings 56; bill along the ridge 14; wing from flexure 183; tail 104;
tarsus 3,1, ; middle toe 1,5, its claw 7%.
Young Male in winter. Plate CCCCXXII. Fig. 2.
The proportions are the same as those of the adult male. The cere
and toes are yellow; the bill and claws black, tinged with blue at the
‘base. The feathers of the fore part of the forehead are white with
dark streaks ; those of the upper part of the head brownish-black, broadly
edged with pale reddish, the hind part of the neck of the latter colour,
streaked with dark, and having a patch of white on the nape. The upper
parts are blackish-brown, the feathers edged with light grey or light red,
and more or less variegated with these colours, and in their concealed
portions barred with white, as in the adult. The tail is beautifully
and distinctly barred with black and white, towards the end tinged
with rufous, the subterminal black bar large. The lower parts are yel-
lowish-white, streaked and barred with blackish-brown. Large patches
of the latter occupy the sides of the fore neck and breast, as well as
some of the lower wing-coverts, and the feathers of the legs are barred
with dusky and light red. The white patch on the lower surface of
the wing as in the adult.
Length to end of tail 20 inches, bill along the ridge 135; wing
from flexure 171; tail 9.
Male from Boston, preserved in spirits. As in other birds of this
family, the roof of the mouth is flat, with an anterior ridge dividing
ROUGH LEGGED FALCON. 225
behind into two ridges, corresponding with the edges of the tongue.
The posterior aperture of the nares is oblong, with an anterior linear
slit, which is papillate on the mar-
gin. Tongue 10 twelfths long,
fleshy, sagittate and papillate at the
base, concave above; the sides
nearly parallel, the tip rounded, the
lower surface horny toward the end.
The mouth is very wide, measuring
1} inch across. The cesophagus,
bcdef, which is 63 inches long, has a
width of one inch at the upper part,
but is presently expanded to form
an enormous crop, cd, 3 inches in
length, and 2 inches 8 twelfths in
breadth ; it then contracts on en-
tering the thorax to 10 twelfths,
and in the proventricular portion
enlarges to 11 inch. The walls of
the cesophagus are extremely thin,
but still with distinct transverse and
longitudinal fibres. The stomach,
gh, is a very large sac, of a round-
ish, somewhat compressed form,
24 inches long, 2! in breadth, its
muscular coat thin, compressed, of
a single series of fasciculi converg-
ing toward two roundish tendons,
which have a diameter of 8 twelfths.
In the crop are the different por.
tions of three arvicole, which had
been swallowed in fragments, in-
Ke MUTT)
~
ntl
cluding the skulls and members, with the hair. The stomach is cram-
med with five arvicole, apparently of the same species, all fresh or newly
killed, the entire length of one of which, judging from the skull and
vertebre remaining, is 7 inches, of which the tail measures 1 inch 8
twelfths. Appended to the stomach is a great mass ot fat, which ex-
tends over the whole surface of the abdomen. The pylorus is furnished
VOL. V.
P
226 PLUMED PARTRIDGE.
with three knobs or valves. The intestine is of moderate length and
diameter, being 3 feet 7 inches long, its diameter in the duodenal por-
tion 5 twelfths, but gradually diminishing to 14 twelfth. The rectum
is 4 inches long, its width 54 twelfths; the cloaca globular, 13 inch
long, 14 in breadth. The ceca 3 twelfths long, 11 twelfth in dia-
meter.
The trachea is 5} inches in length, much flattened, its breadth at
the upper part 4 twelfths, at the lower 3 twelfths. Its lateral or con-
tractor muscles are very thick, and terminate in the sterno-tracheal at
the distance of about 5 twelfths from the inferior larynx, sending down,
however, a thin slip on each side to the first bronchial ring. There
are no other inferior laryngeal muscles; and, like that of the other fal-
conine birds, this trachea is of the most simple structure. The rings
are 88; the bronchial half rings about 20,
In a female individual, the cesophagus is 73 inches long; the crop
3 inches by 23; the stomach 24 inches in diameter; the intestine 3
feet 8 inches long, the cceca 3 twelfths by 14 twelfth, the cloaca 2 inches
in diameter when inflated. This individual had only one arvicola in
its stomach. |
PLUMED PARTRIDGE.
PERDIX PLUMIFERA.
PLATE CCCCXXIII. Mate anp Femate.
Or this beautiful bird little, I believe, is known. The following
notice by Dr TownsEnp shews that it is entitled to a place in our
Fauna. “ This bird inhabits the dense woods along the tributary
streams of the Columbia River, and is said to extend south into Cali-
fornia. It is at all times a very scarce species, going in coveys of from
six to ten, and is rarely seen away from its favourite places of resort. In
all my rambles through the Oregon Country I was never so fortunate
as to meet with this pretty bird, the three specimens which I have re-
ceived having been procured for me by others.”
One of these specimens has been forwarded to me by Dr Town-
PLUMED PARTRIDGE 227
SEND, and as it proved a female, I made a drawing of the male from a
superb specimen now in the Museum of the Zoological Society of Lon-
don.
PERDIX PLUMIFERA.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXIIJ. Fig. 1.
Bill very short, stout, higher than broad, its dorsal outline decurved
from the base, the ridge narrow, the sides sloping and convex, the
edges sharp and overlapping, the tip rather obtuse but thin-edged ;
nostrils basal, oblong, operculate, in the fore part of the wide nasal
groove, which is partially covered with feathers; gape-line a little
arched; lower mandible with the angle short and rounded, the dorsal
line ascending and slightly convex, the ridge broad, the sides convex,
the edges sharp, the tip obtuse.
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck short; body full. Feet of mo-
derate length, stout ; tibia covered to the joint; tarsus rather short, a
little compressed, edged behind, covered all round with angular scales
of which the anterior are very large; toes four, the first small, and
placed higher than the rest ; the anterior long, rather slender, the fourth
considerably longer than the second, the third much the longest ; all
scutellate above. Claws long, rather slender, compressed, arched, ra-
ther acute.
Plumage full, firm, blended. Feathers generally oblong, on the
sides very large. On the top of the head are two linear-lanceolate, de-
curved feathers having their webs deflected, and three inches and three-
quarters long, in the midst of a tuft of smaller feathers. Wings short,
convex, much rounded, the fourth quill longest, the third and fifth
scarcely shorter, the second four-twelfths shorter than the third, and
five-twelfths longer than the second. Tail rather short, much rounded,
of twelve feathers.
Bill black, “ iris red,” feet dull yellow, claws brown. The upper
part of the head, the hind neck, the fore part of the back, the lower
part of the fore neck, and part of the breast, greyish-blue ; the feathers
round the base of the bill white ; the elongated feathers on the head
black, the throat bright chestnut, margined on each side by a black
line, succeeded by a band of white an inch and a half in length, passing
228 WELCOME PARTRIDGE.
downwards from the eye. The back and rump are reddish-brown, the
quills and tail-feathers wood-brown margined with reddish-brown, the
inner secondaries broadly margined internally with white. The mid-
dle of the breast bright chestnut, as are the upper hypochondrial fea-
thers, which are margined on their inner web toward the end with a
narrow black, and a broad white band, the intervening space on the
sides broadly banded with white, black, and brownish-red.
Length to end of tail 11 inches’; bill along the ridge 74, along the
edge of lower mandible 74 ; wing from flexure 53 ; tail 33; tarsus liz;
hind toe #, its claw 7% ; middle toe #3, its claw i.
Adult Female. Plate CCCCXXIII. Fig. 2.
The Female, which is somewhat less, is similar to the male, but less
brightly coloured. The elongated feathers on the head are much
shorter, being about two inches long. ‘The middle and hind part of
the back, the wings, and the tail, are very minutely and rather faintly
undulated with dusky. Otherwise the difference in the colouring is not
very remarkable.
Length to end of tail 10 inches; bill along the ridge 7; wing from
flexure 53; tail 31; tarsus 1,4; hind toe 74, its claw 3; middle toe
#, its claw 7%.
WELCOME PARTRIDGE.
PERDIX NEOXENUS.
PLATE CCCCXXIII. Younse.
Norurne is known of this species further than that it was procured
in the course of Captain BrEcuEy’s voyage, on the north-west coast of
America. My drawing was taken from a specimen kindly lent to me
by the Council of the Zoological Society of London.
WELCOME Quart, OnTYX NEOXENUS, Vigor’s Gardens and Menagerie of the Zool.
Soc. vol. ii. p. 311
Young. Plate CCCCXXIII. Fig. 3.
The form and proportions being nearly the same as those of the
WELCOME PARTRIDGE. 229
.Plumed and Californian Partridges, it is unnecessary to describe them ;
the bill however is proportionally thicker, and has its tip less decurved.
Mr BenneEv’s description is as follows :—
“In size the present bird is smaller than the Californian Quail.
Its crest is short, straight, directed backwards, and composed of about
half a dozen elongated feathers, of the same pale brown as the fore-
head in front of them. Round the eyes the brown becomes much
paler, but assumes a rufous tinge as it passes backwards, on either side
of the head, in two stripes, extending from above and below the eye.
Between these stripes, and on the lower and back part of the neck, a
number of pale brown and somewhat pointed feathers alternate with
broad black ones. The back is of a grizzled brown, with much darker
patches ; and this colouring extends to the tail, which is crossed by
about eight wavy irregular lines of very pale brown. The wing-co-
verts are dark brown with light margins ; and the quill-feathers dusky-
brown, some of them slightly marked on the edges with paler spots.
The under surface of the body is dark brown, copiously marked with.
rounded spots, which are nearly of a pure white ; they commence small
on the neck, where they are somewhat dingy, and increase in size as
they proceed backwards. The bill is black; the iris pale brown; and
the claws horn-coloured.”
Length to end of tail 73 inches ; bill along the ridge £4 ; wing from
flexure 43 ; tail 23 ; tarsus 1,%,; hind toe ,3,, its claw 24 ; middle toe 174,
its claw yz. The second quill longest ; the tail of twelve feathers.
( 230 )
LAZULI FINCH.
FRINGILLA AM@N4A, Bonar.
PLATE CCCCXXIV. Femattz, Fie. 1.
Tue Female of this species has been described along with the male,
at p. 64 of the present volume.
CRIMSON-NECKED FINCH.
FRINGILLA FRONTALIS, Say.
PLATE CCCCXXIV. Mate.
Tuls species was first described under the name of Fringilla fronta-
lis, by Mr Tuomas Say, who discovered it in the course of Lone’s
Expedition to the Rocky Mountains. It was afterwards figured and
described in the continuation of Witson’s American Ornithology, by
the Prince of Musicnano, who then considered it as belonging to the
genus Pyrrhula, but who has since placed it in a small group, to which
he gives the generic appellation of Hrythrospiza. It is very closely
allied, not only in colour, but in size and form, to the Purple Finch,
Fringilla purpurea, with which one might at first sight readily confound
it, but from which it differs in having the bill somewhat more bulging,
with convex outlines, and in several other characters, such as the more
elongated and less emarginate tail. For the specimen from which the
figure has been taken I am indebted to Mr Gouxp of London. It is
reported to be from California. I have not met with this species, and,
in as far as I know, its habits have not been described.
FRINGILLA FRONTALIS, Say, in Long’s Expedition, vol. ii. p. 40.
Crimson-NECKED BuLirincu, PyrruuLa FRoNTALIS, Ch. Bonaparte, Amer. Or-
nith. vol. i. pl. 1, fig. 1, 2.
CRIMSON-FRONTED Buturincn, Nuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 534.
CRIMSON-NECKED FINCH. 231
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXIV. Fig. 2.
Bill shortish, robust, bulging, conical, pointed; upper mandible
with the dorsal outline a little convex, the back and sides rounded, the
edges direct, overlapping, slightly arched, with a faint sinus, and a little
deflected at the base; lower mandible with the angle short and wide,
the dorsal line ascending and very slightly convex, the back and sides
convex, the edges sharp and inflected. Nostrils basal, roundish, open,
partially concealed by the feathers.
Head rather large, broadly ovate ; neck short; body full. Feet of
moderate size; tarsus slender, compressed, covered anteriorly with
seven large scutella, of which the upper are rather indistinct, laterally
with two long plates meeting so as to form a very sharp edge; toes
scutellate above, free, the lateral nearly equal. Claws slender, arched,
much compressed, acute.
Plumage soft and blended, the wing-coverts compact. Wings of
moderate length, the third primary longest, the fourth scarcely shorter,
the second less than one-twelfth shorter than the third, and exceeding
the first by one-twelfth. Tail long, broad, emarginate and divaricate,
the middle feathers only a twelfth and a half shorter than the longest,
which is the third from the lateral, the latter being of the same length
as the middle.
Bill brown above, paler beneath. Iris brown. Feet and claws
light brown. Forehead and a band over the eye, proceeding down the
neck, crimson ; throat, fore part of breast and sides, with the rump, rich
carmine, the latter paler. The upper parts greyish-brown, the head,
hind neck, and fore part of the back slightly tinged with red ; quills, co-
verts, and tail-feathers dusky and edged with pale brownish-grey, the
first row of small coverts rather conspicuously tipped with a lighter
tint of the same. Short bristly feathers at the base of the bill greyish-
yellow ; loral space and ear-coverts, light grey; the hind part of the
breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts yellowish-white, streaked with
dusky.
Length to end of tail 64 inches; bill along the ridge #4, along the
edge of lower mandible 7! ; wing from flexure 33; tail 31; tarsus ;';
hind toe 34, its claw 24; middle toe £4, its claw 3%.
As stated above, this species is very closely allied to Fringilla pur-
purea, of which however the bill is less bulging, the tail shorter and
232 GREY-CROWNED LINNET.
deeply emarginate, the wings with the second quill longest, the third
next, and the first intermediate between the third and fourth. The
proportions having been given erroneously in the description of that
species (at p. 25, vol. i.), which is otherwise however correct. It is
clear that the present bird is not a Bullfinch, but must be placed beside
the Purple Finch.
GREY-CROWNED LINNET.
FRINGILLA TEPHROCOTIS.
PLATE CCCCXXIV. Mate.
Tuts species, which in form and proportion is allied to Pringilla
purpurea on the one hand, and to #. cannabina on the other, is of ex-
tremely rare occurrence, a single specimen only being mentioned as
having been obtained by Dr Ricuarpson on the Saskatchewan, in
May 1827, from which my figure was taken.
FRINGILLA TEPHROCOTIS.
Linaria (LEUCosTICTE) TEPHROCOTIS, Swainson, GREY-CROWNED LINNET,
Richards. and Swains. Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii. p. 265.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXIV. Fig. 3.
Bill short, thick, conical, its upper and lower outlines straight, the
ridge and sides convex, the edges inflected, the gape-line slightly arch-
ed, but at the base a little deflected. Nostrils basal, round, concealed
by short bristly feathers.
Head rather large, broadly ovate; neck short; body moderate.
Feet of moderate length ; tarsus of the same length as the middle toe
and claw, compressed, anteriorly scutellate, with two lateral plates
meeting behind so as to form a sharp edge ; hind toe stout, lateral toes
nearly equal. Claws rather long, arched, compressed, acute, that of the
hind toe largest.
Plumage soft and blended. Wings long, pointed ; the second quill
longest, the first slightly shorter, the rest rapidly graduated ; second-
GREY-CROWNED LINNET. 233
aries rounded. Tail of moderate length, emarginate, the middle-fea-
thers a quarter of an inch shorter than the longest.
Bill black; tarsi and claws dusky brown. The general colour of
the plumage is dark umber-brown ; the feathers margining the bill
whitish ; the upper part of the head ash-grey, spotted with black an-
teriorly ; the first row of smaller wing-coverts, the feathers of the
rump and the upper tail-coverts are broadly edged and tipped with
rose-red ; as are the feathers of the sides and the lower tail-coverts, of
which however the tint is paler. The quills, larger coverts, and tail-
feathers, are dusky brown ; the primary and secondary coverts edged
with dull red, the quills and tail-feathers with brownish-white.
Length to end of tail 6 inches ; bill along the ridge $, along the
edge of lower mandible £§ ; wing from flexure 4; tail 274; tarsus #3;
hind toe x4, its claw ;%;; middle toe 3%, its claw #4.
COW-PEN BIRD.
ICTERUS PECORIS, Bonar.
PLATE CCCCXXIV. Youne.
Tue bird from which I made the present figure was sent to me by
my friend Tuomas Nurtatt, Esq., through Dr Trupgav. It is the
Same as that described by the former gentleman under the name of
“ Ambiguous Sparrow, Fringilla ambigua,” at p. 485 of his Manual of
the Ornithology of the United States and of Canada. On inspecting it,
however, I at once felt convinced that it was nothing else than a young
Cow-pen Bird, scarcely fledged, it having been found “in the early part
of the summer of 1830.” With the view, therefore, of preventing further
mistakes I have thought it well to figure it.
In my former account of this most interesting bird (Vol. i. p. 493),
I forgot to mention that it is in the habit of retiring to rest and spend
the night on the reeds bordering ponds in unfrequented places, as are
the rest of our “ Blackbirds.” One of their roosting-places is alluded
to by my young friend Dr Tuomas M. Brewer, of Boston, in a letter,
234 COW-PEN BIRD.
as follows :—‘* The four Cow Blackbirds which I obtained the last day
you were with us, were shot in the marshes of Fresh Pond, by Mr
Cuartes E. Wart. I went to the pond a day or two after, but was
unable to procure any, as it was so late in the afternoon that they were
all gone to roost in the reeds, and I could see them in thousands, nay,
tens of thousands. The rustling noise they made was truly deafening.”
IcrErvs PEcoRIS, Bonap.
Ampicuous Sparrow, FrRIncGILLA amBiIcuA, WVuttall, Manual, vol i. p. 484.
Young Male. Plate CCCCXXIV. Fig. 4.
Bill yellowish-brown. Tarsi, toes, and claws pale brown. The
upper parts are greyish-brown, the quills and tail darker; the wing-
coverts and secondary quills narrowly edged with light brown, the pri-
maries with whitish, as are the feathers on the edge of the wing. The
lower parts are dull yellowish-white, the sides marked with a series of
dark brown pointed spots, the lower surface of the wings dusky.
Length to end of tail 63 inches; bill along the ridge ;°;; wing from
flexure 33; tail 2}; tarsus 1; middle toe and claw 1yy.
An adult male of this species preserved in spirits presents the fol-
lowing characters. The roof of the mouth has three longitudinal ridges
anteriorly, the middle ridge terminated by a soft prominence, similar
to that of the Buntings, behind which the palate descends in the same
manner as in them. The posterior aperture of the nares is oblong,
with an anterior slit. The tongue is 7 twelfths long, fleshy, tapering,
flat above, horny towards the end, and pointed. The cesophagus, which
is 3} inches long, passes along the right side of the neck, accompanied
by the trachea; its diameter at the commencement is 4 twelfths, but
it immediately dilates into a crop, which extends to the length of 13
inch, its greatest width being 3 inch ; it then contracts to inch, and
enters the thorax. The proventriculus measures 4} twelfths broad.
The stomach is a strong muscular gizzard, 9 twelfths long, 74 twelfths
broad, a little compressed; the lateral muscles large and distinct ;
the epithelium tough, longitudinally rugous, and of a reddish-brown
colour. The contents of the stomach are grains of wheat. The in-
testine is rather short, and of moderate diameter, being 93} inches
long, and varying from 2 twelfths to 13 twelfth in breadth ; the dia-
EVENING GROSBEAK. 235
meter of the rectum 24 twelfths, being the same as that of the gut im-
mediately before it; and there is scarcely any distinct cloaca, the width
of that part being not more than 4 twelfths. The cceca, 1 inch distant
from the extremity, are 3 twelfths long, 3 twelfth in diameter.
The trachea is 2 inches 2 twelfths long, rather wide in proportion
to the size of the bird, although not more than 14 twelfth in diameter.
The rings are 58 ; the bronchial half rings about 15. The lateral mus-
cles are moderate ; the sterno-tracheal extremely slender. There are
four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles, as in all the singing-birds, whe-
ther thick-billed or not.
The digestive organs of this bird are in all respects precisely simi-
lar to those of the Finches, Grosbeaks, Buntings, and other allied ge-
nera.
EVENING GROSBEAK.
FRINGILLA VESPERTINA, CooPER.
PLATE CCCCXXIV. Feremate anp Youne Mate.
Descriptions of the Female and Young of this species have already
been given at p. 517 of Vol. IV. In the present plate they form the
5th and 6th Figures.
( 236 )
TOWNSEND'S FINCH.
FRINGILLA TOWNSENDI.
PLATE CCCCXXIV. FrEmate.
Tuts species was discovered on the shores of the Columbia River,
by my friend Dr TownsEwp, who sent me a perfect specimen, ticketed
“Female, February 15th 1836,” together with the following notice.
“ I found this species numerous on the plains of the Colorado of the
west, in the Rocky Mountains. It is a very active and rather shy bird,
keeping constantly in the low bushes of wormwood, and on the ground,
in the vicinity. It appears to be partially gregarious, six or eight
being mostly seen together. Its voice is a sharp quick chirp, and oc-
casionally a low weak warble.” It bears a considerable resemblance
to Fringilla iliaca of our Eastern Districts, but is darker, and wants
the light-coloured bands with which the wings of that species are
marked. Other differences will be found on comparing the following
description with that of the bird above mentioned, to which, however,
it is so nearly allied that it must evidently be placed in the same sub-
ordinate group.
FrineittA TownsENDI.
Female. Plate CCCCXXIV. Fig. 7.
Bill short, rather robust, conical, acute; upper mandible rather
broader than the lower, almost straight in its dorsal outline, as is the
lower, both being rounded on the sides, the lower with inflected sharp
edges, the upper with a slight prominence on the edges anterior to the
nostrils; the gape-line nearly straight, a little deflected at the base.
Nostrils basal, roundish, open, partially concealed by the feathers.
Head rather large, broadly ovate; neck shortish ; body full. Legs
of moderate length, rather strong, tarsus shorter than the middle toe
and claw, covered anteriorly with seven long scutella; toes scutellate
above, free, the lateral nearly equal, the hind toe stout, and with its
claw nearly as long as the third. Claws very long, slightly arched,
slender, compressed, laterally grooved, acute, that of the hind toe
largest.
TOWNSEND’S FINCH. 237
Plumage soft and blended, the feathers ovato-oblong. Wings very
short, convex, rounded; the second, third, and fourth quills longest,
and nearly equal, the first a quarter of an inch shorter than the second,
and equal to the sixth; secondaries abruptly rounded. Tail longish,
nearly even.
Bill dark brown above, the base of the lower mandible yellow, its
tip bluish ; iris brown ; feet flesh-coloured. The general colour of the
upper parts is a very deep olivaceous brown, in which there is appa-
rent a slight tinge of red, which becomes more conspicuous on the rump
and outer webs of the tail-feathers, and margins the wing-coverts and
quills; there are no bands on the wings. The ground-colour of the
lower parts is the same as of the upper, but the shafts of the cheek-
feathers are whitish ; there is a longitudinal band of white spots from
the angle of the lower mandible ; the throat, fore neck, middle of the
breast, and hind part of the flanks are variegated with white, the greater
part of each feather being of that colour, and the tip only dusky brown ;
the lower tail-coverts are reddish-brown in the centre, with broad yel-
lowish-white edges, the tibial feathers dull reddish-brown, the lower
surface of the wing greyish-brown.
Length to end of tail 7 inches; extent of wings 102; bill along the
ridge 72, along the edge of lower mandible 7%; wing from flexure 214;
tail 272; tarsus 74; hind toe 7g, its claw 7%; middle toe 7%, its claw #3.
The wing of this bird is much shorter than that of Fringilla iliaca,
which measures 33°; inches ; its tarsi are longer, but more slender, and
its claws are so much longer and more slender, as tosuggest at first the
idea of its being a Plectrophanes, from which however it differs in the
form of the wings.
€ esa
ANNA HUMMING BIRD.
TROCHILUS ANNA.
PLATE CCCCXXV. Mate anp FEMALE.
My good friend Tuomas Nutra tt, while travelling from the Rocky
Mountains toward California, happened to observe on a low oak bush
a Humming Bird’s nest on which the female was sitting. Having
cautiously approached, he secured the bird with his hat. The male in
the mean time fluttered angrily around, but as my friend had not a gun,
he was unable to procure it.
The nest, which he has presented to me, is attached to a small
branch, and several leaves from a twig issuing from it, which have ap-
parently been bent down for the purpose. It is very small, even for
the size of the bird, being an inch and a half in depth, and an inch and
a quarter in breadth externally at the mouth, while its internal dia-
meter is ten-twelfths, and its depth eight and a half twelfths. It is of
a conical form, and composed of the cottony down apparently of some
species of willow, intermixed with scales of catkins and a few feathers,
and lined with the same substances. The eggs, two in number, are
pure white, of a nearly elliptical form, five-twelfths of an inch long,
and three and a quarter twelfths in their greatest breadth.
The figures of the nest and female are taken from the specimens
presented to me by Mr Nutra. Those of the male I made from
specimens, for the use of which I am imdebted to Mr Loppicgs, of
London, whose collection of Humming Birds is unrivalled. This spe-
cies is the fourth now found within the limits of the United States.
O1sEav-mMoucHE ANNA, Onnismya Anna, Lesson, pl. 74.—Traité d’Ornithologie,
p. 281.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXV. Figs. 1, 2, 3, 4.
Bill long, very slender, cylindrical, slightly depressed at the base,
acuminate ; upper mandible with the dorsal line straight, the ridge
narrow at the base and convex toward the end, the sides convex, the
edges overlapping ; lower mandible with the angle very long and ex-
ANNA HUMMING BIRD. : 239
tremely narrow, the dorsal line slightly decurvate, the tip forming a
very slender point. Nostrils basal, linear.
Head of ordinary size, oblong; neck short; body slender. Feet
very small; tarsus extremely short, rather stout, feathered more than
half-way down ; toes small, the lateral equal, the middle toe not much
longer, the hind toe a little shorter than the lateral; anterior toes
united at the base; claws rather long, stout, arched, compressed, late-
rally grooved, very acute.
Plumage soft and blended ; feathers on the upper part of the head,
cheeks, and throat, oblongo-obovate, with their filaments toward the
end thickened and flattened, with metallic gloss, those on the sides of
the neck more elongated. Wings rather long, extremely narrow, some-
what faleate ; the primaries rapidly graduated, the first being longest, ;
the number of quills sixteen. Tail of moderate length, emarginate and
rounded.
Bill and feet black. The compact feathers of the head, cheeks, and
throat, are blood-red, changing to gold, and having a tinge of blue ; the
upper parts light gold-green ; the quills and tail-feathers dusky brown ;
the lower parts brownish-white.
Length to end of tail 343 inches ; bill along the ridge 12; wing
from flexure 277; tail 1}; tarsus 7%; hind toe 4, its claw 44 ; middle
toe 24, its claw +.
Female. Plate CCCCXXV. Fig. 5.
The Female differs from the male in several respects. The tail is
rounded, without emargination; the metallic feathers are reduced to
an irregular patch on the throat ; the upper part of the head and the
cheeks are greenish-grey, the upper parts glossy green as in the male,
the wings dusky, the middle tail-feathers green, the rest greenish-grey
at the base, black toward the end, with the tip white ; the lower parts
dull grey, the sides tinged with green. —
Length to end of tail 3;% inches; bill along the ridge 9§; wing
from flexure 2; tail 11.
( 240 )
CALIFORNIAN VULTURE.
CATHARTES CALIFORNIANUS, ILLIGER.
PLATE CCCCOXXVI.
Or the three species of Vulture which inhabit the southern parts
of North America, this is so much superior in size to the rest that it
bears to them the same proportion as a Golden Eagle to a Goshawk.
It inhabits the valleys and plains of the western slope of the continent,
and has not been observed to the eastward of the Rocky Mountains.
Dr TownsEnp, who has had opportunities of observing it, has favoured
me with the following account of its habits.
“©The Californian Vulture inhabits the region of the Columbia
River, to the distance of five hundred miles from its mouth, and is most
abundant in spring, at which season it feeds on the dead salmon that
are thrown upon the shores in great numbers. It is also often met with
near the Indian villages, being attracted by the offal of the fish thrown
around the habitations. It associates with Cathartes Aura, but is easily
distinguished from that species in flight, both by its greater size, and
the more abrupt curvature of its wing. The Indians, whose observa-
tions may generally be depended upon, say that it ascertains the pre-
sence of food solely by its power of vision, thus corroborating your own
remarks on the vulture tribe generally. On the upper waters of the
Columbia the fish intended for winter store are usually deposited in
huts made of the branches of trees interlaced. I have frequently seen
the Ravens attempt to effect a lodgement in these deposits, but have
never known the Vulture to be engaged in this way, although these
birds were numerous in the immediate vicinity.”
In a subsequent notice, he continues:—“ I have never seen the
eggs of the Californian Vulture. The Indians of the Columbia say
that it breeds on the ground, fixing its nest in swamps under the pine
forests, chiefly in the Alpine country. The Wahlamet Mountains,
seventy or eighty miles south of the Columbia, are said to be its favourite ~
places of resort. I have never visited the mountains at that season, and
therefore cannot speak from my own knowledge. It is seen on the
Columbia only in summer, appearing about the first of June, and re-
CALIFORNIAN VULTURE. 241
tiring, probably to the mountains, about the end of August. It is
particularly attached to the vicinity of cascades and falls, being at-
tracted by the dead salmon which strew the shores in such places.
The salmon, in their attempts to leap over the obstruction, become ex-
hausted, and are cast up on the beaches in great numbers. Thither,
therefore, resort all the unclean birds of the country, such as the pre-
sent species, the Turkey Buzzard, and the Raven. The Californian
Vulture cannot, however, be called a plentiful species, as even in the
situations mentioned it is rare to see more than two or three at a time,
and these so shy as not to allow an approach to within one hundred
yards, unless bystratagem. Although I have frequently seen this bird
I have never heard it utter any sound. The eggs I have never seen,
nor have I had any account of them that I could depend upon.”
In a former letter you ask me, ‘“ What is the colour of the eyes ?
Do they attack living animals? Do they feed on reptiles, fishes, or
what? Where do they roost? Do they carry the tail upwards while
walking? Are they pugnacious ? What is their manner of flight, &c 2”
The colour of the eye is dark hazel. I have never heard of their at-
tacking living animals. Their food while on the Columbia is fish al-
most exclusively, as in the neighbourhood of the rapids and falls it is
always in abundance ; they also, like other Vultures, feed on dead ani-
mals. I once saw two near Fort Vancouver feeding on the carcass of a
pig that had died. I have not seen them at roost. In walking they
resemble a Turkey, strutting over the ground with great dignity ; but
this dignity is occasionally lost sight of, especially when two are striving
to reach a dead fish, which has just been cast on the shore; the state-
ly walk then degenerates into a clumsy sort of hopping canter, which
is any thing but graceful. When about to rise, they always hop or
run for several yards, in order to give an impetus to their heavy body,
in this resembling the Condor of South America, whose well known
habit furnishes the natives with an easy mode of capturing him by
means of a narrow pen, in which a dead carcass has been deposited.
TfI should return to the Columbia, I will try this method of taking
the Vulture, as I am satisfied that it would be successful.”
Mr Dove tas has published the following account of it in the fourth
_ volume of the Zoological Journal :—“ The length of this bird is 56
:
inches; the measure round the body 40 inches. Weight 25 to 36
pounds. Beak 34 inches long, bright glossy yellow. Head 9 inches
VOL. v. Q
242 CALIFORNIAN VULTURE.
round, deep orange, with a few short scattered feathers on the fore
part, at the root of the beak. Iris pale red, pupil light green. Neck
11 inches long, 9 round, of a changeable colour, brownish-yellow, with
blue tints. Body 24 inches long, black or slightly brown, Collar and
breast feathers lanceolate, decomposed, white on the outside near the
points. Quills 34, the third the longest. Extent between the tips of
the wings 9 feet 3 inches. Under coverts white ; upper coverts white
at the points. Tarsi 43ths of an inch long, bluish-black; claws black,
blunt, having little curvature. Tail of 14 feathers, square at the ends,
15 inches long. In plumage both sexes are alike ; in size the female
is somewhat larger.
‘“‘ These gigantic birds, which represent the Condor in the northern
hemisphere, are common along the coast of California, but are never
seen beyond the woody parts of the country. I have met with them as
far to the north as 49° N. latitude, in the summer and autumn months,
but nowhere so abundantly as in the Columbian Valley between the
Grand Rapids and the Sea. They build their nests in the most se-
cret and impenetrable parts of the pine forests, invariably selecting the
loftiest trees that overhang precipices on the deepest and least accessi-
ble parts of the mountain valleys. The nest is large, composed of —
strong thorny twigs and grass, in every way similar to that of the Eagle
tribe, but more slovenly constructed. The same pair resorts for seve-
ral years to the same nest, bestowing little trouble or attention in re-
pairing it. Eggs two, nearly spherical, about the size of those of a
goose, jet black. Period of incubation twenty-nine or thirty-one days.
They hatch generally about the first of June.
“The young are covered with thick whitish down, and are incapable
of leaving the nest until the fifth or sixth week. Food carrion, dead fish,
or other dead animal substances. In no instance will they attack any
living animal unless it be wounded and unable to walk. Their senses
of smelling and seeing are remarkably keen. In searching for prey
they soar to a very great altitude, and when they discover a wounded
eg et ae Dae oe ea eee
deer or other animal, they follow its track, and, when it sinks, precipi:
tately descend on their object. Although only one is at first seen o¢-
cupying the concave, few minutes elapse before the prey is surrounded
by great numbers, and it is then devoured to a skeleton within an hour,
even though it be one of the larger animals, Cereus Elaphus, for im-
stance, or a horse. Their voracity is almost unsatiable, and they are
CALIFORNIAN VULTURE. 243
extremely ungenerous, suffering no other animal to approach them
while feeding. After eating they become so sluggish and indolent as
to remain in the same place until urged by hunger to go in quest of
another repast. At such times they perch on decayed trees, with their
heads so much retracted as to be with difficulty observed through the
long, loose, lanceolate feathers of the collar. The wings at the same
time hang down over the feet. ‘This position they invariably preserve
in dewy mornings or after rains.
“Except after eating, or while protecting their nest, they are so ex-
cessively wary, that the hunter can scarcely ever approach sufficiently
near even for buck-shot to take effect upon them, the fulness of the
plumage affording them a double chance of escaping uninjured. Their
flight is slow, steady, and particularly graceful ; gliding along with
scarcely any apparent motion of the wings, the tips of which are curved
upwards in flying. Preceding hurricanes or thunder-storms, they are
seen most numerous and soar the highest. The quills are used by hun-
ters as tubes for tobacco pipes.
“¢ Specimens, male and female, of this truly interesting bird, which I
shot in Lat. 45° 30’ 15’, Long. 122° 3’ 12”, were lately presented by the
Council of the Horticultural Society to the Zoological Society, in whose
museum they are now carefully deposited.”
Catirornian VULTURE, VULTUR CaLIFoRNIANUS, Shaw, Nat. Misc. vol. ix. pl. 301.
—Shaw’s General Zoology, vol. vii. p. 10.
CaTuHartTEs Carirornianus, IIliger.
Carnartes Catirornianus, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States,
p- 22.
CaLIFORNIAN VULTURE, Nuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 39.
Adult. Plate CCCCXXVI.
Bill nearly as long as the head, strong, straight at the base, slightly
compressed ; the upper mandible covered beyond the middle by the
cere, its dorsal outline declinate, convex above the nostrils, as far as the
_ edge of the cere, then decurved, the ridge broad and convex, the edges
with a slight undulation, toward the end sharp, the sides convex, the tip
large, curved, and pointed ; lower mandible with the angle long and ra-
ther narrow, the dorsal line beyond it convex, the back and sides broadly
convex, the edges decurved toward the tip, which is broadly rounded.
Nostrils sub-basal, oblong, rather small, occupying less than the pos-
244 CALIFORNIAN VULTURE.
terior half of the nasal cavity, of which the anterior part is filled by a
membrane. ; l
Head rather small, oblong; neck rather long; body robust. Feet
short, strong ; tarsus roundish, covered with small convex angular
scales ; toes with transverse rows of scales at the base, scutellate in
the rest of their extent ; the first small, the middle very long, the se-
cond shorter than the fourth; the anterior connected by webs at the
base. Claws arched, strong, moderately compressed, blunted, those of
the middle and inner toes largest.
The head and upper part of the neck are bare, but the middle of
the forehead to beyond the nostrils, and a semicircular space before the
eye, are closely covered with very small firm feathers; the fore part of
the neck is longitudinally, the occiput and hind neck transversely
wrinkled. Plumage full, compact; feathers of the ruff and fore part
of the breast, lanceolate and acuminate, of the upper parts ovato-ellip-
tical, broadly rounded, and glossy. Wings very long, ample, concave ;
primaries finely acuminate, secondaries rounded ; the first quill two
inches and a half shorter than the second, which is half an inch shorter
than the third, the latter exceeded by the fourth by half an inch, and
equal to the fifth. Tail of moderate length, nearly even, of twelve
broad, rounded feathers.
The horny part of the bill yellow; the cere and naked part of the
head and neck yellowish-red. Iris dark hazel. Feet yellowish-grey,
claws brownish-black. The general colour of the plumage is greyish-
black, the feathers of the upper parts narrowly margined with light
brown and grey ; the secondaries light grey externally, as are the edges
of the primaries ; the margins of the inner secondaries toward the base,
and those of the secondary coverts, with a large portion of the extre-
mity of the latter, are white. The feathers on the sides under the wing,
the axillaries, and many of the lower wing-coverts, are white.
Length to end of tail 55 inches ; bill along the ridge 43, along the
edge of lower mandible 37°, ; wing from flexure 34; tail 16; tarsus 47;
hind toe 144, its claw 13; second toe 23, its claw 1}; third toe 44, its
claw 2; fourth toe 27%, its claw 14.
A young individual obtained from Dr TownsEnp has the horny part of
the bill dusky yellowish-grey ; the head and neck covered withdull brown
very soft down; the feet greyish-yellow, the scutella darker, the claws
as
SS OE Se ae eee
BACHMAN’S OYSTER-CATCHER. 245
brownish-black. The general colour of the plumage is blackish-brown,
the feathers on the upper part strongly tinged with grey, especially the
secondary quills; the feathers of the back edged with light brown, the
secondary coverts tipped with brownish-white. The feathers on the
sides under the wing, the axillaries, and some of the lower wing-coverts,
white with the centre dusky.
Length to end of tail 48 inches; bill along the ridge 4; wing from
flexure 32; tail 16; tarsus 4; middle toe 4, its claw 1,%.
BACHMAN’S OYSTER-CATCHER.
HzMéTorPus BACHMANI.
PLATE CCCCXXVII. Mate.
Accorpine to my friend Dr TownsEnp, this species is abundant
along the whole of the north-west coast of America, as well as in Re-
gent’s Sound, but is rarely seen on the shores within Cape Disappoint-
ment. The specimen sent to me by him is ticketed as a male, shot in
June 1836; but as in this genus there is no difference as to colour be-
tween the male and the female, it may be supposed that in this case
the female differs only in being somewhat smaller.
The discovery of two new species is very remarkable, especially
when it is seen by the figures given in this plate, compared with the
other, that not one of our three Oyster-catchers resembles the Hama-
topus Ostralegus of Europe, which for a long time was supposed to exist
in America, on account of the figure given of this latter bird by W11son,
who must have taken it from a stuffed European specimen in PEate’s
Museum in Philadelphia. Whether this be the case or not, it is
pretty certain that no such bird as Wison has represented has as yet
been observed in any part of North America, although some writers
have gone so far as to say so, without however offering any evidence.
Hamatorus BacHMaAnt.
Male. Plate CCCCXXVII. Fig. 1.
Bill long, slender but strong, straight, higher than broad at the
base, towards the end extremely compressed, terminating in avery thin
246 BACHMAN’S OYSTER-CATCHER.
wedge-shaped point. Upper mandible with the dorsal line at the base
straight and slightly sloping, a little arched beyond the nostrils, then
nearly straight and sloping to the point, the ridge broad and flattened
as far as the prominence, afterwards very narrow, the sides sloping at
the base, perpendicular towards the end, the edges sharp and direct.
Nasal groove basal, long ; nostrils sub-basal, in the middle of the groove
near the margin, linear, direct, pervious. Lower mandible with the
angle rather short and narrow, the dorsal line straight and slightly as-
cending, the ridge narrow, the sides a little convex and erect, with a
shallow groove at the base, the edges sharp and direct.
Head of moderate size, ovate, the forehead convex. Neck rather
long. Feet of moderate length, rather stout; tibia bare for half an
inch ; tarsus rather short slightly compressed, covered all round with
hexagonal scales ; toes rather short and fleshy, the hind toe wanting,
the second shorter than the fourth, the third considerably longer, all
scaly at the base above, scutellate towards the end, flattened and broad
beneath, with thick margins, and connected at the base by short webs,
of which the outer is longer. Claws small, compressed at the base,
depressed and rounded at the end, that of the middle toe largest, with
a somewhat dilated thin inner edge.
Plumage of the head and neck short and blended, of the back rather
compact and slightly glossed, of the lower parts blended, the feathers
in general ovate and rounded. Wings long, acute ; primaries tapering
toward the end, but obtuse, the first longest, the second one-twelfth of
an inch shorter, the third two-twelfths shorter than the second, the
rest more rapidly graduated ; secondaries broad and rounded, the in-
ner much elongated and tapering. Tail short, nearly even, of twelve
rather broad, rounded feathers, of which the lateral are two-twelfths
shorter than the middle (but as they are all worn the proportions can-
not be determined).
Bill vermilion, fading to yellow on the worn parts toward the end.
Edges of eyelids vermilion ; iris yellow. Feet white, slightly tinged with
flesh colour; claws yellowish, toward the end dusky. The plumage is cho-
colate-brown, darker, and tinged with bluish-grey on the head and neck ;
the under surface of the quills light brownish-grey, their shafts whitish.
Length to end of tail 173 inches ; bill along the ridge 2;%, along ©
the edge of lower mandible 21%, its greatest height beyond the nostrils
£t ; wing from flexure 10; tail 343; tarsus 1}$ ; inner toe 1, its claw
yz; middle toe 144, its claw 4, ; outer toe 1;%, its claw 7.
( 247 )
TOWNSEND’S OYSTER-CATCHER.
HzmaArTorus TOwNSENDI.
PLATE CCCCXXVII. Mate.
A specimen of this species, which very closely resembles the last,
but is much larger, and differs in its proportions, was also forwarded to
me by Dr TownsEnp, but without any notice respecting its habits or
distribution. I have compared it with some specimens brought from
the coast of California, with which it agrees in all respects. It is not
‘improbable however, that, like our Hamatopus palliatus, which in sum-
mer extends from the shores of South America to those of Labrador,
the present species as well as H. Bachmani, courses the shores of the
Pacific Ocean, to a very high latitude. I have taken the liberty of
naming it after its discoverer.
Hamatorus TownsEnDI.
Male. Plate CCCCXXVII. Fig. 3.
Bill long, slender but strong, slightly recurved, or ascending, be-
yond the nostrils, about the same height and breadth at the base, toward
the end extremely compressed, terminating in an exceedingly thin
wedge-shaped point. Upper mandible with the dorsal line at the base
straight and slightly sloping, a little arched beyond the nostrils, then
nearly straight and sloping to the point, the ridge broad and flattened
as far as the prominence, afterwards extremely narrow, the sides slo-
ping at the base, perpendicular towards the end, the edges sharp, direct,
and about the middle slightly overlapping. Nasal groove basal, long ;
nostrils sub-basal, in the middle of the groove near the margin, linear,
direct, pervious. Lower mandible with the angle rather short and nar-
row, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the ridge very nar-
row, the sides erect and nearly flat, with a shallow groove at the base,
the edges sharp and direct.
Head of moderate size, ovate, the fore head convex. Neck rather
long. Feet of moderate length, rather stout, tibia bare for three-quar-
248 TOWNSEND'S OYSTER-CATCHER.
ters of an inch; tarsus of moderate length, somewhat compressed, co-
vered all round with hexagonal scales; toes rather short and fleshy,
the hind toe wanting, the second shorter than the fourth, the third con-
siderably longer, all scaly at the base above, scutellate towards the end,
flattened and broad beneath, with thick margins, and connected at the
base by short webs, of which the outer is longer. Claws rather small,
compressed, blunt, that of the middle toe largest, with a somewhat di-
lated thin inner edge.
Plumage of the head and neck short and blended, of the back ra-
ther compact and slightly glossed, the lower parts blended, the fea-
thers in general ovate and rounded. Wings long, acute ; primaries
tapering toward the end, but obtuse, the first longest, the second two-
twelfths shorter, and exceeding the third by three-twelfths ; secon-
daries broad and rounded, the inner much elongated and tapering.
Tail short, nearly even, of twelve rather broad, rounded feathers, of
which the lateral are scarcely shorter than the middle.
Bill vermilion, paler toward the end. Kdges of eyelids vermilion ;
iris yellow. Feet blood-red, claws dusky. The plumage is chocolate-
brown, darker and tinged with bluish-grey on the head, neck, and —
breast ; the under surface of the quills light brownish-grey, their shafts
whitish. Many of the upper wing-coverts are narrowly tipped with
brownish-white.
Length to end of tail 20 inches ; bill along the ridge 3;% ; along the
edge of lower mandible 3,2, its greatest height beyond the nostrils 4 ;
wing from flexure 11; tail 47,; tarsus 27%); inner toe #4, its claw 33 ;
middle toe 14$, its claw 32 ; outer toe 14%, its claw #3.
This species is larger than the preceding, but its plumage is [si-
milar in texture and colouring. Besides its much greater size, it dif-
fers in the form of the bill, which is much longer, much deeper, more
compressed, and distinctly ascending or slightly recurvate, the lower
mandible especially, which in the other is quite straight. The former
species also has the feet white, and the claws pale, whereas in this
they seem to have been red, with the claws dusky.
( 249 )
TOWNSEND'S SURE-BIRD.
APHRIZA TOWNSENDI.
PLATE CCCCXXVIII Fermate.
Tur remarkable bird here represented, which in form and size
bears a considerable resemblance to the Knot, was procured by Dr
TownsEnp on the shores of Cape Disappointment, and proved to be a fe-
male. Nothing is known as to the habits or range of the species. In
order to exhibit its characters to the best advantage, I have figured it
flying in two different aspects. The following note accompanied the
specimen sent to me by Dr Townsenp :—“ I shot this bird, the only
one I have ever seen, on Cape Disappointment, at the entrance of the
Columbia River. It was sitting on the edge of the steep rocks, and
the heavy surf frequently dashed its spray over it as it foraged among
the retreating waves. When it started, it flew with a quick, jerking
motion of its wings, and alighted again at a short distance. It was a
female. 'The stomach was remarkably strong and muscular, and con-
tained fragments of a small black shell-fish which adheres to the rocks
in this neighbourhood.”
Trinca TowNsENDI.
Female. Plate CCCCX XVIII.
Bill a little shorter than the head, rather stout, compressed, taper-
ing, straightish, being recurvate in a slight degree. Upper mandible
with the dorsal line straight and a little declinate as far as the middle,
then concave, and towards the end convex, the nasal groove extending
to near the end, the ridge rather broad and flattened, the tip compres-
sed and bluntish. Lower mandible with the angle rather long and nar-
row, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the sides grooved
for half their length, convex toward the end, the tip narrowed but
blunt. Nostrils sub-basal, linear near the margin.
Head rather small, ovate, rounded in front. Neck of ordinary
length. Body rather full. Feet of moderate length, rather stout ;
tibia bare at the lower part, and reticulated tarsus roundish, with
250 TOWNSEND’S SURF-BIRD.
small angular scales all round, those on the fore part larger ; toes four,
with numerous scutella, the first very small and placed higher than the
rest; the anterior toes free to the base, distinctly margined on both
edges, flat beneath, the inner considerably shorter than the outer, the
third a quarter of an inch longer than the latter ; claws rather small,
curved, compressed, blunted.
Plumage full, soft, rather dense, on the neck and lower parts blended.
Wings very long, narrow and pointed; primaries with strong shafts,
narrowed towards the end, the first longest, the rest rapidly decreasing ;
outer secondaries incurved, obliquely rounded, inner elongated, one of
them reaching to an inch and two-thirds of the tip of the longest primary
when the wing isclosed. Tailrather short, even, of twelve moderately
broad, rounded feathers.
Bill dusky toward the end, orange at the base. Feet bluish-green,
claws black. The general colour of the upper parts is a very dark or
blackish-grey ; the quills greyish-black ; a broad band of white crosses
the wing, occupying the tips of the primary coverts, the terminal third
of the secondary coverts, the bases and more or less of the margins
and tips of the quills, several of the inner secondaries having only a
streak of dusky on the inner web, but the innermost or elongated quills
are destitute of white. The shafts of the quills are also white, as are
some of the feathers of the rump, the upper tail-coverts, the basal half
of the tail, of which the rest is black, the feathers narrowly edged with
white at the end; the black on the tail is narrower on the lateral fea-
thers, and on the outer does not occupy much more than half an inch.
The throat is greyish-white ; the cheeks, sides, and fore part of the neck,
and the anterior part of the breast dull grey, of a lighter tint than the
back. ‘The rest of the lower parts white, with small longitudinal ob-
long dark grey streaks; the axillaries and lower wing-coverts white, those
at the edge of the wing dark grey with white margins.
Length to end of tail 11 inches; bill from flexure 1/4, along the
edge of lower mandible 1/4; wing from flexure 73; tail 3; ; tarsus
1,4, ; hind toe 74, its claw #4; middle toe “4, its claw 7%.
The prominence on the terminal part of the upper mandible gives
the bill somewhat of the appearance of that of a Plover, but in other
respects it more resembles that of the Turnstone, the plumage agrees
with that of the latter bird, and the colouring is very similar to its win-
ter dress. This species in short seems intermediate between Tringa and
SLENDER-BILLED GUILLEMOT. 251
Strepsilas, but is much more allied to the latter, with which it agrees
in form and proportions, the principal differences being in the tail, which
is not rounded, but even, in the want of scutella on the tarsi, and in the
form of the bill at its extremity, the upper mandible im place of being
a little recurvate and depressed, having its extremity arched and the
point a little decurved. Were the latter worn off, it would agree with
that of Strepsilas. Conceiving this bird to present characters sufficient
to constitute a sub-genus in immediate connection with Strepsilas, I pro-
pose to give it the name of Aphriza Townsendi, the generic appellation
(derived from dggos and Zam) being expressive of the habit of the bird,
as indicated in the notice of its discoverer, who appears to me to have
the best claim for the specific name.
SLENDER-BILLED GUILLEMOT.
Ur1a TOWNSENDI.
“ PLATE CCCCXXIX. Apuzr anp Youne.
I have received not less than four specimens of this small Guille-
mot from Dr TownsEnp, who procured them on the north-west coast
of America, not very far from the mouth of the Columbia River. The
changes of colour in birds of this genus are well known to be consider-
able; and I have represented two individuals, supposing one to be an
adult, and the other a young bird in its first plumage.
Unita TownsENDI.
Adult. Plate CCCEX XIX. Fig. 1.
Bill shorter than the head, straight, slender, much compressed, acute.
Upper mandible with the dorsal line convex and declinate, the ridge
very narrow, the sides erect and convex toward the end, the edges sharp
and inflected, with a distinct notch near the tip, which is rather acute
_ and caniculate beneath. Nostrils medial, narrow near the margin,
in the fore parts of the long nasal sinus, which is feathered. Lower
mandible with the angle long and very narrow, the dorsal line ascend-
ing and straight, the sides nearly erect, but convex, the edges sharp
and inflected, the tip very acute.
LE JE
252 SLENDER-BILLED GUILLEMOT.
Head of moderate size, oblong ; neck short ; body full, depressed ;
wings small. Feet placed far behind, very short and slender; tarsus
very short, reticulate ; toes slender, with numerous short scutella; the
first wanting ; the third or middle toe longest, the inner much shorter
than the outer ; claws small, slightly arched, compressed, rather acute.
Plumage very soft, close, blended, rather glossy; feathers of the
head very short, of the back oblong, of the lower parts ovate. Wings
small, very narrow, convex, falecate ; first quill longest, second a twelfth
of an inch shorter, the rest rapidly diminishing ; secondaries incurved,
obliquely rounded. Tail extremely short, narrow, rounded, of twelve
weak, rounded feathers.
Bill black. Feet yellow; claws black. The upper parts are
brownish-black, the feathers of the back terminally margined with
light grey ; the lower parts, cheeks, a transverse band on the nape,
both eyelids, and a longitudinal band on each side, formed by some of
the scapulars, white, some dusky streaks on the hind part of the sides,
and the lower wing-covert greyish-brown, the larger tipped with dull
white.
Length to end of tail 10 inches; bill along the ridge ;4, along the
edge of lower mandible 154; wing from flexure 5,% ; tail 174; tarsus
8, ; middle toe 174, its claw 75.
Young in Autumn. Plate CCCOXXIX. Fig. 2.
Bill and feet as in the adult. The upper parts are brownish-black,
the feathers terminally margined with brown ; the occipital band is
merely indicated by some lighter feathers, and the scapular band is
brownish or chestnut-red. The lower parts have a curious mottled
appearance, the feathers being brownish-grey at the end, but in the
rest of their extent white, that colour appearing more or less on all
parts, and shewing a patch on the hind part of the sides.
Length to end of tail 9? inches ; bill along the ridge 74, along the
edge of lower mandible 1f,; wing from flexure 572; tail 1;%; tar
sus 74 ; middle toe $3, its claw 73.
Two other individuals, apparently more advanced, or perhaps
adults in winter, have the upper parts brownish-black ; the lower white
but finely mottled, a small portion of the extremity of each feather be-
ing greyish-dusky. The white bands on the hind neck and scapulars
are formed, and the lower surface of the wing is brownish-grey.
( 253 )
WESTERN DUCK.
FULIGULA DISPAR, GMEL.
PLATE CCCCXXX. Mate.
Tuis beautiful species, which was discovered by STELLER on the
north-west coast of America, has never been known to visit our Atlan-
tic shores. So very scarce indeed is it, that all my exertions to ob-
tain a specimen have failed. It is surprising that it was not procured
by any of the great navigators and travellers who have visited the nor-
thern and western coast within these fifteen years. As it has been ac-
knowledged, however, as belonging to our Fauna, I have introduced a
figure of it taken by my son Jonn Woopuovss, from a beautiful specimen
in the Museum of Norwich, in England. It is said to have been shot
at Yarmouth, in the county of Norfolk, in the winter of 1830.
Anas pispar, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 535,—Zath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii. p. 866.
Anas STELLERI, Gmel. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 518.
Western Duck, Lath. Penn.
Adult Male. Plate CCCOKXX.
Bill shorter than the head, deeper than broad at the base, depressed
towards the end, which is rounded. Upper mandible with the dorsal
line straight and sloping to the middle, then slightly concave, at the
end decurved ; the ridge broad and flat at the base, afterwards convex,
as are the sides, the unguis elliptical. Nostrils sub-basal, oblong. Lower
mandible flat, with the angle long and rather narrow, the unguis ellip-
tical.
Head large, compressed ; neck rather short and thick. Feet short,
stout, placed rather far behind ; tarsus very short, compressed, reticu-
late with a series of larger scales in front. Hind toe small, with a free
membrane beneath ; anterior toes longer than the tarsus, connected by
reticulated membranes, the inner with a narrow lobed marginal mem-
brane ; the third longest, the fourth nearly equal; all covered above
with numerous short seutella. Claws small, arched, obtuse.
Plumage dense, soft, blended. Wings of moderate length, pointed ;
254 WESTERN DUCK.
the first quill longest ; secondaries short, broad, rounded, the inner
elongated, lanceolate, and decurved, as are the scapulars. Tail rather
short, pointed, of fourteen feathers. ,
Bill dull greyish-blue, as are the feet; the claws yellowish-grey. The
upper part of the head and a broad band surrounding the neck are
white ; the throat; some feathers around the eye are black; a light
green patch in the loral space, and a transverse patch of the same on
the nape, margined behind and laterally with black. A broad band on
the neck and the whole of the back is velvet-black, with green reflec-
tions; the smaller wing-coverts white ; the secondary coverts bluish-
black, terminating in a broad white band; the elongated secondaries
and scapulars with the inner web white, the outer black with blue re-
flections; the primaries and coverts brownish-black, the tail black, as
are the lower tail-coverts and abdomen; the rest of the lower parts
deep reddish-buff, fading toward the shoulders and neck into pure
white ; there is a bluish-black spot on each side of the lower part of
the neck anterior to the wing.
Length to end of tail 16 inches ; bill along the ridge 74 ; wing from
flexure 83; tail 4; tarsus 1,%,; inner toe and claw 13; middle toe and
claw 24; outer toe and claw 2}; breadth of unguis of upper man-
dible 3; breadth of bill at base 3.
( 255 )
AMERICAN FLAMINGO.
PHENICOPTERUS RUBER, LINN.
PLATE CCOCCXXXI. Aputt Mate.
On the 7th of May 1832, while sailing from Indian Key, one of
the numerous islets that skirt the south-eastern coast of the Peninsula
of Florida, I for the first time saw a flock of Flamingoes. It was on
the afternoon of one of those sultry days which, in that portion of the
country, exhibit towards evening the most glorious effulgence that can
be conceived. The sun, now far advanced toward the horizon, still
shone with full splendour, the ocean around glittered in its quiet
beauty, and the light fleecy clouds that here and there spotted the
heavens, seemed flakes of snow margined with gold. Our bark was pro-
pelled almost as if by magic, for scarcely wasa ripple raised by her bows as
we moved in silence. Far away to seaward we spied a flock of Flamingoes
advancing in “ Indian line,” with well-spread wings, outstretched necks,
and long legs directed backwards. Ah! Reader, could you but know the
emotions that then agitated my breast! I thought I had now reached
the height of all my expectations, for my voyage to the Floridas was
__ undertaken in a great measure for the purpose of studying these lovely
birds in their own beautiful islands. I followed them with my eyes,
watching as it were every beat of their wings; and as they were ra-
pidly advancing towards us, Captain Day, who was aware of my an-
xiety to procure some, had every man stowed away out of sight and
our gunners in readiness. The pilot, Mr Ecan, proposed to offer the
first taste of his “groceries” to the leader of the band. AsI have
more than once told you, he was a first-rate shot, and had already killed
many Flamingoes. The birds were now, as I thought, within a hun.
dred and fifty yards; when suddenly, to our extreme disappointment,
their chief veered away, and was of course followed by the rest. Mr
Eqaan, however, assured us that they would fly round the Key, and
alight not far from us, in less than ten minutes, which in fact they did,
although to me these minutes seemed almost hours. ‘ Now they
come,” said the pilot, “keep low.” This we did; but, alas! the Fla-
mingoes were all, as I suppose, very old and experienced birds, with
256 AMERICAN FLAMINGO.
the exception of one, for on turning round the lower end of the Key,
they spied our boat again, sailed away without flapping their wings, and
alighted about four hundred yards from us, and upwards of one hundred.
from the shore, on a “ soap flat” of vast extent, where neither boat nor
man could approach them. I however watched their motions until
dusk, when we reluctantly left the spot and advanced toward Indian
Key. Mr Loean then told me that these birds habitually returned to
their feeding-grounds toward evening, that they fed during the greater
part of the night, and were much more nocturnal in their habits than
any of the Heron tribe.
When I reached Key West, my first inquiries, addressed to Dr
Bensamin StRoBEL, had reference to the Flamingoes, and I felt gra-
tified by learning that he had killed a good number of them, and that
he would assist us in procuring some. As on that Key they are fond
of resorting to the shallow ponds formerly kept there as reservoirs of
water, for the purpose of making salt, we visited them at different
times, but always without success ; and, although I saw a great num-
ber of them in the course of my stay in that country, I cannot even
at this moment boast of having had the satisfaction of shooting a single
individual.
A very few of these birds have been known to proceed eastward of
the Floridas beyond Charleston in South Carolina, and some have been
procured there within eight or ten years back. None have ever been
observed about the mouths of the Mississippi; and to my great sur-
prise I did not meet with any in the course of my voyage to the Texas,
where, indeed, I was assured they had never been seen, at least as
far as Galveston Island. The western coast of Florida, and some
portions of that of Alabama, in the neighbourhood of Pensacola, are
the parts to which they mostly resort; but they are said to be there
always extremely shy, and can be procured only by waylaying them in
the vicinity of their feeding-grounds toward evening, when, on one
occasion, Dr Srroset shot several in the course of a few hours. Dr
LeEItTNER also procured some in the course of his botanical excursions
along the western coast of the Floridas, where he was at last murdered
by some party of Seminole Indians, at the time of our last disastrous
war with those children of the desert.
Flamingoes, as I am informed, are abundant on the Island of Cuba,
more especially on the southern side of some of its shores, and where
AMERICAN FLAMINGO. 257
many islets at some distance from the mainland afford them ample
protection. In their flight they resemble Ibises, and they usually
move in lines, with the neck and legs fully extended, alternately flap-
ping their wings for twenty or thirty yards and sailing over a like
space. Before alighting they generally sail round the place for seve-
ral minutes, when their glowing tints become most conspicuous. They
very rarely alight on the shore itself, unless, as I am told, during the
breeding season, but usually in the water, and on shallow banks, whe-
ther of mud or of sand, from which however they often wade to the
shores. Their walk is stately and slow, and their cautiousness extreme,
so that it is very difficult to approach them, as their great height en-
ables them to see and watch the movements of their various enemies
at a distance. When travelling over the water, they rarely fly at a
greater height than eight or ten feet ; but when passing over the land,
no matter how short the distance may be, they, as well as Ibises and
Herons, advance at aconsiderable elevation. J well remember that on
one occasion, when near Key West, I saw one of them flying directly
towards a small hummock of mangroves, to which I was near, and to-
wards which I made, in full expectation of having a fine shot. When
the bird came within a hundred and twenty yards, it rose obliquely,
and when directly over my head, was almost as far off. I fired, but
with no other effect than that of altering its course, and inducing it
to rise still higher. It continued to fly at this elevation until nearly
half a mile off, when it sailed downwards, and resumed its wonted low
flight.
Although my friends Dr Joun Bacuman, Dr Witson, and Wi1-
Liam Kunuarpr, Esq. of Charleston, have been at considerable trouble
in endeavouring to procure accounts of the nidification of these birds and
their habits during the breeding season, and although they, as well as
myself, have made many inquiries by letter respecting them, of persons
residing in Cuba, all that has been transmitted to me has proved of
little interest. I am not however the less obliged by the kind inten-
tions of these individuals, one of whom, A. Mattory, Esq. thus writes
to Captain Crort.
“ Capt. Crort, Matanzas, April 20. 1837.
Dear Srr,—“ I have made inquiry of several of the fishermen,
and salt-rakers, who frequent the keys to the windward of this place,
VOL, V. R
258 AMERICAN FLAMINGO.
in regard to the habits of the Flamingo, and have obtained the follow-
ing information, which will be found, I believe, pretty correct: 1st,
They build upon nearly all the Keys to the windward, the nearest of
which is called Collocino Lignas. 2d/y, It builds upon the ground.
3dly, The nest is an irregular mass of earth dug in the salt ponds, and
entirely surrounded by water. It is scooped up from the immediate
vicinity to the height of two or three feet, and is of course hollow at
the top. There is no lining, nor any thing but the bare earth. 4¢hly,
The number of the eggs is almost always two. When there is one,
there has probably been some accident. The time of incubation is not
known. The egg is white, and near the size of the Goose’s egg. On
scraping the shell, it has a bluish tinge. 5thly, The colour of the
. young is nearly white, and it does not attain the full scarlet colour until
two years old. 6thly, When the young first leave the nest, they take
to the water, and do not walk for about a fortnight, as their feet are
almost as tender as jelly. I do not think it easy to procure an entire
nest; but I am promised some of the eggs, this being the time to pro-
cure them. Very truly your obedient servant,
A. Mattory.”
Another communication is as follows :—“< The Flamingo is a kind
of bird that lives in lagoons having a communication with the sea.
This bird makes its nest on the shore of the same lagoon, with the
mud which it heaps up to beyond the level of the water. Its eggs are
about the size of those of a goose; it only lays two or three at a time,
which are hatched about the end of May. The young when they
break the shell have no feathers, only a kind of cottony down which
covers them. They immediately betake themselves to the water to
harden their feet. They take from two to three months before their
feathers are long enough to enable them to fly. The first year they
are rose-coloured, and in the second they obtain their natural colour,
being all scarlet; half their bill is black, and the points of the wings
are all black ; the eyes entirely blue. Its flesh is savoury, and its
tongue is pure fat. It is easily tamed, and feeds on rice, maize-meal,
&e. Its body is about a yard high, and the neck about half as much.
The breadth of the nest, with little difference, is that of the crown of
ahat. The way in which the female covers the eggs is by standing in
the water on one foot and supporting its body on the nest. This
bird always rests in a lagoon, supporting itself on one leg alternately
AMERICAN FLAMINGO. 259
and it is to be observed that it always stands with its front to the
wind.”
An egg, presented to me by Dr Bacuman, and of which two were
found in the nest, measures three inches and three-eighths in length,
two inches and one-eighth in breadth, and is thus of an elongated form.
The shell is thick, rather rough or granulated, and pure white exter-
nally, but of a bluish tint when the surface is scraped off.
The following description is taken from specimens sent to me by
JEAN CHaRTRAND, Esq. from Cuba, and preserved in spirits, together
with several dried skins.
PHENICOPTERUS RUBER, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 230.—Zath. Ind. Ornith. vol. ii.
p- 788.—Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 348.
Rep Framinco, PHENICOPTERUS RUBER, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. vill. p. 145,
: pl. 66, fig. 4, Adult.—Ch. Bonaparte, Amer. Ornith. vol. iii.
American or Rep Fiamineo, Nuttall, Manual, vol. ii. p. 71.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXXI.
Bill more than double the length of the head, straight and higher
than broad for half its length, then deflected and tapering to an obtuse
point. Upper mandible with its dorsal line straight, convex at the
curve, and again straight nearly to the end, when it becomes convex
‘at the tip; the ridge broad and convex, on the deflected part expanded
into a lanceolate plate, having a shallow groove in the middle, and
separated from the edges by a narrow groove; its extremity narrow,
and thin-edged, but obtuse, this part being analogous to the unguis of
ducks and other birds of that tribe. Lower mandible narrower than
the upper at its base, but much broader in the rest of its extent; its
angle rather long, wide, and filled with bare skin; its dorsal line con-
cave, but at the tip convex, the ridge deeply depressed, there being a
wide channel in its place, the sides nearly erect and a little convex,
with six ridges on each side toward the tip. The edges of the upper
mandible are furnished with about 150 oblique lamelle, of which the
external part is perpendicular, tapering, pointed, and tooth-like. The
‘edge of the lower mandible is incurved in an extraordinary degree,
leaving a convex upper surface about 1 inch in breadth, covered in its
whole extent with transverse very delicate lamella, with an external
series of larger lamella. The whole surface of the bill is covered with
a thickened leathery skin, which becomes horny toward the end. The
260 AMERICAN FLAMINGO.
nostrils are linear, direct, sub-basal, nearer the margin than the ridge,
operculate, 11 inch long.
Head small, ovate; neck extremely elongated, and very slender,
body slender. Legs extremely long; the bare part of the tibia 924
inches, with 30 very broad scutella before, and about 40 behind, the
scutella both here and on the tarsus almost meeting so as scarcely
to leave any interspace. Tarsus extremely long, slender, its anterior
scutella 54, posterior 65. Hind toe very small, with 3 large scu-
tella, its claw oblong, depressed, obtuse; it is 5 twelfths of an inch
shorter than the outer, which is also 5 twelfths shorter than the middle
toe. The webs are anteriorly emarginate and crenate; they are very
thick, rugous, and reticulated, especially on the sole; the lower surface
of the toes is tesselated with squarish, flattish, thickened scales, re-
sembling mosaic work, and the upper surface is covered with numerous
broad, but short scutella. The claws are oblong, obtuse, depressed,
and very similar to those of a monkey.
The space between the bill and the eye is bare. The plumage is
generally compact, the feathers rounded; those on the neck short.
Wings long, very broad, pointed; the first primary half a twelfth of an
inch shorter than the second, which is longest, and exceeds the third
by one-twelfth ; some of the inner secondaries much elongated, tapering,
and extending five or six inches beyond the first primary when the wing
is closed. Tail very short.
Bill black beyond the curve, then orange, and towards the base pure
yellow, of which colour also is the bare skin at its base. Iris blue.
Feet lake-colour. The plumage is of a very rich pure scarlet, except-
ing the ten primaries, and twenty of the secondaries, which are black,
the inner ten elongated secondaries being scarlet.
Length to carpal joint 27? inches, to end of wing 44, to end of tail
452, to end of claws 623; extent of wings 66; bare part of tibia 9;
tarsus 131; middle toe and claw 33; hind toe and claw $; spread of
foot from outer to inner claw 5; wing from flexure 16; tail 6; circum-
ference of body 24. Weight 7 lb. 8 oz.
The Female is similar to the male, but much smaller ; its weight
6 lb. 4 oz.
A male preserved in spirits. On the roof of the mouth is a large
prominent median ridge, which toward the end has two sharp edges ;
the sides concave and covered with lamelle. The lower mandible is
AMERICAN FLAMINGO. 261
deeply and widely grooved, forming a cavity 1 inch in depth at the cur-
vature, the tip narrowed but obtuse, and with a flattened broadly ovate
surface above. The tongue, which lies in this deep groove, by which it
is confined so as to be capable of little motion, is a fleshy, somewhat com-
pressed, decurved body, 2 inches 2 twelfths long, measured along its
upper median line, having at its base on each side three series of very
pointed papilla, and on each side about 20 conical recurved, horny, acu-
minate papilla, about } inch in length; between which is a narrow me-
dian groove. These papiilz terminate at the curvature, beyond which
is a lanceolate flattened horny surface, with a thin elevated margin,
the organ at that part tapering to an obtuse point, horny on its lower
surface. The nostrils are 1} inch long; the aperture of the ear very
small, 23 twelfths in diameter, that of the eye 44 twelfths. In this
specimen the whole of the thoracic and abdominal viscera have been
removed.
The trachea, which is narrow, little flattened, and with its rings
firm, passes down in front of the vertebre to the distance of 12 inches,
and is then deflected to the right side for 11 inches more. The diameter
at the upper part is 4? twelfths, and it gradually enlarges to 53 twelfths ;
at the lower part of the neck its greatest breadth is 7 twelfths. It
then passes over the vertebra, continuing of the same breadth, enters
the thorax, contracts at its lower part and is compressed, its diameter
being 4 twelfths. ‘The number of rings is 330. The bronchi are
wide, short, compressed, of about 15 half rings.
The aperture of the glottis is 6 twelfths long; at its anterior part
is a transverse series of 12 short papille directed forward, and behind
it are numerous pointed papill, of which the middle are largest. The
muscles of the upper larynx are two, one passing obliquely from the
edge of the marginal cartilage to the edge of the thyroid bone, for the
purpose of opening the aperture of the glottis ; the other passing from
the fore part of the edge of the thyroid bone to the base of the cricoid
and arytenoid, for the purpose of pulling these parts forward, and
thus closing the aperture. The contractor muscles are of moderate
strength, and the trachea is enveloped in numerous layers of dense cel-
lular tissue. The sterno-tracheals, which are of moderate size, are in
part a continuation of the contractors, which moreover send a slip to
the inferior larynx.
A Female also preserved in spirits is much smaller. The cesophagus,
Fig. 1, abcd (diminished one-third) is 2 feet 1 inchlong, only 3 twelfths in
262 AMERICAN FLAMINGO.
width at the upper part, and diminishes to 24 twelfths. At the lower
part of the neck however it enlarges into a crop, cde, 3} inches long and
Fig. 1. Fig. 3.
}
é .
Aw \ Ae b
S SY ZS
bow =
=
=p: \
ze
~
a E
\ tt { y !
a Ge 1 T
ce iY
et oe eS
23 inches in its greatest width. On entering the thorax, the cesophagus
has a diameter of 9 twelfths; the proventriculus, Fig. 2, abc, enlarges to
an ovate sac, 11 inch in its greatest breadth. The stomach, de/, is a very ,
muscular gizzard, of an elliptical form, placed obliquely, and exactly
resembling that of a Duck or Goose; its length 1 inch 7 twelfths, its
breadth 2 inches 3 twelfths. Its lateral muscles are extremely de-
veloped, the left being 1 inch 1 twelfth thick, the other 1 inch; the 4
epithelium thick, tough, brownish-red, marked with longitudinal coarse
grooves, but not flattened on the two surfaces, opposite the muscles, as
is the case in Ducks and Geese. The proventricular glands are very it
large, and occupy a belt 1? inch in breadth. The contents of the sto”
AMERICAN FLAMINGO. 263
mach are numerous very small univalve shells of a great variety of spe-
cies and fragments of larger shells, which however have probably been
Fig. 2.
used in place of gravel; for the structure of the cesophagus and sto
264 AMERICAN FLAMINGO.
mach would indicate that the bird is graminivorous. 'The intestine,
Jf, which is very long, and of considerable width, its diameter being
greater than that of the upper part of the cesophagus, is very regularly
and beautifully convoluted, presenting, when the bird is opened in front
10 parallel convolutions, fg hij, inclined from right to left at an angle
of about 30°. The duodenum, fg /, passes round the edge of the sto-
mach, curves upwards as far as the fore part of the proventriculus, is
then doubled on itself, reaches the right lobe of the liver, which has a
large elliptical gall-bladder, and forms 32 half curves in all, ending
above the stomach in the rectum. The intestine is 11 feet 4 inches
long, its average diameter 43 twelfths. The rectum, Fig. 3, a6, is 53
inches long, its diameter } imch. The coeca, cd, are 4 inches long;
for 4 inch at the base their diameter is 1 twelfth, immediately after 4
twelfths ; they then taper to the extremity, which is obtuse. The
cloaca is very large and globular.
In the plate, are represented in outline, the bill, tongue, and foot.
Fig. 1 shews the bill as viewed laterally ; Fig. 2 is the upper mandible
seen from above; Fig. 3, the roof of the mouth; Fig. 4, the lower
mandible viewed from beneath; Fig. 5, the lower mandible viewed
from above, together with the tongue, on which are seen two series of
elongated horny papilla; Fig. 6, a lateral view of the tongue; Fig. 7,
the anterior portion of the tongue, removed from the deep cavity of the
lower mandible, and viewed from above; Fig. 8, inferior view of the
anterior portion of the tongue; Fig. 9, the right foot seen from before.
BURROWING OWL.
STRIX CUNICULARI4A, GMEL.
PLATE CCCCXXXII. Mate anp FEMALE.
Tuis singular species was added to our Fauna by Mr Tuomas Say,
who met with it in the course of Colonel Lone’s expedition to the
Rocky Mountains. The observations of that zealous naturalist have
been published in the first volume of the Continuation of Witson’s
BURROWING OWL. 265
American Ornithology by the Prince of Musicnano, and will be re-
peated below, after I have presented you with the notice transmitted
to me by my friend Dr Townsrnp, from whom I have received four
specimens, one of which I at first supposed to be of a distinct species, and
which on the plate bears the name of “ Strix californica.” He says :—
“ This species inhabits the plains near the Columbia River and the
whole extent of the Rocky Mountains, residing in the forsaken bur-
rows of the Marmots and American Badgers, but never lives on terms
of intimacy with either of these animals, as has been so often stated.
The burrow selected by this bird is usually found at the foot of a
wormwood bush (Artemisia), upon the summit of which this Owl often
perches, and stands for a considerable while. On their being ap-
proached, they utter a low chattering sound, start, and skim along the
plain near the ground for a considerable distance. When winged,
they make immediately for the nearest burrow, and when once within
it, it is impossible to dislodge them. They are strictly diurnal, feed
principally upon grasshoppers and crickets, and, according to the
Indians, sometimes upon field-mice. The nest is composed of fine
grass, and placed at the extremity of the hole. The eggs are uniformly
four in number, pale white, and about the size of those of the common
House-Pigeon, the great end, however, being remarkably large, and
tapering abruptly. Nothing can be more unpleasant than the bagging
of this species, on account of the fleas with which their plumage
swarms, and which in all probability have been left in the burrow by
the Badger or Marmot, at the time it was abandoned by these animals.
I know of no other bird infested by that kind of vermin. This species
suddenly disappears in the early part of the month of August, and the
Indians assert with great confidence that it retires into its burrow, and
spends the winter there in a torpid state.”
Mr Say’s account, as presented in the Continuation of Witson’s
American Ornithology, is as follows :—“< In the Trans-Mississipian
territories of the United States, the Burrowing Owl resides exclu-
sively in the village of the Marmot or Prairie Dog, whose excavations
are so commodious as to render it unnecessary that our bird should dig
for himself, as he is said to do in other parts of the world, where no
burrowing animals exist. These villages are very numerous and vari-
able in their extent, sometimes covering only a few acres, and at others
spreading over the surface of the country for miles together. They
266 BURROWING OWL.
are composed of slightly elevated mounds, having the form of a trun-
cated cone, about two feet in width at base, and seldom rising as high
as eighteen inches above the surface of the soil. The entrance is placed
either at the top or on the side, and the whole mound is beaten down
externally, especially at the summit, resembling a much used foot-path.
“From the entrance, the passage into the mound descends vertically
for one or two feet, and is thence continued obliquely downwards, until
it terminates in an apartment, within which the industrious Marmot
constructs, on the approach of the cold season, the comfortable cell for
his winter’s sleep. This cell, which is composed of fine dry grass, is
globular in form, with an opening at top capable of admitting the
finger ; and the whole is so firmly compacted, that it might, without
injury, be rolled over the floor.
‘It is delightful, during fine weather, to see these lively little crea-
tures sporting about the entrance of their burrows, which are always
kept in the neatest repair, and are often inhabited by several indivi-
duals. When alarmed, they immediately take refuge in their subter-
ranean chambers, or, if the dreaded danger be not immediately im-
pending, they stand near the brink of the entrance, bravely barking
and flourishing their tails, or else sit erect to reconnoitre the movements
of the enemy. * - - *
“In all these prairie villages, the Burrowing Owl is seen moving
briskly about, or else in small flocks scattered among the mounds, and,
at a distance, it may be mistaken for the Marmot itself when sitting
erect. They manifest but little timidity, and allow themselves to be
approached sufficiently close for shooting ; but, if alarmed, some or all
of them soar away, and settle down again at a short distance. If fur-
ther disturbed, their flight is continued until they are no longer in
view, or they descend into their dwellings, whence they are difficult to
dislodge.
«¢ The burrows into which these Owls have been seen to descend, on
the plains of the river Platte, where they are most numerous, were
evidently excavated by the Marmot, whence it has been inferred by
Say, that they were either common, though unfriendly residents of the
same habitation, or that our Owl was the sole occupant of a burrow ac-
quired by the right of conquest. The evidence of this was clearly pre-
sented by the ruinous condition of the burrows tenanted by the Owl,
which were frequently caved in, and their sides channelled by the
BURROWING OWL. 267
rains, while the neat and well-preserved mansion of the Marmot shew-
ed the active care of a skilful and industrious owner. We have no
evidence that the Owl and Marmot habitually resort to one burrow,
yet we are well assured by Pixs and others, that a common danger of-
ten drives them into the same excavation, where lizards and rattle-
snakes also enter for concealment and safety.
The note of our bird is strikingly similar to the ery of the Marmot,
which sounds like cheh, cheh, pronounced several times in rapid suc-
cession.—Its food appears to consist entirely of insects, as, on examina-
tion of its stomach, nothing but parts of their hard wing-cases were
found.”
STRIx cunicuaria, Gmmel. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 292.—Zath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i.
p. 63.
Burrowine Owt, Strrx cunicunaria, Say in Long’s Exped. to the Rocky Moun-
tains, vol. i. p. 200.—Ch Bonap. Amer. Ornith. vol. i. p. 68, pl. vii, fig. 2.
Burrowine Own, Nuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 118.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXXII. Fig. 1.
Bill short, stout, broader than high at the base, its dorsal outline
decurved in its whole length, the sides of the upper mandible sloping
and ‘slightly convex, the ridge rather narrow, the tip compressed, de-
curved, acute ; lower mandible with the angle long and wide, the dor-
sal line convex, the edges sharp and inflected, with a notch close to
the truncate tip ; the gape-line straight, at the end decurved. Nostrils
rather small, elliptical oblique, in the fore part of a tumid portion of
the cere. Eyes large. Aperture of ear large, but for an Owl small,
being elliptical and four and a half twelfths long, without operculum.
Head very large; neck short; body slender. Feet rather long,
slender ; tarsus roundish, scaly, but covered with short soft feathers, of
which the shafts only remain towards the lower part; toes short, tu-
bercularly scaly with two scutella at the end, and having bristles or the
shafts of feathers scattered over their upper surface ; the first toe much
shorter than the outer, which is itself shorter than the inner. Claws
slightly curved, long, rather slender, compressed, tapering to a fine point
when not blunted from use, that of the middle toe as broad as high.
Plumage full, soft, and rather downy ; the feathers ovate; those on
the face linear, stiffish, with loose barbs, and disposed in two disks
surrounding the eyes, but incomplete above ; between the eye and the
268 BURROWING OWL.
bill long with strong terminal bristles. There is a ruff of shorter, downy,
oblong feathers extending on each side from the forehead to the chin.
Wings of moderate length, broad, concave ; primaries broad, the first
with the filaments of its outer web bare and enlarged at the end, but
scarcely recurved ; the first and second cut out on the inner web near
the end, the second and third slightly so on the outer web; the first
four and a half twelfths shorter than the second, which is longest, but
scarcely exceeds the third. Tail short, arched, narrow, slightly round-
ed, of twelve broadly rounded feathers.
Bill greyish-yellow, darker towards the base. Iris yellow. Feet
dusky grey, claws black. The general colour of the upper parts is
light yellowish-brown, having a bleached appearance, and spotted with
white ; the quills with triangular reddish-white spots from the margins
of both webs, there being five on each web of the first ; the tail simi-
larly barred, there being on the middle feathers four double spots,
and the tips of all white. The face is greyish-white, the bristle tips of
the stiff feathers at the base of the bill blackish; the throat and ruff
white, succeeded by a mottled brown band, beneath which is a patch of
white ; the rest of the lower parts are yellowish-white, with broad bars
of light reddish-brown, which are closer on the sides of the breast ; the
abdomen, lower tail-coverts, and legs without spots.
Length to end of tail 10 inches, extent of wings 24; bill along the
ridge 44; wing from flexure 774; tail 33%; tarsus 133; hind toe 7%,
its claw ;4; second toe 7%, its claw 3% ; third toe 4%, its claw 3 ; fourth
toe 75, its claw +b.
In this individual the colours are obviously faded, and the feathers
are worn at the tips, shewing that it was approaching the period of
moulting.
In another, the upper parts are of a much deeper tint of a dull red-
dish-brown, approaching to burnt umber, and the spots, which are smal-
ler, are brownish-white, those toward ,the end of the tail tinged with
reddish earth. The tarsi are much more denuded, and the toes are en-
tirely so, with the scales and scutella more convex and crusted with
earth.
But in a third specimen, larger than either, and probably a female,
the plumage is perfect, being evidently quite new, and the tarsi covered
with fine soft downy feathers, the toes alone having long bristles or
shafts on the upper parts. The claws taper to a fine point and the scales
and scutella are not so thickened. This bird is therefore probably a
LITTLE NIGHT OWL. 269
young one. It is that represented by Fig. 2, and named Striz Califor-
nica.
Female. Plate CCCCXXXII. Fig. 2.
Bill, feet, and claws coloured as in the male. The plumage is also in
all respects similar, only the upper parts are of a deeper tint, being um-
ber-brown, the white spots larger, especially on the hind neck, and
generally margined with dusky.
Length to end of tail 11 inches; bill along the ridge 1,4,; wing
from flexure 73 ; tail 32; tarsus 2;%, ; hind toe 3%, its claw 34
toe 73, its claw 74 ; third toe 14, its claw 7% ; fourth toe 3% its claw 4%.
; second
The Burrowing Owl probably belongs to the same section as Stria
passerina, and S. acadica, which it resembles in the form of its bill, the
aperture of the ear, and the disposition of the colours of the plumage.
The partially bare tarsi and toes appear to be the result of denudation
caused by their habits in frequenting sandy and muddy places.
LITTLE NIGHT OWL,
STRIX PASSERINA, GMEL.
PLATE CCCCXXXII. Fermate.
Tue specimen from which my drawing of this bird was taken, was
procured near Pictou in Nova Scotia, by my young friend Tuomas
M‘Curtocn, Esq., who assured me that it is not very uncommon there.
How far southward it may proceed in winter I have not been able to
ascertain ; nor have I ever met with it in any part of the United States.
It is also said to be abundant in Newfoundland, and not rare in Labra-
dor. My specimen is a female, and was shot in winter.
STRrx PASsERINA, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 133.
CuovertEe CuEvecHE, Strix passeriNa, Temm. Man. d’Ornith. p. 92.
Female. Plate CCCCXXXII. Fig. 3.
Bill short, stout, broader than high at the base, compressed toward
the end ; upper mandible with the dorsal line nearly straight to the end
of the cere, then decurved, the ridge convex, the sides nearly erect and
moderately convex, the tip decurved and acute; nostrils rather small,
elliptical; the membrane tumid behind them ; lower mandible with the
angle very wide, the dorsal line ascending and convex, the edges sharp,
270 LITTLE NIGHT OWL.
decurved toward the end, with an abrupt notch close to the truncate
tip.
Head extremely large, broader than deep ; eyes very large; aperture
of ears elliptical, four-twelfths of an inch long, without operculum ; neck
short ; body slender. Feet rather short ; tarsus rather short, stout, co-
vered with fine soft feathers; as are the toes, on which however the
feathers soon become reduced to the shafts. First toe shorter than the
fourth, which is much exceeded by the second ; claws moderately curved,
slender, compressed, tapering toa fine point, that of the middle toe
having the inner edge considerably dilated.
Plumage full, very soft, blended ; facial disks incomplete above ;
ruff distinct ; feathers at the base of the bill terminated by long bristly
points. Wings long; the third quill longest, but slightly exceeding
the fourth, the second two and a half twelfths shorter, and nine-twelfths
longer than the first ; the outer four cut out on the inner web; the se-
cond, third, fourth, and fifth sinuate on the outer ; the filaments of the
outer web of the first thickened, free, and slightly recurved, as are
those of the second and third beyond the sinus, but in a less degree.
Tail of moderate length, arched, slightly rounded.
Bill greyish, its ridge and tip greyish-yellow. Iris dark. Claws
brownish-black, lighter at the base. The general colour of the upper
parts is chocolate-brown ; the feathers of the head have an oblong white
median mark, and as they are small this part is marked with numerous
spots ; on the hind neck the white spots are very large, forming a con-
spicuous patch ; on the back most of the feathers have a single large
subterminal roundish spot, which is also the case with the scapulars
and wing-coverts, some of which, however, have two or more spots.
All the quills have marginal reddish-white spots on both webs, the third
quill with six on the outer and four on the inner, with two very faint
pale bars toward the end. The tail is similarly marked with four bands
of transversely oblong, reddish-white spots. On the anterior part of the
disk, the feathers are whitish, with black shafts, on the lower part
whitish, on the hind part brown tipped with greyish-white. A broad
band of white crosses the throat and curves upwards on either side to
the ear; there is also a patch of white on the lower part of the fore
neck, and between them is a brownish-grey band. The general colour
of the lower parts is dull yellowish-white, each feather with a broad
longitudinal band of chocolate-brown; the abdomen and lower tail-
coverts unspotted ; the tarsal feathers dull white
LITTLE COLUMBIAN OWL. 271
Length to end of tail 104 inches, to end of wings 10 ; bill along the
ridge 2; wing from flexure 61; tail 33; tarsus 11; hind toe 74, its
claw 3; middle toe 13, its claw &.
On comparing this bird with European specimens, as well as with
the best descriptions of Strix passerina, I feel convinced that it belongs
to that species, as it entirely agrees with it in size, proportions, and
colouring.
LITTLE COLUMBIAN OWL.
STRIX PASSERINOIDES, TEMM.
PLATE CCCCXXXII. Mate.
Or this pretty little Owl I can only say that the single specimen
from which I made the two figures in the plate before you, was sent to
me by Dr TownsEnp, along with the following notice respecting it :—
“ T shot this bird on the Columbia River, near Fort Vancouver, in the
month of November. I first saw it on wing about mid-day, and its cu-
rious jerking or undulating flight struck me as extremely peculiar, and
induced me to follow and secure it. It soon alighted upon a high branch
of a pine tree, and I shot it with my rifle, the only gun I had with me,
as I was at the time engaged in shooting cranes along the banks of the
river. The specimen is somewhat mutilated, in consequence of having
lost one wing by the ball. The stomach contained nearly the whole
body of a Ruby-crowned Wren, with a few small remnants of beetles
and worms. It was a male; its irides bright yellow ; and it measured
7 inches in length. The tail is exactly 3 inches long, and extends 24
inches beyond the closed wings.”
I have seen several specimens of this Owl in the Edinburgh Mu-
seum, which had also been sent from Fort Vancouver by Dr MeripETH
GaIRDNER.
CHEVECHE CHEVECHOIDE, STRIX PASSERINOIDES, Temm. Pl. Col. 344
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXXII, Figs. 4, 5.
Bill short, strong, broader than high at the base, compressed to-
ward the end; the cere short; the nostrils rather small, oblong, ob-
272 LITTLE COLUMBIAN OWL.
lique; the nasal membrane tumid behind them; the upper mandible
with its dorsal line curved from the base, the ridge rather narrow, the
sides convex, the tip decurved and acute; lower mandible, with the
angle very wide, the dorsal line short, ascending, convex, the edges
inflected, slightly decurved, with an abrupt notch close to the truncate
tip.
Head very large, roundish; neck short ; body slender. Eyes large ;
aperture of ear elliptical, two-twelfths and a half at its greatest length,
without operculum. Feet short; tarsi very short, feathered, as are the
toes, on the greater part of which however, there are only stiff bristles
or shafts; the first toe short, the second longer than the fourth. Claws
well curved, very slender, compressed, tapering to an extremely acute
point.
Plumage full, very soft, blended. Facial disks indistinct, and in-
complete above ; the feathers at the base of the bill linear, with bristle-
shafts; ruff indistinct. Wings rather short, concave, much rounded,
the first quill eight-twelfths of an inch shorter than the second, which
is three and a quarter twelfths shorter than the third, the fourth slight-
ly exceeding the latter ; the outer three abruptly cut out on the inner
web, the second, third, and fourth cut out on the outer; the first with
its outer filaments thickened but not recurvate, those of the second and
third also thickened toward the end. ‘Tail of moderate length, slight-
ly rounded.
Bill greyish-yellow, dusky towards the base. Iris yellow. Claws
greyish-yellow at the base, dusky toward the end. The general co-
lour of the upper parts is olivaceous-brown; the head with numerous
small, roundish, yellowish-white spots margined with dusky, of which
there are two on each feather ; the rest of the upper parts marked with
larger, angular whitish spots ; the quills generally with three small and
five large white spots on the outer and inner webs; the tail barred with
transversely oblong white spots, of which there are seven pairs on the
middle feathers. The facial disk is brown, spotted with white, the
throat white, then with a transverse brown band, succeeded by a white
one; the lower parts white, with longitudinal brownish-black streaks,
the sides brown, faintly spotted with paler; the wing-coverts white,
with black streaks.
Length to end of tail 7 inches ; bill along the ridge 7; wing from
flexure 374 ; tail 72; tarsus 723 hind toe 74, its claw #4; middle toe 7%,
its claw $4.
SHORT-EARED OWL. 273
A young individual, which is the Striz pumila of ILticER and TEm-
minck, has the bill and feet similar; but the upper parts are rufous ;
the head with fewer and smaller white spots; those on the lower part
of the hind neck very large ; the back, scapulars, and wing-coverts un-
spotted ; the wings marked as in the adult, but with pale red spots on the
outer, and reddish-white on the inner webs; the tail with only five bands
of spots; the lower parts white, longitudinally streaked with light red,
of which colour are the sides of the body and neck, and a band across
the throat.
SHORT-EARED OWL.
STRIX BRACHYOTUS, Linn.
PLATE CCCCXXXII. Mate.
ALTHOUGH this species is by no means scarce in almost any part of
the United States, in the latter half of autumn and during winter, very
few individuals spend the summer south of the Great Pine Swamp of
Pennsylvania, where, however, some occasionally breed. In Nova
Scotia, its nest has frequently been met with, and in Newfoundland it
is as common as the Barred Owl is in Louisiana. In winter I have
found it so plentiful in the Floridas, that I have shot seven in the course
of a morning, while I was at General Hernanpez’s. Indeed I was
surprised to see the great number of these birds which at that period
were to be found in the open prairies of that country, rising from the
tall grass ina hurried manner, and zig-zagging for a few yards, as if sud-
denly wakened from sound sleep, then sailing to some distance in a di-
rect course, and dropping among the thickest herbage. On such an
occasion, when I had observed the bird to have thrust itself into a
thicket formed of tangled palmettoes, I moved towards it with caution,
approached it, and caught it in my hand. I observed, however, that
these birds, on being pursued and repeatedly started from the ground,
extended their flight so far as to be quite out of sight before alighting.
I never started two birds at once, but always found them singly at dis-
tances of from twenty to a hundred yards, and although on several oc-
VOL. V. s
274 SHORT-EARED OWL.
casions, as many as three were seen on wing, they having been put up
by my companions and myself, they never flew towards each other, but
went off in different directions, as if unaware of each other’s presence.
Its predilections for the ground forms a very distinctive peculiarity
in the habits of this Owl, as compared with the Long-eared ; for al-
though it alights on bushes and trees, this seems more a matter of
necessity than of choice; and in this respect it resembles the Barn
Owls which I found on Galveston Island. I have never observed it in
the act of procuring food, although it appears to see pretty well by day,
or at least sufficiently to enable it to discover the nature of the spot
toward which it removes for security.
In America, the Short-eared Owl has been observed as far north
as latitude 67° by Dr Ricuarpson, who mentions a female having been
killed at Fort Franklin, on the 20th of May, containing several pretty
large eggs, nearly ready for being laid. It is also an inhabitant of the
Rocky Mountains, and of the valley of the Columbia River, from which
it has been sent to me by Dr TownsEnp ; and is by no means scarce in
Kentucky, Louisiana, and along the coast as far as the Texas.
Having so frequently met with many of these birds in an extent of
ground not exceeding half a mile, I have been disposed to think, that
during the migratory movements of this species, those which follow in
the rear of the first, are attracted by their cries, and induced to alight
in their vicinity ; but of this I have no positive proof, nor have I ever
seen them travelling from one part of the country to another.
The only nest of this bird that I have found was placed on one of
the high mountain ridges of the Great Pine Forest. It contained four
eggs, nearly ready to be hatched. They were of a dull bluish-white,
covered with excrement, of a somewhat elongated or elliptical form,
measuring an inch and a half in length, and an inch and an eighth in
breadth. ‘The nest, which I met with on the 17th of June, was placed
under a low bush, and covered over by tall grass, through which a path
had been made by the bird. It was formed of dry grass, raked together
in a slovenly manner, and quite flat, but covering a large space, on one
side of which were found many pellets, and two field-mice, which
must have been brought there in the course of the preceding night, as
they were quite fresh. I should never have discovered their nest had
not the sitting bird made a noise by clicking its bill as I was passing
close by. The poor thing was so intent on her task that I almost put
SHORT-EARED OWL. 275
my hand on her before she moved ; and then, instead of flying off, she
hopped with great leaps until about ten yards from me, keeping up a
constant clicking of her mandibles. Having satisfied myself as to the
species, made an outline of two of the eggs, and measured them, I pro-
ceeded slowly to a short distance, and watched her movements. Having
remained silent and still for about ten minutes, I saw her hop toward
the nest, and soon felt assured that she had resumed her task. It was
my intention to revisit the spot, and take note of the growth of the
young, but letters which came to me from Philadelphia a few days
after, induced me to return thither; and since then I have had no op-
portunity of examining either the eggs or young of the Short-eared
Owl.
On examining the pellets disgorged by this bird, I found them to be
formed of the remains of bones of small quadrupeds, mixed with hair,
and the elytra of various coleopterous insects. In its diurnal flight, the
flappings of its wings are noiseless, as in most other species, and it is
apt to sail many yards at a time before alighting. Like the rest of the
family, when reposing, they stand as if crouched on the full length of
their tarsi, and the slight crests or tufts of feathers on their head are,
on such occasions, usually so lowered as to be scarcely perceptible.
Srrix BracuyoTos, Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i. p. 55.—Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of
Birds of United States, p. 27.
SuHortT-EARED Ow1L, Strix spracnyoros, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. iv. p. 64, pl. 33,
fig. 3, male.
STRIX BRACHYOTA, SHORT-EARED OwL, Swains. and Richards. Fauna Bor.-Amer.
vol. ii. p. 75.
SHoRT-EARED Own, Nuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 132.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXXII. Fig. 6.
Bill short, stout, broader than high at the base, compressed toward
the end; upper mandible with its dorsal line slightly curved from the
base, towards the end decurved, the ridge broad at the base, narrowed
anteriorly, more or less convex in its whole extent, the sides convex
toward the tip, the edges soft as far as the nostrils, then sharp and de-
curved to the end, the tip acute and descending ; the cere of moderate
length, feathered on the sides ; lower mandible straight, its angle very
wide, the dorsal line very short, ascending, and slightly convex, the
back and sides convex, the edges toward the end sharp and inflected,
276 SHORT-EARED OWL.
their outline decurved, and with an abrupt sinus on each side close to
the truncate tip. Nostrils medial, lateral, large, oblique, elliptical; in
the fore part of the cere near the ridge, with a tough soft membrane
above, and having internally a ridge curved backwards from the inner
edge.
Head very large, flattened anteriorly ; neck short ; body very slen-
der, although, as in other Owls, seeming large on account of the great
mass of plumage. Feet of moderate length, stout; tarsi feathered,
short ; toes also short and feathered ; the first shortest, the third long-
est, the fourth considerably shorter than the second. Claws long,
slightly arched, tapering, extremely acute, rounded above, very narrow
beneath, the first and second rounded, the rest flat; that of the fourth
toe smallest, of the first slightly larger, those of the other toes much
larger and nearly equal.
Plumage extremely soft and downy. The facial disks complete,
and composed of circular series of weak, slender, slightly recurved
feathers, having remote barbs ; surrounding which is a ruff formed of
several rows of oblong incurved feathers, having their filaments close.
The bill is partially concealed by the plumage ; the feathers on the
head and neck oblong, on the fore part of the back elongated and ob-
long, on the hind part short, broad, and entirely downy ; on the tibia
short, extremely soft, and silky ; on the tarsi and toes small, soft, and
blended. Wings long and broad ; primaries very broad, rounded, with
slender shafts, the outer a little incurved towards the end; the first
sinuate on the inner web near the end, the second slightly so; the
second longest, the third a quarter of an inch shorter, the fourth shorter
than the first ; secondaries slightly decurved, broad and rounded. ‘The
outer quill in its whole length, the second towards the end, and the |
first alular feather, have the barbs disunited and recurved at the points ;
and the inner webs of the quills and tail-feathers are covered with ex-
tremely soft down. Tail rather short, slightly decurved, a little rounded,
of twelve broad, rounded feathers, having feeble shafts.
Bill brownish-black, cere flesh-coloured ; iris bright yellow ; claws
black, with a tinge of greyish-blue. The eye is surrounded by a ring
of brownish-black, much broader behind ; the anterior half of the disk
is white, the tips black, the posterior yellowish with black shafts. The
anterior auricular ruff is white, the posterior yellowish, each feather
with an oblong dark brown spot. The upper part of the head, the hind
pa
SHORT-EARED OWL. 277
neck and the fore part of the back are buff and dark brown, the central
part of each feather being of the latter colour: The scapulars and
wing-coverts are spotted and banded in large patches of the same co-
lour, and many of them have a large spot of yellowish-white on the
outer web near the end. The edge of the wing is whitish; the alula
and primary coverts dark brown, the outer webs pale buff at the base ;
the quills buff, with a narrow space along the shafts, the ends and two
or three broad bands dark brown. The tail is buff, with five broad
bands of brown, the tip yellowish-white ; on the middle feathers the
light coloured spaces are ocellate, or have a patch of brown in the
centre. The lower parts are pale buff, whitish behind ; the neck with
oblong, the breast and sides with linear dark brown streaks ; the chin,
legs and feet, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts unspotted.
Length to end of tail 15 inches, to end of wings 17, to end of claws
153; extent of wings 40; bill along the ridge 144; tarsus 174; hind
toe 72, its claw 7); middle toe 1,%, its claw ;. Weight 1 Ib. 1d oz.
The Female is considerably larger, but resembles the male in co-
lour. Individuals vary considerably in tint, some having their ground-
colour light yellowish-red, others buff, and some yellowish or reddish
white. Younger individuals have the dark spots and streaks on the
lower parts broader.
A male preserved in spirits. The conch of the ear is similar to
that of the Long-eared Owl, already described, commencing nearly
above the middle of the eye, and ending near the angle of the mouth,
its outer flap being 3} inches in length. The mouth is very wide, mea-
suring 1,, inch across; the palate has two longitudinal ridges; the
posterior aperture of the nares is oblong, with an anterior slit, a posterior
papillate flap, and numerous papille along the sides. The tongue is
short, fleshy, oblong, flattened, deeply emarginate and papillate at the
base, the tip rounded and emarginate. The cesophagus is 6 inches
long, very wide, its diameter being about 10 twelfths, destitute of crop
er dilatation. The proventriculus is about the same width ; its glandules,
which are small, cylindrical, 2 twelfths long and half a twelfth broad,
form a belt about 8 twelfths in breadth. The stomach is of moderate
size, roundish, 1, inch in diameter; its muscular coat very thin, and
composed of a single series of strong fasciculi; its tendons J inch
broad ; its inner coat soft, thin, longitudinally ragous. The intestine
278 BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
is 244 inches long; its diameter at the upper part about 4 twelfths,
towards the rectum 24 twelfths. The cceca, which come off at the dis-
tance of 3 inches from the extremity, are 2 inches 8 twelfths long ; for
1 inch they have a width of only } twelfth, and in the rest of their
extent are of an oblong form, with their greatest diameter 8 twelfths,
their extremity rounded.
The trachea is 4 inches long, flattened, 44 twelfths in breadth at
the upper part, 3 twelfths at the lower; its rings very feeble, being
but partially ossified, 72 in number, and 7 half rings. The contractor
or lateral muscles are strong, and besides the sterno-tracheals, there
is a pair of inferior laryngeal muscles going to the last ring of the tra-
chea, The bronchial half-rings are about 18.
BULLOCK’S TROOPIAL.
IcTervus BULLOCKII, SWAIns.
PLATE CCCCXXXIII. Youne Mate anp Aputt Femate. Fies. 1, 2.
Tuer female and young male, as represented in this plate, have al-
ready been described at p. 11 of the present volume. I have only to
add that, according to Dr TownsEnp, the male measures 73 inches in
length, and 11 in the extent of its wings.
BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
Icterus BALTIMORE, Davupin.
PLATE CCCCXXXIIT. Apuxit Femate.
Accorpine to Dr Ricuarpson this species ranges through the cen-
tral districts of the Fur Countries up to the 55th degree of latitude,
arriving on the Saskatchewan plains on the 10th of May. At this pe-
riod I saw it breeding and abundant in the Texas; but none were ob-
served by me in Labrador or Newfoundland. I have ascertained to
my perfect satisfaction, that the males of this elegant species obtain
BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 279
the full beauty of their plumage before the first winter after their birth,
having seen several individuals taken from the nest and reared in avia-
ries acquire their full plumage by the end of September. They feed
kindly and breed well in a state of confinement, taking great care of
their young.
In the wild state I have frequently seen these birds feed on those
beautiful green coleopterous insects called ‘‘ May-bugs,” but they sel-
dom eat them in confinement. I have seen one reared from the nest
so gentle as to follow and come to its owner, whenever he called to it.
They do not breed in the lower parts of South Carolina, but are found
not unfrequently breeding at the distance of a hundred miles from the
sea-coast of that State. It is not uncommon in Nova Scotia.
It will be seen from the above that Witson and all who have co-
pied him have erred in alleging, that the males of this species do not
acquire their full plumage until the third year. This opinion I also en-
tertained when I wrote my first volume.
The eggs average seven and a half eighths in length, and five and
three-fourths in their greatest breadth. ‘They are rather pointed at
the smaller end.
In addition to the description of this species given in vol. i. at
p- 70, a few particulars may here be noted :—
The bill agrees with those of Jcterus spurius and I. Bullockii, in its
general characters, being considerably shorter than the head, conical,
rather stout, but tapering to a very attenuated point. It is almost per-
fectly straight, being but very slightly decurved towards the end ; that
of J. Bullockii is similar in this respect, but is a little more decurved
and considerably longer ; while that of J. spwrius is very perceptibly
decurved. The nostrils are linear, oblong, operculate, exposed, in the
fore part of the rather short nasal groove. The form and proportions
of the wings and tail agree in all these species, with slight differences.
In the present bird the wing is longish, and rather pointed than rounded,
the first and second quills being equal and longest, the third scarcely a
twelfth of an inch shorter, the fourth shorter in the same proportion,
but the other primaries more rapidly diminished ; the secondaries broad-
ly rounded. ‘Tail rather long, straight, rounded, the lateral feathers
being two-twelfths shorter than the longest, which exceed the middle
feathers by about half a twelfth. The claws are rather large, that of
the hind toe more curved and much stronger than that of the middle
280 BALTIMORE ORIOLE.
toe, which, with those of the other anterior toes, is moderately curved,
much compressed, and tapering to a sharp point.
The colours have been already accurately described.
Length to end of tail 72 inches; extent of wings 12 ; bill along the
ridge {4, along the edge of lower mandible }$; wing from flexure 37% ;
tail 3; tarsus {3; hind toe #4, its claw 7; second toe £
third toe 7%, its claw #, ; outer toe £3, its claw ;
4, its daw 22;
Adult Female. Plate CCCCX XXIII. Fig. 3.
The Female is considerably smaller than the male, to which it is
much inferior in beauty, although the colouring is similar. The bill is
light blue, with the ridge of the upper mandible black ; the iris brown;
the feet greyish-blue, the claws of the same colour, tinged with brown.
The upper part of the head, hind neck, sides of the neck at the middle,
and anterior half of the back brownish-black, the feathers edged with
dull yellowish-green ; the hind part of the back light brownish-yellow,
purer on the rump ; the tail light yellowish-brown, the middle feathers
darker. The wing-coverts are blackish-brown, the quills dark brown,
all margined with whitish, the first row of small coverts and the se-
condary coverts largely tipped with white, so as to present two conspi-
cuous bands of that colour. The loral space, a band over the eye, and
another beneath it, extending to the ear-coverts, dull yellow ; below the
latter the cheeks spotted with dusky ; the lower parts are dull orange,
paler behind, with some small dusky streaks on the throat and a tinge
of grey on the sides; the lower wing-coverts yellow.
Length to end of tail 7 inches; bill along the ridge % ; wing from
flexure pe ; tail 2}2; tarsus }3; hind toe 44, its claw 74; middle toe
#4, its claw #4.
A male preserved in spirits presents the following characters. The
palate ascends anteriorly, and has two prominent soft ridges, at the
anterior extremity of which is a slight protuberance, analogous to that
of the Buntings, but only rudimentary or less developed ; beyond it is
a median broad ridge gradually tapering to the point. The posterior aper-
ture of the nares is linear, margined with pointed papilla. The tongue
is 6 twelfths long, emarginate and papillate at the base, slightly grooved
above, horny in the greater part of its length, and tapering to a deeply
slit point. The cesophagus, a bc, is 2 inches 5 twelfths long ; at the upper
BALTIMORE ORIOLE. 281
part its diameter is about’4 twelfths ; it passes along the right side of the
neck, forming an elongated dilatation, of which the greatest breadth is
6 twelfths; and on entering the thorax, abc, contracts to 3 twelfths. The
proventriculus, cd,is34.twelfths in breadth. Thestomach, de, is an oblong
gizzard, 7 twelfths long, 5 twelfths broad, situated obliquely, its fundus
being directed toward the right side. The la-
teral muscles are moderately developed ; the
epithelium longitudinally rugous, tough, and of
a reddish-brown colour. The contents of the
stomach are remains of insects. The intestine
is short and of moderate width, being 7} inches
long, its diameter in the duodenal portion 2}
twelfths. The cceca, which come off at the dis-
tance of 10 twelfths from the extremity, are
very small, 2 twelfths long, } twelfth in width.
The cloaca is globular, and 7 twelfths in dia-
meter.
The trachea is 1 inch 10 twelfths long, its
breadth anteriorly 14 twelfths, at the lower
part 1 twelfth. The rings, about 70, are well
ossified, and considerably flattened. The infe-
rior larynx has four pairs of muscles besides the
sterno-tracheal. The bronchi have about 12
half rings.
In another individual the intestine is 7
inches 9 twelfths long. The contents of the
stomach are remains of insects and particles
of quartz.
These circumstances shew, that in the struc-
ture of its digestive organs as well as in the form of its bill, the Bal-
timore Bird, like other Icteri, is much more intimately allied to the
Buntings and Finches than to the Starlings and Crows.
( 282 )
MEXICAN GOLDFINCH.
FRINGILLA MEXICANA.
PLATE CCCCXXXIII. Maze anp Femate.
I am indebted to my friend Witt1am Swarnson, Esq., the well-
known naturalist, for skins of a pair of this pretty little bird, from
which I made the drawing of the Male and Female represented in the
Plate. As the species is found in Upper California, it may be consi-
dered as forming part of our Fauna.
Carpuetis Mexicanus, Swainson, Synopsis of Birds of Mexico, in Phil. Mag.
vol. i., N. Series, p. 435.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXXIII. Fig. 4.
Bill shorter than the head, conical, compressed toward the end, very
stout, with the tip acute; upper mandible with the dorsal line decli-
nate and very slightly convex, the edge rather distinct, the sides round-
ed, the edges sharp, declinate at the base; lower mandible with the
angle short and wide, the dorsal line almost straight, being very slightly
concave, the sides convex, the edges inflected, the tip acute. Nostrils
basal, round, concealed by the feathers.
Head large, broadly ovate; neck short. Feet rather short ; tarsus
short, compressed, with seven anterior scutella, and two lateral plates
meeting behind so as to form a very sharp edge; toes rather large, the
first stouter, the lateral nearly equal; claws rather long, moderately
arched, much compressed, laterally grooved, very acute.
Plumage very soft and blended; short stiffish feathers at the base
of the bill. Wings rather long, little concave ; the second, third, and
fourth primaries cut out toward the end; the second longest, the first
half a twelfth shorter, the third scarcely a quarter of a twelfth shorter
than the second, and exceeding the fourth by a twelfth ; some of the
~ secondaries slightly emarginate. Tail rather short, emarginate, the
feathers obliquely and narrowly rounded.
Bill flesh-coloured, somewhat dusky above. Feet and claws yellow-
ish-brown. The upper part of the head is deep black; the back and
MEXICAN GOLDFINCH. 283
scapulars yellowish-green, the hind neck and rump greenish-yellow ;
the wings and tail brownish-black, the former when extended crossed
by two bands, one greenish-yellow, tipping the first row of small coverts ;
the other bright yellow and broad, on the base of the primary and
secondary quills; the tail also yellow in its basal half, The lower parts
are bright yellow.
Length to end of tail 4,2, inches; bill along the ridge #4 ; wing from
flexure 23%, ; tail 174; tarsus 7%; hind toe #4, its claw ;%; middle toe
i» claw 75.
Female. Plate CCCCXXXIII. Fig. 5.
The Female, which is smaller, has no black on the head, that part,
with the hind neck, back, rump, scapulars and smaller wing-coverts
being light yellowish-green, tinged with grey ; the wings and tail wood-
brown; the coverts tipped with dull yellowish-green ; the bases of the
primary quills white; the quills edged with greyish-white ; the base of
the tail, the two middle feathers excepted, white on the inner webs to
within half an inch of the end ; the lower parts are dull greenish-yellow.
Length to end of tail 4 inches ; bill along the ridge 7; ; wing from
flexure 21; tail 12; tarsus 7%.
In the brief specific character of this species given by Mr Swa1n-
son, the bird is said to be “ glossy black, beneath yellow; base of the
quills and lateral tail-feathers white.” ‘The first and last of these cha-
racters, however, do not agree with the male presented by himself, which
has only the upper part of the head, and part of the wings and tail
black, the back being yellowish-green. This species is much smaller
than the Arkansaw Siskin, and is very similar in its markings, but is
of a much brighter yellow.
( 284 )
VARIED THRUSH.
TourDus Nevius, Latu.
PLATE CCCCXXXIII. Frmate. Fie. 6.
Tue Female of this species has already been described at p. 491 of
the fourth volume.
COMMON WATER THRUSH.
TURDUS AQUATICUS, WiLS.
PLATE CCCCXXXIII. Mate.
A.tHoucH I was for many years convinced that two distinet species
have been confounded under the name of Water Thrush, yet a more
strict examination of individuals of these supposed species has in-
duced me to retract the opinion expressed at p. 99 of my first volume,
and to consider the bird represented in Plate XIX, and that figured in
Plate CCCCX XXIII, as belonging to one and the same species. The
reasons for this amendment will be found below. The difference in
the habits of these two alleged species may be accounted for by the
southern birds having been observed by me at home as it were, while
those seen in the northern parts were strangers only passing through
the country.
Dr Ricnarpson states that this species was seen “at Carlton
House, where it frequented the moist and thickly wooded points of the
river. It arrived in May, and disappeared after a few days, probably
going farther north to breed.” Dr TownsEnp informs me that it is
common in the districts adjoining the Columbia River, but does not
say whether it breeds there or not, although he states that it breeds on
the Missouri. During my late journey to the Texas, my friend
COMMON WATER THRUSH. 285
Epwarp Harris and my son Joun Woopuouse procured a good
number of these birds in the months of April and May. They were
then migrating along the shores and islands of the Gulf of Mexico.
Many of them had dark brown feet and yellowish-white under parts.
My friend Dr Bacuman has procured the dark-footed bird in South
Carolina, and that with flesh-coloured feet in the State of New York.
Mr Harris shot one of the former, and Mr Cottrys another, in the
State of New Jersey.
Water Turusn, Turpvus aquaticus, Wilson, Amer. Ornith. vol. iii. p. 66, pl. 23,
fig. 5.
SErurvs aquarTicus, Swainson, Aquatic AccENnToR, Richards. and Swains. Fauna
Boreali-Americana, vol. ii. p. 229.
Lovuis1ana WATER TuHrRusH, TurDUs LUDoviciaNus, Audubon, Amer. Ornith.
Biog. vol. 1. p. 99.
New Yor« or Aquatic THrusH, TurDUS NOVEBORACENSIS, WVuttall, Manual,
vol. i. p. 353.
Syivia NovEBoracENSIS, Lath., Bonap. 442?
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXXIII. Fig. 7.
Bill of ordinary length, straight, slender, nearly as broad as high at
the base, compressed toward the end, which is acute ; upper mandible
with the dorsal line straight, the ridge very narrow, the sides convex
beyond the nostrils, the edges direct, with a very slight notch close to
the slightly deflected tip ; lower mandible with the angle of moderate
length, rather narrow, the dorsal line ascending and almost straight,
the back narrow, the sides erect and convex, the edges inflected, the
tip rather acute ; the gape-line straight. Nostrils oblong, operculate,
open, partially concealed by the feathers.
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck rather short ; body rather slen-
der. Feet of moderate length ; tarsus a little longer than the middle
toe and claw, much compressed, anteriorly with a long plate and three
inferior scutella, posteriorly with two long plates meeting so as to form
a very thin edge. ‘Toes slender; the first a little stouter than the
middle toe, the inner slightly shorter than the outer, which is united to
the third as far as its second joint. Claws of moderate length, very
slender, much compressed, moderately arched, acute.
286 COMMON WATER THRUSH.
Plumage soft, blended ; bristles at the base of the upper mandible.
very small, so as to be readily overlooked. Wings of moderate length,
broad ; the second and third quills longest and equal, the first one-
twelfth of an inch shorter, and slightly longer than the fourth, which
exceeds the fifth by a quarter of an inch, the intervals between the
rest about a twelfth ; secondaries abruptly rounded. ‘Tail of moderate
length, even.
Bill deep brown above, flesh-coloured on the lower mandible, of
which the tip is brownish. Iris deep brown. Feet and claws flesh-
coloured. The general colour of the upper parts is dull greenish-
brown, of the lower pale yellow. <A streak of the latter colour passes
from the nostril over the eye; the loral space and a streak behind the
eye dusky ; the cheeks yellowish-grey, streaked with brown ; the
whole fore part and sides of the neck, the breast and the sides, are
marked with triangular dark brown spots, which are more elongated
on the sides; the abdomen and sides unspotted ; the lower wing-co-
verts brownish-grey ; the tibial feathers greyish-brown.
Length to end of tail 6;% inches, to end of wings 53%, to end of
claws 5,% ; extent of wings 92; bill along the ridge #4, along the edge
of lower mandible ;4; wing fom flexure 37, ; tail 275; tarsus 3$;
hind toe 74, its claw 34; second toe #4, its claw }4,; third toe ,%, its
claw 74; fourth toe ,,, its claw 74.
The Female is considerably less, but in all other respects similar.
Length to end of tail 53%; inches, to end of wings 4;%;, to end of
claws 53; extent of wings 874; wing from flexure 21%; tail 2; tar-
sus 1$; hind toe 74, its claw 34; ie toe 7, its claw }4; third toe
CS as 54
2, its claw 24; fourth toe #4, its claw }
Individuals present some slight variations. Thus, in one of my
specimens the first quill is longest, while in three skins and three spe-
cimens preserved in spirits the proportions are as above described; in
two the tail is perfectly even, in two slightly emarginate; the middle
feather being a twelfth in one, a twelfth and a half in the other,
shorter than the outer feather, which again in another is half a twelfth
shorter than the next. In one specimen, the two outer tail-feathers
have a pretty large terminal white spot on the inner web. In some
COMMON WATER THRUSH. 287
the lower parts are yellow, in others yellowish-white, and in others the
fore neck has scarcely any tinge of yellow. In some the tarsi and toes
are yellowish flesh-colour, in others flesh-colour, in one somewhat
dusky, and in many which I have examined dusky brown. The size
also varies, some birds measuring 67% inches in length, others not
more than 5;%. The dark-footed birds seem in no essential respect
to differ from the light-footed ; and in conclusion, I cannot after
all distinguish between the Louisiana Water Thrush and the Com-
mon Water Thrush. As I cannot distinguish between the two
alleged species, I prefer considering them as identical ; moreover,
the dark-footed bird, which has commonly been said to be larger
than the light-footed, I find to be on an average of the same size.
The dimensions given above are from two specimens of which the feet
were pale flesh-colour. ‘I'he following is an account of their digestive
organs :—
Male shot in the Texas. The roof of the mouth is flat, with two
longitudinal ridges, at the union of which anteriorly is a small soft
knob, and beyond it a median prominent line. The posterior aperture
of the nares is linear in its whole length, margined with papillae, 44
twelfths long. ‘The tongue is of moderate length, very slender, sagittate
and papillate at the base, the lateral papille on each side large ; it is flat
above, with a slight median groove, horny towards the end, which is
deeply slit and lacerated; its length 5twelfths. Thecesophagus is 2 inches
2 twelfths long ; for three-fourths of an inch its breadth is 2 twelfths,
then for half an inch 2} twelfths. The stomach is roundish, 5 twelfths
long, 43 twelfths broad, with strong lateral muscles, and a tough brown-
ish-red epithelium, marked with nine prominent longitudinal ridges.
The intestine is 8; inches long, its greatest width scarcely 1 twelfth
The coeca are 2 twelfths long, and about 1 twelfth wide, their distance
from the extremity 1 inch; the cloaca oblong. The stomach filled
with fragments of insects, without any particles of quartz.
The trachea is 1 inch 7 twelfths long, a little flattened, its breadth
uniformly 1 twelfth ; the rings are about 68. The lateral muscles are
moderate; besides the sterno-tracheal there are four pairs of inferior
laryngeal muscles. The bronchi are of moderate width, with about 12
half rings.
288 LITTLE TYRANT FLYCATCHER.
A female has the cesophagus 2 inches 1 twelfth long; the stomach
6 twelfths by 43 twelfths; the intestine 93 inches long, its greatest
width scarcely 1 twelfth ; the coeca 2 twelfths long, and about a quarter
of a twelfth wide.
LITTLE TYRANT FLYCATCHER.
MUSCICAPA PUSILLA.
PLATE CCCCXXXIV. Mate.
Tuts small and plainly-coloured species, first described by my friend
Wut1aM Swarnson, Esq. in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, under the
name of “ Tyrannula pusilla,” is a common inhabitant of the northern
and north-western parts of America, but has not, I believe, been known
to pass along our Atlantic shores. Dr Ricnarpson, who observed it
in the Fur Countries, says that “ it was first seen by us at Carlton
House, on the 19th of May, flitting about for a few days among low
bushes on the banks of the river, after which it retired to the moist
shady woods lying farther north.”
My friend Tuomas Nutra, Esq. procured this bird on Wapatoo
Island, which is formed by the junction of the Multnomah with the
Columbia, 20 miles long, and 10 broad. The land is high and extremely
fertile, and in most parts supplied with a heavy growth of cotton-wood,
ash, and sweet-willow. But the chief wealth of the island consists of
the numerous ponds in the interior, abounding with the common arrow-
head, Sagittaria sagittifolia, to the root of which is attached a bulb
growing beneath it in the mud. This bulb, to which the Indians give
the name of Wapatoo, is the great article of food, and almost the staple
article of commerce, on the Columbia. It is never out of season, so
that at all times of the year the valley is frequented by the neighbour-
ing Indians, who come to gather it. It is collected chiefly by the wo-
men, who take a light canoe in a pond, where the water is as high as
the breast, and by means of their toes, separate the root from the bulb,
which on being freed from the mud rises immediately to the surface of
LITTLE TYRANT FLYCATCHER. 289
the water, and is thrown into the canoe. This plant is found through
the whole extent of the Columbia Valley, but does not grow farther
eastward.
*¢ T observed,” he continues, “ a male of this species very active and
cheerful, making his chief residence in a spreading oak, on the open
border of a piece of forest. As usual, he took his station at the extre-
mity of a dead branch, from whence, at pretty quick intervals, he darted
after passing insects. When at rest, he raised his erectile crest, and
in great earnest called out sishui, sishui, and sometimes tsishea, tsishea,
in a lisping tone, rather quickly, and sometimes in great haste, so as
to run both calls together. This brief, rather loud, quaint and mono-
tonous ditty, was continued for hours together, at which time, so great
was our little actor’s abstraction, that he allowed a near approach
without any material apprehension. As I could not discover any nest,
I have little doubt it was concealed either in some knot or laid on some
horizontal branch.”
I found this species both in Newfoundland and on the coast of Labra-
dor in considerable numbers. In the latter country, where the bushes
are low and the fir-trees seldom attain a height of thirty feet, I observed
that it preferred for its residence the narrow and confined valleys which
at that season (July) are clothed with luxuriant herbage, and abound
in insects, to which this little Flycatcher gives chase with great acti-
vity, returning, as is the well-known habit of all our small species, to
the twig or top of the plant which it has selected for its look-out sta-
tion. 'Two males I observed one morning, were constantly engaged in
pursuing each other, when at times they would mount to some height
in the air, there meet, snap their bills violently, separate, and return to
their posts. Their continued cries induced me to believe that they had
females and nests inthe valley; and aftersearching a good while, I had the
gratification of finding one of them placed between two small twigs of
a bush not above four feet in height. This nest was composed of de-
licate dry grasses and fibrous roots, so thinly arranged as to enable me
to see through it. It contained five eggs, so nearly resembling those
of our Little Red-start Flycatcher, that, had I not started the female
from the nest, I should have been induced to pronounce them the pro-
perty of that bird. Theymeasured five and a half eighths byfour-eighths,
and were rather sharp at the smaller end, pure white, thinly spotted,
and marked with different tints of light red, with a few dots of umber,
VOL. v. ~
290 LITTLE TYRANT FLYCATCHER.
principally toward the apex. Many of the young were able to fly be-
fore our departure, which took place on the 12th of August; and I
think that the pair which I found breeding must have been later than
usual in arriving in that country, as a very few days afterwards I found
a good number fully fledged, and travelling along the shore of St George’s
Bay in Newfoundland. This species may perhaps breed in Nova Sco-
tia, as I have seen a specimen obtained there in the collection of my
young friend Tuomas M‘Cottocn, Esq. of Pictou.
TYRANNULA PUSILLA, Swains. Richards. and Swains. Fauna Boreali-Americana,
vol. ii. p. 144.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXXIV. Fig. 1.
Bill rather short, straight, depressed, triangular when viewed from
above ; upper mandible with the sides sloping and somewhat convex,
the dorsal line slightly convex, the ridge distinct, the edges thin and
overlapping, the tip slightly declinate ; nostrils rather large, elliptical,
partially concealed by the feathers ; lower mandible with the angle ra-
ther short and wide, the dorsal line ascending and slightly convex, the
back broad and flattened at the base, the sides sloping outwards and a
little convex, the edges thin, the tip acute.
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck rather short; body slender.
Feet of ordinary length ; tarsus slender, compressed, with seven ante-
rior scutella, of which the upper are blended, thin-edged behind ; toes
rather short, slender, the first stouter, the inner slightly shorter than
the outer; claws rather long, moderately arched, much compressed,
laterally grooved, acute.
Plumage soft, blended, tufty ; the feathers of the head capable of
being raised into a crest ; bristly feathers at the base of the bill long.
Wings of ordinary length, when closed three-quarters of an inch shorter
than the tail ; third quill longest, fourth scarcely shorter, second nearly
one-twelfth shorter, and exceeding the first by three and a quarter
twelfths. Tail long, slightly emarginate, the middle feathers a twelfth
and a half shorter than the outer.
Bill dusky above, pale yellow beneath. Iris brown. Feet light
brown. The general colour of the upper parts is light greenish-brown ;
there is a whitish loral band, and a narrow pale ring surrounding the
eye. The larger wing-coverts and quills are olive-brown ; the first
row of small coverts and the secondary coverts rather largely tipped
SMALL-HEADED FLYCATCHER. 291
with dull white, with which also the secondary quills are margined and
narrowly tipped. Tail olive-brown, the lateral feathers lighter, its
outer web pale brownish-grey. The lower throat, fore part of the
neck, and a portion of the breast and sides, are ash-grey ; the rest of
the lower parts and lower wing-coverts pale yellow.
Length to end of tail 5;4; bill along the ridge 74; wing from
flexure 2;%,; tail 234; tarsus 74 ; hind toe 7%, its claw #4 ; middle toe
#4, its claw 7.
SMALL HEADED FLYCATCHER.
MuscicAaPA MINUTA, WItson.
PLATE CCCCXXXIV. Mate.
Tue sight of the figure of this species brings to my recollection a
curious incident of long-past days, when I drew it at Louisville in
Kentucky. It was in the early part of the spring of 1808, thirty
years ago, that I procured a specimen of it while searching the mar-
gins of a pond. Had any one then suggested that it might yet be
figured in London as part of a work comprising five hundred species
of birds of the United States and British America, I should have
smiled and shaken my head. The drawings which I then made were
simply intended for the gratification of my best friend on earth, my
beloved wife, as well as myself and some of her relatives, especially
Miss Eurnemtia Girrorp, to whom, as good fortune would have it, I
sent about thirty before I removed to Henderson, where, as I have
long since told you, the contents of my portfolios were destroyed by
the rats; but I never once imagined that the observations which I
now and then made, and stored up in my mind, should some day accu-
mulate so as to form some thousand pages of print, or that my drawings
should compose four volumes, each large enough to require two stout
arms to raise it from the ground.
In those happy days, kind Reader, I thought not of the minute dif-
ferences by which one species may be distinguished from another in
words, or of the necessity of comparing tarsi, toes, claws, and quills,
although I have, as you are aware, frequently troubled you with tedi-
292 SMALL-HEADED FLYCATCHER.
ous details of this sort. When ALrexanper Witson visited me at
Louisville, he found in my already large collection of drawings, a figure
of the present species, which, being at that time unknown to him, he
copied and afterwards published in his great work, but without ac-
knowledging the privilege that had thus been granted to him. I have
more than once regretted this, not by any means so much on my own
account, as for the sake of one to whom we are so deeply indebted for
his elucidation of our ornithology.
I consider this Flycatcher as among the scarcest of those that visit
our middle districts ; for, although it seems that Wixson procured one
that ‘’ was shot on the 24th of April, in an orchard,”’ and afterwards
“ several individuals of this species in various quarters of New Jersey,
particularly in swamps,” all my endeavours to trace it in that section
of the country have failed, as have those of my friend Epwarp Harris,
Esq., who is a native of that State, resides there, and is well acquaint-
ed with all the birds found in the district. I have never seen it out
of Kentucky, and even there it is a very uncommon bird. In Philadel-
phia, Baltimore, New York, or farther eastward or southward, in our
Atlantic districts, I never saw a single individual, not even in mu-
seums, private collections, or for sale in bird-stuffers’ shops.
In its habits this species is closely allied to the Hooded and Green
Black-capt Flycatchers, being fond of low thick coverts, whether in the
interior of swamps, or by the margins of sluggish pools, from which it
only removes to higher situations after a continuation of wet weather,
when I have found it on rolling grounds, and amid woods comparative-
ly clear of under-growth.
Differing from the true Flycatchers, this species has several rather
pleasing notes, which it enunciates at pretty regular intervals, and
which may be heard at the distance of forty or fifty yards in calm
weather. I have more than once seen it attracted by an imitation
of these notes. While chasing insects on wing, although it clicks
its bill on catching them, the sound thus emitted is comparatively weak,
as is the case with the species above mentioned, it being stronger how-
ever in the Green Blackcapt, than in this or the Hooded species. Like
these birds, it follows its prey to some distance at times, whilst at
others, it searches keenly among the leaves for its prey, but, I believe,
never alights on the ground, not even for the purpose of drinking,
which act it performs by passing lightly over the water and sipping as
it were the quantity it needs.
SMALL-HEADED FLYCATCHER. 293
All my efforts to discover its nest in the lower parts of Kentucky,
where I am confident that it breeds, have proved fruitless ; and I have
not heard that any person has been more successful. The figure in
the plate has been copied from the drawing in the possession of my
excellent friend, and patroness, Miss Eupoemia GirrorD.
SMALL-HEADED Fiycarcuer, Muscicapa minuta, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. vi.
p. 62, pl. 50, fig. 5.
Syxvia minuta, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis of Birds of United States, p. 86.
SMALL-HEADED Sytvan Frycarcuer, Nuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 296.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXXIV. Fig. 2.
Bill rather short, straight, depressed, triangular when viewed from
above ; upper mandible with its dorsal line sloping, convex toward the
end, the ridge distinct, the sides sloping and slightly convex, the edges
thin and overlapping, the tip a little deflected; nostrils rather small,
roundish, partially concealed by the feathers ; lower mandibie with its
dorsal line ascending and straight, the back broad at the base, the sides
sloping upwards and convex, the tip acute.
Head of moderate size, ovate; neck rather short; body slender.
Feet of ordinary length; tarsus slender, compressed, anteriorly scutel-
late, thin-edged behind; toes rather short, slender, the first stouter,
the lateral nearly equal; claws much compressed, laterally grooved.
moderately arched, acute.
Plumage soft, blended ; bristly feathers at the base of the bill long.
Wings short, when closed an inch shorter than the tail; the second
quill longest. Tail of moderate length, even.
Bill dusky above, pale yellowish-brown beneath. Iris dark brown.
Feet dusky brown, the lower surface of the toes yellow. The general
colour of the upper parts is light greenish-brown ; the wings dark olive-
brown ; the first row of small coverts and the secondary coverts tipped
with dull white ; the tail olive-brown, the outer feathers with a termi-
nal white spot on the inner web. A ring of white surrounds the eye ;
the sides of the head and neck are light greenish-yellow ; the rest of
the lower parts pale yellow, gradually fading into white behind.
Length to end of tail 5 inches; extent of wings 8%; bill along the
ridge ;°5; wing from flexure 24; tail 2; tarsus 7% 5 hind toe {%, its
claw 3, ; middle toe #4, its claw 7s.
( 294 )
BLUE MOUNTAIN WARBLER.
SYLVIA MONTANA, Witson.
PLATE CCCCXXXIV. Mate.
Ir is somewhat strange, that among the numerous species of birds
that visit the United States, a few should have been met with only in
single instances. The present Warbler is in this predicament, as are
the Carbonated Warbler and Cuvier’s Wren, of which it does not ap-
pear that a specimen has been obtained excepting those from which
their figures and descriptions were taken. For many years I never met
with Bewick’s Wren, which is now, however, known to be abundant on
the mountains of Virginia, and elsewhere in our Middle and Southern
Districts, and still more so along the Columbia River. ‘The same was
the case with Henslow’s Bunting, which has become a common bird in
the State of New Jersey, where it breeds, and in South Carolina and
the Floridas, where it spends the winter. Of Townsend’s Bunting the
only specimen as yet procured is in my possession ; and it is only of
late years that Macgillivray’s Finch has appeared in numbers in the
neighbourhood of Charleston. Swainson’s Warbler, at one time scarce
in South Carolina, where it was discovered by my good friend Dr Bacu-
MAN, has since been procured as far eastward as the vicinity of Boston
by Tuomas M. Brewer junior, Esq. The Pipirie Flycatcher was not
known to exist eastward of the Floridas until after I had found it
there, although now it is not a scarce species, being found breeding
in the very heart of the city of Charleston. Traill’s Flycatcher,
which I first discovered on the Arkansaw River, is now known to
abound on the Columbia River. No other person has observed the
Rocky Mountain Wren in any part of the country eastward of that
great chain besides Dr Bacuman, who shot one within a few miles of
Charleston. I might mention several other species, which at one time
were extremely rare in the United States, but are now abundant in
many of our districts; but prefer returning to the Blue-Mountain
Warbler, which it has not been my good fortune to meet with, although
it would be in no degree surprising to find it a constant visitor to some
portions of our vast country yet untrodden by the ornithologist. My
BLUE-MOUNTAIN WARBLER. 295
figure was taken from a specimen lent to me by the Council of the Zoolo-
gical Society of London, and which had come from California.
ALEXANDER WILtson, to whom we are indebted for our knowledge
of this pretty bird, says that it ‘‘ was first discovered near that cele-
brated ridge, or range of mountains, with whose name I have honoured
it. Several of these solitary Warblers remain yet to be gleaned up
from the airy heights of our alpine scenery, as well as from the recesses
of our swamps and morasses, whither it is my design to pursue them
by every opportunity. Some of these, I believe, rarely or never visit
the lower cultivated parts of the country ; but seem only at home among
the gloom and silence of those dreary solitudes. The present species
seems of that family, or subdivision, of the Warblers, that approach
the Flycatchers, darting after flies wherever they see them, and also
searching with great activity among the leaves. Its song was a feeble
screep, three or four times repeated.
‘* This species is four inches and three-quarters in length ; the upper
parts a rich yellow olive; front, cheeks, and chin yellow ; also the sides
of the neck ; breast and belly pale yellow, streaked with black or dusky ;
vent plain pale yellow; wings black; first and second row of coverts
broadly tipped with pale yellowish-white, tertials the same ; the rest of
the quills edged with whitish; tail black, handsomely rounded, edged
with pale olive; the two exterior feathers on each side white on the in-
ner vanes from the middle to the tips, and edged on the outer side with
white; bill dark brown, legs and feet purple-brown ; soles yellow; eye
dark hazel.
“ This was a male. The female I have never seen.”
Brive Mountain Warsier, Styvia montana, Wils. Amer. Ornith. vol. v. p. 113.
pl. 44, fig. 2. ,
Syivia TIeRINA, Ch. Bonaparte, Synopsis, p. 82; but not of Gmelin or Latham.
BrivuE-Mountarn WarBxER, Nuttall, Manual, vol. i. p. 393.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXXIV. Fig. 3.
Bill of moderate length, slender, tapering, broader than high at the
base, with the ridge rather distinct, the sides sloping and a little con-
vex, the edges sharp, somewhat arched, those of the upper mandible
without notch, its tip slightly declinate.
Head of moderate size, ovate; neck short. Feet rather short;
tarsus short, slender, much compressed, with seven anterior scutella,
and two lateral plates forming a thin edge behind ; toes rather short,
296 BLUE-MOUNTAIN WARBLER.
the first stouter, the lateral about equal, claws much compressed, late-
rally grooved, acute.
Plumage soft and blended. No bristles at the base of the bill.
Wings rather short ; the third and fourth quills longest. Tail of mo-
derate length, rounded, the lateral feathers four and a half twelfths
shorter than the middle. .
Bill reddish-brown, as are the feet and claws, the soles yellow.
The general colour of the upper parts is light greenish-olive; a band
across the forehead, a band over the eye, the cheeks, throat, fore part,
and sides of the neck bright yellow ; the rest of the lower parts yellow-
ish-white ; the sides marked with narrow dusky longitudinal streaks.
The wings are dusky brown, all the feathers edged with yellowish-
white, the secondary quills more broadly, the first row of small coverts
and the secondary coverts tipped with white, and thus forming two
very conspicuous bands across the wing. Tail brownish-black, the
feathers edged with yellowish-green ; the two lateral feathers on each
side white in their terminal half.
Length to end of tail 419 inches ; bill along the ridge 74 ; wing from
flexure 27%; tail 2; tarsus 74; hind toe +, its claw 74 ; middle toe 74,
its claw ;%;.
This bird cannot be the Sylvia tigrina of Gmein and Latuam, as
the figure of Epwarps, to which reference is made, has the tail, not
rounded, but emarginate. That figure, in fact, affords a better repre-
sentation of Sylvia maritima.
BARTRAWM’S VIREO.
Virz0 BARTRAMII, SWAINS.
PLATE CCCCXXXIV. Mate.
Ar page 289 of the second volume of this work, when speaking of
Vireo olicaceus, I made the following remark :—‘ Witson, who was a
most excellent observer, was quite correct, as well as Dr Barron of
Philadelphia, in alluding to another species of Vireo, which, although
BARTRAM’S VIREO. 297
nearly allied to this, is quite distinct. It is smaller, has brown eyes at
all times of its life, sings sweetly, lives in low thickets, and builds a
pensile nest. You will see its figure in my fourth volume of Illustra-
tions, where I hope to be able to give you a good account of its habits.”
The bird alluded to is now in your presence. But before I proceed
to lay before you all that I know respecting it, I may direct your at-
tention to the following remarks of Winson. “ Before I take leave of
this bird (the Red-eyed Flycatcher) it may not be amiss to observe
that there is another and rather less species of Flycatcher, somewhat
resembling the Red-eyed, which is frequently found in its company. Its
eyes are hazel: its back more cinereous than the other, and it has a
single light streak over the eye. The notes of this bird are low, some-
what plaintive, but warbled out with great sweetness, and form a
striking contrast with those of the Red-eyed Flycatcher.”
This species has been named as above by my friend Wittram
Swarnson, Esq., from whom I received a specimen procured in Mexico,
which corresponds in every respect with those which I have myself
procured in the States of New Jersey and Kentucky. I consider it as
a species generally overlooked in America, confounded with, or mis-
taken for, the Red-eyed Vireo; but I have not been able to ascertain
its range with us, although I strongly suspect that it proceeds very
far northward as well as westward.
A remarkable difference between this and the Red-eyed Vireo is,
that it rarely if ever ascends even moderately tall trees, as the latter is
wont to do, but almost constantly remains in low and close thickets, in
the manner of the White-eyed Vireo, of the petulance and activity of
which it also possesses a portion, as well as its disregard of the ap-
proach of man, or indeed of any other intruder. I have not unfrequently
remained a considerable time, within a few yards of one, listening with
delight to its sweetly varied and plaintive notes, which it poured forth
just as if no enemy were near, and now and then peeped at me as if it
wished that we were better acquainted.
The nest of this bird is seldom placed at a greater height from the
ground than four feet. In two instances I have found it attached to
two strong blades of coarse grass growing from beneath a thicket of
brambles, not above two feet from the earth. It is truly pensile, about
three inches deep, and formed wholly of slender grasses and fibrous
roots. The eggs are usually pure white, without any spots or dots.
298 BARTRAM’S VIREO.
I have not been able to ascertain if it breeds twice in the season, al-
though I suspect it does.
There is a greater difference as to colour between the sexes of this
species than between those of the Red-eyed. The female is generally
much less pure in its tints, while the males have usually much more of
a yellowish tint on their upper and under plumage than is observed in
the same sex of the other species.
Vireo Bartramit Swains. Bartrram’s GREENLET, Richards. and Swains. Fauna
Boreali-Americana, vol. ii. p. 235.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCX XXIV. Fig 4.
Bill of moderate length, strong, rather broader than high at the
base, compressed toward the end ; upper mandible with the dorsal line
descending and slightly convex, the tip very narrow, acute, declinate,
the ridge very narrow, the sides a little convex, the edges sharp, over-
lapping, with a slight notch close to the tip ; lower mandible with the
angle of moderate length and rather narrowed, the dorsal line ascend-
ing and slightly convex, the back narrow, the sides convex, the edges
inclinate, the tip acute and ascending. Nostrils basal, oblong, opercu-
late.
Head rather large, ovate ; neck short; body rather stout. Feet of
ordinary length ; tarsus compressed, with seven anterior broad scutel-
la, edged behind ; toes slender ; the first strong, the second much shorter
than the fourth ; claws rather stout, much curved, compressed, lateral-
ly grooved, acute.
Plumage soft and blended. Wings of moderate length, the first
quill a twelfth and a half shorter than the fifth, three-twelfths shorter
than the second, which is equal to the third, and exceeds the fourth only
by a quarter of a twelfth. Tail rather long, nearly even, the lateral and
middle feathers equal, and one-twelfth shorter than the longest.
Bill brown above, pale bluish-grey beneath. Feet bluish-grey. The
general colour of the plumage above is light yellowish-olive, the crown
of the head deep grey, bordered on each side by a line of blackish, be-
low which is a line of yellowish-white passing from the nostril over the
eye, the loral space dusky. Quills brown, yellowish-olive on the outer
margin, whitish on the inner. Tail wood-brown, margined with paler.
The lower parts are white, the breast tinged with pale yellow, the
throat and sides with grey.
Length to end of tail 4% inches ; extent of wings 73; bill along the
SHORT-LEGGED PEWEE FLYCATCHER. 299
ridge 7, along the edge of lower mandible #4 ; wing from flexure 2, ;
tail 2/4 ; tarsus 7% ; hind toe 72, its claw ?% ; middle toe #4, its claw 2.
This species is almost exactly similar to Vireo olivaceus in colour,
but is considerably smaller, and differs in having the wings shorter,
with the first quill considerably shorter than the fifth, whereas in that
species it is always much longer, generally exceeding even the fourth.
It is intermediate between the Vireo gilvus and V. olivaceus.
SHORT-LEGGED PEWEE FLYCATCHER.
MuscicAPéa RICHARDSONI, SWAINSoN.
PLATE CCCCXXXIV. Mate.
I nave much pleasure in presenting you with a rare and remark-
able species of Flycatcher, honoured by Mr Swatnson with the name
of my excellent friend Dr Ricnarpson. I found this species plentiful
on the coast of Labrador, where, for a while, I thought it so nearly al-
lied to our Common Pewee Flycatcher, as almost to render me indiffe-
rent to its notes, movements, and nidification, all of which, however,
I at length discovered to differ considerably, especially the latter. On
this particular subject, on which I have already said so much, I may
here repeat, that birds of the same species may in some localities form
nests extremely different from those constructed by them in others.
Indeed, accustomed as I have been to this for a considerable number
of years, I thought it in no way remarkable to find the nest of what I
then considered as our Common Pewee placed in a bush, instead of
being placed against a rock or under a shed, for I thought the difference
less than that presented by the nidification of our Common Crow Black-
bird, which in Louisiana deposits its eggs in the hollow of a tree, while
in Pennsylvania, and other districts, it constructs as regular a nest as
our Turdus migratorius. It was not long, however, before I discovered.
material differences in the deportment, habits, and voice of this Fly-
catcher and the Pewee ; the larger size of the latter of which rendered
me confident that I could not be mistaken, as I frequently saw both
birds in the course of my daily rambles.
300 SHORT-LEGGED PEWEKE FLYCATCHER.
Although it is very difficult to distinguish preserved skins of our
many plain-coloured Flycatchers, yet to one who has traversed the
woods, and listened to their voices, there is little difficulty in recog-
nising the sounds of any of them, for the cries of all are different, and
may be known with certainty, however alike they may seem to one
who has seldom heard them.’ The notes of the present species differ
from those of the Common Pewee, being as it were hoarse or harsh.
It never jerks up its tail, as is the common habit of that species, and in
this respect differs from all our Flycatchers. Again, RicHarpson’s
Flycatcher, instead of standing on an eminence for an hour at a time,
as the Pewee does, pouring forth its ditty, is continually in motion ;
and never alights on rocks or the higher parts of trees, but keeps on
low bushes at all times. Its flight too is different, for instead of launch-
ing upward after its prey, it flies low, proceeding immediately over the
tops of the plants, from which it sweeps the insects before they are
aware of the presence or purpose of the little depredator that skippingly
passes over them. After this, it betakes itself to the tallest and rank-
est weed of the open space, whether a narrow valley, or the environs
of one of those small ponds so abundant in Labrador, and which in sum-
mer display a most luxuriant growth of aquatic plants. The Common
Pewee, on the contrary, which also breeds in that country, frequents
rocks and the tallest fir trees.
Whilst in Labrador, I examined several nests of the Short-legged
Pewee, all of which were placed on low bushes, and almost as bulky as
those of the Pipirie Flycatcher, or about double the size of that of our
Common Pewee. They were all formed of a quantity of such dry mos-
ses as are commonly found hanging from the stems of all low bushes
in the vicinity of the places in which this species breeds, together with
feathers of the Eider Duck and Willow Grous. They were suspended
between the forks of two twigs, and in this respect resembled the nests of
the Orchard Oriole. The eggs varied from five to seven, measured six-
eighths of an inch in length, four-eighths in breadth, and instead of being
pure white, like those of the Pewee, were spotted nearly all over with
minute brown specks on a light bluish ground. On the 21st of July I
saw the first young on wing, and as at that time they were fully fledged,
I thought that even in that cold region, this species may perhaps breed
twice in the season.
The migratory movements of this bird are very peculiar. I feel
et
ini
SHORT-LEGGED PEWEE FLYCATCHER. 301
almost confident that none pass southward over our Atlantic districts,
and it would appear that they must advance along the eastern base of
the Rocky Mountains, as I have not heard of their having been found
to the westward of that range.
Tyrannuta RicHarpsontii, Swainson. SHORT-LEGGED PrEwit, Richards. and
Swains. Fauna Bor.-Amer., vol. ii. p. 146.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCX XXIV. Fig. 5.
Bill rather long, broad and depressed at the base, compressed to-
ward the tip, acute ; upper mandible with the dorsal line declinate and
slightly convex, the sides sloping and convex, the edges sharp, with a
slight notch, the tip declinate, very narrow, but abruptly terminated ;
lower mandible with the angle rather short and rounded ; the dorsal
line ascending and slightly convex, the back broad at the base, the
sides convex, the tip narrow, but rather obtuse; the gape-line straight.
Head of moderate size, ovate, depressed ; neck rather short ; body
slender. Feet short, rather slender ; tarsus shorter than the middle
toe and claw, compressed, with seven scutella, which almost entirely
surround it, leaving only a small interval on the inner side behind.
‘Toes rather short, slender, much compressed, the inner a little shorter
than the outer, the first and third nearly equal, including their claws.
Plumage blended, soft; feathers of the head erectile; bristles at
the base of the bill long. Wings rather long, the third and fourth
quills longest, the second and fourth slightly shorter, and equal to each
other, the first intermediate between the sixth and seventh. Tail
emarginate, the middle feathers a quarter of an inch shorter than the
outer.
Bill and feet black. Iris brown. The general colour of the upper
parts is olivaceous brown, the head and nape dark greyish-brown, the
wings and tail brown; the secondary coverts tipped with brownish-
white, and the secondary quills externally margined with the same;
the outer edges of the lateral tail-feathers pale brownish-grey. The
lower parts are light yellowish-grey, the sides and fore part of the breast
olivaceous grey, the abdominal feathers and lower tail-coverts ochra-
ceous.
Length to end of tail 6; inches; bill along the ridge $4; wing
from flexure 33; tail 2¢,; tarsus 74; hind toe #4, its claw # ; middle
5k j 2
toe 74, its claw 3.
( 3e;")
ROCKY-MOUNTAIN FLYCATCHER.
MUSCICAPA NIGRICANS.
PLATE CCCCXXXIV. Mate.
Tue only specimen of this Flycatcher in my possession was given
to me by my esteemed friend Tuomas Nutrat1, Esq., who procured it
in North California, but was unable to give me any account of its
habits. It has been briefly characterized by Mr Swarnson in his Sy-
nopsis of the Birds of Mexico.
TYRANNULA NIGRICANS, Swainson, Synops. of Mex. Birds. Phil. Mag. N.S. vol. 1.
p. 367.
Adult Male. Plate CCCCXXXIV. Fig. 6.
Bill shorter than the head, elongated, triangular when viewed from
above, much broader than high at the base, compressed only at the
tip ; upper mandible with the dorsal line almost straight, decurved at
the end, the ridge narrow and distinct, the sides sloping and a little
convex, the edges overlapping with a sinus close to the very slender,
decurved, abrupt tip ; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length
and rather wide, the ridge narrowed toward the end, the sides convex,
the edges a little inflected, the tip acute; the gape-line straight. Nos-
trils small, roundish.
Head of moderate size, oblong; neck short; body slender. Feet
short ; tarsus a little shorter than the middle toe with its claw, com-
pressed, with seven very broad scutella which meet behind ; toes short,
slender ; hind toe stronger, lateral toes nearly equal ; claws moderately
arched, compressed, acute, that of the hind toe much larger, those of
the lateral toes very small.
Plumage very soft and blended ; bristles at the base of the bill ra-
ther large. Wings of moderate length ; first quill longer than the sixth
and four and a half twelfths shorter than the second, which is equal to
the fourth, the third half a twelfth longer. Tail long, nearly even, the
middle feathers being only half a twelfth shorter than the longest.
Bill and feet black; iris brown. The head, hind neck, fore part of
the back, fore neck, a portion of the breast, and the sides dark sooty-
RE se re coy 4X
AMERICAN DIPPER. 303
brown ; the rest of the upper parts greyish-brown ; the secondary co-
verts tipped, and the secondaries margined with greyish-white, of which
colour is the greater part of the outer web of the lateral tail-feathers.
Middle of the breast, abdomen, and lower tail-coverts, white ; lower
wing-coverts greyish-brown, edged with white.
Length to end of tail 7 inches; bill along the ridge ;4, along the
edge of lower mandible 7; wing from flexure 32; tail 3,,; tarsus
#4; hind toe 72, its claw #4; middle toe 33, its claw 45.
AMERICAN DIPPER.
CINCLUS AMERICANUS, SWAINSON.
PLATE CCCCXXXV. Youne. Fries. 1, 2.
Tue specimen from which the first figure in the plate was taken, I
received from Dr 'TownsEnD, who procured it at Fort M*Loughlin, on
the north-west coast of America, in February 1836, having obtained
it from Captain W. Brorcuiz. The much larger size of this indivi-
dual, which was a female, independently of colour, induced me to think
that it might be specifically distinct from Cinclus Americanus, which
it however resembles in its proportions and the texture of its plumage
as well as in colour, with the exception of having the head not brown,
but of nearly the same tint as the rest of the upper parts. The bill,
however, is not larger than that of the individuals represented in Pl.
CCCLXX, and the dimensions are scarcely superior to those of a
specimen deseribed in the Fauna Boreali-Americana. Almost all the
feathers of. the lower parts are slightly margined with whitish, as are
some of those on the wings, and there is a slight tinge of brown on
the head. These circumstances lead me to suppose that the present
bird is merely an immature individual of the American Dipper, already
described (Vol. IV. p. 501). And the smaller specimen, Fig. 2 of the
present plate, being in all respects similar, excepting as to size, must
also belong to the same species.
The bill, nostrils, and general form, are as described, which is also
the case with the plumage. The greater part of the lower mandible
and the edges of the upper have been pale yellow or flesh-colour, the
304 AMERICAN DIPPER.
rest dusky. The feet pale flesh-colour, and the claws yellowish-grevy,
tinged with brown. The general colour of the upper parts is blackish-
grey or deep bluish-grey ; the head and hind neck slightly tinged with
brown ; the feathers of the wings and tail dusky ; the secondaries and
their coverts narrowly margined with greyish-white, as are the tail-
feathers in a slight degree. The lower parts are of a lighter tint, the
feathers margined with whitish, and the throat with a slight tinge of
brown. There is a white spot on the upper eyelid as in the adult.
Length to end of tail 87, inches ; bill along the ridge 34, along the
edge of lower mandible +3; wing from flexure 3}2; tail 274; tarsus
3 hind toe 7, its claw 7 ; middle toe %%, its claw 79.
On comparing the above description and the figure with the descrip-
tion of the immature bird by Dr Ricuarpson, it will be seen that the
differences are extremely slight.
The individual represented by Fig. 2, and which is from the Colum-
bia River, where it was shot by Dr Townsenp, on the 8th October 1835,
is precisely similar to that already described, only it has the bill more
slender, the tarsi much shorter and less robust, and the dimensions in
general much less. It was a male bird, probably very young, and as
its markings and colours are the same as those of Fig. 1, which was a
female, proves that the young of both sexes are alike as to colour in
their first plumage.
Length to end of tail 63% inches ; bill along the ridge 7; wing from
flexure 33; tail 14}; tarsus 1; hind toe #4, its claw 7%; middle toe
#, its claw 7b.
The claws of these two individuals are longer and more pointed
than those of the adult specimens described, and their bills have not
been worn at the point :—additional proofs of their being young birds.
DESCRIPTIONS
OF
SPECIES FOUND IN NORTH AMERICA,
BUT NOT FIGURED IN THE
«BIRDS OF AMERICA.”
‘
VOL. V- U
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DELAFIELD’SS YELLOW-THROAT.
Syi~vidA DELAFIELDII.
Tuts beautiful little bird I name in honour of Colonel DEeLaF1etp,
President of the Lyceum of New York, a gentleman distinguished by
his scientific attainments, not less than by those accomplishments and
virtues which tend to improve and adorn society. It so much resembles
the Maryland Yellow-throat, Sylvia Trichas of the older authors, Trichas
personatus of Swainson, that one might readily confound the two species.
The differences between them will be pointed out below; but before
this is done, it will be necessary to present a more minute description
of the Maryland Yellow-throat than that contained in the first volume
of this work. The only specimen in my possession was obtained from
Dr TownsEnp, who procured it in California.
Synvia tTrRicuas, Lath. Sytvia maritanpica, Wils. Bonap. TricHas PESONA-
TUS, Swains.
Adult Male.
Bill short, straight, conico-subulate, compressed toward the end,
acute ; upper mandible with the dorsal line declinate, straight, a little
convex at the end, the ridge narrow, the sides convex, the edges direct
and overlapping, with a very slight notch, the tip narrow; lower man-
dible with the angle of moderate length and narrow, the dorsal line
ascending and very slightly convex, the sides rounded, the edges in-
flected, the tip acute; the gape-line straight. Nostrils basal, lateral,
oblong, operculate, exposed.
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck short; body rather slender.
Feet rather long; tarsus slender, longer than the middle toe, much
compressed, covered anteriorly with seven scutella, behind with two
longitudinal plates, meeting so as to form a thin edge; the lateral toes
nearly equal, the third much longer, and united at the base to the fourth,
hind toe stronger and large ; claws moderately arched, extremely com-
pressed, laterally grooved, acute.
Plumage soft and blended, with little gloss; wings rather short,
somewhat concave; the second, third, and fourth primaries have the
outer web cut out toward the end; the first quill is a twelfth of an inch
308 DELAFIELD’S YELLOW-THROAT.
shorter than the second, which is half a twelfth shorter than the third,
and a little shorter than the fourth, the third being longest ; the other
primaries very slowly graduated, the longest or third being only four
and a half twelfths longer than the first secondary ; all the quills are
rounded. ‘Tail rather long, straight, considerably rounded, the lateral
feathers being three-twelfths shorter than the middle ; all the feathers
rather narrow and rounded.
Upper mandible blackish-brown, lower dusky toward the end, the
edges of the upper and the basal portion of the lower pale yellowish
flesh-colour. Iris dark hazel. Feet flesh-colour. A broad band of
black across the forehead, including the loral space and eyes, and ter-
minating in arather pointed form beyond the ear-coverts. Behind this
band is a narrow one of very pale blue or bluish-white. The rest of
the upper parts yellowish-green, on the head slightly tinged with red;
the quills and tail-feathers wood-brown, the edge of the wing and the
margin of the outer primary yellow. The fore part of the neck bright
yellow, as is the anterior part of the breast, the abdomen and lower
tail-coverts pale, the sides shaded with dull yellowish-green ; the lower
wing-coverts and axillaries nearly white.
Length to end of tail 42 inches ; extent of wings 63; bill along the
ridge ;°5, along the edge of lower mandible 7%; wing from flexure 21;
tail 21; tarsus ;z; hind toe $4, its claw #4; middle toe 7%, its claw 24.
The female has the upper part lighter, the lower less bright, tinged
with reddish-brown, and wants the two bands on the head, which is of
a pale brownish-red colour.
The young male in autumn has the whole of the upper plumage of
a uniform yellowish-green colour, the head being destitute of the black
and white markings of the adult ; but there is a narrow black patch
behind the eyes. It is in this state that I mistook it for a new species,
to which I erroneously gave the name of ‘“ Roscoe’s Yellow-throat,
Sylvia Roscoe.” Plate XXIII. Vol. I. p.121. The eggs are broadly
ovate, rather pointed, eight and a half twelfths long, and six and a
half twelfths in their greatest breadth.
Syztvia DELAFIELDII.
Bill longish, nearly straight, conico-subulate, rather broader than
high at the base, compressed toward the end, acute; upper mandible
with the dorsal line declinato-convex, the ridge narrow, the sides con-
DELAFIELD'S YELLOW-THROAT. 309
vex, the edges direct and overlapping, with a very slight notch, the tip
narrow ; lower mandible with the angle of moderate length and narrow,
the dorsal line ascending and straight, the sides rounded, the edges in-
flected, the tip acute ; the gape-line considerably arched. Nostrils basal,
lateral, oblong, operculate, exposed.
Head of moderate size, ovate; neck short; body moderately stout.
Feet rather long, tarsus slender, longer than the middle toe, much
compressed, covered anteriorly with seven scutella, behind with two
longitudinal plates meeting so as to form a thin edge; the lateral toes
nearly equal, the third much longer, and united at the base to the fourth,
the hind toe large; claws moderately arched, extremely compressed, with
the sides faintly grooved, acute.
Plumage soft and blended with little gloss. Wings rather long,
somewhat concave; the second, third, and fourth primaries have the
outer web cut out towards the end; the first quill is three and a half
twelfths shorter than the second, which is two-twelfths shorter than
the third; the latter is longest, but scarcely exceeds the fourth, and the
fifth is only a quarter of a twelfth shorter than it; the other primaries
very slowly graduated, the longest or third being only five-twelfths
longer than the first secondary ; all the quills are rounded. Tail rather
long, straight, much rounded, the lateral feathers being half an inch
shorter than the middle.
Upper mandible blackish-brown, with the edges yellowish flesh-
colour; lower mandible of the latter colour, slightly dusky at the point.
A band of black passes across the forehead, includes the loral space and
eyes, and terminates on the ear-coverts. The upper part of the head
is light greyish-blue, tinged behind with green; the rest of the upper
parts dull greyish-olive; the quills and tail-feathers wood-brown, the
edge of the wing, and the margin of the outer primary yellow. The
fore part of the neck, and all the lower parts rich yellow, excepting
the sides, which are shaded into dull yellowish-green, and the lower
wing-coverts and axillaries, which are nearly white.
Length to end of tail 51 inches ; bill along the ridge 74, along the
edge of lower mandible 75 ; wing from flexure 2; ; tail 24; tarsus }};
hind toe 44, its claw # ; middle toe ik, its claw yz.
This species has the bill much stronger and more elongated than
the other ; its wings are much more rounded, the first quill being nearly
five-twelfths shorter than the third, whereas in S. Trichas it is scarcely
a twelfth and a half shorter ; its tail is more rounded; and its tarsi
310 PARKMAN’S WREN.
and toes are proportionally larger. The colours are, however, similar ;
but the present species has no whitish band margining the black band on
the head, and this latter band is much narrower in front, and does not
proceed so far down the neck, extending only to the distance of four and
a half twelfths from the eye, whereas in S. Trichas it extends to the
distance of half an inch.
PARKMAN’S WREN.
TROGLODYTES PARKMANIU.
A single specimen. of this Wren which differs considerably from
Troglodytes hyemalis and T. europwus, has been sent to me by Dr
TownsEnD, who procured it on the Columbia River, along with
several others, all exactly similar. The principal difference is in
the bill, which is much longer, stouter, and decidedly arched. The
wings also are considerably longer, as is the tail in a still greater de-
gree. The plumage is similar, and presents nearly the same markings,
but the colours are much paler, and the lower parts nearly greyish-
white. ‘This, however, may be merely the effect of the weather. This
species may be briefly characterized as follows :
T. Parkman. The bill much longer, stouter, and more curved
than that of 7. hyemalis ; the upper parts reddish-brown, faintly barred
with dusky, the lower parts dull brownish-white ; the sides barred with
brownish-black, and greyish-white, the foreneck and breast with scarce-
ly any markings, the lower wing-coverts and axillars greyish-white ob-
securely barred with dusky ; the tail half an inch longer than that of
the common species, and more rounded.
Bill rather long, slender, tapering; as broad as high at the base,
slightly arched, compressed toward the end. Upper mandible with the
dorsal outline slightly arched, the ridge narrow, the sides sloping at
the base, toward the end slightly convex and erect, the edges sharp,
direct, without notch ; lower mandible with the angle narrow and ra-
ther acute, the dorsal outline decurved in an almost imperceptible de-
gree, the back narrow, the edges sharp and inflected, the tip very nar-
row ; the gape-line slightly arched. Nostrils oblong, basal, operculate.
Head ovate, of moderate size ; neck short. Feet of ordinary length ;
tarsus compressed, with seven anterior scutella, all of which are very
PARKMAN’S WREN. 311
distinct ; toes rather large, compressed ; first large, and much longer
than the two lateral, of which the inner is a little shorter; the third
and fourth coherent as far as the second joint of the latter. Claws long,
arched, extremely compressed, laterally grooved, acute.
Plumage soft and blended ; no bristle-feathers at the base of the
bill. Wing of moderate length, broad, much rounded ; the first quill
very small, being only half the length of the second, which is three
and a half twelfths shorter than the third ; the fourth longest, and ex-
ceeding the third by half a twelfth, and the fourth by scarcely a quar-
ter of a twelfth; secondaries long and rounded. ‘Tail rather long,
much rounded, the lateral feathers being nearly half an inch shorter
than the middle. .
Bill dusky brown, with the basal edges of the upper and two-thirds
of the lower mandible pale. Tarsi greyish-yellow ; toes and claws light
brownish. ‘The general colour of the upper parts is reddish-brown
tinged with grey. There is a white spot near the tips of the posterior
dorsal feathers. The secondary coverts, and the first small coverts,
have each a white spot at the tip. The wing-coverts and quills are
banded with blackish-brown and dull brownish-red, the bands of the
latter colour paler on the outer quills; the inner webs and tips of all
the quills plain brown, as in the other species. All the upper parts are
more faintly barred in the same manner. On the tail are twelve dusky
bars, as in 7. Ayemalis. A dull whitish band from the upper mandible
over the eye; the cheeks whitish, with the basal margins of the feathers
brown ; the lower parts are dull brownish-white tinged with grey, the
sides brownish barred with dusky ; the fore neck and breast with faint
indications of bars; the lower wing-coverts and axillaries greyish-white,
some of the former with dusky markings ; the lower tail-coverts brown-
ish-white, barred with dusky.
Length to end of tail 4;% inches, to end of wings 37% ; bill along
the ridge 7% ; wing from flexure 27; tail 1{2; tarsus iz; hind toe 4,
its claw 5; middle toe 74, its claw 73.
Feeling perfectly confident that this species is distinct from any
other, and not finding it anywhere described, I have named it after my
most kind, generous, and highly talented friend, Gzorcr Parkman,
Esq. M.D. of: Boston, as an indication of the esteem in which I hold
him, and of the gratitude which I ever cherish towards him.
( 8312.09
MORTON’S FINCH.
FRINGILLA MorToNi1l.
A SINGLE specimen of this pretty little bird, apparently an adult
male, has been sent to me by Dr Townsznp, who procured it in Up-
per California. Supposing it to be undescribed, I have named it after
my excellent and muchesteemed friend Dr Morro of Philadelphia, Cor-
responding Secretary of the Academy of Natural Sciences of that city.
Adult Male.
Bill short, stout, conical, compressed toward the end ; upper mandi-
ble with its dorsal outline declinate, almost straight, being slightly con-
vex toward the end, the ridge indistinct, the sides rounded, the edges
sharp and somewhat inflected, with a very faint notch close to the tip,
lower mandible about the same depth and nearly as broad at the base, its
angle very short and rounded, its dorsal line ascending, almost straight
being very slightly convex, the back and sides convex, the edges inflect
ed, the tip acute. Gape-line considerably declinate at the base. Nos-
trils small, roundish, marginate, basal, in the fore part of the short na-
sal depression, and partially concealed by the feathers.
Head rather large, ovate; neck short. Feet of ordinary length, tar-
sus much compressed, with seven anterior scutella, and two plates be-
hind meeting so as to form a very thin edge; toes rather stout, com-
pressed, the first large, the second or inner scarcely shorter than the
outer, which is united to the fourth as far as the second joint; claws
rather long, much compressed, laterally grooved, moderately arched,
acute.
Plumage soft and blended. Wings of moderate length, the first
quill two-twelfths of an inch shorter than the second, which is almost
equal to the third, the latter being the longest, the fourth scarcely half
a twelfth shorter, the rest slowly decreasing ; secondaries long, truncate
or abruptly rounded. Tail of moderate length, nearly even, the mid-
dle feathers one-twelfth, the lateral half a twelfth shorter than the rest.
Bill dusky, bluish toward the base. Feet and claws yellowish-brown.
The upper part of the head is ash-grey, with a longitudinal band of
black on each side from the bill to the occiput, externally of which is a
greyish-white band; loral space, cheek-coverts, and auriculars dusky,
the feathers under the eye tipped with white ; the throat white, sur-
MORTON’S FINCH. 313
rounded with a black band; a light chestnut-red band surrounds the
neck, except for a short space in front ; the fore part of the back and
scapulars are light dull yellowish-red, streaked with brownish-black,
the hind part, rump, and upper tail-coverts yellowish-grey ; the smaller
wing-coverts yellowish-grey, the first row brownish-black toward the
end with the tip white, the secondary coverts and inner secondary quills
brownish-black, broadly margined with light yellowish-red, the former
tipped with white, the rest of the quill dusky brown, edged with yel-
lowish-red fading on the outer to whitish; the tail-feathers blackish-
brown, narrowly edged with pale yellowish-grey, the lateral of a lighter
tint. The lower parts are dull brownish-white, the sides light greyish-
brown, the lower wing-coverts yellowish-white.
Length to end of tail 53 inches; bill along the ridge #, along the
edge of lower mandible ; ; wing from flexure 2}3 ; tail 274, tarsus ?4 ;
hind toe #4, its claw 44; middle toe 74, its claw 4.
al 1 12
In its colouring this bird is very similar to the White-crowned and
White-chinned Finches, with which it also agrees in the form of its
wings, but differs in having the tail much shorter, the bill less robust, the
claws proportionally longer and less arched.
IMPERIAL WOODPECKER.
PIicus IMPERIALIsS, GOULD.
Tue following note, which I have received from Dr 'Townsenp, re-
fers to this splendid Woodpecker. ‘“ On the 14th of August 1834, I
saw several specimens of a large black Woodpecker, about the size of
Picus principalis. A broad band of white appeared to extend trans-
versely across the wings and back. It inhabited the tall pine trees,
and was very shy. The note was almost exactly that of the Red-headed
Woodpecker, so much so that at first Mr Nutrart and myself were
both deceived by it. I lingered behind the party, which at that time
was travelling rapidly, and at last got a shot at one of them with slugs,
my large shot having been entirely expended. The bird fell wounded
into a thicket at a considerable distance. I searched for an hour, with-
314 IMPERIAL WOODPECKER.
out finding it, and was at last compelled to relinquish it and follow the
party, which had been leaving me at a rapid trot, to find my way as I
best could, and keep out of the reach of Indians, who were dogging us
continually. Who can describe the chagrin and positive misery of a
poor fellow in my then situation !
‘‘ The only account of this species that I have met with is the fol-
lowing, extracted from the “ Proceedings of the Committee of Science
and Correspondence of the Zoological Society of London,” Part II.
1832, p. 140.—“< Specimens were exhibited of'a species of Woodpecker,
hitherto, undescribed, which has recently been obtained by Mr Goutp
from that little explored district of California, which borders the terri-
tory of Mexico. The exhibition was accompanied by a communication
from Mr Gov p, in which, after some general remarks on the Picide,
and their geographical distribution, he referred to the species before
the Committee as possessing the characters of the genus Picus in their
most marked development, together with the greatest size hitherto ob-
served in that group. In this respect it as far exceeds the [vory-billed
Woodpecker of the United States, Picus principalis, as the latter does
the Picus martius of Europe. Mr Goutp described it as the
* Picus imperialis. Mas. Pic. ater, virescenti-splendens; crista
elongata occipitali coccinea; macula triangulari interscapulari, remi-
gibus secundariis, primariarumque (preter terium quatuorve exterio-
rum) rachibus intermis albis ; rostro eburneo.
* Fom. Paullo minor; crista occipitali cum corpore concolore.
* Longitudo manis, 2 ped. ; alze (clause), 1 ped.; caude, 10 unc. ;
tarsi, vix 2 unc; digiti externi portici, eadem ac tarsi, ungues validissi-
mi, arcuati; rostrum exacte cuneiforme, a rictu ad apice 4 une. long.,
ad basin 1 une. latum.
“ This species is readily distinguishable from the Pic. principalis
by its much larger size; by the length of its occipital crest, the pen-
dent silky feathers of which measure nearly four inches ; by the absence
of the white stripe which ornaments the neck of that bird, and by the
bristles which cover its nostrils being black, whereas those of the Pic.
principalis are white.”
a
(7305: {))
LINEATED WOODPECKER.
Picus LINEATUs, Linn.
A sPECIMEN of a Woodpecker sent from the Columbia River by Dr
Merepiru Gairpner to Professor Jameson of Edinburgh, who kindly
lent it to me for the purpose of being described, I find to be the Picus
lineatus of Linnxos, a species which appears to be very extensively dis-
tributed, being, according to various authors, plentiful in Cayenne,
Guiana, Brazil, and even Paraguay. The specimen, which was shot
near Fort Vancouver, is an adult male, but has been injured in the
wings. Along with it were specimens of Picus Harrisii and Picus
ruber, shot in the same neighbourhood. A Brazilian specimen may first
be described, and afterwards Dr GatrpNEr’s.
Picus LinEatus, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 174.—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i. p. 226.—
Wagler, Syst. Av.
LingateD WoopprckeEr, Lath. Gen. Synops. vol. ii. p. 556.
Adult Male.
Bill nearly as long as the head, straight, strong, angulate, depressed
at the base, compressed toward the end, which is truncate, and late-
rally worn so as to be wedge-shaped. Upper mandible with the dor-
sal line slightly convex, the ridge very narrow and prominent, the sides
concave at the base, the lateral angles nearer the ridge than the edges,
which are sharp and direct ; the point with two slight ridges on each
side ; lower mandible with the angle long and narrow, the dorsal line
ascending and straight, the ridge narrow, the sides erect at the base,
afterwards sloping outwards and convex, the tip narrow; gape-line
straight. Nostrils elliptical, covered by a tuft of reversed bristly fea-
thers.
Head rather large, ovato-oblong; neck rather long and slender.
Feet short, stout; tarsus very short, scutellate before, scaly on the
sides ; two toes before, two behind, the fourth being directed back-
wards; the first very small, the third a little longer than the fourth,
316 LINEATED WOODPECKER.
all scutellate above; claws strong, much curved, much compressed,
deep, broadly grooved on the sides, very acute.
Plumage blended ; feathers on the upper and hind part of the head
linear, glossy, stiffish, with separated barbs, forming a broad occipital
crest an inch in length. Wings long, much rounded; the outer six
quills with the inner web cut out: the first very small, being only an
inch and three-quarters long ; the second two inches and five-twelfths
longer; the third eleven-twelfths longer; the fourth two and a half
twelfths shorter than the fifth, which is longest; the fourth a little
shorter than the sixth ; the third and seventh nearly equal ; the second
shorter than the eighth. Tail rather long, cuneate, acuminate, of
twelve feathers, the lateral only an inch and three-quarters long ; slen-
der and unworn, the rest pointed; the middle feathers exceeding the
second outer feathers by an inch and eight-twelfths.
Bill horn-coloured, bluish toward the end, dusky at the point. Feet
greyish-blue, claws brownish. The upper part of the head, including
the forehead and occiput, vivid scarlet ; a narrow dusky line from the
nostril to the eye; a patch, including the eyelids and ear-coverts,
leaden-grey ; a narrow band down the hind part of the neck gradually
enlarging, the back, wings, and tail deep black ; a band from the nos-
trils obliquely descending over the side of the head, passing backwards
behind the ear, then much enlarged, and running down the side of the
neck to the shoulder, a large oblique patch at the commencement of
the wing, including the outer scapulars, the small feathers on the edge
of the wing under the alula, the lower wing-coverts, and the inner
webs of the quills for about half their length, pure white. There is
an elongated oblong crimson patch at the base of the lower jaw; the
chin or fore part of the throat is yellowish-white, longitudinally streaked
with dusky, the rest of the fore neck and a part of the breast black ;
the lower parts and sides brownish-white, transversely barred with
black.
Length to end of tail 15 inches ; bill along the ridge 1;%, along the
edge of lower mandible 113; wing from flexure 73; tail 5,4; tarsus
zy ; hind toe 44, its claw 24; second toe 7g, its claw 3g; third toe 1,3,
its claw $4; third toe 1%, its claw 79.
The specimen from the Columbia River may be described precisely
GAIRDNER’S WOODPECKER. 317
in the same terms, with the exception of its wanting the white patch on
the scapulars, and having the bands of the lower parts broader. But on
minutely examining the parts, the secondary quills of the left wing
and the scapulars of that side are found to be entirely wanting, having
been destroyed, and those on the right side are incomplete.
Length to end of tail 14 inches; bill along the ridge 17%, along
the edge of lower mandible 13; wing from flexure 7{$ ; tail 5}? ; tar-
sus 1; hind toe 24, its claw #4; second toe yy, its claw #$; third toe
My, its claw 94; fourth toe 7%, its claw 7.
GAIRDNER’S WOODPECKER.
Picus GAIRDNERII.
Tuts curious little Woodpecker is so very similar to Picus pubescens
in form, size, and colour, that one can scarcely distinguish it, its aff-
nity to that species being as strict as that of Picus villosus to P. cana-
densis. Its billis slightly stronger; but the greatest difference is found
in the toes, which are very much larger, as will be seen from the fol-
lowing measurements.
Picus Gairdnerii. Picus pubescens.
Tarsus, a iz Ht
Hind toe, 4 ee 2
Its claw, fe Ap oo
Second toe, =! ae a2
Its claw, a is =
Third toe, 3 vz ib
Its claw, TZ 12 3
Fourth toe, 13 & 3
Its claw, re tb it
These differences may appear slight, and were there intermediate
gradations, would be of no value, but I find that eight individuals of
P. pubescens present no material deviation from the above measurements,
318 GAIRDNER’'S WOODPECKER.
while my specimen of P. Gairdnerit may be at once distinguished by
the greater length especially of the outer or reversed toe. Its bill is
also considerably thicker at the base, although otherwise similar. An-
other difference presents itself in the relative length of some of the
quills, the fifth being longest in P. Gairdnerii, the fourth in P. pube-
SCEns.
Adult Male.
Bill longish, straight, strong, tapering, angular, slightly compressed,
and at the tip truncate; mandibles of equal length ; both straight in
their outline, the ridge of the upper very narrow, its sides sloping, the
lateral ridge nearer the margin; the nostrils linear-oblong, basal, con-
cealed by tufts of reversed bristly feathers.
Head of moderate size, ovate ; neck short. Feet short, rather strong ;
tarsus with a few large scutella before, thin-edged behind, with a series
of large scales along the inner side; two toes before, two behind, the
fourth or outer reversed toe considerably longer than the third, the
first very short; claws strong, much compressed, well curved, very
acute, those of the third and fourth toes nearly equal and largest.
Plumage very soft and blended ; feathers of the middle part of the
back very long and downy. Wings large, rounded, the first quill eight-
twelfths long, the second an inch and seven-twelfths longer, the third
seven and a quarter twelfths longer than the second, and three-quar-
ters of a twelfth shorter than the fourth, which is slightly exceeded by
the fifth, the sixth a little shorter than the fourth; secondaries very
broad, truncate. Tail rather long, cuneate, of ten feathers, of which
the lateral are eight-twelfths shorter than the middle, all more or less
slit at the point.
Bill greyish-blue, somewhat dusky above; feet bluish-grey; claws light
blue, dusky at the end. The top of the head is black, as are a broad band
behind the eye, part of the loral space, a band below the cheek, as well
as the scapulars, wings, and four middle tail-feathers ; there is a band of
white over each eye, enlarging on the occiput and terminating in a broad
band of bright crimson running across that part; another white band
from below the eye, curving behind the ears, nearly meeting on the
hind neck ; the wings barred with squarish spots of white, and tip-
ped with the same, there being on the outer webs of the third and fourth
primaries five spots on the outer and four on the inner web ; most of
DRUMMOND’S SNIPE. 319
the coverts are also tipped with a white spot; a broad band of white
down the middle of the back, the lateral tail-feathers are white, with
two bars of black toward the end, and the base of the inner web of the
same colour ; the next feather is similar with more black at the base,
and on both webs ; the next black, with the terminal half of the outer
web, a bar on the inner, and its tip white; the lower surface is white,
but much soiled and of a dull greyish-brown tint, the lower tail-coverts
with a slightly dusky spot toward the end.
Length to end of tail 6 ;°; inches ; bill along the ridge # ; wing from
flexure 3} ; tail 22.
Between this and P. pubescens there is no difference as to colour,
only the spots on the wings of the latter are much larger. Most indi-
viduals of P. pubescens have the same number of spots on the longer
quills, but others have an additional pair.
DRUMMOND’ SNIPE.
ScoLopax DRUMMONDII, SWaINs.
Scotopax Drummonpu1, Drummonn’s SnrPe, Richards. and Swains. Fauna Bo-
reali-A mericana, vol. ii. p. 400.
** This Snipe,” according to Dr RicHarpson, whose account of it
I copy, ‘‘is common in the Fur Countries up to latitude 65°, and is also
found in the recesses of the Rocky Mountains. Its manners are in all
respects similar to those of the European Snipes. It is intermediate
in size between the Sc. major and gallinago ; it has a much longer bill
than the latter, and two more tail-feathers. Its head is divided by a
pale central stripe, as in Sc. gallinula and major; its dorsal plumage
more distinctly striped than that of the latter; and the outer tail-fea-
ther is a quarter of an inch shorter than that of 8. Douglass.
“ Description of a specimen killed on the Rocky Mountains. Co-
lour :—Dorsal plumage and wings mostly brownish-black ; the top of
the head, seapulars, interscapulars, intermediate coverts, posterior
320 DRUMMOND’S SNIPE.
greater ones, and tertiaries, reflecting green and mottled, or barred
with yellowish-brown ; this colour also forming stripes from the fore-
head to the nape, over the eyes to the sides of the neck, and more
broadly on the exterior edges of the scapulars and interscapulars.
Middle dorsal plumage and first quill fringed with white, and most of
the wing-coverts and lesser quills tipped with the same. Shafts of the
primaries deep brown; an inch of the first near its point whitish.
Rump and tail-coverts rich greenish-black, with reddish-orange or fer-
ruginous ends, crossed by a blackish subterminal line, and tipped with
white ; the three exterior pairs barred alternately with clove-brown
and brownish-white, the white tips broader ; the two intermediate pairs
coloured nearly like the middle ones, but partly barred and tipped with
white. Under plumage: A dark brown stripe on the lores, another
under the ear. Sides of the head, front of the neck and breast pale
wood-brown, with central spots of dark umber ; the flanks, insides of
the wings, and under tail-coverts, barred with black and white, which
on the latter is tinged with brown. Belly white. Bill blackish towards
its tip, dark wood-brown at the base.
“Form typical ; one small fold of the epidermis at the upper base of
the bill; tail rather long, graduated, the feathers decreasing a little in
breadth as they are more exterior.
“Length to end of tail 113 inches ; tail 219; wing 53; bill above
2,4, rictus 2 ; bare part of tibia 3; tarsus 14, ; middle toe 174, its
nail ;% ; inner toe 43; hind toe 7, its nail 74.”
WESTERN GULL.
LARUS OCCIDENTALIS.
Two specimens of this Gull have been sent to me by Dr TownsEnp.
One of them, an adult, is marked, ‘‘ Male, Cape Disappointment, Oc-
tober 7th 1836 ;” the other, a young bird, “‘ Young Male, Cape Disap-
pointment, October 6th 1836.” The iris of both is stated to have been
light hazel. This species, which I presume to be undescribed, as I
ae
WESTERN GULL. 321
have not met with any account of it, is about equal to Larus marinus
in size, and resembles ZL. argentatus in colour, but differs from both in
many respects, as will be seen from the annexed description. It is
especially remarkable for the great depth and comparative shortness of
its bill, which in this respect approaches to L. melanoleucos of New
South Wales. The adult specimen unfortunately has the wings imper-
fect, the primary quills having been only partially developed ; but the
wings of the younger bird are complete.
Adult Male.
Bill shorter than the head, robust, compressed. Upper mandible
with the dorsal line straight as far as the end of the nostrils, decurved
toward the end, the ridge convex, gradually narrowed to the point, the
sides nearly flat, the edges sharp, inflected, toward the end direct and
arcuato-declinate, the tip rather sharp ; lower mandible with the angle
long and narrow, the outline of the crura slightly arched, the dorsal
line beyond the prominence at the angle ascending and slightly con-
cave, the sides erect and nearly flat, the edges sharp, inflected, decurved
toward the narrow tip. Nostrils medial, lateral, linear-oblong, wider
anteriorly, in the fore part of the nasal groove, which is rather long
and narrow.
Head large, broadly ovate, narrowed anteriorly. Neck of moderate
length, thick. Feet of moderate length, rather slender ; tibia bare for
an inch and a quarter, reticulate ; tarsus rather short, somewhat com-
pressed, covered anteriorly with numerous scutella, laterally with angu-
lar seales, behind with numerous small somewhat rectangular scales.
Hind toe very small and elevated ; the fore toes rather long, the fourth
little shorter than the third; all scutellate above, and connected by
reticulate webs ; the lateral toes margined externally with a thick mem-
brane. Claws small, slightly arched, somewhat compressed, blunt, that
of the middle toe with the inner margin expanded.
The plumage is full, close, elastic, very soft and blended, on the
back and wings rather compact. Wings very long, broad (four outer
primaries only partially developed) ; secondaries broad and narrowly
rounded. ‘Tail even (not fully developed).
Bill yellow, with an orange red patch toward the end of the
lower mandible. “Tris light hazel.” Feet flesh-coloured, claws dusky.
The head, neck, lower parts, rump, and tail, are pure white ; the back
VOL. V. x
322 WESTERN GULL.
and wings light greyish-blue, of a deeper tint than in Z. argentatus ;
the edges of the wing and the extremities of all the quills are white;
the first seven quills are greyish-black toward the end, that colour in-
cluding the outer webs and the greater part of the inner of the two
first, and on the rest gradually diminishing, so as on the seventh merely
to form a subterminal bar; the first quill with a patch of white on both
webs near the end ; the tips of all being white.
Length to end of tail 25 inches (but the tail is not full grown) ;
bill along the ridge 27%, along the edge of lower mandible 31, its depth
at the base 7}, at the angle }}; tarsus 2}3; hind toe 33, its claw 23 ;
second toe 17%, its claw 3; third toe 2;5%, its claw #3; fourth toe 2#,
its claw 75.
Young Male.
Bill flesh-coloured, beyond the nostrils and angle black, with the
tips horn-coloured. Feet flesh-coloured ; claws brownish-black. The
upper part and sides of the head, the hind part and sides of the neck
light brownish-grey, mottled and streaked with white ; on the back the
colour is light greyish-blue, some of the feathers mottled with brown,
the adult plumage having been partially assumed ; the wing-coverts
are chiefly of a greyish-brown colour ; the primary quills greyish-black,
without white at the end; the secondary blackish-grey, margined and
tipped with white, finely undulated with brown. The rump is white ;
the tail greyish-black, tipped with white; the whole outer web of the
outer, and the basal half of that of the next feather white ; the lower
wing-coverts dusky grey. All the lower parts are greyish-white, ob-
securely mottled with pale brownish-grey.
Length to end of tail 27 inches ; bill along the ridge 24, along the
edge of lower mandible 3%, its height at the base 7$, at the angle 33 ;
wing from flexure 17}; tail 71; tarsus 21}; middle toe 2, its
claw 74.
From the above description, it will be seen that in proportions and
colouring this species does not differ much from ZL. argentatus. It is
much larger, however; its bill is deeper and stronger in a very con-
spicuous degree, and its tarsi and toes are considerably longer.
FRANKLIN’S ROSY GULL.
LArvus FRANKLINII, RicHarpDson.
Tue following account of this species by Dr Ricuaxrpson is taken
from the Fauna Boreali-Americana.
Larus Franxuinu, Richards. Franxitn’s Rosy Guu, Richards. and Swains.
Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. 1. p. 424.
* Franklin’s Rosy Gull, with vermilion bill and feet; mantle pearl-
grey ; five exterior quills broadly barred with black, the first one tip-
ped with white for an inch; tarsus twenty lines long; hood black in
summer.
*« This is a very common Gull in the interior of the Fur Countries,
where it frequents the shores of the larger lakes. It is generally seen
in flocks, and is very noisy. It breeds in marshy places. Orp’s de-
scription of his Black-headed Gull (Wils. ix. p. 89.) corresponds with
our specimens, except that the conspicuous white end of the first quill
is not noticed: the figure (Pl. 74, fig. 4.) differs in the primaries being
entirely black. The Prince of Musienano gives the totally black pri-
maries, and a tarsus nearly two inches long, as part of the specific
character of his Larus Atricilla, to which he refers Wilson’s bird;
though, in his Observations, he states that the adult specimens have the
primaries, with the exception of the first and second, tipped with white.
L. Franklinii cannot be referred either to the L. Atricilla or L. mela-
nocephalus of M. Temmincx : the first has a lead-colowred hood and deep
black quill-feathers, untipped by white ; and the black hood of the se-
cond does not descend lower on the throat than on the nape; its quill-
feathers are also differently marked, and its tarsus is longer. His L.
ridibundus and L. capistratus have brown heads, and the interior of the
wings grey ; the latter has also a much smaller bill than our LZ. Frank-
linii. ?
“ Description of a male killed, June 6. 1827, on the Saskatchewan.
** Colour.—Both eyelids, the neck, rump, tail, and whole under plu-
Image, white, the latter and interior of the wings deeply tinged with
peach-blossom red. Black hood covering three-quarters of an inch of
324 ROSS'S GULL.
the nape, and extending as much lower on the throat. Mantle and
wings bluish-grey. The outer web of the first quill-feather is black to
near the tip, and a broad band of the same crosses the ends of the five
outer primaries; all the quill-feathers are terminated with white, that
on the first primary and of all the secondaries being upwards of an
inch long; all the shafts whitish. Bill and legs vermilion, the former
obscurely barred near the tip.
“ Form.—Bill rather stout, curved from the nostrils, with the gonys
forming an evident salient angle ; its depth equal to twice its breadth.
Wings an inch and a half longer than the perfectly even tail. Thighs
an inch bare.
*¢ A female and another male, killed at the same place six weeks
later in the season, correspond minutely with the above.
‘¢ Dimensions of a male. Length to end of tail 17 inches ; tail 42 ;
wing 11; bill along the ridge 1,5; rictus1}}; tarsus 1,%,; middle toe
1»
1,5, its nail #4 ; inner toe 1; hind toe 7%, its nail 7’.
ROSS'S GULL.
Larus Ross, RicHarpDson.
Nor having met with this beautiful little Gull, I am obliged to refer
to Dr Ricuarpson’s description of it in the Fauna Boreali-Americana.
Larus Rossi1, CUNEATE-TAILED GULL, -Richards. Parry’s Second Voy. App.
p- 359.—Ross, Parry’s Third Voy., p. 195.—Richards. Fauna Bor.-Amer. vol. ii.
p- 427.
“‘ Cuneate-tailed Gull, with a pearl-grey mantle. Wings longer
than the cuneiform tail. The outer web of the first tail-feather black-
ish; a slender black bill, tarsi an inch long, and, as well as the feet,
vermilion red.
“ Two specimens of this Gull were killed on the coast of Melville
Peninsula, on Sir Epwarp Parry’s second voyage, one of which is
preserved in the Museum of the University of Edinburgh, and the
other was presented to Joszrn Sasine, Esq. No other examples are
ROSS'S GULL. 325
known to exist in collections ; but Commander Ross, in his Zoological
Appendix to Sir Epwarp Parry’s narrative of his most adventurous
boat-voyage towards the Pole, relates that several were seen during
the journey over the ice north of Spitzbergen, and that Lieutenant
Forster also found the species in Waygait Straits, which is probably
one of its breeding places. It is to Commander Ross, who killed the
first specimen which was obtained, that the species is dedicated, as a
tribute for his unwearied exertions in the promotion of natural history
on the late Arctic voyages, in all of which he bore a part. Of the pe-
culiar habits or winter retreat of this species nothing is known.
“ Description of a specimen killed, June 1823, at Alagnak, Melville
Peninsula, Lat. 694° N.
*“* Colour.—Scapulars, inter-scapulars, and both surfaces of the wings
clear pearl-grey ; outer web of the first quill blackish-brown to its tip,
which is grey; tips of the scapulars and lesser quills whitish. Some
small feathers near the eye, and a collar round the middle of the neck
pitch-black. Rest of the plumage white, the neck above and the whole
under plumage deeply tinged with peach-blossom red in recent speci-
mens. Bill black; its rictus and the edges of the eyelids reddish-
orange. Legs and feet vermilion-red ; nails blackish.
“ Form.—Bill slender, weak, with a scarcely perceptible salient
angle beneath ; the upper mandible slightly arched and compressed to-
wards the point; the commissure slightly curved at the tip. Wings
an inch longer than the decidedly cuneiform tail, of which the central
feathers are an inch longer than the lateral. ‘Tarsi rather stout ; the
thumb very distinct, armed with a nail as large as that of the outer
toe.
“The other specimen killed by Mr Suerer a few days later, differs
only in the first primary coverts having the same dark colour with the
outer web of the first primary itself.
“‘ Length to end of tail 14 inches; tail 53; wing 103; bill along
the ridge 2; rictus 1; from nostril to tip of bill #4; tarsus 1,’,; mid-
dle toe 1°, its nail 7.”
( 326 )
YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS.
DIOMEDEA CHLORORHYNCHOS, GMEL.
A skin of this bird was sent to me by Dr Townsenp, who pro-
cured it in the Pacific Ocean, not far from the mouth of the Columbia
River. The species is well known, and one which, unlike most of the
others, has been tolerably well described.
DioMEDEA CHLORORHYNCHOS, Gimel. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 568.—Zath. Ind. Ornith.
vol. ii. p. 790.
YELLOw-nosED AxtBatTRoss, Lath. Gen. Syn. vol. v. p. 309.
Bill longer than the head, nearly straight, stout, much compressed.
Upper mandible with its dorsal outline much declinate and nearly
straight for a third of its length, then concave, ascending to the unguis,
on which it is arched and decurved in the third of a circle, the ridge
broad, convex, rounded at the base, separated in its whole length by a
groove, margined below beyond the nostrils by a prominent line, from
the sides, which are erect and convex, the edges sharp, the unguis de-
curved, much compressed, with its sides flattened, and the tip acute.
Nostrils sub-basal, prominent, tubular, having a horny sheath. Lower
mandible with the angle very narrow, reaching to the tip, and having
at its extremity a long slender interposed horny process ; the outline of
the crura gently ascending and quite straight until near the end, when
it is a little decurved, the sides ascending, nearly erect, a little convex,
the edges sharp, the tip extremely compressed, its upper edges decur-
ved.
Head rather large, ovate, compressed anteriorly; neck of moderate
length; body full. Feet rather short, stoutish; tibia bare for three-quarters
of an inch, covered all round with small angular scales ; tarsus roundish,
reticulated with small angular and roundish scales; toes three, long,
slender, the outer very little shorter than the middle, which exceeds
the inner by three-quarters of an inch; they are covered above with
small angular scales for half their length, in the rest of their extent
with scutella, and connected by emarginate webs, the outer and inner
with an externallobed membrane. Claws rather small, slender, slightly
arched, rather depressed, convex above, somewhat obtuse.
YELLOW-NOSED ALBATROSS. 327
Plumage full, soft and blended. Wings very long and very nar-
row, the humerus and cubitus being extremely elongated ; the first pri-
mary longest, the rest very rapidly diminishing ; the secondaries ex-
tremely short. Tail of twelve broadly rounded feathers, short, rounded,
the lateral feathers one inch shorter than the middle.
Bill black, with the ridge in its entire length and breadth, the tip
of the upper mandible, and the crura of the lower along their inferior
edge, yellow. Feet yellow, claws yellowish-grey. ‘The head and neck
are ash-grey, the fore part of the back shaded into blackish-grey ; the
wings entirely brownish-black, the shafts of the primaries white, to-
ward the end brownish-black ; the hind part of the back, rump, and
upper tail-coverts, white; the tail deep grey, the bases and shafts of
the feathers white. The loral space is of a darker grey than the rest
of the head, and that colour deepens at the fore part of the eye, forming
a spot which includes the whole of the upper eyelid, and the anterior
half of the lower, of which the other half is white; the lower half of
the neck anteriorly, the breast, sides, abdomen, lower tail-coverts, some
of the axillaries, and the larger lower wing-coverts white; the rest
being brownish-black.
Length to end of tail 37 inches ; bill along the ridge 5,%, along the
edge of lower mandible 478, its height at the base 1,%, at the middle 1,
at the angle 1,4; wing from flexure 21; tail 84; bare part of
tibia 2; tarsus 334; inner toe 37%, its claw 72; middle toe 45,, its
claw 3%; outer toe 4,5, its claw 75.
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS.
DIOMEDEA NIGRIPES.
For a specimen of this Albatross, I am indebted to Dr Townsenp,
who procured it on the 25th December 1834, on the Pacific Ocean, in
lat. 30°, 44’, N. long. 146°. It is clearly distinct from the other two
described in this work, namely the Dusky and the Yellow-nosed ; but
I have received no information respecting its habits. Not finding any
of the meagre notices or descriptions to which I can refer to agree with
328 BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS.
this bird, I have taken the liberty of giving it a name, being well as-
sured that, should it prove to have been described, some person will
kindly correct my mistake.
DIOMEDEA NIGRIPES.
Male.
Bill longer than the head, nearly straight, stout, compressed. Up-
per mandible with its dorsal outline straight and declinate until near
the middle, when it becomes a little concave, and along the unguis
curves in the third of a circle, the ridge convex, very broad and con-
vex at the base, with its basal margin curved in the third of a circle,
the ridge separated in its whole length by a groove, margined below
by a prominent line, from the sides, which are prominently convex, the
edges sharp, the unguis decurved, strong, acute, with the sides a little
convex. Nostrils sub-basal, prominent, tubular, having a horny sheath.
Lower mandible with the angle narrow, reaching to the tip, and ha-
ving at its extremity a slender horny interposed process ; the outline of
the crura gently ascending, slightly convex, toward the end a little con-
cave, at the tip deflected, the sides ascending and considerably convex,
but at the base concave, the edges sharp and inflexed, the tip compres-
sed, its upper edges decurved.
Head rather large, ovate, anteriorly compressed ; neck of moderate
length ; body full. Feet rather short, stoutish; tibia bare for an inch
and ten-twelfths, reticulated all round with very small convex scales ;
tarsus rather slender, covered all round with small roundish convex
scales; toes three, long, slender, for half their length covered above
with transverse series of flat scales, in the rest of their extent scutel-
late ; the second ten-twelfths of an inch shorter than the middle, which
is scarcely longer than the outer. Claws rather small, slender, slightly
arched, rather compressed, somewhat obtuse.
Plumage full, soft and blended. Wings very long and very nar-
row, the humerus and cubitus being extremely elongated ; the first pri-
mary longest, the rest rapidly diminishing ; secondaries extremely short.
Tail of twelve rounded feathers, extremely short, rounded, the lateral
feathers one inch shorter than the middle.
Bill dusky, the greater part of the lower mandible, and the middle
of the upper, tinged with yellowish-brown. Feet and claws black. The
BLACK-FOOTED ALBATROSS. 329
fore part of the head, cheeks and throat light dusky-grey, the capis-
tral feathers nearly white, as is a small patch at the posterior angle
of the eye ; the upper part of the head, the hind neck, and all the up-
per parts, including the wings and tail, are of a sooty brown tinged with
grey, as are the lower surface of the wings and the axillaries. The
lower parts are of a dull grey tint, deeper on the fore parts and sides
of the neck.
Length to end of tail 36 inches; bill along the ridge 5, along the
edge of lower mandible 5; wing from flexure 21; tail 3; bare part of
tibia 1}$ ; tarsus 319; inner toe 118, its claw 3; middle toe 43%, its
claw 7 ; outer toe 4,4, its claw 7.
The three Albatrosses described in this volume may very easily be
distinguished by the form of the bill, independently of all other cha-
racters. Thus:
Diomedea nigripes has the bill much thicker, or less compressed than
the other two species ; its ridge very broad and convex at the base, its
basal outline being semicircular and two inches in extent, so that its
sides behind overlap and obliterate the sutural space behind the nostrils.
Diomedea chlororhynchos has the bill much compressed, its ridge con-
vex in its whole length, but with its basal outline, although semicircu-
lar, only half an inch in extent, so that between its margins and those
of the sides of the bill there is behind the eye a space nearly a quarter
of an ineh in breadth.
Diomedea fusca has the bill as much compressed as that of D. chlo-
rorhynchus ; but its ridge, in place of being convex, is carinate, and in-
stead of having its base semicircular, as in the other two species, has
it running up on the forehead into a very acute angle.
Many other differences might be pointed out, but these will suffice
to distinguish the species. It may be remarked, that such descriptions
are absolutely necessary to render the species of this genus intelligible ;
for at present it seems impossible to form any correct idea from the
notices given in books ; and if descriptions are not sufficient to enable
one to refer an object to its species, of what use can they be ?
(L308)
GIGANTIC FULMAR.
PROCELLARIA GIGANTEA, LINN.
A spEcIMEN of the Gigantic Fulmar, shot at some distance from
the mouth of the Columbia River, has been sent to me by Dr TownsEnD,
along with those of the other species of the same genus described in
this volume, and which it resembles in form and proportions. ‘The
great size of this bird gives it at first sight the appearance of an Alba-
tross. It is described as frequent in the southern seas, gliding silently
over the surface of the waters, and subsisting on carcasses of cetacea,
seals, birds, and other animal matter ; the sailors distinguishing them
by the name of “ Mother Carey’s Geese.” The individual in my pos-
session may be described as follows :—
ProcEnLaria GIGANTEA, Linn. Syst. Nat. vol. i. p. 563-—Lath. Ind. Ornith. vol. i.
p. 820.
Gieantic Futmar, Futmarvus GicanTEvs, Steph. Shaw’s Zool. vol. xiii. p. 237.
Bill longer than the head, robust, straight, moderately compressed,
with the tip decurved. Upper mandible with the nostrils on the ridge,
separated only by a thin septum, covered by a broad elongated horny
case, of which the ridge is nearly straight and carinate, and the base
striated ; the sides erect and convex, separated by a groove from the
nasal plate, as well as from the unguis, which is remarkably strong,
curved, laterally convex, and acute, the edges blunt, direct, slightly
recurved, along the unguis sharp and decurved. Lower mandible with
the angle long and narrow, the sides sloping a little outwards and
nearly flat, with a longitudinal seam near the edges, which are inclinate
and sharp, the tip compressed, the dorsal outline ascending and ex-
tremely sharp, the edges at the end suddenly decurved.
Head rather large, ovate; neck rather long; body full. Legs
short, rather stout ; tibia bare for an inch and a quarter; tarsus a little
compressed, covered with angular scales, of which the posterior are
much smaller. Hind toe elevated, its first phalanx scarcely apparent,
its claw large, somewhat conical, obtuse, flattened beneath; the fore
3
GIGANTIC FULMAR. 391
toes long, slender, scutellate above, connected by striated entire webs ;
the fourth toe slightly shorter than the third, including the claws, but
otherwise longer; the second toe not much shorter. Claws moderate,
arched, compressed, rather acute, that of the third toe with an inner
thin edge.
Plumage full, close, elastic ; on the back and wings the feathers
rather distinct. Wings very long, narrow; primary quills broad, taper-
_ing to an obtuse point, the first longest, the rest rapidly graduated ;
secondary quills broad and rounded. ‘Tail short, much rounded, of six-
teen broad, rounded feathers, of which the lateral are an inch and a
half shorter than the middle.
Bill and feet yellow. The general colour of the plumage is a deep
dingy grey or blackish-grey, of a tint similar to that of the young of
Procellaria glacialis and P. pacifica, but much deeper. It is consider-
ably lighter on the lower parts, and especially on the lower surface of
the wings.
Length to end of tail 86 inches; bill along the ridge 4, along the
edge of lower mandible 33; length of nasal case 143 ; wing from flexure
1#5; tail 73; tarsus 31; first toe 7, its claw 7%; second toe 33, its
claw 7%, third toe 4,5, its claw 11; fourth toe 41, its claw 7%.
PACIFIC FULMAR.
PROCELLARIA PACIFICA.
Taree skins transmitted to me by Mr Townsenp appear to belong
to two species of the Fulmar genus, distinct from that of the Atlantic
seas. The first of these species may be named as above. An adult
individual resembles the common Procellaria glacialis in form, propor-
tions, and colour, but differs in having the bill much smaller, more com-
pressed, with the angle of the lower mandible narrower, and the tips of
both very much inferior in strength. It is about the same size as the
species just mentioned, and shews no remarkable difference in the wings
or tail. Besides being more compressed, its bill presents a character,
which, if universal, is perfectly distinctive: the upper outline of the
332 PACIFIC FULMAR.
united nasal tubes is concave in the Atlantic Fulmar, and its ridge
flattened ; whereas the outline of these tubes is straight in the Pacific
species, and its ridge distinctly carinate.
Adult.
Bill shorter than the head, robust, straight, compressed, the tip
curved. Upper mandible with the nostrils on the ridge, separated by
a thin septum, covered by an elevated horny case, and opening directly
forwards, the sides erect, convex, and separated by a groove from the
nasal plate, as well as from the unguis, which is strong, decurved, and
acute, the edges sharp, inflected, and slightly recurved from the base
to the unguis. Lower mandible with the angle long, narrow, acute, the
sides erect, with a groove in their whole length, the edges sharp and
direct, the very short dorsal line ascending and slightly concave, the
edges decurved at the end.
Head rather large, ovate ; neck rather short. Feet of moderate
length, stout; tibia bare for a short space below; tarsus a little com-
pressed, covered all round with reticular scales, of which those on the
anterior and posterior thin ridges are much smaller. Hind toe a slight
prominence, with a conical rather obtuse claw ; the fore toes long, slen-
der, scutellate above, connected by striated entire webs, the fourth a lit-
tle longer than the third, the second or inner not much shorter. Claws
rather small, slightly arched, compressed, acute, that of the third toe
with an inner thin edge. Plumage full, close, elastic, blended ; on the
back and wings the feathers rather distinct. Wings long; primary
quills rather broad, tapering to a roundish point having a minute acu-
men, the first four-twelfths longer than the second, which exceeds the
third by half an inch ; secondary quills broad and rounded. Tail short,
rounded, of fourteen rounded feathers, of which the lateral are one
inch shorter than the middle ; the lower tail-coverts very strong and of
the same length as the tail-feathers.
Bill and feet yellow. The head, neck, and lower parts are pure
white ; the back and wings light greyish-blue, but most of the feathers,
including those of the tail, becoming dark grey toward the end ; the pri-
mary quills and their coverts are blackish-brown, tinged with grey.
Length to end of tail 18 inches; bill along the ridge 1,4; nasal
case £4; wing from flexure 12;%; tail 43; tarsus 1{}; hind toe ,%, its
claw ¥;; second toe 149, its claw #4; third toe 24%, its claw 7, fourth
1 ¢ 4
toe 24, its claw 74.
SLENDER-BILLED FULMAR. 333
The young bird is of a uniform dull light dusky-grey colour; a
patch before the eye and the primary quills dusky. Its bill and feet
are also yellow; the former as in the adult; the outline of its nasal
case straight, its ridge carinate.
Length to end of tail 193 inches; bill along the ridge 1}$, nasal
case #4; wing from flexure 12;%; tail 4;%.
The tail-feathers of Procellaria glacialis are erroneously stated, at
p- 450 of Vol. III. to be twelve, whereas they are fourteen, as in the
present species.
SLENDER-BILLED FULMAR.
PROCELLARIA TENUIROSTRIS.
Tue other individual agrees in all respects with the first described ;
but its bill is much more elongated, comparatively slender, and with
the nasal case, half of the unguis of the upper mandible, and the tip of
the lower black. The outline of the nasal case is a little concave, and
its ridge is somewhat carinate. Whether this individual be of another
species, or of the same, having an accidentally elongated bill, cannot
perhaps be determined without a series of specimens; but it is pro-
bably a true species, as neither of the other two have the bill black in
any part or at any period. If it be distinct, it might be named the
Slender-billed Fulmar, Procellaria tenuirostris.
The following note from Dr Townsenp was appended to this
specimen :—“ Within a day’s sail from the mouth of the Columbia
River. Its habits are very similar to those of Procellaria capensis, keep-
ing constantly around the vessel, and frequently alighting in her wake
for the purpose of feeding. They are easily taken with a hook baited
with pork, and at times, particularly during a gale, they are so tame as
almost to allow themselves to be taken with the hand. The stomachs
of most of those that I captured were found to contain a species of
sepia and grease.
Length to end of tail 183 inches ; bill along the ridge 2;z; nasal
case +; wing from flexure 13; tail 5; tarsus 14%; hind toe yy, its
claw ¥ ; outer toe 275, its claw 44.
( 834 )
SPECIES SEEN WITHIN THE LIMITS OF THE UNITED
STATES, BUT NOT CHARACTERIZED.
BACHMAN’S HAWK. Ff atco Bacumanu.
I HavE several times seen in South Carolina a Hawk flying, equal
in size to Falco lineatus, and remarkable for the great breadth of its
wings. It was of a uniform brown colour, excepting the tail, which
was barred with white. The same bird has also been repeatedly ob-
served by my friend Dr Bacwman, who feels assured of its being dis-
tinct from any other Hawk hitherto found in North America.
FORK-TAILED OWL. Svrarix rorricara.
I shot this bird in the vicinity of Green Bay, when on my way
veross to the Mississippi; but the drawing which I made of it on the
spot has been lost. It was about the size of Strix acadica, of a dark
grey colour, with the tail long and deeply forked ; but I am unable to
describe it more particularly, the Journal in which it was noticed ha-
ving been, along with others, destroyed by the great fire which hap-
pened in New York some years ago.
BROWN IBIS. TYanrazus ruscus.
Two specimens, apparently male and female, of this large Ibis were
shot by me on the Bayou leading from the Silver Springs to the
St John’s River in Florida. I was at the time along with Colonel
Joun Rees in his boat, with two Negroes, but although we exerted
ourselves to the utmost for the space of an hour, we were unable to get
at them, on account of the great depth and peculiar nature of the mud
on which they were. This species is little inferior in size to the Com-
mon Wood Ibis, Tantalus Loculator, and appeared to be of a uniform
deep chocolate-brown, with the bill deep blue, and the legs greyish-blue.
The Tantalus fuscus of the Prince of Musicnano is not this species,
although I have frequently spoken of it to him.
AMERICAN PHEASANT. 335
AMERICAN PHEASANT. Paaszanus Americanus.
The existence of a species of Pheasant in America appears to be
proved by the following notice from Dr Townsenp. “ On the 18th
of August 1834, I saw two specimens of the long-tailed Pheasant.
They inhabited the pine-trees in a deep and tangled dell, called Thorn-
bury’s Pass, near Mallade River, in the Rocky Mountains. They ap-
peared rather tame, flying for short distances before our party, and
alighting near the summits of the tall pines. This bird in length ap-
peared about equal to the English Pheasant, but not so heavy-bodied.
The tail was as long, or longer. The general colour was dark brown
or black, with some white below. ‘The hunters mentioned having seen
several of these birds during the day, and one of the rascals shot one
with his rifle, and left it lying upon the ground. They had never met
with such birds before.”
NUTTALL’S WHIP-POOR-WIILL. Carruruteus Nurrazzyu.
According to my friend Mr Nurratt, there exists in the Rocky
Mountains a species of Caprimulqus scarcely half the size of the Whip-
poor-will. It was frequently seen by him, often within a few feet, but
was not procured, probably because he is not in the habit of carrying a
gun on his rambles.
RED-BACKED WOODPECKER. /Picus pPyrrHonorus.
“ On the 10th of June 1835,” Dr Townsenp informs me, “ I ob-
served a Black Woodpecker, about the size of Picus torquatus, on the
Columbia River, near Fort Vancouver. On the back between the
shoulders was a large red space. I found it flitting about among the
pine trees near the bank of the river. It was very shy, and on alight-
ing emitted a strange sort of guttural note, unlike any sound I ever
heard before. After pursuing it for a considerable time, I succeeded
in getting a shot at it, though at a great distance, and the bird fell, ap-
parently dead. Upon going up to the spot, I found the ground covered
in the vicinity with a dense crowd of tangled bushes, through which it
was impossible to make way. I went immediately to the Fort, a dis-
tance of about three miles, and procured a matchette or large knife,
returned to the spot, and cut away all the bushes near the tree where
the bird fell, but could not find it. Whether it was only wounded and
crawled away, or whether it had been taken, during my absence, by
336 GREEN-TAILED SPARROW.
some animal or reptile, I never could discover, but the prize was lost
to me for ever. I searched the forests for months afterwards, but ne-
ver saw another.’
GREEN-TAILED SPARROW. Faieizia4 cHLoRvRA.
Tue following notice respecting this bird is by Dr TownsEnD :—
“ July 12.1834. Ishot this morning a new and singularly marked
Sparrow. The specimen is, however, unfortunately young, and the
plumage is not fully developed. I feel in great hopes of finding the
adult in similar situations on our route. It isa true Fringilla. The
head is of a light brownish colour, spotted with dusky; back varied
with dusky and greenish-olive ; rump brownish, spotted with dusky ;
wings plain dusky, the outer vanes, as well as the tail-feathers, green-
ish-yellow ; axillaries yellow; throat white; a longitudinal line of
black on either side ; breast and flanks white, spotted or streaked with
black ; belly whitish ; vent tinged with light brown, inclining to ochre-
ous.” ‘The measurements of this species I find I have not given.
I probably omitted them from the supposition that I should at a future
time find the perfect bird. In this I was, however, disappointed: I
neyer saw it afterwards.”
TOWNSEND’S MOCKING THRUSH. Tverpus Townsenpz.
“On the 12th of August 1834,” says Dr Townsenp, “I saw a
Thrush, cinereous brown above, whitish below, with a long rounded
tail, every feather except the two middle ones largely tipped with
white. About two months subsequently, on the Shoshone River, West
of the Rocky Mountains, I killed one of these birds ; but it was moult-
ing, and I foolishly threw it away in the expectation of finding it on
the Columbia. I never saw it afterwards.”
WHITE-TAILED AND WHITE-RUMPED CORMORANTS.
PHALACROCORAX LEUCURUS. PHALACROCORAX LEUCONOTUS.
«¢ At Cape Disappointment,” says Dr TownsEnp in his notes trans-
mitted to me, “there are two Cormorants, at least in spring, about the
size of Phalacrocorax resplendens, one with a white tail, the other with
a white rump.”
APPENDIX:
COMPRISING
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS
ON THE
HABITS, GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION,
ANATOMICAL STRUCTURE
OF THE
BIRDS DESCRIBED IN THIS WORK ;
TOGETHER WITH
CORRECTIONS OF ERRORS
RELATIVE TO THE
SPECIES.
VOL. V. 's
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APPENDIX.
TURKEY BUZZARD.
CATHARTES AURA, ILLIGER.
PLATE CLI. Vot. II. p. 296.
Tue Turkey Buzzard was found in abundance on the Rocky Moun-
tains and along the Columbia River by Lewis and Crarx, as well as
subsequently by Dr Townsenp, although it is said by Mr Davip
Dovetas to be extremely rare on the north-west coast of America. On
the Island of Galveston in Texas, where it is plentiful, we several
times found its nest, as usual, on the ground, but on level parts of
salt marshes, either under the wide-spread branches of cactuses, or
among tall grass growing beneath low bushes, on which Herons of dif-
ferent species also bred, their young supplying a plentiful store of
food for those of the Vultures. The eggs, which never exceed two in
number, measure two inches and seven-eighths in length, and one inch
and seven and a half eighths in their greatest breadth.
An adult female, from Charleston in South Carolina, preserved in
spirits, presents the following characters. The most remarkable cir-
cumstances relative to its external aspect are these :—The skin of
the head, as well as of the neck for a third of its length, is trans-
versely rugous, and sparsely covered with very small bristly feathers.
The anterior part of the neck below this, and as far as the furcula, is
quite bare. The external nostrils are very large, oblong, 6 twelfths
in length, pervious, but having the entrance into the nasal cavities small.
The aperture of the ear is rather small, its diameter being only 3
twelfths. The eyes are of moderate size, their aperture being 5 twelfths.
340 TURKEY BUZZARD.
‘The neck in its whole length is sheathed in a very strong subcu-
taneous muscle, of which the external fibres are transverse, the inter-
nal longitudinal. These latter collect at the lower part, on each side, into
a thin expansion inserted into the anterior edge of the pectoralis major,
lying over another larger collection proceeding from the lower part of
the crop in front, and inserted into the furcula, so as to support the
enormous crop, and serve to assist in contracting it. This layer of
muscle is firmly connected with the whole surface of the crop on the
right side; but on the left is quite free, leaving an empty space of
great width, and eight inches in length, in which the trachea lies.
The cells on the back of the neck are also extremely large.
The roof of the mouth presents much the same appearance as that
of the Falconine birds, having anteriorly a prominent ridge, and on the
palate two parallel ridges, the space between which is anteriorly covered
with minute papille. The posterior aperture of the nares is oblong
behind, linear before, 9 twelfths in length. The tongue is 1 inch
long in a direct line, fleshy, decurved, very deeply and widely con-
cave above, its edges serrated in their whole length with small hard
pointed papille directed backwards and inwards, its tip obtuse, but not
emarginate. The ridges on the roof of the mouth are also papillate.
The csophagus, Fig. 1, a ¢, which is 11 inches long, begins im-
mediately to enlarge, forming an enormous crop, bc, 3 inches in width at
its lower part, and then contracting to 1 inch as it enters the thorax.
Its walls are thin, and shew the usual arrangement of fasciculi of mus-
cular fibres, the external being transverse. The proventricular glands
are very numerous, and occupy a belt 1 inch in breadth, de; at the
upper edge of which are numerous longitudinal plice, having between
them small cellular cavities. 'The stomach, ef, is comparatively small,
2 inches in length, 14 in breadth ; its tendon 1 inch long and 10 twelfths
broad, its muscular coat moderately thick, its inner coat a thick strongly
rugous, rather soft, deep-red epithelium. There is a pyloric lobe, g,
about half an inch in diameter, which is lined with bristly hairs, as is
seen in Fig. 3. They are all inserted at right angles to the surface,
penetrate to the base of the epithelium, and are of various lengths,
some of them not protruded beyond the surface, others upwards of half
an inch, of various colours, some black, generally tipped with whitish,
others light greyish-yellow, all thick at the base, and tapering to a fine
point. Being disposed in this regular manner, they might seem to
>
TURKEY BUZZARD. 341
form a part of the organization of the stomach, and not to be, like the
hairs found in that of Cucu- Fig. 1.
lus canorus,and Coccyzus Ame- a =
, =.
ricanus, merely extraneous, 1=
in which birds besides they
occupy the whole surface,
Mell
and are disposed in a circu- 2£
lar manner, most of them,
moreover, being abruptly
broken. Lz=_—_
The duodenum, g h 2 j,
curves at first in the usual
manner at the distance of 24
inches, but in ascending to-
wards the liver formsa partial
curve. The intestine forms
eight double folds, and is 5
feet 9 inches long, its ave-
rage diameter above being 5
twelfths, contracting to 33
\
twelfths, and again towards q
the rectum enlarging to 6 ZA
twelfths. The rectum is Z =
short, the cloaca globular, = Zy.
and only 1 inch in diameter, J Ig SGA
and there are no ceca. Z YY g= LEE
The trachea is 8 inches he ZEEE = SS
long, much flattened, taper- a ii 4
ing from 6 twelfths in breadth %,
to 4 twelfths ; its rings 150, ee iy ((
partially ossified. The in- tides z
ferior larynx is remarkable
for its small size, for being much flattened, and for branching off into
the bronchi without having a septum in its last entirering. Beyond the
bifurcation are on each side 8 cartilaginous slender rings, the remaining
part of the bronchi being entirely membranous. The lateral muscles
are of considerable strength, and cover the anterior surface of the tra-
chea until they terminate in the sterno-trachealis. There are no in-
ferior laryngeal muscles.
342 TURKEY BUZZARD.
An adult male, also from Charleston. The stomach, Fig. 3, pre-
sents the same appearance. The proventricular glands are 2} twelfths
in length, and occupy a belt, a 6, 1 inch in breadth, at the upper edge of
which are numerous longitudi- Fig. 2.
nal plice, having small cellular
cavities between them. The in-
ner coat, bc de, is thick, rather
soft and of a bright red colour,
with numerous, principally lon-
gitudinal prominent tortuous ru-
gee. Numerous hairs, and a few
small feathers, are stuck over the
surface towards the pyloric ca-
vity, which is itself densely and
completely covered with hairs of
various lengths, the longest
being 9 twelfths, all of them
with the inserted extremity
thick, the other pointed, and of
various colours, chiefly greyish-yellow. The epithelium, which is here
about 14 twelfth in thickness, is composed of perpendicular parallel fibres,
between or into which the hairs are inserted, and the dense cellular or
Fig. 3.
WW) =
\
He
yy
SI}
72
w)))))
M
—— Chey
TURKEY BUZZARD. 343
nervous layer beneath it is minutely and regularly scrobiculate. All
these circumstances might induce us to believe that the hair actually
grew in the substance of the epithelium; but the presence of small
feathers and portions of feathers, similarly inserted, shews that they
are merely adventitious. The duodenum, Fig. 2, first curves on the left
side in the usual manner, but before ascending towards the liver, first
nearly forms a circle, then bends upon itself, and curves in the opposite
direction, as in the Caracara and White-headed Eagles. Its entire
length to the liver is 14 inches. The intestine is 5 feet 11 inches
long, its diameter from 5 twelfths to 3 twelfths ; the greatest diameter
of the rectum 8 twelfths, that of the cloaca 1 inch 2 twelfths. There
are no traces of cceca.
The heart is 1 inch 10 twelfths long, 1 inch 8 twelfths broad.
The lobes of the liver are nearly equal, being about 1 inch 1 twelfth
long.
The accompanying sketch, Fig. 4, represents a vertical section of
the head in the median plane, with the septum between the eyes and
that of the nasal cavities removed, so as to expose the left cavity, with
its turbinated bodies. The brain is marked a4, the nasal cavity cde,
d being the upper, ¢ the lower turbinated bone. Before and beneath
the latter is seen the passage to the posterior nares or palatal aperture
of the nose. The external nostril, or large opening which runs across
the bill, is marked 2. From / tog are the large cells in the interior of
the upper mandible. Below g are the tongue and the lower jaw in out-
line. The bottom of the left eye is marked f-
Fig. 4.
344 TURKEY BUZZARD.
The external nostrils, as already mentioned, occupy the whole
length of the nasal groove, being 6 twelfths of an inch long, of an
irregular oblong form, their greatest height 21 twelfths, pervious or
communicating, the greatest breadth of the common space being 7
twelfths. Their posterior apertures, Fig. 5, are separated Fig. 5.
by a strong dissepiment, and are of moderate size, but A
without any appearance of the flap or operculum, which (9@)
many authors have mentioned as closing them. The
posterior or palatal aperture of the nares is also of moderate size,
linear-oblong, 6 twelfths in length, prolonged anteriorly into a slit
41 twelfths long, finely papillate on the edges.
The nasal cavity, Fig. 4, cde, is large, of an irregular oblong compres-
sed form 10 twelfths in its greatest length, 74 in its greatest height.
There are two well-developed turbinated bones, de, of which the upper,
d, presenting the appearance of a hollow ovate body, forms two curves
upon itself, so that when the outer curve is cut open, it seems to contain
another oval body. The anterior or inferior spongy bone, e, is of an
elongated form, bent upwards, and forms a single curve on itself. Both
are only cartilaginous or membranous. The anterior extremity of the
hemisphere of the brain, 6, is prolonged forwards between the orbits,
gradually tapering from a height of 3 twelfths to 4 twelfth, and ter-
minating in the olfactory nerve, which has ultimately a diameter of
a third of a twelfth, but is from the commencement divided into several
fibres, and is distributed upon the nasal cavity. A large branch of the
fifth pair, f, 4 twelfth in diameter, ascends across the orbit, enters the
nasal cavity, crosses the olfactory nerve, curves over the upper turbi-
nated bones, passes between the lower and the septum of the nasal
cavity, from which it emerges, enters the cavities of the supramaxil-
lary bone, and is distributed chiefly to the roof of the mouth, at g. The
anterior lobe-like process from the cerebral hemisphere, b, is in struc-
ture precisely similar to the part in its vicinity, and may be called the
olfactory lobe. It occupies the place which in most birds presents
merely a slender nerve, or filament inclosed in a bony tube traversing
the cellular osseous tissue, as is more especially seen in Owls and Goat-
suckers.
The olfactory nerve has been ascertained in the mammalia to be the
instrument of smell ; but in the class of birds experiments and obser-
vations are wanting to determine its precise function, although analogy
TURKEY BUZZARD. 345
would lead us to suppose it to be the same in them. So inaccurate
have observers been in this matter, that some of them have mistaken
the large branch of the fifth pair, which traverses the nasal cavity, for
the olfactory nerve. The experiments instituted upon the Vultures
shew that not only are they not led to their prey by the sense of smell,
but also that they are not made sensible by itof the presence of food when
in their immediate proximity. Yet, if the olfactory nerve be really the
nerve of smell, and if a large expansion of the nasal membrane be in-
dicative of an extension of the faculty, one would necessarily infer that
the Turkey Buzzard must possess it in a high degree. On the other
hand, however, the organ and the nerves being found to be equally de-
veloped in birds, such as Geese and Gallinaceous species, which have
never been suspected of being guided by smell when searching for food,
it would seem to follow that the precise function of this nerve, and the
nasal cavities, has not yet been determined in birds. That the nasal
passages must be subservient to some other purpose than that of respi-
ration merely, is evident from their complexity, but what that purpose
is, remains to be determined by accurate observations and experiments.
BLACK VULTURE OR CARRION CROW.
CATHARTES IOTA.
PLATE CVI. Vor. IL. p. 33.
Atruoucn I have already presented a full and detailed account of
this bird, I feel it incumbent on me to offer a few additional remarks
respecting it, because even at the present day many errors relative to
its habits are to be found, not only in the minds of people in general,
but even in works that are held in estimation. Thus, in the Fauna Bo-
reali-Americana I find the following statement :—‘“‘ Mr Ord informs us
that the Black Vultures are indolent, and may be observed in companies,
loitering together for hours in one place. They do not associate with the
Turkey Vultures.” “ ‘The latter, though found in the vicinity of towns,
rarely venture into them, and then always appearing cautious. of the
near approach of any one.” Again, the same person is represented as
346 BLACK VULTURE OR CARRION CROW.
informing us that “the Turkey Buzzard, though seemingly inactive,
hops along with an even gait. The latter, unless pressed by hunger,
will not eat of a carcass until it becomes putrid; the former is not so
fastidious, but devours animal food without distinction.” ‘ The Black
Vulture builds its nest in the large trees of low wet swamps, to which
places they retire every evening to rest.”
The gentleman whose sayings are thus quoted in the valuable work
above mentioned, could not have visited any of our southern cities at
the time when he penned these notes, or he might have seen that the
habits of the Carrion Crow differ in more respects than one from what
he has represented them to be. In the first place, the Black Vulture
does associate with the Turkey Buzzard, and the latter is not at all
disdainful of the society of the former. Indeed, it would be difficult,
in Charleston, Savannah, Natchez, or their suburbs, to find the one
without the other. They are both careless of the approach of man,
and no positive laws or regulations for the protection of either, exist
in any of the United States. If I understand aright the meaning of
the word “hopping,” which I take to signify progression by short
leaps, the Turkey Buzzard does not hop when not disturbed : it walks
with measured steps. As to its not feeding on matters that are not
putrid, such a tale might have answered a century ago, but will not do
now-a-days. I will give “a handsome reward” to any one who shall point
out to me a Carrion Crow’s nest in a tree, or upon its branches. To
end all this, I assure you that although the greater number of the
Carrion Crows resort to trees toward night, in order to repose upon
them, many remain on the roofs and chimney-tops.
I found this species abundant in the Texas, where it bred, as usual,
on the ground, but in situations such as I had not before seen; for the
nests which I examined were under very small bushes in marshes ad-
joining salt-water lagoons, or amidst cactuses, and along with that of
several species of Heron, the young of these latter forming a consi-
derable portion of the food of the young Vultures. They were in
fact placed in the same situation as those of the Turkey Buzzard, and
frequently at no great distance from them. The Carrion Crow is
found abundantly in Chili also, from whence I have seen specimens
precisely similar to our own. As it was named Jofa by Molina, who,
although not always correct in his statements, has been found to be
right in this, that name must be retained in preference to atratus. Dr
BLACK VULTURE OR CARRION CROW. 347
TownseEnp found it on the Columbia River also, but not on the Rocky
Mountains. I have not seen it to the eastward of Maryland, and it is
not numerous even there.
The eggs, which never exceed two, measure three inches and two-
twelfths in length, two inches and half an eighth in breadth, and are
more elongated, as well as sharper at the small end, than those of the
Turkey Buzzard.
An adult female preserved in spirits presents the following charac-
ters :—The cells of the neck are extremely developed, one of them ex-
tending along its back part, being five inches in length, and communi-
cating by very large apertures with the lateral and anterior cells,
which on the left side unite into an enormous cavity, 8 inches in length,
extending from the jaw to the furcula, and containing the trachea,
which curves over to that side, as in all birds having a large crop. On
the left side the cesophagus is thus, as it were, free, or has no attach-
ment, but in front and on the right side it is connected by dense cel-
lular tissue with the subcutaneous muscles, which extend, in the form
of two large and strong expansions, along the whole of the neck, and
are inserted upon the anterior edge of the pectoral muscle, as in the
Turkey Buzzard. Besides these, there is a layer of strong transverse
fibres externally.
The external nostrils are linear-oblong, direct, 7 twelfths in length,
14 twelfth in height, pervious, without any operculum either exter-
nally or within, but margined above with soft skin. The aperture of
the eye is rather small, measuring only 5 twelfths. That of the ear is
of moderate size, being externally 43 twelfths.
The roof of the mouth is deeply concave, with a longitudinal promi-
nent, soft, strongly papillate ridge, and two finely papillate palatal
ridges. The posterior aperture of the nares is oblong, 3 inch in length,
margined with slender papilla, and an anterior slit 7 twelfths long,
similarly margined, the space between it and the lateral ridges being
also covered with papille. The tongue is of moderate length, 1} inch
in a direct line, broad, very deeply concave above, being as it were in-
duplicate, horny towards the end and on the back, its margin beau-
tifully fringed with a single series of slender papilla, directed back-
wards and inwards, the outlines decurved toward the end, and the tip
obtuse.
348 BLACK VULTURE OR CARRION CROW.
The heart is large, ovato-oblong, 2} inches in length, 13 in breadth.
The lobes of the liver are nearly equal in length, being 1 inch 9 twelfths,
but the right lobe is much broader. The gall-bladder is oblong, 1
inch 1 twelfth in length, and half an inch in breadth.
The cesophagus is 11 inches long, and of extreme width, its dia-
meter being at the commencement 13 inch, and so continuing for
Fig. 1.
nearly 3 inches, when itenlarges into an enormous sac, of which the great-
est breadth is 4 inches. On entering the thorax it contracts to 1 inch,
and afterwards enlarges to 14, Fig. 1, a. The stomach, dc, is compara-
tively small, round, 1 inch 10 twelfths in diameter ; its muscular
coat extremely thin, and composed of a single series of fasciculi;
its tendons 4 inch in diameter ; its inner surface soft and smooth,
BLACK VULTURE OR CARRION CROW. 349
there being no epithelium as in the Turkey Buzzard, nor any hairs in
the cardiac lobe. The duodenum, cd ¢/, is 10 inches long, and forms
several convolutions previous to its curving forward to receive the
biliary ducts. The intestine subsequently forms twelve curves, and
above the stomach terminates in the rectum. Its whole length is 4
feet 1 inch; its width at the commencement 53 twelfths, gradually
diminishing to 3 twelfths, towards the rectum enlarging to 4 twelfths.
That part has a breadth of 43 twelfths at its commencement, gradually
enlarging to 9 twelfths and terminates in a globular cloaca, 4, 15 inch in
diameter. The proventricular glands are large, and form a complete
belt 1 inch 2 twelfths in breadth.
The trachea is 10 inches in length, much flattened ; its rings 162
in number, slightly ossified, narrower behind. Its breadth at the an-
terior part is 54 twelfths, at the lower 43 twelfths, but again enlarging
at the bifurcation to 6 twelfths. As in the Turkey Buzzard the bi-
furcation takes place without the usual bipartite ring ; and there are
on each side 8 rings beyond it, which may be considered as part of the
bronchi, the rest being composed of a membranous tube destitute of
rings. The lateral muscles are very large and expanded over the whole
breadth of the trachea to the distance of 10 twelfths from its bifurea-
tion, when they pass off to be inserted into the sternum. ‘There are
no inferior laryngeal muscles.
As to the nasal apparatus, it is found to differ very considerably
from that of the Turkey Buzzard. The head and jaws of the present
species are more elongated, its brain is smaller, and the height of the
upper jaw at the base is much less. The nasal cavity is therefore more
confined, and it is moreover of less complex structure, inasmuch as the
turbinated bones are reduced to one, Fig. 2, d, which appears to be the
350 BLACK VULTURE OR CARRION CROW.
analogue of the superior turbinated bone of the Turkey Buzzard. The
cavity of the nose measures exactly 1 inch in its greatest length, from
the posterior part of the arch at ¢ to the nostril ¢, which is narrower
than that of the Turkey Buzzard. The turbinated bone is entirely
membranous, and forms two convolutions. The anterior extremity of
the cerebral hemisphere runs out into a point a, and gradually con-
tracting constitutes the olfactory nerve, which may be said to be from
2 twelfths to half a twelfth in height, and of the same breadth, ac-
cording to the part at which itis measured. It enters the nasal cavity
near ¢, and is distributed over its membrane. The large branch of the
fifth pair 6, follows the same course as in the Turkey Buzzard, and is of
the same size, that is, has a diameter of one-third of a twelfth of an inch.
Now, here are two birds, the Turkey Buzzard, and the Carrion Crow,
so called, both Vultures, and of very similar habits, both feeding on flesh
and on all sorts of matter, fresh or putrid, dead or alive ; the one smell-
ing, or not smelling, precisely like the other, in so far as can be judged
from appearances. Yet one has its rather muscular stomach lined with
a thick strongly ridged epithelium of more than a twelfth of an inch thick,
while the other has a stomach of which the walls are as thin as those of an
Owl, and having no internal cuticle. One has a nasal cavity furnished
with twoturbinated bones and a wide aperture, while the other has only a
single turbinated bone in its nasal cavity, of which the anterior aper-
ture is comparatively narrow. In other respects, however, the birds
are alike ; they have a broad induplicate, marginally denticulate tongue.
Why it should be so is not apparent, but doubtless there is a reason.
They who profess to know about Vultures may perhaps inform us. They
have both a most enormous crop ; wide intestines of moderate length ;
and both are destitute of coeca. We know that birds which feed on
flesh, which is very nutritious, have the eceea of the minimum size, and
that those which feed on grass and twigs, which are not so easily assi-
milated, have them extremely large : but if the smallness of the cceca be
in relation to the excellence of the food, why should the garbage-eating
Vultures have no coca, when the pure-feeding Falcons have, small
though they be? There is enough in these and other subjects relative
to Vultures, to occupy philosophers for some time to come ; so that they
need not be at a loss for better employment than vituperating those who
have endeavoured by observation and experiment to elicit truth.
( 351.)
CARACARA EAGLE.
Poxiyporus BRAZILIENSIS, VIEILL.
PLATE CLXI. Vot. II. p. 350.
Autuovcn this bird has a great affinity to the Turkey Buzzard
Cathartes Aura, it differs considerably in some of its habits. It always
by preference places its nest on a tree, but when none is to be found,
builds on the top of a low bush, rather than deposit its eggs on the
ground, as our Vultures are wont to do. Nests of the Caracara found
in the Floridas by Dr Bensamin SrrozEt, were placed on the highest
branches of the tall trees in the pine barrens, whilst those met with in
the Texas were in a good many instances built on the tops of bushes
not more than seven or eight feet high. The nest which is formed of
dry sticks, is pretty large, rather flat, and rudely lined with small roots,
grass, or moss, when the latter can be procured. Like the Turkey
Buzzard, this bird lays only two eggs. In its mode of flying during the
breeding season, its movements through the air so much more resemble
those of a Hawk than any other bird, that the first pair seen on Galves-
ton Island in the Texas, were considered by us as belonging to some
unknown species of that family, in consequence of which we bestowed
much time on endeavouring to procure them. While removing from
a tree or bush to a distance they usually flew swiftly over the ground,
with continuous beats of their wings ; and on alighting, they would at
once assume an erect posture, and by the slenderness of their form and
long tail continue to deceive us.
Dr Srrozet carried a pair of young birds of this species alive to
Charleston for me, and consigned them to the charge of my friend Dr
Bacuman, who kept them upwards of a year. They were male and
female, but the former was not merely at.all times rude to his com-
panion, but often extremely tyrannical, seldom missing an opportunity
of annoying her by repeated and violent blows, accompanied with loud
cries of anger and exultation ; insomuch as to force her into one of the
corners of the aviary, where she would at times lie for several minutes
on her back, stretching out her legs and talons to defend herself against
her unmerciful assailant. Her cries were harsh and disagreeable, as
were those of the male, but the latter alone was in the habit of throwing
back its head, opening its mouth, swelling out its throat, and erecting
352 CARACARA EAGLE.
the feathers of its head, while loudly screaming. On being laid hold
of with the hand, both bit and scratched me so severely as to force me
to let them go. They fed indifferently on dead and living animals,
such as rats, cats, and fowls of various sorts, and shewed a power of
carrying off their victims in their talons, such as Hawks and Eagles
exhibit, but of which our Vultures are destitute. While feeding, they
would stand upon the quarry, with their claws thrust into it, and tear
off the hair or feathers, along with the flesh, both of which they swal-
lowed. They devoured great quantities atatime, but could support priva-
tion of food for several days. Like other birds of prey, they drank
frequently. In the second spring, their plumage became barred trans-
versely, as represented in my plate, my specimen having been drawn
before the second moult had taken place. As these birds become older,
these transverse bars assume more regularity, and their colours acquire
deeper tints. Owing to the differences thus produced in their appear-
ance, the old birds have been named Polyborus Meaxicanus, while the
young have been called P. eulgaris. In the Texas these birds are
viewed as Eagles, but I saw none of them there pounce on living ani-
mals, unless the latter had been wounded, in which case they would at-
tack Ducks and other birds. They are at all times extremely vigi-
lant and suspicious, so that it is very difficult to approach them. As
the species first received the name of Brasiliensis, it ought to retain
that specific appellation, in preference to vulgaris.
An adult male, from Florida, presented by Dr Srrosrx, and pre-
served in spirits, presents the following characters :—The affinity of
this bird to the Vultures is evinced in its exterior by the large portion
of the fore part and sides of the head which is nearly bare, by the skin
lying over the large crop being also destitute of feathers, and by the
comparative shortness of the hind toe, as well as the slight curve of the
claws.
The mouth is comparatively narrow, being 1 inch 1 twelfth in
width. In other respects it is similar to that of the Hawks, there be-
ing a very prominent median ridge in its anterior part, and two para-
lel ridges along the palate. The posterior aperture of the nares is
linear-oblong behind, linear anteriorly, 11 inch long, with the usual
transverse papillate ridges or flaps. The tongue is 1 inch 2 twelfths
long, fleshy, narrower at the base than is usual in Hawks, emarginate
and papillate ; it is also covered above at the base with very numerous
CARACARA EAGLE. 353
minute papille, and is concave, with the point obtuse and slit to the
depth of 14 twelfth. The nostrils are linear-oblong, oblique, 3 twelfths
in length. The aperture of the ear is roundish, of moderate size, 33
twelfths in diameter. The aperture of the eye is 5 twelfths.
The csophagus, ab ¢ de, which is eight inches long, at first contracts
to half an inch, at the distance of an inch and a half from the commence-
ment, then enlarges into a crop, bd, 2 inches in width, and on entering the
thorax contracts to 9 twelfths, the proventriculus being also of the latter
diameter. The stomach, fis round, compressed, 2 inches long, 1 inch 10
twelfths broad ; its tendons 8 twelfths
across; its muscular coat very thin and
composed of a single series of large fasci-
culi, its inner surface soft, smooth, but
longitudinally rugous. The proventri-
cular glandules are very numerous, cylin-
drical, 2 twelfths long, and occupy a belt
1 inch 2 twelfths in breadth. The ex-
ternal muscular fibres of the cesophagus
are transverse, the internal longitudinal. a4
The pylorus has three small knobs. The = aN 2
duodenum, g / 7, presents exactly the same Z = : \B
arrangement as that of the White-headed 2 2
Eagle, forming five curves, and then pro- :
ceeding forward to beneath the right lobe
of me Hee its length pais 13 va i> FA
The intestine, however, is not proportion- ” A
ally so long as in the Fishing Eagles Z
(Haliaetus), its whole length, including Z|
the duodenum, being only 42inches. Itsdi- = |
ameter varies from 3 twelfthsto 2 twelfths.
The rectum is very short, being only 24
inches long, including the cloaca, which
has a diameter of about 11 inch, but its
average width is 6 twelfths. The ceca
are two small sacs, 4 twelfths long, and
2 twelfths in width.
Ny}
>
Ny
[/
NY
) ona
N 4 ZA
3
((
The liver is rather large, the left lobe
somewhat smaller, it being 1 inch 8
VOL. Vv.
354 WHITE-HEADED EAGLE.
twelfths long, while the other measures 1 inch 10 twelfths. The heart
is conical 14 inch in length, 14 inch in its greatest breadth.
The trachea, 7 / /, is 7 inches long, flattened, 44 twelfths in breadth
at the upper part, enlarging to 5 twelfths, but towards the end only 3}
twelfths and round. The number of its rings is 106 ; they are firm and
well ossified ; the last half ring, /, broad, being 5 twelfths in extent, as is
the first half ring of the bronchi, with a large membrane interposed.
The lateral or contractor muscles /, are strong ; the sterno-tracheal, m,
very large; and there is a pair of inferior laryngeal muscles inserted
upon the bronchial membranes o.
WHITE-HEADED EAGLE.
F4Lco LEUCOCEPHALUS, LINN.
PLATE XXXI. Vou. I. p. 160. AputLrt.
PLATE CXXVI. Voz. II. p. 160. Youne.
From what I have already said of this species it will be understood
that it is to be met with more abundantly than elsewhere, in the space
bounded by the Mississippi and the Atlantic coast of our Middle States,
it being more numerous, however, in the Southern States. It appears
from what is said of it in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, that it has not
been met with farther north than Great Bear Lake, or latitude 62° N.;
but Dr TownsENnD met with it on the Columbia River and in California.
M. TemmMinck must be mistaken, I should think, in assigning to it the
regions within the Arctic Circle, as its habitual residence. I have not
been able to see a single specimen that could be proved to have been
procured in Europe.
Adult Male.
Bill about a third shorter than the head, very deep, compressed.
Upper mandible with the dorsal outline nearly straight as far as the
edge of the cere, then decurved in the third of a circle, the ridge broad
and a little convex on the cere, then narrowed, but again enlarging,
and towards the end narrowed, but in its whole length convex, the
sides sloping and flat at the base, sloping and considerably convex to-
WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 355
ward the end, the edges sharp beyond the cere, with a slight festoon,
the tip deflected, long, subtrigonal, acute, at its lower part perpendicu-
lar to the gape-line. Lower mandible with the angle rather long, wide,
and rounded, the dorsal line ascending and convex, the sides flattened
at the base, convex toward the end, the edges direct, slightly decurved
toward the end, where it descends obliquely, the tip rounded.
Body full, robust, very broad and deep anteriorly ; neck rather short
and thick ; head ovate, rather large, moderately convex above. Feet
of moderate length, very strong ; the tibia proportionally long, the tarsus
short, feathered anteriorly for more than half its length ; covered with
roundish or transversely oblong convex scales, some of the anterior of
which are larger, but scarcely so as to deserve being called scutella; the
hind part is bare in its whole length with roundish scales, ten of which
in two series, below the middle, are scutelliform. Toes robust, free ; the
hind toe and second about equal in size, strongish, the third much longer,
the fourth considerably longer than the second and the most slender ;
the first with four, the second with five, the third with fourteen, the
fourth with seven scutella, their basal portions being covered with scales.
Claws well curved, very large, tapering, moderately compressed, con-
vex above, flattened beneath, with two prominent margins, and that of
the middle toe with an inner thin edge, beneath which is a deep groove.
The cere is bare above, as is the superciliary ridge ; the sides of the
cere and the space extending to the eye nearly bare, being only co-
vered with very slender bristle-tipped plumules, of which there are
also some on the chin. Feathers on the head, neck, and breast, narrow-
lanceolate, acuminate ; those of the back and breast broadly ovate and
rather pointed, of the sides oblong, of the legs oblongo-ovate, rounded,
the outer elongated, the inner short and downy. A large space on the
fore part of the neck and interfurcular space covered with very soft
down ; feathers of the ventral space also downy. Wings very long and
broad; the first quill short, the third longest, the fourth scarcely shorter ;
the outer five abruptly cut out on the inner web and tapering ; the secon-
daries broad, broadly rounded with an acumen. Tail of moderate length,
rounded, of twelve broad, rounded feathers.
Bill, cere, edge of eyebrow, iris, and feet, yellow ; claws bluish-
black. The head, the neck all round for half its length, the rump,
upper tail-coverts, tail, and lower tail-coverts, are white. The rest
of the plumage is chocolate-brown, the terminal margins of all the fea-
356 WHITE-HEADED EAGLE.
thers pale greyish-brown. The downy part of the plumage is greyish-
white on the dark, white on the white parts ; the bases of the quills be-
come shaded into light-grey, and ultimately into greyish-white.
Length to end of tail 34 inches; extent of wings 7 feet; bill along
the ridge 2;%, along the edge of lower mandible 27%, its height 1, ;
tarsus 3; hind toe 144, its claw 2; middle toe 274, its claw 1,%.
Adult Female. A splendid specimen from Nova Scotia agrees in its ge-
neral characters with the above, the bill and other parts heing as described.
The nostrils are oblong, oblique, 53 twelfths long, 3 twelfths in breadth.
The tarsi are feathered anteriorly and on the sides for nearly two-thirds
of their length, and are covered with transverse series of roundish, and
transversely elongated convex scales, of which some of the anterior are
merely somewhat larger, and twelve in a double series behind are scu-
telliform. On the first toe are four, on the second five, on the third
thirteen, on the fourth six entire scutella; their basal spaces being co-
vered with scales. The claws are as described above. There is no dif-
ference in the texture or form of the feathers. The outer five quills are
abruptly cut out on the inner web ; the first quill is 4 inches 2 twelfths
shorter than the second, which is 1 inch 1 twelfth shorter than the
third, the latter is the longest, but exceeds the fourth only by 2 twelfths,
the second is shorter than the fifth, the first 1 inch 9 twelfths longer
than the first secondary. The tail is rounded, the lateral feathers being
13 inch shorter than the middle; but the tail-feathers are considerably
worn.
The bill, cere, eyelids, and feet yellow ; claws bluish-black. The
head, the neck for half its length, the rump, upper tail-coverts, tail,
lower tail-coverts, and the feathers in the vicinity, are pure white. The
rest of the plumage is deep chocolate, the feathers terminally margined
with light brown; the quills, large coverts, and scapulars brownish-
black, tinged with grey toward the base, where they finally become
greyish-white. ‘The downy bases of the feathers greyish-white on the
dark parts, white on the rest.
Length to end of tail 403 inches; bill along the ridge 3,4, along
the edge of lower mandible 233, its height at the base of the cere 144,
a little beyond the angle of lower mandible 144; wing from flexure
252; tail 131; tarsus 33% ; hind toe 13, its claw 23%; second toe 14,
its claw 2,2, ; third toe 27%, its claw 143; fourth toe 143, its claw 14.
WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 357
A young bird just able to fly, being one of the individuals mentioned
at p. 160 of Vol. II., and killed on 7th February 1832.
The bill is of the same form as above described, but shorter. The
tarsi and toes are proportionally weaker, and the claws much more
slender. On the tarsi in front are five scutella of moderate size, the
third from above divided into two, the lower also divided. On the
hind toe are 4, on the second 5, on the third 13, on the fourth 6 large
scutella.
The quills are not more than half-grown ; the fourth longest, the
third 1 twelfth, the fifth 2 twelfths shorter. The tail-feathers are ter-
minated by a long bristle ; the lateral feathers an inch and a half; the
form of the feathers as in the adult.
The bill is brownish-black, the cere dull greenish-yellow, the base
of the lower mandible yellow. Iris dark-brown. Feet yellow; claws
bluish-black. The general colour of the plumage is very dark choco-
late, uniform, the feathers being without edgings; all the feathers
white at the base, that colour appearing more or less on the hind part
and more especially on the fore part and sides of the neck, and on the
sides of the body and lower wing-coverts ; the quills and tail-feathers
are brownish-black, tinged with grey toward the base; the latter with
the greater part of the inner webs and a portion of the outer brownish-
white, freckled with dusky.
Length to end of tail 293 inches ; bill along the ridge 2 #4, its height
at the base 1;% ; tarsus 33; hind toe 1,5, its claw 1,4; middle toe 24,
its claw 14°; wing from flexure 18; tail 92.
In more advanced stages, the colours of the plumage vary consider-
ably in different individuals. The general tint continues brown for
several years, a variable, and often large proportion of white, or brown-
ish-white appearing, on the neck, the lower part of the body, the sides,
and under the wings, the tail meanwhile gradually becoming white, in
freckled patches. Some individuals have a large patch of brownish-
white across the breast. When the feathers are new they are of a
glossy deep brown, but when old and worn they present a bleached ap-
pearance, and the upper parts are often patched with pale brown, or
brownish-white. On account of these circumstances, individuals of
different ages, and shot at different periods of the year, differ so much
from each other in appearance, that one might, without a very extend-
358 WHITE-HEADED EAGLE.
ed comparison, conceive that in a collection of specimens there might
be several species, The bill remains dark until the head and tail as-
sume the white colour. |
In their first years individuals of this species are so very similar to
those of the White-tailed Sea Eagle, that one can hardly avoid con-
founding them. ‘These species in the adult state can easily be distin-
guished, as the European bird never has the head white, although it
becomes of a yellowish-grey. It appears, moreover, from a comparison
of many specimens, that the bill and tarsi of the White-tailed Eagle
are considerably longer than those of the White-headed. Their scu-
tella do not differ materially, and their wings and tail are similar.
It is a very remarkable circumstance, that in two adult individuals
of the White-headed Eagle examined, there are no scutella properly so
called on the anterior part of the tarsus, while in five younger birds,
there are five scutella. Such a difference has not been observed in
any other species. At the same time, however, there are adult indivi-
duals which have tarsal scutella.
The following table exhibits the number of scutella on the tarsi and
toes of six individuals.
Adult. Young in different stages.
Anterior tarsal,.............006: 0 6 6 6 6 5
Posterior tarsal cccetensy sts -3 12 10 11 14 9 10
E1inG OGM adh ee tetera pores 4 4 4 4 4 4
Seeond Gober o,f. Seekes ace bh 5 6 5 5 in 5
Mb ted: COC ps pdedece sia» ons-sinmenelet 13 12 13 9 13 13
Hourth: 40G;.c, cect - ete. ce tee near 6 6 6 6 7 6
The scutella of the White-tailed Eagle are as follows:
Adult. Young in different stages.
Anterior tarsal, ...........eeee0e 7 Ail 6 7 6 7
Posterior tarsal 02 .ccnee 14 4 16 10 0 10
Hind! toe; eee eee eS 3 4 4 4 5
Setond toes tle Ss + 3 4 5 5 4
A DD It ba cd Sea eo ae A 12 12 13 13 14 13
Fourth toe. 2722 ie: 7 7 | | 6 fi
'I'wo of these individuals are adult, and in one of them the anterior —
tarsal scutella have been reduced to mere scales, as in the two speci-
mens of the White-headed Eagle mentioned above. Hence it appears
that in both species these scutella are liable to diminish in size, and to
a
WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 309
be broken up into small scales in old age. ‘The above tables will shew
what degree of reliance may be placed on a precise number of scutella
as a specific character.
An adult male procured at Boston preserved in spirits. ‘The mouth
is 2 inches in width; the palate rather flat, with two longitudinal pa-
pillate ridges, and an anterior median ridge. The posterior aperture
of the nares is oblong, with an anterior slit, and two transverse papillate
flaps, asin all other birds of this family. The tongue is 1 inch 7 twelfths
long, fleshy, deeply emarginate and papillate at the base, one of the
lateral papilla on each side large; a broad groove extends along the
middle, the sides are nearly parallel, and the tip is rounded.
The heart is proportionally large, being 23 inches in length, and 2
in breadth. The two lobes of the liver are almost exactly equal, the
greatest length of that of the left side being 2 inches 7 twelfths. The
gall-bladder is elliptical, 11 inch long. The esophagus is 11 inches
long, its width at the commencement | inch 9 twelfths ; it enlarges so
as to form a crop, of which the greatest width is 33 inches, and on en-
tering the thorax contracts to 9 twelfths ; the breadth of the proven-
triculus, Fig. 1, a 6, 1 inch 2 twelfths. The stomach, c d, is of a round-
ish form ; its walls so thin as to be almost membranous, and composed
of a single series of parallel fasciculi ; the tendons, ¢, half an inch in
breadth. The intestine, ¢ 4, is 9 feet 8 inches long. The duodenum,
efgh, which has a diameter of 4 twelfths, in place of curving round
the stomach, and coming up on the left side, as usual, forms a coil of
seven folds, supported by a distinct mesentery, then proceeds forwards,
and to the right side, opposite the pylorus, forms another loop, and is 23
inches in length. The pancreas, which is double, is only contained in
the anterior part of this folded portion, and is 1} inch long. The
intestine, ij74/, then having a diameter of 3 twelfths, varying to 23
twelfths, forms twenty-three folds, and ends in the rectum beneath the
kidneys. The rectum, Fig. 2, a6, is 53 inches long, and has a
diameter of from 8 twelfths to 10 twelfths ; the cloaca c, globular, 2
inches in diameter; the coeca extremely small, being 3; twelfths long,
and 14 twelfth broad.
The trachea is 103 inches long, flattened, its breadth from 9 twelfths
to 6 twelfths ; its rings, 120 in number, narrow, and partially ossified.
The lateral muscles are very large, and continued into the sterno-tra-
cheales, sending down also on each side a slip to the first bronchial
WHITE-HEADED EAGLE.
360
ring. The bronchi are short, and wide, the right with 20, the left with
18 half rings.
A young Male from Boston, procured by Dr Tuomas M. Brewer.
The tongue is 14 inch long, oblong, fleshy, emarginate and papillate at
the base, deeply and broadly grooved along the middle, horny beneath,
narrowed, but rounded at the end. The mouth measures 2 inches
across. 'The cesophagus is 11 inches in length, 14 inch in width at its
4
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WHITE-HEADED EAGLE. 361
upper part, enlarges into a crop, of which the greatest width is 23
inches, lying on the right side Fig. 2.
and in front, the trachea pass-
ing to the left. The walls of
the oesophagus are compara-
tively thick; the external
transverse muscular fibres very
strong on the crop. On enter-
ing the thorax it contracts to
9 twelfths; the proventriculus
11 inch in breadth. The sto-
mach is rather large, being 2}
inches in length and breadth,
somewhat compressed ; its mus-
cular coat very thin, and com-
posed of coarse fasciculi; the
tendons round and about 7
twelfths in diameter. The pro-
ventricular glandules are 3
twelfths long, and | twelfth in
diameter, cylindrical, forming a
belt 2 inches in breadth. The
inner surface of the stomach is
quite smooth and glossy. ‘The
aperture of the pylorus has three
valves. ‘The duodenum curves
as in the adult, and is 18 inches
long. The whole length of the
intestine is 9 feet 2 inches; its
width from 43 twelfths to 24
twelfths. The rectum dilates to
3 inch, and the coeca merely form
two projectingknobs, 2;twelfths ©
long, and 13 twelfth in breadth,
The trachea is 94 inches
long; its breadth from 9 twelfths
to 7 twelfths ; it is much flattened, and its rings, 118 in number, are
quite unossified. The lateral muscles are very large, at the upper part,
362 OSPREY OR FISH-HAWK.
expanded over the whole anterior surface ; the sterno-tracheal muscles
or slips also very large ; and there is a single pair of inferior laryngeal
muscles going to the first bronchial ring. The bronchi are short and
wide, one of 16, the other of 18 rings.
The heart is 2 inches 7 twelfths in length, 2 inches in its greatest
breadth. The lobes of the liver are about equal, being 2 inches 7
twelfths in their greatest length. ‘The gall-bladder is elliptical, 14
inch long. The left thoracic cell is 2} inches long, the left abdominal
4 inches.
OSPREY OR FISH-HAWK.
Fatco HALi4ETws, Linn.
PLATE LXXXI. Vot.I. p. 415.
THE opinion emitted by Witson and myself that this bird passes
southward beyond the limits of the United States, to spend the winter,
is only correct in a very limited degree. Observations made by me
since the publication of my first volume, have clearly shewn that the
greater number spend at least the winter in the Floridas, where they
breed at an earlier period than in perhaps any other part of North
America. These facts were transmitted by me to my highly esteemed
and learned friend Wittiam Maceruivray, Esq. of Edinburgh, in a
letter addressed to him on the 15th of June 1835, and which was
printed in his valuable volume on the “ Rapacious Birds of Great Bri-
tain” :—
“ My dear Friend,—Since the publication of the first volume of my
‘ Ornithological Biography,’ in which an account of the habits of the
Fish-Hawk is given, I have had many opportunities of extending my
acquaintance with it, and have traced it along the whole extent of the
Atlantic coast of the United States, and even as far north as Labrador,
where it breeds. I have the greatest pleasure in presenting you with
the result of my observations, which you may use in whatever way you
please.
“The difference between the periods at which this species breeds
along the coast, from the Gulf of Mexico to the northern shores of the
OSPREY OR FISH-HAWK. 363
St Lawrence, is very great. While on the St John’s River in Florida,
on the 7th of February 1832, I found the Fish-Hawks very abundant,
and all sitting on their eggs, many of which contained chicks nearly
ready for emerging. The birds, therefore, must have paired at least
six weeks previous to that date. I was, however, surprised to find
them more tardy in this respect than the White-headed Eagles, which
had young able to fly. Three hundred miles farther south, the Fish-
Hawks had laid their eggs a month earlier. Between the Floridas and
New Jersey, or in the districts usually called the Middle States, they
rarely begin to lay before the 15th of April. In the State of Maine they
seldom arrive before the middle of May ; and in Labrador the period of
their appearance is from the Ist to the 10th of June. It would be in-
teresting to discover whether the Fish-Hawk, which breeds near the
mouths of the Mississippi in January, breeds again in the course
of the same season between that place and Labrador or not. I have
thought it not unlikely that it does; but have no facts to support the
opinion.
“The Fish-Hawk is far from always placing its nest on very high
trees, but accommodates itself to any situation that may occur, provided
other circumstances are favourable. On the Keys of the Floridas, its
nest is often seen placed on a mangrove, not more than seven or eight
feet above the water. In two instances, I saw it there on the ground,
and once on the roof of a low house. In the latter case, the nest had
been resorted to three successive years. In Labrador, the nests which
I saw were built on the stunted firs, there being no trees in the coun-
try deserving the name. In the Floridas I saw several nests placed
close to those of Herons, Ibises, and Cormorants, all these species liv-
ing together in the greatest harmony.”
Dr Ricuarpson mentions their arrival in the Fur Countries as
taking place in the months of March or April, and says that they im-
mediately commence building their nests, or reoccupy old ones. The
utmost northern range at this season was not ascertained ; but as
Hearne says that none breed in the barren ground north of Church-
hill, it is presumable that those which are found on the north-west
coast of the continent, where they are mentioned as having been seen
by Dr TownsenD, may, as PENNANT states, be also found in Kamts-
chatka. I saw very few birds of this species near or within those por-
tions of the Texas which I visited in 1837.
364 OSPREY OR FISH-HAWK.
The eggs, which measure 23 inches in length, 1 in breadth, are
rounded, but otherwise as already described.
An adult female, from New York, preserved in spirits. Length to
end of tail 253 inches, to end of wings 263, to end of claws 213; extent
of wings 58; wing from flexure 21 ; tail 9%.
The palate is flat, with two prominent ridges, margined with papil-
le, and corresponding to the tongue, and an anterior median ridge.
The posterior aperture of the nares is oblong, 43 twelfths in length, with
an anterior slit, and the usual transverse papillate flaps. The tongue is 1
inch long, slightly emarginate behind, with numerous very slender pa-
pillz, one of which on each side is large; it is very concave above,
horny on the back beneath, with the tip rounded. The width of the
mouth is 1 inch 3 twelfths. The cesophagus is 94 inches long, its width
at the commencement 1 inch, but it soon enlarges into a crop, of which
the greatest breadth is 23 inches, and in entering the thorax contracts
to 9 twelfths. The proventriculus is 1 inch in breadth, 13 long. The
stomach is round, 1 inch 10 twelfths in length and breadth ; its mus-
cular coat very thin, its fasciculi extremely slender, the central tendons
5 twelfths in breadth; the inner coat smooth. The proventricular .
glandules are extremely numerous, 23 twelfths long, and } twelfth in
breadth. The duodenum forms the usual curve at the distance of 4
inches from the pylorus, its entire length being only 8 inches, in which
respect it more resembles that of the true Eagles and many Hawks, than
of the Haliaeti. The intestine, which is extremely long and slender,
forms very numerous convolutions, there being 46 folds in all, and mea-
sures 9 feet 9 inches in length, its greatest diameter in the duodenal
part being 21 twelfths, the smallest near the rectum 3 twelfth. ‘The
rectum, which is 4 inches long, including the cloaca, has a width of 4
twelfths ; and the coeca form two oblong adherent sacs of an elliptical
form, 34 twelfths long, 21 twelfths in breadth. The cloaca, as usual,
is very large and globular.
The heart is 1 inch 5 twelfths long, 1 inch 8 twelfths broad, and
therefore of amuch more dilated form than usual. The left lobe of the
liver is much larger than the right, which is also very unusual, it being
2 inches 5 twelfths in length, the other 2 inches 1 twelfth. The gall-
bladder is elliptical, and 1 inch in length.
The trachea is 7 inches 2 twelfths long; its breadth at the upper
OSPREY OR FISH-HAWK. 365
part 53 twelfths, at the lower 43 twelfths. It is much flattened; its
rings 96 in number, only partially ossified. ‘The contractor muscles
are large, as are the sterno-tracheal, and there is a distinct inferior la-
ryngeal muscle on each side, proceeding to the membrane between the
last ring of the trachea and the first bronchial ring. The right bronchus
has 18, the left 15 half rings.
Why should the Osprey have the intestine so much more elongated
and attenuated than that of Falcons, Buzzards, and most other birds
of this family? Its capacity is probably about the same as that of an
ordinary Hawk of the same size. Is a long narrow intestine best
adapted for assimilating fish? 'The White-headed Sea Eagle, which
is also a fish-eater, has such an intestine, very different from the short
and wide intestine of the flesh-eating Golden Eagle. Or is it because
it plunges into the sea, and thus is liable to sudden shocks, which have
less effect upon a slender coil of intestine? But many plunging birds,
such as Gannets and Terns, have the intestine wide ; and the fish-eat-
ing palmipedes are not furnished with intestines so attenuated ; while
the Herons, on the contrary, are. It is a subject for ingenious specu-
lation.
PEREGRINE FALCON OR GREAT-FOOTED HAWK.
FALCO PEREGRINUS, Linn.
PLATE XVI. Vou. I. p. 85.
Tuis species is rare in the wooded districts of the Fur Countries,
near the trading posts; but Dr Ricuarpson frequently saw it whilst
on his march across the Barren Grounds, and Captain Parry brought
some specimens of it from Melville Peninsula. It is a summer visitor
of the northern parts of North America, and frequents the coast of
Hudson’s Bay and the Arctic Sea, with the Barren Grounds, but is
very seldom seen in the interior. It arrives there in June, and departs
in September.
According to my friend Dr Bacuman, the Peregrine Falcon is
366 PEREGRINE FALCON.
searce in South Carolina, and is there seen only along the large rivers,
such as the Santee, and in winter.
Dr Townsenp saw it on the Rocky Mountains, and I found it in
the Texas late in April; but I have nowhere seen it so abundant as
along the high rocky shores of Labrador and Newfoundland, where I
procured several adult individuals of both sexes, as well as some eggs
and young. The nests were placed on the shelves of rocks, a few feet
from the top, and were flat and rudely constructed of sticks and moss.
In some were found four eggs, in others only two, and in one five. In
one nest only a single young bird was found. The eggs vary consi-
derably in colour and size, which I think is owing to a difference of
age in the females, the eggs of young birds being smaller. The ave-
rage length of four was 2 inches, their breadth 13. They are some-
what rounded, though larger at one end than the other; their general
and most common colour is a reddish or rusty yellowish-brown, spotted
and confusedly marked with darker tints of the same, here and there
intermixed with lighter. The young are at first thickly covered with
softwhite down. Theytake food almost immediately after being removed
from the nest. Remains of Ducks, Willow Grous, and young Gulls
were found about the nests, which are easily discovered by the exere-
ments on the rocks. In several instances, we found these Falcons
breeding on the same ledge with Cormorants, Phalacrocorax Carbo.
Although it has been supposed that our Great-footed Falcon is dif-
ferent from the Peregrine Falcon of Europe, I am perfectly convinced
of its being the same bird. Since my first acquaintance with this spe-
cies I have observed nothing in its habits, form, or markings on one
continent that differs from what is found on the other.
On the 15th of July 1833, I saw, in Labrador, a Peregrine Falcon
chase a Raven with great fury, and follow it to its very nest, having
alighted on which, however, the Raven defended herself and her young.
The farther north we advanced the more abundant did we find this
bird, whereas the Common Crow gradually became scarcer, so that at
last it was hardly more numerous than the Peregrine. In the Floridas,
I once saw a Peregrine Falcon chase a White-headed Eagle, and drive
it away with ease, until it disappeared in the woods.
The following measurements are those of two adult individuals :—
Male. Length to end of tail 173 inches, to end of wings 17, to end
of claws 173; extent of wings 39.
PEREGRINE FALCON. 367
Female. Length to end of tail 191 inches, to end of wings 18, to
end of claws 20; extent of wings 42.
An adult male, sent from Boston by Dr T. M. Brewer. The
roof of the mouth flat, with two longitudinal papillate ridges; the up-
per mandible with a broad median ridge. The aperture of the mouth
1 inch 13 twelfth across; the tongue 9 twelfths long, fleshy, sagittate
and papillate at the base, concave above, grooved on the back beneath,
the point horny, rounded, and slightly emarginate. The cesophagus
is 6 inches long, 1 inch in width at its upper part, immediately dilating
into a large crop, of which the greatest width is 1 inch 9 twelfths ;
on entering the thorax it contracts to 8 twelfths; the proventriculus
is 10 twelfths in breadth. The stomach is round, 1 inch 11 twelfths in
diameter, a little compressed; its muscular coat very thin, and composed
of a single series of large fasciculi ; the tendons roundish, and 4 inch
in diameter. The duodenum curves in the usual manner, returning at
the distance of 54 inches. ‘The intestine is 3 feet long, rather slender,
the width of the duodenum being 43 twelfths, of the rest diminishing
to 2 twelfths. The cceca are merely two slight sacs, 1} twelfth long.
The cloaca is very large, globular, 1} inch in diameter. The proven-
tricular glands are exceedingly small, cylindrical, 1 twelfth long, and
forming a belt 10 twelfths in breadth. The inner surface of the sto-
mach is smooth, and the pylorus has a kind of valve composed of three
small knobs.
The heart measures 1 inch 9 twelfths in length, 1 inch 2 twelfths
in breadth. The lobes of the liver are about equal.
The trachea is 43 inches long, rather wide, considerably flattened ;
its breadth at the upper part 5 twelfths, at the lower 34 twelfths. The
rings, 72 in number, are very firm; the lateral muscles very large, as
are the sterno-tracheales, which are continuous with the anterior part
of the lateral muscles, while a strong slip passes on each side from their
posterior part to be inserted upon the membrane interposed between
the last ring of the trachea and the first of the bronchus. The last
entire ring of the trachea is divided by a transverse bony ridge, as in
all American birds of this family excepting the Caracara. The bron-
chi are rather short and wide, one of 15, the other of 17 cartilaginous
half rings.
Adult Female. The mouth measures 1} inch across. The ceso-
368 PIGEON HAWK.
phagus is 74 inches long; the crop 2 inches in width. The stomach
has a diameter of 2 inches 2 twelfths. The intestine is 4 feet 6 inches
long, its width varying from 4 twelfths to 24 twelfths. The coca are
3 twelfths long, 13 twelfth in breadth ; the diameter of the cloaca 14
inch ; its distance from the coeca 1%; inch.
The trachea is 5 inches 4 twelfths long, its breadth from 54 twelfths
to 44 twelfths ; its rings 80; the bronchi with 15 and 18 rings.
PIGEON HAWK. Fuzco cotumeBarivs.
PLATE XCII. Vou. I. p. 466. Mate anp Fremate.
PETIT CAPORAL. F4rco TEMERARIUS.
»
PLATE LXXV. Vou. I. p. 381. Apunvr Mate.
Tue bird represented in the last-mentioned plate, and described
under the name of Falco temerarius, was merely a beautiful adult of the
Pigeon Hawk, F. columbarius. That figure, and the two of the same
species in Plate XCII, will afford a good opportunity of judging of the
differences, as to size and colour, that occur in this species. The great
inferiority in size of the individual represented as F’. temerarius, was
the cause of my mistaking it for a distinct species; and I have pleasure
in stating that the Prince of Musicnano was the first person who
pointed out my error to me soon after the publication of my first
volume.
The Pigeon Hawk ranges very extensively over the United States,
and extends its migrations far beyond their limits on either side. Dr
Townsend found it on the Rocky Mountains, as well as along the
shores of the Columbia River. Dr Ricuarpson mentions it as not
uncommon about York Factory, in latitude 57°, and it is not impro-
bable that it wanders farther, as he speaks of having seen a small hawk
on the north shore of Great Bear Lake, in latitude 66°, which may
have been a male as small as the one represented in my plate. I found
it very abundant in the Texas early in May, when I shot as many as
five on a small island in a short time.
Mr Horcutns’s description of the eggs of this bird, which he says
are white, and from two to four in number, as well as the situation of
PIGEON HAWK. 369
its nest, as given in his Notes on the Hudson’s Bay Birds, is greatly at
variance with my own observations. The eggs in three instances,
which occurred at Labrador, were five; they measured an inch and
three-quarters in length, an inch and a quarter in breadth, and were
rather elongated ; their ground colour a dull yellowish-brown, thickly
clouded with irregular blotches of dull dark reddish-brown. In that
country they are laid about the first of June. In the beginning of
July I found five in a nest that were ready to be hatched. The nests
were placed on the top branches of the low firs peculiar to that coun-
try, about ten or twelve feet from the ground, and were composed of
sticks slightly lined with moss and a few feathers. At this season the
old birds evinced great concern respecting their eggs or young, remain-
ing about them, and shewing all the tokens of anger and vexation which
other courageous species exhibit on similar occasions. The young are
at first covered with yellowish down; but I had no opportunity of
watching their progress, as all that were taken on board the Ripley
died in a few days. This species also breeds in Nova Scotia and New
Brunswick.
A male from the Texas. Length to end of tail 131 inches, to end
of wings 11,%, to end of claws 11;%; extent of wings 26.
The mouth resembles that of the other Falcons; its breadth 94
twelfths. The tongue is short, 6 twelfths long, fleshy, deeply emargi-
nate and papillate at the base, broadly grooved above, the tip rounded
and slightly emarginate. The cesophagus is 43 inches long, its width
at the upper part half an inch. The stomach is very large, round, 14
inch in diameter, with a very thin muscular coat; its central tendons
4 twelfths in diameter. The proventriculus is 9 twelfths long ; its
glands very numerous, and cylindrical. The intestine is 262 inches
long, 23 twelfths in its greatest diameter. There are merely two slight
indications of coeca; and the cloaca is globular, with a diameter of 1
inch,
The trachea is 22 inches long, a little flattened; the rings 58, well
ossified ; its breadth at the upper part 3 twelfths, at the lower 2 twelfths.
The contractor muscles cover the anterior surface entirely in the upper
third, and are of moderate strength, as are the sterno-tracheales ; a pair
of inferior laryngeal muscles going to the membrane between the last
tracheal and first bronchial half ring. The bronchial half rings are
15 and 18.
VOL. V. Aa
370 AMERICAN SPARROW HAWK.
A female from the same country has the cesophagus 42 inches long ;
the stomach 1? inch in diameter, the intestine 28 inches long.
AMERICAN SPARROW HAWK.
FALCO SPARVERIUS, LINN.
PLATE CXLII. Voz. II. p. 246.
A.THoucH this well-known species has not been observed farther
north than the 54th degree of latitude, it extends laterally from the
Atlantic to the Pacific, and is found in all intermediate districts. I
have specimens from the Rocky Mountains and the valley of the Co-
lumbia River, which were procured by Dr Townsenp. It is abundant
in the Texas, where it breeds.
Individuals of this species vary much in size, but I have not been
able to detect differences sufficient to induce me to think that two species
are confounded under a common name.
In a male, the mouth is 9 twelfths in breadth ; the tongue 54 twelfths
long, concave above, rounded at the tip, with a notch, and grooved be-
neath. The posterior aperture of the nares is 4 inch long, including
the slit. The cesophagus is 3 inches 2 twelfths long, inclined to the
right side, as usual, and expanded so as to form a crop of moderate size,
of which the greatest width is 9 twelfths. The stomach is round, a
little compressed, 11 twelfths long, 10 twelfths broad, its central ten-
dons 43 twelfths; its muscular coat thin, and composed of a single series
of fasciculi, many of which are separated to a distance equal to their
own breadth, when the stomach is distended. The proventricular glands
are very minute, and form a belt half an inch in breadth. The intestine
is 15 inches long, from 23 twelfths to 14 twelfth in width. There are
no ceca. The rectum from 23 to 43 twelfths in width ; the cloaca glo-
bular and dilatable to 14} inch. The inner surface of the stomach is
smooth, and the pylorus has three valvular prominences.
The trachea is 23% inches long, from 2 twelfths to 13 twelfth in
breadth, and much flattened; its rings 82, firm. The bronchi have
about 15 half rings. The muscles are as in the Peregrine and Iceland
Falcons.
oe:
(1378)
SWALLOW-TAILED HAWK.
FALCO FURCATUS, LINN:
PLATE LXXII. Voz. I. p. 368.
I saw a good number of Swallow-tailed Hawks in the Texas, and
observed, that while on wing they not unfrequently shake themselves,
partially closing the wings, and vibrating the tail-feathers, the birds
meanwhile gliding to the distance of ten or fifteen yards, after which
‘they resume their graceful flight. We saw one coming down, rapidly
sweeping over the water of Buffalo Bayou, and drinking in the manner
of a Swallow. In the same country I found these birds at a greater
distance from woods than I have elsewhere seen them, and frequenting
the wet prairies. We frequently saw them having long slender snakes
hanging in their talons, and observed that they devoured them while
on wing. Some of these snakes were so slender that my friend Epwarp
Harris thought, on first seeing them dangling in the air, that the Hawk
had a long blade of grass in its claws. On being shot at the bird would
sometimes drop its prey, unless it happened to be beyond the reach of
shot. This species nestles in that country on the tallest trees, along
the margins of the bayous or water-courses.
My friend Dr Bacuman informs me, that the Swallow-tailed Hawk
“ is seen sparingly in South Carolina, where it breeds on the high trees
of the swamps. They occasionally appear in companies of five or six.
I have seen it more frequently,” he continues, “ along the sea-coast,
coursing about over the brown grass, and among the myrtles, apparent-
ly in search of insects. It is rather a scarce bird in every part of this
State, and I have ascertained that it is scarcely ever seen in the upper
country. A singular habit of this bird may be worth mentioning. It
is common in Carolina to set on fire early in the spring the woods and
dried grass of old fields, for the purpose of procuring an early growth
‘of grass for cattle. No sooner are woods on fire than this Hawk makes
_ its appearance, sailing around like a Tern, plunging into the smoke
and within a few feet of the flames. It is evidently tempted to these
situations by the number of insects, particularly by several species of
Gryllz, which are disturbed by the fire, and are seen flying among the
372 SWALLOW-TAILED HAWK.
smoke!” This I have also observed on several oocasions in the Flori-:
das and in Louisiana, since the publication of my first volume.
Is it not somewhat strange, Reader, that because Wuitson, who
never saw a Swallow-tailed Hawk alive, but drew his figure from a
stuffed specimen in Peatr’s Museum in Philadelphia, represented its
eyes and feet pure yellow, these colours are to this day quoted and
given in coloured plates ; whereas I have long since described the eyes
as black, and the feet pale blue tinged with green !
The following are some of the dimensions of an individual. Length
to end of tail 22 inches, to end of wings 19, to end of claws 13; extent
of wings 47. Weight 1 lb. Of another, the length to end of tail 22
inches, to end of wings 194, to end of claws 123; extent of wings 48}.
Weight 15 oz.
An adult male from Texas in spirits. The general description of
the mouth is the same as that of most other Hawks, the palate being
flat, with two longitudinal ridges, and an anterior tuberculate ridge.
The posterior aperture of the nares oblong, with an anterior slit, which
has the edges papillate. The lower mandible is much more decurved
toward the end than in any other North American species. The tongue
is correspondingly decurved, but otherwise of ordinary form, 9 twelfths
long, sagittate and finely papillate at the base, flat above, narrowed and
slit at the point, the fissure being 1 twelfth in depth.
The cesophagus is 53 twelfths long. It differs from that of all other
American birds of this family examined, in being destitute of a crop
or sacciform dilatation, and in resembling that of the Owls, being of
the uniform diameter of about 1 inch in its whole length. Its walls
are extremely thin, and its muscular coat has its fibres disposed in fas-
ciculi, resembling those of the stomach. The latter organ is extremely
large, being 2 inches 4 twelfths long, 2 inches 3 twelfths broad ; its
walls very thin, the muscular coat composed of a single series of dis-
tinct fasciculi, as in the Owls, the tendons roundish and 10 twelfths in
diameter. The heart is 14 inch long, 10 twelfths broad. The left
lobe of the liver is larger than the right, the former being 1 inch 5
twelfths, the latter 1 inch 3 twelfths in length. The gall-bladder, which
is oblong, is 9 twelfths in length, In the stomach are six snakes, of
a very slender form, and light green colour, one of them 223 inches —
in length, together with one large larva, 3 inches long, and 2 cole- es
SWALLOW-TAILED HAWK
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373
374 SWALLOW-TAILED HAWK.
opterous insects. Some of the snakes have been swallowed whole,
although’ bruised, the rest broken into large pieces several inches
long. The aperture of the pylorus is very small, its diameter being
only 13 twelfth; it has three longitudinal valves, as is common in
hawks. The duodenum curves in the usual manner, returning upon
itself at the distance of 3 inches. The biliary ducts enter at 63 inches.
The intestine is short, rather wide, 22 inches long, from 5 twelfths to
3 twelfths in diameter. There are no ceca. The rectum is 34 inches
long, including the cloaca, which is globular, and 1 inch in diameter.
The trachea is 4 inches long, flattened, from 4 twelfths to 22 twelfths
in breadth, a little enlarged and much flattened at the lower part; its
rings feeble, 82 in number. The contractor muscles are strong, the
sterno-tracheal moderate. A single pair of inferior laryngeal, going
to the last ring. The bronchi are moderate, one of 12, the other of
15 half rings.
In another male shot in the same country, on the same day, the
stomach contains 1 slender green snake 19 inches long, 6 lizards, and
4 beautiful very large coleopterous insects, with two eggs of reptiles
7% twelfths long, he intestine is 22 inches long, there are no vestiges
of caca.
MISSISSIPPI KITE.
FALCO PLUMBEUS, GMEL.
L ATE CXVII. Vox. II. p. 108.
Respectiné this species I have only to add that I found it in abun-
dance, and breeding, in the Texas. An adult individual procured on
Buffalo Bayou, in that country, in May 1837, presents the following
internal characters :—
The mouth is wide; its roof flat, with two longitudinal papillate
ridges, and an anterior median ridge ; the tongue very short and broad
measuring only 4 inch in the longitudinal direction, and 31 twelfths
across, emarginate and papillate at the base, concave above, the tip
rounded and slightly emarginate. The cesophagus is 4 inches long,
dilated into a crop 1 inch in width, and on entering the thorax con-
GOSHAWK. 375
tracts to 5 twelfths. The proventriculus is 8 twelfths in breadth, its
glands very numerous, cylindrical, 14 twelfth long, + twelfth broad.
The stomach is round, little flattened ; its muscular coat rather thick,
composed of a single series of strong fasciculi ; the tendons round, 44
twelfths in diameter ; its inner coat soft and smooth. The intestine is
192 inches long ; its width at the anterior part 4 twelfths, toward the
coeca 24 twelfths; in the rectum 5 twelfths ; the cloaca very large and
globular. The cceca come off at the distance of 34 inches from the ex-
tremity, and are only 13 twelfth long, and ? twelfth broad.
The trachea is 3 inches long, much flattened, the rings, 88 in num-
ber, feeble ; its breadth pretty uniformly 21 twelfths, but at the lower
part 2 twelfths. The bronchi are rather slender, with about 15 half
rings. The lateral muscles are strong, as are the sterno-tracheal, which
are directly continuous with them, and there is a slip which runs down
to the last ring of the trachea on each side.
GOSHAWK.
FALCO PALUMBARIUS, LINN.
PLATE CXLI. Vor. IL p. 241.
I continue of the same opinion as before respecting the American
Goshawk, considering it as in no respect different from that of Europe,
notwithstanding all that has been said to the contrary by authors, who,
I am convinced, never studied its habits. Some, who at one time con-
sidered them identical, now view them as distinct, without so much as
informing us on what grounds ; while others adduce characters neither
permanent nor general.
I regret, that although Mr Swarnson has described specimens of
this Hawk procured near the Saskatchewan River, Dr Richarpson
says nothing as to the extent of its distribution northward. Dr Town-
SEND did not meet with it on the Rocky Mountains, or in the Oregon
Territory. Its tendency to remain in the northern parts of the conti-
nent, so as rarely to extend its winter visits beyond Maryland and the
lower parts of Kentucky, affords strong evidence in favour of what I
have said regarding its identity with the bird of Europe.
376 STANLEY HAWK.—COOPER’S HAWK.
The eggs of our bird measure two inches and a quarter in length,
one inch and five and a half eighths in breadth. They are sometimes
pale greenish-blue, or bluish-white, without spots.
STANLEY HAWK—COOPER’S HAWK.
Fatco STANLEYII, AND FALcO CooPERII. Bownap.
PLATE XXXVI. Vou. I. p. 186. Youne 1s WINTER.
PLATE CXLI. Vou. II. p. 245. Apunrt Mate.
I feel perfectly convinced that the specimens of this Hawk figured
in my plates, belong to the same species as the bird named Falco
Cooperit by the Prince of Mustenano before I published my account
of it. I must, however, inform you that the naturalist just mentioned
saw my original drawing, which I made in Louisiana, several years be-
fore he received his specimen from Mr Coorer, and that he acknow-
ledged to me that he had not before seen any of the kind. The name
which I gave it must, however, now give place to that of Falco or Astur
Cooperit.
To the account of the habits of this bird already given, I have to
add, that it extends its migrations to the Valley of the Columbia River,
where it was observed by Dr Townsenp. I may here give you another
instance of its audacity. My friend Dr Bacuman shewed me a beau- .
tiful specimen alive, which had thrust itself into one of his aviaries, at-
tracted by some Pheasants confined there. He presented it to me, and
its skin is now in my possession, along with many others.
The eggs, which are usually four in number, measure one inch seven-
eighths in length, an inch and six and a half twelfths in breadth, and
are much rounded at both ends. On some of them I found afew large
markings of a dull yellowish-cream colour.
¢98a7t)
BROAD-WINGED HAWK.
FALCO PENNSYLVANICUS.
PLATE XCI. Voz. I. p. 461.
I wave not been able to trace the movements of this bird farther
eastward than the vicinity of Pictou in Nova Scotia, where several spe-
cimens have been procured by my friend Tuomas MacCuttocn, Esq.,
one of which is in my possession. It does not appear to go farther
southward than the State of Maryland, unless driven by very intense
cold. It is more abundant in Pennsylvania, New York, and Connec-
ticut, than in any other district, and is thus apparently more restricted
in its range of migration than most of our Hawks. I received a fine
pair in excellent preservation from Witt1am Coorrr, Esq. of New
York.
The eggs of this bird measure two inches and a half in length, an
inch and five-eighths in breadth, and are of a rather roundish form,
varying from dull greyish-white, blotched with dark brown to yellowish-
white, rather faintly clouded, especially towards the smaller end, with
pale purplish-grey, dull yellowish-brown, and dotted with various light
tints towards the larger end.
An adult Male. Length to end of tail 183 inches, to end of wing
17, to end of claws 17; extent of wings 38; bill along the ridge 144,
along the edge of lower: mandible also 143 ; height of bill at the base
1g?
i; wing from flexure 113; tail 774; tarsus 3; first toe 13, its claw
723 Second toe jz, its claw 1%; third toe 174, its claw ,%; outer toe
1}, its claw 7.
The roof of the mouth is flat, with two longitudinal papillate ridges,
and an anterior tuberculate ridge ; its width 1 inch 1 twelfth. The
tongue is rather short, measuring 10 twelfths of an inch in length,
emarginate and papillate at the base, longitudinally concave above, with
the sides nearly parallel, its breadth 1 inch, the tip rounded. Posterior
aperture of the nares linear-oblong, 43 twelfths in length, with an an-
terior slit 5 twelfths long. The cesophagus is 6 inches long, inclines to
the right side as usual, and there expands into a large crop, of which
378 BROAD-WINGED HAWK.
the greatest width is 1 inch 10 twelfths ; the proventriculus 11 twelfths,
its glands very small, cylindrical, occupying a belt 1 inch in breadth.
The stomach is large, round, a little compressed, 13 inch in diameter ;
its muscular coat very thin, and composed of a single series of fasciculi ;
its inner surface smooth, soft, somewhat rugous ; the tendons 8 twelfths
in diameter. The pylorus has three prominent triangular valves, and
a small prominence exterior to the margin. The duodenum curves in
the usual manner, folding back at the distance of three inches. The
intestine is 39 inches long; its greatest width 23 twelfths, the smallest
towards the rectum nearly 2 twelfths. The rectum is 3} inches long,
including the cloaca, its breadth at the commencement 4 twelfths,
gradually enlarging to 6 twelfths ; the cloaca globular, 1? inch in dia-
meter. The coeca unequal, one 3 twelfths long, the other 13 twelfth.
The trachea is 4;% inches long, flattened, 4 twelfths broad at its
upper part, 2 twelfths at the lower; the rings 95, very thin and partially
ossified. The bronchi of 21 rings each. The contractor muscles are
very strong, directly continued into the sterno-tracheal, and sending a
small slip on each side to the last ring.
RED-TAILED HAWK.
F4LCO BOREALIS, GMEL.
PLATE LI. Vou. I. p. 265.
Ir is to be regretted that authors have so often imposed upon birds
names which are not strictly applicable to them. In the present case
the specific name “ borealis” is far from correct, for this species is very
abundant during the whole year in our Southern and Western Districts,
indeed in the proportion probably of five for one found in the northern.
This, it would appear, was not known to Witson ; and, although a
good number breed in the Middle Districts, and some remain there in
winter, those which have been obtained farther north I look upon as
stragglers. Some of these have been shot at York Factory, on the
plains of the Saskatchewan, on the Rocky Mountains, and on the Co-
jumbia River. I have found this species abundant in the Texas, where
RED-TAILED HAWK. 379
it breeds, as well as in the Floridas; but in Labrador I saw only a
single individual.
The eggs measure two inches and one-eighth in length, an inch and
five and a half eighths in breadth, and are thus much rounded, though
still broader at one end than the other.
The roof of the mouth is flat, with two longitudinal soft ridges and
an anterior ridge ; the posterior aperture of the nares 1 inch long, ob-
long behind, linear before, papillate on the edges. The tongue is 11
-twelfths long, emarginate and papillate at the base, concave above,
horny beneath, narrowly rounded at the tip. The mouth is very wide,
measuring 1 inch 4 twelfths across. The cesophagus is 73 inches long, 1
inch 2 twelfths in width at the upper part, dilated into a large crop 2}
inches in width, then contracted to 1 inch as it enters the thorax. The
proventricular glands are small, cylindrical, 1 twelfth long, forming a
belt 1 inch in breadth. The stomach is roundish, a little compressed,
1 inch 9 twelfths in diameter ; its muscular coat thin and composed of
a single series of fasciculi, as in other Hawks; its tendons 4 inch in
diameter ; its inner coat soft, smooth, faintly rugous. The pylorus has
three knob-like valves. The intestine is rather short and wide, its
length 2 feet 11 inches, its width from 43 twelfths to 21 twelfths.
The duodenum curves in the usual manner, returning at the distance
of 23 inches, and the intestine forms ten single curves. The rectum
is 3-inches 8 twelfths long, including the cloaca, which is 2 inches in
diameter. The cceca form two very small sacs scarcely distinguishable,
being only 12 twelfth long, and 3 twelfth wide ; the rectum 4 inch wide
at the commencement, the cloaca large and globular.
The trachea is 6 inches long, rather wide, flattened ; its breadth at
the top 5 twelfths, towards the lower part 34 twelfths. The rings,
102 in number, are partially ossified. The bronchi are of moderate
width, and of about 16 cartilaginous half rings. The contractor muscles
expand over the whole anterior surface for the length of 24 inches, then
become lateral, and are very strong. The sterno-tracheales come off at
the distance of 10 twelfths from the inferior larynx ; and there isa pair
of inferior laryngeal muscles, which, as usual, are a continuation of the
posterior parts of the lateral or contractor muscles, and attached to the
first bronchial ring.
( 380 )
BLACK WARRIOR.
F4tco HARLANI.
PLATE LXXXIV. Voz. I. p. 441.
A.tHoucn this species was looked upon as doubtful by those who
had not seen it, and even by the Prince of Mustcnano, until his recent
visit to London, when I shewed to him and the Messrs Gray the spe-
cimen which I presented to the British Museum, it seems to be now
fairly established. These gentlemen admitted it to have no connection
with the bird called by Witson Falco niger, to which it was imagined
by Sir Wiii1am Jarpine to be allied, and to be distinct from any
known to them. Of the two specimens which I gave to the British
Museum, there is now only one to be found, and even of it the sex has
not been marked. It is however valuable, inasmuch as I am not
aware of the existence of any other.
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. F4rco L1nEATUs, GMEL.
PLATE LVI. Vox. I. p. 296. Aputr Mae anp Femate.
WINTER HAWK. Fatco avEmM4ALiIs, GuEt.
PLATE LXXI. Vou. I. p, 364. Youne 1x Winter.
Ir is now pretty well ascertained that this species does not proceed
farther north than the lines of the United States, as it is not mentioned
in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, nor was met with by myself in Labra-
dor or Newfoundland. On the other hand, it is very abundant in the
Texas. Dr Tuomas M. Brewer informs me that a few birds of this
species breed in Massachusetts, and that he found a nest in Roxbury,
at a short distance from Boston. The eggs measure 2 inches and one-
eighth in length, one inch and five-eighths in breadth. Dr Trupgau
states that he found a nest with eggs in the State of New York, near
Cape St Vincent. “ It was placed upon a very high sugar maple, and
RED-SHOULDERED HAWK. 381
was large for the size of the bird. The female was shot on the nest, and
one of the eggs, of which there were only two, was broken in descend-
ing. This species also nestles in Louisiana.” According to Dr Bacu-
MAN, “this bird is very destructive to poultry in South Carolina, breed-
ing in the neighbourhood of the plantations, and often persecuting a hen
with half-grown chickens until the whole brood is seized.”
The dimensions of an adult male are :—Length to end of tail 214
inches, to end of wings 19, to end of claws 19; extent of wings 44;
wing from flexure 134; tail9; bill along the ridge 1;g, along the edge
of lower mandible 1;4; ; tarsus 3; hind toe 1, its claw 174 ; second toe
1, its claw 175; middle toe 13, its claw 19; outer toe }3, its claw ;&.
The mouth is 1 inch in width; the palate flat, with two longitudi-
nal papillate ridges, and an anterior median smooth ridge ; the poste-
rior aperture of the nares oblong, 5 twelfths in length, with an ante-
rior slit of the same length. The tongue is 103 twelfths long, emar-
ginate and papillate at the base, concave above, horny beneath, its
breadth 3 twelfths, its sides parallel, its tip rounded. The esophagus
is 6 inches long, 1 inch in width at the commencement, dilated into a
large crop 2 inches long and 1 inch 9 twelfths in its greatest breadth,
and on entering the thorax contracted to 10 twelfths. The stomach
is very large, roundish, 24 inches long, 2 inches and 1 twelfth in breadth;
its muscular coat very thin, being composed of a single series of fasci-
culi; the tendons 7 twelfths in breadth ; the inner surface smooth. The
pylorus is very small, with two knob-like valves ; around it the surface
covered with minute hairs, which are, however, adventitious. The
proventricular glands occupy a belt 1} inch in breadth. The intestine
is 50 inches long, its width from 3 twelfths to 13 twelfth. The ceca
are 24 twelfths long, 14 twelfth in width, and placed at the distance
of 3 inches from the anus. The cloaca is globular, 1} inch in diame-
ter. The stomach contained remains of bones of frogs and insects of
different species.
The trachea is 4 inches 10 twelfths long, much flattened ; its breadth
at the upper part 43 twelfths, at the lower 23 twelfths; its rings, 78
in number, slender and partially ossified. The bronchi, of moderate
length and width, have 15 and 18 half rings. The lateral muscles are
rather large, the sterno-tracheal rather slender; and there is a single
pair of inferior laryngeal muscles.
( 382 )
SNOWY OWL.
STRIX NYCTEA, LINN.
PLATE OXXI. Voz. II. p. 135.
Tus beautiful bird frequents the most arctic lands that have been
visited, and, according to Dr Ricuarpson, “ retires with the Ptarmi-
gan, upon which it preys, to more sheltered districts, in the winter.
Even in this latter season, it is frequently seen within the confines of
the arctic circle. It hunts in the day. When seen in the barren
grounds, it was generally squatting on the earth, and if put up, it alighted
again after a short flight, but was always so wary as to be approached
with great difficulty. In the woody districts it shews less caution, and
has been known to watch the Grouse-shooter to despoil him of his game.
It preys on lemmings, hares, and birds, particularly the Willow Grouse
and Ptarmigan. It makes its nest on the ground, and lays three or
four eggs, of which two only are in general hatched.”
My friend Tuomas MacCuttcoun, Esq. of Pictou, has favoured me
with the following interesting notice respecting this species :—‘* When
in London, I mentioned to you, that during my passage from Pictou to
Hull, in November 1834, I had seen a Snowy Owl at a considerable
distance at sea. When the bird was first observed, I thought that it
had wandered, and would immediately make for the vessel, but though
it passed close by us repeatedly, it shewed no disposition whatever to
alight. By the ship’s reckoning we were then upwards of 200 miles
from the nearest point of Newfoundland, and notwithstanding the dis-
tance which the Owl must have traversed in its irregular course, it
shewed no symptom of fatigue, but skimmed as dexterously along the
deep trough of the rolling waves, or rose as freely over their huge white
crests as if it had been merely coursing the surface of its native hills.
I did not, however, observe it attempt to lift anything from the water,
though from the care with which it scanned the surface, it was evi-
dently in search of food. Fish seemed to be the object of its search,
for it never attempted to interfere with any of the numerous water-
fowl by which it was surrounded, nor did they on the other hand appear
in the least degree alarmed by its presence. ‘There could not be, I am
SNOWY OWL. 383
satisfied, any mistake about the bird, as it was too long about the ves-
sel and too close for us to be deceived. I had with me at that time
one of these birds alive, and my attention was first directed to the
other by one of the sailors pointing to it, and calling to me that mine
had escaped.
As the Snowy Owl is very seldom obtained alive, the following no-
tices of the one which I had for a few weeks in my possession may per-
haps prove interesting to you. The bird was purchased from an In-
dian the day upon which I sailed, and was at first so exceedingly timid
that when I approached, it used to expand its wings and make every
effort to escape, uttering at the same time a sharp shrill sound, which
closely resembled the note of the little Sparrow Hawk. After a few
days, however, it greedily devoured the fresh beef which was laid be-
side it, and became apparently quite reconciled to confinement. ‘The
disposition of the bird appeared to be exceedingly gentle. I never ob-
served it attempt to strike with its claws, and it never used to bite un-
less when provoked. Nothing seemed to afford it so much pleasure as
scratching its head and breast-bone, and while this was being done, it
would close its eyes and remain perfectly still, as if lulled to sleep by
the agreeable sensation. The captain put up a roost for the Owl,
along one of the lockers, and often amused himself by shaking hands,
as he.ealled it, with the bird. This was done by placing one of his
fingers among the strong talons of the Owl, and shaking away, often
very roughly, while the bird, apparently much delighted, used to sup-
port itself upon the other leg. At first, when the captain wished to
withdraw his finger, he used to give the Owl a sudden touch upon the
shoulder with his left hand, which made the bird jump and scream most
-violently. For a short time this answered the purpose, but the Owl
got so cunning at length, that though the proferred finger was never
refused, yet the slightest motion of the left arm was sufficient to make
it tighten the gripe and bite most furiously. With the sailors it was
a general favourite, and when upon deck they used to cram it with
every bit of fresh meat they could obtain ; and in course of time it be-
came so accustomed to get scraps from them, that frequently when
dozing, by merely touching its bill or breast, it would take the pieces
from their hands without opening its eyes. One morning the Owl was
dozing upon deck, and a sailor, by the way of shewing his cleverness,
held his hands full of salt water directly in front of the bird. With-
384 SNOWY OWL.
out looking what his hands contained, it dipped its head into the water,
much to its own discomfort, but to the great amusement of the sailors.
The Owl having apparently relapsed into a doze, the sailor, elated with
the result of his first attempt, ventured to try the same trick again,
but received a nip in return, which made him clap his finger into his
mouth and retreat amid the laughter and jeers of the rest of the crew.
The roost which the captain had put up for the Owl, was directly be-
hind the locker upon which the carpenter and mate usually sat at mess.
During dinner, one very stormy day, by a sudden lurch of the vessel,
the Owl was thrown from its perch, and the first place it alighted up-
on was the bald pate of the carpenter, who was seated in front. It had,
however, scarcely time to open its eyes upon its strange resting place,
ere it was dislodged by a stroke of the carpenter’s arm, and obliged to
seek for more secure footing, which it readily found among the bushy
locks of the mate, who but an instant before was laughing at the strange
predicament of his companion. For a short time every stroke which
the mate gave his unwelcome visitor was quickly repaid by a closer
gripe, and a smart stroke upon each ear from a pair of powerful wings ;
but the vessel having at length settled, the bird retreated, apparently
not a little astonished at the unusual uproar. During the day-time it
seemed a good deal inclined to doze, particularly after being fed, but
not more so than I have seen Hawks and some other birds. To-
wards evening, however, it certainly shewed a stronger disposition to
activity, its eyes became more bright and glaring, its motions more
quick, and no movement in the cabin escaped its notice. Having re-
peatedly extinguished the candles in the cabin by attempts to fly, we
were obliged to confine the bird whenever the daylight began to fade.
Two things seemed to irritate it exceedingly : the first was to touch its
wings, and the second to put water on it. The first might have ori-
ginated from a wound, though I could not detect any injury ; but the
second seemed rather singular in a bird which was accustomed to ob-
tain at least a part of its subsistence from the water. Before I parted
with this bird, it seemed a good deal attached to me, though it took no
notice of other persons. When it observed me even at a considerable
distance, it would lower its head, watch me very closely, and seem
much pleased when I approached.”
Adult male, presented by the Society of Natural History of Salem,
Massachusetts. The nostrils are ovate, oblique, 44 twelfths long, 2
SNOWY OWL. 385
twelfths in breadth. The aperture of the eye is 11 twelfths. The
aperture of the ear is simple, without
operculum, of comparatively small size,
: Ss -
11 twelfths long, 6 twelfths wide, Se |
margined all round with linear fea- a [|
5 <
thers, of which the anterior are 1} inch Ss ! )
A
long, the posterior 10 twelfths. 7N AN
The palate is flattened, sloping a ~ TK
little upwards at the sides, with two
longitudinal ridges, and entirely covered with series of minute papil-
le ; at its anterior part is a median tuberculate prominent ridge. The
posterior aperture of the nares is broadly elliptical, 5 twelfths long,
with an anterior slit 7 twelfths long.’ The width of the mouth is 2 in-
ches. The tongue is short, measuring 11 twelfths in length, deeply
sagittate and papillate at the base, its breadth 5 twelfths, its edges
nearly parallel, its upper surface nearly flat, with a median groove, its
tip narrowed but rounded and slightly emarginate. (Esophagus 9 in-
ches long, of the nearly uniform width of 1} inch. The proventricu-
lar glands occupy a belt 1 inch 7 twelfths in breadth. The stomach is
large, roundish, 2 inches 2 twelfths in length, 2 inches 1 twelfth in
width ; its muscular coat very thin, being composed of a single series
of fasciculi; the inner coat thick, moderately tough, and rugous. The
pylorus is very small, with two prominences. The intestine is 43 in-
ches long, its width at the upper part 5 twelfths, diminishing to 3
twelfths. ‘The cceca are 5 inches long, their greatest width 6 twelfths.
The cloaca is capable of being dilated to the diameter of 2 inches. The
lobes of the liver are equal, 2 inches long, and the gall-bladder ellipti-
eal, 1 inch long.
The trachea is 63 inches long, much flattened, its breadth at the
upper part 3 inch, at the lower 53 twelfths; its rings 90, partially os-
sified, being cartilaginous before and behind. Bronchi of moderate
length and width, with about 20 half rings. The lateral muscles are
moderate, as are the sterno-tracheales, and a very thin slip on each side
goes to the last half ring of the trachea.
VOL. V. Bb
( 386 )
BARRED OWL.
STRIX NEBULOSA, LINN.
PLATE XLVI. Vou. I. p. 242.
Turis species, which is undoubtedly the most common in our south-
ern and western States, was not met with by Dr RicHarpson be-
yond the southern districts of the Fur Countries; nor has it been
observed by Dr Townsenp on the Columbia River. I have found it
very abundant in the Floridas, where it is a constant resident, and it
‘is an inhabitant of the maritime districts west of the mouths of the
Mississippi, including the Texas, where I shot several individuals. . It
is not rare to the eastward, as far as Nova Scotia and Newfoundland,
and a few were seen by myself and my party in Labrador. I feel,
therefore, very doubtful as to the identity of our bird and that found
in the northern parts of Europe. Ours removes southward at the ap-
proach of winter in considerable numbers. I have seen some of our
Barred Owls in London, which, although imported from New York,
were sold as European specimens. The same dishonest practice is
exercised by some of our American bird-stuffers, who import skins of
Europeans birds, sometimes live birds, and reship them on certain oc-
casions, with the view of proving to European naturalists that these
species exist with us, although in reality there are none of them in
America. Thus, the European Oyster-catcher has been palmed upon
European ornithologists as being found in the very neighbourhood of
New York. I might mention a dozen species in this predicament. I
would, therefore, recommend to those whom it may concern, to be as-
sured of the respectability of the parties by whom skins of birds are
forwarded, either on sale or for exchange.
The eggs of the American Barred Owl measure two inches in
length, one inch and six and a half twelfths in breadth, so that they
are of a roundish form ; their colour is pure white.
An adult male in spirits. The palate is slightly concave, but at
the sides inclining upwards. The posterior aperture of the nares is 4
twelfths long, with an anterior slit of 6 twelfths. On the anterior part
BARRED OWL. 387
is a median broad prominent ridge, and on the palate are two longitu-
dinal ridges ; in other respects the interior of the mouth is as in the
Virginian Owl; its breadth 1} inch. The tongue is 10 twelfths long,
deeply sagittate and papillate at the base, covered above with minute
papillz, rounded and emarginate at the point.
The nostrils are elliptical, 22 twelfths long, 11 twelfth broad. ‘The
conch of the ear is elliptical, ay AW, sth
oN Vi,
oblique, 1 inch 2 twelfths Wi j Vy, W
long, 73 twelfths wide, with es AW ul; ) | Dp.
g iftl/ > Wkkyit 4 I» VA IY YA
a large anterior operculum, Z= Ni oN ) ey
4 \\ aw
i
»
VN
\
\
long at the base, 1 inch 8
=
FA
AA
which is 1 inch 4 twelfth Bi
J
4,
twelfths high, of a somewhat
SS.
square form, but rounded on | |/NW REZ ASSN
q 9 ; \ IN SSS
the edge, and somewhat si- WW
milar to that of the Ameri-
can Barn Owl, but larger, the latter being truncate or straight on the
edge. The heart is small, 1 inch 13 twelfth long, 8 twelfths broad.
The lobes of the liver are nearly equal, the left 1 inch 64 twelfths long,
the right 13 inch long.
The cesophagus is 64 inches long ; its width at the commencement
11 inch, about the middle 9 twelfths, and then nearly uniform. The
stomach is very large, roundish, its walls very thin, the muscular coat
composed of a single series of fasciculi; the inner surface slightly ru-
gous. It contains a large shrew. The proventricular belt is 9 twelfths
long. The aperture of the pylorus is only 4 twelfth, with a semicircu-
lar flap. The duodenal curve is 3} inches long. The intestine is 2
feet 1 inch long, its width varying from 4 twelfths to 2 twelfths. The
ceeca, which come off at the distance of 2} inches, are 3 inches long,
their greatest width 5 twelfths. The cloaca is globular, and 1} inch
in diameter.
The trachea is 4 inches 9 twelfths long, its breadth at the top 42
twelfths ; it immediately contracts to 3} twelfths, and at the lower
part is 34 twelfths, and much flattened. The rings, 88 in number, are
pretty firm; and there are four additional half rings. The bronchi
are short and wide ; one with 12, the other with 15 extremely slender
cartilaginous half rings.
( 388 )
BARN OWL.
STRIX FLAMMEA, LINN.
PLATE CLXXI. Vot. II. p. 403.
On the 29th April 1837, on Galveston Island, in Texas, we found
several individuals of this bird in bunches of cactuses, surrounded by
low bushes and tall grass. They flew round the gunners as if they
were about to breed there. One of them was started from the tall
grass, and was shot. We thought it strange to meet with these Owls
in salt-marshes. At first they were very gentle, but after we had shot
several the rest became very shy. Two of them flew off toward a
fresh-water pond, surrounded by high flags and sedges, and were pur-
sued by a great number of Boat-tailed Grakles, Quiscalus major, which
foreed them down into the marsh. Our men were sent after these
Owls, and soon started them anew. One of them made for another
marsh, and there alighted, whilst the other perched on the top of a low
bush quite exposed to view; but when we tried to get near, it seemed
to see us clearly, for it flew away long before we were within shot, and
betook itself to an island several miles distant.
On the 3d May, we found on the same island two nests, situated
among thick bushes and tall grass, and placed on the bare ground,
which appeared to have been cleared for the purpose to the extent of
several feet, in a circular form. Each of them had avenues through
the grass several feet in length, and completely covered over, by which
the birds escaped on our approach. In one of the nests we found two
sets of young birds, four large and three small, the latter apparently
at least a week younger than the rest. One of the old birds, on being
shot at when leaving the nest, rose in a circling manner until nearly
out of sight, when it suddenly closed its wings in the manner of some
Hawks, glided downwards with great velocity, and alighted in the mid-
dle of a high marsh. The other was shot on wing soon after leaving
its nest, in which we found three young ones and four eggs ready to
be hatched. The extraordinary difference in the size of these young
Owls induced us to put some of them into rum. The nests were placed
close to those of some Carrion Crows, Cathartes Iota.
BARN OWL. 389
It is thus apparent that the Barn Owl sees remarkably well by day,
and in my opinion it is closely connected with the Burrowing Owl.
We kept several of the young alive, feeding them on small terra-
pins. It was observed that the first pellets which they disgorged were
thrown up five days after they were first fed, and that they subse-
quently ejected them at intervals of about forty-eight hours.
The food provided for the young by their parents consisted entirely
of large Cotton or Marsh Rats.
The Prince of Musicnano in his List of the Birds of Europe and
North America, states that this Owl, his Strix pratincola, inhabits the
“ northern parts,” where, however, not a single specimen has ever been
seen: Pennsylvania and New York are the northern limits of its range.
On this account, and because it is generally of larger size, I think it
probable that it is distinct from Stria fammea of Europe.
The eggs are not globular, but of a regular ovate form, one inch
nine and a half twelfths in length, an inch and a quarter in breadth,
pure white, with the surface roughish.
The dimensions of a Female from Galveston Island are as follows :
Length to end of tail 174 inches, to end of wings 183, to end of
claws 193; extent of wings 46}; bill along the ridge 1,5, along the
edge of lower mandible 143; width of mouth 1,4; tarsus 3,5 hind
toe +$, its claw 4+$; second or inner toe 1,4, its claw 1;2;; middle toe
17%, its claw }$; outer toe 1, its claw 1; wing from flexure 14}; tail
6,4, the lateral feathers 7% longer than the middle.
The palate is concave in the middle, sloping upwards at the sides,
with two longitudinal ridges, and an anterior median tuberculate ridge.
The posterior aperture of the nares is ovato-lanceolate, 4 inch long,
with an anterior slit of the same length, the margins of which, and
the space between it and the ridges are finely papillate. The tongue
is 11 twelfths long, sagittate and papillate at the base, one of the pa-
pillee on each side much larger, the sides nearly parallel, the breadth
at the middle 24 twelfths, its upper surface flattened, with a median
groove, the tip rounded and emarginate. ;
The nostrils are ovate, direct, 24 twelfths by 14 twelfth. The
aperture of the eye is $ inch in breadth. The ear forms a very large
semicircular conch, extending from over the anterior angle. of the eye
to the middle of the lower jaw, and measuring 5 inches along its poste-
390 BARN OWL.
rior margin. ‘The aperture of the ear, properly so called, is situated
directly behind the space between the eye and the opening of the
mouth, and is 43 twelfths long, 4} twelfths broad. There is an ante-
rior operculum, 1 inch 1 twelfth long, 73 twelfths high, with its ante-
rior margin straight. The surface of the conch is sparsely covered
with long, very slender feathers, of which the basal half is reduced to
Minin S
a hair-like shaft. The posterior margin of the conch is furnished with
several series of linear curved feathers, of which the tube is propor-
tionally very large ; but the operculum is edged with feathers reduced
merely to the tube, having only a very slight shaft, scarcely 1 twelfth
in length, flattened and rounded, without any filaments ; besides which,
however, on its anterior surface, there are several series of regularly
constructed linear feathers, about 35 in number.
The cesophagus is 6 inches long, very wide, its diameter uniform,
and about 1 inch 3 twelfths ; its walls very thin. The proventricular
glands form a belt 9 twelfths in breadth. The lobes of the liver are
nearly equal, and rather small, being 11 inch in length; the gall-blad-
der oblong. The stomach and intestine are covered with fat, of which
there is also a large deposit under the skin of the abdomen. The sto-
mach is very large, roundish, a little compressed, 23 inches long, 2
BARN OWL. 391
inches 1 twelfth broad ; its muscular coat very thin, and composed of a
single series of coarse fasciculi ; the inner surface perfectly smooth and
even. The pylorus is very small, with one triangular prominence.
The intestine is 23 inches long, from 3 to 2 twelfths in width. The
ceeca are 3 inches long, for two inches having a width of only 1 twelfth,
and terminating in an oblong extremity, of which the greatest width
is 3 twelfths; their distance from the anus 3 inches. The cloaca is
extremely large, capable of being dilated to 21 inches in length, and
12 inch in breadth.
The trachea is 4 inches 2 twelfths long, flattened, its breadth at
the upper part 5 twelfths, gradually diminishing to 3 twelfths; the
rings narrow, but well ossified, 68 in number, with 4 dimidiate rings.
The bronchi are rather long and slender, of 20 half rings. The lateral
muscles are large, as are the sterno-tracheales. There are no inferior
laryngeal muscles.
Another female, also from Galveston Island, has the mouth 1 inch
13 twelfth wide; the cesophagus 6 inches long, its average width 1
inch ; the stomach 23 inches long, 1 inch 9 twelfths broad ; the intes-
tine 26 inches, and the cceca 3 inches long.
Some of the differences between this bird and the Barn Owl of
Europe, have been pointed out at p. 409 of vol. ii, where the probabi-
lity of their being distinct species was announced, although I was then
*“ unable to point out any satisfactory distinctions.’ The examina-
tion of entire specimens, however, has brought to light a remarkable
and unvarying character in the feathers which fringe the operculum.
In both species, the tubes of these feathers are very large; but in the
American bird the shafts are obsolete, as represented in the figure,
whereas in the European bird, each tube bears a very slender shaft,
about half an inch long, and furnished with about a dozen filaments on
each side, forming an elliptical or obovate feather. This character and
the great difference in size, will thus suffice to distinguish the Ameri-
ean bird to which, it now having for the first time been shewn to be
distinct, I propose giving the name of Striz Americana.
( 392 )
LITTLE SCREECH OWL.
STRIX Astro, Linn.
PLATE XCVII. Vo. I. p. 486.
A.tuHovcu this species inhabits the Oregon Territory and the Co-
lumbia River district, where it was found by Dr TownseEnp, it is not
mentioned by Dr Ricuarpson as being observed in the Fur Countries.
It is, however, met with abundantly in the British provinces of New
Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland, and Labrador, where I pro-
cured it. My friend Dr Bacuman says, ‘there is no doubt about the
correctness of the changes of plumage of this species, for I have seen
it in its various stages from red to grey. I kept it more than a year
in domestication, when it underwent all its changes. I have taken the
young red birds from the nest, and the old in the same hole, very grey.
The bird breeds in the red state the following spring, and does not be-
come grey until two years old. Specimens have been procured partially
red and grey in the intermediate state.” The eggs are one inch two-
eighths long, eleven and a quarter twelfths in breadth.
An adult female preserved in spirits measures to end of tail 10
inches, to end of wings 10, to end of claws 11}; extent of wings 28 ;
bill along the ridge 14, along the edge of lower mandible ;4; wing
from flexure 63; tail 81; tarsus 1,5; hind toe 34, its claw 74; second
toe 7°, its claw 24; third toe 1%, its claw # ; outer toe 7%, its claw 72.
The palate is concave, with two longitudinal ridges, its sides con-
vex; the posterior aperture of the nares oblong, 2 twelfths in length,
with an anterior slit 4 twelfths long. The palate and margins of the
nasal aperture are covered with papilla. The aperture of the ear is
large, elliptical, 53 twelfths long, 43} twelfths
broad. The width of the mouth is 11 twelfths.
The wsophagus is 3} inches long, of the nearly
uniform width of 4 inch; it passes, together with
the trachea, along the right side of the neck, until,
on entering the thorax, it crosses to the left, as in all other Owls. The
liver is large, its left lobe 1 inch 5 twelfths in length, the other 13 inch.
The stomach is excessively large, round, a little compressed, 14 inch
Bie a yey
LITTLE SCREECH OWL. 393
long, 13 broad, of the usual structure, its tendons circular, and 44
twelfths in diameter; its inner surface smooth and somewhat villous.
Its contents are remains of insects and bones of small birds. The pro-
ventricular glands are rather large, and form a belt of 2 inch in breadth.
The duodenum curves at the distance of 2 inches from the pylorus.
The intestine is 15 inches long, and from 3 to 2 twelfths wide; the
ceca are large, 2 inches 4 twelfths long, for 1 inch and 2 twelfths their
width only 1 twelfth, their greatest breadth toward the end 4 twelfths.
The rectum is 2 inches 10 twelfths long, for 1 inch and 2 twelfths its
width is 22 twelfths; it then expands into the cloaca, which is 11
twelfths in diameter.
The trachea is 2 inches 2 twelfths long, flattened, of the uniform
breadth of 13 twelfth, and having about 90 very slender rings, together
with 5 dimidiate. The contractor muscles are thin, the sterno-tracheal
moderate ; and there is a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles going
to the last ring of the trachea. The bronchial rings are about 15.
The tufts of the head are composed of a longitudinal series of 10
feathers, commencing over the middle of the eye, and extending a quar-
ter of an inch beyond its posterior edge.
GREAT-HORNED OWL.
STRIX VIRGINIANA, Linn.
PLATE LXI. Vox. I. p. 313.
THIs species occurs in every part of the United States, as well as
beyond their limits northward, as far as the wooded tracts extend, in-
cluding Labrador. It is also met with on the Rocky Mountains, about
the Columbia River, in California, and in Mexico. I have seen speci-
mens from all these countries, which presented no greater differences
in size and colour than might be expected in a bird so extensively dis-
tributed, some being larger or smaller, darker or lighter, according to
sex, age, and season. One which I examined in the Texas was of a
lighter colour than any that I have ever seen, with the exception of
the specimen named by Mr Swarnson “ Strix (Bubo) arctica,” which
394 GREAT-HORNED OWL.
is in the musuem of the Zoological Society of London, and is merely
a light coloured Strix virginiana.
My friend Dr Bacuman says, “I had a nest of young ones sent
me early in February (Charleston). In the State of New York I have,
on several occasions, procured large specimens of this Owl that were
very offensive with the smell of the Polecat, having evidently caught
and fed on that animal. The northern Hare, Lepus virginianus, and
the Common Hare, L. americanus, also frequently become the prey of
this Owl.”
In the State of Maine it watches the traps placed along the margins
of streams for the purpose of catching the Musk Rat, and frequently
destroys the skins, on which account the hunters often bait the trap
with the body of a rat after being skinned, and next morning find the
marauder caught. The eggs measure two inches and three-eighths in
length, two inches in breadth, and are nearly equally rounded at both
ends.
In an adult male preserved in spirits, the palate is slightly concave,
but at the sides inclining upwards; the posterior aperture of the nares
is small, of an elliptical form, 4 twelfths long, 2 twelfths broad, with
an anterior slit 7 twelfths long; the lateral space is covered with small
papille ; there is a small oblique flap from the base of the slit, and a
semicircular papillate flap behind the aperture of the fallopian tubes,
which is 2 twelfths in length. On the anterior part of the roof of the
mouth is a broad prominent ridge. The skin or mucous membrane, as
well as the bones, of the palate, are in this, as in most other Owls, thin
and somewhat transparent, whence originated the foolish notion of their
being able to direct their eyes so as to see through the open mouth.
The salivary crypts are very numerous and large, especially in the
space around and anterior to the tongue, as well as upon its upper sur-
face at the base. The tongue is 1 inch 1 twelfth long, very deeply
sagittate and papillate at the base, flattish above, with a median groove,
rounded and emarginate at the tip. The width of the mouth is 1 inch
84 twelfths.
The eyes are firmly fixed in their sockets, and incapable of motion,
as in most Owls ; their direction is at an angle of about 60°. The aper-
ture of the eyelids is 1 inch. The tufts on the head are composed
exactly of two series of 9 feathers, there being 18 in each tuft, the two
rows parallel and close together.
ee .
GREAT-HORNED OWL. 395
The esophagus, Fig. 1, a bc, of which the walls are extremely thin,
Fig. 1. Fig. 2.
WLLL
Du
i}
LT )
!
WU
Tal TONAL
MTT See TA
f
although its ‘transverse musculat
fibres are Very distinct, is at the
\‘commencement two inches in
) width, in the rest of its extent 11
inch, its length 81 inches. The
stomach, d, is verylarge, of a round-
‘ish form when distended, 3 inches
long, 23 inches broad; its walls
are extremely thin, its muscular
coat composed of distinct fasciculi, its inner surface smooth. The con-
tents are several small birds which have been swallowed entire, and
the remains of a squirrel. The proventricular glands occupy a belt 1
inch in breadth, and are very small, being only 1 twelfth in length.
The liver is small, the left lobe 2 inches in length, the other 1 inch 5
twelfths. The gall-bladder elliptical. The heart also is comparatively
small, being 13 inch long, 1 inch 1 twelfth broad. The duodenum,
fgh, curves in the usual manner at the distance of 5 inches; the bi-
396 GREAT. HORNED OWL.
liary ducts entire at 9 inches. The intestine varies from 4 twelfths to 2
twelfths in width, and is short, being 31 inches long. The cloaca is glo-
bular, about 14 inch in diameter; the cceca, Fig. 2, are 3 inches long, for
14 inch 23 twelfths in diameter, in the rest of their extent of an oblong
form, 7 twelfths in width ; the rectum, including the cloaca, 3 inches 9
twelfths long. The aperture of the pylorus is extremely small, 13 twelfth
in width, with two longitudinal valves, and a thin semicircular flap.
The trachea is 52 inches in length, flattened, } inch broad at the
commencement, gradually contracting to 44 twelfths, toward the lower
part enlarging to 5; twelfths and much fiattened, its thickness there
Fig. 3
LITTLE OWL. 397
being only 13 twelfth. The rings are 90, moderately firm, but very
thin ; there are 4 half rings beyond the bipartite ring. The bronchi are
short, very wide, one of 15 the other of 16 cartilaginous half rings.
The lateral muscles are extremely thin, as are the sterno-tracheal ; and
there is a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles, going to the last
ring of the trachea.
The aperture of the ear is of an elliptical form, placed obliquely, 1121
twelfths long, 4 inch broad, without operculum, having only an elevated
margin, fringed with feathers ; the passage to the internal ear 1 inch
long and 3 twelfths broad. The nostrils are broadly elliptical, 3
twelfths long, 1 twelfth broad.
LITTLE OWL.
STRIX ACADICA, GMEL.
PLATE CXCIX. Vol. II. p. 567.
My friend Mr T. MacCuttocu jun. has favoured me with the fol-
lowing curious notice respecting this bird. “ In the beginning of April,
when the snow was stilllying in large patches in the woods, although it
. had entirely disappeared from the clear lands, I went out with my gun
one afternoon, expecting to obtain some of the small birds which remove
to the north on the first approach of spring. Having wandered about
four miles from home without meeting with any thing worthy of notice,
I had almost determined to return, when my attention was arrested by
a sound which at first seemed to me like the faint tones of a distant
bell. The resemblance was so exceedingly strong that I believe the
mistake would not have been detected, had not a slight variation in it
induced me to listen more attentively, and mark the direction in which
it seemed to come. With the view of ascertaining its origin if possi-
ble, I crossed an intervening farm, and striking into a dense spruce
wood, directed my course towards the point from which it seemed to
proceed. While listening to the singular note, the accounts which I
had seen of the Zwrdus tinniens or Bell Bird of the southern portion of
398 LITTLE OWL.
the continent forcibly recurred to my mind, and rendered me doubly
eager to discover its source. ‘This, however, I found to be no easy mat-
ter. After proceeding a considerable distance in the woods the sound
became suddenly sharp and shrill, and seemed so close behind me that
I started involuntarily. Having carefully examined all the adjacent
trees without success, I was about giving it up in despair, when the
note which first attracted my attention seemed to come in the former
direction. Before I had advanced many steps, the sound changed as
before ; at one moment it seemed behind me, the next upon the right
hand, then upon the left, and then it resumed its former distant mel-
low tone. This occurred so often, that I was completely puzzled and
tempted to give up the pursuit, but still the desire of finding out the
origin of the sound urged me on. After proceeding a considerable
distance farther, I found that the bell-like sound now came from the
opposite direction, and seemed far beyond the spot where I first heard
it. Retracing my steps I entered a small cleared spot, in the centre
of which stood a black birch, whose dead and decayed top projected be-
yond a vigorous growth of fresh branches, by which its sides were
clothed. As I seated myself upon a prostrate log, the shrill note was
suddenly resumed, and from the direction of the sound I was convinced
that it proceeded from the birch tree. Almost breathless with expec-
tation, I carefully'examined the tree from top to bottom, but the secret
still remained concealed. Moving cautiously round, I examined the
other side of the tree, but with no better success, until going to the
root, and directing my eye along the trunk, I observed a small protu-
berance, which at first appeared to be a knot. Inspecting it more
closely, however, I found it to be the head of the Little Grey Owl, pro-
truded from a small aperture, which probably formed the entrance of
its nest. Though standing directly beneath the bird, it did not seem
to observe me, but continued to call for its mate. While watching the
Owl, I observed with no little surprise that the sound which I thought
came from a distance, as well as that which was near, actually pro-
ceeded from the same source. This singular power of altering the
voice I have never found in any other bird, and to me it appeared ana-
logous to that by which ventriloquists are able to make the voice seem _
near or remote. Having enjoyed the pleasing deception for some time,
I left the little performer unmolested, feeling abundantly recompensed
for my long tramp through mire and slush by the curious discovery.
LITTLE OWL. 399
This was the only time I ever heard the note of this owl. Frequently
Ihave had it alive, but it was invariably silent, and, like the Stria flam-
mea, would sometimes feign itself dead; and last winter I shot one
which was placed upon its back in a scale, and handled a good deal,
yet it shewed no signs of life until thrown into a box, when it started
up, and looked about sharply enough.”
A male from Dr T. M. Brewer of Boston, has the roof of the
mouth concave, with two narrow longitudinal ridges, and covered with
minute papille ; the posterior aperture of the nares elliptical behind,
23 twelfths long, with an anterior slit 4 twelfths long. The tongue is
very small, 41 twelfths long, deeply emarginate and finely papillate at
the base, its upper surface slightly concave, its tip rounded. The width
of the mouth is 81 twelfths. The external aperture of the ear, Fig. 1, is of
enormous size, extending from the Fig. 1.
level of the top of the head ina
semicircular curve to below the
aperture of the mouth, being 1
inch 9 twelfths along its posterior
margin. It is bounded anteriorly by
an elevated operculum in its whole
length, and its posterior margin is
similar. .The anterior part of this
conch is formed by the) posterior
third of the eye-ball covered by the skin, and the entrance to the in-
ternal ear is of a large size, being 5 twelfths in length, and 2} twelfths
in its greatest breadth. The ear is thus similar in form to that of Strix
otus and Stria brachyotus..
The cesophagus, Fig. 2, abc, is 3 inches 2 twelfths long, of the
average width of 7 twelfths, being uniform, without dilatation. The
lobes of the liver are large, nearly equal, the left 1 inch 13 twelfth
long, the right 1 inch 3 twelfths. The stomach, cde, is very large,
roundish, a little compressed, 1 inch 3 twelfths in length, 1 inch 2
twelfths in breadth. Its muscular coat is extremely thin, and com-
posed of a single series of fasciculi; its inner coat smooth and soft.
The proventricular glands are globular, forming a belt 6 twelfths in
breadth. The stomach is filled with hair and bones of small qua-
drupeds, including the skull of an arvicola. The duodenum, e/g, curves
in the usual manner, at the distance of 2 inches 5 twelfths. The
400 LITTLE OWL.
intestine, e f ghk, is 13} inches long, its width varying from 23
twelfths to 11 twelfth. Fig. 2.
The cceca, hii, are large, 1
Sa
inch 3 twelfths long, 23
twelfths in their greatest
width, and only $ twelfth
geSJ7[
for 7 twelfths at the base. as
Thecloaca,jh,isextremely = >
large, globular, 10 twelfths =
in diameter.
The trachea is 2 inches
2 twelfths long, from 2
to 14 twelfth in breadth,
much flattened ; its rings
firm but very slender, 45
in number, besides 7 di-
midiate rings at the bifur-
cation. The bronchi are
rather wide, and of about
12 halfrings. The lateral
muscles are slender, as are
the sterno-tracheal, and a
very thin slip goes to the
first bronchial ring on each
side.
( 401 )
CHUCK-WILLS-WIDOW.
CAPRIMULGUS CAROLINENSIS, Briss.
PLATE LII. Vot. I. p. 273.
Since the publication of my first volume, I have procured several
individuals of this species in the central parts of Florida, in the course
of a winter which I spent in that peninsula. They uttered their usual
notes, in the same emphatic manner as during the breeding season,
when they are dispersed over other sections of our southernmost dis-
tricts. I have also procured this species in Texas, where it breeds.
The eggs measure one inch two and a half eighths in length, an inch
and half an eighth in breadth, and are nearly equally rounded at both
ends. They vary much in colour; some procured by my friend Dr
Bacuman have a yellowish-white ground-colour, with large blotches of
bluish-purple and light reddish-brown, interspersed with dots of the
latter colour. This species has not been observed to the west of the
Rocky Mountains.
An adult male, from Dr Bacumany, preserved in spirits, measures
to the end of the tail 133 inches, to end of wings 121, to end of claws
9; wing from flexure 82; tail 64.
The relative proportion of the head and bill of this and other Goat-
suckers have been misrepresented, owing to the manner in which the
greater part of the latter is concealed by the feathers. The head it-
self is of extreme breadth, but also extremely depressed, its breadth in
this species being 14 inch, whilst its greatest height is only 11 twelfths.
In this respect it differs greatly from that of the Owls, in which it is
high and at the same time flattened before and behind. The aperture
of the ear is very large, of an elliptical form, 43 twelfths long, 3 twelfths
wide, without operculum, but margined with feathers. The aperture
of the eye is also very large, measuring 3 inch. The bill, although
seemingly very short, is in reality long, being 1 twelfth longer than the
head, and measuring 1 inch 4 twelfths in length. The ridge of the up-
per mandible, covered with skin, is apparent to 10 twelfths beyond the
nostrils, but being very narrow, and the very elongated nasal space
VOL. V. Cec
402 CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW.
being covered with feathers, the bill is entirely concealed, excepting
only that part which is beyond the nostrils. The gape extends to be-
neath the posterior margin of the eye, and has its lateral outline singu-
larly curved. From the anterior margin of the eye to near the nostril
is a series of feathers having very strong shafts, terminating in an
elastic filamentous point, and with the barbs or lateral filaments ex-
tremely slender, distant, and not extended beyond the middle of the
shaft. The direction of these feathers is downwards, forwards, and
outwards, and although they can easily be deflected beyond the per-
pendicular, they cannot be forced upwards beyond the horizontal. The
horny covering of the mandibles is extremely narrow, and the nostrils
are subterminal, elliptical, horizontal, inclined obliquely outward, pa-
tulous, marginate, 14 twelfth by 1 twelfth.
The aperture of the mouth is of extreme width, measuring 1 inch
73 twelfths, and being thus wider than the cranium. The roof of the
mouth is a little concave anteriorly, with two longitudinal ridges on
the outer side of each of which is a deep cavity. while between them,
as well as at the back part, are numerous papille. The posterior aper-
ture of the nares is linear, 8 twelfths long, with the septum apparent
in its whole length. The space between the palatal ridges and the
edges of the mandibles is covered with a very thin diaphanous mem-
brane, covering the eye and the cavity of the nose. It is on account
of this transparency of the roof of the mouth that some shallow-brained
observers have conjectured the possibility of the bird directing its eyes
so as to look through the palate,—an action which is rendered impos-
sible by the manner in which the eye is fixed in its orbit, and by its
form, which the ingenious persons alluded to must have conceived to
be perfectly globular, whereas it is much depressed, convex only at the
base, but anteriorly with the sides concave, owing to the curvature of
the sclerotic bones; so that, if the bird were to turn its eye forward
and inward, one-half of it would project out of the socket. After all,
this contemptible absurdity is not worthy of a serious refutation. The
lower jaw is very remarkable in having on each side two distinct pieces,
of which the basal is 12 inch in length, and much curved in the
horizontal plane, its convexity being outward; the other portion, 11
twelfths in length, very slender, and directed forwards and inwards,
with a considerable curvature downwards. 'The Goatsuckers are the
only American land birds that have thus the lower jaw composed of two
bones on each side, with a very loose joint. The tongue is very small,
CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW.
adnate for half its length,
attenuated, tapering, flat
above, covered with papil-
le, of which there isa large
one at the base on each
side; the tip narrow, but
rather obtuse; its length
74 twelfths, its breadth
at the base nearly 3
twelfths, at the middle 14
twelfth.
Although the mouth is
thus of extreme width, the
aperture of the throat is
only in its ordinary state
63 twelfths. Its mucous
membrane is thrown into
beautiful longitudinal ru-
gee, which are continuous
with those of the mouth.
The cesophagus, a 6 ¢, is 3
inches 10 twelfths long,
funnel-shaped at the com-
mencement, its average
width in the rest of its ex-
tent 3 twelfths; the pro-
ventriculus, 6 ¢, large, its
breadth being 7 twelfths.
The stomach, de, is very
large, roundish, consider-
ably compressed, 14 inch
in diameter, its tendons
round, and 4 inch in
breadth. The inner sur-
face of the cesophagus is
longitudinally plicate; the
proventricular glands are
few, very large, branched,
Tite
TTT
Xo
rrreC CIMA
<i Ay
an
Vie"
\s
<S
\
=
=
%
ci”
rg
403
404 CHUCK-WILL’S-WIDOW.
and form a belt about 9 twelfths in breadth. The muscular coat of
the stomach is very thin, and composed of strong fasciculi; the epithe-
lium extremely hard, of a horny consistence, with faint longitudinal
ruge. The lobes of the liver are nearly equal, and of moderate size.
The pylorus is small, with a prominent semilunar margin. The intes-
tine, ¢ fg, is short and wide, 14 inches long, from 4 twelfths to 3 twelfths
in width ; the duodenum curves in the usual manner, returning at the
distance of 1 inch 9 twelfths, the rest of the intestine forms only two
curves. The cceca, / 7 7,are 2 inches long, their greatest width 4twelfths,
their extremity rounded, their width at the base for half an inch only
13 twelfth, their distance from the anus 1 inch 9 twelfths. The cloaca,
j, is globular, 1 inch in width.
The horns of the hyoid bone curve over the occiput until nearly
over the middle of the orbits, and are attached to the base of the up-
per jaw. The nasal cavity is very long, and has two turbinated bones.
The brain is extremely small, its length being 8 twelfths, its great-
est height 5 twelfths. Its anterior extremity is much rounded, and
from its lower anterior part comes off the olfactory nerve, which is at
first somewhat bulbiform, and about ? twelfths in breadth; it then
enters a bony tube of about the diameter of one-tenth of a twelfth, and
which terminates opposite the superior turbinated bone, which is ovate
and forms a turn and a half. Besides this, there is anteriorly another
turbinated bone. The cavity of the nose communicates behind with
a large depressed cavity passing over the palate and beneath the orbit,
which being covered beneath with merely the membrane of the mouth,
extends all the way to the occiput. ‘The distribution of the first or up-
per branch of the fifth pair is as usual. The olfactory nerve is about
the size of a human hair, the other about double.
The trachea is 3 inches 9 twelfths long, a little flattened, of the near- -
ly uniform breadth of 23 twelfths ; its rings extremely feeble, and unos-
sified, about 80 in number, the lower very narrow, with 3 large dimi-
diate rings. The bronchi are moderate, of about 15 half rings. The
lateral muscles are strong, as are especially the sterno-tracheal ; a slip
from the lateral muscles proceeds a short way beyond the sterno-trache-
al, but does not extend to the end of the trachea, so that in reality there
are no inferior laryngeal muscles.
The stomach was distended with a mass consisting chiefly of re-
mains of insects, but also of nwmerous feathers, together with the lower
WHIP-POOR-WILL. 405
mandible of a small and young bird, apparently a Flycatcher, its cervical
vertebrae, a portion of a humerus, and fragments of other bones.
In a female, the cesophagus is 3 inches 8 twelfths long. The sto-
mach is 1 inch 4 twelfths by 1 inch 1 twelfth. Its contents, remains
of coleopterous insects.
The occurrence of the remains of a bird in the stomach of an indi-
vidual of this species is a very remarkable circumstance, as it had never
been known, or even conjectured to feed on birds. If the larger and
stronger species, and especially the Stout-billed Podargi, should thus
be found to be carnivorous, their affinity to the Owls, so apparent in
the texture and colours of their plumage, will be rendered more con-
spicuous.
W HIP-POOR-WILL.
CAPRIMULGUS VOCIFERUS, WILS.
PLATE LXXXII. Vox. I. p. 422.
Accorpine to Dr Ricuarnvson, this bird probably does not proceed
farther north than the shores of Lake Huron. A good number
remain during winter in the central southern parts of the Floridas,
where it was my delight to listen to their curious notes at that
season. This species was not seen by Mr Nurratt or Dr TownsenD
either on the Roeky Mountains or in the Columbia River district,
where its place seems to be supplied by a smaller species, which, al-
though often seen by Mr Nurratx, was not procured. I met with
the Whip-poor-Will in the Texas, and in the course of a journey
through the northern parts of Maine, performed in autumn, I fre-
. quently saw individuals on their way southward, flying pretty swiftly
close over the ground, from the commencement of dusk. No doubt its
migrations are performed by night. The eggs measure one inch and
one eighth in length, seven and a quarter eighths in breadth; their
ground-colour varies, and is sometimes very light.
Dimensions of a male preserved in spirits :—Length to end of tail
93 inches, to end of wings 84, to end of claws 73%; wing from flexure
7}; tail 43; extent of wings 173.
406 WHIP-POOR-WILL.
The form of the head and the proportions of its parts are similar to
those of the Chuck-Will’s-Widow. The bill is 94 twelfths long ; the
aperture of the ear 3} twelfths; that of the eye 43 twelfths; the nos-
tril 5 twelfths. The bristles, about 12 in number, are directed as in -
the species above mentioned, but are composed of shafts destitute of
barbs.
The cesophagus is 2 inches 9 twelfths long; its average width 4
twelfths, funnel-shaped at the commencement; the proventriculus 34
twelfths across. The stomach is 10 twelfths long, 8 twelfths broad ;
its muscular coat rather thick, the tendons large ; the epithelium
strong, tough, with very prominent longitudinal ruge, and of a light
red colour. Its contents are remains of insects. The intestine is 92
inches long, from 23 twelfths to 2 twelfths in width. The cceca are 1
inch 9 twelfths long, for three-quarters of an inch 1 twelfth in width,
in the rest of their extent oblong, with the extremity obtuse, their
greatest width 3 twelfths. The cloaca is ovate, 8 twelfths in diameter ;
the rectum, including the cloaca, 2 inches long.
The tongue is 5 twelfths long, slender, tapering to a point, very
thin, with two long, pointed papillz at the base, and numerous small
papillz on its upper surface. The hyoid bones as in the other species.
The trachea is 2} inches long, 14 twelfth in breadth, little flat-
tened, the rings feeble, 78 in number. The bronchi of moderate size,
of about 15 half rings. The muscles as in the other species.
The brain is smaller in these birds than in any that have been ex-
amined, excepting perhaps the Cuckoos and Pigeons.
NIGHT HAWK.
CAPRIMULGUS VIRGINIANUS, Briss.
PLATE CXLVIL Vo. II. p. 273.
Accorpine to Dr Ricuarpson, “ Few birds are better known in
the Fur Countries than this, which ranges in summer even to the re-
motest Arctic islands.” It extends laterally to the shores of the Co-
lumbia River, where it was found by Dr Townsenp. In the Texas I
found it plentiful, and breeding, although I did not meet with its eggs
A
mn
NIGHT HAWK. 407
there. They measure one inch and three and a half eighths in length,
by seven-eighths in the middle, whence they round off almost equally
at both ends. Their ground-colour is bluish-white, with numerous
irregular blotches of dull reddish-brown, of light and dark tints, giving
it the appearance of a piece of well-polished curiously clouded marble.
At Galveston Bay, I frequently observed this bird alight on the dry
mud-flats of the interior of salt-marshes, among Curlews, Semipalmated
Snipes, and other aquatic species. It is abundant at Boston, and breeds
there.
An adult Female preserved in spirits, measures to the end of the
tail 92 inches, to end of wings 91, to end of claws 64; wing irom
flexure 87, ; tail 4,°,; extent of wings 233.
The form of the head differs considerably from that of the other
two species, being more elevated in proportion to its breadth, and con-
siderably compressed before and behind, so as evidently to approxi-
mate to that of the Owls. The bill is of the same form as in the
Whip-poor-Will, but proportionally shorter, and the lower mandible
is equally divided into two pieces on each side. The aperture of the
nares is oblong, prominent, marginate, 14 twelfth long, } twelfth broad.
That of the ear is elliptical, 22 twelfths long, 143 twelfth broad; and
that of the eye measures 43 twelfths. The interior of the mouth is as
in the other species ; but its margins externally are destitute of bristles.
The posterior aperture of the nares is 5 twelfths long, the palate is
covered with papillz, the tongue is proportionally shorter and broader
than in the other species, being 3 twelfths long, triangular, sagittate
at the base, with two large papille, fleshy, but thin and pointed. The
width of the mouth is 11 twelfths. The esophagus is 2 inches 10
twelfths long, funnel-shaped at the commencement, presently contract-
ing to 3 twelfths, but on entering the thorax enlarged ; the proventri-
culus 6 twelfths in breadth. The stomach is very large, moderately
muscular, irregularly elliptical, a little compressed, 1 inch 1 twelfth
long, 11 tweltths broad ; its muscular coat of considerable thickness,
the epithelium remarkably thick and tough, so as to be almost of a
horny consistence, with strong longitudinal rugz, and of a reddish co-
lour. The contents of the stomach, remains of insects. The intestine
is short and wide, 103 inches long, 3 twelfths wide at the upper, 23
twelfths at the lower part; cceca 1 inch 8 twelfths long; for half an
408 PURPLE MARTIN.
inch 1 twelfth wide, the remaining part oblong, obtuse, 3 twelfths
wide. Cloaca globular, 9 twelfths in diameter.
Trachea 2} inches long, considerably flattened, of the uniform
breadth of 2 twelfths, excepting at the lower part, where it contracts
to 11 twelfth. The rings are extremely feeble, about 60, with two
terminal dimidiate rings. Bronchi moderate, of about 15 half rings.
The muscles as in the other species.
If the use of the elongated bristles at the base and sides of the
bill be to enable the Goatsuckers the more easily to secure their prey,
as it very probably is, why is the Night Hawk destitute of them, and
what are the circumstances in its economy that render them unneces-
sary ?
PURPLE MARTIN.
HIRUNDO PURPUREA, LINN.
PLATE XXII. Vou. I. p. 115.
A.tHoucH this beautiful Swallow reaches the vicinity of the Arctic
circle earlier than others, it is said to migrate far within the tropics,
as, according to Mr Swainson, it was “ observed in numbers around
Pernambuco, eight degrees and a half south of the line.” Dr Town-
SEND found it on the Rocky Mountains, and I met with it breeding in
the Texas in April 1837. Although it has not been mentioned whe-
ther it breeds at Pernambuco, it is probable that it does, for in the
United States it nestles in favourable situations from their southern ex-
tremity to their northern limits, selecting fissures of rocks and hollow
trees in the wilder or less inhabited parts. I saw none, however, in
Labrador or Newfoundland. The following notice by Tuomas M.
Brewer, Esq. of Boston, I present to you with pleasure.
“« A trivial fact will I think shew how exceedingly attached these
birds are to certain districts. Not many years ago, an unusually cold
season destroyed all the birds of this species in the immediate neigh-
bourhood of Boston; and, although those met within twenty miles of
PURPLE MARTIN. , 409
the sea-shore escaped with comparatively little loss, yet the place of
the dead Martins has never to this day been made good, excepting by
the intrusion of another species. Perhaps this fact proves nothing ; it,
however, appears to me to shew that these birds return in spring to the
places where they are reared ; or why, if the young of the last year
ramble in search of convenient boxes, should none have come here, al-
though they are around us? It cannot be that they are not a match
for the White-bellied Swallows, Hirundo bicolor, which have taken their
places.”
This statement is interesting as illustrative of the readiness with
which certain species, while seeking for places in which to breed, take
advantage of any favourable circumstance. The White-bellied Swal-
lows, instead of continuing to resort to hollow trees, as they are wont
to do, here took possession of the empty boxes of the Purple Martins.
A curious instance of the expedition with which this bird is apt to
make choice of a situation to breed in, and there forma nest, happened
on the 13th of May 1837, whilst the Crusader was lying at anchor a
few miles above New Washington, close to a point of sand, where our
men were engaged in fishing with the seine. The sails of our craft
were furled, and the morning was perfectly calm, clear, and warm.
Several pairs of Martins were seen to alight on the main-yard, and then
to pour forth their not unmusical song, after which, one by one, they
were all observed to examine and enter the folds of the furled sails.
In a few moments several were seen to go on shore, and return with
materials to form their nests. I gazed on all their movements with
painful anxiety, for the more they laboured at this time, the greater I
knew would be their loss. About mid-day they had made so much pro-
gress that they were seen gambolling around and over the water, as if
in ecstasy at their success ; but a fresh breeze happening to spring up,
our men were recalled, and the sails were unloosed, by which the frag-
ments of their nests were strewed on the deck. The Swallows came
round the now-moving bark, and followed us for several hundred yards, .
not with songs of joy but with notes of sorrow.
An adult female preserved in spirits measures to end of tail 734
inches, to end of wings 632; wing from flexure 5,8; ; tail 3; extent of
wings 15,% ; bill #5.
The mouth is of extreme width, its breadth being 10 twelfths ;
its roof flat, covered behind and in the middle with numerous papille.
x
410 PURPLE MARTIN.
On each side of the tongue is seen a prominence, which is caused by a
narrow oblong salivary gland, lying within the ramus of the lower
jaw on each side, and between it and the tongue, separated from the
mouth only by the mucous membrane, and formed of distinct tubular
bodies, of which the ducts enter nearly oppo- A
za
site the top of the tongue. That organ is
short, triangular, sagittate and papillate at
the base, fleshy, slightly convex above, thin
and horny towards the point, which is slightly
emarginate. The cesophagus, abe, is 2 inches
7 twelfths long, with an average width of 2}
twelfths ; the proventriculus, 5 c, 3 twelfths
across, its glandules oblong, forming a belt 4
twelfths in breadth. The stomach, de, is of
an irregular somewhat elliptical form, 9
twelfths in length, 8 twelfths in breadth ; its
muscular coat moderately thick, the muscles
distinct, the tendons large; the epithelium
thick, dense, with a few broad longitudinal
ruge. The contents of the stomach are in-
sects of various kinds. The lobes of the liver
are very unequal, the right being 11 twelfths |
long, the left 7. There is a gall-bladder of
an oblong form, 5 twelfths long. The intes-
tine, fgh, is short and wide, its length 7
inches, its breadth from 3 twelfths to 22
twelfths. The cceca, 77, are extremely small,
2 twelfths long, 4 twelfth broad. ‘The rectum, j, is short and wide, the
cloaca, #, ovate and 6 twelfths in breadth.
The trachea is 1 inch 9 twelfths long, considerably flattened, from
12 twelfth tol twelfth in breadth; its rings 52, firm, with 2 dimi-
diate rings. The lateral muscles are moderate, the sterno-tracheal
slender ; there are four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles. The bron-
chi are composed of about 15 half rings.
@ 4)
COMMON BARN SWALLOW.
HIRUNDO RuSTICA, LINN.
PLATE CLXXIII. Vox. II. p. 413.
I am as confident as ever, that our Barn Swallow and the Chimney
Swallow of Europe are the same species. It has been found on the
Rocky Mountains, and in the Valley of the Columbia River, as well
as in the Texas, and in many intermediate places. On the 24th of
April 1837, when we were between Rabit Island and Galveston Bay,
in the latter country, a bird of this species came on board, very much
fatigued, and after flying about some time, made an attempt to proceed
on its journey, but finding itself too weak, returned. It again set out,
but soon came back, and being too weak to gain a footing, fell into the
water, where it rested ashort time, and took to wing, but striking against
the vessel, fell again on its back, with its wings extended. After re-
maining a few moments in this position, it gradually turned itself over
by means of its wings, and took to wing, but this time made a shorter
flight, and endeavoured to gain the vessel, which was passing slowly
along ; its strength, however, failed entirely, and it fell and floated
astern, when it was picked up by one of the crew of the Crusader, which
we had in tow, but died soon after.
“Tn the Fur Countries,” according to Dr Ricuarpson, “ where the
habitations of man are ‘few and far between,’ it inhabits caves, particu-
larly in the limestone rocks ; and it also frequents the outhouses at the
trading posts.” My friend Tuomas Duruam Wer, Esq. of Boghead
in Scotland, has favoured me with the following account of the various
situations in which he has observed it breeding in that country :—
‘* About five or six feet down the inside of a wide circular chimney
at Cowie Distillery, about five miles from Stirling, for some time past,
three or four pairs of Swallows have annually built their nests. Upon
the inside of the roof of the coolers at the same place, which is 250 feet
long by 50 in breadth, upwards of a hundred pairs of them have for
many years erected their habitations and reared their offspring. In
the cooler at Glenmavis Distillery, near Bathgate, last summer several
pairs had their nests.
412 COMMON BARN SWALLOW.
“ In the inside of the large wooden vane of Bridgehaugh Mill, Ber-
wickshire, for fourteen successive years, a pair of them have resided.
The original nest is still remaining. Upon it, during that long period,
there have been only two other nests built, which are ranged in tiers
one above another, nearly all the same size, and plastered with mud
mixed with straw. For several seasons their young have been suffo-
cated by the smoke of the fire, which, during summer, is occasionally
put on for the purpose of drying corn and barley. After the destruc-
tion of their brood in July last, they did not attempt to occupy their
old abode, but erected another upon the side of the wall at no great dis-
tance from it.
« By some naturalists an erroneous opinion has been maintained, that
the Chimney Swallows differ from the Window Martins, in their not
returning to their old nests, but always building new ones.
“Tn the inside of the cowhouse at Bathville, in my immediate neigh-
bourhood, there are two nests fixed on the tiles at the top of the roof,
which have been possessed by these Swallows, the one five, and the
other six years.
“In the stable at Heatherfield, parishof Bathgate, Mr Joun Waucu,
farmer, informed me, that the same nest (out of which I took the young
ones that I sent to you) has been occupied by a pair of them, for twen-
ty-one successive years, in which, each season, they have brought up two
broods. During that time they have only occasionally put a little clay
around the edge of it, and repaired the feathers in the inside. It is a
curious fact, that in the morning before the door was opened, they were
in the habit of flying out and in at a small aperture at the bottom of
it. That entrance, however, having been shut up last spring, these ac-
tive little creatures were determined not to be excluded, for they found
a passage through a gutter which was only 6 inches in breadth by 53
in length.
“‘ Forthree successive years, a pair of them took possession of the same
nest which was built upon the wooden lintel of the cart-house at West-
mains, parish of Bathgate. It was within six feet of a large Newfound-
land dog. Although it, during the day, was in continual motion, and
very often barked, they brought up two broods each summer. In June
last, their eggs having been destroyed by rats, they appeared to have
had such a dislike at these voracious animals, that they immediately for-
sook their old residence.
boot”
COMMON BARN SWALLOW. 413
“‘ In the corner of Boghead coal-house, and within two yards of the
kitchen window, for several years a pair of these birds occupied the
same nest. Although the servants passed and repassed within a few
inches of it almost every hour of the day, and often during night car-
ried a candle, they appeared not to have been in the least degree
alarmed, as they always reared two families each season. Having,
however, in August last, attempted to catch them, they did not pay me
their usual visit this summer.
“Tn Scotland, at least so far as it has come under my notice, barns
and outhouses are the places in which they generally build. In this
neighbourhood, indeed, there is scarcely one to which these birds have
a proper access without them; and as they are seldom disturbed, they
usually revisit their old haunts.
“For their residence, they sometimes make choice of singular si-
tuations. In July last, upon two wooden pegs in the wall of the
laundry of Balbardie House, Linlithgowshire, and within three feet of
the chimney, a pair of these birds built their nest. In consequence of
the house having been for some time past unoccupied, and the door left
a few inches open for the admittance of air, through this narrow pas-
sage they flew in and out with the greatest dexterity.
“In a large unfinished room of a house belonging to me in the pa-
rish of Whitburn, nine or ten pairs of them have for several successive
years taken up their dwelling; although their nests were close to one
another, yet in this social and happy community the greatest harmony
prevailed.
“In the inside of the skylight of the upper loft of Gordon mill,
Berwickshire, a pair of them built their nest. ‘They flew into the
room through a broken pane in the window. As the hole by which
they entered was very small, it cost them a great deal of trouble to in-
duce their young when ripe to make their escape. By holding flies in
their bills at the outside of the pane they at length succeeded. From
this snug retreat, they, for eight or nine days, flew out every morning
and returned in the evening, in which they with their parents roosted
during the night.
“Upon the face of a farret-brae, or bank produced by the cutting
of peats, in Heatherfield moss, a few years ago, a pair erected their
nest, which they occupied for two successive summers.
“In the shafts of deserted coal-pits they frequently build.
414 COMMON BARN SWALLOW. ‘
« “In Skeltymuir, near Dalhousie Castle, there is a large pit cradled.
with stone, in which between forty and fifty pairs of them have for
many years dwelt and reared their young. j
“To Ballencrieff and Hilderstone coal-pits, in the vicinity of Bath-
gate, they annually resort. Although their nests were built at a con-
siderable depth, it was surprising to observe with what rapidity and
ease they flew up and down.
“ But they not only frequent abandoned pits, but even those which
are in use.
“In Colinshiels coal-pit, in the parish of Bathgate, I have seen
their nests, which were built between the branders or bars, at-the
depth of two, three, and nearly four fathoms. Of the banksmen and
colliers they appeared to be regardless ; even the hatches, which were
often drawn up and down, did not annoy them. To their offspring
they are so strongly attached, that I have been assured by those who
were eye-witness of the fact, that they often continued to sit upon
them when the pit was full of smoke. In Borbaughlan coal-pit, which
is narrower than the former, they likewise build and rear their young.
A collier informed me, upon whose veracity I can depend, that he is
well acquainted with a man named Malcolm, who, a few years ago, lost
his hand in the act of robbing a nest of its young in a coal-pit in the
parish of Shotts: the hatch in which he was standing having been un-
expectedly drawn up, occasioned the accident. The nest was built at
the astonishing depth of fifteen fathoms.
“You will observe, from the account which I have given of some
of the different situations in which these Swallows build, that, at least
in Scotland, the name ‘ Chimney’ is not very appropriate.”’
An individual of this species preserved in spirits measures to end of
tail 63% inches, to end of wings 63%; wing from flexure 419 ; tail 3};
extent of wings 12;%. The roof of the mouth is flat and somewhat
transparent; the posterior aperture of the nares oblongo-linear, mar-
gined with strong papilla ; the tongue 3; twelfths long, triangular,
emarginate and papillate at the base, thin, the tip slit and lacerate.
The mouth is supplied with numerous mucous crypts; its width is 5}
twelfths. There is a very narrow flattened salivary gland, similar to
that of the Purple Martin, but proportionally smaller. The cesopha-
gus is 2 inches long, 14 twelfth in width, simple or without dilatation.
By
4
REPUBLICAN OR CLIFF SWALLOW. — 415
The stomach is elliptical, 73 twelfths long, 6 twelfths broad, its mus-
cles distinct ; the epithelium, as in the other species, tough, with lon-
gitudinal ruge, and-of a reddish-brown colour. The intestine is short
and wide, its length being 6} inches, its breadth from 22 twelfths to 2
twelfths. The cceca are 2 twelfths long, 4 twelfth wide, and placed at
the distance of 11 twelfths from the extremity ; the rectum is dilated
into an oblong cloaca ; about 5 twelfths in width.
The trachea is 1 inch 5 twelfths long, moderately flattened, from 1
twelfth to 3 twelfth in breadth ; its rings pretty firm, 50 in number,
with two dimidiate rings. The muscles are asin the other species;
the bronchi are moderate, of about 15 half rings.
REPUBLICAN OR CLIFF SWALLOW.
HIRUNDO FULV A, VIEILL.
PLATE LXVIII. Vor. I. p. 353.
A
''Tue scientific world has been deceived as to the first discovery of
this interesting Swallow in the United States, it having been generally
supposed not to have been known as an inhabitant of our country until
the year 1820, when Major Lone found it near the Rocky Mountains.
And although the Prince of Mustenano saw my original drawing, and
read the account of the habits of this species in my Journal, as written
on the spot, both at Henderson in Kentucky, in the spring of 1815, and
again in the same state opposite Cincinnati, in the spring of 1819, and
concocted his article on this bird from these sources, he has refrained
from making any mention of these circumstances. ,
Much has been said by both American and European writers, to
prove that specific differences exist between the birds figured and de-
scribed by ViEILLoT, Swarnson, and the Prince of Mu SIGNANO, founded
on differences in the colouring of the specimens examined by these
authors ; but these variations are not greater than may be observed in
any other Swallow. Since I published my first volume I have enjoyed
ample opportunities of witnessing the breeding of this species, and
have examined a great number of specimens of all ages, from the period
of hatching to that of their being full-fledged. I have found the front-
416 REPUBLICAN OR CLIFF SWALLOW.
let in some pure white, in others reddish-brown, while in some the fore-
head and throat were of a bright and rather deep rufous tint. All these
differences I observed in the members of a group, which had their nests
under the eaves of the same barn in the State of Maine, where this bird
has been known to arrive regularly every spring since the recollection
of the oldest inhabitants. Of this I was well assured by Judge Liy-
coLn of Dennisville, where I saw hundreds of nests of this species. If
naturalists are determined to form new species on such slight grounds,
their labours will be interminable, but useless. If I had an opportunity
of examining the nests, eggs, young and old birds of the Hirundo melano-
gaster of my friend Mr Swainson, I should not be much surprised to
find it to be no other than the Cliff Swallow. As to figures of birds
taken from dried skins, no great reliance can be placed upon their ac-
curacy. The eggs of this species measure ten twelfths in length, six
and a half twelfths in breadth.
According to Dr Ricwarpson, this species is abundant in the Fur
Countries, where it was seen in great numbers by Sir Jonn Franx-
LIN’s party, on the J ourney from Cumberland House to Fort Enter-
prise, and on the banks of Point Lake in latitude 65°, N., where its
earliest arrival the following year was noted to be the 12th of June.
Its clustered nests he states to be of frequent occurrence on the faces
of the rocky cliffs of the barren-grounds, and to be not uncommon
throughout the whole course of the Slave and Mackenzie Rivers. Dr
TownsEnp has found this Swallow on the Rocky Mountains, and along
the shores of the Columbia River.
A female preserved in spirits, and presented by THomas MacCuttocu,
Esq., measures to end of tail 5;y inches; to end of wings 57%; to end of
claws 475; wing from flexure 4,4 : tail 27%, ; extent of wings 123. The
mouth is as in the other species; and there is on each side, between the
lower jawand the mucous membrane, a narrow salivary gland, which opens
in the angle, or near the junction of the crura, apparently by a single duct.
The width of the mouth is 6 twelfths. The tongue is 43 twelfths long,
triangular, emarginate and papillate at the base, flat above, the tip rather
abrupt and emarginate, thin and horny. The cesophagus is 2 inches
long, 2 twelfths in width. ‘The stomach is oblong, 8 twelfths in length,
6 twelfths in breadth, moderately muscular, its epithelium tough, longi-
tudinally rugous, and of a reddish colour. The contents of the stomach
WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW. 417
are insects, but there are no particles of quartz, of which none have
been found in that of any of the American Swallows or Goatsuckers
examined. The intestine is short and wide, as in the other species, its
length being 54 inches, its breadth from 24 twelfths to 3 twelfth. The
coeca are extremely small, scarcely 1 twelfth in length, and 3 twelfth
in breadth.
The trachea is 1 inch 42 twelfths long, 1 twelfth in breadth, consider-
ably flattened ; the rings 55 in number, moderately firm, with two addi-
tional dimidiate rings. The bronchi are formed of about 15 half rings.
The muscles as in the other species.
WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW.
HIRUNDO BICOLOR, VIEILLOT.
PLATE XCVIII. Vor. I. p. 491.
TuIs species is found abundantly dispersed over the Rocky Moun-
tains, and along the Columbia River. I have traced it on our At-
lantic coast from the Texas to Labrador, and Dr Ricnarpson states
that it frequents the woody districts of the Fur Countries up to the
68th parallel, but does not mention the periods of its arrival or de-
parture. In all parts of the country which are well wooded, it was,
until lately, in the constant habit of breeding in the hollows of trees ;
now, however, this is not so much the case, as will be seen from the
following note of Dr Tomas M. Brewer of Boston :—“‘ The Hirundo
bicolor arrives in New England the last of April or the first of May,
and is principally occupied, preparatory to breeding, with obstinate
contests with its own species, as well as with the Blue Bird, the Wren,
and the Barn Swallow. In the vicinity of Boston, since the destruc-
tion of the Purple Martins already mentioned, they have taken their
places, building in the boxes, jars, &c. originally intended for their re-
latives, so much so, that in this vicinity they are not now known to breed
at all in the hollow trees; a change of habit very unusual, if not
wholly unexampled. So much do they prefer their present mode of
breeding, that I have known them to build in a rude candle-box, of
which one side had been knocked out, placed upon the top of the house.
VOL. V. pd
418 WHITE-BELLIED SWALLOW.
In the first part of August, they collect in large flocks about ten days
before their departure for warmer climates. During that time they
are to be seen in great quantities flying around and over the houses in
Boston in quest of insects.”
My friend Dr Bacuman says, “ On the afternoon of the 16th of
October 1833, in company with Dr Witson and Mr Jonn Woopnouse
Aupuzon, I saw such an immense quantity of this species of birds
that the air was positively darkened. As far as the eye could reach,
there were Swallows crowded thickly together, and winging their way
southward ; there must have been many millions !”
The eggs of this bird measure five and a half eighths of an inch in
length, and half an inch in breadth.
In an individual preserved in spirits, the length to end of tail is 54
inches, to end of wings 53, to end of claws 343; wing from flexure 43% ;
tail 244 ; extent of wings 123.
The roof of the mouth is flat, and of the same general description
as in the Purple Martin; its width 43 twelfths ; the tongue 3 twelfths
long, its point slit. Between each branch of the lower jaw and the
membrane of the mouth is a narrow oblong salivary gland, with two
ducts, opening near the junction of the branches. The cesophagus is
2 inches long, from 13 twelfth to 1 twelfth in width; the proventricu-
lus 2 twelfths. ‘The stomach is irregularly elliptical, 6 twelfths long,
51 twelfths broad ; its structure as in the other species; the epithelium
longitudinally rugous, reddish-brown. The intestine is 6 inches long,
from 2 twelfths to 13 twelfth in width; the cceca are 3 twelfths long,
and 4 twelfth in breadth, 1 inch distant from the extremity ; the cloaca
oblong, 4 twelfths wide.
The trachea is 1 inch 4 twelfths long, considerably flattened ; its
rings pretty firm, 58 in number, with 2 dimidiate rings; the muscles
as in the Purple Martin; the bronchial half rings 15.
In the structure of the mouth the Swallows are allied to the Fly-
catchers on the one hand, and to the Goatsuckers on the other. Their
digestive organs do not differ materially from those of the former. The
elongated narrowsalivary gland found in all the species examined, occurs
equally in the Flycatchers, as well as in many other insectivorous birds ;
but is not larger in the species of which the materials of the nest are.
fastened together by a gluey substance than in the rest. Although not
mentioned in the description of the Sand Martin, it occurs in it also.
( 419 )
AMERICAN SWIFT.
CYPSELUS PELASGIUS, ‘TEMMINCK.
PLATE CLVIII. Vot. II. p. 329.
Dr Townsenp confirms the statement of General Crarx, by men-
tioning that this species inhabits the Rocky Mountains, and the Co-
lumbia River district. I have found it breeding in the Texas. It
does not visit the Fur Countries.
A specimen in spirits measures to end of tail 43 inches, to end of
wings 61, to end of claws 33; extent of wings 123; wing from flexure
54; tail 27’.
The bill is extremely short, the gape-line much decurved, the nos-
trils oblong, 1 twelfth in length, directed obliquely inward, and having
a prominent soft margin. The mouth is extremely wide, 63 twelfths
in breadth ; the tongue triangular, flattened, 4 twelfths long, thin, pa-
pillate at the base, horny towards the end, and pointed. There is on
each side an oblong flattened salivary gland, lying between the branch
of the lower jaw and the mucous membrane of the mouth, into which it
opens near the junction of the crura, apparently by several ducts. The
esophagus is 1 inch 9 twelfths long, of the uniform width of 2 twelfths.
The stomach is oblong, moderately muscular, 63 twelfths long, 42
twelfths broad ; its epithelium dense, reddish-brown, with twelve lon-
gitudinal ruge. The proventricular glands form a belt 4 twelfths in
breadth. The intestine is short and rather wide, 43 inches long, from
13 twelfths to 1 twelfth in breadth; the rectum wider; there are no
coeca ; the cloaca oblong. The lobes of the liver are about equal, the
left being 72 twelfths in length, the right 8 twelfths.
The trachea is 1 inch 5 twelfths long, from 1 inch ; twelfth to ¢
twelfth in breadth, flattened; its rings extremely feeble, 58 in num-
ber, with 2 dimidiate rings. The lateral muscles are slender, as are the
sterno-tracheales ; a slender slip extends to near the last ring, but there
are no inferior laryngeal muscles. The bronchi are moderate, of about
12 half rings.
The feet are extremely short, the anterior toes almost equal, the
hind toe very short, and capable of being directed forward. Although
420 AMERICAN SWIFT.
the toes are much shortened, and the third little longer than the se-
cond and fourth, the number of phalanges is the same as in other birds,
the first toe having two, the second three, the third four, the fourth
five. Of these phalanges the one next the last remains nearly of the
usual size, but the rest are extremely abbreviated. The form of the
foot thus differs essentially from that of the Swallows, in which the
middle toe is much longer than the lateral, and the hind toe proportion-
ally larger. It bears a great resemblance to that of the Humming Birds,
which on the other hand differ greatly in the structure of the mouth.
The sternum differs from that of the Swallows in having the crest ex-
tremely elevated at its anterior part, being 53 twelfths in height, and
the posterior margin without notches; whereas in the Swallows there
is on each side a deep notch similar to that of the Flycatchers and
Warblers. The furcula is also much shorter and wider.
In another specimen there are no inferior laryngeal muscles, nor coca.
These circumstances exhibit curious anomalies in a genus so inti-
mately allied in form and habits to the Swallows. They shew that
Cypselus is intermediate in some respects between these birds and the
Goatsuckers. In the form of the wing, and in the elevation of the
crest of the sternum, it closely resembles the Humming-birds; from
which, on the other hand, it differs as widely in the structure of the
mouth, tongue, and bill. They also shew that until the interior of birds
has been studied, it is in vain to think that any classification can be
constructed so as to exhibit their real affinities, and that. the notions of
those who reject anatomy must often prove very absurd.
TYRANT FLYCATCHER.
Muscicapa TyrANNUS, Briss.
PLATE LXXIX. Vor. I. p. 403.
Tuts bold Flycatcher is not satisfied with ranging throughout the
United States, but extends its migrations across the continent to the
Columbia River, and, according to Dr Ricuarpson, northward as far
as the 57th parallel, where it breeds, arriving in May, and departing in
the beginning of September. I have found it breeding in the Texas,
on the one hand, in Labrador on the other, and in all intervening dis-
TYRANT FLYCATCHER. 42)
tricts, excepting the Florida Keys, where it is represented by the Pipi-
rit Flycatcher. I have never seen it dive after fish, or even after aqua-
tic insects, although, as I have already mentioned, it throws itself into
the water for the purpose of bathing; nor have remains of fishes been
found in its stomach or gullet. Like all Flycatchers, it disgorges the
harder parts of insects.
How wonderful is it that this bird should be found breeding over so
vast an extent of country, and yet retire southward of the Texas, to
spend a very short part of the winter ! Some, however, remain then in
the southern portions of the Floridas. The eggs measure rather more
than an inch in length, and six and a half eighths in breadth; they
are broadly rounded at the larger end, the other being suddenly brought
to a sharpish conical point.
This bird has the mouth wide, the palate flat, with two longitudi-
nal ridges, its anterior part horny, and concave, with a median and
two slight lateral prominent lines; the posterior aperture of the nares
oblongo-linear, papillate, 43 twelfths long. The tongue is six-twelfths
long, triangular, very thin, sagittate and papillate at the base, flat
above, pointed, but a little slit, and with the edges slightly lacerated.
The cesophagus is 23 inches long, without dilatation, of the uniform
width of 3 twelfths, and extremely thin; the proventriculus 34 twelfths
across. ‘The stomach is rather large, broadly elliptical, considerably
compressed; its lateral muscles strong, the lower thin, its length 10
twelfths} its breadth 8 twelfths, its tendons 41 twelfths in breadth ; the
epithelium thin, tough, longitudinally rugous, reddish-brown. The
stomach filled with remains of insects. The intestine is short and
wide, 7 inches long, its width at the upper part 4 twelfths, at the lower
2 twelfths. The cceca are 2 twelfths long, 4 twelfth in breadth, and
placed at an inch and a half from the extremity. The rectum gradu-
ally dilates into the cloaca, which is 6 twelfths in width.
The trachea is 2 inches 2 twelfths long, considerably flattened, 24
twelfths broad at the upper part, gradually contracting to 11 twelfth ;
its rings 56, firm, with 2 dimidiate rings. It is remarkable that in
this and the other Flycatchers, there is no bone of divarication, or ring
divided by a partition ; but two of the rings are slit behind, and the
last two both behind and before. Bronchial rings about 15. The la-
teral muscles are slender, but at the lower part expand so as to cover
the front of the trachea, and running down, terminate on the dimidi-
ate rings, so that on each side of the inferior larynx there is a short thick
422 OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER.
mass of muscular fibres, which are scarcely capable of being divided
into distinct portions, although three pairs may be in some degree
traced, an anterior, a middle, and a posterior. These muscles are simi-
larly formed in all the other birds of this family, the Musicapine, de-
seribed in this work.
OLIVE-SIDED FLYCATCHER.
Muosicapa CooPeri, Nutra...
PLATE CLXXIV. Voz. II. p. 422.
‘Tuts species has never been observed in South Carolina, although I
met with it in Georgia, as well as in the Texas, in the month of April.
According to Mr Nurratt, it is “a common inhabitant of the dark fir
woods of the Columbia, where they arrive towards the close of May.
We again heard,” he continues, “at intervals, the same curious call,
like ‘gh-phehéa, and sometimes like the guttural sound of p h p-phebeé,
commencing with a sort of suppressed chuck ; at other times the notes
varied into a lively and sometimes quick p ¢-petoway. This no doubt
is the note which Witson attributed to the Wood Pewee. When ap-
proached, as usual, or when calling, we heard the pu pu pu.” _- single
specimen was shot on the banks of the Saskatchewan, and has been de-
scribed in the Fauna Boreali-Americana under the name of Tyrannus
borealis.
Dr Brewer has sent me the following note :—‘ A female specimen
obtained by me measures 63 inches in length, being fully half an inch
shorter than the male. Nape of the neck, belly, vent, throat, and
flanks white ; in the latter, continued to the back, so as to be visible
above the fold of the wings ; a broad olive band across the breast; in
all other respects it resembles the male. A nest, which I have exa-
mined, measures five inches in external diameter, and three and a half
inches in internal, and is about half an inch deep. It is composed
entirely of roots and fibres of moss. It is, moreover, very rudely con-
structed, and is almost wholly flat, resembling the nest of no other
Flycatcher I have seen, but having some similitude to that of the
Cuckoo.”
( 423 )
GREAT CRESTED FLYCATCHER.
Muscicapa CRINITA, Linn.
PLATE CXXIX. Vot. II. p. 176.
Tuis species is found on the Upper Missouri during summer. A
good number remain through the winter in the warmer portions of the
Floridas. I found them very abundant on the Texas, where they also
breed. On the 14th of May 1837, we saw a flock of about twenty,
composed of the young fully fledged and their parents. The eggs
measure seven and a half twelfths in length, and six twelfths in breadth
at the bulge, from which they run rather abruptly towards the smaller
end.
In a specimen preserved in spirits the roof of the mouth is flat, with
the membrane transparent ; the palate is papillate, with two longitu-
dinal ridges ; the upper mandible but slightly concave, with a median
ridge and two slight lateral prominent lines ; the lower mandible also
shallow, with three faint ridges. The tongue is rather short, triangu-
lar, flattened, extremely thin, sagittate and papillate at the base, horny
toward the end, with the point slit and lacerated ; its length 64 twelfths.
The mouth is wide, and there are five strong bristles on each side of
the base of the upper mandible, with an equal number of smaller
bristles behind the nostril. The cesophagus is three inches long, fun-
nel-shaped at the top, being at first } inch in width, but soon diminish-
ing to 3 twelfths, and so continuing. The lobes of the liver are very
unequal, the right being much larger. The stomach is broadly ellip-
tical, 94 twelfths long, 8 twelfths in breadth ; its lateral muscles strong.
its tendons large, being 3 twelfths in diameter ; its epithelium dense,
longitudinally rugous, reddish-brown. The contents are insects. The
proventricular glands are rather large, forming a belt 4 twelfths in
breadth. The intestine is short, and of moderate width, its length be-
ing only 64 inches, its breadth from 3 twelfths to 13 twelfth. The
coeca are very small, forming two knobs about 1 twelfth in length, and
1 inch distant from the extremity.
The trachea is 2 inches 1 twelfth long, little flattened, from 2
twelfths to 1 twelfth in breadth ; its rings 60, with 2 dimidiate rings.
424 COMMON PEWEE FLYCATCHER.
The bronchi are wide, and of about 12 half rings. The lateral and
sterno-tracheal muscles are very slender; the inferior laryngeal form
on each side a short thick pad, which is not divisible into distinct por-
tions, as it is in the singing birds. In another individual, the inferior
laryngeal muscles were extremely thin, as if atrophied.
COMMON PEWEE FLYCATCHER.
MoscicApa Fusca, Bonap.
PLATE CXX. Vot. II. p- 222.
AttHoucH this interesting and well-known species is found in
every portion of the United States, from the Columbia River to our
Atlantic coasts, no mention is made of it as occurring in the Fur
Countries. I have found it in Labrador, and in the Texas, in both
which countries it breeds. The eggs are six-eighths of an inch in
length, five-eighths in breadth, and are broadly rounded at the larger
end. Dr T. M. Brewer states, that “ although not on Professor
Emmon’s List, it is one of the most common birds in Massachusetts,
and its nests are to be found in abundance from the end of May until
late in July. The materials of which the nest is composed vary con-
siderably, but fine grass is generally used. In one instance I found it
formed entirely of down, with a few straws to keep it in shape.” The
eggs are uniformly pure white.
The following characters presented by the digestive organs and
trachea are common to all the North American small Flycatchers, vary-
ing only in their relative dimensions. The roof of the mouth is flat
and somewhat diaphanous ; its anterior part with three prominent lines,
the palate with longitudinal ridges ; the posterior aperture of the nares
linear-oblong, margined with papillae. The tongue is 42 twelfths
long, rather broad, very thin, emarginate and papillate at the base, the
tip slit. The mouth is rather wide, measuring 42 twelfths across.
There is a very narrow oblong salivary gland in the usual place, and
opening by three ducts. The cesophagus is 2 inches 1 twelfth long,
24 twelfths wide, without dilatation. The stomach is rather small, 6
WOOD PEWEE. 425
twelfths long, 5 twelfths broad, considerably compressed, the lateral
muscles distinct and of moderate size, the lower very thin; the epi-
thelium thin, tough, longitudinally rugous, brownish-red. The sto-
mach filled with insects. ‘The intestine is 61 inches long, from 1?
twelfth to 1 twelfth in width; the cceca 14 twelfth long, ¢ twelfth
broad, 1 inch distant from the extremity; the rectum gradually dilates
into an ovate cloaca.
The trachea is 1 inch 7 twelfths long, from 1 twelfth to 2 twelfth
in breadth, considerably flattened ; the rings 78, with 2 additional di-
midiate rings. The bronchi are of moderate length, with 12 half rings.
The lateral muscles are very slender, as are the sterno-tracheales ; the
inferior laryngeal are very small, and seem to form only a single pair.
WOOD PEWEE.
MuscicAPA VIRENS, Linn.
PLATE CXV. Vot. IL. p. 93.
AxtuHoucH the Wood Pewee is common in Labrador and Newfound-
land, as well as on the Rocky Mountains and along the Columbia
River, it does not appear to have been seen in the Fur Countries. I
have met with it abundantly in the Texas, where it breeds, as it does
in all suitable localities in the United States. The following notes
have been sent to me by my friend Dr T. M. Brewer of Boston.
** As you have informed me that some naturalists have doubted the
truth of the assertion that the materials of the nest of the Woog Pewee
are glued to the branch with saliva, assigning as a reason for their
scepticism, that the nest being always built on the dead limb, it woul
be necessarily exposed to continual or occasional rains, which would
not fail to dissolve the cement and thus destroy it, if it depended on
that fastening alone. This objection, however plausible, is not valid.
I have taken particular pains to ascertain the fact, and, although I
have never actually seen the gluey substance applied by the bird itself,
I have yet no doubt that your conjectures are correct. That the sa-
liva is soluble in water, and that should the nest be exposed to a heavy
rain it would be washed off is true. Yet this is seldom the case > and
426 WOOD PEWEE.
why ? for the simplest reason, that the nest, although built on a bare
and lifeless limb, is uniformly protected from the rain by the over-
hanging branches of the tree. I once took the pains to watch one of
these nests, which was placed on the dead limb of a walnut, during a
heavy thunder-storm, and though the rain poured down in torrents, I
could not perceive that a single drop had fallen on the nest. This pro-
tection does not always prove sufficient, for the nest is sometimes ac-
tually washed away. I have never known an instance in which one of
these nests was built without this defence against the rain, although a
strong wind, by giving the drops an inclined instead of a perpendicu-
lar direction, will render it no protection. It appears to me, therefore,
that the objections to your statement seem rather to strengthen than
to weaken its probability. I have little to add to the history of this
bird. The egg measures five-eighths of an inch in length, and nine-
sixteenths in breadth. The vividness of the red markings varies con-
siderably.
The structure of the mouth is the same as that of the Common
Pewee. The tongue is 44 twelfths long, its point very narrow and slit.
The cesophagus is 1 inch 11 twelfths long, its average width 11 twelfth.
The stomach is 4 inch long, 5} twelfths broad, and of the same struc-
ture. The intestine is 5 inches long, from 2 twelfths to 1 twelfth in
width; the cceca 14 twelfth, and 4 twelfth broad. There are salivary
glands, with three ducts as in the preceding species. The trachea is
1 inch 5 twelfths long, its rings about 75, and 2 terminal dimidiate
rings. The muscles are as in the other species, but the inferior laryn-
geal are larger. The bronchi have about 12 half rings.
TRAILUS FLYCATCHER.
Muscicaré TRAILLIUI.
PLATE XLV. Vot. I. p. 236.
Many specimens of this Flycatcher have been procured by Dr
TownsENp about the Columbia River, several of which are still in my
possession, after giving one to the Prince of Mustenano, who had not
seen one before, and another to the Earl of Dersy. Nothing has tran-
spired respecting its habits since the publication of my first volume.
( 497 )
SMALL GREEN CRESTED FLYCATCHER.
MusciIcAPA ACADICA, GMEL.
PLATE CXLIV. Vot. II. p. 256.
Tuts well-known species was procured on the Columbia River by
Dr Townsenp, whose specimens I saw in Philadelphia. It does not
appear to inhabit the Fur Countries, as no mention is made of it in the
Fauna Boreali-Americana.
The mouth is as in the other species, and there are salivary glands ;
the tongue 3 twelfths long, triangular, pointed and slit. Width of
mouth 4 twelfths. Qsophagus 1 inch 8 twelfths, its width from 2
twelfths to 14 twelfth. The stomach is 5 twelfths long, 42 twelfths
broad. Its contents, insects. The intestine is 4 inches 10 twelfths
long, from 1 twelfth to 3 twelfth in width; the coeca extremely small,
3 twelfths in length, their distance from the extremity 9 twelfths.
The trachea is 1 inch 4 twelfths long, about ? twelfth in breadth,
the rings 55, and 2 dimidiate. The muscles are as in the other species.
The bronchi have about 12 half rings.
LEAST FLYCATCHER.
MuscicaPA PUSILLA.
PLATE CCCCXXXIV. Vot. V. p. 288.
Tue mouth is as in all the preceding species ; there are very slen-
der salivary glands; the tongue is 2? twelfths long, triangular, pointed,
and slit. The csophagus 1 inch 8 twelfths long, from 2 twelfths to 1
twelfth in width. The stomach is broadly elliptical, 43 twelfths by 4}
twelfths, considerably compressed, and in all respects as in the rest.
Intestine 54 inches long, from 1 twelfth to $ twelfth in width; ceca 1
twelfth long, ? twelfth in width.
Trachea 1 inch 2 twelfths long, from ? twelfth to 4 twelfth in
breadth ; rings about 60, with 2 halved rings; bronchi of about 12
rings. The muscles as in the rest, the inferior laryngeal extremely
small.
( 428 )
AMERICAN REDSTART.
Muoscicapé RUTICILLéA, Linn.
PLATE XL. Vot.I. p. 202.
Tuis bird differs in no essential respect from the Flycatchers above
mentioned. Its mouth has the same structure, being only a little more
concave in front. The tongue is of the same form, but proportionally
narrower, its tip slit. The cesophagus is 1 inch 8 twelfths long, its
average width 1 twelfth. The stomach 43 twelfths by 32 twelfths.
Intestine 3 inches 10 twelfths long, its greatest width barely 1 twelfth ;
coeca little more than 4 twelfth long, and 734 twelfths distant from the
extremity. Trachea 14 inch long, of 55 rings, with 2 dimidiate; its
muscles as in the other species, but the inferior laryngeal proportionally
a little larger ; bronchi of about 12 half rings.
GREEN BLACK-CAPPED FLYCATCHER.
MuscicAapa WILSontz.
PLATE CXXIV. Vot. IL p. 148.
Tuis species is abundant on the Columbia River, whence several
specimens were brought by Dr Townsenp. I also found it on my way
to the Texas, early in April. It is now not uncommon in New Jersey,
on its passage Northward; but it has not been mentioned as occurring
in the Fur Countries.
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO.
VIREO FLAVIFRONS, ViEILL.
PLATE CXIX. Vo. II. p. 119.
Tue egg of this bird measures thirteen-sixteenths of an inch in _
length, by five-eighths, is of a slightly elongated form, oval, from the
YELLOW-THROATED VIREO. 429
smaller end being rather rounded, and is marked with a few scattered
spots of a deep brownish-crimson, on a beautiful flesh-coloured ground.
The Vireos are intermediate between the Flycatchers and the Shrikes,
but in the structure of their digestive organs, and in the arrangement
of the muscles of the trachea, more allied to the latter. Inamale pre-
served in spirits, the roof of the mouth is slightly concave, with two
palatal ridges, and an anterior median ridge; the posterior aperture of
the nares is linear-oblong, 5 twelfths in length, its margins papillate.
The tongue is rather short, 44 twelfths long, narrow, triangular, very
thin, emarginate and papillate at the base, flat above, tapering, to a
horny, deeply slit, lacerated point. The width of the mouth is 4}
twelfths. The csophagus is 1 inch 9 twelfths long, funnel-shaped at
the commencement, at the distance of half an inch,
its width is 12 twelfth, and thus continues until
it enters the thorax, soon after which it enlarges to
form the proventriculus, of which the breadth is 3
twelfths. The stomach is of moderate size, of a
broadly elliptical form, considerably compressed ;
its length 6 twelfths, its breadth 5 twelfths, its mus-
cles pretty large and distinct, its tendons of mo-
derate size; the epithelium thin, reddish-brown,
with eight longitudinal rugz on one side, and five
on the other. The belt of proventricular glandules
is 23 twelfths broad. The intestine is 52 inches
long, from 14 twelfth to 1 twelfth in width, the
rectum 2 twelfths at first, the cloaca globular,
about 4 twelfths ; the cceca 13 twelfth long, about
4 twelfth wide, and placed at the distance of 9
twelfths from the extremity.
The trachea is 1 inch 2 twelfths long, from L
twelfth to ? twelfth in width, moderately flattened,
its rings rather firm, about 50, with 2 dimidiate ; the muscles disposed
as in the Thrushes and Warblers, there being four pairs of inferior
laryngeal on each side, besides the sterno-tracheal. he bronchi short, —
slender, of about 10 half rings.
( 480 )
RED-EYED VIREO.
VIREO OLIVACEUS, Bonar.
PLATE OL. Vot. II. p. 287.
Ir appears that an individual of this species was procured at Cum-
berland House, lat. 54° N., and a description of it is given in the Fauna
Boreali-Americana, but without a single word as to its times of appear-
ance and departure. My friend Dr Tuomas M. Brewer has sent me
the following curious notice respecting this species. ‘ There is con-
nected with the egg of this bird which I sent you, a fact of some in-
terest, both as displaying its kind nature, and as establishing a fact in
natural history. Mr Orp says, in his paper in Loupon’s Magazine,
that ‘it is probable, that if the Cowbird deposits her egg in a nest
wherein the owner has not yet begun to lay, the nest is either detected »
forthwith, or the egg of the intruder is buried by the addition of fresh
materials, so that it becomes abortive Let us see if this be so.- On
the 10th of June 1836, I found the nest of the Red-eyed Vireo nearly
finished. It was situated on the extremity of a branch of an oak, at
the height of about 30 feet. Being in that situation quite inaccessible,
I fastened a cord to the end of the limb, and by bringing it closer to the
body of the tree and securing it in that situation, I put it within reach.
Although by this means the nest was nearly inverted, the bird did not
forsake it, but built up the under side, and adapted it to its new situa-
tion. About a fortnight after, I found in the nest two eggs of the Cow
Troopial advanced in incubation, although there were none of the eggs
of the owner of the nest. On the 30th of the same month, the egg of
the Vireo was found to have been added. This had been sat upon a
few days; and those of the T'roopial were nearly ready to be hatched.
This fact is one of the most satisfactory kind, for not merely one, but
actually two eggs of the Cow Blackbird were deposited, and instead
of being forsaken were incubated for at least a week before the bird
was ready to lay any of her eggs; and although repeatedly disturbed,
first by having her empty and unfinished nest nearly inverted, then by
having the eggs of the Cowbird removed and afterwards replaced in
order to put their identity beyond doubt, and again by having her own
eggs removed, she still clung to her adopted younglings with unexam-
pled fidelity.”
( 431 )
WARBLING FLYCATCHER OR VIREO.
VrirEO GILvVus, Bonap.
PLATE CXVIII. Voz. II. p. 114.
1
The roof of the mouth is flat behind, moderately concave before, with
a median ridge ; the tongue 6 twelfths long, emarginate, and finely papil-
late at the base, flat above, slit atthe point. The width of the mouth is 5
twelfths. The cesophagus is 1 inch 10 twelfths long, its greatest width 24
twelfths. The stomach is 63 twelfths long, 53 twelfths broad, of the same
structure as in Thrushes, Warblers, and Flycatchers, its lateral mus-
cles being moderate, the lower thin, the epithelium thin, tough, longi-
tudinally ridged. The intestine is 53 inches long, from 1? twelfth to
1 twelfth wide. The cceca are very small, 1 twelfth long, 9 twelfths
from the extremity. The individual examined, being a female, has the
oviduct of enormous width, its greatest breadth when inflated being 9
twelfths of an inch. The trachea is 13 inch long, from 1} twelfth to
1 twelfth in breadth, its rings 52, with two additional dimidiate rings ;
the muscles as in the Thrushes, but proportionally smaller.
WHITE-EYED VIREO.
VirEO NOVEBORACENSIS, Bonar.
PLATE LXIII. Vor. I. p. 328.
I wave ascertained that this species is a constant resident in the
Floridas during winter, as well as in the lower parts of Alabama and
Georgia. A great number, however, pass beyond our limits, for at
Galveston Island I found them arriving from the south: It extends
its movements across the whole continent, Dr TownsEnp having met
with it on the Columbia River. Along our Atlantic districts it is
found sparingly in summer as far as Nova Scotia, and a few were seen
by me in Labrador. The eggs measure four-eighths and three-fourths
in length, and half an inch in breadth.
( 482 )
SOLITARY VIREO.
VIREO SOLITARIUS, ViIEILLOT.
PLATE XXVIII. Voz. I. p. 147.
Tuts species is an inhabitant of the Columbia River district, where
several specimens were procured by Dr Townsenp. I found it abun-
dant in Maine, and it reaches Pictou in Nova Scotia, beyond which I
saw none on my way to Labrador. We found it in the Texas, arriving
from farther south late in April. My friend Dr Bacuman informs me
that it is “every year becoming more abundant in South Carolina,
where it remains from about the middle of February to that of March,
keeping to the woods. It has a sweet and loud song of half a dozen
notes, heard at a considerable distance.’ Mr Nutra. has favoured
me with the following notice respecting it :—
“* About the beginning of May, in the oaks already almost wholly
in leaf, on the banks of the Columbia, we heard around us the plaintive
deliberate warble of this species, first mentioned by Wison. Its song
seems to be intermediate between that of the Red-eyed and Yellow-
breasted species, having the preai, preai, &c. of the latter, and the fine
variety of the former in its tones. It darted about in the tops of the
trees, incessantly engaged in quest of food, and now and then disput-
ing with some rival. The nest of this bird is made much in the same
manner as that of Vireo olivaceus. One which I examined was sus-
pended from the forked twig of the wild crab-tree, at about ten feet
from the ground. The chief materials were dead and whitened grass-
leaves, with some cobwebs agglutinated together as usual, externally
scattered with a few shreds of moss (Hypnum) to resemble the branch
on which it hung ; here and there were also a few of the white paper-
like capsules of the spider’s nest, and it was lined with fine blades of
grass and slender root fibres. The situation, as usual, was open, but
shady.”
( 488 )
WARBLING VIREO.
VIREO GILVus, Bonar.
PLATE CXVIII. Vox. II. p. 114.
Ir is very surprising that this species, which is found on the Co-
lumbia River, and in our Middle and Eastern Districts, enters, tra-
verses, and leaves the United States, in a manner unknown to any one.
When on my way to the Texas, I met with most of our small birds,
but with none of this species.
YELLOW-BREASTED CHAT.
ICTERIA VIRIDIS, Bonap.
PLATE CXXXVII. Voz. II. p. 223.
In an adult male preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is nearly
flat behind, anteriorly arched and decurved, with a prominent median
ridge. The posterior aperture of the nares is linear, 5 twelfths long,
with the margins papillate. The tongue is 7 twelfths long, deeply emar-
ginate and papillate at the base, channelled above, tapering to a horny
point, which is rather blunt, but terminates in a number of slender
bristles, of which there are also some on its edges. The esophagus is 24
inches long, funnel-shaped at the commencement, then 3 twelfths in
width, and so continuing. The stomach is rather small, considerably
compressed, roundish, 7 twelfths long, 6 twelfths broad; its muscles
moderate and distinct, its tendons rather large ; its cuticular lining
thin, tough, brownish-red, with six ruge on one side, and four on the
other. Its contents are remains of insects. The intestine is 6} inches
long, 13 twelfth in width ; the coeca are extremely minute, being only 4
twelfth in length.
The trachea is 1 inch 9 twelfths long, considerably flattened, its
breadth 1 twelfth. The rings are 70 in number, and 2 dimidiate rings.
The bronchi are short, of 10 half rings. There are four pairs of infe-
rior laryngeal muscles, similar to those of the Shrikes.
VOL. Vv. Ee
( 484 )
GREAT CINEREOUS SHRIKE.
LANIvUS EXcusBiTor, Linn.
PLATE CXCII. Vox. II. p. 534.
Tue dimensions of an adult male presented by Dr T. M. Brewer
of Boston, and preserved in spirits, are :—Length to end of tail 103%
inches, to end of wings 7;’z, to end of claws 8,4; extent of wings 14, ;
wing from flexure 4;% ; tail 43%.
The roof of the mouth is nearly flat, with a median prominent ridge
anteriorly, and two papillate ridges be-
hind. The posterior aperture of the nares
is 7 twelfths long ; the tongue is slender,
7 twelfths long, emarginate and papillate
at the base, concave above, horny toward
the end, the margins lacerated, the tip slit.
The width of the mouth is 7i twelfths. The
cesophagus, abc, is 2 inches 10 twelfths
long, of considerable width, having an ave-
rage breadth of 4 twelfths ; the proven-
triculus, 6 ¢, 5 twelfths in width, its glands
forming a belt only 3 twelfths in breadth.
The stomach, d ¢, is broadly elliptical, 11
twelfths long, 93 twelfths broad ; its mus-
cular coat thin, being composed of strong
parallel fasciculi, its thickest part not ex-
ceeding 1 twelfth; the epithelium thin,
tough, reddish-brown, longitudinally ru-
gous. The pylorus is very small, with a
semilunar margin. The intestine, efyhij,
is 12 inches long, its greatest width 3
twelfths, the least 2 twelfths ; the ceca, i,
2 twelfths long, and scarcely 4 twelfth
wide, their distance from the extremity 1 ==
inch ; the cloaca, j, oblong, its width about _=S
6 twelfths. The stomach contained por-
tions of a mouse, including two front teeth.
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE. 435
The trachea is 2 inches 4 twelfths long, 2 twelfths broad at the
upper part, 12 twelfth at the lower; its rings about 55, with 2 dimi-
diate rings; it is considerably flattened below, but roundish at the up-
per part. The bronchi are of moderate size, with about 12 half rings.
The muscles are as in the Thrushes, there being four pairs of inferior
laryngeal, of large size.
In another individual, the tongue is 7 twelfths long, the mouth 8
twelfths in width; the cesophagus 3 inches long, its average width 33
twelfths ; the intestine 12 inches long. The lobes of the liver are very
unequal, the left smaller. The aperture of the ear of moderate size,
roundish, 2 twelfths in diameter. The contents of the stomach were a
small bird and some insects.
LOGGERHEAD SHRIKE.
LLANIUS LupoviciANnus, Linn.
PLATE LVII. Vou. I. p. 300.
I Have received specimens of our common Loggerhead Shrike, of
both sexes and of various ages, from Dr TownsENp, who procured them
on the Rocky Mountains and in the Columbia River district. These
specimens are in no respect different from those which I have obtained
in South Carolina, where it is plentiful. That this species should oc-
cur on both sides of the continent is not very remarkable, as several
other birds are in the same predicament. The Fish Crow, for example,
affords a more striking instance, as it is rarely found beyond the mari-
time districts ; whereas the Loggerhead Shrike extends its movements
far inland in the States of Georgia, Alabama, and Louisiana. This
species has been given as new, under the name of Lanius Excubito-
roides, in the Fauna Boreali-Americana ; but the description and figure
indicate nothing peculiar; and the nest and eggs described by Mr
Drummonp, especially the latter, are similar to those of the Carolina
Bird.
My account of the habits of this species being meagre, I have great
pleasure in laying before you the observations of my friend the Rey.
436 LOGGER-HEAD SHRIKE.
Dr Bacuman, who has had much better opportunities of studying them.
“Your description of this bird requires, I think, many additions. You
say it hasno song. This is true in part, but it has other notes than
the grating sounds you attribute to it. During the breeding season,
and indeed nearly all summer, the male ascends some cedar or other
tree, and makes an effort at a song, which I cannot compare to anything
nearer than the first attempts of a young Brown Thrush. Heseems to
labour hard, making as it were almost painful exertions. At times
the notes are not unpleasing, but very irregular.
“ You speak of the male shewing but little attachment to the fe-
male. I have thought differently, and so would you were you to watch
him carrying every now and then a grasshopper or cricket to her, poun-
cing upon the Crow and even the Buzzard, that approach his nest, and
invariably driving these intruders away. Indeed I consider these birds
as evidencing great attachment toward each other.
‘“‘T have usually found the nest on the outer limbs of a tree, fre-
quently the live-oak, sometimes the black-gum (Liquidambar styraciflua),
and often on a cedar, from fifteen to thirty feet from the ground. Once
only I saw it lower, on the toothach bush, Xanthozylum, about ten feet ;
high.
« T have occasionally seen this bird with young mice in its mouth,
and have found it feeding on birds that had apparently been wounded
by the sportsman. It sometimes catches young birds and devours them ;
but I am induced to think, from the observation of many years, that
the food of the Logger-head Shrike consists principally of insects.
Grasshoppers and crickets are preferred; coleopterous and other in-
sects are also frequently seized; and I have seen it catch moths and
butterflies on wing. ‘This bird has the same propensity as the North-
ern Shrike, to stick grasshoppers and other insects on thorns. I have
seen one occupy himself for hours in sticking up in this way a number
of small fishes that the fishermen had thrown on the shore ; but I never
found either this or the Northern Shrike return to seek this prey for
food at any other time ; but on the contrary, the fishes dried up and de-
eayed. I have seen them alight on the same thorn-bush afterwards,
but never make use of this kind of food. May it not be the same pro-
pensity which Jays have, who conceal nuts and grain, and apparently
do not return to devour them ?
“The Logger-headed Shrike is partially migratory in Carolina. A
LOGGER-HEAD SHRIKE. 437
few may be found through the winter; but the number is ten times
greater in summer ; and such is also the case with the Mocking Bird.
It appears fond of the little changeable Green Lizard (Anolius Caro-
linensis, Cuv.), and I have seen exertions of skill and activity on the
one part in seizing, and on the other in avoiding their enemy, but the
reptile, in spite of all its agility, is frequently secured. On one occa-
sion I had marked a lizard of this species on a fence. It was then beauti-
fully green ; but on being chased by a Shrike, which observing me flew
off, I found that it had become quite brown.
“This species breeds twice ina season, lays four and sometimes five
white eggs. Occasionally it feeds on the small black berries of a species
of Smilax; this is in winter, when it is probably pinched for food. I
have noticed it building its nest in the same tree for a succession of
years, never repairing an old nest but always building a new one.”
According to Mr Swatnson this species is found on the Table Land
of Mexico, where it is very common.
A male preserved in sprits measures 8}§ inches in length; extent
of wings 12 ; wing from flexure 4; tail 43.
‘The roof of the mouth is as in the other species ; its width 7 twelfths ;
the tongue is 6 twelfths, the posterior aperture of the nares 5 twelfths.
The lobes of the liver are very unequal, the right being the largest.
The cesophagus is 2} inches long, 4 twelfths in width, but on entering
the thorax contracting to 21 twelfths; the proventriculus 3 twelfths.
The stomach is irregularly elliptical, a little compressed ; the muscles
thin, especially the lower ; the epithelium thin, tough, brownish-red,
with longitudinal rugz. The intestine is 9 inches long, from 3 twelfths
to 1 twelfth wide; the cceca extremely small, 24 twelfths long, + twelfth
wide ; the cloaca small and oblong.
The trachea is 23 inches long, moderately flattened, 1? twelfth
broad at the commencement, 1 twelfth at the lower part; the rings
firm, about 56, with 2 dimidiate rings. The lateral muscles are very
slender, as are the sterno-tracheal, and there are four pairs of inferior
laryngeal muscles on each side, forming a large pad, as in the Thrushes.
In this respect the Shrikes resemble the Turdinw and Sylviane, much
more than the Flycatchers, of which the inferior laryngeal muscles are
small and blended. The bronchi are moderate, of about 12 half rings.
( 488 )
MOCKING BIRD.
TURDUS POLYGLoTTUs, LINN.
PLATE XXI. Voz. I. p. 108.
In an adult male of this celebrated bird, the roof the mouth is flat,
with two narrow longitudinal palatal ridges, and an anterior median
prominent line; the posterior aperture of the nares is oblongo-linear,
margined with acute papille, with which
also the whole membrane of the palate is
covered. The tongue is slender, 7 twelfths
long, emarginate and papillate at the
base, channelled above, horny and thin
toward the end, which is slit and lace-
rated. The width of the mouth is 6
twelfths. The cesophagus, abc, is 3 inches
long, and of the nearly uniform width
of 44 twelfths, unless at the commence-
ment where it is a little wider. The
proventricular glands form a belt 5
twelfths of an inch in breadth. The sto-
mach, cde, is rather small, broadly ellipti-
cal, 9 twelfths long, 74 twelfths broad, con-
siderably compressed ; its muscular coat
moderately developed, the right muscle
being 11 twelfth thick, the left 1 twelfth ;
the epithelium dense, tough, reddish-
brown, with seven longitudinal ruge on
one side and three on the other. The
intestine, efghijk, is of moderate length
and width; the duodenum, ¢ fg, curves
at the distance of 13 inch, and is 3 twelfths
wide, as is the rest of the intestine, of
which the entire length is 94 inches ; the
SS.
2.
cloaca. 4, very little enlarged ; the cceca, 7, 2 twelfths long, and
3 twelfth broad, their distance from the extremity 8 twelfths.
MOCKING BIRD. 439
The right lobe of the liver is very large, being 1 inch 13 twelfth in
length, and extending under the anterior part of the stomach, in the form
of a thin-edged rounded lobe ; the left lobe is 10 twelfths long, and lies
under the proventriculus and left side of the stomach. The heart is
of moderate size, 74 twelfths long, 5 twelfths in breadth, of a conical
obtuse form.
The aperture of the glottis is 14 twelfth long, and furnished with the
samemuscles as the other singing birds, viz. the thyro-arytenoideus, which
passes from the edge of the thyroid cartilage at its lower part to be in-
serted into the tip and sides of the arytenoid cartilage ; the thyro-cri-
coideus, which passes from the anterior edge of the thyroid backward to
the cricoid ; a small muscle, the crico-arytenoideus, which assists in clos-
ing the glottis; and several small slips similar to those observed in
other Thrushes, and especially in the Crows, in which the parts, being
larger, are more easily seen. The trachea is 1 inch 10 twelfths in length,
considerably flattened, gradually tapering from 14 twelfth to 1 twelfth ;
the rings, which are firm, are about 60, and 2 dimidiate rings. The
lateral muscles are slender, as are the sterno-tracheal. ‘There are four
pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles; an anterior, going to the tip of the
first half-ring, another to the tip of the second, a third broader and in-
serted into a portion of the last half ring, the fourth or posterior or up-
per, long, narrow, and inserted into the point of the same half ring.
Besides these, as in all the land-birds, there is a pair of very slender
‘muscles, the ¢leido-tracheal, arising from the sides of the thyroid car-
tilage and inserted into the furcula. The bronchi are rather wide and
short, of 12 cartilaginous half rings.
As in all the birds of this family, there is a very slender salivary
gland on each side, lying between the branch of the lower jaw and the
mucous membrane of the mouth, upon which latter it opens anteriorly
to the frenum of the tongue.
This species is abundant in the Texas, where it breeds. The eggs
are generally one inch in length, and nine-twelfths and a quarter in
breadth.
( 440 )
CAT BIRD.
TURDUS FELIVOX, ViEILL.
PLATE CXXVIII. Vox. II. p. 171.
I rounp this species abundant in the Texas, where it breeds. ‘The
eggs measure almost an inch in length, and three-fourths in breadth,
and are of an oval form, well rounded at both ends. According to Dr
TownsEND, it is not found on the Missouri or on the Rocky Mountains.
“« Although only here and there met with in Maine, it is yet found in
the greater part, if not the whole, of that State. It exists in New
Hampshire and Vermont, as far to the north as the Canada line, and
even breeds there, as its eggs have been sent me from the town of Co-
ventry, which is but a few miles from the border. How much farther
north they are to be found I cannot say. The Cat Bird, like its re-
latives, the Robin and Brown Thrush, cannot be induced to sit upon
eggs which do not belong to it, even if they be eggs of the same spe-
cies, but will invariably, I believe, remove them from the nest. It is
also strongly attached to its own eggs, so much so as to follow the
nest when it has been taken down, and even to take possession of it
again, although left at a great distance from the place in which it was
built.” This notice is from Dr T. M. Brewer of Boston.
The structure of the mouth is as in the Mocking Bird; its width
53 twelfths. The tongue is 5 twelfths long, with the point slit. The
cesophagus is 2 inches 11 twelfths long, its greatest width 3 twelfths,
without any remarkable dilatation. The stomach is broadly elliptical,
74 twelfths long, 6; twelfths broad; its muscles pretty large, the lower
however very thin, the tendons roundish; the epithelium as in the
other species, with prominent longitudinal ruge. The intestine is 74
inches long, from 3 twelfths to 13 twelfth in width. The ceeca are 23
twelfths long, 13 twelfth in width, 1 inch distant from the extremity ;
the cloaca ovate, 44 twelfths wide.
The trachea is 1 inch 10 twelfths long, moderately flattened ; the
rings firm, 75 in number; the bronchial half rings about 15. The
muscles are as in the other Thrushes ; the inferior laryngeal pretty
large and well defined.
( 441 )
FERRUGINOUS THRUSH.
TuRDUS RUFUS, Linn.
PLATE CXVI. Vox. II. p. 102.
Tus species is abundant in the Texas, and breeds there. It was
not observed by Dr Townsenp on the Rocky Mountains, or any where
beyond them. According to Dr Ricuaxrpson, the vicinity of the Sas-
katchewan River forms its northern limits. Dr T. M. Brewer writes
me as follows :—‘‘ Your account of the habits of the Brown Thrush
does not leave me any thing to add. I will therefore only trouble you
with the following test of the ability of this bird to detect the intru-
sion of eggs not belonging to it. I found this summer, 1837, a nest
containing three eggs, which I removed, leaving in their place three
Robin’s eggs, and retired to wait the issue. In a few moments the fe-
male approached, gave the contents of the nest a hasty survey, and im-
mediately flew off. She returned in a short time in company with her
mate, and both flew to the nest apparently in the greatest rage, took
each an egg in their claws, and dashed it against the ground at the dis-
tance of more than a rod from the nest, the female repeating the same
to the other egg. This done, they continued for some time to vent
their rage on the broken eggs, tossing them about, and at the same
time manifesting their displeasure in every possible way. They after-
wards forsook the nest. The eggs measure an inch and an eighth in
length, six and a half eighths in breadth. ‘They never raise more than
one brood in a season here.”
As in the preceding species, the roof of the mouth is flat, with two
longitudinal ridges behind, a median and two slight lateral ridges be-
fore. The posterior aperture of the nares is linear-oblong, 3 inch in
length, margined with papille. 'The tongue is slender, emarginate and
papillate at the base, slightly concave above, horny in the greater part
of its length, thin-edged toward the end, and with the point slit and
lacerated. The cesophagus is 3 inches long, without dilatation, 3
twelfths in width. The stomach is of moderate size, 10 twelfths long,
9 twelfths broad, its lateral muscles well developed, the tendons large ;
442 MIGRATORY THRUSH.
the epithelium tough, reddish-brown, with three longitudinal rug on
one side, and four on the other. The proventricular glands very small,
forming a belt 5 twelfths in breadth. ‘The contents of the stomach are
remains of insects, with a few particles of quartz. The intestine is 10
inches long, its width from 3} twelfths to 2 twelfths; the cceca ex-
tremely small, 13 twelfth in length, 4 twelfth in breadth, 1 inch dis-
tant from the extremity ; the cloaca oblong, 5 twelfths in breadth.
The trachea is 23 inches long, flattened ; 2 twelfths broad above,
1} twelfth below ; its rings firm and rather broad, 60 in number, with
2 dimidiate rings. Bronchi short, of about 12 half rings. The muscles
as in the Mocking Bird and other Thrushes and Warblers.
AMERICAN ROBIN OR MIGRATORY THRUSH.
TURDUS MIGRATORIUS, Linn.
PLATE CXXXI. Vol. II. p. 190.
Tue extent of migration of this bird, and its breeding from the
Texas to the 56th degree -of north latitude, and from the Atlantic
coast to the Columbia. River, seem to me to afford a strong argument
against the necessity of migration in birds. . In countries, like ours, of
great extent and varied climate, migrating birds find many favourable
places at which to stop during the summer months for the purpose of
breeding. I have repeatedly mentioned that young birds regularly ad-
vance farther southward in winter than their parents, which may be ac-
counted for by the capability of enduring cold being greater in the latter.
Now, is it not probable that young birds of a second or third brood, who
are urged at an earlier period than those of the first set, but late in the
season, to force their-way southward, and save themselves from the ri-
gours of approaching winter, are at this period of weaker constitution
than those which have been born earlier, and have been less pressed by
time in prosecuting their journey southward? In.consequence of this,
the last young broods may be unwilling, perhaps unable, on the approach
of spring, to start and follow their stronger companions to the land of
their nativity. They may thus remain and breed in their first year’s
winter quarters, or adyance so far as their strength will allow them.,,
a ee
MIGRATORY THRUSH. 443
In the course of my studies, I have, in a great number of instances, ob-
served that such birds as produced three broods in one season and in the
same district, were all much older than those which produced only one
brood. Of this any one can easily assure himself by shooting the
breeding birds, and either bending or breaking their bones, or tearing
asunder their pectoral muscles, which will be found harder or tougher
in proportion to their age. Thus I am inclined to believe, that the far-
ther south breeding individuals are found the younger they are, and vice
versa. This general rule is well exhibited in most of the species of birds,
whether of the land or of the water, that are known to proceed in spring
northward, and to return southward at the appearance of the inclement
season ; for in them the gradual progress of the young may easily be
compared with the much slower advance of the old.
I have, on many occasions, when certain species returned to the
nest or spot where they bred the previous season, observed, that what
I considered to be the parents of the first year’s young, were again the
occupants. In the Swallow tribe, and in some of our travelling Wood-
peckers, as well as in the Summer Duck, the Dusky Duck, the Mallard,
the Hooded Merganser, Crow Blackbirds, Starlings, Kingfishers, Ca-
nada Geese, &c., this has proved correct, in as far as I could ascertain
by the comparative softness of their bones and pectoral muscles. I think,
further, that such species as merely enter the southern parts of our
country in the breeding season, as the Mississippi Kites, Fork-tailed
Hawks, Roseate Spoonbills, Flamingoes, Scarlet Ibises, &c. would
all prove, if their winter retreats were well ascertained, to ad-
vance much farther southward than any of those which reach us first,
and which continue their movements northward; with the exception
of such species, however, as would not be likely to meet with the food
they are accustomed to live upon, or the same degree of warmth as that
to which they have been habituated, as our Parrakeets, the White-
headed Pigeon, Zenaida Dove, Booby Gannet, several Terns, Galli-
nules, Herons, and others, which are by no means deficient in the
power of flight, were nothing else required.
Another thought has frequently recurred to me while making ob-
servations on the habits of our birds: the nests of all those which ad-
vance least to the northward are less bulky than those of the same species
found in higher latitudes. This difference I have not considered alto-
gether as depending upon the state of the temperature, but upon the
444 MIGRATORY THRUSH.
longer time afforded these birds for rearing their young, the old and strong
individuals arriving at an early period of the season, so that they have abun-
dance of time to rear their broods before a decided change of tempera-
ture takes place. Again, it has become a matter of great doubt with
me, whether the necessity of migration has not, in some parts of our
countries, been increased in many species by the great increase of the
individuals of a species that have settled there, and which have so en-
croached upon the original occupants as to force them to seek other re-
treats. In times long gone by, the country was in a manner their own,
and being free of annoyance, they probably bred in every portion of the
land that proved favourable in regard to food. On the other hand, I
am fully aware that many species, now unknown in certain districts,
have formerly been abundant there, but have been induced to remove
to other sections of the country, enticed thither by the accumulation
of food produced by the increase of civilized men. This I would look
upon as a proof that migration is not caused by an organic or instinc-
tive impulse which induces birds to remove at a particular period to a
distant part, to spend a season there for the sole purpose of reproducing,
but for the reasons stated above.
Dr T. M. Brewer has favoured me with the following remarks :—
** Your account of the Robin hardly leaves me any thing to add, except
the fact that Mr Casor found the nest of this bird on the ground (a bare
rock) near New Port, Rhode Island. Such a situation is certainly un-
usual, if not altogether unprecedented. It appears to me that the opi-
nion commonly entertained, that the Robin passes the winter in Massa-
chusetts, is not strictly correct. Sure it is that Robins are to be found
here pretty much at all seasons, but I have no idea that the same indi-
viduals remain any length of time. They are rather successions of
flocks slowly moving towards warmer regions, and have about all passed
through the State by the first week of February ; from which time un-
til March none are to be found there, when those that visit the extreme
northern parts again commence their migrations. In the gardens in
the vicinity of Boston, the Robins have become a great nuisance, from
the boldness with which they appropriate to their own use the largest,
earliest, and best cherries, strawberries, currants, buffalo-berries, rasp-
berries, and other fruit. The Robin generally has three broods in a
season, in this State, and in the third nest it is not unusual to find the
MIGRATORY THRUSH. 445
egg last laid to be only about a third of the size of the others. Albi-
noes of this species have sometimes been seen.”
The interior of the mouth has the same general structure as that
of the Mocking Bird ; its width 4 twelfths. ‘The tongue is 8 twelfths
long, narrow, tapering, thin, horny, with the margins slightly lacerated,
and the tip slit. The posterior aperture of the nares is oblongo-linear,
7 twelfths long. The cesophagus is three inches long, funnel-shaped
at the commencement, afterwards of the nearly uniform width of 34
twelfths, until it enters the thorax, when it contracts; the proventri-
culus bulbiform, 5 twelfths in breadth. 'The stomach is of moderate
size, broadly elliptical, 9 twelfths in length, 74 twelfths in breadth ;
the epithelium light red, longitudinally rugous; the muscles of mode-
rate thickness. The intestine is of moderate length and great width,
the former being 13 inches, the latter 4twelfths. It passes downwards
in front, at the distance of 13 inch, bends forward, inclosing the pan-
creas, opposite the right lobe of the liver receives the biliary ducts,
then passes backwards to the right side until it reaches the hind part
of the abdomen, forms two short convolutions, afterwards a larger one,
and over the stomach terminates in the rectum. The ceca are 3 twelfths
long, 1 twelfth in width; their distance from the extremity 1 inch.
The cloaca is an oblong sac, of which the width is 4 inch.
The trachea is 2 inches 2 twelfths long, a little flattened, firm, the
rings about 78, with 2 terminal half rings. The bronchi are short, of
about 12 half rings. The muscles are as described in the Mocking
Bird.
HERMIT THRUSH.
TURDUS MINOR, GMEL.
PLATE LVIII. Voz. I. p. 303.
Tue mouth of this species has the same structure as that of the
Robin. The tongue is 5 twelfths long, sagittate and papillate at the
base, narrow, thin, horny, with the margins slightly lacerate and the
tip slit. The cesophagus is 2} inches long, about 2 twelfths in width.
.
446 WOOD THRUSH.
The stomach is 6 twelfths long, 6 twelfths broad, or quite round ; its
structure as in the Robin. The intestine is 74 inches long, from 23
twelfths to 2 twelfths in width. The cceca are 2 twelfths long, 3 twelfth
broad, 10 twelfths distant from the extremity ; the cloaca oblong, about
43 twelfths in width. The trachea is 14 inch long, 3 twelfth in breadth;
its rings 90; the bronchial half rings about 15; the muscles as in the
other species.
WOOD THRUSH.
TURDUS MUSTELINUS, GMEL.
PLATE LXXIII. Voz. I. p. 372.
Movrs as in the rest; tongue 63 twelfths long, emarginate and
papillate at the base, flat above, thin, and tapering to a slit point ; sali-
vary glands as in all the Thrushes. Qisophagus 2 inches 8 twelfths
long, about 9 twelfths in width. Stomach 8 twelfths long, 6 twelfths
broad, its muscles large ; epithelium with prominent ruge. Intestine
83 inches long, from 24 twelfths to 14 twelfth wide ; cceca 2 twelfths
long, 1 twelfth broad; cloaca ovate, 45 twelfths in breadth. Trachea
2 inches long, from 17 twelfth to 14 twelfth in breadth, moderately
flattened ; the rings firm, 68 in number; bronchial rings 15. The
muscles as in the rest.
TAWNY THRUSH.
Turbus Writsonir, Bonar.
PLATE CLXIV. Vot. II. p. 362.
MourH as in the rest; tongue 52 twelfths long. C&sophagus 2
inches 2 twelfths long, its width 23 twelfths ; proventriculus 3 twelfths.
Stomach roundish, 73 twelfths long, 6 twelfths broad, in other re-
spects as in the other species. Intestine 93 inches long, from 23
twelfths to 2 twelfths in width; cceca 2 twelfths by 1 twelfth, 1 inch
GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH. 447
distant from the extremity ; cloaca ovate, 4 twelfths wide. Trachea 1
inch 8 twelfths long, 1 twelfth broad ; rings 78, moderately firm ; bron-
chial rings about 15. Muscles as in the other species.
All the Thrushes examined, as well as the Shrikes, Warblers, Fly-
catchers, Swallows, in short all the land birds, have a pair of very
slender muscles proceeding from the sides of the thyroid cartilage, to
be inserted into some part of the furcula: In all the Thrushes, the
right lobe of the liver is larger than the left, under which it passes in
the form of a thin expanded lobe ; and there is no gall-bladder.
GOLDEN-CROWNED THRUSH.
TURDUS AUROCAPILLUS, LaTu.
PLATE CXLIII. Vol. II. p. 253.
Turs bird is found in almost every district, from the Atlantic coasts
to the shores of the Pacific ocean. Dr TownsEnp brought specimens
of it from the Columbia River, but he did not find it on the Rocky
Mountains, although it inhabits the plains of the Missouri. Dr Ricu-
ARDsoN informs us that it breeds on the banks of the Saskatchewan
River, and perhaps still farther northward. I found it abundant in the
Texas, about the middle of May, and have reason to think that it breeds
there. The eggs measure seven-eighths in length, and five-eighths in
breadth. The nest somewhat resembles in form that of the European
Dipper, although it is far from being so substantially built, or so large.
The structure of the mouth is the same as in the Thrushes above
described ; as is that of the tongue, which is 44 twelfths long, emargi-
nate and papillate at the base, and terminates ina slit point. The ceso-
phagus is 2 inches long, its greatest width 23 twelfths. The stomach is
6 twelfths long, 5 twelfths broad, its structure in all respects as in the
Thrushes. The intestine is 54 inches long, about 13 twelfth wide ;
the cceca very small. The trachea is 1 inch 14 twelfth long, nearly 1
twelfth broad, its rings 75, the bronchial half rings about 12 ; the mus-
cles as in the Thrushes’ and,Warblers. There are slender salivary
glands, as in all the birds of this family.
( 448 )
SHORE LARK
ALAUDA ALPESTRIS, Linn.
PLATE CC. Vol. II. p. 570.
** Karty in November,” as my friend Dr T. M. Brewer informs
me, “the Shore Lark makes its appearance in Massachusetts, and con-
tinues there in large flocks of immature birds through the whole of the
winter, and until March. They fly in small flocks, usually of less than
twenty, frequenting for the greater part the salt-marshes along the
coast. They suffer greatly from the depredations made upon them by
Hawks of various kinds, especially the
Rough-legged Falcon, the Red-shouldered te
Hawk, and the Marsh Hawk.” “ On
June 10.” says Mr Nourtatu, “on the
plains by the banks of the sweet water of
the Platte, we started the Shore Lark
from her nest in a small depression on the
ground. It was made of bent grass, lined
with coarse bison hair. The eggs were
olive-white, minutely spotted all over with
a darker tinge.”
In a male preserved in spirits, the roof
of the mouth is slightly concave, its an-
terior part with a median and two slight
lateral prominent lines; its width 41
twelfths. The tongue is 83 twelfths long,
emarginate and papillate at the base, with
a large papilla at each side, narrow, con-
cave above, tapering, with the point abrupt
and emarginate. The cesophagus, abc, is 3
inches long, its greatest width 43 twelfths,
narrowed to 3 twelfths on entering the
thorax ; the proventriculus, bc, 4 twelfths.
The stomach, de, is an exceedingly large
muscular gizzard, of a transversely elliptical
BROWN TITLARK. 449
form ; its breadth 1 inch 1 twelfth, its length 10 twelfths ; its lateral
muscles much developed, itstendons large and radiated ; the epithelium
brownish-red, very thick, with two opposite concave smooth grinding
surfaces. Its contents are seeds and sand. The intestine, ¢ fg h, is
103 inches long, its width from 33 twelfths to 3 twelfths; the cceca,
7, 24 twelfths long, 13 twelfth wide; the distance from the extremity
of the intestine 1 inch ; the cloaca, 7, oblong, about 5 twelfths wide.
The trachea is 2 inches long, from 13 twelfth to 1 twelfth in width,
considerably flattened ; the rings about 65, moderately firm. The in-
ferior laryngeal muscles, four on each side, are of considerable size ; the
lateral muscles slender. The bronchial rings 15. As in the Thrushes
and Warblers there are two very slender salivary glands.
BROWN TITLARK. <Awnruus SPINOLETTA, Bonar.
PLATE X. Vol. I. p. 49.
PRAIRIE TITLARK. ANTHUS PIPIENS.
PLATE LXXX. P. 408.
Tus species extends its migrations to the Missouri and Columbia
River, where it was met with by Dr Townsenp. I found it in April
in the Texas, and Dr Ricnarpson observed it in small flocks on the
plains of the Saskatchewan in the spring of 1827, feeding on the larve
of small insects, particularly of a species of ant. I found it breeding
very abundantly on the coast of Labrador, on the moss-covered rocks,
as well as in the deep valleys, but never at any great distance from the
sea. The nests were usually placed at the foot of a wall of the rocks,
buried in the dark mould, and beautifully formed of fine bent grass,
arranged in a circular manner, without any hair or other lining. Both
birds incubate, sitting so closely, that on several occasions I almost put
my foot upon them before they flew. The first that I found was on
the 29th of June, when the thermometer ranged from 51° to 54°. The
VOL. Vv. Ff
450 BROWN TITLARK.
eggs were six in number, five-eighths of an inch long, six and a quarter
twelfths in breadth, being rather elongated, though rounded at both
ends; their ground-colour of a deep reddish-chestnut or reddish-brown,
considerably darkened by numerous dots of a deeper reddish-brown and
lines of various sizes, especially toward the large end. The drawing
of an egg supposed to be of this species, sent me by Dr Tuomas M.
Brewer of Boston, measures seven-eighths of an inch in length, five-
eighths in breadth, and is more pointed at the small end than any of
those found in Labrador ; its ground-colour is whitish, faintly marked
all over with dull reddish-brown dots. It was found in Coventry, in the
State of Vermont.
These Titlarks vary much in colour, having the upper parts in
spring almost of a leaden grey, the cheeks and a line over the eye
whitish, the lower parts of a beautiful light buff. The claws of those
shot in Labrador were shorter than usual, having probably been worn
in scratching the mosses and soil in forming a place for the nest, which
is well sunk. During the breeding-time the male often rises on wing
to the height of eight or ten yards, and emits a few clear and mellow
notes, but returns to its consort or alights on the rock with a sudden-
ness in keeping with the short duration of its song, which is rarely
heard after the eggs are hatched. These birds leave Labrador and
Newfoundland as soon as their young are able to fly, which is usually
the case about the middle of August. On the 6th of July 1833, in
Labrador, I heard this bird singing both on wing and on the ground.
When on wing, it sings while flying very irregularly in zigzags up and
down; when on the rocks, it stands erect, and J think produces a
louder and clearer song.
When returning northward in spring, their movements correspond
with the advancement of the season, and we found them to increase in
number as we proceeded, and to settle in all the favourable places. In
the vicinity of Charleston, as well as in that of New Orleans, where
this species is very abundant during winter, it is frequently seen seek-
ing for food among the castings of filth of all sorts, in company with
the Turkey Buzzards and Carrion Crows, and when disturbed, will
alight on the roof of the nearest building, on stakes or fences, as well
as walls, and occasionally on the branches of trees. While watching
them, I have often observed them vibrating their tail, and thought
BROWN TITLARK. 451
them closely allied in this and other respects to the Wagtails of
Europe, of which no species has hitherto been found in America.
The description given of this species at p. 50 of Vol. I. is sufficient-
ly correct for the adult, and that at p. 408 of the same volume for the
young. ‘The species to which it approaches nearest are Anthus aquati-
cus and Anthus pratensis, from both of which it is undoubtedly distinct.
It resembles the former in size, and in the colour of the upper parts,
which in some individuals is precisely the same ; but differs in having
the bill much shorter (5 twelfths and 7 twelfths), the tarsi, toes, and
claws more slender, although very similar, as well as in the following
respects. ‘The American bird has a whitish band from the nostril over
the eye, which is not seen in A. aquaticus; the outer tail-feather has
the greater part of the outer web and a large portion of the inner to-
ward the end, together with an oblique patch on the next, pure white,
whereas the outer tail-feathers of A. aquaticus is merely paler than the
rest ; the latter bird has its lower parts marked with ill-defined dusky
spots, while those of the former are distinctly defined, and the ground
colour generally of a light rufous or cream-coloured tinge, which they
never are in the European bird. From Anthus pratensis it differs in
having the bill much stouter, although nearly of the same length, the
tarsus longer (103 and 93 twelfths); the hind claw stouter, more
curved, and much shorter (45 and 6 twelfths), the colour of the feet
much darker, in being always much more rufous beneath, and in some-
times, when the season is advanced, being almost entirely unspotted
there. On the other hand, it agrees in having the upper parts simi-
larly coloured, as are the lateral tail-feathers, in being of nearly the same
size and proportions, with the exceptions mentioned, and often in having
the lower parts spotted in precisely the same manner. It is, in short,
much more intimately allied to Anthus pratensis than to A. aquaticus,
and young individuals of these species, as well as old birds in which
the plumage is fresh, can hardly be distinguished by the plumage.
In a specimen preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is flat, its
width 4 twelfths; the palate with two ridges, its anterior part with a
median and two slight lateral ridges. The tongue is 44 twelfths long,
emarginate and papillate at the base, slender, channelled above, horny to-
wards the end, tapering to a slightly lacerated point. The cesophagus
452 BLUE BIRD.
is 2 inches 1 twelfth long, its average width 14 twelfth; that of the
proventriculus 24 twelfths. The stomach is elliptical, compressed, 7
twelfths long, 54 twelfths in breadth ; its lateral muscles rather strong,
the tendons large; the epithelium reddish-brown, longitudinally rugous.
The intestine is 6 inches long, 14 twelfth in width ; the cceca 1 twelfth
long, 3 twelfth wide, 9 twelfths from the extremity.
The trachea is 14 inch long, scarcely 1 twelfth in breadth, consi-
derably flattened, firm, its rings 75, with 2 dimidiate rings; the mus-
cles as usual in the Thrushes, Warblers, and Larks; the bronchi
with 18 half rings. There is a very slender salivary gland on each
side.
BLUE BIRD.
SyLviad SIALIS, Latu.
PLATE CXIIL Vor. II. p. 84.
I HAVE not received any intimation of the occurrence of this inte-
resting bird to the west of the Rocky Mountains, although it was ob-
served by Dr TownseEnp on the head waters of the Missouri. Dr Ricu-—
ARDSON mentions it as being found in summer to the eastward of the
Rocky Mountains, up to the 48th parallel of latitude, beyond which
none were seen by the members of the expedition. I found it abundant
and breeding in the Texas. The eggs measure seven and a half eighths
of an inch in length, five-eighths and three-fourths in breadth, and are
rather more bulky than is usual in birds of this family, In the United
States, when in an uncultivated district, it forms its nest in the hollow
or hole of a tree.
In a male preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is flat, and
similar to that of the Thrushes ; the tongue triangular, deeply emar-
ginate and papillate at the base, very thin, flat above, horny towards
BLUE BIRD. 453°
the end, tapering to a slit point, and having the
edges lacerated. The cesophagus, a 6c, is 2} inches
long, its width at the upper part 4 twelfths:
the proventriculus, bc, large. The stomach, de, is of
moderate size, broadly elliptical, a little com-
pressed, 8 twelfths long, 7 twelfths broad ; its
muscles distinct, the lateral of considerable thick-
ness, the lower very thin, the tendons elliptical ;
the epithelium tough, dense, with longitudinal
ruge. The intestine, ¢fghi, is rather short and
wide, its length being 74 inches, its breadth in
the duodenal portion 2? twelfths, contracting to 2
twelfths ; the rectum of the same width at first,
but enlarging into an oblong cloaca, 7, 5 twelfths
wide ; the ceca, h, 2 twelfths long, 4 twelfth broad,
cylindrical, 1 inch 1 twelfth distant from the ex-
tremity. Elongated salivary glands.
The trachea is 1 inch 10 twelfths long, mode-
rately flattened, its rings 65, firm, with 2 addi-
tional half rings. There are four pairs of inferior
laryngeal muscles ; the bronchi of about 15 half
rings.
YELLOW-POLL WARBLER. Svzr14 LESTIVA.
PLATE XCV. Vou. I. p.476. Aputrt.
CHILDREN’S WARBLER. Syvzria CHiLpRENITz.
PLATE XXXV. Vou. I. p.180. Youne.
Tue birds represented in my thirty-fifth plate, and dedicated to
Mr Cuitpren, I have found to be the young of Sylvia estiva, probably
of a late brood of the previous year, they having been found breeding
at a period when this species shews few or none of the reddish spots on
the breast, the want of which induced me to consider them as of a
distinct species. These circumstances I mentioned to the Prince of
454 YELLOW-POLL WARBLER.
Musrenano, in London, my friend Dr Bacuman and myself having dis-
covered the error soon after the publication of my first volume.
The history of the Yellow-poll Warbler is very imperfectly given
in that volume; but I am now enabled to repair this fault, after
having studied its habits during the breeding season, when it is dis-
persed over the whole extent of the United States. Its migrations
northward are almost as wonderful us those of several other birds, that
seem, as it were, not to have been endowed with sufficient power of flight
to enable them to traverse a vast extent of country. Yet it proceeds
in summer as far as the 68th parallel, where it was found by Dr Ricu-
ARDSON in numbers and breeding. It comes into the United States
from the south at the early period mentioned, but thousands follow in
the wake of the first that are seen in Louisiana, for, I met with great
numbers during the whole month of April, when on my way to the
Texas, as well as after my arrival in that country, where they threw
themselves into all the bushes along the sea-shore, apparently for the
purpose of spending the night. At this period they are quite silent,
and many of them have not yet obtained the reddish spots on the
breast so conspicuous at a later season.
Mr Norra tt was the first naturalist who observed the very curi-
ous method in which it contrives to rid itself of the charge of rearing
the young of the Cow Bird. “ It is amusing,” he says, “ to observe
the sagacity of this little bird in disposing of the eggs of the vagrant
and parasitic Cow Troopial. The egg deposited before the laying of
the rightful tenant, too large for ejectment, is ingeniously incarce-
rated in the bottom of the nest, and a new lining placed above it, so
that it is never hatched to prove the dragon of the brood. Two in-
stances of this kind occurred to the observation of my friend Mr
Cuarirs Pickerinc; and last summer I obtained a nest with the ad-
ventitious egg about two-thirds buried, the upper edge only being vi-
sible, so that, in many instances, itis probable that this species escapes
from the unpleasant position of becoming a nurse to the sable orphan
of the Cow Bird. She, however, acts faithfully the part of a foster-pa-
rent when the egg is laid after her own.”
The following note from my friend Dr T. M, Brewer shews that
this little bird is capable of still greater exploits. ‘‘ There is a very
interesting item in the history of the Yellow-poll Warbler, which has
been noticed only within a few years, and which is well deserving of
YELLOW-POLL WARBLER. 455
attention, both for the reasoning powers which it exhibits, and for its
uniqueness, for it is not known, I believe, to be practised by any other
bird. I allude to the surprising ingenuity with which they often con-
trive to escape the burden of rearing the offspring of the Cow Troopial,
by burying the egg of the intruder. I have known four instances in
which single eggs have been thus buried by the Yellow-bird’s build-
ing a second story to her nest, and enclosing the intruder between them.
In one instance, three of the Sylvia’s own eggs were thus covered along
with that of the Cow Black-bird, and in another, after a Black-bird’s
egg had been thus concealed, a second was laid, which was similarly
treated, thus giving rise to a three-storied nest. This last you have in
your possession, and will, I hope, give to the world a drawing as well
as a complete description of it. The Summer Yellow-bird raises only one
brood in the season in Massachusetts. The eggs, four or five in num-
ber, measure 53 eighths in length, by a trifle more than half an inch
in breadth ; they are of a light, dull, bluish-white, thickly sprinkled with
dots and small markings of various sizes of dull reddish-brown, accu-
mulated towards the great end.”
The fabric alluded to above may be thus described. <A nest of the
usual form had been constructed, of which the external diameter was
three inches. It is composed of cotton rudely interwoven with flaxen
fibres of plants, and lined with cotton of a reddish colour, with some
hairs round the inner edges. The egg of the Cowbird having been de-
posited in this nest, another of a larger size, three inches and three-
quarters in external diameter, has been built upon it, being formed of
the same materials, but with less of the flaxen fibres. The egg is thus
surmounted by a layer three-quarters of an inch thick, and was disco-
vered by opening the lower nest from beneath. It is agglutinated to
the lining of the nest, having been addled and probably burst. In this
second nest a Cowbird had also deposited an egg, which was, in like
manner, covered over by a third nest, composed of the same materials,
and of nearly the same size as the second.
All our little birds known by the name of Warblers, and referred
by authors to the genera Sylvicola, Trichas, and Vermivora, present the
same structure in their digestive and respiratory organs. Their ceso-
phagus is rather narrow, without dilatation; the proventriculus bul-
biform, with numerous oblong glandules ; the stomach rather small, ob-
lique, elliptical or roundish, with the lateral muscles distinct, but of
4.56 AZURE WARBLER.
moderate thickness, the lower muscle thin, the epithelium dense, red-
dish-brown, and longitudinally rugous when not filled; the intestine
rather short and of moderate width ; two very small coeca; the rectum
gradually enlarged. The trachea is composed of from 60 to 80 rings,
flattened, somewhat tapering; the bronchi of ordinary size, of from 12
to 15 rings ; there are cleido-tracheal muscles, lateral muscles, sterno-
tracheal, and four pairs of inferior laryngeal.
AZURE WARBLER. Syrivi4 AzurEA, STEPHENS.
PLATE XLVIII. Vot. I. p. 235. Aputr.
BLUE-GREEN WARBLER. Sytvia4 rans, Wis.
PLATE XLIX. Vox. I. p. 258. Youne.
In the course of my late journey to the Texas I found the Azure
Warbler entering the United States from Mexico, early in April, when
it was in perfect plumage. On an island on which we landed, about
an hour before sunset, some hundreds had stopped to pass the night,
the appearance of the weather being threatening. My friend Epwarp
Harris and my son shot a number of them. Next day few were seen,
and in about a week they had all proceeded eastward. The whole
breadth of our country, from the Atlantic shores to those of the Pacific,
is visited by this bird, which was found along the Columbia River at
Fort Vancouver by Dr Townsenn. The most eastern point at which
I have known it to be procured is the neighbourhood of Pictou in No-
va Scotia. It is not mentioned by Dr Ricuarpson.
As to the Sylvia rara, my doubts regarding its specific distinction
are as great as ever, especially as no one has found its nest. I men-
tioned my suspicions to the Prince of Musienano, who has placed it in
his list as the young of Sylvia azurea.
pees ck fe
(Caer 9
HEMLOCK WARBLER. Svzria parus, Wis.
PLATE CXXXIV. Vot. IL. p. 205. Apuxr.
AUTUMNAL WARBLER. Srtvia auTuMNALIsS, Wits.
PLATE LXXXVIII. Vor. I. p. 447. Youne.
Tue bird described under the name of Sylvia autumnalis by Wi1son,
Bonaparte, Nutratt, myself, and all the compilers, is only the young
of Sylvia parus. Of this 1 gave intimation to the Prince of Musicnano
when in London.
PINE-CREEPING WARBLER. Syzv1a4 Pinus, Latu.
PLATE CXL. Vox. II. p. 232. Aputr.
VIGORS’S WARBLER. Syzvrta vicorsi1.
PLATE XXX. Vor. I. p. 153. Youne.
I have already mentioned that the Pine-creeping Warbler is the
parent of Vicors’s Warbler. Of this fact I gave intimation to the
Prince of Mustcnano, during his recent visit to London. I found it
abundant in the Texas, where it breeds. -
( 458 )
BLACK-THROATED BLUE WARBLER.
SYLVIA CANADENSIS, LaTH.
PLATECLY. Vol. II. p. 209. Mate.
PINESWAMP WARBLER.
SYLVIA SPHAGNOSA, BoNAPARTE.
PLATE CXLVIII. Vou. II. p. 279. Fremar or Youne.
Tue birds represented in the plate last mentioned are the young of the
Black-throated Blue Warbler, Sylvia canadensis, Plate CLV., the female of
which resembles them so much that I looked upon it as of a species dis-
tinct from the male. I have no doubt that this error originated with
Witson, who has been followed by all our writers. Now, however,
the Syleia or Sylvicola sphagnosa of Bonaparte, which he altered from
Witson’s S. pusilla, must be erased from our Fauna. This bird extends
to the head waters of the Missouri, but is not mentioned as occurring
in the Fur Countries. I found it abundant on my way to the Texas
in the beginning of April; I have also seen it plentiful in June about
Boston, where, however, it does not breed. Of this fact also I gave the
first intimation to the Prince of Musienano.
BLACK-AND-YELLOW WARBLER.
SYLVIA MACULOSA, LaTH.
PLATE CXXIII. Vox. II. p. 145.
Turis beautiful Warbler is, according to Dr Ricwarpson, a com-
mon bird on the banks of the Saskatchewan River, where it enlivens
the thickets of young spruce trees and willows with its agreeable notes.
It was not observed by Dr Townsenp on the Rocky Mountains or along
the Columbia River. As I proceeded towards the Texas, in the be-
ginning of April, I found it in considerable numbers on its way toward
the United States. The eggs measure five-eighths and three-fourths
in length, four-eighths and a half in breadth; in some instances the
ground-colour is slightly tinged with very pale yellow.
=.
MA Kead 2
( 459 )
BLACKBURNIAN WARBLER.
SYLvia BLACKBURNIZ, LaTH.
PLATE CXXXV. Vot. II. p. 208.
‘‘ THE nest of this species,” as Dr T. M. Brewer informs me, “ is
rather loosely constructed, and is formed of dry grass, leaves, and stripes
of the bark of the grape vine, with the lining of finer grass and a few
horse-hairs. It measures three inches in external diameter, two inter-
nally, and is two and a half inches in depth, including the bottom,
which is half an inch thick. The eggs are extremely beautiful, having
on a white ground dots and lines of reddish-brown, chiefly disposed at
the larger end. They measure eleven-sixteenths of an inch in length,
and half an inch in breadth ; they have the form of a short abrupt cone.
This,” he adds, ‘is the only instance in which I have known it to breed
in Massachusetts.”
BAY-BREASTED WARBLER.
SYLVIA CASTANEA, WILSON.
PLATE LXIX. Vol. I. p. 358.
AutTHouGu I have procured a great number of birds of this species
of late years, I have not been able to discover its nest. I found it
abundant in April and the beginning of May, along the shores of the
Gulf of Mexico, as far as Texas, and to the eastward it is not uncom-
mon even in Nova Scotia, although my friend Dr Bacuman informs
me that he has not seen it in South Carolina.
tn
( 460 )
WORM-EATING WARBLER.
SYLVIA VERMIVORA, LATH.
PLATE XXXIV. Voz. I. p. 177.
Accorpine to Dr Ricuarpson, this species visits the Fur Coun-
tries, where a single specimen was procured at Cumberland House, on
the banks of the Saskatchewan. It is found in the State of Maine,
and in the British Provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, but
I did not meet with it farther eastward. None were seen on the Rocky
Mountains, or about the Columbia River by Dr Townsenp. My friend
Dr Bacuman says that it breeds sparingly in the swamps of Carolina.
He observed a pair followed by three or four young ones nearly fledged,
all of which already exhibited the markings on the head.
The eggs of this species measure five and a half eighths of an inch
in length, and half an inch in breadth; the smaller end is rather rounded;
its colour and markings as already described, though I have seen some
more copiously marked than others, and the cream-colour of their ground
tinged with a rosy hue.
The roof of the mouth is flat and slightly arched, posteriorly with
two ridges, anteriorly with a middle prominent and two very slight la-
teral ridges; its width 34 twelfths. The tongue is 5 twelfths long,
emarginate and papillate at the base, narrow, tapering, thin, concave
above, the tip rather abrupt, and terminated by several stiffish bristles,
like that of a Titmouse. The cesophagus is 1 inch 9 twelfths long, its
greatest width 3 twelfths. The stomach is small, elliptical, 53 twelfths
long, 44 twelfths in breadth ; the lateral muscles moderate, the lower
very thin ; the epithelium longitudinally rugous. The stomach is filled
with insects. The intestine is 5} inches long, from 13 twelfth to 1
twelfth in width. The coeca are 14 twelfth long, and 4 twelfth wide ;
their distance from the extremity 7 twelfths.
The trachea is 1 inch 7 twelfths long, flattened, 1 twelfth broad
at the upper part ; the rings about 70, moderately firm ; bronchial half
rings about 15; the muscles as usual.
( 461 )
PROTHONOTARY WARBLER.
SYLVIA PROTONOTARIUS, LaTu.
PLATE III. Voz. I. p. 22.
- Dr Bacuman informs me that he has watched this species for hours
at a time, when on the borders of streams, and observed it to seize in-
sects on wing by gliding through the air after them, but never heard
it click its bill, as is usual with Flycatchers. It breeds in South Caro-
lina, and he saw a pair with four young ones near Charleston, on the Ist
of June 1836.
NASHVILLE WARBLER.
SYLVIA RUBRICAPILLA, WILSON.
PLATE LXXXIX. Vot. I. p. 450.
Tuts species, which was very rare in the United States in Witson’s
time, is now no longer so. As I was advancing toward the Texas in
April, I found it on its way eastward in considerable numbers, travel-
ling only by day, stopping about an hour before sunset, and apparently
spending the night in the low bushes along the sea-shore. It is not
uncommon in Maine, or in the provinces of New Brunswick and Nova
Scotia. A few were procured by us in Labrador, and Dr RicHarpson
mentions it as an occasional straggler in the Fur Countries. One spe-
cimen only was procured in the woods of Cumberland House. All my
endeavours to discover the nest, or to ascertain the localities in which
it breeds, have proved unsuccessful.
( 462 )
TENNESSEE WARBLER.
SYLVIA PEREGRINA, WI1son.
PLATE CLIV. Vot. II. p. 307.
Tuis rare species at times rambles as far north as the shores of the
Saskatchewan, where a single specimen was procured by Dr Ricuarp-
son ; but nothing is yet known respecting its eggs or young.
SWAINSON’S WARBLER.
SYLviAa SWAINSONII.
PLATE CXCVIII. Voz. II. p. 563.
Dr T. M. Brewer informs me that a specimen of Swainson’s War-
bler has been obtained in Massachusetts, by Mr Samurt Cazot. This
is the only instance in which it is known to have been procured, or even
observed, in that part of the country, where nothing farther has there-
fore been ascertained respecting its history.
( 463 )
YELLOW-BREASTED WARBLER OR MARYLAND
YELLOW-THROAT.
SYLvia TricHaés, Latu.
PLATE XXIII. Vot. I. p.121. Apuxv.
ROSCOES YELLOW-THROAT. SYLVIA ROSCOE.
PLATE XXIV. Vou. I. p. 124. Youne.
Nor long after the publication of my first volume, I discovered the
error which I had committed in making the bird represented in my
twenty-fourth plate a new species, it being only the young of Sylvia
Trichas of Latuam. Of this I informed my friends Dr Bacnman, Mr
Hargis, and Dr Brewer, and afterwards the Prince of Musicnano.
I have nothing to add to my account of the habits of the Maryland
Yellow-throat. It was found on the Columbia River by Dr Town-
SEND, several of whose specimens I have seen. I also found it in the
Texas in April. No mention is made of it in the Fauna Boreali-Ame-
ricana ; and I saw none in Labrador or Newfoundland. The eggs of
this species measure 53 eighths in length, by four and a half eighths,
and are rather pointed at the small end.
The roof of the mouth is flat, posteriorly with two ridges, anteriorly
with a middle prominent and two very slight lateral ridges; its width
3 twelfths. The tongue is 4} twelfths long, sagittate and papillate at
the base, thin, concave above, tapering to a deeply slit and slightly la-
eerated point. The cesophagus is 1 inch 7 twelfths long, its greatest
width 2 twelfths. The stomach is rather small, elliptical, 43 twelfths
long, 33 twelfths broad ; its lateral muscles moderate, the lower very
thin ; the epithelium longitudinally rugous. The intestine is 5 inches
long, its greatest width 1 twelfth ; the cceca 1 twelfth long, and about
a third of a twelfth wide, their distance from the extremity 7 twelfths.
The trachea is 17 inch long, 1 twelfth broad at the top; its rings
60; its muscles as usual. Bronchial rings 15.
( 464 )
GREEN BLACK-CAPT WARBLER.
SYLVIA MITRATA, LaTu.
PLATE CX. Vot. II. p. 66.
Dr TownseEnp informs me, that this species is “ found at Colum-
bia River, where it breeds. The nest is somewhat pensile, and is
usually fastened to a horizontal twig, from 6 to 10 feet from the ground,
to which it is firmly attached by a long hair-like moss. Of this moss
and of bent the fabric is entirely composed, no hair, down, or cottony
substance being ever used. ‘The eggs are four, white, spotted all over
with light brown, the markings most numerous at the large end.”
Mr Nurtratv’s notice respecting it is as follows. ‘ About the first
week of May the species arrives in the woods of the Columbia, where
it takes up its summer residence. It has a warble somewhat like that
of the S. wstiva, but more brief: *tsh *tsh ’tsh “tshea, or something simi-
lar. It was generally familiar and unsuspicious, kept in bushes more
than trees, in the thickets bordering the river, most commonly busily
engaged collecting its insect fare, and only varying its employment
by an occasional musical call. By the 12th of May, they were already
feeding their full-fledged young, though I also found a nest on the 16th
of the same month, containing four eggs, and just commencing incuba-
tion. The nest was in the branch of a small service bush, laid very
adroitly upon an accidental mass of old moss that had fallen from a tree
above. It was made of moss (Hypnwm), and with a thick lining of dry,
wiry, slender grass. The female, when I approached, went off slyly,
running along the ground like a mouse. The eggs are very similar to
those of the Summer Yellow-bird, covered with spots of a pale olive-
brown.”
( 465 )
HOODED WARBLER. Svzvia4 uitTrata, Latu.
PLATE CX. Vot. II. p.66. Aputr Mate anp Femate.
SELBY’S FLYCATCHER. Muoscicapa SevByi.
PLATE IX. Vou. I. p.46. Youne.
In this species the mouth has the same structure as in all the others
above mentioned. The tongue is 54 twelfths long, concave above, thin,
and tapering to a slit and lacerate point. The cesophagus is 1 inch 10
twelfths long ; the stomach round, rather small, a little compressed, 5
twelfths in length and breadth, the lateral muscles strong, the epithe-
lium rugous, the intestine is 6 inches long, its greatest width 1} twelfth,
7 twelfths distant from the extremity. The trachea is 1 inch 6 twelfths
long, 1 twelfth broad ; the rings about 70 ; the muscles as usual. Bron-
chial rings about 15.
AMERICAN GOLDEN-CRESTED WREN.
REGULUS TRICOLOR, NuTTALL.
PLATE CLXXXIII. Vou. II. p. 476.
Dr Townsend informs me, that this delicate little bird is an inha-
bitant of the Columbia River ; and from its being abundant in Labra-
dor and Newfoundland, it is not improbable that it proceeds farther
north into the Fur Countries, although no mention is made of it in the
Fauna Boreali- Americana.
In this and the other Reguli, the structure of the digestive organs
is the same as in the Warblers. The width of the mouth is 2? twelfths ;
the tongue 24 twelfths long; the cesophagus 1 inch 2 twelfths, its greatest
width 11 twelfth ; the stomach oblique, elliptical, 43 twelfths long, 33
twelfths broad, its muscles very thin, the epithelium rugous ; the in-
testine 4 inches long, its greatest width 1 twelfth; the cceca 1 twelfth
long, 4 twelfth broad, 6 twelfths distant from the extremity. The tra-
chea 1 inch long, 4 twelfth broad, flattened, of about 50 rings; the
bronchi of about 12 half rings. The' muscles as in the Warblers and
Thrushes. »
VOL. V. eg
( 466 )
GREAT CAROLINA WREN.
TROGLODYTES LUDOVICIANUS, BonapP.
PLATE LXXVIII. Vou. L. p. 399.
Tuis bird rarely extends its movements eastward beyond the State
of New York, and has not, I believe, been seen in Massachusetts. I
found it very numerous in the Floridas and all along the coast of the
Mexican Gulf to within the Texas, where it spends the whole year.
Dr Townsenp mentions it as being found on the Missouri.
The roof of the mouth is flat with two slight ridges on the palate,
and a prominent median line anteriorly, the posterior aperture of the
nares linear, 4 twelfths long, papillate ; the
tongue 74 twelfths long, very slender, 12
twelfth broad at the base, where it is emar-
ginate and papillate, channelled above, taper-
ing to a rather obtuse bristly and horny point.
The width of the mouth is 4 twelfths. The
cesophagus, abc, is 1 inch 9 twelfths long, 3
twelfths in width; the proventriculus, bc, 34
twelfths. The stomach, cde, is elliptical, a
little compressed, 73 twelfths long, 53 twelfths
broad ; its muscles moderate, the lower very
thin, the tendons rather large; the epithe-
lium tough, with large longitudinal ruge,
and of a reddish-brown colour. The contents
of the stomach are insects and seeds. The in-
testine, ef gh, is 5 inches 9 twelfths long, its
width 14 twelfth ; the cloaca, 7, globular, 6
twelfths in width ; the coeca, 7, 14 twelfth long,
and 4 twelfth wide.
The trachea is 13 inch long, considerably
flattened, scarcely 1 twelfth broad at its widest part, and contracting
to $ twelfth; the rings 58, with 2 additional dimidiate rings. The
muscles as in all the singing birds, those of the inferior larynx consi-
derably developed. Bronchial half rings about 15.
There is a pretty large oblong salivary gland in the usual place,
opening with a single duct into the fore part of the mouth.
( 467 )
MARSH WREN.
TROGLODYTES PALUSTRIS, Bonar.
PLATE ©. Vox. I. p. 500.
A nest of this bird with eggs was seen in the salt marshes of Barns-
table by Dr Storer of Boston. At the south-west pass of the Missis-
sippi, I found it very abundant, in full song, and breeding, on the 1st
of April 1837. At the latter place this species sings during the whole
of the night.
BEWICK’S WREN.
TROGLODYTES BEWICKII.
PLATE XVIII. Vo. I. p. 96.
For the following observations regarding this species I am indebted
to my friend Dr Bacuman. “In the month of July 1835, when on a
visit to the mountains of Virginia, I heard at the Salt Sulphur Springs
the note of a Wren that I did not recognise as that of any of our known
species. On procuring the bird I ascertained it to be the Bewick’s
Wren. There were a pair, accompanied by four or five young, nearly
full grown. The notes bore some resemblance to those of the Winter
Wren, scarcely louder and more connected. It possessed all the rest-
less habits of the other species, creeping actively between the rails of
fences and among logs and stumps. One of them ascended an oak
nearly to its top in the manner of a Creeper. I found the young seve-
ral times during the morning entering a hole in the limb of a fallen
tree a few feet from the ground, and conjectured that they had been
bred in that situation. I was unable to see the nest. During a re-
sidence of a few weeks in the neighbourhood of the Virginia springs I
saw several of these birds every day, and ascertained that this was the
only species of Wren common in the mountains. The Troglodytes edon
was abundant in all the low country of Virginia, to the foot of the Alle-
468 BEWICK’S WREN.
ghanies. ‘The 7. Ludovicianuswas sparingly seen in the valleys and along
the water-courses, but the present species seemed particularly attach-
ed to the highest ridges, preferring grounds that had once been cleared,
but now partially overgrown. It did not appear to be a shy bird, but,
from its active restless habits, was procured with difficulty. It probably
sleeps in hollows during the night, as I saw two or three issuing from
the hole of a tree at day-light one morning, The stomachs of those
which I examined were principally filled with small spiders, minute
caterpillars, and the larve of insects. A specimen of this bird was
sent me from Columbia in South Carolina, procured by Dr Giszs, and
I have no doubt it will be found on the whole range of our southern
mountains.”
Dr Trupeau has sent the following note :—“ The Bewick’s Wren
must be common in Louisiana. I shot but one there, but I frequently
found them in the vicinity of the woods, where it must breed. They
are seen in the bushes and dive among them as soon as they perceive
the gunner. The nest is different from that of the Carolina Wren.”
My friends Mr Nurratt and Dr Townsenp found this species on
the Columbia River, from which country I have specimens perfectly
similar to that figured in my plate. No doubt can exist that it has a
wide range along the Rocky Mountains, as well as along the elevated
portions of our Atlantic States. Dr Townsenp says that it breeds on
the ground.
A specimen in my possession measures 5,°, inches in length; the
bill #5 ; tarsus 7%; hind toe #, its claw #4; middle toe $4, its claw 3 ;
wing from flexure 23% ; tail 234. The first quill is {4 shorter than
the fifth, which is longest, but scarcely exceeds the fourth and sixth.
The lateral tail-feathers are ;5, shorter than the middle. The Great
Carolina Wren has the bill and tarsi much stronger; the first quill 44
shorter than the fifth, which is longest, but scarcely exceeds the fourth,
and its lateral tail-feathers are only ;4 shorter than the longest.
( 469 )
WOOD WREN.
TROGLODYTES AMERICANA.
PLATE CLXXIX. Vo. II. p. 452.
I wave ascertained that this species spends the winter months in
South Carolina, where it keeps along the hedge-rows, about the roots
of bushes, and is quite silent. An egg of this bird, procured in the
State of Vermont, and presented to me by Dr T. M. Brewer of Boston,
differs from those of all our other Wrens: it measures six-eighths
of an inch in length, four and a half eighths in breadth ; its ground-
colour is dull yellowish-white, blotched all over with rather large mark-
ings of pale purplish-red, and zigzag streaks of deep blackish-brown,
more numerous around the middle than at either end.
NUTTALL’S SHORT-BILLED MARSH WREN.
TROGLODYTES BREVIROSTRIS, NUTTALL.
PLATE CLXXV. Vot. II. p. 427.
I rounp this small species very abundant in the Texas, where it
breeds in such situations as are usually selected by it elsewhere.
When within a few feet of them, I observed that whilst the males are
singing, the tail is allowed to hang loosely. I mention this because
the bird has been represented as elevating its tail while so engaged.
Dr Trupeav informs me that he found its nest in the Delaware
marshes, and saw both the male and the female near it, but could
not procure them, being at the time without a gun. The eggs were
four.
é
( 470 )
HOUSE WREN.
TROGLODYTES DON, VIEILL.
PLATE LXXXIII. Vox. I. p. 427.
Tuis species is not found farther eastward along our Atlantic shores
than the province of Nova Scotia, where it is not very common, and I
suspect that the specimen of a Troglodytes procured by Mr Drummonpb
at the foot of the Rocky Mountains, and described in the Fauna Bore-
ali-Americana, was the Wood Wren, 7. Americana, it being found
from Maine to the Rocky Mountains, as well as on the Columbia River,
from which specimens have been brought by Dr Townsenp. The
House Wren, if I am not greatly mistaken, passes southward of the
United States, to spend the winter. The other spends that season
within our limits.
Dr Bacuman informs me that a bird resembling the Wood Wren,
as well as the House Wren, so closely that he could never distinguish
it from either species, spends its winters in great numbers in South
Carolina. Dr Brewer has favoured me with the following notice re-
specting the House Wren. “ This bird never constructs with us a
distinct nest, but always conceals it in olive-jars, boxes, and such things,
placed for its convenience around the houses, or in the hollow of trees.
Whenever the places in which they build are larger than necessary,
they usually endeavour to fill up the vacant parts with additional ma-
terials. I have by me a nest built two years since in the clothes-line
box of Professor Wars of Cambridge, which is in size considerably
more than a foot square ; and it must have cost its tiny architect many
days of hard labour to have arranged there such a mass of various
materials. The variety and size of some of those of which it is
composed is truly surprising. Among them are the exuvia of a snake
several feet in length, large twigs, pieces of India-rubber suspenders
(which, by the way, are old acquaintances) oak-leaves, feathers, pieces
of shavings, hair, hay, &c. It contained six eggs, which evidently,
were suffered to become stale in consequence of the anxiety of the bird
to fill up the empty space.” The eggs measure five-eighths of an inch
in length, and four and a half eighths in breadth.
( 471 )
BLACK-AND-WHITE CREEPER.
CERTHIA VARIA, WILs.
PLATE XC. Voz. I. p. 452.
I rounp this species in the Texas, breeding near Buffalo Bayou,
where I saw a young one that had fallen out of the nest, which was in
the prong of a broken limb not more than ten feet from the ground.
It breeds in localities greatly distant from each other, and, like many
other birds, on this account, places its nest in different situations, and
varies the materials of which it is composed. Mr Nutra. saw a nest
in the vicinity of Boston, which was “ niched in the shelving of a rock,
-on the surface of the ground, and was externally composed of coarse
stripes of the inner bark of the hemlock-tree (Abies canadensis) which
overshadowed the situation. With these were mixed soft dissected
old leaves, and a few stalks of dead grass ; the lining was made of a thin
layer of black hair.’’
The eggs of this bird measure four and a fourth eighths in length,
and half an inch in breadth. Some of them are much more spotted
with light reddish-brown and purplish dots than others. Of this latter
kind I have a beautiful specimen presented by my friend Dr T. M.
Brewer of Boston.
As some persons might suppose from my account of its habits, that
it uses its tail to aid it in climbing, like the Brown Creeper, I must
here state that it never does so, but hops in the manner of the Nut-
hatches. My friend Dr Bacuman has observed it in spring perched on
small twigs and uttering its song composed of half a dozen notes, which
are heard at a considerable distance. It arrives in South Carolina
early in April, remains until about the 10th of May, and has been seen
on its return as early as the Ist of September.
Dr T. M. Brewer sends me the following notice :—“ This bird,
which you speak of as breeding in the hollows of trees, with us always
builds its nest on the ground. I say always, because I never knew it
.to lay anywhere else. I have by me a nest brought to me by Mr Ap-
PLETON from Batternits, New York, which was found in the drain of
the house in which he resided. It is neat and compact, measures 34
472 BLACK-AND-WHITE CREEPER.
inches in external diameter, 24 in internal ; its internal depth is 1 inch,
the external two. It is composed externally of coarse hay, and lined
in an unusually compact manner, with horse hair. The eggs are oval,
nearly equal at both ends, and measure six-eighths of an inch by nine-six-
teenths, and are in markings exactly as you describe them. The num-
ber in this nest was three, but their complement is, I believe, four.”
CRESTED TITMOUSE.
PARUS BICcOLoR, Linn.
PLATE XXXIX. Vol. I. p. 199.
My friend Dr Bacuman informs me, that he “kept a bird of this -
species in confinement for some time. It was in the habit of hiding its
food in the corner of its cage in a crevice, and at night crept into a
small box, where it lay doubled up like a ball till the first light of the
morning, when it resumed its restless habits, continually trying to
escape from the cage.” This species was not seen by Dr TownsEND
on the Rocky Mountains, or near the Columbia River; and Dr Ricu-
ARDSON does not mention its occurring in the Fur Countries. I found
it abundant in the Texas, and in all our Atlantic States, as well as in
Nova Scotia.
In this species as in the rest, the palate is flat, with two longitudi-
nal ridges; the posterior aperture of the nares oblongo-linear ; the
tongue 33 twelfths long, emarginate and papillate at the base, flat
above, horny toward the end, with three grooves terminating abruptly,
and furnished with stiffish bristles. The cesophagus is 2 inches long,
and of the uniform width of two-twelfths; the proventriculus a little
wider. The stomach is small, elliptical, 44 twelfths long, 34 twelfths
broad ; its lateral muscles moderate; the epithelium longitudinally
rugous, and reddish-brown. The intestine is five inches long, from 24
twelfths to 2 twelfths in width; the ceca extremely small, about 1
twelfth long, and { twelfth in width. There is on each side a very slen-
der salivary gland with two ducts.
The trachea is 1 inch 4} twelfths long, of the uniform width of 13
twelfth, considerably flattened ; its rings 60, the bronchial half rings
12, The muscles as in the Warblers and Thrushes.
@/a7a”.)
WHITE-BREASTED NUTHATCH.
SITTA CAROLINENSIS, Brisson.
PLATE CLII. Vol. IL p. 290.
Tuis lively roamer of our forests extends its rambles from the
Texas, where I found it abundant, to the shores of the Columbia River,
from which country specimens were brought by Dr Townsenp. It is
not mentioned as having been found in the Fur Countries.
On the roof of the mouth are three anterior ridges, of which the mid-
dle is larger ; both mandibles are slightly concave, the lower with a me-
dian elevated line. Tongue 6 twelfths long, emarginate and finely pa-
pillate at the base, slender, very thin, the point abrupt, and terminated by
several strong bristles. GZsophagus, a, bc, 1 inch 10 twelfths long, funnel-
shaped at the commencement, its width being there 4 twelfths, and then
gradually diminishing to 2 twelfths. The stomach, cd, is rather large,
broadly elliptical, 73 twelfths long, 6 twelfths broad ; its lateral muscles
thin ; the epithelium slightly rugous. It is filled
with insects and larvee. Intestine, ef, rather
short and wide, 7 inches in length, its greatest
width 2 twelfths ; the rectum, 77, 3 twelfths wide;
the cloaca 4 twelfths; the ceca, 7, 2 twelfths long,
2 twelfth'in breadth, and 10 twelfths from the
extremity. The trachea is 14 inch long, 1 twelfth
in breadth ; its rings feeble, 75 in number. The
sterno-tracheal muscles very slender ; the infe-
rior laryngeal form on each side a small knob,
inserted into the last half ring in its whole ex-
tent. Bronchial half rings about 12. There
is on each side an elongated salivary gland, about
? twelfth in breadth. The hyoid bones are not
unusually elongated. In the form of the tongue
the Nuthatches resembles the Titmice.
Qa: -)
RED-BELLIED NUTHATCH.
SITTA CANADENSIS, LINN.
PLATE CV. Vol. II. p. 24.
A.tTuHoucH this species was not seen by Dr Ricuarpson in the Fur
Countries, it is an inhabitant of the Columbia River district, where it
was found by Dr Townsewp.
CAROLINA TITMOUSE.
PARUS CAROLINIENSIS.
PLATE CLX. Vol. IL. p. 341.
Ir is now ascertained that this species reaches eastward as far as
the State of New Jersey, where it has been procured by my friend
Epwarp Harris. On the other hand, it is abundant from South Ca-
rolina to within the Texas, in the wooded portions of which I found it
breeding. A nest presented tome by Dr Bacumany, who found it ina
hollow stump, at the height of about four feet from the ground, is cup-
shaped, two inches in diameter at the mouth internally, three externally,
its depth two inches. It is composed of fine wool, cotton, and a few
fibres of plants, felted together so as to be of uniform thickness through-
out. The eggs are pure white.
( 475 )
BLUE JAY.
CORVUS CRISTATUS, LINN.
PLATE CII. Vol. II. p. 11.
A.tHoucu this species proceeds up the Missouri River to the eas-
tern declivities of the Rocky Mountains, it is not found on the Colum-
bia. Dr Ricuarpson says that it “‘ visits the Fur Countries, in sum-
mer, up to the 56th parallel, but seldom approaches the shores of Hud-
son’s Bay.” He is, however, mistaken when he says, that “it frequents
the Southern States only in win- SSF
ter;” for it is found there at all sea- SS a
sons, and breeds in every district
of them, as well as in the Texas,
where I found it, although it was
rare. The eggs measure an inch
and half an eighth in length, and
seven-eighths in breadth.
The roof of the mouth is rather
flat, anteriorly with three ridges ;
_ the lower mandible moderately con-
cave with a median ridge; pos-
terior aperture of nares linear, 8
twelfths long, with the edges pa-
pillate ; width of mouth 74 twelfths.
The tongue is 93 twelfths long,
emarginate and papillate at the
base, flat above, horny toward the
end, with the tip slit and lacerated.
The cesophagus, ab c, 3} inches long,
6 twelfths wide at the commence-
ment, but suddenly tapering to 3
twelfths. ‘The lobes of the liver are
very unequal, the right being 1
inch 2 twelfthsin length, the other9
twelfths. The stomach, cde, is very
476 RAVEN.
large, of a broadly elliptical, compressed form, 1 inch in length, 10
twelfths in breadth ; its lateral muscles of considerable thickness, the
left being 4 twelfths; the tendons large; the epithelium very dense,
tough, rugous, of a dark brown colour. It is filled with remains of
insects and mineral substances. The intestine, ¢fghi, is 163 inches
long, from 4 twelfths to 21 twelfths in width; the cceca, h, 3 twelfths
long, 4 twelfth wide, and 1} inch distant from the extremity; the
cloaca, 7, ovate, 8 twelfths in breadth.
The trachea is 2 inches 5 twelfths long, considerably flattened to-
-ward the lower part; its rings 56 in number, rather broad, and well
ossified, with two additional dimidiate rings ; the bronchi of moderate
size, with 12 half rings. The lateral muscles are rather slender;
there are four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.
RAVEN.
CoRVUS CORAX, LINN.
PLATE CL Vol. II. p. 1.
Tuts species, which is plentiful on the Rocky Mountains and along
the Columbia River, also abounds in the Fur Countries, and, accord-
ing to Dr Ricuarpson, visits the remotest islands of the Polar seas.
It frequents the Barren Grounds even in the most intense winter colds,
its movements being directed in a great measure by those of the herds
of Rein Deer, Musk Oxen, and Bison, which it follows, ready to as-
sist in devouring such as are killed by beasts of prey or by accident.
He relates a curious instance of the propensity it shews to appro-
priate to itself any metallic substance. “ Mr Kenpat, in crossing
the heights of land which divide the waters that flow towards Hudson’s
Bay, from those which fall into the Arctic Sea, saw a Raven flying off
with something in his claws, pursued by a number of his clamorous
companions. The bird being fired at dropped the object of contention,
which proved to be the lock of a chest!’ Dr Townsenp informs me that
on the Columbia River the Ravens constantly attend on the salmon
AMERICAN CROW. 477
fisheries, and that during winter they are very expert at discovering
the small tents raised by the Indians for the purpose of saving their
fish. They are in all those districts constant attendants upon the hun-
ters, for the purpose of devouring the offal of all such game as may be
slaughtered.
Although I have found eggs of this species which measured rather
more than two inches in length, by an inch and three-eighths, others
did not measure more than one inch and seven-eighths by an inch and
four-twelfths. They also differ considerably in the tint of their ground-
colour, as well as in their markings.
AMERICAN CROW.
Corvus AMERICANUS.
PLATE CLVI. Vol. II. p. 317.
AutHoucH the common American Crow ranges from the Gulf of
Mexico to the shores of the Columbia River, where it is abundant, as
well as on the Rocky Mountains, it does not, according to Dr Ricu-
ARDsON, proceed farther north than the 55th parallel of latitude, nor
approach within five or six hundred miles of Hudson’s Bay, appearing
in the Fur Countries during the summer only. I found it abundant in
the Texas, where it breeds. The eggs measure one inch five-eighths in
length, an inch and one-eighth in breadth.
A specimen preserved in spirits measures in length to end of tail
18; inches, to end of wings 17, to end of claws 16}; extent of wings
35; wing from flexure 12+; tail 3; bill along the ridge 2 ; tarsus 24.
The palate is concave, with two ridges; the upper mandible in-
ternally with five ridges, the lower deeply concave, with a median
prominent line. The tongue is 1 inch 2 twelfths long, semicircu-
larly emarginate at the base and papillate, one of the papille on
each side very large ; it is horny toward the end, narrow, thin edged,
and with the point slit, the fissure being 13 twelfth in depth. The
width of the mouth is 1 inch 1 twelfth ; the cesophagus, abcd, is 7 inches
long, averages 74 twelfths in width, is funnel-shaped at the com-
478 AMERICAN CROW.
mencement, passesalonug
the right side of the neck
until it enters the tho-
rax, and has its walls
of moderate thickness,
with external transverse
fibres. The proventri-
cular glands are very
small, and form a belt 73
twelfthsin breadth. The
stomach, def, is 14 inch b
long, 1 inch 5 twelfths =|
broad, of aroundish form, Bm
Lins A ny
TT
considerably compres-
sed; its lateral muscles
large; being about a
quarter of an inch thick,
its tendons, ¢, also large
\
\
\
\\
\\\
\
= \\
Sj
Z
and radiating, their
transverse diameter 3
inch; the cuticular lining
thick, dense, of a dark
reddish-brown colour,
with broad longitudinal
ruge. The intestine,
fg hl, forms a curve
at the distance of 24 in-
ches, bends forwards to-
ward the right lobe of the
liver, then forms four cir-
cular convolutions, and
\\\)
terminates inthe rectum. ZE
BAe
Its length is 29 inches, (3 ==
. : . eZ =
HY a
its width 41 twelfths in GY jy
the duodenal portion,
and 4 twelfths in the rest Po
Y
\
AMERICAN CROW. 479
of its length; the cloaca, £/, globular and about 1 inch in diameter ;
the coeca small, 7, cylindrical, 53 twelfths long and 1 twelfth in breadth.
In another male, the intestine is 42 inches long; from 43 twelfths
to 4 twelfths in width ; the coeca 3 inch long, and 1 twelfth in width.
In a third, a male also, the intestine is 41} inches long; and in a
fourth 33 inches. This statement shews that the intestine of birds
sometimes varies very considerably in the same species.
In the stomachs of two of them were numerous seeds of a brownish-
yellow colour, globular, and 1 twelfth in diameter, together with a
few particles of quartz. That of another contained a mass of pounded
sumach berries.
The trachea, m 0, of the first is 5 inches long, a little flattened, 44
twelfths in breadth at the commencement, 3} twelfths for 2 inches,
near the lower part enlarging to 4 twelfths, and again contracting to 23
twelfths. The inferior larynx, 00, is much compressed, with 2 large
dimidiate rings. The rings are broad, firm, 56 in number. The bron-
chi, 0 p, o p, are wide, of about 15 half rings. The muscles are the same
as in the Thrushes and Warblers, there being four pairs of inferior la-
ryngeal.
FISH CROW.
CORVUS OSSIFRAGUS, WIiLs.
PLATE CXLVI. Voz. II. p. 268.
Tuts species does not appear to proceed westward along the coast.
beyond the mouths of the Mississippi, where it is, however, abundant ;
for, after leaving this place, none were seen on our way to the Texas ;
where we found the Common American Crow in great abundance. The
Fish Crow is, however, plentiful on the Columbia River, according to
Dr TownsEnp, who brought specimens from that country.
( 480 )
BOAT-TAILED GRAKLE.
QUISCALUS MAJOR, VIEILL.
PLATE CLXXXVII. Vot. II. p. 504.
I rounp this species abundant and breeding along the shores of the
Gulf of Mexico, from the mouths of the Mississippi to within the mari-
time portions of the Texas, in every suitable place, forming its nests
principally among the tall reeds of the salt marshes. The eggs mea-
sure one inch three-eighths in length, and seven-eighths in breadth, be-
ing of an elongated oval form. ‘The name of Boat-tailed Grakle has
been of late given to our Common Crow Blackbird, Quiscalus versicolor,
which in my opinion is improper, in our country at least, where all ori-
ginal well-known names ought to be retained, were it for no other rea-
son than to prevent inconvenience to students. No one in Kentucky,
for example, would know what was meant by “ Little Rusty-crowned
Falcon,” but would point out at once to any inquirer the “ Sparrow
Hawk.”
In a male, from the mouths of the Mississippi, preserved in spirits,
the palate is convex, with two longitudinal ridges, anteriorly with a
middle and two lateral ridges. ‘The tongue is 1 inch 2 twelfths long,
slender, horny nearly in its whole length, sagittate and papillate at the
base, concave above, its greatest breadth 23 twelfths, tapering to a la-
cerated thin point, and with the edges also lacerated for nearly half an
inch from the tip. The posterior aperture of the nares is oblong be-
hind, linear before, with strong papillz on the edges. The cesophagus
is 54 twelfths long, its width 7 twelfths at the commencement, then
contracting to 4 twelfths, again slightly dilated to 5 twelfths; the pro-
ventriculus also 5 twelfths in width, its glands forming a belt 74 twelfths
in breadth. The stomach is elliptical, 1 inch 2 twelfths long, 104
twelfths in breadth ; its muscular coat moderately thick, the right late-
ral muscle 2 twelfths ; the epithelium dense, tough, longitudinally ru-
gous, and dark brown. The intestine is of moderate length and width,
the former being 15 inches, the latter averaging 3 twelfths ; the cceca
an inch and a half long.
PURPLE GRAKLE. 481
The trachea is 33 inches long, much flattened, from 32 twelfths to
24 twelfths in breadth; its rings about 70, very thin, with 2 dimidiate
rings. The bronchi are wide, of about 12 very slender cartilaginous
half rings. ‘The lateral muscles are slender, as are the sterno-tracheal
slips ; and there are four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles.
The digestive and respiratory organs of this bird do not differ ma-
terially from those of the Crows, Starlings, and Thrushes, but the ceso-
phagus having a slight dilatation indicates some affinity to the Coni-
rostres.
PURPLE GRAKLE OR COMMON CROW BLACKBIRD.
QUISCALUS VERSICOLOR, V1IEILLOT.
PLATE VII. Vot. L. p. 35.
Accorpine to Dr Ricuarnson, this species reaches the plains of the
Saskatchewan in the beginning of May, in flocks of from twenty toa
hundred, the males and females separate ; and, as in Pennsylvania, se-
veral pairs nestle on the branches of the same tree. I have found it
dispersed over the country from Texas to Nova Scotia, but met with
none in Newfoundland or Labrador. It was not observed by Dr Town-
SEND on the Columbia River.
Dr Bacuman, who has seen it building in the hollows of trees, and
in abandoned nests of Woodpeckers, has observed it carrying grass and
mud for the construction of its nest. It breeds in like situations in
Louisiana, without using these materials; and in the middle and north-
ern districts forms a fine, well-finished nest, such as I have described
in the article on this species in my first volume. The eggs measure
one inch and half an eighth in length, by five and a half eighths in
breadth, are of a bluish-white colour, blotched, streaked, and spotted
with brown and black. On the Florida Keys I found this species breed-
ing in low mangroves, in communities, along with the White-headed
Pigeon, Columba leucocephala, and thought that the glossy richness of
the plumage far exceeded that of our northern birds ; yet, on close exa-
mination, I could observe no other difference in them. I have also
VOL. V. Hh
482 PURPLE GRAKLE.
found them breeding westward of the mouths of the Mississippi, as far
as the Texas. )
A male preserved in spirits mea- ae
sures to end of tail 113 inches, to E =
end of wings 83, to end of claws 10; =
wing from flexure 6 ; tail 5; extent A
of wings 17%.
The mouth is rather narrow, its =.
width being 64 twelfths; the pa- =
late ascending, with two papillate A
ridges, the space between which
and the margin of the posterior na-
sal aperture is also papillate. The
latter is 6 twelfths long, linear,
}] i
)
and margined with strong papille.
There are three ridges on the an-
terior part of the roof of the mouth,
of which the middle is much
stronger, at the base large, pro-
minent, and hard, being similar to
the knob observed in the Buntings,
i
A
EZ 2
U =
Ss
B
E
EB
ee
EZ
BE
=
Ss
ES
a)
but much more elongated. The
tongue is slender, 9 twelfths long,
emarginate and papillate at the
base, grooved above, horny toward
the end, slightly lacerated, and slit
at the tip. The oesophagus, abcd,
is 41 inches long, 5 twelfths in
width at the commencement ; then
for the length of nearly two inches
dilated to 74 twelfths; on enter-
ing the thorax contracted to 4
twelfths. The stomach, d ¢, is of
moderate size, round, a little com-
pressed, moderately muscular, the
left muscle 3 twelfths, the left
24 twelfths thick ; the epithelium
RUSTY GRAKLE. 483
dense, horny, slightly rugous, withtwo roundish slightly concave grinding
surfaces. The cesophagus contains two grains of maize, and the stomach
is distended with fragments of the same, together with portions of
husks and grains of sand. The intestine, fg/7j k, is of moderate length
and rather wide; being 16 inches long, and from 4 twelfths to 22
twelfths wide; the duodenum, fg #, curves in the usual manner, re-
turning at the distance of two inches; the cceca, 7, which come off at
the distance of 14 inch from the extremity, are 13 inch long, but only
4 twelfth in width ; the rectum gradually enlarges into an oblong
cloaca, j, about 5 twelfths in width.
The trachea is 3 inches long, moderately flattened, 13 twelfth in
breadth, its rings firm, and about 60 im number, with 2 additional di-
midiate rings. The lateral muscles are slender, as are the sterno-tra-
cheal; there are four pairs of large inferior laryngeal muscles. The
bronchi are of moderate size, with about 15 half rings. :
In the structure of the mouth and digestive organs, this bird shews
some affinity to the Crows and Starlings, more to the Buntings and
Finches, and an intimate relationship to the Jcter?. The position which
it occupies in the List of the Prince of Musicnano is therefore correct.
But the Jcteri and their allies are more closely related to the Passe-
rine birds properly so called, than to either the Crows or Starlings, and
being essentially husking birds, with a dilatation on the oesophagus,
are not members of the families of Corvinw or Sturnine, as he has made
them.
RUSTY GRAKLE.
QUISCALUS FERRUGINEUS, Bonap.
PLATE CLVII. Vot. II. p. 325.
_ Tuts species is found on the shores of the Columbia River, and
in all the districts intervening between them and those of the Gulf
of Mexico, at least in winter and the early part of spring. Dr Town-
SEND, who procured some on the Columbia, did not inform me whether
it breeds there. Northward, according to Dr Ricuarpson, its sum-
484 RUSTY GRAKLE.
mer range extends to the 68th parallel, or as far as the woods reach,
and it arrives in pairs on the banks of the Saskatchewan in the begin-
ning of May. In that country it joins with the Redwings, Common
Crow Blackbirds, and Cow-Buntings, in committing depredations on the
cornfields.
The eggs of this species measure one inch in length, five and a half
eighths in breadth. Their ground-colour is pale blue, marked sparingly
with blotches of brownish-black, and others more numerous of pale
purplish-grey, the former disposed round the large end, the latter over
the whole surface.
In a male preserved in spirits, the palate is slightly ascending, with
two papillate ridges ; the posterior aperture of the nares 5 twelfths long,
margined with small papillee ; the upper mandible beneath slightly con-
cave, with three longitudinal ridges and four grooves. ‘The tongue is
9 twelfths long, narrow, very thin, concave above, sagittate and papil-
late at the base, the tip slit and lacerated, forming two elongated points.
The tongue is thus very different from that of the Buntings and Finches,
which generally have it deeper than broad, and is similar to that of the
Crows, Starlings, Thrushes, &. The breadth of the mouth is 53
twelfths. The cesophagus is 3 inches long, its greatest width 5 twelfths,
on entering the thorax contracting to 2} twelfths. The stomach is el-
liptical, rather large, 10 twelfths in length, 7 twelfths in breadth; the
lateral muscles rather thin, the tendons large; the epithelium thin,
dense, reddish-brown, longitudinally rugous. The stomach is filled with
small seeds and insects, together with some grains of quartz. The in-
testine is 112 inches long, from 24 twelfths to 2 twelfths in width; the
coeca 3 twelfths long, } twelfth in width, 10 twelfths distant from the
extremity.
The trachea is 2 inches 4 twelfths long, considerably flattened ; its
rings, which are firm, about 80, with 2 additional rings. Bronchial
half rings about 15. Four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles, which
are large and well defined.
In all the Quiscali, Icteri, and other birds of this group, there are
slender salivary glands as in the Thrushes and Warblers, as well as the
Finches and Buntings.
( 485 )
ORCHARD ORIOLE.
ICTERUS SPURIUS, Bonap.
PLATE XLII. Vox. I. p. 221.
Dr Bacuman informs me, that he has kept this bird in aviaries for
several years, and that although the birds of this genus are supposed
to be of a plain colour in winter, he has ascertained that this species at
least preserves throughout the winter the plumage it possessed in sum-
mer.
In a male preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is slightly as-
cending, with two longitudinal ridges; the posterior aperture of the nares
oblongo-linear with the edges papillate ; the upper mandible with three
prominent lines, and four grooves, the tongue is 6 twelfths long, sagittate
and papillate at the base, narrow, channelled above, the tip deeply slit
and lacerated. The cesophagus is 2 inches 2 twelfths long, its greatest
breadth 3 twelfths. The stomach is very small, roundish, compressed,
5 twelfths long, 3 twelfth broad; its muscles thick, the epithelium
thin, tough, longitudinally rugous, reddish-brown. The contents of
the stomach are insects. The intestine is 6 inches long, from 13
twelfth to 1 twelfth in breadth. The cceca 1 twelfth long, 1 twelfth
broad, 8 twelfths from the extremity.
The trachea is 1} inch long, much flattened, 1 twelfth broad at the
upper part; its rings 65 with 2 dimidiate. Bronchi of about 10 half
rings. The muscles as in the other species of this group.
( 486 )
RICE BIRD.
ICTERUS AGRIPENNIS, Bonap.
PLATE LIV. Vot. I. p. 283.
Accorpineé to Dr RicHarpson, this species does not proceed north-
ward beyond the 54th parallel, where it arrives in the beginning of
June. Among the Creek Indians it bears the name of “ Skunk Bird,”
from the similarity of its plumage to the colouring of the Skunk, Me-
phitis Americana. It has been observed on the Rocky Mountains by
Dr Townsenp. I found it entering the United States from beyond the
Texas, on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico, early in April, when most
of the males were in full plumage, and I have no doubt that before
they reach the Carolinas this state of plumage is perfected.
My friend Dr Brewer describes their mode of nestling in Massa-
chusetts as follows :—* This species breeds here abundantly, although,
from the careful manner in which the nest is concealed, it is very sel-
dom met with. The Rice Bird arrives in New England about the
middle of May, and commences its nest usually about the first of June.
It is placed on the ground, and here for the most part in meadows, and
with so much pains at concealment, that it is to be found only by acci-
dent. Ingenious stratagems are also used to decoy the passer-by from
its vicinity: for instance, a pretended anxiety about parts of a field
in which they have not the slightest interest ;:so that persons unaware
of this are often induced to search spots many rods distant from the
object of their pursuit. The nest is very simple, usually consisting of
a few pieces of hay and straw, so loosely arranged as hardly to admit
of removal without falling to pieces. The eggs, five in number, mea-
sure fifteen-sixteenths of an inch in length, and eleven-sixteenths in
breadth. About the 8th of August, they assemble in large flocks, and
take their departure for the south.”
In a male preserved in spirits, the palate is ascending, with two la-
teral ridges, which on meeting anteriorly form a soft prominence ; on
RICE BIRD. 487
the upper mandible beneath are three ridges, of which the lateral are
larger ; the lower mandible is deeply concave ; the width of the mouth
41 twelfths. ‘The tongue is 5 twelfths long, sagittate and papillate at
the base, narrow, deep, pointed, and with a median groove on its upper
surface. It thus approaches in form to that of the Finches and Bunt-
ings. The cesophagus is 24 inches long, its greatest width 43 twelfths,
contracting to 2 twelfths as it enters the thorax ; the proventriculus
3 twelfths broad, its glands forming a belt 4 twelfths in breadth. The
stomach is rather small, roundish, much compressed, 6 twelfths in
length, and of the same breadth ; its lateral muscles thick, the tendons
large ; the epithelium thin, tough, reddish-brown, with longitudinal
ruge. The intestine is 7 inches 9 twelfths long; its average width
14 twelfth ; the cceca 4 twelfth long, } twelfth broad, 9 twelfths from
the extremity.
The trachea is 14 inch long, 1 twelfth broad at the upper part,
considerably compressed ; the rings 55, with 2 dimidiate ; the muscles
as in the last species ; bronchi of about 12 half rings.
RED-WINGED STARLING.
ICTERUS PH@NICEUS, Davupin.
PLATE LXVII. Vol. I. p. 348.
Te dispersion of this bird over the whole of the United States,
the Fur Countries beyond the limits of the inhabitation of the human
species, the great western plains, the Rocky Mountains, and even the
shores of the Columbia River, where it was procured by Dr TownsEnp,
forms a remarkable part of its history. Our surprise becomes greatly
increased by the knowledge of its breeding in great numbers in every
part of this vast extent. I found the Islands about Galveston Bay
most plentifully supplied with it, as well as the grassy margins of the
pools and bayous of the mainland, where it was seen breeding, some-
times within a few yards of houses. The same occurred on the Florida
Keys. The only part of the country visited by me in which I found it
wanting is Labrador, although it is known to breed in some portions
488 RED-WINGED STARLING.
of the interior of Newfoundland. In many instances I found it nest-
ling in the Floridas on Mangroves and low bushes, in the vicinity of
the nests of Cormorants and our smaller Herons, and even sometimes in
the midst of them. From these observations, you may readily believe
what I have already said as to the greater extension of birds during
the migratory movements, in proportion to their growth or age, the
younger individuals not being equal in strength to their parents, and
seldom reaching the place of their birth in the course of their first
year.
In speaking of this species, Dr RicHarpson mentions a circum-
stance relative to its habits of which I was not aware. “ On its first
arrival (the beginning of May) it feeds on grubs; but as soon as the
grain sown in the vicinity of the trading posts begins to germinate, it
associates itself with Saffron-headed Maize birds and Boat-tails (Com-
mon Crow Black-bird), and is occupied the whole day in tearing up and
devouring the sprouting plants, returning to the work of devastation as
often as driven away.” He states that it does not pass the 57th paral-
lel.
The attachment of this bird to the locality which it has selected for
breeding, is illustrated by the following note of my friend Dr THomas
M. Brewer of Boston. ‘ A pair of these birds constructed a nest in
a small clump of bushes near a brook in Roxbury, and deposited four
eggs, which were taken away. They then built a nest within a foot
of the first, in which the same number of eggs was laid, and in like
manner abstracted. Undeterred by this want of success, they again
constructed a nest in the same clump, and this time without molesta-
tion. This fact is perhaps trivial in itself, but the same can hardly be
told of any other species.” The eggs measure in length seven-eighths
and three-fourths, and in breadth five and a half eighths.
At Galveston I observed flocks of female Red-winged Starlings
congregated, and to all appearance migrating. This shews that migra-
tion in birds is far from being regular, but is dependent on many acci-
dental circumstances, such as difference of temperature at certain sea-
sons when they are supposed usually to move, or storms, or want of
proper food.
Dr Bacuman writes thus to me :—“ You speak of the Red-winged
Starlings as nearly all proceeding to the coast to breed. They breed
very abundantly in all the low marshy grounds of Carolina, and in all
RED-WINGED STARLING. 489°
the intermediate places to the Northern States. The young birds in
4 autumn that I have procured from the young guinea-corn and rice-
fields were fat, and in taste fully equal to the
Robin. I am not aware, that you have men-
tioned that, when a year old, though not full-
plumaged, they breed like those that are older.
Indeed, nearly all our birds breed when a year
old, however imperfect their plumage ; I can-
not recollect any species that does not.”
In a male preserved in spirits, the pa-
late ascends rapidly, and is in the middle
concave, with two very prominent papil-
late ridges, which, in meeting, form a large
soft prominence, anteriorly of which the
roof of the mouth is nearly flat, with a
median and two lateral ridges. The pos-
terior aperture of the nares is oblongo-linear,
with its margins papillate. The lower man-
dible is deeply concave. The tongue is 9
twelfths long, higher than broad, sagittate
and papillate at the base, grooved above,
tapering to a horny flattened, slightly emargi-
nate tip. The cesophagus, abcde, is 31 inches
long, forming a sac, bc, the width of which at
the commencement is 74 twelfths, soon after
41 twelfths, toward the lower part of the
neck 54 twelfths, but on entering the thorax
contracting to 33 twelfths; the proventriculus,
de, 44 twelfths in width. The stomach, ¢/g, is
broadly elliptical, 9 twelfths long, 74 twelfths
wide, its lateral muscles well developed; the °
epithelium thin, but dense, and of a reddish-brown colour. The con-
tents of the stomach are remains of coleopterous insects and seeds.
The duodenum, ghz, curves in the usual manner at the distance of 1iinch;
the entire length of the intestine is 10 inches, its width from 2 twelfths
to 13 twelfth; the cceca 2 twelfths long, 4 twelfth wide, 1 inch distant
from the extremity ; the rectum gradually dilates into an oblong cloaca,
5 twelfths in width.
490 COW-PEN BIRD.
The trachea is 21 inches long, flattened, slender, being only 13
twelfth wide at the upper part; its rings 54, well ossified ; the lateral
muscles are moderate, as are the sterno-tracheal ; the inferior laryngeal
very large, and disposed in four pairs. The bronchi are of moderate
size, and of about 12 half rings.
COW-PEN BIRD.
ICTERUS PECORIS, Bonap.
PLATE XCIX. Vox. I. p. 443.
“ You can hardly expect,” writes my friend Dr Brewer, “ that I
should add any thing to the detailed account which | have already given
you of this bird, and yet I cannot butthink that much remains to be told re-
specting its habits. Many circumstances relative to its history still solicit
the attention of the inquisitive naturalist, but of these I am not at present
qualified to speak. There is one subject, however, on which I may offer a
few remarks, namely, its laying in the nest of Fringilla tristis. WuLson
first asserted that it burdens that species with the charge of its egg ; but
Mr Nurratt denies the possibility of such an occurrence, on the ground
that the Cow Blackbirds are not present at the time when the Goldfinch is
breeding. For this, however, Mr Orp takes him to task, and states that
he has himself seen a Cow Bunting’s egg in the nest of the bird in ques-
tion. Now, it appears to me, that when we consider how extremely
incorrect Witson’s description of the nest and eggs of Fringilla tristis
is, very little reliance can be placed upon his assertion in this case. I
can add my testimony to the authority of Mr Nurratt as to the absence
of the Cow Bird from this State while the Goldfinch is breeding here.
The former leaves Massachusetts before the first of July, sometimes
earlier, indeed by the middle of June, and never lays on its return late
in September. I have never found the nest of the Goldfinch before the
7th of August, although Mr Nurtatt states that it breeds in July.
But then Mr Orp says that he has himself witnessed the occurrence.
I would be the last person to doubt that gentleman’s veracity, nor have
I the slightest idea that he would wilfully make a mistatement; yet I
COW-PEN BIRD.
cannot help thinking that in this matter he has been
deceived. Perhaps he is correct : but, in that case,
he must either have in his part of the country a
distinct species of Goldfinch, or its habits and those
of the Cow Bird must be very different there from
what they are here. At all events, it is utterly
impossible that such an occurrence could ever have
taken place in Massachusetts. I think, therefore,
that the Goldfinch should be struck from the list
of those species in the nests of which the Cow
Bird lays. On the other hand, Sylvia Blackburnie
and S. vermivora are to be added to it. The Cow
Bird is very common at Boston, having its eggs in
the nests of the White-eyed Vireo, the Red-eyed, Z
and any other that it chances to encounter, and de-
parting in autumn for the south.
The digestive organs and trachea of this bird
have already been described, at p. 234 of the pre-
sent volume; but the figures were then accident-
ally omitted. ‘The cesophagus, ad c d, is consider-
ably dilated on the neck; the stomach, ¢, is a
strong muscular gizzard, having the lateral mus-
cles large and distinct, the lower prominent, the
epithelium longitudinally rugous. The intestine,
of which the commencement only is here repre-
sented, fg, is rather short and of moderate width.
The cceca are an inch distant from the extremity,
and about a quarter of an inch in length ; and the
rectum forms only a slight dilatation in place of a
cloaca.
SS =
Q
SS
LS
CF
HNN
My)
Le
a
WS
YEA
ie
iW \)
Uy
491
( 492 )
MEADOW LARK.
STURNUS LUDOVICIANUS, LINN.
PLATE CXXXVI. Voz. II. p. 216.
Tuis beautiful bird is dispersed over all the countries intervening
between the shores of the Columbia River and the Gulf of Mexico. I
found it very abundant and breeding on the Island of Galveston in the
Texas, where, as well as in our Southern States, it is a constant resi-
dent. It travels northward as far as the Saskatchewan River, where,
according to Dr Ricuarpson, it arrives about the first of May, but be-
yond which it was not seen. In a note appended to the article on
this bird, in the Fauna Boreali-Americana, Mr Swarnson says it “is
subject to very considerable variation, not only in its colour, but in its
size, and in the proportionate length of the bill. The northern speci-
mens are larger and much paler than those we possess from Georgia,
while the Pennsylvania ones are intermediate between the two, proving
the influence of climate or the prevalence of particular races.” ‘This
note is in perfect accordance with my views as regards the migrations
of birds, and it corroborates the fact which I have already mentioned,
that the larger, and consequently the stronger, birds are those which
remove farthest north in spring. ‘The difference as to size and colour
acknowledged to exist in this species, may be observed in a greater or
less degree in almost every bird ; and I am fully convinced that a great
number of young birds, as well as females, have been converted into
distinct species, through the lamentable epidemic mania which has in-
fected the closet-naturalists, who found their fame on the invention of
useless names. The eggs of the Meadow Lark are an inch and two-
twelfths in length, and seven-eighths in breadth.
In an adult male preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth has a
median ridge anteriorly, with two ridges on the palate, which is convex
and ascending ; the posterior aperture of the nares linear, margined
with large papillae, and 8 twelfths long. The tongue is slender, 10
twelfths long, deeply sagittate and papillate at the base, concave above,
horny beneath, with a median groove, thin-edged, lacerated toward the
tip, which is slit to the depth of 1 twelfth. It resembles the tongue of
the Quiscali, Starlings, Crows, and Thrushes. The cesophagus, adc, is 44
MEADOW LARK. 493
inches long, very narrow, its average width along the neck being 23
twelfths ; on entering the thorax it ac
enlarges to 3 twelfths; the proven- &
triculus, 4c, is 5 twelfths in breadth,
its glandular belt 6 twelfths. The
stomach, cd ¢, is a very strong mus-
cular gizzard, placed obliquely, of
an elliptical form, 11 twelfths in
length, 94 twelfths in breadth ; =
The proventricular glands are large,
nearly globular, 3 twelfth in diame-
ter. The muscular coat of the sto-
mach is rather thin, the thickness
of the lateral muscles being 2 A
twelfths ; the epithelium dense,
tough, dark red, with three longi-
tudinal rugz on each side. The
contents of the stomach are remains
of insects, larvee, and especially legs
of grasshoppers. The intestine, efgh
aj, is of moderate length and width,
the former being 124 inches, the lat-
ter averaging 24 twelfths. The duo-
denum, ¢7, curves inthe usual manner
at the distance of 12 inches, and is
3 twelfths wide. The cceca, 7, come
off at the distance of 11 inch from
the extremity, and are 3 twelfths
in length, 1 twelfth in width, and
obtuse ; the cloaca, 7, is small and
of an oblong form, its breadth 5
twelfths.
The trachea is 3 inches long,
flattened, firm, of the nearly uni-
form width of 2 twelfths. The
rings are 68, with two dimidiate, rather broad and firm. There are
four pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles besides the sterno-tracheal, and
‘the lateral muscles are of moderate size. The bronchi are rather nar-
row, of 18 half rings.
( 494 )
CEDAR BIRD.
BomBYCILLA CAROLINENSIS, Briss.
PLATE XLIII. Vol. I. p. 227.
I am informed by Dr TownseEnp that this species is found about
the Columbia River, where he procured specimens. Dr Ricuarpson
speaks of it as not having been observed to the north of the 54th pa-
rallel. Mr Drummonp saw several small flocks on the south branch
of the Saskatchewan, on the 27th of June. I found it very numerous
in the Texas, in the early part of May. It is known to breed from
Maryland to Nova Scotia, but none were seen by me in Labrador or
Newfoundland. Dr Brewer has sent me the following note respecting
it. This is almost, if not quite, the only one of our birds to which
Witson has been guilty of injustice. He has branded it as a thief,
and denied it the possession of any redeeming quality. That it does
not sing I admit, but that it is not deserving of our protection is not
true. I forbear entering any plea in its behalf on account of the beauty
of its plumage, or its bold defence of its young, which I can attest from
actual observation, but I must commend it for the benefit which it con-
fers, in this part of the country, on the farmer, by destroying thousands
of the destructive cankerworm. I have watched it for hours together
feasting on that deadly enemy to our orchards. It is very abundant,
but does not breed until July. The eggs do not vary much in colour.
It remains all the year round at Boston, and breeds abundantly in the
orchards.” The length of the egg is 9 twelfths, its breadth 7 twelfths.
In a male preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is slightly
concave anteriorly, with three slight longitudinal ridges; the palate
covered with small papilla; the posterior aperture of the nares linear-
oblong, 4 twelfths in length, with the margin papillate; the tongue 4
twelfths long, triangular, sagittate and papillate at the base, concave
above, the tip horny, deeply slit, with two slender points. The width of
the mouth is 53 twelfths. ‘The cesophagus, abcd, is 2 inches 9 twelfths
long, its width at the commencement 5 twelfths; it is presently en-
larged to 7 twelfths, and increases to 8 twelfths, of which width it
continues to the lower part of the neck, where it contracts to 3 twelfths;
CEDAR BIRD. 495
the proventriculus, ¢d, 34 twelfths in breadth. The stomach, de, is
a small moderately muscular gizzard, of we
a roundish form, 73 twelfths in length, Z q fy
and 8 twelfths in breadth; its lateral e =
muscles well defined, the right 3 twelfths,
the left 24 twelfths thick; the tendons
oblong and of moderate size ; the epithe-
lium dense, tough, longitudinally rugous,
and of a reddish colour. The liver is ex- Z
tremely large, the right lobe: 1 inch 8 Z
A
twelfths in its greatest length, the left 8 67]
twelfths. The intestine, fy/ij, is short, and A
of excessive width, its length 74 inches, . CC =
its breadth in the duodenal portion 44 <<
twelfths, and so continuing with little di-
minution to the end. The duodenum, fgh,
curves at the distance of 1; inch, passes
forwards, as usual, to beneath the liver,
then runs down the right side, bends to
the left, curves again to the right over
the duodenum, and crossing to the right
over the stomach, terminates in the rec-
tum. The ceeea, 7, are 24 twelfths long,
and 1} twelfth in width; their distance
from the extremity 8 twelfths. There is
no decided cloacal enlargement. In the
cesophagus are several small berries; the .
stomach is filled with berries and seeds, and the intestine contains a
very great number of the latter, so that this bird evidently has not the
power of pounding and digesting such as are hard. The same circum-
stance is observed in Woodpeckers, through the intestines of which
seeds pass unchanged.
In another individual, the cesophagus is turgid with globular ber-
ries, 2 twelfths in diameter, so as to form an elongated crop, lying on
the right side of the neck, and extending over it behind.
The trachea is 21 inches long, of the uniform width of 1 twelfth,
considerably flattened, of 80 pretty firm entire, and 2 dimidiate rings.
The muscles of the inferior larynx, although four in number, are re-
markably small, compared with those of a Thrush. The bronchi are
496 SNOW BUNTING.
slender, of 18 half rings. The lateral muscles are very slender, as are
the sterno-tracheal.
The intestine of this bird is proportionally wider than in any other
examined. Its cesophagus assimilates it to the Finches and Buntings ;
its mouth, tongue, and intestine, to the Swallows and Flycatchers.
SNOW BUNTING.
EMBERIZA NIVALIS, Linn.
PLATE CLXXXIX. Vol. II. p. 515.
Accorpine to my friend Dr T. M. Brewer, “ great numbers oc-
curred in the winters of 1831-2-3, near Cambridge, in Massachu-
setts. Scarcely two birds were exactly alike in plumage. They fed
constantly upon the seeds of dried grasses and other plants, were easily
approached, and departed for the north early in spring.”
In this bird the form of the bill is intermediate between that of the
Buntings and that of the Finches. The palate is ascending, with two
ridges, the posterior aperture of the nares linear and papillate; the
upper mandible beneath with a hard convex protuberance, and three
ridges proceeding forwards from it, with the lateral grooves large; the
lower mandible deeply concave. The tongue is 5 twelfths long, sagit-
tate and papillate at the base, narrow, deep, channelled above, taper-
ing to a horny point, which is slightly slit. Width of mouth 5 twelfths.
CEsophagus 2 inches 7 twelfths long, its greatest width 3 twelfths.
Stomach a strong gizzard, 7 twelfths long, 8 twelfths broad ; the lateral
muscles very large and distinct, as are the tendons; the epithelium
dense, tough, and rugous. In the stomach are small black seeds, and
a great quantity of particles of quartz. The intestine is 104 inches
long, from 2 twelfths to 14 twelfth in width; the cceca 24 twelfths
long, and 1 twelfth wide, their distance from the extremity 13 inch.
In another individual, the contents of the stomach are the same; the
rectum 3 twelfths in width, gradually dilated at the end.
The trachea is 1 inch 103 twelfths long, 1 twelfth in breadth ; its
rings about 70; the bronchial half rings about 15. The muscles are
as usual in this family, there being four distinct pairs of inferior laryn-
geal. The salivary glands are slender, and extend to behind the ar-
ticulation of the lower jaw.
( 497 )
WHITE-THROATED BUNTING.
FRINGILLA PENNSYLVANICA, Latu.
PLATE VIIE. Vol. I. p. 42.
Dr Ricuarpson informs us that this species reaches the Saskatche-
wan in the middle of May, and spreads throughout the Fur Countries
up to the 66th parallel. On the 14th of June, he found a female sitting
on four eggs, at Cumberland House. The nest which was placed under
a fallen tree, was built of grass, lined with deer’s hair and a few feathers.
Another found at Great Bear Lake was lined with the setz of Bryum.
The eggs were very pale mountain-green, thickly marbled with red-
dish-brown. When the female was disturbed, she made her escape by
running silently off, in a crouching manner, like a Lark. I met with
this species in Labrador, in considerable numbers, but did not find its
nest, although the young were seen late in July.
When kept in an aviary, this bird, in the latter part of spring or
about May, sings at all hours of the night as joyously as when at li-
berty and breeding. It arrives from the north in South Carolina about
the first of November, and departs in the end of March. In that
State it is quite silent until the approach of night, when it chirps, as I
have described in my first volume.
YELLOW-WINGED BUNTING.
FRINGILLA PASSERINA, WILSON.
PLATE CXXxX. Vol. II. p. 180.
THE appearance of this humble species on the shores of the Co-
lumbia River renders its geographical distribution as difficult of com-
prehension as that of some other species, which, like it, discard as it
were extensive tracts, and appear in distant regions for a season.
VOL. V. Ii
498 HENSLOW’S BUNTING.
Thus some of this species, on their way from their unknown winter abode
northward, pass toward the middle and eastern districts of our Atlantic
coast, while others diverge to reach the Oregon section, in which this
bird has been found by Dr TownsEnp, passing over our Southern
States without being observed, although, when proceeding toward the
Texas in April 1837, I found them abundant on their way eastward.
In a male preserved in spirits, the palate is ascending, and its ridges
form a soft prominence at their junction anteriorly; on the fore part
are three narrow ridges, forming a large oblong hard knob at their
base, in which respect this bird is obviously of the family of Buntings.
The tongue is 44 twelfths long, deeper than broad, grooved above to-
ward the end, which is horny and pointed. The width of the mouth is
34 twelfths. Gisophagus 1 inch 8 twelfths in length, its greatest width
34 twelfths, it being considerably dilated on the neck. Stomach ra-
ther small, elliptical, oblique, 6 twelfths in length, 5 twelfths in breadth,
muscular, and of the usual structure. It contains insects, seeds, and
quartz. Intestine 5 inches long, from 14 twelfth to 1 twelfth wide ;
coeca 14 twelfth long, 4 twelfth broad, 7 twelfths distant from the ex-
tremity.
Trachea 1 inch 2 twelfths long, from nearly 1 twelfth to 3 twelfth
wide, its rings 55; inferior laryngeal muscles very large. Bronchi very
slender, of about 12 rings.
HENSLOW’S BUNTING.
EMBERIZA HENSLOWII.
PLATE LXX. Vol. I. p. 360.
Tus species is abundant in the State of New Jersey, and breeds
there ; but of this I was not aware until after my last return to Eng-
land, in the spring of 1838, when my friend Dr James Trupeau sent
me a specimen procured by himself while in company with our mutual
friend Epwarp Harris, Esq. This specimen is the finest I have seen,
although Dr Bacuman and myself have procured a great number in
SHARP-TAILED FINCH. 499
South Carolina, where this species abounds in the latter part of autumn,
and where some remain during winter. I have found it in great num-
bers in all the pine barrens of the Floridas, in winter, but mostly in
sandy or light soil, in woods thinly overgrown by tall pines. I never
saw this species alight on trees, but on the ground, where it spends its
time, it runs with rapidity, passing through the grass with the swiftness
of amouse. In the State of New Jersey it is found in ploughed fields,
and I haye no doubt was previously overlooked or supposed to be the
Yellow-winged Bunting, to which it bears some resemblance. It has not
been observed farther to the eastward than the State just mentioned.
Its plumage in spring is more richly coloured than in autumn or win-
ter.
SHARP-TAILED FINCH.
FRINGILLA CAUDACUTA, Wits.
PLATE CXLIX. Vox. II. p. 281.
Accorpine to my friend Dr T. M. Brewer, “ this species is not
rare among the high grass upon Chelsea Beach, near Boston, in the sum-
mer, where it no doubt breeds. It runs with wonderful speed, and is
unwilling to take wing until almost trodden upon.”
MACGILLIVRAY’S FINCH.
FRINGILLA MACGILLIVRAYI, AUD.
PLATE CCCLV. Vox. IV. p. 394.
In an adult female preserved in spirits, the palate is moderately
ascending, with two longitudinal papillate ridges; the posterior aper-
ture of the nares linear, margined with large papille ; the anterior part
or lower surface of upper mandible with a slender median line and two
larger lateral, but very narrow. Tongue 53 twelfths long, sagittate
500 PURPLE FINCH.
and papillate at the base. as broad as high, flattened toward the end,
concave above, the tip thin, slit, and lacerated. There are slender,
submaxillary, salivary glands. The csophagus is 1 inch 9 twelfths
long, its greatest width 23 twelfths; the proventriculus 3 twelfths
in breadth ; its lateral muscles distinct and of moderate size ; the epi-
thelium longitudinally rugous. The intestine is 8 inches long, from
2 twelfths to 13 twelfth wide; cceca 4 twelfths long, ? twelfth broad,
74 twelfths distinct from the extremity. The trachea is 1 inch 24 twelfths
long, ? twelfth broad; its rings 55; the bronchial half rings 12. The
muscles as usual in this family.
PURPLE FINCH.
FRINGILLA PURPUREA, GMEL.
PLATE IV. Voz. I. p. 24.
Turis species was seen by Dr Ricuarpson on the banks of the Saskat-
chewan River only, where it feeds on willow-buds. It arrives there in
May, and resides during the summer. The eggs have been procured
in the State of Massachusetts by my friend Dr T. M. Brewer. They
measure seven-eighths and a quarter in length, four-eighths and a half
in breadth, and are thus of an elongated form, rather pointed. Their
ground-colour is a bright emerald-green, sparingly marked with dots and
a few streaks of black, accumulated near the apex, and some large marks
of dull purple here and there over the whole surface. The following
note is from the same gentleman :—“ The passage of the Purple Finch
through this State on its way north, is so rapid, and the number of those
that stop to breed here so small, that I can furnish nothing respecting
its habits, except that there is good reason to believe the accusa-
tion which has been brought against it, of injuring the blossoms of fruit
trees. Last year, the trees were in full bloom at the time this bird was
migrating, and I saw them plainly clinging to the branches, and at work
upon the blossoms ; so that under some trees the ground was literally
strewed with the result of their destructiveness, although they did not
appear to feed on the blossoms. I have had the good fortune to meet
with its nest and eggs this season. Mr Cazor found another, and is
probably the first naturalist who has done so. The nest which I found
PURPLE FINCH. 501
was built in a cedar tree, at the distance of five feet from the ground,
‘The tree stood by itself in a small sandy pasture, which was sparingly
covered with half-grown cedars. The nest itself was rudely constructed :
it was composed externally of coarse grass and weeds, lined with fine roots
of the same, and little care seemed to have been bestowed on its com-
pletion. The diameter of the exterior was 9 inches, the brim 3 inches,
the depth 1 inch, the external depth 2 inches, giving it thus a shallow
or flattish appearance. The eggs, four in number, were of a bright eme-
rald-green.””
I have found this species from Labrador to the Texas. Mr Nutrari
and Dr TownsEND met with it on the Columbia River, and all the way
to St Louis. In South Carolina, where it appears only during severe
winters, it feeds on the berries of the Virginian juniper, commonly cal-
led the red cedar ; and when the berries fall to the ground, it alights to
secure them. Dr Bacuman has kept it in aviaries, where it became
very fat, silent, and only uttered its usual simple feeble note. After
moulting, the males assumed the plumage of the females. The next
spring a very slight appearance of red was seen, but they never reco-
vered their original brilliancy, and it was difficult to distinguish the
sexes. It breeds sparingly in the northern parts of the State of New
York. In June 1837, I met with three pairs, within a few miles of
Waterford, that evidently had nests in the neighbourhood.
Palate gently ascending ; upper mandible considerably concave, with
three prominent lines, of which the two lateral are much larger ; mandi-
bles nearly equal in breadth, the lower deeply concave. Width of mouth
5 twelfths. Tongue 5 twelfths long, sagittate and papillate at the base,
much compressed, being higher than broad, channelled above, the chan-
nel becoming somewhat dilated toward the end, and approaching to
that of the Pine Grosbeak and the Crossbills. Qsophagus 2 inches
2 twelfths in length, its greatest width 4 twelfths. Stomach 53 twelfths
long, 43 twelfths broad ; its lateral muscles of moderate size, the epithe-
lium tough and longitudinally rugous. Contents of stomach, seeds of
various sorts. Intestine 83 inches long, its width from 13 twelfth to
2 twelfth ; cceca 3 twelfth long, } twelfth broad, 9 twelfths distant from
the extremity.
Trachea 1 inch 73 twelfths long, flattened, nearly 1 twelfth in breadth ;
the rings 66 and 2 additional; bronchial rings 12; muscles as usual in
this family ; as are the salivary glands.
( 502 )
GRASS FINCH, OR BAY-WINGED BUNTING.
FRINGILLA GRAMINEA, GMEL.
PLATE XCIV. Voz. I. p. 473.
Tus extremely abundant species extends its migrations to the shores
of the Columbia River, where it was procured by Dr Townsenp; and
it is mentioned by Dr RicHarpson as one of the birds that reach the
prairies of the Saskatchewan early in May, to depart in September.
In these distant localities it breeds on the ground, as it is wont to do in
our own Middle Districts, as far south as Maryland. During winter it
is found in astonishing numbers about all the old fields in South Carolina,
Georgia, the Floridas, and Alabama. The eggs measure seven-eighths
of an inch in length, seven-twelfths in breadth, with a bluish-white
ground, almost entirely covered with undefmed markings of pale red-
dish-brown, more closely set towards the larger end ; but they vary much,
some being almost white. I have found many nests of this species on
Chelsea Beach, in July and August.
The following account of its manners while incubating, is from Dr
T. M. Brewer :—“ There are few of our Sparrows that employ a greater
variety of artifice to decoy their chief enemy, man, from the young or
eggs. The situation of the nest, which is usually placed on the ground
in dry sandy fields, without the least pains at concealment, renders stra-
tagem peculiarly necessary to this bird. In the morning of May 1836,
as I was crossing a dry sandy field, I almost trode upon a female of this
species, as she was sitting on her nest. She was exactly the colour of
the surrounding soil, and was therefore unperceived by me, and another
step would have inevitably brought me upon her, when she tumbled for-
ward and imitated lameness so perfectly, that it was with the utmost diffi-
culty I could prevent myself from being deceived and following her.
The stratagem, however, was of no avail: I stopped, examined the eggs,
which were four in number, and left them. The following morning I
again visited the spot, but this time the stratagem was different. She
left her nest, flew to a spot several rods distant, and manifested the
greatest anxiety about the place on which she alighted, so that a stran-
ger, not seeing her flight, would have supposed her nest to be at quite
GRASs FINCH. 503
a distance from its real location. Finding this trick also unavailing,
and seeing me stoop and examine her treasures, she speedily approached,
and began making the most piteous lamentations, which she continued
until I was at a considerable distance from her nest. The next morn-
ing I made her another visit, and again she varied her artifice, by leav-
ing her nest, while I was at a greater distance than on either of my
other visits, and flying into concealment as speedily as possible, evident-
ly in hopes her flight would not be noticed. To how great a number
and variety she would have carried her stratagems I am unable to say,
for on visiting the spot on the fourth day I was sorry to find the nest
empty and deserted. Was this bird guided by instinct or by reason ?
The egg measures seven-eighths of an inch in length, and eleven-six-
teenths in breadth, and is of a bluish-white, covered nearly equally with
blotches of a reddish-brown colour. They are not always exactly uni-
form in colour and markings, but sufficiently so to be readily recognised.
They resemble not a little the eggs of Fringilla maritima and F’. palus-
tris ; but are distinguishable from both. They are also sometimes marked
with hair-lines of a dark brown colour, irregularly scattered over the
whole egg.
INDIGO BUNTING.
FRINGILLA CYANEA, Wits.
PLATE LXXIV. Vou. I. p. 377.
I observed this species breeding in the Texas late in April, and it
would appear from a note sent by my friend Dr T. M. Brewer of Boston,
that it reaches the neighbourhood of that city early in June, but does
not commence its nest there until the latter part of that month, or early
in July. He further states that it “is abundant near Boston, and when
it arrives in spring generally chooses the highest chimney-tops to alight
upon. They appear much attached to particular districts. A pair has
now for five years in succession built in my father’s garden, but this
year, something would seem to have befallen them, for they have not
made their appearance. One year they raised a second brood. This
504 INDIGO BUNTING.
is the only instance in which I have known them to do so. The nest
is usually placed in a bush or low tree, about three feet from the ground,
and with us has uniformly been built of Russia matting, purloined
from our grape-vines, lined with fine grass and hair. The eggs, four
in number, are eleven-sixteenths of an inch in length, seven-sixteenths
in breadth, and of a uniform white colour, without the slightest blotch
or mark. I have never met with an egg having this purple blotch at .
the larger end, which you and Wi1son mention as existing there, al-
though my observations are taken from the contents of more than eight
nests. The second brood spoken of above was hatched in September.”
I have before me at this moment an egg of the Indigo Bird procu-
red by myself, which has several dots toward the larger end, and of
which the general colour is not pure white, but, as described by Nor-
TALL, greenish-white, or rather, as I would call it, lightish-blue.
The width of the mouth is 3 twelfths ; the palate ascending ; the
upper mandible beneath with three narrow ridges, forming a large ob-
long hard knob at their base. Tongue 4 twelfths long, higher than
broad, deeply grooved above in its whole length, horny at the end and
pointed. ME£sophagus 1 inch 10 twelfths long, dilated into a kind of
cross 43 twelfths wide. Stomach elliptical, 6 twelfths long, 5 twelfths
in breadth, with the lateral muscle strong, the epithelium dense and
longitudinally rugous. It contains insects, seeds, and grains of quartz.
Intestine of ordinary length; cceca 1} twelfth long, 1 twelfth wide,
103 twelfths from the extremity.
Trachea 13 inch long, its rings 78, its breadth 2 twelfth, its mus-
cles as usual. Bronchi of 15 half rings.
TREE SPARROW.
FRINGILLA CANADENSIS, Latu.
PLATE CLXXXVIII. Vol. II. p. 511.
Accorpine to Dr T. M. Brewer, this is the most common Sparrow
found near Boston during the winter, inhabiting in large flocks the low
bushes and grass in marshy, sheltered situations, much of the time very
quiet and inactive.
TREE SPARROW. 505
A specimen sent by him in spirits has the palate ascending oblique-
ly, and of the usual appearance, the upper mandible beneath with a mid-
dle prominent line and two broad ridges, which at the base form a hard
flattened prominence, similar to that of the true Bunting, but not so
elevated. Tongue 44 twelfths long, about as deep as broad, fleshy and
convex at the base above, channelled toward the end, which is pointed
and horny. Width of mouth 33 twelfths. sophagus 2 inches
1 twelfth long, dilated on the middle of the neck into a large crop,
5 twelfths in width, which winds round into the hollow of the neck be-
hind. Stomach roundish, placed obliquely. 6 twelfths long, 74 twelfths
broad ; its lateral muscles very large, as are the tendons; the epithe-
lium dense and longitudinally rugous. The stomach filled with seeds
and sand, and the crop partially filled with the former. The intestine
is 7 inches long, from 2 twelfths to 1 twelfth in width; the ceeca
2 twelfths long 3 twelfth width, 10 twelfths from the extremity.
The trachea is 1 inch 8 twelfths long, nearly 1 twelfth in breath ;
its rings 75, firm and considerably flattened. Inferior laryngeal mus-
eles small. Bronchi of about 12 half rings.
SNOW BIRD.
FRINGILLA HYEMALIS, Linn.
PLATE XIII. Voz. I. p. 72.
It now appears that the principal breeding places of this species
are in the range of the Alleghany Mountains, and their spurs, com-
mencing in the State of Virginia, and continuing eastward. It is merely
a summer resident in the Fur Countries, where it is not common, and
where it was not met with by Dr Ricnarpson beyond the 57th paral-
lel. I did not find it in Labrador, nor does it occur on the Rocky
Mountains, where it seems to be represented by F’ringilla oregona. My
friend Dr Bacuman has seen it in the breeding season (June) in the
mountainous districts of Virginia, in considerable numbers. At this
season it has a sweet note. In July the young were full grown, and
kept among the huckle-berry bushes. It arrives in South Carolina in
506 SNOW BIRD.
November, and departs in March. When kept in aviaries in that State,
it appears to suffer much from heat, bathing frequently to cool itself,
but it never breeds, and is always silent.
My friend Dr T. M. Brewer of Boston, has sent me the following
account of the nest and eggs, as found among the mountains in the Os-
wego county, in the State of New York, by Mr Epwarp AprLeTon :—
“The nests were all situated on the ground, some of them having con-
cealed entrances in the same manner as is frequently practised by the
Song Sparrow, and their complement of eggs was four. The external
diameter of the nest given me was four and a half inches, its internal
two and a half, the internal depth an inch and a half, the external about
two. It is composed of stripes of bark, straw roots, and horse hair,
lined with fine moss and the soft hair of small quadrupeds. In size and
appearance it is not unlike the nest of the common F’ringilla melodia.
The eggs measure six-eighths of an inch in length, five-eighths in
breadth, and are more nearly spherical than any of the eggs of this ge-
nus with which I am acquainted. Their ground-colour is yellowish-
white, thickly covered with small dots of a reddish-brown colour ; in
the broadest part of the egg the spots are more numerous and confluent,
forming a crown or belt, but at the end they are more sparse.
The palate ascending, the upper mandible beneath with a hard con-
vex protuberance, less prominent than in the Snow Bunting, and three
ridges proceeding from it ; the lower mandible deeply concave. Tongue
5 twelfths long, narrow, deep, grooved above, tapering to a horny point,
which is slightly slit. C&sophagus 21 inches long, dilated on the middle
of the neck to 43 twelfths. Stomach rather small, roundish, 5 twelfths
long, 44 twelfths broad ; its lateral muscles large and distinct, its cuti-
cular lining dense and longitudinally rugous. It contains seeds and nu-
merous particles of quartz. Intestine 8 inches long, from 2 twelfths to
1 twelfth in width. Cceca 2 twelfths long, 1 twelfth wide, and 1 inch
distant from the extremity. .
Trachea 1 inch 9 twelfths long, scarcely 1 twelfth in breadth ; its
rings about 70, rather feeble ; bronchial half rings about 15; the four
pairs of inferior laryngeal muscles very large.
( 507 )
SONG SPARROW.
FRINGILLA MELODIA, Wiis.
PLATE XXV. Vol. I. p. 126.
My friend Dr T. M. Brewer of Boston has sent me the following
remarks :—“ I think there is good reason for believing that two dis-
tinct species are confounded under the name of Fringilla melodia. I
have long observed the striking differences exhibited by eggs supposed
to belong to this bird, and within a few months Mr Cazor had pointed
out to me a uniform difference of plumage, which always accompanies
this difference of the eggs. One of these supposed species had been
painted by Witson. It differs in having its breast more universally
spotted, while that of the other is much less so, except in the centre,
where a number of confluent spots form a distinct star. This last bird
is the one painted by you, and is byfar the most common. The former
builds its nest in bushes or young trees at least two feet from the
ground. ‘The most common resort for this purpose is a young cedar
tree, where the branches are very thick, where I have twice found an
arched entrance leading to it, and a cover to the nest, made by weav-
ing straw and hay among the thick foliage of the tree. The other al-
ways builds on the ground. I have found in the nest of the former six
eggs, but never more than five in that of the latter. The egg of Wit-
son’s bird is larger and less pointed at the small end, the ground-colour,
so far as it can be seen, appears to be white, but the whole of the egg
is so thickly spotted with blotches of a rusty brown as to appear al-
most wholly of that colour. The eggs of your bird are of a less size,
the smallest end obtuse, the ground-colour of a distinct light green,
and perceptible over the whole egg, not even excepting the larger end,
where the spots of lilac-brown, with which the egg is spangled over,
are the thickest. These differences are uniform. There is still an-
other, which should not be overlooked. The former is always known
to breed apart from the habitations of man, in old orchards and _pas-
tures ; the other is often found to build its nest in our gardens, and not
unfrequently under our windows. Such coincident differences cannot
be merely casual, and therefore I do not see why birds differing in plu-
mage, nest, and eggs, as well as in habits, should not be regarded as
distinct species.”
( 508 )
SWAMP SPARROW.
FRINGILLA PALUSTRIS, Wiis.
PLATE LXIV. Vox. I. p. 331.
Tuis bird is abundant, in company with the Tree Sparrow, during
winter, about Boston. It is not mentioned by Dr Ricuaxpson as being
an inhabitant of the Fur Countries, although I found it plentiful in
Labrador and Newfoundland, as well as in all the districts suited to its
habits between these countries and the Texas. Dr Townsenp informs
me that it is found on the Missouri, but was not observed beyond the
head-waters of that river.
BLUE GROSBEAK.
FRINGILLA C@RULEA, Bonap.
PLATE CXXII. Vol. IL. p. 140.
Tue Blue Grosbeak extends to the Rocky Mountains, on which it
has been procured by Dr TownsEnp. I found it abundant and breed-
ing in the Texas. In confinement it suffers greatly during the moult.
One which is now in my possession in Edinburgh, and which was raised
from the nest, obtained its full summer plumage in the month of Sep-
tember, but was about two weeks nearly naked. The feathers of the
wings and tail fell gradually off whilst those of the other parts were
growing, and in about a fortnight more, when the bird was about one
year old, it became of a beautiful blue. This bird frequently sings in
the night, and before dawn. It is extremely tame, goes out and re-
turns to its cage, generally perches on the head-dress of my wife, and
on the bare heads of the other members of the family, alights on the
table, and feeds on almost any thing given to it. It is curious that if a
gold or silver coin be thrown on the table, while he is near, he goes to
it, takes it up in his bill, and tosses it about apparently with pleasure.
After bathing he invariably goes to the fire, and perches on the fender,
PINE FINCH. 509
to dry himself. Two or three other birds have been put into the cage
with him, but were instantly attacked. He has now and then been
seen to hold his food in his claws like a hawk.
PINE FINCH.
FRINGILLA PINUS, Wiis.
PLATE CLXXX. Vol. II. p. 445.
I nave thought it rather strange that this species is not mentioned
in the Fauna Boreali-Amevicana, as occurring in the Fur Countries, as
I found it abundant in Labrador. Dr TownseEnp also procured speci-
mens of it along the shores of the Columbia River. Nothing, however,
is yet known of its nest, eggs, or habits during the breeding season.
The bill of this species is very similar to that of the Linnets, being
regularly conical, a little compressed ; both mandibles equal in size, and
of the same length. The roof of the mouth is deeply and broadly con-
cave, with two ridges ; the palate ascending, with two prominent ridges ;
the posterior aperture of the nares linear, papillate on the edges; the
lower mandible much involute. The tongue is 4 twelfths long, deeper
than broad, emarginate and papillate at the base, concave above toward
the point, which is acute. Width of mouth 33 twelfths. C&sophagus
1 inch 9 twelfths long, enlarging into a kind of cross 4 twelfths in width,
on the right side of the neck, and extending behind so that its edge
projects on the other side, as in the Crossbills and Pine Grosbeak ; it
then contracts to 2 twelfths ; the proventriculus 23 twelfths in breadth.
Stomach roundish, moderately compressed, its length and breadth 44
twelfths, the lateral muscles well developed, the tendons large, the epi-
thelium tough and longitudinally rugous. It contains quartz-sand and
remains of seeds. Intestine 103 inches long, from 1} twelfth to 2 twelfth
in width ; ceca 1 twelfth long, { twelfth broad, 1 inch distant from the
extremity.
Trachea 1 inch 2 twelfths long, scarcely ? twelfth in breadth, mo-
derately flattened, firm; the rings about 60; bronchial half rings 10;
inferior laryngeal muscles large.
(cxs10%.3)
AMERICAN GOLDFINCH.
FRINGILLA TRISTIS, LiNN.
PLATE XXXIII. Vou. I. p. 172.
Tuts interesting species, which is so nearly allied to several others
of the same family, is found on the shores of the Columbia River. It
is mentioned by Dr Ricuarpson as visiting the Fur Countries, where it
arrives at a very late period, as it retires in September, after a stay of
less than three months. The eggs described by that most zealous na-
turalist agree in every particular with some now before me, which I col-
lected myself. They measure a trifle more than five and a half eighths
in length, by 44 eighths in breadth, and are very obtuse at one end
and sharp at the other. My friend Dr Bacumay informs me, that “ al-
though this bird isnot uncommon in the maritime districts of South Ca-
rolina during winter, it has not been observed to breed nearer than one
hundred miles from Charleston. Dr T. M. Brewer states, that “ it re-
mains through the year at Boston, breeds in large numbers, and is seen
during winter in great flocks, in dull plumage, constantly flitting about.”
The palate is moderately ascending, the anterior part of the roof of
the mouth deeply and broadly concave, the lower mandible very narrow.
The tongue is 33 twelfths long, emarginate and papillate at the base,
grooved above, horny and pointed. (Esophagus 1 inch 9 twelfths long,
dilated on the middle of the neck to 43 twelfths, and lying on the right
side and behind. Proventriculus 4 twelfths in length and 2 twelfths in
breadth, stomach very small, elliptical, 5 twelfths long, 34 twelfths broad,
the lateral muscles moderate. Intestine 6} inches long, its greatest
width 1 twelfth. Cceca 2 twelfths long, } twelfth broad, 7 twelfths from
the extremity.
Trachea 1 inch 4 twelfths long, ? twelfth broad ; its rings about 60.
Bronchi very narrow, of about 12 rings.
¢ (aly)
COMMON CROSSBILL.
LOXIA CURVIROSTRA, LINN.
PLATE CXCVII. Voz. II. p. 559.
Tue following note respecting this bird is from my friend Dr T. M.
Brewer. “Among a number of eggs which I obtained from Coventry,
Vermont, there was one of the Common Crossbill, a description of
which, it never having been before procured by any naturalist, to my
knowledge, and consequently never having been described, will, I doubt
not, be acceptable. It measures thirteen-sixteenths of an inch in length,
by three-eighths in breadth. At the large rend it is broadly rounded,
and the smaller end forms a complete and abrupt cone. The ground-
colour is a greenish-white, pretty thickly covered, more especially at the
large end, with very brown spots. Crossbills appeared in large flocks,
in the winter of 1832, in the pine woods near Fresh Pond, and with
them two or three White-winged Crossbills. ‘They were very noisy,
rarely quiet for many moments at atime. Before this winter I have
been told that the White-wing was the most common, though never very
abundant.
TOWHEE BUNTING.
FRINGILLA ERYTHROPHTHALMA, LiNN.
PLATE XXIX. Vol.I.p. 150.
In an adult male preserved in spirits, the palate is ascending and
deeply concave ; its two longitudinal ridges uniting in front, where there
is a considerable soft prominence ; the upper mandible beneath flat,
with a median ridge and two lateral, broad and flattened ridges. The
width of the mouth is 52 twelfths. Posterior aperture of the nares
linear, and strongly papillate, as in all the species. Tongue 54 twelfths
long, fleshy above, toward the end horny, convex, and with a medi-
512 FOX-COLOURED SPARROW.
an groove. (Hsophagus 2 inches 4 twelfths long, its greatest width
3 twelfths. Stomach a strong muscular gizzard, 6 twelfths long, 103
twelfths broad ; the epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous. Con-
tents of stomach, seeds and husks of barley. Intestine 9} inches long,
2 twelfths in width ; the cceca 44 twelfths long, 14 twelfth in breadth,
13 inch from the extremity ; rectum very slightly dilated.
Trachea 1 inch 73 twelfths long, 1 twelfth in breadth ; its rings
75, besides 2 dimidiate rings. Bronchi very slender, of 15 half rings.
The muscles as in all the other species.
FOX-COLOURED SPARROW.
FRINGILLA IL14CA, MERREM.
PLATE CVIII. Vol. II. p. 58.
Tuts delightful songster is found abundantly on the Columbia River.
It breeds in the woody districts of the Fur Countries, up to the 68th
parallel. About Boston it is abundant during summer, generally skulk-
ing in the bushes and avoiding observation. It passes through Massa-
chusetts on its way south in the first week in November, and returns
about the 10th of April. It is very easily approached, and its note is
extremely beautiful.
In this species the palate is moderately ascending, deeply concave,
with two prominent lines, at the meeting of which anteriorly is a small
soft projection. ‘The upper mandible is moderately concave, with a
prominent middle line and two lateral ridges. The width of the mouth
is 51 twelfths. The tongue is 4 twelfths long, compressed, channelled
above, horny, rather obtuse, somewhat spoon-shaped at the point, as in
the Pine Finch. (£sophagus 23 inches long, its greatest width 43
twelfths, being slightly dilated towards the lower part of the neck.
The stomach is roundish, 7 twelfths long, 6 twelfths broad ; its lateral
muscles rather strong, the epithelium tough, longitudinally rugous.
Intestine 93 inches long, from 3 twelfths to 2 twelfths in width: ccoeca
31 twelfths long, } twelfth in width, 1 inch distant from the extremity.
Trachea 1 inch 8 twelfths long, 1 twelfth in breadth ; the rings 72, and
2 dimidiate, firm ; bronchial rings about 15; the muscles as usual.
ROSE-BREASTED GROSBE AK.
FRINGILLA LUDOVICIANA, BONAP.
PLATE CXXVII. Vot. II. p. 166.
A.THoucu this beautiful bird is common about the mouths of the
Mississippi in spring, when on its way northward, it is never seen in
South Carolina. When proceeding to the Texas in April 1837, !
found it so abundant wherever we landed that hundreds might have been
procured. Both sexes were in perfect plumage. Dr TownsEenp ob-
served it on the Missouri; and Dr T. M. Brewer informs me that he
shot a fine male at’ Fresh Pond, near Boston, in the summer of 1882,
and knew of two or three females killed afterwards.
In an adult male from Texas, the palate is deeply concave in the
middle, with two prominent longitudinal ridges, forming a large pro-
jection at their meeting anteriorly ; it ascends obliquely, is gradually
narrowed, and beyond the nostrils becomes horizontal, the upper man-
dible beneath being concave, with three strong longitudinal ridges and
four grooves; the lower mandible is very deeply concave. The poste-
rior aperture of the nares is 3 twelfths long, oblongo-linear, margined
with papilla. The width of the mouth is 6 twelfths. The tongue is
53 twelfths long, emarginate and: papillate at the base, convex and
fleshy above, as high as broad, horny beneath, and tapering to a point.
(Esophagus 3 inches 2 twelfths long, nearly uniformly 3 twelfths wide.
Stomach small, roundish, compressed, $inch long, and of the same
breadth; its muscles distinct and of moderate thickness, the tendons
large, the epithelium thin, tough, longitudinally rugous, and of a red-
dish-brown colour. The contents of the stomach small-seeds and. par-
ticles of quartz. Intestine 9}. inches long,.its width from 2 twelfths to
14 twelfth ; cceca 13 twelfth long, 3 twelfth in breadth, 1 inch distant
from the extremity.
Trachea 2 inches 1 twelfth long, from 1 twelfth to 3 twelfth in breadth;
the rings about 70, firm, considerably flattened. Bronchi of about 15
rings. Muscles as usual in this family ; the inferior laryngeal large.
There are very slender elongated salivary glands, extending to beyond
the articulation of the jaw.
VOL. V. Kk
( 514 )
CARDINAL GROSBEAK.
FRINGILLA CARDINALIS, BONAP
PLATE CLIX. Vol. IL. p. 336.
Tuts species is very abundant in Texas, where, as in our Southern
States, it is a constant resident. Dr Townsenp has observed it on the
waters of the Upper Missouri. According to Dr T. M. Brewer, it is
but a chance visitor in Massachusetts during summer, indeed so rare,
that he never knew certainly but of one pair which bred in the Bota-
nical Garden, Cambridge, about six years ago, and departed in the fall,
with their young. The eggs measure one inch and half an eighth in
length, five-eighths and a third in breadth, and are thus elongated, al-
though the smaller end is well rounded.
In a male preserved in spirits, the palate ascends very abruptly,
and has two very elevated soft ridges, at the junction of which ante-
riorly is a prominent soft space, on the lower mandible beneath are
three longitudinal ridges with four grooves, of which the two lateral
are much wider. The tongue is 44 twelfths long, emarginate and pa-
pillate at the base, convex and fleshy above, as high as broad, horny
beneath, tapering to a point. The width of the mouth is 6 twelfths.
The lower mandible is broader than the upper, exceedingly strong,
and very deeply concave. The cesophagus is 2 inches 5 twelfths in
length, 3 twelfths in width. The stomach pretty large, roundish,
74 twelfths long, 7 twelfths broad ; its lateral muscles strong, the tendons
large, the epithelium very dense, longitudinally rugous, brownish+red.
The stomach is filled with seeds, which have all been husked. In-
testine 104 inches long, its width from 3 twelfths to 2 twelfths. Coeca
3 twelfths long, 3 twelfth broad, 1 inch distant from the extremity.
Cloaca ovate, 4 twelfths in width.
Trachea 1 inch 10 twelfths long, from 1} twelfth to 5 twelfth in
breadth ; its rings 52; the muscles as in the other species. Bronchial
half rings about 12.
( 515 )
WHITE-CROWNED SPARROW.
FRINGILLA LEUCOPHRYS, Bonar.
PLATE CXIV. Vol. II. p. 88.
Tue lower mandible is broader than the upper, and deeply concave ;
the palate ascending, with two longitudinal ridges, forming a soft pro-
tuberance at their junction anteriorly ; the
upper mandible beneath with three ridges and
four grooves. Tongue 4 twelfths long,
deeper than broad, with a median groove
above, and tapering to an acute point. Ciso-
phagus, a bc, 2 inches 3 twelfths in length, its
greatest width when dilated 5 twelfths.
Proventriculus, 6c, 3twelfths in breadth. Sto-
mach, de, placed obliquely, 6 twelfths long, 72
twelfths broad, its lateral muscles large and
distinct, the lower muscle also prominent,
but thin, the epithelium as usual, with strong
longitudinal rugz. Intestine, efghij, 8 inches
long, from 2 twelfths to 14 twelfth in breadth;
coca, 7,14 twelfth long, and4twelfthin breadth,
9 twelfths distant from the extremity, 7. Tra-
chea 1 inch 8 twelfths long, the rings 70
with 2 dimidiate, pretty firm and a little flat-
tened. Bronchial half rings about 12. Mus-
cles as usual, the inferior laryngeal mode-
rately large.
-
(eailiGay®)
SAVANNAH FINCH.
FRINGILLA SAVANNA, WILS.
PLATE CIX. Vot. II. p. 63.
Tue Savannah Finch was found by Dr 'TownseND on the Rocky
Mountains and about the Columbia River, where it was common. It
extends along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico to within the Texas. As
it is plentiful in Labrador, it might have been expected to move still
farther northward in summer, but no mention is made of it by Dr Ricx-
arpson. The situation and size of the nests, as well as the colour of
the eggs of this bird, found by myself or the members-of my party, dif-
fered from those examined in Maine, or in any other part of the United
States. The nests were deeply sunk in the moss, always placed under
the cover of creeping branches of low firs, and much more bulky than
usual, although composed of the same materials. The eggs in most in-
stances were of an extremely pale-greenish hue, slightly spotted and
splashed with light umber. They measured 63 eighths of an inch in
length, and rather more than four and a half eighths in breadth. Iam
inclined to think that my friend Mr Nutra.t mistook the notes of ano-
ther species for those of the Savannah Finch, and, as he says, they were
heard in Georgia in the month of March, I suspect they must have been
those of Fringilla Bachmanii, some of which are indeed “ as fine and
lively as those of the Canary, loud, echoing, and cheerful.” The notes
of the present species, as he afterwards more aptly says, are *‘ almost
exactly similar to the chirpings of a cricket, so that it might easily be
mistaken for that insect.” I feel the more confident of the correctness
of this suggestion, first, because Mr Nurratt has in that paragraph
described the habits of F’. Bachmanii perfectly, in saying that “ on being
suddenly surprised they flew off ata little distance, and then, if fol-
lowed, descended to the ground, and ran and hid closely in the tufts
of grass 3’ and secondly, because the Savannah Finch never sings whilst
in Georgia or Carolina, It breeds abundantly among the high grass
at Chelsea Beach, near Boston.
PAINTED FINCH.
FRINGILLA Ciris, TEMM.
PLATE LIII. Vou. I. p. 279.
I wave nothing to add to my account of the habits of this beauti-
ful species ; but my friend Dr Bacuman has favoured me with the fol-
lowing very interesting notice regarding its change of plumage, and
which is greatly at variance with my report on that subject, as well as
those of Witson and all other writers. ‘I have kept these birds for
many years in aviaries. The males and females of a year old were of
a uniform colour, but I have invariably found them to assume their
perfect plumage in the second year. This bird could be easily domes-
ticated and multiplied in Europe, in the manner of the Canary. I
have had them to raise three broods of young in the year in confine-
ment. The plumage, however, in this state, was never so brilliant as
when wild.’’
CHIPPING SPARROW.
FRINGILLA SOCIALIS, Wis.
PLATE CIV. Voz. IIL. p. 21.
‘I am now of opinion that this small species is altogether confined
within the range of the United States and a small portion of the east-
ern adjoining provinces. It does not extend westward beyond the head
waters of the Missouri, nor south-westward beyond the Opelousas. None
were observed by the members of my party in Texas. The Chipping
Sparrow is almost as abundant in our country, as the Domestic Sparrow
is in Europe, and it is nearly as familiar, though otherwise different in
its habits. Dr Brewer has sent me the following notice respecting it :
“‘ With hardly a single exception, it is the most numerous species in
Massachusetts. It does not, however, arrive here so soon by seven
518 SUMMER RED-BIRD.
weeks as most of the same genus, Fringilla melodia and F. graminea
having commenced incubation by the time when it makes its appear-
ance. It is one of the most confiding of our visitors, not unfrequently
forming its nest among the vines planted as ornaments to our piazzas.
In this part of the country there appears to exist a kind of tacit com-
pact between the Chipping Sparrow and the Field Sparrow, by which
all the cultivated ground is appropriated to the former, while the wild
retired fields and pastures are occupied by the latter, for the purpose
of breeding. I have never met with an instance where the two species
bred in the same field. The eggs of the Chipping Sparrow measure
six-eighths in length by five-eighths in breadth.” Probably the reason
of the division of the tracts of land above mentioned is, that the Field
Sparrow being more shy or retiring, and reaching the same districts at
an earlier period, it has the opportunity of choosing such grounds as
suit it best, and is afterwards able to maintain its position.
SUMMER RED-BIRD.
TANAGRA ZSTIVA, GMEL.
PLATE XLIV. Vox. I. p. 232.
I rounp this species in the Texas about the middle of April, when
it was arriving from the south. At this period many of the males were
in full plumage, while almost as many were imperfect; but I observed
that before we left Galveston, about the middle of May, scarcely one
was met with in the latter state; and, although a considerable number
reach even our middle Atlantic districts, in a mottled and incomplete
livery, it is the opinion of my friend Dr Bacuman, as well as my own,
that the males obtain all the beauty of their colours when about twelve
months old. ‘This opinion is founded on the fact, that mottled birds
of this species are comparatively but rarely found in the act of breed-
ing. I now feel almost quite certain that too great an extent of time
has hitherto been supposed necessary for this bird to acquire its perfect
plumage ; and this is equally the case with several other species. My
SUMMER RED-BIRD. 519
friends Mr Harris and Dr Trupeau have procured female Summer Red-
Birds almost as red as the males. They were obtained while breeding,
and I am informed by these gentlemen that such cases are not rare. I
also find that I was wrong in saying that this species has no song; for
it sings pleasantly during the spring, for nearly half an hour in succes-
sion, and, although its notes have some resemblance to those of the
Red-eyed Vireo, they are sweeter and more varied, surpassing, indeed,
those of the Baltimore Bird, and nearly equalling those of the Orchard
Oriole.
The palate is ascending, concave in the middle, with two ridges,
and a small soft prominence in front; the upper mandible has three
ridges beneath, of which the lateral are broader. The posterior aper-
ture of the nares is linear, and papillate on the edges. The tongue is
7 twelfths long, somewhat triangular, sagittate and papillate at the
base, fleshy and convex above, the point horny, thin-edged and lace-
rated. The width of the mouth is 54 twelfths. The cesophagus is 2
inches 10 twelfths long, its greatest width 4 twelfths. The stomach is
very small, broadly elliptical, 53 twelfths long, 5 twelfths in breadth ;
its lateral muscles rather small; the epithelium thin, tough, and longi-
tudinally rugous. Intestine 71 inches long, from 2 twelfths to 1 twelfth
in breadth ; cceca extremely small, scarcely distinct from the intestine.
The trachea is 2 inches long, about 1 twelfth in breadth ; its rings about
75. Bronchial half rings about 15. The muscles are as usual ; the
inferior laryngeal very small. Salivary glands very slender, extending
to behind the articulation of the lower jaw.
( 520 )
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO.
CoccYyzus AMERICANUS, Bonar.
PLATE II. Voz. I. p. 18.
Wuitst at Charleston in South Carolina, in the early part of June
1837, I was invited by James Smitn Ruert, Esq., residing in the sub-
urbs of that city, to visit his grounds for the purpose of viewing the
nest of this bird. This I did in company with my friend Dr SamveL
Witson, and we found ourselves highly gratified, as we wére enabled
to make the following observations :—
A nest, which was placed near the centre of a tree of moderate
size, was reached by a son of the gentleman on whose ground we were.
One of the old birds, which was sitting upon it, left its situation only
when within a few inches of the climber’s hand, and silently glided off
to another tree close by. Two young cuckoos nearly able to fly
scrambled off from their tenement among the branches of the tree, and
were caught by us after a while. The nest was taken, and carefully
handed to me. It still contained three young Cuckoos, all of different
sizes, the smallest apparently just hatched, the next in size probably
several days old, while the largest, covered with pin-feathers, would have
been able to leave the nest in about a week. There were also in the
nest two eggs, one containing a chick, the other fresh or lately laid.
The two young birds which escaped from the nest, clung so firmly to
the branches by their feet, that our attempts to dislodge them were of
no avail, and we were obliged to reach them with the hand. On now
looking at all these young birds, our surprise was indeed great, as no
two of them were of the same size, which clearly shewed that they had
been hatched at different periods, and I should suppose the largest to
have been fully three weeks older than any of the rest. Mr RueErt as-
sured us that he had observed the same in another nest placed in a tree
within a few paces of his house, and which he also shewed to us. He
stated that eleven young Cuckoos had been successively hatched and
reared in it, by the same pair of old birds, in one season, and that young
birds and eggs were to be seen in it at the same time for many weeks
im succession.
a
YELLOW-BILLED CUCKOO. 521
On thinking since of this strange fact, I have felt most anxious to
discover how many eggs the Cuckoo of Europe drops in one season. If
it, as I suspect, produces, as our bird does, not less than eight or ten,
or what may be called the amount of ¢o broods, in a season ; this cir-
cumstance would connect the two species in a still more intimate man-
ner than theoretical writers have supposed them to be allied. And if
our Cow-pen Bird also drops eight or ten eggs in a season, which she
probably does, that number might be considered as the amount of two
broods, which the Red-winged Starling usually produces.
I requested Mr Ruerr to write me a letter on the subject, which
he did, but, to my great mortification, I am unable to find it. Having
mentioned the above facts to my friend Dr T. M. Brewer, and desired
him to pay particular attention to these birds while breeding, he has
sent me the following note.
“ The fact which you intimated to me last July I have myself ob-
served. The female evidently commences incubation immediately after
laying her first egg. Thus I have found in the nest of both species of
our Cuckoos one egg quite fresh, while in another the chick will be
just bursting the shell; and again I have found an egg just about to be
hatched while others are already so, and some of the young even about
to fly. These species are not uncommon in Massachusetts, where both
breed ; and both are much more numerous some years than others.”
I found the Yellow-billed Cuckoo plentiful and breeding in the
Texas ; and it is met with, on the other hand, in Nova Scotia, and even
in Labrador, where I saw afew. It has been observed on the Colum-
bia River by Dr Townsenp. No mention is made of it in the Fauna
Boreali-Americana. Many spend the winter in the most southern por-
tions of the Floridas.
The eggs measure one inch three and a half eighths in length,
seven and a quarter eighths in breadth, and are, as already described,
of a uniform greenish-blue colour. They are longer, as well as lighter
in their general colour, than those of the Black-billed Cuckoo. I must
not omit to say that during calm and pleasant nights, the well known
notes of this bird frequently fall on the ear of him who may be repos-
ing in his lonely camp, or on that of him who rests on his downy couch.
I have often enjoyed this monotonous music in the Floridas, during
the winter which I spent there.
In a female of this species preserved in spirits, the length to the
522 YELLOW. BILLED CUCKOO.
end of the tail is 113 inches; to end of wings 9, to end of claws 81;
extent of wings 153; wing from flexure 5;% ; tail 57%.
The roof of the mouth is flat, and covered with a transparent skin,
as in Goatsuckers and Owls; the upper mandible very narrow towards
the end, and slightly concave, with three longitudinal ridges; the pos-
terior aperture of the nares oblong behind, linear before, only 4 twelfths
long; the width of the mouth
7 twelfths; the lower man-
dible channelled. The tongue
is very slender, 104 twelfths
long, emarginate at the base,
with long slender papille,
its breadth at the middle
only 13 twelfth, horny in the
greater part of its length, with
the edges lacerated, the tip
rather acuteand slight. Ciso-
phagus, abc, 3inches 7twelfths
long, at its commencement 6
twelfths in width, gradually
diminishing to4 twelfths; the
proventriculus, bc, 5 twelfths
in breadth. The stomach,
cde, very large, broadly ellip-
tical, compressed, 1 inch 2
twelfths long, 1 inch in
breadth, and when distended
seeming to occupy almost
the whole cavity of the ab-
domen ; in which respect, as
well as in its structure, it is
precisely similar toCuculusca-
norus; its walls are extremely
thin, its muscular coat being
formed of a single series of
small fasciculi. It is turgid with the remains of insects, among which
BLACK-BILLED COCKOO. 523
is a great quantity of hairs, some of them adhering to, or thrust into
the inner coat, which is soft, destitute of rugz, and of a bright red co-
lour. The proventricular glands are large, cylindrical, 11 twelfth in
length and about } twelfth in breadth, forming a belt about 9 twelfths
in breadth. The pylorus is extremely small, with a thickened margin.
The intestine, ¢fghj, is 142 inches long, 3} twelfths in width, diminish-
ing to 24 twelfths. The cceca, 7, 1 inch 8 twelfths long, 33 twelfths in
width for 1 inch 5 twelfths, its extremity obtuse. Cloaca j, oblong,
about 41 twelfths in width.
Trachea 21 inches long, narrow, roundish, flattened toward the
lower part, of 60 rings, with five dimidiate rings. The lateral mus-
cles extremely slender, as are the sterno-tracheal. There is one pair
only of very slender inferior laryngeal muscles. Bronchi of about 12
half rings.
BLACK-BILLED CUCKOO.
COCCYZUS ERYTHROPHTHALMUS, Bonar.
PLATE XXXII. Voz. I. p. 170.
Tue observations respecting the curious manners of our Yellow-
billed Cuckoo, the subject of the last article, might be repeated here,
for the present species is similar in this respect, as has been ascertained
by Dr T. M.Brewenr of Boston. Its eggs are not only smaller than those
of the other species, but also rounder, and of a much deeper tint of
green ; they measure one inch and half an eighth in length, and seven-
eighths in breadth.
The Black-billed Cuckoo is rare in all the Southern States, my
friend Dr Bachman never having seen it in the maritime districts of
South Carolina, nor myself in any part of Georgia, although Wilson,
who first distinguished this species, says that Mr Abbot of Georgia
found it there, and was well aware of its being distinct from the yellow-
billed species. I met with it in Texas, arriving from the south; and
found some individuals in winter, in the central parts of the southern
districts of Florida. On the other hand, it is not uncommon in Nova
524 BLACK-BILLED WARBLER.
Scotia and Newfoundland, and we saw afew in Labrador, amid the
clumps of low trees a few miles from the shore of the Gulf in secluded
and pleasant valleys. It does not appear that it reaches the Fur Coun-
tries, or the Rocky Mountains, as no mention is made of it by Dr Ricu-
ARDson, or Dr TownsEnp.
A male preserved in spirits measures to end of tail 12 inches, to
end of wings 81, to end of claws 8; extent of wings 15}; wing from
flexure 54; tail 54.
The interior of the mouth presents the same appearances as that
of the other species, its width 7 twelfths; the tongue 8 twelfths long,
of the same form, but black, as is the whole of the mouth. The ceso-
phagus is 6 twelfths in width at the commencement, and gradually
contracts to 3 twelfths; but the proventriculus is 6 twelfths in breadth ;
its glands smaller than in the other species, and forming a belt 3 inch
in breadth. The stomach is similar to that of the Yellow-billed
Cuckoo ; its tendons about 4 twelfths in length, and 3 twelfths in
breadth ; the inner surface soft, with faint longitudinal rugs, although
quite smooth. Pylorus small, with a semilunar margin. The lobes
of the liver are very unequal, the left 5 twelfths, the right 10 twelfths
in length. The contents of the stomach are remains of insects, with
a few short hairs scattered here and there over its internal surface.
The intestine is 11} inches long, very slender, its width from 23 twelfths
to 14 twelfth ; the cloaca oblong, 5 twelfths in width ; the cceca, Fig. 2.
p. 522, 1 inch 1 twelfth long, their greatest width about the middle
23 twelfths, narrowed toward the extremity. The trachea is 2 inches
2 twelfths long, moderately flattened, from 13 twelfth to 1 twelfth
in breadth ; its rings 58, with 5 additional dimidiate rings. Bronchi
of about 10 half rings. The muscles as in the other species.
( 525)
IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER.
PIcUS PRINCIPALIS, LINN.
PLATE LXVI. Voz. I. p. 341.
I nave only to add to what I have said of the habits and distribution
of this species, that I found it very abundant along the finely wooded
margins of that singular stream, called ‘‘ Buffalo Bayou,” in the Texas,
where we procured several specimens.
Two of these, preserved im spirits, have afforded an opportunity of
making the following observations, the value of which will be estimated
by those interested in this branch or basis of ornithology, which the
ignorant would have us to believe of no value ; as if in the description
of a city, an account of the walls, windows, roofs and steeples, could af-
ford us a perfect idea of the domestic economy of its inhabitants.
The length to end of tail is 193 inches, to end of wings 164, to end
of claws 15; wing from flexure 10 ; tail 93.
The width of the mouth is 1 inch. The bill, Fig 1, a0, p. 528, is much
longer than the head, straight, robust, its horny covering of extreme thick-
ness and solidity. It is broader than high at the base, in the proportion of
1 inch to 8 twelfths. The upper mandible, a, has its dorsal outline very
slightly arched and deflected, the ridge narrow, the lateral ridge at the
base equidistant from the median ridge and the margin, running parallel
with the former, and passing out at the margin at the distance of 10
twelfths from the tip ; the space between the ridges concave, the margins
overlapping and obtuse ; the tip wedge-shaped and truncate. ‘The lower
mandible, 4, has the angle of moderate length and width, the dorsal line
ascending and very slightly convex, the ridge narrow with a broad groove
on each side, beyond which the sides become erect and convex, the
edges very broad, for two-thirds of their length roundish, afterwards
flattened, the tip wedged-shaped, and abrupt. The gape-line is almost
straight.
The roof of the mouth is somewhat convex: there are upon it two
longitudinal papillate ridges, meeting anteriorly to the palatal slit,
whence to the tip is a median groove, at the anterior extremity of which
is a small hole; the upper mandible is but slightly concave. The
526 IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER.
posterior aperture of the nares is oblongo-linear, margined with acute
papillz, the space between it and the ridges also papillate.
The nostrils are oblong, 3 twelfths in length, 14 twelfth in height,
entirely covered by the bristly reversed feathers. ‘The aperture of the
eye is 43 twelfths in width. That of the ear horizontally oblong, 35
twelfths in length, and 2 twelfths in height.
The heart is of moderate size, broadly conical, 1 inch 2 twelfths
long, 1 inch 1 twelfth in breadth at the base. The liver is very small,
the right lobe much larger than the left, the former being 11 twelfths
long and 1 inch broad, while the latter is 103 twelfths long and 7
twelfths in breadth. There is no gall-bladder.
The cesophagus, abc, is 64 inches long, and of the nearly uniform width
of 6 twelfths. On entering Fig. 1.
the thorax, at a, it curves con- :
siderably to the left side, and
becomes very muscular; the
proventriculus, bc, has abreadth
of 7} twelfths. The stomach, cd,
is of moderate size, of a broadly
elliptical form, directed a little
towards the right, somewhat
compressed, 1 inch 2 twelfths
long, and of about the same
breadth. ‘The muscular fas-
ciculi on the proventriculus
are extremely large. On the
stomach also they are of great
size, and the greatest thick-
ness of its muscular coat
is 13 twelfth. This organ
is completly filled with very
hard seeds of different kinds,
and some pulpy matter, but
without any insects or lar-
ve. Its inner coat is thin,
dense, very tough, nearly
smooth, and of a dusky brown
colour. The proventricular
5* —e ?
IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 527
glandules, which are very small, form a belt 1 inch in breadth. The intes-
tine, de fgh, is of moderate length and very wide. The duodenum curves
at the distance of 3linches. The pylorus is about two-twelfths in width,
with an elevated margin, and allows the untriturated seeds and other
refuse to pass into the intestine, which in some parts is turgid with
them. The intestine measures 24 inches in length ; its width in the
duodenal portion is 31 twelfths, and so continues to the length of 12
inches, when it gradually enlarges, so as at the commencement of the rec-
tum to be 6 twelfths. ‘The rectum itself, eg 4, continues of that width, and
is enlarged into a globular cloaca, 4, 13 inch in diameter. The whole intes-
tine is more or less filled with pulpy matter, together with a vast number
of grape seeds and others of a much larger size, but all having a strong
shell. Hence it appears that the stomach of this Woodpecker is not
adapted for pounding very hard substances, and that the seeds of berries
and pulpy fruits pass undigested through its intestinal canal. The same
remark applies to all the other species examined. There are no traces
of caca.
The apparatus, by means of which the tongue of this and other
Woodpeckers is protruded and retracted, is so beautiful a specimen of
mechanism, and at the same time so perfectly simple, although by
bungling describers it has been rendered almost unintelligible, that it may
be expedient to present it here in detail, the more especially that this
species, although not that in which it is exhibited in the highest degree
of development or extension, is yet, as being one of the largest known,
peculiarly well adapted for such an examination. Two figures, there-
fore, are here introduced.
In Fig. 1 are seen:—The upper and lower mandibles a 4, the
tongue ¢ d, the terminal barbed portion ¢, the fleshy part d, the orbit
and eye ¢, the salivary gland f, the hyoid bones gg, the neck 4h, the
furcula 7 7, the cesophagus j j, the trachea &, its lateral muscles 7 /, the
cleido-tracheal m m.
In Fig. 2 are seen:—The lower mandible 4, the salivary glands /f,
the hyoid bones gg, the cesophagus jj 7, the trachea k, the lateral
muscles //, the cleido-tracheal mm, the glosso-laryngeal n n, the muscles
by which the tongue is exserted 0 0. P
The bill of this species, Fig. 1, a5, measures 3 inches and 2 twelfths
from the angle of the mouth ; and the tongue, ¢ d, which lies in the
broad groove of the lower mandible, reaches to 2 twelfths of the ex-
IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER.
528
Wy
Ferg.
mM face
IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER. 529
treme tip, but at the will of the bird may be exserted so as to extend
33 inches beyond the point of the bill. The tongue itself presents the
appearance of a slender fleshy worm-like body, having a middle longi-
tudinal. groove on its upper surface, which is transversely wrinkled, and
terminated by a slender tapering bony point, of which the margins and
part of the upper surface are covered with acicular prickles, which are
in some degree moveable and directed backwards, but not capable of
being bent outwards, much less in the direction of the tip of the tongue.
The length of this organ is apparently 2 inches 8 twelfths; but if
measured from the base of the basi-hyal bone, only 1 inch 11 twelfths ;
its breadth at the base 23 twelfths, slightly tapering to the end of its
fleshy part, where it somewhat suddenly contracts, so as to have a breadth
of little more than 1 twelfth. The length of the horny tip is 9 twelfths.
The tongue at the base is entirely destitute of the lobes and papillx
which in other birds give it a sagittate appearance ; and there is no
uro-hyal bone, which in them slips into a groove along the front of the
thyroid bone of the larynx. The mouth is of moderate width, its
breadth being, as already mentioned, 11 twelfths, it being in this respect
very different from that of Flycatchers, Goatsuckers, Swallows, and such
birds as seize on living insects while on wing. The lower mandible is
deeply concave within, wider than the tongue, and covered with mucous
membrane until 1 inch 5twelfths from the point, beyond which it is horny,
with a median groove, near the commencement of which is a small aper-
ture for the ducts of the salivary glands. The tongue is capable of being
retracted 10 twelfths of an inch from the tip of the mandibles, and is
then seen to slide into a sheath, formed by an induplication or intus-
susception of the membrane covering it, and having two freenula of
elastic tissue inserted into the angle of the jaw. Here it may be pro-
per to state, that in birds generally the bony elements of the tongue
are seven, as may be represented by the accompa-
nying diagram, in which the first or upper piece is |
named the glosso-hyal, the next the basi-hyal, the |
third, in the same line, the uro-hyal ; the two com-
ing off from the base of the second piece or basi- Y, \
hyal are the apo-hyal, to each of which is appended
another, the cerato-hyal. The tongue itself is in / \
no degree extensile or contractile, but has for its
solid basis a very slender basi-hyal bone, 1 inch 23 twelfths in length,
VOL. V. Ll
530 IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER.
terminated by a glosso-hyal bone 4 inch in length, but, as already
said, has no basal or uro-hyal bone, which, on account of the unusual
extent of its motion, would form an impediment.
From the base of this basi-hyal bone, there proceed backwards and
slightly diverging, two slender apo-hyal bones, 1 inch 1 twelfth in length,
each of which is continuous with an extremely elongated cerato-hyal
bone, 4 inches and 1 twelfth in length, ? twelfth in breadth at the
commencement, gradually tapering to a blunt point, convex on its
lower surface, concave or channelled on the upper, passing under and
internally of the articulation of the jaw, and curving upwards along the
occiput, until the two meet on the top of the head at the level of the
posterior margin of the orbit, in the median line of the cranium, which
is much depressed, whence they proceed in mutual contact, inclining
slightly to the right side, and terminate a little before the anterior mar-
gin of the orbit, half an inch behind the right nostril, and a quarter of an
inch from the base of the bill. These prolongations of the os hyoides
being of an osseo-cartilaginous texture, are possessed of much elasticity,
so as in some measure to resemble a curved spring.
From near the angle or point of union of the two crura of the lower
mandibleinternally, there proceeds on each side a slender muscle, 00, which
running backwards, comes in contact with the prolongation of the hyoid
bone at the joint between the apo-hyal and cerato-hyal portions, and is
thence continued along the whole extent of the latter, og, 0g, running
chiefly along its upper side, but partially enclosing it, and bound to it
by a sheath of cellular tissue, which allows it considerable motion. The
bone and muscle are together enclosed in an extremely delicate, tran-
sparent, tenacious sheath, moistened internally with a serous fluid, and
terminating at the end of the bone, where it is attached by elastic tissue
to the cellular substance and periosteum near the base of the bill. This
delicate sheath, perfectly smooth and lubricated on its inner surface,
is on the outer attached by delicate filaments to the dense cellular tis-
sue which forms a kind of external sheath. It is fixed in its place,
and the hyoid bone with its muscle, g g, slides backwards and forwards
in it.
The entire length from the tip of the tongue, ¢, to the tip of each pro-
longation of the hyoid bone at ¢, is 7 inches 2 twelfths. The protrusion
of the tongue is effected by the contraction of the slender muscle above
described, 0, which having a fixed basis in the lower jaw near its angle,
IVORY BILLED WOODPECKER. 531
and acting upon the tip of the hyoid bone, which is in this bird situated
anteriorly to the eye, on the forehead, near the base of the upper man-
dible at c, causes the hyoid bone to glide within its sheath until its tip has
moved backwards over the forehead, the crown, and occiput, and then ad-
vanced forwards until beneath the articulation of the lower jaw, thus
traversing a space of 33 inches; so that the tongue is protruded to 3
inches and 4 twelfths beyond the tip of the bill, When the muscle is
relaxed, the parts regain their ordinary position by the aid of the elas-
ticity of the prolongations of the hyoid bones, and the action of another
pair of muscles, to be presently described.
The tongue, d, is covered externally with a dense sheath of fibrous
tisspe. On its lower surface is seen on each side a very slender mus-
cle, commencing at the extremity of the glosso-hyal bone, and running
along the whole length of the basi-hyal bone, as well as of the apo-hyal,
to be inserted into the cerato-hyal, at the distance of one inch from its
base, on the outer edge. The action of this muscle, which has a strong
tendon in its whole length, is to bend the tip of the tongue downwards,
or to move the horn of the hyoid bone outwards. It may be called the
glosso-hyal. It has another tendon running parallel to that mentioned,
along its upper edge, of which the action must be to bend the tongue
upwards upon the apo-hyal. Besides these muscles, there is another
pair, forming the greater part of the fleshy portion of the tongue. They
commence at the tip of the basi-hyal bone, or at d, proceed along the
upper surface of the tongue, and, after running a course of 22 inches,
pass along the anterior surface of the thyroid bone, wind along its edge,
and are inserted near the middle surface of the trachea, about its tenth
ring. The action of these muscles, alluded to at the end of the last
paragraph, and marked x , is to retract the tongue, when extended,
as well as to pull forward the larynx.
Another pair of very slender muscles, mm, commence upon the edge of
the thyroid bone externally of those last described, separate immedi-
ately from the trachea, pass directly down the neck im front, under the
subcutaneous muscle and skin, to which they are firmly attached by
cellular tissue, and are inserted into the furcular bone about the middle
of its length, These muscles, the cleido-tracheales, are not peculiar to
Woodpeckers, and have nothing particular to do with the movements
of the tongue in those birds.
532 IVORY-BILLED WOODPECKER.
Parallel to the lower edge of the jaw, and extending from 4 twelfths
anteriorly to its articulation to the junction of its crura, is, on each side,
an elongated salivary gland, ff, attached to the jaw by cellular tissue.
It is of a yellowish colour, internally parenchymatous, and sends off a
duct, which enters the mouth by the aperture already mentioned, at
the commencement of the groove in the horny part of the lower man-
dible. The fluid which it secretes is a glairy mucus, of a whitish
colour, which being poured forth around the tip of the tongue covers it
with a glutinous substance well adapted for causing the adhesion of
any small body to it.
The Ivory-billed Woodpecker, then, having discovered an insect or
larva in a chink of the bark, is enabled by suddenly protruding its
tongue, covered with thick mucus, and having a strong slender sharp
point furnished with small reversed prickles, to seize it and draw it into
the mouth. These prickles are of special use in drawing from its retreat
in the wood those large larva, often two or three inches in length ;
but it does not appear probable that the bristly poimt is ever used to
transfi« an object, otherwise how should the object be again set free,
without tearing off the prickles, which are extremely delicate and not
capable of being bent in every direction ?
The trachea, £4, is 5 inches 4 twelfths in length, considerably flatten-
ed, nearly of the uniform breadth of 3 twelfths throughout. The
aperture of the glottis is 4 twelfths long, with a posterior flap of
several series of papillae. The rings of the trachea are very strong,
firmly ossified, 92 in number. At the upper part 3 are incomplete ;
the last entire ring is very broad and bipartite, and there are 2 addi-
tional dimidiate rings. The bronchi are short, of 12 half rings. The
lateral or contractor muscles, / 7, commence in front, at the base of the
thyroid bone, diverge, presently become lateral, and thus proceed until
41 twelfths from the extremity, when they terminate partly in the
sterno-tracheal, but also send down a very thin slip, which is inserted
on the first dimidiate ring.
The explanation of the mechanism by which the tongue is protrud-
ed as above given differs materially from any of those to be found in
English works at least, in some of which there is a very unnecessary
prolixity as well as ambiguity. It does not appear that hitherto the
real sheath in which the horns of the hyoid bone, with its muscle,
PILEATED WOODPECKER. 533
move, has been observed, and the two very slender muscles which
run from the sides of the thyroid bone to the furcula, are common to
almost all birds, although they have been supposed to be peculiar to
Woodpeckers.
PILEATED WOODPECKER.
Picus PILEATUS, LINN.
PLATE CXI. Vot. II. p. 74.
Tuis handsome species inhabits the Oregon territory about the
Columbia River, whence I have procured specimens from Dr Town-
senp. According to Dr RicHarpson, it is a constant resident in the
interior of the Fur Countries, up to the 62d or 63d parallel, rarely ap-
pearing near Hudson’s Bay, but frequenting the most gloomy recesses
of the forests that skirt the Rocky Mountains. I found it more abun-
dant in the Texas than any where else, and whilst on Galveston Island,
saw one tapping against the roof of a house, the first and only instance
of so much familiarity in a bird of this species that has occurred to me.
So much attached is this Woodpecker to the tree in which it has a hole,
that during winter it is often seen with its head out, as if looking to the
weather, the unfavourable state of which induces it to sink out of sight,
and probably compose itself to rest. It may be found in the same
neighbourhood during the whole year, and, like many others of this
family, it usually spends the night in the same hole.
The bill of this species is similar to that of the Ivory-billed, but is
proportionally broader at the base, less robust, with the horny covering
much thinner, and the two lateral ridges of the upper mandible nearer
the middle ridge than the margin. The interior of the mouth is also
similar ; the upper mandible beneath has three parallel slight ridges,
the palate two diverging ridges; the posterior aperture of the nares
is linear, 8 twelfths long, margined with papillae. The width of the
mouth is 83 twelfths. The cesophagus, a, is6z inches long, funnel-shaped
at the commencement, at the distance of 1 inch contracted to 43
534 PILEATED WOODPECKER.
twelfths, continuing thence nearly uniform, its greatest width on the
neck being inch. The proventriculus, d¢ d, forms an immense sae, re-
sembling a crop, 21 inches in length, 1 inch 5 twelfths in width. The
stomach itself, d, is very small, of a roundish form, and having the strue-
ture of atrue gizzard; its length 9 twelfths, its breadth about the
same, a little compressed, with two distinct lateral and an inferior
muscle, the tendons 7 twelfths in breadth. The lobes of the liver are
unequal ; there is no gall-
bladder, but there are two
biliary ducts. ‘The walls of
the proventriculus and _ sto-
mach are extremely thin.
The proventricular glands
are globular, very small, and
form a belt of irregular
breadth, in one place 10
twelfths, in another only 3
inch ; it is situated much
farther up than usual, to-wit
at the commencement of the
dilated portion, upwards of
an inch distant from that of
ju)
the muscular part of the
stomach. The lateral mus-
cles of the latter are strong,
and 3 twelfths in thickness;
its epithelium is very thin,
I) Nina
YL
Kea
tough, of a light brownish-
red colour, with broad lon-
gitudinal ruge. (In another
Wp
y
inner surface of the stomach was quite soft and smooth. The same
circumstance has several times occurred in the course of these dissec-
tions, and is apt to lead the observer astray, so that in all cases where
this horny cuticle seems wanting, it would be well to examine other
specimens.) The intestine, defgh, is very short and wide, its length be-
ing 153 inches, its width in the duodenal portion 5 twelfths, about the
individual, the epithelium
S—
having been dissolved, the
PILEATED WOODPECKER. 535
middle 4 twelfths, about 1 inch from the anterior end of the rectum 8
twelfths. The aperture of the pylorus is large, its width being 3
twelfths, and it is destitute of valve. The intestine curves at the dis-
tance of 1 inch 10 twelfths, passes forwards to the liver, bends back-
wards, forms three curves, and terminates in the rectum over the sto-
mach. There are no traces of ceca. The cloaca, 4, is of enormous
size, of an oblong form, 1 inch 9 twelfths in length, 14 inch in breadth.
The proventriculus and stomach were filled with a vast mass of ants
and insects of various kinds, without any other admixture ; and the in-
testine contains remains of insects, but no seeds.
The trachea is 4 inches 9 twelfths long, from 24 twelfths to 2 twelfths
in breadth, but at the lower part only 14 twelfth. It is roundish at
the two extremities, but considerably flattened in the rest of its extent.
The rings are 90, with 2 dimidiate rmgs. The lateral muscles are of
moderate strength expanded over the fore part of the trachea at their
commencement; the sterno-tracheal also moderate. There is a very
slender slip going to the first dimidiate ring. The cleido-tracheal mus-
cles are also as in the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. The bronchi are of
moderate length and width, of 12 very feeble cartilaginous half rings.
The individual examined was a male. In another, the length of
the intestine is 18} inches, and in a third 203. In the stomach of one
of these were some very large larve.
On immersing a specimen in hot water for some time, it is found
that the tongue can be drawn out so that its tip is 2 inches 4 twelfths
beyond that of the bill. In the ordinary state its tip is 2 twelfths dis-
tant from the latter, so that the extent of its elongation is 2 inches 6
twelfths.
When the specimen is examined in this state, the tongue is exserted
to its utmost, the tips of the horns of the hyoid bone are brought to
near the articulation of the lower jaw, and their muscles are found cor-
rugated into a short space within the sheath, which remains in its pro-
per situation. This fact proves the mode of protrusion of the tongue
as described in the preceding article.
In this species the horns of the hyoid bone are extremely slender,
in fact quite filamentary and roundish, whereas in the Ivory-billed
Woodpecker they are of considerable breadth and more osseous. They
advance on the forehead as far as the level of the anterior part of the
orbit, inclining to the right side as usual, and their sheaths are attached
to the cellular tissue near the right nostril.
( 586)
RED-HEADED WOODPECKER.
PIcUus ERYTHROCEPHALUS, LINN.
PLATE XXVIII. Voz. I. p. 141.
Accorpine to Dr Ricnarpson, this species ranges in summer as
far north as the northern shores of Lake Huron. A specimen in
the Museum of the Hudson’s Bay Company is stated to have been
brought from the Columbia River. No mention is made of this species
as occurring there by Dr TownsEnp, who saw it only on the Missouri.
I found none in Newfoundland or Labrador, though it is not uncom-
mon in Nova Scotia, from which I have traced it to the Texas, where it
breeds.
In a male preserved in spirits, the width of the mouth is 63 twelfths.
The tongue is 14 inch long; its horny part 7} twelfths, flat above, con-
vex beneath, for 4 twelfths from the tip furnished on each side, not with
prickles, but with several series of very slender filaments, which are
directed obliquely backwards. The covering of the fleshy part of the
tongue is also bristled all over with minute papille directed backwards.
The horns of the hyoid bone curve round the occiput as in the other
species, and then pass along the median line until about 3 twelfths from
the base of the bill. The cesophagus is 3 inches 7 twelfths long, passes
as usual along the right side of the neck, and has a nearly uniform width
of 34 twelfths. The breadth of the proventriculus is 4 twelfths. The
stomach is rather large, of an elliptical form, placed obliquely, its length
94 twelfths, its greatest breadth 1 inch. The lateral muscles are very
large, one of them being 5 twelfths, the other 4 twelfths in thickness ;
the epithelium thin, tough, longitudinally rugous. The contents of the
stomach are remains of maize, some very hard small seeds, and nume-
rous particles of quartz. The intestine is rather short and wide, its
length 103 inches, its width 33 twelfths. There are no ceca. The
cloaca is ovato-oblong, 9 twelfths long, 73 twelfths in width.
The trachea is 2 inches 8 twelfths in length ; its breadth at the up-
per part 14 twelfths, somewhat less toward the lower end, a little flat-
tened ; the rings 65 with 2 dimidiate, well ossified. The contractor
muscles are moderate ; the sterno-tracheal slips come off at the distance
hh
YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER. 537
of only 2 twelfths from the lower extremity ; and the inferior laryngeal
slips are thus scarcely distinguishable. The cleido-tracheal muscles are
inserted about the middle of the furcula. The bronchial half rings are
12, slender, and cartilaginous.
YELLOW-BELLIED WOODPECKER.
Picus varius, Linn.
PLATE CXC. Vot. II. p. 519.
. Respective this species my friend Mr T. MacCuttocu thus writes
to me :—‘* Did you ever observe the noise made by the young of the
Picus varius, when in the nest? In this part of the country (the neigh-
bourhood of Halifax, Nova Scotia) the nest may be discovered at a con-
siderable, distance by their noise. The sound is curious, and a person
on first hearing it would suppose the young were affected by cold, from
the wheezing they make. This, however, cannot be the case, as the
noise is as incessant in the hottest as well as in the coldest weather,
and seems to be uttered with double rapidity when the old ones enter
the nest. It is the only bird I know whose nest is betrayed by the
young.”
In this species are observed several curious modifications of structure.
The interior of the mouth presents the usual appearance, only the edges
of the mandibles are thin and sharp, those of the lower being a little
involute. In the second place, the tongue, which is 9 twelfths long,
has no sheath, but is horny in its whole length, sagittate at the base,
deeply grooved above, somewhat abrupt at the extremity, and termi-
nated by a tuft of bristles directed forward, of which also there are
many on the sides, to the distance of 2 twelfths. Besides these minute
bristles, there are also, reversed acicular papillz on the edges for near-
ly half the length of the tongue. This bird has not the faculty of ex-
tending its tongue to any distance, and therefore the horns of the hyoid
bone do not rise on the head beyond the level of the upper part of the
cerebellum, or the middle of the occiput ; and the glosso-laryngeal mus-
538 THREE-TOED WOODPECKER.
cles are inserted in front of the trachea on its third and fourth rings.
The cleido-tracheal muscles, instead of being inserted upon the furcula,
pass over its angle, and run down on the edge of the crest of the ster-
num all the way to its posterior extremity.
The width of the mouth is 5 twelfths. The cesophagus is 3 inches
long, funnel-shaped at first, but for the greater part only 14 twelfth
in width. The proventriculus is very much enlarged, as in the other
species. The stomach is an irregularly elliptical gizzard, of moderate
strength, 73 twelfths long, 53 twelfths in breadth; the right muscle
much larger than the left; the epithelium thin and rugous, as in the
other species. The stomach is partially filled with insects. The in-
testine is 9 inches long, from 23 twelfths to 2 twelfths in width; the
cloaca oblong, 4 twelfths in width. There are no ceca.
The trachea is 2 inches 1 twelfth long, considerably flattened, its
rings 70, with 2 large dimidiate rings. The muscles as in the other
species. Bronchi of moderate length, narrow, with 12 slender carti-
laginous half rings.
THREE-TOED WOODPECKER.
Picus TRIDACTYLUS, Bonap.
PLATE CXXXII. Vot. II. p. 197.
Aw egg sent to Dr T. M. Brewer from Coventry in Vermont, as
that of the Three-toed Woodpecker, measures five-sixths of an inch in
length and five-eighths in breadth. It is thus nearly spherical, and its
white ground is covered pretty equally with reddish-brown spots.
In a specimen preserved in spirits, the tongue is 1 inch 2 twelfths
long, its horny point 73 tweifths, tapering, and margined toward the
extremity with a few reversed bristles. Cisophagus 33 inches long, its
width nearly uniformly 2 twelfths; proventriculus 3 twelfths. Sto-
mach roundish, 7 twelfths long, 7 twelfths in breadth; its lateral mus-
cles well developed ; the epithelium longitudinally rugous, and reddish-
brown. Intestine 10 inches long, 3 twelfths in width in the duodenal
DOWNY WOODPECKER. 539
portion. Nocceca. The horns of the hyoid bone meet on the upper
part of the head, and pass to the ridge of the upper mandible. Trachea
2 inches 2 twelfths long, 2 twelfths in breadth; its rings 58; bron-
chial rings 12. The lateral muscles, which are moderate, become ante-
rior, passing to the left side, until near the lower part, when they become
lateral. A single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles as in all the other
species of this group.
This species, the Apternus arcticus of Swatnson, is stated by him
to have been “observed only on the eastern declivity of the Rocky
Mountains, where the common species, A. éridactylus, was also pro-
cured.”
DOWNY WOODPECKER.
Picus PUBESCENS, LiNN.
PLATE CXII. Vot. II. p. 81.
In a male preserved in spirits, the width of the mouth is 44 twelfths,
the tongue is 83 twelfths long, its horny part 33 twelfths, slender, ta-
pering, flat above, furnished on the edges with a single row of rather
strong deflected bristles, about 12 in number. The hyoid bones con-
verge on the top of the head as usual, but do not proceed farther for-
ward than opposite the centre of the eye, terminating at the distance
of’4 twelfths from the base of the bill, in which respect they contrast
strongly with those of the Hairy Woodpecker. The cesophagus is 24
inches long, its width scarcely 1 twelfth, it being in its contracted
state narrower than the trachea; the proventriculus enlarges to 3
twelfths. The stomach is elliptical, 73 twelfths long, 53 twelfths in
breadth, its muscles well developed ; the epithelium thin, tough, ru-
gous, and of a reddish-brown colour. It is filled with farinaceous ve-
getable substances of a whitish colour. Intestine of moderate length,
wide, 8 inches long, its width at the upper part 2 twelfths. No ceca.
Trachea 1 inch 5 twelfths long, its breadth nearly 1 twelfth; its con-
tractor muscles moderate ; its rings about 50; the bronchial half rings
12. The salivary glands are of large size.
( 540 )
GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER.
Picus AURATUS, Linn.
PLATE XXXVII. Vol. I. p. 191.
Tuts species visits the Fur Countries in summer, advancing as far
north as Great Bear Lake, and, according to Dr Ricuarpsow, resorting
in greatest numbers to the plains of the Saskatchewan, where it fre-
quents open downs, and feeds on larvee. Dr Townsenp has traced it
high on the upper Missouri, but saw none near the Columbia, where it
is represented by the Red-shafted Woodpecker, which is there as abun-
dant as the present species is in our Eastern Districts. I have met
with it from Texas to the northern extremity of Nova Scotia, but saw
none in Labrador. The eggs measure an inch and a twelfth in length,
by nearly seven-eighths in breadth. Mr T. MacCuttocw has favoured
me with the following notice respecting this species.
“While rambling through the woods one afternoon with my bro-
thers, I observed a considerable quantity of chips, which seemed,
from the freshness of their colour, to have been but recently de-
tached from the tall decayed stump, at the foot of which they were laid.
A glance at a round hole near the top of the stump was sufficient to
apprize us of their origin, and a few smart raps upon the trunk brought
a Golden-winged Woodpecker to the aperture, to ascertain the cause of
the disturbance below. Having eyed us for a moment, he jerked him-
self out, and flew to the top of a neighbouring tree, where, uttering a
few shrill notes, he was immediately joined by his mate, and both seemed
anxiously to watch all our movements while we remained near the cradle
of their future progeny. By us the possession of one of these beautiful
birds had long been ardently desired, and we determined not to permit
the present opportunity to pass unimproved. The situation of the nest
was therefore carefully marked, and we resolved to return when the
young birds should be fully fledged, and secure one at least as our law-
ful prize. During the interval the nest was often visited, and many
plans were formed to effect our purpose, but when the period which we
supposed necessary had expired, we discovered with no little mortifica-
tion that the stump was too much decayed to be climbed with safety, and
GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER. 541
too insecure to admit of any thing being applied to facilitate the ascent.
To overturn the nest was the only way then by which we could obtain
the object of our wishes. To effect this all our strength was exerted, so
that we soon had the satisfaction of seeing the stump yield, and eventu-
ally give way with a heavy crash, by which it was broken into many
pieces. Eager to secure our prize, we hastened to the spot, but con-
ceive our disappointment when, instead of the full-fledged birds which
we expected to obtain, a large number of naked objects, apparently just
out of the shell, some of them scarcely half the size of others, and all
with their eyes yet unopened, lay scattered upon the ground. This was
a result which we had never anticipated, and disappointment quickly
yielded to strong feelings of compunction, as we surveyed the poor sight-
less creatures writhing their necks and quivering under the severity of
the shock. To repair the mischief, if possible, the fragments of the
nest were speedily gathered and neatly joined, and having collected the
brood for the purpose of replacing it, we were astonished to find that the
nest had contained the almost incredible number of eighteen young birds,
besides three eggs, which still remained unbroken, notwithstanding the
violence of the fall. For this singular instance of fecundity I am whol-
ly unable to account, unless by the supposition that, from the nest being
in the immediate vicinity of a public road, one of the birds had been
shot after the usual deposit of eggs had been made. The survivor hav-
ing procured another mate, an addition was made to the number of eggs,
and most probably from the same cause a third, ere the work of incuba-
tion commenced. ‘The vigour of one of the parents being impaired may
perhaps explain the diversity of size, while the eggs which remained were
probably the first deposited, but in which the vital principle had be-
come extinct ere the last was laid. Perhaps it may be interesting to
mention that our efforts to repair the injury were not attended by the
result that we desired. Upon a subsequent visit the whole brood was
found cold and dead ; and if the parent birds had ever re-entered their
prostrate nest, it was merely to witness the devastation we had wrought,
and then to abandon it for ever.”
An adult male preserved in spirits has the interior of the mouth as
in the other species, its width 53 twelfths ; the posterior aperture of the
nares oblongo-linear, 6 twelfths in length. The tongue is 1 inch 5twelfths
long, 14 twelfth in breadth at the base, gradually narrowed toward the
542 GOLDEN-WINGED WOODPECKER.
end, with a small horny rather blunt tip, on which are two series of small
reversed pointed papille. The horns of the hyoid bone are recurved in
the usual manner, and extend to the right nasal membrane, to which their
sheath is attached. The other apparatus connected with the tongue is
the same as in the Ivory-billed Woodpecker. The pyramidal or sali-
vary glands are very large, extending half an inch beyond the articula-
tion of the lower jaw. The cesophagus is 4 inches long, of moderate
width. 'The proventriculus is very much enlarged, as in the other spe-
cies, its greatest width being 8 twelfths. The stomach is a muscular
gizzard of moderate size, its right lateral muscle twice as large as the
left, the tendons very large; the epithelium strong, longitudinally ru-
gous, and reddish-brown. In the stomach are grains of maize, seeds of
grasses, and'insects. The proventricular glands are very small, and
form a belt 9 twelfths in breadth at the right side, but narrower toward
the left. The intestine is 15 inches long, from 3 twelfths to 23 twelfths
in width. There are no ceca. The cloaca is large and elliptical.
The trachea is 2 inches 9 twelfths long, 13 twelfth in breadth, con-
siderably flattened, its rings, which are well ossified, 90 in number,
with 2 additional dimidiate rings. ‘The muscles are as in the other spe-
cies; but the glosso-laryngeal differ very considerably in
their insertion, as is represented by the accompanying fi-
gures in which they are seen before and behind. They
come down parallel to each other, as far as the commence- ¥
ment of the thyroid bone, then diverge, each of them pass-
ing toward its own side, winding behind the trachea, cross-
ing it at the back part, reappearing in front at the oppo-
site side, and crossing obliquely to the other side, thus forming a figure of
eight, and finally inserted at its back part at the distance of 9 twelfths
from the tip of the thyroid bone. The bronchi are of moderate length,
narrow, of 15 half rings.
There is a very curious gradation in the degree of elongation of the
horns of the hyoid bone in the different American Woodpeckers, some
of which consequently have the power of thrusting out their tongue
to a much greater extent than others. Thus:
In Picus varius, the tips of the horns of the hyoid bone reach only to
the upper edge of the cerebellum, or the middle of the occipital region.
WOODPECKERS. 543
In Picus pubescens, they do not proceed farther forward than op-
posite to the centre of the eye.
In Picus principalis, they reach to a little before the anterior edge
of the orbit, or the distance of 3 inch from the right nostril.
In Picus pileatus, they extend to half-way between the anterior edge
of the orbit and the nostril.
In Picus erythrocephalus, they reach to 3 twelfths of an inch from
the base of the bill.
In Picus tridactylus, they reach the base of the ridge of the upper
mandible.
In Picus auratus, they attain the base of the right nasal membrane.
In Picus canadensis, they curve round the right orbit to opposite
the middle of the eye beneath.
Lastly, in Picus villosus, they receive the maximum of their de-
velopment, and, as represented in the accompanying figures, curve round
the right orbit, so as to reach the level of the posterior angle of the
eye. Fig. 1 isa lateral view of the parts, shewing the hyoid bones
curving round the eye. Fig. 2 shews these bones as viewed from above.
( 544)
RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRD.
TROCHILUS COLUBRIS, Linn.
PLATE XLVII. Vol. I. p. 248.
Tuis interesting gem of the feathered tribe proceeds as far north
in summer as the 57th parallel. Dr Ricuarpson obtained it on the
plains of the Saskatchewan, and Mr Drummonp found its nest near
the sources of the Elk River. It does not occur on the Columbia River,
where the Nootka Humming bird is abundant. A few were seen by me
in Labrador, and, on the other hand, I met with it entering the United
States in crowds in the beginning of April, advancing eastward along
the shores of the Mexican Gulf. The weather having become very
cold one morning, many were picked up dead along the beaches, and
those which bore up were so benumbed as almost to suffer the members
of my party to take them with the hand. My friend Dr Bacuman has
heard this species uttering a few sweet notes, sometimes when perched
on a twig, and at other times on wing. The eggs measure half an
inch in length by 44 lines in breadth.
On depriving a specimen of this bird of its feathers, one finds its
proportions very different from what he may have previously imagined.
Thus, the body is remarkably robust, of an ovate form, much deeper
than broad, on account of the extreme size of the crest or keel of the
sternum, which is so extended as to leave for the abdomen a space not
more than a fifth of its own length. The feet, although very small,
are yet proportionally as large as those of a Cormorant ; the femur and
tibia being relatively large, while the tarsus is extremely short, and
the toes of moderate size, the anterior incapable of being widely spread,
and the middle or third scarcely exceeding the two lateral; in which
respect the foot has some resemblance to that of the Swifts. The hind
toe is articulated remarkably high on the tarsus, it being placed very
nearly at the height of one-third of its length. The bones of the wings
are very short ; the humerus and cubitus extremely so, although pro-
portionally strong. ‘The neck is very elongated, being 10 twelfths of
an inch in length, whereas the body, including the coccyx, is only 9
twelfths. The head is rather large, depressed in front, with a deep
RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRD. 545
hollow petween the eyes, which are very large, and the bill is dispropor-
tionately elongated. The pectoral muscles are of extreme size, ex-
ceeding by much the entire bulk of the rest of the body with the neck
and head, the height of the crest of the sternum being 4 twelfths, or
nearly half the length of the body. ‘The body of the sternum is re-
markably flat, and so thin as to be almost perfectly transparent ; it is
narrow anteriorly, where it is 2} twelfths in breadth, but gradually
enlarges to 4 twelfths ; the posterior edge forms a semicircle, and is
destitute of notch. The pubic bones almost meet in front, where
they are cartilaginous. The heart is extraordinarily large, occupying
half the length of the cavity of the body, of an elongated conical form,
31 twelfths long, and 2 twelfths in breadth at the base. The right
lobe of the liver is much larger than the left, the former being 5
twelfths in length, the latter 4 twelfths.
The whole length of the head is 1} inch, of which the bill is 10
twelfths. The upper mandible is slightly concave beneath in its whole
length, the lower a little more deeply concave, the edges of both thin,
those of the lower erect and over-
lapped by the upper. The nostrils
are covered by a very large pro-
jecting membranous flap feathered
above. The tongue is, to a certain
extent, constructed precisely in the
same manner as that of the Wood-
peckers. The basi-hyal bone is 13
twelfth long, the apo-hyal bones 2
twelfths, the apo-hyal and cerato-
hyal together 1 inch 2 twelfths, the
glosso-hyal or terminal bones 43
twelfths. There is no uro-hyal bone, any more than in the Woodpeckers,
and the glosso-hyal is double at the ead. The horns of the hyoid bone
are thus greatly elongated, recurving over the occiput, near the top of
which they meet, and thence proceed directly forward, in mutual proxi-
mity, lodged in a deep and broad groove, along the middle of the forehead,
until near the anterior part of the eye, where they terminate, Fig. 3
The crura of the lower mandible, Fig. 4, do not meet until very near the
tip, and from the inner and lower surface of each near the junction or an-
gle, there proceeds backward a slender muscle, which is attached to the
VOL. V. Mm
546 RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRD.
hyoid bone at the junction of the apo-hyal and cerato-hyal, whence it pro-
ceeds all the way to the tip of the latter, the muscle and bone being in-
closed in a very delicate sheath, which is attached to the subcutaneous
cellular tissue between the nostrils. The tongue, properly so called,
moves in a sheath, as in the Woodpeckers; its length is 10 twelfths.
When it is protruded, the part beyond this at the base appears fleshy,
being covered with the membrane of the mouth forming the sheath,
but the rest of its extent is horny, and presents the appearance of two
ylinders united, with a deep groove above and
another beneath, for the length of 3 twelfths, be-
yond which they become flattened, concave above,
thin-edged and lacerated externally, thick-edged
internally, and, although lying parallel and in con-
tact, capable of being separated. This part, be-
ing moistened by the fluid of the slender sa-
livary glands, and capable of being alternately ex-
serted and retracted, thus forms an instrument for
the prehension of small insects, similar in so far to
that of the Woodpeckers, although presenting a
different modification in its horny extremity, which
is more elongated and less rigid. All observers
who have written on the tongue of the Humming
Birds, have represented it as composed of two cy-
lindrical tubes, and the prevalent notion has been that the bird sucks
the nectar of flowers by means of these tubes. But both ideas are in-
correct. ‘There are, it is true, two cylindrical tubes, but they gradu-
ally taper away toward the point, and instead of being pervious form
two sheaths for the two terminal parts or shafts of the glosso-hyal por-
tion of the tongue, which run nearly to the tip, while there is appended
to them externally a very thin-fringed or denticulate plate of horny sub-
stance. The bird obviously cannot suck, but it may thrust the tip of
the tongue into a fluid, and by drawing it back may thus procure a por-
tion. It is, however, more properly an organ for the prehension of small
insects, for which it is obviously well adapted, and being exsertile to a
great extent enables the bird to reach at minute objects deep in the
tubes and nectaries of flowers. That a Humming Bird may for a time
subsist on sugar and water, or any other saccharine fluid, is probable
enough; but it is essentially an insect-hunter, and not a honey-sucker.
RUBY-THROATED HUMMING BIRD. 547
The cesophagus, Fig. 2, is 1 inch 4 twelfths long, 14 twelfth in width
at the top, but toward the lower part of the neck enlarged to 1¢ twelfth.
On entering the thorax, it contracts to4 twelfth ; and the proventriculus
is 11 twelfth. The stomach is extremely small, of a roundish or broad-
ly elliptical form, 11 twelfth in length, and 1 twelfth in breadth. The
proventricular glands form a complete belt, 2 twelfths in breadth. The
walls of the stomach are moderately muscular ; the epithelium dense,
with broad longitudinal rug, four on one side, three on the other, and
of a pale red colour. In the stomach were fragments of small coleop-
terous insects. The intestine is 2 inches 2 twelfths in length, from
12 twelfth to 4 twelfth in width. It forms six curves, the duodenum
returning at the distance of 3 twelfths. There are no ceca. ‘The
cloaca is very large and globular.
The trachea, Fig. 1, is 9 twelfths long, being thus remarkably short, on
account of its bifurcating very high on the neck, for if it were to divide
at the usual place, or just anteriorly to the base of the heart, it would
be 42 twelfths longer. In this respect it differs from that of all the
other birds examined, with the exception of the Roseate Spoonbill, Pla-
talea Ajaja, the trachea of which is in so far similar. The bronchi are
exactly } inch im length. Until the bifurcation, the trachea passes
along the right side, afterwards directly in front. There are 50 rings
to the fork ; and each bronchus has 34 rings. The breadth of the tra-
chea at the upper part is scarcely more than } twelfth, and at the low-
er part considerably less. It is much flattened, and the rings are very
narrow, cartilaginous, and placed widely apart. The bronchial rings
are similar, and differ from those of most birds in being complete. The
two bronchi lie in contact for 2 twelfths at the upper part, being con-
nected by a common membrane. The lateral muscles are extremely
slender. The last ring of the trachea is four times the breadth of the
rest, and has on each side a large but not very prominent mass of mus-
cular fibres, inserted into the first bronchial ring. This mass does not
seem to be divisible into four distinct muscles, but rather to resemble
that of the Flycatchers, although nothing certain can be stated on this
point.
The above particulars, it is to be hoped, will furnish, in so far, an
acceptable addition to the very little generally known of the struc-
ture of these diminutive birds; and may afford some slight help to the
dry skin philosophers in “ working out” their arrangements.
( 548 )
BELTED KINGSFISHER.
ALCEDO ALcyYoN, Linn.
PLATE LXXVII. Voz. I. p. 394.
Dr Townsenp found this species on the Missouri, the Rocky Moun-
tains, and the Columbia River. Dr Ricuarpson informs us that it fre-
quents all the large rivers in the Fur Countries up to the 67th degree
of latitude, and I have met with it from within the Texas to the shores
of Labrador. TI have also seen it on the higher and sandy Keys of the
Floridas, where, however, I am not sure that it breeds. I have seen
this bird fishing in salt water in a great number of instances. It is
extremely hardy, and those individuals, which migrate northward to
breed, seldom return towards our Southern States, where they spend the
winter, until absolutely forced to do so by the. great severity of the
weather. The eggs measure 13 inch in length, by 1 inch in breadth,
and are thus of a roundish form. Dr Brewer of Boston informs me,
that it abounds on the borders of all the ponds and rivers in Massachu-
setts, and that he found a nest containing two eggs on a hard gravel
bank, on the borders of Charles River, Cambridge.
An adult male preserved in spirits measures to end of tail 133 in-
ches, to end of wings 114, to end of claws 10+4 ; wing from flexure 63 ;
tail 4. The roof of the mouth is rather flat behind, with the sides slop-
ing upwards ; it has two short longitudinal ridges, and is covered with
minute papillz. The posterior aperture of the nares is linear behind,
oblong before, 3 inch in length. The anterior part of the palate is mo-
derately concave, with a median ridge and numerous oblique lateral
grooves. The lower mandible is also moderately concave, with a pro-
minent middle line. The tongue is very short, only 5twelfths in length,
23 twelfths in breadth, fleshy, with two lateral prominent lamelle at the
base, its upper surface slightly convex, its sides parallel until 2 twelfths
from the tip, when it tapers abruptly to a bluntish point. The breadth
of the mouth is 114 twelfths. The cesophagus, a 6 ¢, is 5} inches long,
of the uniform width of 7 twelfths ; its parietes very thin, the inner coat
thrown into longitudinal ruge. The liver is large, its left lobe much
BELTED KINGSFISHER. 549
smaller than the other,
the former being 1 inch
= a
11 twelfths in length, Sa
the latter 1 inch 4 A
twelfths. There is no A
gall-bladder. The sto- A
mach, cde, is very large, Ga
roundish, a little com- g =
2
pressed, its diameter 1 BBE
inch 7 twelfths. The A
proventricular glands A g
are extremely small, and A =
occupy a belt 5 twelfths A
in breadth. The mus- A =
cular coat of the sto- LAE
‘ ; Z Bob
mach is very thin, but \B
Eg
composed of strong fas-
ciculi, the middle coat Z A
is nearly of equal thick-
ness; internally there
isa complete epithelium,
which however, although
tough, is very thin, al-
most membranous, and
raised into numerous
tortuous ruge, without
any part being thicker
than another. The py-
lorus has six marginal
roundish fleshy papille.
The duodenum, ¢/g, pre-
sentsthe usual curvature,
being folded back upon
itself at the distance of 1
inch 8 twelfths ; the in-
~
&.)
'
NSS
SS
testine, gi, then forms
several convolutions, and
550 BELTED KINGSFISHER.
is of great length, but very narrow, and disposed in 24 folds. Its
length is 3 feet 10 inches, its width from 13 twelfth to 1 twelfth. The
cloaca, j £, is globular, 1 inch in diameter. There are no caca ; the rec-
tum in its interior part has a width of only 3 twelfth. |
The trachea is 4 inches 1 twelfth long, 3} twelfths in breadth at
the top, rapidly decreasing, so that at the distance of 1 inch to be
23 twelfths, and at the lower part 2 twelfths. Its rings are firm,
slightly flattened, excepting those at the top, of which about 12 are
cartilaginous. There are 72 rings, the lowest entire ring very large,
with a middle partition. The lateral muscles are very slender, as are the
sterno-tracheal ; and there is a very large inferior laryngeal muscle in-
serted into the first bronchial ring, as well as into the last ring of the
trachea. The bronchi are rather short and narrow, of about 15 half
rings. The inferior laryngeal muscles may be divided into three por-
tions, an anterior, a middle, and a posterior; and thus supply a deside-
ratum, no bird having hitherto been examined in which there are four
inferior laryngeal muscles, including the sterno-tracheal slip.
BLUEGREY FLYCATCHER.
MUScICAPA CERULEA, Wits.
PLATE LXXXIV. Vol. I. p. 431.
Tuts species breeds very abundantly in South Carolina. A few spend
the winter there. I found them also at that season in the Floridas.
It is also resident in the Texas, where I found it breeding in the latter
part of April. Thus those which retire southward from the United States
in winter, return to the Southern Districts as early as February, at
which period they are found about Charleston. It occurs sparingly in
Nova Scotia, and a pair were observed in one of the valleys of Labra-
dor.
( 551 )
CANADA FLYCATCHER.
MuscicAaPA CANADENSIS, Linn.
PLATE CIII. Vol. II. p. 17.
A.tuHoucH this species reaches very far up the Missouri, where it
was seen by Dr TownsEnp, and extends into the Fur Countries to
Cumberland House, where Dr RicHarpson procured a specimen in
June, while I have traced it from Pennsylvania to Labrador, the
time and manner of its entering the United States in spring, as well as
its retrograde movements before the cold weather sets in, are yet unas-
certained. Among the thousands of Warblers which I met with on
my way to,the Texas, all of them progressing eastward, in April and
May, not a single individual of this species was seen by any of our
party. The eggs of this bird measure six and a half eighths in length,
and four-eighths and a quarter in breadth.
PASSENGER PIGEON.
COLUMBA MIGRATORI4A, LINN.
PLATE LXII. Vox. I. p. 319.
Tus celebrated bird is mentioned by Dr Ricuaxrpson as “annually
reaching the 62d degree of latitude, in the warm central districts of the
Fur Countries, and attaining the 58th parallel on the coast of Hudson’s
Bay in very fine summers only. Mr Hurcuins mentions a flock which
visited York Factory and remained there two days, in 1775, as a very
remarkable occurrence. A few hordes of Indians that frequent the
low flooded tracts at the south end of Lake Winnipeg, subsist princi-
pally on the Pigeons, during a part of the summer, when the Sturgeon-
fishery is unproductive, and the Zizania aquatica has not yet ripened; but
farther north, these birds are too few in number to furnish a material
article of diet.”” Dr TownsEnp states that this species is found on the
Rocky Mountains, but not on the Columbia River, where the Band-
tailed Pigeon, Columba fasciata of Say, is abundant. Whilst in the
552 PASSENGER PIGEON.
Texas, I was assured that the Passenger Pigeon was plentiful there,
although at irregular intervals. In the neighbourhood of Boston it ar-
rives, as Dr T. M. Brewer informs me, in small scattered flocks, much
less numerous than in the interior of that State.
Some persons have thought fit to consider my account of the roost-
ing and breeding of this species as fabulous ; but I freely forgive them,
well knowing that they have never seen even a single flock. Eight
years and a half have elapsed since the publication of my first volume
of Ornithological Biography. I have since that time spoken to many
persons who have been witnesses of such scenes as I have described,
and from whom I could easily have obtained corroborative statements ;
but what I have related is true, and why should I attempt to satisfy
those who doubt its accuracy ?
My friend Dr Bacuman says,. in a note sent to me, “ In the more
cultivated parts of the United States, these birds now no longer breed
in communities. I have secured many nests scattered throughout the
woods, seldom near each other. Four years ago, I saw several on the
mountains east of Lansinburgh, in the State of New York. They were
built close to the stems of thin but tall pine trees (Pinus strobus),
and were composed of a few sticks ; the eggs invariably two, and white.
There is frequently but one young bird in the nest, probably from the
loose manner in which it has been constructed, so that either a young
bird or an egg drops out. Indeed, I have found both at the foot of
the tree. This is no doubt accidental, and not to be attributed to a
habit which the bird may be supposed to have of throwing out an egg
or one of its young. I have frequently taken two of the latter from
the same nest and reared them. The Wild Pigeons appear in Caro-
lina during winter at irregular periods, sometimes in cold, but often in
warm weather, driven here no doubt, as you have mentioned, not by
the cold, but by a failure of mast in the western forests.”
A curious change of habits has taken place in England in those Pi-
geons which I presented to the Earl of Derby in 1830, that nobleman
having assured me that ever since they began breeding in his aviaries,
they have laid only oneegg. My noble friend has raised a great number
of these birds, and has distributed them freely. It is not therefore
very surprising that some which have escaped from confinement have
been shot; but that this species should naturally have a claim to be
admitted into the British Fauna appears to me very doubtful. The
EE ee
PASSENGER PIGEON. 555
eggs measure one inch five-eighths in length, one inch one-eighth and
a half in breadth, and are nearly equally rounded at both ends.
On my last visit to England I brought with me some live Pigeons,
which I presented to my generous and excellent friend Joan Hepren-
STALL, Esq. of Upperthorpe, near Sheffield, with the view of ascer-
taining whether they will also lay a single egg.
An adult male preserved in spirits. Length to end of tail 17
inches, to end of wings 122; extent of wings 24, wing from flexure 83% ;
tail 8.
The mouth is very narrow, being only 44 twelfths in breadth, but
capable of being dilated to the width of 1 inch by means of a joint on
each side of the lower mandible. ‘There are two thin longitudinal
ridges on the palate, of which the sides slope upwards. The poste-
rior aperture of the nares is 4 inch long, margined with papille. The
tongue is 73 twelfths long, rather broad and sagittate at the base,
with numerous small papille, but at the middle contracted to 13
— afterwards horny, very narrow, induplicate, and ending in a
rather sharp point. Esophagus, a g, 54 inches long, immediately dilated
to 1 inch, and at the lower part of the neck enlarged into an enormous
sac, 6c d, 3 inches in breadth, and 24 inches in length, a little contracted
in the middle ; with its inner surface smooth, and at the lower aperture
running into longitudinal prominent plice ; in the rest of its extent,
the width of the cesophagus, ¢ 7, is about 10 twelfths. The stomach,
ghi,isa very large and strong gizzard, placed obliquely, 2 inches 2
twelfths in breadth, 1 inch 1 fourth in length; its lateral muscles ex-
ceedingly thick, the left being 74 twelfths, the right 8 twelfths; the
lower muscle prominent ; the tendons very large; the epithelium of a
horny texture, of moderate thickness, with longitudinal broad ruge, and
two opposite longitudinal grinding surfaces, of a yellowish colour. In
the crop were found three entire acorns, and in the stomach fragments
of others, and three pieces of quartz. ‘The intestine, 7yklmn, is 4
feet long, 4 twelfths in width, at the narrowest part only 2 twelfths.
The duodenum, «74, curves in the usual manner, at the distance of 3
inches. The intestine forms six folds. ‘The cceca, m, are extremely
diminutive, being only 13 twelfth in breadth ; they are 2 inches distant
from the extremity ; the cloaca, n, oblong.
The trachea passes along the left side, as usual in birds having
554
PASSENGER PIGEON.
as Z)
== J
=
(WWhTZA®S
ley
Q
*
CAROLINA DOVE. 555
a large crop: its length is 2? inches; its breadth varying from 23
twelfths to 14 twelfth ; its rings 105, feeble ; the last ring large, formed
laterally of two rings, with an intervening membrane. Bronchi of
about 15 half rings, and narrow. The lateral muscles strong, as are
the sterno-tracheal, which come off at the distance of } inch. There
is a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles going to the upper edge
of the last tracheal ring.
CAROLINA DOVE.
COLUMBA CAROLINENSIS, LINN.
PLATE XVII. Vol. I. p. 91.
Tuis species does not extend very far eastward or northward. It
is exceedingly rare in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, and none
were seen by my party in Newfoundland or Labrador. Dr Ricuarp-
son makes no mention of it as having been observed in the Fur
Countries. Yet it was met with on the shores of the Columbia River
by Dr Townsrenv, who informs me, that although Columba migratoria
is found on the Rocky Mountains, G. carolinensis and C. fasciata are
the only species which he observed on the Columbia. On the other
hand, I found the present species abundant in the Texas, where it
was breeding on the ground, as well as on low bushes, and feeding on
blackberries late in the month of April.
The Carolina Dove breeds in aviaries, even although caught when
old, raising several broods in the season, insomuch that my friends
Dr Bacuman and Dr Samuet Witson of Charleston, have had to kill
the young for the table. The former intimates to me that a male was
put into a cage with a female European Turtle Dove, on which they
paired, formed a nest, and laid eggs, but the cage having accidentally
fallen, the eggs, which now contained young, were broken, and the
Carolina Dove escaped. The same friend has found this species
breeding on the ground in the States of New York and South Caro-
lina, among tall wheat and rye. In the latter country it is very numerous
556 CAROLINA DOVE.
during winter, and is shot in great numbers by sportsmen, who hide
themselves under low huts at the foot of moderately tall trees, such
as persimons, while their servants drive the Doves from the adjacent
fields. In this manner more than a hundred have been shot by one
man in the course of a morning. When snow is on the ground, won-
derful havoc is committed among them, and he has heard of a party
of sportsmen having shot about five hundred in one day.
The egg of the Carolina Dove measures one inch one-eighth in
length, by five and a half eighths in breadth, is equally rounded at
both ends, and is of a pure white colour, somewhat translucent.
A male preserved in spirits measures to end of tail 12 inches, to
end of wings 81%; wing from flexure 674: tail 543; extent of wings
173.
The tongue is 73 twelfths long, sagittate and papillate at the base,
rapidly contracted, and tapering to a point. The width of the mouth
is 33 twelfths, but the lower mandible may be dilated to 8 twelfths.
The cesophagus is 4 inches long, about 8 twelfths in width for 14 inch,
then enlarges into a crop of the same form and structure as in the pre-
ceding species, and 1 inch 9 twelfths in breadth. The stomach is a
transversely oblong gizzard, 9 twelfths in length, 14 inch in breadth ;
the left muscle 4 twelfths, the right 4} twelfths in thickness; the epi-
thelium very thick and of a horny texture; the grinding surfaces con-
cave. The contents of the stomach are buck-wheat, and grains of
quartz. The intestine is 23} inches long, from 3 to 2 twelfths in
width ; the cceca 2 twelfths long, 4 twelfth in breadth; the cloaca glo-
bular, and about 8 twelfths in diameter.
The trachea is 3 inches 2 twelfths long, 1 twelfth in breadth, con-
siderably flattened ; the rings 90, cartilaginous behind; the last ring
as in the preceding species. Bronchi moderate, of about 15 half rings.
The muscles are as in the Passenger Pigeon.
( 557)
WHITE-HEADED PIGEON.
COLUMBA LEUCOCEPHALA, LINN.
PLATE CLXXVII. Vol. II. p. 443.
Tue White-headed Pigeon does not occur to the westward of the
Florida Keys on the shores of the Gulf of Mexico ; at least I have seen
none in any portion of all that extensive range of country as far as Gal-
veston Island in Texas. The eggs of this species measures one inch
and two and a half eighths in length, an inch and half an eighth in
breadth ; although in more than fifty instances I found two eggs in each
nest, the Earl of Dery informs me that in captivity, like Columba mi-
gratoria, this Pigeon lays only one.
In a specimen preserved in spirits, the interior of the mouth is si-
milar to that of the Passenger Pigeon; as is the tongue, which is
8 twelfths long, but broader towards the end than in that species. The
cesophagus is 5 inches 9 twelfths long; its width at the upper part
nearly 1 inch ; the crop of the same form and structure as in the species
above named, and nearly of the same size. ‘The stomach is 1} inch in
breadth, 1} inch in length ; its muscles very strong, the left 6 twelfths,
the right 7 twelfths thick ; the epithelium of a horny texture, with two
concave grinding surfaces. It contains seeds of fruits. The intestine
is 28 inches long: the duodenum is 6 twelfths in breadth ; the average
width of the rest of the intestine is 3 twelfths. The cceca are 23 twelfths
long, 3 twelfth in width ; the cloaca very little dilated, its width about
9 twelfths.
The trachea is 4} inches long, from 3 twelfths to 21 twelfths in
breadth ; the rings extremely feeble, unossified on the back part, and
90 in number ; the last ring of the same form as in the other species,
and the muscles are similar. Bronchi moderate, of about 15 half rings.
The brain in these Pigeons is proportionally much smaller than in
any other bird examined, excepting the Goat-suckers and Cuckoos.
( 558 )
ZENAIDA DOVE.
COLUMBA ZENAIDA, Bonar.
PLATE, CLXIL. Vot. II. p. 354.
Tuer eggs of this species measure one inch and a quarter in length,
by nearly seven-eighths in breadth; and are abruptly pointed at the
smaller end. Iam informed by the Earl of Dersy that this Pigeon is
raised with ease in aviaries, so much so as to have induced him to let
some loose. Should it thrive in a wild state in England, it forms a
valuable accession, as its flesh is excellent.
GROUND DOVE.
COLUMBA PASSERINA, LINN.
PLATE CLXXXII. Vol. II. p. 471.
Tuis beautiful Pigeon is rarely met with to the westward of the
mouths of the Mississippi, along the coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
None were seen on our way to the Texas. The eggs measure seven
and a half eighths of an inch by rather more than five-eighths, and are
thus of an elongated form.
( 559)
WILD TURKEY.
Meveazcris GALLopavo, Linn.
PLATE I. Vol. I. p.1. Mate.
PLATE VI. Vot.I.p.33. Fremate anp Youne.
I wave ascertained that some of these valuable birds are still found
in the States of New York, Massachusetts, Vermont, and Maine. In
the winter of 1832-3, I purchased a few fine males in the city of Bos-
ton. This species is abundant in the wooded portions of Texas,
but none have been observed either on the Rocky Mountains, or to the
westward of them. They are, however, becoming less numerous in
every portion of the United States, even in those parts where they
were very abundant thirty years ago. Myfriend Dr Bacumay assures
me, that in a state of domestication, the Wild Turkeys, though kept
separate from tame individuals, lose the brilliancy of their plumage in
the third generation, becoming plain brown, and having here and there
white feathers intermixed. The eggs measure 2 inches 7 eighths in
length, by 2 inches in breadth, and are rather pointed; their ground-
colour is a uniform pale yellowish tint, and marked all over with
pale rusty brown spots and dots. I found this species pretty abundant
on James River in Virginia, as well as in the market of Washington
city, where, in the winter of 1836-7, they sold at the low price of se-
venty-five cents the piece.
PINNATED GROUS.
TETRAO CuPipo, LINN.
PLATE CLXXXVI. Vox. II. p. 490.
Tuts species is becoming rarer every season in all those portions
of our Middle and Atlantic Districts, where twenty years ago it was
pretty abundant. In New Jersey it is nearly extirpated. It is abun-
dant on all the prairies of the Texas, and ranges along the shores of the
560 RUFFED GROUS.
Missouri as far as the head waters of that stream ; but none have been
observed on the Rocky Mountains, or on the plains of the Columbia
River. The eggs measure two inches in length, by rather more than
one and a half in breadth, and are nearly equally rounded at both ends.
All the birds of this family that alight on trees and roots there, have
the toes either destitute of feathers or partially naked. On the con-
trary, those which keep constantly on the ground, have these parts
thickly feathered to the claws, more especially during winter. The
latter birds roost standing in an almost erect posture, sometimes singly,
sometimes in the manner of Partridges, that is, with their tails together
and their heads outward. Those which roost on trees lie down on the
branches, and perhaps do not need feathers on their toes, as these parts
receive the warmth from their body while they are in this crouching
posture, which they can enjoy in continuance, being less liable to be
disturbed by quadrupeds than those that repose on the ground, and sleep
erect, in order to be ready to fly off when surprised or approached at
night.
RUFFED GROUS.
TETRAO UMBELLUS, LINN.
PLATE XLI. Vot. I. p. 211.
It is now ascertained that this species extends over the whole breadth
of the Continent, it being found from our Atlantic districts to those bor-
dering the Pacific Ocean, Dr Townsrenp having observed it on the
Missouri and along the Columbia River, and Mr Drummonp having
procured specimens in the valleys of the Columbia River. According
to Dr Ricnarpson, it reaches northward as far as the 56th parallel,
and spends the winter on the banks of the Saskatchewan, where it is
plentiful. It also exists in the Texas. It is more abundant in our
western, middle, and eastern districts, than in oursouthern States. In
the maritime portions of South Carolina it does not exist. In Massa-
chusetts, Maine, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia, it is very plentiful ;
but I saw none in Labrador, although I was assured that it occurs
there, and did not hear of it in Newfoundland.
RUFFED GROUS. 561
A remarkable difference of plumage is observed in specimens from
the opposite parts of the Continent, those from the eastern districts
being invariably much greyer, especially on the tail-feathers, than those
procured along the Ohio, or in Virginia. These constant differences
have tempted some persons to suppose that we have two nearly allied
species, instead of one; but after the closest examination of all their
parts, as well as of their habits, I never could find anything tending to
support this supposition. In some instances, the eggs of what I con-
ceive a young female, have proved much smaller than others, and Dr T.
M. Brewer has procured in Massachusetts a laying of them minutely
spotted with dull reddish-brown, on a ground of a light salmon colour.
The eggs usually measure an inch and a half in length, by an inch and
two-twelfths in breadth, and are of a uniform dull yellowish tint.
In this species the palate is flat, with two longitudinal ridges con-
verging anteriorly ; the space between these ridges and the slit covered
with small papilla. The tongue is triangular, flattened, sagittate and
papillate at the base, 9 twelfths long, fleshy and pointed. The width
of the mouth is 8twelfths. The liver is extremely small, its lobes equal,
and 1 inch in length. The heart is also small, 11 twelfths long, 7 twelfths
in breadth. The cesophagus, ab, is 74 inches in length; for three
inches, a 6, it has a width of only 5 twelfths ; it then enlarges to form
a vast crop, bcd, 34 inches in breadth, and 23 inches in length, that
part of it connected with which is 1 inch 5 twelfths in length; it then
contracts to 4 inch, ¢; the proventriculus, ef, 74 twelfths in breadth.
The stomach, cd, is a very powerful muscular gizzard, 1 inch 8 twelfths
long, 1 inch 9 twelfths broad ; the inferior muscle very large, 1 twelfth
thick; the lateral muscles extremely developed, the left 6 twelfths,
the right 5 twelfths in thickness; the epithelium thick, tough, yel-
lowish-brown, with two concave surfaces, which are deeply grooved
longitudinally. The proventricular glands are large, 3 twelfths long,
occupying a space of only 7 twelfths of an inch in breadth. The
duodenum, / 7, curves at the distance of 4 inches. The intestine,
hijk, is 4 feet 1 inch long ; the cceca come off at the distance of 64
inches from the extremity; one of them 173, the other 163 inches
_ long; their width for three inches 4 twelfths, in the rest of their ex-
tent 6 twelfths; they are narrowed toward the end, and terminate ina
blunt nipple-like point ; their inner surface has 7 longitudinal ridges,
and they are filled with a pultaceous mass. The width of the duo-
VOL. V. Nn
562 RUFFED GROUS.
denum is 54 twelfths; that of the greater part of the rest of the in-
testine 6 twelfths; the cloaca, f, is not enlarged.
y)
SS}
LZ
—
SS
WZ
mY —
boyy >
Ay)
(SE
\\) \N
(@)
1! ¢ :
2
iS)
The trachea is 6 inches long, rather slender, its breadth at the top
3 twelfths, at the lower part 23 twelfths. The rings are feeble and
unossified, 100 in number. There are no inferior laryngeal muscles.
The bronchi are very short, rather wide, of about 12 half rings. The
lateral muscles are rather large, the sterno-tracheal slips moderate.
( 563 )
SPOTTED OR CANADA GROUS.
TETRAO CANADENSIS, Linn.
PLATE CLXXVI. Vol. IT. p. 437
Accorpine to Dr Ricuaxrpsoy, all the thick and swampy black-
spruce forests between Canada and the Arctic Sea abound with this
bird, and considerable numbers exist in the severest seasons as high as
the 67th parallel. I am informed by Dr Townsenp that it is alse
plentiful on the Rocky Mountains and the plains of the Columbia, from
which parts I have obtained specimens differing in nothing from others
procured in Maine and Labrador. I have also compared those in the
Edinburgh Museum, which Mr Dovetass was pleased to name Tetrao
Franklinit, with several of my own, and feel perfectly confident that
they are all of one and the same species.
In a male preserved in spirits, the mouth is of the moderate width
of 103 twelfths ; the palate flat, with two longitudinal ridges, the pos-
terior aperture of the nares 8 twelfths long, strongly papillate on the
edges ; the tongue short, being only 74 twelfths in length, triangular,
a little concave above, emarginate at the base, with long pointed pa-
pillae, disposed in two series, the tip somewhat obtuse. The cesopha-
gus is 63 inches in length; its width from 10 twelfths to 8 twelfths for
the length of 3} inches, where it opens into a globular sac 2 inches 9
twelfths in diameter, the space between the upper and lower aperture
of which is only 9 twelfths. The stomach is a very large and power-
ful gizzard, of an irregular elliptical form, 14 inch in length, 21 inches
in breadth ; the right muscle 9 twelfths, the left 11 twelfths in thick-
ness; the tendons large and radiated; the epithelium tough, horny,
with two nearly flat smooth grinding surfaces. The intestine is 3
feet 2 inches long, with a nearly uniform width of 3 twelfths. The
coeca commence at the distance of 4 inches from the extremity, and
are 163 inches long, their width 3} twelfths, excepting for 3 inches at
the commencement, where it is only 23 twelfths ; on their inner sur-
564 VIRGINIAN PARTRIDGE.
face are six longitudinal villous ridges, the intervals between which
are also covered with prominent villi, as is the whole interior of the
intestine. There is no enlargement of the rectum.
The trachea is 53 inches long, much flattened, at first 3 twelfths in
breadth, presently contracting to 24 twelfths, and so continuing until
toward the lower end, where it gradually enlarges to 3} twelfths. The
rings are very feeble, slightly ossified, 102 in number, with 2 dimi-
diate rings. The lateral muscles are slender, as are the sterno-tra-
cheal. here are no inferior laryngeal muscles.
VIRGINIAN PARTRIDGE.
PERDIX VIRGINIANA, LaTH.
PLATE LXXVI. Voz. I. p. 388.
Tuis species occurs far up the Missouri; and is extremely abun-
dant in the Texas, where it principally keeps on the prairies. In the
Floridas I found it all over the pine barrens ; but none were seen on
any of the Keys. In the Texas, the Floridas, and as far eastward as
the neighbourhood of Charleston, in South Carolina, it breeds twice in
the year, first in May, and again in September. The following is an
account of some attempts to domesticate this bird made by my friend Dr
BacHMAN :—
“ Several years ago I made an attempt to domesticate the Virginian
Partridge, and, contrary to the usually received opinion, I was quite
successful. The eggs had been obtained from the fields, and were
hatched under a Bantam Hen. By confining the young with their
foster-mother for a few days, they soon learned to follow her like
young chickens. They were fed for a couple of weeks on curds, but
soon began to eat cracked Indian corn, and several kinds of millet.
They were permitted to stray at large in my garden; but fearing
that they might be induced to fly over the enclosure and stray away,
I amputated a joint of the wing. There was no difficulty in preserving
them during the summer and winter, and they became so very gentle
VIRGINIAN PARTRIDGE. 565
that they were in the habit of following me through the house, and
often seated themselves for hours on the table at which I was writing,
occasionally playfully picking at my hand, and running off with my pen.
At night they nestled in a coop placed for that purpose in the garden.
The cats in the neighbourhood, unfortunately for my experiment, took
a fancy to my birds, and carried off several, so that at the breeding sea-
son my stock was reduced to two females, with a greater number of
males. The latter now commenced their not unmusical notes of “ bob-
white,” at first low, but increasing in loudness and energy till they
were heard through the whole neighbourhood. ‘These notes were
precisely similar to those of the wild birds, affording a proof that they
were natural and not acquired by an association with those of their
own species, as these birds had no opportunity of hearing any other
notes than those of the poultry on the premises. As the spring ad-
vanced, the males became very pugnacious, and continual contests
took place among themselves, as well as with the Pigeons, and the
young poultry that occasionally intruded on their domicile. In May
they commenced laying, both in one nest, in a box placed for the pur-
pose. The eggs were all impregnated, and on being placed under a
hen were hatched. <A variety of engagements interrupted my attend-
ing to them afterwards, and by some accident I was prevented from pur-
suing my experiment farther. My friend Dr Witson, however, was
still more successful than I had been. He placed in his aviary several
birds of this species that had been caught in a trap in an adult state.
These, in the following spring, sought out secluded nooks overhung by
branches of shrubbery, where they built their nests, and laid their eggs.
The males and females both sat upon them by turns, and in some in-
stances all the eggs in the nest were hatched. ‘They were much at-
tached to their young, sheltered them under their wings, and endea-
voured to protect them from the persecution of other birds confined in
the aviary. Owing, however, to the small space in which they were
confined, none of the young were finally raised. These experiments,
however, as far as they went, convinced us that this species may be
easily domesticated, and that if they are preserved from being molested
by cats and other enemies, they may be kept in enclosures and multi-
plied to a considerable extent.”
The eggs measure an inch and a quarter in length, seven and a half
eighths in breadth, and taper to a small rounded point.
566 VIRGINIAN PARTRIDGE.
Ina male preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is covered poste-
riorly with large flattened papillz, and hasa very prominent median ridge
anteriorly ; its width is 53 twelfths. The tongue is triangular, fleshy,
emarginate and papillate at the base, with one of the papillz on each side
very large. The cesophagus, Fig. 1, a e, which has at first a width of 4
twelfths, forms an ovate oblique crop, 4c, 1 inch 2 twelfths in its great-
Fig. 1. Fig. 2.
8
>
SS
S
=
3
=
S
=
est length, and 9 twelfths in breadth, which, together with the ceso-
phagus, lies on the right side of the neck ; it then passes obliquely to the
left side, forms a proventriculus, de, of an oblong form, 5 twelfths in
Ee a
VIRGINIAN PARTRIDGE. 567
width, with very large cylindrical glands arranged so as to form a belt
3 inch in breadth. The stomach, ¢/g, is a very large and strong gizzard,
brgader than long, and placed obliquely, its length 1 inch, its breadth
11 inch; the left muscle 33 twelfths, the right 5 twelfths thick, the
lower muscle very thin but prominent; the tendons very large; the
epithelium very dense and horny, longitudinally rugous; the grinding
surfaces concave. The proventricular glands are 3 twelfths in length,
the upper inclining downwards, the lower perpendicular. The liver is
rather small, the right lobe 1 inch 1 twelfth in length, the left divided
into two lobes, of which the anterior is 10 twelfths, the posterior 1 inch
inlength. The intestine, gh, is of great length and width, the former
26 inches, its average diameter being 2? twelfths. The duodenum, gh 7,
curves round the lower edge of the stomach, returns at the distance of
4t inches, ascends to the liver, which has two ducts, but is destitute of
gall-bladder, then forms seven curves, and terminates in the rectum above
the stomach. The ceca, Fig. 2, 6c, come off at the distance of 21 inches,
and are 4} inches in length; their width at the commencement 3 twelfths,
their greatest width 43 twelfths, their extremity obtuse and convoluted.
They are marked with oblique branched ridges on the inner surface.
The intestine at this part is 2 twelfths in width ; the rectum, a 6, 24
twelfths, without cloacal enlargement.
The trachea is 3 inches 2 twelfths long, flattened ; its breadth at
the top 2 twelfths, at the lower part 1 twelfth ; its rings cartilaginous,
about 85 ; the lower very large, with a membrane intervening between
its two portions. The lateral muscles are strong, but there are no infe-
rior laryngeal muscles. The rings of the bronchi are only 10.
( 568 )
AMERICAN COOT.
FULICA AMERICANA, GMEL.
PLATE CCXXXIX. Voz. III. p. 291.
In an adult male preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is nar-
row, flattened, with two middle series of acute reversed papillz, and
two lateral elevated lines extending to the tip ; the lower mandible deep-
ly concave; the edges of both sharp, and the tips narrow but obtuse.
The width of the mouth is } inch. The tongue is fleshy, thick, 11
twelfths long, concave
above, with the tip nar-
rowed, but rounded. The
cesophagus, abc, is 8 inches
long, of the uniform width
of 4 inch; the proventri-
culus 9 twelfths in breadth.
The stomach, cde, is a
very large, extremely mus-
cular, transversely ellipti-
eal, oblique gizzard, 14 inch
long, 2 inches in breadth ;
its lateral muscles extreme-
ly developed, the right 10
twelfths, the left 1 inch in
thickness; the tendons ra-
diated, and covering nearly
the whole surface ; the in-
ferior and superior muscles
narrow and prominent. Its
contents are sand and re-
mains of shell-fish. The
epithelium forms two large
grinding plates, of which
the right is concave, the
left convex. The intestine,
AMERICAN COOT. 569
ef ghij, is long and very wide ; it first curves along the edge of the sto-
mach to the distance of 47 inches, returns to the liver, runs along the
right side to the extremity of the abdomen, is convoluted in an ellip-
tical form, with 12 folds. Its length is 4 feet 8 inches, its width from
4 inch to 34 twelfths, toward the rectum enlarging to 4 inch, and so
continuing to the end. The ceca are extremely elongated, being 11
inches in length, for 2 inches at the commencement only 2 twelfths in
width, afterwards 4 twelfths, and again contracting to 2 twelfths, to-
ward the end, which is obtuse; their distance from the extremity 4 in-
ches. There is no cloacal dilatation.
The extremely developed gizzard, with its large grinding surfaces,
the very long and wide intestine, and the extraordinarily large ceca,
together with the uniform undilated rectum, indicate the most direct
proximity to the Gallinaceous birds. The digestive organs, however,
differ from those of the Rasores in one essential respect, namely, in there
being no crop, or dilatation of the esophagus. They are also very nearly
allied to those of the Ducks, differing only in having the coeca propor-
tionally larger. The Anatine in fact are in some respects aquatic Gal-
linacece.
The trachea is 61 inches long, from 43 twelfths to2 twelfths in breadth,
flattened, with the rings feeble, until 1 inch from the lower extremity,
when it becomes laterally compressed, with the rings much narrower.
The number of these is 154. Bronchi very short, of 20 half rings,
which are not ossified as in the Grebes, but cartilaginous. The rings
of the trachea are narrowed in the middle in front and behind, so as to
be perfectly flexible there, as well as on either side. The lateral mus-
cles are moderate. ‘There are no inferior laryngeal muscles, excepting
on each side a very thin slip going to the last ring.
~ I found this species very abundant in the Texas, in ‘May 1837. It
breeds in Maine and Massachusetts.
(570 )
CLAPPER RAIL OR SALT-WATER MARSH HEN.
RALLUS CREPITANS, GMEL.
PLATE CCIV. Vot. III. p. 33.
Tw an adult male of this species preserved in spirits, the anterior part
of the roof of the mouth has a prominent median ridge, and two deep
grooves. The tongue is very long, remarkably slender, trigonal, canali-
culate, tapering to a bristly point, its base emarginate and papillate, its
length 1 inch 11 twelfths. The width of the mouth is only 4 twelfths.
The cesophagus, Fig. 1, a 4c, is 8 inches long, narrow in its upper third,
where its width is four twelfths, enlarging a little at the lower part.
The breadth of the proventriculus is 9 twelfths. The lobes of the liver
are very unequal, the right being 2 inches 10 tweltths, the left 2 inches
in length. Thestomach, cde, is aremarkably muscular gizzard of a round-
ish form, 14 inch long, and of about the same breadth ; its lateral mus-
cles very prominent, the left large, the inferior muscle well pronounced ;
the epithelium dense, hard, of a bright red colour, and forming two ob-
long flat grinding plates, with intermediate ruge. The proventricular
glands are cylindrical, 1 twelfth in length, forming a belt 9 twelfths in
breadth. The contents of the stomach are fragments of small shells.
The intestine, fg 4, is 313 inches long; its average width 43 twelfths ;
rectum, b c d, Fig. 2, 3 inches long ; ceca, 6 ¢, 33 inches in length, their
width for an inch and a quarter, 13 twelfth; cloaca globular, nearly 1
inch in diameter.
The trachea is 6 inches long, flattened, its breadth at the upper
part 4 twelfths, soon diminishing to 3 twelfths, and so remaining to near
the end ; the rings ossified, 145 in number ; the last rings contracted to
13 twelfth. Bronchi moderate, the half rings about 20, very slender
and cartilaginous.
The sternum in this, as in the other Rails and Gallinules, has the
body extremely narrow, with two very deep and narrow notches at its
posterior extremity, the crest moderately elevated, and extending its
whole length ; the furcula very narrow and slender, the coracoid bones
little diverging and of moderate strength. In these respects, the ster-
nal apparatus agrees with that of the Gallinules and Coots, and pre-
SALT-WATER MARSH HEN. 571
sents a strong affinity to that of the Scolopaceous Courlan, in which
the body of the sternum, though much broader, is of the same form,
Fig. 1. Fig. 2.
EZ & = a ZS
AA Cae.
BE
Zz — Ee
G _—_— Zz =
Za as —— =
= = ee
BZ = — aS
ZB = an
Z = — —
B —_—_ i—
ZZ — —_—- =
Z = ara =
Zz — —— —
Z—— —. —
Gz = = =
Gd Ss _— = sS
Z — Ee =F
Za— = = ==
JZ — as
EZ — = =|
ZZ _— — =
ZG = = =
EE _ ay ~
Z —— —
ZZ — — «=|
: =, peers
A = = =
A = ==
=a femme he,
y
HOVE Veta TOT TT
Ty
I]
THA NY UT
yy \
Ss
\
!
\
\\
——
—
=
i
=
—-
—_
572 SORA RAIL.
and the crest perfectly similar. In the Rails, Gallinules, and Coots,
the innutritious part of the food, whether fragments of shells, or husks
of seeds, passes into the intestine, not being ejected by vomiting, in
which respect the birds of this family are analogous to the Gallinace-
ous group, of which the cceca attain the maximum size, while in the
Rails and Gallinules these organs are next in development. It is not
merely a vague and distant analogy that the Lallinw thus present to
the Gallinaceous birds, but a direct gradation, insomuch that they
might with more propriety be considered as the aquatic group of the
Rasores, the Coots forming the extreme part of the series.
I found this species exceedingly abundant, and breeding along the
shores of the Gulf of Mexico, from the mouth of the Mississippi to Gal-
veston Island, in the Texas.
SORA RAIL.
RALLUS CAROLINUS, Linn.
PLATE CCXXXIII. Vor. IIL. p. 251.
In an adult male preserved in spirits, the mouth is very narrow, its
width being only 3 twelfths ; there are on the palate two longitudi-
nal ridges destitute of papilla, and anteriorly two elevated lines run-
ning to the point of the mandible. The tongue is 73 twelfths long,
emarginate and papillate at the base, flat above, with the point narrow,
but rounded and thin-edged. The cesophagus 3 inches 9 twelfths long,
uniformly 4 twelfths in width. The stomach is a very large trans-
versely elliptical gizzard, 1 inch long, 1 inch 43 twelfths in breadth,
and placed obliquely; its lateral muscles very large, the left 7 twelfths
thick, the right 6 twelfths ; the tendons very large, covering nearly the
whole surface; the lower muscle narrow but prominent ; the epithe-
lium dense, tough, with two elliptical concave grinding surfaces. The
contents of the stomach are numerous particles of quartz, with vege-
table fibres, and seeds of grasses. The proventriculus is oblong, with
a belt of glands 3 inch in breadth. The lobes of the liver are nearly
SS a
VIRGINIAN RAIL. 573
equal, and 1 inch 2 twelfths long. The intestine is 193 inches long, of
the uniform width of 24 twelfths, and forming 9 folds. The cceca are
21 inches long, 2 twelfths in their greatest width, 2} inches from the
extremity. The cloaca is globular, 73 twelfths in diameter.
The trachea is 3 inches long, much flattened, from 2 twelfths to
14 twelfth in breadth ; its rings very narrow, faintly ossified, with four
contractions, one at the middle in front, another behind, and one on
each side, as in all the Rails, Gallinules, and Coots. The rings are
106 in number. Bronchi moderate, of 18 half rings. Lateral muscles
thin ; a very slender inconspicuous pair of inferior laryngeal muscles.
VIRGINIAN RAIL.
RALLUS VIRGINIANUS, LINN.
PLATE CCV. Vot, III. p. 41.
In an adult male, the width of the mouth is only 3 twelfths; on
the palate are two papillate ridges, then anteriorly a single series of
strong reversed papillz, and towards the end a median ridge. The
tongue is 1 inch 2 twelfths in length, very slender, broadly channelled
above in its whole length, horny beneath, the tip narrow, thin-edged,
and slightly slit. The csophagus is 3 inches 10 twelfths long, 3
twelfths in width; the proventriculus ovate, 31 twelfths in breadth.
The stomach is of moderate size, 10 twelfths long, 11 twelfths broad ;
its lateral muscles very large, as are the tendons, the lower muscle
prominent; the epithelium dense, bright red, with numerous longitu-
dinal ruge, being thus less adapted for grinding than that of the Sora
Rail. The contents are numerous fragments of small shells, and re-
mains of insects. The lobes of the liver are very unequal, the left 1
inch, the right 13 inch in length. The intestine is 18 inches long, its
average width 24 twelfths ; the coeca 1 inch 7 twelfths long, 23 twelfths
in width, rounded at the end, 1 inch 10 twelfths from the extremity ;
the cloaca globular 10 twelfths in diameter.
574 YELLOW-BREASTED RAIL.
The trachea is 3 inches long, much flattened, from 14 twelfth to
1 twelfth in breadth ; the rings feeble, divided as in the Sora Rail,
and 120 in number ; bronchi moderate, of 15 half rings.
This species also I found in the Texas, and from thence to the mouths
of the Mississippi.
YELLOW-BREASTED RAIL.
Rattus NOvEBORACENSIS, Bonar.
PLATE CCCXXIX. Vol. IV. p. 251.
Dr Tropeav has favoured me with the following notice respecting
this species :—‘‘ The Yellow-breasted Rail winters in the Southern
States of the Union. It arrives in Louisiana in company with Rallus
jamaicensis, about the end of October or the beginning of November.
As well as that species it is very common in the marshes in the vicinity
of the woods. Itis a very difficult thing to force either of these two
Rails to take flight ; for if chased by a dog, they will only fly when the
animal is near catching them. However, it is much easier to kill them
at this season of the year than in the spring, in the Northern States. It
is there I can say almost impossible to put them up. The reason of
this is probably their attachment to their eggs or young ones. Some
of them nestle in Louisiana. About the beginning of March, these
two species begin to migrate northward. They are to be seen at Sa-
lem, in New Jersey, by the end of April. A few of the Yellow-breasts
remain there, and a great number of the other species breed. I sup-
pose that many proceed as far as Hudson’s Bay.”
( 575+)
AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER.
CHARADRIUS MARMORATUS, WaAGLER.
BesipEs the species described in the third volume, p. 627, and
which is identical with the Golden Plover of Europe, there is exten-
sively distributed in America another species, of which a brief de-
scription is here taken from specimens presented to me by Captain
Ross. Two of these specimens are of adult birds in their summer
plumage, the other of a young individual. They seem to he of the
same size as British specimens, with which they are compared, and
in their form and proportions differ very slightly ; the tarsus of the
present species being slightly longer than that of the other, while the
toes are shorter.
Bill black. Feet bluish-grey, claws dusky. The upper part of
the head, hind neck, and the upper parts of the body, are variegated
with brownish-black and bright yellow, the latter in spots along the
edges of the feathers. The quills and their coverts are dark greyish-
brown, the secondaries paler, the inner margined with yellowish-white
spots, the smaller coverts spotted with the same; the tail-feathers are
greyish-brown, faintly banded with paler, the two central with margi-
nal yellowish spots. In another individual, the tail is destitute of bars,
the outer webs of the lateral feathers only being marked with yellow-
ish-white spots. A band across the forehead, extending on each side
over the eye, and down the neck, white, the rest of the lower parts
brownish-black, excepting the lower tail-coverts, which are chiefly
white, and the axillars and lower wing-coverts, which are light grey,
the axillars of the other specis being always white.
Dimensions of a female preserved in spirits. Length to end of tail
10 inches, to end of wings 11, to end of claws 11,5; ; wing from flexure
Tz; tail 2 4; extent of wings 224; bill along the ridge 33; along the
edge of lower mandible 1 inch ; bare part of tibia 3: tarsus 1,4; inner
toe 38, its claw ;%; middle toe 1 inch, its claw 7; outer toe 3%, its
claw }3.
As in all the species of this group, the mouth is exceedingly narrow,
it being in the present only 4 twelfths in width ; and the mandibles are
576 AMERICAN GOLDEN PLOVER.
connected by skin so as to render the gape-line very short. The pa-
late is very narrow, flattened, with two longitudinal ridges, and ante-
riorly with a few large papilla placed in a double series. The upper
mandible is moderately, the lower deeply concave. The tongue is 9
twelfths long, very narrow, involute, and deeply channelled above, its
base emarginate and papillate, the tip narrow and entire. Posterior
aperture of nares linear, with the margins papillate. C£sophagus 4 in-
ches long, without dilatation, narrow, its greatest width being 3 twelfths.
Proventriculus bulbiform, 4 twelfths in breadth. Stomach a rather small
gizzard, of an elliptical form, moderately compressed, 10 twelfths long,
9 twelfths in breadth ; its lateral muscles large, as are the tendons ; the
inferior muscle prominent ; the epithelium thick, with strong longitu-
dinal rugz, which are impressed on the muscular coat. The proventri-
cular glandules are small, and very numerous, forming a belt 7 twelfths
in breadth. ‘The intestine is long and narrow ; its length 19 inches, its
average width 2 twelfths, a little wider toward the rectum ; cceca 1 inch
9 twelfths long, cylindrical, 7; in breadth, but for half an inch at the
commencement only 3 twelfth; the rectum 14 inch long, its greatest
breadth 34 twelfths, there being no cloaca.
‘Trachea 2 inches 10 twelfths long, 2 twelfths broad, much flatten-
ed; its rings cartilaginous, very narrow, 120 in number, with 2 dimi-
diate rings. Bronchial half rings about 20. The lateral muscles thin ;
the sterno-tracheal slender ; a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles.
( 877)
KILDEER PLOVER.
CHARADRIUS VOCIFERUS, Wits.
PLATE CCXV. Vol. III. p. 191.
Tue mouth is exceedingly narrow, its width being only 2 twelfths.
The palate has two longitudinal ridges, and anteriorly a few very
prominent papillae. The tongue 7 twelfths long, very narrow, deep-
ly channelled above, with involute edges. The cesophagus is 3 inches
10 twelfths long, 2 twelfths in width; the proventriculus 53 twelfths.
The stomach is broadly elliptical, 10 twelfths long, 83 twelfths in breadth ;
its lateral muscles very large; the epithelium thick, with prominent
longitudinal ruge. The proventricular glands form a belt 63 twelfths
in breadth. The intestine is 144 inches long, its width 2 twelfths.
Ceeca 1 inch 9 twelfths long, their greatest width 14 twelfth ; their dis-
tance from the extremity 14 inch. The trachea is 2 inches 9 twelfths
long, from 2 twelfths to 13 twelfth in breadth, flattened ; the rings
feeble, about 90 in number. Bronchi of moderate width and about
15 half rings. The lateral muscles thin, the sterno-tracheal slender.
There is a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles, or a prolongation
of the lateral muscles, going to the first bronchial ring. The indivi-
dual examined is a male.
WILSON’S PLOVER.
CHARADRIUS WILSONIUS, Orv.
PLATE CCIX. Vox. III. p. 73.
Tue palate as in the other species, but at its anterior part com-
mence three prominent ridges, which run to the end of the upper man-
dible. The tongue is 8 twelfths long, rather fleshy, narrow, flattened
above, with a median groove, the point narrow, but rounded, with a thin
horny edge. ‘The width of the mouth is 4} twelfths. The cesophagus,
abc, is 3 inches 4 twelfths long, much wider: than in the two preced-
ing species, its breadth at the top being 5 twelfths, at the distance of
VOL. Vv. 00
578 WILSON’S PLOVER.
1 inch 4 twelfths ; the proventriculus, 0 c,
4 twelfths in breadth, its glandules form-
ing a belt 6 twelfths in breadth. The sto-
mach, ¢ dé, is rather large, roundish, com-
pressed, 9 twelfths in length, 10 twelfths
in breadth ; the lateral muscles 5 twelfths
in thickness ; the epithelium remarkably
dense, thick, with two broad granulated
ridges on each side forming grinding sur-
faces. The intestine, efg/, is rather short,
and wider than in the other species ; its
length 94 inches, its width at the upper
part 4 twelfths, diminishing to 2 twelfths.
Ceeca 1 inch 4 twelfths long, cylindrical, 1
twelfth in width ; their distance from the
extremity 1} inch. Trachea 2} inches
long, flattened, from 2 twelfths to 1
twelfth in breadth; its rings about 90,
cartilaginous. Bronchial half rings about
15. Lateral and sterno-tracheal muscles
strong ; a single pair of inferior laryngeal
muscles. Adult male.
PIPING PLOVER.
CHARADRIUS MELODUS, Orp.
PLATE CCXX. Voz. III. p. 155.
In this species the upper mandible is more concave than in any of
the preceding ; but the structure of the mouth is similar. Its width
is 43 twelfths. The tongue is 5 twelfths long, deeply concave above,
fleshy, the tip rounded, thin-edged, and horny. The cesophagus is
23 inches long, 2 twelfths in width, its inner coat longitudinally plicate,
as in all the other species. Proventriculus 3 twelfths in breadth, its
belt of glandules 5 twelfths. The stomach rather small, elliptical,
73 twelfths long, 6 twelfths in breadth ; the lateral muscles large, the
i ia el a
AMERICAN RING PLOVER. 579
epithelium with 24 longitudinal ruge. Intestine 12 inches long, nar-
row ; the duodenum 13 twelfth in width, the rest uniform, the rectum
only being a little enlarged. Cceca 1 inch 1 twelfth from the extre-
mity, 1 inch 2 twelfths in length, and 2 twelfth in breadth. Trachea
1 inch 10 twelfths long, 12 twelfth in breadth, contracting to 1 twelfth ;
its rings about 70, cartilaginous. Bronchial half rings about 15. Mus-
cles as in the last species. Male.
AMERICAN RING PLOVER.
CHARADRIUS SEMIPALMATUS, Bonap.
PLATE CCOXXX. Vol. IV. p. 256.
Wiptu of mouth 2 twelfths. Tongue 4 twelfths long, very con--
cave above, rounded at the point. Qsophagus 2 inches 8 twelfths
long, 3 twelfths in breadth. Proventriculus 33 twelfths broad, its
glandular belt 6 twelfths. Stomach oblong, 9 twelfths by 7 twelfths ;
its muscles large; the epithelium with numerous ruge. Intestine 14
inches long, 2 twelfths in breadth. Cceca 1 inch from the extremity,
13 inch long, 13 twelfth in width. Trachea 2 inches long, 14 twelfth
in breadth ; its rings about 70, very feeble. Bronchial half rings about
15. The muscles as in the last species.
In the genus Charadrius, the cesophagus is thus narrow or of mo-
derate width, without crop or remarkable dilatation. The proventri-
culus is large, bulbiform, with very numerous small cylindrical glands
disposed in a broad belt. The stomach is roundish or broadly ellipti-
cal, moderately compressed ; its lateral muscles large, as are the ten-
dons ; the lower muscle prominent and thin; the upper of consider-
able size ; the epithelium dense, and longitudinally rugous. The in-
testine is rather long, and of moderate width ; the rectum considerably
dilated ; the cceca long, very slender, cylindrical, contracted at the base,
with the tip blunt. The lobes of the liver are very unequal, the right
being largest ; there is no gall-bladder. The trachea is rather wide,
flattened; its rings very numerous, narrow, cartilaginous, the lower
ring large; two dimidiate rings. Bronchi rather wide, of from 15 to
20 half rings. Lateral muscles moderate, sending a slip to the last
dimidiate ring.
( 580 )
AMERICAN OYSTER-CATCHER.
H#MATOPUS PALLIATUS, TEMM.
PLATE CCXXIII. Vot. III. p. 181.
At Derniere Island, on the 15th of April 1837, we met with a flock
of Oyster-catchers, fourteen or fifteen in number, flying compactly, and
uttering their usual ery of weep, weep. Two were shot down into the
water, but one of them that had only been winged, dived so effectually
as to escape from us, in spite of the most strenuous exertions of the
sailors. At Galveston Island on the 26th of April, they were quite
away from the water, and running among the grass, so that they pro-
bably had either eggs or young.
An individual obtained at Derniere Island, weighed 1 lb. 12 oz. ;
its alar extent 37 inches; length to end of tail 193, to end of claws 19.
One of many specimens preserved in spirits, a female, presents
the following particulars. The roof of the mouth is flat, with a me-
dian groove towards the end ; the palate with two longitudinal ridges
covered with reversed papilla; the posterior aperture of the nares li-
near, margined with papilla. The tongue is short, 93 twelfths long,
triangular, tapering to a blunt point, emarginate and papillate at the
base, flat above, thin and fleshy. The oesophagus, abcde, is 84 inches
long, at the upper part 9 twelfths in width, but at the lower part of
the neck dilated into an elongated sac or crop, 1 inch 10 twelfths
wide; on entering the thorax it contracts to 9 twelfths. The pro-
ventriculus, de, is 14 inch in breadth. The stomach, fg, is oblong,
13 inch long, 1 inch 2 twelfths in breadth; its muscular coat thick,
and disposed into two lateral muscles of moderate strength ; the epi-
thelium tough, dark red, with numerous longitudinal rugs. The pro-
ventricular glands are cylindrical, 2 twelfths long, forming a conti-
nuous belt 11 inch in breadth. The contents of the stomach are tes-
taceous mollusca, with a few fragments of shells and opercula. The
lobes of the liver are very unequal, the right 3} inches long, the
left 21. The intestine, g/jk, 58 inches long. It forms the duodenal
curve in the usual manner, then runs backward nearly to the extre-
ne
AMERICAN OYSTER-CATCHER. 581
mity, forms several folds or convolutions, then curves up over the sto-
mach, and passes directly to the anus. Its average width is 4 twelfths.
The ceca, / 7, are 44 inches
in length, their greatest
width 3 twelfths, their
distance from the anus 3
inches ; the cloaca, 4, glo-
bular. This bird was
nearly ready to lay eggs.
One of them has a dia-
meter of 1 inch, which is
the full size of the yolk,
the albumen not being add-
ed until it has entered the
oviduct.
The trachea, which is
4 inches long, gradually
tapers from the width of
41 twelfths to that of 22
twelfths. Its rings are un-
SS O€]VZQ
SZ
ossified, 115 in number.
The bronchi are of mode-
rate length, wide, of about
20 very thin cartilaginous
half rings. The lateral
muscles are strong ; the
sterno-tracheal slips come
off close to the inferior la-
rynx, which has no pecu-
liar muscles.
In a male, the cesopha-
gus is 8 inches long, its
greatest width near the
lower part of the neck 13 inch. The stomach is small, being 123 inch
long, and 1 inch in breadth. The intestine measures 4 feet 4 inches
in length ; its average width 4 twelfths. The cceca 4 inches long.
( 582 )
SANDERLING.
TRINGA ARENARIA, Bonar.
PLATE CCXXX. Vol. III. p. 231.
Mooutu extremely narrow, its width only 2 twelfths. Palate mode-
rately concave, as in the Snipes, with two series of reversed papille.
Tongue 11 twelfths long, slender, tapering, concave above, horny toward.
the end. (Esophagus 3 inches 2 twelfths long, 2 twelfths wide ; pro-
ventriculus 3 twelfths in breadth. Stomach large, roundish, oblique,
10 twelfths long, 9 twelfths in breadth ; its lateral muscles large ; the
epithelium dense, longitudinally rugous, and of a reddish colour. Con-
tents of stomach remains of insects and sand. Intestine 92 inches long,
its width 23 twelfths ; coeca 1 inch 1 twelfth long, 14 twelfth in width,
their distance from the extremity 1} inch; rectum slightly dilated at
the end. Trachea 24 inches long, its breadth 2 twelfths, much flat-
tened ; the rings very narrow, unossified, 130 in number. Bronchial
half rings about 15. Muscles as in the Tringas, and other genera of
this family.
PECTORAL SANDPIPER.
TRINGA PECTORALIS, Bonap.
PLATE CCXCIV. Voz. III. p. 601.
Mout very narrow, its width 23 twelfths.. Palate with two rows
of reversed papilla. Tongue very slender, tapering, channelled above,
11 twelfths long. Csophagus 44 inches long, its average width 23
twelfths ; proventriculus 33 twelfths. Stomach oblique, roundish, 10
twelfths long, 9 twelfths in breadth; its lateral muscles large; epi-
thelium dense, longitudinally rugous. Contents of stomach remains of
small crustacea, seeds, and fragments of quartz. Intestine 114 inches
long, 14 twelfth wide ; coeca 1} inch long, 1 twelfth in width, 1 inch
SOLITARY SANDPIPER. 583
5 twelfths distant from the extremity; rectum 2 twelfths in width,
slightly dilated at the end. Trachea 31 inches long, 2 twelfths in
breadth, much flattened; the rings 102, slender, unossified. Bronchi
wide, of about 12 half rings. Muscles as in the other species of this
family. Male.
SOLITARY SANDPIPER.
ToTANUS CHLOROPYGIUS, VIiEILL.
PLATE CCLXXXIX. Vou. III. p. 576.
Mouru very narrow, 23 twelfths in width. Tongue 11 twelfths
long, channelled above, extremely slender toward the point. Csopha-
gus 8 inches 2 twelfths long, 2 twelfths wide ; proventriculus 3 twelfths
in breadth. Stomach roundish, oblique, 9 twelfths by 8 twelfths; its
lateral muscles large ; epithelium dense and longitudinally rugous. In-
testine 13} inches long; duodenum 2 twelfths in width, the rest 14
twelfth ; cceca 1 inch 2 twelfths long, 1 twelfth wide, and 1; inch dis-
tant from the extremity ; rectum slightly dilated toward the end. Tra-
chea 21 inches long, 14 twelfth in width, much flattened, the rings
narrow, unossified, 128. Bronchial half rings about 15. Muscles as in
the other species of this family. Male.
COMMON AMERICAN SNIPE.
ScoLopAax Wixisont, TEM.
PLATE CCXLIII. Vou. III. p. 322.
Mr T. M. MacCotiocu writes me thus :—‘ In your article upon
the Snipe, you seem to be unable to say whether the male incubates or
not. I am inclined to think he does not. A pair of them have a
nest this year close to our house, though I have not been able to find
the spot. During any hour of the day, for some time past, the mal
584 COMMON AMERICAN SNIPE.
could be heard uttering his curious notes in circles high up in the sky,
beyond the reach of sight, and at night, even as late as eleven o’clock,
I have heard him serenading his beloved with as much ardour as any
lover who ever tried to win his way by music to his mistress’ heart.
The Snipe flies low at night, and in circles, as in the day ; but it is only
in particular spots and at short intervals that the sound is heard. The
note is exceedingly like the winnowing noise which the wings of Pigeons
make when alighting on the ground, and I have never yet been able to
determine whether it is actually the voice of the Snipe which is heard,
or whether it is produced by the bird’s stopping in certain parts of his
course and beating the air in some particular way with his wings.”
In an adult male, the mouth is excessively narrow, its breadth being
only 2 twelfths ; on the palate are three longitudinal ridges of strong
reversed papillz, terminating anteriorly in a single ridge of similar pa-
pill. Both mandibles are moderately concave, with very thick sloping
edges. ‘The tongue is 1 inch 8 twelfths long, very slender, induplicate,
so as to be deeply channelled in its whole length, emarginate and pa-
pillate at the base, tapering to a narrow, horny point. The esophagus
is 9 inches 9 twelfths long, 23 twelfths in width; the proventriculus 34
twelfths in breadth. The stomach of moderate size, roundish; its la-
teral muscles large, the inferior prominent ; its length 9 twelfths,
its breadth the same; the epithelium thin, dense, with numerous
longitudinal ruge, and of a reddish colour. The right lobe of the
liver is 1 inch 8 twelfths, the other only 10 twelfths in length; gall-
bladder ovate, 4 twelfths long, 2} twelfths in breadth. Intestine 141
inches, its greatest width 14 twelfth, the least 1 twelfth; the cceca
7 twelfths long, ¢ twelfth in breadth, 1} inch from the extremity ; the
cloaca ovate, 6 twelfths in width. The intestine curves at first in the
usual manner, at the distance of 1 inch 4 twelfths, then advances toward
the right lobe of the liver, proceeds backward, forms.a single convolu-
tion, and terminates in the rectum over the stomach, making altoge-
ther only 5 turns.
Trachea 2 inches 10 twelfths long, from 12 twelfth to 14 twelfth
in breadth, flattened, like that of every other species of the family ; the
rings very narrow, completely unossified, 108 in number, with 2 addi-
tional dimidiate rings. Bronchial half rings 15. Muscles as usual in
this family.
( 585 )
SEMIPALMATED SNIPE OR WILLET.
TOTANUS SEMIPALMATUS, TEMM.
PLATE CCLXXIV. Vol. III. p. 510.
Fremae. Length to end of tail 153 inches, to end of wings 16, to
end of claws 183; wing from flexure 93 ; tail 33; bill along the ridge
27%, along the edge of lower mandible 2;%, ; bare part of tibia 1,% ; tar-
sus 254; first toe 7, its
claw 7; ; second toe 1,%,
its claw 34 ; third toe 1#,,
its claw 34 ; fourth toe 13%,
its claw 7%; extent of
wings 303.
Mouth very narrow,
its width being only 5
twelfths; the two longitu-
dinal ridges on the palate
remarkably elevated and
thin ; two series of papil-
le; posterior aperture of
nares linear; anterior part
of upper mandible flat,
with a median prominent
line, and thin projecting
edges ; lower mandible
deeply grooved. Tongue
1 inch 8 twelfths long,
trigonal, slender, tapering
to a slender horny chan-
nelled point; its base
emarginate and papillate.
(Esophagus, abc, 63 inches
in length, 11 twelfths
in width ; proventriculus,
bc, 10 twelfths broad. Sto-
586 YELLOW-SHANK.
mach, cde, avery strong gizzard, of a roundish form, 14 inch long, and of
the same breadth ; its lateral muscles very large and distinct, as are the
tendons ; epithelium very thick, dense, with two oblong grinding plates,
each having four broad longitudinal rugs, and of a bright red colour.
Intestine, efgh7ij, 3 feet 3 inches long, only 3 twelfths in width at the
upper part, toward the rectum 2 twelfths. Cceca, 77, 34 inches long ;
their distance from the extremity 3 inches; their width 2 twelfths,
the extremity rounded.
Trachea 54 inches long, from 33 twelfths to 2 twelfths in breadth,
much flattened ; its rings unossified, 125, and 1 dimidiate. Proventri-
cular half rings 15. Lateral muscles rather strong; a single pair of
inferior or laryngeal muscles.
YELLOW-SHANK.
TOTANUS FLAVIPES, ViEILL.
PLATE COLXXXVIII. Vol. III. p. 573.
Two series of papilla on the anterior part of the roof of the mouth.
Tongue 1} inch long, emarginate and papillate at the base, as deep as
broad, channelled above, tapering to a narrow but obtuse horny point.
(Esophagus 4} inches long, 3 twelfths in width ; proventriculus 33
twelfths. Stomach rather small, elliptical, 8 twelfths long, 6 twelfths
broad ; the lateral muscles rather strong; epithelium dense, rather
thin, with numerous longitudinal rug, and of a dark red colour. In-
testine 18 inches long, its greatest width in the duodenal part 14 twelfth,
the smallest toward the rectum 1 twelfth. Coeca 1 inch 2 twelfths
long, 1 twelfth wide, 14 inch distant from the extremity. Cloaca obo-
vate, 5 twelfths in width. Trachea 3 inches 2 twelfths in length,
from 24 twelfths to 14 twelfth in width ; rings 130, extremely narrow,
and cartilaginous. Bronchial half rings. Muscles as in the last species.
a
( 587 )
LONG-BILLED CURLEW.
NUMENIUS LONGIROSTRIS, Wits.
PLATE CCXXXI. Voz. III. p. 240.
Tue two palatal ridges meeting anteriorly to the aperture of the
nares form an elevated line in
the middle, running all the way
to the tip of the upper mandi-
ble, and the lower mandible
has a median groove ; both are
internally formed by two in-
clined planes, which leave a
vacant space when the bill is
closed. The tongue is very
small, triangular, narrow, flat
above, pointed, horny beneath ;
its base sagittate and papillate ;
its length only 1 inch 2 twelfths,
whereas that of the bill, from
the opening to the tip, is 8
inches. The width of the
mouth is 10 twelfths. The ceso-
phagus, a 6 ¢, is 83 inches long,
of the nearly uniform width of
7 twelfths, contracting to 4
inch within the thorax; but
the proventriculus, bc, expanded
to 9 twelfths ; at the top, how-
ever, it is funnel-shaped, where
its greatest width at the hyoid
bone is 1 inch. The stomach,
cdef, isa large and very strong
gizzard, of a roundish or trans-
versely elliptical form, 13 inch
long, 1? inch in breadth; its
588 LONG-BILLED CURLEW.
lateral muscles very strong, the left 9 twelfths thick, the right 1 inch;
the lower muscle very prominent; the tendons large and strong; the
epithelium very thick, with broad longitudinal rugee. The proventricular
glands are oblong, forming a belt 9 twelfths in breadth. The contents
of the stomach are remains of crustacea. The intestine, J ghijk, which is
393 inches long, 5 twelfths in width in the duodenal portion, fgh, 3
twelfths toward the middle, curves in the usual manner at the distance
of 33 inchés, passes forward as far as the proventriculus, then turns
backward to near the cloaca along the right side, again forward, back-
ward, forward, backward, and lastly forward to above the tip of the
heart, where it ends in the rectum, and sends off the ccoeca; the rectum is
5 twelfths long, opening by a very small aperture into a globular cloaca,
j&, 1 inch in diameter. The ceca, /m, which come off at the distance
of 3 inches from the extremity, are 4 inches long, 14 twelfth in width
for 13 inch, then from 1 twelfth to 3 twelfths, being enlarged and con-
tracted at intervals, the tip for 3 inch only 3 twelfth in width. The
lobes of the liver are very unequal; the left lies beneath the proven-
triculus and the anterior part of the gizzard, under the lower edge of
which it sends a long thin process; the right lobe is very much larger,
narrow, and passes under the whole length of the stomach.
Trachea 6 inches 2 twelfths long, a little flattened, from 34 twelfths
to 24 twelfths in breadth ; its rings firm, 120 in number, with 2 dimi-
diate rings. Bronchi rather wide, of 18 half rings. Lateral muscles
strong ; a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles going to the last half
ring.
Dimensions of two male individuals, killed on 26th April 1837, at
Galveston :
Length to end of tail, 201, 203 inches, to end of wings the same ; to
end of claws 24, 293; extent of wings 363, 384; weight 1 Ib. 1 oz.,
1 lb. 9 oz.
( 589)
HUDSONIAN CURLEW.
Nu mMentivus Auvopsonicus, Latu.
PLATE COXXXVII. Vot. III. p. 283.
Dimensions of a male :—From point of bill to end of tail 18 inches,
to end of wings 18, to end of claws 19,%; extent of wings 33; bill 374,
along the edge of lower mandible 3y4 ; bare part of tibia 14 inch ; tar-
sus 23 inches, hind toe 5 twelfths, its claw 3 twelfths ; second toe 144,
its claw 34 ; third toe 144, its claw 34; fourth toe 124, itsclaw 23 twelfths;
wing from flexure 92 ; tail 314.
The heart and liver are very large, as in the other species, the right
lobe of the latter passes under and beyond the stomach, and is 3 inches
in length, the left lobe 1 inch 9 twelfths. ‘The mouth is in all respects
as in the preceding species, as is the tongue, which is 1 inch long. The
cesophagus is 7 inches long, at the upper part 8 twelfths in width, after-
wards uniformly 5 twelfths; the proventriculus large, 8 twelfths in
width. The stomach is of moderate size, roundish, 14 inch long, 1 inch
5 twelfths in breadth ; its muscles of moderate thickness; the epithe-
lium thick, horny, with two broad longitudinal plates on each side. Its
contents are small crabs. Intestine 30 inches long, its width in the duo-
denal portion 4 twelfths, and nearly the same throughout, but at the
distance of 10 inches from the end enlarging to 6 twelfths. Cceca 24
inches from the extremity, 1 inch 9 twelfths long, 1} twelfth in width,
with the tip slender as in the other species.
Trachea 57 inches long, 3} twelfths broad at the top, 2 twelfths at
the lower part, very little flattened ; the rings firm, 122, with 2 dimi-
diate rings. Bronchi moderately wide, of about 18 half rings, Late-
ral muscles of moderate strength; the sterno-tracheales come off at the
distance of 5 twelfths from the extremity ; there is a very slender slip
of muscle on each side going to the first bronchial ring.
( 590 )
ESQUIMAUX CURLEW.
‘ NUMENIUS BOREALIS, LatH.
PLATE CCVIII. Vot. III. p. 69.
Tue mouth is similar to that of the preceding species. Tongue 1
inch long. M£sophagus 6} inches long, 3 inch wide at the upper part,
5 twelfths in the rest of its extent; the proventriculus 6 twelfths in
breadth. Stomach roundish, 14 inch long, 1 inch 23 twelfths broad ;
the lateral muscles moderate ; the epithelium thick, reddish-brown, as
in the other species, but with numerous longitudinal rugz. Contents
of stomach, remains of insects, seeds, and small pieces of quartz. In-
testine 28 inches long; its width in the duodenal portion 33 twelfths,
so continuing until 7 inches from the extremity, when it enlarges to 5
twelfths. Cceca 3 inches from the end, 22 inches in length, of the uni-
form width of 1 twelfth, and slightly pointed. Trachea 4 inches 8
twelfths long, its width from 3 twelfths to 2 twelfths, considerably flat-
tened ; the rings 115, firm, with 2 additional dimidiate rings. Bronchial
half rings about 18, extremely feeble. Muscles as in the last species.
GREAT MARBLED GODWIT.
LIMOsA FEDOA, VIEILL.
PLATE CCXXXVIII. Vox. III. p. 287.
Aputt Male. Length to end of tail 163 inches, to end of wings 17,
to end of claws 20; extent of wings 283; wing from flexure 87; tail
3%; bill along the ridge 34$, along the edge of lower mandible 33% ;
bare part of tibia 1,%, tarsus 2;% ; hind toe 4, its claw 3%; second toe 12,
its claw 3, ; third toe 1,5, its claw 3; fourth toe 174, its claw =
Palate flat, narrow, with two longitudinal papillate ridges, and four
series of very large papille, terminating anteriorly in a single ridge.
The edges of the mandibles flat. Tongue very long, 2 inches 1 twelfth,
GREAT MARBLED GODWIT. 591
trigonal, tapering to a point, concave above, with two series of large
papille, its base emarginate and
papillate. The upper mandible is
entirely destitute of motion; the
lower with a joint on each side, as
inthe Herons. Width of mouth 43 E
twelfths. Gsophagus, a bc,61inches p SS B
long, at the commencement 4 inch
in width, presently contracting to
4 twelfths, and so continuing as far
as the proventriculus, which is 7
twelfths in breadth. Stomach, ¢ de,
of an oblong form, 1 inch 4 twelfths
in length, 9 twelfths in breadth ; its
lateral muscles moderately strong,
the tendons broad and radiated;
the epithelium dense, thick, with
numerous longitudinal ruge. Its
contents are remains of small shell- 4
fish. Proventricular glands small
and very numerous, forming a belt
10 twelfths in breadth. Intestine,
efghjk, 2 feet 6 inches long; it
curves at first in the usual manner,
passes forward to above the heart,
then runs backward, and forms
seven turns; its width from 44
twelfths to 3 twelfths. Rectum, 74,
very short, being only 14 inch in
length ; coeca, 77, 9 twelfths in
length, 14 twelfth in width; the
cloaca, 4, an oblong dilatation, 5
twelfths in width.
Trachea 43 inches long, 3 twelfths in breadth, its rings very feeble,
132, with a single dimidiate ring. Bronchial half rings 18. The late-
ral muscles strong ; the sterno-tracheal moderate ; a single pair of slen-
der laryngeal muscles going to the first bronchial half ring.
( 592 )
HUDSONIAN GODWIT.
Limosa Hupsonica, Swain.
PLATE CCLVIII. Vot. III. p. 426.
Tue following are the dimensions of a very fine specimen selected
from among five presented by Dr T. M. Brewer of Boston. Length
to end of tail 162 inches, to end of wings 173, to end of claws 183;
extent of wings 2 feet 5 inches; bill along the ridge 34, along the edge
of lower mandible also 33 ; wing from flexure 6,4 ; tail 334; bare part
of tibia 4; tarsus 23; hind toe #4: its claw 23 ; second toe 1, its claw
*% ; third toe 174, its claw 34 ; fourth toe 1}4, its claw 34.
The interior of the mouth as in the other species, its width 43 twelfths,
the fore part of the palate with three series of large papilla. ‘Tongue
119, slender, tapering to a point, trigonal. Channelled above, horny
beneath. (Esophagus 62 inches long, 4 twelfths wide, proventriculus
5 twelfths, Stomach a muscular gizzard of an oblong form, 1 inch
3 twelfths long, 1 inch in breadth ; its lateral muscles strong and well
marked ; the epithelium dense, thick, with numerous longitudinal rugz,
and of a brownish-red colour. Contents of the stomach, particles of
quartz. Proventricular belt 9 twelfths in breadth. Intestine 1 foot
8 inches long, 22 twelfths in width; rectum 3 twelfths wide, dilated
into an ovate cloaca, 8 twelfths in width; ceca 4 twelfths long 1}
twelfth in width, and 22 inches distant from the extremity.
Trachea 5 inches long, much flattened, from 3 twelfths to 2 twelfths
in breadth ; its rings feeble, 120, and a single dimidiate ring. Bron-
chial half rings 15. Muscles as in the other species.
( 593 )
WHITE IBIS.
Ipis ALBA, ViEILL.
PLATE CCXXII. Vot. III. p. 173.
In a female preserved in spirits, the roof of the mouth is flattened,
with an anterior median longitudinal ridge ; and the two sides or crura
of the lower mandible are united for more than half their length from
the tip. The tongue is triangular, extremely short, being only 53 twelfths
in length, flat, and extremely thin, broadly emarginate and papillate at
the base, the two lateral papillae much larger, its upper surface covered
with numerous small crypts, its tip obtusely pointed. The posterior
aperture of the nares is linear, with an anterior slit. The mouth is ra-
ther narrow, being only 7 twelfths in width. The tongue and the ge-
neral form of the mouth are thus similar to those of the Spoonbill ; and
the former is entirely different from that of the Curlews and Snipes, to
which this genus approaches in the form of the bill. The aperture of
the ear is remarkably small, its diameter being only 13 twelfth.
The cesophagus, Fig. 1, abcd, is 11 inches long, wide, like that of a
Heron, its diameter varying from 1 inch to 11 inch, being greater at the
lower part of the neck, and contracting to 9 twelfths as it enters the thorax.
The stomach, defg, is large, muscular, broadly elliptical, 24 inches long, 1
inch 10 twelfths in breadth ; the lateral muscles strong, the inferior very
large. The duodenum, 9/7, curves in the usual manner, returning upon
itself at the distance of 31 inches; its width 44 twelfths. There isa
small gall-bladder about 4 inch long, and two biliary ducts ; beyond the
entrance of which the intestine forms several convolutions, and pre-
serves a nearly uniform width throughout. The rectum is 3 inches long,
and the coeca, Fig. 2, c ¢, are reduced to the minimum size, being only
12 twelfth in length. In this respect, as well as in the structure of the
stomach, this bird differs entirely from the Herons, to which it.approxi-
mates in the form of the esophagus, although not in that of the tongue.
The contents of the stomach are remains of cray-fish and aquatic
insects. Its epithelium is thick, tough, longitudinally rugous, but not
VOL. V. Pp
presenting two distinct grinding plates. The proventriculus, c, is 10
Fig. 2.
HYPERBOREAN PHALAROPE. 595
twelfths in breadth, and its glands are of a cylindrical form, about 2
twelfths long, with wide apertures. The length of the intestine is 3 feet
9 inches.
The trachea is 94 inches long, of the nearly uniform breadth of
4 twelfths ; the rings 132, broad, but very thin and unossified. The
bronchi are very short, of about. 15 half rings. The lateral muscles are
thin ; the sterno-tracheal slips slender. There are no inferior laryn-
geal muscles.
The sternum approaches in form to that of the Herons, the ridge is
very prominent, with its outline rounded ; but the body differs in having
two very distinct deep notches on each side posteriorly.
On the whole, the most direct affinity of this bird.is to the Spoon-
bill; then to the Oyster-catcher ; in a less degree to the Herons, and
still less to the Curlews.
HYPERBOREAN PHALAROPE.
PHALAROPUS HYPERBOREUS, Latu.
PLATE CCXY. Vol. III. p. 118.
Tue mouth is extremely narrow, its breadth being only 23 twelfths;
the palate straight, with two longitudinal ridges, and three anterior
series of papille ; the upper mandible concave, with a median promi-
nent line, the lower more deeply concave ; the posterior aperture of the
nares linear. The tongue 103 twelfths long, emarginate and papillate
at the base, immediately after contracted, extremely slender, as high
as broad, grooved above, tapering to a point, and horny on the greater
part of its extent. C&sophagus, «4c, 3} inches long, its width 2
twelfths; proventriculus, 5c, 4 twelfths in breadth. Liver very large,
the right lobe 13 inch long, the left 10 twelfths. Stomach, cde, round-
ish, oblique, of moderate size, 8 twelfths long, 7 twelfths broad ;
the lateral muscles large and distinct, the lower prominent and thick ;
the epithelium of moderate thickness, dense, with numerous longi-
tudinal rug. Contents of stomach small crustacea. Intestine, efghiz,
596 GREAT WHITE HERON.
of moderate length and width, the former 11} %
inches, the latter 3 twelfths, diminishing
to 14 twelfth; cceca, z 7, 10 twelfths, + twelfth
in width for 11 inch, afterwards 1 twelfth,
their distance from the extremity 1} inch;
cloaca, 7, ovate, 5 twelfths in width. Trachea
2 inches 7 twelfths long, much flattened,
1} twelfth in width; the rings 90, cartilagi-
nous. Bronchi wide, of about 15 half rings.
Lateral muscles rather strong; a single pair
of inferior laryngeal. Female.
|
GREAT WHITE HERON.
ARDEA OCCIDENTALIS.
PLATE CCLXXXI. Vol. III. p. 542.
Ax adult male, received from Captain Naroteon Coste, of the
United States Revenue Cutter the Campbell. The width of the
mouth is 1} inch ; but the lower mandible is capable of being dilated
to 23 inches, by means of an articulation on each side, the palate as-
cending, convex, with two longitudinal ridges, anteriorly with two
OE
GREAT WHITE HERON. 597
papillate ridges and a median ridge, which runs to the point of the
mandible; the posterior aperture of the nares linear, 13 inch in length.
Tongue 4} inches long, slender, tapering, trigonal, sagittate at the base,
with a large pointed papilla on each side, flat above, with a median
groove for half its length, afterwards convex, the tip acute. There is
a large gular sac, although covered by feathers. The cesophagus is 2
feet 7 inches long, of great width in its whole extent, its diameter oppo-
site the glottis being 23 inches, in the other parts from 2 to 13. Its
walls are very thin, but with the external muscular fibres distinct ; the
inner coat longitudinally plicate.
The heart is of moderate size, 1 inch 10 twelfths in length, 12 in
breadth. The aorta branches immediately in the usual manner, send-
ing off to the left a common carotid and subclavian, which branches at
the distance of 73 twelfths; to the right the same; and more to the
same side, the carotid properly so called, which is smaller than either
of the other vessels. The liver is of moderate size, its lobes very un-
equal, the left 2; inches, the right 31 inches in length. There is an
enormous accumulation of fat in the omentum, covering nearly the en-
tire surface of the proventriculus and stomach, and extending under
the intestine, being in one place 9 twelfths thick.
On entering the thorax the cesophagus immediately enlarges to
23 inches, and gradually increases to 3, which is the greatest breadth of
the proventriculus, abc. The stomach, cp, is a very large round sac,
3 inches in width, a little compressed, with roundish tendons, p, 3 inch in
diameter ; its muscular coat extremely thin, and formed of very slender
fasciculi ; the inner coat soft and smooth. ‘The proventricular glands
form a complete belt, 13 inch in breadth, at the upper part of which are
numerous irregularly dispersed very large apertures of mucous crypts.
The pyloric lobe of the stomach, ¢, is globular, 9 twelfths in diameter.
The aperture of the pylorus 1} twelfth in diameter, without valve. The
intestine, ¢/7 /, doubles in the usual manner, to form the duodenum, e/g,
at the distance of 6 inches, then proceeds to the right lobe of the liver,
bends backward, and is convoluted, with 18 turns, terminating in the
rectum above the proventriculus; its length 7 feet 10 inches; the
width of the duodenum 34 twelfths, that of the rest of the intestine
' pretty uniformly 3 twelfths, a little narrowed towards the rectum, which
is 53 twelfths long, and at its commencement forms a single ccecum,
4 inch long, and 3 twelfths in width. The average width of the rec-
GREAT WHITE HERON.
'
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i SEUNUE DE, <
aS
GREAT BLUE HERON. 599
tum is 5 twelfths, and it terminates in a globular cloaca, j £, 1 inch 10
twelfths in diameter.
Trachea 22 inches long, considerably flattened, 5 twelfths in breadth
at the upper part, 42 twelfths at the middle, and lastly contracting to
33 twelfths. The rings cartilaginous, 270, the last 4 dimidiate. The
right bronchus has 25 rings, the left 28 ; they are wide and compressed.
There is a pair of cleido-tracheal muscles, passing from the thyroid
bone to near the middle of the furcula. The lateral muscles are thin
and slender at the upper part, at the lower part thicker and expanded
over the whole surface before and behind ; the anterior part gives off
the sterno-tracheal; at the distance of 9 twelfths from the last ring, and
the posterior part passes in the form of a compact slip, to the last half
ring.
GREAT BLUE HERON.
ARDEA. HERODIAS, Linn.
PLATE CCXI. Vot. III. p. 87.
Apvutt Male. The interior of the mouth is similar to that of the
last species, there being three longitudinal ridges on the upper man-
dible ; its width is 14 inch, but the lower mandible can be dilated to
21 inches. The tongue is 3} inches long, trigonal, and in all respects
similar to that of Ardea occidentalis. ‘The cesophagus is 24 inches in
length, opposite the larynx its width is 2? inches, it then gradually con-
tracts to the distance of 7 inches, becomes 1 inch 10 twelfths in width,
and:‘so continues until it enters the thorax, when it enlarges to 2 inches
and-so continues, ‘but at the proventriculus is 2} inches in breadth.
The stomach is roundish, a little compressed, 22 inches in diameter ;
its muscular coat thin, and composed of a single series of fasciculi, its
inner coat soft and smooth, but with numerous irregular ridges. ‘There
is a roundish pyloric lobe, 9 twelfths in diameter. The proventricular
glands form a belt 1 inch 4 twelfths in width; at its upper part are
10 longitudinal irregular series of very large mucous crypts, the right
lobe of the liver is 3 inches in length, the left 2 inches ; there is a gall-
600 NIGHT HERON.
bladder of a curved form, 14 inch in length, and 6 twelfths in its great-
est breadth. The intestine is 7 feet 74 inches in length; its great-
est width, in the duodenum, is 3} twelfths, at the distance of 3 feet, it
is 22 twelfths ; a foot and a half farther on it is scarcely 2} twelfths ;
and a half a foot from the rectum it is 2 twelfths ; it then slightly en-
larges. The rectum, including the cloaca, is 5 inches 9 twelfths in
_ length; there is a single ccecum, 5 twelfths long, and 23 twelfths in
width, the average width of the rectum is } inch, and it expands into
a globular cloaca 2 inches 2 twelfths in diameter. The duodenum
curves at the distance of 5 inches, then passes to the right lobe of the
liver, bends backward, and is convoluted, forming 22 turns, terminat-
ing in the rectum above the stomach.
The trachea is 21 inches in length, from 43 twelfths to 3 twelfths
in breadth, toward the lower part enlarged to 4 twelfths, finally con-
tracted to 3 twelfths. The rings are 252, with 4 terminal dimidiate
rings. ‘The right bronchus has 19, the left 20 half rings. The mus-
cles are in all respects as in Ardea occidentalis.
NIGHT HERON.
ARDEA NYCTICORAX, LINN.
PLATE CCXXXVI. Vol. III. p. 275.
Dr T. M. Brewer of Boston has favoured me with an interesting
notice respecting a tame individual of this species :—“ Although the ha-
bits of the Night Heron are thoroughly known to you, yet, as I have
had an opportunity of watching it in confinement and reduced to a state
of perfect domestication, if the following account affords you no addi-
tional information, it may perhaps serve to amuse you. In the summer
of 1835, I obtained three of the young of this bird, from the heronry
at Cambridge, which, so far from being an island, as mentioned by
Nurtrtatt in the passage quoted by you, is a swampy wood, not ten rods
from the public road, and united with the land on all sides excepting
one, on which is a small brook. I sueceeded in rendering them quite
tame in a short time. In their younger days they were quite voracious,
NIGHT HERON. 601
often swallowing large bull-frogs at once, and devouring a number at
a single meal; but after a month’s time, the only one which survived
so long lost the greater part of its greediness. They were not all par-
ticular as to their food, devouring anything of an animal nature that
was given to them, frogs, fish, flesh, liver, snakes, &e. The last-men-
tioned article of food was only once given to them, for although readily
eaten, it proved fatal to two of them, and nearly so to the third. What
made this result the more unexpected was, that the snake was the com-
mon and apparently innoxious Striped Snake. Although this Heron has
never been regarded as possessing any great share of sagacity, the sur-
viving bird certainly evinced, on many occasions, what seemed nearer to
reason than instinct. I have seen him, on perceiving a cat approach
his roost, hide himself until she came near enough, when he would all
at once start up, and extending his throat to its fullest capacity, utter
one of the most frightful cries, apparently enjoying puss’s alarm and
flight in the highest degree. Whenever attacked by any ofthe poultry,
he never manifested the least alarm, but waited their onset with the
greatest composure, knowing that he had only to open his mouth and
remonstrate, with one of his discordant gudks, to insure their speedy re-
treat. He was always very methodical in his movements, and also ap-
peared to possess a very tenacious memory as regarded some matters ;
for, in the course of the summer our pond becoming dry, it became ne-
cessary to remove him to another; but, whenever an opportunity pre-
sented, he did not fail to manifest his love of localities, by returning to
his accustomed haunts. Whenever I found him there, I used to draw
him back, and he would never fail to take precisely the same path,
which was none of the most direct, as he did the first time. Thus, for
instance, there was a cart in the way on the first occasion, and it was
necessary for him to go round it. It had been removed the second
time, and yet, on coming to where it had been, he would take a circui-
tous route, as if it still stood there. A pile of stones lay in his path,
which he had to jump over, and although they were removed in the
course of the summer, yet, on coming to where they had been, he would
stop, look around, and then give a jump, as if some obstacle were really
in the way. In this, however, he certainly shewed more method than
reasoning. As the month of October was passing away, he began to
-manifest great uneasiness, evidently shewing that the promptings of
602 NIGHT HERON.
nature told him the period of migration had arrived. In obedience to
these feelings, he repeatedly strolled off (his wing having been cut he
could not fly); but what was most unaccountable, all these attempts
were uniformly in the northern direction, shewing, as it would seem,
that experience is necessary, as well as instinct, to enable them to know
their proper route. In one or two of these attempts at migration, which —
were always made in the night, he very much alarmed some of the
neighbourhood by his incessant cries, which were mistaken for those of
persons supposed to have fallen into the adjacent brook. The stream
was several times examined, to no purpose, and no little curiosity, and
even alarm, was felt, to know the source of these midnight outcries.
The mystery was, however, solved, when one of the neighbours hap-
pened by accident to hear the genuine note, which had excited so much
anxiety, as our servant was one day bringing home the vagrant after
one of these rambling excursions. He continued for some time to ex-
cite the interest of visitors and the family, by his gaunt figure and un-
musical note, which yet was interesting from itssingularity. At length,
the memorable 16th of December, the coldest day ever known in New
England, put an end to his career, to the sorrow of many, although to
the gratification of others, who never forgave him the hoax he had played
off upon them.”
Female. The interior of the mouth as in the preceding species, but
the upper mandible more concave ; the width of the mouth 1 inch 1
twelfth ; the lower mandible dilatable to 1 inch 7 twelfths. Tongue
2 inches 1 twelfth long, trigonal, tapering, in all respects as in the other
species. (Esophagus, abc, 12 inches long ; at the commencement 2 in-
ches in width, at the distance of 24 inches it contracts to 1} inch, and
then continues of the width of 1 inch; on entering the thorax it enlar-
ges to 1 inch 8 twelfths, and in the proventricular part, 4 c, contracts to 1
inch 2 twelfths, which is also about the breadth of the stomach. The pro-
ventricular glands form a belt 10 twelfths in breadth. The walls:of the
stomach, d, are thin; its inner surface soft and nearly smooth, being
faintly rugous, inthe same tortuous manner as in the last species. _The
pyloric lobe, ¢, has a diameter of 3 inch, its mner surface smooth. The
lobes of the liver unequal, the right 1 inch 9 twelfths, the left 1 inch 5
twelfthsin length; the gallbladder of an ovate form, 1 inch long, mech in
a
breadth.
NIGHT HERON. 603
The duodenum, ¢/g, curves at the distance of 3 inches, and pro-
ceeds toward the liver. The
intestine, ghij, is then singu-
larly convoluted, forming 24
folds, and is 4 feet 5 inches in
length ; its width at the up-
per part 2? twelfths, gradu-
ally contracting to 1 twelfth ;
the rectum 5 inches long,
its average width 4 twelfths ;
the cloaca globular, 1 inch
9 twelfths in diameter ; there
is a single coecum 23 twelfths
long and 1 twelfth wide.
Trachea 84 inches long,
4 twelfths wide at the com-
mencement, 33 twelfths in
the greater part of its length,
at its lower part 23 twelfths.
The rings are firm, 135
with 4 dimidiate rings. Both
bronchi have 25 rings. The
muscles as in the preceding
species, but the inferior la-
ryngeal muscles extremely
slender, and inserted upon
the last tracheal and first
bronchial half ring.
( 604 )
REDDISH EGRET.
ARDEA RUFESCENS.
PLATE CCLVI. Vol. III. p. 411.
In this species a long series of elongated feathers commences at the
lower fourth of the neck, on each side above, the intervening space
being bare for the breadth of } inch; they pass directly down along
the back, terminating on the scapule, at the distance of 4 inch from
its extremity, gradually becoming more elongated, the first being 1
inch 8 twelfths in length, the last 14 inches. These feathers occupy a
ridge + inch in breadth at its lower part, and ought more peculiarly to
be named scapulars, for the feathers so called, which are also elongated
and tapering, run across the head of the humerus, close to its articula-
tion. These series are terminated by four large and broad feathers of
the ordinary texture. The elongated feathers on the fore part of the
neck also form two similar series on each side.
The mouth is as in the preceding species, its width 10 twelfths ; the
lower mandible dilatable to 1 inch 5 twelfths ; the tongue very small,
1 inch 7 twelfths in length, tapering to a fine point, but flattened, and
very thin. C&sophagus 18 inches long, 2 inches wide at the commence-
ment, 13 at the distance of 3 inches, after that uniformly 1 inch; on
entering the thorax it enlarges to 1 inch 3 twelfths; and between it
and the stomach is a contraction, the breadth of which is 9 twelfths.
The stomach is very small, of an irregular roundish form, 1 inch in dia-
meter, compressed ; its tendons 8 twelfths in breadth; the pyloric lobe
9 twelfths in length, 7 twelfths in width, being much more elongated
than in the other species. The proventricular glands are very small,
and form a complete belt 14 inch in breadth. The inner surface of the
stomach is soft and irregularly rugous, as in the other species ; that of
the pyloric lobe quite smooth. Right lobe of the liver 2 inches 2 twelfths
in length, left 2 inches; gall-bladder oblong, 14 inch long, and 5
twelfths in breadth. Intestine 6 feet long, forming 26 folds ; duodenum
21 twelfths wide ; the smallest diameter 1 twelfth; rectum 4$ inches
long ; its width 3 twelfths ; cloaca globular, 13 inch in diameter; coe-
cum 2 twelfths long, and of the same width.
LOUISIANA HERON. 605
Trachea 13 inches long, its breadth uniformly 3 twelfths. It is
considerably flattened, which is not the case with the other species.
The rings 180, and 4 dimidiate. Bronchial half rings 20 and 18. The
muscles as in the other species.
LOUISIANA HERON.
ARDEA LUDOVICIANA, Wits.
PLATE COXVII. Vor. III. p. 136.
Mate from Galveston Island. In all the Herons that are furnished
with elongated feathers on the fore part of the back, these feathers
form part of a series on each side, arranged in the line of the scapule,
and extending to the middle of the neck above. In all the Herons also,
when the neck is curved, the cesophagus and trachea pass above
the line of the vertebre at its lower part on the right side. The
mouth is in this as in the other species, its width 8 twelfths, the lower
mandible dilatable to 1 inch 1 twelfth. Tongue 1 inch 1 twelfth long,
flattened, thin ; grooved above, tapering to a point. (Esophagus 16
inches long, at its commencement 14 inch in width, soon after contract-
ing to 10 twelfths, and so continuing until it enters the thorax, where it
enlarges to 1 inch. The right lobe of the liver is 1 inch 11 twelfths in
length, the left lobe 14 inch; the gall-bladder 8 twelfths long, 3 twelfths
in breadth. The proventricular glands form a belt 10 twelfths in
breadth. The stomach is small, only 1 inch in diameter, its muscular
coat rather thick, the tendons roundish, half an inch in breadth ; the
pyloric lobe 72 twelfths long, 4 twelfths in diameter; the inner surface
of the stomach as in the preceding species. The intestine forms 30
folds, and measures 4 feet 7 inches in length; its greatest width
scarcely greater than that of a crow quill, being only 1 twelfth in the
duodenal part, and almost precisely uniform in its whole length. The
rectum is 34 inches long, 3 twelfths in width; the cecum 3 twelfths
long, 14 twelfth wide; the cloaca globular, 1 inch 2 twelfths in dia-
meter.
Trachea 124 inches long, of the uniform breadth of 2 twelfths, mo-
derately flattened. The rings firm, 218, and 4 dimidiate. Bronchial
half rings 20 and 18. Muscles as in the other species.
(606 »)
SNOWY HERON.
ARDEA CANDIDISSIMA.
PLATE CCXLII. Voz. III. p. 317.
Tue elongated feathers of the back are composed of two scapular
series, and of those crossing the humerus. The mouth as in the other
species. Tongue 1 inch 3 twelfths long, as in the last species. &so-
phagus 14 inches long, at the commencement 1 inch 9 twelfths in
width, contracting to 10 twelfths ; its greatest diameter within the tho-
rax 1 inch 4 twelfths; proventricular belt 8 twelfthsin breadth. Stomach
remarkably small, roundish, 10 twelfths in diameter, with a globular
pyloric: lobe, 44 twelfths in diameter ; its muscular coat thin, the ten-
dons 4 twelfths in breadth; the inner surface smooth and soft. Lobes
of the liver 1} inch and 14 inch in length; gall-bladder oblong, 9
twelfths long, 5 twelfths broad. Intestine 3 feet 101 inches. long, of
24 folds; its greatest width in the duodenal part13 twelfth, its smallest
near the rectum 1 twelfth. ‘The rectum’ is 2 inches 10 twelfths long,
2? twelfths in breadth ; the cloaca globular, 14 inch in diameter; the
coecum a small knob 1 twelfth long, and of the same. width.
Trachea 10 inches long, its average breadth 2} twelfths, consider-
ably flattened ; the rings 188, with 4 dimidiate. Bronchial half rings
18 and 16. Muscles as in the other species.
LEAST BITTERN.
ARDEA EXILIS, GMEL.
PLATE CCX. Voz. III. p. 77.
At Cayo Island, Oppelousas, 13th April 1837. Mr Harris saw a
flock of about twenty individuals of this species arriving from the west-
ward, before a heavy gale from that quarter, all of which plunged, as
it were, into the marsh, and hid themselves so closely, from fatigue or
LEAST BITTERN. 607
otherwise, that neither he nor the dog could raise one of them. We
have now observed several species of Herons arriving in the same
manner from the westward, and it seems that their stay in their roost-
ing places continues only for a night, as on going to the same spot on
the next day, none have been found. At Galveston Island, on the 26th
April, we saw many individuals of this species.
In an adult male preserved in spirits, the interior of the mouth is
of the same structure as in the other Herons; the tongue 1 inch 4
twelfths long, very slender, trigonal, tapering toa point. Width of
mouth 5 twelfths. Csophagus 8 inches long, its width at the upper
part 1 inch 2 twelfths, gradually tapering to 8 twelfths, and within the
thorax enlarged to 10 twelfths. Belt of proventricular glandules $
inch in breadth. Stomach large, 1 inch in diameter, its tendons 3
twelfths in breadth, its walls extremely thin, being quite membranous.
The contenis are three small fishes, and remains of others. Lobes of
the liver unequal, the right 14 inch, the left 1 inch in length; gall-
‘bladder 8 twelfths long, 23 twelfths in breadth. Intestine 2 feet 92
inches long, 3? twelfth wide in the duodenal portion, gradually dimi-
nishing to 4 twelfth ; cecum a small knob nearly 1 twelfth long, and
of the same breadth ; rectum 23 inches long, and 2 twelfths in width ;
cloaca globular, 4 inch in diameter. It forms 20 folds.
Trachea 6 inches long, 1 twelfth in breadth ; its rings 170, and 4
dimidiate. Bronchi very wide, of 12 rings.
CANADA GOOSE.
ANSER CANADENSIS, VIE1LL.
PLATE CCI. Voz. III. p. 1.
Mars, presented by Dr T. M. Brewer of Boston. The mouth is
1 inch 2 twelfths in width ; the anterior part of its roof, which is con-
cave, is beautifully marked with a middle tuberculated ridge, two late-
ral ridges of lamelliform tubercles, and between them a number of
608 CANADA GOOSE.
irregularly dispersed tubercles, besides the lateral lamellz properly so
called, of which there are 38 on each side ; the lamellx of the lower man-
dible are 50. The tongue is 22 inches long, fleshy, with a deep median
—
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groove, a lateral series of small, tapering, acute, reversed papille, and
a semicircular tip, having a very thin horny edge. The posterior aper-
CANADA GOOSE. 609
ture of the nares is oblongo-linear, 14 inch in length. The cesophagus, ab
ed, is 22 inches long ; for 12 inches its width is only 9 twelfths, but on en-
tering the thorax it expands, at b, to 1;°z inch, then contracts a little, in
the proventricular portion, cd, again enlarges to 13 inch, and finally to 13
inch. The stomach, de¢fg, is an extremely developed gizzard, of a trans-
versely elliptical form, placed obliquely, 44 inches in breadth, 2 inches
10 twelfths in length ; the left muscle 1 inch 9 twelfths thick, the right
2 inches ; the epithelium forms two transversely, elliptical, concave,
grinding surfaces, of great density (but is altogether wanting on the
rest of the inner surface, although this may have happened after death).
The proventricular glands are very small, cylindrical, 24 twelfths in
length, and form a belt 2 inches in breadth. The duodenum curves
at the distance of 8 inches, and there are formed 12 folds by the in-
testine, which is 10 feet in length, 10 twelfths in width at the upper
part, afterwards 74 twelfths, until towards the rectum, when it enlarges
to 9 twelfths. The cceca are 94 inches long, 7 twelfths in their great-
est width, but only 2 twelfths at the commencement, their extremity
narrow but obtuse. The rectum is 83 inches long ; there is no remark-
able cloacal enlargement.
The sternum is very similar to that of a Swan ; its length 64 inches,
its breadth at the anterior costal processes 3 inches; the height of the
crest 1 inch 10 twelfths. The liver is small, the left lobe, which is 3
inches in length, covering but a very small portion of the stomach ; the
right lobe is 5 inches in length ; the gall-bladder 2 inches 9 twelfths in
length, 8 twelfths in breadth, but contracted to 3 twelfths at the dis-
tance of 10 twelfths from the extremity, where it enlarges to about 5
twelfths. The heart is 3 inches long, 2} inches in breadth at the base.
The trachea measures 203 inches in length. At first it inclines a
little to the left side, then on the anterior concave curve of the neck
passes gradually to the right side, along which it proceeds as far as the
lower part of the convex curve, when it separates in front from the
neck, and forms a loop or abrupt curve, which is attached to the ante-
rior part of the sternum, between the coracoid bones, thus approximat-
ing to the trachea of the Swans, but not entering the crest of the ster-
num. It then passes directly along the spine to behind the middle of
the heart, where it bifurcates. In this respect also it is singular, in
being more elongated than in the other species, of which the bifurcation
is considerably anterior to the heart. At the commencement its
VOL. Vv. aq
610 BRENT GOOSE.
breadth is 6 twelfths; presently after it enlarges to 8 twelfths, ther
contracts to 6 twelfths, and so continues until it begins to form the loop,
on which its breadth is again 8 twelfths ; after this it gradually tapers,
so as to be only 23 twelfths wide at the inferior larynx, where its
depth, however, is 5 twelfths. The form of that part is much the same
as in the Swans, there being a similar elevated, bony, curved edge on
each side, projecting beyond the commencement of the membrane of
the bronchus, which is 3 inch in length before the first ring appears.
These membranes form a pretty large sac of a triangular form ;
and the continuation of the bronchus is extremely diminutive, with
only 10 very small and slender cartilaginous half rings. The la-
teral muscles are large ; their anterior part gives off the sterno-tracheal
at the distance of 21 inches from the inferior larynx ; but the posterior
part, which is much larger, runs down 1 inch farther, and then termi-
nates in a pointed form, not extending so far as to constitute an inferior
laryngeal muscle. ‘The rings of the trachea are broad, very firm, con-
siderably flattened, 220 in number.
BRENT GOOSE.
ANSER BERNICLA, Bonap.
PLATE CCCXCI. Vot. V. p.24.
‘A few years ago,” Mr Tuomas MacCuttocu writes to me, “a
Brant Goose, slightly wounded in the tip of the wing, was brought us,
but it rejected sea-grass and every thing else which was offered it, and
died in a few days after it came into our possession. Shortly after we
procured another which had been disabled in the same manner. Like
the first it rejected every thing but water, and would certainly soon
have shared the fate of its predecessor, had not my mother thrown a
handful of unshelled barley into the tub of water, in which it was ac-
customed to swim. The grain was immediately devoured by the bird,
with as much avidity as if it had been its usual fare ; and during the
time it remained with us, it would taste no other food. It having re-
EIDER DUCK. 611
covered the use of its wing, we usually placed it at night, for greater
security, in a room near the one in which the man-servant slept. This ar-
rangement, however, did not prove agreeable to all the parties concerned.
Though the Brent was perfectlysilent, yet the disposition for early rising
which it evinced by pattering about the floor sorely disturbed the Irish-
man’s predilection for a lengthened nap. ‘To relieve himself from the
annoyance, early one morning, when he thought there was no dan-
ger of detection, he let the bird free. It, however, no sooner found it-
self loose than it began to exult most loudly in its liberty, and my mo-
ther, who was awakened by the singular and unusual noise, rose and
lifted the blind, just as it took wing for the water, where doubtless it
soon rejoined its former companions. The time it was in our posses-
sion was too short to admit of many observations being made on its
habits. We remarked, however, that it was by no means deficient in
courage. When approached, it would lower its head, writhe its glossy
serpent-like neck, and, with open mouth, protruded tongue, and eyes
flashing with rage, prepare to defend itself, emitting at the same time a
strong hissing sound. This was the only noise which it made while in
our possession, and until the morning of its departure it was never
heard to use the hoarse call of the species.”
EIDER DUCK.
FULIGULA MOLLISSIMA, Bonar.
PLATE CCXLVI. Voz. III. p. 342.
Aputt Male, from Dr T. M. Brewer. The roof of the mouth is
broadly and deeply concave ; the posterior aperture of the nares linear,
10 twelfths long, margined with two rows of very pointed papille.
Tongue 2 inches long, convex above, with a large median groove,
fleshy, very thick, with a semicircular thin-edged horny tip; the
breadth at the base 4? twelfths, at the tip 4 twelfths; the sides with
two longitudinal series of bristles. The width of the mouth is 1 inch
3 twelfths. The cesophagus is 104 inches long, for 43 inches, its width
EIDER DUCK.
612
is 1 inch, it then enlarges so as to form what might be considered as a
kind of crop, 1 inch 7 twelfths in width; after this it continues of the uni-
form diameter of 1 inch, but in the proventriculus, Fig. 1, bc, enlarges to
Its muscular walls are very thick, and the external fibres con-
13 inch.
Nena
fl
| AK
EIDER DUCK. 613
spicuous, the inner coat longitudinally plicate. The left lobe of the
liver is 2 inches 2 twelfths Fig. 2.
long, the right lobe 4 inches.
The gall-bladder elliptical,
1 inch 5 twelfths in length,
11 twelfths in breadth. The
stomach, cdefgh, is a gizzard
of enormous size, placed ob-
Tritt ITT LULL
liquely transversely ellipti-
eal, its length 24 inches, its
breadth 3 inches. The pro-
ventricular glands are ex-
tremely numerous, and form
a belt 2 inches in breadth.
The left muscle of the sto- ¢
mach, de, is 1} inchthick, the e€
right, gh, 1 inch 2 twelfths ;
the epithelium very thick,
and of a horny texture, with
Ma
|
twoelliptical convex grinding
plates, of which the right is
2 inches in length, the left
1 inch 7 twelfths. Intes- ESS
tine 74 inches long; the Ms Z “ay
width of the duodenum, 47j, = 2
4 inch, diminishing to 5
twelfths ; the rectum, Fig. 2, ab, 7 twelfths in width; the cceca, cc, 34
inches long, 4 inches distant from the extremity; their greatest width
43 twelfths, for an inch at the base only 1 twelfth ; the cloaca very
slightly dilated, its breadth being only 8 twelfths.
The trachea is 91 inches long, nearly of the uniform width of 5 twelfths,
moderately flattened ; the rings 130, well ossified, ending in a trans-
versely oblong dilatation, projecting more toward the left side, 1 inch in
breadth, 3 inch in length. Bronchial half rings 32, the bronchi very
wide, rings very narrow and cartilaginous. The contractor muscles
are very large, and expanded over the whole anterior surface. At the
distance of 13 inch from the tympanum they give off the cleido-tracheal
muscles, and at the tympanum itself the sterno-tracheal.
iy,
—
("614° )
SCAUP DUCK.
FULIGULA MARILA, STEPH.
PLATE CCXXIX. Vol. III. p. 226.
Mater. Breadth of mouth 8 twelfths ; its roof broadly concave, with
a median prominent line, on which are four papilla, and at the ante-
rior part two very short prominent lines; on the upper mandible on
each side are 42 lamellz, not projecting beyond the margin, and about
90 on the lower mandible. Tongue 1 inch 8 twelfths long, fleshy, with
a deep groove above, a thin-edged series of lamellz on each side, the
tip somewhat semicircular and thin-edged. Q#sophagus 8 inches long,
its width from 5 twelfths to 4 twelfths, at the lower part of the neck
enlarged to 6 twelfths, on entering the thorax contracted to 3 twelfths ;
the proventriculus oblong, 10 twelfths in breadth. The stomach is a
very muscular gizzard, of a transversely elliptical form, placed oblique -
ly, 1 inch 8 twelfths long, 2 inches 3 twelfths broad; the right muscle
10 twelfths thick, the left 9 twelfths; the grinding surfaces of the epi-
thelium longitudinally rugous, and of a brownish-red colour. Lobes of
the liver 13 inch and 1 inch 1 twelfth long ; gall-bladder oblong, 1 inch
long by 4 twelfths. The intestine makes 16 turns; its length is 4 feet
7 inches, its width 4 twelfths; duodenal fold 3 inches; cceca 4 inches
9 twelfths long, only 13 twelfth in breadth, narrower at the base and
at the extremity ; rectum 3 inches 9 twelfths long, 33 twelfths wide.
Trachea 61 inches long, a little flattened, carinate behind at the
upper part, from 5} twelfths to 34 twelfths in breadth ; its rings mode-
rately firm, unless at the back part, where they are cartilaginous ; 108
in number, with about 8 more incorporated with the tympanum, which is
very large, of an irregular form, its projection on the right side having
a semicircular carina, and a great portion of it being membranous ; its
breadth 1 inch, its greatest height 1 inch 2 twelfths. Bronchi short,
one of 25 half rings, the other of 30. Muscles as usual in this family.
(: Gis) )
PINTAIL DUCK.
ANAS ACUTA, LINN.
PLATE CCXXVII. Vor. III. p. 214.
Mae. Width of mouth 8 twelfths ; its roof very deeply concave,
with a median prominent line, on which are 8 papille ; the lamella on
the upper mandible 50, and not reaching the margin ; those on the upper
edge of the lower mandible about 116. Tongue 2 inches 1 twelfth long,
fleshy, prominent at the base, with a narrow median groove, thinner
and broadly channelled toward the end, the edge thin and bristled, with
6 large papilla toward the base, on each side, the tip somewhat semi-
circular, very thin, and horny. C&sophagus 11 inches long, 4 twelfths
in width, at the lower part of the neck dilated to 8 twelfths, then con-
tracting to 4 twelfths ; the proventriculus 8 twelfths in breadth. The
stomach a very muscular oblique gizzard, 1 inch 11 twelfths in breadth,
1 inch 4 twelfths long, the right mnscle 9 twelfths, the left 11 twelfths
thick ; the epithelium with two very thick concave grinding plates. In-
testine 4 feet long, its average width 4 twelfths ; coeca 4 inches 9 twelfths
long, their greatest width 2 twelfths, narrow at the commencement and
toward the end, 3 inches from the extremity. Liver with the right
lobe 2 inches 8 twelfths long. The left 2 inches; gall-bladder 1 inch
long, 52 twelfths broad.
Trachea 83 inches long, narrow at the commencement, its breadth
being 23 twelfths, gradually enlarging to 44 twelfths ; then contracting
to 3 twelfths, and terminating in a transversely oblong bony dilatation,
projecting on the left side, with a rounded bulge similar to that of the
Dusky Duck and Teal. ‘The rings are firm, 140, besides about 8 which
are blended with the tympanum. Bronchial half rings 22 and 26. Mus-
cles as usual.
(616K)
GREEN-WINGED TEAL.
ANAS CRECCA, Linn.
PLATE CCXXVIII. Vot. III. p. 219.
Mate. Width of mouth 5 twelfths; upper mandible very deeply
concave, with a median prominent line, which is papillate for half its
length ; the lamellz of the upper mandible 55, projecting a little beyond
the margin, of the lower about 180, and extremely inconspicuous.
Tongue 13 inch long, fleshy, deeply grooved above, with thin lamel-
late margins, the tip semicircular, thin, and horny. CM£sophagus 63
twelfths long, its width 4 twelfths, at the lower part of the neck enlar-
ged to 7 twelfths, then contracting to 3 twelfths ; the proventriculus
oblong, 5 twelfths in breadth. Stomach a transversely elliptical, ob-
lique gizzard, 1 inch 1 twelfth long, 1 inch 3 twelfths broad, its late-
ral muscles extremely developed, the right 6 twelfths, the left 5 twelfths
in thickness, the inferior muscle narrow and prominent, as in all birds
of this family ; epithelium very dense, with two opposite concave grind-
ing surfaces. Intestine 3 feet 73 inches, with 16 folds, its general
width only 13 twelfth, enlarging here and there to 2 twelfths; ce-
ca 43 inches long, for 14 inch 1 twelfth in breadth, enlarging to 3
twelfths, and toward the extremity 2 twelfths. Rectum 2} twelfths
long, its width 23 twelfths. Right lobe of the liver 1 inch 5 twelfths,
the other 1 inch 2 twelfths.
Trachea 5 inches long, from 23 twelfths to 2 twelfths in width, mo-
derately flattened, ending in a transversely elongated tympanum, project-
ing to the left side, with a roundish thin bony prominence ; its greatest
breadth 8 twelfths, its length 3 twelfths ; the rings rather broad, firm,
115, besides a few blended with the tympanum. The muscles as usual.
Bronchial half rings 28 and 34.
©3657 “)
HARLEQUIN DUCK.
FULIGULA HISTRIONICA, Bonar.
PLATE CCXCVII. Vol. III. p. 612.
Mate from Dr T. M. Brewer. Width of mouth 9 twelfths ; its roof
deeply concave as in most other Ducks; the posterior aperture of the
nares oblongo-linear, 8 twelfths in length, margined with very slen-
der acute papille; the lamellz on each side of the upper mandible
about 35; those on the edge of the lower mandible about 60; the
tongue 1 inch 4 twelfths long, fleshy, broad, thick at the base, becom-
ing thin toward the end, with thin, fringed margins, and a semicircu-
lar tip. isophagus 7 inches 2 twelfths long, of the uniform width of
8 twelfths on the neck, the proventriculus 9 twelfths in breadth. Sto-
mach a strong muscular gizzard, 14 inch long, 1 inch 7 twelfths broad ;
the lateral muscles very large, the tendons covering almost its whole
surface ; the epithelium very thick, dense, with two opposite elliptical
flat grinding surfaces. The proventricular glands form a belt 1! inch
in breadth. The liver is very large, its lobes very unequal, the right
2 inches 8 twelfths long, the left 1 inch 8 twelfths. Intestine 583 in-
ches long, its average width 5 twelfths.
The trachea, which is 64 inches in length, has at first a breadth of
only 3 twelfths, but at the distance of three-quarters of an inch enlar-
ges to 43 twelfths, and so continues for 2 inches; it then contracts
to 22 twelfths, and again at the lower part enlarges to 54 twelfths, and
terminates in a large transverse bony dilatation or tympanum, of which
the length is 7 twelfths, the breadth 1 inch 2 twelfths ; it projects as
usual to the left side, where it is of a rounded form. The rings of the
trachea are 124, broad, firm, and well ossified. The bronchi are of mo-
derate width, of about 25 half rings. The lateral muscles are strong,
the sterno-tracheal of considerable size, coming off at the commence-
ment of the tympanum, and there are no inferior laryngeal muscles.
In a female, the intestine is 57 inches long ; its width in the duode-
nal part 3 twelfths; the coeca 4 inches long, 3 twelfths in breadth at
the widest part, at the base 1 twelfth, and toward the end 2 twelfths ;
their distance from the extremity 3 inches.
( 618 )
WOOD DUCK.
ANAS SPONSA, LINN.
PLATE CCVI. Vol. III. p. 52.
Dr Bacumay, who has kept a male of this species several years,
states that after moulting he is for six weeks of a plain colour, like the
young males, and the feathers gradually assume their bright tints.
Male. Width of mouth 8 twelfths ; the upper mandible is widely
concave, with a prominent line, on which are a few papillz ; there are
about 30 lamellz on each side of the upper mandible, of which only five
about the middle project beyond the margin, on the edge of the lower
are 35. The tongue is fleshy, 1 inch 5 twelfths long, papillate at the
base, contracted toward the middle, the edges thin and lamellate, the
tip semicircular, thin, and horny. C£sophagus 83 inches long, its width
uniformly 10 twelfths; the proventriculus 4 inches in breadth. The sto-
mach is a very large muscular gizzard of a transversely elliptical form,
placed obliquely, 1 inch 5 twelfths long, 1 inch 83 twelfths broad ; the
lateral muscles very thick, and forming a singularly thin edge ; the ten-
dons covering the whole surface ; the left muscle 7 twelfths thick, the
right 8 twelfths ; the epithelium very thick, dense, with two elliptical
grinding surfaces. Proventricular belt 1 inch 5 twelfths in breadth.
Lobes of the liver 1 inch 8 twelfths, and 2 inches 8 twelfths long. In-
testine 37 inches long, for a short space at the commencement, its width
is 4 twelfths, but presently contracts to 24 twelfths, and ultimately to
2 twelfths, being more slender than that of any other species of this
family examined. The coeca are 24 inches long, 13 twelfth in width,
and placed at the distance of 33 inches from the extremity.
Trachea 6 inches long, much flattened, of the uniform width of 3
twelfths ; its rings rather firm, 120 in number, of which about 15 at the
lower part are extremely narrow and distant in front. There is an ir-
regular transverse bony ovate dilatation, 10 twelfths in breadth, 6
twelfths in length, with its greatest protuberance to the left side, as is
usual, Bronchi of moderate length, the left of 28, the right of 30 half
rings. There are no inferior laryngeal muscles, and both the sterno-
tracheals come off on the right side, the left one winding behind the
right end of the tympanum.
( 619 )
HOODED MERGANSER.
MERGUS CUCULLATUS, LINN.
PLATE COXXXII. Vox. III. p. 246.
Dr Bacuman has favoured me with the following note respecting
this species :—“ On the 19th April 1838, at the plantation of Major
PorcuEs, on the Santee River, in South Carolina, I obtained an old
female Merganser and her five young ones, the latter apparently from
two to three weeks old. They were in a very small pond, and could
not be driven from it. As we approached, the female sunk deep into
the water, exhibiting only a very small portion of her back above the
surface, and swimming with neck outstretched and low along the water.
In endeavouring to drive the young to the high grounds, for the pur-
pose of capturing them, they all dived in various directions, like Grebes.
On conversing with an overseer, on the following day, he mentioned to
me that he had on the previous week obtained several of the young in
order to domesticate them, but having neglected to feed them on ani-
mal food they had all died. On the following day I met with two other
broods, each of five, and was also shewn a cypress tree (Cupressus disti-
cha) in the hollow of which a pair had been breeding during the pre-
sent season. As far as I could learn, they breed in similar situations
with the Summer Duck (Anas Sponsa), although generally a little ear-
lier. They were all peculiarly marked with two white spots behind the
wings on the back.
In an adult male, the width of the mouth is 74 twelfths ; the palate
is flat, as is the anterior part of the roof of the mouth, on which are two
longitudinal series of slender oblique lamellz, besides the prominent
tooth-like plates of the margins, of which there are 33 on the upper,
and about 40 on the lower mandible, on each side. Tongue 14 inch
long, and of the same form as in the other species. (Esophagus 71 in-
ches long, 1 inch in width in the greater part of its extent, 1 inch 2
twelfths within the thorax. The stomach is a gizzard of moderate
strength, 13 inch long, 13 inch in breadth ; its lateral muscles large,
being 7 twelfths in thickness; the epithelium dense, tough, and form
620 HOODED MERGANSER.
ing two flat grinding surfaces. The proventricular glands are very
small, forming a belt 1} inch in breadth. The intestine is 51 inches
long ; its width from 33 twelfths to 22 twelfths; the cceca 9 twelfths
long, 2 twelfths wide, 3 inches from the extremity ; the rectum 5 twelfths
wide, forming at the end a globular cloaca, 1 inch in width. Lobes of
the liver nearly equal, 27 inches in length; gall-bladder 3 inch long.
Trachea 63 inches long, much flattened, for 3 inches diminishing
from 33 twelfths to 2} twelfths, then enlarging to 43 twelfths; from
this place to the tympanum it is of a trigonal form, with an acute car-
nia anteriorly, and the rings are widely separated. There are 102 rings,
besides 8 which are united and form part of the tympanum, which is
of an irregular form, projecting anteriorly with a rounded bulge, and
dilated on the left side, its greatest breadth 9 twelfths. The bronchi
are of moderate length, the left with 32, the right with 26 half rings.
The muscles as in the other species; the contractor muscles exceeding-
ly large at the upper part.
RED-NECKED GREBE.
-PODICEPS RUBRICOLLIS, Latu.
PLATE CCXCVIII. Vol. III. p. 617.
Female from Dr T. M. Brewer. Length to end of tail 19 inches,
to end of wings 173, to end of claws 24]; wing from flexure 72; tail
13; extent of wings 32}; bill along the ridge 1}$; tarsus 2;% ; hind toe
zy, its claw 44; second toe 143, its claw #4 ; third toe 244, its claw 7% ;
fourth toe 23%, its claw 3%.
The mouth is narrow, 94 twelfths in width; the palate slightly con-
vex, with two faint lateral ridges on each side ; its anterior part ex-
tremely narrow, with three longitudinal ridges, the lower mandible still
narrower, and deeply channelled. Tongue 1 inch 7 twelfths long, slen-
der, tapering to a thin horny point, trigonal, as deep as broad, fleshy
and concave above, horny beneath. Gisophagus, abc, 102 inches long; its
width uniformly 3 inch along the neck; the proventriculus, bc, however, is
dilated to a very large ovate sac nearly 13 inch broad, 1 inch 9 twelfths in
621
RED-NECKED GREBE.
The stomach, ¢de/, is of enormous size, roundish, slightly
breadth.
ar coat reduced to a single
: its muscul
compressed, 24 inches in diameter
\\
622 RED-NECKED GREBE.
series of large fasciculi ; its tendons, ¢, circular, 9 twelfths in breadth ;
the epithelium thick, soft, longitudinally rugous. The proventricular
glands are of a cylindrical form, the largest being 3 inch long, and
1 twelfth in breadth; they form a complete belt 11 inch in breadth.
The inner coat of the stomach is destitute of epithelium, being quite
soft and smooth. The stomach, therefore, is in all respects similar to
that of the truly piscivorous birds, such as Divers and Herons, and
totally different in structure from that of the Coots, to which the Grebes
might be supposed to be allied, on account of the structure of their feet.
On the other hand, they differ from the Divers and Cormorants in the
form of the cesophagus, which in these birds is extremely wide, where-
as in the Grebes it is exceedingly contracted, and more resembles that
of the Coots, Gallinules, and Rails. The proventriculus is interme-
diate between that of the birds just mentioned, and the Cormorants.
There is a pyloric sac of small size, approximating to that of the Peli-
can family. The stomach is moderately distended with a great quan-
tity of feathers, apparently those of the bird itself, or of some species
of the same genus. These feathers are intermixed with vertebre of
small fishes, easily distinguishable by their concave surfaces and three
prominent spines. The duodenum curves round the stomach, return-
ing at the distance of 53 inches, ascending to the liver as usual, passing
down the right side; and forming several convolutions, the number of
turns being twelve. Its length is 33 inches; its width 4 inch at the
upper part, towards the rectum only 3 twelfths. The cceca are 2 inches
long, 2 twelfths in breadth, uniform, unless at the base, where they are
narrower ; their distance from the extremity 3 inches. The cloaca is
globular, 12 inch in diameter.
The trachea is 9; inches long, of the nearly uniform width of
3; twelfths, unless at the lower part, when it is narrowed to 2 twelfths ;
flattened in its upper half, and compressed in the lower ; the rings mo-
derately firm, 180 in number. The Grebes differ from almost all other
birds in having the bronchial rings complete and firmly ossified. In
the present species, they are only 8 in number, the remaining part of
the bronchi being membranous. There are the usual ecleido-tracheal
muscles ; the sterno-tracheal, part of which is continuous with the late-
ral muscles, but the inferior portion distinct, and attached to several of
the rings ; there is also a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles.
The jugular veins are of vast size, and toward the lower part of the
EARED GREBE. 623
neck form an immense dilatation ; that of the left side being distended
with coagulated blood to 9 twelfths of an inch, and so continuing until
it enters the heart. The other is } inch in breadth. In this respect
there seems to be an analogy to the diving mammifera, such as the
Seals and Dolphins.
EARED GREBE.
PODICEPS CORNUTUS, LINN.
PLATE CCLIX. Vot. III. p. 429.
Male. The mouth as in the last species, 41 twelfths wide; the
tongue 11 twelfths long, and similar to that of the Red-necked Grebe.
Esophagus 7 inches in length, along the neck only 4 twelfths broad ;
the proventriculus excessively large, ovate, 10 twelfths in breadth. The
stomach is an enormous sac, 2 inches long, 1} broad, a little compres-
sed, of the same structure as in the last species; its tendons 4 twelfths
in breadth. There is a small flattened pyloric lobe. The contents of
the stomach are feathers, and bones of fishes. There is in this species
a very distinct, thick, soft, bright red, longitudinally rugous epithelium.
The proventricular glands are of great size, the largest 3 twelfths long,
1 twelfth in breadth ; they form a belt 11 inch in breadth. The lobes
of the liver are very large, the left 2 inches 4 twelfths long, the right
2 inches; the gall-bladder oblong. The intestine forming 12 curves ;
its length is 49 inches, its breadth at the upper part 5 twelfths, dimi-
nishing to 3 twelfths; the cceca 2 inches long; their greatest width
2 twelfths, their distance from the extremity 1 inch 9 twelfths. Cloaca
globular, about 7 twelfths in width.
The trachea is 67 inches long, much flattened in its whole length,
excepting half an inch at the lower part; for half its length, it is
2 twelfths in breadth, then enlarges to 3 twelfths, and finally diminishes
to 11 twelfth. The rings are 184, firm. The bronchi are slender,
with the rings complete, ossified, 12 in number: the remaining part
being membranous. The muscles as in the last.
The jugular veins are not enlarged in this species.
( 624 )
PIED-BILLED DOBCHICK.
PODICEPS CAROLINENSIS, LatH.
PLATE CCXLVIII. Voz. III. p. 359.
Mate. Mouth 7 twelfths wide ; the palate flat, with two longitu-
dinal ridges on each side; the anterior part with three. The tongue
is 10 twelfths long, slender, slightly concave above, trigonal, tapering
to a thin horny point. Cisophagus 8 inches long, 4 inch in width
along the neck. The proventriculus, dc, forms a very large sac, as in the
other species, 10 twelfths in width ; but the stomach, cd ¢f, although '
still very large, is more muscular in structure, and approaches in cha-
racter to a true gizzard. It is of an irregularly elliptical form, 12 inch
long, 1} inch broad ; there are distinct lateral muscles 5 twelfths thick,
a very prominent inferior muscle, ¢, and large oblong tendons. The epi-
thelium is very thick, dense, tough,
with remarkably strong longitudi-
nal rugz, transversely fissured, and
also lining the large pyloric cavity,
fwhich is 8 twelfths in extent. The
proventricular glands are exceed-
ingly large, those in the middle
being 3 twelfths long, and 3 twelfth
broad ; they form a belt 14 inch in
breadth. The intestine forms 8
folds, and measures 31 inches in
length ; its width at the upper part
is 31 twelfths, at the lower 3
twelfths. The cceca are only 3
twelfths long, and 1 twelfth broad.
The cloaca is globular, and of mo-
derate size.
The trachea is 5 inches 10
twelfths long, much flattened ; 13 twelfth in breadth, toward the
lower part 2 twelfths, and lastly contracted to 12 twelfth ; the rings
150. The bronchi differ in this species from the rest in being com-
PIED-BILLED DOBCHICK. 625
posed of distinctly separated cartilaginous half rings, 15 in number.
The muscles as in the other species.
In another individual, a female, the stomach is of a regularly ellip-
tical form, 1 inch 9 twelfths long, 13 inch in breadth; the muscular
coat of moderate thickness, composed of strong fasciculi; the epithe-
lium thinner and more corrugated. The stomach contains a great
quantity of feathers, scales of fishes, numerous elytra of aquatic coleop-
tera, and a fish 3 inches long, and 11 twelfths in depth.
It is very remarkable, and equally singular, that all the Grebes
should have the stomach distended with feathers. These bodies being
indigestible, and not the remains of objects devoured, for none of these
birds prey upon birds, must be swallowed for the purpose of aiding di-
gestion ; but in what manner they accomplish this object is not easily
determinable. They may keep the stomach distended by their elasticity,
but why should that organ require to be more so than that of the Divers,
which live on the same sort of food ?
RED-THROATED DIVER.
COLYMBUS SEPTENTRIONALIS, LINN.
PLATE CCII. Vot. III. p. 20.
Tue width of the mouth is 10 twelfths ; but the lower jaw is dila-
table to 14inch. On the palate are two papillate ridges, with two series
of papille on each side of the posterior aperture of the nares, which is
oblongo-linear, 1} inch long, and margined with papille. On the ante-
rior part of the upper mandible are three ridges. The tongue is 1 inch
8 twelfths long, very slender, trigonal, flat above, tapering to a horny
point. Gsophagus, abc, 14 inches in length, at its commencement 1} inch
in width, but at the lower part of the neck enlarging to 2 inches; on
entering the thorax it contracts to 13 inch ; the proventriculus, 4c, again
enlarges to 2 inches, forming a very large ovate sac. The lobes of the
liver are very large and nearly equal, the length of the one being 3 inches
10 twelfths, that of the other 3 inches 8 twelfths. The stomach, cde,
is rather large, roundish, 1 inch 9 twelfths in diameter, a little com-
VOL. V. Rr
626
RED-THROATED DIVER.
pressed, its lateral muscles rather thin, the lower somewhat prominent.
Its contents are remains of fishes, and a great quantity of small stones
and pebbles.
The epithelium is pretty thick, dense, with numerous
Fig. 1.
Fig. 2.
‘yy
LER]
yn aE ny
\\
longitudinal ruge. The proventricular glands form a belt 1 inch 10
twelfths in breadth. The intestine is 4 feet 11 inches long; its ave-
BLACK GUILLEMOT. 627
rage with 8 twelfths. The ceca, Fig. 2, cc, 2} inches long, 41 twelfths
broad, towards the end 6 twelfths, with the extremity rounded. The
rectum is 2 inches long, with a globular cloaca, 5, 13 inch in diameter.
Trachea 113 inches long, much flattened, from 6 twelfths to 4
twelfths in breadth ; the rings 145, with 2 dimidiate. Bronchi mode-
rate, of 20 half rings. Lateral muscles strong ; a single series of in-
ferior laryngeal muscles going to the last half ring of the trachea.
BLACK GUILLEMOT.
Uria GrytLe, Lata.
PLATE CCXIX. Vot. III. p. 148.
Mate from Dr T. M. Brewer. The palate is flat, with two pa-
pillate ridges, and a series of papille on each side, parallel to the pos-
terior aperture of the nares, which is linear, and 10 twelfths long ;
the anterior part concave, with five prominent lines. Tongue 13 inch
long, slender, tapering, trigonal, horny beneath, papillate at the base,
and channelled towards the extremity, the tip pointed and thin-edged.
(Esophagus 63 inches long, 9 twelfths in width along the neck, within
the thorax dilated into an enormous sac, 2 inches in length, 1} in
breadth. The stomach is rather large, 14 inch long, 13 broad; the epi-
thelium dense, tough, light red, with strong longitudinal ruge. The
proventricular glands form a belt 11 inch in width, extending over the
wider part of the sac. The left lobe of the liver is 21 inches long, the
right lobe 3 inches; the gall-bladder 9 twelfths long, 44 twelfths in
breadth. The intestine is 4 twelfths in width ; the cceca 1 inch 4 twelfths
long, 3} twelfths in their greatest breadth, 24 inches distant from the
extremity; the cloaca ovate, 10 twelfths long. ‘Trachea 4 inches 4
twelfths long, from 4 twelfths to 24 twelfths in breadth ; the rings 115.
Bronchial half rings 26. The tracheal rings are feeble, unossified,
narrow in the middle and behind, as in the Auks, Gulls, Terns, and
generally in all birds of which the rings are unossified. There are
cleido-tracheal muscles, lateral muscles, sterno-tracheal, and a single
pair of inferior laryngeal.
( 628 )
RAZOR-BILLED AUK.
Atca Torp4é, Linn.
PLATE CCXIV. Voz. III. p. 112.
On the palate are several series of reversed papilla, and two longi-
tudinal papillate ridges; on its anterior part are five prominent lines ;
the posterior aperture of the nares linear, 1 inch in length; width of
mouth 11 twelfths. Tongue 14 inch long, fleshy, slender in its whole
length, trigonal, flat above, with a median groove, and tapering to a
very thin horny point. (Esophagus 83 inches long, its width along the -
neck 10 twelfths, but within the thorax it forms an enormous sac 34
inches long, 1 inch 11 twelfths in breadth; the proventricular glands
very numerous, forming a complete belt 34 inches in length, and occu-
pying almost the whole of the sac above mentioned. Stomach very
small, 10 twelfths long, 9 twelfths in breadth ; its muscular coat thin,
the tendons round, and about 5 twelfths in breadth; the epithelium
thin, dense, and longitudinally rugous. Intestine 53 inches long, its
average width 5 twelfths; the coeca 9 twelfths long, 13 twelfth in
breadth, 2 inches 1 twelfth distant from the extremity ; cloaca globular,
and about 1 inch in diameter.
Trachea 5 inches long, from 43 twelfths to 3 twelfths in width, a
little flattened; its rings 95, unossified. Bronchi very wide, of 18
half rings. Cleido-tracheal muscles, lateral muscles, sterno-tracheal
slips, and a single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles.
629
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT.
PHALACROCORAX DILOPHUS.
PLATE CCLVIII. Vot. III. p. 420.
Female. The mouth of this bird, and those of the other Cormo-
rants, differ from those of all the birds hitherto examined and de-
scribed in these volumes, in having the posterior aperture of the
nares placed much farther forward, commencing nearly opposite the
anterior angle of the eye, and in this species only 10 twelfths long,
with a very prominent ridge on each side, running backwards over the
hind part of the palate, which is flattened The width of the mouth
is 1 inch 4 twelfths; but the lower jaw can be dilated to 2 inches, there
being a joint on each side at the base, as in Herons. The tongue is a
very diminutive ovato-lanceolate, thin, strongly carinate body, 3 inch
in length, 3 twelfths in its greatest breadth, with two basal knobs
placed close together. Esophagus 16 inches long, at its commence-
ment 24 inches in width, afterwards 2 inches; contracting to 13 inch as
it enters the thorax, and again dilated into a sac 2! inches in width, a 6,
which is directly continuous with the stomach, that organ seeming to
form its fundus. Its muscular fibres are very distinct, the external be-
ing transverse, the internal longitudinal ; the inner coat is thrown into
prominent longitudinal plice. The stomach, bcd, is of a roundish form,
2 inches 2 twelfths in diameter ; its muscular coat extremely thin, being
reduced to a single series of slender muscular fibres; the inner coat
quite smooth and soft, as is that of the pyloric lobe, d, whichis 4 inch in
diameter. The proventricular glands, which are very numerous, form
a belt, of which the greatest breadth is 1 inch 9 twelfths, but at one
place only 1j inch. The lobes of the liver are extremely unequal, the
right being 4 inches, the left only 2; the gall-bladder 1 inch 9 twelfths in
length, oblong, 4 twelfths in breadth. The duodenum, d e/g, which is 34
twelfths in breadth, curves upwards at first to the length of 9 twelfths,
d¢, then bends round the stomach, ascends on the left side to the upper
part of the proventriculus for the length of 64 inches, retraces the same
course until it reaches the liver, then passes down the right side, and
630
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT.
\
qn” Fo
( (ee
(a
DOUBLE-CRESTED CORMORANT. 631
is convoluted, forming twelve turns inall. It measures 5 feet 10 inches
in length ; its width in the duodenal part is 43 twelfths, afterwards 3
twelfths ; the ccoeca, 77, 6 twelfths long, 3 twelfths broad, 4 inches from
the extremity ; the rectum, 774, for 3 inches has a width of 43 twelfths,
and terminates in a globular cloaca, 4, 1 inch 10 twelfths in width.
The trachea is 11 inches long, from 53 twelfths to 44 twelfths in
breadth, considerably flattened ; its rings moderately firm, broad, 138,
with 2 additional half rings. Bronchi of moderate width, one with 20,
the other with 22 half rings. Lateral muscles large, as are the sterno-
tracheal slips. ‘
This species has a slender trigonal bone 103 twelfths in length, ar-
ticulated to the crest of the occipital bone. The anterior part of the
cerebrum tapers to a point much in the same manner as in the Turkey
Buzzard, forming a similar lobe, 4 twelfths in height at its base, from
the extremity of which comes off the olfactory nerve, which is about the
5th part of a twelfth in breadth, runs a course of half an inch along the
septum of the eyes, and is distributed to the membrane of the nasal
cavity, which is of a triangular form, 6 twelfths in length, 5 twelfths
in breadth, with a single large turbinated bone. The external aper-
ture of the nostrils is completely obliterated, its place being filled by
bony matter. The large branch of the 5th pair of nerves passes in its
usual direction to the anterior part of the upper mandible.
( 632 )
FLORIDA CORMORANT.
PHALACROCORAX FLORIDANUS.
PLATE CCLII. Voz. III. p. 387.
Male. The mouth presents the same appearance as that of the
last species ; the posterior aperture of the nares is 11 twelfths in length ;
the tongue 6 twelfths long, and exactly of the same form. (Esophagus
14 inches long; its width at the commencement 24 inches, along the
neck 1 inch 8 twelfths ; within the thorax it forms a sac of enormous
size, 2 inches 2 twelfths in breadth, of which the stomach, as in the
other species, seems to form the fundus. The stomach is 2 inches in
diameter, in all respects similar to that of the last species, with a pylo-
ric lobe 4 inch in diameter. The proventricular glands form a belt 2
inches 2 twelfths in breadth, but at one place entirely separated, with
an interval of 3 inch, in which there are no glands, and at another for
} inch, being thus disposed in two circular masses, as in Phalacrocorax
Carbo. 'The intestine curves precisely as in the species above described,
at first ascending for } inch, and forming 15 curves; its length is 5 feet
2 inches, its width from 4 twelfths to 3 twelfths ; the cceca 44 twelfths
long, 3 twelfths wide, 5 inches distant from the extremity ; the cloaca
globular, 1 inch 5 twelfths wide.
Trachea 10 inches long, from 5 twelfths to 4 twelfths in breadth,
slightly flattened ; the rings moderately firm, 148, with 2 additional
half rings. Bronchi with 20 half rings. Cleido-tracheal muscles, lateral
muscles, sterno-tracheal, and a single pair of inferior laryngeal.
The lobes of the liver are extremely unequal, the right 3 inches 2
twelfths, the left 2 inches in length; gall-bladder oblong, 1 inch 4
twelfths long, 4 twelfths in breadth.
A young bird taken from the nest, 113 inches long, has its mouth
10 twelfths wide, but with the lower mandible dilatable to the extent
of 13 inch, The length of the cesophagus and stomach is 8 inches;
these organs are of enormous width, that of the former being 1 inch 2
twelfths, and the stomach and proventriculus together form a vast sac
33 inches in length, and 2 inches in diameter when inflated. The pro-
FLORIDA CORMORANT. 633
ventricular glands are disposed in two roundish masses, separated by
an interval of half an inch; one of these masses is 2} inches in breadth,
and 14 inch in length. The intestine is 5 feet 2 inches long, 3 twelfths
in breadth; the coeca 4 twelfths long, 3 twelfths wide; the cloaca 1
inch in diameter; the gland 9 twelfths long, 8 twelfths in breadth, hol-
low, with its inner surface corrugated ; it opens by a single aperture
into the upper posterior part of the cloaca.
The nostril is still open, linear, 2 twelfths long, 4 twelfth in
breadth. The posterior aperture of the nose is 6 twelfths in length,
and there is a free communication between the anterior and the poste-
rior openings, passing from the former obliquely backwards; and a sinus,
4 twelfths in length, proceeds as far as the edge of the orbit. The an-
terior part of the cerebrum gives off the olfactory nerve, which runs
along the septum of the orbit, like a thread, a quarter of a twelfth in
breadth, and is distributed upon the membrane of the nasal cavity, some
of its branches extending along the interior of the mandible.
We have seen that in the adult Cormorant, of which the external
nares are completely closed, the nasal cavity of moderate size, and com-
municating with that of the mouth, the nasal membrane is supplied
with filaments of an olfactory nerve, not very much inferior in size’ to
that of the Turkey Buzzard and Raven, which are supposed by some to
smell their prey at enormous distances: yet the Cormorants, it appears,
cannot possibly smell, as the air does not pass through their nasal cavi-
ties.
( 684 )
FRIGATE PELICAN.
TACHYPETES AQUILUS, VIEILL.
PLATE CCLXXI. Vox. III. p. 495.
Male. As in the Gannets and Pelicans, the cells of the subcuta-
neous cellular tissue are extremely large and distensile. The mouth is
very wide, its breadth being 1 inch 7 twelfths, opening to nearly beneath
the posterior angle of the eye. The palate is convex, with two horny
thin-edged ridges, and anteriorly a median ridge of the same kind ex-
tending to the tip. The posterior aperture of the nares is linear, 1}
inch in length. The lower mandible is extremely narrow toward the
end, and deeply grooved, with a kind of joint on each side near the base,
rendering it capable of being extended to 2 inches 5 twelfths. The
tongue is similar to that of the Pelicans, Gannets, and Cormorants, be-
ing exceedingly small, 73 twelfths in length, fleshy, flattened, 44 twelfths
in breadth at the base, 2 twelfths at the middle, the tip obtuse. The
nostrils, which are situated at the commencement of the groove on each
side of the ridge, are so inconspicuous as to be with difficulty detected,
being quite linear, 33 twelfths long, and covered above by a membranous
edge. The aperture of the ear is of moderate size, 3 twelfths in width ;
that of the eye is 3 inch.
The heart is of an ovate form, broader and rounder than usual, its
length 1 inch 43 twelfths, its breadth 1 inch 2 twelfths. The lobes of
the liver are very unequal, the right being 2 inches 1 twelfth long, the
left 1 inch 5 twelfths; the gall-bladder oblong, 9 twelfths in length,
5 twelfths in breadth.
The cesophagus, abc, is 113 inches long, at the commencement 23
inches in width, presently contracting to 1 inch 9 twelfths, at the lower
part of the neck expanded to 2 inches, within the thorax 1 inch 4 twelfths;
the proventriculus, 6c, 1 inch 5 twelfths, its belt of glandules complete,
1 inch 2 twelfths in breadth, 7 prominent ruge. The stomach, cd, is very
small, roundish, 1 inch 4 twelfths in diameter, considerably compres-
sed ; its muscular coat very thin, consisting of a single series of fasci-
culi; the tendons circular, 4 inch in diameter ; its inner coat soft and
corrugated, several of the proventricular ruge running down upon it.
The walls of the ceso-
phagus are of moderate
thickness, the external
transverse fibres dis-
tinct, the
longitudinally plaited.
The stomach differs from
that of all the other Pe-
lecanine in having no py-
The duode-~
num also, d ¢ 7, does not
at first pass forward, but
directly curves round the
stomach, returning at the
distance of 24 inches,
and the intestine, de fg
hi, is convoluted with 9
folds. It is 36 inches
long, 5 twelfths wide in
the duodenal portion,
contracts to 3 twelfths ;
the coeca are two small
knobs 2 twelfths long,
13 twelfth in breadth ;
the rectum 3
inner coat
loric lobe.
inches
long, for Linch 8 twelfths
its width is 34 twelfths,
the remaining part form-
ing a globular cloaca 14
inch in diameter.
The trachea is 82
inches long, its width
at the commencement
43 twelfths, presently
after 4 twelfths, con-
tracting to 32 twelfths.
It is a little flattened :
FRIGATE PELICAN.
S
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636— GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL.
the rings 112, cartilaginous. The inferior larynx is greatly expanded
antero-posteriorly, and the first dimidiate ring is 5 twelfths in extent,
with a somewhat smaller ring beyond it. The lateral muscles are very
slender ; the sterno-tracheal, which passes off at the distance of 4 inch
from the bifurcation, is strong ; there is a slender slip on each side go-
ing to the bronchial membrane. The bronchi are wide, and formed of
20 half rings.
The sternum is extremely singular, on account of its great width
and concavity, compared with its length; the latter being only 22
inches, while the breadth at the anterior costal processes is 24 inches.
The crest is thus extremely short, but of considerable height, its most
prominent part being 104 twelfths. The coracoid bones are remark-
ably large, and so firmly fixed in the joint as to have just the slightest
perceptible motion. The furcula is also very large and wide, of the
form of the letter U, its crura at their union forming a large mass of
solid bone, continuous with the crest of the sternum. The posterior
edge of the sternum has a very slight sinus on each side.
Now, in this bird, which is confessed to be inferior to none in its
power of flight, the sternal crest is not nearly so prominent as that of a
Grouse or Partridge, so that the supposed indication which this part af-
fords of vigorous flight is evidently fallacious. The sternum, although
much shorter, resembles that of the Pelicans, Cormorants, and Anhin-
gas, as well as in a less degree of the Gannets.
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL.
LARUS MARINUS, LINN.
PLATE CCXLI. Voz. III. p. 305.
Male, from Dr T. M. Brewer. The mouth is of moderate width,
its breadth being 1 inch 9 twelfths ; the palate flat, with two very pro-
minent papillate ridges, and four series of intervening papillz ; on the
upper mandible beneath are five ridges, and the horny edges are promi-
nent and thin, but very strong; the posterior aperture of the nares li-
near, 1 inch 9 twelfths long. The tongue is 2 inches 2 twelfths in length,
GREAT BLACK-BACKED GULL. 637
fleshy above, horny beneath, rather narrow, deeply channelled, the base
emarginate and finely papillate, the tip narrowly rounded.
The left lobe of the liver is larger than the right, which, however, is
more elongated, being 4 inches in length, the other 3 inches ; the gall-
bladder oblong, 1 inch 2 twelfths by 7 twelfths. There is a large ac-
cumulation of fat under the parietes of the abdomen, and appended to
the stomach.
The cesophagus is 14 inches long; at the commencement its width
is 23 inches, it then contracts to 1 inch 9 twelfths, at the lower part of
the neck enlarges to 2 inches, and towards the proventriculus to 22
inches ; it then suddenly contracts at the commencement of the sto-
mach. This organ is rather small, and of an oblong form, 22 inches
long, 1 inch 9 twelfths broad ; the lateral muscles of moderate size, the
inferior prominent, the tendons large and radiated; the epithelium ex-
tremely dense, thick, with strong longitudinal ridges, and of a bright
red colour. It contains remains of crabs. The proventricular glands,
which are very small, being 11 twelfth in length, and i twelfth broad,
form a belt 1; inch in breadth, traversed by very prominent rugz, con-
tinuous with those of the stomach. The inner membrane of the ceso-
phagus is strongly plaited, and that part is capable of being distended
to 3 inches. The intestine is 50 inches long, its greatest width 41
twelfths ; the coeca 3 inch long, } inch wide, their distance from the
extremity 5 inches ; the rectum is 8 twelfths in width, and the cloaca
forms a globular dilatation 1} inch in diameter.
The trachea is 12 inches long ; at the top 7 twelfths wide, gradu-
ally contracting to 4} twelfths, considerably flattened, its rings slightly
ossified, 148 in number, of moderate breadth, very thin, contracted in
the middle line before and behind; the last half ring is large, mode-
rately arched. In this, as in all the other Gulls, there is a pair of slen-
der muscles arising from the sides of the thyroid bone in front, sepa-
rating from the trachea, attaching themselves to the subcutaneous cel-
lular tissue, and inserted into the furcula. Another pair arise from the
same bone in front, spreading over the whole anterior surface of the
trachea, then become collected on the sides, send off a slip to the costal
process of the sternum, and continue narrow, to be inserted into the
last arched half ring of the trachea; thus forming what is called a
single pair of inferior laryngeal muscles. Bonchi wide, each with 28
half rings.
( 688 )
HERRING GULL.
LARUS ARGENTATUS, Brunn.
PLATE CCXCI. Vox. III. p. 588.
Male. The mouth is of the same structure as in Larus mari-
nus, 1 inch 4 twelfths in width. The tongue is 1 inch 10} twelfths
long, and similar to that of the species just named. Lobes of the liver
3 inches, and 3} inches ; gall-bladder 1 inch 4 twelfths long, 8 twelfths
wide. (Esophagus 102 inches long, at the commencement 2 inches
wide, on the neck 1 inch 10 twelfths, and within the thorax 2 inches;
it is thus very wide, and its walls are of moderate thickness, the mus-
cular fibres distinct, and the inner coat longitudinally plicate. The
stomach is proportionally small, of an elliptical form, 2 inches long,
1 inch 9 twelfths in breadth, its lateral muscles thin. It contains bones
and scales of fishes. The epithelium in all respects as in Larus mari-
nus. Coeca 3 inch long, 3 twelfths broad ; cloaca globular, 13 inch in
diameter. ‘Trachea 10 inches long, from 5 twelfths to 4 twelfths in
breadth, moderately flattened, its rings 150, feeble. Bronchi wide,
each of 28 half rings.
COMMON AMERICAN GULL.
LARUS ZONORHYNCHUS, RicHaRDsoN.
PLATE CCXII. Vol. III. p. 98.
Female, from Dr T. M. Brewer. Mouth 1 inch 1 twelfth in width;
palate with two very prominent papillate ridges, the space between
which is covered with reversed papillz, its anterior part with five pro-
minent lines, and moderately concave; the posterior aperture of the
nares, oblong-linear, 11 twelfths in length. ‘Tongue 1 inch 5 twelfths
long, emarginate and finely papillate at the base ; its sides nearly pa-
rallel as far as the middle, its breadth being 3 twelfths, then tapering
COMMON AMERICAN GULL. 639
to a narrow emarginate point, and trigonal. (Esophagus 7 inches
long, extremely wide, its breadth being 1} inch; that of the proven-
triculus 1 inch 9 twelfths. The stomach is rather small, elliptical,
1 inch 5 twelfths long, 1 inch 2 twelfths broad ; its lateral muscles dis-
tinct and of moderate size, the lower prominent, the tendons large, the
epithelium dense, with very prominent large ruge ; the inner coat of the
cesophagus is longitudinally plicate ; the proventricular belt 1 inch in
breadth, with six broad plates: Intestine 30 inches long, its width at
the upper part 5 twelfths, diminishing to 2} twelfths, cceca 3 twelfths
long; 1 twelfth broad, 3 inches distant from the extremity, rectum
5 twelfths broad, with a globular cloaca 9 twelfths in diameter. The
duodenum curves at the distance of 21 inches, advances toward the liver
in the usual manner, and is afterwards very regularly coiled in an el-
liptical form, with 10 bends. Trachea 5 inches long, from 3 twelfths
to 21 twelfths in breadth, not flattened, its rings slightly osseous, 130.
Bronchi wide, of 20 half rings. The lateral and sterno-tracheal mus-
cles are slender, and a slip on each side extends to the last half ring of
the trachea.
CAYENNE TERN.
STERNA CAYANA, LaTH.
PLATE CCLXXIII. Vo. III. p. 505.
ue width of the mouth is 11 inch; the palate flat, with 2 promi-
nent papillate ridges, the anterior part with five faint elevated lines ;
the posterior aperture of the nares linear, 1} inch long, margined with
papilla. Tongue 1 inch 11 twelfths long, narrow, fleshy above, horny
beneath, channelled, and tapering to a slit horny point. C&sophagus
9 inches long, at its commencement 1 inch 9 twelfths wide, presently
after 14 inch, then contracting to 14 inch, and within the thorax en-
larging to 1} inch. In its form and structure it is exactly similar to
that of the Gulls. The stomach is of moderate size, 2 inches long,
1 inch 9 twelfths broad; its lateral muscles rather thin ; the epithelium
640 CAYENNE TERN.
thin but very dense, longitudinally rugous, and of a bright red colour.
The proventricular glands, which are very numerous and small, form a
belt only 7 twelfths in breadth. The lobes of the liver are unequal,
the right 2} twelfths, the left 21 twelfths in length; the gall-bladder
8 twelfths long, 41 twelfths broad. The intestine measures 34 inches
in length, 6 twelfths in width at the upper part, contracting to 3
twelfths. Cceca 41 twelfths long, 2 twelfths wide; their distance from
the extremity only 2} inches; rectum 4 twelfths wide, but enlarging in-
to a globular cloaca 10 twelfths in diameter.
The trachea is 61 inches long, very wide at the top where it mea-
sures 6 twelfths, gradually diminishing to 3 twelfths ; its rings unossi-
fied, very feeble, contracted before and behind, in the middie being 112
in number. Bronchi large, one with 28, the other with 30 half rings.
The muscles exactly as in the Gulls.
In the cesophagus, stomach, and intestine, this bird, as well as the
other Terns, is precisely similar to the smaller Gulls, as it is also in the
form, structure, and muscles of the trachea. In these respects, the
Terns also resemble the Shear-Water. The bill of the Cayenne Tern
evidently indicates an affinity to the Phztons, and in a less degree to
the Gannets, as does the head, which is very large in proportion to the
bird. On the other hand, as regards the bill, the affinity is to the
larger Gulls and the Shear-Water. The feet resemble those of the
Gulls, but are proportionally smaller, these birds being more volatorial,
and the Gulls combining that character with an affinity to the Wading
Birds, while the Shear-Water exhibits the abbreviated feet of the purely
Flying birds in a still greater degree.
(64h
SOOTY TERN.
STERNA FULIGINOSA, LATH.
PLATE CCXXXY. Vol. IIT. p. 263.
Female. The mouth is formed as in the Cayenne Tern; its width
84 twelfths. Tongue 1 inch 4 twelfths long, emarginate and papillate
at the base, very slender, channelled above, horny beneath, tapering to
apoint. (Esophagus 63 inches long, 1 inch wide at the commencement,
9 twelfths along the neck, but within the thorax dilated into an enor-
mous sac 1 inch 9 twelfths in width. Stomach exceedingly small, being
only 103 twelfths long, 7 twelfths broad; its muscles very thin, the
epithelium strong, longitudinally rugous, and of a bright red colour.
The belt of the proventricular glands only 3 twelfths in breadth.
The walls of the cesophagus are extremely thin, so as to be membra-
nous and transparent. Lobes of liver 1 inch 9 twelfths, and 1 inch
2 twelfths long ; gall-bladder 3 inch long, 3 twelfths broad. Intestine
15 inches long, 3 twelfths broad at the commencement, diminishing to
2 twelfths ; coeca 1 inch 2 twelfths long, their greatest width 13 twelfth,
at the base only ? twelfth; in form and proportion they are thus like
those of the genus Lestris; their distance from the extremity 2 inches,
cloaca globular, 9 twelfths in diameter.
Trachea 4 inches long, from 24 twelfths to 13 twelfth in breadth,
roundish, the rings 95, unossified. Bronchi very wide, of 28 rings.
Muscles as in the other species.
VOL. V. ss
( 642 )
NODDY TERN.
STERNA STOLIDA, LINN.
PLATE CCLXXV. Vo. III. p. 516.
Winrn of mouth 9 twelfths. Tongue 1 inch 3 twelfths long, very
slender, tapering to a horny point, grooved above, emarginate and pa-
pillate at the base. Csophagus 4 inches 4 twelfths long, its width
along the neck 8 twelfths, within the thorax dilated as in the last spe-
cies, its breadth 1 inch 1 twelfth; the proventricular belt 4 twelfths
broad. Stomach very small, 10 twelfths long, 8 twelfths in breadth, of
the same structure as in the last. Lobes of liver 1 inch 2 twelfths and
11 twelfths ; gall-bladder oblong, 6 twelfths in length, 3 twelfths in
breadth. Intestine 13 inches long, 23 twelfths wide at the commence-
ment, 15 twelfth towards the rectum; cceca 2} twelfths long 4 twelfth
wide, 13 inch from the extremity; cloaca ovate, 7 twelfths in width.
Trachea 3 inches long, from 22 twelfths to 14 twelfth in breadth,
roundish ; the rings 110, very feeble. Bronchi very wide, one with 26,
the other with 24 half rings.
BLACK OR SHORT-TAILED TERN.
STERNA NIGRA, Linn.
PLATE CCLXXX. Vot. III. p. 535.
ToncvE 1 inch in length, very slender, grooved above in its whole
length, tapering to a very fine horny point, which isa little slit. C&so-
phagus 33 inches long, 3 inch wide, within the thorax dilated to a very
large sac, 9 twelfths in breadth. Stomach of moderate size, roundish,
8 twelfths long, 7 twelfths broad; the lateral muscles moderate, the
tendons large, the epithelium dense, with large longitudinalruge. The
proventricular belt 8 twelfths in breadth. Intestine 124 inches long,
POMARINE JAGER. 643
from 2 twelfths to 1 twelfth in width; coeca 13 twelfth long, } twelfth
wide, 1 inch 2 twelfths from the extremity ; cloaca globular, 7 twelfths
in width. Liver very large, the left lobe 10 twelfths long, the right 1
inch 2 twelfths. Trachea 2 inches 7 twelfths long, 21 twelfths wide,
tapering to 1 twelfth; the rings slender, unossified, 102 in number.
Bronchi rather wide, of 20 half rings. Muscles as in the other Terns.
POMARINE JAGER.
LESTRIS POMARINUS, TEMM.
PLATE CCLIII. Vot. III. p. 396.
Female, from Dr T. M. Brewer. The mouth rather wide, 1 inch
2 twelfths across ; the palate flat, with two longitudinal papillate ridges,
the space between which and the palatal slit is also covered with pa-
pill ; anteriorly, on the mandible, are three ridges ; posterior aperture
of the nares oblongo-linear, with its margins papillate ; the lower man-
dible dilatable, as in the Gulls. Tongue 1 inch long, emarginate and
papillate at the base, broadly channelled above, contracted and indupli-
cate toward the end, horny beneath, and thin-edged, with the point slit
to the depth of 13 twelfth. Lobes of the liver very unequal, the right
2; inches long, the left 1 inch 10 twelfths; gall-bladder oblong, 74
twelfths long, 3 twelfths broad. The stomach, cd, is small, 1 inch 2
twelfths long, 4 inch in breadth; its lateral muscles thin; the epithe
lium thin, longitudinally rugous, of a reddish colour. The proventricu-
lar glands extremely small, roundish, forming a belt 7 twelfths in width.
Intestine, fg hl m, 244 inches long, 6 twelfths wide at the top, but con-
tracting to 4 twelfths; it forms 7 curves; the ceca, 74, 1 inch 10
twelfths in breadth. ‘Trachea 5 inches long, from 33 twelfths to 24
twelfths long, for 8 twelfths their width is 1 twelfth, afterwards 24
twelfths, diminishing to 1? twelfth, the extremity blunt; rectum 2
inches 3 twelfths long, for 1 inch 4 twelfths in width, then enlarging
into an oblong cloaca 10 twelfths in breadth; considerably flattened ;
the rings 98, unossified, of the same structure as in the Gulls. Bronchi
rather wide, of 20 half rings. Muscles as in the Gulls.
The digestive organs of this bird differ from those of the Gulls only
in having the coeca much more elongated ; the cloaca oblong, instead of
POMARINE JAGER.
644
being globular, and the stomach less muscular.
The tongue differs
greatly from that of either the Gulls or Terns.
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( 645
WILSON’S PETREL.
THALASSIDROMA Wiztsoni, Bonar.
PLATE CCLXX. Vol. IIL. p. 486.
Tue palate is marked behind with four longitudinal ridges, which
are papillate, and before with three ridges ; the mouth 43 twelfths in
7
iS)
an
width, but capable of being dilated
to 9 twelfths; the tongue 4 inch
long, triangular and acuminate, at
the base concave and emarginate,
flat above, with a slight median
groove. The lobes of the liver are
equal, their length 73 twelfths. The
cesophagus, a, has a uniform width
of 3 twelfths until it enters the tho-
rax, when it at once expands into an
immense ovate sac, bcde, 1 inch 11
TT oT
SOs
Wwe GFN
SS SSN
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SS
twelfths long, viewed anteriorly 1
inch 1 twelfth in breadth, laterally
1 inch 2 twelfths. This sac is
formed, properly speaking, of the
proventriculus; its walls are ex-
tremely thin and transparent, and
it is studded all over with roundish
glandules placed at a considerable
distance from each other. It curves
upwards in front, and becomes narrowed to 2 twelfths, ending in the
stomach, which is an extremely diminutive gizzard, of an oval form,
only 3} twelfths long, and 3 twelfths in breadth. The stomach is thus
reversed in position, its fundus being anterior ; and accordingly the in-
testine, fg 7, comes off from its left instead of its right side, forms a
semicircular sweep round the fundus, then passes backward for 1 inch,
to f, bends forward to the liver, at g, and forms a number of loops, ghz,
making in all9 turns. The duodenum is 1 inch ? twelfth wide, and
the intestine continues so for half its length, when it gradually contracts
Sy
646 WILSON’S PETREL.
to 2 twelfth, and is rather less in the rectum, which is terminated by a
very small globular cloaca, 7, 31 twelfths in diameter. There are no
coeca. ‘The intestine measures 14 inches. The stomach properly so
called is lined by a rugous epithelium, and is in fact a true gizzard. It
contains a quantity of shell-sand. The inner surface of the proventri-
culus is soft and smooth ; that of the cesophagus longitudinally plicate.
The trachea is 1} inch long, from 1} twelfth to 1 twelfth in breadth,
flattened, with rings 84 in number, slender, and unossified. Bronchi
wide, of 25 half rings.
In the structure of the digestive organs this species closely agrees
with that of Thalassidroma pelagica, as will be seen by referring to Vol.
IV. p. 314; and the curious modifications which they present are among
the most interesting of the many that have been briefly described and
figured in these volumes. With this interesting bird terminates a se-
ries of anatomical details, which, imperfect as they are, however care-
fully they have been executed, it is hoped will form a basis for more
extended observations. They present a new and most important fea-
ture in the ornithology of North America, which in this respect at least
is not now much behind that of other countries.
15.
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Page
Alauda alpestris pase eee eee een eee ees 448
Albatross, Black-footed, ---------+-- 326
Dusky, -+rrreseeeee eee ee 116
Yellow-nosed,------+-+--- 326
Alea Torda,----+++-+++2essseeeseeeeees 628
Aleydo Aleyon, -+++++ssesseeee esses 548
American Common Gull,--------++++ 638
Coot pnt eeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 568
— Crow, «eeeseeeereeeeeeeeees ATT
So Dipper yp TEE tee t ee cee eee ees 803
Flamingo, «++--+++++++++- 255
Golden-crested Wren,--- 465
Golden Plover,--------+++- 5I5
————_ Goldfinch, ---.--.-------. 510
Oyster-catcher, -++-++--- 580
Pheasant, ---+-++eeeeeees 335
Redstart,--+-++--+eseeeeees 428
Ring Plover, ---+-----++- 579
Robin, «-+--+-+2-seeeereeeee 441
Scoter Duck, --++-+-+-++- 117
Smipe, --+eeeeeeeeeeeeseeeee 583
Sparrow Hawk, --------- 370
Swan, se-cscececeeeeeeeeees 133
Swift, ------seeseeeeeeeeees 419
Anas acuta, --+++2se0eseeeeeeeceeeeees 615
Crecca, ---sseeeeeeeee eer eeeees 616
Sponsa, --+++++sseeeceeeeee sense 618
Anna Humming Bird,------++++++++- 238
Anser Bernicla,--+----++++++++ ++ 24, 610
CANACENSIS, -++-++ eee seers eee eee 607
Anthus pipiens, +--+ +++++s+++++eee+ 44.9
spinoletta, -+++++++++see+ee+ 449
Aphriza Townsendi,---------+++++++>- 249
Arctic Blue Bird,--+--+-++-+++++2s¢08* 38
Ground-finch, --++++-+++++++ 49
Ardea candidissima,::++++++++++++++++ 606
OXI]IS,-+- eee eeece eee e eee eee eee ees 606
Herodias, ---+++ereseree eee 599
ludoviciana, --++++++++e+e++++= 605
—— Nycticorax, -++1-+:sssees++- 600
occidentalis, -+++++-sesersesee 596
Page
Ardea rufescens, -++++++++++eeeeeeeeee 604
Arkansaw Siskin, --++++s++-eeeeeeee 85
Audubon’s Warbler,-----+-++++++++++ 52
Woodpecker, -+---+-+++++ 194
Auk, Razor-billed, -+-+-++++++++e+++ 628
Autumnal Warbler,------------+-.--- 457
Azure Warbler, -----+--++-++s+eeee0es 456
Bachman’s Hawk, -++++++++++see+e+s 334
Oyster-catcher, --+--- QA5
Baltimore Oriole,---+---+++++eseeeeees 278
[imran (Ohl, ecodnesecccsscnoodesceocnor 388
Swallow,--:2-ssssccsscececeeeee 411
Barred Ow], ----:++-+sssccseeccenseeees 386
Bartram’s Vireo, --++-+-++-s++eseeeees 296
Bay-breasted Warbler, ------------ 459
Bay-winged Bunting, saletacleraisatersteisers 502
Belted Kingsfisher, aiatetelatetatatelerstaystarereiste 548
Bewick’s Wren, --++css-seerceerereee 467
Bittern, Least,------+----+-seeseceeee 606
Black-and-White Creeper, ---+----- 471
Black-and- Yellow Warbler,--------- 458
Black-backed Gull, -----+--++-+-++++- 636
Black-billed Cuckoo, -----++-+-++++ 523
Blackbird, Common Crow, --------- 481
Blackburnian Warbler,--------- 73, 458
Black-footed Albatross, -++-+++-+-- 326
Black Guillemot,--------+-+--+++++0++ 627
Black-headed Siskin, ---+-+---+-+++- 46
Black Tern, ------+-++++-2eeeeseeeeees 642
Black-throated Blue Warbler,:------ 458
Green Warbler,--- 70
—_—— Grey Warbler,------ 57
Guillemot, --------- 100
Black Vulture,--+++++++++++sseseeeeeee 345
Black Warrior,-----+--+-+++-+--+-se+e- 380
Blue Bird, --++--+--+sseesseeeee scenes 452
P \F{HaTE, | eepodsocodeesanoas 38
Western, «-+reeeeeeeeees 41
Blue-green Warbler, --++++-+++++++: 456
Blue-grey Flycatcher, Pate sia semaictaee 550
654
Page
Blue Grosbeak, -+-::+sserseseeeeeees 508
Blue Jay; SOD OUGUONONSOSOGs0.A0200007300 AIT 5
Mountain Warbler, ------------ 291
Boat-tailed Grakle,----+-++-++s+e++++ - 480
Bombycilla carolinensis, --------+-+- 404
Brent Goose,-++-++esseeseeeeees 24, 610
Broadwinged Hawk, --+-++-++++++++ 377
Brown Creeper, -+++++s+erreeteeee 158
Brown Pelican,-++++++++::+sessseereeees 2)2
Brown Song Sparrow, «+++++++++++++ 22
Brown Titlark,----++++++s+eeeeeeeeeeee 449
Bullock’s Troopial,-----++++-++++- 9, 278
Bunting, Bay-winged, -++-++++++-++++ 502
Clay-coloured, +++++++++++ 66
Henslow’s,\s-+sseeseseeeeees 498
Indigo, aetanteniateraseielatetelsiaietalet= 503
Painted, ----sesereer eee e ener gl
SOW y eee teeter rete teers 406
——— Towhee,-rsseerreeereeeee ees 511
————. Townsend's, --+-+:+-++++++- 90
White-throated,--+---+++++- 407
Yellow-winged, --+++++++-+ 407
Burgomaster, -+1ecrcrrseresresesseess 59
Burrowing Owl], crrcseceerse eee eeeees 264
Canada Flycatcher, PES Sep SOROS IE OS 551
GOOSe, sre eeseeeeeeeer ee eeeeeee 607
Jay, Saipietaiste names [ntbiowinieete s’e 208
Canadian Woodpecker, --:--++++++- 188
Californian Nuthatch,--------++++++ 163
Partridge g tettestereeeees 152
Vulture, een ccececeeseseccs 943
Cape May Warbler, --+--+:ssessesee 156
Caprimulgus carolinensis,-++-+++++*++ 401
Nuttalli,-------+:+2+++- 335
virginianus,---+++++++++ 406
—— vociferus, -srrrssese** 405
Caracara Eagle, «+--+ :sssesrsseeeee 351
Cardinal Grosbeak, «+++++++++++2+++* 514
Carolina Dove,--::::s:ssssserereseee ee 555
Titmouse, --reresreeee reese ATA
Carrion Crow, :eressrerstceteretseee 845
Cat Bird, ---eersseseeteeceeeeseesteeees 440
Cathartes Aura, -:++sssrrerter eters 339
californianus, -++++-+++++- 240
Tota, srerereeeeerneeeseees 845
INDEX.
Page
Cayenne Tern,---++++++sseeeeeeeeeeees , 639
Cedar Bird, «----++.-s0secssseecssesees 4.04
Ceratorhyncha occidentalis,--------- 104
Certhia familiaris, --+-++-++++++++++- 158
VATIA, ceccresesceeceecceeeeeee Cval
Chat, Yellow-breasted, --------+++. 433
Charadrius marmoratus, -----++++++- 575
Melodus,----++-+++++eeeeee 578
semipalmatus, --++++++- 579
VOCILETIIS ese seem seer 577
Wilsonius, --+-++-e+eeeees 577
Chestnut-collared Lark Bunting,--- 44
Children’s Warbler,----++++++s+0s+000+ 453
Chipping Sparrow, -+++-+++++++se0e 517
Chuck-will’s Widow, -+:+++++++++++ 401
Cinclus americanus, -++++++++++++2++0 303
Clapper Rail, ---++s+eseseeesseeeeeee 570
Clay-coloured Bunting, ------++++- 66
Cliff Swallow, ---++++++ssccesseseosers AVS
Coceyzus americanus, ++++++++++++++ 520
Coccyzus erythrophthalmus, -----+ 523
Columba carolinensis, --+-+++++++++++ 555
leucocephala, -++++++++++++++ 557
MigratOria,+++++++++e+e eee ees 561
passerina, meters atsiafeistioe isteeye 558
Zenaida,-++++++2+eeesee eevee 558
Colymbus septentrionalis,-----.-+.+++ 625
Common American Gull,-----+++++++ 638
American Snipe, «+++++++ 583
Barn Swallow, -++---++++++ 411
ee COOSA DU pre seremie tere tinces 511
Crow Blackbird,---------++- 481
Pewee Flycatcher,-----+--- 424
Ptarmigan,---+++++++++eeeee. 196
Three-toed Woodpecker, 184
Water Thrush, --------+-+- 284
Connecticut Warbler, ---+---.++++++. 81
Cooper’s Hawk, -+++++s+sseeseeeeeeee 376
Coot, American, -++++++seeseeenensees 568
Cormorant, Double-crested, --.------ 629
Florida, +----:0+---sseeee. 632
————— Townsend’s, -------..--. 149
———— Violet-green,-------.-.+- 148
———— White-rumped,--------- 336
White-tailed, «---..... 336
Corvus, americanus,-+++++-+++++ese 00s ATT
INDEX.
Page
Corvus canadensis, -----++-++++++++++ 208
(Gilg occoccocouedornueceuorioc 476
CYIStALUS, eee eee ee sees ee eee AT5
ossifragus, ++++++ere eee teeees 479
Cow-pen Bird,--++++++++++++2++ 233, 490
Creeper, Black and White, --------- 471
BrOWD;- +++ +00-e02-ccesecnee 158
Crested Titmouse, -++++++++-e+eeeees AT72
Crimson-necked Finch,------++++++-++ 230
Crimson-winged Troopial, --------- 211
Crossbill, Common, ----+-++++s++++++ 511
Crow, American, +---++++sceseeeeeeeee ATT
Tiida pobaccocecncooticnoccs eenee 479
Cuckoo, Black-billed, --+---+++-+++++ 523
Yellow-billed, ---+-++-++++++- 520
Curled-crested Phaleris, -----+-+-++: 102
Curlew, Esquimaux, arate erteatete aeies 590
FRudsonian, +-cessescees cones 589
Long-billed, «-++++-++++++08++5 587
Cygnus americanus, -++++++++++ee++ee+ 133
Buccinator, -----++++e++--++5- 114
Cypselus pelasgius, -+++++++++ssssee+s 419
Delafield’s Yellow-throat, --------+--- 307
Diomedea fusca, --+++s-sereeeeeeeeees 116
NIQTIPES, -+++e+eeeeeeeeeees 396
Dipper, American, «+++++++++++ +2500 303
Diver, Red-throated, -+++-++-++-++++ 625
Dobchick, Pied-billed, ---------.-++-- 624
Double-crested Cormorant, ---++--+- 629
Dove, Carolina,--+-+--+++++eseseeeeeee 555
Ground, -----sseeeee eee cee eee eee 558
Zenaida, ---+++seeeeceseeceeeeees 558
Downy Woodpecker,-----++++-++++++++ 539
Drummond’s Snipe, «++++++++++++++++ 319
Duck, American Scoter,----+++-++-++ Sey
Eider, wee cect cece erences cescscces 61 1
a Golden-eye, AOUCOLO ia UO IOCOSOCO 105
at Harlequin, SBS ICOR EdD CDOCRO COS 617
Be 2» Pintarh. -aeoccids ope ode eseaeense nae 615
——— Scaup, s++rsreeeseeneeeeeeeenen ees 614
——— Western, ---seseerceeccsccceeeees 253
W001, «++sseceeseeceecenceeeeeees 618
Dusky Albatross, -++++++eseeeseeeeens 116
Dwarf Thrush, «+++++s+sesessereeseeeeee 201
655
Page
Hagle, Caracara, -++++++++ssseseeeees 351
White-headed,.-----+-+-++++: 35a
Blared! Grebe, .-cskceeeescmemnr 108, 623
Kgret, Reddish, --+----+-ssssseeeeees 604.
Bider-Duelk,, <22--.000 ssswenwecerees. 611
Emberiza atricapilla, «---+--++++.++ AT
EVenslowitse-2-<--meeeee 498
————.. .. M1 alig,+-++--seseee eee eeens 4.96
—$—$———..__ OFM ALA, «+e eee e cree ence eee 44,
es pallida, sisioinislojaielela eiste'eie\siele 66
= es picta, BOND USCH COOTBOCORBCE 91
Townsendi, --+--++++++-00. 90
Esquimaux Curlew, --+-+-++++++++- 590
Evening Grosbeak, -++++++--seecseees 935
Falco Bachmanii, ---+++-++++++++++ 433
borealis, ---++++-sceecseeeeees 378
Columbarius,--+++-++++eeeeeee- 368
Cooperii,-+-+--+sereeeeeeseeeee 376
IRIREEDRL, ooocéoscocét apqascnee 371
— Haliactus, ------++++--+0.0e- 362
ao | Maram, osc o sins cmeeaeseniens 380
Te letauts iy eeece dere 2ooceceocer 30
ee hyemalis, aerclelnepieemle tale aieitisceisie 380
lagopus, BLOC OOULO SCC. COOOCOC Q17
leucocephalus, -------- teeeees 354
INGGETRER, cocsocceesooceocnence 380
palumbarius, -++++++++++eee+ 375
pennsylvanicus, --++++++++++ 377
PeTEQVINUS, +++ ++++eeee eee eees 365
— plumbeus, aecceccsdenaccawocces 374
SPALVETIUS, © ere eeeere eres ee eee 370
ee Stanleyii, lalattamslectelstalstiaiela sista 376
teMerarlus, -+---+e-eeeeseeeeee 368
Falcon, Peregrine, -++-+++++++++++++ 365
Rough-legged, etatietelaistelsieis Q17
Ferruginous Thrush,--++++++++-++++ 441
Finch, Black-and-yellow-crowned, 47
crimson-necked, --+++++++++: 230
Grass, crrescsereeeeeeeeseeeees 502
—— Lark, --seereeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 17
Lazuli, oristead dvlatedltaaesis 64, 230
a Macegillivray’s, Biotic Seecdoden 499
Morton’s Fringilla Mortonii, 319
Painted, -+--sseseseeseeeseees 517
Pine, -seeeeseveeeeeeeeeeeeens 509
656 INDEX.
Page
Finch, Prairie, --+++-+-++s0+++eseeeeees 19
Purple, vierere defSoldbidetastslabie-lna'e/s\e 500
—— Savannah git tte eereeseeereeees 516
= Sharp-tailed, oases sideee ores tess 4.99
—— Townsend's, --+++++-ssessese0e 236
Fish-Crow, -scscesssceeceneesceeneeees 4:79
Hawk, «<<cccscsceccensscccsccecne 362
Flamingo, American, --+-+++++++++++ 255
Florida, Cormorant, «-+++++++++++se0ee 632
Flycatcher, Blue-grey,-+++++++++++++ 550
Canada,--++++++++++seee+s 551
Common Pewee, -:---- 424
Great Crested, -----+--- 423
Green Black-capped, 428
| VCASH, 2 =e corre riasern cen 42°7
—— Little Tyrant, -------.- 288
Olive-sided, ---+++++++++ 422
——— Rocky-mountai, ------ 302
Selby’s,+-r+++seeeeeveeeee 465
Short-legged Pewee,--- 299
Small Green-crested, 427
——_—— Small-headed, -------+. 291
Prraillig oon skebbina Hi ve 426
Tyrant,-<+++seeeeee eee eee 420
——— Warbling,--------+------ 431
Fork-tailed Owl, ---+++-c+sc+sesereees 334
Fox-coloured Sparrow,----+++++++++++ 512
Franklin’s Rosy Gull, --+-++++++«+-++ 323
Frigate Pelican, --++++--++-+se+eeee+ 634
Fringilla amoena, ---++++++++++0+e0eees 230
ALCLICA,: «ese ns siesicesincsioes 49
Bes... Hieglon.:s--- + «cae teeta 19
——— _ borealis, -----++++eeeeeeeee ees 87
——— canadensis,---------+-+-++-+ 504
— eardinalis, --------+-e---e0+ 514
———_ caudacuta, -++-++-+++ee+eeeee 499
————— ChIOrura,- 000-020 eenesene eons 336
————— CINIETCA, +e ere eeeceecrereeens 29
—$—-—— CITIS, «oe eee eee ee esos eee c enone 517
———._ ceerullea,--+--eee reer eee eeeees 508
—=$—$-———._ CYANEAD, ++ revere eee eeeerer ee 503
—— erythropthalma, --------- 511
——— frontalis, -----.+.+s+++..+++ 230
pene sane er graminea, iia ate alse petadel tee sam 502
————._ grammaca,-++++++++e+e eee ee 17
——— hyemalis, --++-+-+++seeee 585
Page
Fringilla iliaca,+++++++2++eeeseeeeseeee . 512
leucophrys,+++++++++ee+eee++5 515
———— ludoviciana, --++-+-++++---- 513
—— magellanica yp tet eee eee eee ees 46
—— Magillivrayii, ----++-+---- 499
——————_ Melodia, +--+ +++ +++ -eeeeeeee eee 507
ee mexicana, see cessececccceres 282
—_—— Mortonii jth teens eee ceeees 312
$F ELONA, +++ eee ereree eee ere eee 68
——_ palustris, --++++++++++seeee 508
————_ PASSETINA, +eeeeeeeeerereeees 497
pik Se pennsylvanica, wae oaiete iota 497
—$-———_ PINUS ++ eee eee ree eee eee eee ees 509
——— psaltria pee eee eeeeeee ees eeeee 85
—_— purpurea, eee ece terse seeses 500
mm SAVANNA, corre creer eee ene 516
————. SOClalig, +++ +++seseeeeee cee ees 517
se tephrocotis, wit vik sel taleiniciets 232
— Townsendi, --+-+-.-.--..-. 236
tristis, -+++eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee 510
Vespertina,-+++++++++eeee eee 235
Fulica americana, --++++++++++seeees 568
Fuligula americana,++++++++++++++++++ 117
clangula, -++++++++seeseeeee 105
———— dispar, -++-+++-eeeeeeeereee 253
histrionica, -+++++++++++eeeeee 617
Marila, --+++.sscscccescceeee 614
mollissima,-+++++++++eee+eees 611
Fulmar, pacific, late (eabstaele(e see Rearend 231
Gigantic, -++++++eeeeeeeeees 330
— slender-billed, ------------ 333
Gairdner’s Woodpecker, ------------ 317
Gigantic Fulmar,---+-<+++++++++e2++- 330
Glaucous Gull,------+s-seeeereeeeeeeee 59
Goodwit, Great marbled,------------ 590
Hudsonian, -++-++++++++-+ 592
Golden-crested Wren, American, 465
Golden-crowned Thrush, ------------ 447
Golden-eye Duck, «++++++++++++-++++ 105
Golden-winged Warbler,------------ 154
Woodpecker, ------ 548
Goldfinch, American, ----+--+++-++++ 510
— Mexican,---+++++++<2+++-++ 282
Goshawk,---++seeesseeee see eeseeeececes 375
Goose, Brent,--+++++++eseseereseee 24, 610
INDEX. 657
Page Page
Goose, Canada, -+--++++++++eseseeeee 607 Hairy Woodpecker, --++++-+++++++++++ 164
Grakle, Boat-tailed,---+--+--++++++++. 4.80 Harlequin Duck, ---+.-seseeeeee eee eee 617
Purple, seettatsrcctataic « wviathnveleate 481 Harris’s Woodpecker, Lee ctastaciete erste 191
Rusty, srsescerereeee sense 483 Hawk, Bachman’s, -----+-+-++ssseeee 334
Grass Finch, ---+-+++++++sseeeeee eee 502 Broad-winged,-+++++++-+++++5 BS
Great Black-backed Gull, --------- 63 Great-footed, ---.+-+++--+++. 365
Blue Heron, -++--+++++ss2+0++ 599 Louisiana, -------.+.......0 30
Carolina Wren, ----++++--++++: 466 Pigeon, dgocéocdased sododbece 368
—— Cinereous Shrike, -:-----+++-- 434 Red-shouldered, -------+-+++ 380
— Crested Flycatcher, --------- 423 Red-tailed, -----+--+++++sse05 378
footed Hawk,----+++++ssssseee. 365 Swallow-tailed, «+--+++:+++. 371
—— Horned Owl -.----+---+-++++--- 393 Winter, --+--ecsseceeeeceneee 380
—— Marbled Goodwit, ---+-+--+++> 590 Havell’s Tern, -----++++++-eeeseeeeeees 122
White Heron, «---+++----+++- 596 Hemlock Warbler, ----+-++++++:++++: 457
Grebe, Hared,-----+--++++-++++- 108, 623 Henslow’s Bunting, ApoOaoENDOOLeaOnnE 498
Red-necked, -++-+++++++esse05s 620 Hermit Thrush, -------------++-++++- 4A5
Green Black-capped Flycatcher, --- 428 Warbler, ---++++++s+s+eeseeee 55
‘Black-capt Warbler, ----+++-- 464 Heron, Great Blue, -+--+++++++-2++++ 599
we farled Sparrow, Sbaticddopeucdaro 336 Great White, ----++++++-ee++ 596
winged Teal, Miclaisie'elvleintalstal<feigiatele 616 Louisiana, aiaelelatsialateteistol=i=istalsie 605
Grey-crowned Linnet,--+-+++-+-+-+++ 232 Night, --+-+sseeeseeeeeeseeres 600
Grosbeak, Blue, -:++++-s++sseeesees 508 Snowy, Wa clereisieanncitelecaieaisios 606
Cardinal,----++-++seeceeeee 514 Herring Gull, -----+--s--eeeeeeenee eee 638
Evening, ++++-+-+++ses++8° 235 Hirundo bicolor, --------+++++e++++++: 417
Rose-breasted,--+-++++++:- 513 fulva, kleintocle clotoerdetelelatsistotsreiate 415
Ground Dove, -:-:++eessssseerr terre 558 rustica, aecree’e(e ainreottantactetcar 411
Finch, Arctic, -++-+++++++++* 49 Hooded Merganser, npacoaeboncauendss 619
Grous, Pinnated, ----+++-++-++e+s++5+ 559 Hooded Warbler,------++++++++++2005 465
Ruffed, -----+2esceseeeree eee ees 560 Horned-billed Guillemot,---------+++ 104
ee Spotted, Beesieledstelelsieisisicis'eil«is 563 House Wren, ----+:+csseseeeese eee ees 470
—— White-tailed, ----++++++--++ 200 Hudsonian Curlew, -----+----+++0++++ 589
Guillemot, Black, ----++ssesreeee 8+ 627 ENG be cape eos ccee ongene 592
—___——. Black-throated, --------- 100 Humming Bird, Anna, -----+--+-+: 238
——_———. Black Horned-billed,--- 104 ———— Ruby-throated, --- 544
__— Slender-billed, -----+-+- 251
Gull, Common American, -:--++-:- 638 Ibis, alba, -+---++-seee-eeeeeeeeeeees 593
Franklin’s Rosy,- a ceisisie's se BQZ — —— TUT, oe 0 eee eee cece eee ee eee eee eee 62
Great Black-backed, --+-+---- 636 — Scarlet, ----:-seeseesereseeseees 62
Herring, Beis alate are erefettlainisieleiasistele 638 White, aiuintclaMaistaiots cieietorecieeeeiaas 5Y8
—— Ross's, scorer serecerceteeeseseeees 324 Icterus agripennis, LR Sears fet SAY 486
———— Western,-+-s:seerseeceeeeeeeeees 320 Baltimore, -+++++++++s+ee+e+: 278
Gull-billed Tern, --+--+--+sssseeeeeee 127 Bullockii,-:---- Ne bles cislesfatels 9, 278
Gubernator,:++++++-++seeee ees 911
Heematopus Bachmani, -------+++-- QA mem PECOTIS, vereereereeeees 233, 490
tae palliatus, Pale sieleya'tiaialalsieieit 580 pheeniceus, nigelelotsteteatcinarteters ata 487
Townsendi, --++-++++++ 24.7 spurius, scvemalscshletsva cde cae 485
rt
VOL. V.
658
INDEX.
Page
Teterus: tricolor, -«-+-+<evssssss-c¢apsses 1 Macgillivray’s Finch, --+++++++ess---
xanthocephalus, Bisisaete sialtisisis 6 Warbler,.-----.--.--
Teteria, Viridis, --------+.--e0cssn0s a0 433 Maria’s Woodpecker, aieieteisleiaisietersiee
Imperial Woodpecker,--.-.-+-.-+++-> 5381 Marsh Hen, Salt-water, ------+-----
Indigo Bunting, eleleenaane eaien Ciaees 503 Ther, --0+0-+seccnsecccssnceven
Ivory-billed Woodpecker, -------++ 525 Wrely ke =os*psntapetasees tee
J ager, Pomarine, ------+-++-++-seeeeee 643 Martin, Purple, sicisio cielsialgjnionip ieee
J ay; ibd ies, | Sbopoeedenueoooboenos -- code AT5 Maryland Yellow-throat, ----..+--
Canada, Sie taj sia diaisantepeiomelaemiciee 208 Meadow | Diidieecene Homer eemononeccn one
Mealy Redpole, piis:sp weinisieshele(aele seinieeiaiee
Kildeer Plover,--------.-:+2:...000+0- 577 Meleagris Gallopavo, baptaitieltataislaleiaiete
Kingsfisher, Belted, see vensneuubidgeses 548 Merganser, Hooded, Sefalentolsislolnjaiieaattee
Kite, Mississippi, Siolorepsiatciniolae tela sereicetsts 374 Red-breasted, eeudafemeneels
Knobbed-billed Phaleris,----..--.--- 101 Mergus cucullatus, ---.--........00.-
Serrator, »-<-00aescccn aaa
Lanius Excubitor, MaleYelein cianiieaene sake 434 Mexican Goldfinch, sidisi6 olb/epnieiatala dae
ludovicianus, scomepamesetee 435 Migratory Thrush, Wesrmcs wees eee
Lark-Bunting, Chestnut-collared, 44 Mississippi Kite, ---.+--+.--ss-0eeeee.
CDs Find ir: ea 17 Mocking Bird, »+.-++--ss+-eccesssenes
Meadow, --+-+++++eeeeeeeesennees 492 Mocking Thrush, Townsend’s,.-.---
SHOre, --+-22s-eeeeececeecceserees 448 Morton’s Finch, .......-..-..-sseeeee
Larus ATGENALUS, «++ +++ eee reece erence 638 Mourning Warbler, wieiele\ein\> =ieiselatenteiiein
Franklinii, nog B90 20590 oN BSnOeS 393 Muscicapa ACAI CH» ies aeeaseeee Rete
AG as glaucus, pattenslclsipte tis pelateeieierie s/s 59 Canadensis, -+++++++2--.e0.
———_ MATINUS, +++ +++ eeeee eee ceeee eens (EON pee COTUNER yy cncaeemasiasereeeee
——— ROSSII,-0+0++seesesccccececerseens 8394, Cooperi, sinlsionjemaicisiesactasies
zonorhynchus, pdsedoness oo 638 crinita, «i.e ajeje\siate vere peed
Lazuli Finch,.------+++-+-+esseeee 64, 230 fusca, oe n\ele wivjarnininieie'o olaeiaione
Least Bittern, -+--+--+++-+eseseeeeeees 606 WMIBUA)) wees snengeegetess
Flycatcher, -+---+++++++++ese+0+ 427 NIPTICANS, -- «2002+ +n00ns
Lestris pomarinus, ajateleigiohe cralevalete aia creta GAS pet pusilla, aie qasisic'cniene 288,
Lewis's Woodpecker, --++-+-+++++++ 176 Richardsonii, -----..-...-
Limosa Fedoa,----++-++-++++++se200+ 590 Buticnlla, os <eans-ssaree
Limosa hudsonica, --+-+++++++ee+ees. 592 —————-Selbyi, ------eeeeeeeee eee
Lineated Woodpecker,---+------+++++ 315 Tranllit., ..-0.--i50ceee ee
Linnet, Grey-crowned, ------------ 232 Tyrannus, »:=---<.<408
Little Columbian Owl,---------.-.... 269 A WETEDIN, > 2-=fecciet ee
Night Owl, --+--++++++++es8+ 269
DRT (Mea ne as eo oe 397
= ‘Senecth Ot: sersecare-crehuce 392 Nashville Warbler, ---..-+..-.---++-+
Tyrant Flycatcher, senpacees DRO Night Hlawiky, p<c->-eeccesarcrieneeeee
Loggerhead Shrike, --++--+++++--++.-. ASO) ———— Heron, terse see reee cece neeseen
Long-billed Curlew,---+++++++--++.++ 587 Owl: Ubittle; snc. -<0s0- cee
Loxia CUrVIr0StTa,++++++++++ee reese ees 511. Noddy ‘Tern; .:--csesp-as-geoo-deeeeee
Louisiana Hawk,------+--++++++seeeee 80 Numenius borealis, .--ce-ecsresooceee
HEron,- ++ +22 sees cree eeee ees 605 hudsonicus, «--+--+++++
a Tanager, ++++-++++++eeeeees 90 longirostris, -+-+++-++++.
INDEX
: Page
Nuthatch, Californian, ---- -+++++ 163
Red-bellied, ----+-++--+- ATA
White-breasted, ----+- AT73
Nuttall’s Marsh Wren, -----+++++ 469
Whip-poor-will, ----+-++ 335
Olive-sided Flycatcher, ----+-+++++- 422
Orchard Oriole, --+-++++++2++++++++"- 485
Oregon Snow-finch, --++++-++++++++ 68
Oriole, Baltimore, -+++-++++++++++++= 278
Oriole, Orchard,---++++++++++++2++++ 485
Osprey, ssscrreeeereeeeceeeeeseeeeeees 362
Owl, Barn, -:-sesessseseeeseeeeeees 388
——— Barred, --+++-+-eeereeceeeee eee 386
—— Burrowing, -++rrsreseresseees 264
— Fork-tailed, ----++--+-+e++e-++ 334
—— Little, -------eesee eee eeeeeeees 397
—— Little Columbian, --------- 269
—— Little Night, ----+-+-++++-++ 269
—— Little Screech, ----++-++++++++ 392
—— Short-eared, -+++-+--+++2+eeees 273
Snowy, strssteercrecsesee esses 382
Oyster-catcher, American, +++: 580
Bachman’s, --+--- 245
ar Townsend’s, ++++++ Q47
Pacific Fulmar, ---++++ss++seeeeer eee 391
Painted Bunting, ava cosaz0na¢ noo00s gl
Painted Finch, --++:++++sereereeeeee 517
Parkman’s Wren, «rr+ssreresse eee 310
Partridge, Californian, -+--++--+++* 152
— Plumed, ----++s++++: see 29
a Virginian, a ciptteidsicin-e 564
Welcome, ceeeeces eeeveee 2998
Parus bicolor,-:+--+++eesseseeeeseeees 472
— CaYOliMeNsiS,-++rrsseere este AIT A
Passenger Pigeon, -+++++++++-++ee0+° 551
Pectoral Sandpiper, deeeeeceeeneces 582
Pelecanus fuscus, -++-++++ss2rere**" 212
Pelican, Brown,:+:++rr+srsreeeseeees 212
Frigate, s-+ersesreeeeee 634
Perdix californica, +++++-+++++re80** 152
ST — -MEOKENUS, © -carsssserssccence 928
plumifera, ong cdbiowic cho bxalea 226
ee virginiana, tee ae Ne ieee a aee Ite 564
Peregrine Falcon, +++++++++***" seers 365
659
Page
Petit caporal, ---++++++++seeeeeeeeeeeeene 368
Petrel, Wilgon’s, -++-+sseeceeeeeeeneee 645
Pewee Flycatcher, ----+++++++++0+++0 0+ 425
W000, - 2-200 0rccvcceeri sissies cna 425
Phalacrocorax dilophus, ---+++++++++++ 629
floridanus, ---+-++-.+-. 632
——_—————. leuconotus, ------.-..-- 336
—————— leucurus, -----+--.--. +. 336
— resplendens, Salas atelee crete 148
Townsend, -++++++++++- 149
Phalarope, Hyperborean, --+++++++++- 595
Phalaropus hyperboreus, ---++++++++- 595
Phaleris cristatella, --+-+++++-+++-+0+5 102
NOGILOStYIS, -eeresere eee eee eee 101
Curled-crested,---+----++++++. 102
Knobbed-billed, «-------+--+ 101
Pheasant, American, :++++++++++e+eeee 335
Phillips’s Woodpecker, ----+++++++++-- 186
Pheenicopterus ruber, -++++++++++++s+++s 255
Picus Auduboni, -++-+-++esereeeeee eee 194
BULALUS, ceeeresee eee ceeeeeeeeeee 540
—— Canadensis, -reeereeeeeeeeeeeeres 188
———._ CATOLINUS, ceeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees 169
—— erythrocephalus, -++++++++++++++ 536
——— Harrvisii;. ---+-sseeeee eee eeeee eens 191
—— hirsutus, ---ceesee eee eeree ence ees 184
ey imperialis grote rere teeeeeeneees 313
—— lineatus, -----eeeeeee scenes eee ees 315
—— Martine, -------2--seeee eee ee eee 181
— mexicanus, cote ences cesses sssanee 174
—— Phillipsii, ----+-000:esseeeeeeeeees 186
—— pileatus, --+::ersreereeeeeereeees 533
—— pubescens, -rrrresreereeeeeereee 539
— querulus, aaaanadassalsiseisis esiiekiaies 12
—— pyrrhonotus,:++++++s+2-+se+eeee++ 335
ee tl: eee eee 179
——— LOT UATUS, +--+ 2+ eee rereeeereeee eee 176
a tridactylus, ncoOReacpasos anes: oce 538
—————_ VATIUS, reece seer ee eceeee cee e eens 537
——— Villosus, cesceeteeese ree eeeeee ees 164
Pied-billed Dobchick,-----++-++-++++++: 624
Pigeon Hawk, -+++++- Anan ConoeaDOo 368
eee tee Passenger, eaanacttes telebarteeatsat 551
— White-headed, ---------. ---- 557
Pileated Woodpecker, --+++++++++.+++ 533
Pine-creeping Warbler, -++++++++++++++ 457
660 INDEX.
Page
Pine Finch, sed bop th bart aisn cones 509 Red-bellied Woodpecker, Saami olgenioee
Pine-swamp Warbler, --------+++- 458 Red-bird, Summer, --+++++s++++eeeeee
Pinnated Grous,--++++++++++0eeeee+++ 559 Red-breasted Merganser, ------------
Patel Duck ons -ancenpecssbin 615 Woodpecker, --++++++-
Piping Plover, «-+++s+++e++eeeeee ee 578 Red-cockaded Woodpecker, ----++-+-
Plover, American Golden, --------- 575 Reddish Egret, ----+++.++sseseeeeseeees
—___— American Ring, pia Ie csesiente 579 Red-eyed Vire0, +++ --- eee eee ee ceceeeees
= Kildeer,..-..-sccesercccencees 577 Red-headed Woodpecker, ame ate es
aw Piping, SE Baro Sgn onsinlen 578 Red-necked Grehe,--------+++++++eeeees
— Wilson’s, ------+eeeeeseeees 577 Redpoll, Mealy, sieiaiin bicr nine leis oateie tale awit
Plumed Partridge, --------+-++++++++ 226 Red-shafted Woodpecker, -----++++++-
Podiceps auritus, --++++-++++ 108, 623 Red-shouldered Hawk, -------+--++++-
carolinensis, --+++++++++++++ 624 Redstart, American, -------+++-++++++-
rubricollis, -++-++-++++++++ 620 Red-tailed Hawk, sinieis|oloisicinielalsiseleta Males
Polyborus brasiliensis, --+++-++++++ 351 Red-throated Diver, ----+++++++++++++
Pomarine Jager, Reet oh stele einterere ties 643 Red-winged Starling, shane alee seus vaste
Prairie Finch,--++-+++++s+eeeseeeeeees 19 Regulus triCOlOY,++++++++seeeeee eee eee eee
Titlark, ----0----2seeeeseoeee 440 Republican Swallow, 4 ibis o e'sles wupinetaeee
Procellaria gigantea, stoic ats ele'ojsistelare's 330 Rice Bird,. --+-+++++-sseeeeeeeeeeseneeens
pacifica, Bo int tet eiereiete 321 Robin, American, wee outsisich we se pemiaee
tenuirostris, «++++++++++ 333. Rocky Mountain Flycatcher,---------
Prothonotary Warbler, --------++-- 461 Roscoe’s Yellow. throat,--+-+++-++++++-
Ptarmigan, Common,-+++++++++++++- 196 Rose-breasted Grosbeak, -+-++++++++-
Ptiliogonys Townsendi, ----++--+++- DO GU HVOSRIS, Grit lest cere micisite sae aineisinaisiale sane
ae Townsend's, sisioiere aieisteleiace 206 Rough-legged Falcon, Goa dga rer sakes
Purple Finch,-------+++++++++++e++++ 500 Ruby-throated Humming Bird,------
Grakle, --+++ssseseereeeeeees 481 Rufted Grous, nian blatelulejoiejeintorstel stare Bateetateretate
——_— Martin, --:--eeeeeee eee r ener 4.08 Rusty Grakle, -+++-+sseceeseecenene ves
Quiscalus ferrugineus, «+++++++++++ 483 Salt-water Marsh-Hen, -++-----++++++
major, aisis <ictoioa(etetelainr ete 4.80 Sanderling, misisiciajeiaisia ciaitalen (cee ates tae eet
— versicolor, -++++ssess++++* 48] Sandpiper, Pectoral, ---++++2++eeseeee
Semipalmated, -----+-++++-
Rallus carolimus,-+++-++++ssrssseere* 572 Solitary, -++++sseeseeeeseee
Crepitans,--++++ssereeeerereses 570 Savannah Finch, «-+-+-+++eesererer eee
—— noveboracensis, --+++++:++++ 574 —Searlet Ibis, ..0++---0-.ccencreescenstan
virginianus prreseseeseenereees 573 Scaup Duck, -+-2---eeseceeeesccescreee
Rail, Clapper; sjatahctatetata «lctbte a aie etal 570 Scolopax Drummondil, --+-++-.--+-+--
Gora, et een esiveyewerremennabinne 570 Walkoni, /-s=----ueeseeoneeey
PNR eet Virginian, lolclalutalpteietete siejraks sabia 573 Scoter, American, a susie clorclge stes Biaeeroans
Yellow-breasted, NATL LS 574 Selby’s Flycatcher, Se cas clamp hinted mie canes
Raven, ccccesscsserserseesessssese ess 476 Semipalmated Sandpiper, -++-+++++++-
Razor-billed Auk, --:+++ressssesr9+ 628 Snipe, in: ores onatieebnn
Red-_and-white-winged Troopial, 1. Sharp-tailed Finch, «----.-..ses.es-+-
Red-backed Woodpecker, sietaiteieiaie 335° Shore: Lark, - ------.----ssscseccsencrence
Red-bellied Nuthatch, <rr+sse+++"* 473 Short-billed Marsh Wren,---.--++++++
Page
169
518
99
179
12
604
430
536
620
87
174
380
428
378
625
487
465
415
486
44)
302
463
513
324
217
544
560
483
570
582
582
110
582
516
62
614
319
583
117
465
110
585
499
448
409
——— ee eT
Short-eared Owl,
Short-legged Pewee Flycatcher, ---
Short-tailed Tern,
Shrike, Great Cinereous,
Loggerhead,
Siskin, Arkansaw,
Black-headed,
Sitta canadensis,
carolinensis,
pygmea,
Slender-billed Fulmar,-----------.+++
Guillemot, sete ee sence
Small-headed Flycatcher,
Green-crested Flycatcher, ---
Snipe, Common American,
Drummond’s,
Semipalmated,
Snow Bird,
Bunting, Ma tie catyee vis steinieresisielsiace
Snow-finch, Oregon,
ee er
ry
eee cece ee eer
Peete see eee eeeene
Se
eee eeeeewereses
Se oy
ee ory
eee com eresesserese
eee eee er
Cee re eeeesceece
Pee e er ees eeaeeessreseees
Sette eater eee eeessseseses
Vireo,
fete cece reser eceeenee
Cee eee sees ec eer seesesees
Pee reese ewe were esessceeses
Sparrow, Brown Song,
Chipping,
Fox coloured,
Green-tailed,-----++-+-+.++.
ene eerreesee
eee eee rere esses see
Se ey
eeereeces
CAYANA, +++ ere eee rere eeseecerees
fuliginosa, beuadooccdsenoosoaros
Havelli,
nigra,
stolida, eeioiattinieiricie/elaineiatelaniasicia's ©
Trudeaui,
Pere eee eee e sere see
eee eee eee eee ee rs
eee eee eee eee eee
INDEX.
291
427
641
22
127
639
641
122
661
Page
Strix acadita, -----s-rrerscessccecsons 397
S10, <sasesececesencsoes corpoce 392
brachyotus, -++++++++eesereeseeee 273
CUNICUIATIA,++++++++e eee eee serene 264
— flammea, wee c ev ccescccccccccncees 888
forficata, --+-++--sesseccccceecens 334
Sturnus ludovicianus, ----++++++-+++ 492
Strix nebulosa,--------+--seeeseeceeeee 386
nyctea, Hoc ona connedccconoceonos 382
PASSETINA, see eeeeeeeeeeee essen 269
passerinoides, agdonoasocobosanke 269
VIFGINIANA, -++---sceeeeneecee ere 393
Summer Red-bird, --------+---+-+++- 518
Surf-bird, Townsend’s------++-.+++++ 249
Sylvia agilis, --+:+++ssseeeeeseeeeeeee 81
PRG, NoSdoedsacoddérasocacdeda 38
2 / Micali anins 060886 con oce soe oaberc 52
AZUTCA, ooo cece ee cen esccancccees 456
—— Blackhburnicey) =----...0~- 73, 459
CANAGENSIS,--++++-eeeceecncseeee 458
—— castanea, slvinielelsts(ainja\aluinialaresielalns}atals 459
ea = Childrenit, <ss<-casserceame eee 453
—— chrysoptera, -++++++seeeeseeeee 154
= TWITTY cocsoonanseo nde oapode 307
—— Magillivrayi, ------------+++-+- 75
———._ MACUIOSA, --+--2rececrceeseneee 458
SS niyatsinne), siocogacnconanore conece 156
ae rm hit), Ceaeooueedoone: Seocnasee 465
———._ MONTANA +++ eee eee reeves senses 294,
NIQKESCENS, +++ +++ eeeeee reece eees 57
occidentalis, -----------.++- 41, 55
—— ESLIVA,. “-reeceeeeerscccsccenace 453
———__ PATUS sererrerrecereeceeceeceeeee 457
PCLEQTINA, ++r-eeeeeeeeeee eee ces 462
—_ Philadelphia, eee ceecccescsccces 79
PINUS, +++ +e eeeeeeeee eee eeee evens 457
Protomotarius,--+-++++++++--eee. 461
TATA, ces cececesceccccccccecneces 456
——— ROsc0e, ----2.-ceccescecssencoes 463
rubricapilla, ++++++++s-seseeees 461
Slalis, co+s-++eeecesccccscceseeees 452
——— sphagnosa, serene cen esnresescees 458
——= SWAIMBSONI, «++ +-ceecesesesces 462
—— Townsendi,--++-----+---seeeseee 36
TPINCHAS: lesen scvcneacccsacveesiass 463
VeIMIVOLA, ++++++++ mastiattsllaissia 460
662 IN DEX.
Page
Sylvia Vigorsii,--+--++++0+++eeseeeeeees 457
VITENS, -- 200+ cccwesccccceccsccecns 70
a——: autummalis, .-----00.s2c.006 457
Swainson’s Warbler,-------.-+-..2++2- 462
Swallow, Common Barn,------------ 411
Republican, ----+++++--+++. 415
White-bellied, ------------ 417
Swallow-tailed .Hawk,----+-++++++++- 371
Swamp Sparrow, «++-+++++++seseeerees 508
Swan, American, --+---++-+-+-ees-++e+ 133
Trumpeter,--++++++eseeser rere es 114
Swift, American, ------+-+--+-++s2000. 419
Tachypetes Aquilus,-++-+++++++++++++5 634
Tanagra ludoviciana, -------++++++++ 90
BESTIVA, +e eer ee ee eeeee cee eeeees 518
Tawny Thrush, -++++++++-0+-e2+0000 446
Teal, Green-winged,--+++++++++++0+0++ 616
Tennessee Warbler,-----++++++++++++- 462
Tern, Black,--++++ssscecececessercreees 642
Cayenne; Sad Wala wid sinbldle's ola clels © 639
—— Gull-billed,-----.--.+----...0-- 12
—— Havell’s,-----+----sseeeeeeceeees 122
—— Marsh, ------seseeresceeeeeeens 127:
ASE Noddy; ssa. essvtelanedd.. 642
BRED Short stagleds 20-- .secuzoact> 642
sect. Sooty, sadveeSS a8 dsics ohicdeladelane 641
Trudeau’s, sstzds.dsteebidds eeisttic 125
Tetrao canadensis, -++++++++ereeeeees 563
Cupido, «++++eseeeeeeeeeee eer ene 559
leucurus, <-+++seseeeeeeeeeeee 200
= MULUS, crrees eee eeeceeseeeeeeee 196
Unmnbellus,---++--- seeeseseeees 560
Thalassidroma Wilsonii, ------+« eee 645
Three-toed Woodpecker, -----+------ 538
Woodpecker, Common, 184
Thrush, Ferruginous, -----+-+-+++++- 44]
Golden-crowned,--+-+-+++++- 44:7
Hermit, <-+:-+62ee-sseeeeenee 4A5
M igratory, as ater deeetesnt,s 441
Tawny, Sees Sp anC esos SCioo 446
‘Viariedh,, 22 dae cue ieee sans 284
Wood, ccd oddecaapeewestnaees 446
Titlark, Brown,-+---++-+s++eseeeeece ees 4.4.9
PYaIrie,-+++2++ ++ esse eres eee ees 449
Titmouse, Carolina, <++-++-++++++2++0+ 47 4
Page
Titmouse, Crested, «+--++-+++eneee eee AT
Totanus chloropyvius, ---+-++++++++++ 582
flavipes, «+-+++eeseeeeeeeeeees 586
semipalmatus, -+++++++++++ ++ 585
Towhee Bunting,--+++-++++++++++eeees 511
Townsend’s Bunting, --++++++++++++- 90
Cormorant, wen Sslgieiele one 14.0
Finch, --++++++++eeeeeee 236
————— Mocking Thrush,------ 336
Oyster-catcher, --+-+- Q47
Ptilogonys, -+++++++++++ 206
—_——. Surf-birds:+::..-..---..2- 249
Warbler, «-+--+.2sesereee 36
Traill’s Flycatcher, -+-+-++++++++++++ 426
Tree Sparrow, -+++++-+eseeeeeeeteeeees 504
Tringa @FCNATIA,- s-- <b assis Sees eele == 582
pectoralis, ++++-++e+eeereeeee 582
semipalmata, --+++++++++++++ 110
Trochilus Anna, --+++++s+eeeseeeeeees 238
Colubris, «++ -++++++2+ese8+8 544A
Troglodytes POON, ++2342s-eaeencr 470
AMETICANUS,-+++++ +++ ++ 469
Bewickii,2--+<sse0s-ceee 467
brevirostris, ++++++++++++ 469
——_——— ludovicianus, --------- 466
palustris, -+++++++++++++6 467
Parkmanii, --++-----++- 310
Troopial, Bullock’s, --+++++++++++++ 9, 278
Crimson-winged, --+--+++ 211
—— Red-and-White-winged,--- 1
Yellow-headed, -----++++++ 6
Trumpeter Swan, -+++++++++e+eeeeeeeee 114
Trudeau's ‘Tern, *:#+#2+-2tseseee.eees 125
Turdus aquaticus,--++++++-++++sesee+e 284
aurocapillus, ++++++++++++++ 447
fE]IVOX, = sm eecevccsecrcwsensees 448
MIGTALOLIUS, +++ +++++ eee eee eee 441
MINOY, +++ eee seers eee eeeeeees 445
miustelinus, --++-+-+++++-+eee- 446
TLEEVIUS, see eee eeeeeeeeeeeeeee 284,
TANUS, sersrereeececececeeseees 201
polyglottus, retteeeceereeeeees 438
TUFUS, «2+ ce ceecseeercencses « 441
Townsendi,-------++++++++96 « 336
Turkey Buzzard, --+++2+++e++e+eeseeee 339
S Wild, -sse+-scceeesessceenuees 559
a re
INDEX.
Page
Tyrant Flycatcher, cocadaucuencec Ibo 420
[Dili eRBpbuceconose 288
Uria antiqua, -++++++reeeesee eee eee eee 100
Grylle, Hat écac sonedduepacd auc bose 627
Townsend, -+-++++2++ereeeeseees 251
Varied Thrush, --------+-+-++eeeeee IBA
Vigors’s Warbler, -----+-+++++++++++ +++ 457
Violet-green Cormorant, ----+----+-- 148
Vireo Bartramii, --+++++-++-seeeeee- es 206
flavifrons,---++-+++esseeeeeeeeeeee 428
——— GilVUS, -++-++eeeeeeeeeete reece eee 431
noveboracensis, -++++++++++++++- 431
OLIVACEUS, +++ 22eeeeatereccerceeeee 4.30
SOLItATIUS, -++++2+e+seereeece eee ree 432
Bartram(s, se2eccem>dece--riial- = 206
Red-eyed, -+++++ss+eeeeereeeees 430
Solitary, -++++++s++esseeeeeeeees 4.32
—— Warbling, --+++sssseeeeeeeeees 431
ieee Sa Wihitentyed, vcs». eeartevece-- 431
Yellow-throated,----+-+++++++-+ 428
Virginian Rail,--+-+---2-0eseeeeeeee ees 573
Waultiines: Blacks, -ascer(rleleceme eisai 845
Californian, eee meee ee seececcce YAO
Warbler, Audubon’s, -++++++++++++ 52
Autumnal, -++--+2ssseeeeeeee 457
SS Are gE EER eee tent ee eee eee 486
ee Bay-breasted, aconodeobenconn 459
——— Black and Yellow, --------- 458
——_—. Blackburnian, --------- 73, 459
——— Black-throated Blue, ------ 458
— Black-throated Green, 70
— ——. Black-throated Grey,------ 57
——— Blue-green,--+-+++-++e++++++- 456
Blue Mountain, --------++-+ 291
Cape May g ttt eeeecececeeees 156
Children’s, ccc cceccccscnccces 453
Connecticut, -++-++++++e+e+s 81
Golden-winged, ----+--+++- 154
Green Black-capt, --+--+-- 464,
Hemlock, -:+++++s2+ seeeees 457
Hermit, -+---e+seeeeeeeseeeee 55
Hooded, ---+-csseeessereeeeee 465
——— Macgillivray’s, -:-++++-++++ 75
663
Page
Warbler, Mourning, -++-+++++++++++++5 79
Nashville, ----2++-++-++++++ 461
——— Pine-creeping,--------++++++- 457
—— Pine-swamp, -++--++++++++ A58
——— Prothonotary, ---------+++-+- 461
ee SV AINSOMS: n= se nldlelee cee naiclelsie 462
meme, DEMMESSEES -2snocieesseeaacecs 462
ee NO WIC Os Saeiiarisles «occen este 36
eet Vigors’s, Seigrale eat colsisi= sreisie 457
—— Worm-eating,--++++--+-+0++ 460
— Yellow-breasted, --.------ 463
Yellow-poll, -+-+++2++++++++ 453
Warbling Flycatcher, Retie dats sccicises 431
Water Thrush, Common,-------++++- 284
Welcome Partridge, ---+---+-+-++++++- 298
Western Blue Bird, ----------.+-+-++- 41
Duck, ---+20sseecoccesnceees 253
— Gull, -2-2seceeeeeeeeseeee ees 320
Whip-poor-will, --+-+++-+-++++ 335, 405
White-bellied Swallow, ---.--++-++- 417
White-breasted Nuthatch, --------- 473
White-crowned Sparrow, ----+-+++++- 515
White-eyed Vireo, -+--+++sseeeseeeee 431
White-headed Eagle, --+---+-.--+++- 354
White-headed Pigeon, -+++++++++eeeee 5AT
White This, ----+---.sssccnsccssecens 503
White-rumped Cormorant, --------- 336
White-tailed Cormorant, --------+-+- 336
White-tailed Grous,-----++-+++++++++- 200
White-throated Bunting,---.-----+-- 497
Wild Turkey, istatetatelstelateltia) sterterntersistelsiars 559
Willlet, -----cessscccccsssccsccccsssecees 585
Wilson’s Petrel, --------+--+-sseeeee: 645
Plover, <-+-----eseescceeenen 577
Winter Hawk, aiclavd star el sie'a sfeisie'sleteterstalciereta 380
Wood Duck, --+--+-----sseeeeecencecees 618
Woodpecker, Audubon’s, ---+++++++++ 104
Canadian, -----+-.+--. 188
Common Three-toed, 184
Downy, wee cecccccccccs 539
ed Gairdner’s, eicteiatetnisteistere 317
Golden-winged, ------ 540
Hairy, Rontetclcisace clestetens 164
PRarris’6, -20<-+000+eeene 191
Imperial, --+++++++++++++ 313
Ivory-billed, --.+....- 525
664 INDEX.
Page Page
Woodpecker, Lewis's, serssessseeeeee 176. Wren, Wrarsh; <-> sciideccvaceteces canes 467
——_——._— Lineated,-----++-.++.++. 315 Parkmian’s, ---+-+s+esssceesee 310
Maria’s, -++++++++s2e0e. 181) ———{. W000, «ooo ee revcvecvnenccccsce 469
Phillips’s eee 186
Pileated, ---++++++++++++ 533 Yellow-bellied Woodpecker, ------ 537
Red-backed, --+--++++ 335 Yellow-billed Cuckoo, -----------.--- 520
Red-bellied, -----++-- 169 Yellow-breasted Chat,.-.-+--+++++++- 433
Red-breasted, --:---- *» 179 Yellow-breasted Rail, -------.-.....- 574A
Red-cockaded,-----+--- 12 Yellow-breasted Warbler, --.------ 463
Red-headed, ---+++-+- 536 Yellow-headed Troopial,-----------. 6
eens Red-shafted, ---+-+++- 174 Yellow-nosed Albatross, ----+-+-+++- 326
Three-toed,--+++++++++- 538 Yellow-Poll Warbler, --..--.-.-.---. 453
Yellow-bellied, ------ 587 ‘Yellow-Shank,-+---0-.s.ce0sssaresens 586
Wood Pewee, -++++--ceeeeeeeeeeeeeens 425 Yellow-throat, Delafield’s, --------. 307
Thrush, «++---+-+eeeeeeeeeeeeeee AAG) ORCC IE Seles teeta 463
We, cee ree seen cece er eceeees 4.69 Yellow-throated Vireo, aoc ospeeemtne 428
Worm-eating Warbler, ----------+- 460 Yellow-winged Bunting,-----.---.-- 407
Wren, Bewick’s, -----+-+++++e+++ee0ee 467
Great Carolina,--+-++++++++++: 4G8 “Zenaida’ Dove,» «+00 %s revues oce-slase 558
——— House, -++---eescececeevesecene 470
PRINTED BY NEILL & CO. OLD FISHMARKET, EDINBURGH.
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